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;.

ELPHINSTONE Lord ELPHINSTONE.

THE traditional account of the origin of this ancient family, is, that one Peter d'Aelphingstone, a noble Hungarian, came to Scotland with queen Margaret, got some lands in Mid Lothian from king Malcolm Canmore, which he called after his own name, and that from him all the Elphinstones in Scotland are descended.

Others, with more probability, think that the sirname is local; that these lands had the name of Elphinstone long before sirnames were much used in Scotland; and that the proprietors of that barony assumed their sir∣name from their lands, as was very custom∣ary in those early times.

The immediate ancestor of this noble fa∣mily, and the first of them we find upon re∣cord is,

1. JOHN de ELPHINSTONE, who was

possessor of the lands and barony of Elphin∣stone, and flourished in the reigns of king A∣lexander II. and III.

He is witness in a charter Gilberti de Haya,* 1.1 of a donation he made to the religious at Coupar, anno 1250.

He is witness also to a grant of Roger de Quincy,* 1.2 earl of Wincester, of a toft of land in Glaswood, to the monks of Drybrugh, an∣no 1252.

He died before the year 1263, and was father of

II. ALEXANDER de ELPHINSTONE, who is witness to a donation of sir William Living∣ston of Gorgyn,* 1.3 to the abbacy of Holyrood∣house, anno 1263.

He had issue several sons,

1. Sir John his heir.

2. Alan de Elphinstone, who swore fealty to king Edward I.* 1.4 when he over-run Scotland, anno 1296.

3. Duncan de Elphinstone, who also swore fealty to the same king Edward,* 1.5 anno 1296.

He died about the year 1290, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

III. Sir JOHN de ELPHINSTONE, who is the first we find designed dominus ejusdem.* 1.6 He was proprietor of several other baronies besides that of Elphinstone, for he is found swearing fealty to king Edward I. for lands lying in different counties, anno 1296.

He married Margaret, daughter of sir Chri∣stopher Seton of that ilk, by lady Christian Bruce,* 1.7 sister of the immortal king Robert, by whom he had a son,

Alexander his heir.

He is witness to a donation of sir William Livingston of Drumry,* 1.8 to the monastery of Newbottle, 3d March 1338.

He died soon thereafter, and was succeeded by his son

IV. ALEXANDER ELPHINSTONE, domi∣nus ejusdem,* 1.9 who, besides his lands in Mid-Lo∣thian, &c. appears to have had a considerable estate in Stirling-shire, viz. the lands of Kirk∣umbar, &c.

He married Agnes Airth, with whom he got the lands of Airth-Beg,* 1.10 and several others in Stirling-shire, and by her he had a son,

V. ALEXANDER ELPHINSTONE, who exchanged some of his lands in Stirling-shire, with Alexander More, which is confirmed by a charter under the great seal, in these words, David, D. G. &c. Alexander de Elphinstone, dominus ejusdem. Nover••tis me dedisse, &c. A∣lexandro More, filio quondam domini Ad•• More, militis, in excambio pro quadam petia terrae in Erthbeg,* 1.11 &c. quam quidem terram cum per∣tinen. dominus Godfridus de Roos, quondam do∣minus ejusdem, dedit in feodo et haereditate A∣lexandro de Elphinstone, quondam patri meo, &c. The confirmation is dated, 5th June, 1362.

By the said Agnes, he had issue four sons.

1. Sir William his heir.

2. Alexander.

3. Norman.

4. James.

He died before the year 1399, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VI. Sir WILLIAM ELPHINSTONE, do∣minus ejusdem, who got a chater from sir William Lindsay of Byres,* 1.12 as superior of se∣veral of his lands in Stirlingshire, to him, and the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to his brother Alexander; then to his brother Nor∣man; then to James, &c. dated anno 1399.

He had issue three sons.

