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in  2010  with  funding  from 

Allen  County  Public  Library  Genealogy  Center 


http://www.archive.org/details/saintclairsofislOOsain 


PUBLIC  UBRAR 


3  1833  01329  4050 

REYNOLDS  HISTORICAL 
GENEALOGY  COLLLOTOM 


Gc 

929.2 

Si621s 


1212715 


THE 


Saint -Cl airs  of  the  Isles. 


A     HISTORY. 


"  Resistless  seas 
Surge  round  the  storm-swept  OrcadeS. 
Where  erst  Saint-Clair  bore  princely  sway 
O'er  isle  and  islet,  strait  and  bay, 
Still  nods  their  palace  to  its  fall, 
Thy  pride  and  sorrow,  fair  Kirkwall." 

Scott. 


TH  E 


$ainf-@Iairs  of  it)e  Sstes 


A     HISTORY     OF 


THE  SEA-KINGS   OF   ORKNEY 


THEIR   SCOTTISH    SUCCESSORS  OF   THE  SIRNAME    OF    SINCLAIR. 


ARRANGED    AND   ANNOTATED 


ROLAND     WILLIAM     SAINT-CLAIR. 


Illustrated  Throughout. 


EucfclanD,  1RZ. : 

H.    BRETT,  GENERAL  PRINTER  AND   PUBLISHER,  SHORTLAND  AND   FORT   STREETS. 


t898. 

[Ali<  Rights  Reserved.] 


1212715 


TO 
THE   MEMORY    OF 

HENRY    DE    ST.  CLAIR,    JARL,    "THE    HOLY," 

Ruler  of  Orkney, 
Premier  Magnate  of  Norway,  Baron  of  Rosi.in, 

Lord  High  Admiral  of  Scotland, 

who  fell  defending  his  realm,  this  history  of 

his  dominions  and  descendants  is 

piously  dedicated 

BY 

The  Author. 


PREFACE. 

"The  Saint  Claiks  of  the  Isi.es"  herein  submitted  to  the  readers  is  intended 
to  be  a  comprehensive  work  upon  the  gens  de  Sane  to  Claro  in  the  Orcades,  Scotland,  and 
elsewhere,  arranged  in  chronological  sequence  and,  as  far  as  possible,  in  narrative  style. 

It  has  been  thought  desirable  to  strictly  adhere  to  the  text  of  those  eminent 
authorities  who  have  already  treated  upon  various  parts  of  the  subject-matter  of  this 
work,  and  with  that  object  permission  has  been  solicited  and  conceded  to  utilise  freely 
and  fully  the  works  enumerated  below.* 

I  cannot  too  clearly  express  my  sense  of  obligation  for  various  copyright  con- 
cessions, and  hope  that  my  efforts  with  the  book  will  in  part  justify  the  consideration 
accorded. 

To  Mr.  Henry  Brett,  of  Auckland,  publisher  of  this  book,  my  especial  acknow- 
ledgments are  manifestly  due.  I  have  also  to  thank  the  Hon.  Norman  Sinclair,  Master 
of  Caithness,  for  contributing  matter  relating  to  the  52nd  and  subsequent  Earls  of 
Caithness;  Sir  John  Rose  George  Sinclair,  Bart.,  of  Dunbeath,  for  many  useful  notes  and 
genealogical  tables  ;  Mrs.  A.  Stuart,  19  Regent  Terrace,  Edinburgh,  for  notes  ou  the 
Dreux  and  de  Coucy  connection  with  Scotland  ;  the  Right  Hon.  Lord  Sinclair  for 
memoranda  relating  to  the  Master  of  Sinclair,  etc.;  the  H.  Herr  Count  Sinclair  for 
notices  of  the  chivalrous  Swedes  ;  the  H.  Herr  Count  James  Henry  Sinclair,  of 
Lambahof,  for  a  copy  of  the  "Genealogical  Descendance,"  on  which  Chapter  XIII.  is 
based  ;  C.  F.  Bricka,  Royal  Archivist  of  Denmark.  C.  T.  Odhuer,  Royal  Archivist  of 
Sweden,  and  H.  Huitfeld  Kaas,  Royal  Archivist  of  Norway,  for  courteous  replies  to 
important  queries  ;  the  Hon.  Chas.  H.  St.  Clair,  of  Morgan  City,  La.,  for  topographical 
notes  and  other  valuable  assistance  ;  E.  G.  Sinckler,  J. P.,  Barbados,  for  notes 
supplied  ;  Henry  A.  Rye,  of  Stretton,  Burton-on-Treut,  for  abstracts  from  interesting 
documents  ;  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Sutherland  for  supplying  certified  copy  of 
Appendix  I.  ;  Douglas  and  Foulis,  Edinburgh,  for  the  prompt  supply  of  text-books 
ordered  from  time  to  time.  I  have  further  to  express  my  consciousness  of  obligation  to 
the  Hon.  Sir  Robert  Stout,  K.C.M.G.,  and  Messrs.  Gilbert  Goudie,  Francis  J.  Grant, 
Alfred  W.  Johnston  (Imperial  Institute,  London),  Edward  Shillington  (Librarian  Free 
Public  Library,  Auckland),  and  Thomas  Sinclair,  M.A.  (Torquay,  England),  for  authority 
to  publish  the  expression  of  their  favourable  opinions  of  the  MS.  of  this  work. 

Roland  Wm.  St.  Clair. 
Auckland,  New  Zealand, 
St.  Magnus'  Day, 

1 6th  April,  1898. 


*These  are  the  works  for  which  permission  to  utilise  has  been  obtained  : — "Orkneyinga  Saga  "  and 
"Caithness  Family  History,"  from  Mr.  David  Douglas,  Edinburgh;  '  Normans  in  Europe,"  from 
Messrs.  Longmans,  Green  &  Co.;  "Zetland  County  Families,"  from  Francis  J.  Grant,  W.S.,  Carrick 
Pursuivant  of  Arms  ;  Notes,  from  Gilbert  Goudie;  Calder's  "History  of  Caithness,"  from  Alexander 
Rae,  of  Wick  ;  "  Sinclairs  of  England,"  "  Caithness  Events,"  and  Translations,  from  Thomas  Sinclair, 
M.A.,  of  Belgrave  Lodge,  Torquay  ;  "The  History  of  the  Sinclair  Family  in  Europe  and  America," 
from  the  Hon.  Leonard  Allison  Morrison,  A.M.,  Canobie  Lake,  Windham,  New  Hampshire,  United 
States,  and  Colonel  the  Hon.  Chas.  A.  Sinclair  of  Portsmouth,  N.H.;  "  The  Voyages  of  the  Zeni,"  from 
the  Hakluyt  Society  ;  "The  St.  Clair  Papers,"  from  Robert  Clarke  &  Co.,  Cincinnati,  U.S.A.;  "The 
Scottish  Expedition  to  Norway  in  1612,"  from  Thomas  Nelson  &  Sons,  Edinburgh." 


CONTENTS. 


(i)  Short  Title— (ii.)  Title— (iii.)  Inscription— (iv.)  Preface— (v.)  Contents. 


850- 

-912 

912- 

-1017  . 

871- 

-1156  .. 

"39- 

-1231  .. 

1231- 

-1321  .. 

1321- 

-1357  •  • 

1357- 

-1379  •• 

1379- 

-U7I  •• 

1471—1567    ■■ 

;    of  Tohop   and   Saba  ;    of  Ethay 


of 


Book    I. 

HAP. 

Introduction 
I.  The  House  of  Odin  : — 

1.  Chaos— Odinic  Myths 

2.  Dawn — Riignvald  of  Moeri,  Jarl  .  .fl 
II.  Dukes  of  Normandy 

III.  Sea-Kings  of  Orkney  :— 

1.  The  Norse  Line  (28) 

2.  The  Athol  Line  (3) 

3.  The  Angus  Line  (7) 

4.  The  Stratherne  Line         (2) 

5.  The  Earldom  in  Contested  Succession 

6.  The  Saint-Clair  Line        (3) 

IV.  The  Saint-Clairs  of  the  Isles  :— 

Period  of  Post-Comitial  Rule 

Orcadian   Scions — The    Sinclairs   of  Warsetter 

Essenquoy  ;  of  Greenwall,  Flottav  and  Gyre  ;  of  Clutnlie,  Towquoy,  and  Hammer; 
of  Gorne  and  Burwick  ;  of  Overbrugh  ;  of  Craya  ;  of  Rapness  ;  of  Estaquoy  ;  of 
Nethergarth  ;  of  Campston  ;  of  Damsay  ;  and  of  Conyar 
Zetland  Scions — The  Sinclairs  of  Strom  and  Brugh  ;  of  Houss,  Aith,  and  Scalloway  ; 
of  Havera  and  Brew  ;  of  Quendale  ;  of  Goat  ;  of  Bullister  and  Swining  ;  of  Sand- 
wick  and  Mousa  ;  and  of  Toft,  &c. 
V.  Earls  of  Caithness         (55)  ..  871—1898 

VI.  Cadets  of  Caithness  :— 

The  Sinclairs  of  Stemster  and  Dunbeath  ;  of  Murkle  ;  of  Broynach,  Sarclet,  &c;  of 
Assery;  of  Lybster  ;  of  Scotscalder  ;  of  Geise  ;  of  Greenland  and  Rattar  ;  of  Freswick  ; 
of  Mey  ;  of  Durran  ;  of  Olrig  ;  of  Latheron  ;  of  Brabster-Myre  ;  of  Ba>rock;  of  Risgill 
or  Swinzie  ;  of  Bridgend  ;  of  Dun  ;  of  Southdun  ;  of  Brabsterdorran  ;  of  Forss  ;  of 
Stirkoke  ;  of  Ulbster  ;  of  Kirk  and  Myrelandkorn  ;  of  Lybster  (Reay)  ;  of  Achingale 
and  Newton  ;  of  Hoy  and  Oldfield  ;  of  Borlum,  Toftkemp,  and  Thura. 
VII.  Baronf.tical  Branches  :— 

Of  Mey  ;  of  Dunbeath  and  Barrock  ;  and  of  Ulbster 
VIII.  The  Longformacus  Line  :— 

Lords  of  Longformacus  ;  Baronets  of  Longformacus  ;  and  of  Stevenson 
IX.  The  Lords  of  Rosslin  :— 
Feudal  Period 
Feudal-Transition  Period 

The  Sinclairs  of  Pitcairn  and  Whitekirk  ;  of  Dryden,  Spottis,  Woodhouselee,  &c 
X.  Barons  of  Ravenscraig  :— 

Branches  of  Balgreggie  ;  and  of  Saintclerholme 
XL  The  Lords  Sinclair  (Herdmanston  Line) 
XII.  The  Lords  of  Herdmanston:— 
Feudal  and  Transition  Periods 

XIII.  Nobles  in  Sweden  and  Alsace      .... 

XIV.  Irish  Scions:  — 

The  Sinclairs  of  Holyhill  ;  the  Sinclaires  of  Belfast  ;  and  of  Ballymena  ;  Vestiges 
XV.  The  St.  Clares  of  England  :— 

Norman  Notices ;  Castellans  of  Colchester ;  the  Aeslingham  Group ;  the  Bradfield 
St.  Clares  ;  the  St.  Clares  of  Aldham,  Igtham,  Burstow,  &c;  the  Somerset  St.  Clares; 
the  Devonshire  House  ;  Incidental  Notices  ;  the  St.  Clairs  of  Staverton  Court 


254 

260 

266 
286 
294 

297 
307 

3ii 

317 


CONTENTS. 


XVI.  The  St.  Clairs  and  Sinclairs  of  North  America  : — 

New    Hampshire    Scions;    the   Sinclairs   of  Columbia,   Me;    Incidental    Notices;   the 
Sinclairs  of  Virginia  ;   the  Sinclairs  of  Northumberland  Count}-,   Penn.;  the  Sinclairs 
from  Pennycuick,  Scotland  ;  the  Sinclairs  from   Tiree,  Argyleshire  ;   General  St.  Clair 
and  his  descendants  ;    Scions  from   France  ;  Various  ;  the  Sincklers  of  the   Barbados, 
West  Indies,  &c,  &c.  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..342 

XVII.  Guillermus,  Godfather  of  the  Gens       . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .     418 

XVIII.  Orcadian  Families— An  Outline  :— 

Baikie,  Balfour,  Beattoun,  Bellenden,  Borwick,  Clouston,  Corrigall,*  Craigie,  Cromarty, 
Cursiter,*  Dischington,  Fea,  Flett,  Fotheringhame,  Foubister,"  Garriock,  Gordon, 
Graeme,  Groat,  Halcro,*  Harcus,  Heddle,*  Hourston,  Irving,  Isbister,*  Johnston, 
Kirkness,*  Knarston,*  Laing,  Leask,*  Linklater,*  Loutitt,  Moncrieff,  Moodie,  Mowat, 
Muir,  Redland,*  Rendall,*  Sinclair,  Stewart,  Sutherland,  Traill,  Tulloch,  Yule, 
Various  ..         •     ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  -Of  that  Ilk     420 

Book  II. 

HISTORIETTES. 

The  Earls  of  Athol  (Royal  Celtic  Line,  1115— 1215)  :—  ..  ..431 

Maormors  of  Angus  (900-1243)  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..     433 

Earls  Palatine  of  Stratherne  (1115-1344)  ..  ..  ..  .  ..  ..  435 

The  Orcadian  Episcopate  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  .  .  . .  . .  . .     440 

The  Caithness  Episcopate         . .  . .  .  .  . .  . .  . .  .  .  . .     442 

Orcadian  Argonauts,  or  Voyages  of  the  Zeni  (1374— 1404)  ..  ...  .  ..  .-445 

Fold  of  Zetland ;  Chamberlain  of  Ross  . .  .  .  . .  . .  . .     453 

Hereditary  Protectorate  of  the  Scottish  Masonic  Craft  •         . .  . .  . .  . .  . .     454 

The  First  Grand  Master— William  St.  Clair,  Last  of  Rosslyn  (1778)  . .  . .  . .     456 

The  King's  Bishop  (1312-32)  ;   the  Great  Minion  (1523-85);   Henry,  Bishop  of  Ross  (1565);  John, 

Bishop  of  Brechin  (1566)  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  460 

Scottish   Courtiers:— The  Queen's  Knight  (1490— 1513) ;    Queen  Margaret's  "Pet"  (1520-28;  The 

Keeper  of  the  Privy  Seal  (1567)  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..463 

Councillor  of  the  Danish  Realm  (1625)  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..464 

Academical   Celebrities  :— David  St.  Clair,  Professor  Paris  Univ.  (1603-221;  John  Sinclair,  A.M., 

Regent  St.  Andrews  (1646-87);  George  Sinclair,  Glasgow  Univ.  (1654-96);  Andrew  St.  Clair, 

Edinburgh  Univ.  (1720-47)  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..     465 

The  Master  of  Sinclair  (1750)  ;  A  Distinguished  Diplomatist  (1762)  . .  . .  .466 

An  Unfortunate  Envoy  (1691 — 1739)      ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..     467 

Senators  of  the  College  of  Justice  :— Lord  Murkle  (1755)  ;  Lord  Woodhall  (1761-65)  . .  467 

The  Pastor  of  Keiss  (1767);   Comrade  of  Washington  (1736— 1818)  ..  .  .     46S 

The  Able  Ulbsters— Scotland's  Proto-Statistician  ( 1754— 1835)     ..  ..  ..  ..  ..470 

Swedish  Soldiers  of  Fortune  : — Military  Tactician  (1803)  ;  Knight  of  the  Legion  of  Honour  (1S20)  471 
Eminent  Antipodeans  :— The   Hon.  Andrew  Sinclair,  M.D.  (1861)  ;   Founders  of  Blenheim,  N.Z.; 

John  Sinclair,  Mayor  of  Invercargill,  N.Z.  .  .  . .  .  .  . .  . .  . .     473 

Book  III. 

CAMEOS    and    SAGAS.* 

St.  Clair  ;*  Orcadia*   .  .                             .  .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  476 

The  Sword  Chant  of  Thorstein  the  Red*             .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . .  -477 

The  Visit  of  Earl  Thorfinn*                                     .  .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  .478 

The  Royal  Hunt  of  Roslin                        .  .              .  .  .  .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .     479 

Help  and  Hold — A  Legend  of  the  House  of  St.  Clair*  . .  . .  . .  .  .  480 

The  Heart  of  Bruce*    . .                             . .             .  .  . .  . .  . .  .  .  .  .     481 

The  Death  of  Haco*    . .             . .                            . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .     482 

The  Hero  of  Bridgenorth                          . .              . .  .  .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .     484 


CONTENTS. 


Roslin  Chapel*              .  .              .  .              .  .              . .              . .              .  .  .  .  .  .  . .  .  .     485 

Harald,  Bard  of  Brave  St.  Clair  ;*  The  Dirge  of  Rosabelle*          . .  . .  .  .  489 

The  Drum-head  Charter  (a  Tale  of  Flodden  Field) ;  The  House  of  St.  Clair*  .  .  . .  486 

Traditions  of  Summerdale                        .  .              .  .              .  .              .  .  . .  . .  .  .  .  .     488 

A  Merrie  Jest  ;    A  Legend  of  Stroma                     .  .              . .              .  .  .  .  .  .  490 

Roslin  Castle  ;*  Fair  Isle* — An  Incident  of  the  Spanish  Armada  ..  ..  ..  491 

The  Kringelen  Ambush                             .  .              .  .              .  .              . .  . .  . .  . .  492 

The  Massacre  of  Kringellen  ;*  Malcolm  Sinclair's  Visa*               ..  ..  ..  ..  494 

Sinclair's  Chains  ;  Roslin's  Daughter,  or  Captain  Wedderburn's  Courtship*  . .  . .  496 

The  Standing  Stones  of  Stennis              .  .              . .              . .              . .  .  .  .  .  . .  498 

The  Legend  of  Louisa  St.  Clair  ;  Legend  of  the  Polwarth  Thorn  . .  . .  .  .  .  .     499 

The  Orcadian  Homeland*             .  .              .  .                 . .                 . .  .  .  . .  . .  . .     500 

Book  IV. 

APPENDICES. 

A. — Charters  of  Herdmanston  :— I.  The  Original  Grant  of  Carfrse  (1160)  ;   II.  Charter  of  Confir- 
mation (1196)  ;  III.  Instrument  in  Renewal  (1434)  .  .  ..  ..  ..  502 

B.— Grant  of  Innerleith  (1280).  .                             ..              ..              ..  ..  ..  ..  503 

C— Charter  of  Roskelyn  (1 2S0)               ..              ..              ..              ..  ..  ..  ..  504 

D. — Diploma  of  the  Orcadian  Succession  (870  to  1420)   ..              ..  ..  ..  ..  504 

E.— Installation  Documents  of  Earl  Henry  I.  (1379)        ..              ..  ..  ..  ..  508 

F. — Amends  of  Malise  Sparre  (1387)      ..              ..              ..              ..  ..  ..  ..  ..511 

G. — Charges  of  the  Orcadian  Commons  (1425)   .  .              . .              .  .  .  .  . .  . .  .  •     511 

H.— Testament  of  Sir  David  Sinclar  of  Swynbrocht,  Knycht  (1506)  ..  ..  ..  ..514 

I. — Special  Destination  of  Caithness  (1344)         ..              ..              ..  ..  ..  ..  ..     5r5 

J. — Act  in  Recognition  of  Henry,  Lord  St.  Clair  (1489)  . .  ..  ..  526 

K. — Respite  in  favour  of  Edward  Sinclare  and  others  for  the  Slaughter  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness    .  .      516 

L.— Deed  of  Resignation  of  the  Hereditary  Protectorate  of  the  Scottish  Masonic  Craft  517 

M.— Calendar  of  Documents  relating  to  the  Earlier  History  of  Orcadia   .  .  .  .  .517 

N.— Chartulary  of  Rosslyn        ..                             ..              ..              ..  . .  . .  •■  519 

O.— Variants  of  the  Name  of  St.  Clair  .  .              ..  ..521 

P.— Earlier  Scottish  Earldoms                ..                             ..              ..  ..  •     522 

Q.— Scottish  Historical  Families            .  .              . .              .  .              .  .  .  ■  •  •  522 

R.— The  St.  Clair  Armoury      .  .              . .              .  .                             . .  . .  •  •  ■  ■     523 

Genealogical  Tables  : — 

Xormans  ;  Danes  ;  Anglo-Saxons  .  .              . .              .  .              . .  ■  •  •  •  •  ■  •  •     527 

Jarls  of  Orkney                       .  .              .  .              .  .              •  •              ■  •  •  •  •  •  528 

The  Lines  of  Earl  Paul  and  Earl  Erlend       . .              . .             . .  . .  •  •  •  •  -529 

Descendants  of  Paul  the  First  (amplified),  of  Hrolf,  and  of  Moddan. .  . .  . .  •  ■      53° 

The  Angus  and  Stratherne  Lines    .  .                             . .              . .  •  •  •  •  531 

The  St.  Clair  Line                . .                             . .              . .              •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •     532 

The  Lords  Sinclair               . .              .  .              . .              ■  ■              •  •  •  •  ■  ■                •  533 

The  St.  Clairs  of  Roslin                     . .              . .              •  •             •  ■  •  •  •  •  -534 

Earls  of  Caithness  (St.  Clair  Line)..  ..  ••  -535 

Seize  Quartiers,— John  V.,  xlixth  Earl  of  Caithness  ;  John  Sinclair  of  Tolhuip     ..  ..  53° 

Topography    . .              . .              . .                             ■  •                             •  •  •  •  •  •  537 

Bibliography  .  .              .  .              .  .              . .              . .              ■  •              •  •  ■  ■  ■  ■  537 

Glossary                                                         ..              ■•                             ••  ■■  539 

Notes  and  Queries                        . .              . .              ■  •              •  •              •  •  •  ■  ■  ■  543 

Registers                         .  .              .  .                             .  •              •  •              •  •  •  ■  •  •  552 

Authorities  and  Aids  .                . .              . .              .  •  •  •  •  ■  554 

Conclusion                      .  .              .  .              .  ■              ■  •              •  •              •  •  •  •  •  •  ■  ■     55° 

List  of  Subscribers       .  .                             .  ■                             •  ■              •  •  •  •  ■  •  •  ■  •  ■     557 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Map  of  Orcadia 

Thor's  Hammer 

Fac-simile  of  Orkneyinger's  Saga 

St.  Magnus'  Cathedral 

Norse  War  Galley  (Viking  Age) 

Burghal  Seal  of  Kirkwall 

Kirkwall — Winter  View 

Rosslyn  Castle  (Restored) 

Rosslyn  Chapel— The  Nave 

Noltland  Castle 

Porch,  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral 

William  Sinclair,  Harbourmaster  of  Kirkwall 

James  Leask  Sinclair 

Mary  Mowat  Sinclair 

Roland  William  St.  Clair,  "the  Author  " 

Mousa  Tower 

Castles  Sinclair  and  Girnigo 

The  Caithness  Arms 

John  VI.,  55th  Earl  of  Caithness 

Thomas  Sinclair,  M.A 

Seal  of  Sir  William  de  St.  Clair,  a.d.  1292    .  . 

Ravenscraig  Castle  (Ruins) 

Lord  Sinclair,  The  Right  Hon. 

Fredrik  Carl,  Count  Sinclair 

The  present  Count  Sinclair 

The  present  Countess  Sinclair 

The  Hon.  John  Grandison  Sinclair 

The  Hon.  Chas.  H.  St.  Clair 

Colonel  the  Hon.  Chas.  A.  Sinclair 

His  Excellency  Major-General  Arthur  St.  Clair 

William  St.  Clair,  "  The  Last  Rosslyn  " 

Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  Bart. 

Charles  Gideon  Sinclair,  Swedish  Baron 

The  Hon.  Andrew  Sinclair,  Surgeon,  R.N.    . 

Christina  Sutherland  Sinclair 

The  Hon.  James  Sinclair,  M.P.C.,  New  Zealand 

His  Worship  the  Mayor  of  Invercargill,  N.Z. 

Effigy  of  Sir  William  St.  Clair 

The  Nave,  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral 

The  Under  Chapel,  Rosslinn 

Fair  Isle 

The  Sinclair  Monument  at  Kringellen 

Malcolm  Sinclair,  Swedish  Baron 

Sinclair's  Chains 

The  Standing  Stones  of  Stennis 

Roslin  Chapel— Exterior  View 


The  Saint-Clairs  of  the  Isles. 


Book  I. 
INTRODUCTION. 


"The  Saint-Clairs  figure  prominently  in  history,  song  and  story.  In  Normandy  they 
controlled  lands,  castles  and  troops  of  men,  and  were  closely  allied  to  royal  blood. 
At  Hastings  their  prowess  was  conspicuous,  and  materially  helped  to  decide  the  fate  of 
that  eventful  day.  They  appear  in  the  Battle  Abbey  Roll.  Early  in  the  eleventh 
century,  William  '  le  Blond  '  (the  Seemly),  second  son  of  Waleran,  Lord  of  Saint  Clair, 
and  Helena,  daughter  of  Richard,  Duke  of  Normandy,  settled  in  Scotland  ;  soon  his 
name  appears  on  the  roll  of  the  nobles  of  King  Malcolm  Canmore,  and  thenceforward 
for  generations  his  descendants  are  found  in  loyal  support  of  the  Scottish  monarchs,  who 
trusted  them  implicitly  through  good  and  ill.  Honoured  with  the  confidence  of  the 
ancient  Celtic  line  ;  entrusted  with  the  royal  fortress  of  Edinburgh  during  the  war  of  the 
Scottish  Succession  ;  companions-in-arms  of  the  patriot  Bruce  ;  in  later  times,  the 
St.  Clairs  shared  in  the  triumphs  and  humiliations  of  the  House  of  Stuart,  receiving 
honours  on  the  one  hand,  and  on  the  other  privation  and  exile.  Reconciled  to  the  union 
of  Scotland  with  England,  and  to  the  Protestant  Succession,  they  continued  devotedly 
attached  to  royalty  without  exception,  until  the  signal  gun  in  the  American  War  of 
Independence  was  fired  ;  when  the  American  hero  supported  the  cause  of  Freedom, 
while  those  at  Home  sided  with  the  motherland  ;  but  whether  as  Catholic  or  Protestant, 
monarchist  or  republican,  always  displaying  a  martial  spirit,  and  ever  true  to  the  cause 
espoused."* 

Considering  the  revival  of  interest  in  family  records  in  these  learned  latter  years, 
it  seems  strange  to  have  to  admit  that  the  history  of  so  renowned  a  gens  should  still 
be  unwritten.  Such  is  nevertheless  the  case,  and  the  present  work  is  but  an  epitome  of 
extracts  taken  from  the  most  readily  accessible  sources,  to  be  the  pioneer  for  some  future 
historian  to  present  in  an  amplified  form. 

Although  it  was  when  rulers  of  the  Orcades  that  the  St.  Clairs  attained  the  zenith 
of  their  splendour,  yet  they  are  seldom  mentioned  in  association  with  those  Isles — the 
acquisition  of  which  raised  them  to  '  pride  of  place  '  in  the  nobility  of  Scotland  and  of 
the  three  Scandinavian  kingdoms. 

The  history  of  the  St.  Clairs  and  that  of  the  Orcades  being  so  inextricably  inter- 
woven, it  has  been  thought  well  to  begin  this  work  with  an  account  of  the  puissant 
House  of  Odin  (eventually  heired  by  the  St.  Clairs),  the  noblest  and  most  heroic  of  the 
ruling  dynasties  of  the  North,  and  in  the  person  of  Rolf  the  Founder,  originator  of  that 


The  St.  Clair  Papers. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


dynasty  on  whose  empire  'the  sun  never  sets.'  While  it  is  incontestably  established 
that  the  St.  Clairs  are  representatives  of  Einar  the  Earl,  brother  of  Rolf,*  it  is  contended 
by  a  modern  writer!  that  as  legitimate  heirs-male  of  Malger,  Count  of  Mortain  and 
Corbeil,  the  eventual  heir-male  of  Richard  the  Good,  Duke  of  the  Normans,  they  also 
represent  Rolf  himself;  and  it  is  further  stated}  that  they  are  heirs-of-line  of  Richard  III. 
of  Normandy. 

Having  premised  this  much,  it  only  remains  to  add  that  a  work  on  the  St.  Clairs 
would  be  regrettably  incomplete  did  it  not  contain  an  account  of  the  notable  deeds  of 
their  warlike  predecessors,  those  'stout  battellers '  the  ancient  Scandinavian  Jarls  of 
Orkney,  of  Odinic  descent,  who  will  be  described  at  some  length,  that  readers  not  familiar 
with  the  history  of  those  parts  may  the  better  understand  the  dominions  and  traditions 
heired  by  the  St.  Clairs. 

In  perusing  the  various  works  on  the  St.  Clairs  and  on  Orkney,  it  appears  that  those 
on  the  former,  while  ample  in  their  notice  of  the  name  in  the  Scottish  mainland,  have  but 
scanty,  insufficient,  and  erroneous  references  to  the  St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles,  and  the  works 
on  Orkney  are  similarly  defective  in  their  notices  of  the  St.  Clairs,  whether  Orcadian  or 
Scottish.  This  volume  will,  therefore,  attempt  to  in  part  remedy  the  defect,  and  it  is  as 
a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  long-forgotten  Orcadian  descendants  of  the  Earls — in 
historic  interest,  heroic  achievement,  and  manly  endeavour,  the  peers  of  their  Scottish 
collaterals — that  the  present  title  has  been  chosen. 

The  chapters  being  arranged  in  chronological  sequence,  the  plan  of  the  work  will 
unfold  as  read. 

*  Orkn.  Saga.  t  Au.  of  Sinclairs  of  England.  J  Genealogie  of  the  St.  Clairs. 


CHAPTER    I. 


THE     HOUSE     OF     ODIN.* 


CHAOS  :    ODINIC    MYTHS. 


For  the  ancestral  home  of  the  Orcadian  Jarls  we  must  voyage  to  the  Norwegian  Uplands, 
fitting  cradle  for  this  primeval  line,  noble  even  beyond  the  breath  of  tradition.  It  was  in 
those  lofty  regions  that  we  learn  from  the  pre-historic  Eddas,  our  Scandinavian  fore- 
fathers attributed  not  only  the  creation  of  their  race,  but  the  origin  of  mankind.  For 
when  we  refer  to  the  mythology  preserved  in  the  Eddas  we  are  told  : — * 

In  the  beginning  of  time  when  yet  there  was  nought,  two  regions  lay  on  each  side  of 
chaos.  To  the  north  Niflheim,  the  abode  of  mist  and  snow,  and  cloud  and  cold.  To  the 
south,  Muspell,  where  it  is  so  hot  and  bright  that  it  burns,  and  none  may  tread  save 
those  who  have  an  heritage  there.  The  king  of  that  country  is  Surtr,  who  guards  the 
land  with  a  flaming  sword.  When  the  hot  blasts  from  Muspell  met  the  cold  rime  and 
frost  that  came  out  of  Niflheim,  the  frost  melted  by  the  might  of  Surtr,  and  became  a 
great  giant,  Ymir,  the  sire  of  all  the  frost  giants.  But  besides  the  giant,  the  ice-drops 
as  they  melted  formed  a  cow,  on  whose  milk  Ymir  fed  ;  and  as  she  licked  the  rime- 
covered  stones,  a  man  named  Buri  arose,  who  was  the  father  of  Odin  and  his  brethren. 
These  are  the  iEsir,  or  good  gods,  and  between  these  and  the  frost  giants  war  arose,  till 
at  last  Ymir  was  slain  and  all  his  race  but  one.  From  this  one  sprang  the  later  race  of 
frost  giants. 

With  the  body  of  the  giant  Odin  made  the  world.  The  sea  and  waters  are  his  blood  ; 
earth  his  flesh  ;  the  rocks  his  bones  ;  pebbles  his  teeth  and  jaws  ;  his  skull  was  raised 
aloft  and  the  heavens  were  made  of  it  ;  the  clouds  are  his  brains.  But  the  sun,  moon, 
and  stars  are  formed  of  the  fires  which  came  out  of  Muspell.  These  Odin  fixed  in  the 
heavens,  and  ordered  their  goings.  Odin,  the  father  of  all  (Allfadir)  next  made  man, 
and  gave  him  a  soul  which  shall  never  perish,  though  the  body  decay. 

Odin  was  the  greatest  of  the  gods.  Next  to  him  comes  Frigga,  his  wife,  who  knows  the 
fate  of  all  men,  though  she  never  reveals  it.  ThenThor,  his  first-born  son — the  Thunderer 
— the  chiefest  of  gods  for  strength,  the  sworn  foe  of  the  old  frost  giants,  the  tamer  and 
queller  of  all  unholy  things.  Next  Baldr,  of  fairest  face  and  hair,  the  mildest  spoken  of 
the  gods,  type  of  purity  and  innocence.  These,  with  Freyr,  who  rules  over  rain  and 
sunshine  and  the  fruitfulness  of  the  earth  ;  and  Freyia,  the  goddess  of  love  ;  and  many 
others,  live  in  Midgard,  the  centre  of  the  earth.  Here  they  have  built  themselves  a 
castle,  Asgard,  high  above  the  earth,  whence  they  can  see  all  that  goes  on  among  mortals. 
Here  shall  the  good  live  with  Odin  after  death,  while  the  wicked  shall  go  to  Niflheim 
(hell),  the  place  of  darkness  and  of  cold.  But  these  simple  myths  were  mingled  with 
those  of  a  more  savage  and  sterner  character. 


*  The  Normans  in  Europe. 


THE   HOUSE   OF   ODIN. 


Odin  is  not  the  All-father  alone,  but  the  God  of  Battle  (Valfadir)  as  well,  and  as 
such  is  worshipped  by  blood y  sacrifices.  Instead  of  the  peaceful  after-life  in  Midgard,  men 
look  forward  to  Valhalla — the  Hall  of  the  Slain — where  those  who  die  in  battle,  shall  feast 
with  Odin.  There,  their  pastime  shall  be  to  fight  with  each  other  from  dawn  till  meal- 
time, when  they  ride  back  to  Valhalla  and  sit  down  to  drink.  Those  who  die  of  sickness 
or  old  age  shall  go  to  hell  ;  the  murderers  and  the  foresworn  to  N;i,  a  region  formed  of 
adders'  backs  wattled  together,  whose  heads  spit  venom  and  form  streams  in  which  these 
shall  wade  for  ever. 

Meanwhile  among  the  gods  there  is  strife  and  woe.  Of  the  children  of  the  old  frost 
giants,  one  Loki  had  been  fostered  by  Odin,  and  brought  up  among  his  children,  to  their 
ruin.     Fair  of  face  is  he,  but  a  traitor,  ill-tempered,  deceitful,  and  of  fickle  mood. 

With  the  rise  of  the  traitor  the  golden  age  of  the  ^Esir,  or  the  good  gods,  is  at  an 
end,  and  the  old  quarrels  between  them  and  the  frost  giants  are  resumed.  Vet  so  long 
as  Baldr  lived,  sin  and  wickedness  could  not  prevail  on  earth,  nor  could  the  ancient  race 
triumph  over  the  ^Esir.  To  kill  Baldr,  therefore,  was  was  Eoki's  constant  aim,  and  by 
treachery  he  succeeded.  The  gods,  warned  by  the  soothsayers  that  Baldr  was  doomed  to 
die,  made  him  free  from  death  by  sickness,  or  stones  or  trees,  or  beast  or  bird  ;  and  re- 
joicing in  their  triumph,  found  harmless  pastime  in  shooting  at  Baldr  and  smiting  him 
with  stones,  while  he  remained  unharmed.  One  tree,  the  mistletoe,  they  had  not  named, 
and  Loki,  making  arrows  of  it,  gave  them  into  the  hands  of  Hodr,  the  blind  god.  Armed 
with  these  weapons  he  joined  his  brethren  in  the  sport  and  shooting,  slew  fair  Baldr,  who 
went  to  hell.  L,oki  indeed  fell  before  the  vengeance  of  Thor,  but  the  doom  of  the  gods 
was  sealed  ;  and,  heralded  by  three  winters  with  no  summer  in  between,  '  the  twilight  of 
the  gods  '  drew  on.  Then  Surtr,  the  primeval  god,  should  at  last  come  forth,  and 
hurling  fire  over  the  world,  destroy  the  gods,  both  good  and  bad.  Then  should  arise 
another  heaven,  where  the  worthy  dead  should  dwell  with  Surtr,  and  Balder  the 
Beautiful  should  thither  return  from  hell. 

From  Odin  and  his  sons  most  royal  families  in  the  North  lands  loved  to  derive  their 
descent.  The  elder  sons  seemed  to  have  remained  for  generations  in  the  home-land,  but 
the  younger  branches  issued  forth  in  search  of  empire,  and  we  presently  find  several 
scions  of  the  deified  hero  of  Scandinavia  leading  the  Saxon  invaders  of  Britain  and  estab- 
lishing themselves  permanently  there.  Of  these  the  line  of  Cerdic  of  Wessex,  ninth  in 
descent  from  Breldceg,*  son  of  Odin,  finally  survived  the  rest,  only  to  surrender  to 
William  of  Normandy,  a  descendant,  though  a  bastard,  of  the  senior  and  more  puissant 
line  of  Thor.  The  course  of  descent  receives  illustration  in  "Fundinn  Noregr,"T  from 
which  the  following  is  a  citation  : — 

"Now  shall  be  told  the  proofs  how  Norway  was  first  inhabited,  how  kingly  stocks 
began  there,  and  why  they  are  called  Skjoldiugs,  Budlings,  Bragnings,  Odlings, 
Volsungs,  or  Niflungs,  from  which  the  royal  races  have  come. 

"There  was  a  giant,  King  Fornjot.t  who  ruled  over  the  regions  called  Finland  and 
Kvenland,  lying  to  the  east  of  the  Helsingbight  (Gulf  of  Bothnia),  which  goes  northward 
to  meet  the  White  Sea.  He  had  three  sons  named  Hler,  or  ^Egir,  who  ruled  over  the 
seas,  another  Logi,  ruler  of  fires,  and  the  third  Kari,  who  presided  over  the  winds,  and 
he  was  father  of  Jokull,  father  of  King  Snaes  the  Old,  whose  children  were  these — Thorri,. 

*  Lappenberg.  t  Orkneyingers'  Saga  (Rolls'  trans.) 

+  One  of  the  numerous  alternative  names  for  Thor. 


CHAOS. 


Fonn,  Drifa,  and  Mjoll.  Thorri  had  two  sons,  Norr  and  Gorr,  and  a  daughter  Goi.  He 
was  a  noble  king,  ruling  over  Kvenland  and  Finland,  observing  sacrifices  annually  at 
mid- winter,  whence  called  Thorri 's  sacrifice,  and  from  that  the  month  took  its  name. 
The  Kveus  sacrificed  to  him  to  ensure  snow  and  good  travelling  on  the  shoes.  That  was 
their  harvest.  One  winter,  Goi,  his  daughter,  was  missed,  and  when  the  month  had 
passed  Thorri  enjoined  sacrifice  to  divine  her  location,  but  without  success.  Thus 
originated  the  month  Goi.  Four  winters  after  her  brothers  made  vow  to  search  for  her, 
Norr  on  the  land,  and  Gorr  to  search  the  outscars  and  islands  with  vessels,  each  having 
many  men. 

"  Gorr  held  on  with  his  ships  out  along  the  sea-bight,  and  so  into  the  Allans-haf,  and 
after  that  he  searched  the  Swedish  skerries  far  and  wide,  and  the  isles  in  the  East  sea, 
and  then  the  Gothland  scars,  and  thence  to  Denmark,  where  he  viewed  the  isles,  and 
found  those  of  his  kinsmen  who  were  come  from  Hler  the  Old,  out  of  Hler's  isle  (Laesso 
in  the  Cattegat),  and  he  then  still  held  on  his  voyage,  but  hearing  nothing  of  his  sister. 

' '  Norr  had  bided  till  the  snow  was  on  the  heath  and  suitable  for  shoes,  after  which  he 
issued  forth  from  Kvenland  and  inside  the  sea-bight,  when  he  met  a  party  of  Lapps  from 
the  hinder-land  of  Finmark,  who  wished  to  stop  his  passage  ;  so  a  battle  ensued,  which 
ended  in  the  flight  of  the  Lapps,  for  might  and  magic  were  with  Norr,  and  his  foes 
became  panic-stricken  as  swine  when  they  heard  the  war-cry  and  saw  weapons  flash. 
Norr  and  his  party  now  went  west  on  the  Kjol,  and  were  a  long  time  foraging  in  and 
traversing  unpeopled  parts,  proceeding  till  they  came  to  where  the  water  turns  westward 
from  the  fells.  It  directed  them  to  a  sea  where  was  a  firth  as  large  as  a  sea-bight. 
There  were  there  great  tilths,  and  great  dales  came  down  to  the  firth.  Norr  and  his  men 
gave  battle  to  the  people,  whom  they  overcame  as  weeds  over  cornfields — all  fell  or  fled, 
and  Norr  became  king,  remaining  there  all  summer  until  it  snowed  on  the  heaths,  when 
he  shaped  his  course  up  along  the  dale  which  goes  south  from  Drontheim  firth.  Sending 
a  detachment  coastwise  round  Maeren,  he  reduced  all  to  subjection.  He  continued  his 
course  over  the  fell  to  the  south  of  the  dale-bight,  then  still  south  along  the  dales  till  he 
reached  great  water,  called  Mjosen,  when  he  received  advice  of  a  defeat  to  his  men  by 
King  Sokni,  which  caused  him  to  turn  west  again  towards  the  fell,  and  he  arrived  in 
the  Valders  district,  whence  he  passed  seawards,  entering  the  Sugn,  a  long  and  narrow 
firth,  where  he  engaged  Sokni  in  battle.  It  was  hard  fought,  because  their  witchcraft 
had  no  hold  on  Sokni.  Norr  pressing  hard  forward,  came  to  hand  strokes  with  Sokni, 
who  fell  with  many  of  his  men.  Norr  then  fared  on  into  the  firth  that  goes  north  from 
Sugn,  where  the  vanquished  leader  had  ruled.  It  is  now  called  Sokni 's  Dale.  Norr 
stayed  there  a  long  time,  and  now  it  is  known  as  Norafirth.  He  had  great  battles  west 
of  the  Kjol,  and  these  kings  fell  before  him  :  Vee  and  Vei,  Hunding  and  Heming,  and  he 
laid  under  him  that  land  all  to  the  sea. 

"  The  brothers  met  in  Norafirth.  Norr  went  up  the  Kjol  to  Ulfa-moar,  thence  to 
Estridale  into  Vermelaud,  and  along  the  lake  Vaener,  and  so  to  the  sea,  and  laid  under 
him  all  land  west  of  those  bounds,  and  it  is  now  called  Norway.  At  midwinter  they 
came  into  Heidmark,  meeting  Hrolf  of  Berg,  son  of  the  giant  Svadi,  from  north  of 
Dofrafell,  by  Ashilda,  daughter  of  King  Eystein,  who  had  long  ruled  over  Heidmark. 
Hrolf  had  abducted  Goi  from  Kvenland,  and  on  hearing  of  his  approach,  they  advanced 
together  to  meet  Norr,  to  whom  Hrolf  offered  single  combat.  They  fought  long  without 
wounding  each  other,  and  at  length  Hrolf  became  Norr's  man,  and  banqueted  him  and 


THE  HOUSE  OF  ODIN. 


gave  him  to  wife  his  sister  Hodda,  Svadi's  daughter.  After  that  Norr  returned  west  to 
the  sea,  meeting  in  Norafirth,  Gorr,  just  back  from  the  Dumbs-haf  (Frozen  Sea),  who  had 
seized  as  his  own  all  the  isles  on  that  way.  Then  these  brothers  shared  the  realm 
between  them,  so  that  Norr  should  have  all  the  mainland  from  Jotunheim  in  the  north 
to  Alfheim  in  the  south,  which  is  now  called  Norway.  He  ruled  that  realm  while  he 
lived,  and  his  sons  after  him,  and  they  shared  the  land  amongst  them,  and  so  the  realms 
began  to  get  smaller  and  smaller  as  the  kings  got  more  and  more  numerous,  and  so  they 
were  divided  into  provinces.     (A  list  of  his  descendants  is  given. ) 

"Gorr,  on  the  other  hand,  was  to  have  all  those  isles  which  lay  on  the  larboard  of 
his  warship  as  he  shaped  north,  between  which  and  the  mainland  he  could  pass  in  a  ship 
with  a  fixed  rudder.  Gorr  having  the  isles  was  for  that  called  a  sea-king.  His  sons 
were  Heiti  and  Beiti,  Meitir  and  Geitir  ;  they  were  mighty  sea-kings  and  overbearing 
men.  They  made  many  inroads  on  the  realm  of  Norr's  sons,  and  had  numberless  battles, 
in  which  now  one,  now  the  other,  won  the  day.  Beiti  ran  his  war-galley  into  Drontheim 
and  fought  there,  lying  where  it  is  now  called  Beit-sea  and  Beitstede.  He  placed 
a  ship-sledge  under  the  galley,  and  had  also  deep  snow  and  good  sledging.  He  then 
took  the  helm,  hoisted  sail,  and  had  the  ship  dragged  from  the  innermost  bight  of 
Beitstede  over  the  Ellida-eid,  or  Galley-neck  to  Naumdale,  and  claimed  for  his  own  all 
the  land  lying  to  larboard,  which  is  many  tilths  and  much  land.  Beiti,  the  sea-king,  was 
father  of  Heiti,  the  sea-king,  father  of  Svadi,  and  Geitir  was  the  father  of  Glammi  and 
Gylfi ;  Meiti,  the  sea-king,  was  father  of  Maevil  and  Myndill,  which  latter  was  father  of 
Ekkill  and  Skekkill. 

"  Heiti,  Gorr's  son,  was  father  of  Sveidi,  the  sea-king,  the  father  of  Halfdan  the 
Old,  the  father  of  Ivar,  Jarl  of  the  Uplands,  the  father  of  Eysteinu  Glumra,  the  father  of 
Rognvald  Jarl,  who  was  called  the  mighty  and  wise  in  council,   and  men  say  both  were 


true  names. 


+ 


Thor's  Hammer — The  Svastika  Symbol. 


DAWN.— ROGNYALD    OF    MOERI,   JARL. 

When  the  '  twilight  of  the  gods '  ended  in  dawn,  many  ruling  families  claiming  Odinic 
origin  are  found  firmly  established  in  Norway.  Of  these  the  principal  were  the  Ynglings, 
the  Skjoldings,  the  ancestors  of  Hakon  Jarl,  and  those  of  Rognvald  of  Moeri.  The 
Ynglingatal,  a  genealogical  poem  composed  for  Rognvald  Heidumhoeri,  or  '  the  Heaven- 
high  '  (the  uncle  of  Harald  Fairhair)  traces  the  family  of  Rognvald  through  thirty 
generations  up  to  Odin.  Ari,  in  Iceland,  traces  his  ancestry  through  thirty-seven 
degrees  up  to  Yngvi  Tyrkja-King  from  Olaf  the  White,  King  of  Dublin,  who  was 
thirtieth  in  descent.  From  "  Fundinu  Noregr,"  or  "  Norway  Found, "  we  obtain  the 
semi-mythical   descent  of  Hrolf,  the  founder    of  Normandy.      In  it  he  is  derived  from 


DAWN. 


Fornjot,  or  Thor,  the  heir  of  Odin  according  to  the  principle  of  primogeniture,  and  so 
the  representatives  of  Rollo  must  depose  those  of  Cerdic  from  the  heirship  of  Odin,  unless 
we  are  to  allow  postremogenitur  to  supersede  primogeniture. 

Passing  from  chaos  to  dawn,  it  is  found  that  Halfdan  the  Old  was  father  of  Ivar, 
Jarl  of  the  Uplands,  who  was  sire  to  Eystein  (Glumra)  the  Orator.  Eystein  had  two 
sons,  Rognvald,  hereafter  Jarl  of  Moeri,  and  Sigurd  the  Sea-king,  to  whom  Rognvald 
transferred  the  sovereignty  of  the  Orkneys,  which  the  ambitious  Sigurd  aimed  at  making 
the  centre  of  a  naval  empire,  stretching  from  the  Archipelago  of  Zetland  to  the  Isle  of 
Man.  Forming  an  alliance  with  Thorstein  the  Red,  he  in  part  succeeded  in  his  object, 
and  together  they  wrested  Caithness  and  Sutherland  from  the  Scottish  sovereign.  But 
death  ensuing  immediately  thereafter,  all  projects  of  further  conquest  were  arrested. 
The  Earldom  of  Caithness  is,  however,  to  this  day  enjoyed  by  his  representative,  and 
thus  presents  the  singular  and  extraordinary  instance  of  the  transmission  of  a  British 
dignity  for  over  a  millennium.  Other  writers*  ascribe  to  Eystein  the  Orator  a  third  son, 
Eric  the  Bad,  who  appears  in  Norman  annals  as  Malahulc  (Mai- Eric),  uncle  of  Hrolf,  but 
in  the  absence  of  any  reference  to  him  in  the  Norse  Sagas,  it  seems  more  probable  that 
he  would  have  been  an  uncle  of  Hrolf  on  the  spindle  side — a  son  of  Hrolf  Nefia.  From 
the  solicitude  shown  by  Ragnhilda,  the  Lady  of  Moeri,  regarding  her  wayward  son,  it 
seems  reasonable  to  suppose  she  may  have  urged  her  brother  Eric  to  accompany  Hrolf  in 
his  career  of  conquest. 

Of  Earl  Rognvald  we  learn  much  from  the  Sagas.  When  Harald  Fairhair  started 
upon  his  career  of  subjugating  all  Norway,  Rugnvald  was  his  staunchest  supporter  and 
most  trusted  adviser.  After  the  naval  victory  of  Hafursfiord  all  Norway  submitted  to 
Harald,  and  the  first  whom  that  monarch  rewarded  was  Rognvald,  to  whom  he  assigned 
the  revenues  of  both  the  Moeri  (i.e.,  North  and  South  Moeri,  which  are  divided  the  one 
from  the  other  by  the  Romsdale  Firth.  They  stretch  eastward  along  the  coast  from  Stadt 
to  Naumdale)  t  Harald,  in  accordance  with  a  vow,  had  allowed  his  magnificent  head  of 
hair  to  remain  unshorn  until  Norway  was  subdued.  The  sublime  function  of  removing 
it  was  now  performed  by  Rognvald,  Norway's  only  earl.  Rognvald  was  of  the  very 
highest  consequence,  and  is  variously  termed  the  Stout,  the  Strong,  the  Rich,  the 
Robust,  the  Mighty,  the  Potent,  the  Wise,  etc.,  etc.  He  was  married  to  Ragnhild,  a 
daughter  of  Hrolf  Nefia,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons,  Ivar,  Hrolf,  and  Thorir.  After 
Hafursfiord  an  exodus  took  place  from  Norway,  and  the  exiles  used  the  Scottish  Isles 
as  viking  stations  from  whence  to  harass  the  Norwegian  coasts,  to  the  great  irritation  of 
King  Harald,  who  set  forth  with  firm  intent  to  purge  those  parts.  Rognvald  of 
Moeri,  his  son  Ivar,  and  his  brother  Sigurd  accompanied  Harald.  The  expedition  was 
completely  successful,  but  in  one  of  the  skirmishes  in  the  Hebudes,  Ivar  met  his  fate.  As 
some  compensation  to  Rognvald  for  the  death  of  his  heir,  King  Harald  assigned  to  him 
the  Orcadian  and  Zetlandic  Archipelagoes.  Rognvald,  however,  having  great  estates  in 
Norway,  transferred  them  to  his  brother  Sigurd,  who  had  been  flag-captain  to  King 
Harald. 

When  Sigurd  fell  in  Caithness,  his  son  Guttorm  succeeded  him,  but  dying  within  a 
year  from  his  accession,  the  dominions  reverted  to  Earl  Rognvald,  who  re-granted  them 
first  to  Hallad,  who  presently  abdicated,  and  thereafter  :o  Einar.     Returning  to  Norway, 


Burke;  Lives  of  the  Lindsays  ;  etc.  t  Orkn.  .Saga,  Rolls'  (trans.)  edr 


8  THE  HOUSE  OE  ODIN. 


Rugnvald  seems  to  have  been  chiefly  occupied  in  the  administration  of  his  earldoms, 
which  were  no  doubt  enlivened  by  the  many  stirring  events  incidental  to  the  age  in 
which  he  lived.  Hrolf,  his  second  son,  was  exiled  for  an  act  of  vikiugry,  and  thereon 
steered  first  for  the  Western  Isles,  and  thence  to  Gaul,  where  he  waged  war  till  pacified 
by  the  cession  of  Neustria.  R<">gnvald  was  too  eminent  to  remain  long  uneuvied,  and  the 
sons  of  Harald,  who  were  now  attaining  man's  estate,  began  to  cast  longing  glances  at 
his  possessions.  At  last  the  two  most  turbulent,  Halfdan  and  Gudrod,  assailed  him  in 
Moeri,  and  setting  fire  to  his  house,  the  noble  Jarl  perished  in  the  flames,  full  of  honours. 
His  sons  have  left  a  permanent  record  in  European  history.  Ivar,  as  has  already  been 
seen,  was  slain  in  the  Hebudes ;  Hrolf  conquered  Neustria  and  settled  there,  his  com- 
panions being  the  ancestors  of  most  of  the  British  nobility  ;  while  Thorir  the  Silent 
succeeded  his  father  as  Jarl  of  Moeri,  and  espoused  Alof  Arbot,  the  daughter  of  King 
Harald  Fairhair,  by  whom  he  had  issue  Bergliot,  who  was  mother  of  Hakon  Jarl,  tbe 
Great,  thereafter  sovereign  of  Norway.  His  other  sons  were  by  different  wives,  of  whom 
the  noble  earl,  like  his  sovereign  King  Harald,  probably  had  a  plurality.  Those  whose 
names  have  been  transmitted  to  us  are  Hrollaug,  Hallad  and  Einar.  Hallad  was  created 
fourth  Earl  of  the  Orkneys,  but  finding  himself  too  much  occupied  in  repelling  the 
incessant  attacks  of  vikings,  abdicated  and  retired  to  his  odal  possessions  in  Norway. 
Rugnvald  then  summoned  his  remaining  sons  to  attend  a  family  council  at  which  to  select 
a  more  warklike  successor  to  the  peaceable  Hallad.  It  was  attended  by  Thorir,  Hrolf, 
Hrollaug  and  Einar.  The  Jarl  asked  which  of  them  would  go  and  rule  the  Islesmen. 
First  came  Thorir,  who  bade  his  father  prepare  him  ships  ;  but  Thorir  was  the  favourite 
son,  and  Rugnvald  said,  though  he  was  well  qualified  for  the  work,  he  must  stay  at 
Moeri,  and  succeed  him.  Then  Hrolf,*  the  tall  champion,  stepped  forth,  so  tall,  that  no 
horse  could  carry  him — he  was  ready  to  go.  'Just  the  man,'  said  his  father,  'so  far  as 
strength  and  daring  go,  but  too  untamed  in  spirit  as  yet  to  settle  down  quietly. '  Then 
came  Hrollaug.  '  Do  you  wish  me  to  go  ?'  Rugnvald  replied  he  would  never  do  for  an 
Earl.  '  You  have  a  temper  quite  unfit  for  strife  ;  your  path  lies  to  Iceland  ;  in  that  laud 
you  will  be  famous,  rich  in  family  and  friends,  but  in  this  quarter  your  fate  does  not  lie.' 
Then  Einar  advanced  and  said,  '  Let  me  go  to  Orkney,  and  I  promise  you  shall  never 
set  eyes  on  me  again,  which  you  will  think  the  best  thing  that  can  happen.'  The  Earl 
decided  in  favour  of  Einar,  who  thus  became  fifth  Jarl  of  the  Orkneys.  As  for  Hrollaug, 
he  took  himself  off  to  King  Harald,  with  whom  he  stayed  awhile,  for  father  and  son 
never  hit  it  off  in  temper  after  that  day.  Some  time  after  he  sailed  for  Iceland,  by  the 
king's  advice,  and  having  followed  Ingolf's  example,  and  thrown  his  pillars  overboard, 
found  them  in  the  West,  and  dwelt  there.  He  was  a  great  chief,  and  kept  up  his  friend- 
ship with  King  Harald,  though  he  never  went  back  to  Norway.  King  Harald  sent  him 
a  sword  and  drinking  horn,  and  ring  of  gold,  five  ounces  in  weight,  and  these  precious 
things  were  long  famous,  t  From  him  was  descended  the  great  family  of  the  Sturlungs, 
of  which  Snorro  Sturleson,  the  historian,  was  a  member.  His  father,  Sturla  Thordarson, 
was  a  man  of  consequence,  and  held  by  hereditary  right  (being  of  Odinic  origin  through 
Hrollaug )  the  dignity  of  a  Godar,  which  in  the  times  of  Odin  worship  was  hereditary  iu  certain 
families  descended  from  the  twelve  Diars,  Drottars,  or  Godars,  who  accompanied  Odin 
from  Asgard.     The  office  of  Godar  corribined  the  functions  of  priest  and  judge. } 

*  Another  acct.,  vide  infra,  states  Hrolf  was  absent  from  this  conference. 

t  Article  "  Norsemen  in  Iceland."     See  Oxford  Essays,  1858,  by  G.  W.  Dasent. 

J  Laing's  "  Heimskringla."  p.  1S8. 


DAWN. 


It  was  while  Einar  ruled  Orcadia  that  Rognvald  met  his  death,  and  the  Norwegian 
prince  Halfdan  hastened  to  the  Isles,  hoping  to  similarly  serve  Einar.  But  the  agile 
Earl  was  too  alert  to  be  surprised.  Crossing  to  Caithness,  he  suddenly  returned 
to  effect  the  capture  of  the  too-confident  Halfdan,  upon  whom  he  exacted  the 
barbaric  vengeance  of  carving  a  blood-eagle  on  his  back.  From  Einar  the  Earl  we  date 
the  permanence  of  the  Orcadian  dynasty,  which  continued  in  his  line  till  the  death  of 
Erlend  III.,  the  twenty-sixth  Earl.  An  account  of  his  descendants  will  appear  at 
greater  length  in  another  chapter,  headed  the  Sea-Kings  of  Orkney  ;  and  mean- 
time we  will  pass  on  to  follow  the  career  of  Hrolf  and  his  successors,  Dukes  of  the 
Normans. 


DUKES  OF  NORMANDY. 


CHAPTER  II. 


DUKES    OF    NORMANDY. 

ROLF,  THE    FOUNDER.* 

912—927. 

M. — 1   Popa,  d.  of  Count  Berenger  of  Bayeux. 
2  Gisela,  d.  of  K.  Charles  the  Simple. 

Contemporary  Princes  : 

France:      896,  Charles  IV.,  the  Simple.     922,  Robert  I.  923,  Rudolf. 

Norway  :     863,  Harald  Fairhair,  to  934. 

England:  901,  Edward  the  Elder.  924,  Athelstan. 

Rolf,  son  of  Rognvald,  Earl  of  Moeri,  by  his  lady  Ragnhilda,  daughter  of  Rolf  Nefia,  was 
a  renowned  sea-king.  Named  after  his  maternal  grandfather,  he  further  obtained  from 
the  restless  activity  of  his  movements  the  soubriquet  of  'Ganger,'  or  'Walker.'  He 
made  much  warfare  in  the  East.  One  summer  when  he  returned  from  '  Vikingry,'  or  a 
raiding  expedition  in  the  East,  he  committed  acts  of  depredation  in  Viken.  King  Harald 
Fairhair,  who  was  then  in  that  district,  was  very  angry  when  he  heard  of  this,  for  he  had 
strictly  forbidden  robbery  within  his  land.  He  therefore  announced  at  a  Thing  that  he 
made  Rolf  an  outlaw  from  Norway.  When  Rolf's  mother  heard  this  she  went  to  Harald 
to  ask  for  pardon  for  Rolf,  but  the  king  was  so  angry  that  her  prayers  were  of  no  avail. 
Then  she  sang  : — 

"Thinkst  thou,  King  Harald,  in  thine  anger 

To  drive  away  my  brave  Rolf  Ganger, 

Like  a  mad  wolf,  from  out  the  land  ? 

Why,  Harald,  raise  thy  mighty  hand  ? 

Why  banish  Ntefia's  gallant  name-son, 

The  brother  of  brave  udal-men  ? 

Why  is  thy  cruelty  so  fell  ? 

Bethink  thee,  monarch,  is  it  well 

With  such  a  wolf  at  wolf  to  play  ? 

Who,  driven  to  the  wild  woods  away, 

May  make  the  king's  best  deer  his  prey."  t 

Rolf  then  went  westward  across  the  sea  to  the  Hebudes  (the  Sudreyar),  and  is  described 
as  following  the  calling  of  a  viking  in  Gaul  and  England  for  nearly  forty  years  before  his 
final  settlement  at  Rouen.  He  is  said  to  have  joined  Guthrum  in  his  wars  against 
Alfred,  but    to   have    been   persuaded   by  the  Saxon   King   to  leave  England   and  seek 


The  Normans  in  Europe.  t  Laing's  Heimskringla. 


ROLF,  THE  FOUNDER. 


richer  spoil  in  France.  In  876  he  entered  the  Seine,  and  from  then  till  912  ravaged 
the  unfortunate  country.  In  888,  the  fatal  year  which  saw  the  final  dismemberment 
of  the  Empire  of  Charles  the  Great,  began  the  famous  siege  of  Paris  by  Rolf.  The 
town  was,  however,  successfully  defended  by  its  Count,  Eudes,  who  in  reward  was  for  a 
time  chosen  King  of  France.  Contemporary  chroniclers  are  silent  from  900  to  911,  and 
when  they  speak  again  Rolf  is  found  in  possession  of  Rouen,  and  Gaul  in  a  pitiable  state. 
In  spite  of  his  repulse  by  the  Count  of  Paris,  Rolf  continued  his  devastations,  until  at  last 
Charles  of  France  granted  him  by  treaty  the  territories  which  were  already  his  own,  and 
thus,  as  Alfred  the  Great  had  done  for  England,  gained  a  respite  for  his  distracted 
kingdom.  By  this  treaty  of  St.  Ci,AiR-sur-Epte  (912)  Rolf  secured  the  country  from  the 
Epte  to  the  sea,  and  the  overlordship  of  Brittany,  with  the  hand  of  Gisela,  the  daughter 
of  Charles  the  Simple  ;  and  with  a  nominal  acceptance  of  Christianity  as  the  price  of  the 
treaty,  was  led  to  the  font  by  Robert,  Count  of  Paris,  who  consented  to  be  his  godfather. 
To  the  demand  of  Charles  that  Rolf  should  do  homage  to  him,  and  kiss  the  royal  foot, 
the  independent  Northman  answered  indignantly,  '  Ne  si,  by  Got'  (Not  so,  by  God). 
When  at  last  he  consented  that  it  should  be  done  by  proxy,  it  is  said  that  King  Charles 
was  thrown  backwards  by  the  rudeness  of  the  Norse  soldier  as  he  raised  the  foot  to 
perform  the  prescribed  salute.  The  tale  probably  points  to  an  act  of  nominal  homage 
done  by  Rolf;  but  the  Normans  of  later  date  appealed  to  it  to  show  that  they  held  their 
country  of  no  higher  sovereign-in-chief,  but  of  God  alone,  and  were  proud  of  an  insult 
offered  with  impunity  to  a  descendant  of  the  great  Emperor  of  the  West.  In  922,  when 
Robert  of  Paris  broke  out  in  rebellion,  Rolf  and  the  Northmen  who  had  settled  in  the 
Loire,  aided  Charles  at  the  battle  of  Soissons,  where  Robert  paid  the  penalty  with  his 
life.  The  following  year,  however,  Charles  unwisely  trusted  himself  to  the  plighted  troth 
of  Herbert  of  Vermandois,  who  faithlessly  seized  him  and  kept  him  prisoner,  with  one 
short  interval,  until  his  death.  In  revenge  Rolf  ravaged  the  country  of  the  Duke  of  Paris, 
and  a  long  war  of  four  years  ensued,  generally  to  the  advantage  of  the  Norman  Duke. 
This,  though  not  successful  in  opening  the  prison  of  his  royal  father-in-law,  resulted  in 
two  important  acquisitions  to  the  Norman  territory.  The  Bessin,  the  district  around 
Bayeux,  was  granted  to  Rolf,  as  well  as  the  land  of  Maine.  The  annexation  of  the 
Bessin  was  his  last  exploit.  Shortly  afterwards  (927),  at  the  demand  of  his  people,  he 
abdicated  unwillingly  in  favour  of  his  son.  Five  more  years,  it  is  said,  he  lived,  and  then 
the  old  man  of  four-score  and  odd  years — years  teeming  with  deeds  of  strange  contrast, 
of  stranger  import  to  future  times — disappears  from  history.  As  we  stand  over  his  tomb 
in  the  chapel  of  St.  Romanus,  at  Rouen,  strange  are  the  thoughts  which  flit  across  our 
mind.  Here  lies  the  once  dread  sea-king,  the  pillager  of  France  ;  then  one  ot  the  most 
powerful  of  her  sons,  a  Duke,  a  legislator  ;  the  father  of  his  people,  the  progenitor  of  a 
long  line  of  dukes  and  kings.  When  all  is  told,  we  know  but  little  of  him.  Many  of 
the  rolls  which  would  have  recorded  his  fame  were  probably  burnt  by  his  own  hand.  To 
recall  all  the  events  of  his  varied  life  is  now  beyond  the  power  of  man,  but  the  best  proof 
of  his  power  and  his  genius  is,  that  it  was  his  life  that  inspired  a  Canon  of  his  own  town, 
Bayeux,  to  write  one  of  the  earliest  romances  of  modern  Europe  ;  and  that  while  all  other 
settlements  of  the  race  in  France  and  Germany  rapidly  disappeared,  his  alone  has  lasted 
on  and  deeply  affected  future  ages. 

By  his  second  wife,  Gisela  of  France,  he  was  issueless,  but  by  his  first  wife,  Popa, 
daughter  oi  Count  Berenger,  of  Bayeux.  he  had  one  son,  his  successor  William. 


DUKES  OF  NORMANDY. 


WILLIAM  LONGSWORD.-* 

9-7—943- 


M. — I   Espriota,  a  Breton. 

2  Leutgarda,  d.  of  Herbert  II.,  of  Vermandois. 


Contemporary  Pri 


JCEi 


France:      923,  Rudolf.  936,  Louis  IV.,  d'Outiemer. 

England  :  924,  Athelstan.        940.  Edmund  I. 

The  occasion  of  Rolf's  abdication  was  seized  by  the  Bretons  as  a  fitting-  opportunity 
to  free  themselves  from  the  Norman  domination.  When  Charles  the  Simple  granted 
Brittany  to  Rolf  at  St.  CLAiR-sur-Epte,  he  made  cession  of  a  territory  over  which  he  had 
no  real  control.  So  now,  the  Bretons,  roused  by  the  change  of  rulers  at  Rouen,  rose 
under  two  of  their  princes,  Berenger  and  Alan,  massacred  the  Northmen  in  their  country 
and  invaded  the  Norman  duchy  (930 — 932).  William,  however,  completely  crushed  the 
revolt.  Berenger  submitted,  Alan  fled  to  the  court  of  Athelstan,  and,  when  restored  on 
the  intercession  of  the  latter,  was  forced  to  accept  the  terms  imposed  by  the  conqueror  at 
the  first  suppression  of  the  rebellion.  The  result  was  an  important  increase  of  the 
Norman  territory  by  the  acquisition  of  the  Cotentin  and  the  Channel  Islands,  and  the 
formal  acknowledgment  of  the  Norman  supremacy  over  the  rest  of  Brittany. 

His  next  difficulty  was  the  disaffection  in  Bayeux,  where  the  Northmen  witnessed 
with  strong  dislike  the  gradual  conversion  of  the  rest  of  Normandy  to  the  language, 
manners,  and  customs  of  the  Franks.  William,  encouraged  by  the  bravery  of  his  father's 
trusted  adviser,  Bernard  the  Dane,  decided  to  deal  firmly  with  the  rebels  and  (932 — 3) 
pouncing  on  them  suddenly,  utterly  routed  them.  After  the  insurrection  he  strove  to 
crush  out  the  Norse  element,  and  became  more  thoroughly  French  than  ever.  Hence, 
perhaps,  his  adhesion  given  to  Rudolf  at  this  date,  and  his  repudiation  of  the  lovely 
Espriota,  his  first  wife — whom  he  had  married  by  Norse  rite,  that  is,  without  religious 
ties — for  Leutgarda,  sister  of  Herbert  of  Vermandois,  and  his  neglect  of  Richard, 
Espriota's  son.  Towards  the  end  of  his  life  he  changed  his  policy.  He  welcomed  a  fresh 
arrival  of  Danes,  and  allowed  them  to  settle  peaceably  in  the  newly  acquired  district  of 
Cotentin.  His  son  Richard,  suddenly  emerging  from  obscurity,  became  the  darling  of 
his  father,  was  entrusted  to  William's  old  tutor,  Botho,  the  Danish-born,  and  Bernard  the 
Dane,  and  sent  to  Bayeux  to  be  instructed  in  the  Northern  tongue. 

Arnulf  of  Flanders  viewed  William's  partiality  to  the  new  arrivals  of  Northmen  with 
great  apprehension,  and  formed  a  coalition  against  him.  In  December,  942,  William 
was  treacherously  invited  by  Arnulf  to  a  negotiation  with  him  on  the  Somme  at 
Pecquigny,  separated  from  his  adherents,  and  basely  murdered  on  the  Flemish  side  of  the 
river.  William,  who  is  generally  called  Longsivord  by  historians,  was  thus  snatched 
away  in  the  midst  of  a  changeable,  aimless  life  ;  and  the  existence  of  his  race  and  issue  in 
France  was  endangered  by  the  long  rule  of  a  minor. 

The  Normans  in  Europe. 


RICHARD  THE  FEARLESS.  13 

RICHARD  THE  FEARLESS.* 

942—996. 

M.— 1  Emma,  d.  of  Hugh  the  Great. 
2  Guenora. 

Contemporary  Princes : 

France  :        936,  Louis  IV.  954,  Lothaire.  9S6,  Louis  V.  987,  Hugh  Capet. 

England  :    940,    Edmund    I.      946,  Edred.  955,  Edwy.  959,  Edgar. 

975,  Edward  II.      97S,  Ethelred  II. 

On  the  accession  of  young  Richard  he  was  surrounded  by  great  dangers.  The  old 
Northern  non-observance  of  religious  marriage  rites  between  his  parents  laid  him  open  to 
the  imputation  of  bastardy.  The  ambiguous  position  was  undoubtedly  an  element  of 
difficulty.  There  were  enemies  enough  who  gladly  seized  the  opportunity  of  disputing 
Richard's  inheritance,  and  Leutgarda,  who  had  married  Theobald  of  Blois,  pursued  her 
stepson  all  her  life  with  the  hostility  traditional  of  a  stepmother.  Fortunately  for 
Richard,  he  was  amongst  the  faithful  friends  of  his  father,  Bernard  the  Dane,  Ivo  de 
Bellesme,  and  Osmund  de  Centville.  Louis  of  France  and  Hugh  of  Paris  united  to 
reduce  Normandy.  Accordingly,  the  duchy  was  invaded,  the  Danish  party  overthrown, 
Rouen  seized,  and  Louis  gained  possession  of  young  Richard,  while  Hugh  secured 
Evreux.  Richard  was  sent  prisoner  to  L&on,  from  which,  aided  by  his  trusty  companion, 
Osmund,  he  escaped  hidden  in  a  truss  of  hay,  and  the  standard  of  revolt  was  raised — 945. 
Fortunately  for  Richard,  in  his  hour  of  peril,  Harald  Bluetooth,  King  of  Denmark,  grand- 
father of  Knut  the  Great,  appeared  on  the  coast,  rallied  the  Normans  round  his  standard 
(945),  and  meeting  Louis  on  the  Dive,  utterly  routed  his  forces.  Louis,  made  prisoner 
in  personal  combat  with  Harald,  succeeded  in  escaping,  only  to  fall  in  the  hands  of  other 
enemies.  Harald,  after  passing  through  the  land  confirming  the  authority  of  the  young 
Duke,  returned  to  his  northern  home. 

The  next  year  (946)  Hugh  of  Paris,  anxious  to  secure  the  alliance  of  Richard, 
betrothed  to  him  his  young  daughter  Emma,  and  Richard  thereon  commended  himself  to 
Hugh,  whose  influence  in  France  now  became  supreme.  In  956  Hugh  died,  leaving  by 
will,  his  son  Hugh  Capet,  a  boy  of  13,  hereafter  King  of  France,  under  the  guardianship 
of  Richard,  and  the  alliance  was  cemented  in  960  by  the  consummation  of  the  marriage 
between  Emma  and  Richard. 

The  rest  of  Richard's  reign  was  comparatively  quiet,  if  we  except  a  short  war  with 
England  in  991.  This  is  said  to  have  been  caused  by  the  shelter  offered  by  Richard  to 
the  Danes  who,  under  Sweyn  of  Denmark,  son  of  Harald  Bluetooth,  were  again  beginning 
to  trouble  England,  and  entering  on  that  political  conquest  which  culminated  in  the 
establishment  of  Knut  upon  the  English  throne.  The  war  was  soon  put  an  end  to  by  the 
mediation  of  the  Pope,  and  is  important  only  as  forming  the  first  instance  in  which  the 
Norman  dukes  were  brought  into  direct  connection  with  the  English  kings. 

Richard  had  no  children  by  Emma,  but  by  Guenora,  to  whom  he  had  been  united  in 


*  The  Normans  in  Europe. 


DUKES  OF  NORMANDY. 


the  Northern  way,  he  had  a  numerous  progeny.  He  eventually  married  her  according 
to  Christian  rites,  and  by  the  doctrine  of  the  Church,  his  children  became  legitimatised. 
Of  these,  Richard  succeeded  him  ;  Robert  was  Count  of  Evreux,  and  Archbishop  of 
Rouen  ;  Malger  was  Count  of  Mortain,  in  the  Cotentin,  and  acquired  the  Earldom  of 
Corbeil  by  marriage  with  the  heiress  of  that  lordship.  Amongst  his  daughters  were 
Emma,  married  first  to  Ethelred  the  Unready,  and  secondly  to  Knut  the  Great,  both 
these  sovereigns  being  anxious  to  strengthen  their  houses  by  alliance  with  the  line  of 
Thor  ;  Haduisa,  married  to  Geoffrey,  Count  of  Brittany  ;  Matilda,  married  to 
Elides  II.,  Count  of  Blois. 


RICHARD  II.,  THE  GOOD.* 

996 — 1026. 
M.— Judith  of  Brittany. 

Contemporary  Princes : 

France  :      996,  Robert  II. 

t-a  o    t^i    1      i   tt  c    S  Edmund  II.,  Ironsides. 

England  :   978,  Ethelred  II.     .0.6  {^  ^  ^ 

Richard  the  Second  succeeded  his  father  at  a  somewhat  early  age,  and  amongst  the 
first  things  requiring  his  attention  was  a  revolt  of  the  peasants.  Richard  getting  word  of 
it  in  time,  crushed  it  out  with  merciless  severity.  In  all  the  wars  of  King  Robert  of 
France  we  find  Richard  lending  valuable  assistance,  while  the  King  of  Paris  acts  as 
mediator  in  some  of  Richard's  quarrels. 

Richard  connected  himself  with  the  rising  House  of  Blois,  and  married  his  sister 
Maude  to  Eudes,  her  dower  being  the  County  of  Dreux,  over  which  a  brief  quarrel 
ensued.  With  Brittany  he  allied  himself  by  a  double  marriage.  He  married  Judith, 
sister  of  Geoffrey,  Count  of  Rennes,  who  had  established  his  supremacy  over  the  country 
and  gained  the  title  of  Duke  ;  and  Haduisa,  his  sister,  became  Geoffrey's  wife.  When 
Geoffrey  died,  his  sons,  Alan  and  Odo,  fell  under  the  guardianship  of  their  uncle  and 
suzerain. 

When  Ethelred  of  England  fled  from  the  Danes  in  1013,  he  sought  refuge  with 
Richard,  bringing  with  him  the  ^Ethelings — Alfred  and  Edward.  In  Normandy,  Edward, 
afterwards  the  Confessor,  imbibed  those  Norman  tastes  which  led  him  to  introduce 
Normans  into  England  when  he  regained  his  ances'.ral  throne,  and  here  he  contracted 
that  friendship  with  William  the  Bastard  which  hurried  on  the  downfall  of  his  line. 

Duiing  Richard's  reign  the  Normans  began  to  seek  for  enterprise  beyond  his 
dominions.  Spain  first  attracted  them,  and  thither  Roger  de  Toesny  sailed  in  1018  to 
war  against  the  Moors,  and  to  found,  if  possible,  a  dominion  for  himself.  This,  however, 
had  no  lasting  results.  Far  more  important  is  the  settlement  of  the  Normans  at  Aversa, 
in  Italy,  where  the  sons  of  Tancred  of  Hauteville  won  first  the  dukedom  of  Apulia,  and 

*  The  Normans  in  Europe. 


RICHARD  III.  15 


then  the  kingdom  of  Sicily.  William,  Drogo,  and  Humfrey  of  Hauteville  ruled  Apulia 
in  succession,  and  then  their  brother  Robert  Guiscard,  the  Wise,  succeeded  them.  He 
completed  the  conquest  of  Apulia  and  Calabria,  and  wrested  the  ducal  title  from  Pope 
Nicholas.  He  and  his  son  Bohemond,  Prince  of  Antioch,  began  a  series  of  invasions 
against  Constantinople.  To  Roger,  his  youngest  brother,  the  twelfth  son  of  Tancred,  he 
entrusted  the  conquest  of  Sicily. 

Richard  II.  died  without  a  dream  of  the  great  destiny  awaiting  his  race  in  the  south. 
Three  years  before  the  settlement  at  Aversa  he  had  passed  peacefully  away,  leaving  his 
son  Richard,  the  third  of  his  name,  as  his  successor  to  the  dukedom.  His  other 
children  were  Robert,  afterwards  duke  ;  William  of  Arques,  Count  of  Talou  ;  Malger 
Archbishop  of  Rouen  ;  Alice,  married  Renaud,  Count  ot  Burgundy  ;  Eleanor,  married 
Baldwin  IV.,  the  Bearded,  of  Flanders  ;  and  Adelisa,  married  Stephen  II.,  of  Blois. 


RICHARD   III.* 
1026 — 1028. 


Synchronisms  : 
France  :  996,  Robert  II.     England  :  1016,  Knut  the  Great. 

Richard  III.  only  enjoyed  his  dukedom  two  years,  and  these  were  clouded  by  domestic 
quarrels  with  his  brother  Robert.  A  dispute  arose  between  the  brothers  as  to  Robert's 
share,  and  as  to  the  possession  of  the  important  castle  of  Falaise.  The  reconciliation 
was  speedily  followed  by  Richard's  death  from  poison,  administered,  many  said,  by  Robert. 

"  The  History  of  the  Saint-Clairs  "  t  states  that  Helena,  daughter  of  Richard,  was 
married  to  Waleran,  L,ord  of  Saint-Clair.  The  age  of  this  Duke  is  variously  stated,  but 
there  can  be  little  doubt  that  he  was  of  full  age  in  1025,  when  Renaud  of  Burgundy  had 
been  confined  in  prison  by  Hugues,  Bishop  of  Auxerre,  and  Count  of  Chalons,  for 
Richard  II.  thereupon  sent  his  sons,  Richard  and  Robert,  with  an  army  to  relieve  their 
brother-in-law,  and  Count  Hugues  was  compelled  to  present  himself  with  a  saddle  on  his 
back  (the  usual  custom  at  that  period),  and  crave  mercy  at  the  hands  of  the  sons  of  the 
Duke  of  Normandy.  Richard  left  a  natural  son  named  Nicholas,  who  in  1042  was  Abbot 
of  St.  Ouen.j 


ROBERT,  THE    MAGNIFICENT.* 
102S — 1035. 

M. — Estrith,  d.  of  K.  Sweyn  of  Denmark. 

Synchronisms  : 

France:  996,  Robert  II.  ;  1031,  Henry  I.     England:   1016,  Knut. 

Among  contemporaries  Robert  of  Normandy  was  called  the  Magnificent,  which  best 
accords  with  the  reckless,  extravagant  liberality  of  his  character,  although  he  is  also 
called  '  the  Devil '  and  '  the  Saint. ' 


The  Normans  in  Europe.         t  Van  Bassan.         J  The  Conq.  and  his  Companions. 


16  DUKES  OF  NORMANDY. 


Alan  of  Brittany  attempted  to  throw  off  his  allegiance,  but  was  reduced  to  submission. 
Robert  assumed  the  position  of  a  protector  of  exiled  princes  and  a  king-maker.  Baldwin  IV. 
of  Flanders,  driven  forth  by  his  rebellious  son,  was  restored  by  the  Norman  Duke.  He 
assisted  Henry  of  France  to  regain  his  throne  (1031 — 1033),  for  which  service  he  received 
the  over-lordship  of  the  Vexin.  He  revived  the  pretensions  of  the  ^Ethelings  to  the 
English  throne,  and  claimed  the  cession  of  England.  Upon  Knut's  refusal,  he  attempted 
to  invade  England,  but  the  Dane  was  too  firmly  seated,  and  the  expedition  failed. 

His  life  closed  with  a  strange  pilgrimage  to  the  Holy  Land,  the  stories  of  which 
surround  him  with  the  romance  of  a  knight  errant.  With  ostentatious  liberality  his 
mules  were  shod  with  shoes  of  silver  gilt,  and  carelessly  attached  by  one  nail  alone,  that 
they  might  be  lost  and  speak  of  the  riches  of  him  who  had  passed  that  way.  Arrived  at 
the  Court  of  Constantinople,  he  treated  the  Emperor  with  a  rudeness  and  contempt 
which  were  best  answered  by  the  studied  courtesy  of  the  more  refined  monarch  of  the 
East.  When  he  reached  the  gates  of  Jerusalem,  we  are  told  of  the  contest  of  liberality 
between  him  and  the  Emir,  Robert  paying  all  the  tolls  of  those  pilgrims  who  waited 
outside  the  gates,  too  poor  to  pay  their  fee  for  entrance  ;  which  the  Emir,  not  to  be 
outdone,  returned  on  his  departure.  On  his  way  home  Robert's  pilgrimage  and  life  were 
suddenly  cut  short  iu  Bithynia,  where  he  died,  some  said  by  poison.  It  is  related  that  he 
met  with  Fulk  Nerra,  Count  of  Anjou,  at  Constantinople,  in  1035,  and  they  travelled 
thence  together  to  the  Holy  Land,  escorted  by  some  merchants  of  Antioch,  who  had 
offered  to  be  their  guides.  Robert  becoming  fatigued,  was  carried  in  a  litter  by  four 
Moors.  A  Norman  pilgrim  returning  from  Jerusalem,  meeting  his  sovereign  with  this 
equipage,  asked  if  he  had  any  message  to  send  his  friends.  "Tell  them,"  said  the  Duke, 
"  that  thou  sawest  me  borne  to  Paradise  by  four  devils."* 

By  Estrith,  sister  of  Knut,  Robert  had  no  issue.  Before  setting  out  for  Jerusalem  he 
assembled  his  baronage,  and  declaring  his  natural  son  William  (by  one  Herleve,  daughter 
of  a  furrier  of  Falaise)  his  heir,  those  present  did  homage  and  took  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  William,  then  between  seven  and  eight  years  of  age. 


WILLIAM    THE   CONQUEROR.! 

1035— 1087. 

M.— Matilda  of  Flanders. 

Contemporary  Princes : 
France  :      1031,  Henry  I.      1060,  Philip  I. 

England  :  1035,  Harald  I.     1039,  Hiirda-Knut.  1042,  Edward  the  Confessor. 

1066,  Harald  II.,  Infelix. 

William,  though  born  a  bastard,  soon  justified  the  pride  of  his  father  by  his  excellence 
in  all  knightly  feats  of  strength,  and  probably  Robert  would  have  most  willingly  married 
Herleve,  and  thus  legitimatised  him,  if  Estrith  were  not  still  alive  and  presenting  an 

*  The  Conq.  and  his  Companions,  p.  79.  f  Freeman  and  Planche. 


WILLIAM  THE  CONQUEROR.  17 

insuperable  obstacle.  Before  departing  for  the  East  he  committed  William  to  the  care  of 
his  cousin,  Alan  of  Brittany,  who  fulfilled  the  position  of  regent  with  honour  and  fidelity. 
While  Robert  lived  the  nobles  submitted  in  sullen  silence,  but  the  news  of  his  death  was 
the  signal  for  general  anarchy.  In  his  very  cradle  William  had  been  cursed  by  William 
Talvas  de  Belesme,  the  descendant  of  Ivo  de  Belesme,  the  trusty  friend  of  Richard 
Sans  Peur.  "Shame,  shame,  thrice  shame,"  cried  he,  "  for  by  thee  and  thine  shall  I  and 
mine  be  brought  to  loss  and  dishonour."  The  curse  of  de  Belesme  found  echo  throughout 
the  dukedom.  Alan  of  Brittany  met  his  fate  by  poison  before  the  stronghold  of  the 
Montgomeries.  Other  friends  of  William  were  assassinated,  and  he  himself  narrowly 
escaped  the  same  fate. 

In  sketching  the  history  of  William,  the  three  decisive  epochs  of  ducal  domination 
are  marked  by  the  battles  of  Val-es-dunes,  Varaville,  and  Hastings.  His  first  trouble 
was  a  conspiracy  of  Guy,  Count  of  Burgundy,  his  cousin,  who  claimed  the  duchy  as  his 
by  right  of  birth.  Guy  won  to  his  side  many  of  the  leading  Norman  nobles,  amongst 
others  Nigel  of  St.  Saviour,  Viscount  of  the  Coutances,  Raudolf,  Viscount  of  Bayeux,  and 
Hamon,  Lord  of  Thorigny,  whom  Benoit  de  St.  More  distinguishes  with  the  remarkable 
soubriquet  of  Anti-Christ,  but  who  is  more  generally  known  as  Hamo  Deniatus,  or 
aux  Dtnts*  To  these  we  may  add  Grimbald  of  Plessis.  William  was  at  Valognes. 
One  night  in  1047  he  was  roused  from  sleep  by  his  court  jester  and  urged  to  fly  without 
delay.  Mounting  his  steed  in  haste  he  rode  in  the  direction  of  Falaise.  He  forded  the 
estuary  formed  by  the  Ouse  and  Dive,  with  an  ebbing  tide,  and  landed  safely  on  the  other 
side  in  the  Bayeux  district.  Pressing  on  at  sunrise  he  drew  near  the  church  and  castle 
of  Rye,  and  found  Hubert  the  lord  thereof  standing  in  front  of  the  chateau.  Hubert 
recognised  the  Duke,  gave  him  a  fresh  mount,  and  bade  his  three  sons  ride  by  his  side 
and  never  leave  him  till  he  was  safely  lodged  in  his  own  castle  of  Falaise.  The  loyal 
sons  faithfully  executed  their  father's  command,  and  we  are  not  surprised,  writes  Freeman, 
to  find  that  the  House  of  Rye  rose  high  in  the  favour  of  William,  and  we  can  hardly 
grudge  them  their  share  in  the  lands  of  England,  when  we  find  that  Eudo,  the  son  of 
Hubert,  the  King's  Dapifer,  and  Sheriff  of  Essex,  was  not  only  the  founder  of  the  great 
House  of  St.  John  at  Colchester,  but  won  a  purer  fame  as  one  of  the  very  few  Normans 
in  high  authority  who  knew  how  to  win  the  love  and  confidence  of  the  conquered  Angles. 
At  this  critical  juncture  William  had  recourse  to  the  assistance  of  his  suzerain,  Henry  of 
France,  by  whom  he  was  favourably  received.  A  French  army,  with  the  King  at  its 
head,  was  soon  ready  to  march  to  the  Duke's  support.  The  French  and  the  loyal 
Normans  joining  their  forces  some  miles  to  the  east  of  Caen,  engaged  the  rebel  host  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  memorable  Val-es-dunes.  Before  the  battle,  William  was 
strengthened  by  the  defection  of  Ralph  of  Tesson,  Lord  of  the  Forest  of  Cingueleiz,  who 
deserted  the  rebels  and  crossed  over  to  the  ducal  army.  All  fought  with  valour.  William 
slew  with  his  own  hand  Hardrez,  the  choicest  warrior  of  Bayeux  ;  and  the  King  of  France 
was  twice  unhorsed — once  by  a  knight  of  the  Cotentin,  and  again  by  Hamon,  Lord  of 
Thorigny,  who  paid  for  the  distinction  with  his  life.  By  the  express  order  of  King 
Henry,  Hamon  was  buried  with  all  fitting  splendour  before  the  Church  of  Our  Lady  at 
Esquai,  on  the  Orne.  After  William  slew  Hardrez,  Randolf  began  to  falter  and  presently 
fled,  leaving  Neil  fighting  on.  The  valiant  Neil  was  the  last  to  flee.  He  was  exiled  to 
Brittany,  but  was  soon  restored  to  ducal  favour.  Guy  of  Burgundy  returned  to  his  native 
*  Hence  anti-Deus  in  error. 


DUKES  OF  NORMANDY. 


land,  the  Burgundian  palatinate.  Grimbald  died  in  fetters  in  prison.  Thus  ended  in 
favour  of  William  the  battle  of  Val-es-dunes,  which  marks  the  first  decisive  epoch  of 
ducal  domination,  the  other  two  being  Varaville  and  Hastings. 

About  105 1  the  County  of  Mortain, — Moritolium,  in  the  diocese  of  Avranches — was 
held  by  William,  surnamed  the  Warling,  son  of  Mauger,  a  lawful  son  of  Richard  the 
Fearless  and  Guenora.  He  was  therefore  a  first  cousin  of  the  late  Duke  Robert,  and  if 
the  succession  had  been  limited  to  heirs-male,  would  have  ranked  next  after  William  of 
Arques.  Count  of  Talou ;  and  Malger,  Archbishop  of  Rouen,  sons  of  Richard  II.  ;  and 
after  Richard,  Count  of  Evreux,  only  son  of  Robert,  Count  of  Evreux,  Archbishop  of 
Rouen,  a  son  of  Richard  the  Fearless.  His  name  has  not  occurred  in  the  accounts  of 
former  disturbances,  but  it  is  clear  that  he  might,  like  so  many  others,  have  felt  himself 
aggrieved  by  the  accession  of  the  bastard.  Among  the  knights  in  the  service  of  William, 
Count  of  Mortain,  was  one  hitherto  unknown  to  history,  but  to  become  famous.  Robert 
le  Bigod,  patriarch  of  the  future  powerful  House  of  Bigod,  was  now  a  knight  so  poor 
that  he  craved  leave  of  his  Lord  to  depart  from  his  service  and  to  seek  his  fortune  among 
his  countrymen,  who  were  carving  out  for  themselves  lordships  and  principalities  in 
Apulia.  The  Count  bade  him  stay  where  he  was  ;  within  eighty  days  he,  Robert  le  Bigod, 
would  be  able  there  in  Normandy  to  lay  his  hands  on  whatever  good  things  it  pleased 
him.  In  such  a  speech  treason  plainly  lurked,  and  Robert,  whether  from  duty  to  his 
sovereign  or  in  the  hope  of  winning  favour  with  a  more  powerful  master,  determined  that 
the  matter  should  come  to  the  ear  of  the  Duke.  The  Bigod  was  a  kinsman  of  Richard 
d'Avranches,  now  high  in  favour  at  the  court  of  William.  By  his  means  Robert  obtained 
an  introduction  to  the  Duke,  and  told  him  of  the  treasonable  words  of  the  Count  of 
Mortain.  William  accordingly  sent  for  his  cousin  and  charged  him  with  plotting  against 
the  State.  He  had,  the  Duke  told  him,  determined  again  to  disturb  the  peace  of  the 
country,  and  again  to  bring  about  the  reign  of  license.  But  while  he,  Duke  William, 
lived,  the  peace  which  Normandy  so  much  needed  should,  by  God's  help,  never  be 
disturbed  again.  Count  William  must  at  once  leave  the  country,  and  not  return  to  it 
during  the  life-time  of  his  namesake  the  Duke.  The  proud  Lord  of  Mortain  was  thus 
driven  to  doing  what  his  poor  knight  had  thought  of  doing.  He  went  to  the  wars  in 
Apulia  in  humble  guise  enough,  attended  by  a  single  esquire.  The  Duke  at  once 
bestowed  the  vacant  County  of  Mortain  upon  his  half-brother  Robert,  the  son  of  Herluin 
and  Herleve.  Thus,  says  our  informant,  did  William  pluck  down  the  proud  kindred  of 
his  father  and  lift  up  the  lowly  kindred  of  his  mother.*  Historians  agree  that  William 
the  Warling  was  banished  on  the  mere  suspicion  of  treason.  Orderic  Vital,  when 
referring  to  the  circumstance,  narrates  :  ' '  The  Duke  disinherited  and  drove  out  of 
Normandy  William  the  Warling,  Count  of  Mortain,  for  a  single  word." 

The  many  other  notable  incidents  during  the  rule  of  William  the  Conqueror  belong 
more  to  English  history,  and  are  therefore  omitted  as  foreign  to  the  scope  of  this  work. 

Hamon  aux  Dents,  who  perished  at  Val-es-dunes,  is  stated  to  have  been  Earl  of 
Corbeil,  and  a  son  of  Malger,  Count  of  Mortain  ;  and  a  modern  writer!  endeavours  to 
establish  Walter,  Lord  of  St.  Clair  in  Normandy,  as  brother  to  Hamo  Fitz-Hamo  Dentatus  ; 
and  also  in  near  relationship  to  Hubert,  Lord  of  Rye,  which  latter  was  sent  as  ambassador 
to  Edward  the  Confessor  by  the   Norman   Duke.     The  other  legitimate  scions  of  the 

*  Planche.         f  Au.  of  the  Sinclairs  of  England. 


WILLIAM  THE  CONQUEROR.  19 


Norman  Dukes  were  the  sons  of  Richard  II. — Malger,  Archbishop  of  Rouen,  whom  Duke 
William  banished  to  the  Channel  Islands,  where  he  died  without  lawful  issue  ;  and 
William  of  Arques,  Count  of  Talou,  who  also  died  issueless.  Richard,  Count  of  Evreux, 
only  son  of  Robert,  Archbishop  of  Rouen  (second  son  of  Richard  I.),  left  one  son,  William, 
Count  of  Evreux,  who  had  no  issue.  Malger,  Earl  of  Corbeil  and  Mortain  (third  son  of 
Richard  I.),  had  issue  William  the  Warling,  exiled  to  Apulia,  of  whose  issue  there  is  no 
account.  The  male  line  of  Rollo  in  lawful  descent  is  thus  presumably  extinct,  and  the 
representation  would  therefore  devolve  on  the  heir-general.  "The  History  of  the 
St.  Clairs  "  states  that  Waleran,  Lord  of  St.  Clair,  married  the  daughter  of  Duke  Richard 
of  Normandy.  The  sire  de  St.  Clair  accompanied  Duke  William  at  Hastings,  where  he 
fought  with  distinction,  and  his  name  is  enumerated  on  the  Roll  of  Battle  Abbey.  Wace 
records:  "  Hue  de  Mortemer  with  three  other  knights,  the  sires  of  Anvilliers,  Onebec, 
and  St.  Cler,  charged  a  body  of  the  Angles  who  had  fallen  back  on  a  rising  ground,  and 
overthrew  many. ' ' 


ORCADIAN  DYNASTIES. 


THE    EARLDOM    OF   ORKNEY 


DYNASTIES   SINCE  THE  NORWEGIAN   CONQUEST, 
S71— 1471. 


Title  to  Earldom. 


Regxal 
Years. 


Acces-  '  Demis 


THE  HOUSE  OF  ODIN,  or  NORSE  LINE. 


1  R.ignvald.  Earl  of  Mo    , 

2  Sigurd  tin  Sea-king 

3  Guttorm 

4  Hallad 

5  Einar,  Torf-Einar 

6  Arnkell 

7  Erlend 

8  Thorfinn.  Clearer  oj  Helmets 

9  Arnfinn 

10  Havard  the  Blessed 

11  Ljot 

12  Skuli 

13  Hlodver 

14  Sigurd  II..  the  Stout 

15  Somerled 

16  Einar  II. 

17  Brusi 

iS  Thorfinn  II..  the  Great 

19  R.ignvald   II. 

20  £*,  *  a  tt    i"  the  ExUes 

21  Erlend  II.   \ 

Sigurd,  Crown  Prince  of  Norn-ay, 

22  Hakon  the  Imperious 

23  St.  Magnus  the  Martyr 

24  Harald  the  Orator 

25  Paul  II..  the  Sihmt 

26  Erlend  III.,  the  Younger 

27  St.  R.ignvald  III.,  the  Rhymer 
29  Harald  III.,  the  Younger 


Inv.  by  K.  Har.  Fairhair 
Brother  of  Riignvald 
Son  of  Sigurd 
Son  of  Riignvald 

Son  of  Torf-Einar 


Son  of  Thorfinn 


Son  of  Hlodver 
Son  of  Sigurd  II. 


Son  of  Brusi 

Son  of  Thorfinn  II. 

Viceroy  of  the  Isles 
Son  of  Paul 
Son  of  Erlend  II. 
Son  of  Hakon 

Son  of  Harald 


Son  of  Gunhild,  d.  of  21 
Son  of  Ingigerd,  d.  of  27 


871 

S90 

Burnt  in  Moeri 

S7I 

882 

Slain  in  Caithness 

882 

883 

Died  childless 

SSs 

8S5 

Abdicated 

88  s 

910 

Natural  death 

910 

950 

Fell  in  England 

910 

950 

910 

963 

Natural  death 

963 

967 

Murdered  at  Murkle 

963 

970 

Slain  at  Stenness 

963 

97b 

Slain  in  Caithness 

963 

974 

Fell  in  Caithness 

96s 

9S0 

Natural  death 

980 

1014 

Fell  at  Clontarf 

1014 

1015 

Died  issueless 

1014 

1026 

Slain  in  Deerness 

1014 

103 1 

Natural  death 

1014 

1064 

1035 

1046 

Slain  in  Papa  Stronsay 

1064 
1064 

1 103 
1 103 

\„   .         .,      J    Bergen 
-^D.  in  exile  at-  xid°aros 

109S 

1 103 

Succeed*  to  Norway) 

1 103 

1122 

Natural  death 

1 103 

Executed  bv  Haco 

1122 

1127 

Poisoned 

1122 

1136 

Deposed 

1127 

115b 

Slain  in  Damsay 

TH6 

TTS8 

Slain  in  Caithness 

1176 

1198 

Fell  at  Clairdon 

THE  HOUSE  OF  ATHOL,  OR  ROYAL  SCOTTISH  LINE. 


28      Harald  II.,  the  Wicked 

Son  of  Margaret  d.  of  22 

"39 

1206 

^0      David 

Son  ot  Harald  II. 

1206 

1214 

31     John 

" 

1206 

1231 

Natural  death 
Murdered  at  Thurso 


ORCADIAN    DYNASTIES. 


ORCADIAN   DYNASTIES.— C 


OXTIXI'ED. 


Titi.k  to  Earldom. 


Rec.nai, 
Years. 


THE  AXGUS  LIXE. 


*  32 

Magnus  II.,  of  Angus 

Kinsman  of  John 

„„ 

1239 

*  33 

Gilbert 

Brother  of  Magnus  II. 

1239 

*  34 

Gilbert  II. 

Son  of  Gilbert  I. 

1256 

"5 

6 

*  35 

Magnus  III. 

Son  of  Gilbert  II. 

1256 

1273 

._      .. 

*  36 

Magnus  IV. 

Son  of  Magnus  III. 

1273 

1284 

(T 

*  37 

John  II. 

12S4 

1310 

*  3« 

Magnus  V. 

Son  of  John  II. 

1310 

1321 

*,39 

**4o 


THE  STRATHERXE  LIXE. 


Malise,  Earl  of  Stratherne 
Malise  II.,  Earl  of  Stratherne 
Erengisle  Suneson-Jonsson 


Heir-at-law  to  Magn.  V. 
Son  of  Malise  I. 
Son-in-law  of  Malise  II. 


1321 

1333 

1333 

1344 

J353 

1357 

[Fell  at  Halidon  Hill] 
Died  s.p.  male 
Died  s.p.,  1392 


IXTERVAL  OF  DISPUTED  SUCCESSIOX. 


Thomas  de  St.  Clair 
Hakon  Jonsson 
Alex,  de  la  Ard 


Balhvus 
Prefect 
Governor  &  Commissnr. 


1364      Dead  1371 

1379      App.  by  Xorwgn.  Crown 

1376      Living  1379 


THE  SAIXT-CLAIR  LIXE. 


Wm.  de  St.  Clair,  Lord  of  Rodin 
Henrv  I.,  the  Holy 
Henr'v  II.,  Lord  St.  Clair  (1st) 
William  ,,  (2nd) 

Wm.  the  Waster     ,,  (3rd) 

Henry  ,,  (.4th) 

Margaret,  Lady  Sinclair 
Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Sanday 
Oliver  Sinclair,  of '  Solway  Moss  ' 
William,  5th  Lord  Sinclair 

James  Hepburn,  E.  of  Bothwell 


Mar.  Isab.,  d.  of  Xo.  40 
Son  of  Isab.  de  Strath. 
Son  of  Henry  I. 
Son  of  Henry  II. 
Eldest  son  of  2nd  Lord 
Son  of  3rd  Lord 
Baroness  Regent 
Grandson  of  3rd  Lord 
Grandson  of  2nd  Lord 
Son  of  4th  Lord 
Duke  of  Orkney 
Grandson  of  4th  Lord 


1363 

1379 

1404 

1404 

1420 

1420 

1471 

1497 

I4S5 

1514 

1514 

1539 

1515 

J535 

1540 

LS4S 

x543 

1567 

1567 

Anc.ofSt.  Clairsof  thel. 
Slain  by  English  v.m. 

Surrendered  the  dignity 
Anc.  Wars'ter,  Saba,  &c. 
Gov.  and  Capt.-Genl. 

Gov.  Kirk "11  Castle 
Governor,  &c. 
Last  '  Lord  of  the  Isles ' 
[Scots 
Pr.-Cou.  of  Mary,  Q.  of 


XoTE.— The  earlier  years  are  approximated  from  the  Orkneyinga  Saga.  The  ancestors  of  the  Earl 
of  Moeri  were  Xorwegian  grandees  ab  initio  bv  virtue  of  their  descent  from  Odin,  the  great  Pagan- 
Pontiff,  'God,  father,  and  warrior-priest  of  all  the  Dacians.'  The  autonomous  maritime  principality 
known  as  the  Jarldom  of  Orkney,  and  the  Earldom  of  Caithness,  are  the  most  ancient  in  geographical 
Britain,  both  of  these  dignities  being  in  existence  coeval  with  the  reign  of  Alfred  the  Great,  and 
centuries  antecedent  to  the  authentic  mention  of  others.  The  Earldoms  of  Athol,  Angus,  and  Stratherne 
occur  in  the  earliest  Scottish  records. 

*  Also  Earls  of  Caithness  (inclusive  of  Sutherland  till  after  the  31st  Earl). 
**  Also  Earls  Palatine  of  Stratherne. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


FAC-SIMILE  PAGE  OF  MS.  OF  ORKNEYINGERS'  SAGA. 

titttht  «rta  6  fyanfc  tyw  fystato^mtfju  fimk^ee  Jfcvuiw  <a|p  t  }i<*p 
c6rcu)ttf^t>u^o^ttWyti6nimi  >wbnrW^4  S  yi)&t  btto 
itaUptyaw  w-  vftdt  toktu  en  mart  £te«ti -}»a  ku^.v>.  \*<nt  cfe  utatya' 
mSrftitftfc  eckdit  )<fota  wato  war  apW&St  uicututttw  houtt^muTfiwetfc 
to?tr  at  *oj/  vaat  hUbb  Warn  jnofcti  bdbr  tok  tocft  At  tyjfw  <*Mr  mnget£ 
ep  f  %few  ^  v>e<br  p  (jjan  \  yxag&  p*  ftrcmtnte  >la^u  f  (fciflfciga  torn 
akla  f  atfifa^iw  albmfc  Cos  *taA$itiKrat:ftt  tobiutta  dajnit.^a  bu.). 
gfc  eK  cvl»ro6r  itjtect  tylm  uyaa  ftcemgritma  fite]*  fucMti  feat&i  fnahetflar' 
k*ftr  a  Wtwt  m  ek  ^»ur  berta  ^flnfetkflah  <  efc  p<x  wcebati  vfti&  &  fiiarr  or 
6mSt  Cufrtnar  famu^rotti  Bpt  f  toiifru  ^  fe^fft  i  brtim  tor  at  tnapa  Cwi 
i>u  aftpaamu*^  J»a  ku  o&i.  ^apSt  ^oHwxtrUyba  kuiewfa  fectfer  tm  &m 
bft  teukfrur,  fofcflt  fiiu%r  wr^g  eti  &JduuSfi&isu#  uattgmta&s  it*  H^tk 
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.%. 3ih»»  Vp  Wtkn  fjminfo  octtr  ttmtb  f tuunbu  w>t  kerfi; atfat*e6a  auft 
tamtfemi  riaiiltufou^fr^avHttufyatt^ 
81  Miis  ©  tm  uittia  p  Hgfou  i3$v«i  ufo^a  firos i  tokfoa  atf^tai  w&T 
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0^1  ^  ^tiufeftar  eu  jfc-* ^tiai^ti  c^  *  CuuStk  itufa&u  Ei%Sat 
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I an*t  vsilu- m  tank*  teuarisr  afcifrpdgw  nfa  tu  &er  atlnuSa  ftntamefc 

fett)V  i  Sagtjwfei  (nk  egcttf  g  ^^a.^y«.  m  ^  Ua.  fij&  i  Stfe  ^t  te$u 
i  uaiu^  (ar&iS  «^  \  totffU  ctia  1 6a  Jafi  v>^^  <*£  ^atit  at  4%Wi^fofln  tui 
fe A ^ot»\ tkV5giuir(» Ca Jfc twat etkt ^ l^rit t ^«ft fin f  ftntt  p^ttA  tao?am 
ataf^ti  jjoiuntt'foanft^htuMt*  6*i  fei  ^  ttMarwTie^rat'eO 
iaWt  atofm  V  ^oqj6i  anntttc^i^^m  (bgsu  ft^P.C  nkt  &n  f  mit 
^cyCw^apAfmu^a  tfmij>aucttt  ^a&r^tt^att^ct^^iaUa 
ttoinM  eu^aur^tf  ?  mtkti  Tc  ^Km  fat  fiaai  ^areanAtr  jjomimn  Vk 

..     <OD.  Pl/RT.    PP    354.  1  10  to  358  1  23. 

Reproduced  by  permission  of  the  Controller  of  the  Stationery  Office. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


*3 


CHAPTER  III. 


SEA-KINGS   OF  ORKNEY. 


THE    NORSE    LINE. 


1  Riignvald  of  Moeri,  Jarl 

2  Sigurd  the  Powerful 

3  Guttorm 

4  Hallad 

5  Einar,   Torf-Einar 

6  Arnkell  1 

7  Erlend   i 


8S3— 885, 
S85 — 910 


Contemporary  Pkinck.' 


Norway  :       863,  Harald  I'airhair. 
Normandy:  912,  Rolf  the  Sea-  King. 
Scotland:      862,  Constantine  II. 

904,  Constantine  III. 
England:      871,  Alfred  the  Great. 

940,  Edmund. 


934,  Eric  Blooila.ce. 

927,  William,  Longsword. 

879,  Aodh  ;  Eocha  ;  Grig. 

944,  Malcolm  I. 

901,  Edward  the  Elder. 

946,  Edred. 


940,  Hakon  the  Good. 
943,  Richard,  the  Fearless. 
892,  Donald  IV. 

924,  Athelstan. 


ROGNVALD  THE  MIGHTY,    ist  EARL. 

By  the  naval  victory  of  Hafursfiord  in  S70  Harald  Fairhair  ( Harfagri)  became  sole 
monarch  in  Norway.  Large  numbers  of  the  wealthy  and  powerful  odallers,  whom  he  had 
dispossessed  of  their  territorial  possessions,  fled  to  the  Isles  of  Orkney  (anciently  known 
as  Inistore)  and  Zetland,  which  for  a  full  century  previous  to  this  time  had  been  well 
known  as  the  viking  station  of  the  western  haf—  the  rendezvous  of  the  Northern  rovers, 
who  swept  the  coasts  of  the  Hebudes  and  swarmed  in  the  Irish  Seas.  Fugitives  from 
their  fatherland,  and  outlaws  of  the  new  kingdom  which  Harald  had  succeeded  in  estab- 
lishing in  Norway,  they  settled  themseh-es  permanently  in  the  islands.  Then  they  turned 
their  haven  of  refuge  into  a  base  of  operations  for  retaliatory  warfare,  harrying  the  Nor- 
wegian coasts  during  the  summer,  and  living  at  leisure  in  winter,  secure  in  the  islands 
with  their  plunder.  At  length  King  Harald,  irritated  by  their  incessant  ravages,  collected 
a  powerful  fleet,  and,  visiting  Zetland,  Orkney,  and  the  Hebudes  in  succession,  he  swept 
their  coasts  clear  of  the  plunderers,  subduing  the  whole  of  the  Northern  and  Western 
Islands  as  far  south  as  Man.  In  this  expedition  he  was  accompanied  by  his  favourite 
comrade-in-arms  and  most  trusted  counsellor,  Rdgnvald,  Jarl  of  Moeri  and  Raumsdahl, 
whose  eldest  son  Ivar  and  brother  Sigurd  were  also  with  the  fleet.  Ivar  was  slain  in  one 
of  the  numerous  fights  during  the  purgation  of  the  Isles,  and  it  is  thought  he  was  buried 
in  Sanday,. where  there  is  a  cairn  known  as  Ivar  s  Knowe.  In  order  to  recompense 
Reign vald  for  the  loss  of  his  heir  to  Moeri,  King  Harald  offered  him  the  lordship  of  the 

*  Authorities— Ork.  Saga,  Torfeus,  Barry,  Pope,  etc. 


24  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


twin  archipelagoes  with  the  title  of  Jarl  of  the  Orkne3'S.  But  as  Rognvald  had  extensive 
possessions  in  his  own  country,  together  with  many  dependents  and  friends — as  he  was  a 
favourite  at  the  court  of  his  sovereign,  from  whom  he  had  received  many,  and  expected 
perhaps  still  more  favours — he  preferred  a  residence  at  home  to  one  in  a  distant  country 
with  all  the  wealth  and  honour  it  promised  to  bestow.  Averse,  however,  to  offend  this 
prince  by  rejecting  the  benefits  which  his  bounty  had  conferred  on  him,  and,  reluctant  to 
let  them  go  past  his 'house,  with  the  consent  of  his  sovereign  he  transferred  the  royal  gift 
to  his  brother  Sigurd,  who  had  been  Harald's  flag  captain,  and  Harald  gave  him  the  title 
of  Jarl  before  leaving  the  west,  where  Sigurd  remained. 


SIGURD  THE  POWERFUL,  2nd  EARL. 

Earl  Sigurd  was  a  mighty  warrior,  and  his  conduct  evinced  that  he  was  not  only 
actuated  by  the  spirit  of  the  times,  but  had  all  the  distinctive  features  of  his  line.  His 
brother's  influence  had  raised  him  to  an  elevated  rank.  His  bounty  had  conferred  on  him 
both  power  and  opulence,  which,  instead  of  rendering  him  contented  with  his  lot,  only 
served  to  augment  his  ambition,  to  gratify  which  he  resolved  to  extend  his  territories  far 
beyond  those  limits  which  the  ocean  had  prescribed.*  To  effect  this  purpose  he  formed 
an  alliance  with  Thorstein  the  Red,  a  warrior  of  intrepid  valour  and  royal  descent,  son  of 
Olaf  the  White,  King  of  Dublin,  and  the  Lady  Aude,  the  Wealthy.!  In  conjunction  with 
Thorstein,  Sigurd  levied  troops  and  fitted  out  a  squadron,  when  they  crossed  to  the 
Scottish  mainland  and  conquered  Caithness,  Sutherland,  and  the  rich  shores  of  East  Ross 
and  fertile  plains  of  Moray,  i  While  he  remained  in  this  last  province  he  built  a  fort  on 
the  southern  side  of  Moray,  which  is  taken  to  be  the  large  fort  called  Eccialsbacka  at  the 
Burghead  in  the  parish  of  Duffus.  It  was  very  extensive  and  strong,  having  been  founded 
chiefly  on  rock.S  His  death  befell  in  a  most  remarkable  way.  Having  a  difference  with 
a  certain  Scottish  earl,  Melbrigd  Tonn  (buck-tooth),  an  appointment  was  made  for  a  con- 
ference to  adjust  the  matters  at  issue,  each  earl  to  be  attended  by  a  retinue  of  40  men. 
On  the  appointed  day  Sigurd  was  suspicious  of  treachery  on  the  part  of  the  Scots.  He 
therefore  caused  80  men  to  be  mounted  on  40  horses.  When  Earl  Melbrigd  saw  this,  he 
said  to  his  men  :  "  Now  have  we  been  treacherously  dealt  with  by  Earl  Sigurd,  for  I  see 
two  feet  at  each  horse's  side,  and  the  men,  I  believe,  are  thus  twice  as  many  as  the  steeds. 
But  let  us  be  brave  and  kill  each  his  man  before  we  die.  "  Then  they  made  themselves 
ready.  When  Sigurd  saw  it  he  also  decided  on  his  plan,  and  said  to  his  men  :  "  Now, 
let  one  half  of  our  number  dismount,  and  attack  them  in  flank  when  the  troops  meet, 
while  we  shall  ride  at  them  with  all  our  speed  to  break  their  battle  array."  There  was 
hard  fighting  immediately,  and  it  was  not  long  till  Earl  Melbrigd  fell,  and  all  his  men 
with  him.  Earl  Sigurd  and  his  men,  in  bravado,  fastened  the  heads  of  the  slain  to  their 
saddle  straps,  and  so  they  rode  home  triumphing  in  their  victory.  It  happened,  however, 
on  the  homeward  ride,  that,  as  Sigurd  was  spurring  his  horse,  he  struck  his  leg  against  a 
projecting  tooth  of  the  fallen  Scottish  earl,  which  made  a  slight  incision  that  soon  became 
swollen  and  painful,  eventually  resulting  in  his  death.  Sigurd  the  Powerful  was  hoy-laid 
(buried  in  a  mound  or  cairn)  on  the  estuary  of  the  Oykel,  and  his  grave  mound,  which  is 
still  visible,  is  locally  known  as  Siward's  hoch.      He  was  succeeded  by  his  only  son 

*  Barry.         t  Orkn.  Saga.         J  Barry.         3  Pope. 


EINAR,   5th  EARL.  25 


GUTTORM,  3RD  EARL, 
who  only  enjoyed  the  earldom  for  one  winter,  when,  dying  childless,  it  reverted  to 
his  uncle,  Rognvald,  the  Founder,  and  the  Isles,  for  want  of  a  spirited  governor,  were 
again  infested  with  the  incursions  of  freebooters,  of  whom,  amongst  others,  the  celebrated 
Hastings  is  noted  as  having  passed  his  life  in  sailing  from  Denmark  to  the  Orcades,  from 
the  Orcades  to  Gaul,  from  Gaul  to  Ireland,  irom  Ireland  to  England.*  In  this  situation 
of  things  Rognvald,  either  unacquainted  with  the  real  state  of  the  country,  or  blinded  by 
parental  affection,  appointed  to  that  station  his  son  Hallad,  who,  as  the  events  but  too 
plainly  showed,  was  altogether  unqualified  for  the  dignity,  t 

HALLAD,  4TH  EARL. 

King  Harald  gave  Hallad  the  title  of  Jarl,  and  he  came  out  to  the  West  and  took  up 
his  residence  in  Hrossey  (Pomona),  where  he  lived  in  retirement,  while  piratical  hordes 
of  Vikings  went  prowling  about  the  islands  and  outlying  headlands  slaying  and  plunder- 
ing. The  Boendr  complained  to  him  of  their  losses  and  his  supineness  in  redeeming  their 
wrongs.  Hallad  grew  tired  of  the  dignity,  resigned  the  Earldom,  and  returned  to 
Norway,  where  he  took  up  his  odal  rights  and  afterwards  lived  a  retired  life.  His  ruler- 
ship  was  considered  very  ignominious.  Some  say  he  was  slain  in  battle  in  that  part  of 
the  parish  of  Reay  which  lies  in  Sutherland  and  is  called  Strathhalladale.  It  is  a  valley 
ten  miles  in  length,  divided  into  two  sides  by  a  river  called  the  river  of  Halladale, 
running  from  the  south  to  the  north,  and  falling  into  the  North  Sea  at  Tor.  About  the 
middle  of  this  strath,  and  near  a  place  called  Dal  Halladha,  the  country  people  show  a 
spot  where  they  say  a  bloody  battle  was  fought  between  the  Scots  and  the  Norwegians. 
It  was  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  on  the  east  side  of  a  river,  now  covered  with  small  cairns,  or 
heaps  of  stones,  where  the  slain  are  supposed  to  be  buried,  and  there  they  say  Halladr, 
the  King  of  Lochlin's  son,  was  slain.  They  also  show  the  place  of  his  sepulchre  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  where  they  assert  Halladha  and  his  sword  were  laid.  It  is  a 
deep  circular  trench,  12  feet  in  diameter,  and  there  is  a  large  stone  erected  in  the  midst 
of  it.  J 

Upon  the  abdication  of  Hallad,  the  Isles  became  a  station  for  two  Danish  vikings, 
Thorir  Treskegg  and  Kalf  Skurfa.  When  Jarl  Rognvald  heard  of  this  he  became  very 
angry,  and  called  together  his  sous,  Thorir,  Hrollaug,  and  Eiuar.  Hrolf  (hereafter 
conqueror  of  Neustria)  was  at  that  time  absent  on  a  war  expedition.  The  details  of  the 
conference  have  been  already  set  forth.  It  was  finally  resolved  that  Einar  should  under- 
take the  office,  so  Rognvald  gave  him  a  fully  equipped  vessel,  and  he  received  from  King 
Harald  the  title  of  Earl. 

EINAR,   5TH  EARL. 
Einar  thereon  sailed  to  Hjaltaland,  and  there  many  men  gathered  round  him.     Then 
he  went  on  to  the  Orkneys  and  met  Kalf  and  Thorir  in  a  great  battle,   in  which  the 
vikings  were  defeated  and  both  slain.     This  was  said  about  it  : 

"  Hann  gaf  Treskegg  trollmn ,  I  Tre-skegg  gave  he  to  the  Trows 

Torf-Einarr,  drap  Skurfu'S  Skurfa  fell  before  Torf-E.nar. 


Pope.  \  Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  (text)  edn. 


26  SEA-KIXGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


Then  Einar  took  possession  of  the  lands,  and  soon  became  a  great  chief.  He  was  the 
man  who  first  cut  turf  (peat)  from  the  ground  for  fuel,  at  Torfness  in  Scotland,  for  fuel 
was  scarce  in  the  Isles.  Einar  was  a  tall  man,  ugly,  and  with  one  eye,  yet  he  was  very 
keen  sighted. 

When  the  sons  of  King  Harald  grew  up,  they  become  envious  of  the  honours  and 
possessions  of  Rognvald,  Earl  of  Moeri,  and  two  of  them.  Halfdan  and  Gudrod, 
surrounded  bis  residence,  fired  it,  and  he  was  burnt  to  death  with  sixty  of  his  retainers. 
King  Harald  was  justly  angry  at  this,  and  Halfdan  fled,  in  three  large  ships,  over  seas  to 
the  west  :  but  Gudrod  effected  a  reconciliation  with  his  father.  King  Harald  put  Thorer 
Tacitus  in  his  father's  estate,  and  to  compensate  for  his  loss  gave  him  his  own  daughter 
Alof  in  marriage.  When  Halfdan  arrived  in  the  Orkneys,  Earl  Einar  crossed  over  to 
Caithness,  and  Halfdan  became  king  over  the  Islands.  Einar  returned  the  same  year, 
and  gave  battle  to  Halfdan.  The  victory  was  to  Einar,  and  Halfdan  fled  from  his 
vengeance.      Einar  then  sang  this  song  : 

S  katek  Hr..lf  s  6r  hendi  . 

ne  Hrollaugi  fliuga  ' '  Wh^"  m  not  the  spear-shafts  flying. 

• '  dorr  i  dol-a  men-i,  From  the  hands  of  Hrolf  and  Hrollan&" 

dugir  oss  fodur  hefna  ;  Thick1^  SainSt  the  PresS  °f  warriors  ? 

,      .,  .  ,       .  Now.  mv  father  '.  I  avenge  thee, 

"en  1  kveld  thar  er  knviutu  •  & 

of  kerstraumi  romn  ^"hile  we  here  are  closed  in  battle' 

"  thegjandi  sitr  thetta  Sits  ^  Thorir  a11  ^  eTeninS' 

Th-rir  jari  i  M*ri.  Silent  °'er  his  cheerless  glass*' 

Next  morning  Halfdan  was  fouud  on  Rinar's  Hill.  The  Earl  made  a  blood-eagle  be  cut 
on  his  back  with  the  sword,  and  had  his  ribs  severed  from  the  backbone,  and  his  lungs 
pulled  out.  Thus  he  gave  him  to  Odin  as  an  offering  for  victory,  and  then  raised  a  cairn 
over  his  remains.  When  the  news  of  Halfdan 's  end  reached  Norway  his  brothers  were 
greatly  enraged,  and  threatened  an  expedition  to  the  Isles  to  avenge  him.  but  King 
Harald  delayed  their  journey.  Einar  despised  their  threats  of  vengeance.  Harald  him- 
self took  the  matter  in  hand,  set  out  for  the  Western  seas,  and  came  to  the  Isles,  where- 
upon Einar  fled  to  Caithness.  Ambassadors  went  between  them,  and  peace  was  made, 
Harald  imposing  a  fine  upon  the  Isles,  adjudging  them  to  pay  60  marks  of  gold.  Earl 
Einar  offered  the  Boendr  to  pay  the  money  himself  on  condition  that  he  should  become 
proprietor  of  all  their  freeholds.  The  Boendr  accepted  this,  because  the  wealthy  ones 
thought  they  could  at  their  convenience  redeem  their  freeholds,  and  the  poorer  ones  had 
no  money.  Einar  paid  the  whole  sum,  and  for  a  long  time  afterwards  the  Earls  held  all 
the  allodial  lands  until  Sigurd  the  Stout  gave  back  their  odal  possessions  to  the  Orcadians. 
King  Harald  went  back  to  Norway,  but  Einar  ruled  over  the  Orkneys  a  long  time,  and 
died  in  old  age.  leaving  three  sons,  Arnkell,  Erlend,  and  Thorfinn  the  Skull-splitter.  In 
the  parish  of  Latherou.  in  Caithness,  is  an  old  ruin  called  Knock  Einar.  probably  his 
Caithness  seat.+ 


ARNKELL  axp  ERLEND.   6th  and  ;th  EARLS. 

In  their  time  Athelstan  of  England  ravaged  as  far  as  Caithness  (9341.:  By  way  of 
reprisal  these  two  Earls  joined  the  forces  of  Eric  Bloodaxe,  to  assist  that  king  to  recover 
his  kingdom  of  Northumbria.     Sailing  first  to  the  Western  Isles,  they  obtained  reinforce- 


Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls-  (text)  edn.  -  Pope.  J  Celtic  Alban. 


ARNKELL  and  ERLEND.  27 


merits  there,  and  then  cruised  along  the  coasts  of  Ireland,  Cornwall,  and  the  South  of 
England,  plundering  as  they  went.  Eventually  they  were  brought  to  a  decisive  engage- 
ment, and  Eric  and  the  two  Earls  fell  in  battle  (anno  941),  being  the  first  year  of  King 
Edmund's  reign. 

Gunnhild,  Eric's  queen,  deemed  it  unsafe  to  continue  longer  in  England,  so  gathering 
all  the  coin  and  valuables  within  reach,  she,  with  her  household  guards,  steered  for  the 
Orkneys,  of  which  forcible  possession  was  taken,  until  later  on  they  elected  to  depart  for 
Denmark. 


THE  NORSE  LIN*E.— Continued 

S  Thorfinn,  Clearer  of  Helmets 

950-963- 

9  Arnfinn 

963 — 967. 

10  Havard,  the  Happy 

970. 

n  Ljot           

976. 

12  Skuli         

974- 

13  Hliidver  (Ludovic) 

980. 

Contemporary    Princes. 

Norway  :         940,   Hakon  the  Good.             963.  Harald  tirci 

ski 

i.     977,   Hakou  Jarl 

Normandy  :  943,  Richard  the  Fearless. 

Scotland  :     944,  Malcolm  I.                       953,  Indulf. 

961,   Duff. 

965,  Culen.  970.   Kenneth  III. 

THORFINN,  8th  EARL. 
Upon  the  death  of  his  brothers  Arnkell  and  Erlend,  Thorfinn  became  sole  Earl  of  the 
Orkneys,  but  had  to  submit  for  some  time  to  the  usurpation  of  Gunnhild,  the  Dowager  ex - 
Oueen  of  Northumbria  and  of  Norway,  who,  with  her  sons,  made  conquest  of  the  country, 
collecting  rents  and  imposing  taxes  at  their  pleasure.  During  the  winter  they  held  court 
in  Orkney,  and  in  summer  plundered  Scotland  and  Ireland.  But  on  the  occasion  of  war 
breaking  out  between  Norway  and  Denmark,  Gunnhild  resolved  to  instantly  set  sail  for 
the  latter  kingdom.  Before  embarking  she  restored  Orkney  and  Hjaltland  to  Thorfinn,  and 
gave  her  daughter  Ragnhild  in  marriage  to  his  son,  the  doomed  Arnfinn.  Thorfinn  was 
a  great  warrior,  and  his  fame  is  transmitted  as  such  to  posterity.  He  espoused  Grelod, 
daughter  of  Earl  Duncan  in  Caithness  by  his  lady  Groa,  daughter  of  Thorstein  the  Red, 
and  thus  by  this  alliance  re-united  Caithness  to  the  Orcadian  earldom.  By  Grelod 
Thorfinn  was  father  of  five  sons.  One  was  named  Havard,  Arsoeli  (blessed  with  good 
seasons),  the  second  Hh">dver,  the  third  Ljot,  the  fourth  Skuli,  and  the  fifth  Arnfinn.  The 
foregoing  is  the  order  given  in  King  Olaf  Triggveson's  Saga*,  but  in  the  Orkney inga 
Saga  they  are  otherwise  ranged  as  follows — Arnfinn,  Havard,  Hliidver,  Ljot,  and  Skuli. t 
Thorfinn  died  a  natural  death,  and  was  buried  in  a  mound  on  Hauga  Heath,  now  Hoxa, 
a  peninsula  on  the  north-west  side  of  South  Ronaldsa. 

*  Ork.  Saga  App.  p.  207.         +  Ork.  Saga  p.  2. 


28  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY, 


ARNFINN,    9th    EARL. 
Arnfinn  had,   as  already    mentioned,  married  the   Princess   Ragnhilda,  daughter  of 
Eric  Bloodaxe,  ex-King  of  Norway  and  of  Northumbria,  and  in  a  short  time  by  means  of 
her  intrigues  he  was  killed  in  the  town  of  Murkle   in   Caithness.      He  was  succeeded  by 
his  brother 

HAVARD,  ioth  EARL, 
who  ruled  the  Isles  with  the  strictest  justice,  and  in  his  time  the  country  so  abounded  in 
cereals  and  the  other  necessaries  of  life  that  hence  he  got  the  surname  of  Arsoeli,  the 
HaPP}T>  or  Blessed  with  good  seasons.  This  honourable  soubriquet  he  might  have  retained 
to  the  end  of  his  days  but  for  an  act  fatal  in  its  consequences.  This  was  his  marriage  with 
the  ambitious  Ragnhilda,  whose  hands  (though  perhaps  he  was  ignorant  of  the  circum- 
stance) were  freshly  stained  with  the  blood  of  Arnfinn.  Soon  tiring  of  Havard,  under 
promise  of  marriage,  she  induced  his  sister's  son  Einar  Klining,  to  slay  him.  Einar 
was  warned  by  a  spaeman  to  postpone  the  matter,  but  pretended  not  to  hear,  and  upon 
meeting  Havard  at  Steinsness  a  hard  fight  ensued,  when  the  Earl  was  mortally  wounded. 
The  place  of  his  fall  is  called  Havard's  teigr  or  lot.  Ragnhild  disowned  having  promised 
Einar  any  reward  or  having  counselled  the  Earl's  death,  and  incited  Einar  Hardkiopt,  son 
of  another  sister  of  Havard,  to  avenge  his  uncle's  death.  Einar  Hardkiopt  treated  the 
suggestion  with  circumspection,  but  forthwith  slew  his  cousin  Einar  Klining. 


LJOT  AND  SKULI,  IITH  AND  1 2TH  EARLS. 
Havard  was  succeeded  by  Ljot,  and  incredible  as  it  may  seem,  this  Earl  was 
daring  enough  to  marry  Ragnhilda,  who  had  compassed  the  death  of  both  his 
brothers.  Einar  Hardkiopt  having  avenged  his  uncle  and  slain  his  cousin,  found  him- 
self no  nearer  the  Earldom  than  before.  Highly  dissatisfied,  he  wished  to  collect  men  and 
subdue  the  islands  by  force,  but  had  great  difficulty  in  getting  men,  for  the  Orcadians 
wished  to  serve  the  sons  of  Thorfinn.  Some  time  afterwards  Earl  Ljot  had  Einar  slain. 
Near  the  boundary  line  of  the  parishes  of  Harra  and  Firth  are  two  places  known  as  the 
Cups  of  Liod  and  the  Chair  of  Liod,  which  are  understood  to  be  named  from  an  incident 
in  connection  with  this  Earl. 

Ljot  did  not  obtain  undisputed  possession  on  Havard's  death,  for  Skuli  promptly 
claimed  his  share  of  the  Earldoms.  He  was  resisted  by  Ljot,  who  desired  all.  So  Skuli 
went  to  Scotland  and  had  an  Earl's  title  given  him  by  the  King  of  Scots.  He  then  went 
to  Caithness  and  collected  forces,  and  from  thence  passed  to  the  Islands  and  fought  with 
his  brother  for  the  dominion  of  them.  Ljot  also  gathered  a  numerous  army  and  offered  to 
treat  with  his  brother,  but  Skuli  rejected  all  proposals.  So  they  fought  an  obstinate 
battle,  in  which  Skuli  was  defeated  and  took  flight  to  Caithness.  The  victorious  Ljot 
pursued  him  and  continued  in  Caithness.  Skuli  presently  returned  with  another  army, 
being  assisted  by  the  Scottish  King,  and  met  Ljot  at  Easterdale,  where  another  great 
battle  ensued,  Skuli  relying  greatly  on  his  auxiliaries  from  the  King  of  Scotland  and  the 
Scottish  earl,  Magbiod.  Skuli  at  last  was  slain  where  the  enemy  stood  thickest,  and  the 
Scots  army  retired  in  a  disorderly  panic.  In  the  parish  of  Loth  in  Sutherland  there  is  a 
vestige  of  an  ancient  road  cut  for  the  passage  of  an  army.     This  pass  or  cut  road  is  still 


LJOT  and  SKULL  29 


called  Ca  Scuill,  or  the  road  of  Skuli.*  Ljot  now  took  possession  of  Caithness  as  a  eon- 
quest,  and  he  was  long  at  war  with  the  Scots,  who  were  greatly  vexed  at  their  defeat. 
At  length  Earl  Magbiod  came  down  from  Scotland  with  a  large  army  and  engaged  Ljot 
in  battle  at  Scitten  or  Skidmoor  in  Caithness.  Though  the  Scottish  Earl  was  far  superior 
in  numbers,  Ljot  had  such  confidence  in  his  own  valour  and  in  the  bravery  of  his  troops, 
that,  attacking  the  Scots  with  great  ardour  he  put  them  to  flight,  slaying  and  wounding 
great  numbers  of  them.  Though  victorious,  yet  he  was  mortally  wounded,  dying  within 
a  few  days  of  the  battle,  when  the  earldom  devolved  on  his  surviving  brother, 

HLODVER,  13TH  EARL, 
of  whom  little  is  recorded,  but  that  he  was  a  great  Earl  and  married  Audna,  daughter  of 
Kiarval  OTvar,  King  of  Dublin.  Their  son  was  Sigurd  the  Stout,  and  their  daughter 
was  Hvarflud  (also  named  Nereide  and  Gormlath  and  Svanlauga),  whom  Sigurd  gave  in 
marriage  to  Earl  Gilli  of  the  Suderies  when  that  warrior  accompanied  the  sons  of  Njal  to 
Orkney  to  meet  the  valiant  Sigurd.  After  the  marriage  Gilli  returned  to  the  Suderies.  t 
Hltidver,  we  are  informed,  died  a  natural  death  soon  after  his  accession,  and  was  buried 
at  Hofn  in  Caithness. 


[ooo,  Olaf  Trygveson. 

1030,  St.  Olaf. 

994,  Constantine  IV. 

995,   Kenneth   IV. 

996,  Richard  II.,  the  Good. 

1026,   Richard    III. 

THE    NORSE    LINE.— Continued. 

14  Sigurd  the  Stunt  %                                             ..  980 — 1014 

15  Sotnerled         ..          ..                     ..          ..  1014 — 1015 

16  Einar  II.                     ....                                 .  .  1026 

17  Brusi 1031 

Contemporary  Princes : 

Norway:  995,  Hakon  Jarl 
Scotland  :     970,  Kenneth  III. 

1003,  Malcolm  II. 
Normandy  :  943,  Richard  the  Fearlesi 

1028,  Robert  thr  Magnificent. 

SIGURD    II.,    14TH  EARL. 

This  Earl  was  a  valorous  warrior,  and  in  some  of  the  most  expressive  traits  of  his 
character  greatly  resembled  his  predecessor,  Sigurd  I.  He  was  very  successful  in 
extending  his  boundaries.  Caithness  and  Sutherland  he  kept  from  the  Scots  by  main 
force,  and  brought  Ross,  Moray,  and  Argyle  within  the  sphere  of  his  influence.  He 
rendered  the  Hebudes  tributary  to  his  power,  and  collected  his  revenues  annually  in  those 
parts,  from  which  he  took  occasion  to  harass  and  plunder  the  Irish  and  the  Scottish  coasts. 

Soon  after  his  accession  Sigurd  was  challenged  by  Finnleik,  a  Scottish  thane,  to  meet 
him  in  battle  at  Skidamire,  on  a  certain  day.     As  yet,  being  inexperienced  in  warfare 

*  Pope.  t  Saga  of  Sons  of  Njal. 

J  In  his  time  the  effete  Ethelred  of  England  styled  himself  "  Basileus  of  England,  &c,  and 

the  Orkneys  "  ! !  !  (Freeman  ;  Palgrave.) 


3o  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 

and  generalship,  he  hesitated  to  commit  the  fate  of  his  earldom  to  a  trial  by  battle,  and 
took  council  of  his  mother,  the  Princess  Audna,  a  lady  greatly  celebrated  for  the  qualities 
most  admired  in  that  age,  and  especially  for  her  skill  in  divination  and  sorcery,  then 
styled  the  '  science  of  magic. '  She  wrought  for  him  an  enchanted  standard,  on  which  was 
woven  with  the  most  elaborate  art  the  image  of  a  black  raven,  a  bird  sacred  to  Odin,  the 
Scandinavian  god  of  war.  The  raven  was  represented  with  wings  expanded,  soaring  on 
the  wind,  and  directing  its  flight  to  heaven.  The  L,ady  Audna  presented  the  magical 
banner  to  Sigurd,  and  assured  him  that  whomsoever  it  preceded  would  be  victorious,  but 
that  the  standard-bearer  himself  would  fall.  She  further  exhorted  him  to  conduct  himself 
valiantly,  for  it  was  more  honourable  to  have  a  short  life  of  glory  and  renown  than  a 
lengthened  one  of  ignominy  and  contempt.  Sigurd  accepted  the  challenge  forthwith,  but 
before  proceeding  to  battle  gave  those  Orcadians  who  would  join  his  forces,  the  lands 
which  their  ancestors  had  surrendered  to  Torf-Einar.  This  wise  step  greatly  augmented 
his  forces,  and  meeting  Finnleik  he  gained  a  decisive  victory,  but  his  enchanted  colours 
were  fatal  to  no  less  than  three  standard-bearers. 

This  victory  gained  him  much  credit,  and  we  find  distinguished  men  from  distant 
parts  hastening  to  enter  his  service.  Kari  Solmund,  an  Icelander,  was  admitted  into  his 
life-guards  and  honoured  with  a  commission,  and  presently  was  appointed  treasurer  to 
the  Earl,  who  employed  him  to  collect  the  revenues  in  the  Hebudes  and  bring  them  to 
the  Orkneys.  Next  to  him  were  Grim  and  Helgi,  the  sons  of  Njal,  who  were  also  received 
into  the  guards.  After  them  the  Earl's  kinsman,  Thorstein,  the  son  of  Hall,  Eord  of 
Sida  ;  and  last  of  all,  Flosi,  sister's  son  to  Thorstein,  and  a  man  of  great  bravery. t 

The  sons  of  Njal  had  been  storm-driven  into  a  bay  on  the  Scottish  coast,  and  had 
scarcely  dropped  anchor  when  their  vessel  was  attacked  by  Snaekolf  and  Grjotgard  (the 
sons  of  Earl  Maddan  of  Dungalsby),  kinsmen  of  Malcolm,  the  Scots  king,  in  two  long 
vessels.  Fortunately  for  the  Icelanders,  an  Orcadian  fleet  of  ten  ships,  commanded  by 
their  compatriot  Kari,  put  in  an  appearance,  and  Kari,  though  unaware  of  the  nationality 
of  the  contending  parties,  gallantly  resolved  to  support  the  weaker  side.  Therefore,  the 
engagement  was  short,  for  both  Snaekolf  and  Grjotgard  were  soon  slain,  the  one  by  Kari 
and  the  other  by  Helgi,  and  the  two  ships  struck  their  colours.  The  victorious  Kari  then 
directed  his  course  for  the  Orkneys,  with  the  sons  of  Njal,  whom  he  introduced  to  the 
Earl,  recommending  them  for  the  valour  they  had  displayed  in  the  fight,  and  they  stayed 
the  winter  with  him.  Towards  the  end  of  winter  Helgi  grew  very  dejected,  and  being 
asked  the  cause,  inquired  of  the  Earl  if  he  had  any  Scottish  lands  which  paid  him  tribute. 
The  Earl  replied  that  he  had.  Helgi  then  assured  the  Earl  that  the  Scots  had  killed  his 
agents,  and  secured  the  harbours  to  prevent  information  reaching  him.  The  Earl  rejoined 
that  if  what  he  said  was  true  he  would  highly  honour  and  esteem  him,  but  if  otherwise 
would  make  a  public  example  of  him,  and  order  his  head  to  be  struck  off.  Kari  assured 
the  Earl  that  Helgi  was  a  very  prudent  man,  and  son  of  a  man  famous  for  getting 
information  from  remote  parts,  so  that  he  was  deserving  of  credit.  The  Earl  thereon 
sent  an  express  to  Arnliot,  his  deputy  in  Stroma,  to  be  informed  of  what  was  doing  in 
the  Scottish  mainland.  Arnliot  instantly  procured  intelligence  by  spies,  and  acquainted 
Earl  Sigurd  that  two  Scottish  earls,  Hundi  and  Melsnati  (the  latter  was  nearly 
related  to  King  Malcolm  of  Scotland),  had  killed  Havard  of  Threswick,  the  Earl's  depute 
in  that  country,  as  well  as  his  cousin.     The  Earl  at  once  transported  an  army  to  Caithness, 

t  Pope. 


SIGURD  II.,    i4th  EARL. 


and  receiving  reinforcements  from  other  parts  of  Scotland  which  belonged  to  him,  attacked 
the  two  earls  near  Dungsbey  Head.  The  Scots  earls  placed  several  parties  of  their  army 
in  ambush  at  some  distance  from  the  main  body,  and,  after  fighting  for  some  time,  sallied 
out  on  the  Orcadian  army  and  did  great  execution.  All  this  while  Grim  and  Helgi, 
the  sons  of  Njal,  fought  gallantly  near  the  Earl  of  Orkney's  standard.  Kari  happened 
to  be  opposite  to  Melsnat,  and  the  latter  having  hurled  a  spear  at  him,  Kari  grasped  it, 
and  darting  it  back,  thrust  him  through  the  breast.  Hundi,  the  other  Scots  earl,  was  so 
confounded  at  the  death  of  Melsnat,  that  he  immediately  took  to  flight,  followed  by  his 
whole  arui3\  Earl  Sigurd  pursued  the  fugitives,  but  presently  halted  upon  being  informed 
that  Earl  Melkolf,  with  another  army,  was  at  hand,  and  resolved  to  attack  him  if  he 
approached  Dungsbey.  Upon  this  a  council  of  war  was  called,  and  the  Earl  decided  that 
it  would  be  unwise,  after  their  losses,  to  meet  a  fresh  army,  and  therefore,  collecting  all 
their  spoil,  divided  it  in  the  Isle  of  Stroma,  and  then  sailed  for  the  mainland  of  Orkney, 
where  the  Earl  had  a  splendid  entertainment,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  he  made 
valuable  presents  to  Grim  and  Helgi,  and  gave  them  commissions  as  officers  in  his  guard. 
Kari  he  complimented  with  a  sword  and  a  gilded  spear.  These  three  warriors  continued 
for  full  three  years  thereafter  at  the  Earl  of  Orkney's  court,  spending  the  summer  in  war 
expeditions,  and  acquired  by  their  behaviour  great  riches  and  renown.  Erom  Helgi  is 
derived  the  name  of  the  Scottish  county  of  Elgin.* 

The  most  memorable  event  in  the  life  of  Earl  Sigurd  was  that  which  befell  him  as  he 
lay  in  the  harbour  of  Osmundwall,  shortly  after  his  accession  to  the  earldom,  about  the 
year  995.  Olaf  Trygveson,  King  of  Norway,  returning  from  a  western  cruise,  happened 
to  run  his  vessel  into  the  same  harbour,  as  the  Peutland  Firth  was  not  to  be  passed  that 
day.  Sigurd  was  just  starting  on  an  expedition  with  three  well-equipped  ships.  The 
King  sent  for  him,  and  requested  him  to  forthwith  be  baptised,  and  make  all  his  people 
profess  the  Christian  faith.  In  preferring  this  command,  the  King  reminded  Sigurd  of 
the  Norwegian  supremacy  over  the  Isles,  and  made  recital  of  those  instances  where  the 
Earls  had  admitted  the  same — to  Harald  Fairhair,  and  Eirik  Bloodaxe  and  his  family,  of 
whom  Ragnhild  still  survived — and  warned  him  that  in  case  of  refusal  the  islands  would 
be  destroyed  by  fire  and  sword.  Sigurd  boldly  answered  the  King  that  he  could  not  all  at 
once  quit  the  religion  of  his  ancestors,  or  abrogate  the  worship  of  their  gods  through  fear. 
The  King,  seeing  he  was  resolutely  determined  to  continue  in  his  idolatry,  adopted  a 
more  effective  means  of  conviction.  Seizing  his  son  Hundi,  he  held  a  drawn  sword  over 
him,  and  warned  the  Earl  if  he  persisted  in  his  refusal  that  Hundi  would  be  at  once 
killed.  The  Earl  then  through  necessity  obeyed  the  King,  and  he  and  his  son  received 
baptism,  and  further,  he  performed  homage  for  Orkney,  and  yielded  up  Hundi  as  hostage 
for  his  fidelity.  King  Olaf  then  ordered  the  Islesmen  to  be  baptised,  and  left  several 
divines  and  other  learned  men  to  instruct  this  infant  flock  in  the  religion  they  had  so 
lately  embraced.  Having  thus  settled  affairs  in  Orkney,  he  took  his  leave  of  the  Earl  in  the 
most  friendly  manner,  and  proceeded  on  his  voyage  to  Norway,  carrying  with  him  Hundi, 
the  Orcadian  heir-apparent,  who  on  baptism  was  re-named  Ludovic.  Ludovic  did  not 
long  survive  his  forced  exile  from  Orkney,  and  when  Earl  Sigurd  was  apprised  of  his  death 
he  immediately  renounced  his  allegiance  to  the  king  of  Norway,  and  entered  into  an 
alliance  with  King  Malcolm  of  Scotland,  whose  daughter  (Plantula.f  Anleta,;  or  Dovada^i) 
he  espoused  in  second  marriage,  and  by  whom  he  had  Thorfinn,  hereafter  Earl  of  Orkney. 


Pope.  t  Balfour.  J  Bp.  Tulloch. 


32 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


About  the  year  ion,  Thorstein  the  Icelander  came  to  the  Orkneys.  He  was  of  good 
stock,  and  kin  to  the  Earl,  for  Thorey,  mother  of  his  father  Hall  of  the  Side,  was  a 
daughter  of  Ozur,  son  of  Hrollaug,  the  son  of  Rognvald  of  Mseren,  from  whom  the  Earl 
was  also  descended.  Thorstein,  who  was  then  seventeen  years  of  age,  took  post  as  an 
archer  on  Earl  Sigurd's  flagship,  and  went  with  him  in  the  summer  about  Scotland,  when 
the  Earl  harried  far  and  wide,  and  no  man  challenged  Thorstein's  dash  and  daring.  Both 
his  kinship  and  sturdiness  pleaded  his  cause.  The  Earl  slew  many  kernes,  but  some  fled 
to  the  woods,  and  he  continued  to  carry  fire  and  sword  throughout  the  whole  reach  of  the 
western  lands,  returning  late  in  the  autumn  to  Orkney,  where  he  rested  for  three  months 
and  bestowed  gifts  upon  his  supporters.  Addressing  Thorstein  he  said  :  "  Good  manly 
following  have  you  shown  me,  so  now  I  ask  you  to  take  from  me  this  battle-axe  inlaid 
with  gold,  which  it  beseems  me  you  should  bear."  Thorstein  thanked  the  Earl,  and 
counted  it  the  greatest  treasure.* 

That  autumn  came  Brennu-Flosi  and  his  men  to  the  Orkneys.  Setting  sail  from 
Hornfirth  in  Iceland  with  all  the  men  of  his  Thring,  they  encountered  hard  weather 
and  lost  their  reckoning,  and  at  last,  on  reaching  a  strange  land,  got  wrecked, 
losing  the  ship  and  cargo,  but  all  lives  were  saved.  On  looking  at  the  country  two  of 
the  crew  said:  "We  are  come  to  Hrossey  in  the  Orkneys."  "  Then  might  we  have 
made  a  better  landfall,"  said  Flosi,  "  for  Grim  and  Helgi,  whom  I  slew,  were  in  Earl 
Sigurd's  body-guard."  As  there  was  naught  else  for  it  they  decided  to  submit  them- 
selves to  the  Earl's  pleasure,  and  were  directed  to  his  quarters.  Upon  Flosi  announcing 
himself,  the  Earl  asked  :  "  What  have  you  to  say  about  Helgi,  my  henchman?"  "  This," 
said  Flosi,  "that  I  hewed,  off  his  head."  The  Earl  ordered  them  all  to  be  taken  into 
custody,  which  was  done.  At  that  moment  entered  Thorstein  Hall's  son,  whose  sister 
Steinvora  was  married  to  Flosi.  Thorstein  was  in  the  Earl's  body-guard,  and  on  his 
intercession  the  Earl  took  an  atonement,  and  put  Flosi  in  the  place  which  Helgi  had  filled, 
and  he  soon  won  the  attachment  of  the  Earl.* 

The  last  expedition  Earl  Sigurd  made  was  to  Ireland,  and  it  proved  fatal  to  him.  This 
he  was  importuned  to  make  by  many  fair  promises  from  King  Sigtrygg  Silk-deard  of  Dublin. 
King  Sitric  came  from  Dublin  to  Orkney,  to  solicit  Sigurd's  aid  against  his  step-father 
King  Brian.  The  cause  of  the  war  was  this  :  Brian  had  divorced  his  Queen  Kormlod, 
whose  first  husband  was  Olaf  Quaran,  King  of  Dublin  and  the  adjacent  territories,  a  very 
excellent  prince.  (He  was  brother  to  the  King  of  Norway.)  Kormlod  thereon  induced 
her  son  Sitric  to  take  her  part  in  a  war  against  Brian.  To  that  end  Sitric  visited  Sigurd, 
promising  in  the  event  of  a  successful  issue  that  Sigurd  should  receive  Kormlod  in  mar- 
riage and  the  dominions  of  Brian.  Sigurd  accepted  the  invitation,  and  engaged  to  have 
his  army  landed  in  Ireland  on  Palm  Sunday  following.  Sitric  in  the  meantime  was  enter- 
tained at  the  Yule  feast  in  Sigurd's  hall  in  the  Orcadian  mainland,  and  was  set  on  the 
high  seat,  having  Earl  Sigurd  on  the  one  side,  and  Earl  Gilli  who  had  come  with  him  on 
the  other.  Gunnar  Lambi's  son  was  relating  the  story  of  the  burning  of  Njal  and  his 
comrades,  but  giving  an  unfair  version  of  it,  and  every  now  and  then  laughing  out  loud. 
It  so  happened  that,  as  in  answer  to  an  inquiry  of  King  Sitric's  how  they  bore  the  burn- 
ing, he  was  saying  that  one  of  them  had  given  way  to  tears,  some  of  Njal's  friends — 
Kari,  Kolbein,  and  David  by  name — who  had  just  arrived  in  Hrossay,  chanced  to  come 
in  the  hall.  Hearing  what  was  said  Kari  drew  his  sword  and  smote  Gunnar  on  the 
*  Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  trans. 


SIGURD  II.,    i4th  EARL.  33 


neck  with  such  a  sharp  blow  that  his  head  spun  off  on  to  the  board  before  the  King  and 
the  Earls,  so  that  the  board  was  all  one  gore  of  blood  and  the  Earls'  clothing  too.  Earl 
Sigurd  called  out  to  seize  Kari  and  kill  him,  but  no  one  stirred,  and  some  spoke  up  for 
him,  saying  he  had  only  done  what  he  had  a  right  to  do,  and  so  Kari,  who  had  been 
one  of  Earl  Sigurd's  guard,  and  was  most  beloved  of  his  friends,  walked  away  and  there 
was  no  hue  and  cry  after  him.* 

The  two  comrades,  Kari  Solmundson  and  Kolbein  the  Black,  had  sailed  from  Eyrar 
a  fortnight  later  than  did  the  party  of  Flosi  from  Hornfirth.  They  reached  the  Fair  Isle 
that  lies  between  Orkney  and  Hjaltland,  where  David  the  White  entertained  them,  and 
related  all  he  had  heard  about  the  burning.  David  was  one  of  Kari's  greatest  friends, 
and  gave  him  guest-quarters  for  the  winter.  After  slaying  Gunnar,  Kari  and  his  party 
sailed  for  Thraswick,  in  Caithness,  where  a  worthy  man  named  Skeggi  hospitised  them 
for  a  very  long  while.  Flosi  now  undertook  to  tell  the  story,  and  as  he  was  fair  to  all, 
that  which  he  said  was  believed. 

The  battle  of  Clontarf,  1014,  in  which  Earl  Sigurd  fell,  is  the  most  celebrated  conflict 
in  which  the  Norsemen  were  engaged  on  this  side  of  the  North  Sea.  "  It  was  at 
Clontarf,"  says  Dasent,  "that  the  old  and  new  faiths  met  in  the  lists  face  to  face  for  their 
last  struggle,"  and  we  find  Earl  Sigurd  arrayed  on  the  side  of  the  old  faith,  notwith- 
standing his  enforced  conversion  by  King  Olaf.  In  the  earlier  part  of  the  battle  the  Irish 
annals  describe  Sigurd  as  dealing  out  wounds  and  slaughter  all  round,  "no  edged  weapon 
could  harm  him,  and  there  was  no  strength  that  yielded  not,  and  no  thickness  that  be- 
came not  thin  before  him."  From  the  "  Njal  Saga"  we  are  informed  that  his  raven 
banner,  which  was  borne  before  him,  was  fulfilling  the  destiny  announced  by  Audna 
when  bestowing  it  at  Skida  Myre,  "  that  it  would  always  bring  victory  to  those  before 
whom  it  was  borne,  but  death  to  him  who  bore  it."  Twice  had  the  banner-bearer  fallen, 
and  Earl  Sigurd  called  on  Thorstein,  son  of  Hall  of  the  Side,  next  to  bear  the  banner. 
Thorstein  was  about  to  lift  it,  when  Asniund  the  White  called  out,  "Don't  bear  the 
banner,  for  all  they  who  bear  it  get  their  death."  "  Hrafu  the  Red,"  cried  Earl  Sigurd, 
"  bear  thou  the  banner."  "Bear  thine  own  devil  thyself,"  said  Hrafn.  Then  said  the 
earl,  "  'Tis  fittest  that  the  beggar  should  bear  the  bag,"  and  with  that  upraised  the 
banner,  and  was  immediately  pierced  through  with  a  spear.  Then  flight  broke  out 
through  all  the  hosts.! 

Fifteen  men  of  the  Burners  fell  in  Brian's  battle,  and  there,  too,  fell  Erling  of 
Straumey,  and  Halldor,  son  of  Gudmund  the  Powerful. 

Portents  and  omens  all  through  the  Northern  Seas  announced  to  the  Norsemen  that 
the  day  had  gone  against  them.  Dorrud,  a  man  in  Caithness,  saw  twelve  witches 
weaving  the  woof  of  war,  of  which  human  entrails  were  the  warp  and  weft,  men's  heads 
the  weights,  a  sword  the  shuttle,  and  arrows  the  reels.  As  they  wrought,  they  sang  in 
the  Norse  language  a  dreadful  song,  "  How  hapless  had  been  the  fate  of  the  Earl  of 
Orkney."  After  completing  their  ghastly  work,  they  each  tore  away  a  portion  and  rode 
off,  six  south  and  six  north.  The  weird  song  of  the  witches  has  been  paraphrased  by  Gray 
in  his  Fatal  Sisters.  The  original  Norse  version  under  the  title  of  77ie  Enchantress  was 
preserved  in  North  Ronaldsa  till  past  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  was  at 
times  recited  by  the  natives,  some  of  whom,  on  Gray's  Ode  being  read  to  them  by  a 
minister,  reminded  him  they  had  often  sung  it  to  him  in  the  Norse. 
*  Pope.  t  Orkn  Saga  Introd. 


34  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


An  event  like  to  DiJrrud's  befell  Brand  Gneisti's  son  in  the  Faroes.  At  Swinefell, 
in  Iceland,  blood  came  on  the  priest's  stole  on  Good  Friday,  so  that  he  had  to  put  it  off. 
At  Thvattwater  the  priest  thought  he  saw  on  Good  Friday  a  depth  of  the  sea  hard  by  the 
altar,  and  there  he  saw  many  awful  sights,  and  it  was  long  ere  he  could  sing  the  hours.* 

The  following  prodigy  happened  in  Orkney  : — Harek,  an  Orcadian  noble,  had  been 
anxious  to  accompany  the  earl,  but  Sigurd  desired  him  to  remain,  and  said  he  should  be 
the  first  to  whom  he  would  communicate  the  result.  Much  about  the  time  of  the  battle, 
Harek,  with  several  others,  saw  plainly,  as  he  imagined,  the  earl,  at  no  great  distance, 
riding  towards  him  at  the  head  of  a  troop  of  horse,  upon  which  Harek  mounted  his 
own  horse  on  purpose  to  meet  him.  They  were  seen  to  approach  each  other,  to  meet,  to 
embrace,  and  afterwards,  riding  up  to  a  rising  ground,  they  disappeared,  and  no  vestige 
of  either  of  them  was  ever  again  seen.t 

Earl  Gilli,  in  the  Hebudes,  dreamt  a  man  came  to  him  saying  his  name  was 
Hostfinu,  and  that  he  was  from  Ireland.  The  earl  asked  tidings  thence,  and  Hostfinn 
made  recital  in  song,  of  the  great  battle  in  Ireland,  of  Sigurd's  fall,  and  Brian's  victorious 
death.  Flosi  and  the  earl  talked  much  of  this  dream.  A  week  later  Hrafn  the  Red  put 
in  an  appearance,  and  told  them  of  all  those  slain,  and  that  Thorstein  Hall's  son  took 
peace  from  Kerthialfad,  remaining  with  him.  Flosi  then  made  preparation  for  his 
pilgrimage,  and  the  earl  gave  him  much  silver  and  a  ship  well  equipped,  with  which  he 
made  first  for  Wales,  where  he  stayed  a  while.  Of  this  Kari  got  word,  and  instructed 
Skeggi  to  get  him  a  long  ship,  fully  trimmed  and  manned,  and  with  Kolbein,  David,  and 
others  sailed  south  to  Wales,  via  the  Scottish  firths,  where  he  lay  concealed  in  an  inlet. 
One  morning  Kol  Thorstein's  son  went  up  town  to  buy  silver,  and  he  of  all  the  burners 
had  used  the  bitterest  words.  Kol  had  talked  much  that  morning  with  a  mighty  dame, 
and  it  was  practically  arranged  he  was  to  marry  her  and  settle  down  there.  That  same 
morning  Kari  went  also  into  the  town,  and  came  up  when  Kol  was  telling  the  silver. 
Kari  knew  him,  and  ran  at  him  with  drawn  sword,  and  struck  him  on  the  neck.  But  he 
still  went  on  telling  the  silver,  and  his  head  counted  "  teu  "  just  as  it  spun  off  the  body. 
Kari  said,  "  Go  and  tell  Flosi  that  I  have  done  this  deed."  Then  he  and  his  ship's 
company  headed  north  for  Beruwick,  where  they  laid  up  the  ship,  and  went  to  Whitherne 
in  Scotland,  and  were  with  Earl  Melkolf  that  year.  Flosi  took  the  incident  quietly,  and 
after  giving  Kol's  remains  suitable  burial,  continued  his  pilgrimage  to  Rome,  and 
obtained  the  Papal  absolution,  for  which  he  gave  a  great  sum.  He  returned  by  the  east 
route,  staying  long  in  towns,  and  meeting  mighty  men,  by  whom  he  was  highly  honoured. 
The  next  winter  he  was  in  Norway,  and  had  a  ship  from  Earl  Eric,  with  which  he  made 
passage  to  the  Hornfirth,  and  thence  made  his  way  to  Swinefell.  Kari  went  down  to  his 
ship  in  the  summer  following,  and  began  his  pilgrimage  in  Normandy,  whence  he 
went  south  and  got  absolution,  returning  again  by  the  western  way  to  his  ship  in 
Normandy  ;  and  then  sailed  to  Dover,  round  Wales,  north  through  Scotland's  firths  to 
Thraswick,  in  Caithness,  to  Master  Skeggi's  house,  where  he  transferred  the  vessel  to 
Kolbein  and  David,  in  which  the  former  steered  for  Norway,  landing  David  at  the  Fair 
Isle.  Kari  wintered  in  Caithness,  and  hearing  that  his  wife  in  Iceland  had  died,  got  a 
ship  from  Skeggi  the  next  summer,  and  with  a  company  of  eighteen  made  for  his  home. 
Starting  rather  late,  they  had  a  long  passage,  and  at  last  made  Ingolf's  head,  only  to 
have  their  ship  smashed  there,  but  the  men's  lives  were  all  saved.     Then,  too,  a  snow- 


Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  trans.  +  Barry  and  Pope. 


SIGURD  II.,   i4th  EARL.  35 


storm  gathered  on  them,  and  they  were  forced  to  seek  shelter  from  Flosi,  who  generously 
gave  them  winter  quarters,  and  there  came  about  an  adjustment  of  the  feud  by  Kari 
marrying  Hildigunna,  daughter  of  Flosi 's  brother,  and  whom  Hauskuld,  the  priest  of 
Whiteness,  had  had  to  wife.  By  Helga,  Njal's  daughter,  Kari  had  Thorgerda,  Ragneida, 
Valgerda,  and  Thord,  who  was  burnt  in  Njal's  house  ;  and  by  Hildigunna,  with  whom 
he  dwelt  first  at  Broadwater,  he  had  Starkad,  Thord,  and  Flosi.  Men  say  that  Flosi,  when 
he  had  grown  old,  went  abroad  for  timber  to  build  a  hall,  and  was  in  Norway  one 
winter,  and  the  following  summer  was  late  in  embarking.  Though  warned  that  his  ship 
was  unseaworthy,  Flosi,  saying  she  was  fully  good  enough  for  an  old  and  "fey"  man, 
bore  his  goods  on  shipboard  and  put  out  to  sea,  and  has  never  been  heard  of  since.* 

Before  embarking  for  Ireland,  Sigurd  had  the  prudence  to  put  his  affairs  in  order  by 
committing  the  charge  of  his  earldom  to  Somerled,  Brusi,  and  Einar,  the  sons  of  his  first 
marriage  ;  the  young  Thorfinn,  his  only  son  by  the  Scottish  princess,  being  put  under  the 
guardianship  of  his  royal  grandfather.  The  earl's  fate  was  no  sooner  known  than  his 
three  eldest  sons  divided  equally  among  them  the  countries  of  Orkney  and  Hjaltaland, 
leaving  to  their  youngest  brother  Thorfinn — who,  on  account  of  his  youth,  had  been  put 
under  guardians — the  provinces  of  Caithness  and  Sutherland,  which  were  confirmed  to 
him  by  his  grandfather,  the  king  of  Scotland,  who  at  the  same  time  conferred  on  him  the 
title  and  dignity  of  an  earl.t 

1212715 

SOMERLED,  i5th  EARL, 
the  eldest  of  Sigurd's  sons,  was,  we  are  told,  of  a  mild  and  peaceable  disposition,  fair  in 
complexion,  and  of  an  obliging  manner  to  all  about  him.  He  did  not  long  remain  in 
possession  of  the  dignity.  Dying  without  issue  soon  after  his  accession,  his  share  of  the 
earldom  was  annexed  by  Einar.  1  In  the  collection  of  Scottish  coins,  one  of  the  most 
ancient  is  the  Coin  of  Somerled,  a  silver  penny.  It  has  been  attributed  to  one  Somerled,  a 
Hebudean  lord,  but  is  more  probably  an  Orcadian  coin,  struck  in  the  time  of  the  15th 
Earl,  to  whose  father  and  brother,  Thorfinn  II.,  the  Great,  the  Hebudes  are  known  to 
have  been  tributary. 

EINAR,  1  6th  EARL, 
seized  Somerled's  share,  and  maintained  possession  by  force  of  arms.  Thorfinn 
immediately  laid  claim  to  Somerled's  possessions  as  his  right,  but  the  claim,  though 
conceded  by  Brusi,  was  disregarded  by  Einar.  Einar  is  described  as  constantly  aspiring 
after  vast  objects,  stern  in  countenance,  harsh  in  speech,  unrelenting  in  nature,  and  ever 
ready  to  undertake  the  most  perilous  deeds.  His  numerous  warring  expeditions  were 
not  always  successful,  so  the  heritable  odallers  suffered  severely  from  his  exactions, 
and,  contrasting  their  condition  with  that  of  those  under  the  government  of  Earl  Brusi, 
whose  disposition  was  similar  to  that  of  Somerled,  they  at  last  resolved  to  seek  the 
interposition  of  Amundi,  a  noble  in  high  esteem  with  the  Earl.  Amundi  listened  to  their 
solicitations  with  attention,  and  would  gladly  have  acted  as  mediator  between  the 
oppressed  Orcadians  and  their  Lord,  but,  knowing  the  disposition  of  the  Earl,  he  felt  that 
he   would   only  become  a  target  for  his  vengeance,  nor  was   there   any  likelihood  of  a 

*  Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  trans.  t  Orkn.  Saga.  %  Barry,  Pope,  and  Orkn.  Saga. 


36  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 

petition  resulting  in  the  mitigation  of  their  distress.  He  therefore  declined  the  dangerous 
office.  The  odallers  then  transferred  their  solicitations  to  Amundi's  son,  Thorkell,  who 
was  the  most  accomplished  person  in  the  Isles.  Their  importunings  were  so  continuous 
that  he  at  last  undertook  to  approach  the  Earl  on  their  behalf.  Sb,  at  the  next  Thing 
meeting,  Thorkell  begged  the  Earl  to  spare  the  people,  and  told  him  of  their  distress. 
Einar  answered  blandly,  and  said  he  would  give  great  weight  to  Thorkell's  words,  but 
warned  him  not  to  again  address  him  on  such  a  matter.  "  I  had  intended,"  he  said,  "  to 
take  out  six  ships,  but  shall  now  not  take  more  than  three  ;  but  thou,  Thorkell,  do  not 
ask  me  this  a  second  time." 

The  following  spring,  Earl  Einar  resolved  to  make  up  for  his  disadvantage  of  the  past 
year,  by  an  increased  naval  armament,  much  to  the  dismay  of  his  people,  who,  taking 
heart  from  Thorkell's  former  success,  implored  him  to  again  act  as  mediator  for  them, 
and  he,  yielding  to  their  entreaties,  undertook  to  do  so.  On  this  occasion,  however,  the 
Earl  would  not  listen  to  him,  and  became  very  wroth.  Amundi  advised  his  son  to  avoid 
the  impending  storm,  and  go  abroad.  Thorkell  accordingly  crossed  the  Petland  Filth, 
and  took  refuge  in  Caithness  with  Earl  Thorfinn.  He  stayed  there  a  long  while,  and 
became  foster-father  to  the  latter  Earl,  who  was  still  young.  From  that  time  he  was 
called  Thorkell  the  Foster,  and  became  a  man  of  great  repute. 

When  Thorfinn  attained  his  majority  he  re- demanded  the  third  of  the  Islands,  being 
his  share,  but  Einar,  disinclined  to  divide  his  possessions,  prepared  to  resist  the  claim. 
Thorfinn  thereon  called  his  people  to  arms,  and  set  sail  for  Orkney.  Einar  at  once 
collected  an  army  to  defend  the  Isles,  and  Earl  Brusi  also  gathered  his  forces  and  went  to 
meet  them,  in  the  hope  of  effecting  a  reconciliation,  and  peace  was  made  on  condition 
that  Thorfinn  should  receive  his  third.  Thorfinn  appointed  deputies  to  manage  his 
possessions  in  the  Isles,  and  lived  for  the  most  part  in  Caithness. 

Brusi  and  Einar  now  entered  into  a  compact,  joining  their  portions,  which  Einar  was 
to  rule  and  defend  for  both,  and  he  who  survived  the  other  should  inherit  his  portion. 
This  compact  was  generally  viewed  as  unfair,  for  Brusi  had  a  son,  Rognvald,  while  Einar 
had  no  son. 

In  the  summer  Einar  went  on  expeditions  to  Ireland,  Scotland,  and  Wales.  One 
summer  when  ravaging  Ireland,  he  fought  in  Lough  Earne  (Ulreksfiord)  with  O'Connor 
(Conchobbar),  an  Irish  king,  and  was  defeated  with  a  heavy  loss  of  men.  He  attributed 
this  loss  chiefly  to  the  Norwegian  troops  that  fought  under  O'Connor,  and  were  commanded 
by  Eyvind  Urarhom,  an  officer  in  the  life-guards  of  King  Olaf  Haraldson,  surnamed  the 
Holy.  The  next  summer  Eyvind,  when  sailing  from  Ireland  for  Norway,  being  overtaken 
by  a  gale,  sought  shelter  in  Osmundwall,  now  known  as  Longhope.  This  coming  to  the 
knowledge  ot  Earl  Einar,  he  mustered  his  men,  went  thither  and  executed  Eyvind,  but 
gave  quarter  to  most  of  his  followers,  whom  he  allowed  to  continue  on  their  voyage  to 
Norway.  When  they  related  the  circumstance  to  King  Olaf,  he  said  very  little  at  the 
time,  but  it  turned  out  afterwards  he  was  highly  offended. 

About  this  time  Earl  Thorfinn  sent  Thorkell  to  Orkney  to  collect  his  rents.  While 
in  the  Isles,  Thorkell  received  word  that  Einar  resented  his  presence,  and  was  compassing 
his  death,  alleging  that  it  was  owing  to  his  instigation  that  Thorfinn  had  obtained  the 
third  part  of  Orkney.  Thorkell  therefore  hastily  concluded  his  affairs  and  re-crossed  the 
Firth,  on  his  return  acquainting  Thorfinn  of  what  he  had  heard.     He  further  stated  his 


KINAR,   i 6th  KARL.  37 


intention  of  going  over-sea  to  some  remote  country,  where  though  an  exile  he  would  be 
free  from  danger.  Thorfinn  approved  of  his  resolution,  and,  assuring  him  of  his  regard, 
suggested  Norway  as  a  place  equally  convenient  and  honourable  for  that  purpose.  So  in 
the  autumn  Thorkell  went  to  Norway,  where  he  was  presented  to  King  Olaf,  with  whom 
he  became  such  a  favourite  that  he  was  made  one  of  the  Privy  Council,  and  spent  the 
winter  in  great  friendship  with  the  king.  Early  in  the  spring  King  Olaf  sent  a  ship  for 
Earl  Thorfinn,  inviting  him  in  the  most  friendly  manner  to  come  to  Norway.  Thorfinn 
promptly  accepted  the  invitation,  and  went  east  at  once,  where  he  spent  most  of  the 
summer  season.  At  his  departure  King  Olaf  presented  him  with  a  stately  war-galley, 
fully  equipped  ;  while  Thorfinn  transferred  his  own  to  Thorkell  Foster,  who  was  determined 
to  return  with  him.  Landing  in  Orkney  in  the  autumn,  they  found  that  Einar  had 
gathered  his  forces  to  oppose  them.  Brusi  again  came  to  the  rescue,  and  effected  a  second 
reconciliation,  and  the  peace  was  confirmed  by  oaths.  Thorkell  should  be  pardoned 
and  restored  to  favour  with  Earl  Einar,  and  the  friendship  was  to  be  sealed  by  mutual 
entertainments.  Thorkell  banqueted  the  Earl  in  his  hall  at  Sandwich  in  Ueerness,  but 
it  was  observed  that  although  Einar  and  his  men  were  most  sumptuously  treated,  he 
continued  sullen  throughout.  When  the  feast  was  over  it  became  Thorkell's  turn  to 
accompany  the  Earl  to  be  similarly  treated  in  return  ;  but  from  the  Earl's  manner 
Thorkell  thought  it  prudent  to  delay  the  event  as  long  as  possible.  Meantime  it  was 
discovered  that  along  the  intended  route  there  were  three  divisions  of  armed  men  in 
ambush.  Certain  that  foul  play  was  intended,  he  took  the  initiative  and  slew  the  Earl. 
Einar  was  sitting  down,  and  asked  Thorkell  if  he  were  ready  for  the  journey.  Thorkell 
answered,  "  I  am  ready  now,"  and,  drawing  his  sword,  dealt  the  Earl  a  fatal  blow  on  the 
head,  and  then  with  Hallvard,  an  Eastfirth  Icelander,  and  the  rest  of  his  party,  made  for 
their  ships,  in  which  they  sailed  directly  for  Norway,  where  he  was  well  received  by 
King  Olaf,  with  whom  he  spent  the  winter.  Earl  Einar's  men  were  stupefied  by  the 
suddenness  of  the  deed,  which  they  had  not  expected  from  Thorkell,  and  many  of  them 
being  unarmed,  and  others  his  friends,  enabled  him  to  get  away  without  opposition. 


BRUSI,  17TH  EARL. 
After  the  death  of  Einar,  Brusi  took  possession  of  his  share  by  virtue  of  their  agree- 
ment of  joint  survivorship.  Thorfinn  thought  they  should  each  have  one-half,  but  Brusi 
would  not  yield.  Seeing,  however,  that  he  could  not  contend  with  Thorfinn,  who  had 
great  estates  in  Scotland  and  the  support  of  his  grandfather,  the  Scottish  King,  Brusi 
decided  to  go  to  King  Olaf,  taking  with  him  his  son  Rognvald,  then  ten  years  old.  Thor- 
finn hearing  of  this,  and  recalling  his  former  favourable  reception  from  that  sovereign, 
also  hastened  to  Norway,  where  their  disputes  were  settled  by  the  arbitrament  of  Olaf, 
who  adjudged  one-third  to  himself  as  the  forfeited  share  of  Earl  Einar  for  slaying  Eyvind 
Urarhorn,  and  one-third  each  to  Brusi  and  Thorfinn.  The  forfeited  share  he  afterwards 
gave  to  Brusi,  and  further  conditioned  that  the  Earls  should  be  reconciled  to  Thorkell 
Foster.  Thorfinn  then  sailed  west,  accompanied  by  Thorkell,  while  Brusi  did  not  leave 
till  the  autumn  next,  and  his  heir,  Rugnvald,  remained  with  King  Olaf.  When  the 
brothers  Thorfinn  and  Brusi  came  to  the  Islands,  Brusi  took  possession  of  two-thirds  of 
the  domain,  and  Thor.inn  of  one,  but  he  was  all  the  time  in  Caithness,  and  placed 
deputies  over   the  Islands.     The   Isles   were  in  those  times   very  much   exposed  to  the 


38 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


ravages  of  the  Norwegians  and  Danes,  who  called  there  on  their  viking  expeditions  to 
the  west  and  plundered  the  outlying  isles.  The  defence  fell  on  Brusi  alone,  who  made 
complaint  to  Thorfinu  about  his  not  contributing  to  the  defence  of  Orkney  and  Hjaltaland, 
although  he  received  his  full  share  of  all  the  land  dues  and  revenues.  Then  Thorfinn 
proposed  to  take  two-thirds  and  defend  the  whole,  leaving  Brusi  one-third.  Although 
this  division  did  not  immediately  take  place,  yet  it  is  said  in  the  History  of  the  Earls  that 
it  happened,  and  that  when  Knut  the  Great  conquered  Norway,  after  the  flight  of  King 
Olaf,  Thorfinn  had  two-thirds  and  Brusi  the  one-third.  After  the  treaty  between  the 
brothers,  King  Olaf  received  no  homage  from  Earl  Thorfinn.  Brusi  now  disappears  from 
Orcadian  history,  and  his  brother  comes  prominently  to  the  fore. 


THE    NORSE    LINE. 

—Continued. 

8  Thorfinn  II. ,  the  Great 

1031-1064 

9  Rtignvald  II.     .  . 

1035-1046 

Contemporary  Princes  : 

Norway  :         1030,  St.  Olaf.  1035,  Swein.  1047,  Magnus*  the  Good. 

Normandy  :    1028,  Robert  the  Devil.  1035,  William  the  Conqueror. 

Scotland  :      1003,  Malcolm  II.  1033,  Duncan  I.  1039,  Macbeth. 

1056,  Malcolm  III.,  Canmore. 

England  :       1016,  Knut.  1035,   Harald  Barefoot.  1039,  Hiirda-Knut. 

1042,  Edward  the  Confessor. 

Germany  :  1039,  Henry  III.  the  Black. 

Rome  :  1049,  Leo  IX. 


THORFINN  II.,  THE  GREAT,    i8th  EARL. 

Thorfinn  now  had  supreme  sway  throughout  Orcadia,  and  became  a  powerful  ruler. 
Of  large  stature,  his  visage  was  stern  and  forbidding  and  his  features  sharp  and  uncomely. 
Yet  he  was  a  most  martial-looking  man,  and  of  great  energy,  emulous  of  wealth  and 
renown,  bold  and  successful,  and  a  great  strategist.  He  was  five  years  of  age  when  his 
maternal  grandfather,  King  Malcolm  II.,  assigned  to  him  the  comitial  dignity  and 
revenues  of  Caithness  ;  at  fourteen  he  issued  from  his  own  territories  on  maritime  expedi- 
tions against  neighbouring  chiefs,  and  having  the  assistance  of  the  King  of  Scots  tended 
to  increase  his  power  in  the  Orkneys. 

Soon  after  the  reconciliation  of  the  Earl  brothers  the  King  of  Scotland  died,  and  the 
Sagas  tell  us  that  Karl  Hundason  succeeded  him.  This,  however,  is  in  conflict  with 
Scottish  history,  trom  which  we  learn  that  Malcolm  II.  was  peaceabty  succeeded  by 
Duncan  Crinauson,  his  grandson.  The  Saga  continues: — King  Karl  demanded  tribute 
for  Caithness,  which  Thorfinn  refused,  and  war  broke  out  between  them.  Karl  created 
earl  his  sister's  son  Moddan,  and  appointed  him  over  Caithness.  Moddan  collected 
forces  in  Sutherland,  Thorfinn  in  Caithness,  and  the  latter  was  re-inforced  by  an  Orcadian 

*  First  appearance  of  the  name  Magnus  in  Norse  history  ;  stated  to  be  after  and  in  admiration 
of  Charle  Magne. 


THORFINN  II..  THE  GREAT.  39 


contingent  brought  over  by  Thorkell  Foster.  The  Scots  being  outnumbered  retreated, 
and  Thorfinn  advancing  subdued  Sutherland  and  Ross,  and  ravaged  in  Scotland  far  and 
wide.  Moddan  reported  his  failure  to  the  Scottish  King,  who  was  vastly  displeased,  and 
started  north  immediately  with  eleven  warships  and  a  numerous  army  to  punish  the  de- 
fiant Thorfinn.  Despatching  Moddan  landwards  for  Caithness,  he  sailed  north,  hoping  to 
engage  Thorfinn  between  the  two  forces.  The  Earl  had  just  embarked  for  the  Isles,  when 
King  Karl's  navy  hove  in  sight  at  nightfall.  Continuing  his  course  Thorfinn  moored  his 
five  vessels  off  Deerness,  and  immediately  sent  word  to  Thorkell  to  summon  the  Islesmen. 
Brusi  had  the  northernmost  lot  of  the  isles,  and  was  then  there.  At  daylight  next  morn- 
ing King  Karl  with  his  eleven  ships  came  suddenly  on  the  scene,  and  the  Earl  decided  to 
accept  battle.  The  victory  was  with  the  Earl,  and  the  King  fled  to  the  Moray  Firth, 
where  Thorfinn  followed  in  pursuit  as  soon  as  Thorkell  had  arrived  with  more  men. 
Hearing  that  Moddan  was  at  Thurso  with  a  large  army,  and  had  sent  for  men  to  Ireland, 
where  he  had  many  relatives  and  friends,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  divide  the 
Orcadian  army,  Thorkell  proceeding  to  Caithness  with  one  division,  while  Thorfinn 
plundered  in  Scotland  with  the  other.  Thorkell  surprised  Moddan  in  Thurso  by  night, 
setting  his  house  on  fire,  and  while  that  general  attempted  to  escape,  hewed  off  his  head. 
His  men  then  surrendered,  but  some  got  away.  Many  were  slain,  others  admitted  to 
quarter.  Thorkell  then  hastened  with  all  the  troops  he  could  collect  in  Caithness,  Suther- 
land and  Ross,  and  effected  a  junction  with  the  Earl  in  Moray,  receiving  hearty  thanks 
for  his  success. 

King  Karl  having  levied  a  fresh  army,  and  the  Irish  auxiliaries  expected  by  Moddan 
having  arrived,  he  advanced  to  renew  the  war  with  Thorfinn.  The  contending  parties 
met  at  Torfness,  south  of  Baefiord,  that  of  the  King  outnumbering  the  Earl's.  Thorfinn 
fought  valiantly,  foremost  of  all  his  men.  He  had  a  gold-plated  helmet  on  his  head,  a 
sword  at  his  belt,  a  spear  in  his  hand,  and  he  cut  and  thrust  with  both  hands.  First 
attacking  the  Irish  wing,  it  was  immediately  routed  and  never  regained  position.  Then 
King  Karl  advanced  his  standard  against  the  Earl,  and  round  it  the  fiercest  struggle 
ensued,  but  it  ended  in  the  flight  of  the  King,  and  some  say  he  was  slain.  Thorfinn  drove 
the  fugitives  before  him  through  Scotland,  subduing  the  country  wherever  he  went — 
all  the  way  south  to  Fife — returning  with  great  booty  to  Caithness,  where  he  spent  the 
winter. 

Every  summer  Thorfinn  went  ravaging  foreign  lands,  and  in  winter  made  himself 
famous  in  the  Isles  by  the  immense  host  he  entertained,  not  only  at  Yule,  as  Kings  and 
Earls  of  other  countries  did,  but  throughout  the  entire  winter.  In  his  time  one  Hrafn 
Limiricepeta,  so  called  from  his  frequent  voyages  to  Limerick  in  Ireland — a  Limerick 
trader — related  to  Earl  Thorfinn  some  accounts  of  a  Great  Ireland  in  the  Western  Ocean.* 
It  was  about  this  time  that  Earl  Brusi  died  and  Thorfinn  took  possession  of  all  the  Isles, 
but  as  Brusi  left  issue  we  will  here  refer  to  his  son,  whose  many  notable  deeds  and 
transactions  with  Thorfinn  need  illustration. 

ROGNVALD    II.,    iqth  EARL. 
Of  Rognvald,  it  is  said,  he  was  in  the  battle  of  Stiklestad,  where  King  Olaf  the  Holy 
met  his  death,  a.d.  1030.     Escaping  with  other  fugitives,  Rognvald  bore  from  the  field 

*  Heimskringla,  p.  190. 


40 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


of  battle  the  youthful  Harald  Sigurdson,  the  Hardrada  of  later  times  (half-brother  to 
Olaf),  who  was  wounded  dangerously,  and  placed  him  with  a  husbandman,  with  whom 
he  stayed  till  cured.  Harald,  when  leaving  for  Sweden,  sang  thus  : — 
"Who  knows,"  said  he,  "  the  day  shall  come, 
My  name  shall  yet  be  great  at  home  ?  " 
After  placing  Harald  in  comparative  safety-,  Rognvald  crossed  the  Kjolen  range  and 
proceeded  through  Jamtaland  to  the  Swedish  court,  where  King  Onund  received  him 
favourably.  He  was  soon  joined  by  Harald,  and  they  went  on  to  Russia,  meeting  in 
Novgorod,  King  Jarisleif,  who  gave  them  a  hearty  reception  for  the  sake  of  King  Olaf  the 
Holy.  Harald,  Rognvald,  and  Erling,  the  son  of  Jarl  Rognvald  Ulfsson,  then  entered  the 
service  of  Jarisleif,  as  defenders  of  his  country.  Harald,  however,  did  not  long  remain  in 
Russia,  but  passed  on  to  Constantinople,  where  he  joined  the  Varangian  guard.  Rognvald 
remained  in  Russia,  spending  the  winters  in  Novgorod,  and  in  summer  defending  the 
frontiers,  where  he  fought  ten  battles.  Rognvald  was  a  man  of  large  stature  and  great 
strength,  and  one  of  the  handsomest  of  men  in  appearance,  and  his  accomplishments 
were  such  that  his  equal  was  hardly  to  be  found.  The  King,  as  well  as  the  people, 
highly  esteemed  him.  When  Ingijerd,  the  daughter  of  the  Swedish  king  Olaf,  was 
married  to  Jarisleif,  she  stipulated  that  Rognvald  should  accompany  her  to  Russia,  and 
he  received  the  town  and  earldom  of  Ladoga.  Presently,  Einar  Tambarskelmr  and  Kalf 
Arnason  visited  Russia,  with  the  object  of  inducing  Magnus  to  recover  his  father's 
throne.  They  met  Rognvald  in  Ladoga,  and  he  had  nearly  attacked  them  before  they 
informed  him  of  their  object.  Einar  said  that  the  regicide  Kalf  repented  of  having 
been  a  party  to  the  dethronement  and  death  of  King  Olaf  the  Holy,  and  now  wished  to 
make  amends  to  his  son  Magnus  by  restoring  him  to  the  Norwegian  sovereignty,  and 
supporting  him  against  the  Vikings  in  pay  of  the  Knuts.  For  this  purpose  they  sought 
Rognvald 's  intercession  with  the  Russian  King,  and  Rognvald,  being  softened  by  these 
representations,  Einar  now  asked  him  to  go  with  them  to  Novgorod,  and  introduce  them 
and  their  business  to  King  Jarisleif.  When  they  reached  Novgorod,  Rognvald,  Queen 
Ingigerd,  and  many  of  the  noblemen,  pleaded  their  cause.  Jarisleif  hesitated  to  entrust 
Magnus  to  the  former  enemies  of  his  father,  but  at  last,  on  receiving  the  oaths  of  twelve 
of  the  noblest  Norwegians  that  their  intentions  were  sincere,  he  consented.  He  confided 
so  much  in  Rognvald,  however,  that  he  did  not  require  him  to  swear.  The  Norwegians 
thereon  accepted  Magnus  as  their  king,  and  swore  fealty  to  him. 

Einar  and  Kalf  stayed  in  Novgorod  till  after  Yule,  and  then  went  down  to  Ladoga 
and  procured  ships.  As  soon  as  the  sea  was  open  in  the  spring,  Rognvald  made  ready  to 
convey  Magnus  to  his  dominions.  They  went  first  to  Sweden,  then  to  Jamtaland,  crossed 
the  Kjol,  and  came  to  Veradal.  On  arriving  at  Drontheim  all  the  people  submitted  to  him. 
There  Rognvald  heard  of  his  father's  death  and  Thorfinn's  annexation  of  his  possessions, 
so  he  asked  the  permission  of  King  Magnus  to  visit  his  island  home.  This  was  readily 
granted,  and  Magnus  gave  him  at  the  same  time  the  title  of  Earl  and  three  warships,  well 
equipped,  as  also  the  third  part  of  the  Islands  formerly  possessed  by  Earl  Einar. 

Rognvald  landed  first  in  those  parts  which  had  belonged  to  his  father,  whence 
he  sent  word  to  his  uncle,  Earl  Thorfinn,  informing  him  of  the  position,  and  demanding 
the  two-thirds  of  the  Isles.  Thorfinn  at  that  time  was  constantly  warring  with  the 
Hebudeans  and  the  Irish,  and  felt  himself  greatly  in  want  of  assistance.  He  therefore 
gave    the    following    spirited    reply    to    Rognvald 's    embassy:     "Rognvald    may    take 


ROGNVALD  II.,    i9th  EARL. 


possession  of  the  third  which  rightly  belongs  to  him.  As  for  the  third  which  King 
Magnus  calls  his  own,  we  surrendered  that  to  King  Olaf  the  Holy  because  we  were  then 
in  his  power,  not  because  we  thought  it  just.  I  and  my  kinsman  Rognvald  will  agree  all 
the  better  the  less  we  talk  of  that  third  which  has  been  long  enough  a  cause  of  dispute. 
But,  if  Rognvald  wishes  to  be  my  faithful  friend,  I  consider  those  possessions  in  good 
hands  which  he  has  for  his  pleasure  and  for  the  good  of  us  both.  His  assistance  will 
soon  be  of  greater  value  to  me  than  the  revenues  which  I  derive  from  them."  This 
answer  was  satisfactory  to  Rognvald,  who  then  entered  into  possession  of  the  two-thirds, 
and  became  the  ally  of  Thorfinn. 

Early  in  the  ensuing  spring  Thorfinn  gave  Rognvald  a  call  for  an  expedition,  to 
which  the  latter  promptly  responded,  and  in  the  summer  they  ravaged  in  the  Hebudes, 
in  Ireland,  and  in  Scotland's  Firth  conquering  wherever  they  went.  At  Loch  Vatteu 
they  had  a  great  victory,  celebrated  in  verse  by  Arnor,  the  skald  of  Thorfinn.  After  this 
they  returned  to  winter  in  the  Orkneys.  Thus  Rognvald  passed  eight  winters,  without 
Thorfinn  demurring.  Every  summer  they  went  on  a  corsair  cruise — sometimes  jointly, 
sometimes  severally,  as  Arnor  says  : — 

"  The  chief  beloved  did  many  deeds. 
Everywhere  there  fell  before  him 
Irishmen  or  British  people  ; 
Fire  devoured  the  Scottish  kingdom." 

The  kinsmen  agreed  well  whenever  they  met,  but  when  evil  men  came  between  them 
dissensions  often  arose.  Thorfinn  dwelt  chiefly  in  Caithness.  One  summer  Thorfinn 
made  war  in  the  Hebudes  and  in  Scotland.  Lying  at  Galloway,  where  Scotland  and 
England  meet,  he  sent  forces  to  foray  in  England,  and  there  they  collected  a  lot  of 
spoil,  but  the  English  rallied  and  recaptured  it,  slaying  many  of  the  Orcadians.  Some 
they  spared  to  convey  the  news  to  the  Earl.  Thorfinn  was  greatly  annoyed,  and 
determined  to  make  reprisals  as  soon  as  possible.  At  that  time  H>rda-Knut  was  King 
of  England  and  Denmark.  The  Earl  wintered  in  the  Orkneys,  but  early  in  the  spring 
he  called  out  a  levy  from  all  his  domain,  and  sent  word  to  Rognvald  to  co-operate. 
Riignvald  assenting,  called  out  his  men,  and  uniting  with  those  Thorfinn  had 
collected  from  the  Isles,  Caithness,  the  Hebudes,  Ireland  and  Scotland,  the  host  set  sail 
for  England.  Horda-Knut  was  then  in  Denmark,  but  Thorfinn  and  Rognvald,  besides 
many  casual  encounters,  had  two  pitched  battles  with  the  royal  army,  defeating  it  with 
great  slaughter.  Thorfinn,  in  fulfilment  of  his  vow,  stayed  in  England  throughout  the 
summer,  and  returned  in  autumn  to  his  isleted  throne. 

About  this  time  King  Magnus  banished  Kalf  Arnason,  who  sought  refuge  with  his 
nephew-in-law  Thorfinn.  Between  them  there  was  great  friendship,  for  Thorfinn  had 
married  Ingibiorg,  daughter  of  Earl  Finn  Arnason.  Through  the  increased  demand  upon 
his  hospitality,  Thorfinn  began  to  wish  for  the  third  of  Orkney  he  had  formerly  allowed 
to  Rognvald,  and  send  an  embassy  to  demand  its  restoration.  Rognvald  convened  his 
supporters  in  council,  but  found  them  dubious  as  to  his  chances  of  success  with  troops 
from  two-thirds  of  the  Islands,  against  those  Thorfinn  could  muster  from  one-third  of  the 
Isles,  Caithness,  the  Hebudes,  and  that  vast  part  of  Scotland  of  which  he  was  over-lord. 
Being  thoroughly  determined  to  resist  the  claim,  he  announced  his  intention  of  going  to 
Norway,  to  solicit  the  assistance  of  his  foster-brother  King  Magnus.  So  thither  he  went, 
and  Magnus  supplied  him  with  a  large  and  well-equipped  army,  sending   word  also  to 


42  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


Kalf  Arnason  that  if  he  sided  with  Rognvald  against  Thorfinn,  his  sentence  of  banish- 
ment should  be  cancelled  and  his  Norwegian  estates  restored. 

Rognvald  first  landed  in  Hjaltland,  where  he  collected  men,  and  went  thence  to  the 
Orkneys,  where  he  drew  more  to  his  flag.  Thorfinn  was  in  Caithness  when  the  news 
reached  him,  but  at  once  summoned  men  from  Caithness,  Scotland,  and  the  Hebudes. 
Rognvald  sent  the  royal  message  to  Kalf,  who  apparently  received  it  well,  and  followed 
up  his  communication  by  steering  for  Caithness  with  a  fleet  of  thirty  large  ships.  He  met 
Earl  Thorfinn  in  the  Petland  Firth,  off  Raudabiorg  (red  cliff),  and  both  sides  prepared 
for  battle,  Kalf  Arnason  remaining  neutral  with  his  six  large  ships.  The  battle  was 
fiercely  fought  between  these  veteran  warriors.  Thorfinn 's  smaller  vessels  placed  him  at 
a  disadvantage,  and  the  day  was  going  against  him,  when  he  successfully  appealed  to 
Kalf  to  join  his  squadron,  and  their  united  forces  won  the  day.  Rognvald  retreated,  and 
darkness  coming  on,  stood  to  sea,  making  for  Norway,  where  he  was  welcomed  by  King 
Magnus.  Thorfinn,  meantime,  subdued  the  Isles,  took  up  his  residence  in  them,  and 
compelled  all  the  Islesmen  to  renounce  their  allegiance  to  Earl  Rognvald.  He  kept  a 
great  number  of  men  about  him,  he  imported  provisions  from  Caithness,  and  sent  Kalf  to 
the  Hebudes  to  maintain  his  authority  there. 

This  time  Rognvald  resolved  to  try  and  regain  the  Isles  by  coming  on  Thorfinn  by 
surprise,  so,  early  in  the  winter,  he  sailed  for  Orkney  with  a  picked  crew.  At  Hjaltaland 
he  heard  that  Thorfinn  was  in  the  Orkneys  with  a  few  men,  relying  on  the  season  for 
freedom  from  attack,  so  Rognvald  pushed  on  for  the  Orcadian  mainland,  and,  ascertaining 
where  he  was,  stole  secretly  to  the  place  under  cover  of  darkness,  and  fired  the  house. 
The  night  was  pitch  dark,  favouring  the  surprise  ;  but  it  also  helped  Thorfinn,  who 
managed  to  elude  his  assailants  by  breaking  down  part  of  the  woodwork  of  the  house, 
and  with  Ingibiorg,  his  consort,  in  his  arms,  got  away  unperceived  in  the  smoke,  and 
during  the  night  rowed  unattended  in  a  boat  to  Caithness.  All  thought  he  had  perished  in 
the  flames.  After  this  Riignvald  took  possession  of  all  the  Isles,  and  sent  word  to  Caithness 
and  the  Hebudes  that  he  intended  to  have  all  the  dominions  of  Thorfinn.  Thorfinn,  all 
the  while,  remained  in  hiding  in  Caithness.  Rognvald  now  established  his  court  at 
Kirkwall,  entertaining  liberally.  A  little  before  Yule  he  went  to  Papa  Stronsa,  and  one 
evening  when  warming  themselves  round  the  fire,  an  attendant  said  they  were  running 
short  of  fuel.  The  Earl  said,  "  We  shall  be  old  enough  when  these  fires  are  burnt  out," 
intending  to  have  said  they  would  be  warm  enough.  Noticing  his  blunder,  he  continued, 
"  I  made  a  slip  of  the  tongue  in  speaking  just  now  ;  I  do  not  remember  that  I  ever  did 
so  before,  and  now  I  recollect  what  my  foster-father,  king  Olaf,  said  at  Stiklastad*  when 
I  noticed  one  which  he  made,  namely,  that  if  it  ever  so  happened  that  I  should  make  a 
slip  in  my  speech,  I  should  not  expect  to  live  long  after  it.  It  may  be 'that  my  kinsman 
Thorfinn  is  still  alive."  At  that  moment  the  house  was  surrounded  by  Thorfinn  and 
his  men.  Heaping  a  large  pile  before  the  door,  they  fired  it  immediately.  Rognvald 
nevertheless  effected  his  exit,  and  placing  his  hands  upon  a  wall,  by  his  great  strength 
vaulted  over  it,  disappearing  immediately  in  the  darkness  of  the  night.     Thorfinn  recog- 

*  King  Olaf  and  Riignvald  were  standing  on  a  mound  where  there  were  berries,  of  which  the  king 
took  some,  and  squeezed  them  in  his  palm.  Then,  seeing  where  the  banner  of  the  freemen  was  set  up, 
"Wretched  berries,"  said  he,  to  which  Riignvald  remarked,  "You  made  a  slip  of  speech  just  now, 
king,  you  must  have  meant  to  say  '  people.'  "  "You  are  right,  earl,"  said  the  king,  "when  you  have 
but  a  short  time  to  live,  you  will  make  a  slip  of  speech  no  less  than  mine."t 
t  Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  trans. 


ROGNVALD  II.,    i9th  EARL.  43 


nised  him,  saying,  "There  went  the  earl,  for  that  is  his  feat  and  no  other  man's." 
Search  parties  patrolled  the  beach,  and  R<">gnvald  was  presently  traced  by  the  baying  of 
his  favourite  hound.  Thorkell  Foster  had  him  seized,  and  offered  a  reward  to  the  man 
who  would  kill  him,  but  all  refused.  So  Thorkell,  the  Earl-killer,  did  it  himself. 
Thorfinn  and  his  men  then  occupied  Rognvald's  barge  and  rowed  for  the  capital,  where 
they  surprised,  seized,  and  slew  thirty  of  Rognvald's  followers,  mostly  henchmen  and 
friends  of  king  Magnus.  To  one  Thorfinn  gave  quarter,  sending  him  east  to  Norway  to 
tell  king  Magnus  the  tidings.  The  remains  of  R<"»gnvald  were  interred  in  Papa  Westra. 
Men  said  he  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  best  beloved  of  all  the  Orcadian  earls, 
and  his  death  was  greatly  lamented  throughout  the  Isles.  Thorfinn  now  took  possession 
of  the  whole  islands,  and  none  withstood  him.  The  news  reached  king  Magnus  in  early 
spring,  and  he  was  much  affected.  He  regarded  the  death  of  Riignvald,  his  foster-brother, 
as  a  great  loss,  which  he  would  by-and-bye  avenge,  but  just  then  he  was  at  war  with 
King  Sweyn  of  Denmark. 

About  this  time  Harald  Hardradi  arrived  in  Norway,  and  king  Magnus  gave  him 
half  the  kingdom.  One  winter,  when  the  two  kings'  vessels  were  in  Seley,  off  Lindes- 
ness,  two  war-ships  came  into  the  harbour,  and  rowed  up  to  king  Magnus'  ship.  They 
were  those  of  Thorfinn,  who,  having  thought  it  probable  that  the  Norwegian  fleet  might 
be  diverted  from  the  Danish  expedition  to  the  Orkneys,  came  to  offer  his  assistance,  thus 
hoping  to  disarm  the  resentment  of  King  Magnus.  He  was  succeeding*  in  his  purpose, 
when  the  Norwegian  whom  he  had  spared  in  Kirkwall  and  sent  to  Norway  with  word  of 
the  death  ofRognvald,  put  in  an  appearance,  and  demanded  compensation  for  his  brother, 
who  had  been  slain  by  Thorfinn.  The  Earl  reminded  the  claimant  that  he  should  be 
thankful  his  own  life  was  spared,  and  told  him  he  should  know  that  he  was  not  in  the 
habit  of  paying  money  for  those  whom  he  had  caused  to  be  killed,  as  he  had  always  good 
reason  for  such  actions.  This  incident  disturbed  the  relations  between  Magnus  and 
Thorfinn,  the  king  thinking  the  earl  displayed  too  little  compunction  over  the  matter, 
and  the  king  turned  blood-red  with  anger.  Thorfinn  was  ostensibly  sailing  to  Jutland 
with  Magnus  and  the  Norwegian  fleet,  but  after  this  incident  judiciously  steered  further 
out  to  sea,  and  made  for  the  Isles  over  which  he  was  now  sole  ruler.  Kalf  Arnason  was 
frequently  with  him.  Sometimes  he  made  viking  trips  to  the  west  and  plundered  in 
Scotland  and  Ireland.  He  was  also  in  England,  and  at  one  time  was  President  of  the 
Orcadian  Thingmen. 

On  the  death  of  Magnus,  Thorfinn  sent  a  friendly  message  to  king  Harald 
Hardradi,  which  was  favourably  received,  and  Harald,  the  renowned  warrior-king, 
promised  Thorfinn  his  friendship.  So  the  earl  went  to  Norway  with  two  ships  of  twenty 
benches  each,  and  more  than  one  hundred  men,  all  fine  troops.  He  found  Harald  in 
Hordaland,  and  on  parting  received  handsome  presents  from  him.  Thence  Thorfinn 
went  to  Denmark,  meeting  king  Sweyn  at  Aalborg.  He  invited  the  earl  to  stay,  and 
made  a  splendid  feast  for  him.  Then  Thorfinn  announced  he  was  going  to  Rome.  He 
called  on  Henry  III.,  Emperor  of  Germany,  who  received  him  exceedingly  well,  and 
gave  him  many  valuable  presents,  as  also  many  horses  ;  and  the  earl  rode  on  south  to 
Rome  and  saw  Pope  Leo  IX. ,  from  whom  he  obtained  absolution  for  all  his  sins. 

Thorfinn 's  pilgrimage  is  assigned  to  the  year  1050,  the  same  in  which  '  the  peerless 
Macbeth  '  visited  Rome  (the  only  Scottish  sovereign  who  ever  did  so),  and  as  these  two 
potentates  were  close   friends  and  allies,  it  is  assumed  they  went  together.     Returning 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY 


safely,  he  ceased  his  corsair  career,  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  government  of  his 
people  and  his  dominions,  and  the  making  of  laws.  He  resided  frequently  in  Birsa,  and 
built  there  Christ's  Kirk,  a  splendid  church,  and  there  was  the  first  bishop's  see  in  the 
Orkneys. 

Thorfinn  's  wife  was  Ingibiorg,  called  '  the  mother  of  the  earls. '  They  had  two  sons 
who  arrived  at  manhood.  One  was  called  Paul  and  the  other  Erlend.  They  were  men 
of  large  stature,  fine  looking,  wise  and  gentle,  more  resembling  their  mother's  relations. 
They  were  much  loved  by  the  earl  and  all  the  people.  Thorfinn  retained  all  the 
dominions  of  the  Orcadian  realm  till  his  dying  day,  and  it  is  truly  said  he  was  the  most 
powerful  of  the  Earls.  He  obtained  possession  of  or  rendered  tributary  nine  earldoms  in 
Scotland,  all  the  Hebudes,  and  a  large  territory  in  Ireland.     So  says  Aruor  : 

"  Hrafn's  faedi  vard  hlyda  "  Unto  Thorfinn  ravens'-feeder 

herr  fra  Thussa-skerjum —  Armies  had  to  yield  obedience, 

"  rett  segig  thjod  hve  thotti  From  Tuscar  Rocks  right  on  to  Dublin 

Thorfinnr — til  Dyflinnar."*  Truth  I  tell,  as  is  recorded." 

Thorfinn  was  five  winters  old  when  his  grandfather,  Malcolm  II.,  gave  him  the  title 
of  earl,  and  was  earl  after  that  for  seventy  winters,  dying  towards  the  end  of  Harald 
Hardradi's  reign.  He  was  buried  at  Birsa,  in  Christ's  Kirk,  his  own  erection,  and  was 
much  lamented  in  his  hereditary  dominions  ;  but  in  those  parts  which  he  had  conquered 
by  force  of  arms,  many  considered  it  hard  to  be  under  his  rule,  and  after  his  demise 
many  provinces  transferred  their  allegiance  to  the  native  chieftains.  It  then  soon  became 
apparent  how  great  a  loss  Thorfinn 's  death  was  to  Orcadia. 

"  Bjiirt  verdr  sol  at  sortna,  "  The  bright  sun  swarthy  shall  become, 

sokkr  fold  i  mar  dokkvan,  In  the  black  sea  the  earth  shall  sink, 

"  brestr  erfidi  Austra,    -  Austri's  labour  shall  be  ended, 

allr  brunar  sjar  med  fjiillum.  And  the  wild  sea  hide  the  mountains, 

"  Adr  at  Eyjum  fridri,  Ere  there  be,  in  those  fair  Islands — 

(inndrottar  Thorfinni)  Born  a  chief  to  rule  the  people, 

"  (theim  hjalpi  gud  geymi)  (May  our  God  both  help  and  keep  them) 

gsedingrmuni  faedast."*  Greater  than  the  lost  Earl  Thorfinn." 

His  dowager  subsequently  married  Malcolm  Canmore,  and  their  son  was  DuncanT., 
father  of  William  Fitz-Duncan,  who  was  father  of  William  the  .Etheling,  known  as  the 
'  Boy  of  Egremont,'  whom  all  the  Scots  wished  to  take  for  their  prince. 


Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  text. 


PAUL  and  ERLEND. 


4S 


THE   NORSE   LINE.— Continued. 


20  Paul  the  Exile 

21  Erlend  II.,  the  Exile 

( Vice-Royalty  of  Sigurd,  Crow 

22  Hakou  the  Imperious 

23  St.  Magnus  the  Martyr   . . 

24  Harald  the  Orator. . 

25  Paul  II.,  the  Silent 

26  Erlend  III.,  the  Younger 


Prince  of  Norway 


1064 — 1 103 
1064 — 1 103 
1098 — 1 103) 
1 103— 1 122 
1103— 1115 
1122 — 1127 
1122— 1136 
1127—1156 


Contemporary  Princes. 


Rome  : 


1047,  Harald  Hardradi. 

1093,  Magnus  Barefoot. 

1122,  Sigurd  I. 

1056,  Malcolm  III.,  Canmore. 

1107,  Alexander  I. 

1042,   Edward  the  Confessor 

1087,  William  Rujus. 

1099,  Pascal  II. 

1124,   Honorius  II. 


1066,   Magnus  II. 
1 103,  OlaflV. 
1 130,  Magnus  IV. 
1093,   Donaldbane. 
1124,  David  I. 
1066,   Harald  Infclix 
1099,   Henry  I. 
1118,  Gelasius  II. 
1 130,  Innocent  II. 


1069,  Olaf  III.,  the  Quiet. 

1 1 16,  Eystein 

1 134,  Harald  Gille 

1098,  Edgar 

1066,  William  the  Conqueror. 

1 1 19,  Calixtus  II 


Prelates.! 

Orkney  :  William  the  Old 


PAUL  and  ERLEND,  soth  and  21ST  EARLS. 

Now  the  sons  of  Thorfinn  succeeded  him.  Paul  was  the  elder  of  the  two,  and  he  ruled 
for  both  Erlend  and  himself.  Though  they  did  not  divide  their  possessions,  they  almost 
always  agreed  in  their  dealings.  When  the  brothers  had  succeeded  to  the  government 
of  the  Isles,  King  Harald  Sigurdsson  came  from  Norway  with  a  large  army.  He  first 
touched  at  Hjaltaland,  and  thence  went  to  the  Orkneys,  where  he  left  his  queen,  Ellisif, 
and  their  daughters,  Maria  and  Ingigerd.  From  the  Orkneys  he  received  substantial  re- 
inforcements, and  both  the  earls  went  with  him  to  invade  and  conquer  England.  They 
first  landed  at  Cleveland,  and  took  Scarborough.  Then  they  touched  at  Holderness,  and 
had  a  battle  there,  in  which  Harald  was  victorious.  On  Wednesday,  the  26th  September, 
1066,  he  was  victor  in  a  battle  at  York,  and  the  following  Sunday  the  borg  at  Stamford- 
bridge  surrendered  to  him,  so  he  went  on  shore  to  arrange  the  government  of  the  town, 
leaving  his  son  Olaf,  the  Earls  Paul  and  Erlend,  and  his  brother-in-law  Eystein  Orri  in 
charge  of  the  fleet.  While  on  shore  he  was  met  by  Harald  Godwinsson  at  the  head  of  a 
numerous  army,  and  fell  in  the  engagement  that  ensued.  After  his  death  Eystein 
and  the  Orcadian  earls  arrived  from  the  ships,  and  made  a  stout  but  ineffectual  resistance, 
for  Eystein  also  fell,  and  nearly  the  whole  army  of  the  Northmen  with  him.}  After  the 
battle  Harald  Godwinsson  generously  permitted  the  Crown  Prince  Olaf  and  the  Orcadian 


*  Authorities:  Orkn.  Saga  ;  Barry  ;  Pope. 
t  This  encounter  was  known  as 


t  See  Historiettes. 
Orri's  Storm." 


46  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


earls  to  leave  England  with  all  the  troops  that  had  not  fled.  So,  in  the  autumn,  Olaf  set 
sail  from  Ravensere  to  the  Orkneys.  Maria,  daughter  of  King  Harald,  died  on  the  same 
day  and  at  the  same  hour  he  fell,  and  it  is  said  of  them  that  they  had  but  one  life.  Olaf 
spent  the  winter  in  the  Orkneys,  and  was  very  friendly  to  the  earls,  his  kinsmen.  Thora, 
the  mother  of  King  Olaf,  and  Ingibiorg,  the  mother  of  the  earls,  were  daughters  of  two 
brothers.  In  the  spring  Olaf  crossed  to  Norway,  and  was  crowned  king  along  with  his 
brother  Magnus. 

Earl  Paul  had  married  a  daughter  of  Earl  Hakon  Ivarsson,  and  they  had  several 
children.  Beside  Hakon,  who  succeeded  him,  there  were  four  daughters,  of  whom 
Thora  was  married  in  Norway  to  Haldor,  son  of  Brynjulf  Ulfaldi ;  Ingirid,  married  to 
Einar  Vorsakrak;  Herbiorg,  mother  of  Ingibiorg  Tigna,  married  to  Sigurd  of  West- 
ness — they  had  issue  Hakon  Pik  and  Brynjolf,  and.Sigrid  (mother  of  Hakon  Barn  and 
Herborg,  married  to  Kolbein  Hrugd) ;  and  Ragnhild,  who  was  the  mother  of  Benedikt, 
the  father  of  Ingibiorg,  the  mother  of  Erling  the  Archdeacon,  and  Ragnhild  had  also  a 
daughter  Bergliot,  married  to  Havard  Gunnarsson,  and  their  sons  were  Magnus,  Hakon 
KIo,  Dufnial  and  Thorstein.  All  these  were  the  families  of  earls  and  chiefs  in  the 
Orkneys,  and  all  of  them  will  be  hereafter  mentioned. 

The  wife  of  Earl  Erlend  was  Thora,  the  daughter  of  Somerled,  the  son  of  Ospac  by 
his  wife  Thordis,  daughter  of  Hall  of  Side  in  Iceland.  Their  sons  were  Erling  and 
Magnus,  and  their  daughters  were  Gunnhild  and  Cecilia.  The  latter  was  married  to 
Isak,  and  their  sons  were  Eudridi  and  Kol.  Erling  had  a  natural  daughter  called  Jatvor, 
whose  sou  was  Berg. 

While  the  brother  earls  ruled  Orkney  they  agreed  extremely  well,  but  on  their  sons 
attaining  manhood  Erling  and  Hakon  became  very  violent.  Magnus  was  the  quietest  of 
them  all.  They  were  all  men  of  large  stature,  strong  and  accomplished  in  everything. 
Hakon,  Paul's  son,  wished  to  take  the  lead  over  his  cousins.  He  held  himself  of  higher 
birth  thau  the  sons  of  Erlend,  as  his  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Earl  Hakon  Ivarsson 
by  the  Princess  Ragnhild,  daughter  of  King  Magnus  the  Good.  Hakon  wished  his 
friends  to  have  the  lion's  share  of  everything  before  those  who  leant  to  the  sons  of 
Erlend,  but  Erlend  did  not  like  his  sons  to  be  inferior  to  any  in  the  Isles.  A  meeting 
was  appointed  to  adjust  these  differences,  but  it  soon  became  apparent  that  each  of  the 
earls  was  inclined  to  side  with  his  own  son,  and  therefore  no  agreement  was  arrived  at 
and  dissensions  arose.  After  this  well-disposed  men  interposed,  and  a  meeting  for  recon- 
ciliation was  appointed  in  the  Orcadian  mainland,  when  peace  was  secured  by  dividing 
the  islands  into  two  shares,  as  in  the  days  of  Thorfinn  and  Brusi.  Hakon,  when  he  be- 
came of  age,  was  very  violent,  and  continually  away  on  war  trips.  He  greatly  molested 
those  who  adhered  to  Erlend  and  his  sons,  till  at  last  they  came  to  open  war.  So  Havard 
Gunnarsson  and  others  once  more  endeavoured  to  restore  tranquility,  but  Erlend  and  his 
sons  refused  to  make  peace  while  Hakon  stayed  in  the  Isles.  Hakon's  friends  induced 
him  not  to  let  that  condition  stand  in  the  way.  Hakon  now  left  the  Isles  and  first  went 
to  Norway,  and  there  saw  King  Olaf  the  Quiet,  with  whom  he  remained  for  a  while. 
This  was  towards  the  end  of  Olaf's  reign.  After  that  he  went  east  to  Sweden  to  King 
Ingi  Steinkelsson,  who  received  him  well.  There  he  found  friends  and  kinsmen,  and 
was  highly  honoured  on  account  of  the  esteem  in  which  Hakon,  his  mother's  sire,  was 
held.  This  elder  Hakon  had  possessions  from  Steinkel,  the  king  of  the  Swedes,  ever 
since  he  was  banished  by  King  Harald  Sigurdsson,  and  became  greatly  beloved  both  by 


PAUL  and  ERLEND. 


king  and  people.  A  son  of  the  second  daughter  of  Hakon  Ivarsson  was  Hakon,  called 
the  Norwegian,  and  he  was  the  father  of  King  Eric  the  Wise,  who  was  King  of  Denmark 
after  King  Eric  the  Ever-remembered.  In  Sweden  Hakon  of  Orkney  was  well  treated  by 
King  Ingi,  but  after  a  time  he  felt  home-sick,  and  wanted  to  go  west  again  to  the  Isles. 

Christianity  was  then  newly-planted  in  Sweden.  Many  men  still  dabbled  in 
ancient  lore,  and  were  persuaded  that  by  such  means  they  were  enabled  to  foretell 
future  events.  Hakon,  happening  to  hear  of  a  man  who  practised  sorcery  and  spae-craft, 
became  curious  to  know  what  he  could  about  his  future,  and,  finding  the  spaeman,  asked 
if  he  should  succeed  in  regaining  his  dominions,  or  what  other  fortune  awaited  him.  He 
was  told  that  he  would  eventually  become  sole  ruler  of  the  Orkneys,  and  his  sons  should 
rule  there  after  him.     Also,  that  he  would  commit  a  great  crime. 

After  this  Hakon  went  to  see  King  Ingi,  with  whom  he  stayed  a  short  while,  and 
then  obtained  leave  from  the  king  to  depart.  He  went  first  to  Norway  to  see  his  kins- 
man, King  Magnus,  who  received  him  very  well.  There  he  heard  that  the  government 
of  the  Orkneys  was  almost  exclusively  in  the  hands  of  Earl  Erlend  and  his  sons,  and  that 
they  were  greatly  loved,  but  that  his  father,  Paul,  took  little  part  in  the  government. 
He  also  perceived  that  the  Orcadians  were  satisfied  with  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  had 
no  desire  for  his  return.  Revolving  this  in  his  mind,  he  thought  his  kinsmen  might  try 
to  deprive  him  of  his  possessions,  and  that  it  would  be  dangerous  for  him  to  go  west 
without  a  numerous  retinue.  Therefore  he  devised  a  scheme  to  induce  King  Magnus  to 
put  him  into  his  Orkney  possessions.  This  was  after  Magnus  had  put  Steiga-Thorir 
and  Egil  to  death,  and  suppressed  all  opposition  to  his  rule.  Hakon  was  a  sagacious 
man,  and,  aware  of  Magnus'  ambition,  began  to  tell  him  it  would  be  a  princely  feat  to 
go  west  and  subdue  the  Isles  asHarald  the  Eairhaired  had  done,  and  that  if  he  established 
his  power  in  the  Hebudes  he  might  easily  make  forays  into  Ireland  and  Scotland  from 
them.  Then,  having  subdued  the  western  countries,  he  might,  with  the  help  of  the 
Northmen,  attack  the  English,  and  thus  take  revenge  for  his  grandfather,  Harald  Hard- 
rade.  It  was  evident  the  king  was  pleased  with  this  proposal,  saying  it  was  spoken  like 
a  nobleman  and  quite  according  to  his  mind.  "  But  I  wish  you  not  to  be  surprised, 
Hakon,"  said  the  king,  "in  case  I  shall  be  persuaded  by  your  words  to  carry  an  army 
into  the  west,  if  I  put  forward  a  strong  claim  to  the  possessions  there  without  regard  to 
the  claims  of  any  man. ' '  Hearing  this  suggestion,  Hakon  no  longer  urged  the  expedition  ; 
nor  was  it  necessary,  for  Magnus  was  resolved  to  undertake  it,  and  gathered  together 
forces  throughout  his  realm.  So,  when  the  brothers  Paul  and  Erlend  ruled  the  Orkneys, 
King  Magnus  came  from  Norway  with  a  large  army,  having  with  him  his  son  Sigurd, 
the  Crown  Prince,  then  eight  years  of  age.  On  arriving  at  the  Orkneys  he  seized  the 
earls,  Paul  and  Erlend,  and  sent  them  east  to  Norway,  placing  over  the  Isles  his  son 
Sigurd,  for  whom  he  appointed  counsellors.  He  then  passed  on  to  the  Hebudes,  accom- 
panied by  Magnus  and  Erliiig,  the  sons  of  Erlend,  and  by  Hakon,  the  son  of  Paul.  He 
subdued  all  the  Hebudes,  and  seized  Logman,  the  sou  of  Gudrod,  King  of  the  Western 
Isles.  Thence  he  went  on  to  Wales,  and  fought  a  great  battle  in  Anglesea  Sound  with 
Hugh  the  Stout,  Earl  of  Chester,  and  Hugh  of  Montgomery,  surnamed  the  Bold,  Earl  of 
Shrewsbury.  The  latter  was  killed  by  an  arrow  from  the  bow  of  King  Magnus,  and  the 
Normans  then  fled.  Throughout  the  battle  Magnus  of  Orkney  did  not  take  up  arms, 
having  no  just  cause ;  nor  did  he  shelter  himself  from  the  weapons,  but  sat  on 
the  fore-deck.     Magnus  of  Orkney  had  been  appointed  one  of  the  nobles  in  waiting  at  the 


48  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


royal  table,  and  he  performed  continually  the  duties  of  that  office.  But  after  the  battle  in 
Anglesea  Sound  he  could  see  he  had  incurred  the  king's  displeasure,  so  during  the  night 
Magnus  stole  away.  Hiding  himself  in  the  woods  till  the  search  was  over,  he  afterwards 
made  his  way  to  the  court  of  Edgar,  the  Scottish  king,  and  stayed  there  for  a  while.  For 
some  time  he  was  with  a  certain  bishop  in  Wales.  The  writer  of  the  "  Life  of  St.  Magnus  " 
says  he  also  went  to  England  to  wait  on  King  Henry  I.,  son  of  William  the  Conqueror, 
and  that  he  was  assisted  by  King  Henry,  continuing  a  year  in  England  with  his  retinue 
at  the  king's  charges,  and  when  he  came  away  receiving  many  costly  presents.  He  did 
not  return  to  the  Orkneys  during  the  life  of  King  Magnus. 

King  Magnus  held  northwards  along  the  Scottish  coast,  and  received  word  from  the 
Scottish  sovereign  that  he  was  willing  to  give  him  all  such  islands  lying  west,  between 
which  and  the  mainland  he  could  pass  in  a  vessel  with  the  rudder  shipped.  By  a 
strategic  expedient  Magnus  added  Kintyre  to  the  others,  by  having  his  boat  drawn  across 
the  isthmus,  he  himself  holding  the  helm.  He  wintered  in  the  Hebudes,  at  which  the 
men  were  discontented.  His  favourite  courtier,  Kali  Saebiornsson,  of  Agdir,  advised  him 
to  hold  a  wapinschaw,  to  ascertain  the  number  of  his  army.  This  the  king  did,  and 
missed  many  men,  after  which  a  watch  was  kept  to  prevent  desertion.  Whilst  in  the 
Hebudes,  Magnus  obtained  for  his  son  Sigurd,  then  nine  years  of  age,  the  hand  of 
Biadmonia,  then  five  years  old,  the  daughter  of  Muirceartach,  the  son  of  Thialbi,  royalet 
of  the  Connaught  Irish,  and  son  of  Brian  Boroimhe,  King  of  Munster.  This  winter  Kali 
of  Agdir  died  from  his  wounds. 

Early  in  the  spring  King  Magnus  left  the  Hebudes  and  went  first  to  the  Orkneys, 
where  he  heard  of  the  death  of  the  Earls.  Paul  died  in  Bergen,  and  Erlend  in  Drontheim, 
where  he  was  buried.  In  order  to  compensate  Kol  for  the  loss  of  his  father,  King 
Magnus  married  him  to  Gunnhild,  daughter  of  Earl  Erlend.  Gunnhild's  dowry  consisted 
of  Orcadian  lands,  including  a  farm  at  Papul.  At  his  wedding  Kol  became  the  vassal  of 
King  Magnus.  Afterwards  he  went  to  Norway  with  the  king,  and  home  to  Agdir  with 
his  wife,  and  resided  on  his  estate  there.  Kol  and  Gunnhild  had  two  children.  Their 
son  was  called  Kali  and  their  daughter  Ingirid.  They  were  both  very  promising  children, 
and  were  brought  up  with  affectionate  care.  After  Earl  Erlend's  death,  his  wife  Thora 
married  a  man  called  Sigurd.  Their  son  was  Hakon  Karl.  They  had  estates  in  Papul. 
Of  Erling,  son  of  Erlend,  some  say  he  fell  in  Anglesea  Sound,  but  Snorri  Sturlusson  says 
he  fell  in  Ulster  with  King  Magnus. 

When  Magnus  had  been  nine  winters  king,  he  went  to  the  west  and  made  war  in 
Ireland,  spending  the  winter  in  Connaught.  The  next  summer,  on  St.  Bartholomew's  Day, 
1 103,  he  fell  in  Ulster.  When  Sigurd  heard  of  this,  he  left  the  Orkneys  for  Norway,  and 
was  made  king  conjointly  with  his  brothers  EjTstein  and  Olaf.  He  left  Biadmonia  in  the 
west.  One  or  two  winters  after  King  Magnus'  death,  Hakon  of  Orkney  came  from  the 
west,  and  the  kings  gave  him  an  earl's  title  and  possessions  befitting  his  birth.  He 
then  returned  and  took  possession  of  the  Orkneys.  He  had  always  accompanied  King 
Magnus  when  alive.  He  was  with  him  in  his  expedition  to  Gautland,  which  is 
mentioned  in  the  song  made  about  Hakon  Paulsson. 


HAKON  and  MAGNUS. 


HAKON  and  MAGNUS,  22ND  and  23RD  EARLS. 

When  Earl  Hakon  had  ruled  the  Orkneys  for  some  time,  Magnus,  the  son  of  Earl 
Erlend,  came  from  Scotland,  and  wished  to  have  his  patrimony,  at  which  all  the 
Orcadians  were  pleased  ;  but  Hakon  collected  men  and  refused  to  surrender  any  portion 
of  the  realm.  He,  however,  at  last  consented  to  yield  half,  if  the  Norse  monarchs 
approved  of  it.  So  Magnus  passed  to  Norway  and  saw  King  Eystein,  for  King  Sigurd 
had  then  gone  to  Jerusalem  (1107).  Eystein  received  him  exceedingly  well,  and  gave 
him  his  patrimony — one-half  of  the  Orcades  with  the  title  of  earl.  Thereupon  Magnus 
sailed  west  to  his  dominions,  every  one  being  glad  to  see  him  back.  Through  the  kind 
offices  of  mutual  friends,  Magnus  and  Hakon  agreed  very  well,  and  while  their  friendship 
continued  there  were  good  times  and  peace  reigned  in  the  Orkneys. 

The  holy  Magnus,  Earl  of  the  Isles,  was  a  most  excellent  man,  of  large  stature,  noble 
presence,  and  intellectual  countenance.  He  was  of  blameless  life,  victorious  in  battles, 
wise,  eloquent,  strong-minded,  liberal,  and  magnanimous,  sagacious  in  counsels,  and 
more  beloved  than  any  other  man.  Many  other  glorious  virtues  he  exhibited  to  God 
Himself,  but  concealed  from  man. 

Magnus  and  Hakon  governed  their  lands  and  defended  them  for  some  time,  the  two 
agreeing  well.  In  a  song  composed  about  them,  it  is  said  they  fought  with  a  chief  called 
Dufniall,  their  second  cousin,  who  fell  before  them.  They  also  slew  a  famous  man, 
Thorbiorn,  in  Burra  Firth,  Hjaltland  ;  and  other  deeds  are  set  forth  in  song,  though  not 
specially  narrated  here.  But  presently  Hakon  became  jealous  of  the  popularity  and 
greatness  of  his  cousin,  being  stirred  thereto  by  men  who  were  evilly-disposed,  chief 
amongst  whom  were  Sigurd  and  Sigh  vat  Sock.  The  enmity  advanced  so  far  that  the 
earls,  coming  to  meet  each  other  in  Hrossey,  where  the  Thingstead  was,  drew  up  their 
troops  in  battle  array  and  prepared  to  fight,  but  their  mutual  friends  managed  to  avert 
hostilities  for  the  moment,  and  a  reconciliation  was  confirmed  with  oaths  and  shaking  of 
hands.  A  little  later  Hakon  appointed  a  day  of  meeting  with  the  blessed  Earl  Magnus, 
to  further  ratify  their  friendship  :  the  meeting  to  take  place  in  the  Pasch  week  in  Egilsa, 
each  to  be  attended  with  two  ships  and  have  an  equal  number  of  men.  Immediately 
after  Easter,  Earl  Magnus  with  his  two  ships  and  the  stipulated  number  of  men  got  ready 
for  their  voyage  to  Egilsa.  As  they  were  rowing  in  calm  and  smooth  water,  a  great 
wave  rose  under  the  ship  which  was  steered  by  the  Earl,  and  broke  over  it  where  he  sat. 
The  mariners  marvelled  greatly  at  such  an  occurrence — that  a  breaker  should  rise  in 
smooth  water  where  no  man  could  remember  one  to  have  arisen,  and  where  the  water 
was  so  deep.  This  event  was  taken  to  presage  Magnus'  impending  doom.  Earl  Hakon, 
on  the  other  hand,  came  to  the  meeting  place  with  a  numerous  army  and  many  ships, 
equipped  as  if  for  battle  ;  and  after  starting  for  the  destination,  announced  to  his  followers 
that  the  meeting  should  finally  decide  between  Magnus  and  himself,  so  that  both  should 
not  rule  the  Orcadian  nation.  Many  approved  of  this  determination,  even  adding  wicked 
suggestions,  but  Sigurd  and  Sighvat  ever  counselled  the  worst  things.  They  then  rowed 
more  quickly.  Havard  Gunnarsson  (who  was  married  to  Bergliot,  daughter  of  Hakon's 
sister  Ragnhild),  the  friend  and  counsellor  of  the  Earls,  and  equally  faithful  to  them  both, 
was  on  board  Earl  Hakon's  flag-ship.  Hakon  had  concealed  from  him  this  evil  plan,  in 
which  he  would  by  no  means  have  had  any  part  ;  and,  indeed,  when  Havard  knew  Hakon 
was  so  resolute  in  the  design,  he  plunged  overboard  and  swam  to  a  certain  uninhabited 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY, 


islet.  Magnus,  who  had  first  arrived  at  Egil's  Isle,  descried  Hakon  approaching  with  eight 
war-ships,  and  then  knew  that  treachery  was  intended.  His  men  offered  to  defend  him, 
but  the  noble  earl  declined  to  imperil  their  lives,  and  decided  to  yield  himself  to  the 
questionable  mercy  of  Hakon.  So,  upon  being  surrounded  by  his  cousin's  soldiers,  Earl 
Magnus  made  these  propositions  :  to  go  on  pilgrimage  to  Rome  or  Jerusalem,  never  re- 
turning to  the  land  of  his  fathers  ;  to  be  exiled  to  Scotland,  safe  provision  being  made  for 
his  custody  in  that  kingdom  ;  or,  thirdly,  to  be  maimed  or  blinded  and  imprisoned. 
Hakon  accepted  the  last,  but  the  Orcadian  nobles  said,  "One  of  you  we  will  kill  now, 
and  from  this  day  you  shall  not  both  rule  the  lands  of  the  Orkneys."  Earl  Hakon 
replied,  "  Slay  him  then,  for  I  will  rather  have  earldom  and  lands  than  instant  death." 
Their  conversation  was  related  by  Holdbodi,  a  truthful  bondi  in  the  Hebudes,  who  was 
with  Earl  Magnus  when  the  latter  was  arrested  by  his  cousin's  soldiers.  Magnus  met  his 
fate  with  equanimity.  Hakon  ordered  Ofeig,  his  banner-bearer,  to  do  the  deed,  but 
Ofeig  indignantly  refused.  So  then  Hakon  forced  Lifolf,  his  cook,  to  be  executioner. 
Lifolf  wept  aloud  at  having  to  undertake  the  office,  but  Earl  Magnus  said  to  him,  "  Stand 
before  me  and  hew  me  a  mighty  stroke  on  the  head,  for  it  is  not  fitting  that  high-born 
lords  should  be  slain  like  robbers."  After  that  he  made  the  sign  of  the  cross,  stooped 
under  the  blow,  and  his  spirit  passed  into  heaven.  This  was  two  days  after 
Tiburtiusmas  (14th  April),  1091.  He  had  been  seven  winters  Earl  of  the  Orkneys  along 
with  Earl  Hakon.  Seventy-four  winters  had  passed  since  the  death  of  King  Olaf,  and 
the  kings  of  Norway  at  this  time  were  Sigurd,  Eystein,  and  Olaf.  The  place  where  the 
blessed  Earl  was  slain  had  been  previously  covered  with  moss  and  stones,  but  shortly 
afterwards  his  merits  before  God  became  manifest  in  this  wise,  that  where  he  was 
beheaded  it  became  green  sward.  Thus  God  showed  that  he  had  suffered  for  righteous- 
ness sake,  and  had  obtained  the  beauty  and  verdure  of  Paradise,  which  is  called  the 
Land  of  the  Living.  Earl  Hakon  did  not  permit  his  body  to  be  brought  to  the  church 
for  burial. 

Thora,  the  mother  of  Earl  Magnus,  had  invited  both  the  earls  to  a  banquet  after 
their  meeting,  and  thither  Earl  Hakon  went  fresh  from  the  murder  of  the  holy  Earl  Magnus. 
Thora  herself  served  at  the  banquet,  and  brought  the  drink  to  the  Earl  and  his  men,  who 
had  been  present  at  the  murder  of  her  son.  And  when  the  drink  began  to  have  effect  upon 
the  Earl,  Thora  went  before  him  and  pleaded  for  Christian  burial  for  her  sou's  remains. 
The  Earl  became  silent  and  considered  her  case,  as  she  prayed  so  meekly,  and  with  tears, 
that  Magnus'  body  might  be  brought  to  church.  Looking  at  his  aunt,  he  saw  the  tears 
fall  and  had  compassion,  saying,  "  Bury  your  son  where  it  pleases  you."  Then  was  the 
Earl's  body  brought  to  Hrossey  and  buried  in  Christ's  Kirk  in  Birsa,  the  cathedral  church 
erected  by  Earl  Thorfinn. 

Soon  after  this  a  heavenly  light  was  seen  above  his  burial  place.  Men  in  peril 
began  to  pray  to  him,  and  their  prayers  were  heard.  A  celestial  odour  was  frequently 
observed  above  his  holy  grave,  from  which  those  suffering  from  illness  received  health. 
Then  sufferers  made  pilgrimages  thither,  both  from  the  Orkneys  and  Hjaltaland,  and, 
keeping  vigils  at  his  tomb,  were  cured  of  all  their  ills.  But  people  dared  not  make  this 
known  while  Hakon  was  alive.  It  is  said  of  the  men  who  were  most  guilty  in  the  death 
of  the  sainted  Earl,  that  most  of  them  met  with  a  miserable  end.  William  the  Old,  first 
bishop  by  Romish  consecration,  occupied  the  see  at  this  time,  and  had  his  seat  at  Christ's 
Kirk,  Birsa.     He  was  bishop  for  six  winters  of  the  seventh  decade.      He  long  disbelieved 


HAKON  and  MAGNUS.  51 

in  the  sanctity  of  Earl  Magnus,  until  his  merits  became  manifest  to  such  a  degree  that 
God  made  his  holiness  grow  the  more  conspicuous  the  more  it  was  tried,  as  is  told  in  the 
book  of  his  miracles. 

Earl  Hakon  now  took  possession  of  all  the  Orkneys,  and  exacted  an  oath  of  fealty 
from  the  Islesmen,  receiving  also  the  submission  of  the  supporters  of  Earl  Magnus,  whom 
he  heavily  fined.  Some  winters  after  he  prepared  to  visit  Rome.  From  there  he  travelled 
on  to  Jerusalem,  where,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  palmers,  he  sought  out  the  hali- 
doms,  bathed  in  the  river  Jordan,  and  brought  away  several  relics  from  Palestine. 
Returning  to  his  island  realm,  he  resumed  the  government,  made  new  laws,  which  the 
landowners  preferred  to  the  former  ones,  and  became  so  popular  that  the  Orcadians 
desired  no  other  lords  than  Hakon  and  his  issue.  When,  in  advancing  years,  he  died  a 
natural  death,  it  was  thought  a  great  loss,  for  in  the  latter  days  of  his  reign  there  was 
unbroken  peace.  Contemporary  with  Earl  Hakon  was  Moddan,  a  wealthy  noble  who 
resided  at  Dale,  in  Caithness.  Moddan  had  two  sons,  Engus  inn  orvi  and  Ottarr  jarl  in 
Thurso,  and  three  daughters,  Helga,  Frakach  (Frakokk),  and  Thorleif.  Helga  was  mother 
to  Hakon  of  three  children.  Their  son  was  Harald  the  Orator,  and  their  eldest  daughter 
Ingibiorg  was  married  to  Olaf,  King  of  the  Hebudes  ;  while  their  second  daughter 
Margaret  afterwards  manied  Maddad,  Earl  of  Athole.  Frakach  was  married  to  Ljot  the 
Miscreant  in  Sutherland,  and  their  daughter  was  Steinvor  the  Stout,  married  to  Thorliot 
a*  Rackwick.  The  sons  of  the  latter  were  Olvir  Rosta  {the  Quarreller),  Magnus,  Orm,  and 
Moddan,  and  Einridi,  and  their  daughter  Audhild.  A  second  daughter  of  Frakach  was 
Gudrun,  married  to  Thorstein  Hold  and  their  son  was  Thorbiorn  Klerk.  Thorleif 
Moddan's  daughter  had  a  daughter  Gunnhild,  or  Audhild.  Hakon  the  Earl  had  another 
son  named  Paul  the  Silent,  a  reserved  but  popular  man.  After  the  death  of  Hakon  he 
was  succeeded  bv 


HARALD  and  PAUL,  24TH  and  25TH  EARLS. 

