The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.

LINDSAY Earl of BALCARRAS.

AS the rise and descent of the great and antient sirname of Lindsay is to be found under the Title of Earl of Crawfurd, to that we refer our readers, and shall here begin with the immediate ancestor of the Lindsays of Edzell, of whom the earl of Balcarras is the undoubted male representative.

XI. ALEXANDER, second earl of Craw∣furd, the eleventh generation of that illustri∣ous house in a direct male-line, was son of David the first earl, by lady Catharine Stew∣art, daughter of king Robert II. He was one of the hostages for king James I.'s ransom, anno 1424,* 1.1 was afterwards in great favour with that prince, and made a considerable fi∣gure in his reign.

He married Marion daughter and co-heir∣ess of David Dunbar of Cockburn,* 1.2 son of George earl of March, by whom he had se∣veral sons.

1. David, who died before his father, without issue.

2. Alexander, his successor, whose male∣line is also extinct.

3. Walter Lindsay of Edzell,* 1.3 ancestor of the present earl of Balcarras, who is now the undoubted heir-male of the most noble and antient earls of Crawfurd.

From this Walter therefore we deduce the descent of this noble family.* 1.4

XII. WALTER LINDSAY of Edzell, third son of Alexander second earl of Crawfurd, was a man of great parts and sagacity. He was tutor in law to his nephew David earl of Crawfurd and duke of Montrose. He pur∣chased the lands of Aird in 1458,* 1.5 and acquir∣ed also the lands of Winthank, Pitcorthie, Panbride, &c. anno 1472.

He married, 1st, Sophia, daughter of—Li∣vingston of Saltcoats, by whom he had no issue.

He married, 2dly, Isabel daughter of Wil∣liam lord Livingston, by whom he had a son and successor,

XIII. Sir DAVID LINDSAY, design'd of Edzell and Beaufort, who got charters, under the great seal,* 1.6 of the lands of Kilbride, and several others; and married, 1st, Catharine daughter of—Fotheringhame of Powrie, by whom he had a son,

Walter,* 1.7 his apparent heir;—and four daughters.

1. Margaret, married to Andrew Straiton of that ilk, or Lauriston.

2. Agnes, married to George Moray of Abercairnie.

3.—, married to sir Robert Menzies of Weem.

4.—, died unmarried.

Sir David married, 2dly, Agnes Ogilvie, widow of Alexander Straiton of Lauriston, by whom he had no issue.

He married, 3dly, Elizabeth daughter of —Spence of Bodum, by whom he had a son,

Sir Alexander Lindsay of Vainvy and Ke∣thick; —and a daughter,

Janet, married to—Ramsay of Bana∣bruck. He died in 1527.

XIV. WALTER,* 1.8 first son and apparent heir of sir David Lindsay of Edzell, a man of great spirit and fortitude, married—Er∣skine, daughter of the laird of Dun, by whom he had four sons,—and two daughters.

1. Sir David of Edzell and Glenesk.

2. Alexander Lindsay,* 1.9 who married a daughter of—Barclay of Mathers, and was father of David bishop of Ross, who was father of sir Jerom Lindsay, lord lyon king at arms.

3. Robert Lindsay of Kirkton.

4. John Lindsay.

1st daughter—, married to sir— Scot of Balwearie.

2.—, married to—Anstruther of that ilk.

This Walter was killed at the fatal field of Flowdon,* 1.10 anno 1513, his father being then alive, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XV. Sir DAVID LINDSAY of Edzell and

Glenesk, who succeeded also to his grandfa∣ther, anno 1527, and made a great figure in the reign of king James V.* 1.11 He got charters, under the great seal, of the lands of Auchter∣allan, Tulliehilt, Newpark, Auchtertyre, and several other lands and baronies; by which it appears he was then possessed of a vast estate.

He married,* 1.12 1st, Janet daughter of Pa∣trick lord Gray, by whom he had no issue.

He married,* 1.13 2dly, Catharine daughter of John Campbell of Calder, son of Archibald earl of Argyle, by whom he had five sons, —and two daughters.

1. Sir David, his heir.

2. Mr. John Lindsay, ancestor of the earl of Balcarras, of whom afterwards.

3. Robert Lindsay of Bath-hall.

4. Sir Walter Lindsay of Balgay, who was killed by David earl of Crawfurd in 1605.

5. Mr. James Lindsay, parson of Fetter∣cairn.

1st daughter, Elizabeth, married to Pa∣trick lord Drummond, ancestor of the fami∣ly of Perth.

