Newton Hall

252. Newton Hall.

One hundred yards south of the modern mansion, which is 2 miles south-south-west of Gifford, is the ruin of the former house, which was built apparently in the late 16th century. On plan (fig.184) it is oblong, measuring externally 22 feet 7 inches from north to south by 51 feet 7 inches from east to west and is two storeys and an attic in height; none of the apartments, of which there were at least two on each floor, has been vaulted. The outer walls, which are of rubble, are entire but are densely clothed with ivy and other vegetation. A chamfer is wrought on the jambs and lintels of the windows. Over the doorway in the north wall is an heraldic panel within a moulded border enriched on the outer surface with the dog-tooth ornament. The panel exhibits two shields, one below the other. The upper is charged with a lion passant (?) and is flanked by the initials P N; the lower bears three cinquefoils two and one (Hamilton) and is flanked by the initials M H. Within the ruin is a lintel inscribed • 1668 • IHN • 30.

DOVECOT.

Between the ruin and mansion is a dovecot somewhat unusual in appearance, as the gables are skewed and the roof is a timber couple one. It is built of rubble resembling that of the ruined house, and is oblong on plan, measuring 25 ½ feet from north to south by 18 feet from east to west. Internally there are two chambers, each containing stone nests, which are still in use.

HISTORICAL NOTE.

The barony of Newton, which had been owned by Robert de Swynton in right of his wife was by them surrendered for a life-rent therein to Robert II and in 1377 conferred by him upon William de Newton (1). The initials recorded above are no doubt those of Patrick Newton of that ilk, to whom Archibald Newton served heir in 1604 (2). The arms of Newton of that ilk, as matriculated in 1673, were vert, a lion rampant or, on a chief of the second three roses gules. The initials on the lintel may be those of John Newton, who served heir to his brother Archibald in 1655 (3). Richard Newton was created a baronet in 1697 but died without issue and by entail the estate fell to his kinsman Richard Hay, who assumed the name and arms of Newton.

RCAHMS 1924, visited 9 April 1920.

(1) Reg. Mag. Sig. i., No. 599; (2) Inquisit. Spec. Hadd. No. 23; (3) Ibid. No. 238.

OS Map ref: xv. S.W. (unnoted).