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;.

JOHNSTON Marquis of ANNANDALE.

THE Johnstons were a bold and hardy race of men, always distinguished for their bravery in repelling the insults of the English borderers, and avenging the injuries done to their country.

They began to make a figure in Scotland in the reign of king Alexander II. who suc∣ceeded to the crown, anno 1214: soon there∣after they became numerous, and were pos∣sessed of considerable estates in many different counties, which is sufficiently documented by charters under the great seal in the public re∣gister.

There were two families of this sirname, who both designed themselves by the title of Johnston of that ilk, viz. those of Annandale in the south, and Caskieben in the north; but we cannot pretend to connect them with one another.

Hugo de Johnston was proprietor of lands in East-Lo∣thian,* 1.1 in the reign of king Alex∣ander II. and was father of

John de Johnston, who made a donation to the monastery of Soltray (pro salute animae suae of part of his lands in East-Lothian,* 1.2 of which it seems the family of Keith were su∣periors; for the donation is confirmed by Ro∣bert de Keith, great marishal of Scotland to which dominus Ricardus de Keith, his brother, Adam de Keith, his uncle, John de Keith, &c. are witnesses. The confirmation is without ••••te, but appears to have been before the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1285.

Thomas le Johnston, Gilbert de Johnston, and Wauter Johnston,* 1.3 are all found swe••ring fealty to king Edward 1. of England, inter 1292 et 1296; but we can give no further account of their posterity.

We therefore proceed to deduce the de∣scent of this noble family from their undoubt∣ed ancestor,

I. Sir JOHN de JOHNSTON. He was one of the Scotch barons that were forced to swear fealty to king Edward I. when he had over∣run Scotland,* 1.4 anno 1296, and is then design∣ed Johannes de Johnston, Chevalier del comi∣tat, de Dumfries, &c. The above-named Gilbert is thought to have been his brother.

Sir John was father of

II. JOHN de JOHNSTON, who flourished in the reign of king Robert Bruce,* 1.5 and is particularly mentioned in a charter of Tho∣mas Ranulph, earl of Murray, of the lands and barony of Cumlangum, which he gave to his nephew Willi••m de Moravia, &c. The charter must have been granted before 1331, in which ye••r the earl died.

He lest issue a son and successor,

III. GILBERT de JOHNSTON, who is witness in the same charter with his father to William de Moravia,* 1.6 and dying about the year 1360, was succeeded by his son,

IV. Sir JOHN de JOHNSTON, who made a great figure in the reigns of king David Bruce and king Robert II.

He engaged and defeated an army of the English,* 1.7 who had invaded Scotland, anno 1370.

He was also one of the guardians of the west marches, anno 1371,* 1.8 where he had of∣ten an opportunity of exerting his magnani∣mity and courage against the English border∣ers, and was then designed dominus de John∣ston.

He died ••bout the year 1382 or 1383, and left issue a son,

V. Sir JOHN JOHNSTON, designed domi∣nus de eodem, miles, who succeeded him.

About this time there were ••o••ty thousand francs sent by the king of France,* 1.9 to be di∣vided amongst the Scotch nobility, his faith∣ful allies, of which sir John Johnston got three hundred, anno 1385.

This sir John, together with sir John Car∣lyle, and sir William Stuart of Castlemilk, were appointed by the earl of Douglas, then chief warden of the marches,* 1.10 sureties for the keeping of a truce with the English, anno 1398.

And dying about the year 1420, was suc∣ceeded by his son,

VI. Sir ADAM JOHNSTON, dominus de eodem, who raised his vassals and followers, joined the Scotch army under the command of the brave earl of Ormond, and behaved gallantly against the English at the battle of Sark,* 1.11 where the Scots obtained a considerable victory.

He was afterwards very instrumental in suppressing the rebellion of the earls of Dou∣glas,* 1.12 for which king James II. made him a grant of the lands of Peddinane in Lanark∣shire, &c.

