This is a lengthly letter written by George Cranston of Edinburgh, Scotland to Josephine Park Cranston.  It describes the “Cranston Line” starting around 1170.

George Cranston was trying to help Josephine with the geneology of the Cranston family.  He tried and failed to get responses from his relatives to Josephine’s inquiries.  He did succeed, however, in obtaining a couple of historical references – one of which was “Abridgement of the summaries of the Scots Chronicles: Edinburgh” written in 1662.

He transcribes from a document written in 1764.  He describes in great detail the Cranston line starting with Eric Cranston in 1170.

~ CC

The Cranston Family Papers — Transcribed Archive

George Cranston (Edinburgh) to Josephine P. Cranston, 7–15 May 1873

(A long letter — twenty manuscript pages on folded sheets — from George Cranston of 43 Prince[s] Street, Edinburgh, the same correspondent as Doc O (Dec 1872) and the “Dear Friend George” of Doc I (Dec 1874). Begun 7 May and dated again 15 May 1873, so composed over about a week. The first portion is George’s own letter; the long central section is a verbatim copy — made for him by his cousin Robert — of the “Cranston — Lord Cranston” pedigree from the “Douglas Peerage” (a folio published 1764 by Fleming, Edinburgh) together with an extract from “The Abridgement or Summarie of the Scots Chronicles” (Edinburgh, Anno Dom. 1662, by “I.M.”). George’s own marginal source-citations, copied from his cousin’s MS, are reproduced in [margin: …]. The writer’s deletions are shown struck through; interlinear insertions are marked with a raised ⌃ caret. Blank dashes left for unknown given names are preserved as ——. Heavy verso show-through throughout; physical creases on several leaves; a small corner chip on the leaf bearing his “17” (no text lost). All twenty pages legible — no re-scan required. George numbered his sheets in the corners; those numbers are noted where visible and do not always match the page sequence, as expected for folded sheets.)
[Page 1]

43 Prince[s] Street
Edinburgh, 7th May, ’73.
Miss Josephine P. Cranston,
My dear Madam,
Weeks and weeks ago, I was duly in receipt of your letter and “cartes”. The latter were properly distributed among our relatives and welcomely received by all. They thank you. I delayed I delayed replying to your kind letter under until I could reciprocate your compliment, by sending a photograph of the members of our family. I went west to Glasgow this day fortnight, my only visit these eighteen months past; and that I was not unmindful of my promise to you, the enclosed photographs, taken upon that occasion, will shew. The “cabinet” comprises my father, sister and brother, and myself. Kate is the youngest of the three: Stuart is 15 months older: and I, ⌃15 months older still. If our faces are as acceptable to you as yours was to us, then they will be acceptable indeed. Of course, you will see that the vignette is mine.
[Page 2]
I think I forwarded to you the letter I received from Miss M. Cranstoun (sister of Mr. Loudon Cranstoun, Bone-setter) saying she could not give me more historical information than I seemed already to possess.
Last Christmas I wrote to Mr. James Cranstoun, M.A., rector of Dumfries Academy, but did [not] receive any reply from him. Possibly he had not any spare time at his command. Should my friend Mr. Stewart of Kirkcudbright (a neighbouring town) happen to be in Dumfries during, or about, the school-holiday season (July and August) I shall cause her ⌃him? to call upon the Rector. This day week our distinguished namesake was honoured by his Alma Mater, having then had conferred on him the honorary Doctorate, L.L.D., in consideration of his scholarly translations of Catullus and Tibullus.
In the public prints I have recently learned of the existence of another namesake of ours — Mr. D. G. Cranston, gas-fitter, Gateshead.
I have a friend in the far west (Luverne, Minnesota) who knows of my corresponding with you. Mr. MacKay hopes to be in Boston this summer, and asked me to send him your address. If you
[Page 3]
[George’s corner number: “2.”]
think you would care to meet the gentleman, please let me know your present address.
I still send the newspapers to East Boston, lest the simple address “Norwich, New York State” be not sufficient to find you. That was all the heading to your last letter. Is it enough?
I fear I have lost you a number of “Ladies’ Own Journals”, through having contravened one of our Post Office regulations. I thought it legitimate enough to enclose the “Citizen” within the “Journal”, as the two papers did not out-weigh 4 ozs. A paper I recently sent to a minister friend was stopped and opened because I had enclosed a simple cutting from another newspaper.
