Erskine Table
For early references to Erskine properties see also under Kilmacolm table.
| Name | Value | Date | Grid Ref | Map Sources | Other forms, comments etc |
| The Lordship of Erskine | £66-13-4 | = 100m, Purves p 161. | |||
| The Lordschip of Erskin | £66-13-4 | = 100m, Stewart f 50r. | |||
| Lands, lordship & barony of Erskine | 100m | 1635 | 100m AE in Renfrew Retours (94) 1635. | ||
| Lands of Erskine | 60m | 1653 | See below under ‘Lands of Erskine’ for a partial list. | ||
| Erskine | Pont(33)
Blaeu(Renfrew) Roy(PC & FC) |
Erskin(Pont), Erskyn(Blaeu), Erskine(Roy(PC)), Ereskine(Roy(FC)) | |||
| North Glen | NS 3871 | Pont(33)
Blaeu(Renfrew) Roy(PC) Ainslie(1796) |
See below. | ||
| Hightree | 1498 | c. NS 3773 | Roy(PC & FC) | ?=Hietre in RSS I (213) 1498. Part of Finlayston-Cunningham estate. | |
| Gleddoch | £10 | 1818 | NS 3872 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Part of the Finlaystone-Maxwell estate. Gleedoch in Roy(PC), Gleddoch in Ainslie. Robertson, 1818, p 395 writes ‘Gledoch, … called the Ten Pound land’. See below. |
| Langbank
East Langbank West Langbank |
1491 | NS 3873
NS 3972 NS 3872 |
Roy(PC & FC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Langbank in RMS II (2062) 1491. Part of the Finlaystone-Maxwell estate.
OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet III, 1857. = The Grange on OS Explorer 341 |
|
| Middle Penny | 1491 | NS 3773 | Roy(PC & FC) | Part of the Finlaystone-Maxwell estate.
Myddil-pennyland in RMS II (2062) 1491. OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet III, 1857. |
|
| Bogside | 1498 | NS 3672 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Bogsyde in RSS I (213) 1498. Part of Finlayston-Cunningham estate. | |
| Langside | 1614 | NS 3571 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Renfrew Retours (34) 1614. GD39/5/104 1635.
Low & High in Ainslie. |
|
| Knockmountain | 1498 | NS 3671 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Two Knok Montanys in Laing Charters (236) 1498. Part of Finlayston-Cunningham estate. | |
| Barscube | £4 | 1614 | NS 3970 | Pont(33)
Roy(PC) Ainslie(1796) |
= Carrysqwebe in GD124/1/406 c. 1350.
See below. |
| Kylmoloog | c. NS 365729? | GD124/1/406 c. 1350. See below table in the discussion about this parish in the 14th century. OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet III, 1857, marks ‘Site of Chapel’ at Chapel Hill in NS 3672/3673. This is just on the Erskine side of the parish boundary with Kilmacolm. Was this once Kylmoloog? | |||
| Drums | 20s | 1598-9 | NS 4071 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
20s AE Drummis in ER XXIII p 422 1598-9. See below.
|
| High Hatton
North Hatton South Hatton |
10m | 1653
1857 1857 |
NS 4072
NS 4172 NS 4072 |
Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) Thomson(1826) |
10m Over & Nether Haltounes in RMS X (94) 1653.
See below. |
| (West) Glenshinnoch | 10m | 1653 | NS 4170 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) Thomson(1826) |
10m Glenschinoch in RMS X (94) 1653. Probably = Clonschenach of GD124/1/407 c. 1350 and Cloneschynach of GD124/5/1 1375.
See below. |
| Castlehill (Cottage) | NS 4171 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
|||
| Paddockcraig | NS 4170 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) Thomson(1826) |
Puda Craig in Roy(PC), Puddockrig in Ainslie, Paddockrig in Thomson. Church lands in Renfrew Retours (116) 1642, RMS XI (1157) 1668. See also under Kirklands of Erskine below. | ||
| Longhaugh
Longhaugh Point West Longhaugh East Longhaugh |
10m | 1653 |
NS 4273/4373 c. NS 430725 c. NS 434724 |
Roy(PC & FC) | 10m Over & Nether Langoches in RMS X (94) 1653.
