Godfrey McCulloch facts for kids
Sir Godfrey McCulloch, 2nd Baronet of Mertoun (born around 1640 – died March 26, 1697) was a Scottish politician. He faced serious legal consequences for a crime.
About Sir Godfrey McCulloch
In 1678, Sir Godfrey McCulloch served as a representative for Wigtownshire. He was part of the Convention of Estates, which was like the Scottish Parliament at the time. His job was to speak for his area in important meetings.
A Serious Incident
In 1684, Sir Godfrey McCulloch was involved in a serious incident with William Gordon. This happened because of a long-standing disagreement between their families, which was about land. Sadly, William Gordon later passed away due to complications from his injury.
McCulloch was found responsible for what happened and received a very serious sentence. He first escaped to France to avoid this. However, he was caught when he returned to Edinburgh in 1697. He had been living in Scotland since 1694 using a different name, "Mr. Johnstoune." He was the last person to face this kind of punishment at the Mercat Cross.
After his death, many members of his family moved to America. Cardoness Castle, which his family had owned since about 1470, was left empty.
Old Stories and Legends
There are some interesting old stories about Sir Godfrey McCulloch. One legend, told by Sir Walter Scott (who was a distant relative), says that McCulloch was actually saved from his punishment by a gnome. The story claims he had helped the gnome earlier in his life and was never seen again.
Another tale says that after his punishment, his body ran 100 yards down the Royal Mile without its head. Because many people witnessed his trial and punishment, these stories are very unlikely to be true. They are just old legends passed down through time.
See also
- Clan McCulloch
- McCulloch One Name Study
