Chapter XX: Of John 3rd

(237 (no page 235)) John, left when a minor, (his father dying young) is tutored by his uncle Patrick of Ballendallegh, and educated by his grandfather, the laird of McIntosh. His uncle, prompted by the advantages he had, maintained the claim already mentioned of being representative and heir of Grant. Encouraged by flatters, he took up his residence in Ballachastle, which disheartened the rightful heir very much. Nor did he escape the suspicion of McIntosh: For, as he had all the power as tutor & was regarded (in the minority of the Chief only) by the Clan, as Chief, it was but natural to suspect him of secondary and private views. Accordingly he brought the young ?Squire to Dunachton, his own seat, and educated him in his own family, till past the years of minority.

Coming, when arrived at manhood, to the (239) country, attended by McIntosh, in order to visit his Clan and estate, the face of things began to wear a different aspect from what they had done for some time. For, studying by his affability and generous deportment, to make himself agreeable; and calling the gentlemen of his clan to a hunting, he soon procured the hearts, and won the affections, of his friends. After the sport was ended, they landed or arrived at Kincairdine’s house. When the fumes of the wine began to operate on their brains, in the midst of other frolics, it was proposed that Kincairdine should allow his daughter to sleep that night with the young man. The Baron rashly yielded his consent. Accordingly they went to bed: and, luckily, the consequence of their nocturnal interview was a child. When it began to appear that the Baron’s daughter was pregnant, in order to raise the drooping spirits of the lady and the (241A) father, the young man promised, with consent of grandfather, that, if she should have a son, he should be called John; and that the Glenmorrison should be assigned him for patrimony. And a son she proved to be with.

Soon after the young laird, with his relation McIntosh, attended by a numerous train of gentlemen, left Ballachastle. But, by his behaviour while among them, he gave so universal satisfaction, that, after conveying him away, they promised to stand by him with their lives and fortunes, and reinstate him in his father’s possessions.

Mean while, he was invited to Ballachastle, by his uncle Patrick. Owned therefore, as Chief, and reputed rightful heir by the Clan and promised assistance, if his uncle should refuse, when civilly desired, to withdraw from thence, he immediately put on the Chieftain. And Patrick, apprised of the attachment of the country to him, (241C) and well aware that he had their displeasure after he was nominated tutor, thought proper, from prudential motives, to remove without constraint, though not without reluctance. Upon this, the Clan prevailed with their Chieftain to settle, and reside in Ballachastle; for they had discharged Ballendallech from ever entering it. He accordingly came to his own estate: and McIntosh stayed at Dunachton.

After taking possession, he married Janet Leslie, daughter of the Earl of Rothes, by whom he had three sons and one daughter. Of the sons, James was eldest. John was the second: he is progenitor of Corrimonie The representative at present is James Grant Esqr Advocate, Captain in the Caledonian Band. of whom is Shoglie in Urquhart a Cadet; and of Shogley in born Colonel Hugh Grant of Moy He is married to a Niece or grandniece of the famous Boileau. The third was Patrick of Bonhard near Perth.

Moy is situated on the river Findhorn (243) within a few miles of the Burgh of Forres. One of the best houses and finest improvements about it, of any gentleman’s seat in the North of Scotland. Farming is carried on to the outmost pitch of perfection; and the proprietor has a glass house or winter house, where he keeps and preserves growing all winter foreign and home fruits, by means of fire, which is said to have cost so enormous a sum, that one might be suspected of exaggerating to relate it £10.000.

