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THE Somervilles are of Norman extrac∣tion, and came over to Britain with William the Conqueror, anno 1066.
The rank they bore in Normandy intitled them to the highest regard of their prince; the considerable commands they had in the army, and their gallant behaviour in England, gave them a just claim to a share of the con∣quests of that country; and accordingly,
I. Sir GUALTER, or WALTER de SO∣MERVILLE, obtained from the Conqueror,
(having been one of his chief commanders) the whole lordship and territory of Whitch∣nour,* 1.1 in the county of Stafford, where he set∣tled, as also Somerville Aston in Glocester∣shire. He was progenitor of all the Somer∣villes in Great Britain.
He lived after the year 1100, and left issue several sons.
1. Sir Walter de Somerville, who succeed∣ed him in the lordship of Whitchnour, and carried on the line of that great and opulent family,* 1.2 which flourished with lustre in England for many ages. He lived in the reigns of king Henry I. and king Stephen, and of him was lineally descended sir Philip de Somerville, lord of Whitchnour, who made a considerable figure in the reigns of kings Henry IV. and V. and was so famous for his great hospitality, that he is recorded for having given a flitch of ba∣con as a reward to any husband and wife,* 1.3 who could say that they never had the least diffe∣rence, nor contradicted one another within the space of twelve months after marriage, &c. The figure of a flitch of bacon, neatly carved on wood, is at this day in Whitchnour house, near Litchfield, now the seat of— Offby, Esq; but the male line of the Whitch∣nour family is long since extinct, having end∣ed in a single daughter, married to the great Stafford duke of Buckingham, constable of England, forfeited and beheaded in Henry the VIII's time.
Sir Gualter's second son was,
2. William, of whom all the Somervilles in Scotland are descended, as will be shown hereafter.
3. Roger, who got from his father the ba∣tony of Aston in Glocestershire, which, after him, was called Somerville Aston, &c.
Sir John of Somerville-Aston,* 1.4 son or grandson of Roger, flourished in the reign of king Henry III. and married Cecilia de Limefie, with whom he got the manor of Stockton, and several other considerable possessions in Warwick-shire.
Sir William of Somerville-Aston lineally descended of the above sir John, about the year 1607, married Elizabeth, daughter of sir Humphry Ferrers, descended of William lord Ferrers of Groby,* 1.5 second son of William Fer∣rers earl of Derby, by Margaret, daughter of Roger de Quin••y earl of Winchester, by He∣len, daughter of Alan lord of Calloway, and Margaret, eldest daughter of David earl of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, brother of king William the Li∣on, &c.
The late William Somerville, Esq; of Ed∣ston in 〈◊〉〈◊〉,-shire, and Somerville-Aston, in Glocester-shire, who was author of that celebrated poem called the Chace, was his li∣neal heir; but having no issue, and desiring to continue his estate in this antient family, in the year 1730, concluded a bargain with the present lord Somerville, for the reversion of his estates at his death, which took place in the year 1742, and since his accession thereto, he hath greatly improved and beau∣tified it.
We now return to the progenitor of the Somervilles in Scotland.
II. WILLIAM de SOMERVILLE, second son of the first sir Gualter, having contracted a friendship with king David I. when in Eng∣land, came with him to Scotland, and being highly esteemed, and in great favour with that prince, he bestowed upon him the lands and barony of Carnwath,* 1.6 in the county of Lanark, to him and his heirs for ever.
He appears to have been much about the king's person, being witness to most of the grants and donations of that good prince to the religious,* 1.7 particularly (with many others of the nobility) to the foundation-charter of the abbacy of Melross, anno 1136.
Also to his donations to the monasteries of Dunfermline,* 1.8 Kelso and Melross.
In a donation of king David, Deo et eccle∣siae Sancti Andreae de Kilrymont, William de So∣merville, Robert bishop of St. Andrews, John bishop of Glasgow,* 1.9 William Comyn chancel∣lor of Scotland, &c. are witnesses, ante an∣num 1147, in which year John bishop of Glasgow died.
He is witness also to another donation, to∣gether with prince Henry,* 1.10 the king's son, who died anno 1152.
Likeways to other two charters Henrici filii regis David, donationum super Swyntun monachis Sancti Cuthberti,&c.* 1.11 wherein Wil∣liam de Somerville, Herbert great chamber∣lain of Scotland, &c. are witnesses, ante an∣num 1148, in or before which year Herbert the chamberlain died.
He left issue two sons.
1. William de Somerville.
2. Walter de Somerville, who is witness to a charter of conFirmation of king Malcolm
IV.* 1.12 together with Herbert bishop of Glasgow, donationum de Harwold, &c. inter 1154 et 1160.