If I remember rightly, I sent you the the “Daily News” containing an account of a typical, national event — the Battle of the Blues, as the Oxford and Cambridge University boatrace may be called. Oxford has for its colour, dark blue: and Cambridge, light blue. Or was a University crew that your Harvard students pulled against here, in American fashion — i.e., without coxswains, which our crews usually have, our rivers being narrow, shallow and tortuous.
[Page 4]
In this country we have no practical conception of the duration or intensity of your winters. Extremes of heat and cold are felt principally on large expanses of land. Water is the equalizer of temperature. Surrounded by the sea, and in the Temperate Zone, we Britishers have a moderate climate, though subject to much fluctuation within a given range. It is this changeable quality that is so trying on the constitution, so tearing and wearing on the system. We have no sleighs here — our snow is soft and does not lie long. We have had a mild, moderate winter and an excellent spring and early summer. Better weather could not have been made ⌃or for the farmers. I trust America has been equally blessed with Britain in this respect.
When last I wrote, I told you of an old volume a friend in town had become possessed of. It was only a fortnight ago that I had it sent me. I found it to contain less information than I had been led to expect, and that of a kind quite opposite to what had been stated stated. The volume is entitled “The Abridgement or Summarie of the Scots Chronicles: Edinburgh. Anno Dom: 1662.”; and is written by “I.M.” Here is the only passage wherein the name Cranston is mentioned: ——
[Page 5]
[George’s corner number: “3.”]
page 163, et seq: ——
“Scarce was the Queen’s* death made known, when presently the Borderers made incursions on both sides, the which was called, the bussie week: The King[ᴠ] to take away all discontent from his Subjects, sent down the Lord Hume with the title of Lieutenant to take away all disordered and insolent persons that had lived upon robbery. The Lord Hume in short time cleansed the Borders of many licentious persons: Afterward Sir George Hume being made Barron of Barwick, and Earl of Dunbar, being also Lieutenant of the middle shires, made choise of my Lord Cranston to be Captain of the Guard, who did so much by his care and vigilance, that a number of out-laws were brought to the place of execution, where after lawful assise, they had a reward of their forepast follies. × × × × × × × And because I intend not to return any more to the borders Bussinesse, Cranston having paved the way to his successours, was dignified with the title of Baron, and one of the King’s Privie Counsell.”
I am indebted to my cousin Robert who copied out for me the following (entire) extract from the “Douglas Peerage” — a folio volume — published in 1764, by Fleming, Edinburgh — which extract I now transcribe, in extenso.
× Elizabeth.
ᴠ James VI (of Scotland) — 1st (of England.)
[Page 6]
Cranston — Lord Cranston.
The surname of this noble family is of very great antiquity, is certainly local, and was first assumed by the proprietors of the lands and barony of Cranston in Mid Lothian, as soon as surnames began to be used in Scotland. They were considerable barons, and had great possessions in the counties of Lothian, Teviotdale and Berwick in very early times, which is sufficiently documented by their Donations to the religious and charters in the public records.
In the reign of King William the Lyon, we find one of the ancestors of this noble family, viz.: ——
[margin: chartal. of New-bottle — Sir James Dalrymple’s col. p. 350.]
I. Elric de Cranston, witness to a convention betwixt Robert de Quincy, and the abbot and convent of Newbottle, anno 1170; and of this Elric the present Lord Cranston is lineally descended. He lived after the year 1200, and was father of
[margin: chartal. of Soltray in the library, Edinburgh No. 15.]
II. Thomas de Cranston, who flourished in the reign of King Alexander II and made a Donation to the Monastery of Soltray, of some lands lying near Pariston, in East Lothian, pro plute [pro salute?] animae suae, et antecessorum et successorum suorum, etc, to which Sir William de Douglas, Sir Robert Sinclair, Adam de Menckerston, etc, are witnesses — tempore Alex. Regis II.
He left issue a son and successor,
[margin: chartal. of New-bottle, James Macfarlane p. 62.]
III. Andreas de Cranston, who was witness to a charter of Hugo de Riddel, miles, to the abbacy of Newbottle in the reign of King Alexander III, together with Willielmus de Sancto Claro, tunc Vicecom. de Edinburgh, Willielmus de
[Page 7]
[George’s corner number: “7.”]
Haga de Lockerwood, Bernard de Keith, etc, circiter annum 1274.
He left a son,
[margin: Pyrne’s coll. Vol 3. p. 660.]
IV. Hugh de Cranston, who succeeded him, and was one of the Scotch Barons that sware fealty to King Edward I of England, anno 1296.
