John Roy Grant (1370 - 1434)

22. John 4th. [p33] the youngest was married to Leslie of Abergeldie. John Roy, after many days of contentment and satisfaction, is left disconsolate through the death of his Lady, but after some time he is married again, to Isobel Barclay Da: to the Baron of Towy of whom he begat ane Son called Archibald, who is the Progeititor of the family of Ballintomb in Knockands. Of this family of Ballintomb are several other families and branches descended; the most remarkable are Sir Francis Grant of Cullen, Heir and Representative of the family; Grant of Arndilly; Grant of Ruddery; Grant sometime of Allachey, who had but one daughter, on whom he bestowed his substance, and married her to Duff of Keithmore, of whom he begat Duff, Laird of Braces; Duff, Laird of Dipple, and Duff of Craighbuse; there is also Baginduy, descended of Allachy, he being a Bastard son of his.

About this time there were two brethren came out of Athol, as is thought, to shelter themselves under the protection of the Laird of Grant. By virtue of his being married to Stewart Atbol`s daughter, these two brethren lived long in the body of Abernethy. Both were skillful tradesmen. The one was a Turner, and all descended of him are called Slick Downer, or Turners; the other brother was a forger or blocker of the mettal or matter for the turning, and all descended of him are called Forgers, in the Irish Slichk Nuier, that is the Posterity of Forgers. Several honest [p34] families descended of these bretheren in the Country of Strathspey in Abernethy Parish who are as respectful of the Laird of Grant as any native. The principal families are Correchil Aldcham McFanoige in the braes of Abernethy, and of the other Brother is McPhadrick Day in Kevach, and some years ago there being one Stewart of Little Wells in Athole visiting the Laird of Grant, and staying for some time in the Country, there being also one of the name of Stewart, Bailiff to the Laird of Grant then in Cromdell, both being a pretty sociable and loving comrade - indeed all the Slick Downers and Forgers, considering that they came out of Athole, as is alleged, to call themselves Stuart, which surname they can now correctly maintain, they are an honest sort of people. John Roy, being now ane old Man, waxed dim in his sight, and after some time lost his sight, and became blind.