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;.

DALRYMPLE Earl of STAIR.

THE sirname of Dalrymple is local, and of great antiquity in the west of Scot∣land. It was assumed by the possessors of the lands and barony of Dalrymple, in the county of Air, as soon as sirnames became hereditary in this country.

I. ADAM de DALRYMPLE flourished in the reign of king Alexander III. who suc∣ceeded to the crown of Scotland, anno 1249.

He was proprietor of the barony of Dal∣rymple, and others, which is instructed by a charter under the great seal,* 1.1 hereafter narrat∣ed.

He died about the year 1300, leaving issue a son,

II. GILCHRIST de DALRYMPLE, who succeeded him in all his lands,* 1.2 and lived in the reign of king Robert Bruce. What part he acted in the disputes betwixt him and Baliol, we can give no account; but he died in the beginning of the reign of king David II. and was succeeded by his son,

III. MALCOLM DALRYMPLE, designed dominus de eodem.

He was also proprietor of the whole lands* 1.3

and barony of Dalrymple, and had issue two sons.* 1.4

1. John.

2. Roland.

He divided his lands betwixt these two.

IV. JOHN, eldest son of Malcolm de Dal∣rymple, was also designed dominus de eodem; but sir John Kennedy of Dunnure, ancestor of the earl of Cassilis, acquired his half of the lands of Dalrymple, which he got confirmed to him, by a charter under the great seal from king Robert II. in these words: confirmasse, &c. dilecto et fideli suo Johanni Kennedy, &c. medietatem baroniae de Dalrymple, cum perti∣nen. infra vicecomitatum de Air, quae quidem medietas fuit Malcolmi filii Gilchristi, filii Adae de Dalrymple, &c. &c. The confirmation is dated the penult day of March 1371, be∣fore these witnesses, William, Walter, and Pa∣trick, bishops of St. Andrews, Glasgow, and Brechin, John earl of Carrick, steward of Scot∣land, the king's eldest son,* 1.5 the earls of Marr, Douglas, and Menteith, with many others.

This John,* 1.6 in the writs of the family, is designed filius Malcolmi de Dalrymple, in the years 1412, and afterwards.

Sir John Kennedy acquired also Roland's half of the barony of Dalrymple, which he got confirmed to him by a charter from king Robert II.* 1.7 in these words: medietat. baroniae de Dalrymple, quae fuit Hugonis filii Rolandi de Dalrymple, &c. anno 1378.

John de Dalrymple, eldest son of Malcolm, died in the end of the reign of king James I.

There were about this time several consi∣derable families in Scotland of this sirname, viz. the Dalrymples of Ingliston, of Canra∣gan, of Gosford, of Beltone, of Laucht, and many others, whose possessions are all instruc∣ted by charters under the great seal in our public register; also Jacobus de Dalrymple was clericus regis, anno 1402; but the im∣mediate and undoubted ancestor of this noble family was,

V. WILLIAM de DALRYMPLE, said to be son of John, and grandson of Malcolm de Dalrymple, dominus de eodem, before-menti∣oned.

He married Agnes Kennedy, heiress of Stair, with whom he got that barony, which afterwards became the chief title of his fami∣ly; but they being within the degrees of consanguinity, forbidden by the church, there was a dispensation obtained from archbishop Kennedy, the pope's legate, for William Dal∣rymple and Agnes Kennedy of Stair,* 1.8 to mar∣ry, &c. anno 1450; and he was the first of this family designed by that title.

By the said Agnes Kennedy he had issue a son,

VI. WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, second ba∣ron of Stair, who succeeded him,* 1.9 and marri∣ed Marian, daughter of sir John Chalmers of Gadgirth, by whom he had a son,

William, his apparent heir.

He lived to a great age, and died in the beginning of the reign of queen Mary.

VII. WILLIAM, only son and apparent heir of William second baron of Stair,* 1.10 died before his father, leaving issue a son,

VIII. WILLIAM, third baron of Stair, who succeeded his grandfather.

The old man, a little before his death, made over his whole estate to this William,* 1.11 his grandson and apparent heir, reserving to himself and his spouse a reasonable liferent, anno 1541.