These  brothers  soon  disagreed,  and  divided  the  Orcadian  dominions,  and  then 
discord  arose  between  the  great  vassals  of  each,  who  were  divided  into  factions.  Earl 
Harald  held  Caithness  from  the  King  of  Scots,  and  he  resided  frequently  there  :  but  some- 
times also  in  Scotland,  where  he  had  many  friends  and  kinsmen.  When  Harald  was 
staying  in  Sutherland  there  came  to  him  Sigurd  Slembidjakn,  reputed  to  be  the  son  of 
Adalbrekt,  a  priest.  Sigurd  came  from  the  court  of  the  Scottish  King  David,  who  had 
held  him  in  high  esteem.  Earl  Harald  received  him  extremely  well.  Sigurd  went  into 
the  Islands  with  Harald  and  with  Frakach,  whose  husband  Ljot  was  now  dead.  Frakach 
and  her  sister  took  a  large  share  in  the  government  with  Earl  Harald.  Sigurd  was  a 
great  favourite  with  all  of  them.  At  this  time  Audhild,  the  daughter  of  Thorleif,  was  his 
mistress,  and  their  daughter  was  Ingigerd,  afterwards  mother  to  Hakon  Klo.  She  had 
before  then  been  married  to  Eric  Slrei/a,  by  whom  she  was  mother  of  Eirek  Stagbrellir. 

When  Sigurd  and  Frakach  came  to  the  Islands  great  dissensions  arose  between  the 
brother  Earls,  and  both  called  together  as  many  of  their  partisans  as  they  could  muster. 
The  most  attached  to  Earl  Paul  were  Sigurd  at  Westness,  who  had  married  Ingibiorg  the 
Noble,  a  kinswomen  of  the  Earls,  and  Thorkell,  son  of  Somerled,  who  was  always  with 

Note.— In  Halkirk  parish,  Caithness,  there  is  a  field  called  Auchtu  Haco,  or  Haco's  field,  and 
in  the  parish  of  Tongue  a  loch  called  Lochan  Haco,  in  which  is  an  isle  called  the  Isle  of  Loch  Haco. 


52  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


Paul,  and  was  called  his  foster-father,  Thorkell  was  of  kin  to  the  sainted  Earl  Magnus, 
and  a  most  popular  man.  The  friends  of  the  Earls  thought  no  man  would  more  deplore 
their  discord  than  Thorkell,  because  of  the  injury  done  him  by  their  father  Hakon.  At 
last  Harald  and  Sigurd  the  Slim  went  to  Thorkell  the  Foster  and  slew  him.  This  roused 
the  ire  of  Paul,  who  only  consented  to  peace  upon  the  banishment  from  the  Orcades  of 
Sigurd  and  all  those  incriminated  with  him.  Sigurd  the  Slim  then  left  the  Isles  and 
went  to  Scotland,  staying  for  a  while  with  Malcolm,  King  of  Scots,  by  whom  he  was  well 
entertained.  Sigurd  was  thought  a  great  man  in  all  manly  exercises.  He  remained  for 
a  time  in  Scotland,  until  he  went  to  Jerusalem.  Later  on  he  claimed  the  Norwegian 
throne,  and  established  his  paternity  by  ordeal  of  hot  iron,  just  as  King  Harald  Gille,  the 
reigning  monarch,  had  done.  Harald  declined  to  recognise  the  result,  and  arraigned  Sigurd 
for  the  slaying  of  Thorkell.  Sigurd  effected  his  escape  by  plunging  overboard  with  two 
of  his  guards  in  his  arms,  and  presently  returning,  surprised  and  slew  King  Harald. 
Sigurd  then  tried,  with  Danish  assistance,  to  restore  King  Magnus  the  Blind,  but  his 
forces  were  totally  defeated  by  the  sons  of  King  Harald  on  the  south  coast  of  Norway. 
Magnus  fell  in  battle,  and  Sigurd  was  made  captive,  to  be  put  to  death  with  almost  in- 
credible tortures.  The  Orcadian  Earls  in  confirming  the  peace,  arranged  for  Christmas 
and  the  chief  festivals  to  be  spent  together. 

Once  the  brothers  were  to  be  entertained  at  Orphir,  one  of  Earl  Harald 's  estates,  and 
he  was  to  bear  the  expense  of  the  entertainment  for  both  of  them  that  Christmas,  so  he 
was  very  busy  and  made  great  preparations.  The  sisters  Frakach  and  Helga  were  there 
with  the  Earl,  and  sat  sewing  in  the  stofa,  an  enclosed  portion  of  the  hall  at  the  upper 
end,  where  was  the  pall  or  dais.  Harald  happened  to  enter  the  apartment  where  the 
sisters  were,  and  found  them  seated  on  a  cross-bench,  a  newly-made  linen  garment,  spot- 
less as  snow,  lying  between  them.  The  Earl  raised  it,  and,  noticing  it  was  embroidered 
with  gold,  asked,  "  To  whom  does  this  splendid  thing  belong?"  Frakach  replied,  l-It 
is  intended  for  your  brother  Paul."  "  Why  do  you  make  so  fine  a  garment  for  him? 
Such  pains  are  not  shown  in  the  making  of  my  clothing,"  said  the  Earl.  Harald  had 
just  come  out  of  bed,  and  was  dressed  in  a  shirt  and  linen  drawers  with  a  mantle  thrown 
over  the  shoulder.  Discarding  the  mantle,  he  spread  out  the  dress.  His  mother  Helga 
grasped  it,  and  besought  him  not  to  envy  his  brother  his  fine  clothing,  but  the  Earl  pulled 
it  from  her  and  began  to  put  it  on.  Frakach  then  snatched  at  her  headgear,  and  tore 
her  hair,  saying  his  life  was  endangered  if  he  wore  it,  and  both  women  wept  grievously. 
Nevertheless  Harald  put  it  on,  but  as  soon  as  it  touched  his  skin  a  fit  of  shivering 
seized  him,  accompanied  by  pain  so  great  that  he  had  to  take  to  his  bed.  He  never  left 
it  alive,  dying  in  a  few  days.      His  friends  considered  his  death  a  severe  loss. 

With  the  consent  of  the  Orcadian  estates,  Paul  immediately  entered  into  possession 
of  his  brother's  dominions.  Considering  that  the  splendid  tunic  so  fatal  to  Harald  had 
been  prepared  for  himself,  Paul  preferred  that  the  sisters  should  not  stay  in  the  Isles. 
Accordingly,  with  all  their  attendants — a  numerous  train — they  passed  to  Caithness,  and 
thence  to  Frakach's  estate  in  Scotland.  This  estate  became  a  nursery  for  many  characters 
prominent  in  Orcadian  history.     There 

ERLEND  III.,  26th  EARL, 
the  son  of  Harald  the  Orator,  passed  his  youth,  and  was  brought  up  under  her  baneful 
influence.      With   Erlend,   usually  called   the    Younger,  to   distinguish   him   from  Erlend 


KRLKNl)  III.,   26th  EARL.  53 

the  Exile,  the  male  line  of  Rognvald,  Earl  of  Orkney,  came  to  an  end  ;  but  as  most  of  his 
doings  occur  later  on,  he  will  not  be  further  referred  to  here.  Of  others  gathered  round 
Frakach  were  Olvir  the  Quarreller,  the  son  of  Thorliot  ;  and  Steinvor,  her  daughter  ; 
Thorbiorn  Klerk,  the  son  of  Gudrun  and  Thorstein  H<>ld  ;  Margaret,  daughter  of  Earl 
Hakon  and  Helga  ;  and  Eric  Stagbrellir  was  also  brought  up  by  her.  All  these  were  of 
great  families,  and  thought  they  had  claims  on  the  Orkneys.  Frakach's  brothers  were 
Engus  the  Liberal  and  Earl  Ottar  in  Thurso,  a  man  of  birth  and  rank. 

Earl  Paul  then  ruled  the  Orkneys,  and  was  very  popular.  He  was  somewhat 
taciturn,  spoke  little  at  the  Things,  and  gave  others  a  large  share  in  the  government  with 
himself.  He  was  a  modest  man,  gentle  to  his  people,  liberal  with  his  money,  and  spared 
nothing  to  his  friends.  He  was  not  warlike,  and  kept  himself  very  quiet.  At  that 
time  there  were  many  noble  men  descended  from  earls  in  the  Orkneys.  There  lived  at 
Westness,  in  Rousa  (Hrolfsey)  a  noble  man  named  Sigurd,  who  had  married  Ingibiorg 
the  Noble.  Their  sons  were  Brynjolf  and  Hakon  Peak.  All  these  were  vassals  of  Earl 
Paul  ;  so  also  were  the  sons  of  Havard  Gunnarsson,  Magnus,  and  Hakon  Claw, 
Thorstein  and  Dufniall.  Their  mother  was  Bergliot,  and  her  mother  was  Ragnhild, 
daughter  of  Earl  Paul  the  Exile.  At  Tankerness  lived  one  Erling,  who  had  four  sons, 
all  of  whom  were  accomplished  men.  In  Gairsay  lived  Olaf,  Hrolf's  son,  who  had 
another  estate  in  Duncansby,  in  Caithness.  Olaf  was  a  great  man,  highly  honoured  by 
Earl  Paul.  His  wife  was  named  Aslief,  a  wise  woman,  accomplished,  and  of  great  family. 
Their  sons,  Valthiof,  Sweyn,  and  Gunni,  were  all  accomplished  men  ;  their  sister  was 
named  Ingigerd.  Sigurd  of  Paplay  had  married  Thora,  the  mother  of  Earl  Magnus, 
and  their  son  was  Hakon  Karl.  Both  Sigurd  and  his  son  were  great  chiefs.  In 
North  Ronaldsay  there  lived  a  woman  by  name  Ragna  ;  her  son  Thorstein  was  a  man 
of  great  strength.  In  Westray  there  lived  at  a  hamlet  a  farmer  named  Helgi,  and  at 
Hreppisness  a  wise  and  wealthy  farmer  named  Kugi.  Thorkell  Flettir,  a  violent  and 
powerful  man,  also  lived  in  that  isle  ;  his  sons  Thorstein  and  Hafiidi  were  unpopular 
men.  At  Swona,  in  the  Petlaud  Firth,  lived  a  poor  man,  Grim,  who  had  two  sturdy 
sons,  Asbiorn  and  Margad.  In  Fair  Isle  lived  Uagfinn.  At  Flydruness,  in  Hrossey, 
lived  Thorstein,  who  had  two  wild  sons,  Asbjoru  the  Cross-eyed,  and  Bljan.  Jaddvor, 
daughter  of  Earl  Erlend,  lived  with  her  son  Borgar  at  Knarstad  ;  they  were  both  rather 
unpopular.  John  Wing  lived  at  Upland,  in  Hoey.  Rikard,  his  brother,  lived  at  Brekkur 
in  Strjonsey.  They  were  grand  men,  and  related  to  Olaf  Hrolfson.  A  man  named 
Grimkell  lived  at  Glettuness.      All  these  men  will  be  mentioned  hereafter. 

All  this  time  Kol  of  Agdir  in  Norway  had  resided  on  his  estates,  and  attended  to  the 
education  of  his  son  Kali,  and  the  latter  was  now  grown  up  into  a  most  promising  man. 
His  hair  was  of  a  light  auburn  colour,  and  he  was  of  middle  size,  well  and  handsomely 
proportioned,  affable,  popular,  and  very  highly  accomplished,  being  proficient  in  the 
nine  arts  then  held  highest  in  estimation.     This  we  learn  from  his  own  verses  :— 


'  Tafl  em  ek  i>rr  at  efla, 

idrottir  kann  ek  niu, 
'  tyni  ek  traudla  runum, 

tid  er  mer  bok  ok  smithir : 
Skrida  kann  ek,  a  skidum, 

skyt  ek  ok  rse'k  sva  at  nytir 
'hvart-tveggja  kann  ek  hyggja 

harp-shitt  ok  bragg-thattu." 


'  At  the  game-board  I  am  skilful  ; 
Knowing  in  no  less  than  nine  arts  ; 
Runic  lore  I  well  remember  ; 
Books  I  like  ;  with  tools  I'm  handy  ; 
Expert  am  I  on  the  snow-shoes, 
With  the  bow,  and  pull  an  oar  well  ; 
And,  besides,  I  am  an  adept 
At  the  harp,  and  making  verses." 


Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  (text)  edn. 


54 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


Kali  was  frequently  with  his  kinsmen,  Solmund,  the  son  of  Sigurd  Sneis,  who  was 
Treasurer  at  Tunsberg,  and  had  estates  at  Austr-Agdir.  He  was  a  great  chief  and  had  a 
numerous  retinue.  When  Kali  was  fifteen  he  accompanied  some  merchants  to  England, 
taking  with  him  a  good  cargo  of  merchandise.  They  went  to  a  trading  place  called 
Grimsby  where  there  was  a  great  number  of  people  from  Norway,  as  well  as  from  the 
Orkneys,  Scotland,  and  the  Hebudes.  While  there  he  met  one  Gillichrist,  who  asked 
him  man>-  things  about  Norway,  and  the}-  became  great  companions.  Gillichrist  then 
confided  to  Kali  that  his  name  was  Harald,  that  he  was  a  son  of  King  Magnus  Barelegs, 
and  that  his  mother  was  in  the  Hebudes.  He  further  asked  how  he  might  be  received  if 
he  went  to  Norway.  Kali  answered  he  thought  King  Sigurd  would  be  friendly  if  not  set 
against  him  by  others.  At  parting  Gillichrist  and  Kali  exchanged  presents,  and  promised 
each  other  mutual  friendship  wherever  they  might  meet,  Kali  then  sailed  homewards 
for  Agdir,  and  held  on  to  Bergen.  He  was  then  a  dressy  man,  and  being  newly  come 
from  England  had  many  braveries.  In  a  hostelry  there,  kept  by  a  worthy  housewife 
named  Unna,  he  met  a  young  man  of  rank  named  John,  son  of  Peter  Sarksson.  of  Sogn, 
one  of  the  king's  liegemen.  His  mother  was  Helga,  daughter  of  Harek  of  Saeter.  John 
was  also  smart  in  matters  of  dress,  and  great  fellowship  arose  between  him  and  Kali, 
and  they  parted  staunch  comrades.  John  went  north  to  Sogn,  and  Kali  east  to  Agdir. 
Kali  passed  some  years  occupied  in  trading  trips  during  the  summer,  spending  the  winters 
either  at  Agdir  or  with  Solmund. 

One  summer,  on  his  way  to  Drontheim,  he  was  weather-bound  at  an  island  called 
Dolls,  in  which  there  was  an  enchanted  cavern  called  the  Doll's  cave,  and  report  stated 
that  there  was  much  treasure  hidden  there.  A  sheet  of  water  stretched  across  the 
entrance,  and  no  one  dared  cross  it,  save  the  hardy  Kali  and  Havard,  a  domestic.  They 
swam  over  the  tiny  lake,  Kali  carrying  firewood  on  his  shoulders  :  but  after  making 
a  thorough  search  they  failed  to  find  any  treasure.  Kali  raised  a  pile  of  stones  as  a 
remembrance  of  their  entry,  and  with  his  usual  facility  commemorated  the  circumstance 
in  verse.  The  company  proceeded  to  Bergen.  Arrived  there  Kali  put  up  at  an  inn,  where 
John  Petrsson  was  also  staying,  and  they  became  very  friendly.  One  evening,  after  John 
and  Kali  had  retired,  the  guests  began  comparing  men,  a  favourite  Norse  custom,  and 
Brynjulf,  a  retainer  of  John's,  ventured  to  say  his  master  was  the  best  man  and  of  the 
noblest  family  south  of  the  Stad.  Havard,  the  companion  of  Kali,  immediately  challenged 
the  statement,  asserting  Solmund  was  in  no  way  inferior  to  John,  and  would  be  more 
esteemed  by  the  men  of  Vik.  A  quarrel  ensued,  and  Havard,  seizing  a  piece  of  wood, 
struck  Brynjulf  so  severe  a  blow  on  the  head  that  he  fainted.  Kali  then  sent  Havard  into 
retirement,  but  John,  divining  his  destination,  despatched  Erynjulf  after  him  with  ten  men, 
who  overtook  and  slew  him.  This  raised  a  blood  feud  between  John  and  Brynjulf  on  the 
one  part,  and  Solmund  and  Hallvard,  brother  to  Havard,  on  the  other,  resulting  in  the 
assassination  of  Brynjulf  by  Hallvard.  This  was  followed  by  reprisals  from  John,  who  un- 
successfully endeavoured  to  surprise  Solmund  and  Kol,  but  was  wounded  and  defeated. 
The  next  summer,  however,  he  contrived  to  kill  Gunnar  and  Aslak,  two  of  Kol's  kinsmen. 
These  differences  were  eventually  submitted  to  King  Sigurd  for  adjudication,  when  a 
reconciliation  was  arranged.  Wounds  and  deaths  were  balanced  against  each  other,  and 
John  was  to  marry  Ingirid,  daughter  of  Kol,  and  they  who  were  enemies  before  parted 
good  friends.  At  the  same  time  King  Sigurd  gave  Kali  the  half  of  the  Orkneys  which 
had  belonged  to  his  uncle  St.  Magnus,  and  created  him  an  earl,  re-naming  him  Rognvald. 


PAUL  THE  SILENT.  55 


because  his  mother,  the  Lady  Gunnhild,  said  that  R<"»gnvald  Brusisson  was  the  most 
accomplished  of  all  the  Orcadian  earls,  and  thought  the  name  would  bring  good  fortune. 

This  winter  King  Sigurd  died  at  Opslo  (Christiania),  the  ancient  Norwegian  capital. 
His  sou  Magnus  succeeded  him,  and  took  possession  of  all  the  royal  treasures.  Harald 
Gillichrist  was  at  Tunsberg  when  the  news  reached  him,  and  he  at  once  convened  meet- 
ings with  his  friends,  and  sent  for  Riignvald  and  his  father,  because  since  they  met  in 
England  they  had  always  been  friends.  Riignvald  and  Kol  had  also  done  most  to  help 
Harald  to  prove  his  paternity  to  Sigurd.  In  this  they  were  assisted  by  many  barons — 
Ingimar,  Thiostolf,  and  others.  So  Harald  and  his  partisans  held  a  Hauga-Thing  at 
Tunsberg,  and  there  Harald  was  accepted  as  King  of  one-half  of  Norway.  A  nominal 
peace  was  effected,  Magnus  and  Harald  dividing  Norway  ;  but  the  fourth  summer  they 
declared  war  and  fought  at  Fyrileif  (1134),  where  Magnus  with  6,000  men  defeated 
Harald,  who  had  only  1,500.  Harald's  chief  warriors  were  his  brother  Kristrod,  Earl 
Riignvald,  Ingimar,  Thiostolf,  and  Solmund.  Kristrod  and  Ingimar  fell  in  the  battle, 
and  Harald  fled  to  King  Eric  in  Denmark,  where  he  was  presently  joined  by  Thiostolf. 
At  Yule,  Harald  returned  to  Bergen,  seized  King  Magnus  on  board  his  flagship,  and  had 
him  maimed.  Harald  then  took  possession  of  the  whole  kingdom,  and  the  next  spring 
he  renewed  the  gift  of  the  Islands  and  the  title  of  earl  to  Riignvald. 

Kol  now  resolved  to  send  men  to  the  Orkneys  to  ask  Earl  Paul  to  surrender  the  half 
of  the  Islands  bestowed  on  Riignvald  by  King  Harald,  and  they  should  be  friends  and 
good  kinsmen.  But  if  Paul  refused,  the  embassy  should  proceed  to  Krakach  and  Olvir 
Rosta,  offering  them  one-half  of  the  Isles  jointly  with  Riignvald  if  they  were  willing  to 
acquire  it  by  force  of  arms.  On  receiving  the  message  Paul  declined  to  entertain  the 
proposal,  and  said,  "With  the  assistance  of  my  friends  and  kinsmen  I  shall  defend  the 
Orkneys  as  long  as  God  grants  me  life."  The  embassy  then  crossed  the  Petland  Firth, 
and  made  the  alternative  offer  to  Frakach  and  Olvir.  Frakach  received  the  message 
favourably,  remarking  that  it  was  wise  of  Kol  to  seek  their  assistance,  as  their  relatives 
and  connections  were  both  numerous  and  powerful.  "  I  have  now."  said  she,  "  married 
Margaret,  Hakon's  daughter,  to  Moddan,  Earl  of  Athole,  who  is  of  the  noblest  family  of 
all  the  Scottish  chiefs.  His  father,  Melmari,  is  the  uncle  of  King  Malcolm,  the  father  of 
David,  who  is  now  King  of  the  Scots.  We  have  many  and  just  claims  on  the  Orkneys, 
and  have  ourselves  some  power.  We  have  the  reputation  of  being  far-seeing,  and  during 
hostilities  all  things  do  not  come  on  us  unawares  ;  yet  we  will  be  glad  to  entertain  an 
alliance  with  Kol  and  his  son  for  many  reasons.  Tell  them  I  and  Olvir  shall  bring  an 
army  to  the  Orkneys  in  midsummer.  Let  Riignvald  meet  us  then,  and  have  a  decisive 
battle  with  Earl  Paul.  During  the  winter  I  will  collect  forces  from  my  kinsmen,  friends, 
and  connections  in  Scotland  and  the  Hebudes."  Returning  to  Norway,  these  matters 
were  related  to  Riignvald. 

Next  summer  he  sailed  west,  accompanied  by  Solmund  and  John,  with  a  fine  body 
of  troops  and  five  or  six  ships.  Adverse  winds  compelled  them  to  put  into  Yell  Sound, 
where  they  stayed  feasting,  being  well  received  by  the  boendr.  They  heard  nothing  of 
Frakach,  but  of  her  it  is  to  be  told  that  in  the  spring  she  went  to  the  Hebudes,  where  she 
and  Olvir  mustered  troops  and  ships.  They  had  in  all  twelve  ships,  all  of  them  small 
and  ill-manned.  Olvir  was  the  commander,  and  if  they  gained  a  victory  he  was  to  have 
an  earldom  in  the  Orkneys.  Frakach  was  also  there  with  many  of  her  retainers.  About 
midsummer  they  directed  their  course  to  the  Orkneys  to  join  Riignvald.     Earl  Paul  was 


56  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY 


then  at  a  feast  with  Sigurd  of  Westness  in  Rousa,  when  he  heard  that  Earl  Rognvald  had 
arrived  in  Hjaltland,  and  that  an  army  was  gathering  in  the  Hebudes.  So  he  sent  word 
to  Kugi  in  Westray,  and  Thorkell  Flett,  who  were  wise  men  ;  and  many  other  of  his  chief 
men  he  called  together.  After  consultation,  it  was  resolved  to  summon  the  Islemen  to 
resist  the  invaders,  and  to  first  advance  to  meet  Rognvald  and  decide  matters  before  the 
arrival  of  the  Hebudeans.  The  Earl  had  with  him  Sweyn  Briostreip  {of  the  Breasirope'), 
whom  he  highly  esteemed.  Sweyn  was  of  large  stature  and  great  strength,  swarthy  and 
ill-favoured.  He  was  greatly  skilled  in  ancient  lore,  and  had  frequently  been  engaged  in 
out-sittings.  In  the  summer  he  was  always  on  viking  raids,  but  in  the  winter  stayed 
with  the  Earl.  He  was  stationed  in  the  forecastle  of  the  Earl's  flagship.  During  the 
night  the  following  warriors  came  to  Earl  Paul  :  Eyvind,  son  of  Melbrigd,  in  a  ship  fully 
manned;  Olaf,  son  of  Rolf,  from  Gairsay,  had  another  ;  Thorkel  Flettir,  the  third  ;  Sigurd, 
the  fourth  ;  and  the  Earl  himself  had  the  fifth.  With  these  five  vessels  they  went  to 
Hrossey,  and  arrived  there  in  the  evening  about  sunset.  Troops  gathered  to  him  during 
the  night,  but  no  more  ships  were  to  be  had.  The  next  day  they  were  to  sail  to  Hjaltland 
to  meet  Earl  Rognvald,  but  in  the  morning,  shortly  after  sunrise,  some  men  came  to  Earl 
Paul  reporting  that  ten  or  twelve  long  ships  were  sighted  approaching  from  the  Petland 
Firth. 

Convinced  that  this  was  Frakach's  party,  Paul  ordered  his  men  to  row  against 
them  as  fast  as  possible.  Olaf  and  Sigurd,  however,  in  hourty  expectation  of  further  re- 
inforcements, advised  them  to  go  leisurely.  When  Paul's  fleet  was  off  Tankerness  the 
long  ships,  twelve  together,  sailed  to  the  west  from  the  Moul  Head  of  Dourness.  Earl 
Paul  and  his  men  fastened  their  ships  together.  The  bondi  Erling,  from  Tankerness, 
and  his  sons  came  to  him  offering  their  assistance,  and  then  Paul's  ships  were  so  crowded 
that  they  could  not  use  more  men.  The  Earl  asked  Erling  and  his  men  to  bring  them 
stones,  which  Erling  did  till  prevented  by  the  fighting.  When  they  had  prepared  them- 
selves Olvir  came  up  and  made  the  attack  with  a  superior  force,  but  his  ships  were 
smaller.  Olvir  himself  had  a  large  ship,  which  he  placed  beside  the  Earl's,  and  there  the 
fighting  was  the  most  severe.  Olaf  attacked  the  smaller  ships  of  Olvir,  and  cleared  three 
of  them  in  a  short  time.  Olvir  attacked  the  Earl's  ship  so  fiercely  that  all  the  forecastle 
men  were  driven  abaft  the  mast.  Then  Olvir  urged  his  men  strongly  to  board,  and  set 
the  example  by  himself  jumping  from  the  quarter-deck  to  the  fore  part  of  the  ship,  being 
the  first  to  board.  Sweyn  Briostreip  was  the  foremost  of  all  the  Earl's  men,  and 
fought  bravely.  When  Paul  saw  that  Olvir  had  boarded  his  ship,  he  urged  his  men 
forward  and  jumped  from  the  quarter-deck  to  the  fore  part  of  the  ship.  Olvir  perceiving 
this,  grasped  a  spear  and  hurled  it  at  the  Earl,  who  received  it  on  his  shield,  but  fell 
down  on  the  deck.  Then  there  was  a  great  shout,  but  in  the  same  moment  Sweyn 
seized  a  huge  stone  and  threw  it  at  Olvir.  It  struck  him  on  the  chest  with  such  force 
that  he  was  thrown  overboard  and  sank  ;  but  his  men  were  able  to  drag  him  into  one  of 
their  ships,  and  it  was  not  known  whether  he  was  dead  or  alive.  Then  some  cut  the 
cables  and  wanted  to  flee.  All  Olvir 's  men  were  also  driven  off  the  Earl's  ship,  and 
began  to  withdraw.  At  that  moment  Olvir  recovered,  and  begged  them  not  to  flee  ;  but 
all  pretended  not  to  hear  what  he  said.  The  Earl  pursued  the  fugitives  along  the  east  of 
Hrossey  and  Ronaldsey,  and  into  the  Petland  Firth,  where  they  parted.  Then  he 
returned,  and  five  of  Olvir's  ships  remained  where  they  had  fought.  These  the  Earl 
captured  and  manned.     The  battle  took  place  on  Friday,  but  in  the  night  the  Earl  had 


PAUL  THE  SILENT.  57 


ships  made  read}',  and  many  men  and  two  long  ships  came  to  him,  so  that  in  the  morning 
he  had  twelve  ships  all  well  manned. 

On  Saturday  he  sailed  for  Hjaltland  and  surprised  those  in  charge  of  Rognvald's  ships. 
He  slew  the  men  and  seized  the  ships  with  all  their  contents.  In  the  morning  when 
Rognvald  had  news  of  this  he  mustered  his  men  on  the  beach,  and  challenged  Paul  to 
come  on  shore  and  fight.  Paul  had  little  faith  in  the  Hjaltlanders,  and  would  not  land, 
but  retorted  that  they  should  get  ships  and  fight.  Rognvald,  however,  saw  he  could  get  no 
ships  in  Hjaltland  which  would  equalise  his  chance,  and  they  parted  as  matters  stood,  Paul 
returning  to  the  Orkneys,  while  Rognvald  passed  the  summer  in  Hjaltland,  and  in  the 
autumn  returned  to  Norway  with  some  merchants.  It  was  thought  his  expedition  had 
come  to  a  ridiculous  end.  When  Rognvald  got  east  he  saw  his  father  Kol,  and  they  dis- 
cussed the  failure  of  his  attempt  to  wrest  the  Isles  from  Paul,  and  how  to  ensure  success 
on  the  next  occasion.  Paul,  after  gaining  the  two-fold  victory,  feasted  all  his  friends  and 
vassals.  He  now  resolved  to  take  precautions  against  being  surprised,  and  arranged  to 
have  beacons  lit  on  the  various  islands  if  enemies  were  seen  approaching  from  Hjaltland. 
There  was  to  be  one  in  the  Fair  Isle,  one  also  in  North  Ronaldsa,  of  which  Thorstein, 
the  son  of  Havard  Gunnarsson,  had  the  care  ;  his  brother  Magnus  had  charge  of  one  in 
Sanday  ;  Kugi,  of  that  in  Westray  ;  and  Sigurd  of  Westness,  of  the  one  in  Hrolfsey. 
Olaf  Hrolfsson,  crossed  to  Dungalsbae,  in  Caithness,  and  was  to  have  the  emoluments 
of  that  place.     His  son  Valthiof  was  at  that  time  in  Stronsa. 

Earl  Paul  gave  presents  to  his  men,  and  all  promised  him  their  unfailing  friendship. 
He  had  many  men  about  him  in  the  autumn,  until  he  heard  that  Rognvald  and  his  men 
had  left  Hjaltland.  Nothing  happened  in  the  Islands  till  Yule.  Paul  had  a  grand  Yule 
feast,  which  he  prepared  at  his  estate  at  Orphir,  and  invited  many  guests.  Valthiof  from 
Stronsa  was  invited.  He  went  with  his  men  in  a  ten-oared  boat,  and  they  perished,  all 
of  them,  in  the  West  Firth  on  Yule  Eve.  That  was  thought  bad  news,  as  Valthiof  was 
a  most  accomplished  man.  His  father  Olaf  had  a  large  party  in  Caithness.  There  were 
his  sons  Sweyn  and  Gunni,  and  the  sons  of  Grim  of  Swiney,  Asbiorn  and  Margad,  brave- 
looking  fellows,  who  always  followed  Sweyn.  Three  nights  before  Yule,  Sweyn,  Asbiorn, 
and  Margad  had  put  out  to  sea  to  fish,  and  Asleif  and  her  son  Gunni  had  gone  a 
short  distance  to  meet  their  friends.  The  night  after  that  Olvir  Rosta  arrived  at 
Dungalsbae  with  the  party  that  had  been  out  with  him  on  a  viking  cruise  during  the 
summer.  He  surprised  Olaf  in  the  house,  and  immediately  fired  it.  There  Olaf  was 
burnt  with  five  others,  but  the  rest  were  permitted  to  escape.  Olvir  and  his  men  took  all 
the  moveable  property,  and  then  re-embarked.  After  this  event  Sweyn  was  called 
Asleifsson.  He  came  home  on  Yule  Eve,  and  went  immediately  out  north  on  the 
Petland  Firth.  At  midnight  they  came  to  Grim  in  Swona,  the  father  of  Asbiorn  and 
Margad  ;  he  went  into  the  boat  to  them,  and  he  brought  Sweyn  to  Knarstane  in  Scapa, 
where  there  lived  a  man  named  Arnkell,  whose  sons  were  Hanef  and  Sigurd.  Grim  and 
his  sons  returned  to  Swona,  and  at  parting  Sweyn  gave  him  a  finger-ring  of  gold.  Hanef 
and  Sigurd  accompanied  Sweyn  to  Orphir.  Here  he  was  well  received,  and  conducted  to 
his  kinsman  Eyvind,  son  of  Melbrigd.  Eyvind  presented  him  to  Earl  Paul,  who  received 
him  favourably  and  asked  his  news.  Sweyn  told  him  of  his  father's  death,  at  which  the 
Earl  was  much  grieved,  and  said  it  had  in  a  great  measure  happened  through  him.  He 
invited  Sweyn  to  stay  with  him,  and  the  hospitable  invitation  was  accepted  with  thanks. 
Then  they  went  to  evensong. 


58  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


At  Orphir  there  was  a  large  homestead  standing  on  the  hillside,  and  behind  the 
house  was  a  height.  From  the  top  of  the  hill  may  be  seen  the  Bay  of  Firth,  and  in  it 
lies  Damsa.  In  this  island  was  a  castle,  the  castellan  being  Blan,  the  son  of  Thorstein  of 
Flydruness.  In  Orphir  there  was  a  large  wassail  hall,  the  door  being  near  the  east  gable 
on  the  southern  wall,  and  a  noble  church  was  in  front  of  the  door  ;  and  one  had  to  de- 
scend steps  from  the  hall  to  the  church.  On  entering  the  hall  there  was  a  large  flagstone 
on  the  left,  farther  in  were  many  large  ale  vessels,  but  opposite  the  outer  door  was  the 
stofa.  When  the  guests  came  from  evensong  they  were  placed  in  their  seats,  Sweyn 
Asleifsson  sitting  next  the  Earl  on  one  side,  and  on  the  other  side  next  to  the  Earl  was 
Swein  Briostreip,  and  then  John  his  kinsmen.  When  the  tables  were  removed 
there  entered  men  with  the  tidings  of  Valthiof's  death  by  drowning.  This  the  Earl  con- 
sidered sad  news.  He  ordered  that  no  one  should  tell  it  to  Sweyn  while  the  Yule  feast 
lasted,  adding  that  he  had  cares  enough  already.  In  the  evening  when  the  wassail  was 
over  the  Earl  and  most  of  his  guests  retired,  but  Swein  Briostreip  went  and  sat 
out  all  night,  as  was  his  wont.  At  midnight  the  guests  arose  and  heard  mass, 
and  after  high  mass  they  sat  down  to  the  table.  Eyvind  shared  the  management 
of  the  feast  with  the  Earl  and  did  not  sit  down.  Table-boys  and  light-bearers  stood 
before  the  Earl's  table,  but  Eyvind  handed  goblets  to  each  of  the  Sweyns.  There  had 
long  been  a  coldness  between  Swein  Briostreip  and  Olaf  Hrolfsson  and  his  son 
Sweyn  Asleifsson  since  he  grew  up.  When  they  came  in  again  memorial  toasts  were 
proposed,  and  they  drank  out  of  horns.  Then  Swein  Briostreip  wished  to  exchange  with 
his  namesake,  saying  his  was  a  small  one.  Eyvind,  however,  put  a  big  horn  into 
Sweyn  Asleifsson's  hand,  and  this  he  offered  to  his  namesake,  who  became  very  angry, 
and  was  overheard  by  the  Earl  and  some  of  his  men  muttering  to  himself,  ' '  Sweyn  will 
be  the  death  of  Swein.  and  Swein  shall  be  the  death  of  Sweyn,"  but  nothing  was  said 
about  it,  and  the  wassailing  went  on  till  evensong,  when  the  Earl  went  out  preceded  by 
Sweyn  Asleifsson,  but  the  other  Swein  remained  behind  drinking.  Eyvind  apprehending 
danger  to  his  kinsman,  advised  him  to  take  the  initiative,  so,  standing  in  the  shadow  of 
the  flagstone,  Sweyn  Asleifsson  struck  at  his  namesake,  who  staggered,  but  recovering 
himself,  drew  his  sword  and  struck  at  the  person  whom  he  thought  was  his  assailant, 
but  it  was  his  kinsman  John,  and  they  both  fell  there. 

Eyvind  led  Sweyn  Asleifsson  into  the  stofa,  opposite  the  door,  and  he  was  dragged 
out  through  a  window.  There  Magnus,  Eyvind's  son,  had  a  horse  ready,  and  accom- 
panied him  away  behind  the  house  and  into  the  Orrida  Firth  (Bay  of  Firth).  There  he 
took  a  boat  and  brought  Sweyn  to  the  castle  in  Damsay,  and  the  next  morning  Blan,  the 
castellan,  went  with  him  to  Bishop  William  in  Egilsay.  When  they  arrived  there  the 
Bishop  was  at  mass,  after  which  Sweyn  was  conducted  to  him  secretly.  Sweyn  told  the 
Bishop  the  news — the  deaths  of  his  father  Olaf  and  brother  Valthiof,  and  the  slaughter  of 
Swein  and  John.  Then  he  besought  the  assistance  of  the  Bishop.  That  prelate  thanked 
him  for  slaying  Swein,  and  said  it  was  a  good  riddance.  He  kept  Sweyn  during  the 
Yule-tide,  and  then  sent  him  to  Holdbodi,  the  son  of  Hundi,  in  Tiree  in  the  Hebudes. 
Holdbodi  was  a  great  chief.  He  received  Sweyn  well,  and  there  he  spent  the  winter, 
highly  esteemed  of  all  the  people. 

All  concluded  that  Sweyn  Asleifsson  had  slain  his  namesake,  and  the  Earl  was  con- 
firmed in  this  by  Sweyn's  absence.  It  was  thought  that  Sweyn  had  gone  to  Hakon  Karl 
in  Papla,  the  brother-uterine  of  St.  Magnus.     As  the  Earl  did  not  hear  of  Sweyn  that 


PAUL  THE  SILENT.  59 


winter,  he  outlawed  him,  and  meantime  gave  to  Thorkell  Flett  the  farm  in  Stronsa  which 
Valthiof  had  owned.  From  Stronsa  the  Earl  went  to  Rinansay,  and  was  entertained  there 
by  Ragna  and  her  son  Thorstein.  Ragna  was  accounted  a  wise  woman.  They  had 
another  farm  in  Papa,  where  the  Earl  spent  three  nights,  as  he  was  prevented  by  weather 
from  going  to  Kugi  in  Westray. 

When  the  spring  advanced  Earl  Paul  had  the  beacons  kept  up  in  Fair  Isle,  North 
Ronaldsa,  and  the  other  islands.  Dagfinn,  son  of  Hlodver,  had  charge  of  the  one  in  Fair 
Isle.  All  this  while  Rognvald  was  spending  the  winter  at  home  at  Agdir,  in  Norway, 
but  not  forgetting  to  make  arrangements  for  his  next  attempt.  During  February  and 
March  Kol  despatched  two  transport  vessels,  one  west  to  England  to  buy  provisions  and 
arms,  and  the  other  under  Solmund  south  to  Denmark  to  buy  such  things  as  Kol  told  him, 
because  he  had  all  the  management  of  their  equipment.  When  these  vessels  returned  it 
was  arranged  to  start  the  week  after  Easter.  Kol,  Rognvald,  and  Solmund  had  each  a 
warship  ;  they  had  also  a  transport  ship  filled  with  provisions.  When  they  came  to 
Bergen,  King  Harald  was  there,  and  he  gave  Riignvald  a  warship  fully  manned.  John 
Fat  had  also  a  warship.  Aslak,  son  of  Erlend,  from  Hern,  and  son  of  the  daughter  of 
Steigar-Thorir,  had  the  sixth  ;  he  had  also  a  barge  filled  with  provisions.  Thus  they  had 
six  large  ships,  five  cutters,  and  three  transports.  Whilst  lying  at  Hern  waiting  a 
favourable  wind,  Rognvald  made  a  long  and  eloquent  speech,  the  conclusion  of  which 
was  that  he  meant  either  to  gain  the  Orkneys  or  die  there.  Kol  then  arose  and  suggested 
that  he  should  seek  the  help  of  the  holy  St.  Magnus,  and  vow  if  he  gained  those 
dominions  to  erect  a  stone  minster  at  Kirkwall  more  magnificent  than  any  other  in  the 
Isles,  and  dedicate  it  to  St.  Magnus,  endowing  it  suitably  that  his  relics  and  the  Bishop's 
See  may  be  brought  there.  All  thought  this  good  advice,  and  the  vow  was  made  and 
confirmed.  They  then  stood  out  to  sea,  and  with  a  fair  wind  soon  reached  Hjaltland. 
Kol's  first  plan  was  to  mislead  those  in  charge  of  the  beacon  in  the  Fair  Isle.  This  he 
succeeded  in  doing  by  a  well-executed  stratagem.  He  had  a  flotilla  of  small  boats 
brought  just  in  sight  of  the  island,  and,  gradually  hoisting  the  sail,  gave  the  impression 
of  a  large  fleet  nearing  the  place.  Dagfinn  immediately  lit  the  Fair  Isle  beacon. 
Thorstein  followed  with  that  on  North  Ronaldsa,  and  presently  the  islands  were  all 
illuminated  with  signal  fires.  As  soon  as  Kol  saw  the  Fair  Isle  beacon  burning  he 
returned  to  Hjaltland,  and  then  Uni,  who  had  been  an  accomplice  in  the  slaughter  of 
Brynjulf,  appeared  on  the  scene.  Taking  some  provisions  and  fishing  tackle,  he  sailed 
in  a  sixareen  for  the  Fair  Isle,  accompanied  by  three  Hjaltlanders.  He  made  out  that 
he  had  been  ill-treated  by  Rognvald's  men,  and,  making  himself  agreeable,  was  soon 
generally  liked. 

All  the  Islesmen  had  rallied  round  Earl  Paul,  and  the  soldiery  were  kept  together 
for  three  days.  But,  as  no  enemies  appeared,  they  began  to  murmur  at  the  absurdity  of 
lighting  beacons  upon  sighting  a  few  fishers.  Thorstein,  son  of  Ragna,  was  blamed  for 
having  lit  the  beacon  on  North  Ronaldsa.  He  replied  that  he  could  do  nothing  but 
light  it,  and  blamed  Dagfinn.  This  resulted  in  a  fray.  Sigurd  of  Westness,  with  his 
sons  Hakon  and  Brynjulf,  took  part  with  Hlodver,  father  of  Dagfinn,  but  Thorstein  was 
aided  by  his  kinsmen.  Kugi  of  Westra  shrewdly  suspected  the  cause  of  the  sails 
sighted  from  Fair  Isle  and  said,  "  Now  may  we  expect  them  any  day."  One  Eric  was 
now  appointed  to  the  Fair  Isle  beacon,  and  Uni's  opportunity  arrived.  Eric  allowed 
him  to  attend  to  it,  and  Uni  did  so  in  his  own  way,  pouring  water  over  it,  making  it  so 


6o  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


wet  that  it  would  not  light.  Rognvald  set  sail  for  Westra,  and  came  one  Friday  evening 
to  Pierowall,  where  dwelt  Helgi.  When  Eric  sighted  the  sails  he  prepared  to  go  to 
Earl  Paul,  and  sent  a  man  to  tell  Uni  to  fire  the  beacon  ;  but  Uni  was  absent,  and  the 
man,  discovering  his  treachery,  reported  it  to  Eric,  who  informed  Earl  Paul. 

When  Rognvald  arrived  at  Westra,  Helgi,  Kugi,  and  the  rest  of  the  Westra  folk 
submitted  to  him,  and  swore  fealty.  On  Sunday  Rognvald  had  mass  celebrated  in 
Pierowall.  Paul  now  held  council  with  his  nobles,  and  they  were  for  fighting 
Rognvald.  The  latter,  hearing  of  the  result,  sent  men  to  see,  and  secure  the 
intervention  of  the  Bishop,  and  also  to  Thorstein,  son  of  Ragna,  and  Thorstein 
Havardsson  in  Sanda  with  the  like  object.  The  Bishop  procured  a  fortnight's  truce  in 
order  that  they  might  endeavour  to  establish  a  more  lasting  peace.  Then  the  islands 
were  allocated  that  should  maintain  each  of  them  in  the  meantime.  Earl  Rognvald  went 
to  the  Mainland  and  Earl  Paul  to  Rousa. 

At  this  time  it  happened  that  the  kinsmen,  Sweyn  Asleifsson,  John  Vceng  of  Upland 
in  Hoy,  and  Richard  of  Brekkur  in  Stronsay,  attacked  Thorkell  Flett  on  the  estate 
which  had  belonged  to  Valthiof,  and  burnt  him  in  the  house  with  nine  others.  After 
that  they  went  to  Earl  Rognvald,  and  told  him  they  would  go  to  Earl  Paul  with  the 
whole  body  of  their  kinsmen  if  he  would  not  receive  them  ;  but  he  did  not  turn  them 
away.  As  soon  as  Hafiidi,  son  of  Thorkell,  heard  of  his  father's  burning,  he  went  to 
Earl  Paul,  who  received  him  well.  After  this  John  and  his  men  bound  themselves  to 
serve  Earl  Rognvald,  who  had  now  many  followers  in  the  islands,  and  had  become 
popular.  Rognvald  now  gave  leave  to  John  Fot,  Solmund,  Aslac,  and  others  to  go  home 
to  Norway. 

Early  in  the  spring  Sweyn  left  the  Hebudes  and  went  to  Scotland  to  see  his  friends. 
He  stayed  for  a  long  time  at  Athole  with  Earl  Maddad  and  Margaret,  the  daughter  of 
Earl  Hakon,  and  had  many  secret  consultations  with  them.  Hearing  there  were  dis- 
turbances in  the  Orkneys,  he  became  desirous  of  seeing  his  kinsmen.  He  went  first  to 
Thurso  accompanied  by  Eiotolf,  a  nobleman  with  whom  he  had  stayed  a  long  time  in  the 
spring.  At  Thurso  they  came  to  Ottar,  the  brother  of  Frakach.  Liotolf  tried  to 
make  them  compose  the  matters  done  by  her  order,  and  Earl  Ottar  made  compensation  for 
his  part.  He  promised  friendship  to  Sweyn,  who,  in  return,  promised  to  help  Erlend, 
the  son  and  heir  of  Earl  Harald,  to  obtain  his  patrimony  in  the  Orkneys  when  he  should 
wish  to  claim  it.  Sweyn  changed  ships  there  and  took  a  barge  manned  by  thirty  men. 
He  crossed  the  Petland  Firth  with  a  north-westerly  wind,  and  so  along  the  west  side  of 
Hrossay,  on  to  Evie  Sound,  and  along  the  sound  to  Rousay.  Earl  Paul  had  spent  the 
night  at  a  feast  with  Sigurd  of  Westness,  and  was  then  hunting  otters.  Sweyn  managed 
to  surprise  him  with  a  slight  retinue,  and  in  the  conflict  that  ensued  took  him  prisoner, 
with  a  loss  of  six  men,  having  slain  about  nineteen  of  Paul's  party.  The  place  is  now 
known  as  Swendroog.  They  hurried  Paul  on  board  and  stood  to  sea,  making  first  for 
the  Moray  Firth,  and  thence  to  Earl  Maddad  and  Margaret,  at  Athole,  by  whom  they 
were  well  received.  Maddad  placed  Paul  in  his  high  seat,  and  when  they  were  seated 
Margaret  entered  with  a  long  train  of  ladies  and  advanced  to  her  brother.  Then  men 
were  procured  to  amuse  them,  but  Paul  was  moody— and  it  was  no  wonder,  for  he  had 
many  cares.  One  day  Margaret  announced  that  Sweyn  should  go  to  the  Orkneys,  see 
Earl  Rognvald,  and  ask  him  with  whom  he  would  prefer  to  share  the  dominions  of  the 
Orkneys— Earl  Paul  or  Harald,  her  son,  then  three  winters  old.     When  Paul  heard  this, 


PAUL  THE  SILENT.  61 


he  asked  permission  to  retire  into  a  monastery,  and  that  Sweyn  might  give  out  to  the 
Islesmen  that  he  had  been  blinded  or  slain.  Sweyn  then  went  to  the  Orkneys,  but  Paul 
remained  behind  in  Scotland.  This  is  how  Sweyn  related  these  matters.  But  some  say 
Margaret  induced  Sweyn  to  blind  Paul,  and  then  threw  him  into  a  dungeon,  and 
subsequently  induced  another  man  to  put  him  to  death.  Which  of  these  statements  is 
correct  is  not  known  ;  but  it  is  certain  that  Earl  Paul  came  never  again  to  the  Orkneys, 
and  that  he  had  no  dominions  in  Scotland. 

It  happened  at  Westness  when  the  Earl  did  not  return  that  Sigurd  sent  men  to 
search  for  him,  who  reported  twenty-five  men  slain  near  the  stone-heap,  where  the 
conflict  occurred.  Sigurd  recognised  nineteen  as  the  Earl's  men,  but  did  not  know  the 
other  six.  He  then  sent  to  Bishop  William,  at  Egilsey,  and  stated  he  thought  it  was 
some  of  Rognvald's  work. 

Borgar,  the  son  of  Jatvor,  who  lived  at  Gatnip,  had  seen  the  barge  coming  from  the 
South  and  returning.  When  this  was  heard  it  was  believed  to  have  been  done  at  the 
instigation  of  Frakach  and  Olvir.  When  the  news  spread  through  the  Isles  that  Earl 
Paul  had  disappeared,  the  Islesmen  mostly  swore  fealty  to  Earl  Rognvald  ;  but  Sigurd 
of  Westness  and  his  sons,  Brynjulf  and  Hakon,  refused  to  do  so  till  they  heard  of  the  fate 
of  the  Earl,  and  others  also  refused,  though  some  agreed  to  do  so  if  Paul's  fate  were  not 
known  by  a  given  hour  and  day.  Rognvald  did  not  press  them,  as  many  were  powerful 
men,  and  it  was  only  a  matter  of  time. 

One  da}-,  at  a  Thing  meeting  in  Kirkwall,  it  happened  that  nine  armed  men  were 
seen  walking  from  Scapa  to  the  meeting.  When  they  came  near  Sweyn  was  recognised 
and  asked  for  news  by  his  friends  and  kinsmen.  He  said  very  little,  but  retired  with 
the  Bishop  to  ask  his  advice.  After  consultation  the  Bishop  came  to  the  meeting,  and 
pleaded  for  Sweyn,  explaining  for  what  reason  he  had  left  the  Orkneys,  and  the 
penalties  Earl  Paul  had  imposed  on  him  for  slaying  Swein  Briostreip,  a  most  wicked 
man.  The  Bishop  concluded  by  asking  Earl  Rognvald  and  all  the  people  to  grant 
security  to  Sweyn. 

Earl  Rognvald  granted  him  security  for  three  nights,  and  made  the  Bishop  re- 
sponsible for  his  custody.  The  next  day  Rognvald,  his  father  Kol,  the  Bishop,  and 
Sweyn  had  a  private  interview,  at  which  Sweyn  related  all  that  had  occurred  between 
him  and  Earl  Paul,  and  they  came  to  the  conclusion  to  send  away  the  bulk  of  the  people 
at  the  meeting.  The  Earl  arose  next  morning  and  gave  the  people  permission  to 
go  home  ;  but  when  the  multitude  had  gone  away,  he  called  together  all  those  that 
remained  and  made  them  all  renew  their  promise  of  security  to  Sweyn  while  he  told  the 
news.  In  the  morning  Hakon  Karl,  the  uterine  brother  of  the  holy  Earl  Magnus,  was 
persuaded  to  tell  Sigurd  of  Westness  and  his  sons  of  Earl  Paul's  abduction,  that  he  was 
not  to  be  expected  back  to  his  dominions,  and  that  he  had  been  maimed.  Said  Sigurd, 
"  Great  news  do  I  think  this  about  the  carrying  away  of  the  Earl  ;  yet  to  me  the  saddest 
of  all  is  that  he  should  have  been  maimed,  for  he  would  not  be  anywhere  where  I  would 
not  go  to  him."  He  afterwards  told  his  friends  Hakon  would  not  have  left  him  unharmed 
if  he  had  had  a  sufficient  force  with  him  when  he  told  him  these  tidings,  so  greatly  was 
he  moved  by  them. 

When  the  news  became  generally  known,  all  the  Orcadians  submitted  to  Earl 
Rognvald,  and  he  became  the  sole  ruler  of  Earl  Paul's  dominions. 


62 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


THE  NORSE  LINE.— Continued. 


27  St.  Riignvald  III.,  the  Crusader 
29  Harald  III.,  the  Younger    .  . 


1 136— 1 158 
1176— 1 198 


28  Harald  II. 

30  David   .  . 

31  John      .  . 


The  Royal  Scottish  Line. 

the  Wicked        


1 1 39 — 1206 
1206 — 1214 
1206 — 1 23 1 


Contemporary   Princes: 


Norway : 

1136 

Sigurd. 

"55. 

Eystein  II. 

"57. 

Inge  I. 

1161, 

Hakon  III. 

1162, 

Magnus  V. 

1 186, 

Sverre. 

1202, 

Hakon  IV. 

1204, 

Guttorm. 

1205, 

Inge  II. 

1207, 

Hakon  V.,  to   1263 

Scotland  : 

1124, 
1213, 

David  I. 
Alexander  II.,  to  1 

1 153. 

>4S 

Malcolm  IV. 

"65, 

William  the 

England : 

1 135. 

Stephen. 

"54. 

Henry  II. 

1189 

Richard. 

1 199. 

John. 

I2I6, 

Henry  III.  to  12- 

2. 

Rome  : 

1 130 

Innocent  II. 

"43. 

Celestin  II. 

"44. 

Lucius  II. 

1 145. 

Eugenius  III. 

1 153. 

Anastasius  IV. 

"54. 

Adrian  IV. 

1159, 

Alexander  III. 

11S1 

Lucius  III. 

11S5 

Urban  III. 

1187, 

Gregory  VIII. 

Clement  III. 

1191, 

Celestin  III 

1 198, 

Innocent  III. 

1216, 

Honorius  III. 

1227, 

Gregory  IX 

Prelates.* 

Orkney : 

1102, 
1223, 

William  I.,  the  Old 
Jofreyr  to  1247. 

1168, 

William  II. 

"85, 

Bjarni. 

Caithness 

ii53 
1223, 

Andrew  to  1185. 
St.  Gilbert  to  1244. 

1213, 

John. 

1221, 

Adam. 

ST.  ROGNVALD  III.,  27TH  EARL. 
Rognvald  now — 1 136 — having  undisputed  sway  proceeded,  in  fulfilment  of  his  vow,  to 
erect  the  stone  minster  to  St.  Magnus,  and  entrusted  the  superintendence  of  the  work  to 
his  father,  who  is  also  credited  with  having  been  the  architect.  The  work  was  proceeded 
with  till  1 1 37,  when  the  Earl's  resources  became  strained  and  he  had  recourse  to  the 
heritable  Odallers  for  assistance.  The  Cathedral  of  St.  Magnus  is  incontestably  the  most 
glorious  monument  of  the  time  of  the  Norwegian  dominion  in  Scotland.  It  is  one  of 
the  two  cathedral  churches  in  Scotland  remaining  entire,  and  is  therefore  a  national 
monument,  interesting  from  its  antiquity,  its  beauty,  and  the  rarity  of  such  relics  in  that 
part  of  the  empire.  Nothing  conveys  to  the  mind  of  the  stranger  visiting  Kirkwall 
a  more  vivid  impression  of  the  ancient  importance  of  this  quaint  little  town  which  has 
been  the  capital  of  Orcadia  for  a  millennium,  than  the  grandeur  of  its  cathedral  and  the 
imposing  aspect  of  the  ruins  of  the  palaces  of  the  Bishops  and  Earls  of  Orkney. 


*  See  Historiettes. 


ST.  ROGXVALD  III. 


63 


Some  two  years  after  Rugnvald's  accession,  Bishop  John  of  Athol  was  commissioned 
by  Earl  Maddad  to  go  to  Orkney  and  negotiate  as  to  the  interests  of  Harald  of  Athol. 
When  the  bishop  and  his  party  arrived  none  of  the  Orcadians  were  able  to  tell  who  they 
were,  but  one  Hrolf,  the  Earl's  chaplain,  alone  knew  him,  and  told  the  Earl  that  it  was 
Bishop  John  from  Athol.  The  matter  was  discussed  by  the  Earl  and  the  Bishops  of 
Orkney  and  Athol,  and  it  was  arranged  that  Harald  was  entitled  to  half  the  Isles,  but 
that  RCignvald  should  have  supreme  rule  even  after  Harald  reached  his  majority. 


64  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


HARALD  II.,  28TH  EARL. 

This  was  confirmed  by  the  principal  Orcadians  and  Scotsmen,  and  Harald  was  taken 
to  Orkney  by  his  foster-father,  Thorbiorn  Klerk  and  Gudrun,  and  though  only  five  years 
of  age,  received  investiture  as  Earl.  Thorbiorn  then  married  Ingirid,  sister  to  Sweyn 
Asleifsson. 

This  period  is  so  fully  recorded  as  to  form  subject  matter  sufficient  for  a  special 
book,  and  will  therefore  only  be  cursorily  dealt  with.  The  most  remarkable  incidents 
are  the  exploits  of  Sweyn  and  the  pilgrimage  of  Rognvald  to  the  Holy  Land. 

As  for  Sweyn,  it  is  told  how,  with  the  approval  of  the  Countess  of  Athole,  he 
exacted  vengeance  for  his  father's  death  by  burning  Frakach,  and  causing  Olvir  Rosta 
to  fly  from  the  North  of  Scotland  ;  nor  is  he  again  mentioned.  After  that  Sweyn  made 
an  alliance  with  Holdbodi,  the  Hebudean,  and  plundered  in  the  Isle  of  Man  and  Wales. 
One  Eric,  an  Icelander,  celebrates  his  little  game  in  song  : 


;  Bteir  eru  brendir,  en  buendr  raendir, 
(svii  hefir  Sveinn  hagat),  sex  i  morgin 
Gjnrdi  hann  einum  aerinn  theirra, 
leigir  thar  kol  leigu-rnanni."* 


Half-a-dozen  homesteads  burning, 
Half-a-dozen  households  plundered  : 
This  was  Sweyn 's  work  of  a  morning — 
This  his  vengeance  ;  coals  he  lent  them. 


Swyen  married  Ingirid,  relict  of  a  Manx  nobleman  named  Andrew,  by  whom  she 
had  a  son,  Sigmund.  She  made  marriage  conditional  upon  his  revenging  the  death  of 
her  former  husband.  Holdbodi  broke  faith  with  Sweyn  and  endeavoured  to  surprise 
him,  but  unsuccessfully.  While  Sweyn  was  in  the  Hebudes,  Earl  Rognvald  was  in 
Caithness,  being  entertained  at  Wick  by  one  Hroald,  whose  wife's  name  was  Arnljot. 
His  son  was  Sweyn,  an  active  fellow.  While  there  Thorbiorn  Klerk  appeared  on  the 
scene,  and  complained  that  his  father,  Thorstein  Hold,  had  been  killed  by  a  certain 
Scottish  earl  named  Valthiof.  Rognvald  and  Thorbiorn  became  very  intimate,  and 
Sweyn  Hroaldsson  became  Rognvald 's  table  page.  While  in  Scotland,  Thorbiorn  slew 
two  men  who  had  assisted  at  the  cremation  of  Frakach.  On  Sweyn  Asleifsson's  return 
from  the  Hebudes  there  was  a  coolness  between  the  brothers-in-law,  but  Earl  Rognvald 
reconciled  them. 

At  this  time  an  Icelandic  vessel  arrived  in  the  Orkneys,  in  which  was  Hall,  the  son 
ofThorarinn.  He  stayed  in  North  Ronaldsa  with  Thorstein  Ragnasson.  Presently  he 
thought  of  seeing  the  Earl,  but  Rognvald  would  not  receive  him,  so  Ragna  made 
a  personal  application  to  procure  Hall  a  place  at  the  Earl's  Court,  and  was 
successful.  Hall  remained  a  long  time  with  Earl  Rognvald.  They  jointly  made  "The 
Old  Metrekey,"  with  five  verses  for  each  different  metre.  Afterwards  that  was 
thought  too  much,  and  now  only  two  verses  are  made  for  each  different  metre.  (Clavis 
Rhythmica,  apparently  a  kind  of  rhyming  dictionary  or  reportory  of  versification.) 
Torfseus  states  that  this  joint  production  is  still  extant  in  the  library  at  Upsala. 

Sweyn  Asleifsson  heard  that  Holdbodi  had  returned  to  the  Hebudes,  and  asked  Earl 
Rognvald  for  an  armament  with  which  to  avenge  himself.  He  was  given  five  ships,  one 
commanded  by  himself,  and  the  others,  by  Thorbiorn  Klerk,  Haflidi,  son  of  Thorkell 
Flett,  Dufnial  Havardsson,  and  Richard  Thorleifsson.  Holdbodi  did  not  wait  for  Sweyn's 
arrival,  but  fled,  leaving  Sweyn  to  ravage  the  Hebudes  far  and  wide.  A  dispute  arose 
over  the  spoil  as  Sweyn  wanted  the  lion's  share,  much  to  the  chagrin  of  Thorbiorn,  who 

*  Orkn.  Saga  Rolls'  Text. 


ST.   ROGNVALD  and  HARALU  II.  65 

thought  they  should  share  it  equally,  and,  on  his  return  to  Caithness,  in  pursuance  of 
a  policy  of  revenge,  divorced  Ingirid,  his  wife,  the  sister  of  Sweyn.  While  in  the 
Hebudes  Sweyn  had  placed  Margad  Grimsson  over  his  affairs  at  Dungalsbae  and  trans- 
ferred to  him  the  office  of  deputy,  which  he  held  from  Earl  Rognvald.  Margad  became 
overbearing  and  violent  and  killed  Hroald  at  Wick,  with  several  others,  after  which 
he  went  to  Sweyn  at  Dungalsbae,  and  they  both  returned  to  Lambaborg  (Balquholly 
Castle),  which  they  fortified.  Sweyn  Hroaldsson  asked  Earl  Rognvald  to  assist  him  in 
obtaining  redress,  and  many  supported  his  request.  So  Rognvald  crossed  to  Caithness 
with  Thorbiorn,  Haflidi,  Dufnial,  and  Richard,  and  besieged  the  fortress,  calling  on 
Sweyn  to  surrender  unconditionally.  When  their  provisions  were  nearly  exhausted, 
Sweyn  and  Margad  got  lowered  to  the  sea  from  the  castle  cliff,  swam  to  the  end  of  it, 
and  escaped  to  Sutherland,  whence  they  made  their  way  to  Moray.  At  Duffus  they 
met  with  an  Orcadian  trader  commanded  by  Hallvard  and  Thorkel,  with  whom  they 
sailed  south  and  plundered  the  monastery  on  the  Isle  of  Mey,  the  head  of  which  was 
an  abbot  named  Baldvini.  Leaving  Mey,  they  made  for  the  Firth  of  Forth,  and  found 
David,  King  of  Scotland,  to  whom  Sweyn  related  all  he  had  done,  including  the 
sacrilegious  attack  at  Mey.  King  David,  we  are  told,  made  good  the  losses  to  those 
Sweyn  had  robbed,  and  wanted  him  to  bring  Ingirid  to  Scotland  and  enter  his  service, 
but  Sweyn  was  too  much  attached  to  ' '  the  old  Rock, ' '  and  recommended  Margad 
to  the  King.  David  sent  men  to  the  Orkneys  with  presents  and  a  message  requesting 
the  Earl  to  restore  Sweyn  to  favour.  So  Sweyn  went  north  and  his  estates  were 
restored  to  him,  but  Margad  remained  with  King  David. 

After  Sweyn  and  Margad  escaped  from  Lambaborg  the  rest  surrendered  at  discretion, 
and  the  Earl  gave  them  quarter.  Thorbiorn  Klerk  was  despatched  south  to  the  Moray 
Firth  in  a  war-galley  of  forty  men  to  search  for  Sweyn,  but  did  not  hear  of  him.  So  he 
bethought  him  of  a  kindred  quest,  and  went  to  take  revenge  on  Earl  Valthiof  who  had 
slain  his  father.  He  surprised  him  banqueting  and  set  fire  to  the  place,  and  Earl 
Valthiof,  being  denied  quarter,  perished  in  the  flames  with  thirty  of  his  retainers. 

At  this  time  a  young  man  lived  in  Weir  called  Kolbein  Hruga,  a  very  overbearing 
man,  where  he  built  a  fine  stone  castle,  which  was  a  strong  defence.  Kolbein's  wife  was 
Herbiorg,  the  sister  of  Hakon  Bairn  ;  but  their  mother  was  Sigrid,  a  daughter  of 
Herborg,  Paul's  daughter.  Their  children  were  Kolbein  Karl,  Bjarni  Skald,  Sumarlid, 
Aslac,  and  Frida.     They  were  all  well  mannered. 

The  sons  of  Harald  Gille  now  ruled  over  Norway.  Eystein  was  the  eldest,  but  Ingi 
was  a  legitimate  son  and  most  honoured  by  the  Barons,  of  whom  Ogmund  and  Erling, 
the  son  of  Kyrpinga  Orm,  assisted  him  in  the  government.  These  counsellors  advised 
King  Inge  to  cultivate  the  friendship  of  Earl  Rognvald  and  send  him  an  honourable 
invitation  to  the  Norwegian  court,  saying  truly  he  had  been  so  great  a  friend  of  King 
Harald,  and,  in  case  of  conflict  with  King  Eystein,  would  prove  an  invaluable  ally. 
The  Earl  duly  received  the  invitation  and  decided  to  revisit  his  native  land.  Earl 
Harald,  who  was  then  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  wanted  to  go  with  him,  so  they 
started  together,  and  found  King  Inge  in  Bergen,  and  Rognvald  was  well  received. 
Eindridi,  the  Young,  then  arrived  from  Constantinople,  where  he  had  long  been  in  service 
in  the  Varangian  Guard.  His  tales  of  wonder  about  those  parts  suggested  a  pilgrimage 
to  Palestine,  and  many  seemed  eager  for  the  journey.  When  Rognvald  was  leaving  in 
the  autumn  King  Inge  presented  him  with  two  long-ships,  small,  but  very  beautiful,  and 


66  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


specially  built  for  rowing.  Earl  Rugnvald  gave  Harald  one  of  them,  called  the  Fifa  ;  the 
other  was  called  Hjalp.  In  these  ships  the  Earls  went  to  sea,  holding  westward,  and 
Rognvald  received  large  presents  from  his  friends.  On  the  home  voyage  a  storm  arose, 
and  they  had  to  beach  the  ships  near  Gulberwick,  in  Hjaltland.  Rugnvald  stayed  some 
time  in  Hjaltland,  entertained  by  Einar  in  Gulberwick,  and  in  the  autumn  went  to  the 
Orkneys  and  resided  in  his  dominions.  That  autumn  two  Icelanders  came  to  him.  One 
was  named  Armod,  a  poet ;  the  other  was  Oddi,  the  Little,  son  of  Glum,  who  also  made 
verses  well.  Both  entered  his  service.  At  Yule  the  Earl  entertained  Bishop  William 
and  many  nobles,  and  then  it  was  that  he  announced  his  intention  of  visiting  Jerusalem. 
As  the  Bishop  was  a  good  Parisian  scholar,  he  was  requested  to  accompany  the  Pilgrims 
as  interpreter.  The  following  went  with  him — Magnus,  son  of  Havard  Gunnarsson  ; 
Sweyn  Hroaldsson  ;  and  others  of  lesser  note  ;  Thorgeir  Skotakoll  ;  Oddi  the  Little  ; 
Thorbjorn  the  Black  ;  Armod  the  Skald  ;  Thorkel  the  Crosseyed  ;  Grimkell  of 
Glettuness  and  Bjarni,  son  of  Thorstein  of  Flydruness.  Two  winters  were  spent 
in  preparation,  and  then  Rognvald  passed  to  Norway  to  see  how  the  Barons  had 
progressed. 

At  Bergen  he  found  Erling,  his  brother-in-law  John,  and  Aslac,  Guttorm  arriving 
later  on,  as  also  Eindridi,  who  put  in  an  appearance  in  a  very  ornamentally  finished 
vessel,  although  it  had  been  understood  that  none  should  outvie  the  Earl.  The 
Earl  and  his  ships  had  a  favourable  passage  to  the  Orkneys,  but  the  pride  of  Eindridi 
received  a  curb,  as  his  larger  ship  became  a  total  loss  on  the  Hjaltlands.  He  wintered  in 
the  Northern  Archipelago,  and  sent  men  to  Norway  to  rebuild  a  ship  for  the  Eastern 
voyage.  While  waiting  for  Eindridi  disturbances  frequently  took  place.  In  one  of  these 
Sweyn  Asleifsson  mortally  wounded  Ami  Stick/eg,  a  follower  of  Eindridi,  and  then  escaped 
to  Caithness,  leaving  the  matter  to  be  adjusted  by  the  Earl. 

At  last  everything  was  ready  and  Rognvald  called  a  Thing  meeting,  which  was 
attended  by  all  the  Orcadian  nobles.  He  then  transferred  the  government  to  his 
kinsman  Harald,  who  was  at  that  time  nearly  twenty  years  of  age,  and  asked  them  to  be 
faithful  during  his  absence.  Immediately  on  the  arrival  of  Eindridi's  ship,  which  was 
rather  late  in  the  summer,  Earl  Rognvald  set  sail  with  a  squadron  of  fifteen  vessels. 
The  following  were  commanders : — Earl  Rognvald,  Erling  Skakki,  Bishop  William, 
Aslac  Erlendsson,  Guttorm,  Magnus  Havardsson,  Sweyn  Hroaldsson,  John  Petrsson, 
Eindridi,  and  six  others  of  Eindridi's  men  who  are  not  named. 

They  sailed  first  to  Scotland,  then  they  passed  England  and  Gaul,  landing  at 
Narbonne,  where  the  Count  Germanus  had  recently  died,  leaving  a  young  and  beautiful 
heiress,  Ermingerd,  who  was  under  ward  of  her  noblest  kinsmen.  By  the  Princess 
Ermingerd  they  were  royally  banqueted,  and  verses  were  composed  in  her  honour 
by  Rognvald,  Armod  and  Oddi.  They  reached  Galicia  (Spain)  five  nights  before  Yule, 
and  *vere  asked  to  assist  the  inhabitants  of  a  certain  town  against  the  lord  of  the  castle, 
one  Gudifrey,  a  foreigner,  who  greatly  oppressed  them.  They  stormed  and  took  the 
castle,  but,  through  the  connivance  of  Eindridi,  Gudifrey  managed  to  escape.  Proceed- 
ing, they  plundered  in  Moorish  Spain,  and  entered  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar.  When  they 
had  cleared  the  Sound,  Eindridi  parted  company  and  with  six  ships  sailed  for  Marseilles, 
which  action  was  thought  to  be  a  further  proof  of  his  allowing  Gudifrey  to  escape. 
Continuing  the  voyage,  they  sailed  along  the  Barbary  coast  and  presently  found 
themselves  near  Sardinia,  where  they  fell  in  with  a  dromund,  or  Saracen  corsair,  which 


ST.  ROGNVALD  and  HARALD  II.  67 


they  attacked  and  captured.  They  anchored  in  Crete  during  a  strong  gale  and,  leaving 
it,  had  a  fair  wind  on  to  Palestine,  arriving  at  Acre  early  one  Friday  morning.  They 
went  on  shore  with  great  pomp  and  splendour,  such  as  had  seldom  been  seen  there.  At 
Acre  illness  broke  out  among  the  crews,  and  many  succumbed  to  it,  amongst  others 
Thorbiorn  the  Black.  The  Earl  and  his  men,  departing  from  Acre,  visited  all  the  holiest 
places  in  Palestine,  and  all  bathed  in  the  Jordan.  They  left  Palestine  in  the  summer, 
en  route  through  Syria  for  Constantinople.  John  Petrsson  was  assassinated  in  a  Syrian 
city.  Burying  him  honourably,  they  went  north  to  .Egos,  and  there  waited  some 
nights  for  a  fair  wind  with  which  to  enter  Constantinople  in  the  same  magnificent 
manner  as  King  Sigurd  the  Jorsala-farer  had  done.  This  they  effected,  and  were  well 
received  by  the  Emperor,  Manuel  I.,  and  his  Varangians.  They  spent  most  of  the 
winter  at  Manuel's  court,  where  Eindridi  also  arrived,  and  was  highly  honoured. 
Manuel  wanted  them  to  enter  his  service,  but  before  the  winter  was  over  the  Orcadian 
pilgrims  commenced  their  homeward  trip.  They  first  reached  Durazzo,  and  then  sailed 
westwards  to  Apulia,  where  the  Earl,  Bishop  William,  Erling,  and  others  left  their  ships 
and  took  horse  for  Rome,  whence  they  made  for  Denmark,  and  finally  Norway, 
where  all  were  glad  to  see  them. 

While  Erling  was  away  in  Palestine  his  brother  Ogmund  died.  Erling  was 
married  to  Kristin,  daughter  of  King  Sigurd  Jorsala-farer,  and  after  the  death  of  King 
Inge  their  son  Magnus  was  made  King,  Erling  being  Regent.  Valdemar,  King  of 
the  Danes,  gave  him  the  title  of  Earl.  Eindridi  came  from  the  South  some  winters 
after  Earl  Rognvald,  and  attached  himself  to  King  Eystein,  because  he  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with  Erling.  On  Eystein's  death,  with  Sigurd  of  Reyr,  Eindridi 
nominated  Hakon  Haraldsson  as  king,  and  slew  Gregorius  Dagsson  and  King  Inge,  but 
meeting  with  Erling  received  a  decisive  defeat,  Hakon  being  mortally  wounded  and 
Eindridi  put  to  flight.     Later  on  he  was  killed  in  Viken. 

Earl  Rognvald  spent  the  summer  in  Hordaland,  in  Norway,  and  heard  many  tidings 
from  the  Isles,  where  there  were  great  disturbances,  most  of  the  nobles  having  divided 
themselves  into  two  factions,  at  the  head  of  one  being  Earl  Harald,  and  of  the  other  Earl 
Erlend  and  Sweyn  Asleifssou.  Many  things  had  happened  while  Rognvald  was  in  the 
East.  The  very  summer  Rognvald  had  set  out  on  his  journey  King  Eystein,  of  Norway, 
landed  in  the  Isles  at  Rinansey,  and,  crossing  the  Petland  Firth  in  a  warship  of  twenty 
benches  with  eighty  men,  surprised  Earl  Harald  at  Thurso.  The  Earl  was  admitted  to 
ransom  on  payment  of  a  fine  of  three  marks  of  gold,  and  upon  surrendering  his 
dominions  to  be  held  in  future  from  King  Eystein.  The  latter  then  went  ravaging  in 
Scotland  and  England,  as  some  revenge  for  King  Harald  Hardrade.  When  Eystein 
returned  to  Norway  Harald  remained  in  his  Orcadian  dominions,  and  most  of  the 
Islesmen  were  satisfied  with  his  rule.  At  this  time  his  father,  Earl  Maddad  of  Athol, 
was  dead,  and  his  mother,  Margaret,  had  gone  to  reside  in  Orkney.  She  was  a 
handsome  woman,  but  very  imperious.  Now  also  David,  King  of  Scotland,  died,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  grandson,  Malcolm  the  Maiden,  who  was  but  a  child. 

Erlend,  the  heir  of  Harald  the  Orator,  was  now  grown  up,  and  spent  most  of  his 
time  in  Thorsa.  After  the  death  of  Earl  Ottar  he  was  sometimes  in  the  Hebudes  on  war 
expeditions.  He  was  a  very  promising  man,  and  accomplished  in  most  things,  liberal  in 
money,  gentle,  open  to  advice,  and  greatly  loved  by  his  men.  He  had  a  large 
following.      He  was  fostered  by  a  hardy  South  Isle  noble  named  Anakol,  who  was  his 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY 


right-hand  man,  and  to  whose  counsels  he  chiefly  listened.  While  Rognvald  was  away  in 
Palestine  Erlend  went  to  the  Scottish  Court  and  obtained  from  King  Malcolm  the  Maiden 
the  title  of  earl,  and  that  part  of  Caithness  which  his  father,  Earl  Harald,  had,  to  be  held 
jointly  with  his  cousin,  Earl  Harald  the  Wicked.  Returning  to  Caithness,  Erlend  collected 
forces  and  passed  to  the  Orkneys,  to  obtain  possession  of  the  half  which  he  considered 
his  patrimonial  inheritance.  Harald  declined  to  surrender  any  part  of  the  Isles  ;  but  a 
year's  truce  was  agreed  to,  and  Erlend  was  to  go  to  Norway  and  ask  the  King  for  the  half 
which  belonged  to  Rognvald,  and  which  Harald  would  then  surrender.  So  Erlend  went 
east  to  Norway,  but  Anakol  stayed  behind  with  some  of  his  party. 

Gunni  Olafsson,  brother  of  Sweyn  Asleifsson,  had  children  by  Margaret,  the 
Dowager  Countess  of  Athol,  and  Earl  Harald  banished  him  from  the  Isles,  so  enmity 
arose  between  Sweyn  and  Harald.  Sweyn  sent  Gunni  south  to  Lewis  to  stay  with  his 
friend  Liotolf,  whose  son  Fugl  was  then  with  Earl  Harald.  While  Erlend  was  in 
Norway,  Harald  spent  the  winter  in  Caithness,  residing  at  Wick.  Sweyn  was  then  at 
Freswick,  taking  care  of  the  estate  which  his  stepsons  had  there,  for  his  former  wife  was 
Ragnhild,  daughter  of  Ogmund,  though  they  lived  together  but  a  short  time.  Their  son- 
was  Olaf.  After  that  he  married  Ingirid,  daughter  of  Thorkell  ;  their  son  was  Andreas. 
On  Wednesday,  in  Passion  Week,  Sweyn,  while  going  to  Lambaborg,  saw  a  transport 
vessel  crossing  the  Firth,  and  concluding  the  barge  contained  Harald's  revenues  from 
Hjaltland,  attacked  it  and  seized  the  cargo.  When  Harald  heard  this  he  said,  "  Sweyn 
and  I  shall  have  our  turns. ' ' 

During  Easter  Harald  remained  in  guest  quarters.  After  Easter-week  Sweyn 
passed  to  the  Orkneys  in  a  barge,  and  at  Scapa  seized  a  ship  belonging  to  Fugl, 
who  was  on  his  way  from  Lewis  to  visit  Earl  Harald.  Sweyn  also  took  twelve 
ounces  of  gold  from  the  house  of  Sigurd  Klaufi,  a  house-carl  of  the  Earl's,  he, 
Sigurd,  being  absent  in  Kirkwall.  Returning  to  Caithness,  Sweyn  passed  on  to 
Aberdeen,  where  he  spent  a  month  at  the  court  of  King  Malcolm,  by  whom  he 
was  well  entertained.  King  Malcolm  insisted  upon  his  enjoying  all  those  emolu- 
ments of  Caithness  which  he  had  before  becoming  Earl  Harald 's  enemy.  Sweyn  and 
Malcolm  parted  excellent  friends,  and  the  former  sailed  north  to  Orkney.  By  appoint- 
ment, arranged  by  Gauti  of  Skeggbjornstead,  he  met  Anakol  at  Sanday,  and  they 
adjusted  matters  relating  to  Sweyn's  seizure  of  Fugl's  ship,  Fugl  being  of  kin  to  Anakol, 
and  it  was  agreed  that  the  latter  should  make  peace  between  Sweyn  and  Erlend  on  his 
return  from  the  East,  for  they  were  bitter  enemies  on  account  of  the  incineration  of 
Frakach.  Sweyn  and  Anakol  then  went  to  Stronsay,  and  lay  off  Huipness  for  some 
nights. 

At  this  time  Thorfinn  Brusisson  lived  at  Stronsa  ;  his  wife  was  Ingigerd,  who 
had  been  deserted  by  Thorbiorn  Klerk.  While  lying  off  Huipness,  Earl  Erlend  arrived 
from  Norway,  and  through  the  representation  of  Anakol  and  Thorfinn  reluctantly 
made  peace  with  Sweyn.  Erlend  then  told  of  the  message  from  King  Eystein,  that  he 
should  have  that  part  of  the  Orkneys  formerly  held  by  his  father,  Earl  Harald  the 
Orator.  Sweyn  advised  Erlend  to  go  at  once  to  Earl  Harald  before  he  heard  this  from 
others,  and  ask  him  to  surrender  the  dominions.  The  advice  was  acted  upon.  They 
found  Harald  in  his  ship  off  Corness,  but  Harald,  suspecting  hostile  intentions,  left  his 
ship  and  entered  the  castle,  to  which  Erlend  and  Sweyn  laid  siege.  Eventually  peace 
was  secured  upon  Harald  consenting  to  let  Erlend  have  his  part  of  the  Isles,  and  not  to 


ST.   ROGNVALD  and  HARALD   II.  69 

redemand  it  from  him,  and  this  Harald  confirmed  by  oath  in  the  presence  of  the  leading 
Orcadians.  Harald  then  went  over  to  Caithness,  and  Erlend  and  Sweyn  convened  a 
Thing  meeting  of  the  Islesmen  at  Kirkwall,  when  Erlend  was  accepted  as  sole  ruler,  but 
conditionally  upon  his  allowing  Earl  Rognvald  to  have  his  half  whensoever  he  returned. 
Sweyn  spent  the  following  Yule  at  his  estate  in  Gairsay. 

During  this  Yule,  Harald  made  a  voyage  to  the  Orkneys  with  four  ships  and  one 
hundred  men.  He  lay  two  nights  under  Grimsa.  They  landed  in  the  Orcadian 
mainland,  and  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  Yule-tide  walked  to  Firth,  and  spent  the  Yule- 
holiday  at  Orcahaug  (Maeshowe),  where  two  of  their  men  were  seized  with  madness, 
thus  retarding  their  journey.  It  was  near  day  when  they  reached  Firth.  There  they 
learned  that  Erlend  was  aboard  his  ship,  but  had  been  ashore  during  the  day.  At  Firth 
Harald  killed  one  Ketil  and  another,  and  took  prisoner  Arnfinn,  brother  to  Anakol, 
Liotolf,  and  two  others.  Harald  and  Thorbiorn  Klerk  then  returned  to  Thurso,  while 
the  brothers  Benedict  and  Eric  went  to  Freswick  Castle  with  Arnfinn  in  custody.  They 
now  sent  word  that  Arnfinn  would  not  be  admitted  to  ransom  until  Erlend  restored  their 
ship,  the  one  seized  off  Corness.  The  Earl  was  willing  to  make  the  exchange,  but 
Anakol  dissuaded  him  from  it,  saying  that  Arnfinn  should  be  recovered  without  such  a 
sacrifice.  So,  on  the  Wednesday  before  Eent,  Anakol  and  Thorstein  Ragnasson  crossed 
the  Firth  by  night  and  stalked  Eric,  whom  they  took  prisoner  to  the  islands,  and  Earl 
Harald  liberated  Arnfinn  and  his  comrades  in  exchange  for  Eric. 

In  the  spring  Earl  Harald  made  preparations  to  go  from  Caithness  north  to 
Hjaltland,  his  intention  being  to  take  the  life  of  Erlend  the  Young  (not  Earl  Erlend, 
who  would  hardly  have  fallen  in  love  with  his  aunt),  who  had  wooed  his  mother,  the 
Countess  Dowager  of  Athol,  in  defiance  of  his  disapproval.  Erlend  had  carried  her  off 
from  the  Orkneys,  and  taken  up  his  residence  in  the  Tower  of  Mousa,  in  the  island  of 
that  name.  Harald  besieged  the  tower,  but  it  was  so  difficult  to  take  by  assault,  that  he 
listened  to  favourable  overtures  from  Erlend,  resulting  in  the  marriage  of  Erlend  and 
Margaret,  and  an  alliance  between  him  and  the  Earl,  and  the  summer  following  they 
went  off  east  to  Norway  in  company. 

Earl  Erlend,  on  the  other  hand,  next  went  with  Sweyn  and  Anakol  on  a  plundering 
cruise.  They  steered  first  for  the  Moray  Firth,  and  then  made  inroads  on  the  east  of 
Scotland,  and  cruised  as  far  south  as  North  Berwick,  in  the  Firth  of  Forth,  where  they 
captured  a  large  and  fine  vessel  belonging  to  a  Berwick  merchant,  named  Knut  the 
Wealthy.  On  board  was  a  valuable  cargo  and  Knut's  wife.  When  Knut  heard  of  the 
seizure  he  sent  fourteen  ships  in  pursuit.  The  Orcadian  squadron  lay  under  the  Fern 
Islands,  and,  as  a  gale  was  blowing,  erected  awnings,  except  on  Sweyu's  boat,  as  that 
worthy  was  too  careful  to  be  surprised,  notwithstanding  that  he  was  rallied  about  it  by 
one  of  his  company  named  Einar  Skeif.  Sweyn  was  first  to  sight  the  enemy,  and  the 
Orcadians  made  for  the  North.  They  put  in  under  the  Isle  of  May,  and  Sweyn  sent 
men  to  Edinburgh  to  tell  the  King  of  Scots  of  his  plunder  ;  but  before  they  came  to  the 
town  they  met  twelve  men  on  horseback,  who  had  saddle-bags  filled  with  silver,  and 
when  they  met  they  inquired  after  Sweyn.  Sweyn's  men  told  where  he  was,  and  asked 
what  was  wanted  with  him.  The  Scots  said  they  had  been  told  that  Sweyn  was  taken 
prisoner,  and  the  King  of  Scots  had  sent  them  to  ransom  him.  They  thus  told  their 
errand.  The  King  did  not  make  much  of  Knut's  loss,  but  sent  a  costly  shield  to  Sweyn, 
and  other  presents  besides.      Earl  Erlend  and  Sweyn  arrived  in  the  Orkneys  rather  late 


7° 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


in  the  autumn.  This  summer  Earl  Harald  went  east  to  Norway.  At  the  same  time  Earl 
Rognvald  and  Erling  Skakki  came  to  Norway  from  Constantinople,  and  Rognvald 
arrived  in  the  Orkneys  shortly  before  Yule,  and  immediately  messengers  passed  between 
him  and  Erlend  relative  to  a  settlement  of  the  islands.  They  had  an  interview 
at  Kirkwall,  when  they  agreed  that  each  should  have  half  of  the  islands,  and  they 
concluded  a  defensive  alliance  against  Earl  Harald  should  he  lay  claim  to  any  of  them. 
Rognvald  was  without  ships  till  his  should  arrive  from  the  east  in  the  summer.  The 
winter  passed  in  quietness,  but  in  the  spring  the  Earls  prepared  for  a  visit  from  Harald, 
and  Rognvald  crossed  over  to  Thurso,  while  Erlend  and  Sweyn  passed  to  Hjaltland, 
hoping  to  intercept  Harald  on  his  return.  In  the  summer  Harald  left  Norway  with 
seven  ships,  three  of  which  were  storm-driven  to  Hjaltland,  and  promptly  seized  by 
Erlend  and  Sweyn  ;  but  Harald  reached  the  Orkneys  with  the  rest  and  landed  there. 
He  then  heard  of  the  alliance  between  Rognvald  and  Erlend  excluding  him  from  any 
territory  in  the  islands,  and  he  resolved  to  cross  at  once  to  Caithness  and  see 
Rognvald  before  Erlend  could  arrive  from  Hjaltland.  Erlend  and  Sweyn  had  started 
after  Harald,  but  met  with  adverse  weather  off  Sumburgh  Roost,  and  Sweyn  was  driven 
back  to  Fair  Isle  with  twelve  ships,  and  all  thought  the  Earl  had  perished.  From  Fair 
Isle  he  sailed  to  Sanday,  where,  to  his  great  joy,  he  found  Erlend  with  three  ships. 
They  then  went  to  the  Orcadian  mainland  to  enquire  about  Earl  Harald 's  movements. 

When  Harald  reached  Thurso,  Rognvald  was  in  Sutherland  celebrating  the  wedding 
of  his  heiress  Ingirid  with  Eric  Stagbrellir.  Hearing  of  Harald 's  arrival,  he  rode  from 
Berriedale  to  Thurso  with  a  large  retinue,  and  through  the  mediation  of  Eric  Stagbrellir 
and  others  an  alliance  was  made  at  a  conference  in  Thurso  Castle,  which  was  nearly 
upset  by  the  arrival  of  Thorbiorn  Klerk,  who  attacked  Rognvald's  men  and  slew  thirteen 
before  the  conflict  could  be  stopped  by  Harald.  The  two  Earls  now  set  out  for  the  Isles 
to  give  battle  to  Erlend.  They  anchored  their  thirteen  ships  in  Widewall,  in  S.  Ronaldsa, 
and  landed. 

Erlend  was  lying  with  his  ships  at  Burs  wick,  in  the  same  island.  On  being 
made  aware  of  the  reconciliation  of  Rognvald  and  Harald,  and  their  near  presence, 
Erlend  and  Sweyn  held  a  consultation,  and  decided  to  cross  to  Caithness  at  once  and 
winter  in  the  Hebudes.  So,  on  Michaelmas  Eve,  they  sailed  for  Caithness,  where  they 
held  a  great  strand-hewing,  and  early  in  the  winter  left  Thurso  in  six  long-ships,  all  well 
manned  and  steering  west  ostensibly  bound  for  the  Hebudes.  When  off  Ru  Stoer,  in 
Assynt,  they  put  about  ship  and  made  for  the  Isles,  having  a  rattling  breeze  behind 
them.  They  soon  reached  Walls,  where  they  were  told  that  the  Earls  were  lying  off 
Knarston,  at  Scapa,  with  thirteen  ships,  and  that  Erlend  the  Young,  Eric  Stagbrellir, 
and  many  other  men  of  note  were  with  them.  Thorbiorn  Klerk  had  gone  to  Papley  on 
a  visit  to  his  brother-in-law,  Hakon  Karl.  Sweyn  resolved  to  attack  them  at  once, 
so,  four  nights  before  St.  Simon's  mass,  an  attack  was  made  on  Earl  Harald  and  his  men, 
who  were  completely  surprised  and  routed,  many  being  slain,  amongst  others  a  noble, 
Bjarni,  brother  of  Erlend  Uugi,  and  a  hundred  with  him.  Few  of  Friend's  men  were 
killed.  Erlend  took  fourteen  ships  and  many  valuables.  Rognvald  was  on  his  way  to 
Orphir  that  evening,  but  had  stopped  at  Knarston,  at  the  house  of  an  Icelander  named 
Botolf  Begla,  an  excellent  skald.  Erlend's  men  heard  that  Rognvald  had  gone  towards 
Knarston,  and  enquiring  of  Botolf,  were  misled  by  him,  and  Rognvald  promptly  hurried 
off  to  Orphir,  where  he  found  Harald  in  hiding,  and  both  crossed  at  once  to  Caithness. 


ST.   ROGNVALI)  and  HARALD  II.  71 


Sweyn  took  Earl  Rognvald's  ship  and  treasures  as  his  share  of  the  booty,  and  these  he 
restored  to  that  Earl.  He  (Sweyn)  advised  Erlend  to  station  his  ships  at  Walls,  where  he 
could  command  the  Firth,  but  Erlend  yielded  to  the  persuasion  of  his  men  and  went 
north  to  Damsay,  St.  Adamnan's  Isle,  carousing  in  the  daytime  in  a  large  castle  there, 
and  at  night  sleeping  on  board  the  ships,  which  were  fastened  together.  Thus  time 
passed  on  till  the  Yule  feast.  Five  nights  before  Christmas  Sweyn  went  east  to  Sandwick, 
in  Deerness,  to  make  peace  between  his  kinswoman  Sigrid  and  her  neighbour  Bjorn,  and 
spent  one  night  at  her  place.  A  friendly  neighbour  of  Sigrid's  named  Gisl  wanted 
Sweyn  to  stay  with  him.  When  they  came  to  Gisl  they  heard  Erlend  was  not  stopping 
on  board  ship  at  night,  so  Sweyn  sent  Margad  Grimsson  to  warn  Erlend  to  heed  his 
advice,  adding,  "  I  suspect  I  shall  not  have  long  to  provide  for  this  Earl."  Margad  and 
the  others  conveyed  Sweyn 's  message  to  Erlend,  who  slept  on  board  that  night,  but  was 
surprised  by  the  Earls,  none  perceiving  them  until  they  were  climbing  on  board.  Orm 
and  Ufi  were  on  the  fore  part  of  Erlend 's  ship.  Ufi  tried  to  rouse  the  Earl,  but  he  was 
not  sober  enough,  so  Ufi  jumped  overboard  with  him  into  a  boat,  and  Orm  plunged  from 
the  other  side  and  escaped  on  shore.  Margad  and  his  men  heard  the  battle-cry  and 
rowed  away  round  the  headland.  It  was  clear  moonlight.  They  saw  the  Earls  go  away; 
and  they  felt  fate  had  decided  between  them.  Two  nights  before  Yule  a  spear  was  seen 
standing  in  a  heap  of  seawood,  and  that  spear  was  found  to  be  fast  in  Earl  Friend's 
body. 

With  him  the  male  line  of  the  Norse  Earls  of  Orkney  ended.  All  Erlend's  men  took 
refuge  in  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral,  and  the  Earls  admitted  them  to  peace.  John  Voeng, 
son  of  a  sister  of  John  Wing,  previously  referred  to,  was  amongst  the  number.  He  had 
been  with  Hakon  Karl,  and  had  a  child  by  his  sister.  Then  he  ran  away,  and  was  with 
Anakol  on  piratical  expeditions,  but  now  he  was  with  Erlend,  though  not  in  the  battle. 
The  Earls  would  not  pardon  him  till  he  married  Hakon 's  sister.  He  afterwards  became 
steward  to  Earl  Harald. 

After  Erlend's  death  Sweyn  went  to  Reudale,  where  he  met  Margad,  who  told  him 
of  what  had  happened  in  Damsey.  They  then  went  to  Rousay  and  distributed  themselves 
amongst  the  farm  steadings.  In  the  evening,  at  a  homestead,  Sweyn  overheard  some 
talk  about  the  death  of  Erlend  amongst  Thorfinn,  his  son  Ogmund,  and  his  brother-in- 
law  Erlend.  Erlend  was  boasting  of  having  given  the  Earl  his  death  blow,  and  all  were 
declaring  they  had  done  right  well.  Sweyn  rushed  in  and  killed  Erlend,  and  Thorfinn  was 
taken  prisoner,  and  Ogmund  wounded.  Sweyn  then  went  to  Tyngvale  to  his  father's 
brother  Helgi,  and  spent  the  first  few  days  in  hiding.  Rognvald  was  staying  in  Damsey, 
and  Harald  at  Kirkwall  during  Yule-tide.  Rognvald  sent  word  to  Helgi  to  tell  Sweyn 
he  wanted  him  to  spend  the  Yule  with  him  and  make  peace  between  him  and  Earl 
Harald.     Sweyn  went  accordingly. 

After  Christmas  the  Earls  considered  Sweyn's  case,  and  it  was  adjudged  that  he 
should  pay  a  mark  of  gold  to  each  of  the  Earls  and  retain  one-half  of  his  estates  and  a 
good  long-ship.  When  Sweyn  heard  of  the  award  he  remarked,  "  Our  agreement  will 
only  be  good  in  case  I  am  not  oppressed."  Rognvald,  on  his  part,  waived  the  fine,  but 
Harald  presently  went  to  Gairsay  and  used  Sweyn's  corn  and  other  property  wastefully. 
Sweyn  complained  of  this  to  Rognvald,  but  he  only  suggested  peaceful  overtures  to 
Harald.  Sweyn,  however,  was  determined  to  have  satisfaction,  and  with  ten  men  took 
boat  for  Gairsav  and  wished  to  fire  the  hall  and  homestead  with  the  Earl  in  it.      He  was 


72  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


dissuaded  from  doing  so  by  the  representations  of  Sweyn  Blakarisson,  who  said  the  Earl 
might  not  be  in  the  homestead,  and,  if  he  were,  would  not  permit  Sweyn's  wife  and 
daughter  to  leave  it.  Sweyn  surrounded  it  and  asked  his  wife,  Ingirid,  where  the  Earl 
was,  but  as  Ingirid  was  of  kin  to  Earl  Harald  she  would  not  reveal  anything.  He  had 
gone  out  to  a  certain  island  (Hoy  ?)  to  hunt  hares.  Sweyn  made  for  the  Eller  Holm 
and  soon  had  Harald  after  him  in  pursuit.  Sweyn  took  refuge  in  a  cave,  the  entrance  to 
which  was  hidden  by  the  rising  tide,  and  baffled  his  pursuers,  who  circumnavigated  the 
isle,  but  without  finding  him.  Leaving  his  own  boat  in  the  cave,  he  took  one  from  the 
monks  and  went  to  Sanday,  where,  on  landing,  they  pushed  off  the  small  boat,  which 
drifted  about  till  it  was  wrecked.  They  came  to  a  homestead  at  Voluness  where  lived 
Bard,  kinsman  to  Sweyn.  Bard  dared  not  openly  house  them,  but  gave  them  shelter  in 
a  secret  apartment.  The  same  evening  John  Wing,  Earl  Harald's  steward,  arrived  with 
six  men,  and  Bard  welcomed  them.  The  conversation  turned  on  Sweyn  and  Erlend, 
John  speaking  adversely  of  both.  At  this,  Sweyn  could  not  restrain  himself,  and 
emerged  from  his  retreat.  John  heard  him  coming,  and  rushed  out  irom  the  house  and  ran 
till  he  came  to  another  farm.  His  feet  were  very  much  frost-bitten,  and  some  of  his  toes 
fell  off. 

Through  the  intercession  of  Bard,  Sweyn  gave  peace  to  John's  companions.  In 
the  morning  Bard  gave  him  a  boat,  and  he  and  his  men  went  south  to  Burswick,  where 
they  stayed  in  a  cave.  One  morning  Sweyn  and  his  men  saw  a  large  long-ship  coming 
from  Hrolfsey  to  Ronaldsa,  and  Sweyn  recognised  it  immediately  as  Earl  Riignvald's, 
and  the  one  he  himself  used  to  command.  When  they  rowed  past  the  Earl's  ship,  which 
stuck  fast  on  the  beach,  Sweyn  was  standing  up  with  a  spear  in  his  hand.  When  Earl 
Rognvald  saw  it  he  held  a  shield  before  him  ;  but  Sweyn  did  not  cast  the  spear,  and  the 
Earl,  seeing  they  would  get  away,  ordered  a  truce-shield  to  be  held  aloft.  Thereon,  Sweyn 
landed,  and  came  to  an  understanding  with  the  Earl.  While  they  were  talking,  Earl 
Harald's  ship  was  seen  steering  from  Caithness  to  Walls,  so  Rognvald  advised  Sweyn  to 
cross  at  once  to  Caithness.  This  was  during  Lent.  The  two  left  at  the  same  time,  the 
Earl  for  the  Orcadian  mainland,  and  Sweyn  for  Stroma.  Earl  Harald  recognised  Sweyn's 
boat,  and  turned  into  the  Firth  in  pursuit,  but  on  reaching  Stroma  was  too  suspicious  to 
land.  However,  the  two  were  made  friends  by  the  mediation  of  Amundi  Hnefisson, 
paternal  uncle  to  Sweyn's  stepchildren,  and  a  gale  arising,  both  had  to  remain  there 
during  the  night,  many  sleeping  in  the  same  house,  and  Amundi  (doubtless  to  their 
mutual  satisfaction)  put  Earl  Harald  and  Sweyn  in  the  same  bed.  After  this  Sweyn 
went  to  Caithness  and  Harald  to  the  Orkneys.  Then  Sweyn  went  on  south  to  the 
Dalis,  spending  the  Easter  with  his  friend  Somerled  ;  but  Harald  went  north  to 
Hjaltland,  and  was  there  a  long  time  during  the  spring.  After  Easter  Sweyn,  coming 
north,  seized  Bunu-Petr  and  Blan,  brothers  of  John  Wing,  and  confiscated  their  goods. 
A  gallows  was  erected,  but  Sweyn  changed  his  mind,  saying  they  would  disgrace 
John  more  alive  than  dead,  so  he  turned  them  out  on  the  hills,  and  they  were  very 
much  frost-bitten  before  reaching  a  habitation.  Thence  Sweyn  passed  to  Lewis,  in 
the  Hebudes,  where  he  stayed  some  time.  When  John  Wing  heard  of  his  brothers' 
capture,  in  retaliation,  he  seized  Olaf  Sweynsson,  foster-son  to  Kolbein  Hruga,  and 
brought  hitn  to  Earl  Rognvald  at  Rapness,  in  Westray.  Rognvald  ordered  his  immediate 
release,  telling  John  it  was  very  foolish  of  him  to  seek  to  incur  the  enmity  of  Sweyn  or 
Kolbein,  whatever  the  fate  of  his  brothers. 


HARALD  II.,   28TH  KARL.  73 


When  Easter  had  passed,  Sweyn  started  for  the  Hebudes  with  a  company  of  sixty 
men.  He  first  went  to  Rousay,  where  he  seized  Hakon  Karl,  who  had  assisted  Earl 
Harald  when  Earl  Erlend  was  slain.  Hakon  was  admitted  to  ransom  for  three  marks  of 
gold.  There  Sweyn  found  his  ship,  with  two  of  the  planks  sawn  asunder.  This  had 
been  done  by  Earl  Rognvald's  order  as  Sweyn  refused  to  buy  it  or  accept  it  as  a  gift  from 
the  Earls.  From  Rousay  Sweyn  went  to  the  mainland,  and  met  Rognvald  at  Birsa, 
where  Sweyn  spent  the  spring  with  him.  Rognvald  said  he  had  cut  the  planks  to 
prevent  Sweyn  from  rowing  rashly  among  the  Islands  on  his  return  from  the  Hebudes. 
Earl  Harald  returned  from  Hjaltland  at  Whitsuntide,  and  Rugnvald  arranged  a  peace- 
meeting  in  St.  Magnus'  Church  on  the  Friday  during  holy  week.  Rognvald  carried  a 
broad-axe  to  the  meeting,  and  Sweyn  went  with  him.  At  it  the  compact  of  the  winter 
was  confirmed.  Everything  was  restored  to  Sweyn  but  his  ship,  which  Rognvald  gave 
Harald.  Rognvald  and  Sweyn  were  standing  at  the  church  door  while  the  sail,  which 
had  been  lying  in  St.  Magnus'  Church,  was  being  carried  out,  and  Sweyn  looked  rather 
gloomy.  The  following  Saturday,  after  noon-tide  service,  Earl  Harald's  men  came  to 
Sweyn  and  said  the  Earl  wished  to  speak  with  him.  Sweyn  consulted  Rognvald,  who 
seemed  dubious  as  to  the  advisability  of  going.  Sweyn  went,  nevertheless,  with  five 
men,  and  found  Harald  sitting  on  a  cross-bench  with  Thorbiorn  Klerk  beside  him,  and  a 
few  other  retainers  near  by.  Thorbiorn  presently  left  the  room,  to  the  discomfiture  of 
Sweyn,  but  soon  returned,  and  presented  him  with  a  scarlet  tunic  and  a  coat,  saying  he 
could  hardly  call  it  a  gift  as  it  had  been  taken  from  Sweyn  in  the  winter.  The  gifcs 
were  accepted.  Earl  Harald  then  restored  to  him  his  long-ship,  and  the  forfeited  half  of 
his  property  and  estates,  asking  him  to  stay  with  him,  and  their  friendship  should  never 
be  dissolved.  Sweyn  accepted  all  this  gladly,  and  forthwith  reported  matters  to  Earl 
Rognvald,  who  was  well  pleased  at  the  issue  of  the  interview. 

Soon  after  this  Sweyn,  Thorbiorn,  and  Eric  sailed  on  a  plundering  expedition,  first 
visiting  the  Hebudes,  and  then  all  along  the  west  to  the  Stilly  Isles,  where  they  gained 
a  great  victory  in  St.  Mary's  on  Columba's  Mass  (9th  June)  and  returned  to  the  Orkneys 
with  much  booty.  Thorbiorn  now  became  counsellor  to  Earl  Harald,  and  Sweyn  went 
to  his  Gairsay  estate,  where  he  usually  wintered ;  but  every  summer  he  went  marauding. 
Thorkell,  a  follower  of  Thorbiorn,  and  Thorarinn  Killinef,  a  retainer  of  Earl  Rognvald, 
quarrelled  over  their  drink  at  Kirkwall.  Thorkell  wounded  Thorarinn,  and,  being 
pursued  by  Thorarinn's  companions,  fled  to  Thorbiorn,  who  defended  them.  When 
Thorarinn  recovered,  he  slew  Thorkell  as  he  was  going  to  church,  and  then  ran  into 
church  with  Thorbiorn  close  behind.  Thorbiorn  was  going  to  break  the  church  door 
open,  but  Riignvaid  would  not  permit  the  sacrilege,  and  Thorbiorn  crossed  to  Caithness, 
wheie  he  was  frequently  guilty  of  violence  to  women  and  man-slaying.  He  presently 
returned  secretly  to  the  Orkneys,  and,  coming  suddenly  on  Thorarinn  in  an  inn, 
wounded  him  mortally,  and  fled  under  cover  of  darkness.  For  this  the  Earl  made  him 
an  outlaw  in  every  part  of  his  dominions.  Thorbiorn,  recrossing  to  Caithness,  stayed  in 
hiding  with  his  brother-in-law,  Hosvir  the  Strong,  who  had  married  Ragnhild,  sister  to 
Thorbiorn,  and  their  son  was  Stephen  the  Counsellor,  a  follower  of  Thorbiorn.  From 
there  Thorbiorn  went  to  Malcolm,  King  of  Scots,  where  he  remained  for  a  while  in  high 
favour  with  the  king.  At  the  Scottish  court  was  a  noble  called  Gillaodran,  of  great 
family,  but  a  very  violent  man.  For  his  numerous  violent  acts  he  had  incurred  the 
royal   displeasure,    and   fled   to   the   Orkneys,    where   the    Earls    received    him  and  ap- 


74  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


pointed  him  steward  of  Caithness.  But  he  soon  became  embroiled  in  a  dispute  about 
the  stewardship  with  a  noble  named  Helgi,  a  friend  of  Earl  Rognvald's,  whom  he 
attacked  and  killed,  and  then  went  west  to  the  Hebudes,  where  he  was  received  by 
Somerled  of  Argyle,  who  had  married  Ragnhild,  the  daughter  of  Olaf  Bitting,  King  of  the 
Hebudes.  Their  sons  were  King  Dugald,  Reginald,  and  Angus,  and  they  were  called 
the  Dalverja  family.  Rognvald  sent  for  Sweyn,  and  asked  him  when  on  his  next  cruise 
to  keep  an  eye  on  Gillaodran,  if  a  chance  occurred. 

Sweyn  started  out  with  five  long-ships  and  brought  Somerled  to  an  engagement  with 
his  seven  ships.  The  battle  was  very  fierce  and  doubtful  for  a  long  time,  but  the  victory 
was  to  Sweyn.  Some  accounts  state  Somerled  was  slain,  but  from  other  sources  we  learn 
he  was  killed  at  Renfrew  on  ist  January,  1164,  having  landed  there  with  a  fleet  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  galleys  to  attempt  the  conquest  of  Scotland.  Later  on  Sweyn  over- 
took Gillaodran  in  the  Dark  Firth  (Loch  Glean  Dubh  ?)  and  slew  him  and  fifty  of  his 
men.    Returning  in  the  autumn,  Earl  Rognvald  was  much  pleased  with  Sweyn's  success. 

Every  summer  the  Earls  were  wont  to  go  over  to  Caithness  and  up  into  the  forests 
to  hunt  the  red  deer  or  the  reindeer.  Thorbiorn  Klerk  was  sometimes  at  the  Scottish 
court  and  sometimes  in  Caithness  hiding  with  his  friends.  The  three  whom  he  most 
trusted  were  his  brother-in-law  Hosvir  ;  Lifolf,  who  lived  in  Thorsdal  ;  and  Hallvard, 
son  of  Dufa,  who  dwelt  at  Force,  in  Caldale,  which  goes  off  from  Thorsdal.  When 
Rugnvald  had  been  Earl  twenty-two  winters  from  the  time  of  ' '  the  passing  of  Paul, ' '  the 
Earls  went  over  to  Caithness  during  the  latter  end  of  summer  as  usual,  and  on  coming  to 
Thurso  heard  a  rumour  to  the  effect  that  Thorbiorn  was  in  hiding,  and  intended  to  attack 
them  if  an  opportunity  arose.  In  the  day-time  Earl  Rognvald  always  rode  ahead  of  his 
men,  and  with  him  were  Asolf  and  his  kinsman  Jomar.  Reaching  Calder,  they  came  to  a 
farm  when  Hallvard  the  farmer  was  piling  up  a  stack  of  corn.  Thorbiorn  and  his  men 
were  in  the  homestead,  and  Hallvard  spoke  loudly  that  they  might  be  warned.  Thorbiorn 
ran  out  and  aimed  at  the  Earl,  but  Asolf  warded  off  the  blow  with  his  hand,  which  was 
cut  off.  The  Earl  then  prepared  to  dismount,  but  his  foot  held  fast  in  the  stirrup,  and 
Stephen  arriving,  thrust  him  with  a  spear,  while  Thorbiorn  wounded  him  again.  Jomar 
requited  Thorbiorn  with  a  thrust  in  the  thigh,  the  spear  entering  his  bowels,  and  then 
Thorbiorn  and  his  men  made  for  an  adjacent  morass.  Earl  Harald  now  arrived,  and 
meeting  Thorbiorn  recognised  him.  Some  of  Harald 's  men  wanted  to  pursue  Thorbiorn, 
but  Harald  said,  as  he  was  closely  related  to  him,  he  preferred  to  wait  for  Earl  Rognvald's 
opinion.  It  was  some  little  while  before  Harald  knew  what  had  happened  to  Earl 
Rognvald.  His  followers  then  gave  chase  to  Thorbiorn.  who  appealed  to  his  kinsman 
for  protection,  and  Harald  would  have  liked  to  aid  him,  but  Magnus  Havard-Gunnisson, 
a  noble  and  a  kinsman  of  the  Earl,  and  the  noblest  born  of  Harald 's  followers,  said  if 
quarter  was  given  Thorbiorn,  Harald  would  be  covered  with  everlasting  shame  and  dis- 
honour, as  all  would  consider  he  had  been  guilty  of  complicity.  For  his  own  part  he, 
Magnus,  would  never  give  him  quarter,  but  would  follow  him  to  the  death.  His  brother 
Thorstein,  Hakon,  and  Sweyn  Hroaldsson  spoke  to  the  same  effect,  and  gave  chase. 
Thorbiorn,  seeing  what  had  been  decided,  advised  his  followers  to  save  themselves  by 
flight,  while  he  asked  mercy  of  Earl  Harald,  but  the  Earl  said,  "Save  yourself, 
Thorbiorn  ;  I  have  not  the  heart  to  kill  you  ;  nor  will  I  fight  for  you  against  my  men." 
Thorbiorn  and  his  men  then  sought  refuge  in  a  deserted  shieling  called  Asgrim's  jergin, 
which  was  fired  by  Magnus  and  his  party,   who  slew  them,  all  nine,  after  a  valorous 


HARALU  II.,  28TH  KARL. 


75 


defence.  Earl  Harald  led  his  men  down  the  valley  of  Calder,  but  those  with  Magnus 
went  to  Fors,  wrapped  up  Earl  Rognvald's  body,  and  brought  it  down  to  Thorsa.  The 
death  of  the  Earl  occurred  five  nights  after  tbe  summer's  Marysmas.  (The  feast  of  the 
Assumption  of  St.  Mary,  or  the  15th  August,  and  the  Iceland  Annals  give  1158  as  the 
year.)  Earl  Harald  brought  the  body  with  a  splendid  following  to  the  Orkneys,  and  it 
was  buried  in  St.  Magnus'  Kirk,  and  there  it  rested  until  God  manifested  Rognvald's 
merits  by  many  and  great  miracles.  Then  Bishop  Bjarni  had  his  holy  remains  exhumed, 
with  the  permission  of  the  Pope,  and  he  was  canonised  thirty-four  years  after  his  death. 
Where  the  blood  of  the  Earl  fell  on  the  stones  when  he  died,  it  may  be  seen  to  this  day 
as  fresh  as  if  it  had  just  come  from  the  wounds.  His  death  was  much  lamented,  because 
he  was  very  popular  in  the  Islands  and  in  man}-  other  parts.  He  had  been  helpful 
to  many,  was  liberal  with  his  money,  gentle,  and  a  true  friend,  highly  accomplished,  and 
a  good  skald.  He  left  one  only  child,  a  daughter,  Ingigerd,  married  to  Eric  Stagbrellir. 
Their  children  were  Harald  the  Younger,  Magnus  Mangi,  Rognvald,  Ingibiorg,  Elin,  and 
Ragnhild. 

Earl  Harald  now  assumed  possession  of  all  the  Islands  and  became  their  sole  ruler. 
He  was  a  mighty  chief  and  a  man  of  large  stature  and  great  strength.  His  wife  was 
Afrecca,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Fife,  and  their  children  were  Henry,  Hakon,  Helena 
and  Margaret.  When  Hakon  was  only  a  few  years  old  Sweyu  Asleifsson  offered  to  foster 
him,  so,  as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough,  he  accompanied  Sweyn  in  all  his  expeditions. 


^m^^ai^: 


Norse  War-Gai.i.kv  of  the  Viking  Age. 


Sweyn 's  occupation  was  divided  according  to  the  seasons.  In  the  winter  he  resided  at 
home  in  Gairsay,  where  he  kept  eighty  men  at  his  own  expense,  and  had  such  a  large 
wassail-hall  that  none  in  the  Isles  could  equal  it.  In  the  spring,  after  he  had  sowed  seed, 
he  went  marauding  in  the  Hebudes  and  Ireland,  returning  after  midsummer.     This  he 


76  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 

called  spring-viking.  Then  he  stayed  home  till  the  fields  were  reaped  and  the  corn 
brought  in,  when  he  again  sallied  forth,  and  did  not  return  till  one  month  of  winter  had 
passed.     This  was  his  autumn-viking. 

One  spring  Sweyn  sallied  forth,  taking  Hakon  of  Orkney  with  him,  with  a  fleet  of  five 
large  rowing  ships  to  plunder  in  the  Hebudes  ;  but  Sweyn  was  too  well  known  in  those 
parts,  and  the  Hebudeans  hid  all  their  moveable  property,  so  he  sailed  on  to  the  Isle  of 
Man,  but  got  very  little  booty.  He  then  made  for  Ireland,  and  on  approaching  Dublin 
fell  in  with  two  English  merchantmen,  laden  with  English  cloth  and  other  merchandise, 
and  bound  for  Dublin.  Sweyn  annexed  everything  of  any  value  and  proceeded  to  the 
Hebudes,  where  the  cargo  was  shared.  They  sailed  thence  with  great  pomp.  When 
lying  in  harbour  they  covered  their  ships  with  the  English  cloth  for  display,  and  on  steer- 
jug  home  they  sewed  the  cloth  on  the  sails,  which  gave  the  sails  the  appearance  of  being 
made  entirely  of  fine  stuffs.  This  was  named  "  the  scarlet  cruise."  Sweyn  had  also  taken 
a  quantity  of  wine  and  English  mead,  and  on  returning  to  Gairsay  entertained  Earl 
Harald  to  a  splendid  feast.  Harald  cautioned  Sweyn  that  it  was  well  to  drive  home  with 
a  full  wain  ;  but  Sweyn  was  resolved  to  go  once  more  on  an  autumn-viking  before 
retiring  from  the  then  honourable  profession  of  piracy,  so  he  and  Hakon  of  Orkney 
started  with  seven  long-ships,  making  the  Hebudes,  as  usual,  their  first  port  of  call. 
There  they  found  very  little  to  take,  having  no  doubt  already  carried  away  everything 
worth  gathering  from  that  group,  so  they  plundered  promiscuously  in  Ireland,  and  worked 
their  way  south  to  Dublin,  which  they  surprised  and  took  possession  of.  The  citizens 
had  agreed  to  surrender  the  town ;  but  Sweyn  was  known  to  be  the  most  exacting  man 
in  the  west,  and  they  determined  to  play  him  false.  So,  in  the  morning,  when  Sweyn 
advanced  to  take  possession  and  quarter  his  men  on  the  town,  he  was  ambushed,  and  fell 
with  several  of  his  followers  in  one  of  the  pitfalls  dug  to  ensnare  the  invaders.  Sweyn 
was  the  last  to  fall  and,  before  doing  so,  he  spake  these  words  :  "  Know  all  men,  whether 
I  die  to-day  or  not,  that  I  am  the  holy  Earl  Rognvald 's  henchman,  and  my  confidence  is 
where  he  is  with  God."  His  surviving  followers  made  for  their  ships  and  put  to  sea, 
and  nothing  is  said  of  their  voyage  until  they  arrived  in  the  Orkneys.  It  has  been  said 
that  Sweyn  was  the  greatest  man  in  the  Western  lands,  either  in  old  times  or  at  the 
present  day,  of  those  who  had  not  a  higher  title  than  he.  After  his  death  his  sons  Olaf 
and  Andrew  divided  their  patrimony,  and  the  next  summer  they  erected  a  party-wall  to 
the  large  wassail-hall  which  he  had  in  Gairsay.  Andrew  married  Frida,  the  daughter  of 
Kolbein  Hruga,  and  sister  to  Bishop  Bjarni. 

After  he  had  divorced  himself  from  Afrecca  of  Fife,  Harald  espoused  Gormlath 
(Hvarflod),  the  daughter  of  Earl  Malcolm  of  Moray,  by  whom  he  had  Thorfinn,  David, 
and  John,  Gunnhild,  Herborga  and  Eanglif.  When  Bishop  William  the  Second  died, 
Biorn,  the  son  of  Kolbein  Hruga,  succeeded  him.  He  was  of  great  consequence,  and  a 
dear  friend  of  Earl  Harald.  Bishop  Biorn  had  a  large  party  of  kinsmen  in  the  Isles. 
The  sons  of  Eric  Stagbrellir  were  Harald  the  Younger,  Magnus  Magni,  and  Rognvald. 
The  brothers  went  east  to  Norway  to  see  King  Magnus  (son  of  Erling  Skakki),  and  he 
gave  young  Harald  the  title  of  Earl  and  that  one-half  of  the  Islands  which  had  belonged 
to  the  holy  Earl  Rognvald,  his  mother's  father. 


HARALD   III.,  29TH  EARL.  77 


HARALD  III.,   29TH  EARL. 

Earl  Harald  the  Younger  then  went  west,  and  with  him  was  Sigurd  Murt,  the  son  of 
Ivar  Galli,  who  fell  at  Acre  when  with  Earl  Rognvald.  Ivar's  mother  was  a  daughter 
of  Havard  Gunnisson.  Sigurd  Murt  was  young,  handsome,  and  a  great  dandy.  Magnus 
Mangi  remained  with  the  King,  and  fell  with  him  in  Sogn. 

It  has  been  seen  that  Earl  Harald  the  Wicked  had  by  his  second  marriage  allied 
himself  with  Hvarflod,  daughter  of  Malcolm  MacHeth,  the  soi-disant  Earl  of  Moray,  ex- 
Bishop  Wimund,  and  pretender  to  the  Scottish  throne,  and  consequently  there  could  be 
no  pacific  relations  between  him  and  King  William  the  Lion.  The  events  of  this  period 
are  somewhat  confusedly  told  in  the  chronicles,  but  it  seems  probable  that  Harald  was 
one  of  the  six  earls  who  rebelled  against  King  Malcolm  in  1160,  in  order  to  place 
William  of  Egremont,  grandson  of  Duncan,  on  the  throne,  and  that  he  also  supported 
Donaldbane,  the  son  of  William,  who  aspired  to  the  throne,  and  from  1180  maintained 
himself  in  Moray  and  Ross,  till  he  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Macgarvey  (1187).  There- 
after Harald,  presumably  in  right  of  his  wife,  laid  claim  to  that  region,  for  we  are 
informed  by  Roger  de  Hoveden,  chaplain  to  Henry  II.,  a  contemporary  chronicler: — 
"In  1 196,  William  King  of  Scots,  having  gathered  a  great  army,  entered  Moray  to  drive 
out  Harald  MacMadit,  who  had  occupied  that  district.  But  before  the  king  could  enter 
Caithness,  Harald  fled  to  his  ships,  not  wishing  to  risk  a  battle  with  the  king.  Then 
the  King  of  Scots  sent  his  army  to  Thurso,  the  town  of  the  aforesaid  Harald,  and 
destroyed  his  castle  there.  But  Harald,  seeing  that  the  king  would  completely  devastate 
the  country,  came  to  the  king's  feet  and  placed  himself  at  his  mercy,  chiefly  because  of 
a  raging  tempest  in  the  sea  and  the  wind  being  contrary  so  that  he  could  not  go  to  the 
Orkneys ;  and  he  promised  the  king  that  he  would  bring  to  him  all  his  enemies  when 
the  king  should  again  return  to  Moray.  On  that  condition  the  king  permitted  him  to 
retain  a  half  of  Caithness,  and  the  other  half  he  gave  to  Harald  the  Younger,  grandson 
of  Reginald,  a  former  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness.  Then  the  king  returned  to  his 
own  land  and  Harald  to  the  Orkneys.  The  king  returned  in  the  autumn  to  Moray,  as 
far  as  Invernairn,  in  order  to  receive  the  king's  enemies  from  Harald.  But,  though 
Harald  had  brought  them  as  far  as  the  port  of  Lochloy,  near  Invernairn,  he  allowed 
them  to  escape,  and  when  the  king  returned  late  from  hunting,  Harald  came  to  him, 
bringing  with  him  two  boys,  his  grandchildren,  to  deliver  them  to  the  king  as  hostages. 
Being  asked  by  the  king  where  were  the  king's  enemies  he  had  promised  to  deliver  up, 
and  where  was  Thorfinn,  his  son,  whom  he  had  also  promised  as  a  hostage,  he  replied  : 
'  I  allowed  them  to  escape,  knowing  that  if  I  delivered  them  up  to  you  they  would  not 
escape  out  of  your  hands.  My  son  I  could  not  bring,  for  there  is  no  other  heir  to  my 
lands. '  So,  because  he  had  not  kept  the  agreement  which  he  had  made  with  the  king, 
he  was  adjudged  to  remain  in  the  king's  custody  until  his  son  should  arrive  and  become 
a  hostage  for  him.  And,  because  he  had  permitted  the  king's  enemies  to  escape,  he  was 
also  adjudged  to  have  forfeited  those  lands  which  he  held  of  the  king.  The  king  took 
Harald  with  him  to  Edinburgh  Castle,  and  laid  him  in  chains  until  his  men  brought  his 
son  Thorfinn  from  the  Orkneys,  and  on  their  delivering  him  up  as  a  hostage  to  the  king, 
Harald  was  liberated." 

So  Harald  returned  to  Orkney,  and  there  remained  in  peace  and  quiet  until  Harald 
the  younger,  having  received  a  grant  of  half  of  the  Orkneys  from  Magnus  Erlinc 


78  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


the  King  of  Norway,  joined  himself  to  Sigurd  Murt  and  many  other  warriors,  and 
touching  at  Hjaltland  and  Caithness,  invaded  Orkney.  Harald  the  elder,  being  unwilling 
to  engage  with  him  in  battle,  left  the  Orkneys  and  fled  to  the  Isle  of  Man.  He  was 
followed  by  the  younger  Harald,  but  Harald  the  elder  had  left  Man  before  his  arrival 
there,  and  gone  by  another  way  to  the  Orkneys  with  his  fleet,  and  there  he  killed  all  the 
adherents  of  the  younger  Harald  whom  he  found  in  the  Islands.  The  latter  passed  to 
the  Scottish  court,  and  King  William  the  Lion  readily  embraced  his  interests,  granting 
him  the  half  of  Caithness  which  had  been  held  by  his  sainted  grandfather.  He  then 
hastened  on  to  Caithness,  where  he  had  many  noble  kinsmen,  to  collect  an  army.  Lifolf 
Skalli  commanded  his  troops.  Lifolf  had  married  his  sister  Ragnhild.  Young  Harald 
first  preferred  a  request  to  the  elder  Earl  Harald,  asking  the  cession  of  half  the  Isles,  but 
he  refused  absolutely  to  divide  his  dominions  on  any  condition,  and  upbraided  Lifolf. 
Both  then  prepared  for  war,  and  the  two  forces  met  in  Caithness  at  Wick, — or  as  some 
say  at  Clairdon — where  the  elder  Harald  obtained  a  decisive  victory.  When  ranged  in 
battle  array  Sigurd  and  Lifolf  each  led  one  wing  of  the  army  of  the  young  Harald,  and 
performed  prodigies  of  valour  before  falling.  Lifolf  behaved  most  valiantly  of  all.  The 
Caithness  men  say  he  broke  three  times  through  the  ranks  of  the  Islesmen  before  being 
slain,  after  having  gained  great  fame.  Young  Harald's  soldiers  then  fled,  and  he 
himself  was  wounded  to  the  death. 

"  Thus  fell  young  Harald,  as  of  old  fell  his  sires, 
And  the  bright  hall  of  heroes  bade  hail  to  his  spirit." 

He  fell  near  some  turf-pits,  and  that  very  night  a  bright  light  illuminated  the  place 
where  his  blood  stained  the  soil.  People  said  he  was  truly  a  saint,  and  a  church  was 
erected  on  the  spot.  He  was  buried  in  Caithness.  Innumerable  miracles  are  by  God 
granted  through  his  merits,  which  testify  that  he  wished  to  go  to  the  Orkneys  to  his 
kinsmen,  Earl  Magnus  and  Earl  Riignvald.  The  elder  Harald  subdued  all  Caithness, 
and  passed  in  triumph  to  the  Orkneys,  but  presently  went  to  King  William,  under  safe 
conduct  of  Roger  and  Reginald,  the  Bishops  of  St.  Andrew's  and  Rosemarkie,  and  took 
to  the  king  a  large  sum  in  gold  and  silver  for  the  redemption  of  his  lands  in  Caithness. 
The  king  said  he  would  restore  him  Caithness  if  he  would  divorce  Gormlath,  his  wife, 
the  daughter  of  Malcolm  MacHeth,  and  take  back  his  first  wife,  Afreka,  the  sister  of 
Duncan,  Earl  of  Fife,  and  deliver  up  to  him  as  hostages  Laurentius,  his  priest,  and 
Honaver,  the  son  of  Ingemund.  But  this  Harald  was  unwilling  to  do.  Therefore 
King  William  allowed  Reginald,  royalet  of  the  Hebudes,  to  purchase  from  him 
Caithness,  saving  the  king's  annual  tribute.  Rognvald's  grandmother  was  the  daughter 
of  Earl  Hakon  the  Imperious.  Rognvald  was  the  greatest  warrior  then  in  the  western 
lands,  and  for  three  years  had  slept  in  no  other  habitation  than  a  warship.  He  at  once 
collected  men  from  Kintyre  and  the  Hebudes,  and  being  supplied  with  auxiliaries  from 
Ireland  by  his  brother-in-law,  John  de  Courcy,  Lord  of  Ulster,  overran  Caithness,  but 
on  the  approach  of  winter  returned  to  the  Hebudes,  leaving  the  conquered  earldom  in 
charge  of  three  deputies — Mani  Olafsson,  Hrafn  the  Lawman,  and  Hlifolf  Alii.  Harald 
all  this  time  remained  in  the  Orkneys,  but  presently  sent  a  partisan  across,  who  slew 
Hlifolf.  Harald  followed  up  the  murder  by  crossing  himself.  Landing  at  Scrabster  he 
was  met  by  the  Bishop,  who  endeavoured  to  mollify  him,  but  Harald  had  a  special 
grudge  against  Bishop  Tohn,  which  added  to  his  rage  at  what  he  considered  the  defection 
of  his  Caithness  subjects.    The  Bishop  had  refused  to  collect  from  the  people  of  Caithness 


HARALD  II.,   28TH  EARL.  79 


a  tax  of  one  penny  annually  from  each  inhabited  house,  which  Earl  Harald  had  some 
years  previously  granted  to  the  papal  revenues.  Accordingly  he  stormed  the  "  borg  " 
at  Scrabster,  in  which  the  Bishop  and  the  principal  men  of  the  district  had  taken  refuge, 
and  in  this  evil  mood  slew  almost  all  who  were  in  it,  torturing  the  recalcitrant  Bishop, 
whom  he  caused  to  be  blinded  and  have  his  tongue  removed.  As  Bishop  John  recovered 
both  sight  and  speech  by  invoking  the  aid  of  the  holy  virgin  St.  Tredwell,  it  is 
presumed  the  torture  was  more  nominal  than  real.  Fordun  says  the  use  of  his  tongue 
and  of  one  eye  was  in  some  measure  left  him.  The  letter  of  Pope  Innocent,  addressed 
to  the  Bishop  of  Orkney,  prescribing  the  penance  to  be  performed  by  Lomberd,  the 
mutilator  of  the  Bishop,  only  mentions  the  cutting  out  of  the  tongue.  The  two  remain- 
ing deputies  of  King  Reginald  fled  to  the  King  of  Scots,  whose  first  act  was  to  take 
revenge  on  Harald's  son  Thorfinn.  He  was  blinded  and  castrated  after  the  barbarous 
manner  of  the  times,  and  died  miserably  in  the  dungeon  of  Roxburgh  Castle.  Thorfinn 
appears  on  record  as  early  as  about  1165.  In  the  Chartulary  of  Scone  there  is  a  document 
by  "Harald,  Earl  of  Orkney,"  Hetland,  and  Cataness,"  granting  to  the  monks  of  Scone  a 
mark  of  silver,  to  be  paid  annually  by  himself,  his  son  Turphin,  and  their  heirs. 
R  gnvald's  stewards  stayed  with  King  William  during  Advent,  and  were  able  to  give 
particular  intelligence  of  everything  that  happened  in  Caithness  during  Earl  Harald's 
stay  there.  The  king  was  highly  enraged  at  hearing  the  news,  but  he  said  he  would 
pay  back  double  to  those  who  had  lost  their  own.  The  first  day  they  stayed  with  the 
king  twenty-five  ells  of  cloth  and  an  English  mark  in  ready  money  was  given  to  each  of 
them.     They  spent  the  Yule-tide  with  the  king,  and  were  well  treated. 

After  Yule  the  king  sent  word  to  all  the  chiefs  in  his  kingdom,  and  collected  a  large 
army  throughout  the  country,  and  with  all  these  troops  he  went  down  to  Caithness 
against  Earl  Harald.  With  this  great  army  he  pursued  his  journey  till  he  came  to 
Eysteindal,  where  Caithness  and  Sutherland  meet.  The  camp  of  the  King  of  Scots 
stretched  far  along  the  valleys. 

Earl  Harald  was  in  Caithness  when  he  heard  the  news,  and  he  drew  troops  together 
immediately.  It  is  said  he  obtained  six  thousand  men,  and  yet  he  had  no  chance  to 
withstand  the  King  of  Scots.  Then  he  sent  men  to  him  to  sue  for  peace.  When  this 
request  was  brought  before  King  William,  he  said  it  was  no  use  asking  for  peace  unless 
he  had  every  fourth  penny  that  was  to  be  found  in  all  the  land  of  Caithness.  When  the 
Earl  received  this  message  he  called  together  the  inhabitants  and  chiefs,  and  consulted 
with  them.  As  they,  however,  had  no  means  of  resisting,  it  was  agreed  that  the 
Caithnessmen  should  pay  one-fourth  of  all  their  property  to  the  King  of  Scots,  except 
those  men  who  had  gone  to  see  the  King  in  winter.  Earl  Harald  went  out  to  the 
Orkneys,  and  was  to  have  Caithness,  as  he  held  it  before  King  William  bestowed  the 
half  on  Earl  Harald  the  Younger.  The  Caithness  toll  of  one-fourth  penny  amounted  to 
two  thousand  marks.      King  William  then  returned  to  Scotland. 

Harald  had  no  sooner  settled  matters  with  his  Scottish  suzerain  than  he  found 
himself  similarly  situated  with  his  other  suzerain,  the  reigning  King  of  Norway, 
which  kingdom  had  been  for  some  time  in  a  state  of  civil  war  over  the  succession, 
contended  for  by  two  factions — the  one  supporting  the  pretensions  of  King  Sverre,  who 
was  ultimately  successful,  and  the  other,  the  claims  of  Sigurd,  son  of  King  Magnus 
Erlingsson.  Many  men  of  noble  birth  in  the  Orkneys  joined  the  latter  party,  and  it 
was  very  strong.     They  were  for  a  while  called  the  Islanders  or  Goldenlegs.     They  met 


8o  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


in  battle  in  Fluruvogar,  when  Sigurd  was  slain,  as  also  Harald's  son-in-law  Olaf,  and 
John  Hallkelssou.  On  account  of  Harald's  complicity  with  the  enlisting  of  the  Orcadian 
legion  he  was  in  great  disfavour  with  King  Sverre,  and  was  obliged  to  present  himself 
before  that  monarch  in  Bergen.  He  went  from  Orkney  accompanied  by  Bishop  Bj ami. 
In  presence  of  a  great  assembly  in  Christ's  Kirk-garth,  the  Earl  confessed  his  fault, 
saying  that  he  was  now  an  old  man,  as  his  beard  bore  witness  ;  that  he  had  bent  the 
knee  before  many  kings,  sometimes  in  closest  friendship,  but  oftener  in  circumstances  of 
misfortune  ;  that  he  had  not  been  unfaithful  to  his  allegiance,  although  some  of  his 
people  might  have  done  that  which  was  contrary  to  the  king's  interests  ;  that  he 
had  not  been  able  to  rule  the  Orkneys  entirely  according  to  his  own  will,  and  that  he 
now  came  to  yield  up  himself  and  all  his  possessions  into  the  king's  power.  So  saying, 
he  advanced,  and  casting  himself  to  the  earth,  he  laid  his  head  at  King  Sverre's  feet. 
The  king  granted  him  pardon,  but  took  from  him  the  whole  of  Hjaltland,  which  was 
disunited  from  Orkney  until  re-granted  to  Earl  Henry  St.  Clair  in  1379.  It  was  also 
resolved  that  all  the  land-tax  and  fines  from  Orkney  and  Hjaltland  were  to  fall  to  the 
king  in  Norway  ;  and  the  king  set  his  bailiff,  by  name  Arne  L«">ria,  with  the  Earl  in 
Orkney,  and  Earl  Harald  durst  not  act  adversely  during  King  Sverre's  lifetime,  but 
straightway  after  his  death  he  caused  Arne  Loria  to  be  slain,  and  laid  Orkney  and 
Hjaltland  under  him  again,  with  all  scatts  and  dues  as  before.* 

Harald's  chequered  career  was  now  drawing  to  a  close.  He  died  in  1206  at  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-three,  having  been  Earl  for  twenty  years  jointly  with  Earl 
Rognvald  and  forty-eight  years  after  his  death.  Of  his  sons,  Henry  had  the  earldom  of 
Ross,  in  Scotland  ;  Hakon  is  surmised  to  have  fallen  with  Sweyn  Asleifsson  in  the 
Dublin  ambush  ;  Thorfinn  died  in  captivity  in  Roxburgh  Castle  after  being  mutilated  by 
King  William  the  Lion,  to  whom  he  had  been  surrendered  as  a  hostage  ;  another  son, 
Roderic,  is  mentioned  in  Balfour's  Annals  as  being  mortally  wounded  in  the  first 
passage-at-arms,  in  1196,  between  Harald  and  King  William  ;  and  the  other  two, 


DAVID  and  JOHN,  30TH  and  31ST  EARLS, 

succeeded  to  the  Earldoms  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  which  were  governed  jointly  for 
seven  years.  They  held  the  land  like  their  father  as  long  as  there  was  anarchy  in 
Norway  ;  but  when  advised  that  the  kings  were  reconciled,  they  sent  Bishop  Bjorn  to 
Norway.  He  found  King  Ingi  and  Earl  Hakon  in  Bergen,  to  whom  he  disclosed  the 
nature  of  his  mission,  and  undertook  that  the  earls  should  visit  Norway  the  summer 
following  to  adjust  matters.  Some  of  the  king's  officers  accompanied  the  Bishop  on  his 
homeward  trip  to  the  Orkneys,  and  he  returned  to  Norway  with  the  earls  next  summer, 
and  the  whole  business  was  left  by  them  to  the  goodwill  of  the  king  and  the  earl.  It 
resulted  in  the  Orcadian  earls  being  doomed  to  pay  a  large  sum  of  money  ;  and  they  had 
also  to  give  pledges  and  hostages,  and  swear  to  their  faithfulness  and  obedience  ;  but  at 
last  King  Ingi  made  them  his  earls  over  Orkney  and  Hjaltland  with  such  conditions  as 
were  afterwards  kept  until  their  deathday.  *  Seven  years  after  his  accession  Earl  David 
died  a  natural  death,  and  John  became  sole  earl.  He  usually  resided  in  the  Castle 
of  Brathwell,  or  Brawl,  in  Caithness. 

*  Orkn.  Saga,  Rolls'  trans. 


EARLS  DAVID  and  JOHN.  8r 

The  Earls  and  the  Bishops  of  Orcadia  seem  to  have  frequently  been  at  variance  with 
each  other.  We  find  John  becoming  embroiled  with  the  Bishop  of  Caithness,  one  Adam, 
a  foundling,  who  had  been  so  exacting  to  the  inhabitants  of  his  diocese  that  they  rose 
en  masse  and  proceeded  to  Halkirk,  where  he  resided,  demanding  an  abatement  of  his 
unjust  impositions,  but  without  success.  The  earl  was  in  the  neighbourhood,  but 
remained  neutral,  so  the  exasperated  populace  first  killed  the  episcopal  adviser,  one  Serlo, 
a  monk  of  Newbottle,  and  then,  notwithstanding  the  friendly  assurances  of  Hrafn  the 
Lawman,  burnt  the  Bishop  himself.  This  was  in  1222.  In  the  quaint  language  of 
Wynton,  it  is  related  thus  : — 

"  Hymself  bwndyn  and  wowndyt  syne, 

Thai  pwt  hym  in  hys  awyn  kychyne  ; 

In  thair  felny  and  thare  ire, 

Thare  thai  brynt  hym  in  a  fyre." 
King  Alexander  took  a  terrible  vengeance  for  this  crime.  The  perpetrators  were 
mangled  in  limb  and  tortured,  and  those  who  were  present,  to  the  number  of  eighty,  had 
their  hands  and  feet  hewn  off,  many  dying  in  consequence.  The  earl  was  also  heavily 
fined  and  deprived  of  Sutherland,  but  in  a  subsequent  interview  with  the  King  at 
Forfar  he  bought  back  his  lands.  Fordun  tells  us  that  King  William,  in  1214  [Alex., 
in  1224  ?],  made  a  treaty  of  peace  with  him  and  took  his  daughter  as  a  hostage. 

In  the  summer  of  1224  he  was  summoned  to  Norway  by  King  Hakon,  having  fallen 
under  suspicion  of  a  desire  to  aid  the  designs  of  Earl  Skule  against  Hakon 's  power  in 
Norway,  and,  after  a  conference  with  the  king  at  Bergen,  he  returned  to  Orkney, 
leaving  his  only  son,  Harald,  behind  him  as  a  hostage.  In  1226  Harald,  'the  hope 
of  Orkney,'  perished  at  sea,  presumably  on  the  homeward  voyage  to  the  Isles.  In  1231 
Olaf,  King  of  Man,  touched  at  Orkney,  and  Earl  John  presented  him  with  a  large  vessel 
called  the  "Bison."  The  same  year  John  became  involved  with  Hanef  Ungi,  a  com- 
missioner whom  Hakon  had  set  over  the  Orkneys,  Snaekoll  Gunnasson,  grandson 
of  Earl  Rognvald,  and  Aulver  Illteit,  who  suddenly  attacked  him  in  an  inn  at  Thurso, 
which  the}'  fired,  and  slew  him  in  the  cellar  before  he  had  time  to  conceal  himself.  His 
assailants  then  fled  for  refuge  to  the  castle  in  Weir  built  by  Kolbein  Hruga,  where  they 
were  promptly  besieged  by  the  earl's  friends,  principal  of  whom  was  Sigvald  Skralgi, 
who  was  allied  to  the  earl.  Sigvald  commenced  a  process  against  all  concerned  in  the 
deed,  and  King  Hakon  summoned  all  the  accessories  to  Norway.  Aulver,  Thorkel,  and 
Hrafn  were  imprisoned,  while  Hanef,  his  two  brothers  Andrew  and  Kolbein,  Snsekoll, 
Somerled,  and  Andrew,  the  son  of  Rolf  Keitling,  were  all  imprisoned  in  the  Castle 
of  Bergen.  Having  brought  the  perpetrators  to  justice,  Sigvald,  with  his  retinue,  which 
consisted  of  the  best  gentlemen  in  Orkney,  sailed  homewards,  but  the  ship  was  lost,  and 
all  on  board  perished,  and  Orkney  sustained  such  loss  thereby  as  was  not  recovered  for 
a  long  time  thereafter.  Hanef  wintered  at  Dyniarness,  in  Norway,  with  Paul  Vagashalm, 
and  next  spring  obtained  leave  from  King  Hakon  to  return  home,  but  being  driven  by  a 
storm  into  the  Fair  Isle,  died  there.  His  brother  Kolbein  died  in  Trondheim,  but 
Snsekoll,  son  of  Gunni,  continued  a  long  time  with  Earl  Skule  at  his  court,  and 
thereafter  at  King  Hakon's. 

Upon  the  failure  of  heirs-male  of  the  Athol  line  of  Earls,  the  Earldom  seems  to  have 
been  transmitted  to  the  Scottish  Earls  of  Angus. 

*Ork  Saga,  Roll's  trans. 


82 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY, 


THE   ANGUS    LINE.* 

32  Magnus  II 1231—1239 

33  Gilbride  1239— 

34  Gilbride  II —1256 

35  Magnus  III 1256—1273 

36  Magnus  IV 1273— 1284 

37  John  II 1284— 1310 

38  Magnus  V 1310— 1321 


Contemporary  Princes : 


Norway  : 

1207,  Hakon  V. 

1263,  Magnus  VI. 

1280, 

Eric  II. 

1299,  Hakon  VI. 

1319,  Magnus  VII.  (II 

of  Sweden) 

Scotland  : 

1213,  Alexander  II. 

1249,  Alexander  III. 

1286, 

Margaret. 

1292,  John. 

1295,  Interregnum. 

1306, 

Robert  Bruce 

England : 

1216,  Henry  III. 

1272,   Eiward  I. 

1306, 

Edward  II. 

Rome  : 

1227,  Gregory  IX. 

1241,  Celestin  IV. 

1243, 

Innocent  IV. 

1254,   Alex  IV. 

1261,  Urban  IV. 

1265, 

Clement  IV. 

1271,  Gregory  X. 

1276,   Innocent  V. 
f  Adrian  V. 

1277, 

Nicholas  III. 

1281,  Martin  IV. 

-JHonorius  IV., 
'John  XXI. 

1285. 

1288, 

Nicholas  IV. 

1294,  Celestin  V. 

1294,  Boniface  XIII. 

1303. 

Benedict  XI. 

1305,  Clement  V. 

1316,  John  XXII. 

Prelates  :t 

Orkney : 

1223,  Jofreyr. 
1284,  Dolgfinn. 

1247,  Henry. 
1310,  William  III. 

1270 

Peter. 

Caithness  : 

1223,  St.  Gilbert. 

1244,  William. 

1263 

Walter. 

1274,  Archibald. 

1279,  Alan. 

1291, 

Adam. 

ante 

1310,  Andrew. 

1310,  Ferquhard,  to  1328. 

MAGNUS    II.,  32Ni>  EARL. 

Magnus,  [second]  son  of  the  Earl  of  Angus,  appears  among  those  present  at  the 
perambulation  of  the  boundaries  of  the  lands  of  the  Abbey  of  Aberbrothock  on  the  16th 
January,  1222,  while  on  the  2nd  October,  1232,  he  appears  amongst  the  witnesses  to 
a  charter  of  King  Alexander  II.  to  the  chapel  of  St.  Nicholas  at  Spey  as  M.  Earl 
of  Angus  and  Kataness.  The  Kataness  would  be  North  Caithness  only,  as  about 
this  time  King  Alexander  II.,  of  Scotland,  erected  Sutherland,  or  the  southern  land 
of  Caithness,  into  a  separate  earldom  in  favour  of  William,  son  of  Hugh  Freskin,  who 
was  thus  first  of  the  Earls  of  Sutherland.  It  is  not  clear  how  Magnus  of  Angus 
inherited  the  Orkneys,  as,  on  the  death  of  his  predecessor,  there  seem  to  have  been 
many  who  had  prior  claims  to  the  earldom.  Forduu  credits  Earl  John  with  a  daughter, 
and  from  the  "  Orkneyinga  Saga  "  we  gather  that  he  had  five  sisters,  Helena,  Margaret, 


*  Ork.  Saga  ;  Barry  ;  Pope. 


t  See  Historiettes. 


MAGNUS  II.,  32ND  EARL.  83 


Gunnhild,  Herborg  and  Lauglif.  There  was  his  brother,  Earl  Henry  of  Ross,  and 
Sigvald  Skralgi  was  also  (of  kin)  allied  to  the  Earl.  Of  the  descendants  of  Ingigerd, 
heiress  of  St.  Rognvald,  young  Earl  Harald  had  fallen  in  battle  atClairdon,  and  his  brother 
Magnus  at  Sogn,  in  Norway,  with  King  Magnus,  while  of  the  third  son  of  Ingigerd, 
Rognvald,  we  have  no  further  account  than  that  he  accompanied  Harald  to  Norway 
to  receive  investiture.  The  daughters  of  Ingigerd  and  Eric  were  Ingibiorg,  Elin,  and 
Ragnhild.  The  last  was  married  first  to  Lifolf  Skalli,  who  fell  so  gloriously  at  Clairdon, 
and  afterwards  to  Gunni  Audresson,  by  whom  she  had  issue  Susekoll,  who,  by  the  claims 
preferred  against  Earl  John,  seems  to  have  been  the  sole  representative  of  his  grand- 
mother, the  Lady  Ingigerd.  As,  after  the  death  of  Earl  John,  in  1231,  Snsekoll  stayed 
some  time  at  the  Norwegian  court,  and  Magnus  was  Earl  of  Caithness  in  1232,  it  is  in 
the  highest  degree  improbable  that  Magnus  acquired  any  rights  to  Orkney  through  Snae- 
koll  or  Ingigerd.  He  must,  therefore,  have  heired  John  through  a  daughter  or  sister. 
It  is  thought  Earl  John  left  two  co-heiresses,  one  of  whom  transmitted  her  rights  to 
Magnus  of  Angus,  who  thus  acquired  one-half  of  Caithness  ;  and  the  other,  Johanna, 
who  possessed  Strathuaver  in  her  own  right,  and  died  before  1269,  leaving  by  her 
husband  Freskin,  Lord  of  Duffus,  two  co-heiresses,  Mary,  married  to  Sir  Reginald 
Cheyne,  and  Christian,  married  to  Sir  William  de  Federith,  and  each  of  these  had  a 
fourth  part  of  Caithness,  for  Sir  William  de  Federith  resigns  his  fourth  part  to  Sir 
Reginald  Cheyne,  who  then  appears  in  possession  of  one-half  of  Caithness,  the  other 
half  being  held  by  Magnus  of  Angus,  Earl  of  Caithness  and  Orkney.  In  the  time 
of  Magnus  the  Second  a  Jewish, ship  was  lost  in  the  Orkneys.  The  Iceland  Annals 
record  the  death  of  Earl  Magnus  as  occurring  in  1239.  From  the  Diploma  of  the 
succession  of  the  Earls  of  Orkney  we  learn  that  he  was  succeeded  by 


GILBRIDE,  33RD    EARL, 
who  sent  ambassadors  to  King  Hakou  regarding  the  commotions  in  the  Isles.     He  was 
succeeded  by  his  son 

GILBRIDE  II.,  34TH  EARL, 
who    held    both    the    earldoms   of  Orkney   and    that    of  Caithness,    in    Scotland.       The 
Iceland    Annals,    however,    only   notice   one  Gilbride,    whom    they    call   Gibbon,    Earl 
of  Orkney.      His  death  is  placed  in  the  year  1256.     According  to  the  Diploma,  Gilbride 
II.  had  a  daughter,  Matilda,  and  one  son,  his  successor. 

MAGNUS   III.,   35TH  EARL. 

This  earl  is  mentioned  in  the  Saga  of  King  Hakon  as  accompanying  the  ill-fated 
expedition  of  that  monarch  against  Scotland  in  1 263  :  "  With  King  Hakon  from  Bergen 
went  Magnus,  Earl  of  Orkney,  and  the  king  gave  him  a  good  long-ship."  The  full 
account  of  Hakon's  disastrous  expedition  and  the  pathetic  circumstances  of  his  death  are 
dealt  with  further  on. 

It  is  mentioned  that  Earl  Magnus  III.  entered  into  a  contract  of  privileges  with 
King  Magnus  VI.  of  Norway.  He  died  in  1273,  leaving  two  sous  who  successively 
succeeded  him. 


84  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 

MAGNUS  IV.,  36TH  EARL, 
was  the  eldest  of  these,  who,  after  he  had  enjoyed  his  father's  fortune  for  the  space  of 
two  years,  was,  on  the  festival  of  St.  Olaf,  formally  created  an  earl  by  King  Magnus  of 
Norway.  The  Icelandic  Annals  have  the  entry  under  the  year  1276:  "Magnus,  King 
of  Norway,  gave  to  Magnus,  son  of  Earl  Magnus  of  Orkney,  the  title  of  earl  at 
Tunsberg. "  He  also  appears  as  Earl  of  Orkney  in  the  document  dated  5th  of  February, 
1283,  declaring  Margaret,  the  Maiden  of  Norway,  the  nearest  heir  to  the  Scottish 
throne.  The  Annals  record  this  earl  as  dying  in  1284  along  with  Bishop  Peter  of 
Orkney  and  Sturla  the  Lawman.  The  Diploma  states  that  he  died  without  issue,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  brother  John  in  the  earldoms  of  Orkney  and  Caithness. 


JOHN    II.,    37TH    EARL. 
As  Earl  of  Caithness,  he  appears  in    1289  as  one  of  the  signatories  to  the  letter 
addressed  by  the  Scottish  nobles  to  King  Edward  of  England,  proposing  that  the  young 
Prince  Edward  of  Wales  should  marry  Margaret,  the  Maid  of  Norway.     She  died  at  sea 
off  the  Orcadian  coast  on  her  way  to  Scotland  in  1290. 

"  The  north  wind  sobs  where  Margaret  sleeps, 
And  still  in  tears  of  blood  her  memory  Scotland  steeps."* 

Her  remains  were  returned  to  Norway  in  charge  of  Bishop  Audfinn  and  Herr  Thore 

Hakonsson,  whose  wife,  Ingibiorg,  daughter  of  Erling,  was  lady-in-waiting  to  Margaret. 

On  1st  September,  1290,  a  payment  appears  in  the  Wardrobe  Rolls  of  King  Edward  I.  to 

Wm.  Playfair,  messenger  to  the  Earl  of  Orkney,  who  brought  letters  to  our  Lord  the  King 

on  the  part  of  Lord  John  Comyn  concerning  the  reported  arrival  of  the  Scottish  princess  in 

Orkney — by  gift  of  the  king  xiii.  sh.  4d.     Two  messengers  were  thereon  sent  to  Wick, 

which  they  reached  on  the  4th  October  of  that  year.      On  the   1 3th  May  of  the  following 

year,   1291,  Earl  John  of  Orkney  had  a   safe  conduct  to  come  to  King  Edward  till  the 

24th  June,  when  the  earl  would  doubtless  communicate  to  the  king  all  that  he  knew  of 

the  princess'  death.     The  earl's  name  appears  in  the  list  of  those  summoned  to  attend 

the  first  Parliament   of  Baliol,    and    he   swore  fealty   to   King   Edward    at  Murkle,   in 

Caithness,  in  1297.     The  seal  which  is  affixed  to  the  writ  bears  the  earl's  coat  of  arms,  ■ 

which  was  a  ship  with  a  tressure  of  flower-de-luce  around  it.     In   1293  King  Erick  of 

Norway  had  married  Isabel,  daughter  of  Robert  Bruce,  Earl  of  Carrick,  who,  in  1297, 

bore  him  a  daughter,  Ingibiorg,  to  whom  Earl  John  was  betrothed   in   1299,  and  from 

which  we  assume  he  had  gone  to  Norway  about  that  time.    Although  Ingibiorg  was  only 

two  years  old,  it  was  not  unusual  in  those  times  to  have  such  a  disparity  of  ages  at  the 

time   of  the   betrothal,   for   we   find    King   Hakon   a   few   years   later    contracting   his 

daughter — an  infant  of  one  year — to  a  full-grown  nobleman. 

In  131 1  Ingibiorg  of  Norway  was  betrothed  anew,  and  Earl  John  must  have  died 

before  131 2,  when  his  successor  appears  on  record. 

MAGNUS   V.,    38TH   EARL. 

It  was  in  Earl   Magnus'    time,   and   presumably  in   his   favour,   that   the    King  of 
Norway  restricted  the  title  of  earl  to  the  king's  sons  and  the  Earl  of  Orkney.     King 

*  Miss  Holford. 


MAGNUS  V.,  38TH   EARL. 


Hakou  V.  had  appropriated  the  revenue  in  1309,  during  Magnus'  minority,  and  a  new 
treaty  was  entered  into  (1312)  between  Robert  the  Bruce  and  Hakon  V.  to  restore  peace, 
when  Scottish  pirates  seized  and  held  to  ransom  Sir  Beruer  Pess,  the  Norwegian 
Governor  of  the  Islands  during  the  earl's  nonage,  and  Orkney  had  retaliated  by  a  similar 
outrage  upon  Patrick  of  Mowat,  a  Scot — perhaps  the  first  introduction  of  two  names  now 
common  in  the  Islands.* 

Magnus  V.  appears  at  Inverness  on  the  28th  October,  1312,  with  Ferquhard,  Bishop 
of  Caithness,  witnessing  the  confirmation  by  King  Robert  I.  and  Hakou  V.  of  the  prior 
treaty  executed  at  Perth,  6th  July,  1266  between  Alex.  III.  and  Magnus  IV. ,  the  son  of 
the  unfortunate  Hakon,  by  which  the  kings  of  Norway  ceded  forever  the  Isle  of  Man 
and  all  the  other  islands  of  the  Sudreys,  and  all  the  islands  in  the  west  and  south  of  the 
great  Haf,  except  the  Isles  of  Orkney  and  Hjaltland,  which  were  specially  reserved  to 
Norway.  In  consideration  of  this  the  King  of  Scotland  became  bound  to  pay  to  the 
King  of  Norway  and  his  heirs  for  ever  an  annual  sum  of  100  merks,  within  St.  Magnus' 
Church,  in  addition  to  a  payment  of  4,000  merks  to  be  paid  within  the  space  of  four 
years. 

The  Earl  of  Orkney  was  not  present  at  the  Battle  of  Baunockburn,  fought  on  St. 
John's  Day,  1314,  but  it  is  stated  that  Halcro  of  that  Ilk,  of  an  ancient  and  brave  family 
still  extant,  commanded  three  hundred  men  and  fought  like  a  hero.  He  afterwards 
returned  to  Orkney  with  great  honour,  in  commemoration  of  which  there  is  yearly,  on 
St.  John  the  Baptist's  Day,  a  bonfire  at  every  farm-steading  in  Orkney,  when  all  the 
Islands  and  mainland  appear  as  if  in  a  cloud  of  smoke,  t 

It  is  reported  that  the  night  before  the  victory  two  men  came  to  Glassumber 
(Glastonbury),  and  desired  lodging  of  the  abbot  that  night,  for  they  intended  on  the 
morrow,  said  they,  to  goe  help  the  Scots.  The  abbot  entertained  them  kindly,  and 
rising  in  the  morning  next  day  to  visit  the  guests,  and  finding  none  in  the  cloister,  but 
the  beds  remaining  untouched,  he  rnerveiled  greatly,  and  who  they  should  be  he  could 
not  imagine,  except  they  were  angels.  It  is  also  reported  that  the  same  day  the  victory 
was  obtained,  a  knight  in  glittering  armour  came  riding  through  Aberdeen,  signifying 
the  great  victory  of  the  Scots,  and  one  on  horseback  crossed  Petlaud  Firth — which 
divideth  Orkney  from  the  rest  of  the  land — whom  they  supposed  to  be  St.  Magnus  oi 
Orkney,  sometime  prince.  }  In  recognition  of  the  saintly  support,  King  Robert  endowed 
the  church  of  Orkney  with  five  pounds  annually,  out  of  the  customs  of  Aberdeen, 
to  purchase  bread,  wine,  and  wax  for  the  use  of  the  abbey. S  In  1320,  he,  Earl  Magnus, 
subscribed  the  famous  letter  to  the  Pope,  asserting  the  independence  of  Scotland.  Next 
year  Earl  Magnus  must  have  been  dead,  for  Caithness  is  governed  by  Henry  St.  Clair 
as  "  ballivus  "  for  the  King  of  Scotland,  and  Orkney  by  a  "  ballivus  "  representing  the 
Norwegian  king.  In  1329  his  relict  Katherine  executes  two  charters  in  viduitate  by 
which  she,  as  Countess  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  purchases  from  Herr  Erlhig  Yidkunnsson, 
the  Lord  High  Steward,  certain  lands  in  Rognvaldsey,  including  the  Petland  Skerries. 
In  one  of  these  documents  she  speaks  of  Earl  John,  as  he  from  whom  her  husband  had 
inherited  his  possessions,  which  he  left  to  her,  thus  corroborating  the  statement  of  the 
Diploma  that  Magnus  was  the  son  of  John. 

*  Balfour's  Memorial.  t  Pope.  J  Hay.  I  White's  Baunockburn. 


86 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


THE   STRATHERNE    LINE. 


MALISE  L,  39TH  EARL. 


1333- 


1272.— M.   [The  Heiress  of  Orkney.] 

Johanna,  d.  of  Sir  John  de  Menteith. 


Norway : 
1319,  Magnus  VII. 


Princes  Contemporaneous 

Scotland: 
1306,  Robert  I. 
1330,  David  II. 


Rome  : 
1316,  John  XXII. 


Prelates  :f 


Orkney:        1310,  William  III. 
Caithness  :  1310,  Ferquhard. 


1328,  William  IV 
1332,  Nicholas. 


Upon  the  death  of  Magnus  V.,  without  male  issue,  the  Orcadian  succession  opened 
up  to  heirs  female,  and  although  Simon  Fraser  (who  fell  at  Halidon  Hill,  1333)  and 
Margaret,  his  spouse,  are  named  in  1330  as  having  inherited  half  of  Magnus'  Caithness 
possessions,  the  other  half  and  the  earldoms  of  Orkney  and  Caithness  passed  by  lineal 
succession  undisputed  to  the  House  of  Stratherne — Scottish  Earls  Palatine  of  an  ancient 
Celtic  stock. 

In  the  absence  of  explicit  information  from  contemporary  sources,  the  way  in  which 
the  Stratherne  Line  acquired  the  right  to  Orkney  is  at  present  matter  of  conjecture. 
According  to  the  Diploma  of  the  succession  of  the  Earls  of  Orkney,  Gilbride  II.  had 
issue  besides  his  son  and  successor,  a  daughter  Matilda,  contemporary  with  Malise  III.  of 
Stratherne,  and  she  may  have  been  his  first  Countess.  In  1292  Maria,  Queen-Dowager 
of  Man,  appears  as  Comitissa  de  Stratherne  in  the  presence  of  Malise  III.,;  and  in  1293  he 
enters  into  a  marriage  contract  of  his  daughter  Matilda  (then  not  yet  in  her  20th  year) 
with  Robert  de  Thony.  Thus  Malise  III.  may  have  married  first  the  Lady  Matilda  of 
Orkney,  and  by  her  had  issue  the  daughter  Matilda  and  his  successor  Malise  IV.  of 
Stratherne,  and  on  her  decease  married  Maria,  relict  of  Reginald,  King  of  Man,  he  having 
died  in  1269. 

Malise  I.  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  and  IV.  of  Stratherne,  fought  under  the  banners 
of  Bruce  in  13 10,  and  took  prisoner  his  father  Malise  III.  From  a  charter  of  confirmation 
by  King  Robert  Bruce  (1306- 1329)  of  the  lands  of  Kingkell,  Brechin  to  Maria  (Marjorie?) 
de  Stratherne,  wife  of  Malise  de  Stratherne,  as  the  title  is  not  accorded  to  either  of  them, 


Ork.  Saga  ;  Barry. 


t  See  Historiettes. 


%  Nisbet ;  Ragman  Roll. 


MALISE  I.,  39TH  EARL.  87 


it  appears  that  Malise  I.  of  Orkney  was  then  in  apparency  only  to  Stratherne,  yet  {semble) 
the  same  Maria  figures  as  Countess  of  Stratherne  when  involved  in  the  Brechin-Soulis  con- 
spiracy of  1320,  thus  Malise  III.  of  Stratherne  must  have  died  before  that  date. 

Soon  after  1319  Malise  IV.  of  Stratherne  confirms  the  grant  of  his  father,  Earl  Malise, 
to  Sir  John  Murray  and  Mary,  daughter  of  Malise  III.*  In  1320  he  is  one  of  the  Scottish 
patriot  nobles  who  sign  the  letter  to  Pope  John. 

In  all  probability  Malise  IV.  of  Stratherne  married  a  sister  of  Magnus  V. ,  and 
enjoyed  the  Orcadian  Earldom  jure  uxor  is  without  question,  as  no  formal  investiture 
seems  either  to  have  been  sought  for  or  obtained.  A  claim,  however,  was  made  for  this 
purpose  by  one  Malise — probably  the  Master  of  Orkney — and  a  caveat  entered  to  secure 
the  revenues  in  the  country  till  he  had  time  to  take  the  steps  that  were  necessary  for 
obtaining  what  he  considered  his  right,  t  In  Dean  Gule's  translation  of  the  Diploma  it  is 
recited  :  "  Heirfor  the  said  Lord  and  Erile  (Wilzem  of  Sanct  Clare)  supponit  that  it  was 
well  knawin  till  us  how  oure  supreme  Lord  Mawnis,  maist  illustre  King  of  Norwege,  hed 
derectit  till  wmquhill  our  predecessors  his  patent  letters  for  his  progenitor  Earle  Malisius, 
exhortand  thame  and  chargand  them  to  deliver  to  the  said  Malisius  Erile,  all  charters, 
evidens,  and  letters  of  previledge  pertinent  to  hyme  concerneut  the  Erildome  of 
Orchadie. " 

The  preceding  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  Magnus  V.,  was  alive  in  1320,  for 
on  the  6th  April  of  that  year  he  subscribed  the  letter  to  Pope  John.  It  seems  as  if  he 
had  been  dead  in  1321,  for  in  a  document  addressed  by  King  Robert  Bruce  to  the 
"ballivi"  of  the  King  of  Norway  in  Orkney,  dated  at  Cullen  4th  August,  132 1,  he  com- 
plains that  Alexander  Brun,  "the  king's  enemy,"  convicted  of  Use  majestahs,  had  been 
received  into  Orkney,  and  had  been  refused  to  be  given  up,  though  instantly  demanded 
"  by  our  ballivus  in  Caithness,  Henry  St.  Clair."  He  was  certainly  dead  in  1329,  for 
in  that  year  his  dowager  Katherine  executes  two  charters  as  Countess  of  Orkney  and 
Caithness  in  viduitate. 

William  III.,  the  Orcadian  bishop,  was  in  conflict  with  his  metropolitan  about  this 
time.  He  was  suspended  by  the  Archbishop  in  1321,  but  was  evidently  soon  restored  to 
favour,  for  in  1324  we  find  him  assisting  at  the  consecration  of  Laurentius,  Bishop  of 
Hole.  By  a  deed  dated  at  Bergen  9th  September,  1327,  he  mortgages  his  dues  of  Hjalt- 
land  to  his  metropolitan,  Eilif,  Archbishop  of  Nidaros,  for  the  payment  of  1S6  marks, 
which  he  should  have  paid  the  Archbishop  for  six  years  teinds.  By  another  document  of 
the  same  year,  Bishop  Audfinn  requests  Bishop  William  of  Orkney  to  assist  his  priest 
Ivar  in  the  collection  of  sunntve  mid,  a  contribution  which  the  inhabitants  of  Hjaltland 
had  paid  from  old  time  to  the  shrine  of  St.  Sunniva  at  Bergen.  The  exact  date  of  this 
prelate's  death  has  not  been  ascertained,  but  William  IV.,  the  ninth  bishop,  succeeded 
him  soon  after  the  year  1328. 

In  1 33 1  Earl  Malise  possessed  the  fourth  part  of  Caithness,  as  appears  from  an  entry 
in  the  Chamberlain  Rolls  in  that  year,  another  fourth  part  being  in  the  possession  of 
Simon  Eraser  and  Margaret,  his  spouse,  thus  accounting  for  the  half  of  Caithness  which 
had  belonged  to  Magnus  V.,  and  showing  that  on  his  death  his  possessions  devolved 
upon  two  heirs-female.  Simon  Fraser  and  his  brother-in-law  Malise,  Earl  of  Orkney, 
Caithness  and  Stratherne,  both  perished  at  the  battle  of  Halidou  Hill,  nth  July,  1333,  in 
which  battle  the  earl  was  one  of  the  three  leaders  of  the  third  division  of  the  Scottish  army. 
*  Nisbet.  t  Barry. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


Considerable  confusion  exists  as  to  the  dates  of  succession  and  mariages  of  the  four 
last  Earls  of  Stratherne,  who  were  all  of  the  name  of  Malise.  There  is  record  of  a  Charter 
of  Confirmation  by  Bruce  of  a  charter  [in  1323],  by  Malise,  Earl  of  Stratherne,  to  Johanna, 
daughter  of  the  late  Sir  J.  de  Menteith,  knt.,  spouse  of  the  same  earl,  of  the  lands  of 
Cortachie,  in  the  shire  of  Forfar,  of  Glenlitherner,  Dalkeith,  and  half  of  Urkwell,  in  the 
earldom  of  Stratherne.  From  this  notice  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  Malise  was  not  as  yet 
Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness.  Sir  John  Menteith  signed  the  letter  to  the  Pope  in  1320, 
and  is  then  described  as  '  guardian  '  of  the  earldom  of  Menteith.  He  last  appears  in  1329 
during  the  minority  of  David  Bruce,  one  of  whose  charters  he  attested.  He  had  been 
created  Earl  of  Lennox  by  Edward  I.  of  England,  which  he  abandoned  in  1306 ;  it  is  also 
stated  that  the  same  monarch  created  him  Earl  of  Athol,  and  it  is  thus  probable  that  his 
daughter  succeeded  to  that  dignity  in  her  own  right.  She  is  the  Johanna  de  Stratherne 
noted  as  having  married  (1)  Malise  IV.   of  Stratherne,  I.  of  Orkney   and   Caithness; 

(2)  John    Campbell,   Earl  of  Athol  [jure  uxoris],   who    fell    at   Halidon    Hill   in    1333  ; 

(3)  John  de  Warrenne,  Earl  of  Warren  and  Surrey,  born  1286,  married  first  to  Joan, 
daughter  of  the  Count  de  Bar,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue,  and  from  whom  in  13 15  he 
obtained  a  divorce  on  the  ground  of  a  pre-contract  of  marriage  with  one  Maud  de 
Nereford,  whom,  however,  he  did  not  marry.* 

When  Malise,  next  Earl  of  Stratherne  and  Orkney,  was  forfeited  by  the  English 
party  for  supporting  Edward  Balliol,  King  Edward  III.  of  England  created  [the  Earl's  step- 
father], John  de  Warrenne,  Earl  of  Stratherne  anterior  to  the  2nd  March,  1334,  from  which 
we  infer  that  the  Earl  of  Surrey  married  Johanna  de  Stratherne  almost  immediately  after 
the  death  of  her  second  husband,  the  Earl  of  Athol.  There  must  have  been  an  annulment 
before  July,  1339,  when  Benedict  II.  granted  the  Papal  dispensation  for  the  marriage  of 
Maurice  de  Moravia  with  Johanna,  widow  of  John,  Earl  of  Athole,  styling  her 
therein  Countess  of  Stratherne.  Maurice  de  Moravia  was  related  in  the  third  degree  to 
the  said  John,  Earl  of  Athol,  hence  the  dispensation.  He  was  created  Earl  of  Stratherne 
on  the  31st  October,  1345,  and  fell  at  the  Battle  of  Durham  in  1346.  The  Earl  of  Surrey 
died  s.p.l.  in  1347  at  the  age  of  61.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  marriages  of  Johanna 
with  (2)  John,  Earl  of  Athol.  and  (4)  Maurice  de  Moray  were  during  the  Earl  of  Surrey's 
life,  the  latter  marriage  at  least  serving  to  establish  the  fact  of  a  divorce  having  been 
procured  from  John,  Earl  de  Warrenne,  Surrey  and  Stratherne.  About  1330  she  executed 
a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Gellow  in  Cortachy,  in  which  she  refers  to  her  father  as 
deceased.  In  the  Athol  charter-room  is  a  charter  granted  by  her  nephew  John  de 
Menteith,  sheriff  of  Clackmannanshire,  by  which  it  is  ascertained  that  some  time  before 
1352  she  wedded  (5)  William,  Earl  of  Sutherland. 

She  executed  a  charter  during  one  of  her  terms  of  widowhood  in  favour  of  Robert  of 
Erskine  and  his  wife,  Christian  of  Keith,  her  cousin,  which  is  confirmed  in  1361  by 
Robert,  Steward  of  Scotland,  and  Earl  of  Stratherne.  Christian  of  Keith  was  the  only 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Menteith,  by  Elyne,  daughter  of  Gratney,  Earl  of  Mar.  Christian 
Menteith  married  first  Sir  Edward  Keith,  by  whom  she  had  Janet  Keith,  and  second 
Sir  Robert  Erskine,  by  whom  she  had  no  issue  ;  but  a  marriage  was  arranged  between 
Thomas,  the  eldest  son  of  a  previous  marriage  of  Sir  Robert,  and  Janet  Keith,  the  repre- 
sentatives of  which  marriage  now  enjoy  the  Earldom  of  Mar  as  heirs  of  Elyne,  wife  of 
Sir  John  Menteith.     The  Countess  of  Stratherne  in  the  foregoing  charter  could  not  have 

*  History  of  Westminster. 


MALISE  I.,  39TH  EARL. 


89 


been  the  daughter  of  Sir  John  Menteith,  who  married  the  Earl  of  Stratherne,  as  in  that 
case  she  would  have  been  in  the  relationship  of  sister  to  Christian  of  Keith.  It  is  there- 
fore more  likely  that  she  was  the  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Menteith  mentioned  in  the 
Diploma  as  married  to  the  last  Earl  of  Stratherne,  whom  she  predeceased. 

There  are  several  notices  in  Scottish  record  publications  of  Countesses  of  Stratherne, 
but  it  is  almost  impossible  to  identify  the  particular  individual  meant.  Thus  notices 
between  1339-61  may  refer  to  the  much-married  Johanna  de  Menteith,  to  Marjory  of 
Ross,  or  to  Euphemia  of  Ross,  afterwards  Queen  of  Scotland. 


go  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


THE   STRATHERNE   LINE.— Continued.' 


MALISE   II.,   40TH   EARL. 

1333—1345- 

Born  c.  1300. — M.  1.  D.  of  the  Earl  of  Menteith. 

2.  Marjory,  d.  of  Hugh,  Earl  of  Ross. 

Princes  Contemporaneous. 

Norway  :  Sweden  :  Scotland  :  England  : 

1319,   Magnus  VII.  1319,  Magnus  II.  1330,   David  II.  1330,  Edward  III. 

Rome  :  1334,  Benedict  XII.  1342,  Clement  VI. 

Prelates.! 

Orkney  :       1328,  William  IV.  to  1382. 

Caithness  :  1332,  Nicholas.  1340,  David.  1341,  Alan.  1342,  Thomas  de  Fingask. 

At  a  time  when  the  highest  Scottish  dignity  was  that  of  earl,  and  limited  to  some  ten 
earldoms,  this  earl  united  in  his  person  the  three  ancient  dignities  of  Orkney,  Caithness, 
and  Stratherne,  and  we  have  seen  that  in  the  lifetime  of  his  father  when  in  apparency 
only  he  had  lodged  a  caveat  to  secure  the  Orcadian  revenues. 

Upon  the  death  of  Andrew  Murray  at  Duplin  in  1332,  his  son  Sir  William  Murray  of 
Tullibardine  had  a  charter  from  his  superior  Malise,  then  Earl  of  Stratherne,  of  his  estate 
of  Tullibardine  on  the  resignation  of  Adda,  grandmother  of  Sir  William.  To  this  deed 
Sir  William  de  Montefixo,  justicarius  Scotiae  ex  parte  borealis  aquae  de  Forth,  is  a  witness  ; 
he  executed  that  office  in  1335.! 

There  is  in  the  Scottish  Chamberlain  Rolls  of  1340  an  entry  in  regard  to  a  payment 
by  John  More  for  the  lands  of  Berridale  in  Caithness,  which,  he  says,  he  acquired  from 
the  Earl  of  Stratherne,  and  had  confirmed  by  the  king.  There  is  no  record  of  the  move- 
ments of  Malise,  but  we  learn  incidentally  that  he  had  betaken  himself  to  his  northern 
possessions  upon  the  forfeiture  of  the  Earldom  of  Stratherne  by  his  father,  which  was 
thereon  given  by  Edward  III.  to  John  de  Warrenne,  Earl  of  Warrenne  and  Surrey,  [step- 
father to  Malise].  He  appears  to  have  made  an  effort  in  1334  to  recover  the  Earldom  of 
Stratherne.  In  that  year  Edward  III.,  by  a  letter  dated  the  2nd  March,  directed  Henry 
de  Beaumont,  Earl  of  Buchan,  not  to  allow  any  process  to  be  made  before  him  respecting 
the  earldom  forfeited  for  treason  by  Earl  Malise.  He  also  wrote  a  letter  of  the  same  date 
to  Edward  Balliol,  stating  that  he  had  heard  that  Malise,  Earl  of  Stratherne,  claimed 
the  county  of  Stratherne,  which  he  had  granted  to  John  de  Warrenne,  Earl  of  Surrey, 
and  requesting  him  to  act  with  deliberation. 

*  Orkn.  Saga  and  Barry.  f  See  Historiettes.  i  Nisbet. 


MALISE  II.,  40TH  EARL.  91 


The  next  appearance  of  Malise  the  Second  is  at  Inverness,  when  by  document  dated 
28th  May,  1344,  he  grants  to  William,  Earl  of  Ross,  the  marriage  of  his  daughter 
Isabella,  securing  to  her  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  on  failure  of  heirs-male  to  himself  and 
his  wife  Marjory,  sister  of  the  said  William.  William  succeeded  his  father  Hugh,  who 
was  slain  at  Halidon  Hill  in  1333,  but  it  is  stated  that  he  was  not  confirmed  in  the 
earldom  for  three  years  on  account  of  his  absence  in  Norway.  Thus  it  seems  that  Earl 
Malise  must  have  passed  over  to  Norway  about  the  same  period,  in  all  likelihood  to 
obtain  investiture  of  the  Earldom  of  Orkney  from  Magnus  the  Norwegian  king,  and 
William,  Earl  of  Ross,  may  have  accompanied  his  brother-in-law. 

The  Diploma  states  that  Malise  was  first  married  to  Joanna,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of 
Menteith,  and  that  by  her  he  had  a  daughter  Matilda,  married  to  Weyland  de  Ard.  The 
Diploma  further  states  that  Malise  was  married  a  second  time  to  a  daughter  of  Hugh, 
Earl  of  Ross.  From  the  deed  of  1344  we  find  the  name  of  Malise'  then  wife  was 
Marjory.  In  a  deed  of  1350,  William,  Earl  of  Ross,  styles  his  sister  Marjory,  Countess  of 
Caithness  and  Orkney,  and  with  her  consent  appoints  his  brother  Hugh  his  heir  in  the 
event  of  his  own  death  without  male  issue.  From  this  it  would  appear  that  Malise  was  then 
dead.  It  is  likely  he  died  before  31st  October,  1345,  when  his  cousin  Sir  Maurice  Moray 
was  created  Earl  of  Stratherne.  He  must  have  been  dead  before  1353,  when  his  son-in-law 
ErengisleSunesson  obtained  the  title  of  Earl  of  Orkney  from  the  King  of  Norway  ;  and  he 
is  mentioned  as  dead  in  1357  and  1358,  and  the  Earl  of  Ross  is  then  said  to  have  entered 
to  his  lands  in  Caithness.  While  Malise  was  in  Norway  and  Sweden  two  of  his  daughters 
had  been  married  to  Swedish  noblemen,  and  from  the  Diploma  we  ascertain  he  had  issue 
by  his  first  wife,  the  Menteith,  one  daughter,  and  by  his  second  wife  Marjory  four 
daughters  : — 

1.  Matilda,  married  Weyland  de  Arde,  and  had  issue  : 

Alex,  de  la  Ard,  Governor  and  Commissioner  of  Orkney,  1375,  died  s.p. 

2.  Isabella,  married  William  St.  Clair,  Lord  of  Roslin.     Issue  : 

Henry,  42nd  Earl  of  Orkney,  fl.  1379 — 1404. 
David  St.  Clair,  of  Newburgh,  mentioned  in  1391. 

3.  AnnoT,  or  MERETTA,  married  Erengisley.w.,  41st  Earl  of  Orkney,  1353. 

4.  A  daughter  married  Gothorm  Sperra.     Issue  : 

Sir  Malise  Sper,  Lord  of  Skuldale,  slain  1389,  s.p. 

5.  [Euphemia],  a  daughter  died  unmarried. 


92  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


ERENGISLE,  41ST  EARL.* 
I353—I357- 

Born  c.  1310 — M.  1  Meretta. 

2  Lady  Annot  of  Orkney. 

Princes  Contemporaneous : 

Norway.  Sweden.  Rome. 

1343,  Hakon  VI.  1350,   Eric  IV.  1352,   Innocent  VI. 

Prelates  :t 

Orkney  :  1328,  William  IV.  Caithness  :  1342,  Thomas. 

The  41st  Earl  of  Orkney  was  a  Swedish  noble,  the  son  of  Sune  Jonsson,  grandson 
of  Brynjolf,  a  Norwegian  baron  who  had  accompanied  King  Hakon  on  his  disastrous 
trip  to  the  West.  As  early  as  1337  we  find  Erengisle  entrusted  with  the  important 
duties  of  Lawman  of  Tisherad,  in  his  native  realm. 

While  his  predecessor,  the  40th  earl,  Malise  the  Second,  was  in  Norway  and  Sweden 
[I333"I336],  he  had  effected  the  marriage  of  two  of  his  daughters  ;  Erengisle  espousing 
the  Lady  Annot  de  Stratherne,  and  Guttorm  Sperra  (whose  son  Malise  hereafter  figures 
as  Dominus  de  SkuldahX)  espousing  her  sister. 

On  the  death  of  Malise  the  Second,  or  shortly  thereafter,  Erengisle  claimed  his  wife's 
share  of  the  earldom.  In  the  year  1353  we  find  him  executing  a  deed  on  the  10th  April 
as  plain  Erengisle  Sunesson,  and  on  the  6th  May  following  his  signature  appears  to  a 
document  drawn  up  at  Yagahuus  concerning  the  Queen's  dowry,  occupying  the  foremost 
place  among  the  nobles  of  Norway,  and  with  the  title  of  the  Earl  of  Orkney.  The 
Diploma  informs  us  that  he  resided  in  Orkney,  and  although  it  states  that  he  only  held 
his  wife's  share  of  the  earldom,  it  is  plain  from  the  Vagahuus  document  that  he  must 
have  received  the  title  of  Earl  of  the  Orcades  from  the  King  of  Norway. 

He  soon  became  involved  with  the  Swedish  party  in  favour  of  King  Eric  of  Pomern, 
and  in  1357  King  Magnus  of  Sweden,  as  Regent  of  Norway,  sequestrated  all  his 
Norwegian  estates  and  declared  his  title  to  be  forfeited. 

His  right  to  the  earldom  would  have  lapsed  with  the  death  of  his  countess,  who  died 
childless  before  1360.  In  that  year  Erengisle  grants  certain  lands  to  the  monastery  of 
Calmar  for  the  souls  of  his  deceased  wives,  Meretta  and  Annot  or  Agneta,  the  latter 
being  most  probably  the  daughter  and  co-heiress  of  Earl  Malise  the  Second,  as  the  name 
Annot  is  not  a  common  one  in  Sweden.  Nevertheless  he  continued  to  style  himself  Earl 
of  Orkney  during  his  lifetime,  as  appears  by  a  deed  bearing  date. 4th  March,  1388,  in 
which  he  is  "  Comes  Orchadensis."     He  died  in  1392. 

After  his  forfeiture  in  1357  there  ensued  an  interval  of  disputed  succession. 


Orkn.  Saga  and  Barry.  f  See  Historiettes.  J  Roslyn  Chartulary. 


CONTESTED  SUCCESSION. 


93 


CONTESTED   SUCCESSION. 
1357—1379. 


1364  Thomas  tie  St.  Clair, 
1369  Hakon  Jonsson 
1375  Alex,  de  la  Ard 


Ballivus 
Prefect 
Governor  and  Commissioner 


Norway  :  1343,  Hakon  VI. 

Sweden  :  1350,  Eric  IV. 

Denmark:  1340,  Waldemar  III. 

Scotland  :  1330,  David  II. 

Rome  :  !352.  Innocent  VI. 


Synchronisms  : 


1359,  Magnus  II.  restored. 

1376,  OlaflV. 

1371,  Robert  II. 

1362,  Urban  V. 


1364,  Albert. 


[370,  Gregory  XI. 


Prelates  :t 


Orkney  :       132S,  William  IV 
Caithness  :  1342,  Thomas. 


[369,  Malcoli 


During  this  period  while  the  succession  to  the  earldom  was  disputed  by  the  several 
heirs  and  representatives  of  Malise  the  Second,  the  historical  notices  are  few,  and  the 
matter  preserved  at  best  but  fragmentary. 

The  Archdeacon  of  Hjaltland — one  William  Johnsson — appears  in  a  Norse  deed  dated 
at  Sandwick  4th  March,  1360.  He  is  supposed  by  Munch  to  be  the  tenth  Bishop  of 
Orkney,  William  V.,  who  is  otherwise  only  referred  to  in  a  record  of  the  time  of 
Robert  III.  of  Scotland. 

In  1363  Henry  Saint-Ci.air,  Lord  of  Roslin,  was  sent  as  ambassador  to  Copenhagen, 
where  a  marriage  was  in  course  of  celebration  between  Hakon  VI. ,  King  of  Norway, 
and  Margaret,  the  future  "  Semiramis  of  the  North,"  daughter  of  Waldemar  III.  of 
Denmark.  As  Henry  St.  Clair  was  at  that  time  sick,  his  procurators  got  from  those 
princes  a  confirmation  of  the  lands  of  Orkney,  and  it  is  stated  that  at  the  same  time  a 
marriage  was  concluded  between  himself  and  King  Hakon 's  sister,  a  daughter  of 
Magnus  II.  of  Sweden.! 

The  following  year,  on  the  20th  January,  1364,  we  find  a  Thomas  de  St.  Clair 
installed  at  Kirkwall  as  "  ballivus  "  of  the  Norwegian  king  ;  an  Alexander  St.  Clair, 
and  Euphemia  de  Stratherne  styling  herself  one  of  the  heirs  of  the  late  Malise,  Earl  of 
Stratherne.  These  three  attest  a  deed  executed  at  Kirkwall  on  the  date  aforesaid,  by 
which  Bernard  de  Rowle  resigns  to  Hugh  de  Ross  (brother  of  William,  Earl  of  Ross)  the 
whole  lands  of  Fouleroule  in  Aberdeenshire,  the  witnesses  being  John  de  Gamery  and 
Simon  de  Othyrles,  canons  of  Caithness  ;  Euphemia  de  Stratherne,  one  of  the  heirs  of  the 
late  Malise,  Earl  of  Caithness  ;  Thomas  de  St.  Clair,  "ballivus  regis  Norvagiae"  ;  and 
Alexander  de  St.  Clair.     Alex,  de  Sco-Claro,  son  of  the  quondam  Thos.  de  St.  Clair, 


*  Orkn.  Saga. 


t  See  Histonettes. 


%  Hay  or  Van 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


received  in  the  41st  David  II.,  i.e.,  1371,  confirmation  of  a  charter  from  Hugh  Ross  of 
Philorth  of  the  lands  of  Estirtyry,  Aberdeen  ;  and  of  another  from  William,  Earl  of  Ross, 
of  the  lands  of  Bray  with  pertinents  in  the  maresium  de  ffornewyr.  in  vie.  de  Inverness. 

Euphemia  de  Stratherne,  if  not  the  daughter  of  Earl  Malise,  mentioned  in  the 
Diploma  as  having  died  unmarried,  must  surely  be  Euphemia,  daughter  of  Hugh,  Earl  of 
Ross,  and  wife  of  Robert  Stuart,  created  Earl  of  Stratherne  cr.  1346-53.  Earl  Malise  had 
espoused  her  sister  Marjory,  and  she  was  sister  to  the  Hugh  de  Ross  and  William,  Earl 
of  Ross,  mentioned  in  the  deed.  To  William,  Earl  of  Ross  was  entrusted  the  marriage  of 
the  Lady  Isabella,  daughter  of  Malise,  Earl  of  Stratherne,  Caithness,  and  Orkney,  as  is 
shown  by  a  document  dated  at  Inverness  28th  May,  1344,  granting  her  also  the  Earldom 
of  Caithness  failing  heirs-male  of  himself  and  his  wife  Marjorie.  Euphemia  de  Stratherne 
became  Queen  of  Scotland  on  the  accession  of  Robert  Stuart  in  1370,  and  was  crowned 
with  great  solemnity  at  Scone,  being  anointed  by  the  Bishop  of  Aberdeen.*  Thomas  de 
St.  Clair,  "  ballivus, "  was  most  probably  acting  in  that  capacity  for  his  kinsman 
[nephew]  durante  absentia  at  the  Danish  court. 

About  1367  (Skene  has  in  1357)  one  Duncan  Anderson,  who  appears  to  have  been 
Scottish,  and  probably  agent  for  Alexander  de  Ard,  issues  a  manifesto  to  the  Islesmen, 
notifying  them  that  he  has  under  his  guardianship  the  true  and  legitimate  heir  of  Earl 
Malise,  the  former  Earl  of  Orkney  ;  that  this  heir  has  now  the  full  and  undeniable  right 
to  the  earldom  ;  and  that  as  he  has  heard  that  the  King  of  Norway  has  recently 
sequestrated  the  revenues  of  the  earldom,  he  warns  the  inhabitants  not  to  allow  those 
revenues  to  be  taken  furth  of  the  laud,  till  the  true  heir  be  presented  to  them,  which  will 
be  ere  very  long,  if  the  Lord  will.  It  would  seem  that  a  representation  must  have  been 
made  by  the  Court  of  Norway  to  the  Scottish  King  regarding  the  troubling  of  the  Islands 
by  the  claimants  or  their  friends  in  Scotland,  for  an  edict  was  issued  from  Scone  in  1367 
by  King  David,  forbidding  any  of  his  subjects,  of  whatever  rank  or  condition,  to  pass 
into  Orkney  or  frequent  its  harbours  on  any  other  errand  than  that  of  lawful  commerce. 

William  IV.,  the  ninth  bishop,  occupied  the  Orcadian  see  at  that  period.  We  find 
an  agreement  entered  into  at  Kirkiuvaghe  (Kirkwall)  dated  the  25th  May,  1369,  between 
him  and  Hakon  Jonsson,  negotiated  by  twenty-three  clergy  and  laymen  of  the  Islands 
respecting  what  the  bishop  ought  to  pay  Hakon  on  the  king's  account  :  mutual  friend- 
ship to  be  for  the  future,  and  men  born  in  the  Islands  to  be  appointed  to  offices  there 
henceforth.  The  other  persons  appearing  in  the  record  are  "  sira  Willialmr  af  Bucchan, 
erkindiakin  j  Orkneyum.  sira  Valter  af  Bucchan,  kanugkr  j  samastadh.  sira  Jon  proktur. 
sira  Richard  af  Rollisey.  sira  Cristen  af  Teyn.  sira  Cristen  af  Sanday.  sira  Willialmr 
wod.  Thomas  arlaud.  Fergus  af  Rosce.  Henri  Willialms.  Jon  of  Orkneyum.  Willialmr 
Stormr.  Jon.  af  Boduel.  Jon  Robertson.  Adam  af  Mekre.  Gudbrand  Andrsson. 
Sighurdr  af  Pappley.  Jon  sincler.  Patrik  kaldar.  Dunkan  af  Karmkors.  Bube  Skinner. 
Willialmr  eruin.  Jon  af  Dunray."  Of  thirteen  seals  Nos.  4,  8,  10  and  11  remain  on  the 
parchment  original.     The  title  "sir  "  is  equivalent  to  the  modern  word  reverend. 

About  the  year  1374  four  Orcadian  fishing  boats  were  tossed  in  a  gale  towards  land 
far  out  in  the  West,  since  ascertained  to  be  in  North  America.  The  survivor  returned 
twenty-six  years  later,  and  related  his  experiences  to  the  42nd  Earl,  Henry  I.t 

In  1375  King  Hakon  VI.  of  Norway  granted  the  Earldom  of  Orkney,  for  a  single 
year  till  next  St.  John's  Day,  to  Alexander  de  Ard,  naming  him  in  the  document, 
■•  Balfour's  Annals.  |  Voyages  of  the  Zeni. 


CONTESTED  SUCCESSION. 


95 


however,  not  as  Earl,  but  simply  as  Governor  and  Commissioner  for  the  King,  and 
declaring  in  the  document  addressed  to  the  Islesmen  that  this  grant  is  given  provision- 
ally until  the  said  Alexander  shall  establish  his  claim  to  the  earldom.  He  seems  not  to 
have  been  regarded  with  much  favour  by  the  King,  for  the  grant  was  not  renewed. 
Alexander  de  Ard  had  succeeded  to  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  in  right  of  his  mother  as 
heir  to  Earl  Malise.  In  1375  he  resigned  the  Castle  of  Brathwell  (Brawl)  and  all  the 
lands  in  Caithness,  or  any  part  of  Scotland,  which  he  had  inherited  in  right  of  his 
mother,  Matilda  de  Stratherne,  to  King  Robert  II. ,  who  bestowed  them  on  his  own  son 
David,  who  appears  in  1377-1378  as  Earl  Palatine  of  Caithness  and  Stratherne. 

The  abeyancy  of  the  earldom  was  terminated  in  1379  in  favour  of  Henry  Saint- 
Ci.air,  Lord  of  Roslin,  eldest  son  of  Isabella  de  Stratherne. 


Seal  of  the  Royal  Burgh  of  Kirkwall. 


96 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


THE   SAINT -CLAIR   LINE.* 

HENRY  I.,  THE  HOLY,  42ND    EARL. 

I379—I404- 

Born  c.  1346 — M.  [Florentia,  Princess  of  Denmark.] 
Jean,  d.  of  the  Lord  of  Dirleton. 


Princes  Contemporaneous  : 

Norway  :  1343,  Hakon  VI.  1380,  Olaf. 

Sweden  :  1364,  Albert. 

Denmark  :  1376,  Olaf  IV. 

Scotland:  1371,  Robert  II.  1390,  Robert  III. 

Rome:  )    poms    ^1378,  Urban  VI.  13S9,  Boniface  XI. 

Avignon:  S  '    '1378,  Clement  VII.  1394,  Benedict  XIII. 


1389,  Margaret. 
1389,  Margaret. 
1387,  Margaret. 


1328,  William  IV. 


Bishops   of  Orkney  :f 

[382,  William  V.  UJ94.  Henry.  U397,  John. 


Since  the  termination  of  the  administration  of  Alexander  de  Ard  as  Governor  and 
Commissioner  of  the  Isles  on  St.  John's  Day,  1376,  the  earldom  remained  for  three  years 
in  commission.  But  in  the  summer  of  1379  Alexander  de  Ard,  titular  Earl  of  Caithness, 
Henry  Saint-Clair,  Lord  of  Roslin,  and  Malise  Sperra,  Lord  of  Skaldale.l  the  three 
cousins,  competitors  for  the  earldom,  passed  over  to  Norway  to  prefer  their  respective 
claims  to  the  Norwegian  king,  and  the  result  was  that  at  Marstrand,  on  the  2nd  August 
of  that  year,  Henry  Saint-Clair  received  from  King  Hakon  formal  investiture  of  the 
Earldom  of  Orkney,  and  also  of  the  Lordship  of  Hjaltland,  which  appanage,  since  the 
time  of  its  forfeiture  to  King  Sverre  by  Earl  Harald — first  of  the  Athol  line — had  been  in 
possession  of  the  crown  of  Norway. 

The  conditions  on  which  Earl  Henry  accepted  the  earldom  are  set  forth  in  the  Deed 
of  Investiture,  and,  contrasting  them  with  the  semi-independence  of  the  ancient  earls,  it 
would  at  first  sight  appear  as  if  little  more  were  left  him  than  the  lands  of  his  fathers. 
For,  although  the  Earls  of  Orkney  had  precedence  over  all  the  titled  nobility  of  Norway, 
and  their  signatures  to  the  national  documents  stand  always  next  after  the  archbishop's, 
and  before  the  bishops'  and  nobles'  ;  though  the  title  was  the  only  hereditary  one 
permitted  in  Norway  to  a  subject  not  of  the  blood-royal,  yet  it  was  now  declared  to  be 
subject  to  the  royal  option  of  investiture.  The  Earl  was  to  govern  the  Isles  and  enjoy 
their  revenues  during  the  king's  pleasure,  but  he  was  taken  bound  to  serve  the  king 
beyond  the  confines  of  the  earldom  with   a  hundred   men  fully  equipped,  when  called 


Ork.  Saga  ;   Barry,  etc. 


tSee  Historiettes. 


%  Skelda  in  Birsra. 


HENRY  I.,  42ND  EARL.  97 


upon  by  the  king's  message  ;  he  was  to  build  no  castle  or  place  of  strength  in  the 
Islands,  nor  make  war,  enter  into  any  agreement  with  the  bishop,  sell  or  impignorate 
any  of  his  rights  without  the  king's  express  consent  ;  and,  moreover,  he  was  to  be 
answerable  for  his  whole  administration  to  the  king's  court  at  Bergen.  At  his  death 
the  Earldom  and  all  the  Isles  were  to  revert  to  the  King  of  Norway  or  his  heirs,  and  if 
the  Earl  left  sons,  they  could  not  succeed  to  their  father's  dignity  and  possessions  with- 
out the  royal  investiture. 

The  reversal  concerning  Orkney  not  being  found  sufficient  by  King  Hakon,  the 
ambassadors  were  allowed  to  stay  in  the  city  of  Tunsberg,  in  Norway,  till  His  Majesty 
was  satisfied .  In  the  meantime  there  was  a  marriage  concluded,  as  is  said,  betwixt 
John  Saint-Clair,  brother  to  the  Earl,  and  Ingeberg,  natural  daughter  of  Waldemar, 
King  of  Denmark,  by  Jova  Little,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Sir  John  Little,  Commissioner 
of  Rugen.* 

At  the  following  Martinmas  Earl  Henry  was  taken  bound  to  pay  to  the  King  1,000 
English  nobles  (about  ,£333  sterling).  It  was  also  part  of  the  compact  that  Malise 
Sperra,  son  of  Guttorm  Sperra,  should  depart  from  all  his  claims  to  the  Earldom  in  right 
of  his  mother  ;  and  the  Earl  left  with  King  Hakon  as  hostages  for  the  due  fulfilment  of 
his  share  of  the  contract  the  following  from  among  his  friends  and  retinue  : — William 
Dalziel,  knight,  Malise  Sperra,  and  David  Crichton. 

King  Hakon  died  the  next  year,  1380,  the  year  following  the  investiture  of  the  Earl 
and  the  events  that  took  place  in  the  Orkneys  during  the  reign  of  his  successor,  King 
Olaf,  are  entirely  unknown  to  the  Norwegian  chroniclers. 

The  Earl  seems  neither  to  have  courted  the  favour  of  his  suzerain,  nor  to  have  stood 
in  awe  of  his  interference.  Without  waiting  for  the  royal  consent,  and  in  defiance  of  the 
prohibition  contained  in  the  Deed  of  Investiture,  he  forthwith  built  the  Castle  of  Kirk- 
wall, from  which  he  seems  to  have  thought  himself  sufficiently  independent  to  regally 
rule  his  sea-girt  earldom  according  to  his  own  will  and  pleasure.  This  fortress,  in  later 
times  called  "  the  King's  Castle,"  was  constructed  with  such  strength  and  skill  that  the 
witch-haunted  mind  of  the  17th  century  believed  that  only  the  Arch-fiend  himself  could 
have  been  its  engineer  and  architect. f  + 

From  the  fact  that  King  Hakon 's  investiture  of  Earl  Henry  took  him  bound  not  to 
enter  into  any  league  with  the  bishop,  nor  to  establish  any  friendship  with  him  without 
the  king's  consent,  we  infer  that  the  bishop — William  IV. — was  then  acting  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  king  and  to  the  representatives  of  civil  power.  The  likelihood  is  that  Earl 
Henry  found  this  episcopal  opposition  favourable  to  his  own  design  of  making  himself 
practically  independent,  and  represented  it  as  the  excuse  for  the  erection  of  the  Castle  of 
Kirkwall,  contrary  to  the  terms  of  his  agreement  with  the  Crown.  Munch  attributes  the 
discord  to  the  growing  dislike  of  the  Norwegian  inhabitants  of  the  Isles  to  the  Scotsmen, 
whose  numbers,  through  the  influence  of  the  family  connections  of  the  later  earls,  had 
long  been  increasing.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  origin,  the  end  of  it  was  that,  in 
some  popular  commotions  of  which  we  Lave  no  account,  the  bishop  was  slain  in  the  year 
of  grace,  1382. 

Earl  Henry,  after  establishing  himself  in  the  Isles,  turned  his  attention  towards 
rewarding  the   cadets   of  his   House,  as  appears  from  an   evident,   whereby  he  obliges 

*Hay. 
t  Balfour.         ;  See  letter  Earl  of  Caithness  from  Kirkwall,  7th  October,  1614  (Caithness  Events). 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


himself  to  infeft  his  beloved  cousin,  Sir  James  St.  Clair,  Baron  of  Longformacus,  in  a 
twenty  merkland.  The  words  of  the  obligation  run  :  "  Universis  patent,  etc.  ATos  Henri- 
cum  de  Sancto  Clan?,  Comitem  Orcadicc  et  Dominum  de  Roslyn  teneri  firmi/er,  ct  fideliter 
obligari  carissimo  consanguineo  nostro,  Jacobo  de  Sancto  Claro,  Domino  de  Long fur dmakhuse. 
etc.?'  which  evident  is  dated  at  Roslin,  the  22nd  June,  1384.  The  witnesses  are  Thomas 
Erskine  of  Dun,  George  Abernethy  of  Soulis,  Walter  Halyburton  of  that  Ilk,  and  John 
Halyburton  of  Dirleton.* 

At  Edinburgh,  on  the  8th  November,  1387,  Malise  Sper,  Dominus  de  Skuldale^  agrees 
with  the  Earl  anent  the  harm  that  had  been  done  to  him  and  his  tenants  as  is  evidenced 
by  instrument  of  that  date,  t 

The  next  year,  1388,  is  memorable  as  being  the  date  of  Otterburn.  The  Earl  was 
not  present  himself,  but  his  kin  took  a  prominent  part  in  it.  Tytler  has  :  "  At  Otterburn, 
along  with  the  Earl  of  Douglas,  were  the  Earls  of  March  and  Moray,  Sir  James  Lindsay, 
Sir  Alex.  Ramsay,  and  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  three  soldiers  of  great  experience,  and  others." 
Froissart  narrates: — "Upon  James,  Earl  of  Douglas,  being  struck  down,  he  continued 
with  his  latest  breath  to  encourage  his  comrades.  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  his  cousin,  having 
asked  him  'how  he  did,'  '  Rycht  well,'  quoth  the  erle,  '  but  thanked  be  god  there  hath 
been  but  a  few  of  my  ancestors  that  hath  dyed  in  their  beddes.  Bot  cosyn,  I  require  you 
thinke  to  revenge  me,  for  I  reckon  myself  bot  deed,  for  my  herte  feinteth  oftentymes. 
My  cosyn  Walter  and  you,  I  praye  you  raise  up  again  my  banner  which  lyeth  on  the 
ground,  and  my  Squyre  Davye  slain  ;  but,  sirs,  show  neither  to  friend  nor  foe  what  case 
ye  see  me  in,  for  if  myne  enemyes  knew  it  they  wolde  rejoyse,  and  our  frendes  be  dis- 
comfited." The  two  Saint  Clairs  and  Sir  James  Lyndsay,  who  was  with  them,  did  as 
they  were  desired,  raised  up  his  banner,  and  shouted  his  war-cry  of  "  Douglas.  The 
remainder  of  the  battle  was  beyond  the  life  of  Douglas,  for  he  was  dead  before  it  ended, 
and  what  was  a  prophecy  in  the  dying  man's  mouth  became  a  saying  that  "  the  victory 
was  won  by  a  dead  man  ;"  and  Sir  John  Sinclair  bore  the  banner. 

While  these  stirring  events  were  occurring  in  Scotland  the  Earl  was  attending  to  his 
high  offices  in  Norway,  for  in  1388  he  is  present  as  a  Councillor  of  State,  and  signs  next 
after  the  Archbishop  Yinoldus  in  acknowledging  Eric  of  Pomerania  as  true  heir  to  the 
realm  of  Norway.  Again,  in  September,  1389,  both  Earl  Henry  and  his  cousin,  Sir 
Malise  Spar,  are  among  those  present  on  the  occasion  of  the  accession  of  King  Eric  of 
Pornern. 

The  "Iceland  Annals,"  under  date  1389,  have  the  following  entry: — "Malise 
Sperra,  with  seven  others,  slain  in  Hjaltland  by  the  Earl  of  Orkney.  He  had  previously 
been  taken  prisoner  by  him.  From  that  conflict  there  escaped  a  man  servant  who,  with 
six  men,  got  safely  away  to  Norway  in  a  sixareen.  " 

Malise  appears  to  have  endeavoured  to  establish  himself  in  Hjaltland  in  opposition  to 
the  Earl.  He  had  seized,  it  is  not  stated  on  what  grounds,  the  possession  in  Hjaltland 
which  had  belonged  to  Herdis  Thorvaldsdatter,  and  of  which  John  and  Sigurd 
Hafthorssou  were  the  lawful  heirs.  It  seems  as  if  the  Earl  was  about  to  hold  a  court  to 
settle  the  legal  rights  of  the  parties  concerned.  The  court  would  be  held  at  the  old 
Thingstead  near  Scalloway,  but  a  conflict  taking  place,  the  dispute  was  terminated  by 
the  strong  hand,  and  Malise  Sperra  was  slain.  The  monolith  of  grey  granite  close  to  the 
roadside  between  the  Lochs  of  Tingwall  and  Asta  probably  marks  the  spot  where  he  fell. 


*  Nisbet.  t  Hav. 


HENRY  I.,  42ND  EARL. 


99 


In  the  "Scottish  Chamberlain  Rolls"  of  1438  there  is  an  entry  of  a  receipt  of  £9  from 
James  Mcfersane  for  the  land  formerly  belonging  to  Malise  Speir,  knight,  in  the 
sheriffdom  of  Banff,  remaining  in  the  king's  hands.  A  number  of  his  men  having  been 
slain  with  him,  it  is  probable  he  was  the  aggressor,  and  as  both  he  and  the  Earl  attended 
at  King  Eric's  coronation  in  1389,  it  is  likely  the  Earl  landed  in  Hjaltland  on  his  way 
home  from  Norway  for  the  express  purpose  of  seeing  justice  done  in  the  cause  of  the 
heirs  of  Herdis. 

Early  in  1390  Nicolo  Zeno,  a  Venetian  nobleman,  was  wrecked  in  a  storm  on  the 
Faroes,  and  he  and  his  companions  were  rescued  from  the  wreckers  by  the  Orcadian  Earl, 
Henry  St.  Clair,  who  happened  to  be  in  the  vicinity  with  an  armed  retinue.  Accosting 
the  Venetians  in  Latin,  he  assured  them  of  his  protection,  and  took  Nicolo  into  his 
service.  The  Earl  had  presumably  given  chase  as  far  as  the  Faroes  to  the  adherents  of 
his  cousin,  Sir  Malise  Speir  of  Skuldale,  aud  the  first  exploit  in  which  Nicolo  participated 
was  the  reduction  of  that  archipelago.  This  was  accomplished  with  a  fleet  of  thirteen 
vessels,  whereof  two  only  were  rowed  with  oars — the  rest  were  small  barks  and  one  ship. 
As  Nicolo  greatly  contributed  towards  the  skilful  navigation  of  the  fleet  through  the 
dangerous  channels  of  the  various  islands,  the  Earl,  in  recognition  of  his  services, 
administered  the  accolade  conferring  on  him  the  honour  of  knighthood,  and  he  thereafter 
appears  designated  in  the  annals  of  his  country  as  Sir  Nicolo  the  Chevalier* 


'   ■ 


Kirkwall,  the  Orcadian-  Capital.— Winter  View. 

Sir  Nicolo  now  wrote  to  his  brother  Antonio  at  Venice,  relating  his  adventurous 
experiences,  and  asking  him  to  join  him  and  bring  a  vessel.  Antonio  did  as  desired, 
and  both  brothers  won  much  favour  with  the  Earl. 

King  Richard  II.  of  England  gave  a  safe  conduct,  or  passport,  to  Henry,  Earl  of 
Orkney  and  Lord  of  Roslin,  from  10th  March,  1391-2  to  Michaelmas,  with  permission  to 
be  accompanied  by  twenty-four  persons,  the  necessary  persons,  etc.,  with  proviso  that  no 


Voyages  of  the  Zeni. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


one  fugitive  from  the  English  laws  should  be  of  the  company.  The  king  signed  it  at 
Leeds  Castle,  Kent. 

By  deed  executed  at  Kirkwall  on  the  23rd  April,  1391  (and  subsequently  confirmed 
by  King  Robert  III.),  the  Earl  dispones  the  lands  of  Newburgh  and  Auchdale,  in  Aber- 
deenshire, to  his  brother  David  de  Sancto  Claro  for  his  services  rendered  and  in  exchange 
for  any  rights  he  may  have  to  lands  in  Orkney  and  Hjaltland,  derived  from  his  mother 
Isabella  St.  Clair.  Witnesses  :  Lord  Walter  de  Bochane,  Archdeacon  of  Zetland  ;  dno 
Simon  de  Papay  ;  dno  Thomas  de  Kirknes ;  dno  Jno.  Punkyne  ;  dno  Michael  de  Westray  ; 
dno  hauqno,  militibus  ;  Richard  de  St.  Clair  ;  Thomas  de  Laysk  ;  Alex,  de  Claphame  ; 
Thomas  de  Leth,  etc. 

The  Earl,  to  gratily  Sir  Nicolo  Zeno,  and  also  because  he  knew  full  well  his  value, 
made  him  commander  of  his  navy  (armada).  In  that  capacity  Sir  Nicolo  with  his 
brother  Antonio  accompanied  the  Earl  to  the  Hjaltlands,  and  established  order  in  that 
group  ;  after  which  the  Earl  built  a  fort  in  Bressay,  where  he  left  Sir  Nicolo  with  some 
small  vessels,  and  men  and  stores,  and  thinking  he  had  done  enough  for  the  present, 
returned  with  the  rest  of  the  squadron  to  the  capital  of  his  archipelagic  dominions. 

Being  left  behind  in  Bressay,  Sir  Nicolo  determined  the  next  season  to  make  an 
excursion  with  the  view  of  discovering  land.  Accordingly,  in  the  month  of  July,  1394, 
he  fitted  out  three  small  barks,  and  sailing  towards  the  North,  arrived  in  Greenland, 
where  he  stayed  some  little  while  observing  the  manners  and  customs  in  those  parts.  At 
length,  not  being  accustomed  to  such  severe  cold,  he  fell  ill,  and  a  little  while  after  he 
returned  to  the  Orcades,  where  he  died,  a  victim  to  the  rigorous  climate  of  the  northern 
regions.* 

The  next  appearance  of  the  Earl  is  at  Roslin  on  the  13th  May,  1396,  when 
Sir  John  de  Drummond  of  Cargyll  (brother  of  Annabella,  queen  of  Robert  III.  of 
Scotland)  and  his  wife  Elizabeth  make  renunciation  by  deed  for  them  and  their  heirs  in 
favour  of  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney,  Lord  Roslyn,  "  patri  nostro,"  and  his  issue  male  in 
respect  of  claims  to  the  Earl's  lands  "  infra  regnum  Norvagie." 

By  charter  at  Edinburgh  on  the  24th  January,  1404,  King  Robert  the  Third  of 
Scotland  freed  the  Earl  of  the  Castle  Guard  due  for  his  Baronies  of  Rosline,  Pentland, 
Pentland  Moor,  Colsland,  Merton,  and  Mertonehall,  all  in  the  viscounty  or  sheriffship  of 
Edinburgh.  In  this  charter  the  Earl  is  described  only  as  Earl  of  Orkney,  no  other  title 
being  specified.! 

On  the  death  of  Sir  Nicolo  Zeno,  his  brother  Antonio  succeeded  him  in  his  wealth 
and  honours,  but  although  he  strove  hard  in  various  ways,  and  begged  and  prayed  most 
earnestly,  he  could  never  obtain  permission  to  return  to  Venice,  for  the  Earl,  being  a 
man  of  great  enterprise- and  daring,  had  determined  to  make  himself  supreme  in  the 
Northern  seas.  The  Islesmen  were  then  greatly  excited  by  the  strange  tales  of  an 
Orcadian  castaway  who  had  returned  from  the  far  West  after  an  absence  of  twenty-six 
years,  and  the  Earl  was  inspired  with  the  project  of  bringing  under  his  sway  the  rich  and 
populous  lands  reported  in  those  distant  parts.  For  that  purpose  he  resolved  to  equip  a 
fleet  on  a  voyage  of  discovery  and  conquest.  Setting  sail  with  a  considerable  number 
of  barks  and  rowboats,  and  men,  he  disappointed  Antonio  Zeno  of  the  chief  command. 
At  the  start  adverse  weather  was  experienced,  and  they  were  unwillingly  compelled  to 
circumnavigate  Ireland  before  proceeding  on  their  course,  and  they  eventually  reached 

*  Voyages  of  the  Zeni.  t  Roslyn  Chartulary. 


HENRY  I.,  42ND  EARL. 


Greenland,  but  as  the  voyage  had  occupied  so  long  a  time  their  stay  was  of  brief 
duration.  Antonio,  in  writing  to  his  brother,  the  famous  Carlo — 'Saviour  of  Venice  ' — 
refers  to  the  exploits  of  St.  Clair,  "a  prince  as  worthy  of  immortal  memory  as  any  that 
ever  lived,  and  to  the  discovery  of  Greenland  on  both  sides  and  the  city  that  he 
founded."*  Antonio  Zeno  returned  to  Venice  in  1404,  for  it  is  stated  that  he 
remained  ten  years  in  the  service  of  the  Earl  after  the  death  of  Sir  Nicolo,  which 
happened  late  in  1394,  or  early  in  1395.  It  is  known  that  Antonio  died  in  Venice  before 
1406,  and  Michaud  dates  his  death  as  in  1405.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  date  of 
Antonio's  return  coincides  with  that  assigned  for  the  death  of  the  Earl,  viz.,  1404,  the 
latter  event  operating  to  release  Antonio,  who  immediately  availed  himself  of  the 
position. 

The  panegyristt  of  the  St.  Clairs  of  Roslin  writes  of  Earl  Henry  as  follows  :  — 
"  After  the  death  of  Sir  William  Sinclair,  succeeded  to  him  his  eldest  sone,  Henry, 
Prince  of  Orknay,  Lord  Shetland,  Lord  Saintclair,  Lord  Chief-Justice  of  Scotland, 
Admirall  of  the  Seas,  Baron  of  Roslin,  Baron  of  Pentland  Moore  (in  free  forestrie),  Baron 
of  Cousland,  Baron  of  Cardain  Saintclair,  and  Great  Protector,  Keeper,  and  Defender  of 
the  Prince  of  Scotland,  who  married  Elisabeth,  daughter  to  Malesius,  Prince  of  Orknay, 
Earl  of  Kaithness  and  Stratherue,  through  which  marriage  he  became  Prince  of  Orknay, 
and  was  more  honoured  than  any  of  his  ancestres,  for  he  had  power  to  cause  stamp  coine 
within  his  dominions,  to  make  laws,  to  remitt  crimes  ;  he  had  his  sword  of  honour 
carried  before  him  wheresoever  he  went  ;  he  had  a  crowne  in  his  armes,  bore  a  crowne  on 
his  head  when  he  constituted  laws,  and,  in  a  word,  was  subject  to  none,  save  only  he 
held  his  lands  of  the  King  of  Noraway,  Sweden,  and  Danemarke,  and  entred  with  them, 
to  whom  also  it  did  belong  to  crown  any  of  those  three  kings,  so  that  in  all  those  parts 
he  was  esteemed  a  second  person  next  to  the  king.  He  builded  the  Castle  of  Kirkwell, 
in  Orknay,  and  proved  valiant  in  all  his  doeings.  .  .  .  When  Robert  II.,  the  first  of 
the  Stewarts,  succeeded  to  the  Scottish  crowne,  he  no  less  intirely  loved  the  Prince 
of  Orknay  than  did  his  unckle,  King  David,  and  in  testimony  of  his  love  to  him,  he 
made  him  Protector  and  Keeper  of  the  Prince,  his  sone,  Johne  Stewart,  Earle  of  Carrick, 
because  he  was  both  the  most  noble  and  trustiest  in  his  realme,  as  writting  yet  records  ; 
and  in  the  19th  year  of  his  reign  he  died  (1389).  Henry  Sainclaire,  haveing  the  Prince  in 
his  keeping,  was  advertised  of  ane  armie  of  Southrons  that  came  to  invade  the  Orcade 
Isles,  who,  resisting  them  with  his  forces,  through  his  too  great  negligence  and  contempt 
of  his  oundfriendly  forces,  he  was  left  breathless  by  blows  battered  so  fast  upon  him  that 
no  man  was  able  to  resist,  and  left  two  sones,  Henry,  his  successor,  and  John  (hereafter 
Foud  of  the  Orcadian  secundogeniture  of  Hjaltland  ,  and  nine  daughters,  who  were 
married  thus  : — The  eldest  (Beatrix)  upon  the  Earle  of  Dowglass  (James  the  Gross, 
Lord  Balveny,  1409,  Earl  of  Avondale,  1437,  7th  Earl  of  Douglas,  1440)  ;  the  second 
upon  the  Laird  of  Dalhousie  ;  the  third  on  the  Laird  of  Calder,  named  Sandilands  ;  the 
fourth  (Jean)  upon  the  Laird  of  Corstorphine,  named  (Sir  John)  Forrester  (ancestor  to 
Lord  Forrester)  ;  the  fifth  upon  the  Earle  of  Errol,  named  Hay  ;  the  sixth  upon  the  Laird 
of  Drummelzier,  named  Tweedie  ;  the  seventh  upon  the  Laird  of  Stirling,  named  Cock- 
burne  :  the  eighth  upon  the  Laird  of  Maretone,  named  Heron  ;  and  the  ninth  (Mary) 
upon  the  Lord  Sommervaill,  so  named  (Thomas  Somerville,  of  Carnwath,  ancestor  to  Lord 
Somerville)." 

*  Voyages  of  the  Zeiii.  t  Van  Bassan,  a  fabulous  genealogist. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


In  the  Diploma  Earl  Henry  is  stated  to  have  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Walter 
Halyburton  of  Dirleton,  by  whom  he  had  Henry  II.,  his  successor.  In  an  attestation 
dated  1422,  by  the  Lawman  and  Canons  of  Orknay,  of  the  descent  and  good  name  of 
James  of  Cragy,  Laird  of  Hupe,  it  is  expressly  certified  that  Henry  St.  Clair  was  himself 
married  to  a  daughter  of  the  younger  Malise,  styled  "  Elizabeth  de  Stratherne, 
daughter  of  the  late  reverend  and  venerable  Malise,  Earl  of  Orkney,"  and  that  by  her 
he  had  a  daughter,  Margaret,  who  was  married  to  James  of  Cragy.  Patrick,  13th  Bishop 
of  Orknay,  appears  in  this  attestation.  The  Earl  had  also  a  daughter,  Elisabeth*, 
married  to  Sir  John  de  Drummond  (vide  supra).  It  is  stated  in  several  works  that  he  was 
first  married  to  Floreutina,  daughter  of  the  King  of  Denmark,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue. 
The  only  Danish  sovereign  to  whom  this  could  apply  would  be  Waldemar  III., 
fl.  1340 — 75.  It  is  further  stated  by  one  historian!  that  in  1363  there  was  a  marriage 
concluded  between  the  Earl  of  Orkney  and  a  daughter  of  Magnus  II. ,  King  of  Sweden, 
being  sister  to  Hakon  VI.  of  Norway,  suzerain  to  the  Earl. 

In  addition  to  the  issue  enumerated  previously,  this  Earl  had  a  daughter,  Marjory! , 
wife  of  Sir  David  Menzies  of  Wemyss,  to  whom  the  administration  of  the  Isles  was 
entrusted  during  the  minority  of  his  nephew,  William,  the  44th  Earl.  Another  son, 
William,  obtained,  on  the  19th  August,  1407,  a  safe  conduct  to  England  for  six  weeks 
therefrom,  and  Thomas  Sinclair,  mandatory  in  Orkney,  1426,  was  evidently  also  a  son  of 
this  earl. 

It  will  be  observed  that  Hay's  account  of  the  manner  of  the  Earl's  death  agrees  with 
the  Diploma,  both  stating  that  he  was  slain  in  the  Orkneys  while  resisting  an  invasion 
from  the  South,  and  elsewhere  is  found  anno  1404:  "A  squadron,  under  Sir  Robert 
Logan,  attacked  an  English  fleet  of  fishers  off  Aberdeen.  Some  good  ships  of  Lynn 
happened  to  come  up  in  time  to  aid  their  countrymen,  and  Logan  himself,  with  the  rest 
of  his  company,  was  taken.  The  English  then  landed  on  some  of  the  Orkneys  and 
spoiled  them. '  '§ 

*  She  is  also  stated  to  have  been  married  to  Sir  John  Edmondston  (Grant).  t  Hay.  \  Nisbet. 

?  Holinshed. 
Note,  from  Peterkin's  Rentals,  1503  :   "Hoy. — Brabuster  beneth  the  hill  wes  ane  uris  terre.     Of 
the  quhilk  the  first  erle  henrie  gaif  to"  the  vicar  "iij.  d.  terre  for  the  uphauld  of  ane  mess  in  hoy  a  day 
ilk  oulk  for  evir. " 


HENRY  II.,  43RD  KARL. 


103 


THE    ST.  CLAIR    LINE. 


HENRY    II.,   43RD    EARL. 

1404— 1420. 
Born  c.  1375. — M.  Egidia  Douglas,  Lady  of  Nithsdale. 

Princes  Contemporaneous : 


Scotland 

1390,  Robert  III. 

1406,  James  I. 

England : 

1399,  Henry  IV. 

1413,   Henry  V. 

France : 

1380,  Charles  VI. 

Denmark 

•337^ 

t  VII. 

Norway : 

1389 '-  Margaret. 

1412,  Eric   -,  III. 

Sweden  : 

1389) 

(xiii. 

Rome  : 

1404,  Boniface  IX. 

1404,   Innocent  I.                              1406,   Gregory  XII 

(1410,   Alexander  V. 

1410,  John  XXIII.  to  1415.)         1417,  Martin  V. 

Avignon  : 

1404,  Benedict  XIII 

to  1424. 

Prelates : 

Orkney 

1397,  John. 

Patrick.                             1418  Thos.  de  Tulloch. 

"  Next  to  Prince  Henry  Saint  Clair  succeeded  his  eldest  sone  Henry,  second  of  the  name. 
He  was  in  nothing  inferior  to  his  predecessors.  He  married  Giles  Dowglass,  daughter 
to  the  most  valiant  Sir  William  Dowglass,  sone  to  Archibald,  Earle  of  Dowglass  and 
Lord  of  Galloway,  who  for  his  valour  at  Carlisle  ....  got  in  marriage  the  fair 
Algidia,  excelling  all  in  her  time,  grand-daughter  to  King  Robert  the  Second,  surnamed 
Stewart,  of  whose  beauty  it  is  reported  that  it  did  so  dazzle  the  eyes  of  the  beholders  that 
they  became  presently  astonished,  but  revived  in  admiring  the  same.  The  Earl  of 
Orkney's  Lady,  Giles  Dowglass,  was  of  a  family  no  less  famous  abroad  for  their  love  of 
noble  acts  than  at  home  for  their  eminent  nobility  and  generosity.  She  added  the  rayes 
of  vertue  and  holyness  to  a  noble  extraction,  to  the  glory  of  ancestors,  and  the  splendour 
of  her  family.  Her  sweetest  delights  were  retreate,  solitude,  and  reading  of  good  books. 
She  was  noways  taken  with  the  deceitful  appearances  of  the  goods  of  this  world,  with 
pleasures  that  delight  the  senses,  and  with  honours  that  bewitch  the  most  part  of  man- 
kind. In  a  word,  she  listened  only  to  the  voice  of  God.  Among  the  flatteries,  applauses 
and  bad  examples  that  often  infest  the  palaces  of  princes,  nature  did  endow  her  with  all 
qualities  requisit  to  a  comely  person,  and  with  so  much  advantage  that  nothing  could  be 
added  to  make  up  a  perfect  beauty  that  was  not  concentered  in  her.  She  was  of  stature 
somewhat  above  ordinarie,  but  the  excellency  of  her  minde,  the  candour  of  her  soule, 
and  the  holyness  of  her  life  made  her  incomparably  more  pleasant.      '  Commendebatur 


SKA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


excellentis  formae  bonitate,  et  ruaturescentis  sevi  vigore,  et  ingenii  elegantia,  quam 
vel  auxerat,  vel  certe  non  falsis  virtutem  coloribus,  gratiorem  fecerat  aulica  educatio, 
ad  honesti  quidem  similitudineni  adumbrata. '  "* 

In  further  reference  to  her  parentage  Tytler  has  :  "Sir  William  Douglas,  Lord  of 
Nithsdale  :  This  young  knight  appears  to  have  been  the  Scottish  Paladin  of  those  days  of 
chivalry.  His  form  and  strength  were  almost  gigantic,  and  what  gave  a  peculiar  charm 
to  his  warlike  prowess  was  the  extreme  gentleness  of  his  manners  ;  sweet,  brave,  and 
generous,  he  was  as  faithful  to  his  friends  as  he  was  terrible  to  his  enemies.  These 
qualities  had  gained  him  the  hand  of  the  king's  daughter  Egidia,  a  lady  of  such  beauty 
that  the  King  of  France  is  said  to  have  fallen  in  love  with  her  from  the  description  of 
his  courtiers,  and  to  have  privately  despatched  a  painter  into  Scotland  to  buy  him  her 
picture,  when  he  found  to  his  disappointment  that  the  princess  had  already  disposed  of 
her  hand  in  her  own'  country."!  The  Lord  of  Nithsdale  was  known  as  "The  Black 
Douglas,"  and  on  the  borders  English  nurses  would  hush  their  children  by  saying, 
"The  Black  Douglas  comes,"  "The  Black  Douglas  will  get  thee."  He  married  the 
Lady  Algidia  in  1387,  and  immediately  set  out  for  Dantzig  to  assist  Waldenrodt,  Grand 
Master  of  the  Teutonic  Knights,  against  the  then  pagan  Prussians  under  Udislaus  Jagello. 
For  his  conspicuous  services  he  was  made  Prince  of  Danesvick,  Duke  of  Spruce, $  and 
Admiral  of  the  Fleet,  while  the  Scots  were  made  for  ever  free  citizens  of  that  town.  In 
1390  Sir  William  was  foully  murdered  on  the  ancient  bridge  of  Dantzig  by  a  band  of 
assassins  employed  by  Lord  Clifford,  who  had  insulted  him,  and  yet  dreaded  to  meet  him 
in  mortal  combat.  By  his  wife  he  left  a  daughter  known  in  the  encomiastic  language  of 
the  age  as  "  The  Fair  Maid  of  Nithsdale.  "§  .  .  .  Through  this  marriadge  the  Prince 
of  Orknay  obtained  great  lands  and  authority,  as  all  the  Lordship  of  Nithsdale,  the 
Wardonrie  of  the  Three  Marches  betwixt  Berwick  and  Whithorne,  with  the  Baronies  of 
Hectfoord,  Harbertshire,  Grameshaw,  Kirktone,  Cavers,  Roxborough,  and  the  Sherrit- 
ship  of  Nithsdale,  with  the  town  of  Dumfries.  He  was  a  valiant  Prince,  well  propor- 
tioned, of  midle  stature,  broad  bodied,  fair  in  face,  yellow  haired,  hasty  and  sterne.  He 
had  the  greater  part  of  the  Nobility  in  the  Countrey,  his  Fialls,  and  their  bonds  of 
Manrent ;  as  the  Lord  Salton  named  Abernethy,  for  a  hundred  pounds  a  year  ;  the  Lord 
Crighton,  so  named ;  the  Lord  Seton,  so  named  ;  the  Lord  Dirleton,  named  Halyburton  ; 
the  Lord  Halifexburne  (sic)  ;  the  Lord  Levingstone  of  Kalendar,  so  named,  who  holds 
lands  in  Herbertshire,  as  Castelough  and  Akinloch  ;  the  Lord  Fleming  of  Cumbernald,  so 
named,  who  was  his  bailiff  of  Herbertshire,  and  held  lands  therof,  as  his  house,  the 
Castle  of  Rankens,  Easter  and  Wester  Summers,  Easter  and  Wester  Thomastones,  Bank- 
nocks,  Bangkerne,  Brackinlies  and  Dapes,  for  the  which  he  was  bound  to  pay  yearly  one 
pair  of  gold  spurres,  and  one  course  of  hunting,  with  a  banquet  att  the  Pentecoste  ;  the 
Lord  Borthwick,  who  hath  as  yet  the  liberties  of  the  Earn  Craig  yearly,  pertaining  to  the 
Barony  of  Pentland  Hills,  and  the  Lord  of  Dalkeith  :  with  these  barons,  the  Laird  of 
Westendrie  named  Foster,  who  got  the  lands  of  Tavensmock,  Easter  and  Wester,  the 
lands  of  Carne,  altogither  with  twenty-four  merks  yearly  of  the  Barony  of  Roslin  ;  the 
Laird   of  Craigmiller,    named   Prestone  ;    the  Laird    of  Gilmertone,   named  Heron  ;    the 

*  Van  Bassan.  t  Fordun. 

%  These  titles  are  given  Sir  William  Douglas  in  Hume  of  Godscroft's  book,  but  the  authority  he 
cites  is  "  The  Monuments  of  the  Sinclairs."  §  Scottish  Soldiers  of  Fortune. 


«* 


f 


'"'--*5ggy 


1 


fU 


__: 


io6  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 

Laird  of  Herrnistone,  named  Saintclaire  (his  cousin)  ;  the  Laird  of  Niddrie,  named 
Wachope  :  the  Laird  of  Edmistone,  so  named  ;  the  Laird  of  Penniecooke,  so  named  ;  the 
Laird  of  Henderleith,  and  the  Laird  of  Pompharstane,  named  Douglas,  who  got  the  lands 
of  Mertone,  holden  of  the  Barony  of  Pentland,  with  sundry  other  noblemen  and  gentlemen 
which  to  recite  were  impertinent  and  tedious  ;  for  one  part  of  the  countrey  were  his  allies, 
ane  other  held  lands  of  him,  the  other  were  his  Fialls,  so  that  there  were  very  few  except 
Dowglass  and  the  Earle  of  Marche,  two  also  of  the  peers  of  the  land,  but  were  some  way 
bound  to  him,  whom  also  he  used  to  entertain  into  his  house,  att  sundrie  times  of  the 
year,  with  their  Ladies,  and  servants,  as  att  Easter,  Christmess,  and  other  solemne  feasts. 