1. Sir Alexander his heir.

2. Henry of Pittendreich, who carried on the male-line of this family, of whom after∣wards.

3. Mr. William, father of that ornament of our country,* 1.13 William Elphinstone bishop of Aberdeen, and chancellor of Scotland in the reign of king James IV.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

VII. Sir ALEXANDER ELPHINSTONE, dominus ejusdem,* 1.14 a man of singular fortitude and intrepidity, who remarkably distinguish∣ed himself at the battle of Piperdain, where the Scots obtained a glorious victory over the English, and where sir Alexander lost his life, anno 1437, leaving issue only one daughter,

Agnes, who claimed the whole estate, as heir of line to her father. Her uncle Henry claimed the same,* 1.15 as heir-male, whereupon a heavy law-suit ensued, which depended long, but was at last determined by arbitration; the lands of Elphinstone in Mid-Lothian, to Ag∣nes, and those in Stirling-shire, &c. to Hen∣ry; the decreet arbitral being dated, anno 1471.

This Agnes, married to sir Gilbert John∣ston, only son of the second marriage of sir Adam Johnston of that ilk, who got with her the lands and barony of Elpinstone, by which title he and his successors were after∣wards designed; but his male line is now ex∣tinct.

VII. HENRY ELPHINSTONE of Pitten∣dreich, second son of sir William, and bro∣ther german and heir-male of sir Alexander,

by the said arbitration got the lands of Pit∣tendreich, Airthbeg, Strickshaw, &c. in the county of Stirling, which were afterwards called the barony of Elphinstone,* 1.16 and confirmed by a charter to himself in liferent, and John his grandson, and apparent heir, son of the deceast James Elphinstone, his own eldest son, and the heirs male of his body; which fail∣ing, to Andrew Elphinstone of Selmys, his second son, &c. dated anno 1477.

He had issue two sons,

1. James, his apparent heir.

2. Andrew Elphinstone,* 1.17 designed of Sel∣mys, in a charter under the great seal, and in the above confirmation.

He died before the year 1496.

VIII. JAMES,* 1.18 first son and apparent heir of Henry Elphinstone of Pittendreich, left is∣sue two sons,

1. John, his grandfather's heir.

2. Alexander Elphinstone, Esq;

He died before his father, and was succeed∣ed by his eldest son,

IX. Sir JOHN ELPHINSTONE, of that ilk, who succeeded also to his grandfather, and got a charter under the great seal, of the lands of Pittendreich,* 1.19 Airthbeg, &c. to him, and the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to his brother Alexander Elphinstone; then to Andrew of Selmys; then to John El∣phinstone, &c. &c. dated 1st February, 1496.

He got also charters under the great seal, Johanni Elphinstone de eodem,* 1.20 militi, of seve∣ral lands in the shires of Stirling, Perth, and Aberdeen, erected into the barony of Elphin∣stone, to him, and his lawful heirs-male, &c. dated in August 1502, January 1503, 1507, &c.

He died before 1509, leaving issue a son and heir,

X. Sir ALEXANDER ELPHINSTONE of that ilk, who, in his father's lifetime, got charters under the great seal,* 1.21 Alexandro El∣phinstone, filio et haeredi apparenti domini Johan∣nis Elphinstone de eodem, militis, et Elizabethae Barlow ejus spo••sae, of several lands and baro∣nies, to them and their lawful heirs-male, &c. dated anno 1507.

He was a man of good parts, great honour and integrity,* 1.22 and highly esteemed by king James IV. who raised him to the dignity of the peerage, by the title of lord Elphinstone, at the baptism of prince Arthur, anno 1509.

This is confirmed by a charter under the great seal,* 1.23 Alexandro domino Elphinstone, of the lands of Gargunnock, Carnock, Fordel, and several others in the shires of Stirling, Fife, &c. to him and his heirs-male, anno 1510.

He got also a charter of the lands of Quar∣rel, &c. in the county of Stirling,* 1.24 29th Au∣gust, 1512.

And another charter, to him and Eliza∣beth Barlow, his spouse,* 1.25 of the lands and ba∣rony of Kildrimmie and others, in Aberdeen∣shire, annexing them all to the lordship of Elpinstone, anno 1513.