He died before 1162, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
III. WILLIAM de SOMERVILLE, who made a great figure at the courts of king Mal∣colm IV. and king William the Lion.
He is witness in a charter of king Mal∣colm's with Herbert bishop of Glasgow,* 1.13 who died in 1164.
Also to two charters of donations to the priory of St. Andrews,* 1.14 with the same prelate, ante annum 1164.
And to another charter of king Malcolm's,* 1.15 of a donation to the monastery of Dunferm∣line, inter 1160 et 1165.
He is witness likeways to the division of the lands of Molla,* 1.16 together with Hugh de Morville, David Olifard, &c. circa annum 1170.
He is witness to many other donations to the monastery of Kelso by king William the Lion;* 1.17 and by Alan, son of Walter lord high steward of Scotland, &c. inter 1170 et 1198.
He obtained from king William a grant of the lands and barony of Linton, in Roxburgh∣shire,* 1.18 anno 1174, for killing, as is said, a mon∣strous serpent that greatly infested the neigh∣bourhood. It is also said that this William was the king's falconer.
He lest issue a son and successor,
III. WILLIAM de SOMERVILLE, design∣ed baron of Carnwath and Linton. He was in great favour with king Alexander II. who particularly distinguished him at his marriage, being one of the nobles appointed by that king to exercise at a tournament at the castle of Roxburgh, where, for agility and strength of body,* 1.19 he was excelled by none.
He married Margaret,* 1.20 daughter of Walter of Newbigging, lord of Dunsyre, by whom he had a son,
Sir William,—and a daughter,
Margaret, married to sir Archibald Camp∣bell of Lochow, of whom all the earls and dukes of Argyle are descended.
He died anno 1242,* 1.21 was buried at Mel∣ross, and succeeded by his son,
IV. Sir WILLIAM de SOMERVILLE, de∣signed dominus de Linton, who was highly e∣steemed by king Alexander III.* 1.22 from whom he had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him.
He remarkably distinguished himself at the battle of Largis in Cunninghame, where king Alexander III. commanded in person, and ob∣tained a glorious victory over Haco king of Norway,* 1.23 who had invaded Scotland with a numerous army, anno 1263.
In a charter of Henricus de Halyburton, of the lands of Molla, to the monastery of Kel∣so, sir William de Somerville,* 1.24 Nicholas de Rutherfoord, &c. are witnesses, anno 1270.
He is witness also to a bond of man-rent be∣twixt sir Walter of Newbigging,* 1.25 and sir Da∣vid of Towie, anno 1281.
This William de Somerville, cum consilio Willielmi patris sui, gave to the episcopal see of Glasgow,* 1.26 pro salute animae su••e, &c. ecclesi∣am de Carnwath, &c.
He lived to a great age, died anno 1282, and was succeeded by his son,
VI. Sir THOMAS de SOMERVILLE, de∣signed dominus de Linton et Carnwath, who was one of the great barons of Scotland, that agreed and wrote to king Edward I. about the marriage of queen Margaret (daughter to the king of Norway,* 1.27 grand-child of king A∣lexander III. undoubted heir to the crown of Scotland) with prince Edward, anno 1290.
Though this sir Thomas was compelled, with many of his countrymen, to swear feal∣ty to king Edward I. of England, in the years 1294 and 1296, for lands lying in different counties;* 1.28 yet we find he embraced the first opportunity of endeavouring to shake off the English yoke. He joined the brave sir Wil∣liam Wallace, and had no small share of the glory acquired by that great man, in defence of the liberties of his country.
He made several donations to the religious at Melross,* 1.29 out of his barony of Linton.
He died about the year 1300, leaving issue two sons.
1. Sir Walter, his heir.
2. Sir John de Somerville, who was a great patriot,* 1.30 a firm and steady 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of king Ro∣bert Bruce, under whom he performed many brave actions in the service of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 country.
He was succeeded by his eldest son,
VII. Sir WALTER de SOMERVILLE. do∣minus de Linton et Carnwath, who was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the greatest warriors of his time. He joined king Robert Bruce, and never forsook him in his greatest distress.
He married Giles,* 1.31 only daughter and heir∣ess of sir John Herring, with whom he got the lands of Gilmerton, Drum, Goodtrees, &c.
By her he had issue three sons.
1. Sir James, his heir.
2. Sir Thomas,* 1.32 who succeeded his brother.
3. Richard de Somerville, who is witness to a charter of Duncan earl of Lennox, anno 1340.
Sir Walter died anno 1330, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,
VIII. Sir JAMES SOMERVILLE, who, like many of his brave ancestors, was a true patriot, a gallant soldier, and accompanied king David in his unfortunate expedition in∣to England, where he lost his life at the bat∣tle of Durham,* 1.33 anno 1346; and leaving no issue, was succeeded by his brother,
VIII. Sir THOMAS SOMERVILLE of Lin∣ton
and Carnwath, who was no less a steady friend to king David Bruce than his father had been to king Robert.