He married Margaret, daughter of— Wallace of Cairnhill, by whom he had a son and heir,

IX. JAMES, fourth baron of Stair, a man of parts and learning.

He was a great promoter of the reforma∣tion, and joined the earls of Lennox and Glen∣cairn, in accomplishing that great work. He was, with them, at the conflict on Glasgow∣muir, for which he afterwards got a remission from the duke of Chattelherault,* 1.12 when regent, &c.

He married Isabel, daughter of George Crawfurd of Lifnorris, by whom he had a son and successor,

X. JAMES, fifth baron of Stair, who was also a great encourager of the reformed reli∣gion, and joined in every measure for esta∣blishing it. He was amongst the first men of rank who signed the new Confession of Faith,* 1.13 and, with many others, entered into a solemn association in defence of the protestant religi∣on, anno 1562.

In 1565, he joined the duke of Chattelhe∣rault, in opposing the queen's marriage with Henry lord Darnly,* 1.14 because he was a Roman Catholick; and for his being of the party who endeavoured to get him sent to England, he got a remission in 1566.

After the murder of king Henry, he most zealously joined in that famous association,* 1.15 for protecting the young prince against all mortals, anno 1567.

He married Isabel, daughter of James Ken∣nedy of Bargenie, and died anno 1586, leav∣ing issue a son,

XI. JAMES, sixth baron of Stair, who succeeded him, and got a charter under the great seal, to him and Janet Kennedy his spouse, terrarum baroniae de Stair, comprehen. lie Mains de Stair, cum molendino, granario, &c.* 1.16 terrarum de Davidstoun, Mackestoun, Mea∣dowhead, Perlehill, Kill de Dennistoun, and many others, dated 16th November 1620.

He died anno 1625, and by the said Janet, a daughter of Fergus Kennedy of Knockdaw, he left issue a son and successor,

XII. JAMES, seventh baron, afterwards viscount Stair, born 1619, who studied at the college of Glasgow was a fine scholar, and passed all the regular degrees of learning at that university.

When the civil war broke out in the reign of king Charles I. he accepted of a captain's commission from the parliament in the earl of Glencairn's regiment; but it does not appear that he did any thing remarkable in that ser∣vice.

He was a man of great parts and know∣ledge, applied himself chiefly to the study of the laws, and became most eminent in that profession.

In the year 1649, when the estates of the nation sent commissioners to Breda, to invite king Charles II. to come to Scotland, and take possession of his just right, the baron of Stair was appointed secretary to that embas∣sy, and acquitted himself so much to his ma∣jesty's satisfaction, that he held him in high esteem ever after.

He arrived in Scotland with the commis∣sioners, before the king; and upon his maje∣sty's landing in 1650, he immediately waited upon him, was most graciously received, and contributed all that lay in his power to raise forces for his majesty's service, which, after the fatal battle or Worcester, were dispersed.

The baron of Stair continued his practice at the bar with great reputation; but never could be prevailed on to take any oaths to the goverment during the usurpation, though he had great offers made him.

As the brevity of this work will not per∣mit us to give a full account of all the trans∣actions of this great man's life, we shall on∣ly briefly mention some of the most remark∣able occurences, and refer our readers to Mr. Crawfurd's peerage, page 453, &c.

Upon the restoration of king Charles II. he went to London with the earl of Cassilis, a great loyalist, to congratulate his majesty upon that happy event. The king, having a great opinion of his abilities, first conferred the honour of knighthood upon him, then appointed him one of the senators of the col∣lege of justice in the beginning of 1661; and in November thereafter, upon sir John Gilmour the lord president's being called up to London, he was constituted vice-president during his absence.

In the year 1664, the king, as a further mark of his royal favour, created him a knight baronet, by patent to him and the heirs-male of his body for ever.

He afterwards got a charter under the great seal, domino Johanni Dalrymple de Stair, mi∣liti baronetto,* 1.17 of the lands and barony of Stair, &c. &c. dated the 15th day of Febru∣ary 1669.

In the year 1671, he was appointed lord president of the session, in which high office he discharged his duty with great sufficiency, knowledge, and integrity.

As the lord president did not approve of all the measures of the court towards the end of king Charles II.'s reign, he spoke his mind very freely in parliament; and having ma∣ny enemies in the ministry, was removed from all his offices, anno 1682. He thereup∣on retired to Holland, where he remained till the year 1688, when he came over with the prince of Orange, with whom he was in great favour; and who was no sooner settled on the throne, than he restored him to his office of lord president of the session, anno 1689, and raised him to the dignity of the peerage, by the title of viscount Stair, lord Glenluce and Stranrawer,* 1.18 by patent to him and the heirs∣male of his body, dated at Kensington, 1st April 1690.

