Jardine Hall, an elegant mansion, with pleasant grounds, in Applegarth parish, Dumfriesshire, on the left bank of the river Annan, 2 1/8 miles NW of Netherclench station and 5½ NNW of Lockerbie. Built in 1814, it is the seat of Sir Alexander Jardine, eighth Bart. since 1672 (b. 1829; suc. 1874), who holds 5538 acres in the shire, valued at £5813 per annum. His father, Sir William (1800-74), was a well-known ornithologist. Spedlins Tower, the seat of Sir Alexander's ancestors, stands on the opposite bank of the river, within Lochmaben parish; and is a strong, turreted, ivy-clad structure, bearing date 1605. Within its dungeon one Porteous, a miller, was imprisoned by the first Baronet, who, being called away to Edinburgh, rode off with the key in his pocket, and never once thought of his prisoner until he had reached the city. Then he sent back, but all too late; for the miller had died of hunger, after gnawing his hands and his feet. So the household was vexed by his ghost, until it was laid in the dungeon by means of a black-letter Bible.Ord. Sur., sh. 10, 1864.
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