John’s conduct was very conspicuous, in the commotions that arose on the proposals for a match between the offspring of James III & Edward IV, made at Berwick An. 1487, 27 Nov. For, when the Earl of Angus and his associates, out of fear as they pretended of an English successor, run precipitately to arms, & forced the King then visiting the North to repair to Edinr as fast as possible John Laird of Grant, was one of the Northern Chieftains who, with his Clan, went to the King’s assistance. And he was in that battle that ensured on the King’s attempt to get away from Schaw (the traiterous Governor of Stirling Castle) to meet the Highlanders coming up against the Duke of Rothesay’s party. The engagement happened at Stirling 11 June 1488. Refs Forrerius p 400, Abr. p 475 vol 2, Hawthandan Lesley and Pitscotty

Section 1: Of Grant of Glenmoriston

To John By the way, it is to be remarked that Shaw makes John of Glenmoriston a son of the “Bard Roy”; & consequently, a brother of this John, which is very probable. infeoft in his lands, and enjoying (245) it with freedom, the Baron of Kincardine’s daughter is delivered of a son, whom the Laird of Grant, as he had promised, called, John. He, on account of the uncommon size he grew to, was designed John Moar and all his descendants are called Slick Ian Moar. He was born according to some, a little after 1400; and was progenitor of the family of Glenmoriston. A fierce and rude sort of man and as to ferocity, it is observable that a great many of his descendants still retain a small tincture of the father’s strain. And of the Clan this is the only race that joined the rebel standard, that tended so eminently to secure the Hanoverian race on the British Throne.

The principal families, sprung from Glenmoriston, are 1. Carron: in his visits John Moar begets Nick Allan, daughter of a gentleman in Strathaven with child. The child proved a boy, and became progenitor of Carron. His posterity kept possession of that place for more than 200 years. There was one of his (247) descendants that convened 4 or 500 men to assist the Earl of Huntly after his defeat he received from Middleton and Leslie. Huntly had taken refuge in John Grants of Delnaboe: and Carron and his crew were determined to die, rather than not rescue the Earl; but Col Menzies attacked the house, killed ten of his followers, and carried him prisoner to the castle of Blairfindie in Glenlivet, in the year 1649 Spalden MS Guthrie.

(opp p245) One of this family was married to a sister of Grant of Ballindalloch. Whether the families, lived before in unity together as they lived near to one another I know not; but I know, from certain tradition, that these two, B & C, at ridding of marches, probably on the Drum of Carron, differed in the adjustment of ground in question, and that Carron killed Ballendalloch. Immediately after imbuing his hands in the blood of his brother-in-law, he went down hill to his own house, where he called for his wife and, shewing her his robes dyed in blood, told her had killed a wild deer.

If, previously to this event, the two families had dwelt in unity, the bond was now broken, and mutual injuries were committed, on every occasion, by both families. What time this happened is not certain; but conjecturing that the rupture must taken place before that family, in direct opposition to the interest of the Clan to which it belonged, espoused the cause of the Huntly race, at a time too when Clanship existed in all its vigour, it must have happened about the end of the 15th or middle of 16th century for about that period we find the Senachies of that family mentioning the assistance Carron gave their Chief. But be that as it may, sure it is that the son of that Balllendalloch who was killed, assassinated the son of that Carron who had perpetrated the crime, on the same day forty years after. Of which fact, the following are particulars:

“At the time here mentioned, the Lordship of Rothes belonged to the family of Carron but whether the proprietor lived in the Castle of Rothes or at Carron in the parish of Aberlour, the place from whence he borrowed his designation, I know not. However Carron, attended by a large retinue of his vassals, passed by Ballendalloch, committing several insults at the place, and went to Culnakyle in the parish of Abernethie, to cut a roof to the Castle which is now in ruins. Ballindalloch, burning with revenge for the murder of his father, with a competent train followed Carron to the place just now mentioned, where, finding him in an ale house, he gave him the fatal blow. On his death, the two families became still more bitter; and continued the reciprocal hostilities which gradually fomented their differences.”
The Carron family behaved very rudely. Some of them went in a body to Tomnavoulen, and cut off John Grant’s head with his own ax upon his own hackstock: this is Rothmaise’ predecessor. From that, they went to the Castle of Ballendalloch where, missing the family who was then absent, they cut off the cook’s head, and threw it into the pot which he had on the fire. Thus mutual antipathy, and mutual havoc prevailed till the time if James na Duim, who, maturely weighing the animosities of his forefathers, set himself to pursuing their conduct…… He laid hold of Ballendallegh’s son, and laid the father under contribution for sparing his life. At stated periods he levied certain sums of money. He kept Ballendallegh in custody here to day, & there tomorrow; always taking care to have him guarded by a certain number of men, commanded by some of the principal vassals. A kill hole was the usual prison. At last, however, when John Leslie of Ardnellie in the Lordship of Rothes came to the head of the land, whether designedly or not, he let Ballendalloch slip away.