He  had  continually  in  his  house  three  hundred  Riding  Gentlemen,  and  his  Princess,, 
fifty-five  Gentlewomen,  wherof  thirty-five  were  Ladies.  He  had  his  dainties  tasted  before 
him  ;  he  had  meeting  him,  when  he  went  to  Orknay,  three  hundred  men  with  red  scarlet 
gownes,  and  coats  of  black  velvet.  He  builded  the  great  dungeon  of  Roslin,  and  other 
walls  therabout,  togither  with  parks  for  fallow  and  red  deer,  and  he  was  mutch  esteemed 
of  by  King  Robert  the  Third,  surnamed  Stewart,  and  therfor  he  got  the  Prince  James,  the 
first  of  that  name,  in  keeping,  lest  he  should  be  taken  away  by  the  treason  of  Robert,  Duke 
of  Albanie  and  Earle  of  Fife  and  Monteith,  who  had  the  whole  government  of  the  king- 
dome,  the  King  being  now  deceased,  and  aimed  at  the  crowne  after  the  King's  death, 
for  by  treason  he  had  slaine  the  King's  eldest  sone,  and  thought  to  doe  the  same  by  Prince 
James  if  he  could  catch  him.  But  the  King  fearing  the  term  of  his  life  to  draw  near,  and 
considering  the  trouble  that  might  befall  the  Prince  of  Orknay  after  his  death,  by  the 
deceit  of  him  that  was  to  be  Governor  ;  therfor  writting  letters  both  to  the  Kings  of 
France  and  England,  he  caused  the  Prince  of  Orknay  to  committ  himself,  togither  with 
his  sone,  Prince  James,  and  young  Percie,  nephew  to  the  Earle  of  Northumberland,  to 
the  sea's  mercie  ;  but  when  they  had  sailed  a  little  space,  Prince  James  not  being  able  to 
abide  the  smell  of  the  waters,  desired  to  be  att  land,  where,  when  they  were  come,  for 
they  landed  att  his  request  (30th  March,  1405,  upon  the  coast  of  England  at  Flam- 
borough)  upon  their  journay  to  the  King,  they  were  taken  and  imprisoned  till  afterwards, 
by  the  King's  command,  they  were  brought  to  him,  to  whom  they  delivered  the  letters  - 
who,  when  he  had  perused  them,  and  consulted  with  his  Nobles  what  to  doe,  att  length 
he  resolved  to  keep  them  as  prisoners,  yet  so  that  he  caused  instructors  to  teach  Prince 
James,  wherthrough  he  became  so  learned  and  expert  in  all  things  that  he  had  no  equal. 
The  rumour  of  this  imprisonment  (1405)  comeing  to  the  ears  of  the  King  of  Scotland, 
through  displeasure  he  died,  and  Robert,  his  brother,  Duke  of  Albanie,  was  made 
Governor.* 

The  prince  was  long  kept  in  England,  but  Earl  Henry  was  soon  liberated,  or  rather 
obtained  leave  of  His  Majesty  to  return  to  Scotland,  upon  leaving  his  brother  John  as 
hostage  for  his  returning  as  prisoner  into  England  by  the  following  Christmas.  Van  Bassan 
has  a  different  version  of  his  release,  and  narrates  : — ' '  About  this  time  one  John  Robinsone, 
indweller  att  Pentland,  and  tenent  to  the  Prince  of  Orknay,  came  to  England,  where  his 
master  was  imprisoned,  and  there  he  played  the  fool  so  cunningly,  that  without  any 
suspition  what  he  was,  he  had  entrance  to  the  prison  att  his  pleasure  ;  and  so,  watching 
his  time,  one  evening  he  convoyed  the  Prince  of  Orknay  without  the  gates  in  disguised 
apparell,  which  he  had  prepared  for  the  same  purpose,  where  they  stayed  all  the  next 
day,  and  afterwards  made  them  for  journey  next  evening,  for  they  travelled  in  the  night 


HENRY  II.,  43RD  EARL.  107 


and  rested  in  the  daytime,  lest  they  should  be  taken  by  those  who  were  appointed  for  that 
purpose  by  the  King.  They  travelled  to  the  borders,  where  there  was  great  inquiry  made 
for  them,  when,  behold,  two  sowtherns,  not  knowing  what  they  were,  made  them  hold 
their  horses,  which  the  Prince  perceaving,  and  catching  hold  of  one  of  their  necks,  struck 
him  to  the  ground,  and  so  bereft  him  of  his  life,  and  then  followed  the  other,  who  fled 
with  shreeks  and  lamentable  cries,  whom  he  made  partake  of  his  companion's  reward  ;  so 
he  with  his  servant  prepared  themselves,  and  in  short  time,  being  well  mounted,  arrived 
in  Scotland  ;  where  when  he  was  come  he  desired  this  Robisone  to  ask  his  reward,  who 
desired  nothing  but  that  he  might  goe  to  Pentland,  before  he  went  to  Rosline,  and  pass 
three  times  about  the  Linstone  therof,  which  he  did.  He  was  no  sooner  come  to  Rosline, 
but  the  noble  Douglasse,  and  the  Earl  of  Marche,  togither  with  all  the  nobles,  his  servants 
and  fialls,  came  to  welcome  his  returne,  enquiring  of  his  wellfare,  where  these  three 
Princes,  Henry  Saintclair,  Archibald  Dowglass,  and  George  Dumbar,  consulted  about 
their  affairs,  and  then  departed  to  their  severall  dwellings.  Robert,  Duke  of  Albanie 
and  Governor,  being  a  malitious  tyrant,  was  mightily  commoved  heratt,  and  carrieing 
hatred  in  his  heart  att  the  Prince  of  Orknay  for  keeping  Prince  James  from  his  terrible 
treason,  therfor  he  forges  a  cause  whereby  he  might  be  revenged  upon  him,  to  witt,  the 
treasonable  delivering  of  the  Prince  of  Scotland  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  and  ther- 
upon  caused  summonds  against  him,  appointing  a  day  for  his  forfeiture,  against  which 
day  he  had  prepared  a  company  of  men  to  resist  the  Prince's  friends  who  would  be  most 
against  his  pretence  ;  and  sent  Heralds  through  all  the  countrey,  discharging  all  under 
pain  of  treason  to  assist  him,  but  that  he  should  compear  that  day  himself,  with  a  few 
number  of  his  servants  to  defend  his  cause.  The  Prince,  considering  how  unjustly  he 
was  accused,  in  great  rage  warning  his  friends  and  servants,  who  promised  their  aid  and 
assistance,  and  bringing  great  forces  from  Zetland  and  the  Orcade  Isles,  sent  the  Governor 
this  answer,  that  att  the  day  he  should  compear,  but  so  that  one  towne  should  not  contain 
them  both,  and  in  derision  desires  him  to  prepare  iodgeing  for  himself  and  stabling  for 
his  horses,  for  he  thought  the  city  not  sufficiently  furnished.  Wherat  the  Governor  was 
mightily  offended,  and  vowed  to  contain  him  in  less  bounds  ;  but  the  day  of  forfeiture 
appointed  being  come,  Uuke  Robert  came  to  Edinburgh  with  (10,000)  men.  The  Prince 
hearing  this,  haveing  with  him  in  company  (40,000),  resolved  to  meet  him  there,  where, 
when  he  was  come,  the  Duke,  mightily  afraid,  fled  with  3  more  besides  himself  to 
Falkland,  where  he  remained  ;  wherof  the  Prince  haveing  knowledge,  after  great  search 
made,  sent  one  of  his  company,  and  he,  togither  with  the  other  two  Princes  of  the  Land, 
Douglas  aud  Dumbar,  constitute  a  Parliament,  in  which  they  appointed  to  forfeitt  Duke 
Robert,  with  all  his  favourers,  for  his  tyrannie  and  treason  used  against  David,  eldest 
sone  to  King  Robert,  which  cruelty  consisted  in  this,  that  after  he  was  licensed  by  the 
King,  he  imprisoned  him  for  his  licentious  life,  denieing  him  all  nourishment,  and  any 
that  pitied  him  he  punished  with  death,  as  he  did  a  poore  woman  that  gave  him  meale  in 
att  a  hole,  and  ane  other  that  gave  him  the  milk  of  her  breast.  Att  the  news  of  this  new 
Parliament  Duke  Robert  was  sore  afraid  and  becam  penitent  ;  wherfor  he  sent  his  friends 
to  the  three  Princes  to  make  sure  for  him,  promiseing  to  amend  his  life  in  time  to  come, 
who  excused  all  he  had  done,  imputing  it  to  bad  counsell.  Att  this  excuse  they  being 
content,  and  accepting  his  promise  of  amendment,  receaved  him  into  favour  and  restored 
him  to  office."  * 


Van  Bassan,  fabulist. 


io8  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY 


It  is  stated  that  the  year  following  30th  January,  1405-6,  the  Earl,  with  a  son  of  the 
Duke  of  Albany  and  eleven  other  Scottish  magnates,  obtained  letters  of  safe  conduct  for 
coming  into  England  with  a  company  of  fifty  persons,  in  order  to  be  received  as  hostages 
for  the  Earl  of  Douglas.*  But  in  the  list  of  hostages  preserved  in  an  indenture  of  14th 
March,  1407,  for  the  release  of  Archibald  II.,  fourth  Earl  of  Douglas,  the  only  St.  Clair 
mentioned  is  Sir  William  of  Hermiston,  nor  is  it  likely  that  a  noble  of  equal  importance 
to  Douglas  would  have  been  proposed  or  consented  to  be  exchanged  for  him. 

At  Edinburgh  on  the  17th  November,  1407,  Archibald  II.,  fourth  Earl  of  Douglas, 
Lord  of  Galloway,  grants  the  barony  of  Herbertshire  to  Earl  Henry  and  his  Countess,  the 
Lady  Algidia,  and  their  heirs.  This  was  confirmed  by  the  Regent  Albany  on  20th 
November,  1407.  Amongst  the  witnesses  in  the  instrument  of  infeftment  to  Egidia, 
Countess  of  Orkney,  are  Williehnus  de  Sancto  Claro  and  Edwardo  de  Sanc/o  Claro,  Armigeri. 
The  date  of  the  infeftment  in  Hay's  Genealogie  is  1447. t  The  Barony  of  Herbertshire 
was  probably  granted  on  the  occasion  of  the  Earl's  nuptials  with  the  '  Fair  Maid  of 
Nithsdale,'  who  was  born  in  1390.  These  two  events  enable  us  to  arrive  approximately 
at  the  age  of  their  son,  Earl  William,  who  was  a  minor  at  the  death  of  his  father  in  1420, 
and  in  1426  was  evidently  of  age,  taking  his  place  as  Earl  of  Orkney  in  the  assize  on 
Murdoch,  Duke  of  Albany. 

On  the  20th  November,  141 1,  Earl  Henry  authorised  his  brother  John  to  redeem  in 
his  name  from  Sir  Walter  de  Lindsay  the  lands  of  Johnston  and  Brumiston  in  the  shire  of 
Mearns,  which  were  woodset  to  Sir  Walter.!  The  same  John  received  from  Henry  V.  a 
passport  into  England,  in  order  to  treat  of  the  redemption  of  the  King  of  Scots  ;  and  Earl 
Henry  himself  another  from  the  same  prince  for  coming  into  England  with  a  retinue  of 
twenty  persons  of  whatever  degree  to  remain  until  the  August  following.*  In  the  spring 
of  1412  Earl  Henry  went  to  France  with  Archibald  Douglas  to  assist  the  French  against 
the  English.  Bower  relates  :  "  The  Earl  of  Douglas  was  thrice  driven  back  by  hostile 
winds,  and  having,  on  the  advice  of  Henry  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Orkney,  landed  at  Inchcolme 
in  the  Forth,  and  made  offering  to  St.  Columba,  the  saint  sent  him  with  a  prosperous 
wind  to  Flanders,  and  brought  him  safely  home  again. 

' '  Att  this  time  the  Prince  of  Orknay  had  all  his  victualls  brought  by  sea  from  the 
north  in  great  abundance,  for  his  house  was  free  for  all  men,  so  that  there  was  no  indigent 
that  were  his  friends  but  receaved  food  and  rayment,  no  tennents  sore  oppressed  but  had 
sufficient  to  maintain  them,  and,  in  a  word,  he  was  a  pattern  of  piety  to  all  his  posterity, 
for  his  zeal  was  so  great  that  before  all  things  he  preferred  God's  service,  which  appeared 
in  this,  that  he  gifted  the  Abbay  of  Holyroodhouse  so  ritchly,  with  the  back  and  fore 
Spittles,  with  the  Midle,  and  Lochrids  and  Skipperfields,  together  with  the  tithes  of 
St.  Katherine's  Church  in  the  Hopes,  which  lands  were  estimate  able  to  feed  7,000  sheep. 
He  gave  also  to  his  brother  John  Saintclair  the  Kirktone,  the  Logauhouse,  the  Earn  Craig, 
the  Easter  and  Wester  Summerhopes,  with  the  pertinents  therunto  upon  this  condition, 
that  if  he  had  no  heirs-male  they  should  return  again  to  the  House  of  Roslin."t  Henry, 
Earl  of  Orkney,  Lord  St.  Clair  and  Nithsdale,  granted  to  James  St.  Clair  of  Longformacus 
a  charter  of  twenty  merks  yearly,  to  be  uplifted  out  of  the  lands  of  Leny,  20th  February, 
1418.1 

In  1418  John  St.  Clair  swears  fealty  to  King  Eric  at  Helsingborg  for  the  king's  lands 
of  Hjaltland,  having   been   specially  commissioned  by  Earl  Henry  to  that   effect,  and 


Barry.  f  Roslyn  Chartularv. 


HENRY  II.,  43RD  EARL.  109 


becomes  bound  to  administer  the  Norse  laws  according  to  the  ancient  usage,  and  it  is 
stipulated  that  at  his  death  Hjaltland  should  again  revert  to  the  crown  of  Norway.* 

The  Earl  executed  an  indenture  at  Roslyn  the  23rd  November,  1419,  with  Adam  of 
Dalkell  of  the  Buthagh.  In  the  instrument  the  Earl  is  described  as  "  a  noble  lord  and  a 
mighty  Prince,  Henry  Earl  of  Orkney,  Lord  Sinclair  and  Niddisdale."t  Adam  was  married 
to  Sabey  Menzies,  perhaps  niece  of  the  Earl.  It  is  stated},  that  in  1418  the  Countess 
of  Orkney  received  papal  dispensation  to  re-marry,  but  this  is  inconsistent  with  the 
execution  of  the  deed  with  Adam  of  Dalkell,  and  as  Bower  in  his  continuation  of 
Fordun  assigns  1420  as  the  date  of  the  Earl's  death,  the  latter  date  and  that  of  the  deed 
seem  to  support  each  other. 

Van  Bassan  continues  :  "  As  for  the  ritch  ventures  that  he  gave  for  the  service  of  God 
att  that  time,  I  minde  not  to  insert  particularly  ;  only  they  were  of  gold  and  silver  and 
silkes.  Here  is  to  be  admonished  that  the  affectionat  zeale  and  love  to  God's  glory  and 
service,  which  was  tenderly  cherished  in  the  hearts  of  these  our  worthy  ancestres,  should 
serve  as  a  spurre  to  pricke  us  forward  in  the  way  of  devotione  and  vertue  to  imitate  their 
pious  example,  otherways  God  will  make  their  zeale  to  accuse  us  at  the  last  day." 

But  to  our  purpose.  Not  long  after  this  died  Prince  Henry  Saintclaire.  He  was 
"vir  militise  terrestris  ac  navalis  scientia  plurimum  valens,  qui  ab  adolescentia,  magnis 
rebus,  summa  fortitudine  et  felicitate,  gestio,  apud  onines,  gloriam  et  authoritatem  com- 
paravit."  He  was  a  man  of  sharp  wit,  and  projected  great  matters,  when  he  breathed 
out  his  life.  I  find  in  the  Martyrologe,  or  obituarium  Santre  Marise  de  Newbottle  what 
follows: — "Obiit  Kalendis  Februarii,  Henricus  Comes  Orchadiae,  qui  super  ceteros, 
"  ecclesiam  nostram  diligens  multa  nobis  contulit  beneficia  :  habuimus  de  bonis  ejus, 
"  multa  pecora,  unam  crucem  argenteam  valentem  L  lib.  vel  circiter,  in  cujus  lateribus 
"  Maria  et  Johannes  assistunt,  libros  et  alia,  unde  ei  in  perpetuum  obnoxii  esse  debemus  ; 
"statuimus  pro  hide,  ut  singulis  annis,  redeunte  die  obitus  fui,  fiat  pro  eo  commemoratis 
"  mortuorum,  et  commendatio  ante  missam  ;  et  habeant  die  ilia  fratres  xii.  solidos  ad 
'.'  refectionem." 

Prince  Henry  Saintclaire  left  behind  one  sone  named  William,  his  successor,  and  one 
daughter.  The  daughter  was  Beatrix,  who  married  Sir  James  Douglas,  brother  to 
Archibald  II.,  3rd  Earl  of  Douglas,  and  who  appears  as  of  Balveny  (1409),  Earl  of 
Avondale,  1437.  On  the  murder  of  William,  6th  Earl  of  Douglas,  in  1440,  the  Earl  of 
Avondale  became  7th  Earl  of  Douglas.  Beatrix  may  well  have  been  termed  the  "  Mother 
of  Earls."  She  had  issue  William  and  James,  8th  and  9th  Earls  of  Douglas  ;  Archibald, 
Earl  of  Moray  ;  Hugh,  Earl  of  Ormond  ;  John,  Lord  Balveny  ;  and  Henry,  Bishop  of 
Dunkeld.  During  the  life-time  of  William,  8th  Earl  of  Douglas,  a  singular  question  was 
raised,  whether  James,  afterwards  9th  Earl,  or  his  brother  Archibald,  Earl  of  Moray,  was 
the  elder  twin  of  the  marriage  between  James  the  Gross  and  Beatrix  Sinclair,  daughter  of 
Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney.  After  an  enquiry  before  the  official  of  Lothian,  who  took  the 
evidence  of  their  mother,  the  Countess-Dowager,  and  other  worthy  women,  the  priority 
of  James  was  declared,  and  ratified  by  a  writ  under  the  Great  Seal  on  9th  January,  1450. $ 
Beatrix,  Countess-Dowager  of  Douglas,  was  buried  in  St.  Bride's  at  Douglas,  and  on  a 
monumental  wall-tomb  are  the  arms  of  Douglas  impaling  Sinclair,  with  the  following 
inscription:    "Hie  jacet    Domina  Beatrix  de  Sinclaire,  filia   Domini   Henrici,   Comitis 

*  Orkn.  Saga.  ■*■  Roslyn  Chartulary.         {  Douglas  Peerage.         \  Diet.  Nat.  Biog.,  Article  Douglas. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


Orcadum,  Domini  de  Saintclaire,  Comitissa  de  Douglas  et  Aveniae,  Domina  Gallovidiae. '  '* 
Egidia,  relict  of  Sir  Henry  Sinclair,  is  stated  to  have  received  the  Papal  dispensation 
to  marry  Alex.  Stuart  in  1418,  but  from  the  indenture  of  Earl  Henry  with  Adam  of 
Dalkell,  we  know  he  was  alive  on  the  3rd  November,  1419,  and  from  the  entry  in  the 
obituarium  of  St.  Mary  of  Newbottle — which  can  hardly  refer  to  the  death  of  Earl  Henry  I., 
or  it  would  surely  have  recited  the  fact  of  his  being  mortally  wounded  in  battle  with  the 
English  invaders — we  ascertain  he  died  on  the  1st  February,  1420.  It  is  said  that  she 
married  secondly  Alexander,  third  sou  of  Murdoch  Stuart,  Duke  of  Albany,  who  was 
beheaded  along  with  his  father  at  Stirling,  25th  May,  1425  ;  yet  when  she  next  appears,  t 
confirming  the  charter  of  10th  September,  1425,  by  John  de  Blare,  dominus  de  Adamtoun, 
of  the  lands  of  Catscleuch  to  Alexander  de  Eevingstone  de  Calentare,  she  is  simply  Egidia, 
Comitissa  Orcadie,  Domina  Vallis  de  Nith  et  Baronie  de  Harbartshire.  Her  seal  appended 
to  this  confirmation  displays  her  arms  impaling  those  of  her  husband  on  the  right.  As 
daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  William  Douglas  of  Nithsdale,  she  bears  the  Douglas  arms  on 
the  right,  and  in  the  fourth  quarter  the  Lion  of  Galloway,  which  it  will  be  observed  is 
turned  to  the  left.  The  Saintclairs  subsequently  bore  the  Lion,  which  has  been  mistaken 
by  Heralds  for  the  arms  of  Spar,  the  Norse  Lords  in  Orkney.  Again,*  when  complaining 
of  the  spoliation  of  her  Nithsdale  dominions  in  1438,  she  is  similarly  described,  and  there 
is  no  indication  of  a  second  marriage.  She  was  certainly  young  enough  to  re-marry  at 
the  time  of  Earl  Henry's  death,  as  she  was  only  born  in  1390. 

There  are  many  references  to  this  Earl  Henry  in  addition  to  the  foregoing.  On  the 
24th  March,  1405,  he  receives  a  payment  for  Sir  John  Drummond,  and  on  the  28th  May 
following  witnesses  the  grant  of  a  cocket  to  the  Bishop  of  St.  Andrew's.  On  the  15th 
March,  1406,  Henry  IV.  from  Westminster,  gave  a  safe  conduct  to  Henry,  Earl  of 
Orkney,  and  Walter,  Lord  Haliburton,  to  come  into  England  with  forty  persons,  to 
remain  till  the  feast  of  St.  John  the  Baptist.  His  seal  is  appended  to  a  charter  he  gave  to 
Forrester  of  Corstorphine,  of  date  26th  November,  1407.  At  Westminster,  8th  April, 
1407,  Henry  IV.  signed  a  passport  to  Patrick  Thomson  aud  Henry  Shipman,  the  masters 
of  a  ship  from  Scotland  ;  and  to  Alex.  Johnson  and  Robert  Black,  of  Scotland,  with 
twelve  persons  accompanying  them,  to  London  by  ship  with  goods  and  merchandise 
coming  with  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney.  On  the  supplication  of  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney, 
Alexander  Ledale  and  Robert  Williamson,  armorials-bearing  gentlemen  and  followers  of 
that  earl,  had  a  safe  conduct  with  eight  persons  by  sea  and  laud  within  England,  dated 
by  private  seal  at  Westminster  4th  January,  1407-8,  from  Henry  IV.,  their  permission  to 
last  till  Pentecost.  On  20th  July,  1408,  he  attests  the  Regent's  charter  of  Strathbolgie  to 
Sir  Alex,  of  Seton.  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney,  and  a  Lord  William  St.  Clair  signed  a 
charter  of  Gogar  at  Dirleton  8th  June,  1409,  and  in  the  same  year  he  is  noted  to  receive 
payment  from  the  customs  of  Linlithgow  if  so  entitled,  and  in  May,  1404,  ,£20  was  paid 
to  him  for  travelling  to  England  on  affairs  of  the  Scottish  King.  In  1410  there  is  a 
similar  entry  about  the  customs  of  Linlithgow,  and  also  the  Edinburgh  customs,  while  on 
the  15th  May,  1409,  aud  14th  July,  141  o,  this  is  noted  at  Aberdeen  :  "  Et  memorandum 
quod  non  onerant  se  de  quatuor  dacris  et  quatuor  coriis  que  venerunt  de  Orcadia  per 
coketam  comitis  Orcadie." 

On  1 2th  September,  1410,  the  Earl,  at  Rosliu,  gave  to  "  our  brother-german  John  and 
his  heirs  "  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Sunellis,  Hope,  and  Loganhouse  in  Pentland  Moor,  near 


Hay.  |  Hay  Introd. 


HENRY  II.,  43RD  EARL. 


Edinburgh,  ratified  twelve  days  later  by  the  Regent  ;  and  about  the  same  time  Sir  John 
Forrester  of  Corstorphine,  Edinburgh,  to  whom  the  Earl's  sister  Jean  was  married,  had 
the  confirmation  of  a  loan  of  300  nobles,  receiving  12  merks  yearly  from  Dysart  and  coals 
till  repayment.  In  141 5  the  Earl  of  Orkney  took  ^42  6s.  8d.  from  Edinburgh  customs  ; 
and  Henry  V.,  at  Westminster,  of  date  14th  April,  1416,  gave  his  protection  in  England 
till  15th  August  to  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney,  with  20  persons  coming  from  and  returning 
to  Scotland.  Hen.  Com.  de  Orcadia  is  printed  as  a  witness  in  the  Exch.  Rolls  during  the 
years  1424-5-9  ;  but  this  must  surely  be  a  mistake.  On  the  10th  July,  1424,  there  is 
confirmation  to  Sir  John  Forrester  of  Corstorphine,  and  Margaret  his  quondam  spouse,  of 
a  charter  from  Sir  John  Drummond  de  Cargill,  of  Uchtertire  in  Perth,  quas  Hen.  de 
S.  Claro,  Earl  of  Orkney  [had]  resigned  ;  and  also  a  confirmation  of  an  impignoration 
by  Henry  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Orkney,  to  Sir  John  Forrester  de  Corstorphine,  knight, 
fra/ri  sua. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


THE   ST.  CLAIR   LINE. 


WILLIAM,  44th   EARL. 
1420 — 1471. 

140S.—  M.   1.  Elizabeth  Douglas,  Countess-Dowager  of  Buchan  and  of  the  Garioch. 
2.  Marjory  Sutherland  of  Dunbeath. 


Princes  Contemporaneous 


Norway : 
Denmark 
Scotland  : 
England : 
France : 
Rome  : 


1412,  Eric  VII.  of  Poniern. 

1406,  James  I. 

1413,  Henry  V. 
13S0,  Charles  VI. 
1417,  Martin  V. 
1455,  Calixtus  III. 
1471.  Sixtus  IV. 


1440,   Christopher  III. 

1436,  James  II. 

1422,  Henry  VI. 

1423,  Charles  VII. 
1431,  Eugenius IV. 
1458,  Pius  II. 


1448,  Christian  I. 

1460,  James  III. 

1461,  Edward  IV. 
1461,  Louis  XI. 
1447,  Nicholas  V. 
1464.  Paul  II. 


Prelates  : 

Orkney:  1418,  Thomas  de  Tulloch.       1461,  William  VI.  de  Tulloch. 

"  After  the  death  of  Prince  Henry  Saintclaire,  succeeded  his  sone  William  Saintclair, 
Prince  of  Orknay  [Duke  of  Holdenbourg],  Earle  of  Cathness  [and  Stratherne],  Lord 
Shetland,  Lord  Saintclair,  Lord  Nithsdale,  Shirieff  of  Dumfriese,  Lord  Admirall  of  the 
Scots  Seas,  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  Scotland,  Lord  Wardin  and  Justiciar  of  the  three  Marches 
betwixt  Berwick  and  Whithorne,  Baron  of  Rosline,  Baron  of  Pentland  and  Pentland  Moore 
in  free  forestrie,  Baron  of  Couslande,  Baron  of  Cardain  Saintclair,  Baron  of  Herbertshire, 
Baron  of  Hectford,  Baron  of  Grahamshaw,  Baron  of  Kirktone,  Baron  of  Cavers,  Baron 
of  Newborough  in  Buchan,  Baron  of  Roxburgh,  Dysart,  Polmese,  Kenrusi,  etc.,  Knight 
of  the  Cockle  after  the  ordre  of  France  [and  Knight  of  the  Garter  after  the  order  of 
England,  Knight  of  the  Golden  Fleece],  Great  Chaucellour,  Chamberlain,  and  Livetenant 
of  Scotland,  etc. — titles  to  wearie  a  Spaniard."* 

A  curious  instrument,  which  throws  some  light  on  the  state  of  the  Highlands  in 
1420,  and  gives  an  example  of  the  mixture  of  Celtic  and  Norman  names,  is  to  be  found 
in  a  MS.  in  the  Adv.  Lib.,  Jac.  V.  4,  22,  entitled  "  Diplomatum  Collectio. "  t  As  it 
perhaps  refers  to  Earl  William's  uncle,  it  is  here  inserted  in  part,  as  follows  : — John 
Touch,  be  the  Grace  of  God,  Bishop  of  Rosse  ;  Dame  Mary  of  ye  He,  Lady  of  the  Yles, 
and  of  Rosse  ;  Hucheon  Fraser,  Lord  of  Lovat ;  John  Macloyde,  Lorde  of  Glenelg  ; 
Angus  Guthredson  of  the  Ylis  ;  Schyr  Wm.  Farquhar,  Dean  of  Rosse  ;  Walter  of  Douglas, 
Scheraff  of  Elgin  ;  Walter  of  Innes,  Lord  of  that  like  ;  John  Syncler,  Lord  of  Deskford  ; 


,  fabulist. 


t  Tytler. 


WILLIAM,   44TH  EARL. 


John  ye  Ross,  Lord  of  Kilravache  ;  John  McEan  of  Ardnamurchan,  with  many  othyr, 
etc.  Sir  Walter  Ogilvie  married  in  1437  Margaret,  heiress  of  John  Syncler,  Lord  of 
Deskford,  and  was  ancestor  to  the  Earls  of  Deskford,  Findlater,  Seafield,  and  Banff,  who 
all  quarter  the  Roslin  arms. 

When  James  I.  returned  to  Scotland  in  1423,  he  was  met  at  Durham  by  the  Earls 
of  Lennox,  Wigtown,  Moray,  Crawford,  March,  Orkney,  Angus  and  Stratherue,  with  the 
Constable  and  Marischal  of  Scotland  and  a  train  of  the  highest  barons  and  gentry  of  his 
dominions,  amounting  altogether  to  about  300  persons  ;  from  whom  was  selected  a  band 
of  28  hostages,  comprehending  some  of  the  most  noble  and  opulent  persons  in  the  country. 
In  the  schedule  containing  their  names,  the  annual  rent  of  their  estates  is  also  set  down, 
which  renders  it  a  document  of  much  interest  as  illustrating  the  wealth  and  comparative 
influence  of  the  Scottish  aristocracy  (Rymer's  Foed,  vol.  x.,  pp.  307-9).* 

On  succeeding  to  the  Earldom,  Earl  William  had  scarcely  been  in  possession  a  year 
when  he  was  one  of  the  five  earls  enumerated  in  the  twenty  hostages  proposed  31st  May, 
1421,  for  the  redemption  of  James  the  First;  and  when  that  redemption  could  not  be 
obtained,  he  was  soon  afterwards  placed  in  the  list  of  nobles  who  received  a  passport  to 
visit  James,  King  of  Scots,  then  a  prisoner  in  England,  for  which  purpose  the  Earl 
received  a  safe-conduct  for  himself  and  twenty-four  persons.  His  father,  Henry  II., 
almost  during  his  whole  life  had  been  employed  in  business  of  the  utmost  importance, 
and  for  this  reason  found  little  leisure  to  cultivate  the  acquaintance  of  that  sovereign  for 
whom  he  held  the  Earldom,  or  to  renew  the  obligations  to  which  his  father  had  become 
bound  on  receiving  investiture.  Earl  William  had  begun  the  same  active  and  honourable 
course,  and  was  likely  to  be  guilty  of  the  same  neglect  ;  and  perhaps  the  Danish  monarch 
was  not  much  displeased  to  see  such  a  powerful  subject  of  another  prince  fail  to  perform 
the  conditions  stipulated  on  obtaining  the  grant,  so  that  he  might  have  a  plausible  pretext 
for  depriving  him  of  the  possession.! 

Thomas  de  Tulloch,  who  became  Bishop  of  Orkney  about  1422,  was  of  far  more 
celebrity  than  his  immediate  predecessors.  Letters  of  safe-conduct  were  granted  to  him 
and  eight  persons  in  his  retinue  for  a  whole  year  by  Henry  the  Sixth,  King  of  England. 
He  seems  to  have  been  held  in  much  esteem  by  his  own  sovereign  ;  for  when  neither  Earl 
William  nor  his  father  had  acknowledged  his  supremacy,  King  Eric  committed  the  Earldom 
to  him,  not  as  a  pledge  or  in  security  for  debt,  but  as  a  solemn  trust,  to  be  executed  with 
fidelity,  and  recalled  at  the  pleasure  of  the  King,  or  that  of  any  of  his  lawful  successors. 
This  appears  evident  from  the  tenor  of  his  letters  on  receipt  of  the  commission,  which 
expressly  declare  that  he  will  govern  the  people  with  equity  and  according  to  law, 
maintain  peace  among  them  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability,  and  whenever  it  should  please 
His  Majesty,  from  whom  he  received  the  trust,  or  any  of  his  successors,  to  demand 
restitution,  he  would  readily  deliver  into  their  hands  not  only  the  citadel  of  Kirkwall, 
but  the  whole  Earldom,  f 

The  Bishop  swore  fealty  to  King  Eric  in  1420,  in  the  church  of  Vestenskov  in  Laland, 
undertaking  the  administration  of  the  Islands  according  to  the  Norsk  law-book  and  the 
ancient  usages.  The  document  is  endorsed  "  Biscop  Thomes  breff  af  Orknoy,  at  han 
skal  halde  Orknoy  til  myn  herres  konnungens  hand,  oc  hans  efter  kommende,  oc  lade  han 
mit  Noren  lagh."     On  the  10th  July,    1422,   he  received  as  a  fief  from  the  King  "the 

*  Tytler.  t  Barry. 


II4  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


palace  of  Kirkwall  and  pertinents,  lying  in  Orknoy,  in  Norway,  together  with  the  lands 
of  Orknoy  and  the  government  thereof. ' '  The  document  is  endorsed  ' '  Item  biscop 
Thomes  aff  Orknoy  breff  urn  Kirkwaw  slot  i  Orknoy,  oc  um  landet  oc  greves-chapet  ther 
samestads."*  Though  this  prelate  seems  to  have  been  well  qualified  for  the  trust 
inasmuch  as  he  had  the  confidence  of  the  Prince,  as  well  as  the  affection  of  the  people, 
his  administration  was  only  of  one  year's  duration.! 

A  Scottish  gentleman,  David  Menzies,  of  Wemyss,  Chief  of  the  Clan  Menzies,  and 
uncle:  to  Earl  William,  was  in  1423  entrusted  by  King  Eric  with  the  administration 
of  the  Isles ;  and  the  Bishop  himself  and  Walter  Fraser  subscribed  his  obligation  as 
sureties.  This  precaution  was,  however,  of  no  effect,  as  it  could  not  supply  the  defect  of 
principle,  nor  restrain  within  due  bounds  a  man  who  seems  to  have  been  naturally 
addicted  to  arbitrary  sway  and  rapine.  Within  four  j^ears  his  depravity  displayed  itself 
in  such  various  acts  of  wickedness  that  the  Islesmen,  groaning  under  his  power,  in  1426 
preferred  a  complaint  against  him  to  King  Eric  containing  no  less  than  thirty-five  articles 
of  accusation,!  setting  forth  that  they  had  been  subjected  to  oppression  and  wholesale 
spoliation  during  the  period  of  his  administration.  Among  the  charges  preferred  against 
him,  it  was  asserted  that  he  diminished  the  value  of  money  by  one-half,  that  he  threw  the 
Law-man  of  the  Islands  unjustly  into  prison,  and  illegally  possessed  himself  of  the  public 
seal  and  law-book  of  the  Isles,  which  the  Law-man's  wife  had  deposited  on  the  altar  of 
the  Church  of  St.  Magnus  for  their  security ;  that  he  exacted  fines  and  services  illegally 
and  with  personal  violence,  and  was  guilty  of  many  other  acts  of  tyrannical  oppression.* 
Amongst  others  enumerated  in  this  document  is  one  Thomas  Sincler,  who  seems  to  have 
taken  a  foremost  part  in  bringing  about  some  limitation  to  the  excessive  power  assumed 
by  Sir  David  Menzies.  Thomas  Sincler  proceeded  to  Denmark  and  obtained  authority 
to  correct  Sir  David's  irregularities,  but  the  latter  was  little  inclined  to  tolerate  any 
power  in  supersession  of  his  own,  and  he  exiled  Thomas  to  Scotland.  In  Article  XI.  a 
reference  is  made  to  "  Johannes  Craigie,  filiusque  sororis, "  etc.S  If  this  can  be  construed 
to  mean  that  John  Craigie  was  Thomas  Sincler's  sister's  son,  we  can  conclude  that 
Thomas  was  a  son  of  Earl  Henry  I.  and  brother  to  Margaret  St.  Clair,  daughter  of  Earl 
Henry  by  Elisabeth  de  Stratherne,  whom  we  have  seen  was  married  to  James  of  Cragy, 
which  fact  is  recited  in  the  attestation  of  1422  by  the  Law-man  and  Canons  of  Orkney.* 

To  rectify  the  disorders  which  such  an  administration  must  have  produced,  and 
restore  among  the  people  contentment  and  tranquility,  Bishop  Thomas,  whose  character 
was  firmly  established,  was  in  1427  re-instated  in  the  government  of  the  Earldom,  the 
functions  relating  to  which  he  performed  with  honour  for  the  seven  years  intervening 
until  the  young  Earl  received  his  formal  investiture.! 

That  about  this  period  the  Orcadians  were  becoming  Scotticised  is  evidenced  by  a 
deed  of  gift  in  English  or  Scottish  made  on  the  6th  day  of  June,  in  1433,  by  one 
"Duncan  off  Law"  of  a  house  in  Kirkwall  to  one  "Donald  Clerke  "  as  a  marriage 
portion  with  Jonet  Law,  sister  of  the  donor. || 

Earl  William  had  taken  the  title  before  receiving  investiture,  for  on  10th  July,  1424, 
he  is  so  styled,  and  in  1426  he  appears  as  Earl  of  Orkney  on  the  assize  at  Stirling  for  the 
trial  of  Murdoch,  Duke  of  Albany,*  and  on  the  30th  May,  1428,  he  is  described  as  Earl 
of  Orkney  in  an  enumeration  of  those  present  at  Edinburgh  dealing  with  a  complaint 
preferred  by  his  mother  Egidia,  the  Lady  of  Nithsdale  and  Countess  Dowager  of  Orkney, 

*  Orkn.  Saga  Introd.         t  Barry.         %  Nisbet.         §  Balfour  App.  ||  Tudor. 


WILLIAM,  44TH  EARL.  115 


with  regard  to  the  spoliation  of  her  Nithsdale  possessions.  His  brother-in-law,  James 
Douglas,  Earl  of  Avondale,  afterwards  seventh  Earl  of  Douglas,  was  also  present  on  that 
occasion.* 

If  we  had  not  known  the  extensive  properties  that  Earl  William  possessed  in 
Scotland,  the  high  dignity  to  which  he  had  been  raised,  and  the  important  duties  which 
he  had  been  called  on  to  perform,  we  should  have  been  at  a  loss  to  assign  reasons  for  the 
time  he  had  suffered  to  elapse  previously  to  the  application  for  the  investiture  of  his 
Earldom  .An  opportunity,  however,  now  occurred  which  he  embraced  for  that  purpose, 
and  his  attempts  were  crowned  with  final  success.  But  even  before  this  period  his 
interest  does  not  seem  to  have  been  altogether  neglected,  since  one  of  the  articles  of 
charge  against  Menzies  was  that  he  had  appropriated  to  himself  rents  which  belonged  to 
his  nephew,  the  Earl,  and  had  refused  to  set  the  public  seal  to  the  evidence  which  he  had 
brought  to  prove  his  right,  t 

Between  his  father's  death  and  his  preference  of  claim,  doubts  had  arisen  respecting 
Earl  William's  rights  ;  and  other  claimants  had,  it  is  probable,  appeared  to  avail  them- 
selves of  that  doubt.  To  clear  up  this  matter,  and  to  free  himself  from  applications  from 
other  quarters,  as  well  as  to  do  justice  to  this  celebrated  personage,  Eric,  King  of 
Norway,  issued  an  order  to  Thomas,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  and  others,  to  search  the 
archives,  records,  and  all  other  evidences,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  point  in  dispute. 
That  venerable  prelate  joined  those  that  were  named  with  him  to  form  a  jury  for 
executing  the  business  ;  and  after  having  in  the  most  solemn  manner  traced  his  pedigree 
from  the  very  first  of  the  earls,  ascertained  his,  Earl  William's,  right  beyond  the  possi- 
bility of  contradiction  (1434).!  One  of  the  witnesses  to  this  memorable  document,  which 
was  executed  at  Kirkwall,  is  an  Alexander  Sinclair,  who  appends  his  seal  thereto.!  The 
Earl  crossed  over  to  Denmark,  and  King  Eric  having  before  him  the  report  of  his  Royal 
Commissioners,  granted  investiture  on  the  12th  August,  1434,  on  terms  nearly  similar  to 
those  imposed  on  Earl  Henry  I.  in  1379.  Moreover,  he  was  to  hold  for  the  king  and  his 
successors  the  castle  of  Kirkwall,  which  his  grandfather  Earl  Henry  I.  had  erected 
without  royal  consent.  Amongst  his  sureties;  were  some  of  Scotland's  most  puissant 
nobles,  viz.,  Archibald  III.,  5th  Earl  of  Douglas  ;  William,  2nd  Earl  of  Angus  ;  Henry, 
Bishop  of  Aberdeen  ;  Robert,  Bishop  of  Caithness  ;  also  Sir  Alex.  Ramsay  and  John  de 
St.  Clair,  and  Andrew  Crichton,  Armigeri ;  a  Thomas  Sincler,  Armiger,  also  appears 
affixing  his  seal  as  a  party  to  the  Deed  of  Investiture. 

Not  long  after  this  there  arose  a  great  discord  betwixt  the  Earl  of  Orkney  and 
Archibald  III.,  5th  Earle  of  Douglas,  the  third  of  that  name,  for  the  sherrifship  of 
Nithsdale,  and  the  Baronie  of  Hectford,  Grahamshawe,  Kirktone,  Roxburgh  and  Cavers, 
togither  with  the  Wardenry  of  the  three  Marches  betwixt  Berwick  and  Whithorne,  so 
that  the  Prince  would  not  suffer  the  Earle  of  Douglas  to  pass  to  Edinburgh  through  his 
ground.  § 

The  Dauphin  of  France,  who  had  been  betrothed  to  Margaret,  the  daughter  of  the 
Scottish  King,  had  now  (1434)  attained  his  thirteenth  year,  and  the  Princess  herself  was 
ten  years  old.  It  was  accordingly  resolved  to  complete  the  marriage,  and  with  this  view 
two  ambassadors,  the  Due  de  Longueville  and  the  Marquis  de  Saluses,  were  sent  by  King 
Charles  VII.  of  France  to  the  Scottish  Court  to  escort  Princess  Margaret  back  to  France, 
and  to  renew  the  ancient  amity  existing  betwixt  the  two  crowns.      Immediately  the  King 


Roslyn  Chartulare.         f  Barry  App.         J  Hay's  Geneal.         \  Van  Bassan. 


n6  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 

commanded  all  to  be  in  readiness,  so  that  by  the  20th  of  June,  William  St.  Claire,  Earl  of 
Orknay,  Lord  Admirall  of  Scotland,  had  46  guid  ships  in  readiness  to  transport  the 
Lady  Margaret  and  her  train.*  The  fleet  which  carried  her  to  her  future  kingdom, 
where  her  lot  was  singularly  wretched,  was  commanded  by  the  Earl  of  Orkney,  t  The 
Bishop  of  Brechin,  Sir  Walter  Ogilvie,  the  Treasurer,  Sir  Herbert  Harris  (?),  Sir  John 
Maxwell  of  Calderwood,  Sir  John  Campbell  of  Loudoun,  Sir  John  Wishart,  and  many 
other  barons,  attended  in  her  suite.  They  were  waited  on  by  140  youthful  squires  and  a 
guard  of  1,000  men-at-arms,  and  the  fleet  consisted  of  three  large  ships  and  six  barges. 
They  took  shipping  at  Dumbarton,  and  arrived  on  the  20th  of  June,  and  had  a  very 
prosperous  voyage  to  France,*  notwithstanding  the  hostile  designs  of  the  English  Court. 
In  defiance  of  the  truce  which  then  subsisted  between  the  two  kingdoms,  the  English 
government  determined  if  possible  to  intercept  the  Princess  upon  her  passage  to  France, 
and  for  this  purpose  fitted  out  a  large  fleet,  which  anchored  off  the  coast  of  Bretagne. 
The  project  was,  however,  unsuccessful.  The  English  were  drawn  away  from  their 
watch  by  the  appearance  of  a  company  of  Flemish  merchantmen,  laden  with  wine  from 
Rochelle,  which  they  pursued  and  captured  ;  but  the  triumph  was  of  short  duration,  for 
almost  immediately  after  a  Spanish  fleet  appeared  in  sight,  and  an  engagement  took  place, 
in  which  the  English  were  beaten,  their  Flemish  prizes  wrested  from  their  hands,  and 
they  themselves  compelled  to  take  to  flight.  In  the  midst  of  these  transactions  the  little 
Scottish  squadron  with  the  Dauphiness-elect  and  her  suite  safely  entered  the  port  of  Rochelle 
and  disembarked  at  Neville  Priory,  where  she  was  received  by  the  Archbishop  of  Rheims 
and  the  Bishop  of  Poictiers  and  Xaintonge.  The  marriage  was  celebrated  on  the  6th 
July,  1435,*  in  the  Cathedral  church  of  Tours  with  great  solemnity  and  much  magnificence, 
in  the  presence  of  the  King  and  Queen  of  France,  the  Queen  of  Sicily,  and  the  nobility 
of  both  kingdoms. t  Van  Bassan  writes: — "Earl  William  was  much  esteemed  of  by  the 
King,  and  was  therfor  desired  to  goe  to  France  with  the  Lady  Margaret,  the  King's  sister, 
who  was  desired  in  marriage  by  the  French  King's  sone,  which  he  did  with  great  triumph, 
for  he  was  accompanied  with  ane  hundred  brave  gentlemen,  wherof  twinty  were  well 
cloathed  with  cloth  of  gold,  and  had  chains  of  gold,  and  black  velvet  foot-mantles  ;  twinty 
in  red  cramosine  velvet,  with  chaines  of  gold,  and  black  velvet  foot-mantles  ;  twinty  in 
white  and  black  velvet,  signifieing  his  armes,  which  is  a  ragged  cross  in  a  silver  field  ; 
twinty  cloathed  with  gold  and  blew  coloured  velvet,  which  signified  the  armes  of  Orknay, 
which  is  a  ship  of  gold  with  a  double  tressure,  and  flower  de  luces  goeing  round  about  it, 
in  a  blew  field  ;  and  twinty  diversely  coloured,  signifieing  the  divers  armes  he  had  ;  who, 
when  he  was  arrived  in  France,  he  was  honoured  of  all  men,  and  loved  of  the  King,  who 
made  him  Knight  of  the  Cockle,  after  the  ordre  of  France.  And  after  the  nuptial  rites 
were  celebrated,  he  tooke  his  leave  of  the  King  and  the  Court  of  France,  and  returned 
home  to  his  own  couutrey  ;  but  they  were  all  sore  displeased  att  his  departure.  But  when 
he  was  returned  (from)  same,  home  into  Scotland,  he  was  welcomed  of  the  King  and  alt 
his  friends,  and  with  gladness  accepted  of  them  all." 

At  the  Christmas  festival,  1436,  James  the  First  was  at  Perth,  residing  in  the 
Dominican  monastery.  The  Queen  and  her  ladies  were  also  resident  therein,  and  James, 
unconscious  of  his  fate,  moved  among  them  with  his  usual  gallantry.  One  of  his 
attendant  knights,  remarkable  for  his  personal  accomplishments,  received  from  him  the 
soubriquet  of  King  of  Love.     James  was  one  evening  playing  with  him  at  some  amusing 

*  Balfour's  Annals.  f  Tytler. 


WILLIAM,  44TH  KARL. 


game,  when  he  indulged  in  a  sportive  satire  on  his  new  title.  ' '  Sir  King  of  Love, "  said 
he,  "it  is  not  long  since  I  read  a  prophecy  spoken  some  time  ago,  which  set  forth  that 
this  year  a  king  should  be  slain  in  this  land  ;  and  well  ye  wot,  Sir  Alexander,  there  are 
no  kings  in  this  realm  but  you  and  I.  Let  me  therefore  counsel  you  to  be  wary,  for  I  let 
you  know  that  under  God  I  shall  take  care  of  my  own  safety  sufficiently,  being  under 
your  kingship,  and  in  the  service  of  Love."* 

Shortly  after  the  above  circumstance  the  King  was  in  his  own  apartment,  conversing 
with  some  ladies  and  several  of  his  friends  on  various  subjects.  A  favourite  squire  drew 
near  and  whispered  to  the  King,  "In  sooth,  my  Liege.  I  verily  dreamt  last  night  that 
Sir  Robert  Graham  had  slain  your  Majesty."  It  is  not  improbable  that  this  was  intended 
as  a  timely  hint  to  James,  but  the  squire  was  sharply  reproved  by  the  Karl  of  Orkney, 
the  same  nobleman  who  founded  the  chapel  at  Roslin,  who  commanded  him  to  be  silent, 
and  to  tell  no  such  tales  in  the  "royal  presence.  It  made  some  impression  on  James, 
however,  who  had  latterly  been  troubled  with  dreams  of  similarly  fateful  import.  He  was 
put  to  death  on  the  20th  February,  1437-8,  notwithstanding  all  the  efforts  to  further  his 
escape  resorted  to  by  the  ladies  of  his  court.  Lady  Katherine  Douglas  thrust  her  arm 
into  the  bolt  of  the  door,  but  the  delicate  arm-bone  was  in  a  moment  broken  by  the 
violence  of  the  assassins,  who  burst  open  the  door  and  scrupled  not  to  trample  down  and 
wound  several  of  the  fair  defenders.  Elisabeth  Douglas  having  fallen  into  the  cellar 
whilst  attempting  to  extricate  the  King,  had  to  remain  a  powerless  witness  to  his  heroic 
defence.  The  regicides  all  suffered  the  extreme  punishment  permitted,  and  the  memory 
of  the  leader,  Sir  Robert  Graham,  was  long  remembered  with  abhorrence  in  the  current 
rhyme  : — * 

"Sir  Robert  Graeme, 

Who  slew  our  King, 

God  gave  hirn  shame." 

The  two  ladies  mentioned  would  have  been  nearly  related  to  Earl  William. 

About  the  time  of  these  events  the  Earl  married  his  cousin,  Elizabeth  Douglas, 
daughter  of  Archibald  II.,  Earl  of  Douglas,  Duke  of  Touraine,  and  Marshal  of  France. 
She  had  previously  been  twice  married,  first  to  John  Stewart,  Earl  of  Buchan  and  Constable 
of  France  (son  of  the  Regent  Albany),  who  perished  so  gloriously  at  Verneuil,  16th 
August,  1424,  in  company  with  his  father-in-law.  By  him  she  had  a  daughter  Margaret, 
who  married  George,  2nd  Lord  Seton,  and  became  progenitrix  of  the  great  families  of 
Seton,  Earl  of  Wiuton  and  Montgomerie,  Earl  of  Eglinton.i  The  Countess- Dowager  of 
Buchan  married  secondly  Thomas  Stewarts  styled  Earl  of  the  Garioch,  a  natural  son  of 
Alexander,  Earl  of  Mar,  who  in  1426  obtained  a  charter  securing  the  Mar  succession  to 
Sir  Thomas,  but  the  latter  predeceased  the  Earl  of  Mar,  who  died  in  1435,  and  on  the 
6th  May,  1437,  James  the  Second  granted  the  Earldom  of  the  Garioch  to  his  "well- 
beloved  cousin  Elizabeth,  spouse  of  .  .  .  cousin  William,  Earle  of  Orkney  and  Lord 
Siuclere."J 

Continuing  Hay  :  "Shortly  after  Earl  William  returned  from  his  embassy  to  France 
he  married  ane  honourable  Lad)-,  Dame  Elisabeth  Douglas,  Countess  of  Buchan,  etc., 
spouse  to  the  Right  Hon.  John  Stewart,  Earl  of  Buchan  and  Constable  of  France,  who 
togither  with  the  father  and  brother  was  slain  in  France,  at  the  battle  of  Verneuil,  which 

*  Scottish  Wars.  f  Burke  :  Nisbet.  i  Hay. 

I  See  Ballad  of  "  Lord  Thos.  Stuart,"  which  attributes  his  death  to  poison. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


was  the  cause  of  her  returne  to  Scotland  ;  but  they  stayed  not  long  togithir,  for  they  were 
separated  because  of  consanguinity  and  affinity,  for  both  this  dame  Elisabeth  Dowglass 
and  Giles  Dowglass,  mother  to  this  William,  the  Orcade  Prince,  were  the  daughters  of 
two  germain  brothers,  and  also  Giles,  Princess  of  Orknay,  and  Robert,  the  Duke  of 
Albany,  and  father  to  this  John  Stewart,  was  nearer  related  ;  for  Egidia,  mother  to  this 
Dame  Gyles,  was  Duke  Robert  his  sister ;  yet  for  all  this  the  Prince,  not  contented  with 
this  seperation,  sent  to  the  Pope,  who  dispensed  therwith,  and  so  he  married  her  anew 
again  into  St.  Mathieus,  the  church  where  they  were  seperated.  After  the  which  time 
she  was  holden  in  great  reverence,  both  for  her  birth  and  for  the  estate  she  was  in  ;  for 
she  had  serving  her  75  gentlewomen,  wherof  53  were  daughters  to  noblemen,  all  cloathed 
in  velvets  and  silks,  with  their  chains  of  gold  and  other  pertinents  ;  togither  with  200 
rideing  gentlemen,  who  accompanied  her  in  all  her  journeys.  She  had  carried  before  her 
when  she  went  to  Edinburgh,  if  it  was  darke,  80  lighted  torches.  Her  lodgeing  was  att 
the  foot  of  the  Blackfryer  Wynde  ;  so  that,  in  a  worde,  none  matched  her  in  all  the 
countrey,  save  the  Queen's  Majesty.  After  the  marriage  of  these  noble  persons,  Prince 
William  made  all  the  bonds  of  Manred  his  father  had,  to  be  renued  and  signed,  paying 
to  every  one  of  his  Fialls  according  to  their  estate,  as  to  Lords  he  gave  two  hundred 
pounds,  to  Barons  one  hundred.  In  his  house  he  was  royally  served  in  gold  and  silver 
vessels,  in  most  princely  manner,  for  the  Lord  Dirltone  was  his  Master  Household,  the 
Lord  Borthwick  was  his  Cup-bearer,  and  the  Lord  Fleming  his  Carver,  under  whom,  in 
time  of  their  absence,  was  the  Laird  of  Drumlanrig,  surnamed  Stewart,  the  Laird  of 
Drumelzier,  surnamed  Tweedie,  and  the  Laird  of  Calder,  surnamed  Saudilands.  He  had 
his  halls  and  his  chambers  richly  hung  with  embroidered  hangings  ;  he  builded  the  church 
walls  of  Rosline,  haveing  rounds  with  faire  chambers,  and  galleries  theron.  He  builded 
also  the  fore-worke  that  looks  to  the  north-east ;  he  builded  the  bridge  under  the  castle, 
and  sundrie  office  houses.  In  the  south-east  side  therof,  over  against  the  chapell  wall, 
he  made  plaine  the  rock  on  which  the  castle  is  builded,  for  the  more  strength  therof, 
and  he  planted  a  very  fair  fruit  orchard.    ..." 

In  1441  Thomas,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  repaired  to  Flanders,  in  all  probability  for  the 
purpose  of  confirming  the  amicable  correspondence  existing  between  Scotland  and  that 
country,  and  congratulating  them  on  the  cessation  of  foreign  war  and  domestic  dissension, 
but  the  precise  object  of  his  mission  is  not  discoverable.*  The  same  year  died  Earl  James 
'  the  Gross  '  of  Douglas,  and  the  ability,  pride,  and  power  of  that  House  was  revived  with 
appalling  strength  and  vigour  in  William,  his  son  and  successor,  who  became  8th  Earl. 
His  mother,  the  Lady  Beatrix  Sinclair,  was  descended  from  the  sister  of  King  Robert  the 
Third,  and  was  a  daughter  of  the  House  of  Sinclair,  Earl  of  Orkney,  which  gave  him 
the  alliance  of  this  northern  Baron.* 

Hay  continues  :  "  But  Earl  William's  adge  creeping  on  him  made  him  consider  how 
he  had  spent  his  time  past,  and  how  to  spend  that  which  was  to  come.  Therfor,  to  the 
end  he  might  not  seem  unthankful  to  God  for  the  benefices  he  receaved  from  him,  it  came 
in  his  minde  to  build  a  house  for  God's  service,  of  most  curious  worke,  the  which  that  it 
might  be  done  with  greater  glory  and  splendor,  he  caused  artificers  to  be  brought  from 
other  regions  and  forrayne  kingdomes,  and  caused  dayly  to  be  abundance  of  all  kinde  of 
workemen    present,    as   masons,    carpenters,    smiths,   barrow-men,   and   quarriers,  with 


2    % 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


others  ;  for  it  is  remembred  that  for  the  space  of  thirty-four  years  before  he  never  wanted 
great  numbers  of  such  workmen.  The  foundation  of  this  rare  worke  he  caused  to  be 
laid  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord,  1446,  and  to  the  end  the  worke  might  be  the  more  rare  ; 
first,  he  caused  the  draughts  to  be  drawn  upon  Eastland  boords,  and  made  the 
carpenters  to  carve  them  according  to  the  draughts  theron,  and  then  gave  them  for 
patterns  to  the  massons  that  they  might  therby  cut  the  like  in  stone  ;  and  because  he 
thought  the  massones  had  not  a  convenient  place  to  lodge  in  near  the  place  where  he 
builded  this  curious  colledge,  for  the  towne  then  stood  half  a  mile  from  the  place 
where  it  now  stands,  towitt,  at  Bilsdone  burne,  therfor  he  made  them  to  build  the  town 
of  Rosline,  that  now  is  extant,  and  gave  every  one  of  them  a  house,  and  lands  answerable 
therunto  ;  so  that  this  towne,  att  that  time,  by  reason  of  the  great  concourse  of  people 
that  had  recourse  unto  the  Prince  (for  it  is  remembered  of  him  that  he  entertained  all 
his  tennants  that  were  any  way  impoverished,  and  made  serve  all  the  poore  that  came  to 
his  gates,  so  that  he  spent  yearly  upon  such  as  came  to  beg  att  his  gates  120  quarters  of 
meale),  became  very  populous,  and  had  in  it  abundance  of  victualls,  so  that  it  was 
thought  to  be  the  chiefest  towne  in  all  Lothian,  except  Edinburgh  and  Hadingtone.  He 
rewarded  the  massones  according  to  their  degree,  as  to  the  master  massone  he  gave  40 
pounds  yearly,  and  to  every  one  of  the  rest  10  pounds,  and  accordingly  did  he  reward  the 
others,  as  the  smiths  and  the  carpenters  with  others.  About  this  time  Edward  Saintclair 
of  Draidon  comeing  with  foure  grayhounds  and  some  ratches  to  hunt  with  the  Prince, 
mett  a  great  company  of  ratts,  and  among  the  rest  one  old  blind  lyard  one,  with  a  straw 
in  his  mouth  led  by  the  rest,  whereat  he  greatly  merveilled,  not  thinking  what  should 
follow  ;  but  within  fower  days  after,  towitt,  upon  the  feast  day  of  Saint  Leonard,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1447,  the  Princess,  who  tooke  great  delight  in  little  dogs,  caused  one 
of  the  gentlewomen  to  goe  under  a  bed  with  a  lighted  candle  to  bring  forth  one  of  them, 
that  had  young  whelps,  which  she  doeing,  and  not  being  very  attentive,  set  fire  on  the 
bed,  wherat  the  fire  rose  and  burnt  the  bed,  and  then  passed  to  the  ceeling  of  the  great 
chambre  in  which  the  Princess  was,  wherat  she,  with  all  that  were  in  the  dungeon,  were 
compelled  to  fly.  The  Prince's  Chaplain,  seeing  this,  and  remembring  of  all  his 
Master's  writtings,  passed  to  the  head  of  the  dungeon  where  they  were,  and  threw  out 
fower  great  trunks  where  they  were.  The  news  of  this  fire  comeing  to  the  Prince  his 
ears,  through  the  lamentable  cries  of  the  ladys  and  gentlewomen,  and  the  sight  therof 
comeing  to  his  view  in  the  place  where  he  stood,  to  witt,  upon  the  Colledge  Hill,  he  was 
sorry  for  nothing  but  the  loss  of  his  Charters  and  other  writtings ;  but  when  the 
Chaplain,  who  had  saved  himself  by  comeing  down  the  bell-rope  tyed  to  a  beam,  declared 
how  his  Charters  and  writts  were  all  saved,  he  became  chearful,  and  went  to  re-comfort 
his  Princess  and  the  Ladys,  desireing  them  to  put  away  all  sorrow,  and  rewarded  his 
Chaplaine  very  richly.  Yet  all  this  stayed  him  not  from  the  building  of  the  Colledge, 
nether  his  liberality  to  the  poor  ;  but  was  more  liberall  to  them  than  before, — applying 
the  safety  of  his  Charters  and  writings  to  God's  particular  Providence.  Not  long  after 
this  dyed  the  Lady  Elisabeth  Dowglasse,  his  Princess,  after  she  had  borne  to  the  Prince 
one  sone  named  William,  and  a  daughter,  to  witt,  Katherine,  who  was  married  to 
Alexander  Stewart,  Duke  of  Albany,  Earle  of  Marche,  and  brother  to  King  James  the 
Thirde." 

In    1446   Earl  William  was  summoned    by  the   Norwegian    Rigsraad    to  appear   at 
Bergen  on  next  St.  John's  Day,  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  King  Christopher,  the 


WILLIAM,  44TH  EARL. 


successor  of  King  Eric  of  Poruern,*  and  on  the  25th  April,  1448,  he  appears  obtaining 
from  Thomas  de  Tulloch,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  the  patronage  of  St.  Duthac's  chapel  in 
Kirkwall.f 

In  "Balfour's  Annals,"  under  date  1451,  we  read:  William  St.  Clair,  Earle  of 
Orknay,  is  sent  this  zeire  to  uplift  the  Earle  of  Douglas  rents  in  Galloway  and  Anandaill ; 
and  although  he  was  Lord  Chaiiceller  of  Scotland,  and  had  a  reasonable  armey,  zet  he 
returned  without  effectuating  his  deseing,  being  oppossed  by  the  Earl  of  Douglass 
frinds  and  followers  (the  Earle  himselve  beiuge  in  Italey).  .  .  .  Although  the  Earl  of 
Douglas  was  in  Italy,  through  the  agency  of  his  mother,  Lady  Beatrix,  who  at  this  time 
(1452)  repaired  to  England,  he  continued  that  secret  correspondence  with  the  party  of 
the  Yorkists,  which  appears  to  have  been  begun  by  the  late  Earl.;  In  1454-5  the  castle 
of  Abercorn  was  besieged  by  the  Earls  of  Orkney  and  Angus,  at  the  head  of  6,000  men, 
as  Lord  Hamilton  was  in  league  with  the  rebellious  Earl  of  Douglas.  Upon  the 
representation  of  friends  Lord  Hamilton  passed  over  to  the  royal  camp,  and  was 
committed  to  the  custody  of  the  Earl  of  Orkney,  who  kept  him  in  honourable  captivity 
in  Roslyne  Castle  for  a  few  days,  after  which  he  was  restored  to  his  dignity  and  lands. 
His  defection  was  fatal  to  the  House  of  Douglas. § 

On  the  28th  August,  1455,  King  James  the  Second  grants  Earl  William  the  Earldom 
of  Caithness,  nominally  in  compensation  for  his  rights  to  the  Lordship  of  Nithsdale  and 
the  various  offices  appurtenant  thereto,  but  really  in  recognition  of  his  undoubted 
hereditary  right  to  that  county  as  the  heir  male  of  Malise  II.  of  Caithness  and  Orkney, 
by  which  fact  his  father  had  succeeded  to  Orkney  in  right  of  Isabella  de  Stratherne, 
ultimate  sole  heiress  of  Malise.  In  the  deed  he  is  described  as  ' '  William,  Earl  of 
Orkney,  Lord  de  Saint  Clair,  our  Chancellor  and  .  .  .  cousin."!  On  the  13th  June, 
1456,  Roslin  is  erected  into  a  Burgh  of  Barony  by  charter  under  the  Privy  Seal.  The 
recital  sets  forth  :  "James,  be  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Scottis,  etc.,  .  .  .  Forasmekill 
as  we  have  for  the  zele,  singular  lufe,  and  affection,  that  we  have  till  our  weill  bilovitt 
cousin  and  chancelar  William,  Earl  of  Orkney  and  of  Cathness,  Lord  Sincler,  infeft  his 
town  of  Roslin,  a  Burgh  in  Barony,  with  Crosse  and  Merkat,  etc."   .    .   .t 

The  same  year,  1456,  on  the  15th  November,  his  father-in-law,  Alexander  Sutherland 
of  Dunbeath,  makes  his  will  in  the  presence  of  the  Earl  at  Roslin  Castle,  and  from  the 
inventory  of  property  attached  to  this  testament,  both  of  which  are  still  extant,  he  was  a 
person  of  great  consequence.!  The  Earl  of  Orkney  had  married  his  daughter  Marjory, 
by  his  wife  Mariota,  daughter  of  Donald,  Lord  of  the  Isles  and  Earl  of  Ross.  As  a 
curious  instance  of  the  customs  of  those  times,  it  is  recorded  that  when  Alexander,  Lord 
of  the  Isles  and  Earl  of  Ross,  was  dining  in  Edinburgh  with  the  Earl  of  Orkney,  the 
latter  asked,  "What  light  was  wont  to  be  burned  in  his  presence?"  McDonald  turned 
about,  and  seeing  Lauchlan  MacLean  behind  him,  desired  the  Earl  to  enquire  at  the 
man  standing.  MacLean  said,  "There  was  no  other  light  but  wax  burned  before 
MacDonald."|| 

An  incident  now  (1456)  occurred  which  drew  the  attention  of  the  Norwegian 
suzerain  to  the  Orkneys.  Biorn,  son  of  Thorleif,*  the  Lieutenant  of  Iceland,  having 
been  driven  by  a  storm  into  a  harbour  in  the  Orkneys,  had  been  seized  by  the  Scottish 


*  Orkn.  Saga.         t  Hay.         J  Tytler.          \  Scottish  Wars. 

||  Hist,  of  the  MacDonalds,  MS.  Gregory  Collection,  Col.  Reb.  Alb.,  306. 

Thorleif's  father  (,or  grandfather)  Biorn,  also  Govr.  of  Iceland,  was  slain  by  the  English  in  1467. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


authorities,  contrary  to  the  faith  of  treaties,  and  cast  with  his  wife  and  attendants  into 
prison.  Christian,  the  Danish  King  of  Norway,  remonstrated  thereupon,  and  also  on 
account  of  the  Annual  of  Norway  due  for  the  Western  Isles  and  the  Kingdom  of  Man  by 
virtue  of  the  treaty  concluded  between  James  the  First  and  Eric,  King  of  Norway.* 

King  James  the  Second  dying  in  1460,  the  estaits  elected  6  Governours  for  the 
government  of  the  realme  during  the  young  king's  minority  (James  the  Third),  viz.,  the 
Bis.  of  Glasgow  and  Dunkelden,  Lord  Chanceler,  the  Earle  of  Orknay,  with  the  Lords 
Grhame  and  Boyde.t  This  year  also — 1460 — the  king's  commissioners  in  Kirkwall 
certify  to  King  Christian  I.  that  John  of  Ross,  Lord  of  the  Isles,  has  for  a  long  time  most 
cruelly  endeavoured  to  depopulate  the  Islands  of  Orkney  and  Shetland  by  burning  the 
dwellings  and  slaying  the  inhabitants,  and  that  in  these  circumstances  Lord  William 
St.  Clair,  the  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  had  been  prevented  from  coming  to  the 
king.t  On  the  28th  June,  1461,  Bishop  William  of  Orkney  writes  to  the  king  from 
Kirkwall  excusing  the  earl  for  not  having  come  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  because  in 
the  month  of  June  of  that  year  he  had  been  appointed  one  of  the  regents  of  the  Kingdom 
of  Scotland  on  account  of  the  tender  years  of  the  Prince  (King  James  III.),  and  therefore 
was  personally  resident  in  Scotland.  The  Bishop  also  repeats  the  complaint  against  John 
of  Ross,  Lord  of  the  Isles,  and  the  bands  of  his  Islesmen,  Irish,  and  Scots  from  the  woods 
"  who  came  in  great  multitudes  in  the  month  of  June  with  their  ships  and  fleets  in  battle 
array,  wasting  the  lands,  plundering  the  farms,  destroying  habitations  and  putting  the 
inhabitants  to  the  sword,  without  regard  to  age  or  sex."  Tradition  still  points  in  several 
parts  of  the  Islands  to  "the  Lewismen's  graves,"  probably  those  of  the  invaders  who 
were  killed  in  their  plundering  expeditions  through  the  Isles.  J 

There  is  a  record  preserved  at  Kirkwall  of  the  set  of  the  threepenny  lands  of 
Stanbuster,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Andrew's,  executed  by  Bishop  Thomas  on  the  12th  July, 
1455,  and  confirmed  by  his  successor  in  1465.  Bishop  Thomas  must  have  died  before 
28th  June,  1461,  as  from  the  foregoing  letter  we  find  his  successor  in  office  on  that  date. 
William  (VI.)  de  Tulloch  was  the  last  bishop  during  the  overlordship  of  Norway,  and 
tendered  his  oath  of  allegiance  in  1462.;  His  conduct,  we  learn,  was  the  initial  cause  of 
those  circumstances  which  resulted  in  the  transference  of  Orkney  from  Norway  to 
Scotland. 

Quoting  Tytler,  under  date  1466  :  An  event  which  soon  after  occurred  in  Orkney 
had  the  effect  of  renewing  the  intercourse  between  the  Courts  of  Scotland  and  Denmark, 
although  the  auspices  under  which  it  was  resumed  were  at  first  rather  hostile  than 
friendly.  Tulloch,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  a  Scotsman,  and  a  prelate  of  high  accomplish- 
ments and  great  suavity  of  manner,  enjoyed  the  esteem  of  Christiern  of  Norway  and 
Denmark,  and  appears  to  have  been  entrusted  by  this  northern  potentate  with  a 
considerable  share  in  the  government  of  those  islands,  at  that  time  the  property  of  the 
Norwegian  Crown.  In  some  contention  or  feud  between  the  Bishop  and  the  Earl  of 
Orkney,  a  baron  [of  a  violent  character  and]  of  great  power,  the  prelate  had  been  seized 
and  shut  up  in  prison  by  a  son*?  of  Orkney,  who  showed  no  disposition  to  interfere  for 
his  liberation.  Upon  this  Christiern  directed  letters  to  the  King  of  Scotland,  in  which, 
whilst  professing  his  earnest  wishes  that  the  two  kingdoms  should  continue  to  preserve 
the  most  friendly  relations  to  each  other,  he  remonstrated  against  the  treatment  of  the 

*  Tytler.  +  Balfour.  }  Orkn.  Saga. 

\  The  Master  of  Orkney  thus  occasioning  the  loss  of  Orkney,  hence  his  disinherison. 


WILLIAM,  44th   EARL.  123 


Bishop,  requested  the  King's  interference  to  procure  his  liberty,  and  intimated  his 
resolution  not  to  permit  the  Earl  of  Orkney  to  oppress  the  liege  subjects  of  Norway. 

So  intent  was  Christiern  upon  this  matter  that  additional  letters  were  soon  after 
transmitted  to  the  Scottish  King,  in  which,  with  the  design  of  expediting  his  deliberations, 
a  demand  was  made  for  the  payment  of  all  arrears  due  by  Scotland  to  Norway,  and 
reiterating  his  request  not  only  for  the  liberation  of  the  Bishop,  but  for  the  restoration 
to  the  royal  favour  of  Sir  John  Ross  of  Halkett,  the  same  who  had  distinguished  himself 
in  the  famous  combat  between  three  warriors  of  Burgundy  and  three  champions  of 
Scotland.  These  representations  had  the  desired  effect.  The  Bishop  of  Orkney  appears 
to  have  been  restored  to  liberty,  and  Ross  was  recalled  from  banishment  and  admitted  to 
favour.  .  .  .  On  the  failure  of  the  Norse  jarls  in  the  middle  of  the  fourteenth  century 
the  Earldom  of  Orkney  had  passed  by  marriage  into  the  ancient  and  noble  House  of 
St.  Clair,  who  received  their  investiture  from  the  monarch  of  Norway,  and  rendered  oath 
of  allegiance  to  that  Crown. 

On  the  8th  September,  1468,  a  contract  of  marriage  was  signed  between  James  III. 
of  Scotland  and  Margaret,  daughter  of  King  Christian  of  Norway,  Sweden,  and  Denmark, 
by  which  after  discharging  the  arrears  of  tribute,  styled  the  Annual  of  Norway,  due  by 
Scotland  for  Man  and  the  Hebudes,  King  Christian  engaged  to  pay  a  dowry  of  60,000 
florins  with  his  daughter,  stipulating  for  certain  jointure  lands  (including  the  palace  of 
Linlithgow  and  the  castle  of  Uoune)  and  her  terce  of  the  royal  possessions  in  Scotland,  if 
left  a  widow.  Of  the  dowry  10,000  florins  were  to  be  paid  before  the  departure  of  the 
Princess,  and  the  Islands  of  Orkney  were  pledged  for  the  balance  of  50,000  florins,  to  be 
held  by  the  Crown  of  Scotland  until  Christian  or  his  successors,  Kings  of  Norway,  should 
redeem  them  by  payment  of  that  sum.  Only  2,000  of  the  10,000  florins  were  paid,  and 
Zetland  was  impignorated  for  the  balance  of  8,000  florins  under  the  same  conditions 
(20th  May,  1469),  and  both  groups  were  thus  mortgaged  sub  firma  hypotheca  et  pignore 
for  58,000  florins  of  the  Rhine  of  100  pence  each,  or  about  ,£24,166  13s.  4d.  sterling. 
Such  was  the  important  transaction  on  which  Britain  founds  her  possession  of  the  Isles, 
or,  as  they  were  generally  styled,  the  Countries  of  Orkney  and  Zetland.  The  transaction 
was  only  an  Impignoration  such  as  Danish  necessities  had  been  frequently  forced  to 
make  of  possessions  and  territories  of  which  no  permanent  cession  could  have  been 
intended,  such  as  Funeu,  Slesvig,  and,  more  than  once,  the  City  and  Castle  of  Copenhagen. 
Even  while  creating  a  new  and  temporary  right  for  Scotland,  it  did  not  extinguish  the 
reversionary  claims  or  present  interest  of  Norway  ;  for  that  power  is  found  making  valid 
grants  and  decrees — 148 5-1 500 — and  the  Scots  Parliament  expressly  recognised  the 
ancient  native  laws  in  the  Islands  (1567)  a  century  after  the  Impignoration.  The 
Plenipotentiaries  of  Europe  assembled  at  Breda  in  1668  attested  that  the  Right  of 
Redemption  was  unprescribed  and  imprescribable.  Whether  this  right  be  still  vested  in 
Denmark,  or  transferred  to  Sweden  with  the  Norwegian  Crown,  are  questions  of  the  Law 
of  Nations,  decided  for  the  present  by  British  preponderancy  of  metal.* 

William  Saint  Clair,  the  last  of  the  Orkneyan  Jarls,  had  many  objects  to  gain  in  the 
transfer  of  the  Sovereignty  of  the  Islands.  More  refined  and  less  ignorant  than  the 
contemporary  herd  of  nobles,  who  suspected  his  studies  of  subjects  unearthly  and  unholy, 
he  could  appreciate,  even  with  some  pride,  the  cloudy  romance  of  his  ancestral  sagas  ; 
but  a  foreigner  by  descent  if  not  by  birth,  he  had  few  sympathies  with  the  Islanders.     He 

*  Balfour's  Memorial. 


SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


was  the  most  liberal  patron  of  Scottish  literature  and  art  in  his  day.  His  efforts  to 
consolidate  his  power  and  increase  his  estates  had  offended  the  King,  estranged  the 
Odallers,  and  embroiled  him  with  the  Bishop  and  the  Lawman  ;  his  family  partialities  had 
awakened  bitter  feud  between  him  and  his  eldest  son  ;  and  as  the  vassal  and  high  dignitary 
of  two  kings,  ruling  a  province  of  the  one,  dangerously  near  the  coast  of  the  other,  he 
might  easily  become  an  object  of  suspicion  or  umbrage  to  either  or  both.  Indeed,  clouds 
had  already  arisen  between  the  Scottish  Earl  and  his  Norwegian  suzerain,  and  the 
substantia]  splendour  of  the  dignities,  titles,  lands,  and  pensions  of  his  Scottish  connection 
outshone  the  shadowy  jurisdictions  and  waning  revenues  of  his  ancient  Jarldom.  The 
Impignoration  released  him  from  an  irksome  and  unsafe  position,  enabled  him  to  enhance 
his  Scottish  influence,  to  aggrandize  a  favourite  son  by  disinheriting  an  unloved  heir  of 
his  Odal  birthright,  and  to  gratify  at  once  his  ambition,  affection,  and  hatred.  With  the 
same  worldly  wisdom  which  led  him  to  recover  at  the  first  favourable  opportunity 
possession  of  Caithness,  in  quittance  of  his  claims  on  Nithsdale,  he  accepted  in  147 1,  on 
the  1 2th  May.  as  evidenced  by  grant  of  James  III.,  and  with  the  full  consent  of  the  King 
of  Norway,  the  castle  and  lands  of  Ravenscraig  in  Fife,  in  exchange  for  his  rights  to 
the  Earldom  of  Orkney.  On  the  20th  September  following  he  received  a  discharge  or 
quittance  from  the  same  monarch,  James,  in  respect  of  any  obligations  existing  with 
regard  to  Orkney.* 

William  Tulloch,  the  Bishop  of  Orkney,  was  a  Norwegian  prelate,  but  a  Scottish 
priest,  and  if  he  had  any  doubts  of  transferring  the  spiritual  allegiance  of  his  diocese 
from  Drontheim  to  St.  Andrew's,  they  were  speedily  relieved  by  his  appointment  as 
Confessor  to  the  Queen,  and  removed  by  a  favourable  Tack  (27th  August,  1472)  of  the 
newly  acquired  demesne  of  the  Scottish  Crown.  Indeed,  the  change  was  almost  essential 
to  his  safety,  for  his  frauds  and  rapacity  had  provoked  the  Earl  to  seize  and  imprison 
him,  and  he  owed  his  liberty  only  to  the  express  solicitation  of  the  Kings  of  Denmark 
and  Scotland,  with  both  of  whom  he  had  the  address  to  make  a  merit  of  his  sufferings  as 
a  martyrdom  for  his  devotion  to  their  incompatible  interests.  The  warm  commendations 
of  Christian  were  so  ably  seconded  by  the  Bishop's  services  to  James  that  the  Queen's 
Confessor  became  successively  Lord  Privy  Seal,  Ambassador  to  England,  and  Bishop 
of  Moray.* 

King  Christian  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Communities  of  Orknay  and  Zetland  on  the 
28th  May,  1469,  desiring  them  to  pay  obedience  and  skatt  to  the  King  of  Scots  till 
redeemed  by  the  King  of  Norway,!  in  sequence  to  which  a  bull  of  Pope  Sixtus  IV., 
dated  at  the  Vatican  17th  August,  1472,  placed  the  See  of  the  Orkneys  under  the 
metropolitan  Bishop  of  St.  Andrew's.! 

On  the  9th  September,  1476,  Earl  William  assigns  to  Sir  Oliver  Sinclere,  knight,  his 
son  by  his  spouse  Lady  Marjory  of  Sutherland,  and  his  heirs  male,  the  Baronies  of  Roslin 
and  Herbertshire,  remainder  to  his  brother-german  William  and  his  heirs  male,  remainder 
to  the  heirs  male  of  the  Earl  and  Marjory  Sutherland  ;  to  which  charter  are  appended  the 
seals  of  "our  lovitt  cousings,  Sir  James  of  Ledale  of  Halkerstone,  Knight,  and  Mastre 
George  Carmichael,  Thresaurer  of  Glasgw  for  the  mair  sekurnes. "  In  the  same  year 
Earl  William  resigned  the  Earldom  of  Caithness,  and  thereupon  a  charter  was  issued  by 
James  the  Third  to  his  son  William  of  the  second  marriage,  i 


Balfour's  Memorial.         f  Orkn.  Saga.          }  Hay 


WILLIAM,  44TH  EARL.  125 


In  1478,  by  order  of  Parliament,  William,  Harle  of  Cathnes,  is  decerned  to  refonnd 
to  the  brngh  of  Innerkeithen,  the  pettie  customis  of  the  brngh  of  Dysart,  intromitted 
with  by  him  for  17  years.  This  order  was  made  by  Parliament  in  1478,  so  it  is  clear  he 
only  intromitted  with  those  customs  7  years.  Yet  this  requires  examen,  for  though  he 
gets  Ravensheugh  near  unto  Dysart  in  147 1,  it  is  not  known  when  he  got  Dysart  itself.* 

Earl  William  of  Orkney  died  before  3rd  July,  14X0,  when  he  is  referred  to  as  the 
quondam  "  per  pestiferum  morbum,  qui  a  vulgaribus  le  quhew  discebatur.  He  was  a  man 
of  rare  parts,  haveing  in  him  a  minde  of  most  noble  composition,  a  perceing  witt,  fitt  for 
managing  great  affairs  ;  he  was  famous  not  only  for  moral  vertue  and  piety,  but  also  for 
military  discipline  ;  in  high  favour  with  his  Prince,  and  raised  to  the  greatest  dignities 
that  in  those  times  a  subject  had.  He  was  averse  from  putting  criminals  to  the 
rack,  the  tortures  wherof  make  many  ane  innocent  person  confess  himself  guilty,  and 
then  with  seeming  justice  be  executed,  or  if  he  prove  so  stoute  as  in  torment  to  deny  the 
facts,  yet  he  comes  off  with  disjoynted  bones  and  such  weakness  as  renders  himself  and 
his  life  a  burthen  ever  after."*  It  is  said  he  was  a  knight  of  the  Cockle.  Hay  narrates  : 
"  I  have  seen  at  his  mantle,  on  his  tomhe,  a  medale  which  appeared  to  represent  Saint 
Michael,  yet  being  a  little  defaced  I  can't  positively  certifie  the  business.  It  is  certain  he 
was  in  great  favour  with  Lewis  XL  of  France,  who  established  those  Knights  of  Saint 
Michael  att  Amboise  in  1469."  Sir  James  Balfour  in  his  Peerage  tells  us  Earl  William 
was  Knight  of  the  several  orders  of  the  Thistle,  St.  Michael,  and  of  the  Golden  Fleece, 
as  he  has  seen  the  same  set  forth  in  a  charter. 

He  frequently  appears  in  Scottish  record  works.  At  Dundee  in  1435  he  becomes 
responsible  for  one  Nicholas  Ayncroft,  and  the  same  year  there  is  remission  of  fines  of 
his  men  of  Dysart  for  forestalling  the  burgh  of  Inverkeithing.  In  144S  William,  Earl 
of  Orkney,  and  others,  made  reprisals  on  the  English  in  two  raids,  burning  Alnwick  and 
Warkworth,  and  in  1449  he  receives  remission  of  customs  on  his  hides.  His  first  wife 
died  in  or  before  1452,  when  the  lands  of  Coule  and  lands  in  the  Earldom  of  Mora}'  fall  in 
the  king's  hands  by  reason  of  the  death  of  the  Countess  of  Buchan,  and  in  1456  the  Earl 
of  Orkney's  terce  of  Mar  is  let  to  Sir  Alex.  Seton  of  Gordon  for  an  agreed  price,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  non-payment  of  which — 40  demys  of  gold — it  was  forcibly  taken  from 
William  Seton  of  Echt,  brother-german  of  Sir  Alex.,  by  William  Smclare  on  behalf  of  the 
Earl  of  Orkney  by  reason  of  rights  of  his  quondam  spouse.  On  the  16th  April,  1452,  he 
gets  Dysart  relieved  of  duty  on  salt.  On  the  1st  July,  1454,  7th  July  and  28th  August, 
1455,  entries  are  noted,  "Coram  magnifico  et  prepotente  domino  Willelmo  comite  Orcadie 
domino  de  Sancto-claro  et  cancellario  Scocie  "  ;  in  1455  "white  spurs"  are  "the 
reddendo  of  Herbertshire,"  while  in  1456  the  castleward  of  his  baronies  of  Roslin, 
Cousland,  and  Pentland  is  assessed  at  ,£4,  and  he  is  entered  as  having  transported  the 
"great  bombard"  to  Threave  and  back.  In  1460  there  is  reference  to  his  expenses 
when  the  king  went  to  Aberdeen  ;  and  in  1468  and  on  20th  November,  1469,  the  Erie  of 
Orknay  is  one  of  the  Barons  of  Parliament.  In  1468  Earl  William  grants  to  Sir  James 
Creighton  of  Carnes  a  charter  of  Cairniehill,  to  be  holden  blench  for  a  penny.! 

By  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth  Douglas,  Countess-Dowager  of  Buchan  and  of  theGarioch 
(dead  in  1452)  the  Earl  had  : 

I.  William  Prodigwt,  '  the  Waster,'  Master  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  to  whom  during  his  life 

*  W.  de  Sco  Claro  dno.  de  Dyserth  is  a  witness  in  34  David  II.  (1364).         t  Hay. 


126  SEA-KINGS  OF  ORKNEY. 


he  had  given  the  Barony  of  Newburgh  in  Aberdeenshire.  This  William  of  Newburgh 
was  ancestor  to  the  Lords  Sinclair  and  they  of  Warsetter,  Saba,  &c,  &c,  whom  see. 
i.  Katherine,  married  to  Alex.,  Earl  of  March,  Duke  of  Albany,  second  son  of  King 
James  II.,  but  sentence  annulling  the  marriage  between  the  parties  was  pronounced 
by  the  official  of  Lothian  (2nd  March,  1477-8)  on  account  of  propinquity  of  blood. 
They  had  one  son  Alex.,  who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  the  Lord  Crichton,  and 
had  a  daughter  Margaret,  married  to  David,  Lord  Drummond.*  In  a  parliament 
held  in  presence  of  his  vounger  brother  John,  the  Governor,  Alex,  of  Albany, 
affirmed  his  claim  to  the  succession  failing  James  V.  ;  yet  notwithstanding 
his  challenge,  being  more  fit  for  a  cowl,  gave  over  all  title  he  had  in  his  brother's 
favor,  whereupon  to  deprive  him  ever  hereafter  of  lawful  succession,  they  turned 
him  into  a  priest.  He  had  first  the  priory  of  Whitherne  in  Galloway  ;  afterwards 
the  abbey  of  Inchaffray  ;  then  that  of  Scone  ;  was  consecrated  bishop  of  Murray 
1527,  and  dying  in  1534  was  buried  at  Scene. 
By  his  second  wife,  Marjory  Sutherland,  Earl  William  had  several  sons  and  daughters  : 

2.  Eleanor,  m.  John  Stewart,  Earl  of  Athole,  half-brother  of  James  III.  (mentioned  14S0). 

3.  Elisabeth,  wife  of  Sir  John  Houston,  of  Houston. 

4.  Margaret,  m.  Sir   David  Boswell  of  Balmuto,   styled  of  Glasmouth   in  a  record   16th 

February,  1492-3  (Ex.  Rolls). 

5.  Euphemia. 

6.  MarjoriE,  m.  Andrew  Leslie,  Master  of  Rothes. 

7.  Marietta. 

II.  Sir  Oliver,  founder  of  the  cadet  branch  of  the  St.  Clairs  of  Roslyn. 

III.  William  II.,  founder  of  the  cadet  line  of  Sinclairs,  Earls  of  Caithness. 

IV.  John,  Canon  of  Glasgow,  3rd  July,   1480  ;    Bishop-nominate   of  Caithness  for  24   years. 

John  Sutherland,  slain  at  Wick,  1569,  was  grandson  to  his  daughter  Katherine. t 
V.  Sir  David  of  Swynbrocht,  knight,  Foud  of  Shetland,  &c,  who  left  issue. 
VI.  Alexander,  mentioned  1498  and  1506. 
VII.  George,  mentioned  1498. 
VIII.  Robert,  mentioned   1498  and   1504.     On  the   27th  February,  1506-7,  he  receives  a  royal 
grant  of  house  and  land  in  Edinburgh  with  annuity. 
IX.  Arthur,  mentioned  1498  and  1504. 

The  seniority  of  the  sons  of  the  second  marriage  though  undetermined,  is  probably  in 
accordance  with  the  order  here  given. 


Nisbet.  t  Hist,  of  Caithness  ;  notes. 


THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES.  127 


CHAPTER    IV. 

PERIOD   OF    POST-COMITIAL    RULE. 

1471— 1567. 

Leading  Dates : 

1455  Henry  St.  Clair  obtains  tack. 

1456  First  Burghal  Charter  of  Kirkwall. 

1488-9  Henry  St.  Clair  recogn.  as  Lord  Saint  Clair  and  "  Chieff  of  vat  blude." 

Henry  St.  Clair  receives  renewal  of  lease  for  13  years. 
1490       Bishopric  Charter  of  Regality. 
L 1 49 1 J     Sir  David  Synclar,  Foud  of  Zetland. 

1501  Lord  St.  Clair  obtains  19  years'  tack  ;  rentals  compiled. 

1502  Edward  Sinclair  defeats  English  raiders. 

1513  Lord  Sinclair  falls  at  Flodden  ;  Lady  Margaret  becomes  Baroness-Regent. 

Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Warsetter  storms  Noltland  Castle. 

1515  James  Sinclair  elected  Governor  of  Kirkwall  Castle. 

1520  Lady  Sinclair  secures  renewal  for  19  years. 

152S  Battle  of  Summerdale  ;  defeat  of  Caithness  Invaders. 

1536  King  James  the  Fifth  visits  Kirkwall. 

1536  Eduerd  Synclar  of  Stroym,  Fold  of  Zetland. 

1539  Respite  to  leading  Islesmen. 

1540  Oliver  Sinclair  obtains  tack  till  1548. 
1544  Erection  of  Cathedral  Chapter. 

1546       Olave  Sinclayr,  Heyd  Fold  of  Zetland. 

1560       The  Sinclairs  oppose  reforms  by  Bishop  Both  well. 

J567      James  Hepburn,  Earl  of  Bothwell,  Duke  of  Orkney. 

When  Earl  Wm.  St.  Clair,  the  last  of  the  Orcadian  Jarls,  surrendered  in  1471  all  his 
rights  to  and  jurisdiction  within  the  Earldom  of  Orkney,  he  received  in  exchange  from 
James  III.  the  castle  and  lands  of  Ravenscraig  in  Fife,  and  a  Scottish  Act  of  Parliament 
was  passed  on  the  20th  February  of  the  same  year  annexing  to  the  Scottish  Crown  ' '  the 
Erldome  of  Orkney  and  Lordship  of  Schetland,  nocht  to  be  gevin  away  in  time  to  come 
to  na  persain  or  persainis  excep  alenarily  to  ane  of  the  King's  sonnis  of  lauchful  bed." 
This  was  followed  by  a  buli  of  Pope  Sixtus  IV.,  dated  at  the  Vatican,  17th  August,  1472, 
placing  the  See  of  the  Orkneys  under  the  metropolitan  of  St.  Andrew's.* 

The  revenues  of  the  Islands  were  then  farmed  out — first  to  the  Bishops  of  Orkney,  and 
afterwards  to  Henry,  Lord  St.  Clair,  and  various  members  of  his  house.  The  first  known 
grant  by  the  King  of  Scotland  was  in  1474 — a  lease  for  two  years  to  Wm.  Tulloch,  Bishop 
of  Orkney — the  Crown  rent  consisting  of  ,£120  money,  50  chalders  of  bear  at  8  merks  per 
chalder,  and  120  salt  marts  at  a  mark  each,  the  total  ,£466  13s.  4d.  Scots.  The  lease  was 
renewed  for  three  years  more,  with  an  abatement  on  the  bear,  viz.,  at  only  five  merks  the 
chalder,  the  total  amount  being  ,£366  13s.  4<l.t     On  the  translation  of  Bishop  Tulloch  to 

*  Orkn.  Saga  Introd.         f  Peterkin's  Notes. 


28  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 


the  See  of  Moray  in  1478,  a  new  lease  issued  to  his  Orcadian  successor  Andrew — the 
presentee  of  John  of  Denmark  to  the  Bishopric* — the  keeping  of  the  castle  of  Kirkwall 
being  included  in  the  lease,  and  the  same  rent  being  stipulated,  ut  in  rentali  nostra 
continetur ,\  The  Exch.  Rolls,  1480,  note  Andrew,  Bp.  of  Orkney,  and  Robert  Yorkstoun, 
his  factor  ;  and  again  on  21st  June,  1484,  Andrew,  Bp.  of  Orkney,  arrendatarii  dominorum 
Orchadie  et  Schetland  per  his  factors  John  Sinclare  and  Wm.  Leslie.  The  entry  also  refers 
to  Henry  Sinclare  and  to  Peter  Hakket  and  Alex.  Lesk  re  the  ferms  of  Sanday.  Bishop 
Andrew  received  in  1484  an  annuity  from  John  Sinclair,  and  another  in  1485  from  Henry 
Sinclair,;  in  which  latter  year  the  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's  is  delegated  Ambassador  to 
"Or.  haly  fadr.  ye  Paip,"  with  instructions  that  he  shall  among  other  things,  "  impetrait 
and  desir  of  or.  haly  fadr.  a  confirmacoun  of  ye  convencons  confederacouns  and  bands 
made  betwixt  or.  Sovrne  Lord  and  ye  King  of  Denmark  that  last  decessit  of  ye  donacoun 
and  impignoracoun  of  ye  landes  of  Orknay  and  Scheteland  and  of  ppetuale  exonacoun 
Reunussacoun  and  discharge  of  ye  contribucoun  of  ye  His  after  ye  forme  of  ye  said 
convencouns."S  Following  the  Impetration  the  Scottish  Crown  proceeded  to  extend 
over  the  lands  of  the  Bishop  and  Odallers  a  new  claim — that  of  Superiority,  the  first 
advance  to  which  bore  the  harmless  form  of  a  courteous  recognition  of  the  Bishop's 
rights  by  his  new  Sovereign,  in  a  Charter  of  Regality,  10th  October,  1490.  One 
of  the  rights  conveyed  by  this  instrument  is  the  merchetis  mulierum  !  The  assumption 
of  a  concurrent  sanction  of  the  Norwegian  presentee  of  the  Kirklands  (149 1-2) 
was  followed  by  the  sole  presentation — under  Papal  Sanction — of  a  Commendator  and 
Successor  to  the  Bishop  (8th  April,  1498),  and  shortly  afterward  by  the  defiant  appoint- 
ment of  an  Archdean  of  Zetland,  with  a  protest  against  "  the  temerity  and  presumption  " 
of  the  Danish  presentee  (8th  January,  1501-2).  The  Charter  of  Regality  was  confirmed 
in  isor,  and  in  the  civil  feuds  which  long  shook  the  Norwegian  throne,  the  Scottish 
Patronage  of  the  See  of  Orkney  was  thenceforth  undisputed.*  The  same  protecting  care 
was  accorded  to  the  ancient  capital  of  the  Jarldom,  which  in  i486  was  made  a  royal 
burgh.  1 1 

Although  Earl  William  surrendered  the  comitial  title  and  jurisdictions,  he  still 
retained  large  estates  throughout  all  the  Isles,  and  his  immediate  descendants  and 
collateral  members  of  the  Sinclair  family  are  found  figuring  in  the  most  important 
events  in  the  insular  annals  for  two  centuries  thereafter,  during  the  first  seventy-five 
years  of  which  the  government  of  the  Isles  was  almost  solely  in  their  hands.  In  fact, 
summing  up  the  history  of  the  period,  it  may  be  said  to  be  a  record  of  the  doings  of  the 
Sinclairs,  and  of  transactions  connected  with  the  Bishopric.  Earl  William  had  died 
before  the  9th  February,  148 1,  when  there  is  an  agreement  entered  into  between  his 
disinherited  heir,  Wm.  St.  Clair,  Prodigus  'the  Waster,'  Master  of  Orkney,  and  Sir  Oliver 
St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  which  refers  to  their  father,  the  Earl,  as  being  dead  ;1I  and  from  the 
Rentals  of  1502-3  it  appears  that  in  that  year  Sir  Robert  Sutherland,  Sir  John  Sinclair, 
and  others  entered  into  use  and  adverse  occupation  of  lands  in  Orkney  to  the  prejudice 
of  the  heir-of-line  male  Henry  Sinclair — elder  son  of  the  disinherited  Master — who 
obtained  a  tack  of  the  Isles  in  1485,*  and  the  same  year  granted  an  annuity  to  the  Bishop.  J 

On  the  26th  January,  1488-9,  the  Scottish  Parliament  passed  an  Act  recognising 
Henry  Lord  Saintclair,  as   "  Chieff  of  yat  blude,"  and  willing  "  yarfor  that  he  be  callit 

*  Balfour's  Memorial.         fPeterkin's  Notes.         J  Reg.  Privy  Seal.         \  Mackenzie's  Grievances. 
II  Kirkwall  Records.         \  Hay  Introd. 


PERIOD  OF  POST-COMITIAL  RULE.  129 

Lord  Saintclair  in  tyme  to  cum."  Soon  after  the  accession  of  James  IV.,  a  lease  of  the 
ancient  Earldom  of  Orkney  and  Hjaltland  was  granted  28th  May,  1489,  to  Henry  Lord 
Sinclair.  The  rent  was  continued  at  the  same  rate  as  in  the  Bishop's  leases,  viz., 
,£366  13s.  4d.  Scots,  as  some  atonement,  perhaps,  for  the  ill-requited  devotedness  of  his 
grandfather  to  the  former  King.*  The  tack  was  granted  for  13  years  "  terris  et  Dominiis 
Orchadiae  et  Shetland,  cum  suis  pertinentiis,"  etc.  ;  and  besides  a  lease  of  the  castle  of 
Kirkwall  and  fortalices,  there  is  also  a  grant  of  jurisdiction  for  the  same  period,  "  Officiis 
Justiciariae  Folderiae  et  Baliatus  dictarum  terrarum  et  dominiorum."  On  the  same  date 
there  is  an  assedation  and  grant  consisting  of  three  instruments  in  precisely  similar  terms 
to  his  brother-in-law  Patrick,  Earl  of  Bothwell.  After  the  irresponsible  episcopal  rule, 
the  appointment  of  Henry  Lord  Sinclair  as  Captain-General  and  Governor  of  the  Islands, 
and  the  recognition  of  Sir  David  Sinclair  as  the  Norse  representative  and  Foud  of 
Hjaltland  (1491),  gave  hope  of  better  times,  for  after  the  tyranny  of  strangers  the 
Orkneyans  were  prepared  to  rejoice  in  the  return  of  kindred  rulers,  and  Sir  David  was 
the  son  and  Lord  Henry  the  grandson  of  their  last  Earl  William.  With  the  tastes  and 
accomplishments,  and  some  of  the  vices  of  their  time,  the  Sinclairs  were  popular  in  the 
Islands  and  favourites  in  the  Courts  of  Denmark  and  Scotland.  They  were  in  the  main 
just,  humane,  and  generous  ;  they  exposed  unsparingly  the  rapacity  and  frauds  of  their 
episcopal  predecessors,  relaxed  their  intolerable  imposts  upon  some  of  the  districts, 
redressed  much  individual  injustice,  and  liberally  relieved  the  impoverished  population.! 

There  are  still  a  few  instances  of  the  connection  with  Norway.  In  1485  the  Lawman 
of  Bergen  reverses  a  sale  of  lands  in  Hieltland  as  being  contrary  to  law.  His  decree  is 
made  in  convention  with  the  Law-man,  Council-men,  and  Lagrett-man  in  Hieltland.  i 
Sir  David  Sinclair,  Foud  of  Hjaltland,  was  Captain  of  the  Palace  Guard  at  Bergen.  In 
1498  he  acquired  from  his  brothers  and  sisters  a  charter  of  their  interests  in  the  estate  of 
Swynbrocht,  and  the  pertinents,  etc.*  As  all  their  seals  are  stated  to  be  appended 
entire,  if  extant  this  charter  will  be  of  value  in  determining  the  seniority  of  the  sons  of 
Earl  William. 

On  the  first  May,  1501,  the  lease  to  Lord  Sinclair,  with  the  keeping  of  the  castle  of 
Kirkwall,  and  the  jurisdictions  of  justiciarie,  fouderie,  and  bailliary,  was  renewed  for 
19  years,  an  addition  being  made  of  hams  "  for  the  King's  use  "  to  the  rental,  which  was 
thereby  extended  to  .£433  6s.  8d.*  On  the  4th  June,  1498,  by  Royal  instrument,  St. 
Magnus'  Cathedral  secured  a  grant  of  the  Isle  of  Burray  ;  and  the  Bishopric  Charter  of 
Regality  was  confirmed  in  1501  ;  and  a  letter  directed  by  James  IV.  to  Lord  Sinclair, 
then  Captain-General  and  Governor  of  the  Isles,  charged  him  "  to  stop  no  Law-man  in 
the  supplying  of  the  said  reverend  father,  his  servants  and  officers,  in  the  ministration  of 
justice,  "t  And  the  next  year  after  there  is  another  letter  to  the  same  effect,  directed 
"to  the  Lawman  of  Orknay."t 

After  confirmation  of  his  lease,  Lord  Sinclair  had  Rentals  prepared  in  1502-4 
showing  the  charges  payable  by  all  occupiers  and  owners  of  land.  In  this  census  many 
Sinclairs  appear  enumerated  as  in  possession  of  estates.  They  are  probably  not  of 
descent  from  the  last  Earl,  but  from  his  predecessors,  collaterals  to  whom  appear  in 
Orkney  at  an  early  date,  e.g. :  In  1364  Thos.  de  St.  Clair,  ballivus  for  the  King  of 
Norway,  and  Alexander  de  St.  Clair,  his  son,  attest  an  instrument  at  Kirkwall  ;  in  139 1 
Richard  de  St.  Clair  is  a  witness  ;  in  1418  John  St.  Clair,  brother  of  Earl  Henry  II.,  is 

*Peterkin's  Notes.         t  Balfour's  Memorial.         %  Mackenzie's  Grievances. 


i3o  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 


Foud  of  Hjaltland  ;  in  1426  Thomas  Sincler  is  opposed  to  the  malpractices  of  Sir  David 
Menzies  ;  in  1434  John  and  Thos.  St.  Clair,  armigeri,  are  in  Denmark  with  Earl  William, 
and  append  their  seals  to  his  document  of  Installation  ;  [in  1446]  Alex.  Siuclare  sets  his 
seal  to  the  Diploma,  while  in  1437  William  and  Edwd.  de  Sco.  Claro,  armigeri,  attest  a 
precept  of  infeftment.  The  last  William  is  perhaps  to  be  identified  as  the  son  of  John 
St.  Clair,  Foud  of  Hjaltland,  who  served  the  Emperor  Henry  in  the  Holy  Wars.  This 
digression  may  help  to  account  for  the  number  of  Sinclairs  presently  passing  under  review 
other  than  the  direct  descendants  of  Earl  William.  David  Sinclair,  a  prudent  and 
discreet  man,  resident  at  Kirkwall,  on  account  of  the  cordial  affection  he  bears  to  her, 
conveys  his  land  and  dwelling-house  to  his  wife  Sonneta  and  their  children,  reserving, 
however,  the  life  use  of  same  to  himself.  Dated  at  the  said  residence  in  Kirkwall  nth 
September,  1491.  In  Lord  Sinclair's  rental  his  brother  Sir  William  holds  nearly  all 
Sanday  and  Westray  ;  a  Sir  John  Sinclair  (perhaps  either  Sir  John  of  Dryden — '  the 
Queen's  knicht  ' — or  the  Bishop-nominate  of  Caithness)  has  lands  in  North  and  South 
Sandvik  ;  Gilbert  and  Richeart  Sinclair  in  South  Ronaldsa  ;  while  in  Stromness,  Magnus 
Sinclair  has  the  Bu  of  Karstane,  Alex.  Sinclair  has  Stanagar  in  Innerstromness,  David 
Sinclair  has  Mydhous  there,  and  his  son  William  has  also  a  property  in  Innerstromness 
while  James  Sinclair  has  land  in  Utterstromness.*  In  the  "Skat  of  Zetland,"  a  contem- 
poraneous compilation,  Henrie  Sincler  is  entered  for  the  lands  of  Skatnes  and  Burrow- 
land,  and  Sande  Sincler  for  Schevsbrocht. 

Orkney  was  then  in  capable  hands,  with  Lord  Henry  as  Capt. -General  and  Governor 
of  the  Isles,  Sir  David,  Foud  of  Hjaltland  and  Captain  of  the  Palace  Guard  of  Bergen, 
and  Edward  Sinclair  defeating  the  English  raiders  at  Papdale,  St.  Ola's,  slaying  their 
leader  Sir  John  Elder,  13th  August,  1502.!  It  was  probably  by  the  family  influence  that 
an  act  of  the  Scottish  parliament  in  1503  to  annul  all  foreign  laws  within  the  realm  was 
so  altered  as  to  spare  the  native  laws  of  Orkney  and  Hjaltland.  The  act  "as  originally 
proponit  and  red"  stands  as  it  is  here  copied  :  "  Item  yt.  all  our  Sovrane  Lords  lieges 
"  beand  undr.  his  obesance  &  i  spe'ale  all  ye  His  [bat  wt.  in  Orkuay,  Scheteland  &  ye 
"  His  &  oyr.  places]S  be  reulit  be  or.  Sovrane  Lords  awne  lawis  &  ye  common  lawis  of  ye 
"  Realme  &  be  nai  oyr.  lawis." — Fol.  Stat.  ii.  244.  Among  the  acts  "  advisit  and 
concludit,"  it  appears  in  these  terms:  "Item  It  is  statute  and  ordanit  that  all  or. 
"Sovrane  Lorde's  lieges  beand  undr.  his  obeysance  and  in  speciale  ye.  His  be  Reulit  be 
"or.  Sovrane  Lorde's  awne  lawis  and  ye  comon  lawis  of  ye  Realme  And  be  nai  oyr. 
"  lawis.  "—Fol.  Stat.  ii.  p.  252.  Thus,  as  originally  framed,  the  bill  had  reference  to 
Orkney,  Shetland,  and  the  Isles,  but  was  passed  in  an  amended  form  having  application 
to  the  last  only.     The  Isles  here  meant  are  the  Hebudes.t 

Sir  David  Sinclair  of  Swynbrocht  being  "seik  in  bodye,  nevir  the  less  hail  in  mynd," 
executed  his  Testament  at  Tingwall,  Shetland,  on  the  9th  of  July,  1506.  Directing  his 
body  to  be  buried  in  St.  Magnus'  Kirk  at  Tyngwall,  and  praying  James  IV.  to  protect 
his  testamentary  disposition,  he  proceeds  to  make  numerous  bequests  which  afford  an 
insight  into  the  conditions  of  the  time.  He  leaves  to  each  of  his  sons  100  merks  of  land, 
and  to  each  daughter  50  merks  ;  to  my  Lorde  Sincler  the  Zetland  pension  for  the  current 
year,  and  such  lands  as  the  testator  possessed  there  after  the  death  of  his  father  the  Earl, 
also   his   best    silver    stope   (tankard)    and    his    ship    '  callit   the    "Carvel"    wyth   hir 

*Peterkin's  Rentals.  -j- Jo.  Ben.  J  Mackenzie's  Grievances. 

\  These  bracketed  words  are  ruled  out  in  the  original  copy. 


PERIOD  OF  POST-COMITIAL  RULE. 


pertinentis,'  etc.  There  are  bequests  to  Ladye  Sincler  ;  to  the  son  and  heir  of  Henre 
Lord  Synclar  ;  to  Sir  William  Sincler,  Earle  of  Caithtness,  he  demises  his  innes  in 
Edinbrucht  ;  to  Sir  William  Sincler  the  Knycht  [of  Warsettir],  valuable  portions 
of  his  wardrobe ;  to  "Sande  Sincler  my  brother,  some  6  ells  of  green  cloth  ;  to  my  sister 
dwelling  in  Orknay,  all  my  gudis  that  ar  in  Pappay  and  Housbe  ;  to  Magnus  Sincler, 
my  blew  doublet  set  with  precious  stones  and  my  golden  chain  which  I  wear  daily  ;  to 
James  Sincler,  capitane  for  the  tym  in  Dingvell,  al  my  geir  that  is  in  Ross  ;  to  Sir 
Magnus  Harrode,  twa  nobillis,  and  the  Buk  of  Gud  Maneris  ;  to  the  Provest  of  Byrrone 
'  my  signet '  ;  to  the  puir  folk  that  come  out  of  Orkney  wyth  me  I  leif  thame  thar  awne 
land  or  ellis  also  gude  "  ;  his  golden  chain  or  collar  which  the  King  of  Denmark  gave  him 
was  left  to  St.  George's  altar  at  Roeskilde,  the  ancient  Danish  capital.  Bequests  are  also 
made  to  the  Cathedral  Kyrk  of  Orknaye  ;  to  Sanct  Magnus  Kyrk  in  Tyngvell  ;  and  to 
the  Corss  Kyrk  in  Dynrossness  ;  with  ships,  lands,  cattle,  &c,  &c,  to  various  persons  of 
names  now  well  known  in  both  archipelagoes.  Magnus  Sincler,  Jhone  Mude,  &c. ,  attest 
the  execution.  Sir  David  Sinclair  died  in  July  or  August,  1507.  A  notarial  transcript 
was  made  in  1525,  at  which  time  the  Will  doubtless  came  into  effect.  His  vessel,  called 
the  "Carvel,"  is  no  doubt  the  "Yellow  Carvel"  of  Scottish  records,  and  would  have 
proved  useful  to  Lord  Henry,  who  in  151 2  was  apparently  Lord  High  Admiral,  having 
command  of  the  "Great  Michael,"  the  Scottish  flagship.  Lord  Sinclair  fell  at  Flodden 
the  following  year  (9th  September,  1513),  and  as  his  son  was  in  minority,  Lady  Margaret 
became  Baroness-Regent  and  ruler  of  the  Isles,  in  which  capacity  she  soon  came  into 
conflict  with  her  brother-in-law,  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  his  family  and  near 
kinsmen. 


^fe  ■■■ 


N01.TUND  Castle. 


From  a  notarial  protocol  in  the  possession  of  Lord  Sinclair,  there  is  preserved  to  us 
a  Decree  of  the  Lawman  of  Orkney  and  Shetland  and  his  Council,  affirming  a  sale  of 
land  as  being  according  to  Insular  law.     The  Decree  is  dated  at  Kirkwall  in  June,  15 14, 


1 32  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

and  to  this  '  Matter  of  Heritage '  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Warsetter  is  a  party  to  the  record — 
ane  nobill  and  potent  man — who  notwithstanding  has  to  submit  to  the  law  of  the  land.* 
Also  in  another  decree  anno  15 19,  the  High  Foud  or  Lagman — for  so  the  chief  judge  was 
called — in  order  to  give  a  sacred  and  venerable  authority  to  his  sentence,  confirms  it  "  be 
the  fayth  of  the  law-buik,"  as  now-a-days  men  confirm  their  testimony  by  the  faith  of  the 
Holy  Gospels.*  It  was  about  this  time  that  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Warsetter  took  Noltland 
Castle  by  storm,  but  restored  it  to  Dr.  Edward  Stewart,  the  Bishop  who  had  succeeded 
to  the  prelacy  in  1511.  In  "  Theiner's  Vetera  Monumenta  "  this  appears  under  date 
13th  December,  1523,  "Dux  Albanise  regni  Scotise  gubernator  a  pontifice  petit,  ut 
Joannem  Beynstoun,  Eduardo  epo.  Orchadensi  eius  fratri  in  coadiutorem  concedat. " 
Bishop  Stewart  was  not  only  of  illustrious  birth,  but  of  an  excellent  character.!  He 
enlarged  the  cathedral  by  adding  the  three  first  pointed  piers  and  arches  at  the  east  end, 
and  the  fine  east  window,  which  is  early  middle  pointed,  of  four  unfoliated  lights,  in  two 
divisions,  its  head  filled  with  a  rose  of  twelve  leaves.!  His  arms  are  amongst  the  heraldic 
decorations  on  the  ceiling  of  the  Cathedral  Church  of  St.  Machar,  Aberdeen,  and  also 
ornament  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral — Or,  a  fess  cheeky  azure  and  argent  within  a  double 
tressure  flowered  counter  flowered. §  He  had  for  a  successor  in  the  episcopal  dignity 
Thomas,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  whose  only  action  of  note  was  the  donation  which  he  made 
for  maintaining  the  choristers  in  the  Cathedral.! 

As  early  as  1515  j|  the  Islanders  elected  as  their  leader  and  virtual  Governor,  James 
Sinclair,  a  natural  son  of  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  Lord  Henry's  brother,  and  for 
a  few  years  all  went  well.  The  Baroness-Regent  in  1520  got  the  lease  extended  for 
19  more  years  at  the  same  rent.H  but  now  fell  in  troublous  times.  The  Rents  were 
withheld  for  three  years  (1523-5)  on  the  plea  of  a  general  devastation  by  the  English  fleet 
in  Orkney  and  Zetland  ;  her  son,  Lord  William,  was  forced  to  surrender  her  castle  of 
Kirkwall,  and  fled  to  Caithness,  1528.  The  year  following,  Lord  William,  in  alliance 
with  his  cousin  John  Sinclair,  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  supported  by  the  sanction  of  the 
King's  Letter  of  Four  Forms, ||  mustered  a  very  considerable  military  force  and  embarked 
for  the  Isles,  sanguine  of  victory.  However,  James  Sinclair,  the  Governor,  rallying  the 
Islesmen  for  a  patriotic  effort,  encountered  the  invaders  on  the  confines  of  the  parish  of 
Stennis,  routed  them  completely  in  the  Vale  of  Summerdale,  slew  the  Earl  with  500  of 
his  followers,  took  prisoner  Lord  Sinclair,  beheaded  Nicol  Hall  the  Lawman,  and  took 
forcible  possession  of  the  Islands.  ||  There  existed  a  very  bitter  feeling  of  animosity 
between  the  Islanders  and  the  Scottish  invaders,  which  receives  illustration  from  a 
complaint  of  William  Lord  Sinclair  that  Sir  James  had  been  guilty  of  excessive  cruelty. 
Previous  to  the  fight  at  Summerdale  he  slew  several  of  his  lordship's  friends  and 
attendants  in  the  castle  of  Kirkwall  ;  and  a  week  or  two  after  the  battle,  among  other 
atrocities,  he  put  to  death  in  cold  blood  thirty  men  who  had  fled  for  sanctuary  to  the 
Cathedral  of  St.  Magnus  and  other  places  of  worship  in  the  country.  It  is  stated  in  the 
complaint  that  he  dragged  them  by  force  out  of  the  church,  stript  them  naked,  and  then 
killed  them,  "in  his  contemption  of  God  and  halikirk,  and  breaking  of  the  privilege  of 
the  Girth."1  It  is  difficult  to  reconcile  the  royal  policy  with  reference  to  this  transaction. 
King  James  had  sanctioned  the  invasion,  and  on  the  defeat  of  the  Scottish  Sinclairs  he 
continued   to    assert   his   dignity  by  renewing    Lady   Sinclair's    rights,  and   by  signing 

*  Mackenzie's  Grievances.       t  Barry.        %  Clouston's  Guide.        j!  Catalogue  Heraldic  Exhbn.,  Edin. 
||  Balfour's  Memorial.       1[  Peterkin's  Notes.     '  Calder. 


PERIOD  OF  POST-COMITIAL  RULE.  133 

an  ineffective  Few  Charter  to  his  illegitimate  brother  James,  Earl  of  Moray  (1 530-1)  ; 
yet  he  next  proceeds  to  give  but  one  more  feudal  Grant,  and  that  was  to  the  victorious 
Governor  (1535),  whom  he  knighted  and  rewarded  with  lands  and  legitimation.* 
Sir  James  had  powerful  influence  at  Court.  By  his  marriage  to  Lady  Barbara  Stewart, 
sister  of  Henry,  Lord  Methven  (who  had  married  Margaret  Tudor,  the  King's  mother), 
he  became  connected  closely  with  the  royal  families  of  Scotland  and  England.  Relying 
on  these  influences,  he  solicited  and  secured  a  grant  of  the  islands  of  Sanday  and  Eday, 
representing  them,  it  is  said,  as  being  infertile  holms  or  trivial  islets,  fit  only  for  domestic 
pasturing.  His  grant  of  the  Islands  contained  every  feudal  right,  and  was  the  first 
infraction  of  Odal  succession  by  a  clause  of  single  primogeniture.*  In  1536  or  1537  this 
valorous  knight  fell  by  accident  into  the  sea  and  was  drowned,  leaving  behind  him  the 
reputation  of  a  brave  man,  emulous  of  nothing  so  much  as  the  freedom  and  independence 
of  his  country.  +  It  is  otherwise  stated  that  being  threatened  with  the  royal  displeasure 
on  the  discovery  of  his  imposture,  he  cast  himself  over  a  precipitous  rock  in  Deerness, 
called  the  Gloup  of  Linkness,  and  perished.  Jo  Ben's  account  confirms  the  parochial 
locality,  and  adds  that  he  had  lost  his  reason.  At  Stirling,  on  the  18th  April,  1539,  a 
letter  issued  under  the  Privy  Seal  to  "  Barbara  Stewart,  relict  of  umquhile  James  Sinclair, 
of  Sanday,  knight,  her  airis  and  assignees,  of  the  gift  of  all  guides,  moveable  and 
immoveable,  etc.,  which  pertained  to  the  said  umquhile  James,  and  now  pertain  to  our 
sovereign  lord  be  reason  of  escheat,  because  the  said  umquhile  James  wilfully  slew 
himself. '  '§  Lady  Barbara  afterwards  married  McLeod,  the  Breve  of  Lewis  ;  and  Margaret, 
her  daughter  by  Sir  James,  married  Magnus  Halcro. 

An  interesting  incident  in  the  Isles  was  the  visitation  of  Sir  John  Clare,  Admiral  of 
the  English  fleet,  who  landed  a  body  of  soldiery  to  destroy  the  places  of  strength,  but  a 
hurricane  suddenly  arising  divided  his  forces,  and  the  Orcadians  put  nearly  all  to  the 
sword.     This  happened  on  the  31st  August,  1538. 

A  memorable  event  occurred  about  this  time — the  visit  of  James  V.  to  the  Isles.  In 
1536  he  embarked  from  the  Forth  in  a  fleet  consisting  of  five  gallant  vessels,  attended  by 
Lindsay,  then  the  most  skilful  navigator  in  the  Scottish  seas.  Having  reached  Orkney, 
the  royal  squadron  moored  in  the  Bay  of  Kirkwall ;  and  although  the  House  of  Stuart 
and  the  family  now  on  the  throne  of  Great  Britain  derive  their  claims  by  descent  from 
Rognvald  the  Mighty,  Jarl  of  Orkney,  King  James  V.  is  the  only  monarch,  Scottish  or 
British,  who  has  ever  touched  the  soil  of  these  Islands  since  the  Scottish  impignoration.|| 
During  his  visit  he  confirmed  the  Burghal  Charter  of  Kirkwall,  8th  February,  1536,  and 
is  said  to  have  held  a  Thing  in  the  very  ancient  tenement  still  dignified  as  the  Parliament 
Close.*  While  in  the  burgh  he  was  hospitably  entertained  by  Bishop  Maxwell  in  the 
modern  episcopal  palace.  Robert  Maxwell  had  succeeded  Dr.  Stewart  in  1525.  He 
ornamented  the  cathedral  interior  with  stalls  in  the  quire,  which  had  curious  carvings  of 
arms  of  former  bishops  and  other  devices.  He  also  furnished  the  tower  with  a  set  of 
finely  toned  bells,  which  are  still  rung  daily  in  a  particular  chime. H  The  bells  carry 
inscriptions  that  they  were  "maid  be  maister  robert  maxvel,  byschop  of  Orknay,"  and 
display  the  Maxwell  arms  :  Argent,  saltier  sable,  with  annulet  or  in  the  centre,  maternal 
difference  for  Eglintoun. '  Returning  to  Scotland,  King  James  granted  in  1539  (19th 
September),  a   19  years'   Respite^  to  Edward  Sinclare   of  Stroholm,   Magnus  Sinclare  of 


■  Calder.         {  Mackenzie's  MS.  Notes.  \  Barry's  Hist.         ||  Peterkin's  Notes. 

r  Clouston  ;  Peterkin's  Notes.  '  Anderson's  Guide. 


34  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 


Warsettir,  John  Sinclare  of  Tohop,  William  Sinclare  of  House,  Olave  Sinclare  of  Halvera. 
Magnus  Sinclare,  Lawrence  Sinclare,  James  Sinclare,  etc.,  for  being  art  and  part  in  the 
slaughter  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness  at  Summerdale.  Sir  James  of  Sanday,  the  leader, 
had  already  passed  beyond  the  need  of  an  earthly  pardon.  From  the  names  enumerated 
it  is  evident  the  Islesmen  were  very  unanimous  in  their  resistance.  Eduerd  Synclar  of 
Stroym,  Fold  of  Zetland,  appears  24th  June,  1536,  granting  a  charter,  to  which  he 
appended  his  proper  seal  ;  and  Olave  Sinclayr  of  Havoray,  heyd  Fold  of  Zetland,  is  so 
noted  in  a  decree  dated  10th  December,  1546. 

The  favourable  leases  to  Margaret  Lady  Sinclair  terminated  soon  after  the  king's 
visit  to  Orkney,  by  a  general  Act  of  Revocation  and  Annexation,  10th  December,  1540.*" 
"The  landis  and  lordship  of  Orkney  and  Zetland,  and  ye  illis  pertaining  thereto,  and  their 
pertinentis  "  were  resumed  to  the  crown  amongst  other  gratuities,  which  are  enumerated 
and  annexed  in  very  anxious  and  pointed  terms.  "  And  the  saidis  landis  being  annext 
to  remane  perpetuallie  with  the  crown,  may  nowther  be  given  away  in  fee  nor  frank- 
tenement  to  any  personis,  quhatevir  estate  or  degree  thai  be  of,  without  awise 
decrete  and  deliverance  of  ye  hale  Parliament,  and  for  the  grett  reasonable  causes  concerning 
the  welefair  of  the  realme,  first  to  be  avisit  and  digestlie  considerit  be  the  hale  estatis.  And 
albeit  it  sail  happin  our  souirane  Lord  that  now  is,  or  any  his  successouris  kingis  of 
Scotland,  to  analie  and  dispone  the  saidis  lordschipis,  landis,  etc.,  that  the  alienation  and 
disposition  sal  be  of  nane  avale.  But  it  sal  be  leful  to  the  king  for  the  tyme  to  ressaif 
tha  landis  to  his  awin  use  quhenevir  it  likes  his  grace,  but  {i.e.,  without)  any  process  of 
law."*  The  last  lessee  of  the  Sinclair  family  was  Oliver  Sinclair,  of  Pitcairns,  who 
obtained  two  successive  leases,  extending  to  eight  years,  of  the  Crown  rights,  rents, 
scatts,  and  admiralty  jurisdiction  of  Orkney  and  Zetland  (which  had  of  old  belonged  to 
the  Earldom  ere  it  was  annexed  to  Scotland),  for  which  he  paid  the  advanced  rent  of 
,£2,000  per  annum.  The  first  lease  was  dated  20th  April,  1541,  and  was  continued  not- 
withstanding the  protest  of  Lady  Margaret  Sinclair,  of  10th  September  following.  Oliver's 
right  expired  in  1548.*  The  name  of  Oliver  Sinclair  is  associated  in  the  recollections  of 
every  reader  of  Scottish  history  with  one  of  the  most  humiliating  transactions  recorded  in 
its  pages — the  disloyalty  of  the  Scottish  nobles,  the  dishonour  of  the  Scottish  arms  at 
Solway  Moss,  and  the  miserable  captivity  of  the  army  which  ensued.  The  premature 
death  of  James  V.  and  the  extinction  of  the  House  of  St.  Clair  as  rulers  in  Orkney  may 
be  reckoned  cotemporary  ;  and  nothing  now  remains  to  remind  the  visitor  of  the  scenes 
of  their  former  greatness  at  their  ancient  ' '  home  ' '  except  the  debris  of  their  castle.  * 
Oliver  Sinclair  did  not  enjoy  undisturbed  possession  of  his  tack,  for  on  the  10th  December, 
1543,  a  litigation  betwixt  him  and  the  Queen  Dowager  was  agitated  in  Parliament  before 
the  Lords  of  the  Articles  and  Secret  Council.  Thereon,  McGill,  an  advocate,  made 
protestation  that  whatever  their  lordships  might  do  "  anent  the  mater  perseuit  be  the 
Quenis  Grace  agains  Oliver  Sinclair  touching  the  delivering  of  the  castell  of  Kirkwall,  in 
Orknay,  should  turn  him  to  na  prejudice  anent  his  ryt,  takk,  and  assedation  quhilk  he 
has  of  the  samyn,"  and  objected  to  the  competency  of  the  Court  ;  but  they  repelled  the 
objection,  "  because  the  action  concernis  the  Quenis  Grace,  quha  has  the  samen  privilege 
as  our  soverane  lady,  her  dochter,  has  in  that  behalf."  The  cause  was  resumed  the  day 
after,  and  the  record  bears,  "  That  quhare  hir  Grace  optenit  ane  decret  of  the  Lordis  of 
Counsale  decerning  and  ordaining  hir  Grace  to   be   answerit  and   obeyit  of  the  males, 


*  Peterkin's  Notes. 


PERIOD  OF  POST-COMITIAL   RULE. 


'35 


fermes,  profettis,  and  dewities  of  all  lands  and  lordschippis,  and  siclik  of  all  castellis  and 
houses  gevin  and  grantit  to  hir  in  dowrie  be  uraqhuelle  our  Souerane  Lord," — "  not  the 
less  the  said  Oliver  hes  and  withaldis  fra  hir  Grace  hir  castell  of  Kirkwall,  lyand  within 
the  lordship  of  Orknay,  and  will  not  deliver  the  samyn  to  hir  without  he  be  compellit  ;" 
"the  Quenis  Grace  being  personalie  present,  and  the  said  Oliver  Sinkler  compearand  by 
Maister  James  M'Gill,"  who  denied  that  Oliver  or  his  servant  had  refused  to  give  up  the 
castle,  a  term  was  allowed  the  Queen-Dowager  to  prove  the  fact.  At  a  subsequent 
sederunt,  the  Queen  being  present,  and  neither  Oliver  nor  his  lawyer  appearing,  he  was 
ordained  to  "  deliver  to  the  Queen's  Grace  or  hir  factors,  hir  said  place  and  castell  of 
Kirkwall,"  as  he  had  not  appeared  to  shew  cause  why  he  should  not  have  previously 
done  so,  having  denied  that  he  retained  it,  "  howbeit  the  said  Oliver  and  his  factors  hes 
and  wt.  haldis  the  samyn  as  yit,  as  was  cleerlie  preivit  befor  the  saids  Lordis."*  These 
are  the  only  notices  of  Oliver  Sinclair  as  Governor  of  the  Isles,  unless  he  is  the  person 
referred  to  by  Bishop  Bothwell  in  a  letter  dated  5th  February,  1560,  stating  that  he  was 
opposed  in  some  of  his  church  reforms  by  the  Sinclairs  "  instigat  be  the  Justice  Clerk.  " 
Henry  Sinclair,  his  brother  Robert,  and  their  father  [Oliver]  opposed  any  change. 
"  Henry's  fader  said  he  wald  on  na  sort  consent.     .     .     ."t 

Robert  Reid,  prior  of '  Beauly  in  commendam,  became  Bishop  of  Orkney  in  1540.  He 
was  eminent  for  his  enlightened  views  and  conspicuous  ability.  A  foundation  Senator  of 
the  College  of  Justice,  he  afterwards  held  the  Presidency  till  his  death.     He  was  also 

President  of  the  Scottish  Parliament ;  auditor 
of  Exchequer ;  commissioner  for  a  treaty  of 
peace  between  Scotland  and  England  ;  and  one 
of  the  embassy  to  France  to  arrange  the 
marriage  of  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  with  the 
Dauphin.  %  Whilst  executing  the  last  mission, 
he  was  wrecked  near  Boulogne,  and,  being 
seized  with  a  disorder,  ended  his  days  at  Dieppe 
in  1558.  He  added  three  Romanesque  pillars 
to  the  west  end  of  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral  (as 
also  the  magnificent  porch  which  serves  it  for 
entry),  the  interior  arches  above  which  seem 
never  to  have  been  finished,^  and  not  only  re- 
built the  old  parish  church  of  St.  Ola.U  but 
restored  the  ancient  Bishop's  Palace,  adding  to 
it  a  circular  and  a  square  tower  called  the 
Mense  or  Mass  Tower.  The  circular  tower  is 
square  within,  and  embellished  with  well-exe- 
cuted engravings.  The  walls  are  of  red  free- 
stone interspersed  with  white,  and  on  the  north 
side  is  a  well-preserved  statue  of  Bishop  Reid.$  On  the  28th  October,  1544,  by  a  new 
erection  he  remodelled  the  ecclesiastical  foundation  of  his  cathedral,  a  chapter  being 
established,  consisting  of  seven  dignitaries,  seven  prebendaries,  thirteen  chaplains,  a 
sacristan,  and  six  choristers.     These  were  as  follow  : — 


Porch,  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral. 


Peterkin's  Notes. 


%  Barry. 


||  Tudor. 


136  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

Dignitaries. — i.  The  provost  or  dean,  prebendary  of  Holy  Trinity  and  rector  of  South 
Ronaldsa  and  Burra  (Mr.  Malm.  Halcro).  2.  The  archdeacon,  chaplain,  of  St.  Ola,  with 
the  tithes  of  Birsa  and  Harra  (Mr.  John  Tyrie).  3.  The  precentor,  prebendary  of 
Orphir,  with  tithes  of  Stenness  {sir  Nicholas  Hawcro).  4.  The  chancellor,  preb.  of 
St.  Mary  in  Sanda  (Mr.  Alex.  Scott).  5.  The  treasurer,  rector  of  S.  Nicolas  in  Stronsa 
(sir  Stephen  Culross).  6.  The  sub-dean,  also  the  bishop's  butler,  rector  of  Hoy  and 
Walls  (Mr.  Peter  Houston).  7.  The  sub-chantor,  prebendary  of  St.  Colme  (sir  Magnus 
Strang). 

Prebendaries. — 1.  Of  St.  Cross,  in  Sanda,  who  attended  to  the  bells  and  saw  that  the 
floor  was  kept  clean  (sir  Thomas  Richartsoun).  2.  Of  St.  Mary,  in  Evie,  who  attended 
to  the  roof  and  windows.  3.  Of  St.  Magnus,  who  acted  as  confessor  to  the  households 
of  the  chapter  (sir  Hugh  Halcro).  4.  Of  S/.  John  (Mr.  Henry  Bartoun).  5.  Of  St. 
Laurence  (John  Maxwell).     6.  Of  St.  Catherine.      7.  Of  S.  Duthac's. 

The  sacristan  was  also  rector  of  the  parish  of  St.  Columba  in  Sanda,  now  known  as 
Burness  parish.*  The  deed,  which  is  still  extant,  was  signed  by  the  bishop  and  the 
other  members  of  the  chapter  "  apud  ecclesiam  nostram  cathedralem.  coram  his  testibus 
nobilibus  houestis  ac  discretis  viris  Patricio  Chene  de  Essilmonth  milite,  Patricio  Mowate 
de  Boquhelly,  Alexandro  Banerman  de  Watertoun,  Edwardo  Sinclair  de  Strome,  Alexandro 
Innes  constabulario  Orchaden.,  Thoma  Tulloch  de  Fluris,  Jacobo  Cragy  de  Burgh, 
Johanne  Randaile  de  eodem,  Gilberto  Sclater  de  Burnes,  Jacobo  Cummvng,  Henrico 
Frenche,  magistro  Roberto  Glen,  Henrico  Reid,  et  magistro  Petro  Galbrath  notario 
publico,  cum  diversis  aliis.  "t  This  foundation  was  confirmed  by  a  Bull  under  the  seal 
of  David  Bethune,  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's,  Cardinal  and  Papal  Legate,  on  the 
30th  June,  1545.  Bishop  Reid  is  the  true  founder  of  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  for 
by  his  will  he  left  8,000  merks  for  the  purpose  of  founding  a  college  there,  to  consist  of 
three  schools — one  for  grammar,  one  for  poetry  and  oratory,  and  one  for  civil  and  common 
law.  For  the  said  sum  a  decree  was  obtained  by  the  King's  advocate.  J  He  also  conceived 
the  design  of  building  a  college  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Cathedral  for  the 
instruction  of  youth  in  grammar  and  philosophy  ;  and  both  granted  ground  and  built 
some  part  of  a  square,  which  he  intended  should  serve  for  that  purpose. }  His  only 
writings  were  a  geographical  description  of  the  Isles  of  Orkney,  and  a  genealogical  and 
historical  account  of  the  family  of  Sinclair,  both  of  which  were  written  at  the  desire  of 
the  King  of  Denmark,  and  were  extant  in  manuscript  in  the  last  century.  \  His  arms 
show  on  an  old  building  in  Victoria  Street,  Kirkwall,  viz.,  Azure,  a  roebuck's  head 
erased  proper. 

In  1554  one  Bontot,  a  Frenchman,  is  made  Governor  of  the  Orcade  Isles  ;  while  the 
same  year  Huntly,  the  Regent,  is  deprived  of  inter  alia  the  government  of  Orkney  and 
Zetland  which  he  had.S  The  appointment  of  Bontot  is  stated  to  have  been  very 
unpopular.  It  would  appear  that  the  revenues  of  the  Isles  formed  part  of  the  dowry  of 
Queen  Mary  of  Guise,  and  that  she  retained  them  till  her  death  on  the  10th  June,  1560. 
On  the  26th  May,  1564,  Lord  Robert  Stuart  acquired  a  charter  of  the  Isles,  with  pertinents, 
fortresses,  jurisdictions,  etc.  ;  but  this  grant  was  soon  destined  to  fall  before  the  gifts 
conferred  on  a  greater  favourite.  When  Queen  Mary  espoused  James  Hepburn,  Earl  of 
Bothwell  (grandson  of  the  fourth  Lord  Sinclair) — 14th  May,  1567 — she  created  him  Duke 
of  Orkney,  and  the  Isles,  jurisdictions,  etc.,  were  all  "  erectit  in  ane  haill  and  free  dukry, 
*  Tudor.         tPeterkin's  Rentals.         J  Barry.         \  Balf.  Annals. 


PERIOD  OF  POST-COMITIAL   RULE.  137 

to  be  callit  the  dukry  of  Orknay  for  ever."  However,  after  his  flight  from  Carberry  Hill, 
his  dukedom  instead  of  continuing  dissolved  for  ever.  In  1581  Lord  Robert  Stuart  acquired 
the  Isles  and  became  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Lord  of  Zetland,*  but  with  the  execution  of 
his  son  and  successor  Earl  Patrick,  in  16 14,  the  brief  career  of  the  Stewart  line  came 
to  an  end. 

Orkney  has  been  an  honourable  title  from  the  remotest  ages,  and  we  are  told  how 
Belus  was  King  of  the  Orkneys  before  the  birth  of  Christ ;  how  Ganus  their  king  was 
taken  prisoner  by  Claudius  Csesar,  centuries  before  even  the  Norse  occupation  ;  but  the 
honourable  title  has  now  passed  to  Irish  titulados,  on  which  circumstance  a  modern 
writer  descants  : — ' '  It  is  most  singular  to  find  a  repetition  of  the  venerable  and  historic 
title  first  bestowed  by  King  Harald  Harfagri  at  the  Norwegian  conquest  of  the  Orkneys, 
soon  after  a.d.  872,  upon  Rognvald,  Earl  of  Moeri — gloriously  borne  by  these  Princes  for 
nearly  tour  centuries — hallowed  by  the  martyrdom  of  St.  Magnus  and  the  devotion  of 
St.  Rognvald — handed  on  through  the  lines  of  Athol,  Angus,  Stratherne  and  St.  Clair — 
resigned  to  the  Crown  of  Scotland  by  the  still  living  family  of  St.  Claii,  with  the  Orkneys 
themselves  in  1469 — conferred  as  a  duchy  upon  Bothwell  by  Queen  Mary  in  view  of  their 
marriage — now  held,  along  with  a  Viscounty  of  Kirkwall,  by  a  family  of  origin  totally 
alien  to  Orkney,  and  connected  only  with  Tipperary.  It  is  no  want  of  respect  either  for 
the  great  House  of  Hamilton  or  for  the  noble  family  of  which  we  are  speaking,  to  suspect 
that  the  intense  hatred  of  William  II.  for  Scotland — that  hatred  which  found  two  of  its 
sweetest  moments  in  arranging  the  massacres  of  Glencoe  and  of  Darien — sought  and 
found  a  childish  indulgence  in  the  invention  of  this  later  peerage."! 

*  Peterkin's  Notes.  f  Article— Scottish  Review,  Jan.,  1886. 


138  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

THE    ST.   CLAIRS    OF    THE    ISLES. 

ORCADIAN    SCIONS.* 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    WARSETTER, 

Sand  ay. 

I.  Sir  William  Sinclair,  Knight,  First  of  Warsetter,  was  a  son  of  '  William 
the  Waster,'  the  disinherited  Master  of  Orkney  (ancestor  of  all  subsequent  Lords  Sinclair 
of  Ravenscraig).  In  the  1497  '  Rental  of  my  Lord  Sinclair  that  deit  at  Flodden, '  William 
Sinclair,  my  Lordis  brother,  is  recorded  as  holding  many  lands  in  Westray,  while  in 
1502  he  appears  a  large  owner  of  lands  in  Sanday,  and  is  styled  Sir  William  Sinclair. 
Sir  David  Sinclair,  the  Foud  of  Zetland,  in  1506  bequeathed  to  Sir  William  Sincler,  the 
Knycht,  his  "doublet  of  kletht  of  gold  and  my  gray  satein  gowne  with  thre  ostreche 
fedderis."  He  acquired  the  lands  of  Tohop  from  Nicol  Fraser,  and  the  purchase  was 
confirmed  in  15 14  by  an  adjudication  of  the  Orcadian  Lawting.  The  decree  refers  to  him 
as  "ane  nobill  and  potent  man  Schir  William  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  knycht."  About 
the  same  time  he  took  by  storm  Noltland  Castle  in  Westray,  to  which  he  probably  had  a 
possessive  right,  but  was  required  to  restore  it  to  Dr.  Stewart,  the  then  episcopal  owner. 
He  married  Helene,  daughter  of  George,  second  Earl  of  Huntly,  by  Annabella,  Princess 
of  Scotland.  In  the  Reg.  Great  Seal  there  is  on  the  13th  May,  1527,  entry  of  a  charter  to 
Lady  Helene  Gordone,  relict  of  quondam  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Wersister,  knight,  now 
spouse  of  David  Hepburn — lands  in  Newburgh.     Sir  William  was  presumably  father  of 

1.  Magnus,  next  of  Warsetter,  and 

2.  John,  next  of  Tohop  ;  and  had  also  natural  issue — 

Sir  James  Sinclair  (perhaps  the  legatee  in  Sir  David's  will),  elected  Governor  of  Kirkwall 
Castle  [in  1515],  who  having  in  1529  defeated  the  invasion  of  his  Scottish  kindred,  was 
knighted  by  King  James  V.,  received  Letters  of  Legitimation, t  and  in  1535  obtained  from 
the  Scottish  king  a  feudal  grant  of  Sanday  and  Eday  upon,  it  is  said,  misrepresenting 
those  islands  as  infertile  holms.  Hearing  of  King  James'  intended  visit  to  Orkney,  Sir 
James,  anticipating  exposure,  sought  refuge  in  death  by  self-precipitation  from  the  Gloup 
of  Linkness.  The  previous  instances  of  royal  favour  which  Sir  James  had  received  are  to 
be  attributed  to  his  powerful  connections  at  court.  On  the  18th  April,  1539,  a  Royal 
letter  passed  the  Privy  Seal  at  Stirling,  vesting  his  lands,  etc.,  in  his  widow,  who  married 
secondly  McLeod,  Breve  of  the  Lewis.  He  married  Lady  Barbara  Stewart,  daughter  of 
Lord  Avondale,  the  Lord  Chancellor,  and  sister-in-law  to  Margaret  Tudor,  the  Queen- 
dowager,  by  whom  he  had  issue  an  only  child, 

Margaret,  who  married  Magnus  Halcro. 

II.  Magnus  Sinclair  of  Warsetter  fought  under  the  leadership  of  Sir  James  at 
Summerdale    in    1529,    for   which    he    obtained   a   nineteen    years'   respite   on   the    19th 

*  Peterkin's  Notes  and  Rentals  :  Articles  in  Orcadian,  1895-96  ;   Barry. 
t  Letters  of  Legitimation  do  not  confer  legitimacy  on  the  grantee.     The  object  of  their  issue  is  to 
confer  a  status  upon  persons  born  out  of  wedlock,  enabling  them  to  devise  and  bequeath  property 
personally  acquired. 


ORCADIAN    SCIONS.  139 


September,  1539.  He  may  be  the  Magnus  Sinclair  of  the  Bu  of  Karstane,  Stromness,  in 
1503,  and  who  attests  execution  of  Sir  David  Synclar's  will  in  1506,  in  which  he  is  left 
"  my  blew  doublet,  the  brest  set  wyth  precious  staneis,  and  my  hude  set  with  precious 
staneis,  and  my  goldin  chenze  the  quhilk  I  weair  dailly."     Next  to  him  is 

III.  Henrie  Sinclair  of  Wirsitter,  who  on  23rd  December,  1597,  is  one  amongst 
others  preferring  complaint  against  the  Balfours  of  Montquhany,  Stratherne,  and  Garth. 
His  successor  is 

IV.  William  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  who  frequently  appears  in  connection  with 
civil  suits  from  1615  to  1622.  On  the  5th  May,  1615,  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Marsetter  (sic) 
appeared  before  the  Court  ;  on  the  30th  idem,  he  is  cited  at  the  instance  of  Wm.  Sinclair 
of  Ethay  ;  on  the  12th  June  he  is  inhibited  at  the  Canongate  by  (Ethay?),  and  also  by 
James  Stewart.  He  is  enumerated  in  the  list  of  gentlemen  Suitors  before  the  Earldom 
Court  1617-1622,  and  is  mentioned  in  a  legal  document  of  1620.  He  evidently  died 
between  January  and  April,  1622,  for  on  the  8th  April  of  that  year  Harie  Stewart,  Sheriff- 
Depute  of  Orkney,  produces  a  charter  to  him  of  lands  in  Sanda  maid  be  Jonet,  ane  of  the 
twa  daughters  and  airs  of  umqle.  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  with  consent  of  Alex. 
Stewart  of  Clet  now  hir  spous. 

V.  Harie  Sinclair  of  Warsetter  is  mentioned  in  a  case  3rd  October,  1627, 
Sinclair  of  W.  ats  of  one  Brown, — as  father  of 

VI.  William  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  who  was  his  only  son.  This  Warsetter 
subscribed  a  deed  of  procuratorie  at  Kirkwall,  13th  January,  1623,  protesting  that  the 
service  of  Janet  Sinclair  aforesaid  should  be  "  nowayis  preiudiciall  to  the  said  William 
anent  his  ryt  of  landis,  and  («  rentis  (annual  rents)  to  him  or  Agnes  Sinclair,  his  mother, 
as  ane  of  the  airis  portioneirs  of  the  said  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Warsetter."  On  the  4th  October, 
1 62 1,  compt.  on  the  lands  of  Holland  and  Bea  ane  discreit  young  man  Geo.  Gardyne  as 
Pror.  for  Alesoune  Sinclair  to  William  Sinclair  of  Warsetter — Charter  be  the  said  William 
in  favour  of  said  Alesone  for  her  lyffrent  only — lands  in  Sanday.  On  the  4th  September, 
1623,  Mr.  Harie  Aitken  institutes  process  against  Wm.  Sinclair  of  (Warsetter)  and 
Alesone  Sinclair  his  spouse.  On  28th  July,  1623,  Warsetter  institutes  process  against 
Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ethay  and  his  brother  John.  Warsetter  is  enumerated  in  the  Suitors  of 
Court  1 623- 163 1,  and  is  described  as  only  son  of  Harie  Sinclair  of  Warsetter. 

In  the  Rental  of  1595  Thos.  Sinclair,  prebendar  of  St.  Augustine,  holds  Lopness, 
etc. ,  Sanday,  in  tack,  and  may  be  of  this  family,  and  from  the  frequent  litigation  between 
the  Warsetters  and  the  Edays  it  is  probable  the  two  families  were  nearly  related.  Sir 
James  Sinclair,  the  Governor,  had  held  both  Sanday  and  Eday,  and  it  is  stated  that  at 
his  death  in  1536-7  his  widow  got  his  lands.  On  her  re-marriage  she  probably  leased 
them  or  parted  with  her  interest  to  his  relatives. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  TOHOP  AND  SABA, 

St.  Andrew's. 
I.  "  Schir  William  Sinclair   of  Warsetter,  Knycht,  ane  nobill   and  potent 
man,"  acquired  the  lands  of  Tolhope  or  Toob,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Andrew's,  from  Nicoll 
Fraser.     This  transfer  to  Sir  William  and  his  heirs  was  affirmed  on  appeal  by  the  Orcadian 
Lawting  in  15 14. 


140  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

II.  Johne  Sinclair  of  Tollap  fought  at  the  battle  of  Sunimerdale  in  1529,  for 
which  in  1539  a  19  years'  amnesty  was  proclaimed  to  him  and  others.  The  leader  of  the 
victorious  Islesmen  was  Sir  James  Sinclair,  natural  son  of  Sir  William  of  Warsetter,  and 
in  the  enumeration  of  those  respited  the  order  reads  thus  : — Edward  Sinclair  of  Stroholm 
in  Shetland,  Magnus  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  John  Sinclair  of  Tollap,  and  then  several  of 
the  Shetland  Sinclairs. 

III.  Mansie  Sinclair  of  Tohop  is  mentioned  10th  May,  1619,  in  the  suit  of 
Edward  Sinclair  of  Essinquoy  against  William  Sinclair  oy  and  air  of  umqle.  Mansie 
Sinclair  of  Tohop,  and  Johne  Sinclair,  merchant  in  Kirkwall. 

IV.  John  Sinclair  of  Tobe  petitioned  Parliament  in  1592  against  Earl  Robert 
Stewart,  and  is  mentioned  on  28th  May,  1600,  as  an  indweller  of  Edinburgh. 

V.  James  Sinclair  of  Tohop  beneath  the  yardis  is  noted  in  the  Bishopric  rental  of 
J595>  and  is  no  doubt  the  link  intermediate  between  umqle.  Mansie  and  his  oy  and  air 

VI.  William  Sinclair,  next  of  Tohop,  whose  appearances  are  frequent  in 
Earldom  records  of  every  description. 

He  is  on  an  assise  15th  January,  1615  ;  on  1st  November,  1616,  sues  William  Irving  of  Sabay  ;  on 
4th  November,  1617,  yielding  the  pas  to  Edward  Sinclair  of  Essinquoy,  he  is  ranked  second  out  of  the 
30  suitors  present  at  the  Orcadian  Court.  In  1618  he  and  Jean  Gordon,  his  spouse,  are  noticed,  and  on 
14th  December  of  the  same  he  has  a  transfer  from  John  Beattoun  of  Cluik  Quoy  callit  Busquoy  in  Utter 
Stromness.  9th  November,  1619,  finds  "  Dittays  Sinclairis  Kirknes  et  Isbisteris  "—at  the  instance  of 
Robt.  Coltart  pror.  fiscal  against  William  Sinclair  of  Tolhop,  etc.,  for  pursewing  with  swirds  Durks  and 
Quhingers  of  intention  to  have  bereft  of  Lyff,  etc.  He,  in  turn,  obtained  from  Henry  Smythe,  16th 
October,  1620,  caution  and  lawborrowis  that  he  (Tolhoip),  his  wyff  and  bairnis,  etc.,  etc.,  shall  harmless 
be.  On  16th  March,  1621,  he  produced  charter  to  him  maid  be  William  Irving  of  Sava  or  Saba  of  the 
lands  of  Ovir  and  Nether  Messagris  and  the  lands  of  Sava  or  Saba,  with  all  the  houses,  buildings,  etc. 
The  conveyance  of  Saba  was  reproduced  23rd  April,  1622.  On  the  21st  January,  1623,  he  is  one  of  the 
inquisition  for  jury  service  of  Jonet  Sinclair  of  Warsetter,  and  on  the  5th  August  idem,  appears  ats  of 
Magnus  Sinclair  in  Gome.  From  henceforward  he  is  more  usually  designed  of  Sabay.  On  9th 
November,  1627,  William  Sinclair  of  Saba  finds  caution  for  William  Craigie  of  Papdaill.  On  16th 
February,  1635,  he  is  one  of  the  gentlemen  of  Orkney  subscribing  to  the  Relation  of  Famine.  On  19th 
November,  1636,  William  Sinclair  of  Tohop  institutes  process  against  James  Colville  of  Huip,  William 
Henrysone,  fiar  of  Holland,  etc.  On  26th  May,  1637,  he  compeirit  and  becam  caution  for  John 
Cromartie,  youngar  sone  to  Skae,  ffor  the  corns  Imbarkit  be  him  in  the  bark  callit  the  "  Gift  of  God," 
qroff  Magnus  Flett  is  skippar,  etc.  On  6th  August,  1639,  Saba  appears  ats  of  James  Bakie  of  Tanker- 
ness,  his  (Tulhope's)  sons  Robert  and  Edward  being  also  made  parties  to  the  action,  while  William 
Sinclair  of  Tulhope  sues  Finlayson  and  Bakie  14th  July,  1640.  From  1616  to  1643  he  is  enumerated  as  a 
suitor  of  Court.  Saba  is  last  noticed  on  7th  September,  1651,  ats  of  Edward  Sinclair  of  Gyre.  In  the 
time  of  Bishop  Law  he  held  the  lands  of  Smewgro,  Cowbister  and  Orokirk  in  Holme  for  payments 
conforme  to  the  rental.     He  married  Jean  Gordon,  and  had  issue  - 

1.  Robert,  his  successor  ;        2.  Edward  ;  and 

3.  James  of  Grottsetter,  brother-german  to  Robert. 

VII.  Robert  Sinclair  of  Saba  appears  on  the  valuation  of  1653. 

On  20th  September,  1664,  he  sued  James  Bakie  of  Tankerness,  and  on  16th  March,  1665, 
Jas.  King  of  Warbuster.  On  30th  September,  1661,  Saba  and  Beatrix  King,  his  spous,  granted 
Grottsetter  with  houses  to  his  brother-german  James  Sinclair  now  in  Grottstetter.  On  the  20th 
September,  1661,  he  gave  a  Charter  of  Alienation  of  his  udal  land  in  town  of  Tronston  to  Andro 
Moir  there,  Sandwick  parish,  and  on  13th  October,  1661,  he  obtained  lands  in  Foubister  from 
Malcolm  Foubister  of  that  Ilk.  Saba  protested  against  "covenanting,"  March,  1666.  On  10th 
October,  1676,  the  Proc.  Phiscall  proceeded  against  him  for  intromitting  with  the  gear  of  umqle. 
Beatrice  King,  his  spouse.  She  was  probably  a  daughter  of  David  King  of  Warbuster,  Hoy,  by  his 
spouse  Mary,  d.  of  Adam  Stewart,  brother  of  Earl  Robert.      David  King  was  father  of  James,  Lord 


ORCADIAN   SCIONS.  141 


Eythin,  who  commanded  the  Royalist  centre  at  Marston  Moor.  Queen  Christina  created  him  a  peer  of 
Sweden,  as  Baron  Sanshult.  A  letter  addressed  to  James  Sinclair,  younger  of  Saba,  by  James  King, 
dated  at  Melgund  6th  May,  1668,  refers  to  the  "  10,000  merks  they  (of  Saba)  borrowed  of  my  uncle," 
and  the  fact  that  they  had  also  taken  possession  of  the  Hoy  property.*  On  the  6th  December,  1676, 
William  Davidsone,  wreatter  in  Kirkwall,  and  Walter  Fairnie,  litstar  (dyer),  thair,  lay  information 
against  Robert  Sinclair  of  Sabay  ;  James,  Edward,  and  Charles,  his  sones  ;  and  Andro  Sinclair,  his 
natural  sone— all  of  whom  having  conceived  ane  great  and  deadlie  hatred,  rancour,  and  malice  against 
the  complainants,  are  bound  over  under  Lawborrowis.  David  Craigie  of  Oversanda  took  action  13th 
April,  1676,  against  Saba  and  his  eldest  son  James.  On  9th  April,  1677,  Robert  Sinclair  of  Tulhope, 
elder  sone  to  umqle.  William  Sinclair  of  Tulhope,  Isobell  Sinclair,  spous  to  Gilbert  Irving,  etc.,  are 
noticed,  and  on  the  4th  July,  1678,  Robert  Sinclair  of  Saba  appears  as  a  witness.  By  Beatrix  King  he 
left  issue— 

1.  James,  fiar  of  Saba;     2.  Edward  ;     3  Charles.     He  had  also  a  natural  son  Andrew. 

VIII.  James  Sinclair,  fiar  and  last  of  Saba,. succeeded  his  father. 

On  17th  April,  1669,  compt.  Wm.  Sinclair,  pror.  for  James  Sinclair  of  Saba,  halding  ane  Charter  of 
Alienation,  etc.,  maid  be  David  Sinclair,  onlysone  and  air  to  umqle.  John  Sinclair  of  Hamer,  in  Griennie 
to  the  said  James  of  Saba  of  the  said  house  of  Hammer.  On  the  29th  November,  1673,  he  granted  a 
Charter  of  Alienation  of  heritable  lands  in  Birsa  to  George  Liddell  of  Hammer,  brother-uterine  of  the 
aforesaid  David  ;  and  on  the  14th  July,  1674,  James  of  Saba  is  a  witness  to  the  instrument  of  induction 
in  favour  of  the  Rev.  John  Heggen.*  John  Gaudie,  Archdeacon  of  Tingwall,  Zetland,  was  on  very 
friendly  terms  with  Saba.  Addressing  his  "very  much  respected  friend,  James  Sinclair  of  Saba," 
he  subscribes  "To  your  assured  friend  and  Brother."  Saba  had  desired  the  present  of  a  Shetland 
pony,  which  the  Archdeacon  sent  him  in  September,  1678.  "  You'll  find  it  both  good  and  sharp,  and 
in  any  other  thing  wherein  I  can  serve  you,  you  may  assure  yourself  of  my  inclination.  Yor  (i.e.,  my) 
old  Mrs.  presents  her  respects  to  you  and  your  kind  bedfellow,  to  Mr.  John  Gibson  [parson  of  Holm] 
and  his  discreet  consort,  and  to  all  at  Campstone."*  [Gaudie  had  married  Margaret,  d.  of  John  Sinclair 
of  Quendale,  in  Shetland.]  Gaudie's  mother  was  a  Mary  Stewart  of  Campstone, t  which  accounts  for 
his  interest  in  that  part  of  Orkney.  In  1708  the  lands  of  Saba  passed  to  David  Traill  under  reversion  be 
the  heirs  of  the  umqle.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Campston. 

The  family  of  Sinclair  of  Saba  was  one  of  the  most  ancient  in  Orkney,  having  descent  through 
the  Knight  of  Warsetter  from  the  first  of  the  Sinclair  Earls  and  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair,  founder  of  the 
Roslins.  The  heirs  of  this  family  (if  any)  are  senior  representatives  of  the  House  of  Sinclair.  It  may 
be  that  the  noble  Swedish  Sinclairs  are  scions  of  the  Saba  stock,  as  in  their  ' '  Genealogical  Descendance  " 
they  cite  as  an  ancestor  a  William  Sinclair,  Master  of  Seba  and  Brobster,  who  m.  Barbe,  d.  of  Sir  Hugh 
Halcro  ;  and  the  connection  of  the  Saba  family  with  that  of  King  would  suggest  that  the  noble 
Swedes  were  cadets  of  Saba  who  passed  to  Sweden  as  proteges  of  their  kinsman  John  King,  Baron 
Sanshult. 


THE    SINCLAIRS    OF    ETHAY. 

I.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Ethay  was  the  youngest  of  the  eight  sons  of  Sir  Wm. 
Sinclair  of  Roslin,  enumerated  in  the  entail  of  1542,  and  has  several  appearances  in  the 
Roslyn  Chartulary,  where  he  is  designed  'of  Dryden,'  e.g..  in  Lord  Borthwick's  retour  of 
1543  and  Seasine  thereon  1545.  On  the  4th  July,  1554,  he  is  a  witness  to  the  retour  of 
Roslin  his  brother  ;  and  at  Roslin  on  the  1st  November,  1582,  he  witnesses  a  citation  by 
his  brother,  Sir  Wm.  Sinclar  of  Rosling,  knight,  for  service  upon  James  Lord  Borthwick. 
On  the  22nd  December,  1582,  Mr.  John  Henryson  is  of  Dryden,  and  again  on  15th  April, 
1584  ;  while  in  the  Bishopric  Rental  of  i5Q5  it  is  noted  that  "The  Yle  of  Ethay,  set  in 
feu  by  Adam,  Bishop  of  Orkney  (1562- 1580),  to  Edward  Sinclair,  payis  5  lasts  fiesche 
and  16  pounds  money."     On  5th  December,  1561,  Edward  Sinclair  [then  at  Kirkwall] 


142  THE  ST  .CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

bruder  to  the  Laird  of  Roslyn,  had  to  find  caution  underly  the  law.  Edw.  Sinclair  of 
Ethay  was  brother-german  of  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Roslin.  (Charter  28th  October,  1583.) 
In  the  charge  to  landlords  in  Orkney  and  Zetland  for  good  rule,  30th  June,  1597,  he  is 
assessed  at  2,000  merks. 

Patrick,  Earl  of  Orkney,  makes  answer  to  complaint  of  Wm.  Sinclair,  fiar  of  Ethay,  as  follows, 
in  September,  1604  : — (1)  The  first  head  of  the  complaint,  bearing  that  Henrie  Blaik,  captain  of  the 
Castle  of  Kirkwall,  and  others  in  the  Earl's  name,  besieged  Wm.  Sinclair  in  his  dwelling-house,  is  not 
relevant  ;  and  even  if  it  were,  the  Earl  in  this  mtre.  did  no  wrong,  because  the  said  William  has  often 
sought  to  take  the  life  of  his  father,  Edward  Sinclair  of  Ethay,  who  is  100  years  old  or  thereby,  by 
shooting  of  hagbuts  with  bullets  at  him,  and  "  niping  him  in  the  craig  as  he  had  bene  ane  dog, 
thinking  to  haif  wirreit  him."  Farther,  the  said  "  aald  decrepit  man  having  desired  the  Earl  to  direct 
his  precepts  charging  his  said  son  to  find  lawburrows  to  him,  the  said  Earl  had  given  orders  for  his 
apprehension  because  he  refused  to  find  the  said  ltres.  It  was  quite  competent  to  the  Earl  to  act  in  the 
mtre.  as  he  did,  in  respect  he  is  sheriff  of  the  shire,  justice  of  the  county,  and  lord  of  the  regality. 
Again,  the  Earl  did  no  wrong  in  seeking  for  the  said  William  in  his  house  and  throughout  the  country, 
because  the  said  William  had  been  put  to  the  horn  at  the  instance  of  Thos.  Black  for  not  paying  him 
certain  sums  of  money,  and  the  Earl  had  been  charged  as  sheriff-principal  of  Orknay  to  apprehend 
him."  (2)  As  to  the  second  head  of  the  complaint,  accusing  the  Earl  of  ejecting  the  said  William  and 
his  family  in  September  last  furth  of  the  lands  of  Holland,  the  same  is  civil,  and  the  Lords  of  Secret 
Council  are  no  judges  therein  ;  and  as  to  the  Earl  imprisoning  the  complainer's  wife,  and  Johnne 
Pattoun,  messenger  in  Kirk'll,  they  had  liberty  to  leave  at  their  pleasure  ;  besides  the  complainer  had 
no  interest  to  pursue  for  Pattoun.  (3)  As  to  the  Earl's  deforcing  the  said  messenger,  that  part  of  the 
complaint  is  not  relevant  either  ;  and  if  it  were,  the  Lords  of  Secret  Council  are  not  judges  to  the 
deforcement.  (4)  The  complaint  that  in  Sept.  last  the  Earl  demolished  the  said  William's  house  of 
Holland,  spuilyied  his  plenishing  furth  thereof,  and  ejected  him  out  of  the  lands  of  Holland  and  Skaill, 
is  also  civil,  and  should  be  remitted  to  the  ordinary  judges,  viz.,  the  Lords  of  Session.  At  that  time 
the  Earl  was  in  Halie  Island  (Restalrig),  in  England.  (5)  The  complaint  that  the  said  William,  when 
he  had  come  to  visit  his  father,  had  been  stayed  from  landing  by  six  or  seven  boats  sent  furth  by  the 
Earl,  is  not  relevant.  If  it  were,  it  could  be  proven  that  the  complainer,  accompanied  by  three  or  four 
score  vagabonds— broken  Highland  men  of  Caithness,  all  armed  '  werilie,'  to  have  seized  the  lands  of 
Ethay  occupied  by  his  father,  and  to  have  slain  the  father,  or  else  caused  him  to  render  to  him  all  he 
had.  The  father,  fearing  their  invasion,  had  sent  to  the  gentleman  of  the  country  desiring  them  to 
help  in  resisting  the  "  wickit  furie  and  barbarous  interpryis  "  of  the  said  William  and  his  complices  ; 
"  for  of  the  cuntrie  men  of  Caithness  thair  barbarous  interpryissis  lang  of  befoir  agains  the  contrey 
of  Orknay  thair  remaneis  yit  experience."  (6)  Lastly,  the  complaint  that  the  Earl  caused  the  said 
William  to  subscribe  an  unlawful  band,  is  not  relevant,  and  if  it  were,  is  civil,  and  should  be  remitted 
to  the  judge  ordinary. 

In  June,  1605,  Edw.  Sinclair  of  Ethay  got  letters  against  the  Earl  of  Orkney  that 
he  should  be  put  to  liberty.     He  had  issue — 

1.  William,  fiar  of  Ethay,  his   successor.      2.  Oliver  ;     3.  Gilbert;      4.  John — brothers 
to  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ethay. 

II.  Wm.  Sinclair,  Second  of  Ethay,  is  first  noticed  as  fiar  of  Ethie,  on  30th  June, 
1597,  as  one  of  the  landlords  in  Orkney  and  Zetland  cautioned  for  good  rule.  He  is 
assessed  at  ,£1,000. 

On  the  13th  June,  1600,  he  obtained  caution  from  Arch.  Logan  of  Coitfield  ;  and  in  June,  1605,  got 
ltres.  against  Patrick,  Earl  of  Orkney,  for  oppression  ;  and  again  on  6th  September  same  got  the  latter 
put  under  caution  of  5,000  merks  not  to  harm  him,  Ethay,  Janet  Halcro  his  spous,  nor  Aliesonn  and 
Elspeth  Sinclaris  his  daughters.  On  the  nth  July,  1606,  caution  was  taken  that  Oliver  Sinclair,  brother 
of  Wm.  Sinclair,  fiar  of  Ethay,  shall  not  harm  his  father,  Edw.  Sinclair.  The  Earl  of  Orkney  inhibits 
Sinclair  of  Eday,  10th  June,  1611  ;  whom  Sir  John  Arnot  also  inhibits  on  the  14th  idem.;  while  on 
26th  November  Earl  Patrick  makes  process  against  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ethay  ;  and  on  the  same  day  David 
Heart  pursues  Oliver  Sinclair,  his  brother.  On  30th  May,  1615,  this  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ethay  has  a  suit 
against  William   Sinclair   of  Warsetter  ;    and  on   12th  June  of  the  same  he  inhibits  the  latter.     On 


ORCADIAN    SCIONS.  143 


25th  November,  161 2,  Ethay  sues  Thomas  Sinclair  in  Lopness,  Sanda.  In  1616  he  and  Jonet  Halcro 
his  spous  are  mentioned;  and  on  10th  April,  1622,  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ethay,  with  his  brother  Gilbert 
and  his  [Wm.'s]  sonne  Gilbert.  On  iSth  July,  1623,  Robert  Elphingstoun  of  Hammigar  makes  cause 
against  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ethay  and  Jonet  Halcrow  his  spous ;  while  on  the  28th  idem.  Wm.  Sinclair  of 
Warsetter  sues  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ethay  and  Jone  Sinclair  his  brother,  etc.  From  this  time  he  ceases  to 
be  enumerated  as  a  gentleman  suitor  of  the  Earldom  Court,  nor  are  there  any  more  notices  of  Sinclairs 
as  of  Ethay.  He  was  married  to  Jonet  Halcro,  and  had  issue — 
1.  Gilbert.    2.  Aliesoun.    3.  Elspeth. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   ESSENQUOY, 
St.  Andrew's. 

I.  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Essenquoy  is  the  first  on  record  of  this  family,  which  was 
one  of  the  most  important  of  the  Orcadian  branches. 

He  was  probably  a  son  of  Edw.  Sinclair  of  Ethay,  and  is  first  noted  in  the  rentals  of  1595  in 
connection  with  lands  in  various  mainland  parishes,  viz.,  Sandwick  (Deirness),  "ten  d.  ane  fding 
terre,  p.  Epo.  Set  of  auld  for  xx.  mks.  money  to  Oliver  Sinclair  with  Grymsquoy  in  St.  Ollawi's 
parochine  ;  and  now  augmentit  be  my  Lord  ten  mkis.  money  more  ;  extendin  in  the  haill  to  xx.  lb. 
Nota,  Oliver  Sinclair  takes  the  scatt  and  teynd  of  Sandilend  and  Stoiff.  Stambuster  (Sanct  Androis) 
3d.  terrae,  p.  Epo.  payis  one  barrel  butter,  and  of  teynd  conform  to  the  rentals  of  auld,  4  meils  cost, 
now  sett  in  assedation  to  Oliver  Sinclair  for  2  m.  4s.  cost,  9  poultry.  Grymsquoy,  Quoyland  (Sanct 
Olawis)  p.  Epo.  but  scat,  pays  5s.  argent,  2  poultry,  which  is  contained  in  Oliver  Sinclair's  assedation." 

On  30th  June,  1597,  he  is  one  of  the  landlords  in  Orkney  and  Zetland  assessed  at  ^"1,000  for 
good  rule. 

In  the  Sheriff-Court  book  of  Orkney  and  Zetland,  under  date  3rd  October,  1612,  there  is  an 
appearance  of  Hew,  sone  to  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Essinquoy,  in  connection  with  a  case  of  Lawborrowis  in 
Zetland.     Oliver,  first  of  Essenquoy,  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

II.  Edward  Sinclair,  Second  of  Essenquoy,  who  first  occurs  on  an  assise  in 
1613,  and  thence  continuously  to  1641. 

The  rental  of  1614  notes  the  bishopric  lands  of  North  Widfirth  (St.  Ola's)  as  in  the  hands  of  Sinclair 
of  Essenquoy,  feuit  to  Robert  Chalmer.  He  was  M.P.  for  Orkney  and  Zetland  in  the  Scottish  Parlia- 
ment of  1617,  on  4th  November,  in  which  year  he  heads  the  list  of  suitors  before  the  Earldom  Court. 
On  15th  August,  1615,  James,  sone  of  Johne  Louttit  (by  He.ene  Sinclair  his  spous),  receives  from 
Essinquoy  a  discharge  for  money  lent  to  his  people.  On  25th  November,  1616,  he  appears  for  Robert 
Sinclair  of  Campston  against  Francis  Mudie  of  Breckness ;  and  on  10th  May,  1619,  sues  Wm.  Sinclair 
of  Tolhoip  and  Johne  Sinclair,  merchant  in  Kirkwall.  He  granted  charter  to  Alex.  Flet  in  How, 
Harra,  of  the  houses  and  lands  of  Ramsgar  in  Ovirtoun  in  Harra,  which  was  produced  23rd  November, 
1621.  Edward  Sinclair  of  -Estenquoy  is  Sheriff-Depute  of  Orkney  1st  July,  1623.  He  was  conjoined 
with  Robert  Sinclair  of  Campstoun  for  the  purpose  of  reporting  upon  the  King's  lands  in  the  isle  of 
Rousay,  of  which  they  were  taksmen,  and  was  sworn  thereto  at  Kirkwall,  12th  June,  1627  ;  and  again  in 
the  Report  of  the  Paroch  of  St.  Androis,  "  At  St.  Ringans  Schepell  the  twentie-ane  day  of  Junii  anno 
1627  the  Commissioners  elected  thereto  viz.  Robert  Sinclair  off  Campstoun,  David  Kinked  off  Yeinsta 
judicialie  suorne  in  that  respect  off  thair  knawledge  and  insight  in  that  bussiness  ;  and  for  thair  better 
proceeding  did  schois  the  most  anchenest  men  within  the  paroche  to  helpe  tham  be  thair  informatione, 
viz.,  Edward  Sinclair  of  Essinquay  etc.,  quho  can  testefie  their  diligence.  ...  As  for  prebendries  thair 
is  a  part  off  St.  Jon's  prebendries  in  this  paroche  off  St.  Androis  sett  be  Mr.  Patrike  Inglis,  minister  at 
Kirk,  and  prebender  off  the  said  stowke,  wt.  consent  of  ane  reverant  father  in  God,  Geo.  Bishop  of 
Orkney  and  the  heall  chapter,  to  Campston  and  Essinquoy  for  the  payment  of  ^"20  money  to  the  sd. 
prebendr  as  it  hes  bein  to  his  predecessors  off  auld."  In  the  parish  report  at  our  Leddie  Kirk  in 
Deirnes,  25th  June,  1627,  "  The  worthe  off  the  Rowms  of  this  Paroche  contains  allusion  to  the  ten  d. 
half  d.  land  in  Sandwike  bischops  land  off  auld,  and  sett  to  vmquhill  Olefer  Sincleir  of  Essinquay  for 
the  payment  of  20  merks  mony,  and  now  in  the  hands  off  Edward  Sincleir  off  Essinquay  his  sone  for 
the  payment  of  ^"20  to  his  Majesty's  chalmerlens,  conforme  to  the  rentell."  On  the  2nd  April,  1630,  he 
was  Sheriff-Depute,  and  commissioned  as  such  by  the  Lords  of  Session   to  take  the  Aiths  of  Veritie  of 


i44  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

Geo.  Bishop  of  Orkney  and  Patrick  Smyth  of  Braco,  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Alex.  Bruce  of  Cultmalindie,  etc. 
He  was  Sheriff-Depute  6th  November,  1632  ;  and  on  26th  May,  1637,  when  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Saba 
compeiret  re  security  for  John  Cromartie  for  the  corns  Imbarkit  be  him  in  the  "  Gift  of  God,"  Essinquoy 
again  fills  that  honourable  office. 

On  16th  August,  1635,  he  was  judge  of  assise  on  the  Dittay  of  witchcraft  against  Helene  Isbuster 
On  26th  December,  1636,  he  and  his  son  Gilbert  are  ats  of  James  Baikie  of  Tankerness  for  1,000  merks 
Scots,  etc.  In  1640  he  is  a  bailie  ordained  for  St.  Ola's,  and  is  a  suitor  present  at  the  Curia  Gapitalis 
24th  May,  1641. 

He  married  Ursilla  Fulzie,  second  daughter  of  Gilbert  Fulzie,  Archdeacon  of  Orknay  (sasine  1641), 
and  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

III.  Gilbert  Sinclair,  Fiar  of  Essenquoy,  who  has  a  few  notices,  mostly  of  a 
litigious  description. 

On  24th  October,  1620,  Gilbert  Sinclair  appeirand  Air  of  Essinquoy  became  cautioner  for  Robert 
Sinclair,  merchant  in  Kirkwall.  On  26th  December,  1636,  Edwd.  Cok,  merchant,  burgess  of  Kirkwall, 
and  Margaret  Baikie  his  spous,  sue  Gilbert  Sinclair,  Fear  of  Essinquoy,  and  Annis  Ballendene  his 
spous,  for  ^"1000  Scots  (pundis  usuall  mondy  of  yis  our  realm.)  :  Inhibited.  On  the  same  date  he  and 
his  father  were  similarly  sued  by  James  Baikie  of  Tankerness.  On  the  8th  March,  1637,  John  Grahame, 
Tailzeor  in  Kirkwall,  and  Cristane  Carmichell  his  spous,  sue  him  for  200  merks  Scots,  and  on  the  20th 
October  following  William  Spence,  merchant  there,  also  sues  him.  On  16th  May,  1637,  Gilbert  Sinclair, 
in  Tankerness,  sues  David  Fowbister,  in  Fowbister,  and  William  his  brether,  for  money  due.  July 
2nd,  1641,  Compt.  Gilbert  Sinclair,  Fear  of  Essinquoy,  and  became  Caution  for  Barbara  Sclaitter, 
servant  to  Edward  Sinclair  of  Essinquoy,  that  she  sail  satisfie  the  Kirk 

During  July,  1626,  the  Kirk  Session  resolved  and  passed  the  following  Act  : — "  Ordanis  intimation 
to  be  made  to  the  Laird  of  Grsemsay,  and  to  THE  name  of  Sinclair,  that  if  their  two  seates  be  not 
compleitly  builded  betwix  this  and  pasche  day  nixt  to  cum,  the  Session  heirafter  will  dispose  upon 
them,  and  outred  them  upon  their  charges  as  they  shall  find  to  be  expedient,  both  for  easing  of 
their  awne  congregation  and  likewise  for  strangers."  On  the  16th  June,  1673,  Patrick  Trail  and 
William  Mudie  got  an  act  of  session  giving  them  a  seat  which  formerly  belonged  to  Sinclair  of 
Essinquoy,  Provest  of  Kirkwall. 

Arms  :  See  Armoury.     Taken  from  an  oak  pew  in  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  of  GREENWAIX,  FLOTTAY,  and  GYRE, 
Holm  and  Orphir. 

The  Rental  of  1614  records  Hangaback,  Skobister,  Gyre,  Gossaquoy,  and  Crowill, 
"all  sett  in  nyntin  yeiris  takis  to  umqule.  Henrie  Sinclair  of  Cuikquoy  and  his  airis. " 
The  Report  on  Sanday  in  1627  notes  lands  perteining  to  Sainct  Katharine's  prebendarie 
sett  in  few  be  Archbald  Balfour,  and  be  him  to  umquhill  Hendrie  Sinclaire  of  Cowquoy, 
and  left  be  him  to  his  sorine  Williame  Sinclaire,  by  and  as  followis.  In  Our  Ladie 
parochinne  two  pennie  land,  within  the  toune  of  How  fyive  pennie  land,  and  in  the 
parochin  of  Saint  Colme  four  pennie  land  and  ane  half ;  thir  land  payis  no  dewtie  to  his 
Majestie,  bott  all  dewties  to  the  fewars,  Reserweand  tenn  pounds  payit  to  the  prebendar 
in  name  of  few  dewtie.     Henry  Sinclair  of  Cowquoy  may  have  been  father  of 

I.  William  Sinclair  of  Greenwall,  whose  descendants  appear  in  occupation  of 
Cowquoy's  lands  of  Gyre,  etc.  He  figures  in  a  case  of  Lawborrows  3rd  October,  1612  ; 
is  Chancellor  of  the  Assize  of  Fifteen  15th  January,  16 13  ;  and  is  again  on  the  assize  of 
the  21st  idem. 

He  held  the  tack  of  Holme  and  Paplay,  the  account  of  which  he  rendered  to  Bishop  Law  the  nth 
July,  1614.  On  7th  January,  1617,  he  and  other  Sinclairs  make  suit  against  James  Stewart  of  Gramsay, 
etc.,   while   on    the    24th    February  next   thereafter   Donald   Stewart  of  Brugh   makes   cause   against 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS.  145 


Greenwall,  &c.     The  Bishopric  Report  of  1627  has  this:  "  Item  William  Sinclair  holds  his  lands  of 
Greenwall  in  the  paroch  of  Hani  for  payment  off  twelff  ponds,"  and  again,  "  Greinwall  jxd.  land  fewit 
be  William  Sinclair  for  ane  silver  dewtie,  comforme  to  the  rentall." 
(Sd.)  W.  Sinclaire  of  Gremshall, 

His  Majestie's  Comn.  ansd.  be  the  parochine  of  Holme. 
On  the  15th  November,  1629,  Greenwall  compeared  and  becam  lawborrowis  for  Thomas  Sinclair, 
eldest  lau'll  sone  to  Campston — That  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Saba,  his  wyff,  bairnis,  &c,  sail  hairmless  and 
skaithless  be  ;  on  the  26th  May,  1637,  he  costs  to  Jon  Cromartie,  yr.,  sone  to  Skae  ffiiij.  meles  beir  in 
the  bark  callit  the  "Gift  of  God."  On  30th  June,  1640,  he  and  other  Sinclairs,  &c,  including  Edmond, 
his  eldest  sone,  are  sued  by  David  Heart  of  Rusland  ;  and  in  the  November  following  he  is  bailie  for 
Holm.  In  1641  he  is  a  suitor  of  the  Earldom  Court.  Greenwall  entered  into  an  agreement  with  Patrik 
Smyth  of  Braco,  8th  April,  1629,  for  value  received  to  pay  Braco  nine  meills  Malt,  but  since  1638  had 
made  default.  Braco  sued  him  on  the  26th  March,  1639,  and  obtained  a  decree  on  1st  November,  1642. 
He  had  issue — 

1.  Edmond,  eldest  son.     2.  Andrew,  m.  1643  Margaret,  d.  of  Robert  Sinclair  of  Campston. 

II.  Edmond  Sinclair  identical  (semble)  with  Edmond  Sinclair  of  Flottay.  The 
Bishopric  Rental  of  1595  has  a  marginal  note  against  Greenwall  recording  it  as  "  all  set 
again  to  Edmund  Sinclair  for  £&  money  yearly  "  ;  and  in  the  rental  of  1614,  "  Grinwall 
9d.  terre,  pro  Rege,  sett  to  Edmond  Sinclair  of  Flotta,  for  the  yeirlie  payment  of  £S." 
Flottay  died  before  9th  October,  1639,  when  Edward  and  Annas  Sinclairs  lawfull  bairnis 
to  umqle.  Edward  (sic)  Sinclair  of  Flottay  and  Magnus  Cromartie  of  Skae  spous  to  said 
Annas,  claim  birthright  property.  In  the  rental  of  1642,  Flottay  is  referred  to  as  umquhile, 
and  as  having  held  in  few  Larquoy,  Ingamyre,  Aikers,  Garay,  Midhous,  Sowlie,  Sketted- 
buster,  Brek,  Swambuster,  Hangabak,  Skobuster,  Gyre,  Gossaquoy,  Crowall,  Windbrek, 
Inksetter,  Quoyclarkis,  Nathermyre,  Crega,  etc.,  all  in  Ophir.  Ingamyre  and  Swan- 
buster  (in  part)  had  previously  been  escheated  from  certain  Sinclairs,  and  it  will  be 
observed  that  many  of  these  lands  had  been  in  Cowquoy's  tack. 

III.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Gyre  was  son  of  Flottay.  In  the  report  of  bishopric 
fews  in  Orphir  for  1642  it  is  noted,  "  Thair  is  fewed  yairof  be  ye  said  Bischop  Law  to 
umquhile  Edmond  Sinclare  of  Flotta,  the  lands  of  Gayr,  Swainbuster,  and  severall  oyr 
lands,  payand  conforme  to  ye  rentall,  qlk.  ar  now  in  ye  possession  of  Edward  Sinclare 
of  Gayir  his  sone."  Again,  "Item — Edward  Sinclair  off  Gyer  holds  his  lands  within 
the  paroch  off  Orpher  for  payment,  four  merkes  per  meil,  conforme  to  the  Rentall  "  ; 
and  "Edward  Synclair  of  Gyr,  whose  teynds  are  conteined  in  my  Lord  Carrick's  tak, 
hes  procured  a  general  commission."  Early  in  1641  he  is  a  suitor  of  Court,  and 
described  as  of  '  Geyr  and  Swainbuster. '  Gyre  is  mentioned  in  an  instrument  30th 
December,  1650  ;  sues  various  Orcadians  7th  September,  1651  ;  is  afs  of  Rev.  James 
Douglas  8th  August,  1654,  whom  he  in  turn  sues  on  the  23rd  December  following.  He 
is  in  the  1653  valuation  for  his  Orphir  lands  as  enumerated  in  1642.  He  is  again  sued 
by  the  Rev.  James  Douglas,  23rd  April,  1657,  for  300  merks  Scots.  He  would  seem  to 
have  died  before  25th  February,  1662,  when  Robt.  Jack,  merchand,  burgess  of  Edinburgh, 
sues  inter  alia  Margaret  Sinclair  relict  of  umqle.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Gyre,  now  spous  of 
Mr.  James  Mowatt  of  Oliberrie  in  Zetland,  for  200  merks  Scots.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
George  Sinclair  of  Rapness  and  Trenabie.     He  was  succeeded  in  Gyre  by  his  son 

IV.  George  Sinclair  of  Gyre,  whose  first  figure  in  Orcadian  history  is  in  a 
conflict  [1664]  between  himself,  Wm.  Mudy,  yr.  of  Melsetter,  and  Alex.  Douglas,  yr.  of 
Spynie.  Gyre  and  Spynie  were  both  bound  over  to  keep  the  peace.  On  the  13th  May, 
1665,  David  McClellan  of  Wodwik  proceeds  against  Geo.  Sinclair  of  Gyre,  with  consent 


146  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

of  Edward  Sinclair  his  father.  (The  consent  here  referred  to  doubtless  relates  back  to 
the  cause  of  action,  perhaps  some  few  years  previous,  as  Edward  of  Gyre  was  evidently 
dead  ante  1662.)  Geo.  Rich  of  Winksetter  and  Win.  Douglas  of  Egilsha  are  before  him 
15th  January,  1669;  and  on  16th  December,  1672,  in  connection  with  lands  in  Rusland 
in  Harra,  Gyre  is  noted  as  Baillie  in  that  part. 

In  the  Cropt  Acct.  for  Orphir  in  1739  Wm.  Halcro  of  Coubister  compts.  for  his 
lands  in  Orphir,  which  formerly  pertained  to  umquild  Geo.  Sinclair  of  Gyer. 

Adam  Sinclair  of  Gyre  is  one  amongst  others  ats  of  Patrik  Craigie,  lait  Provost 
of  Kirkwall,  19th  May,  1667. 


THE   SINCLAIRS  of  CLUMLIE,  TOWQUOY  and  HAMMER. 
Sandwick,  Westray,  and  Birsay. 

Clumlie — St.  Columb's  lie — lies  in  South  Sandwick,  and  in  the  Rental  of  1503  is 
described  as  vjd.  terre,  conqueist  per  comitem  Willielmum.  Earl  William  died  circiter  148 1, 
when  Sir  John  Sinclair  took  possession  of  various  lands  in  Sandwick,  and  held  them  in 
1503.  He  may  have  been  ancestor  of  the  subsequent  Sinclairs  in  Sandwick  of  Tenston 
(which  he  had  held),  of  Clumlie,  and  of  Hestwall.  Early  in  the  next  century  there  are 
notices  of  two  Sinclairs  designed  as  of  Clumlie,  viz. ,  Henry  Sinclair  of  Clumlie,  ancestor 
of  those  of  Towquoy  and  Hammer,  and 

I.  James  Sinclair  of  Clumlie,  referred  to  in  the  report  on  the  parochin  of 
Sandwick,  1642  :  "  Thair  is  fewed  yrof  be  ye  Erie  of  Orknay  to  umquhile  James  Sincler 
the  lands  of  Clumlie,  payand  yrfor  conforme  to  ye  rentall,  qlk  ar  now  in  ye  possession  of 
his  sone 

II.  Edward  Sincler."  In  1640  he  was  appointed  bailie  for  Sandwick.  On  19th 
January,  1641,  he  is  a  suitor  of  Court,  and  again  on  the  24th  May  next  thereafter.  He 
is  a  witness  4th  June,  1646,  to  the  claim  of  Katherine,  Margaret,  and  Mariorie,  dachteris 
to  Magnus  Sinclair  in  Burwick,  claiming  their  shares  of  patrimony,  &c.  In  the  valuation 
of  1653  he  is  assessed  for  his  lands  of  Clumbly.  Clumlie  died  before  22nd  August,  1666, 
on  which  date  Jonet  Beinstoun,  relict  of  umqle.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Clumlie,  is  infeft  in 
said  Clumlie,  which  had  been  settled  upon  her  by  marriage  contract.  An  Edward 
Sinclair,  bailie  of  Sandwick,  Mans  Sinclair  of  Burwik,  and  others,  are  sworn  in  to  report 
on  Sandwick  5th  June,  1627.  In  the  report  which  was  given  in  on  the  19th  idem  he  is 
described  as  Edvard  Sinclair,  appeirand  of  Clumlie.  It  is  found  that  "Thair  are  few 
heritors  amangst  us,  and  thair  heritadge  is  so  little  that  it  is  not  worthie  to  be  called 
heritadge.  Sum  off  thame  hes  thair  teinds  sett  to  tham  selffis,  bot  payis  deire  thairfoir, 
bot  the  teinds  of  sum  arr  ledd.  " 


I.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Towquoy  was  one  of  the  Orcadian  gentlemen  who  in  1592 
made  supplication  to  Parliament  against  an  attempt  of  Earl  Robert  Stewart  to  compel 
them  to  feudalise  their  holdings  by  taking  out  charters  from  him.'*  He  is  doubtless 
identical  with  Henry  Sinclair  of  Clumlie  mentioned  soon  after.  On  20th  November,  1613, 
the  tackman  of  Sandwik  enumerates   'the  guidwyfe  of  Clumlie.'     On   19th  July,  1621, 

*  Zetland  Countv  Families. 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS.  147 


there  appear  Katharine,  eldest  daughter  of  umqle.  Henrie  Sinclair  of  Towquoy,  and 
Robert  Colthart,  merchant  in  Kirkwall,  hir  spous  ;  while  on  the  5th  June,  1622,  the 
procurator  for  Robert  Sinclair  in  Towquoy  compeared  halding  charter  maid  be  Margaret 
Craigie,  relict  of  umqle.  Henrie  Sinclair  of  Clumlie  to  the  said 

II.  Robert  Sinclair  hir  sone,  of  lands  in  Yle  of  Rousa,  etc.  Margaret  Craigie  is 
evidently  the  '  guidwyfe  '  of  1613,  and  in  the  Rental  of  1642  Clumlie  is  noted  as  '  fewit ' 
to  her. 

III.  Walter  Sinclair  in  Twquy  is  referred  to  as  ordained  a  bailie  for  Westray 
in  1640,  and  again  on  8th  March,  1641,  when  compeared  Linklatter,  merchand  in 
Kirkwall,  and  becam  cautioner  for  Jon  Sinclair  and  Harie  Sinclair  his  brother,  sonnes 
law'll  to  Walter  Sinclair,  Twquy,  "That  Magnus  Sinclair  in  Burrik  his  bairnies,  etc., 
shall  be  safe  and  skaithless." 

IV.  John  Sinclair  of  Hammar,  son  of  the  preceding,  soon  adjusted  this  family 
feud  by  marrying  Isobel,  daughter  of  the  aforesaid  Magnus  Sinclair  of  Gorne,  and  after- 
wards of  Burwick  in  Sandwick,  for  on  the  16th  March,  1641,  Jas.  Cobbane  in  Rannibuster 
became  caution  and  lawborrowis  for  Issobell  Sinclair,  relict  of  umqle.  Mr.  Francis  Liddell, 
minister  at  Birsa,  and  Jon  Sinclair  now  hir  spous  for  his  entres,  "That  John  Twatt 
portioner  of  Twatt  his  wyiff,  bairnis,  &c. ,  sail  be  hairmless  kept  &c,  under  paine  of  ane 
hundred  merkis  money,"  and  John  was  caution  for  his  wyiff  also.  This  Isobel  was  a 
freice  masterfull  woman.  She  had  bought  these  lands  from  the  Twatts  14th  February, 
1634.  On  the  19th  May,  1642,  Isobell  Sinclair,  relict  of  umqle.  Mr.  Francis  Liddell, 
Archdean  of  Orkney,  and  John  Sinclair  hir  now  spous,  compeirit,  gave  state  and  seisin 
and  sold  to  Alex.  Philip  the  house  and  lands  of  Hammer  in  Greinnie,  Birsa,  sauld  to  hir 
be  Hew,  sone  of  Wm.  Craigie  of  Gairsay.  The  same  day  compeirit  ane  provident  and 
discreit  young  gentilman  John  Sinclair  sone  to  Walter  Sinclair  of  Towquoy  and  Isobel 
Sinclair  now  his  spous,  and  Alex.  Philip  resells  to  them  the  above  house  and  lands  of 
Hammar.  On  6th  May,  1647,  John  and  Isobel  sold  Hammar  to  David  Heart  of  Russland 
writer  in  Kirkwall,  the  sale  being  witnessed  by  John  Sinclair  in  Huntiskarth.  On 
28th  January,  1656,  he  appears  as  a  witness,  with  Thos.  Liddell  his  stepson  and  Halcro 
his  brother-in-law.  Hammar  is  mentioned  in  1663,  and  on  18th  April,  1665,  he  and  his 
spous  are  ats  of  John  Graham  of  Brekness  ;  and  on  the  18th  August  following,  Kathrine, 
Margaret,  Issobell,  and  Marjorie  Sinclairs,  Bairnes  of  umqle.  Magnus  Sinclair  of  Gorne, 
Jon  Sinclair  of  Hamer,  spous  to  said  Issobell,  and  Wm.  Prestone  spous  to  said  Marjorie, 
institute  a  cross-action  against  John  Graham  of  Brekness.      Hammar  had  issue 

V.  David  Sinclair  of  Hammer,  his  only  sone  and  air,  who  alienated  Hammer  to 
James  Sinclair  of  Saba,  the  conveyance  being  produced  by  Saba's  procurator,  one  Wm. 
Sinclair,  on  17th  April,  1669;  and  on  the  1st  March,  1671,  a  similar  conveyance  to  his 
eldest  brother-uterine  George  Liddell  was  produced.  Liddell  got  lands,  houses,  etc. ,  in 
Birsa  from  Jas.  Sinclair  of  Saba,  for  which  charter  was  produced  29th  November,  1673. 

SINCLAIR  OF  GORNE  AND  BURWICK. 

Sandwick. 

Magnus  Sinclair  of  Gorne  took  an  active  part  in  the  local  affairs  of  his  time. 
His  being  so  much  mixed  up  with  the  Clumlies  and  the  Tuquoys  would  indicate  a  close 
relationship  to  them.    Hew  Spens  and  Magnus  Aith  sought  Lawborrows  against  him,  the 


THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 


7th  November,  1612,  and  on  the  7th  December  following  David  Kirkness  of  Kirkness 
becam  cautioner  for  his  peacable  behaviour.  Gorne  was  Chancellor  of  Assise  25th 
February,  1613,  in  Colville  v.  Thos.  Sinclair  ;  and  on  the  13th  March  same,  Oliver 
Isbuster,  the  Fletts,  &c,  proceed  against  Magnus  Sinclair  of  Gorne  in  Harra.  On  the 
15th  October,  1615,  Gorne  being  then  baillie  in  that  pairt,  bought  udal  land  in  Nether- 
brugh,  Harra,  from  Andro  Flett  of  Redland,  Firth;  to  this  transaction  Magnus  Sinclair 
in  Ovirbrugh,  Harra,  is  a  witness.  On  the  20th  January,  1619,  there  was  trial  of  a  cause 
between  Stewart  of  Graemsay  and  Magnus  Sinclair  in  Gorne.  On  15th  March,  1620,  he 
and  his  spous  Merion  Irwin  are  mentioned.  On  9th  April,  1621,  comp.  Gorne,  Magnus 
Louttit,  in  Lyking,  and  Patrick  Millar  of  Hestwall,  as  proc.  for  Elizabeth  Sinclair,  spous 
to  said  Louttit,  re  lands  in  Wosbuster,  &c.  In  presence  of  Edward  Sinclair,  baillie  of 
Sandwick,  the  same  day  compear  Louttit  and  Elisabeth  Sinclair,  his  spous,  with 
Mareoun  Irving,  spous  to  Gorne,  re  lands  from  Bishop  Graham.  On  27th  July  same, 
Gorne  and  his  wife  sold  Beaw  and  Husgar,  in  Sandwick,  to  Andro  Linkletter  of  that  Ilk. 
On  29th  April,  1622,  comp.  Gorne,  with  Robert  Sinclair  of  Skaill,  baillie  in  that  pairt, — 
To  said  Magnus  for  money  lent,  &c,  an  annual  rent  of  .£40  from  William  Irving, 
apparand  air  of  Saba,  who  on  10th  September  next  thereafter  for  400  merks  to  Gorne  and 
his  wife  (sister  to  Saba)  the  lands  of  Burwick — pertaining  aforetime  to  the  said  Magnus — 
and  the  Newgar  Quoy,  near  Clumlie.  On  5th  August,  1623,  Gorne  sued  Tohop,  Sabay, 
&c.  Gorne  died  before  1646,  on  4th  June  in  which  year,  when  his  daughters  claim  their 
shares  of  his  property  before  Edward  Sinclair  of  Clumlie,  &c;  on  19th  July,  1656,  they 
make  cause  against  William  Irving  of  Saba,  their  uncle;  on  18th  April,  1666,  they  are 
ats  of  John  Grahame  of  Brekness,  whom  they  in  turn  sue  the  18th  August  following. 
Gorne's  daughters  by  Marion  Irving,  daughter  of  Saba,  were  : 

1.  Katharine.  2.  Margaret. 

3.  Issobell,  m.  1st,  the  Rev.  Francis  Liddell.  4.  MarjoriE,  m.  Wm.  Preston. 

2nd,  John  Sinclair  of  Hammar. 


THE   SINCLAIRS  OF  OVERBROUGH, 
Harra. 

I.  Magnus  Sinclair  in  Ovirbrugh  witnesses  the  purchase  of  Netherbrugh  in 
Harra  by  Magnus  Sinclair  of  Gorne  15th  October,  16 17,  and  on  the  13th  July  preceding  a 
Magnus  Sinclair  in  Brugh  obtained  security  from  Alex.  Flett  in  How  and  William  Flett 
in  Netherbrugh,  all  in  Harra. 

II.  Robert  Sinclair  in  Ovirbrugh  is  a  witness  8th  May,  1634,  to  a  charter  of 
Netleter,  Harra,  by  John  Sinclair  in  Huntskarth,  and  Katharine  Flett,  his  wife. 

III.  John  Sinclair  of  Ovirbrough  is  down  in  the  1653  valuation  of  Harra.  On  the 
4th  March,  1662,  compeirit  ane  famous  man  John  Sinclair,  elder  in  Ovirbrugh  in  Harra, 
John  Sinclair  younger  thair  his  son,  and  John  Sinclair  his  oy,  and  John  the  elder  made 
over  Ovirbrugh  to  John,  his  son,  and  John,  his  grandson — Saufing  always  his  liferent 
and  that  of  his  spous  Margaret  Lina.     This  Ovirbrugh  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

IV.  John  Sinclair  of  Ovirbrough,  who  amongst  many  others  is  ats  of  Captain 
Robert  Irving  7th  August,  1673.  The  next  year,  1st  December,  1674,  he  acquired  lauds 
in  Ovirbrugh  and  Bimbuster  from  Robert  Burwick.  John  Sinclair  is  referred  to  as  in 
occupation  of  Ovirbrough  17th  May,  1679.     His  son 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS.  H9 


V.  John  Sinclair  of  Ovirbrough  witnessed  a  transaction  re  lands  in  Rusland  ist 
December,  1674,  and  is  perhaps  the  John  in  Harra  horned  and  inhibited  in  1697,  when 
there  are  also  Magnus  and  James  Sinclair  in  Harra,  and  Harie  Sinclair  in  Costa  for  Harra 
lands,  etc.     His  successor  was 

VI.  James  Sinclair  in  Ovirbrough,  who  comp.  nth  June,  1706,  with  his  spous 
Katharein  Wilson  (relict  of  Andro  Flett),  to  whom  he  gave  his  house  and  lands  of 
Ovirbrough  in  lyferent.  On  the  25th  September  following  the  Chamberlain-Depute 
obtained  a  decree  against  inter  alia  James  Sinclair  in  Ovirbrugh  in  Harra,  John  Sinclair 
thair,  John  Sinclair  in  Grimistone  thair,  etc.,  while  on  16th  February,  1719,  the  Earl  of 
Morton's  chamberlain  sues  inter  alia  James  Sinclair  in  Ovirbrugh,  John  Sinclair  in 
Gremistone,  Margaret  Sinclair  in  Huntscarth,  Elspeth  Spence  (relict  of  George  Sinclair) 
in  Rusland,  Katharine  Sinclair  (relict  of  Jas.  Eouttit  the  elder),  etc.,  all  in  Harra. 

VII.  William  Sinclair  in  Ovirbrugh,  and  Katharine  Spence,  his  spous,  obtained 
from  Dr.  Hugh  Sutherland  of  Kirkwall  a  disposition  of  udal  lands  in  the  town  of 
Ovirbrugh  with  houses,  etc., — as  the  same  have  been  tenanted  by  the  said  Wm.  Sinclair 
till  now,  19th  June,  1739. 


THE    SINCLAIRS   OF   CRAYA, 
Stromness. 

I.  James  Sinclair  in  Creya,  near  Stromness,  and  Thomas  Sinclair,  his  brother 
thair,  are  witnesses,  6th  October,  1634. 

II.  John  Sinclair  in  Creya,  in  the  toun  of  Utterstromness,  acquired  from  William 
Spens  in  Quhom,  son  to  umqle.  John  Spence  thair,  on  15th  February,  1645,  stait  and 
seisin  of  the  said  hous  and  lands  of  Cry  a.  Witnesses  :  Adam  Beattoun  in  Brekness, 
Jas.  Beattoun  in  Creya,  etc.     In  succession  to  him  after  a  long  interval  is 

III.  James  Sinclair,  elder  of  Craya,  who  compeared  16th  February,  1727,  with 
Ann  Beattoun,  his  spous,  and  Jas.  Sinclair,  their  eldest  sone,  who  got  "stait"  of  Craya 
and  of  his  mother's  share  of  her  father's  estate,  she  being  one  of  the  heirs  portioners  of 
David  Beattoun  of  Glouck,  near  Stromness. 

IV.  James  Sinclair  the  younger,  next  of  Craya,  who  is  noted  in  the  Cropt  Acct. 
of  1739,  married  Isobel  Clouston,  and  dying  without  issue,  was  succeeded  by  his  brother 

V.  John  Sinclair  of  Craya,  farmer  and  tenant  of  Lidfea  in  Stromness,  who  was 
also  married  to  an  Isobel  Clouston.     His  only  son 

VI.  John  Sinclair  of  Craya,  compd.  25th  February,  1769,  holding  disposition 
from  his  parents  of  Creiya,  Manniquoys,  etc.,  with  houses,  etc.,  with  reservation  of 
liferent  to  Isobel  Clouston,  his  mother,  and  Isobel  Clouston,  his  aunt. 


THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   RAPNESS, 
Westray. 

James  Saintclair  of  Stive  [Brew]  is  stated  by  Van  Bassan  the  Dane  to  have  been  the 
father  of 

I.  Malcolme  Saintclair  of  Quendale,  in  Shetland.  In  the  report  of  the 
commissioners  on  the  Estate  of  the  Isle  of  Sanday,  ".     .     .     There  is  within  the  said 


i5o  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

parochin  and  He  lands  belonging  of  old  to  the  archdaine  of  Zetland,  sett  in  few  be  him  to 
the  laird  of  Asilmountt,  and  sett  be  him  in  wodsett  to  Malcum  Sinclaire  of  Quandill,  and 
left  be  him  to  his  sonne  George  Sinclaire,  quho  hes  the  saidis  landis  in  present  posses- 
sioune,  and  lyis  within  the  said  He  and  parochine,  as  followis  : — In  Langtas,  in  Our  Ladie 
parochine,  saxpennie  land,  in  Arstas  ane  pennie  land,  in  Cleatt  ane  pennie  land,  in 
Sellibister  ane  half  pennie  land,  ane  pennie  land  in  the  town  of  How,  within  the  Croce 
parochine,  and  in  the  parochinne  of  Sainct  Colme  fowr  pennie  land  ;  thir  landis  payis  all 
their  dewties  to  the  said  George  Sinclair."  Malm.  Sinclair  is  a  suitor  of  the  Orcadian 
Court  on  4th  November,  1617,  for  his  lands  of  Rapness,  and  died  on  the  6th  January, 
1618,  leaving  by  his  wife  Margaret,  daughter  of  Hugh  Sinclair  of  Brugh,  in  Shetland,  a 
large  family,  of  whom  his  third  son 

II.  George  Sinclair  became  of  Craigends  and  Rapness.  He  was  present  as  a 
suitor  of  Court  18th  February,  1618.  On  the  21st  March,  1619,  George  Sinclair  of 
Rapness,  Malcolm  Sinclair  of  Quendale,  and  James  Sinclair,  Fear  of  Quendale,  his  sone, 
appear  in  re  The  Bu  of  Ropness.  On  29th  April,  1622,  he  attests  a  transfer  of  lands  of 
Innertoun  of  Stromness  from  James,  Hew,  Johne  and  George  Sinclairis,  brothers-germau, 
indwellers  in  Tenstone  and  heritable  udallers.  He  was  sworn  at  Kirkwall  9th  June, 
1627,  to  repoirt  conforme  to  the  commissioun  of  the  He  of  Westray  29th  May,  1633, 
The  Qlk.  Day,  George  Sinclair  of  Rapness  being  electit  and  chosen  a  Commissioner  to  the 
approtching  Parliament.  .  .  .  protestit  that  ane  stent  be  maid  for  his  maintenance. 
This  was  resolved  and  persons  appointed  to  collect  same  in  the  various  parishes.  He 
sued  David  Cogill,  merchand  in  Stronsa,  the  4th  August,  1638,  and  on  30th  July,  1639, 
he  obtained  a  Decree  against  Walter  Sinclair  in  Wosbuster  for  breach  of  his  contract 
of  date  23rd  January,  1629.  On  the  8th  August,  1642,  a  charter  of  disposition  was  pro- 
duced granted  be  Jas.  Tulloch  of  Langskaill,  with  consent  of  Helen  Henrysone,  his 
spous,  of  lands  in  the  Yle  of  Rowsa,  etc.,  to  George  Sinclair  of  Rapness.  He  is  an 
absent  suitor  19th  January,  1641,  and  styled  of  Ropnes  and  Trenabie ;  and  on  the  28th 
March,  1651,  Robert  Tulloch  of  Aikeris,  in  Westra,  makes  suit  against  the  umqle.  Geo. 
Sinclair  of  Rapness.  He  married  Martha,  daughter  of  James  Stewart  of  Gramsay  (by  hi& 
wife  Helen  Monteith  of  Egilsay),  and  had  issue 

1.  Malcolm,  next  of  Rapness.  2.  James. 

1.  Katherine,  m.  1646,  Laurence  Stewart  of  Bigton. 

2.  Margaret,  tn.  1st.,  Edward  Sinclair  of  Gyre. 

2nd,  James  Mowat  of  Ollaberry,  fiar  of  Garth,  Shetland. 

3.  Jean,  m.  James  Rutherford. 

III.  Malcolm  Sinclair,  Third  of  Rapness,  is  down  in  the  valuation  of  1653  as 
owner  of  lands  in  Sanda  Isle  :  L,ady  Parish — his  lands  of  Clett,  Airsta,  Sellibuster,  etc.; 
and  in  Burness  Parish — Malcolm  Sinclair,  sometime  of  Rapness,  for  his  lands,  grassums, 
etc.,  there.  On  17th  August,  1654,  Patrick  Smyth  of  Braco  proceeds  against  Malcolm 
Sinclair,  eldest  sone  and  air  to  umqle.  Geo.  Sinclair  of  Rapnes.      His  daughter 

Martha  m.  1672,  Jas.  Sinclair  of  Goat,  in  Shetland. 

IV.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Wosbuster. 

V.  Thomas  Sinclair  of  Rapness,  eldest  sone  of  the  preceding,  obtained  a  decree 
on  8th  February,  171 1,  against  Thos.  Traill  of  Holland  for  ^333  6s.  8d.  scots.  Traill 
was  put  to  the  Horn  on  the  4th  July  thereafter,  and  sought  suspension  of  the  same  9th 
August. 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS.  i5r 


VI.  William  Sinclair,  eldest  sone  to  deceast  Thomas  Sinclair,  now  tenant  in  the 
Bu  of  Rapness,  and  Barbara  Traill,  his  spouse — lands  in  Kirkness,  etc.,  in  Sandwick,  24th 
October,  1 7  5 1 . 

In  the  kirk-yard  at  Westray  there  is  a  tombstone  bearing  date  1676  which  com- 
memorates the  members  of  this  family. 

Arms,  see  Armoury. 

THE   SINCLAIRS    OF    ESTAQUOY, 
Harra. 

I.  James  Sinclair  is  noted  as  tenant  of  Newclett  (now  Nettleter)  and  Estaquoy,  in 
a  charter  produced  9th  June,  1620,  by  Bishop  Graham  to  Hew  Halcro  and  Jean  Stewart 
his  spous. 

II.  Alexander  Sinclair  in  Estaquoy  compeared  29th  April,  1665,  holding  Charter 
of  Feu  fertne  in  Estaquoy  in  Netleter  in  Hirra,  to  which  John  Sinclair  in  Oback,  there,  is 
one  of  the  witnesses.  May  7th,  1666,  How  is  tenanted  by  John  and  Alex.  Sinclair  thair. 
28th  February,  1667,  Alex.  Sinclair  in  How  acquires  from  Wm.  Corrigill  his  udal  lands 
there.  In  the  valuation  on  19th  April,  167 1,  the  Commissioners  note  Alex.  Sinclair  for 
his  lands  of  Netcletter  ;  he  compeared  29th  December  same  with  Charter  of  Alienation 
of  lands  in  How,  in  the  same  parish  ;  and  suffered  inhibition  29th  August,  1677.  On  the 
28th  May,  1680,  he  gave  to  his  eldest  son  John,  and  his  youngest  son  Magnus,  stait,  etc., 
of  land  in  Netletter  with  houses,  etc.      He  had  issue 

1.  John,  his  successor  ;  2.  James  ;  and  3.  Thomas,  witnesses  to  the  charter  to  their  brothers. 
4.  Magnus,  afterwards  of  Estaquoy. 

III.  John  Sinclair  and  his  brother  Magnus,  sonesof  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Estaquoy, 
are  witnesses  29th  December,  1680.  John  of  Estaquoy  died  before  5th  August,  1707, 
and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

IV.  Alexander  Sinclair  in  Northbrek,  in  Bingaquoy,  ffirth,  who  gave  Ltres.  of 
Disposition  of  some  land  in  How  (tenanted  by  Magnus  Sinclair)  to  the  Rev.  Thos.  Baikie, 
produced  1st  August,  1717.  "  My  grandfather  was  infeft  therein  on  28th  February,  1667, 
now  50  years  ago,  and  the  property  came  from  the  Corrigills  of  Corrigill  or  that  Ilk." 
His  uncle 

V.  Magnus  Sinclair,  compeared  5th  August,  1707,  holding  disposition  from  his  late 
brother,  John  of  Estaquoy,  of  half  of  Estaquoy  and  part  of  How.     His  eldest  son 

VI.  James  Sinclair,  is  mentioned  23rd  February,  1710;  and  on  the  8th  March, 
1717,  compeared  as  of  Estoquoy,  and  with  him  Margaret  Louttit  his  spous,  to  whom  he 
gave  life-rent  in  the  House  and  lands  of  Estoquoy.  He  witnessed  a  Harra  conveyance 
15th  September,  1740;  and  on  25th  February,  1749,  granted  Ltres.  of  Disposition  to  Wm. 
Smith,  merchand  in  Stromness,  of  lands  in  Estaquoy  with  houses,  etc.,  near  the  lauds 
there  possessed  by  Magnus  Flett  in  Conzier.  Wm.  Smith  produced  the  same  March 
10th,  1752. 

THE    SINCLAIRS   OF   NETHERGARTH, 
Harra. 

I.  Robert  Sinclair  in  Nethergarth,  in  Harra,  acquired  on  the  15th  July,  1626, 
from  Alex.  Kirkness  in  Duther  Hous  (now  Doe  Hous),  in  Sandwick,  lands  in  Skorwall 


1 52  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

in  Quoyloo — in  Quoynores — my  meadow  in  Bloomire  with  houses,  etc.,  thereon,  all  in 
Sandwick.  On  the  14th  March,  1643,  a  Charter  of  Alienation  was  produced  from  Robert 
Sinclair  of  Nethergersan  in  Sandwick  of  the  lands  and  houses  of  Ovirtoun  in  How  to 
Thos.  Corrigill  in  Winksetter  in  Harra.  In  1643  he  sold  a  claim  upon  Corrigill  to  umqle. 
Jas.  Spence.     His  spous  was  Helen  Sinclair. 

II.  William  Sinclair,  son  to  the  umqle.  Robert  Sinclair  in  Nethergarsand  in 
Sandwick,  has  an  appearance  on  21st  April,  1652. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   CAMPSTON. 

I.  Robert  Sinclair,  First  of  Campston,  is  mentioned  as  dead  15th  April,  1614, 
when  a  marriage  contract  is  entered  into  by  Hew  Sinclair  of  Damsay,  "son  of  the  late 
Robert  Sinclair  of  Campston."*  He  is  probably  the  Robert  Sinclair  mentioned  by 
Bishop  Bothwell  in  a  letter  dated  5th  February,  1560,  as  with  his  brother  Henry  and  their 
father  opposing  any  change  from  the  old  form  of  worship,  being  instigated  thereto  by 
Bellenden,  the  Justice  Clerk.*  Bishop  Bothwell  was  stepson  and  Sir  John  Bellenden 
nephew  to  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Sol  way  Moss  celebrity,  who  held  the  Isles  in  Tack  1540-48, 
and  to  whom  the  Siuclairs  above  mentioned  are  doubtless  in  near  relation.  He  is  noted 
in  the  Rental  of  1595,  "  Sanday  (St.  Androi's  Parochin  pro  rege)  Adhuc  ane  Quoy,  payis 
2  meils  cost.      Iutromettit  with  be  Robert  Sinclair.   ..."     He  had  issue 

1.  Robert,  next  of  Campston.  2.  Hew  of  Damsay.  3.  Edward  of  Ness. 
In  the  attestation  to  the  signature  of  Magnus  Luttet,  takman  of  Sandwik,  20th  November,  1613, 
Edward  of  Ness,  third  son  of  Robert  Sinclair,  is  referred  to  as  brother  of  Campston,  also  a  witness  on  that 
occasion.  In  the  Rental  of  1614  he  is  rated  for  Ness,  Stromness  ;  and  in  1627  reports  to  His  Majestie's 
Commission  as  to  the  state  of  that  parish.  On  17th  June,  1618,  he  is  ats  of  Malislane  Sinclair,  spouse  of 
James  Stewart,  first  of  Gramsay.  21st  November,  1619,  Compt.  for  Edward  Sinclair  of  Ness  and  Adame 
Smyth  of  Stoiff,  as  pror.  for  Jonet  Redland,  relict  of  umqle.  Robert  Sinclair  of  Larquoy,  and  Magnus 
Sinclair  sone  to  said  Jonet,  and  Jas.  Brown  sone  to  Alex.  Brown  in  Brekness,  as  pror.  for  Edward 
Sinclair,  brother  to  said  Magnus — lands  in  Uttertoun  of  Stromness  in  liferent,  and  to  Magnus  and 
Edward  in  fee,  etc.  On  2nd  November  idem — Edward  Sinclair  of  Ness,  James  Sinclair  of  Grott, 
Nicoll  Sinclair,  merchant  in  Kirkwall,  Marjorie  Sinclair  in  Larquoy,  and  Alex.  Sinclair  in  Fealquoy — 
Skelberries,  lands  in  Outertoune  of  Stromness,  etc.  On  28th  February,  1622,  he  is  a  witness  to  moneys 
payit  be  Alex.  Broun  of  Brekness,  etc.  In  1640  he  is  ordained  a  bailie;  in  1641  is  in  the  enumeration 
of  Earldom  suitors,  and  is  rated  in  the  1653  valuation.  He  was  apparently  succeeded  in  Ness  by  his 
nephew,  David  of  Ryssay. 

II.  Robert  Sinclair,  Second  of  Campston,  occupies  an  important  position  in 
Orcadian  records.  In  161 1  he  is  a/s  of  Patrick,  Earl  of  Orkney  ;  in  1613  he  attests  the 
signature  of  Magnus  Luttet,  Takman  of  Sandvik  ;  in  1615  is  a/s  of  Sir  Jas.  Stewart ;  and 
in  1616  sues  Francis  Mudie  of  Breckness.  In  1617  he  is  an  absent  suitor  of  the  Earldom 
Court,  of  which  when  present  he  is  invariably  first  of  his  name  to  be  enumerated  ;  and 
he  and  his  son  Thomas  make  suit  against  Jas.  Stewart  of  Gramsay.  In  1618  he  is  a/s  of 
Harie  Stewart,  Fear  of  Gramsay  ;  in  1618  mentioned  with  John  Sinclair,  merchant  in 
Kirkwall,  and  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Tohoip  ;  on  9th  November  idem,  is  mentioned  with  Hew 
Sinclair,  brother -german,  and  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Greinwall  ;  on  4th  December  Robert 
Sinclair  of  Campston  and  Helen  Achesoune  his  spous.  On  1st  July,  1623,  he  was  Sheriff- 
Depute,  acting  in  conjunction  with  Edward  Sinclair  of  JEstenquoy.  In  1627  his  brother- 
german,  Hugh  Sinclair  of  Damsay,  became  security  for  him  for  offence  against  Bishop 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS.  153 


Graham.  In  1627  Campstane  and  Essenquoy  have  the  haill  prebendarie  in  tack,  and  the 
same  year  they  were  sworn  to  report  upon  the  parish  of  Rousay  and  Egilsay  ;  and  they 
are  again  associated  to  report  on  St.  Andrew's.  In  1633  Campston  entered  protest 
against  the  service  of  Jonet  Sinclair  as  nearest  and  lau'll  air  of  umqle.  Win.  Sinclair  of 
Holland,  his  son  Edward  compeiring  for  him  on  that  occasion.  In  1635  he  subscribed 
the  Relation  of  Famine.  In  1640  David  Heart  of  Rusland  sues  Robert  Sinclair  of 
Campston.     Issue  : 

1.  Thomas  Sinclair,  fear  of  Campston,  his  eldest  sone  ;  and 

2.  Edward  Sinclair,  his  second  sone.     There  were  also  daughters — 

1.  Elizabeth,  who  in  1649  sued  her  brother  Thomas  for  her  rights. 

2.  Margaret,  m.  1643  Andrew,  son  of  Wffl,  Sinclair  of  Greinwall. 

Robert  Sinclair  of  Campston  is  present  amongst  the  gentlemen  suitors  of  the  Earldom 
Court,  26th  October,  1641  ;  and  dying  about  1645-9,  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

III.  Thomas  Sinclair,  Third  of  Campston,  for  whom  when  fiar  in  1629  Wm. 
Sinclair  of  Greinwall  became  lawborrowis  in  security  for  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Saba  and  his 
family.  In  1638  he  is  a/s  of  John  Craigie  of  Saudis.  In  1645,  as  fear,  he  alienates 
various  lands  in  Rousa  and  Firth  to  James  Traill  in  Westness  (Rousa).  His  sister 
Elizabeth  sues  him  for  her  rights  in  1649,  which  implies  the  death  of  his  father.  In  1651 
he  is  a/s  of  Edward  Sinclair  of  Gyre,  and  is  down  in  the  valuation  of  1653  for  various 
lands  in  St.  Andrew's  and  Firth.  On  the  30th  September,  1662,  he  and  his  spous  Marie 
Stewart  are  mentioned.     He  had  issue 

1.  Edward,  next  of  Campston.     2.  John,  second  son  (sasine  1643). 

IV.  Edward  Sinclair,  Fourth  of  Campstane,  was  proceeded  against  10th 
October,  1676,  by  Thos.  Stewart,  Proc.  Fiscal  for  Orkney  and  Zetland,  for  intro- 
mitting  with  the  gear  of  umqle.  Thos.  Sinclair  his  father.  Edward  Sinclair  was  succeeded 
by  his  only  son 

V.  Edward  Sinclair,  Fifth  and  Last  of  Campston.  On  the  21st  September, 
1708,  David  Traill  assigns  lands  in  Sabay  to  his  son  Patrick  under  reversion  be  the  heirs 
of  umqle.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Campston  ;  and  on  18th  December,  1725,  compt.  David 
Traill  of  Sabay  holding  disposition  by  Edward  Sinclair  only  sone  to  deceast  Edward 
Sinclair  of  Campston  and  Eliz.  Wilson  his  spous — and  air  to  the  also  deceast  Thos. 
Sinclair  of  Campston  his  grandfather — lands  in  St.  Andrew's  and  lands  of  Campstane. 
Witnesses  Jerome  Sinclair  in  Stromness  and  Jas.  Allan  his  servitor.  This  notice  is 
followed  by  another  on  19th  June,  1729,  when  Patrick  Traill  of  Sabay  sues  Edward 
Sinclair  "  onlie  lawfull  sone  on  life  to  the  deceast  Edwd.  Sinclair  sometyme  residenter  in 
Campstone  in  Parish  of  St.  Andrew's  in  the  County  of  Orknay  and  Elizabeth  Wilson  his 
spous  daughter  to  deceased  Thos.  Wilson  of  Hunclet  sometyme  merchant  in  Kirkwall, 
for  10,000  merks  scots,  etc.  This  Edward  Sinclair  of  Campston  is  stated  to  have  been 
father  of 

VI.  Edward  Sinclair,  who  by  Kirstane  or  Christane  Sinclair  was  father  of  a 
daughter 

Isobel,  m.  to  Peter  Sinclair,  and  had  issue 
John  Sinclair,  married  in  1789.     Issue 
James  Sinclair,  father  of 

James  Sinclair,  resident  at  Upper  Breckquoy,  Holm,  Orkney,  who  writes  that 
he  was  told  by  his  father  that  No.  VI.  was  a  son  of  [Robert]  Sinclair,  Laird  of 
Campston,  that  his  name  was  over  the  old  hall  door,  and  a  coat  of  arms 
over  the  gateway. 


154  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

Hay,  in  his  "  Genealogie  of  the  Sainteclaires  of  Rosslyn,"  has  :  "  I  think  that  the  other  charters 
relating  to  Pentland,  and  the  Chapell  of  Roslin,  may  be  found  in  Comeston's  hands,  or  in  Sir  Alex. 
Gibson  of  Pentland's  charter-chest,  or  els  amongst  my  Lord  Sinclar's  papers." 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    DAMSAY. 

I.  Hugh  Sinclair  of  Damsay  was  a  brother  of  Campston  and  Ness.  He  had 
lands  scattered  all  over  the  Earldom.     There  are  numerous  notices  of  him. 

He  is  apparently  the  Hew  Sinclair,  takman  of  Stromness  for  Wosterwoy  in  1613,  who  will  not 
compt.  with  the  Takman  of  Sandwick  for  the  roume  of  Newgair,  etc.,  and  may  be  the  Hew  Sinclair, 
merchant  in  Kirkwall,  who  with  William  Sinclair  of  Greinwall,  sues  Donald  Stewart  of  Brugh  24th 
February,  1617,  and  who  on  the  7th  January  idem,  had  with  other  Sinclairs  made  suit  against  James 
Stewart  of  Gramsay  and  others.  On  18th  February,  1618,  this  Hew,  the  merchant,  is  on  an  Assise  for 
'  ryot  and  bluidshed."  On  9th  November,  1618,  Hew  Sinclair,  merchant  in  Kirkwall,  brother-german 
to  Campstoune,  and  Jonet  Sventone,  his  spous,  with  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Greinwall,  are  mentioned.  On 
2nd  January,  1621,  Hew  was  on  the  Assise  to  try  John  Learie  for  the  "Thifteous  stelling  of  ane  quhyt 
yeik  yow,  of  ane  kaidie  (pet)  lamb,  etc."  ;  and  on  the  5th  idem,  became  security  for  Alex.  Flett  in 
How,  Harra.  On  the  27th  December  same  he  produced  a  charter  from  Michael  Balfour  of  Garth,  with 
consent  of  Margaret  Sinclair,  his  spous,  of  lands  and  houses  of  Swartmaill  in  Skeldwik,  in  Westra,  etc.; 
and  on  the  28th  February,  1622,  a  charter  of  Alienation  maid  be  The  Right  Honble.  Hew  Halcro  of 
that  Ilk  to  Hew  and  Jonet  his  spous  and  langest  liver  of  them  the  houses  and  lands  of  Beanzeaquoy, 
in  the  parish  of  Firth.  On  25th  July,  1622,  he  is  noted  as  owning  Fealquoy  (Evie)  Kingshous  and 
lands  in  Bimbuster,  both  in  Harra,  and  many  other  properties  all  over  the  Earldom,  acquired  from 
Robert  Monteith  of  Egilsa.  On  4th  November,  1623,  and  25th  January,  1624,  Hew  Sinclair  of 
Kingshous  is  present  as  a  Suitor  of  Court  ;  on  7th  June,  1623,  Hew  Sinclair,  merchand  burgess  of 
Kirkwall,  in  re  lands  of  St.  Ola,  etc. ;  in  1627  he  owns  Cloike  in  Birsa,  and  on  the  24th  April  same 
became  cautioner  for  Robert  Sinclair  of  Campstane,  his  brother-german.  On  3rd  May,  1631,  amongst 
the  suitors  present  are  Hew  Sinclair  for  his  lands  of  Kingshous,  Hew  Sinclair  of  Damsay,  etc.,  but 
these  are  evidently  one  and  the  same  person.  On  the  8th  June,  1632,  on  the  Assise  against  Scollay, 
there  are  inter  alia,  Hew  Sinclair  of  Damsaj  (Chancellour),  John  Sinclair  (merchand  in  Kirkwall),  Hew 
Sinclair  of  Yairphay,  etc.  In  1640  he  is  constituted  bailie  for  Firth.  On  15th  April,  1614,  a  contract  is 
completed  at  Rannibester  between  "Thomas  Swentoun,  Archdeane  of  Orknay,  and  minister  of  God's 
Word  at  Kirkwall,"  taking  burden  on  him  for  his  "  dochter  Jonet  Swentoun,"  and  Hew  Sinclair  of 
Damsay,  son  of  the  late  Robert  Sinclair  of  Campstone.  These  young  persons  bound  themselves  to 
solemnise  "  ye  bond  of  matrimonie  in  face  of  halie  kirk  with  all  solemnities  due  as  effeirs, "  and  Jonet 
had  a  tocher  of  six  hundred  merks.  In  1642,  Orphir,  Smewgro,  Cowbister,  and  Orokirk  are  now  feued 
and  in  ye  possession  of  Hew  Sinclair  of  Damsay,  also  Ryssay  in  Walls,  and  North  Witfirth  in  St.  Olla. 
Damsay  appears  as  a  Suitor  in  1638  and  1640,  and  on  19th  January,  1641,  for  his  lands  thair,  and  in 
Over  Brugh  in  Harra.  June  23rd,  1645,  ne  assigns  a  toft  in  Skabra  in  Sandwick  to  his  son-in-law 
Andro  Linklettir.  January  31st,  1648,  he  exchanges  Fealquoy,  Cloike,  etc.,  with  David  McClellane 
of  Wodwick,  Chamberlain  of  Orknay  for  Kirbuster  in  Orphir.  On  16th  January,  1649,  George,  sone  to 
William  Sinclair  of  Damsay,  witnessed  a  deed  between  Jas.  Louttit  of  Mirbuster  and  Johne  Louttit  of 
Corrigill.  In  1651  Damsay,  with  others,  is  sued  by  Edward  Sinclair  of  Gyre.  He  appears  in  the 
Valuation  of  1653  as  owning  lands  in  all  parts  of  the  Earldom— Stromness,  St.  Andrew's,  St.  Olla, 
Orphir,  Sandwick,  Harra,  Birsa,  Firth,  Walls,  Rousa,  etc.  On  the  19th  May,  1658,  he  sued  Patrick 
Sinclair,  his  eldest  sone,  and  others.  Soon  after  this  he  died.  In  the  "County  Families  of  the 
Zetland  Isles"  it  is  noted  that  Katherine  Mouat  of  the  Garth  family  was  married  to  Hew  Sinclair  of 
Damsay,  but  this  does  not  receive  support  from  any  of  the  foregoing  notices.  He  was  married  to  Jonet 
Swinton,  daughter  of  Thomas  Swinton,  Archdeacon  of  Orkney,  and  left  issue — 

1.  Patrick,  who  succeeded  him.     2.  Thomas.     3.  David. 

I.  Agnes,  who  married  Andro  Linklater,  of  Benziecht,  which  is  mentioned  26th  April,  1677,  as 
having  been  sometime  life-rented  to  her. 

II.  Patrick  Sinclair,  Second  of  Damsay,  appears  ii/s  of  his  father  Hew  in  1658  ; 
on  16th  September,   1661,  of  his  brothers  Thomas  and  David,  sones  to  the  umqle.  Hew 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS.  155 


Sinclair  of  Damsay,  for  their  interest,  etc.;  and  on  6th  January,  1664,  Patrick  most  un- 
gallantly  sues  Jean  Ballenden,  his  spous,  while  on  the  same  day  Patrick  Craigie,  ex- 
Provost  of  Kirkwall,  sues  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Damsay,  Edward  Sinclair  in  Booabrek,  in 
Quhome,  and  others. 


Thomas  Sinclair  of  Smoogrow  was  perhaps  a  son  of  Hew  of  Damsay,  who 
had  held  that  place.  On  the  10th  September,  1675,  John  Henry,  minister  of  Orphir, 
sued  Thos.  Sinclair  of  Smoogrow,  Sibilla,  relict  of  Hew  Sinclair,  Robert  Sinclair,  his 
sone,  etc.  On  the  26th  April,  1677,  Compt.  James,  onlie  sone  to  ffrancis  Gordone,  Baillie 
of  Stromness,  as  pror.  for  Barbara  Gordone,  spous  to  Thos.  Sinclair  of  Smowgrow, 
holding  charter  of  Lyfereut  maid  be  sd.  Thos.  to  her  of  his  houses  and  lands  of  Smow- 
grow, etc.,  in  Orphir.  On  the  18th  July  following  he  is  a  witness,  and  on  19th  August, 
1687,  the  lands  of  Smowgrow  and  Cowbuster  belong  to  Thos.  Sinclair  and  his  aforesaid 
spous.  On  the  10th  July,  1706,  William  Halcro  is  designed  of  Cowbuster.  His  brother 
was 

David  Sinclair  of  Ryssay,  apparently  third  son  of  Hew  of  Damsay. 

On  25th  February,  1662,  David  was  sued,  inter  alia,  by  P.obert  Jack,  mercht.  burgess  of  Edin- 
burgh ;  on  10th  August,  1665,  he  is  sued  by  R.  Graham,  mercht.  burgess  of  Edinburgh,  for  his  bond  of 
dait  17th  August,  1664,  for  £818  scots,  and  inhibited.  David  Bellanden,  brother  of  Stonehous,  put  this 
to  the  horn.  On  9th  November,  1668,  compd.  David  Sinclair  of  Ryssay,  heritable  proprietor  of  lands 
near  Stromness,  and  sells  "sum  faddoms  "  near  the  "  Boatisnewst  "  to  John  Brown  in  Stromness  and 
his  spous  Kath.  Cromartie.  On  27th  July,  1669,  Rev.  James  Henrie  of  Orphir  produced  charter  of  lands 
from  David  Sinclair  of  Ryssay.  August  4th,  1675,  produced  Precept  of  Sasine  made  by  Ryssay  and 
Elisabeth  Johnstoun,  his  spous,  for  infefting  William  Davisone,  writer  in  Kirkwall,  in  certane  parts  of 
the  lands  of  Ryssay,  because  they  could  not  repay  that  cash  which  they  had  borrowed  from  him.  On 
13th  May,  1676,  he  sued  Thos.  Wilsone  of  Hunclett  for  ,£"3,122  scots,  and  on  9th  April,  1677,  Francis 
and  John,  sons  to  James  Mudie  of  Melsetter.  On  26th  December,  1677,  compt.  Robert  Tulloch,  in- 
dweller  in  Cowbuster,  as  pror.  for  George,  second  sone  to  David  Sinclair  of  Ryssay,  baulding 
Dispositioune,  etc.,  maid  be  said  David  to  said  George  and  his  airis,  whom  failing  to  his  assignees, 
whom  all  failing  (as  God  forbid)  to  his  awin  neirest  aires  his  lands  of  Old  and  New  Ness,  Stromness, 
saveand  lyferent  to  said  David,  and  Eliz.  Johnstoun,  his  spous.  On  24th  September,  1696,  Ryssay  was 
sued  for  100  merks  scots  by  Patrik  Traill,  maraner  in  Leith,  and  inhibited  thereon  the  17th  November 
following.  On  12th  May,  1697,  James  Gray  in  Foubister,  and  his  spous  Anna,  brother's  dochter  to  Jon 
Grott  of  Fleck,  sued  Ryssay,  etc.,  and  finally  on  6th  December,  1736,  "  Forasmuch  as  the  now  deceast 
David  Sinclair  of  Ryssay  and  Eliz.  Johnston,  spouses,  by  their  Bond  of  17th  June,  1675  (63  years 
previous)  borrowed  from  the  also  deceast  John  Groat  of  Fleik  309  merks  scots,  to  be  repaid  at  Whit- 
sunday thereafter  with  interest  if  not  then  paid,  and  to  infeft  the  said  John  Groat  in  lands  in  Orakirk, 

Orphir,  Redeemable  however William  Halcro,  younger  of  Coubister,  has  paid  and  got 

reversion  and  lands,  etc.,  etc."     He  had  issue — 
1.  2.  George.    3.  John. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    CONYAR, 
Harra. 

No  special  enquiry  has  as  yet  been  made  as  to  the  origin  of  this  branch  of  the 
lineage,  from  which  the  author  of  this  work  derives.  It  is,  however,  variously  stated 
that  they  are  cadets  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Damsay  and  Kingshouse  (Konungs-garth)  ;  of  the 
Siuclairs  of  Craya,  Stromness  ;  and  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Beboran,  Harra,  from  whom 
Conyar  is  held,  the  last  statement — which  does  not  necessarily  contradict  the  others — 
being  the  most  likely  one. 


156  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

Jerome  Sinclair,  shipmaster  in  Stromness,  and  Jas.  Allen,  his  servitor,  on  18th 
December,  1725,  witness  the  Disposition  by  Edward  Sinclair,  last  of  Campston.  In  1705 
Jerome  Sinclair  was  in  Seatter,  Stromness  ;  he,  or  a  successor,  appears  in  various  records 
in  1718,  1747,  '48,  '52,  '58,  '61  and  '70. 

Charles  Sinclair,  son  of  the  preceding,  is  part}-  to  an  instrument  in  1758,  and 
later  on  inherits  Beboran  in  Harra,  as  only  son  in  life  to  the  said  Jerome  Sinclair. 


Robert  Sinclair,  First  of  Conyar  (i),  is  probably  identical  with  Robert  Sinclair 
in  Harra,  1747,  and  of  Furse,  there,  1753.  In  his  time  the  Norse  language  continued  to 
be  spoken  in  Harra,  notable  as  the  only  Orcadian  parish  untouched  by  the  sea,  and  also 
■on  account  of  there  being  about  100  proprietors,  "  The  Hundred  Lairds  of  Harray,"  who 
for  the  most  part  hold  the  same  lands  their  ancestors  held  centuries  back,  by  prescriptive 
right  as  Odallers  (Proceres  Orcadium),  a  "  Yeomanry  nobility  "  dependent  in  no  way  on 
charter  or  deed  as  the  root  of  title,  and  under  no  feudal  superior,  not  even  king  or  earl. 
Robert  Sinclair  of  Conyar  had  issue  two  sons,  whose  relative  seniority  is  undetermined. 
2.  Thomas.    3.  William. 

Thomas  Sinclair,  Second  of  Conyar  (2)  born  cir.  1758  ;  married  cir.  1781  Marjory 
Kirkness,  a  connection  of  Kirkness  of  Kirkness,  Sandwick.  They  had  issue  three 
daughters,  who  died  unmarried  in  advanced  years,  and  one  son,  viz., 

4.  Robert,  next  of  Conyar,  born  in  1782. 

5.  Margaret.     6.  Mercy.     7.  Eespeth,  baptised  24th  July,  1785. 

William  Sinclair  (3)  born  cir.  1760;  married  in  1789  Jean  Tulloch  of  Moen  in 
Harra.  He  resided  in  Conyar  until  November,  1805,  when  he  and  his  family  removed  to 
"  The  House  of  Howe"  in  the  district  or  township  of  Bimbuster,  Harray.  He  died  the 
same  year,  and  his  widow  then  removed  to  Teevath,  in  the  same  neighbourhood,  where 
she  reared  her  family.  Upon  the  marriage  in  1825  of  her  daughter  Margaret  to  Magnus 
Johnston  of  Miice,  Birsa,  he  had  a  house  built  for  her,  where  she  dwelt  until  her  death  in 
1834.  She  was  a  connection  of  Scarth,  first  of  Binscarth,  and  her  daughter  Margaret 
is  found  witnessing  the  baptism  of  a  child  born  to  Nicol  Scarth.  William  Sinclair 
had  issue  in  Conyar — 

8.  Jean,  baptised  28th  November,  1790  ;  died  young. 

9.  Margaret,  baptised  nth  July,  1793  ;  died  10th  July,  1874  ;  married  17th  December,  1825,  as 

second  wife,  Magnus  Johnston  of  the  House  of  Miice  in  Sabiston,  Birsa. 

10.  Wilmam,  born  10th  February,  1795,  of  whom  presently. 

11.  Robert,  bap.  nth  June,  1797  ;  drowned  in  Shields  harbour  cir.  1820  ;  unmarried. 

12.  Jean,  bap.  19th  May,  1799  ;   died  young. 

13.  Ann,  born  16th  April,  1803  (St.  Magnus'  Day)  ;   died  in  Miice  cir.    1861  ;    married  in   1831 

Peter  Merriman  of  Stromness,  who  died  same  year,  leaving  posthumous  issue. 

14.  John,  born  22nd  March,  1805  ;  lost  at  sea  cir.  1S26. 

Robert  Sinclair,  Third  of  Conyar  (4)  born  1782  ;  died  1861  ;  married  in  1822 
Barbara  Yorston  of  Howan,  Sabiston,  Birsa  (who  died  in  1839),  and  had  in  Conyar— 

15.  Robert,  born  23rd  December,  1824. 

16.  Barbara,  born  20th  October,  1S26  ;  res.  Conyar  ;  single. 

17.  Margaret,  born  20th  July,  1828;  res.  Conyar;  single. 

18.  James,  born  nth  May,  1830  ;  died  in  Melbourne,  unmarried. 

19.  Thomas  Blyth,  born  4th  August,  1834. 

20.  John,  born  28th  December,  1838  ;  is  an  elder  of  the  Established  Church;  res.  Conyar  ;  single. 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS. 


