The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that Kingdom. ... By George Crawfurd, Esq;.

MONTGOMERY, Earl of Eglintoun,

EGlintoun is the Name of a Lord|ship and Castle in Air-shire, from whence its Owner took a De|nomination, tempore regis Malcomi, Bryce de Eglintoun, Son and Heir of Eglun, Lord of Eglintoun, who acquired certain Lands from the Community of the Village of Irvine, quas Radul|phus fili••s & haeres quondam Hugonis de Eglintoun, dedit Communitati & Burgensibus dicte villae datum in vigilia sancti Mattheii, Anno gratiae millesimo ducentesimo quintoa 1.1, from whom in a continued Series descended

Sir Hugh Eglintoun of that Ilk, who was Justiciary of Lothian, Anno 1361b 1.2. He married Giles, Daugh|ter of Walter Lord high Stewart of Scotland, Sister to King Robert II, upon whose Advancement to the Throne, he obtained diverse Grants of Lands, and several Imployments, but leaving no Male Issue, his Estate went to his Daughter and Heir, mar|ried to Sir John de Montgomery of Eglesham, Knight, whose Ancestor

Roger de Montgomery, Son to Hugh de Montgomery, a noble Knight of French Extraction, near allyed to William Duke of Normandy; he was one of those Nobles who accompany|ed this victorious Duke into England, & commanded the Body of his Army in the memorable Battle of Hastings in Sussex, Anno 1066, where King Harold was slain, and the Victory and Crown of England accrewed to the Conqueror, for which signal Ser|vice King William bestowed on him very large Gifts, and both gave him the Territory and Honour of Earl of Arundel, with the Earldom of Sals|burryc 1.3, being also a Person of singular Devotion, he founded, and most amply endowed the Abby of St. Peters at Salisburry, where he at length took upon him the Habite of a Monk, and dyed 1094, leaving Issue by Mable his Wife, Daughter of William de Talvaise, a great Baron in Bolesm, five Sons, 1st. Hugh, dyed without Issue, Robert, Roger, Philip, and Arnulph.

Which Robert was knighted by the Conqueror the 6th of his Reign, and always enjoyed his Favour, but upon his Death he adhered to Robert Curthose, against Henry I. and assist|ed him in the Battle, where he was routed, and taken Prisoner. This exasperated K. Henry so much, that he banished this Earl, and discounte|nanced his Friends, then it is, and with much Probability supposed, that Philip de Montgomery, come for Scot|land, and fixed his Residence in the County of Tiviotdale upon the Bor|der, where he became a powerful Man. In the Time of Malcolm IV. frequent mention is made of Robert de Mundegumery, i. e. Montgomery,

who is one of the many Witnesses to Walter high Stewart of Scotland's Foundation-Charter of the Mona|stery of Paisly, Anno Christi 1160a 1.4. The next in Order of Succession taken notice of, if not his Son, is Allan de Mundegumbri, Knight, who held diverse Lands in the Tenement of Innerwick, of the Lord high Stew|art of Scotlandb 1.5, he's a Witness to the Charter of Robert Avenel of his Wood of Polwarth to Arnold Abbot of Kelso, Anno 1221,c 1.6 with whom he himself settles about the Tiths of his Lands of Innerwick, which had been in Dispute between him and the Convent; he left Issue, Sir John de Montgomery, Knight, his Son, who shar'd the Inheritance with William de Haukerstoun, which he obtained by Helen his Wife, Daughter and Co|hier of Robert de Kent in Innerwickd 1.7, but more of this Sir John I have not discovered, saving that jointly with the foresaid William, he was a Bene|factor to the Monks of Kelso for the Health of his Soule 1.8: From this to the Time of Robert II. by many advantageous and honourable Mar|riages, and their great and signal Ser|vices done to the Crown, both in the Wars and otherways, this Family be|came possessed of diverse fair Lordships.

