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

BOYD, Earl of Kilmarnock.

THE common bearing of the Boyds and Stewarts, has given ground to a Conjecture that they are branched from the Royal Family of Stewart, long before the Sirname o•• Stewart was u••ed by the younger Sons of that illustrious Family, but upon what occasion they assumed this Name, I shall not account ••or. Sir Robert Boyd did signalize his Valour in the Battel of the Largs against the Norvegians, Anno 1263, for which Service he had a Grant of diverse Lands in Cunningham. Another Sir Robert Boyd a descendant from him, added no small Lustre to the Fami|mily by his Loyalty to King Robert the Bruce, to whom he most faith|fully adhered in all the Vicissitudes of Fortune that besel him, in reward of which signal Merit, in the second Year of his Reign he gave him terras de Kilmarnock, Bondingtoun & Hair|shaw quae fuere Joannis de Balliolo to|tam terram de Kilbride ac totam terram de Arneil quae fuere Godofridi de Ross, & totam terram quae fuere Wil. de Mora in tenemento de Dalraya 1.1. This Sir Robert was succeeded by Sir Thomas his Son, who by . . . . . . . Daughter of . . . . . left three Sons, Sir Thomas his Successor, William Author of the Boyds of Badinheath,b 1.2 and Robert first of the House of Portencross in Airshirec 1.3.

Which Sir Thomas obtained the third part of the Barony of Tester by Marriage of . . . . . . one of the four Daughters and Co-Heirs of Sir John Giffard,d 1.4 by whom he had Thomas his Son and Successor, who was one of the Hostages for the Ransom of King James I. He married Janet Daughter of . . . . . . . Montgomery of Ardrossan, and departing this Life 7 July 1432, was interred in the Pa|roch Church of Kilmarnocke 1.5, where the Portraiture of himself and his Wife are to be seen in fair Stone as big as the Life, with this Inscription over; them.

Hic jacet Thomas Boyd de Kilmarnock qui obiit septimo die Julii Millessimo quadringente|simo tricesim•• secundo & Joanna Montgomery e|jus sponsa orate pro illis.

Sir Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock his Son did not long survive his Father, for he was killed at Craignaught-hill in Renfrew shire, by Sir Alexander Stew|art, on the 9 of July 1439,f 1.6 in

Revenge of the Lord Darnly's Death, whom Sir Thomas Boyd had killed in a Feud some time before, leaving Issue by . . . . . Daughter of . . . . . his Wife, Robert, thereafter Lord Boyd, Sir Alexander Boyd of Duncow, An|cestor to the present Lord Boyda 1.7, and a Daughter . . . . . married to John Maxwel of Calderwood.

Which Robert, being a Person of great Parts, was one of the six Noble|men who were chosen Regents of Scotland in the Minority of King James III. Anno 1460; after which in 1466 he was chosen sole Gover|nour of the Realmb 1.8, and on the 25 of August 1467, constituted Lord high Chamberlainc 1.9: Being thus advanced to the highest pitch of Ho|nour, the more to strengthen himself, he married the Lady Mary the King's eldest Sister to Thomas Master of Boyd his eldest Son, who thereupon was created Earl of Arrand 1.10, and sent Ambassador to Denmark to treat about a Marriage with the young King and Margaret Daughter of Christian the I. But behold the Instability of humane Affairs: During his absence, his Enemies contrive the ruin of his Family. They represent the Boyds to be ambitious, and too great Subjects, and they prevailed so far with the King, that he called a Parliament, before which the Lord Boyd, the Earl of Arran his Son, Sir Alexander Boyd his Brother were summoned to give an account of their Administra|tion. The old man himself, being afraid of the power of his Enemies, fled to England, where in a short time he died of Heart-broken. Sir Alexander his Brother appearing, was indicted of high Treason, and was executed. The Earl of Arran having brought the Queen from Denmark into the Firth of Forth, being informed of the Circum|stances he and his Friends were in, immediately with his Wife in his Company retired again into that Country, whence he travelled into France, and thence into Burgundy, where shortly after he ended his Days, leaving Issue by the Lady Mary his Wife foresaid, James a Son, and Mar|garet a Daughter, married to Sir Ale|xander Forbes, and afterwards to David Earl of Cassils. After the fall of the Boyds the Barony and Lord|ship of Kilmarnock came to the Crown, and so continued till the 24 of October 1482, that King James III. for t••e Love and Affection he bore to his Sister, made a Grant to James Boyd her Son of the Baronies of Kilmarnock, Dalray, Kilbride, Noodsdale, Muirfad, Gairnhill, Warrockland, Ormsheugh, Dolyra, Robertoun, Bolinshaw, Chapel|toun, Miltoun, Crevoch, Cultstra, Cors|hill, Clerkland, Blacklaw, and Nether Robertland, quae fuerunt quondam olim Roberti Domini Boyd, & quondam Thomae Boyd militis filii sui avi & patris dicti Jacobie 1.11: But he dying Anno 1484 without any Children, the Lordship of Kilmarnock returned again to the Crown.

