Upper Corsock (4 of 4)
OK, so you have looked at the grassy mounds and want to hear something more interesting, and history is coming to your rescue!
Records for this property can be traced back to the 14th century. There is a charter from King David II confirming a grant to Walter Stewart of Dalswinton, from John Randolph, Earl of Moray, of the lands of Corsock, however this was probably only what was referred to as a "sheepskin" transaction, as the lands at this time appear to have been owned by the Lindsays. Subsequently there was a precept granted by James Lindsay of Forgirth, infefting John Neilson and his wife Isabel Gordon in the lands of Corsock, which is dated in 1439; and a charter of confirmation, dated 20th July 1444, to Fergus Neilson, son and heir to John Neilson of Corsock.
Corsock appears to have remained in the hands of the Nielsons (usually referred to these days as the 'Nelsons of Corsock' for some reasons) until that most turbulent of centuries in Scotland, the 17th.
The last laird, John Neilson of Little Corsock (also sometimes called Robert) was cruelly persecuted for his attachment to the Presbyterian Church. About I662 he was fined £600 and suffered ongoing persecution. He was at length forced to leave his home, following which troops were quartered at his house; his wife and children turned out and his tenants ruined from being compelled to furnish the troops with provisions. That he then took up arms was the natural result.
Upon his inevitable capture, he was taken prisoner, and after excruciating sufferings from the application of "The Boot" (a diabolical instrument of torture, of the same character as "The Scavenger's Daughter" in England) he was tried and sentenced to be hanged at Edinburgh on the 14th of December, 1666, with the usual forfeiture of lands.
Immediately after his execution, Maxwell of Milton, parish of Urr, with thirty men, proceeded to his house, to which his family had returned, and under cover of legal authority they were again turned out and everything seized that was fancied. At this black period it was usual to try and save lands by transfer, and in this case, in February, 1666, Gilbert, the uncle of John Neilson, had sasine.
Upper Corsock (4 of 4)
OK, so you have looked at the grassy mounds and want to hear something more interesting, and history is coming to your rescue!
Records for this property can be traced back to the 14th century. There is a charter from King David II confirming a grant to Walter Stewart of Dalswinton, from John Randolph, Earl of Moray, of the lands of Corsock, however this was probably only what was referred to as a "sheepskin" transaction, as the lands at this time appear to have been owned by the Lindsays. Subsequently there was a precept granted by James Lindsay of Forgirth, infefting John Neilson and his wife Isabel Gordon in the lands of Corsock, which is dated in 1439; and a charter of confirmation, dated 20th July 1444, to Fergus Neilson, son and heir to John Neilson of Corsock.
Corsock appears to have remained in the hands of the Nielsons (usually referred to these days as the 'Nelsons of Corsock' for some reasons) until that most turbulent of centuries in Scotland, the 17th.
The last laird, John Neilson of Little Corsock (also sometimes called Robert) was cruelly persecuted for his attachment to the Presbyterian Church. About I662 he was fined £600 and suffered ongoing persecution. He was at length forced to leave his home, following which troops were quartered at his house; his wife and children turned out and his tenants ruined from being compelled to furnish the troops with provisions. That he then took up arms was the natural result.
Upon his inevitable capture, he was taken prisoner, and after excruciating sufferings from the application of "The Boot" (a diabolical instrument of torture, of the same character as "The Scavenger's Daughter" in England) he was tried and sentenced to be hanged at Edinburgh on the 14th of December, 1666, with the usual forfeiture of lands.
Immediately after his execution, Maxwell of Milton, parish of Urr, with thirty men, proceeded to his house, to which his family had returned, and under cover of legal authority they were again turned out and everything seized that was fancied. At this black period it was usual to try and save lands by transfer, and in this case, in February, 1666, Gilbert, the uncle of John Neilson, had sasine.