157 


Captain  William  Sinclair  (10)  Harbourmaster  of  Kirkwall,  was  born  in  Conyart 
Harra,  on  the  10th  February,  1795.  He  married  in  Harra  about  1822  Elisabeth,  fourth 
daughter  of  Magnus  Flett  of  Garth,  there,  by  his  second  wife  Katherine  Borwick,  of 
whom  she  was  the  second  daughter.  The  only  surviving  son  of  his  widowed  mother, 
William  Sinclair  went  to  sea  at  an  early  age.  In  1835-36  he  was  chief  officer  on  board  of 
the  "  Lavinia  "  of  Stromuess,  Captain  James  Leask,  trading  between  Stromness  and 
foreign  parts — Liverpool,  Limerick,  Holland,  Russia,  etc.  At  that  time  Stromness  was 
the  port  of  call  for  the  Hon.  the  Hudson  Bay  Co. 's  ships,  and  was  a  place  of  rising  im- 
portance with  a  local  company  owning  several  trading  vessels.  William  Sinclair  was  for 
some  time  captain  of  a  trading  schooner  called  the  "  Victory,"  of  Stromness,  in  which  he 
held  some  shares.  In  1841,  or  earlier,  he  was  captain  of  the  schooner  "Sir  Joseph 
Banks,"  owned  in  Kirkwall,  and  trading  between  that  port  and  Leith  since  1800*     The 


town    crier   of   those   days 
sailing   clipper   packet ' ' — 
smart  passage.    He  changed 
moving  from  the  north  end 
St.,  Kirkwall,  where  about 
produce     merchant.        The 
severely    afflicted     Ireland 
and  for  four  or  five  years 
Captain  Sinclair  became  a 
townsfolk,  by  bringing  over 
deen,  by  steamer    arriving 
premises  were  crowded  by 
and    afraid    to    miss    their 
master  of  the  port  of  Kirk- 
which  position  he  held  till 
trade  was  small,  he  could 
business  as  well,  but  in   a 
his  full  attention  and 
clerks  also.     He  was 
thoroughly  trusted  by 
ings    with    him,    and 
all  who  knew  him.    A 
of  business,  he  was  a 
who    sought   his    ad- 
wife   acquired  on    8th  August, 
Collector  of  Customs  at  Kirkwall 


used  to  extol  her  as  a  "  fast 
thirty  -  four  hours  was  a 
his  residence  in  1842-43,  re- 
of  Stromness  to  the  Broad 
1846  he  began  business  as  a 
potato  disease  that  so 
visited  Orkney  soon  after, 
the  crop  was  a  failure. 
great  benefactor  to  the 
food  supplies  from  Aber- 
every  Saturday,  when  his 
people  anxiously  awaiting 
turn.  He  became  Harbour- 
wall  in  or  about  1850, 
his  death.  At  first,  while 
manage  to  conduct  his  own 
few  years  the  post  needed 
that  of  one  or  two 
a  very  popular  man, 
all  who  had  any  deal- 
literally  respected  by 
good  and  diligent  man 
kind  friend  to  many 
vice.  He  and  his 
850,  by  Disposition  from  Robert  Louttit,  sometime 
a  house  or  tenement  of  land  fronting  the  Broad  Street, 


Kirkwall,  for  which  Instrument  of  Sasine  issued  13th  May,  1854.  He  was  admitted 
Burgess  and  Guild  Brother  of  Kirkwall  6th  November,  1851.  The  ticket  is  on  vellum, 
the  seal  of  the  Burght  is  on  red  wax,  encased  in  a  tin  round  and  attached  to  the  parch- 
ment by  means  of  a  ribbon  of  royal  blue  colour.  He  executed  a  Disposition  and  Deed  of 
Settlement  15th  August,  1868,  appointing  as  his  trustees  Thomas  Traill  of  Holland  ; 
Andrew  Gold,  Chamberlain  for  the  Earl  of  Zetland,  residing  at  Grainbank  ;  James  Scarth 
Spence,  banker  in  Kirkwall  ;  Robert  Tulloch,  merchant  in  Kirkwall  :   and  Peter  Sinclair 


Barry's  History 


t  See  illustration  on  page  95. 


i58  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

Heddle,  writer  there.  At  the  time  of  his  death  Captain  Sinclair  was  the  most  eminent  of 
his  name  in  the  Isles.  He  was  nearly  related  to  the  late  Robert  Scarth  of  Binsearth,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Logie  of  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral  Kirk,  and  Provost  Bane  of  Kirkwall.  His  wife 
<born  17th  August,  1797)  had  died  on  the  13th  September,  1861,  and  he  followed  her  to 
the  grave  25th  July,  1874.  Both  lie  buried  in  the  kirkyard  of  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral, 
where  a  tombstone  preserves  them  to  memory.     Children  born  in  Stromness  : 

21.  William,  born  20th  November,  1823;   went  to  sea  in  1840,  fell  from  the  main-gaff  of  the 

brig  "  Useful"  early  in  1841,  and  stove  in  his  side.  The  wound  appeared  to  be  healed, 
and,  unconscious  of  his  impending  fate,  his  constant  and  cheerful  letters  to  his  mother 
always  ended,  "Yours  until  death."  In  May,  1842,  the  wound  became  serious,  and  he 
returned  home,  dying  in  Stromness  on  St.  Clair's  Eve,  16th  July,  1842.  He  was  buried 
in  Harray,  where  a  tombstone  marks  the  spot. 

22.  James  Leask,  born  15th  April,  1828  (St.  Magnus'  Eve). 

23.  Jane  Flett,  born  7th  October,  1834  ;  died  unmarried  at  Edinburgh  30th  November,  1880, 

where  she  had  been  subjected  to  curative  treatment,  as  in  1856  she  became  mentally 
weak.  Letters  written  by  her  before  that  date  appear  those  of  a  thoroughly  practical 
and  normal  person. 

24.  John  Beatton,  born  15th  January,  1837  ;  died  in  1845,  and  was  buried  in  Kirkwall. 
Robert  Sinclair,  Fourth  of  Conyar  (15)  was  born  there  on  the  23rd  December, 

1824.     He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas  Sinclair  of  Beborau.     Issue  : 

25.  A  daughter  resident  in  Conyar. 

Thomas  Blyth  Sinclair  (19)  born  in  Conyar  4th  August,  1834  ;  is  married  and  has 
a  large  family  of  sons  and  daughters.  In  early  life  he  went  to  South  Africa.  He  resides 
at  38  Canning  St.,  in  Liverpool,  where  he  carries  on  business  as  "Sinclair  &  Ellwood," 
shipchandlers  and  provision  merchants,  41  South  Castle  St.;  warehouse,  3  &  5  King  St. 
(Glasgow  agents,  Jas.  Porteous  &  Son,  5  Dixon  St.) 

James  Leask  Sinclair  (22) — second  son  and  eventually  (1880)  sole  surviving  issue 
of  the  late  William  Sinclair  (see  No.  10),  sometime  merchant  and  Harbourmaster  of  the 
Port  of  Kirkwall — was  born  at  Stromness,  Orkney,  on  the  15th  April,  1828  (St.  Magnus' 
Eve).  He  was  named  after  a  brother  of  the  late  Henry  Leask  of  Boardhouse — the  Capt. 
James  Leask  who  had  charge  of  the  "Lavinia,"  when  William  Sinclair  was  next  in 
command.  He  went  first  to  school  in  May,  1836.  When  about  ten  years  of  age  his 
mother  remarked  in  jest  that  a  new  jacket  she  was  finishing  was  for  him  to  go  to  Russia 
with  on  his  father's  ship.  He  made  good  her  words  by  going  down  that  same  afternoon 
to  the  vessel,  on  which  he  stowed  safely  away,  nor  did  he  show  himself  until  too  far  from 
port  to  put  back  with  him.  So  he  got  his  trip  to  Russia  after  all,  returning  safely  after 
an  absence  of  several  months,  to  be  the  hero  of  his  school-mates  for  having  at  so  early  an 
age  travelled  over  the  "Viking  Path."  His  school  course  was  ended  in  about  his 
fifteenth  year,  when  he  became  a  junior  clerk  in  the  warehouse  of  Messrs.  R.  Brotchie 
and  Co.,  tea  merchants  in  Leith,  with  whom  he  remained  for  about  five  years,  rising 
from  a  junior  to  a  senior  clerkship.  While  in  Leith  he  attended  the  classes  in  Edinburgh 
at  the  Watt  Institution,  and  otherwise  endeavoured  to  increase  his  knowledge  by  every 
possible  means,  commencing  his  studies  at  half-past  three  every  morning  in  summer.  As 
a  consequence  he  made  the  most  marked  improvement,  and  letters  written  by  him  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  show  the  finished  composition  that  is  usually  attained  by  persons  of 
literary  gifts  only  in  their  thirties  or  forties,  and  a  beautifully  clear  and  characteristic 
penmanship  that  we  only  expect  to  see  from  an  accountant  with  a  standing  of  years. 
Leaving  Leith,  he  secured  a  clerical  position  with  Messrs.  Harrison  &  Crossfields,  of 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS. 


159 


3  Great  Tower  St.,  London,  E.C.  But  he  had  imbibed  a  love  of  travel,  and  so  left  and 
went  to  America.  He  was  a  short  time  in  New  York  City,  and  had  he  made  up  his  mind 
to  stay  could  have  done  very  well.  At  one  time  he  was  boating  on  the  Mississippi,  at 
another  in  Cincinnati,  seldom  staying  long  in  any  one  place,  as  he  preferred  to  travel  as 
much  as  possible.  About  two  years  were  thus  spent,  when  he  had  an  attack  of  fever  and 
ague,  ailments  general  to  persons  travelling  through,  but  not  permanent  in,  those  parts. 
In  1851  or  1852  he  returned  to  Kirkwall  to  recruit  his  health,  where,  staying  with  his 
parents,  he  pursued  his  studies  at  pleasure,  occasionally,  for  his  personal  delectation, 
contributing  local  news  to  the  John  0  Groats  or  the  Scotsman,  and  afterwards  to  the 
Orcadian,  a  local  paper  which  he  was  instrumental  in  establishing.  He  married  at 
Kirkwall  29th  January,  1857,  Mary,  only  child  of  John  Mowat,  of  Rarewick,  Tankerness, 
in  the  Earldom  of  Orkney,  by  Mary  Muir,  his  wife.  Shortly  after  this  event  he  re- 
entered  the   service  of  Messrs.  Harrison  &  Crossfields,  but  the  excessive  heat  of  the 


Mary  Mowat  Sinclair. 


following  summer  impaired  his  health,  and  he  was  compelled  to  return  to  Kirkwall 
where  he  took  over  his  father's  business,  but  meeting  with  poor  encouragement,  he  re- 
moved to  Stromness  in  August,  1862,  and  tried  there  in  the  same  line  of  business,  but 
without  success.  Then  he  went  to  Scotland  and  took  up  a  book  agency  for  the  Rev. 
Charles  Rogers,  and  removed  his  wife  and  four  children  to  Stirling,  where  a  very  trying 
winter  was  experienced.  The  next  year,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  children,  he  took 
passage  to  New  Zealand  by  the  "King  of  Italy,"  arriving  at  Auckland  on  the  6th 
September,  1865,  after  a  voyage  of  ninety-three  days  from  Gravesend,  the  second  son 
William  dying  on  board  ship,  8thJ  uly,  1865.  By  virtue  of  being  a  passenger  he  was  en- 
titled to  a  Crown  grant  of  180  acres  of  land,  which  he  selected  at  Hokianga,  and  subse- 
quently he  received  an  additional  grant  of  60  acres  from  the  Auckland  Provincial  Govern- 
ment for  arrears  of  salary.  A  few  weeks  after  his  arrival  he  received  an  appointment  from 
the  Auckland  Board  of  Education,  but  upon  that  institution  suspending  payment  he  took  to 


i6o  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

journalism  and  private  tuition.  He  held  Board  appointments  at  Kaurihohore,  Auckland, 
in  1871-72;  Taita,  Wellington,  1873-75  >  Board  of  Education  Office,  Auckland,  1876;  and 
at  Ardmore,  Auckland,  1884-85,  when  he  came  in  for  a  small  inheritance,  which  enabled 
him  to  retire  from  arduous  duties.  Earl}'  in  1893  he  settled  at  Otahuhu,  a  suburb  distant 
some  eight  miles  from  Auckland  City,  where  he  interested  himself  in  the  progress  of  the 
local  Mutual  Improvement  Society.  He  left  his  residence  in  his  accustomed  health  on 
the  evening  of  the  nth  November,  1895,  to  attend  an  entertainment  on  the  occasion  of 
the  breaking- up  of  the  Society,  on  returning  home  from  which  he  was  seized  with  an 
apoplectic  or  paralytic  attack,  and  must  have  lain  on  the  roadside  all  that  night — the 
stormiest  of  the  season — unmissed  by  the  members  of  his  household,  who  had  retired,  and 
untended  save  by  a  faithful  house  dog,  "  Spot."  Mr.  Sinclair  was  found  early  the  next 
morning,  and  at  once  conveyed  home  and  medical  attendance  procured.  There  appeared 
some  glimmerings  of  pleased  consciousness  in  response  to  expressions  of  affection  from 
his  family,  but  he  was  gradually  sinking,  and  expired  late  at  night  on  the  12th 
November,  1895.     The  New  Zealand  Herald  has  this  reference  to  him  : — 

"  His  familiar  figure  will  be  greatly  missed  in  Otahuhu.  He  was  a  kind,  genial  man,  well  read, 
and  full  of  information.  His  grasp  of  the  general  character  and  methods  of  science — particularly  what 
is  called  natural  history  science — his  knowledge  of  literature  and  all  literary  subjects,  combined  with 
great  kindness  of  manner,  were  invaluable  in  a  community  like  Otahuhu.  Up  to  the  very  last  he  kept 
up  a  correspondence  with  the  leading  literary  and  scientific  men  in  England  and  America.  It.  may 
be  truly  said  of  him  that  he  tried  '  to  learn  what  is  true,  in  order  to  do  what  is  right.'  " 

"  Board  of  Education. — The  late  Mr.  J.  L.  Sinclair  :  At  the  Board  of  Education  on  November 
19th,  1895,  a  well  deserved  tribute  of  respect  was  paid  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  J.  L.  Sinclair,  an  old 
servant  of  the  Board,  and  one  who  had  done  service  in  the  office  and  in  the  schools,  on  the  motion  of 
the  senior  member  of  the  Board,  Mr.  S.  Luke,  who  moved  that  a  letter  of  condolence  be  sent  to  the 
widow  and  children  of  the  deceased  gentleman,  and  in  speaking  in  support  of  it  he  said  the  deceased 
gentleman  was  an  estimable  man,  and  a  personal  friend  of  his  own.  Since  his  retirement  from  the 
Board's  services  he  had  taken  much  interest  in  educational  matters.  Three  of  his  daughters  were  now 
in  the  service  of  the  Board,  and  another,  who  had  to  resign  on  account  of  ill-health,  graduated  from 
their  own  University  College,  and  had  taken  her  degree  as  a  Master  of  Arts,  with  honours  in  Latin  and 
English.  Under  the  circumstances  it  seemed  to  him  (Mr.  Luke)  only  right  that  the  services  of  such  an 
old  teacher  should  be  recognised.  The  motion  was  seconded  by  the  Rev.  Canon  Bates,  and  supported 
by  several  other  members  of  the  Board,  who  referred  to  Mr.  Sinclair's  faithful  services  in  the  cause  of 
education.     It  is  needless  to  say  that  Mr.  Luke's  kindly  motion  was  carried  unanimously." 

At  the  twenty-third  session  of  the  Otahuhu  Mutual  Improvement  Association  on  1st 
May,  1896,  the  attendance  was  very  large.  After  the  minutes  had  been  read,  a  vote  of 
condolence  and  sympathy  with  the  widow  and  family  of  an  old  member,  the  late  Mr. 
J.  L.  Sinclair,  was  passed.  When  the  motion  was  put  the  whole  audience  rose  from 
their  seats  and  remained  standing. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sinclair  conjointly  produced  "  Orcadian  Rhymes,"  a  volume  of  poems 
which  they  published  at  Kelso  in  1864,  and  each  have  from  time  to  time  written  fugitive 
verses.  Mr.  Sinclair  wrote  an  excellent  Ode  on  the  occasion  of  the  Skaksperian 
Tercentenary,  and  won  a  prize  of  five  guineas  for  forty  lines  in  verse  appropriate  to  the 
opening  of  the  Opera  House  in  Auckland  in  i?82  :  the  five  guineas  went  forthwith  to  the 
fund  then  in  course  of  collection  for  the  distressed  Jews  in  Russia.  He  identified  himself 
with  politics  when  in  Orkney,  and  continued  to  do  so  until  the  last.  He  has  left  a  vast 
amount  of  epistolary  literature  extending  over  many  years  from  persons  eminent  in 
Great  Britain,  the  United  States,  and  elsewhere.  In  these  the  signatures  of  Sir  John 
Lubbock,  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  John  Bright,  etc.,  frequently  come  under  notice.      He 


ORCADIAN  SCIONS.  161 


left  some  3,000  volumes,  which  by  testamentary  disposition  25th  March,  1886,  were 
bequeathed  to  the  Auckland  University  College,  and  from  which  number  that  institution 
has  selected  580  volumes.  James  Leask  Sinclair,  heritor  of  Kirkwall,  Orcadian  verse- 
writer,  and  New  Zealand  colonist,  is  survived  by  his  wife,  by  whom  he  had  issue — 

26.  Elisabeth,  born  at  Kirkwall  13th  February,  1859  ;  res.  Pollok,  New  Zealand. 

27.  Jane  FlETT,  born  at  Kirkwall  2nd  January,  1S61  ;  res.  Hautapu,  New  Zealand. 

28.  Rowland  Williams,  born  at  Kirkwall  9th  July,  1862. 

29.  William,  born  at  Stromness  9th  Mar.,  1S64;  died  8th  July,  1S65,  on  board  "King  of  Italy." 

30.  John    William    ColEnso,    born    Takapuna,    N.Z.,    10th    April,    1866  ;    died    Auckland, 

2nd  January,  1867. 

31.  Mary  Muir,  born  Onehunga  2nd  June,  186S  ;  grad.  M.A.,  1889,  N.Z.  Univ.;  res.  Otahuhu. 

32.  James  Leask,  born  Auckland  City  iSth  April,  1870,  and  died  same  day. 

33.  John  James,  born  Kaurihohore  23rd  January,  1S72  ;  died  Taita,  29th  December,  1873. 

34.  William  Henry,  born  Taita,  29th  December,  1873  ;  died  Taita,  31st  October,  1874. 

35.  Ellen  Evangeline,  born  Taita  21st  December,  1S75  ;  res.  Otahuhu. 

36.  Clare,  born  and  dead  Auckland,  13th  September,  1878. 

37.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  seventh  son,  born  at  Auckland  17th  March,  1880  ;  collegiate  ; 

res.  Otahuhu  ;  is  Secretary  of  the  Mutual  Improvement  Society  there. 
Roland  William  St.  Claik  (28)  came  to  New  Zealand  with  his  parents  in  1S65. 
At  the  age  of  six  he  was  in  the  highest  class  in  the  Newton  Academy,  an  Auckland 
primary  school  ;  at  twelve  he  passed  highest  of  all  scholars  in  the  State  schools  of  the 
Wellington  Province,  N.Z.,  and  was  proxime  accessit  for  the  College  Scholarship  of  that 
year — 1874  ;  he  passed  the  Junior  Civil  Service  Examination  in  1883.  In  July,  1876,  he 
entered  the  office  of  the  Wellington  agency  for  McMeckan,  Blackwood  &  Co.'s  line  of 
steamers  in  the  Melbourne-New  Zealand  trade,  and  during  his  fifteenth  and  sixteenth 
years  he  occasionally  went  as  acting  purser  on  the  steamers  "Tui  "  and  "  Huia. "  In 
1879  he  transferred  to  Messrs.  W.  &  G.  Turnbull  &  Co.,  who  had  taken  the  agency 
of  the  "Tui"  and  "Huia,"  and  remained  in  the  service  of  that  firm  for  seven  years, 
retiring  on  the  31st  May,  1886,  to  rejoin  his  relatives  in  Auckland.  On  the  9th  July,  1886, 
he  varied  his  name  by  public  announcement  to  the  form  he  at  present  uses,  and  joined  the 
staff  of  Messrs.  T.  H.  Hall  &  Co.,  wholesale  merchants  in  Auckland,  on  the  1st  August, 
1887,  in  whose  employ  he  continues  to  hold  the  position  of  accountant.  Mr.  St.  Clair 
has  been  ardently  interested  in  rowTing  and  swimming,  more  especially  the  latter  pastime. 
He  was  Deputy-Captain  of  the  Wellington  Rowing  Club  in  1886,  and  has  since  1888 
been  a  prominent  official  of  the  Auckland  Swimming  Club,  of  which  he  has  been  a  director 
and  is  a  gold-medallist  life  member.  Mr.  St.  Clair  was  011  the  Committee  of  Management 
for  the  Jubilee  Celebration  at  Auckland,  and  secured  the  inclusion  of  a  Swimming 
Carnival  on  the  30th  January,  1890.  It  was  held  in  the  Calliope  Dock.*  Over  10,000 
persons  paid  for  admission.  The  proceeds  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  fund  towards 
endowing  the  Jubilee  Institute  for  the  Blind.  He  was  first  to  apply  the  racing  usage  of 
numbering  athletic  competitors,  a  practice  now  general  throughout  New  Zealand  and 
elsewhere  ;  and  inaugurated  the  celebration  of  the  1st  October  in  each  year  as  "Natation 
Day,"  when  Australasian  clubs  and  associations  assemble  in  re-union  and  exchange 
intercolonial  courtesies  by  electric  telegraph.  Mr.  St.  Clair  founded  the  New  Zealand 
Amateur  Swimming  Association  in  1890,  and  edited  the  Annuals  published  by  that  institu- 
tion, with  which  he  has,  however,  ceased  to  be  identified.  The  numerous  rules  codified  by 
him  in   the   1894-95  Annual   have   been   adopted  by  the  swimming   centres  throughout 


See  illustration   "Swimming,"   Badminton  Library, 


1 62  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

Australasia,  and  utilised  by  other  athletic  bodies  in  adapted  form.  The  New  Zealand 
Government  ordered  500  copies  of  that  issue  for  distribution  amongst  the  primary  schools. 
In  compliment  to  him  the  St.  Clair  Cross*  was  introduced  into  the  design  for  the 
registered  die,  and  to  him  is  due  in  no  small  degree  the  decision  of  the  New  Zealand 
Government  to  reward  bravery  and  merit  in  the  saving  of  life  by  the  presentation  of 
gold,  silver,  and  bronze  medals. t 

Reference  to  the  author's  ancestry  discloses  how  essentialby  Orcadian  is  his  origin. 
The  northland  names  of  Sinclair,  Mowat,  Flett,  Tulloch,  Borwick,  Peace,  Foubister,  etc., 
marshall  themselves  in  the  list  of  his  predecessors  ;  and  last  century  several  of  his 
ancestors  spoke  the  Norse  language.  Mr.  St.  Clair  accounts  himself  absolutely  Norse 
by  race. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  met  with  an  accident  in  1892  that  compelled  him  to  use  crutches  for 
nine  months.  During  the  evenings  at  home  of  that  period  this  book  was  evolved  and 
completed  in  the  summer  of  1893  ;  the  years  intervening  between  then  and  now  have 
been  occupied  in  finishing  off  the  work  and  collecting  replies  to  outstanding  queries. 

*  See  Vignette  in  Chapter  V.  |Press  Association  telegram,  29th  January,  1896. 


Round  Wiuiam  St.  Clair, 
Author  of  "  The  St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles. 


ZETLAND  SCIONS.  163 


THE    ST.   CLAIRS    OF    THE    ISLES. 

ZETLAND   SCIONS.* 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    BRUGH, 
Nesting. 

The  earliest  notice  of  this  family  is  to  be  found  in  the  "  Genealogie  of  the  Sainteclaires 
of  Rosslyn,"  on  page  57,  in  these  words  :  "The  reversal  concerning  Orknay  not  being 
found  sufficient  by  King  Haquin,  the  embassadors  sent  by  the  Earle  of  Orknay  were 
allowed  to  continue  in  the  city  of  Tesberge,  in  Norway,  till  his  Majestie  was  satisfied. 
In  the  meantime  there  was  a  marriage  concluded,  as  is  said,  betwixt  John  Saintclair, 
brother  to  the  Earle,  and  Ingeberg,  natural  daughter  to  Waldemarus,  King  of  Danemark, 
by  Jova  Litle,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Sir  John  Litle,  Commissioner  of  Rugen.  It  is 
alleged  that  his  sone  William  serv'd  the  Emperor  Henry  in  the  Holy  Warres  ;  that  in 
following  times  Henry  Saintclair,  a" second  son  of  that  House  of  Brook,  and  Laird  of 
Stomue,  left  a  sone  named  Heugh,  who  became  Laird  of  Brock,  and  espoused  Grisall 
Stewart,  daughter  to  Robert,  Earle  of  Orknay,  upon  whom  he  begot  Laurence,  Laird  of 
Brock,  who  had  by  Margaret,  daughter  to  James  Saintclair  of  Salaway,  in  Shetland, 
Heugh  Saintclair,  present  Laird  of  Brock  in  Orknay  ;  yet  I  scarcely  listen  to  what  is 
vulgarly  reported  of  the  pedigree  of  Brock  or  Brusck.  Few  evidences  may  clear  that 
genealogy."! 

I.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Strom  was  art  and  part  in  the  slaughter  of  John  St.  Clair, 
Earl  of  Caithness,  in  1529.  About  the  year  1530  he  acquired  the  lands  of  Brugh  from 
Margaret  Reid,  heretrix  of  one  Gilbert  Cant.  Eduerd  Synclar  of  Stroym  was  Fold  of 
Zetland  in  1536,  on  the  24th  June,  in  which  year  he  conveys  the  merk  lying  in  Russater 
in  Fetlair  to  Adam  of  Still. J  On  the  19th  September,  1539,  he  obtained  a  respite  for  his 
complicity  in  the  slaughter  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness, §  and  on  the  28th  October,  1544,  is 
found  an  attesting  witness  to  the  erection  of  certain  offices  in  the  Cathedral  Church  of 
Orkney. ||  In  1549  Margaret  Dischington,  his  wife,  is  noticed  as  under  the  special 
protection  of  Bishop  Reid. II     Strome  is  in  the  parish  of  Whiteness. 

II.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Strom  and  Brugh  was  probably  his  [second]  son.  On 
the  9th  December,  1561,  Mr.  Alex.  Dick,  Provost  of  the  Cathedral  Church  of  Orkney, 
and  two  chaplains  there,  found  caution  to  underly  the  law  on  15th  April  following,  for 
convocation  and  gathering  of  our  sovereign  lady's  lieges,  to  the  number  of  four  score 
persons,  in  September  last,  and  searching  for  Henry  Sinclair  of  Strom  and  Mr.  William 
Mudy,  with  intent  to  slaughter  them.*  He  died  in  1575,  having  married  Catherine 
Kennedy,  and  had  issue — 

Note. — At  the  loch  of  Strom  are  the  remains  of  a  castle,  once  the  residence  of  the  Earls  of 
Orkney,  of  whom  a  descendant  is  said  to  have  been  slain  by  his  father's  orders,  at  the  standing  stone 
of  Tingwall.     (Peace's  Handbook.) 

*  "Zetland  County  Families,"  by  Grant.  t  Hay.  {  Researches  by  Gilbert  Goudie. 

\  Barry's  App.  ||  Peterkin's  Rentals  App.  \  Craven. 


r64  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

1.  Hugh,  his  heir.  i.  Janet. 

2.  Captain  William,  born  1547,  was  a  witness  to  the  attempt  of  Cultmalindie  to  murder 

Arthur  Sinclair  of  Aith  at  Scalloway  in  1575. 

3.  Edward  of  Marrasetter,  in  Whalsay,  served  heir  to  his  brother  Oliver,   18th  August, 

1618,  and  died  14th  September,  1622.     He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Andrew  Gifford 
of  Weathersta,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Andrew  of  Marrasetter.  2.  Henry.  3.  DonsiE. 

4.  Oliver  of  Easthouse,  father  of— 

1.  Hugh  of  Easthouse,  who  married  Lilias  Sinclair,  and 
1.  Martha,  who  married  William  Adamson. 

III.  Hugh  Sinclair  of  Brugh  got  a  charter  under  the  Great  Seal  on  7th  November, 
I587 — under  the  declaration  that  the  lands  were  to  descend  according  to  the  custom  in 
Scotland,  and  not  to  be  divided  among  his  children  as  was  usual  in  udal  holdings — of  the 
lands  called  the  canonical  lands  of  the  Cathedral  of  Orkney,  and  lying  in  the  parishes  of 
Dunrossness,  Burra,  Goldberryvik,  Quhyteness,  Weisdaill,  Sandsting,  Delting,  Yell, 
Fetlair,  and  Unst.  The  Vicarage  of  Nesting,  Quhalsa,  and  Lunnasting  was  at  this  time 
set  in  tack  to  the  "  guidman  of  Burghe,"  and  "  the  Channonis  landis  set  in  few  be  Sir 
James  Hay  to  Hew  Sinclar  off  Burghe  and  payis  yeirlie  to  his  Majestie  £20  13s.  4d. " 
Colbein  Ormesone  of  Symbuster  conveys  certain  lands  on  the  20th  November,  1581,  to 
"  Ane  honorabill  man  and  my  guid  freind  Hew  Sinclair  of  Burt,"  with  obligation, 
in  the  event  of  himself  or  heirs  requiring  to  dispose  of  any  portion  of  his  lands  in 
Symbuster,  to  offer  the  same  first  to  the  said  Hew,  and  if  he  or  they  should  do  so  otherwise 
in  ignorance,  the  same  to  be  null  and  of  none  effect,  because  "the  said  land  is  lineallie 
discendit  of  the  house  and  stock  of  Burt."  The  deed  was  dated  at  Burt,  that  is, 
Brugh.*  On  7th  October,  1590,  Robert,  Earl  of  Orkney,  was  bound  in  5,000  merks 
not  to  harm  Hew  Sinclair  of  Brugh.  He  also  got  a  charter  from  Robert,  Earl  of 
Orkney,  lo  him  and  "to  the  airis  lawfully  gotten  betwixt  him  and  umquhill  Grissell 
Stewart,  our  dochter  naturall,  ilk  ane  efter  utheris  successivlie  without  any  divisioune  of 
landis,"  of  the  lands  of  Howsbie  and  the  Isle  of  Auskerry  in  Orkney,  on  21st  April,  1591. 
On  30th  June,  1597,  he  is  ordained  by  the  Privy  Council  to  find  caution  to  the  extent  of 
5,000  marks.  On  23rd  December,  1597,  he  amongst  others  preferred  a  complaint  against 
the  Balfours  of  Montquhanny,  Stratherne,  and  Garth.  He  died  about  1605,  having 
married  (first)  the  said  Grissell  Stewart,  and  (second)  Jean,  d.  of  Alex.  Bruce  of 
Cultmalindie,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Robert,  his  heir.  2.  Laurence,  aftermentioned  (No.  V.) 

3.  Henry,  m.  Margaret  Umphray  (d.  4th  March,  1645),  and  had— 

1.  Hew.        2.  Patrick.  i.  Helen.        2.  Jean. 

4.  Alexander. 

1.  Margaret,  m.  Malcolm  Sinclair  of  Quendale. 

2.  Christina,  m.  Jas.  Sinclair  of  Goat,  and  served  heir  portioner  of  her  brother  Robert, 

on  14th  March,  1626. 

IV.  Robert  Sinclair  of  Brugh  was  served  heir  to  his  father  and  grandfather  on 
8th  October,  1605,  in  the  Barony  of  Brugh,  consisting  of  182  merks  of  land  in  Nesting, 
23^  in  Weisdale,  7  in  Whiteness,  16  in  Sandsting  and  Aithsting,  43^3  in  Walls,  9  in 
Northmaven,  37  in  Bressay,  15  in  Delting,  5  in  Burra,  and  9  in  Unst,  amounting  in  all 
to  347/^  merks.  The  inventory  of  his  plate  and  household  goods  shows  that  he  was 
possessed  of  82  horses,  38  mares,  60  oxen,  118  cows,  3,060  sheep,  165  barrels  of  oats, 

*  Goudie. 


ZETLAND  SCIONS.  165 


212  barrels  of  bear,  and  3  chalders  of  bear.     He  died  before  31st  July,  1607,  apparently 
unniarried,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother 

V.  Laurence  Sinclair,  Fifth  of  Brugh,  who  on  that  date  (31st  July,  1607)  was 
served  heir  to  his  father  Hugh  in  the  Barony  of  Brugh.  He  was  a  witness  at  the  trial  of 
Patrick,  Earl  of  Orkney,  before  the  Privy  Council,  in  1610  ;  and  was  appointed  on 
10th  August,  1614,  a  commissioner  to  apprehend  any  of  the  rebels  of  Orkney  who  may 
proceed  to  Shetland.  He  died  in  December,  1659,  having  married  Margaret,  d.  of  James 
Sinclair  of  Scalloway,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Hugh,  his  heir.  1.  Jean,  married  to  David  Stewart  in  Sandwick. 

VI.  Hugh  Sinclair,  Last  of  Brugh,  only  son,  served  heir  to  his  father  on  6th 
June,  1671,  and  again  on  nth  June,  1706  ;  was  a  Commissioner  of  Supply  for  Zetland  in 
1678  and  1704.  He  granted  a  wadset  for  500  merks  to  James  Mitchell  of  Girlesta  over 
his  9  merks  land  in  Stensland,  in  the  parish  of  Walls,  3  merks  in  Tresta  in  Aithsting, 
and  the  island  of  Linga,  lying  in  Whalsay  Sound,  on  the  26th  January,  1697.  He 
married  a  daughter  of  Murray  of  Clairden.  The  estate  of  Brugh  became  the  property  of 
the  Braces  of  Symbister,  in  whose  possession  it  still  remains. 

An  incident  known  as  "The  Skerry  Fight "  has  reference  to  this  family  {voce  Hibbert).  Some 
fishermen  on  the  Busta  estate  erected  a  booth  in  pursuance  of  an  old  custom  since  legalised.  Re-occu. 
pying  it  the  following  summer,  and  armed  in  expectation  of  dispute,  they  were  besieged  by  the 
Sinclairs,  headed  by  their  lady.  After  a  discharge  of  firearms  on  each  side,  Magnus  Flaws,  one  of  the 
Sinclair  party,  on  attempting  to  break  in  through  the  roof,  was  shot  dead  by  the  Giffords,  upon  which 
the  Sinclairs  at  once  retired,  leaving  their  chieftainess  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Gifford  of  Busta 
was  at  that  time  (after  1706)  steward  of  the  Islands,  but  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  take  official 
cognizance  of  the  misdeeds  of  the  family  dependents.  Till  within  the  last  twenty  years  or  so  the  remains 
of  the  chapel  of  the  Sinclairs,  Barons  of  Brugh  or  Burgh,  delineated  in  Hibbert,  were  standing  not  far 
from  the  head  of  Catfirth  Voe,  but,  stones  being  scarce  in  Shetland,  they  were  pulled  down  to  build  a 
dyke  round  the  burial  ground  of  Garth.*  On  the  south  side  of  the  bay  of  Nesting  are  the  ruins  of  the 
mansion-house  of  the  Barons  of  Brugh,  the  Scottish  family  named  Sinclair,  established  in  Shetland 
by  James  VI.  in  1587,  on  condition  that  they  should  hold  their  land  by  feudal  tenure,  and  not  according 
to  the  ancient  law  of  Udal  succession,  the  king  at  that  time  being  desirous  of  obliterating  all  traces  of 
Norwegian  rule.  In  the  same  vicinage  are  the  ruins  of  an  ancient  chapel,  of  which  tradition  vouchsafes 
no  history. t 

The  arms  of  the  Brugh  family  appear  in  the  Armoury. 

THE   SINCLAIRS    OF    HOUSS,  AITH,  and  SCALLOWAY, 
Burka,  Etc. 

I.  William  Sinclair  of  Houss  must  have  been  born  about  1460.  He  fought  at 
Summerdale  on  iSth  May,  1529,  for  which  he  was  respited  on  the  19th  September,  1539. 
He  died  in  1539,  and  is  said  to  have  married  Elizabeth,  d.  of  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath 
in  Caithness,  but  the  dates  do  not  admit  of  such  a  supposition.     He  had  issue — 

1.  Magnus,  his  heir.  2.  Lawrence  (perhaps  of  Norbister). 

1.  Jean,  b.  cir  1485,  married  Henry  Sinclair  of  Havera.  2.  Elizabeth. 

II.  Magnus  Sinclair  of  Houss  may  be  the  Magnus  Sinclare  respited  for  having 
also  fought  at  Summerdale  in  1529.  "  Mawnyss  Sinclar,  ane  worschipfull  man," 
appends  his  seal  as  witness  to  a  conveyance  executed  at  Tygwall  in  Schetland  the  27th 
October,  1525.  Mawnis  Sinclair  of  Howss  affixes  seal  as  witness  to  grant  by  Iggabrocht 
Kotrinsdocther  in  favour  of  Gylbert  Kant  of  Brocht  made  at  St.  Lorence  Kyrk  of  Burray 
nth  March,  1547.;     He  married  Janet,  d.  of  Wm.  Keith,  and  died  in  1557. 

*  Tudor.  t  Peace's  Handbook.  J  Goudie. 


1 66  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 


III.  Lorknck  Sinclair  of  Norbister,  attested  execution  of  the  deed  by  Ingaborg 
on  the  nth  March,  1547.      He  married  Marion  Katell,  and  had  issue — 

1.  James  Sinclair  of  Norbister,  who  had  issue — 

1.  Margaret,  married  Robert  Tulloch,  in  Warbister,   Burra,  and  died  March,  1623, 

leaving  issue. 

2.  Catherine,  mother  of  Andrew  Thomason. 

Margaret  and  Catherine,  as  heirs  portioners  of  their  father,  on  25th  October, 
1609,  disponed  their  four  merks  land  in  the  Isle  of  Halvery  to  Laurence  Sinclair 
of  Houss. 
Lorence   Sinclair   of  Norbister   (with   consent   of  his   son   and   lawful    heir  James 

Sinclair,  and  of  Marion  Katell  his  wife,  mother  of  the  said  James)  disponed  on  3rd  July, 

1 560,  to  his  brother 

IV.  Lawranss  Sinclar  of  Sandes,  Burgess  of  Kirkwall,  the  lands  of  Houss  in 
Burra.  How  the  two  Laurences  were  brothers  does  not  appear,  but  the  documents  are 
explicit  in  so  describing  them.  He  witnesses  a  deed  at  Scalloway  27th  July,  1567.* 
Laurence  of  Sandes  married  Janet  Strang,  who  survived  him,  and  had  issue — 

r.  Arthur,  his  heir. 

2.  Edward  of  Scalloway,  who  on  21st  August,  1580,  granted  a  charter  of  3  merks  in  Houss 

with  consent  of  Barbara  Mowat,  his  spouse,  to  his  brother-german  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Aith. 

3.  David  of  Hun  ton,  in  Orkney,  which  lands  he  acquired  1588  (Reg.  G.  .Seal),  father  of 

John  and  of 

Christian,  who  married  Jas.  Strang  of  Voesgarth,  who  thus  acquired  the  18  merks 
of  land  in  Melby  known  as  "The  Sinclair's  Last." 
Hunton  was  one  of  those  complaining  against  the  Balfours  23rd  December,  1597.    A  David 
Sinclair  is  Foud  of  Burra  in  1603. 

4.  James  of  Mail  (died  23rd  May,  1622),  married  Margaret  Harcus,  and  had  issue — 

1.  James,  who  disponed  the  lands  of  Mail  (26th  June,  1622)  to  his  brother  Hew. 

2.  Hew  of  Mail,  who,  on  14th  August,  1620,  granted  a  charter  to  Laurence  Sinclair  of 

Houss  of  lands  in  the  island  of  West  Burra. 

3.  Michael,  perhaps  father  of  Margaret,  married  to  Gilbert  Gifford  of  Uphouse. 

4.  Edward.        5.  Thomas.         i.  Janet.         2.  Poll. 

5.  William  of  Ustaness,  "  ane  honorabill  man,"  whose  signet  Colbeiu  Ormeson  "procures 

with  greit  instance,"  20th  November,  1581.  On  30th  June,  1597,  he  was  ordained  by  the 
Privy  Council  to  find  caution  tor  2,000 merks,  to  maintain  good  order  within  his  land.  On 
23rd  December,  1597,  he  is  one  of  the  complainants  against  the  Balfours.  He  died 
December,  1610,  having  married  Elizabeth  Sinclair  (perhaps  daughter  of  Alex.  Sinclair 
of  Dunbeath),  and  had  issue — 

1.  Laurence  of  Ustaness,  found  guilt}'  16th  August,  1602,  of  being  art  and  part  in 
the  murder  of  Mathew  Sinclair  of  Ness,  and  on  1st  October,  1611,  charged  along 
with  others  before  the  Privy  Council  with  having,  as  a  servant  of  Patrick,  Earl  of 
Orkney,  committed  all  kinds  of  wickedness  and  iniquity.  As  he  failed  to  appear 
he  was  denounced  rebel.     He  had  issue — 

1.  Captain  William,  his  eldest  son,   a  witness  along  with  his  father  to  a 

charter  by  Nichol  Rattray  in  Collasetter,  to  Patrick  Cheyne  of  Vaila,  on 
17th  June,  1637,  probably  identical  with  Colonel  William  Sinclair,  in 
charge  of  Fort  Charlotte,  Lerwick,  1665,  and  with  Colonel  William 
Sinclair,  who  was  a  Commissioner  of  Supply  for  Zetland  in  1667  ;  and 

2.  Robert. 

6.  Olave  of  Norbie,  called  father's  brother  to  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Ustaness  in  a  charter  by 

the  latter  to  him  on  24th  September,  1622,  of  the  four  merks  land  of  Watsness  and 
Swenester,  in  Walls.     He  died  April,  1632,  leaving  issue — 

1.  Laurence  in  Suthahouse,  who  with  his  brother  Henry  was  a  witness  to  the  sasine 


Goudie. 


ZETLAND  SCIONS.  167 


of  his  father  in  the  lands  of  Watsness,  Sth  October,  1622.     He  was  probably  grand- 
father of 

Laurence  Sinclair,  portioner  of  Norbie,  who  disponed  4  inerks  of  land  in 
Norbie  to  Jas.  Mitchell  of  Girlesta  on   27th   Sept.,   1716,  with  consent  of  his 
spouse  Ingagerth  Walter's  daughter,  and 
Walter  Sinclair,  his  eldest  son. 

2.  Henry  of  Swenester,  who  had  a  son 

John,  father  of 

Henry,  whose  only  surviving  daughter 

Elizabeth  married  Thos.  Robertson  in  Crawton,  in  Sand- 
ness,  and  disponed  her  4  merks  of  Swenester  to  John 
Scott  of  Melby,  20th  November,  1802. 

3.  Arthur.        4.  Robert.        5.  Daniel.        6.  Jerome. 

1.  Orsella,  who  along  with  her  five  brothers,  disponed  their  21  merks  land  in  Hellywick  in 

Burra  to  their  brother  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Aith  on  16th  August,  1587.  She  will  be  the 
Ursilla  Sinclair  married  to  the  Rev.  Jas.  Pitcairn,  Vicar  of  Northmaven  in  1578,  to  which 
he  was  then  presented  by  King  James  VI. 

2.  Janet,  married  James  Sinclair  of  Brew. 

V.  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Aith  was  Sheriff  of  Shetland  in  1572.  He  presented  the 
Bill  of  Complaint  against  Laurence  Bruce  of  Cultmalindie  in  1576,  in  which  he  states 
that  "he(A.S.)  and  his  foirbears  hes  had  the  tak  and  rowme  of  the  land  lyand  in  the 
parochin  of  Dunrossness,  extending  to  xxxii.  merk  land,  with  auchtein  merk  land  in 
Ayth."  He  further  declares  that  he  possesses  the  heritable  title  to  St.  Ninian's  Isle  in 
Dunrossness.  Various  acquisitions  of  land  by  him  are  enumerated,  extending  from  1572 
to  1617.  On  one  occasion  he  pays  as  much  as  ,£2,000  scots,  while  on  another  he  dispones 
a  small  allotment  of  16ft.  x  40ft.  "  within  the  boundis  of  Scalloway  "  for  a  certain  sum 
paid  to  him  in  his  "  urgent  necessitie."  This  was  in  1592,  only  one  year  after  he  had 
acquired  the  "toun  of  Scalloway."  On  30th  June,  1597,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Privy 
Council  to  find  caution  for  good  rule  within  his  lands  to  the  extent  of  2,000  merks.  On 
23rd  December,  1597,  he  is  one  of  those  who  prefer  the  complaint  against  the  Balfours. 
His  territorial  designation  of  Aith  was  not  perpetuated,  and  thus  he  has  ceased  to  be 
remembered.  He  is,  however,  entitled  in  the  history  of  the  Islands  to  be  regarded  as 
the  foremost  of  native  patriots.*  He  held  in  tack  the  Vicarage  of  Unst.  He  received  a 
charter  from  Adam  Sinclair  of  Brew  on  1st  August,  1617,  and  died  soon  after,  having 
married  Margaret  Colville,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Laurence,  his  heir.  2.  James  of  Scalloway  (see  No.  VIII.) 

3.  William,  witness  to  a  charter  by  Nicoll  Thomeson  in  Blowstay,  to  his  father,  of  lands  in 

Isle  of  Trondra,  19th  April,   1615,  probably  identical  with  Wm.  of  Reawick,  who  married 
Mary  Bruce. 
1.  Margaret,  m.  Magnus  Henderson  of  Buness.  2.  Janet. 

VI.  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Houss  had  a  disposition  from  Robert,  Earl  of  Orkney, 
on  15th  August,  1588,  of  the  lands  of  St.  Ninian's  Isle  in  Dunrossness.  The  Wemyss, 
Lawrence  Sinclair,  fiar  of  Aith,  etc.,  lodge  a  complaint  against  the  bailies  of  Dysart, 
17th  February,  1607,  which  was  disallowed  ;  and  on  the  31st  March  following  the  bailies 
lodge  a  counter  complaint.  On  21st  January,  161 2,  he  and  his  brother  James,  with  some 
forty  retainers,  are  charged  before  the  Privy  Council  with  assaulting  Robert  Bruce,  son 
of  William  Bruce  of  Symbister.  He  was  served  heir  to  his  father,  17th  August,  1632, 
married  Elizabeth  Sinclair,  who  died  in  February,  1634,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Arthur,  his  heir.  2.  John.  3.  George.  4.  Laurence. 

1.  Grizel.        2.  Margaret.        3.  Barbara.        4.  Elizabeth.        5.  Helen.        6.  Anna. 


Gouilie. 


1 68  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

VII.  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Houss  served  heir  to  his  grandfather,  17th  October, 
1634.  The  estate,  as  specified  in  the  deed,  is  very  extensive,  comprehending  Houss  and 
other  places  in  the  Isles  of  Burra,  and  numerous  lands  in  Dunrossness,  Tingwall,  White- 
ness, Weisdale,  and  Bressay.  The  Dunrossness  property  is  described  as  "five  lie  lasts 
of  the  lands  of  Brow,"  i.e.,  90  merks  in  all.  He  died  15th  November,  1667,  having 
married  Barbara,  daughter  of  Arthur  Barclay  of  Boghills,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Arthur,  died  young.         1.  Grizel,  married  her  cousin  Arthur  Sinclair,  son  of 

VIII.  James  Sinclair  of  Scalloway,  second  son  of  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Aith,  who 
had  received  charter  from  his  brother  Laurence  of  the  Kirkland  of  Scalloway,  which  had 

been  disponed  by  the  deceased  Patrick  Cheyne  to  Robert ,  and  by  him  to  umquhile 

Arthur  Sinclair,  their  father,  on  6th  December,  1619.  He  was  a  Commissioner  of  Supply 
for  Zetland  in  1661  and  1667.  He  married  (first)  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Sinclair  of 
Brew,  and  (second)  Margaret,  daughter  of  George  Smelholme,  merchant  in  Leith,  and 
had  issue — 

1.  George,  died  young.        2.  John,  died  young.        3.  Arthur,  his  heir. 

1.  Margaret  (died  28th  April,  1646),  in.  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Brugh. 

2.  Elizabeth,  m.  1646  Wm.  Bruce  of  Sumburgh  and  d.s.p. 

IX.  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Scalloway  succeeded  his  father  therein,  and  by  his 
marriage  with  his  cousin,  Grizel  Sinclair  of  Houss,  he  also  acquired  that  property. 
He  was  a  Commissioner  of  Supply  for  Zetland  in  1678.     He  had  issue — 

1    Arthur,  his  heir.  2.  Charles  (see  No.  XII.) 

3.  Laurence  of  Sandsound,  father  of— 

John  and  Catherine. 
1.  Margaret,  m.  Andrew  Bruce,  tutor  of  Muness,  who  d.  1696. 

X.  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Scalloway,  married,  1692,  Katherine,  daughter  of 
Laurence  Bruce  of  Symbister,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Arthur,  his  heir.  1.  Barbara,  m.  James  Mitchell  of  Girlesta. 

XL  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Scalloway,  bound  apprentice  to  Alexander  Guthrie, 
W.S.,  in  June,  1704,  died  30th  December,  1705.  On  29th  November,  1692,  this  Arthur 
was  served  heir  to  his  grand-uncle,  James  Smelholme.     He  was  succeeded  by  his  uncle 

XII.  Charles  Sinclair  of  Scalloway,  to  whom,  in  1706,  his  mother  Grizel 
Sinclair  disponed  the  lands  of  Houss.  He  died  at  Edinburgh  3rd  July,  1710,  having 
married  Katherine,  daughter  of  Robert  Bruce  of  Sumburgh,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Arthur,  next  of  Scalloway.  2.  Robert,  his  heir.  3.  Laurence. 

XIII.  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Scalloway  was  drowned  going  to  college  at 
Aberdeen  in  17 16. 

XIV.  Robert  Sinclair  of  Scalloway,  born  1702,  was  served  heir  to  his  father 
on  9th  July,  1728,  and  died  3rd  January,  1741.  He  married  (first),  in  1721,  Philadelphia, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Dalmahay,  Bart.,  of  that  Ilk,  and  had  issue  one  son  and  two 
daughters — 

1.  James,  his  heir. 

1.  Anne,  born  1722,  died  1757.  married  (contract  dated  19th  January,  1748)  John  Scott  of  Melby. 

2.  Katherine,  died  27th  August,  1772  ;  married  in  1750  James  Scott,  merchant,  afterwards  of 

Scalloway. 

Robert  Sinclair  married  (second)  Barbara,  daughter  of  John  Montgomery  of  Wrae, 
but  had  no  issue.  His  widow  re-married  Robert  Sinclair  of  Quendale.  An  epitaph  in 
Latin  and  an  elegy  were  composed   on  the  occasion  of  his  death  by  the  Rev.  John 


ZETLAND  SCIONS.  169 


Skinner,  Episcopal  clergyman,  at  one  time  tutor  in  the  family.  They  appear  in  the 
collected  edition  (Aberdeen,  1809),  of  the  works  of  the  author  who  was  father  of  Bishop 
Skinner,  well-known  as  composer  of  the  "  Reel  of  Tullochgorum."* 

XV.  James  Sinclair,  Last  of  Scalloway  and  Houss,  born  16th  August,  1726, 
died  August,  1762,  unmarried.  In  a  deed  of  1760  he  is  designed  "great  grandson  and 
only  heir  of  the  deceased  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Houss,  heritor  and  udaller. "  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  sister  Katherine  and  his  niece  Philadelphia,  daughter  of  John  Scott  of 
Melby,  by  whom  the  estate  was  disponed  on  30th  April,  1771,  to  James  Scott,  merchant 
in  Scalloway,  husband  of  the  said  Katherine  Sinclair. 

Trondra  and  the  Burra  Isles  were  long  owned  by  the  Sinclairs  of  Houss,  an  ancient 
family  descended  from  the  Orkney  Earls,  t  Houss  is  in  the  Isle  of  Burra  ;  Aith  in 
Aithsting  or  Cunningsburgh  ;  and  Scalloway  in  Tingwall.  Carrick  Pursuivant  perused 
no  less  than  595  deeds  in  connection  with  this  family  alone.  One  of  the  instruments  is  a 
Commission  by  Christian  IV.  of  Denmark  to  Magnus  Sinclair,  captain  of  the  "  Leo- 
parden,"  bearing  date  21st  April,  1627,  at  the  Palace  of  Copenhagen.  Mogens  Sinclair 
is  written  over  a  previously  deleted  name,  which  appears  to  be  Mogens  Davidszen.* 
Arms,  see  the  St.  Clair  Armoury. 

THE   SINCLAIRS  OF   BREW, 

DUNROSSNESS. 

I.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Hayera  is  noticed  in  the  conveyance  at  Tyngwall  27th 
October,  1525,  when  the  granter,  Thomas  Olosone  of  Wrasettyr,  states,  "In  witness  of 
the  quhilk  thyng  becauss  I  had  no  propir  saill  present  1  haiff  procurit  one  and  haiff 
gyffyne  my  full  powir  to  Nicoll  Hawcro  of  Tygwall  to  procure  the  signet  of  ane 
worschipfull  man  Henry  Sincleir  of  Hawere."*  He  died  in  the  year  1545,  leaving  by  his 
wife  Jean,  daughter  of  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Houss,  a  son, 

II.  Olave  Sinclair  of  Hayera,  who  fought  on  the  side  of  the  Islesmen  at 
Summerdale  in  1529,  obtaining  a  respite  on  19th  September,  1539,  for  same.  He 
held  a  scuin  session  at  Howeff  on  the  10th  December,  1546,  at  which  he  presided  "ane 
honorabill  man  Olave  Sinclayr  of  Havoray,  heyd  Fold  of  Zetland,"  whose  seyll  Thorald 
Sudyrland  of  Brucht,  having  none  of  his  own,  procuryt  with  greyt  instance.*  He 
subsequently  held  the  office  of  Great  Fowde  of  Zetland  ;  and  on  17th  July,  1567,  having 
failed  to  account  to  the  Crown  for  the  mails  and  rents  of  the  Islands,  he  is  ordered  by  the 
Privy  Council  to  be  put  to  the  horn  if  he  does  not  do  so  within  twenty  days.  A  MS.  in 
the  Advocates'  Library  states  that  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary,  his  part  of  the  country 
was  several  times  invaded  by  Hutcheon  Macleod  of  the  Lewis,  to  avenge  the  death  of  his 
brother  William,  who,  it  is  asserted,  had  been  treacherously  slain  at  the  instigation  of 
Oliver.  During  one  of  these  raids  no  less  than  60  persons  were  slain  near  Quendale,  and 
Oliver  himself  only  escaped  by  leaping  over  Sumburghhead,  and  landing  on  a  piece  of 
grass  in  the  cleft  in  the  rock,  he  received  no  further  injury  than  the  loss  of  an  eye.  On 
one  of  these  occasions  the  Laird  of  Brew  is  stated  to  have  defeated  the  Lewis-men  on  the 
Links  of  Sumburgh,  between  the  Pool  of  Virkie  and  Grutness  Voe,  when  they  were  slain 
to  a  man.  t  The  scenes  of  conflict  are  still  pointed  out  at  the  sandy  shore  at  Scousburgh, 
where  are  the  "Lewis  Scords."  It  was  this  Laird  of  Brew  who  entertained  James 
Hepburn,  Earl  of  Bothwell,  when  he  fled  to  Shetland  in  1567,  after  the  defeat  of  Queen 

*  Goudie.  t  Peace's  Almanac,  1SS6.  %  Hibbert. 


.-jo 


THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 


Mary  at  Carberry  Hill.  Bothwell,  Duke  of  Orkney,  on  arriving  at  Shetland,  entered 
into  a  contract  with  Geert  Hemelingk  of  Bremen,  dated  at  Schvineborchovett,  i.e., 
Sumburghhead,  the  15th  August,  a.d.  1567,  for  the  hire  of  his  ship,  the  "  Pelican,"  and 
for  another  ship  of  a  Hanseatic  merchant  then  on  the  coast.  Both  ships  were  taken  in 
command  by  Bothwell,  along  with  the  two  smaller  vessels  in  which  he  and  his  party  had 
escaped  from  Scotland.  Olaf  Sinclair  of  Bru,  designed  as  "  Kemener  und  overste 
principall  van  Hidtland,"  gave  a  testimonial  to  Hemelingk's  character  as  an  honourable 
merchant  in  Shetland.  Bothwell  was  at  dinner  with  Olafe  Sinclair  when  Kirkcaldy  of 
Grange  and  the  other  pursuers  arrived.  Bothwell  with  the  "Pelican"  and  his  other 
ships,  after  a  battle  fought  with  his  pursuers  off  the  Shetland  coast,  was  seized  in 
Norway  and  detained  a  prisoner,  and  Hemelingk  craved  the  intervention  of  the  Bremen 
authorities  for  the  restitution  of  his  ship,  and  the  payment  of  charter  money  due  by 
Bothwell.  The  testimonial  from  Olaf  Sinclair  of  Bru,  the  petition  from  Hemelingk,  and 
the  letter  thereupon  from  the  authorities  at  Bremen  to  Frederick  II.  of  Denmark  are 
preserved  in  the  Danish  Royal  Archives.*  Olave  Sinclair,  by  his  will  dated  18th 
February,  1570,  divided  his  whole  lands  among  his  three  sons,  James,  Mathew,  and 
William.  He  died  before  1579.  By  his  wife  Margaret,  daughter  of  Alexander  Baird, 
he  had — 

1.  James,  his  heir. 

2.  Mathew  of  Ness.     At  Holyroodhouse,  on  25th  April,  1573,  the  Aberdeen  magistrates  were 

ordered  to  search  for  and  secure  James  (called  Captn.)  Halkerston,  Mathow  Sinclair,  and 
their  complices,  notorious  pirattis,  who  took  a  ship  in  Burntisland  and  harried  the 
Shetlands,  seizing  the  King's  proper  rents  and  carried  them  to  Aberdeen.  He  was 
murdered  on  27th  June,  1602,  by  Francis  Sinclair  of  Uvea  and  his  brother,  Robert  Sinclair, 
both  his  nephews  ;  John  Bruce,  servitor  to  Adam  Sinclair  of  Brew  ;  John,  son  to  Laurence 
Sinclair  of  Goat;  Laurence,  son  to  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ustaness;  and  John  Lindsay,  servitor 
to  Robert  Sinclair,  who  were  all  found  guilty  of  the  crime  before  the  Lawting  Court  at 
Scalloway  on  16th  August,  1602,  and  being  fugitive  therefor,  their  whole  goods,  gear,  and 
lands  were  forfeited.  Garth  Hemlein,  the  Bremen  trader,  was  also  suspected  of  com- 
plicity.    He  had  a  son — 

Edward,  who  succeeded  him  in  Ness,  and  married  Isabel  Gordon. 

3.  William  of  Underhoull,  for  whom  caution  is  required  3rd  June,   1573 — in  which  year  a 

Wm.  Sinclair  is  Fowd  of  Zetland.  He  had  on  5th  March,  157 1,  a  charter  under  the  Great 
Seal,  as  one  of  the  heirs  of  his  father,  of  57^  merks  land,  including  Busta  and  Weathersta, 
in  the  parish  of  Delting,  32  in  Nesting,  21  in  Whalsay,  44^  in  Yell,  241^  including  Under- 
houll and  Uyea,  in  Unst,  5^  in  Fetlar,  2  in  Bressay,  3  in  Aithsting,  6  in  Burra,  37  in 
Whiteness,  48  in  Sandsting,  and  6  in  Dunrossness  ;  in  all  504/4'  merks.  As  deputy  of 
Cultmalindie  he  is  charged,  together  with  his  nephew,  Robert  (Edward  ?)  of  Ness,  in  1575, 
with  oppressing  the  inhabitants  of  the  Isles  of  Unst  and  Yell  ;  and  on  15th  February  of 
that  year  he  was  ordained  to  find  caution  and  lawburrows  to  the  parishioners  ot  Unst.  On 
7th  February,  1579,  he  granted  a  charter  to  his  eldest  son  Francis,  of  the  lands  which 
belonged  to  his  deceased  father,  Olave  Sinclair  of  Brew.  In  1579  he  assigned  certain 
lands  to  Sir  James  Hay,  Vicar  of  Unst,  as  security  for  money  lent.  The  deed  contains  an 
endorsement  acknowledging  the  final  repayment  on  18th  July,  1580.  He  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  John  Stewart,  Prior  of  Coldingham  (a  natural  son  of  King  James  V., 
and  consequently  half-brother  of  Queen  Mary),  who  after  his  death  married  Wm.  Bruce  of 
Sumburgh,  (and  after  her  death  the  latter  married  (2nd)  14th  February,  1595, 
Isabella,  daughter  of  Sir  Jas.  Spence  of  Wormiston,  and  sister  to  Sir  James  Spens,  in  1622 
created  Baron  Spens  of  Orreholmen,  in  Vestergotland).  On  the  outlawry  of  his  stepson 
Sumburgh  obtained  possession  of  the  property  of  his  marital  predecessor,  Underhoull. 
Underhoull  had  issue — 


ZETLAND  SCIONS.  17 1 


1.  Francis  of  Uyea,  found  guilty  of  being  art  and  part  in  the  murder  of  his  uncle, 

Mathew  of  the  Ness,  in  1602.  On  30th  June,  1597,  he  is  ordained  to  find  caution 
by  the  Privy  Council  to  the  amount  of  500  merks  to  maintain  good  rule  within  his 
lands.  He  disponed  12  merks  of  his  lands  in  Underhoull  to  James,  son  of  the 
deceased  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Aith,  by  a  charter  dated  at  Edinburgh  4th  February, 
1617  ;  and  on  9th  August,  1634,  he  witnesses  a  charter  by  Erasmus  Manson  in 
Southsetter,  in  favour  of  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Houss. 

2.  Robert.     This  is   probably   the   Robert   Sinclar,   "  ensenzie  "   (ensign)  to   Captn. 

Lawrence  Sinkler,  whom  Jerhome  Paintland,  lieutenant,  is  cautioned,  27th  April, 
1605,  in  ,£500,  not  to  harm  while  he  remains  in  Scotland.  He  was  also  found 
guilty  of  the  murder  of  his  uncle  Mathew.  Outlawed  as  above-mentioned, 
Francis  and  Robert  Sinclair,  following  their  own  courses,  fell  into  evil  habits  and 
bad  company  in  Scotland,  resulting  in  poverty,  discord,  and  litigation.  This 
appears  from  a  process  at  later  date  by  Jas.  Sinclair  of  Scalloway  against  Andrew 
Bruce  of  Muness.* 

3.  James.  i.  Katherine.  2.  Margaret. 

1.  Barbara,  married  Adam  Xeven  of  Scousburgh. 

2.  ,  married  Richard  Leask,  who  was  slain  at  the  door  of  Sandwick  Church  by  a  servant 

of  Henry  Sinclair  of  Sandwick. 

III.  James  Sinclair  of  Brew  is  probably  the  sir  James  Sinclair,  notary  public  at 
Scalloway,  who  affixes  his  seal  to  a  conveyance  dated  27th  July,  1567.  He  granted  a 
discharge  in  1588  to  Laurence  Bruce  of  Cultmalindie  for  the  sum  of  ,£200  scots,  being 
part  of  a  sum  of  ^1,100  of  tocher  of  the  latter 's  daughter.  He  married  Janet,  d.  of 
Laurence  Sinclair  of  Sandes,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Adam,  his  heir.  2.  Malcolm  [of  Quendal].  3.  Laurence  [of  Goat]. 

4.  James  [of  Bullister].         1.  Margaret,  married  James  Sinclair  of  Scalloway.        2.  Jean. 

IV.  Adam  Sinclair  of  Brew  was  also  charged  with  the  murder  of  his  uncle, 
Mathew  Sinclair  of  Ness,  and  by  a  separate  action  at  the  instance  of  Robert  Sinclair  of 
Campston  and  Edwd.  Scollay  of  Strynes,  on  23rd  August,  1602,  he  was  found  guilty  by 
the  Assize  who  "decernis  the  said  Adam's  hail  moveabilities  guidis  and  gere  with  his 
hail  heritabil  landis  and  possessionis  to  be  escheit,  and  himself  beneist  the  countrie 
within  the  space  of  15  daies,  and  gif  he  beis  apprehendit  thairefter  to  be  tane  to  the 
heiding-hill  of  Scalloway  Bankis,  and  thair  his  heid  to  be  tane  and  strickin  frae  his  bodie 
in  exempill  of  utheris. "  Four  days  previous  he  had  sustained  a  criminal  process  for 
wrongous  and  violent  intromission  with  goods  of  a  broken  Dutch  ship,  without  leave  of 
the  owner,  or  any  commission  from  my  Lord  his  deputes  or  the  Foud  of  the  parish  ;  "the 
Assize  taking  this  to  consideration,  and  trying  him  to  have  committit  great  wrang  and 
oppressioun  thairinto,  thai  all  in  ane  vote  decernis  the  said  Adam,  with  his  haill  moveabill 
guids  and  gere,  in  my  Lordis  will  thairfoir,  in  exampill  of  utheris,  reserving  place  to 
satisfy  the  partie. "  Neither  sentence  was  carried  out,  and  he  appears  to  have  continued 
to  possess  his  lands.  On  6th  June,  1597,  he  is  ordained  by  the  Privy  Council  to  find 
caution  to  the  extent  of  £  1,000  for  good  rule  within  the  same.  Further,  on  1st  October, 
161 1,  he  is  charged  with  others  before  the  said  Council  with  having  as  a  servant  of  the 
Earl  of  Orkney  committed  all  kinds  of  iniquity  and  wickedness,  and  was  denounced  a 
rebel.  He  died  in  1627,  having  married  (first)  in  1588  Helen,  daughter  of  Laurence 
Bruce  of  Cultmalindie,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Laurence,  his  heir.  2.  James,  afterwards  of  Brew.  3.  Malcolm. 

1.  Jane,  married  Jas.  Kelman,  an  officer  in  the  army  of  Montrose,  and  had  issue. 

2.  Barbara,  married  (162S)  John  Sinclair  of  Quendale.  3.  HELEN. 


Goudie. 


1 72  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

V.  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Brew  disponed  in  1639  to  his  eldest  son  William,  five 
score  14  merks  6  pennies  the  merk  in  Brew,  10  merks  in  Whilygairth  adjacent,  47  merks 
in  the  said  town  and  among  the  lands  of  Brew  adjacent  thereto  belonging  to  the  Kirk  and 
the  King,  and  the  Lordis  of  Norroway,  all  in  the  parish  of  Dunrossness.  He  appears  to 
have  been  succeeded  by  his  brother, 

VI.  James  Sinclair  of  Brew,  who  died  8th  August,  1645,  having  married  (first) 
Grizel  Halcro,  and  (second)  Elizabeth,  d.  of  Patrick  Cheyne  of  Esselmont,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Adam,  his  heir.  2.  Malcolm.  3.  Laurence.  4.  Arthur. 

1.  Ursilla,  married  Wm.  Bruce.  2.  Janet. 

VII.  Adam  Sinclair  of  Brew,  died  1686,  having  married  Jean,  daughter  of  Captain 
Andrew  Dick  of  Fracafield,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Charles,  his  heir.  2.  Laurence.  3.  James.  4.  Arthur. 

1.  Margaret,  married  James  Mowat.  2.  Barbara. 

VIII.  Charles  Sinclair  of  Brew,  died  1734,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Robert  Robertson  of  Gossaburgh,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Alexander,  his  heir.  2.  Arthur.  4.  Adam. 

3.  Robert,  married  3rd  February,  1734,  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Mitchell,  Bart. 

1.  Jean,  married  2nd  December,  1740,  John  Mcintosh,  merchant. 

2.  Marion,  married  4th  February,  1742,  Charles  Leslie. 

3.  Janet,  married  James  Craigie.  4.  Elizabeth. 

IX.  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Brew  succeeded  his  father  in  the  estate,  which  had 
by  this  time  become  to  a  large  extent  overblown  with  sand,  the  rental  of  the  whole  being 
then  only  ,£206  scots.  He  died  20th  November,  1759,  having  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Mitchell,  Bart.,  of  Westshore,  and  had  issue — 

1.  John  Charles,  baptised  29th  January,  1727. 

2.  Ola,  born  13th  July,  1746.  3.  Arthur,  his  heir. 

1.  Ann,  baptised  26th  March,  1730.  2.  Elizabeth,  baptised  9th  April,  1731,  died  young. 

3.  Andrina,  baptised  14th  May,  1732.        4.  Jean,  baptised  19th  May,  1734. 

5.  Janet,  baptised  10th  December,  1735. 

6.  Elizabeth,  bapt.  5th  January,  1738  ;   married  10th  January,  1769,  Wm.  Henderson  in  Papa. 

7.  Philadelphia,  born  2nd  May,  1739.      S.  Gifford,  born  iSth  November,  1740. 
9.  Craigie,  born  7th  February,  1743  ;  alive  in  1832. 

10.  Margaret,  married  Alex.  Fraser  in  Scalloway. 

11.  Barbara,  married  Andrew  Craigie. 

X.  Arthur  Sinclair,  Last  of  Brew,  succeeded  to  a  heavily  encumbered  estate, 
which,  on  24th  January,  1770,  was  adjudged  from  him  by  Sir  John  Mitchell,  last  of 
Westshore.  He  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Laurence  Tarrel,  merchant,  Lerwick,  and 
had  issue — 

1.  James. 

1.  Elizabeth  Mitchell,  married  21st  April,   1795,  Win.  Thos.  Craigie,  merchant  of  Leith, 

second  son  of  Jas.  Craigie  of  Stebbiegrind. 

2.  Janet. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  QUENDALE, 
Dunrossness. 

Hay  in  his   "  Genealogie  of  the  Saintclaires  of  Roslin,"  quoting  a  Danish  writer 
called  Van  Bassan,  says  : — 


ZETLAND   SCIONS.  173 


James  Sinclair  of  Stive  [Brew  ?]  was  father  of 
Malcolm  Sinclair  of  Quendale,  who  had  a  brother 

Laurence,  reader  at  Dunrossness  1576  to  1580;   at  Crocekirk,  Fair  Isle,  1576  :  at  Sandwick 
(Z.),  1586,  resumed  prior  to  1593,  continued  1608  ;  Vicar  and  titular  Dunrossness,  1610. 

I.  Malcolm  Sinclair,  First  of  Quendale,  was  lay  vicar  and  reader  of 
Dunrossness,  to  which  he  was  presented  on  20th  December,  1565  [1575],  and  continued 
in  1 601.  His  brother  Laurence  is  probably  to  be  identified  as  the  reader  of  that  name, 
successor  to  Malcolm.  He  held  in  tack  the  Vicarage  of  Dunrossness  from  Lawrence 
Sinclair,  Vicar  thereof ;  the  Vicarage  of  Waais  from  the  late  Alex.  Kincaid  ;  and  the 
Stowk  called  the  Croce  land  from  his  Majesty  for  payment  of  ,£20  few  mails  and  disponed 
to  Jas.  Sinclair,  apparait  of  Quendale,  for  his  lifetime.  It  was  he  who  received  at 
Quendale  the  men  of  the  Spanish  Armada  wrecked  at  the  Fair  Isle  in  1588.  Quendale 
was  ordained  by  the  Privy  Council  to  find  security  for  ,£1,000  scots,  on  6th  June,  1597, 
and  on  23rd  December  same  he  is  one  of  those  preferring  complaint  against  the  Balfours. 
He  was  appointed  a  Commissioner  of  Peace  28th  November,  1609,  and  to  apprehend 
rebels  who  may  proceed  to  Zetland,  on  10th  August,  1614.  He  died  on  6th  January, 
1618,  and  was  buried  in  the  old  churchyard  of  Cross,  at  the  head  of  Quendale  Bay.  By 
his  wife  Margaret,  daughter  of  Hugh  Sinclair  of  Brugh,  he  had  a  large  family. 

1.  James,  his  heir.  2.  William.  3.  George,  of  Craigends  and  Rapness,  in  Orkney. 

4.  Malcolm.  5.  Michael. 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  Patrick  Forbes. 

2.  Margaret,  married  1593  Michael  Balfour  of  Garth,  Orkney. 

3.  Isabel,  married  1600  Andrew  Bruce  of  Muness  (who  died  in  1625)  ; 

and  2nd  Duncan  Scollay  of  Hermansgarth,  Orkney. 

4.  HELEN,  married  Mr.  Robert  Swinton,  minister  of  Walls. 

5.  Janet,  married  John  Neven  of  Scousburgh. 

II.  James  Sinclair  of  Quendale  was  a  witness  against  the  Earl  of  Orkney  at  his 
trial  before  the  Privy  Council  in  1610,  and  was  appointed  a  Commissioner  of  Peace  15th 
March,  1614.  He  was  served  heir  to  his  father  on  6th  September,  1631,  and  died  21st 
September  1647.  By  his  marriage  with  Barbara,  daughter  of  James  Stewart  of  Graemsay, 
who  survived  him,  he  had  issue — 

1.  John,  his  heir.  2.  Laurence.  3.  Harrie.  4-  Robert. 

1.  Margaret,  married  1st,  Edward  Sinclair  of  Gyre,  Orkney,  and 

2nd,  James  Mouat  of  Garth.. 

2.  Helen,  married  Patrick  Umphrey  of  Sand. 

3.  Jean,  married  Laurence  Gifford  of  Weathersta. 

III.  John  Sinclair  of  Quendale  was  a  Commissioner  of  Supply  for  Zetland,  1661 
and  1667.     He  married  in  1628,  Barbara,  daughter  of  Adam  Sinclair  of  Brew,  and  had — 

1.  Laurence,  his  heir.  2.  John.  3.  Robert.  4.  George. 

1.  Barbara,  married  24th  May,  1662,  Hector  Bruce  of  Muness,  and  died  22nd  May,  1675. 

2.  HELEN,  died  1706  ;  married  14th  December,  1692,  Ninian  Neven  of  Scousburgh. 

3.  Margaret,  married  1656  William  Bruce  of  Sumburgh.  4.  Jean. 

IV.  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Quendale  was  a  Commissioner  of  Supply  under  Acts 
of  Parliament  1675,  1689,  1696,  and  1704.  He  married  Jean,  daughter  of  Laurence 
vStewart  of  Bigtown,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Robert,  his  heir.  2.  Andrew. 

1.  Lilias,  married  James  Mitchell  of  Girlesta. 

2.  Margaret,  married,  1st,  Andrew  Bruce  of  Muness  ;  and 

2nd,  Robert  Baikie  of  Tankerness,  Orkney. 


i74  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

V.  Robert  Sinclair  of  QuendalE,  a  Commissioner  of  Supply,  1705,  succeeded 
his  father  in  the  estates,  which  at  that  time  comprised  1,311  merks  land  in  Dunrossness, 
309  merks  land  in  Dunrossness,  309  in  Sandwick,  and  368  in  Aith,  Cunniugsburgh,  with 
the  Island  of  Mousa.  He  was  Cashier  of  Excise,  and  from  a  report  by  George 
Drummond,  the  Accountant-General,  afterwards  Lord  Provost  of  Edinburgh,  dated  16th 
June,  1713,  it  is  found  he  had  embezzled  a  sum  of  ^847  2s.  gj4d.  to  his  own  uses.  He 
was  a  Jacobite  in  politics  and  an  Episcopalian  in  religion.  In  1750  his  estate  was 
sequestrated.  He  died  in  1767.  He  married  (first)  Barbara,  daughter  of  John  Mont- 
gomery of  Wrae,  and  relict  of  Robert  Sinclair  of  Scalloway,  and  had  issue — 

John,  his  heir. 
He  married  (second)  at  Fair  Isle,  17th  July,  1740,  Mrs.  Jacobina  Mackenzie. 

VI.  John  Sinclair  of  QuendalE  was  served  heir  to  his  mother  in  1743,  and  was 
married  to  a  daughter  of  William  Greig,  first  of  Vassay.  The  estate  was  sold  on  26th 
February,  1770,  and  was  purchased  principally  by  John  Bruce  of  Sumburgh,  and  Mr. 
[James]  Grierson. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   GOAT, 
Dunrossness. 

I.  Laurence  Sinclair,  First  of  Goat — probably  a  son  of  James  Sinclair  of 
Breue — was'one  of  the  complainants  against  the  Balfours,  23rd  December,  1597  ;  and  was 
one  of  the  persons  charged  in  1602  with  the  murder  of  Matthew  Sinclair  of  Ness,  and 
ordered  to  find  caution  to  appear  and  stand  his  trial  therefor.  The  charge  against  him 
was,  however,  departed  from.  He  is  said  to  have  married  (first)  Mary  Stewart,  one  of 
numerous  natural  children  of  Robert,  Earl  of  Orkney  ;  and  (second)  in  1609  Margaret, 
d.  of  Laurence  Leask  of  Scatness,  who  is  called  his  relict  in  1626.     They  had  issue — 

1.  James,  his  heir.        2.  Malcolm.        3.  Laurence.        4.  William,  mentioned  1601. 
1.  Elizabeth,  married  Andrew  Shewan.  2.  Jean. 

II.  James  Sinclair  of  Goat  was  found  guilty  of  the  murder  of  Mathew  Sinclair 
of  Ness  on  16th  August,  1602,  and  forfeited.  On  1st  November,  1624,  he  disponed  to 
Mr.  Thos.  Hendrie,  minister  of  Walls,  ten  merks  of  land  in  that  parish.  He  married 
Christian,  daughter  of  Hugh  Sinclair  of  Brugh,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Laurence,  his  heir.  2.  John. 

1.  Grizel,  m.  in  1622  John  Stewart  of  Bigton.  2.  Barbara,  m.  Gilbert  Gifford. 

III.  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Goat,  died  in  1675.  He  was  twice  married  (first),  in 
1629  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  Michael  Balfour  of  Garth,  and  had  issue — 

1.  James,  his  heir.  2.  William  (see  No.  VI.).  3.  Patrick  of  Scotland. 

1.  Barbara,  married,  1st,  about  1683,  John  Umphray  of  Asta ;  and 

2nd,  Erasmus  Mense  of  Whiteness. 

2.  Margaret,  married  in  1709  Laurence  Halcro. 

Laurence  Sinclair  of  Goat  married  (second)  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Halcro  of 
Ledigarth,  and  had  issue — 

4.  John.  3.   Elizabeth,  married  David  Henderson. 

IV.  James  Sinclair  of  Goat,  died  17th  May,  1689;  married  (first)  1672  Martha, 
daughter  of  Malcolm  Sinclair  of  Rapness  in  Orkney  ;  and  (second)  Martha,  daughter  of 
Laurence  Stewart  of  Bigton.     He  had  issue — 

1.  Laurence,  his  heir.  1.  Martha,  married  Laurence  Strong,  merchant  in  Dunrossness. 


ZETLAND  SCIONS.      .  175 


V.  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Goat  was  born  in  1686,  and  was  father  of  Patrick,  who 
predeceased  him.     He  was  succeeded  by  his  uncle, 

VI.  William  Sinclair  of  Goat,  who  disponed  his  26  merks  land  in  Dunrossness, 
and  7  merks  in  Fair  Isle,  to  John  Scott  of  Scottshall  in  1717  ;  died  1724,  having  married, 
1685,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Laurence  Craigie,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Laurence,  his  heir.  2.  William. 

1.  Sarah,  m  Rev.  Robt.  Donning,  Lerwick.      2.  Margaret,  m.  Laurence  Strong.      3.  Jean. 

VII.  Laurence  Sinclair  of  Goat  served  heir  to  his  granduncle  James,  18th  July, 
1752  ;  died  1756  ;  married  Ursilla,  daughter  of  Win.  Dick  of  Fracafield,  and  had  two 
daughters, 

1.  Margaret.  2.  Elizabeth. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OK  BULLISTER  AND  SWINING. 

Nesting. 

I.  James  Sinclair  of  Bullister  (perhaps  a  son  of  James  Sinclair  of  Brew)  lived 
in  the  reign  of  King  James  VI. ,  and  died  1600.      He  had  issue — 

1.  Edward,  his  heir.  2.  Gilbert.  4.  Henry.  5.  James. 

3.  Andrew  of  Kirkhouse  and  Southerhouse,  whose  son 

Edward  succeeded  him  in  those  lands. 
1.  Elizabeth,  m.  James  Ross  of  Swarraster.  2.   Barbara. 

II.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Bullister.  There  is  preserved  a  document  in  the  Norse 
language  in  which  Andrew  Mouat  of  Hugoland,  Shetland,  and  his  dear  spouse  the  worthy 
and  honourable  lady  Else  Trondsdaughter  of  Erisfiordt,  acknowledge  their  indebtedness 
to  the  honourable  and  discreet  man  Effuart  Sincklar,  residing  in  Hietlaudt  at  Bollesetter, 
for  a  friendly  loan  of  300  Rix  dollars,  and  convey  as  security  various  lands  in  Shetland, 
being  the  just  Odal  inheritance  of  Lady  Else.  Sealed  at  Gieresvig  in  Norway  the 
20th  June,  1597.*  On  3rd  July,  1602,  he  and  William  Sinclair  of  Ustaness  promised 
to  compt.  and  rakin  among  themselves  before  1st  August  thereafter,  and  upon  26th 
August  same,  take  certain  acts  of  Court.  He  granted  a  charter  on  1st  August,  1623, 
with  consent  of  James  Sinclair,  his  eldest  son,  to  their  loving  friend  Thos.  Cheyne,  of 

Lady  Else  was  one  of  several  daughters  of  Christopher  Throndson  Jiustung,  a  Norwegian,  who 
after  an  adventurous  career  attained  the  position  of  Admiral  to  the  King  of  Denmark  and  Norway. 
His  seven  daughters  were — Else,  Maren,  Magdala,  Margaret,  Anna,  Dorothy,  and  Christina,  of  whom 
Anna  was  married  or  betrothed  to  James  Hepburn,  Earl  of  Bothwell  ;  Dorothy  married,  it  is  said,  John 
Stewart,  a  Shetlander ;  and  Else  married  (1st)  John  Haar  of  Gjeresvig  in  Norway,  (2nd)  Axel  Fredrikson, 
Lawman  at  Bergen — 1569-15S5,  and  (3rd)  Andrew  Mouat  of  Hugoland,  and  had  issue  Axel,  Christopher, 
and  Karen.  Axel  is  frequently  mentioned  (1630 — 1641)  as  a  naval  officer  of  high  rank,  latterly  as  Vice- 
Admiral  of  the  Fleet,  and  much  employed  by  the  King.  He  died  29th  January,  1661,  aged  68,  the 
owner  of  large  estates  in  Norway.  His  sister  Karen,  who  died  in  1675,  was  married  to  Ludwig 
Rosenkrands  of  Rosendal,  who  collected  all  the  property  of  the  Mouat  family  (partly  in  Hardanger), 
which  was  made  a  Barony,  under  the  name  of  Rosendal.  Within  seventy  years  thereafter  most  of  this 
property,  once  belonging  to  Axel  Mouat,  was  lost  by  the  Rosenkrands  family,  which  in  1723  became 
extinct  in  the  male  line,  when  the  Barony  reverted  to  the  Crown.  Admiral  Mouat  had  a  natural  son 
Anders  Axelson,  living  as  late  as  1690,  whose  descendants  remain  in  Norway  to  the  present  day. — * 

*Goudie. 


i76  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 

certain  lands  which  had  been  disponed  to  them  by  the  deceased  Andrew  Wishart  and 
Annabel  Leslie,  his  spouse.  He  died  17th  March,  1630,  having  married  Janet  Sutherland, 
who  died  1623,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Henry.  2.  James,  his  heir.  3.  Andrew  of  Swining. 

III.  James  Sinclair  of  Bullister  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Edmond- 
ston  of  Hascosay,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Henry,  his  heir.  2.  Hugh.  3.  James.  4.  Andrew.  5.  John. 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  James  Oliphant  of  Ure,  a  descendant  of  Oliphant  of  Gask. 

2.  Jean,  married  Hugh  Tarrel  of  Laxvoe.  3.  Martha. 

IV.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Bullister,  died  25th  November,  1714,  having  married 
Christian,  daughter  of  Robert  Pitcairn. 

V.  Andrew  Sinclair  of  Swining  (see  above)  died  after  16S4,  having  married 
in   1648  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  James  Buchanan,  and  had  issue  — 

1.  Henry,  his  heir.  2.  Robert,  mentioned  1678.  3.  Edward.  4.  Gilbert. 

1.  Lilias,  married  Hugh  Sinclair  of  Skelberrie,  Lunnasting. 

2.  Barbara,  married  David  Mouat.  3.  Mary. 

VI.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Swining  died  16th  December,  1718,  married  Martha, 
daughter  of  Gilbert  Neven  of  Scousburgh,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Gilbert,  his  heir.  3.  Andrew.  4.   [Henry.] 

2.  Henry  of  Still,  who  in  1767  conveyed  the  Island  of  Uyea  and  parts  of  Clivocast  to  Hunter 

of  Lunna.     He  had  issue — 

David  of  Still,  whose  daughter  Martha  married  Thos.  Fea  of  Clivocast. 
KaTHERINE,  m.  Wm.  Gauden  of  Overland  and  Swinister,  and  d.  17th  October,  1S39. 
1.  Mary,  married  Hugh  Tarrel  of  Laxvoe.       2.  Martha,  married  John  Wallace.       3.  Janet. 

VII.  Gilbert  Sinclair  of  Swining  died  1720,  having  married  (first)  Katherine, 
daughter  of  William  Tarrell  of  Laxvoe,  and  (second)  Prudence  McDougal,  who  after  his 
death  married  Mr.  Thos.  Hay,  minister  of  Yell,  and  died  26th  June,  1730,  aged  45.  He 
had  issue — 

1.  Henry,  his  heir.  2.  Gilbert. 

1.  Martha,  married  Arthur  Edmondston  of  Hascosay.  2.  Margaret.  3.  Jean. 

VIII.  Henry  Sinclair,  Last  of  Swining,  left  Shetland  and  settled  at  Mussel- 
burgh, of  which  burgh  he  was  Town  Clerk.  He  died  14th  April,  1753,  having  married 
Susan,  daughter  of  James  Drummond  of  Mugdrum,  and  had  issue — 

1.  A  daughter  married  Alex.  Orme,  Clerk  of  Session. 

2.  A  daughter  married  John  Maclaurin. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   SANDWICK  AND    MOUSA. 

Henry  Sinclair  of  Sandwick  lived  in  the  reign  of  James  VI.  From  a  MS.* 
description  of  Dunrossness  it  is  learned  that  in  revenge  for  some  insult  to  his  servant  in 
the  house  of  Brew,  he,  on  the  instigation  of  his  wife,  caused  the  man  to  kill  Richard 
Leask,  son-in-law  to  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Brew,  when  he  was  about  to  enter  Sandwick 
Church.  Upon  hearing  of  the  murder,  Leask's  son-in-law,  Henry  Dillidasse,  proceeded 
from  Orkney,  where  he  was  living,  to  Caithness,  and  having  gathered  together  some  of 
his  friends,  passed  on  with  them  to  Zetland.  They  fell  upon  Henry  Sinclair  and  his  men 
upon  a  moor  between  Laxfirth  and  Lerwick,  and  in   the  melee  which  ensued  Dillidasse 

*  Rev.  Jas.  Kay. 


ZETLAND  SCIONS.  177 


shot  the  murderer  with  a  pistol.  Several  men  fell  in  the  encounter,  Henry  Sinclair 
escaping  with  difficulty,  while  one  man,  Sinclair  of  Burra,  swam  over  to  the  Island  of 
Trondra.     To  this  family  the  Island  of  Mousa  once  belonged. 

In  1716  Henry  Sinclair,  then  in  Sandwick,  and  his  spouse  disponed  to  Robert 
Sinclair  of  Queudale  23^  merks  laud  in  Nether  Levenwick  and  North  and  South  Voe. 
Quendale  appears  as  owner  of  Mousa  in  1705. 


! 


Mousa  Tower.— A  Pictish  Erection. 


THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   TOFT, 

Delting. 

I.  Edward  Sinclair,  First  of  Toft,  was  succeeded  in  these  lands  by  his  nephew, 

II.  Edward  Sinclair,  died  1681  ;  m.  Christian,  d.  of  Robt.  Fea,  and  had  issue — 
1.  James,  his  heir.  2.  William  (see  No.  4).  3.  Andrew.  4.  Henry. 

1.  Margaret,  married  Mr.  Robt.  Gray,  minister  of  Nesting,  and  had  with  other  issue — 

Barbara,  married  James  Greig  of  Vassay ;  and 

Christian,  married,  1st,  Edward  Sinclair  of  Toft;   and,  2nd,  Thos.  Auchenleck. 

2.  Barbara,  married  Wm.  Greig  of  Vassay.  3.  Janet. 

III.  James  Sinclair  of  Toft  wadsetted  his  lands  to  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Robt. 
Gray,  who  thereafter  brought  a  criminal  suit  against  him,  in  consequence  of  which  he 
fled  to  Holland,  but  returned  after  a  few  years.  He  did  not  obtain  repossession  of  the 
estate,  and  died  s.p.  1712,  having  married  in  1700  Marion,  d.  of  Jas.  Murray  of  Clairden. 

IV.  William  Sinclair  of  Toft  succeeded  his  brother ;  granted  a  disposition  dated 
1st  December,  1754,  of  2%  merks  land  in  Crookster  to  his  daughter  Margaret  and  her 
husband.     He  had  issue — 

1.  Edward,  his  heir.  1.  Margaret,  married  John  Omond,  wright  in  Toft. 

V.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Toft,  died  before  1748,  married  his  cousin  Christian, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Robt.  Gray,  minister  of  Nesting,  and  had  issue — 

1.  William,  his  heir.  2.  Andrew  (see  No.  VII.).  3.  Robert,  married  Janet  Chappie 

1.  Barbara,  married  her  cousin,  Robert  Simpson. 


i78 


THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  THE  ISLES. 


On  the  death  of  Edward  Sinclair,  his  widow  married  Thos.  Auchenleck,  and  had 
issue  a  daughter  Margaret,  married  in  1773  John  Angus,  and  had  a  daughter  Andrina 
Christina,  who  married  James  Bain,  Lerwick. 

VI.  William  Sinclair  of  Toft,  designed  in  a  factory  granted  by  him  in  1767,  in 
favour  of  Thomas  Auchenleck,  as  "  of  the  Parish  of  St.  John,  Wapping,  in  the  County 
of  Middlesex,  South  Britain,  mariner."     Died  15th  September,  1786,  unmarried. 

VII.  Andrew  Sinclair,  mariner  in  London,  served  heir  to  his  granduncle,  James 
Sinclair  of  Toft,  26th  December,  1788  ;  married  Sarah  Manuel,  and  had  issue  several 
children,  who  died  young.  He  sold  his  property  in  Toft  to  his  nephew,  Gilbert  Angus, 
merchant,  Lerwick,  on  7th  February,  1808. 


Amongst  other  Shetlanders  preferring  complaint  against  the  Balfours,  23rd  December, 
[597,  are  Henrie  Sinclair  of  Wolsettir,  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Sindburgh,  and  James  Sinclair 
in  Housbie. 


THE   CAITHNESS   SUCCESSION. 


[79 


THE   EARLDOM   OF   CAITHNESS. 


ILLUSTRATION    OF   THE   .SUCCESSION    FROM   S71    TO   THE   PRESENT   TIME. 


Title  to  Earldom. 


Flourished. 


Remarks. 


THE    HOUSE   OF   ODIN,  or   NORSE   LINE. 


(Thorstein  the  Red 

\ Sigurd  the  Sea-king 

Guthorm 

Duncan 

Thorfinn  the  Skullsplitter 

Arnfinn 

Havard  the  Happy 

Ljot 

Skuli 

Hlddver 

Sigurd  II.,  the  Stout 

Thorfinn  II.,  the  Great 


the  Exiles 


Paul      j 

Erlendf 

Hakon  the  Imperious 

Harald  the  Orator 

Paul  II.,  the  Silent 

Erlend  II.,  the  Younger 

Mac  William 

St.  Riignvald  the  Crusader 

Harald  III.,  the  Younger 


f-  Conquest 

Son  of  Sigurd 

Jure  uxoris 

M.  Grelod,  dau.  of  Groa 

Son  of  Thorfinn 


Son  of  Hliidver 
Son  of  Sigurd  II. 
Sons  of  Thorfinn  II. 
Son  of  Paul 
•  Sons  of  Hakon 
Son  of  Harald 

Scottish  Creation 

Son  of  Gunnhild,  d.  of  14 

Son  of  Ingigerd,  d.  of  20 


871 

871 

882 

882 

883 

910 

963 

963 

967 

963 

97O 

963 

976 

963 

974 

963 

980 

980 

1014 

1014 

1064 

1064 

1 103 

1 103 

1122 

1122 

1127 

1122 

1 136 

II27 

115b 

II29 

1 160 

II.36 

1 158 

II76 

1 198 

Slain  in  Caithness 

Died  issueless 
Mar.  Groa,  d.  of  Thorstein 
G.  nephew  of  Sigurd 
Murdered  at  Murkle,  C. 
Slain  at  Stennis,  O. 
Slain  in  Caithness 
Fell  in  Caithness 
Natural  death 
Fell  at  Clontarf 
Died  natural  death 

-h).  in  exile  at    !  ?"gen 

(  (Nidaros 

Died  natural  death 

Poisoned 

Deposed  and  spirited  away 

Slain  in  Damsay,  O.     • 

See,  Dunfermline  records 
Slain  in  Caithness 
Fell  at  Clairdon,  C. 


THE  HOUSE  OF  ATHOL,  or  ROYAL  SCOTTISH  LINE. 


Harald  II.,  the  Wicked 

David 

John 


Son  of  Margaret,  d.  of  15 
\l  Sons  of  Harald  II. 


"39 

1206 

1206 

1214 

1206 

1231 

Died  natural  death 
Murdered  at  Thurso 


THE   ANGUS    LINE. 


*  25 

Magnus  of  Angus 

Kinsman  of  John 

1231 

1239 

Sutherland  now  detached 

*  26 

Gilbride 

Brother  of  Magnus  I. 

1239 

*  27 

Gilbride  II. 

Son  of  Gilbride  I. 

1256 

Had  a  daughter  Matilda 

*    28 

Magnus  II. 

Son  of  Gilbride  II. 

1256 

1273 

*  29 

Magnus  III. 

Son  of  Magnus  II. 

1273 

1284 

*  30 

John  II. 

1284 

1310 

*  31 

Magnus  IV. 

Son  of  John  II. 

1310 

1321 

Henry  de  St.  Clair 

Uullivus 

1321 

THE   CAITHNESS   SUCCESSION. 


THE  CAITHNESS  SUCCESSION.— Continued. 


* 

Flourished,  i 

a                      Earls. 

O 

Title. 

From 

To 

THE  STRATHERNE 

LINE. 

*U2 

Malise  [.,  Earl  of  Stratherne 

Heir-at-law  to  Magn.  IV 

1321 

1333 

Fell  at  Halidon  Hill 

*+33 

Malise  II.                 ,, 

Son  of  Malise  I. 

1333 

1344 

Died  s.p.  male 

34 

Alexander  de  la  Arde 

S.  of  Matilda,  eld.  d.  of  33 

1375 

Surrendered  the  dignity 

Isabella  de  Stratherne 

2nd  dau.  of  Malise  II. 

1 

I405 

Survived  No.  34 

ALIEN    EARLS. 

t  35 

David  II.,  Stuart 

Scottish  creation 

1375 

1 
Earl  Palatine  of  Stratherne 

36 

Walter 

,, 

1424 

1437 

Earl  of  Athol 

37 

Alan 

George  I.,  Crichton 

.. 

1424 
1450 

143 1 

1455 

Son  of  Earl  Walter 

38 

» 

Lord  High  Adm.  of  Scotland 

THE  SAINT-CLAIR  LINE. 

William  de  St.  Clair 

M.  Isabel  de  Stratherne 

citfh 

Anc.  St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles 

* 

Henry  I. ,  Earl  of  Orkney 

Son  of  Isabella 

1404 

Slain  in  Orkney  vita  matrix 

* 

Henry  II. 

Son  of  Henrv  I. 

1420 

Earl  dejure  of  Caithness 

*  39 

William  I. 

Son  of  Henry  II. 

1420 

1476 

Rec.  C'thness  1455  abd.  1476 

William,  Lord  St.  Clair 

Disinherited 

1481 

1487 

Buried  at  Dunfermline 

40 

William  II. 

Second  son  of  William  I. 

1476 

1514 

Fell  at  Flodden 

4i 

John  III. 

Son  of  William  II. 

1514 

1529 

Slain  in  Orknev 

42 

George  II. 

Son  of  John  III. 

1529 

IS82 

Anc.Olrig.Dunbeath  II., &c. 

43 

George  III.,  the  Wicked 

Grandson  of  George  II. 

1582 

1643 

Ancestor  of  Keiss 

44 

George  IV. 

Great  gr'dson  of  Geo.  III. 

1643 

1676 

45 

George  V.,  of  Keiss 

Grandson  of  George  III. 

1676 

1698 

Died  issueless 

46 

John  IV.,  of  Murkle 

Descendant  of  Geo.  II. 

1698 

T7°5 

47 

Alexander  II. 

Son  of  John  IV. 

i7°5 

1765 

Died  s.p.  male 

48 

William  III.,  oiRattar 

Descendant  of  Geo.  II. 

1765 

1779 

49 

John  V. 

Son  of  William  III. 

1779 

1789 

50 

James  I.,  of  Mey 

Descendant  of  Geo.  II. 

1789 

1823 

5i 

Alexander  III. 

Son  of  James  I. 

1823 

I8S5 

52 

James  II. 

Son  of  Alex.  III. 

18SS 

1881 

53 

George  VI. 

Son  of  James  II. 

1881 

1889 

54 

James  III.,  of  Durran 

Descendant  of  Geo.  II. 

1889 

1891 

., 

John  VI. 

Son  of  James  III. 

1891 

The  present  Earl 

*  Also  Earls  of  Orkney  and  of  t  Stratherne. 
***Caithness,  which  included  Sutherland  till  the  death  of  the  24th  Earl  in  1231,  is  indisputably  the 
oldest  comitial  dignity  in  Britain,  having  existed  for  more  than  a  millennium.     The  present  Earl  is 
heir-male  of  line  of  both  Thorstein  and  Sigurd  who  acquired  the  Earldom  in  871  by  joint  conquest  from 
Constantine,  King  of  the  Scots. 


THE  EARLDOM  OF  CAITHNESS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE   EARLDOM    OF   CAITHNESS. 

871-1476. 

The  transactions  relating  to  the  earlier  history  of  this  Earldom  have  been  embraced  in 
the  articles  dealing  with  the  Sea-kings  of  Orkney,  reguli  of  ancient  Orcadia,  which  term 
will  be  found  convenient  to  define  the  territories  under  their  rule. 

The  Orcadian  Jarldom  consisted  of  two  principal  parts — Insular  and  Scottish.  The 
former  comprehended  the  twin  archipelagoes  of  Orkney  and  Hjaltland,  bestowed  on 
Rognvald  '  Riki '  of  Moeri  Jarl,  by  King  Harald  Fairhair  of  Norway,  about  the  year 
871  of  the  Christian  era.  Insular  Orcadia  was  generally  referred  to  as  the  Earldom  of 
Orkney,  of  which  the  Lordship  of  Shetland  was  an  appanage  or  secundogeniture — lost  in 
1 196  by  Earl  Harald  II.,  'the  Wicked,'  not  to  be  recovered  till  the  occasion  of  the 
accession  of  Earl  Henry  I. ,  first  of  the  House  of  Saint-Clair.  The  Isles  have  also  been 
described  as  The  Countries  of  Orknej'  and  Zetland. 

THE   NORSE    LINE. 

Scottish  Orcadia,  or  Caithness,  was  acquired  by  joint  conquest  in  871,  by  two 
celebrated  warriors — Thorstein  the  Red,  Prince  of  Dublin  (son  of  Olaf  the  White,  King 
of  that  city,  hereafter  the  Irish  metropolis),  and  Sigurd  the  Sea-King,  brother  of  Rognvald, 
Earl  of  Moeri,  from  whom  he  had  already  received  Insular  Orcadia  in  free  gift.  Sigurd 
had  been  flag-captain  to  King  Harald  Fairhair  in  his  western  cruise  of  conquest  and 
colonisation,  and  was  descended  from  the  deified  hero  Thor,  first-born  son  of  Odin. 
Thorstein  and  Sigurd,  although  effecting  a  conquest  of  Caithness  so  permanent  as  to 
transmit  their  honours  for  over  a  millenium  to  their  direct  heir-male  of  line — John  VI., 
55th  Earl,  17th  of  the  sirname  of  Sinclair — both  yielded  up  their  lives  in  battle  with  the 
Scot.  The  valour  of  Thorstein  has  been  gloriously  celebrated  in  verse  by  the  poet 
Motherwell  in  "The  Sword-Chant  of  Thorstein  the  Red."  After  his  death  his  rights  to 
the  conquered  country  passed  to  his  daughter  Groa,  married  to  Earl  Duncan  ;  Sigurd 
being  succeeded  by  his  son,  Earl  Guttorm,  who  dying  without  issue,  his  dominions  in 
Caithness  seem  to  have  lapsed  ;  while  those  in  the  Isles  went  in  succession  to  his  kinsmen 
Hallad,  Einar,  Arnfinn,  Erlend,  and  Thorfinn  Hansakliuf,  '  Splitter  of  Skulls.'  Thorfinn, 
8th  Earl  of  Insular  Orcadia,  by  marriage  with  Grelod,  or  Grelauga,  heiress  of  Groa  and 
Earl  Duncan,  became  5th  Earl  of  Caithness,  uniting  it  to  his  Island  dominions. 

By  Grelauga  Earl  Thorfinn  had  five  sons,  his  successors — Arnfinn,  Havard,  Ljot, 
Skuli,  and  Hlodver  (Ludovic).  Arnfinn,  6th  Earl,  espoused  Ragnhild,  daughter  of  Eric 
Bloodaxe,  ex-King  of  Norway  and  of  Northumbria.  After  the  death  of  Arnfinn,  which 
event  it  was  supposed  had  been  achieved  by  Ragnhild,  his  brother  Havard  hazarded  an 
alliance  with  her  ;  and  incredible  as  it  may  seem,  although  she  was  suspected  of  complicity 
in  connection  with  the  death  of  Havard,  his  brother  Ljot  had  the  hardihood  to  marry  her 


THE  EARLDOM  OF  CAITHNESS. 


also.  Skuli  now  laid  claim  to  a  portion  of  Orcadia,  and  received  substantial  assistance 
from  the  then  (974)  King  of  Scots  (Kenneth  III.),  who  created  him  a  belted  Earl  and 
furnished  him  with  a  strong  army,  beside  which  he  had  the  support  of  a  Scottish  chief, 
Magbiod.  This  creation  is  the  first  instance  of  Scottish  interposition  in  Caithness  affairs. 
Ljot  and  Skuli  engaged  in  battle,  Skuli  falling  and  Ljot  being  mortally  wounded.  To 
them  succeeded  the  surviving  brother  Hlodver,  uniting  in  his  person  the  Caithness  claims 
of  both  Grelauga  and  Thorfinn. 

Hlodver,  8th  Earl,  like  his  father  was  a  great  warrior,  and  while  roving  in  the  West 
became  enamoured  of  Audna,  daughter  of  an  Irish  royalet,  Carroll,  King  of  Dublin 
(Kiarval,  King  of  the  Ivar).  The  antiquity  of  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  can  best  be 
realised  by  pointing  out  that  the  foregoing  Earls  were  contemporaries  of  those  Scottish 
sceptred  shades — Constantine  II.,  Aodh,  Eocha,  Grig,  Donald  IV.,  Constantine  III., 
Malcolm  I.,  Indulf,  Duff,  Culen,  Kenneth  III.,  Constantine  IV.,  Malcolm  II.,  etc.  ;  but 
there  is  no  record  of  the  writs  of  these  royalties  running  through  Caithness,  which  was 
practically  independent,  the  Jarls  thereof  having  Ross  and  Moray  under  their  sphere  of 
influence  ;  laying  the  Hebudes  under  tribute,  governors  being  appointed  in  those  regions 
for  the  collection  of  taxes ;  and  exercising  not  only  in  Caithness,  but  also  in  Insular 
Orcadia,  all  jura  regalia,  subject  only  with  regard  to  the  latter  to  occasional  interpositions 
of  the  mouarchs  of  Norway. 

Earl  Hlodver  had — with  a  daughter  Hvarflod,  married  to  Earl  Gilli  of  the  Suderies — 
one  only  son,  Sigurd  II. ,  the  Stout,  nth  Earl,  who  married  secondly  Anleta,  a  daughter 
of  King  Malcolm  II.  of  Scotland  ;  and  falling  at  Clontarf  in  1014,  was  succeeded  by 
Thorfinn  II.,  son  of  that  marriage,  then  in  minority.  Thorfinn  was  the  greatest  of  all 
the  Earls  of  Orcadia,  and  his  alliance  it  was  with  '  the  peerless  Macbeth  '  which  helped 
to  elevate  that  Prince  to  the  Scottish  throne.  By  Ingibiorg,*  daughter  of  Earl  Finn 
Arnason,  Thorfinn  the  Great  left  two  sons,  the  exiled  Earls  Paul  and  Erlend,  both  of 
whom  died  in  captivity  in  Norway  in  1103,  being  succeeded  in  Caithness  by  Hakon, 
15th  Earl,  son  of  Paul  (by  a  daughter  of  the  Norwegian  Earl,  Hakon  Ivarsson  and 
Ragnhild,  daughter  of  King  Magnus  the  Good),  who  dying  in  1122  left  two  sons — Harald 
the  Orator,  poisoned  in  accident  (1127)  by  his  mother  Helga  ;  and  Paul  II.,  the  Silent, 
abducted  to  Athol  (1136)  by  Sweyn,  a  noted  Orcadian  Viking.  Hakon  left  also  two 
daughters — Margaret,  married  to  Madach,  Earl  of  Athol,  a  member  of  the  Royal  Celtic 
Line  of  Scotland,  and  nephew  of  King  Malcolm  III.  ;  and  Ingibjorg,  married  to  Olaf, 
King  of  the  Hebudes  and  Man.  On  the  death  in  1156  of  the  18th  Earl,  Erlend  II.,  the 
Younger,  son  of  Harald  the  Orator,  the  male  line  of  the  family  of  Sigurd  the  Sea-King 
came  to  an  end. 

A  few  instances  of  interpolated  succession  now  occur.  From  a  Dunfermline  record 
it  appears  that  a  Scottish  noble,  Mac  William,  had  the  title  of  Earl  of  Caithness,  1129- 
1160  ;  and  on  the  deposition  of  Paul  the  Second,  Rognvald,  a  son  of  Gunnhild,  daughter 
of  Erlend  the  Exile,  effected  an  occupancy  of  the  Isles,  and  presently,  by  arrangement 
with  the  guardians  of  young  Harald  of  Athol  (son  of  Margaret  of  Orkney),  he  acquired 
the  Caithness  possessions  also.  All  Orcadia  was  to  be  held  jointly  by  Rognvald  and 
Harald,  but  under  the  sole  rulership  of  Rognvald.  Rognvald  the  Rhymer,  20th  Earl, 
was  a  celebrated  Crusader  and  pilgrim-poet.  His  verses  are  still  extant  in  the  library  at 
Opslo.f  He  fell  in  1158,  a  victim  to  the  private  vengeance  of  one  of  his  turbulent  subjects, 


She  married  (2nd.)  King  Malcolm  Canmore.  \i.e.,  Christiania. 


THE  NORSE  LINE.  183 


and  the  veneration  of  posterity  has  enrolled  him  in  the  calendar  of  saints.  He  left  an 
only  daughter,  Ingigerd,  married  to  Eric  Stagbrellir,  whose  son,  Harald  III.,  22nd  Earl, 
in  1 196  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  half  of  Caithness  from  King  William  the  Lion. 
This  title  Harald  II.  of  Athol  was  in  no  way  inclined  to  allow,  and  a  battle  ensued  at 
Clairdon  in  Caithness,  where  young  Harald,  after  distinguishing  himself  by  his  valiant 
actions,  found  an  early  grave  (1196). 


THE  ATHOL  LINE. 
Harald  II.  the  Wicked  was  now  in  undisputed  possession  of  Orcadia,  which  then 
comprised  Orkney,  Shetland,  Caithness,  Sutherland,  and  Strathnaver.  He  was  twice 
married,  first  to  Afrecca,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Fife,  by  whom  he  had  a  son  Henry, 
reputed  Earl  of  Ross  by  the  contemporary  Saga  annalists  ;  and  Hakon,  who  perished  in 
battle  with  the  Irish.  By  his  second  wife  Gormlath,  a  daughter  of  Earl  Malcolm  MacHeth 
of  Moray  (ex-Bishop  Wimuud),  the  pretender  to  the  Scottish  throne,  he  had  numerous 
issue,  the  surviving  sons  being  his  successors — David,  23rd  Earl,  died  12 14  ;  and  John, 
24th  Earl,  killed  in  1231,  whose  son  Harald,  the  Master  of  Orcadia,  had  predeceased  him, 
being  lost  at  sea  some  years  antecedently. 


THE  ANGUS  LINE. 
The  Orcadian  Earldoms  now  pass  to  one  Magnus,  who  is  assumed  to  be  the  second 
son  of  the  Earl  of  Angus  ;  but  as  the  Earldom  of  Angus  goes  immediately  to  an  heiress, 
it  is  difficult  to  reconcile  that  fact  with  the  Orcadian  and  Caithness  succession.  It  may 
be  that  Magnus,  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  married  twice,  having  issue  by  the  first 
marriage  his  successor,  and  marrying  secondly  the  heiress  of  Angus,  thus  becoming 
Earl  of  Angus  jure  axon's,  and  accounting  for  his  appearance  in  1232  as  Magnus,  Earl 
of  Angus  and  Kataness.  By  the  second  marriage  with  the  heiress  of  Angus,  Earl 
Magnus  may  have  had  the  one  daughter,  Matilda,  Countess  of  Angus  in  her  own  right, 
who  married  first  John  Comyn  (11242),  and  secondly  Gilbert  de  Umfraville,  in  which  latter 
family  the  Earldom  of  Angus  continued  for  some  length  of  time.  The  foregoing  is, 
however,  only  speculative,  and  the  accepted  version  is  that  Magnus,  second  son  of  the 
Earl  of  Angus,  became  25th  Earl  of  Caithness  as  heir-at-law  to  his  predecessor,  Earl 
John.  To  Magnus  succeeded  Gilbride  I.  and  Gilbride  II.,  whose  son,  Earl  Magnus  II., 
was  the  28th  in  succession.  He  was  with  King  Hakon  at  Largs,  and  entered  into  a 
contract  of  privileges  with  Magnus  VI.  of  Norway.  His  son,  Magnus  III.,  received  the 
title  by  investiture  at  Tunsberg  in  1276,  and  was  one  of  the  seven  earls  of  Scotland  who, 
in  1283,  agreed  to  recognise  Margaret,  "  the  Maiden  of  Norway,"  as  next  successor  to 
the  Scottish  realm.  Dying  in  1284  without  issue,  the  Earldom  passed  to  his  brother, 
John  II.,  30th  Earl.  In  1291  Earl  John  had  a  safe-conduct  from  King  Edward  I.  of 
England  to  report  the  circumstances  of  the  death  of  the  Princess  Margaret  on  the 
Orcadian  Coast.  In  1297  he  recognised  Edward  I.  as  Paramount  of  Scotland.  The  seal 
he  used  on  that  occasion  was  a  ship  with  a  tressure  of  flower-de-luce  around  it.  In  1299 
he  was  betrothed  to  Ingibiorg,  Princess  of  Norway  (daughter  of  King  Eric  by  Isabel 
Bruce,  daughter  of  Robert  Bruce,  Earl  of  Carrick),  but  the  betrothal  does  not  seem  to 
have  resulted  in  marriage.     He  died  before   1312,  as  his  son,  Magnus  IV.,  appears  then 


THE  EARLDOM  OF  CAITHNESS. 


on  record  as  Earl.  In  Magnus'  time,  and  presumably  in  his  favour,  the  King  of  Norway 
restricted  the  use  of  the  comitial  title  to  the  king's  sons  and  the  Earl  of  Orkney.  He 
was  present  at  the  Treaty  of  Inverness,  131 2,  between  Robert  I.  of  Scotland  and  Hakon 
V.,  and  in  1320  subscribed  the  famous  letter  to  the  Pope.  Next  year  (1321)  Henry  de 
St.  Clair  appears  as  Ballivus  in  Caithness,  which  is  the  first  notice  of  the  Roslins  in 
those  parts.  In  1329  Katherine,  Countess  of  Caithness  and  Orkney,  executes  deeds  in 
viduitaie,  and  the  Caithness  possessions  of  Earl  Magnus  are  found  inherited  by  the  Earl 
of  Stratherne  and  Simon  Fraser,  reputed  ancestor  of  the  Lovats. 


THE  STRATHERNE  LINE. 
It  is  surmised  that  Malise  III.  of  Stratherne,  when  in  apparency  only,  married 
Matilda,  daughter  of  Earl  Gilbride  II.  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  and  had  issue  Matilda 
contracted  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  in  1293,  to  Robert  de  Thony,  and  Malise  IV.,  seventh 
Earl  of  Stratherne,  born  about  1272.  Malise  IV.  of  Stratherne  succeeded,  on  the  death 
of  Earl  Magnus  IV.,  to  the  Earldoms  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  thus  uniting  in  his 
person  three  important  Earldoms  at  a  time,  when  there  were  only  about  twelve  in 
existence  in  Scotland.  He  appears  in  1331  as  possessed  of  the  fourth  part  of  Caithness. 
Falling  at  Halidon,  in  1333,  he  left  issue  a  daughter,  Joanna,  and  his  successor 
Malise,  II.  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  V.  of  Stratherne.  This  puissant  prince  married, 
first,  Johanna  de  Menteith,  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter  Matilda,  married  to  one 
Weyland  de  Ard  ;  and  secondly,  the  Lady  Marjo^  of  Ross,  by  whom  he  had,  with 
other  issue  Annot  fd.s.p.J,  married  to  Erengisle  Suneson,  and  Isabella,  ancestress  of  the 
St.  Clairs  hereafter  Earls.  Dying  in  1344  or  1345,  an  interval  of  confused  succession 
occurs.  His  Earldom  of  Stratherne  being  (semble)  a  male  fief,  reverted  to  the  Scottish 
Crown,  and  was  granted  in  1345  to  [his  cousin]  Maurice  Moray  (d.  1346),  who  had  married 
Joanna,  Countess-Dowager  of  Athol,  styled  also  Countess  of  Stratherne,  Warreune, 
and  Surrey,  and  reported  variously  to  be  mother,  stepmother,  sister,  wife,  widow,  and 
daughter  of  the  last  Earl  Malise.  It  then  passed  to  Robert  the  Steward  (brother-in-law 
to  Malise),  who  afterwards,  on  becoming  King  of  Scotland,  bestowed  it  on  his  brother 
David.  The  Earldom  of  Orkney  was,  in  1353,  conferred  on  Erengisle  Suneson,  a 
Swedish  noble,  jure  uxoris  Annot  de  Stratherne,  but  she  died  before  1357,  in  which  year 
Erengisle  suffered  forfeiture.  Earl  Malise  had  executed  an  instrument  at  Inverness  on 
the  28th  May,  1344,  securing  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  to  his  daughter  Isabella,  under 
the  protection  of  her  uncle,  William,  Earl  of  Ross.  Isabella  presently  married  Sir 
William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin.  The  said  charter  was  confirmed  at  Scone  by  King  David  II. 
12th  May,  1362,  and  in  1367  it  is  noted  that  there  remain  in  the  hands  of  Sir  William 
Keith  ^10  annual  rent  charge  on  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  by  reason  of  ward  of  the  heir 
of  William  St.  Clair.  Notwithstanding  the  incontestable  rights  of  Isabella,  Lady  St. 
Clair,  to  the  Earldom,  as  instructed  by  these  charters,  through  Court  intrigue  and 
covetousness  the  possession  was  assumed  to  have  devolved  upon  Alexander  de  Ard,  son 
of  Matilda  de  Stratherne,  the  eldest  co-heiress  of  Earl  Malise  II.  Alexander  de  Ard, 
heir-general,  should  have  inherited  the  Earldom  of  Stratherne,  but  that  fief  was 
apparently  limited  to  heirs-male,  and  a  new  creation  had  probably  before  birth  of 
de  Ard  been  given  in  1345  to  Sir  Maurice  Moray,  who,  dying  without  issue  in  1346, 
the  Earldom  was  granted   anew    to    Robert   Stewart,   who,   in    1370,  became   King   of 


THE  STRATHKRNK  LINE.  185 

Scotland.  Reluctant  to  relinquish  the  revenues  of  the  Earldom,  and  yet  desirous  to 
compensate  de  Ard,  who  had  been  superseded  in  Orkney  first  by  Erengisle  Sunesson, 
next  by  the  St.  Clairs,  and  finally  by  the  Norwegian  Crown,  the  Scottish  sovereign  permitted 
him  to  acquire  possession  of  Caithness  at  the  expense  of  Lady  St.  Clair  and  her  children, 
then  in  minority.  In  1375  Alexander  de  Ard  resigned  to  King  Robert  II.  his  rights  to 
Caithness,  Stratherne,  and  all  other  lands  in  Scotland,  and  eventually  died  without  issue. 


INTERVAL   OF   ALIEN   EARLS. 

i375—i43i-      I450—I455- 

King  Robert  II.  thereupon  created  his  brother  David  Earl  Palatine  of  Stratherne  and 
Caithness,  but  the  latter  dying  without  issue  male,  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  returned 
to  the  Crown,  and  was  bestowed  on  Walter  Stewart,  Earl  of  Athol,  in  1424,  who 
forthwith  assigned  it  to  his  son  Alan,  on  whose  death,  at  Inverlochy,  in  1431,  it 
continued  with  his  father  till  his  execution  in  1437,  when  reverting  to  the  Crown  it 
remained  in  commission  for  some  years.  In  1450  it  was  granted  to  George  Crichton, 
Lord  High  Admiral  of  Scotland.  He  died  without  male  issue  in  1455,  in  which  year 
the  Earldom  was  restored  to  the  direct  line  in  the  person  of  William  Saint-Clair,  44th  Earl 
of  Orkney,  and  has  ever  since  continued  in  his  house. 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


EARLS     OF     CAITHNESS. 


THE   HOUSE   OF   SAINT-CLAIR. 

1345— 1897. 

It  has  been  seen  that  there  was  a  special  destination  of  Caithness  on  the  28th  May,  1344, 
to  Isabella  de  Stratherne,  who  presently  became  Lady  St.  Clair  of  Roslin ;  that  the  charter 
was  confirmed  12th  May,  1362;  and  that  in  T367  the  Earldom  was  subject  to  a  rent- 
charge  by  reason  of  the  ward  of  the  heir  of  Wm.  St.  Clair  ;  and  that  the  Scottish  sovereign 
wrongfully  recognised  Alex,  de  la  Ard  as  heir  to  the  Earldom  ;  on  whose  resignation  in 
1375  the  rights  of  those  in  remainder  were  again  ignored.  Several  similar  instances  occur 
in  Scottish  history,  the  most  striking  being  that  of  the  Earldom  of  Buchan  and  of  the 
Barony  of  Sinclair,  which  see.  It  is  not  known  when  Alex,  de  Ard  died,  but  at  his  death 
his  aunt  Isabella  de  Stratherne,  Lady  of  Roslin,  was  next  in  succession,  and  we  are  told 
by  the  Diploma  that  she  outlived  all  her  brothers  and  sisters  and  their,  issue,  as  also  her 
son,  Earl  Henry  I.  of  Orkney,  who  died  1404,  transmitting  her  claim  to  Caithness  to  her 
grandson,  Henry  II.  of  Orkney,  Earl  de  jure  of  Caithness  (11420),  who  does  not  seem  to 
have  secured  a  recognition  of  his  right,  and  during  the  minority  of  his  son  William  the 
Earldom  was  in  1424  a  second  time  granted  to  the  alien  House  of  Stewart,  and  again  in 
1450  to  that  of  Crichton.  Her  great-grandson,  Wm.  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Orkney,  was, 
however,  successful  enough  to  recover  it  in  1455,  when  he  became  39th  Earl,  in 
successional  sequence,  though  first  of  his  house  by  patent  from  the  Scottish  Crown. 

WILLIAM   I.,  39TH  EARL. 

H55— 1476. 

The  39th  Earl,  who  died  about  1481,  surrendered  the  title  and  jurisdiction  of  Orkney 
in  1 47 1,  and  five  years  later — 1476 — abdicated  his  remaining  Earldom  of  Caithness  in 
favour  of  his  second  son  of  the  name  of  William,  who  was  second  son  of  his  second 
marriage,  thus  passing  over  the  claims  of  his  eldest  son  William  of  the  first  marriage, 
who  was  ancestor  of  the  Lords  Sinclair  of  Ravenscraig,  now  reputed  extinct  in  the  male 
line,  and  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Warsetter,  of  Tohop,  Saba  and  Grottsetter,  as  also  the 
claims  of  his  second  son,  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  eldest  son  of  the  second  marriage, 
ancestor  of  the  St.  Clairs  of  Roslin,  the  Sinclairs  of  Pitcairns,  Ethay,  etc. 

WILLIAM    II.,  40TH  EARL. 

1476—1513- 

This  Earl,  on  the  resignation  of  his  father,  obtained  a  charter  of  the  Earldom, 
including  the  patronage  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  Magnus  at  Spittal,  which  was  followed  in 


WILLIAM   II.,  40TH  EARL.  1S7 


1480  by  a  charter  of  the  jurisdiction.  In  1478  he  or  his  father  was  decerned  by  Parliament 
to  refund  to  the  borough  of  Innerkeithen  the  pettie  customis  of  the  brugh  of  Dysart, 
intromitted  with  for  the  space  of  17  years.* 

He  joined  the  confederacy  of  nobles  who  hanged  Cochran,  and  the  other  favourites 
of  James  II.,  at  the  bridge  of  Lauder,  in  148 1  ;  and  on  the  second  rebellion  of  the  barons 
in  1488,  headed  by  the  king's  own  son,  he  appears  to  have  allied  himself  to  the  royal 
cause,  as  well  as  Huntly,  Crawford,  and  many  others  who  had  leagued  for  the  destruction 
of  the  favourites.  Huntly  and  Crawford  fought  at  Sauchieburn  on  the  king's  side,  but 
Caithness  appears  not  to  have  arrived  in  time  for  the  battle,  although  Abercrombie  and 
Holinshed  distinctly  state  that  he  and  others  were  on  their  way  to  the  assistance  of  King 
James,  f 

This  Earl  is  a  party  to  two  ancient  charters,  one  of  lands  in  Caithness,  and  the  other 
in  Hjaklaud.  The  former  was  executed  at  Girnigoe  Castle,  14th  March,  1496,  being  a 
charter  from  William  de  St.  Claro,  Earl  of  Caithness,  to  John  Groat,  son  to  Hugh  Groat, 
of  one  penny  land  in  Duncansby,  paying  therfor  yearly  /res  modios  Brasii  at  Martinmas,  t 
The  Shetland  charter  was  dated  at  Edinburgh,  the  3rd  December,  1498,  where  Earl 
William,  with  the  consent  of  his  brothers  and  sisters,  disponed  the  lands  of  Swinburgh, 
in  the  lordship  of  Zetland.  Nisbet,  who  states  he  saw  this  charter,  adds  :  "to  which  all 
their  seals  were  appended  entire,  with  their  proper  differences,  .  .  .  that  of  the  Earl 
being  a  seal  conchy,  and  quartered  first  and  fourth  a  ship  under  sail,  second  and  third  a 
lion  rampant,  and  over  all,  dividing  the  quarters,  a  cross  ingrailed  ;  the  shield  was 
timbred  with  a  helmet,  enseigned  with  a  flower-de-luce  for  crest;  supported  on  the  dexter 
by  a  griffin,  and  on  the  sinister  by  a  lion,  and  the  legend  around  the  seal  Sig.  Willielmi 
Comitis  CathaniaeP\  This  instrument,  if  still  extant,  might  clear  up  the  question  of 
seniority  between  Earl  William  and  his  brother  Sir  Oliver  of  Roslin,  and  might  perhaps 
inform  us  of  other  relationships. 

In  1503  Parliament  passed  an  act  saying:  "Because  there  has  been  great  lack  and 
fault  of  justice  in  the  north  parts,  as  Caithness  and  Ross,  for  fault  of  the  want  of  division 
of  the  sheriffdom  of  Inverness,  to  our  regret,  and  these  parts  are  so  far  distant  fiom  the 
burgh  of  Inverness,  through  which  people  cannot  come  speedily  there  by  reason  of  the 
great  expense,  labour,  and  travel,  and  therefore  great  enormities  and  trespasses  have 
grown,  in  default  of  officers  within  those  parts  who  have  power  to  put  good  rule  among 
the  people,  etc.,  etc."  On  these  grounds  there  was  to  be  a  sheriff  of  Ross  and  one  of 
Caithness,  the  latter  sitting  at  Dornoch  or  Wick  as  convenient.  It  is  said  that  this  act, 
though  passed,  was  inoperative  till  ratified  for  Caithness  in  1641  and  Ross  in  1649. §  At 
the  Parliament  in  Edinburgh  on  8th  June,  1504,  the  Earl  witnessed  a  document  by  the 
Earl  of  Athole  promising  to  underlie  the  law  for  treason. 

There  is  a  remission  cited  as  made  by  Geo.  Hepburn  (uncle  of  the  first  Earl  of  Bothwell), 
who  was  Apostle  or  Bishop  of  the  Isles  from  15 10  to  15 13,  in  favour  of  this  Earl,  "  for 
all  murders  and  crimes  committed  by  him  from  the  year  1501  to  1510."  "  Murders  and 
crimes"  must  mean  incidents  of  disputed  administration,  feuds,  and  property  quarrels, 
according  to  the  language  of  the  period,  not  personal  felony.  In  the  sasine  or  possessory 
document  following  his  son  John's  retour  in  1513,  there  is  this  reference  to  the  remission, 
"  Wherein  the  murder  of  the  Bishop  is  thought  to  be  comprehended,  of  date  1510.  "  This 
ecclesiastical  remission  was  a  pre-requisite  to  that  on  Flodden  Fields  from  the  Scottish 


Hay.  t  Calder.  %  Nisbet.  \  Caithness  Events. 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


sovereign,  who  had  apprised  Canisbay,  etc.,  from  him  for  a  debt  of  ,£400.  This 
Earl  William,  the  second  of  the  Sinclairs,  who  held  the  Earldom  of  Caithness, 
resided  at  Castle  Girnigoe,  situated  on  a  projecting  rock  or  precipice  near  Noss  Head, 
on  the  east  side  of  Sinclair  Bay.  From  the  ruins  of  this  castle  still  standing,  it  was  not 
only  a  mansion  of  great  strength,  but  also,  for  those  days,  of  considerable  architectural 
elegance.  Girnigo  was  built  for  strength,  and  Castle  Sinclair  for  beauty.  The  old 
saying  runs  : — 

"  Girnigo  was  Girnigo  ere  Sinclair's  first  stane  was  laid, 
And  Girnigo  will  be  Girnigo  when  that  Sinclair  is  dead." 
He  was  married   to   the  Lady   Mary  Keith,  daughter  to  the  Laird  of  Inverugie, 
Aberdeenshire,  afterwards  Earl-Marischal  of  Scotland.     The  latter  was  possessed  of  lauds 
in  Caithness,  and  resided  frequently  at  Ackergill  Tower,  a  very  strong  keep  at  the  most 


Re2»-o<ium1  In/  i>rrmissjon  0f  o.  Ur, 


Wilson  &  Co.,  Aberdeen. 

Castles  Sinclair  and  Girnigo. 


inland  part  of  Sinclair  Bay,  about  a  couple  of  miles  west  of  Castle  Girnigoe.  He  was 
possessed  of  property  throughout  the  whole  North  of  Scotland,  and  it  is  said  that  when 
he  occasionally  came  from  his  chief  seat  of  Dunottar  Castle,  in  the  Mearns,  to  visit  his 
estate  in  Caithness,  he  could,  during  the  course  of  his  journey,  rest  every  night  in  a  house 
of  his  own.* 

"Having  quarrelled  with  with  his  son-in-law,  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  he  took  an 
opportunity,  on  a  New  Year's  Day  morning,  when  Caithness  and  some  attendants 
had    been    out   coursing    with    greyhounds,   and    were    returning   on    horseback   within 


Kenned}-  M.S. 


WILLIAM   II.,  40TH  EARL.  189 

bowshot  of  the  battlements  of  Ackergill  Tower,  to  wound  him  with  an  arrow,  which 
stuck  firm  in  the  back  of  his  neck.  Finding  himself  wounded,  the  Earl  did  not 
attempt  to  withdraw  the  arrow,  but,  having  clapped  spurs  to  his  horse,  arrived  at  his 
own  house  of  Castle  Girnigoe.  His  lady  enquiring  what  sport  he  had  met  with,  he 
replied,  '  Not  much  ;  only  in  passing  by  Ackergill  Tower,  your  father  sent  home  a  New 
Year's  gift  for  you,  which  you  may  find  fixed  in  the  back  of  my  neck.  '  "* 

In  1505,  the  Earl  sat  in  the  Scottish  Parliament.!  He  began  the  erection  of  a  large 
building  at  Knock  Einar,  in  Caithness,  but  being  called  Soulh  to  join  in  the  Scottish 
invasion  of  England,  the  building  was  never  finished.}  He  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  Battle  of  Flodden,  being  in  the  right  wing,  led  by  the  Earl  of  Huntly,  who  defeated 
the  English  left,  but  on  returning  from  pursuit  found  the  rest  of  the  Scottish  army  in  sad 
straits.  Of  the  leaders  of  the  Scottish  right,  the  Earls  of  Huntly  and  Sutherland  saved 
themselves  by  flight,  but  Gordon  of  Gight  and  the  Earl  of  Caithness  stood  their  ground, 
and  at  the  head  of  their  men  gallantly  yielded  up  their  lives.  Andrew  Stewart,  Bishop 
of  Caithness,  and  Lord  Treasurer  of  Scotland,  also  fell  on  this  unhappy  occasion.  A 
French  contemporary  gazette,  in  enumerating  the  killed,  has  inter  alia  ;  "  L'Evesque 
de  Katnes  ;  Le  Conte  de  Katnes."t 

Earl  William  II.  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Keith,  of  Inverugie,  bv 
whom  he  had 

1.  John  III.,  his  successor,  and 

2.  Alexander  of  Stemster  and  Dunbeath,  ancestor  of  the  first  family  of  that  designation. 
He  had  also  a  natural  son — 

William,  legitimised  in  1543,  of  whose  descendants,  if  any,  no  account  has  been  discovered.? 


JOHN    III.,  41ST    EARL, 

1513—1529- 

Soon  after  fatal  Flodden,  Adam,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  in  anticipation  of  threatened 
dangers  in  the  North,  made  overtures  to  Earl  John,  and  entered  into  bonds  of  friendship 
and  alliance  with  him  for  mutual  protection  and  support.  The  better  to  secure  the  goodwill 
and  assistance  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  Earl  Adam  made  a  grant  of  some  lands  on  the  east 
side  of  the  water  of  Ully  ;  but  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  although  he  kept  possession  of  the 
lands,  joined  the  foes  of  his  ally  and  friend. ||  The  Earl  of  Sutherland  had  also  established 
a  league  of  amity  with  Y-Roy-Mackay  the  same  year,  but  he  presently  dying,  a  contest 
ensued  for  the  succession  to  Strathnaver  between  his  brother  Neil  and  his  two  bastard 
sons  John  and  Donald.  John  took  possession,  but  Neil  laid  claim  and  applied  to  the 
Earl  of  Caithness  for  assistance  to  recover  them.  After  many  entreaties  the  Earl  put  a 
force  under  Neil  and  his  two  sons,  and  they  promptly  dispossessed  John,  but  were 
surprised  by  Donald,  who  slew  his  cousins,  and,  being  rejoined  by  John,  captured  Neil 
— who,  being  abandoned  by  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  had  cast  himself  on  their  generosity — 
and  regardless  of  mercy  and  the  ties  of  blood,  ordered  him  to  be  beheaded  in  their 
presence  by  the  hands  of  Claff-na-Gep,  his  own  foster-brother.  <H 

*Kennedy  MS.  |  Calder.  %  Pope.  $  Henderson  (Caithness  Family  History). 

||  Gordon,  an  historian  of  known  bias  to  the  House  of  Sinclair.         If  Keltie  (citing  Gordon). 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


The  Earls  of  Caithness  and  Sutherland  were  continually  in  opposition,  and  at  last 
the  latter  brought  an  action  before  the  Lords  of  Council  and  Session  to  recover  the  lands 
of  Strathully  on  the  grounds  of  non-fulfilment  of  the  consideration,  viz.,  to  assist  the 
Earl  of  Sutherland  against  his  enemies.  There  were  other  minor  points  of  dispute 
between  the  Earls,  to  get  all  which  determined  they  both  repaired  to  Edinburgh. 
Instead,  however,  of  abiding  the  issue  of  a  trial  at  law  before  the  judges,  both  parties,  by 
the  advice  of  mutual  friends,  referred  the  decision  of  all  the  points  in  dispute  on  either 
side  to  Gavin  Dunbar,  Bishop  of  Aberdeen,  who  pronounced  his  award  at  Edinburgh  on 
the  nth  March,  1524,  his  judgment  appearing  to  have  satisfied  both  parties,  as  the  Earls 
lived  iu  peace  with  one  another  ever  after.* 

In  1528  he  was  one  amongst  others  to  whom  King  James  addressed  a  mandate 
urging  the  extirpation  of  the  "  Kin  of  Clanquhattane,"  but  nothing  severe  seems  to  have 
been  done  to  that  then  troublesome  clan.*  The  letter  reads  .  .  .  "  to  our  louittis 
cousiugis  Adam  Erie  of  Suthirland  ;  John  Erie  of  Cathnes,"  &c. 

Earl  John's  next  appearance  is  his  last.  Under  1528  Tytler,  quoting  Lesley,  has  : 
There  now  ensued  a  formidable  but  abortive  attempt  to  separate  the  Orkneys  from  the 
dominion  of  the  Crown.  The  author  of  the  rebellion,  whose  ambition  soared  to  the 
height  of  an  independent  prince,  was  the  Earl  of  Caithness  ;  but  his  career  was  brief  and 
unfortunate  :  the  majority  of  the  islanders  were  steady  in  their  loyalty,  and  in  a  battle 
James  Sinclair,  the  Governor  of  Orkney,  encountered  the  insurgents,  defeated  and  slew 
their  leader  with  five  hundred  men,  and  making  captives  of  the  rest,  reduced  these 
remote  parts  to  a  state  of  peace. 

The  Groat  Inventories  contain  a  Precept  of  Sasine  by  Jo.  Sinclair,  Earl  of  Caithness, 
for  infefting  John  Groat  in  ane  penny  land  in  Dungsby.  Dated  at  Nose,  5th  October, 
1 515.  The  Sasine  thereanent,  issues  on  12th  October  following,  and  another  of  even 
date  to  William  Groat  in  a  farthing  land,  also  in  Duncansbay.  On  the  28th  September, 
1 52 1,  a  Precept  of  Sasine  issues  from  Earl  John  for  infefting  Walter,  son  and  air  of 
umquhile  William  Grot  in  the  said  lands  ;  and  he  dates  another  at  Girnigoe,  22nd 
October,  1523,  infefting  John  Groat  in  one  penny  land  in  Dungsby  conform  to  a  charter 
granted  yr.  anent.f  Earl  John  granted  to  Alex.  Brisbane  of  Reiss  a  charter  of  Ekirnoss, 
dated  Girnigoe  Castle,  28th  March,  1520  ;  \  and  there  is  another  dated  Wick,  19th 
October,  1523,  one  of  donation  to  Trinity  Convent,  Aberdeen,  for  the  soul  of  his  father, 
of  himself,  and  the  souls  of  his  friends  and  successors,  264  masses  to  be  sung  yearly  in 
all.S     By  his  Countess  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Sutherland  of  Duffus,  he  had 

1.  William,  Master  of  Caithness,  who  died  without  issue  in  1527,  vita  patris. 

2.  George,  his  successor. 
He  had  also  a  natural  son — 

David,  Bailie  to  the  Bishop  of  Caithness.  In  1556  Earl  George  obtained  a  remission  for 
imprisoning  David  in  Girnigoe  Castle,  jl 
Some  authorities  state  that  Earl  John  married  secondly,  after  the  death  or  divorce 
of  Elizabeth  Sutherland,  the  fifth  sister  of  Adam  Gordon,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  but  this 
seems  exceedingly  doubtful.  It  arises  perhaps  from  confusing  Sir  William  Sinclair  of 
Warsetter,  Orkney,  who  married  Helene,  fifth  daughter  of  George,  Earl  of  Huntly,  with 
his  contemporary  and  kinsman,  the  Earl  of  Caithness. 

*  Keltic         t  Petrie  Papers.         i  Bruce— Caithness  MS.         §  Bain's  Merchant  Guilds  of  Aberdeen. 

II  Henderson. 


GEORGE  II.,  42ND  EARL.  191 


GEORGE   II.,  42ND  EARL. 

1529—1582. 

This  Earl,  with  John,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  met  Queen  Mary  at  Inverness  on  the 
occasion  of  her  arrival  there  in  the  month  of  July,  1555,  to  settle  the  disorders  then 
prevailing  in  those  parts.  Although  Earl  George  was  requested  to  bring  his  countrymen 
along  with  him  to  the  Court,  he  either  neglected  or  declined  to  do  so,  and  was  therefore 
committed  to  prison  at  Inverness,  Aberdeen,  and  Edinburgh  successively,  nor  was  he 
restored  to  liberty  till  he  paid  a  considerable  sum  of  money.* 

Earl  George  took  an  active  part  in  the  intrigues  in  connection  with  the  marriages  of 
Mary,  Queen  of  Scots.  In  1560  he  attended  the  secret  convention  of  the  Catholic  party 
which  entrusted  Lesley,  official  of  Aberdeen  (afterwards  Bishop  of  Ross),  with  a 
commission  to  repair  to  the  French  Court  and  present  to  their  sovereign  their  offers  of 
service  and  expressions  of  devoted  attachment.*  The  next  year  (1561)  William  and 
Angus  Sutherland  of  Berriedale,  countenanced  it  is  believed  by  the  Earl  of  Sutherland, 
committed  some  gross  outrages  in  Caithness,  and  killed  several  inhabitants  of  the  county 
named  Clyne,  against  whom  they  had  a  grudge.  For  these  acts  the  Earl  of  Caithness 
banished  them,  and  confiscated  their  castle  of  Berriedale.  This  incited  them  to  resume 
their  depredations,  and  through  the  influence  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  a  pardon  was 
obtained  for  them  from  Queen  Mary.  Earl  George  was  greatly  exasperated  at  the 
interference  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  and  to  this  incident  we  trace  the  foundation  of 
that  hatred  which  the  two  rival  Houses  of  Caithness  and  Sutherland  bore  each  other  for 
so  long  a  period.!  He  attended  the  convention  of  the  Scottish  nobility  held  at  Stirling 
15th  May,  1565,  to  deliberate  on  the  marriage  of  Queen  Mary.  On  receiving  the 
announcement  of  her  intention  to  wed  Darnley,  all  approved  thereof.  J  The  Earl  was 
appointed  Justiciary  of  the  North  of  Scotland,  with  jurisdiction  to  include  the  whole  of 
Sutherland  and  Caithness,  on  the  17th  April,  1566.  The  commission  included  a  power  to 
banish  and  kill,  and  to  pardon  any  crime  except  treason.!  It  was  ratified  by  the  Scottish 
Parliament  the  19th  April,  1567.  The  Justiciaryship  had  been  vested  in  his  predecessors, 
and  was  but  the  renewal  of  an  heritable  right.  The  Earl's  crest  was  a  Gallic  cock, 
which  accounts  for  the  expression  ' '  Cock  of  the  North ' '  as  applicable  to  him.  He  is 
stated  to  have  joined  the  conspiracy  of  1567  to  destroy  Darnley.  He  was  chancellor  of 
the  jury  that  acquitted  Bothwell,  and  in  pronouncing  judgment  the  Earl,  on  behalf  of 
the  jury,  protested  "that  no  crime  should  be  imputed  to  them  on  that  account,  as  no 
accuser  had  appeared,  nor  was  proof  brought  of  the  indictment."  After  this  nominal 
trial  the  Earls  of  Caithness  and  Sutherland,  along  with  the  other  lords  present,  subscribed 
the  bond  acquitting  Bothwell  of  the  crime  with  which  he  had  been  charged,  and  recom- 
mending him  as  a  fit  husband  for  the  Queen.  Both  Earls  were  members  of  the  Privy 
Council,  and  friendly  to  Bothwell.  Immediately  after  the  murder  of  Darnley,  they  further 
signed  the  letter  written  by  the  Privy  Council  in  1567  to  the  Queen-mother  of  France,  in 
which  is  given  a  delusive  account  of  this  shocking  tragedy.! 

On  the  night  of  the  murder  of  Rizzio,  Caithness  was  with  the  party  which  attempted 
the  rescue  of  the   Queen,  but   being    outnumbered,   retired    from    the    contest    for   that 

*  Keltic  t  Calder.  i  Tytler. 


i92  EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


night.  Two  days  afterwards  the  Queen  and  Darnley,  then  reconciled,  contrived  to  escape 
to  Dunbar  Castle,  and  were  there  joined  by  several  of  their  friends,  amongst  whom  was 
the  Earl  of  Caithness  and  his  followers.* 

An  incident  now  occurred  which  illustrates  the  wickedness  of  the  times.  The  Earl, 
Countess,  and  Master  of  Sutherland,  while  staying  at  a  hunting-lodge  near  Helmsdale, 
had  poison  administered  to  them  by  Isabel  Sinclair,  wife  of  Gilbert  Gordon  of  Gartay, 
and  sister  of  William  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath.  The  Earl  and  Countess  died  from  the 
effect  of  the  poison,  but  the  Master  attended  a  little  later  and  was  warned  by  the  Earl  to 
avoid  supper.  The  Earl  of  Caithness  has  been  accused  of  procuring  the  crime,  but,  as  on 
the  death  of  the  Master  of  Sutherland,  Gilbert  Gordon  of  Gartay  would  have  been  next  in 
succession  to  the  Earldom,  it  is  clear  that  his  wife  had  sufficient  motive  without  any 
incentive  from  Caithness.  Isabel  was  sent  to  Edinburgh  for  trial,  where,  being  duly 
condemned,  she  died  on  the  execution  morn.  By  a  singular  retribution  the  poisoned 
draught  was  administered  in  mistake  to  her  own  son  John  Gordon  with  fatal  results. 
These  events  happened  in  July,  1567.! 

Y-Mackay  of  Far,  an  ally  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  now  invaded  Sutherland,  being 
assisted  in  his  enterprise  by  the  Eaird  of  Duffus.  The  Earl  of  Caithness  prevailed  upon 
Robert  Stuart,  Bishop  of  the  county,  to  address  a  letter  to  the  governor  of  Skibo  Castle, 
in  which  the  young  Earl  of  Sutherland  then  resided,  to  deliver  up  the  castle  to  him, 
a  request  with  which  the  governor  complied.  Caithness  carried  the  young  Earl  off  to 
Girnigoe,  and,  although  he  was  only  fifteen,  got  him  married  to  his  daughter  Lady 
Barbara  Sinclair,  aged  thirty-two,  between  whom  and  Y-Mackay  of  Far  there  existed  an 
undue  intimacy,  which  was  subsequently  made  the  ground  of  a  divorce.  The  Earl  of 
Caithness  then  occupied  Dunrobin  Castle  with  his  ward,  and  is  stated  to  have  burnt  all 
the  Sutherland  archives,  and  to  have  formed  the  design  of  marrying  his  second  son 
William  Sinclair  of  Mey  to  Lady  Margaret  Gordon,  the  eldest  sister  of  the  Earl  of 
Sutherland,  whom  he  would  then  cut  off,  and  his  own  son  would  thus  become  Earl. 
This  design  was  frustrated  by  the  escape  of  the  young  Earl  in  1569. 

About  this  time  began  the  controversies  between  Laurence,  Lord  Oliphant,  and 
Lord  Caithness.  The  former  makes  complaint  12th  October,  1569,  of  an  attack  on  him 
and  his  men  by  George,  Earl  of  Caithness,  in  which  divers  were  mutilated  and  John 
Sutherland  slain.  The  latter  was  the  son  of  Alexander  Sutherland  of  Clyne,  son  of 
Kathrine,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair,  Bishop  of  Caithness.  On  22nd  of  November 
following,  Caithness  has  to  appoint  deputies  to  investigate  the  matter,  and  on  8th  March, 
1874,  the  Acts  of  the  Justice  Court  held  at  Thurso,  30th  August  and  31st  October,  1569, 
are  required  to  be  produced. 

Conflicts  now  took  place  between  the  Murrays  and  the  Sutherlands  of  Duffus,  the 
latter  receiving  the  support  of  Earl  George,  who  sent  John,  Master  of  Caithness,  with 
a  large  force  to  attack  the  Murrays  in  Dornoch.  He  fired  the  Cathedral,  attacked  the 
castle,  and  reduced  the  town,  receiving  the  submission  of  the  Murrays  on  terms,  for  the 
fulfilment  of  which  hostages  were  taken  (1570).  The  Earl,  however,  refused  to  ratify  the 
terms  of  capitulation,  and  beheaded  the  hostages.  This  highly  incensed  both  the  Master 
of  Caithness  and  Mackay,  and  from  that  time  the  Earl  and  the  Master  were  at  variance 
with  each   other,  the  latter   retiring  to  Strathnaver,  where   he  resided  with  Mackay. t 


t  Calder  ;  Keltic 


GEORGE  II.,  42ND  EARL.  193 

Rumours  presently  reached  the  Earl  that  Mackay  and  the  Master  were  conspiring  against 
him.  He  therefore  resolved  to  inveigle  them  to  Girnigoe,  and  get  possession  of  their 
persons,  to  accomplish  which  purpose  he  professed  the  most  earnest  desire  for  a  recon- 
ciliation with  his  son,  and  sent  repeated  invitations  for  them  both  to  visit  him  in  his 
stronghold.  They  eventually  resolved  to  hazard  the  visit,  and  set  out  unattended.  On 
passing  the  drawbridge  Mackay  observed  an  unusual  number  of  armed  men.  Suspecting 
treachery,  he  immediately  turned,  spurred  his  horse  across  the  bridge,  which  was  still 
down,  and  escaped.  The  Master,  however,  was  less  fortunate.  Him  they  seized,  though 
not  without  a  desperate  struggle  as  he  was  a  man  of  vast  bodily  strength ;  and  he  was 
fettered  heavily  and  immured  for  some  years  in  a  dark  and  noisome  dungeon  to  die  of 
thirst  and  starvation  under  great  torture  in  1576. 

Y-Mackay  after  escaping  to  Strathnaver,  died  within  four  months  of  grief  and 
remorse  for  the  many  bad  actions  of  his  life.  During  the  minority  of  his  son  Houcheon, 
John  Mor- Mackay,  the  cousin,  and  John  Beg-Mackay,  the  bastard  son  of  Y-Mackay, 
took  charge  of  the  estate  ;  but  the  Earl  of  Caithness  considering  John  Mor  a  favourite  of 
the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  speedily  relieved  him  of  his  charge,  caused  him  to  be  apprehended 
and  carried  into  Caithness,  where  he  was  detained  in  prison  till  his  death. 

During  this  time  John  Robson,  the  chief  of  the  clan  Gunn  in  Caithness  and 
Strathnaver,  became  a  dependent  on  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  acting  as  his  factor  in 
collecting  the  rents  and  duties  of  the  Bishop's  lands  in  Caithness  belonging  to  the  Earl. 
This  connection  was  exceedingly  disagreeable  to  Earl  George,  who,  to  gratify  his  spleen 
against  John  Robson,  instigated  Houcheon  Mackay  to  lay  waste  the  lands  of  the  clan 
Gunn,  in  the  Brea-Moir,  in  Caithness,  without  the  knowledge  of  John  Beg-Mackay,  his 
brother.  As  the  clan  Gunn  had  always  been  friendly  to  the  family  of  Mackay,  John  Beg 
was  greatly  exasperated  at  the  conduct  of  the  Earl  in  enticing  the  young  chief  to  com- 
mit such  an  outrage  ;  but  he  had  it  not  in  his  power  to  make  any  reparation  to  the 
injured  clan.  John  Robson,  the  chief,  however,  assisted  by  Alexander,  Earl  of  Suther- 
land, invaded  Strathnaver,  and  made  ample  retaliation,  returning  with  a  large  booty  and 
killing  many  of  Houcheon  Mackay 's  retainers.  The  Earl  of  Caithness  having  resolved 
to  avenge  himself  on  John  Beg-Mackay  for  the  displeasure  shown  by  him  at  the  conduct 
of  Houcheon,  and  also  on  the  clan  Gunn,  prevailed  upon  Neil  Mac-Iain  Mac-William, 
chief  of  the  Sliochd-Iain-Abaraich  and  James  Mac-Rory,  chief  of  the  Sliochd-Iain-Mhoir  , 
to  attack  them.  Accordingly,  in  the  month  of  September,  1579,  these  two  chiefs,  with 
their  followers,  made  a  night  attack,  in  which  they  slew  John  Beg-Mackay  and  William 
Mac-Iain  Mac-Rob,  the  brother  of  John  Robson,  and  some  of  their  people.* 

On  the  17th  June,  1578,  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  with  others,  protests  against  an 
ambassador  being  sent  to  England  to  treat  of  a  further  league,  and  in  1581  he  was  one 
of  the  principal  leaders  of  the  confederacy  against  Morton. t  He  frequently  appears 
as  a  member  of  the  Privy  Council. 

George  II.,  42nd  Earl  of  Caithness,  died  at  Edinburgh  on  the  9th  September,  1582, 
and  was  buried  in  Roslin  Chapel,  where  there  is  a  monument  to  his  memory,  with  the 
following  Latin  inscription  :  "  Hie  jacet  nobilis  ae  potens  Dominus,  Georgius  quondam  Comes 
Cathanensis,  Dominus  Sinclair,  Justiciarius  hereditarius,  Diocesis  Cathanensis,  qui  obit  Edin- 
burgi,  q  die  mensis  Septembris,  anno  Domini,  1582."  His  heart,  which  was  extracted  and 
encased  in  a  leaden  casket,  was,  by  his  dying  request,  sent  to  Caithness  and  deposited  in 

*  Keltic  +  Calder. 


194 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


the  church  at  Wick.  He  had  been  Earl  for  fifty-four  years,  during  which  period  he  had 
amassed  much  wealth,  and  greatly  enlarged  his  hereditary  property.  The  whole  of  his 
money  he  bequeathed  to  his  youngest  son,  George  Sinclair  of  Mey.* 

By  his  Countess,  the  Lady  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William,  Earl  of  Montrose,  he  had 
issue — t 

i.  John,  Master  of  Caithness,  d.  vita  patris  1576. 

2.  William,  d.  s.p.L,  ancestor  of  Ulbster. 

3.  George  of  Mey,  Chancellor  of  Caithness. 

1.  Barbara,  m.  Alex.,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  div.  1573. 

2.  Elizabeth,  m.,  1st,  Alex.  Sutherland  of  Duffus. 

2nd,  Hutcheon  McKay  of  Far,  ancestor  of  the  Lords  Reay. 

3.  m.  Alex.  Innes  of  Innes. 

4.  Janet,  m.  Robert  Munro  of  Foulis. 

The  Earl  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson  George,  eldest  son  of  the  Master  of 
Caithness,  who  had  died  during  the  life-time  of  his  father. 

On  Barrogill  Castle  there  is  an  ancient  carving  of  the  arms  of  this  Earl,  displaying 
Caithness  and  Montrose,  a  vignette  of  which  adorns  the  title-page  of  Caithness  Family 
History,  by  John  Henderson,  W.S. 


JOHN,  MASTER   OF   CAITHNESS, 

D.V.P.     1567. 


On  the  2nd  October,  1545,  the  Master  of  Caithness  obtained  a  charter  from  Queen 
Mary,  by  which  the  Earldom  became  a  male  fee  to  him  and  his  heirs  male.  At  Edinburgh, 
on  the  1st  December,  1565,  he  protested  that  his  father  should  not  be  required  to  answer 
citation  obtained  by  William  Sutherland  (Hectorsoun)  in  Berydaill,  etc.  Protests  admitted, 
and  their  renewed  complaints  on  31st  January  thereafter  were  refused.  In  1567  he  stormed 
Dornoch,  and  his  father's  mal-treatment  of  the  hostages  then  taken — in  violation  of  the 
terms  of  surrender — was  the  foundation  of  the  hatred  between  sire  and  son,  which  ended 
in  the  Master's  death. 


t  Henderson. 


JOHN,  MASTER  OF  CAITHNESS.  195 

Upon  his  imprisonment  in  Girnigo  Castle  there  were  three  keepers  appointed  over 
him,  namely,  Murdoch  Roy,  and  two  brothers,  Ingram  and  David  Sinclair.  Roy  was 
the  one  who  regularly  attended  him  and  performed  all  the  menial  services  connected 
with  the  office.  The  other  two,  who  were  kinsmen  of  the  Earl,  and  are  stated  to  have 
had  a  bend  sinister  in  their  escutcheon,  might  be  said  to  be  inspectors  or  head  gaolers. 
Roy,  it  would  appear,  was  not  altogether  a  hardened  miscreant,  steeled  against  the 
ordinary  feelings  of  humanity.  His  heart  was  touched  with  pity  for  the  unfortunate 
nobleman,  and  at  the  earnest  and  oft-repeated  solicitations  of  the  latter,  he  agreed  to 
endeavour  to  set  him  at  liberty.  Unfortunately  the  scheme  was  discovered  by  John's 
brother  William,  who  bore  him  no  goodwill,  and  at  once  informed  his  father  of  the 
meditated  escape.  The  Earl  forthwith  ordered  Roy  to  be  executed,  and  the  poor 
wretch  was  immediately  brought  out  and  hanged  on  the  common  gibbet  of  the  castle, 
without  a  moment  being  allowed  him  to  prepare  for  his  final  account.*  Soon  after, 
William  Sinclair  of  Mey  visited  the  cell,  and  the  brothers  had  an  angry  altercation. 
Embittered  by  the  bad  usage  and  long  confinement  he  had  endured,  the  Master,  a  man 
of  powerful  physique,  and  therefore  called  Garrow  or  the  Strong,  though  heavily 
fettered,  sprang  upon  his  brother  and  actually  crushed  out  his  life  in  an  iron  embrace,  t 
This  deepened  the  father's  antipathy  to  his  unhappy  son.  He  had  now  been  nearly 
six  years  in  duress,  and  it  is  stated  that  his  keepers,  the  two  Sinclairs,  instigated  by  the 
Earl,  deliberately  compassed  the  death  of  the  poor  captive,  and  that  by  a  most  inhuman 
method.  They  first  withheld  food  from  him  for  a  few  days,  and  then  supplied  him 
abundantly  with  salt  beef,  of  which,  in  his  famished  state,  he  ate  voraciously.  A  raging 
thirst  came  upon  him,  but  his  brutal  keepers  denied  him  water,  and  left  him  to  die  in 
writhing  agony.  The  accounts  of  his  death  differ  as  to  details,  but  all  agree  that  he  was 
barbarously  murdered.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  "  Sinclair  Aisle  "  in  the  church- 
yard of  Wick,  which  his  father  had  built  some  years  before.  The  inscription  on  the  stone 
over  his  grave  is  most  legible.  It  reads  :  "  Here  lies  entombed  ane  noble  and  worthie 
man,  John,  Master  of  Caithness,  who  departed  this  life  the  15th  day  of  March,  1576."! 

He  married  Jean,  Lady  Morhame,  daughter  of  Patrick  Hepburn,  Earl  of  Bothwell, 
who  makes  supplication  in  April,  1581,  on  behalf  of  her  lawful  son,  Francis  Stuart,  Earl 
of  Bothwell.     By  her  he  was  father  of — \ 

1.  George,  43rd  Earl  of  Caithness.  2.  James,  first  of  Murkle. 

3.  Sir  John,  first  of  Greenland  and  Ratter.  1.  Agnes. 

The  Master  had  also  two  natural  sons — 

1.  David,  acquired  Stirkoke  1587,  legitimated  1588,  died  ante  1595,  leaving  a  son 

John,  slain  at  Thurso  in  1612,  and  a  natural  son 
Colonel  George,  ambushed  in  Norway  the  same  year. J 

2.  Henry,  married  Janet  Sutherland,  and  had  a  son 

John,  probably  ancestor  of  the  Sinclairs,  Wadsetters  of  Lybster  till  1670.  Henry 
received  a  conveyance  from  his  brother,  Earl  George,  of  part  of  the  lands  of 
Borrowstown  and  Lybster,  with  "  the  miln  and  fishings."  In  a  reversion  by  him 
in  favour  of  the  Earl,  dated  3rd  September,  1606,  he  is  designed  as  his  brother 
naturall.  He  accompanied  Earl  George  III.  in  the  expedition  of  1614  to  Orkney, 
and  it  is  related  by  Gordon  that,  while  besieging  the  Castle  of  Kirkwall,  he  "went 
to  bed  at  night  in  health,  but  before  the  morning  he  was  benumbed  in  all  his 
sences,  and  remained  so  until  his  death. "%  A  Henri  Sinclair,  servant  to  the  Earl 
of  Caithness,  appears  5th  January,  1615,  in  the  jury  empannelled  to  try  Robert 
Stewart,  base  sone  of  Patrick,  lait  Erie  of  Orknay.§ 

*Calder.  f  Calder  :  Scenes  and  Stories.  X  Henderson.  \ Pitcairn's  Crim.  Trials. 


1 96  EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


GEORGE    III.,    43RD   EARL,    THE    WICKED* 
1582— 1643. 

This  Earl  is  remembered  in  the  traditional  history  of  Caithness  as  the  "  Wicked 
Earl  George,"  though  perhaps  the  sobriquet  might  more  fairly  be  awarded  to  the  42nd 
Earl.  He  signalised  his  accession  to  the  Earldom  by  deliberately  killing,  in  broad  day, 
Ingram  and  David  Sinclair,  the  two  principal  keepers  of  his  late  father.  David  lived  at 
Keiss,  and  Ingram  at  Wester.  Ingram  was  Laird  of  Blingery,  and  a  large  landed 
proprietor  of  over  3,000  acres.  Ingram's  daughter  was  to  be  married,  and  a  large  party, 
including  his  lordship,  was  invited  to  the  wedding.  On  the  forenoon  of  the  appointed 
day,  as  the  Earl  was  taking  an  airing  on  horseback,  he  met  David  on  the  Links  of  Keiss, 
on  his  way  to  Wester,  and  ran  him  through  with  his  sword.  Immediately  on  doing  so 
he  galloped  over  to  Wester,  and  calling  aside  Ingram,  who  was  at  the  time  amusing 
himself  with  some  friends  at  football,  he  drew  out  a  pistol  and  shot  him  dead  on  the 
spot.  He  then  coolly  turned  his  horse's  head  towards  Girnigoe,  and  rode  off  with  as 
little  concern  as  if  he  had  merely  killed  a  brace  of  moor  fowl.  Being  a  great  nobleman, 
possessed  of  ample  power  of  "  pit  and  gallows,"  he  escaped  with  impunity.  Tradition 
adds  that  during  the  alarm  and  confusion  caused  by  this  shocking  affair  the  wedding 
guests  dispersed,  and  the  ring  was  lost.  Not  many  years  since  a  finger  ring  of  a  curious 
construction — supposed  to  be  the  identical  wedding-ring — was  found  at  Wester.  It  was 
of  pure  gold,  twisted  so  as  to  represent  a  serpent  coiled  with  tail  in  mouth,  as  em- 
blematical of  eternity.! 

King  James  VI.,  at  Holyrood  House,  Edinburgh,  of  date  19th  March,  1585,  gave 
letters  of  remission  for  the  deeds  to  George,  Earl  of  Caithness  ;  James  Sinclair,  the 
Master  of  Caithness,  his  brother  ;  David,  their  brother  ;  Mathew,  son  of  the  deceased 
David  Sinclair  of  Dunn  ;  Archibald,  Thomas,  James,  George,  and  Alex.  Hepburn  ; 
George  Manson :  William  Manson  or  Rorison  ;  Donald  Groat  ;  Donald  Sutherland,  son 
of  Angus  Hectorson  ;  James  Paxton,  servant  of  the  Master  of  Caithness  ;  James  and 
George  Mullikin  ;  Thomas  Manson,  son  of  the  deceased  William  Manson  in  Field  ;  John 
Hay  ;  John  Waterston  ;  William  Taylor  ;  Malcolm  Alexanderson  ;  Edward  Jameson, 
servants  of  the  Earl,  and  others,  their  comrades.  The  letters  were  to  last  for  their 
lifetime,  and  freed  them  from,  among  other  things,  "art  and  part  of  the  slaughters  of 
Ingram  and  David  Sinclair,  brothers,  in  the  month  of  February,  1584."  The  readiness  with 
which  the  remission  was  issued  indicates  the  fatality  as  the  result  of  a  chance  encounter, 
for  Ingram  was  too  important  a  person  to  be  otherwise  disposed  of.  Besides  being  Laird 
of  Blingery,  now  containing  261  acres  arable  and  2,560  acres  pasture,  he  had  tacks  of  the 
vicarages  or  tithes  of  Bower  and  Watten,  held  a  wadset  from  Knappo  barony,  Wick,  and 
had  been  master  of  the  household  or  chamberlain  at  Girnigoe  Castle.  Both  Ingram  and 
David  Sinclair  witnessed  the  charter  of  Canisbay,  etc.,  given  to  William  Sinclair  of  Mey, 
dated  1st  March,  1572,  at  Girnigoe  Castle,  Ingram  being  described  as  "of  Blingery." 
In  a  contract,  of  date  Kirkcaldy  and  Girnigoe,  24th  July  and  30th  December,  1595,  to 
which  Earl  George  was  a  party,  not  only  is  the  "  deceased  Ingram  Sinclair  of  Blingery  " 
mentioned,  but  also  his  heirs,  Earl  George  promising  to  respect  their  rights  as  given  by 
his  uncle,  George  Sinclair  of  Mey.  t 

*  Calder  ;  and  Keltic  f  Caithness  Events. 


GEORGE  III.,  43KD  EARL.  197 

This  Earl  being  a  minor  at  the  time  of  his  succession,  the  opportunity  was  considered 
by  those  interested  a  favourable  one  to  detach  the  Justiciary  from  the  dignity.  A  suppli- 
cation was  made  on  the  27th  December,  1582-83,  by  George,  Earl  Marischal,  Lord  Keith, 
Laurence,  Lord  Oliphant,  and  the  Abbot  of  Deer  against  the  renewal  of  a  Commission  of 
Justiciary  in  favour  of  the  present  Earl,  a  minor ;  their  supplication  was  successful. 
This  was  followed  a  few  years  after  by  revived  differences  between  Lord  Oliphant  and 
the  Earl.  The  former  made  complaint  21st  November,  1587,  that  David  Sinclair, 
brother  natural  to  the  Earl,  in  July,  1583,  at  the  Earl's  instance,  and  under  silence  of 
night,  forcibly  ejected  William  Oliphant  of  Newton  (uncle  of  Lord  Oliphant)  from 
Thrumbustar,  and  further,  that  James,  Master  of  Caithness,  brother  of  the  Earl,  John 
Sinclair,  another  brother,  and  David  Sinclair,  with  some  70  persons,  came  to  the  tour 
and  fortalice  of  Tubister,  and  intromitted  with  live  stock  and  other  goods.  On  the 
8th  January  thereafter,  the  said  Earl,  James,  Master  of  Caithness,  and  David  Sinclair, 
natural  brother  of  the  Earl,  were  denounced  for  the  same.  On  the  16th  March,  1587-88, 
Francis  Stuart,  Earl  of  Bothwell,  Great  Admiral  of  Scotland,  became  caution  in  5,000 
merks  that  his  brother-uterine,  George  Sinclair,  Earl  of  Caithness,  shall  answer  upon 
15th  May  next  the  complaint  of  Lord  Oliphant,  and  a  suspension  of  the  letters  raised 
against  the  Earl  was  then  obtained  until  the  10th  June.  On  the  1  ith  June,  1589,  Hector 
Monro  of  Kildermorie  was  put  under  caution  of  ,£1,000  not  to  harm  Lord  Caithness,  who 
on  6th  March,  1589-90,  is  found  appointed  Commissioner  for  Caithness  re  Acts  against 
Jesuits.  In  July,  1587,  Caithness  is  enumerated  as  having  broken  men  on  his  lands, 
for  which  on  16th  December,  1590,  he  had  to  find  caution  in  ,£20,000.  George,  Earl  of 
Huntly,  became  caution  in  ,£5,000  on  20th  September,  1591,  that  Caithness  would  not 
harm  Lord  Oliphant,  and  when  the  case  came  up  on  10th  November,  1591,  the  Earl 
asserted  that,  having  obtained  Huntly  as  security,  letters  of  horning,  etc.,  should  be 
suspended.  The  Lords  stated  it  was  not  meet  that  Huntly  or  any  of  his  degree  or 
rank  should  be  cautioners,  and  required  others. 

To  strengthen  and  extend  his  influence  in  the  North,  Earl  George  married  Lady 
Jane  Gordon,  sister  of  the  Earl  of  Huntly.  He  and  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  were  almost 
constantly  at  war.  The  first  opportunity  occurred  in  1585,  when  a  quarrel  arose 
between  Neil  Houcheonson  and  the  Laird  of  Assynt.  Houcheon  Mackay  assisted 
Assynt,  who  had  married  his  sister,  and  Earl  George  supported  them  with  men.  The 
Earl  of  Sutherland,  on  the  other  hand,  stood  by  Neil,  who  was  commander  of  Assynt, 
and  a  follower  of  his.  A  temporary  reconciliation  was  patched  up  in  1586  between  the 
two  potentates  of  Caithness  and  Sutherland,  and  they  united  to  exterminate  the  clan 
Gunn.  The  latter,  however,  got  timely  notice  of  the  plot,  and  prepared  for  resistance. 
Being  joined  by  a  party  of  the  Stiathnaver  Mackays,  they  attacked  the  Caithness  men 
before  the  latter  effected  a  junction  with  their  allies  at  Auldgown,  on  the  borders  of 
Sutherland,  and  completely  routed  them.  The  leader,  Henry  Sinclair,  brother  of  the 
Laird  of  Dunn,  and  "cousin  "  to  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  about  140  men,  were  left 
dead  on  the  field.  The  Earl  was  so  enraged  when  he  heard  of  this  affair  that  he 
immediately  hanged  John  Gunn,  a  leading  man  among  the  clan,  whom  he  had  some 
time  before  got  hold  of,  and  who  was  then  a  prisoner  in  Girnigoe. 

The  hollow  friendship  between  the  two  Earls  lasted  for  about  a  year,  when  a  series 
of  contests  arose  from  what  in  legal  phrase  would  be  termed  a  piece  of  "  malicious 
mischief."     George  Gordon,  bastard  of  Gartay,  waylaid  the  servants  of  the  Earl,  and, 


i98  EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


cutting  off  the  horses'  tails,  bade  them  tell  their  master  he  had  done  so.  Resenting  the 
indignit.v,  the  Earl,  knowing  the  futility  of  seeking  redress  from  the  Earl  of  Sutherland, 
whose  follower  Gordon  was,  resolved  to  himself  punish  the  offender.  For  this  purpose 
he  set  out  with  a  picked  body  of  men  to  Helmsdale,  near  to  which  Gordon  lived,  and, 
arriving  in  the  night  time,  surrounded  his  house  with  the  party.  Gordon,  after  a 
desperate  resistance,  took  to  flight,  pursued  by  Sinclair  of  Mey  and  some  half-dozen 
followers.  He  then  flung  himself  into  the  river  oi  Helmsdale,  hard  by,  and  tried  to 
make  his  escape  by  swimming  across,  but  a  shower  of  arrows  was  discharged  upon  him, 
and  he  was  slain  in  the  water.  The  Earl  of  Sutherland,  although  he  disliked  the 
conduct  of  George  Gordon,  who  was  also  guilty  of  an  improper  intimacy  with 
Sutherland's  sister,  resolved  to  request  satisfaction  from  the  Earl  of  Caithness.  The 
latter  replied  by  assembling  his  forces,  and  being  joined  by  Mack  ay  and  the  Strathnaver 
men,  together  with  John,  Master  of  Orkney,  and  the  Earl  of  Carrick,  brother  of  Patrick, 
Earl  of  Orkney,  with  a  contingent  of  Orcadians,  marched  to  Helmsdale  to  meet  the  Earl 
of  Sutherland.  Neither  party  cared  to  risk  an  engagement,  and  by  the  mediation  of 
mutual  friends  the  two  Earls  agreed  to  a  temporary  truce  on  the  9th  of  March,  1587,  from 
the  benefits  of  which  Mackay  of  Strathnaver  was  carefully  excluded.  The  latter, 
however,  came  to  an  amicable  understanding  with  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  at  Elgin,  in 
the  month  of  November,  1588.  On  the  expiration  of  the  truce,  Lord  Sutherland, 
supported  by  his  allies  Mackay,  Macintosh,  Assynt,  Foulis,  and  Rasay,  entered 
Caithness  with  all  his  forces  in  the  beginning  of  1588,  having  obtained  a  commission 
from  the  Privy  Council  against  Earl  George  for  killing  the  Bastard  of  Gartay.  His 
great  object  was  to  secure  the  person  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  but  that  nobleman 
prudently  withdrew  within  the  iron  walls  of  Castle  Girnigoe,  a  fortress  strongly  fortified, 
and  prepared  to  withstand  a  siege.  Foiled  in  his  attempt,  Sutherland  ravaged  Latheron, 
returning  home  with  a  large  booty  in  cattle,  which  was  divided  among  his  followers. 
This  foray  was  known  as  "  Creach  larn  " — that  is,  the  "  harship  "  or  harrying  of 
Latheron.  The  town  of  Wick  was  pillaged  and  burnt,  but  the  church  was  preserved. 
In  it  was  found  the  heart  of  the  late  Earl  of  Caithness  encased  in  a  leaden  casket,  which 
was  opened  by  John  Mac-Gille-Calum  of  Rasay,  and  the  ashes  were  scattered  to  the 
winds.  Such  was  the  singular  fate  which  befell  the  heart  of  that  proud  and  cruel 
nobleman.  After  twelve  days  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  raised  the  siege  of  Girnigoe, 
and  ravaged  the  county  as  far  as  Duncansbay,  killing  several  of  the  peasantry  and 
returning  with  great  spoil.  This  affair  was  called  "  La  na  creachmore  "  or  "  the  great 
spoil. ' ' 

Another  truce  ensued,  but  it  was  of  brief  duration,  for  the  Earl  of  Caithness, 
burning  to  be  revenged  for  the  injuries  done  to  the  county,  retaliated  by  a  succession  of 
inroads  into  Sutherland.  Lord  Caithness  despatched  a  party  of  his  men  to  Diri-Chatt, 
in  Sutherland,  under  the  command  of  Kenneth  and  Farquhar  Buy,  chieftains  of  the  Siol- 
Mhic-Imheair,  in  Caithness.  Lord  Sutherland  responded  by  sending  300  men  into 
Caithness  at  Whitsunday,  1589,  under  Alex.  Gordon  of  Kilcalmekill.  In  retaliation 
James  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  brother  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  collected  an  army  of  3,000 
men,  with  which  he  marched  into  Strathully  in  June,  1589,  but  after  a  long  warm 
contest  was  forced  to  retire  by  Strathnaver  and  Kilcolmkil,  who  were  in  command  of 
inferior  forces.  The  Earl  of  Sutherland  followed  up  this  advantage  and  advanced  as  far 
as  Corriechoich,  in  Braemore,  where  he  encamped.     The  Earl  of  Caithness  had  convened 


GEORGE  III.,  43RD  EARL.  199 

his  forces  at  Spittal,  where  he  resolved  to  wait  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  The  Earl  of 
Huntly,  the  relation  of  both  of  the  contestants,  on  hearing  of  the  warlike  preparations  of 
the  two  hostile  Earls,  sent  his  uncle,  Sir  Patrick  Gordon  of  Auchindun,  to  mediate 
between  them,  by  whose  friendly  interference  an  armistice  was  concluded,  and  in 
November,  1589,  the  contending  parties  met  at  Elgin,  where  they  subscribed  a  deed,  by 
which  they  appointed  Huntly  and  his  successors  hereditary  judges  and  arbitrators  of  all 
disputes  and  differences  that  might  henceforth  arise  between  their  two  houses.  This 
written  agreement  was  valuable  only  as  waste  paper,  for  scarce  a  few  weeks  elapsed  till 
the  Earls  were  again  at  war. 

The  severest  battle  which  was  fought  during  this  campaign  was  at  Clyne,  in 
Sutherland,  and  occurred  about  October,  1590.  The  Murrays  and  the  Gordons 
disputed  for  the  command  of  the  vanguard  of  the  Sutherland  army,  and  as  the 
Gordons  insisted  on  their  claims  to  the  position,  the  Murrays  withdrew  and  looked  on 
throughout  the  engagement.  The  Caithness  army  had  1,500  archers  in  the  van,  mostly 
from  the  Western  Isles,  and  under  the  command  of  Donald  Balloch  Mackay  of  Scourie. 
The  combat  raged  with  great  fury,  and  was  long  sustained  without  advantage  to  either 
side.  Thrice  were  the  Caithness  archers  driven  back,  throwing  their  rear  into  disorder, 
and  thrice  did  they  return  to  the  fray  cheered  on  by  their  leader,  but,  though  superior  in 
numbers,  they  were  unable  to  withstand  the  intrepidity  of  the  men  of  Sutherland,  and 
on  the  approach  of  night  withdrew  from  the  field  of  battle.  The  loss  in  wounded  and 
slain  was  about  equal,  and  few  principal  men  were  killed.  The  two  Earls  were  once 
more  reconciled  by  the  mediation  of  the  Earl  of  Huntly  at  Strathbogie  in  March,  1591. 

The  same  year  the  Earl  of  Caithness  received  a  visit  from  his  brother-uterine, 
Erancis  Stewart,  Earl  of  Bothwell,  who  had,  by  his  exceptionally  factious  and  turbulent 
conduct,  rendered  himself  peculiarly  obnoxious  to  James  VI.  of  Scotland.  Bothwell 
had  last  distinguished  himself  by  audaciously  entering  Holyrood  with  a  party  of  armed 
men  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  person  of  the  King.  His  scheme  failing,  he  fled 
North  to  his  half-brother  ;  but  a  dispute  arising,  Earl  George  meditated  delivering  him 
up  to  the  King.  In  this  critical  situation  Bothwell  owed  his  safety  to  James  Sinclair  of 
Murkle,  who  informed  him  of  the  design,  on  which  Bothwell  made  his  escape  abroad. 
The  Earl  of  Caithness  was  so  offended  with  Murkle  that  it  is  said  he  banished  him  for 
some  time  from  the  county.  On  the  nth  February,  1594-95,  Sir  Jas.  Scott  of  Balweary 
revealed  the  existence  of  a  band  between  William,  sumtyme  Earl  of  Angus,  George, 
sumetime  Earl  of  Huntly,  Francis,  sumtime  Earl  of  Bothwell,  Francis,  sumtime  Earl  of 
Errol,  George  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  umquhile  Sir  Patrick  Gordon  of  Auchindoun,  to 
capture  the  King  and  crown  the  Prince,  Huntly,  Errol,  and  Angus  being  regents.  On 
the  7th  February,  1598-99,  assurances  were  required  from  Caithness  and  Orkney. 

After  the  battle  of  Clyne  the  two  rival  houses  remained  quiet  for  some  time. 
Alexander,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  died  on  the  6th  December,  1594,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  son  John.  While  the  latter  was  absent  on  the  Continent  in  1600,  the  Earl  of 
Caithness  massed  his  forces  with  the  apparent  intention  of  entering  Sutherland  or 
Strathnaver,  but  did  not  carry  his  purpose  into  effect.  The  question  of  precedence 
between  the  Earls  of  Caithness  and  Sutherland  was  raised  on  19th  February,  1601,  and 
as  Caithness  still  continued  to  threaten  an  invasion,  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  assembled  an 
army  to  oppose  him  in  July,  1601,  being  supported  by  Mackay,  Assynt,  and  the  Monroes. 
Meanwhile  the  Earl  of  Caithness  advanced  towards  Sutherland  with  his  army.     The  two 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


armies  encamped  some  three  miles  asunder,  near  the  hill  of  Bengrime.  A  prophetic 
tradition  had  long  been  current  that  a  battle  would  take  place  at  that  spot,  which  would 
result  in  the  complete  overthrow  of  the  Caithness  men,  but  at  the  sacrifice  of  many  lives 
on  the  side  of  the  Sutherland  and  Strathnaver  men.  The  latter  were,  notwithstanding, 
eager  to  score  their  assured  victory,  but  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  aware  of  the  prophecy, 
proceeded  to  temporise,  and  sent  messengers  to  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  to  effect  an 
amicable  settlement  of  their  differences.  A  pacific  course  was  adopted,  and  in  reply 
Sutherland  intimated  the  willingness  of  his  council  to  allow  Caithness  to  retire,  which 
he  accordingly  did.  Eventually  they  agreed  to  a  mutual  disarmament,  the  Earl  of 
Sutherland  sending  George  Gray  of  Cuttle  to  see  the  army  of  Caithness  disbanded,  and 
the  Earl  of  Caithness  in  his  turn  despatched  Alexander  Bane,  chief  of  the  Caithness 
Banes,  to  witness  the  dismissal  of  the  Sutherland  men. 

The  next  disturbance  happened  in  1605,  on  the  occasion  of  a  visit  of  Alister-Mac- 
Uilleam-Mhoir,  a  retainer  of  Mackay.  The  Earl  of  Caithness,  hearing  of  his  presence 
in  the  county,  despatched  his  bastard  brother,  Henry  Sinclair,  with  a  party  of  men  to 
kill  him.  He  was  seized  under  cover  of  friendship,  and  brought  prisoner  to  the  Earl, 
who  caused  him  to  be  beheaded  in  his  own  presence  the  following  day  ;  his  fault  being 
unwavering  fidelity  to  Mackay,  his  chief,  during  the  disputes  between  the  two  Earls. 
Mackay  entered  a  legal  prosecution  at  Edinburgh  against  Earl  George,  but  by  the 
mediation  of  the  Marquis  of  Huntly  the  suit  was  quashed. 

The  Earl  of  Caithness,  tired  of  his  enforced  state  of  quietude,  made  another  attempt 
in  the  month  of  July,  1607,  to  hunt  in  Bengrime,  but  was  prevented  from  doing  so  by 
the  sudden  appearance  in  Strathully  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  with  his  friend  Mackay. 
The  Earls  then  went  through  the  usual  formality  of  having  the  matter  settled  by  their 
heritable  arbiter,  the  Marquis  of  Huntly,  at  Elgin. 

The  next  appearance  of  Earl  George  is  a  splendid  illustration  of  his  restless  and 
capricious  disposition,  and  the  immunity  of  great  nobles  from  the  consequences  of  lawless 
acts  in  parts  where  they  themselves  held  heritable  jurisdictions.  It  happened  that  in 
1608,  a  boat  with  some  of  the  Earl  of  Orkney's  servants  on  board,  being  overtaken  with 
a  severe  gale  while  crossing  the  Petland  Firth,  ran  for  refuge  to  Sinclair's  Bay.  As 
soon  as  they  landed,  the  Earl,  who  had  a  pique  at  Earl  Patrick  Stewart,  a  man  very 
similar  in  disposition  to  himself,  ordered  the  servants  to  be  brought  to  Girnigoe.  After 
plying  them  with  a  lot  of  liquor  he  then  caused  the  one  side  of  their  heads  and  the  one 
side  of  their  beards  to  be  shaved,  and  in  this  condition  forced  them  to  take  boat  and  go  to 
sea  before  the  storm  had  abated.  They  fortunately  reached  Orkney  in  safety,  and  told 
their  master  how  they  had  been  treated.  The  Earl  very  naturally  resented  the  barbarous 
usage  which  his  domestics  had  received  at  the  hands  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  com- 
plained thereof  to  the  king.  His  Majesty  ordered  the  Privy  Council  to  summon  the  two 
Earls  before  them  and  investigate  the  matter.  Both  attended  at  Edinburgh,  but  through 
the  interposition  of  friends  the  case  was  not  brought  before  the  Council,  an  agreement 
being  arrived  at.  The  historian  of  Sutherland  quaintly  remarks  : — ' '  Only  one  example 
of  this  crime  I  do  remember.  The  servants  of  David,  King  of  Israel,  were  so  entreated 
by  Hannum,  King  of  the  children  of  Ammon.  The  Earl  of  Caithness  thus  far  exceeded 
Hannum,  that  not  satisfied  with  what  himself  had  done,  he  forced  the  Earl  of  Orkney  his 
servants  to  take  the  sea  in  such  a  tempest,  and  exposed  them  to  the  extremity  of  the 
raging  waves  ;  whereas  Hannum  suffered  King  David  his  servants  to  depart  home  quietly 
after  he  had  abused  them. ' ' 


GEORGE  III.,  43RI)  EARL. 


In  1610  Earl  George  and  Mackay  had  a  difference  on  account  of  the  latter  giving 
protection  to  his  nephew,  John  Sutherland  of  Berridale,  who  having  been  outlawed, 
retaliated  by  depredations  in  Caithness.  The  Earl  on  one  of  these  occasions  sent  a  party 
of  the  Siol-Mhic-Iraheair  in  pursuit,  but  they  were  surprised  by  Sutherland  and  defeated 
with  a  loss  of  several  killed.  This  disaster  exasperated  the  Earl  who  promptly  served 
both  Mackay  and  his  son  with  a  notice  to  appear  before  the  Privy  Council  for  giving  pro- 
tection to  an  outlaw.  The  affair  was,  however,  withdrawn  and  adjusted  by  friends,  it 
being  arranged  that  the  Earl  should  forgive  John  Sutherland  and  restore  his  possessions  ; 
that  John  and  his  brother  Donald  should  in  turn  be  kept  prisoners  by  him  ;  and  that 
Donald  Mac-Thomais-Mhoir,  a  follower  of  John's,  should  be  surrendered  to  be  dealt  with 
by  the  Earl  as  he  should  think  meet.  Donald  was  hanged  forthwith,  and  the  Sutherlands 
performed  the  conditions  required  of  them,  and  were  presently  released  by  Earl  George 
at  the  intercession  of  the  Mackays,  whom  the  Earl  was  desirous  of  detaching  from  their 
adhesion  to  Sutherland.  Mackay  spent  the  following  Christmas  at  Girnigo  Castle,  but 
the  Earl  was  unsuccessful  iu  his  design. 

The  Earl  kept  round  him  at  Girnigo  a  body  of  stout  retainers  ready  for  all  emer- 
gencies. Among  others  there  was  one  named  William  Mac  Angus  Gunn  from  Strath- 
naver,  a  fellow  of  a  resolute  spirit,  and  possessed  of  extraordinary  muscular  power  and 
agility.  Gunn  was  in  many  respects  a  most  useful  person  to  the  Earl,  but  was  in  the 
habit  of  annexing  from  the  neighbouring  peasantry  whatever  properties  he  fancied.  This 
habit  he  presently  applied  to  property  belonging  to  the  Earl,  and  fearing  detection,  fled. 
The  Earl  discovering  the  situation  sent  a  posse  in  pursuit,  but  the  fugitive  had  too  good  a 
start  to  be  overtaken.  Some  few  weeks  later  he  was  apprehended  for  cattle-stealing  in 
Ross-shire  and  imprisoned  in  the  Castle  of  Foulis.  Not  relishing  confinement  in  this 
fortress  he  jumped  from  the  tower,  but  broke  a  leg  in  the  fall  and  was  again  taken  into 
custody.  The  Sheriff  of  Tain,  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Mey,  had  him  forthwith  conveyed 
under  guard  to  Caithness  to  be  lodged  in  the  Castle  of  Girnigo  and  dealt  with  according 
to  the  pleasure  of  the  Earl.  On  reaching  that  stronghold  he  was  duly  secured  and  con- 
signed to  the  prisoner's  cell  ;  but  his  limb  having  by  this  time  become  whole  he  managed 
to  free  himself  from  his  fetters,  leaped  from  the  castle  into  the  sea,  swam  ashore  and  fled 
into  Strathnaver  (161 2).  The  Earl  sent  his  son  Wm.,  Lord  Berridale,  in  pursuit.  Missing 
the  fugitive,  Lord  Berridale  in  revenge  apprehended  a  retainer  of  Mackay's,  called  Angus 
Henriach,  without  any  authority  from  His  Majesty,  and  carried  him  to  Castle  Sinclair 
where  he  was  put  in  fetters  and  closely  imprisoned  on  the  pretence  of  having  assisted 
William  MacAugus  to  escape.  Mackay  brought  the  matter  before  the  Privy  Council, 
and  the  Earl  was  required  to  appear  with  his  prisoner  at  Edinburgh  in  June  next  (161 2) 
which  he  accordingly  did,  and  Mac  Angus  being  found  innocent  by  the  lords  was  de- 
livered over  to  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  who  then  acted  for  Mackay. 

The  Earl  of  Caithness  at  this  time  possessed  an  extensive  and  valuable  landed  pro- 
perty in  the  county,  including  nearly  the  whole  of  the  parish  of  Wick.  By  his  reckless 
and  extravagant  habits,  however,  he  had  become  deeply  involved  in  debt,  and  was 
obliged  to  mortgage  several  portions  of  his  estate  to  satisfy  his  creditors.  To  recruit  his 
exhausted  finances  he  fell,  it  is  alleged,  on  a  desperate  expedient,  and  employed  an  in- 
genious vagabond  of  the  name  of  Arthur  Smith  to  coin  money  for  him.  Smith  was 
originally  a  blacksmith  in  Banff,  but  being  detected  counterfeiting  the  coin  of  the  realm, 
he  and  an  assistant  fled  into  Sutherland  where  they  were  apprehended  iu   1599  by  the 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


Countess  of  Sutherland  and  were  forwarded  to  Edinburgh  for  trial.  They  were  duly 
tried  and  condemned.  Smith's  assistant  was  executed,  being  guilty  of  crimes  of  a  deeper 
dye,  but  he  himself  was  reserved  for  further  trial,  during  which  period  he  devised  a  lock 
of  rare  and  curious  workmanship,  which  took  the  fancy  of  the  king  and  resulted  in  his 
procuring  a  release.  He  then  went  North  and  offered  his  services  to  the  Earl  of  Caith- 
ness, who  accommodated  him  with  a  workshop  in  a  retired  apartment  of  Castle  Sinclair 
which  the  Earl  had  lately  built  close  by  the  castle  of  Girnigo.  The  workshop  was  under 
the  rock  of  Castle  Sinclair,  in  a  quiet  retired  place  called  the  "Gote,"  to  which  there 
was  a  secret  passage  from  the  Earl's  bedchamber.  There  Smith  diligently  plied  his  voca- 
tion for  seven  or  eight  years,  at  length  removing  to  Thurso,  where  he  ostensibly  prose- 
cuted his  calling  as  a  blacksmith.  In  the  meantime  Orkney,  Caithness,  Sutherland  and 
Ross  were  inundated  with  counterfeit  coin,  which  was  first  detected  by  Sir  Robert  Gordon 
in  1611,  and  he  on  returning  to  England  made  the  King  acquainted  therewith.  A  com- 
mission was  thereon  granted  to  Sir  Robert,  John  Gordon,  younger  of  Embo,  and  Donald 
Mackay  to  arrest  Smith — whom  all  suspected  of  the  offence — and  bring  him  once  more  to 
Edinburgh  for  trial.  Mackay  and  Gordon  proceeded  to  Thurso  where  they  secured  Smith 
and  found  in  his  house  a  quantity  of  base  money,  with  all  the  necessary  coining  apparatus. 
The  citizens,  although  satisfied  of  Smith's  guilt,  were  yet,  from  recollections  of  the  past, 
distrustful  of  the  Sutherland  authorities,  and  regarded  the  commission  very  much  in  the 
light  of  a  hostile  invasion.  So  the  alarm-bell  was  rung  to  assemble  the  inhabitants,  who 
accordingly  rushed  to  the  street,  and  presently  John  Sinclair  younger  of  Stirkoke,  James 
Sinclair  of  Uurran,  James  Sinclair,  brother  of  Dun,  and  other  relatives  of  Lord  Caithness 
who  happened  to  be  in  town  on  a  visit  to  Lady  Berridale,  made  their  appearance.  The 
commissioners  produced  the  royal  authority  for  the  arrest,  but  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke  trans- 
ported with  rage,  swore  he  would  not  allow  any  man  whatever  his  commission  to  carry 
away  his  uncle's  servant  in  his  uncle's  absence.  Swords  were  drawn,  but  the  Thursoese, 
who  were  not  so  well  armed  as  their  opponents,  finally  gave  way  and  retreated  to  their 
houses.  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke  was  slain,  James  Sinclair  of  Dunn  severely  wounded,  and 
James  Sinclair  of  Durran  saved  himself  by  flight.  None  of  the  men  of  Sutherland  were 
killed,  but  many  were  badly  wounded.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Greenland,  who  then  lived 
at  Ormlie  Castle,  and  Sinclair,  Laird  of  Dunn  arrived  when  the  fray  was  ended.  Dunn 
proposed  to  renew  the  attack,  but  Sir  John  considering  what  had  already  happened, 
would  not  agree  to  any  such  hazardous  attempt.  The  men  of  Strathnaver  slew  Smith  to 
prevent  his  rescue,  and  they  and  their  Sutherland  friends  returned  home  with  their 
wounded. 

The  Earl. of  Caithness,  who  was  then  at  Edinburgh,  upon  being  apprised  of  the 
occurrences  at  Thurso  instituted  a  criminal  prosecution  against  the  Earl  of  Sutheiland 
and  the  commissioners  for  the  slaughter  of  his  "  nephew  "  Stirkoke,  while  they,  on  the 
other  hand,  raised  a  similar  process  against  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  Lord  Berridale,  and 
their  coadjutors,  for  various  matters,  and  in  particular  for  resisting  the  royal  authority  to 
arrest  Smith  and  attaching  Angus  Henriach  without  a  commission,  which  was  declared 
treason  by  the  laws.  On  the  day  appointed  for  their  appearance  at  Edinburgh  the  parties, 
with  the  exception  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  met,  attended  by  their  respective  friends. 
The  Earl  of  Caithness  and  his  son,  Lord  Berridale,  were  accompanied  by  the  Lord  Gray, 
the  Laird  of  Roslin,  the  Laird  of  Cowdenknowes,  a  son  of  the  sister  of  the  Earl  of  Caith- 
ness, James  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Greenland,  his  brothers,  along  with  a 


GEORGE  III.,  43RD  EARL.  203 

large  retinue  of  subordinate  attendants.  Sir  Robert  Gordon  was  attended  by  the  Earls  of 
Winton,  Eglinton  and  Linlithgow,  Lords  Elphinstone  and  Eorbes,  Munro  of  Foulis,  and 
the  Laird  of  Duffus.  The  absence  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  and  Mackay  mortified  the 
Earl  of  Caithness,  who  could  not  conceal  his  displeasure  at  being  so  much  overmatched 
in  the  respectability  and  number  of  attendants  by  seconds  and  children,  as  he  was  pleased 
to  call  his  adversaries.  The  Council  spent  three  days  in  hearing  parties  and  deliberating 
upon  the  matters  before  them,  but,  arriving  at  no  decision,  adjourned  the  proceedings 
until  the  King's  pleasure  should  be  known.  The  King  recommended  arbitration,  and 
the  parties  signed  a  submission  to  that  effect.  Arbiters  were  therefore  appointed,  but  as 
neither  party  would  yield  a  single  point,  they  declined  to  act  further,  and  remitted  the 
whole  case  back  to  the  Privy  Council.  The  arbiters  were  all  members  of  the  Council, 
and  very  much  occupied  with  affairs  of  state.  Those  nominated  by  the  Earl  of  Caithness 
were  the  Archbishop  of  Glasgow,  Sir  John  Preston,  Lord  President  of  the  Council,  Lord 
Blantyre,  and  Sir  William  Oliphant,  Lord  Advocate  ;  while  Sir  Robert  Gordon  appointed 
the  Earl  of  Kinghorn,  the  Master  of  Elphinston,  the  Earl  of  Haddington  (afterwards  Lord 
Privy  Seal  of  Scotland),  and  Sir  Alexander  Drummond  of  Meidhop.  The  Earl  of 
Dunfermline,  Lord  Chancellor,  was  chosen  oversman  and  umpire  by  both  parties.  The 
arbiters,  being  very  busy,  induced  both  parties  to  sign  a  deed  of  submission  giving 
authority  to  the  Marquis  of  Huntly,  the  near  relation  of  both,  to  settle  their  differences, 
but  he,  finding  them  both  obstinate,  remitted  the  whole  affair  back  to  the  Council,  and 
it  appears  to  have  been  left  unsettled.  One  of  the  counter  charges  of  the  Earl  of 
Caithness  against  Sir  Robert  was  that  he  had  procured  the  commission  solely  with  the 
intention  of  ruining  him  and  his  house,  and  that,  previous  to  the  affair  at  Thurso,  he  had 
on  one  occasion  lain  in  wait  to  kill  him  at  the  Little  Ferry.  Sir  Robert,  of  course, 
indignantly  repelled  the  charge.  There  was  undoubtedly  little  love  lost  between  these 
two,  and  Sir  Robert,  in  his  history  of  Sutherland,  has  never  missed  an  opportunity  of 
attributing  unworthy  motives  to  the  Earl,  many  of  which  are  capable  of  being  completely 
controverted.  At  an  early  stage  of  these  Edinburgh  proceedings  Lord  Gordon,  son  of 
the  Earl  of  Huntly,  was  due  from  London,  and  Sir  Robert,  being  exceedingly  anxious  to 
prepossess  him  in  favour  of  the  Sutherland  side  of  the  story,  before  his  relative  the  Earl 
of  Caithness  could  have  access  to  him,  hastened  to  meet  him  at  the  Borders,  and 
accomplished  his  purpose.  The  Earl  was  so  offended  at  this  that  he  declined  to  visit 
Lord  Gordon  after  his  arrival  at  Edinburgh. 

At  this  time  the  High  Street  of  Edinburgh  was  the  principal  promenade  of  the 
Scottish  aristocracy,  and  it  was  fashionable — if  not  absolutely  necessary  by  the  then 
lawless  state  of  society — for  gentlemen  to  wear  defensive  armour.  An  evening  or  two 
after  Lord  Gordon's  return,  he  and  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  each  with  a  retinue  of  friends, 
chanced  to  meet  between  the  Tron  Church  and  the  Cross,  when  they  began  rudely  to 
jostle  and  push  one  another  into  the  strand.  High  words  arose,  swords  were  drawn,  and 
a  general  scuffle  ensued.  In  the  meantime  Sir  Robert  Gordon  and  Mackay,  with  their 
followers,  arrived  on  the  scene,  and  the  Earl  finding  himself  outnumbered  retreated  from 
the  scene  of  combat  to  his  residence  in  one  of  the  adjoining  closes.  Lord  Gordon  and 
his  party  followed  them,  and  tried  to  provoke  his  uncle  to  sally  out,  but  Earl  George 
prudently  remained  inside.  This  mt'lee  created  considerable  stir  in  the  city,  and  the  next 
day  the  two  lords  were  called  before  the  Council  and  reconciled  to  each  other. 

As  the  Privy  Council  showed  no  disposition  to  decide  the  questions  at  issue,  the  Earl 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


of  Caithness  sent  his  brother,  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Greenland,  to  Edinburgh  to  complain 
of  the  delay  and  to  intimate  that  if  he  did  not  obtain  satisfaction  from  them  he  would 
take  redress  at  his  own  hands.  He  hoped  this  threat  might  influence  a  favourable 
decision,  and  in  October,  1613,  made  a  demonstration  against  Sutherland  and  Strathnaver 
by  massing  forces  at  a  certain  point,  and  bringing  thither  some  pieces  of  ordnance  from 
Castle  Sinclair.  The  Earl  of  Sutherland  upon  hearing  of  this  movement  assembled  his 
countrymen  and  took  post  near  the  height  of  Strathully,  where  they  waited  the  approach 
of  the  Earl  of  Caithness  ;  but  that  nobleman,  by  advice  of  his  brother  Sir  John,  returned 
home  and  disbanded  his  forces.  To  prevent  further  tampering  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness 
with  the  Privy  Council,  Sir  Robert  Gordon  obtained  a  remission  from  the  King  in 
December,  161 3,  for  all  concerned  in  the  slaughter  of  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke.  This  pardon 
Sir  Gideon  Murray,  Deputy  Treasurer  for  Scotland,  prevented  from  passing  through  the 
seals  till  the  beginning  of  161 6. 

Caithness,  baffled  in  his  designs  against  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  now  fell  upon  a  device 
which  promised  to  succeed.  The  laws  of  Scotland  were  then  very  severe  against 
Catholics,  and  so  he  represented  to  the  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's  and  the  Scottish 
clergy  that  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  was  at  heart  a  Catholic,  and  prevailed  upon  the  bishops 
to  acquaint  the  King  thereof.  His  Majesty  thereon  issued  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of 
Sutherland,  who  was  imprisoned  in  St.  Andrew's,  the  high  commission  of  Scotland 
having  refused  his  application  for  a  month's  delay  till  the  15th  February,  16 14.  His 
brother  Sir  Alexander  communicated  with  their  brother  Sir  Robert,  then  in  London,  who 
obtained  from  His  Majesty  a  warrant  for  his  liberation  till  August  following,  on  the 
expiration  of  which  time  he  returned  to  St.  Andrew's,  from  which  he  was  removed  on  his 
own  application  to  the  abbey  of  Holyrood  House,  where  he  remained  till  March,  1615, 
having  in  some  measure  satisfied  the  church  concerning  his  religion. 

The  Earl  of  Caithness,  thus  again  defeated  in  his  views,  tried  as  a  dernier  resort  to 
disjoin  the  families  of  Sutherland  and  Mackay.  Sometimes  he  attempted  to  prevail  upon 
the  Marquis  of  Huntly  to  persuade  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  and  his  brothers  to  come  to  an 
arrangement  altogether  independent  of  Mackay,  and  at  other  times  he  endeavoured  to 
persuade  Mackay,  by  holding  out  certain  inducements  to  him,  to  compromise  their 
differences  without  including  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  in  the  arrangement  ;  but  he 
completely  failed  in  these  attempts. 

Earl  George  was  now  offered  an  opportunity  of  military  exercise  outside  his  own 
county.  Robert  Stewart,  natural  son  of  Patrick,  Earl  of  Orkney,  then  in  confinement, 
had  taken  illegal  possession  of  Birsa  Palace,  Kirkwall  Castle,  the  Palace  of  the  Yards, 
and  other  places  of  strength  in  the  Islands,  which  he  fortified  as  strongly  as  he  could. 
This  was  in  16 14.  The  Earl  of  Caithness,  then  in  Edinburgh,  offered  to  proceed  to 
Orkney  and  vindicate  the  authority  of  the  law,  provided  he  were  furnished  with  sufficient 
troops  for  the  purpose.  Government  agreed  to  give  him  a  requisite  force,  and  in  August 
he  set  sail  from  Leith  with  sixty  soldiers  and  two  pieces  of  cannon  from  Edinburgh 
Castle.  On  arriving  on  the  Caithness  Coast,  the  vessel  brought  up  in  Sinclair's  Bay  ;  and 
having  procured  some  additional  men  from  his  own  property,  the  Earl,  accompanied  by 
his  natural  brother  Henry  Sinclair,  sailed  directly  for  Orkney,  and  disembarked  his  troops 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Kirkwall.  He  then  opened  the  campaign  in  true  military  style. 
He  besieged  and  took  in  succession  the  different  posts  occupied  by  the  insurgents.  The 
last  was  the  Castle  of  Kirkwall,  which  Robert  Stewart,  with  only  sixteen  men,  bravely 


GEORGE  III.,  43RD  EARL.  205 

defended  for  the  space  of  three  weeks.  The  King's  cannon  made  little  impression  on  the 
iron  walls  of  the  citadel,  and  it  was  taken  at  last  only  through  the  treachery  of  Patrick 
Halcro,  one  of  the  besieged.  The  prisoners,  with  the  exception  of  Halcro,  were  all 
brought  South  and  executed  ;  and  very  soon  after  Earl  Patrick  himself  was  beheaded  for 
high  treason  at  the  Market  Cross  of  Edinburgh.  Before  leaving  Orkney  the  Earl  of 
Caithness  delivered  up  the  Castle  of  Kirkwall  to  Sir  James  Stewart  of  Kilsyth,  afterwards 
Lord  Ochiltree,  on  whom  in  the  capacity  of  farmer- general  the  King  had  conferred  a  new 
grant  of  the  county  ;  and  a  few  months  after  the  siege  the  government  ordered  the  Castle 
of  Kirkwall  to  be  demolished. 

Early  in  January,  1615,  the  Earl  of  Caithness  went  to  London  to  receive  some  reward 
from  the  King  for  his  services  in  Orkney.  His  faithful  adversary,  Sir  Robert  Gordon, 
hearing  of  his  advent  hastened  to  first  obtain  audience  and  prejudice  the  King  against  the 
Earl  ;  but  in  spite  of  all  that  the  malice  of  the  baronet  could  urge,  the  King  granted  the 
Earl  a  full  remission  of  all  by-past  offences,  with  an  annuity  for  his  services  in  Orkney, 
and  also  appointed  him  one  of  his  Scottish  Privy  Council.  But  all  these  royal  favours 
and  honours  were  subsequently  forfeited  by  his  imprudent  and  violent  conduct. 

In  November,  161 5,  Earl  George  seems  to  have  participated  in  an  act  of  incendiarism 
with  the  intention  of  making  the  Lord  Forbes  "weary  of  his  lands  in  Caithness."  The 
circumstances  leading  up  to  this  act  require  illustration.  The  Earl  had  harassed  Wni. 
Sinclair  of  Dunbeath  in  a  variety  of  ways,  till  he  at  last  retired  into  Moray,  where  he 
died  in  exile,  being  succeeded  by  his  grandson  George,  who  married  a  sister  of  Lord 
Forbes.  George  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath  being  without  likelihood  of  issue,  the  Earl  obtained 
a  deed  entailing  his  lands  on  him,  and  is  then  stated  to  have  devised  means  to  make 
away  with  Dunbeath's  life,  which  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  the  latter  he  left  Caithness 
and  resided  with  Lord  Forbes,  who  reprobated  the  conduct  of  his  sister,  she  having  been 
privy  to  the  Earl's  designs.  Dunbeath  now  recalled  the  deed  of  entail  in  favour  of  the  Earl, 
and  executed  a  new  one,  by  which  he  conveyed  his  whole  estate  to  Lord  Forbes,  and  dying 
soon  after  without  issue  his  lands  of  Downreay  and  Dunbeath  were  taken  possession  of  by 
that  nobleman.  Disappointed  in  his  plans  to  acquire  Dunbeath's  property,  the  Earl,  under 
cover  of  discharging  his  duty  as  sheriff,  took  frequent  occasion  to  harass  and  annoy  Forbes' 
servants,  complaints  of  which  were  made  from  time  to  time  to  the  Privy  Council,  thus 
affording  partial  redress  ;  but  the  more  effectually  to  protect  his  tenants,  Lord  Forbes 
took  up  a  temporary  residence  in  Caithness.  The  Earl  being  thus  foiled  in  any  direct 
attack,  opened  the  subject  of  harassing  him  to  John  and  Alex.  Gunn,  and  their  cousin- 
german  Alexander,  whose  father  he  had  hanged  in  1586.  John  was  chief  of  the  clan 
Gunn.  By  invitation  they  repaired  to  Castle  Sinclair,  where  the  matter  was  discussed, 
and  he  suggested  the  burning  of  the  corn  of  Wm.  Innes  of  Sanset,  a  tenant  of  Lord 
Forbes'.  Alex.  Gunn,  the  cousin,  while  willing  to  assassinate  Innes,  declined  to  do 
anything  so  paltry  or  dishonourable  as  burn  a  quantity  of  corn.  The  Earl  then  approached 
the  two  brothers,  who  eventually  yielded  to  his  entreaties,  and  fired  all  the  cornstacks  of 
Innes,  which  were  in  consequence  consumed.  This  was  in  November,  1615.  Sir  Robert 
Gordon  took  the  matter  in  hand,  resolved  to  probe  it  to  the  bottom.  Alex.  Gunn,  the 
cousin,  fled  from  Caithness,  to  the  concern  of  the  Earl,  and  revealed  the  nature  of  the 
Earl's  proposals  to  Sir  Robert.  The  Earl,  anticipating  such  a  state  of  affairs,  circulated 
a  report  that  Sir  Robert  and  his  friends  had  caused  the  fire  so  as  to  bring  him  under 
suspicion.     Lord  Forbes  cited  the  three  Gunns  to  appear  before  the  Lords  Justiciary  at 


2o6  EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


Edinburgh  on  the  2nd  April,  1616,  to  stand  trial  for  the  incendiarism,  and  the  Earl  of 
Caithness  as  sheriff  of  the  county  was  also  summoned  to  deliver  them  up.  With  things 
this  way,  the  Earl  wrote  to  the  Marquis  of  Huntly  for  his  support,  but  he  responded  by 
sending  the  account  of  the  affair  as  supplied  by  Sir  Robert.  At  trial  the  Earl  of  Caithness 
was  absent,  but  his  son,  Lord  Berridale,  put  in  an  appearance.  The  lords  of  the  Council 
required  Lord  Berridale  and  his  father  to  present  the  three  culprits  before  the  court  on 
the  10th  June  next.  Lord  Berridale,  whose  character  was  the  reverse  of  that  of  his 
father,  now  offered  Lord  Forbes  satisfaction  in  his  father's  name  if  he  would  stop  the 
prosecution  ;  but  Forbes  would  only  do  so  on  conditions  which  Lord  Berridale  considered 
too  hard,  and  therefore  rejected.  The  Gunns  then  confessed  before  the  Lords  of  Council 
the  part  the  Earl  had  taken  in  the  crime,  and  as  neither  the  Earl  nor  Lord  Berridale  had 
surrendered  Alex.  Gunn  and  his  acomplices,  they  were  both  outlawed  and  declared  rebels, 
and  again  summoned  to  appear  at  Edinburgh  in  July  following.  A  final  agreement  was 
arrived  at  in  July,  1616,  when  the  Earl  of  Caithness  accepted  the  terms  imposed,  which 
were  gallingly  stringent. 

In  the  January  of  1616  the  Earl  had  induced  William,  son  of  Kenneth  Buidhe,  to 
banish  himself  into  Strathnaver,  and  take  the  first  favourable  chance  of  injuring  the 
Strathnaver  people.  So,  on  the  first  absence  of  Mackay  in  Sutherland,  Wm.  MacKenneth 
started  operations,  and  was  making  his  way  to  Caithness  with  a  great  booty,  but  being 
observed  by  the  clan  Gunn,  a  fight  ensued,  resulting  in  the  recapture  of  the  booty 
and  the  surrender  of  William  and  all  his  party,  except  Iain-Garbh-Mac-Chonald-Mac- 
Mhurchidh-Mhoir,  who,  being  a  very  resolute  man,  refused  to  surrender,  and  was  in  con- 
sequence killed.  In  consequence  of  the  settlement  of  July,  1616,  William  and  John,  the 
two  sons  of  Kenneth  Buy,  were  delivered  to  Lord  Berridale,  who  gave  security  for  their 
keeping  the  peace. 

Matters  being  thus  settled,  Lord  Berridale  presented  himself  for  trial  at  Edinburgh, 
but  no  one  appearing  against  him  the  trial  was  postponed.  The  Earl  failing  to  appear, 
the  diet  against  him  was  continued  till  the  28th  of  August  following.  The  King  was 
well  pleased  to  have  peace  restored  in  the  North,  but  could  not  overlook  such  a  flagrant 
act,  and  commanded  the  Privy  Council  to  prosecute  with  due  severity  all  who  had  been 
principals  or  accessories  to  the  offence.  Lord  Berridale  was  thereupon  arrested  on 
suspicion  and  committed  to  Edinburgh  Castle,  while  his  father,  again  declining  to 
appear,  was  again  outlawed,  and  declared  a  rebel  as  the  guilt}'  author.  In  this 
extremity  Lord  Berridale  had  recourse  to  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  entreating  that  as  all 
controversies  were  now  settled,  he  would,  in  place  of  an  enem)',  become  a  faithful 
friend,  and  reminding  him  how  free  he  was  of  the  present  crime,  and  how  little  he  had 
to  do  with  the  past  dissensions.  The  King  could  not,  without  a  verdict  against 
Berridale,  proceed  against  the  family  of  Caithness  by  forfeiture,  as  his  lordship  had 
many  years  before  been  infeft  in  his  father's  estate,  and  knowing  him  to  be  innocent, 
could  not  expect  such  a  verdict,  so  on  the  earnest  entreaty  of  the  then  Bishop  of  Ross, 
Sir  Robert  Gordon,  and  Sir  James  Spence  of  Wormistoun,  he  was  pleased  to  forgive  and 
remit  the  crime  on  the  following  conditions  : — 1st.  That  the  Earl  and  Lord  Berridale 
should  satisfy  their  numerous  creditors.  2nd.  That  they  should  renounce  the  heritable 
sheriffship  and  justiciary  of  Caithness.  3rd.  They  should  deliver  the  three  criminals 
who  burnt  the  corn.  4th.  That  the  Earl,  with  consent  of  Lord  Berridale,  should  give  up 
and  resign   in  perpetuum  to   the   Bishop   of  Caithness,  the  House  of  Scrabster,  with  feu 


GEORGE  III.,  43RD  EARL.  207 

lands,  of  the  annual  value  of  2,000  merks  scots,  etc.,  etc.  Commissioners  were  sent 
from  London  to  Caithness  in  October,  161 6,  to  see  these  conditions  complied  with.  The 
second  and  last  were  forthwith  implemented,  but  on  the  release  of  Lord  Berridale  he 
was  immediately  rearrested  at  the  instance  of  Sir  James  Home  of  Cowdenknowes,  his 
cousin-german,  who  had  become  surety  for  him  and  his  father  to  their  creditors  for  large 
sums  of  money.  The  Earl  narrowly  escaped  the  fate  of  his  son  by  retiring  into 
Caithness,  but  his  creditors  had  sufficient  interest  to  prevent  his  remission  from  passing 
till  they  should  be  satisfied. 

Deperate  as  were  the  Earl's  fortunes,  he  presently  (1618)  had  overtures  made  for 
an  alliance  by  Sir  Donald  Mackay,  who  had  become  dissatisfied  with  the  Sutherlands. 
The  Earl  and  Mackay  met  at  Dunreay,  in  Reay,  in  Caithness,  during  night-time, 
attended  by  only  three  men  each,  and,  continuing  their  conferences  for  several  days, 
they  finally  arranged  to  destroy  the  clan  Gunn,  particularly  John  Gunn  and  his  cousin 
Alexander,  and  that  John  Mackay,  the  only  brother  of  Sir  Donald,  should  marry  the 
Earl's  niece,  a  daughter  of  James  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  the  mortal  enemy  of  all  the  clan 
Gunn. 

Sir  Donald  proceeded  to  Edinburgh  to  get  a  commission  against  the  Gunns,  but 
was  foiled  by  the  opposition  of  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  and  returned  home  to  Strathnaver 
disappointed.  In  April,  1618,  he  went  to  Braill,  in  Caithness,  where  he  met  the  Earl, 
with  whom  he  continued  three  nights.  On  this  occasion  they  agreed  to  despatch 
Alexander  Gunn,  the  burner  of  the  corn,  lest  Lord  Forbes  should  request  his  delivery. 
Before  parting  the  Earl  delivered  to  Mackay  some  old  writs  of  certain  lands  in 
Strathnaver  and  other  places  within  the  diocese  of  Caithness,  which  belonged  to  Sir 
Donald's  predecessors,  expecting  that  Sir  Donald  would  bring  an  action  against  the 
Earl  of  Sutherland  for  the  warrandice  of  Strathnaver,  and  thus  free  himself  from  the 
superiority  of  that  Earl.  Sir  Donald  did  not  succeed  in  securing  the  Gunns  ;  and 
although  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  who  sought  every  occasion  to  quarrel  with  the  House  of 
Sutherland,  tried  to  pick  a  quarrel  with  Sir  Alexander  Gordon  about  some  sheilings 
which  he  alleged  the  latter's  servants  had  erected  beyond  the  marches  between  Torrish 
in  Strathully  and  the  lands  of  Berridale,  the  dispute  came  to  nothing.  The  Earl 
advised  the  Marquis  of  Huntly  of  Mackay's  intention  to  disturb  Sutherland,  and 
Huntly  informed  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  tutor  to  the  young  Earl  of  Sutherland,  who  had 
succeeded  in  161 5,  when  only  six  years  of  age.  Mackay  seeing  how  little  reliance  he 
could  place  in  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  renewed  his  friendship  with  the  Sutherlands. 

The  resignation  of  the  feu-lands  of  the  bishopric  was  an  event  which  preyed  on  the 
Earl  of  Caithness'  mind  and  made  him  vindictive  towards  the  bishop's  servants  and 
tenants.  More  especially  was  his  hatred  directed  against  Robert  Monroe  of  Aldie,  Com- 
missary of  Caithness,  who  acted  as  chamberlain  to  the  bishop,  whom  he  took  every  oppor- 
tunity to  molest.  One  of  the  first  steps  taken  by  Monroe  was  to  remove  James  Sinclair 
of  Durran  from  the  lands  which  he  occupied,  of  which  he  granted  a  lease  to  his  own 
brother-uterine,  Thomas  Lyndsay.  Sinclair  adopted  the  Irish  method  of  revenge,  and 
meeting  with  Lyndsay  soon  after  in  Thurso  ran  him  through  with  the  sword.  It  was 
generally  believed  that  the  Earl  had  instigated  the  crime.  Durran  then  fled  the  country, 
first  going  to  Edinburgh  and  thence  to  London  where  he  hastened  to  meet  his  kinsman, 
Sir  Andrew  Sinclair,  third  son  of  Henry  Lord  Sinclair,  envoy  from  the  King  of  Denmark, 
who  interceded  with  the  King  for  a  pardon  for  him,  but  being  refused,  Durran  then  fled 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


to  Denmark  for  better  security.  Monroe  now  raised  a  criminal  suit  against  the  Earl  of 
Caithness  and  Durran  for  the  murder  of  his  brother,  and  they  were  summoned  to  attend 
the  Court  of  Justiciary  at  Edinburgh  ;  but  as  neither  appeared  they  were  both  outlawed 
and  denounced  rebels.  Hearing  Durran  was  in  London,  Monroe  hastened  thither  and 
His  Majesty  wrote  a  letter  dated  at  Windsor,  25th  May,  1621,  directing  the  Privy  Council 
to  commission  Sir  Robert  Gordon  to  arrest  the  Earl,  reduce  his  places  of  strength,  and 
require  the  county  gentlemen  to  give  sureties  for  their  keeping  the  peace  in  time  to  come. 
Sir  Robert  being  undesirous  of  the  office  proposed  to  Lord  Berridale  that  he  should  under- 
take it,  but  that  unfortunate  nobleman  was  unable  to  procure  from  his  creditors  a  parole 
release.  The  Earl,  hearing  of  the  steps  being  taken  against  him,  wrote  to  the  Privy 
Council  in  assertion  of  his  innocence  of  the  slaughter  of  Lyndsay,  and  attributing  his 
non-attendance  at  trial  to  the  fear  of  being  arrested  at  suit  of  his  creditors,  and  promising 
if  His  Majesty  would  grant  him  a  safe-conduct,  to  find  security  to  abide  trial.  On  receipt 
of  this  letter  the  Lords  of  Council  granted  him  a  protection,  and  in  August  his  brothers 
James  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  and  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Greenland,  became  sureties  for  his 
appearing  at  Edinburgh  at  the  time  prescribed.  The  execution  of  the  commission  was 
thus  delayed. 

Lord  Gordon  in  the  meantime  had  obtained  permission  from  Lord  Berridale's  credi- 
tors to  consent  to  his  liberation  on  his  personal  guarantee.  Berridale  returned  to  Caith- 
ness in  1 62 1,  after  a  confinement  of  five  years,  but  was  unable  to  apprehend  his  father  or 
reduce  the  family  estates  into  possession.  Some  of  the  Earl's  creditors  went  North  to  see 
him  in  April,  1622,  but  only  received  fair  promises.  About  this  time  a  reconciliation 
took  place  between  the  Earl  and  Lord  Berridale  ;  but  it  was  only  of  short  duration,  and 
upon  the  occasion  of  the  new  disagreement  he  lost  the  favour  and  friendship  not  only  of 
his  brothers  Murkle  and  Greenland,  but  also  of  his  best  friends  in  Caithness.  Berri- 
dale retired  from  Caithness  to  reside  with  Lord  Gordon,  who  wrote  to  his  friends  at  Court 
for  a  new  commission  against  the  Earl.  As  the  King  was  daily  troubled  with  complaints 
from  the  Earl's  creditors  he  readily  consented,  and  in  December,  1622,  instructed  the 
Scottish  Privy  Council  to  issue  such  a  commission  to  Lord  Gordon.  Its  execution  was 
delayed,  however,  by  Gordon  being  required  to  proceed  to  France  on  affairs  of  state  in 
1623,  and  on  his  departure  the  Earl  applied  for  a  new  protection,  promising  to  appear  at 
Edinburgh  on  the  10th  of  August  of  this  year  and  satisfy  his  creditors,  but  he  again  made 
default  and  was  re-denounced  and  proclaimed  rebel,  while  a  new  commission  was  granted 
to  Sir  Robert  Gordon  to  proceed  against  him  and  his  abettors  with  fire  and  sword.  Procla- 
mations were  at  the  same  time  issued,  interdicting  all  and  sundry  from  having  any  com- 
munication with  the  Earl,  and  a  ship-of-war  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Sinclair's  Bay  to 
prevent  his  escape  by  sea,  and  to  batter  down  his  castles  in  case  he  should  attempt  to 
withstand  a  siege. 

The  Earl  of  Caithness,  seeing  now  no  longer  any  chance  of  evading  the  authority  of 
the  laws,  prepared  to  face  the  rising  storm  by  fortifying  his  castles  and  strongholds. 
Sir  Robert  Gordon  arrived  in  Sutherland  in  August,  1623,  and  was  immediately  joined 
by  Lord  Berridale,  who  was  sent  to  Caithness  to  ascertain  the  intentions  of  the  Earl  and 
the  disposition  of  the  Caithnessians  before  taking  further  concerted  action.  Berridale 
reported  that  his  father  had  resolved  to  stand  out  to  the  last  extremity,  that  he  had 
fortified  the  strong  castle  of  Ackergill,  which  he  had  supplied  with  men,  ammunition, 
and  provisions,  and   upon   the  holding  out  of  which  he  placed  his   last  and  only  hope. 


GEORGE  HE,  43RD  EARL.  209 

Lord  Berridale  also  reported  that  many  of  the  inhabitants  stood  well  affected  to  the  Earl.* 
Becoming  apprehensive  of  the  consequences,  the  Earl  despatched  a  messenger  to  Sir 
Robert,  soliciting  an  amicable  arrangement,  but  the  latter  was  not  prepared  to. parley 
further,  and  required  an  unconditional  submission  to  the  royal  mercy.  He  followed  up 
his  request  by  assembling  his  troops,  all  picked  men  and  well-armed,  at  Dunrobin,  on 
the  3rd  September,  1623,  whence  they  marched  to  the  appointed  rendezvous,  Killiernan 
in  Strathully,  and  next  morning  crossed  the  Helmsdale  and  advanced  to  Berridale,  where 
he  was  met  by  Lord  Berridale  and  James  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  one  of  the  commissioners. 
Encamping  at  Brea-Na-Henglish  they  were  advised  of  the  arrival  of  the  war-ship  in 
Scrabster  Roads  and  that  the  Earl  of  Caithness  had  abandoned  the  country,  sailing  by 
night  to  the  Orkneys  with  the  intention  of  passing  on  to  Norway  or  Denmark.  At 
Latheron,  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  Sheriff  of  Caithness,  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Mey,  Sinclair 
of  Rattar  and  others  tendered  their  submission  and  services,  and  the  party  was  joined  by 
about  300  Caithness  men  consisting  of  the  Calders  and  others  who  had  favoured  Lord 
Berridale.  They  were  commanded  by  James  Sinclair,  fiar  of  Murkle,  and  were  always 
kept  a  mile  or  two  in  advance  of  the  army  till  they  reached  Castle  Sinclair,  a  very  strong 
place  and  the  chief  residence  of  the  Earl.  The  keys  of  this  fortress  were  surrendered  to 
Sir  Robert  who  then  proceeded  to  Ackergill  Tower  and  the  Castle  of  Keiss  and  took 
possession  of  them  also  without  any  resistance  being  offered.  The  Countess  of  Caithness, 
who  was  then  in  residence  near  Keiss,  entreated  Sir  Robert — her  cousin-german — to  use 
his  interest  to  get  the  Earl  restored  to  royal  favour,  which  he  promised  to  do  if  the  Earl 
would  attend  to  his  advice.  From  Keiss  Sir  Robert  returned  to  Castle  Sinclair  where 
according  to  directions  received  from  the  Privy  Council  he  delivered  the  keys  of  all  these 
castles  and  forts  to  Lord  Berridale,  to  be  kept  by  him  till  the  further  pleasure  of  His 
Majesty  should  be  known.  The  commissioners  drew  up  a  set  of  instructions  at  Wick, 
leaving  Lord  Berridale  in  charge,  and  an  annuity  was  allowed  to  the  Earl  during  good 
behaviour.* 

The  only  incident  of  importance  during  Berridale's  administration  was  a  series  of 
depredations  by  William  Maclver,  chieftain  of  the  Siol-Mhic-Imheair  in  Caithness,  whom 
the  former  had  removed  from  the  lands  and  possessions  held  by  him  in  Caithness.  Mac- 
lver thereon  retired  to  Argyle  assuming  the  name  of  Campbell,  as  being  originally  an 
Argyle  man,  and  sought  the  favour  and  protection  of  Lord  Lorn,  who  unsuccessfully 
endeavoured  by  writing  to  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  Berridale  and  others  to  effect  a  recon- 
ciliation. Seeing  no  hope  of  an  accommodation  Maclver  collected  a  part}'  of  rebels  and 
outlaws  to  the  number  of  about  twenty,  and  for  four  or  five  years  made  frequent  incur- 
sions in  Caithness,  to  end  which  Berridale  got  him  denounced  rebel  and  at  last  was 
successful  in  apprehending  Maclver  and  his  son  whom  he  hanged,  and  the  race  of  the 
Siol-Mhic-Imheair  was  almost  extinguished.  This  event  occurred  about  the  year  1633. 
Maclver's  son-in-law  Gillie-Calum-Mac-Shomhairle  with  some  outlaws  of  the  clan  Mhic- 
Iain-Dhuinn,  continued  the  predatory  incursions  into  Caithness  and  they  finally  met  the 
same  fate  at  the  hands  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland.! 

George  "  the  wicked"  Earl  of  Caithness  died  in  February,  1643,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  79.  By  his  tyrannical  conduct  he  procured  himself  many  enemies,  and  probably 
his  faults  may  have  been  thereby  much  exaggerated.  Some  of  the  crimes,  at  least,  with 
which  he  was  charged  were  never  fully  proved  against  him  ;    and  it  is  clear,  from  the 


Calder  and  Keltic  f  Keltic 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


whole  course  of  his  history  that  he  had  a  very  bitter  enemy  in  Sir  Robert  Gordon ,  almost 
the  only  authority  for  the  events  of  that  period.  "The  quietness  and  moderation," 
says  Mackay,  ' '  with  which  he  appears  to  have  conducted  himself  during  the  last  twenty 
years  of  his  life  plead  strongly  in  his  favour."* 

He  married  Jean  Gordon,  daughter  of  George,  fifth  Earl  of  Huntly,  by  whom  he  hadt 
i.  William,  Lord  BerridalE,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Henry  Lord  Sinclair.     He  died 
v.p. ,  leaving  a  son 

John,  Master  of  Berridale. 
2.  Francis,  of  Northfield,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Lord  Fraser  and  had — 
i.  George  Sinclair  of  Keiss  who  succeeded  as  45th  Earl. 

1.  Jean,  Lady  Mey,  married  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Mey  and  died  1716  ;  and  a  natural 
daughter 
Margaret  married  in  1653  to  John,  son  of  Alex.  Sutherland  of  Lybster. 
1.  Elizabeth  married  George,  Lord  Lindsay,  afterwards  Earl  of  Crawford,  and  died  s.p. 
Earl  George  had  also  two  natural  sons — 

1.  Francis,  first  of  Stirkoke,  who  about  1621  fought  a  duel  with  his  relative  Sir  William  Sin- 

clair of  Mey. 

2.  John,  who  attained  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  German  Wars. 

JOHN,    MASTER    OF    BERRIDALE. 

t  1639. 

The  Master  filed  complaint  on  nth  August,  1587,  for  attack  by  McKenzie  of  Gair- 
loch  and  others  on  him  and  his  servant  James  Paxtoun  in  March  last  while  they  were 
"  in  peaceable  and  quiet  manner  "  in  the  Chanonry  of  Ross.  McKenzie  was  denounced 
rebel.  On  the  16th  September  thereafter  Colin  McKenzie  of  Kintail  was  also  denounced 
for  non-appearance  of  Gairloch  for  whom  he  was  responsible,  and  on  5th  March,  1587-8, 
had  to  find  caution  in  500  merks,  to  produce  if  required  such  men  as  "  asseigit  "  James, 
Master  of  Caithness. 

The  Master  of  Berridale  was  a  strong  opponent  to  the  introduction  of  Episcopacy  in 
Scotland,  and  after  the  meeting  of  the  famous  General  Assembly  at  Glasgow  in  1638,  he 
took  the  National  Covenant  and  persuaded  many  county  friends  to  do  the  same.  He  was 
subsequently  one  of  five  commissioners  appointed  to  get  the  bond  subscribed  through- 
out the  entire  kingdom,*  and  was  present  with  the  army  of  the  Covenanters  north  the 
Spey  under  the  banner  of  his  father-in-law  the  Earl  of  Seaforth.J  Attacked  by  fever  in 
the  autumn  of  1639  he  died  at  Holy  rood  House.  His  early  death  was  very  much  re- 
gretted by  all  ranks  in  Caithness.* 

He  married  Jean,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Seaforth,  and  died  in  1639.  He  had  three 
sons — 

1.  George,  44th  Earl.        2.  John  ;   and  3.  William,  who  died  vita  patris.f 
His  relict  afterwards  married  Sir  Alex.   Sutherland  of  Duffus,  created  Lord  Duffus  in 
1651.* 

GEORGE   IV.,    44TH   EARL.* 
1643— 1676. 

This    Earl   occupied   a   much   less   important   position   than   his   predecessor.     He 
married  at  Roseneath  22nd  September,  1657,  Mary,  daughter  of  the  Marquis  of  Argyle, 
*  Calder.  t  Henderson.  J  Keltic 


GEORGE  IV.,   44TH  EARL. 


and  died  at  Thurso  Castle  in  1676  without  issue.  Having  no  male  heir  to  succeed  him, 
and  being  greatly  embarrassed  in  circumstances — his  debts  were  said  to  exceed  a  million 
merks — he  sold  his  estates  and  title  to  his  principal  creditor  John  Campbell  of 
Glenorchy.  Writing  at  Thurso  Castle,  25th  August,  1661,  he  fully  explains  the  effect 
of  the  civil  wars  on  his  mansions  :  "I  can  give  account  of  ,£200,000  scots  of  loss  I 
sustained  by  Generals  Middleton  and  Morgan,  besides  the  burning  of  my  houses,  which 
put  me  in  such  a  condition  that  I  had  not  a  place  to  settle  myself  in  till  I  laid  out  a 
thousand  pounds  to  repair  the  house  I  live  in."*  There  were  two  dispositions,  as  they 
are  termed,  in  favour  of  Glenorchy,  the  first  dated  10th  June,  1661,  and  the  second  8th 
October,  1672,  conveying  all  and  sundry,  the  lands,  &c.  The  latter  bears  that  in  case 
of  non-redemption,  Glenorchy  and  his  heirs  shall  be  holden  and  obliged  to  assume,  wear, 
and  use  the  surname  of  Sinclair  and  arms  of  the  House  of  Caithness..  There  can  be  no 
doubt  that  this  clause  was  inserted  at  the  desire  of  Glenorchy,  to  be  used  as  a  pretext 
for  the  assumption  of  the  titles  at  a  subsequent  period.  After  this  transaction  the  Earl's 
chief  means  of  support  were  derived  from  an  annuity  of  2,000  merks,  which  Glenorchy 
had  bound  himself  to  pay  him. 

After  the  Stuart  Restoration  the  Earl  became  a  decided  royalist,  and  manifested 
great  zeal  in  suppressing  conventicles,  as  appears  from  a  minute  in  the  Presbytery 
records  of  Caithness,  dated  Thurso,  4th  November,  1674.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Privy  Council,  and  Lord  Lieutenant  of  his  county.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  an 
elder  in  the  church  of  Thurso,  which  has  the  following  minuted  3rd  May,  1676  : — "Mr. 
Andrew  Munro,  minister  of  Thurso,  did  represent  that  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  being 
visited  with  heavie  sickness,  did  earnestlie  desire  that  all  the  Brethren  of  the  Presbie. 
should  remember  him  in  their  publick  and  private  prayers  to  God,  which  desire  was 
cordially  entertained. ' ' 

The  Countess  of  Caithness  soon  married  her  kinsman  Glenorchy,  who  was  created 
Earl  of  Caithness  by  patent,  but  his  right  to  the  title  was  challenged  by  George  Sinclair 
of  Keiss,  of  whom  presently  as  45th  Earl. 

This  Earl  was  committed  prisoner  to  Edinburgh  Castle  for  the  slaughter  of  a  soldier 
sent  to  quarter  for  deficiency  of  cess  and  excise. 


GEORGE  V.,  45TH  EARL.t 
1676— 1698. 

On  the  death  of  George  IV.,  Glenorchy  assumed  the  title,  his  deed  of  conveyance 
having  been  confirmed  by  Royal  Charter  under  the  Great  Seal.  In  order  to  secure 
county  support  he  appointed  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  Sheriff  and  Justiciary-Depute  of 
Caithness,  as  well  as  bailie  of  all  the  baronies  on  the  Caithness  estate.  In  the  meantime 
George  Sinclair  of  Keiss,  son  of  Francis  Sinclair  of  Northfield,  disputed  Glenorchy 's  right 
to  the  title,  and  more  especially  to  the  lands  of  Northfield  and  Tister,  which  he  inherited 
from  his  father.  The  claims  of  both  were  submitted  to  the  four  most  eminent  advocates 
of  Scotland,  namely,  Sir  George  Mackenzie,  Sir  Robert  Sinclair  of  Longformacus,  Sir 
George  Lockhart,  and  Sir  John  Cunningham.  Their  decision  was  favourable  to 
Glenorchy,  and  the  king  thereupon  wrote  to  the  Privy  Council  instructing  them  to  issue 

*  Lauderdale  MSS.,  Brit.  Museum.  t  Calder  and  Keltic 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


a  proclamation  prohibiting  Keiss  from  assuming  the  title  of  Earl,  etc.,  etc.  Keiss  paid  no 
attention  to  the  interdict,  and  not  only  retained  possession  of  the  lands,  which  he  claimed 
as  his  inheritance,  but  annoyed  Glenorchy's  chamberlains  so  much  that  they  found  it 
exceedingly  difficult  to  collect  his  rents.  The  county  gentry  all  espoused  Keiss'  cause, 
the  warmest  supporters  being  David  Sinclair  of  Broynach  and  William  Sinclair  of  Thura, 
who  even  went  so  far  as  to  assist  him  to  demolish  the  castle  of  Thurso  East,  of  which  his 
rival  had  taken  possession.  The  common  people  also  were  everywhere  friendly  to  Keiss, 
and  Glenorchy  was  generally  regarded  as  an  usurper  who  had  taken  advantage  of  the 
necessities  of  the  late  Earl  to  trick  him  of  his  title  and  estates. 

At  length  the  Privy  Council,  on  nth  November,  1679,  passed  an  act  charging  the 
"haill  kin,  friends,  and  followers  of  John,  Earl  of  Caithness,  to  concur  and  assist"  in 
recovering  the  contested  lands.  To  carry  this  into  effect,  in  the  summer  of  1680 
Glenorchy  invaded  Caithness  with  a  large  force  of  700  or  1,100  men,  including  the 
followers  of  the  immediate  descendants  of  his  family,  namely,  Glenlyon,  Glenfalloch, 
Glendochart,  and  Achallader,  as  also  those  of  his  brother-in-law,  the  Laird  of  Macnab. 
He  was  also  attended  by  a  detachment  of  the  King's  troops  under  General  Dalzell,  and 
they  all  marched  North  from  the  Tay.  Keiss  resolved  to  give  battle  in  open  field,  and 
hastily  collected  800  or  1,500  followers,  mostly  destitute  of  military  tactics,  and  his  only 
officer  of  experience  was  Major  Sinclair  of  Thura,  who  had  served  in  the  German  wars. 
The  hostile  parties  met  near  Stirkoke,  but  the  day  being  far  spent,  and  the  High- 
landers fatigued  with  a  march  of  nearly  30  miles,  Glenorchy  declined  battle,  withdrawing 
to  the  hills  of  Yarrow.  The  place  whence  they  retired  was  long  known  by  the  name  of 
"  Torran  na  Gael,"  or  the  Highlanders'  Hill.  The  Sinclairs  marched  into  Wick,  and 
celebrated  their  supposed  advantage  in  a  deep  carousal,  being  liberally  supplied,  it  is  said, 
with  drink  by  a  secret  agent  of  the  Campbells.  Pennant  says  :  "  Glenorchy  thought 
proper  to  add  stratagem  to  force.  He  knew  that  in  those  days  whisky  was  the  nectar  of 
Caithness,  and  in  consequence  ordered  a  ship  laden  with  that  precious  liquor  to  pass  round 
and  wilfully  strand  itself  on  the  shore.  The  Caithnessians  made  a  prize  of  the  vessel, 
and  in  indulging  themselves  too  freely  became  an  easy  prey  to  the  Earl. ' '  Glenorchy 
appointed  a  strict  watch,  and  took  every  necessary  precaution  against  a  sudden  surprisal. 
The  men  not  on  guard  wrapped  themselves  in  their  plaids,  and  lay  down  to  sleep  on  the 
bare  heath. 

