The following early deed for Watcarrick in Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, Scotland was given to the Beattie DNA Tour group by the current owner of the property-a very friendly man who stopped his work to answer our questions about the property. The copy was transcribed and did not have a book or page number. The current owner expects to sell the property in the next few years-and if I had 400,000 pounds I would buy it! It is a beautiful peaceful area steeped in history. I asked if he had ever searched for the mysterious tunnel rumored to exist between the Watcarrick cemetery and the house. He said he lifted some stones in the cellar and even dug a bit but was unable to locate it. What fun it would be to research the history of this old house. The countryside around the home is remarkably undeveloped and it is easy to imagine what it must have looked like hundreds of years ago. The deed shows that the property was purchased in 1798 by William Beattie and then passed to his only living child, daughter Mary Beattie Bell, at the death of William Beattie in 1806. Gravestones in the old Watcarrick Graveyard show several Beatties residing at Watcarrick prior to the purchase of the land by William Beattie in 1798: Here lyes John Beattie tenant in Watcerick who departed this life March 14 1718 of age 56 years. And Mary Pott his spouse who departed this life June 1 1719 of age 50 year. In memory of Walter Beatty who died at Craig 6th May, 1752 aged 73 years. Also Marion Black his spouse who died at Watcarrick December 6 17_9 aged 89 years. Also John Beatty their son who died at Watcarrick February 4th, 1766 aged 35 years. Also Walter Beattie son to William Beattie in Watcarrick who died February 7th 1769 aged ---- months. Also Margaret Beattie his daughter who died August 24th 1782 aged 12 years. Also in memory of William Beatty, William died at Fingland November 15th, 1800 aged 76 years. Also Anne Scott his spouse who also died at Fingland 28th May, 1801 aged 69 years. Also Elizabeth Beattie, daughter of Walter Beattie who died at Hollin December 12th, 1824 aged 88 years. [From "Memorial Inscriptions of Watcarrick and Eskdalemuir Churchyards" compiled by Brenda I. Morrison, Cairndhu Publications, 2007.] Transcribed deed to Watcarrick: In the name of God be it known to all men by this present Public Instrument that upon the Ninth day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Six and in the reign of our Sovereign King George III by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King, defender of the faith the Forty sixth year in the presence of me Notary Public and the witnesses subscribing appeared personally upon the ground of the lands aftermentioned, John Riddell in _______ as Procurator and Attorney for Mary Beattie, daughter of the Deceased William Beattie in Tunyland of Lord James Scott at Enzieholm whose power of procuratory was sufficiently known to me the said Notary Public where appeared also personally William Martin in ______ in that part specially constituted by virtue of the Precept of Sasine called a Precept of Clare Constat after inscribed the said John Riddell having and holding in his hands a Charter of Confirmation of date the Second day of June (?) containing the Precept of Sasine commonly called a Precept of Clare Constat of ______ made and granted by Hugh Warrander, Writer to the Signet commissioned specially by his grace Harry, Duke of Buccleugh, Earl of Dalkeith and Doncaster, Lord Scott of Whilchester and Eskdale, Superior of the lands and others aftermentioned conform to the said Duke's Confirmation in his favour dated the Twenty-sixth and registered in the Books of Council and Session the Twenty seventh day of January Seventeen Hundred and Ninety eight where by the said Hugh Warrander is specially empowered to enter the Vassals of the said Duke and to grant Charters and all other writings and necessary _____ to the lands of Scotland more fully mentioned in the said Commission; By which Charter of Confirmation the said Hugh Warrander as Commissioner foresaid ratified, approved and for the said Duke his lands of Scotland perpetually confirmed and _____ dated the Twenty first day of May Seventeen Hundred and Sixty eight and registered in the Commissary Court Books of Dumfries Twenty sixth day of May thereafter made and granted by Elizabeth Burgof of Wattcarrick heritable proprietors of and vassal to the said Duke in the lands and others aftermentioned whereby she sold and disponed to the said William Beattie and his heirs, successors and disponees whomsoever, heritably and irredeemably ALL and WHOLE the lands of Watcarrick and lands of Dunning which are a part of the said lands of Watcarrick with houses, biggings, yards, lofts, crofts, communities, common