But omitting some Traditions, I descend to Sir John Montgomery of Eglesham, Knight; who married the Daughter and Heir of Sir Hugh Eglintoun of that Ilk, which Sir John was in that Expedition made a|gainst the English at the Battle of Otterburn, Anno 1388, where James Earl of Douglass was slain; here he behaved very valiantly, and took Henry Percy, Son to the Earl of Nor|thumberland Prisoner, and for his Ransom obliged him to build the Castle of Punoon, the chief Messu|age of the Lordship of Eglesham, he had Issue two Sons,

1. Sir Hugh, a brave and gallant Youth, who lost his Life in the Ser|vice of his Country, at the Field of Otterburn, where his Death is par|ticularly remarked in this old Heroick Poem,

He had a Bow bent in his Hand, Made of a trusty Tree, An Arrow of a Cloath-yeard long Into the Head drew he. Against Sir Hugh Montgomery, So right his Shaft he set, The gray Goose Wing that was therein, In his Heart-blood was weet.

Sir John the second Son succeeded into the Estate, he was sent into England one of the Hostages for the Ransom of King James I. Anno 1423f 1.9 and at the solemn Inauguration of the said Prince; he was one of the Barons on whom the Honour of Knighthood was conferr'd in 1424, and one of the Peers, who sat u|pon the Trial of Murdo Duke of Al|bany, where we find that unhappy Duke condemn'd to lose his Head, tho the Records are wholly silent as to his Crime. This Lord married Agnes Daughter to the Lord Maxwel, by whom he had

Alexander his Son and Heir, who indeed first raised the Grandeur of the Family, being a Man of great Parts. King James I. choose him a Privy Councilour, and in 1430, con|stituted him jointly in Commission with Sir Alexander Cuningham to be Governour of Kintyre & Knapdale, and the next ensuing Year he was with Alexander Lord Gordon and Mr. John Methven Secretary of State, sent to England to treat of the continuing a Peace betwixt the two Realms, which was at length concluded by them, having survived the many Difficul|ties and Factions of King James I's. Reign. I find he was of the Privy Council to his Son King James II, Anno 1440, from whom he obtained several beneficial Grants from the Crown, in Consideration of his good

and laudable Services, not only per|formed to himself, but to his Father of blessed Memory. This Lord was twice sent Commissioner into Eng|landa 1.10 the first time in the 1444, and the other in 1457. In both the Commissions he's designed Alexander Dominus Montgomery. Simply he took to Wife, Margaret Daughter of Thomas Boyd of Kilmaronockb 1.11 by whom he had Issue,

Alexander, who dyed in his Lifetime, but left two Sons behind him, by Elisabeth his Wife Daughter of . . . . . Hepburn of Halesc 1.12, viz. Alexander who after his Grand-father's Death, was Lord Montgomery, and Robert first of the Montgomerys of Broadstoned 1.13, of whom Hugh Earl of Mount-Alexander of the Kingdom of Ireland in the Linal Heir.

George Montgomery of Skelmurly, was this Lords second Son () whose Successor is Sir Robert Montgomery Baronet.

Mr. Thomas Montgomery, the third Son, was Parson of Egelsham.

He had likeways several Daughters, 1. Margaret married to John first Earl of Lennox. 2d. Janet to Sir Robert Cunningham of Kilmaures, Ancestor to the Earl of Glencairn. 3d. . . . . . . to Alexander Hume of that Ilk. 4th. Jean, to John Lord Kennedy. 5th. Agnes, to William Cuningham of Glen garnock; as to the precise Time of this Lords Death, I have not found, but he was succeeded in his Estate and Honour by

Alexander his Grandson, whom he married in his own time to Cathe|rinef 1.14 Daughter of Gilbert Lord Kennedy, by whom he had Hugh his Successor. 2d. James Montgomery of Smeithston. 3d. John.

Which Hugh, upon the Accession of King James IV. to the Crown, was named of his Council, and in 1489 he obtained a Grant of the Constabulary of his Majesty's Castle of Rothsayg 1.15, this King ever treating him with particular Marks of his Favour, and at last was pleased to creat him into the Dignity of Earl of Eglintoun, Anno 1503h 1.16, he mar|ried Helen, Daughter of Colin first Earl of Argyle, by whom he had three Sons and several Daughters.

