Cultmalundie

Historical Connections

Contents
Cultmalundie and the Bruce clan ....................................................................................... 3 Cultmalundie and the Cree family ..................................................................................... 8 Appendix 1 Letter from the Privy Council of Scotland ..................................................... 9 Appendix 2 A census of Scottish Cree / Crie families ..................................................... 14

Cultmalundie and the Bruce clan

Cultmalundie, also spelled Cultmalindie, is a fermtoun near Tibbermore in Perthshire fermtoun, literally farm town, is a common Scottish name given to a small group of farm buildings, not all of them necessarily occupied. The name Cultmalundie may mean nook of the noble in Gaelic. Tibbermore is near to the town of Methven, which in 1306 was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles in the Wars of Scottish Independence fought between the forces of Robert the Bruce of Scotland and Edward the First of England. In 1644 the Battle of Tibbermore took place just south of Methven. The was Montrose's first victory in his campaign in Scotland (concurrent with the English Civil War) in support of Charles I. The aftermath of the battle was marked by particularly severe slaughter. Around 2500 died, the same number as were killed at Culloden. Cultmalundie consists of three distinct groups of buildings:- Wester Cultmalundie; Easter Cultmalundie; and The Mains of Cultanalundie. They are each no more than to a mile from each other, all lying to the south west of Tibbermore. (figures 1 and 2.) The word Mains is a Lowland Scots corruption of the French demesne, and so is never used in the form "Main", except occasionally "Main farm", although this usage is not traditional. A mains is the equivalent of a home farm, or sometimes even a manor in England, and was usually a larger farm on an estate, or at least the one with more fertile ground.

Figure 1 - location of the three parts of Cultmalundie

The fermtoun seems to have passed into the Bruce family around 1475, with the marriage of Robert Bruce (1460-1508) to Janet Barbour, daughter of John Barbour of Cultmalindie. Robert Bruce was a direct descendant of Robert the First of Scotland ( Robert the Bruce) and a cousin to his contemporary, King James the Fourth of Scotland (1473-1513.) It seems that at marriage, Robert gained only the part of the farm known as Easter Cultmalundie, although by 1587 his descendant Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindie

was able to give the whole fermtoun tohis son Alexander. Perhaps Roberts new father-in-law John Barbour retained the rest of the farm until his death. Robert was succeeded as laird by Hector Bruce of Cultmalindie (1475-1529) and he in turn by his son John Bruce of Cultmalindie. John (1502-1547) married Eupheme Elphinstone (1509 to 1542 or 1547), the daughter of Alexander, the first Lord Elphinstone and brother to the second Lord (also an Alexander.) Both Alexanders -father and son died in the wars between the Scots and English. Alexander the elder died at Flodden in Northumberland on September 9th 1513, and his son died at the Battle of Pinkie Clough at Musselburgh almost exactly 34 years after his father, on September 10th 1547. Eupheme Elphinstone is famous in Scottish history as the mistress of James V and the mother of two illegitimate children by him, only one of whom survived childhood Robert Stewart, the First Earl of Orkney and half brother to Mary Queen of Scots. In 1542, James the Fifth died, and four years later she married John Bruce of Cultmalindie. She bore him a daughter and four sons, of whom only - Laurence Bruce (1502-1547) - is of note. In 1571 Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindie (1502-1547) was appointed sheriff (the anglicised equivalent to the actual Scottish title of "faud") of the Shetland Islands by Earl Robert.Bruce, his half brother. Accompanied by his nephew William Bruce of Crail (son of his full-brother Robert Bruce: although he may have been a son of Laurence) and other officials and armed men, Laurence Bruce moved to his new domain and set up his seat on the island of Unst. Once there he rapidly became unpopular due to his oppressive and corrupt rule. It was alleged that he took bribes and that he had altered the official weights and measures to enhance the

Figure 2 - The three parts of Cultmalundie from the air. Wester and Easter along Old Gallows Rd. 'The Mains' due North from Easter along the farm track over the fields.

revenues of Earl Robert. His armed men felt free to seize control of ships and to billet themselves in the homes of the local people. Evidently Laurence Bruce helped himself to the local women, and is believed to have fathered approximately twenty-four illegitimate children beyond his ten legitimate children by his wives Helen Kennedy and Elizabeth Gray. Escalating conflict with the local Shetland Islanders resulted in a petition being sent to the royal court in Edinburgh. In response, a royal commission travelled to Shetland and in February 1577 took evidence from 700 male Shetlanders. As a result, Laurence Bruce was removed from office. By June of the following year, he had returned to the islands as "sheriff-depute".