He was succeeded by his son
[margin: chartal. of New-bottle p. 66.]
V. Andreas de Cranston, the first we find designed, dominus de eodem. He made a great figure in the reign of King Robert Bruce, was a feuthful [faithful] and steady friend to that great prince, and never deserted his interest in his greatest distress.
He left a son and successor,
[margin: Ibid p. 67.]
VI. Rodolphus, dominus de Cranston, who made a donation to the abbacy of Newbottle, wherein he is designed Rodolphus de Cranston, dominus de New Cranston, filius et haeres quondam Andreae domini de Cranston, as to which Sir Alexander Seton, William and Lawrence Abernethies, etc, are witnesses 27th May, 1338.
He also confirmed his predecessors’ Donations to the Monastery of Soltray, viz: totam illam terram in territoris meo de Cranston, quam haberi ab antecessoribus meis, etc, to which
[margin: chartal. of Soltray, No. 54.]
John his son and heir, Robert de Keith, great Marshall of Scotland, Robert de Lawder, justiciar of Lothian, Henry de Sto. Claro, etc, are witnesses, inter ann. 1330 et 1340.
He was succeeded by his son,
[Page 8]
[margin: Ibidem.]
VII. John dominus de Cranston, who is particularly named in his Father’s confirmation to the monastery of Soltray, before noticed.
He was father of
[margin: Dalrymple’s collections p. 350.]
VIII. Thomas de Cranston, who got a charter from King David II of the lands and barony of Cranston, etc. —
[margin: Chart. in archiv. Roberti II.]
Also a charter of confirmation from King Robert II of the lands of Fowlersland, Fulwood, etc, in vicecom. de Roxburgh, and the lands of Pariston, etc, in conftab. de Haddington, dated at Cambuskenneth, the 18th January, 1381. He lived after the year 1400, and was succeeded by his son
IX. Thomas dominus de Cranston, who, being a man of fine parts, was in great favour with King James I, who sent him, together with William lord Christon [Crichton], etc, his embassadors extraordinary to negociate a peace with
[margin: Torpheus, p. 209.]
Eric, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, according to his commission, dated 8th May 1426, wherein he is designed Scutifer regis, etc.
[margin: chartal of Newbottle p. 297.]
In a Donation to the monastery of Newbottle, by William de Liberton, honorabilis vir Thomas de Cranston, etc, is a witness, anno 1429.
He left a son and successor,
[margin: charter penes dominum de Cavers-Douglas.]
X. Sir Thomas Cranston of that ilk, who got a charter of confirmation of the lands of Denholm, Stobs, etc, in vice comitatu de Roxburgh, dated 10th September 1441.
[Page 9]
[margin: Rymer. tom. XI p. 268.]
He was appointed one of the Scotch commissioners, to settle a peace with the English, 20th April, 1450.
[margin: chart. in pub. Archiv.]
He got a charter, under the great Seal, Thomae Cranston, dominus de eodem, terrarum baroniae de Grunlaw [Greenlaw], jacen in comitatu Marchiae et vice comitatu de Berwick, dated 20th March, 1451.
[margin: Rymer’s foed. tom. XI. p. 284.]
In May thereafter we find a safe conduct granted by the King of England to the Earl of Douglas, and a numerous retinue; Sir Alexander Home, James Lord Hamilton, Sir David Home, Thomas de Cranston, etc, were of the number. Anno 1451.
[margin: Ibid. p. 434.]
He was appointed one of the wardens of the Marches, anno 1459 and likeways
[margin: Border Laws. p. 44.]
one of the conservators of the peace upon the borders. anno 1464.
He left issue two sons.
1. Sir William, his heir.
2. ——, ancestor of the Cranstons of Glen.
And dying about the year 1470 was succeeded by his eldest son,
[margin: Chart in pub. Archiv.]
XI. Sir William Cranston, dominus de eodem, who in a charter made under the great Seal, to William, Lord Christon [Crichton], is designed William Cranston of Oreling, son and heir apparent of Thomas de Cranston, dominus de eodem, dated 7th April 1450.
He was in great favour with King James II. who appointed him coroner of the shire of Roxburgh, when but a young man; which appears by his commission, under the great Seal,
[Page 10]
officii coronatoris vicecomitatus de Roxburgh to him and his heirs, etc, dated 1451, which office continued long in the family, as will appear hereafter.
[margin: Char: in pub: arch:]
He got another charter, under the great Seal, Willielmus Cranston de Oreling, filio et haeredi apparenti domini Thomae Cranston de eodem, militis, terrarum de Vidston, etc, in vicecomitatu de Peebles, dated anno 1452.