(alongside p245) Thus did James na Duim continue his roguish pranks till, siding with King James VII, he passed over with that army which he raised & carried into Ireland, where he ended his days, whether by a timely or tragical death, I know not.

James, one of that race of Carron, called also “James na Duim” was noted for necromancy or magic, and particularly for his vexatious spirit, and the trouble he gave to Ballendalloch’s family.

The last of them was Col. John Grant, made Col of Marines in place of Col Douglas whose head was shot off in his tent Mar 24 1741; he then com’d Daniel’s Rgt, married to a daughter of Ogilvie of Milntown in Keith; a man eminent for the talents that form a great soldier, and the parts that constitute an able Counsellor. And, as to his personal parts, he was reckoned the prettiest man, then, on Spey’s bank. He is said to have been the best Bailiff of Regality that ever sat in Huntly, during the remnant of that part of feudal polity. But, in consequence of his giving a decree against the Duke of Gordon, tho’ in obedience to justice, he was thrust out of office; and, when called on to give in his accounts as factor he granted receipt for his own fees, to the amount of 100 guineas; but hurled the money across the table to one of the young ladies, saying “Here, Lady Betty, Buy a gown with it!!” He condemned Harry Badenoch to be hanged and hung in chains, for having murdered a woman with child to him – the last ever sentenced at Huntly. The ruffian cleft her head in twain with an ax.

He died (249) valiantly fighting at the head of the Grenadiers for his King and country in 1741, where his ability in council was no less conspicuous than his ardour in the field was singular, and his conduct meritorious. The English, after spending a vast deal of ammunition and spilling rivers of blood, were, to their disgrace and shame, the ever fatal consequents of rashness and pique, obliged to retire, without reducing the town. The object appearing, at first, unattainable even though unaminity had pervaded the leaders, John Grant, Commander of the Grenadiers, not only gave his voice against it, but also drew up a formal protest, still on record, against the proceedings of that council, in which the attack was resolved, the result of which proved so fatal to him that he was wounded at the very beginning, and survived only 9 days. I am not sure whether he did immediately expire And, no wonder; if he had died, as did Hosier, of a broken heart, when he saw things carried, merely from pique (251) between Admiral Vernon & the General Wentworth to extremities so prejudicial to Britain; but much more so, when (to the disgrace of statesman be it spoken) he saw men advanced to power, who wanted ability to conduct, the effect of promoting interest – not merit; for, among others reasons assigned for the miscarriage, the want of skill in the commanders, & the difference between the General and Admiral, are the principal, according to Salmon Goldsmith Salmon etc

