Father: Alexander, 6th. Laird of Mangerton.   John B/1497 Barngliesh, Scot. D/6/8/1530 Carlinrigg, Scot. married Abt 1523 Scot. Elizabeth Graham B/1506 Scot. Child: Christopher B/1523 Barngleish, Scot. D/9/22/1606 Langholm, Scot. married 1545 Barngleish, Scot. Catherine Graham   Notes: John was called "Johnnie the Strong" Laird John was of the border, and the stories of his exploits run through all Scottish literature and Sir Walter Scott makes frequent reference to him. John was granted lands in Eskdale and Dumfrieshire Scotland 8/4/1525 by Robert, Lord of Maxwell. Source-Book of Carlsvsverock, vol.2,p.479 #102-Pamphlet on debatable lands by Thomas Carlyle. John was a noted reiver (Officer of a given district charged with collection of revenues) with the reputation of Robin Hood, who levied tributes as far as Newcastle and rode ever with 24 able gentlemen well horsed, yet he never molested any Scottishman. Gilknockie was not built until about 1525, before that date the site of John's tower was not in the hands of the Armstrongs, but belonged to the Priory of Canonbie, which was renting the lands to Lord Maxwell. At this present day, Alan Armstrong of Nether Thorniewhats, N.N., who was created Laird of Non Baronial Status, the whole of the deeds to the site of Gilnockie, which he owns, had to be recited and the lands were recorded in the 16th century as Neither Thorniewhats, hence his territorial designation. Christopher and brother John of Gilknockie, jointly built Langholm Castle, at the behest of Lord Maxwell, their overlord. Whitbaugh, Hollows Tower, was not built until after the death of Johnnie of Gilknockie, by Lord Herries. It was not until an Act of Parliament in 1535 that men with certain income could erect stone towers. Prior to this any that were attempted to be built were cast down by the Crown, unless prior permission had been sought. Source-Alan Armstrong of nether Thorniewhats, N.N. (Guardian of Langholm Castle.) The Earl of Northumberland, in 1528, puts the power of the Armstrongs, with their adherents, above three thousand horsemen. Mangerton Castle, in Liddesdale, on the east bank of the Liddel, a little north of it's junction with the Kersope, was the seat of the 7th Laird of Mangerton Castle, Thomas Armstrong, brother of John Armstrong. John who was later known as Gilknockie, removing from Liddesdale early in the century, as it is thought, he settled on the church lands of Canonby, and at a place called "The Hollows", on the west side of the Esk, built a tower, which still remains. The historian Pitscottie, attributes John Armstrongs statement that "King Harry would downweigh my best horse with gold to know I were condemned to die this day". Source-Chronicles of the Armstrongs p.328 & 354 Source-Chron 1525,1530,& 1630 Source-Armstrong House of Langholm, item 3. Source-Notable Southern Families by Zella Armstrong which states "All the Armstrongs of Ireland in the Seventeenth Century are descended from John, and all the American Armstrongs, who trace through the Scotch-Irish Clan." Source-The Armstrong Family History of Lancaster Co., Pa. by Mrs. Mae Armstrong Simon (Historian) Source-Clans & Tartans by Harper Collins Source-Armstrong Surname Organization, Salt Lake City, Utah.