[margin: Charter penes Cavers-Douglas.]
He got also a charter from Sir James Douglas of Cavers, sheriff of Roxburgh, to and in favour of Sir William Cranston of that Ilk, knight of the lands of Denholm, etc, of which Cavers was superior, dated 30th October 1512.
He left issue two sons,
1. John, his heir
[margin: chart. in pub. archiv.]
2. Thomas, who got a charter, under the great Seal, of the lands of Elburn, alias Westland Weststead de Langhope, lying in the lordship of Ettrick, and shire of Selkirk, Thomas Cranston filio secundo genito Willielmi Cranston de eodem, militis, etc, dated 7th June 1535.
He lived to a great age, died in the beginning of the year 1515, and was succeeded by his eldest son
[margin: Suipne penes. Cavers Douglas.]
XII. John Cranston, dominus de eodem, who was served heir to his father the penult. day of October, 1515.
[margin: Chart. ibid]
He got a charter constant of the lands of Denholm, Forestlands, Little Rulewood etc, in vicecomitatu de Roxburgh from Cavers Douglas, the superior, to and in favours of John Cranston, son and heir of Sir William Cranston of that ilk, dated 26th April, 1521.
[Page 11]
He died in the end of the year 1552, having married Janet Scot, a daughter of the family of Buccleuch, by a charter, under the great Seal, Johanni Cranston de eodem, et Janetae Scot ejus sponsae, terrarum de Smailholm, Sprouston, etc, dated 15th June, 1526.
By her he had a son
[margin: chart. in pub. archiv.]
XIII. Sir William Cranston, dominus de eodem, who succeeded him and got a charter, under the great Seal, terrarum baroniae de New-Cranston, etc, dated 31st May, 1553.
[margin: Ibidem.]
In his father’s lifetime he got a charter from Cavers Douglas, of the haill lands of Denholm, wherever they by, etc, to William Cranston of Smaill-holme, son and heir apparent of John Cranston of that ilk, dated in April, 1553.
[margin: Chart. penes Cavers Douglas.]
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Johnston of Elphinston, by whom he had a son,
[margin: Chart. in pub. archiv.]
Sir John —— and a daughter
Elizabeth, married to Sir —— Douglas, of Cavers.
He was succeeded by his only son
[margin: Chart. penes Cavers Douglas.]
XIV. Sir John Cranston, dominus de eodem, who got a charter from Sir William Cranston of that ilk, knight, Johanni Cranston filio suo et haeredi, et Margaretae Ramsay suae sponsae, etc, of all and sundry the lands of Denholm, etc, dated 24th Jany. 1562.
[margin: Ibidem.]
He got also a charter of confirmation of the above, and several other lands, “to him and his said spouse in life-rent, and to the heirs procreate, or to be procreate betwixt them in fee;”
[Page 12]
Dated at Jedburgh, 28th November, 1576.
[margin: Wills genealogical coll. penes Macfarlane.]
By the said Margaret, daughter of Nicol Ramsay of Dalhousie, he had issue a son, John, his apparent heir; and seven daughters, ——
1. Sarah, who carried on the line of this family — of whom afterwards.
2. ——, married to Cavers Douglas.
3. ——, —do— Rutherford of Hunthill.
4. ——, —do— Hamilton of Redhouse.
5. ——, —do— Rigg of Carberrie.
6. ——, —do— Scot of Hirstone.
7. ——, —do— Elphinston of Craigston.
John, only son and apparent heir of Sir John Cranston of that ilk, died before his father, leaving a son John de Cranston, who is instructed by a charter under the great Seal, Domino Johanni Cranston de eodem, militi, in vitali redditu, etc, nec non Johanni Cranston suo nepoti, filio et haeredi apparenti magistri Johannis Cranston, feodalarii de eodem, etc, terrarum de easter et wester Kirkhopps, etc, etc, dated 15th July, 1591.
This John dying also before his grandfather without issue, and Sir John leaving no prospect of any male succession, disponed and settled his whole estate upon his said daughter Sarah, to whom we now return.
[Page 13]
[George’s corner number: “13.”]
[margin: Ibidem.]
XV. Sarah Cranston, daughter of Sir John Cranston of that ilk, with the consent and approbation of her father, married Sir William, son of Sir John Cranston of Moriston, a cadet of his own family, who in consequence of this marriage, and in virtue of the above disposition and settlement succeeded to the whole estate.