OS Explorer 342. = Longhalugh of GD124/1/406 c. 1350. OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet III, 1857. OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet III, 1857. See below. |
| Kirton
(= Kirkton?) |
NS 4471 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Erskine Kirk(Roy) – SW of Erskine, by Mains.
Kirkton of Erskine(Ainslie). |
||
| Kirklands of Erskine
Kirklands |
NS 412705 |
Roy(PC)
OS 6” 1857 |
Roy(PC) gives ‘Kirk Land’ SE of Formaken, SE of Puda Craig, W of Glen Shinuch. OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet VII, 1857. See below. | ||
| Old Erskine Parish Church and Graveyard | NS 447719 | Canmore ID 43346 | |||
| Mains | 10m | 1653 | Roy(PC) | 10m of Erskene called the Maynes in RMS X (94) 1653.
SW of Erskine(Roy). |
|
| Laighpark
Erskine Park Park |
£5 |
1564 |
NS 4571
NS 4572 |
Roy(PC) | = Park of Erskyne in GD124/1/407 c. 1350.
GD148/291 1564 gives £5 Park. This may be £5 Park named in the Cartulary of Pollok-Maxwell p 382 1794. Parkhill(Roy). See below. |
| North Porton |
10m |
1653 |
NS 4471 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Roy gives N., West & S., Portown. Ainslie gives North & West Parton. 10m South & Eist Portounes in RMS X (94) 1653. |
| Rossland
Wester Rosland |
33s 4d (2½m) AE |
1599 |
NS 4470 | Pont(33)
Blaeu(Renfrew) Roy(PC) Ainslie(1796) |
‘Cruckyslandys now called Rosyslandys’ in GD124/1/407 c. 1350.
Roslad(Pont), Rostad(Blaeu), W & E Rossland in Roy(PC). Roslin, West Roslin, Roslin Castle & Roslin Town in Ainslie. See below. |
| Dargavel House | NS 4369 | Pont(33)
Blaeu(Renfrew) Roy(PC) Ainslie(1796) |
Dorgauel(Pont & Blaeu), Dargevell(Roy), Dargavell(Ainslie).
Mentioned in Lennox Vol II. No 130, 1516. See also comment in accompanying Erskine text file. |
||
| Craigton | NS 4470 | Pont(33)
Blaeu(Renfrew) Roy(PC) Ainslie(1796) |
Kraigton B.(urn) in Pont & Blaeu, Craigton(Roy), Craigton & Little Craigton(Ainslie).
Although Craigton now shows under Erskine I think it was once in Inchinnan parish (q.v.). |
||
| Drumcross | c. 1350 | NS 4471 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Drumcors in GD124/1/407 c. 1350 & RMS IV (1445) 1562-3. | |
| Bargarran | NS 4571 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
?= Bargerverane of GD124/1/407 c. 1350. | ||
| Barcloch | c. NS 4570/4571 | Roy(PC)
|
Barclouch GD124/1/407 c. 1350.
Barcloch(Roy): East of South Portown, South-East of Drumcross, West of Bargarran. |
||
| Freeland House | 2½m | 1535 | NS 4472 | Pont(33)
Blaeu(Renfrew) Roy(PC & FC) Ainslie(1796) |
Friland(Pont & Blaeu), Freeland(Roy & Ainslie). This land belonged to the Hospitallers in 1535.
See below. |
| Bishopton |
£10 AE |
1610 |
NS 4271/4371 | Pont(33)
Blaeu(Renfrew) Roy(PC & FC) Ainslie(1796) |
Byschoptoun in GD124/1/407 c. 1350.