Laurence Bruce is best known as the builder of Muness castle, which was completed around 1598. Muness, now a ruin, is the most northerly castle in Great Britain. It was built at the southeast end of Unst, just east of the town of Uyeasound, after Earl Robert was succeeded by his son Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney in 1593. Later events proved that Laurence Bruce had good reason to fear the aggression of Earl Patrick. In 1608 Earl Patrick sent a force to besiege the castle, but the attackers abandoned their assault. In 1610 Laurence Bruce testified against Earl Patrick before the Privy Council in Edinburgh. Following a rebellion in Orkney, in August 1614 the Privy Council appointed Laurence Bruce a Commissioner and charged him with apprehending any rebels who might seek shelter in Shetland. Laurence Bruce died at Muness castle in August 1617 and was buried inside the old church at nearby Sandwick. Ownership of the castle passed to his second eldest son Andrew Bruce of Muness, a quieter and more popular man than his father. Laurence Bruce's eldest son, Alexander Bruce of Cultmalindie, returned to the mainland of Scotland to run the family's property in Perthshire. Alexander Bruce (born around 1560, died 23rd October 1624) was the fifth in his line to be laird of Cultmalindie, and possibly the most tragic figure amongst the holder of that title. The circumstances of his birth are not known, but as a young man he must have experienced great difficulty during his fathers trials and battles. In 1587, Laurence had passed the Lairdship of the lands of Cultmalundie to the young Alexander shown in a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland at Dunkeld. In 1580 he married Jean, daughter of the fourth Lord Oliphant. They had 10 children sons Laurence, George, Alexander, William and James and daughters Helen, Barbara, Jean, Marjory and Margaret. It was the sons Laurence and Alexander who would lead to the downfall of the Lairds of Cultmalindie, and they with their father would pay the price. The tragedy of the Bruces of Cultmalundie relates to another family: the Toshachs, Lairds of Monzievaird. They were a proud family - when the then Laird Toshach, David, registered his arms, as required by law, he preceded his deposition with:

"David Toshach of Monievaid, of the Ilke, whose predecessor was descended of the Great Mcdudd Thane of Fyffe about the time of King Malcolme Kenmor's reigne and the killing of Mcbeth "
McBeth or Macbeth, upon whom Shakespeare's Macbeth was modeled, was killed in 1057 by Malcolm (1031-1093), son of King Duncan I and who reigned as King Malcolm III from 1058 to his death in 1093. What evidence, if any, David had for this claim is unknown. The Toshachs must have known the Bruces of Cultmalundie, since they were near neighbors. Methven (or Mekven) had an association with the Toshach family from 1443 to the 1680's. There are references to a Methven in the parish of Monzievaird. The Toshachs were no strangers to the custom of violence and blood money prevalent in Scotland at that time - in 1566/1567 Andrew, along with his brother David and Thomas Toschoch of Pittinzie, forfeited goods (value unstated) to Robert Murray of Abercairny for their 'slaughter' of John Murray, brother of Patrick Murray of Ochtertyne. In 1610 Edward, the 5th Laird of Monzievaird, gave a guarantee of 300 marks to Donald Monteth (or Menteith), Baron of Carwhin, not to harm Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy (ie: Edward paid off Donald Monteith so that he would not attack Sir Duncan, who was Edward's uncle-inlaw). In 1602 the same Edward is pursued by Harrie Drummond of Balloch for not producing certain of his tenants and servants who had gone at night to the lands of Balloch Hardie (possibly the residence of the younger Ballochs), and " brak up ane house and thriftuouselie straw furth, 300 ells of linen cloth. All this linen was afterwards found in the house of a tenant of Edward's and in his presence, yet the matter "had not been brought to a conclusion," and when John Graeme of Balgowan, as stepfather to Lady Balloch, appeared in Court, expecting his charge to be met, Toscheach failed to appear, and the Court pronounced him a rebel. In 1615, David Toshach (1580-1618), the heir apparent to the 6th Laird of Monzievaird mortgaged an estate called "The Vaird" in the parish of Methven (Perthshire) comprising a 'toft' (homestead), several houses and surrounding land for the sum of 250 marks. On the 20th June 1618 David Toshach, with his servants David Malloch and David Campbell rode to Perth, entering by the South Gate. Just as they reached it there was a sharp armedattack. It was swiftly over: David Tossach was dead; one of his men appeared to be dying; the other was maimed for life, his right hand cut off.