(Opp p 247) I shall insert a brief account of the affair at Carthagena on the Spanish main, brought to the Duke of Newcastle, then Premier by Capt Laws, dispatched for that purpose by Vice Ad. Vernon. Brigadier Gen. Wentworth had sent notice to Government that, with a certain reinforcement, he should be able to reduce this stronghold of the Spaniards. This reinforcement was granted and a certain officer to superintend them - Col. John Grant of Carron, got the place, whether designed for it or not. He arrived early in the spring. And Wentworth resolved, in conjunction with Admiral Vernon to attack the place. In the last (opp p249) and fatal Council of war before the attack on the town, Wentworth, tho’ he wanted penetration enough to see his error then, had influence to carry the mode of it against Carron, whose way of procedure was greatly approved of by the Admiral; and at last, tho’ too late, seen by the General himself. Wentworth moved a rash and bold storm; Carron was for weakening them by degrees. And the mistake was so plain an object of sense, so glaring and notorious, that it can be accounted for no other way, than attributing it to the willful design of the Brigadier to be seen with the Admiral: a poor revenge, to gratify resentment at the expense of country, and torrents of innocent blood. It was so obvious that Carron protested against the proceedings of that day. Yet, he declared he should never shrink from his duty in obeying the command of a superior. Vernon sailed from Irish Bay, Hispaniola, on 25th Feb, with 124 sail; & anchored, 4th March, in Playa Grande. On the 9th, Sir Chanoler Ogle proceeded with his divisions to Terra Bomba; and Vernon followed. Fort Chamba fired a few guns; Fl. Lt. Jago & Lt. Philip were so well brushed (opp p 251) by our ships, that, in less than an hour, the enemy deserted them, and our grenadiers under the command of Col. Grant, made a descent under the walls & took possession of the forts. On the 10 & 11 our troops were landed. On the opposite of the harbour from the camp Capt. Watson & several others silenced a faseine battery, which did great benefit to the troops. The camp was hard for Boccachica, against which Wentworth directed a battery of mortars. On 22nd he erected a battery of 20 twenty-four pounders. On 23 & 24 they continued. On 25th Wentworth signify’d his intention to assault the breach in Boccachica. The grenadiers, under the command of Colonel Grant & the direction of Capt Knowles engineer, moved in good order, & took possession. Whether here or not that Grant lost his life, I am not sure, tho’ suppose it is not, as the colonel in some breach or other, which he made, & which would admit only one, killed 5 leaders with his own hand, and at last fainted for loss of blood. But he continued to the last, inspiring his men with courage, and to do their duty, leaving the conduct of their general alone to be blamed. On 6th April 4000 troops were landed & obliged to lie on arms 3 nights. The rainy season approaching, the Gen. called a council, and by force of interest resolved an attack upon St Lazar. This was to be executed on the 9th. They began the attack in two places before break of day: the Grenadiers, foremost of all whom was the unfortunate Carron, were almost all killed: and the brave Carron among them.

(opp p253) No sooner fell the highland Grant, than the troops lost courage; and the enemy at every breach, pouring in grape shot, Gen. Guise sounded a retreat. Then, in a council of war, the first after that in which Carron’s knowledge shone transcendently, it was resolved to re-embark the troops, which was done 16th in the evening, - but away were many gallant soldiers, besides Colonels John of Carron , & Lewis Grant of Duniphail! In the attack of St Lazar, and the walls, against which Carron solemnly protested, were killed no fewer than 1320 men. Then they returned to Jamaica, headed by a heedless General, but escorted by a brave Admiral.

p>I shall add an account of Col Grant from the time he left Britain till his fall, so written in heroic measures by Mr. Jas. Grant Minister at Inveravon.

While gloomy sadness sits on every brow
And from each tongue deploring accents flow
My woeful heart no longer can forbear
To vent its grief, nor eyes surcease to tear:
But bitter sorrow hurries on to verse,
And anguish fires in numbers to rehearse
The gen’ral grief, the sad regret of all
Great Carron’s death, Great Carron’s glorious Fall!
Glorious to him, to them a doleful woe
Who love their country & despise its foe.

In war he like Achilles ever shin’d,
And was to serve his country more inclin’d.(opp p255)
When Greece prepar’d all her united pow’rs,
To punish Paris, humble Ilion’s towr’s;
The fierce Achilles, fearing fate’s embrace,
His manly vigour veiled in female dress,
And shun’d the wars, o’erlook’d his country’s harms,
Preferring life to fame and glorious arms.
But, when our Sov’reign, issued his commands.
To reinforce great Vernon’s martial band
With new supplies, and will’d some squadrons more,
On that account, to leave Britannia’s shore;
This braver heroe, nobly scorning death,
His lands unchosen, begg’d with warmest breath
A Legate Col’nel of th’ approinted men
T’ exchange commands with him, a Legate then:
So eager was he to acquire renown
Or greatly die for country, king and crown.