He also attended the king into England, and behaved with the utmost resolution and conduct at the battle of Durham, where his royal master was taken prisoner; but he had the good fortune to escape; and being a man of great parts,* 1.34 was sent into England by the estates of the kingdom, to treat about the king's liberty, anno 1354.
He was also appointed one of the commis∣sioners, together with William earl of Dou∣las, the earls of March,* 1.35 Marr, &c. to treat with the English, supper negotiis David de Bruis, an∣no 1362; and again, with several others, in 1366.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of sir James Douglas, designed de Loudonia, ancestor of the earls of Morton, by whom he had issue three sons, and two daughters.
1. Sir William.
2. Thomas de Somerville, to whom he gave the lands of Gilmertoun, Drum, and Good-trees; but he dying without issue,* 1.36 these lands returned to the family.
3. John de Somerville, to whom he gave part of the lands of Newbigging. He is wit∣ness in a charter of king Robert II. Laurentio de Haya domino de Eskindy,* 1.37 in vicecomitatu de Inverness, anno 1376.
His 1st daughter,—, married to sir John Sandilands of Calder.
2.—,* 1.38 married to sir Laurence Baird of Posso.
He died before 1370, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
IX. Sir WILLIAM de SOMERVILLE, pro∣miscuously designed of Linton and Carnwath, who was one of the noble Scotch heirs that were appointed sureties for king David's ran∣som,* 1.39 anno 1357.
He had vast possessions in lands, and being a man of parts, was in great favour and high∣ly esteemed by king Robert II.
He married Catharine, daughter and heir∣ess of—Maxwell, in the county of Stirling, which is confirmed by a charter un∣der the great seal, Willielmo de Somerville militi, et Catharinae Maxwell, sponsae suae, totam medietatem baroniae de Manwell, cum pertinen. jacen.* 1.40 infra vicecomitatum de Stirling, &c. dated anno 1371.
By her he had issue two sons.
1. Sir Thomas.
2. William, ancestor of the Somervilles of Cambdo, &c.
He died anno 1103, and was succeeded by his eldest son.
X. Sir THOMAS de SOMERVILLE, who succeeded also to his uncle Thomas's estates of Gilmerton, Drum, and Goodtrees, and was the first lord Somerville.
He was a man of great honour and virtue, and a liberal benefactor to the religious.
He made a donation to the monastery of Lesmahagoe, to which William Somerville his brother was a witness,* 1.41 anno 1421; and it was afterwards confirmed by king James I. anno 1427.
He made another mortification out of his lands of Manuel, for a chaplain to the same monastery, with consent of William Somer∣ville his son and heir apparent, pro salute ani∣mae suae, &c. dated third June 1424, and con∣firmed by king James,* 1.42 June 5th that same year.
He was one of the commissioners sent to England to negotiate king James I.'s liberty, anno 1423, and is then designed Thomas So∣merville of Carnwath; but upon the king's return home the year thereafter,* 1.43 he was cal∣led to parliament by his majesty, as a lord ba∣ron, along with five others that had been hostages for his ransom, most of whom are either arrived at higher dignities, or are ex∣tinct.
He was one of the sureties for a seven years truce with the English, was appointed one of the wardens of the marches towards England,* 1.44 and is then designed Thomas domi∣nus Somerville,* 1.45 anno 1424. That same year he sat as a peer on the trial of Murdoch duke of Albany, &c.
As therefore there is sufficient proof that lord Somerville was a lord of parliamen•• in the year 1424, he appears to be the first lord baron of Scotland; and by a resolution of the house of lords of Great Britain, in the year 1722, when the honours were confirmed to this lord, there is a saving clause, that, upon application to that house at any time,* 1.46 and upon proper proof, he may have his rank as∣certained.
He also sat as a peer in the parliament held at Edinburgh, anno 1429, and was by his ma∣jesty appointed justice-general of Scotland be∣south the river Forth, which appears by an authentic decreet pronounced by him, where∣in he is designed justiciarius domini 〈◊〉〈◊〉 re∣gis, ex parte austrail aquae de Forth. He passed sentence against the delinquents at Stirling, the 4th day of November, in the year of God 1430. The decreet concludes thus:* 1.47 In cujus rei testimonium, sigillum officii nosiri justiciarii est appensum, anno die mensis, et l••co supra∣script.