pasturages in fields and fields, mosses, moores, meadows _____ and whole pertinents thereto belonging lying within the Parish and Lordship of Eskdalamuir, Barrony of Dumfedling and Shire of Dumfries with the teinds both parsonage and vicorage of the said whole lands together with the obligations to infeft a me and Precept of Sasine contained in the said Disposition and Instrument of Sasine following thereon in favour of the said William Beattie dated the Seventeenth day of August Seventeen Hundred and Ninety eight and registered in the particular Register of Sasines kept at Dumfries the Twenty-seventh day of September thereafter and that in the whole ____ articles, clauses _____ and contents of the said writs as the said Charter of Confirmation containing the said Precept of Sasine called a Precept of Clare Constat after described; Which Charter containing the said Precept of Sasine called the Precept of Clare Constat the said Attorney of ______ and prescribed to the said _____ him to proceed to the due execution of the Office of Bailiary thereby committed to him which the said Bailie found reasonable and the said Charter containing the said precept into his hands and deliver the same to me Notary Public subscribing to be read and published with the said witnesses and others present which I accordingly did and of which Precept of Sasine called a Precept of Clare Constat _____ follows:- And whereas by the _____ above confirmed and other authentic instruments and documents produced to read, seen and considered by me it clearly appears and is made known that the said William Beattie in Tungland father of ___ Mary Beattie ____ of the tenant James Scott at Enzieholm bearer hereof died last week and has _____ as the faith and peace of our Sovereign Lord the King in ALL and WHOLE the said lands of Watcarrick, the houses, biggings, yards, lofts, crofts, common pastures, infields, outfields, mosses, Moores, meadows, pastures and whole pertinents thereto belonging lying within the Parish and lands of Easkdalemuir, Barony of Dumfelding and Shire of Dumfries with the teinds both parsonage and vicarage of the said whole lands and that the said Mary Beattie ____ hereof is the only child now in life of the said William Beattie _____ and lawful heir of her said father in the lands and others foresaid and that she is of lawful age, and that the said _____ and holder of and under the said Harry Duke of _____ is heirs and successors , assignees , lawful superiors thereof in feu farm, feu and heritage for ever for the yearly payment of ___ feu ___ under written ____ for the said lands of Watcarrick and Dunning with the pertinents the sum of Two Hundred and Seventy marks Scots money in name of feuduty at the term of Whitsunday yearly and doubling the said feuduty first year of the entry of each heir or heirs to the foresaid lands ____ is of feu farm providing ____ the life as by the land hereof is provided and declared that a non payment of the said feu farm duties for the space of two or more years running together shall be no cause of nullity or reduction of the present infeftment and any acts, laws, statues, constitutions made or to be made in the contrary notwith­standing where anent as commissioner aforesaid for the said Duke and his heirs and successors have disponed without prejudice _____ to the said Duke and his heirs and successors by themselves or their officers, commissioners and factors without process or _____ of any judge to poind and distrain the good and moveables upon the ground of the said lands for the time for the said feuduty that shall happen to be unpaid for the time and that in all time coming or to call, convene or prosecute for payment of the said feu farm duty ____ the said duke and his foresaids shall as also the said Mary Beattie and her heirs and assignees compering and [line cut off] Beholden ____ the said duke and his successors or _____ within the Barony of Dumfelding when the said Mary Beattie and her foresaids shall be lawfully warned and required thereto by the Officer of the said Barony and that in so far as such comperances at head courts or not now abolished by law - as also the said Mary Beattie and her foresaids and their tenants and pocessers of the lands with pertinents shall be ____ to any of the said duke's within the bounds of the said Barony of Dumfelding lying nearest to the said lands and to bring their grain growing upon the ground of the said lands which shall happen to suffer fire and water to the mill belonging to the said Duke and his foresaids lying nearest to the said lands there to be grinded and to pay therefore four cupfuls of ___ for every boll of the with the sequels and nave ship and other duties and services usual as the other feuars of the said Barony all have been in use