Renfrew Retours (31) 1610. Following Roy it appears Bishopton was at NS 4172/4272. See below. |
| Barrangary | NS 4469 | Blaeu(Renfrew)
Roy(PC) Ainslie(1796) |
There is a semi-obliterated name in Pont which reads ‘(B)..irga…’
Birgaraw(Blaeu), Barrangrie(Roy), Barangry(Ainslie). Robertson(1818) p 389 refers to part of Bishopton called Ditch and Barangree. |
||
| Ditch | Roy(PC) | Marked twice in Roy, once E, once W, of river. NW of Barrangrie. | |||
| Ingliston | 5m | 1678 | NS 4271 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
NRAS3058/12 1678, NRAS3058/13 1679. NRAS3058/15 1696, NRAS3058/17 1714, NRAS3058/18 1733. |
| Gladstone
Hayhill & Longmeadow Hayhill and Glaidstone Gladston |
NS 4370 |
Part of Inglistoune according to NRAS3058/14 1690.
NRAS3058/15 1696. Part of 5m Englestone according to NRAS3058/17 1714. OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet VII, 1857. I have no statement for Longmeadow but probably all parts of Ingliston. |
|||
| Formakin | NS 4070 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Formaken + mill in Roy, Firmakin Mill in Ainslie. | ||
| Highfield | c. 1350 | c. NS 4071 | Roy(PC)
Thomson(1826) |
Heyfeylde of GD124/1/407 c. 1350 is probably Highfield. It appears as Hie Field in Roy(PC) and Highfield in Thomson. | |
| Slateford | NS 4272 | Roy(PC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Part of Bishopton. Sclatefoord in Roy.
Sclutford in GD437/158 1791. |
||
| Crosshill | NS 4271 | Roy(PC & FC)
Ainslie(1796) |
Part of Bishopton.
Crosshill in GD437/158 1791. |
||
| Woodnuck | Roy(PC) | Part of Bishopton. Roy gives ‘Wood(c)ockhill’ just N of Sclatefoord. Woodnuck in GD437/158 1791. | |||
| Dibstirling | Thomson(1826) | Part of Bishopton. Tibstirlings in Thomson – just SW of Bishopton. Dibstirling in GD437/158 1791. | |||
| Park Erskine
Park Glen Parkglen Wood |
2m | 1594 | NS 3970
NS 3970 NS 3970 |
Roy(PC) | Park Side in Roy, south of Drums. This is probably the ‘Parkis’ listed as part of the Fynlastoun-Maxwell estate in RMS VI (179) 1594. In that document we are told that Rob. Lyoun occupied 2m of Parkis but its total assessment may have been more. |
| Wester-Ferme & Worland | 5m | 1653 | RMS X (94) 1653 gives 5m Wester-Ferme and Worland. I cannot locate these, nor do I have any further references.
However Worland is likely to be Werland which is mentioned in GD124/1/406 c. 1350 (unlocated). |
||
| Newtoun | 5m | 1653 | Mentioned in RMS IV (1445) 1562-3. RMS X (94) 1653 gives 5m Newtoun. Unlocated. | ||
| Porthmydes | 6s 8d | 1635 | See below. | ||
| Total | 97m | The valuation for Gleddoch is not included because it is very late. Likewide, the valuations for Ingliston and Porthmydes may be subsumed within other properties. |
Our earliest documentary sources for Erskine reveal the word’carucate’ of which we have a small number of examples in Renfrew, all early.
GD124/1/406 c. 1350 is given in the NAS online catalogue as follows:
Charter by Robert, Steward of Scotland, to Sir Robert of Erskyne, K(nigh)t, for his homage and service of lands in tenement of Erskyne, e.g. land of Haltoun, with hill of Barennock, as far as the burn running to the sea between land of Carrysqwebe and land of Kylmoloog, with passage from Innerennock, land of Langhalugh, land of Portertoune, Over and Nether, and land called Werland, to be held in fee and heritage, for due and customary service pertaining to one carncate [read carucate] of land and three suits annually at granter’s court of his barony of Renfru; with clause of warrandice.