2. Margaret,* 1.14 married to John lord Inner∣meath.

It is proper to observe here, that David earl of Crawfurd, who had been barbarously used by his sons, disponed the estate and ho∣nours of Crawfurd to this sir David Lindsay of Edzell, his nearest heir-male. The dispo∣sition is dated on 20th December 1541. The earl died in 1542, and sir David succeeded to the estate and honours of Crawfurd accord∣ingly; but he afterwards conveyed them back to the master of Crawfurd, the earl's grand∣son, upon this express condition, that the title and estate should return to the family of Edzell,* 1.15 as next heir-male, failing the male-line of the said master; and at the same time re∣serving to himself, for his life only, the title, and such a provision as supported him accord∣ing to his quality.

This David, lord of Edzell and earl of Crawfurd, died in September 1558, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVI. Sir DAVID LINDSAY of Edzell and Glenesk,* 1.16 who got a charter from king James VI. of the lands of Edzell and others, dated in 1586.

Also a charter of the lands of Garlobank and others,* 1.17 in vicecomitatu de Forfar, wherein he is design'd, David dominus de Edzell, miles, &c. He got charters of several other lands, too numerous to be here inserted.

He married, 1st, lady Helen Lindsay, daugh∣ter of David earl of Crawfurd, by whom he had two sons,—and four daughters.

1. David of Edzell.

2. Alexander of Canterland, whose son John succeeded to the estate of Edzell.

1st daughter, Helen, married, 1st, to— Melvil of Baldowie, 2dly, to Andrew Ar∣buthnot of Feddes, brother to Robert viscount Arbuthnot.

2.—, married to—Symmer of Bratinstut.

3.—married to Mr. Lambie.

4. Margaret,* 1.18 married to sir David Carnegie of Coluthie, ancestor of the earl of Southesk.

Sir David married for his second wife Isa∣bel, daughter of lord Forbes, but by her he had no issue.

He was a man of good parts and learning, and was made one of the senators bf the college of justice, upon his brother Mr. John's resig∣nation, who was then made secretary of state.

He died anno 1620, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVII. Sir DAVID LINDSAY of Edzell and Glenesk,* 1.19 who got a charter of the lands of Waterston, &c. in his father's lifetime, and married Margaret daughter of sir—Wi∣shart of Pittarrow, by whom he had a son,

Alexander,—and a daughter,

Margaret, married to James Keith of Ben∣holm, son of George fifth earl Marishall, to whom she had two daughters; 1. Elizabeth, married to Sir Archibald Primrose of Dalme∣ny, ancestor of the earl of Roseberry; 2. Anne, married to Patrick Smith of Braco, grandfa∣ther to David Smith now of Methven, Esq;

Alexander, only son and apparent heir of sir David,* 1.20 died in 1638, having married lady Anne, daughter of David earl of Wemyss, by whom he had only one child, who died with∣out issue.

And sir David dying in 1648, without any surviving male-issue, was succeeded by his nephew John, son of Alexander of Canter∣land, before-mentioned, to whom we now return.

XVII. ALEXANDER LINDSAY of Can∣terland, second son of Sir David Lindsay of Edzell and Glenesk,* 1.21 who got a charter from King James VI. of the lands of Canterland and others,* 1.22 married Helen daughter of— Haldane of Gleneagles, by whom he had a son,

XVIII. JOHN LINDSAY of Edzell and Glenesk,* 1.23 who succeeded to his uncle sir Da∣vid, as before observed, and was served and re∣toured heir to him anno 1648.

He ought also to have succeeded to Ludovic thirteenth earl of Crawfurd,* 1.24 being his undoubt∣ed heir-male, but was deprived of these honours

for reasons mentioned at large under the Title, Earl of Crawfurd.

He married,* 1.25 1st, lady Jean Carnegie, daugh∣ter of John earl of Northesk, by whom he had two sons,—and one daughter.

1. David, his heir.

2. Capt. John Lindsay, who was a great loyalist, and adhered firmly to the interest of the royal family, for which he suffered great∣ly. He died without issue.

His daughter was married to—M'In∣tosh of that ilk, and had issue.

He married, 2dly, Jean daughter of Alexan∣der lord Spynie, by whom he had no chldren.

He was succceded by his eldest son,

XIX. DAVID LINDSAY of Edzell, who, in the second parliament of king James VII. claimed the honours of Crawfurd, as heir∣male to Ludovic the thirteenth earl, but his claim was dismissed, though the reasons do not appear on record.* 1.26 The family of Balcar∣ras alledge, that the duke of Queensberry, then commissioner, put the negative without in∣structions, but upon what authority we cannot pretend to say.

He married Agnes only daughter of James brother-german of—Graham of Fintry,* 1.27 by whom he had three sons,—and one daughter.