He married Margaret, daughter of James Ross of Balneil, by whom he got a great ac∣cession to his estate in lands; and in conse∣quence thereof the family ever since continu∣ed to quarter the arms of Ross with their own. By her he had issue five sons, and four daughters.

1. John, afterwards earl of Stair.

2. Sir James Dalrymple of Borthwick, ba∣ronet, one of the principal clerks of session, a man of great merit, learning, and knowledge, and one of the best antiquaries of his time, which the works he has published sufficiently testify. He married and had issue.

3. Sir Hugh Dalrymple of North-Berwick, Bart. a man of great abilities and knowledge in our laws, and was long lord president of the session. He also married and had issue.

4. Doctor Thomas Dalrymple, physician in ordinary to the king for Scotland.

5. Sir David Dalrymple of Hailes, Bart. also an eminent lawier, who was lord advocate in the reigns of queen Anne, and king George I. He also married and had issue.

1st daughter, Janet, married to David, son

and apparent heir of sir David Dunbar of Bal∣doon, Bart. but died without issue.

2. Elizabeth, married to Alan, seventh lord Cathcart.

3. Sarah, married to Charles lord Crich∣ton, son and apparent heir of William earl of Dumfries.

4. Isabel, married to sir David Cunning∣ham of Millcraig, Bart. The last three had issue.

The viscount died in the 76th year of his age, anno 1695, and was succeeded by his el∣dest son,

XIII. JOHN, second viscount Stair, who was also bred to the law, and acquired great knowledge in that profession.

He was a man of fine parts, and great abi∣lities, was appointed advocate by king James VII. anno 1686, and afterwards lord justice-clerk by the same prince.

He went early and most zealously into the revolution, and at the convention of estates in 1689, he expressed a great desire that a trea∣ty of union might be set on foot between the two nations, which afterwards he had a great hand in accomplishing; and as he had been very instrumental in getting the crown de∣clared vacant by the convention, he was one of the commissioners appointed to make an of∣fer thereof to the prince and princess of O∣range, in the same year, 1689.

He was, by their majesties, appointed lord advocate for Scotland, anno 1690; and the year thereafter was constituted one of the principal secretaries of state. As the massacre of Glencoe happened while he was in that of∣fice, the parliament begun to make some en∣quiry into the authors of it, in the year 1695; and no doubt he was able to justify himself: for as the orders for that bloody tragedy were generally believed to have proceeded from a higher power, the affair was immediately dropped; but the secretary was laid aside for the time.

Upon queen Anne's accession to the crown, he was nominated one of her privy council; and, as a testimony of her majesty's favour and esteem, he was further dignified with the titles of earl of Stair, viscount Dalrymple, lord Newliston, Glenluce, and Stranrawer, by patent to the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to the heirs-male of the body of the deceast James viscount Stair,* 1.19 his father, dated 8th April 1703.

He was named one of the commissioners for the treaty of union, of which he was a most sincere and servent promoter; but he died of an apoplexy just before it was com∣pleated, on 8th January 1706-7, in the 59th year of his age.

He married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of sir John Dundas of Newliston, in conse∣quence whereof he quartered the arms of Dundas with his own, and by her had issue three sons, and one daughter.

1. John, his heir.

2. Colonel William Dalrymple of Glen∣mure, of whom more afterwards.

3. George, one of the barons of exchequer, who married a daughter of sir Andrew Myr∣ton of Gogar; and dying anno 1745, left issue a son, captain John Dalrymple, who married miss Middleton.

His daughter, lady Margaret Dalrymple; was married to Hugh third earl of Loudoun.

XIV. JOHN, second earl of Stair, succeed∣ed his father in January 1707, and was in his stead appointed one of the commissioners to finish the treaty of union betwixt the two nations.

He had a liberal education, was a man of great integrity, and good parts, both natural and acquired.

He gave early proofs of his having an ex∣traordinary military genius. In 1702, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel to the third re∣giment of guards, and served as a volunteer in Flanders, under the duke of Marlborough, where he remarkably distinguished himself, particularly at the taking of Venlo and Liege.

