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OF

COLONEL JAMES WALLAC

Α

COLONEL WALLACE is called "James of Achens," or "Auchanes," in the record trial after the battle of Pentland.* the family seat of his ancestors, is situate in the parish of Dundonald, in Ayrshire. posite to the village and castle, (of Dun is a very beautiful bank of wood, upwa most places, of 100 feet in height, and ex near a mile to the north-west. In a gra

vature of this bank, and on a gentle em stands the house of Auchans, for a long the residence of the Wallaces of Dun

* Wodrow, i. app. pp. 91, 93, 109.

About 1640 this estate came into the possession of Sir William Cochrane of Lowdon (Cowdon) knight, who was afterwards created earl of Dundonald. At the Auchans are the remains of a small orchard which was once in high reputation. The pear, known in Scotland by the name of Auchans, derived that name from this place.*"

The Wallaces of Dundonald were a branch of the ancient family of Craigie. William Wallace, second son of Hugh Wallace of Craigie, was, in 1525, tutor of Craigie; and in 1526, had a charter under the great seal of the lands of Dundonald. His oldest son, William, having succeeded to the estate of Craigie, his second son John, styled also of Inchgotry, got a charter of the lands of Dundonald in 1543, and married Lady Margaret Kennedy, relict of William, Lord Herries. John Wallace, grandson of William Wallace, tutor of Craigie, is the first who was styled of Auchans and Dundonald; and, as appears from charters granted in 1573 and 1574, he married Janet Stuart, daughter of Sir John Stuart of Minto. In 1599 John Wallace of Craigie obtained a charter of the lands of Dundonald.† Yet subsequently to that period we find John Wallace of Dundonald

Statistical Account of Scotland, (Parish of Dundonald,) vol. vii. p. 620.

+ Notes communicated by John Riddell, Esq.

mentioned in the records.* Whether the family retained their former style after the loss of their estate, or whether a part of the estate still remained in their possession, does not appear.

James Wallace, the writer of the following narrative, appears to have early adopted the military profession, and having distinguished himself in the parliamentary army during the civil war, was raised to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.† He belonged to the Marquis of Argyle's regiment, which was sent to Ireland in 1642, and was recalled in 1645, to oppose the victorious progress of Montrose. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Kilsyth.§ When Charles II. came to Scotland in 1650, the Parliament ordered two regiments of Life Guards to be embodied, one of horse and the other of foot, to be composed of "the choicest of the army, and fittest for that

*"May 5, 1601.-Joannes Wallace, senior, de Dundonald haeres masculus tallie et provisionis Roberti Wallace de Collane." (Inq. Retorn. Perth, 73.) In 1640 the lands of Dundonald became the property of Sir William Cochrane of Cowdon. (Act. Parl. Scot. v. 656: comp. v. 28.) The lands of Auchans and Dundonald were acquired from the Earl of Dundonald in 1724, by Robert Wallace of Holmston, W. S. who sold them in 1726 to the Earl of Eglinton.

+ Burnet's Own Times, i. 341. Edin. 1753.

Carte's Ormond, i. 310. Baillie's Letters, ii. 274.

§ "Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace" is mentioned among the prisoners. (Monteith's Hist. of the Troubles, 218.) He is called "Colonel Wallace" in the Memoirs of Montrose, p. 171. Edin.

December that year, Lord Lorn say spect my Lieutenant-Colonel has, in providence, returned to his charge, lity in this cause is well known b land and in this kingdom, and that are very many and great, I do humbly your Majesty, and this high Court of may be pleased in a particular mann notice of him, that he may not only h pany appointed him, but likewise some

* Sir James Balfour's Annals, iv. 84, 85. Act. 1 568.-" At his Majesty's command, Sir James Lyon King at Arms, set down the devices upon th colours of his Majesty's foot regiment of Life Guar the Lieutenant-Colonel were azure, an unicorn, arg. other side" in grate gold letters," these words, " Religione, King, and Kingdomes."-(Balfour's An p. 85.) When Wallace afterwards appeared at Pent scarcely be said that he deserted his standard, or device.

+ Among the prisoners mentioned in Cromwell's "Lieutenant-General Sir James Lomsden-Lieute Wallis-Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Forbis," &c.the Lord General Cromwell to the Parliament of E cerning his proceedings with their army in Scotland, victory God hath given them over the Scottish army t ed at Corcke, in the yeare of our Lord God 1650.)

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