Mr. Crawfurd says, that sir Adam gave these lands to his cousin Herbert de Johnston,* 1.13 ancestor of the Johnstons of Westerhall.

There is an instrument of saisin of the twenty merk land of Peddinane, granted to Matthew Johnston, upon a precept from the chancery,* 1.14 proceeding upon a charter from king James II. dated 19th November 1455.

We find that Herbert de Johnston got se∣veral lands in the barony of Kirkmichael,* 1.15 in Dumfries-shire, from the earl of Crawfurd, for liberating his person out of the hands of James earl of Douglas, who had taken him captive, believing he intended to desert his interest, and espouse the king's, anno 1462.

This Herbert was also proprietor of some lands in the barony of Bothwel, which he re∣signed to James lord Hamilton, in exchange for the lands of Gladstanes,* 1.16 &c. by a charter dated 15th May 1463.

We now return to

Sir Adam, who was often one of the gua∣rantees of treaties of peace with the English,* 1.17 anno 1449, 1451, &c.

What family his first wife was of, we have not been able to discover, but by her he had a son,

John, his heir.

He married,* 1.18 2dly, lady Janet Dunbar daughter of George earl of March, widow of John lord Seton, by whom he had another son,

Sir Gilbert Johnston, who married Agnes, daughter and sole heiress of sir Alexander El∣phingston of that ilk,* 1.19 with whom he got the lands and barony of Elphingston. He after∣wards got a charter of the lands of Drumry,* 1.20

"Gilberto de Johnston, de Elphingston, &c. anno 1471,"

* 1.21 and was one of the guaran∣tees of a treaty of peace with the English, anno 1484.

Sir Adam died anno 1455, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,

VII. Sir JOHN JOHNSTON, dominus de eodem,* 1.22 who was one of the conservators of the peace with England, anno 1457.

He was also appointed one of the wardens of the marches, and guarantees of a truce, anno 1459,* 1.23 and always acted with vigour and intrepidity against the enemies of his country.

He married Mary, daughter of John lord Maxwell, ancestor of the earls of Nithsdale, by whom he had two sons.

1. James, his heir.

2. John,* 1.24 who got from his father the five merk lands of Wamfry, upon the 2d Novem∣ber 1476, which, upon the failure of his is∣sue, returned to the family.

He died before the year 1484, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VIII. JAMES JOHNSTON, dominus de co∣dem, who, as heir to his father, was insest in the lands of Johnston,* 1.25 anno 1484.

He was also a man of singular resolution, and behaved with particular conduct and cou∣rage at the battle of Kirkconnel,* 1.26 where he and the laird of Cockpool had the chief command of the Scotch army, anno 1484.

He left issue a son and successor,

IX. ADAM JOHNSTON, dominus de eo∣dem, who, in his saisin of the lands of John∣ston,

is designed son and heir of James John∣ston of that ilk,* 1.27 24th May 1488.

He died anno 1508, having married—, daughter of—, by whom he had a son,

X. JAMES JOHNSTON, dominus de eo∣dem, who succeeded him,* 1.28 and got a charter, under the great seal; of the lands of Johnston, &c. wherein he is designed son and heir of Adam Johnston of that ilk, dated 2d No∣vember 1509.

He got charters from king James V.* 1.29 of a great many other lands; and, like many of his brave ancestors, was a strenuous defender of the liberties of our country, and was in great favour both with king James IV. and V.

He married—, daughter of—, by whom he had issue four sons.

1. John, his heir.

2. Robert.

3. Adam Johnston of Cory.

4. James, ancestor of the Johnstons of Wamfry,* 1.30 which is instructed by an agree∣ment betwixt John Johnston of that ilk, and James Johnston of Wamfry, dated the 12th March 1550, wherein this James is design∣ed brother-german to the said John.

He died anno 1528, or 1529, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,

XI. JOHN JOHNSTON of that ilk, in whose favours there is a seisin of the lands of Johnston,* 1.31 &c. proceeding upon a precept from the chancery, for infefting him as heir served and retoured to the deceast James Johnston of that ilk, his father, dated the last of February 1542.