[margin: Ibidem.]
Immediately after the marriage, there passed a charter under the great Seal Johanni Cranston de eodem, militi, in vitali redditu, et Willielmo Cranston, filio legitimo Johannis Cranston de Moriston, et Sarae Cranston suae sponsae, filiae legitimae dicti domini Johannis de eodem, terrarum de east et west Kirkhopps, cum turre fortalicis, etc, etc, etc, dated 15th March, 1593.
[margin: Chart. in pub. archiv.]
This Sir William, being a man of parts, was in great favour with King James VI, was long Captain of his Majesty’s Guards, and was created a Knight, by two charters under the great Seal, Domino Willielmo Cranston de eodem, equiti aurato, terrarum baroniae de Langholm, etc, etc, dated in January, 1610.
[margin: Chart. penes Dominum Cranston.]
He did great service to his country in quelling insurrections and pacifying the borders; in consideration whereof, and on account of his other faithful services he was raised to the dignity of the peerage by the title of
[Page 14]
Lord Cranston, anno 1611. And got a chart. under the great Seal, Willielmo Domino Cranston, et Sarae Cranston, dominae Cranston, ejus conjugi, et haeredibus inter ipsos legitime procreatis seu procreandis, terrarum de Lyleston, infra balivatum de Lauderdale, etc, etc, etc, dated 4th Jany. 1612.
By the said Dame Sarah, Lady Cranston, he left four sons and one daughter —
1. John, his heir —
2. James, ancestor of the present Lord Cranston, of whom afterwards.
3. Henry,
4. Thomas.
These two last are both mentioned in an entail hereafter narrated.
His daughter Margaret was married to Edgar of Wedderlie.
He died anno 1627, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
[margin: Chart in pub. Cavers Douglas.]
XVI. John, second Lord Cranston, who, upon the resignation of William, Lord Cranston, and Dame Sarah, Lady Cranston, his father and mother, got a charter of the lands of Denholm, Fowler’s-land, Little-rulewood, manor place etc “to and in favours of Sir John Cranston, son and heir apparent of William, Lord Cranston, and Sarah, Lady Cranston, and Elizabeth Scot, his spouse, etc, dated the last day of June, 1619.
[margin: chart in pub archiv.]
He got a charter under the great Seal, Johanni magistro de Cranston, et Helenae, filiae quondam Jacobi Domini Lindsay ejus conjugi,
[Page 15]
[George’s corner number: “5.”]
terrarum de Smail-holme, etc, dated 3rd April, 1623.
[margin: Ibidem.]
Also a charter, Johanni Domino Cranston, terrarum de Addinston, Dodds, etc, in vicecomitatu de Berwick, dated 26th January, 1633.
[margin: Ibidem.]
And likewise a charter of the whole barony of Cranston, etc, dated 9th Feby, 1635.
He married first, Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Walter, Lord Buccleuch; and, secondly, Helen, daughter of James, Lord Lindsay.
But dying without issue, his estate and honours devolved upon his nephew, William, son of his brother James, before-mentioned, to whom we now return.
[margin: Chart. in pub. archiv.]
XVI. James, second son of William, first lord of Cranston, who in his elder brother’s lifetime, was designed master of Cranston, got a charter under the great Seal, Jacobo Cranston (filio legitimo secundo genito Willielmi Domini Cranston, et Sarae Dominae Cranston, suae sponsae) et Margaretae Macgill, ejus conjugi, terrarum domini calumi de Oreling, etc, dated in December 1614.
He married, 1st Margaret, daughter of Sir James Macgill of Cranston-Riddell, by whom he had one daughter,
Margaret, married to Craig of Riccarton.
[margin: Stewart’s Hist. of the Royal Family — p. 105.]
He married, 2ndly, Lady Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of Francis, Earl of Bothwell, by Lady Elizabeth Douglas, daughter of David, Earl of Angus, by whom he had a son and three daughters. ——
[Page 16]
William, designed designed master of Cranston, who succeeded to his uncle John, second Lord Cranston, as before-mentioned ⌃noticed
1. Daughter — married to Elliot of Stobs Cochrane of Clarkington.
2. —do— —do— Elliot of Stobs.
3. —do— —do— Dobie of Stonyhill.
[margin: Chart. in pub. archiv.]