to pay or perform and if their said grain or any part suffering fire and water shall be from his said mill that then and that they shall so obliged to pay to the said Duke and his foresaids ____ and other duties foresaid for the haill, grain so abstracted as also it is provided that if any question or controversay shall arise anent the ____ and marches of the said lands and then and in that all the said Dukes and his foresaids shall be at liberty to ____ and place the marches of the said lands which the said Mary Beattie and her foresaids shall be obliged to obscive and implement in all time coming; And for the said teinds of the said lands the sum of Thirty merks yearly at which time the said teinds are valued by the former rights and infeftments at the said terms of Whitsunday without doubling the said feuduty at the entry of each heir or heirs to the said lands; And that for all other burdens ___ questions, demand or _____ which can be any way or asked or required _____ of the said lands with the pertinents therefore I hereby as Commissioner aforesaid ____ and each of your conjointly and severally the said Dukes, Bailies to the effect after specified that upon sight hereof ____ to the ground of the lands and others foresaid and there give and deliver heritable state and sasine actual real and corporal possession to the said Mary Beattie as heir aforesaid of ALL and WHOLE the foresaids lands of Watcarrick and Dumming with the teinds and pertinents of the same above written and to beholden as said is and that by delivery ament to her or her certain attorney in her name bearer hereof of earth and stone of and upon the ground of the said lands a handful of grass and ____ for the said teinds and all other symbols recquisite and this in no ways yue leave undone, for doing whereon I commit to you full power by this by precept saving and reserving always the bygone and current feuduties; Saving also the ____ own right and the right of all others according to IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have subscribed these presents written upon this and the two preceding pages of stamped vellum by Campbell Gardner, my Clerk at Edinburgh the Second day of June in the year Eighteen and Six before these witnesses John Home, Writer in Edinburgh and the Writer in Minburgh and the John Home (Witness) Haugh Warrander Campbell Gardner (Witness) After reading and publishing of which Charter and Precept of Sasines called a Precept of Clare Constat hereincontained and ____ the said Bailie by virtue thereof and of the office of Bailiery thereby committed to him gave and delivered heritable state and sasine actual real and corporal recession to the said Mary Bell as heir aforesaid of ALL and WHOLE the foresaid lands of Watcarrick and Dunning with the teinds and pertinents of the same above written and to beholden as said is and thereby deliverance to the said attorney in her name of earth and stone of and upon the ground of the said lands and a handful of grass and ____ for the said teinds as ____ is after the form and line o the said Precept in all points whereupon and upon all and sundry the _____ the said attorney asked and took instruments in the hands of me Notary Public _____ these things were done upon the ground of the said lands between the hours of five and six afternoon of the day of the month and year of God and Kings reign respectively first above written before and in presence of Thomas Bell of _____ and James Glen Dinning in Watcarrick with missives to the _____ specially called and registered and hereto with me subscribing 1841 Scotland Census 1841 Scotland Census Name: William Beattie Age: 84 Estimated birth year: abt 1757 Gender: Male Where born: Dumfriesshire, Scotland Civil parish: Eskdalemuir County: Dumfriesshire Address: Watcarrick Occupation: Ind Parish Number: 824 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Elizabeth Beattie 23 John Beattie 30 Rachel Beattie 1 William Beattie 84 Mary Bell 70 [Proprietress, farmer] Jessie Byers 19 Richard Linton 13 Isabella Scott 20 Jean Ward 20 Source Citation: Parish: Eskdalemuir; ED: 2; Year: 1841. Probate Record of Mary Beattie Bell of Watcarrick [This is a very long record. I will attempt to summarize a small portion of the record.] At Watcarrick the nineteenth day of May Eighteen hundred and forty six years.Mrs. Mary Beattie or Bell died upon the tenth day of January last." "Mrs. Mary Beattie of Watcarrick daughter of the deceased William Beattie in Fingland and widow of the deceased Captain James Scott at ??holm and afterward of John Bell of Caruthers for the favor and affection I have and bear to John Scott in Watcarrick, my only surviving son, [grants lands and estate including "my lands of Watcarrick and lands of Dunning" providing John Scott pay to James Scott "son of the deceased James Scott my eldest son." "I moreover leave to Elizabeth Scott daughter of my late son James Scott the sum of fifty pounds sterling." [A long section follows which mentions a trust deed that John Scott (now deceased) made in favor of his wife Margaret Brown or Scott and children James and Margaret Scott. Also mentions "James Scott, my grandson presently in New South Wales son of the deceased James Scott my eldest son and Elizabeth Scott or Beattie residing at Watcarrick spouse of John Beattie residing there, natural daughter of the said James Scott."] 