Immediately thereafter, Thomas demi••us Somerville was appointed one of the warden••
of the marches towards England,* 1.48 in Decem∣ber 1430.
He married Janet, daughter of Alexander Stewart, lord Darnly, ancestor of king James VI. with whom he got the lands and barony of Cambusnethan, which is confirmed by a charter from king Robert III. Thomae de So∣merville, filio et haeredi apparenti Willielmi Somerville, militis, et Janetae Senescal sponsae suae, et eorum diutius viventi, omnes terras ba∣roniae de Cambusnethan, &c. jacen. in vicecom. de Lanark,* 1.49 quae fuerunt dilecti consanguinei no∣stri Alexandri Senescalli de Darnly, militis, &c. dated in July 1392.
By her he had issue two sons, and three daughters.
1. William, lord Somerville.
2. Thomas de Somerville, who married E∣lizabeth Airth, which appears by a charter under the great seal, Thomae Somerville, filio Willielmi domini Somerville et Elizabeth••e Airth,* 1.50 sponsae dicti Thomae, terrarum de Car∣nock, Fordale, &c. dated anno 1449.
1st daughter, Mary, married to sir Willi∣am Hay of Yester, ancestor of the marquis of Tweeddale,* 1.51 who got with her the lands of Auchtermure.
2. Giles, married to sir Robert Logan of Restalrig.
3. Margaret,* 1.52 married, 1st, to—Kil∣patrick of Closeburn, in Nithsdale; 2dly, to Thomas Ker of Fernyhirst, ancestor of the marquis of Lothian.
He died anno 1444, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
XI. WILLIAM, second lord Somerville, who, in his father's lifetime, had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him by king James 1. upon the birth of his two sons, anno 1430, and was then designed sir William So∣merville of Plain.
He was served heir to his father in the ba∣roni••s of Linton and Cambusnethan,* 1.53 in June 1445.
He got a charter from king James II. Wil∣lielmo domino Somerville saciend. villam de Go••••wath, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de Lanark, liberum burgum baroni••e,* 1.54 &c. dated 20th June 1451.
He was a man of good parts, great honour and probity, a firm and steady friend both to king James I. and II. and was often employ∣ed in negotiations of importance.
After the murder of king James I. lord So∣merville attended the parliament 1439, and was very instrumental in procuring the queen's liberty, who was kept little better than a prisoner by the ruling faction of the time.
He was one of the guarantees of a treaty of peace with the English,* 1.55 anno 1449, and to another in 1451,* 1.56 in which last year he was appointed one of the ambassadors extraordi∣nary to the court of England, &c.
He appears to have been much at the court of king James II. being witness to most of that prince's grants and charters. In his con∣firmation of all the donations made to the abbacy of Dunfermline, by king Malcolm Canmore and queen Margaret,* 1.57 king Duncan, king Edgar, king Alexander I. king David I. &c. the witnesses were William lord Somer∣ville, Patrick lord Glammis, &c. anno 1450.
He was witness to other three charters of king James II.* 1.58 together with William earl of Douglas, chancellor Crichton, &c. anno 1451 et 1452, de villa de Spyuie, &c.
And to another charter of that same prince,* 1.59 Willielmo de Ledale, &c. anno 1453.
He married Janet, daughter of sir John Mowat of Stanhouse, by whom he had two sons, and two daughters.
1. John, lord Somerville.
2. William de Somerville, who married Margaret,* 1.60 daughter of William Hamilton of Preston, and was ancestor of the Somerville•• of Plain. His son Thomas got a charter un∣der the great seal,* 1.61 of the lands and b••rony of Plain.
1st daughter, Janet, married to Ralph Weir of Blackwood, Esq;.
2. Mary, married to William Cleveland of that ilk, Esq;.
He died anno 1456, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
XII. JOHN, third lord Somerville, who, in an instrument of resignation of John and Alexander Thane of the lands of Fe••••yhill, is a witness, together with Patrick Hepb••••n,* 1.62 lord of Hailes, sir William Cranston of Cor••∣by, &c. and is designed John, son and appa∣rent heir of William lord Somerville, &c. in 1451.
He was a man of singular courage and re∣solution, and remarkably distinguished him∣self at the battle of Sark, where he had the command of the Clydsd de horse, though but a young man, and performed the part of a brave officer,* 1.63 where the Scots obtained a glorious victory over the English, and their great champion Magnus, anno 1449.
He was one of the conservators of a trea∣ty with the English,* 1.64 anno 1457.
He was appointed one of the ambassadors extraordinary to the court of England,* 1.65 and warden of the marches, anno 1459.