About  eight  o'clock  next  morning  (13th  July)  Glenorchy  quitted  his  bivouac, 
and  crossed  the  river  of  Wick  below  Sibster,  nearly  opposite  Stirkoke  Mains,  which  his 
men  are  stated  to  have  leaped  across.  The  news  spreading  to  Wick  excited  much  alarm. 
The  Sinclairs,  mustering  hastily,  hurried  up  the  riverside  to  engage  the  enemy,  and 
Glenorchy  ranged  500  of  his  men  on  the  haugh  adjacent  to  the  burn  of  Altimarlach. 
This  water-course  in  summer  is  quite  dry,  and  may  then  be  described  as  a  huge  gully, 
with  steep  banks  on  each  side.  It  lies  about  two  miles  to  the  west  of  Wick.  Nothing 
could  be  better  adapted  for  an  ambuscade,  of  which  Glenorchy  with  great  tact  availed 
himself.  He  accordingly  ordered  the  remainder  of  his  men  to  lie  down  and  conceal 
themselves  in  this  deep  gorge,  nor  stir  from  the  spot  until  their  officers  should  give  them 
the  word  to  rise.  As  the  Sinclairs  advanced  they  made  a  detour  to  the  right,  at  some 
little  distance  from  the  head  of  the  ravine,  and  of  course  did  not  see  the  ambuscade 
prepared  for  them.  Their  object  in  this  movement  was  to  have  the  advantage  of  the 
higher  ground,  and  thus  to  place  the  enemy  between  them  and  the  river.     In  the  mean- 


GEORGE  V.,  45th  EARL.  213 


time,  Glenorchy  encouraged  his  men  with  the  following  short  address,  originally  delivered 
in  Gaelic  :  "  We  are  this  day  in  an  enemy's  country.  He  that  stands  this  day  by  me, 
I'll  stand  by  him,  my  son  by  his  son,  and  my  grandson  by  his  grandson  ;  but  if  this  day 
goes  against  us,  he  will  be  a  lucky  man  that  ever  gets  home,  for  long  is  the  cry  to 
Lochawe,  and  far  is  the  help  from  Cruachan."  When  the  two  hostile  bodies  were  within 
a  few  yards  of  each  other  Glenorchy  gave  the  signal  for  attack,  and  the  deadly  strife 
commenced.  The  onset  of  the  Campbells  was  so  furious  that  the  Sinclairs,  unfitted  by 
their  carousal  of  the  previous  evening,  instantly  gave  way  and  fled  with  precipitation  in 
the  direction  of  the  burn  of  Altimarlach.  At  this  moment  the  reserve  corps  of  the 
Highlanders,  starting  up  from  their  ambush  with  a  savage  shout,  met  the  fugitives  in  the 
face,  and  being  thus  pressed  in  front  and  rear,  and  at  the  same  time  outflanked  on  the 
left,  the  Sinclairs  in  desperation  made  a  rush  for  the  river.  The  Campbells  chased  them 
into  the  water  as  they  attempted  to  escape  to  the  other  side,  and  committed  such  dreadful 
havoc  that  it  is  said  they  passed  dry-shod  over  the  fallen  dead.  Not  a  few  of  the  Sinclairs 
who  endeavoured  to  save  their  lives  by  running  for  the  open  plain  were  hewed  down 
by  the  murderous  battle-axe  and  broadsword  of  the  infuriated  victors.  Sinclair  of  Keiss 
himself,  Sinclair  of  Thura,  and  the  other  leaders  of  his  party,  owed  their  safety  to  the 
fleetness  of  their  chargers.  The  engagement  lasted  but  a  few  minutes,  and  was  as  bloody 
as  it  was  brief,  no  less  than  200  of  the  Caithness  men  being  reported  to  have  fallen  in 
action.  Such  was  the  issue  of  the  famous  battle  of  Altimarlach,  so  disastrous  to  the 
county,  and  so  humiliating  to  the  pride  of  the  Sinclairs.  Originating  in  a  family  quarrel, 
it  has  a  special  interest  as  being  the  last  instance  of  private  war  being  waged  in 
Scotland. 

Glenorchy  quartered  a  part  of  his  troops  in  Caithness  for  some  time,  levying  rents 
and  taxes  as  in  a  conquered  country,  and  subjecting  the  people  to  the  most  grievous 
oppression.  The  remainder  of  his  men  he  sent  home  in  detached  companies  immedi- 
ately after  the  battle. 

Nothing  daunted  by  the  reverse  at  Altimarlach,  George  Sinclair  of  Keiss  continued 
his  opposition,  and  finally  laid  siege  to  Castle  Sinclair,  which  he  took  after  a  feeble 
resistance  of  the  garrison.  The  reduction  was  effected  with  the  aid  of  firearms  and  or 
artillery.  For  this  affair  he  and  his  three  friends  who  assisted  him,  Sinclair  of  Broynach, 
Sinclair  of  Thura,  and  Mackay  of  Strathnaver,  fell  under  the  ban  of  Government,  and 
were  declared  rebels.  At  length,  through  the  influence  of  the  Duke  of  York,  afterwards 
James  II.,  Keiss  finally  secured  his  claim  to  the  title  of  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  also 
obtained  full  possession  of  his  patrimonial  property,  while  Glenorchy  was  compensated 
for  his  loss  by  being  created  Earl  of  Breadalbane  and  Baron  of  Wick  (15th  July,  1681). 
The  men  of  Caithness,  detesting  him  for  his  cruelties  at  Altimarlach,  lost  no  chance  of 
"making  him  weary  of  his  lands  in  the  county,"  the  most  of  which  he  sold  to  the 
Ulbster  family  in  1719. 

George  Sinclair,  45th  Earl  of  Caithness,  died  without  issue  at  Keiss  in  1698,  and  was 
succeeded  in  the  Earldom  by  his  second  cousin,  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Murkle. 


2i4  EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


JOHN    IV..    46TH    EARL.* 
1698 — 1705. 

This  Earl  was  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  knight,  by  his  second 
wife  Jean,  daughter  of  William  Stewart  of  Burray,  in  the  Earldom  of  Orkney.  He 
married  Jean  Carmichael,  stated  to  be  of  the  Hyndford  family,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Alexander,  his  successor. 

2.  John,  Lord  Murkle,  Senator  of  the  College  of  Justice,  married  Jean,  daughter  of  the  1st  Earl 

of  Cromarty,  and  died  s.p.  1755. 

3.  Francis  of  Milton  of  Lieurary,  married  Janet  Morrison,  and  died  s.p.  1762. 

4.  Archibald,  died  s.p. 

1.  Janet,  married  in  1714  David  Sinclair  of  Southdun,  and  had  issue. 
Dying  in  1705,  Earl  John  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 


ALEXANDER    II.,    47TH    EARL.* 
1705— 1765. 

He  was  present  at  the  last  Scots  Parliament  in  1707,  when  the  Treaty  of  Union  was 
discussed,  but  declined  voting. t  His  principal  place  of  residence  was  Haimer  Castle,  a 
square  tower  or  fortalice  which,  after  his  death,  fell  into  disrepair,  and  now  no  vestige 
of  it  remains.  In  1719  the  Earl  sought  to  have  the  transactions  between  the  45th  Earl 
and  Breadalbane  set  aside  on  the  ground  of  alleged  imbecility,  but  without  success. 
During  the  '45  rising  he  stood  firmly  by  the  Government. 

In  1761  the  Earl  had  executed  an  entail  of  his  estate  of  Murkle  and  other  lands,  by 
which  they  passed  on  his  decease  to  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Stevenson,  a  descendant  of  the 
Sinclairs,  Barons  of  Longformacus,  cadets  of  Herdmanston.  He  was  succeeded  in  the 
title  by  William  Sinclair  of  Rattar,  to  whom  he  thus  alludes  in  a  letter  to  George 
Sinclair,  Lord  Woodhall  : — "Rattar  is  next,  though  very  remote.  Though  he  lives 
within  four  miles  of  me  he  never  comes  to  see  me,  from  which  it  seems  he  is  disobliged 
because  I  did  not  give  him  all  I  had,  and  depend  for  subsistence  on  his  generosity.  He 
cannot  be  very  wise,  for  he  could  not  have  taken  a  more  effectual  way  to  disappoint  his 
expectations." 

By  his  Countess  Margaret  Primrose,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Rosebery,  he  had  one 
only  daughter, 

Dorothea,  who  married  James,  Earl  of  Fife,  and  died  s.p.  1S19. 

He  had  also  issue  natural  : 

George  in  Geise,  died  s.p. 
PETER,  father  of 

James,  died  s.p. 

One  daughter,  died  s.p. 

Six  daughters,  married,  and  had  issue. 

*  Henderson.  f  Calder. 


WILLIAM  III.,  48th  EARL.  215 


WILLIAM  III.,  48TH  KARL. 

1765—1779- 

On  the  death  of  Earl  Alexander  a  contest  arose  as  to  the  succession,  the  dignity 
being  claimed  by  James  Sinclair  in  Reiss  and  William  Sinclair  of  Rattar.  David  Sinclair 
of  Broynach,  only  brother  of  the  46th  Earl,  John  IV.,  by  a  second  marriage — which  was 
afterwards  pronounced  irregular  by  the  highest  legal  authorities  in  Scotland — had  two 
sons,  David  and  Donald.  The  latter  had  a  son  dead  ante  1767,  and  the  elder  son  David 
had  two  sons,  James  in  Reiss  (the  claimant)  and  John,  living  in  1767.  Rattar  claimed 
as  heir-male  of  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Greenland  and  Rattar.  In  conjoined  claims  to  be 
served  heir  before  the  Macers,  after  proof  by  both  parties,  the  jury,  on  28th  November, 
1768,  pronounced  a  verdict  by  a  majority  in  favour  of  Rattar,  which,  after  various  pro- 
ceedings before  the  Court  of  Session,  was  confirmed.  In  1772  the  Committee  of 
Privileges  adjudged  him  the  title.  In  1786  James  Sinclair  threatened  to  renew  the  claim, 
but  dying  in  1788  the  matter  was  apparently  ended,  as  no  male  descendant  of  Broynach 
was  known  then  to  be  alive. 

William  III.  married  Barbara,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of  Scotscalder,  and  died  at 
Edinburgh  29th  November,  1779.     By  her  he  had — 

1.  John,  49th  Earl. 

2.  William,  lieutenant  in  the  American  war  ;  died  s.p.  at  New  York. 

3.  James.        4.  Alexander.        5.  David.        These  three  died  young  unmarried. 

1.  Isabella,  died  unmarried. 

2.  Janet,  married  James  Traill  of  Rattar,  and  dying  in  1S05  was  buried  in  Roslin  Chapel. 

JOH>J   V.,   49TH   EARL. 
1779— 1789. 

Entered  the  army  as  Ensign  of  the  17th  Foot  in  1772,  and  became  Major  in  the  76th 
Foot  in  1777.  He  served  for  some  years  in  America,  and  was  wounded  at  Charlestown 
while  reconnoitering.  In  1783  he  became  a  Lieut. -Colonel,  and  died  unmarried  at 
London  on  the  8th  April,  1789,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-three.  The  succession  then 
opened  to  the  Sinclairs  of  Mey. 

JAMES    I.,   50TH  EARL. 

1789-1823. 

Sir  James  Sinclair,  Baronet  of  Mey,  was  in  May,  1790,  served  as  nearest  lawful  heir- 
male  of  William  Saint-Clair,  second  of  his  name,  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  his  claim  to  the 
peerage  was  sustained  by  the  House  of  Lords.  His  lordship,  who  was  Lord-Lieutenant 
of  Caithness  and  Postmaster-General  of  Scotland  in  1811,  married  2nd  January,  1784, 
Jane,  second  daughter  of  General  Alex.  Campbell  of  Barcaldine  (by  his  wife  Helen, 
daughter  of  George  Sinclair  of  Ulbster),  and  by  her  (who  d.  2nd  April,  1853)  had  issue — 

1.  John,  Master  of  Caithness,  Lord  Berriedale,  born  17S0,  died  unmd.  in  1802. 

2.  Alexander,  51st  Earl. 

3.  James,  Lieut. -Colonel  in  the  army,  born   24th  October,  1797  ;   married  in  1819   Elizabeth, 

youngest  daughter  of  George  Tritton,  and  died  s.p.  18th  January,  1856. 


216  EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


4.  Patrick-Campbell,  born  in  1800,  married  Isabella,  daughter  of  Major-General  McGregor; 

and  died  13th  March,  1834. 

5.  Eric  George,  R.N.,  born  1801  ;   died  26th  September,  1829. 

6.  John,  an  officer  in  the  army;  born  1808;  married  22nd  October,  1833,  Maria  Petronella, 

youngest  daughter  of  John  Church,  and  died  8th  January,  1861. 
1.  Janet,  married  1805,  Jas.  Buchanan  of  Craigend  Castle.  2.  Helen,  died  unmarried. 

3.  Charlotte    Ann,    married   in    1810   Major  -  General    Alex.    Murray  McGregor,   and   died 

7th  April,  1S54. 

Dying  in  1823  his  Lordship  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  surviving  son, 


ALEXANDER   III.,  51ST  EARL. 
1823— 1855. 

This  Earl  was  born  on  the  24th  July,  1790  ;  and  married  on  the  22nd  November,  1813, 
Frances  Harriett,  daughter  and  co-heir  of  the  Very  Rev.  William  Leigh,  of  Rushall  Hall, 
county  Stafford,  dean  of  Hereford,  and  by  her  he  had — 

1.  James,  his  successor,  born  16th  December,  1821. 

2.  Alex.  Eric  George,  of  91st  Foot;  born  20th  May,  1827  ;  died  21st  August,  1S57. 
Earl  Alexander  died  24th  December,  1855. 

JAMES   II.,   52ND  EARL. 
1855—  1 881. 

Was  born  in  1824,  educated  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  and  succeeded  his  father 
in  the  title  and  estates  in  1855.  He  was  soon  afterwards  appointed  Lord-Lieutenant, 
Vice- Admiral,  and  High-Sheriff  of  Caithness.  He  was  a  Lord-in-waiting  to  Her  Majesty 
under  Lord  Paltnerston's  Administration,  1856-58,  and  again  in  1859.  For  several  years 
he  was  Governor  of  the  British  Fishery  Society. 

His  Lordship  was  elected  one  of  the  representative  peers  for  Scotland  in  June,  1858, 
in  room  of  the  Earl  of  Morton,  and  again  in  1865.  On  May  1st,  1866,  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  Earl  Russell,  he  was  created  a  Peer  of  the  United  Kingdom  by  the  title  of 
Baron  of  Barrogill  Castle,  in  the  county  of  Caithness,  the  patent  being  to  himself  and  the 
heirs-male  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten. 

Lord  Caithness  was  well  known  in  scientific  circles,  and  for  many  years  was  a  Fellow 
of  the  Royal  Society.  In  early  life  he  developed  a  strong  taste  for  mechanics  and  other 
scientific  pursuits.  So  strongly  was  his  mind  bent  on  engineering  that  he  wrought  for 
nearly  a  year  at  works  in  Manchester  in  order  to  get  a  practical  insight  into  the  subject, 
walking  to  his  work  a  mile  and  a  half  in  order  to  begin  at  six  o'clock,  summer  and  winter. 

He  became  the  patentee  of  a  great  many  useful  and  ingenious  inventions.  One  of 
these  was  a  tape-loom,  which  enabled  a  weaver  to  stop  one  of  the  shuttles  without  stopping 
the  whole,  as  had  to  be  done  previously.  For  this  invention  he  received  ,£500,  but 
always  said  had  he  been  a  business  man  he  would  have  made  a  fortune  by  it,  as  it  had 
been  so  universally  adopted,  and  such  an  immense  saving  had  been  obtained  by  its  use. 
Another  of  his  inventions  was  the  Caithness  Gravitating  Compass,  which  is  one  of  the 
steadiest  known  to  navigators,  and  is  used  by  many  of  the  largest  shipping  companies. 
He  was  very  proud  of  this  compass,  and  thought  more  of  it  than  of  all  his  other  inventions 


JAMES  II.,  52ND  EARL.  217 


combined.  He  also  invented  a  road  locomotive  with  carriage,  in  which  he  travelled  from 
Inverness  to  Barrogill  Castle,  attaining  a  speed  of  sixteen  miles  an  hour  on  level  roads. 
As  road  locomotives  were  then  quite  new,  his  journey  created  no  little  sensation  in  that 
district.  Another  ingenious  invention  by  his  Lordship  was  a  machine  for  washing 
railway  carriages. 

He  was  for  several  years  a  most  active  director  of  the  London  North  Western 
Railway,  and  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Rolling  Stock — the  only  stock,  he  used  to 
say,  of  which  he  had  any  knowledge.  Amongst  his  own  people  and  his  tenantry  he  was 
especially  popular,  and  he  will  long  be  remembered  as  the  most  genial  and  warm- 
hearted of  those  noblemen  who  have  ruled  at  Barrogill.  Considering  the  size  of  his 
estates,  few  if  any  of  the  proprietors  did  more  for  the  improvement  of  their  property 
than  he.  He  was  the  first  in  the  North  of  Scotland  to  use  the  steam  plough.  Although 
not  a  literary  man,  Lord  Caithness  was  in  frequent  request  as  a  lecturer  on  sanitary 
subjects,  and  in  1877  he  published  a  series  of  five  of  these  lectures. 

He  was  married  in  1847  to  Louisa  Georgina,  youngest  of  the  three  daughters  of  Sir 
George  Philips,  Bart.,  of  Weston  House,  Warwickshire,  and  formerly  M.P.  for  Poole, 
by  whom  he  had  one  daughter  and  one  son — 

Lady  Fanny  Georgina,  born  in  1854,  died  in  1883. 

George  Philips  Alexander,  Lord  Berriedale,  born  30th  November,  1858. 

Louisa,  Countess  of  Caithness,  died  in  1870,  and  his  lordship  married  secondly  at 
Edinburgh  on  6th  March,  1872,  Marie,  only  surviving  daughter  of  the  late  Senor  Don 
Jose  de  Mariategui,  and  widow  of  His  Excellency  Conde  de  Medina  Pomar,  by  whom 
there  was  no  issue. 

Lord  Caithness  died  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel,  New  York,  on  the  28th  March, 
1 88 1.  He  was  on  the  point  of  starting  on  an  extended  tour  in  America  with  his  son  and 
daughter  when  his  death  took  place.  His  remains  were  embalmed,  and  sent  back  to 
Scotland  for  interment.  He  was  buried  on  the  19th  April,  1881,  in  the  Chapel  Royal, 
Holyrood,  where  are  also  interred  the  remains  of  his  first  Countess,  and  of  his  father, 
mother,  and  grandmother. 


GEORGE   VI.,    53RD   EARL. 

1881— 1889. 

George  Philips  Alexander,  Earl  of  Caithness,  succeeded  his  father  in  1881.  In  the 
same  year  he  was  appointed  Lord- Lieutenant  of  Caithness. 

His  sister  Lady  Fanny  died  at  Barrogill  Castle  after  a  very  short  illness  on  the 
nth  October,  1883,  greatly  lamented.  She  was  interred  in  the  churchyard  of  Canisbay 
on  the  17th  of  the  same  month. 

Lord  Caithness  died  suddenly  at  the  Palace  Hotel,  Edinburgh,  on  the  25th  May, 
1889.  He  was  buried  at  Holyrood  on  the  29th  of  that  month.  He  was  the  last  male  of 
the  senior  branch  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Mey,  whose  representation  now  passed  to  James 
Augustus  Sinclair,  of  the  Durran  branch.  The  Barony  of  Barrogill,  in  the  peerage  of 
the  United  Kingdom,  became  extinct.  On  his  death  Barrogill  Castle  and  the  estates  of 
the  Mey  family  became  estranged  from  the  dignity. 


EARLS  OF  CAITHNESS. 


JAMES    III.,    54TH    EARL. 
1889—  1 891. 

This  peer,  the  eldest  surviving  son  of  Lieut. -Colonel  John  Sutherland  Sinclair  of  the 
Royal  Artillery,  was  born  31st  May,  1827,  at  Naples;  educated  at  the  Edinburgh 
Academy  and  the  Edinburgh  University.  He  practised  for  many  years  as  a  chartered 
accountant,  and  was  agent  at  Aberdeen  for  the  Bank  of  Scotland.  He  was  a  clerk  of 
and  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Aberdeenshire,  and  was  a  Fellow  of  the  Scottish  Society  of 
Antiquarians. 

On  the  death  of  George,  Earl  of  Caithness,  in  May,  1889,  Mr.  Sinclair  was  adjudged 
to  be  heir-male  to  the  said  Earl. 

He  was  married  on  26th  April,  1855,  to  Janet,  only  daughter  of  the  late  Roderick 
Macleod,  M.D.,  of  London  (son  of  Roderick  Macleod,  Principal  of  King's  College,  Old 
Aberdeen),  and  had  issue — 

1.  John  Sutherland,  present  Earl,  born  17th  September,  1857. 

2.  Norman  Macleod,  The  Hon.,  Master  of  Caithness,  born  4th  April,   1862  ;   educated  at 

Uppingham  School,  and  at  Trinity  College,  Cambridge  (B.A.  1884)  ;  admitted  solicitor 
1887  ;  married  1893,  Lilian,  daughter  of  Higford  Higford  of  23,  Eaton  Place,  S.W.,  and 
has  issue — 

A  daughter,  born  in  1894. 
Residence.— 1   Brunswick  Gardens,   Kensington,   W.     Chambers.—  3S,  Bedford  Row,  W.C.  ; 
19,  Parliament  Street,  S.W. 

3.  Charles  Augustus,  Rev.  The  Hon.,  born  nth  May,  1865  ;  educated  at  Aberdeen  Univer- 

sity (M.A.  1885),  and  at  Trinity  College,  Oxford  (B.A.  1889,  M.A.  1892)  ;  is  curate  of 
Hornsey  North.     Residence. — 4,  Church  Lane,  Hornsey  North. 

4.  George  Arthur,  The  Hon.,  born  28th  April,  1874  ;  educated  at  Trinity  College,  Glen- 

almond. 
1.  Lady  Margaret  Helen.        2.  Lady  Euphemia  Wilhelmina. 
3.  Lady  Meredith  Isabel.        4.  Janet  (dead).        5.  Lady  Mary  Jessie. 
James  Augustus,  Earl  of  Caithness,  died  on  the  21st  January,  1891,  in  London,  and 
was  interred  in  the  Saint  Machar  churchyard,  Old  Aberdeen.     Lord  Caithness  was  a 
man  of  considerable  antiquarian   research,  and  was   the   author  of  unpublished  MS.  on 
Scottish    family  histories,    dealing    more   particularly   with    the    Orkney   and    Caithness 
families. 

Lady  Caithness  resides  at  152,  Gloucester  Terrace,  Hyde  Park,  W. 


JOHN    VI.,    55TH    EARL. 
1891 

John  Sutherland  Sinclair,  present  Earl,  is  also  a  Baronet.  He  was  educated  at 
Loretto  School,  and  at  the  University  of  Aberdeen.  He  is  domiciled  in  the  United  States 
of  North  America,  where  he  is  proprietor  of  the  Berriedale  Farm  at  Lakota,  in  North 
Dakota. 

Residence  in  Britain. — 152,  Gloucester  Terrace,  Hyde  Park,  London,  W. 


JOHN  VI.,  55TH  EARL  OF  CAITHNESS. 

John  Sutherland  Sinclair, 
The  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of  Caithness. 


CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

CAITHNESS   CADETS." 

THE  SINCLAIRS  of  STEMSTER  and  DUNBEATH.* 

The  first  of  this  family  was  Alexander,  second  son  of  William  II.,  40th  Earl  of 
Caithness,  by  his  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Keith  of  Inverugie.  In  1507 
Alexander  Sinclair  obtained  a  Crown  charter  of  Stemster.  He  married  Elizabeth  Innes, 
evidently  from  what  follows,  of  the  family  of  Innes  of  Innes,  whose  chief  had  possession 
of  Dunbeath  in  1507,  but  on  the  resignation  of  Alexander  Innes  in  1529  a  Crown  charter 
was  granted  in  favour  of  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Stemster  erecting  Dunbeath,  Reay  and 
Sandside  into  a  barony.  The  charter  contains  the  following  clause  of  some  antiquarian 
interest: — "Cum  muh'erum  merchetis  cum  furca,  fossa,  sok,  s<ik,  thole,  thieme,  infangtheif, 
outfangthief,  pit,  et  gallous."  The  "  mercheta  mulierum  "  was  (semble)  the  right  of  levying  a 
fine  from  a  serf,  or  villain,  on  the  marriage  of  his  daughter. 

I.  Alexander  Sinclair  had  two  sons  and  a  daughter — 

1.  William,  his  successor. 

2.  Oliver,   frequently  mentioned  as  brother-german  to  William  Sinclair  of  Dunoeath.     He 

was  probably  named  after  his  grand-uncle,  Sir  Oliver  of  Roslyn,  and  in  The  Maister  of 

Elphinstoun's  letterf  he  occurs  as  Oliephare  Syncklare,  brother  to  William  Syncklare  of 

Dunbeytht. 
1.  Isabel,  married  Gilbert  Gordon  of  Gartay,  uncle  to  John,  5th  Earl  of  Sutherland.      In  1567 

she  poisoned  the  Earl  and  Countess  of  Sutherland  for  the  purpose  of  opening  the  way  for 

her  own  son's  succession. 
Alex.   Sinclair,   first  of  Dunbeath,   died    before   1541,  and  his  widow  Elizabeth    Innes 
apparenthy  before  1557,  in  which  year  her  son  William  got  a  grant  of  the  non-entry  dues 
of  Dunbeath  and  the  barony,  of  which  lands  his  father  and  mother  had  been  joint  fiars. 
This  Dunbeath  was  a  benefactor  to  Trinity  Convent,  Aberdeen.^ 

II.  William  Sinclair,  Second  of  Dunbeath,  was  apparently  a  minor  and 
unmarried  when  his  father  died,  for,  in  1541,  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcarnie,  styled  also  of 
Solway  Moss,  obtained  a  grant  of  his  casualty  of  marriage,  nor  was  he  infeft  as  heir  to 
his  father  till  1557.  In  1547  Dunbeath  obtained  from  William  Gordon,  Treasurer  of 
Caithness,  and  Rector  and  Parson  of  St.  Magnus'  Hospital  at  Spittal,  a  charter  of 
Mybster  and  Spittal,  confirmed  by  Queen  Mary  in  1565.  In  1562  and  1564  he  got  from 
Adam,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  charters  of  Downreay,  Brubster,  Thura,  and  other  lands,  for 
which  a  Crown  charter  of  confirmation  issued  in  1557  {sic). 

Dunbeath  was  twice  married,  first  to  Beatrix  Gordon,  daughter  of  either  Alexander, 
Master  of  Sutherland,  or  his  son,  Earl  John,  and  secondly  to  Margaret,  sole  heiress  of 
Alex.  Innes  of  Innes  and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John,  Eord  Forbes.  By  these 
marriages  William  Sinclair  had  five  sons,  William,  Richard  and  George  usually  stated  as 
of  the  first  marriage  with  Lady  Beatrix  Gordon,  and  Henry  and  David  by  Margaret 
Innes.     It  is,  however,  certain  that  William  was  a  son  of  the  latter.     In  1540  Margaret 


Family  of  Innes."  J  "  Caithness  Events,"  p.  38. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  of  STEMSTER  and  DUNBEATH. 


Innes  had  got  from  her  natural  brother,  James  Innes  of  Elriek,  the  lands  of  Over  and 
Nether  Monbeens  ;  and  in  1575  a  precept  was  granted  by  her  and  her  husband  for  infeft- 
ing  therein  "  William  Sinclair  of  Stemster."  Forbes  in  noticing  this  precept  mentions  him 
as  the  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Dunbeath  and  Margaret  Innes.  Whether  any  of  the  other 
sons  were  certainly  of  the  first  marriage  is  uncertain.  William  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath, 
who  led  a  long  and  active  life,  was  much  harassed  in  his  old  age  by  his  relation  the  Earl 
of  Caithness.  Among  other  acts  of  violence  the  Earl  "  wasted  Dunbeath  by  fire  and 
sword,  and  besieged  him  in  his  house  at  Downreay, "  until  he  at  length  retired  to  Moray- 
shire, among  his  wife's  friends,  and  there  died  in  160S.  In  the  register  of  Confirmed 
Testaments,  1606-13,  there  is  an  entry  of  the  "  Testament  Testamentar,  latter  will  and 
legacie  and  inventar  of  ye  gudes  and  gear  of  umqle.  an  honle.  man,  William  Sinclair  of 
Dunbeath. ' '  In  the  Register  of  the  Privy  Council  there  is  a  sederunt  at  Holyrood  of  date 
27th  May,  1574,  dealing  with  the  attempt  of  Beatrix  Gordon  to  recover  her  estates  as  she 
repudiated  her  marriage  with  Dunbeath.  She  describes  the  possession  for  "  seven  years 
by-past"  of  all  her  property  by  William  Sinclair,  which  has  put  her  to  "such  utter 
wrack  "  that  if  she  "  were  not  supported  she  had  been  able  to  perish,  being  put  to  such 
miserable  case."  The  rents  of  Fisherne  were  appointed  to  her  by  the  Lords  of  Council 
till  the  marriage  cause  should  be  settled  by  the -head  Commissariet,  that  of  Edinburgh. 
She  had  been  previously  married  to  Alex.  Innes  of  Cromarty.*      His  sons  were — 

1.  William  of  Stemster,  heir  to  Dunbeath. 

2.  Henry  of  Brubster  and  Brims,  who  in   1586  received  a  Crown  charter  of  Ormlie  and  died 

s.p.  about  1610. 

3.  David  of  Thura,  died*./),  ante  1620. 

4.  Richard,  designed  of  Brims,  1610,  received  from  his  father  in   15S9  a  charter  of  Mybster, 

Acalipster,  and  a  twopenny  land  of  Spittal.  In  1569  he  appears  as  son  of  William  in  con- 
tradistinction to  the  sons  of  Margaret  Innes,  who  were  minors  in  1588.  He  is  styled 
laivjul  son  and  put  after  Henry  and  David  in  159S  when  he  is  designed  of  Mybaster.  In 
1620  he  was  served  heir  to  his  brothers  Henry  and  David,  and  is  "of  Brims."  He  seems 
not  to  have  died  before  1625.     He  had  two  sons  and  a  daughter — 

1.  Alexander  of  Brims,  married  (1619)  Anna,  daughter  of  Hugh  Mackay  of  Scourie 

and  Farr  by  Lady  Jane  Sutherland,  and,  dying  vita  patris,  had — 

1.  John,    served   heir   in    Brims   to    his    father   Alexander   and   grandfather 

Richard.  He  married  Anna  Mackay,  and  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth, 
"Mistress  of  Strathy,"  who  married  her  cousin  John  McKay,  2nd  of 
Strathy.  In  1647  John  Sinclair  and  Hugh  McKay  of  Dirlot  and  Strathy 
executed  a  mutual  entail.  They  were  cousins-german.  To  this  deed  one 
of  the  witnesses  was  "James  Sinclair  of  Gallowhill,  brother-in-law  to 
Brims,  and  keeper  of  a  copy."  In  1660  John  Sinclair  sold  Brims  to  John 
Sinclair  of  Tannach.  St.  Clair  of  Brims  was  with  Montrose  at  the  defeat 
near  Tain  in  1650,  and  has  been  wrongly  accused  of  having  betrayed  that 
gallant  nobleman,  the  real  traitor  being  Macleod  of  Assynt.  This  Brims 
lived  at  Ribigil,  in  Sutherland,  and  was  the  last  of  the  Dunbeath  family 
who  resided  at  Brims  Castle.  In  the  Inqusitions-General  a  son  John 
heirs  his  mother  Christina  Mein,  spouse  of  John  Sinclair  of  Ribigil,  on 
28th  February,  1691,  but  this  was  in  Strathnaver,  under  their  relatives 
the  Reays.t 

2.  William,  of  whom  no  particulars  have  been  learned. 

2.  Oliver,  who  in   1630  received   from  his  nephew  John  of  Brims  a  life-rent  tack  of 

Spittal.     In  1631  he  granted  a  bond  for  500  merks  as  part  of  his  sister's  tocher. 

*  Notes  by  T.  Sinclair.  t  Thos.  Sinclair's  Notes  to  Calder. 


CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


i.  A  daughter,  who  married  Alexander  Bane  of  Clyth,  son  of  Henry  Bayne  in  Mybster, 
and  a  man  of  some  mark  in  his  time. 
5.  GEORGE,  in  Downreay  and  Durran,  who  is  not  much  noticed.     In  1643  he  renounced  a  bond 
over  Brims  in  favour  of  his  grandnephew  John  of  Brims.     He  had  issue — 
1.  John,  perhaps  hereafter  of  Brims  and  Ribigil. 
1.  Barbara,  married  in  1640  David  Sinclair  of  Lybster,  in  Reay. 

It  is  conjectured  that  James  Sinclair  of  Borlum  and  latterly  of  Toftkemp,  who  held 
Brubster  and  many  of  the  Dunbeath  family's  lands,  may  possibly  have  been  a  son 
of  this  George  Sinclair. 

III.  William  Sinclair  of  Stemster  is  supposed  to  have  married  the  Lady  Janet, 
eldest  daughter  of  George  II.,  42nd  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  dying  vita  patris  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  son 

IV.  George  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath,  who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  John,  8th 
Lord  Forbes,  by  whom  he  had  an  only  child  Margaret,  who  apparently  predeceased  him 
unmarried.  On  the  resignation  of  his  grandfather  in  1590  George  Sinclair  had  received 
the  estates  of  the  Dunbeath  barony,  and  in  May,  1591,  obtained  a  Crown  charter  of 
confirmation.  He  was  either  facile  or  a  spendthrift,  for  in  1602  he  put  himself  under 
"  Interdiction."  In  1610  he  resigned  the  barony  in  favour  of  his  brother-in-law  Arthur, 
Lord  Forbes,  in  supersession  of  a  deed  by  which  he  had  entailed  the  estates  on  his 
kinsman  the  Earl  of  Caithness.*  He  then  withdrew  from  Caithness  owing  to  the 
harassing  conduct  of  the  Earl,  who  is  even  accused  of  having  contemplated  his  death, 
and  resided  with  Lord  Forbes.  Dying  in  1624,  Alexander,  Master  of  Forbes,  sold 
Dunbeath  to  John  Sinclair  of  Geanies,  son  of  George  Sinclair  of  Mey.  The  remainder 
of  the  barony  and  the  lands  of  Spittal  and  Mybster  were  acquired  by  Sir  Donald  Mackay, 
first  Lord  Reay,  who,  in  1624,  was  infeft  on  a  charter  by  the  Bishop  of  Orkney,  in  Thura, 
Borlum,  Downreay,  and  Brubster  ;  and  about  the  same  time  Sandside  was  purchased 
from  Lord  Forbes  by  William  Innes,  ancestor  of  the  family  of  Imies  of  Sandside. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    MURKLE.t 

I.  James  Sinclair,  First  of  Murkle,  was  the  second  son  of  John,  Master  of 
Caithness,  and  grandson  of  George  II.,  42nd  Earl.  He  held  in  feu  certain  bishopric 
lands  in  Orkney,  and  is  frequently  enumerated  as  a  Suitor  of  Court.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Stuart,  daughter  of  Robert,  Earl  of  Strathearn  and  Orkney,  a  natural  son  of  King 
James  V. ,  and  had — 

1.  Sir  James,  his  successor. 

2.  Francis,  officer  in  the  German  wars;  married  19th  July,   1621,  Janet,  daughter  of  Alex. 

Sutherland  of  Forse,  and  had — 
James,  died  s.p. 
1.  Agnes,  married  John  Mackay  of  Dirlot  and  Strathy. 
Murkle  had  also  a  natural  son — 

John  Sinclair,  first  of  Assery,  which  see. 

II.  Sir  James  Sinclair,  Knight,  Second  of  Murkle,  appears  to  have  been 
twice  married.  In  January,  1633,  a  disposition  was  granted  by  him,  with  consent  of 
Dame  Margaret  Dundas,  his  spouse,  of  part  of  the  lands  of  Ormlie ;  and  in  October,  1634, 
there  is  a  contract  of  marriage  between  him  and  Jean,  daughter  of  William  Stewart  of 
Burray,  Orkney,  who  is  therein  designed  of  '  Manur. '  By  Jean  Stewart  he  had  two  sons 
and  five  daughters — 

*  Keltie.  t  Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  MURKLE.  223 

1.  Jean,  named  as  eldest  in  maternal  disposition  18th  May,  1692. 

2.  Mary,  married,  1st,  George  Sinclair  of  Forss  ;  2nd,  Wm.  Sutherland  of  Geise. 

3.  Anne,  "  Mistress  of  Stemster,"  married  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Stemster,  son  of  Alex.  Sinclair  of 

Latheron. 

4.  Barbara,  "  Mistress  of  Geise,"  married  James  Cunningham  of  Geise  and  Reaster. 

5.  KaTHERINE,  married  Walter  Innes  of  Skaill. 

1.  John,  successor  to  Murkle. 

2.  David  of  Broynach,  who  died  between  1713-1716.     By  his  first  marriage,  with  a  daughter  of 

Wm.  Sinclair  of  Dun,  he  had — 
1.  James,  died  s.p.,  about  1754. 
1.  Elizabeth,  married  James  Whyte  in  Meikle  Clyth,  afterwards  in  Thurso,  and  had— 

1.  Henrietta,  m.  Wm.  Miller,  and  had  a  son  James  and  a  daughter  Isabella. 

2.  Jean,  married  Donald  Oagg,  and  had  two  sons,  James  and  Donald,  and  two 

daughters,  Janet  and  Anne. 

On  the  death  of  Dorothea,  Lady  Fife,  heiress  of  Alexander  II.,  47th  Earl 
of  Caithness,  Jas.  and  Isabella  Miller,  and  Donald  and  Anne  Oagg, 
claimed  and  obtained  a  share  of  her  executry  as  great-grandchildren 
of  Broynach,  her  granduncle. 

By  a  second  marriage  (performed  by  an  unauthorised  person,  and  declared  to  be  invalid). 

with  one  Janet  Ewen,  Broynach  had — 

1.  David,  married  Margaret  More  or  Mackay,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  James  in  Reiss,  Capt.  H.E.I.C.S.,  Claimant  of  the  Earldom   of  Caithness, 

died  s.p.  178S. 

2.  John,  living  1767  ;  died  before  1788. 

2.  Donald,  married  and  had  a  son  and  five  daughters,  all  dead  in  1767  except — 

Anne,  married  Alex.  Millis,  merchant  in  Banff. 
III.  John  Sinclair,  Third  of  Murkle  succeeded  to  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  in 
1698,  which  see  for  fuller  account. 


THE    SARCLET    SINCLAIRS.* 

I.  The  account  of  this  family  begins  with  David  Sinclair  of  Broynach,  only 
brother  of  John  Sinclair,  first  of  the  Murkle  branch  to  become  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  46th 
in  successional  sequence.  By  his  first  marriage  with  a  daughter  of  William  Sinclair  of 
Dun,  Broynach  had  a  son  James  who  died  s.p.  circiter  1754,  and  a  daughter  Elizabeth 
whose  grandchildren  {voce  article  on  Sinclairs  of  Murkle)  on  the  death  of  Broynach 's 
grandniece  Dorothea,  Lady  Fife,  claimed  and  obtained  a  share  of  her  executry.  Broy- 
nach's  first  wife  died  in  1697  when  he  secured  the  services  as  housekeeper  of  Janet, 
daughter  of  Donald  Ewing,  laird  of  Bernice,  in  Argyll,  from  whom  the  wealthy  baronet- 
ical  family  of  Ardencaple  Castle  derive  their  descent.  An  intimacy  arose  between  Broy- 
nach and  his  housekeeper  resulting  in  the  birth  of  a  son  in  1699,  and  the  kirk-session  of 
Olrig  at  once  engaged  about  the  necessary  discipline,  which  both  Broynach  and  she 
refused  to  undergo.  They  were  therefore  summoned  to  appear  before  the  presbytery  at 
Thurso  on  the  nth  November,  1699.  For  the  next  few  years  both  were  frequently  cited 
by  the  ecclesiastics  (in  some  of  which  citations  she  is  styled  "  his  wife  ")  and  Broynach 
found  himself  and  his  wife-elect  in  a  most  unenviable  position.  Sincerely  attached  to 
Miss  Ewing  and  desirous  of  marrying  her,  he  had  to  contend  with  a  county  conspiracy  to 
frustrate  him  in  attaining  his  object.  One  or  two  illustrations  will  suffice  to  show  his 
love  and  determination  to  do  her  honour.     Not  being  in  wedlock  at  the  time  of  their  first  - 

*  Caithness  Events. 


224  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


born,  she  was  sentenced  by  so-called  Christian  ministers  to  be  drummed  through  the 
streets  of  Thurso  bearing  a  paper  crown,  inscribed  with  the  assigned  reason,  and  an 
official  was  appointed  to  finish  her  punishment  by  so  many  lashes  on  her  uncovered 
shoulders.  A  mob  led  by  two  ministers  began  carrying  out  the  sentence,  but  when  the 
point  was  reached  where  the  scourging  had  to  take  place,  Broynach  could  no  longer 
repress  himself,  and  with  primed  pistol  and  drawn  sword  attacked  the  procession,  the 
' '  men  of  God  ' '  being  first  to  flee.  Wrapping  a  plaid  around  her  uncovered  back  he  con- 
veyed her  to  their  home.  He  had  previously  "  treated  "  the  official,  in  the  hope  of  her 
having  only  to  undergo  a  nominal  infliction  of  the  lash.  Entreating  the  Rev.  William 
Innes  of  Thurso  and  others  to  marry  them,  but  without  success,  this  ill-plighted  pair 
started  for  Orkney  to  try  to  get  the  ceremony  performed  there,  but  they  had  only  arrived 
at  Scarfskerry  to  cross  the  Petland  Firth,  when  they  were  seized  and  brought  back  by 
a  detachment  Earl  John  had  sent  for  that  purpose.  Eventually  Broynach  ran  the 
extreme  risk  of  getting  married  by  an  "  outed  "  episcopal  clergyman.  The  witnesses  and 
married  pair  were  liable  to  fine  and  imprisonment,  while  the  disestablished  performer 
subjected  himself  to  banishment  to  the  American  plantations,  and  death  if  he  returned. 
The  marriage  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  Arthur  Anderson,  who  had  been  episcopal 
minister  at  Kilmany,  Fife,  in  Cairnsburn  House,  near  Barrogill,  early  in  June,  1700,  as 
he  humanely  said  "  to  put  them  out  of  the  necessity  of  sinning."  There  are  numerous 
references  on  record  with  regard  to  this  event  which  involves  the  Caithness  succession. 
The  marriage  does  not  appear  to  be  in  dispute  but  on  account  of  being  performed  by  an 
unauthorised  person  has  been  treated  as  invalid,  an  attitude  which  the  present  author*  is 
unable  to  understand  in  the  face  of  the  Scottish  law  which  recognises  a  public  declaration 
on  the  part  of  the  man  to  be  sufficient,  and  surely  apart  from  the  many  minor  notices  in 
support  of  the  true  relationship  of  Broynach  and  Miss  Ewing,  no  clearer  or  more  public 
declaration  could  be  wanted  than  evidence  of  a  marriage  ceremony  whether  by  an  un- 
authorised celebrant  or  otherwise.  John  Sinclair,  vith  of  Forss,  was  married  in  the 
April  preceding  by  the  same  clergyman  to  Elizabeth  (or  Barbara)  daughter  of  John 
Sinclair  of  Rattar,  but  without  in  any  way  affecting  the  succession  of  his  son  of  that 
marriage,  John,  vmth  of  Forss.  Broynach  died  in  1714,  when  his  second  wife  and 
family  were  provided  for,  in  a  way,  by  her  stepson  James  into  his  house,  on  a  small  free- 
hold sowing  not  more  than  2)4  bolls,  which  had  been  given  him  by  one  of  the  Murkle 
earls.  Mrs  Janet  Sinclair  lived  till  between  1730  and  1738  and  had  burial  under  the  seat 
of  the  Hon.  Francis  Sinclair  in  the  aisle  of  James  Sinclair  of  Durran.  There  was  issue  of 
this  second  marriage — 

1.  A  SON,  born  in  1699,  died  in  infancy. 

2.  David,  born  in  February,  1701,  of  whom  hereafter.  3.  Donald. 
i.  Margaret,  born  about  1703.            2.  Janet. 

II.  David  Sinclair,  second  son  of  Broynach  by  his  second  marriage,  was  baptised 
in  Claredon  Hall  about  1705.  Many  incidents  are  preserved  in  connection  with  his  life. 
The  Rev.  Wm.  Innes,  on  application  of  the  water  when  christening  him,  at  the  age  of 
four,  was  met  with  the  startling  reproof,  "  May  the  devil  take  you  for  wetting  me."  In 
early  life  he  went  to  sea,  but  soon  returned  to  Murkle.  He  next  took  to  kelp-burning  in 
Strathnaver,  where  he  met  with  serious  illness,  receiving  monetary  help  from  Mackay  of 
Clashinach  ;  afterwards  he  worked  as  a  day  labourer  with  Charles  Oliphant,  a  servant  of 


*  Author  "  St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles." 


THE  SARCLET  SINCLAIRS.  225 

Ulbster  ;  and  he  was  also  man-servant  to  the  Rev.  James  Gilchrist,  who  was  minister  of 
Thurso  from  1738  to  175 1.  He  enlisted  with  John  Milne  in  Thurso  "for  behoof  of  a 
recruiting  officer  in  the  Dutch  service."  When  he  returned  from  the  Netherlands,  he 
and  his  wife  and  their  eldest  son  James  went  to  what  was  then  called  the  Moray  side, 
being  the  southern  shore  of  the  firth  of  that  name.  There  they  stayed  for  three  years, 
returning  to  Thurso,  he  being  in  a  very  bad  state  of  health.  He  married,  contract  dated 
21st  October,  1744,  Margaret  More,  i.e.,  Mackay,  and  died  about  1760,  his  funeral  expenses 
being  paid  by  the  Hon.  Francis  Sinclair  of  Westfield,  who  had  from  time  to  time  assisted 
him,  and  by  others  of  the  Caithness  House.  His  remains  lie  in  Thurso  churchyard. 
David  Sinclair,  son  of  Broynach,  had  issue — 

1.   James  in  Reiss.  2.  John,  living  1767,  dead  before  1788. 

III.  James  Sinclair  in  Reiss,  son  of  the  foregoing,  married  Catharine  Rosie, 
contract  at  Reiss  17th  December,  1763.  She  was  born  at  Brims  in  1747,  and  her  father 
having  found  treasure  in  a  field  at  Oust,  backed  the  young  pair  in  fighting  their  rights 
before  the  court  of  session  and  parliament. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  peers  of  Scotland  at  Holyrood  House  to  elect  a  representative 
peer  for  the  House  of  Lords,  he  answered  to  the  title  of  Earl  of  Caithness  on  the  calling 
of  the  roll,  and  claimed  his  place  and  vote  at  the  election,  but  was  objected  to  till  he 
proved  his  right.  At  an  election  of  two  representative  peers  1st  October,  1767,  Lord 
Borthwick  produced  his  proxy  signed  "James,  Earl  of  Caithness,"  but  it  was  not 
permitted.  At  another  election  in  Holyrood  House  on  21st  December,  1768,  he  personally 
answered  to  the  title,  and  on  the  Lord  Clerk  Register  objecting  officially,  gave  in  a 
protest  signed  "Caithness."  He  attended  courts,  commissions  for  evidence,  the  court  of 
session,  and  at  last  the  House  of  Lords,  till  his  defeat  in  1772  by  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Ratter 
on  the  one  and  cardinal  point  of  not  being  able  to  prove  Broynach's  marriage  to  Miss 
Ewing.  He  sailed  for  Calcutta  on  the  "  Anson  "  in  February,  1772,  a  cadet  of  the  East 
India  Company  ;  distinguished  himself  in  affairs  under  Warren  Hastings,  and  returned  in 
June,  1786,  with  the  title  of  Captain  and  a  handsome  fortune.  He  then  discovered  in 
Caithness  the  ecclesiastical  proofs  of  his  grandparents'  marriage,  and  immediately  entered 
upon  a  process  of  reduction  against  the  second  Rattar  Earl.  Capt.  Sinclair's  printed  case 
is  dated  25th  July,  1787,  and  the  reply  of  the  Earl  in  possession  28th  same.  On  the  eve 
of  winning  the  contest,  which  should  never  have  been  entered  upon,  he  died  on 
nth  January,  1788,  in  Whitcombe  Street,  Pall  Mall,  London,  at  the  age  of  41.  His  wills 
in  Somerset  House,  dated  1785  and  1787,  make  reference  to  his  maternal  aunt  Janet 
More,  and  the  grandchildren  of  his  paternal  aunt  Mrs  Whyte. 

IV.  Donald  Sinclair,  the  third  son  of  Janet  Ewing  and  Broynach,  is  stated  to  be 
identical  with  Donald  Sinclair,  captain  of  a  vessel  trading  from  Sarclet  near  Wick  to 
Avoch  in  the  Black  Isle,  Ross-shire,  on  both  sides  of  the  Moray  Firth,  and  with  other 
places,  Banff  in  particular.  On  25th  October,  1736,  this  Donald  Sinclair  contracted  with 
Catherine,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  in  Thrumster,  the  marriage  taking  place  on  the 
30th  November  following.     They  had  issue — 

1.  Christina,  born  27th  March,  1737.  2.  Janet.  3.  Catherine. 

4.  Daniee  Anne  (daughter),   companion  to   Lady   Dorothy   Sinclair,    Countess   of  Fife,  and 

legatee  of  Earl  Alexander  and  of  Lord  Murkle  ;   married  Alex.  Millis,  merchant  in  Banff. 

5.  James,  bapt.  14th  May,  1744.  6.  Francis.  7.  John. 
8.  Robert,  merchant  in  Wick.                                9.  Henry. 

10.  Elizabeth,  schoolmistress.  11.  Donald. 


226 


CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


A  Gaelic  stanza  having  reference  to  him  was  composed  by  Wm.  Bain  Nimmo  more 
than  75  years  ago.     It  runs  thus  : — 


'Seumas  Sinclair  am  Mordun, 

Ogh  coir  Dho'ill  a  Mhairich, 
Is  ierogh  Fhir  Bhroidhnich, 
Roimh  so  an  Gall  thaobh." 


"  James  Sinclair  in  Moredun, 

The  worthy  grandson  of  Donald  of  the  Sea, 
And  the  great  grandson  of  the  laird  of  Broynach, 
Who  was  before  now  in  Caithness." 


This  has  been  contributed  by  his  grandson,  the  Rev.  John  Sinclair  of  Kinloch- 
Rannoch  Manse,  Perth.  His  grandfather,  James  in  Moredun  Farm,  was  a  farmer  and 
distiller,  and  son  of  Wm.  Sinclair  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Avoch,  apparently  a  son  of 
Capt.  Donald  Sinclair,  who  died  in  Sarclet  in  1768. 


Thomas  Sinclair,  M.A., 
Author  of  "The  Sinclairs  of  England,"  "  Caithness  Events,"  &c,  &c. 


V.  James  Sinclair,  eldest  son  of  the  preceding,  traded  in  salt,  following  similar 
routes  to  his  father,  and  is  identifiable  with  James  Sinclair,  chamberlain  at  Thrumster 
House.     He  contracted  marriage  on  27th  April,  1764,  with  Anne  Robertson,  by  whom  he 

had— 

1.  Alexander,  baptized  17th  January,  176S.  1.  Margaret.  2.  Catherine. 

His  wife  died  in  1770,  and  he  married  secondly  Elizabeth  Sinclair  in  Clyth,  on 
9th  February,  1771,  by  whom  he  had — 

2.  Francis,  born  1772,  lieutenant  in  R.N.,  died  s.p. 

3.  David,  born  1777,  married  Catherine  Mackay,  and  died  s.p. 

4.  John,  baptized  1780,  died   1857,  married   1S06  Barbara  Cormack.     Issue  thirteen  sons  and 

daughters,  of  whom — 

Alexander,  born  1S10. 


THE  SARCLET  SINCLAIRS.  227 

David,  born  1812  ;  resident  at  Geelong,  Victoria,  1891  ;  married  Catherine  Sinclair  of 
the  Freswick  family,  and  had  with  other  issue — 

Petkr  Sinclair  of  Christchurch,  X.Z.  (1S91),  who  has  sons. 
George    Dunbar    Sinclair  of  Reay,   born    1814,    died    1891  ;   married    1S40   Helen 
Swanson,  and  had  with  other  issue — 
John  Sinclair. 

Thomas   Sinclair,   M.A.,    Edin.,  born    1S43  ;   author   of  "The   Sinclairs  of 
England,"  "Caithness  Events,"  etc.     Residence,  Belgrave  Lodge,  Torquay. 
James,  born  1S15.     Resident  at  Geelong,  1891. 
3.  Christina. 

VI.  Alexander  Sinclair,  eldest  son  of  the  preceding,  and  his  eldest  son  James, 
were  farmers  of  Torranrevach  in  Clyth.  By  Latheron  parish  register  he  was  married  on 
2nd  January,  1789,  to  Elizabeth  Sutherland.     He  had  with  other  issue — 

VII.  James  Sinclair,  born  in  1790,  drowned  at  the  shore  of  Clyth  in  August,  1845. 
He  is  registered  as  married  on  7th  December,  1832,  to  Catherine  Sutherland.  Their 
eldest  son 

VIII.  James  Sutherland  Laing  Sinclair,  was  born  27th  May,  1838  ;  and  died 
3rd  March,  1893.  He  married  in  1S63,  Margaret  Grant,  a  niece  of  Lieut.  Hugh  Grant, 
79th  regiment.     His  eldest  son  is 

IX.  James  Sinclair,  born  14th  October,  1866. 


THE    SINCLAIRS   OF    ASSERY.* 

James  Sinclair,  first  of  Murkle,  had  a  son  named  John,  who  in  a  charter  granted  by 
his  father  in  1615,  to  which  he  is  an  instrumentary  witness,  is  designed  "  filio  naturali  dicti 
Jacobi  Sinclair  de  Murkel."  and  who,  in  a  bond  dated  28th  January,  1619,  also  by  his 
father,  and  in  which  he  was  cautioner,  is  mentioned  as  "  John  Sinclair,  son  natural  "  of 
the  granter. 

I.  John  Sinclair  obtained  in  1628  from  William  Sinclair,  Lord  Berriedale,  a  charter 
of  the  lands  of  Assery,  to  himself  in  liferent,  and  to  his  eldest  son  James  in  fee.  In  163 1 
he  got  a  charter  of  Brawlbin  ;  and  in  1633  a  wadset  of  Forsie  ;  and  from  him  are 
descended  the  Sinclairs  of  Assery,  of  Lybster,  of  Geise,  and  of  Scotscalder.  He  was 
twice  married,  and  had  by  his  first  wife — 

1.  James,  his  successor. 

2.  LT.-Col.  Francis  Sinclair  married  in  1659  Anna,  daughter  of  Francis  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke. 

Margaret,  their  daughter  married  in  1680  David  Henderson  of  Gersay. 
By  his  second  wife  Margaret  Davidson,  Assery  had — 

3.  John,  first  of  Lybster. 

4.  William,  who  in    1670  held  the  wadset  of  Forsie  and   was  afterwards  in  Ulgrimbeg  and 

Ulgrimore.      He  married  Jean,  daughter  of  William  Sinclair  of  Dun,  and  had — 
1.  Mary,  married  1705  to  Donald  Gunn  in  Achalibster.         2.  Elizabeth. 

5.  George,  mentioned  in  1652  and  1660. 

1.  Grizzel,  married  John  Doull,  wadsetter  of  Thurster,  near  Wick. 

2.  Isabel,  married  1st,  Arthur  Forbes,  merchant,  Edinburgh  ;    2nd,  William  Sinclair  of  Dun. 

3.  Janet,  married  in  1616  George  Munro,  Sheriff-clerk  of  Caithness. 


CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


II.  James  Sinclair,  Second  of  Assery,  married  first,  Elizabeth  Balfour,  andsecond, 
Margaret,  daughter  of  David  Munro,  Commissary  of  Caithness.  He  had  several  sons 
and  daughters — 

i.  George,  eldest  son  of  his  first  marriage,     i 

2.  John,  in  Ulgrimbeg  married  Bess  Craigie .[  Br°thers  german- 

3.  James,  merchant  in  Thurso,  died  1713,  had  several  sons,  of  whom — 

Daniel,  grad.  M.A.,  Edin.,  1705,  was  minister  in  Longformacus  ;  died  1734  ;  married 

Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Robert  Hamilton  of  Airdrie. 
William,  merchant  in  Thurso,  was  father  of 

Arthur  St.  Clair,  American  General. 
Alexander,  notary-public  in  Thurso,  married  Jean,   daughter  of  James  Sinclair  of 

Wester-Brims. 
1.  Katharine,  eldest  daughter,  married  Alex.  Gibson,  Dean  of  Bower  from  1668-1662. 

III.  George  Sinclair,  Third  of  Assery,  was  twice  married.  His  second  wife 
was  Isabel,  daughter  of  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Ulbster.      He  had  issue — 

1.  James,  apparent  in  1700.         2.  John,  called  eldest  lawful  son  in  1691.        3.  Patrick. 

4.  George,  eldest  son  of  Isabel  Sinclair.        5.   Francis,  also  son  of  the  second  marriage. 
1.  Elizabeth,  the  only  daughter,  married  Richard  Sinclair  of  Thura. 

The  creditors  of  James,  second  of  Assery,  had  led  apprisings  against  the  estates, 
which  were  acquired  by  Ulbster  and  Sir  William  Dunbar.  In  1675  Ulbster  assigned  his 
rights  to  John  Sinclair  (iv.),  while  in  1682  Sir  William  Dunbar  conveyed  his  rights  to 
George  Sinclair  (iii.),  then  of  Assery,  and  his  sons  John  and  Patrick. 

IV.  John  Sinclair,  Fourth  of  Assery,  succeeded  his  father  George.  He 
married  first  in  1698  Elizabeth  Innes,  relict  of  Laurence  Calder  of  Lyuegar,  and  had — 

1.  John,  his  successor. 
He  married  secondly  Barbara,  daughter  of  Patrick  Murray  of  Pennyland,  by  whom 
he  had  an  only  child 

Isabella,  who  married  John  Sinclair  of  Scotscalder. 

V.  John  Sinclair,  Fifth  of  Assery,  was  in  1728  served  heir-in-general  to  his 
father,  and  in  1765  was  infeft  as  eldest  lawful  son.  He  married  Katharine,  eldest 
daughter  of  Robert  Sinclair  of  Geise,  and  had — 

1.  Robert,  his  successor.  2.  John.  3.  Charles.  4.  James. 

1.  Isabella   married  Robert  Manson  Sinclair  of  Brigend.  2.  Katharine. 

3.  Jean,  married  Sir  Benjamin  Sinclair  of  Stemster. 

VI.  Captain  Robert  Sinclair,  Sixth  of  Assery,  was  served  heir  to  his  father 
cum  beneficio  inventarii,  in  1772.     He  married  Katharine  Sinclair  and  had  no  issue. 

The  estate  was  brought  to  judicial  sale  by  the  creditors,  and  Captain  Sinclair  having 
died  during  the  proceedings,  they  were  continued  against  his  brother  John  ;  and  in  1784 
Assery  and  Brawlbin  were  purchased  by  Ulbster. 

THE    SINCLAIRS    OF  LYBSTER.* 

I.  John  Sinclair,  First  of  Lybster,  was  eldest  son  of  John  Sinclair,  first  of 
Assery,  and  his  second  wife,  Margaret  Davidson.  In  1647  he  was  appointed  "  Baillie  of 
Latheron  "  by  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  who  in  1655  gave  him  Lybster  in  wadset.  He 
married  Beatrix  Sinclair,  supposed  to  have  been  of  the  Thura  family,  and  had — 

1.  James,  his  successor. 

2.  George,  whose  only  daughter  Beatrix  married  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Sixpennyland. 
1.  Elizabeth  married  Alexander  Boynd  in  Thurso. 

*  Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  LYBSTER.  229 

II.  James  Sinclair,  Second  of  Lybster.  In  1692  he  obtained  the  right  of 
reversion  to  the  wadset.  He  married  Katharine,  daughter  of  Patrick  Sinclair  of 
Ulbster,  and  had  five  sons  and  two  daughters. 

1.  John,  third  of  Lybster. 

2.  Patrick,  in  Northfield  in  1702,  who  had  issue — 

1.  Alexander,  afterwards  fourth  of  Lybster. 

3.  William  of  Hoy  and  Scotscalder. 

4.  Robert  of  Geise,  Advocate.  5.  George  (1731). 

1.  Beatrix,  married  in  1707  James  Sutherland  in  Ausdale. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Mackay  in  Kirtomy,  third  son  of  John  of  Strathy  and  Dirlot. 

III.  John  Sinclair,  Third  of  Lybster,  styled  "  Fiar  "  in  1694,  and  "of  Lybster" 
in  1709  succeeded  to  the  estate,  and  died  sans  issue. 

IV.  Alexander  Sinclair,  Fourth  of  Lybster,  was  the  son  of  Patrick  in 
Northfield.  In  1710  he  was  served  heir  to  his  uncle,  and  to  his  grandfather  James.  He 
married  ^Emilia,  daughter  of  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Sixpenny,  and  had — 

1.  Patrick,  his  successor. 

1.  Katharine,  third  wife  of  James  Sinclair  of  Harpsdale. 

2.  Margaret,  died  unmarried.  3.  Emilia,  died  unmarried. 

V.  Lieut. -General  Patrick  Sinclair,  Fifth  of  Lybster,  married  Catharine 
Stewart,  and  had — 

1.  Temple  Frederick,  successor  to  Lybster. 

2.  Jeffrey,  Surgeon-General  in  the  Bombay  Army,  who  left  two  daughters. 

3.  Thomas  Aubrey,  Stipendiary  Magistrate  at  Granada,  died  unmarried. 

4.  Patrick,  died  unmarried. 

1.  Susan,  married  David  Laing,  Surgeon  in  Thurso,  and  died  in  1S65. 

VI.  Temple  Frederick  Sinclair,  Sixth  and  Last  of  Lybster,  was  a  captain 
in  the  Army,  and  died  unmarried.  In  1868  the  estate  was  sold  by  his  trustees  to  the 
Duke  of  Portland  for  ,£24,000. 


THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   SCOTSCALDER.* 

I.  William  Sinclair,  third  son  of  James  Sinclair  of  Lybster,  had  the  lands  of  Hoy 
and  Geise,  which  he  exchanged  in  1729  with  James  Murray,  son  of  Patrick  of  Pennyland, 
for  the  estate  of  Scotscalder.  In  1713  William  Sinclair  adjudged  Ulgrimbeg  and  Ulgrimore 
from  the  Sinclairs  of  Assery.     He  had  issue — 

1.  Alexander,  thought  to  be  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Sixpenny.         2.  John,  second  of  Scotscalder. 

3.  Robert,  referred  to  by  his  brother  John  in  a  letter  of  1734. 

1.  Janet,  m.  John  Mackay,  3rd  of  Strathy,  and  had  a  tocher  of  6,000  merks.         2.  Barbara. 

II.  John  Sinclair,  Second  of  Scotscalder,  married  in  1731  Isabella,  only 
daughter  of  John  Sinclair,  fourth  of  Assery.  On  his  marriage  his  father  conveyed  to  him, 
with  consent  of  his  eldest  son  Alexander,  the  lands  of  Scotscalder,  Ulgrimbeg  and 
Ulgrimore.     He  had  issue — 

1.  William.  2.  Robert,  who  succeeded. 

1.  Isabella,  second  wife  of  Captain  Thos.  Dunbar  of  Westfield.     She  died  in  1S29. 

2.  Barbara,  married  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Rattar,  48th  Earl  of  Caithness.  3.  Margaret,  and 

4.  Katharine,  one  of  whom  was  second  wife  of  James  Sinclair  of  Holbornhead. 


230  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


III.  Robert  Sinclair,  Third  and  East  of  Scotscalder,  had  issue — 
i.  Lieut.-Colonel  James  Sinclair  of  the  Royal  Artillery. 

i.  A  daughter,  married  Mr.  Aitken.  2.  A  daughter,  married  Mr.  Steel,  officer  of  Excise 

About  18 1 2  Robert  Sinclair  sold  the  estate.     He  died  on  the  15th  May,  18 15. 


SINCLAIR  OF  GEISE.* 
Robert  Sinclair  of  Geise,  Advocate  171 1,  was  fourth  son  of  James  Sinclair  of 
Lybster,  and  brother  of  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Hoy  and  Scotscalder.     He  married  Katharine 
Ross,  daughter  of  Wm.  Ross  of  Kindeace,  and  had  a  sont  and  four  daughters — 

1.  Katharine,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Assery. 

2.  Jean,  married  James  Sinclair  of  Holbornhead  and  Forss. 

3.  Barbara,  married  Dr.  Wm.  Sinclair,  physician  in  Thurso. 

4.  Mary,  married  Patrick  Doull  of  Oldfield,  merchant  in  Thurso. 

Robert  Sinclair  died  in  1742,  and  his  wife  about  1757,  She  had  been  previously 
married  to  George  Mackay  of  Bighouse,  and  retained  the  name  of  "  Lady  Bighouse  "  till 
her  death,  which  occurred  at  Trantlemore,  Sutherland,  where  she  latterly  resided. 


THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   GREENLAND    AND    RATTAR.* 

I.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  Knight,  the  first  of  this  family,  was  third  son  of  John, 
Master  of  Caithness,  and  was  styled  of  Greenland,  but  his  descendants  have  been 
designed  of  Rattar.  From  his  brother  George,  43rd  Earl  of  Caithness,  he  obtained  in 
1609  the  feu  farm  of  the  lands  of  Rattar,  &c. ,  by  charter,  to  himself  in  liferent,  and  to 
his  son  William  in  fee  ;  and  in  161 3  he  got  a  disposition  from  the  Earl,  of  the  lands  of 
Rattar,  Corsbach,  Lieurary,  Reaster,  Murrsay,  and  Hailand,  pertinents  ot  the  Barony  of 
Achergill.  In  161 2  he  occupied  the  castle  of  Ormlie,  near  Thurso.  He  married  Janet 
Sutherland,  and,  dying  in  1622,  left  five  sons  and  a  daughter — 

1.  William,  died  vita  patris  before  1618. 

2.  Alexander,  who  in  1618  obtained  from  his  uncle,  Earl  George,  a  precept  oi  dare  as  heir  to 

William.  Of  him  Sir  Robert  Gordon  writes  :—"  This  year  of  God,  1620,  the  eldest  son 
of  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Greenland  perished  in  the  water  of  Risgill,  as  he  was  riding  that 
river  in  a  great  speat  and  storm  of  weather.  He  was  a  young  man  of  good  expectation." 
He  died  without  issue. 

3.  John,  who  had  in  1623  precept  of  dare  to  Alexander,  and  died  s.p. 

4.  James  of  Reaster,  who  obtained  a  precept  on  16th  December,  1634,  and  was  afterwards  of 

Rattar. 

5.  Francis,  died  s. p.  6.  Thomas,  living,  1630. 

1.  Elisabeth,  married  John  Cunningham  of  Geise  and  Brownhill. 
Sir  John  had  also  a  natural  son — 

George,  mentioned  in  a  sasine  of  1619. 

II.  James  Sinclair,  of  Reastar  and  Rattar,  married  Janet,  daughter  of  William 
Bruce  of  Stanstill,  and  had  two  sons  and  three  daughters — 

1.  William,  his  successor.  2.  John,  who  died  without  issue. 

1.  Janet,  married  Walter  Bruce  of  Ham. 

2.  Margaret,  married  in  1655  John,  son  of  William  Smith,  minister  of  Dunnett. 

3.  Elspeth,  married  about  1652  William  Bruce  of  Stanstill. 

*  Henderson.  t  Henderson  does  not  give  name  of  son. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  of  GREENLAND  and  RATTAR.  231 

III.  William  Sinclair,  Third  of  Rattar,  married,  first,  in  1642,  when  in 
apparency  only,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair,  first  of  Ulbster,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  John,  his  successor  in  Rattar. 
In    1 66 1   Rattar   acquired  from   Mowat  of  Balquhollie  the  lands  of  Freswick.     He 
married,  secondly,  in  1647,  Jean,  daughter  of  John  Cunningham  of  Geise  and  Brownhill, 
long  locally  remembered  as   "  Jeanag  of  Rattar."     By  her  he   had   three   sons   and   two 
daughters — 

I.James,     2.  Robert,  and     3.   David,  successively  of  Freswick,  quod  vide. 

1.  Janet,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster. 

2.  Anne,  married   first   Robert   Sinclair   of  Durran,    secondly  John    Campbell  of  Castlehill, 

Commissary  and  Sheriff-clerk  of  Caithness. 

IV.  John  Sinclair,  Fourth  of  Rattar,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir 
William  Sinclair  of  Mey,  and  had — 

1.  John,  his  successor.  2.  William,  who  in  1712  succeeded  to  Freswick. 

1.  Barbara,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Forss. 

2.  Frances,  married  James  Sinclair  of  Latheron. 

3.  Margaret,  married  (1)  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Brabster,  (2)  Alexander  Gibson,  Minister  of 

Canisbay. 

4.  Katharine,  married  George  Manson  of  Brigend. 

V.  John  Sinclair,  Fifth  of  Rattar,  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Patrick  Sinclair 
of  Southdun,  and  died  in  1733.     He  had  two  sons — 

1.  John,  died  unmarried  in  minority.  2.  William,  who  succeeded. 

VI.  William  Sinclair,  Sixth  of  Rattar,  was  a  minor  at  his  father's  death,  and 
the  estate  was  taken  charge  of  by  his  uncle,  William  of  Freswick.  His  mother  also 
claimed  the  management,  and,  pending  the  dispute,  "  lodged  in  the  garrett,  while 
Freswick  occupied  the  other  parts  of  the  house  of  Rattar."  In  1772  his  claim  to  the 
dignity  of  Earl  of  Caithness  was  sustained  by  the  Committee  of  Privileges,  but  the 
preceding  Earl,  Alexander  II.,  had  devised  all  his  estates  to  the  Sinclairs  of  Stevenson, 
one  of  his  objections  to  Rattar  being  that  the  latter  had  not  received  the  education  of  a 
gentleman.  Further  particulars  re  Rattar  appear  in  the  articles  on  the  Earls  of 
Caithness. 


THE   SINCEAIRS   OF    FRESWICK.* 

I.  William  Sinclair,  third  of  Rattar,  grandson  of  Sir  John  of  Greenland,  was  the 
first  Sinclair  of  Freswick.  He  acquired  Freswick  in  1661  from  the  Mowats  of  Balquholly. 
By  his  second  marriage  with  Jean  Cunningham  he  had  three  sons,  successively  of 
Freswick — James,  Robert,  and  David. 

II.  James  Sinclair,  Second  of  Freswick,  got  a  Crown  charter  on  30th  April.  1672, 
in  favour  of  his  mother  in  liferent,  and  himself  and  his  brothers  in  succession  in  fee.  He 
is  said  to  have  died  in  France,  having  been  taken  prisoner  when  on  his  way  to  Edinburgh 
to  be  married,  but  in  "  Chamber's  Domestic  Annals  "  it  is  stated  that  having  made  his 
case  known  to  the  Scottish  Privy  Council,  he  was  released  in  exchange  for  Mr.  David 
Fairfoul,  a  priest  detained  in  prison  at  Inverness.  His  arms  are  recorded  in  the  Lyon 
Register.     He  died  issueless  before  1696. 


232  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


III.  Robert  Sinclair  succeeded  his  brother  James,  and  dying  unmarried  was  in 
turn  succeeded  by  his  brother — 

IV.  David  Sinclair  of  Freswick,  who  was  twice  married  —  ist,  to  Barbara, 
daughter  of  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Mey,  9th  April,  1695  !  2nd,  to  Sophia,  daughter  of  Sir 
Wm.  Stewart  of  Burray,  Orkney,  25th  June,  1702.  He  had  no  issue  b)r  either  marriage, 
and  in  April,  17 12,  executed  an  entail  in  favour  of  William,  second  son  of  his  half-brother, 
John  Sinclair  of  Rattar,  who  thus  acquired  Freswick  to  the  exclusion  of  David's  sisters 
Janet  and  Anne. 

V.  William  Sinclair  of  Freswick,  second  son  of  John  of  Rattar,  added  largely 
to  the  family  estate.  In  1751  he  purchased  Dunbeath.  He  it  was  who  built  the  House 
of  Freswick.  He  was  very  influential  in  the  county,  and  of  a  dignified  and  imposing 
appearance.  He  married  Katharine,  daughter  of  Geo.  Sutherland  of  Forse,  and  died  in 
1769.     His  had  issue — 

1.  John,  his  successor. 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  George  Bean,  a  Writer  in  Inverness. 

2.  Jean,  married  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Barrock,  grandfather  of  the  late  Sir  John. 

VI.  John  Sinclair  of  Freswick,  Advocate  1749,  Sheriff  of  Caithness,  married, 
ist,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Dalrymple  of  Cousland,  a  lady  to  whom  he  was 
greatly  attached,  but  his  father  for  some  unknown  reason  opposed  the  marriage.  By  her 
he  had  a  son  and  a  daughter — 

1.  William,  in  1778,  Lieutenant  in  the  78th  Regiment.    He  predeceased  his  father  without  issue. 
1.  Kitty,  died  vitapatris  in  her  fifteenth  year. 

By  his  second  wife,  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Moray  of  Abercairney,  who  survived 
him,  Freswick  had  no  issue.  He  died  26th  June,  1784,  and  was  buried  at  Bath.  Referring 
in  1782  to  the  settlement  of  the  Freswick  estates,  he  wrote  to  his  second  cousin,  Dr.  Wm. 
Sinclair  of  Lochend,  afterwards  of  Freswick  :  "I  look  on  my  grandfather  (John  Sinclair 
of  Rattar)  as  the  head  of  my  family  ;  from  his  descendants  I  never  will  give  away  what 
my  father  left  me,  but  of  these  I  will  choose  him  I  think  most  worthy.  A  cousin  or  a 
nephew  are  equal  with  me  in  the  scale.  Whoever  merits  most  will  be  preferable." 
Accordingly,  on  30th  May,  1775,  he  executed  a  strict  entail  of  the  estates,  by  which  they 
passed  to  the  descendants  of  his  paternal  grand-aunt,  Barbara  of  Rattar,  who  married 
John  Sinclair  of  Forss. 

VII.  Robert  Sinclair  of  Freswick,  eldest  son  of  James  Sinclair  of  Holburn- 
head,  and  afterwards  of  Forss,  succeeded  in  1784,  and  died  at  Dunbeath  Castle  without 
issue  in  November,  1794.  He  married  Esther  Bland,  reputed  an  actress,  and  sister  or 
near  relative  of  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Jordan. 

VIII.  William  Sinclair  of  Lochend,  which  estate  he  acquired  by  purchase  in 
1778,  was  grandson  of  John  Sinclair  of  Forss,  and  succeeded  his  cousin-germau,  Robert 
Sinclair  of  Freswick,  in  1794.  He  was  an  M.D.,  and  before  succeeding  to  the  estates 
practised  many  years  in  Thurso  and  the  county.  He  purchased  Thura  in  1801.  He  was 
twice  married,  and  died  on  the  15th  March,  1838,  aged  90.  By  his  first  wife,  Isabella, 
daughter  of  Alex.  Calder,  last  of  Lynegar,  he  had — 

1.  John,  died  unmarried  in  1832,  aged  21. 

1.  Barbara  Madelina  Gordon,  twin-sister  of  John. 

2.  Isabella,  married  Thomas  Cochrane  Hume  of  Halifax,  North  America. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  MEY.  233 

In  18 16  Win.  Sinclair  married,  2nd,  his  cousin  Jean,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of 
Barrock,  and  had — 

1.  William  James  Johx  Alexander,  who  succeeded.  1.  Williamina,  died  young. 

2.  Janet  Sinclair  Traill,  died  at  Torquay,  unmarried,  in  June,  1870. 

3.  Jane,  married  Major-General  Augustus  Halifax  Ferryman,  and  died  in  1851. 

IX.  William  James  John  Alexander  Sinclair  succeeded  his  father  in  1838, 
while  yet  in  minority.  He  served  a  short  time  in  the  army,  and  died  unmarried  on  the 
20th  February,  1855,  aged  31,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  half-sister — 

X.  Barbara  M.  G.Sinclair,  who  married  William  Thomson,  Deputy  Commissary- 
General  of  the  Forces. 

THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  MEY.* 

I.  William  Sinclair,  second  son  of  George  II.,  42nd  Earl  ot  Caithness,  obtained 
from  his  father  in  March,  1572,  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Mey,  and  was  thus  the  first  laird 
thereof.     He  died  unmarried. 

II.  George  Sinclair,  Second  of  Mey,  succeeded  his  brother  William,  and  in 
1573  got  a  precept  of  dare  constat  from  Robert,  Bishop  of  Caithness.  In  1585  and  1592 
he  obtained  Crown  charters.  In  1572  the  Bishop  appointed  him  Chancellor  of  the 
Diocese  of  Caithness.  He  was  a  man  of  ability,  who  lost  no  opportunity  of  promoting 
his  family  interests,  and  considerable  additions  to  the  family  estates  were  made  by  him. 
Before  1583  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  William,  seventh  Lord  Forbes,  and  died  in 
16 16,  having  had  issue — 

1.  Sir  William,  his  heir.  2.  Sir  John  of  Geanies  and  Dunbeath. 

3.  James,  who  died  young.  4.  Alexander  of  Latheron,  ancestor  of  the  Barrock  family. 

1.  Janet,  married  Walter  Innes  of  Inverbrakie. 

2.  Margaret,  married  in  1608  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Forss. 

3.  Barbara,  married  in  1610  Alexander  Keith  of  Pittendrum. 

4.  Elizabeth,  married  William   Dunbar,  first  of  Hempriggs  in  Morayshire,  and  grandfather 

of  Sir  William  Dunbar  of  Hempriggs,  &c,  in  Caithness. 

5.  Anne. 

III.  Sir  William  Sinclair,  Knight  of  Mey,  was  usually  styled  Sir  William  of 
Cadboll.  In  1595  a  mutiny  broke  out  among  the  scholars  and  gentlemen's  sons  attending 
the  High  School  of  Edinburgh,  arising  from  a  dispute  with  the  magistrates  as  to  their 
vacation.  They  laid  in  provisions  in  the  schoolroom,  manned  the  same,  and  took  in 
arms  with  powder  and  bullets,  and  refused  all  entrance  to  masters  or  magistrates  until 
their  claims  were  conceded.  After  a  day  passed  in  this  manner,  the  Council  resolved  on 
strong  measures,  and  a  posse  of  officers,  headed  by  Bailie  John  Macmoran,  proceeded  to 
the  school,  and  failing  to  persuade  the  scholars  to  surrender,  attempted  to  prize  open 
the  doors.  The  scholars  finding  no  attention  paid  to  their  threats,  to  "put  a  pair 
of  bullets  through  the  best  of  their  cheeks,"  unless  they  desisted,  "one  Sinclair,  the 
Chancellor  of  Caithness'  son,  presented  a  gun  from  a  window,  direct  opposite  the  bailies' 
faces,  boasting  them  and  calling  them  buttery  carles.  Off  goeth  the  charged  gun,  pierced 
John  Macmoran  through  his  head,  and  presently  killed  him,  so  that  he  fell  backward 
straight  to  the  ground  without  speech  at  all."  The  culprit  was  William,  afterwards  Sir 
Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Mey  ;   but  in  the  end  he  and  seven  other  youths  implicated  got 

*  Henderson. 


234  CAITHNESS   CADETS. 


clear  off.  Mey  was  visited  in  1628  by  William  Lithgow,  the  celebrated  Scottish  traveller, 
and  he  took  advantage  of  the  occasion  to  compose  some  verses  giving  honourable  mention 
to  "fruitful  Mey,"  which  he  dedicated  to  Earl  George  of  Caithness,  with  his  honourable 
cousin  and  first  accadent  of  his  house,  the  right  worshipful  Sir  William  Sinclair  of 
Catboll,  Knight,  Laird  of  Maji.  The  lines  appear  further  on  in  this  work.  Sir  William 
married  in  1600  Katharine,  second  daughter  of  George  Ross  of  Balnagown,  by  whom  he 
had— 

1.  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Canisbay,  baronet.     See  Baronetical  Branches,  Chapter  vii. 

THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  DURRAN. 

A  James  Sinclair  of  Durran  appears  in  the  conflict  at  Thurso  in  1612.  In  1621, 
being  ejected  by  the  Bishop's  Chamberlain  from  lands  which  he  occupied  as  tenant 
under  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  he  killed  the  Chamberlain's  brother-uterine,  one  Thomas 
Lyndsay,  to  whom  the  lands  had  been  given.  He  then  fled  to  his  "kinsman"  in 
London,  Sir  Andrew  Sinclair  (third  son  of  Henry,  Lord  Sinclair,  and  whose  sister  Mary 
was  married  to  William  Sinclair,  Lord  Berriedale),  envoy  for  the  King  of  Denmark, 
whose  intervention  he  sought  to  obtain  the  royal  pardon,  but  in  this  was  unsuccessful 
and  fled  to  Denmark.     It  is  not  known  of  what  family  he  was. 


I.  Robert  Sinclair,  First  of  Durran,  was  third  son  of  Sir  James  Sinclair  of 
Canisbay,  Baronet  of  Mey.  The  Durran  estate  was  held  in  wadset  from  the  Earl  of 
Caithness.  Robert  Sinclair  married  in  1678  Anne,  youngest  daughter  of  William 
Sinclair  of  Rattar,  afterwards  styled  "  Lady  Harland, "  and  had — 

1.  John,  his  successor. 

1.  Anne,  married  first  as  third  wife  James  Sutherland  of  Langwell,  and  secondly  John  Sinclair 

of  Barrock. 

2.  Janet. 

II.  John  Sinclair  of  Durran  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  Sinclair  of 
Barrock.  In  1717  Lord  Glenorchy  granted  him  a  disposition  of  Durran,  &c.  He  died 
in  1728,  having  had  issue — 

1.  Robert,  died  1725.  2.  John,  died  1727.  3.  James,  afterwards  of  Durran. 

4.  George,  Major  in  the  65th  Regiment,  who  died  without  issue. 
1.  Jean,  married  her  cousin-german  James  Sutherland  of  Swinzie. 

III.  James  Sinclair  of  Durran  married  twice.  By  his  first  marriage  with 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Patrick  Dunbar  of  Northfield.     He  had — 

1.  Patrick,  his  successor. 

2.  George,    Writer   to   the   Signet,    married    19th   September,    1775,    Elizabeth,    daughter  of 

John  Sutherland  of  Forse,  and,  dying  6th  December,  1779,  had — 

1.  John  Sutherland,  Lieut.-Colonel  in  the  Royal  Artillery,  who  died  in  1S41.     By 
his  first  marriage  to  Marianne  Gamble,  Colonel  Sinclair  had — 

1.  George,  (W.  Signet),  died  16th  January,  1834  ;  2.  John,  Lieut.  R.A.,  died 
1828  ;   3.  Francis  ;   and  (4.)  a  daughter  Elizabeth  ;   all  of  whom  died 
unmarried. 
By  his  second  marriage  to  Frances  Ramsay  he  had  (5-7)  three  daughters,  and  by  his 
third  marriage  to   Euphemia,  daughter  of  Thomas  Buchan  of  Auchmacoy,  he 
had  several  children,  of  whom — 
8.  James  Augustus,  54TH  Earl  of  Caithness,  died  1891. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  DURRAN.  235 


9.  Thomas  Bitch  an,  died  s.p.  1S38. 

10.  Charles  Home,  born   1837  ;  formerly  Principal  Clerk  in   Exchequer  and 

Audit  Department,  vSomerset  House  ;  married  1868,  Mary  Louisa,  daughter 
of  Colonel  John  Paton  of  Grandholm,  and  has  issue  living — 

i.  Euphemia  Helen.  2.  Mary  Esme. 

Residence — Durran  Lodge,  East  Sheen,  Surrey.     Club — Union. 

11.  Euphemia,  and     12.  Nicola,  who  died  young. 
3.  Major  Robert,  who  died  at  Bombay,  in  1793,  unmarried. 

1.  Margaret,  married  Patrick  Honeyman  of  Graemsay,  Orkney. 

2.  Katharine,  married  Alex.  [William],  son  of  James  Robertson  of  Bishopmiln. 

3.  Elizabeth,  married  William  Robertson  of  Auchinroath. 

James  Sinclair  married,  secondly,  Dorothea  Bruce,  by  whom  he  had — 

4.  John,  who  seems  to  have  died  young  before  1789. 

IV.  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Durran,  Captain  in  the  Royal  Navy,  died  at  St.  Domingo 
in  1794,  in  command  of  the  frigate  "Iphigenia."  He  married  Anne,  daughter  of  James 
Sinclair-Sutherland  of  Swinzie,  and  had — 

1.  Patrick,  died  young  and  unmarried.  2.  James.  i.  Katharine. 

V.  James  Sinclair  of  Durran  was  a  lieutenant  of  Marines.  He  was  killed  in 
action  in  1801  at  cutting  out  the  French  corvette  "La  Cheverite,"  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  sister  Katharine,  who  married  Captain  John  Worth  of  Oakley,  R.N. ,  and  died  in  1849, 
leaving  a  daughter 

Mary  Catherine  Sinclair-Worth,  who  married  Admiral  Sir  Baldwin  Walker,  Bart., 
K.C.B. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  OLRIG. 

I.  George,  fourth  son  of  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Canisbay,  was  the  first  of  this  family. 
He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Latheron,  and  had  a  son 
Alexander,  his  successor.  John,  Master  of  Berriedale,  granted  a  wadset  of  Olrig  to 
Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Mey  and  his  son  Sir  James  for  8,000  merks,  which  the  latter 
assigned  as  a  provision  to  his  son  George. 

II.  Alexander  Sinclair,  Second  of  Olrig,  bought  the  property  from  Lord 
Glenorchy  in  1708  for  12,900  merks  (.£650  sterling),  "  reserving  the  swans  and  swans' 
nests  on  the  Loch  of  Durran."  He  married  Katharine,  daughter  of  Donald  Budge  of 
Toftingall,  and  was  killed  in  a  duel  in  1710  by  William  Innes  of  Sandside.     He  had  issue 

1.  Donald,  his  successor.  3.  Alexander.  4.  William. 

2.  James,  in  Duncansbay  and  Warse,  1739 — 1747,  and  also  a  merchant  in  Freswick. 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  Chas.  Sinclair  of  Bilbster. 

2.  Esther,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Forss. 

3.  Katharine,  married  William  Budge  of  Toftingall. 

III.  Donald  Sinclair  of  Olrig  and  Bilbster  married  Fenella,  heiress  of  Charles 
Sinclair  of  Bilbster,  and  had — 

1.  Charles,  his  successor. 

2.  Henrietta,  married  Capt.  Benjamin  Moodie  of  Melsetter,  Orkney. 

IV.  Chas.  Sinclair  of  Olrig  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Eric,  Lord  Duffus, 
and  had — 

1.  Donald,  his  successor.  1.  Fenella.  2.  Elizabeth.  3.  Janet. 


236  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


V.  Donald  Sinclair  of  Olrig  died  without  issue,  and  was  succeeded  by  his 
sister  Fenella,  who  married  Archibald  Cullen,  barrister-at-law,  and  had  issue.  The  lands 
of  Olrig  and  Bilbster  were  sold  by  Mrs.  Cullen.  The  heir-male  (if  any)  of  George  Sinclair, 
first  of  Olrig,  is  next  in  succession  to  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  after  the  present  line  of 
Durran. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  LATHERON,  Etc.* 

I.  Alexander  Sinclair,  First  of  Latheron,  was  fourth  son  of  George  Sinclair 
of  Mey,  Chancellor  of  Caithness.  He  was  wadsetter  of  Latheron,  of  which  he  got  a 
charter  in  1635,  but  his  descendants  acquired  the  reversion  and  held  the  lands  in  fee,  and 
he  seems  also  to  have  had  some  right  over  Stemster.  He  married  in  1632  Jean,  daughter 
of  John  Cunningham  of  Brownhill,  and  in  1647  was  dead.  He  left  three  sons  and  four 
daughters — 

1.  William,  his  heir. 

2.  John  of  Brabster-myre,  ancestor  of  the  Brabsters. 

3.  Alexander  of  Stemster,  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Sir  Jas.  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  and  d.  s.p. 

4.  George  of  Barrock,  ancestor  of  that  family. 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  in  1657  Walter  Bruce  of  Ham,  and  was  afterwards  Lady  Olrig  as  wife 

of  George  Sinclair  of  Olrig. 

2.  Jean,  married  in  1651  Magnus  Mowat  of  Balquholly. 

3.  Margaret,  married  Sir  William  Dunbar  of  Hempriggs. 

II.  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Latheron,  Dunbeath,  and  Geanies  was  a 
gentleman  of  considerable  estate  and  position,  and,  in  addition  to  his  landed  property, 
held  large  apprisings  affecting  the  Earldom,  although  before  his  death  he  appears  to  have 
had  considerable  debts.  In  1661  he  was  one  of  the  County  Commissioners  in  the  Scottish 
Parliament.  He  married  in  1656  his  cousin  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  James  Sinclair  of 
Mey,  who  survived  him,  and  died  in  1722.     He  died  in  1690,  having  issue — 

1.  Alexander,  younger  of  Dunbeath,  a  Commissioner  of  Supply  in  1685,  died  s.p. 

2.  John,  heir  to  his  father. 

3.  William  of  Stemster,  to  which  he  succeeded  on  the  death  of  his  uncle  Alex.     He  married 

Helen  Munro,  and  died  sans  issue  1699. 

4.  Sir  James,  who  was  created  in  1704  Baronet  of  Dunbeath,  q.v. 

5.  David,  who  died  without  issue. 

1.  Anne.  5.  Margaret. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  in  1698  James  Sutherland  of  Langwell,  and  died  s.p. 

3.  Janet,  married  Andrew  Bruce  of  Muness  Castle,  Shetland,  and  died  s.p. 

4.  Jean,  married  in  1682  Sir  George  Sinclair  of  Clyth,  M.P. 

6.  Katharine,  Lady  Bowermadden,  who  married  Sir  Patrick  Dunbar. 

III.  John  Sinclair,  as  eldest  surviving  sou,  took  up  on  the  death  of  his  brother 
the  succession  to  the  estates  of  Dunbeath,  Latheron,  and  Geanies,  which  latter  he  sold  in 
1703  to  /Eneas  Macleod  of  Cadboll.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  weak  man,  and  to  have 
made  a  marriage  so  displeasing  to  his  father  that  "  he  conceived  a  mortal  hatred  to  him." 
Certain  it  is  that  in  addition  to  his  wife's  liferent  of  Dunbeath,  and  his  own  debts,  his 
father  burdened  him  with  large  provisions  to  his  other  children,  besides  reserving  the 
apprisings  against  the  Earldom,  amounting  to  14,000  merks.  Latheron  married  Isabella, 
daughter  of  McKenzie  of  Aidloch,  and  had — 

*  Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  LATHERON,  Etc.  237 


1.  James,  his  successor  in  Latheron. 

2.  William,  Colonel  in  the  Bavarian  service,  who  left  no  issue. 

1.  Barbara,  who  died  unmarried. 

2.  A  daughter,  married  Mr.  Tyrie  of  Edinburgh,  and  had  a  son   David  Tyrie,  who  on  27th 

September,  1790,  was  served  heir-general  of  his  uncle  James. 

IV.  James  Sinclair  of  Latheron,  and  heir-apparent  of  Dunbeath,  never  got 
possession  of  the  latter  estate  through  the  machinations  of  his  uncle  Sir  James.  In  1728 
he  married  Frances,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of  Rattar,  by  whom  he  had  an  only  child, 
his  successor  James.  He  supported  the  Rising  of  1745,  and  although  considered  "a 
weak  and  timid  man,"  he  collected  100  men  and  attended  a  muster  at  Spittal  Hill.  He 
also  fought  a  duel  with  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Bridgend,  son  of  George  of  Barrock.  In  1751 
and  1753,  with  consent  of  his  son,  he  sold  his  claim  to  Dunbeath  to  his  brother-in-law,. 
Wm.  Sinclair  of  Freswick.     He  died  in  1775. 

V.  James  Sinclair,  Last  of  Latheron,  died  unmarried  in  1788. 


THE   SINCLAIRS  OF  BRABSTER  OR  BRABSTER-MYRE.* 

I.  John  Sinclair,  first  of  this  family,  was  second  son  of  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Latheron. 
On  2nd  December,  1650,  his  uncle,  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Geanies  and  Dunbeath,  disponed 
him  the  lands  of  Brabster-Myre,  acquired  from  the  Mowats.  He  appears  to  have  become 
involved  in  the  political  troubles  of  the  time,  for  in  165S  John  Murray,  writer  in  Edin- 
burgh (son  of  Murray  of  Pennyland),  writes  to  Walter  Bruce  of  Ham,  who  had  married 
Brabster's  sister:  "  If  your  brother-in-law,  John  Sinclair,  be  come  home,  he  would  doe 
weill  to  keep  himself  quiet,  for  this  day  Ortouu  shews  me  who  has  been  in  Dalkeith,  yet 
the  General  has  sent  ane  ordere  to  Capt.  Pantimane  to  apprehend  him  when  he  comes 
into  the  country."     Brabster  m.  Elizabeth,  d.  of  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  and  had — 

1.  Alexander,  his  successor. 

r.  Jean,  married  Harry  Innes  of  Borlum,  ancestor  of  the  latter  Sandsides. 

From  an  annuity  bond  dated  6th  December,  1683,  we  ascertain  that  Brabster  had  a 
second  wife,  for  in  this  deed  he  provides  an  annuity  of  500  merks  to  his  "  beloved  bed- 
fellow and  spouse"  Sibella  Halcrow,  who  may  have  been  of  the  Orcadian  family  of 
Halcro  of  that  Ilk. 

II.  Alexander  Sinclair,  Second  of  Brabster,  married  Margaret,  daughter  of 
John  Sinclair  of  Rattar,  and  had — 

1.  George,  his  successor.  2.  Patrick. 

III.  George  Sinclair,  Third  of  Brabster,  married  Janet,  second  daughter  of 
James  Sutherland  of  Langwell.  "  Lady  Brabster"  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  and  was  a 
shrewd  active  woman  in  her  eighty-first  year.  In  1787  she  purchased  West  Canisbay. 
Brabster  had  issue  : — 

1.  Captain  Alexander,  who  died  in  1756.  2.  James,  drowned  at  Elgin. 

1.  Anne,  his  successor. 
Mrs.  Anne  Sinclair  of  Brabster  married  in  1762  her  cousin  Robert  Sutherland  of 
Langwell,  and  had  issue,  George  Sinclair  Sutherland,  who  succeeded,  and  a  daughter 
Alexandrina,  married  to  James  Macbeath. 

*  Henderson. 


238  CAITHNESS   CADETS. 


THE  SINCLA-IRS  OF  BARROCK.* 

I.  George  Sinclair,  First  of  Barrock,  was  the  fourth  son  of  Alex.  Sinclair 
of  Latheron,  son  of  the  Chancellor  of  Caithness.  He  acquired  the  lands  of  Barrock,  held 
in  wadset  from  the  family  of  Rattar,  from  a  provision  of  6,000  merks  received  from  his 
uncle  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Geanies  and  Dunbeath.  Although  in  1673  John  Sinclair  of 
Rattar  redeemed  the  wadset,  and  the  lands  now  belong  to  Mr.  Traill,  the  family  desig- 
nation continues  to  be  "Sinclair  of  Barrock. "  Between  1681  and  1697  he  purchased  one- 
third  of  Lyth,  part  of  Hastigrow,  Fitches,  and  Sortopt  (all  of  which,  except  Hastigrow, 
still  form  part  of  the  family  estate)  ;  and  in  1698  he  acquired  from  the  Mowats  the  estate 
of  Swinzie,  now  called  Lochend.  George  Sinclair  was  thrice  married,  and  died  in  1724, 
aged  90  years.      By  his  first  wife  Anne,  daughter  of  John  Dunbar  of  Hempriggs,  he  had  : 

1.  John,  his  successor. 

1.  Jean,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke. 

2.  Katharine,  married  Chas.  Sinclair  of  Bilbster,  "  Earl  of  Hell." 

3.  Margaret,  married  James  Murray  of  Clairden. 

He  married,  secondly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  David  Murray  of  Clairden,  and  had — 

1.  Alexander,  ancestor  of  the  Sinclair-Sutherlands  of  Swinzie. 

2.  William,  ancestor  of  the  Manson-Sinclairs  ot  Bridgend.  3.  David. 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Durran.  2.  Anne,  died  unmarried. 

He  married,  thirdly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Cumming,  last  Episcopal  minister  of 
Halkirk,  by  whom  he  was  father  of — 

1.  James,  who  died  abroad.  2.  George.  3.  Robert. 

4.  Benjamin,  sometime  in  Duncansbay.     None  of  these  sons  left  issue. 
1.  Janet,  who  died  unmarried  in  1772. 

II.  John  Sinclair,  Second  of  Barrock,  acquired  many  estates.  He  was  twice 
married,  and  died  in  1743.  By  his  first  wife  Anne,  daughter  of  Robert  Sinclair  of 
Durran,  he  had — 

1.  Alexander,  who  succeeded,  born  in  1706. 

1.  Jean,  married  George  Murray  of  Clairden. 

2.  Margaret,  married  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Mey.  3.  Elizabeth. 

He  married,  secondly,  his  cousin  Janet,  daughter  of  Sir  Jas.  Dunbar  of  Hempriggs,  and 
had— 

1.  George,  an  army  officer,  died  of  a  wound  in  Antigua  in  1759,  while  he  was  still  a  minor. 

2.  James,  who  died  young. 

3.  John,   who   succeeded   to  Sibster.      He   married   Helen,    daughter   of  George   Sinclair  of 

Stirkoke,  and  had — 

1.  Benjamin. 
The  estate  was  judicially  sold  and  John  Sinclair  and  his  son  left  Caithness. 

III.  Alexander  Sinclair  married  Jean,  second  daughter  of  William  Sinclair  of 
Freswick,  and  had — 

1.  John,  his  successor.  2.  William  (W.  S.),  died  7th  July,  1799,  unmarried. 

3.  George,  bond  of  provision  dated  in  1764. 

1.  Katharine  ;  and  2.  Anne;  both  died  unmarried. 

3.  Margaret,  married  Colonel  Borthwick,  and  died  s.p. 

4.  Jean,  married  William  Chas.  Reoch,  and  died  s.p. 

*  Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  BARROCK.  239 

IV.  John  Sinclair  married,  first,  Ann  Longmire  of  Penrith,  and  had — 
1.  Alexander,  who  died  young.  2.  John,  his  successor. 

1.  Maria,  died  unmarried,  9th  March,  1S76,  aged  87. 

2.  Jane,  married  William  Sinclair  of  Freswick. 

3.  Anne,  married  William  Smith,  minister  of  Bower. 

4.  Margaret,  married  Mr.  Paton. 

5.  Elizabeth,  married  Lieutenant  Allan  Robertson,  Sheriff-clerk  of  Caithness. 
Barrock  married,  secondly,  Janet  Miller,  and  had  by  her — 

1.  William,  who  died  young.  2.  Donald,  M.D.,  who  died  in  1873,  and  left  issue. 

1.  Isabella,  married  the  Rev.  Peter  Jolly  of  Dunnet. 

2.  Jessie,  married  Scarth  of  Binscarth,  Orkney.  3.  Catherine,  married  Mr.  Sine. 

V.  John  Sinclair,  Fifth  of  Barrock,  succeeded  his  father,  and  on  the  death  of 
General  Sir  John  Sinclair  in  1842  succeeded  to  the  Baronetcy  of  Dunbeath,  which 
see. 


THE   SINCLAIR-SUTHERLANDS    OF    RISGILL   OR   SWINZIE.* 

I.  Alexander  Sinclair,  the  founder  of  this  family,  was  the  second  son  of  George 
Sinclair,  first  of  Barrock.  He  had  acquired  the  property  of  Swinzie,  now  called  Lochend, 
from  his  father.  In  171 7  he  married  Anne  Sutherland,  second  daughter  of  James 
Sutherland  of  Langwell,  on  whose  death  in  1708  she  had  succeeded  to  the  estate  of 
Risgill,  which  after  her  marriage  was  called  Swinzie.  Alex.  Sutherland  (/le  Sinclair)  died 
in  1738,  leaving  a  son  James. 

II.  James  Sutherland  of  Swinzie  is  mentioned  as  being  "a  very  facetious, 
entertaining  man,  who  loved  to  pass  his  jokes."  In  1739  his  mother  disponed  the  estate 
to  him,  and  in  1743  he  married  his  cousin -german  Jean,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of 
Uurran.  She  was  known  as  "  Lady  Swinzie,"  and  resided  during  the  latter  part  of  her 
life  at  Thurso,  where  she  died,  a  very  old  woman,  in  18 19.  Swinzie  had  a  son  and 
three  daughters — 

1.  John,  who  succeeded.  2.  Janet. 

1.  Anne,  who  married  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Durran,  Capt.  R.N. 

3.  Elizabeth,  married  Benj.  Henderson,  tacksman  of  Clyth. 

III.  John  Sutherland  of  Swinzie  was  served  heir  to  his  father  in  1777.  He 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Donald  Williamson  of  Banniskirk,  and  died  without  issue 
in  1789,  when  his  brother-in-law,  Capt.  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Durran  was  served  heir. 

THE    MANSON   SINCLAIRS    OF   BRIDGEND.* 

I.  William  Sinclair,  third  son  of  George  Sinclair,  first  of  Barrock,  married  Sidney, 
heiress  of  Geo.  Mansou  of  Bridgend,  and  had — 

1.  Robert  Manson  Sinclair,  who  succeeded.  1.  A  daughter,  who  married  Mr.  Bogie. 

II.  Robert  Manson  Sinclair,  Second  of  Bridgend,  married  Isabel,  daughter  of 
John  vSinclair  of  Assery.  She  died  in  1779,  and  he  about  1790.  He  was  of  very  convivial 
habits,  and  "  Brigend's  Bowl,"  famed  in  his  own  time  as  ever  in  need  of  sugar,  whisky, 
or  water,  thereby  calling  for  constant  additions,  is  still  locally  a  "Bowl  of  renown." 
The  estate  was  judicially  sold  in  1788.  In  1772  he  had  issue  alive  three  sons  and  five 
daughters — 

*  Henderson. 


CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


1.  William.         2.  George,  Lieut,  in  the  army,  who  in  1782  was  served  heir  cum  benefcio. 
3.  Robert,  who  was  a  Writer  in  Edinburgh.  1.  Catharine,  died  unmarried. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Rose,  Sheriff-Substitute  of  Caithness  and  Collector  of  Customs  at 

Thurso   (marriage   contract,    October,    1772).     There   is   no   information    as  to    the   other 
daughters. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    DUN.* 

There  is  difficulty  in  determining  with  certainty  the  origin  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Dun, 
but  they  are  believed  to  be  cadets  of  the  Caithness  family. 

In  Calder's  "  History  of  Caithness  "  there  is  an  unsupported  statement  that  the  Duns 
settled  in  the  County  in  1379,  but  there  is  no  evidence  of  the  Sinclairs  appearing  in 
connection  with  lands  in  Caithness  till  1455,  unless  we  can  accept  the  charter  of  Henricus 
de  Sancto  Claro  comes  Orchadiae  to  the  founder  of  the  Budges  of  Toftingall,  of  tenements 
in  Wick,  as  establishing  such  a  fact.  It  is  certain  that  in  1508  Dun  was  possessed  by 
the  Caldells  or  Calders,  and  the  first  trace  of  a  "  Sinclair  of  Dun  "  is  in  1540,  when  John 
Sinclair  of  Dun  attests  the  Precept  of  Clare  Constat  granted  by  George  II.,  42nd  Earl  of 
Caithness,  to  John  Groat  of  Duncansbay.  In  1541  "David  Sinclair  of  Dunn"  was 
cautioner  in  a  tack  of  teinds  to  the  Earl  of  Caithness.  The  same  year  David  Sinclair, 
natural  son  of  John,  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  who  was  Bailie  to  the  Bishop  of  Caithness, 
also  appears  in  a  tack  of  the  teind  sheaves  of  Canisbay.  About  1557-58  a  marriage  was 
arranged  by  Earl  George  between  Y-Mackay  of  Farr  and  Christian  Sinclair,  whom 
Gordon  designs  "  daughter  to  the  laird  of  Dun,  and  cousin  to  the  Earl."  McKay, 
referring  to  this  marriage,  states  that  Christian  Sinclair  was  the  daughter  of  "Wm. 
Sinclair,  laird  of  Dun,"  and  that  she  was  the  Earl's  cousin.  In  a  charter  of  January, 
1560,  granted  by  John,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  to  David  Sinclair,  then  of  Dun,  the  Earl  and 
his  Countess  Eleanor  style  Dun  "nosier  consanguineus-germanus."  The  "  Genealogie  of 
the  St.  Clairs  of  Rosslyn  "  has  it  that  "  St.  Clair  of  Doun  is  a  great-grandchild  of  John, 
Lord  Berridall.  The  first  of  this  surname  was  one  David,  who  married  one  Marie, 
heretrix  of  Doun,  daughter  to  Wm.  Calder,  and  begot  John,  who  espoused  Agatha, 
daughter  of  Hugh  Grott  of  Soutdun."  Sinclair  of  Freswick,  in  a  MS.  written  about 
1770,  has  it  that  the  progenitor  of  the  family  of  Dun,  to  which  he  himself  belonged,  was 
David,  second  son  of  William  II.  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Caithness.  The  late  Capt.  Kennedy 
of  Wick,  in  a  MS.,  informs  us  that  George,  4th  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Caithness,  had  a  son 
called  David,  who  begat  John  Sinclair  of  Dun  and  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Forss-Milns.  The 
Sutherland  charter  of  1560  is  to  David  Sinclair  of  Dun  in  liferent,  and  to  "  his  sons" 
William,  Alexander,  and  Henry  in  succession,  and  to  the  "heirs-male  of  their  bodies 
lawfully  begotten"  in  fee,  the  lands  of  Forss  and  Baillie.  In  1586  a  Henry  Sinclair,  who 
was  unquestionably  the  brother  of  Christian,  the  laird  of  Dunn's  daughter,  was  killed  in 
a  fight  with  the  Clan  Gunn,  then  under  command  of  Hutcheon  McKay,  Christian's  son 
and  Henry's  nephew.  As  no  other  Henry  Sinclair  is  mentioned  about  this  period,  it  may 
be  that  Christian  Sinclair's  brother  was  the  same  Henry  named  in  the  charter,  and  thus 
that  she  was  a  daughter  of  David  Sinclair  of  Dun.  If  so,  as  she  was  "  cousin  to  the  Earl 
of  Caithness, ' '  so  must  her  father  also  have  been  connected  with  that  family.  There  is 
a  summons  extant  dated  12th  March,  1562,  issued  at  the  instance  of  John  Sinclair, 
"eldest  son  and  heir  of  the  deceased  David  Sinclair  of  Dun,"   with  consent  of  his  curators, 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  DUN.  241 

the  Earl  of  Caithness  and  John  Grote,  against  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Forss  as  an  intromitter 
with  the  writs  and  evidents  of  David  Sinclair,  immediately  after  his  decease  in  March, 
1560.  In  this  action  Forss  is  required  to  produce  acquittances  given  to  David  Sinclair 
of  Dun  in  connection  with  the  lands  of  the  Caithness  bishopric.  From  this  circumstance 
it  is  reasonable  to  assume  that  David  Sinclair,  first  of  Dun,  was  identical  with  David 
Sinclair,  Bailie  of  the  Bishopric  and  natural  son  of  Earl  John.  The  summons  makes 
no  reference  to  any  relationship  between  David  Sinclair  of  Dun  and  William  of  Forss ; 
and  thus  while  it  is  certain  that  Forss  was  a  son  of  the  David  Sinclair  of  Dun  in  the 
charter  of  January,  1560,  and  that  John  Sinclair  was  son  of  the  David  of  Dun  who  died 
in  March,  1560,  it  is  not  clear  that  the  two  Davids  were  identical,  nor  that  Wm.  Sinclair 
of  Forss  and  John  Sinclair  of  Dun  were  brothers.  It  is  difficult  to  reconcile  the  fact  of 
John  Sinclair,  eldest  son  and  heir,  suing  with  curators  in  1562  (thus  apparently  in 
minority)  with  his  being  brother  to  Wm.  Sinclair,  who  in  1561  had  been  admitted  as 
vassal  in  Forss,  had  granted  deeds  as  owner  in  possession  of  those  lands,  had  witnessed 
the  execution  of  important  deeds,  and  otherwise  conducted  himself  as  a  man  of  full  age. 
David  Sinclair  may  have  had  an  elder  son  David,  who  after  succeeding  to  Dun  died  young, 
leaving  his  son  and  heir  John  a  minor,  and  this  seems  the  most  likely  explanation. 

I.  With  the  exception  of  the  incidental  reference  to  John  of  Dun  in  1540,  while 
conflicting  as  to  the  paternity,  all  accounts  point  to  a  David  Sinclair  as  first  of  Dun. 
From  Hay's  "Genealogie  "  we  have  learnt  that  he  was  a  son  of  John,  Lord  Berridall, 
afterwards  Earl  of  Caithness  ;  and  that  marrying  Marie,  heretrix  of  Dun,  daughter  to 
Wm.  Calder,  he  acquired  those  lauds,  and  had  by  her — 

II.  John  Sinclair,  Second  of  Dun,  his  eldest  son  and  heir,  who  succeeded  him. 
In  1 59 1  he  was  infeft  by  charter  from  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  in  1592  had  a  Crown 
charter  of  confirmation.      By  his  first  wife,  whose  name  is  unknown,  he  had — 

1.  David,  successor  to  Dun.  2.  James,  wounded  in  a  skirmish  at  Thurso  in  1612. 

3.  George,  designed  in  1616  as  son  of  "  Umquhile  John  Sinclair  of  Dun." 

His  second  wife  was  Agatha,  daughter  of  Hugh  Grote  of  Southdun.  She  was  life- 
rented  in  Dun,  with  which  her  name  occurs  from  1628  to  1642.      By  her  Dun  had  a  son — 

4.  William,  ancestor  of  the  Southdun  branch  of  the  family. 

III.  David  Sinclair,  Third  of  Dun,  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  he  had  issue — 

1.  Francis,  fourth  of  Dun.  2.  William,  fifth  of  Dun.  3.  James. 

1.  Jean,  who  married  in  1695,  George  Sinclair  of  Forss. 

IV.  Francis  Sinclair,  Fourth  of  Dun,  was  served  heir  in  1650.  He  married 
Jean,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  by  whom  he  had — 

Katharine. 

V.  William  Sinclair,  Fifth  of  Dun,  was  served  heir  of  provision  to  his  brother 
Francis,  and  in  1663  he  got  a  charter  from  the  Archdean  of  Caithness,  of  Scarmclett, 
Larrel,  Galshfield,  Clayock,  and  Campster.  He  was  thrice  married,  first  in  1643,  to 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Alex.  Sutherland  of  Forse  ;  secondly,  to  Isabel,  daughter  of  John 
Sinclair  of  Assery  ;  and  thirdly,  to  Katharine  Sinclair,  "  Lady  Dun,"  daughter  of  Alex. 
Sinclair  of  Telstane.     He  had — 

1.  Alexander,  next  of  Dun.  2.  David. 

1.  Jean,  m.  in  1670,  William,  son  of  John  Sinclair  of  Assery,  brother  to  her  father's  second  wife. 

2.  ,  who  married  David  Sinclair  of  Brovnach. 


242  CAITHNESS   CADETS. 


VI.  Alexander  Sinclair,  Sixth  of  Dun,  received  a  disposition  from  his  father  in 
1680.  The  name  of  his  first  wife  has  not  been  ascertained,  but  by  her  he  was  father  of 
four  sons  and  two  daughters — 

1.  William,  mentioned  in  1731  as  younger  of  Dun. 

2.  Henry,  who  resided  in  Achravole  in  1769,  and  who  is  mentioned  as  eldest  son. 

3.  Richard,  merchant  in  Thurso,  who  was  drowned  in  crossing  the  river  at  Thurso  in  1755. 

He  married  Elizabeth,  sister  of  John  McKay  of  Strathy,  and  left  two  daughters. 

4.  David,  youngest  son,  who  had  a  provision  of  3,500  merks. 

1.  Elizabeth,  who  in  1737  received  paternal  bond  of  provision,  and  is  in  1755  designed  as 

widow  of  Patrick  Forbes. 

2.  Katharine,  who  had  a  provision  of  3,000  merks. 

Alex.  Sinclair  married,  secondly,  in  1751,  Barbara,  youngest  daughter  of  Alex. 
Henderson  in  Gerston,  but  by  her  had  no  issue.  The  family  estate  becoming  involved 
in  debt,  what  remained  of  it  was  sold  in  1751  to  David  Sinclair  of  Southdun.  Dun  died 
in  1754. 

Richard  Sinclair,  third  son  of  the  last  Dun,  has  given  his  name  to  "  Sinclair's  Pool  " 
in  Thurso  river,  and  also  to  a  curious  tale  of  "  second  sight,"  which  it  may  be  of  interest 
to  relate.  At  the  time  of  the  accident  there  was  no  bridge  across  the  river,  and  it  was 
crossed  at  a  ford,  or  by  ferry  boat  lower  down.  Mr.  Sinclair  had  crossed  to  the  east  side 
by  the  ford  in  the  morning  and  gone  to  the  country  on  business.  ■  His  wife  had  some 
women  friends  with  her  in  the  evening,  which  was  dark  and  rainy,  and  having  occasion 
to  leave  the  room  where  her  guests  were,  she  observed,  as  she  believed,  her  husband  pass 
upstairs  to  his  room,  and  she  desired  the  servant  to  carry  up  some  fire,  as  he  appeared  to 
be  very  wet.  The  servant  not  finding  her  master  in  the  room,  a  search  was  made,  with 
the  result  that  he  was  not  to  be  found  within  the  house.  The  appearance  seen  by  Mrs. 
Sinclair  was  held  to  portend  coming  evil,  and  accordingly  her  husband  was  found 
drowned  in  the  pool  which  still  bears  his  name,  man  and  horse  having  been  carried  off 
by  a  sudden  spate  in  the  water. 

The  last  Dun  acted  as  second  to  Innes  of  Sandside  in  the  fatal  duel  of  17 10  between 
the  latter  and  Sinclair  of  Olrig,  and  thereafter  Dun  fled  the  country.  Calder  relates  that 
the  possessor  of  Dun  in  1745  shot  himself,  because  prevented  by  his  mother  from  keeping 
an  engagement  to  join  the  Stewart  party.  This  is  certainly  incorrect  as  referring  to 
Alex.  Sinclair,  then  of  Dun,  but  may  apply  to  his  eldest  son  and  apparent  heir  in  1731  — 
William.  There  is  in  the  Lyon  Register  a  record  of  the  arms  of  Laurence  Sinclair, 
descended  from  the  family  of  Dun  in  Caithness,  but  of  him  there  is  no  trace  in  the 
county  annals. 

THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  SOUTHDUN.* 
I.   William  Sinclair,  First  of  Southdun,  was  the  son  of  John  Sinclair,  second 
of  Dun,   by  his   second  marriage  with   Agatha,   daughter  of   Hugh    Grote,   perhaps  of 
Brabsterdorran.     William  Sinclair  is  occasionally  styled  of  Dun  and  in  Dun.     He  married 
Marjory,  daughter  of  Saul  Bruce  of  Lyth,  and  had  two  sons  and  a  daughter — 

1.  David,  second  of  Southdun,  and  first  so  styled. 

2.  Francis,  portioner  of  Brabsterdorran,  in  1657  styled  "lawful  brother  of  David  Sinclair  ot 

Southdun.     He  married  an  Elizabeth  Sinclair,  and  was  ancestor  of  the  Brabsterdorrans. 

3.  Isobel,  who  married  in  1652,  Thomas,  son  of  Malcolm  Grote  in  Warse. 


Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  SOUTHDUN.  243 


II.  David  Sinclair,  Second  of  Southdun,  is  repeatedly  mentioned  in  writings 
by  Agatha  Grote  as  her  "Oy,"  or  grandchild.  He  married  Jean,  daughter  of  John 
Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  and  had — 

1.  Patrick,  next  of  Southdun. 

2.  James  of  Lyth,  who  in  1707  acquired  Alterwall  and  part  of  Brabsterdorran. 

3.  David  in  Brabsterdorran,  who  fought  on  the  Stewart  side  at  Sheriffmuir  in  17 15.  He  married 

and  had  a  son — 

David,  who  married  Jean,  daughter  of  George  Sinclair,  second  son  of  Brabsterdorran, 
and  had  a  son — 

Alexander,*  who  in  17S0  sold  his  interest  in  Brabsterdorran. 

4.  Alexander. 

1.  Margaret,  married  William  Bruce  of  Stanstill. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  Donald  Budge  of  Toftingall  in  1672. 

3.  Isobell,  married  Lawrence  Calder  of  Lynegar  in  1653. 

III.  Patrick  Sinclair,  Third  of  Southdun,  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Jas. 
Murray  of  Pennyland,  and  had — 

1.  James.  2.  David.  3.  Patrick. 

1.  Marjory,  married  William  Calder  of  Lynegar.         2.  Jean. 

3.  Janet,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Rattar.  4.  Elizabeth,  married  Henry  Budge. 

IV.  James  Sinclair,  died  in  minority,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother 

V.  David  Sinclair.  He  executed  an  entail  of  the  estate  in  1747.  He  was  three 
times  married:  First,  in  1714,  to  Lady  Janet  Sinclair,  daughter  of  John,  Earl  of  Caith- 
ness, who  died  1720.     By  her  he  had — 

1.  Patrick,  who  died  about  1724.  1.  Jkan,  who  died  young. 

2.  Jean  II.,  married  Sir  William  Dunbar  of  Hempriggs,  and  died  s.p 

3.  Janet,  married  Dr.  Stuart  Threipland  of  Fingask. 

He  married,  secondly,  in   1748,  Marjory,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert   Dunbar  of  Northfield, 
and  had — 

1.  Marjory,  married  first,  John,  son  of  Sir  Patrick  Dunbar  of  Northfield,  her  cousin-german, 

and  had  no  issue  ;    secondl)-,  James  Sinclair  of  Harpsdale  and  had  with  other  issue  died 
unmarried — 

1.  Henrietta  of  Southdun.         2.  Janet,  married  Colonel  Williamson  of  Banniskirk. 

2.  Katharine,  died  unmarried. 

He  married,  thirdly,  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Murray  of  Clairden,  and  had — 

I.  Margaret,  died  unmarried  at  Lyons  in  1774. 
David  Sinclair  was  succeeded  in  Southdun  by  his  granddaughter  Henrietta  Sinclair 
of  Harpsdale,  who  married  Colonel  Wemyss,  and  had  an  only  child 

William  Sinclair  Wemyss,  late  of  Southdun,  who  married  Henrietta,  daughter  of 
Sir  Benjamin  Dunbar,  Lord  Duffus,  and  died  in  1831  leaving  issue. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    BRABSTERDORRAN.! 

I.  Francis  Sinclair,  first  of  this  family,  was  second  son  of  William  Sinclair,  first 
of  Southdun,  by  his  wife  Marjory  Bruce.  Francis  held  a  portion  of  Brabsterdorran  in 
1683.      He  married  Elizabeth  Sinclair  (family  uncertain),  and  had — 

1.  Patrick,  who  succeeded. 

2.  George,  who  m.  Elizabeth,  d.  of  Alexander  Gibson,  dean  of  Bower,  and  had  an  only  child — 

Jean,  married  her  cousin  David  Sinclair  in  Whitegar,  and  had  issue — 
Alexander  Sinclair  of  Brabsterdorran. 

*  See  Sinclairs  of  Brabsterdorran.  tHenderson. 


244  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


II.  Patrick  Sinclair,  a  portioner  of  Brabsterdorran,  married  in  1703  Barbara, 
second  daughter  of  William  Cumming,  minister  of  Halkirk,  and  his  wife  Katharine, 
daughter  of  John  Murray  of  Pennyland.     Patrick  is  said  to  have  had  two  sons — 

1.  William,  nicknamed  "  La  Mode,"  a  midshipman  in  the  navy,  and  thereafter  in  the  Customs 

at  Thurso.     He  m.  Rachel,  d.  of  Mr.  Cumming  of  Craigmiln  in  Morayshire,  and  among 
other  children  had — 

Katharine,  married  Alex.  Cumming,  tacksman  of  Rattar. 

2.  James,  who  was  tide-waiter  in  the  Customs  at  Thurso. 

In  1670  Henry  Dundas,  then  one  of  the  portioners  of  Brabsterdorran,  granted  a 
wadset  to  John  Sinclair  in  Brabsterdorran,  and  Margaret  his  wife,  and  William  their 
eldest  son.  In  1693  Margaret  Sinclair,  then  relict  of  John,  assigned  the  wadset  to  her 
son  Alexander.  Whether  these  Sinclairs  were  connected  with  the  Brabsterdorran,  or 
Dun  and  Southdun  families,  has  not  been  ascertained. 

III.  *Alexander  Sinclair  of  Brabsterdorran,  portioner  thereof  in  right  of  his 
mother,  was  born  at  Rattar  House,  retoured  heir  to  his  great-grandfather,  Francis  Sinclair, 
2nd  April,  1772.  He  married  in  1768  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  Christie,  bleacher  at 
Ormiston.  She  died  at  Edinburgh  6th  April,  1837,  aged  87.  He  sold  his  interest  in 
Brabsterdorran  in  1780  to  Miss  Sinclair  of  Southdun,  and  dying  shortly  thereafter  was 
buried  in  the  Kirk  of  Bower.     He  had  six  children — 

1.  William,  born  in  177 1,  died  in  West  Indies,  unmarried. 

2.  David,  born   1772,  married  Ann   Dilworth,  who  died  13th   November,   1818,  aged  42.     He 

died  1st  April,  1840,  and  had  issue — 

1.  David.  2.  William.  3.  Alexander.  4.  james. 

5.  Margaret.       6.  Georgina. 

3.  Mary,  born  1774,  married,  1799,  Wm.  Griffith,  who  died  30th  June,  1820,  aged  56.     She  died 

24th  December,  1856,  aged  84,  and  had  issue — 

4.  Catherine,  born  1777,  married,  1810,  Geo.  Thomson,  solicitor. 

5.  John,  aftermentioned. 

6.  DoublEDAy,  born  1780,  married,  1803,  Thos.  Tait,  and  had  issue — 

IV.  John  Sinclair,  born  4th  February,  1777,  was  killed  in  a  railway  collision 
near  Edinburgh  7th  December,  1854.  He  married  in  1799  Elisabeth,  daughter  of  James 
Grant  of  Corrimony,  advocate.     She  died  12th  December,  1840.  aged  70,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Mary  Anne,  died  young.  2.  Alexander,  died  young. 

3.  Margaret,  born  1805,  died  18th  January,  1832.         4.  John,  born  1807,  died  23rd  May,  1847. 

5.  Jane,  married  23rd  May,  1840,  Dr.  John  Park,  R.N.,  and  died  15th  Aug.,  1870,  and  had  issue— 

Lucy  Ann,  born  2nd  December,  1841  ;  died  19th  August,  i860. 

Maitland,  born  12th  May,  1844  ;  married  at  Brisbane,  Margaret  Maclean  Kennedy. 

6.  Anne,  died  28th  April,  1862,  unmarried. 

7.  Veitch,  M.D.,  born  28th  October,  1810;  died  at  London  22nd  May,  1892  ;  married  1st  June, 

1842,  Harriet,  daughter  of  Thos.  Tweedie  of  Quarter,  Peeblesshire,  and  had  issue — 
1.  Thomas  Veitch,  died  16th  November,  1846.         2.   Alexander,  died  young. 

3.  Harriet  Elisabeth. 

4.  Alexander  James,  M.D.,   born   September,    1848  ;   died    23rd    February,   1889  ; 

m.  7th  June,  1881,  Louisa,  daughter  of  Geo.  Stewart,  and  had  issue. 

5.  Henry  Tweedie  James,  L.R.C.P.S.  ;  married  22nd  February,  1887,  Mary  Louisa, 

daughter  of  J.  J.  Macswiney,  London,  and  has  issue  a  daughter. 

6.  Arthur   Veitch   Augustine,  M.D.,    born    12th    July,    1856  ;    married    Matilda 

Donaldson,  and  has  issue. 

7.  Adelaide  Jane,  born  27th  December,  1858  ;  died  14th  February,  1859. 

*The  subsequent  information  as  to  this  branch  was  supplied  by  Francis  J.  Grant,  "  Carrick  Pursuivant." 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  BRABSTERDORRAN.  245 

8.  Mary,  died  young.  9.   ELIZA,  died  young. 

ro.  William,  died  16th  March,    1S6S  ;    married,   1838,  Jane,  daughter   of  David    R.   Andrews, 
Dundee,  and  had  issue — 

William,  married  16th  March,  1868,  Sophia,  daughter  of  Robert  Paton,  W.S. 
And  several  others  who  died  young. 

11.  Lucy,  born  29th  September,  1820  ;  died  31st  May,  1879  ;  married  1st  October,  1839,  Anthony 

Clapham,  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Lucy,  born   nth  July,  1840;   married   10th  July,   1861,  her  mother's  cousin,  John 

Grant,  Marchmont  Herald,  and  had  issue — 

Calvert  John.  Lucy  Antonia.  Edith  Margaret. 

Francis  James  Grant,  W.S. ,  "Carrick  Pursuivant,"  author  0/ " Zetland  County 
Families,"  ''  Grants  ol  Corrimony,"  <0c,  <fcc. 

2.  Reginald,  b.  20th  February,  1848  ;  d.  3rd  January,  1889  ;  and  had  issue  5  children. 

3.  Mary  Jane.      4.  Maria  Anne.       5.  Anthony  Calvert,  b.  18th  December,  1856. 

12.  James,  born  1822  ;  died  at  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  June,  1874. 

THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  FORSS.* 

Previous  to  1567  the  lands  of  Forss  and  Baillie  belonged  to  the  Bishopric,  but  in 
that  year  they  were  feued  out  to  John,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  and  Eleanor  his  wife;  and  in 
January,  1560,  they  were  granted  in  feu  to  David  Sinclair  of  Dun  {quod  vide)  in  liferent, 
and  to  his  three  sons,  William,  Alexander,  and  Henry,  and  to  the  heirs-male  of  their 
bodies  lawfully  begotten,  in  succession,  in  fee. 

I.  David  Sinclair  of  Dun,  and  First  Sinclair  of  Forss,  was  probably  of  the 
Caithness  family,  and  died  in  March,  1560.      He  had  five  sons — 

1.  William,  fiar  of  Forss.  2.  Alexander,  mentioned  in  1560,  vide  supra. 

3.  Henry,  conceived  to  be  the  Henry  Sinclair  slain  in  1586. 

4.  George,  who  with  his  brother  William  witnesses  a  contract  of  marriage  at  Girnigo  Castle 

22nd  November,  1563. 

5.  Mathew,  mentioned  in  15S4. 

If  Henry  Sinclair,  slain  in   1586,  was  the  son  of  David  Sinclair  of  Dun,  then  the  latter 
had  also  a  daughter — 

1.  Christian  Sinclair,   the  cousin  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  who   married  about   1557-58 
Y -McKay  of  Farr. 

II.  William  Sinclair  "of  Forss"  is  so  styled  in  1561-62-63  and  subsequent 
years,  and  in  1567  he  was  a  witness,  along  with  John  Sinclair  of  Dun,  to  a  notarial  instru- 
ment in  favour  of  Alexander,  Earl  of  Sutherland.  In  May,  1561,  he  was  admitted  vassal 
in  Forss  by  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  from  which  we  may  safely  infer  that  his  father  was 
then  dead.  In  the  same  year  he  gave  a  liferent  right  in  Forss  to  one  Mary  Stirling. 
He  married  Janet  Urquhart,  held  to  be  of  the  ancient  knightly  family  of  Urquhart  of 
Cromarty,  and  had  issue  two  sons — 

1.  David,  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Murray  of  Pulrossie,  and  or  Spanziedale,  both  in  Suther- 

land.    He  died  in  apparency,  and  without  issue. 

2.  Alexander,  successor  to  his  father. 

III.  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Forss  married  in  1608  Margaret,  daughter  of  George 
Sinclair  of  Mey.  She  is  mentioned  as  "  Gude  Wyff  of  Forss. "  They  had  two  sons  and 
a  daughter — 

1.  David  ;  and  2.  George,  successively  of  Forss. 
1.  Katharine,  married  George  Innes  of  Oust. 


Henderson. 


246  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


IV.  David  Sinclair  died  without  issue,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother 

V.  George  Sinclair  of  Forss,  who  married  twice.  By  his  first  wife  Jean,  daughter 
of  David  Sinclair  of  Dun,  he  had — 

i.  Margaret,  married  Malcolm  Grote  of  Warse. 
By  his  second  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  Jas.  Sinclair  of  Murkle,  he  had — 
i.  John,  his  successor. 

VI.  John  Sinclair  of  Forss  was  married  three  times.  First,  to  Janet,  daughter 
of  William  Sutherland  of  Geise,  by  whom  he  had — 

i.  George,  who  succeeded. 
Secondly,  to  Barbara,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of  Rattar,  by  whom  he  had — 

i.  John,  afterwards  of  Forss.  2.  James  of  Holbornhead,  and  afterwards  of  Forss. 

3.  WILLIAM,  physician  in  Thurso,  who  married  in  1742,  Barbara,  daughter  of  Robert  Sinclair 
of  Geise,  and  died  in  1767.     He  had — 

1.  Dr.  William  Sinclair,  afterwards  of  Freswick. 
1.  Janet,  married  James  Mackie,  an  officer  of  Excise. 
1.  Elizabeth. 

Thirdly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Richard  Murry  of  Pennyland,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Mary,  married  James  Campbell  of  Lochend  ) 

2.  Jean,  married  Hugo  Campbell  j"  Joint  Sheriff-clerks  of  Caithness. 

3.  Margaret,  died  unmarried  in  1771. 

VII.  George  Sinclair  of  Forss  seems  to  have  led  a  reckless  life,  and  in  1728  was 
strongly  recommended  by  his  brother  John  to  renew  his  addresses  to  a  young  lady  with 
money,  "and  never  to  give  over  till  you  have  obtained  your  wishes,"  and  thus  to  pay 
his  debts,  "which  you'll  never  pay  but  by  marrying  a  person  with  money."  The  Laird 
disregarded  his  brother's  advice  and  died  unmarried. 

VIII.  John  Sinclair  of  Forss,  half-brother  of  George,  was  minister  of  Watten  in 
1733,  and  died  in  1753.  He  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Olrig,  and 
had  a  son  Alexander. 

IX.  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Forss  was  somewhat  eccentric  in  his  habits.  He  died 
unmarried  and  was  succeeded  by  his  uncle, 

X.  James  Sinclair  of  Forss  and  Holbornhead,  who  married  in  1737,  Jean, 
daughter  of  Robert  Sinclair  of  Geise,  advocate,  and  had  by  her — 

1.  Robert,  Captain  in  the  Army  ;  afterwards  of  Freswick. 

2.  William,  surgeon  in  the  Army;  died  unmarried  at  St.  Domingo  in  1794. 

3.  James,  next  of  Forss. 

1.  Catharine,  Mrs.  Campbell. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Bane,  Tacksman  of  Dale,  in  1782. 

Holbornhead  married,  secondly,  apparently  after  1775,  a  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of 
Scotscalder,  of  which  marriage  there  was  no  issue.  The  social  habits  of  Caithness  in 
1737  are  well  illustrated  in  a  letter  given  by  a  gentleman  present  at  Holbornhead's 
marriage  :  "  We  had  a  rantin  bridal  and  a  brave  jolly  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  ; 
your  sisters  and  the  ladies  of  the  familie  ;  Freswick,  Brabster,  Scotscalder,  Assery, 
Thura,  Eybster,  Mass  John  Sinclair  (Rev.  John  Sinclair,  minister  of  Watten),  the 
Frenchman,  Mr.  Harry  Innes,  John  of  Bower,  Toftkemp,  etc.  We  danced  four  days  out, 
and  drank  heartily,  and  thereafter  went  home  with  the  young  wife,  where  we  renewed 
our  mirth  to  a  height." 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  FORSS. 


247 


XI.  James  Sinclair  of  Forss  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Army.  He  married  Johanna, 
daughter  of  George  McKay  of  Bighouse,  and  had — 

1.  James. 

2.  George  Lewis,  W.S.,  of  Dalveoch,  married  nth  February,    1830,   Frances  Ann,   second 

daughter  of  John  Boazman  of  Acornbank,  Westmoreland  ;  died  suns  issue  on  22nd  October, 
1878,  aged  75. 

3.  William,  Captain  in  the  Army  ;  died  unmarried. 

4.  Hugh,  died  unmarried  in  Australia. 

1.  Jean,  died  unmarried.  2.  JESneasina,  married  Mr.  Stevenson. 

3.  Louisa,  married  Captain  Hector  Macneill.  4.  Elizabeth.  5.  Janet. 

Forss  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

XII.  James  Sinclair  of  Forss,  Twelfth  Laird,  advocate  1827,  died  at  Forss, 
1st  March,  1876,  aged  73.  He  married  26th  June,  1828,  his  cousin  Jessie,  daughter  of 
Wm.  Sinclair  Wemyss  of  Southdun,  and  had  issue  thirteen  sons  and  four  daughters,  of 
whom  eight  sons  and  three  daughters  survived  him.     They  were — 

1.  James,  Lieut. -Colonel,  R. A.,  died  unmarried  in  1873.         2.  Henry,  d.  in  India,  unmarried. 

3.  George  William,  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Wm.  Young  of  Korsit,  Victoria,  and  had — 

1.  Chas.  Wemyss,  now  of  Forss.  2.  George  Wm.  Young,  born  1S67. 

4.  Robert.  5.  Charles.  6.  Ramsay,  died  s.p.  7.  Edward. 
8.  Garden  Octavius,  died  1883,  and  left  a  son.            9.  William,  died  s.p.  1878. 

10.  Albert,  died  young.  11.  John,  died  unmarried  1876. 

12.  Frederick,  died  unmarried,  1879.  13.  Wellesley,  died  young. 

1.  Joanna.  2.  Janet,  died  young.  3.  Henrietta.  4.  Louisa,  died  1883. 


THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   STIRKOKE. 

I.  In  1587  David  Sinclair  obtained  a  Crown  charter  of  Stirkoke  and  Alterwall,  in 
which  he  is  designed  "  filio  naturali  quond.  Joannis  Magistri  Cathanensis,"  and  in  1588  he 
received  letters  of  legitimation.  He  died  cir.  1595,  leaving  a  son  John,  as  also  a  natural 
son,  Colonel  George  Sinclair,  who  was  slain  in  an  expedition  to  Norway  in  161 2. 

II.  John  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke  fell  in  fight  at  Thurso  in  1612.  It  is  uncertain 
whether  he  had  any  issue. 

III.  Francis  Sinclair,  Laird  of  Stirkoke  in  1624,  was  a  natural  son  of 
George  III.,  43rd  Earl  of  Caithness  by  (semble)  Barbara  Mearns.  Stirkoke  married 
Margaret  Williamson,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Francis,  his  successor.  2.  John.  3.  Gustavus. 

1.  Marjory,  fifth  wife  of  Donald,  first  Lord  Reay. 

2.  Anne,  married  Colonel  Francis  Sinclair  of  Scrabster,  son  of  the  first  Assery. 
In  about  1621  he  fought  a  duel  with  his  relative  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Mey. 

IV.  Francis  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke  married  in  1658,  Anne,  eldest  daughter  of 
Patrick  Sinclair  of  LTlbster.  His  mother  and  his  '  uncle,'  Francis  Sinclair  of  Northfield, 
were  parties  to  the  marriage  contract.      Francis  Sinclair  had  four  sons  and  a  daughter — 

1.  Patrick,  eldest  son  in  1676.  2.  John,  who  succeeded. 

3.  George,  called  the  second  son,  who  in  1673-5  had  a  charter  to  Sibster-Wick. 

4.  Charles  of  Bilbster,  who  had  the  unenviable  sobriquet  of  "  Earl  of  Hell."     He  married, 

first,    Katharine,   daughter  of  George  Sinclair  of  Barrock  ;    and  secondly,   Mar}-  Dunbar 
He  had  issue — 

Fenella,  married  to  Donald  Sinclair  of  Olrig. 
1.  Jean,  married  John  Gibson,  minister  of  Evie,  Orkney. 


248  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


V.  John  Sinclair  was  served  heir  to  his  father  in  1681,  and  died  about  1706.  He 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  Jas.  Sinclair  of  Mey,  and  had  two  sons — 

1.  Francis.  2.  George,  successively  of  Stirkoke. 

VI.  Francis  Sinclair  had  several  daughters,  of  whom — 
Frances,  married  Bernard  Clunes,  merchant  in  Cromarty,  and  had  issue. 

Having  no  sons,  Francis  Sinclair  disponed  the  estate  to  his  brother  George  in  1610. 
Some  litigation  ensued  between  the  daughter  Frances  Clunes  and  her  uncle  with  regard 
to  the  lands,  but  under  a  submission  they  were  awarded  to  him  as  heir-male. 

VII.  George  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke  married  Isabella  Strahan,  and  died  in  1744, 
leaving  three  sons  and  two  daughters — 

1.  Charles,  apparent  in  176S.  2.  Francis,  shipmaster  in  Wick. 

1.  Elizabeth,  m.  Geo.  Smith  in  Dunnett.  2.  Helen,  m.  John  Sinclair  of  Sibster. 

VIII.  Charles  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Alexander 
Sinclair  of  Olrig,  and  had  an  only  daughter — 

Katharine  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke,  who  resided  and  died  at  Scorraclett,  unmarried. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  ULBSTER.* 

The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  William  Sinclair,  first  Laird  of  Mey,  second  son  of 
George  II.,  42nd  Earl  of  Caithness.  His  elder  brother  John  having  with  his  connivance 
been  imprisoned  by  his  father  in  Castle  Girnigo,  he  was,  on  the  occasion  of  a  visit  to  the 
dungeon  of  the  Master,  laid  hold  of  by  him  and  crushed  to  death  in  an  iron  embrace. 
The  event  occurred  in  1572  or  1573,  and  prevented  him  from  legitimatising  by  subse- 
quent marriage  either  of  his  two  natural  sons  Patrick  and  John.  The  mother  of  the 
former  was  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Mowat  of  Balquhollie,  and  of  the  latter  was 
Lucy,  daughter  of  Gordon  of  Gight.  Letters  of  legitimation  passed  the  Great  Seal  on 
20th  June,  1567,  for  "  Patricio  et  Magistro  Joanni  Sinclair  filiis  naturalibus  quondam 
Willelmi  Sinclair  de  Mey." 

I.  Patrick  Sinclair,  First  of  Ulbster,  got  a  disposition  of  these  lands  in  1596 
from  his  "cousin"  George,  43rd  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  dying  without  issue,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  brother 

II.  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  who  was  a  man  of  education  and  ability.  His 
name  is  invariably  prefixed  by  "Mr."  or  "  Maister, "  a  term  usually  applied  to  peda- 
gogues, preachers,  notaries,  and  the  like.  In  1601  the  General  Assembly  planted 
ministers  in  the  families  of  the  Catholic  nobles,  and  Lord  Gordon,  eldest  son  of  the 
Marquis  of  Huntly,  and  the  Master  of  Caithness  were  allotted  to  the  care  of  two 
pedagogues,  one  being  John  Sinclair,  who  was  compelled  to  declare  himself  an  adherent 
of  the  reformed  faith.  That  John  Sinclair  the  pedagogue  was  afterwards  Mr.  John 
Sinclair  of  Ulbster  is  clear,  for  in  a  letter  from  him  to  his  "uncle"  George  Sinclair  of 
Mey,  in  1604,  we  find  that  he  and  the  Master  of  Caithness  lived  in  the  family  of  the 
Marquis  of  Huntly  at  Bogg  Gight  ;  and  in  regard  to  the  Master  he  writes  :  ' '  always  the 
Mr.  is  verie  weill,  God  be  praysit,  and  commends  him  heartily  to  you."  John  Sinclair 
was  twice  married  :    first,  to  Jean  Chisholm,  daughter  to  the  Laird  of  Straglass,  and 

*  Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  ULBSTER.  249 

secondly,  to  Katharine  Stewart.     By  his  first  marriage  he  had  two  sons  and  a  daughter — 
1.  Patrick,  his  successor.  2.  George,  a  merchant  in  Leith. 

1.  Henrietta,    married   the    Rev.  Wm.   Abernethy   (son  of  John,   Bishop   of   Caithness)   of 
Halkirk  1627,  and  of  Thurso  in  1636. 
By  his  second  wife  Ulbster  had  a  son  and  two  daughters — 

1.  John  of  Tannach  and  Brims,  who  served  in  the  German  wars,  and  in  1660  bought  Brims 
from  the  heirs  of  the  first  Sinclairs  of  Dunbeath.     He  married  Ann  Goldman,  and  had — 

1.  John,  afterwards  of  Ulbster. 

2.  William   of  Thrumster,  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Jas.  Innes  of  Thursater. 

His  wife  had  Oust  in  liferent.     He  had  a  son— 

1.  William,  who  in  1719  disponed  Oust  to  John  Sinclair  of  Brims.     He 
m.  Jean,  natural  d.  of  Sir  George  Sinclair  of  Bilbster  and  Clyth  [Bart.]. 

3.  Charles. 

1.  Jean,  married,  first,  Francis  Sinclair  of  Dun  ;  and  secondly,  David  Sinclair  of  Southdun. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Rattar. 

John  Sinclair  of  Tannach  had  two  natural  sons,  one  of  whom  was  James,  probably 
James  Sinclair  "in  Lythmore, "  and  the  same  James  Sinclair  who  in  1702  obtained  from 
his  "brother,"  John  of  Ulbster  and  Brims,  a  wadset  of  Holbornhead,  Uttersquoy,  and 
Sandiquoy. 

III.  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Ulbster  was  served  heir  to  his  father  John  in  1640, 
and  in  1647  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  McKay  of  Strathy  and  Dirlot.  He  had 
two  sons  and  seven  daughters — 

1.  John,  who  succeeded. 

2.  Sir    George  Sinclair  of  Bilbster   and  Clyth  [Bart.],  married  Jean,  daughter  of  Wm. 

Sinclair  of  Dunbeath,  and  had  no  issue.     He  had  three  natural  daughters — 

1.  Jean,  m.  Wm.  Sinclair,  yr.  of  Thrumster.  2.  Mary.  3.  Anne. 

1.  Anne,  married  Francis  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  in  1660  John  Sinclair  of  Brabster. 

3.  Mary,  married  in  1675  Sir  Robert  Dunbar  of  Northfield. 

4.  Isabel,  married  in  1673  George,  eldest  son  of  James  Sinclair  of  Assery. 

5.  Margaret,  married  in   1679  her  cousin-german  Hugh  McKay  of  Cairnsloch,  son  of  John 

McKay  of  Skerray.  6.  Jean,  married  Angus  McKay,  apparent  of  Bighouse. 

7.  Katharine,  married  James  Sinclair  of  Lybster. 

In  1660  Ulbster  and  his  son  John  acquired  various  lands  by  purchase  from  the  Earl 
of  Caithness,  and  others  from  Lord  Glenorchy  in  1676. 

IV.  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Rattar. 
Having  no  family  he  settled  the  estates  in  1709  by  an  entail,  the  first  substitute  being 
John  of  Brims,  eldest  son  of  John  Sinclair  of  Tannach  and  Brims. 

V.  John  Sinclair  of  Brims  and  Ulbster  was  twice  married,  first  to  Jean,  daughter 
of  Munro  of  Culrain  ;  and  secondly,  to  Jean  Cores.      By  his  first  marriage  he  had  issue — 

1.  John,  his  successor. 

2.  Patrick  of  Brims.     Tradition  ascribes  to  him  an  intrigue  with  a  daughter  of  James  Sinclair 

of  Uttersquoy  (probably  natural  brother  of  his  father).  She  disappeared  mysteriously, 
and  was  supposed  to  have  been  spirited  away  by  Brims,  and  her  body  concealed  in  the 
castle,  which  consequently  had  the  reputation  of  being  haunted.  Patrick  left  the  country, 
and  is  said  to  have  enlisted  in  the  Guards. 

3.  James  of  Holbornhead.     This  property,  which  was  disponed  to  him  by  his  father,  he  sold  to 

Robert  Sinclair  of  Geise.  4.  Gustavus,  a  merchant  in  Leith. 

1.  Sidney,  eldest  daughter.  2.  Jean  or  Janet,  m.  first,  Benj.  Dunbar,  yr.  of  Hempriggs. 

3.  Elizabeth,  married  John  McKay,  second  of  Strathy. 


250  CAITHNESS  CADETS. 


VI.  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  sometime  younger  of  Brims,  married  Henrietta, 
daughter  of  Geo.  Brodie  of  Brodie,  and  died  in  1736.     He  had — 

1.  George,  his  successor. 

2.  James  of  Harpsdale.     He  m.  first,  Marjory,  d.   of  David  Sinclair  of  Southdun  ;  secondly, 

Mally  Sutherland  of  Spinningdale  ;  and  thirdly,  Katharine,  daughter  of  Alex.  Sinclair  of 
Lybster  ;  and  died  s.p.  m.  3.  Capt.  John,  married  Elizabeth,  widow  of  John  Wilmer. 

1.  Emilia,  married  John  Sutherland  of  Forse. 

VII.  George  Sinclair  of  Ulbster  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Lord  Strathnaver. 
He  died  in  1776,  having  had — 

1.  John,  who  succeeded. 

1.  HELEN,  married  Alex.  Campbell  of  Barcaldine,  whose  daughter  Jane  married  James,  Earl 
of  Caithness  in  1784.         2.  Mary,  married  James  Homerigg  of  Gamalshiels. 

3.  Janet,  married  Wm.  Baillie,  Lord  Polkemmet  of  the  Court  of  Session. 

VIII.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster  was  born  in  1754,  and  in  1788  was  created 
a  baronet,  with  remainder  in  default  of  male  issue  to  the  male  issue  of  his  daughters. 


THE   SINCLAIRS   OF    KIRK  AND   MYRELANDHORN.* 

I.  Henry  Sinclair  in  Canisbay  in  1592  got  a  charter  from  the  Earl  of  Caithness 
of  part  of  Kirk  and  Myrelandhorn.  In  1582  there  is  mention  in  the  Earl  of  Caithness' 
testament  of  Henry  Sinclair,  his  servitor,  who  may  have  been  the  Henry  Sinclair  of  1592. 
Henry  Sinclair  of  Kirk  had  two  sons — 

r.  James.  2.  David  in  Olrig. 

II.  James  Sinclair  got  a  charter  from  his  father  in  1627,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  brother. 

III.  David  Sinclair,  only  lawful  brother,  got  a  precept  of  dare  constat  in  1667,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  son  John. 

IV.  John  Sinclair  got  a  disposition  from  his  father  in  1669,  and  a  charter  of 
novo-damus  from  the  Bishop  in  1680.  John  Sinclair  was  "servitor  to  Sir  Wm.  Sharp, 
Keeper  of  the  Signet, ' '  and  he  afterwards  appears  to  have  been  a  merchant  in  Edinburgh. 

In  1643  Wm.  Sinclair,  elder,  merchant  in  Thurso,  got  a  wadset  from  James  Sinclair  ; 
and  had  a  son  Thomas,  who  again  had  a  son  William.  They  adjudged  Kirk  and  Myreland, 
and  in  1680  Wm.  Sinclair  disponed  these  lands  to  John  Sinclair,  who  sold  them  to  John 
Sinclair  of  Barrock.  Nisbet  mentions  the  arms  of  "  Thomas,  lawful  son  to  Wm.  Sinclair, 
merchant  in  Thurso,  of  the  family  of  Caithness."  These  may  have  been  the  same 
Sinclairs  who  apprised  Kirk  and  Myreland,  and  who  may  have  been  connected  with  the 
Sinclairs  descended  from  Henry  Sinclair  in  Canisbay,  who  got  the  lands  from  the  Earl 
of  Caithness. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   LYBSTER,  REAY.* 

Before  the  rise  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Lybster  in  Latheron,  there  were  Sinclairs  of  Lybster 

in  Reay,  dating  from  at  least  1636.     Their  origin  is  uncertain,  but  it  is  conjectured  that 

they  may  have  been  the  descendants  of  Henry  Sinclair,  who  died  about   16 14,  a  natural 

son  of  John,  Master  of  Caithness,  and  who  got  from  his  brother,  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  a 

*  Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  LYBSTER,  REAY.  251 

wadset  of  Downreay.  and  part  of  Lybster.  Or  possibly  this  family  may  have  been  of  the 
Sinclairs  of  Dunbeath,  who  held  Downreay  and  other  lands  in  Reay. 

In  1636  there  is  mention  of  David  Sinclair  of  Lybster,  and  in  1638  of  Wm.  Sinclair 
of  Lybster,  who  then  appears  as  witness  to  a  deed  by  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Spittal,  son  of 
Richard  of  Brims,  and  grandson  of  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath.  David  and  William  were 
probably  brothers,  each  inheriting  a  portion  of  Lybster.  William  had  a  daughter 
Margaret,  who  as  heir  to  her  father  executed  a  renunciation  in  1648,  in  favour  of  her 
cousin,  James  Sinclair  of  Lybster. 

David  Sinclair  of  Lybster  had  two  lawful  sons — 

1.  James,  fiar   of  Lybster  in   1637,  who  died   between  1648  and  1661.     He  married  Margaret 

Macleod,  and  had — 

1.  David,  who  is  mentioned  down  to  1670. 

1.  Barbara,  married  Donald  Campbell,  Elder  in  Thurso. 

2.  Robert,  who  with  consent  of  his  brother  James,  in   1640,  married  Barbara,  daughter  of 

George  Sinclair  in  Downreay,  the  brother  of  Richard  Sinclair  of  Brims,  and  son  of  Wm. 
Sinclair  of  Dunbeath. 


THE   SINCLAIRS    OF   ACHINGALE    AND    NEWTON.* 

I.  William  Sinclair,  first  of  Achingale  and  Newton,  was  the  son  of  Alex.  Sinclair 
of  Sixpenny,  who  is  thought  to  be  identical  with  Alex.,  eldest  son  of  Wm.  Sinclair  of 
Hoy,  of  whom  there  is  otherwise  no  particular  account.  Alex.  Sinclair  married  in  1697 
Beatrice,  only  daughter  of  Geo.  Sinclair,  second  son  of  Jas.  Sinclair,  first  of  Lybster,  and 
she  and  her  husband,  on  the  supposition  that  the  latter  was  son  of  Wm.  of  Hoy,  stood  in 
the  relation  of  cousins.  By  this  marriage  Alex.  Sinclair  had  several  sons  and  daughters, 
among  whom  were — 

1.  William,  mentioned  in  1733  as  second  son.  2.  Francis.  3.  Sidney. 

1.  Margaret,  eldest  daughter,  married  in  1722  Alex.  Calder  of  Achingale. 

II.  William  Sinclair  of  Achingale  married  in  1738  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir 
James  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath.  Sir  James  had  acquired  the  right  of  reversion  of  the  wadsets 
of  Achingale  held  by  the  Calders  ;  and  about  1738  or  1740  he  had  redeemed  the  lands, 
which  he  thereafter  sold  to  Wm.  Sinclair,  by  whom  a  Crown  charter  was  expede  in  1752. 
Wm.  Sinclair  had  a  son  and  two  daughters — 

1.  Alexander.  i.  Janet.  2.  Margaret. 

III.  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Achingale,  who  was  a  merchant  in  Jamaica,  suc- 
ceeded his  father,  and  was  infeft  in  1768.     He  died  without  issue. 

IV.  Janet  Sinclair  succeeded  her  brother,  and  died  unmarried  in  1783. 

V.  Margaret  Sinclair  succeeded  her  sister,  and  married  in  1798  Alex.  Sinclair,  a 
son  of  Alex.  Sinclair,  tenant  in  Houstry,  Halkirk,  who  had  been  for  some  time  in 
Jamaica.  In  1804  they  sold  the  lands  to  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Freswick  for  ,£7,000.  There 
was  no  issue  of  the  marriage,  and  the  family  of  Sinclair  of  Achingale  is  presumably  extinct. 

THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  HOY  AND  OLDFIELD.* 

I.  John,  Master  of  Berriedale,  granted  in  1630  a  wadset  of  Hoy  to  one  William 
Sinclair,  who  held  also  the  lands  of  Cairdscroft,  Oldfield,  and  Hallowtoft,  near  Thurso. 


252  CAITHNESS   CADETS. 


This  William  Sinclair  is  a  different  person  from  William  Sinclair  of  Hoy  and  Scotscalder, 
and  is  probably  "  William  Sinclair  in  Thurso  East  "  who  is  mentioned  in  the  proceedings 
against  the  Earl  of  Caithness  and  others  for  the  forcible  abduction  in   1668  of  William 
McKay  of  Scourie.     By  his  wife  Katharine  Anguson  William  Sinclair  had  two  sons — 
I.  James.  2.  William. 

II.  James,  the  eldest  son,  wasjiar  of  Hoy  in  1676,  and  in  Hoy  in  1700.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Sinclair,  who  in  1730  is  described  as  relict  of  James  Sinclair  of  Oldfield.  James 
Sinclair  of  Hoy  and  his  wife  disponed  the  wadset  of  these  lands  to  Sir  George  Sinclair  of 
Clyth,  through  whom  it  came  into  the  hands  of  his  nephew  William  Sinclair  of  Hoy  and 
Scotscalder. 

III.  The  second  son  of  William  Sinclair  of  Hoy  and  Oldfield  was  William 
Sinclair,  Commissary  of  Caithness,  who  married  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  of  James 
Innes  of  Sandside.     He  had  two  sons — 

1.  William,  who  got  from  his  grandfather  in   1690  a  disposition  to  Oldfield,  Cairdscroft,  and 

Hallowtoft,  which  he  disponed  to  his  brother  in  1729. 

2.  Robert,  Rector   of  Bulfen,    in   Essex,   who   in   1731    disponed   Oldfield,    Cairdscroft,    and 

Hallowtoft  to  William  Innes  of  Sandside. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  of  BORLUM,  TOFTKEMP,  and  THURA.* 
There  is  in  the  South  or  "  Murkle  Aisle"  of  the  parish  church  of  Thurso  a  mural 
inscription  on  the  north-west  wall  in  the  following  terms  : — ' '  This  is  the  burial  place  of 
James  Sinclair  of  Borlum  ;  and  here  lyes  James  Sinclair,  his  eldest  son,  and  his  spouse 
Elizabeth  Innes,  who  left  behind  them  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Sinclair,  who  was  Rector 
of  [James]  interred  in  Leckpatrick,  nigh  Strabane  in  Ireland,  1665.  "  "  Here  lyes  Isabel 
Sinclair,  who  was  married  to  the  Rev.  Geo.  Anderson,  Minister  of  Halkirk  ;  and 
Elizabeth  Sinclair,  married  to  John  Farquhr,  Bailze  of  Thurso  ;  and  Margaret  Sinclair, 
spouse  to  Geo.  Sinclair  in  Ulgrimbeg." 

Who  James  Sinclair  of  Borlum  was,  is  very  uncertain.  He  may  have  been  a  grandson 
of  William  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath,  to  whom  Brubster,  Brims,  Toftkemp,  and  Thura  be- 
longed ;  Borlum's  name  occurs  in  common  with  all  these  places  in  the  count}'  records 
from  1624  to  1646,  or  he  may  have  been  a  son  of  James  Sinclair,  first  of  Murkle,  and 
brother  of  John  Sinclair,  first  of  Assery.  There  are  numerous  incidents  connecting  the 
descendants  of  Assery  and  Borlum.  If  of  the  Dunbeath  family,  he  was  probably  a  son  of 
George  Sinclair  of  Downreay,  and  it  is  known  that  there  were  transactions  between 
James  Sinclair  and  the  descendants  of  William  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath  in  relation  to  lands 
which  belonged  to  the  family.  In  particular,  there  is  mention  of  a  renunciation  of  rights 
held  by  Borlum  over  Spittal,  granted  by  him  in  1649  to  John  Sinclair  of  Brims,  grandson 
of  Dunbeath,  which  instrument,  if  extant,  would  perhaps  throw  light  on  his  history. 

I.  James  Sinclair,  First  of  Borlum,  who  was  killed  by  Neil  McKay  between 
1648-59,  had  four  sons  and  a  daughter  Jean. 
1.  James  of  Wester-Brims. 

2    Captain  Alexander,  First  of  Bowertower,  and  afterwards  of  Telstane,  married  Isabel, 
daughter  of  John  Cunningham  of  Brownhill,  and  had — 
1.  John  (1683).  2.  James. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  of  BORLUM,  TOFTKEMP,  and  THURA. 


253 


1.  Katharine,  Lady  Dun,   wife  first,  of  William  Sinclair  of  Dun,  and  thereafter  of 

Alex.  Sutherland  of  Ausdale. 

2.   ,  married  John  Fullerton. 

In  1666  there  is  on  record  an  inhibition  at  the  instance  of  John,  Alex.,  George, 
Elizabeth,  and  Margaret  Sinclair  as  "  lawful  heirs"  of  Alex.  Sinclair  of  Telstane,  but 
without  illustration  of  the  relationship. 

3.  Major  William  had  paternal  disposition  of  Thura  in  1651.     He  served  in  the  German  wars 

and  fought  for  the  Sinclairs  at  Altimarlach.     He  married   Margaret,   daughter   of  John 
Doull  of  Thurster,  and  had — 

1.  John  of  Thura,  who  disponed  the  estate  in  1702  to  his  brother. 

2.  Richard  of  Thura,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  Sinclair  of  Assery, 

and  had  a  son — 

1.  Captain  John  Sinclair,  who  in  1754  sold  Thura. 

3.  James,  of  whom  there  is  no  further  account.  1.  Jean. 

4.  Robert,  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth,  who  married  Donald  Henderson  in  Sibster. 

1.  Jean,  married  in  1658  Alex.  Steill,  who  is  designed  as  "  servitor  to  the  Earl  of  Caithness." 
Her  brothers,  Captain  Alexander  and  Major  William,  were  parties  to  the  contract  of 
marriage,  and  her  tocher  was  1,000  merks. 

II.  James  Sinclair  of  Wester -Brims  married  Elspeth  or  Elizabeth  Innes, 
probably  of  the  Inneses  of  Thursater  and  Wester- Brims.  He  died  before  1659,  leaving 
a  son — 

1.  John,  minister  of  Leckpatrick  in  Ireland,  and  several  daughters,  of  whom — 

1.  Isabel,  married  the  Rev.  Geo.  Anderson  of  Halkirk. 

2.  Jean,  married  Alex.  Sinclair,  notary  public  in  Thurso. 

3.  ,  married,  first,  Alex.  Abernethy  in  Swordale  ;  and,  secondly,  Alex.  Mulliken  in  Papigo, 

chamberlain  to  the  Earl  of  Caithness. 


254  BARONETICAL  BRANCHES. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

BARONETICAL    BRANCHES. 

MEY. 

I.  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Mey,  during  his  father's  lifetime  was  styled  of 
Canisbay,  and  so  appears  in  charters  of  1635  and  1636.  On  the  2nd  June,  1631,  he  was 
created  a  baronet,  with  remainder,  "  haeredibus  suis  masculis  et  assignatis  quibuscunque." 
In  1645  he  granted  John,  his  second  son,  a  bond  over  Stangergill.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Patrick,  Lord  Lindores,  and  died  in  1662.  He  had  five  sons  and  two 
daughters — 

1.  Sir  William  of  Canisbay  and  Mey,  his  successor. 

2.  John  of  Stangergill,  who  died  without  issue. 

3.  Robert  of  Durran,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Caithness. 

4.  George  of  Olrig. 

1.  Anne,  married  George,  first  Earl  of  Cromarty. 

2.  Elizabeth,  married  her  cousin,  William  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath. 

II.  Sir  William  Sinclair,  Baronet,  of  Canisbay  and  Mey,  was  infeft  in  Mey 
in  1662  as  heir  to  his  father,  on  a  precept  of  dare  constat  by  the  Bishop  of  Caithness.  He 
married  Margaret,  second  daughter  of  George,  second  Earl  of  Seaforth,  and  had — 

1.  Sir  James,  his  heir.  2.  George. 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Sinclair  of  Rattar. 

2.  Barbara,  married  David  Sinclair  of  Freswick.  3.  Mary. 

The  estate  was  so  involved  in  debt  by  Sir  William,  that  after  his  death  it  was 
judicially  sold  by  his  creditors  in  1694. 

III.  Sir  James  Sinclair,  Baronet,  of  Mey,  married  first,  it  is  said,  Frances, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Towers  of  that  Ilk  and  of  Innerleith  ;  and  secondly,  Jean,  daughter 
of  Francis  Sinclair  of  Nortbfield.  By  the  first  marriage  Sir  James  had  a  son  and 
a  daughter — 

1.  Sir  James,  his  heir. 

1.  Barbara,  who  married  Francis  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke. 
Sir  James  had  also  a  natural  son — 

John,  to  whom  he  conveyed  a  wadset  of  Hollandmake. 
The  Mey  estates  had  been  bought  by  his  cousin  Viscount  Tarbet,  afterwards  Earl  of 
Cromarty,  who  in  1698  reconveyed  them  to  the  family  by  a  disposition  and  deed  of 
entail  "  ammo  donandi  "  in  favour  of  James,  eldest  son  of  Sir  James,  and  other  heirs. 

IV.  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Mey  married  Mary,  daughter  of  James,  Lord 
Duffus,  and  had — 

1.  Sir  James  2.  William.  3.  Kenneth. 

1.  Margaret. 

V.  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Mey  obtained  a  Crown  charter  in  1740.  He  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  John  Sinclair  of  Barrock,  and  had — 


MEY. 


255 


1.  Sir  John. 

2.  William,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Richard  Sinclair,  merchant  in  Thurso,   second 

son  of  Alexander  Sinclair,  last  of  Dun.     He  had— 

1.  John,  Captain  in  the  79th  Foot,  fell  at  Waterloo,  1S15. 
1.  Williamina,  died  unmarried. 

VI.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Mey  was  served  heir  of  taillie  and  provision  in  1763. 
He  married  Charlotte,  second  daughter  of  Eric,  Lord  Duffus,  and  had  issue— 

1.  Sir  James,  his  successor. 

1.  Margaret,  who  married  the  Rev.  William  Leslie  of  Darkland. 

VII.  Sir  James  Sinclair,  seventh  baronet  and  eighth  in  descent  from  George  of 
Mey,  Chancellor  of  Caithness,  was  served  heir  to  his  father  in  1785  ;  and  on  the  death 
of  John  V.,  49th  Earl  of  Caithness,  was  served  in  May,  1790,  as  nearest  and  lawful  heir- 
male  of  William  St.  Clair,  second  Earl  of  Caithness  of  the  line  of  St.  Clair,  and  thereafter 
took  the  dignity  of  Earl  of  Caithness. 


DUNBEATH.* 

I.  This  baronetcy  was  created  by  letters  patent  dated  12th  October,  1704,  in  favour 
of  James  Sinclair,  fourth  son  of  William  Sinclair,  second  of  Latheron,  etc.:  "  ej  usque 
haeredes  masculos  in  perpetuum."  On  his  father's  death  James  Sinclair  got  from  his 
mother  a  renunciation  of  her  liferent  of  Dunbeath,  at  that  time  worth  .£200  per  annum, 
and  then  he  ejected  her  from  possession,  a  step  which  led  to  a  complaint  at  her  instance 
to  the  Privy  Council.  Next  he  bought  up  her  family  provisions  and  the  debts  due  by  his 
brother  ;  and  finally,  in  1720,  he  adjudged  Dunbeath  for  ,£48,000  scots,  and  was  infeft  in 
1722.  In  the  same  year  his  mother's  liferent  ceased  by  her  death,  and  he  entered  into 
possession  of  Dunbeath.  In  1704  he  was  created  a  baronet,  and  he  died  in  the  Abbey  in 
1742. 

Sir  James  was  violent  and  unscrupulous  in  character.  In  1734,  as  Baron  of 
Dunbeath,  he  held  a  Criminal  Court,  and  adjudged  one  William  Sinclair  to  death  for  the 
crime  of  theft  ;  but  the  proceedings  were  quashed,  and  Sinclair  having  raised  an  action 
against  Sir  James,  obtained  large  damages.  In  1739  one  George  Sutherland  raised  an 
action  for  wrongous  imprisonment  against  Sir  James,  in  which  the  latter  was  subjected  to 
fine  and  damages,  and  declared  incapable  of  public  trust  in  time  coming.  He  was  twice 
married,  first,  to  Isabel,  daughter  of  Sir  Archibald  Muir  of  Thornton,  Provost  of  Edin- 
burgh, by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Sir  William,  second  Bart. 

2.  Alexander,  to  whom  his  brother  Benjamin  was  served  heir. 

3.  Sir  Benjamin,  fourth  Bart.  4.  Archibald,  died  in  Jamaica,  unmarried. 
1.  Margaret,  married  William  Sinclair  of  Achingale  and  Newton. 

He  married,  secondly,  and  shortly  before  his  death,  Isabel,  daughter  of  John  Lumsden, 
shipmaster  in  Aberdeen,  and  had — 

1.  Jean,  married  Robert  Campbell  (linen  draper),  Abbeyhill,   Edinburgh.     As  wife  of  Lieut. 

Robert  Campbell,  Regt.,  she  was  served  heir  in  Keiss,  etc.,    to   her  mother,  Dame 

Isabel  Lumsden,  wife  of  Sir  Jas.  Sinclair,  19th  December.  1777. 
In  1721  Murdoch  Campbell  in  Brubster  married  Janet,  a  daughter  of  Sir  James,  probably 
a  natural  child,  as  she  is  not  mentioned  in  the  family  pedigree. 

*Hendrson  and  Burke. 


256  BARONETICAL  BRANCHES. 

II.  Sir  William  Sinclair,  second  Bart,  of  Dunbeath  and  Keiss,  succeeded  his 
father.  Keiss  was  acquired  by  the  Dunbeath  family  through  a  transaction  with  Lord 
Breadalbane,  embracing  the  discharge  of  the  apprisings  against  the  Earldom.  As  heir- 
apparent  to  Dunbeath,  Sir  William  sold  his  interest  therein  in  1752  to  William  Sinclair 
of  Freswick,  and  in  1753-54  he  made  up  a  title.  Having  fallen  into  pecuniary  difficulties, 
he  sold  Keiss  to  "  Ulbster  "  for  ,£7,000  sterling.  He  married  Charlotte,  second  daughter 
of  Sir  James  and  Dame  Elizabeth  Dunbar  of  Hempriggs,  and  had  two  sons  and  a 
daughter — 

1.  Captain  Alexander  Sinclair,  died  vita  patris. 

2.  Kennedy  Muir  Sinclair,  of  whom  there  are  no  particulars,  but  it  is  presumed  he  died 

without  issue. 
Captain  Alexander  Sinclair  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Eric  Sutherland, 
eldest  son  of  Kenneth,  third  Lord  Duffus,  and  died  before  his  father,  leaving  an  only  son, 
who  succeeded  his  grandfather,  as 

III.  Sir  Alexander  Sinclair,  third  Bart.  He  went  to  the  West  Indies,  where 
he  perished  at  sea  on  his  passage  from  Jamaica  to  Halifax  in  1786.  He  is  not  known  to 
have  left  any  issue. 

IV.  Sir  Benjamin  Sinclair  of  Stemster,  third  son  of  Sir  James,  took  up  the 
title  on  the  death  of  his  grandnephew  Sir  Alexander.  He  had  been  served  heir  to  his 
brother  Alexander,  and  in  1740  received  a  paternal  disposition  to  Stemster,  but  all  his 
life  he  was  in  reduced  circumstances.  He  married  Jean,  youngest  daughter  of  John 
Sinclair  of  Assery,  and  had — 

1.  Sir  John,  fifth  Bart.  1.  Isabella,  died  unmarried. 

2.  HELEN,  married  Dr.  Watson,  head  of  the  Medical  Board  at  Madras. 

V.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  fifth  Bart.,  took  up  the  style  of  "Sinclair  of  Dunbeath." 
After  serving  as  lieutenant  in  the  Sutherland  Fencibles,  he  went  to  India  where  he 
attained  the  rank  of  Major-General.  Returning  to  England  he  died  there  in  1842.  He 
married,  first,  Miss  Notley  at  Madras  in  1803.     She  died  in  1806  and  had — 

1.  John  Notley,  who  died  young. 

1.  Jane,  married  in  1822  Patrick  Wallace  of  the  H.E.I.  Co.'s  Naval  Service. 
Sir  John  married,  secondly,  Sarah  Charlotte  Carter,  who  died  in  1867  without  issue,  at 
the  age  of  65. 

The  fifth  baronet  was  the  last  heir-male  of  Sir  James  Sinclair  in  the  direct  line,  and 
on  his  death  the  succession  opened  to  collaterals,  the  nearest  being  John  Sinclair,  fifth  of 
Barrock,  representative  of  George  Sinclair,  first  thereof,  uncle  to  the  first  baronet. 

VI.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Barrock  married  in  July,  1821,  Margaret,  youngest 
daughter  of  John  Learmonth  of  Edinburgh,  and  had — 

1.  John,    Captain    39th   Madras   N.I.,    killed    while    gallantly   defending   the    left   wing    3rd 

Regiment   Hyderabad   Contingent  at  the  capture  of  Jhansie,   5th    April,    1858,    and   was 
unmarried. 

2.  Alexander  Young,  Lieut. -Colonel  in  the  Bombay  Army  ;   died  at  Jeypore,  Bombay,  3rd 

February,  1871.    In  1861  he  married  Margaret  Crichton,  daughter  of  James  Alston,  and  left 
two  sons  and  three  daughters — 

1.  John  Rose  George,  present  baronet,  born  10th  August,  1864. 

2.  Norman  Alexander,  born  29th  July,  1869. 

1.  Margaret,  married  4th  November,  1884,  George  F.  S.  Sinclair,  second  son  of  Sir 
J.  G.  Tollemache  Sinclair,  third  Bart,  of  Ulbster. 


DUNBEATH.  257 


2.  Edith  Grace,  died  1869.  3.  Maude,  died  1869. 

Mrs.  Sinclair  resides  at  II,  St.  George's  Road,  S.W. 
3.  George,  born  1826,  retired  Captain  in  the   Bengal  Army.      Married  in  1859  Agnes  (11876), 
daughter  of  John  Learmonth  of  the  Dean,  Edinburgh,  and  died  23rd  March,  1871,  leaving 
by  her — 

1.  John,  born  i860  ;   educated  at  Edinburgh  Academy,  at  Wellington  College,  and  at 

Royal  Military  College,  Sandhurst  ;  formerly  Captain  5th  Lancers ;  served  with  the 
Soudan  Expedition,  1885  (medal  with  clasp) ;  was  assistant  private  secretary  to  the 
Secretary  of  State  for  War  (Right  Hon.  H.  E.  Campbell-Bannerman),  August,  1892, 
to  June,  1895;  unsuccessfully  contested  Ayr  District,  1886;  sat  as  M.P.  for 
Dumbartonshire  (L.)  1892-95,  when  he  sustained  an  electional  reverse.  Captain 
Sinclair  represented  East  Finsbury  on  the  first  County  Council,  and  at  the  com- 
mencement of  1897  was  elected  M.P.  for  Forfarshire.  He  was  aide-de-camp  to 
the  Earl  of  Aberdeen  when  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  and  recently  was  attached 
to  the  staff  of  His  Excellency  the  Viceroy  of  Canada. 
Residence — 101,  Mount  St.,  W.     Clubs — Brook's,  Army  and  Navy. 

2.  Charles  George,  born  1862.  3.  George  Henry,  born  1866. 

Sir  John  died  21st  April,  1S73,  and  was  buried  at  Holyrood.  His  three  sons  were  gentle- 
men of  high  character  and  promise,  and  their  death  in  the  prime  of  life  occasioned  much 
general  regret.     He  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson 

VII.  Sir  John  Rose  George  Sinclair,  formerly  lieutenant  4th  Battalion  Cheshire 
Regiment  ;  is  Vice-Lieutenant  for  Caithness,  and  Lieut. -Colonel  1st  Caithness  Artillery 
Volunteers  ;  married  7th  June,  1885,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Lieut. -Colonel  William 
Matthew  Dunbar,  one  of  H.M.  gentlemen-at-arms. 

Seat— Barrock  House,  Wick.     Town  Residence— 11,  St.  George's  Road,  S.W.     Club— Scottish. 
Arms  :  See  Armoury. 


ULBSTER.* 

I.  John  Sinclair,  who  succeeded  to  Ulbster  in  1776,  was  the  only  son  of  George 
Sinclair,  heritable  sheriff  of  Caithness,  by  Janet,  daughter  of  William,  Lord  Strathnaver, 
and  sister  of  William,  Master  of  Strathnaver,  the  17th  Earl  of  Sutherland.  John  Sinclair, 
the  celebrated  statistician  of  Scotland,  on  14th  February,  17S6,  was  created  a  baronet 
with  remainder  in  default  of  his  own  male  issue,  to  the  male  issue  of  his  daughters 
respectively.  A  more  complete  notice  of  Sir  John  appears  later  on.  He  married,  first, 
26th  March,  1776,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Alex.  Maitland  of  Stoke  Newiugton,  by  whom  he 
had  one  surviving  daughter — 

1.  Janet,  married  to  Sir  James  Colquhoun,  Bart. 

He    married,   secondly,    6th    March,    1788,    Diana,    daughter    of  Alexander,    first    Lord 
Macdonald,  by  whom  (who  died  22nd  April,  1845)  he  had — 

2.  George,  next  baronet. 

3.  Alexander,  born  17th  June,  1794  ;  died  unmarried  9th  Aug.,  1877  ;   formerly  in  H.E.I.C.S. 

4.  John,  born  20th  August,  1797  ;  died  22nd  May,  1S75  ;  M.A.,  in  holy  orders  ;  Archdeacon  of 

Middlesex,  and  Vicar  of  Kensington. 

5.  Archibald,  born   20th  September,  1801  ;    died  1st  June,  1859;   captain  R.N.,  an  officer  of 

high  repute,  and  much  and  very  generally  esteemed.  Captain  Sinclair  founded  the  Naval 
and  Military  Club  in  Scotland,  and  was  the  author  of  a  popular  volume  of  naval  remin- 
iscences. 

*  Burke  ;  Debrett,  etc. 


258  BARONETICAL  BRANCHES. 

6.  William  Macdonald,  born  4th  September,  1804;   died  1878;  in  holy  orders,  Rector  of 

Pulborough,  Sussex  ;  married,  first,  December  28th,  1837,  Helen  (died  1842),  daughter  of 
William  Ellice,  and  by  her  he  had  issue — 

1.  Alexander  Edward,  born  in  1839. 

2.  Walter,  born  15th  April,  1841 ;  died  1887  ;  married  4th  February,  1874,  Kathleen, 

daughter  of  Henry  Dickenson  of  Ashton  Keynes,  and  had  issue — 
Gladys  Muriel. 
The  Rev.  W.  M.  Sinclair  married,  second,  in   1846,  Sophia,  daughter  of  the   Rev.  James 
Tripp,  Rector  of  SpofTorth,  and  by  her  he  had — 

3.  William  Macdonald,  The  Ven.,  born  1850  ;  educated  at  Balliol  College,  Oxford 

(M.A.,  1874;  B.D.,  1888;  D.D.,  1892);  is  Archdeacon  of  London,  Canon  of  St. 
Paul's,  Chaplain-in-ordinary  to  H.M.  the  Queen,  and  Examining  Chaplain  to  the 
Bishop  of  London.  Eesidence — Chapter  House,  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  E.G.  Club — 
Athenseum. 

4.  James. 

5.  John  Stewart,  The  Rev.,  born  1853;   educated  at  Oriel  College,  Oxford  (M.A., 

1878)  ;  is  Vicar  of  St.  Dionis',  Fulham,  and  a  J. P.;  married,  1893,  Clara  Sophia, 
daughter  of  J.  Dearman  Birchall,  J.P.,  of  Bowden  Hall,  Gloucestershire,  and  has 
issue  living — 

Ronald  Sutherland  Brook,  born  1894. 
Residence — Arundel  House,  Fulham,  S.W.     Club — Oxford  and  Cambridge. 

6.  Hugh  MontgomeriE,  born  1855;   is  Major  R.E.;  was   D.A.A.G.,  N.E.   District, 

1892-95.     Clubs — Junior  United  Service,  Wellington. 

7.  Helen  Sophia,  married,  1880,  the  Rev.  George  Edmund  Hasell,  Rector  of  Aikton. 

Eesidence — Aikton  Hall,  Wigton,  Cumberland. 

8.  Janet  Mary. 

7.  James,  H.E.I.C.S.,  born  18th  November,  1805  ;  died  20th  June,  1826. 

8.  Godfrey,  born  in  1812  ;    died  at  his  residence  in  Edinburgh  in  June,  1890.     Accidentally 

lamed  in  infancy,  in  spite  of  vast  personal  strength,  he  was  never  able  to  take  an  active 
part  in  life. 

9.  Elizabeth  Diana,  died  30th  May,  1863. 

10.  Margaret,  died  5th  August,  1879. 

11.  Julia,  married  13th  November,  1824,  to  George,  4th  Earl  of  Glasgow. 

12.  Catherine,  distinguished  as  an  authoress;  died  6th  August,  1864. 

13.  HELEN,  married   10th  August,  1826,   Stair  Stewart  of  Glasserton  and  Whysgill,  N.B.,  and 

died  25th  April,  1845. 
The  Right  Hon.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  P.C.,  who  was  Cashier  of  the  Excise  of  Scotland,  died 
21st  December,  1835.     He  was  offered  a  peerage,  which  he  refused. 

II.  Sir  George  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  M.P.,  was  born  on  the  23rd  August,  1790. 
He  married,  1st  May,  18 16,  Lady  Catherine  Camilla,  sister  of  Lionel,  6th  Earl  of 
Dysart,  and  had — 

1.  Dudley,  died  unmarried  at  Auckland,  New  Zealand,  in  1844. 

2.  John  George  TollEmache,  present  baronet,  born  8th  November,  1825. 

3.  Granville,  died  in  1833. 

4.  Emilia  Magdalen  Louisa,  married,  first,  on  12th  August,  1837,  Henry  Tollemache,  which 

marriage  was  dissolved  by  the  Court  of  Session  in  Scotland  in  1841,  and  since  also  by  the 
Court  for  Divorce  in  London  ;  and  second,  to  Major  John  Power,  son  of  the  late  P.  Power, 
of  Bellevue,  County  Waterford. 

5.  Adelaide  Mary  WenTworth,  married  in  August,  1845,  George,  second  son  of  John  James 

Hope  Johnston,  of  Annandale,  M.P. 

6.  Olivia  Sophia,  died  recently  [1895]. 

Sir  George,  died  on  the  9th  October,  1868. 

III.  Sir  John  George  Tollemache  Sinclair,  second  son  of  the  preceding, 
succeeded    his    father.     He   was   formerly   a  Page   of  Honour  to    Queen   Adelaide,   and 


ULBSTER.  259 


Lieutenant  Scots  Fusileer  Guards  ;  is  Vice-Lieutenant  and  a  D.L.  for  Caithness  ;  sat  as 
M.P.  for  same  (L. )  1869-85.  Married  22nd  November,  1853,  Emma  Isabella  Harriet 
(whom  he  divorced  4th  July,  1878),  daughter  of  the  late  William  Standish  Standish,  of 
Duxbury  Park,  Lancashire,  and  Cocken  Hall,  Durham.     Issue — 

1.  Clarence    Granville,    born    3rd   April,    1858 ;    died    1895  ;    D.L.    for    Caithness,    late 

Lieutenant  Scots  Guards,  and  Major  2nd  Volunteer  Battalion  Seaforth  Highlanders.     He 
married  in  1889  Mabel  (died  1890),  daughter  of  the  late  Mahlon  Sands,  of  New  York.    Issue 
Archibald  Henry  Macdonald,  born  in  1890. 

2.  George  Felix  Standish,   born  1861  ;    formerly  Lieutenant  3rd   Battalion   Black  Watch 

(Royal  Highlanders)  ;  formerly  Captain  2nd  Volunteer  Battalion  Seaforth  Highlanders 
(Ross-shire  Buffs,  the  Duke  of  Albany's).  Married,  1884,  Margaret,  only  sister  of  Sir  John 
Sinclair,  vnth  Bart,  of  Dunbeath.     Issue — 

1.  Algernon  Ronald  Tollemache,  born  in  1886. 

2.  Dorothy  Emma  Olivia,  born  in  1885. 

3.  Olive  Mary  Camilla,  born  1892. 
Residence — Thurso  Castle.     Club — Bachelors'. 

3.  Amy   Camilla,  married   8th  July,    1874,  John    Henry   Fullerton    Udny,  of  Udny  Castle, 

Aberdeen. 

4.  Nina    Mary    Adelaide,   married    22nd   July,    1881,    Major-General    Owen    Lewis    Cope 

Williams,  of  Temple  House,  Bucks,  M.P.  for  Great  Marlow. 

5.  Constance,  died  in  1861. 

Seat — Thurso    Castle.       Toivn    Residence — 14,    King    Street,    St.    James',    S.W.       Club — 

Travellers'.     Five  generations  of  this  family  have  represented  the  Earldom  of  Caithness 

in  the  Imperial  Parliament. 

Arms — See  Armoury. 


26o  THE  LONGFORMACUS  LINE. 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE    LONGFORMACUS    LINE. 

LORDS   OF    LONGFORMACUS.* 
Longformacus  is  situate  in  Berwickshire,  and  the  Longformacus  Line  of  Sinclairs  has 
been  thought  to  begin  with  one  Gregorie  St.  Clair,  who  is  enumerated  amongst  the 
gentry  of  the  shire  as  swearing  allegiance  at  Berwick  to  Edward  I.  of  England,  28th 
August,  1296.     He  is  thought  to  have  been  a  son  of  the  first  Roslin  on  record,  and  upon 
account   of  his   appearing  with  the   gentry   of  Berwick,   in  which   county   the  lands  of 
Longformacus  lie,  he  is  taken  to  be  brother  to  Henry  St.  Clair,  second  of  Roslin,  and  the 
relationship  of  this  line  with  the  Roslins  is  presently  acknowledged  by  Henry  St.  Clair, 
Lord  of  Roslin,  Earl  of  Orkney.     The  seal  of  Gregorie  de  St.  Clair  was  appended  to  his 
declaration  of  homage.     There  are  further  references  to  Berwickshire  St.  Clairs  about  the 
same  period  :  John  de  St.  Clair  renders  homage  under  seal  in  1296  ;  August  25-28,  same 
finds  him  one  of  the  jurors  on  an  Inquisition  at  Berwick,  and  on  the  3rd  September,  same, 
a  writ  issues  to  the  Sheriff  at  Berwick  to  restore  his  lands  to  John  de  St.  Clair.     On  22nd 
August,  1 301,  John  de  St.  Clair  receives  at  Glasgow  100s.  for  the  Earl  of  Dunbar  ;   and 
William  de  St.  Clair,  Esq.,  of  Berwick,  renders  homage  in  1312.! 

I.  James  St.  Clair  is  the  first  on  record  of  Longformacus  (charter  7th  June, 
1 384-93)  t-  He  is  probably  identical  with  the  James  de  St.  Clair,  brother-uterine  of 
Margaret,  Countess  of  Mar  and  Angus,  who  witnesses  a  charter  by  that  lady  dated  12th 
August,  1 38 1.  Nisbet  states:  "When  and  how  they  had  those  lands  I  cannot  be 
positive;  but  for  certain  they  had  them  in  the  reign  of  Robert  II.  from  the  Earl  of  March. 
I  notice  a  charter  from  King  Robert  III.  in  the  fourth  year  of  his  reign  confirming  a 
charter  of  George  Dunbar,  Earl  of  March,  granted  to  James  St.  Clair  of  Longformacus 
of  the  same  lands  lying  within  the  Earldom  of  March  and  Sheriffdom  of  Berwick.  I  have 
also  seen  a  charter  wherein  Henricus  de  Sancto  Claro  comes  Orcadiae  el  dominus  de  Roslyn, 
firmly  and  faithfully  obliges  himself  to  his  well-beloved  cousin — carissimo  consanguineo  sua, 
Jacobo  de  Sanclo  Claro,  Domino  de  Longformacus — to  infeft  him  in  a  twenty  merk  land." 
The  obligation  is  dated  at  Roslin  the  22nd  June,  1384.  He  and  his  son  John  were  made 
prisoners  in  1402  at  the  Battle  of  Homildon  Hill.§     His  son 

II.  James  St.  Clair  got  from  Henry  II.,  Earl  of  Orkney,  Dominus  de  Sancto  Claro, 
el  de  Vallis  de  Nyth,  an  annuity  of  twenty  merks,  to  be  uplifted  out  of  the  lands  of 
Lenny,  dated  the  20th  February,  14 18.  Douglas  cites  a  charter  of  January,  141 8,  as  also 
having  reference  to  this  Longformacus. 

III.  David  Sinclair  (charter  8th  April,  1448})  is  found  thus  referred  to  in  the 
Ex.  Rolls,  1455  :  "  Luchirmacus  in  ward  by  reason  of  the  death  of  David  Sinclair,"  and 
1456  :  "And  the  ,£15  from  the  lands  of  Luchirmacus  in  ward  as  above."  He  was 
evidently  succeeded  by  a  son  similarly  named. 

*  Nisbet,  etc.  t  Bain's  Calendar  of  Documents.  X  Douglas'  Peerage.  \  Hay. 


LORDS  OF  LONGFORMACUS.  261 


IV.  David  St.  Clair  (charters  7th  February,  1463,  and  6th  February,  1477*).  He 
married  Elizabeth  Murray.  She  is  probably  identical  with  Elizabeth  Sinclare,  spouse  of 
the  late  Patrick  Dunbar,  who  in  1459  receives  £20.  On  9th  July,  1460,  King  James 
gives  "til  oure  louede  cosingnace  Elyzabet  Syngclare''  ^20  life  annuity  from  Hadding- 
ton customs.  In  1460-62  Elizabeth  Sinclare  is  paid  ,£40  for  charge  of  the  Princess  Mary, 
and  in  1480  the  payment  of  her  pension  terminates.  Upon  his  resignation  his  eldest  son 
and  apparent  heir 

V.  James  Sinclair  obtained  a  new  charter  of  the  barony  of  Longformacus  from 
Alex.  Duke  of  Albany,  Earl  of  March,  Lord  of  Annandale  and  the  Isle  of  Man,  dated  at 
the  Castle  of  Dunbar  12th  October,  1472.  He  married  (charter  21st  May,  1491*)  Isabel 
Howieson. 

VI.  Alexander  Sinclair  (charter  nth  October,  1502'*)  is  named  in  1503  as  son  to 
Lochormacus.     By  Mariote  Forman,  his  spouse,  he  had  a  son  and  heir 

VII.  James  Sinclare,  who  obtained  a  charter  of  confirmation  4th  January,  1505-6. 

VIII.  John  Sinclair  of  Longformacus  was  cited  on  23rd  August,  1567,  to  appear 
on  the  31st  idem. 

IX.  Mathew  Sinclair  (charters  2nd  September,  1558  ;  8th  February,  1574*)  of 
Longformacus  is  stated  to  have  been  served  heir  to  his  father  James  in  1553.  On  12th 
February,  1571,  at  Jedburgh,  he  subscribed  a  band  for  pursuing  Fairneyhirst.  On  the 
17th  May,  1588,  he  became  caution  in  1,000  merks  for  Katharine  Lauder,  Lady  of  Swinton. 
He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Swinton  of  that  Ilk,  and  had  four  sons — t 

1.  Sir  Robert,  next  of  Longformacus. 

2.  George  (charter  1604*),  reputed  progenitor  of  the  Stevensons. 

3.  James,  mentioned  nth  August,  1603,  as  third  brother  of  the  Laird  of  Longformacus.     He 

married  Elizabeth  Home  (charter  2nd  January,  1609*),  and  was  father  of 

Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Kinnaird,  Fifeshire,  who  being  cited  (23-25th  February,  1680) 
for  absence  from  King's  host  in  June  last,  pled  sickness,  which  defence  was  found 
relevant.  He  is  probably  identical  with  Sir  John  Sinclair,  designated  of  Lochend, 
who,  14th  July,  1683,  pursues  Bailie  Kelly  in  Dunbar  for  oppression  of  the  Hedges 
in  not  permitting  their  own  men  to  ship  corn.  He  heired  his  uncle  Thomas,  and 
was,  27th  January,  1686,  at  suit  of  Sir  Robert  St.  Clair  of  Stevenson  for  payment  of 
a  jointure  to  Anna  Foulis,  Bilbster's  widow. 

4.  Thomas  Sinclair  of  Bilpster,  Caithness,   Master  of  the  Horse  to  George,  43rd   Earl  of 

Caithness,  Lord  Sinclair  of  Berriedale.  He  is  buried  in  the  Sinclair  Aisle,  Wick  Church- 
yard, where  is  an  inscription  recording  parentalia,  offices,  arms,  etc.,  and  the  phrases  : 
"Remember  death."  "Regard!  Good  service  will  get  good  reward!  A.B.M.R.M."  He 
married  Anna  Foulis,  and  died  26th  October,  1607,  aged  42. 

X.  Sir  Robert  Sinclair  (charter  14th  May,  1609*)  of  Longformacus  prefers  a  com- 
plaint 23rd  April,  1607.  He  is  probably  the  Robert  Sinclair,  writer,  18th  August,  1587, 
appearing  as  proc.  for  George  Gordon  of  Candidyen.  On  13th  December,  1589,  caution 
is  taken  for  Robert  Sinclair,  writer  to  the  Privy  Council,  that  he  shall  deliver  the  House 
of  Blanse,  and  who  on  28th  January  next  thereafter  recites  that  he  has  liferent  in  gift 
from  the  King  on  1st  August  preceding,  of  all  lands  belonging  to  David  Sinclair  of  Blanse. 
By  Margaret,  sister  of  Sir  Archibald  Douglas  of  Whittinghame,  he  had  issue — 

1.  James,  next  of  Longformacus. 

2.  Rev.  John,  in  Muirtown,  minister  of  Spott  (A.M.  St.  Andrew's,  27th  July,   1616),  married 

Marion  Stewart,  and  had  a  son — 
James. 
*  Douglas'  Peerage.  +  History  of  Caithness  ;   Notes  by  T.  Sinclair. 


262  THE  LONGFORMACUS  LINE. 

XI.  James  Sinclair  of  Longfonnacus  granted  a  wadset  of  Muirtown  to  his  brother 
the  Rev.  John  Sinclair.      Issue — 

Robert,  next  of  Longformacus,  created  a  baronet. 


BARONETS   OF   LONGFORMACUS.* 

I.  Robert  Sinclair,  advocate  before  the  Court  of  Session,  son  of  James  Sinclair, 
eleventh  of  Longformacus,  was  created  a  baronet  of  Nova  Scotia,  ioth  December,  1664, 
with  remainder  to  his  heirs-male  whatsoever.  He  married,  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  and 
heiress  of  Douglas  of  Blackerstone  in  the  Merse,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Sir  John,  who  succeeded. 

2.  George,  married  Jean,  daughter  of  George  Purves  of  Ewford.     Issue — 

1.  Robert,  married  Lilias  Anderson.     Issue — 

Sir  John,  sixth  Bart. 

2.  George,  died  s.p.  3.  Eupheme,  died  s.p. 

3.  Sir  Archibald,  knight,  died  s.p.     He  was  M.P.  for  Kirkwall,  Orkney,  in  the  Scottish 

Parliament  from  1690-1702,  and  was  author  of  "  Some  Thoughts  upon  the  Present  State  of 
Affairs,"  1703,  <tto.  He  was  Procurator  in  defence  for  the  Rev.  James  Lyon,  of  Kirkwall, 
12th  June,  1710. 

4.  Margaret,  married  William  Home  of  Linthill. 

5.  A  daughter,  married  Sir  Jas.  Cockburn  of  Ryslor. 

6.  A  daughter,  married  Captain  Urquhart. 

7.  A  daughter,  married  Francis  Montgomery  of  Giffen. 

Sir  Robert  married,  secondly,  Margaret,  daughter  of  William  Alexander,  Viscount  Canada, 
eldest  son  to  the  Earl  of  Stirling,  and  had  by  her — 

8.  Jean,  married  John,  Master  of  Bargeny.  9.  Anne,  married  John  Swinton  of  that  Ilk. 
Sir  Robert  died  in  1678,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

II.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  who  married  Jean,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  John  Towers- 
of  Innerleith,  and  dying  about  1689,  was  succeeded  by  his  only  son 

III.  Sir  Robert  Sinclair,  who  died  in  1725  or  1726.  This  gentleman  married 
Christian,  daughter  of  the  Right  Hon.  Adam  Cockburn  of  Ormistoun,  Lord  Justice-clerk, 
by  whom  he  had — 

i.  Sir  John,  his  successor.  2.  Sir  Harry,  fifth  baronet. 

3.  Susan,  died  unmarried.  4.  Jean,  married  Chas.  Gilmour  of  Craigmillar. 

5.  Anne,  died  unmarried.  6.  Christian,  married  John  Inglis. 

IV.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  married  Sidney,  daughter  of  Robert  Johnston  of  Hilton, 
but  dying  without  issue  in  1764,  was  succeeded  by  his  brother 

V.  Sir  Harry  Sinclair,  at  whose  decease  without  issue  in  1768  the  succession 
opened  to  his  second  cousin 

VI.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  grandson  of  George  Sinclair,  second  son  of  the  first 
baronet.  This  gentleman  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Charles  Allan.  He  was  a 
writer  in  reduced  circumstances,  resident  in  the  Canongate,  Edinburgh,  where  he  died 
7th  January,  1798,  and  is  said  to  have  been  succeeded  by 

VII.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  of  whom  there  is  no  further  account. 

Arms — See  Armoury. 

*  Burke  ;  Douglas,  etc. 


BARONETS  OF  STEVENSON.  263 


BARONETS  OF  STEVENSON.* 

I.  John  Sinclair,  whose  paternal  grandmother  was  of  the  family  of  Longformacus, 
and  who  is  himself  said  to  belong  paternally  to  that  family  as  son  of  George  (charter 
1604),  second  son  of  Mathew  Sinclair  of  Longformacus,  amassed  a  considerable  fortune 
as  a  merchant  at  Edinburgh,  of  which  metropolis  he  was  Lord  Provost,  and  purchased 
the  lands  and  barony  of  Stevenson,  in  the  counties  of  Edinburgh  and  Haddington,  in 
1624.  He  founded  a  Sinclair  Society  about  1620.  A  Scottish  song  entitled  "The 
Clouting  of  the  Cauldron,"  was  made  about  this  baronet.  He  was  created  a  Baronet  of 
Nova  Scotia  18th  January,  1636.  By  his  wife  Marion,  daughter  of  McMath  of  Newbyres, 
he  had  (besides  younger  issue) — 

John,  who  died  vita  patris  1643,  leaving  issue  by  Isabel,  daughter  of  Robert,  sixth  Lord  Boyd. 

1.  Sir  John,  second  baronet.  2.  Sir  Robert,  third  baronet. 

Elizabeth,  married  Sir  John  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanstown,  ancestor  of  the  present  St.  Clairs  of 
Herdmanston,  Lords  Sinclair. 
Sir  John  died  in  1648,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson 

II.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  at  whose  decease,  unmarried,  about  1652,  he  was  succeeded 
by  his  brother 

III.  Sir  Robert  Sinclair,  Lord  Stevenson,  who  was  appointed  by  King  William  II. 
in  December,  1689,  sheiiff  of  Haddington,  a  Privy  Councillor  in  the  May  following,  and 
one  of  the  Barons  of  the  Exchequer.  In  1689  he  was  Lord  Justice-Clerk.  He  was  repre- 
sentative in  Parliament  for  Haddingtonshire  1689-1702.  On  29th  July,  1680,  he  was 
pannelled  for  factiously  opposing  Act  of  Privy  Council,  levying  5,500  militia  ;  on  the 
13th  and  14th  March,  1683,  assoilzied  from  damages  claimed  by  Sir  John  Seton  of 
Garmilton,  but  on  the  30th  same  the  Chancellor  caused  the  Lords  to  alter  above  and 
make  Stevenson  liable,  though  damage  was  from  a  cause  ab  extra.  On  the  2nd  August 
next  thereafter  Sir  Robert  was  imprisoned  in  castle  for  declining  purge  re  Test  Act,  but 
was  presently  released.  In  1663  he  had  his  lands  erected  into  a  barony.  Sir  Robert 
married,  first,  Helen,  daughter  of  John,  14th  Earl  of  Crawford  and  Earl  of  Lindsay  ;  and 
secondly,  Anne  daughter  of  Sir  William  Scott  of  Ardross,  s.p.  He  died  July,  1713,  and 
had  issue — 

1.  Sir  John,  his  successor.  2.  Charles,  died  unmarried. 

3.  Robert,  married  Anne,  daughter  of  John  Balfour,  third  Lord  Burleigh. 

4.  William,  died  s.p.  5.  Dr.  Peter,  died  s.p. 

6.  Dr.  Archibald,  married  Helen  Strachan,  died  s.p. 

7.  Margaret,  married  Robert  Dundas  of  Arniston. 

8.  Elizabeth,  married  Thos.  Menzies  of  Letham.  9.  A  daughter,  died  unmarried. 

He  was  succeeded  by  the  eldest  son  of  the  first  marriage, 

IV.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  who  represented  Lanark  in  Parliament  1703-7.  He 
married  in  1698  Martha,  widow  of  Cromwell  Lockhart  of  Lee,  County  Lanark,  and 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Lockhart  of  Castlehill,  a  Lord  of  Session,  sole  heir  on  her  brother's 
death  to  a  large  estate,  by  whom  he  had  eight  sons  and  five  daughters — 

1.  Robert,  Sir,  successor  to  his  father. 

2.  John,  assumed  the  surname  of  Lockhart,  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Jas.  Bogle,  W.S., 

and  left  three  daughters. 

*  Burke  ;  Douglas. 


264  THE  LONGFORMACUS  LINE. 

3.  George,  assumed  the  name  of  Lockhart  on  succeeding  to  the  Castlehill  estate,  became  one 

of  the  senators  of  the  College  of  Justice  by  the  title  of  Lord  Woodhall,  and  died  s.p. 

4.  James.        5.  Charges.        6.  William.        7.  Thomas.        8.  Patrick.     All  died  s.p. 
9.  Anne,  married  George  Bogle,  of  Daldowie. 

10.  Katharine.        ii.  Helen.         12.  Martha.        13.  Margaret.     All  died  single. 

Sir  John  died  in  1726,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

V.  Sir  Robert  Sinclair.  This  gentleman  married  in  1732  Isabella,  only  daughter 
of  Colonel  James  Kerr,  of  the  3rd  Regiment  Foot  Guards,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons  and 
four  daughters — 

1.  John,  Sir,  successor  to  his  father. 

2.  James,  assumed  the  surname  of  Lockhart  on  succeeding  his  uncle,  Lord  Woodhall  of  Castle- 

hill.    His  son  or  grandson 

1.  Robert  Lockhart  born  17 — ;  died  1850;  married,  first,  1S04,  Eliza  (died 
1816),  daughter  of  Richard  Newman  Newman,  M.D.,  of  Thornbury  Park, 
Gloucester  ;  secondly,  in  1817,  Charlotte  Simpson  (died  1869),  daughter  of  Captain 
William  Mercer  of  Potterhill,  N.B.     Issue  by  first  marriage — 

1.  James  Sinclair,    his   heir,  J. P.   and    D.L.,    born    nth   September,   1808; 

died  s.p.   1873. 

2.  Robert  Alexander,  Major  80th  Regiment. 

3.  John  Hamilton,  born  24th  November,  1814  ;  deceased. 

4.  Mary  Emilia. 

5.  Eliza  Anne,  married,  1825,  John  Percy  Henderson  of  Foswell  Bank,  Perth. 

6.  Susan.  7.  Anne  Nisbet. 
Issue  of  second  marriage — 

8.  William  Mercer,  born  1818  ;  drowned  1849. 

9.  Gr^me  Alexander  LoCKHARTof  Castlehill,  C.B.,  born  1820;  entered  Army 

1837,  became  Captain  1850,  Major  1858,  Lieut. -Colonel  1859,  Colonel  1866, 
Major-General  1867  ;  served  with  78th  Highlanders  in  Persian  War,  1857 
(medal  with  clasp),  and  in  Indian  Mutiny  campaign  1857-8  (medal  with 
clasp)  ;  J. P.  and  D.L.  for  County  Lanark  ;  married  in  1S61,  Emily  Udny, 
daughter  of  James  Brebner  of  Aberdeen,  advocate. 

10.  George  Duncan  Lockhart,  born  1821 ;   died  18 —  ;    married   18 — ,  and 

has  issue — 

Robert  Duncan  Lockhart. 

11.  Charlotte.  12.  Frances  Charlotte  Mercer. 
13.  Louisa                               14.  Elenora  Jane. 
15.  Margaret  Douglas.     16.  Roberta  Emilia. 
17.  Barbara  Forbes,  married,  1859,  Alex.  Whitelaw. 

3.  Robert,  advocate  1762,  died  s.p.  9th  September,  1802.  4.  William,  died  s.p. 

5.  Elizabeth,  married  William  Hay  of  Spot. 

6.  Martha.  7.  Agnes.  8.  Anne,  died  single. 

Sir  Robert  died  in  1754,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

VI.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  who  succeeded  19th  August,  1766,  to  Alex.  Sinclair,  Earl 
of  Caithness,  in  Murkle  and  other  lands  under  an  entail.  He  married  Mary,  youngest 
daughter  of  Blair  of  that  Ilk,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Sir  Robert,  his  successor.  2.  Katharine. 

He  was  succeeded  at  his  decease  in  1789  by  his  eldest  sou 

VII.  Sir  Robert  Sinclair  of  Stevenson  and  Murkle,  Lieut. -Governor  of  Fort 
St.  George  in  Scotland.  This  gentleman  married,  3rd  April,  1789,  Madalina,  second 
daughter  of  Alex.,  fourth  Duke  of  Gordon.  Dying  4th  August,  1795,  he  was  succeeded 
by  his  heir 


BARONETS  OF  STEVENSON.  265 


VIII.  Sir  John  Gordon  Sinclair,  a  distinguished  seaman,  63  years  in  the  Royal 
Navy.  Born  31st  July,  1790,  and  served  when  a  mere  youth  in  the  "  Victory  "  flagship 
under  Lord  Nelson.  His  own  gallant  conduct  while  commanding  the  "Redwing"  in 
the  Mediterranean  at  Morjean  and  Cassis  was  officially  commended  and  won  much  public 
approbation.  He  became  captain  in  1814,  and  an  admiral  in  1861.  He  married  15th 
June,  1812,  Anne,  only  daughter  of  Admiral  the  Hon.  Michael  de  Courcy,  and  had  issue 

1.  Robert  Charles,  Sir,  ninth  baronet. 

2.  John  Michael  de  Courcy,  born  22nd  November,  1823,  an  officer  in  the  Madras  Artillery, 

died  at  Secunderabad  15th  June,  1862. 

3.  Gordon  Cornwallis,  lieutenant  R.N.,  born  13th  August,  1835  ;  died  21st  March,  1866. 

1.  Anne  Elizabeth,  died  14th  June,  i860. 

2.  Madalina,  married  15th  August,  1839,  Captain  the  Hon.  Dudley  Pelham,  R.N.,  son  of  the 

first  Earl  of  Yarborough. 

3.  Georgiana,  died  2nd  January,  1870.  4.  Mary,  died  26th  October,  1856. 

5.  Susan  Hay,  married  12th  June,  1867,  Major-General  Sir  Wilbraham  Oates  Lennox,  R.E., 
K.C.B.,  11). C,  fourth  son  of  Lord  John  George  Lennox. 

IX.  Sir  Robert  Charles  Sinclair  of  Stevenson,  County  Haddington,  and 
Murkle,  County  Caithness,  Deputy-Lieutenant  for  Haddington  ;  J.  P.  and  D.L.  for 
Counties  Haddington  and  Caithness,  and  Inverness  ;  late  Captain  38th  Regiment  ;  Hon. 
Colonel  1st  Caithness  Artillery  Volunteers  (V.D.);  born  25th  August,  1820;  married, 
first,  in  1851,  Charlotte  Anne,  daughter  of  Lieutenant  John  Coote,  71st  Regiment,  and 
secondly,  5th  December,  1876,  Louisa,  eldest  daughter  of  Roderick  Hugonin,  Esq.,  of 
Kinmylies  House.  Seats — Murkle,  Caithness  ;  Stevenson,  Haddington.  Residence — 
Achvarasdal  Lodge,  Reay,  Thurso.     Clubs — Arthur's  New  (Edinburgh). 

Sir  Robert  is  patron  of  one  living — Ripple  Rectory,  Kent. 
Arms — See  Armoury. 


266  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE   LORDS   OF   ROSSLYN. 

GENEALOGIE   OF   THE   SAINTECLAIRES   OF   ROSSLYN. 
(Feudal  Period.) 

By    J.    VAN     BASSAN. 

[A  Reprint.]* 

Malcolm  Keanmoore  having  recovered,  by  the  support  of  Edward,  King  of  England, 
his  realm,  which  Machabeus  did  possess,  was  crowned  at  Scone  not  long  therafter,  upon 
the  fifth  of  Aprile,  in  the  year  1061  ;  and  holding  a  parliament  att  Forfar  in  Angus,  he 
created  severall  Earles,  Lords,  Barons,  etc.,  in  compensation  of  their  service  and  loyalty. 
The  Normande  Conquerour  in  his  days  maistered  England,  I  call  so  William,  Duke  of 
Normandie,  notwithstanding  that  I  have  seen  severall  Judges  reprehending  gentlemen  att 
the  Barre  that  casually  gave  him  that  title  ;  for  though  he  killed  Harald  the  Usurper, 
and  rooted  his  armie,  yet  he  pretended  a  right  to  the  kingdome,  and  was  admitted  by 
compact,  and  did  take  ane  oath  to  observe  the  laws  and  customs  of  the  realme.  Edgar, 
who  was  righteous  heir,  resolves  to  pass  again  to  Hungaria  with  his  mother  and 
sisters  ;  but  being  tossed  a  while  att  sea,  is  carried  att  length  safe  to  a  place  on  the  River 
of  Forthe,  named  Queensferry,  from  Margaret,  whom  the  King  espoused  in  1067.  Many 
gentlemen  came  about  that  time  to  Scotland,  part  with  the  Queen,  as  Chrichton, 
Fodringhame,  Giffard,  Maulis,  Borthik,  Lesly,  etc.,  all  Hungariens  ;  part  from  England 
to  shun  the  Usurper,  as  Lindesay,  Vans,  Ramsay,  Lowall,  Towrs,  Bodwell,  Monteith, 
Preston,  Sandilands,  Bissart,  Fowlis,  Wardlaw,  Maxwell,  Ross,  etc.;  part  from  France, 
as  Forfar,  Boswell,  Montgomery,  Bodwell,  Montith,  Boys,  Campbell,  Betoun,  Murray, 
Warwiu,  Telfer. 

Amongst  the  last  was  one  Sir  William  Sinclare,  secoud  sone  to  Woldonius,  or 
Wildernus,  in  France,  whose  mother  was  daughter  to  Duke  Richard,  a  man  well 
proportioned  in  all  his  members,  of  midle  stature,  faire  of  face,  yellow  hair'd,  surnamed 
the  Seemly,  whom  King  Malcolm  made  cupbearer  to  his  Queen.  The  gentleman 
haveing  serv'd  sometime  att  Court,  desired  liberty  to  visit  his  parents,  which  was 
granted  ;  and  after  sometime  spent  with  them,  returns  loadned  with  presents,  which  he 
presented  to  the  King  and  Queen.  The  gifts  were  well  accepted  of,  and  he,  by  his 
liberality,  winning  preferment,  married  Dorothe,  as  some  say  Agnas  Dunbar,  daughter 
to  Patrick,  first  Earle  of  Marche,  or  as  some  writters  have,  fifth  Earle  of  Marche,  and 
obtained  the  Barony  of  Rosline,  so  called   because  it  represents  ane  peninsule,  being 

*  Omitting  portions  which  appear  elsewhere  throughout  this  work. 


FEUDAL  PERIOD  (GENEALOGIE).  267 

environ'd  almost  on  all  sides  with  water.  After  this  he  was  made  Wardin  of  the 
Southern  Marches,  in  defending  whereof  he  was  kill'd.  He  begat  upon  his  Lady  a  sone 
named  Henry,  who  lived  in  the  Conqueror's  days,  and  in  whose  time  Malcolme  the 
third  was  killed  by  Percy.  This  Henry  got  of  the  King  and  Queen,  Rosline  in  free 
heritage,  with  the  Barony  of  Pithland.  He  married  Rosabell,  or  as  some  say,  Kathrine, 
daughter  to  Forteith,  Earle  of  Strathern  :  he  was  of  a  free  nature  and  candid  in  his 
thoughts  and  words,  very  wise,  and  more  given  to  studie  warre  than  peace,  for  which  rare 
qualities  he  was  intrusted  with  the  militarie  commands.  He  was  dubbed  knight  by 
King  Malcolme,  and  left  to  succeed  him  a  sonne  named  also  Henry,  who  is  supposed  to 
have  foughten  the  battle  of  Allertowne,  where  the  English  army  was  rooted  under  the 
reign  of  Saint  David.  He  outlived  King  Malcolme,  and  died  under  King  William,  by 
whom  he  was  sent  embassador  towards  Henry,  King  of  England,  to  redemand  Northum- 
berland in  the  name  of  the  Scots.  He  receaved  from  David  the  first  the  lands  of  Garden 
and  the  command  of  8,000  men  a-foot,  as  likewise  the  honour  of  knighthood.  Att  first 
our  Kings  bestowed  upon  their  subjects  lands  as  a  reward  of  their  service,  but  after  their 
liberality,  finding  no  such  way  of  gratification  towards  those  who  behaved  themselves 
manfully,  they  fell  upon  ane  easier  way,  which  was  in  giveing  them  place  amongst  the 
nobility  of  their  realm,  and  ranking  them  above  the  most  common  sort,  either  in  creating 
them  knights,  which  was  performed  by  girding  them  with  a  belt,  or  in  makeing  them 
Earles,  which  was  done  by  other  ceremonies.  This  Sir  Henry  married  Margaret 
Grathenay,  daughter  to  the  Earle  of  Marre,  upon  whom  he  begot  a  sone  named  William, 
to  whom  he  resigned  his  lands,  and  shortly  after  chang'd  his  inconstant  habitation  for  a 
perpetuall  one  herafter. 

"  The  History  of  the  Saintclairs  "  says  that  Malcolme  Keanmoore  made  some 
earles,  some  barons,  and  some  knights,  att  Forfar,  in  1057,  or,  as  Buchanan  says,  in  1061. 
Malcolmus  Scotorum,  Rex  86,  Scone  coronatus,  anno  1061,  inde  Forfarum  generale 
indixit  concilium,  volens  ut  Primores,  quod  antea  non  fuerat,  aliarum  more  gentium,  a 
praediis  fuis  cognomina  caperent ;  quosdam  vero  etiam  Comites,  vulgo  Earles,  quosdam 
Barones,  vulgo  Lords,  alios  Milites  aut  Equites  auratos,  vulgo  Martiall  Knights,  creavit. 
Mak-Duffum  Fifae  Thanum,  Fifae  Comitem  ;  Patricium  Dumbarum  Marchiarum  Comitem, 
aliosque  viros  praestantes,  Monthetiae,  Atholise,  Marrise,  Cathanesise,  Rossise,  Angusiae 
dixit  Comites, — Johannem  Sowls,  Davidem  Dardier  ab  Abernethia,  Symonem  a  Tweddell, 
Gullielmum  a  Douglas,  Gillespium  Cameron,  Davidem  Briechen,  Hugonem  a  Culdella, 
Barones,  cum  diversis  aliis, — Equites  auratos  perplures,  pauci  vero  Thani  relicti.  Many 
new  surnames  were  given  to  the  families  of  the  Scots,  as  Mar,  Calder,  Lockhart, 
Meldrum,  Gordon,  Seaton,  Libertou,  Lawder,  Shaw,  Leirmont,  Strachane,  Dundas, 
Lesly,  Cockburn,  Abercrombie,  etc.  Many  were  named  from  the  lands  they  had  in 
possession,  some  from  their  office,  as  Stewart,  Dorward,  Bannerman,  Formau,  etc. 
Some  from  the  proper  names  of  valiant  men,  as  Kenneth,  Gray,  Keth,  etc.  This  worthy 
Prince,  according  to  the  same  history,  made  a  law  whereby  all  Barons  might  give  judg- 
ment upon  murtherers  within  their  own  bounds.  About  which  time  William  Duke  of 
Normandie,  comeing  with  a  great  armie  to  England,  vanquished  Harald  and  conquered 
the  kingdome.  (Edward)  Edgar  Etheling,  the  righteous  heir,  takeing  his  mother  and 
his  two  sisters,  Margaret  and  Christien,  went  to  sea,  designing  to  pass  to  Hungary,  but 
being  tossed  with  cross  winds  for  a  time,  arrived  att  length  att  a  haven  called  Queeusferry, 
in  the  Firth,  where   King  Malcolm  met  them,  and   conducted  them  to  Dumfermeling ; 


268  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 

there  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  to  Agatha,  with  great  solemnity,  after  Easter  in 
1067.  William  the  Conqueror  haveing  got  knowledge  therof,  fearing  least  some  eviU 
might  ensue  therby,  banished  all  friends  of  (Edward)  Edgar,  wherof  severalls  came  to 
Scotland,  and  got  lands  from  King  Malcolme,  as  Ross,  Lindesay,  Ramsay,  Lowell, 
Towrs,  Preston,  Sandilands,  Bissart,  Fowls,  Wardlaw,  Maxwell,  and  others.  There  came 
also  some  from  Hungaria  with  Margaret,  as  Chrichton,  Forthingham,  Giffart,  Mauld, 
Borthwick  ;  some  also  from  France,  as  Frazer,  Bodwell,  Montgomery,  Monteith,  Boas, 
Campbell,  Vervin,  Telfer,  Boswell,  amongst  whom  came  also  William  Saintclair, 
second  sone  to  Wildernus,  Earle  of  Saintclair  in  France,  whose  mother  was  daughter  to 
Duke  Richard  of  Normandie,  father  to  William  the  Conqueror.  He  was  sent  by  his  father 
to  Scotland,  to  take  a  view  of  the  people's  good  behaviour.  He  was  able  for  every  game, 
agreeable  to  all  company,  and  stiled  ' '  The  Seemly  Saintclair."  The  report  of  his  qualifi- 
cations came  to  the  Queen's  ears,  who  desired  him  of  her  husband,  because  of  his 
wisdome.  The  King  made  him  her  cupbearer,  in  which  station  he  purchased  to  himself 
great  favour  and  love  of  both  Princes.  But  when  he  had  served  a  long  time,  he  desired 
liberty  to  visit  his  father  and  friends.  The  Queen  yeelded  therto,  upon  condition  he 
should  return  again  to  Scotland,  which  he  promised.  His  father  was  not  willing  he 
should  return  ;  yet  perceaving  he  was  earnest  to  fulfill  his  word,  bestowed  upon  him 
Jewells,  gold,  cloathing,  horses,  and  other  gifts,  to  present  to  the  King  and  Queen,  with 
which  he  returned  back,  and  was  welcomed  by  the  courtiers  and  servants,  to  whom  he 
was  very  beneficiall.  He  married  Dorothea  Dunbar,  daughter  to  the  Earle  of  Marche, 
upon  whom  he  begot  Sir  Henry  Saintclair.  He  got  also  of  the  King  and  Queen  the 
barony  of  Rosline  in  liferent  ;  after  which,  being  desirous  to  try  his  fortune  in  warres, 
he  obtained  a  company  of  men,  underwent  many  dangers  in  resisting  the  Southern  forces, 
and  was  appointed  to  defend  the  borders.  William  the  Conqueror,  offended  att  King 
Malcolm  because  he  would  not  deliver  in  his  hands  (Edward)  Edgar  Etheling,  sent  about 
this  time  the  Duke  of  Gloucestre,  with  a  great  army,  to  invade  the  Scots.  King  Malcolm 
hearing  therof  sent  the  Earles  of  Marche  and  Monteith  with  a  company  of  men  of  warre, 
to  aid  and  assist  the  Sinclair's  forces  ;  wherupon  Sir  William  Sinclair  rushed  forward, 
with  a  design  to  put  the  enimie  out  of  ordre,  but  being  enclosed  by  the  contrary  party, 
he  was  slain  by  the  multitude  of  his  enimies,  wherof  he  made  fall  many  in  heaps  flat 
down  before  his  feet.  The  news  of  his  death  comeing  to  the  two  other  chaiftains,  Marche 
and  Monteith,  they  fell  so  boldly  upon  the  enimie,  that  they  scarce  left  any  alive.  The 
King  and  Queen  lamented  his  misfortune,  and  vow'd  to  be  revenged  of  the  Southerns' 
cruelty. 

He  left  three  childring,  two  daughters,  who  died  infants,  and  one  sone,  Sir 
Henry  Saintclair,  who  succeeded  his  father,  and  was  entirely  beloved  of  the  King  and 
Queen,  who  gave  him  Roslin  in  free  heretadge,  and  made  him  Knight.  He  was  not 
inferior  to  his  father.  He  was  made  governor  and  captain  of  600  men,  past  to  Northum- 
berland and  Cumberland  with  the  King,  to  be  avenged  upon  the  Southerns  for  his 
father's  death,  when  William  the  Conqueror  rencountered  him  with  great  force  ;  but  he 
being  vehimently  stirred  up  to  anger  by  remembring  the  cruell  slaughter  of  his  father, 
went  amongst  his  enimies  like  a  lyon,  so  that  in  a  short  time  he  put  them  to  flight. 
The  King  beholding  this  was  overjoyed,  and  rewarded  him  with  the  barony  of 
Penthland.  Not  long  after  King  Malcolme  was  slain  att  the  siege  of  Anwick,  in 
Northumberland  ;  for  when  those  who  were  within  the  Castle  were  almost  starved,  and 


FEUDAL  PERIOD  (GENEALOGIE).  269 

readie  to  yield,  one  of  their  company  came  riding  in  amies  on  horseback,  with  a  speare  in 
his  hand,  and  the  keys  of  the  Castle  upon  the  point  of  the  spear,  as  the  Scots  thought 
upon  purpose  to  deliver  them  to  the  King,  but  with  the  point  of  the  spear,  he  peerced  the 
King  att  the  left  eye,  and  escaped  by  flight.  This  companion  after  this  was  called  Percie, 
which  name  his  successors  retained.  The  King  died  of  his  wounds.  A  little  before 
Saintclair  married  Rosabell  Forteith,  daughter  to  the  Earle  of  Strathern,  who  bore  to  him 
Henry  Saintclair,  to  whom  he  resigned  all  his  lands,  desireing  the  King  to  make  him  new 
charters,  the  others  being  lost. 

Not  long  after  he  died,  and  left  to  succeed  him  his  soue  Sir  Henky  Saintclair, 
whom  King  David  made  Knight.  This  Prince,  remembriug  the  good  service  done  to 
his  father  by  Sir  William  and  Sir  Henry  Saintclair,  made  this  Sir  Henry  a  Privy 
Councellor,  with  the  Earles  of  Marche,  Monteith,  Fife,  and  Angus.  His  dwelling  was  at 
Roslin,  which  is  thought  to  have  been  founded  by  Asterius,  whose  daughter  Panthioria, 
a  Pictish  Lady,  married  Donald  the  First.  Roslin  was  att  that  time  a  great  Forrest,  as 
also  Pentland  Hills,  and  a  great  part  of  the  countrey  about,  so  that  there  did  abound  in 
those  parts  great  number  of  harts,  hynds,  deer  and  roe,  with  other  wild  beasts.  This 
Sir  Henry  married  Elizabeth  Gartnay,  daughter  to  the  Earle  of  Marre,  and  begot  William 
Saintclair,  Henry  Saintclair,  and  three  daughters,  Marie,  Margaret,  and  one  who  died 
young.  About  this  time  Stephen,  King  of  England,  sent  the  Duke  of  Gloucestre  to 
Northumberland  to  waste  it  with  fire  and  sword,  because  King  David  refused  to  doe  him 
hommage  for  Northumberland,  Cumberland,  and  Huntingdonshire.  King  David  heareing 
this,  made  Sir  Henry  Saintclair  captain  of  8,000  men  affoot,  collected  out  of  the  north 
parts  of  Scotland.  The  Earles  of  Marche  and  Angus  were  appointed  to  command  the 
companies  collect  out  of  the  south  parts,  viz.,  Lothian,  Merse,  Teviotdale,  Galloway,  etc. 
Those  armies  meeting,  att  length  joyned  in  battle.  It  was  uncertain  for  a  long  time  to 
whose  side  the  victory  should  incline.  Att  length  the  strongest  wing  of  the  English 
army  being  disordered  by  the  Earle  of  Marche  with  a  company  of  horsemen,  Sir  Henry 
Saintclair  forced  the  English  to  fly,  none  being  able  to  abide  his  blows.  In  this  battle, 
which  was  given  att  Allertoun,  many  English  were  slain,  many  were  taken  prisoners, 
amongst  whom  the  Duke  himself,  and  other  nobles  were  :  scarce  the  tenth  part  got  away. 
King  David,  after  this  victory,  returned  home,  and  rewarded  largely  his  nobles.  He  gave 
to  Sir  Henry  Saintclair  Cardain,  which  from  him,  was  called  Cardain  Saintclair,  and  have- 
ing  concluded  a  peace,  he  deceased  in  the  29th  year  of  his  reign,  1153.  Malcolm,  surnamed 
the  Maiden,  because  he  was  never  married,  nor  knew  woman,  succeeded  his  grandfather. 
About  the  beginning  of  his  reign  there  was  a  plague  and  famin  through  all  Scotland. 
Somerled,  Thane  of  Argyle,  beholding  this,  and  contemning  the  King's  adge,  who  was 
but  about  j 3  years  of  adge,  came  into  the  countrey,  robing  and  killing  all  that  resisted 
him.  The  King,  sieing  this,  sent  Gilchrist,  Earle  of  Angus,  against  him  :  they  killed 
two  thousand  of  his  men.  Somerled  fled  to  Ireland.  King  Malcolme  reigned  12  years, 
and  dieing  att  Edinburgh,  was  buried  at  Dumfermeling.  Next  to  him  succeeded  his 
brother  William,  surnamed  Lyon,  who  sent  Sir  Henry  Saintclair  ambassador  toward 
Henry  King  of  England,  about  the  beginning  of  his  reign,  to  redemand  Northumberland. 
King  Henry  appeared  willing  to  doe  him  justice  ;  after  which  Saintclair,  returning  home, 
died,  leaving  behind  him  two  sones,  William  and  Henry,  and  two  daughters,  Marie  and 
Margaret. 

His  sone  Sir  William  succeeded  ;  he  was  Baron  of  Roslin,  Pentland,  Pentland 
Moore,  in  free  forestrie,  Shirriff  of  Lothian,  Baron  of  Cousland,  Cardaine  Saintclair,  and 


27o  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 

Great  Master  Hunter  of  Scotland.  King  William  deceasing  in  the  29  year  of  his  reign, 
the  74  year  of  his  adge,  and  of  our  Lord  1214,  Alexander  the  Second,  a  valiant  prince, 
his  sone,  succeeded.  He  loved  Sir  William  Saintclair,  whose  excellent  beauty  and 
delicat  proportion  of  body  he  mutch  esteemed  ;  he  made  him  Knight,  Shirriff  of  Lothian, 
and  bestowed  upon  him  considerable  gifts  :  att  which  time  the  Commons  of  England,  not 
being  willing  to  endure  King  John's  tyranny,  sent  to  Scotland  and  France  for  succor. 
King  Alexander  entered  England,  and  shortly  after  Lewis,  Dauphin  of  France,  came  to 
London  without  any  impediment.  King  Alexander  informed  thereof,  gathered  30,000 
men,  with  a  design  to  joyn  him.  For  that  effect  he  sent  Sir  William  Saintclair  with 
5,000  light  horsemen  before,  to  observe  the  passages  ;  and  finding  no  impediment  he 
came  to  London,  where  haveing  met  with  Lewis  the  Dauphin,  they  conferred  about  the 
presente  state  of  the  countrey.  Afterwards  they  sailed  over  into  France  to  King  Philip, 
to  renew  the  ancient  friendship  betwixt  France  and  Scotland,  takeing  only  ten  ships  with 
them,  leaveing  the  rest  of  the  armys  to  be  governed  by  Sir  William  Saintclair  and  the 
Earle  of  Marche.  Their  bonds  of  friendship  being  renewed,  they  returned  to  London. 
Att  that  time  King  John,  through  displeasure,  died.  They  sieing  this,  and  takeing  away 
all  occasion  of  warre,  by  their  counsell,  returned  to  their  countreys.  King  Alexander, 
after  his  return,  did  reward  his  nobles,  amongst  whom  he  gave  to  Sir  William  Saintclair 
the  Barony  of  Cousland  in  heretadge,  as  charters  yet  extant  do  record.  He  made  him 
also  new  charters  of  his  lands  of  Rosline,  for  it  would  appear  his  old  charters  had  been 
burnt,  or  destroyed  some  way  or  ane  other  in  King  William's  time,  because  of  the  great 
trouble  that  was  then  in  the  country.     He  gave  him  also  the  Baxter  lands  of  Innerleith. 

Not  long  after  King  Alexander  died,  in  the  35  year  of  his  reign,  and  of  our  Lord 
1249.  Next  to  him  succeeded  King  Alexander  the  Third,  who  raised  ane  armie  of 
40,000  men  against  King  Acho  of  Norway,  who  did  invade  the  Isles,  and  subjected  them 
to  his  dominion,  the  which  armie  was  divided  into  three  bodies.  In  the  one  was 
Sir  Alexander  Stewart  of  Dundonald,  with  the  Earles  of  Monteith  and  Lennox,  who 
governed  the  men  of  Argyle,  Athole,  Lennox,  and  Galloway  ;  in  the  other  was  Sir 
William  Sinclare  of  .Roslin,  with  the  Earle  of  Marche,  who  governed  the  men  of  the 
Merse,  Teviotdale,  Lothian,  Berwick,  Fife,  and  Stirlingshire  ;  and  in  the  middle  was 
King  Alexander,  with  all  the  power  of  Scotland.  So  the  armies  joyning,  the  Scots 
became  victorious  with  no  great  difficulty,  and  slew  of  the  Danes  24,000,  so  that  King 
Acho  was  compelled  to  fly  to  the  castle  of  Aire,  and  from  thence  to  Orkney,  where  he 
ended  his  life.  The  same  day  was  borne  to  Alexander  a  sone  named  Alexander,  wherat 
the  Scots  had  double  cause  of  joy.  After  this,  by  the  persuasion  of  one  Symon  Strong, 
some  of  the  nobility  of  England  rose  up  against  Henry  their  king,  who  sought  for  help 
from  Scotland,  to  whom  was  sent  Sir  William  Saintclair  and  John  Cummyn,  with  5,000 
men,  who  soon  pacified  the  matter  and  returned  home.  Not  long  after  King  Alexander, 
rideing  a  hunting  upon  a  fierce  horse  att  Kinghorne,  by  chance,  att  the  west  end  of  the 
rock,  towards  the  sea  side,  fell  and  broke  his  neck,  in  the  37  year  of  his  reign,  and  of 
our  Lord  1286.  Stories  record  that  the  day  before  the  King's  death,  one  Thomas 
Leirmont  said  to  the  Earle  of  Marche,  that  before  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day  there 
should  blow  sutch  a  winde  as  should  bring  great  calamity  to  Scotland,  which  was  fulfilled 
by  the  King's  death,  which  ensued  before  the  afternoone  of  the  next  day.  After  the 
death  of  King  Alexander,  in  respect  he  had  no  posterity,  there  was  appointed  governors. 
In  the  meantime,  one  Robert  Bruce,  Earl  of  Carrick,   and  one  John  Balliol,   Earl  of 


FEUDAL  PERIOD  (GENEALOGIE).  271 


Galloway,  did  strive  who  should  be  king  ;  the  which  difference  they  thought  meet  to  be 
taken  away  by  the  judgment  of  Edward  the  First,  King  of  England,  who  made  John 
Balliol  King,  although  it  did  of  right  belong  to  Robert  Bruce,  but  on  this  condition,  that 
he  should  have  it  as  holdeu  of  him,  and  so  should  be  att  his  command,  which  he  conde- 
scended unto.  At  the  same  time  King  Edward  sending  for  help  from  John  Balliol 
against  the  French,  and  not  being  obeyed,  he  sends  a  navie  to  Berwick  against  him. 
His  company  sieing  the  number  of  their  enimies,  yet  nothing  dismayed,  discomfited 
eighteen  of  their  ships.  King  Edward,  greatly  offended  att  this,  sent  a  greater,  number, 
who,  for  all  that,  could  not  prevaill,  the  city  was  so  well  defended,  but  were  compelled  to 
use  deceit.  First,  they  feigned  flight,  afterwards  made  standards  like  to  the  Scots,  and 
sent  them  who  were  fled  to  them  for  feare  to  the  city  to  make  open  way  for  John  Balliol. 
The  citizens,  sieing  the  Scots'  banner,  opened  the  ports  to  their  enimies.  They  haveing 
got  entrance  to  the  city,  spared  neither  men,  women,  nor  childring  ;  and  sundry  Knights 
were  taken,  among  whom  some  of  the  most  valiant  fled  to  the  Castle,  as  Sir  William 
Saintclair,  the  Earle  of  Monteith,  and  others,  who  for  want  of  provisions  were  compelled 
to  yeeld.  John  Balliol  was  also  delivered  by  John  Cummin  in  the  hands  of  Edward,  to 
whom  he  resigned  his  title  of  the  kingdom  of  Scotland,  who  was  subject  to  the 
Southernes'  cruelty,  and  had  been  altogither  undone  had  not  God  raised  up  a  young 
man  named  Sir  William  Wallace,  sone  to  Sir  Edward  Wallace  of  Craigie,  who,  by  his 
insuperable  and  victorious  hand,  relieved  his  countrey  and  was  made  governor  of  it. 
He  was  not  long  governor,  when  he  began  to  be  hated  of  his  countrey  men,  which  he 
perceiving,  by  the  flight  of  the  Cummins  at  Falkirk,  would  be  no  longer  governor,  and 
therfor  John  Curamyn,  Earle  of  Buchan,  was  made  governor,  who,  with  his  two 
colleagues,  Sir  William  Saintclair  of  Roslin,  and  Symon  Frazer  of  Bigger,  proved  valliant 
att  Roslin  Moore.  King  Edward  sent  to  Scotland  30,000  chosen  men,  under  the  govern- 
ment of  one  Rodolph  Comfrene,  thinking  therby  to  make  a  whole  conquest  therof, 
without  let  or  stay.  This  Rodolph  divided  his  men  into  three  armies,  appointing  to 
every  one  of  them  10,000,  and  ordained  them  all  to  meet  at  Roslin  Moore,  and  from 
thence  to  pass  through  the  rest  of  the  countrey,  with  slaughter  and  burning.  This 
comeing  to  the  governor's  ears,  who  haveing  but  eight  thousand  in  his  company,  and  two 
other  captains,  to  witt,  Sir  William  Saintclair  and  the  Frazer,  yet  for  all  that  resolved  to 
hazard  himself,  and  comeing  to  the  place  is  rencountered  with  ten  thousand  men,  att  a 
place  in  the  moore  named  Bilsdone  burne,  where  he  with  the  other  two,  after  encourage- 
ment of  the  company,  proved  so  valiant,  that  in  a  short  time  they  became  victors,  slew 
Rodolph  their  Generall  :  the  death  of  whom,  after  it  came  to  the  ears  of  a  lady  in 
England,  who  intirely  loved  him,  she  made  be  sett  up  in  remembrance  of  his  death 
into  that  part,  a  crosse  of  stone,  which  att  that  time  was  all  gilded  over.  But  to  our 
purpose. 

The  victory  being  gained,  the  spoile  gathered,  and  unsuspicion  of  any  danger 
to  ensue,  att  once  they  behold  marching  against  them  10,000  men.  Att  the  sight  therof, 
all  amazed,  made  the  prisoners  be  slaine,  least  they  should  raise  again  ;  and  att  the  counsell 
of  Sir  William  Saintclair,  who  knew  all  those  bounds,  passed  over  Draidon  Burne,  where 
there  was  rood  for  them  to  escape  in  if  they  were  put  to  flight.  Their  enimies,  thinking 
to  be  revenged  on  the  slaughter  before  committed,  came  to  that  part  where  when  the 
battle  was  joyned,  their  fortune  was  so  bad  that  they  became  companions  to  the  former 
company.      This  victory  scarce  was    obtained,  when,    behold,  a   new  company   of  ten 


THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


thousand  men  is  readie  to  joyne  in  battle  with  them,  which  the  Scots  beholding  became 
all  dismayed  ;  yet,  through  the  persuasive  exhortations  of  their  captains,  their  courage 
became  fresh  ;  and  anone  the  three  captains  went  through  all  the  companys  where  the 
wounded  and  slain  were,  and  slew  all  the  English  that  were  alive,  and  to  every  Scot 
liveing  they  gave  a  weapon,  to  the  end  they  might  kill  the  English  that  came  upon 
them,  and  after  that  they  went  to  prayer,  desireing  God  to  remove  their  offences,  and  to 
consider  how  just  their  cause  was.  The  English  thinking  because  they  were  with  heads 
uncovered,  and  knees  bended,  that  they  craved  mercie  of  them  ;  and  so,  without  thought 
of  any  resistance  to  be  made,  they  came  over  Draidon  Burne,  where,  contra  ire  to  their 
expectations  of  friends,  they  found  foes,  of  men  overcome,  men  redie  to  be  victors.  Yea, 
within  short  time,  put  them  to  flight,  although  the  battle  continued  for  a  space  with 
uncertain  victory.  This  victorie,  to  speake  by  the  way,  gained  as  great  praise  to  our 
countrey  as  any  they  ever  obtained.     But  to  our  purpose. 