GD124/1/407 c. 1350 is given in the NAS online catalogue as follows:
Charter by Robert, Steward of Scotland, to Sir Robert of Erskyne, K(nigh)t, for his homage and service, of superiority of tenement of Erskyne, with tenandries, homages and services of free tenants, and their wards, marriages and reliefs, e.g. of lands of Clonschenach, Park of Erskyne, with land of Carrysqwebe pertaining to heirs of deceased John de Parco [Park], Byschoptoun, Heyfeylde, Yuglystoun [read Inglystoun], Cruckyslandys now called Rosylandys, Bargerverane, Drumcors, and Barclouch, to be held in fee and heritage, for due and customary service pertaining to one carncate [read carucate] of land and three suits annually at granter’s court of barony of Renfru; with clause of warrandice.
The first is a grant of lands; the second is a grant of superiority which enabled the feudal superior to take advantage of tenant services and the feudal dues of ward, marriage and relief – all of which could be lucrative. Neither document specifically states that the lands are a carucate but it is reasonable to infer that each block of properties was at least one carucate in extent. Most of these lands can be identified and are given below in list form for clarity. Modern names and comments are added in square brackets. Cruckyslandys (the former name of Rossland) may owe its name to one of the Croc family, amongst the earliest Norman settlers in Renfrewshire.
GD124/1/406 c. 1350
Haltoun [Hatton NS 4072/4172]
Barennock (a hill)
Carrysqwebe [Barscube NS 3970]
Kylmoloog [Kilmoluag NS 3672/3673?]
passage from Innerennock [perhaps implying a ferry terminal?]
Langhalugh [Longhaugh NS 4273/4373]
Portertoune, Over and Nether [North Porton NS 4471]
Werland
GD124/1/407 c. 1350
Clonschenach [Glenshinnoch NS 4170]
Park of Erskyne [Laighpark & Erskine Park NS 4571/4572 are more likely than Park Erskine NS 3970]
Carrysqwebe [Barscube NS 3970]
Byschoptoun [Bishopton NS 4271/4371]
Heyfeylde [Highfield c. NS 4071]
Yuglystoun [read Inglystoun] [Ingliston NS 4271]
Cruckyslandys now called Rosylandys [Rossland NS 4470]
Bargerverane [probably Bargarran NS 4571]
Drumcors [Drumcross NS 4471]
Barclouch [Barcloch c.NS 4570/4571]
Kylmoloog can be related to Kylmeluge which appears as part of Danyelstone in RMS I (867) 1392-3. The context in the latter suggests the NE section of Kilmacolm parish. The context in GD124/1/406 c. 1350 suggests it lay adjacent to the property of Barscube, on the west side thereof. The Danielstoun estate included properties in Erskine so we can envisage this as a now-lost early church site associated with St Moluag. After these early records the name fades from history but we also have two references to a St Moloc’s altar in Glasgow Cathedral. These are known from the Protocol Book of Cuthbert Simon – and, say the editors, not otherwise. The cille or church of Moluag may have been the focal point of a small local cult in this area which has otherwise dopped from view. (See Mackinlay, The Pre-Reformation Church in Scottish Place-Names p 98: ‘In Renfrewshire is the barony of Kilmaluag’). The most likely location for Kilmaluag is Chapel Hill which is just on the Erskine side of the Finlaystone Burn at NS 365729. It is recorded under ID 42415 in the Canmore database.
RMS I (867) 1392-3 mentions a place called Seywode. This name is now lost but was presumably in Erskine or Kilmacolm.
Another useful listing of lands in Erskine is found in RMS IV (1445) 1562-3. The Queen confirmed to John, Lord Erskin, and Annabelle Murray his wife, the lands and lordship of Erskin, viz: (I have added modern names and grid references in square brackets).
Ovir & Nethir Langoch [Longhaugh NS 4273/4373]
Ovir & Nethir Haltoun [Hatton NS 4072/4172]
Newtoun [unlocated]
Glenschinnach [Glenshinnoch NS 4170]
Constable-land [unlocated]
Cowper-land [unlocated]
Eistpark [Laighpark & Erskine Park NS 4571/4572]
Eister, Middill & Wester Portertoun [North Porton NS 4471]
Westir & Eistir Ferry [Wester and Easter Ferry; West Ferry is ENE of Gleedoch in Roy]
Bischoptoun [Bishopton NS 4271/4371]
Hiefeild [Highfield c. NS 4071]
Inglistoun [Ingliston NS 4271]
West-park de Erskin [Park Erskine NS 3970]
Roslandis [Rossland NS 4470]
Bargarran [Bargarran NS 4571]
Drumcors [Drumcross NS 4471]
Barcloch [Barcloch c.NS 4570/4571]
Many of these places can be recognised from the lists of c. 1350.
