GRAHAM, Duke of Montrose.
ACCORDING to our Histori|ans, this noble illustrious Fa|mily, is as ancient as the Restauration of our Monarchy by King Fergns II. and derive their Origin from no meaner Person than the renowned Greme, who govern'd Scotland during the Minority of his Grandchild King Eugene II. fought with the Britons, and by forcing that mighty Rampart they had rear'd up between the Rivers of Forth and Clyde, immortaliz'd his Name so much, that to this Day that Trench is call'd Graham's Dyke.
But should the Rise of the Grahams be of a more modern Date, 'tis cer|tain, they are as ancient as any in the Nation now upon Record, for William de Greme is one of the Wit|nesses to the Foundation of Holy-Rood-House Abbey, by King David I. An|no Christi 1125c 1.1; and thereafter, at the special Instance of the said King, he perambulate to the Monks of Ha|dingtoun, the Lands of Clerkingtoun, when Adda, Countess of Northum|berland laid the Foundation of that Convent.
* 1.2Sir David Greme, Kt. Pater, the direct Ancestor of the illustrious Fami|ly of Montrose, obtained from King William a Grant of the Lands of Charl|toun and Burrowfield, infra Vic. de For|far, cum Dominiis & Tenendariis Tha|nagi de Kinabere 1.3.* 1.4 He left Issue,
Sir David his Son and Heir, who had a Grant from Maldwin Earl of Lennox, of the Lands of Strathblane and Mugdock; and from the Earl of Dumbar he got the Lands of Dun|daff and Strathcaron, quod fuit forrestum Regis, in Exchange with Sir David for his Lands of Gartonquhar in Galo|ueya. By Agnes his Wife he had,
Sir David, the Third of that Name, his Son & Heir, who obtained distinct Charters of his whole Lands, which were all ratified to him under the Great-Seal of Alexander III. He got the Barony of Kincardine in the County of Perth, from Maliss Earl of Strath|ern, whose Sister Anabella he marriedg 1.5, and by her he had Two Sons, Sir Patrick the Heir of the Family, and Sir David Greme Knighth 1.6.
Which Sir Patrick did execute the Office of High-Sheriff of the County of Stirling, in the Time of King Ale|ander III, in the 35th of whose Reign, Anno 1284, he was one of the Magna|tes Scotiae, who in a most solemn Manner bound themselves by their Oaths and Seals, that in case King Alexander should die without Heirs