That family was supposed to have been a
branch of the ancient family of Colquhoun, and it is certain that
from it spring the Cowans that spread towards the Border. I find
that, in the year 1687, George Colwan succeeded his uncle of the
same name, in the lands of Dalchastel and Balgrennan; and, this
being all I can gather of the family from history, to tradition I
must appeal for the remainder of the motley adventures of that
house. But, of the matter furnished by the latter of these powerful
monitors, I have no reason to complain: It has been handed down
to the world in unlimited abundance; and I am certain that, in
recording the hideous events which follow, I am only relating to
the greater part of the inhabitants of at least four counties of
Scotland matters of which they were before perfectly well
informed.
This George was a rich man, or supposed to be so, and was
married, when considerably advanced in life, to the sole heiress
and reputed daughter of a Baillie Orde, of Glasgow. This proved
a conjunction anything but agreeable to the parties contracting. It
is well known that the Reformation principles had long before
that time taken a powerful hold of the hearts and affections of the
people of Scotland, although the feeling was by no means
general, or in equal degrees; and it so happened that this married
couple felt completely at variance on the subject.
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