As shown in RMS IV (1445), Erskine had two settlements called Park and it is important to distinguish them.
Lands of Erskine
ER XIII p 659 1508 gives a sasine to Robert Erskin of Erskin.
RMS X (94) 1653 gives 60m in Erskine which is summarised here but which also appears under individual headings in the table above. It is not a complete break-down of the lands of Erskine but a useful summary of many of them:
10m the Maynes (Mains) [Mains]
10m Over & Nether Langoches [Longhaugh NS 4273/4373]
10m Over & Nether Haltounes [Hatton NS 4072/4172]
5m Wester-Ferme & Worland
10m Glenschinoch [Glenshinnoch NS 4170]
10m South & Eist Portounes [North Porton is at NS 4471]
5m Newtoun.
plus Bischoptoun, Bargarrane, Rosland and Park – without their assessments.
North Glen
Sorting out the various farms with the name Glen is extremely puzzling. On OS Explorer 341 West Glen is at NS 3771 and North Glen at NS 3871 – both in Erskine parish. Mid-Glen, and another West Glen, lie in Houstoun parish. Pont(33) gives N. Glens, O. Glens, Glen B., Glens where N. is presumably Nether, O. is Over and B. is for Burn. Blaeu Renfrew has N. Glens, O. Glens, Glens B., Glens where the abbreviations must be the same). Glen in Roy(PC) is presumably North Glen at NS 3871.
North Glen (Erskine), the north side of West Glen (Houstoun), and East (now Mid) Glen (Houstoun) all drain into the Dargavel Burn.
Gleddoch
Gleddoch and some of the westernmost properties of Erskine belonged to the Finlaystoun-Maxwell estate.
RMS II (1612) 1484-5 tells us that two-thirds of Langbankis, Myddilpennyland and Slevanemure extended annually to 9m 9s 4d. This implies that the return from the full properties would be 14m 7s 6d – which is a puzzling figure.
RMS II (2062) 1491 is a royal charter confirming a grant by Lord Lile to his illegitimate son, Nicholas, of two-thirds of Langbank, Myddil-pennyland, Slewane-mure, Gliddach and an annual return of 2m from Stanely (Paisley parish). The annual rent from all these properties came to 14m 32d or 14m 2s 8d. (These lands had been apprised from the Maxwells of Newerk and Finlaustoun and then sold to Lord Lile).
It is difficult to draw any conclusions from comparing these two documents. Gleddoch is mentioned in 1491 but not in 1484-5. In some cases we can infer a land-valuation from an annual rent but I don’t think the evidence here is persuasive.
The name Gleddoch is one of the few in Renfrew which just might indicate the presence of davachs. The ending ‘-doch’ is a frequent abbreviation in davach place-names and we have other possible examples in Haddockstane, Cornhaddock, Goldenhaddok etc. The first element ‘gled’ is from Old English and stands for a kite (a bird of prey). Typical place-names using gled are Gladston (NS 4370) in this parish or Gladstone (NS 3962) in Kilbarchan parish. The place-name also became a surname.
Barscube
ER IX p 659 1444 gives a sasine to Walter Steuart of Barskub etc.
ER IX p 670 1465 gives a sasine to Thomas Steuart of Barsquyb, Hunterhill, Salsahill.
ER XII p 711 1502 gives a sasine to George Steuart of Barskub, Sauserland, Hunterhill.
ER XIII p 661 1510 gives a sasine to George Steuart of Berscub and Sauserland.
There are frequent references to the £4 AE Barscube:
ER XVIII pp 501-2 1550. Barscub, Huntarhill and an acre called ‘Hen akir’ are here described as £5 land AE. Since RMS VIII (727) 1621 on original of 1614, describes Hunterhill and Henaiker as 20s (£1) land it follows that Barscub must be £4.
