This page is a stub.
You can help improve it.
THE BARONY OF ULSTON
It has been noted that in the seventeenth century the lands
of the Barony were scattered among different purchasers, and
among others of these portions, were the family of Douglas,
still represented at the present day (?) in the person of Mr John
Douglas. Other proprietors were James Haswell, James and
Margaret Eobson, William Kirtoune, but of these there are
now no descendants, the ground being now part of that belonging
to Lord Stratheden. In the valuation of 1643 the amount
placed against John Douglas and William Douglas is forty
pounds each. From a Precept of Clare Constat, dated 16th
March 1677, granted by Robert, Earl of Lothian, in favour of
Adam Douglas, portioner in Ulston, as nearest lawful heir to
his father, John Douglas, it looks as if this were the valuation
of 1| husband lands in Ulston, with pertinents and pendicles
mentioned in the deed. On the same date there was also a
Precept granted to William Douglas, as heir to his grandfather,
of 1| husband lands in Ulston, with pertinents and pendicles.
In the proposed valuation of 1788 the property appears in the
name of Robert Douglas. This portion of the barony was
known as Mount Ulston, extending to 104 acres, and ultimately
in 1845 became the property of Lord Stratheden. The furthest
back laird was William Douglas, to whom succeeded John
Douglas, followed by, in succession, Adam Douglas, Andrew
Douglas, Adam Douglas, Robert Douglas, Adam Douglas,
Robert Douglas, William Fair, James Henderson, James
Hunter, Margaret Hunter, John Marshall, Henry Black, Honble.
William Frederick Campbell.
In 1813 Tax Rolls, Mary of Lothian is noted as 'Superior' to Lands in
Ulston farmed by Adam Douglas, formerly farmed by Adam Douglas and
William Douglas, both portions valued at ฃ40.
Robert Douglas, portioner in Ulston, in 1818 drew up his settlement,
and, as it gives a statement of the property then in his possession, an
excerpt may be given. " All and whole these my three cot-houses in the
village of Ulston, with the yard at the .back thereof, and that yard in
the village of Ulston conveyed and made over to me and my heirs in the
contract of excambion entered into between my late brother Adam, his
trustees and me, in relation thereto, and to my right and privilege of
casting turf and divot thereby conveyed and made over to him and them as
these subjects are particularly bounded and described in my infeftment,
dated the thirteenth March 1790. The tenement and yard with the
pertinents thereto belonging, situated in the Canongate Street of
Jedburgh, bounded by the Convent, or Ladies Yards, on the south, the
property belonging to the heirs of John Boyd on the east, the tenement
and yard belonging to the heirs of Robert Renwick on the west, and the
King's High Street on the north.
To John Douglas, smith in Jedburgh, my second son, his heirs and
assignees whomsoever, all and whole these my tenements of houses at the
Town foot of Jedburgh, with the smith's shop and yard thereto belonging,
called Pleasants, purchased and acquired by me from Walter Riddell,
writer in Jedburgh, conform to disposition in my favour dated 14th
September 1802, and bounded by the water of Jed on the east, the
Skiprunning burn on the north, the King's High Street and property of
Wm. Dryden, skinner, on the west and south parts together."
The following records are held in National Records of Scotland
Douglas of Ulston, Roxburghshire 1651-1829
Tack (or lease) by Robert Douglas, Portioner in Ulston to John
Lillie, tenant in Oxnam of certain lands and enclosures on the north
side of Ulston for 15 years for ฃ40 sterling yearly. 5 Jan 1790
Discharge by Andrew Douglas, merchant in Berwick and others in
favour of Robert Douglas, carrier in Ulston, sole surviving Trustee of
Adam Douglas, portioner in Ulston, thereafter in Tweedmouth relative to
his intromissions in that capacity with the property in Ulston namely
the husband lands belonging to the said Adam. 3 Sep 1811
Copy deed of Settlement by Robert Douglas, portioner in Ulston,
with codicil dated 14 January 1820. 8 Jan 1818
Discharge by John Douglas, second son of the deceased Robert
Douglas, portioner of Ulston, in favour of his brother Robert Douglas
for ฃ33: 6: 8 as his share of a legacy. 17 May 1829
Pedigrees of the descendants of Adam Douglas, portioner of
Ulston, who flourished 1677.
Ulston: Contract for tack by Robert, Earl of Lothian, to John
Douglas, portioner of Newbottle, (as tutor to William Douglas, portioner
of Ulstoune) of teinds of husbandlands in Ulstoune pertaining to said
William 1679
Baptisms in Jedburgh
Adam Douglas in Ulston and Isabel Hope his spouse had a child born
24/11/1773 - named Robert baptised on 16/1/1774
Adam Douglas in Ulston and Isabel Hope his spouse had a child born
27/4/1775 - named Margaret baptised on 24/5/1775. Robert Douglas
Partioner/Potner (Pensioner) in Ulston was a witness.
Adam Douglas Tenant in Ulfton and Isabel Hope his spoufe had a child
born 21/6/1776 - named John baptised on 21/7/1776.
Adam Douglas Tenant in Ulston and Isabel Hope his spoufe had a child
born 10/4/1778 - named Isabel baptised on 2/5/1778. Robert Douglas in
Ulston was a witness.
Robert Douglas Tenant in Ulston and Isabel Taylor his wife had a child
born 15/7/1780 - named Robert baptised on 15/8/1780. Robert Douglas
Partioner/Potner (Pensioner) of Ulfton was a witness.
Adam Douglas Tenant in Ulston and Isabel Hope his spoufe had a child
born 14/2/1781 - named Andrew baptised on 11/3/1781.
Robert Douglas Carrier in Ulston and Isabel Taylor his wife had a
child born 21/9/1788 - named Adam baptised on 28/9/1788
Robert Douglas Carrier in Ulston and Isabel Taylor his wife had a
child born 11/7/1792 - named Thomas baptised on 4/8/1792
Robert Douglas Carrier in Ulston and Isabel Taylor his wife had a
child born 25/1/1797 - named Mary baptised on 5/2/1797
Robert Douglas Carrier in Ulston and his Margaret Dickieson his spouse
were both born in the year 1780 and married 20/8/1803 and had the
following children
John Robert Douglas (23 Sep 1856 - 30 Apr 1932), who died at Ulston
Cottage is buried at Jedburgh Abbey. A cooper, he was t
only son o;
"The Last of the Douglases of Ulston".
John Douglas was born in 1813 and died on 12 Feb 1856. He too is buried
at Jedburgh Abbey.
John Douglas Francis Ballantyne married three times, firstly to Margaret
Francis Archibald in approx 1838/39.
Their children were
Jessie born in Ulston 1840
John born Ulston 15/10/1842
James Archibald born in Hobkirk 1847
Mary born in Hobkirk in 1845
Margaret born Ashkirk in 1850
Mary Ann born in Ashkirk 25/9/1852
John married Jessie Douglas on 1/5/1857.
Children by Jessie Douglas were;
Thomas Scott born 1855
George
Isabella
Jessie Douglas who was born in New Castleton, died on board ship as they
were travelling up the estuary to Dunedin harbour.
Ulston Cottages are Category C Listed Buildings; Late
19th century. 2 pairs of semi-detached 2-storey 2-bay gabled cottages.
Cream squared and snecked sandstone rubble, stugged ashlar dressings;
ashlar mullions; bracketed eaves; gables with overhanging eaves, plain
bargeboards. |
