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;.

HUME Earl of MARCHMONT.

AS the origin and descent of the noble and antient name of Hume is to be found under the title of earl of Home, page 341 of this work, we proceed to the imme∣diate ancestor of this great branch of that il∣lustrious house,

Sir Thomas Hume, dominus de eodem, the seventh generation of that antient family, in a direct male-line, flourished in the reigns of king Robert II. and III. and married Nicolas Pepdie, heiress of Dunglass, by whom he had two sons, 1. sir George, his successor, ancestor of the earl of Home, 2. sir David, of whom this noble family is lineally descended.

I. Sir DAVID HUME, second son of the said sir Thomas, got from his father the lands of Thurston in East-Lothian,* 1.1 and be∣ing a youth of a noble and undaunted spirit, was greatly esteemed by Archibald earl of Douglas, who appointed him his scutifer, or armour-bearer, et pro servitiis suis multipli∣citer impensis et impendendis, &c. made him a grant of the lands and barony of Wedderburn,* 1.2 which became the chief title of his family, whereupon he got a charter from the said earl, anno 1413, which was afterwards confirmed by a charter under the great seal, terrarum ba∣roniae de Wedderburn,* 1.3 lying in the earldom of March, and shire of Berwick, to the said Da∣vid, and his heirs whatsomever, dated 19th of April 1430.

He married Alicia (but of what family we know not) by whom he had two sons.

1. David.

2. Alexander Hume, Esq;.

II. DAVID, first son and apparent heir of sir David Hume of Wedderburn,* 1.4 married E∣lizabeth Carmichael, and died before his fa∣ther, leaving issue two sons.

1. George.

2. Sir Patrick, ancestor of this noble fa∣mily, of whom afterwards.

III. GEORGE HUME of Wedderburn, first son of David, succeeded sir David his grand∣father, and got a charter of confirmation from king James II. of the lands of Wedderburn, upon the resignation of the said sir David, to himself and Alicia his wife in liserent; and, after their decease, Georgio Hume filio quon∣dam Davidis Hume, filii dicti Davidis resig∣nantis, et haeredibus suis masculis;* 1.5 quibus desi∣cientibus, Patricio Hume fratri germano dicti Georgii, et haeredibus suis masculis; quibus de∣ficientibus, Alexandro Hume fratri germano dicti quondam Davidis Hume, &c. &c. The confirmation is dated at Stirling, 16th May 1450.

This George married Marian, eldest daugh∣ter and co-heiress of John Sinclair of Herd∣manston,* 1.6 with whom he got a considerable accession to his estate, and by her had issue a son,

David, who carried on the line of the fa∣mily of Wedderburn, &c. &c. Vide that title, in vol. II.

We now return to his brother,

III. Sir PATRICK HUME, second son of David, and grand-son of sir David, first baron of Wedderburn, married Margaret Sinclair, daughter and co-heiress of John Sinclair of Herdmanston, with whom he got the lands and barony of Polwarth, which afterwards became one of the chief titles of this family.

We must here observe, that the lands and barony of Polwarth belonged to an antient and honourable family of that sirname, design∣ed Polwarths of that ilk, who flourished with lustre in the shire of Berwick, for several centuries, till sir Patrick de Polwarth, knight, in the reign of king Robert II. died without male issue, leaving only one daughter, Eliza∣beth Polwarth, his sole heiress, who was mar∣ried to sir John Sinclair of Herdmanston, one of the most antient families of that sirname in Scotland. He got with her the lands and ba∣rony of Polwarth,* 1.7 Kimmergham, &c. which descended to his great grand-son, John Sinclair of Herdmanston, who dying also without male∣issue, his estate of Herdmanston went to his brother and heir-male, sir William Sinclair; but his lands of Kimmergham and Polwarth went to his daughters, Marian and Margaret, both married to the two brothers, George and sir Patrick Humes, as above observed; and, in consequence of this marriage, sir Patrick and his heirs, have continued to quarter the arms of Sinclair of Herdmanston and Pol∣warth of that ilk, with their own, &c.

This sir Patrick was a man of great valour and fortitude, and a strenuous desender of the borders, against the encroachments of the English.

By the said Margaret Sinclair, he left issue a son and successor,

IV. Sir PATRICK HUME, second baron of Polwarth, a man of great worth and honour, a loyal and steady friend of king James III.