1. David, his heir.

2. John. Both died without issue.

3. James. Both died without issue.

His daughter Margaret married Alexan∣der Watson of Atherny, and had issue.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

XX. DAVID LINDSAY of Edzell, who likeways dying without issue, anno 1744, in him ended the male-line of the eldest son of sir David Lindsay of Edzell and Glenesk, No. XV. of this genealogy. And the earl of Balcarras, next heir-male, being lineally de∣scended of the second son of the said Sir Da∣vid, to him we now return.

XVI. Mr. JOHN LINDSAY, second son of the said sir David Lindsay of Edzell and Glenesk, was a man of parts and learning. He acquired great knowledge in the laws, and was made one of the senators of the college of justice in 1584; and being in great favour with king James VI.* 1.28 was made lord privy-seal in 1595, one of the commissioners of the treasury, and secretary of state, in 1596; upon which he resigned his lord of session's place in favours of his brother sir David, as before noticed. He was also one of the eight magnates Scotiae who were appointed by the king for the government of the nation, and were called Octavians.

He acquired the estate of Balcarras (which is still the chief seat of the family) upon which,* 1.29 he got a charter from king James VI. anno 1591.

This great man married Margaret, daugh∣ter of Alexander Guthry, widow of lord Borth∣wick of Lochkill, king's advocate, by whom he had a son,

Sir David,—and three daughters.

1. Catharine, married, 1st, to sir John Lindsay of Woodhead,* 1.30 or Ballinsho, third son of David earl of Crawfurd by Margaret Be∣thune, by whom she had colonel Henry Lind∣say, who died at Hamburgh in 1639 without issue.—She married, 2dly, John Brown of Fordel, in vicecom. de Perth.

2. Janet, married to David Auchmoutie of that ilk, and was mother of sir David, and of a daughter,—married to—Kin∣near of that ilk.

3. Margaret, married to sir John Strachan of Thornton.

He died of the stone on the 3d Septem∣ber 1598, and was succeeded by his only son,

XVII. Sir DAVID LINDSAY of Balcar∣ras, who got from king James VI. a charter, under the great seal,* 1.31 of the lands of Balcarras, Boswel, Pitcorthy, Innerdivote, Balmakine, Cumberlands, &c. He was a man of great learning, and employed much of his time in the study of the arts and sciences, particularly that of chymistry, in which he excelled most of his cotemporaries.

He was in great favour with king Charles I. who raised him to the dignity of the peer∣age by the title of lord Lindsay of Balcarras,* 1.32 by letters patent, dated 27th June 1633. He was a great loyalist, and adhered always to the interest of the royal family with firm∣ness and integrity.

He married lady Sophia Seton, daughter of Alexander earl of Dumsermline, by whom he had a son,

Alexander,—and two daughters.

1. Sophia, married to sir Robert Moray, justice clerk in king Charles II.'s reign.

2. Isabel, married to Thomas Boyd of Pink∣hill.

He died in 1641, and was succeeded by his son,

XVIII. ALEXANDER, second lord Balcar∣ras, who was a man of great abilities, singular prudence, and loyalty, and remarkable for his steady adherence to the royal family. He act∣ed a principal part in all the great affairs of state during the time of the civil war. He was created earl of Balcarras, for his great loy∣alty and eminent services, &c. 9th January,

anno 1651,* 1.33 by patent, to his heirs-male, of tailzie, and provision, &c.

He was made heretable governor of the castle of Edinburgh, secretary of state, and commissioner to the general assembly; and per∣sisting in his loyalty went abroad after the king, and died in Holland on the 30th August 1659.

He left issue,* 1.34 by his wife lady Anne M'Ken∣zie, daughter of Colin earl of Seaforth, two sons and two daughters.

1. Charles, both earls of Balcarras.

2. Colin, both earls of Balcarras.

1. Daughter, lady Sophia, married to co∣lonel Charles Campbell, son of Archibald earl of Argyle.

2. Lady Henriet, married to Sir James Campbell of Auchinbrcck.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

CHARLES, second earl of Balcarras, who dying unmarried in 1662, was succeedcd by his brother,

XIX. COLIN, third earl of Balcarras, who was an ingenious man, of great affability, and polite behaviour.

Soon after the restoration, he had a troop of an hundred gentlemen given him, was made one of the lords of the treasury, and had a pension of 1000 l. a-year for life.

He was highly esteemed, both by king Charles II. and king James VII. and was one of the privy-council to both these princes.

After the revolution, he lived several years abroad, where he employed most of his time in improving his mind by conversing with the learned; and then returned to his own coun∣try, where he lived many years in a hospi∣table manner at his house of Balcarras in Fife.