Soon thereafter he was made aide-de-camp to that great general; and colonel of the royal Scotch dragoons.

He commanded a brigade of soot at the battle of Ramellies. In 1706, he was made a brigadier, and served in that post at the battle of Audenard, and brought the news of that victory to England, anno 1708.

He was elected one of the sixteen Scotch peers to the first parliament of Great-Britain, and was re-elected to the fifth, sixth, and se∣venth.

In 1709, he commanded as a major-gene∣ral at the taking of Tanier, and as a lieute∣nant-general at the taking of Doway, anno 1710, in which year he was, by a special or∣der from queen Anne, invested with the most noble order of the thistle.

In the end of the queen's reign, he not coming into the measures of the court, was laid aside, and sold his regiment to the earl of Portmore; but upon the accession of king George I. to the throne, he was named one of his privy council, was appointed one of the lords of his bed-chamber, and was restor∣ed to his regiment of dragoons.

And being no less an able statesman than a good soldier, he was sent ambassador extraor∣dinary to the court of France, upon a negoti∣ation

of the highest importance. He made his public entry in January 1718, and per∣formed the business of his embassy with great dexterity and honour. In the year 1733, he resigned all his offices, and retired from pu∣blic business for some years.

Iu 1741, he was made a field marishal of the forces, and sent ambassador to the states general. He had the government of Minor∣ca, and was commander in chief of the allied army, anno 1743, till his majesty took the command at the battle of Dettingen.

In 1745, he had a third time the com∣mand of the royal Scotch dragoons.

He married lady Eleanor Campbell, daugh∣ter of James second earl of Loudoun, dow∣ager of James viscount Primrose; but died without issue, anno 1747.

Sometime before his death, he assigned his estate and honours (which he thought he had a right to do by the patent) to John, son of his youngest brother George the baron, in prejudice of the sons of colonel William, the eldest brother; but the same being contested in the house of lords, the honours were ad∣judged to James, son of the said colonel Wil∣liam, to whom we now return.

XIV. Colonel WILLIAM DALRYMPLE of Glenmure, second son of John first earl of Stair, and immediate younger brother of John the second earl, married Penelope countess of Dumfries, by whom he had a numerous issue.

1. William, now earl of Dumfries and Stair.

2. John, who died unmarried.

3. James, to whom the honours of Stair were adjudged by the house of lords, as be∣fore observed.

For the other children, vide page 201st of this work.

XV. JAMES, third son of colonel Willi∣am Dalrymple, succeeding to the honours of Stair, as above, was the third earl; but he dying without issue, anno 1761, these honours went to his elder brother,

XV. WILLIAM, who is now sourth earl both of Dumfries and Stair, &c. Vide title Crichton earl of Dumfries, page 198th of this work.

ARMS.

Quarterly; 1st and fourth or, on a saltire azure, nine lozenges of the 1st for Dalrymple; 2d argent, a lion rampant gules for Dundas; 3d or, a cheveron cheque argent and sable, be∣tween three water budgets of the last, for Ross.

CREST; on a wreath, a rock proper.

SUPPORTERS; two lions of the last,

MOTTO; Firm.

CHIEF SEATS,

Were at Castle-Kennedy, in the county of Wigton; at Stair, in the county of Air; and at Newliston, in West-Lothian, six miles from Edinburgh.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.2

  Ibidem.
• * 1.3

  Ibidem.
• * 1.4

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.5

  Chart. in ro∣tul. Rob. II.
• * 1.6

  Ibid. Craw∣ford and Nis∣bet, &c.
• * 1.7

  Chart. in pub. archivis, et charta penes comitem de Cassilis.
• * 1.8

  Dispensation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 archiv. fa∣miliae de tair.
• * 1.9

  Crawfurd's peerage, and Knox's hist.
• * 1.10

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.11

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.12

  Remission in archiv. fam. de Stair.
• * 1.13

  Knox's hist. of the refor∣mation.
• * 1.14

  Remission in the writs of the privy seal.
• * 1.15

  Origin. bond in the lawiers library Edin.
• * 1.16

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.17

  Chart. in pub archiv.
• * 1.18

  Chart. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cellaria.
• * 1.19

  Diploma in cancellaria.