1. John called Master of Eglintoun,

2. Son Sir Neil Montgomery of Lain|shaw, who had a Grant from his Father of the Lands of Lainshaw, Galowbery, Crevoch, Kilbryde, Milstonflet, Brad|furow, the Temple Land of Stewartoun, Holowchaple, Langanfee, Charlewrak, Longford; Crochdow, and Lochdernell in Air-shirei 1.17, the Lands of Airdoch and Nether-Craig in Renfrew shire. Moreover by Marriage of Mar|garet, Daughter and sole Heir of Quintine Mure of Skeldon, he consider|ably increased his Fortune, his Estate in all amounting to 100 Merk Land of old Extent, and thereupon he added to his Coat of Arms Argent, three Molets Azure.

He was killed in a Feud by the Lord Boyd in June 1547, ha|ving had two Sons by the said Mar|garet, his Wife; John who married Margaret Daughter of Robert Lord Boyd, but dyed without Succession, and Sir Neil who succeeded him, of whom and his Descendents more shall be said under the Title of Lyle, he marrying Jean, Daughter and sole Heir of John last Lord Lyle.

3d. Son was Mr. William Montgomery of Greenfield, who acquired the Lands of Stane in Air-shire, by Marriage of Elisabeth Daughter and sole Heir of Robert Frances of Stanek 1.18. This Branch divided it self afterward by Means of Hugh, a younger Son, who became the Root of the Montgomery's of Achinhood, and his Cadets.

Margaret, 1st. Daughter, married to William Lord Semple. 2d. Mar|jory, to William Lord Somervel. The 3d. Maud to Colin Campbel of Arking|lasse 1.19

but had no Issue. 4th. Isobel to John Mure of Caldwell, in Vicecomitatu deRenfrew, and had Issue. 5th Elisa|beth, to John Blair of that Ilk. 6th. Agnes, to John Ker of Kersland, in Vicecomitatu de Air, and had Issue.

Here its requisite to observe, that John, Son and Heir apparent to this Earl, when the Feuds run high be|twixt the contending Parties of the Nobility in the Minority of King James V, he was killed in a Scuffle betwixt the Earls of Aran and Angus on the Street of Edinburgh, 30 of April 1520a 1.20, leaving behind him a Son and a Daughter by Elisabeth his Wife, Daughter of Sir Archibald Edmonston of Duntreathb 1.21, Hugh who succeeded his Grand-father, and Christian, Wife of Sir William Douglass of Drumlanrig, Ancestor to the Duke of Queensberry.

Which Hugh was of the Privy Council to King James V. as he had been before to John Duke of Albany, Governour of Scotland, in the said King's Minority, and was one of the Lords to whom his Grace committed the Tuition of that Prince, upon his going to France to concert Measures with that Court for carrying on a War with England, Anno 1520c 1.22: Yea, the said King had such an E|steem of this Lord, that when he went to France in order to espouse Magdalen, Daughter of Francis I. Anno 1536, he appointed him one of the Governours of Scotland, the Earl of Huntly being joined in Commission with him. His Wife was Marion, Daughter of George Lord Seton, by whom he had only a Son,

Hugh his Successor in the Honour, who, as soon as he came to Man's Estate, married the Lady Jean Hamil|ton, Daughter of James Duke of Chattlerault Governour of Scotland, which Marriage was disolved in the 1562, they standing in the fourth Degree of Consanguinity, the Pope's Dispensation not being obtainedd 1.23, & then by, the Permission of the Bishop of Rome, he's allowed to Marry Agnes Daughter of Sir John Drummond of Innerpeffrey, Widow of Sir Hugh Campbel of Lowdon: By her he had four Children.

1. Hugh Earl of Eglintoun.

2. Robert Montgomery of Giffen, who married Margaret Daughter of Sir Matthew Campbel of Lowdon, by whom he had one Daughter, Elisabeth, his sole Heir, married to Hugh Earl of Eglintoun.