He married,* 1.35 1st, Margaret, daughter of Lewis de Nassau, lord Beverwart in Holland, who died of her first child.—He married, 2dly, lady Jean Carnegie, daughter of David earl of Northesk, by whom he had a daugh∣ter,

Lady Anne, married to Alexander earl of Kellie.

He married, 3dly, lady Jean Ker, daugh∣ter of William earl of Roxburgh, by whom he had a son,

Colin, lord Cumberland, who died unmar∣ried,—and a daughter,

Lady Margaret, married to John earl of Wigtoun.

He married, 4thly, lady Margaret Camp∣bell, daughter of James earl of London, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

1. Alexander, both earls of Balcarras.

2. James, both earls of Balcarras.

1. Daughter, lady Eleanor, married to James Fraser, Esq; brother of the lord Sal∣ton.

2. Lady Elizabeth, died unmarried.

He died in 1722, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XX. ALEXANDER, fourth earl of Bal∣carras, who was possessed of many good quali∣ties. He was a man of stanch honour, great generosity, universal benevolence and sincere friendship, which qualities acquired him the general love and esteem of mankind.

In 1734, he was elected one of the sixteen peers to sit in the British parliament, and was a lieutenant-colonel in the army.

He married a daughter of David Scot of Scotstarvit, but died without issue in 1746. He was succeeded by his brother,

XX. JAMES, now earl of Balcarras, who, like many of his noble ancestors, was em∣ployed in his country's service both by sea and land for many years, and always acquit∣ed himself with honour and reputation; but is now retired to a country life at his beautiful seat of Balcarras, which he has greatly improved with fine inclosures, plant∣ing, &c.

He married miss Anne Dalrymple, daugh∣ter of sir Robert, who was son of sir Hugh, lord president of the session, by whom he hath a numerous issue.

1. Alexander, lord Cumberland,

2. Robert.

3. Colin.

4. James.

5. William.

6. Charles.

1. Daughter, lady Anne.

2. Lady Margaret.

CHIEF SEAT.

At Balcarras in Fife, six miles south of St. Andrews, and twelve miles east from King∣horn.

ARMS.

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, gules, a fess cheque, argent and azure, for Lindsay: 2d and 3d, or, a lion rampant, gules, surmoun∣ted of a ribbon, sable, within a border, a∣zure, for Abernethy, charged with stars, or.

SUPPORTERS; two lions sejant, guard∣ant, gules, each having a collar, azure, charged with three stars, or.

CREST; on a wreath, a tent proper.

MOTTO; Astra, castra, numen, lumen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rymer, tom. X. p. 307.
• * 1.2

  Chart. in pub. archiv. ad ann. 1425.
• * 1.3

  Ibid. and M. S. hist. of the fa∣mily of Craw∣furd, penes comitem de Balcarras.
• * 1.4

  Extracted from the writs of the family by Mr. Hary Malcolm, a learned anti∣quary.
• * 1.5

  Chart. in the public regi∣ster.
• * 1.6

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.7

  M. S. hist. of the family of Crawfurd.
• * 1.8

  Ibidem.
• * 1.9

  Keith's cata∣logue of the Scotch bi∣shops, p. 119.
• * 1.10

  M. S. hist. of the family of Crawfurd.
• * 1.11

  Chart. in pub. archiv. inter 1530 & 1550.
• * 1.12

  Chart. penes dom. Gray.
• * 1.13

  M. S. hist. of the family of Crawfurd.
• * 1.14

  Stuart's hist. of the royal family.
• * 1.15

  Mackenzie. M. S. hist. of the family of Crawfurd, and Craw∣furd's peerage p. 85.
• * 1.16

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.17

  Ibidem.
• * 1.18

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.19

  Ibidem.
• * 1.20

  M S. hist. of the family of Crawfurd.
• * 1.21

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.22

  Ibidem.
• * 1.23

  Ibidem.
• * 1.24

  Ibid. and M. S. hist. of the fa∣mily of Craw∣furd.
• * 1.25

  Chart. in pub. archiv. and M. S. hist. of the family of Crawfurd.
• * 1.26

  Memoirs pe∣nes comitem de Balcarras.
• * 1.27

  M. S. hist. of the family.
• * 1.28

  Spottiswood's history, and Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.29

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.30

  Chart. in pub. archiv. ann. 1577 & 1596.
• * 1.31

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.32

  Chart. in the public regi∣ster.
• * 1.33

  Chart. in pub. archiv. haered. masculis, tal∣liae vel pro∣visionis.
• * 1.34

  M. S. hist of the family; & Crawfurd's Peerage.
• * 1.35

  Ibidem.