Records of the Pringles of the Scottish Border, by Alex Pringle

Chapter 21

PEEBLES

ROBERT (SHERIFF-DEPUTE)

ROBERT HOPPRINGILL in 1542 as Sheriff-depute of Peeblesshire gives to John Lowis sasine of the half barony of Manor (MS., Reg.). In 1551 the townsmen, including Robert and his son John, protest against the alienation of lands which were permanents of their commonty of Glentress (B. R.). In 1554 a property in the town is feued to Thomas Hoppringill for payment of 10s. yearly to the chaplain of St Martin's altar for the time. In 1555 Robert and Thomas are amongst 25 persons chosen by the Council to transact all their business, the riding at Easter, the wapinschaws, etc. (B. R,). On 30th September 1555 Robert Hoppringill and John Wightman are elected bailies, and Lord Hay of Yester provost (Burgh Records). In October 1556 two new baillies are appointed. In 1556 Thomas Hoppringill, as heir of his mother Christina Balcaskie, gets sasine of certain property in the town. In April 1557 six burgesses value the stock assigned in steelbow (returnable at end of lease) to his son Thomas (Renwick). Robert and his spouse Christina Balcaskie left issue: -

1. John, his heir, burgess of Peebles.

2. Thomas of Milkiston.

3. James, burgess of Peebles.

4. Margaret, marr. William Bell.

JOHN

On 15th June 1568, Andrew Hoppringill of Smailholm in his charter anent the lands of Galashiels and Mossilee nominates John, son of Robert Hoppringill, burgess of Peebles, as the 4th possible heir (see Smailholm). In 1579 Dion Elphinston, having granted a lease of the half lands of Whitehaugh to John and his son Charles for five years, though his mother was liferenter, both are ordered to remove in her favour (A.D.). In 1579 the bailies are Alexander Govan and John. In 1582 and 1584 John has trouble about his lands in Langsyde, Kings- meadows, and Whitehaugh. In 1584 James Hoppringill, when defending his brother John and firing a pistol at a party, unfortunately shot his own wife Mariota Dalmahoy, who had stepped between (P. C.). In 1585 William Hay, Master of Yester, accompanied by some 40 persons, including James and John Hoppringill in Peebles, John Inglis of Manorhead, and Alexander Veitch and son, were accused of appearing at Belstane before sunrise, armed with jacks, steel bonnets, pistols, etc., and pursuing John Livingston there for his life, and, when he got into his house, firing through the windows (P. C.). In 1595 a difference having arisen between Gavin Thomson, servant to Lord Newbattle, and John and his son Charles, each of the parties find cautioners that they will not harm one another; for the former Sir John Murray of Eddleston and Alexander Lauder, fear of that Ilk; for Thomson, James Lord Borthwick (A.D., Gibson).

John died before August 1598. He had issue: -

Charles, his heir.

CHARLES

In July 1598 the Presbytery intervened in the dispute between Charles and Gavin Thomson, and after several visitations by the rector, Charles, in August 1600, signified that he was willing to be reconciled to Gavin if Sir James Pringill of Smailholm gave his consent. Sir James said he would if Gavin made as good an offer as he had made to Charles's late father. In December Charles, after being threatened with a public admonition by his pastor, appeared before the Presbytery and said he had communicated at the table as ordered by them, not being reconciled, but he had put away all grudge against Gavin; whereon the Presbytery, after admonishing him, let the matter drop (Dr. Gunn, "The Cross Kirk, Peebles,'' 1912).

In 1601 Charles appears as an occupier of certain lands in Mailingsland. In 1604 he and certain others find caution in £50 to buy from Sir Michael Balfour a complete stand of Arms.

The feud between Charles and Gavin Thomson broke out afresh. In December 1608 the King's Advocate complained that in September 1607 Charles with nine or ten others, including Andrew Pringill of Milkiston, David and William his brothers, Andrew's son John, and Alexander Dalmahoy in Peebles, all armed with swords and whingers, pursued Gavin in the High Street of Peebles, wounded him in the left hand, and drove him back to the house of Isabella Anderson, where they would have slain him if he had not been relieved by the parson of Peebles. From that date to now, December 1608, the said Charles and the other defenders have not ceased to carry arms for Gavin's pursuit, so that he dare not for fear of his life go to church or market place. On the 2nd inst. they pursued him in the High Street, and after wounding some who intervened chased him into the house of William Elliot, where they would have slain him but for the said interveners. The said Charles and Andrew Pringill and Dalmahoy being present, the Lords found the assaults in 1607 and 1608 clearly proven, and order them into ward in the tolbooth of Edinburgh, but absolve them from the charge of bearing arms (A. D.). Within a week they would be set free, Alexander Lauder of Halton having become surety for Charles Pringill in 1000 merks, and William Pringill of Cortleferry in 500 for Andrew Pringill and 300 for Dalmahoy, that they would not harm Gavin Thomson (P. C.).

In 1618 the Provost and Bailies of Peebles complained that John Govan having for an assault been ordered into ward by Charles Pringill, bailie, not only refused but struck him, and having been arrested by neighbours and put in ward, by his persuasion his friends at night broke open the tolbooth door and set him free (P. C.) ; and are by the Lords denounced rebels.

In 1623 Charles and his son John are summoned by the parson of Peebles before the Presbytery " for night-walking, carding, and diceing in his own house." After they had satisfied the discipline of the kirk, Charles and his accomplices John Burnet and Patrick Paterson bound themselves under a penalty of £100 to observe the authority of the kirk session (Dr Gunn).

In 1624 at the Wapenshaw held by the Provost appeared Charles and his son John properly armed with sword, hackbut, two pistols, steel bonnet, and Jack (Renwick).

Charles died before February 1642. By his spouse Bessie Threipland he left as heir -

JOHN 2,

his son, most of the notices of whom have been given along with his father's.

In 1636 he complained that he was kept arrested in the ward house of Peebles by his creditors, 24 in number, to whom he had granted bonds, all of which he was ready to pay pro rata, disposing to them all his goods movable and immovable, except certain sums provided to his spouse Bessie Tweedie by marriage contract, and therefore he ought to be set at liberty conform to the law in such cases. His procurator having produced an Assignation to that effect, the Lords ordered the Provost and bailies to set him free (A. D., Scott).

In January 1654 John Hay and John Pringill are reported to the Presbytery as using scandalous language in their cups a year previously about playing cards in Hell, saying it-would be hot work, etc. In September John Pringill's minister reported that he had prayed for him publicly. In October he compeared, fell on his knees, and declared his innocence, and he and Hay are ordered to appear before the Synod. After much dealing in May 1656 Hay, now Sir John, confessed, and in July is ordained to come to the public place of repentance in linens and be admonished by his minister, but was a scandal by his coming there. After his long imprisonment Sir John came to the Presbytery in December and promised to obey their injunctions. Such was the power of the Kirk in those times (Dr Gunn).

In 1674 Bessie and Agnes, daughters of John Pringle and his spouse Bessie Tweedie, as heirs portioners of their uncle Thomas Tweedie, whose wife, leaving no children, had assigned to a party her tocher of 1000 merks, are ordered to enter heirs to their said uncle and pay the money to the said party (A. D., Dalrymple).

John appears to have left as his heirs only these two daughters.