On 2d March thereafter, he resigned his lands of Johnston, in favours of James his eld∣est son and apparent heir,* 1.32 reserving to him∣self the liferent, and a reasonable tierce to E∣lizabeth Jardin his spouse, upon which there passed a charter under the great seal, anno 1543.

He got charters,* 1.33 under the great seal, of many other lands, too numerous to be here inserted.

He, like his ancestors, was a man of cou∣rage, and effectually checked the inroads of the borderers, which were very frequent in his time.

He signalized himself particularly at the battle of Pinki••,* 1.34 anno 1547; and was after∣wards one of the commissioners appointed to settle the differences about the disputed lands on the borders, anno 1552.

He married, 1st, Elizabeth, daughter of —Jardin of Applegirth,* 1.35 by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

1. James.

2. Robert, whose son and heir was design∣ed Robert Johnston of Stapleton,* 1.36 who was father of Robert Johnston of Raecleugh, tu∣tor-in-law to James Johnston of that ilk, an∣no 1609.

1. Daughter, Dorothea, married to John Maitland of Auchincastle.

2. Margaret,* 1.37 married to Christopher Ir∣ving, Esq; son and apparent heir of Edward Irving of Bonshaw, Esq; in Dumfriesshire.

He married, 2dly, Nicolas, daughter of sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig, by whom he had two sons.

The eldest,* 1.38 named also James, designed of Lochwood-house.

2. John Johnston of Neist.

He died about the year 1568.

XII. JAMES,* 1.39 first son and apparent heir of John Johnston of that ilk, married Marga∣ret, daughter of sir John Hamilton of Samu∣elton, by whom he had a son,

John, his heir,—and two daughters.

1. Margaret, married to sir Robert Dou∣glas of Cashogle.

2. Jean, married to William Livingston of Jerviswood.

He died before his father, about the year 1559, and was succeded by his son,

XIII. JOHN, who succeeded also to his grandfather,* 1.40 anno 1568.

He got charters, under the great seal, of many lands and baronies, in all which he is designed dominus de eodem.

He was likeways a man of spirit and cou∣rage, and of great prudence and sagacity.* 1.41 He was very active in repelling the inroads of the borderers, was appointed warden of the west marches, and justice general, by king James VI. anno 1579.

He married Margaret, daughter of sir Wil∣liam Scot of Buccleugh, by whom he had a son,

Sir James,—and two daughters,

1. Elizabeth, married to Alexander Jar∣din; younger of Applegirth.

2. Grizel, married to sir Robert Maxwell of Orchardtoun.

He died anno 1586, and was succeeded by his only son,

XIV. Sir JAMES JOHNSTON, who was heir served and retoured to John Johnston of that ilk,* 1.42 his father, in the baronies of John∣ston, &c. 27th August 1588, and obtained charters from king James VI.* 1.43 of a great ma∣ny lands, in which he is designed Jacobus dominus de Johnston, miles, &c.

He was a man of good parts, and a parti∣cular favourite of king James VI. who con∣ferred the honour of knighthood upon him at

the solemnity of the queen's coronation, anno 1590.* 1.44 He was appointed warden of the west marches anno 1596, in which office he continued, till he was unhappily killed in a family quarrel,* 1.45 by the lord Maxwel, on 6th April 1608.

By Sarah his wife, daughter of John lord Herries, he left issue a son and successor,

XV. JAMES, (afterwards earl of Hartfiel) who got a charter,* 1.46 under the great seal, of the lands of Moffatdale, Evandale, &c. anno 1628.

He was a man of great loyalty and inte∣grity, and was in high favour with king Charles I.* 1.47 who raised him to the dignity of the peerage, by the title of lord Johnston of Lochwood, by patent to his heirs-male, 20th of June 1633,* 1.48 and created him earl of Hart∣fiel, by patent to his heirs male, dated 18th March 1643.

He adhered firmly to the interest of the royal family during all the time of the civil war, for which he was imprisoned, had his estate sequestrate, and suffered many other hardships on account of his loyalty.

