BLACKWOOD

The first time that the name Weir connected with Lesmahagow occurs in the Liber de Kelso is so early as A.D. 1276, when Philip de Greenrigs resigned Hautillet. Where that place- was situated can now only form subject for conjecture, but a French derivation suggests some high ground which may have been in the neighbourhood of Greenrig, as there are several elevated tracts of land in that district. Thomas, styled Wer, was probably an important personage, as he is the first to subscribe as witness to the above-mentioned transaction, the second being Pet, styled Greenrig. This is probably the origin of the well-known Lesmahagow surname, Peat or Pate. There is an Anglo-Saxon word, Wearg, which signifies wolf; but the derivation of Weir from it is open to doubt. This is not the first time that the name occurs in history. In the reign of William the Lyon, 1165-1214, a Radulphus de Wer attested a Royal charter. (Act Parl., after preface 83.) In 1311, Adam de Dowane, senr., resigned to Abbot Walran of Kelso and the Abbey, all the lands which he possessd in the town and tenement of Greenrig below the barony of Lesmahagow, to which Thoma Were and others were witnesses. (L. de Kelso, 163, 195.)

Rotaldus Wer was bailie of Lesmahagow in 1398-1400, and in the latter year, Abbot Patrick, who styled him "Well-beloved and faithful, and for his service to us" granted him to the half of the church lands of Blackwodd and Dermoundyston, with the whole of Mossmynyne. For Blackwood he was to pap 3s. 4.d annually, and for the other lands, 13s 4d (Ibid., 413, 524.) These lands were to be held by the said Rothald and his heirs-male, freely, quietly, and peaceably, with all conveniences, easements, and pertinents known and unknown, above ground and under ground, in wood and open, roads, footpaths, meadows and pastures, moors, marshes, lakes and running waters, with fishing, hunting and hawking, in feu and heritage for ever. That Mossmynine was an important possession is apparent, not only from the yearly payment required for it, but also from the circumstance that in 1316, a meeting took place at that manor, of "discreet and trustworthy men," to arrange a dispute between Sir Alexander Folkard and the Abbot of Kelso, regarding Pollenelle. (Ibid., 158, 195) In the map which is attached to the "Origines Parochiales Scotioe," Mossminin appears as a district of country between Harperfield and Coultershogle, but what is known as Hawksland was originally called Mossminin. In 1406, Ralph Weir of Blackwood was one of an inquest who served Sir Thomas Somervill of Carnwath, heir to his father, Sir John. ("History of the Somervilles," i. 152.) In 1435, Henrie Weir, elder of Blackwood, formed one of a similar jury who served William, second Lord Somervill, heir to the said Sir Thomas, who had been created first baron. (Ibid., I. 178) In 1447, Lord William married his eldest daughter Marie, to Ralph Weir, her portion being 2000 merks. (Ibid., i. 197) Thomas Weir of Blackwood was in 1490 ordained by the Lords of Council to pay the Earl of Ergile, chancellor, £40, uplifted by him of the mails of the lands of Kype, which were in the hands of the Crown ward, in consequence of the death of Alexander Stewart of Avondale, and which had been granted to the said Earl of Argyle. (Act. Dom. Con., 141) In 1493, he had a lawsuit with the Abbot of Kelso, about the lands of Mot, in Mossmyning, which he alleged belonged to him; also regarding his intromissions with the lands of Coultershogle, and his failure to pay the thirld multure and duties to the mills of Mossmynine. The dispute was submitted to the Chancellor and Master of Angus. (Ibid., 313, 316.)

In 1497, Robert Weyr received a grant of Rogerhyll and Brownhyll lying in the Lordship of Blackwood, from Abbot Robert, on the resignation of John Mungumery, with turbaries, peat-bogs, coals, the right of erecting manufactories and malt kilns, stone and lime, meadows and pastures, with free ish and entry to various pools of water, with mills, multures and sequels, woods, roads, footpaths, the privilege of holding courts, with the fines and forfeitures exacted there in, and with fishing, hunting, and all easements. (L de Cal., 428, 534.)
In 1561, James Weir of Blackwood was on of the curators for Miss Margaret Hamilton of Raploch. She married James Sommervell, younger, of Cambusnethan, and after her marriage, conveyed the third of Cummir, in the parish of Lesmahagow, to Gavin Hamilton, commendator of Kilwinning. The above Gavin was youngest son of James Hamilton of Raploch; and isobel Weir, his spouse, was a daughter of Blackwood's ("Family History of Hamilton's of Broomhill," p.16)

In 1572, James Weir of Blackwood, having espoused the cause of Mary Queen of Scots, was in common with many others, accused of being accessory to the murder of Darnley. ("Pitcairn," i. 35.) As no record of the trial exists, it is questionable whether any took place, or that anything more was intended than to intimidate the Queen's adherents for party purposes. In 1576-7, he served as a juryman. ("Pitcairn," i. 71.) He was included in the Act of Restitution, passed in 1585. (Act. Parl, iii. 383)

In 1612, Douglas of Todholis became law-burrow for George Weir of Blackwood, in the sum of 1000 merks; but the cause of this has not been recorded. (Pitcairn, "Crim. Trials," iii. 227.)

In 1643, George Weir of Blackwood was appointed one of the Commissioners for raising tax, authorised by the Convention of Estates, to repay a loan of 200,000 merks, and named one of the Committee of War. (Act of Parl., vi. 29, 53) In 1644, the Laird of Blackwood was one of the committee of war. (Ibid., vi 132) But at this period there is so much obscurity attending the succession, that it is difficult to unravel it. The property was held for a time by Colonel James Bannatyne, a cadet of the house of Corehouse. On the 8th of July 1645, his eldest brother, John Bannatyne of Corhouse, served himself heir to the Colonel, as heir of conquest in the lands of Blackwood, etc. (Inquis. Spec., 220.) It is known that William Lawrie of Auchinheath married a Miss Weir of Blackwood.

In 1650, George Weir or Lawrie, his son, was retoured as heir of tailzie provision, to Colonel Bannatyne, "his cousin" as to part of the lands of Blackwood, and in 1657 as to the remainder. (Ibid., 241, 270) It is probable that the eldest daughter of Blackwood had married Bannatyne of Corehouse, and that it was a younger daughter , perhaps of a second family, who married William Lawrie. On the death of the elder Miss Weir (Mrs Bannatyne), her younger son, Colonel Bannatyne, probably in terms of the marriage contract, succeeded to Blackwood. On his death an attempt was made by Bannatyne of Corehouse to obtain the lands as of conquest, but unsuccessfully. George Weir or Lawrie, son of the younger Miss Weir, obtained the estate, being served heir to his cousin, as Colonel Bannatyne is called in the retour. George Lawrie, who took the name of Weir, was an infant at the time, and during his minority, his father, William Lawrie, popularly known as "the Tutor of Blackwood," was appointed his guardian. Mr. Lawrie was on the Committee of War for the County of Lanark, for the years 1648 and 1649. (Act Parl., vi. 298, 374.)