Torfoot Farm
Strathaven, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Torfoot Farm is located about 7 miles southwest of Stathaven, Scotland.  
1547-John and William Brounlie are listed among the tenants on the lands of Glengvill which includes Torfoot, as are John and Andrew Hamilton.  (Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1547)
1634-Rentals of the Barony of Avondale include Johnne Hamilton in Toirfute “land will saw (sow) of corne and beir (barley) and Johnne Brounlie in Toirfute “as above”.  (The original manuscript is held by Hamilton Central Library among the papers of the Dukes of Hamilton)
1658-29 December Anne, Duchess of Hamilton with consent of William, Earl of Selkirk, her spouse, deeded 8 shilling fourpenny of the lands of Torfitt which is one part of the lands of Glengivell with houses, biggins, yards, crofts, etc. to Thomas Hamilton and the same to John Brownlie, liferant (during his lifetime) and Thomas his lawful son, inheritable (to be passed to his heir).  (This was probably because of his descent from the Hamiltons through his mother, Helen).  The land at that time was already occupied by Thomas Hamilton and John Brownlee.
1659-5 April, John Young granted rights to his eldest daughter, Janet, “future spouse of Thomas Brownlie, Portioner in Torfoot.  14 June, Thomas Hamilton granted rights to 1/3 part of his lands to his wife, Helene Brownlee during her lifetime.
1668-4 November, the estate of Margaret Muir, spouse to the deceased John Brounly of Torfoot was inventoried.  (Register of Testaments, Volume 35) 
1679-Thomas Brownlee, Laird of Torfoot, fought in the Battle of Drumclog and, three weeks later, the Battle of Bothwell Bridge.  A volume in the Strathaven Library includes the following in an account of the Battle of Drumclog: "In the subsequent raid on the district for the purpose of capturing the "rebels" it is recorded of Brownlie of Torfoot that sitting at dinner one day 
he was acquainted with the fact that the troopers were approaching his house.  Rushing across the courtyard he took shelter in a barn and his wife hurriedly covered him with straw.  Returning to the courtyard, Mrs. Brownlie awaited in fear and trembling the arrival of the soldiers.  They at once proceeded to search the house and failing to find their man began to overhaul the farm buildings.  Several troopers stuck their swords into the straw.  At length one of the men got on top and shook the whole pile by swaying his body.  "There's no one here lads" he shouted, and the men left the building.  Contriving to leave last, he turned to Mrs. Brownlie and said, "Next time ye cover yer man see ye mak' a better job o't."
1693-4 Jan Matrimonial Contract between John Brownlee, son of Thomas Brownlee and Janet Young, and Janet Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton.
1713-27 July-the Brownlee portion of Torfoot passes to John Brownlee son of Thomas Brownlee deceased.
1747-21 May-the Brownlee portion of Torfoot passes to Thomas Brownlie, eldest son and heir of John Brownlie.
1747-1752 (approximately)-my ancestor John Brownlee, along with his brothers Archibald and (possibly) Alexander, left Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania.
1773-20 May-the Brownlee portion of Torfoot passes to James Brownlee, eldest son and heir of Thomas Brownlee.
1803 14 July-disposition of James Brownlee in favor of his son, John.  This deed conveys “all and hail my sixteen shilling eight penny land of Torfoot”.  At some point the Hamilton share of Torfoot must have passed to the Brownlees.  It also  grants “the rights of pasture of herding 40 old sheep on the lands of Waterhead called Greystonhill or muir of Peelhill under burden of which the said lands of Waterhead Greyston muir were disposed by Thomas Brownlie my father to James Young upon the 28th day of February 1765 but reserving always from this disposition not only the aforesaid lands of Greystonmuir disposed by my said father to James Young, but also reserving therefrom the free right and property or dominion utile (i.e. right of property) …of all and haill the northermost half of side of the said lands of Torfoot with houses and pertinents thereon, that piece of meadow near overhouse called Bogston Meadow and the right of grazing the one half of the said 40 sheep in Waterheadmuir all as disposed by me in feu form and heirtage to Alexander Brownlie my third son as more particularly discribed in my free disposition thereof to his being dated 14 day of May 1800.”   This James Brownlee and his wife, Margaret Craig went to Pennsylvania where he died 12 May 1817 and she died 17 Apr 1812.  They are buried in Laurence Co. PA.
1803-Roman coins were found on the lands of Torfoot.
1823  22 May-Disposition of Trust and Deed of Settlement from John Brownlie to his brother, Alexander, with directions to convert his whole estate into money.
1831-2 March & 20 April-John Brownlee of Torfoot now residing in Franklin County, State of Pennsylvania in U.S.A.  sold the property to Jean Struthers, wife of William *****, Surgeon in the Royal Navy.  Purchase price was 1,345 pounds.
1872-11 November Jean Struthers ***** sold the property to Alexander Park, resident of West Auchenlongford in County of Ayr.  Purchase price 2,665 pounds.