The murder made a great sensation throughout the county. Mercer's "Chronicle," the Denmylne MSS., Sir James Balfour's "Annals," all rang with it , with the names of those (high and low) who were implicated, and with the continual arrests, trials, and petitions consequent on it for four long years. In short the fact is best told in Mercer's "Chronicle" as follows "June 20, 1618. Upon Midsomer day at tua efternone Toschoch of Monivaird younger slaine in the south geit of Perth be Laurence Bruce younger of Cultmalundie his brother and divers thair associates ; the tua that was with Monivaird the ane deidly hurt bot deit not, the other his right hand clene streecken fra him.This done in ane moment of tyme all the commitares thair of escaped out of the town befoir any of the townis men heard of any sich thing." The following gentlemen were all arrainged at different periods for "airt and pairt" in the attack: Peter Blair, brother to Andro' Blair of Gairdrum ; Laurence Bruce, heir of Cultmalundie, and his brother Alexander; William Oliphant of Gask, and his brother Laurence (sons of Lilias Graeme these, and cousins to young Tosseach) ; Alexander Fleming of Moness, William Douglas of Annabroche, together with several other names principally of servants or attendants on these young squires. Most of these cleared themselves or were not prosecuted, except the Bruces of Cultmalundie, on whom fell the whole brunt of the affair. On July 18th the first " Court " or trial was held, another followed on the 29th of the same month in which Edward Toshach 6th Laird and the father of the murdered boy made his first and only appearance. At the trial the Bruces are "put to the horn" and pronounced rebels for not being able to find any bail. By the 4th December, when William Stewart of the Mylne of Dalcrove was further accused of the murder, Edward Toshach was dead, for his wife is represented by a lawyer named Hew Campbell, who showed the court a letter from her, and a testimonial by Mr John Menteith, minister at Morzie, and another from David Drummond, minister at Crieff , proving that she was unable to personally represent her late son's case, in consequence of the birth of a child (christened David in memory of her murdered son.) On February 25th, 1620, David Malloch's evidence released Stewart from all blame; and as far as the Criminal Records were concerned, the matter ended - but not so in the homes of Monzievaird and Cultmalundie. All the spirit of revenge and feud in the Highland blood of the Toshachs was aroused and bitter feelings were shown towards the Bruce of Cultmalundie; so much so, that the Privy Council (see Appendix 1) lay a report before the King, stating that their first attempt two years previously to reconcile the various relations and friends had failed, and that they had again called a diet of every relation, who all replied that they were unable to move in the matter because of the minority of Monzievaird, who therefore himself could take no action. They further report that at the second diet Cultmalundie (elder) had offered to continue the payment of the "soume of 2000 crowns," also had shown the banishment of Alexander Bruce, his son, and George Tyrie, messenger, who were alleged to be the actual slayers of Monzievaird, and at the same time he was caused to make payment of "twa thousand pundis" to David Malloch and Duncan Campbell, who had been diedlie hurt at the time of the murder. The Privy Council then made a most touching report on the state of affairs. They say "this ffeade " has altogether "undone auld Cultmalundie"; his estate is wrecked and exhausted; he has become feeble in judgment and understanding by the sorrow this trouble has brought upon him, viz., the death of his wife, the exile of his sons and their friends for four years, during which two of these friends of "good rank and qualitie have died.. This being the effect of oure dealing in this bussyness," ends the report, "we have been entreated humbly to present the same to your Majestie's consideration." Dated at Halurudhouse xxj of Marche 1622, signed Al: Cancell: Mar. Melros. George Hay. This latter had the result, at a final diet held 11th March 1623, of releasing William Oliphant (Gask) and others, and so this miserable matter ended; the relations of the murdered lad agreeing to all the conditions owing to the fact of young Monzievaird's minority, and the tragedy closes, leaving a memory to the neighbourhood in the local saying :