He behaved with singular magnanimity at the siege of Roxburgh,* 1.66 where his royal ma∣ster, king James II. was slain, anno 1460.
This lord was a particular favourite of king
James III. who often took the diversion of hunting in the southern parts,* 1.67 and would have staid several days at lord Somerville's house of Cowthaly, where he and his whole retinue were royally entertained.
He married, 1st, Helen, daughter of sir Adam Hepburn, lord of Hailes, by whom he had a son,
William, master of Somerville,—and two daughters.
1. Elizabeth, married to Archibald, eldest son of Duncan Campbell,* 1.68 lord of Lochow, an∣cestor of the duke of Argyle. Her second son,—, was ancestor of the earl of Breadalbane.
2. Helen, married to sir John Jardine of Applegirth.
He married, 2dly, Mary, daughter of Wil∣liam Baillie of Lamington, Esq; which is in∣structed by a charter under the great seal, Johanni domino Somerville, et Mariotae Baillie, sponsae suae,* 1.69 terrarum baroniae de Cambusnethan, &c. dated anno 1477.
By her he had a son,
Sir John Somerville,—and a daughter,
Mary, married to sir Stephen Lockhart of Cleghorn.
Sir John Somerville, son of the second marriage of John third lord Somerville, got from his father the lands and barony of Cam∣busnethan,* 1.70 upon which he got a charter un∣der the great seal, dated anno 1503. He was a man of great parts and spirit, and in high favour with king James IV. whom he accom∣panied to the field of Flowdon, where he lost his life, anno 1513. He married Elizabeth, daughter of—Carmichael of Balmedie,* 1.71 by whom he had issue, and his posterity, ba∣rons of Cambusnethan, made a considerable figure in Scotland afterwards.
John, third lord Somerville, died in 1491.
XIII. WILLIAM, master of Somerville, got a charter from king James III. Willielmo Somerville, filio et haeredi apparenti Johannis domini Somerville,* 1.72 terrarum baroniae de Carn∣wath, Linton, &c. cum superioritate terrarum de Gilme••toun, &c. dated the 2d day of May 1477.
He married, 1st, Margaret, daughter of Hugh lord Montgomery, upon which his fa∣ther put him in possession of the above estates.
By her he had two sons.
1. John, lord Somerville.
2. Hugh, who succeeded his brother.
He married, 2dly, Janet, daughter of sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig, by whom he had no issue.
He died before his father, anno 1488, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
XIV. JOHN, who succeeding also to his grandfather, anno 1491, was fourth lord, and got a charter from king James IV. Johanni domino Somerville,* 1.73 baroniae de Carnwath, and a great many other lands, dated 13th March 1507.
But he dying without issue, before the year 1526, his estate and honours devolved upon his brother,
XIV. HUGH, fifth lord Somerville, who being a man of a noble spirit, was in high fa∣vour with king James V. who did him the honour to be frequently (with his whole re∣tinue) at his house of Cowthaly, (called, by king James V. in a jocular way, Cowdaily, because he observed a cow and ten sheep kil∣led every day,) for several days together, which put this noble lord to such extraordi∣nary expence, that he greatly incumbered his vast estate; for though none of the nobility had a greater share of the king's favour than this lord,* 1.74 yet he never accepted of any place or pension from the government, and conti∣nued a most faithful and loyal subject to the end of his days.
In the year 1542, he accompanied the king in his unfortunate expedition to Solway, where he was taken prisoner, carried to the court of England,* 1.75 and confined; but he and other six lords were lodged in great state by Henry VIII.'s orders: lord Somerville was consigned to the lord Audley, chancellor of England,* 1.76 at a seat now called Audley-end; but he was at last released for a ransom of one thousand merks sterling.
During his stay in England, he contracted a friendship with king Henry VIII. became en∣tirely of his party, and an enemy to the French interest.
He was a great promoter of the match be∣tween Mary queen of Scts, and prince Ed∣ward of England, believing it might turn to the advantage of his country; but it never took effect, though king Henry had it very much at heart.
He got three charters under the great seal, Hugoni domino Somerville,* 1.77 of many lands and baronies, in the years 1535, 1540, and 1545.
He made a donation to St. Mary Magda∣lene's hospital in Edinburgh, of one hundred and forty pounds per annum, out of his baro∣ny of Carnwath, anno 1540;* 1.78 and another of twenty pounds per annum out of the same ba∣rony, anno 1541.
He married, 1st, lady Anne Hamilton, daughter of James earl of Arran, by whom he had no issue that came to maturity.
He married, 2dly, Janet, daughter of Wil∣liam Maitland of Leithington, which appears
by a charter under the great seal, Hugoni do∣mino Somerville et Janetae Maitland,* 1.79 ejus spon∣sae, &c. dated 10th January 1526.
