The family of Irving is from Scotland, in the northern part of which kingdom it was, (as an ancient record quoted by Chambers the historian, and by Sir Walter Scott observes,) " an ancisnt and principal family." Very frequent mention is made of them in the early annals of that country ; and in several instances they are spoken of by the above named writers as possessing a distinguished position and great influence among the baronial families of the north east counties.

APPENDIX. . 525

An old and curious manuscript history of this family is preserved by one of them in this country, entitled, "The original of the Family of Irvines or Erivines, Written by Christopher Irvine, M. A.. State Physician and History-grapher to his majesty, King Charles the Second, in Scotland, and gent to his brother Sir Gerard Irvine, Bart., of Castle Irvine in the kingdom of Ireland, in the year 1660." From this manuscript it appears that the oldest branch of the family styled the "Irvines of Bonshaw," were settled on the banks of the river Eshe, where they continued for many successive generations with varying fortunes. From this stof-k are descended the English and Irish Irvines, among the latter having been the Rt. Hon. General Sir John Irvine, Commander in chief of his majesty's forces in Ireland in the year 1779.

A very early offshoot of this parent stock were the " Irvines of Drum.'" The eldest son of the house of Bonshaw, William, having been knighted by King Robert Bruce in the year 1296, and for long and faithful services in the. field, having been endowed with the lands of Drum on the river Dee in Aberdeenshire, which are to this day in possession of his descendants. The castleof Drum is about ten miles from the city of Aberdeen, and is now inhabited by Alexander Irvine, Esq., the lineal descendant of the above Sir William.