John Graham of Duchray facts for kids

John Graham of Duchray (also known as Highland Hector) was a Scottish landowner and soldier. He was born in Scotland around 1600 and lived until about 1700. He was married to Marion Graham of Rednock and had a son named Thomas Graham. John Graham was likely part of the famous Inchbrakie Graham family.

Life as a Landowner and Soldier

Early Life and Land Deals

In 1622, John Graham, who was the son of William Graham of Duchray, passed on the lands of Duchray to Thomas Graham. It's thought that this Thomas might have been John's uncle. John Graham was the next in line to inherit these lands.

Later, John Graham made more land deals. In 1646, he gave parts of the Rednock lands to Patrick Monteith and his family. A few years later, in 1651, he gave another part of the Rednock lands, called Grahamstown, to James Graham of Glenny.

Helping the King

In 1651, King Charles II asked John Graham of Duchray and Walter Graham of Glenny for help. They were ordered to find and capture people who had run away. The King's order also promised to protect John Graham from any trouble for helping out.

Fighting in Glencairn's Rising

In 1654, John Graham of Duchray became a commander in a big fight called Glencairn's Rising. This was a rebellion led by William Cunningham, Earl of Glencairn. John Graham brought 40 foot soldiers to join the Earl's forces.

During this time, George Monck's army, who were fighting against the Royalists, burned John Graham's castle, Duchray Castle. However, John's men, with help from others, fought back and stopped the invaders. The strong stone parts of the castle stayed standing.

Near the Pass of Aberfoyle, one of John Graham's followers shot an English soldier from across the river. The soldier fell near some trees, and that spot became known as "Bad an t' Shassonich," meaning "the Englishman's Clump."

In 1655, John Graham of Duchray was the last person to sign a peace agreement with George Monck for the region. It is also believed that John Graham wrote a story about the Earl of Glencairn's expedition, which has been shared in many books by Sir Walter Scott.

Disagreements and Debts

In 1657, George Monck wrote to Lord Kinpoint about a disagreement between Duchray and Lord Kinpoint. Monck suggested that a Colonel Daniel should handle the problem instead.

In 1668, William Graham of Gartmore, who John Graham had helped earlier, promised to pay a debt that John of Duchray owed to John Monteith.

The Bridge of Aberfoyle Incident

In 1671, William Graham, 8th Earl of Menteith (also known as the Earl of Airth) got an order to arrest John Graham of Duchray. This was because John had not paid a debt. John Graham was known to support the Covenanters, a group who had different political views from the Earl.

The Earl of Airth heard that John's son, Thomas Graham of Duchray, was going to a baptism. So, on February 13, 1671, the Earl and his armed group went to a bridge to arrest John Graham.

John Graham had special papers from the king that protected him from being removed from certain lands. He showed these papers and said, "What dare you do? This is all your masters'!" But the papers did not protect him from civil debts.

At the bridge, Thomas Graham's baby, who was ready for the christening, was placed on the ground. John Graham's group got their swords and guns ready. They said they would kill half of the Earl's group and drown the rest. It is said that several bullets just missed the Earl. One of the Earl's men, Robert MacFarlane, lost two of his fingers. After the fight, John Graham of Duchray was taken to the Edinburgh Tolbooth (a famous prison).

This "arrest warrant" was likely about a debt of 2500 Scottish marks that John of Duchray owed.

Later Life and Royal Pardon

In 1678, a man named John Graham, who was a prisoner, was sent on a ship called the St. Michael of Scarborough to the Plantations. The ship's journey ended with all the prisoners being released in England. Most of them made their way back to Scotland within nine months. It is not clear if this was the same John Graham of Duchray.

However, in 1686, King James VII granted a special pension to John Graham of Duchray. This pension was 500 Scottish marks per year. The King's document also officially forgave John for not paying certain land taxes that were due since November 1671, the same year as the Aberfoyle incident. This document fully cleared him of those unpaid funds.