That Old Gang of Mine
The Old Gang of
Wamphray was notorious in the sixteenth
century for cattle rustling and other antisocial activities. However, it was
only one of numerous "red-handed" groups of Johnstones who banded together to
conduct reiving operations. To keep such
gangs under control, the authorities often forced them to hand over "pledges."
A pledge was a person who was actually held hostage, and who stood to lose his
life or property if his gang misbehaved. Also, certain individuals served as
"cautioner" (surety or guarantor) for the good conduct of their gangs. The number
and composition of gangs varied from time to time, but the following is a list
of gangs of Johnstones from the pages of the Register of the Privy Council
of Scotland [RPCS]:
GANG
OF THE BANKS. In 1569 James "with the beard" Johnstone in the Banks was a pledge
for the good conduct of the gang [RPCS ser. 1, vol. 2, p. 47].
GANG OF BROOMHILL AND ELSIESHIELDS.
In 1595/96 pledges for the good behavior of the gang included Jamie Johnstone
of Bridgemuir, Jamie son of Davie Johnstone of Reidhall, Jock Johnstone of
Broomhill and Willie or Adie Johnstone of Elsieshields [RPCS Series 1, vol.
5, p. 739]. In 1599 a Reidhall Johnstone was cautioner for the Gang of Broomhill
[RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
GANG OF CRAIGIEBURN. In 1595/96 the Chief, Sir
James Johnstone of Dunskellie, was a pledge for the good conduct of the gang
[RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
GANG OF FAIRHOLM. In 1595/96 pledges for the
good conduct of the gang included Nickie son of Gib Johnstone and Jamie Johnstone
of Priestdykes [RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
GANG OF FOULDORS. In 1569 John Johnstone of
the Quais was a pledge for the good conduct of the gang [RPCS Series 1, vol.
2, p. 47]. In 1595/96 pledges for the good conduct of the gang included Edward
Johnstone of the Quais, Will Johnstone of the Bus, Matthew Johnstone of the
Burne, and David Johnstone of the Quais's oldest son [RPCS Series 1, vol.
5, p. 739]. In 1599 a Birkhill Johnstone was cautioner for the gang [RPCS
Series 1, vol. 6, p. 840].
GANG OF GUBHILL AND BIRKHILL. In 1595/96 pledges
for the good conduct of the gang included Willie Johnstone of Gubhill, John
Johnstone of Clauchrie, Hobbie Johnstone of the Birkhill and Edward Johnstone
of Gubhill, son of Sandie [RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
GANG OF LOCKERBIE. In 1595/96 pledges for the
good conduct of the gang included Mungo Johnstone son of Mungo of Lockerbie,
Andrew Johnstone of Greenside, Pattown's Patie Johnstone and Cuddie's Will's
Willie Johnstone [RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
MARTIN'S GANG. In 1569 Martin's Gang was part
of the Old Gang of Wamphray [RPCS Series 1, vol. 6, p. 840].
GANG OF MILNBANK AND MYREHEAD. In 1595/96 pledges
for the good conduct of the gang included Will Johnstone of Melluntae, John
Johnstone of the Myrehead, Christie's Christie Johnstone, and young Will Johnstone
of Auldwalls [RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
GANG OF MYLNE AND BIGHILL. In 1595/96 pledges
for the good conduct of the gang included Tom Johnstone of the Mylne, Jockie
son of Martin, Sym Johnstone of Bighill and Will Johnstone of Hillhouse [RPCS
Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
NEW GANG OF WAMPHRAY. In 1569 David Johnstone
of Staywood was a pledge for the good conduct of the gang [RPCS Series 1,
vol. 2, p. 47].
OLD GANG OF WAMPHRAY. In 1569 John Johnstone
of Howgill was a pledge for the good conduct of the gang [RPCS Series 1, vol.
2, p. 47]. In 1599 a Bighill Johnstone was cautioner for the good conduct
of the gang, which included Johnstones Bighill, Hillhouse and Milk and Martin's
Gang [RPCS Series 1, vol. 6, p. 840].
GANG OF PERSBIEHALL. In 1595/96 pledges for
the good conduct of the gang included Rob Johnstone of Carterton, Sym Johnstone
son of Ringan, Gavin Johnstone of Persbiehall and Rob Johnstone of the Townfoot
[RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
GANG OF WAMPHRAY. In 1595/96 pledges for the
good conduct of the gang included Willie Johnstone son of Jockie of Kirkhill,
and Gibbie Johnstone called Howgill's Gibbie [RPCS Series 1, vol. 5, p. 739].
GANG OF WILLEIS OF WAMPHRAY. 1569. [RPCS Series
1, vol. 2, p. 47].
Reference:
- Great Britain.
Edinburgh. H.M. General Register House. Register of the Privy Council of
Scotland, 1877.
Copyright 1996, 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Jeffrey M. Johnstone, FSA Scot
All rights reserved
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This page was last updated on November 28, 2004.