He being a man of great power and inte∣rest, had considerable offers from the duke of Albany, (then in rebellion) to join his party; but nothing could tempt him to go in with any measure contrary to the interest of his king and country.

He got a charter under the great seal,* 1.8 Pa∣tricio Hume de Polwarth, viginti una librat. terrarum de West-mains de Lettim, &c. dated 2d February 1488.

He was possessed of a vast estate, and after∣wards got no less than seven charters, under the great seal,* 1.9 of different lands and baronies, Patricio Hume de Polwarth, militi, inter 1488 et 1501.

As he intended to go a pilgrimage, he ob∣tained a safe conduct from king Henry VII.* 1.10 to pass through England, anno 1493.

He was in great favour with king James IV.* 1.11 who constituted him comptroller of Scot∣land, anno 1499.

He married, 1st, Margaret, daughter of sir John Edmonston of that ilk,* 1.12 by whom he had a son,

Alexander, his heir.

He married, 2dly, Helen, daughter of— Schaw of Sauchie, widow of George fifth lord Haliburton of Dirleton, which appears by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 charter under the great seal, Patricio Hume de Polwarth militi,* 1.13 et Helenae Schaw do∣minae de Dirleton, suae sponsae, &c. &c. dated anno 1497. By her he had a son,

George, ancestor of the Humes of Argathy, in Stirlingshire,—••lso four daughters.

1. Alison, married to sir James Schaw of Sauchie.

2. Janet, married to sir Andrew Ker of Fernyhirst, ancestor of the marquis of Lo∣thian.

3. Marian, married to sir William Baillie of Lamington.

4. Margaret, who became a nun, and was lady abbess of North-Berwick.* 1.14

This sir Patrick is thought to have marri∣ed, 3dly, a natural daughter of king James III. by a charter from king James IV. dilecto fratri suo Patricio Hume de Polwarth,* 1.15 of the lands of Strabraune, Auchintravie and Glen∣shean, in Perthshire, dated 1st May 1499.

He died anno 1504, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

V. ALEXANDER, third baron of Polwarth, who married, 1st, Margaret, daughter of Robert second lord Crichton of Sanquhar, ancestor of the earl of Dumsries, and got a charter un∣der the great seal, Alexandro Hume de Pol∣warth,* 1.16 et Margaretae Crichton ejus spons••, ter∣rarum de Brigamsheills, &c. dated 26th July 1511. By her he had issue two sons.

1. Patrick, his heir.

2. Alexander, who got a charter under the great seal,* 1.17 Alexandro Hume, filio quondam Alex∣andri de Polwarth, of two mills in North-Ber∣wick, &c. dated anno 1546. Of him the Humes of Heugh and Rhodes are descended.

He married, 2dly, Margaret, daughter of sir Robert Lauder of Bass, by whom he had three daughters.

1. Margaret, married to Patrick Hepburn of Craig.

2. Catharine, married to Robert Pringle of that ilk.

3. Isabel, who betook herself to a religi∣ous life, and become lady abbess of North-Berwick.

He died anno 1532, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VI. PATRICK, fourth baron of Polwarth, who got a charter under the great seal,* 1.18 Patri∣cio Hume filio et haeredi Alexandri Hume de Pol∣warth, terrarum haroniae de Polwarth, &c. dat∣ed anno 1536.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of sir Pa∣trick Hepburn of Waughton, by whom he had three sons and two daughters.

1. Patrick, his heir.

2. Sir Alexander, who became possessed of a considerable estate, and got a charter under the great seal,* 1.19 Alexandro filio Patricii Hume de Polwarth, officii balivatus monasterii de North-Berwick, dated 18th March 1569. He got other two charters under the great seal of different lands,* 1.20 anno 1565 and 1569; but we can give no account of his posterity.

3. Mr. Adam, was the first protestant rec∣tor of the church of Polwarth, and a man of great virtue and probity.

1st daughter Margaret, married to John Baillie of John's-kirk.

2. Anne, married to—French of Thornydyke.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

VII. PATRICK, fifth baron of Polwarth, who was a great promoter of the reformation of religion,* 1.21 and was one of the Scotch barons who entered into a mutual league or bond of association, to protect and defend the sincere preachers of the gospel, &c. anno 1560.