Margaret, eldest Daughter, was married to Robert 1st. Earl of Winton, Mother by him of George 2d Earl of Winton, and of Alexander Earl of Eglintoun.

Agnes the second, married to Ro|bert Lord Semple, and had Issue.

This Earl stuck close to Queen Mary in the Time of her greatest Distress: He put himself in Arms in her behalf, and was personally en|gaged in the Battle of Lang-sidee 1.24, were he, together with the Lord Seton, and many Barons of Account, were taken Prisoners, after which he thought sit to tender his Submission to King James VI. and lived peaceably till his Death, which happened in the Month of June 1585f 1.25, his Estate devol|ving on

Hugh his Son, who was bar|barously murdered on the score of a private Quarrel, by John Cuningham of Colnbeith, and his Adherents, the 12th Day of April 1586g 1.26, whereby his Country was deprived of an Ho|nour and Ornament, his Prince of a faithful and able Subject, and his Family of a singular Advantage, Mr. John Johnston wrote the following Epitaph in Praise of him.

Illa opifex sollers rerum, magni amula Olympi Natura, immensis ambitiosa opibus; Illa sibi de te certans quae singula, rara, Vix aliis, dedit haec cunta benigna tibi. Sic artus, sic ora, animos, sic pectora finxit, Caeteraque humanis anteferenda notis: Vix aliqu••m ut credas mortali semine cretum, Ast quales tulerunt secula prisca deos. Invidiosa nimis visa haec mortalibus. Ergo Tollere mox properat infidiosa manus. Pertunam ingentem gravior saepe exitus urget: Praecipitique vides fulmine magna quati.

He left a Son by Giles his Wife, Daughter to Robert Lord Boyd, Hugh who succeeded him in his Estate and Honour. This Earl in the 1603a 1.27, obtained a Grant to himself, his Heirs and Assigneys, upon the Resignation of Mr. William Melvil, erecting the dissolved Abbay of Kilwining for|merly a Seat of Benedictine Monks, with all the Lands and Tithes, either in Property or Superiority which had belonged at any time thereto into a temporal Lordship, with the Patronage of the Churches of Kilwining, Irvine, Dunbartoun, Kil+marnock, Loudoun, Ardrossan, Kil|birny, Dalry, Dunlop, Beith, Stewar toun, Stevenson, Dreghorn, Pearston, Kilbryde, and Kilmachornal.

He married Elisabeth, Daughter of Robert Montgomery of Giffen, but dy|ing without Issue in the 1612b 1.28, his Estate by vertue of an Entail made by him, came to Sir Alexander Seton his Cousin German, who changed his Name to Montgomery, but he could not enjoy the Title of Earl, without the King's special Allowance, which soon after, his Majesty was pleased to bestow upon him, for the great Merit of his Ancestors, with the Dignity and precedency formerly enjoyed by Hugh Earl of Eglingtoun, last de|ceased.

This Earl was among the Num|ber of those Peers, who engaged them|selves against the King, Anno 1638, upon the first commencing of our bloody Civil War; he had the Com|mand of a Regiment in the Army that was sent to Ireland, Anno 1642, toward the suppressing the Rebellion, of the Native Irishc 1.29: He was like|ways personally engaged in the Battle of Longmarstonmuir, Anno 1643, in the Service of the Parliament of England, against the King, where he behaved with aboundance of Courage, yet his Lordship still retained a Respect and Affection to his Majesty's Person, and no Man more abominated the Murder of the Lords Anointed than he.

He heartily concurred with, and was extremely satisfied with the Restau|ration of King Charles II. by whom he was constituted Captain of his Guard of Horsed 1.30, Anno 1650; and the next Year while he was raising Forces in the Western Parts for the King's Service, he was surprised at Dunbarton by a Party of English Horse, and sent Prisoner to the Town of Hull, and afterward removed to Berwick upon Tweed, suffering like|ways the Sequestration of his Estate till the Restauration reponed him, Anno 1660, his first Wife was Anne, Daughter of Alexander first Earl of Linlithgow, by whom he had

1. Hugh his Successor in the Ho|nour.

2. Sir Henry Montgomery of Giffen, dyed without Children.

3d. Sir Alexander, a Colonel in Ireland, in which Kingdom he dyed.