After  this  great  victory  was  obtained,  every  one  of  the  three  cheftains  radie  to 
receave  part  of  the  spoile,  they  went  to  consultation  what  way  it  should  be  divided,  and 
to  Sir  William  Saiutclair,  because  his  dwelling  was  in  that  part  of  the  countrey,  they 
gave  the  ground  wheron  the  battle  was  fought,  the  first  of  them  at  Bilsdon  Burne, 
besides  Draidone,  the  which,  to  this  day,  is  called  the  Shinne  Bones,  some  bones  and 
swords  being  therin  found  to  this  day  ;  the  other  two  betwixt  Draidon  and  Hathornden, 
which  place  is  called  the  graves.  The  other  two  cheftains  divided  the  rest  of  the  spoil 
betwixt  them.  Sir  William  Saintclair,  after  his  good  success  in  this  battle,  returned  to 
his  dwelling  not  farre  from  that  place,  and  carried  with  him  one  English  prisoner,  a  man 
of  no  small  estimation  in  England,  whom  he  entertained  so  well,  that  whilst  he  remained 
with  him,  all  things  that  might  anyway  turn  to  the  best  he  gave  him  counsel  in,  as 
amongst  the  rest,  because  he  saw  the  Castle  of  Rosline  not  to  be  strong  enough,  he 
advised  him  to  build  it  on  the  rock  where  it  now  standeth  ;  which  councell  he  embraced, 
and  builded  the  Wall  Tower  with  other  buildings,  and  there  he  dwelt.  .  .  .  He  had 
two  sones,  Henry  and  William,  of  whom  hereafter. 

After  the  battle,  this  countrey  was  greatly  vexet  by  the  tyranny  of  Edward  Long- 
shanks  ;  neither  ever  did  any  Scot  live  att  ease,  except  those  who  yeelded  to  him,  untill 
the  time  that  Robert  Bruce  was  made  King,  who  when,  after  great  trouble,  he  had 
established  his  realme  under  his  own  government,  then  did  he  reward  those  who  were 
partakers  of  the  paines  he  took  in  relieving  the  countrey  from  tyranny  ;  amongst  whom, 
by  all  the  rest,  he  rewarded  ritchly  that  valiant  champion,  Sir  James  Dowglasse  and  Sir 
William  Saintclair,  that  worthy  warriour,  which  two  he  preferred  above  all  the  rest  in 
respect  of  their  fidelity,  which  appeared  after  that  att  the  battle  of  Bannockburne,  fought 
upon  Saint  John's  Day,  1314,  wheratt  they  two  proved  most  valiant.  But  also  the  two 
sones  of  Sir  William  Saintclair  proved  so  well,  that  all  men  admired  their  valour,  the 
report  therof  comeing  to  the  King's  ears,  he  receaved  the  eldest,  to  wit,  Henry,  into  his 
service,  and  made  William,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld.     .     .     . 

When  King  Robert  the  Bruce  was  returned  from  Ireland  with  his  countrey  free  from 
King  Edward's  tyranny,  he  began  to  take  pleasure  in  pastimes,  as  hunting  and  hawking 
.  .  .  It  was  at  one  of  these  functions  that  Sir  William  Saintclair  of  Roslin  is  stated  to 
have  staked  his  head  that  his  two  hounds,  Help  and  Hold,  would  kill  a  certain  white 
faunch  deer  before  she  could  cross  the  Marcheburne.  They  caught  her  in  mid-stream. 
(The  incident  is  recounted  more  fully  in  Cameos  of  the  Gens.)     In  his  need  he  had  sought 


FEUDAL  PERIOD  (GENEALOGIE).  273 

assistance  of  Saint  Katharine,  and  in  gratitude  built  the  church  of  St.  Kathrine  in  the 
Hopes.  ...  Sir  William,  after  this,  proved  valiant  in  Northumberland,  togither 
with  his  companion,  the  doughty  Dowglas  ;  and  after  the  death  of  King  Robert,  they, 
togither  with  Sir  Robert  Logan,  tooke  Bruce  his  heart  enclosed  in  a  coffer  of  gold,  and 
delicately  spiced,  to  Hierusalem.  where,  royally,  they  buried  it,  and  then  joyned  them- 
selves with  their  company,  to  Christians,  where  they  valiantly  subdue  their  enimies  ;  and 
returning  home  by  force  of  winde,  was  driven  upon  the  coast  of  Spain,  where  they  found 
the  King  of  Arragon  warring  against  the  Sarrazens  of  that  countrey,  and  joyned  them- 
selves to  his  forces  ;  so,  through  their  good  fortune  in  fight,  they  became  careless,  not 
esteeming  of  their  enimies,  till  att  length,  through  deceit  of  Sarazens,  they  were  slain. 
So  ended  those  valiant  Knights,  in  defence  of  the  right,  whose  vertues  are  as  examples  to 
allure  men  to  doe  the  like.  A  modern  poet  hath  made  the  following  verses  on  Sir 
William  Saintclair  and  Sir  Robert  Logan,  two  honourable  and  hardy  Knights,  famous  for 
their  fortitude  in  the  warres  of  the  Bruce, — for  their  expedition  to  the  Holy  Land  with 
his  heart, — for  many  knightly  deads  in  the  Holy  Warres,  where  they  were  slain,  the  year 
of  Christ  1330  : — 

The  constant  courage,  and  the  loyall  love, 
The  hardie  hearts,  the  readiness  of  hands, 

While  that  the  strong  King  stiff  and  stoutly  strove, 
By  force  and  flight,  to  free,  half  lost,  his  lands  ; 
That  in  thir  two,  tried  in  his  worthie  warres, 
Makes  them  now  glister  like  two  golden  starres. 

The  oppositions  and  alterations  oft, 

That  to  imped  their  Prince  his  piece  appear'd, 
Made  nought,  ther  gallants  leave  him,  while  aloft 
On  honour's  rock  his  royal  sege  was  rearde  ; 
No,  nor  when  deade,  but  both  to  after  death, 
Thir  Knights,  weel  kithed,  to  leave  their  Lord  was  loath. 

For  with  that  hardie  Counte  that  had  his  heart, 

To  be  inhumed  att  the  Holy  Grave, 
This  pare,  therwith,  to  pass  prepar'd  departe, 
To  do  't,  the  honour  last  that  it  should  have  ; 
Which  duely  done,  as  the  deceast  deserved, 
'Gainst  Saracens,  whill  they  were  slain,  they  served. 

After  the  death  of  Sir  William  Sinclair  succeeded  to  him  his  eldest  soue  Henry 
.  .  .  when  John  Cummin  the  governor,  after  the  captivity  of  John  Raiddell 
(Randolph)  Earle  of  Murray  and  Governor  before  him,  began  to  tyrannize  over  all 
favourers  of  King  David  Bruce,  he  with  his  confederats  raised  ane  army,  and  in  open 
battle  slew  him  (1338)  ;  in  whose  place  was  constituted  Andrew  Murray  as  Governor  of 
Scotland,  wherat  the  Cummins,  mightily  offended,  came  and  destroyed  all  parts  in  the 
North,  where  they  came  with  fire  and  sword  ;  wherfor  the  Governor  sent  for  help  of  the 
Prince  of  Orkney,  who  comeing  with  his  forces  vanquisht  the  Cummins,  with  all  the 
assistants  and  favourers  of  Balliol,  in  open  battle,  and  then  returning  to  his  country  of 
Orknay,  by  the  way  he  met  a  navie  sent  by  King  Edward  to  destroy  Orknay,  whom  he 
rencountred  so  bravely,  that  with  his  small  number,  he  slew  two  thousand,  and  put  all 
the  rest  to  flight,  and  so  went  home.  Soon  after  this  died  Andrew  Murray,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1338,  and  within  three  years  after  came  King  David  Bruce  to  Scotland,  who, 


THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


rememb'ring  the  injurys  done  to  him  by  the  Southerns,  sent  ane  army  under  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Prince  of  Orknay,  and  John  Raiddell  into  England,  who  returned  with  great 
spoile.  King  David,  not  contented  therwith,  made  the  Prince  of  Orknay  bring  a 
thousand  chosen  men  out  of  Orknay,  the  which  adding  to  his  army  of  19,000  men,  he 
sent  them  to  England  under  the  command  of  the  Prince  of  Orknay,  and  the  Earle  of 
Marche,  who  burnt  and  slew  in  all  parts  where  they  came,  and  returned  with  a  ritch  prey  ; 
wherfor  the  King  rewarded  them,  for  he  made  Henry  Saintclair,  Lord  Saintclaire  and 
Lord  Chief  Justice  of  Scotland.  After  this  King  David  was  taken  att  Durham  (1346) 
where  he  had  sent  an  army  in  help  of  the  King  of  France,  and  sundry  of  his  nobles  were 
slain  through  the  flight  of  Robert  Stewart  Prince  of  Scotland,  and  the  Earle  of  Marche, 
through  which  shortly  after  his  return  to  his  country  he  died,  and  was  buried  at  Holy- 
rood-house,  in  the  39th  year  of  his  reign,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1370.  .  .  .  Next  to 
Prince  Henry  Saintclair  succeeded  his  eldest  sone  Henry,  second  of  the  name,  Prince  of 
Orknay,  etc.  .  .  .  who  left  behind  him  one  sone  named  William  and  one  daughter 
who  was  married  to  the  Earle  of  Marche.      .     .     .* 

The  history  of  Southerland  derives  the  Saintclairs  from  Walderin  or  Woldonius  in 
France,  whose  sone,  Guillelmus  de  Sancto  Claro,  did,  as  they  alledge,  marie  Agnas 
Dunbar,  daughter  to  Patrick,  first  Earle  of  Marche.  They  say  that  Kathrin,  daughter 
to  Forteeth,  the  Earle  of  Strathern,  married  Sir  Henry  Saintclair,  whose  sone  Henry, 
married  Margaret,  daughter  to  Gratney,  the  Earle  of  Marre.  This  Henry's  sone.  Sir 
William,  pass'd  into  Spaine  with  good  Sir  William  Douglas,  who  carried  the  Bruce's 
heart  to  Hierusalem  ;  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Sparre,  daughter  to  the  Earle  of 
Orknay  and  Shetland,  and  so  by  her  became  first  Earl  of  Orknay  of  the  Saintclairs.  His 
name  was  Julius  Sparre.  He  is  also  reputed  Earle  of  Stratherne  and  Cathnes.  The 
second  Earle  was  Henry  Saintclair  Prince  of  Orknay  and  Shetland,  Duke  of  Holdeni- 
bourg,  Knight  of  the  Golden  Fleece,  etc. ,  who  married  Florentina,  daughter  to  the  King 
of  Danemarke.  The  third  Earle  was  his  sone,  Henry  Saintclair,  Prince  of  Orknay  and 
Shetland,  Duke  of  Holdembourg,  Lord  Saintclair,  Knight  of  the  Cockle,  and  of  the  Ordre 
of  Saint  George  in  England,  etc.  It  is  to  be  noted,  nevertheless,  that  his  name  is  not 
inroll'd  or  registrat  amongst  the  Knights  att  Windsor.  He  married  Giles  Dowglass. 
daughter  to  William  Dowglas,  Lord  Nithsdale,  called  the  Black  Dowglas,  and  Giles 
Stewart,  daughter  of  King  Robert  the  Second.  The  fourth  Earle  was  Sir  William  Saint- 
clair, called  Prodigus,  Knight  of  the  Cockle  and  Golden  Fleece,  Prince  of  Orknay  and 
Shetland,  etc.  .  .  .  This  William  married  Elizabeth  Dowglass,  daughter  to  Archibald 
Tine/na?i  first  Duke  of  Turaine,  and  after  her  death  he  married  Margaret  Southerland, 
daughter  to  Alexander  of  Southerland,  eldest  sone  of  John  Earle  of  Southerland,  second  of 
the  name,  by  whom  he  had  Oliver,  Laird  of  Roslin,  etc.,  and  William.  The  last  obtained 
the  Earledome  of  Cathness  in  the  latter  end  of  King  James  the  Second's  reign,  and  was 
slain  att  Flowdon,  1513.  (In  Nisbet's  Heraldry  there  is  a  similar  account  of  the 
Saintclairs.) 

All  what  is  above  recorded  by  the  Genealogists  doth  not  agree  with  the  Evidences, 
Historys,  Registers  and  other  privat  Memoirs  I  have  found  in  Gentlemen's  hands.  It's 
certain  that  the  Saintclairs  came  originally  from  France,  where  there  are  as  yet  severall 
places  of  that  name.  In  Normandy  there  is  a  place  named  Saintclair,  upon  the  river  of 
Epte,  where  the  Emperor  Othon  was  beat  by  the  Normans  in  949,  whilst  Lewis  the  Third 

*The  preceding  is  evidently  by  Van  Bassan,  and  what  follows  by  Hay. 


FEUDAL  PERIOD  (GENEALOGIES  275 

was  King  of  France.  There  is  also  a  village  called  Saintclair  two  leagues  distant  from 
Moncontour,  where  Gaspard  de  Coligny,  Admiral  of  France,  incamped  the  30th  of 
Septembre,  1569  ;  but  whilst  he  was  decamping  he  was  met  by  the  army  of  the  Catholicks, 
and  lost  200  foot  souldiers  and  120  horse.  It  is  probable  that  the  Saintclairs  tooke  their 
surname  from  some  place  or  other  so  called  in  France.  They  came  over  to  England  with 
William,  Duke  of  Normandy.  I  find  in  the  annals  of  Clifteaux,  written  by  Angelus 
Manriquez,  p.  436,  ad  annum  1167  :  "  Hugonem  de  Santo  Claro,  cum  Roberto  de  Lacy, 
Jocelino  de  Balliolo,  Thoma  filio  Bernardi,  excommunicatum  a  Sancto  Thonia  Cantuariensi, 
quod  in  possessiones  et  bona  Ecclesiae  Cantuariensis  nianus  extenderat,  ut  eis  abuteretur, 
et  eorum  usus  impediverat,  quorum  necessitatibus  erant  deputata. "  This  proves  that 
they  were  established  very  early  in  England.  In  the  History  of  the  Earles  of  Drewx  in 
France,  I  find  Eleoner,  daughter  to  Robert  the  Second,  Earle  of  Drewx,  and  Joland  of 
Coucy,  married  first  to  Hugo  Lord  of  Chateauneuf,  and  afterwards  to  Robert  de  Saintclair. 
This  Eleonor's  nephew,  Robert  the  fourth  Earle  of  Drewx,  who  died  in  1282,  begot  upon 
Beatrix,  only  daughter  to  John,  Earle  of  Montfort,  Joleta,  first  married  to  Alexander  the 
Third,  King  of  Scotland,  in  1286,  and  afterwards  to  Arthur,  the  second  Duke  of  Brittany, 
Earle  of  Richmond  and  Montfort ;  which  proves  the  Saintclairs  to  have  been  considerable 
men  in  those  parts.  As  for  Scotland,  I  find  none  of  them  named  amongst  us  before  King 
William's  time.  The  first  I  find  recorded  is  Alane  Saintclair,  to  whom  Roland,  Earle  of 
Galloway,  grants  the  lands  of  Hermaneston,  bounded  as  att  present.  As  for  Roslin,  it 
was  not  in  the  Saintclairs'  hands  till  that  King's  time  att  soonest,  for  in  the  beginning  of 
his  reigne  I  find  Thomas  de  Roslyn  witness  to  a  charter,  granted  by  Robert  de  Monteforti, 
in  the  Chartulare  of  Aberbrothe  ;  and  Roger  of  Roslin  is  witness  to  severall  charters  of 
William  of  Lysuris,  Laird  of  Gorton.  Henry  of  Roskelyn  resigns  his  lands  to  Alexander 
the  Third,  which  are  disponed  in  favour  of  William  Saintclair  in  1280.  Whether  this 
Henry  was  of  the  same  surname  or  not  I  cannot  determine  till  further  enquiry. 

The  further  observations  of  Father  Hay  will  be  found  under  the  different  sections  of 
this  work.     The  Editor  of  his  MS.  refers  to  him  in  these  words  : — 

"Of  Father  Hay,  some  account  will  be  found  prefixed  to  the  '  Genealogie  of  the  Hayes 
of  Tweeddale.'  His  mother,  Jean  Spotswood,  having,  upon  the  death  of  her  first 
husband,  George  Hay,  youngest  son  of  Sir  George  Hay,  Lord  Register,  married  James 
Saintclair  of  Rosslyn,  this  connection  naturally  afforded  the  stepson  access  to  the  muni- 
ments in  the  Rosslyn  charter-chest,  and  from  these  writings  he  was  enabled  principally  to 
compile  this  genealogy  of  the  family.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  reverend  gentleman 
was  so  careless  in  making  his  transcripts,  as  in  many  instances  various  evident  mistakes 
have  crept  in,  which  the  absence  of  the  original  documents  renders  it  sometimes  difficult 
to  correct.  Fortunately  these  inaccuracies,  generally  speaking,  are  of  no  very  great 
moment ;  and  it  will  be  always  remembered  that  Father  Hay  was  no  more  faulty  than  the 
other  Scottish  antiquaries  and  genealogists  of  the  period,  who  attached  no  importance  to 
that  extreme  accuracy  which  in  modern  times  is  so  properly  deemed  essential  to  the 
transcription  and  publication  of  ancient  writings.  Much,  therefore,  as  we  may  desiderate 
the  too  frequent  occurrence  of  error,  we  must  be  thankful  that  copies  of  deeds  of  such 
value  were  taken,  as  no  traces  of  the  original  charters  and  other  papers  can  now  be 
found." 

Since  Maidment  wrote  the  foregoing,  one  document  at  least  has  been  discovered  in 
private  ownership,  "  The  Testament  of  Alexander  Sutherland  of  Dunbeath,  in  Caithness," 


276 


THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


and  a  comparison  with  Hay's  transcript  shows  that  they  agree  in  every  way.  The 
History  of  the  Saintclairs  was  written  by  one  James  van  Bassan,  a  Dane  who  lived  long 
at  Roslin  Castle,  and  whom  Nisbet  terms  '  a  very  confident  genealogist. '  The  mediaeval 
St.  Clairs  of  Rosslyn  bore  the  names  of  William  and  Henry  in  alternation,  and  this  has 
occasioned  a  transposition  of  many  historical  references,  some  being  antedated  by  one  or 
two  generations,  and  others  being  postdated  similarly. 


SCOTTISH  -  NORMAN    ALLIANCES. 


277 


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278  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


THE   LORDS   OF    ROSSLYN. 

FEUDAL  PP;RIOD. 

Saint  Clair  is  the  principal  town  in  the  canton  of  that  name  in  the  arrondissement 
of  St.  Lo  in  Normandy.  The  site  of  the  castle  was  to  be  seen  when  M.  de  Gerville  wrote 
his  valuable  work  on  the  castles  in  La  Manche.*  The  Lord  of  St.  Clair  accompanied  the 
Norman  invaders  of  England,  and  is  duly  recorded  in  the  Battle  Abbey  Roll,  as  also  in 
the  other  lists  of  the  conquerors  by  Wace,  Duchesne,  and  Leland.  The  former  in  his 
description  of  the  great  battle  has  : — 

"  Dunct  puist  Hue  de  Mortemer 
Od  li  sire  d'Auviler  ; 
Cil  d'Onebac  e  de  Saint  Cler 
Engleiz  firent  mult  enverser." 

Hugh  de  Mortimer,  with  three  other  knights,  the  sires  of  Auviler,  Onebac,  and 
St.  Cler,  charged  a  body  of  the  Angles  who  had  fallen  back  on  a  rising  ground,  and 
overthrew  many.  A  Richard  de  Sender  is  entered  in  Domesday,  from  whom  the  British 
Sinclairs  are  assumed  to  descend.*  Almost  immediately  after  conquering  England  they 
appear  in  high  positions,  not  only  in  that  kingdom,  but  also  in  the  principality  of  Wales 
and  the  neighbouring  kingdom  of  Scotland,  wherein  two  families  of  the  name— between 
whom  no  connection  can  now  be  traced — were  settled  at  an  early  period,  the  one  at 
Herdmanston,  and  the  other  at  Rosslyn.  The  first  on  record  of  the  Herdmanston  Line 
was  Henry  St.  Clair,  who  received  (circa.  1160)  a  charter  of  Langild  from  William  de 
Moreville,  Constable  of  Scotland,  which  charter  was  afterwards  confirmed  by  Roland 
fitzUthred  (successor  to  Wm.  de  Moreville)  thereafter  Earl  of  Galloway,  to  Alan  de  St. 
Clair  and  Matilda  of  Windsor,  his  spouse,  t  Robert  de  St.  Clair  attests  at  Windsor, 
20th  September,  1261,  an  Inspeximus  by  the  King,  Henry  III.,  of  a  charter  of  Alexander, 
son  of  the  King  of  Scots  ;  and  again  there  is  an  inquisition  before  him  18th  October,  1264. 
Robert  de  Sancto  Claro  attests  a  charter  executed  at  Alicht  by  Alexander  II.  to  the 
burgh  of  Aberdeen  27th  February  (1213-49).  After  him  there  is  an  hiatus  until  the 
war  of  the  Scottish  Succession,  consequent  upon  the  premature  death  of  the  Maiden  of 
Norway  (1290),  when,  beside  William  and  John  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  William  St. 
Clair,  presently  of  Roslin,  his  heir  Henry,  his  second  son  William,  the  warrior-priest  of 
Dunkeld,  and  Gregory  St.  Clair  [of  Longformacus],  assumed  to  be  his  son,  come  on  the 
scene. 

SIR    WILLIAM    ST.  CLAIR,   ist  LORD    OF    ROSLIN, 

is  constantly  en  evidence  amongst  the  foremost  patriots  of  the  period,  and  is  found  high  in 
favour  at  the  Scottish  Court.  Burke \  has  it  that  he  was  appointed  vicecomes  (sheriff)  of 
the  County  of  Edinburgh  for  life  in  1271  ;  but  the  "Memorial  of  the  ancient  family  of 
St.  Clair  of  Roslin  "§  sets  forth  that  "  He  executed  the  office  of  high-sheriff  of  the  shire 
of  Edinburgh  in  the  30th  year  of  Alexander  III.  anno  1278."     There  are  several  notices 

*  Planche.  f  Hay.  %  Art.  E.  of  Caithness.  \  Nisbet. 


SIR  WILLIAM    ST.  CLAIR,    ist  LORD.  279 

of  Sir  William  in  the  Exchequer  Rolls  of  Scotland,  where  he  figures  as  sheriff  of  various 
shires  from  1264  to  1290,  viz.:  Haddington,  1264-66;  Linlithgow,  1264;  Edinburgh, 
1266;  Dumfries,  1288;  Edinburgh,  1288-90;  and  Linlithgow,  1290.  In  1288  he  was 
allowed  18s.  4d.  for  wages  to  a  gardener  at  Haddington  and  outlay  on  garden,  but 
notified  that  he  must  in  future  keep  the  garden  at  his  own  cost.  He  was  Justiciarius 
Galwythie  1288-89,  and  in  1288  returned  his  lucra  for  one  year  as  £9  is.  8d.  He  figures 
as  Guardian  of  the  Prince  of  Scotland  1279-81.  This  is  shown  by  the  following  letters 
from  Prince  Alexander  of  Scotland  to  his  uncle  Edward  I.  of  England  : — Alexander  his 
nephew,  and  firstborn  son  of  Alex.  King  of  Scotland,  to  his  most  hearty  uncle  the  King, 
expresses  the  warmest  affection  for  himself,  the  Queen  and  their  children,  and  wishes  to 
hear  of  them  more  frequently.  He  prays  him  to  grant  the  petition  which  Sir  Ingram  de 
Umfraville  is  about  to  make  for  the  lands  of  his  late  father  Sir 
Robert  de  Umfraville  on  whose  behalf  his  lord  father  has  also 
written.  He  believes  the  King  will  be  glad  to  hear  good  news  of 
himself  and  kindred,  and  having  no  seal  of  his  own  he  appends 
that  of  Sir  Wm.  de  St.  Clair  his  guardian  (c.  29th  March,  1279). 
Again,  c.  1281.  Alex,  his  consanguineous,  first-born  of  Alex., 
King  of  Scotland,  to  his  uncle  the  King,  as  he  is  greatly  delighted 
to  hear  of  his  health  begs  him  to  send  accounts  of  it  oftener  and 
assures  him  of  his  own  well-being,  having  no  seal  of  his  own  he 
appends  that  of  Sir  Wm.  de  St.  Clair  his  guardian. 

With  regard  to  his  ancestry,  the  History  of  the  St.  Clairs,*  while  doubtless  recording 
many  incidents  based  on  facts,  is  considerably  at  variance  with  contemporary  annals. 
The  best  theory  seems  to  be  that  this  Sir  William  was  second  son  to  the  Robert  de 
Saintclair  in  Normandy  who  married  Eleoner,  relict  of  Hugh,  Lord  of  Chateaunef, 
daughter  to  Robert,  the  second  Earl  of  Dreux  in  France,  by  Joland  of  Coucy.t  Crossing 
to  Scotland,  he  became  a  great  favourite  with  King  Alexander,  who  bestowed  on  him  the 
baxter  lands  of  Innerleith  on  the  8th  April,  1280;  while  on  the  14th  September  following, 
on  the  resignation  of  Henry  of  Roskelyn,  he  acquired  from  King  Alexander  a  further 
charter  of  the  lands  and  barony  of  Rosslyn,  to  be  held  for  half  a  knight's  service.* 
Father  Hay  thinks  that  Sir  William  obtained  with  the  lands  of  Innerleith  the  appointment 
or  office  of  Panetarius.  Although  the  office  was  also  held  by  his  successor  Sir  Henry,  it 
does  not  seem  to  have  been  hereditary,  as  in  134S  it  had  gone  to  John  Coniyn,  Earl  of 
Menteith,  and  thereafter  upon  his  forfeiture  to  the  Moray  family.}  Monsieur  Baron,  in 
his  Art  of  Heraldry,  gives  us  the  arms  of  the  Comte  de  Cosse,  Grand  Paneter  of  France, 
who  as  the  badge  of  that  office  carries  (says  he)  below  his  shield,  on  the  dexter  side 
thereof,  a  cup,  and  on  the  sinister  a  standish  with  pen  and  ink.  J  The  foregoing  digression 
is  inserted  to  account  for  the  confusion  in  the  Genealogie  in  applying  incidents  such  as 
the  office  of  cupbearer  to  a  Sir  William  St.  Clair  of  the  time  of  Malcolm  Canmore,  being 
evidently  an  antedating  of  the  Sir  William,  Pantler  du  Roi  of  the  time  of  Alexander  III. 
The  charter  of  1280  is  the  earliest  record  of  the  connection  of  the  St.  Clairs  with  Roslin, 
unless  the  previous  owners  were  also  of  the  same  surname,  which  is  not  clear.  A  Thomas 
de  Roslyn  attests  a  charter  granted  by  Robert  de  Monteforte  (vide  Chartulare  of  Aberbrothe), 
and  Roger  of  Roselyn  attests  severall  charters  of  Wm.  of  Lysuris,  Laird  of  Gourton.t 
About  the  same  time  Sir  Wm.  St.  Clair  acquired  the  Temple  lands  of  Gourton  from 

*  Van  Bassan,  fabulist.  t  Hay.  %  Nisbet. 


28o  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


Walter  fitz  Stephen  de  Melville,  which  lands  are  further  referred  to  in  a  charter  from 
Thomas  Modok  to  (his  son)  John,  and  in  the  attestation  thereto  are  Dominus  Willielmus 
de  Sancto  Claro,  miles,  and  Henricus  de  Sanclo  Claro*  Sir  William  sat  in  the  Scottish 
Parliament  at  Scone,  5th  February,  1283-4,  when  the  succession  to  the  crown  of  Scotland 
was  settled  in  the  event  of  the  demise  of  King  Alexander  III.  i  In  1284  one  William  de 
Saint  Clair  is  joined  with  William  de  Hamilton  as  keeper  of  the  Bishopric  of  Winchester 
in  England,  which  had  become  void  by  the  death  of  Nicholas  de  Ely.*  The  association 
with  a  name  hereafter  so  essentially  Scottish  as  Hamilton  supports  the  inference  that  the 
Wm.  St.  Clair  whom  King  Edward  designates  custos  nostros  Episcopatus  \\  intoniensis  tunc 
vacant  is,  was  from  north  of  the  Tweed.  The  next  year,  1285,  Sir  William  was  one  of  the 
Scottish  embassy  to  France  to  escort  back  the  Queen-elect,  Joleta  of  Dreux,  daughter  of 
Robert,  fourth  Earl  of  Dreux,  and  Beatrix,  only  daughter  of  John,  Earl  of  Montfort. 
The  other  members  of  the  embassy  were :  Thomas  Charteris,  Chancellor  of  Scotland ; 
Sir  Patrick  Graham,  and  Sir  John  Soulis.S  It  will  be  observed  that  if  Sir  William  was, 
as  is  assumed,  the  son  of  Robert  de  St.  Clair,  who  married  Eleanor  de  Dreux,  the  relict 
of  Hugh,  Lord  of  Chateaunef,  then  was  he  nearly  related  to  both  Alexander  III.  and 
Joleta  of  Dreux,  for  Marie  de  Coucy,  Queen  of  Scotland  and  mother  of  Alexander  III., 
was  niece  to  Joland  of  Coucy,  wife  of  Robert  II.,  Earl  of  Dreux,  who  had  issue  Eleanor 
aforesaid,  espoused  by  Robert  de  St.  Clair.  In  brief,  Robert  de  St.  Clair  married  Eleanor 
de  Dreux,  cousin  to  Alexander  III.  of  Scotland,  which  sufficiently  explains  the  visit  of 
Sir  William  '  the  Seemly  '  to  that  country,  his  appointment  as  (Cup-bearer)  Panitarius, 
his  favour  with  King  and  Queen,  to  both  of  whom  he  was  so  closely  allied  ;||;  his  return 
to  France  on  the  embassy  mentioned,  and  his  acquisition  of  lands  and  honours.  The 
"  History  of  the  Saint  Clairs  " — written  in  Saga  form — assigns  these  incidents  to  a  period 
contemporary  with  William,  Conqueror  of  England,  instead  of  the  later  temporary 
Conqueror  of  Scotland — Edward  I.  The  mistake  has  been  perpetuated  by  subsequent 
genealogists.  In  the  Innerleith  and  Roslin  grants  of  1280  there  is  no  territorial 
designation  given  to  Sir  William,  which  supports  the  inference  of  his  being  first  of 
his  line  to  settle  on  Scottish  soil.  In  the  celebrated  letter  to  Edward  I.  from 
the  community  of  Scotland,  dated  at  Bergham,  1289,  amongst  the  barons  is  Guillam 
de  Seincler.  Sir  William  was  appointed  to  take  fealties  in  Galloway  in  1291  ;  and  on 
12th  January,  1292,  Edward  I.  of  England  issued  an  order  to  William  de  St.  Clair  and 
William  de  Boyville  to  take  the  fealty  of  the  Bishop  of  Whithern,  and  thereafter  with 
the  Bishop  those  of  all  Galloway.  (Amongst  those  enumerated  in  the  Submission  and 
Fealty  sworn  by  the  generality  of  the  Scots  Nation  to  King  Edward  I.  of  England,  in 
1292,  1296,  1297,  etc.,  is  a  Willielmus  de  Sancto  Claro.  His  seal  thereto  displays  the 
Merse  cognisance  of  the  three  boars'  heads.  Nisbet  remarks  on  this  person  that  he  takes 
this  gentleman  to  be  of  a  branch  of  the  Sinclairs,  but  neither  the  families  of  Roslin  or 
Hermiston.)  Soon  after  the  meeting  of  the  Estates  of  Scotland  at  Brigham,  Edward  I.  of 
England  secured  to  his  interests  two  of  the  Scottish  Regents.  By  this  measure  he  trusted 
that  he  could  over-rule  their  deliberations  ;  and  grown  confident  in  his  power,  he 
intimated  to  the  Estates  "  that  certain  rumours  of  dangers  and  perils  to  the  Kingdom  of 
Scotland  having  reached  his  ears,  he  judged  it  right  that  all  castles  and  places  of  strength 
in  that   kingdom   should  be  delivered  up  to  him.     This  demand  effectually  roused  the 


Hay.         t  Nisbet,  p.  65.         \  Burke,  Art.  Earl  of  Caithness.         \  Hay,  Balfour's  Annals,  etc. 
|J  See  sketch  on  p.  277. 


SIR  WILLIAM  ST.  CLAIR,   ist  LORD.  281 

Scots,  and  Sir  William  Sinclair,  Sir  Patrick  Grahame,  and  Sir  John  Soulis,  three  knights 
who  had  been  high  in  the  confidence  of  Alexander  III.,  with  the  other  Captains  of  the 
Scottish  castles,  peremptorily  refused  in  the  name  of  the  community  of  Scotland  to 
deliver  its  fortresses  to  anyone  but  their  Queen  and  her  intended  husband,  for  whose 
behoof  they  were  ready  to  bind  themselves  by  oath  to  keep  and  defend  them.  With  this 
firm  reply  Edward  had  to  be  satisfied  ;  and,  sensible  that  he  had  over-rated  his  influence, 
he  patiently  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  young  Queen.  Edward's  scheme  for  the  subjugation 
of  Scotland  was  not  yet  completed  ;  but  all  had  hitherto  succeeded  according  to  his 
wishes.  He  had  procured  the  acknowledgment  of  a  claim  of  superiority  over  that 
kingdom,  which  if  Baliol  should  refuse  to  become  the  creature  of  his  ambition,  gave  him 
a  special  title  to  compel  obedience  as  Lord  Paramount.  By  holding  out  the  prospect  of  a 
crown  to  the  various  competitors,  and  by  many  rich  grants  of  estates  and  salaries  to  the 
prelates  and  the  nobility,  he  had  succeeded  in  securing  them  to  his  interest ;  and  if  any 
feelings  of  indignation,  any  spirit  of  ancient  freedom  and  resistance  remained,  the  apparent 
hopelessness  of  fighting  for  a  country  which  seemed  to  have  deserted  itself,  and  against 
a  prince  of  so  great  a  genius  as  Edward,  effectually  stifled  it  for  the  present.  His  various 
grants  receive  illustration  from  the  '  Rotuli  Scotiae,'  vol.  i.,  p.  24  et  passim.  He  gave 
the  Bishop  of  Glasgow  an  obligation  to  bestow  on  him  lands  to  the  annual  value  of  ,£100  : 
to  James  the  Steward,  lands  of  the  same  annual  value  ;  to  Patrick,  Earl  of  Dunbar,  lands 
of^ioo  annual  value. 

To  John  de  Soulis,  lands  of  100  marks  annual  value. 

William  Sinclair         ,,     100         ,,  ,, 

Patrick  de  Graham    ,,     100         ,,  ,, 

Wm.  de  Soulis  ,,^"100  ,, 

All  these  persons  were  to  have  lands  of  the  aforesaid  value,  '  Si  contiugat  Regnum 
Regi  et  haeredibus  suis  remanere. '  Edward  afterwards  changed  his  plan,  and  gave 
these  barons  and  prelates  gratifications  in  money  or  other  value.  But  to  John  Comyn 
the  King  of  England  gave  the  large  sum  of  ,£1,563  14s.  6}4d.  ( '  Rotuli  Scotiae,'  vol.  i., 
p.  17,  6th  January,  1292).  He  took  care,  however,  to  reimburse  himself  by  keeping  the 
wards,  marriages,  and  other  items  of  revenue  which  had  fallen  to  the  Scottish  Crown 
during  the  interregnum,  as  may  be  seen  from  many  places  in  the  '  Rotuli  Scotiae.'  "* 

Sir  William  next  appears  as  a  witness  to  a  charter  from  John,  Abbot  of  Newbottle, 
in  favour  of  William  Bissett,  granted  at  Berwick-on-Tweed  on  St.  John  the  Baptist's  Eve 
i.e.  23rd  June,  1292.  Sir  William  is  therein  described  asDominus  Willielmus  de  Sancto  Claro, 
June  vice-comite  de  Edinburgh,  miles  A  There  is  another  William  de  St.  Clair  on  p.  51  of 
Hay's  Chartular  of  Newbottle. t  Sir  William  was  one  of  the  nominees  on  the  part  of 
Balliol  in  the  competition  for  the  crown  of  Scotland,  f  Sir  William  was  present  att 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne  when  John  Balliol  swore  fealty  to  King  Edward,  20th  November, 
1292,*  and  in  the  Letters  Patent  by  John  Balliol,  giving  a  general  release  to  Edward  I., 
besides  his  own  seal  the  King  of  Scots  has  caused  the  seals  of  Wm.  de  St.  Clair  and 
others  to  be  appended  ;  and  on  the  10th  same  William  de  St.  Clair  attests  his  homage. 
The  last  appearance  of  the  Lord  of  Rosslyn  was  at  the  siege  of  Dunbar,  in  1296,  of  which 
Tytler  says  : — ' '  The  castle  of  Dunbar  was  at  this  time  one  of  the  strongest  and  by  its 
situation  the  most  important  in  Scotland.  Its  lord,  Patrick,  Earl  of  Dunbar,  served  in  the 
army  of  Edward  ;  but  his  wife,  who  held  the  castle  and  hated  the  English,  entered  into 


Tytler.  tHay.  J  Burke  (Earl  of  Caithness). 


282  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 

a  secret  negotiation  with  the  Scottish  leaders  for  its  delivery  into  the  hands  of  her 
countrymen.  The  Earls  of  Ross,  Athole,  and  Menteith,  the  Barons  John  Comyn, 
William  Sinclair,  Richard  Seward,  and  John  de  Mowbray,  with  31  knights  and  a 
strong  force  threw  themselves  into  the  place  on  St.  Martin's  Day  and,  assisted  by  the 
Countess,  easily  expelled  the  few  soldiers  who  remained  faithful  to  England.  Edward 
determined  to  recover  it  at  all  hazards,  and  despatched  the  Earl  of  Surrey  with  10,000 
foot  and  10,000  heavy-armed  horse  to  regain  it.  When  summoned  by  Warrenne  the 
garrison  agreed  to  surrender  unless  relieved  in  three  days  ;  and  the  Scots,  axious  to  retain 
so  strong  a  place,  led  on  the  whole  of  their  army  and  possessed  themselves  of  a  strong 
and  excellent  position  in  the  high  ground  above  Dunbar,  40,000  foot  and  1,500  horse 
encamped  on  the  heights  near  Spot  ;  and  confident  of  rescue,  the  garrison  of  the 
castle  insulted  the  English  from  the  walls  as  if  already  beaten.  Surrey  advanced,  and 
some  confusion  being  observable  in  his  ranks  was  mistaken  by  the  Scots  for  flight, 
in  their  temerity  they  left  their  point  of  vantage  only  to  meet  a  compact  army  under 
perfect  discipline,  and  having  in  vain  endeavoured  to  regain  their  ranks,  after  a  short 
resistance  were  utterly  routed.  Surrey's  victory  was  complete,  and  for  the  time  decided 
the  fate  of  Scotland.  io,ooo(?)  men  fell  in  the  field  or  in  the  pursuit.  Sir  Patrick 
Graham,  one  of  the  noblest  and  wisest  of  the  Scottish  barons,  disdained  to  ask  for  quarter, 
and  was  slain  under  circumstances  which  extorted  the  praise  of  the  enemy.  A  great 
multitude,  including  the  principal  of  the  Scottish  nobility,  were  taken  prisoners,  and  next 
day  the  King  of  England  coming  in  person  with  the  rest  of  his  army  before  Dunbar,  the 
castle  surrendered  at  discretion.  The  Earls  of  Athole,  Ross  and  Menteith,  with  four 
barons,  seventy  knights,  and  many  other  brave  men  submitted  to  the  mercy  of  the 
conqueror.  All  the  prisoners  of  rank  were  immediately  sent  in  chains  to  England,  where 
they  were  for  the  present  committed  to  close  confinement  in  different  Welsh  and  English 
castles.  After  some  time  the  King  compelled  them  to  attend  him  in  his  wars  in  France, 
but  even  this  partial  liberty  was  not  allowed  them  till  their  sons  were  delivered  into  his 
hands  as  hostages."  In  Rotuli  Scotiae,  vol.  i. ,  sub.  Ed.  I.,  c.  xxv.  p.  44,  a  great  many 
of  the  names  of  the  prisoners  will  be  found,  among  them  being  Sir  Wm.  de  St.  Clair  who 
is  sent  to  the  Tower,  Sir  Henry  St.  Clair  to  St.  Briavel's  Castle,  Alex,  de  St.  Clair,  Esq., 
to  Windsor,  and  Reginald  de  St.  Clair,  Esq.,  to  Kenilworth  Castle  (i6thMay,  1296).  The 
"  History  of  the  St.  Clairs  "*  makes  him  one  of  the  victorious  leaders  in  the  triple  battle 
of  Roslin,  1302.  Little  more  is  known  of  him  except  that  he  may  have  been  "  the 
Seemly  St.  Clair,"  who  married  Agnes,  daughter  of  Patrick  Dunbar  (1st  or  5th)  Earl  of 
Marche.  Edward  I.  issued  a  two  years'  protection  for  Amicia,  widow  of  William  de  St. 
Clair,  dwelling  by  the  King's  leave  in  the  county  of  Edinburgh,  7th  April,  1299.  He  left 
two  sons  and  a  daughter — 

1.  Sir  Henry,  his  successor.  2.  William,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld — the  King's  Bishop. 

3.  Annabel,  married  to  Sir  David  Wemyss.t 


SIR  HENRY  ST.  CLAIR.  2ND  BARON  OF  ROSLIN. 
It  has  already  been  seen  that  Sir  Henry  swore  fealty  to  King  Edward,  circiter  1292, 
as  appears  by  the  Ragman  Roll.      His  father  had  been  in  the  first  place  a  supporter  of 
Balliol,  but  Sir  Henry  was  one  of  the  patriot  warriors  who  rallied  round  Bruce.     He 

*Van  Bassan.  t^isbet  (Art.  Earls  of  Wemyss). 


SIR  HENRY  ST.  CLAIR,   2ND  BARON.  283 


attested  a  charter  by  King  Robert  the  Bruce  at  Dundee  21st  October,  1314.  In  Nisbet's 
"  Memorial  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Roslin  "  we  are  informed  that  Sir  Henry  made  a  very 
illustrious  figure  in  the  war  occasioned  by  the  competition  for  the  crown  betwixt  the 
Bruce  and  the  Balliol  ;  and  being  a  faithful  adherent  of  the  former,  King  Robert,  in  the 
eleventh  year  of  his  reign  (131 7),  erected  the  muir  of  Pentland  and  several  other  lands 
into  a  free  hunting,  as  they  were  in  the  reign  of  King  Alexander,  for  the  payment  of  a 
tenth  part  of  a  soldier.  The  same  year  he  received  from  Edward  de  Gourton  a  parcel  of 
Gourton*  tenanted  by  Roger  de  Harewood,  a  William  de  St.  Clair  being  one  of  the 
witnesses;  and  on  St.  Magdalen's  Eve,  1328,  in  the  presence  of  William  de  St.  Clair, 
Dei  Gratia,  Episcopi  Dunkeldensis,  apud  Roselin,  Gilbert  de  Gardano  conveyed  a  further 
parcel  of  Gourton.*  In  1320  Henry  St.  Clair  is  one  of  the  signatories  to  the  ever- 
memorable  letter  of  the  Barons  of  Scotland  to  the  Pope  in  assertion  of  the  independence 
of  Scotland.  In  this  document,  which  was  executed  at  Aberbrothe  on  the  6th  April  of 
that  year,  he  is  ranked  as  Panetarius  Scotiae.  This  important  office  did  not,  however, 
remain  long  with  the  Roslins,  for  soon  after  John  Comyn,  Earl  of  Monteith,  who  was 
forfaulted  in  1348,  is  designed  Panetarius,  after  whom  John  and  Thomas  Murray,  sons  to 
Sir  Andrew  Murray,  Governor  of  Scotland,  are  found  in  a  charter  designed  Panetarii 
Scotiae  A  The  office  was  one  of  the  Royal  Household,  and  was  in  those  days  of  great 
importance.  The  other  offices  were  Steward  of  Scotland,  Butler  of  Scotland,  Great 
Constable,  and  Marshal.  The  Steward  was,  it  seems,  Mayor  of  the  Palace,  the  Butler 
was  cup-bearer  to  the  King,  and  controlled  the  cellar,  while  the  Panetarius  occupied  a 
similar  position  with  regard  to  the  supervision  of  other  stores  for  the  Royal  household, 
an  office  of  State  best  understood  by  reference  to  the  Pharaohs,  Kings  of  Egypt  ;  he  was 
governor  of  the  kingdom's  corn-trade,  t  The  badge  of  office  was  a  cup  and  a  standish  with 
pen  and  ink.  In  the  letter  to  the  Pope,  after  the  eight  Earls,  the  Steward  and  Butler 
follow,  and  five  further  down  the  Grate  Constable  and  Marischall,  and  then,  with  an 
interval  of  one,  is  Henry  de  St.  Clair,  Panetarius  of  Scotland,  after  whom  are  some  sixteen 
other  barons.  The  next  year,  1321,  Sir  Henry  was  evidently  up  in  Caithness,  for  in 
a  document  dated  at  Cullen,  4th  August,  1321,  addressed  by  King  Robert  Bruce  to  the 
"  ballivi"  of  the  King  of  Norway  in  Orkney,  he  complains  that  Alexander  Brun,  "the 
King's  enemy,"  convicted  of  lese  majestatis,  had  been  received  into  Orkney,  and  had  been 
refused  to  be  given  up,  though  instantly  demanded  by  our  "  ballivus  in  Caithness,  Henry 
St.  Clair.  "§ 

"Bain's  Documents"  has  him  indexed  thus  :  Sir  Henry  de  St.  Clair,  16th  May, 
1296,  prisoner  in  England  ;  7th  April,  1299,  to  be  exchanged  for  Sir  William  FitzWarin  ; 
16th  July,  1299,  to  be  taken  from  Gloucester  to  York;  his  expenses,  3rd  August,  1299, 
and  1 2th  September  ;  sends  the  king  passing  by  Pentland  a  falcon  gentil  (August 
1303-4)  ;  Sheriff  of  Lanark  (15th  September,  1305)  ;  mainprise  by  him  (and  others)  for 
the  Bishop  of  St.  Andrew's,  22nd  June,  1306  ;  ordered  to  aid  against  Bruce  (September, 
1307)  ;  asked  to  obey  the  Earl  of  Richmond  as  warder  ;  intercedes  for  Sir  Patrick  de 
Graham  in  prison  (1308)  ;  receives  wine  (September  1309)  ;  discharged  (autumn,  1309)  of 
mainprise  for  Malise,  Earl  of  Strathern  ;  he  and  Alicia,  his  wife,  forfeit  a  third  of  the 
barony  of  Rosselyn,  13th  October,  1335-6. 

There  is  this  notice  of  him  in  the  Exch.  Rolls  :||  "  Three  pensions  to  members  of  the 
Saint  Clair  family  appear  first  in  the  rolls  immediately  after  King  Robert's  death.     Sir 

*Hay.         tNisbet.         J  Sinclairs  of  England.         \.  Ork.  Saga,  intro.         ||  Vol.  I.,  p.  77,  Preface. 


234  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 

Henry  Saint  Clair  of  Roslin,  one  of  the  heads  of  the  national  party,  had  a  charter  dated 
27th  December,  1328*,  a  pension  of  20  marks  granted  to  himself  and  his  heirs  till  provided 
with  lands  to  that  value."  He  is  said  to  have  married  a  daughter  of  Ramsay  of 
Dalhousie.t  The  christian  name  of  his  wife  was  Alicia  ;  she  survived  him,  and  as  his 
widow  her  dower  in  Rosslyn,  etc.,  was  forfeited  and  given  to  Geoffrey  Moubray,  10th 
vSeptember,  1336,!  and  it  is  noted  that  the  baronies  of  Cousland,  Rosselyn,  and  Pentland, 
belonging  to  John  de  St.  Clair,  are  given  in  custody  to  Geoffry  de  Moubray,  28th 
January,  1335-36.     Sir  Henry  had  issue — 

1.  Sir  William  of  Saint  Clair,  his  eldest  son,  one  of  the  knights  chosen  to  accompany 

Sir  James  Douglas  on  his  expedition  to  Palestine  with  the  heart  of  Bruce  in  charge  ;  and  it 
is  known  to  all  readers  of  Scottish  history  how,  in  an  encounter  with  the  Saracens  on  the 
Plains  of  Andalusia,  Douglas  lost  his  life  in  a  fruitless  effort  to  save  his  friend  and 
comrade.  One  of  Bruce's  latest  acts  was  to  settle,  in  1329,  on  Sir  William  of  St.  Clair  a 
pension  of  £i,o\  in  anticipation  of  the  service  he  was  about  to  do  him.  This  had  been  im- 
mediately preceded  by  one  of  '  ane  annual. '§  In  the  Lord  Chamberlain's  account  for  1329 
he  is  credited  with  the  payments  to  Sir  Henry  St.  Clair  of  £\$  6s.  8d,  Sir  William  St.  Clair 
£10,  and  John  St.  Clair  £\o  ;  and  in  1330  the  full  payments  are  noted  of  £11  13s.  4d., 
£i,o,  and  ^"20  ;  and  again  of  £\i>  6s.  8d.,  ^"20,  and  £\o  respectively  at  St.  Martin's  term. 
In  1331  Sir  Henry  received  ^"13  6s.  8d.  and  ^'27  13s.  4d.,  while  those  of  the  late 
Sir  William  St.  Clair,  knight,  and  of  the  late  John  St.  Clair  are  received  by  the  heir  to 
whom  John  St.  Clair  was  uncle.  ||  14th  December,  1331.  Sir  William  de  St.  Clair 
apparently  left  issue — 

1.  William  de  St.  Clair,  next  of  Rosslyn. 

2.  Thomas  de  St.  Clair,  ballivus  of  Orkney,  1364.     Both  he  and  his  son 

Alexander  de  St.  Clair  attest  an  instrument  at  Kirkwall  in  that  year,  and  on 
the  1st  November,  1371,  Alexander,  son  of  the  quondam  Thos.  de  St  Clair, 
receives  from  King  David  confirmation  of  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Estirtyry, 
Aberdeen,  from  Hugh  Ross  of  Philorth,  and  confirmation  of  another  from 
William  Earl  of  Ross  of  the  lands  of  Bray,  with  pertinents  in  the  maresium  de 
fforneiuyr.  in  vie  de  Inverness. 

3.  John  Sincler,  witness  to  an  Orcadian  instrument  in  1367. 

4.  Margaret,  IT  wife,  first,  in  1353,  of  Thomas,  Earl  of  Angus;  and,  secondly,  of  Sir 

William  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston.     This  is  the  first  connection  that  can  be  traced 
between  the  two  distinct  branches  of  the  Norman  race  of  De  Sancto  Claro. 

2.  John  of  St.  Clair  formed  one  of  the  expedition  with  his  brother,  and  was  slain  at  the 

same  time.  The  brothers  were  survived  for  a  short  time  by  their  father,  who  died 
between  14th  December,  1331,  and  28th  January,  1335-6. 

WILLIAM  DE  ST.  CLAIR,  3RD  LORD  OF  ROSSLYN, 
who  succeeded  Sir  Henry,  was  clearly  a  grandson  to  that  knight,  and  in  minority  at  the 
death  of  his  father  and  grandfather,  which  is  made  manifest,  by  an  entry  in  the  Rolls 
8th  August,  1348,  stating  that  Ardekelly  is  in  ward  by  reason  of  William  de  St.  Clair. 
The  annuity  of  forty  marks  granted  to  Sir  Henry  was  confirmed  to  William  St.  Clair  by 
King  David  at  Perth,  on  the  17th  September,  1358.  The  recital  terms  him  "our  worthy 
and  faithful  William  de  St.  Clair,  heir  of  the  late  Lord  Henry  de  St.  Clair,  Knight."1 
He  further  received  from  King  David  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Merton  and  Merchamy- 
ston,  bearing  date  at  Edinburgh,  the  nth  February,  13581  (confirmed  in  1363),  and  the 
same  year  proceeded  to  the  Continent  in  gallant  array. 

*  Genealogie,  p.  52.         t  Burke.         {  Bain's  Documents.         %  Robertson's  Index.         ||  Exch.  Rolls. 
fl  Burke,  Ex.  Peerage.  l  Hay. 


WILLIAM  DE  ST.  CLAIR,  3rd  LORD.  285 


Under  1358  Tytler  has: — "At  this  period  the  Scottish  kingdom  was  beset 
with  designs  against  its  independence,  so  dangerous  in  their  nature  and  so  artfully 
pursued  that  it  was  unfortunate  that  a  spirit  of  military  adventure  carried  many  of  its 
best  soldiers  to  the  continental  wars.  Sir  Thomas  Bisset,  and  Sir  Walter  Moigne,  with 
Norman  and  Walter  Leslie,  previous  to  King  David's  return  had  left  the  country  on  an 
expedition  to  Prussia,  in  all  probability  to  join  the  Teutonic  knights  who  were  engaged 
in  a  species  of  crusade  against  the  infidel  Prussians.  Not  long  after  Sir  William  Keith, 
Marshal  of  Scotland,  Sir  William  Sinclair,  Lord  of  Roslin,  Sir  Alex,  de  Lindesay,  Sir 
Robert  Gifford,  and  Sir  Alex.  Montgomery,  each  with  a  train  of  sixty  horse  and  a  strong 
body  of  foot  soldiers,  passed  through  England  for  the  continent  eager  for  distinction 
in  foreign  wars,  with  which  they  had  no  concern,  and  foolishly  deserting  their  country 
when  it  most  required  their  services.  (Rotuli  Scotiae,  vol.  i.,  32  Ed.  III.,  p.  380.) 
Yet  this  conduct  was  more  pardonable  than  that  of  the  Earl  of  Mar,  who  entered  into  the 
service  of  England,  and  with  a  retinue  of  24  knights  and  their  squires,  passed  over  to 
France  in  company  with  the  English  monarch  and  his  army.  The  example  was 
infectious,  and  the  love  of  enterprise,  the  renown  of  fighting  under  so  illustrious  a  leader, 
and  the  hopes  of  plunder,  induced  other  soldiers  to  imitate  his  example."  If  William  St. 
Clair  of  Roslin  is  the  same  as  Willielmus  de  Sancto  Claro,  Dominus  de  Pentland,  who 
attests  a  charter  granted  by  Patrick  de  Graham,  Lord  of  Kiupont,  and  David  de  Graham, 
Lord  of  Dundaff,  in  the  King's  presence  at  Edinburgh,  1362,*  then  that  must  be  accepted 
as  evidence  of  his  safe  return  from  the  Continent ;  and  indeed  there  is  a  record  of  William 
de  St.  Clair,  Lord  of  Dyserth,  attesting  a  royal  charter  at  Dundee,  20th  November,  1364, 
while  in  the  sheriffship  accounts  for  Inverness  in  January,  1367,  there  is  noted  in  the 
hands  of  Sir  William  Keith,  Knight,  "  Wardam  hed.  Willi,  de  Sco.  Claro,  I  p.  excambiti.  I.  c. 
de  Anno  Redd.      Coitat  ' catanie  £10." 

This   William   St.   Clair  married!    Isabella,   second    daughter,   and  eventually  sole 
heiress,  of  Malise,  II.  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  and  V.  of  Stratherne,  and  had  issue — 
1.  Henry,  his  successor.  2.  David. £ 

It  is  thought  that  William  St.  Clair  died  leaving  his  sons  in  minority,  for  though  it 
is  stated*  that  his  son  Henry  was  sent  Ambassador  to  Denmark  in  1363,  it  is  certain  that 
Henry  was  not  Earl  till  1379,  and  presumably  younger  than  his  cousin  Alex,  de  Ard, 
who,  a  minor  in  1367,  was  Governor  and  Commissioner  of  Orcadia  in  1375.  The 
minority  of  Wm.  St.  Clair's  son  explains  the  appointment  in  1364  of  Thos.  de  St.  Clair 
as  ballivus  regis  Norvagie,  by  virtue  of  his  guardianship  of  Henry  St.  Clair  the  Earl 
prospective. 
The  next  three  Lords  of  Rosslin  were  : — 

IV.  Henry  I.,  the  Holy,  42nd  Earl  of  Orkney  ; 
V.  Henry  II.,  43rd  Earl  of  Orkney,  Lord  St.  Clair  ;   and 

VI.  William,  44th  Earl  of  Orkney  and  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  2nd  Lord  St.  Clair. 

*Hay.  f  Diploma  of  Succession.  iOrk.  Saga  intro. 


286  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


FEUDAL-TRANSITION   PERIOD. 


Lineage. 


VII.  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair,  Knight,  was  7th  Lord  of  Rosslyn.  It  has  been 
seen  that  Earl  William  of  Orkney  and  Caithness  had  a  son,  William  of  Newburgh, 
by  his  first  marriage.  For  reasons  not  to  be  discovered  at  this  distance  of  time,  he 
thought  fit  to  pass  by  Sir  William  St.  Clair,  his  eldest  son,  in  the  succession  to 
the  gross  of  the  estate,  and  gave  him  only  the  barony  of  Newburgh,  in  Aberdeen- 
shire, while  betwixt  two  sons  of  his  second  wife,  Marjory,  daughter  of  Alexander 
Sutherland,  of  Duffus,  he  divided  his  great  estate.  To  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair,  his 
eldest  son  of  that  marriage,  he  disponed  (9th  September,  1476)  the  baronies  of  Roslin, 
Pentland,  and  Pentland  Muir,  the  barony  of  Herbertshire,  the  lands  of  Cousland,  the 
barony  of  Ravenscraig,  Dubbo,  Carberry,  Dysart,  etc.,  being  the  whole  of  the  Earl's 
estate  be-south  Tay.  This  deed  is  confirmed  by  a  charter  under  the  Great  Seal  of  King 
James  III. ,  the  Toth  September,  in  anna  1476,  still  extant  in  the  rolls.  Sir  Oliver  has 
two  appearances  on  the  3rd  July,  1480.  In  one  he  is  found  instituting  a  suit — most 
probably  a  friendly  one — as  son  to  umquhile  William  Earl  of  Caithness,  against  Johnne 
Siuklar  (his  brother),  Chanon.  of  Glasgow,  for  wrongly  taking  land  and  tenement  in 
Blackfriar's  Wynde.  The  decree  which  followed  was  adverse  to  the  Canon  until  he 
should  adduce  evidence  to  substantiate  his  case.!  The  other  instance  was  that  of  a  bond 
of  even  date,  received  from  George,  Lord  Seton,  for  the  peacable  "  brookeing  and 
joiseing"  of  his  lands  of  Roslin,  Pentland,  Pentland  More,  Morton  and  Mortonhall, 
Harbarshire,  Cosland,  Dysart,  and  Ravenscrage,  etc.  Amongst  the  witnesses  to  this 
instrument  are  John  St.  Cler  and  Edward  of  St.  Clair,  probably  of  the  Drydeu  family. 
He  is  noted  as  a  Baron  of  Parliament  9th  May,  1485,  1st  October,  1487,  the  nth  January 
next  thereafter,  and  lastly  on  the  3rd  February,  1505.  In  1481,  having  it  seems  in  his 
own  conscience  a  thorough  conviction  of  the  injustice  his  father  had  done  to  the  eldest 
brother,  he  freely  (voluntarily)  conveyed  to  his  elder  brother,  William  of  Newburgh,  the 
lands  of  Cousland,  of  Dysert,  and  Ravynscraig,  with  the  Castellis,  etc.,  in  Fyffe,  and  in 
the  same  instrument  William  and  his  apparent  heir  Henry  renounced  all  claim  to  Roslin, 
and  later  on — in  1493 — Henry,  then  Lord  Sinclair,  ratified  the  contract.  His  other 
appearances  are  in  1491,  when  he  gives  over  to  George  Saintclair  his  sone,  Roslin  and 
Herbertshire  ;  in  1498,  as  a  party  to  the  Charter  of  Swinburgh,  with  his  other  brothers 
and  sisters,  to  their  brother  Sir  David  Synclar,  of  Swinburgh  ;  in  1504  he  and  his  son 
George  execute  an  agreement  with  William,  Lord  Borthwick,  amongst  the  witnesses 
being  [his  brothers]  Robert  and  Arthur  Sinclair  ;  in  151 1  he  grants  Lord  Fleming  some 
lands  in  Herbertshire;  and  in  15 12  grants  (it  is  stated)  his  son,  Henry  Saintclair,  the 
lands  of  Braidle.  Sir  Oliver  began  a  quarrel  with  Lord  Borthwick,  which  lasted  several 
years  betwixt  the  two  families.      Roslin,  having  his  ward,  caused  throw  one  of  them 

*Hay,  Nisbet,  Exch.  Rolls,  etc.  f  Acta  Domini  Concilii. 


FEUDAL-TRANSITION  PERIOD.  287 

over  the  drawbridge  of  Roslin  after  dinner.  This  action  was  hotly  pursued  by  Borth- 
wick,  as  were  the  nonentries  and  wards  by  Roslin,  which  is  evident  by  various  charters. 
Sir  Oliver  finished  the  Chapel  of  Roslin,  as  appears  by  his  scutcheon  in  the  vault, 
whereon  there  appears  only  a  ragged  cross,  as  also  on  the  left  hand  of  the  window  of  the 
sacristie  underground.  He  was  thrice  married  :  First,  to  Christian  Haldane  ;*  secondly, 
to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William,  third  Lord  Borthwick  ;  and  thirdly,  to  Isabella 
Livingstone.     He  had  several  children,  of  whom  were — 

1.  GEORGE,  fiar  of  Roslin,  married  Agnes,  daughter  of  Robert  Crichton,  Lord  Sanquhar.     On 

the  5th  January,  1491-2,  on  his  father's  resignation,  a  charter  of  confirmation  passed  the 
Great  Seal  to  George  Sinclare,  son  and  apparent  heir  of  our  cousin  Sir  Oliver  Sinclair  of 
Roslin  ;  and  again  on  the  9th  May,  1506,  he  and  Agnes  Crichton,  his  spouse,  are  con- 
firmed in  the  barony  of  Herbertshire  ;  while  on  the  nth  April,  1510,  he  is  cited  as  dead, 
his  widow  as  married  to  Andrew  Ker  of  Cessford,  and  William  Sinclair,  his  brother,  as  his 
heir. 

2.  Sir  William,  next  of  Rosslyn. 

3.  Henry,  Bishop  of  Ross,  &c.  \ 

4.  Oliver  of  Pitcairns  and  Whitekirk.       [-  See  Historiettes. 

5.  John,  Bishop  of  Brechin,  &c.  .' 

6.  Alexander,  who  received  from  James  V.  a  charter  of  the  lands,  lordship,   and  barony  of 

Cokbrandspeth,  with  tour,  iortalice,  &c,  5th  April,  1541  ;  it  issues  to  "his  familiar"  servant 
Alexander,  brother-german  of  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Roslin.  He  was  made  captive  at 
Solway  in  1542,  and  is  rated  by  the  English  in  lands  per  annum  ^"100  scots=^"25  and  goods 
the  like.  He  did  not  long  retain  Colbrandspeth,  for  on  24th  July,  1547,  Sir  George  Douglas 
■  of  Pettindrecht,  knight,  produced  from  him  a  charter  of  alienation  followed  by  infeftment. 
An  Alex.  Sinclair,  notary  public,  is  named  24th  February,  1538,  and  is  noted  as  attesting  a 
document  15th  August,  1546. 

7.  Arthur,  who  obtains  8th  March,  1539,  a  charter  of  Lessuadin,  &c,  from  Andrew,  Abbot  of 

Melrose  ;    and  on  30th  August,   1546,  confirmation  passes  the  Great  Seal  of  a  charter  by 
"our  familiar"  M.  John  Sinclair  to  his  brother-german  Arthur,  of  the  lands  of  Kirkhill, 
Linlithgow,  for  his  aid  during  the  English  siege  of  1544. 
3.  James,   who   on   5th    December,    1537,    obtains   confirmation    of  a   charter   by   Mr.   Henry 
Sinclare,  son  of  Sir  Oliver  Sinclare  of  Roslin  to  his  brother-german,  James  Sinclare  (the 
king's   familiar),   of  the  lands  of  Stevenson  with   tower,    fortalice,   &c.      Witness:  John 
Sinclair,  prebendario  de  Corstorphine.    There  had  previously  been  a  charter  to  Jas.  Sinclair 
(de    Stevenston)   of  Todrig   in    Berwick,    18th    November,    1516,    and   of  Todriklaidis   et 
Fulschotlaw  on  6th  May,  1517,  while  on  28th  August,  1536,  there  is  a  confirmation  of  sale  by 
M.  Henrico  Sinclair  of  lands  of  Stevinstoun  in  Berwick,  to  which  John  Sinclare  de  Gosfurde 
and  Jac.  Sinclare  make  attestation.     James  Sinclair  was  made  prisoner  at  Solway  in  1542, 
and  is  rated  by  the  English  in  lands  per  annum  ^fioo  scots  =  £25  and  goods  the  like. 
I.  Margaret,  married  Sir  Thos.  Kirkpatrick  of  Closeburn,  who  fought  at  Solway  in   1542. 
He  was  a  hostage  for  her  brother  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcairns. 
Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  must  have  died  before  1523,  when  his  eldest  son  in  life 

VIII.  Sir  William  Saint  Clair,  of  Roslin,  is  found  in  possession,  for  in  that  year 
he  mortifies  some  parcels  of  ground  for  the  use  of  the  Prebendars  of  the  College  of  Roslin. 
In  the  enumeration  in  this  document  reference  is  made  to  William,  formerly  Earl  of 
Orkney  and  Caithness,  and  Lord  de  St.  Clair,  Chancellor  and  Great  Justiciary  of  the 
Scots  ;  Marjory  Sutherland,  his  spouse  ;  Oliver  Sinclair,  quondam  of  Roslin,  Knight,  and 
his  spouse  Elizabeth  Borthwick;  Alexander  Stewart,!  Commendator  of  the  Monastery 
of  Scone  ;  Sir  William  himself;  his  wife,  Allisone  Hume  ;  his  sons,  William  and  Gilbert ; 

*  Stirling  Protocol  Book. 
tCousin  to  Sir  William,  being  son  of  his  aunt  Katharine  Sinclair  and  the  Duke  of  Albany. 


288  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


and  his  brothers,  Oliver  and  Alexander.  The  seal  was  red  upon  white  wax,  a  ragged 
cross.  On  the  27th  November,  1526,  a  confirmation  passed  to  Sir  William  Sinclair,  of 
Roslin,  and  Alison  Hume,  his  spouse  ;  and  in  1527  he  received  a  charter  from  King  James 
V.  confirming  him  in  Roslin  Castle,  the  barony  and  burgh  of  Roslin,  Otislee,  Lee, 
Dryden,  Westercaikmure,  Netleflat,  Coubrehill,  Catounne,  Baxterland  de  Inverleith, 
20  merks  annually  from  the  lands  of  Lany,  Halderston,  Easter  Ravinsnuke,  Wester 
Ravinsnuke  and  Cairnhill,  the  right  of  patronage  to  the  Collegiate  Chapel  of  Roslin  and 
the  Chapel  of  St.  Mathew  there,  the  lands  of  the  Barony  of  Herbertshire,  etc.  In  1531 
he  gave  his  son,  Alexander  St.  Clair,  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Cuthiltoun  and  Little 
Deny,  which  is  attested,  amongst  others,  by  James  Sinclair  in  Lee.  King  James  V.  gave 
him,  in  1533,  a  charter  renewing  some  older  ones  of  Roslin  to  his  ancestor  Henry  Earl  of 
Orkney  ;  and  in  1542  he  executed  an  entail  of  Roslin  and  Herbertshire  to  his  sous  Wm., 
Gilbert,  Patrick,  Alexander,  John,  Oliver,  Mathew,  and  Edward  successively,  whom 
failing  to  his  brothers  Oliver,  Alexander,  Arthur,  and  James.  The  next  year,  1543, 
William,  Lord  Borthwick's  retour  is  made  coram  honorabilibus  viris,  Alexandro  Heburne  et 
Magistro  fohanne  Sinclar,  vicecomitibns  deputatis  de  Edinburgh,  .  .  .  per  istos  honor abiles 
viros  subscriptos,  viz.,  Edivardum  Sinclar  de  Drydane,  etc.,  etc.  Seasine  to  Catune  is  granted 
in  1544,  by  Sir  William,  in  the  presence  of,  amongst  others,  Edward  Sinclair.  Sir 
William  received  an  annual  pension  of  300  merks  from  the  Queen-Dowager,  Marie  of 
Guise,  in  1546,  for  his  allegiance  to  the  crowne  of  Scotland.  He  lastly  appears  in  an 
obligation  of  John  Lord  Borthwick,  23rd  June,  1551,  two  of  the  attesting  parties  being 
Oliver  and  Thomas  Saintclair. 

Sir  William  was  in  a  high  degree  of  favour  with  King  James  V.,  who  by  his  special 
writ  of  summons  called  him  frequently  to  sit  in  Parliament,  as  appears  from  the  Registers 
thereof.  He  married  Alison  Hume,  daughter  of  George  Lord  Home,  by  whom  he  had 
issue — 

1.  Sir  William,  his  successor,  retoured  in  1554.  2.  Gilbert.  3.  Patrick. 

4.  Alexander,  of  Cuthilton  and  Little  Denny,  who  had  a  son 

Hercules,  perhaps  the  reverend  iconoclast  of  Shetland. 

5.  John.  6.  Oliver  [of  Westravensneuk].  7.  Sir  Mathew. 

8.  Edward  Sinclair,  of  Dryden  and  of  Ethay,  in  Orkney  (vide  Charter  2Sth  October,  1583), 
&  quo  the  Sinclairs  of  The  Isle  of  Ethay. 
Dying  before  1554,  Sir  William  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

IX.  Sir  William  Saintclair  of  Roslin,  who  in  that  year  was  retoured  to  the 
barony,  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcairns,  Edward  Sinclair  of  Dryden,  and  John  Sinclair  of 
Blans,  being  present.  He  redeemed  the  lands  of  Cuthiltoun  from  his  brother  Sir  Mathew 
in  1558,  and  the  next  year,  1559,  was  appointed  by  Marie,  Queen-Dowager  of  Scotland, 
Justiciary  of  the  Lothians.  He  sided  with  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  at  Langside,  in  1568, 
for  which  he  obtained  a  remission  in  1574.  In  1570  he  was  confirmed  in  his  office  of 
Justiciary.  On  the  1st  September,  1567,  the  King,  with  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Regent  and  the  Lords  of  Secret  Council,  required  inter  alia  William  Sinclair  of  Rosling  to 
deliver  his  house  of  Roslin  within  twenty-four  hours.  On  the  26th  April,  1569,  Sir 
William  Sinclair,  of  Rosling,  Knyght ;  James  Forester,  of  Corstorphin  ;  Maister  Johnne 
Marjoribanks  ;  and  George  Ramsay,  of  Dalhousie,  became  souertie  that  Roslin  sail 
presently  rander  and  deliver  to  George  Sinclair  in  Ley,  samekill  of  his  gudis  as  is 
presentlie  undisponit,  intromettit  with  be  the  said  Williame  or  ony  at  his  command,  als 
gude  as  the  samyn  wes  the  tyme  of  the  intromissioun  thairwith  ;  and  for  onything  that 


FEUDAL-TRANSITION  PERIOD.  289 

wantis,  the  saidis  persons  ar  becum  souertie  for  randering  and  restitutioun  thairof,  or  the 
avale  of  the  same,  betwix  and  the  xxix.  day  of  Maii  nixtocum,  and  the  said  Williame 
obleist  him  to  releve.  And  the  said  Geo.  Sinclair  renunceit  the  summondis  and  actioun 
of  spulye  that  he  may  haif  aganis  the  said  Williame  for  the  gndis  spulyeit  or  intromettit 
with  be  him,  or  ony  at  his  command,  perteining  to  the  said  George.  The  quhilk  day 
the  said  Rosling  and  George  Crauford  of  Lesnoreis  assurit  ilkane  of  thame  for  thame  and 
all  utheris  that  thai  may  lett,  quhill  my  Lord  R.  Grace  gif  his  decreit  and  decln.  upon 
the  blank  subscribed  be  the  said  parties.  Sic  subscribitur  William  Sinclair  of  Rosling, 
Knycht, — Geo.  Ramsay  of  Dalhousie — Corstorphin — Mr.  Johne  Marjoribanks. 

He  appends  his  seal  to  the  charter  of  Dominus  Johannes  Robeson,  praepositus  de  Rosling, 
26th  February,  1571,  which  is  also  subscribed  by  Henricus  Sinclar  prebendaritis.  On  the 
28th  April,  1571,  with  his  consent,  Dominus  Johannes  Dickson,  praepositus  of  Roslin, 
executed  a  charter  concerning  Roslin  lands,  to  which  William  Sinclair,  brother-german 
of  Sir  William  Sinclair,  of  Herminston,  Knight,  is  a  witness.  On  the  6th  July,  1573,  he 
was  charged  to  produce  certain  gold  buttons  belonging  to  the  King's  modir,  of  which  he 
denied  receipt  ;  on  the  18th  August,  same,  he  was  charged  to  enter  his  pledge  re  David 
Bell,  of  which  obligation  he  was  relieved  on  the  31st  idem.  In  1574,  he  and  John  Sinclair 
in  Gosfuird,  obtained  a  remission  for  their  being  present  at  Langside  in  1568,  and  the 
same  year  he  resigned  his  lands  in  favour  of  his  eldest  son  Edward.  On  12th  October,  1590, 
there  was  Registration  of  Caution  that  Roslin  will  not  harm  John  Crichton  of  Brunstoun, 
and  on  the  19th  idem  Crichton  entered  into  Caution  to  the  like  effect  with  reference  to 
Roslin.  Roslin  was  denounced  as  rebel  2nd  August,  1591,  for  having  failed  to  appear, 
and  on  the  16th  idem  Caution  for  him  was  subscribed  before  Oliver  Sinclair,  of  Ravens- 
neuk,  and  Henry  Sinclair,  of  Quhitekirk  ;  while  on  the  10th  August,  1604,  Roslin  had  to 
enter  Caution  not  to  harm  Ravensneuke. 

Sir  William  gathered  a  great  many  manuscripts,  which  had  been  taken  by  the  rabble 
out  of  our  monasteries  in  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  whereupon  we  find  as  yet  his  name 
written  thus  :  "  Sir  William  Sinclar,  of  Roslin,  Knight  ;  he  delivered  once  an  Egyptian 
from  the  gibbet  in  the  Burrow  Moore,  ready  to  be  strangled,  returning  from  Edinburgh 
to  Roslin,  upon  which  accompt  the  whole  body  of  gypsies,  were,  of  old,  accustomed  to 
gather  in  the  stanks  of  Roslin  every  year,  where  they  acted  severall  plays,  dureing  the 
moneth  of  May  and  June.  There  are  two  towers  which  were  allowed  them  for  their 
residence,  the  one  called  Robin  Hood,  the  other  Little  John." 

Sir  William  gave  a  charter  to  William  Lord  Borthwick  in  1578,  to  which  an  Oliver 
Saintcler  is  a  party,  and  the  seasine  following  thereon  in  1581  issues  from  Oliver  Sinclare 
of  Westerravensneuk,  by  virtue  of  letters  from  William  Saintclaire.  Sir  William  inhibits 
James  Lord  Borthwick  and  other  tenants  in  Catoun  Milne  the  8th  January,  1582  ;  and  on 
the  1st  November  following  he  required  Lord  James,  his  vassal  and  ward,  to  compleat  and 
solemnise  the  bond  of  matrimony  with  either  his  eldest  daughter  Elspeth  or  his  third 
daughter  Helen  Saintclair.  Among  the  witnesses  to  this  instrument  were  Edward 
Sinclair  of  Dryden,  his  brother,  and  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Westerravensneuk.  On  the 
22nd  December,  1582,  he  disponed  to  his  son  William  the  lands  of  Catoune.  From 
various  incidents  in  connection  with  the  Roslin-Borthwick  litigation  it  would  seem  that 
Sir  William  was  alive  as  late  as  the  1st  June,  1602. 

It  is  stated  in  Nisbet's  Heraldry  that  he  married  Elizabeth  or  Isabel,  daughter  of 
Sir  Walter  Ker  of  Cessford,  while  Hay  has  it  that  he  married    .    .     .    Lindesay,  daughter 


29o  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 

to  the  Laird  of  Egle,  brother-german  to  the  Earl  of  Crawford,  by  whom  he  had  with 
three  daughters  (Elspeth,  Isobell,  and  Helen)  two  sons — 

1.  Edward,    married   to  Christian,  daughter   of  George  Douglas   of  Parkhead,  Governor   of 

Edinburgh  Castle,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue.  He  had  obtained  a  charter  of  Roslin  on  the 
resignation  of  his  father  in  1574.  Before  his  marriage  he  had  chosen  curators,  and  there- 
after when  he  was  over  twenty-one  years,  being  childless,  in  1582  he  resigned  the  barony 
in  favour  of  his  brother-german  William,  a  witness  to  the  Deed  of  Resignation  eing  Henry 
Sinclair  of  Whitekirk.  Upon  this,  litigation  ensued,  for  at  Edinburgh,  4th  May,  1583,  entry 
is  found  for  Caution  in  ^"400  by  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Roslin  and  William  his  second  sone  as 
principals,  Manis  Sinclair  of  the  Leyis  and  Mr.  John  Henrysone  of  Drydane  as  sureties 
that  Christiane  Douglas,  daughter  of  Geo.  Douglas  of  Parkhead,  her  tenants  and  servants 
of  the  lands  of  Herbertshire,  said  to  belong  to  her  in  conjunct  fee,  shall  be  skaithless.  On 
the  15th  same  she  prefers  complaint  that  her  husband,  Edward  Sinclair,  fiar  of  Roslin,  had 
been  abducted  and  kept  captive  in  Roslin  to  his  own  prejudice,  and  also  to  that  of  her 
dower,  etc.  On  the  23rd  September  following  there  is  caution  for  Edward  Sinclair  that 
Christian  Douglas  his  spouse  shall  have  peaceable  access  to  him  at  Roslin. 

2.  William,  next  of  Roslin. 

Sir  William  was  succeeded  in  the  representation  by  his  second  son 

X.  William,  the  first  Hereditary  Grandmaster  of  the  Scottish  Order  of  Freemasons, 
so  constituted  by  charter,  which  see.  In  1582  his  brother  Edward  had  conveyed  to  him 
the  Baronies  of  Roslin  and  Herbertshire,  coram  Henry  Saintcler  of  Qwhitkirk.  This 
Roslin  built  the  vaults  and  great  turnpike  of  Roslin.  Upon  the  last  his  name  and  arms, 
with  the  arms  of  his  lady,  are  as  yet  seen  (1700).  He  builded  one  of  the  arches  of  the 
Drawbridge,  a  fine  house  near  the  Milne,  and  the  Tower  of  the  Dungeon,  where  the 
clock  was  kept.  The  initiall  lettres  of  his  name  are  graven  on  a  stone,  above  the  dyall, 
with  the  following,  1596,  which  designs  the  year  wherin  that  worke  was  finished.  He 
gets  a  Charter  in  1601  from  Henry  Saintcler,  Provost  of  Roslin,  of  the  Church  lands.  He 
resigns  his  lands  lying  within  the  Earledome  of  Caihnes  in  161 2.  In  his  time  Alexander 
Saintcler  infeft  Hercules  Saintcler  his  sone  in  Cuthiltoun  and  Little  Denny. 

He  married  Jean  or  Janet  Edmonstone,  daughter  of  the  Laird  of  that  Ilk  in  the 
Merse,  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  Sir  William  Sinclar  of  Pentland,  knight,  his  successor. 
On  the  25th  March,  1617,  Wm.  Sinclair  and  his  son  Sir  William  resigned  the  Baronies 
of  Roslin  and  Pentland,  and  a  new  infeftment  issued  to  Dame  Anna  Spotswood,  spouse 
to  the  said  Sir  William,  in  liferent,  of  all  and  haill  the  lands  and  toune  of  Pentland,  and 
sichlike  of  the  lands  of  Otislie,  and  the  part  of  Roslin  then  occupied  by  Robert  Park,  and 
also  for  new  infeftment  to  be  made  to  the  said  Sir  William  and  to  his  heirs-male  ;  which 
failing  to  Robert  Sinclair  of  Loucharmagus,  etc.  ;  which  failing  to  the  said  Sir  William's 
nearest  heirs,  bearing  the  surname  and  armes  of  Saintcler,  of  the  Baronies  of  Roslin, 
Pentland,  Morton,  and  Mortonhall.  Seasine  followed  on  the  1st  February,  1619,  in  the 
presence  of  Oliver  Saintcler,  brother-german  of  Henry  Sinclair  of  Qwhitkirk.  Hay 
writes  of  him  :  "Sir  William  Sinclair  was  a  leud  man.  He  kept  a  miller's  daughter, 
with  whom,  it  is  alleged,  he  went  to  Ireland  ;  yet  I  think  the  cause  of  his  retreat  was 
rather  occasioned  by  the  Presbyterians,  who  vexed  him  sadly  because  of  his  religion  being 
Roman  Catholic." 

XI.  Sir  William  Saintclair,  designed  0/  Pentland,  succeeded  his  father.  His 
contract  of  marriage  with  Dame  Anna  Spotswood,  daughter  to  John  Spotswood,  then 
Archbishop  of  Glasgow,  thereafter  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's,  and  Chancellor  of 
Scotland,  is  dated  at  Leith  20th  November,  1609,  and  registered  in  the  books  of  Counsell 


FEUDAL-TRANSITION  PERIOD.  291 


7th  August,  1610,  at  which  time  Pentland  was  wadset  to  Archibald  Douglas  of  Tostis  in 
liferent,  and  to  his  sone  in  fie  under  reversion,  to  which  Sir  William  was  made  sessioner. 
He  had  numerous  issue,  viz. — 

1.  William,  died  in  France.     He  had  two  natural  daughters — 

1.  Margaret  (by  a  niece  of  Scougall  of  Whitekirk),  married  to  James  Carruthers,  tutor 
of  Annandale.  2.  Elizabeth,  unmarried. 

2.  John,  commonly  called  "the  Prince,"  next  of  Roslin.  3.  James,  hereafter  of  Roslin. 
4.  Lewis,  Capt.  of  Horse  in  General  Duncan's  Regiment,  killed  at  the  siege  of  Hallingsted  in 

the  county  of  Hall.  5.  Henry.  6.  Patrick. 

7.  Charles,  who  was  possessed  by  a  spirit.     He  died  abroad. 

8.  Robert.  9.  George,  died  young.  10.  Archibald,  who  died  unmarried. 

1.  Rachael,  m.  to  Hume,  Laird  of  Foord. 

2.  Rachael  (sic),  died  unmarried.  3.  Margaret,  died  young. 

4.  Helen,  married,  1st,  to  Sir  John  Rollo  of  Bannockburne  ;  2nd,  to  Stirling  of  Herbertshire  ; 
and  3rd,  to  Colin  McKenzie,  brother  to  the  Earl  of  Seaforth. 

This  Sir  William  also  received  a  charter  of  the  Hereditary  Protectorate  from  the  Scottish 
Freemasons  in  1630;  and  in  1635,  upon  the  appointment  of  Sir  Anthonie  Alexander 
to  the  office  of  Master  of  Work  for  Scotland,  preferred  an  objection  as  being  in  prejudice 
to  his  hereditary  charge  of  the  Masons  of  the  Kingdom.  He  died  during  the  Civil  War, 
and  was  interred  in  Roslin  Chapel,  the  very  same  day  that  the  battle  of  Dunbar  was 
fought,  3rd  September,  1650. 

XII.  John  Saintclair,  second  son  to  Sir  William,  succeeded  his  father.  His 
estate  being  in  burthen  was  wodset  to  Sir  John  Saintclair  of  Herdmanston,  who  in  1663, 
with  consent  of  his  son  John,  disponed  irredeemably  of  the  lands  of  Cattune  to  John, 
Lord  Borthwick.  In  November,  1666,  Roslin  raised  letters  of  lawborrowes  against 
Herdmanston,  and  inhibited  him  in  1667,  and  the  next  year,  1668,  received  back  the 
lands  of  Roslin  from  Sir  Robert  Sinclair  of  Longformacus,  who  had  acquired  Herd- 
manston's  interest  for  10,000  merks  scots.  On  his  father's  death  in  1650  John  Saintclair, 
commonly  called  "  the  Prince,"  kept  out  the  house  of  Roslin  against  General  Monk  after 
the  battle  of  Dunbar,  and  after  the  surrender  of  the  castle  was  sent  prisoner  by  Cromwell 
to  Tinemouth,  where  he  remained  during  the  troubles.  He  only  surrendered  after  one 
side  was  battered  down  by  General  Monk's  superior  force.  John  Saintcler  of  Roslin  died 
in  1690,  and  was  buried  at  the  charge  of  Mrs.  James  Saintclaire,  the  third  of  Marche,  in 
which  year,  the  last  Friday  of  Februarie,  1690,  by  her  industrie,  was  found  att  night  in 
Roslin  the  best  burning  coal  in  Scotland. 

XIII.  Jamrs  Saintclaire,  who  succeeded  his  brother,  had  redeemed  the  estate 
several  years  before,  to  which  end  his  wife,  who  was  also  nearly  related  to  him,  did  much 
contribute.  Hay  records :  "  He  was  in  his  youth  bound  apprentice  in  London,  thereafter 
he  went  to  France,  where  he  spent  some  years  with  Mr.  Monteith,  author  of  'The 
Troubles  of  Great  Britain,'  who  was  settled  in  the  beginning  with  M.  de  la  Porte,  Great 
Prieur  of  France  and  Knight  of  Malta,  as  I  have  heard  of  the  present  Duke  of  Mazarine, 
his  nephew,  sone  to  the  Marechal  de  la  Mailleraye.  After  the  Great  Prieur's  death,  he 
entered  into  the  service  of  the  Cardinall  de  Rets,  Coadjutor  of  Paris,  then  Archbishop  of 
Corinth,  to  whom  Roslin  dedicat  his  Booke  of  the  'Troubles  of  Brittany,'  being  left  his 
heir.  After  Mr.  Monteith's  death  he  applyed  himself  to  my  Lord  Rutherford,  Viscount 
of  Teviott ;  he  stayed  some  years  with  him  as  his  Secretarie  att  Dunkirk,  whilst  the 
fortifications   were    perfiting,    and    att    Tangiers    in    Africa.      Thereafter    he    was    made 


292  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 

Commissar  of  Shetland,  and  after  my  father's  death  he  espoused  my  mother,  Mrs.  Jean, 
daughter  to  Sir  Henry  Spotswood  (Sheriff  of  Dublin),  who  bore  to  him — 

i.  James,  born  8th  March,  1671,  who  was  Page  of  Honour  to  Queen  Marie  and  Cornett  of  her 
Guards  in  Parker's  Company.     He  was  killed  att  the  Boyne,  fighting  for  King  James  in 
Ireland.     His  death  gave  rise  to  the  quatrain  in  an  '  Orange  Song  '  : — 
"...     St.  Clair  is  dead, 

And  all  his  men  are  from  the  battle  fled  ; 
As  he  rode  down  the  hill  he  met  his  fall, 
He  died  a  victim  to  a  cannon-ball." 

2.  Alexander,  next  of  Roslin,  born  30th  November,  1672. 

3.  Thomas,  born  4th  March,  1676  ;  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Capt.  Wachope.     Issue — 

1.  James,  in  French  army,  married  a  daughter  of  Commissioner  Wedderburn. 

2.  Francis,  a  General  in  the  Neapolitan  service. 

3.  A  daughter,  married  to  Bower  of  Methie  and  Kincaldrum.  4.  A  daughter. 

1.  Helen,  born  15th  March,  1670;  married  Henry  Kerr  of  Gredane  in  the  Mers. 

2.  Anna,  born  20th  February,  1674  ;  died  at  the  age  of  nine,  by  the  negligence  of  Mr.  Davidson, 

a  seminary  priest. 

"  Roslin,  their  father  was  a  very  civil  and  discreat  man.  He  dealt  with  us  that  were 
childering  of  the  first  marriage,  begotten  by  Mr.  George  Hay,  very  kindly,  notwith- 
standing that  he  scattered  us  far  off  after  his  marriage,  sending  the  one  to  France,  ane 
other  to  England,  and  a  third  to  sea.  He  was  much  taken  up  with  building,  and  addicted 
to  the  Priests  ;  those  two  inclinations  spoiled  his  fortune.  He  died  in  a  good  adge,  and 
with  the  reputation  of  ane  honest  man  ;  yet  I  have  perceived  in  examineing  his  papers 
after  his  death,  that  he  was  too  easie,  and  that  his  correspondents  at  Rowen,  Mr.  Alexander 
att  Paris,  Lady  Magdalene  Creichton,  one  of  the  heirs  of  Francis  Irwine,  and  the  Scots 
Mission  of  Seminarie  Priests,  have  imposed  on  him,  which  goodness  of  his  brought,  after 
his  death,  some  trouble  to  my  mother.  He  acquired  a  brae  att  Gortoun,  with  a  design  to 
imparke  the  wood  ;  he  built  a  well  about  the  Colledge  and  the  garden  towards  the  Lynne  ; 
he  builded  also  the  fore  part  of  the  Castle  on  the  left  hand  entring  the  drawbridge,  upon 
which  his  arms  and  name  are  seen  conjunctly  with  my  mother's  ingraven  on  a  stone. 
He  builded  likewise  the  legions  of  the  bridge  011  the  Water  of  Esk,  under  the  Castle,  with 
a  gate  to  stop  the  passengers,  with  severall  other  parcells  of  walls  about  the  parks  and 
other  buildings.  He  was  made  Burges  of  Edinburgh  by  Provest  Currie,  notwithstanding 
that  he  was  Roman  Catholick.  It  was  by  his  means  that  one  Bruse,  who  had  married  a 
Flemender,  was  imployed  to  bring  in  water  to  the  severall  fountains  of  Edinburgh.  The 
same  brought  in  water  in  lead  pipes  to  the  inner  court  of  the  Castle  of  Roslin,  and  to  the 
lower  vaults.  My  mother,  after  his  death,  sent  James  and  Alexander,  her  childering,  to 
Paris,  under  the  government  of  Mr.  Davidsone.  They  stayed  sometime  in  a  French 
Pension  near  to  the  Colledge  of  Lysieux  ;  therafter  they  were  confined  to  the  Scots 
Colledge  by  the  Missionaries  advice.  Whilst  they  were  there  the  Dutches  of  Yorke  was 
willing  to  accept  of  both  of  them  for  her  pages.  Mr.  Innes,  then  principall,  as  I  think, 
being  unwilling  to  let  them  both  return  home  att  once,  hindered  their  fortune.  He 
detained  Alexander,  next  Laird  of  Roslin,  with  him  att  Paris,  and  allowed  the  other  to 
returne  to  Scotland.  He  was  made  page  att  his  comeing  to  the  country,  and  his  brother 
remaining  abroad,  the  other  place  designed  for  him  was  filled  up  by  ane  other. 

"  When  my  goodfather  was  buried,  his  corps  seemed  to  be  intire  att  the  opening  of  the 
cave,  but  when  they  came  to  touch  his  body  it  fell  into  dust  ;  he  was  laying  in  his  armour, 
with  a  red  velvet  cap  on  his  head  on  a  flat  stone  ;  nothing  was  spoild  except  a  piece  of 


FEUDAL-TRANSITION  PERIOD.  293 


the  white  furring  that  went  round  the  cap,  and  answered  to  the  hinder  part  of  the  head. 
All  his  predecessors  were  buried  after  the  same  manner  in  their  armour.  Late  Roslin, 
my  goodfather,  was  the  first  that  was  buried  in  a  coffin,  against  the  sentiments  of  King 
James  the  Seventh,  who  was  then  in  Scotland,  and  severall  other  persons  well  versed  in 
antiquity,  to  whom  my  mother  would  not  hearken,  thinking  it  beggarly  to  be  buried  after 
that  manner.  The  great  expenses  she  was  att  in  burieing  her  husband  occasioned  the 
sumptuarie  acts  which  were  made  in  the  following  Parliaments." 

Lady  Rosline  petitioned  James  the  Seventh  and  his  Queen  for  some  compensation  for 
the  great  losses  sustained  by  the  Rosslyns  during  their  loyal  adhesion  to  the  royal  cause, 
such  as  would  enable  her  to  make  needful  reparations  to  theChapell  and  Castle  of  Roslin. 
The  petitions  made  recital  of  the  injury  done  to  Roslin  Castle  when  defending  it  against 
the  artillery  of  General  Monk,  and  that  by  adhering  to  King  James  the  Fifth's 
dowager  and  his  daughter,  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  the  then  Roslin  had  been  obliged  to  sell 
the  lands  of  Herbertshire,  Pentland,  Mortoun,  and  Mortounhall.  These  petitions  were 
of  little  use,  and  all  she  succeeded  in  getting  was  a  commission  for  her  son  as  Cornet  of 
the  Guards.     Her  second  son  succeeded  to  Roslin,  viz., 

XIV.  Alexander  St.  Clair,  who  married  Jean,  daughter  of  Robert,  seventh 
Lord  Semple.  This  laird  was  of  considerable  poetical  ability,  his  poems  in  MSS.  are 
preserved  in  the  Advocates'  Library.     He  had  issue — 

1.  William,  his  successor. 

Two  sons  and  three  daughters,  who  died  young. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

XV.  William  St.  Clair,  last  of  Roslin,  who  married  Cordelia,  daughter  of  Sir 
George  Wishart  of  Cliftonhall,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons  and  five  daughters,  who  all 
died  young  except  his  daughter  Sarah. 

He  was  a  man  of  magnificent  physique,  and  in  all  the  manly  sports  which  require 
strength  and  dexterity  was  unrivalled  ;  his  particular  delight  being  archery.  A  fuller 
account  of  him  will  appear  in  Historiettes. 

The  line  of  Roslin  is  generally  assumed  by  peerage  and  other  writers  to  be  extinct, 
but  it  seems  scarcely  credible  that  there  are  no  male  descendants  extant  of  the  eight  sons 
of  Sir  Oliver,  the  eight  sons  of  the  first  Sir  William,  or  the  ten  sons  of  Sir  William  of 
Pentland.  They  are  perhaps  to  be  found  in  the  Isles,  where  Hercules,  son  of  Alexander 
Saintcler  of  Cuthiltoun  and  Little  Deny,  is  discovered  acquiring  notoriety  as  an 
iconoclast;  and  Edward  Sinclair  of  Dryden,  the  "  Gudeman  of  Ethay,"  left  issue 
several  sons.  It  is  stated  in  the  "  Genealogie  "  that  Henry,  third  sone  to  Sir  Oliver 
Saintclere  of  Roslin,  by  Isabella  Levingstou,  was  governor  of  the  Castle  of  Bergen  in 
Norway,  where  his  arms  are  seen  upon  that  part  of  the  Castle  that  was  built  in  his  time  ; 
and  in  the  Holy  Cross  Church  of  Bergen  his  name  is  written.  He  married  Gurena 
Guldelove,  by  whom  he  had  severall  childering,  settled  in  Norway,  whose  posterity 
remain  there  to  this  day.  This  may  be  the  Henry  to  whom  Sir  Oliver  assigned  the 
lands  of  Braidle  in  151 2,  but  it  is  generally  understood  that  the  only  Henry,  son  of  Sir 
Oliver,  was  the  Bishop  of  Ross,  who  could  not  have  been  identical  with  the  Governor  of 
Bergen  Castle,  nor  was  the  stone  Bergen  Castle  then  erected. 


294  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


THE   SINCLAIRS  of  PITCAIRN  and  WHYTKIRK.* 

I.  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcairn  and  Whytkirk  was  the  fourth  son  of  Sir  Oliver 
St.  Clair  of  Roslyn.  A  charter  of  Pitcairn  in  Perth,  issued  to  him  and  his  spouse 
Katherine  Bellenden  on  the  13th  January,  1537.  On  the  13th  January,  1538-9,  Letters 
of  Legitimation  were  issued  to  James  Sinclair,  natural  sou  of  "our  familiar"  Oliver 
Sinclair  de  Pitcairn;  he  and  his  wife  are  mentioned  15th  February,  1541-2.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Solway  in  1542,  the  English  rate  him  as  having  lands  value  500  merks  scots 
per  annum  =  i25  merks  sterling;  goods  ,£1,000  scots  =  ,£i25  sterling.  On  the  13th 
December,  1543,  there  are  several  entries  referring  to  a  suit  instituted  by  the  Queen- 
Dowager  against  Oliver.  On  the  1st  September,  1567,  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Quhitkirk  was 
required  to  enter  his  person  in  ward  within  the  castell  of  Down  of  Menteith  within  three 
days,  remaining  there  at  his  own  expense  until  relieved.  On  18th  November,  1567,  he 
was  required  to  compeire  under  pane  of  rebellion  and  home  to  answer  the  complaint  of 
Andro  Lamb  against  Petcarne  and  others,  his  accomplices,  for  invading  and  pursuing, 
etc.,  him  and  his  for  occupying  the  lands  of  Polmore.  On  the  24th  August,  1568,  Oliver 
Sinclair  of  Whytkirk,  was  desired  to  appear  in  presence  of  my  Lord  Regent  and  the  three 
estates  of  Parliament.  "To  p'cure  to  p'test  as  effeirit  for  the  laird  of  Roslin,  his  chief 
and  kinsman."     He  had  issue — 

1.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Whytekirk. 

2.  Oliver  Sinclair,  his  brother-german,  perhaps  of  Ravensneuk,  witness  1st  November,  1582. 
1.  Isabella,  natural  and  legitimate  daughter  of  Oliver  Sinclair  and   Katherine  Bellentyne, 

most  probably  legitimised  by  marriage  subsequent  to  birth. 
James,  natural  son,  Letters  of  Legitimation  13th  January,  1538-9. 

II.  Henry  Sinclair  of  Whytkirk  and  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Ravensneuk  are  caution 
for  Roslin  16th  August,  1591,  and  in  1582  he  had  witnessed  the  conveyance  by  Edward 
Sinclair,  fiar  of  Roslin,  to  his  brother  William.  On  the  nth  August,  1590,  Oliver 
Sinclair  in  Ravensneuke  is  one  of  those  cited  as  a  troubler  of  ministers  and  for  being 
suspected  of  ecclesiastical  offences.  Mr.  Henry  Sinclair,  Provost  of  Roslin,  appeared 
28th  January,  1601,  for  Oliver,  brother  of  Henry  Sinclair  of  Whytekirk.  On  9th 
January,  1602,  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Ravensneuke  became  surety  for  the  appearance  of  Henry 
Sinclair  of  Whitekirk  touching  the  ravishing  of  Margaret  Carkettle  ;  on  the  28th  same, 
he  was  committed  toward,  but  horning  was  suspended.  In  defence  he  denied  the  abduc- 
tion. On  the  26th  August,  1606,  he  was  accused  of  invading  the  house  of  Margaret 
Murray,  Lady  Ford. 


THE   SINCLAIRS   of   DRYDEN,  SPOTTS,  WOODHOUSLEE,  Etc.* 

I.  An  Edward  Saintclair  of  Draidon  is  referred  to  by  Hay  as  witnessing  a 
migratory  procession  of  rats  from  Roslin  Castle  four  days  before  the  feast  day  of  St. 
Leonard,  1447,  and  one  of  the  witnesses  to  the  instrument  of  infeftment  of  Herbertshire, 
dated  26th  November,  1447,  and  in  favour  of  the  Countess  of  Orkney  is  Edivardus  de 
Sancto  Claro,  Armiger.  Later  on  John  St.  Cler  and  Edward  of  St.  Clair  witness  a  bond 
by  George,  Lord  Seton,  to  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  the  3rd  July,  1480,  and  in  1502 
an  Edward  Sinclair  defeats  in  the  Orkneys  an  English  incursion  under  Sir  John  Elder. 

*Exch.  Rolls  ;  Reg.  Privy  Seal,  &c. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  of  DRYDEN,  SPOTTS,   WOODHOUSLEE,  Etc.  295 

On  the  12th  April,  1481,  David  Sinclair  has  to  restore  to  Edward  Sinclair  a  brown  horse 
he  had  taken  from  him.      He  had  issue — 

1.  Sir  John  Sinclair,  knight,  next  of  Dryden. 

2.  William,    brother-german    to    Sir    John,    apparently    identical    with    William    Sinclair, 

"  ostiarius  "-usher  of  the  outer  door  of  the  king's  chamber, — who  in  1490  receives  his  fee  of 
^13  6s.  Sd.,  and  gives  a  receipt  for  George  Sinclair  of  Hefeld  ;  in  1492  William  Sinclare  is 
tenant  of  the  Mill  of  Culwen  (Galloway)  ;  1499  William  Sincler  koxtiarius  camere  exteriorvs  ; 
on  2 1st  March,  1499/1500,  the  hostiarius  receives  for  good  services  land  and  a  house  in 
Edinburgh;  in  1503,  there  is  this  enumeration — "And  Andrew,  Lord  Avondale,  first 
usher  of  the  chamber  to  our  lord  King;  Patrick  Crichton,  pawtarius,  Peter  Crichton, 
in  gardiroba,  knights  ;  Walter  Leslie,  John  Stewart,  Thomas  French,  John  Inglis,  and  James 
Mercer,  mariscallis  ;  Williame  Sinclair,  ostiarius  camere  e.rterioriis  ;  who  are  nine  persons  in 
number."  In  150S  and  1509  there  is  William  Sinclair,  noted  as  usher  of  the  Queen's 
chamber,  and  lastly  a  similar  notice  in  1514. 

3.  George,  brother-german  of  Sir  John,  probably  George  Sinclair  of  Hefeld,  who  is  frequently 

noticed  : — In  1489  he  receives  payment  on  behalf  of  the  Earl  of  Bothwell  for  expenses  of 
the  Duke  of  Ross,  and  various  other  payments  ;  in  1490  he  has  a  lease  of  Slewindaw,  in 
Galloway,  with  building  obligation  ;  in  1493  he  is  stewart-depute  of  Kirkcudbright ;  on 
the  13th  May,  1503,  he  has  a  lease  of  the  merkland  of  Kilbride,  Galloway  ;  on  the  25th 
February,  1505,  he  affixes  his  seal  to  a  conveyance  of  the  bordland  of  Lagan  ;  on  the  1st 
April,  1506,  he  is  fined  by  the  Baillary  Court  at  Dirleton,  held  at  Dirleton  Castle,  he  being 
present,  for  not  entering  suit  for  Hefeld  ;  and  he  is  lastly  mentioned  in  15 13  in  the  charter 
by  his  brother-natural,  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Spottis. 

4.  M.  William,   brother-german  to  the  preceding,   perhaps   identifiable  as   Master  William 

Sinclair,  tenant  of  the  Bankis  of  Row,  nth  April,  1502,  acquired  by  John  Sinclair  [of 
Dryden]  the  king's  armiger,  nth  May,  1491.  In  1503  the  grassums  of  the  quondam 
William  Sinclair  were  remitted,  and  in  1505  Bankis  of  Row  were  assigned  with  consent  of 
the  relict  of  William  Sinclair,  but  in  1508  Master  William  Sinclair  is  still  noted  as  tenant 
and  feuar  of  that  property.  He  was  alive  in  1513. 
Edward  Sinclair  of  Dryden  had  also  two  natural  sons — 

1.  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Spottis,  and 

2.  Hector  Sinclair,  his  brother-german. 

Patrick  Sinclair  has  a  separate  notice  in  the  Historiettes.  He  was  in  great  favour 
with  the  Scottish  Court.  On  23rd  March,  1502,  a  charter  issues  :  Tenementum  terre 
infra  burgum  de  Linlithgow  to  Patrick  Sinclair,  our  familiar  ;  on  the  21st  February, 
1506-7,  he  is  granted  the  lands  of  Spottis  ;  on  the  30th  October,  1507,  he  is  assigned  £27 
from  Lessualt  and  Monybrig  ;  the  same  year  he  receives  other  sums  ;  in  1508  there 
issues  from  King  James  IV.  a  charter  and  precept  to  "our  loved  familiar  for  good  and 
faithful  services  "  of  an  annuity  of  ,£27  from  the  fee-duty  of  Lessualt  and  Monybrig,  in 
Galloway,  which  is  accounted  for  in  due  course  in  1509  and  15 10  ;  and  in  1512  Patrick 
Sinclair  of  Spottis  receives  a  lease  of  Mote  of  Ur  and  Grange  of  Spottis,  alleged  to  be 
feued  to  him. 

On  the  20th  July,  1513,  there  is  Confirmation  to  Patrick  Siuclere  of  Spottis  of  the 
lands  of  Spottis,  with  mill,  in  Kirkcudbright  :  remainder  to  the  legitimate  heirs  of  his 
body  whom  failing  to  (1)  Hector  Sinclair,  his  brother-german  ;  (2)  Sir  John  Sinclair  of 
Dryden,  knight  ;  (3)  William  Sinclair,  brother-german  of  Sir  John  ;  (4)  George  Sinclair, 
also  brother-german  ;  (5)  M.  William  Sinclair,  also  brother-german  ;  whom  all  failing  to 
the  lawful  and  nearest  heirs  of  the  said  Sir  John  Sinclair.  Insuper  ex  special  grace 
concede  Patrick  and  Hector,  brothers,  bastard  sons  of  the  late  Edward  Sinclair  de 
Dridane,  the  right  to  make  disposition.  In  1515  Patrick  Sinclair  and  the  Lady  of 
Coldonknowis,  his  wife,  are  to  be  cited  (Brechin  and  Nevaire)  ;  in  1517  Patrick  Sinclair 


296  THE  LORDS  OF  ROSSLYN. 


is  sheriff  of  Roxburgh — senescallus  in  hac  parte  ;  in  1522  he  is  noted  as  of  Lesswalt  and 
Monybrig,  and  in  1524  is  named  as  of  Spottis  re  the  Mote  of  Ur.  On  the  29th  Sep- 
tember, 1529,  a  charter  issues  to  Robert,  Lord  Maxwell,  of  Spottis,  which  Patrick 
Sinclair  resigned,  and  the  nth  October  thereafter  he  is  noted  as  witnessing  a  document. 
A  charter  issued  to  him  on  the  25th  March,  1530,  of  the  lands  of  Castellaw,  Est-Raw, 
Myltoun,  and  Woodhouselee,  Edinburgh,  and  on  the  29th  January,  1545,  he  gave  a 
charter  as  Patrick  Sinclair  of  Woodhouselee  to  his  natural  son  John  Sinclare,  and 
Isobelle  Hamilton,  his  spouse,  of  the  lands  of  Castellaw,  Eistraw,  Shaken ty hole,  Myln- 
toun,  etc. ,  with  the  exception  of  Woodhouselee.     This  is  his  last  appearance. 

II.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Dryden,  knight,  has  a  separate  notice  in  the  Historiettes. 
The  numerous  entries  in  the  records  indicate  that  the  Roslins  and  Drydens  were  at  this 
period  held  in  a  special  degree  of  favour  by  the  royal  household.  On  the  nth  May,  1491, 
the  King's  letters  issued  to  John  Sinclare,  '  armigero  suo,'  and  his  successors,  granting 
to  him  the  lands  of  Westir  Row,  Bankis  of  Row,  Ovir  Argathe,  Lundylug,  Estir-Argathe, 
Argath-Corntoune,  Lundyskeuch,  Lundy  Arthur,  Lundy  Makcane,  Eglisdisdane,  et 
Ballechragane  in  Menteith.  In  1492  he  has  the  dominical  lands  of  Houston,  with  mill 
and  cottages,  assigned  to  him,  to  which  reference  is  again  made  in  1496,  1497,  1498,  and 
in  1502  when  he  is  styled  Sir  John  of  Dryden,  knight,  in  1507,  when  they  are  assigned 
to  him  for  life,  in  1512,  1513,  and  finally  in  1514. 

It  is  not  clear  that  subsequent  notices  of  Sinclairs  of  Dryden  are  of  his  descendants. 

III.  Edward  Sinclair  of  Dryden  was  the  eighth  son  of  Sir  William  Sinclair  of 
Roslin.  He  appears  so  styled  on  several  occasions.  From  a  charter,  of  date  28th 
October,  1583,  he  is  identified  as  Edward  Sinclair  of  the  Isle  of  Ethay,  in  Orkney. 

IV.  James  Sinclair  of  Dryden,  25th  October,  1587,  finds  caution  for  James 
Giffard,  younger,  of  Shereffhall. 

V.  John  Sinclair  of  Dryden,  presently  mentioned,  was,  by  Katharine  Crichton, 
father  of 

VI.  John  Sinclair,  to  whom,  on  15th  July,  1595,  an  order  issued  as  son  of  the 
late  (v.)  John  Sinclair  of  Dryden  and  Katharine  Crichton,  his  mother,  and  all  other 
keepers  of  the  manor  place  of  Lessuade  to  deliver  the  same  to  officers  within  three 
hours  under  pain  of  treason.  On  the  5th  June,  1600,  John  Sinclair,  sometime  of  Dryden, 
is  charged  with  having  assaulted  his  servant  upon  the  latter's  going  to  the  said  John's 
dwelling-house  at  Dalkeith.  John  Sinclair  of  Dryden  gave  a  charter  of  Lasswade  21st 
May,  1 591,  to  John  Nicolson,  advocate,  father  of  Sir  John  Nicolson  of  Lasswade,  Baronet. 


BARONS  OF  RAVENSCRAIG.  297 


chapter  X. 
BARONS   OF    RAVENSCRAIG.* 

I.  Henry  II.,  Earl  of  Orkney,  is  the  first  of  his  line  to  whom  the  title  of  Lord 
Sinclair  is  found  allotted  in  public  documents.  By  his  Countess,  the  Lady  Egidia 
Douglas,  he  had  an  only  son 

II.  William  St.  Clair,  Lord  Sinclair,  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness.  He  was 
twice  married  :  first,  to  Elizabeth  Douglas,  Countess-Dowager  of  Buchan  and  the 
Garioch,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  William,  the  disinherited  Master  of  Orkney  and  Caithness, 
and  secondly,  to  Marjory,  daughter  of  Alexander  Sutherland  of  Duffus,  by  whom  he  had 
with  other  issue — 

(Sir  Oliver  of  Roslyn. 

*"  2'  (William  II.,  Earl  of  Caithness. 
Earl  William  had  resigned  the  Earldom  of  Orkney  in  1471,  and  obtained  in  exchange  the 
Castle  of  Ravenscraig  and  the  lands  of  Wilton,  Carberry,  and  Dubbo  in  Fife.  In  1476,  in 
supersession  of  his  eldest  son,  he  assigned  Roslin,  Pentland,  Pentland  Moor,  Mortoun, 
Mortonhall,  and  Harbertshire  to  his  son  Sir  Oliver,  ancestor  of  the  subsequent  line  of  Roslins ; 
and  in  the  same  year  resigned  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  to  the  Crown,  upon  which  a  new 
charter  issued  to  his  son  William  of  the  second  marriage  in  derogation  of  the  rights  of  the 
elder  William,  son  of  the  first  marriage.  Various  reasons  have  been  assigned  for  the 
disinherison.  Hay  informs  us  that  Earl  William  and  his  first  countess  were  separated  on 
account  of  consanguinity  and  affinity,  but  the  issue  of  this  marriage  could  hardly  have 
been  considered  as  unlawful,  for  we  are  told  that  the  Earl,  not  contented  with  this 
separation,  sent  to  the  Pope,  who  dispensed  therwith,  and  so  he  married  her  anew  again 
into  St.  Mathieu's  Church,  where  they  were  separated.  The  Earl  may  have  taken  a 
deep  dislike  to  his  son  on  account  of  his  mother  being  a  Douglas,  as  after  his  wife's  death 
to  be  identified  with  that  family  meant  being  a  mark  for  attack  from  the  Crown,  and  we 
find  the  Earl  on  the  side  opposed  to  the  Douglases.  The  most  likely  reason,  however,  is 
to  be  found  in  the  action  of  the  Master  of  Orkney  himself,  who,  by  his  imprisonment  in 
1466  of  William  Tulloch,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  was  the  primary  cause  of  the  loss  of  that 
Earldom.  But  it  seems  questionable  whether  the  Master  was  disinherited  at  all,  for  we 
find  him  possessed  of  Newburgh  (which  had  formerly  belonged  to  David  St.  Clair, 
brother  of  Earl  Henry  I.),  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  he  had  also  numerous  lands  in  the 
Isles.  The  Earl's  devise  was  probably  an  equitable  one,  in  keeping  with  his  life.  He 
died  about  the  year  1480,  and  was  survived  by  his  eldest  son 

III.  William  St.  Clair  of  Newburgh,  de  jure  third  Lord  Sinclair.  He  first 
appears  in  records  in  1456,  when  on  behalf  of  the  Earl  of  Orkney,  Wm.  Sinclare  forcibly 
takes  the  price  of  the  tierce  of  Mar  from  Wm.  Setou  of  Echt ;  and  on  13th  February, 
1463,  apud  Carten-Sinclare  a  charter  issued  by  William,  Master  of  Orkney  and  Caithness 

*  Exch.  Rolls  ;  Reg.  Privy  Seal  ;  Burke ;  Hay,  etc. 


298  BARONS  OF  RAVENSCRAIG. 

and  Lord  of  Carten-Sinclare  (Menteith)  et  Yemy  (Lennox)  to  Malm.  MacClery  (confirmed 
17th  August,  1465).  In  1466  he  imprisoned  the  Bishop  of  Orkney.  On  15th  April,  1478, 
there  is  confirmation  of  a  sale  of  fishing-rights  in  Ithane  by  Wm.  de  St.  Clair,  Lord  of 
the  Barony  of  Newburgh,  with  consent  of  Christian  his  spouse,  to  Sir  James  Ogilvy  of 
Deskford,  knight.  In  1480  he  had  sasine  to  Cousland  and  Dysart.  On  17th  June,  i486, 
Nicholas  Ramsay  was  confirmed  in  Wilstoun  and  Carberry,  which  William  Sinclare 
resigned  ;  and  on  20th  July,  1487,  there  is  confirmation  of  a  sale  by  Wm.  de  St.  Clair, 
Baron  de  Newburgh,  with  consent  of  Christian  Leslie  his  spouse,  of  the  lands  of 
Archadlie  in  Newburg  cum  stibscriptione  vianuali  Williame  Lord  Synclare,  at  Stirling. 
Peerage  writers  inform  us  that  his  life  was  spent  in  a  struggle  with  the  more  favoured 
brothers  for  a  share  of  the  paternal  inheritance. 

William,  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  having  also  infeft  Sir  Oliver  of  Roslyn,  his 
son  of  a  second  marriage,  in  all  his  baronies  lying  within  the  sheriffdoms  of  Edinburgh, 
Fife,  and  Stirling,  to  the  prejudice  of  William  Sinclair  of  Newburgh,  his  eldest  son  of 
the  first  marriage :  It  was  sustained  by  Newburgh,  post  excessum  patris,  that  the 
disposition  made  by  his  deceased  father  was  null,  1  mo.  in  respect  he  was  the  only  child 
that  had  undoubted  title  to  those  lands  by  the  common  law,  as  being  heir  to  the  deceased 
Earl,  and  so  could  not  be  prejudged  by  any  private  deed  made  in  behalf  of  the  younger 
children,  since  the  collector  of  our  Regiam  Majestatem,  lib.  2  cap.  27  art.  2  de  successione 
filii  ad  patrem,  expresses  himself  thus  :  Si  pater  fuerit  miles,  tunc  eo  casu,  ejus  films 
primogenitus  succedit  in  totum  ita  quod  nullus  fratrum  suorum  partem  inde,  de  jure, 
petere  potest.  2  do.  That  in  the  greatest  rigour,  and  even  stretching  the  law,  his  father 
was  only  allowed  by  the  2nd  chap.  art.  2  to  give  filiis  postnatis,  id  est,  post  primogenitum 
natis,  partem  rationabilem  de  haereditate  sua,  cum  consensu  haeredis  :  Whereas  he  had 
granted  to  Sir  Oliver  the  bulk  of  his  estate  lying  as  said  is  in  Fife,  and  towards  the  South 
of  Forth,  without  his  consent :  and  by  that  means  he  had  deprived  him  of  his  right 
to  the  succession  :  Which  was  his  third  exception.  Which  right  could  no  more  have 
been  abstracted  from  the  heir  than  the  roundness  from  a  bowl  or  sphere  ;  according  to  the 
20th  chap.  art.  1,  Non  licet  filium  ex  hasredare.  After  some  replies  and  duplies  made  by 
the  advocates,  the  lands  in  debate  were  divided  by  the  agreement  of  both  parties,  under 
form  of  instrument,  whereby  Sir  Oliver  and  his  heirs  resigned  and  gave  over  to  William 
Lord  Saintclair  of  Newburgh,  his  elder  brother  and  his  heirs  all  and  haill,  the  lands  of 
Cowsland,  with  their  pertinents,  lying  within  the  sheriffdom,  Edin.  ;  and  his  lands  of 
Dysart  within  the  barony  of  Samiu  ;  with  lands  of  Ravenscraig  and  castle  of  same  ;  the 
lands  of  Uubbo,  Carberry  and  Wilston,  lying  in  Fife  ;  patronages  of  kirks  and  chaplainries, 
office  of  bailery,  etc.,  to  remain  heritably  with  the  said  William  and  his  heirs  perpetually 
[and  shall  give  William  all  charters,  sure  evidents,  infeftments,  and  obligations  yet  he 
hes,  or  may  give  of  the  saidis  lands,  or  of  ony  lands  yat  may  be  profitable  to  the  said 
William  and  not  skaithless  to  himself  in  other  lands,  nor  to  his  younger  brother  William]. 
And  on  the  other  hand,  William  of  Newburgh,  designed,  Primogenitus  et  Haeres 
Magnifici  et  Potentis  Domini,  Domini  WillielmiComitis  Orcadiae  et  Cathaniae  ;  and  his  son 
Henry  likewise  called  Primogenitus  et  haeres  apparens  dicti  Willielmi,  Domini  de 
Newbrugh  ;  renounce  their  interest  to  the  baronies  of  Roslin,  the  castle  of  the  same,  and 
patronage  of  the  college,  or  provostry,  to  the  lands  of  Pentland,  Pentlandmure,  Morton 
and  Mortonhall,  and  to  the  barony  of  Herbertshire.  And  both  of  them  bind  themselves 
to  stand  by  one  another,  under  the  penalty  of  ,£5,000,  whereof  ,£3,000  were  payable  to 


HENRY   II.,  4th  LORD  ST.   CLAIR.  299 

the  King,  and  ,£2,000  to  the  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's  nomine  poetics  within  40  days; 
as  also  under  the  penalty  of  infamy  and  inhability,  and  of  being  mensworu  men,  they 
having  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangils  the  performance  of  the  foresaid  articles.  And  it  is 
thereby  declared  that  Sir  Oliver  shall  worship  and  honour  the  said  William  as  effeirs,  and- 
accords  him  to  do  to  his  eldest  brother.  And  if  there  happen  any  plea  or  contestation 
betwixt  the  said  William  of  Newburgh  and  William  his  younger  brother  for  the  Earldom 
of  Caithness,  the  said  Sir  Oliver  shall  stand  neuter  between  them,  as  he  should  do  betwixt 
his  brethren,  and  take  no  part  with  either  of  them  during  the  quarrel.  The  agreement 
is  dated  9th  February,  1481.  Witnesses  :  William,  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's;  Andrew 
Stuart,  Lord  Avondale,  Chancellor  Scotland  ;  Colin,  Earl  of  Argylle  ;  John,  Earl  of 
Athole  ;  William,  Bishop  of  Ross  ;  Andrew  Stuart,  Provost  of  Lincluden  ;  Mr.  George 
Carmichael,  Treasurer  of  Glasgow  ;  Alex.  Lumsden,  rector  of  Flisk  ;  and  Alex.  Borthwick, 
clerk  of  St.  Andrew's.  And  sealed  with  the  seals  of  the  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's, 
the  Lord  Chancellor,  and  the  Earl  of  Argyle,  and  subscribed  by  the  public  notaries.  This 
agreement  is  ratified  18th  February,  148 1.* 

William  of  Newburgh,  third  Lord  Sinclair,  is  generally  called  "William  the  Waster." 
He  died  in  1487,  and  was  interred  at  Dunfermline,!  leaving  by  his  wife  Lady  Christian 
Leslie,  daughter  of  George,  first  Earl  of  Rothes — 

1.  Henry,  Master  of  Sinclair,  next  Baron. 

2.  Sir  Wiiaiam  of  Warsetter,  Orknay,  a  quo  they  of  VVarsetter,  Saba,  etc. 
1.  Elizabeth,  married  as  second  wife  to  John  Glendonwyn  (f  1503). 

IV.  Henry  II.  St.  Clair  was  an  active  personality.  Immediately  after  the  death 
of  his  father  the  Scottish  Parliament  passed  in  his  favour  an  Act  recognising  him  as 
"  Chief  of  yat  blude  "  and  willing  "  yarfor  that  he  be  callit  Lord  Saintclair  in  tyme  to 
cum,"  26th  January,  1488-89.  This  Act  did  not  constitute  a  new  creation,  but  was  only 
a  recognition  of  the  Barony  of  St.  Clair  existing  in  the  person  of  his  ancestor  Henry  II., 
Earl  of  Orkney.  He  sat  as  a  Baron  of  Parliament  on  the  14th  January,  1488,  and  on  the 
4th  December,  same,  Confirmation  issued  to  Henry,  Lord  of  St.  Clair,  and  Margaret,  his 
spouse,  for  the  lands  of  Cousland,  house  and  fortalice,  and  Ravenscraig,  and  adjacent 
lands,  viz.,  Woolston,  Carberry,  and  Dubbo. 

Notices  of  this  Baron  in  connection  with  the  Orcadian  dominions  are  of  frequent 
occurrence.  On  the  6th  August,  1485,  he  granted  an  annuity  to  the  Bishop  of  Orknay, 
he  being  then  Tacksman  of  those  Isles,  and  it  was  probably  by  his  influence  that  an  Act 
of  the  Scottish  Parliament  in  1503  to  annul  all  foreign  laws  within  the  realm  was  so 
altered  as  to  spare  the  native  laws  of  Orknay  and  Zetland.  J  There  are  in  existence 
copies  of  several  of  his  Rentals  of  Orknay,  extending  over  a  period  of  from  1492  to  1502, 
the  earliest,  prepared  in  1492,  being  known  as  "  My  Lord  Sinclair's  Rental  that  deit  at 
Flodden."  On  the  28th  May,  1489,  three  grants  were  issued  to  him  :  A  13  years'  lease 
of  Orkney  and  Zetland  ;  the  custody  of  Kirkwall  Castle  and  the  fortalices  ;  and  the 
Justiciar}-,  Folderie,  and  Balliatus  for  13  years.  On  the  same  day,  three  precisely 
similar  instruments  issued  to  his  brothers-in-law,  Patrick,  Earl  of  Bothwell,  and  John, 
Prior  of  St.  Andrew's.  There  are  continuous  notices  of  his  intromissions  for  the  farms  of 
Orknay  and  Shetland,  viz.  : — On  the  21st  June,  14S4,  per  Peter  Hakket  and  Alexander 
Lask,  for  the  farms  of  Sanday  ;  in  1488  as  Henry  Sinclair  for  Orknay  and  Zetland  ;  in 
T489  do.  as  dom.  de  Sancto  Claro  ;  in  1491  he  is  arrendatarius  ;  in  1494  do.  ;  and  on  the 

*  Scottish  Antiquities.  f  Sir  Jas.  Balfour's  Catalogue.  i  Balfour's  Memorial. 


3°o 


BARONS  OF  RAVENSCRAIG. 


22nd  February,  1494,  in  the  Grant  of  Burray  to  St.  Magnus,  he  is  referred  to  as  "  dilecto 
consanguineo  nostro  Henrico  Domino  Sinclar  "  ;  in  his  1495  accounts  there  is  a  payment 
to  John  Sinclair  ;  in  1497  his  Island  accounts  are  rendered  per  Alexander  Lask  ;  in 
those  of  1498  Gilbert  Kemp  and  Edward  Spittal  are  named.  There  is  also  a  note  below 
of  a  letter  from  King  James  to  the  Comptrollar  and  auditouris  in  which  he  charges  them 
"  to  make  thankful  allowance  to  our  loved  cousin  Henry,  Lord  Sinclar  "  :  Edinburgh, 
10th  July,  in  the  3rd  year  of  our  reign.  He  got  a  regrant  of  the  Isles  on  1st  May,  1501, 
for  a  period  of  19  years,  and  his  accounts  for  same  are  duly  noted  in  1502,  1503,  1506, 
and  1507.  He  conveyed  Cousland  to  William,  Lord  Ruthven,  and  Isobel,  his  spouse, 
confirmation  of  which  is  dated  1st  July,  1493.  In  1502  he  had  sasine  to  Newburg  and 
Ythane,  and  in  1509,  as  Newburgh  had  fallen  into  the  King's  hands  by  recognition,  he 
received  a  new  grant,  with  a  license  to  infeft  vassals. 


produced  by  permission  of 


Ravenscraig   Castle. 


He  was  created  on  13th  March,  1510,  Master  of  the  Artillery,  with  a  fee  of  .£100 
a  year,  which  he  was  allowed  to  deduct  from  his  Orknay  accounts.  His  chief  residence, 
Castle  Ravenscraig,  is  one  of  the  best  specimens  of  sixteenth  century  architecture,  and 
the  administration  of  Orknay  and  Shetland  was  probably  done  by  deputies.  His  account 
for  these  lands  is  one  of  the  simplest  of  the  Rolls,  consisting  merely  of  debiting  himself 
with  the  stipulated  rent,  and  taking  credit  for  rental  of  the  Isle  of  Burray,  which  King 
James  created  into  a  Regality  in  favour  of  the  See  of  Orknay,  and  for  a  few  payments 
in  the  King's  account,  chiefly  the  price  of  hawks  sent  from  the  islands  for  the  royal 


WILLIAM  III.  J  5TH  LORD  SINCLAIR.  301 

sport.  The  present  accounts  contain  the  warrant,  dated  15th  March,  1513,  appointing 
Lord  Sinclair  "  Master  of  all  our  Machines  and  Artyllerie,"  with  a  fee  of  ^100  a  year. 
He  was  to  have  meat  and  drink  for  himself  and  eight  persons  in  the  King's  Hall,  and 
"  all  other  privileges  the  Masters  of  Artyllerie  had  enjoyed  in  the  past." 

Lord  Henry  seems  to  have  been  generally  on  ill-terms  with  the  inhabitants  of 
Dysart,*  as  is  shown  in  1509  by  the  complaint  of  Johne  of  Wynde,  burgess  of  Dysart.  In 
1512  he  was  captain  of  the  "Great  Michael,"  the  Scottish  flagship.  He  was  a  literary 
nobleman,  and  it  was  at  his  request  that  his  relative,  Gavin  Douglas,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld, 
undertook  his  celebrated  translation  of  the  iEneid  into  Scottish  verse.  In  the  proem  to 
this  admirable  version,  he  says  that  he  "  tuke  "  to  translate  "  this  maist  excellent  buke  " 
' '  At  the  request  of  ane  lorde  of  renowne, 

Of  ancestry  maist  nobill,  and  illustir  baroun, 

Fadir  of  bukis,  protector  to  science  and  lair, 

My  special  gude  lord,  Henry  lord  Sinclare. 

Quhilk  with  great  instance,  diverse  tymes,  sere 

Prayit  me  translate  Virgil  or  Homere, 

Quhais  plesure  soithlie,  as  I  undirstude, 

As  near  conjoint  to  his  lordship  in  blude,"  etc. 
Henry,  4th  Lord  Sinclair,  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Adam  Hepburn,  Lord  Hailes, 
and  sister  of  the  first  Earl  of  Bothwell,  by  whom  he  had — 
1.  William,  his  heir. 

1.  Catherine,  married  1511,  Sir  David  Wemyss  of  Wemyss,  ancestor  to  the  Earls  of  Wemyss. 

She  is  mentioned  28th  August,  1512  (Ex.  Rolls). 

2.  Helen,  married  to  James,  4th  Lord  Ogilvie  of  Airlie. 

3.  Jean,  wife  of  Alexander  Lindsay,  Master  of  Crawford,  son  of  the  eighth  Earl. 

4.  Agnes,  wife  of  Patrick  Hepburn,  third  Earl  of  Bothwell.     Issue — 

James,  fourth  Earl  of  Bothwell,  Duke  of  Orkney.  He  married,  first,  Anna,  daughter  of 
Christopher  Throndson,  Norwegian  Admiral ;  secondly,  Jean,  daughter  of  George,  fourth 
Earl  of  Huntly  ;  thirdly,  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots.  He  had  no  lawful  issue,  but  there  is 
mention  of  William  Hepburne,  a  natural  son,  26th  December,  1571. 
Jean,  married,  first,  John  Stewart,  Prior  of  Coldingham  (a  natural  son  of  James  V.),  by 
whom  she  had — 

Francis  Stuart,  Earl  of  Bothwell,  Admiral  of  Scotland. 

Margaret,   married,   first,  William  Sinclair  of  Underhoull,  Zetland  ;   secondly, 
William  Bruce  of  Sumburgh,  Zetland. 
She  married,  secondly,  John  Sinclair,  Master  of  Caithness.     Issue — 
George,  43rd  Earl  of  Caithness.  James  of  Murkle. 

Sir  John  of  Greenland  and  Rattar. 
He  had  also  a  natural  son 

M.  William  Sinclare,  legitimated  20th  February,  1539-40,  who,  down  to  1564,  was  Chaplain. 
Rector  of  Olrig,  and  latterly  Vicar  of  Latheron.     Died  before  1585.     Issue — 

John,  mentioned  1585.  Janet,  married,  1558,  William  Sutherland  of  Forse. 

V.  William  Sinclair.  On  the  death  of  Lord  Henry  St.  Clair  his  widow, 
Dame  Margaret  Hepburn,  held  the  Crown  lands  in  Orkney  by  successive  tacks 
for  nearly  thirty  years,  without  interruption  but  not  without  disturbance.!  Her 
husband  had,  about  1489,  found  means  to  be  appointed  one  of  the  commissioners 
for  collecting  the  King's  rents  in  Orkney  and  Shetland,  and  some  years  later 
(1501)  advanced  a  step  towards  regaining  the  Isles  by  obtaining  a  lease  of  the 
Earldom  for  a  period  of  nineteen    years.}     Early  in    15 14   Lord   Sinclair  is  noted   as 

*  Acta  Dominorum  Concilii.  f  Balfour.  J  Barry. 


302 


BARONS  OF  RAVENSCRAIG. 


having  sold  to  James  IV. ,  eight  of  the  machines  called  serpentynis,  and  their  price,  ,£100, 
was  paid  to  his  dowager  in  the  same  year  after  his  death  at  Flodden.  A  notice  in  15 14 
refers  to  the  late  Henry  Lord  Sinclair  killed  under  the  King's  standard  in  the  fields  of 
Northumberland.  It  also  mentions  his  fee  "pro  officio  suo  artilyearie,"  and  the 
serpentynis  he  had  sold  to  the  King.  In  the  same  year  Lady  Margaret  as  Custumar 
accounts  for  the  customs  of  Dysart.  In  the  second  year  of  Lady  Sinclair's  widowhood, 
1 51 5,  the  Orcadians  elected  James  Sinclair  (natural  son  of  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Wassatter, 
Sanday)  as  their  leader  and  virtual  Governor,  the  possessor,  though  illegitimate,  of  most 
of  the  wealth  of  his  family,  and  the  inheritor — as  a  born  and  bred  Orkneyan — of  all  its 
popularity.  On  the  plea  of  a  general  devastation  by  the  English  fleet  in  Orkney,  they  with- 
held Lady  Margaret's  Rents  for  three  years  (1523-25),  and  forced  her  son  Lord  William 
to  surrender  her  castle  of  Kirkwall  and  escape  into  Caithness.*  On  17th  April,  1524, 
Confirmation  issued  to  William  Lord  Sinclair,  and  Elizabeth  Keith  his  spouse,  of  Newburgh 
and  the  fishing  of  Eythan.  He  next  appears  as  one  of  the  Council  of  Nobles  convened 
by  James  V.  on  the  escape  of  that  monarch  from  the  Douglases  in  1528.!  Perhaps  in 
return  for  his  support  he  obtained  from  King  James  the  Letter  of  Four  Forms  sanctioning 
the  invasion  of  Orkney  in  the  following  year  to  force  James  Sinclair  to  surrender  the 
usurped  governorship.  Forming  an  alliance  with  his  near  kinsman  John,  Earl  of 
Caithness,  they  collected  a  considerable  military  force,  and  embarked  for  Orkney  sanguine 
of  victory,  but  sustained  a  crushing  defeat  at  Summerdale,  the  Earl  and  500  of  his 
followers  being  slain,  while  Lord  William  of  Ravenscraig  and  others  were  made  prisoners. 
It  appears  from  a  complaint  of  Lord  Sinclair  that  James  Sinclair  had  been  guilty  of 
excessive  cruelty.  Previous  to  the  fight  at  Summerdale  he  slew  several  of  his  lordship's 
friends  and  attendants  in  the  Castle  of  Kirkwall  ;  and  a  week  or  two  after  the  battle, 
among  other  atrocities,  he  put  to  death  in  cold  blood  thirty  men  who  had  fled  for  sanctuary 
to  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Magnus  and  other  places  of  worship  in  the  country.  It  is  stated 
in  the  complaint  that  he  dragged  them  by  force  out  of  the  church,  stript  them  naked,  and 
then  cruelly  killed  them  "in  his  contemption  of  God  and  halikirk,  and  breaking  of  the 
privilege  of  the  Girth. "  J  King  James  demonstrated  his  authority  by  renewing  Lady 
Sinclair's  rights  till  1540,  and  in  1543,  on  the  occasion  of  the  suit  instituted  by  the  Queen- 
Dowager  against  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcairns,  William  Lord  Sinclair  is  found  interposing  a 
protest  that  whatever  Oliver  Sinclair  had  done  should  not  prejudice  his  right  to  tack  and 
assedation. 

William,  Lord  "Sanchar,"  is  one  of  the  principal  Scots  nobility  who  agree  in  1544 
to  support  the  authority  of  the  Queen-Mother  as  regent  of  Scotland  against  the  Earl  of 
Arran,  and  declare  him  to  be  deprived  of  that  office. §  This  Lord  Sinclair  married,  first, 
in  1515,  Lady  Elizabeth  Keith,  relict  of  Colin,  Master  of  Oliphant,  daughter  of  William, 
third  Earl  Marischall,  by  whom  he  had  issue — 

1.  Henry,  next  lord.  2.  Magnus  [of  Kinninmonth],'  Charter  6th  December,  1561. 

1.  Margaret. 
He  married,  secondly,  Agnes,  or  Mariota  Bruce.      He  died  in   1570,  and  was  succeeded 
by  his  eldest  son 

VI.  Henry  Sinclair.  This  Lord  has  many  appearances  in  the  national  records, 
the  first  being  on  1st  August,  1560,  when  he  is  found  a  Baron  of  Parliament,  though 
then  only  Master  of  Sinclair.     At  Edinburgh,  on  the   13th  January,  1564-5,  Andro,  Earl 


fTytler.  j:  Calder.  {(State  Papers. 


HENRY  III.,  6TH  LORD  SINCLAIR.  303 


of  Rothes,  consentit  that  Patrick,  Lord  Lindesay,  etc.,  and  the  Master  of  Sinclair  be 
exempt  from  the  jurisdiction  until  proun.  of  the  decreit  arbitrall  betwixt  Rothes  and 
Lindsay.  On  15th  May  and  1st  August  1565  [Willelmus],  Magister  de  Sinclair  is 
enumerated  under  the  heading  of  Extraordinarii  Ratione  Conventus  ;  on  12th  Septem- 
ber, same,  he,  with  other  the  gentry  of  Fife,  signs  at  St.  Andrew's  a  bond  to  the  King 
and  Queen  to  take  part  against  and  pursue  all  rebels  into  England  .  .  .  and  on  the 
19th  October  thereafter  of  those  appointed  as  Keepers  of  Havens,  the  Master  of  Sinclair 
is  recorded  for  Dysart  and  Ravenscraig.  He  is  found  mixed  up  with  certain  transactions 
relating  to  the  Sinclairs  of  Auchinfranco.  These  begin  with  a  notice  on  the  19th  June, 
1568  : — My  Lord  Regentis  Grace,  with  avise  of  the  Lordis  of  Secreit  Counsale,  ordains 
cautioun  to  be  ressavit  for  Auchinfranko  and  Wauchop,  ilk  ane  under  the  pane  of  ane 
thousand  merkis,  and  of  ilkane  of  the  uther  four  quhilkis  wer  takin  yesterday,  under  the 
pane  of  iiic.  markis,  that  thai  sail  compeir  befoir  my  Lord  Regent  and  Counsale  in 
Edinburgh  the  first  day  of  June.  The  samyn  day  the  Maister  of  Sinclair  became 
cautioun  and  souertie  for  William  Sinclair  of  Auchinfranko,  and  Alexander  Sinclair,  his 
brother,  to  the  effect  above  written.  That  is  to  say,  the  said  William,  under  the  pane  of 
jm.  markis,  and  the  said  Alexander,  his  brother,  under  the  pane  of  iiic.  merkis,  and  Johne 
Maxwell  of  the  Hills  actit  to  relief  him.  Having  duly  appeared  on  the  appointed  day, 
Auchinfranco  asked  for  and  obtained  on  the  1st  July  next  thereafter,  instruments 
relieving  their  sureties,  including  [William]  Maister  of  Sinclair.  Henry,  Master  of 
Sinclair  was  one  of  the  Lords  of  Convention  at  Perth,  27th  July,  1569,  and  on  29th,  same, 
recorded  his  vote  against  the  Queen's  divorce.  On  the  26th  December,  1571,  he  becomes 
caution  at  Leith  for  Agnes  Sinclair,  relict  of  umq.  Patrick,  Erie  Bothuille,  not  to 
intercommune  with  William  Hepburne,  bastard  sone  to  James,  sometime  Erie  of 
Bothwell,  and  Ormistoun,  sometime  of  that  Ilk,  and  other  rebels. 

He  succeeded  his  father  in  1570.  On  the  15th  August,  1573,  Henry,  Lord  Sinclair, 
admitted  that  he  had  let  Andro  Littill  and  Johne  Scott  to  libertie  upon  band  and  promise, 
and  on  the  same  day  he  gives  surety  to  present  certain  Borderers  ;  he  had  on  the  3rd 
June  previous  become  a  surety.  The  4th  July,  1577,  finds  an  entry  by  him  of  obligation 
of  relief  to  sureties.  He  makes  complaint  22nd  October,  1579,  that  his  house  of  Knock- 
hall,  in  Aberdeenshire,  has  been  sacked,  of  which  he  suspects  William  Forbes  of 
Spayside,  a  broken  man.  An  order  issued  requiring  the  occupiers  to  surrender  house. 
On  the  6th  January,  1590-91,  caution  was  taken  for  ,£1,000  each  from  Henry,  Lord 
Sinclair,  and  James,  Master  of  Sinclair,  that  they  will  not  harm  William  Sinclair  of 
Leyis  or  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Ravensneuk,  his  tutor  testamentary,  for  his  interests.  On 
the  24th  April,  1594,  there  was  registration  of  a  band  releasing  caution  entered  into 
for  Henry,  Lord  Sinclair,  and  his  sons  Patrick  in  Dysart  and  William.  On  the  2nd 
December,  1596,  Lord  Sinclair  was  ordered  to  free  William  Bonar  of  Rossie,  whom  he 
had  imprisoned  at  Ravenscraig.  There  are  many  appearances  of  this  lord  as  a  Baron 
of  Parliament. 

There  is  in  the  Bodleian  Library  a  collection  of  MS.  poems  by  various  authors — 
it  is  described  as  "  liber  Henricii  dmi.  Sinclar."  The  MS.  contains  231  folios,  and  has 
various  writings  and  signatures  scattered  throughout,  of  which  are  "  Mawnis  Synclar," 
"  Be  me  Laurence  Sincla  .  .  ,"  "  Elezabeth  synclar  within  .  .  ,"  "  Villam  Lord  (?)," 
"be  me  patrik  schiner,  "  "Jeff  [or  Jess]  Sinclar, "  and  one  looking  like  "MaluinSin.  .  .  " 
(perhaps  Malcolm).     There  is  a  blazon  of  the  arms  of  Orkney  on  folio  118,  considered 


304  BARONS  OF  RAVENSCRAIG. 

to  be  the  earliest  specimen  extant  of  Scottish  heraldic  art  on  vellum  or  paper.  One  of 
the  poems  in  Lord  Sinclair's  album  is  "  The  Kingis  Quhair,"  the  authorship  of  which 
has  been  ascribed  erroneously  to  King  James  I.* 

This  Lord  was  one  of  the  party  of  nobles  that  rallied  round  James  VI.  on  his 
escape  from  the  custody  of  the  Ruthvens.f  This  lord  was  chivalrous  and  high-spirited 
to  a  degree.  On  the  death  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots  at  Fotheringay  Castle,  8th  February, 
1567,  King  James  had  desired  his  courtiers  to  appear  before  him  in  mourning,  and  that 
noble  came  in  a  complete  suit  of  armour  ;  upon  which  the  King  looked  angrily  at  him, 
asking  if  he  had  not  heard  of  the  general  order.  "  Yes  !  "  replied  Lord  Sinclair,  making 
his  coat  of  mail  ring  through  the  court,  "  This  is  the  proper  mourning  for  the  Queen  of 
Scotland.'  f 

In  February,  1591-92,  the  Earl  of  Huntly,  after  killing  the  ex-Regent  Moray, 
took  momentary  refuge  in  the  Castle  of  Ravenscraig,  belonging  to  Lord  Sinclair,  who 
told  him,  with  a  mixture  of  Scottish  caution  and  Scottish  hospitality,  that  he  was 
welcome  to  come  in,  but  would  have  been  twice  as  welcome  to  have  passed  by.§ 

There  is  an  opinion  of  the  Scottish  nobility  in  1592,  which  refers  to  Lord  Henry 
thus  :  Sinkler,  Lord  Sinkler,  of  65  years.  His  mother,  Oliphant  (?)  ;  his  wife,  the 
Lord  Forbes'  daughter.  Seat,  Ravens-Crage.  This  would  make  him  born  12  years 
after  his  father's  marriage. 

He  was  twice  married  :  First,  to  Janet,  daughter  of  Patrick,  Lord  Lindesay,  of  the 
Byres,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  James,  Master  of  Sinclair,  who  died  v. p.  in  1592.     He  gave  caution  for  ^1,000,  4th  March, 

1589-90,  in  favour  of  Grissell  Gaw  or  Allardice,  Lady  Skadney.      He  married  the  Lady 
Isabella,  daughter  of  Andrew  Leslie,  fourth  Earl  of  Rothes,  by  whom  he  had — 
1.  Henry;     2.  James;     3.  Patrick;  all  successive  Lords  Sinclair. 

1.  Catharine. 

2.  Margaret,  wife  of  William  Lord  Berriedale,  eldest  son  of  George  III.,  43rd  Earl 

of  Caithness. 
There  is  a  notice  in  1601  as   to  the  recapture  of  ecclesiastical  offenders  by  Issobell  Leslie, 
Mistress  of  Sinclair,  and  John  (?)  and  John  Sinclair,  her  servants,  Gilbert  Sinclair  in  Dysart,  etc. 

2.  Patrick  of  Balgreggie.     He  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  James  Boswell  of  Balmuto,  by 

whom  he  was  ancestor  of  a  line  of  Sinclairs  of  Balgreggie,  which  did  not  fail  in  the  male 

line  till  17 10,  in  the  person  of 

John  Sinclair  of  Balgreggie,  who,  as  he  survived  the  last  Lord  Sinclair  in  the  male 
line  for  34  years,  was  during  that  long  period  head  ol  the  House  of  Sinclair,  and  if 
the  title  were  limited  to  heirs-male  would  have  had  an  undoubted  right  to  it.  His 
family  is  now  represented  in  the  female  line  by  Aytoun  of  Inchdairnie. 

3.  Sir  Andrew,  member,  in  1617,  of  the  Danish  Rigsraad — Council  of  the  Realm.    He  married 

Kirstine  Kaas,  a  noble  Danish  lady,  by  whom  he  had  at  least  four  children,  a  daughter  and 
three  sons.     Of  these — 

1.  Christian  (b.  1607  f  1645),  m.  Elizabeth  Below  and  had  two  children,  who  d.  young. 

2.  James,  married  and  left  several   children,  but   his  family  seems  to  have  become 

extinct  in  the  next  generation.  3.  Robert. 

Sir  Andrew  died  in  1625,  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Danish  aristocracy. 

4.  Magnus.  i.  Helen,  wife  of  Andrew  Kinninmont  of  Kinninmont. 

Lord  Henry  married,  secondly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William,  7th  Lord  Forbes,  by 
whom  he  had — 

[Henry].  i.  Laurence.  2.  William.  2.  Jane. 

1.  Elizabeth,  m.  Sir  Duncan  Campbell  of  Glenorchy,  ancestor  to  the  Earl  of  Breadalbane. 

*"  Authorship  of  the  Kingis  Quhair,  a  New  Criticism,"  by  J.  T.  T.  Brown.  f  Balfour's  Annals. 

X  Catherine  Sinclair.  §  Tales  of  a  Grandfather. 


JOHN,   10TH  LORD  SINCLAIR.  305 


The  "Genealogical  Descendance"  of  the  Swedish  Sinclairs  begins  their  pedigree 
with  Henry,  eldest  son  of  Henry,  sixth  Lord  Sinclair,  by  his  second  wife,  the  Lady 
Elizabeth  Forbes. 

Henry  Lord  Sinclair  died  in  1601,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson 

VII.  Henry  Sinclair,  who  died  the  year  following,  1602.  There  is  notice  of  a 
precognition,  3rd  May,  1604,  obtained  against  this  Lord  Sinclair  and  Robert  Sinclair. 

VIII.  James  Sinclair,  his  brother,  then  succeeded.  Dying  in  1607,  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  third  brother 

IX.  Patrick,  as  gth  Lord  Sinclair.  He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John 
Cockburn  of  Ormiston,  Lord  Chief  Justice-Clerk  of  Scotland,  by  whom  he  had  issue — 

1.  John,  his  heir.  2.  Henry,  died  unmarried,  1670. 

Dying  in  161 7  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

X.  John,  10th  Lord  Sinclair.  This  Lord  was  an  active  royalist,  taken  prisoner  in 
1651,  and  detained  in  prison  till  1660.  He  constantly  figures  in  important  passages  of 
State.     Balfour  in  his  Annals  has  many  references  to  this  baron  : — 

1633,  June    19.— He   is   enumerated   as    one   of  the   Lords   in  the   order    and    soleme   ryding   of  the 

Parliament  haldin  by  King  Charles  at  Edinbrughe. 
1639,  March  22. — Some  of  the  cheiffe  covenanters,  viz.,  the   Earles  of  Rothes,  Home,  Louthean,  with 
the  Lords  Zester,  St.  Claire,  and  Balmerinoche,  went    to    Dalkeith,    and   with   them  a  1,000 
commandit  musqueteires     .     .     .     tooke  the  regalia  from  Dalkeith  to  Edinburghe. 
March  30. — Sir  James  Arnott  of  Ferney,   and  some  gentlemen  with  him,  and  60  musqueteirs, 
commandit  by  one  St.  Claire,  marched  from  Couper,  in  Fyffe,  to  Darsey. 
1639,  April  19.— He  is  one  of  the  Lords  Covenanters  who  subscribe  to  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Earl  of 
Essex.     The  letter  is  given  in  full. 
August  31. — He  is  one  of  the  Lords  present  at  the  last  Parliament  held  in  the  ancient  form. 
1641. — He  attends  the  Parliament  at  Edinburgh  May  25,  July  15,  August  17,  November  17. 
Sept.  24. — One  of  a  committee  to  examine  Sir  Donald  Mackdonald. 
Nov.  13. — Made  one  of  the  Counselors  to  His  Majesty. 

1644,  June  5.— The  Housse   appoynts  a  Committee   of  4   of  eache   (of  the    three)   estates   anent   the 

commissione  of  Lieutenant-Generall  to  be  given  to  the  Earle  of  Callendar,  and  expeditione 

of  this  present  armey  towardes  England  under  his  command.     The  four  nobles  were  the  Earls 

of  Argyle  and  Louthean,  Lords  St.  Clair  and  Kircubright. 
June  11. — He  is  one  of  the  nobles  on  the  Committee  for   considering  quhat  may  concerne  the 

armey  in  Irland. 
June  19. — He  is  named  one  of  the  three  nobles  on  the  Committee  appointed  to  wait  on  the  Earl 

of  Calendar,  Lord  Lieut. -General. 
June  21. — The  House  enacts  that  the  Commissary,  William  Thomsone,  shall  pay  to  the  Lord  St. 

Claire  20,000  merkes,  and  to  take  his  discharge  on  the  same. 

1645,  Jan.  7.— In  the  Parliament   at    Edinburgh,  Lord  St.  Clair   being  present,  the  Lord  Borthwicke 

protested  that  the  calling  of  the  Lords  Zester  and  St.  Clair  should  not  preiudge  him  of  hes 
place  of  precedency. 
Feb.  21.— Johne   Fletcher,  in    his   depositions,  attached  the   Lordes   Carnegey,   St.   Claire,  and 
Kircubright. 

1646,  Jan  22.— The  Lord  St.  Clair  being  examined,  was  by  the  Housse  exonered  and  discharged  of  that 

charge  against  him,  for  trincatting  at  Hereford  with  the  enemy. 
1648,  April  to  April,  1649. — Reference  is  made  to  levies  of  horse  and  foot  under  the  Lords  St.  Claire,  etc. 
1650,  May  18. — He  is  one  of  those  named   in    the  Act  passed   anent   excluding  divers  persons  from 

entring  within   the   kingdome,   from    beyond   the   seas,  with   his   Maiestie,   untill   they  give 

satisfactione  to  the  church  and  stait. 
May  30.— A  great  maney  of  the  letters  found  in  the  Hall's  frigatt  read  in  the  Housse  this  day, 

amongest  wich  ther  was   one  directed  to  his  Excellence,  James,  Marques  of  Montrois,  from 

Amsterdam,  wrettin  all  with  the   Lord  St.  Clair's  auen  hand  of  the  dait  13  February,  1650; 


3o6  BARONS  OF  RAVENSCRAIG. 


quherin  he  wretts  to  hitu  that  he  was  his  humble  servant,  and  void  with  all  earnestnesse 
prosecutte  thesse  ends  proposed  by  his  Excellency  to  install  the  King  in  his  throne,  etc., 
quhom  the  rebells  had  detruded  ;  and  as  for  himselve  (he  wretts)  he  did  evidently  see  that 
ther  was  no  other  way  to  effectuat  the  same,  bot  by  the  suord.  And  that  the  Scotts  trettey 
with  the  King  was  bot  a  trape  to  catche  him  in  ;  with  maney  other  opprobious  speaches 
against  the  kingdome.  The  Housse  ordains  this  letter  of  the  Lord  St.  Clair's  to  be  marked, 
produced  in  Parliament,  and  to  be  vssed  against  him  as  a  prouffe  for  drawing  vpe  a  process 
of  forfaultrie  against  him. 
1650,  June  1. — Bill  exhibit  to  the  Housse  by  the  Laird  of  Lawers  that  he  may  have  the  Lord  St.  Clair's 
fyne,  formerlie  assigned  to  him  by  the  Committee  of  Estaites  for  payment  to  him  of  58 
thousand  pound  Scotts,  with  the  annualls  thereto  restand  unpayed. 
June  4. — The  Housse,  by  ther  acte,  assinges  the  Lord  St.  Claire's  fyne  to  Dr.  Sharpe's  wyffe,  the 
Laird  of  Lawers,  and  Mr.  James  Campbell,  provest  of  Dumbartan  ;  quhat  they  want  of  that, 
to  have  it  out  of  the  first  and  reddiest  of  the  fynnes  of  Orknay  and  Cathnes  men,  nixt  after 
the  payment  of  the  Lord  of  Assin,  and  the  officers.  John,  Lord  St.  Claire,  is  named  in  the 
Acte  against  classed  delinquents,  4  June,  1650,  and  on  the  same  day  it  is  ordered  that  800  bolls 
meal,  and  200  bolls  malt,  and  a  1000  lades  of  colles,  out  of  the  Lord  St.  Clair's  coleheuch  be 
layd  vpe  with  all  expedition  in  Edinbrughe  Castle. 
1650,  June  28. — Lord  St.  Claire  is  one  of  maney  mentioned  in  a  list  of  those  to  be  removed  from  the 
King;  with  certificatione,  if  that  they  depairt  not,  as  said  is,  that  they  wich  are  strangers, 
shall  be  without  protection. 
Oct.  26.— He  is  one  of  the  signatories  to  "The  Northerne  Band  and  Othe  of  Engagement  "  sent 

by  Mideltone  to  L.  Generall  David  Lesley. 
Lord  John  married  in  1631  the  Lady  Mary,  eldest  daughter  of  John,  first  Earl  of 
Wem  yss,  by  whom  he  had  an  only  daughter — 

Catharine,  Mistress  of  Sinclair,  who  married  on  the   15th  April,  1659,  John,  eldest  son  of 
Sir  John  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  by  whom  she  had  with  two  children  who  d.  unmarried — 

Henry,  next  Lord  Sinclair. 
The  Mistress  of  Sinclair  died  v. p.  in  1666,  and  was  followed  to  the  grave  by  her  husband, 
while  her  son  was  in  minority. 
John,  10th  Lord  Sinclair,  died  in   1676,  and  was  succeeded  in  (titles  and)  estates  by 
his  daughter's  son,  Henry  St.  Clair,  heir-male  of  Herdmanston  and  heir-general  of  Rosslyu 
and  Orkney,  thus  uniting  in  his  person  the  two  great  Norman  lines  of  de  Sancto  Claro.* 

*  Burke. 


THE  LORDS  SINCLAIR.  307 


CHAPTER   XI. 
THE   LORDS   SINCLAIR— Herdmanston  Line.* 

XI.  Henry  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  nth  Lord  Sinclair,  with  a  view  to 
favour  his  father's  family,  obtained  from  King  Charles  II.,  on  1st  June,  1677,  a  n«w 
patent  of  the  Sinclair  peerage,  with  a  remainder  to  the  heirs-male  of  his  father  in  default 
of  the  male  issue  of  his  own  body,  thereby  bringing  a  totally  different  family  into  the 
succession,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  heirs-of-line  of  his  own  body.  The  new  patent  con- 
ferred all  the  honours,  dignities,  and  precedency  in  Parliaments  and  General  Assemblies 
of  the  States,  as  fully  and  freely  as  the  said  title  was  enjoyed  by  John,  10th  Lord,  or  any 
of  his  predecessors.!  Henry  St.  Clair  did  not,  however,  on  obtaining  this  new  patent 
resign  the  old  Sinclair  peerage  to  the  Crown,  which  accordingly  is  presumed  to  still 
exist  unaffected  by  the  remainder  in  the  new  patent,  and  the  claim  to  which  is,  according 
to  Burke,  vested  in  the  heir-of-line  of  the  nth  Lord,  on  the  ground  that  the  Barony  of 
Sinclair  was  a  lesser  dignity  enjoyed  by  the  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  and  the 
succession  to  which  would  follow  that  of  the  higher  titles,  and  that  the  Caithness 
succession  was  to  heirs-general.  In  this  view  Burke  is  clearly  wrong  in  taking  the 
Caithness  dignity  as  the  basis  of  his  reasoning,  for  the  Barony  of  Sinclair  would  follow 
the  Orcadian  succession,  and  a  reference  to  the  Installation  documents  of  Henry  I.,  Earl 
of  Orkney,  will  show  implied  provision  for  heirs-male,  but  not  for  heirs-general ;  and  the 
instrument  of  1391  executed  by  Elisabeth  Lady  Drummond  indicates  the  intention  to 
limit  succession  to  males.  This  is  still  further  supported  by  the  records  of  the  Privy 
Council  15th  July,  1681.  "On  that  date  a  Committee  having  been  named  to  order  and 
adjust  the  differences  in  riding  the  ensuing  Parliament,  the  Lord  Sinclair  put  in  his  clame 
for  precedency  before  many  old  lords  (and  particularly  my  Lord  Semple,  who  by  the 
decreet  of  ranking  afud  met  in  1606  is  placed  before  him).  He  was  opposed  as  only 
being  descended  of  the  last  Lord's  daughter,  and  though  the  patent  bore  haeredibus  in 
general,  yet  that  in  the  old  feudal  construction  signified  only  airs  male,  and  so  he  could 
not  clame  their  place,  but  only  came  in  as  a  lord  of  a  new  creation.  Some  advised  him 
to  forbear  riding  at  this  time  ;  however,  the  Council  declared  they  would  continue  him  in 
his  possession  till  in  a  declarator  he  was  postponed  to  these  other  competitors,  and 
accordingly  he  took  precedency  in  the  Parliament,  and  voted  before  them  :  but  as  Sinclar 
rode  up  first,  so  Semple  rode  down  the  way  first  ;  and  Sinclar  was  more  at  this  time  a 
follower  of  York's  than  Semple  was." 

This  Baron  obtained  a  State  pardon  on  the  2nd  March,  16S5  ;  and  in  1689  was  the 

only  member  of  the   British   Peerage  who  dared   to  make   an  energetic  protest  against 

William,  Prince  of  Orange,  coming  to  the  throne  of  the  Stuarts. §     He  married,  in  1680, 

•Grizel,  d.  of  Sir  Jas.  Cockburn,  baronet  of  Cockburu,  and  died  in  1723,  leaving  issue — 

1.  John,  Master  of  Sinclair.  2.  James,  de  jure,  12th  Lord. 

3.  Major  William,  died  in  London  unm.  4.  David,  died  v. p.,  unm.,  at  Aix-la-Chapelle. 

*  Douglas  ;  Burke;   Debrett,  etc.         f  See  case  for  Chas.  Saintclair,  Esq.,  claiming  the  title  of  Lord 
Sinclair,  1782,  folio.         %  Sir  John  Lauder  of  Fountainhall.         \  Sinclairs  of  England. 


3o8  THE  LORDS  SINCLAIR. 


5.  Henry,  died  January,  1766,  unmarried.  6.  Matthew,  died  April,  1747,  unmarried. 

1.  Grizel,    married    John   Paterson   of   Prestonhall,   eldest    son   of  the   last   Archbishop  of 

Glasgow,  and  had — 

Colonel  James  Paterson,  who  succeeded  to  the  Dysart  and  Roslyn  estates,  assumed 

the  suffix  surname  of  St.  Clair,  and  died  unmarried  at  Dysart,  14th  May,  1789. 
Margaret,  married  John  Thomson  of  Charleton,  County  Fife  and  had — 

Grizel  Maria  Thomson,  married  Colonel  John  Anstruther,  whose  grandson, 
John  Anstruther-Thomson,  Esq.,  is  representative  and  heir-of-line  of  the 
nth  Lord. 

2.  Catharine,  married  Sir  Wm.  Erskine,  Bart,  of  Alva,  and  had  issue — 

Sir  Henry  ErSKINE,  married  Janet,  sister  to  Alex.  Wedderburn,  Lord  Chancellor, 
Lord  Loughborough,  and  Earl  of  Rosslyn,  to  which  title  Sir  Henry's  son  Sir  James 
succeeded,  and  also  by  a  special  destination  to  the  estates  of  Dysart  and  Roslyn, 
on  the  death  of  his  father's  cousin,  Colonel  Jas.  Paterson  St.  Clair  of  Sinclair  and 
Dysart.  He  thereupon  assumed  the  prefix  surname  of  St.  Clair,  and  is  ancestor  of 
the  St.  Clair-Erskines,  Earls  of  Rosslyn. 

3.  Margaret,  married  Sir  Wm.  Baird,  Bart,  of  Newbythe.     Her  son  died  s.p. 

4.  Elizabeth,  married  David,  3rd  Earl  of  Wemyss   and  had  issue  two  daughters — 

1.  Elizabeth,  Countess  of  Sutherland.  2.  Mary,  Countess  of  Moray. 

5.  Anne. 

John,  Master  of  Sinclair,  was  engaged  in  the  "Rising"  of  1715,  for  which  he 
was  attainted,  and  though  he  outlived  his  father  never  assumed  the  title  of  Lord  Sinclair. 
He  married,  first,  Lady  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Stewart,  5th  Earl  of  Galloway  ;  and 
secondly,  Amelia,  daughter  of  Lord  George  Murray  and  sister  to  the  3rd  Duke  of  Athol. 
He  had  110  issue  by  either  wife,  but  has  been  affiliated  by  C.  F.  Baron  de  St.  Clair  as  father 
of  Charles  Gideon  Baron  de  St.  Clair,  Colonel  commanding  the  Royal  Swedish  Regiment, 
who  after  having  consecrated  his  life  to  the  service  of  the  kings  of  France,  was  sacrificed 
at  Dijon  29th  January,  1793,  the  victim  of  his  devotion  for  Louis  XVI.  The  Baron  was 
celebrated  in  Sweden  as  a  military  tactician,  where  he  died  s.p.;  but  Charles  Ferdinand, 
Baron  de  St.  Clair,  colonel  de  cavalerie,  who  figured  remarkably  about  the  assassination  of 
the  Due  de  Berri,  claims  the  Swede  as  sire.  He  warned  the  authorities  of  the  conspiracy 
in  time,  but  was  rewarded  with  imprisonment.  His  papers  are  published  in  book  form, 
and  illustrate  a  military  career  of  twenty-three  years'  service,  in  which  he  received  eighteen 
wounds  and  won  innumerable  decorations,  his  field  of  action  comprehending  the  Rhine, 
the  Condi',  the  Antilles,  England,  Holland,  Egypt,  Italy,  Spain,  Portugal,  Russia,  and 
Germany.*     The  Master  of  Sinclair  died  in  1750. 

XII.  The  Hon.  James  St.  Clair,  de  jure  12th  Lord  Sinclair,  never  assumed  the 
title.  He  was  a  General  in  the  army  and  a  distinguished  diplomatist.  In  1735  he  or  his 
brother  purchased  the  ancient  ancestral  Castle  of  Rosslyn  from  the  last  heir  of  that  cadet 
branch,  and  added  it  to  the  other  baronial  estates  of  the  family, — of  Ravenscraig,  Dysart, 
etc.,  which  were  settled  by  deed  of  entail  31st  October,  1735,  failing  issue  of  the  body  of 
the  granter,  upon  the  heirs-male  of  his  sisters.  Dying  without  issue  in  1762,  General 
St.  Clair  was  succeeded  in  the  estates  and  representation  of  the  Sinclair  family  by  his 
nephew,  Colonel  James  Patterson  St.  Clair  ;  while  the  claim  to  the  title  of  Lord  Sinclair 
devolved,  according  to  the  remainder  in  the  new  patent  of  1677,  granted  by  King 
Charles  II.  to  Henry,  nth  Lord  Sinclair,  on  the  son  of  Mathew  Sinclair  (youngest 
paternal  uncle  of  that  Baron),  viz. — 


*  Sinclairs  of  England. 


CHARLES  ST.  CLAIR  OF  HERDMANSTON.  309 

XIII.  Charles  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  de  jure  13th  Lord.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Andrew  Hume  of  Kimmerghem,  a  Lord  of  Session.  Dying  in 
1773,  he  was  succeeded  in  his  claim  by  his  son 

XIV.  Andrew  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  de  jure  14th  Lord.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Rutherfurd,  yr.  of  Edgertou  and  grand-daughter  of  Sir  John 
Rutherfurd  of  Edgerton,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Charles,  Lord  Sinclair,  b.  30th  July,  1768.         2.  Mathew,  Com.  R.N.;  lost  at  sea  in  1800. 
1.  Eleanor,  died  unmarried  in  1786. 

XV.  Charles  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  de  jure  15th  Lord,  had  his  claim  to 
this  peerage  confirmed  on  the  25th  April,  1782.  He  married,  first,  on  13th  February, 
1802,  Mary  Agnes,  only  daughter  of  Jas.  Chisholme  of  Chisholme,  by  whom  he  had  issue 

1.  James,  late  Peer,  born  3rd  July,  1S03. 

2.  Mathew,  born  2nd  April,  1808  ;  died  nth  August,  1827. 

3.  Charles  St.  Clair  of  St.  Ella's  Lodge,  Eyemouth,  County  Berwick;  born  8th  June,  1S11  ; 

Commander  R.N.  ;  married  1st  September,  1840,  Isabella  Jane  (died  1852),  fourth  daughter 
of  W.  Foreman  Home  of  Paxton,  County  Berwick,  and  by  her  had — 

1.  Wm.  Home  Chisholme,  born  9th  September,  1841  ;  Captain  R.N.,  18S0 ;  married 

1st  July,  1S69,  EmmaSearle,  daughter  of  Julian  Slight,  and  has  issue — 

1.  Chas.  Home  Douglas,  born  3rd  June,  1873. 

2.  Fredk.  Cathcart  Guv,  born  29th  May,  1878.     Club— U.S. 

2.  Chas.  Jas.  Chisholme,  R.N.,  born  19th  January,  1844  ;  died  4th  August,  1861. 

3.  Mathew  John,  born  30th  May,  1S45 ;  married  23rd  April,  1869,  Charlotte  Fraser, 

daughter  of  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Sinclair  of  Warwick,  Queensland,  and  has  issue — 
May,  born  1870  ;  married    1889,  Russell  Hughes.  Ella,  born  187 1. 

Eva,  born  1873.  A  daughter  born  1883. 

4.  Adolphus  Frederick,  Commander  R.N.  ;  born  27th  December,  1847. 

5.  James  Andrew,  born  31st  December,  1851 ;  is  married  and  has  issue  living. 

1.  Mary  Jane,  born  1846;  married  4th  April,  1877,  to  the  Rev.  Fredk.  Geo.  Stapleton. 

2.  Isabella  Home,  b.  1849  ;  married  2nd  August,  18S3,  Watkin  Williams  Jones,  M.D. 
He  married  secondly,  1st  July,  1S54,  Anne  Crawfurd,  fourth  daughter  of  Sir  John  Pringle, 
5th  Baronet,  and  died  8th  February,  1863,  having  by  her  had— 

1.  John  Pringle,  born  1862.  1.  Susan  Eva,  born  1859. 

1.  Susan,  married  6th  August,  1829,  to  F.  D.  Massy  Dawson,  cousin  of  Lord  Massy. 
His    Lordship     married,    secondly,    1 8th    September,     18 16,     Isabella    Mary,    youngest 
daughter  of  Alex.  Chatto  of  Mainhouse,  County  Roxburgh,  and  by  her  had — 

1.  John,  born  12th  July,  1820;  died  31st  March,  1842. 

1.  The  Hon.  Eleanor,  born  181S.     Residence— Pilmuir,  Paynton  Road,  Torquay. 

2.  The  Hon.  Jane  Elizabeth,  born   1822  ;  married  6th  September,  1853,  Rev.  Wm.  Leylaud 

Feilden,  Rector  of  Rolleston  and  Hon.  Canon  of  Liverpool. 
Lord  Sinclair  was  one  of  the  Scottish  representative  Peers.     He  entered  the  British 
Army  in  1784,  and  was  Lieut. -Colonel  of  the  15th  Foot.     He  retired  at  the  peace  of  1802, 
and  was  afterwards  appointed  Lieut. -Colonel  of  the  Berwickshire  Militia.      He  died  on 
the  30th  September,  1863,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

XVI.  James,  Lord  Sinclair,  a  Scottish  representative  peer,  and  captain  of  the 
Grenadier  Guards.  He  married  14th  September,  1830,  Jane,  eldest  daughter  of 
Archibald  Little,  of  Shabden  Park,  Surrey,  and  had  issue — 

1.  Charles  William,  present  peer,  born  8th  September,  1831. 

2.  Archibald,  Commander  R.N.,  born  2nd  October,  1833  ;  died  2nd  March,  1872. 

3.  Hon.  James  Chisholme,    born   21st   November,    1837  ;    served  in   Madras   C.S.,   1857-82. 

Residence — 24,    Ryder-street,    St.   James',    S.W.      Clubs  —  Conservative,    East    End    U.S., 
New  (Edinburgh). 


3io 


THE  LORDS  SINCLAIR. 


■f 


4.  Hon.  LockharT  Mathew,  born  25th  July,  1855  ;  educated  at  Wellington  College  and  at 
Cooper's  Hill ;  is  an  Executive  Engineer  in  Public  Works  Department  of  India  ;  sometime 
Engineer  to  Nepaul  Government  ;  married  30th  July,  1881,  Ellen  Mary  Margaret,  daughter 
of  Surgeon-General  William  Roche  Rice,  C.S.I.,  M.D.     Issue — 

1.  James  Chisholme  Rice,  born  22nd  March,  1882  ;  died  nth  August,  1S83. 

2.  Whuam  Lockhart,  born  18S3.  3.  George  James  Paul,  born  1885. 
Clubs — Junior  Carlton,  New  (Edinburgh). 

1.  The  Hon.  Mary  Agnes,  born  1840.  2.  Helen,  died  19th  August,  1849. 

His  lordship  died  24th  October,  1880. 

XVII.  Charles 
Clair,  31st  Lord 
1 7th  Baron  St.  Clair 
peerage  of  Scot- 
sentative  Peer, 
ber,  1  S3 1  ;  suc- 
cated  at  Royal 
Sandhurst ;  entered 
and  retired  as 
served  with  57th 
Campaign  of  1854- 
to  the  Forces  on 
1855-6  (medal  with 
Sardinian  and 
and  in  New  Zea- 
as  Acting  Assist- 
tary  and  A.D.C. 
Cameron  (medal)  ; 
J. P.  and  a  D.L. 
wick.  It  will  be 
St.  Clair  is  the 
the  title  has  suc- 
levelling  process  of 
come  assimilated  to 
vernacular,  and  in 
the  present  Baron 
and  other  docu- 
' '  Sinclair. ' '  Lord 
6th  October,  1870, 
youngest  daughter 
of  16,  Bryanstone 
has  issue  as  undernoted — 

1.  The  Hon.  Archibald  James  Murray,  Master  of  Sinclair,  born 

Lieutenant  3rd  Battalion  King's  Own  Scottish  Borderers. 

2.  The  Hon.  Charles  Henry  Murray,  born  19th  December,  1878. 


6y>t*£*s^ 


THE  RIGHT  HON.  LORD  SINCLAIR 
(Charles  William  Saint-Clair). 


William  Saint 
of  Herdmanston, 
or  Sinclair  in  the 
land,  and  a  Repre- 
born  Sth  Septem- 
ceeded,  1880  ;  edu- 
Military  College, 
the  Army  in  1848, 
Colonel,  having 
Foot  in  the  Crimean 
55,  and  as  A.A.G. 
the  Bosphorus 
three  clasps  and 
Turkish  medals), 
land  War,  1861-62, 
ant  Military  Secre- 
to  Sir  Duncan 
D.S.O.,  1896;  is  a 
for  County  Ber- 
observed  that  while 
family  surname, 
cumbed  to  the 
the  ages,  and  be- 
the  corrupt  Scots 
conformity  thereto 
appends  to  all  State 
ments  the  signature 
Sinclair  married, 
Margaret  Jane, 
of  James  Murray, 
Square,     W.,     and 

:6th   February,  1875  ;  is 


The  Hon  Ada  Jane,  born  1871. 


The  Hon.  Margaret  Helen,  born  1873. 


3.  The  Hon.  Georgina  Violet,  born  1877. 


THE  LORDS  OF  HERDMANSTON.  311 


CHAPTER    XII. 

THE    LORDS    OF    HERDMANSTON.* 

FEUDAL  AND  TRANSITION  PERIODS. 

The  St.  Clairs  of  Herdmanston  can  illustrate  a  more  ancient  establishment  in  Scotland 
than  the  St.  Clairs  of  Roslyn,  Earls  of  Orknay,  but  no  common  origin  can  be  traced. 
The  Herdmanstons  derive  from 

I.  Henry  de  St.  Clair,  vice-comes  of  Richard  de  Moreville,  Constable  of  Scotland, 
from  whom  he  received,  in  1162 — for  certain  military  services — a  charter  of  the  lands  of 
"  Hermanestum  cum  tola  terra  quam  Ricardus  Camerarius  tenuit  de  Hugone  patre  meo,  de 
Morevilla  el  de  me,"  which  lands  have  ever  since  continued  in  the  family  ;  thus  in  point 
of  ancient  descent  the  first  in  East  Lothian.  Very  few,  if  any,  of  the  great  Scottish 
families  possess  ancestral  estates  granted  at  so  early  a  period.  What  adds  to  the 
singularity  in  the  present  instance  is  the  fact  that  Herdmanston  is  not  a  large  estate, 
and  on  that  account  must  have  been  greatly  exposed  to  the  rapacity  of  the  more  opulent 
and  powerful  neighbouring  nobles.  Anderson!  has  engraved  a  curious  charter,  in  quit- 
claim of  certain  "  nativi,"  by  which  Richard  de  Moreville  conveys  to  Henry  Sainteclair 
"  Edmundum  filium  Bonde  el  Gillimichel  fi  alrem  ejus,  el  filios  tt  filias  suas,  el  lot  am  progeniem 
ab  eis  descendentem."  In  the  Acts  of  the  Scottish  Parliament,  Henry  de  St.  Clair  appears 
as  a  witness  in  the  year  1180.  From  the  close  association  with  the  de  Morevilles,  it 
may  be  inferred  that  this  Henry  de  St.  Clair  was  of  the  same  family  as  Hugh  de  St. 
Clair,  co-excommunicate  with  Balliol  and  de  Moreville  after  their  opposition  to  the 
tyranny  of  Becket,  the  English  Archbishop.  In  the  "  Haigs  of  Betnerside, "  Petrus  de 
Haga  is  stated  to  have  married,  cir.  1203,  Ada,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  de  St.  Clair  of 
Carfrae.      In  succession  to  him  is 

II.  Alan  de  St.  Clair,  who.  with  his  spouse,  Matilda  of  Windsor,  received  a 
charter  from  William  de  Morevill,  Constable  of  Scotland,  on  whose  death  in  1196  a 
charter  of  confirmation  issued  from  Roland  Fitz-Uthred,  Earl  of  Galloway,  who  had 
married  the  Constable's  sister,  and  succeeding  him  in  his  estate  and  office,  was  bound 
to  confirm  the  former  gift.  About  1244  Alan  de  Saynclair,  or  Sender,  as  it  is  also 
spelled,  takes  oath  with  others  that  he  did  not  send  people  to  waste  the  land  of  the 
Kings  of  England.      Alan's  wife  was  evidently  English. 

III.  John  of  Hirdemanstune,  who  was  with  the  Scottish  King  and  army  in 
Argyle  in  1248,  may  be  considered  as  the  successor  to  Alan.  This  John  was  succeeded 
by 

IV.  John  de  Seincler,  Dominus  de  Hirmanstane,  who  swore  allegiance  and  fealty 
to  King  Edward  of  England  at  Montrose,  10th  July,  1296.     The  seal  affixed  by  him  to 

*Exch.  Rolls  ;    Reg.  Privy  Seal  ;    Bain's  Documents;  Genealogie  of  the  St.  Clairs  ;  Report  of  Hist. 
MSS.  Commission— Athol  and  Home,  etc.;  Nisbet,  etc.  f  Diplomata  Scotise,  fol.  76. 


THE  LORDS  OF  HERDMANSTON. 


this  document  is  lost.  He  will  be  the  J.  de  St.  Clair  noted  as  receiving  at  Glasgow, 
22nd  August,  1301,  100  shillings  for  the  Earl  of  Dunbar.  After  the  Battle  of 
Bannockburn,  amongst  the  prelates,  nobles,  and  barons  assembled  by  the  victorious 
Bruce  at  Cambuskenneth,  6th  November,  1314,  is  Johannis  de  Sancto  Claro.  His 
successor  was 

V.  Sir  William  St.  Clair,  who,  like  his  predecessor,  and  his  contemporary  name- 
sake of  Roslyn,  was  the  companion-in-arms  of  King  Robert  Bruce,  who,  on  account  of  his 
heroically  valiant  services  at  the  famous  and  decisive  Battle  of  Bannockburn,  presented 
him  with  a  sword,  on  the  broad  side  of  which  were  engraved  the  words — "  Le  Roi  me 
donne,  St.  Cler  me  porte. "  Sir  William  obtained  in  1325  a  charter  from  King  Robert  I. 
of  the  Barony  of  Cesswith  or  Cessford  faciendo  servitium  quaiuor  architenentum  in  exercitu 
regis.  Under  reference  to  the  Herdmanstons,  Hay  has — "  Willielmus  Saintclair  occiditur 
in  obsidione  Berwici  facta  per  Robertum  Senescallum,  David  Rege  captivo."  This  siege 
occurred  in  1355. 

VI.  Sir  William  St.  Clair,  Next  of  Herdmaxstox,  allied  in  marriage  with 
the  other  ancient,  but  far  more  powerful,  family  of  the  St.  Clairs  of  Roslyn,  who,  in 
truth,  exceeded  most  other  families  in  the  kingdom  for  grandeur  and  wealth.  His  lady 
was  Margaret  [daughter  of  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin],  afterwards  Countess-Dowager 
of  Angus.  Being  within  the  fourth  degree  of  relationship,  she  had  obtained  iu  1353  a 
papal  dispensation  to  marry  Thomas  Stewart.  Earl  of  Angus,  Chamberlain  of  Scotland, 
in  1357.  The  Earl  died  in  Dumbarton  Castle  about,  and  not  later  than,  1362 — when  an 
entry  appears  in  the  Rolls  for  his  funeral  expenses — leaving  issue  by  Margaret  St.  Clair 
a  daughter  Margaret,  in  her  own  right  Countess  of  Angus,  on  whose  resignation,  in 
1389,  her  natural  son  George — by  William,  Earl  of  Douglas — obtained  a  charter  of  that 
Earldom.  King  David  had,  in  1342,  assigned  to  John  de  St.  Clair  the  thanage  of  Cowie 
(Colby)  in  place  of  a  pension  of  ,£20,  and  in  the  34th  year  of  his  reign — 13th  April,  1364 
— King  David  granted  a  charter  to  Margaret  de  Santo  Claro,  Countess  of  Angus,  for  ,£20 
sterling  annually  from  the  same  thanage  of  Colby.  By  this  noble  lady  Sir  William  had 
three  sons — 

1.  John,  next  of  Herdmanston.  2.  James,  probably  first  of  Longformacus. 

2.  Sir  Walter,  Baron  of  Cessford,  whose  heiress — 

Christian,   married   Sir   William    Cockburn,    who    disputed    about   the    Barony   of 
Cessford  in  1416. 

VII.  Sir  Johx  St.  Clair,  of  Herdmaxstox,  was  brother-uterine  to  Margaret, 
Countess  of  Angus  and  Mar— the  former  in  her  own  right  and  the  latter  by 
marriage.  The  relation  is  recited  in  a  charter  executed  by  the  Countess  in 
1389,  amongst  the  witnesses  to  which  is  Joannes  de  Sancto  Claro  de  Her miston /rater  nosier. 
This  Lord  of  Hirdmauston  witnessed  a  charter  at  Perth,  13th  January,  1367  ;  and  a 
John  St.  Clair  is  noted  as  a  witness  on  23rd  February,  1369,  and  in  1371.  In  1376  he 
resigned  Cessford  to  Sir  Walter  St.  Clair,  and  Robert  the  Second  issued  a  charter  on 
the  8th  March,  same,  at  Perth,  to  "  our  faithful  Walter  de  St.  Clair  all  the  Barony  of 
Cesswith,  with  tne  mill  and  pertinents,  on  resignation  of  John  de  St.  Clair."  A  charter, 
dated  12th  August,  1381,  by  Margaret,  Countess  of  Mar  and  Angus,  has  as  witnesses 
her  brothers  John  and  James  of  St.  Clair.  Polwarth  was  bestowed  upon  Sir  John  in 
1377  by  reason  of  his  marriage  to  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Sir  Patrick 
de  Polwarth  of  Polwarth.     He  had  issue — 

Sir  William  St.  Clair,  next  of  Herdmanston. 


FEUDAL  AND  TRANSITION  PERIODS.  313 

VIII.  Sir  William  St.  Clair,  Eighth  of  Herdmanston,  was  made  prisoner  at 
Honiildon  in  1402.  A  Sir  William  St.  Clair  had  safe-conduct  to  England  and  back 
(September,  1405),  and  was  hostage  for  the  Earl  of  Douglas  (September  1405).  Sir 
William  St.  Clair,  Lord  of  Herdmonston,  has  safe-conduct  till  Pentecost  (March,  1407)  ; 
the  Lord  of  Hyrdmaston,  hostage  for  the  Earl  of  Douglas,  safe  conduct  till  Midsummer 
(May,  1407). 

XI.  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  next  on  record,  obtained  in  1434  a  notarial  transumpt  of 
the  charter  to  his  predecessor,  Henry  de  St.  Clair,  of  the  lands  of  Carfrae  formerly 
mentioned,  which  transumpt  is  attested  by  a  Thomas  St.  Clair,  and  in  1444  Sir  John 
had  an  investiture  of  the  Barony  of  Polwarth.  In  1446  he  was  allowed  ^13  6s.  8d.  for 
his  expenses  at  the  siege  of  Edinburgh  Castle.  There  is  a  reference  in  the  Exchequer 
Rolls  of  1359  to  the  rent  of  Polmase-St.  Clair,  and  in  1455  Polmass-Sinclar  and  Polmass- 
Weland,  Stirling,  are  each  found  assessed  at  10s.  annual  rent.  In  the  latter  year  there 
is  also  an  entry  as  to  the  Castle  ward  of  the  ville  de  Polwarde,  which  in  1456  is  remitted 
on  account  of  the  waste  condition  of  the  lands.  On  the  8th  December,  1440,  Sir  John 
de  St.  Clair,  Knight,  Lord  of  Lethrig,  and  John  de  St.  Clair,  dom  de  Hirdmanston,  appear 
as  witnesses,  also  Jno.  de  St.  Clair  de  Polwarth,  24th  July,  1444,  and  J.  de  St.  Clair  of 
Herdmanston,  armiger,  on  28th  March,  1450,  attests  confirmation  of  charter  by  Sir 
George  Seton  of  Langnudre,  Knight,  to  Lady  Katherine  Seton,  relict  of  quond.  John, 
Lord  of  Seton,  his  grandfather.  He  appears  again  as  a  witness  nth  April,  1450,  also 
on  17th  October,  1463,  and  12th  October,  1464,  finds  him  one  of  a  jury.     He  had  issue — 

1.  John,  (/.v. p.,  married  Katharine,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Hume  of  that  Ilk,  by  whom  he 

had  two  daughters. 

1.  Marion*,  the  eldest,  was  married  to  Sir  George   Hume  of  Wedderburn.     She  got 

sasine  of  Polwarth  10th  November,  H75- 

2.  Margaret,  married  Sir  Patrick  Hume,  brother  of  Wedderburn,  and  ancestor  of 

the  Earls  of  Marchmont.  Margaret  Sinclair  was  retoured  in  1476  as  one  of  the 
heirs  of  her  grandfather,  and  another  retour  on  7th  May,  1504,  apprises  us  that 
Margaret  Sinclair,  mother  of  Alexander  Hume,  died,  seized  of  Kimmerghem 
Berwick. 
From  these  double  marriages  the  families  of  Hume  quarter  the  coats  of  St.  Clair  with 
their  paternal  bearings. 

2.  Sir  William  St.  Clair,  next  of  Herdmanston.  3.  Alexander.  4.  James. 
John  St.  Clair,  Fiar  of  Herdmanston,  died  in  apparency,  for  on  the  2nd  May, 

1472,  a  charter  was  transumed  as  requested  by  Katherine  Home,  relict  of  the  late 
John  Sinclair,  son  and  apparent  heir  of  Hyrdmanstoun.  Dying  without  issue  male, 
there  arose  a  dispute  and  a  question  in  law  anent  the  right  of  succession  to  the  estate 
betwixt  his  two  daughters,  the  heirs  of  line  and  at  law,  and  his  brother  Sir  William 
St.  Clair,  his  heir-male  (Registers  of  Parliament).  At  length,  by  the  mediation  of  their 
mutual  friends,  the  matter  was  settled  and  composed,  the  heir-male  got  the  ancient 
family  estate  of  Herdmanston,  and  the  heirs-female  got  the  estates  of  Polwarth  and 
Kimmerghem. 

XII.  Sir  William  St.  Clair,  succeeding  his  brother,  continued  the  line  of  the 
family.  He  may  be  the  William  St.  Clair,  Lord  Conservator  of  the  truce,  14th  August, 
1 45 1.     His  successor 

XIII.  John  Sinclar  had  sasine  to  Herdmanston  in  1481,  and  is  named  in  the 
Acta  Domini  Concilii  of  1484.  As  superior  he  received  on  21st  February,  1 501-2,  the 
resignation  by  George    Ker,    of  Samuelston,  and    Marion   Sinclair,  his   spouse,  of  the 


314  THE  LORDS  OF  HERDMANSTON. 

lands  of  Friarness,  Berwick.  On  the  3rd  March,  1504-5,  upon  resigning  his  patrimonial 
lands,  a  charter  of  confirmation  issued  to  John  Sinclar  of  Herdmanston,  and  his  heirs, 
of  all  and  singular,  the  lands  of  Herdmanston  with  castle,  fortalice,  and  mill,  and  the 
patronage  of  the  chapel  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  near  the  castle  ;  lands  of  Carfra  with 
mill  in  bailie  of  Lauderdale,  near  Berwick  ;  and  lands  and  Barony  of  Wester 
Pencaitland,  with  the  mill,  which  latter  were  fallen  in  the  King's  hands  by  the 
non-entry  of  John,  Lord  Maxwell. 

XIV.  Sir  William  Sinclar,  Fourteenth  of  Hyrdminston,  had  sasine  in  1513. 
He  is  noticed  in  a  complaint  of  25th  May,  1519,  preferred  against  him  by  Dame  Nicholas 
Ker,  Lady  of  Samuelston,  re  the  lands  of  Friarness,  in  Lauderdale,  belonging  to  her  in 
heritage,  and  held  hy  her  from  him  in  chief.  In  sequence  to  the  foregoing,  on  the  9th 
June,  1519,  a  writ  stopping  execution  was  sent  to  the  Castle  of  Herdmanston  requiring 
Sir  William  Sinclair  of  that  Ilk  to  give  copy  of  process  led  against  Nicholas  Ker.  On 
the  30th  July,  1522,  confirmation  issued  to  William  Sinclair  de  Herdmanston  and 
Beatrix  Rantoun,  his  spouse,  for  Herdmanston,  Milton,  and  Wester  Pencaitland,  and 
Myddyll  in  Berwick.  On  the  2nd  January,  1530-31,  William  Sinclar  of  Herdmanston 
issued  a  Charter  of  Frierness,  in  Carfra,  to  Elizabeth  Home,  Lady  Hamilton,  which 
formerly  belonged  to  her  grandfather,  George  Ker  of  Samuelston,  and  was  adjudged 
to  William  Sinclair  in  the  time  of  Nicolas,  daughter  of  George  Ker.  Witnesses: 
Alexander  and  James,  brothers  of  granter.  Signed,  "  Willyam  Sinclar  of  Herd- 
manstoun."  Seal  attached:  Shield  couche  bearing  a  cross  engrailed.  Crest:  A 
griffin's  head  and  neck.     Legend  :  "S.  Wyllmi  Sinclar  de  Hyrdminston." 

XV.  John  Sinclair  de  Herdmanston,  and  Margaret  Sinclair,  his  spouse,  got 
confirmation  27th  June,  1545,  and  on  10th  July,  1546,  as  Lord  of  Herdmanston,  he 
issued  a  Precept  of  Sasine  in  favour  of  George,  Lord  Home,  for  the  lands  of  Friarness, 
which  he  held  in  chief  for  ward  and  relief.  On  the  5th  May,  1552,  he  infefts  Alexander, 
Lord  Home.  In  1542  he  is  witness  to  a  resignation  made  of  the  Baronies  of  Roslin  and 
Pentland.  He  died  before  7th  September,  1567,  when  the  Regent  and  Lords  of  Secret 
Council  charge  Margaret  Sinclair,  relict  of  John  Sinclair  of  Herdmanston — now  the 
spouse  of  James  Ormistoun  of  that  Ilk — the  said  James,  and  others,  their  servants,  and 
all  others,  possessors,  keepers,  holders,  and  detainers  of  the  tower,  fortalice,  and  house 
of  Herdmanston,  to  render  and  deliver  same  to  the  officers  executors  hereof  under  pain 
of  rebellion  and  home. 

XVI.  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Hirdmestoun,  and  James  Ormistoun  of  that  Ilk, 
appear  apud  Edinburgh,  when  Herdmanston  claims  the  teinds  of  Pencaitland.  Ker 
of  Cesfurde  and  Fadounsyde  make  complaint  13th  August,  1586,  that  Francis,  Earl 
of  Bothwell,  obtained  a  commission  to  arrest  Fawdouside's  brother  for  that  he  allegit 
intromettit  and  awaytuke  from  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Herdmanston  certain  cattle. 
They  state  that  the  commission  was  most  inconsiderately  and  inadvisedly  granted. 
John  (Adam?)  Robsoun,  in  Thorbrands-heuch,  entered  caution  17th  March,  1586-87, 
to  underlie  the  law  for  crimes  which  Herdmanston  and  his  tenants  have  to  lay  to  his 
charge.  Caution  was  taken  on  roth  January,  1588-89,  that  John  Cockburn  of  Wodheid 
shall  relieve  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Herdmanston  of  his  part  of  the  first  barons'  tax  of 
,£40,000  for  his  lands  of  Wodheid,  if  found  that  he  should  do  so  ;  and  on  the  19th 
February  following  caution  was  given  by  Patrick  Livingstone  of  Saltcoats  for  the 
second  term  of  barons'  tax  for  his  lands  of  Kelhop,  lying  within  the  barony  of  Carfra 


FEUDAL  AND  TRANSITION  PERIODS.  315 

and  bailiary  of  Lauderdaill,  besides  20s.  already  consigned  by  him  in  the  hands  of  the 
Clerk  of  the  Council.  Again,  there  is  caution  14th  July,  1590,  for  5,000  merks  from 
Patrick  Murray  of  Falahill  in  favour  of  Herdmanston.  The  latter  became  caution  in 
1,000  merks  27th  November,  1591,  for  James  Sinclair  of  Ewingston  that  he  should  not 
harm  Alexander  Aicheson  of  Gosfurd,  William  Sinclair  of  Roslin  being  cautioner  in 
relief.  Again,  on  8th  December,  1591,  there  is  caution  by  Sir  William  Sinclair  of 
Herdmanston  as  principal,  and  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Rosling  as  surety,  Robert  Sinclair, 
writer,  being  proc.  for  the  parties,  and  amongst  other  witnesses  is  Oliver  Sinclair  of 
Ravensnuke.  On  the  2nd  November,  1592,  Herdmanston  has  a  dispute  about  some 
lands,  and  this  is  his  last  notice  in  the  records.  He  is  noted  on  23rd  August,  1582,  as 
one  of  the  signatories  to  the  Secret  Band,  in  which  the  Ruthven  raid  originated.  On 
24th  May,  1587,  Archibald  Turnbull,  in  Hova,  made  complaint  that  Herdmanstone  has 
kept  captive  his  son  Gawine  for  alleged  theft  of  sheep.  The  Lords  ordain  Gawin  to  be 
still  kept  pending  satisfaction. 

In  the  Chartular  of  Roslin  there  is  an  entry  in  1571  of  William  St.  Clair,  brother-german 
to  Sir  William  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  knight,  appearing  as  witness  to  an  infeftment. 
Nevertheless,  to  cite  Hay,  the  story  runs  thus  : — 

XVII.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Hirdmaneston,  as  is  said,  married  Janet  Hume, 
upon  whom  he  begot 

XVIII.  Henry,  who  succeeded  to  the  estate.     His  son 

XIX.  Sir  William,  espoused  Sibilla,  daughter  to  Sir  John  Cockburue  of 
Ormestoune,  Secretarie  of  Scotland,  upon  whom  he  begot 

XX.  Sir  John,  who  was  Commissioner  for  Haddingtonshire  in  1644.  He  married 
Margaret,  daughter  to  James  Richardson,  Laird  of  Smitoun,  by  whom  he  had 

XXI.  Sir  John,  who  held  Roslin  in  wodset.  In  1666  John  St.  Clair  of  Roslin 
raised  letters  of  lawborrowes  against  Sir  John  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston  and  Dame 
Helen  his  wife. 

XXII.  Sir  John  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Sinclair,  Bart,  of  Steven- 
son, by  whom  he  had  issue — 

1.  John,  next  of  Herdmanston.  2.  Robert,  who  had  no  male  issue. 

3.  George,  whose  issue  failed.  4.  Mathew,  of  whom  hereafter. 

XXIII.  John  St.  Clair,  married  in  1659  Katherine  Sinclair,  Mistress  of  Sinclair, 
only  daughter  of  John,  10th  Lord  Sinclair  of  Ravenscraig.  The  only  surviving  issue 
of  this  marriage  was  a  son  Henry,  who  succeeded  his  father  in  Herdmanston,  and  to  his 
maternal  grandfather  as  Lord  Sinclair. 

XXIV.  .Henry  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  Lord  Sinclair.  In  1677  he  got 
a  new  patent  of  the  Sinclair  peerage,  with  remainder  in  default  of  the  male  issue  of  his 
own  body  to  the  heirs-male  of  his  father.  By  his  lady,  Grizel,  daughter  of  Sir  James 
Cockburn,  Bart.,  of  Closeburn,  he  had  with  other  unmarried  male  issue  two  sons — 

1.  John,  Master  of  Sinclair.  2.  The  Hon.  James  St.  Ci.air. 

Dying  in  1723,  Lord  Sinclair  was  succeeded  in  the  Sinclair  estates  by  his  eldest  son 

XXV.  John,  Master  of  Sinclair,  who,  having  participated  in  the  Rising  of 
17 15,  was  attainted,  and  never  assumed  the  title.  He  died  without  issue  in  1750,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  brother 

XXVI.  The  Hon.  James  St.  Clair,  de  jure,  12th  Lord  Sinclair,  who  never 
assumed  the  title.     He  was  a  general  in  the  army  and  a  distinguished  diplomatist.     He 


316  THE  LORDS  OF  HERDMANSTON. 

died  without  issue  in  1762,  when  the  representation  of  the  Herdmanstons  opened  to  the 
descendants  of  his  granduiicle, 

Dr.  Mathew  St.  Clair,  fourth  son  of  Sir  John  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston, 
who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Ker  of  Cavers.     He  had  issue — 

1.  Charles,  de  jure  Lord  Sinclair. 

1.  A  daughter,  married  to  Mr.  Molleson. 
He  died  in  1728,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

XXVII.  Charles  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston,  Advocate,  1722,  who,  on  the 
death  of  General  the  Hon.  James  St.  Clair  of  Dysart,  inherited  a  claim  to  the  Sinclair 
peerage  in  virtue  of  the  remainder  contained  in  the  new  patents  of  1677.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Sir  Andrew  Hume  of  Kimmerghem,  a  Lord  of  Session 
in  Scotland  ;  and  dying  on  4th  January,  1775,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

XXVIII.  Andrew  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  John  Rutherford,  younger  of  Edgerton,  and  granddaughter  of  Sir  John  Rutherford  of 
Edgerton,  and  had  issue — 

r.  Charles  of  Herdmanston.  2.  Mathew,  Commander  R.N.,  lost  at  sea  in  1800. 

1.  Eleanor,  died  unmarried  1786. 
Andrew  St.  Clair  died  in  1776.     His  eldest  son 

XXIX.  Charles  St.  Clair  of  Herdmanston  succeeded  him,  and  in  1782 
preferred  his  claim  to  the  dormant  barony  of  Sinclair,  which  he  got  acknowledged  after 
an  investigation  in  the  House  of  Lords.  He  thus  became  Lord  Sinclair,  and  was  the 
first  of  his  line  to  hold  that  title  without  descent  from  the  Earls  of  Orkney,  Lords 
Sinclair.  The  original  Sinclair  Barony  was  not  resigned  to  the  Crown  when  the  new 
patent — in  virtue  of  which  the  family  of  Herdmanston  now  enjoy  the  title — was  granted 
by  King  Charles  II.  in  1677. 


NOBLES  IN  SWEDEN  AND  ALSACE.  317 

CHAPTER   XIII. 
NOBLES   IN   SWEDEN   AND  ALSACE.* 


Henry,  Lord  Sinclair,  who  fell  at  Flodden  in   15 13,  left  issue  by  Margaret,  his  wife, 
daughter  of  Patrick  Hepburn,  Earl  of  Bothwell 

William,  Lord  Sinclair,  who  married  in  1515  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William 
Keith,  Earl  Marischal,  and,  dying  about  the  year  1550,  left  by  her  two  sons — 

1.  Henry,  his  successor,  Lord  Sinclair,  and 

2.  Magnus  [Master  of  Kinninmonth,  in  the  Earldom  of  Fife]. 

Henry,  Lord  Sinclair,  married,  first,  Janet,  daughter  of  Lord  Lindesay  of  the 
Byres,  by  whom  he  had,  with  other  issue,  a  son — 

1.  James,  Master  of  Sinclair,  ancestor  of  subsequent  lords. 
He  married,  secondly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  the  seventh  Lord  Forbes,  and  had  by  her — 

1.  Henry  (pedigree  of  Swedish  family  attested  by  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster). 

2.  William.  3.  Laurence. 

1.  Elisabeth.  2.  Jeanne.  3.  Barbe. 

Henry  Sinclair,  eldest  son  of  the  second  marriage,  married  Margaret  Sutherland, 
daughter  of  the  Lord  Duffus,  and  had  three  sons — 

1.  John,  of  whom  immediately.  2.  David,  and  3.  William. 

John  Sinclair,  married  Margaret  Ballantyne,  daughter  of  the  Lord  Stenhouse,  and 
had  a  son 

John  Sinclair,  Master  of  Seba  and  Brobster,  who  married  Marie,  daughter  of 
the  Lord  B.  .  .  .ng.  .  .  .   [Blantyre],  and  had  sons — 

1.  Henry,  slain  in  Denmark.  2.  John,  of  whom  immediately. 

3.  William,  next  of  Seba  and  Brobster,  of  whom  presently. 

4.  James  Sinclair,  Baron  ofRandel,  of  whom  hereafter. 

From  this  John  Sinclair  of  Seba  and  Brobster  all  the  Swedish  families  are  derived. 

John  Sinclair,  son  of  the  preceding,  had  issue 

Francis  Sinclair,  born  in  Scotland,  went  to  Sweden  and  attained  the  grade  of 
colonel.  He  was  made  Swedish  nobleman  (No.  444)  in  1649,  and  died  in  1666.  Bv 
his  lady,  Margerit  Williams,  he  left  to  succeed  him 

James  Sinclair,  Colonel,  married  to  Elisabeth  Clerck,  and  had  by  her 

James  Sinclair,  Captain,  married  to  the  Baroness  Brita  Lagerfelt,  and  died  s.p. 
in  1683.  

William  Sinclair,  Master  of  Seba  and  Brobster,  married  Barbe,  daughter 
of  Sir  Hugh  Halcro,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons — 

1.  John,  ancestor  of  the  noble  Alsatian  family. 

2.  David,  ancestor  of  the  Barons  of  Finnekumla. 
John  and  David  Sinclair  went  to  Sweden  in  1641. 

*Genealogical  Descendance, penes  me  :  Lambahof  archives  :  Royal  Archivist  of  Sweden,  etc. 


318  NOBLES  IN  SWEDEN  AND  ALSACE. 

John  Sinclair,  the  elder  son,  established  himself  in  Sweden,  where  he  was  Colonel 
of  an  infantry  regiment.  He  fell  at  the  siege  of  Thorn  in  Poland  in  1656.  He  may  be 
identical  with  the  John  Sinclair,  Major  in  the  Green  Brigade  of  Sir  James  Hepburn, 
serving  under  Gustavus  Adolphus  in  1631,  etc.  Major  John  Sinclair  was  present  at  the 
siege  of  Frankfort  and  the  battle  of  Leipsig,  and  as  Lieut. -Colonel  Sinclair  covered  the 
retreat  at  Neustadt  in  1632.     He  was  killed  at  Neumosk. 

His  issue  established  themselves  in  Germany,  where  the  male  descendants  became 
extinct  in  the  person  of  his  grandson — 

Louis  Sinclair,  who  died  at  Strasbourg,  in  Alsace,  in  1733,  leaving  an  only  daughter 
married  to  Adam,  Count  de  Lewenhaupt,  Marechal  du  Camp  in  the  French  service. 


BARONS  SINCLAIR  OF  FINNEKUMLA. 
David  Sinclair,  second  son  of  Seba  by  Barbe  Halcro,  also  established  himself  in 
Sweden,  where  he  was  naturalised  and  admitted  into  the  College  of  Nobles  under  the 
number  626,  in  the  year  1655.  He  was  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  of  Cavalry,  and  married 
Katherine,  daughter  of  John  Maclean,  Seigneur  de  Gasvadholm  and  Hagby.  This 
David  Sinclair  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Warsaw,  in  Poland,  in  1656,  leaving 

1.  William  Sinclair,  his  heir  and 

1.  Anne  de  Sinclair,  married  to  Colonel  the  Baron  de  Kruse. 
After  Colonel  Sinclair's  death  his  relict  married  Major-General  Hamilton. 

William  Sinclair,  [second]  son  of  the  preceding,  inherited  the  possession  of 
Finniekumla,  in  Westergothland.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Katharine  Hamilton, 
by  whom  he  had — 

1.  David,  died  in  infancy.  2.  Malcolm,  his  successor,  and 

1.  Katherine,  married  Lieut. -Colonel  de  Schantz. 
He  married,  secondly,  Marie  Moucheron,  and  had — 

1.  David,  who  died  without  issue.  2.  Henry,  third  Baron,  and 

1.  Anne  Marie,  who  married  the  Baron  de  Leyonhielm,  a  Captain  of  Cavalry. 
This  William  Sinclair  was  created  Baron  by  Charles  XII.     He  was  Major-General  and 
Chief  of  an  infantry   regiment  ;    Commandment  at   Malmoe.      Dying   in    1715,    he  was 
succeeded  by  his  eldest  surviving  son 

Malcolm  Sinclair,  Second  Baron,  assassinated  in  1739  by  Russian  emissaries. 
'(See  Historiettes. )     Having  no  issue,  the  title  passed  to  his  half-brother 

Henry  Sinclair,  Third  Baron,  a  Knight  of  the  Swedish  Order  of  the  Sword,  and 
•Chevalier  of  the  Order  of  Military  Merit  in  France.  He  married  Katherine  de  Grape, 
and  died  at  Strasbourg  in  Alsace  1776,  leaving  as  his  successor  an  only  son. 

Charles  Gideon  Sinclair,  Fourth  and  Last  Baron,  a  military  celebrity,  of 
whom  a  fuller  notice  appears  in  the  Historiettes.  He  was  Lieut. -General  of  the 
Swedish  Army  ;  General-in-Chief  of  the  Royal  Artillery  ;  Colonel  in  the  French  Regiment 
Royal  Swedish  ;  Commander  Grand  Cross  of  the  Order  of  the  Sword  ;  Chevalier  of  the 
Order  of  Military  Merit  in  France  and  of  the  White  Falcon  in  Saxony.  He  married  a 
noble  and  illustrious  lady,  Louise  Henrietta  Eikbrecht,  daughter  of  the  powerful  noble, 
Lord  Christian  Eikbrecht  de  Durkheim,  Count  of  the  Holy  Roman  Empire  and  Lord  of  the 
Provostry  of  Schomeck,  in  Alsace.  By  her  he  had  no  issue.  Born  in  Stralsund  in  1730, 
jhe  died  in  1803,  when  the  line  of  Sinclairs,  Barons  Finnekumla,  came  to  a  termination. 


COUNTS  SINCLAIR  OF  LAMBAHOF. 


3i9 


COUNTS  SINCLAIR  OF  LAMBAHOF. 

James  Sinclair,  Baron  of  Randel,  one  of  the  sous  of  John  Sinclair  of  Seba  and 
Brobster,  had  a  son 

John  Sinclair,  married  to  Mary  Bruis  of  Onovitz  [Muness],  by  whom  he  had  a  son 

Andrew  Sinclair,  who  went  to  Sweden  in  1635,  and  attained  the  rank  of  Colonel. 
He  was  Governor  in  Thorn,  where  he  rejected  the  storm  of  the  enemy  eight  times 
successively.  He  was  made  Swedish  nobleman  (No.  965)  in  1680,  and  died  in  1689, 
leaving  by  his  wife,  Anna  Amendsson,  a  son,  his  successor 

Charles  Andrew  Sinclair,  Colonel  in  a  Regiment  of  Foot;  Major-General,  who 
died  in  1753.     By  his  wife,  Barbara  Christina  v.  Schwartzenhoff,  he  had  issue 

Frederic  Charles  Sinclair,  of  Lambahof,  Ostergotland,  born  17th  October, 
1723  ;  Lieut. -Colonel  of  the  Infantry  of  Ostergotland  ;  Colonel  of  the  Army  ;  Daily-in- 


waiting  to  the 
Gustavus,  after- 
Ill.  ;  Baron  (No. 
Knight  Grand 
of  the  Sword  ;  Sen- 
(No.  95)  in  I771  ; 
in  Porn  era  nia; 
Academy  of  Griefs- 
Knight  of  the 
phimin  1774;  when 
motto  of  the  family 
via  lucis  ' '  ;  dead 
ticipated  in  the 
land  in  1740  ;  was 
enter  the  French 
was  taken  prisoner 
troops,  but  soon 
of  saving  himself 
ment.  The  very 
part  in  the  French 
Rhine,  and  in  1746 
siege  of  Namur ; 
1757  to  the  war  of 
he  led  the  siege  at 
five  severe  wounds 
tended  several  Diets 
the  revolution  of 
married  Sophie 
(b.    1713   +    1769), 


RlKSRADKT    GREFVK, 

FREDRIK   CARL   SINCLAIR. 


Crown  Prince 
wards  Gustavus 
270)  in  1762; 
Cross  of  the  Order 
ator  in  1769;  Count 
Governor  -  General 
Chancellor  of  the 
wald  in  1772  ; 
Order  of  the  Sera- 
he  kept  the  old 
arms  "  Via  crucis, 
in  1776.  He  par- 
campaigns  of  Fin- 
licensed  in  1745  to 
Army,  where  he 
by  the  Austrian 
got  an  opportunity 
from  imprison- 
same  year  he  took 
campaign  at  the 
attheMaas.andthe 
was  commanded  in 
Pomerania,  when 
Pensmiinde ;  got 
at  L'">ckewitz  ;  at- 
and  contributed  to 
1772.  In  1749  he 
Reuter  of  Skalboo 
by  whom  he  had — 


Frederic,  Second  Count  Sinclair,  Major  in  the  Cavalry,  and  Chamberlain  of 
the  Queen.  He  married  Britte  Madelaine  Fock,  and  dying  in  1816,  was  succeeded  by 
his  son 


32° 


NOBLES  IN  SWEDEN  AND  ALSACE. 


Frederic,  Third  Count  Sinclair,  Captain  in  the  Army  and  Chamberlain.  He 
died  in  1835,  leaving  issue  by  his  Countess,  the  Baroness  Britte  Eleonor  Lagerfelt — 

1.  Israel  Wilhelm  Malcolm,  fourth  Count. 

2.  Count  Charles  Frederic  Adolph,  of  Rosenkoella,  Knight  of  the  North  Star,  married  the 

Baroness  Henriette  Lagerfelt,  and  died  in  1888. 

3.  Count  James   Henry  of  Lambahof,   formerly  Officer  in  the  Horse  Guards,   married  to 

Amelie  v.  Hoist. 

Israel  Wilhelm  Malcolm,  Fourth  Count  Sinclair,  married  the  Countess 
Althild  Spens.      He  died  in  1885,  and  left  issue — 

1.  Charles  Gustaf,  fifth  Count,  and  1.  Count  Frederic,  unmarried. 

Charles  Gustaf  Sinclair,  Fifth  and  Present  Count  Sinclair,  is  a  Captain 
in  the  Swedish  Infantry  and  a  Knight  of  the  Sword,  now  in  his  48th  year,  and  married 
to  a  Swedish  lady,  Elly  Smedberg. 


^H** 


Elly  Smedberg, 
COUNTESS  SINCLAIR  OF  LAMBAHOF. 


Sir  Charles  Gustaf  Sinclair, 
COUNT  SINCLAIR  OF  LAMBAHOF. 


Incidental  Scandinavian  Notices. 
Mas 

There   are   a   few  other  scattered  notices  of  the  Siuclairs  in  Norway,  Sweden,  and 
Denmark,  which  it  will  be  most  convenient  to  submit  in  annal  form  : — 
1416 — David  Sinclar  is  named  as  a  civil  officer  of  high  rank  at  Bergen. 
1461 — Anders  Sinclar,  chief  command  in  Bohuus  Castle  till  1464. 

Aaseline,  daughter  of  Henry  Sinclar  of  Sanneberg,  married  Anders  van  Bergen  of  Onerheim 
Farm,  in  Siindhordlehn,  who,  at  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century,  was  a  Norwegian 
Councillor  of  State.* 
1513  (circ.) — Henry  St.  Clair,  third  son  of  Sir  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Roslin,  is  stated  to  have  been  Governor 
of  the  Castle  of  Bergen,  in  Norway,  and  to  have  married  Gurena  Guldlove,  by  whom  he  had 
several  children  there  settled. 
161 1 — Michael  Sinclair  of  Dalsholt,  in  the  county  of  Halland,  fell  when  captain  at  the  siege  of  Caltnar, 
161 1.     Halland,  now  Swedish,  was  then  a  Danish  province.     His  pedigree  is  thus  outlined  : — 

*  Samlinger  til  det  Norske  Folksprog  og  Historie,"  vol.  iii.  p.  576. 


INCIDENTAL   NOTICES.  321 


Arthur  Sinclair  married  Dorothea  Dumbar. 


David  Sinclair  married  Rutilia  Mouatt. 


Michael  Sinclair  married  Anna  Maanskjold. 

Boel  Rutilia  Sinclair  married  Carsten  v.  Bassen. 
1645 — Captain  Sinclar  is  named. 
1669,  Aug.  2 — David  Sinclar  is  appointed  by  King  Frederic  III.  Bailie  of  Eger  or  Lier.     This  David 

Sinclar  held  the  farm  of  Sem,  in  Eger,  as  tenant  under  the  Crown. 
16SS — Gregers    Sinclar,  undoubtedly  related  to  the  preceding,  lived  in   168S   at  Vestfossen  in  Eger, 

where  in  that  year  at  the  farm  of  Hals,  he  caused  to  be  erected  copper  works,  with  a  smelting 

house   and   stamping   mill,  but  which,  after   working   unsuccessfully   for  four  years,  he  was 

obliged  to  abandon. 
1578— John  Sinckeler  obtained  burghership  of  Bergen,  and  after  him  are  noticed  others  of  the  name, 

ending  with 
1643— Daniel  Sinckler  (Johnsson)  in  1643.     From  these  citizens  of  Bergen,  the  family  which  lived  in 

Norway  until  the  first  half  of  the   iSth  century,  is  supposed  to  descend,  and  of  them  a  good 

account  is  given  in  Personalhistorisk  Tidskrift  (3rd  series,  2nd  vol.). 
Even    at   the   end   of  the  last   century  persons   of  the   name  resided   in  Norway. 
(Kraft's  "  Norges  Beskr,"  part  ii.,  pp.  406,  407  ;  Strom's  "  Eger's  Beskr,"  p.  56;  and 
documents  in  the  State  Archives,  and  those  of  the  Municipality  of  Christiania. ) 


322 


IRISH    SCIONS. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 
IRISH     SCIONS. 

THE   SINCE  AIRS   OF   HOEYHILE.* 

I.  John  Sinclair,  Rector  of  Leckpatrick  at  the  time  of  the  siege  of  Derry,  was  the 
first  of  the  Holyhill  family.  The  tradition  of  the  family  was  that  he  was  a  son  of  a  Sir 
James  Sinclair  of  Caithness,  from  which  we  may  infer  that  his  known  father,  James  Sinclair 
of  Wester-Brims,  was  perhaps  a  clerk  in  holy  orders.  From  the  mural  inscription  referred 
to  in  the  notice  of  "The  Sinclairs  of  Borlum,"  and  a  deed  of  1660,  his  paternity  is  clear. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  son 

II.  John,  father  of 

III.  John,  whose  son 

IV.  William  Sinclair  died  vita  patris .  He  married  Isabella,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Young  of  Lough  Eske,  County  Donegal,  and  had  issue — 

1.  James  of  Holyhill. 

2.  Thomas,  married  Alicia,  daughter  of  Thomas  Young  of  Lough  Eske,  and  died  1808. 
1.  Rebecca  (died  1845),  married  John  de  Cluzenn. 

V.  James  Sinclair  of  Holyhill,  D.E. ,  born  1772,  married,  1805,  Dorothea, 
daughter  and  heiress  of  Rev.  Samuel  Law,  and  died,  having  issue — 

1.  William,  now  of  Holyhill. 

2.  James,  married,  June,  '62,  Katharine,  daughter  of  Rev.  Robert  Alexander  of  Augnachoy, 

County  Derry,  and  has  issue — 

1.  Alexander  Montgomery.  Mary.  Dorothea.  Marion. 

Rebecca,  married  1847  Lieut. -Colonel  Sinclair,  H.E.I.C.S.  (who  died  May,  1861), 
and  has  issue — 
A  daughter 
Ann.  Isabella,  died  May,  1864.  Caroline  Elizabeth. 

Mr.  Sinclair  died  February,  1865. 

VI.  William  Sinclair  of  Holyhill,  County  Tyrone,  and  of  Drumbeg,  County 
Donegal;  J. P.  and  D.L.,  County  Donegal;  High  Sheriff,  1854;  and  J. P.,  County 
Tyrone,  Barrister-at-law  ;  born  17th  April,  1710;  married  December,  1839,  Sarah, 
daughter  of  James  Cranbourne  Strode,  and  has  issue — 

1.  James  Montgomery  of  Bonnyglen,  Inver,   County  Donegal,  B.A.,  J. P.  ;  born  November 

22nd,  1841  ;  married  January  29th,  1868,  Mary  Everina,  youngest  daughter  of  Lieut. -Colonel 
Hugh  Barton  (late  2nd  Life  Guards)  of  The  Waterfoot,  County  Fermanagh,  and  has  issue 

1.  William  Hugh  Montgomery,  born  December,  1868. 

2.  Everina  Mary  Carolina,  born  31st  May,  1870. 

3.  Rosabel,  born  November,  1883. 

2.  William  Frederick,  born  May,  1843  ;  died  August,  1843. 

3.  William  Frederick  (II.),  of  the  Bombay  C.S.  4.  Donald  Brooke. 
5.  Alfred  Law,  Captain  Bombay  Staff  Corps. 

1.  Jemima  Sarah.  2.  Dorothea  Mary. 

*  Burke  and  Henderson. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  HOLYHILL.  323 

There  are  one  or  two  further  references  to  this  family,  vi/..  : — 1.  Early  in  the  18th 
century  Robert  Lowry,  grandfather  of  the  first  Lord  Belmore,  married  Miss  Sinclair, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  James  Sinclair  of  Holyhill,  County  Down,  and  granddaughter  of 
sir  James  Sinclair  of  Caithness.* 

2.  Robert  Sinclair,  recorder  of  York,  who  married,  in  181 1,  Elizabeth  Sotheru, 
daughter  of  Sothern  of  Darrington  Hall,  Yorkshire,  was  of  this  line.t  John  Sinclair  of 
Freswick  writes  in  1782  from  Kuaresboro'  :  "At  York  ther'se  a  very  respectable 
sensible  man,  Councillor  Robert  Sinclair,  of  the  Holyhill  family,  in  Ireland.  He  has  a 
property  there  of  ^400  a  year  ;  is  marry't  here  to  a  lady  of  good  family,  by  whom  he  will 
get  ,£10,000.  The  late  Mr.  Pope  of  Reay  knew  to  what  family  in  Caithness  they  were 
connected.  He  wants  to  know  his  descent,  when  they  emigrate,  or  when  came  of  the 
Caithness  family."* 

THE   SINCLAIRES   OF   BELFAST. 

This  branch  of  the  family  has  been  located  in  the  town  of  Belfast  since  the  closing 
years  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

I.  William  Sinclaire  was  born  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Newtonards,  County 
Down,  in  1679,  and  became  one  of  the  leading  merchants  in  Belfast.  He  died  in  1759, 
leaving  several  sons  and  daughters. 

II.  Thomas  Sinclaire,  eldest  son  of  the  preceding  (born  1719,  died  1798), 
succeeded  his  father  in  business,  and  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  largest  shippers  to 
America  of  linen  cloth.  He  married,  in  1753,  Esther  Eccles,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Pottinger  of  Belfast  (by  his  wife,  Lady  Grisetta,  daughter  of  the  sixth  Earl  of 
Dundonald),  and  by  her  had  a  large  family. 

III.  Thomas  Sinclaire,  the  eldest  son,  died  without  leaving  male  issue. 

IV.  John  Sinclaire,  the  second  son  (born  in  Belfast,  1764,  died  1857),  married, 
in  1792,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Surgeon  John  Clarke  of  Belfast,  and  had  nine  children, 
of  whom — 

1.  Thomas,  born  in  Belfast.  2.  William,  married  and  had  issue  ;  died  in  New  York. 

3.  John,  unmarried  ;  died  in  early  manhood. 

4.  Richard  Sinclaire,  of  Upper  Falls,  Belfast,  the  youngest  son  of  John  Sinclaire,  is  now 

the  senior  representative  branch   of  the  family  at  present  resident  in   Ireland.     He  was 
born  in  181 1,  and  married  Isabel  McKee,  who  died  in  1881,  by  whom  he  has  issue — 
1.  Margaret,  married  W.  Allardice.  2.  Isabel,  married  Mr.  Neill. 

3.  Richard  Ker,  resident  at  Auckland  City,  New  Zealand ;  born  1857  ;  married  1SS9, 

Ellen  Stevenson.     Issue — 

1.  Isabel.  2.  Violet  Gwendoline.  3.  Richard  Stanley. 

4.  Albert  William.  5.  Ellen. 

4.  George  Hutchinson,  resident  in  Hawke's  Bay,  New  Zealand. 

5.  William  Ritchie.  6.  Henry.  7.  Clara. 

8.  Catherine.  9.  Mabel.  10.  Albert,  deceased. 

V.  Thomas  Sinclaire,  eldest  son  of  John  Sinclaire;  born  in  Belfast,  1796,  died 
i860  ;  married,  in  1830,  Augusta,  daughter  of  Conway  Montgomery,  barrister-at-law. 
Issue — 

1.  Augusta,  2.  Thomas,  3.  Mary,  4.  Conway;  (all  dead.) 

5.  John,  of  whom  as  VI.  6.  Emily,  married  William  Millar,  Merchant,  and  died  s.p. 

*  Henderson.  t  Sinclairs  of  England. 


324  IRISH   SCIONS. 


VI.  John  Sinclaire,  of  Richmond  Road,  Auckland  City,  New  Zealand,  was  born 
at  Cushenhall,  Count}-  Antrim,  Ireland.     He  married  Mary  Carson.     Issue — 

i.  John,  born  1863.  2.  Augusta.  3.  Thomas. 

4.  Emily,  married  in  1896  to  W.  J.  Blair,  of  Karangahake,  New  Zealand. 

5-6.  Twins  :  Henrietta,  dead  ;  Mary,  married  in  1897,  C.  C.  Ferguson,  of  Auckland. 

7.  Conway.  8.  Amy. 

9.  Frederick,  collegiate,  Auckland  College  and  Grammar  School. 
The  Sinclairs  of  Holyhill,  County  Tyrone,  and  this  Belfast  family  have  been 
considered  as  descended  from  two  brothers  who  came  from  Scotland  at  the  time  of  the 
Plantation  of  Ulster  early  in  the  seventeenth  century.  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the 
members  of  this  branch  have,  since  the  earliest  times,  used  a  final  "  e  "  in  spelling  the 
surname — the  family  tombstones  show  it  since  1759. 

THE   SINCLAIRS   OF   BALLYMENA.* 

I.  George  Sinclair,  from  Scotland,  settled  in  County  Armagh,  and  held  until  his 
death  the  agency  for  the  estate  of  Viscount  Gosford.  He  is  described  in  deeds  as 
"  Esquire  and  Gentleman,"  and  his  descendants  account  him  to  be  a  nephew  of  John 
St.  Clair,  the  attainted  Master  of  St.  Clair.  He  died  on  the  10th  October,  1787,  aged 
67  years.     Issue — 

1.  Abraham.  2.  Robert,  died  in  Jamaica,  1st  April,  1784,  aged  32. 

3.  Alexander,  died  10th  April,  1804,  aged  37. 

4.  Archibald  Achison,  died  4th  May,  1843,  aged  69.     Issue — 

1.  George,  died  7th  January,  1811,  aged  27. 

II.  Abraham  Sinclair,  born  in  1749,  predeceased  his  father,  dying  26th  June, 
1787.  He  married  Elisabeth  Johnston  of  White  Hall,  a  connection  of  the  Peels  of 
Cumberland.  She  took  her  children  to  England  for  their  education,  returning  to  Market 
Hill  when  her  son  became  of  age.     She  died  on  the  16th  April,  1824,  aged  68.     Issue — 

1.  James,  died  24th  January,  1779,  aged  16  months. 

2.  George,  died  16th  November,  1825,  aged  44  years. 

3.  Elisabeth,  died  27th  February,  1814,  aged  30  years.  4.  Archibald. 

III.  Archibald  Sinclair,  born  1786  ;  died  28th  January,  1827,  aged  41  ;  married 
Frances,  daughter  of  Compton  of  College  Hall,  County  Armagh,  and  Mary,  his  wife, 
daughter  of  Arthur  Richardson  of  Rich  Hill  Castle,  County  Armagh.  Mrs.  Sinclair 
died  15th  March,  1833,  aged  30.     Issue — 

1.  Abraham,  unmarried.  2.  George,  married. 

3.  Mary  Jane,    married   Dr.    William    Gray   of    Market   Hill,    and   died   in    1843,    aged    24, 

predeceased  by  her  husband  and  son. 

4.  Elisabeth,  died  unmarried  in  1850,  aged  29. 

5.  Anne,  married  Robert  Greene  (+  1852),  and  died  in  1885,  aged  69.     Issue— 

George  Greene,  resident  at  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
Fanny  Harper  Green,  residing  at  Ballymena. 
James  St.  Clair,  son  of  George  Sinclair,  senior,  went  to  America,  and  was  never 
afterwards  heard  of. 

Robert   SinklER,    of  Comber,   County  Down,   was   born   in    1595  ;    married,   arc, 
1619,  Giels  Gordon,  who  died  in  1673,  aged  74  years.     Issue — 
John  Sinkler,  born  1620;  died  1681. 


*  Contributed  in  1891  by  Abraham  Sinclair  to  the  Hon.  C.  H.  St.  Clair,  of  Morgan  City,  La.:  See 
tombstones  in  Mullaback  churchyard. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  BALLYMENA. 


325 


William  Sinclair,  born  in  Drumbloo,  Down,  in  1676,  went  to  New  England  in 
1729,  settled  in  1735  in  Spencer,  Mass.,  U.S.A.,  where  he  died  4th  July,  1753.  His 
wife,  Mary,  died  9th  August,  1765,  aged  79.     Issue — 

1.  Anna,  married  John  Cunningham.  2.  Mary,  married  5th  May,  173S,  Jonas  Mayes. 

3.  Agnes,  married  nth  December,  1746,  William  Breckinridge  of  Palmer,  Mass. 

4.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Dunn  of  Northbridge,  Mass. 

Sir  Edward  Burrowes  Sinclair  (son  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Sinclair,  Vicar  of 
Cashel,  Longford),  born  1824;  married,  1849,  Louisa,  daughter  of  John  Munn,  M.D.  ; 
knighted  16th  December,  1880;  B.A.,  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  1847;  M.A.,  1859; 
M.D.,  1861  ;  King's  Professor  of  Midwifery  in  School  of  Physics,  Trinity  College, 
Dublin;  Physician  to  Sir  P.  Dun's  Hospital  at  Dublin;  and  Secretary  of  the  Vaccine 
Department,  Local  Government  Board,  Ireland. 

Residence — Upper  Sackville-street,  Dublin. 

Mr.  T.  Sinclair  of  Hopefield,  Belfast,  one  of  the  new  Privy  Councillors  for 
Ireland,  is  a  prominent  and  popular  Ulster  Unionist.  He  has  helped  to  organise  a 
number  of  great  meetings  in  the  province  to  protest  against  Home  Rule.  He  is  a 
magistrate  of  Belfast  City,  and  also  of  County  Antrim,  of  which  he  is  a  Deputy- 
Lieutenant.  He  has  more  than  once  refused  to  become  a  candidate  for  Parliament. — 
Graphic,  nth  January,   1896. 


326  THE  ST.  CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

THE    ST.   CLARES    OF    ENGLAND/ 


Saint  Clair  is  the  principal  town  in  the  canton  of  that  name  in  the  arrondissement  of 
St.  L°  in  Normandy.  The  remains  of  the  old  baronial  castle — the  Schloss  Stamm — were 
still  visible  when  M.  de  Gerville  wrote  his  valuable  work  on  the  castles  of  La  Manche.t 
There  are  also  places  named  St.  Clair  in  the  arrondissements  of  Havre  and  Yvetot. 

The  Saga  History  of  the  Scottish  St.  Clairs  commences  with  one  Walderne,  Earl  of 
St.  Clair,  in  France,  whose  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Duke  Richard  of  Normandy.  In 
another  work  it  is  stated  that  Agues,  the  daughter  of  Waldron,  Earl  of  St.  Clare,  was 
married  to  Philip  Bruce,  the  grandson  and  heir  of  William,  Lord  of  Breos,  Normandy, 
and  of  Bramber,  Sussex.;  In  the  roll  of  the  Church  of  Dives,  Richard  de  St.  Clair  is 
mentioned  as  one  of  the  companions  of  the  Conqueror  in  1066,  and  Wace  in  his  "  Roman 
de  Rou  ' '  tells  us  that  ' '  Hue  de  Mortemer  with  three  other  knights,  the  sires  of  Auvilier, 
Onebec,  and  St.  Cler,  charged  a  body  of  the  Angles  who  had  fallen  back  on  a  rising 
ground,  and  overthrew  many."  Richard  appears  in  Domesday  Book  under  Suffolk: 
"  Hertesmara  H.  Wortha.  ten.  &  Richard  de  Sender  de  R."  Richard  de  St.  Clair  holds 
Wortham  from  the  King.  In  Norwich  he  is  entered  as  "  /  house,  Ricard  de  sender"''  and 
again,  "  Et  Richard  de  Seniebor  (potius  Sentder)  1  dom.''  In  Blomfield's  History  of  Norfolk, 
quoting  the  Register  of  the  monks  of  Castleacre,  he  has  it  that  "  Richard  de  Sancto,  or 
St.  Cleer,  gave  the  said  monks  his  right  in  the  church  in  free  alms  for  ever,  for  the 
health  of  his  own  and  his  wife's  soul,  his  heirs'  and  ancestors'  souls,  with  all  the  liberties 
thereto  belonging."  Britel  de  St.  Clair  held  lands  in  the  hundred  of  Bolestane,  Somerset- 
shire, vide  Exon.  Dornesday  Book  :  "  And  from  the  half  hide  which  Britel  de  St.  Clair 
holds  the  king  has  no  tax,"  and  Britel  attests  the  foundation  charter  of  the  priorate  of 
Montacute.  Many  other  lands  are  held  in  the  south-western  counties  by  a  Britel,  but 
without  further  designation. 

After  the  conquest  the  notices  of  the  St.  Clairs  in  England  are  numerous,  while 
those  in  Normandy  receive  but  scant  attention  in  historic  pages.  When  King  Stephen 
granted  a  charter  of  the  Earldom  of  Essex  to  Geoffrey  Mandeville  it  was  witnessed  by  a 
William  de  St.  Clare  (1135).  There  is  preserved  in  the  public  record  office,  Fetter  Lane, 
London,  a  beautiful  transcript  from  Basse- Normandie  and  Gascony  rolls,  of  the  charter 
given  by  William  de  St.  Clair  to  Savigny  Abbey.  "  Charte  de  Mathilde  de  Glocester  et 
Guille.  de  St.  Clair.  No.  18.  Mathilde  comtesse  de  Glocester  et  Guille.  de  St.  Clair 
donnent  a  l'abbaye  de  Savigny  toute  leur  terre  de  Villers  et  de  Than  title  qu'ils  la 
tenoient  du  terns  de  Henri  Ier.  roi  d'Angleterre.  Cette  charte  t'tait  scellie  en  cire  janue 
et  en  double  queue,  mais  il  ne  reste  plus  que  le  sceau  de  Guilli.  de  St.  Clair."  His  seal 
alone  survives.  It  is  as  large  as  a  penn}\  Round  the  edge,  in  quaint  and  somewhat 
irregular  capitals,  runs  "  SIGILLVM   WLELMO  DE  SCO   CLARO,"  the   beginning 


The  Sinclairs  of  England.  f  Planche.  %  Collins'  Peerage. 


THE  CASTELLANS  OF  COLCHESTER.  327 


and  end  of  the  inscription  separated  by  a  cross  for  a  full  stop.  The  centre  is  occupied  by 
a  crusader  on  an  armoured  horse,  the  warrior  armed  cap-a-pie,  with  spear,  from  which 
depends  a  pennon  "en  treble  t/uei/e,"  with  sword  to  his  side  and  an  oval  shield,  having  a 
central  device  on  his  left  shoulder.  The  peculiar  saddling,  the  size  of  the  stirrups  and 
spurs,  and  the  long,  thin,  loose  look  of  the  knight's  boots  towards  toes  and  heels  are 
characteristic  of  the  time.  Over  the  horse's  head  and  neck  are  ribbed  plates  of  shining 
steel.  In  1 139  the  priory  of  Villers-Fossard  was  founded  by  a  person  of  the  same  name.* 
In  the  Magnum  Rotulum  Scaccarii  of  1131  or  1140,  under  "Nova  Placentia  et  Novae 
Conventiones  Dorseta,"  this  occurs:  "In  pdon.  br.  Willo  de  Sco.  Claro, "  twice,  as 
paying  taxes  in  that  county.  In  de  Joinville's  Memoirs  of  the  Eighth  Crusade,  by 
Louis  IX.  of  France  (St.  Louis),  in  the  list  of  knights  of  the  King's  Household  who 
accompanied  Louis  to  Tunis  is  Messire  Amori  de  St.  Cler,  a.d.  1245-50. 

The  Norman  castle  of  St.  Clair  was  taken  by  Henry  I.  in  ni6.f  In  1414,  during  the 
regency  war  between  the  Dukes  of  Orleans  and  Burgundy,  it  is  mentioned  that  the  king, 
Charles  the  Sixth,  warred  against  the  latter,  and  so  serious  was  the  war  expected  to  be 
that  he  went  first  to  the  monastery  of  St.  Denis  to  take  with  all  ceremonies  the  oriflamme, 
the  standard  raised  when  France  was  in  danger,  to  lead  his  army.  To  "Messire  de 
Bruneau  de  Saint  Clair  "  and  to  the  "  Sire  d'Aumont  "  it  was  given  for  defence,  as  the 
bravest  men  of  all  the  French.  In  that  time  of  faction  Bruneau  was  made  provost  of 
Paris.  The  castle  was  occupied  by  the  English  in  141 7,  when  Henry  V.  invaded  France. 
It  had  been  burnt  by  William  Mandeville,  Earl  of  Essex,  in  Henry  the  Second's  reign, 
of  which  king  it  was  a  favourite  residence,  who  planted  trees  there  with  his  own  hands. 

Robert  de  Saintclair  in  Normandy  married,  arc.  1260,  Eleanor,  daughter  of  Robert, 
second  Earl  of  Dreux  (by  Jolande  de  Coucy),  and  relict  of  Hugh,  Lord  of  Chateaunef. I 
This  Robert  is  assumed  to  be  the  ancestor  of  the  House  of  Roslin.  A  John  de  St.  Clair, 
Knight-bachelor  of  France,  appears  in  historic  lists  of  Crusaders.  An  account  of  the 
French  family  of  Sinclaire  will  be  found  in  Lehr's  "  L'Alsace  noble." 