Upon the breaking out of the civil war, he was upon the side of the young king a∣gainst the queen,* 1.22 and got a dangerous wound in a conflict betwixt the two parties, at Cair∣ny, on 2d June 1571.

He married Agnes, daughter of Alexander Hume of Manderston,* 1.23 by whom he had six sons and three daughters.

1. Sir Patrick, his heir.

2. Alexander, rector of Logie.

3. Gavin, ancestor of the Humes of Cleugh.

4. Sir John of Northberwick, who made a great figure in his time, was provost of E∣dinburgh, anno 1591,* 1.24 and was sent ambassa∣dor to the court of England, anno 1593. He was ancestor of the Humes of Castle-home, in the county of Fermannagh in Ireland, a fa∣mily which flourisheth with lustre in that king∣dom to this day.

5. David Hume of Rowiestoun.

6. George Hume of Belyhose.

1st daughter, Jean, married to David Hume of Law.

2. Agnes, married to—Edmonston of Woolmet.

3. Margaret, married to sir Thomas Cran∣ston of Crosbie.

He lived to a great age, died anno 1592, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VIII. Sir PATRICK, sixth baron of Pol∣warth, who, in his father's lifetime, got three charters under the great seal,* 1.25 Patricio Hume apparenti de Polwarth, of many lands and ba∣ronies, dated in 1587, 1590, and 1591.

He got afterwards another charter, Patricio Hume de Polwarth,* 1.26 terrarum baroniae de Red∣braes, &c. dated 18th March 1593.

He was in great favour with king James VI. who appointed him master of his house∣hold, one of the gentlemen of his bed-cham∣ber, and one of the wardens of the marches towards England; which last office was sup∣pressed upon the union of the two crowns, anno 1603.

He married Juliana, daughter of sir Tho∣mas Ker of Fernyhirst,* 1.27 sister of Andrew lord Jedburgh, and Robert earl of Somerset, by whom he had three sons and three daughters.

1. Sir Patrick, his heir.

2. Thomas Hume of Coldstream.

3. Mr. George Hume of Kimmergham.

1st daughter, Elizabeth, married to sir James Carmichael of that ilk.

2. Jean, married to Christopher Cock∣burn of Chausly.

3. Sophia, married to Joseph Johnston of Hilton.

He died in June 1609, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

IX. Sir PATRICK, 7th baron of Polwarth, who got a charter under the great seal, Patri∣cio Hume de Polwarth,* 1.28 terrarum baroniae de Pol∣warth, cum molendino, &c. 31st July 1623.

This sir Patrick was also in great favour both with king James VI. and his son king Charles I. He had a pension of 1000 l. sterling per annum settled on him by the former, anno 1621,* 1.29 and was created a baronet by the latter, anno 1625.

He married Christian, daughter of sir Alex∣ander Hamilton of Innerwick, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

1. Sir Patrick, afterwards earl of March∣mont.

2. Alexander Hume, Esq; a youth of great spirit, who betook himself to a military life, and soon ••ose to the rank of a colonel, but died in the flower of his age, without issue.

1st daughter Juliana, married to Richard Newton of that ilk in the county of Berwick.

2. Anne, married to Alexander son of John Hume of Manderston.

He died in April 1648, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

X. Sir PATRICK HUME, eighth baron of Polwarth, who was scarce seven years old at his father's death.

He had an education suitable to his birth, and was chosen knight for the shire of Ber∣wick, to the parliament 1665, where he soon discovered an extraordinary genius, and great abilities. He strenuously opposed the court in every measure,* 1.30 when he thought there was the least encroachment upon the liberties of his country; and as the whole behaviour and conduct of this great man, is fully narrated in the lives of the officers of state, page 240, &c. we shall only here briefly mention the most remarkable occurrences of his life.

In 1674, he went to London with the duke of Hamilton and earl of Tweeddale, to apply for redress of some grievances during the duke of Lauderdale's administration.