By her he had three sons, and three daugh∣ters.
1. James, lord Somerville.
2. John, who died without issue.
3. Hugh, ancestor of the Somervilles of Spittle.
1st daughter, Margaret, married to sir Charles Murray of Cockpool,* 1.80 ancestor of the earl of Annandale.
2. Marjory, married to James Tweedie of Drumelzier.
3. Elizabeth, married to sir John Carmich∣ael of that ilk.
He died anno 1549, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
XV. JAMES, sixth lord Somerville, who got a charter under the great seal, Jacobo do∣mino Somerville, et Agnetae Hamilton suae spon∣sae,* 1.81 terrarum de Blackpule, Blackcastle, &c. dated 25th July 1550.
He was a great loyalist, always adhered firmly to the interest of queen Mary, and strenuously opposed the reformation.
At the convention 1560, he, with the earl of Athole and lord Borthwick, entered a pro∣test against any alterations being made in the established religion of the country, &c. The only reasons given were, that their ancestors, they thought, were as wife as they.
In 1568, he joined the queen's party at Hamilton, with about 300 horse of his own friends and vassals, and fought upon their head at the battle of Langside, where the queen's army was defeated and dispersed. Lord So∣merville was fore wounded, and narrowly e∣scapea being made prisoner.
By the said Agnes,* 1.82 daughter of sir James Hamilton of Finart, lord of Evandale, he had two sons and two daughters.
1. Hugh, lord Somerville.
2.—, who got from his father some lands in the barony of Carnwath. He marri∣ed and had issue, and his posterity are still sub∣sisting in Clydsdale.
1st daughter, Margaret, died without issue.
2. Agnes, married to her cousin—So∣merville of Plain.
He dying anno 1570, was succeeded by his eldest son,
XVI. HUGH,* 1.83 seventh lord Somerville, who was served heir to his father in the year 1571.
He recovered the lands of Gilmerton, Drum, and Guttarris, which had been for some time in the possession of the Somervilles of Cambusnethan,* 1.84 upon which he got a charter under the great seal, anno 1578, and built the house of Drum anno 1585.
He was a man of great parts and abilities, was long one of the lords of the privy coun∣cil to king James VI. with whom he was in great favour.
He married Eleanor, daughter of George lord Seton,* 1.85 ancestor of the earls of Winton, by whom he had sixteen children; four sons and four daughters of whom came to matu∣rity.
1. William, master of Somerville, a youth of a fine genius and great hopes, but died before his father without issue.
2. John, who was accidentally shot by his elder brother, when they were both young, which appears by a remission under the great seal,* 1.86 Willielmo magistro de Somerville, &c. dated 1587, but he died also before his fa∣ther, without issue.
3. Gilbert, who became his father's heir.
4. Hugh, ancestor of the present lord So∣merville, of whom afterwards.
1st daughter,—, married to— Hamilton of Stonyflat.
2.—, married to Thomas Somerville, Esq; in vicecom. de Lanark.
3.—.
4.—.
These both died unmarried.
Lord Hugh died anno 1597, and was suc∣ceeded by his third son,
XVII. GILBERT, eighth lord Somerville, a very weak man,* 1.87 who lived in such splendor and magnificence, or rather in so extravagant a manner, that he consumed and sold his whole estates,* 1.88 most whereof were purchased by the earls of Marr and Buchan.
He married Margaret, daughter of John Somerville of Cambusnethan, by whom he had a son,
James, who died an infant,—and three daughters.
1. Mary, married, 1st, to James lord Tor∣phichen, without issue; and, 2dly, to William Douglas of Pumhperston, to whom she had a son, sir Joseph Douglas of Pumpherston, who, with many others,* 1.89 was drowned in the reti∣nue of the duke of York, returning to Scot∣land, without issue.
2. Margaret, married to—Colquhoun of Balvie, brother-german to the laird of Luss, without issue.
3.—, married to—Stewart of Minto,* 1.90 and died also without issue.
Gilbert eighth lord Somerville dying with∣out sons, anno 1618, the honours of Somer∣ville devolved upon his immediate younger
brother, and undoubted heir-male, to whom we no return.
XVII. HUGH, fourth son of Hugh, seventh lord Somerville, brother-german of Gilbert the eigth lord, was one of the pages of ho∣nour to king James VI. Upon the death of the said Gilbert, without male-issue, he was un∣doubtedly ninth lord Somerville, in right of blood, though he declined taking up the titles, or exerting the privileges of his peerage, because he got no part of his brother's estate, and also on account of the confusion of the times by the civil wars; so that the honours of this noble family lay dormant from the death of the said Gilbert, till they were reassumed by the pre∣sent lord, as will be shown hereafter.