There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  Norman  origin  of  all  the  British  St.  Clairs,  who  first 
appear  as  companions  of  the  Conqueror,  and  soon  afterwards  are  scattered  throughout 
various  English  counties.  One  of  the  gens  built  the  Castle  of  St.  Clare  in  Wales  anterior 
to  1 189.  In  records  the  Welsh  town  and  its  pertinents  occur  as  the  "  Barony  of  St. 
Clare.  There  was  of  old  a  chapel  of  St.  Clare  at  Rye,  in  Kent.  In  the  following  notices 
of  the  English  St.  Clairs  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  group  together  those  that  are 
apparently  connected  with  each  other. 

THE  CASTELLANS  OF  COLCHESTER. 

Eudo  Fitz  Hubert,  Dapifer,  erected  the  Castle  of  Colchester,  and  founded  Colchester 
Abbey,  which  he  endowed  with  numerous  manorial  and  other  lands.  An  unknown 
herald,  circiter  1640,  gives  illustration  of  his  lineage  in  the  Harleian  MSS.,  No.  154,  in 
British  Museum,  which  begins  the  pedigree  with  Hubert  de  Sancto  Claro,  and  displays 
arms  on  a  shield  with  a  thick  upright  cross  of  gold  dividing  the  quarters,  three  of  which 
are  gules  or  red . 

A  Hamon  de  St.  Clare  attests  King  Stephen's  second  charter  to  the  English  in 
1 136.       The  town  of  Colchester  was  held  in    fee-farm  by  Hamo  during  the  reigns  of 


Planche.  f  Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  J  Genealogie.  \  Thierry's  Nor.  Conquest,  page  367. 


328  THE  ST.   CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 


King  Stephen  and  Henry  II.  His  running  accounts  with  the  treasury  were  of  this 
nature:  "  Hamo  de  St.  Clair  renders  an  account  of  the  fee-farm  of  the  town  of 
Colchester ;  in  the  treasury,  ,£38  16s.  jd.  ;  and  he  owes  ^23  os.  iod.  There  are 
frequent  entries  of  such  kind  as  this,  "  Et  idem  Hamo  de  Sco  Claro,  r.  c.  de  xx.  1.  de 
auxilio  Civitatis  Colecestrise.  In  thesauro  xiij  1.  ij  s.  and  iiij  d."  And  the  same  Hamo 
de  St.  Clair  concerning  the  aid  from  the  town  of  Colchester  :  In  the  treasury  ^13  2s.  4d. 
The  Ruber  Liber  Scaccarii  has  Hamo  de  Sco.  Claro  as  one  of  its  familiar  names.  There 
are  several  entries  relating  to  him  in  the  Roll  of  the  Pipe,  1131.  Another  entry  runs 
thus  :  "  Muriel,  the  daughter  of  Ralph  of  Sainineio,  renders  an  account  of  ,£iS  6s.  8d. 
that  she  has  to  pay  for  land  free  from  all  claim  from  Hamo  de  St.  Clair.  In  the  treasury 
ten  marks  silver  ;  and  she  owes  ^11  13s.  4d."  Hamo  de  Sco.  Claro  gifted  Stokes  Manor 
to  the  church  of  St.  John  of  Colchester,  founded  1 097-1 104  by  Eudo  Dapifer.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Hubert  de  St.  Clere,  the  hero  of  Bridgenorth,  who  was  also  a  benefactor  to 
St.  John's,  to  which  he  gave  Greenstead  Manor  and  Lexden  Mill.  A  William  de  Sancto 
Claro  was  also  a  donor  to  that  church.  The  Harleian  collection  in  Bloomsbury  preserves 
a  charter  of  Hubert's.  "  Carta  Huberti  de  Sco.  Claro  ecclesiae  S.  Trinitatis  de  Norwicse 
de  ecclesiae  de  Chaucra  et  in  eodem  manerio  terr.  et  ami.  redd."  ' '  Charter  of  Hubert  de 
St.  Clair  to  the  church  of  Holy  Trinity  of  Norwich,  about  the  church  of  Chalke,  and 
land,  and  an  annual  return  in  the  same  manor."  Hubert  fell  at  Bridgenorth  in  1165, 
having  heroically  sacrificed  his  life  for  his  sovereign,  Henry  II.,  by  receiving  an  arrow 
intended  for  him.  When  dying  he  commended  his  daughter  to  the  care  of  Henry,  who 
married  her  to  William  de  Longueville. 

THE   AESLINGHAM   GROUP. 

When  Thomas  a  Beckett  fled  to  France  in  1163,  he  began  to  excommunicate  all 
those  who  had  thwarted  his  plans.  First  to  fall  under  his  fulminations  were  John  of 
Oxford,  Richard  of  Ilchester,  Jocelin  of  Baliol,  Ranulph  of  Broc,  Thomas  Fitz  Bernard, 
and  Hugo  de  Sancto  Claro.  He  gives  particulars  as  to  the  crimes  of  the  last  two. 
"  Excommunicavimus  etiam  Hugonem  de  Sancto  Claro  et  Thomam  filium  Bernardi, 
qui  ejusdem  ecclesiae  Cantuarise  bona  et  possessiones  absque  couniventia  nostra 
occupaverunt. "  "We  have  also  excommunicated  Hugh  de  St.  Clair  and  Thomas 
Fitz  Bernard,  who  have  taken  possession  of  the  goods  and  properties  of  the  same 
church  of  Canterbury  without  our  permission."  Hugh  and  his  fellow-excommunicates 
had  been  guilty  of  taking  lands  which  the  Archbishop  had  probably  gripped  from  them. 
In  the  Red  Book  of  the  Treasury  of  Henry  II.,  with  reference  to  Normandy,  there  is 
noted  under  this  heading — "  Hi  sunt  qui  nee  venerunt  nee  miserunt  nee  aliquid 
discerunt. "  These  are  they  who  neither  came  nor  sent  nor  said  anything — Hugo  de 
Sancto  Claro,  who  is  specially  mentioned  as  holding  lands  in  Algia  or  Auge  or  Ou.  In 
the  Report  of  the  Historical  MSS.  Commission  he  appears  in  Normandy  as  witness — 
"  Hugo  de  Sancto  Claro  " — together  with  the  chief  men  in  Henry  the  Second's  Court, 
to  the  endowment  of  a  religious  house  there  by  a  Norman  noble.  In  the  Tex/us  Rossensis 
there  is  a  double  entry  of  a  charter  to  the  Lord  of  Aeslingham,  as  it  calls  Hugo.  The 
Bishop  of  Rochester  grants  a  free  chapel  to  Hugo  within  his  manor  of  ^Eslingham  as 
recompense  for  the  many  benefits  by  him  and  members  of  his  family  to  St.  Andrew's, 
Rochester.  To  this  valuable  charter  the  signatures  are  :  Hugo  de  Sancto  Claro  (himself), 
Philip  Gruer  de  Sancto  Claro,  Robert  de  Clo villa,  William  Richard  de  Clovilla,  another 


THE  AESLINGHAM  GROUP.  329 

Hugo  de  Sancto  Claro,  Robert  de  Sancto  Claro,  Roger  de  Sancto  Claro,  and  some  others. 
Roger  is  mentioned  as  his  brother.  Hugo  is  given  by  Ralph  of  Ingulstadt  as  one  of  the 
signatories  to  King  Stephen's  charter  in  1136,  but  Hamo — as  others  have  it — is  more 
likely  to  be  correct,  the  date  being  early  for  Hugh.  (The  Hugh  and  Philip  Gruer 
above  were  monks  of  Rochester.) 

In  the  time  of  Henry  II.  Robert  de  Sancto  Claro  held  two  knights'  fees  from  Walter 
de  Meduana  (Medway),  and  John  St.  Clair  another  two,  while  William  de  Clovilla  held 
three  and  Ralph  of  Cloville  half  a  fee.  Hugh  seems  to  have  left  descendants  in  Essex, 
where,  in  1196,  a  William  de  St.  Clair  pays  of  the  second  shield-money  for  Richard  I., 
and  in  1202  pays  30s.  of  third  scutage.  The  manor  of  St.  Clere  in  Danbury  was  owned  by 
the  gens.  Following  William  is  one  John,  as  Palgrave's  Rolls  from  the  King's  Court  show, 
as  holding  a  fee  from  William  Munchesni  in  Kent,  while  Dunleia  in  the  county  was  also 
his,  as  is  proved  by  the  Rotuli  Chariarum,  9  and  10  John  (1208-9).  There  is  among  these 
rolls  a  charter  of  confirmation  to  Henry  of  Cobham  of  a  whole  tenement  at  Dunleia  in 
gift  and  grant  from  John  St.  Clair.  Sylvester  St.  Clair  appears  as  the  brother  of  John 
in  signing  a  document  of  the  Tex/us  Rossensis,  but  of  his  lands  or  doings  nothing  more 
has  been  found.  A  Robert  signs  an  undated  charter  of  Henry  of  Cobham  to  Rochester 
Church,  and  later,  on  to  a  charter  of  lands  given  to  a  Cobham  in  30  Henry  III.  (1246), 
Dominus  William  de  Sender  is  a  signatory.  William  de  St.  Clare  was  governor  of 
Rochester  Castle,  and  successfully  defended  it  against  Simon  de  Montfort  till  relieved  by 
the  arrival  of  King  Henry  [1264].  He  died  the  same  year.  In  the  official  guide  the 
following  is  to  be  found  :  "  Henry  the  Third  entrusted  William  St.  Clare  with  the 
custody  of  this  castle,  whose  ancient  seat  was  at  Woodlands  in  Kingsdown  parish,  in 
this  county."  His  son  was  (semble)  the  William  de  Sancto  Claro  indicted  at  Chelmsford 
in  1255  for  having  knight's  fees  and  not  being  knighted.  For  siding  with  de  Montfort 
he  lost  his  lands,  as  appears  from  the  Curia  Scaccarii  of  51  Henry  III.,  1267,  two  years 
after  the  battle  of  Evesham.  "  Willielmus  de  Sancto  Claro  :  Extenta  terrarum  suarum 
quas  occasione  transgressionum,  sibi  impositarum  rex  dederat  Baldewino  de  Akeny." — 
"William  de  St.  Clare:  The  extent  of  his  lands  which  by  reason  of  transgressions 
charged  against  him  the  king  had  given  to  Baldwin  of  Hackney."  The  Great  Rolls 
of  Henry  III.  give  further  information.  The  sheriffs  took  possession  of  his  lands  in 
East  Tilbury  soon  after  the  battle  of  Evesham  at  the  instance  of  the  Earl  of  Gloucester, 
but  he  made  a  settlement  with  the  Earl,  by  which  he  retained  his  lands.  This  is 
confirmed  by  the  Patent  Rolls  in  the  Tower  of  London,  1267:  "The  King  has 
restored  to  Wm.  de  St.  Clare  all  his  inheritance."  He  died  the  same  year,  and  the 
Calendar  of  Inquisitions  after  Death  gives  the  list  of  his  inheritance  under  the  heads  of 
Estilberry,  Danigsbury,  and  the  lands  and  liberties  of  the  castle  of  Rochester.  He  was 
succeeded  by  another  William,  who  is  enumerated  in  the  Quo  Warranto  of  2  Ed.  I.,  1274. 
as  holding  from  William  Mountchesney  in  the  hundred  of  Shamele,  Kent,  half  a  knight's 
fee  in  Merston  and  another  half  in  Higham.  In  1266  he  had  acquired  from  Cicely 
St.  Clair,  wife  of  Ralph  of  Osyth,  Chichridell  and  other  manors  near  St.  Osyth,  Essex, 
and  also  some  property  of  hers  at  East  Tilberry.  In  1279  he  was  sheriff  of  Essex  and 
Hereford.  He  died,  n  Ed.  I.,  1283,  possessed  of  Danehoberry  Park  alone,  in  Essex. 
He  had  married,  in  1270,  Felicia,  daughter  and  one  of  the  co-heiresses  of  Nicolas  le 
Boteler,  with  whom  he  got  many  lands.  North  Walsham  he  got  as  himself  heir  to  the 
half  of  Sir  Richard   Butler's  lands  there  (Blomfield's  History  of  Norfolk),  and  in   1273 


33Q  THE  ST.  CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 


conveyed  it  by  fine  to  William  the  younger  of  Heveuingham,  "  to  be  held  of  him  and  his 
heirs  by  the  service  of  a  sparrowhawk."  He  is  twice  referred  to  in  the  Inq.  ad  q.  d.,  of 
1 8  Ed.  I.,  1290  :  "Johannes  filius  Simonis  executor  testamenti  Willielmi  de  Sancto  Claro 
pro  capella  de  Danigbury,"  and  again,  "  Willielmus  de  Sancto  Claro  pro  cantaria  facieuda 
Danigsberry  terr.  Essex. ' ' 

William  de  St.  Clare  was  apparently  succeeded  by  Robert  de  S.  Claro  or  St.  Clere. 
He  appears  in  the  Placita  de  Quo  Warranto  of  21  Edward  I.  (1293),  com  "  Kane  "  as 
Robert  de  Sancto  Claro,  miles  ;  and,  again,  as  Sir  Robert  de  Seynt  Cler  he  is  engaged  in 
connection  with  an  enquiry  on  the  manor  of  East  Chalk,  Kent.  Morant  has  it  that 
in  1301  he  possessed  the  manor  of  St.  Clere's  in  East  Tilberry.  To  him  also  came  the 
manor  of  St.  Clere's,  Danbury.  Both  Robert  de  Seincler  and  Nicholas  St.  Clair  of  Ore 
appear  in  support  of  Ralph  Fitz  Bernard's  title  to  Kingsdene,  Otterdene.  The  latest 
notice  of  Robert  St.  Clare  has  to  do  with  Essex  in  3  Ed.  II.,  1310,  when  the  Abbot  of 
St.  Ann's,  Colchester,  has  to  get  the  concurrence  of  the  whole  convent  before  some  land 
transaction  can  be  completed.  There  was  a  St.  Clere's  manor  near  Colchester  in  his 
possession.  Of  Nicolas  some  further  reliable  items  have  survived.  Hasted  states  that 
in  1279  William  de  St.  Clare  held  Great  and  Little  Okeley,  and  that  soon  after  these 
estates  were  possessed  by  different  branches  of  this  family.  Great  Okeley,  he  says, 
descended  to  Nicolas,  and  after  some  little  time  Little  Okeley  also  became  his.  In  1347 
Little  Okeley  was  possessed  by  John  St.  Clare,  who  paid  aid  for  making  the  Black  Prince 
a  knight  in  that  year.  In  Magna  Britannia  (by  the  Rev.  Thos.  Cox,  the  antiquary)  it  is 
stated  that  this  John  held  them  united,  and  that  he  also  held  Merston  manor,  and  a 
quarter  of  a  knight's  fee  in  the  same  district  as  from  Swanscombe  Castle  of  the  Mont- 
chesnies.  They  had  other  properties  like  Oare  in  Kent ;  but  John  came  also  into 
possession  of  the  Essex  properties,  being  holder  of  them  in  1334.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Sir  Anthony  Colepepper  of  Bedgeberry,  and  died  s.p.  There  is  a  John 
St.  Clare  of  Hardaness,  Kent,  mentioned  frequently  in  the  Report  of  the  Hist.  MSS. 
Commission  especially  in  connection  with  the  endowment  of  a  chapel  of  St.  Clare  on  the 
Hardaness  property,  and  also  a  William,  of  whom  only  one  scanty  note  survives  in  the 
Bodleian  Library,  Oxford,  among  the  codices  manusci -ipti  of  Roger  Dodsworth,  vol.  xxx. : 
"Carta  inter  Will  de  Sancta  Clara  &  Jo  Sutton  militem  de  jure  advoc  Ecclesise  de 
Tendring  facta  apud  Colcestr." — 2  Ed.  III.  (1329).  William  and  John  must  be  of  near 
kin  to  the  John  of  1334.  Passing  from  him  to  a  namesake,  John  de  St.  Clare  is  found 
coroner  of  Kent  ante  1272.  He  is  in  succession  to  Thomas  of  Aeslingham  manor.  In 
the  Textus  Rossensis  there  is  a  charter  of  the  prior  and  convent  of  Rochester,  to  which 
Thomas  de  St.  Clare  is  a  witness.  Nicholas  of  Ore,  the  brother  of  Sir  Robert  of 
Estilberry  and  Merston  (contiguous  to  Aeslingham)  also  signed  this  document.  To  the 
chapel  for  which  Hugo  got  the  notification  and  grants  of  privilege  from  the  Bishop  of 
Rochester,  Hugo  left  a  charter,  which  is  confirmed  by  Thomas  in  1289.  The  church  of 
Frindsbury  or  Aeslingham  must  have  been  this  same  chapel.  He  granted  Nelefield, 
Kent,  to  it.  Hasted  has  it  that  John,  the  second  Bishop  of  Rochester,  dedicated 
St.  Peter's  Church,  Aeslingham,  as  part  of  other  favours,  to  Hugo  St.  Clare,  who  paid 
liberally  in  return.  Bom  in  us  John  de  Seint  Cler,  Corona  tor,  is  frequently  noticed  in  the 
Quo  Warranto  Rolls  and  Hundred  Rolls.  In  25  Ed.  I.,  1297,  he  appears  as  Magister 
Johannes  de  Sancto  Claro,  and  signs  Letters  of  Protection  of  the  Clergy  with  the  King 
at  Langley.     On    nth  October,   2  Ed.  I.,  the  King  challenged  the  coroner  of  Kent — 


THE  AESLINGHAM  GROUP.  331 


Dominus  Johannes  de  SanctoClaro.  He  married  Nicolaia,  daughter  of  Uominus  William 
de  Camville  of  Clifton.  He  appears  as  one  of  the  signatories  to  the  returns  from  the 
Bishop  of  Rochester's  feu  at  Dartford. 

His  nearest  successor  is  difficult  to  discover,  but  next  to  him  was  Thos.  de  St.  Clair, 
noticed  as  holding  the  Essex  properties  in  1384,  of  whom  there  is  an  earlier  notice  as 
acquiring  the  manor  of  Frothewick  with  the  pertinents  in  Chicheridell,  St.  Osyth, 
Crustwich,  Chiche,  Comitis,  and  Chichesrethwick  in  1364.  Some  account  of  the  younger 
descendants  of  the  Coroner  may  be  given  before  returning  to  his  direct  line.  In  the 
Easter  Issue  Rolls  of  30th  June,  1450,  it  is  noted  that  disbursements  were  made  to  Alex. 
Eden,  sheriff  of  Kent,  and  others,  by  inter  alia  John  Seyncler,  and  on  8th  June,  1456, 
there  is,  in  the  acts  of  the  Privy  Council,  note  of  a  letter  from  King  Henry  the  Sixth  him- 
self to  "John  Saintcler,  squier, "  and  other  knights  and  squires  of  Kent  calling  on  them 
to  meet  at  Maidstone  and  see  that  the  King's  justice  be  done  in  reckoning  with 
rebels.  In  the  digested  report  of  the  recent  Historical  Commission  the  list  of  pardoned 
re  this  same  John  Mortimer,  or  John  Cade,  begins  with  John  Sender,  lord  of  Feversham, 
Kent.  Another  of  the  name  occupied  a  lower  position.  "Hie  jacet  Rogerus  Sentcler 
quondam  serviens  Abbati  et  Conventui  de  Lesnes  qui  obiit  primo  die  mensis  Januarii, 
1425,  Cujus  anime  .  .  ."  and  the  Issue  Rolls  of  the  Privy  Purse  tell  of  a  court  doctor, 
Rauffe  Sentcler,  and  give  the  interesting  information  that  the  royal  medical  fee  was  then 
(Henry  VII. 's  reign),  at  the  palace  of  Sheen,  the  sum  of  £\. 

Hasted  in  his  History  of  Kent,  under  "  Woodland,"  has  most  difficult  account  of  no 
fewer  than  four  of  the  surname  holding  it,  the  last  of  whom  was  Thomas,  whose 
descendants  passed  it  away  at  the  end  of  Henry  the  Seventh's  reign.  In  9  Ed.  III. 
(!336),  John,  son  to  John  St.  Clere,  enjoyed  Woodland,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  Thomas, 
who  died  4  Henry  IV,  1403.  The  wife  of  a  Philip  St.  Clare,  Margaret,  is  also  recorded 
as  its  holder,  1  Henry  IV.  (1423).  In  the  Calendar  of  Inq.  after  Death,  1476,  there  is  : 
"  Thomas  Seinclere,  armiger,  15  Ed.  IV.;  null  tenuit  terr'  neque  ten'  in  comitat'  Essex." 
A  Robert  de  St.  Clair  had  properties  near  Dover,  and  especially  the  manor  of  Hastingleigh 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ashford.  In  1331  he  was  married  to  a  Joan,  and  he  had  four 
sons,  Robert,  William,  Richard,  and  Thomas.  Jeake's  Charters,  page  49,  show  that  a 
Guy  St.  Clere  held  the  then  perhaps  most  coveted  position  in  the  kingdom,  Constable  of 
Dover  Castle,  and  Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports.  He  held  them  separately  and  together, 
and  may  have  been  of  this  Hastingleigh  family. 

At  the  funeral  ceremonies  of  King  Edward  the  Fourth  in  1483,  first  at  Westminster 
Abbey,  and  then  at  Windsor,  Sir  Thomas  St.  Claire  took  a  leading  position. 

To  the  Essex  properties  John  Seyntclere  added  the  manor  of  Coldhall,  Great 
Bromley,  in  the  Tendring  hundred.  Till  his  death  on  the  26th  August,  1493,  he  resided 
at  Hedingham  Castle,  and  the  chief  possessions  were  its  pertinents,  with  Chichridill, 
St.  Cleres,  Frodewick,  Fenhouse,  Danbury,  and  Cold-Hall.  To  him  succeeded  his  son, 
noted  in  1512  as  "John  Seyntclere  of  St.  Osith's,  alias  Chicheridill,  sheriff  of  Essex  and 
Hertford."  In  1 513  he  had  by  king's  appointment  the  same  sheriffship,  which  he  demitted 
on  23rd  January,  15 15.  He  was  a  Commissioner  of  Peace  for  Essex,  and  in  Brewer's 
Letters  and  Papers  of  the  Reign  of  Henry  the  Eighth  he  appears  knight  of  the  body  in 
the  royal  household  as  early  as  15 16.  In  1523  and  1524  he  is  a  subsidy  commissioner  in 
Essex,  and  in  1525-26  and  30  has  fresh  grants  of  commission  of  the  peace  in  that  county. 
About  these  years  he  had  returns  from  his  lands  of  Newington  in  Kent.     In  the  Harleian 


332  THE  ST.  CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 

charters  of  the  British  Museum  is  preserved  an  "Indenture  between  Sir  John  Seyntcler, 
knt.,  and  George  Harper  and  Thomas  Colepepper,  son  and  heir  to  Sir  Alexander 
Colepepper,  declaring  void  a  bond  for  200  marks  "  :  Cum.  S/g.,  34  Hen.  VIII.  He  took 
part  in  the  suppression  of  the  monasteries  (see  his  letter  to  the  lord  privy  seal  re  an 
interview  with  the  Abbot  of  Colchester),  and  was  one  of  the  commission  of  enquiry  into 
the  nunnery  of  Polesworth.  From  being  knight  of  the  household  he  became  master  or 
controller,  and  died  on  the  25th  November,  1546.  His  son  John  succeeded  him,  and  in 
1554  he  passed  St.  Clere's  Hall  to  Thos.,  Lord  Danbury,  by  fine.  Of  John  Seynt  Clere, 
last  of  Danbury,  there  is  no  further  account.  Almost  contemporary  with  him,  however, 
was  a  John  Sender,  vice-chamberlain  and  appreciator-general  to  Cardinal  Wolsey.  On 
28th  May,  1544,  John  Seint  Clere,  esquire,  took  an  inventory  of  the  first  Duke  of 
Norfolk's  valuables  in  the  castle  of  Framyngham  in  Suffolk.  In  sequence  to  this 
valuation,  the  next  Duke  (better  known  as  the  Earl  of  Surrey)  wrote  on  12th  July,  1526, 
"My  sister  will  deliver  the  goods  .  .  .  the  coming  of  Master  Synclere  shall  be 
nothing  displeasant  to  her."  The  Dean  of  Ipswich  College,  writing  to  the  Cardinal  in 
1528,  acknowledges  receipt  of  nine  bukks,  "  oon  from  Mr.  Sentclere,  your  grace's 
servaunt."  On  the  1st  November,  1529,  Ralph  Sadler,  the  Scottish  ambassador,  notes 
that  "  divers  of  my  lord's  servants,  Mr.  Sayntclere,  etc.,  are  sworn  the  king's  servants." 
But  after  Wolsey's  fall  Sayntclere  remained  friendly,  and  they  had  business  together 
about  ships  on  the  Thames,  Sayntclere  then  living  twelve  miles  from  Oxford,  the  date  of 
the  commission  being  April,  1530.  There  may  have  been  a  permanent  Oxford  family  of 
the  name,  for  in  the  list  of  the  gentry  of  Oxfordshire  drawn  up  by  Henry  the  Sixth's 
commissioners  in  1433  a  Johannis  Chantclere  occurs.  As  early  as  the  fifth  year  of  this 
reign,  1514,  there  is  notice  of  a  John  Seinteler,  armiger,  of  Kebworth,  who  bore  arms, 
"The  sun  in  its  glory,  or  "  ;  and  the  visitation  of  1574  found  the  St.  Clare  arms  in 
Stafford  manor-house,  Cornbury  Park. 

In  July,  1524,  the  vice-chamberlain  got  a  lease  of  the  manor  of  Lammerslie  in  Essex, 
and  was  in  1525  granted  the  keepership  of  Tytemanger,  Hertfordshire,  with  so  much 
per  diem.  On  1st  June,  152S,  Wolsey  gave  John  Sender  the  office  of  keeper  of  the  woods 
of  Brnmeham,  and  a  dozen  places  besides  belonging  to  the  monastery  of  St.  Alban's. 
For  this  he  had  a  salary. 

Capitaine  John  Seinctclier  was  in  command  of  "  The  Jhesus  of  Lubick, "  600  tons 
burden,  and  carrying  300  men.  She  was  the  second  ship  in  the  vanward  of  the  three 
divisions  of  the  English  fleet  which  had  orders  to  sail  in  search  of  the  French,  10th 
August,  1545. 

In  leaden  coffins  in  the  chapel  at  Danbury,  five  miles  from  Chelmsford,  were  buried 
several  knightly  St.  Clares  who  had  followed  the  standard  of  the  cross  in  crusades  to  the 
Holy  Land.  "  The  hill  of  Danbury,  Essex,  by  the  Thames,  beneath  London,  is  a  land- 
mark and  a  tower  to  this  lineage,  as  it  had  been  for  ages  to  the  world's  greatest  city,  and 
its  chapel  will  always  stand  fixed  to  memory  as  something  notable  that  has  been. 
Another  says  of  them  :  "  All  that  was  highest  in  marriage,  lands,  or  office,  they  had  in 
England  for  nearly  a  century  after  the  Conquest,  and  the  glow  of  their  fame,  and  their 
physical  and  intellectual  powers  kept  them  high  for  centuries  afterwards  in  a  way  rare  to 
any  one  particular  lineage." 


THE  BRADFIELD  ST.  CLARES.  333 


THE    BRADFIELD   ST.  CLARES. 

The  lands  of  Marlingford,  Norfolk,  are  mentioned  in  the  Great  Roll  of  the  Pipe, 
1189-90,  as  being  in  possession  of  Richard  de  Saneto  Claro.  In  1196  they  are  sold  by 
Gerebert  de  Sco  Claro.  The  latter  appears  frequently  in  Palgrave's  Ancient  Calendars 
and  Inventories,  1195-99,  ms  name  being  spelt  with  considerable  variation.  He  was 
attorney  for  one  Adam  of  Hilleg,  sheriff  of  Norfolk,  whom  he  afterwards  succeeded  in 
that  office.  " Gilebt.  de  Sco.  Claro,  Vic.  de  Norf.  &  Suff."  is  one  of  150  witnesses,  1217. 
In  the  reign  of  Henry  II.,  ante  1180,  Gibert  de  Saneto  Claro  holds  one  miles,  or  knight's 
fee  from  the  abbey  of  St.  Edmondsbury.  In  a  letter  to  the  sheriff  of  Essex  from  Henry 
III.,  1217,  is  noted  "  Eod.  mo.  scribitur  Vic.  Essex,  p.  Jam.  de  Seiucler,"  and  the  same 
year,  "  Eodem  mo.  scribitur  Vic.  Suff.  p.  Rob.  de  Seinclow."  In  1218  Gerebert  gave 
lands  in  Stone  and  Bishopstone,  Bucks,  to  a  Hugo  de  Seincler,  and  in  1227  gave  large 
additions  there.  John  de  Saneto  Claro  succeeded  Hugh  as  heir  in  1237.  There  are 
numerous  transactions  of  Gereberd's  with  Jews  about  monies,  and  it  would  appear  that 
he  died  about  1251.  In  a  record  of  36  Hen.  III.  (1252)  is  an  entry,  De  servitiis  regi  debi/is: 
Gereberdus  alias  Gerebaldus  de  Seint  Cler  et  Johannes  de  Seint  Cler  defunct i :  by  which  it 
appears  that  Gereberd  and  his  successor  John  were  both  dead  at  this  date,  and  their 
properties  awaiting  possession  by  the  new  heir.  They  must  have  died  within  a 
year  of  each  other  :  from  the  Cal.  of  Inq.  after  death  of  36  Hen.  HI.,  number  22  deals 
with  Gerebert  as  quondam  proprietor  of  Topesfield  of  the  honour  of  Bolonia  in  Essex  ; 
and  number  48  of  36  Hen.  III.,  John  de  Saneto  Clauro  for  the  same  place.  In  37 
Hen.  III.,  John  is  again  mentioned  as  formerly  of  "  Bradfeud  maner,  Suffolc. " 

In  the  Patent  Rolls  of  the  Tower  of  London,  40  Hen.  III.,  John  is  mentioned  as 
•'  nuper  de  functus"  in  connection  with  80  acres  and  one  messuagium  which  he  held  for  the 
third  part  of  a  knight's  fee,  and  also  occurs  "  Idem  tenuit  duo  feod'  mil'  in  Bradfield  et 
Watlesfield  de  Abbate  Sancti  Eddi."  (Edmondsbury),  in  which  was  formerly  Alesia, 
Countess  Warrenne.  In  the  Testa  de  Nevill,  the  book  of  the  fees  in  the  court  of  the 
treasury,  he  appears  under  "  Norfolk  "  as  holding  half  a  fee  of  Elvedon  from  the  feoda  of 
the  Count  Warrenne. 

On  the  death  of  John  in  1252  the  family  branched  into  two,  in  the  persons  of  John, 
his  successor,  and  Robert.  This  second  John  had  Bradfield  St.  Clare  as  the  head  of  his 
barony,  and  of  him  considerable  account  has  survived.  He  "kept  court  "  at  Bradfield 
from  41  Hen.  III.  On  his  father's  death  a  mandate  was  sent  with  regard  to  the  Essex 
lands.  "The  king  commanded  the  abbott  of  [Pershore]  Gloucester  that  without  delay  he 
must  take  into  the  hand  of  the  king  the  manor  of  Topefield,  which  was  that  of  John  de 
St.  Claro,  who  held  in  capite  from  the  king  the  honour  of  Boulogne,  and  that  he  keep  that 
safely  till  the  king  has  given  further  order  :  With  the  king  witness,  at  Woodstock,  16th 
August  [1252]."  The  Inq.  p.m.  being  held  shortly  thereafter,  this  is  the  result  in 
Essex,  where  Topefield  was  the  head  property  :  "  Johannes  filius  Johannis  de  Saneto  Claro 
propinquior  haeres  ejus  est  et  est  de  aetate  novendecem  annorum."  The  following  year, 
by  an  exactly  similar  process,  he  was  declared  heir  to  the  Suffolk  lands.  In  the  State 
Rolls  of  51  Henry  III.,  1257,  there  is  a  presentation  by  Richard  de  Bosco  against  John 
de  Sender,  Robert  de  Mundeville,  mi/iies,  Edmund  de  Seincler,  Peter  de  Sender,  parson 
of  Weathersfield,  summetar  John  de  Sender,  and  others,  sent  by  Robert  Euel,  or  Howel 
(the  head  of  the  Montfort  malcontents  in  the  Isle  of  Ely),  who  had  come  with  horses  and 


334  THE  ST.  CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 

arms  to  his  house  in  Walberwickam  and  removed  cups,  dresses,  gold  rings,  weapons  of 
war,  and  other  valuables.  Morant  says  John  occurs  in  52  Hen.  III.  (1268)  as  a  lord,  his 
possessions  compelling  him  to  the  full  duties  of  a  baron  of  the  kingdom.  The  Rotuli 
Hundredorum  was  drawn  up  by  commission  subscribed  under  the  Great  Seal,  nth 
October,  2  Ed.  I.  (1283).  There  were  ten  men  appointed  for  the  St.  Edmondsbury 
district,  and  there  John  de  Sco.  Claro  appears  as  one  of  the  four  of  best  rank, — mililes. 
As  late  as  1302  a  John  de  St.  Cleer  pays  his  feudal  respect  to  the  abbot  of  St.  Edmonds- 
bury  for  some  possessions  connected  with  the  manor  of  Bradfield  St.  Clare. 

Guy  St.  Clair,  escheator  to  the  king,  was  probably  of  the  Bradfield  connection.  He 
is  noticed  in  1335  as,  with  his  wife  Marjory,  holding  Wyrun  Hall,  Norfolk.  In  1349  he 
was  made  King's  vice-comes,  or  sheriff,  of  the  united  counties  of  Cambridge  and 
Huntingdon,  in  both  of  which  he  had  lands  and  held  office  till  1354.  In  1356  he  became 
escheator  for  Norfolk  and  Suffolk,  in  1357  was  sheriff  of  same,  and  in  1358  had 
re-appointment.  The  last  of  his  sheriffships  traced  was  in  1359,  but  he  was  often 
escheator  at  other  periods,  and  there  is  preserved  in  the  British  Museum  a  parchment 
carta,  an  order  by  him  as  vice-comes  of  Norfolk  in  1357.  His  son  Pain,  or  Paganus  de 
St.  Clare  must  have  died  without  male  issue,  for  in  1376  he  pre-leases  to  Edwd.  de  St. 
John  and  Joan  his  wife  and  her  heirs  all  his  right  in  the  manor  of  Grimston. 

Contemporary  with  Gerebert,  Robert  St.  Clair  appears  as  signing  a  mandate  for  the 
viscount  of  Lincoln,  from  the  king,  2  Hen  III.,  "  Eod  mo.  scribitur  Vic.  Suff.  p.  Rob.  de 
Seinclow. "  They  may  have  been  brothers.  As  the  pious  gravestone  has  it,  'In  their 
death  they  were  not  divided.  One  of  the  open  rolls  of  the  tower,  36  Hen.  III.,  the  year 
of  Gereberd's  death  also,  gives  account  of  Robert  and  his  son  Robert.  "Concerning 
homage  taken  :  The  king  took  homage  of  Robert  Sayncler,  son  and  heir  of  the  late 
Robert  Sayncler,  for  all  the  lands  and  tenements  which  the  aforesaid  Robert,  his  father, 
held  from  the  king  in  capiie  in  the  day  on  which  he  died,  and  he  restores  to  him  those 
lauds  and  tenements.  And  it  was  ordered  to  Master  Win.  Clifford,  escheator  for  this  side 
of  the  Trent,  that  having  accepted  security  from  the  aforesaid  Robert  about  his  reason- 
able tax  to  be  rendered  to  the  king  at  the  treasury  of  the  king,  he  make  him  heir, 
without  delay,  with  full  possession,  to  the  same  Robert  with  regard  to  all  his  lands  and 
aforesaid  tenements,  and  in  respect  to  which  the  aforesaid  Robert,  his  father,  was 
possessed  in  his  own  demesne  as  of  a  fief  in  the  day  on  which  he  died,  and  what  by 
reason  of  the  death  of  that  Robert  was  taken  into  the  king's  hand  :  with  the  king 
witness,  at  Saint  Edmundsbury,  14th  Feb.,  1252."  Robert,  junior,  had  Edmund  for 
successor,  probably  he  of  1266,  who  raided  R.  de  Bois.  In  1294  Edm.  de  Sco.  Claro  and 
others  attest  a  gift  of  Suffolk  lands,  and  again  two  of  the  same  place  in  1339.  To  another 
of  the  same  lands  in  135 1  Edm.  Synclowe  is  a  witness,  and  again  in  1360. 

It  has  been  noticed  that  Gereberd  gave  Stone  in  Bucks  to  a  Hugo,  who  had  also 
Essex  properties.  Hugo  dying  in  1227,  the  seat  reverted  to  John  FitzGerebert,  who  died 
in  1252.  A  connection  got  it  again  at  a  later  period.  He  appears  as  Robert  de  Seyncler 
of  Stone  at  an  enquiry  in  which  he  took  part,  and  in  1274  William  de  Sco.  Claro,  a 
proprietor  of  large  substance,  appears  as  of  Stanes,  Bucks.  At  this  same  time  there  were 
Stephen  St.  Clare  in  the  hundred  of  Balberg,  Suffolk  ;  Gerard  St.  Clare  in  that  of  Periton, 
Ox.;  and  a  Geffrey  St.  Clare  in  Upthorp,  Hunts.  Thirty  years  later  a  John  held 
Caleudon  in  Beds.  In  Leicestershire,  41  Ed.  III.,  John  Seincoler  had  Lobenham,  and  in 
46  Ed.  III.  (1373)  his  son  John  is  put  in  possession  of  the  same  manor.     Still  another 


THE  BRADFIELD  ST.  CLARES.  335 


John,  with  his  wife  Alicia,  held  it  3  Ric.  II.  Adam  St.  Clere,  who  was  born  out  of 
wedlock,  had  it  Henry  IV. ,  Warton,  Stippershall,  and  divers  messuages  and  lands  as 
from  the  castle  of  Tamworth.  These  properties  were  in  Warwickshire.  A  Peter  held 
Chaddesden  n  Ed.  III.,  and  in  36  Ed.  III.  a  Margaret  St.  Clare  died  possessed  of 
Boyleston  manor  as  of  the  honour  of  Tuttebury  Castle  in  Derbyshire.  By  the  Inq.  p.m., 
1387,  Maria,  the  wife  of  Sir  Roger  Bellers,  "  prius  nupta  John  Seynt  Clere, "  possessed 
Grymston,  Cryche,  etc.;  iu  Leicester  and  Derby.  In  19  Ric.  Ill  (1396)  Rowland  Sentclire 
had  land  from  the  fief  of  William  de  la  Zouche,  miles  of  Haryngworth  in  Northampton- 
shire. In  the  Roll  of  the  Hundreds,  1274,  Philip  de  Sco.  Claro  appears  frequently  as  a 
prominent  proprietor  in  Cambridgeshire.  In  1280  he  is  one  of  a  jury  sworn  by  Sir 
William  Muschet.  A  Robert  de  Sco.  Claro  is  also  noted  in  this  roll  record.  Philip  was 
succeeded  by  Nicolas  de  Sco.  Claro. 


THE    ST.  CLARES    OF    ALDHAM,  IGTHAM,  BURSTOW,  ETC. 

John  St.  Clare  of  Igtham  (who  died  in  1327)  married  about  1300  Joan  de  Aldeuham, 
by  which  marriage  his  son  became  heir  to  his  cousin  Francis  of  Aldham,  which  then, 
circ.  1322,  began  to  be  called  Aldham  St.  Clere.  John,  the  son,  died  in  1335,  leaving 
lands  in  Kent,  Sussex,  Hants,  and  North  Hants.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
John  III.,  of  whose  age  proof  was  taken  in  1351.  The  former  apparently  had  married 
Isolda  Aldham,  relict  of  William  Inge,  Chief  Justice  of  the  King's  Bench,  who  died  in 
1316.  In  1347  King  Edward  confirmed  the  grant  of  Queen  Philippa  to  John  Seintcler, 
chevalier,  of  her  manor  of  Maresfield,  together  with  the  king's  park  in  the  same  place, 
the  town  of  Grinsted,  etc.,  during  her  life.  On  the  Queen's  death  in  1369  there  is  note 
of  a  confirmation  of  an  Essex  gift  to  Marie  de  Seint  Cleir  of  the  lands  and  tenements  of 
Markdiche,  Havering-at-Bowre.  In  1377  Sir  John  became  sheriff  of  Sussex  and  Surrey. 
He  appears  as  custodian  of  the  lands  which  belonged  to  Letitia,  relict  of  William 
Seintcler  oi  Kingswood,  who  had  for  predecessor  Thos.  Seintcler  of  Kingswood,  who,  in 
right  of  his  wife  Juliana,  held  lands  in  Gloucester,  1365.  Sir  John  married  Mary  (who 
re-married  Sir  Roger  Bellers),  and  dying  in  1389,  left  a  son  Sir  Philip  St.  Clere,  the  elder 
of  Igtham.  Among  the  Harleian  charters  is  one  given  by  Sir  John  under  seal  at 
Penshurst,  "  mou  seal  a,  Peushurst,"  44  Ed.  III.  (1371).  The  writing  runs  :  "Johan  de 
Seyntcler  susrendu  k  M.  Nichol  de  Louvayne  chev.  tout  l'estat  que  j.  avoi  de  son  lees  en 
tous  les  manoirs  fies  et  advowsons."  They  are  both  called  armigeri  in  the  document, 
which  is  a  parchment  2^2  x  11  inches,  folded  double  and  three,  of  six  and  one-third 
lines  well  written  but  dim  old  French,  the  seal  being  yet  attached,  and  hardly  imperfect 
since  "  .EINTCLER"  remains,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  shield  with  "  the  sun  in  its 
glory  "  blazoning  its  entire  field. 

Sir  Philip  St.  Clere,  who  was  M.P.  for  Sussex  in  1377,  married  Joan  de  Audley. 
Their  eldest  son  was  probably  Thomas  Sender,  one  of  the  five  armigeri  who  officered 
with  the  Earls  of  Arundel  and  Surrey,  etc.,  a  contingent  consisting  mostly  of  archers  at 
Agincourt.  Thomas  St.  Clere  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Philpott,  Lord 
Mayor  of  London,  and  died  in  1416,  leaving  a  son  and  heir  Philip,  to  whom  he  left  a 
manor  in  Wold,  North  Hants.  This  Philip  apparently  died  without  issue,  and  the  line 
is  found  continued  by  his  uncle  Sir  Philip  St.  Clere  of  Burstow.  The  latter  married  in 
1 37 1  Margaret,  daughter  and  eventual  heiress  of  Sir  Nicholas  de  Louvaine.     In   1397  he 


336  THE  ST.  CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 


contributed  two  messuages  called  the  Coldharbour  in  the  parish  of  All  Saints'  at  Fenn,  in 
Roperia,  London,  for  enlarging  the  church  and  making  a  cemetery.  In  1405  he  was 
sheriff  of  Sussex.  In  1406  he  and  his  wife  received  a  quittance  from  one  Elizabeth 
Mortayne.  He  died  in  1408,  and  his  wife  in  1409,  leaving  extensive  possessions  in 
Somerset,  Cambridge,  Suffolk,  Oxford,  Surrey,  Sussex,  Leicester,  and  Kent,  the  bulk  of 
which  was  put  under  guardianship  for  their  sons,  John  and  Thomas,  the  elder  of  whom 
was  only  twelve  at  his  father's  decease.  Sir  John  Pelham  obtained  their  wardship,  and 
married  John  St.  Clere  to  his  daughter  Joan  Pelham,  but  he  died  in  1419  at  the  early  age 
of  twenty-three,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  brother  Thomas,  who  had  also  by  1422 
succeeded  to  his  cousin-german  Philip  of  Igtham,  being  then  mentioned  in  the  escheats 
as  of  Igtham  and  Parva  Preston.  Among  the  Probat'  cctatis  records  he  appears  in 
2  Hen.  VI.  (1424)  as  "Thomas  Seintcler  frater  et  haeres  Johannis  filii  Philippi  Seintcler 
chevalier."  In  1426  a  Thomas  Seyncler  is  fined  100  marks  for  breach  of  the  peace.  As 
lord  of  the  manor  of  Stene  he  presented  Simon  Smyth  to  the  incumbency,  18th  February, 
1427.  He  died  on  the  6th  May,  1435,  aged  only  34,  leaving  by  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Lord  Hoo  and  Hastings,  three  co-heiresses  to  his  extensive  possessions — 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  to  (1)  William  Lovel,  (2)  Richard  Lewknor. 

2.  Alianor,  married  Sir  John  Gage,  ancestor  of  the  Viscounts  Gage,  who  quarter  the  St.  Clere 

arms  and  still  retain  ancient  court  rolls  of  Heighton  St.  Clare. 

3.  Edith,  married  Sir  Richard  Harcourt. 

THE  SOMERSET  ST.  CLARES. 
"  A  little  to  the  north-west  of  Ash  is  Stapleton,  which  for  a  number  of  successions 
belonged  to  the  family  of  St.  Clare."  The  earliest  notice  of  this  family  is  in  the  reign  of 
Richard  the  First.  In  1195-96  Ralph  de  Seinclei  owes  40  marks  for  having  recognisance 
of  5%  knights'  fees,  of  which  his  father  was  possessed  in  the  days  when  he  took  the  garb 
of  religion,  by  the  pledges  of  Herbert  Fitz-Herbert  and  Henry  de  Alneto.  Among  what 
are  called  new  promises  by  Hubert,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  is  the  pipe  roll  extract 
dated  7  Ric.  I.  William  de  Seincler  accounts  for  20  marks  for  having  plenary  seizen  of 
his  land  of  Stapleton,  and  he  has  delivered  them  in  to  the  treasury,  and  is  quit.  Again  in 
An  30  Johann,  a.d.  1202  :  Rotuli  de  Oblatis  :  Sum 'set  :  Walter  of  Esselegham  (Aesling- 
ham  ?)  gives  to  his  lord  the  king  60  marks  silver  as  his  peace  offering  because  he 
arraigned  Ralph  de  Sco.  Claro,  and  because  he  remanded  him,  and  that  he  did  not  use, 
as  regards  the  rest,  except  what  Walter  had  of  his  right  of  office.  In  6  Hen.  III.  (1222) 
Robert  de  St.  Clare  held  of  the  king  in  chief  ten  pounds  a  year  of  land  in  Stapleton,  by 
the  service  of  finding  an  armed  servant  with  a  horse  in  the  king's  army  for  forty  days  at 
his  own  cost.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Robert,  who,  7  Hen.  III.  (1223),  paid  ten 
marks  for  his  relief  of  the  land  which  he  held  here  of  the  king  by  serjeanty.  This 
Robert  died  2  Ed.  II.,  being  then  certified  to  hold  the  manor  of  Stapleton  of  the  crown 
in  capite  by  the  service  of  holding  a  towel  before  the  queen  at  the  feasts  of  Easter, 
Whitsuntide,  and  Christmas,  and  likewise  at  the  king's  coronation.  Robert  de  St.  Clare, 
his  grandson,  succeeded  to  the  manor  of  Stapleton,  of  which  he  died  seized,  10  Ed.  III., 
leaving  issue  another  Robert,  his  son  and  heir,  who  held  only  a  moiety  of  this  manor,  of 
which  he  died  seized  33  Ed.  III.,  and  was  succeeded  by  Richard,  his  son  and  heir.  The 
other  moiety  was  held,  42  Ed.  III.,  by  Ralph  Seyncler,  who  died  without  issue,  as  did 
also  the  said  Richard,  and  Margaret  his  wife,  upon  which  the  manor  reverted  to  Robert 


THE   SOMERSET  ST.  CLARES.  337 

de  St.  Clare,  a  cousin  of  the  above-mentioned  lords,  who  died  46  Ed.  III.;  and  Sibill,  his 
wife,  had  an  assignment  of  the  third  of  this  manor  for  her  dower,  remainder  to  Sir 
William  Bonville  and  his  heirs,  9  Hen.  IV.  Sir  William  held  a  moiety  of  the  manor  of 
Stapleton  and  one  carucate  of  land  in  Martock,  called  Saves  Place,  from  the  Earl  of 
Somerset.  At  this  time  there  was  a  chapel  in  Stapleton,  which  seems  to  have  been  built 
by  one  of  the  St.  Clares.  It  was  subservient  to  the  church  of  Martock,  and  has  long- 
since  been  destroyed,  and  nothing  further  appears  memorable  of  it  or  the  place.  In  Sir 
William  Bonville's  will,  executed  13th  August,  1407,  amongst  other  bequests  is  one  to 
"  Raulyn  Sayncler,  to  purchase  a  corrody  for  his  life,  ,£20." 

On  18th  October,  1264,  Robert  de  Sancto  Claro  was  escheator  for  the  county  of 
Somerset,  and  in  the  same  year  Richard  de  Sco.  Claro  died  possessed  of  Mertock, 
Stapleton,  and  other  lands.  He  is  noticed  in  the  Rotuli  in  Curia  Scaccarii  of  Hen.  III., 
Ed.  I.,  and  Ed.  II.,  under  Somerset.  Richard  Seincler  and  Margaret,  his  wife,  give  ten 
pounds  for  license  to  acquire  two  parts  to  the  two,  of  the  divisions  of  the  manor  of 
Stapleton  with  its  followings.  In  the  Treasury  Rolls  there  is  a  dateless  entry:  "The 
king,  for  five  marks  which  Thos.  Warrenne  paid,  granted  to  Robert  Seintcler  that  be 
may  give  two  parts  of  the  manor  of  Stapleton,  with  the  pertinents,  etc.,  to  Thomas  the 
aforesaid,  to  be  held  for  his  whole  life  as  fee-farm."  Again,  in  the  Hundred  Rolls — when 
Edward  I.  challenged  the  English  landholders  generally —in  the  hundred  of  Martock, 
Somerset,  the  Jural/  have  their  statement  thus  :  "  Dicunt  et  quod  Robs,  de  Sender  Rict' 
de  Bolougne,  etc.,  pcipuunt  et  retinuit  avia  de  astraura  set  nesciunt  quo  waro."  In  the 
Hundred  Forinsec  de  Sum' ion  he  occurs  again  :  "  And  Robert  de  St.  Clare  has  taken 
possession  of  a  part  of  the  hundred  for  twelve  years  past,  which  part  his  predecessors 
were  accustomed  to  pay  for,  and  this  section  was  possessed  in  the  time  of  Thomas  de 
Perham,  fee-farmer  of  the  manor  and  hundred  of  Somerton.''  In  the  Quo  Warranto 
records,  the  sequel  to  the  Hundred  Rolls,  he  appears  several  times,  and  especially  about 
disputed  parts  of  his  manor  of  Somerton.  He  was  summoned  to  answer  as  to  his  rights 
in  a  court  in  Somersetshire,  and  again  by  William  of  Chiselham,  the  king's  commissioner, 
to  Exeter,  to  state  his  rights  to  parts  of  the  properties  which  he  held.  The  piece  at 
Somerton  in  particular  had  to  be  fought  for.  "  Robert  St.  Clare  came,"  says  the  record, 
"and  said  that  Richard  le  Bure,  his  grandfather,  had  it  with  certain  tenements  as  gift 
from  Ralph  de  Huse,  or  Hussey."  (In  1199-1200  Hugo  de  St.  Clare  and  Hugo  de  Bures 
are  arbiters  about  lands  in  Tilbury,  Essex,  belonging  to  Sibilla,  aunt  of  John  of  Wirre- 
field  in  that  county.) 

Robert  St.  Clare  died  in  1309,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson  Robert,  who  died 
in  1337,  being  possessed  of  Stapleton  manor,  Andredseye,  Saltmore,  Bergham,  and 
indefinite  moor  and  pasture  lands.  Before  continuing,  mention  must  be  made  of  an 
Everard  St.  Clare,  who  in  the  hundred  of  Stone,  Somerset,  was  challenged  as  to  some 
payments  and  possession  of  tenements  said  to  be  subtracted  from  the  hundred  and  added 
to  his  lands  in  Allberry.  He  was  a  side  member.  Robert  died  possessed  of  Stapleton, 
Somerton,  etc.,  and  also  of  Budelege  manor.  This  is  another  of  the  same  to  Buddleigh 
in  Devonshire.  In  18  Ed.  III.,  1345,  Elizabeth  St.  Clare  had  at  her  death  Stapleton  and 
its  pertinents.  In  1352  a  Robert  holds  these  manors,  who  died  in  1360,  leaving  two  sons, 
Richard  and  Ralph,  between  whom  there  was  a  division  of  the  lands.  Richard  married  a 
Margaret,  but  died  without  issue,  as  also  died  Ralph  in  1369,  the  properties  being  left  to 
their   cousin   Robert,  showing  that   there  were   several    branches   in    the   count}'.     The 


338  THE  ST.  CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 


Treasury  Rolls  have  account  of  Richard  being  put  in  possession  of  part  of  Stapleton  : — 
"Somersetshire:  It  was  commanded  to  John  of  Bekington,  escheator  of  the  king  in 
Somerset,  that,  having  received  security  from  Richard,  son  of  the  late  Robert  Seyntcler, 
of  a  reasonable  sum,  he  may  make  full  possession  to  Richard  of  two  parts  of  the  manor  of 
Stapleton  near  Martock,  which  he  holds  of  the  king  in  capite  by  the  service  of  half  one 
knight's  fee."  Of  the  last  mentioned  Robert,  the  cousin,  there  is  a  charter  preserved  in 
the  British  Museum,  dated  29  Edwd.  III.,  1356,  having  devices  on  a  shield  on  the  still 
attached  seal.  He  is  Robertas  Saincler  de  Somerlon  el  de  Staplelon,  and  his  parchment 
conveys  a  gift  of  laud  to  the  famous  abbey  of  Glastonbury  in  Somersetshire.  He  died  in 
1372.  His  manors  were  Stapleton,  Botecle,  Coker,  Somerton,  etc.  His  wife,  Sibilla 
Sentcler,  died  the  following  year,  and  she  had  the  third  part  of  Stapleton,  Milton, 
Fauconberge,  part  of  Lymington  manor,  Todenham  manor,  Somerton  manor,  Compton 
manor,  Dowden,  etc.  There  are  a  few  further  notices  of  the  name  in  the  county.  Sir 
John  St.  Clare  of  the  Aldhams  was  custodian  of  Estham  for  the  heir  of  the  wife  of 
William  St.  Clare  of  Kyngswoode  in  Edward  the  Third's  time  and  the  beginning  of  that 
of  Richard  II.,  Lsetitia  dying  in  1377.  Besides  Estham  she  had  part  of  the  manor  of 
Castlecary,  with  the  advowson  of  the  chapel  on  it.  In  20  Ric.  II.,  1397,  William 
Seyntclere  held  Ashbrutell  manor,  and  at  the  same  time  Robert  held  Andredseye  manor. 
There  is  mention  of  a  William  Seint  Cler  in  the  Treasury  Rolls  of  Hen.  III.,  Ed.  I.  and 
II.,  and  also  of  a  Nicholas,  his  brother,  as  of  Somerset.  They  had  a  cause  at  West- 
minster about  some  land,  and  Ivo  of  Ashelond  was  their  fellow-defendant.  John  of 
Legyh  and  Isabella,  wife  of  Nicholas  de  Helmunden,  recovered  some  lands  from  the  three 
in  Croukhern.  The  notices  end  with  Nicholas  Seyntcler,  miles,  who  had  Alicia  as  wife 
as  the  Cal.  of  Inq.  p.m.  of  19  Ed.  IV.,  1480,  state.  He  had  the  properties  of  Pokeston, 
Cammelerton  and  Churchill. 


THE   DEVONSHIRE   HOUSE. 

The  ecclesia  de  Sancto  Claro  is  mentioned  in  1245  as  giving  more  than  double  the 
returns  of  seven  others  in  Devon.  In  the  Inq.  ad  Quod  Damnum,  No.  128,  1321,  appears  : 
"  Wil/'us  Seintcleer :  Baunton  balliva  el  huncC  parcel!  matter'  de  Baunlon  :  Devon."  William 
St.  Clare  held  a  portion  of  the  manor  of  Baunton. 

John  de  St.  Clere  by  marriage  with  Joan,  heiress  of  William  Tidewell,  acquired  the 
propertie  of  Tudwell,  to  which  seven  of  the  name  of  St.  Clere  succeeded  each  other, 
ending  with  Gabriel  St.  Clere.  Richard  Seint  Clare  of  Todewill  acquired  Clisthidon  by 
marriage  with  Isabel,  daughter  of  William  Hidon  ;  it  was  sold  by  the  said  Gabriel. 
Kynawersy  of  "the  Knights"  Hidon,  also  came  unto  Seintcleer  by  the  heir,  and  Egidia, 
one  of  the  three  co-heiresses  of  William  Carew,  becoming  wife  of  William  St.  Clere, 
brought  a  third  part  of  Torrington  Parva  to  him.  Johanna,  daughter  of  Richard 
St.  Cleere  of  Ashburton,  armiger,  married  John  Hull,  armiger,  and  the  Hulls  of  Larke- 
beare,  therefore,  quarter  the  St.  Cleere  arms,  per  pale,  or  and  az.  the  sun  in  his  beams 
counterchanged.  After  the  dissolution  the  manor  of  Polsloe,  to  which  Budleigh  is  sub- 
servient, was  sold  to  St.  Clere  of  Tidwell.  Budleigh  had  been  previously  owned  by  the 
Somerset  St.  Clares.  Gabriel  St.  Clere  sold  it  to  Thomas  Ford  of  Bagster.  John  St.  Clere, 
son  and  heir  of  Gilbert  St.  Clere  of  Budleigh,  married  Joan  Ford,  and  his  sister  Joan 
married  George  Ford.     Gilbert  St.  Clere  of  Toodwell,  Devon,  married  Joan,  daughter  of 


THE  DEVONSHIRE  HOUSE.  33^ 


John  Strawbridge  of  Collyton,  and  had  Agnes,  wife  of  John,  son  and  heir  of  Thos.  Carew 
of  Bykeley,  Devon  [son  of  Edmund,  Lord  Carew]  ;  Joan,  wife  of  George  Ford;  George, 
William,  Thomas,  and  Phillipa  St.  Cleer,  the  daughter.  At  Wilton,  of  the  great 
nunnery,  in  Wiltshire,  in  a  church  there,  a  10-inch  monumental  pictorial  brass  exists  to 
John  Coffer  and  his  wife  Philippa  St.  Cleer,  this  daughter.  John  is  in  the  kneeling 
attitude.  The  date  is  1585.  Above  the  female  effigy  is  the  shield  of  her  husband,  an 
armiger  or  squire,  and  one  quarter  has  the  St.  Cleer  arms  :  Per  pale  or  and  azure  a  sun 
counterchanged.  Gabriel  St.  Clere  was  last  in  possession  of  Tidewell.  It  is  recorded  of 
him  that  "he  was  a  man  well  qualified,  but  that  by  prodigality  having  consumed  his 
estate,  whereof  being  ashamed,  he  did  (a  malo  ad  pejus)  counterfeit  lunacy,  and  in  that 
humour  pulled  down  his  house  and  sold  timber  and  stones,  affirming  that  none  of  his 
posterity  could  prosper  so  long  as  that  house,  where  so  much  sin  had  been  committed, 
stood,  and  it  was  credibly  reported  that  a  dead  man,  booted  and  spurred,  was  found  in 
one  of  his  fish  ponds,  and  also  the  bones  of  divers  children. "  The  Proceedings  of  Chancery 
in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth  refer  to  his  case,  S.s.  19  No.  61:  "Elizabeth,  wife  of  Gabriel 
Saintclere,  plaintiff:  Thos.  Ford  and  Robert  Mylls,  defendants  :  Object  of  suit,  premises  : 
For  relief  of  the  plaintiff  and  her  children,  charging  the  defendant  Thomas  Ford  with 
keeping  away  her  husband  from  her  and  family,  and  by  fraudulent  means  procuring  a 
conveyance  of  the  capital  messuage,  barton,  and  demesne  of  Tudwell,  on  which  the 
plaintiff  had  a  settlement  as  jointure,  and  also  his  manor  of  Budleigh,  and  lands  in 
Budleigh  and  Ashburton,  and  by  fraudulent  practices  and  promise  of  payment  to  plaintiff 
of  a  rent  charge  of  ^10,  procured  her  to  levy  a  fine  with  her  husband  of  all  his  estates,  to 
the  utter  ruin  of  the  plaintiff  and  her  family,  the  defendant  not  allowing  her  access  to 
her  husband  :  County  Devon." 

Arscot,  a  younger  brother  of  Arscott  of  Annery,  married  Gabriel's  daughter  and 
rebuilt  Tidwell.  Joan  Ford  was  the  wife  and  widow  of  a  Gabriel,  perhaps  predecessor  to 
the  last  of  Tidwell,  and  a  Mark  St.  Clare  married  a  lady  named  Bois  in  Devon.  In  the 
Chancery  Proceedings,  Elizabeth,  No.  10,  is  another  entry  of  interest.  "  Hugh  Pomerye, 
esq.,  plaintiff:  Gawen  St.  Clere,  Sampson  Letheby,  Barbara  (his  wife),  John  Keymer, 
and  Thos.  Jones,  defendants:  Object  of  suit  to  quit  plaintiff's  possession  :  premises — the 
manor  of  Engesdon,  otherwise  called  the  manor  of  Over  Engesdon,  in  the  parish  of 
Ilsington,  and  divers  lands  in  Usington,  the  inheritance  of  plaintiff:  Devon  county." 
In  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus  of  Henry  VII.,  a  George  St.  Clere  is  noted  as  rector  of  a 
Devonshire  chapel.  In  Braybrook,  Rothwell  hundred,  Northampton,  there  is  a  mural 
monument,  with  the  arms,  a  sun  in  its  glory,  and  having  two  side  inscriptions  in  Latin 
which  translate  thus  :  "  The  woman  reverencing  her  lord  shall  be  praised,"  and  "  Grace- 
fulness is  fleeting  and  beauty  is  hollow,"  while  the  chief  inscription  runs:  "To  Mary, 
risen  from  the  Devonshire  family  of  the  ancient  and  honoured  nobility  of  the  Sinclers,  his 
very  faithful  and  good  wife  dead  by  too  bitter  fate  at  Braybrook.  Thos.  Valence,  her 
surviving  husband,  has  placed  this  therefore  with  the  highest  love  and  eternal  devotion  : 
She  died  in  the  hope  of  the  resurrection  on  the  fourth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of 
human  salvation  1571.     Tears  will  remain  her  monument." 

INCIDENTAL    NOTICES. 
There  was  a  Willo  de  Sco.  Claro  referred  to  as  in   n  40  paying  taxes  for  Dorset 
lands.     In  the  neighbouring  county  of  Hampshire  a  Gaufr.  de  Sco.  Claro  is  on  record  in 


34o  THE  ST.  CLARES  OF  ENGLAND. 


1216.  It  was  then  commanded  the  sheriff  of  Winchester  and  Dorset  that  he  give  to 
Philip  Brito  the  land  which  belonged  to  John  de  Boneville  and  Geffrey  de  St.  Clare, 
held  in  his  bailiwicks  or  provinces  of  jurisdiction,  to  be  held  as  long  as  the  lord  the 
king  shall  please  :  At  Reading,  7th  April,  1216.  Geffrey  held  lands  near  Southampton 
from  "the  counts  of  the  Island  in  1222."  In  Cornwall  is  a  parish  so  named,  noted  in 
1288-91.  There  was  a  St.  Cleer  chapel  also  there,  with  a  holy  well  close  by  connected 
with  an  ancient  nunnery.  The  baptistery  of  St.  Cleer  and  the  wayside  cross  are  remnants 
of  days  gone  by.  In  the  Great  Rolls  of  the  Pipe,  1158,  is  an  entry,  "The  same  sheriff 
accounted  for  20  marks  silver  for  Roger  the  fisher  of  Moneth,  Cornwall,  paid  Hugoni  de 
Sco.  Claro. "  Later  on,  in  the  fourth  parliament  at  Westminster,  an  2  and  3,  Philip  and 
Mary,  1555,  the  member  for  West  Loe,  County  Cornwall,  was  John  Seyntclere,  or 
St.  Clere,  esquire. 

Master  John  de  Sancto  Claro  is  indexed  in  the  Calendar  of  Papal  Registers  as  clerk 
of  the  diocese  of  Canterbury,  1291  (10  Kal.  Mar.),  as  rector  of  Fulcham,  or  Folcham, 
therein  (4  Non  Mar.  same),  and  presently  thereafter  as  Canon  of  London,  and  the 
hostility  towards  him  by  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  was  silenced  by  Papal  Mandate. 
Nicholas  III.  issued  a  dispensation  on  account  of  the  illegitimacy  of  the  said  John  de 
St.  Clair. 

"  St.  John's  Hospitalle  (Northampton)  was  originally  founded  by  one  William  Sancte 
Clere,  archdeacon  of  Northampton,  and  brother  to  one  of  the  Simon  Saintcleres,  as  sum 
of  St.  John's  name  them  ;  but  as  I  have  redd  alway  they  were  caulid  Saincteliz  (Svhanecl 
ensis)  and  not  S.  Clere  "  :  Thus  Leland.  The  similarity  in  sound  may  well  explain  his 
doubt.  The  St.  Liz  family  held  the  Earldoms  of  Huntingdon  and  Northampton.  There 
is  a  charter  of  date  19  Hen.  III.,  "Simon  de  Seyntclere  et  Anna  uxor  ejus;  Seyton 
boscus  quiet'  de  vasto  et  regard'  forestse,  &c;  Rotel,"  which  tends  to  show  that  these 
St.  Cleeres  and  St.  Liz  were  all  of  one  stock.  The  name  also  assimilates  with  St.  Hilary. 
An  Aelard  de  Seynteler  was  son  of  James  de  St.  Hillary,  and  his  (Aelard's)  sister  Maud 
became  Countess  of  Clare  and  Hertford.  In  a  carta  of  William  of  Albini  (circ.  1127) 
appears  the  name  of  Aelardus  de  Saincler,  who  promises  to  furnish  for  his  lands  two 
knights'  fees  in  case  of  war,  but  the  "  c  "  gets  faint  through  interchange  with  Seynt  Liz, 
the  alternate  name,  and  is  lost  gradually.  Seynteler  grew  to  be  Seynt  Eler  or"  Seynt 
Elerio,  and  by  aspiration  ended  in  the  "St.  Hilary"  of  later  records.  In  the  reign  of 
Henry  III.  another  Alard  was  in  possession  of  properties  in  Leicestershire,  etc.,  and  was 
ancestor  of  the  subsequent  St.  Hillaries.  He  was  a  benefactor  to  the  convent  of 
St.  Albans. 

THE  ST.  CLAIRS  OF  STAVERTON  COURT.* 

This  is  a  branch  attributed  to  the  Scottish  family. 

I.  David  St.  Clair,  Esq.,  by  his  wife  Louisa  Wemyss  of  Dysart  House,  County 
Fife,  was  father  of 

II.  William  St.  Clair,  who,  by  Mar}'  his  wife,  was  father  of 

III.  William  St.  Clair,  Colonel  25th  Regiment,  who  married,  in  1772,  Augusta, 
daughter  of  Gerard  Tinling,  Esq.,  and  had  issue — 

1.  James  PaTTison  (Colonel  R.A.)  of  Felcourt  Lodge,  Surrey,  born  1780;  married,  first,  in 
1809,  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Michael  Head,  of  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  by  whom  he  had — 

*  Burke's  Landed  Gentry. 


THE  ST.  Civ  AIRS  OF  STAVERTON  COURT.  341 


1.  William   Augustus,  of  The   Beacon,  East   Grinsted,  J. P.,   Sussex,  Captain   late 

Bombay  Artillery,  and  Colonel  Royal  Sussex  Artillery  Militia  ;  born  1S10  ;  married, 
1846,  Emma,  daughter  of  George  Crawshay,  of  Colney  Hatch,  Herts,  and  died 
8th  January,  1879. 

2.  James  Louis,  of  Staverton  Court. 

3.  David  John,  Captain  Bombay  Infantry,  married  1845,  and  died  s.p.  4th  June,  1866. 
1.  Charlotte  Myers,  married  1839,  Andrew  Peterson,  of  Wakefield,  County  York. 

He  married,  secondly,  in  1S30,  Susannah,  daughter  of  Sir  Thos.  Turton,  Bart.,  and  had  by 
her  a  daughter 

1.  Rosabelle  Mary  Elizabeth. 
James  Pattison  St.  Clair  died  3rd  January,  1867. 

2.  David  Latimer. 

3.  William,  Captain  25th  Regiment,  killed  in  action  in  1S09  at  Martinique. 

4.  Thos.  Staunton,  Major-General,  C.B.,  received  nine  medals,  died  1848. 
1.  Louisa  Matilda.  2.  Augusta. 

The  second  son 

IV.  David  Latimer  St.  Clair,  first  of  Staverton  Court,  Captain  R.X.,  Knight  of 
the  Sword,  J. P.  and  D.L. ,  born  8th  May,  17S4  ;  married,  13th  April,  1819,  a  daughter 
of  John  Farhill,  of  Chichester,  but  had  no  issue.  He  died  24th  November,  1861,  and  was 
succeeded  by  his  nephew 

V.  James  Louis  St.  Clair,  of  Staverton  Court,  County  Gloucester,  J. P.,  late 
Captain  H.E.I.C.S.,  born  10th  September,  1816  ;  married,  2Sth  June,  1848,  Juliet, 
daughter  of  George  Crawshay,  of  Colney  Hatch,  Middlesex,  and  by  her  (who  is 
deceased)  had  issue — 

1.  James    Latimer    Crawshay,   Major    Argyle    and    Sutherland    Highlanders,    born    16th 

October,  1S50. 

2.  David  Farhill,  born  18th  August,  1852. 

3.  William  Augustus  Edmund,  Captain  R.E.,  born  iSth  August,  1S54. 
1.  Charlotte  Elizabeth  Louise.  2.  Juliet  Matilda. 


342  THE  ST.  CLAIRS  and  SINCLAIRS  of  NORTH  AMERICA. 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

THE  ST.  CLAIRS  AND  SINCLAIRS  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 

NEW    HAMPSHIRE   SCIONS.* 

FIRST   AND   SECOND    GENERATIONS. 


John  SinkxER  (i),  Britisher,  an  American  colonist,  appeared  in  Exeter,  N.H.,  as 
early  as  1658,  for  on  the  6th  January,  1659,  he  purchased  ten  acres  of  land,  and  is 
mentioned  in  the  deed,  which  is  extant,  as  of  Exeter.  On  10th  October,  1664,  the  town 
of  Exeter,  at  a  public  meeting,  granted  him  "  fifteen  acres  "  lying  in  old  Salesbury  way, 
beyond  James  Wall's  land.  On  the  27th  April,  1667,  he  and  Mary,  his  wife,  conveyed 
fifteen  acres  to  a  fellow  citizen.  He  is  mentioned  in  a  boundary  agreement  between  two 
neighbours  on  the  nth  February,  1672,  against  one  of  whom  he  made  suit  on  8th 
October  following  for  trespass.  There  is  no  record  of  the  result,  but  there  is  a  reference 
to  the  matter  in  an  enactment  of  the  Selectmen  of  Exeter,  dated  Sth  June,  1682.  On 
30th  November,  1677,  he  "took  oath  of  allegiance  to  His  Majestie  and  fidelity  to  the 
country."  He  applied  for  a  grant  of  land  6th  April,  1678,  and  on  the  6th  December 
thereafter  purchased  twenty  acres  of  upland  in  Exeter,  which  town  granted  him  a  like 
acreage  23rd  January,  1680.  The  Province  Rate  of  9th  May,  1682,  assesses  "  ffor  the 
town  of  Exeter,  John  Sinclere  ,£0  19s.  4d."  (Province  Rate  made  in  Exeter,  13th  April, 
1682,  to  be  pay'd  in  boards  at  30/-  p.m.  and  white  oke  p.p.  staves  at  3/-  pr.  thousand  ; 
wheat  at  5/-  pr.  bushel  ;  pease  at  4/-  ;   millet  at  3/6  ;  Indian  corn  3/-  @  bushel.) 

His  name  appears  on  a  petition  to  the  Government  20th  February,  1689-90,  against 
the  Governor,  one  Edward  Cranfield,  and  praying  for  protection  from  the  Indians,  and 
that  the  military  officers  of  the  train  soldiers  should  be  chosen  by  the  soldiers  of  the 
respective  towns.  There  is  a  doubt  as  to  the  signature  being  a  genuine  autograph.  He 
dwelt  on  the  banks  of  Wheelwright's  creek.  Only  the  Christian  names  of  his  wives 
have  been  preserved,  that  of  the  first  being  Mary,  and  that  of  the  second  Deborah,  who 
made  with  him  a  business  contract  before  their  marriage.  In  1698  (September  nth), 
upon  the  formation  of  the  first  Congregational  Church,  thirteen  persons  were  "dismissed 
in  order  to  their  being  incorporated  into  a  church  state  in  Exeter."  Among  them  was 
Mrs.  Deborah  Sinkler. 

John  Sinkler,  on  7th  January,  1 699-1 700,  "being  sick  of  body  but  of  sound  and 
perfect  minde  and  memory,"  for  which  he  expressed  devout  thankfulness,  made  his  last 
will  and  testament,  which  was  admitted  to  probate  14th  September,  1700.  There  is  no 
signature  appended  to  the  instrument,  but  in  place  thereof  is  a  circle,  known  in  common 
parlance  as  the  "Round  Robin."  Children  born  at  Exeter,  N.H. : 
2.  James,  born  27th  Jul}-,  1660;  resident  Exeter,  N.H. 


Prepared  by  permission  from  "History  of  the  Sinclair  Family"  bv  the  Hon.  Leonard  A.  Morrison,  of 

Windham,  N.H. 


FIRST  AND  SECOND  GENERATIONS.  343 

3.  Mary,  born  27th  June,  1663  ;  she  married  a  Mr.  Wheeler. 

4.  Sarah,  born   15th  September,   1664  ;    this  will  be  the   daughter  that  married  Mr.  Jones, 

whose  sons  John  and  Benjamin  are  named  in  John  Sinkler's  will. 

5.  Maria,  born  about  1666;  married  Mr.  Bedell. 

6.  John,  born  about  1668  ;   resident  Exeter,  N.H. 
Robert  Sinkler  of  Wells,  Me.,  was  probably  also  a  son. 

SECOND    AND    THIRD    GENERATIONS. 

James  Sinkler  (2),  husbandman,  dwelt  near  "  Wheal  Right's  creek."  At  the  early 
age  of  sixteen  he  rendered  military  service  in  "King  Philip's  War"  in  Captain  John 
Holbrook's  company.  He  took  the  oath  of  State  allegiance  30th  November,  1677.  In 
1682  (April  13)  his  province  rate  in  Exeter  was  is.  6d.  He  signed  the  protest  against 
Governor  Cranfield,  and  joined  his  father  and  brother  in  petitioning  the  "  Bay  Govern- 
ment," 20th  February,  1689-90,  for  protection  against  the  Indians.  He  was  constable  of 
Exeter  in  1694  and  in  1697  I  juryman  at  the  Superior  Court  in  Portsmouth,  N.H.,  10th 
August,  1703  ;  and  was  selectman  of  Exeter  in  1695,  1700,  1706,  and  1721. 

From  1702  to  April  11,  1713,  "Queen  Anne's  War"  kept  the  New  Hampshire 
colony  in  constant  unrest  and  fear.  James  Sinkler  was  a  soldier,  and  his  account  of 
personal  services  at  Newbury  blockhouses  in  1704  was  £2  18s.  6d.  He  will  be  the 
Sergeant  Sinkler  of  1610  in  charge  of  a  scouting  party.  He  was  again  a  juryman  12th 
August,  1712  ;  on  the  grand  jury  9th  February,  1719-20  ;  and  was  one  of  the  215 
proprietors  of  Gilmantown  20th  May,  1727.  His  wife  was  Mary,  youngest  child  of 
Richard  and  Prudence  Scammon.  She  was  born  31st  May  1763.  From  her  parents 
she  received  all  the  "salt  medde  "  between  Quoboag  road  and  Moore's  creek.  His  will 
was  executed  on  23rd  July,  1731,  within  four  days  of  his  seventy-first  birthday,  and 
probate  was  granted  15th  February,  1732-33.  Birthdates  of  his  children  can  only  be 
approximately  stated.     Children  born  Exeter,  N.H.: 

7.  John,  born  about  1690.  14.  Mercy;    she   married   Ralph,  son   of  Kingsley 

8.  Joseph,  born  about  1692.  Hall,  of  Exeter. 

9.  Samuel,  born  about  1694.  15.  Martha,  married  Jeremiah  (?)  Bean. 

10.  Jonathan,  born  about  1700.  16.  David,  born  about  1717  ;  living  23rd  July,  1731. 

11.  Richard,  born  about  1705.  17.  Kesiah,  born  about  1718  ;  living  23rd  July,  1731. 

12.  Ebenezer,  born  after  1710.  18.  Mary,  born  about  1719;  living  23rd  July,  1731. 

13.  Benjamin,  born  about  1712. 

John  Sinkler,  Junr.  (6),  was  born  in  Exeter  about  1668.  He  was  a  signatory  of 
the  petition  to  the  Government  of  Massachusetts  20th  February,  1689-90,  but  there  is  a 
doubt  as  to  the  genuineness  of  the  petition.  In  1709  his  name  again  appears  on  a  petition 
to  the  Government.  He  was  a  constable  of  Exeter  June  5th,  171 1-12,  and  served  as  juror 
February  14th,  1715-16,  and  at  the  court  which  was  in  session  August  27th,  1717,  and 
was  on  the  grand  jury  February  9th,  1719-20.  On  the  9th  February,  1726,  he  purchased 
house  and  lands  in  Exeter,  and  on  20th  June,  1729,  deeded  one-half  of  his  lands  and 
estate  to  his  "beloved  son  John  Sinkler  of  sd.  Exeter."  His  wife,  who  survived  him, 
was  Elisabeth,  daughter  of  John  Bean,  senr. ,  of  Exeter,  where  she  was  born  on  24th 
September,  1678.  His  will  bears  date  28th  December,  1730,  and  was  admitted  to 
probate  16th  November,  1731.  His  wife  was  sole  executrix.  She  was  directed  to  return 
appraisal  of  the  estate  at  the  Probate  Court  16th  February,  1732-33.  Children  born 
Exeter,  N.H.: 

19.  John.  20.  Samuel. 

21.  Abigail,  born  c.  1710.         22.  Margaret,  born  c.  1712.         23.  Elisabeth,  born  c.  1713. 


344  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


THIRD    AND    FOURTH    GENERATIONS. 

Captain  John  Sinkler  (7)  was  born  in  Exeter  about  1690,  and  presumably  the 
eldest  child,  being  first  mentioned  in  his  father's  will,  which  provided  for  only  a  slight 
legacy  to  him,  indicating  that  his  portion  had  been  advanced  during  the  lifetime  of  his 
father.  He  was  early  a  settler  on  the  "  Squamscott  Patent,"  a  tract  incorporated  into  a 
a  town  called  Stratham,  14th  March,  1715-16,  where  he  and  his  wife  deeded  land  the 
following  year.  He  was  one  of  a  committee  chosen  to  secure  a  "learned  Authordox 
Minister,"  and  to  "set  off "  the  pews  of  a  meeting-house  in  Stratham,  for  the  erection  of 
which  the  act  of  incorporation  provided.  He  served  as  selectman  in  1720-24  and  1728, 
'29,  '31,  '32.  Though  elected  constable  in  1726,  he  declined  to  act.  In  1729  he  was  on 
the  committee  to  seat  the  meeting-house,  and  on  13th  July,  1730.  helped  to  give  his 
brother  Richard  place  "in  the  great  congregation."  At  a  town  meeting  18th  January, 
T733,  he  was  chosen  one  of  a  committee  to  take  down  the  broken  bell  of  the  meeting-house 
and  to  send  it  to  "  Eundon  to  be  New  Cast  Again."  He  was  a  large  dealer  in  real  estate. 
On  17th  June,  1727,  he  bought  land  in  Bow,  near  what  is  now  Pembroke.  In  1736,  '37, 
'39,  '40,  and  '42  he  served  as  assessor.  In  1739  he  is  called  Lef'n  John  Sinkler  ;  is 
styled  John  Sinkler,  Gentlemati,  13th  April,  1743,  and  eventually  Captain  John  Sinkler. 
He  died  in  Stratham  16th  September,  1745.  His  house  was  on  the  "  King's  Road," 
where  the  Sinkler  barn  is  still  standing,  but  the  other  buildings  have  disappeared.  He 
married  Anne  Chase,  widow  of  Bradstreet  Wiggin,  she  was  living  24th  February,  1753. 
Children  born  Stratham,  N.H.: 

24.  Anna,  born  15th  April,  1711.  26.  Mercy,  born  5th  April,  1717. 

25.  Rachael,  born  6th  August,  1713  ;  married  Thos.  Moore  of  Stratham  ;  issue. 

27.  Hannah,  born  25th  April,  1719  ;  married  John  Purmont,  and  had  issue. 

Joseph  Sinkler  (8)  was  born  in  Exeter,  N.H.,  about  1692,  as  he  was  of  age  and 
doing  business  on  23rd  March,  1714.  He  was  an  original  proprietor  of  Gilmantown,  and 
by  paternal  devise  inherited  forty  acres  in  Epping,  which  he  sold  10th  January,  1743-44, 
a  James  Sinkler  attesting  the  conveyance.  His  name  is  on  a  Newmarket  election 
petition  dated  5th  June,  1745.  He  was  called  "Yeoman,"  and  dwelt  in  South  New- 
market, N.H.,  till  12th  September,  1751,  when  he  and  his  wife  sold  their  home  of  fortj*- 
two  acres.  He  acquired,  14th  January,  1755,  fifty-nine  acres,  lot  No.  1,  Buckstreet  Eotts 
Division,  in  the  town  of  Pembroke,  which  was  acknowledged  29th  October,  1765,  He 
sold  the  property  to  his  son  John  15th  April,  1761,  and  last  appears  3rd  September,  1767, 
as  one  of  sixty-four  petitioners  for  the  appointment  of  John  Bryant  as  a  J.  P.  He  married 
Elisabeth,  daughter  of  Thos.  Eyford  of  Exeter,  N.H.  Children  born  South  Newmarket, 
N.H.: 

28.  Thomas.  29.  Joseph,  Junr.  30.  John.  31.  James. 

Samuel  Sinkler  (9),  "laborer,"  resident  of  Exeter,  N.H.  He  sold  on  28th 
August,  1734,  for  ,£150,  all  his  right  in  a  fifty  acre  grant  "  to  my  Honored  father  James 
Sinkler,  dec'd  by  the  town  of  Exeter  on  the  31st  day  of  January,  1680,  and  given  to  me 
by  my  father's  will."  On  21st  November,  1746,  he,  his  brother  Joseph,  and  nephew 
Thomas,  petition  for  a  bridge  at  Newfields,  now  South  Newmarket.  Anna,  his  wife,  on 
7th  February,  1748-49,  relinquished  her  right  of  administration  of  his  estate. 

Jonathan  Sinkler  (10)  was  born  in  Exeter,  N.H.,  about  1700.  He  received  only 
twenty  shillings  by  his  father's  will,  indicating  previous  provision.      A  resident  of  Wells, 


THIRD  AND  FOURTH  GENERATIONS.  345 


Me.,  that  town  granted  him  fifty  acres  of  upland  and  ten  of  meadow,  which  his  father  by 
his  authority  sold  on  6th  November,  1729. 

Richard  Sinkler  (h)  was  born  in  Exeter,  N.H. ,  about  1705,  and  on  20th  May, 
1727,  was  one  of  215  original  proprietors  of  Gilmantown,  N.H.  Forty  acres  of  the  town 
commons  was  laid  out  to  him  in  1725.  His  parents,  for  "love  and  affection  to  their 
beloved  sou  Richard  Sinkler  of  Exeter,"  deeded  him  land  in  Stratham,  which  remained 
in  the  possession  of  his  family  for  several  generations.  The  site  of  his  home  is  still 
known  as  the  ' '  Sinclair  Place.  "  "  The  Sinkler  Path , ' '  the  tortuous  winding  of  which  can 
still  be  traced  leading  through  the  woods  to  his  home  ;  and  the  "  Sinkler 's  Reach  "  is  a 
straight  on  Squamscott  River  noted  on  the  map  of  Stratham  in  1793.  His  name  occurs 
often  in  the  Stratham  records.  The  seat  in  the  meeting-house  assigned  him  13th  July, 
1730,  was  "in  the  horrid  long  front  seat  below  on  the  men's  side."  He  was  ty thing 
man  in  1741,  surveyor  in  1748.  On  5th  April,  1748,  he  and  his  wife  sold  to  her  brother 
David  for  ,£100  "all  right  to  the  estate  of  our  Honored  Father  Nathaniel  Stevens, 
deceased,  within  the  township  of  Bow,  in  the  Province  abovesaid,  and  the  four  acres  of 
land  that  lies  upon  Rail-timber  hill."  Mr.  Sinkler  died  on  the  9th  July,  1751,  having  on 
the  25th  June  same  made  his  will,  which  obtained  probate  on  the  27th  August  of  the 
same  year.  His  executors  had  an  allowance  from  the  estate  for  two  sheep  killed  by 
wolves;  total  value  of  estate,  ^2,889  10s.  He  married,  27th  June,  1728,  Catherine, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  Folsom  Stevens,  by  whom  he  was  survived  for  many 
years.  The  administration  of  her  estate  was  granted  to  her  son  Richard.  Children  born 
Stratham,  N.H.: 

32.  Nathaniel.  39.  Richard.  40.  John. 

33.  Mary,  married  Theodore  Hilton  of  Newmarket,  N.H.;  issue. 

34.  Sarah,  married  Nathan  Preston,  shipwright,  Newmarket. 

35.  Catherine.  36.  Rhoda.  38.  Ann,  mentioned  in  father's  will. 
37.   Abigail,  probably  married  Ephraim  Green  before  19th  April,  1758. 

Ebenezer  Sinkler  (12)  was  born  in  Exeter  after  17 10,  and  was  under  age  at  his 
father's  death.  By  the  will  he  received  "the  one  halfe  part  of  my  Right  or  propriety  in 
Gilman  Town.  Also  all  my  Land  where  in  Exeter  near  Wheel  Right's  Creek  with  the 
hous  barn  and  orchard  and  all  my  stock  utensils  for  work  be  they  of  what  kind  soever." 
This  old  homestead  of  twenty-three  acres,  with  buildings,  was  sold  by  him  4th  August, 
1741.  A  farmer,  resident  in  Exeter,  he  was  a  soldier  in  Captain  John  Light's  Company, 
Colonel  Moore's  Regiment,  20th  November,  1745,  and  was  at  the  capture  of  Louisburg. 
He  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Anna  Ladd  Folsom.  He  died  1754  ;  and 
she  before  3rd  April,  1761.  Children  born  Exeter,  N.H.: 
41.  James.  42.  Richard. 

43.  Abigail,  born  about  1743  ;  married  William  Hackett  about  1765. 

Benjamin  Sinkler  (13)  born  Exeter  about  1712,  in  minority  1731,  sold  his  inherited 
land  in  Gilmanton  18th  May,  1736.  He  lived  with  his  brother  Ebenezer  until  he  was 
twenty-one,  and  always  resided  in  his  native  town,  where  he  was  last  taxed  in  1757. 
Adversity  then  came  upon  him,  and  he  received  public  aid.  His  death  occurred  before 
26th  March,  1759.  Nathan  Taylor  of  Exeter  dug  his  grave  and  tolled  the  bell  of  the 
meeting-house  at  his  funeral.     His  wife  Elisabeth  died  1766  or  1767. 

John  Sinkler  (19)  was  born  in  Exeter  before  20th  June,  1708,  as  on  the  same  day, 
1729,  he  received  a  deed  of  one-half  of  his  real  estate  in  Exeter,  inclusive  of  "Sinkler's 
Point."     By  various  sales  he  had  disposed  of  most,  if  not  all,  of  this  tract  by  the  nth 


346  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


December,  1733.  He  retained  his  residence  in  Exeter,  and  in  public  documents  was 
called  yeoman  and  husbandman.  He  was  also  a  seafarer,  and  is  called  coaster.  He  died 
before  28th  September,  1747.  Nicholas  Perryman  was  administrator.  The  appraisal  was 
taken  December  28th,  1747,  and  consisted  of  thirty  acres. 

Samuel  Sinkler  (20)  was  born  previous  to  1709,  and  was  to  inherit  after  his 
mother's  decease  one-half  of  the  homestead  on  Wheelright's  creek.  This  was  sold  by  his 
mother  as  executrix,  and  himself  as  legatee,  on  4th  December,  1734.  He  was  one  of  the 
215  original  proprietors  of  Gilmanton  20th  May,  1727.  He  sold  this  land  on  3rd 
December,  1731,  being  then  "of  Newmarket  in  Exeter,"  and  the  sale  was  signed  by 
Sarah,  his  wife.  On  June  6th,  1733,  they  relinquished  to  her  brother  Richard  all  right 
to  the  estate  of  their  honored  father,  Richard  Mattoon  of  Exeter,  deceased.  He  deeded 
to  Edward  Sinkler,  3rd  March,  1747-48,  ten  acres  in  Newmarket,  Exeter,  and  acknow- 
ledged by  him  27th  February,  1758.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Jane 
Hilton  Mattoon.     Children  born  Exeter,  N.H.: 

44.  Edward,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  born  as  earty  as  3rd  March,  1726. 

45.  Richard,  born  before  3rd  December,  1731. 

46.  Ebenezer,  Revolutionary  soldier. 

Nos.  44  and  46  appear  to  be  sons  of  Xo.  20,  and  the  probabilities  are  so  strong  that  they  have  been  so 
arranged. 


FOURTH    AND    FIFTH    GENERATIONS. 

Thomas  Sinkler  (28),  born  1721,  was  apparently  named  after  his  mother's  father. 
His  signature  is  attached  to  several  petitions — at  Newmarket,  21st  November,  1746; 
Pembroke,  1758,  and  13th  July,  1764  ;  and  at  Sanbornton,  8th  January,  1768.  He 
bought  a  farm  in  "  Ellonstowu,"  21st  September,  1764,  to  which  he  moved.  This  he 
sold  25th  December,  same  year,  and  settled  down  at  Sanbornton,  where  he  was  surveyor 
of  highways  in  1772,  '82,  'S7,  and  tything  man  from  1773-76,  and  signed  the  Association 
test  in  the  latter  year.  He  enlisted  22nd  July,  1777,  and  his  company  marched  from 
Sanbornton  to  Charleston,  N.H.  He  was  discharged  27th  September,  1777.  Elected 
Constable  of  Sanbornton  30th  March,  1784,  he  paid  his  fine  in  preference  to  accepting 
office.  He  sold  his  90-acre  farm  on  Steele's  Hill  to  his  son  John,  28th  January,  1785, 
and  lived  at  Sanbornton  from  1st  February,  1768,  to  February,  1793  =  25  years.  He 
finally  moved  to  Hardwick,  Vt.,  where  the  town  record  apprises  us  :  "  Died,  December 
7th,  1796,  Thomas  Sinclair,  when  under  the  care  of  James  Sinclair,  age  75.  "  Children  : 
47.  Benjamin.  48.  Thomas. 

49.  Sarah,  married  her  cousin  James,  son  of  Joseph  Sinkler  of  Sanbornton. 

50.  Bathsheba,  married  Simeon  Walton  ;  residence,  Vt. 

51.  James.  52.  Zebui,on.  53.  Constantine. 

Joseph  Sinkler  (29),  born  in  South  Newmarket  before  27th  May,  1736,  as  a  boy 
went  to  Pembroke,  N.H. ,  then  called  Buckstreet.  He  bought  60  acres  in  Allanstown, 
27th  May,  1757,  subject  to  certain  conditions  subsequent.  He  is  probably  the  Joseph 
Sinkler  of  the  French  and  Indian  war,  who  was  in  the  same  company  as  Richard, 
afterwards  Colonel  Sinkler  of  Barnstead,  N.H. ,  who  enlisted  in  Captain  J.  Marston's 
company,  20th  April,  1760,  and  was  in  the  service  at  least  as  late  as  6th  July,  1760. 
Soon  after  he  was  resident  in  Holderness,  N.H.,  where,  before  its  incorporation,  he  was 
made  fence-viewer  10th  June,  1769.     He  lived  on  South  Hill  on  Lot  No.  62  of  100  acres, 


FOURTH  AND  FIFTH  GENERATIONS.  347 


which  he  and  Martha,  his  wife,  sold  23rd  July,  1771.  On  December  16th,  1776,  then  of 
Sanbornton,  he  enlisted  for  the  war,  and  was  paid  31st  December,  1779,  for  "  36 
months'  and  27  days'  service."  He  was  in  Whitcomb's  Rangers,  side  by  side  with  his 
nephew,  James  Sinkler  (t  Barre,  N.Y.).  The  Depreciation  Rolls  of  1780  have  him 
in  the  Third  N.H.,  while  on  1st  March,  1784,  he  was  again  in  Whitcomb's  Rangers. 
After  the  war  he  resided  and  died  in  Sanbornton.  The  administration  of  his  estate  was 
granted  4th  July,  1792,  to  James  Sinkler,  and  according  to  the  best  obtainable 
information  he  appears  to  have  had  two  sons — 

54.  Joseph,  jun.,  Soldier  of  Revolution,  Richardson's  Company,  Bedell's  Regiment ;  service, 

11  months  26  days. 

55.  James,  who  perhaps   bought   land   in  Henniker,  N.H.,   1st  July,  1789.      He  married  his 

cousin  Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Sinkler,  and  is  believed  to  have  settled  in  Vermont  or 

Canada. 
John  Sinkler  (30),  born  in  South  Newmarket,  1738  ;  removed  to  Pembroke,  1751  ; 
signed  petition  1st  November,  1759  ;  purchased  his  father's  home  farm  15th  April,  1761, 
of  which  he  disposed  9th  November,  1768.  He  made  numerous  purchases  of  land  at 
Wolfborough,  N.H.,  the  first  being  one  of  86  acres  on  30th  August,  1769.  The  annual 
town  meetings  were  frequently  held  at  his  house,  viz.,  in  1771,  '73,  '74-  '75»  an&  '76- 
He  was  Selectman  in  1771,  Clerk  in  1773,  Moderator  in  1778,  '80,  and  '82,  Constable  in 
'79,  Surveyor  in  '76,  '79,  and  '82,  and  frequently  Collector  of  Taxes,  Auditor  in  '74,  and 
Deer-keeper  in  '81  and  '82.  On  the  20th  February,  1776,  all  the  training  soldiers  of 
Wolfborough  met  at  his  inn,  and  he  was  re-elected  Captain.  This  was  one  of  the 
"Train  Bands."  He  was  mustered  into  service  as  a  soldier  in  Chandler's  Company, 
Wymau's  Regiment,  10th  August,  1776.  On  29th  January,  1778,  he  sold  to  Peter 
Hodgdon  of  Kensington,  N.H.,  the  land  he  had  bought  30th  August,  1765,  and 
9th  December,  1769.  He  last  appeared  publicly  in  Wolfborough  on  3rd  June,  1782, 
when  he  presided  at  a  special  town  meeting.  On  public  records  he  is  written  "  Captain  " 
and  "  Gentleman."  He  was  in  Fairlee,  Vt.,  1st  December,  1783,  and  in  Moretown,  Vt., 
24th  September,  1784,  when  he  and  Mary,  his  wile,  sold  land  in  Sanbornton.  He  was 
resident  in  Essex,  Vt.,  1st  July,  1791,  where  he  died  19th  July,  1803,  aged  65.  His  wife, 
who  was  born  in  1740,  had  preceded  him  on  13th  April,  1799,  aged  59.  They  are  both 
interred  in  the  burial-ground  at  Essex  Center,  as  are  many  of  their  descendants  and 
kindred.     On  his  tombstone  he  is  called  John  Sinclair.     Children  : 

56.  Jeremiah.  57.  Samuel. 

58.  Johx,  jun.,  born   probably   in   Wolfborough,    about    1770,    resident   in    Essex,    Vt. ;  took 

Freeman's  oath  6th  September,  1808;  farmer  and  lumberman.  A  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812-15,  he  rallied  with  the  company  from  Essex,  and  fought  in  the  Battle  of  Plattsburgh, 
X.Y.,  some  thirty  miles  from  his  home,  yet  the  severity  of  the  cannonade  shook  his 
crockery.  His  first  wife  was  named  Mary,  and  it  is  probable  he  married  secondly  an 
Elisabeth. 

59.  James.  60.  Joseph. 

61.  Jonathan,  probably  born  in  Wolfborough,  supposed  to  be  a  son  of  No.  30  and  brother  of 
56/60.  He  took  the  Freeman's  oath  in  Essex,  Vt.,  2nd  September,  1794. 
James  Sinkler  (31)  was  born  in  South  Newmarket  about  1730;  he  was  a 
housewright  and  farmer,  and  a  soldier  in  the  Indian  war.  His  great-grandson, 
Professor  Benjamin  Davis,  of  Concord,  possesses  a  unique  powder-horn,  beautifully 
embellished  with  artistic  designs  in  illustration  of  a  battle-scene  and  incidents  of  the 
chase,  inscribed  "  James  Sincler,  his  Horn,  mad  at  fort  edward,  November  17th,  1758." 


348  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


On   31st  August,  1754,  the  town  of  Epping  laid  out  a  highway  through  the  Sinkler 
farm,  a  small  holding  of  about  40  acres.      The   site  can   still  be  identified  even  to  a 
depression  in  the  soil,  where  was  the  Sinkler  cellar.     Children  born  Epping,  N.H.: 
62.  Jacob.  63.  Barnabas,  possibly  son  of  31.  64.  Noah. 

65.  Elisabeth,  born  about  1757,  married  Nathaniel  Martin. 

66.  Sarah,  born  about  1759,  probably  his  daughter,  married  Winthrop  Colbroth. 
Nathaniel  Sinkler  (32)  was  born  in  Stratham   before  1737  ;  signed  petition  for 

bridge  at  Newfields  in  1755  ;  soldier  in  Hart's  Company  in  Crown  Point  expedition 
(in  the  French  war)  previous  to  18th  March,  1757.  On  19th  April,  1758,  then  of 
Stratham,  he  and  his  wife  Deborah  deeded  real  estate  in  Epping.  Signer  of  a  petition, 
21st  November,  1765  ;  he  petitioned  Government  and  obtained  permission  19th  March, 
1777,  "to  export  303  bushels  corn  from  Portsmouth  to  Machias. "  He  and  his  wife 
Deborah  were  residents  of  Hampton  Falls  as  early  as  February,  1762,  and  dwelt  there 
for  several  years.  He  may  have  married  secondly,  as  Sarah  Allen,  of  Portsmouth,  in 
July,  1782,  married  Nathaniel  Sinkler,  of  Stratham,  and  no  other  is  known  of  at  that 
date. 

Richard  Sinkler,  Junr.  ,  (39)  born  iu  Stratham,  1740,  inherited  his  father's 
homestead,  known  in  1890  as  the  "  old  Sinclair  place,"  and  there  spent  his  life.  Juror 
in  1786;  tything  man  in  1791;  member  of  Baptist  Society  1786;  and  owner  of  considerable 
real  estate.  He  deeded  the  homestead  to  his  second  son  in  life,  Richard,  and  died  there 
31st  May,  1814,  aged  74.  His  wife,  Elisabeth  Morn  of  Stratham,  died  8th  January,  1820, 
aged  70.     Children  born  Stratham,  N.H.: 

67.  Richard,  born  December  1st,  1771  ;  died  December  28th,  1772.  68.  John. 

70.  Rachel,  born  about  1779;  married  Joseph  French  of  Stratham.  69.  Richard. 

71.  Rhoda,  born  10th  July,  1785;  (married  Jos.  Wiggin) ;  resident  Portsmouth  ;  died  1870. 

72.  Elisabeth,  born  4th  July,  178- ;  resident  Portsmouth  ;  died  February,  i860;  single. 
John  Sinkler  (40)  was  born  in  Stratham  1747,  where  he  lived  and  died.     Farmer 

and  blacksmith,  he  was  in  1786  a  member  of  the  Baptist  society.  He  dealt  considerably 
in  real  estate.  His  home  was  sold  in  1822.  He  died  3rd  July,  1821,  and  his  wife, 
Elisabeth  Pickering  of  Greenland,  N.H.,  survived  him  until  the  3rd  October,  1822.  They 
are  both  buried  in  the  cemetery  near  the  Congregational  church  in  Stratham.  Children 
born  Stratham,  N.H.: 

73.  Micajah.  75.  Samuel.  77.  James. 

74.  MehitablE,  born  about  1794;  lived  and  died  single  in  South  Carolina. 
76.  Martha,  born  about  1797  ;  lived  and  died  single  in  Stratham. 

78.  Daniel,  born  April,  1800,   carpenter;   resident  in  Bangor,  Me.,  Roxburgh,  and  Boston, 

Mass.     Late  in  life  returned   to  Stratham,  where  he   died   single    18th  December,    1879, 

leaving  several  thousand  dollars  in  trust  for  the  benefit  of  the  sick  and  destitute  of  his 

town. 

Captain  James  Sinkler  (41)  was  born  in  Exeter  14th  February,  1737,  O.S.     By 

trade  a  housewright,  he  was  a  citizen  of  Exeter  until  after  3rd  April,  1761,  removing  to 

the  adjacent  township  of  Brentwood  before  15th  June,  1764.     He  sold,  4th  November, 

1765,    his   original   right   or   proprietor's   share  of  land  "granted   me  in  the  town  of 

Sandwich."    He  purchased  from  his  brother  Richard  his  right  in  land  at  "  Wall's  Cove  " 

in  Exeter.     This  James  Sinkler  was  second  lieutenant  of  the  30th  Company  enlisted  in 

N.H.  to  replace  the  recalcitrant  troops  from  Connecticut  6th  December,  1775,  and  he  is 

noted  as  captain  in  Waldron's  Regiment  6th  March,  1776,  which  title  he  retained  till  his 

death.    His  will  is  dated  25th  February,  1802,  and  the  appraisement  was  sworn  to  on  6th 


FOURTH  AND  FIFTH  GENERATIONS.  349 


September,  181 1.  He  had  ninety  acres  of  land  with  buildings,  which,  with  personal 
property,  were  valued  at  $3, 252-40.  He  married,  first,  20th  March,  1760,  Rachel, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Rachel  Folsom  of  Exeter.  She  died  20th  May,  1764,  leaving 
two  children.  He  married,  secondly,  Abigail  Veasey,  16th  May,  1765.  She  died,  and 
he  married,  thirdly,  Elizabeth  Blake,  who  survived  him,  and  died  28th  December,  1827. 
Children  born  at  Brentwood,  N.H.  : 

79.  Benjamin  Folsom.  80.  James,  Jr.  84.  Jonathan.  87.  David. 

81.  Henry,  born  9th  February,  1766  ;  died  March  7th,  1766. 

82.  Abigail,  born  February  13th,  1767;  married  Joshua  Beede  ;  res.  and  died  Danville,  Vt. 

83.  Rachel,  born  May  9th,  1769  ;  married  Timothy  Harris  ;  resident  Danville. 

85.  Mary,  born  15th  May,  1775  ;  married  Jonathan  Danforth  ;  resident  Danville. 

86.  Deborah,  born  9th  June,  1777  ;  married  John  Clifford;  resident  Brentwood. 

88.  Ebenezer.  89.  Elisabeth,  born  7th  June,  1782  ;  died  25th  February,  1802. 

Richard  Sinkxer  (42)  was  born  in  Exeter  about  1740.  A  minor  when  his  father 
died  in  1754,  General  Nath.  Folsom  was  his  guardian.  By  trade  he  was  a  hatter  and  a 
farmer.  He  and  his  brother  James  (No.  41)  each  secured  a  seventy-second  share  of  the 
town  of  Sandwich,  laid  out  25th  October,  1763,  and  soon  after  15th  October,  1765,  settled 
there,  living  first  in  a  log  cabin  some  twenty  rods  distant  from  the  large  two-storied 
house  he  afterwards  erected,  and  which  still  stands.  He  signed  the  Association  Test  in 
1776,  joined  the  Northern  Continental  Army  in  1777,  serving  2  months  8  days — July  22nd 
to  September  29th,  1777.  He  re-enlisted  the  next  day,  and  marched  to  join  the 
Continental  Army  under  Gates  at  Saratoga,  and  after  Burgoyne's  surrender  marched  with 
the  guard  as  far  as  Northampton,  Mass.,  and  was  there  discharged.  He  was  collector  of 
taxes  for  Sandwich  in  1781  and  '90.  On  19th  October,  1784,  he  bought  fifty  acres  in 
Moultonborough,  N.H.,  and  for  over  forty  years  owned  and  lived  on  this  farm,  situate 
on  the  old  Toppan  road,  until  he  sold  it  with  other  lands  5th  October,  1807,  to  his  son 
Jonathan,  and  presently  removed  to  Haverhill,  N.H.  He  and  his  wife  died  and  were 
buried  in  Haverhill,  N.H.     Children  : 

90.  Richard,  Junr.  91.  Jonathan.  92.  Ebenezer.  93.  Samuel. 

94.  Abigail,  married  John  Hackett ;  resident  and  died  Sandwich,  N.H. 

95.  Sarah,  married  Amos  Hill  ;  resident  and  died  Sandwich. 

96.  Elisabeth,  married  Andrew  Bean  ;   resident  and  died  Sandwich. 

97.  Hannah,  married  Mr.  Brown  ;  resident  Haverhill,  N.H. 

Edward  Sinkxer  (44)  born  about  1726.  Received  on  3rd  March,  1747-48,  ten 
acres  from  Samuel  Sinkler,  and  was  then  of  Newmarket,  where  he  is  again  noticed  as 
signing  a  petition  for  the  bridge  at  Newfields  in  1755.  On  14th  November,  1770,  then  of 
Holderness,  N.H.,  he  bought  land  there.  In  1775  he  is  one  of  twelve  volunteers  resident 
in  Gilmantown,  and  enlisted  8th  May,  1775,  serving  until  August  1st— 3  months  1  day. 
He  was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill,  after  which  he  is  lost  to  sight,  but  circumstances 
point  to  his  settling  in  Maine  and  being  ancestor  to  the  Sinklers  of  Blue  Hill,  there. 

Colonel  Richard  Sinkler  (45)  was  born  in  Newmarket  about  1730;  was 
carpenter  and  wheelwright  by  trade  ;  and  resident  of  Nottingham,  N.H.,  in  1752,  when 
he  is  found  selling  40  acres  in  Epping.  As  resident  of  Newmarket  15th  January,  1757, 
he  bought  one-fourth  part  of  lot  No.  4,  Summer-street,  Nottingham.  At  that  period  he 
dealt  considerably  in  real  estate,  owned  mills,  and  cut  and  sawed  lumber,  which  was 
the  main  business  of  his  life.  He  enlisted  2.8th  March,  1760,  in  Marstou's  Company, 
Goffe's  Regiment,  for  invading  Canada.  He  bought  land  in  Canterbury,  27th  April, 
1764,  and  in  November  of  same  became  a  pioneer  in  Gilmantown,  living  for  two  years 


35Q  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


on  lot  No.  i,  in  the  first  range  of  the  lower  ioo-acre  lots.  He  signed  the  call  convening 
the  first  town  meeting  in  Gilinanton,  which  was  held  31st  July,  1766,  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  became  a  resident  of  Barnstead.  On  the  2nd  June,  1767,  he  bought  100 
acres,  being  "the  lot  said  Richard  Sinkler  now  lives  on,  and  is  lot  No.  64  in  second  division 
in  Barnstead."  On  the  same  date  he  sold  one-fourth  part  of  a  sawmill  standing  on  Bear 
Pond  stream.  In  the  War  of  Independence  he  is  first  found  holding  a  captain's 
commission  in  the  10th  Regiment.  He  was  a  captain  in  active  service  in  Colonel 
Waldron's  Regiment  stationed  at  Temple's  farm,  in  Sullivan's  Brigade  in  the  Continental 
Army  6th  March,  1776.  In  1780  he  commanded  a  company  in  Bartlett's  Regiment, 
raised  June,  1780,  for  defending  the  fortress  at  West  Point.  The  regiment  was 
disbanded  27th  October,  1780,  and  he  returned  to  Barnstead.  It  was  during  this  term 
of  service  that  Arnold  unsuccessfully  attempted  to  betray  West  Point  to  the  British. 
Captain  Sinkler  was  made  Second  Major  of  the  10th  N.H.  Regiment,  3rd  November, 
1780.  He  served  as  Moderator  in  his  town  at  special  meetings,  and  at  the  annual 
meetings  of  1775,  '76,  '79,  and  '82  ;  as  Selectman,  1777,  '78,  and  '80  ;  and  as  Chairman 
of  the  Board  in  1775,  '82,  'S3,  and  '84  ;  was  a  Surveyor  of  Highways  and  Auditor  in 
1792.  On  the  26th  April,  1775,  the  town  voted  to  "  Captain  Richard  Sinkler,  ,£1  us. 
6d. ,  Lawful  money  for  his  and  the  men's  expence  for  going  Down  below  For  the  Defence 
of  our  Country."  He  served  on  the  committee  to  hire  money  and  soldiers  for  Barnstead, 
and  on  the  committee  of  regulation  in  1778.  On  the  14th  December,  1784.  the  town 
resolved  to  rebuild  a  bridge  over  the  Suncook  River,  and  Richard  Sinkler.  Esq.,  was 
made  "  overseer  of  the  hoi  bridge."  On  the  25th  October,  1785,  he  was  made  overseer 
of  the  work,  receiving  5s.  per  day  for  his  services  and  the  others  2s.  6d.  He  is  first 
styled  Colonel  on  the  25th  March,  1788,  when  he  is  appointed  one  of  a  committee  to 
locate  a  site  for  the  erection  of  a  meeting-house.  On  nth  March,  1788,  he  deeded  a 
ioo-acre  lot  (No.  98,  second  division)  with  sawmill  to  his  son  John,  "  in  consideration 
of  love  and  goodwill  that  I  bear  to  him  "  ;  on  23rd  March,  1790,  he  sold  65  acres  to  his 
son  Richard,  a  part  of  lot  64,  second  division,  in  Barnstead  ;  and  the  remainder,  "about 
100  acres,  with  all  buildings  standing  on  said  premises,  it  being  the  same  land  and 
buildings  where  I,  the  said  Richard  Sincler  now  live,"  to  Joseph  Cilley,  15th  April,  1791. 
Colonel  Sinkler  died  in  Barnstead  27th  July,  1813.  He  married  in  1752-53  Mary, 
daughter  of  Captain  Joseph  Cilley,  of  Hampton,  N.H.  Both  husband  and  wife  were 
buried  in  an  orchard,  near  the  homestead  which  no  longer  exists,  but  the  site  of  the  cellar 
is  indicated  by  a  depression  of  the  soil,  and  thereon  flourishes  a  stately  elm  more  than  a 
foot  in  a  diameter.     Children  : 

98.  Bradbury.  99.  Richard,  jun. 

100.  Mary,  born  Nottingham,  N.H.,  1758,  married  a  Mr.  Weed. 

101.  Joshua.  102.  Samuel.  103.  John. 

104.  Elsie,  born  Gilmantown,  N.H.,  about  1764;  died  Vassalborough,  Me.,  aged  18. 

105.  Joseph.  106.  David. 

Ebenezer  Sinkler  (46)  was  probably  a  son  of  Samuel  Sinkler  (No.  20).  By 
trade  a  joiner,  he  lived  in  different  places,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  French  and  Indian 
war  before  1764.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Captain  Jonathan  Blunt,  of  Chester, 
N.H.,  of  which  town  he  was  resident  before  5th  July,  1771,  when  he  and  his  wife  sold 
the  land  set  off  to  her  from  her  father's  estate.  On  31st  December,  1772,  he  was 
resident  of  Weare,  N.H.  (Hail's  Town),  where  they  had  inherited  land  from  Captain 
Blunt,  for  they  deeded  to  Samuel  Blunt,  of  Chester,  certain  rights  in  land  and  building 


FOURTH  AND  FIFTH  GENERATIONS.  351 

"  out  of  the  estate  of  our  honored  father,  Captain  Jonathan  Blunt,  of  Chester,  deceased." 
He  enlisted  early  in  the  revolutionary  struggle,  and  served  almost  continuously,  until  at 
Saratoga  he  made  the  supreme  sacrifice,  that  of  life  itself,  for  the  American  cause.  He 
was  a  private  in  Richard's  Company,  Stark's  Regiment,  from  April  23rd  to  1st  August, 
1775.  At  Bunker's  Hill  his  station  was  with  the  other  men  fromWeare,  N.H.,  "  behind 
the  rail  fence,"  extending  from  the  redoubt  part  of  the  way  east  to  the  Mystic  River. 
On  22nd  March,  1777,  he  enlisted  (Merrill's  Company,  Cilley's  Regiment),  in  the 
Continental  Army  for  three  years,  and  received  a  bounty  of  ,£22  5s.  6d.,  for  which  he 
gave  a  receipt.  At  the  Battle  of  Saratoga,  N.Y.,  7th  October,  1777,  a  British 
detachment  marched  out  of  their  position  upon  the  left  of  the  American  forces.  The 
English  force  consisted  of  the  grenadiers  and  light  infantry,  and  six  field  pieces.  They 
placed  themselves  upon  an  elevated  point  in  a  cleared  field,  a  fourth  of  a  mile  distant 
from  the  American  forces.  The  three  N.  H.  Regiments  were  ordered  to  attack  them, 
which  they  did  in  splendid  style.  The  fight  lasted  for  half-an-hour,  when  the  enemy 
were  driven  from  their  position  with  the  loss  of  their  cannon  and  some  prisoners.  The 
Americans  pressed  forward,  attacked  the  German  troops,  capturing  military  stores  and 
provisions.  It  was  during  these  famous  exploits  that  Ebenezer  Sinkler,  the  brave 
soldier,  was  killed.  His  family  being  left  in  destitute  circumstances,  his  widow 
applied  to  the  State  for  assistance,  which  was  not  granted,  though  she  received  help 
from  the  town.  His  property  consisted  of  150  acres  of  wild  land  in  Weutworth,  N.H. 
Children  : 

He  had  three  children,  the  eldest  under  14  years  of  age  ;  Nos.  107,  10S,  109,  names  not  known. 

Ebenezer  Sinkler,  of  Charleston,  N.H.,  was  probably  a  son  of  No.  46.  On  6th 
April,  1795,  he  bought  from  Joshua  Gove,  in  Weare,  all  the  right  he  had  in  John  Page, 
junr.'s,  land  in  Wentworth.  Mary  Sinkler  was  witness  to  the  deed.  On  1st  September, 
1795,  then  living  in  Wentworth,  he  sold  the  same.  An  Ebenezer  Sinclair,  apparently 
the  same,  was  resident  of  Barre,  Vt.,  previous  to  1804,  and  was  residing  there  on  24th 
December,  1808,  when  he  disappears  from  the  records.  He  was  frequently  at  law  with 
his  neighbours,  and  his  name  often  appears  in  the  Court  records  at  Chelsea,  Vt. 

John  St.  Clair,  of  Strafford,  Vt.,  was  probably  another  son  of  No.  46. 

FIFTH   AND   SIXTH   GENERATIONS. 

Benjamin  Sinclair  (47)  was  born  in  Newmarket,  N.H.,  about  1750.  An  early 
settler  of  Meredith,  N.H.  (2nd  November,  1772),  he  bought  from  his  brother  Thos.,  28th 
November,  1772,  part  of  Lot  19,  div.  2  ;  and  from  the  same  brother  and  others  on  19th 
October,  1774,  he  bought  100  acres  in  Meredith,  which  he  sold  20th  February,  1775.  A 
Revolutionary  soldier,  he  was  a  member  of  Moody's  Company,  Baldwin's  Regiment, 
raised  in  N.H.  in  September,  1776,  to  reinforce  the  Continental  Army  at  New  York, 
The  regiment  participated  in  the  battle  of  White  Plains,  28th  October,  1776,  and  was 
discharged  in  the  December  following,  when  Mr.  Sinclair  was  allowed  £8  13s.  4d.  for  320 
miles  travel.  He  lived  in  Meredith  in  1780,  and  on  18th  August  sold  part  of  his  home- 
stead. Removing  about  1790  to  Greensborough,  Vt. ,  he  settled  on  a  fifty  acre  farm.  In 
old  age  he  moved  to  Hardwick,  where  he  died  about  1810.  He  married  Hannah  Sanborn. 
Children  : 

no.  Ruamie,  born  3rd  July,  1770;  died  8th  December,  1S45  ;  married  Benj.  Philbrook  ;  issue, 
in.  Nathaniel.        114.  Ben-jamin.        115.  Jeremiah.        117.  Enoch.  118.  Asa. 


352  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

112.  Hannah,  married  Stephen  Adams  in  Greensborough,  Vt. 

113.  Sarah,  married  Amos  Smith.     She  died  in  Greensborough. 
116.  Dolly,  married  Levi  Stevens.     They  died  in  Greensborough. 

Thomas  Sinclair  (48)  was  bora  in  Newmarket,  N.H. ,  14th  April,  1751,  and  settled 
in  Meredith  before  13th  November,  1772,  when  he  conveyed  land  to  his  brother  Benjamin. 
The  land  of  Constantine  Sinclair  adjoined  theirs.  Farmer  ;  Baptist.  Married,  first,  9th 
August,  1774,  Mary  Meed  ;  secondly,  9th  January,  1791,  Nancy  Pike.  Children  born 
Meredith,  N.H.  : 

119.  John  Meed.        120.  James.        121.  Thomas.        123.  William.        124.  Joseph. 
122.  Mary,  born  12th  April,  1781  ;  married  Hezekiah  Smith. 

125.  Sarah,  born  27th  March,  1787  ;  died  27th  Sept.,  1834 ;  married  Jonathan  Cram  ;  issue. 

126.  Susan,  born  15th  May,  1789;  died  6th  March,  1824;  married  James  Foss. 

James  St.  Clair  (51)  was  born  in  Newmarket  in  1757  ;  resident  Meredith  1776  ; 
enlisted  5th  December,  1776,  in  Whitcomb's  Rangers,  and  served  till  31st  December, 
1779.  Though  a  Meredith  resident,  he  went  as  a  soldier  for  Sanbornton,  and  received  a 
bounty.  On  7th  January,  1779,  he  bought  65  acres  in  Sandwich,  N.H.,  and  re-enlisted 
the  same  year  in  Whitcomb's  Rangers,  and  then  for  a  time  in  Rowell's  Company.  He 
was  made  corporal  1st  November,  1780,  and  afterwards  became  a  sergeant,  his  service 
ending  with  honourable  discharge  at  West  Point,  N.Y.,  signed  by  Washington,  and 
receiving  at  the  same  time  a  "  Badge  of  Merit."  It  was  well  won.  In  a  lineage  noted 
for  its  numerous  soldiers,  and  their  attested  devotion  to  country  by  valiant  and  repeated 
services,  Mr.  St.  Clair  had  by  continuity  and  length  of  time  surpassed  them  all.  He  was 
subsequently  pensioned  by  the  Government.  After  the  war  he  resided  temporarily  at 
Sandwich,  N.H.,  and  then,  his  father,  Thos.  Sinkler,  being  old,  he  bought  from  him  the 
homestead  in  Sanbornton,  N.H.,  to  which  they  moved.  Living  there  till  17th  March, 
1792,  he  sold  his  90  acres,  and  with  his  aged  father,  in  February,  1793,  settled  in 
Hardwick,  Vt.,  where  in  1796  he  was  one  of  a  committee  to  arrange  for  the  settlement 
there  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tuttle.  A  dealer  in  real  estate  in  1801,  he  moved  to  Wolcott,  Vt., 
where  he  was  selectman  in  1802-3  an(^  '4>  an&  moderator  of  the  annual  meeting  in  1804. 
About  1808  he,  with  the  Northrops  and  other  friends,  removed  to  Russelltown,  Canada, 
till  the  outbreak  of  tht  1812-15  war,  when,  abandoning  all  possessions,  he  and  his  family 
fled  by  night  across  the  frontier  into  the  United  States.  They  lived  in  Peru,  Union 
Springs,  and  Palmyra,  N.Y.,  and  in  1816  he  removed  his  family  to  Vermont.  He  joined 
his  son  in  Barre,  N.Y.,  and  visited  General  Artaur  St.  Clair,  then  living  on  Chestnut 
Ridge  in  the  Eigonier  Valley,  Penn.,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  large  estate  he  had 
owned  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution.  At  that  time  General  St.  Clair  was 
farming.  Help  being  short,  his  visitor,  James  St.  Clair,  lent  an  assisting  hand,  and 
helped  him  secure  his  crop  of  corn.  He  stayed  with  the  General  some  three  months. 
The  incidents  of  this  visit  and  the  assistance  he  rendered  the  General  were  often  related 
to  his  family,  and  afforded  him  pleasure  and  delight.  The  subject  of  their  relationship 
was  discussed  by  them,  and  he  stated  on  his  return  that  they  were  relatives,  "  cousins  "  ; 
the  degree  of  cousinship  was  not  stated.  He  returned  to  Barre,  N.Y.,  where  he  lived 
with  his  family  until  death,  27th  January,  1836.  A  notice  contemporary  to  that  event 
states  :  "  He  was  at  the  battles  of  Monmouth  and  Brandy  wine  :  was  at  Valley  Forge,  and 
at  the  taking  of  Bnrgoyne.  He  was  at  West  Point  at  the  time  of  Arnold's  treason,  and 
in  the  unsuccessful  attack  on  Quebec,  and  in  several  other  actions  of  less  importance." 
He  spelled  his  name  Sinclair  or  Sinclear  until  late  in  life,  when  he  changed  to  St.  Clair. 


FIFTH  AND  SIXTH  GENERATIONS.  353 


He  signed  James  Sinclear,  application  for  pension  12th  June,  1818  ;  and  James  St.  Clair 
4th  September,  1820,  affidavit  asking  for  the  transfer  of  the  payment  of  his  pension  from 
one  agency  to  another.  St.  Clair  is  the  form  used  by  his  family  and  descendants.  He 
married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Philip  Hunt  of  Haverhill  and  Sanbornton,  N.H.     Children  : 

127.  Mary,  born  Sandwich,  N.H.,  2nd  October,  1784  ;  died  in  infancy. 

128.  Joskph.  129.  Mary,   born    nth   November,    1787;    died  6th   March,    1812  ;  married 

Hezekiah  Whitney  ;  issue.  130.  JAMES. 

131.  Sarah,  born  10th  March,  1791  ;  married,  first,  John  Myers  ;  secondly,  Nehemiah  Randall. 

132.  Elisabeth,  born  18th  October,  1792;  married  28th  March,  1810,  Jadutham  Sherman. 

133.  Miriam,  born  3rd  October,  1794  ;  married  7th  September,  1817,  George  McKinstry. 

134.  Nancy,  born  22nd  November,  1796  ;  married  Dr.  James  Brown,  of  Mechanicsburgh,  111. 

135.  Rachel    Tucker,    born     15th    June,    1798;    married     William    Culver;    residence,    E. 

Beekmanton,  N.Y.  136.  Levi  Hunt. 

137.   Electa  Jane,   born  Wolcott,  Vt.,  13th   November,  1802  ;    died  Barre,   N.Y.,  25th  May, 
1825.     Teacher.  138.  Philip,  born  and  died  Wolcott,  Vt.,  1804. 

Zebulon  Sinclair  (52),  born  in  Newmarket,  N.H.,  resident  of  Sanbornton, 
whence  he  enlisted  in  Clough's  Company  (Poor's  Regiment,  Sullivan's  Brigade),  serving 
one  year — 31st  December,  1775,  to  31st  December,  1776.  Entering  the  Continental 
service  for  the  war,  he  served  till  1st  April,  1778 — 1  year  and  3  months — when  he 
procured  a  substitute  and  returned  home.  During  this  period  he  was  in  Smith's 
Company,  which,  on  the  alarm  of  7th  July,  1777,  marched  to  the  relief  of  the  garrison 
at  Ticonderoga.  He  was  one  of  the  soldiers  under  General  Stark  of  N.H. ,  who,  on  16th 
August,  1777,  defeated  a  detachment  sent  by  Burgoyne  to  seize  stores  at  Bennington, 
Vt.,  and  he  continued  with  the  forces  which  pressed  on  and  joined  the  American  army, 
which,  at  Saratoga  and  Stillwater,  defeated  Burgoyne,  and  caused  his  surrender  to  Gates 
on  7th  October.  He  was  for  a  time  in  Addridge's  Company  of  Rangers  under 
Whitcomb,  and  was  also  in  several  skirmishes  with  the  Indians.  After  the  war  he 
lived  first  in  Sandwich,  where  he  sold  27  acres,  2nd  February,  1790  ;  then  in  Meredith, 
where  he  sold  165  acres  and  buildings,  1st  September,  1S01  ;  and  then  in  Holderness, 
where  he  sold  land,  16th  April,  18 10.  He  had  a  Government  pension  for  military 
services.  He  married  1st  March,  1779,  Annie  Conant,  probably  of  Newmarket,  N.H., 
and  died  nth  June,  1840.     Children: 

139.  Anna,  born  and  died  4th  November,  17S1.  140.  Joseph,  born  1782  ;  died  1784. 

141.  Anna,  born  1786  ;  married  Mr.  Jewell,  and  lived  in  Tamworth.     Both  dead. 

142.  Catherine,  born  4th  August,  1789  ;  married  Mark  Jewell,  of  Tamworth,  N.H.  Both  dead. 

143.  Joseph.  144.  Sarah  Peas,  born  26th  February,  1793  ;  married  Samuel  Tilton,  of 

Tamworth  ;  issue.  145.  Zebulon. 

146.  Polly  Mead,  born  at  Meredith  12th  February,  1S01  ;  died  19th  June,  1S01. 

Constantine  Sinclair  (53),  farmer,  evidently  lived  on  the  boundary  between 
Meredith  and  New  Hampton,  as  in  official  documents  he  is  domiciled  in  both.  As  early 
as  2nd  November,  1772,  he  owned  and  probably  lived  upon  lot  19,  division  2,  in 
Meredith.  He  bought  land  in  New  Hampton  1st  March,  1781.  Administration  of 
his  estate  was  granted  3rd  September,  1783  ;  inventory  taken  27th  November,  1783  ; 
Huldah,  his  widow's,  third,  set  off  8th  December,  1783;  and  license  granted  to  sell  the 
real  estate  23rd  July,  1784.  Dr.  Beniah  Sanborn  attended  him.  Benjamin  Pease,  of 
Meredith,  was  administrator.     No  mention  of  children. 

Jeremiah  Sinclair  (56)  was  born  in  Pembroke,  N.H.,  1765;  passed  his  youth  in 
Wolfborough,  N.H.  ;  enlisted  21st  September,  1781,  in  Smith's  Company  of  Rangers, 
raised  for  the  defence  of  the  northern  frontiers,  New  Hampshire,  and  received  discharge 


354  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


6th  November  of  same  year.  Resident  at  Wolfborough,  23rd  December,  1783,  a 
document  of  that  date  has  his  signature,  the  surname  spelled  Sincler.  After  the  war 
he  resided  in  Eaton,  N.H.,  and  bought  19th  October,  1799,  150  acres  from  Eli  Glines 
for  $300,  "the  land  he  now  lives  on,"  situate  one  mile  from  Eaton  Centre  and  near 
Glines'  Hill.  Eater  on  he  removed  to  Essex,  Vt.,  bought  a  farm,  erected  buildings, 
and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  soldier  of  two  wars — the  Revolution, 
and  the  last  with  Great  Britain,  1812-15.  He  was  with  the  company  from  Essex,  Vt., 
and  with  them  participated  in  the  fight  at  Plattsburg,  N.Y.  A  powerful  man,  in  his 
youth  he  was  fond  of  athletic  sports,  and  noted  for  his  successful  feats  in  lifting, 
jumping,  and  wrestling,  the  games  then  in  vogue  at  public  fairs  and  gatherings. 
Farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  Abigail,  sister  of  Colonel  Eli  Glines,  of  Eaton,  N.H. 
They  were  members  of  the  Freewill  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Sincler  died  in  Essex,  19th 
November,  1822.     Children  : 

147.  Noah.  148.  Abigail,  married  John   Keeler  ;    residence,    Essex,  Vt.,  and   died 

there  7th  November,  1870.  149.  Thomas.  150.  Eli.  151.  John. 

152.  Mary,  married  Joseph  Barney  Weed;  resident  and  died  in  Essex,  Vt.,  in  1870. 

153.  Mercy,  married  Jonathan  Moses;  residence,  Huntingdon,  Vt.     Two  daughters. 

154.  Leander  Dudley.  155.  David. 

Samuel  Sinclair  (57),  born  Pembroke,  N.H.,  1768  ;  passed  his  youth  at 
Wolfborough,  N.H.,  and  Essex,  Vt.  ;  baptised  Dover,  N.H.,  10th  March,  1770;  after 
1784  his  life  was  largely  spent  in  Essex  ;  took  Freeman's  oath  3rd  September,  1793  ; 
farmer,  owning  highly  productive  and  valuable  intervale  farm  on  Onion  River  ;  also 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He  married  Nancy  Calkins,  and  dying  in  Essex  27th 
July,  1833,  in  his  65th  year,  is  buried  at  Essex  Centre,  beside  his  father  and  others  of 
his  race.     Children  born  Essex,  Vt.  : 

156.  Michael.  157.  Samuel  Connor.  158.  Chester  Henderson. 

159.  George  W.  160.  Eliza,  born  1810,  died  1812. 

161.  Susan,  married  Alonzo  Stevens;  residence,  Essex  ;  both  deceased;  issue. 

162.  Charlotte,  married  Eli  Chittendon,  of  Williston,  Vt.;  daughter. 

163.  Hosea  B.  164.  Warner,  born  February,  died  1st  November.  1800. 

165.  Lucy,  born  1802  ;  died  19th  February,  1830,  aged  28  ;  married  Elijah  Cockle. 

166.  A  son,  born  17th  April,  1818  ;  died  18th  July,  1818. 

James  Sinclair  (59)  had  a  small  farm  in  Essex,  Vt.  Deaf  and  dumb  from  early 
years  ;  lamed  by  an  accident  ;  married,  but  lived  alone  during  his  latter  years.  His 
wife's  name  is  not  known,  nor  is  there  record  of  children. 

Captain  Joseph  Sincler  (60J,  born  16th  March,  1779  ;  lived  in  Essex,  Vt. ,  on  a 
farm  near  the  bridge  spanning  Brown's  River,  and  was  a  farmer  and  lumberman.  He 
owned  and  operated  a  sawmill  at  Jericho  Corner,  two  miles  from  his  home.  During  the 
war  of  181 2- 1 5  he  was  Captain  of  the  Essex  Company,  which  participated  in  the 
victorious  Battle  of  Plattsburg,  N.Y.  He  took  the  Freeman's  oath  early  in  life,  6th 
September,  1S03.  An  energetic  and  successful  business  man,  he  died  in  Essex,  Vt.,  2nd 
December,  1857.     He  married  Mary  Thompson,  of  Essex.     Children  born  Essex,  Vt.  : 

167.  Fannie,  born  3rd  June,  1800  ;  married  Carlos  Stevens,  of  Essex  ;  no  children. 

168.  Freeman  A. 

169.  Sarah,  born  19th  June,  1806;  died  6th  June,  1S82  ;  married  Joel  Bellows,  of  Essex. 

170.  George  H.,  born  24th  April,  1814  ;  died  28th  Sept.,  1817.  171.  Geo.  Broughton. 
Lieutenant  Jacob  St.  Clair   (62)  was  born  in  Epping,   N.H.,  27th  December, 

1752.     He  enlisted  in  a  New  Hampshire  Company  23rd  April,  1775  ;  fought  at  Bunker's 


FIFTH  AND  SIXTH   GENERATIONS.  355 


Hill  17th  June,  1775  ;  at  Trenton,  N.J.,  26th  December,  1776  ;  and  at  Princeton,  N.J., 
on  3rd  January,  1777.  His  military  service  of  22  months  ended  February,  1777,  when 
he  received  a  discharge,  being  therein  called  lieutenant,  and  his  pension  of  $8  per 
month  began  5th  March,  1819.  He  married,  1 6th  June,  1777,  Rachel  Clifford,  of  Epping, 
N.H.,  and  on  24th  March,  1778,  rented  a  farm  there  till  1790,  when,  011  the  22nd 
February,  "  [James]  Jacob  Sinclear,  of  Epping,  Gentleman,"  for  ,£100,  bought  a  farm  of 
50  acres,  with  buildings,  in  that  part  of  Moulton borough  called  the  "Gore,"  now  in 
New  Hampton.  Starting  with  his  team  and  goods  on  the  2nd  March,  1790,  he  arrived 
on  the  5th,  and  dwelt  there  ever  after.  Nine  years  after  he  erected  a  large  and 
commodious  house,  making  and  himself  burning  the  20,000  bricks  required  for  the 
chimney.  He  presently  doubled  the  area  of  his  territory  by  purchasing  the  farm  of 
his  neighbour  Dow,  and  50  acres  from  Deacon  Rand.  To  his  farming  he  added 
tailoring.     He  died  5th  September,  1830,  aged  77  years,  8  months,  9  days.     Children  : 

172.  Elizabeth,   born   10th  February,    177S  ;    died  iotb  March,    1858  ;    married,  first,  Joshua 

Roberts,  secondly,  Noah  Robinson. 

173.  Mary,  born  21st  December,  1780  ;  accidentally  killed  at  age  of  five  by  the  falling  of  a 

bough.  174.  Benjamin. 

175.  Mary,  born  15th  February,  1789;   died   10th  June,  1863;  married  Washington  Smith,  of 
Laconia,  N.H.  176.  Ira. 

Barnabas  SinklER  (63),  resident  of  Unity,  N.H.,  at  time  of  Revolution  ;  member 
of  Wetherbee's  Company  ;  sent  to  join  Northern  army  20th  August,  1776,  receiving 
£9  18s.  iod.  advance  wages  and  bounty.  On  5th  November,  1776,  was  at  Mt. 
Independence,  and  surviving  the  war,  lived  many  years  at  Unity.  Signed  petitions 
against  the  division  of  that  town  in  1790,  and  on  23rd  May,  1794  ;  his  name  is  not  in 
the  records  of  that  town  after  1795.     He  is  considered  a  son  of  No.  31. 

Noah  Sinclair  (64)  was  born  at  Epping,  N.H.,  20th  February,  1755,  or  17th 
February,  1756.  Of  Epsom,  1775,  he  enlisted  2nd  May  for  eight  mouths  as  drummer 
in  Dearborn's  Company  (Stark's  Regiment,  N.H.  line),  and  fought  at  Bunker's  Hill 
on  June  17th.  He  re-enlisted  for  one  year,  commencing  31st  December,  1775,  in 
Morrill's  Company  (Stark's  Regiment),  and  while  at  St.  John's,  in  Canada,  14th  June, 
1776,  was  severely  wounded  by  being  shot  through  the  wrist  of  his  left  arm  with  two 
musket  balls,  which  fractured  both  bones,  "by  which  he  lost  the  use  of  his  hand." 
For  this  he  was  pensioned  by  the  State  and  nation.  He  took  part  in  the  Battles  of 
Bennington  and  Saratoga  ;  was  present  at  Burgoyne's  surrender  ;  harassed  the  British 
rear  in  New  Jersey  1778  ;  and  fought  at  Monmouth  28th  June.  Was  with  the  3rd  N.H. 
in  the  Indian  Campaign  of  1779,  and  fought  them  with  success  at  Newtown  (now 
Elmira,  N.Y.),  29th  August,  1779.  He  had  been  promoted  to  be  drum-major  28th  May, 
1779,  and  received  his  discharge  25th  January,  1780.  At  one  time  a  Pembroke  resident, 
after  the  war  he  settled  in  Canterbury,  N.H.,  where,  on  25th  May,  1781,  he  bought  80 
acres.  He  became  an  extensive  landholder,  and  is  called  in  records  Yeoman  and 
Gentleman.  A  good  mechanic,  he  made  all  his  ploughs  and  farm  requisites  ;  was 
an  excellent  athlete,  and  a  respected  deacon  of  the  church.  His  wife  was  Eovina 
Gault,  of  Canterbury,  N.H.      Children,  surnamed  St.  Clair,  born  Canterbury,  N.H.  : 

177.  Elisabeth,  born  9th  January,  17S2  ;  died  young. 

178.  James,  born  2nd  April,  1784;  went  to  sea;  never  returned.  179.  William. 

180.  Sarah,  born  1st  March,  17S8  ;  died  3rd  May,  1872,  in  Concord,  N.H. 

181.  John.  1S2.   Mary,  born  22nd  July,  1792  ;  died  single  in  Canterbury,  13th  June,  1848. 


356  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

183.  Noah.  184.  Abigail,  born  10th  March,  1797  ;  married  Israel  Davis,  of  Loudoun,  N.H. 

185.  Nancy,    born    2nd     October,    1799;     married    26th     March,    1822,    John     Fletcher,    of 

Canterbury,  N.H.  186.  Winthrop. 

John  Sinclair  (68),  born  Stratham,   N.H.,   28th  January,   1775;   owned  property 

there,  in  Exeter,  and  a  farm  in  Nottingham,  N.H.     He  was  a  farmer  resident  in  Exeter, 

where  he   died   August,   18 15.      He  married,  first,  Rhoda   Flint  ;   and   secondly,  Abigail 

Marston,  by  whom  he  was  survived.     Children  : 

187.  Mary  F.,  born  16th  November,  1800  ;  m.  Aaron  Sawyer,  and  resided  in  Methuen,  Mass. 

188.  Susannah,  born  27th  February,  1803  ;  married  Parker  Manson  of  Portsmouth,  N.H. 

189.  Rhoda,  died  young.  191.  George  Marston. 

190.  Catherine,  married  Amos  Bangs  ;  removed  to  Gardiner,  Me.,  and  died  there. 
Richard  Sinclair   (69),  was  born   in   Stratham    nth  October,   1777.     A  farmer, 

resident  in  his  native  town  on  the  home  farm,  he  conveyed  it  to  Joseph,  his  eldest  son, 
and  in  old  age  lived  with  his  son-in-law  James  Chase,  dying  on  20th  August,  1S56.  He 
married  21st  April,  1801,  Susan  Wiggin.     Children  born  Stratham,  N.H.  : 

192.  Martha,  born  Sth  August,  1807  ;  m.  22nd  July,  1842,  Lewis  B.  Hawkins;  resident  Boston. 

193.  Joseph  F.  194.  John  T.  195.  William  R. 

196.  Susan  E.,  b.  nth  March,  1S22  ;  m.  1st  December,  1842,  James  Chase  of  Stratham  ;  issue 
Micajah  Sinclair  (73),  born  in  Stratham  about  1793;  carpenter;   married,  first,- 

Nancy  Hoyt  of  Northwood,  N.H.  ;  and  secondly,  Abigail  — ,  afterwards  Mrs.  Ayer,  who 
survived  his  death  in  Stratham,  May,  1847.     Children  born  Stratham,  N.H.  : 

197.  Charles,  born  about  1824  ;  resident  in  Newmarket,  N.H.  ;  and  died  single  about  1884. 

198.  Lucretia,  born  about  1825  ;  married  Mr.  Willis  ;  died  about  1855. 

199.  Lydia  Ann,  born  about  1S27  ;  died  about  1880  ;  married  Benj.  Clough  of  Pittsfield,  N.H. 

200.  Elisabeth,  born  about  1830  ;  married  Mr.  Miles  of  Epping,  N.H.;  is  dead. 

201.  John  William,  born  about  1832  ;  resident  San  Francisco  ;  married  and  had  issue. 

202.  Martha,  born  1843;  died  February,  1867  ;  m.  Asa  G.  Dame  of  Durham,  N.H.  ;  child. 

Samuel  Sinclair  (75),  born  Stratham  2nd  March,  1795  ;  factory  machinist  for  many 
years,  residing  in  Dover,  N.H.,  in  Exeter,  and  in  Newmarket  ;  he  then  purchased  a  farm 
in  his  native  town,  on  which  he  died  20th  June,  1867.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Jas.  Lane  of  Stratham.     Children  : 

204.  Wm.  Henry,  born  Newmarket,  21st  April,  1828  ;  died  18th  August,  1S47  ;  student  Bowdoin 

College,  Me.  203.  Samuel  James. 

205.  Elizabeth   Deborah,  born  28th  September,  1830 ;  died  4th  July,   1853  ;   married  1852 

George  Stickney  of  Exeter. 

206.  Mary  Jane,  b.  29th  Sept.,  1832 ;  m.  first,  1858,  Wm.  Oliver  Brooks  of  Eliot,  Me. ;  issue ; 

secondly,  Wm.  Hill  of  Eliot,  Me. 

207.  Caroline  Newman,  born  10th  March    1842  ;  married,  1871,  Rev.  Benj.  D.  Conkling. 
James  Sinclair  (77),  born  Stratham   20th  September,   1799;   carpenter;    resident 

Bangor,  Me.,  and  vicinage,  Roxbury,  Mass.,  eventually  dying  at  Stratham,  1st  January, 
1877.  He  married,  first,  5th  October,  1828,  Mary  Eeavitt ;  and  secondly,  16th  September, 
1855.  Mrs.  Caroline  Robinson  of  South  Newmarket.     Children  : 

208.  Sarah  Elizabeth,  born  16th  October,  1829;  m.  Jas.  H.  Diman  of  Stratham;  children. 

210.  Mary  L.,  born  2nd  July,  1832  ;  died  19th  June,  1857  ;  resident  Stratham. 

211.  Caroline,  born  18th  February,  1834  ;  m.,  first,  George  Stoddard  ;  secondly,  Mr.  Woodward. 

212.  Martha,  born  5th  April,   1835;    died   22nd   December,  1875;   married  John  M.  Geer  of 

Stratham  and  Concord.  209.  James. 

213.  Abby  W.,  born  21st  January,  1839  ;  died  16th  June,  1853. 

214.  Lucy  Ann,  born  28th  July,  1841 ;  died  19th  June,  1864.  219.  Ida  May. 

215.  John  L.,  born  3rd  July,  1843  ;  died  for  the  Union  at  Fort  Wagner,  iSth  July,  1S63. 


FIFTH  AND  SIXTH  GENERATIONS.  357 


216.  Corinna  Alice,  born  22nd  August,  1845  ;  married  Josiah  Kelly  of  Stratham. 

217.  Ellen  Maria,  born  26th  June,  1847  ;  m.  Horace  Ellison  ;  d.  in  Newmarket,  N.H.;  issue. 
21S.  Abbie  Frances,  married  Clinton  Norton  of  Northwood,  N.H. 

Benjamin  Folsom  Sinclair  (79),  was  born  in  Brentwood,  N.H.,  16th  November, 
1 76 1.  He  accompanied  his  father  in  the  War  of  Independence,  and  was  his  awaiter  for 
him  when  at  Bunker's  Hill.  He  settled  in  Waterborough,  York  Co.,  Me.,  where  he 
purchased  some  200  uncleared  acres.  Farmer  and  miller  ;  Baptist.  He  married,  first, 
13th  April,  1784,  Mary  Peavey  ;  and  secondly,  19th  December,  1797,  Dorothy  Stevens. 
He  died  in  Waterborough,  9th  April,  1851.     Children  born  Waterborough,  Me.  : 

220.  James,  b.  nth  November,  1786  ;  d.  single  9th  July,  1869  ;  soldier  in  British  war  of  1812-15. 

221.  Samuel.  222.  John.  226.  David.  228.  Henry.  229.  John  Lewis. 

223.  Benjamin,  b.  18th  September,  1793  ;  died  single  26th  April,  1S65  ;  permanent  invalid  at  23. 

224.  Mary  Peavey,  born  4th  December,  1795;  married  Joshua  Sawyer  of  Limington,  Me. 

225.  Sarah,  born  5th  September,  1797  ;  married  Wm.  Stimson  of  Limerick,  Me. 
227.  Joanna,  born  4th  December,  1800  ;  resident  East  Waterborough,  Me. 

James  Sinclair  (80),  tanner,  was  born  in  Brentwood,  N.H.,  23rd  April,  1764, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  ;  democrat  ;  Baptist.  He  married  Mary  Nay.  Children 
born  Brentwood,  N.H.  : 

230.  Samuel.  232.  Henry.  235.  Benjamin. 

231.  Rachel,  born  31st  August,  1789  ;  married  Sam.  C  Shaw  of  Brentwood  in  1806. 

233.  Abigail,  married  Eliphalet  Robinson  of  Brentwood. 

234.  Mary,  married  James  Marston  of  Brentwood. 

Jonathan  Sinclair  (84),  sailor,  born  at  Brentwood  13th  June,  1773  ;  went  early  to 
Maine,  and  settled  in  Palmyra.  He  died  in  Canaan,  Me.,  having  married  Eunice  Porter. 
Children  born  Palmyra,  Me.  : 

236.  Hiram  Porter.  240.  James,  born  2nd  October,  1S18 ;  died  5th  July,  1S19. 

237.  Clarissa  Ann,  born  2nd  January,  1S11  ;  died  6th  June,  1848;  married  Rev.  Sullivan  A. 

Maxim,  Baptist.         23S.  Harriet,  born  9th  June,  1813  ;  died  single,  8th  September,  1S30. 

239.  Maria,  born  20th  September,  1816  ;  died  single,  2nd  March,  1835. 

David  Sinclair  (87)  was  born  in  Brentwood,  N.H.,  7th  May,  1779,  and  settled  in 

Palmyra,  Me.      He  was  a  soldier  in  the  181 2-15  war,  and  died  at  Plattsburg,  N.Y.,  20th 

May,  1813.     He  married  Cynthia  Porter,   who,   as  his  widow,  received  a  pension  from 

the  Government.     Children  : 

241.  David  Porter.  242.  John  Turner. 

244.  Cynthia,   born    1S14 ;    married,   first,  James    [Richard]    Hawley ;    secondly,    Henry   W. 

Purdy  ;  children.  243.  Ebenezer  Nay,  went  West  early  ;    no  issue. 

245.  DianTha  Jane,  married  31st  March,  1S31,  William  Libby  ;  died  24th  January,  1888. 

246.  Louisa  Ann,  married  iSthJune,  1834,  Isaac  Newton  Colby;  resident  Danville,  Vt. 
Ebenezer  Sinclair  (8S),  farmer,    was  born  in   Brentwood  7th  May,    1780;   went 

early  to  Maine,  and  settled  in  Monmouth.     He  cultivated  his  broad  acres  till  death,  15th 
June,  1843.     He  married  Mary  Seaborn.     Children  : 

247.  Abigail,  born  2nd  April,  1803  ;  deceased  ;  married  John  Coombs  of  Readfield,  Me.;  issue. 
24S.  Ann,  born  12th  June,  1805  ;  lived  and  died  single  in  Monmouth,  Me. 

249.  Elizabeth,  born  24th  July,  1S07 ;  deceased;   married  Daniel  McDuffie. 

250.  Henry  Blake, born  October,  1809  ;  married,  no  issue;  resident  on  homestead. 

251.  James  Madison.  254.  Joseph  Dalton. 

252.  Harriet,  born  iSth  January,  1815  ;  deceased  ;  married  Dr.  Addison  Brawn  ;  child. 

253.  Cynthia,  b.  14th  January,  1821  ;  single  ;  resident  on  homestead. 

Richard  Sinclair  (90),  carpenter  and  wheelwright,  was  born  in  Sandwich,  N.H., 
in  January,  1766.     He  occupied  part  of  his  father's  original  farm,  his  house  being  some 


358  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

20  rods  from  his  father's.  He  sold  most  of  his  property  to  his  father  14th  November,  1803, 
after  his  removal  to  Falmouth,  Me.,  and  carried  on  business  in  what  is  now  Portland,  Me. 
Returning  to  Sandwich,  he  there  lived  and  died  on  a  portion  of  the  old  homestead  28th 
May,  1848.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  very  attentive  to 
religious  observances.  He  married,  about  1790,  Rebecca  Gilman  of  Gilmauton.  Children 
born  Sandwich,  N.H. : 

255.  Jonathan.  260.  Ebenezer. 

256.  Judith  Gilman,  born  20th  September,  1793  ;  married  Mich.  Gilman  of  Gilmanton  ;  issue. 

257.  Elizabeth,  born  1st  October,  1795;    died  15th  December,  1877;  married,  1821,  Meshech 

Robinson,  junr. 

258.  Joseph   Gilman,  born   24th   November,    1797  ;   left   Sandwich  when  young,  and   never 

returned  ;  lived  for  some  time  in  Boston,  Mass.,  when  he  disappeared. 

259.  Clarissa,  born  31st  August,   1799  ;   married,  first,  Mr.  Tilson  ;  secondly,  Isaac  Mitchell  i 

children. 
Jonathan  Sinclair  (91),  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Sandwich,  N.H. ,  about  1 768 . 
He  carried  on  business  for  many  years  at  Moultonborough  Corner.  He  was  there  on  3rd 
July,  1803,  and  was  called  "Gentleman"  in  deeds.  He  acquired  the  paternal  farm  in 
Sandwich,  and  considerable  real  estate.  Before  30th  March,  1809,  he  had  removed  to 
Haverhill,  N.  H. ,  and  on  26th  September,  1810,  he  makes  acknowledgment  of  the  con- 
veyance of  his  house  and  shop  in  Moultonborough.  He  was  a  leading  spirit  in  Haverhill. 
His  blacksmith  business  was  managed  successfully,  as  also  was  his  country  store.  He 
also  owned  and  managed  an  hotel.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  deputy  sheriff  and 
captain  in  the  militia.  He  married,  24th  July,  1800,  Abigail  Frieze.  Late  in  life  they 
removed  to  Newton,  Mass. ,  died  there,  and  are  buried  in  Mt.  Auburn.     Child  : 

261.  Augusta,  born  Moultonborough;  married  Ezra  Hutchins  of  Newton. 

Ebenezer  Sinclair  (92),  farmer,  born  in  Exeter,  N.H.  ;  was  baptised  29th 
August,  1762.  His  farm  was  near  the  Red  Hill  of  Exeter.  He  married  nth  April, 
1786,  Mercy  Hoag,  of  Sandwich.  The}-  were  both  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
His  death  was  occasioned  by  falling  from  a  loaded  team  in  the  field,  and  took  place 
29th  September,  1815.  Enoch  Hoag  administered  the  estate,  of  which  inventory  was 
taken  16th  October,  18 15.     His  wife  survived  him.     Children  born  Sandwich,  N.H.  : 

262.  Asa.     Blacksmith  ;  settled  in  Haverhill,  N.H. 

263.  Judith,  married,  May,  1S13,  Josiah  Ambrose,  of  Moultonborough. 

264.  Elizabeth,  married  27th  April,  1S09,  John  Johnson,  of  Sandwich. 

265.  John.  266.  Lvdia,  married  Joseph  Smith,  of  Moultonborough. 

267.  Sarah  Hill,  born  10th  January,  1795  ;  married  John  Cook,  of  Sandwich. 

268.  Moses  Hoag.  269.  William  M.  270.  Isaiah  Gould. 

271.  Mary,  born  8th  November,  1806;  died  14th  November,  1827. 

Samuel  Sinclair  (93)  owned  a  small  part  of  the  original  homestead  of  his  father, 
and  his  house  stood  near  that  of  his  brother  Richard.  He  sold  it  to  his  brother 
Jonathan,  who  took  the  buildings  down.  Samuel  carried  on  a  blacksmith's  business 
near  his  brother  Jonathan's,  but  sold  the  premises  on  18th  April,  1800.  In  1803  he 
resided  in  Sandwich,  but  soon  moved  to  the  north  part  of  Haverhill  ;  received  a  life 
lease  of  land  there,  built  a  block  house,  and  there  lived,  died,  and  was  buried.  His 
life  was  not  a  successful  one,  and  was  marred  by  some  moral  blemishes.  He  married, 
17th  November,  1791,  Sarah  Monlton,  of  Sandwich.     Children  born  Sandwich,  N.H.  : 

272.  James,  who  went  to  sea  ;  absent  and  silent  for  some  20  years,  when  he  returned,  and  died 

at  Haverhill,  N.H.  273.  John.  274.  Samuel. 

275.   Hannah,  married  Simeon  Hildreth  ;  resident  Haverhill. 


FIFTH  AND  SIXTH  GENERATIONS.  359 


276.  Myra,  married,  first,  Mr.  Davenport,  secondly,  Levi  Hatnblett ;  issue. 

277.  Stephen  Badger. 

Bradbury  Sinkler  (98)  was  born  in  Newmarket,  N.H.,  8th  March,  1754,  and 
resided  in  Barnstead,  N.H.  He  was  early  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  by 
repeated  enlistments  was  in  the  service  the  greater  part  of  his  life  till  his  death.  He  was 
a  corporal  in  Badger's  Company  29th  August,  1776,  and  succumbed  to  the  privations  of 
the  Valley  Forge  winter,  dying  in  camp  5th  March,  1778.  He  had  married,  26th  June, 
1777,  Sarah  Bunker,  who  married  again. 

Lieutenant  Richard  Sinkler  (99)  was  born  in  Newmarket,  N.H.,  6th  October, 
1756,  and  lived  in  Barnstead,  N.H.  He  first  entered  military  service  on  the  23rd  July, 
1776,  as  a  member  of  Badger's  Company  (Badger's  Regiment).  On  29th  August  he  was 
re-mustered  into  the  same  company  for  Canadian  service.  He  was  then  drummer.  The 
American  army  having  retreated  from  Canada,  the  company  finally  joined  the  Northern 
army  in  New  York.  His  pension  papers  show  that  the  company  marched  to 
Ticonderoga,  was  stationed  awhile  at  Mount  Independence,  and  that  he  served  six 
months  in  that  campaign.  He  enlisted  23rd  April,  1777,  for  one  year  in  Scammell's 
Company,  3rd  Battalion  N.H.,  which  term  he  served,  re-enlisting  23rd  April,  1779,  for 
a  similar  period.  He  again  enlisted,  this  time  as  ensign  in  his  father's  company 
(Bartlett's  N.H.  Regiment),  29th  June,  1780,  and  went  to  the  fortress  of  West  Point. 
During  this  period,  Arnold,  commander  of  West  Point,  turned  traitor,  and  arranged 
its  betrayal  to  the  British.  Major  Andre,  a  British  spy,  visited  the  treacherous  Arnold 
21st  September,  1780,  only  to  be  arrested,  tried,  and  executed  most  properly  as  a  spy  on 
the  2nd  October  next  thereafter.  Arnold  escaped.  On  the  27th  October  the  company 
of  Captain  Richard  Sinkler  was  disbanded,  father  and  son  returning  to  Barnstead,  when 
the  military  career  of  Lieutenant  Sinkler  ended,  enabling  him  to  attend  to  his  duties  as 
civilian.  He  was  Selectman  in  17S1,  '82;  Surveyor  of  Highways  in  1785,  '86,  '87,  '88, 
and  '91  ;  and  Collector  of  Taxes  in  1783,  '84,  and  '85.  He  signed  a  petition  for 
appointing  Captain  Charles  Hodgdon  a  J. P.,  23rd  December,  1788,  and  was  Moderator 
of  special  town  meetings,  2nd  February,  1789,  and  13th  January,  1801.  He  was  chosen 
one  of  the  town's  committee,  3rd  November,  1789,  to  settle  the  boundary  lines  between 
Barnstead  and  Barrington.  Soon  after  he  and  others  petitioned  for  a  higher  tax  to 
enable  the  Suncook  River  to  be  bridged.  Juror,  3rd  May,  1794  ;  and  member  of  an 
important  town  committee,  31st  March,  1795.  His  cousin,  the  Hon.  Bradbury  Cilley, 
bought  from  him  land  in  Barnstead  10th  June,  1802.  For  $1,000,  on  July  1st,  1802, 
he  sold  Charles  Hodgdon  "all  my  land  and  real  estate  in  the  town  of  Barnstead, 
together  with  two  pews  in  the  Northerly  Meeting  House  in  Barnstead,  adjoining  the 
Minister's  pew  so  called,  and  the  other  write  over  it  in  the  gallory,  also  all  my  buildings 
and  outhouses  to  me  belonging."  About  1S09  he  left  Barnstead  to  join  his  brother 
John,  located  near  French  Creek,  Penu.  With  him  he  henceforth  lived.  In  1820  he 
set  out  on  a  visit  to  Cincinnati,  but  fell  ill  by  the  way,  and  died  in  Ohio.  He  was 
married  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Charles  Hodgdon,  27th  October,  17S4.  Children  born 
Barnstead,  N.H.  : 

278.  Nancy,  born  1786;  died  2nd  June,  1856;  married,  1810,  Obadiah  Eastman. 

279.  Mary  CILLEY,  born  2nd  May,  1789  ;  married,  2nd  July,  1S07,  Abraham   R.  Bunker. 

280.  Charees  Grandison. 

281.  Eeiza  S.,  born  1800;  married,  2Sth  November,  1825.  Wm.  Jenkins  of  Barnstead,  N.H. 


360  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


Joshua  Sincler  (ioi)  was  born  in  Nottingham,  N.H.,  16th  April,  1760.  At  four 
his  father  removed  to  Gilmantown,  and  he  was  resident  in  Barnstead  in  1767.  He 
enlisted  in  company  of  Badger,  junr.  (10th  N.H.),  mustered  23rd  July,  1776,  and  on  29th 
August  following  was  fifer  of  the  same.  His  pension  papers  disclose  that  he  was 
attached  to  the  person  of  his  uncle,  Colonel  Joseph  Cilley.  His  bounty  as  Continental 
soldier  from  Barnstead  was  ^27  13s.  6d.  He  enlisted  in  the  1st  N.H.  (Morrill's 
Company),  serving  from  20th  June,  1777,  till  discharged,  20th  June,  1780.  He  shared 
in  the  two  fights  at  the  taking  of  Burgoyne,  in  October,  1777  ;  suffered  in  Valley  Forge, 
1777  ;  and  fought  in  the  victory  of  Monmouth,  28th  June,  1778.  He  shared  in  Sullivan's 
campaign  against  the  Five  Nations,  and  was  in  the  engagement  at  Elmira,  N.Y.,  29th 
August,  1779.  A  carpenter  by  trade,  his  boyhood  was  passed  in  Barnstead.  He  then 
joined  his  brothers,  Samuel  and  John,  in  getting  out  ship  timber,  and  in  operating 
sawmills  at  Vassalboro'  on  the  Kennebec.  This  was  his  home  for  some  years.  He 
married  Abigail  Pattee  of  that  town.  Their  home  was  afterwards  in  Unity,  Me.  In  1834 
he  offered  to  educate  his  nephew,  now  the  Hon.  John  G.  Sinclair.  In  1847  ^e  went 
westwards  to  join  his  son,  Dr.  William  St.  Clair,  and  died  two  years  later  in  November, 
1849,  at  Maumee  City,  Ohio.     Children  : 

282.  Geo.  Washington.        284.  Wm.  St.  Clair.       285.  Thos.  Jefferson.       287.  Joshua. 

283.  Abigail,  born  Vassalboro'  26th  March,  179S  ;  died  1829  ;  m.  1818,  Thos.  Bagley  ;  issue. 
2S6.  Mary,  born  Unity,  2nd  April,  1803;  died  1841  ;  married,  1832,  Alden  Chandler. 

2S8.  Jane,  born  Unity,  19th  February,  1807  ;  died  single  at  21. 

289.  Elizabeth  LovEJOY,  born  Unity,  23rd  August,  1S09  ;  married  Alpheus  W.  Boynton. 

290.  Daniel  Lovejoy,  born  1811  ;  died  1S16. 

291.  Dorcas  Burnham  born  Unity,  6th  March,  1813  ;  was  second  wife  to  Alden  Chandler. 

Major  Samuel  Sinclear  (102)  born  in  Nottingham,  N.H.,  10th  May,  1762,  spent 
his  early  life  there,  in  Gilmantown,  and  in  Barnstead.  When  too  young  to  enlist,  for  a 
year  he  acted  as  attendant  to  his  uncle,  Colonel  Joseph  Cilley  ;  he  then  enlisted  20th 
June,  1777,  and  was  mustered  on  the  1st  July,  being  then  fifteen  years  of  age.  His 
regiment  evacuated  from  Fort  Ticonderoga,  6th  July,  1777;  fought  with  distinction  at 
Stillwater,  19th  September,  1777  ;  and  rendered  even  more  valiant  service  at  Saratoga, 
7th  October,  1777,  where  his  position  was  in  the  centre  of  the  company,  in  the  front 
rank.  This  was  one  of  the  most  desperate  encounters  of  the  war.  Ten  days  later  the 
enemy  surrendered  at  Saratoga,  and  the  1st  N.H.  moved  slowly  southward,  joining 
Washington's  army  21st  November,  and  on  13th  December  took  up  its  winter  quarters  at 
Valley  Forge,  where  great  privations  were  endured.  Mr.  Sinclear's  brother  Ebenezer  had 
fallen  in  contributing  to  the  victory  at  Saratoga,  and  now  another,  Bradbury,  succumbed 
5th  March,  1778,  to  the  fearful  exposure  of  Valley  Forge.  His  regiment  contributed  to 
the  defeat  of  the  British  at  Monmouth,  28th  June,  1778,  and  took  part  in  Sullivan's 
victorious  compaign  against  the  Indians,  who  were  engaged  at  Newtown,  near  Elmira, 
29th  August,  1778,  where  the  celebrated  chief  Brandt  was  posted  with  1,000  or  more. 
The  power  of  the  Indians  was  broken,  and  their  country  laid  waste.  The  regiment  was 
disbanded  6th  April,  1780.  Mr.  Sinclear  was  only  eighteen  at  the  time  of  his  discharge, 
and  had  had  remarkable  experience  for  so  young  a  soldier.  After  the  war  he  spent  some 
time  in  Barnstead  and  Gilmantown,  N.H.;  was  resident  at  Vassalborough,  Me.,  in  1784, 
and  on  16th  April,  1788,  bought  land  there,  erecting  sawmills;  before  1795  had  settled 
at  Utica,  where  he  worked  on  the  long  bridge  over  the  Mohawk  ;  then  spent  a  year  at 
Cherry  Valley,  N.Y. ;  and  in  1796  settled  at  Eaton,  Madison  Co.,  N.Y.,  as  on  nth  April 


FIFTH  AND  SIXTH  GENERATIONS. 3&_i 

same  he  received  a  commission  as  Captain  in  the  militia,  and  a  little  later  he  was 
promoted  to  be  First  Major  of  Militia,  by  which  title  he  was  known  ever  after.  While  in 
Eaton  he  was  a  farmer.  In  1S05  he  bought  55  acres  in  Madison  for  $1,000,  and  in  1807, 
for  $1,400,  57  more,  which  he  cleared  and  erected  thereon  a  tavern.  In  180S  he  bought 
land  at  French  Creek,  Penn.,  which  he  sold  in  1809,  and  then  purchased  from  the 
Holland  Land  Company,  for  .£1,530,  1,530  acres,  comprising  lot  41  (now  Sinclair ville), 
360  acres,  lot  28  (now  Charlotte),  and  lot  63,  and  portions  of  lots  64  and  65,  in  Gerry,  all 
in  Chatauqua  County,  N.Y.  1809  was  occupied  in  moving;  1810  and  181 1  in  clearing  and 
building  two  houses,  a  sawmill,  and  a  gristmill.  Major  Sinclair  had  brought  with  him 
$6,000  or  $7,000  dollars,  then  a  large  sum,  and  some  ten  hired  hands,  and  pushed  on 
matters  with  expedition.  In  his  lifetime  the  locality  was  called  the  "Major's,"  or 
"Major  Sinclair's,"  but  after  his  death,  8th  February,  1827,  it  began  by  common 
consent  to  be  called  Sinclairville.  He  had  been  Master  of  the  Sylvan  Lodge  of 
Freemasons  in  Sinclairville,  formed  in  1823,  and  the  exercises  at  his  death  were 
conducted  according  to  the  Masonic  ritual.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  almost  the 
entire  population,  for  the  town  had  lost  its  most  respected  citizen.  In  the  charming 
village  of  Sinclairville,  on  an  elevated  plateau,  is  the  Evergreen  Cemetery,  ground 
donated  by  himself  to  the  public.  In  that  cemetery  rest  the  remains  of  Major  Samuel 
Sinclair,  until  the  great  awakening.  He  married,  first,  8th  February,  1785,  Sarah 
Perkins;  and  secondly,  14th  March,  1805,  Fanny  Bigalow,  relict  of  Obed  Edson,  who 
survived  him.     Children  : 

292.  Mary,  born  19th  April,  1786  ;  married  Elijah  Haswell.  293.  John. 

294.  Solomon,  born  6th  August,  1789  ;  died  1799. 

295.  Sarah,  born  5th  May,  1791  ;  died  6th  October,  1792. 

296.  Sophy,  born  30th  March,  1793;  died  Iowa  1866  ;  married  Mr.  Ward. 

297.  Samuel,  born  15th  July,  and  died  6th  August,  1794. 

29S.  Sarah,  born  20th  December,  1795  ;  died  10th  November,  1887  ;  married  Wm.  Barrows. 

299.  Richard,  born  21st  May,  1799  ;  died  17th  January,  1802. 

300.  Samuel.  301.  Agnes,  born  3rd  September,  and  died  1803.  303.  David  Bigalow. 
302.  Nancy,  born  24th  January,  1806 ;  died  6th  September,  1855  ;  married  Mr.  Putnam. 

304.  Joseph,  born  15th  March,  1809;  died  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  7th  September,  1854. 

306.  Orlinda,  born  10th  May,  1813  ;  died  28th  July,  1S46  ;  married  Dr.  Chas.  Parker. 

307.  Virtue  Elvira,  born  3rd  February,  1S16  ;  married,  6th  May,  1835,  Chester  Cole. 

308.  Hiram,  born  29th  August,  1817  ;  died  15th  March,  1S1S.  305.  Geo.  Washington. 

John  Sinkler  (103),  shipbuilder  and  millwright,  was  born  in  Gilmantown,  N.H., 
13th  January,  1763.  He  went  with  his  parents  to  Barnstead  at  the  age  of  four,  and  in 
1788  received  from  his  father  100  acres  and  a  sawmill.  In  October,  1791,  he  sold  one-eighth 
part  of  Sinclair's  sawmill  in  Barnstead.  where  he  dwelt  in  1792.  He  married  Abigail 
Clark,  13th  May,  1785.  He  located  in  Danville,  Vt.,  in  1793,  where  he  lived  till  about 
1799,  when  he  was  at  Black  River,  N.Y.  In  1S03  he  was  at  Harbor  Creek,  Penn.  ;  in 
1805  at  Rockdale,  Penn.  ;  and  then  in  Perry,  Ohio,  whence  he  went  West,  dying  on 
4th  November,  1845,  at  Frederick,  111.     Children  : 

309.  Sarah,  born  22nd  June,  1786;  married  Calvin  Snell. 

310.  Bradbury',  born  2nd  July,  1788  ;  died  July,  1857. 

311.  John  Jr.,  born  2nd  December,  1790;  died  5th  January,  1822  ;  soldier  in  1S12  war. 

312.  David,  born  19th  October,  1792.     Soldier  1812-15  war. 

313.  Leonard,  born  20th  January,  1793;  died  29th  December,  1876;  married  Sarah  St.  John. 

314.  Abigail,  born  25th  October,  1798  ;  married  Mr.  Casper. 

315.  Samuel,  born  17th  February,  1801  ;  drowned  28th  May,  1804.  316.  Joshua. 


362  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


317.  Prudence,  born  29th  December,  1805  ;  married,  first,  Mr.  Kibbie,  secondly,  Mr.  Lord. 

318.  Joseph,  b.  22nd  October,  1807  ;  d.  16th  April,  1867.        319.  Daniel,  b.  28th  March,  1811. 

320.  Mary,  born  3rd  April,  1813  ;  married,  first,  Jefferson  Rice,  secondly,  Col.  Wilcox. 
Joseph  Sinkler  (105),  farmer,  was  born  in  Gilmanton,  N.H.,  9th  April,   1766; 

lived  there  till  1794,  when  he  moved  to  Danville,  Vt.  He  owned  a  large,  highly- 
productive  farm,  on  which  was  a  large  two-storied  house,  his  home  until  1826,  when  he 
went  to  Peacham,  Vt.  ;  and  two  years  later  returned  to  Perry,  L,ake  Co.,  Ohio,  where  he 
lived  on  a  farm  on  the  North  Ridge,  which  he  deeded  to  his  son  Milton,  at  whose  place 
he  died  in  his  80th  year,  12th  May,  1845,  and  was  buried  at  Perry  in  the  village  cemetery, 
that  beautiful  "  City  of  the  Dead."     He  married  Olive  Colbath.     Children  : 

321.  Joseph.  324.  Greenleaf  Cilleyt.  328.  Milton. 

322.  Sarah,  born  nth  August,  and  died  1st  September,  1791. 

323.  Elizabeth,  born  19th  June,  1792  ;  died  31st  December,  1810. 

325.  Elizabeth,  born  1795  ;  died  about  1812. 

326.  Stat'ra,  born  22nd  December,  1796 ;  died  7th  March,  1832  ;  married  Mr.  McDowell. 

327.  Roxanna,  born  13th  December,  1798  ;  married  Asa  Glines. 

329.  Sarah,  born  10th  March,  1802  ;  married  Stephen  B.  Glines. 

330.  Olive,  born  5th  January,  1804;  married,  15th  September,  1S33,  Amherst  Call. 

331.  Arit,  born  5th  April,  1806  ;  died  single  23rd  January,  1736.     Farmer,  Perry,  Ohio. 

332.  Elizabeth  B.,  born  19th  March,  181 1;  married  Carlos  Norris. 

David  Sinkler  (106)  was  born  at  Barnstead  3rd  January,  1770.  Resident  Danville, 
Vt.,  4th  March,  1796  to  1816;  Leroy,  N.Y.,  1816;  and  Perry,  Ohio,  1818-53,  where  he 
kept  an  hotel  and  owned  a  large  farm.  He  was  a  fine  marksman,  a  great  hunter,  kept 
hounds,  and  many  were  the  deer  that  he  successfully  hunted.  When  over  eighty  he 
would  follow  a  fox  all  day,  and  generally  with  success.  He  died  on  the  20th  May,  1853. 
His  wife  was  Sarah  Batchelder,  and  they  had  children  : 

333.  Prentice.  336.  Calvin.  342.  David. 

334.  Eunice,  born  16th  July,  1797  ;  died  4th  June,  1803. 

335.  Mary,  born  26th  July,  1799  ;  died  22nd  August,  1802. 

337.  Sarah,  born  22nd  May,  1804  ;  died  30th  April,  1807. 

338.  Elizabeth,  born  3rd  June,  1806;  married,  27th  February,  1827,  Elisha  Coltrau. 

339.  Nancy',  born  14th  November,  1808;  married,  18th  October,  1826,  Freeman  Tisdell ;  issue. 

340.  Dolly,  b.  10th  February,  1811  ;  d.  17th  July,  1887  ;  m.27th  February,  1845,  Daniel  Parmly. 

341.  Sarah,  born  3rd  February,  1S13  :  died  5th  January,  1845  ;  married  Samuel  Wortman. 

343.  Mary,  born  17th  October,  181 7  ;  married  Benj.  Wolverton. 

344.  Eunice,  born  21st  March,  1820;  married,  20th  April,  1852,  Lyman  Durand  ;  child. 


SIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  GENERATIONS. 

Nathaniel  Sinclair  (hi),  farmer,  was  born  in  Meredith,  N.H. ,  19th  September, 
1773.  He  married  Sarah  Pease,  2nd  March,  1795.  He  lived  in  Greensborough,  Vt. ,  and 
the  adjoining  town  of  Hardwick  in  1793.  Was  in  Greensborough  1801,  and  on  3rd  June, 
1805,  he  and  his  wife  deeded  all  their  right  to  the  Meredith  homestead  of  her  father 
Benjamin  to  Simeon  Pease.  In  Staustead,  Con.,  1808;  in  Danville,  Vt. ,  1813  ;  in 
Hardwick  (where  he  leased  a  farm  24th  August,  1813)  until  1829.  He  died  in  Woodstock, 
Vt. ,  2nd  July,  1843,  aged  69  years,  9  months,  13  days.     Children  : 

345.  Anna,  born  27th  December,  1796  ;  married  Allen  Gardner.  346.  Simeon  Pease. 

347.  Hannah,  born  6th  May,  1799  ;  married  Mr.  Bugbee.  348.  Nathaniel. 

349.  Benjamin,  born  15th  October,  1802  ;  died  21st  April,  1812.  350.  Stephen  A. 

351.  Sophronia,  born  27th  March,  1805  ;  married,  7th  February,  1836,  Luther  Ayer ;  issue. 


SIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  GENERATIONS.  363 

352.  Robert,  born  2nd  December,  1807  ;  died  25th  April,  1S08.  353.  Amos  S. 

354.  Richard  M.,  born  13th  August,  1810  ;    he  married,  and  died  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  4  weeks 
after,  30th  October,  1835. 

355.  William  C.  B.,  born  7th  February,  1812  ;  died  single  20th  May,  1835. 

Benjamin  Sinclair  (114),  farmer,  was  born  in  Meredith,  N.H.,  28th  January, 
1778,  and  died  15th  May,  1840.  He  was  resident  at  Hampton  Falls,  N.H.  ;  at 
Monmouth,  Me.  ;  and  lastly  at  Eevant,  in  the  same  State.  He  married,  5th  September, 
1805,  Mary  Cram.     Children  : 

356.  Jonathan  Cram.  357.  Joseph  Porter,   born   28th  October,   181 1  ;   died  s.p.  20th 

May,  1874;  married,  first,  Belinda  Drew;  secondly,  Emily  Hodgdon. 

358.  Caroline  Tilton,  born  8th  January,  1813  ;  married  William  Higgins. 

359.  Mary  Ann  True,  born  4th  January,  1817  ;  died  single  in  Lowell,  Mass. 

360.  Rhoda  Cram,  born  8th  March,  1821 ;  married  Royal  W.  Clark. 

361.  Benjamin  Woodbury,  born  4th  August,  1826  ;  married,  and  had  children. 

362.  Elbridge  Augustus,  born  10th  December,  182S  ;  married,  and  left  children. 
Jeremiah   Sinclair  (115)  lived    in  Greensborough,   Vt.,   and  erected  the  present 

Calderwood  House,  which  was  then  his  residence.  He  lived  for  a  while  in  Canada, 
where  his  first  wife  died.  He  married,  secondly,  Rhoda  Fay.  Two  of  his  children  were 
buried  on  the  Calderwood  Farm.  He  sold  his  farm  in  1825,  was  for  a  while  in  Hardwick, 
and  finally  moved  to  Pt.  Kent,  Black  Rock,  or  some  other  place  in  New  York.  He 
had  at  least  two  children  (363-4)  as  before  mentioned. 

Enoch  St.  Clair  (117),  farmer,  etc.,  was  born  in  Meredith,  N.H.,  1st  September, 
1790,  and  died  at  Hampton,  Iowa,  3rd  April,  1873.  He  married  Huldah  Townsend, 
9th  December,  1816.     Their  children  were  all  born  at  Concord,  N.Y. 

365.  RoxalENA,  born  1st  November,  1818  ;  died  13th  August,  1S22. 

366.  Louise  LETiTiA,  born  10th  April,  1821  ;  married  Ephr.  R.  Bennett,  22nd  Nov.,  1847. 

367.  Elizabeth,    born   24th  July,    1823;  died   1889.     Married,  first,    Rev.    P.    M.    Huffman; 

secondly,  Alonzo  D.  Hendrickson.  369.  John,  born  29th  Jan.  ;   died  3rd  Feb.,  1829. 

368.  Benjamin,  born  26th  April,  and  died  26th  July,  1825.  374.  Augustine  Duroc 

370.  Lois  Josephine,  born  18th  July,  1830;  married,  4th  Nov.,  1849,  Lewis  Milton  Stevenson. 

371.  Roxa  Clementine,  born  25th  June,  1833;  married  Jacob  Tobey. 

372.  Laura  Elvira,  born  22nd  May,  1835  ;  teacher,  resides  Hampton,  Iowa. 

373.  Mary  Jane,  born  28th  April,  1837  ;  married  Thomas  Wayman  Jones. 

Asa  St.  Clair  (118),  farmer,  was  born  in  Hardwick,  Vt. ,  7th  November,  1795. 
He  resided  in  Concord  and  Barre,  N.Y.  ;  Petersburg,  Mich.  ;  and  Rollin,  Mich.,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm,  on  which  he  lived  till  his  death,  18th  March,  1848.  He  married, 
first,  Rebecca  Page,  and  secondly,  Mary  Bragg.      Children  : 

375.  Child  not  named,  died  young.  376.   Child  not  named,  died  young. 

377.  William,  born  19th  April,  1819 ;  died  3rd  April,  1856.  378.  Perry. 

379.  Laura,  born  24th  May,  1822  ;  married  Thomas  Patrick.  382.  Asa. 

380.  Eliza,  born  28th  November,  1824  ;  married  Nathaniel  J.  Hodges. 

381.  Mary,  born  i6thjuly,  1825  ;  died  1846.         386.  Sarah,  born  nth  Nov.,  1841  ;  unmarried. 

353.  Mary,  born  17th  October,  1S36;  married,  1855,  George  W.  Hodges. 

387.  Rebecca,  born  7th  October,  1843  ;  married,  1863,  Frank  Coleman. 

388.  George,  born   3rd  October,  1845;  farmer;  Union  soldier;  died   unmarried   in    hospital 

23rd  April,  1863.  384.   Benjamin.  385.  Aaron. 

John  Meed  Sinclair  (119,,  farmer,  was  born  in  Meredith,  nth  February,  1776  ; 
died  in  Freedom,  Me.,  30th  October,  1826.  He  was  elected  assessor  for  Freedom  in  1812, 
and  several  successive  years.     He  married  Sarah  Levett.     Children  born  Freedom,  Me. : 

389.  James,  killed  at  about  age  of  ten  by  fall  of  tree. 


364  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

390.  Elizabeth,  died  in  Thornsville,  Me.        391.  Mary,  died  in  Freedom,  18th  August,  1826. 

392.  OrvillE,  married  Mary  Wheeler  ;  farmer,  Windsor,  Me.;  no  children. 

393.  Caroline,  born  3rd  August,  1815  ;  married,  31st  December,  1840,  Stephen  Thorn. 

James  St.  Clair  (120),  farmer,  etc.,  was  born  in  Meredith,  9th  May,  1777;  and 
died  in  South  Thomaston,  Me.,  25th  June,  1858,  in  which  latter  place  he  settled  in  1803. 
"  The  St.  Clair  path,"  over  the  hill,  still  marks  the  way  he  and  Sarah  Wiggin,  his  wife, 
trod  in  going  to  worship.     Children  : 

394.  Lavinia,  born  22nd  October,  1801;  married  Benj.  Burgess  of  Matinicus,  Id.,  Me. 

395.  Mary  Smith,  born  15th  February,  1804  ;  married,  1823,  Sion  Payson. 

396.  Geo.  Washington.  399.  James  Madison.  400.  Erastus. 

397.  Mahala,  born  2nd  June,  1808;  m.,  first,  1828,  Jonathan  Hall  ;  secondly,  Hugh  Kelsey. 

398.  Thirza,  born  2nd  June,  1808  ;  married,  1829,  Capt.  Isaac  Tolman. 

401.  Sarah,  b.  5th  September,  1816 ;  died  1849;  m.  Samuel  Crie.        404.  Guilford  Dudley. 

402.  Lucy  Lovejoy,  born  16th  November,  1818  ;  married  Abijah  F.  Metcalf. 

403.  Abigail  Burgess,  born  27th  June,  1822 ;  married,  1846,  Saml.  Hastings. 

Thomas  Sinclair  (121),  farmer,  was  born  in  Meredith,  27th  December,  1778  ;  he 
died  in  Dover,  Me.,  3rd  July,  1844.  ^e  was  resident  in  Beaver  Hill  Plantation 
(afterwards  Freedom)  from  1806  to  1824,  when  he  acquired  a  farm  at  Dover.  He 
married  his  cousin,  Mary  Robinson,  a  daughter  of  his  mother's  sister.  Four  of 
their  children  became  cripples  as  they  arrived  at  maturity.     Children  : 

405.  Hannah,  born  9th  August,  1806  ;  invalid ;  died  2Sth  September,  1857.  4°6-  Ahira. 

407.  Alvah.  408.  Gideon  Robinson.  409.  Chas.  Perry.  412.  Thomas  Rila. 

410.  William  Martin,  born  20th  June,  1816  ;  died,  Cal.,  7th  May,  1854;  single. 

411.  Uriah  R.,  born  1st  August,  1818  ;  died,  Dover,  25th  September,  1S76  ;  single  ;  invalid. 

413.  Mary  J.,  born  20th  November,  1829 ;  single  ;  resident  Dover,  Me. 

William  Sinclair  (123),  shoemaker,  was  born  in  Meredith,  18th  September,  1782, 
lived  on  part  of  the  paternal  homestead,  and  died  suddenly  15th  April,  1815.  His  wife, 
Nancy  Dow,  was  appointed  administratrix  19th  June,  1815.     Child  : 

414.  Thomas. 

Joseph  Sinclair  (124),  farmer,  was  born  in  Meredith,  17th  Sept.,  1785;  lived  on 
the  paternal  homestead,  where  he  died  2nd  March,  1847.  He  was  a  very  religious  man. 
He  married,  27th  March,  1805,  Isabel  Dockman,  who  was  .so  deft  with  her  fingers 
that  by  her  weaving  alone  she  paid  for  nearly  50  acres  of  woodland.  She  lived  to 
be  over  97.     Their  children  were  : 

415.  Belinda,  born  18th  February,  1806  ;  married  John  Cotton.  417.  John  Langdon. 

416.  Thomas  Jefferson,  born  3rd  May,  and  died  4th  May,  1808.  418.  Noah. 

419.  Mary  Jane,  born  16th  July,  1816  ;  died  13th  June,  1872  ;  married  Daniel  Howe. 

420.  William  Plummer,  born  23rd  July,  1818  ;  died  1st  August,  1819. 

421.  Naomi  Cheney,  born  16th  July,  1820  ;  died  23rd  November,  1847. 

Joseph  St.  Clair  (128),  farmer,  was  born  in  Sanbornton,  N.H.,  17th  January, 
1786;  lived  in  Eagle  Harbor,  N.Y.  ;  removed  to  Rochester,  111.  ;  and  died  8th  May, 
1839.     He  married,  20th  November,  1815,  Lucy  Brown.      Children  : 

422.  Augusta  Flavilla,  born  24th  August,  1816 ;  married  James  Musick. 

423.  Julia  Ann,  b.  9th  October,  1818 ;  d.  29th  August,  1873  ;  m.,  1S3S,  Andrew  F.  Hollenbeck. 

424.  Orange  Pardez,  born  nth  January,  1821  ;  dead  ;  his  widow  lives  in  Newton,  Kan. 

425.  Joseph  Norman. 

James  St.  Clair  (130),  farmer,  was  born  in  Sanbornton,  6th  September,  1789; 
accompanied  his  people  to  Hard  wick  and  Wolcott,  Vt.t  and  to  Russelltown,  Canada. 
While  in   the  Dominion  he  became   engaged  to  Patience    Matilda    Northrop,   of  New 


SIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  GENERATIONS.  365 


Milford,  Coan.,  and  as  marriages  in  Canada  were  illegal  unless  solemnised  by  an  Anglican 
clergyman,  he  and  his  fiancee  made  up  a  party  of  sixteen  horse,  rode  over  the  dividing 
line  into  New  York  State,  and  were  duly  married  by  the  Episcopal  service  and  clergyman 
in  Chateaugay,  Franklin  Co.  For  a  while  they  lived  in  Peru  and  in  Palmyra,  N.Y. 
Eventually  he  bought  land  at  Barre  (now  Albion),  N.Y.,  and  in  the  spring  of  1816 
brought  his  family  to  the  new  home.  The  Erie  canal,  constructed  a  few  years  later,  flows 
through  nearly  the  entire  length  of  the  farm.  His  death  occurred  in  Barre  1st  April, 
1874.     He  was  a  twelfth  child,  and  so  was  his  wife.     Children  : 

426.  Chas.  Jsorthrop.  428.  Caleb  Northrop.  430.  Jas.  Julius  II. 

427.  Henry  Arthur,  born  12th  April,  1816  ;  died  12th  July,  1818. 
429.  Jas.  Julius,  born  13th  August,  1820  ;  died  26th  November,  1820. 

431.  Angeline  Sophia,  born  21st  December,  1823;  resident  Albion,  N.Y. ;  educated  Phipps 

Union  Sem.,  Albion.     Authoress  of  "  Senora  Ines,  or  the  American  Volunteers,"  and 

manj-  fugitive  magazine  contributions. 
431A.  Oscar  Fitzalan  Wares  St.  Clair,  born  1826  ;  died  in  U.S.  service,  Bangkok,  Siam ; 

adopted  son  ;  nephew  of  Mrs.  St.  Clair. 
Levi  Hunt  St.  Clair  (136)  was  born  in  Wolcott,  Vt.,  6th  May,  1800,  and  died  at 
Rochester,  111.,  14th  April,  1866.  He  was  Quartermaster  of  the  40th  Brigade  of  Infantry 
6th  October,  1828,  and  Paymaster  of  the  54th  Regiment  111.  State  Militia  6th  April,  1840. 
He  superintended  a  woollen  factory  at  Essex,  N.Y.;  farmed  for  two  years,  1830-31,  at 
E.  Cleveland,  Ohio  ;  and  in  1832  located  at  Rochester,  111.,  where  he  died.  He  married, 
first,  1823,  Eorinda  Spaulding  ;  secondly,  1854,  Priscilla  Church  ;  and  thirdly,  Eliza  M. 
Rayne.     Children  : 

432.  Hannibal  Cicero.  433.  Lorrace  Oscar.  438.  Levi  Mortimer  II. 

434.  Lorinda  Helen,  born  24th  September,  1S26 ;  married,  1850,  Geo.  Lucian  Ormsby. 

435.  Marion  Jeannette,  born   18th  September,  1828;  married,  1852,  S.  D.  Fisher,  Secretary 

111.  Board  of  Agriculture,  etc. 

436.  Mary  Taylor,  born  nth  October,  1829;  married,  1850,  Francis  J.  Taylor. 

437.  Levi  Mortimer,  born  2nd  May,  1834  ;  died  9th  February,  1S35. 

439.  Amelia  Eliza,  born  8th  April,  1843  ;  married,  1866,  Calvin  C.  Johnson. 

Joseph  Sinclair  (143),  farmer,  born  28th  November,  1791  ;  resident  in  Holderness, 
and  at  St.  Charles,  Minnesota.  On  3rd  June,  1820,  he  had  unpleasant  litigation  with 
Elijah  Hawkins  of  Vershire,  Vt.     He  married  Annie  Connor  and  had  issue  : 

440.  Alexander  Sinclair,  farmer  ;  resident  St.  Charles,  Minn. 

Zebulon  Sinclair  (145),  farmer,  was  born  25th  February,  1798  ;  died  in 
Holderness,  N.H.,  28th  March,  1782.     He  married  Mary  Seavey,  and  had  : 

441.  Thomas,  born  about  1826  ;  died  28th  March,  1866;  m.,  March,  1866,  Abigail  Moulton. 

442.  Eliza  Ann,  born  about  1830;  died  in  Holderness,  21st  September,  1864. 

443.  John  Taylor  Gilman. 

444.  William,  born  nth  September,  1840;  farmer;  lives  in  Holderness  ;  single. 

Noah  Sinclair  (147),  farmer  and  merchant,  was  born  in  Essex,  Vt.,  24th  April, 
1792.  There  he  lived,  and  took  the  Freeman's  oath  1st  September,  1812.  He  fought 
at  Plattsburg,  nth  September,  1814,  was  injured  then,  for  which  he  afterwards  received 
a  pension.  After  the  war  he  resided  in  Bartlett.  He  married,  first,  Lucinda  (or 
Elizabeth)  Carleton,  and  secondly,  her  cousin,  Elizabeth  Carleton.  He  died  13th  March, 
1872.     Children  : 

445.  Elvira,  married  Mr.  Wheelock  ;  resident  Port  Henry.  N.Y. 

446.  Davis  ;  deceased  ;  resident  Montpelier,  Vt.  447.  Henry,  died,  aged  9  months. 
44S.   Lydia  Frances,  born  8th  November,  1820  ;  married  Joshua  Larkin  Wentworth. 
449.  Henry  White.                      45°-  Edward  Carleton. 


366  NKW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

Thomas  Sinclair  (149),  a  resident  of  Essex,  Vt.  ;  was  a  soldier  in  the  1S12-15 
war,  and  was  stationed  once  at  Swanton,  Vt.  He  was  lamed  for  life  in  the  Battle  of 
Lundy's  Lane,  for  which  he  was  pensioned.  For  many  years  he  resided  at  Berkshire, 
Vt.,  and  then  removed  to  Bartlett,  N.H.,  in  1834;  dying  in  Conway,  N.H.,  nth 
September,  1865,  aged  75.     He  married,  22nd  August,  1813,  Mary  Austin.     Children  : 

451.  Powell  Austin.  452.  George  Howe.  454.  Orison  Thayer. 

453.  Minerva,  deceased  ;  married  Daniel  Lord,  of  Eliot,  Me.  455.  Curtis. 

456.  LuCETTA,  born  22nd  May,  1832  ;  married  John  Hoyt,  of  Jackson,  N.H. 

457.  Edward,  married  Nancy  Chaplin  ;  resident  Morning  Sun,  Iowa. 

458.  Sarah  E.,  born  17th  May,  1835  ;  married  Warren  C.  Wentworth. 

Eli  Sinclair  (150)  lived  in  Essex,  Vt.,  was  lame,  and  invalid  for  many  years. 
Married  Almira  Miller,  of  Richeford,  Vt.,  in  which  place  he  died,  when  she  re-married. 

John  Sinclair  (151),  farmer,  spent  most  of  his  life  in  Essex,  Vt.  Then  he 
removed  to  Grafton,  Mass.,  where  he  died  4th  January,  1862.  He  married  Lucretia 
Wheelock.     Children  : 

459.  John  Elbridge.  460.  Franklin  J. 

461.  PERSIS  LucrETia,  born  March,  1837  ;  married,  May,  1862,  James  W.  Plimpton. 

The  Hon.  Leander  Dudley  Sinclair  (154)  was  born  in  Essex,  Vt.,  19th  August, 
1804  ;  died  in  Ossipee,  N.H.,  28th  October,  1889.  He  had  an  excellent  staging  business, 
which  he  conducted  successfully  for  45  years,  when  railroad  extension  curtailed  it.  He 
then  took  a  farm,  and  actively  interested  himself  in  the  affairs  of  his  town,  of  which  he 
was  postmaster  for  17  years.  He  was  a  Republican  member  of  the  legislature  for  two 
years  (1844-45).  He  married,  first,  in  1832,  Olive  W.  Kimball,  and  secondly,  1867, 
Addie  W.  Tasker,  relict  of  Nathaniel  Spencer.     Children  : 

462.  Prudence  Abbey,  born  16th  October,  1832  ;  married  Spencer  M.  Kallock. 

463.  Jeremiah.  465.  Elizabeth  C,  born  15th  October,  1837;  died  1st  February,  1864. 

464.  Mary  Odell,  born  3rd  December,  1855  ;  married  John  T.  Pitman. 

466.  John  Keeler,  born  4th  July,  1839  !  married  Rachael  Murdock.  467.  MoSES  CannEY. 

468.  Olive  Ann,  born  25th  February,  1S44  ;  married  Miner  C.  Baldwin. 

470.  Charles  Henry,  born  Ma}',  1849;  married  Alvesta  Goodwin  ;  merchant,  Beverly,  Mass. 

471.  George  M.,  born  20th  April,  1851  ;  died  22nd  May,  1855.  469.  Leander  Dudley. 

472.  William  C,  born  3rd  February,  1854  ;  is  station  agent  at  Ossipee,  N.H. 

473.  Carrie  Estella,  born  7th  June,  1857,  at  Ossipee  ;  book-keeper  there. 

David  Sinclair  (155),  resident  and  died  in  Essex,  Vt.  ;  married,  first,  [N.N.]  ; 
secondly,  Mercy  Tiffany.     Children  : 

474.  One  child  by  first  wife.  475.  Clarissa,  married  Mr.  Robinson. 

476.  Roswell  M.,  died  in  Lowell,  Vt. 

Michael  Sinclair  (156),  carpenter,  lumberman,  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Essex, 
Vt.,  29th  July,  1793.  The  last  years  of  his  life  he  spent  at  Hubbell's  Falls  and 
Burlington,  Vt.,  where  his  remains  rest  in  the  Green  Mountain  cemetery.  He  married 
Annis  White.     Children  : 

477.  Eliza,  born  14th  November,  1813  ;  died  12th  October,  1815.  47S.  Orvii.le. 

479.  Louisa,  born  13th  June,  1817  ;  died  20th  March,  1819. 

480.  Minerva  Butler,  born  5th  March,  1S19  ;  married  Horace  W.  Barrett ;  dead. 

481.  Mary  MarilLA,  born  13th  Sept.,  1822  ;  married  Henry  Timaus  ;  died  21st  Dec,  1843. 

482.  Charlotte,  born  3rd  Dec,  1826;  died  6th  January,  1876  ;  married  Jonathan  Newell. 

483.  Angeline,  died  at  Winooski,  Vt. 

Samuel  Connor  Sinclair  (157),  millwright,  was  born  in  Essex,  Vt. ,  12th  July, 
1795.     In   1835  he  moved  to  Lyndon ville,  N.Y.     He  married,  first,  Samantha  Barney  ; 


vSIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  GENERATIONS.  367 

and  secondly,  Sarah  Remington  ;  and  died  at  Lyndonville,  N.V.,  iSth  November,  1838. 
Children  : 

484.  Heman  Barney.  4S5.  HENRY  Malcolm.  487.  Samuel  Connor. 

486.  Eliza  Goodwin,  born  22nd  October,  1822  ;  married,  1884,  Warren  E.  Sawyer. 

488.  Helen  Malone,  born  28th  June,  1827  ;  married  William  Hutchinson. 

4S9.  Lucius  Augustus.  490.  Sidney  Franklin. 

491.  Mary  Samantha,  born  16th  January,  1835  ;  married  William  Gray. 

Chester  Henderson  Sinclair  (158),  farmer,  was  bom  at  Essex,  Vt.,  19th  July, 
1806;  and  died  at  Moira,  N.Y.,  4th  June,  1887.  He  resided  at  Essex,  and  Charlotte, 
Vt.,  and  Moira,  N.Y.  He  married,  first,  1826,  Laura  \V.  Austin  ;  and  secondly,  1857, 
Sarah  J.  Hoyt.     Children  : 

492.  Ellen  Frances,  born  25th  January,  1830  ;  married,  1849,  Lucius  Saxton. 

493.  Lura  Lucinda,  born  15th  June,  1832;  married,  1852,  Enoch  B.  Harris. 

George  W.  Sinclair  (159)  was  born  in  Essex,  Vt. ;  took  Freeman's  oath  there  1st 
September,  1829;  moved  in  1842  or  '43  to  Moira,  and  then  to  Lyndonville,  both  N.Y., 
and  about  1849  to  Schoolcraft,  Mich.  He  married,  first,  Jane  McLean  ;  secondly,  Electa 
Cady;  and  thirdly,  a  lady  in  Michigan.      By  tradition  his  family  is  as  follows  : — 

494.  Mary  Jane,  died,  aged  6  ;    495.  George  Franklin  ;  both  born  at  Essex,  Vt. 

496.  Mercy  Letitia,  born  Essex,  Vt. ;  married  Dr.  Seeley,  of  Schoolcraft. 

497.  Laura  Marilla,  born  Moira,  N.Y.  498.  Mary  Jane.  499.  Nancy. 
Hosea   B.   Sinclair   (163)  took    Freeman's   oath    in    Essex    6th    September,    1825. 

Married  Lucinda  Barney.     Child  : 

500.  Cornelia. 

Freeman  A.  Sinclair  (169),  farmer,  was  born  in  Essex  28th  May,  1802;  lived  in 
Essex,  then  Jericho,  and  died  in  Cambridge,  Vt.,  26th  February,  1871.  He  married, 
first,  Eunice  Griffin;  and  secondly,  Olive  Hutchings  (Mrs.  Ransom).      Children  : 

501.  Charlotte,  born  29th  July,  1S23  ;  married,  1850,  Josephus  Thatcher. 

502.  Fannie  Jane,  born  1827  ;  died  3rd  June,  1SS2  ;  married  John  Bliss. 

503.  Lucinda  M.,  born  1st  December,  1837  ;  married  Andrew  Lavigne.        504.  Frederick  T. 

505.  Mary  Ann,  born  iSth  January,  1842  ;  married,  1858,  Dwight  Williams. 

Geo.  Breighton  Sinclair  (171)  was  born  in  Essex  23rd  March,  1822,  where  he 
died  on  his  farm  21st  July,  1888.  He  married,  26th  December,  1847,  Elizabeth  Keeler. 
Children  : 

506.  James  Wayland,  born  19th  August,  1848  ;  died  22nd  December,  1858. 

507.  Edward  Frank,  born  28th  July,  1850  ;  died  21st  December,  1858. 

508.  George  Arthur,  born  28th  December,  1S51  ;  architect.  512.  Willie  Spencer. 

509.  John  KEELER,  born  20th  October,  1853  ;  died  20th  December,  1858. 

510.  Edmund  Shattuck,  born  2nd  October,   1855;  married,  iSth  May,  1892,  Ruth  A.  Clark  ; 

millwright.         511.  Clinton  Jewell,  born  10th  March,  1857;  clerk,  Bristol,  N.H. 

513.  Abbie  Elizabeth,  born  nth  July,  1S64  ;  artiste;  resident  Essex,  Vt. 

514.  Hammond  Whittock,  born  23rd  May,  1S66  ;  m.,  1892,  Kittie  Hanley ;  resident  Essex. 
Benjamin  St.  Clair  (174)  was  born  nth  November,  1782  ;  died  5th  October,  1872. 

He  succeeded  to  his  father's  homestead,  to  which  he  added  greatly  by  various  purchases. 
He  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  of  Militia  (5th  Company,  29th  Regiment)  17th  June, 
181 1,  and  was  subsequently  promoted  to  a  Captaincy.  He  married,  5th  June,  1805, 
Nancy  Pease.      Children  : 

515.  John  Mooney.  517.  Benjamin  Franklin.  518.  Charles  Pinckney. 

516.  Elizabeth  Martin,  born  nth  May,  1S11  ;  married  Thomas  J.  Hilton. 

Ira  St.  Clair  (176),  lawyer,  was  born  on  the  family  homestead  at  New  Hampton, 
N.H.  ;    and    died    without    issue    at    Deerfield    Parade,    N.H.,    25th    April.    1875.       He 


368  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


commenced  practice  in  1824  ;  in  1848  was  appointed  Judge  of  Probate  for  Rockingham 
County,  and  held  the  position  until  1858.  His  reputation  was  very  high.  Judge  St. 
Clair  married,  first,  1827,  Anna  S.  Jenness  ;  and,  secondly,  1846,  Eliza,  daughter  of 
Judge  Creighton. 

John  St.  Clair  (181)  was  born  1st  June,  1790.  Corporal  of  9th  Regiment ;  was  in 
seven  battles  of  181 2-1 5  war.     Shot  by  an  Indian  while  on  picket,  18 15.     Single. 

Winthrop  St.  Clair  (186)  was  born  in  Canterbury,  N.H.,  7th  May,  1802; 
succeeded  to  his  father's  homestead  ;  Colonel  in  the  3rd  Regiment  of  Militia.  Selling 
his  farm  in  1839,  he  removed  to  London,  N.H.,  Springfield,  East  Concord,  and  finally 
settled  in  Richmond,  N.H.,  where  he  died  15th  June,  1874.  He  married,  1st  September, 
1834,  Martha  Maxfield.     Children  : 

519.  John  Murray,  born  14th  October,  1838;  drowned  in  the  Merrimac,  14th  June,  1848. 

520.  Catherine  Davis,  born  28th  February,  1841  ;  married,  1863,  Charles  F.  Hastings. 

521.  Charles.  522.  Frank  P. 

George  Marston  Sinclair  (191)  was  born  in  Exeter,  N.H.,  12th  April,  1808  ; 
died  Boston,  Mass.,  10th  June,  1871.     He  married,  1837,  Charlotte  Jennings.     Children  : 

523.  John,  born  25th  January,  1839;  died  single,  6th  November,  1871. 

524.  Charlotte,  born  10th  September,  1840  ;  resident  East  Boston,  Mass. 

525.  George,  born  5th  August,  1S46;  died,  unmarried,  4th  April,  1SS4. 

Joseph  F.  Sinclair  (193),  born  Stratham  27th  June,  1809  ;  died  Chicago  in  1874. 
Real  estate  owner  ;  lost  heavily  by  Chicago  fire.     Married  Lucy  Larabee.     Children  : 

526.  Lucy  Ann,  married  Geo.  Ellis  of  Boston.  527.  Susan  Wiggin  ;  single. 

John  T.  Sinclair  (194)  born  Stratham  24th  April,  1817  ;  died  Exeter,  4th  May, 
1889  ;  married  Minerva  Severy.     Children  : 

52S.  John  Albert.         529.  Emma,  married,  nth  January,  1870,  George  A.  Janvrin. 

530.  Ida,  married,  23rd  January,  1880,  Dana  B.  Cram. 

William  R.  Sinclair  (195),  born  Stratham  25th  January,  1819  ;  lived  and  died  in 
Newton,  Mass.  ;  twice  married.      Child  : 

531.  William  Gerry,  born  1844;  died  4th  November,  18S7. 

Samuel  James  Sinclair  (203),  born  Dover,  N.H. ,  21st  December,  1824;  lives 
on  the  farm  his  father  owned.  He  married,  first,  1847,  Annie  D.  Thompson  ;  and  secondly, 
1855,  Frances  Deborah  Jewett.     Child  : 

532.  William  Henry,  born  23rd  October,  1850  ;  died  9th  September,  1855. 

James  Sinclair  (209)  was  born  21st  December,  1830  ;  resident  Newmarket,  N.H. 
He  married  Addie ,  and  has  three  children  (533-5). 

Samuel  L.  Sinclair  (221),  cabinetmaker  and  manufacturer,  was  born  in  Water- 
borough,  Me.,  21st  January,  1789;  resided  in  Portland,  Me.,  and  died  at  his  birthplace 
in  1848.      He  married  Eunice  Foss.     Children  : 

536.  Mary  Eliza,  born  26th  August,  1814  ;  married  Shirley  L-ibbey. 

537.  Samuel,  died  at  Yarmouth,  Me.,  aged  about  21  years. 

John  Sinclair  (222),  farmer,  was  born  in  Waterborough,  Me.,  1st  March,  1791  ; 
occupied  a  portion  of  the  homestead;  and  died  there  19th  September,  1826.  His  wife 
was  Joanna  Lyman.     Children  : 

538.  Mary,  born  1st  February,  1818  ;  died  December,  1845  ;  single.  540.  Nathaniel  G. 

539.  Hannah,  born  20th  July,  1820  ;  married  Joseph  C.  Roberts. 

541.  Elizabeth,  born  22nd  September,  1824;  died  August,  1846;  single. 


SIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  GENERATIONS.  369 

David  Sinclair  (226),  farmer,  born  Waterborougk,  Me.,  1st  April,  1799;  resident 
there  many  years  ;  removed  to  Biddeford,  Me.,  and  there  died.  Married,  20th  March, 
1828,  Mary  Hastie.     Child  : 

542.  Abbie  A.,  highly  educated  ;  married  Dr.  G.  M.  Baker  of  Standish,  Me. 

Henry  S.  Sinclair  (228),  machinist,  was  born  at  Waterborough,  30th  August,  1802  ; 
removed  to  Minneapolis  ;  acquired  wealth  and  died  there.  He  married  Rachael  Boston. 
They  had  nine  children  : 

543.  David  Boston.  544.  Sarah,  married  Isaac  Gilpatrick.  545.  Mary,  m.  Mr.  Fisk. 
546.  Dorothy,  married.  547.  Melyina,  married  Monroe  Boynton.  548.  Lucy,  single. 
549.  James  Henry.             550.   Emma,  married  Henry  O'Brien.         551.   Roxanna. 

John  Lewis  Sinclair  (229),  farmer,  born  Waterborough,  27th  April,  1804;  married, 
first,  1833,  Joanna  Chadbourue  ;  secondly,  1847,  Nancy  Hill.     Children  : 

552.  Ivory  Roberts,  born  13th  December,  1834  ;  died  19th  April,  1865.  553.  John. 

Samuel  Sinclair  (230),  farmer  of  Brentwood,  N.H.  ;  died  29th  December,  1820. 
He  married  Hannah  Clifford.      Child  : 

554.  Hannah,  died  24th  May,  1830. 

Henry  Sinclair  (232)  was  born  in  Brentwood,  13th  March,  1792,  where  he  resided 
till  a  few  years  before  his  death,  when  he  removed  to  Exeter,  where  he  died  25th 
September,  1841.  He  married,  first,  1812,  Mary  Marston  ;  secondly,  1826,  Eliza  Blake; 
and  thirdly,  1833,  Eliza  Ann  Robinson.     Children: 

555.  Sarah  Tucker,  born  13th  September,  1813;  married,  25th  December,  1S34,  Robert  Rowe. 

556.  Mary'  Fowler,  born  14th  September,  1815  ;  married  Eliphalet  B.  Wood. 

558.  Narcissa,  born  3rd  Nov.,  1821  ;  married  Stephen  Fellows.         557.  Jonathan  Marston. 

559.  Samuel,  born  13th  July,  1823  ;  died  17th  October,  1S25.  563.  John  Elbridge. 

560.  Rachel,  born  16th  November,  1824  ;  died  20th  October,  1825. 

561.  James  Russell,  born  18th  April,  1829  :  died,  cr.,  1S50. 

562.  Charles  Henry,  born  10th  October,  1830;  died.cr.,  1851. 

Benjamin  Sinclair  (235),  farmer,  was  born  13th  April,  1800,  in  Brentwood,  N.H., 
where  he  always  resided.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  militia  ;  an  active  business  man  ; 
and  a  zealous  Baptist.  He  died  2nd  March,  1847.  He  married,  15th  December,  1826, 
Abigail  Clark.      Issue  : 

564.  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  2nd  February,  1828;  married,  16th  October,  1850,  Orin  Swain. 

565.  Rachel  Ann,  born  1829  ;  died  1852. 
Twins,  born  4th  May,  1832  : 

^  ^   ^Hollis  Jackson,  invalid;  died  1887. 

%*$)   (Lewis  Washington,  soldier,  15th  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  ;   married,  October,  1862, 

Sarah  M.  Kimball  ;  died  25th  July,  1S63. 
56S.   Emma  Howard,  born  9th  October,  1S41  ;  resides  on  homestead. 

Hikam  Porter  Sinclair  (236),  farmer,  was  born  at  Palmyra,  Me.,  nth  December, 
1804,  where  he  always  resided,  dying  there  13th  September,  1855.  He  married,  1st 
January,  1829,  Lydia  Tuttle,  and  had  issue  : 

569.  James  Sullivan.  570.  Lewis  Edwin.  571.  Nicholas  Tuttle. 

573.  Lydia  Ann,  born  19th  June,  1S42  ;  married,  13th  November,  1S67,  Benjamin  Franklin. 

574.  William   Porter,  born    27th    May,    1844;   farmer;   enlisted,    1862,   in    Company   "K," 

22nd  Me.  Volunteers,  discharged   1S63  ;    married,  nth  August,  1S77,  Maria  A.  McCrillis, 
relict  of  J.  S.  Collmore.  572.  Hiram  Calvin. 

575.  Harriet  Augusta,  born  17th  May,  1846;  m.,  25th  Nov.,  1871,  Melvin  M.  Buzzell. 

576.  Martin  A.,  born  22nd  February,  1850  ;  farmer  ;  single  ;   resident  Palmyra,  Me. 


37o 


NEW   HAMPSHIRE   SCIONS. 


David  Porter  Sinclair  (241)  lived  in  Ormstown,  Canada,  where  he  died,  cr.  1870. 
Married  twice,  and  said  to  have  had  seven  children,  but  the  following  is  all  that  has  been 
ascertained  : — 

577.  David,  once  resident  Hamilton,  Can.  578.  William,  resident  Ormstown,  Canada. 

579.  Sophia,  resident  Ormstown.  580-582.  Three  sisters,  resident  with  577. 

John  Turner  Sinclair  (242)  lived  in  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.,  then  resided  eight  years 
in  Milwaukie,  Wis.,  and  died  in  Sacramento,  Cal.,  in  1852.  He  married  Louisa  C. 
Noyes.     Children  : 

583.  Charles  Henry.  589.  William  P.,  born  3rd  January,  1847. 

584.  John  Edwin,  born  7th  September,  1836  ;  m.,  1862,  Maggie  Kenyon  ;  died  Chicago,  1867. 

585.  Geo.  Gresham,  b.  2nd  May,  1838;  m.,  1862,  Frances  Anderson  ;  d.,  1885,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

586.  Albert  Carlton,  b.  20th  March,  1840  ;  m.,  1861,  Julia  H.  Clark  ;  resident  Chicago,  111. 

587.  Augusta  Louise,  born  26th  July,  1842  ;  married,  1864,  William  A.  Stanton. 

588.  Mary  Putnam,  born  17th  May,  1845;  married,  1864,  Oscar  L.  Chatterton. 

590.  Jas.  Wallace,  born  10th  January,  1850  ;  married,  1874,  Harriet  Hallen  Veck. 

James  Madison  Sinclair  (251),  farmer,  born  Brentwood,  25th  March,  1812  ;  resident 
many  years  in  Monmouth,  Me.;  then  removed  to  Weeks'  Mills,  China,  Me.;  subsequently 
settled  in  Durham,  that  State,  and  is  now  on  a  farm  in  Augusta,  Me.  He  married 
Hannah  Slade.     Children  : 

591.  Hartson  DalTon,  born  26th  February,  1843  ;  grad.  in  commercial  college  at  Boston,  and 

was  clerk  in  provost-marshal's  office  there  ;  enlisted  in  2nd  Mass.  cavalry,  and  died  at 
hospital  in  Maryland,  May,  1865. 

592.  Henry  Madison,  born  1st  March,  1S48  ;  married,  26th  October,  1877,  Abbie  P.  Norton  ; 

resident  Salem,  Mass. 

593.  Charles  Roscoe,  born  17th  August,  1849;  died  September,  1865.  594.  Jas.  Ellery. 

Joseph  Dalton  Sinclair  (254),  born  7th  October,  1825  ;  resident  Monmouth,  Me.; 
married  Elizabeth  Stimpson.     Child  : 

595.  Frank  H. 

Ebenezer  Sinclair  (260),  carpenter,  born  Sandwich,  N.H.,  15th  February,  1801  ; 
removed  to  Boston,  Mass.,  where  he  died.     He  married  Mary  White.     Child  : 

596.  Emily,  born  and  resides  in  Boston,  Mass. 

John  Sinclair  (265),  blacksmith,  settled  in  Haverhill,  N.H.  ;  married  three  sisters, 
Nancy,  Elizabeth,  and  Mary  Page  ;  the  last  was  in  18 14.      No  information  as  to  children. 

Moses  Hoag  Sinclair  (268),  shoe  manufacturer,  was  born  in  Sandwich,  N.H., 
5th  March,  1797  ;  removed  to  the  Corner,  Haverhill,  where  he  died  22nd  February,  1844. 
For  21  years  he  kept  the  gaol  of  Grafton  County.  He  served  as  moderator  of  town 
meetings,  and  was  known  as  Major  Sinclair.      He  married  Mary  Wells.      Children  : 

597.  Asa  Crosby,  born  17th  December,  1824 ;  died  14th  August,  1871  ;  married,  24th  May,  1849, 

Zeruah  Eggleston. 

598.  Henry  Merrill.  599.  George  Hutchins.  600.  Nelson  Burnham. 

William  M.  Sinclair  (269),  farmer,  born  Sandwich  ;  published  to  Lucy  A.  Smith, 
20th  August,  1833  ;  died  Parishville,  N.Y.,  9th  May,  1879.     Children: 

601.  Sarah  Jane,  born  25th  Sept.,  1835  ;  married  Elias  G.  Mosher.  602.  James  Henry. 

603.  John  Harvey.  604.  HELEN  Amelia,  born  4th  July,  1848  ;  died  23rd  April,  1855. 

Isaiah  Gould  Sinclair  (270),  farmer,  born  Sandwich  10th  March,  1799  ;  died 
there  23rd  December,  1856.  Married,  first,  20th  November,  1823,  Mary  B.  Lee  ; 
secondly,   23rd   September,    1830,   Louisa  Cox;    and   thirdly,   23rd   December,    1844,   her 


SIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  GENERATIONS. 


37i 


sister,  Mary  Abbie  Cox.     Mr.  Sinclair  succeeded  his  father  on  the  farm  near  the  Red 
Hill.     Child  : 

605.  Mary  Louise,  born  24th  August,  1843  ;  married,  1st  May,  1S67,  the  Rev.  Geo.  E.Lovejoy. 
John  Sinclair  (273)  born  Sandwich,  settled  Haverhill,  where  his  life  was  largely 

passed  on  his  father's  farm.      He  married  Jane  Hamblett.     Children  : 

606.  Frank,  died,  aged  12.        607.  Jonathan,  married  Miss  Titus,  and  lived  in  Lowell,  Mass. 

608.  Myra,  married,  as  second  wife,  Mr.  Bancroft,  of  Haverhill,  d.s.p. 

609.  Jane,  died  young. 

610.  Stephen  Badger,  born,  cr.,  1835  ;  pub.  to  Lydia  J.  Fitz,  14th  Sept.,  1857  ;  children. 
Samuel  Sinclair  (274)  was  born   14th  December,  1800;   resident  Haverhill;   died 

20th  January,  1871  ;  married  Eliza  Hamblett.     Children  : 

611.  Sarah,  married  her  cousin,  Ephraim  Hildreth.  612.  Mary,  married  Rufus  Keyes. 

613.  Sophia,  married  George  W.  Woods.  615.  Phcebe,  married  Charles  Robinson. 

614.  Albert,  is  deceased,  leaving  a  family  in  Clinton,  N.H.  618.  Edward  Chapman. 
616.  Charlotte,  married  Henry  T.  Swan.            617.  Lucy  Ann,  married  James  Wilson. 

619.  Adaline  Davenport,  born  22nd  August,  1S50  ;  married  James  F.  Sleeper. 

Stephen  Badger  Sinclair  (277)  born  in  Sandwich,  lived  in  Haverhill,  died  in 
Moultonborough,  all  in  N.H.  He  was  published  to  Sarah  Nute  17th  January,  1831. 
Children  : 

620.  Edwin    Davenport.  621.  William    Henry    Harrison,    born    1838  ;    lived    in 

Sandwich  ;  enlisted,  1862,  in  Company  "  K,"  14th  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  died 
in  the  service,  1865,  at  Savannah,  Ga. 

Chas.  Grandison  Sinclair  (280)  was  born  in  Barnstead,  N.H. ,  4th  May,  1793. 
He  took  part  in  the  U.S. -British  war  of  1812-15.  Enlisting  at  Portsmouth  5th  July, 
1814,  in  Lovering*s  company,  21st  Regiment,  he  was  made  corporal.  From  February 
28th  to  May  15th  he  was  sergeant  in  Marston's  company.  He  was  in  a  detachment  of 
troops  under  Lieutenant  Jas.  Pratt  of  the  21st  Regiment  which  crossed  from  Buffalo  to 
Fort  Erie  and  joined  the  American  army  under  General  Jacob  Brown.  He  there  acted  as 
clerk  for  General  Ripley,  and  a  member  of  Captain  Bradford's  company,  participated  17th 
September,  1815,  in  the  desperate  fight  with  the  British  called  the  "Sortie,"  where  he 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder  by  a  musket  ball,  and  was  taken  from  field 
to  hospital.  Upon  partially  recovering  he  was  transferred  to  Marston's  company,  in 
which  he  continued  till  disbanded  at  the  close  of  the  war.  For  his  wounds  and  service 
he  received  a  Government  pension,  which  commenced  23rd  February,  1830.  After  the 
war  he  became  a  trader  at  Barnstead  Parade.  He  was  an  expert  accountant,  and 
considered  an  authority  among  his  townsmen  in  drafting  contract  and  other  legal  papers  ; 
and,  notwithstanding  his  wound,  he  excelled  in  subduing  unmanageable  horses.  He 
married,  20th  January,  1S25,  Martha  G.  Norris,  and  dying  18th  July,  1834,  left  her  in 
legacy  two  unfortunate  suits  at  law,  in  which,  though  finally  successful,  the  bankruptcy 
of  the  defendants  left  Mrs.  Sinclair  with  only  seventy  dollars  and  her  furniture.      Child  : 

622.  John  Grandison. 

Geo.  Washington  Sinclair  (282),  farmer,  was  born  in  Vassalborough,  Me., 
14th  November,  1796.  In  early  life  he  moved  to  Unity,  where  he  married,  14th  January, 
1819,  Elizabeth  Murch.  He  enlisted  in  1812,  and  served  throughout  the  war,  after  which 
he  settled  in  Unity,  where  he  died  28th  October,  1830.     Children  : 

623.  Robert  Strong,   born  9th  November,  1819  ;  sailor  and  trader  ;  died,  unmarried,    18th 

September,  1851,  at  Shafta,  Cal.  625.  Joshua  Cilley. 


372  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

624.  Abbie,  born  20th   December,  1822;  resident  Brooklyn,  N.Y.  ;  has  contributed  greatly  to 
the  information  herein  given.  626.  Napoleon  Bonaparte. 

627.  Albert,  born  14th  February,  1830  ;  resident  Midland,  Cal 

Dr.  Wm.  St.  Clair  (284),  physician,  was  born  3rd  May,  1799,  in  Vassalborough, 
Me.  He  resided  in  Fremont,  Ohio,  ten  years  ;  in  Maumee  City,  Ohio,  for  twenty  years  ; 
and  for  ten  years  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.  ;  and  died  there  November,  1877.  He  married, 
first,  Laura  Barney;  secondly,  Ann  E.  Lovejoy  ;  and  thirdly,  N.  M.  Colby.     Child: 

628.  Madison  W.  St.  Clair,  born   13th  January,  1826  ;  married,  19th  October,  1859,  Ellen  L. 

Bostwick  ;  resident  Kansas  City,  Mo.  ;  banker. 

Thos.  Jefferson  Sinclair  (285)  was  born  in  Unity,  Me.,  13th  June,  1801  ;  married 
Celinda  Bakeman  ;  went  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  in  1845  ;  and  died  there   1855.     Children  : 

629.  Jefferson  ;  probably  resides  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

630.  Arabella  WingaTE,  born  22nd  February,  1834  ;  married  Dr.  Bailey  of  Buffalo,  N.Y. 

631.  Helen  Marr,  married  Geo.  F.  Wheeler.  632.  Maria,  married  Mr.  Williams. 

Joshua  Sinclair  (287),  lumberman,  was  born  in  Unity,  12th  July,  1805  !  married, 
17th  November,  1829,  Seville  Jackson;  lived  in  Maine  and  Wisconsin;  died  at  Racine, 
Wis.,  17th  October,  1848.     Children  : 

633.  Gilman  Jackson,  born  1831 ;  died  1833.  634.  Calvin  Dwinal. 

635.  Judith  Parkhurst,  born  17th  February,  1835  ;  resident  Racine,  Wis. 

John  Sinclair  (293)  was  born  in  Vassalborough,  Me.,  6th  January,  1788.  In  the 
fall  of  1809  he  went  to  Sinclairville,  and  assisted  in  erecting  the  first  house  in  that 
village.  He  located  there  in  March,  1810.  He  was  a  millwright,  carpenter,  and  farmer, 
and  assisted  in  building  the  first  sawmill  in  Sinclairville.  He  enlisted  for  the  1812-15 
war  in  Seizer's  Co.,  from  Eaton,  N.Y.,  in  which  place  and  Gerry,  same  State,  he  resided 
after  the  war,  dying  at  Gerry  27th  April,  1864.      He  married  Elizabeth  Lee.      Children  : 

636.  Aberdeen.  639.  Franklin. 

637.  Hepzibah,  born  8th  October,  181 1  ;  married,  1831,  Mr.  Bennett. 

638.  Eliza,  born  10th  November,  1813  ;  married  Benj.  Graham. 

640.  Nancy,  born  30th  September,  1819  ;  married  Jas.  Albert  Clark. 

641.  Ann  Burlingame,  born  30th  March,  1822  ;  married  Orsamus  Alex.  White. 

Lieut. -Colonel  Samuel  Sinclair  (300)  was  born  in  Eaton,  N.Y. ,  14th  Aug.,  1801. 
Located  for  good  in  Gerry  in  18 10,  and  lived  there  ever  after.  He  was  a  Lieut. -Colonel  of 
the  212th  Regiment.  He  was  very  athletic,  and  a  skilful  marksman  and  hunter.  A  farmer, 
carpenter,  and  millwright,  he  erected  the  first  framed  barn  ever  built  in  Gerry,  and 
became  widely  known  for  his  skill  in  constructing  sawmills,  building  a  large  number  in 
his  own  locality,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  Canada.  While  attending  to  business  at 
Kinzua,  Penn.,  he  was  taken  ill,  and  died  22nd  October,  1848.  He  married  Martha 
Bucklen  19th  October,  1819.     Children  : 

642.  Sophia,  born  6th  September,  1820;  married  Chas.  P.  Ward.  643.  Samuel. 

644.  Sarah,  born  2nd  Sept.,  1824;  died  19th  June,  1829.      646.  Major.       647.  Elisha  Ward. 

645.  Nancy,  born  22nd  October,  1828  ;  married,  2nd  May,  1847,  Isaiah  Cobb. 

648.  Martha  Melissa,  born  16th  November,  1836  ;  married  Theodore  Barrett  Cobb. 

David  Bigelow  Sinclair  (303)  was  born  in  Madison,  10th  March,  1807,  and  died  at 
Sinclairville,  8th  October,  1879.  A  millwright  by  trade,  he  had  remarkable  powers  in 
that  line,  and  was  the  inventor  of  an  improved  waterwheel.  He  possessed  great  physical 
strength,  and  was  a  noted  marksman  and  hunter.  He  is  buried  in  the  Evergreen 
cemetery  at  Sinclairville,  N.Y.     He  married  in  early  life  Sophronia  Elliott.     Children  : 


SIXTH  AND  SEVENTH  GENERATIONS.  373 


649.  Calvin,  born  6th  December,  1S32  ;  died  3rd  December,  1841. 

650.  Mary,  born  1st  November,  1836  ;  died  17th  February,  1837. 

The  Hon.  Joseph  Sinclair  (304)  was  born  in  Madison,  N.Y.,  15th  March,  1809  ; 
and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Sinclairville  in  18 10.  He  received  a  good  education. 
In  early  life  was  apprenticed  dry  goods  clerk  in  Sinclairville,  and  later  on  was  a  merchant. 
Between  1830-40  he  went  to  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  and  is  mentioned  as  one  of  the  early 
attorneys  of  that  State.  Elected  clerk  of  Allen  Co.,  there,  during  Polk's  administration 
he  was  appointed  Indian  Agent,  and  superintended  the  removal  of  the  Miami  Indians  of 
Indiana  and  Michigan  to  their  reservations  west  of  the  Mississippi.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Indiana  Senate  from  1841  to  1844.  He  died  of  cholera  at  Fort  Wayne  7th  September, 
1854.     He  married,  7th  April,  1837,  Susan  S.  Edsall.     Children  : 

651.  Frances  C,  born  12th  March,  1838;  teacher;  resident  Fort  Wayne. 

653.  John  M.,  born  10th  February,  1843  ;  died  6th  August,  1845.  652.  Samuel  Edsali,. 

654.  Orlinda  P.,  born  14th  June,  1847  ;  teacher  ;  died  Fort  Wayne  8th  January,  1885. 

655.  Isabella  J.  born  4th  April,  1849;  died  10th  September,  1851. 

656.  Susan  S.,  born  20th  December,  1853  ;  teacher;  resident  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

Geo.  Washington  Sinclair  (305)  was  born  in  Sinclairville,  4th  July,  1811.  He 
has  passed  a  large  part  of  his  life  in  operating  different  milling  establishments,  but  on 
account  of  failing  health  some  thirty  years  ago  bought  a  farm  in  Gerry,  N.Y. ,  on  which 
he  has  since  lived.  Athlete,  marksman,  hunter,  in  his  old  age  he  still  goes  almost  yearly 
to  the  forests  of  Michigan  for  a  few  days  of  this  sport.  He  married,  first,  Diana  Ferguson  ; 
and  secondly,  Charlotte  Sylvester.     Children  : 

657.  Diana,  died  3rd  October,  1836,  aged  5  months.  65S.  George. 

659.  Mary  Ann,  born  20th  August,  1849  ;  married  Geo.  S.  Wheeler. 

Joshua  St.  Clair  (316)  was  born  at  Harbour  Creek,  Erie  Co.,  Penn.,  26th 
February,  1802.  Farmer,  cooper,  and  carpenter  by  occupation,  at  various  times  he  lived 
at  Hamburg,  Ohio  ;  Waterloo,  Crow  Fish  R. ,  Cottage  Grove,  Hatchville,  Lodi,  Newport, 
Summit,  and  Seven  Mile  Creek,  all  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  died  21st  April,  1885.  He 
married  Rhoda  Moore,  relict  of  Chas.  McClellan.     Children  : 

660.  Enoch,  died  young.  661.  Franklin.  664.  Chas.  La  Fayette. 

662.  Olivia  Cordelia,  born  1st  August,  1827  ;  married  John  Coleman. 

663.  Phylander  Victor,  born    10th   April,   1829;   fisherman;  resident  at  White  Fish  Bay; 

perished  on  Lake  Michigan   17th   March,  1855  ;  body  found  by  Indians  and  interred  in 
Michigan  City.  666.  John  Wesley. 

665.  Melinda  Florilla,  born  26th  August,  1835  ;  married  Geo.  R.  Curtis. 

667.  Susan  Melissa,  born  10th  March,  1S38  ;  died  single  26th  April,  1888. 

Joseph  Sinclair  (321).  millwright,  was  born  in  Barnstead,  N.H.,  15th  October, 
1789  ;  resident  in  Danville,  Yt.,  and  probably  in  Perry,  Ohio.  He  married  Sarah  Dane 
of  Danville,  Vt.  She  died  and  he  married  again.  No  children  by  second  marriage.  He 
died  in  Sioux  City,  Iowa.     Children  : 

668.  John.  669.  Joseph  W. 

670.  Horatio,  married  Miss  Bullen  in  Chicago  ;  died  in  California. 

Greenleaf  CillEY  Sinclair  (324),  carpenter  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Danville, 
Yt.,  22nd  December,  1798  ;  when  of  age  lived  at  or  near  Danville  Green.  He  died  in 
Perry,  Ohio,  19th  September,  1876.      He  married  Susan  T.  Batchelder.     Children: 

671.  Susan  Almira,  born  20th  January,  1823;  married,  30th  August,  1841,  Orrin  Harper. 

672.  Richard  Baxter.  673.  David  Batchelder.  675.  Joseph  Franklin. 
674.  Eliza  Millicent,  born  nth  October,  1830  ;  died  4th  November,  1882;  m.  Theodore  Wire. 


374  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

Milton  Sinclair  (328)  was  born  at  Danville,  Vt.,  nth  July,  181 1  ;  lived  there  till 
1 83 1,  when  he  located  in  Derby,  Vt.,  where  he  owned  a  farm  and  hotel,  which  he 
managed  for  five  years,  removing  to  Perry,  Ohio,  2nd  February,  1836.  He  went  in 
sleighs  with  goods  and  family,  and  was  twenty-two  days  on  the  journey.  He  erected  the 
Sinclair  hotel  in  Perry  in  1848,  and  managed  it  till  his  death,  6th  October,  1852.  He 
married  Mary  Kelsey.     Children  : 

676.  Mary  Ann,  born  31st  July,  1823  ;   married,  20th  September,  1849,  Samuel  Wire. 

677.  Harriet,  born  30th  August,  1824  ;  married,  27th  February,  1862,  John  Perry. 

678.  Lucius  Charles.  679.  Milton  Hugh.  683.  Wm.  Wallace  II. 

680.  Wm.  Wallace,  born  1833 ;  died,  aged  2  months. 

681.  Eliza  Jane,  born  1st  September,  1834  ;  died  16th  May,  1871. 

682.  Corilla,  born  nth  August,  1837  ;  married  Lucius  Greene. 

Prentice  Sinclair  (333),  farmer,  was  born  in  Danville  24th  March,  1796  ; 
accompanied  his  parents  when  young  to  Perry,  O. ,  which  was  ever  after  his  home. 
Soldier  in  the  1812-15  war.  He  died  at  Perry,  Ohio,  6th  February,  1845.  He  married 
Sarah  Jennings.     Children  : 

684.  Nancy,  married  Rollins  Ballard.  686.  Thirza,  married  Joseph  Richardson. 

685.  Eurana,  married  Alonzo  Wellman  ;  died  22nd  February,  1849. 

Calvin  Sinclair  (336)  was  born  in  Danville  13th  April,  1802  ;  settled  in  Perry, 
Ohio,  when  nine  years  of  age.  He  donated  the  land  to  the  Church  of  the  Disciples  on 
which  to  erect  their  house  of  worship.  He  died  21st  March,  1852.  He  married, 
24th  May,  1837,  Nancy  Gray.     Children  : 

688.  Charles,  born  1841  ;  died  1862.  690.  Emily  L.,  born  1847  ;  died  1849. 

689.  Mary  Jane,  born  2nd  January,  1845  ;  married  Samuel  L.  Lapham.  687.  Henry. 

691.  Emma  E.,  born  28th  February,  1851  ;  married,  9th  December,  1868,  Burgess  Herrick. 
David  Sinclair  (342)  was  born  4th  June,    18 15,    in   Danville,    Vt.      He  lived  in 

Perry  till  1853.  when  he  removed  to  Warren,  111,  and  from  there  in  1873  to  Kingston, 
Neb.  He  married,  first,  Mrs.  Mary  Pike  Wooley,  who  died  s.p.  in  Perry  ;  and  secondly, 
his  cousin,  Martha  M.  Barrows.     Children  : 

692.  Fremont  B.  695.  Alanson.  696.  Sarah,  born  12th  October,  1866. 

693.  Albert  W.,  born  22nd  October,  1861  ;  single  ;  resident  Kingston,  Neb. 

694.  Mary  A.,  born  24th  August,  1864  ;  married,  1882,  William  H.  Coltrin. 
697.  David  W.  P.,  born  25th  December,  1869  ;  resident  Hanover,  Neb. 

SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  GENERATIONS. 

Simeon  Pease  Sinclair  (346)  was  born  at  Hardwick,  Vt.,  December  17,  1797, 
where  he  resided  till  his  death,  8th  December,  1874.  He  held  numerous  public  positions, 
and  commanded  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  townsmen.  He  married,  3rd  June,  1824, 
Sarah  Bugbee.     Children  : 

695.  Marion  Bruidfoot,  born  1825  ;  died  1872.  700.  Celia  Anna  Butler,,  born  182S. 
699.  Arvilla  Ellen,  born  23rd  August,  1826  ;  m.  Chas.  S.  Dana.         701.  Lucy  M.,  born  1831. 

702.  Martha  L.,  born  1834;  married,  i860,  John  Goss. 

703.  Florence  Josephine,  born  1842  ;  died  1861. 

704.  Harriet  Esther,  born  24th  November,  1843;  married,  1866,  Dean  D.  Patterson,  of  St. 

Johnsbury,  Vt. 

Nathaniel  Sinclair  (348)  born  Greenborough,  Vt.,  10th  May,  1801  ;  died  Spring- 
field, Mass.,  12th  February,  1885  ;  married,  Hardwick,  Vt.,  21st  June,  1S24,  Laura 
Hager.     Children  : 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  GENERATIONS  375 


705.  Allen  G.  706.  Adams  O.  707.  Sarah  E.,  born  1827  ;  married  Alonzo  Johnson. 

70S.  Laura  Ann,  born  1831.  709.  Eunice  M.,  born  and  died  1837. 

710.  Charles  J.  N.,  born  1839  ;  died  1S42. 

Stephen  A.  Sinclair  (350)  born  at  Greensborough,  Vt.,  8th  January,  1804  ; 
resident  Littleton,  N.H.,  in  1833,  and  at  Taunton,  Mass.,  1840,  where  he  died  28th 
April,  1868.     He  married,  19th  June,  1836,  Celia  P.  Bragg.     Children  : 

711.  Marcella  M.,  born  1839;  married,  i860,  James  A.  Deaue. 

712.  Eliza  E.  A.,  born  1845;  married,  1866,  Nathaniel  H.  Wood. 

Amos  S.  Sinclair  (353),  born  Stanstead,  Canada,  February  14,  1809;  was  railroad 
employ*''  the  last  year  of  his  life  ;  died  in  Scituate,  R.I.,  February,  1857  ;  he  married  in 
1827,  Joanna  Faunt.     Children  : 

713.  Sarah  Louise,  born  1832;  married,  1851,  Thaddeus  S.  Eldridge. 

714.  Ellen  Melissa,  born  1836;  married,  1S54,  Geo.  S.  Harvey. 

Jonathan  Cram  Sinclair  (356),  born  cr. ,  1807,  Hampton  Falls,  N.H.  ;  died  in 
California  ;  married  Mary  Stockbridge  of  Corinth,  Me.     Two  children  (715  and  716). 

