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Rh chest of Niddrie House, by which a tack of the lands of Cummer is given by the Abbot of. . . [probably Kelso] ‘to Janet Ker and James Lawson, her son, relict of the late Richard Lawson in Humbie.” This lady afterwards became the second wife of Gilbert Wauchope of Niddrie Merschell, a distinguished Scotsman, who took an active part in promoting the Reformation, and who frequently filled the office of Deputy Marshal in Parliament from 1527 to 1535. Janet Ker was married to him before 1515, for in July of that year there is a discharge from the Abbot of Kelso to ‘‘Janet Ker, Lady of Niddrie,” of payment of the " malis and fermes " of the Kirk lands of Humbie, and the two parts of the Kirk of Duddingston ; while another discharge of date 30th March 1518 exists, by Thomas, Abbot of Kelso, ‘to Janet Ker, spouse of Gilbert Wauchope of Niddrie Merschell.” In all likelihood she had the life-rent of the lands, which on her death appears to have reverted to her father’s family, for in 1599 we find the Kers were still in possession of the ‘‘ whole church lands of the Vicarage Church and Parish of Duddingstone,” Andrew Ker of Lintoun and William Ker, his son and heir, in that year conveyed them to John Ker, Burgess of Edinburgh, and Elizabeth Weir, his wife, And again in 1608 there is an instrument of sasine granting this same John Ker, ‘‘the whole kirk lands of the Vicarage.” *

We have a curious glimpse into the domestic relationship of the Ker family with their neighbours, from a minute of the Privy Council of 1608, which discloses the lawlessness of the times, and the methods of punishment then exercised. The case before the Council arose from a complaint lodged by William Wauchope of Wester Duddingston as follows :—

‘*On Sunday the penult day of February last, while he was returning to his home from the forenoon service in his own parish Kirk of Duddingston, James Ker, elder in Duddingston, fiercely assaulted him with a drawn whinger, and would have slain him if he had not been relieved by the good people then present. As complainer for eschewing further trouble was repairing home by another way, Archibald Ker, brother of the said James, and John Ker, son of the said James, armed with swords, gauntlets, and plate-sleeves, followed him and having overtaken him, wounded him in the arm and lisk.” They have thus ‘‘ not only heichlie dishonourit the Lord's hailie Sabboth,” but violated the Act made by His Majesty before his departure for England, and renewed since by the Privy Council

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