In 1675, some disturbances happening in the country, with regard to the militia, &c. he protested and took instruments against it, in such bold and daring terms, that the coun∣cil, for his insolence,* 1.31 (as they called it) first declared him incapable of all public trust, then sent him prisoner to the tolbooth of Edinburgh, then to Dunbarton castle, and from thence to the castle of Stirling, where he suffer∣ed a long and tedious confinement, but was a•• last set at liberty by the interest of his relati∣on the countess of Northumberland; but he, believing he had several enemies at court, re∣tired first to England, then to Geneva, and at last to Holland, where he was greatly cares∣sed by the prince of Orange.

In 1685, he came over to Scotland with the earl of Argyle; and upon the suppression of that rebellion, he narrowly escaped being made prisoner; he again retired to Holland, where he remained, till he came over with the prince of Orange in 1688.

He was chosen a member of the conventi∣on

which sat down at Edinburgh in March 1789, was very instrumental in getting the crown settled upon their royal highnesses,* 1.32 was immediately named one of the new privy council by king William and queen Mary, and was raised to the dignity of the peerage, by the title of lord Polwarth of Polwarth, the 26th December 1690; and by the patent; the king adds to his armorial bearing, in a surtout, an orange proper, ensigned with an imperial crown,* 1.33 &c. as a lasting mark of his Majesty's esteem and regard for the family of Polwarth.

He was constituted sheriff-principal of Ber∣wick-shire, anno 1692, one of the extraordi∣nary lords of session, anno 1693, lord high chancellor of Scotland, anno 1696, and was further dignified with the title of earl of Marchmont,* 1.34 viscount Blassonberry, lord Pol∣warth of Polwarth, Redbraes and Greenlaw, 23d April 1697.

Soon thereafter he was named one of the commissioners of the treasury and admiralty, and was appointed his majesty's high com∣missioner to the parliament,* 1.35 which met at Edin∣burgh, 19th July 1698.

Upon the accession of queen Anne to the crown, he was named one of the privy coun∣cil, and was appointed her majesty's high com∣missioner to the general assembly of the kirk of Scotland,* 1.36 anno 1702, and discharged his duty in all the high offices he enjoyed, with great sufficiency, candor, and fidelity.

As his commissions of lord chancellor and sheriff of Berwick tell upon the death of king William, her majesty queen Anne immediate∣ly conferred the first upon the earl of Seafield, and the other upon the earl of Home. The earl of Marchmont continued to act with the same publick spirit as formerly, and in the first parliament of queen Ange, anno 1703, he moved to bring in a bill, for settling the suc∣cession on princess Sophia, dutchess dowager of Hanover, the next protestant heir; but this motion was dropped at that time.

He was a great promoter of the union, the chief motive whereof was the protestant suc∣cession, than which he had nothing more at heart.

Upon the accession of king George I. to the throne, he was immediately restored to the high sheriff-ship of Berwick, and made one of the lords of police. He died, in the 84th year of his age, anno 1724.

By Grizel his wife, a daughter of sir Tho∣mas Ker of Cavers, he had issue three sons and four daughters.

1. Patrick, lord Polwarth, who, as lord high treasurer of Scotland, sat in the parlia∣ment anno 1698. He married, Ist, Elizabeth, daughter of sir James Home of Home-castle, in the kingdom of Ireland; 2dly, lady Jean, daughter of Charles earl of Home, but died without issue, anno 1710.

2. Alexander, who succeeded his father.

3. Sir Andrew Hume of Kimmergham, who being bred to the law, became one of the senators of the college of justice. He marri∣ed Elizabeth, daughter of John Douglas, Esq; and had issue.

1st daughter, lady Grizel, married to George Baillie of Jerviswood, Esq; one of the commis∣sioners of the treasury, and had issue.

2. Lady Anne, married to sir John Hall of Dunglass, baronet, without issue.

3. Lady Juliana, married to Charles Bil∣lingham, Esq; and had issue.

4. Lady Jean, married to James lord Tor∣phichen, and had issue.

XI. ALEXANDER, second earl of March∣mont, was a man of good parts, great learning, and knowledge in the laws. He was chosen into the parliament of Scotland, often before the union. In 1704, he was made one of the senators of the college of justice in Scot∣land, and soon after one of the privy-coun∣cil and exchequer. His place in the session he resigned in favours of his brother sir An∣drew, upon his being appointed, in March 1715, envoy extraordinary to the courts of Denmark and Prussia. In December 1716, he was made clerk register for Scotland.