He married, 1st, lady Margaret Douglas, eldest daughter of William earl of Queens∣berry, by whom he had a son,

James, his heir,—and three daugh∣ters.

1. Lady Mary, married, 1st, to sir George Graham of Netherby, by whom she had sir Richard Graham, first viscount Preston, and several other sons. She married, 2dly, sir George Fletcher of Huttonhall in Cumberland, but to him she had no issue.

2. Lady Janet, married to sir William Murray of Stenhope.

3. Lady Margaret, married to sir Robert Dalziel of Glenae.

He married, 2dly, Elizabeth, daughter of sir Samuel Johnston of Elphingston, baronet. And, 3dly, lady Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Thomas earl of Haddington, but left no surviving issue by either.

He died in April 1653, and was succeed∣ed by his only son,

XVI. JAMES, second earl of Hartfiel, who, upon the restoration of king Charles II. was constituted one of the lords of his privy coun∣cil, and, with his majesty's approbation, ex∣changed the title of Hartsiel for that of An∣nandale;* 1.49 upon which he got a new patent, with the former precedency,

"Jacobo comiti de Annandale et Hartfiel, vicecomiti de An∣nand, domino Johnston de Lochwood, Loch∣maben, Mos••atdale, Evandale, &c"

to his heirs whatsoever, male or female, dated 13th February 1661.

He got also a charter, under the great seal,* 1.50 of his whole lands, erecting the same into a lordship, earldom, and regality,

"To him, and his heirs whatsoever,"

containing a grant of the office of hereditary constable of the castle of Lochmaben, dated 3d April 1662.

He had also another grant of the office of hereditary steward of the stewartry of Annan∣dale, &c.

He married lady Henriet, daughter of Wil∣liam marquis of Douglas, by lady Mary Gor∣don, his second wife, daughter of George mar∣quis of Huntly, by whom he had issue two sons and three daughters.

1. William, his heir.

2. John Johnston, Esq;

1. Daughter, lady Mary, married to Wil∣liam earl of Crawfurd.

2. Lady Margaret, married to sir James Montgomery of Skelmorly.

3. Lady Henriet, married to sir John Car∣michael of Bonnytoun.

He died on 7th July 1672, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,

XVII. WILLIAM, second earl of Annan∣dale, and third of Hartfiel, who was appoint∣ed one of the lords of the privy council to king William, one of the commissioners of the treasury, and president of the parliament of Scotland, anno 1695, in which high office he ac∣quitted himself to the general satisfaction, by the candid and distinct manner in which he resumed the debates. He was further dig∣nified with the title of marquis of Annandale,* 1.51 by letters patent to him and his heirs-male whatsover, dated 24th June 1701, and that same year was appointed high commissioner to the general assembly of the kirk of Scot∣land.

He was made president of the council by queen Anne, one of the commissioners of the treasury, one of the extraordinary lords of session, conjunct secretary of state, knight of the thistle, anno 1704, and high commission∣er to the general assembly of the kirk of Scot∣land, anno 1705.

In the parliament 1706, he opposed the u∣nion with all his interest, and made several speeches and protests against it, containing the reason of his dissent; all which were en∣tered in the records of parliament.

However, after the union was concluded, he was chosen one of the sixteen peers to re∣present Scotland in the first British parliament; was re-elected anno 1710, and appointed her majesty's high commissioner to the kirk of Scotland, anno 1711.

He was also appointed one of the privy council to king George I. keeper of the pri∣vy

seal; and was again elected one of the sixteen peers for Scotland, anno 1715.

He married, 1st, Sophia, daughter and heir∣ess of John Fairholm of Craigiehall, by whom he had two sons and one daughter.

1. James, his heir.

2. Lord William, who died unmarried.

Lady Henrietta, his daughter, was married to Charles earl of Hopetoun.

He married, 2dly, Charlotte, daughter of John Venden-Benpeden of Westminster, Esq; by whom he had two sons.