"Aff hands is fair play, Davie Malloch says nay," In 1624, broken by the feud with the Toshachs, the fifth Laird Bruce of Alexander died, and was succeeded by the sixth and final Laird, George Bruce of Cultmalundie. Sometime before 1667, George Bruce sold to. James Drummond, and in 1675 George died and with him the Bruce Lairdship of Cultmalindie.

Cultmalundie and the Cree family

The history of the Bruce family as Lairds of Cultmalundie is solid and backed by a large amount of documentary evidence (e.g. the papers surrounding the feud with the Toshachs.) It is nor clear though how long the family were in residence at the farmtoun of Cultmalundie, and there is some evidence that from 1583 onwards they may have been in residence elsewhere. In particular, it seems that they had let all or part of the farm to the Cree family as early as the 1580s, around the time of the marriage of the 5th Laird, the ill fated Alexander Bruce. The following examples are known, there may be more yet to find:

On 1 June 1583 Thomas Crey at Cultmalindie, Tibbermore, Perthshire, was a party to a deed. "David Ramsay in Cowpmalindy borrows from David McKy, Maltman Burgess 50 merks for beir. TC in Cowpmalindy & David Sword their cautioners." On 15 December 1586 Thomas Crey was mentioned in the deed of John Crey elder and Robert Crie. "terras de Cultmalyndeis Eister et Wester, cum manerie loco, molendinis, terris molendinariis &c... exceptis terris de Eister Cultmalyndie ac Weitfute pendiculo ejusdem existente (occupat. per Joannem Crie, Rob. Crie. Jo. Hering, Tho. Ramsay, Arch. Cunynghame, Wil. Cossenes, And. Merser, Jo Bowman et Lucam Fyndlay), necon parte de Wester Cultmalyndie (occupata per Laurentium Stodhird, Tho. Crie, Davidem Ramsay, Donaldum Broun et Jo. Gow)..." ["The lands of Easter and Wester Cultmalindie, with the manor place, mill, mill lands, etc... apart from the land of Easter Cultmalindie and Weitfute (Whitefoot?) adjacent to them existing (occupied by John Crie, Robert Crie, John Hering, Thomas Ramsay, Archibald Cunninghame, William Cousins, Andrew Mercer, John Bowman and Luke Findlay), and not the part of West Cultmalidie (occupied by Laurence Stodhird, Thomas Crie, David Ramsay, Donald Brown and John Gow)..."] On 27 January 1598/99 Jonet Crie and Andro Crystie were parties to a deed. "Thomas Hardsyddes in Wester Cultmalindie borrows from Andro Crystie, Wobster in Perth, 20 Lib for Mail to be paid to AC and JC his spouse."2 On 12 April 1600 Jonet Crie and Andro Crystie were parties to a deed. "George Aikin in the Mains of Stragaith borrows from AC, Wobster & JC his spouse 20 Lib for bere."

According to the Cree Family History Society: There are several Cree individuals recorded in the parish of Tibbermore in Perthshire in the period 1574 to about 1620 and I have little doubt that they have common descent, but the only firm family relationship recorded is that of John Crey and his son John, who are mentioned in deeds in 1594. They lived at Easter Cultmalindie in the parish of Tibbermore, just west of Perth. It seems likely that they were related to Robert Crie at Cultmalindie. There are also clear links between Cree individuals in Cultmalindie and Cree burgesses in Perth. A detailed paper by the Cree Family History Society is included as appendix 2.

Appendix 1
Letter from the Privy Council of Scotland to King James the Sixth regarding the Cultmalundie feud

Appendix 2
A census of Scottish Cree / Crie families 1694-1720 Cree Family History Society

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