4. Colonel James Montgomery of Coelsfield.

5. Robert, who in his Youth mak|ing choice of a Military Life, went over to the Wars in Ireland, Ann•• 1642, he was first made a Captain in his Father's Regiment, after which he listed himself in the Service of the Parliament of England, where in Time he arrived to the Degree of a Major General, and acquired the Reputa|tion of a Man of Courage, and a good Officer, he firmly adhered to

King Charles II. and in his Majesty's Service he gave many signal Proofs of his Loyalty and Valour on several occasions, especially at that memo|rable Encounter at Dunbar, 3d. of Sep|tember 1650, in which Action he performed the part of a brave and valiant Commander; likeways he commanded in the Quality of Major General of the Horse in the Royal Army at Worcester. 3d of September 1651, where he received diverse Wounds, and had the Misfortune to be taken Prisoner, whence making his Escape out of the Castle of Edin+burgh ••n Disguise, Anno 1659a 1.31, he got beyond Sea to the King, and returned with his Master, Anno 1660, being one of the Gentlemen of his Majesty's Bed Chamber. He married Margaret Daughter of James Viscount of Kil|syth, by whom he had James Mont|gomery Esq his Son and Heir.

His Lordships had likeways two Daughters, 1st. Margaret, married to John 1st. Earl of Twedale after his Death to William Earl of Glencairn, the 2d. Anne dyed unmarried. He married to his second Wife Margaret Daugh|ter of Walter Lord Buclugh Widow of James Lord Ross, but by her he had no Succession, and arriving to the 73d Year of his Age, he departed this Life the 7th of January 1661, his Estate and Honour devolving on

Hugh his Son. This noble Earl was a Man of perfect Loyalty in the time of our Civil Troubles, as ap|pears in all the Accounts of those Times, particularly by the Me|moiers of the Bishop of Dunkeld, his Cotemporary. In the 1643, he rais|ed a Troop of Horse, with which he marched in Person, and fought vali|antly at Langmarstonmuir, and several other Battles and Skirmishes, and continuing to adhere faithfully to the Royal Cause, he was therefore ex|cepted out of Cromwel's Indemnity, in the 1654a 1.32, by Anne his first Wife, Daughter of James Marquis of Ha|milton, he had one Daughter Anne, married to James Earl of Finlator; also by Mary his second Wife Daughter of John Earl of Rothes, he had

Alexander his Successor.

Francis Montgomery of Giffen, who was one of the Lords of the Privy Council, and one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury in the Reign of K. Wil|liam & Q. Anne. He was appointed one of the Commissioners upon the Part of Scotland to treat upon a nearer Union with England in 1706, which was at that time compleated, he had no Issue by Margaret his first Wife, Daughter and sole Heir of Alexander Earl of Leven, but by Elisabeth Daughter of Sir Robert Sinclair of Lochermackhouse, in Vicecomitatu de Haddingtoun; He had John Mont|gomery Esq a Member of Parliament for the County of Air. Alexander, one of the Colonels in Her Majesty's Foot Guards, who dyed a very hopeful Youth of his Death woun••s at the Battle of Almanara, in the 1711; also Elisabeth a Daughter, married to Patrick Ogilvy of Lonmay. This Earl had moreover five Daughters,

1. Mary, married to George Earl of Winton, sans Issue.

2. Margaret, to James 2d Earl of Loudon.

3. Christian, to John 4th Lord Bal|merinoch.

4. Eleanor, to Sir David Dunbar of Baldoon, Baronet, in Vicecomitatu de Wigtoun, and had Issue.

5. Anne, to Sir Andrew Ramsay of Abbotshall, Baronet. He departing this Life, Anno 1669, was succeeded by

Alexander his Son and Heir, who was named one of the Lords of the Privy Council, 1st of May 1689, and dying in the end of the Year 1701, he left Issue by Elisabeth his Wife, Daughter of William Earl of Drum|frees, Alexander the present Earl, Ma|jor Hugh and Major John Montgomery,b 1.33

and Mary married to Sir James Agnew of Lochnaw, and had Issue.