Hunterhill, Salsahill, Sauserland and (presumably), Henaiker, are in Paisley parish.
RMS VIII (727) 1621 on original of 1614, (767) 1624
Renfrew Retours (117) 1642
RMS IX (1667) 1646
RMS XI (1012) 1667 on original of 1666
Renfrew Retours (187) 1686, (188) 1688. These last two specify that Barscuib was now commonly called ‘Hill of Barscuib’.
The Cartulary of Pollok-Maxwell p 54 No 3 1785.
Purves p 161 gives Barscub as £5 (7½m).
Stewart f 50r gives Barscub as £5 (7½m). (This and the Purves entry may represent £4 Barscube and £1 Hunterhill etc).
Drums
ER IX p 683 1484 is a sasine to John Kerly of Drummys.
GD148/104 1523 is a charter by Morice Kerle of Drummys. See also GD148/105 1523.
20s AE Drummis in RMS VI (2168) 1608. 20s AE Drummes in Renfrew Retours (31) 1610. 20s AE Drumes in Renfrew Retours (97) 1635.
For rent in 1563 see ER XIX p 515.
Purves p 161 gives Donermuir [?] as £5 (7½m). The question mark is printed in Purves.
Stewart f 50r gives Dor()ums as 20s (1½m). This place-name appears to match with Donermuir of Purves (see preceding line). The valuation is a little ambiguous but probably gives 20s.
High Hatton
Roy(PC) gives West Hatton. Roy (FC) gives Halltown. Ainslie(1796) & Thomson(1826) give Laigh Hatton (to N) Mid Hatton and High Hatton (to S). OS 6” 1st edition Renfrewshire Sheet III, 1857, gives North Hatton at NS 4172, South Hatton at NS 4072. What was South Hatton in 1857 is High Hatton now.
RMS IV (1149) 1556-7, on an original of 1556, gives Ovir Hawtoun in Erskine.
RMS IV (1445) 1562-3 gives Ovir & Nethir Haltoun.
West Glenshinnoch
Glen Shin(n?)uch (to WNW) and Little Glen (to ESE) in Roy(PC). High Inchinnoch (to NW) and Low Inchinnoch (to SE) in Ainslie(1796). H. Glenshinnoch (to N) and L. Glenshinnoch (to S) in Thomson(1826).
I do not know if the last element of the place-name Glenshinnoch bears any relation to the last element of names like Barennock and Innerennock
(now lost).
Longhaugh
RSS VIII (1816) 1583-4 deals with a John Yettis who had not removed from his steading of the lands of Ovirlanghouch/Ovirlanghoch.
Westlonghaugh and Laigh Longhaugh (=E) in Roy(PC). West Long Haugh and Laigh Long Haugh (to E) in Roy(FC).
RMS IV (1149) 1556-7, on an original of 1556, gives Nedir Langup (or Langan) which seems to have been in Erskine and may have been part of Longhaugh.
Wilson, J., General View of the Agriculture of Renfrewshire, p 141, writes of the improvement to Long-haugh in 1798 when an embankment was built. See also NSA p 501* for land reclaimed from the Clyde.
Kirklands of Erskine
Renfrew Retours (116) 1642 refers to ‘9 acres of land called the kirklands of Erskein, and 2 acres of kirklands of Erskein called Puddockcraig, within the parish of Erskein – E(xtent) 13s 4d’.
Renfrew Retours (117) 1642 refers to the glebe or church-lands formerly belonging to the vicarage of the parish church of Erskine, with a manse.
RMS X (94) 1653 refers to ‘the lands of Chappelstyle and towns thereof’.
Renfrew Retours (148) 1656 is the retour of John Birsbane in the lands called the Glebe and Kirklands of old pertaining to the vicarage of the parish kirk of Arskeine, within the parish of Arskeine plus ‘ane rig or deall of land extending to the eight part of ane aiker, part of the Maynes of Bargarrane, and house, within the parochin foresaid’. I do not know if this rig was also kirkland.