1. Lord George, now marquis of Annan∣dale.

2. Lord John, who was elected member of parliament for the burghs of Dumfries, &c. anno 1721, and died unmarried anno 1742.

The marquis died the 14th January 1721, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVIII. JAMES, second marquis of An∣nandale; a man of fine parts, and exquisite taste in the arts and sciences.

He died at Naples unmarried, anno 1730, and was succeeded by his brother,

XVIII. GEORGE, third marquis of An∣nandale.

ARMS.

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, argent, a saltire sable, on a chief gules, three cushions or: 2d and 3d, or, an anchor in pale gules.

SUPPORTERS; on the dexter side a lion argent, armed and langued azure, crowned with an imperial crown or: on the sinister, a horse argent, furnished gules.

CREST; on a wreath a spur erect or, winged argent.

MOTTO; Nunquam non paratus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chartulary of ••oltray in the ••awier's libra••••y.
• * 1.2

  Ibid. fol. 15.
• * 1.3

  Prynne's col∣l••ct. vol. III.
• * 1.4

  Ibid. p. 657.
• * 1.5

  Charta penes vicecom•••• de Stormont.
• * 1.6

  Charta penes vicecom. de Stormont.
• * 1.7

  Rymer, A∣bercrombie, vol. II. p. 172.
• * 1.8

  Fordun, vol. II. p. 385.
• * 1.9

  Rymer, tom. VII. p. 485.
• * 1.10

  Ib. tom. VIII. p. 57.
• * 1.11

  Abercrombie, vol. II. p. 340.
• * 1.12

  Crawfurd's peerage, and Home's hist. of Douglas.
• * 1.13

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.14

  Sasa penes comitem de Hyndford.
• * 1.15

  Haddington's collections.
• * 1.16

  Charta ducem •• milton.
• * 1.17

  Rymer, XI. p. 300, 32••.
• * 1.18

  Sir Rich ••Maitland hist. of t•••• mily of S•• ad ann. 1.
• * 1.19

  Crawfur•• notes on chanan.
• * 1.20

  Chart. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 archiv.
• * 1.21

  Rymer, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1 XII. p. 2.
• * 1.22

  Rymer, t•• XI. p. 3••
• * 1.23

  Ib. p. 434▪
• * 1.24

  Chart. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 archiv. of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 family of An••nandale.
• * 1.25

  Saisin ibid.
• * 1.26

  Abercrombi••▪ vol. II. p. 458.
• * 1.27

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fami∣•••• An∣••••le.
• * 1.28

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 in pub. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.29

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.30

  ••tract from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 commis∣••••••ry court ••••••ks of ••••mfries.
• * 1.31

  ••••sina in ••••chiv. fami∣lae de An∣••ndale.
• * 1.32

  ••hart. in ••ub. archiv.
• * 1.33

  Ibidem.
• * 1.34

  Rymer, tom. XV. p. 326.
• * 1.35

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.36

  Ib. and writs of the family of Annandale.
• * 1.37

  Contract, pe∣nes dom. Ir∣vin de Bon∣shaw, ad an∣num 1566.
• * 1.38

  Chart. in pub. archiv. ad ann. 1550.
• * 1.39

  Ibidem.
• * 1.40

  Ib. inter an∣num 1558, & 1582.
• * 1.41

  Chart. penes marchion. de Annandale.
• * 1.42

  Ibidem.
• * 1.43

  Chart. in pub. archiv. inter ann. 1600. & 1608.
• * 1.44

  Rymer, tom. XVI. p. 60.
• * 1.45

  Spottiswood's history.
• * 1.46

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.47

  Diploma ib.
• * 1.48

  Ibidem.
• * 1.49

  Diploma in pub. archiv. haeredibus masculis seu ••emellis, &c.
• * 1.50

  Ibid. haeredi∣bus masculis, seu femellis, sine divisione, &c.
• * 1.51

  Haeredibus suis masculis quibuscunque omni tempo∣re futuro. Re∣gistrate 1••t Ju∣ly 1701.