In January 1721, he was appointed first ambassador in the congress to be held at Cam∣bray, and in March following, made his pub∣lick entry into that city, with a splendor and magnificence becoming the British nation.

In 1725, he, by a commission from the king, was invested with the most noble order of the thistle.

In 1726, he was sworn one of the privy council to his majesty.

In 1733, he was removed from all his offices.

He married Margaret, daughter and heiress of sir George Campbell of Cesnock, on which account this family has added the name of Campbel to that of Hume. By her he had four sons and four daughters.

1. George, who died in 1724.

2. Patrick, who died that same year.

3. Hugh, now earl of Marchmont.

4. Alexander, who was elected representa∣tive of the shire of Berwick, for the parlia∣ment that met in 1734-5, and was so conti∣nued to his death. In 1756, he was appoint∣ed lord clerk register of Scotland for life, He married Mrs. Elizabeth Perris of London, and died in 1760, without issue.

1st daughter, lady Anne, married to sir William Purves baronet, and has issue.

2. Lady Grizel, died unmarried.

3. Lady Jean, married to James Nimmo, Esq;

4. Lady Margaret, died unmarried.

He died anno 1740, and was succeeded by his son,

XII. HUGH, third earl of Marchmont. When lord Polwarth, he was elected the re∣presentative of the town of Berwick, in the house of commons, to the parliament 1734-5.

In 1747, he was appointed first lord of the police in Scotland, and in 1750, was chosen one of the sixteen peers for Scotland, in the room of the earl of Crawfurd deceast.

He married, 1st, Anne Western of the ci∣ty of London, by whom he had a son, who died young, and three daughters.

1. Lady Anne, married to sir John Paterson of Eccles, baronet.

2. Lady Margaret.

3. Lady Diana, married to Walter Scott of Harden, Esq;

He married 2dly, Elizabeth Crompton of the city of London, by whom he has a son,

Alexander, lord Polwarth.

ARMS.

Quarterly, first grand quarter counter-quartered, 1st and 4th vert, a lion rampant ar∣gent; 2d and 3d, argent, three swallows of the first; 2d argent, three piles issuing from the chief ingrailed, gules; 3d, argent a cross ingrail∣ed, sable; the 4th grand quarter as the first, and over all, as a surtout, an escutcheon argent, charged with an orange ensigned with an im∣perial crown, all proper, as a coat of augmen∣tation given by king William III.

CREST; on a wreath, a man's heart, out of which issues a dexter arm erect, grasping a scimeter, all proper.

SUPPORTERS; ••wo lions reguardant, ar∣gent, armed and langued gules.

MOTTO; Fides probata coronat.

CHIEF SEATS.

In the town of Berwick upon Tweed; at Redbraes in the county of Berwick; and in Green-street Grosvenor-square, London.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chart. in ar∣chivis fam. de Wedderburn, Godscroft's history, and Nisbet, vol. I p. 278.
• * 1.2

  For his servi∣ces done, and to be done.
• * 1.3

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.4

  Ibidem.
• * 1.5

  Ibidem.
• * 1.6

  Ibidem.
• * 1.7

  Ibidem.
• * 1.8

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.9

  Ibidem.
• * 1.10

  Rymer, tom. XII. p. 548.
• * 1.11

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.12

  Ibidem.
• * 1.13

  Ibidem.
• * 1.14

  Ibidem.
• * 1.15

  Haddi••gton's collections, p. 280.
• * 1.16

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.17

  Ibidem.
• * 1.18

  Ibidem.
• * 1.19

  Ibidem.
• * 1.20

  Ibidem.
• * 1.21

  The original bond, penes ducem de Ha∣milton.
• * 1.22

  Crawford's memoirs.
• * 1.23

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.24

  Rymer, tom. XVI. p. 110.
• * 1.25

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.26

  Ibidem.
• * 1.27

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.28

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.29

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.30

  Lives of the offic. of state,
• * 1.31

  Ibidem.
• * 1.32

  Chart. in can∣cellaria, here∣dibus mascu∣lis de corpore suo et eorum haered. qui∣buscunque.
• * 1.33

  Lives of the offic. of state, p. 243.
• * 1.34

  Ibid▪ et chart. penes com. de Marchmont.
• * 1.35

  Ibidem.
• * 1.36

  Ibidem.