By the said Elizabeth Barlow, who was one of the maids of honour to Queen Mar∣garet, he left issue a son and heir,

Alexander, lord Elphinstone,—and three daughters.

1. Isabel, married 1st to David Lindsay of Dunrod; and 2dly, to Robert Maxwell of Calderwood.

2. Eupheme, married to John Bruce of Cultmalindie.

3. Elizabeth, married to sir David Somer∣ville of Plain.

He accompanied king James IV. to the field of Flowden, and having a great resem∣blance of his majesty's person, 'tis said he rushed in among the thickest of the enemies, in hopes of saving his royal master's life, by risking his own; but they were both slain in that fatal battle, anno 1513.

He was succeeded by his only son,

XI. ALEXANDER, second lord Elphin∣stone, who got a charter,* 1.26 under the great seal, of the lands of Pittendreich and others, in the shires of Stirling and Fife, Alexandro domino Elphinstone, et Catharinae Erskine spon∣sae suae, dated 27th February 1525.

He was also killed in the service of his coun∣try, at the battle of Pinkie anno 1547,* 1.27 and by the said Catharine, daughter of John lord Erskine, he left issue five sons and three daugh∣ters.

1. Robert his heir.

2. John, who was bred to the church, and was parson of Innernochty.

3. James, who,* 1.28 in a charter under the great seal, of the lands of Innerdivot in Fife, is designed brother german of Robert lord Elphinstone, anno 1599.

4. Sir Michael Elphinstone, who was ma∣ster of the houshold to king James VI.

5. William, ancestor of the Elphinstones of Calderhall in Stirling-shire.

1st daughter, Isabel, married to James Ha∣milton of Haggs, and had issue.

2. Marjory, married to sir Robert Drum∣mond of Carnock.

3. Margaret, married to Alexander Li∣vingstone of Dunipace.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

XII. ROBERT, third lord Elphinstone, who got charters under the great seal,* 1.29 Roberto domino Elphinstone et Margaretae Drummond ejus sponsae, of the lands of Cargath, in Aberdeen∣shire, and several others, cum piscariis, &c. dated in 1550 et 1553.

By the said Margaret, daughter of sir John Drummond of Innerpeffre, he had three sons and four daughters.

1. Alexander, master of Elphinstone.

2. George, who was rector of the Scotch college at Rome.

3. Sir James Elphinstone, ancestor of lord Balmerinoch. Vide title Balmerinoch.

1st daughter—, married to Walter lord Deskford, ancestor of the earl of Finlater.

2. Jean, married to Walter Barclay of Towie.

3. Elizabeth, married to sir Robert Innes of that ilk.

4. Margaret, married to John Cunning∣hame of Drumquhassel, Esq;.

When he was a very old man, he got a charter under the great seal, Roberto domino Elphinstone, et Alexandro magistro, ejus filio et haeredi, of the lands and barony of Elphinstone, and several others, in Stirling-shire, the lands and barony of Kildrimmie, &c. in Aberdeen∣shire, lands in Perth, Fife, &c. all annexed to the lordship of Elphinstone, dated the 26th March 1601.

He died anno 1602, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIII. ALEXANDER, fourth lord Elphin∣stone, who, being a man of extraordinary parts and learning, and great knowledge in the law,* 1.30 was appointed one of the senators of the college of justice, and lord high treasurer of Scotland, when only master of Elphinstone, 24th June 1599.

After the king went to England, the lord Elphinstone was, by parliament, named one of the commissioners to treat of a more com∣pleat union betwixt the two kingdoms,* 1.31 anno 1604; but at that time it had no effect.

He got a charter under the great seal of the lands of Bothkenner,* 1.32 and several others, in Stirlingshire, dated 21st June 1608.

He got also charters under the great seal of many other lands and baronies,* 1.33 in 1612, 1613, &c.

He was appointed a privy councillor for life by parliament anno 1641,* 1.34 one of the com∣mittee for plantation of kirks anno 1644, and one of the committee of estates in the 1645.