And, while the ships, that bore the martial bands,
Stood out to sea, and left the less’ning lands;
Tho’ others greiv’d thus to be sent afar
From friends and country to destructive war;
Yet he, unmov’d, still dauntless, still the same;
O’er powr’d his fondness by his gen’rous flame:
It was, if aught disturb’d his manly breast,
In glorious deeds, to shine above the rest;
And, by his actions, in their common cause,
To shew his love for country, King & laws.

When thy some time had plow’d the foaming main,
At last Americ’s welcome coasts they gain;
Their ships at last float in Americ’s seas,
Where glorious Vernon’s fleet salutes their eyes.(opp p257)
With jovial shouts the friendly squadrons meet,
The friendly squadrons both in one unite.
Thus with joint force they cut the yielding tide,
And on the waves, to Cartagena ride.
They worst its navy, and possess the ports,
Then by fierce storm, take and destroy its forts;
In which, with thirst of glory Carron fir’d,
While Col’nels and Commanders round expir’d,
With ease perform’d the Col’nel expert,
Nor acted less the gallant soldier’s part.
Besides commands he great examples gave,
How evr’y valiant soldier should behave,
And which each leader blush’d not to receive.
For he the foremost was the foe to dare.
And foremost fac’d the horrid front of war.

Thus, by his valour he his fame enhanc’d,
And for his deeds to Colonel was advanc’d.
To few he also might council yield,
Renown’d alike in council and in field.
Witness his prudent sentiments of mind
Spoke in the last war-council e’er he join’d:
“If we’re too forward, we our men will lose,
So rather strengthen, than o’er throw our foes;
But let us first be masters of their ports,
Lay to the ground their batteries and forts,
Then let us try in fight our utmost brave efforts.”

Thus he and cautious Vernon thought,
But Gen’ral W-w-h rashly battle sought.
Their votes against the Gen’ral’s votes were drown’d;
A bold attempt was still the Gen’ral’s sound.

Beholding W-w-h fix’d on his intent,
And to expose his host to slaughter bent,
He says: “Regard some lives of this your train,
Expose the old, safe let the young remain.”
Then W-w-h thus: ”If to attack the foe
The old I’d send, sure Carron, you are so.(opp p259)
And for your words, you should the foremost go,
But since the foe by this one brisk attempt,
We will subdue, there’s none shall be exempt.
No more let any thwart my high commands,
My host shall go, and you shall lead your bands.”

“Gen’ral, I’m old” (This answer Carron made)
“And ought the right wing by my age to lead.
But Carron, by his counsel ne’er design’d
To send the old and stay himself behind;
For he no musts nor yet compulsion needs.
To shine in fight, performing graceful deeds.
H’d blush t’ expose the troops beneath his care
To any danger and himself not share.
He only grieves by rash attempt to lose
Their lives, and have them butcher’d by their foes.
Yet, since they must so rash attempts proceed,
And they must by their Gen’ral’s conduct bleed;
Since rash attempts so much delight your soul
That no persuasion can your will control,
Soon shall thou view me and my martial bands
Expose our lives, obeying your commands:
Then from your lips, we’ll force our praise. Tho’ old
I’ll dare to act whate’er thou dar’st behold.”

The council breaks: The Gen’ral gives commands
To bid the drummers summon all the bands.
The drummers strait beat up the loud alarms,
And call’d to war the squadrons clad in arms.
Th’ alarm heard, with speed the warlike host
Pours forth in troops, thick swarming on the coast;
Revenge and fury sparkle in their eyes
Their flaming armor kindles half the skies.
His waving colours ev’ry Ensign bears,
And to his standard ev’ry ?man repairs.
Each Col’nel his companies conjoins (opp p261)
In firm array, and forms the deep’ning lines.
But in the right mighty Carron stands,
And marshalls there for fight his gallant bands:
O’er all his troops darts his experienc’d eyes;
From rank to rank he moves and all surveys.