RMS XI (1157) 1668 refers to:
The lands of Drumies, with buildings and pertinents, the 9 acres or thereby called the Kirklands of Erskine, near the mill of Formaking, and the lands of Glenshemies, … the 2 acres of lands or thereabouts of the Kirklands of Erskine with pertinents called Padockraig … Rendering therefor yearly … for the foresaid 11 acres of church-lands, 13s 4d.
Drumies is probably Drums in Erskine parish. Glenshemies might be Glenshinnoch.
Laighpark/Erskine Park
This was apparently held by John de Parco before his death c. 1350 (GD124/1/407). RSS VIII (2279) 1584 is a precept for a charter of confirmation on a charter by Christina Park, of that ilk, of the lands of Perk. Despite the passage of over two centuries it seems reasonable to conclude that Christina was probably of the same family as John. Pont(33) marks Perk plus a castle to south of Bishoptoun. Blaeu(Renfrew) marks Perck SE of Bishopstoun. It seems logical that East Park, or Laighpark, or Erskine Park, mark the location of the original Park. (See also Robertson (1818) p 114). Park Erskine with Park Glen and Parkglen Wood (NS 3970) are separate.
The following documents, amongst the Cuninghame of Craigends papers, all relate to Park:
GD148/4 1386-1387, GD148/28 1483, GD148/85-87 1510, GD148/109-110 1526-1527, GD 148/111-112 1527, GD148/144 1536, GD148/149-150 1539, GD148/173 1549-1550, GD148/291 1564, GD148/292 1565, GD148/309 1581-1582. I have selected the more important below:
GD148/4 1386-1387 shows that John of Park was the ‘sergeant of fee’ of half the barony of Renfrew called Stragryfe.
GD148/28 1483 shows that the estate of Park fell to the 4 daughters of William Park. These daughters are referred to in GD148/85-87 1510, GD148/109-110 1526-1527, GD148/144 1536. An Alison Park is referred to in GD148/149-150 1539 and GD148/173 1549-1550 but I am not sure if we are still talking about the Alison who was daughter of William.
GD148/291 1564 gives £5 Park.
GD148/309 1581-1582 gives £5 Park.
‘Craigends’ pp 144-147 c. 1690, refers to the lands of Park-Erskine which, given the Cuningham connection, may refer to those just above. The breakdown gives: Park, Damhead of Erskine, Kilneuck of Erskine, Overtoun of Park-Erskine.
Rossland
RMS V (712) 1584 refers to west half of Roslandis.
RMS IX (1112) 1642, on original of 1638, refers to the lands of Wester Rosland, previously called Fergushill-Rosland, extending to 2½m.
NRAS3058/1 1599 refers to Waster (Wester) Rosland, called Fergushillis (i.e. Fergushill’s) Rosland, as 33s 4d AE. (Fergushill was a surname, deriving from a place-name). NRAS3058/2 & 3 1604 refer to half of 33s 4d AE Wester Roisland. NRAS3058/4 1636 refers to half of 33s 4d AE Westir Rosland, formerly called Fergushillis Rosland, now Rodger’s Rosland. NRAS3058/6 1640 refers to half of 33s 4d AE Wester Rosland. NRAS3058/7 1640 refers to half of 33s 4d AE Waster Rosland, called Fergushillis Rosland. NRAS3058/8 1640 refers to half of 33s 4d AE Waster Rosland. NRAS3058/9 1662 refers to 33s 4d AE Westir Rosland, sometimes called Fergushilles Rosland. NRAS3058/10 1672 refers to 33s 4d AE Westir Rosland formerly called Fergushills Rosseland.
See also NRAS3058/15 1696, NRAS3058/17 1714, NRAS3058/18 1733, GD437/158 1791. See also NSA p 513*.
Freeland
GD1/129/3/3 1535 is a precept by the head of the Hospitallers in Scotland to give sasine to James Freland of the 2½m of Freland.
GD1/129/3/18 1626 is an instrument of sasine by John Freeland of that ilk of half the 33s 4d (2½m) land of Freeland.