XVII. William, third Lord of Cranston, son of the above James was put in fee of the whole estate of Cranston, in his uncle’s lifetime, which appears from a charter under the great Seal, containing an entail, terrarum baroniae, etc, etc etc, de Cranston, etc, etc, etc, viz: “To and in favours of John, Lord Cranston, in life-rent and to William, Master of Cranston (only lawful son of the deceased James, master of Cranston, brother german to the said John) in fee and heritage, and the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to Henry Cranston, brother german to the said lord, and the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to Thomas Cranston, also brother german to the said lord, and heirs-male of his body; which failing, to George Cranston of Glen, descended of Sir Thomas Cranston of that ilk, and the heirs-male of his body; which all failing, to the said John Lord Cranston his nearest heirs-male whatsoever, bearing the name and arms of Cranston. Also the office of coroner of the shire of Roxburgh,” etc, dated 17th Jany, 1638. ——
He was a man of great honour,
[Page 17]
[George’s corner number: “17.”]
loyalty and integrity, and adhered firmly to the interest of the Royal Family, during all the time of the Civil War.
He attended King Charles II to the Battle of Worcester, when he had the misfortune to be taken prisoner, was carried to the Tower of London, where he was long confined,
[margin: Printed act of indemnity.]
his estate sequestrated, and he was particularly excepted out of Cromwell’s act of indemnity, anno 1654.
He married Lady Mary Lesly, Daughter of Alexander, Earl of Leven, by whom he had a son and successor,
XVIII. James, fourth Lord Cranston, who married Anne, daughter of Sir Alexander Don of Newton, by whom he had two sons,
1. William, his heir
2. Alexander Cranston Esq, who died at Darien, without issue.
He was succeeded by his eldest son,
XIX. William, fifth Lord Cranston, who married Lady Jean Ker, daughter of William, Marquis of Lothian, by whom he had seven sons and five daughters —
1. James, now Lord Cranston
2. William, who died young
3. Archibald
4. Alexander
5. William Henry, a Captain in the Army.
6. Charles
7. George
1. Daughter, Jane died young
2. Anne, married to —— Selby Esq;
[Page 18]
3. Elizabeth
4. Jane
5. Mary
He was succeeded by his eldest son
XX. James, sixth Lord Cranston, who married Miss Brown, an English lady, by whom he hath four sons
1. William, Master of Cranston.
2. Brown.
3. James.
4. Charles —.
Arms.
Gules — Three cranes, argent.
Crest — a crane sleeping, with the head under its wing, holding up a stone with its right foot.
Supporters — on the Dexter side, a lady richly attired, holding out a bunch of strawberries to a stag, proper. the Supporter on the sinister side. [sinister supporter left blank in original]
Motto — Thou shalt want ere I want.
Chief Seat
At Oreling, in the County of Roxburgh.
On looking into the foregoing closely you may notice slight discrepancies in the spelling — particularly of places — These are in my cousin’s M.S. and I doubt not but they exist in the original volume.
15th May, 1873.
In the “Patent” columns of the last number of “the Engineer” I found mr. John Grey Cranston, [Lobe?] Side, Gateshead, connected with some rock or stone drilling machine.
[Page 19]
[George’s corner number: “17.” — a repeat of his earlier sheet number]
On a former occasion I gave you the address of this gentleman, while he was in one of the English northern counties, Cumberland, I think. Seemingly he is identical with the D.G. Cranston mentioned in an earlier portion of this letter.
Enclosed you have a cutting, which you it may have read in the “Scottish American Journal” of “10th” April last, confirmatory of my Uncle’s statement that on one of the pillars of St. Giles’ Cathedral here the name of Cranston Cranston is cut out.
On looking through my papers to-day I was surprised among them the note I had received from Miss Margaret Cranston. I thought I had sent it on to you months ago. I now enclose it.
I have been acquainted (though only slightly) with a Mr. W.B. Cranston in town: but I never knew until five days ago that he was nephew to Miss M. and Mr. Loudon Cranston. He told us you had written to his aunt. I hope she has answered you. I fancy you will succeed better writing ⌃direct to the various living Cranstons, than through me. I fear I have made but a clumsy appeal on your behalf, since I failed to produce produce an acceptable response from the two parties whom I addressed.
In a small Dundee handbook, I lately found mention made of some name-sake of ours who had been executed at Perth, in the days of religious persecution. I have
[Page 20]
waited till the last moment for the volume being sent me. It has not come. The extract shall be sent in a future letter.
Three days before this reaches Boston, you should have been in receipt of a few lines I directed to you at “Norwich, New York State”, advising you of this letter.
With best respects,
Yours truly,
Geo. Cranston.