1851 Scotland Census 1851 Scotland Census Name: John Morrison Age: 42 Estimated birth year: abt 1809 Relationship: Head Spouse's name: Isabella Gender: Male Where born: Stoffat, Dumfries Parish Number: 824 Civil parish: Eskdalemuir County: Dumfriesshire Address: Watcarrick Occupation: Farmer (exten Of Land Not Stated) (employing 3 Labourers) ED: 2 Page: 6 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 18 Line: 1 Roll: CSSCT1851_207 Household Members: Name Age Agness Anderson 70 Violet Elliot 19 Agness Morrison 15 Catherine Morrison 4 Ellen Morrison 6 Isabella Morrison 40 Isabella Morrison 8 Jean Morrison 11 John Morrison 42 John Morrison 13 Margaret Morrison 1 David Scott 22 Source Citation: Parish: Eskdalemuir; ED: 2; Line: 1; Year: 1851. 1861 Scotland Census 1861 Scotland Census Name: Andrew Beattie Age: 72 Estimated birth year: abt 1789 Relationship: Head Spouse's name: Isabel Gender: Male Where born: Westerkirk, Dumfriesshire Registration Number: 824 Registration district: Eskdalemuir Civil parish: Eskdalemuir County: Dumfriesshire Address: Watcarrick Occupation: Farmer ED: 2 Page: 4 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 18 Line: 21 Roll: CSSCT1861_143 Household Members: Name Age Andrew Beattie 72 Helen Beattie 35 Isabel Beattie 70 William Beattie 27 Joan Irving 18 Source Citation: Parish: Eskdalemuir; ED: 2; Line: 21; Year: 1861 Probate record of Andrew Beattie "Watcarrick March 20, 1866. This paper contains an account of the way and manner of which I Andrew Beattie Farmer Watcarrick wish my effects to be disposed of at my decease after all my lawful debts are paid I wish my effects disposed of in the following manner. The whole of the stock crop and chattels belonging to me to be valued and the amount to be lodged in the National Bank of Scotland and my wife Isobel Jackson to receive the interest thereof during her lifetime and at her decease the amount to be equally divided between my son William Beattie and my daughter Helen Beattie and my daughter Margaret Beattie to receive the sum of fifteen pounds sterling which shall be paid on equal parts by my aforementioned son and daughter William Beattie & Helen Beattie. This I do on the twentieth of March One Thousand Eight Hundred sixty and six years (signed) Andrew Beattie and Isabel Jackson. N. B. My son and daughter William Beattie and Helen Beattie agreeing to this do hereby affix their signatures (signed) William Beattie, Helen Beattie, William Riddell Witness John Bell Witness. In Memory of Andrew Beattie tenant in Watcarrick who died June 10th 1866 aged 78 years. Also Isabella Jackson his wife who died at Watcarrick 15th October 1875 aged 86 years. Also Jane Beattie their daughter who died at Elliotfield February 10th 1832 aged 18 years. Also Walter Beattie their son who died at Elliotfield January 20th, 1832 aged 5 years. Also Agnes Beattie their daughter who died at Fingland January 20th, 1843 aged 24 years. Also a 2nd Walter their son who died at Fingland July 4th, 1849 aged 13 years. Also Hellen Beattie their daughter who died at Howgill May 24th 1894 aged 71 years. [From "Memorial Inscriptions of Watcarrick and Eskdalemuir Churchyards" compiled by Brenda I. Morrison, Cairndhu Publications, 2007.] 1871 Scotland Census 1871 Scotland Census Name: William Beattie Age: 39 Estimated birth year: abt 1832 Relationship: Head Mother's name: Isabella Gender: Male Where born: Cavers, Roxburghshire Registration Number: 824 Registration district: Eskdalemuir Civil parish: Eskdalemuir County: Dumfriesshire Address: Watcarrick Occupation: Farmer Of 450 Acres Of Which 60 Arable Employing 2 Labarder ED: 2 Page: 8 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 35 Line: 1 Roll: CSSCT1871_183 Household Members: Name Age Helen Beattie 45 Isabella Beattie 82 William Beattie 39 Robert Bell 20 Eliza Dobie 24 Source Citation: Parish: Eskdalemuir; ED: 2; Line: 1; Year: 1871. 