Mean while, as W-w-h all the host reviews,
Charm’d with the skill and conduct Carron shews,
He thus applauding, “Mighty Leader”, cries,
“Thou bravest Col’nel that our host supplies!
Well thou deservest, and this, thy martial band
Full in the sight of glorious fight to stand.
Receive the honour first the foe to dare:
Begin the fight, and first commence the war.”

Thus, having now survey’d and order’d all,
He lead advance to the Carthagena’s wall.
Straight beat the thund’ring drums, the trumpets sound,
And horrid noise rings all the region round.
The martial music ev’ry soldier chears,
Enlivens dastards and dispells their fears.
Dauntless the host embattl’d moves to war,
Ranks followed ranks in order, and afar
Their burnish’d guns, and polish’d bay’nets glare.
They left at once, at once they place their feet.
Their thundering footsteps clouds of dust excite,
Earth trembled dreadful, as they march’d along
With pace majestic; one embodied throng.

As thus the forces, eager of renown,
Approach the hostile trenches and the town;
Against them arm’d thick thund’ring cannons pour
Of leaden bullets an o’erwhelming show’r;
Where doubtful vollies as they bursting roar
Round all the skies, and rumble round the shore.
Now drums and trumpets raise more loud alarms,
Inspire the war, and ev’ry bosom charms. (opp p263)

But Chief for glory mighty Carron glows
And with his wing first rushes on the foes.
Then left and main, at his example, run
Fierce up the mound, nor heed the hostile gun,
But fill the trenches, drive th’entrench’d away
And follow still where Carron leads the way.
The trenches gain’d, they forward yet pursue
And ev’ry where their Spaniard on my slew:
Who fac’d about, afresh began the fray,
Struggling to gain the honours of the day;
Tho’ o’er their battle stalk’d gigantic death,
And crowds on crowds their troops resign’d their breath,
But thickest there theSpaniards press’d the plain,
Where Col’nel Grant warr’d with his martial train.
Where’er the Chief the rushing battle led,
The ground was heap’d with mountains of the dead.
At last the foes no longer could sustain
The Britons charge, their foremost leaders slain;
But thronging thick, they to their town repair,
And from the walls once more awake the war.
When to his army strait our Gen’ral calls,
“Or mount on ladders or break down the walls.”

Soon as the Gen’ral utter’d these commands,
A narrow breach, was made by Carron’s bands;
Which first, alas! in thirst of glory lost,
He mounts in haste to animate the host,
And like a lion on the Span’ard flew,
Two foremost valiant leaders seiz’d and slew,
At this whole troops of heroes him oppose,
Yet he the breach maintains, and still returns their blows.
They wound; he kills, & bravely made them know
They never fought against a fiercer foe.

Thus he awhile maintain’d the breach alone,
(The fatal breach would not admit but one,)
And valiantly employ’d his lab’ring sword,
Tho’ by heroic multitudes o’erpower’d. (opp p265)
But spent at last with toil & loss of blood,
Which purple dy’d the place whereon he stood,
Slow he retir’d, still fought as he withdrew.
And five the boldest in a moment slew.
When, he was got amid his martial band.
Fatigu’d and fainting, nor could longer stand,
He downward falls, just ready to expire.
But yet endeavours still his men to fire:
“My gallant bands, press boldly on the foes,
Nor stand confus’d but life revenged lose;
Fight as your hearts were brass, and bodies stone.
And be your Gen’ral’s conduct blam’d alone.”

This said, alas! dark shades o’er spread his eyes,
His soaring soul to higher regions flies;
And more than Hector-like he for his country dies.
Brave Hector fell by great Achilles slain,
But thousands such attack’d his life in vain:
Him numbers wounded, but thy could no more,
Tho’ he made numbers float in tides of gore.
By hands of thousands he resign’d his breath
Yet none, nor all, could boast the hero’s death!
No less his fall did all our host annoy,
Than Hector’s death did daunt the troops of Troy.
Confus’d, as thunderstruck, our army stands;
No more the leaders fire their daunted bands:
But speedily they from the walls retire,
Whereas new vigour strait the foes inspire.