Renfrew Retours (78) 1629 is the retour of John Schaw of Bargarrane, heir of John Schaw of Bargarran, his great-grandfather, in 2½m AE called Frieland.
GD1/129/3/23 1630 is an instrument of sasine in favour of John Shaw, now of Bargaran, of the 2½m of Freeland.
GD1/129/3/24 1632 is an extract decreet at the instance of John Shaw of Bargaran, heir of the deceased John Shaw of Bargaran, his great-grandfather, and retoured as heir to him in the 2½m of Freeland, against Robert Freeland in Frieland and Marion Birsbane, his mother, with regard to the defender’s pretended right to the said 2½m of Freeland (taken from NRS online catalogue description).
Renfrew Retours (154) 1658 is the retour of John Schaw of Bargarrane, heir of John Schaw of Bargarrane, his father, in the 2½m AE of Frieland.
The Cartulary of Pollok-Maxwell pp 195-6 No 4 1726, on original of 1637, refers to Freeland of Erskine in a list of temple-lands; pp 197-198 No 9 1816 refers to the temple lands of Freeland of Erskine.
Hamilton of Wishaw c. 1710 p 90 states Freeland is ‘Temple land’.
Purves p 162, under the heading ‘The Temple Lands’, gives ‘The two Freelands’ as £5 (7½m).
Stewart f 50r, under the heading ‘The tempillands’, gives ‘The twa Frelands’ as £5 (7½m).
There was a Freeland at NS 4472 in Erskine parish and another at NS 4668/4769 in Inchinnan parish. The Freeland in Erskine was 2½m in 1535. I do not have a valuation for the Freeland in Inchinnan. However, we can deduce from the figures in Purves and Stewart that it was 5m.
Bishopton
Renfrew Retours (31) 1610 suggests that Bischoptoun was the head of a £10 AE estate which included Inglistoun, Formalkene & Hiefeild.
RMS IX (1112) 1642, on original of 1638, gives Bischoptoun, Inglistoun, Formalking & Hiefeild as £10 AE.
GD437/158 1791 gives us even more detail:
the lands of Bishopton, Inglistoun, Formaken and Highfield, extending to a 10 pound land, comprehending particularly therein the lands of Sclutford, Crosshill, Woodnuck and Dibstirling as parts and parcels of the said lands of Bishoptoun, and also of the lands of Defarnock as part and parcel of the said lands of Inglistoun.
Most of these units are identifiable and are detailed following Bishopton in the table above. Unfortunately I lack individual valuations. Defarnock eludes me but Roy marks a place called Clafock between Formakin and Inglistoun.
Porthmydes
This is not so much a place-name as a description of the ferry-points.
RMS VIII (718) 1620 confirmed to John, Earl of Mar, the lands of Erskine ‘cum porthmidibus lie ferrie-boittis de lie Eist et West-ferries ad Dumbartane et Kilpatrik, quarum dictus Jo. in possessione fuerat ultra hominis memoriam’ (with the ‘porthmyds’ the ferry-boats of the East and West Ferries to Dumbarton and Kilpatrick, in the said John’s possession beyond the memory of man).
Renfrew Retours (94) 1635 has ‘Porthmydes seu cymbas lie ferrieboates de Eist et West Ferries ad et a Dumbartane et Kilpatrik:- AS 6s 8d.’ (Porthmydes or ‘cymbas’ [cumba/cymba is Latin for a type of small boat] the ferry-boats of East and West Ferries to and from Dumbarton and Kilpatrick). This refers to Erskine’s two ferry-crossings of the Clyde, one to Kilpatrick, one further down the Clyde to Dumbarton. With each ferry there may have been a small amount of land (3s 4d?) to support the ferryman and his boat.
Parish clerkship
Fraser, Chiefs of Colquhoun, Vol. II, No 54 pp 319-320, gives an account of the admission of a parish clerk to Erskine in 1507. It was one of the very few aspects of life in which there was any sort of democracy and much of the document is occupied by the names of those 98 parishioners who voted in the election. The number included 20 women and gives us a little glimpse into the lives of those who were not at the top of the social ladder.
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