Which Alexander, was one of the Lords of the Privy Council to King William, and one of the Commis|sioners of the Thesaury. In 1700, he had a Patent to sit and Vote in the Parliament of Scotland, as Lord High Thesaurer, all Officers of State tho neither Peers, nor elected as Commissioners, having by the Con|stitution a Place in Parliament, and the Crown a Right, when any one of the Officers were vacant, to appoint one to Represent in Parlia|ment the said Office. Upon the Dis|solution of the Parliament in 1710, he was on the 10th of November the same Year elected one of the sixteen Peers of Scotland to the Parliament of Great Britain; also in 1711, his Lordship was appointed one of the Commissioners of the Chamberlian-Court, which was then erected. He married first Margaret Daughter of William Lord Cochran, Son and Heir of William Earl of Dundonald, by whom he had two Sons, Hugh and Alexan|der, who both dyed in the Year 1696; also four Daughters,

1. Catherine, married to James Earl of Galloway.

2. Eupham, to George Lockhart of Carnwath, and has Issue.

3. Grace, to Robert Earl of Carn|wath.

4. Jean, to Sir Aexander Maxwel of Monrieth, Baronet.

His second Wife was Anne Daugh|ter of George Earl of Aberdeen, by whom he had a Daughter, Lady Mary.

His third Marriage was with Susanna, Daughter of Sir Archibald Kennedy of Colzean, Baronet, by whom he has two Daughters,

Lady Elisabeth.

Lady Helen.

ARMS.

Quarterly 1st and 4th Azure, three Flower de lyces, Or: 2d and 3d, Gules, three Annulets, Or, ston'd, Azure, all within a Border, Or, flour'd and coun|ter flowr'd, Gules, supported by two Dragons Vert vomiting Fire, and for Crest, a Maid holding in her Dexter Hand a Mans Head, and in the Sinister an Anchor, Motto, Garde bien.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Charta penes Burgum de Irvine.
• b 1.2

  Drummond's History published Anno. 1710.
• c 1.3

  Dugdale's Baronage of England.
• a 1.4

  Chartulary of Paisly.
• b 1.5

  Ibidem.
• c 1.6

  Chartulary of Kelso.
• d 1.7

  Ibidem.
• e 1.8

  Ibidem.
• f 1.9

  Mr. Rymer's Foedera Angliae.
• a 1.10

  Rymer's Foedera Angliae.
• b 1.11

  Genealogy of Eglintoun.
• c 1.12

  Ibidem.
• d 1.13

  Charta penes Dominum Grenock.
• f 1.14

  Charta in publicis Archivis.
• g 1.15

  Ibidem.
• h 1.16

  Ibidem.
• i 1.17

  Charta penes Jacobum Montgomery de Lainshaw.
• k 1.18

  Charta in Rotulis Jacobi IV. ad Annum 1508.
• e 1.19

  Account of the Family of Eglintoun.
• a 1.20

  Hume's History of the Family of Douglass.
• b 1.21

  Charta penes commitem de Eglin|toun.
• c 1.22

  Holinshed's History of Scotland.
• d 1.23

  Original Divorce still extant.
• e 1.24

  Craw|furd's Memoirs.
• f 1.25

  Charta in publicis Archivis.
• g 1.26

  Dr. Johnston's Scots Heroes.
• a 1.27

  Charta in publicis Archivis, 5 January 1603,
• b 1.28

  Spotiswood's History.
• c 1.29

  Guthry's Memoirs.
• d 1.30

  My Lord Kingston's History of the Family of Winton.
• a 1.31

  History of Seton by the Lord Kingstoun.
• a 1.32

  History of Seton by the Lord Kingstoun.
• b 1.33

  Original Act of Indemnity pones me.