The present Earl of Kilmarnock is de|scended from Alexander Boyd Son of Sir Alexander Boyd of Duncow, Brother to Robert the great Lord Boyd: Which Alexander was by King James IV. made Baillie and Chamberlain for the Lordship of Kilmarnockf 1.12, from whom he had a Grant of diverse Lands with|in the said Lordshipg 1.13 by Janet his Wife Daughter of . . . . . . Colvil of . . . . . . . He had three Sons, Robert, afterward Lord Boyd, Thomas, first of the Branch of Pitconh 1.14, and Adam, of whom sprung the Boyds of Pinkhill and Trochrigi 1.15.

Robert Boyd Esq Son and Heir of the former Alexander, was a Person much in favour with King James V. whom he faithfully served both at Home and Abroad, wherefore that Prince bestowed upon him the Lord|ship of Kilmarnock, 20 May 1••36a 1.16, as he afterwards had, by the Grant of James Earl of Arran Governor of Scot|land in the Minority of Queen Mary, many Lands that had formerly per|tained to his Ancestors, and at the same time he is served and retoured Heir to James Boyd of Kilmarnock his Father's Brother's Sonb 1.17. He mar|ried Helen Daughter of Sir John Somervel of Camnethan, by whom he had Robert his Successor, and Marga|ret married to John Son and Heir of Sir Niel Montgomery of Lainshaw, sa••s Issue.

Robert Lord Boyd his Son, being a Man of Parts, was much trusted by Queen Mary, to whom he faithfully adhered till the total Suppression of her Interest. He was also in the 1578 appointed one of the Com|missioners to Treat with the English about suppressing the Incursions of the Borderers; and again Anno 1586 he was with the Earl of Bothwel and Hume of Coldingknows sent Ambassa|dor to England to Treat about the Continuation of a firm and lasting Peace betwixt the two Realmsc 1.18. He married Margaret Daughter and sole Heir of George colquhoun of Glinsd 1.19, by whom he had Robert Master of Boyd, who died in the Lifetime of his Father. 2d. Thomas, his Successor in the Honour. 3d. William, who obtained the Lands of Badinheath by Marriage of an Heiress of his own Name; likewise sundry Daughters, Giles, married to Hugh Earl of Eglin|ton, Agnes to Sir John Colquhoun of Luss, and had Issue, Christian to Sir James Hamilton of Evandale; and had Issue, Elizabeth to John Cuningham of Drumquhasle. He gave way to Fate on the 3d of January 1589, aged 72, and was interr'd with his Ancestors at the Church of Kilmarnock under a fair Tomb, whereupon you may read this Epitaph.

Here lyes yat godly, noble, wise Lord Boyd, Who Kirk and King, and Commonwell decor'd, Which were, while they this Jewel all enjoy'd, Maintain'd, govern'd, and council'd by that Lord. His ancient House so oft peril'd he restor'd, Twice six and sixty Years he liv'd, and sine By Death the third of January devor'd, In Anno thrice five hundred eighty nine.

Thomas Lord Boyd his Son married Marion Daughter of Sir Matthew Camp|bel of Lowdoun, by whom he had Robert Master of Boyd, who died in the Lifetime of his Father, Anno 1597e 1.20, and Sir Thomas Boyd of Bedlay. Marion his eldest Daughter was married to James Earl of Abercorn, Isobel the second to John Blair of that Ilk, and after his Death to Sir Dougal Campbel of Auchinbreak; and had Issue, Agnes the youngest to Sir George Elphinston of Blythswood, and had Issue; and depart|ing this Life in the 1611, Robert his Grandson, Son of Robert Master of Boyd by Jean his Wife, Daughter of Mark Earl of Lothian, succeeded him in the Honour, and married first Margaret Daughter to Robert Montgo|mery of Giffenf 1.21, and next Christian Daughter of Thomas Earl of Hading|toun, and departing this Life in the end of August 1628, left Issue by the said Christian his Wife, Robert his Son and Heir, and four Daughters, Jean married to Sir Alexander Morison of Prestongrange, and had Issue. Isobel to Sir John Sinclair of Stevenson, and had Issue, Christian to Sir Wil|liam Scot of Harden, and had Issue, Marion to Sir James Dundass of Ar|nistoun,

