Alexander Barclay sold the lands of _Slains_ and _Falside_ in the Mearns, to _Andrew Moncur_ of _Knapp_, to whom he granted a charter to be held of himself and his heirs, dated anno 1497. He also granted a precept of _Clare constat._ to _Sir James Ogilvie_ of _Deskford_, predecessor to the Earl of _Findlater_, for infesting him in the lands of _Durn_, of which he was superior. This precept bears date the 29th April 1510, at _Kirktonhill_, which was then the principal seat of the family of Mathers. _Alexander_ was succeeded by his son, (12.) _George Barclay_, 8th of _Mathers_, who married _Marjory_, daughter of _Sir James Auchterlony_, of _Auckterlony_ and _Kellie_, then a considerable family in the shire of _Angus_.--His son’s name was, (13.) _David Barclay_, 9th of _Mathers_, who married first _Mary_, daughter to _Rait_ of _Halgreen_, by whom he had _George_, who succeeded him. He married for his second wife, _Catharine Home_, and had by her a son named _John_, to whom he gave the lands of _Johnston_ in the Mearns, as established by Barclay of Johnston’s first charter, dated anno 1560. _Barclay_ of _Balmaquean_ is a cadet of the Johnston family. David Barclay was succeeded by his first son, (14.) _George Barclay_, 10th of _Mathers_, who married _Mary Erskine_, daughter to _Sir Thomas Erskine_ of _Brechin_, secretary of state to _James V._ of Scotland. He married for his second wife, _Margaret_, daughter to _Wood_ of _Bonnington_ in _Angus_, afterwards baronets, and now represented by James Wood, Esq. of Woodburnden, in the county of the Mearns; and by her he had a son, to whom he gave the lands of _Bridgeton_ and _Jackstown_, in the _Mearns_. His first son succeeded to the estate, and his name was (15.) _Thomas Barclay_, 11th of _Mathers_, who married _Janet_, daughter to _Straiton_ of _Lauristown_ in the _Mearns_, a very ancient and honourable family. Thomas Barclay died before his father, leaving only one son, (16.) _David Barclay_, 12th of _Mathers_, who was born anno 1580. He was polite and accomplished, and lived much at Court; but a taste for show and extravagance, led him to indulge in every fashionable expense, by which he greatly impaired his property, and he sold five valuable estates. He was twice married: first, to _Elizabeth_, the daughter of _Livingston_ of _Dunnipace_, by whom he had five sons and a daughter; second, to _Margaret Keith_, grand-child to Earl Marischal. To his daughter he gave a handsome fortune, and to his sons a liberal education. The two eldest died when young: _David_, the third son, became eminently conspicuous: _Robert_, the fourth, was rector of the Scots College at Paris; and _James_, the youngest, was a captain of horse, and was killed at the battle of Philiphaugh, on the 13th September 1645, where he gallantly signalized himself.