Places nearby include Bedrule, Hallrule, Spittal-on-Rule, Ruletownhead, Bonchester Bridge, Denholm, Southdean, Hobkirk, Ferniehirst Castle and the Wauchope Forest.
Abbotrule continued in the possession of the monks until the Scottish Reformation in 1560, at which time the lands and mill yielded £40 yearly.
[1][2] The lands of Abbotford were sold in 1569 as part of a larger transaction by Andrew Home, the commendator of Jedburgh Abbey, to Adam French, eighth laird of Thornydykes, and his wife Marmret Hoppringle, for 3,000 merk.
In 1887, the lands passed to a cousin of the last of the Hendersons upon his death, James Cunningham, who commissioned a redesign of Abbotrule House in the period 1888 to 1890, as well as investing in the estate.
He schemed, successfully, to have the parish of Abbotford suppressed, and upon its division in 1777, caused the roof of the church to be removed and the manse demolished.