This Hugh got from his father the lands and baronies of Drum, &c. upon which he got a charter under the great seal,* 1.91 Hugoni Somerville, filio legitimo quondam Hugonis do∣mini Somerville, terrarum de Drum, Gilmer∣ton, Guttars, &c. dated 3d February 1626.
Also a charter of confirmation, Hugoni So merville de Drum,* 1.92 et Margaretae Hamilton e∣jus sponsae in vitali redditu, et Jacobo Somer∣ville, eorum filio et haeredi, &c. decimarum garbalium de Gilmerton et Drum, &c. pro∣ceeding upon a charter dated anno 1631; the confirmation being dated 15th February 1634.
By the said Margaret, daughter of Gavin Hamilton of Raploch,* 1.93 Esq; he had issue two sons and two daughters.
1. James, his heir.
2. Gavin Somerville, Esq;.
1st daughter Jean, married to James Ten∣nant of Cairns, Esq;.
2. Margaret, died without issue.
He died at Drum in the 70th year of his age, anno 1640, was buried in the church of Liberton, and succeeded by his eldest son,
XVIII. JAMES, tenth lord, who got a char∣ter under the great seal, Jacobo Somerville,* 1.94 fi∣lio legitimo natu maximo quondam Hugonis So∣merville de Drum, et Liliae Bannantyne suae sponsae, terrarum de Gilmerton, &c. dated 2d December 1644.
Also a charter from king Charles II. Ja∣cobo Somerville de Drum,* 1.95 terrarum baroniae de Drum, &c. dated 28th January 1670.
He served several years in the army of France, with great reputation, as also in the Venetian service; and, upon his return home, was raised to the degree of a lieutenant colo∣nel.
By the said Lilias, daughter of sir James Bannantyne of Newhall, one of the senators of the college of justice, he had a son,
James, his heir.
He died 3d January 1677, of a great age, was buried at Holyroodhouse, and succeeded by his son,
XIX. JAMES, eleventh lord Somerville, who married Martha,* 1.96 daughter of— Bannantyne of Corhouse, by whom he had three sons.
1. James, his apparent heir.
2. John, lieutenant colonel to general Ram∣say's regiment.
3. George, general adjutant to the foot guards.
He died anno 1690.
XX. JAMES, first son and apparent heir of the eleventh lord, by Martha Bannantyne his spouse, in the year 1671, married Elizabeth, daughter of George Graham, of the family of Montrose, an eminent merchant in Edinburgh, by whom he had a considerable fortune.
By her he had a son,
James, born anno 1674, at whose baptism there were present his father, grandfather, and great grandfather,* 1.97 four generations in a direct line of the same name, and all their father's and mother's first born.
He was unfortunately killed by Thomas, son of Mr. Thomas Learmont, advocate, his father being then alive, and was succeeded by his son,
XXI. JAMES SOMERVILLE of Drum, who succeeding also to his grandfather, anno 1690, was the twelfth lord Somerville.
He married a daughter of—Mur∣ray of Deuchar, descended of the ancient fa∣mily of Philiphaugh, by whom he had four sons and two daughters.
1. James, the present lord.
2. George, of Dinder, in Somersetshire, who had several sons; the eldest a prebend in the cathedral of Bath and Wells; the second a captain of foot; the third a lieutenant of a man of war, who was killed at the affair of St. Cas. He has also two daughters.
3. John.
4. William.
These two last both died without issue.
1st daughter, Eupheme.
2. Elizabeth, died without issue.
He died 4th December 1709, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,
XXII. JAMES, thirteenth lord Somerville, who claimed his peerage, and in the year 1722, by application to his majesty, had his cause laid before the house of lords, where his title was sustained and approved; and he has not only continued to vote at every election
since, but was himself chosen one of the six∣teen peers for Scotland to the ninth British parliament, called to meet in June 1741.
He is now one of the lords of police, one of the commissioners of the board of trade and manufactures for Scotland, and one of the commissioners upon the annexed forfeited e∣states, &c.
He married; 1st, in 1724, Anne, only daugh∣ter of Henry Baynton of Spey Park, in the county of Wilts, Esq; whose mother was eldest daughter and coheiress of John Wilmot, the celebrated earl of Rochester. By her he had two sons and one daughter.
1. James, master of Somerville, who has served several campaigns with credit and e∣steem in his majesty's army.
2. Hugh, who has no less distinguished himself in the same profession,* 1.98 particularly in Portugal.
His daughter, Anne Whichnour Somerville, is married to George Burgess, Esq; one of the commissioners of his majesty's excise for Scotland, and hath issue one son and a daugh∣ter.