He married Jean, daughter of William lord Livingston, by whom he had four sons and five daughters.

1. Alexander, master of Elphinstone.

2. James Elphinstone of Barns, who car∣ried on the line of this family, as will be shown hereafter.

3. John Elphinstone of Wortle, in Aber∣deenshire.

4. Michael Elphinstone of Quarrel, in Stir∣lingshire.

1st daughter, Anne, married to John earl of Sutherland, and had issue.

2. Jean, married to Arthur lord Forbes, and had issue.

3. Elizabeth, married to sir John Bruce of Airth, and had issue.

4. Christian, married to sir Thomas Ur∣quhart of Cromarty.

5. Helen, married, 1st, to sir William Cockburn of Langton; 2dly, to Henry Rollo of Woodside, Esq; and had issue to both.

He lived to a great age, died anno 1648, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIV. ALEXANDER, fifth lord Elphin∣stone, who, in his grandfather's lifetime, got a charter under the great seal,* 1.35 Alexandro filio ••eniori legitimo Alexandri magistri de Elphin∣stone, of the lands of Kirkton of Kildrimmie, in Aberdeenshire, dated the 15th of Decem∣ber 1593.

He got another charter of the lands of Ardmoir,* 1.36 Carnock, &c. in Perthshire, dated 14th December 1600.

He also got a charter of the lands of Petti∣nane,* 1.37 Drumcrief, and Wesbie, in Lanark and Annandale, dated 19th February 1601.

He got likeways a charter,* 1.38 Alexandro ma∣gistro de Elphinstone, and Elizabeth Drum∣mond his spouse, of the lordship of Elphin∣stone, regality of Kildrimmie, &c. &c. in Stirling, Perth, and Aberdeen, all united in∣to one lordship, dated 5th July 1608.

He survived his father but a year, dying in 1649.

By the said Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick lord Drummond, and sister of James, first earl of Perth, he left issue only one child,

Lilias Elphinstone, of whom afterwards.

And having no male issue, his estate and honours devolved upon his nephew and heir∣male, Alexander, son of his brother James, to whom we now return.

XIV. JAMES ELPHINSTONE of Barns, second son of Alexander, fourth lord El∣phinstone, married—, daughter of —, by whom he had a son,

XV. ALEXANDER, who, succeeding as

heir-male to Alexander the fifth lord, as be∣fore observed, was the sixth lord Elphinstone.

He was a great loyalist, a firm and steady friend of the royal family; on which account he suffered many hardships,* 1.39 and was fined by Oliver Cromwell in the sum of 1000 l. ster∣ling, anno 1654.

He married his cousin-german Lilias El∣phinstone, only daughter of his uncle Alex∣ander, the fifth lord, whereby the heirs-male and of line of this family, were united. By her he had issue two sons and one daughter.

1. Alexander, his heir.

2. John, who succeeded his brother.

His daughter, Anne, married Walter lord Torphichen.

He died anno 1655, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVI. ALEXANDER, seventh lord Elphin∣stone, who married Anne, daughter of Dr. Alexander Burnet,* 1.40 first bishop of Aberdeen, then archbishop of Glasgow, and afterwards of St. Andrews; but dying without issue, anno 1669, was succeeded by his brother,

XVI. JOHN, eighth lord Elphinstone, who married lady Isabel Maitland, daughter of Charles earl of Lauderdale, by whom he had three sons and three daughters.

1. Charles, his heir.

2. John, a youth of great hopes, who died unmarried.

3. Captain William Elphinstone, killed at the battle of Preston in Lancashire, 1715.

1st daughter, Elizabeth, married to John Campbell of Mammore, son of Archibald, the ninth earl, and father of John the present duke of Argyle.