and had Issue. Which Robert was a young Nobleman of great Hopes and Parts, died much regrated on the 17 of November 1640a 1.22, leaving no Issue by Anne his Wife Daughter of John Earl of Wigton, so that his Estate and Honour came to James Boyd his Father's Brother, who mar|ried Katharine Daughter of . . . . . . Craik Esq of the City of York. By her he had William his Successor, and a Daughter Eva married to Sir David Cunningham of Robertland, he dying in May 1654, was succeeded by William his Sonb 1.23. Which William was by the special favour of King Charles II, by Letters patent bearing Date 7 of August 1661, promoted to the Honour of Earl of Kilmarnock, and to his Heirs Male for everc 1.24. He married Jean Daughter of William Earl of Glencairn, by whom he had William his Successor in the Honour, Captain James, Charles, Robert, Mary Wife of Sir Alexander Mackclean, and Katharine married to Alexander Porter|field of that Ilk, in Vic. de Renfrew, and had Issue. He dying in the Spring of the Year 1692 was succeeded by William his Son and Heir, who did not sur|vive his Father full two Months, for his Death happened on the 20 of May thereafter, leaving two Sons by Lettice his Wife Daughter and Heir of Thomas Boyd of the City of Dublin Merchant, William the pre|sent Earl, and Mr. Thomas Boyd Advo|cate, which William, the present Earl, married Euphame eldest Daughter of William Lord Ross, and had Issue William Lord Boyd.

ARMS.

Azure, A Fess Checque Argent and Gules. Supporters two Squirrels proper. Crest, a Dexter Hand pointing forth the Thumb and two Fingers. Motto, Confido, and on a Compartment the Word, Gold-Berry.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Charta penes Comitem de Kilmarnock.
• b 1.2

  Charta in Rotulis Rob. II. ad Annum 1374. per Tho Fleming de Fulwood dudum Comitem de Wigton, Wilielmo Boyd filio Thomae Boyd de Kilmarnock, militi de omnibus terris ejusdem Thomae in Baronia de Lan|zie.
• c 1.3

  I have seen a Charter on the 10th of June 1444, per Thomam Boyd de Kilmar|nock dilecto avunculo suo Roberto Boyd terrarum de Arneil.
• d 1.4

  Charta pene•• Marchio|nem de Twedale.
• e 1.5

  Historical Collections by Mr. Timothy Pont, in the Hand•• of Sir Robert Sibbald, M.D. MS.
• f 1.6

  Buchan. Historia rerum Scoticarum.
• a 1.7

  Charta penes Alanum Dominum Cathcart.
• b 1.8

  Charta in Rotulis Jacobi III.
• c 1.9

  Charta penes comitem de Kilmarnock.
• d 1.10

  Charta in Rotulis Jacobi III. Nota, Robert Lord Boyd the Governor was married to Marion Daughter to Sir Robert Maxwel of Calder|wood. By her, beside Thomas Earl of Aran, he had another Son Archibald Boyd of Bon|shaw, and Elizabeth a Daughter married to Archibald E. of Angus.
• e 1.11

  In the Charter he is only designed James Boyd, in the Sasine following thereupon he is designed Nobili & Illustri Domino Jacobo Domino Boyd.
• f 1.12

  Rymer's Foedera Angliae.
• g 1.13

  Charta in Rotulis Jacobi IV.
• h 1.14

  Charta penes Tho. Boyd de Pitcon.
• i 1.15

  Preface to Mr. Robert Boyd's Commentary on the Ephesians.
• a 1.16

  Charta in publicis Archivis.
• b 1.17

  Charta penes comitem de Kilmarnock, data 23 of October 1544.
• c 1.18

  Camden's History of Queen Elizabeth.
• d 1.19

  Charta penes comitem de Kilmarnock.
• e 1.20

  Monumental Inscriptions at the Church of Kilmarnock.
• f 1.21

  Charta penes comitem de Kilmarnock ad A••num 1614.
• a 1.22

  Balfour's Annals.
• b 1.23

  Charta in Cancellaria S. D. N. Regis.
• c 1.24

  Charta in Rotulis Caroli II.