1881 Scotland Census 1881 Scotland Census Name: Simon Beattie Age: 72 Estimated birth year: abt 1809 Relationship: Head Spouse's name : Janet Gender: Male Where born: Westerkirk, Dumfriesshire Registration Number: 824 Registration district: Eskdalemuir Civil parish: Eskdalemuir County: Dumfriesshire Address: Watcarrick Farm Occupation: Farmer (Of 1000 Acres 55 Arable ED: 2 Page: 10 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 34 Line: 1 Roll: cssct1881_322 Household Members: Name Age Janet Beattie 65 Jesse Beattie 42 Mary Beattie 25 Simon Beattie 72 Simon Beattie 30 Thomasina Beattie 36 William Beattie 27 John Wilson 50 Source Citation: Parish: Eskdalemuir; ED: 2; Line: 1; Year: 1881. 1891 Scotland Census 1891 Scotland Census Name: Simon Beattie Age: 82 Estimated birth year: abt 1809 Relationship: Head Gender: Male Where born: Westerkirk, Dumfries-Shire Registration Number: 824 Registration district: Eskdalemuir Civil parish: Eskdalemuir County: Dumfriesshire Address: Watcarrick Farm Occupation: Farmer ED: 2 Page: 10 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 36 Line: 8 Roll: CSSCT1891_394 Household Members: Name Age Jassie Beattie 52 (daughter) John Beattie 16 (grandson) Simon Beattie 82 Simon Beattie 46 (son, dies single) Thomasina Beattie 46 (daughter) William Beattie 38 (son, dies single) James Scott 13 (grandson) Source Citation: Parish: Eskdalemuir; ED: 2; Line: 8; Year: 1891. Probate Record of Simon Beattie [Another long record. An inventory shows that Simon Beattie owed Mrs. Debie Enzieholm half years rent of the farm of Watcarrick to Whitsunday 1892. 125 pounds. No heirs other than William and Simon Beattie are named in the document.] An excerpt: At Lockerbie the twenty first day of July One thousand eight hundred and ninety two, in presence of Robert Nutt, Esquire one of Her Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Dumfries, appeared Simon Beattie Farmer, Watcarrick in the Parish of Eskdalemuir and County of Dumfries Executor of the deceased Simon Beattie Farmer at Watcarrick foresaid who being solemnly sworn and examined deposes that the said Simon Beattie died at Watcarrick foresaid domiciled in Scotland upon the seventh day of June eighteen hundred and ninety two and left lawful issue surviving. That the deponent has entered upon the possession and management of the deceased's estate along with William Beattie also farmer at Watcarrick foresaid.. In memory of Walter Beattie son of Simon Beattie who died at Dinnings 22nd December 1853 aged 8 years. Also Mary his daughter who died at Dinnings 15th July, 1849 in the 1st year of her age. Also Janet Hall his wife who died at Watcarrick 28th November 1882 aged 67 years. Also the above Simon Beattie who died 7th June 1892 aged 84 years. Also Simon their son who died at Watcarrick 24th May 1895 aged 44 years. Also Walter their son who died at Hamilton 13th August 1904 aged 46 years [died Lanarkshire, unmarried at death]. Also Jessie their daughter who died at Watcarrick 7th September 1920 aged 81 years. Also Thomasina their daughter who died at Watcarrick 11th November 1922 aged 79 years. Also Agnes their daughter who died at Langholm 28th January 1924 aged 88 years. Also William their son who died at Watcarrick 13th July 1924 aged 72 years. [From "Memorial Inscriptions of Watcarrick and Eskdalemuir Churchyards" compiled by Brenda I. Morrison, Cairndhu Publications, 2007.] Simon Beattie's (died June 7, 1892) death certificate states that his father was John Beattie and his mother Agnes Little: In memory of John Beattie tenant in Dalbeth who died November 6th, 1810 aged 44 years. Also Agnes Little his spouse who died September 21st, 1816 aged 40 years. Helen daughter to John Beattie late tenant in Dalbeth November 21st, 1804 aged 1 year. [From "Memorial Inscriptions of Watcarrick and Eskdalemuir Churchyards" compiled by Brenda I. Morrison, Cairndhu Publications, 2007.] 1901 Scotland Census 1901 Scotland Census Name: Thomasina Beattie Age: 56 Estimated birth year: abt 1845 Relationship: Sister Gender: Female Where born: Langholm, Dumfriesshire Registration Number: 824 Registration district: Eskdalemuir Civil parish: Eskdalemuir County: Dumfriesshire Address: Watearrick Occupation: Housekeeper ED: 2 Page: 6 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number: 29 Line: 10 Roll: CSSCT1901_430 Household Members: Name Age Jessie Beattie 62 Thomasina Beattie 56 William Beattie 48 Joseph Blackstock 23 James Scott 23 John Sproat 18 Source Citation: Parish: Eskdalemuir; ED: 2; Line: 10; Year: 1901. The current owner of Watcarrick told us that the last Beattie to live on the farm had committed suicide (ostensibly over shame at having a tape worm). Indeed, the death record of William who died July 13, 1924 at Watcarrick, shows he died of "hanging." A corrected death entry states "found dead in byre at Watcarrick Farm, Eskdalemuir Parish--cause of death hanging." William was single. He was buried at Watcarrick Chapel Cemetery. William Beattie was the last Beattie to live at Watcarrick farm. Laurel Baty, L252