Now was the worth of this brave patriot known,
Now they his counsel safe and prudent own.
W-w-h perceiv’d what a gallant Chief he lost,
When there was none to fire his flying host.
When this, his death, made lab’ring foes prevail
And caus’d the hearts of conquering troops to fail;
Sure thou hast reason, Britain, to bewail! (opp p267)
And thou, Strathspey, that gave the heroe birth,
Sufficient cause, thou hast for joy and mirth!
That thou the Chief produc’d may raise your joy,
But, ah! his fate must all that mirth destroy!

Oh! would but Heav’n in my breast infuse
Great Homer’s fire, and give the Mantuan muse!
Then should in numbers Carron greater shine,
Than Æneas or Achilles the divine!
But now the muses leave swift Spea’s shore,
Since He an’ Wester Elchies* are no more!

*Capt. Jas Grant of W. Elchies , who died Oct 1740. He was esteem’d by all who knew him, to be a prudent, polite, well educated gentleman, and a friend of the muses.

As some old father wails his darling son.
Whom death hath becon’d or cruel fate o’erthrown;
At first he faints, but when reviv’d, deep sighs,
Up-heave his breast and tears gush from his eyes:
So first, when Spea heard the mournful tale,
His currents ebb’d, and sources seem’d to fail,
But, soon recov’ring, he o’erflowing tears
In rapid torrents down his channels tears;
Which, as along they roll, inform the shore,
That Carron, the great, glorious, is no more.
The silver salmon now forsakes his flood,
Who oft to hear the hero’s numbers stood.
The drooping woods the mighty Chief deplore,
And shed for grief the honours which they wore.
For him, with sorrow fill’d the feath’rd throng
Now cease their concerts and neglect their song.
For him his top with snow each mountain shrouds,
Or anxious veils his mourning head in clouds!
With him the flow’rs were fond to fade away,
The verdant grass to wither and decay. (opp p269)
The flocks and herds his fate to memory call
Forget their meads, and murmur in the stall
Ev’n the wild heath rejects its purple bloom,
Delights to wither, and laments his doom!
Our grief, sad Echo, willing to partake,
Returns the sounds of plaints she cannot make:
She, as all things the hero’s fate deplore,
From rocks re-echoes “Carron is no more!”

Col John Grant had one daughter Jean married to Capt Lewis Grant, Auchterblair, of the family of Achernick, or Clan Allan; one to John Grant, Lurg. He had 3 daughters, Betty who died unmarried, Jean, & Ann who married to Lurg. Ringorm’s (he was married to the eldest daughter) right whether in virtue of his being married to an elder sister, or as being the nearest male heir, I know not, became indefeasible, in consequence of the Colonel’s dying without a son.

From him
1. Captain Lewis purchased his right He had a son James, the present Carron and a daughter, Elizabeth, married to John Innes of Edingeeth in Grange.
2. James, marrying (253) his own cousin german Elizabeth Grant, daughter of Joseph Grant, has a numerous and growing family, Joseph (3), Peter, John, James, Effingham, and MA Howe etc etc etc. Louisa, George, Robert Sutherland & William.
To this old race of Carron belong Ringorm, Culchoich, Rutherie, (of which last is Robert Grant Advocate Edinr.) Grant of Achoynany in Urquhart, Inverury on Avenside, Aviemore, and Lynchuirn in Glen Chernick

On Ruddries’ tomb-stone in Aberlour is:

Hic et intus ex opposito jacent eineres progenitorum Alexandri Grant
de Ruddrie et extra templum sub duobus hisce appis conduntur excuriæ
Janetæ Grant ejus conjugis, Joannis Grant, eius filii et Alexandri et
Helenæ Grandidi Joannis liberorum in quorum memoriam hoc
monumentum extruendum curavit supra designatus Alexander Grandis

Anno Domini 1714