2. Margaret, married to George count Lesly of Balquhain, afterwards to sir James Gordon of Park, and had issue to both.

3. Mary, married to Mr. Thomas Buch∣an of Cairnbulg, advocate.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVII. CHARLES, ninth lord Elphinstone, who served as a captain in the army from the year 1706 in Flanders, to the peace of U∣trecht, and afterwards till 1720.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of sir Wil∣liam Primrose of Carington, baronet, sister of James, first viscount Primrose, by whom he had four sons and two daughters.

1. John, who married Marjory Fleming, daughter of sir Gilbert Fleming of Farm, ba∣ronet, and died without issue.

2. James, who died unmarried.

3. Charles, now lord Elphinstone.

4. Archibald, who died on the expedition against Carthagena 1741.

1st daughter, Grizel, married to captain Woodroof Gascoigne, and had issue.

2. Primrose Elphinstone, married to Alex∣ander, now earl of Home, to whom she had issue a son and daughter.

He died anno 1757, and was succeeded by his son,

XVIII. CHARLES, tenth lord Elphinstone.

He married lady Clementina Fleming, only surviving daughter and heiress of John earl of Wigton, by lady Mary Keith, eldest daugh∣ter of William, ninth earl Marishal, by whom he hath issue four sons and four daughters.

1. John, a captain of the army in Ameri∣ca, and was wounded at Quebec.

2. Charles, a youth of great hopes, who unfortunately lost his life on board the Prince George of 90 guns, admiral Broderick com∣mander, which was burnt at sea in April 1758, in her voyage from England to Gibraltar.

3. William, in the service of the East India company.

4. Keith, in the navy.

1st daughter Mary.

2. Eleanora.

3. Primrose.

4. Clementina.

ARMS.

Argent▪ a cheveron sable, betwixt three boars heads erased, gules.

SUPPORTERS; two savages proper, with laurel garlands about their head and middle, holding in their hands darts, with their heads upwards.

CREST; a lady, from the middle richly attired, holding a castle in her right hand, and in her left a branch of laurel.

MOTTO; Cause caused it.

CHIEF SEATS

Were at Elphinstone-castle in Stirling∣shire, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Book of ori∣ginal charters penes Mac-Farlane, vol. I.
• * 1.2

  Chartul. of Drybrugh.
• * 1.3

  Writs of the monastery of Holyrood house, N^o. 14.
• * 1.4

  Prynne's col∣lections, vol. III. p. 659.
• * 1.5

  Ibid. p. 658.
• * 1.6

  Ibid. p. 651. and 657.
• * 1.7

  Nisbet, vol. I. p. 154.
• * 1.8

  Chartulary of Newbottle, p. 68.
• * 1.9

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.10

  Remarks on Ragman's roll, p. 22.
• * 1.11

  Chart. in ar∣chivis regis David.
• * 1.12

  Chart. penes dom. Elphin∣stone, and Remarks on Ragman's roll.
• * 1.13

  Lives of the officers of state.
• * 1.14

  Fordun, vol. II. page 501. Abercrombie vol. II. p. 299.
• * 1.15

  Crawfurd, Nisbet, &c▪
• * 1.16

  Crawfurd, Nisbet, and remarks on Ragman's roll, p. 22.
• * 1.17

  Chart. in pub: archiv. ad ann. 1507.
• * 1.18

  Remarks on Ragman's roll, &c.
• * 1.19

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.20

  Ibidem.
• * 1.21

  Ibidem.
• * 1.22

  Crawfurd, Nisbet, Scots compend.
• * 1.23

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.24

  Ibidem.
• * 1.25

  Ibidem.
• * 1.26

  Ibidem:
• * 1.27

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.28

  Chart. in pub. regist.
• * 1.29

  Ibidem.
• * 1.30

  Lives of the offic. of state. p. 397.
• * 1.31

  Ibidem.
• * 1.32

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.33

  Ibidem.
• * 1.34

  Rescinded acts of parlt.
• * 1.35

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.36

  Ibidem.
• * 1.37

  Ibidem.
• * 1.38

  Ibidem.
• * 1.39

  Guthrie's memoirs.
• * 1.40

  Keith's cata∣logue of bi∣shops, p. 27.