He married, 2dly, in 1736, Frances, daugh∣ter and coheiress of John Rotherham, Esq; of Much-waltham in Essex, by whom he had one daughter, who died at Holyroodhouse when six years old.
Azure, three stars or, accompanied with se∣ven cross crosslets fitchee argent, three in chief, one in fess, two in the flanks, and the last in the base.
CREST; on a wreath, a wheel or, surmount∣ed of a weyvern vert, spouting fire.
SUPPORTERS; two greyhounds proper; each gorged with a plain collar gules.
MOTTO; Fear God in life.
At Somerville-house near Edinburgh, and Somerville-Aston in Glocester-shire.
Roll of Battle Abbay, du Moulin's hist. of Normandy, and Dugdale's baronage of England.
Dugdale's ba∣ronage.
Addison's works.
Dugdal. hist. of Warwick∣shire, and Ar∣cher's hist. of Glostershire.
Dugdale, vol. II. p. 688.
Nisbet's ap∣pend. p 79.
Chartulary of Melross penes MacFarlane.
Chartulary of Dunfermline, penes eund. p. 162. 165. 184. &c.
Chartulary of St Andrews, penes eund p. 227.
Ibid. p. 238.
Origin. writ•• of Colding∣hame, pene eund. p. 12 and 13.
Chartulary 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Newbottle, penes eund p. 385.
Ibid. p. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
Chartulary of St. Andrews, penes eun∣dem, p. 249. and 255.
Chartulary of Dunfermline, p. 184.
Chartulary of Kelso, penes eand. p. 150.
Ibid. p. 219. 322. 325, &c.
M. S. hist of the family of Somerville, penes dom. Somerville.
Ibidem.
Principalcon∣tract penes dom. Somer∣ville.
Chronicle of Melross, pe∣nes MacFar∣lane.
M. S. hist. of the family.
Ibidem.
Chartulary of Kelso, p. 149.
History of the ••••m wherein the bond is ••ully narrat ••••
Chartulary of Glasgow.
Rymer's foed. Angliae, tom. II. p. 472.
Prynne's col∣lections, vol. III. p. 649. and 654.
Chronicle of Melross.
Abereromb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 p. 571. 576, &c.
Nisbet's ap∣pend p. 79. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the family of Somerville.
Chartulary of Lennox, pe∣nes MacFar∣lane, p. 66.
Abererombie &c Nisbet, &c.
Rymer's faed. Angliae, tom. V. p. 791.
Ibid. tom. VI. p. 395. and 497.
M. S. hist. of the family.
Chart. in ro∣tul. Rob. II.
M. S. hist. of the family.
Rymer, tom. VI. p. 35.
Chart. in ro∣tul. Rob. II.
Chart. in pub archiv.
Ibidem.
Rymer, tom•• X. p. 308.
Ibid. p. 332••
Fordun, vol II. p. 483.
Records or parliament
The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 decreet, ••nes dom. S•• merville.
Rymer. tom. X. p. 491.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Ibidem.
M. S. hist. of the family.
Sir George MacKenzie's baronage in the lawyers library.
Retour penes dom. Somer∣ville.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Rymer, tom. XI. p. 254. &c.
Ibid. p. 28••.
Chartulary of Dunfermline, penes Mac∣Farlane, p. 348.
Chartulary of Murray, pe∣nes ••und. p. 666. 668. & 670.
Chartulary of Newbottle, penes eund. p. 521.
Memeirs of the family of Somerville.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Chartulary of Dunfermline, penes•• Mac∣〈◊〉〈◊〉 p. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Memoirs of the family of Somerville.
Rymer, tom. XI. p. 397.
Ibid. p. 426.
Memoirs of the family of Somerville.
Memoirs of the family of Somerville.
Nisbet's appendix.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Ibidem.
Nisbet's appendix, p. 277.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Ibidem.
Memoirs of the family of Somerville.
Stow's chron.
Rymer, tom. XIV. p. 796.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Writs of the family.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Ibidem.
Ibidem.
Ibidem, Nis∣bet's append. et charta pe∣nes dom. So∣merville.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Ibid. et charta penes dom. Somerville.
Mill's genea∣logical colect. penes M'Far∣lane, vol. II. p. 291.
In pub. arch.
Memoris of the family, Mill's collect. &c.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Mill's collect. penes M'Far∣lane.
Ibidem.
Chart. in pub. archiv.
Ibidem.
Mill's genea∣logic. collect. &c.
Chart. in pub. archivis.
Ibidem.
Mill's collect and memoin of the family
Ibidem.
London ga∣zette.