Augustine  Duroc  St.  Clair  (374)  was  born  at  Concord,  N.Y.,  31st  July,  1839. 
In  1863  he  settled  at  Hampton,  Franklin  County,  Iowa,  since  his  home.  He  has  filled 
public  offices  in  his  county,  but  his  400  acre  farm  receives  his  almost  undivided  attention. 
He  married,  28th  January,  1872,  Florence  J.  Jakway.  He  was  at  one  time  a  teacher. 
Children  : 

717.  Winnie  Celia,  born  1873  ;  student  Univ.  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

718.  Edson  De  Witt,  born  1874.  719.  Frank  Earl,  born  1876. 

720.  Florence  Amelia,  born  1883.  721.  Howard  Augustine,  born  1888. 

Perry  Sinclair  (378),  born  Barre,  N.  Y.,  15th  November,  1823;  married, 
12th  March,  1855,  Miss  Whaley  ;  farmer;  resident  Dundee,  Michigan,  where  he  died 
21st  October,    1865.     Child: 

722.  Ida,  born  26th  February,  1S56;  married,  25th  January,  1874,  Hardin  Marsh. 

Asa  Sinclair  (382),  born  Barre,  N.Y.,  18th  October,  1833  ;  married,  gth  November, 
1859,  Louisa  Lamb.  Enlisted  in  1st  Michigan  Regiment,  23rd  December,  1863.  He 
was  made  prisoner  by  Forrest's  cavalry  15th  December,  1864;  marched  700  miles  to 
Andersonville  prison,  18th  February,  1865,  where  he  remained  till  18th  March  ;  was 
then  paroled,  sent  to  Black  River,  Miss.,  and  exchanged  ;  went  into  hospital  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss.  ;  transferred  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  near  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  discharged  4th  August, 
1865.  Weighed  when  captured  150  lbs.  ;  when  discharged,  75lbs.  A  farmer,  for  the 
last  29  years  he  has  resided  in  Bushnell,  Montcalm  County,  Mich.     Children  : 

723.  Willis  Duane,  born  i860  ;  married,  1879,  Dora  Scott;  farmer;  resident  Bushnell. 

724.  Geo.  Boswell,  born  1862.  725.  Frederick  Albertus,  born  1864. 
726.  Ulysses  Grant,  born  1869.  727.  Eugene  Jerome,  born  1S72. 

Benjamin  Sinclair  (384),  born  in  Petersburg,  Mich.,  3rd  August,  1835  ;  married, 
4th  July,  1863,  Anna  Sloan  ;  occupied  milling  in  Pioneer,  Ohio.  He  resided  for  some 
time  in  Ranson,  Mich.,  removing  in  1871  to  Springfield,  same  State,  where  he  resides  on 
his  own  clearance  of  80  acres.  Has  served  as  Town  Treasurer  and  on  the  School  Board. 
Children  : 

728.  Walter  Ahelbert,  born  1S64  ;  married,  1SS7,  Carrie  Place  ;  resident  Fife  Lake,  Mich. 

729.  Mary  E.,  born  1866  ;  married,  1S85,  Henry  Lanks.  730.  Frank  B.,  b.  nth  July,  1868. 
731.  Carrie  A.,  born  1871.            734.  Geo.  Arthur,  born  6th  May,  1882. 

732-33  -!  D°RRIS  R-     !-  born  27th  December,  1876     \  died  22nd  March<  l8?7- 

(  Morris  Jay  *  '       \  died  28th  February,  1878. 


376  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

Aaron  J.  Sinclair  (385).  born  Petersburg,  Mich.,  23rd  November,  1838  ;  married, 
26th  March,  1859,  Eliza  Edgar.  Is  in  the  insurance  business,  and  resides  at  Gran  Rapids, 
Mich.     Children  : 

735.  Edith,  born  i860;  married,  1888,  Chas.  P.  Jacobson. 

736.  Chas.  H.,  born  1865;  died  1869.  737.  Emmanuel,  born  1866  ;  died  1869. 

Geo.  Washington  St.  Clair  (396)  was  born  in  Warren,  Me.,  22nd  April,  1806  : 
carpenter  and  farmer.  He  was  employed  many  years  in  the  ship  yards  at  Thomaston, 
Rocklands,  and  Warren,  Me.  Married,  first,  1834,  Sabra  Hall;  secondly,  1853,  Mrs. 
Eliza  Smith  Brewster.  He  died  in  the  insane  asylum  at  Augusta,  Me.,  of  softening  of 
the  brain.     Children  : 

738.  Emery  J.  739.  Mary  H.  740.  Gilbert  M.  741.  Geo.  Washington. 

James  Madison  St.  Clair  (399),  farmer  and  ship  carpenter,  was  born  in  Union, 
Me.,  nth  November,  181 1  ;  was  for  several  years  in  the  ship  yards  at  Rocklands,  Me., 
and  lived  in  Camden.  He  then  removed  to  South  Hope,  and  purchased  a  farm,  which  he 
worked  for  25  years.  In  1885  he  returned  to  Rocklands,  Me.,  where  he  lives  with  his 
son  Aubert.     He  married,   25th  December,  1838,  Orinda  B.  Payson.      Children  : 

742.  Thos.  Jefferson.  744.  Asa  Payson.  745.  Madan  King. 

743.  Leonora  Adalaide,   born    1843;    m.,    1S62,  William    Henry   Maxcy ;    resident  Warren, 

Me.  746.  Aubert  A. 

Erastus  St.  Clair  (400),  born  Union,  Me.,  14th  February,  1814;  resident  on 
the  homestead,  and  the  farm  is  still  owned  by  the  family.  He  married,  1836,  Sarah 
E.  Bowley.     He  died  24th  February,  1873.     Children  : 

747.  Wm.  Bowley.  748.  Gilman,  born  1840  ;  died  1841.  754.  Samuel  Bowley. 

749.  John  Lermond,  born  1842  ;  soldier  ;  died  1864  from  effects  of  army  life. 

750.  Eliza  Emaline,  born  1S47;  single.        753.  Martha  Ella,  born  Nov.  1855;  died  1866. 

751.  Henry  Franklin,  born  1850;  died  1882. 

752.  Caroline  Sarah,  born  1852;  died  1876  ;  married  Nathan  A.  Hewett. 

755.  Charles  Riley,  born  1861  ;  single  ;  resident  Rocklands,  Me. 

Guildford  Dudley  St.  Clair  (404),  ship  carpenter  and  farmer;  born  Union, 
Me.,  30th  September,  1824  ;  married,  25th  December,  1845,  Leonora  Helen,  daughter  of 
Colonel  Asa  Payson.  He  was  actively  occupied  in  constructing  ships,  1845-77.  1° 
1870  he  purchased  the  "  Mt.  Pleasant  Farm,"  in  Camden,  Me.     Children: 

756.  Ashley.  757.  Geo.  Francis,  born  1849  ;  died  1850.  758.  Lauriston  Fenno. 
759.  Eda  Frances,    born    1852 ;    married,    first,    1872,    Abner   R.    Mitchell  ;   secondly,    1881, 

Franklin  A.  Oxton.  760.  Eva  Leonora,  born  1854;  m.,  1877,  Edwd.  L.  Cleveland. 

761.  Grace  Lillian,  born  1863  ;  married,  1885,  Rockland  Jones. 

762.  Elmer  Carroll,  born  1847  ;  farmer  ;  resident  on  "  Mt.  Pleasant  Farm." 

Ahira  Sinclair  (406),  farmer,  was  born  at  Beaver  Hill  Plantation,  Me., 
27th  October,  1807.  The  most  of  his  life  was  spent  in  Dover,  Me.  He  removed  to 
Midland,  Mich.,  in  1869,  where  he  resided  in  1888.  He  married,  1st  June,  1836, 
Harriet  Bartlett.     Children  : 

763.  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  1837  ;  married,  1859,  Samuel  Sias.  767.  David  Lowrie. 

764.  Anna  Maria,  born  1838  ;  married,  1859,  Orrin  P.  Dorr.  771.  Albion  Aurelius. 

765.  Eliza  Bartlett,  born  1839;  married,  1859,  Joel  A.  Dorr.  766.  Chas.  William. 
768.  Thos.  Wilson,  born  1847  ;  died  184S.          769.  Alvah  Willis,  born  1849;  died  1862. 
770.  Gideon  Orman,  born  1851  ;  died  1863.         772.  Hattie  Thompson,  born  1859;  died  1863. 
773.  Amy  Bartlett,  born  1862  ;  married,  1S81,  Alfred  Moore  Burd. 

Alvah  Sinclair  (407^  was  born  at  Freedom,  Me.,  20th  April,  1810.  His  early  life 
was  spent  in  Dover,  Me.,  where  his  farm   adjoined  that  of  his  father  and  that  of  his 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH   GENERATIONS.  377 


brother  Ahira.  He  was  an  exemplary  Christian,  for  more  than  forty  years  deacon  in  the 
Baptist  church.  For  many  years  he  was  selectman  of  the  town,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  Farmer's  Grange,  of  which  he  was  Grand  Master.  He  died  26th  March,  1888.  On 
23rd  June  following,  memorial  services  were  held  in  his  honour,  and  his  grave  was  decked 
with  the  sweetest  flowers  of  all  the  field.  He  married,  17th  September,  1834,  Hannah 
Baxter.     Children  : 

774.  Celissa  Brown,  born  1839  ;  married,  1864,  George  H.  Williams,  of  Dover,  Me. 

775.  Martha  Ellen,  born  1842  ;  died  1888  ;  married,  1867,  Charles  Speed. 

776.  Holman  Dexter.  777.  Delia  Augusta,  born  1847  ;  died  1848. 

778.  Fred.  Keating,  born  1851  ;  married,  187S,  Alice  Isabel  Rand  ;  resident  Dover,  Me. 

Gideon  Robinson  Sinclair  (408)  was  born  in  Freedom,  Me.,  6th  August,  1812  ; 
married,  first,  Emeline  Coburn  ;  and  secondly,  14th  October,  1847,  Lucinda  Jackson. 
Carpenter  and  farmer,  he  resided  at  different  places  in  Me.,  N.H.,  N.Y.,  and  Va. 
About  1850  he  went  to  California,  and  was  in  the  mining  business  ;  returned  East  in 
1856  ;  removed  to  Dixon,  111.,  where  he  remained  till  6th  March,  1876,  when  he  settled 
in  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  and  died  at  Jasper  Top,  1st  December,  1886.     Children  : 

779.  Geo.  Pickering,  born  1852  ;  resident  Glidden,  Carroll  County,  Iowa  ;  farmer  ;  has  been 

clerk  and  assessor  for  Glidden.  780.  Frank  Hamilton. 

Rev.  Charles  Perry  Sinclair  (409),  born  Freedom,  Me.,  3rd  October,  1814  ; 
prepared  for  college ;  became  Baptist  clergyman,  and  preached  till  health  failed  ;  died 
14th  August,  1886.      He  married  Susan  Bradman. 

781.  One  child,  died  in  infancy. 

Thomas  Rila  Sinclair  (412),  born  Freedom,  Me.,  14th  October,  1829  ;  married, 
1 6th  September,  1856,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Doore  (birthname  Brann).  He  was  a  teacher  in 
Ellsworth,  Me.,  and  died  29th  August,  1876.     Children  : 

782.  Walter  Ernest,  born  1857  ;  died  1862.  784.  John,  born  1862  ;  died  1863. 

783.  Elmer  Eugene,  born  i860;  teacher;  resident  Pomona,  Los  Angelos  County,  Cal. 
Thomas  Sinclair   (414)  was  born   in   Meredith,   N.H.,  in  August,   1808  ;  married 

Caroline  Abbie  Tracy  ;  died  17th  March,    1883.     A    farmer,  and    traded   in  live  stock. 
He    lived    in    North    Beacon    Street,    Brighton,    now   Boston,   where    he  had    a  valuable 
farm.     He  had  also  farm  property  in  the  West.     Children  : 
785.  Wm.  Tracy.  786.  Albert  Thomas. 

787.  Louise  Carruth,  born  1849  ;  married  Jeremiah  A.  Marston,  of  Boston,  merchant. 
Rev.  John  Langdon  Sinclair  (417)  was  born  in  Meredith,  N.H.,  10th  July,  1809  ; 

educated  academically,  was  first  a  teacher,  then  a  preacher,  receiving  license  to  preach 
1 8th  April,  1832.  As  a  financier  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sinclair  had  few  equals.  He  saved  to 
give,  and  loved  to  give.  He  aided  students  preparing  for  the  ministry  ;  gave  $1,000  to 
the  Freewill  Baptist  Church  at  Concord,  N.H.;  $500  to  the  society  at  Lake  Village  ;  to 
Storer  College  he  gave  $10,000  ;  $1,000  to  the  Sinclair  Orphanage  in  Balasore,  Bengal, 
India,  and  educated  at  his  private  expense  a  Hindoo  youth,  who  took  his  benefactor's 
name,  and  who  now,  with  his  wife,  is  a  teacher  at  the  English  Bible  school  at  Midnapoar, 
Bengal,  India.  He  married  Olive  E.  Haynes,  19th  August,  1837,  and  died  16th  August, 
1888.      Child: 

788.  Joseph  Haynes,  born  1838  ;  grad.  N.H'ton  Academy  July,  1858;  died  25th  July,  1858. 
Noah  Sinclair  (418)  was  born  in  Meredith,  N. H.,  on  Sunday,  2nd  January,  1814  ; 

and  died  there  10th  January,  1843.  He  married,  7th  May,  1837,  Hannah  Cotton,  who 
married,  secondly,  Joseph  Hart  ;  thirdly,  Daniel  Smith.     Children  : 

789.  Thos.  Tefferson.        790.  Marinda  Jane,  born  1841  ;  died  1877.        791.  Noah  Leroy. 


378  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

Joseph  Norman  St.  Clair  (425),  born  23rd  August,  1823  ;  resident  Mechanicsville, 
111.  ;  died  in  Kansas  14th  August,  1879.     Children  : 

792.  Joseph  Norman,  born  24th  August,  1851.  794.  Emmet  F.,  born  1854. 

793.  Alice  A.,  born  1853  ;  married  Mr.  Craig;  resident  Lake  Park,  6th  Street,  Des  Moines. 
795.   Augusta  J.,  born  1S56 ;  resident  Wichita,  Kan.  796.  Andrew  F.,  born  1861. 

797.  Zelpha,  born  1864.  79S.  Chas.  Levi,  born  1866.  799.  Willie  Clarence,  b.  1871. 
CapT.  Charles  Northrop  St.  Clair  (426)  was  born  in  Russelltown,  Quebec, 
9th  June,  1812.  When  an  infant  of  five  months  his  parents  settled  in  Barre,  N.Y.,  which 
was  ever  after  his  home.  The  St.  Clair  homestead  is  in  that  portion  of  Barre  which  when 
divided  became  and  is  now  Albion.  There  Mr.  St.  Clair  grew  up,  was  educated,  and 
aided  his  father  in  clearing  the  lands.  At  twenty  he  was  a  good  musician,  for  he  had 
much  musical  talent,  becoming  an  excellent  performer  on  several  instruments,  and  was  a 
composer  and  writer  of  music.  His  mechanical  skill  was  exhibited  in  the  manufacture 
with  his  own  hands  of  violins,  guitars,  and  violoncellos  of  a  high  order.  At  twenty  he 
was  captain  of  the  Orleans  Grays,  one  of  the  finest  military  companies  in  that  section  of 
the  country.  By  that  title  he  has  ever  since  been  known.  At  one  period  of  his  life  he 
owned  and  commanded  boats  on  the  Erie  canal,  running  from  Buffalo  to  New  York  City, 
but  presently  chose  farming  for  his  business,  and  to  that  devoted  his  life. 

He  married,  10th  June,  1833,  Elmina  Baldwin,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Elizabeth 
Turrell  of  Pleasant  Valley,  Dutchess  County,  N.Y.  The  young  couple  built  for  themselves 
a  house  on  a  portion  of  the  St.  Clair  estate.  At  different  times  Mr.  St.  Clair  left  the  farm 
and  engaged  in  business.  Mr.  St.  Clair  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  in  which  all  their  sons  were  baptized.  They  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  in 
1883.  He  died  in  Albion  of  paralysis  29th  October,  1893  ;  and  his  wife  died  there  also  on 
6th  October,  1896.     Both  are  buried  in  the  Mount  Albion  cemetery.     Children  : 

800.  Alphonzo  Turrell.  801.  Charles  Henry.  802.  Arthur  Knowles. 

S03.  Francis  Osmond.  804.  Joel  Fuller  Turrell. 

S05.  James  Julius,  born  29th  September,  1S46 ;  single  ;  resident  on  homestead. 

Helen  Louisa  St.  Clair,  an  adopted  daughter ;  born  23rd  July,  1S49  ;  adopted  December, 
1849.  Her  parents,  named  Wiggins,  died  when  she  was  young.  She  married  Moses 
C.  Weaver,  and  lives  in  Savannah,  Ga. 
Capt.  Caleb  Northrop  St.  Clair  (428)  was  born  in  Albion,  N.Y.,  23rd 
March,  18 18.  He  engaged  in  steam-boating  on  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries,  with 
headquarters  at  St.  Louis  or  New  Orleans.  When  war  was  declared  with  Mexico,  he 
volunteered  from  New  Orleans  and  went  to  Mexico,  serving  under  General  Zachary 
Taylor  and  other  commanders.  He  fought  in  the  battles  of  Cerre  Gordo,  18th  April, 
1847  ;  Contreras  and  Cherubusco,  20th  August  ;  El  Molinos  del  Rey,  September  8  ; 
and  on  September  13th,  he  was  in  the  victory  at  Chepultepec,  which  opened  the 
gates  of  the  Mexican  capital  to  the  U.S.  forces.  He  was  desperately  wounded  in  the 
storming  of  Chepultepec,  and  was  a  long  time  in  the  city  of  Mexico  before  he  recovered. 
While  in  Mexico  City  he  met,  loved,  and  married  a  beautiful  and  wealth}7  lady  of 
Spanish  blood,  Marie  L,ucie  Avilla.  She  died  at  the  close  of  the  first  year  of  their 
married  life,  and  he  then  returned  to  New  Orleans,  resuming  his  former  business,  with 
an  occasional  visit  to  Cuba.  He  married,  secondly,  25th  March,  1S50,  Anna  Maria 
Morris,  of  N.O.,  who  died  7th  September,  1853,  when  he  married,  thirdly,  5th  April, 
1861,  Isabel  Bickerton,  relict  of  a  Mr.  Murray,  of  N.O. 

Captain  St.  Clair  was  an  active  supporter  of  the  Confederate  cause  during  the 
U.S.  Civil  War,  and  died  of  paralysis  at  his  post,  as  first  officer,  upon  the  Confederate 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  GENERATIONS.  379 

transport  steamer  Frolic,  in  the  Red  River,  at  Alexandria,  10th  January,  1863.  He  was 
buried  in  the  Pineville  Cemetery,  where  his  nephew,  the  Hon.  C.  H.  St.  Clair,  has 
erected  a  monument  to  his  memory.  He  left  no  issue.  His  relict  married,  thirdly, 
Robert  Hay,  who  soon  died  ;  she  resides  in  New  Orleans,  La. 

Dr.  James  Julius  St.  Clair  (430),  born  in  Barre,  N.Y.,  5th  October,  1821, 
educated  at  Albion  Academy,  graduated  at  Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  and  practised  the 
profession  of  medicine  at  Royalton.  In  185 1  he  became  agent  of  the  Cleveland  Iron 
Mining  Co.  at  Marquette,  Mich.,  where  he  had  hardly  been  a  year  before  he  almost 
entirely  recovered  from  the  consumptive  tendencies  that  had  occasioned  his  removal  from 
Cleveland,  where  he  had  been  in  business  with  his  uncle,  Judge  Benjamin  Northrop.  He 
resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  1855-56  he  purchased  mining  property,  which 
proved  very  valuable.  He  was  supervisor  of  the  Marquette  Company  for  four  years, 
registrar  of  the  U.S.  Land  Office  in  1859,  '61,  '62,  and  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Marquette  Mining  Journal.  He  died  in  Marquette  of  pneumonia  16th  May,  1882.  He 
married,  17th  June,  1846,  Rachel  Ann  Griffith.     Issue  : 

806.  Eugene  Griffith.  807.  George  Arthur. 

808.  James  Oscar.  809.  Julius  Northrop. 

Angeline  Sophia  St.  Clair  (431)  was  born  in  Albion,  N.Y.,  21st  December,  1823. 
Educated  at  the  Phipps  Union  Seminary  at  Albion,  she  is  an  interesting  writer  :  her 
articles  have  appeared  in  many  papers  and  magazines.  One  of  her  books,  "  Senora  lues, 
or  the  American  Volunteers,"  is  very  interesting.  It  is  through  her  thoughtfulness, 
love  of  kindred,  great  care  and  painstaking,  that  much  of  the  information  of  her  branch 
of  the  St.  Clair  family  has  been  preserved. 

The  Hon.  Hannibal  Cicero  St.  Clair  (432),  born  in  Essex,  N.Y.,  iSthJuly, 
1825  ;  went  to  E.  Cleveland,  Ohio,  with  his  parents,  and  in  1832,  to  Rochester,  111. 
He  received  a  primary  education,  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  was  made  acquainted 
with  mill  or  factory  work.  In  1846  a  mercantile  apprentice  at  Mt.  Pulaski,  111.  ;  in 
1849  he  crossed  the  plains  to  California  with  an  ox  team.  While  there  he  was  a 
merchant  in  Sacramento  ;  was  engaged  in  boating  on  the  Sacramento  River  ;  mining  ; 
and  a  contract  builder  in  Nevada  City,  where  he  made  and  lost  a  fortune.  In  1851  he 
returned  to  Illinois,  via  Mexico,  Central  America,  Cuba,  and  New  Orleans,  locating  as 
merchant  in  Mt.  Pulaski. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  rendered  valuable  services  in  the  cause  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil 
War.  Enlisting  in  Company  "G,"  35th  Regiment,  Illinois  Infantry,  1st  March,  1862, 
he  was  promoted  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  and  detailed  as  Brigade  Quartermaster  ; 
subsequently  was  appointed  "  A. A.  Divn.  Qr.-mr.,  3rd  Div.,  4th  Army  Corps,  Army  of 
the  Cumberland,"  and  held  that  position  till  the  close  of  his  term  of  service.  He 
participated  in  several  battles  at  Corinth,  May  28th  and  29th,  1862  ;  at  one  period  was 
in  command  of  Georgetown,  Ky.  ;  skirmished  continually  during  the  memorable  march 
to  Atlanta,  Ga.,  which  town  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  ;  while  on  General  T.  J. 
Wood's  staff,  during  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  scale  the 
intrenchmeuts  ;  the  explosion  of  a  caisson  in  this  battle  caused  him  the  loss  of  the  use 
of  one  ear.  His  last  fight  was  in  the  battle  of  Franklin,  and  soon  after  he  was 
discharged. 

After  the  war  he  resided  at  Mount  Pulaski,  then  at  Decatur,  and  in  1871  removed  to 
Belle  Plaine,  Sumner  County,  Kansas,  and  pre-empted  160  acres  of  land,  and  fenced  it 


38o  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

with  hedge  fences  ;  had  valuable  orchards  and  a  fine  park.  His  farm  was  a  model,  and 
his  time  was  devoted  to  raising  fine  stock,  fruit,  and  vegetables.  His  public  record  has 
been  one  of  honour,  and  of  which  any  man  might  be  proud.  He  was  once  coroner  of  Logan 
County,  111.;  and  in  1875  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  of  Kansas,  from  the  25th  district, 
comprising  13  counties,  by  a  majority  of  over  6,000.  For  eleven  years  he  was  member 
of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  and  Vice-President  of  the  Board  in  1880,  1882  and  1883. 
For  several  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Horticultural  Society,  and  took  a  decided 
and  intelligent  interest  in  the  development  of  all  those  special  industries  and  fruits 
beneficial  to  agriculturalists.  For  twelve  years  he  was  statistical  and  crop  reporter  for 
the  national  and  State  governments  ;  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  as  agent  to  the 
Philadelphia  and  New  Orleans  expositions  ;  and  twice  appointed  as  a  member  of  the 
Farmers'  Congress.  Attended  as  delegate  the  National  Republican  Convention  at  Chicago, 
and  the  National  Encampment  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  San  Francisco,  Cal.  : 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  ;  and  Columbus,  Ohio.  As  an  active  advocate  and  helper  in  the  building 
•of  school-houses,  churches,  and  the  founding  of  colleges,  he  has  benefited  the  public. 
He  has  been  active  in  Illinois  and  in  Kansas  in  the  locating  and  building  of  railroads, 
and  for  years  was  a  director  in  some  important  ones.  He  has  for  many  years  been 
identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  with  the  M.E.  Church. 

Mr.  St.  Clair's  life  has  been  one  of  great  activity.  He  is  strong  and  vigorous.  At 
the  age  of  71  his  usefulness  is  not  at  an  end,  and  to  use  his  own  words,  he  stands  ready 
"  to  assist  in  developing  another  State,  to  wit,  Oklahoma."  In  the  summer  of  i88q  he 
struck  again  for  the  frontier,  and  located  at  King  Fisher,  Ok.,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  married,  6th  November,  1851,  Eliza  Ellen  Neal,  who  died  27th  September,  1854. 
leaving  one  child.     He  married,  secondly,  7th  October,  1858,  Catherine  Ring.     Issue  : 

810.  Mary  Ann,  born  3rd  November,  1853,  at  Mt.  Pulaski ;  resident  Rochester,  111. 
Lorrace  Oscar  St.   Clair   (433),   born  E.  Cleveland,  Ohio,    1st  January,   1832  : 

married,  10th  February,  1853,  Nancy  E.  Neal,  born  1830.  He  died  in  Mt.  Pulaski,  111., 
15th  October,   1853.     She  lives  in  Rochester,  111.     Child: 

811.  Oscar  Cicero,  born  6th  May,  1854  ;  resident  Chicago;  is  in  dry  goods  business  there. 
Levi  Mortimer  II.  St.  Clair  (438),  born  in  Rochester,  111.,  17th  October,  1840  ; 

married,  first,  2nd  April,  1865,  Elizabeth  Louise  Kimball  ;  and  secondly,  2nd  September, 
1880,  Mary  Virginia  Stettler.  He  resided  in  his  birthplace  till  1871,  when  he  removed 
to  Belle  Plaine,  Kan.,  since  his  home  ;  farmer,  once  a  merchant.     Issue  : 

812.  Marguerite  Louise.  813.  Levi  Kimball.  S14.  Lyman  Joseph. 
815.  John  Stettler.                       816.  Helen  Agnes. 

John  Taylor  Oilman  Sinclair  (443),  fanner,  born  7th  May,  1834;  resides  on 
the  homestead  in  Holderness,  N.H.  He  married,  first,  1854,  Tabitha  Moulton  ; 
secondly,  28th  February,  1866,  Etta  M.  Hilliard.      Issue  : 

817.  Ai,  born  1855;  died  1857.  818.  Emma  Bella,  born  1858  ;  married,  1876,  Frank  Dow. 

819.  Alice  Emma,  born  1864  ;  m.,  1887,  Frank  Marsh.  820.  Jennie  Martha,  born  1867. 

Henry  White  Sinclair  (449),  farmer,  born  Bartlett,  N.H.,  24th  November,  1824  : 
resides  in  Hingham,  Mass.,  and  has  lived  in  that  town  and  vicinage  for  over  forty 
years.     Married,  first,  Cordelia  Morse  ;  secondly,  Charlotte  Philips.     Issue  : 

821.  Amanda,  married  Orin  Poole.  822.  Edward  Fisher. 

S23.  Franklin.  824.  Delia,  married  Clarence  Nute. 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH   GENERATIONS.  381 

Edward  Carleton  Sinclair  (450)  was  born  in  Bartlett,  N.H.,  10th  September. 
1826.  When  21,  removed  to  Weymouth,  Mass.,  where  he  farmed  for  23  years;  then 
resided  2  years  in  Boston,  when  he  returned  to  Bartlett,  locating  on  a  farm.  Democrat. 
Has  been  Collector  of  Taxes  for  several  years.  He  married,  3rd  September,  1858, 
Frances  Elizabeth  Pitman.      Issue  : 

825.  Ella  Frances,  born  1859;  married,  1880,  Geo.  E.  Gale.  826.  Evon  Ernest. 

Powell  Austin  Sinclair  (451),  farmer,  born  Berkshire,  Vt. ,  29th  July,  1814  ; 
lived  there  till  he  approached  his  majoritv,  when  he  settled  in  Bartlett,  N.H.,  where  he 
has  ever  since  resided.  Married,  first,  29th  November,  1837,  Eliza  Emery  ;  and  secondly, 
25th  December,  1880.  Sarah  Burbank  (Mrs    Chandler).      Issue  : 

827.  Geo.  Harris.  828.   L-UCINA  Gaines,  born  1840;  married  David  Clough. 

829.  Lucy  Ann,  born  1842  ;  married,  first,  Mark  W.  Pierce;  secondly,  Geo.  Lane. 

830.  Jeremiah  Powell.  831.   Eliza  Jane,  born  1S46  ;  married  Edward  J.  Downing. 
832.  Susan  Maria,  born  1848  ;  single  ;  died  Conway,  N.H.  S34.  Laomi  B.  D. 

S33.  Gratia   Wells,  born  1853  ;  married,  1877,  Burleigh  B.  Hackett. 

Geo.  Howe  Sinclair  (452),  born  Berkshire,  Vt.,  19th  October,  1S17  ;  removed  to 
Toronto,  Canada;   married,  1st  September.  1839,  Matilda  Hazeltine.      Issue: 

835.  William.  836.  Woleord,  died  1S46.  S37.  John.  838.  Geo.  Howe. 

839.   Edwin.  S40.  Leander  D.,born  1852;  married  Jane  Ingalls ;  farmer  in  Berkshire. 

841.  Ella  F.,  born  1853  ;  married  Eugene  Miller,  farmer,  in  Berkshire. 

Rev.  Orison  Thayer  Sinclair  (454),  born  Berkshire  7th  June,  1820;  was  a  self- 
made  man.  Self-educated,  he  entered  the  ministry  of  the  M.E.  Church,  and  preached  in 
Salisbury  and  Hooksett,  N.H.  Finally,  he  withdrew  from  the  conference,  and  purchased 
a  farm  in  Bartlett,  N.H.,  upon  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died 
nth  June,  1878.  He  married,  8th  July,  1842,  Fannie  F.  Carlton  (Mrs.  Goodhall). 
Adopted  child—  Susan  A.  Sinclair,  born  1S35  ;  died  1848. 

Curtis  Sinclair  (455).  born  Berkshire.  Vt.,  25th  July,  1831  ;  went,  when  young, 
to  Bartlett.  N.H.,  with  his  parents.  Has  resided  in  these  towns  in  Maine  :  Hiram, 
Brownfield,  and  Fryeburg,  and  for  the  last  22  years  has  lived  in  Conway,  N.H.  ; 
carpenter  and  farmer.     He  married,  3rd  December,  1848,  Mehitable  Davis.     Children  : 

842.  George  Henry.  845.  Fannie  Nettie.  846.  Emma  Clara. 

843.  Mary  ABBir,  born  1857  ;  m.,  1S79,  Otis  B.  Merrill,  of  Conway. 

844.  Nellie  Howell,  born  1859  ;  married,  1887,  Franklin  P.  Davis,  of  Conway. 
847.  Orion  Wilmont.  848.  Orison  Thayer. 

John  Elbridoe  Sinclair   (459),    farmer,  born   Essex,  Vt.,   2nd   February,   1824  ; 
resides  in  North  Grafton,  Mass. ,  married,  1st  May,  1858,  Fannie  Janet  Plimpton.     Issue  : 
849.  Elbridge  Herbert.  850.  Jennie  Maria,  died  1864. 

851.  Nellie  Janet,  born  1866. 

Franklin  J.  Sinclair  (460),  born  Essex,  Vt.,  28th  April,  1825  ;  resident  Johnson, 
Vt.,  carpenter  and  farmer.  He  married,  22nd  December,  1846,  Adelia  E.  Knowles. 
Issue  : 

852.  Abbie  E.,  born  1850;  married,  1871,  George  Smith,  of  Johnson,  Vt.  S54.  JuLIOS  F. 

853.  Florence  A.,  born  1852;  married,  1872,  Hollis  A.  Mudgett,  of  Johnson,  Vt. 
855-  John  Harmon.  857.  Jessie  P.,  born  1862  ;  resident  Johnson,  Vt. 
856.  Minnie  L.,  born  1858  ;  married,  1885,  Leroy  G.  Scribner,  of  Johnson,  Vt. 

Jeremiah  Sinclair  (463)  was  born  at  Conway,  N.H.,  13th  April,  1834.  He  was 
connected  with  the  railway  mail  service  for  nearly  a  score  of  years,  and  the  latter  part  of 


382  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


his  life  was  mail  agent,  running  from  Boston,  Mass.,  to  Bangor,  Me.      He  was  murdered 
in  the  mail  car  in  June,  1888.     He  married  Susie  E.  Gilman.      Issue  : 

858.  Harry  H.,  born  August,  1869,  at  Ossipee,  N.H.,  where  he  resides. 

859.  Emily  Wingate,  born  November,  1870. 

Moses  Canney  Sinclair  (467),  farmer ;  born  Ossipee,  N.H.,  26th  November,  1841, 
where  he  now  resides  ;  married  Achsah  Wentworth.     Issue  : 

860.  Frank.  861.  Chester  Wentworth. 

Leander  Dudley  Sinclair  (469),  born  Ossipee,  N.H.  (cr.  1845-48)  ;  has  resided 
some  years  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  where  he  is  superintendent  of  gas  business.  He 
married  Hattie  Sweeter.      Issue  : 

862.  Leon,  is  deceased.  S63.  Charles. 

OrvillE  Sinclair  (478),  born  in  Essex,  Vt.,  13th  February,  1816  ;  resident 
Burlington,  Vt ;  was  a  carpenter  and  lumber  manufacturer,  owning  and  operating  a  mill 
on  the  Orion  River  ;  late  in  life  farmed  at  Colchester,  Vt.  ;  Methodist  ;  democrat  ;  was 
an  alderman  for  several  years  while  living  in  Burlington,  Vt.,  at  which  place  he  died 
14th  April,  1878.     He  married,  10th  February,  1852,  Amantha  Augusta  Brown.     Issue  : 

864.  OrvillE  Gates,  born  1852  ;  died  1S61.       866.  Horatio  Hawkins,  born  1856  ;  died  1857. 

865.  Henry  Timans,  born  1854  ;   successful  ranch  owner  and  cattle  raiser  in  Wagon  Mound, 

New  Mexico;  married,  1886,  Eva  Eastman,  of  Eastman,  Ontario. 
S67.  Susie  Augusta,  born  and  died  5th  February,  1858. 

868.  Michael,  born  14th  January,  and  died  2Sth  July,  1859. 

869.  Frank  Oscar.  870.  Fred  Brown,  born  1862  ;  died  1863. 

871.  Samuel  Thayer,  born  28th  March,  1865;  grad.  at  bus.  college,  Poughkeepsie,  N.Y.,  in 

1884  ;  civil  engineer  ;  resident  Marietta,  Ga. 

872.  George  Swift,  born  22nd  October,  1871  ;  resident  Burlington,  Vt. 

Heman  Barney  Sinclair  (484),  born  in  Essex,  Vt. ,  22nd  August,  1816  ;  moved 
to  Lyndonville,  N.Y. ,  in  1833;  married  there,  19th  September,  1844,  Tabitha  Mudgett  ; 
died  Chicago  8th  November,  1888.  A  mechanic,  his  powers  as  an  inventor  were  of  a 
high  order,  and  he  invented  several  machines  of  great  utility,  the  last  a  laundry  machine 
of  much  merit  and  extensively  used.     Issue  : 

873.  ScoTT  H.,  born  1847  ;  died  1890.  874.  Charles  M.,  born  1855  ;  died  at  Chicago. 
Henry    Malcolm   Sinclair    (485),    born  Essex,    Vt.,    3rd  July,    1819  ;    married, 

2nd   April,  1843,  Hannah   Maria   Denning  ;  resident  some  years  at  Lyndonville,  N.Y.  ; 
merchant  in  1889  ;  resident  Cleveland,  Ohio.      Issue  : 

875.  Cornelia,  born  1847  ;  married,  1867,  Henry  Moore,  of  Bellevue,  Ohio. 

876.  Jessie  H.,  born  1850;  married,  1868,  Alfred  Williams,  of  Bellevue. 

Samuel  Connor  Sinclair  (487),  born  Essex,  Vt.,  19th  September,  1825  ;  mechanic 
and  landlord;  resident  Lyndonville,  N.Y.,  where  he  died  23rd  September,  1872.  He 
married  Anna  Manahan  15th  November,  1851.      Issue  (all  died  young)  : 

877.  Eliza,  born  1853  ;  died  1856.  878.  Clara,  born  1857;  died  1863. 

879.  Wilbur  Connor,  born  1866  ;  died  1871. 

Lucius  Augustus  Sinclair  (489),  born  Essex,  Vt.,  7th  November,  1829  ;  left 
Essex  at  age  of  three  ;  lived  in  Lyndonville  for  30  years,  when  he  moved  to  Bellevue, 
Ohio,  where,  after  24  years'  residence,  he  died  18th  January,  1886.  His  business  was 
that  of  miller  and  wheelwright.  He  married,  first,  Frances  Van  Brocklin  ;  and 
secondly,  on  16th  November,  1859,  Clara  M.  Heath.      Issue  : 

880.  Henry  L.,  born  i860;  died  1862. 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  GENERATIONS.  383 

881.  Alice  D.,  born  1863  ;  married  Chas.  McKeloey  ;  they  reside  Paxton,  111. 

882.  ERNEST  H.,  born  1864  ;  railway  clerk,  Bellevue,  Ohio. 

883.  Warren  B.,  born  1868;  engineer;  resident  Bellevue. 

S84.  Katie  B.,  born  and  died  1870.  885.  Mary  C,  born  1875  ;  resident  Bellevue. 

Lieut.  Sidney  Franklin  Sinclair  (490),  born  Essex,  Vt.,  28th  June,  1831  ; 
lived  at  Lyndonville,  N.Y.,  with  his  parents  ;  subsequently  located  at  Bellevue,  Ohio. 
Lieutenant  in  Union  army,  and  served  during  the  war.  He  died  2nd  April,  1865,  at 
Murfresborough,  Tenn.     He  married,  6th  April,  1854,  Maria  Catherine  Grover.     Issue  : 

886.  Frances  Mary,  born  1855  ;  married,  1874,  to  Herbert  Klein. 

887.  Charles  ;     888.  Helen  ;    889.  Ervin  ;     890.  Henry  ;  all  died  young. 

891.  Eva  Bell,  born  1861  ;  married,  1880,  Orrin  Wm.  Crooks. 

892.  Agnes  Agonatha,  born  1863. 

893.  Maud  Florence,  born  1864  ;  married,  1881,  Fred  Sultzbaugh. 

Frederick  T.  Sinclair  (504),  farmer,  born  14th  February,  1839  ;  resident  in 
Cambridge,  Vt.  ;  married  Louise  Locklin  of  Jericho,  Vt.     Issue  : 

894.  Allen  B. 

Willie  Spencer  Sinclair  (512),  born  Essex,  Vt.,  4th  August,  1859;  died  2nd 
October,  1882,  at  Sweatland,  Cal.;  married,  4th  June,  1882,  Katie  Kyle,  who  resided 
Sacramento,  Cal.      Issue  : 

895.  Mary,  born  22nd  May,  1883. 

John  Mooney  St.  Clair  (515),  born  New  Hampton,  N.H.,  20th  February,  1806  ; 
moved,  20th  November,  1826,  to  Cambridgeport,  Mass.,  where  he  carried  on  a  large  and 
lucrative  business,  and  was  the  owner  of  considerable  real  estate.  He  married,  1st 
January,  1832,  Eliza  Newton,  and  died  3rd  April,  1883.     Issue: 

896.  1  Charles  Francis,  born  23rd  November,  1835;  died  29th  November,  1839. 

897.  -j  Nancy    Elizabeth,   born    23rd   November,   1835;    married,  4th  January,    1855,  Joseph 

Whittemore. 
Benjamin  Franklin  St.  Clair  (517),  born  New  Hampton,  N.H.,   14th  August, 
1813  ;  in  September,  1835,  engaged  in  a  prosperous  mercantile  business  at  Bangor,  Me., 
where  he  died  nth  June,  1856.     He  married  Nancy  True  on  5th  February,  1839.     Issue  : 

898.  Joseph  Franklin,  born  Bangor  in  1840 ;   is  in  business  and  resident  there  ;  he  married, 

first,  1867,  Emma  L.  Hallowell,  and  secondly,  Mary  A.  Bean. 

899.  Elizabeth  Ann  ;  and  900.  Mary  Caroline  ;  both  died  young. 

Chas.  Pinckney  St.  Clair  (518),  born  New  Hampton,  N.H.,  8th  November,  1823  ; 
lived  on  the  original  homestead  there.  He  greatly  enlarged  it,  and  had  in  all  some 
500  acres.     He  died  25th  January,  1890.     He  married  Julia  Ann  Woodman.     Issue  : 

901.  Benjamin  Franklin.  902.  Lizzie  Lincoln,  born  1859;  m.,  1879,  Lester  Plaisted. 

903.  Nancy  Julia,   born   1861  ;  married,  1878,  Victor  R.  Bixby  ;  is  divorced  and  assumes  her 
maiden  name.  904.  Infant  son,  born  and  died  1S63. 

905.  Sarah  Addie,  born  1865  ;  married,  1887,  Benjamin  F.  Robertson. 

906.  Charles  Grant,  born  1866.  907.  Ira  Martin,  born  1S71. 

908.  Infant  daughter,  born  and  died  1872.  909.  John  Everett,  born  1874. 

Charles  St.  Clair  (521),  born  Contoocookville,  N.H.,  4th  November,  1846; 
married,  1875,  Abbie  S.  Whitney;  resident  in  Boston,  Mass.     Issue: 

910.  Cherrie  Whitney,  born  1876.  911.  Samuel  Winthrop,  born  1878. 

Frank  P.  St.  Clair  (522),  born  E.  Concord,  N.H.,  30th  June,   1849  ;    married, 
1872,  Clara  G.  Tupper  ;  coal  merchant ;  resident  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.     Issue. 
912.  Mable  Louise  ;  and  913.  Eva  ;  both  died  young. 


384  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

John  Albert  Sinclair  (528),  carpenter,  resident  Exeter,  N.H.  He  married,  27th 
December,  1869,  Parmelia  C.  Page,  of  Exeter.      Issue  : 

914.  Effie  G.  915.  Charles  A.  916.  Lucy  A.  917.  Joseph  F. 

918.  Susan  M.  919.  Mattie  S. 

Hon.  Nathaniel  G.  Sinclair  (540),  farmer,  born  Waterborough,  Me.,  12th 
August,  1822.  He  was  repeatedly  elected  to  offices  in  his  native  town,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Maine  House  of  Representatives  one  or  more  times.  He  died  in  Water- 
borough,  31st  December,  1870.  He  married,  30th  August,  1859,  Roxy  G.  Guptill. 
Issue  : 

920.  John  Henry.  921.  Charles  M. 

John  Sinclair  (553),  farmer,  born  Waterborough,  Me.,  3rd  December,  1837  ;  resident 
Hollis,  Me.;  moved  to  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1885  ;  resident  at  No.  95,  F.  Street,  S.  Boston. 
He  married,  13th  December,  1S65,  Sarah   Katherine  Clough.     Issue  : 

922.  Jennie  Nancy,  born  1869  ;  marr.,  1888,  Ab.  Lincoln  Sprague  oi  114  F.  Street,  S.  Boston. 

Jonathan  Marston  Sinclair  (557)  was  born  in  Brentwood,  N. H.,  2nd  January, 
1818.  He  spent  a  short  period  of  his  life  in  Exeter,  the  remainder  was  passed  in  Brent- 
wood, where  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and  in  trade.  The  various  town 
offices,  from  selectman  to  representative,  were  filled  with  acceptance  by  him.  During 
the  Civil  War  he  was  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen,  and  had  charge  of  raising  the 
town's  quota  of  men.  He  died  at  Brentwood  12th  January,  1870.  He  married  Hannah 
Robinson,  10th  December,  1839.      Issue  : 

923.  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  1842  ;  married,  1866,  Geo.  W.  Weeks,  merchant,  Laconia,  N.H. 
Professor  John  Elbridge  Sinclair  (563),  born  Brentwood  28th   March,   1838  ; 

graduated  from  Chandler  department  of  Dartmouth  College  in  1858,  and  receiving  an 
assistant  professorship  there  in  1863,  was  made  full  professor  1866,  which  position  he 
retained  till  1869.  During  this  period  he  spent  one  winter  in  England  and  France.  In 
the  summer  of  1869  he  was  elected  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  the  Worcester  Polytechnic 
Institute,  and  still  lives  in  that  city.  Washington  University  conferred  on  him  in  1863 
the  degree  of  A.M.  Dartmouth  College  also  conferred  the  A.M.  degree  on  him,  and  on 
the  25th  anniversary  of  his  graduation,  in  1883,  gave  him  the  Ph.D.  degree.  He 
married,  first,  24th  December,  1864,  Isabella  Aiken,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  John  Ware 
Noyes  ;  and  secondly,  on  21st  November,  1870,  Marietta  Surivetta  Fletcher.     Issue  : 

924.  Annie  Noyes.        925.  Isabella  Aiken.        926.  Harry.        927.  Louise  Grant. 
928.  Alice.  929.  Mary  Emily.  930.  Helen  Melora. 

James  Sullivan  Sinclair  (569),  born  Palmyra,  Me.,  2nd  November,  1834  ;  farmer 
there,  where  he  died  17th  June,  1866.  He  married,  2nd  November,  1862,  Martha  Maria 
Hackett.      Issue  : 

931.  Ada  Ethel,  born  1864;  married,  1887,  Geo.  Farnham  Webber;  resident  Hartland,  Me 

Lewis  Edwin  Sinclair  (570),  farmer  ;  resident  Palmyra,  Me.,  where  he  was  born 
1  st  October,  1836  ;  married,  24th  May,  1866,  Lois  Ellen  Towle.      Issue  : 

932.  Myrtle  Elizabeth,  born  2nd  May,  187S. 

Nicholas  Tuttle  St.  Clair  (571),  farmer  and  miller  ;  resident  Palmyra,  Me., 
where  he  was  born  8th  July,  1838.  Married,  31st  December,  1874,  Marietta  Jane 
Roberts.     Issue  : 

933.  Alice  Jane,  born  nth  June,  1878. 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  GENERATIONS.  385 

Hiram  Calvin  Sinclair  (572),  born  Palmyra,  Me.,  19th  May,  1S40  ;  went  to 
Winthrop,  Me.,  in  1859,  and  is  a  carpet  printer  there.  He  married,  26th  February, 
1872,  Bethia  Alice  Smith.     Issue  : 

934.  Helen  May,  born  and  died  1874.  935.  Fred  Winthrop,  born  1876. 

936.  Mary  Carr,  born  1882. 

Charles  Henry  Sinclair  (583),  born  12th  July,  1834;  married,  1S61,  Maria  Celest 
Shotovin  ;  residence,  834,  19th  Street,  San  Francisco.      Issue  : 

937.  Charles  Augustus,  born  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,  1S64  ;  marr.,  3rd  Nov,  1888,  Nellie  R.Brown. 
James    Ellery    Sinclair     (594),     born    Monmouth,    Me.,    1st    February,    1857; 

educated  at  the  academy  there;   was  in   1888   employed  in  a  wholesale  provision  store, 
221-223,  Washington-street,  Salem,  Mass.      He  married,  1877,  Emma  Whitney.      Issue: 

938.  Florence. 

Henry  Merrill  Sinclair  (598),  born  Haverhill,  N.H.,  30th  March,  1827;  a 
printer,  was  in  that  business  in  Haverhill  and  Concord,  where  he  continues.  He 
married,  25th  September,  1853,  Emily  Augusta  Hodgdon.     Issue  : 

939.  Charles  Henry.  940.  Frank  Burnham. 

941.  Mabel  Sherman  )   TwinSi  born       t  October,  1867  ;  resident  Concord,  N.H. 

942.  Alice  Merrill      ' 

George  Hutchins  Sinclair  (599),  printer,  born  Haverhill,  N.H.,  April  17th, 
1829  ;  engaged  in  business  in  Haverhill,  N.H.,  Concord,  N.H.,  and  in  Chicago.  He 
died  in  Concord.     He  married,  28th  November,  1850,  Ruhamah  Brainard.     Issue  : 

943.  Mary  Grace  ;   died,  aged  19  years.     • 

Nelson  Burnham  Sinclair  (600),  born  Haverhill,  N.H.,  19th  June,  1836  ;  lived 
there  till  1854,  and  then  moved  to  Concord,  where  he  learned  the  silverplating  business, 
and  was  engaged  in  it  for  ten  years,  when  he  learned  the  watchmaker's  and  jewellery 
business,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  He  married  Mary  Ann  Horner,  and  resides  in 
Concord.     Issue: 

944.  Hattie  Newell,  born  1859;  died  1S61.  946.  Carrie  Marston,  born  6th  Aug.,  1872. 

945.  Addie  GreenlEAF,  born  1862  ;  married,  1883,  Merrill  A.  Randall. 

James  Henry  Sinclair  (602),  farmer,  born  Keesville,  N.Y.,  12th  September,  1836  ; 
resident  Parishville,  N.Y.  ;  married,  26th  October,  1857,  Betsey  F.  L,.  Graver.     Issue  : 
947.  Elsie  Amelia,  born  1S67  ;  m.  Edgar  Northup.  94S.  Martha  Louise,  born  1875. 

John  Harvey  Sinclair  (603),  born  Parishville,  N.Y.,  2nd  January,  1844  ;  farmer 
and  cooper  ;  resident  in  his  native  town  ;  married,  1st  September,  1864,  Candace  O. 
Hart.     Issue  : 

949.  ETTA  Adelia,  born  25th  January,  1867. 

Edward  Chapman  Sinclair  (618),  born  31st  December,  1845,  at  Haverhill,  N.H., 
where  he  resides  ;  married,  19th  March,  1870,  Bessie  Adalaide  Corliss.      Issue  : 

950.  John  Henry,  born  1875.  951.  Frank  B.,  born  1879. 

Edwin  Davenport  Sinclair  (620),  born  Haverhill,  N.H.,  9th  June,  1831  ;  married, 
5th  May,  i860,  Sarah  Augusta  Cram.  Farmer,  he  resided  in  Sandwich,  in  Moulton- 
borough,  and  now  lives  in  Meredith  Village,  N.H.  Soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  enlisting 
14th  August,  1862,  in  Comp.  K.  14th  Regt.  N.  H.  Volunteers  ;  he  was  discharged 
9th  August,  1864.     Issue  : 

952.  Oscar  Harrison  ;  died  18th  August,  1865. 


386  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

Hon.  John  Grandison  Sinclair  (622),  born  in  Barnstead,  N.H.,  25th  March, 
1826  ;  married,  first,  29th  October,  1847,  Tamar  Merrill,  daughter  of  Col.  Daniel  Clark 
of  Llandaff,  N.H. ;  and  secondly,  10th  July,  1874,  Mary  Elizabeth  Pierce  of  Bethlehem, 
N.H.,  relict  of  Willard  A.  Blandin.  He  entered  into  mercantile  employ  at  Llandaff 
when  thirteen,  and  after  abandoning  the  idea  of  a  collegiate  course,  for  which  he  had 
been  making  preparation,  he  engaged  in  business,  first  in  Manchester,  N.H.,  then  in 
Lawrence,  Mass.  :  and  having  accumulated  some  means  he  located  in  Bethlehem,  N.H., 
as  proprietor  of  a  country  store  and  a  manufacturer  of  starch.  He  represented  Bethlehem 
in  the  legislature  in   1852,  '53,  '54,  '55,  '62,  '63,  '76,  '77,  '78.  and  was  a  member  of  the 


THE  HON.  JOHN    GRANDISON    SINCLAIR, 
Orlando,  Fla. 

convention  chosen  to  revise  the  Constitution  of  the  State.  In  1873,  while  a  resident  of 
the  adjoining  town  of  Littleton,  he  was  elected  to  represent  that  town  in  the  legislature. 
In  1858  and  1859  he  was  a  member  of  the  N.H.  Senate.  There  were  some  brilliant 
episodes  in  his  career  during  his  long  and  active  legislative  history.  He  was  acknowledged 
to  be  one  of  the  most  daring,  most  aggressive,  and  clear-headed  leaders  of  the  Democratic 
party  in  N.H.;  one  of  its  keenest,  most  pungent,  and  brilliant  speakers.  In  1866,  '67, 
and  '68  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Governor,  and  in  the  latter  year  was  chairman 
of  the  N.H.  delegation  in  the  National  Democratic  Convention.  During  Governor 
Baker's  administration  he  was  appointed  bank  commissioner  ;   he  was  candidate  of  the 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  GENERATIONS  387 


Democrats  for  Speakership  of  the  House  ;  and  was  nominee  of  his  party  in  the  legislature 
in  1876  for  U.S.  Senator.  In  1879  he  removed  to  Orlando,  Orange  County,  Florida, 
where  he  has  organised  a  large  and  lucrative  real  estate  business.      Issue  : 

953.  Charles  Arthur. 

954.  Emma  Peavy,  born  1851  ;  married,  1874,  Rev.  Charles  Fowler  of  Bristol,  N.H. 

955.  Martha  Aroline,  born  1855  ;  married,  1885,  John  W.  Weeks  ;  resident  Boston,  Mass. 

Joshua  Cilley  Sinclair  (625),  was  born  in  Unity,  Me.,  9th  August,  1825.  At  16 
he  went  to  sea,  continuing  on  the  ocean  till  nearly  40.  The  last  two  years  he  commanded 
a  government  transport  for  carrying  supplies  to  U.S.  forts  in  the  South  during  the  Civil 
War.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  settled  in  Brooklyn,  N.Y. ,  where  he  now  resides  ; 
occupation,  ship's  clerk.  He  married,  first,  October,  1862,  Mertie  A.  Newell  ;  and 
secondly,  29th  December,  1873,  C.  Frederika  Tompkins.     Issue  : 

956.  Charles  Albert  ;  and  957.  Clarence  Edwin  ;  both  died  young. 

958.  CarloTTa  WEST,  born  9th  May,  1875. 

Napoleon  Bonaparte  Sinclair  (626),  born  in  Unity,  Me.,  27th  November,  1827  ; 
went  to  sea  at  14  ;  was  chief  officer,  and  by  death  of  captain  became  master  of  a  ship 
at  the  early  age  of  21,  in  which  position  he  continued  till  1857,  when  he  started  in 
business  as  a  stevedore  at  Brooklyn,  which  he  still  continues  with  success.  He  married, 
first,  3rd  July,  1851,  Ann  Elizabeth  Harbinson  ;  and  secondly,  20th  August,  1863, 
Elizabeth  Turner  Hall.      Issue  : 

959.  Robert  Strong.  960.  Elizabeth,  born  1S56.  961.  Henry  Harbinson. 

962.  Arthur,  died  1861.  963.  Cornelia  Anderson,  born  1866;  m.,  1888,  Chas.  A.  Peck. 

964.  Isidora,  born  1S68.  965.  Maud  Adelaide,  born  1S71. 

966.  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  died  1877.  967.  Jennie  Stuyvesant,  born  1878. 

Calvin  Dwinal  Sinclair  (634),  born  in  Unity,  Me.,  nth  December,  1832; 
married,  27th  Sept.,  1866,  Martha  A.  Mitchell.  Mr.  Sinclair  is  a  waggon  manufacturer, 
and  has  resided  in  Racine,  Wis.,  since  1846.  Previous  to  then  his  life  had  been  spent 
in  Maine.      Issue  : 

968.  Mattie  M.,  born  1870.  969.  Lucy  E.,  born  1875. 

Aberdeen  Sinclair  (636),  born  Champion,  Jefferson  County,  N.Y.,  September  12th, 
1808;  resides  Stockton,  Chatauqua  County,  N.Y.  He  married,  27th  December,  1829, 
Sylvia  Ann  Holmes.     Issue  : 

970.  Franklin  Benjamin.  971.  John  Henry,  born  1837. 

972.  William  Wallace;  died  1843. 

973.  Helen  Mar,  born  1845;  died  1S72  ;  married  Hamilton  Hudson. 

Franklin  Sinclair  (639),  farmer,  born  19th  January,  18 18,  at  Sinclairville,  N.Y., 
where  most  of  his  life  has  been  spent.  He  lived  in  Eaton,  N.Y.;  Nelson,  Canada  ;  near 
Elgin,  111.;  Cookville,  Wis.;  and  then  in  Sinclairville,  where  he  resided  in  1888.  He 
married,  15th  May,  1844,  Rachel  Diantha  Ellis.      Issue  : 

974.  Elizabeth,  born  1845  ;  married,  1863,  George  Tackley  ;  resident  Pomfret,  N.Y. 

975.  Melvina,  born  1S47  ;  married,  1S6S,  John  Langworthy  ;  resident  Ellicott,  N.Y. 

976.  Adelaide,  born  1856;  married,  1877,  Chas.  E.  Edmunds,  of  Charlotte,  N.Y. 

977.  Annie  Isabel,  born  1858  ;  died  1882.  979.  John  Freeman,  born  1865. 

97S.  Frankie,  born  1861  ;  mar.,  1880,  Sam  Spear  ;  resident  Gerry.      9S0.  Lillian,  born  1867. 

Samuel  Sinclair  (643)  was  born  at  Gerry,  N.Y.,  9th  May,  1822.     In  September, 

1841,  he  got  a  position  in  the  business  department  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  where  he 

remained  till   T872,  having  filled  successively  the  positions  of  book-keeper,  cashier,  and 

publisher,   which  latter  office  he  filled  for  thirteen  years  previous  to  1873.     To  a  large 


388  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


extent  he  was  instrumental  in  building  the  enormous  circulation  as  well  as  the  large 
advertising  business  of  that  great  journal,  and  to  him  are  the  readers  of  the  Tribune 
indebted  for  the  broad  columns  and  large  type  on  which  that  newspaper  is  printed. 
For  several  years  Mr.  Sinclair  was  the  largest  owner  of  the  Tribune.  He  lived  in 
New  York  City  from  September,  1841,  to  January,  1873,  and  has  since  resided  at 
Croton-on-Hudson,  on  a  farm  he  bought  in  1864.  He  married,  23rd  October,  1848, 
Charlotte  Ann  Perry,  a  cousin  of  Horace  Greeley,  the  great  U.S.  journalist.     Issue  : 

981.  Samuel  Eric,  born  1849;  married,  1871,  Miss  Towle. 

982.  Kate  Eloise,  born  1851  ;  married,  1875,  Wm.  Forse  Scott,  lawyer;  died  1881. 

983.  Mary  Franklin,  born  1857  ;  musician,  N.Y.  City. 

Major  Sinclair  (646),  born  6th  October,  1831,  in  Gerry,  N.Y.,  where  he  lives  on 
the  homestead,  and  is  a  successful  farmer  and  dairyman.  Has  served  his  town  as  collector 
of  taxes  and  road  commissioner.    He  married,  1st  January,  1850,  Amanda  Garrett.    Issue  : 

984.  Martha  Nancy,  born  1854.  985.  Infant  daughter,  born  and  died,  1859. 
Elisha  Ward  Sinclair  (647),  born  Gerry  19th  April,  1833  ;  resident  Poulteney,  Vt. 

A  popular  and  successful  photographer  and  artist,  he  accompanied  the  Union  army  in 
the  Southern  States  during  the  Civil  War,  and  took  many  views.  After  the  war  he  was 
for  several  years  in  the  office  of  the  N.Y.  Tribune,  and  was  then  appointed  Inspector  of 
Customs  in  the  N.Y.  Custom  House.  He  then  farmed  in  Ionia  and  Sedalia,  Mo.,  but 
failing  health  necessitated  removal  to  Colorado,  and  in  1889  he  resided  in  Longmont,  Col. 
He  married,  first,  25th  September,  1851,  Anna  A.  Pattee  ;  and  secondly,  Mattie  Geary. 
Issue  : 

9S6.  Ida,  born  1852.  987.  Edna,  born  1S54  ;  m.  Mr.  Richards  ;  resident  Poulteney,  Vt. 

988.  Orlinda  I.,  died  young.  989.  Orlinda  II.,  resident  with  parents. 

Hon.  Samuel  Edsall  Sinclair  (652)  was  born  in  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  July  nth, 
1840.  He  studied  law  with  his  uncle,  the  Hon.  Obed  Edson,  at  Sinclairville,  and 
graduated  with  the  highest  honours  at  the  law  school  at  Albany,  N.Y.,  and  was  admitted 
to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  N.Y.  Returning  to  his  native  city,  he  there  practised 
his  profession.  In  1868  he  was  Deputy  State's  Attorney,  and  in  1872  he  was  nominated 
and  elected  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Allen  and  Huntington  Counties. 
In  1882  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  legislature,  and  was  a  candidate  for  Mayor  of 
his  city  in  1885.     He  died  23rd  March,  1887. 

George  Sinclair  (658),  born  June  2nd,  1841,  in  Sinclairville;  lived  there  and  in 
the  neighbouring  town  of  Gerry.  He  served  during  the  Civil  War  in  the  1 12th  Regiment 
N.Y.  Volunteers,  fighting  in  some  of  the  most  desperate  actions  and  charges,  viz.,  at 
Cold  Harbor,  both  attacks  on  Fort  Fisher,  and  front  of  Petersburg,  Va.  After  the  war 
he  settled  down  to  farming  at  Luddington,  Mich.,  where  he  still  lives.  He  married,  in 
1862,  Roxa  Wright.     Issue: 

990.   Leroy,  bom  1866.  991.  Maud  E.,  born  1868;  married,  1886,  Thos.  Southwell. 

992.  Lottie,  born  1874.  993.  Walter,  born  1877.  994.  Alice,  born  1883. 

Franklin  St.  Clair  (661),  born  in  Ohio,  15th  April,  1824  ;  married  Sarah  Ann 
Caspar  ;  employed  on  a  canal  ;  died  at  Seven  Mile  Creek,  Wis.,  21st  April,  1877.     Issue  : 

995.  Geo.  Henry,  farmer,  Wonewoc,  Wis.  996.  Albert  Monroe,  farmer,  Elroy,  Wis. 

997.  Franklin,  farmer,  Wonewoc.     998.   Ellen  Angeline  ;  and  999.  Mary  Ann  ;  are  dead. 
1000.  Amanda,  is  dead.  1001.  Irena  Jane,  marr.  Edwd.  Beeker  ;  resident  Wausau,  Wis. 

1002.  Rhoda  Ann,  married,  4th  July,  1861,  Dennis  Curtis,  farmer. 


SEVENTH  AND  EIGHTH  GENERATIONS.  389 


Charles  La  Fayette  St.  Clair  (664),  born  at  Rockdale,  Penn.,  1st  April,  1833; 
married,  25th  December,  i860,  Caroline  Matilda  Dana  ;  resident  at  Seven  Mile  Creek, 
Wis.     Issue  : 

1003.  Orlando  Adelphur,  born  1st  September,  1862  ;  merchant  ;  married,  1886,  Ida  May. 

1004.  Flora  Bell,  born  1S64;  married,  1884,  Samuel  Casper;  died  1886. 

1005.  Ida  May,  born  1866;  married,  1886,  Herbert  Marvin  Coleman. 

1006.  Carrie  Emma,  born  1868;  married,  Frank  Leslie  Coleman. 

1007.  Sarah  Margaret,  born  1872.  1008.  Wellman  Arthur,  born  and  died  1874. 
1009-10.  Twins,  born  21st  February,  1876  ;  Mertie  Eva  and  Gertie  Effie. 

ion.  Ritmond  Charles,  born  1880.  1012.  Edna  Laura,  born  1883. 

John  Wesley  St.  Clair  (666),  born  Rockdale,  Penn.,  17th  May,  1837  ;  married 
4th  April,  1865,  Mary  Ann  Judd  ;  carpenter  ;  resident  at  Seven  Mile  Creek,  Wis., 
where  he  died  1st  September,  1882.     Issue  : 

1013.  Milton,  born  1867.  1014.  Leslie,  born  1869. 

1015.  EdelLiE,  born  1871  ;  married,  1887,  Amberry  Coleman,  farmer. 

1016.  Lknnie,  born  1874  ;  and  1017.  Lottie,  born  1876  ;  reside  Reedsburgh,  Wis. 

John  Sinclair  (668),  stage  driver  and  millwright  ;  resident  Geneva,  Ohio  ; 
married,  first  (N.N.)  ;  secondly,  Delia  Scrantou  (Mrs.  Dane).      Issue  by  first  marriage  : 

1018.  Charles,  resides  Geneva  ;  single. 

Joseph  W.  Sinclair  (669),  farmer,  born  May,  1820  ;  lived  in  Madison  City,  Ohio, 
where  he  died  8th  August,  1876.  He  married,  first,  1st  April,  1858,  his  cousin,  Lydia 
Dane,  who  left  one  child  ;  and  secondly,  Harriet  A.  Waterman,  who,  then  resident  at 
Lebanon,  N.H.,  on  8th  August,  1878,  was  appointed  guardian  of  her  children,  by  the 
Probate  Court  of  Grafton  County.     Issue  : 

1019.  Jennie  (by  first  marriage),  died  young.  1020.  Jennie  A.,  over  14  on  8th  August,  1878. 
1021.  Lydia  M.  ;         1022.  Joseph  W.  ;  and  1023.  Thomas  S.;  all  under  14  at  that  date. 

Richard  Baxter  Sinclair  (672),  was  born  at  Danville,  Vt.,  May  24th,  1824  ; 
removed  to  Perry,  where  he  was  in  business  as  a  produce  dealer,  the  firm  being 
Thompson  and  Sinclair.  He  died  February  8th,  1870.  He  married  Celestia  Brown. 
Issue : 

1024.  George.  1025.  Eva  Ida,  born  1853;  married,  1874,  Garrett  E.  Lock  wood,  of  Perry. 

1026.  Lavina,  born  i860  ;  died  young.         1027.  Alma,  born  1863  ;  m.,  1884,  Joseph  Hommel. 

1028.  Susan  Mary,  born  1865  ;  married  Edwd.  Tucker  ;  resident  Huntsburg,  Ohio. 

David  Batchelder  Sinclair  (673),  born  Danville,  Vt.,  December  16th,  1827  ; 
was  moved  to  Perry  in  1832  ;  a  carpenter  and  builder  ;  he  was  for  several  years  a 
general  produce  dealer  in  a  large  way.  He  was  a  Sergeant  in  the  14th  Ohio  Battery. 
Mustered  into  service  20th  August,  1861,  for  the  term  of  three  years,  he  was  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  and  several  skirmishes.  Invalided  in  the  service  he  was  discharged 
12th  September,  1862.  He  married,  23rd  February,  1868,  Sarah  Frances  Wyman,  and 
resides  at  Perry,  Ohio.     Issue  : 

1029.  Mary  Wyman,  born  30th  November,  1868. 

Joseph  Franklin  Sinclair  (675),  born  in  Perry,  Ohio,  5th  April,  1837  ;  has 
always  resided  there.  A  member  of  the  14th  Battery,  Ohio  Volunteer  Light  Artillery,  he 
was  mustered  into  the  U.S.  service  10th  September,  1861,  and  discharged  20th  August, 
1865.  He  was  in  many  battles,  among  them  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Miss.  ;  Resaca,  Ga.  ; 
Dallas,  Ga.  ;  Burnet  Hickory,  Ga.  ;  Athens,  Ala.  ;  and  in  the  fight  before  Atlanta,  Ga. , 
July  22nd,  1864,  when  nearly  one-half  of  the  men  in  his  portion  of  the  army  were  lost  ; 


39Q 


NEW    HAMPSHIRE   SCIONS. 


he  was  also  in  the  fight  at  Nashville,  Term.  After  disbanding  he  returned  to  Perry, 
where  he  now  lives  farming.  He  married,  28th  December,  1867,  Stella  Owen.  No 
children. 

Lucien  Charles  Sinclair  (678),  born  Danville,  Vt.,  September  22nd,  1827  ;  has 
travelled  extensively  in  the  Southern  States  ;  farmer  and  nurseryman  ;  residing  at 
Perry,  Ohio.  He  married,  as  third  husband,  18th  March,  1878,  his  cousin,  Olive  Downing 
Glines,  relict  of  (1)  Jahial  P.  Cook,  and  (2)  Hiram  Owens.      No  children. 

Milton  Hugh  Sinclair  (679),  born  Danville,  Vt.,  14th  December,  1831  ;  went  to 
Perry,  Ohio,  where  he  farmed  till  1888,  when  he  moved  to  Roscommon  City,  Mich.,  and 
is  largely  engaged  in  manufacturing  lumber.     He  married  Susan  Race.     Issue  : 

1030.  Hattie,  married  William  Eaton,  carpenter  ;  resides  Geneva,  Ohio. 

1031.  Edwin.  1032.  Grant,  blind  since  12,  resides  Geneva. 

1033.  Mary,  resides  Austenburg,  Ohio.  1034.  Emma,  resides  Geneva. 

Wm.  Wallace  Sinclair  (683),  born  Perry,  Ohio,  in  1840;  resident  Geneva: 
married  Mary  Scranton.     Issue  : 

1035.  George,  and  1038.  Lucius;  single;  are  in  railroad  employ,  Geneva. 

1036.  Jennie,  married  Nathaniel  Beard  of  Collingwood,  Ohio. 

1037.  Effie,  married  Byron  Pierce  of  Geneva,  rail  employe. 

Henry  Sinclair  (687),  born  Perry,  3rd  April,  1838  ;  farmer,  in  occupation  of  the 
homestead  in  his  birthplace.     A  corporal  in  the  171st  Regiment  National  Guards  of  Ohio, 
he  served  100  days  in  1864.      He  married,  5th  August,  1868,  Mira  Bell  Owen.     Issue  : 
1039.  Fannie,  born  1873.  1040.  Charles  A.,  born  1876. 

1041.  Alice  Emma,  born  1878.  1042.  Henry,  born  1888. 

Fremont  B.  Sinclair  (692),  born  Warren,  111.,  27th  September,  1856;  farmer; 
resident  Ainsworth,  Neb.      He  married,  January,  1882,  Sophia  Liebolt.      Issue: 

1043.  Mary,  born  1882.  1044.  Ellen,  born  1884.  1045.  Gertrude,  born  1887. 

EIGHTH    AND    NINTH   GENERATIONS. 

Allen  G.  Sinclair  (705),  born  Hardwick,  Vt.,  25th  March,  1825  ;  married, 
1st  January,  1849,  Mary  A.  Hosmer.     Issue,  born  Springfield,  Mass.  : 

1046.  Ada  M.,  born  1852  ;  died  1888.         1047.  Henry  A.,  born  1856;  married  1882. 
Adams  O.  Sinclair  (706),   born  Hardwick,    Vt. ,    13th  August,    1826;  married  at 
Canton,  Mass.,  2nd  January,  1S49,  Harriet  L.  Pettengill.     Issue  : 
104S.  Frederick  O.,  born  Canton,  Mass. 
Emery  J.   Sinclair    (738),    born    1835  ;  married    Caroline   S.    Long.      He  was   a 
carpenter,    and    resident   at    Owl's    Head,    Thomaston,    Me.       He    was    employed    on    a 
vessel    belonging    to    his    brother-in-law,    Captain    Sam.    Maddocks,    which    sailed    from 
Portland,  Me.,  and  was  lost  at  sea.      Issue  : 

1049.  Austin,  born  1S64.  1050.  Lena,  born  1866;  died  1885. 

Gilbert  M.  St.  Clair  (740),  born  East  Union,  1st  December,  1839;  joiner; 
married  Louisa  Warren  ;   resident  Wellesley  Hills,  Mass.     Issue  : 

105 1.  Albert  W.,  born  22nd  October,  1873.  1052.  Wm.  Porter,  born  nth  July,  1878. 

George  Washington  St.  Clair  (741),  born  31st  July,  i860;  farmer;  resident 
Owl's  Head,  Me.  ;  married,  1881,  Mary  J.  Kinney.     Issue  : 

1053.  George  F.,  born  7th  February,  1822.  1054.  Anne  M.,  born  5th  October,  1883. 

1055.  Robert  R.,  born  3rd  February,  1S85.  1056.  Florence  C,  born  16th  May,  1888. 


EIGHTH    AND   NINTH    GENERATIONS.  391 

Thos.  Jefferson  St.  Clair  (742),  born  Hope,  Me.,  22nd  September,  1839  ; 
shoemaker.  Has  resided  at  Vinal  Haven,  Me.,  and  in  1889  at  Rockland,  Me.  He 
married,  first,  4th  July,  1869,  Etta  Ames  Sellers  (Mrs.  Tobiu)  ;  and  secondly,  February 
14th,  1S80,  Arabel  Eolia  Hatch.     Issue  : 

1057.  Arthur  Washburn,  born  Rockland,  Me.,  18th  August,  18S1. 

Asa  Payson  St.  Clair  (744),  born  Camden,  Me.,  3rd  September,  1847.  Has  lived 
in  South  Hope,  where  he  was  a  trader,  and  in  1889  resident  in  Rockland,  Me.,  where  he 
is  a  wholesale  confectioner.  He  married,  14th  February,  1874,  Erville  Emma  Leach. 
Issue  born  Hope,  Me.  : 

1058.  Geo.  Leach,  born  25th  November,  1874.  1059.   Etta,  born  3rd  December,  1876. 
Madan  King  St.  Clair  (745),  born  Hope,  Me.,  10th  July,  1S51  ;  blind  manufacturer  ; 

resident  Camden,  Me.  ;  married,  2nd  October,  1876,  Ida  Frances  Payson.     Issue  : 

1060.  Florence  E.,  born  Hope,  16th  May,  1879. 

1061.  Charlotte  M.,  born  Camden,  1885;  died  1S86. 

Aubert  A.  St.  Clair  (746),  born  Hope,  Me.,  17th  December,  1852  ;  wholesale 
confectioner;  resident  Rockland,  Me.;  married,  26th  December,  1876,  Clara  Frances 
Leach.     Issue,  born  Hope,  Me.  : 

1062.  Emma  Ervilla,  born  8th  Jan.,  1879.  1063.  Geo.  Austin,  born  12th  Feb.,  1883. 
Wm.  Bowley  St.  Clair  (747),  born  Union,  Me.,  18th   March,  1837;  enlisted  for 

nine  months  in  Comp.  B  24th  Maine  Volunteers,  10th  September,  1862.  Was  at  the 
surrender  of  Port  Hudson,  La.,  in  1863  ;  and  was  sunstruck  in  the  service,  and  has  never 
fully  recovered  from  the  wear  and  tear  of  army  life  in  that  malarial  region  of  the  South. 
He  has  always  resided  in  Union.  He  married,  15th  March,  1872,  Addie  Chapman. 
Issue,  born  Union,  Me.  : 

1064.  Berton  Edgar,  born  22nd  Feb.,  1S73.  1065.  Zetta  Ella,  born  19th  June,  1874. 

Samuel  Bowley  St.  Clair  (754),  born  Union,  Me.,  1858  ;  resident  Rockland,  Me.  ; 
married  Elizabeth  Long.     Issue  : 

1066.  Effie  Arletta. 

Ashley  St.  Clair  (756),  born  Camden,  Me.,  22nd  March,  1847  ;  enlisted  in  Comp.  E 
2nd  Maine  Cavalry  for  three  years  on  10th  November,  1863,  and  served  till  the  close  of 
the  war,  being  mustered  out  in  December,  1865.  He  was  educated  at  the  Normal  School, 
Farmington,  Me.,  and  has  been  a  teacher  in  Calais,  Me.,  for  eighteen  years  ;  but  has  now 
entered  the  legal  profession,  and  is  practising  as  an  attorney  at  Calais,  Me.  ;  firm  name 
Hanson  &  St.  Clair.     He  married,  7th  September,  1871,  Sarah  Evelyne  Tarbox.     Issue  : 

1067.  Louisa  Evelyne,  born  3rd  June,  1872.  106S.  Eda  Estelle,  born  18th  Aug.,  1874. 

1069.  Alice  Winnifred,  born  27th  September,  1883;  died  12th  August,  18S5. 
Lauriston    Fenno   St.    Clair    (758),    born    Rockland,    Me.,    13th    April,    1851  ; 

blacksmith  by  trade  ;  resident  Camden,  Me.  ;  is  now  in  the  dyeing  department  of  a 
worsted  mill  at  Camden.      He  married,  3rd  May,  1874,  Belle  Conway.     Issue  : 

1070.  Eugene  Mills,  born  1875  ;  died  1S77.  1071.  Arthur  Payson,  born  and  died  1877. 

1072.  Lena,  born  Rockland,  Me.,  10th  luly,  18S1. 

Charles  William  Sinclair  (7^6),  born  31st  March,  1843,  at  Dover,  Me.  ; 
married,  August  7th,  1866,  Josephine  M.  Keith  ;  resident  Midland,  Mich.      Issue  : 

1073.  Lizzie  I   Twins>  dkd  1076.  Nora  Blanche,  born  1873. 

1074.  Alice  May  )  1078.  Willie  Keith,  born  1877. 

1075.  Susie  Belle,  born  15th  July,  1871.  1079.  Hattie  Marie,  born  1880. 
1077.  Mabel  Edith,  born  1875.  1080.  Mildred  Eliza,  born  1882. 


392  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

David  Lowrie  Sinclair  (767),  born   Dover,  Me.,   5th  July,    1845  ;  married,   27th 
August,  18S1,  Harriet  MeRea  ;   resident  Midland,  Mich.     Issue  : 
1081.  Alice  May,  born  1882.  1082.  Annie  Maria,  born  1884. 

1083.  Blanche  Ethlyn,  born  1888. 

Albion  Atjrelius  Sinclair  (771),  born  Dover,  Me.,  20th  October,  1856  ;  married, 
1  st  June,  1882,  Edna  M.  Hart  ;  resident  Midland,  Mich.     Issue  : 

1084.  Ralph,  born  Midland,  8th  May,  1883. 

Holman  Dexter  Sinclair  (776),  born  South  Dover,  Me.,  nth  November,  1845; 
married,  1st  May,  1878,  Ida  May  Curtis;  employed  in  a  woollen  mill;  resident  Dover, 
Me.     Issue  : 

1085.  Harry  Alvah,  born  Dover,  Me.,  6th  June,  1882. 

Frank  Hamilton  Sinclair  (780),  born  13th  December,  1857,  in  Dixon,  Lee 
County,  111.,  where  he  received  a  high  school  education  ;  teacher  and  farmer  ;  resident 
Glidden,  Iowa.      He  married,  25th  October,  1882,  Libhy  Shiner  Seburn.     Issue  : 

1086.  Earl  Morton,  born  1884.  1087.  Lee  Seburn,  born  1886. 

Wm.  Tracy  Sinclair  (785),  born  Brighton,  Mass.,  September,  1841  ;  lives  in  Iowa; 
is  an  extensive  farmer  and  stock  raiser.      He  married  Elizabeth  Carter.     Issue  : 
1088.  Joseph  Doane.  10S9.  Thos.  Albert. 

1090.  Louise  Caroline.  1091.  Rose  Henrietta. 

Thos.  Jefferson  Sinclair  (789),  born  Meredith,  N.H.,  3rd  April,  1838.  His 
father  died  when  he  was  five,  and  on  his  mother's  second  marriage  in  1846  he  went  to 
live  on  the  farm  in  Meredith  with  his  step-father,  Joseph  S.  Hart,  and  succeeded  him  on 
the  place,  where  he  resided.  He  married,  17th  October,  1858,  Elizabeth  Melissa  Doe, 
and  had  issue  in  Meredith  : 

1092.  Laura  Etta,  born  28th  July,  1861  ;  m.  Edmund  P.  Anthony  ;  resident  Concord,  N.Y. 

1093.  Noah  Leroy.  1094.  Myrtle  Beatrice,  born  21st  June,  1872. 

Noah  Leroy  Sinclair  (791),  farmer,  born  Meredith,  N.H.,  2nd  November,  1842  ; 
resident  at  birth  town.      He  married,  16th  November,  1867,  Henrietta  Laurence.     Issue  : 

1095.  Minnie  Iva,  born  21st  January,  1873. 

Alphonso  Turrell  St.  Clair  (800),  born  in  Barre,  now  Albion,  N.Y.,  2nd  January, 
1835  ;  lived  in  Barre  ;  carpenter  and  farmer  ;  while  lumbering  in  the  woods  was  killed  by 
a  falling  tree,  22nd  February,  1865.  He  married,  5th  November,  1857,  Savilla  Lummis 
Thurston.      Issue,  born  in  Barre  : 

1096.  Francis  Alphonso. 

The  Hon.  Chas.  Henry  St.  Clair  (801)  was  born  at  Albion,  Orleans  County, 
N.Y.,  8th  August,  1836  ;  and  completed  his  education  at  the  Albion  Academy  when 
eighteen  years  of  age.  After  spending  two  years  in  Union  Springs,  N.Y.,  Bloomington, 
and  Rochester,  111.,  he  went  to  New  Orleans,  La.,  in  1858  ;  and  he  entered  the  medical 
college,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  the  business  of  steam-boating  on  the  Mississippi 
River.  He  secured  his  license  as  a  pilot  of  the  first-class  when  the  war  broke  out  in 
1861.  He  made  a  daring  escape  from  the  Confederates,  and  became  pilot  of  and  aboard 
of  the  U.S.  ship  Harriet  Lane,  under  Commander  Wainwright,  of  Admiral  Farragut's 
fleet.  Was  before  Vicksburg,  Grand  Gulf,  and  Port  Hudson.  When  Farragut's  fleet 
left  the  Mississippi  River,  he  piloted  the  entire  mortar  fleet  over  the  S.W.  Pass  bar  and 
out  to  sea.  The  fleet  consisted  of  13  schooners,  each  carrying  an  11-inch  mortar.  With 
high  testimonials  from  his  commander,  he  was  ordered  to  join  the  Mississippi  squadron 


EIGHTH  AND  NINTH   GENERATIONS. 


393 


under  Admiral  D.  D.  Porter,  at  Cairo,  111.,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  on  the  steamship 
General  Price,  and  served  on  the  lower  river  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  had  many 
vivid  experiences  and  hair-breadth  escapes.  He  was  selected  as  pilot  for  exposed 
wooden  steamers,  transports,  and  despatch  boats.  With  an  open  transport  steamer  he, 
as  pilot,  towed  the  great  ironclad  Essex  and  others  into  position  before  Vicksburg,  Port 
Hudson,  and  other  places,  and  in  the  exposed  pilot  house  of  the  ram  Genera/  Price  he 
rammed  an  opening  through  the  obstructions  in  the  Red  River,  cleared  away  the 
torpedoes,  and  towed  many  of  the  ironclads  through  the  channel.  Often  during  these 
times  the  leaden  hail  fell  thick  and  fast  about  him,  and  the  sailors  used  to  say  "  it  rained 
lamp-posts,"  for  the  18-inch  conical  rifle  shells  were  continually  whizzing  around. 
After  the  war,  Mr.  St.  Clair  resumed  the  business  of  steam-boating  on  the  Mississippi 
and  other  rivers.  On  30th  October,  1866,  he  was  married  in  Trinity,  La.,  to  Mary 
Alice,  only  daughter  of  Captain  Isaac  Johnson,   of   New   Albany,    Ind.      During  their 


wedding  tour,  while 
Orleans,  the  steamer 
all  save  two  of  her 
At  the  earnest  solici- 
he  gave  up  that  avoca- 
busiuess  in  New  Or- 
remained  till  1872, 
Morgan  City,  that 
city  treasurer  in  1873, 
and  served  for  eight 
member  of  theGeneral 
the  parish  of  St.  Mary, 
important  committees 
was  re-elected,  but, 
was  denied  his  seat. 
Morgan  City,  La., 
has  for  many  years 
and  honour  in  differ- 
ties.  A  writer,  Nathan 
him  :  "Always  hon- 
beloved,  his  courage 
during  the  awful  yel- 
1878-79  for  his  people 
them  more  than  words 


he 


n     New 
up,    and 


THE  HON.  CHAS.  HENRY  ST. 
Morgan  City,  La. 


was  1 
was  blown 
officers  were  killed, 
tation  of  Mrs.  St.  Clair 
tion,  and  went  into 
leans,  La.,  where  he 
when  he  removed  to 
State.  He  was  elected 
elected  mayor  in  1874, 
years.  Was  elected  a 
Assembly  in  1879,  for 
and  served  on  many 
till  1884.  Then  he 
being  a  Republican, 
He  is  in  business  in 
where  he  resides,  and 
held  places  of  trust 
ent  orders  and  socie- 
W.  Goodale,  says  of 
oured,  respected,  and 
and  tireless  labour 
low  fever  epidemic  of 
has  endeared  him  to 
can  express,  and  will 


for  a  generation  to  come  cause  his  name  to  be  spoken  of  with  heart-felt  blessings  by  those 
who  knew  him  personally  and  by  reputation."  Issue  : 
1097.  Charles  Arthur. 
Dr.  Arthur  Knowles  St.  Clair  (802),  born  in  Barre,  N.Y.,  27th  June,  1838  ; 
received  his  early  education  in  Albion  Academy,  and  graduated  at  the  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New  York  City,  heading  his  class  of  nearly  200,  and  winning 
the  celebrated  "Dr.  Valentine  Mott  Prize."  He  commenced  practice  at  Marquette, 
Mich.,  in  partnership  with  his  uncle,  Dr.  Jas.  Julius  St.  Clair.  Entering  the  army  as 
2nd  assist,  surgeon  1st  Michigan  Cavalry,  he  was  soon  made  chief  operator  of  the  brigade, 


394  NEW   HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

then  assist,  surgeon  5th  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  later  on  surgeon  of  same  with  rank  of 
Major;  while  during  the  last  year  of  the  war  he  was  surgeon-in-chief  of  the  brigade 
under  General  Stagg.  Notice  of  his  remarkable  surgical  operations  while  in  the  army 
are  recorded  in  the  "Medical  and  Surgical  History  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,"  by 
Charles  Smart,  Major  and  Surgeon  U.S.  Army.  He  participated  in  at  least  fourteen 
battles,  and  volunteered  to  solicit  from  the  Confederates  the  body  of  General  Wadsworth. 
In  this  matter  he  was  successful,  but  though  starting  with  a  flag  of  truce  only  reached 
the  enemy's  line  after  being  subjected  to  a  heavy  fire.      He  returned  with  the  body. 

After  the  war  he  resumed  practice  at  Marquette,  where  he  married,  22nd  October, 
1867,  Henrietta  A.  Smith,  the  sister  of  his  business  partner,  Dr.  A.  K.  Smith.  Their 
married  life  was  short,  as  he  died  20th  April,  1868,  from  the  effects  of  army  exposure. 
Dr.  St.  Clair  had  no  children. 

Dr.  Francis  Osmond  St.  Clair  (803)  was  born  in  Barre,  N.Y.,  10th  December, 
1839,  and  was  educated  at  Albion  Academy,  and  at  the  Georgetown  Medical  College. 
While  there  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  and  he  joined  the  17th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 
Detailed  as  hospital  steward,  he  served  in  the  medical  department  of  the  army  till  the, 
close  of  the  war,  when  he  resumed  his  medical  studies  at  Washington  D.C.,  graduating 
from  the  Georgetown  College  2nd  March,  1869.  He  was  appointed  clerk  in  the  State 
Department,  with  which  he  has  ever  since  been  connected,  though  practising  his 
profession  to  some  extent  outside  his  official  duties.  On  the  1st  November,  1881,  he 
was  appointed  permanent  chief  of  Consular  Bureau,  and  served  till  recently  in  that 
capacity.  In  1881  the  U.S.  Government  sent  him  on  a  tour  of  inspection  of  the 
consulates  of  Canada  ;  in  1882  on  the  same  service  to  the  West  Indies.  In  July,  1890, 
he  was  sent  by  the  Government  to  preside  over  a  Convention  of  U.S.  Consuls,  to  be  held 
in  August,  1890.  It  was  a  position  of  honour,  trust,  and  responsibility,  which  his 
long  service  in  the  State  Departments  admirably  qualified  him  to  fill.  He  was  the 
accredited  agent  of  the  United  States  to  present  in  Bristol,  England,  in  the  name  of  the 
President,  a  gold  watch  and  chain  to  a  brave  British  seaman,  who  had  rescued  the  crew 
of  an  American  schooner.  During  Dr.  St.  Clair's  stay  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  a 
Masonic  Dodge  meeting  was  called,  attended  by  many  dignitaries,  at  which  he  was 
present,  and  was  the  recipient  of  honours,  as  other  St.  Clairs  had  been  in  the  past.  It 
is  said  that  he  is  able  to  give  without  hesitation  the  name  of  U.S.  representatives  in  any 
port  of  the  world.  He  married,  1st  November,  1866,  Delia  Cecelia,  daughter  of  Colonel 
John  Dent.  He  has  prepared  an  attractive  home  in  Maryland,  near  Washington,  where 
he  hopes  to  pass  the  closing  days  of  a  busy  life.     Issueless. 

Joel  Fuller  Turrell  St.  Clair  (804)  was  born  14th  September,  1841,  in  Barre, 
N.Y.,  and  was  educated  at  the  academy  there.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  he 
left  his  farming  work  and  enlisted  as  private  in  the  151st  Regiment,  N.Y.  Infantry 
Sharpshooters,  and  became  a  sergeant.  In  the  battle  of  Mile  Run,  Va.,  he  was 
desperately  wounded.  After  falling  upon  the  field,  his  knapsack  and  canteen  were 
literally  shot  to  pieces,  no  less  than  eight  minie  balls  having  passed  through  them  and 
his  clothes.  He  was  carried  to  the  hospital  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  the  minie  ball, 
which  entered  his  leg  at  the  knee,  passed  upward  and  lodged  in  the  hip,  was  not 
extracted  till  nine  days  after  he  was  wounded,  nor  was  the  wound  dressed  until  a  week 
had  elapsed.  His  life  was  probably  preserved  by  the  skill  and  attention  of  his  brother 
Arthur.      After   a  time  he  was  furloughed,  and  returned   home   to  Albion.     After  some 


EIGHTH  AND  NINTH  GENERATIONS.  395 

months  of  pain,  he  recovered  sufficiently  to  return  to  his  regiment,  and  served  till  the 
war  was  ended. 

For  a  time  he  was  in  the  U.S.  Custom  House  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  later  as  assistant 
pilot  on  the  Mississippi  with  his  brother  Charles.  He  married,  first,  20th  August,  1867, 
Mary  H.  Baird,  and  a  few  years  later  he  and  his  family  removed  to  New  York,  where 
he  lived  on  the  old  homestead  as  a  farmer.  Mrs.  St.  Clair  died  there,  1st  August,  1874, 
when  he  left  his  children  with  friends,  and  went  West  to  seek  his  fortune,  and  located  at 
Denver,  Col.  He  married,  secondly,  26th  November,  1879,  Maggie  J.  Stuckell ;  and 
thirdly,  February  28th,  1888,  Emma  L.  Stoapes.  He  is  engaged  in  mining,  and  resides 
in  Gold  Hill,  Boulder  County,  Col.      Issue  : 

1098.  Isabella  Elmina,  born  and  died  186S.         Twins  J1101-  Chas-  Francis,  b.  and  d.  1873. 

1099.  Mary  Isabella,  born  1 S69.  (1102.   Lillie  Rose,  b.  9th  May,  1873- 

1100.  Helen  Elmina,  born  1871.  1103.  Clara  Elizabeth,  born  1882. 
Adopted  names :  1099.  HiGGlNSON.         1100.  Osborne.         1102.  Northrop. 

Hon.  Eugene  Griffith  St.  Clair  (806)  was  born  at  Strougville,  Ohio,  April  5th, 
1847.  For  ten  years  he  was  cashier  and  book-keeper  for  the  Washington  Iron  Co.,  at 
Humboldt,  Michigan.  He  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  a  mining  company,  and  a 
banker.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature.  He  married,  16th  October,  1878,  Flora 
Dell,  daughter  of  John  Quincy  Howe,  M.D.  He  resides  Ishpeming,  Mich.  Issue  : 
1104.  Florence  Amelia,  born  18S0.  1105.  Arthur  Howe,  born  1881. 

1106.  Harold  Griffith,  born  1885. 

Geo.  Arthur  St.  Clair  (807),  born  Strongville,  Ohio,  gth  September,  1848  ;  has 
been  a  mine  operator,  owner,  and  superintendent,  merchant  and  banker ;  resides 
Ishpeming,  Mich.  He  married,  26th  June,  1872,  Rosetta  Amelia,  daughter  of  Dr. 
John  Q.  Howe.     Issue  : 

1107.  Geo.  Howe,  born  1874.  1108.  Frank  Eugene,  born  1876;  died  1878. 
1 109.  Lilian  Rachel,  born  1878.  11 10.  Grace  Amelia,  born  1883. 

mi.  Rachel,  born  1886.  1112.  Ralph  Griffith,  born  1889. 

James  Oscar  St.  Clair  (808),  born  Strongville,  19th  October.  1851  ;  educated 
at  Albion  Academy,  N.Y.,  and  at  the  college  at  Ypsilanti,  Mich.  He  spent  six  years 
in  Albion,  New  York,  and  one  in  European  travel.  He  has  been  many  years  in 
mercantile  and  banking  business  ;  was  a  superintendent  of  iron  mines,  and  resides  at 
Republic,  Marquette  County,  Mich.     He  married,  10th  June,  1875,  Kate  Thorpe.     Issue: 

1113.  James  Thorpe,  born  Negaunee,  Mich.,  23rd  May,  1876. 

Julius  Northrop  St.  Clair  (809),  born  Marquette  City,  Mich.,  23rd  December, 
1853;  educated  at  Albion  College,  graduating  at  Ypsilanti  ;  has  been  engaged  in  iron 
mines  with  his  brothers,  and  is  now  Secretary  of  the  Deer  Lake  Lumber  Co.  He 
married,  10th  July,  1877,  Sophie  Gordon  Rood,  and  has  issue  born  Ishpeming,  Mich.  : 

1 1 14.  Sophie  Rood,  born  1S78.  n  15.  William  Rood,  born  1880. 
1116.  Gordon  Griffith,  born  1S82.  11 17.  Guv  Northrop,  bo.n  1884. 

Levi  Kimball  St.  Clair  (813),  born  Rochester,  111.,  4th  October,  1868;  married, 
iSth  April,  1888,  Levina  M.  Courtney  ;  farmer  ;  resident  Norfolk,  Madison  County, 
Neb.  Issue  : 

11 18- 19.  Twins,  born  January,  1889  :  Joseph  Collins  and  Zilpha  Louise. 
Evon  Ernest  Sinclair  (826),   born   Bartlett,   N.H.,   3rd   October,   1865  ;  married 
Cora  Harden.     Child  : 

1120.  John  Andrew,  born  24th  April,  1887. 


396  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 

George  Harris  Sinclair  (827),  born  6th  August,  1838,  at  Bartlett.,  N.H.,  where 
he  farms.     Married,  first,  Abigail  B.  Deering  ;  secondly,  Addie  F.  Billings.     Issue  : 

1121.  Sauma  A.,  adopted  by  her  grandfather,  John  B.  Deering. 

1122.  Whttten  T.  1123.  Charles  F.  1124.  Geo.  Harris,  died  young. 
1125.  Clara,  died,  aged  6.             1126.  Lilla,  lives  in  Bartlett,  N.H. 

Jeremiah  Powell  Sinclair  (830),  born  Bartlett,  10th  July,  1844  ;  farmer  and 
mechanic  ;  resident  in  Bartlett.  He  married,  first,  9th  November,  1862,  Abbie  Caroline 
Sanborn;  secondly,  October  19th,  1870,  Harriet  D.  Hill,  who  died  15th  June,  1873; 
and  thirdly,  Mary  Susan  Burbank.     Issue  : 

1127.  Willie.  1128.  Lucina.  1129.  Freddie  L. 

Eaomi  B.  D.  Sinclair  (834),  born  Bartlett,  12th  April,  1864;  farmer  at  Bartlett; 
married,  November  1st,  1855,  Emma  A.  Drown.     Issue  : 

1130.  Archie  B.,  born  6th  August,  1886.  1131.  Lizzie  A.,  born  nth  September,  1887. 

William  Sinclair  (835),  born  10th  October,  1841  ;  married,  1st  March,  1870, 
Jane  Berdick  ;  tanner  ;   resident  in  South  Troy,  Vt.      Issue  : 

1132.  Eda  Bell,  born  1870.  1133.  Bernie,  born  1877.  1134.  Harvey  D.,  born  1881. 

John  Sinclair  (837),  born  1st  March,  1846  ;  married,  26th  July,  1866,  Mary 
Jewett  ;  farmer  ;  resident  Montgomery,  Vt.      Issue  : 

1135.  Loren,  born  1867.  1136.  Charles  L.,  born  1874. 

1137.  Ida  May,  born  1877.  113S.  Addie  E.,  born  1878. 

George  Howe  Sinclair  (838),  born  26th  March,  1848  ;  married,  31st  August, 
1876,  Sarah  Ann  Lovering  ;  farmer  ;  resident  Berkshire,  Vt.     Issue  : 

1139.  Carlos  A.,  born  1880.  1140.  Ruth  J.,  born  18S3.  1141.  Annie  A.,  born  1886. 

Edwin  Sinclair  (839),  born  18th  June,  1850;  married,  29th  November,  1884, 
Carrie  E.  Gross  ;  farmer  ;  resident  Berkshire,  Vt.      Issue  : 

1142.  LEE,  born  nth  September,  1885.  1143.  Belvah  G.,  born  18th  April,  1888. 

George  Henry  Sinclair  (842),  born  Conway  Centre,  N.H.,  24th  May,  1851  ; 
farmer  ;  lived  in  Conway  and  Stowe,  Me.  He  married,  5th  September,  1874,  Susie 
Leightou,  and  died  in  Fryeburg,  Me.,  nth  December,  1884.     Issue  : 

1144.  Colon  Curtis,  born  20th  October,  1875.  1145.  Mylo  Martin,  born  13th  July,  1879. 

Elbridge  Herbert  Sinclair  (849),  farmer,  born  9th  October,  1859 ;  married, 
26th  November,  1885,  Eva  Lillian  Pratt,  of  Grafton,  Mass.,  where  they  reside.      Issue  : 

1146.  Elbridge  Norman,  born  3rd  August,  1891. 

Julius  F.  Sinclair  (854),  born  15th  May,  1855  ;  farmer  ;  married,  2nd  January, 
1886,  Carrie  E.  Scribner,  of  Johnson,  Vt.     Issue  : 

1147.  Clarence  Scribner. 

John  Harmon  Sinclair  (855),  born  nth  November,  1856.  Is  a  farmer,  and 
resides  in  Johnson,  Vt.     He  married,  14th  November,  1877,  Mary  Etta  Crowell.      Issue  : 

1 148.  Wm.  Franklin,  born  1878.  1149.  Percival  Creighton,  born  1SS1. 

1 150.  Benjamin  Graves,  born  1883. 

Frank  Oscar  Sinclair  (869),  born  Burlington,  Vt.,  7th  September,  i860; 
graduated  at  University  of  Vt.,  in  Burlington,  in  1882  ;  is  civil  engineer  on  railroads. 
He  married,  15th  August,  1882,  Kate  Anna,  daughter  of  Rev.  Joseph  Enwright.     Issue  : 

1151.  Orville  Enwright,  born  and  died  1883.  1152.  Jessie  Hawkins,  born  1887. 
Allen    B.    Sinclair    (894),    born    1st    April,    1861  ;    married    Hattie    Warner,    of 

Cambridge,  Vt.,  where  he  is  a  farmer.      Issue  : 
1153.  Henry  Warner,  born  6th  July,  1SS3. 


EIGHTH  AND  NINTH  GENERATIONS.  397 

Benjamin  Franklin  St.  Clair  (901),  born  New  Hampton,  N.H.,  20th  October, 
1855  ;  married,  24th  November,  1877,  Kate  E.  Elliot  ;  merchant;  resident  in  Plymouth, 
N.H.      Issue  : 

1154.  Annie  Euza,  born  25th  May,  1879.  1155.  Earle  Jason,  born  24th  February,  1884. 

John  Henry  Sinclair  (920),  born  Waterborough,  Me.,  23rd  June,  i860;  received 
education  at  primary  schools  ;  in  business  Hanover  Street,  Boston,  Mass.  ;  married,  1st 
January,  1855,  Annie  E.  Chadbourne.      Issue  : 

1 156.  Ethel  May,  born  12th  February,  1887. 

Charles  M.  Sinclair  (921),  born  Waterborough,  Me.,  8th  March,  1862  ;  is  in 
business  with  his  brother  in  Hanover  Street,  Boston,  Mass.;  married,  20th  August,  1881, 
Bella  Smith.      Issue  : 

1157.  Walter  S.,  born  16th  April,  18S2.  115S.  Josie  R.,  born  10th  November,  1883. 
Charles  Henry  Sinclair  (939),  born  21st  January,   1859,  Concord.  N.H.,  where 

he  is  an  engraver  and  jeweller  ;    married,  2nd  January,  1884,  Cora  Mabel  Nelson. 

Frank  Burnham  Sinclair  (940),  born  8th  February,  1822,  at  Concord,  N.H., 
where  he  is  clerk  in  freight  office  of  the  Concord  railroad  ;  married,  21st  November,  1883, 
Carrie  A.  Hazeltine.      Issue  : 

1 159.  Bertha,  born  9th  April,  18S5. 

Colonel  the  Hon.  Charles  Arthur  Sinclair  (953)  was  born  at  Bethlehem, 
N.H.,  21st  August,  1848.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  passed  in  his  native  town.  His 
education  was  received  in  the  primary  schools  of  Bethlehem,  at  the  seminary  at  what  is 
now  Tilton,  N.H.,  at  the  academy  at  Newbury,  Vt.,  and  at  Phillips'  Academy  at  Exeter, 
N.H.  He  entered  Dartmouth  College,  but  did  not  graduate.  His  tastes  led  him  into  a 
more  active  field.  He  withdrew  from  college  and  entered  into  business.  For  a  year  and 
a-half  he  was  in  Lexington,  Mich.  He  returned  to  N.H.,  and  soon  established  a  whole- 
sale and  retail  flour  and  feed  store  in  Littleton.  While  a  resident  of  that  town  he  was 
elected  a  representative  to  the  Legislature.  Governor  Jas.  A.  Weston  made  him  a 
colonel  on  his  staff.  Subsequently  he  moved  to  Portsmouth,  N.H. ,  and  became  a  partner 
with  the  Hon.  Frank  Jones  in  his  large  and  extensive  business  :  this  partnership  has 
continued  to  the  present.      His  business  office  is  17  State  Street,  Boston,  Mass. 

In  business  and  railroad  circles  he  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  prominent  men  in 
N.H.  He  is  a  large  owner  in  the  Boston  and  Maine  railroad,  and  was  a  director  in  that 
great  corporation  for  several  years.  Much  stock  of  the  Worcester,  Nashua,  and 
Rochester  railroad  is  his,  and  he  was  president  of  that  road  for  several  years.  He, 
with  others,  built  the  Hereford  railroad,  the  Upper  Coos  railroad,  and  the  Upper  Coos 
Extension  railroad,  making  in  all  about  no  miles  of  road.  Of  the  Manchester  and 
Lawrence  railroad  he  is  a  large  owner,  and  for  several  years  successively  has  been 
annually  chosen  its  president. 

He  is  the  founder  of  the  Morley  Button  Manufacturing  Co.,  the  largest  industry  of 
its  kind  in  the  United  States.  The  Portsmouth  Shoe  Co.  was  founded  by  him,  of  which 
he  is  the  largest  owner.  It  is  the  largest  shoe  manufactory  of  its  kind  in  the  world,  and 
employs  about  1,200  hands,  with  an  annual  pay  roll  of  over  $500,000.  He  is  a  director 
in  several  banks  and  trust  companies.  A  newspaper  has  engaged  his  attention.  Of  the 
Portsmouth  Daily  Times,  published  in  Portsmouth,  N.H.,  he  is  the  owner  and  publisher. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  N.H.  Senate  from  1888-1892,  and  was  one  of  its  readiest 
speakers  and  most  influential  members,  and  no  other  young  man  of  his  party  has  been 


398 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE  SCIONS. 


so  prominent.  He  was  elected  M.H.R.  for  N.H.  from  1892-94,  and  in  1893  was  for  the 
third  time  elected  State  Senator  for  the  term  from  1894-96,  an  office  he  still  holds. 
He  has  been  twice  selected  by  the  Democrats  as  their  candidate  for  U.S.  Senator 
against  the  Republican  nominee,  and  in  all  these  contests  has  received  the  full  support  of 
his  party. 

He  married  in  November,  1873,  Emma  Isabel,  the  niece  and  adopted  daughter  of 
the  Hon.  Frank  Jones,  and  resides  in  Portsmouth,  N.H.  Children  born  Portsmouth, 
N.H.  : 

1160.  Grace  Jones,   born  23rd   August,   1874  ;   married,    1st  January,   1896,   Parker  Williams 

Whittemore,  who  graduated  at  Harvard  University  in  1S95. 

1161.  Martha  Sophy,  born  nth  Aug.,  1876.  1162.  Mary  Louise,  born  23rd  Jan.,  1879. 
1163.  ELLEN  Maria,  born  17th  April,  1886. 


COL.  THE  HON.  CHAS.  A.  SINCLAIR, 
Portsmouth,  N.H. 


Robert  Strong  Sinclair  (959),  born  New  York  City  1st  January,  1853  ;  married, 
5th  April,  1882,  Eliza  Ann  Aitken  Morton.  Business  address  :  Sinclair  &  Babson, 
18  Exchange  Place,  New  York  City,  importers  of  Portland  cement.  Resides  South 
Orange,  N.J.,  and  Brooklyn,  N.Y.      Issue  : 

1164.  Wallace  Morton,  born  17th  July,  1883.  1165.  Edith,  born  4th  October,  1885. 

1 166.  Harold,  born  24th  August,  1888. 


EIGHTH  AND  NINTH  GENERATIONS.  399 

Henry  Harbinson  Sinclair  (961),  born  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,  22nd  December,  1858; 
was  educated  in  Brooklyn  primary  schools  and  at  the  Military  Academy  at  Bethlehem, 
Penn.  At  17  he  shipped  on  a  sailing  vessel  and  made  several  voyages.  He  abandoned 
sea-faring  and  entered  Cornell  College  at  Ithaca,  N.Y.,  and  nearly  completed  his  course, 
when  an  accident  prevented  his  graduating.  For  five  years  he  was  in  business  with  his 
father  in  New  York  City.  He  then  studied  law,  but  failing  health  obliged  him  to  seek 
another  and  milder  climate.  He  purchased  a  fruit  farm,  mostly  oranges,  in  Lugonia, 
Southern  California,  where  he  located  in  1887,  and  where  he  now  lives  in  excellent 
health.  This  place  has  been  united  with  Redlands  as  a  city  ;  and,  a  Republican  in 
politics,  he  is  one  of  the  five  trustees  with  a  term  of  four  years  in  the  city  government. 
He  is  director  of  the  Water  Company,  and  director  and  manager  of  the  Fruit  Growers' 
Association,  and  is  thoroughly  identified  with  the  growth  and  development  of  that 
section.     He  married,  4th  January,  1882,  Agnes  Munson  Rowley.     Issue  : 

1167.  Marjorie  Rowley,  born  5th  Aug.,  1883.      1168.  Arthur  Rowley,  b.  15th  Sept.,  1885. 

Franklin  Benjamin  Sinclair  (970),  born  Sullivan,  N.Y.,  25th  September,  1833  ; 
married  ;  died  Warren  County,  Penn.,  10th  May,  1870.      Issue: 

1 169.  One  child. 

George  Sinclair  (1024),  born  Perry,  Ohio,  18th  April,  1851  ;  married,  6th 
February,  1873,  Jennie  Forrest.  He  is  owner  and  operator  of  a  lumber  manufactory 
at  Hudsonville,  Mich.      Issue  : 

1170.  Theodore,  born  Jefferson,  Ohio. 

NINTH    AND  TENTH    GENERATIONS. 

Frederick  O.  Sinclair  (1048),  born  Canton,  Mass.,  in  June,  1S56  ;  resides  14, 
Orleans-street,  Springfield,  Mass.  He  married,  first,  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  16th  April, 
1875,  Hattie  E.  Baldwin,  born  there  1S56  ;  and  secondly,  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  3rd 
May,  1888,  Minnie  W.  Decker.      Issue  : 

1171.  Hattie  May  Sinclair,  born  New  Haven,  Conn.,  31st  July,  1S76. 

Noah  Eeroy  Sinclair  (1093),  born  Meredith,  N.H.,  6th  December,  1863;  copper 
plater;  settled  in  Concord,  N.H.,  in  1886.  He  married,  21st  September,  1884, 
Georgianna  Cotton,  adopted  daughter  of  John  Beatty,  of  Holderness,  N.H.     Issue: 

1172.  Omar  Fay  Sinclair,  born  Concord,  N.H.,  23rd  June,  1SS7. 

Dr.  Francis  Alphonso  St.  Clair  (1096),  born  Barre,  N.Y.,  21st  July,  1861. 
Graduated  as  Valedictorian  at  the  National  College  of  Pharmacy,  Washington,  D.C., 
10th  June,  1886.  He  studied  medicine,  and  became  a  practising  physician.  He 
married  Mary  Emma  Keyes  ;  resident  Washington,  D.C.     Issue  : 

1173.  Albert  Thurston  St.  Clair,  born  Washington,  D.C,  7th  January,  1S91. 
Charles  Arthur  St.  Clair  (1097),  born  Morgan  City,  La.,  nth  December,  1873  ; 

married,  1896,  Maime  Marie,  daughter  of  Judge  A.  A.  Bourgeois,  of  La.     Issue  : 

1 174.  Angelina  Elmina  St.  Clair,  born  1S97. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  MAINE. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  MAINE. 

Robert  Sinkler  (1175),  probably  a  sou  of  John  Sinkler  of  Exeter  (1),  was  resident 
in  Wells,  Me.,  early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  for  that  town  in  a  public  meeting  on  12th 
March,  1712-14,  voted  him  a  grant  of  100  acres  and  10  acres  meadow.  Elizabeth, 
his  wife,  married,  secondly,  Peter  Rich  of  Wells,  28th  April,  1718,  and  several  times  she 
and  her  husband  relinquished  in  deeds  power  of  thirds  and  right  of  dower  in  Robert 
Sinkler 's  land.      Issue  : 

John  Sinkler  (1176),  cordwainer,  born  as  early  as  1713,  probably  in  Wells,  Me., 
as  he  deeded  the  10  acres  of  meadow  land  20th  May,  1734,  and  must  have  been  of  age. 
On  10th  December,  1734,  he  alludes  to  his  lather  Robert  as  "  late  of  Wells,  deceased," 
and  on  the  23rd  same  deeded  away  land  which  had  belonged  to  his  father.  He  bought 
land  and  two-thirds  of  a  sawmill  1st  February,  1738  ;  sold  his  dwelling  house,  land  and 
fences  to  John  Storer,  17th  March,  1741  ;  resident  Arundell,  Me.,  5th  September,  1744, 
and  at  Boston,  Mass.,  where,  on  19th  August,  1748,  he  sold  land  in  Arundell.  He 
volunteered  from  Wells  under  Captain  John  Storer,  and  was  in  the  expedition  which 
captured  Louisburg  on  28th  June,  1745.  Again  resident  at  Arundell,  "for  not 
frequenting  the  public  worship  of  God  on  the  Lord's  day  for  six  months,  from  January 
1st,  1749,"  he  was  brought  before  the  court  and  fined.  He  lived  in  Arundell  till  about 
1770,  when  he  removed  or  died.  He  married,  19th  April,  1739,  Mary  Wakefield.  Issue  : 
1177.  Adoniram.  117S.  Mary,  married,  12th  November,  1766,  to  Mark  Fisk. 

Adoniram  Sinkler  (i  177)  located  in  Lisbon,  Me.,  1760,  clearing  the  land  on 
which  he  settled,  and  transforming  it  into  a  highly  productive  and  beautiful  farm.  It 
was  situated  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  six  miles  from  Lisbon  Falls,  and  is  still 
known  as  the  Sinclair  homestead.  He  was  not  a  religious  man  until  a  few  years  before 
his  death,  which  event  took  place  when  he  was  about  ninety  years  of  age.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Joy.     Both  died  and  are  buried  in  Lisbon.     Issue  : 

1179.  John.  11S0.  Thomas.  1185.  Adoniram.  1186.  Moses. 

11S1.  Joseph,  born  1775;  at  sea  for  14  years  ;  returned  home,  where  he  died. 

1 182.  Mary,  born  6th  September,  1779  ;  married  Ezekiel  Rich  ;  resident  Otisfield,  Me. 

1183.  Nathaniel.  )  Twins>  born  2Sth  Sept  _  I?82 

1184.  Ebenezer  ;  married;  family  resident  Litchfield,  Me.  > 

John  Sinclair  (1179),  farmer,  born  Lisbon,  Me.,  17th  December,  1769  ;  died  22nd 
June,  1845  ;  resident  on  homestead,  a  fine  farm  of  150  acres.  He  married  Mary  Hyde, 
Mrs.  Harmon.      Issue  : 

1187.  Nathaniel.  1190.  Moses. 

1 188.  Eliza  Joy,  born  1802  ;  married  Major  Edmund  Hinkley  ;  resident  Lewiston,  Me. 

1189.  Abigail,  born  1804;  married,  1830,  Jas.  Lambert  Trufant  ;  resident  Auburn,  Me. 

1191.  Lucinda,  born  1809  ;  died  1877  ;  married  Captain  Win.  Webber. 

1192.  Arba   Hyde,  born   1812  ;    died,   unmarried,    1841  ;    carpenter  and  builder  ;   erected   the 

house  now  standing  on  the  Sinclair  homestead. 
Thomas  Sinclair  (1180),  born  Lisbon,   Me.,  4th  February,  1772  ;  resident  Litch- 
field, Me.;   married  Abigail  Hyde,  sister  to  his  brother's  wife.     Issue  : 

1193.  Joseph.         1194.  Ezekiel.         1195-  Mary.         1197.  Rebecca,  res.  Monmouth,  Me. 
1196.  Mehitabel,  married  Owen  Lawrence,  and  resident  Wayne,  Me. 

Nathaniel  Sinclair  (1183),  born  28th  September,  1782,  in  Lisbon,  Me.,  where  he 
resided:  killed,  10th  June,  1816,  by  a  load  of  wood  falling  on  him  in  Brunswick,  Me. 
By  Eleaner,  his  wife,  he  had  issue  in  Lisbon  : 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  MAINE.  401 

1 198.  William,  born  1803.  1199.   Eneas,  born  1S04;  resident  Brewer,  Me. 

1200.  Solon,  born  1807  ;  res.  Bangor,  Me.  1201.  Cyrus  Bourke,  born  1S10  ;  res.  Bangor. 

1202.  Eleaner,  born  26th  April,  1814.  1203.  Nathaniel,  born  20th  June,  1816. 

Adoniram  Sinclair  (1185),  born  Lisbon,  Me.,  4th  March,  17S6  ;  resided  in 
Clinton  and  Waterville,  Me.     Issue  : 

1204.  Dudley.  1205.  Henry.  1206.  Elizabeth;  and  perhaps  other  children. 

Moses   Sinclair   (1186),    born    Lisbon,  Me.,    15th  April,    1787;    enlisted    as  U.S. 
soldier  in   1812-15  war  with  Great  Britain,  and  is  thought  to  have  died  in  the  service. 
Resident  Phippsburg,  Me.,  and  had  issue  by  Elizabeth,  his  wife: 
1207-9.  Three  children. 

Nathaniel  Sinclair  (1187),  born  Lisbon,  Me.,  29th  December,  1799  ;  resident  at 
Bath  and  Gardiner,  Me.;  and  was  drowned  while  rafting  logs  on  the  Kennebec  river  at 
Gardiner,  Me.,  18th  August,  1831.     He  married  Dollie  Greenleaf.     Issue  : 

1210.  John  Greenleaf,  born  Bath,  Me.,  January,  1S26  ;  carpenter;   started  for  Philadelphia 

in  1855,  and  has  never  been  heard  from. 

1211.  Mary  Hyde,  born  1827  ;  married,  1851,  Edwd.  M.  York  ;  resident  Hammond,  Minn. 

1212.  Lydia  Ann,  born  1829  ;  married  Wm.  R.  Pomeroy  ;  resident  354,  nth  St.,  San  Francisco. 
Moses  Sinclair  (1190),   born  Lisbon,  Me.,  15th  March,  1807  ;    after  lumbering  at 

Lisbon  Falls  till  1852,  and  storekeeping  at  East  Auburn,  Me.,  1S52-55,  bought  a  farm  in 
his  native  town,  where  he  lived  till  his  death,  28th  September,  1883.  He  married,  5th 
June,  1846,  Lucretia  Totmau  Higgins.     Issue  : 

1213.  Angeline  Roena,  born  1847  ;  married,  1867,  William  Herbert  Faunce. 

1214.  Everett  Moses.  1215.  Willis  Webber.  1217.  Silas  Trufant. 
1216.  Trufant,  born  and  died  1854.            1218.  Chas.  Trufant,  born  1859  ;  died  1S64. 

1219.  Jennie  Webber,  b.  1863  ;  grad.  Lisb.  Falls  High  School,  1882  ;  res.  E.  Rochester,  N.H. 
Everett  Moses  Sinclair  (1214),  born  Lisbon,  Me.,  Aug.  16,  1S48  ;  in  1863  entered 

the  Androscoggin  mills,  Lewiston,  Me.,  as  picker  boy,  from  which  position  he  has  worked 
his  way  steadily  up,  and  in  1884  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  Cocheco  mills  at  East 
Rochester,  N.H.,  which  position  he  still  holds.  He  has  served  the  town  some  time  as  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  having  the  supervision  of  the  public  schools;  and 
has  written  many  articles  upon  mechanical  and  local  historical  subjects.  He  married, 
first,  January  30th,  1870,  Eleanor  Perry  Hill  ;  and  secondly,  May  23rd,  1S80,  Carrie  Mary 
Manson.     Issue: 

1220.  Angie  May,  born  Bridgeton,  Me.,  20th  April,  1871. 

1221.  John  Everett,  born  East  Rochester,  N.H.,  24th  December,  1873. 

Willis  Webber  Sinclair  (1215),  born  Lisbon,  Me.,  23rd  July,  1S52  ;  in  1886 
commenced  business  as  trader  in  East  Rochester,  N.H.,  of  which  place  he  was  appointed 
postmaster,  19th  March,  1888.  He  married,  first,  August  30th,  1878,  KateVeaza  Jaquith  ; 
and  secondly,  May  2nd,  1883,  Lucy  Maria  Wyman.      No  children. 

Silas  Trufant  Sinclair  (1217),  born  Lisbon,  Me.,  8th  January,  1857  ;  graduated 
High  School,  Lisbon  Falls,  in  1875  ;  in  188 1  promoted  to  be  overseer  of  the  mill  of  the 
Cocheco  Woollen  Manufacturing  Company  at  East  Rochester,  N.H.,  which  post  he  still 
holds.     He  married,  1st  December,  1878,  Grace  Ann  Boocock.      Issue  : 

1222.  Ethel  Sinclair,  born  East  Rochester,  N.H.,  28th  December,  1879. 


4o2  THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  COLUMBIA,  ME. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  COLUMBIA,  ME. 

Thomas  Sinclair  (1223),  farmer,  said  to  have  been  born  in  N.H.,  was  probably  an 
offshoot  of  the  Vermont  branch  of  the  N.H.  family.  About  1800  he  settled  in  Robinston, 
Me.,  where  several  of  his  children  were  born.  He  removed  to  Columbia,  Me.,  and  was 
killed  there  about  1830  while  stoning  up  a  well.  He  married  Dolly,  or  Martha,  daughter 
of  Gideon  Allen,  who  died  in  that  town.  They  attended  the  Baptist  Church.  It  is  said 
he  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  18 12-15.     Issue  : 

1224.  Daniel.  1225.  Isaac,  lived  in  Columbia,  Me.;  married  Rebecca  Foss  ;  died  s.p. 

1226.  Martha,  married  Jas.  Hinkley  ;  resident  Jonesport,  Me. 

1227.  Anna,  married  Alex.  Tenney  ;  resident  Columbia,  Me. 

1228.  Susan,  died  young.  1230.  William. 

1229.  Judith,  married  Pierpont  Smith,  of  Indian  River,  or  Addison,  Me. 

1231.  Hannah,  married  William  or  Amaziah  Bracey,  of  Cherryfield,  Me. 

1232.  Huldah,  married  David  Floyd  ;  resident  Centreville,  Me. 

Daniel  Sinclair  (1224),  farmer,  born  Robinston,  Me.,  June,  1803  ;  resident 
Columbia  Falls,  Me.,  and  died  there  in  September,  1S87.     He  married  Lovicy  Leighton. 

Issue  : 

1233.  Thos.  Jefferson.  1234.  Anna  Jerusha,  born  1839  I  resident  Sandwich,  Mass. 

1235.  Amanda  Hathaway,  born  1843  >  resident  24  Central  Street,  Salem,  Mass. 

1236.  Almond  Rowell,  born  cr.  1845  ;  drowned  Columbia  Falls,  cr.  1869. 

1237.  George  Lemuel,  born  1848  ;  resident  24  Central  Street,  Salem. 

1238.  Isora  Thelma,  born  1841  ;  resident  7  Central  Street,  Salem. 

William  Sinclair  (1230),  farmer,  born  Columbia,  Me.,  and  resident  there  the 
greater  part  of  his  life,  but  is  now  residing  in  Harrington,  Me.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
1st  Maine  Heavy  Artillery.      He  married  Mary  Phillips,  now  deceased.     Issue  : 

1239.  Mary,  married;  and  1240.  Joseph  ;  both  resident  Harrington,  Me. 

1241.  George,  resident  Columbia,  Me.        1242.  Arvilla.        1243.  William.       1244.  Adela. 
Thos.  Jefferson  Sinclair  (1233),  farmer,  born  24th  April,  1838,  Columbia  Falls, 
Me.,  where  he  resides  ;   married,  25th  March,  i860,  Margaret  A.  Cummings.     Issue  born 
Columbia,  Me.  : 

1245.  Bremen  Eliot,  born  2nd  July,  1861 ;  teacher;  educated  at  Bates'  College,  Lewiston,  Me. 

1246.  Wm.  Lander,  born  22nd  May,  1864  ;  resident  Columbia  Falls,  Me. 

1247.  Kate  Lovicy,  born  7th  Nov.,  1865  ;  grad.  Norm.  School,  Salem,  Mass.  ;  res.  Col.  Falls. 
124S.  Irving  LESLIE,  born  nth  February,  1868  ;  at  home. 

1249.  Amanda  Hathaway,  born  9th  June,  1871  ;  resident  Columbia  Falls. 

1250.  Thos.  Jefferson,  born  29th  June,  1873  ;  resident  Columbia  Falls. 

1251.  Guy  Vincent,  born  10th  April,  187S ;  at  home. 

1252.  Maggie  A.,  b.  7th  April,  1880  ;  and  1253.  Roy  Leighton,  b.  15th  June,  1882  ;  at  home. 


John  St.  Clair,  of  Strafford,  Vt.  (1254),  was  without  question  an  offshoot  of  the 
N.H.  family.  There  is  strong  reason  for  supposing  that  he  was  a  son  of  Ebenezer 
Sinkler  (46),  the  martyr  soldier  of  the  War  of  Independence,  though  there  is  no  positive 
evidence.  He  had  land  deeded  to  him  in  Strafford  by  Asael  Chamberlain.  His  date  of 
birth  was  18th  January,  177S,  and  he  died  in  Burlington,  Vt.,  4th  July,  1817.  He 
married,  18th  September,  1797,  Rhoda  Merrill,  of  Claremont,  N.H.      Issue  : 

1255.  John  Merrill.        1257.  Ebenezer.        1258.  Thos.  Jefferson.        1259.  Hollis. 

1256.  Cynthia,  born  1804;  married  Dana  Rogers,  wheelwright. 
1260.  Orilla,  born  22nd  November,  1812  ;  died  9th  June,  1830. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  COLUMBIA,  ME.  403 

John  Merrill  St.  Clair  (1255),  born  13th  January,  1800,  at  Strafford,  Vt.,  where 
he  died,  26th  September,  1835.  He  married,  3rd  December,  1822,  Catharine  Rogers. 
Issue : 

1261.  Roxanna  Mary  Sylvana,  born  1823  ;  died  1851  ;  married  Colonel  John  Pressey. 

1262.  Harriet,  born  30th  March,  1825  ;  married  Abel  Goodrich  Pearson. 

1264.  Loruhamah,  born  1830  ;  married  William  H.  Pearson;  resident  Lowell,  Mass. 

1263.  Annette,  born  1827  ;  died  1835.  1265.  Wilbur  Fisk,  born  1834;  died  1S35. 
Ebenezer  St.  Clair  (1257),  born  Strafford,  Vt.,  5th  May,  1806.     First  a  farmer, 

later  on  he  was  agent  of  the  Copperas  Hill  Mining  Works,  and  filled  the  place  acceptably 
for  many  years.  In  1836  he  went  to  New  York  City,  and  was  connected  with  the 
establishment  of  the  Croton  Water  Works.  He  returned  to  his  native  town,  and  in  1840 
became  owner  and  manager  of  an  hotel  at  South  Strafford,  where  he  died  27th  June, 
1853.     He  married,  1st  September,  1833,  Eleanor  West.     Issue  : 

1266.  Ellen  Louisa,  born  1834  ;  died  i860. 

1267.  Mary  Frances,  born  1836;  married,  i860,  Calvin  Aug.  Jones ;  res.  Manchester,  N.H. 

1268.  Wm.  Monroe,  born  1838  ;  died  1863  ;  Union  soldier,  member  15th  Regt.  Vt.  Volunteers. 

1269.  Adelaide,  born  1840  ;  resident  Kalamazoo,  Mich. 

1270.  Henrietta,  born  1841  ;  married,  1871,  Hale  Page  Kauffer. 

Thos.  Jefferson  St.  Clair  (1258),  born  Strafford,  Vt.,  8th  March,  180S  ;  resident 
in  Plainfield,  or  Marshfield,  Vt.,  where  he  died  24th  January,  1872.  He  married,  7th 
May,  1833,  Finette  Roby.      Issue  : 

1271.  Royal.  1272.  Orilla,  married  Mr.  Smith,  and  lives  in  Marshfield,  Vt. 
Hollis  St.  Clair  (1259),  born  Strafford,  Vt. ,  13th  June,  1810,  and  lived  on  a  farm 

till  he  was  16,  after  which  he  was  employed  for  nine  years  in  the  Copperas  Mining 
Works,  during  which  period  he  attended  the  primary  school,  and  had  two  terms  in  the 
academy  at  Thetford,  Vt.  He  taught  country  schools  for  three  winters.  In  1835  he 
went  to  Jewell's  Island,  in  Casco  Bay,  Me.,  and  had  charge  of  the  copperas  and  alum 
works,  where  he  remained  six  years.  In  1840  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Cumberland,  Me. 
He  has  been  a  J. P.  and  quorum  for  the  State  for  forty-seven  years.  In  1844-45  he  was 
commissary  for  parties  engaged  in  establishing  the  north-eastern  boundary  between 
Canada  and  the  United  States.  He  was  inspector  of  customs  in  the  custom-house  at 
Portland,  Me.,  during  the  four  years  of  President  Jas.  Buchanan's  administration. 
He  married,  first,  15th  October,  1840,  Jane  Sturtevant,  and  secondly,  2nd  November, 
1882,  Jane  Sturtevant  Merrill.     Issue  : 

1273.  Frances  Gertrude,  born  Portland,  Me.,  iSth  March,  1842. 

1274.  HERBERT,  born  5th  February,  i860,  Cumberland,  Me.;  farmer  there. 


John  Sinclair  (1275)  was  first  called  Peter.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  quite 
young.  His  father's  Christian  name  is  not  known  ;  married  again,  and  they  had  one 
daughter.  Peter  Sinclair  was  bound  out  when  young,  but,  being  unkindly  treated,  ran 
away,  and  to  escape  detection  changed  his  name  to  John,  by  which  he  was  ever  after 
known.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  Tradition  says  he  was  born  in  N.H., 
that  his  father's  name  was  John,  and  came  with  a  brother  from  Scotland,  and  lived  in 
N.H. ,  and  that  his  father  served  in  or  through  the  War  of  Independence.  Appearances 
(but  not  proof)  indicate  that  he  was  a  descendant  of  John  Sinkler,  of  Exeter,  N.H.,  and 
it  is  not  improbable  that  he  was  an  offshoot  of  one  of  those  N.H.  Sinclairs  that  migrated 
to  Essex,  Vt.,  and  vicinity,  of  some  of  whose  sons  we  have  no  account.     Mr.  Sinclair 


4o4  THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  COLUMBIA,  ME. 

was  a  farmer,  lived  iu  Allegheny  Count}',  N.Y.,  and  in  Seneca  County,  and  other  places, 
and  died  in  Allegheny  County.  He  married  Phebe,  daughter  of  Major  Quigley,  of  the 
Revolutionary  army,  and  had  nineteen  children.     Issue  : 

1276.  Thomas.  1277.  Catherine,  mar.  Marquis  Hatch.         1279.  Daniel.        1283.  John. 

1278.  Polly,  mar.,  first,  Samuel,  and  secondly,  Daniel,  Sisson.    1287.  Peter.      128S.  Elisha. 

1280.  Anna,  mar.  Mr.  Harris.         1281.  Jane,  m.  Mr.  Perry.         1282.  Betsey,  m.  Mr.  Perry. 

1284.  Amanda,  m.  Mr.  Burlingame.         1285.  Rhoda  Ann,  m.  Mr.  Hill.        1289.  Cornelius. 

1286.  Sally,  married  Mr.  Mackay.         1290.  Benoni,  married;  had  children. 

1291.  Lorenzo.      1292.  Flora.      1293.  Isaac.      1294.  Phebe.      1295.  Toca.      1296.  Mary. 
Thomas  Sinclair  (1276),  married,  and  had  three  children  : 

1297.  Maria.  1298  and  1299.  Two  other  children. 

Daniel  Sinclair  (1279),  farmer,  born  near  Seneca  Lake,  X.Y.,  May  10,  1S01  ; 
died  in  Waverley,  Ohio,  June,  1871.  He  married  Harriet  R.  Fowler,  in  Rochester, 
N.Y.,  4th  July,  1835.     Issue  : 

1300.  Daniel  M.  1301.  Harriet  A.,  born  1837  ;  married,  185S,  Truman  Allen. 

John  Sinclair  (1283),  married,  and  had  a  sou  : 

1302.  Thomas. 

Peter  Sinclair  (1287),  married.     Issue  : 

1303.  George.        1304.  Benoni.        1305.  William.        1306.  Warren.        1307.  Mary. 
Elisha  Sinclair  (1288),  married.     Issue  : 

1308.  Phebe.  i3°9-  Maria.  1310.  Marion. 

Cornelius  Sinclair  (1289),  born  Seneca  County,  N.Y.,  25th  January,  1822; 
married,  30th  November,  1845,  Emily  Nye.  Mr.  Sinclair  lived  in  Branch  County, 
Mich.,  14  years,  and  for  36  years  in  Calhoun  County,  Mich.,  in  the  town  of  Partello. 
He  is  a  farmer,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war.     Issue  : 

1311.  Mary  Ettie,  born  1847  ;  married,  1868,  Edway  Page  ;  resident  Muskegon,  Mich. 

1312.  Edgar  Lafayette,  born  1851  ;  married,  1874,  Gertie  Ketchledge  ;  res.  Shepherd,  Mich. 

1313.  Maria  Avasia,  born  1854;  married,  1875,  E.  Clark,  farmer,  Calhoun  County,  Mich. 

1314.  Mazilla,  born  r859  ;  died  1S63.  1316.  Rollie  Owen,  born  23rd  October,  1869. 

1315.  Emma  May,  born  1866;  married,  1868,  Ellsworth  Collins,  farmer,  Partello. 

Daniel  Merritt  Sinclair  (1300).  The  Rev.  D.  M.  Sinclair  was  born  in 
Rochester,  N.Y.,  April  5th,  1836;  educated  at  the  academy  in  Clarkson,  N.Y.,  and  at 
the  seminary  in  Brockport,  N.Y.  He  is  an  M.E.  clergyman:  licensed  local  preacher  in 
1857,  has  been  itinerant  since  1858.  He  has  filled  appointments  in  various  states,  and  at 
different  times  served  as  presiding  elder,  13  years  in  all,  and  is  a  member  of  the  West 
Wisconsin  Conference.      He  married,  17th  April,  i860,  Mary  Ellen  Swazey.      Issue  : 

1317.  Benjamin  R.,  born  1861  ;  died  1862.  1318.  William  B.,  born  3rd  Atigust,  1864  ; 

resident  Ledgerwood,  N.  Dak.;  is  station  agent ;   he  mar.,  nth  April,  1889,  Eva  Stair. 

1319.  Charles  S.,  born  26th  December,  1S66  ;  druggist;  resident  Dundee,  111.;  he  married,  2nd 

July,  1890,  Estella  L.  Morgan. 

1320.  ELLEN  M.,  born  20th  February,  1872  ;  resident  Boscobel,  Wis. 


George  Sinkler  (1321).  There  are  indications  that  this  person  was  of  the  Exeter 
family,  probably  a  son  of  James  Sinkler  (2),  or  John  Sinkler  (6).  Born  as  early  as 
1707,  he  was  in  business  in  1728.  He  first  appears  on  the  records  of  Exeter,  N.H., 
September  17th,  1728,  receiving  from  Aaron  Morrill  of  Salisbury,  Mass.,  10  acres  in 
Nottingham,  N.H.,  in  consideration  of  his  settling  on  Morrill's  land  there.     On  January 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  COLUMBIA,   ME.  4°5 

8th,  1733-34,  as  resident  there,  he  sold  40  acres.  He  had  lots  Nos.  38  and  40  in  King 
Street.  On  May  8th,  1734,  "  now  of  Exeter,"  he  bought  land  there  from  John  McCrelis. 
He  resided  Haverhill,  Mass.,  21st  July,  1743,  when  he  bought  one-third  of  200  acres  in 
Nottingham  from  Aaron  Morrill.  He  was  of  Kingston,  N.H.,  November  28th,  1761, 
when  he  bought  land  in  Hampstead,  N.H.,  where  he  resided  till  his  death,  which 
occurred  between  10th  April  (date  of  will)  and  27th  May,  1867,  when  probate  was 
granted.     By  trade  he  was  called  "Tayler."     He  was  survived  by  Hannah,  his  wife. 

Issue  : 

1322.  Sarah,  unmarried  at  death  of  father,  and  was  to  inherit  one-half  of  his  dwelling  house 

at  her  mother's  decease. 

1323.  Hannah,  married  31st  March,  1767,  in  Hampstead,  Moses  Poor,  of  Plaistow. 

1324.  Susannah,  probable  daughter  ;  married  in  Hampstead,  2nd  December,  1784  John  Clark. 


William  Sinclair  (1325)  of  Blue  Hill,  Me.,  married  October,  1789,  Polly  Carleton 
of  Bradford,  Mass.     He  is  thought  to  have  been  a  son  of  Edward  Sinclair  (44). 

Edward  Sinclair  (1326)  resided  at  Blue  Hill,  Me.  By  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  he  had 
issue  there  : 

1327.  Edward  Dudley,  born  1st  August,  1826  ;  died  December  6th,  1833. 

1328.  Frederick  Augustus,  born  March  9th,  1828  ;  died  in  California  30th  August,  1858. 

1329.  Elizabeth,  born  1st  October,  1829  ;  married  Mr.  Carter. 

1330.  Mary  C,  born  9th  September,  1830  ;  married  John  Burnham  ;  resident  Sherman,  Me. 

1331.  Robert  Haskell,  born  Aug.  6th,  1833  ;  m.  Lorana  D.  Bradbury  ;  res.  Sargentville,  Me. 

1332.  Edward,  born  June  14th,  1835.  1333.  Francis,  born  3rd  April,  1838. 

1334.  Andrew  E.  H.,  born  Nov.  1st,  1840  ;  married  Clara  L.  Sleeker  ;  resident  Sargentville. 

INCIDENTAL   NOTICES. 

Charles  Sinkler  is  enumerated  in  the  roll  of  N.H.  soldiers  under  Colonel 
Shadrach  Walton.  "The  account  is  for  60  men  from  July  21st  to  November  8th,  and 
for  10  men  from  that  time  to  November  14.  The  year  was  not  mentioned,  but  it  was 
probably  1710,  on  the  expedition  against  Port  Royal,  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of 
that  place. 

George  Sinclair  enlisted  at  Philadelphia,  18th  September,  1777,  as  seaman  on 
frigate  Washington;  then  enlisted  for  one  year  on  Hell  Cat,  which  vessel  was  burned  on 
Mud  Island.  Was  then  steward  on  ship  Repulse,  burned  by  the  Americans.  He 
enlisted  May,  1778,  in  Ridding's  Company,  2nd  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Shreve,  and  served  till  March  1st,  1783  ;  then  drafted  into  Wyman's  Company,  Colonel 
Ogden's  (the  1st)  Regiment,  and  was  discharged  3rd  June,  1783.  He  was  in  the  battles 
of  Monmouth  and  Springfield,  N.J.,  and  was  at  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  the 
British  army,  19th  October,  1781.  He  was  a  resident  of  Hanover,  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
17th  July,  1820,  and  was  66  years  of  age.  It  is  thought  that  his  descendants  are  still 
in  that  place. 

Captain  John  Sinclair  had  in  the  1812-15  war  with  Great  Britain  been  an  under- 
officer  or  seaman  of  Captain  Thomas  Shaw,  who  commanded  the  privateer  Portsmouth, 
"  the  Dandy  of  the  Seas."  This  craft  sailed  from  Portsmouth,  N.H.,  and  made  great 
havoc   on   the  British   merchant  ships  on   the  high   seas.     Mr.  Sinclair  had  been   with 


4o6  INCIDENTAL  NOTICES. 


Captain  Shaw  throughout  all  the  cruises  of  the  ship,  aided  in  capturing  its  prizes,  and 
shared  in  the  glories  of  those  conflicts  and  successes.  He  succeeded  to  the  command  in 
November,  1814,  and  on  that  day  put  out  to  sea  from  Portsmouth  harbour.  On  13th 
November,  when  near  Cape  Sable,  he  recaptured  the  schooner  Nancy  of  Newburyport, 
Mass.  On  the  28th  he  captured  the  British  Ocean  with  timber  for  Glasgow  ;  they  took 
out  provisions  and  burned  her.  On  same  day  he  captured  the  brig  Langton  from 
Richebucto,  N.S. ,  with  timber  for  Scotland,  He  parolled  the  crews  of  the  two  vessels t 
and  gave  up  the  latter  one,  after  obtaining  ,£700  sterling  as  ransom.  He  had  a  variety 
of  adventures  till  14th  December,  which  is  the  last  notice  of  him. 

George  St.  Clair,  born  at  New  York  City  about  1761  ;  enlisted  September  28th, 
1812,  in  Captain  George  McGlassin's  Company,  15th  Regiment  U.S.  Infantry;  was 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Little  York,  Upper  Canada,  1813  ;  discharged  May  28th,  1815. 

Samuel  Sinclair  was  a  private  in  Captain  Joseph  Smith's  Company,  4th  Regiment 
Detached  Militia  ;  enlisted  September  14th,  1814  ;  served  eighteen  days.  Regiment  was 
stationed  at  the  Rope-walk  in  Portsmouth,  N.H.,  near  the  Arsenal. 

United  States  Army  and  Navy. 

1776— 1887. 

Army  Officers. — General  Arthur  St.  Clair,  Daniel  St.  Clair,  James  B.  Sinclair, 
William  Sinclair. 

Navy  Officers. — Arthur  Sinclair,  Charles  Sinclair,  George  F.  Sinclair,  John  S. 
Sinclair,  William  B.  Sinclair,  Arthur  Sinclair,  Charles  H.  Sinclair,  Henry  Sinclair, 
Malcolm  Sinclair,  Arthur  Sinclair,  Daniel  Sinclair,  James  D.  Sinclair,  William  Sinclair, 
Charles  Sinkler. 

Early  Arrivals. 

1651 — Salamon  Sinclare,  passenger  in  the  John  and  Sara  from  London  for  America. 

1658 — John  Sinkler,  was  in  Exeter,  N.H. 

1677 — Robert  Sinclair,  emigrant,  came  to  N.Y.     "  He  was  son  of  James  Sinclair,  a 

lineal  descendant  of  the  Earls  of  Orkney  and  Caithness." 
1680 — Alex.  Sinklaire,  resident  St.  Michaels,  Barbados,  and  had  10  acres  land. 
1 7 10 — Chas.  Sinkler,  was  in  the  military  service  of  New  Hampshire. 
1714 — Robert  Sinkler,  resident  of  Wells,  Me. 

1717 — David  Sinclair,  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  November  9th,  1717. 
1729 — William  Sinclair,  came  to  New  England  ;   he  was  born  in  Drumbloo,  Down, 

Ireland,  in  1676  ;  in  1735  he  settled  in  Spencer,  Mass. 
1746 — Duncan  Sinclair,  of  Boston,  married  Agnes  McQueston,  21st  August,  1746. 
1747 — John  Sinclair,  political  exile  from  Scotland,  located  in  Virginia. 
1757 — Arthur  St.  Clair,  arrived  as  British  officer;    became  United   States   general. 

William  St.  Clair,  a  relative,  arrived  later  on. 
1760 — Captain  John  Sinclair,  and  Sir  John  Sinclair,  were  British  officers  in  French 

and  Indian  War. 
1768— Thomas   Sinclair,   of  Boston,    Mass.,  married,  28th  August,   1768,   Constantia 

Condon. 


THE  SIXCLAIRS  OF  VIRGINIA.  407 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  VIRGINIA. 
John  Sinclair  (i),  the  founder  of  this  branch  of  the  lineage,  was  Scottish.  He 
came  to  the  American  colonies  in  1747  with  the  families  of  Douglass,  McDonald, 
Shepherd,  and  others  ;  they  were  political  exiles.  He  located  as  a  planter  near 
Leesburg,  Va.,  on  the  Potomac  river.  The  name  of  his  wife  is  not  known.  His  family 
was  large,  and  he  died  upon  his  estate  about  the  year  1800.  His  descendants  in  Va.  are 
Baptists,  while  those  in  111.  are  members  of  the  M.E.  church.     Issue  : 

2.  Amos,  farmer  ;  resident  about  ten  miles  from  Leesburg,  Va.  3.  John. 

4.  Samuel.        5.  George.        6.  Sally,  married  Mr.  Craven  ;  res.  near  her  brother  Amos. 

7.  Jemima,  married  Mr.  Hawlings  ;  died  1883,  near  Leesburg. 

8.  Jane,  married  Mr.  Smith  ;  resident  near  Waterford,  Va. 

John  Sinclair  (3),  born  Va. ;  removed  first  to  Tenn.,  then  to  Ky.,  and  later  to 
Jacksonville,  111.,  in  1835.      He  married  Rachel  Steer.     Issue: 

9.  John,  Methodist  clergyman  in  early  conference  of  111.;  died  s.p.  1858. 
10.  William.  ii.  Watson.  12.  Samuel.  15.  Amos. 

13.  Mary  M.,  married  Mr.  Thompson;  resident  Georgetown,  Ky. 

14.  Elizabeth,  married  Mr.  Boise  ;  resident  near  Jacksonville  ;  died  cr.  1879. 

George  Sinclair  (5)  was  born  near  Leesburg,  Va.  He  became  a  planter,  owning 
some  600  acres.     He  married  Margaret  Craven,  and  resided  near  Leesburg.     Issue  : 

16.  Eleanor,  born  November  iSth,  1801  ;   married  Chas.  Guillette,  and  lives  in  the  stone 

house  on  the  old  Sinclair  homestead,  near  the  Chanocacy  Aqueduct,  on  the  Potomac 
river.     This  farm  has  for  over  a  century  been  the  home  of  these  Sinclairs. 

17.  George.  18.  Samuel. 

Watson   Sinclair   (ii),    farmer,    married,    first,    Miss    Morrison  ;    secondly,    Miss 
Maddox  ;  thirdly,  Mrs.  Kuns.      Died  1S79-80.     Issue  : 
19.  Robert,  dead.  20.  Julia,  resident  Missouri. 

21.  Anna,  married  Mr.  Mason  ;  res.  Mo.  22.  Knotty,  mar.  Miss  Stout ;  res.  Virginia,  111. 

23.  Low.  24.  Newton.  25.  Myra.  26.  Addie. 

Samuel  Sinclair  (12),  farmer,  born  Tenn.,  17th  July,  1808  ;  died  8th  May,  1868. 
Issue  all  resident  Ashland,  111.: 

27.  Sally,  married  John  Beggs.  28.  Elizabeth,  married  Mr.  Carrell. 

29.  Mary,  married  Levi  Letherman.  30.  Samuel  Watson.  31.  William. 

George   Sinclair  (17),   born    near    Leesburg,    18th    May,    1806,   and   resident   in 
London  County  until  after  marriage  to  Ruth  Ann  Belt,  when  he  removed  to  Charlottes- 
ville, Albemarle  County,  where  he  died  31st  December,  1851.      Issue  : 
32.  Geo.  Alfred.  33.  John  Campbell,  farmer,  Charlottesville. 

34.  Samuel  James,  born  1833  ;  died  1858. 

35.  Charlotte  Ellen,  born  28th  October,  1836  ;  married  Rev.  Dr.  John  A.  Broades. 

36.  Virginia  Lucretia,  born  7th  March,  1843  ;  married  Dr.  Wm.  A.  Hawes,  New  York  City. 

37.  Chas.  Guillette,  born  23rd  July,  1845  ;  farmer,  Charlottesville. 

3S.  Cephas   Hempton,  born  4th    December,   1847;    married  Julia  Farish  ;   is  in   U.S.  Coast 
Survey,  and  resident  Sacramento,  Cal. 

Samuel  Sinclair  (18),  born  near  Leesburg,  Va.,  8th  June,  1S08  ;  married,  first, 
28th  October,  1834,  Euphemia  Craven,  and  secondly,  October  21st,  1863,  Dolly  Beggs; 
he  died  in  Springfield,  111.,  where  he  had  lived  for  five  years.  He  had  formerly  resided 
for  19  years  near  Ashland,  and  for  28  years  near  Sinclair,  both  in  Illinois.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser.     Issue  : 

39.  George.  40.  Samuel  James,  born  1837  ;  died  Sinclair,  111.,  1838. 


4o8  THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  VIRGINIA. 

41.  Ellen  Craven,  born  1839  ;  died  1881  ;  married,  1S70,  Samuel  L.  Hamilton,  merchant. 

42.  Peter  Akers.        43.  Virginia  Frances,  b.  1842  ;  m.,  1862,  Howard  M.  Atkins,  attorney. 

44.  Henry  Clay,  born  1844;  married,  1872,  Lucy  E.  Beggs  ;  died,  1888,  at  Royalton,  Minn. 

45.  Amanda  Crawford,  born  1846  ;  died  1847.  47.  James  Samuel. 

46.  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  1848  ;  married,  1872,  Dr.  N.  M.  Gailey ;  resident  Ashland. 

48.  Ruth  Ann,  born  1850;  married,  1883,  Samuel  L.  Hamilton,  of  Ashland. 

49.  John,  born  1853;  married,  1881,  Virginia  Bowers;  fruit  farmer,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

50.  Emma  Louise,  born  1S65  ;  and  51.  Margaret,  born  1869  ;  resident  W.  Springfield,  111. 
George  Alfred  Sinclair  (32),  brick  and  lumber  dealer,  resident  Charlottesville, 

Va.  ;   born  near  Leesburg,    17th  December,    1831  ;    married,    24th   March,   1868,   Glenna 
Frances  Dillard.     Issue,  resident  Charlottesville,  Va.: 

52.  Geo.  Burnly,  born  1869.  53.  Ruth,  born  1870.  54.  Pearl  Virginia,  born  1872. 

55.  Mary  Custis,  born  1874.  56.  Alfred  Belt,  born  1876;  died  1877. 

57.  John  A.  Broadus,  born  1S79.  58.  Glenna  Frances,  born  1889.  61.  Percy. 

59.  Bessie  Belle,  born  1S84.  60.  Chas.  Samuel,  born  1S85.  62.  Oliver. 

George  Sinclair  (39),  born  Sinclair,  111.,  August  20th,  1835;  married,  February 
16th,  1859,  Sarah  Gaines  ;  farmer  ;  resident  Princeton,  Minn.,  where  he  died,  December, 
1874.     Union  soldier  during  Civil  War.     Issue  : 

63.  Lovicy.  64.  Maggie.  65.  Charles. 

Peter  Akers  Sinclair  (42),  born  Sinclair,  111.,  September  26th,  1840;  married, 
1 6th  April,  1865,  Emma  Tyron  ;  Union  soldier  in  Civil  War  ;  farmer,  resident  Ashland, 
111.     Issue  : 

66.  Samuel.  67.  Lyle.  68.  Alice.  69.  Verne.  70.  Roscoe. 

James  Samuel  Sinclair  (47),  born  Sinclair,  111..  September  15th,  1848  ;  married, 
October,  1880,  Telia  Scott;  Union  soldier  in  Civil  War  ;  farmer,  resident  Seattle,  near 
Washington.     Issue  : 

71.  Charles.  72.  Scott.  73.  Sadie. 

THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTV,   PENN. 

Duncan  Sinclair  (3),  weaver,  had  three  brothers,  Neale  (4),  John  (5),  and 
Archibald  (6),  and  one  sister,  Margaret  (7).  They  were  all  born  in  Scotland.  Their 
father  (1)  had  but  one  brother  (2).  They  fled  from  Scotland  to  the  north  of  Ireland  to 
escape  religious  or  political  persecution.  The}'  went  there  about  1762,  and  lived  some 
twelve  years,  when  the  two  eldest  sons,  Duncan  and  Neale,  went  to  America  in  1772, 
just  previous  to  the  War  of  Independence.  John,  Archibald,  and  the  sister  Margaret — 
who,  it  is  believed,  was  then  married  to  a  Mr.  Robert  Johnson,  a  teacher — came  later. 
Mr.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Scotland,  settled  in  Washingtonville,  Penn.,  teacher  and 
farmer.  He  died  about  1801.  He  had  a  son  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  the  younger 
married  her  cousin,  Robert  Templeton  Sinclair. 

Duncan  Sinclair  (3)  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1753.  He  served  three  years  as 
volunteer  under  General  Green  in  the  United  States  army.  He  married  Hannah 
Templeton,  and  died  in  Geneseo,  New  York,  5th  January,  1833.      Issue  : 

8.  Robert  Templeton,  born  Derry,  Penn.,  in  1797. 
Neale  Sinclair  (4)  had  issue  : 

9.  John  Sinclair,  who  a  few  years  ago  lived  near  Milton,  Penn. 

Robert  Templeton  Sinclair  (8)  went  with  his  parents  in  1799  to  Geneseo,  N.Y. , 
which  was  his  home  till  his  death  ;  farmer.     He  owned  the  homestead  near  Lakeville,  in 


THE  SINCLAIRS  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  CO..  PENN. 


Geneseo,  overlooking  Conesus  lake.     He  married,  ioth  May,  1821,  his  cousin,  Margaret 
Johnson,  born  Washingtonville,  1799.      Issue,  born  Geneseo  : 

10.  James,  born  1S22;  died  1882  ;  married,  1851,  Emma  Corwin  ;  clergyman. 

11.  Nancy,  born  1824  ;  married,  first,  1843,  Jas.  Haynes,  secondly,  1859,  Revilo  Bigelow. 

12.  John  Henry,  born  1826  ;  married  Fannie  Corwin;  clergyman  ;  died  31st  October,  1883. 

13.  Robert  Templeton,  born  182S;  married  Elizabeth  Haynes;  farmer,  resident  Geneseo. 

14.  Mary,  born  1830;  di<jd  1849.  17.   Edward  Payson,  born  1841 ;  res.  New  York  City. 

15.  Elizabeth  Finney,  born  1836  ;   mar.,  1855,  Zerah  Blakely,  missionary,  Scotland,  S.  Dak. 

16.  Margaret  Hannah,  born  183S  ;  teacher,  Geneseo;  died  there,  1866. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  FROM  PENNYCUICK,  SCOTLAND. 
James  Sinclair  (i)  was  born  in  the  parish  of  Pennycuick,  Scotland,  and  there  he 
spent  his  life.      In  1798  he  married  Martha  Hartley.      Issue  : 

2.  Alfred,  born  and  died  1799.  3.  Thomas.  4.  Katherine,  born  1802. 

5.  James,  born  1804;  died  1806.  6.  James,  born  1807. 

7-8.  Twins  :   Hannah  (died  young)  and  Jeremiah,  born  nth  April,  1S09. 

9.  Robert,  born  1810  ;  m.  Anne  Robertson.  10.  Martha,  born  1812;  m.  Dayid  Hunter. 

11.  Mary,  born  1814  ;  m.  John  Richardson.  12.  Isabel,  born  cr.  1816  ;  m.  John  Forsyth. 

Thomas  Sinclair   (3),  born  Pennycuick,   6th   October,    1800;   married,  first,    13th 
May,  1825,  Margaret  Robertson,  who  died  1844,  and  secondly,  Janet  Cornell.      Issue  : 
13.  Anne,  born  1826;  died  182S.  14.  James. 

15.  Anne,  born  1S29  ;  married  Frank  Mackin  ;  resident  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

16.  Thomas,  born  1830  ;  married  Elizabeth  Thompson  ;  both  deceased. 

17.  Jeremiah,  born  1S31  ;  died  1894.  19.   Hugh,  born  1S34  ;  married  Christiana  Flucer. 
iS.  Margaret,  born  1833  ;  married  Thos.  Dickson  ;  both  dead. 

20.  John,  born  1835  ;  married  Mary  Baine  ;  both  dead.  21.    Alhxander  Brown. 

22.  Martha,  born  1838  ;  married  Geo.  Leighton  ;  she  is  dead.  23.  Elizabeth,  born  1840. 

24.  David,  born  1841  ;  is  dead.  25.  Christiana,  born  1842  ;  died  1S45. 

26.  Alison,  born  1S48.  27.  Robert,  born  1850.  28.  Isabel,  born  1852.  29.  Henry,  b.  1854. 
James  Sinclair  (14),  born  Pennycuick,  July  nth,  1827;  married,  first,  Eliza 
Lindsley,  who  died  in  Scotland,  and  secondly,  Margaret  Brown.  He  went  to  the  United 
States  about  1855,  finally  locating  in  New  Haven,  Conn.  In  1858-59  he  was  in  the 
employ  of  Joseph  Parker,  one  of  the  oldest  blotting  paper  manufacturers  in  the  States. 
He  did  much  to  make  it  a  success,  and  was  a  member  of  the  firm  at  his  death  in  1876. 
No  children. 

Alexander  Brown  Sinclair  (21),  born  Pennycuick,  September  5th,  1837,  went  to 
the  United  States  in  1857.  Since  the  war  he  and  some  of  his  family  were  engaged  in  the 
paper  business.  He  married  Augusta  Clark,  20th  January,  1861,  and  resides  New 
Haven,  Conn.      Issue  : 

30.  Isabel  Arlinda,  born  1861  ;  married  John  Henry  Cannon;  resident  New  Haven. 

31.  Thomas,  born  16th  March,  1S63.  32.  William,  born  and  died  1865. 

33.  James,  born  iSth  May,  1866  ;  resident  Westville,  New  Haven.  34.  Alex.  B.,  born  1872. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  FROM  TIREE,  ARGYLESHIRE. 
Donald  Sinclair  (i)  lived  in  Caithness,  removed  to  the  island  of  Tiree,  where  he 
was  factor  for  Mac  Lean  of  Kingerloch,  who  owned  the  island.      He  had  a  son 


4io  THE  SINCLAIRS  FROM  TIREE,  ARGYLESHIRE. 

Donald  Sinclair  (2),  also  of  Tiree,  whose  son 

Peter  Sinclair  (3),  farmer,  was  born  at  Tiree  in  1758,  where  he  died  cr.  1834.  By 
Margaret  Campbell,  his  wife,  he  had  a  son 

Rev.  John  Campbell  Sinclair  (4),  born  in  Tiree,  August  15th,  1797  ;  studied  in 
the  universities  of  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow,  at  which  latter  place  he  graduated.  In  1838 
he  and  his  family  emigrated  to  Picton,  Nova  Scotia,  and  he  became  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  His  fluency  as  a  Gaelic  scholar  and  preacher  made  him  very 
attractive  to  thousands  of  his  Scottish  countrymen  and  their  descendants.  In  1858  he 
moved  to  North  Carolina,  and  after  the  Civil  War  laboured  among  the  Freedmen  until 
1869,  when  his  voice  suddenly  failed,  the  result  of  his  open-air  addresses.  After  1870  he 
lived  with  his  son,  the  Rev.  Alex.  Sinclair,  and  his  son-in-law,  the  Rev.  Dr.  D.  A. 
Cunningham,  at  whose  residence  in  Wheeling,  West  Va. ,  he  died,  23rd  April,  1878. 

Mr.  Sinclair  married  at  Scalastil  House,  in  the  island  of  Mull,  Argyleshire,  in  1822, 
Mary  Julia,  daughter  of  John  McLean,  by  Margaret  McLean,  his  wife.  She  was  an 
orphan,  and  lived  at  Scalastil  House  with  her  cousins  on  her  father's  side.  Sir  Archibald 
McLean  and  Sir  Hector  McLean,  major-generals  in  the  British  army,  were  her  cousins. 
She  died  in  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  24th  May,  1854,  and  is  buried  in  the  Allegheny  cemetery. 
Issue  : 

Rev.  James  Sinclair  (5),  born  Tiree,  Scotland,  came  to  America  with  his  parents, 
entered  Western  Theological  Seminary  at  Allegheny  City,  Penn.,  in  1854,  graduating  in 
1857,  in  which  year  he  was  called  as  pastor  to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Smyrna,  N.C. 
In  1851  he  was  made  chaplain  of  the  5th  N.C.  Infantry  by  Jefferson  Davis.  He  com- 
manded half  of  the  Regiment  at  Bull  Run,  and  in  December,  1861,  was  made  Colonel  of 
the  35th  Regiment,  N.C.  After  the  battle  of  Newberne,  N.C,  he  became  disgusted  with 
the  manner  in  which  the  war  was  conducted,  resigned  his  position,  and  retired  to  his  home. 
He  became  an  ardent  Republican  after  the  collapse  of  the  rebellion  ;  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature  of  N.C,  and  was  appointed  U.S.  assessor  in  the  district  of  Cape  Fear  by 
President  Grant.  He  married,  first,  in  Prince  Edward  Island,  in  1846,  Mary,  daughter  of 
Samuel  McPherson  ;  she  died  in  September,  1859.  He  married,  secondly,  in  i860, 
Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Edward  McQueen,  of  Lumberton,  N.C,  and  had  two  children. 
He  died  at  Monroe,  N.C,  5th  August,  1877,  and  is  buried  at  Lumberton,  N.C.  Issue  : 
6.  James  John.  7.  Julia,  married  Samuel  T.  Neill,  attorney  at  Titusville,  Penn. 

8.  Alexander.  ii.  Edward.  12.  Cunningham. 

9.  Mary  Ellen  )  TwinS]  bom  lg      -m  Sharpsburg>  Penn. 
10.  Sarah  Elizabeth) 

13.  Annie,  married,  24th  August,  1858,  Rev.  D.  A.  Cunningham,  D.D.,  of  Wooster,  Ohio. 

14.  Margaret,  married  John  Q.  McDougald,  of  Fayette ville,  N.C. 

15.  Rev.  Alex.  Sinclair. 

The  Rev.  Alex.  Sinclair  (15)  was  born  in  Mull,  Scotland,  14th  March,  1834. 
He  entered  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  at  Allegheny,  Penn.,  in  January,  1854, 
graduated  in  1856,  and  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Sharpsburg, 
Penn.  In  1857  he  was  called  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Charlotte,  N.C,  and 
was  installed  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  He  died  in  Salisbury,  Md.,  22nd  February,  1885. 
He  married,  first,  Nellie  Plummer,  of  Newburyport,  Mass.,  who  died  s.p.;  and  secondly, 
Mary  Laura,  daughter  of  Adam  Brevard  Davidson,  of  Charlotte,  N.C.     Issue  : 

16.  Brevard  Davidson.  17.  Mary  Duart,  born  28th  July,  1861. 


THE  SINCLAIRS  FROM  TIREE,  ARGYLESHIRE.  4" 

iS.  John  Campbell,  born  1863  ;  died  1864.  19.  Alex.  McLean,  born  and  died  1866. 

20.  Alex.  Peter,  born  27th  November,  1S67.  21.  Laura  Virginia,  born  20th  Aug.,  1870. 

22.  Richard  Springs,  born  and  died  1873.  23.  Annie  Harley;  born  3rd  Feb.,  1875. 

The  Rev.  Brevard  Davidson  Sinclair  (16),  born  at  Charlotte,  N.C.,  October 
31st,  1859  ;  became  a  lawyer,  then  studied  for  the  ministry,  and  lived  in  Newburyport, 
Mass.,  in  1892.  The  information  of  this  branch  of  the  Sinclair  lineage  is  prepared  from 
"An  Historical  Account  of  the  Genealogy  of  the  Children  and  Grandchildren  of  Rev. 
John  Campbell  Sinclair,"  written  by  the  Rev.  B.  D.  Sinclair.  He  married,  October 
26th,  i8S7,  Tabulah  Rice  Bair.     Issue  : 

24.  Brevard  Davidson,  born  30th  July,  1888. 

25.  Alex.  Malcolm,  born  5th  October,  1889,  at  Newburyport,  Mass. 

26.  Robert  Augustus,  born  27th  May,  1891,  at  Newburyport. 

GENERAL  ST.  CLAIR  AND  HIS  DESCENDANTS. 

General  Arthur  St.  Clair  (i),  born  in  Thurso,  Caithness,  23rd  March,  1736, 
was  the  son  of  William  Sinclair,  merchant  there.  He  received  a  commission  bearing 
date  May  13th,  1757,  in  the  60th  Regiment  of  Foot  ;  and  went  to  America  with  Admiral 
Boscawen's  fleet.  He  served  under  General  Amherst  at  the  capture  of  Louisburg,  July 
26th,  1758  ;  under  Wolfe  at  Quebec,  September  30th,  1758  ;  and  again  in  the  victorious 
battle  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  September  13th,  1759.  He  was  made  a  lieutenant  17th 
April,  1759,  which  position  he  resigned  16th  April,  1762. 

After  the  siege  of  Quebec  he  obtained  a  furlough,  and  repaired  to  Boston,  Mass.  He 
had  formed  an  attachment  to  Miss  Phcebe,  daughter  of  Balthazar  Bayard  and  his  wife 
Mary  Bowdoin,  a  half-sister  of  Governor  James  Bowdoin,  and  grand-daughter  of  Jas. 
Bowdoin,  a  wealthy  citizen.  The  marriage  was  solemnized  14th  May,  1760,  in  the 
Trinity  Church,  Boston,  by  the  Rev.  William  Hooper,  rector.  By  this  marriage  St.  Clair 
received  ,£14,000  from  his  wife's  grandfather,  Jas.  Bowdoin.  He  lived  for  a  time  in 
Boston  and  its  vicinity,  and  on  20th  May,  1760,  bought  land  and  buildings  in  Hollis  St., 
in  that  city.  Soon  after  he  was  a  resident  of  Braintree,  Mass.,  where  on  August  16th, 
1763,  he  sold  19  acres  of  land  on  Boston  Neck,  and  all  interest  in  the  Old  George  tavern. 
Resigning  his  British  commission  in  1764,  he  and  his  young  wife  removed  to  Bedford, 
Penn. ,  and  later  to  a  fine  landed  estate  in  the  picturesque  Ligonier  Valley  of  Western 
Pennsylvania,  where  several  Scottish  families  of  consequence  had  already  settled.  Here 
he  had  a  great  tract  of  land  of  10,881  acres,  8,270  lying  in  Westmoreland  County.  On 
May  21st,  1766,  he  and  his  wife  were  living  in  St.  Mary's  County,  Md.  They  returned 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  he  filled  various  offices.  On  April  5th,  1770,  he  was  appointed 
surveyor  for  district  of  Cumberland,  and  a  member  of  the  Governor's  Council  the  same 
year.  After  1779  he  lived  at  Plattstown,  Penn.,  for  several  years.  The  account  of  his 
military  career  is  relegated  to  the  Historiettes  section  of  this  work.  He  died  at  Chestnut 
Ridge,  Penn.,  August  31st,  1818.     Issue  : 

2.  John  Murray.  3.  Daniel.  4.  Arthur. 

5.  Elizabeth,  born  at   Ft.  Ligonier,  Penn.,  1768  ;    married,  first,  Captain  John    Lawrence, 

and   secondly,    Colonel  Vance,   a  lawyer.     Her   descendants   have   all   been  persons  of 
prominent  positions. 

6.  Louisa,  born  in  1772  ;  mar.,  1795,  Saml.  Robb,  in  Ligonier  Valley ;  she  died  May  27,  1S40. 

7.  Jane,  born  1774;  married,  cr.,  1S00,  Samuel  Jervis  ;  she  died  at  Chestnut  Ridge,  Penn. 

8.  Margaret,  born  1776  ;  died  in  girlhood  or  young  womanhood. 


4i2  GENERAL  ST.  CLAIR  AND  HIS  DESCENDANTS. 

John   Murray   St.  Clair  (2),  born    1762  ;    married  Jane    Parker,   of  Allegheny 
County,  Penn.,  er.  17S3.     He  was  a  farmer,  residing  at  Chestnut  Ridge,  where  he  died 
March  29th,  1844,  and  is  buried  in  the  Ligonier  cemetery.     Son  : 
9.  Arthur  St.  Clair,  single  ;  died  in  1862  in  Atchinson,  Kansas. 

Daniel  St.  Clair  (3).  Captain  St.  Clair  was  born  in  1764,  and  married  in  1789 
Rachel,  daughter  of  Dr.  Robert  Shannon,  of  Penn  Square,  Penn.,  where  Captain  St.  Clair 
resided.  Dying  there  in  January,  1833,  he  was  buried  at  Evansburg,  Penn.  He  was  a 
J. P.,  a  lawyer,  and  a  captain  in  the  War  of  Independence.  He  was  a  generous  man  and 
liberally  aided  his  less  fortunate  relatives.  In  June,  1828,  he  resided  in  Norristown, 
Montgomery  County,  Penn.  He  was  a  lieutenant  and  then  a  captain  in  the  2nd  Regt. 
Penn.  Line.  He  served  from  1777  to  the  end  of  the  war.  In  the  fall  of  1807  he  lost  his 
commission  as  captain,  with  other  valuable  papers,  which  were  in  a  chest  or  trunk,  by 
sudden  freshet  of  the  Ohio  river.  He  was  pensioned  by  the  Government,  and  on  the 
17th  April,  1818,  he  was  allowed  $20  a  month,  the  pension  certificate  being  signed  by 
John  C.  Calhoun,  Secretary  of  War.  His  form  of  signature  was  D.  S.  Clair.  He  and  his 
sister  Louisa  were  administrators  of  his  father's  estate.  On  the  30th  August,  1818,  he 
received  from  the  Treasurer  of  Pennsylvania  $350  pension  money  due  his  father  [at  the 
time  of  his  death]  from  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  $400  more  on  November  24th, 
1818,  from  Richard  M.  Crain,  Treasurer.  Some  members  of  the  family  state  that  the 
surname  of  his  wife  was  not  Shannon,  but  Knight.     Issue  : 

10.  Arthur,  farmer,  born  16th  December,  1791,  at  Penn  Square,  where  he  resided  and  died 

1875  ;  married  Sarah  Pugh.  [or  Mary  Fitzwater.] 

11.  Sarah,  born  May  28th,  1793  ;  died  young.     13.  Sarah,  born  Nov.  25th,  1795;  died  young. 

12.  Phoebe,  born  August  15th,  1794;  married  March,  1823,  David  Boyd;  resident  Philadelphia* 

where  she  died  1887. 

14.  Robert,  born  August  8th,  1798  ;  lawyer  ;  resident  Penn  Square,  where  he  died  in  1834. 

15.  William,  born  May  4th,  1800  ;  died  young. 

16.  Sarah,  born  15th  June,  1801  ;  died  at  Ligonier  in  1S43. 

17.  Margaret  Balfour,  born  17th  July,  1S03  ;  m.  Richd.  Edey  ;  d.,  1870,  at  Bunker  Hill,  111. 

18.  James,  born  April  25th,  1805  ;  married,  1S35,  Julia  Edey  ;  res.  Penn  Square;  died  1S41. 

19.  Mary  Ann,  born  Dec.  26th,  1807;  and  20.  Rachel,  born  May  10th,  1810;  both  died  young. 

21.  Louisa,  born   23rd  December,  1S11  ;   married,  first,  Mr.  Kneit,  secondly,  Mr.   Ferguson  ; 

died,  1870,  at  McRug's  Ft. 

22.  Daniel,  born  August  13th,  1813  ;  and  23.   Daniel,  born  June  3rd,  1815;  both  died  young. 

Arthur  St.  Clair  (4),  lawyer,  born  1766  ;  married  Frances  Lytle  or  Stall.     Issue  : 
24.  Arthur,  married  Mary,  sister  of  Senator  Lane  ;  died  *./>.  25.  John. 

26.  Margaret  Balfour,  married  George  \V.  Tabscott ;  is  deceased. 

27.  Frances  M.,  married  Mr.  Mayo.  28.  Laura  ;  and  29.  Eliza;  both  single. 

James  St.  Clair  (18)  was  born  April  25th,  1805  ;  married,  1835,  Julia,  daughter  of 
Richard  L.  A.  Edey,  of  Barbados,  West  Indies.  Mr.  St.  Clair  was  a  gentleman  farmer, 
resident  at  Penn  Square,  where  he  died  August  nth,  1841.     Issue  : 

30.  Rachel,  born  1S37  ;  married,  first,  July  26th,  i860,  William  A.  Jacoby,  and  secondly,  12th 

August,  1893,  Jas.  A.  Miller;  issue. 

31.  Julia  Edev,  born  1840  ;   married,  14th  June,  1S64,  Rev.  Jno.  W.  Geadenham  ;   died  9th 

June,  1865. 
John  St.  Clair  (25),  born  March  2nd,   1806  ;    married,  August   26th,    1827.  Ann 
Crooker,  of  Madilla,  N.Y.      Issue: 

32.  Mary,  died  aged  14  years.  33.  William  H. 


SCIONS  FROM  FRANCE  :  VARIOUS.  413 

William  H.  St.  Clair  133)  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  May  23rd.  1828.  He 
married,  August  nth,  1857,  Eliza  Ann  Jackson,  who  is  deceased.  He  is  a  physician, 
resident  at  Effingham,  Illinois.      Issue  : 

34.   Arthur  ;  and  35.  John"  ;  both  are  dead. 

36.  William,  married  to  Winnie  Marie  Seely.  37.  Charles. 

38.  May  ;  and  39.  Laura.     One  of  these  is  Mrs.  Torrence.  Wichita,  Kansas. 

40.  Carrie,  married  to  B.  T.  Napier,  Glenwood  Springs,  Col. 

41.  Balfour  ("Birdie"),  married  Elias  E.  Dorsey,  Del  Norte,  Col. 


SCIONS    FROM    FRANCE. 

M.  Sinclair  ( 1 ),  a  teacher  of  music,  resided  in  France,  at  Nantes  near  Paris.  He  had 
issue  : 

2.  Lewis  George.  3.  Casimir. 

4.  Helen"  ;  and  5.  Siddonia,  both  of  whom  remained  in  France. 

Lewis  George  Sinclair  (2)  was  born  at  Nantes  in  1800.  In  early  life  he  followed 
the  sea.  He  went  to  the  United  States  in  1816;  married  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
Jane  Talmadge,  a  lady  of  the  same  family  as  De  Witt  Talmadge,  the  widely-known 
oratorical  preacher.  Mr.  Sinclair  died  in  i860,  and  is  still  survived  by  his  widow,  who 
is  now  88  years  of  age.  Issue  : 
6.  George  F.  Sinclair. 

Casimir  Sinclair  (3)  accompanied  his  brother  to  America  and  settled  at  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  but  owing  to  some  misunderstanding  communication  between  these 
brothers  was  not  kept  up. 

George  F.  Sinclair  (6)  resides  at  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  where  he  is  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Grand  Rapids  Brass  Company. 

VARIOUS. 

Peter  J.  Sinclair  (i),  born  in  Scotland,  went  to  the  United  States  with  his 
parents.  He  married,  first,  in  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  Ellen,  daughter  of  John  L.  Arthur,  of 
that  city,  where  she  died  in  1S73.  He  married,  secondly,  in  September,  1S74,  Margaret 
Carson,  of  Pleasant  Gardens,  Marion  County,  N.C.  A  lawyer  by  profession,  he  was  a 
major  in  the  Southern  Army.  After  the  war  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  Issue  of 
first  marriage  : 

2.  John  C.  Sinclair. 
Issue  of  second  marriage  : 

3.  Maggie  Carson.  4-  James  Alexander. 


Alexander  Sinclair  (i),  painter  by  trade,  was  born  in  Paris,  France  :  resident  in 
Albion,  New  York,  some  30  years  ago  :  died  about  1S72  in  Lockport.  N.Y.  He 
married,  first,  Helen  Kirkpatrick  of  Bristol,  England,  who  died  in  Albion  in  April,  1861  : 
and  secondly,  Amanda  Melissa  Davis,  who  died  in  Lockport,  1873.  He  had  eight 
children,  of  whom 

2.  Henry  Leon"  St.  Clair,  born  in  Svracuse.  N.Y.;  resident  in  Harvard,  111. 


George    Sinclair   (i>,  of  Achowe,  a  farm   or   place   in   Swiney,    Caithness,    was 


4i4  THE  SINCKXERS  OF  BARBADOS. 

married  to  a  Sutherland.  He  is  stated  to  have  been  of  the  Lybster  branch  of  Sinclairs. 
Issue  : 

Alexander  Sinclair  (2),  of  Braemore,  a  glen  at  the  foot  of  the  Scarrabhein,  in 
Berriedale,  Caithness.     He  married  Margaret  Doull,  and  had  issue  : 

Dr.  Alex.  Doull  Sinclair  (3),  born  Braemore,  September  15th,  1828  ;  went  to 
United  States  in  June,  1848  ;  fitted  for  Cambridge  University  for  the  Sophomore  year,  then 
in  the  Lawrence  Scientific  School,  then  became  a  student  of  medicine  in  the  medical 
school,  and  graduated  in  medical  school,  Harvard,  in  March,  1857,  afterwards  attending 
the  medical  school  in  Edinburgh  University,  1857-58.  He  located  in  Boston,  Mass.,  5th 
November,  1858,  and  has  been  in  practice  since,  residing  at  35  Newbury  Street.  He 
married,  October  4th,  1880,  Ingeborg,  daughter  of  the  late  Judge  George  Juergensen  of 
Kiel,  Schleswig-Holsteiu.      Issue  : 

4.  Ingeborg  Margaret,  born  Boston,  November  1st,  1882. 

5.  Edith  Ei,i<a,  born  Boston,  July  31st,  1884. 


THE   SINKLERS   OF   BARBADOS. 

Powell  Sinkler,  who  lived  in  Barbados,  died  in  1747.  His  name  in  his  will  is 
written  thus:  "Powell  (his  X  mark)  Sinkler."  A  crest  is  affixed  to  the  will,  which  is 
said  to  resemble  the  arms  of  the  Sinclair  family  of  Stirkoke,  Caithness.     Children  : 

1.  Thomas  Sinkler. 

2.  Woodroffe  SincklER,  married  a  Miss  Howard,  and  died  in  1807. 

This  family  is  extinct. 


THE  SINCKXERS    OF  BARBADOS, 
West  Indies. 

James  SincklER  (i),  born  1735  ;  died  23rd  August,  1788,  aged  53  years  ;  planter 
(i-e.,  manager  of  a  sugar  plantation)  of  the  parish  of  St.  George.  By  Mary,  his  wife,  he 
had  issue  : 

2.  James.  3.  William.  4.  Elizabeth. 

James  SincklER  (2),  scrivener,  proprietor  of  St.  George,  died  31st  July,  1807  ; 
married,  27th  May,  1785,  Jane,  daughter  of  Edward  Hall.     Issue: 

5.  Mary  Elizabeth,  baptised  8th  October,  1786  ;  married,  26th  October,  1805,  John  Mapp, 

and  has  issue  resident  in  America. 

6.  James  William.  7.  George  Edward. 

James  William  SincklER  (6),  born  26th  December,  1789;  died  21st  August,  1853  ; 
married,  30th  August,  1810,  Mary  Elizabeth  Arthur.  He  was  medical  practitioner  in 
physic  and  surgery  ;  Captain  1st  or  Royal  Regiment  of  Barbadian  Militia  ;  Master  Mason, 
Albion  Lodge,  No.  196,  E.R.  Barbados.     Issue  : 

8.  Elizabeth  Jane,  born    13th  July,    181 1  ;    married  John   Walcott,   M.D. ;    both   died   in 

England,  where  they  left  issue  sons  and  daughters. 

9.  James  William.  ii.  John  George.  12.  Frederick  Augustus. 

10.  Anne,  bapt.  nth  November,  1815  ;  died  s.p.,  1889,  in  America  ;  m.,  1838,  Anthony  Archer. 

13.  Edward  Griffith. 

14.  Mary  Walcott,  born  13th  February,  1828;  died  in  America,  1884;  married,  1853,  Robert 

McAlpine,  and  has  issue  sons  and  daughters  resident  in  America. 


THE  SINCKLERS  OF  BARABDOS.  415 

George  Edward  Sinckler  (7),  born  28th  September,  1797  ;  married,  13th  April, 
1819,  Margaret  Ann  Harding  (who  died   18th  July,  1854,  aged  61  years)  and  had  issue  : 
15.  George  Edward,  d.s.p.  16.  Margaret  Elizabeth,  bap.  23rd  March,  1822,  d.s.p. 

17.  Thomas  Edward.  18.  Caroline  Jane,  born  4th  March,  1826. 

James  William  Sinckler,  M.D.  (9),  born  21st  November,  1813  ;  died  in  England  ; 
medical  officer,  police,  Barbados  ;  Master  Mason,  Albion  Lodge,  No.  196,  E.R.  He 
married  three  times  :  first,  Lee,  daughter  of  David  Martindale,  of  Barbados  (issue  one 
son);  secondly,  Jane  Paterson,  Englishwoman,  died  s.p. ;  and  thirdly,  Susan  Glover,  an 
Englishwoman,  by  whom  he  had  two  daughters,  viz.  : 

19.  James  William  Sinckler,  died  without  issue. 

20.  Gertrude;  and  21.  Alice;  are  resident  in  England. 

John  George  Sinckler  (ii),  planter  in  British  Guiana,  was  baptised  February 
17th,  1818.      He  married  Elizabeth  Wilson  ;  both  are  dead.     Issue: 

22.  Lee,  married,  first,  Mr.  McCray,  secondly,  Mr.  Cuckoo  ;  had  three  daughters. 

23.  Annie,  born  1850  ;  died  1892  ;  married,  1878,  John  Green,  an  American  lawyer;  issue. 

24.  Augusta,  born  1853;  died  unmarried  in  America,  nth  April,  1857. 

25.  John,  planter  in  British  Guiana  ;  accounted  dead. 

Frederick  Augustus  Sinckler  (12),  accountant,  born  17th  March,  1S20 
deceased  ;  married,  first,  Ann  Farr  (Englishwoman),  secondly,  Mrs.  Jones  (W-  o 
Texas,  U.S.A.),  who  died  s.p.     Issue  by  first  wife,  two  daughters  : 

26.  Farr  ;  and  27.  Anna  ;  both  resident  in  America. 

Edward  Griffith  Sinckler  (13),  clerk  in  Holy  Orders,  born  16th  February, 
1823  ;  died  17th  October,  1881  ;  married,  6th  October,  1853,  to  Henrietta  Briggs  (born 
27th  July,  1825),  daughter  of  W.  M.  Howard,  J. P.,  of  "River"  Plantation,  Barbados, 
(member  of  Colonial  Parliament,  Master  Mason,  Albion  Lodge),  by  Elizabeth  Briggs,  aunt 
to  the  late  Sir  T.  G.  Briggs,  baronet.  The  Rev.  E.  G.  Sinckler  was  born  at  Wakefield 
House,  Pinfold  Street,  Bridgetown,  then  the  property  of  his  father.  He  received  his 
early  education  at  a  private  school  in  Bridgetown,  and  his  classical  education  from  the 
Rev.  G.  Duncan  Gittens.  In  1844  he  became  a  student  at  Codrington  College,  where  he 
matriculated;  in  1846  he  was  ordained  deacon,  in  1847,  priest.  His  first  curacy  was  at 
Barrouallie,  in  the  beautiful  island  of  St.  Vincent,  where  he  remained  from  1846  to  1847. 
In  the  latter  year  he  was  transferred  to  the  island  of  St.  Lucia,  where  he  resided  till  the 
year  1851.  Here  he  made  many  friends,  who  welcomed  him  back  and  showed  him  much 
attention  when  he  revisited  the  island  in  1876.  In  these  islands  he  worked  very  hard, 
and  succeeded  in  greatly  improving  the  Cures  committed  to  his  trust.  And  this  was  no 
easy  matter,  for  the  means  of  getting  from  one  place  to  another  was,  at  that  time,  chiefly 
done  by  means  of  piroges,  and  it  often  happened — as  it  does  now  to  the  traveller  when 
the  currents  run  high — that  every  one  in  the  canoe  got  thoroughly  drenched  with  sea- 
water.  On  leaving  St.  Lucia  he  was  presented  with  an  address  and  a  purse  by  his 
parishioners.  In  185 1  he  returned  to  Barbados  and  became  Curate  of  St.  Lucy's,  which 
curacy  he  held  till  the  year  1854.  It  was  here  that  he  became  introduced  to  and  after- 
wards married  his  wife.  It  was  customary  in  those  days  for  the  officiating  clergyman  to 
wear  the  surplice  during  the  reading  of  the  prayers,  etc.,  but  always  to  preach  in  a  black 
gown.  Mr.  Sinckler,  some  time  after  he  became  curate,  put  away  this  black  gown  and 
commenced  to  preach  in  the  surplice.  This  innovation  raised  a  perfect  furore  of 
indignation  amongst  some  of  his  parishioners,  the  controversy  eventually  finding  its  way 
into  the  newspapers,  where  it  raged  furiously  for  some  time.     In  these  days,  when  every 


416  THE  SINCKLERS  OF  BARBADOS. 


clergyman  preaches  in  his  surplice,  it  seems  absurd  to  think  that  the  doffing  of  this 
"black  gown"  should  have  created  such  a  commotion.  While  Mr.  Sinckler  was  at 
St.  Lucy's  the  awful  plague  of  cholera  broke  out,  and  that,  as  every  one  knows,  was  a 
trying  time  for  the  clergy  and  medical  men.  Such  was  the  reign  of  terror  in  St.  Lucy's, 
that  he  sometimes  had  to  assist  in  putting  the  corpses  in  the  coffins  when  the  terrified 
relations  and  friends  of  the  deceased  persons  had  run  away  from  the  houses  in  the  hope 
(perhaps  after  all  a  vain  one)  of  escaping  the  plague.  In  1854  he  was  appointed  Curate  of 
St.  Michael's  Cathedral.  Here  he  came  in  contact  with  the  present  Dean  Clarke,  who 
afterwards  on  several  occasions  proved  a  true  friend.  In  1855  he  was  appointed  to  the 
curacy  of  St.  Leonard's,  which  he  held  till  his  death  in  1881.  Here  he  worked  hard  for 
his  church  and  his  people,  endeavouring  to  make  the  church  beautiful  in  ever}-  respect 
and  its  services  more  attractive  ;  and  establishing,  with  the  help  of  the  gentry  of  the 
district,  a' soup  kitchen  (which  still  exists),  and  friendly  societies  and  other  charitable 
and  benevolent  institutions.  During  his  time  St.  Leonard's  had  the  best  organists  and 
one  of  the  finest  choirs  in  the  West  Indies.  Just  before  his  death  he  went  to  the  United 
States  of  America  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  and  Bishop  Mitchinson  did  his  work  for 
him  during  his  absence.  He  died  17th  October,  1881,  and  was  laid  to  rest  beneath  the 
shadow  of  the  church  he  loved  so  well.  He  had  been  offered  two  rectories,  but 
refused  them.  On  his  death  his  congregation  added  an  aisle  to  the  church  in  his 
memory.  The  following  is  the  inscription:  "St.  Leonard's  Church,  21st  September, 
1882  :  The  Feast  of  St.  Matthew,  Apostle,  Evangelist  and  Martyr  :  To  the  Greater  Glory 
of  God  and  in  pious  remembrance  of  Reverend  E.  G.  Sinckler  :  The  corner  stone  was 
laid  by  the  Right  Reverend  Herbert  Bree,  D.D.,  the  first  year  of  his  Episcopate,  assisted 
by  His  Excellency  Governor  William  Robinson,  C.M.G."     Issue  : 

28.  Edward  Murrell,  born  30th  May,  1854  ;  died  3rd  June,  1854. 

29.  Henrietta  Beatrice,  born  12th  August,  1S55  ;  died  in  London,  9th  May,  1S61. 

30.  Edward  Goulburn,  born  19th  November,  1S56. 

31.  William  Murrell  Howard,  born  17th  April,  1859. 

32.  Leonard  Francis,  born  29th  January,  1863  ;  in  United  States  of  America. 

33.  Henrietta  Alexandria  Beatrice  Mary,  born  14th  April,  and  died  6th  December,  1864. 

34.  Cyril  Page,  born  12th  January,  1866;  is  in  Colonial  Secretary's  Department,  Barbados. 

Thomas  Edward  Sinckler  (17),  baptised  2nd  February,  1824  ;  married  Susan 
Philipps  ;   both  are  deceased.      Issue  : 

35.  Fabian  Thomas,  died  without  issue. 

36.  Susan  Adeline,  born  22nd  November,   1805;    married,  4th  June,  1887,  George  Whitfield 

Smith,  and  has  issue  resident  in  Grenada,  West  Indies. 

37.  Reynold    Russell,    born    4th    October,    1S57 ;    married,    15th    December,    1887,    Mary 

Willoughby  Clarke  ;  is  manager  of  the  Telephone  Co.,  Barbados. 

38.  Edith  Emina,  born  22nd  December,  1S59. 

Edward  Goulburn  Sinckler  (30),  J.  P.  (Court  of  Appeal,  Barbados),  born  19th 
November,  1856;  entered  the  Colonial  Secretary's  office,  Barbados,  in  November,  1874; 
acted  as  clerk  to  Lieut. -Governor,  1878  ;  second  clerk,  correspondence  branch,  Colonial 
Secretary's  office,  1879  ;  acting  assistant  clerk  to  His  Excellency  Governor  W.  Robinson, 
1880  ;  first  clerk,  record  branch,  Colonial  Secretary's  office,  and  clerk,  court  of  ordinary 
and  error,  January,  1883;  acting  chief  clerk,  1886  ;  commissioner  of  census,  1891  ;  chief 
clerk  to  judges,  1892  ;  J. P.,  October,  1892  ;  acting  registrar  friendly  societies,  June,  1893  '• 
acting  senior  police  magistrate,  Bridgetown  and  District  "  A,"  August  to  October,  1893  ; 
acting  police  magistrate  and  judge,  District  "F,"  Barbados,  1896.     Married,  December 


THK  SINCKLERS  OF  BARBADOS.  417 


12th,  1883,  Kva  Douglas  (born  March  1st,  1858),  daughter  of  J.  C.  Richards,  J. P. 
(deceased),  of  "  Holder's  "  Plantation,  Barbados  (member  of  Colonial  Parliament  ;  high 
position  among  the  Freemasons — a  Knight  Templar),  by  Mary  Elizabeth  (deceased), 
grand-daughter  of  James  Douglas,*  of  the  "Bath"  Plantation  and  of  London,  who 
married  a  Miss  Lessingham.      Issue  : 

39.  Eva  Beatrice,  born  13th  September,  1885. 


Crest  on  all  the  old  family  silver  and  buttons  :  Heart  with  wings. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY  MAJOR-GENERAL  ARTHUR  ST.  CLAIR. 
Governor  North-West  Territory,  U.S.A. 


4i8  GUILLERMUS,  GODFATHER  OF  THE  GENS. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

GUILLERMUS, 
GODFATHER   OF  THE   GENS.* 

"S.  Clarus,  sive  Guillermus,  patria  Scotus,  in  Gallia  ereiniticain  egit  vitam,  et  ibi 
tandem  martyrio  coronatur.  Scripsit  Divini  Officii  Formulas,  lib.  i.  Claruit  anno  circiter 
DC.  Colitur  17  Julii.  Memoria  ejus  conservatur  in  villa  Neustria  ejus  nominis,  in 
publico  ad  Rotomagum  itinere. "  St.  Clair,  or  Guillermus,  was  Scottish  by  country.  He 
wrote  the  "  Ritual  of  Divine  Duty  "  (1  vol.),  and  lived  the  life  of  a  hermit  close  to  a  well 
to  which  those  whose  sight  is  affected  still  make  pilgrimages.  He  flourished  about  600 
a.d.,  and  is  worshipped  on  the  17th  of  July,  f  His  memory  is  preserved  in  the  town  of 
St.  Clair-sur-Epte — noted  also  as  being  the  place  where  Rollo  the  Northman  acquired 
Neustria  by  cession  from  Charles  the  Simple — and  thus  originates  the  surname  of  the 
Orcadian  "St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles,"  their  ancestor  Walter,  Count  of  St.  Clair,  being 
designated  from  his  territorial  possessions. 

The  French  town  is  situated  near  and  north-east  of  Vernon,  and  is  two  hours'  ride 
from  Paris.  The  site  of  the  hermit's  abode  is  one  mile  distant  from  the  railway  station 
at  St.  Clair.  It  is  situated  on  a  rich  and  fertile  plain  among  tall  trees  on  the  bank  of  the 
river  Epte.  Passing  through  the  unlocked  gate,  one  soon  reaches  the  "  Holy  Well  "  of 
St.  Clair,  which  is  surrounded  by  an  iron  railing,  and  is  some  four  feet  in  length,  three 
in  width,  and  four  in  depth,  with  a  brick  or  cemented  bottom.  Its  clear  and  limpid 
waters  are  reached  by  three  stone  steps.  At  one  end  is  a  half-circular  piece  of  stone 
masonry,  six  feet  or  more  in  height,  surmounted  by  a  ball  of  stone,  and  this  by  a  stone 
cross.  Inside  of  this  structure,  in  a  niche  two  feet  from  the  floor,  is  a  statue  of  St.  Clair, 
made  of  the  soft  stone  of  the  country.  In  his  hands  he  bears  his  dissevered  head,  for  he 
was  executed  by  direction  of  a  cruel  woman  whose  crimes  he  had  sharply  rebuked. 

Passing  through  another  gateway,  in  a  high  faced  stone  wall,  his  hermitage  is 
reached.  This  wall  surrounds  a  plot  of  ground  some  fifteen  rods  in  length  by  eight  rods 
in  width.  Another  wall  divides  this  from  a  cultivated  garden,  filled  with  fruit  trees  and 
with  vines.  The  wall  separates  the  laud  devoted  to  cultivation  from  that  dedicated 
especially  to  the  honour  of  St.  Clair.  The  latter  is  some  seven  rods  in  length  by  five  rods 
in  width.  At  regular  intervals  there  are  niches  in  the  walls  filled  with  statues  of  different 
individuals.  In  a  recess,  with  a  roof  rising  from  the  top  of  the  wall,  is  the  hermitage. 
Its  floor  is  of  stone,  rising  six  inches  from  the  ground.  Within  is  a  stone  altar  two  feet 
or  more  in  height,  on  which  is  a  representation  of  the  Crucifixion  and  Christ's  descent 
from  the  cross,  while  near  at  hand  are  His  devoted  female  followers.  This  is  surrounded 
upon  the  wall  by  flying  angels  bearing  a  scroll  or  robe.  On  the  right  of  this  scene  is  a 
statue  of  St.  Clair  with  his  neck  protruding  from  his  clothes,  while  within  his  hands  is 


•This  notice  is  prepared  from  "  Sinclair  Family  "  by  Morrison.  tSinclairs  of  England. 


GUILLERMUS,  GODFATHER  OF  THE  GENS.  419 


his  ghastly  head  with  face  upturned  towards  the  heavens.      In  this  shrine  of  the  hermit 
there  is  another  altar  some  three  feet  high,  where  often  many  candles  are  kept  burning. 
On  the  outer  wall  are  various  figures,  while  upon  its  front  are  these  words  : 
"  ICY     EST     LE     VERITABLE     HERMIT 

AGE,     OU     LE     BIEN     HETJREUX     ST. 

CLAIR  AVES,  CU,   ET  AETED  ECOL'E, 

ET    MARTYR    ISE.       EN    L'AN,    884." 

The  chapel  faces  the  hermitage.  It  is  a  one-storey  building  constructed  of  light  stone, 
and  its  four  roofs  come  to  a  point  at  the  top,  above  which  is  a  bell,  surmounted  by  a  roof 
of  slate  about  two  feet  square,  and  this  is  capped  by  a  weather  vane, — a  cock.  The 
roof  of  the  chapel  is  of  tile.  The  entrance  is  surmounted  by  a  ball  of  stone  and  a  stone 
cross.  Each  corner  is  capped  by  a  ball  of  stone  at  least  eight  inches  in  diameter.  The 
two  Norman  windows  and  door  are  of  equal  height,  and  the  coloured  glass  is  protected 
by  iron  bars.  Inside  the  chapel  there  is  room  for  some  thirty  people.  Facing  the 
entrance  is  a  stained  glass  window,  and  also  one  window  on  each  side.  At  the  end  of 
the  chapel,  facing  the  entrance,  is  an  upraised  altar,  upon  which  are  the  crucifix,  the 
holy  candles,  and  the  vases  of  flowers.  On  either  side,  in  niches  in  the  wall,  are  statues, 
in  front  of  which  are  often  kept  candles  burning.  In  the  church  there  is  the  chapel  of 
St.  Clair.  Upon  a  pedestal  is  placed  a  statue  of  the  holy  man,  while  his  head  is  plastered 
upon  the  front  of  the  upraised  platform  which  holds  his  statue. 

The  Diet,  of  Christian  Biography,  vol  i.  (London,  1877),  contains  notices  of  nine  saints  named 
Charts.  The  account  there  given  states  that  the  Claras  from  whom  St.  Clair-sur-Epte  is  named  was  a 
personage  of  the  ixth  century,  a  native  of  Rochester,  who  settled  in  Vexin,  in  the  diocese  of  Rouen. 


420  ORCADIAN  FAMILIES. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

ORCADIAN    FAMILIES.* 

AN     OUTLINE. 

Baikie. — This  name  has  long  been  identified  with  the  Orcadian  mainland,  and  is 
considered  to  be  the  diminutive  of  beck — a  stream.  The  earliest  notice  of  the  surname  is 
to  be  found  in  the  Rental  of  Merwick  {pro  Rege)  1595,  where  Henry  Baky  is  noted  as 
having  excambed  land  in  Ysbustar,  Marwick,  for  ob  terre  in  Tronstou.  In  1623  James 
Baikie  purchased  the  first  part  of  the  estate  of  Tankerness.  In  1686  James  Baikie  of 
Tankerness  received  a  Grant  of  Arms,  and  in  1780  Robert  Baikie  of  Tankerness  was 
elected  to  represent  Orknay  and  Zetland  as  an  M.P.  for  the  United  Kingdom,  but  was 
unseated  on  petition.  A  fuller  account  appears  in  Burke's  "  Landed  Gentry,"  which 
see. 

Balfour. — The  Balfours  were  hereditary  sheriffs  of  Fife,  and  the  name  is  derived 
from  Balfour  Castle,  in  the  vale  or  Strath  of  Or,  a  tributary  of  the  Leven.  The  first 
ancestor  on  record  is  one  Siward,  in  the  reign  of  Duncan  I.  (1033).  The  Orcadian  line 
was  founded  by  Sir  Gilbert  Balfour,  Master  of  the  Household  to  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots. 
He  married  Margaret  Bothwell,.  stepdaughter  of  Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcairns,  and  sister 
of  Adam,  Bishop  of  Orknay  and  Zetland,  who  granted  a  charter  30th  June,  1560,  to 
Gilbert  Balfour  and  Margaret  Bothwell,  his  wife,  of  lauds  in  Westray.  This  was  followed 
by  grants  of  other  church  lands  in  Westray,  Sanday,  Stronsay,  and  S.  Ronaldsa.  Mrs. 
Brunton,  the  novelist,  author  of  "  Self  Control  "  and  "  Discipline,"  was  a  daughter  of 
this  family,  which  has  on  three  occasions  represented  the  Earldom  in  the  Parliament 
of  the  United  Kingdom,  and  has  ever  been  identified  with  movements  tending  to 
advance  Orcadian  interests.  David  Balfour,  late  of  Balfour  and  Trenaby,  prepared  the 
"  Memorial  for  Orkney  " — a  lucid  exposition  of  its  "  Odal  Rights  and  Feudal  Wrongs." 
For  further  particulars  of  this  family  the  reader  is  referred  to  Burke's  "  Landed  Gentry." 

Beattotjn. — This  family  is  stated  to  derive  originally  from  France,  where  the 
spelling  is  "  de  Bethune."  David  de  Betune  is  mentioned  as  a  Scottish  baron  in  1289. 
The  Scottish  scions  acquired  importance  through  the  eminence  of  the  Cardinals  so 
named.  It  is  not  clear  whether  the  Orcadian  Beattons  are  indigenous,  or  Scottish 
offshoots.  As  early  as  1503  Symon  or  Sigmund  Beatoun  is  noticed  in  the  Stromness 
Rental,  and  Jas.  and  John  Beatoun  are  in  that  of  Orphir.  The  lineage  continues 
numerous  in  the  same  locality. 

BeixEnden. — Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcairns  held  the  Isles  in  tack  1540-48,  and  was 
married  to  Katherine  Bellenden,  relict  of  Francis  Bothwell,  Provost  of  Edinburgh, — 
one  of  the  fifteen  original  Senators  of  the  College  of  Justice,  founded  in  1532.  The 
intermarriages   of  the    Bellendens   with    the    Bothwell-Sinclair    connection    account    for 

*Peterkin's  Rentals,  etc. 


ORCADIAN  FAMILIES.  421 


Sir  Ludovic  Bellenden  obtaining  a  similar  grant  later  on  [1587].  His  widow  married 
Karl  Patrick  of  Orknay,  who  thus  acquired  a  large  jointure.  For  some  time  after  this 
the  Bellendens  appear  as  holders  of  lauds  in  Stenhouse  and  Kvie.  In  1595  Sir  Patrick 
Bellenden  holds  various  Orknay  lands  in  feu.  There  is  a  peerage  dormant  in  this 
family.      In  1565  Patrick  Bellenden  was  Provost  of  Kirkwall. 

Borwick. — Perhaps  the  Scottish  baronial  family  may  be  traced  to  one  of  the  places 
in  Orkney  thus  named.  The  Borthwicks  always  appear  in  close  connection  with  the 
St.  Clair  Earls.  In  1514  Alexander  Borthwick  attests  the  decree  of  Tohop.  and  he  is 
doubtless  the  legatee  of  that  name  in  Sir  David  Synclar's  will  in  1506. 

Clouston. — On  the  22nd  March,  1503,  it  is  noted  Earl  William  of  Orkney  had 
bought  from  Evot,  spouse  of  umquhile  John  Cloustane,  a  penny  land  in  Garmistane, 
Sandwick.  Clouston  is  a  sixpenny  laud  in  the  same  parish.  The  word  is  also  spelled 
Cloustaith,  and  William  Cloustaith  attesting  to  the  above  fact  will  doubtless  be  the 
William  Clouthcath,  Rothman,  present  at  the  adjudication  of  Tohop  in  1514-  The  family 
is  very  numerous  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Stromness. 

Corrigall  of  that  Ilk. — The  town  of  Corrigall  (anciently  Corgill)  is  a  twopenny  land 
in  Harra,  where  are  also  the  Kame,  the  Dale,  and  the  Burn  of  Corrigall.  The  members 
of  this  family  are  noticed  as  "of  that  Ilk  "  in  Orcadian  records,  where  their  names  appear 
frequently,  and  occasionally  throughout  this  work. 

Craigie. — James  af  Cragy,  laird  of  Hupe  [Westray],  is  mentioned  in  1422  as  having 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Earl  Henry  I.  of  Orkney,  by  [son  of]  Elisabeth,  daughter 
of  the  late  reverend  and  venerable  Malise,  Earl  of  Orkney.  Johannes  de  Krage  is 
mentioned  in  the  Complaint  of  1426,  and  in  or  about  1446  Joan  Cragy,  "my  armig, " 
attests  the  Diploma  of  Succession  prepared  by  Bishop  Thomas  Tulloch.  In  1504  John 
Cragy  is  legifer,  while  James  of  Cragy,  his  wyff,  and  Sir  Thos.  Cragy  are  also  on  record. 
In  1514  Hendrie,  Thomas,  and  Nicoll,  brether-german  to  umqle.  John  of  Cragy,  affirm 
the  conveyance  of  Tohop.  In  1529  James  Cragy  of  Brogh,  Gilbert  Cragy,  William  Cragy, 
and  John  Cragy  of  Banks  fought  at  Summerdale,  and  were  respited  in  1539,  while  in 
1544  James  of  Brugh  attested  the  Deed  of  Erection  for  the  Cathedral  Chapter  of  Orkney. 
At  various  times  Craigies  have  represented  the  Earldom  in  Parliament.  The  family  seat 
was  at  Gairsay,  and  the  arms,  according  to  Nisbet,  are  :  Ermine,  a  boar's  head,  couped 
gules,  armed  and  langued  or.  Crest  :  a  boar  passant  argent,  armed  and  langued  azure. 
Motto  :  Timor  omnis  abest.  The  ruins  of  their  mansion-house,  supposed  to  have  been 
built  at  the  end  of  the  17th  century,  are  to  be  seen  on  the  south  shore  of  Gairsay.  At 
that  period  the  Craigies  were  a  distinguished  family,  and  the  loop-holes  in  the  building 
show  that  they  were  in  a  position  to  defend  themselves  from  intruders.  Just  outside  the 
mansion  there  are  the  ruins  of  an  old  chapel.  Hugh  Craigie  was  M.P.  for  Orkney  and 
Zetland  in  the  Scottish  Parliament,  1661-63  '•  sir  William  Craigie  of  Gairsay,  1681-82, 
1689,  1689-1702  ;  David  Craigie  of  Over-Sanday,  M.P.  for  Kirkwall,  1681-82,  1685-86; 
and  Robert  Craigie  of  Glendoig,  Lord  Advocate,  M.P.  for  the  Tain  Burghs  including 
Kirkwall)  in  the  Imperial  Parliament,  1742-47.  Patrick  Craigie  was  Provost  of  Kirkwall 
in  1660,  and  Hugh  Craigie  in  1691.  William  Craigie  of  Gairsay  is  mentioned  8th 
November,  1640.  On  25th  May,  1670,  David  Craigie  of  Over-Sanday  desired  at  a 
Sederunt  (the  Lord  Bishop  being  present)  "in  respect  his  umquhile  brother,  Hugh 
Craigie  of  Gairsay,  left  in  legacie  to  the  church  £5  sterling,  which  himself  had  delivered 
to  the  church  thesaurer  (as  was  well  knawn   to  the   members  of  the  session),  that  the 


ORCADIAN  FAMILIES. 


burial  place,  quhich  is  beside  the  sixt  and  sevent  pillar  from  the  west  church  dore  on  the 
south  syde,  where  his  father,  mother,  and  foresaid  brother  lyis  all  interred,  may  be 
appropriated  to  ther  familie,  and  that  no  other  persone  have  privilege  to  bury  the  died 
ther ;  which  desire  my  Lord  Bishope  and  session  thought  reasonable,  and  hes 
appropriate  the  said  ground  to  their  familie,  with  this  provision,  that  they  hold  up  the 
glasse  window  above  the  said  burial-place."     The  name  is  also  spelled  "  Croy. " 

Cromarty. — This  is  a  family  of  numerical  strength  in  the  South  Isles,  especially  in 
South  Ronaldsa.  In  1502  Magnus  Cromertie  has  Arneip  viz.  Burvik,  and  Quyscharpis, 
which  latter  is  possessed  by  John  Crommarty  of  Cara  in  1595-  Johnne  and  Magnus 
Cromarte  fought  at  Summerdale  1529,  and  received  remission  1539.  In  1640  John 
Cromartie,  younger,  was  bailie  for  South  Ronaldsa.  Adam  Cromarty,  tacksman  of  South 
Ronaldsa,  held  Paplay  there  in  1595. 

Cursetter  of  that  Ilk. — Cursetter  is  a  threepenny  land  in  Firth.  Magnus  Cursetter 
in  that  Ilk  is  confirmed  by  Lord  Robert  Stewart,  3rd  May,  1581,  in  his  lands  of  Wasdale, 
Setter,  Bingascart,  and  Rossmyre,  of  which  he  and  his  predecessors  "  have  been  in 
peacable  possession  past  memorie  of  man.  " 

Dischington. — William  de  Dischington  received  from  King  Robert  Bruce  the  lands 
of  Balglassie,  Aberlemno,  and  others  in  Forfar.  Prior  to  the  year  1330  he  married 
Elisabeth,  the  king's  younger  sister.  Of  his  two  sons,  John,  the  younger,  obtained  the 
lands  of  Langhermistou.  William,  the  elder,  was,  by  David  II.,  his  cousin,  knighted 
and  appointed  steward  of  the  palace.  In  1368  he  received  a  royal  charter  of  a  third  part 
of  the  barony  of  Ardross,  Fife,  in  succession  to  his  relative  John  Burnard,  and  also  the 
same  year  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Kynbrachmont.  A  skilful  architect,  he  constructed 
the  castle  of  Ardross,  and  the  church  of  St.  Monan's,  which  latter  was  erected  at  the 
cost  of  David  II.  to  denote  his  gratitude  to  God  for  being  preserved  from  a  storm  which 
overtook  him  and  his  queen,  Margaret  de  Logie,  when  crossing  the  firth  to  visit  William 
de  Dischington  at  Ardross.  The  Dischiugtons  continued  in  Fife  till  1673.  In  1549 
Margaret  Dischington  is  noted  as  wife  of  Edward  Sinclair  of  Strome,  and  as  being  under 
the  special  protection  of  Bishop  Reid.  In  1583  John  Dischington,  a  younger  son  of  the 
Laird  of  Ardross,  passed  to  Orkney,  and  was  acknowledged  as  a  relative  by  Earl  Patrick 
Stewart,  who  appointed  him  Sheriff  and  Commissary  of  Orkney  and  Zetland.  Several  of 
his  descendants  figure  as  officers  in  the  royal  navy  and  as  ministers  of  the  church. 

Fea. — This  is  the  name  of  several  places  in  Orkney.  It  is  pronounced  in  two 
syllables,  with  stress  on  the  first  as  indicated  by  diaeresised  e.  Two  hundred  years  ago 
it  was  one  of  the  mediatised  families  in  the  Isles.  On  the  old  house  of  Stove — their 
mansion  in  the  Isle  ofSanday — was  this  inscription  :  "  Soli  Deo  gloria.  Septem  proavi 
hjec  nobis  reliquerunt.  J.  F.  (Jacobus  Fea)  B.T.  (Barbara  Traill),  1671."  "These 
septem  proavi  were  all  direct  ascendants,  all  of  the  same  name,  James  Fea,  and  holders  of 
the  same  property  and  title,  '  Clestron.'  "  Over  the  door  of  the  house  of  Whitehall  stood 
the  initials  "P.F. "  and  "B.T."  and  the  date  1671.  The  latter  was  the  family  residence 
in  the  Isle  of  Stronsay.  James  Fea,  of  Stowe  and  Clestran,  gave  evidence  on  oath  before 
Bishop  Graham,  25th  June,  1627  ;  Oliver  and  Robert  Fia  had  been  sworn  in  like  manner 
at  Stronsay  the  day  preceding.  Oliver  and  Malcolm  Feais  were  bailies  for  Stronsa  in 
1640.  In  171 1  James  F<;a  had  a  chaplain  in  his  family  upon  whom  also  devolved  the 
education  of  the  children,  and  in  17 14  he  erected  near  his  mansion  house  of  Stove  a 
handsome  little  Gothic  chapel  with  nave  and  chancel,  and  vaulted  roofs,  supported  on 


ORCADIAN  FAMILIES.  423 


fourteen  pillars,  the  F<:a  burial  place  being  in  the  chancel.  This  gentleman  first  intro- 
duced into  Orkney  the  manufacture  of  kelp.  His  son  James  Pea,  a  Jacobite,  captured 
Gow  the  Pirate  in  1725,  and  is  said  to  have  been  ruined  by  the  vexatious  suits  brought 
against  him  for  his  share  of  the  prize  money.* 

Flett. — Harald  Flett,  Danish  by  family,  had  a  son  Swend,  who  became  a  great 
viking  and  champion.  He  was  a  very  clever  man,  and  of  high  birth  in  his  own  country. 
He  was  fostered  by  Thorer  of  Steige,  and  was  very  dear  to  King  Hakon  of  Norwa}', 
on  whose  death  (in  1093)  he  led  an  army  against  his  successor.  Winning  one  or  two 
engagements,  he  was  eventually  defeated  and  fled  to  Denmark,  and  remained  there  ;  and 
at  last  came  into  great  favour  with  King  Kystein,  the  son  of  King  Magnus,  who  took 
so  great  a  liking  to  Swend  that  he  made  him  his  dish-bearer,  and  held  him  in  great 
respect.  The  dish  bearer  was  an  office  of  dignity,  equivalent  to  the  chamber- 
lain in  modern  courts — the  dapifer.  Guttorm,  son  of  Harald  Flittr,  was  a  king's  officer 
at  Konghelle  [1135].  About  1136  Thorkell  Flett,  a  violent  and  powerful  man, 
lived  in  Westray.  Thorkell  contributed  a  ship,  which  he  commanded  in  person  in  the 
naval  engagement  between  Earl  Paul  and  Olvir  Rosta.  He  received  from  Paul  the 
lands  in  Stroma,  which  had  been  owned  by  Valthiof  Olaf-Rolfsson  ;  a  fatal  gift,  for 
Valthiofs  kinsmen  attacked  and  burnt  him  in  the  house  there.  His  sou  Haflidi  was 
commander  of  a  ship  under  Earl  Rognvald.  Wilhelm  Flett  is  referred  to  in  the 
complaint  of  1426,  and  Kolbein  Flset  appends  his  seal  to  same.  In  the  rentals  of  1503 
Johne  Flet  has  Hundskarth  (Harray),  and  Cloustaith  (Stanehous),  and  Sir  Robert  Flett  is 
noted  as  having  "of  lait (1503)  bocht  fra  ane  uthalman  iij  d  terre  in  Lyrland  als  Leyland 
(St.  Cross,  Sanday).  In  1506  Sir  David  Sinclair  leaves  "  to  William  Flete  and  his 
bruder  Criste  Flete  my  littil  schipe,  wyth  al  geir,  and  all  my  landis  in  Orknaye  with  my 
innes  in  Kyrkwall  excep  Setter  and  Vactesquyr."  In  i5i4johnne  Flett  of  Harray  is 
one  of  the  Council  of  Lawmen  at  Kirkwall.  In  1525  Robert  Flett  attests  probate  of  Sir 
David  Sinclair's  will.     Arms  -.—Argent,  a  chev.  between  three  trefoils,  sa. 

Fotheringhame. — In  the  Seals  in  the  British  Museum  there  is  one,  of  date  11 70,  of 
Sir  Hugh  de  Fotheringay,  or  Fotheringham,  and  one  of  similar  arms  in  use  in  1459  by 
David  de  Fotheringham  of  Powrie  in  Forfarshire,  ancestor  of  the  family  so  designated.  In 
1440  Richard  Fodringame,  Lawrik  man  at  Kirkwall,  appends  his  seal  to  the  Diploma  ;  in 
1502  William  Fotheringhame  is  noted  as  of  Hermansgarth,  in  St.Colm's,  Sanday  ;  and  in 
1640  Jerome  Fothringhame  is  a  bailie  for  that  Isle. 

Foubister  of  that  Ilk. — In  1502  the  fourpenny  land  of  Fowbustare  was  in  the  parish 
of  St.  Andrews.  Hendrie  Fowbuster  is  a  Rothman  of  Orkney  at  Kirkwall,  June,  1514. 
John  Fowbister  is  of  that  Ilk,  1613,  and  Malcolm  Foubister  of  that  Ilk  is  noticed 
1617-61. 

Garriock.— This  family  apparently  commences  with  a  South  country  immigrant,  or 
the  name  may  derive  from  Garek,  as  in  Gareksay,  or  Gairsay.  Henry  Garoch  is  named 
in  the  Complaint  of  1426.  In  1502  Henry  Uareoch  is  assessed  for  the  lands  of  Brugh  and 
Terland  in  Ronaldsa.  Magnus  Gariacht  fought  at  Summerdale  1529.  In  1640  Magnus 
Gareoch  in  Braquoy  is  a  bailie  for  Holm. 

Gordon.— This  family  has  sustained  two  or  three  changes  of  name.  Originally 
surnamed  Winton,  by  marrying  the  heiress  of  the  Setons  the  latter  name  was  assumed, 


424  ORCADIAN  FAMILIES. 

and  some  generations  later,  upon  marrying  the  heiress  of  the  Gordons,  a  similar  change 
was  made.  The  Huntly  and  Sutherland  Gordons  are  all  of  the  Winton  stock.  After 
the  storming  of  Dornoch  in  1570,  Hugh  Gordon  of  Drummoy  retired  to  Orkney,  where 
he  married  one  Ursula  Tulloch.  He  was  a  cadet  of  the  Sutherland  Gordons,  and  is 
probably  ancestor  of  the  family  of  Gordons  who  a  little  later  are  found  permanently 
connected  with  the  lands  of  Cairston,  Stromness. 

Gr.'Eme. — Donald  Greme  held  Nether  Knarstane  in  1502.  The  principal  Graemes  in 
Orkney  were,  however,  descendants  of  Bishop  Geo.  Graham  (a  cadet  of  Braco,  in  Perth), 
who  gave  origin  to  two  families — the  Grcemes  of  Graemeshall,  and  those  of  Breckness, 
the  latter  being  now  represented  by  Watt  of  Breckness  and  Skaill.  Harie  Graham  of 
Breckness  was  M.P.  for  Orkney  in  the  Scots  Parliament  (1686-89).  Admiral  Patrick 
Graeme  was  of  the  Graetnshalls.  A  fuller  account  of  the  family,  their  arms,  etc.,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  article  Sutherland-Graeme  in  Burke's  "Lauded  Gentry." 

Groat. — This  family  comes  from  Caithness  (Scottish  Orcadia),  where  Hugh  Grot  is 
noticed  as  early  as  1496,  and  a  very  clear  succession  is  illustrated  from  old  inventories 
down  to  174.T.  Malcolm  Groat  of  Tankerness,  1570,  appears  in  the  Rentals  of  1595-  In 
1627  William  Grott  is  of  Tankerness,  and  Johnne  Grott  of  Traistads,  Sanday.  The 
Groats  held  a  good  position  in  Orkney  until  recent  times. 

Halcro  of  that  Ilk. — This  family  commences  with  Andrew  Halcro  of  Halcro  (then 
pronounced  Hawcro),  mentioned  in  1544  as  dead.  The  first  appearances  of  the  name  in 
earldom  records  are  these — 1519,  sir  Hugh  Halcro  and  sir  Nicol  Halcro,  priests  in 
Orkney  ;  1525,  Nicoll  Hawcro  of  Tygwall,  Shetland  ;  1530,  sir  Nicoll  Halcro,  rector  of 
Orphir  ;  Mr.  Malcum  Hawcro,  Archdean  of  Zetland  and  Canon  of  St.  Magnus  ;  1539 
schir  Nycholl  Halkraye  is  parson  of  Orfer,  in  Orknaye  :  and  on  the  20th  janr., 
1544.  apud  Halcro,  the  sons  and  heirs  of  the  quondam  Andrew  Halcro  de eodem,  viz., 
Hugh  Halcro,  Canon  of  the  Eccles.  Chapter  of  Orknay,  and  Mr.  Malcolm  Halcro, 
Provost  of  the  said  church,  and  Archdeacon  of  Zetland,  with  consent  of  Elizabeth 
Halcro,  their  sister,  spouse  of  Gilbert  Moody,  issue  a  charter  of  lands,  various,  of  Halcro, 
alias  Holland,  etc.,  in  Rannaldsay,  to  their  cousin  Hugh  Halcro— remainder  to  Ninian 
Halcro,  his  brother,  Edward  Halcro,  his  brother -german,  Henry,  son  of  quondam 
Magnus  Halcro — James,  brother  of  Henry,  Magnus,  son  of  the  quondam  Andrew 
Halcro,  and  William,  son  of  quondam  John  Halcro,  without  division  between  brothers 
and  sisters,  but  according  to  the  custom  in  Scotland.  The  instrument  establishing 
the  Cathedral  Chapter  of  Orkney,  28th  October,  1544,  enumerates  Mr.  Malm.  Halcro. 
Bachelor  in  Sacred  Letters,  Prebend  in  St.  Trinity,  and  Vicar  of  Rannaldsay,  with 
sustentation  of  the  Church  of  Barwick,  also  Archdeacon  of  Zetland  ;  dominus  Nicholas 
Halcro,  Prebend  of  Orphar  and  Vicar  of  Stannous  :  and  dominus  Hugh  Halcro,  Prebend 
of  St.  Magnus  '  :  the  two  first  attest  execution  of  the  deed.  In  1548  Patrick  Mowat 
of  Balquholly  entered  into  a  contract  with  Malcolm  Halcro  of  that  Ilk  for  the  marriage 
of  their  son  and  daughter.  A  charter  about  this  time  from  Balquholly  to  Halcro 
mentions  several  carnal  sons  of  the  latter,  some  being  in  holy  orders.  Magnus  Halcro 
married  Margaret,  heiress  of  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Sanday  and  the  Lady  Barbara  Stewart, 
and  for  the  next  two  or  three  generations  the  Halcros  are  found  matching  with  the  more 
powerful  families  in  the  Isles,  the  Sinclairs,  Stewarts,  Moodies,  Mowats,  Bellendens,  etc. 
In  St.  Mary's  Kirk,  S.  Ronaldsa,  are  the  chalice,  cross,  and  arms  of  sir  Hugh  Halcro  of 
Halcro,  who  died  20th  August,  1545.     In  1581  a  grant  of  Cava  issued  to  William  Halcro 


ORCADIAN  FAMILIES.  425 


of  Aikeris,  now  represented  by  John  Halcro  of  Hogarth,  in  Rendall,  who  is  also  "  af 
Halero,"  the  senior  branch  of  the  family  having  become  extinct  towards  the  close  of 
the  xviith  century.  A  certain  knight,  Sir  Hauq'n,  is  a  witness  at  Kirkwall,  23rd  April, 
1 39 1.  The  earlier  history  of  this  family  is  difficult  to  unravel.  Perhaps  the  solution 
may  lie  in  the  Vatican  Library.  Unmentioned  in  the  national  documents  of  Orknay 
until  15 19,  they  presently  appear  in  full  canonicals,  possessing  offices,  power,  wealth, 
houses,  and  lands.  They  are  not  noted  in  the  Rental  of  1503,  nor  in  the  Respite  of 
!539>  }'et  in  1544  the  charter  discloses  several  families  of  the  name.  It  may  be  that  they 
received  their  name  from  the  picturesque  headland  so  styled  in  S.  Ronaldsa,  but  even 
that  is  not  clear,  for  the  lands  were  also  called  Holland.  A  Certificate  of  Character  was 
given  to  Margaret,  lawful  daughter  of  the  late  Hugh  Halcro,  in  the  Isle  of  Weir,  and 
Margaret  Stewart,  his  spouse,  which  has,  "  As  also,  that  she  is  descended  of  her  father, 
of  the  house  of  Halcro,  which  is  a  very  ancient  and  honourable  family  in  the  Orkneys." 
Kirk  of  Evie,  27th  May,  1606.  This  clearly  implies  an  Orcadian  establishment  of  more 
than  two  generations,  or  only  sixty  years. 

Harcus. — In  early  Scottish  records  Alan  de  Harcarres  and  William  de  Harkars  are 
noted  1250-1350.  Robert  Harechas  was  Sheriff  of  Perth  in  1305.  The  arms  of  Harcarse 
of  that  Ilk,  Berwick,  are  cited  in  the  Catalogue  of  Seals,  British  Museum.  Members  of 
the  Orknay  family  first  come  before  us  in  the  Respite  of  1539  for  complicity  in  con- 
nection with  the  Battle  of  Summerdale,  1529.  That  parchment  includes  the  names  of 
Robert,  Johnne,  and  George  Hercas,  being  three  out  of  thirty-one  names  enumerated, 
a  very  fair  percentage,  indicative  of  the  relative  importance  of  the  family  at  that  time. 
The  name  sometimes  appears  written  as  Arcus. 

Heddle  of  Haddale  in  the  parish  of  Firth.  Wilhelm  de  Hedal  is  referred 
to  in  the  Complaint  of  1426.  In  the  Rental  of  Stanehouse,  1503,  John  Haddale  has 
lands  in  Garmistane  there,  and  William  Haddale  bears  witness  to  a  conveyance  of 
Garmistane  lands.  Harrie  Haddell,  of  that  Ilk,  is  reported  as  absent  from  the  Sederunt 
of  the  Curia  Vicecomitatus,  4th  November,  1617,  held  in  the  Palace  of  the  Yairds  in 
Kirkwall,  and  on  14th  January,  1640,  Harie  Haddell  of  Haddell  is  noted  as  similarly 
absent.  James  Haddell,  indweller  in  Shapinsa,  is  one  of  the  Islesmen  whose  advice  is 
sought  as  to  the  estate  of  that  Isle,  24th  June,  1627.  He  is  the  James  Haddell  of  Elwick 
who  gave  similar  information  upon  oath  on  the  13th  June,  same,  relative  to  Shapinsa. 
James  Haddell  and  Walter  Haddell  in  Lintoun  are  appointed  with  others  as  bailies  for 
the  Isle  of  Shapinsa,  4th  November,  1640.  See  Burke's  "Landed  Gentry  "  for  later 
account  of  this  name. 

Hourston  is  a  sixpenny  land  in  North  Sand  wick.  It  is  spelled  in  1503  as 
Thurstacht.  In  1544  Peter  Hourstouu  is  Rector  of  Hoy  and  Vicar  of  Walls.  In  1640 
Hew  and  Magnus  Hourstoun  were  appointed  bailies  or  superintendents  for  Sandwick  and 
Evie  respectively. 

Irving. — William  de  Irwin  was  secretary  and  armour-bearer  to  Robert  Bruce,  and 
subsequently  Master  of  the  Rolls.  Bruce  gave  him  in  free  barony  the  lands  of  Drum, 
1324.  He  had  two  sons,  Sir  Thomas,  successor  to  Drum,  and  William  de  Erwin,  an 
inhabitant  of  Kirkwall  in  1369.  The  complaint  of  1426  mentions  Wilhelm  Yrviug. 
"John  off  Erwyne  "  is  mentioned  1438  (Wilson's  Prehist.  Annals),  and  in  the  Rental 
for  Hurray  Brugh  in  1503  it  is  noted  that  Earl  William  St.  Clair  (1420-71)  exchanged 
with  Elizabeth  Urving  the  lands  of  Garth  and  Midgarth  in  Harray  for  three  merks  land 


426  ORCADIAN  FAMILIES. 


in  "  Claistrand  apud  Orphair."  James  Irwine  "Lawman,"  or  Chief  Judge  (Legifer)  of 
the  Orkneys  in  1560,  was  father  of  Magnus  of  1608,  the  first  Shapinsha  Irving,  ancestor 
of  the  celebrated  Washington  Irving,  from  whose  "  Life  and  Letters"  this  notice  is  in 
great  part  extracted.     The  Irvings  of  Sabay  were  also  a  principal  family  of  this  name. 

Isbister  of  that  Ilk. — The  place  is  noted  in  1503  as  Eister buster,  ninepenny  udal 
land,  and  in  1595  as  Ysbustar.  At  the  latter  date  a  Robert  Isbuster  is  resident  in  Birsay 
Be-South.     Henceforward  various  Isbusters  pass  under  review. 

Johnston. — This  name,  more  properly  John's  son,  is,  of  course,  a  general  one,  and  it 
is  thus  difficult  to  identify  the  various  families  as  being  derived  from  a  common  ancestor. 
In  1369  Hakon  Jonsson  was  Norwegian  prefect  of  Orkney.  Erengisle,  Earl  of  Orkney. 
J353>  was  the  son  of  Sune  Johnson,  and  in  1360  one  William  Johnsson  was  Archdeacon 
of  Hjaltland,  and  he  is  supposed  to  be  identical  with  Bishop  William  V.,  1382-94.  There 
is,  however,  no  known  connection  with  the  Annandale  Johnstons,  and  the  rarity  in 
Orkney  prior  to  1550  of  the  personal  name  John  renders  it  probable  that  most  of  the 
families  now  so  named  are  not  only  indigenous  Orcadians,  but  of  the  same  stock.  The 
Complaint  of  1426  notes  Malcolm,  John,  and  Nicol  Johnsson,  and  the  Rental  of  Deirness, 
1502,  finds  Andro  Johnstoun  in  Sanday  there,  while  in  North  Sandvik,  1503,  Christie 
Johnesoun  has  Hammerclet  in  Scalbrycht  (Scabra). 

Johnston  of  Coubister. — James  Johnston  ofOutbrecks,  in  Stromness,  was  succeeded 
by  a  younger  brother  Richard,  a  Stromness  merchant,  about  1690.  Their  father  had 
come  from  Birsay  and  bought  that  property.  Richard's  only  son,  John,  born  in  1690, 
also  a  merchant  in  Stromness,  acquired  considerable  property  throughout  the  Islands, 
including  one-third  of  Stromness.  His  son  Joshua,  a  lawyer  in  Stromness,  married 
Margaret  Halcro,  heiress  of  Coubister,  Cava,  and  Gyre.  Their  son,  John  Johnston  of 
Coubister,  sold  all  the  Johnston  property.  A  sister  of  Joshua  Johnston  married  Adam 
Irvine,  and  they  settled  in  Canada.  Among  their  descendants  may  be  mentioned  the 
late  Colonel  Irvine,  A.D.C.  to  the  Governor-General,  and  his  sons,  the  late  Colonel 
Acheson  Irvine,  the  Hon.  George  Irvine,  at  present  a  judge,  and  the  late  Commissary- 
General  Bell  Irvine.  Joshua's  brother  John  also  settled  in  Canada,  and  is  now 
represented  by  Lady  Meredith,  widow  of  the  late  Chief  Justice  of  Quebec.  A  sister 
of  the  late  James  Johnston  of  Coubister  (son  of  John  Johnston  of  Coubister)  married 
Commander  John  Nugent,  R.N.  (son  of  Count  Nugent  of  Balinacorr),  with  whom  Mr. 
Johnston  served  as  a  midshipman  during  the  war  of  1812-1814.  Mr.  Johnston's  son, 
the  present  laird  of  Coubister,  is  best  known  from  the  interest  he  takes  in  farming  in 
Orkney,  having  revived  and  successfully  carried  on  the  Orkney  Agricultural  Society. 
Mr.  Johnston  and  his  brothers,  and  their  sons,  are  the  only  male  representatives  of  this 
family  of  Johnston  in  Orkney,  tracing  at  least  as  far  back  as  1560.  The  tradition  in 
their  family  is  that  their  ancestor  was  a  son  of  the  laird  of  Annandale,  who,  as  the 
result  of  a  border  feud,  had  to  go  into  exile,  and  fled  to  Orkney,  where  he  lived  in  hiding 
among  the  Birsay  folk  as  one  of  themselves,  and  where  his  family  afterwards  remained.*" 

Kirkness  of  Kirkness,  in  Sandwick.— Sir  Thomas  of  Kirkness  is  a  witness  at 
Kirkwall,  13th  April,  1391,  to  a  conveyance  executed  by  Henry  I.,  Earl  of  Orkney,  to 
his  brother  David  St.  Clair.  On  6th  March,  1503,  in  noting  the  lands  of  Over  Garsend, 
in  North  Sandwick,  there  is  a  reference  to  a  Sir  Stevenissonn  and  Johne  of  Kirknes  sone, 

*  Contributed  by  Alfred  W.  Johnston,  youngest  son  of  the  late  James  Johnston  of  Coubister. 


ORCADIAN  FAMILIES.  427 


as  subject   to  rent  charge.     In  161 1  letters  were   issued  against  William  Kirkness  for 
assisting  Robert  Stewart,  Bastard  of  Orkney. 

Knarston  of  that  Ilk  in  Harra. — In  1503  Nerstaith  was  a  fourpence  halfpenny  udal 
land.  William  Knarston  is  noted  in  1595.  and  Gilbert  Knarston  of  Knarston  1617-40, 
when  the  latter  is  bailie  for  Harra. 

Laing  of  Strynzie. — In  the  list  of  voters  for  Kirkwall,  1800,  Robert  Laing,  Esq.  (of 
Strynzie),  last  Provost,  Gilbert  Laing,  merchant,  and  Malcolm  Laing,  Esq.,  advocate, 
are  enumerated.  The  latter,  who  was  born  at  Strynzie  in  1762,  was  the  celebrated 
historian  of  Scotland.  He  represented  Orkney  and  Shetland  in  the  Parliament  of  the 
United  Kingdom,  1807-12.  Later  on  Samuel  Laing  of  Crook  has  at  various  times  been 
returned  for  the  Northern  electorates,  1852-85,  and  has  been  secretary  to  the  Treasurer 
and  Finance  Minister  for  India.  Samuel  Laing  the  elder  was  the  translator  of  the 
"  Heimskringla."  The  Weirs  of  Darnsay  registered  arms  in  1801  quartering  Laing  thus 
2nd  and  3rd.     Ar.  three  piles  in  point  sa.  in  middle  chief  a  martlet  or. 

Leask  of  that  Ilk. — Leask  is  located  in  Buchan.  Thomas  de  Laysk  is  a  witness  at 
Kirkwall  23rd  April,  1391.  James  Leask  appends  his  seal  to  the  Diploma  at  Kirkwall, 
c ire iter  1446.  On  June  21st,  1484,  Alex.  Lesk  is  mentioned  re  the  farms  of  Sauday, 
and  in  1497,  Lord  St.  Clair's  accounts  for  Orknay  are  rendered  pr.  Alex.  Lask.  In  1506 
Sir  David  Sinclair  appoints  Richard  Lesk  co-executor  of  his  will,  and  leaves  him  "20 
merkis  landis  in  Cwndistay  and  my  Inglis  schipe  with  all  geir."  The  arms  of  this 
family  are:  Sa.  A  fesse  between  three  mullets  in  chief  and  as  many  mascles  in  base. 
Crest  :  A  crescent  ar.     Motto  :  Virtute  cresco. 

Linkxater  of  that  Ilk,  North  Sandwick. — In  1505  Lynkclet  was  a  threepenny  land. 
The  Complaint  of  1426  enumerates  amongst  other  nobles  Christian  de  Ellingeklat. 
Andro  Linclett  is  one  of  the  Council  of  Lawmen  in  15 15.  John  Linkleter  is  mentioned 
in  1595.  In  1621  Andro  Linklatter  is  of  that  Ilk,  and  in  1640  three  are  appointed  bailies, 
James  for  Harra,  Henrie  for  Rendell,  and  Alexander  Linkletter  of  Linklatter  for  Sandwik. 
There  is  a  place  similarly  named  in  South  Ronaldsa. 

Louttit. — Maurice  Lowtefute  appears  in  the  Exchequer  Rolls  of  1456  as  collector  of 
the  ferms  of  Stratherne.  In  1426  Paris  Lutzit,  a  dependent  of  Thomas  Sinclair, 
mandatary  for  Earl  William,  complained  of  having  been  imprisoned  by  David  Menzies. 
In  1502  Olay  Loutfut  has  Sandisand  and  Gloupquoy  in  Dourness  ;  1503,  Dowskarth, 
Stennis  is  noted  as  perteining  to  the  heirs  of  the  Lutfuttis  ;  James  Loutfut  has  Netherly- 
king  in  South  Sandwik  ;  and  Peiris  Loutfut  has  then  Howth  in  Orphir,  the  last  is  a 
Rothman  at  Kirkwall,  June,  1514.  Johne  Louttit  fought  at  Summerdale  1528.  Magnus 
Louttit  of  Lyking  has  notices  1595-1653,  and  many  others  appear  during  and  after  that 
period. 

Moncrieff. — John  Moncrieffe  of  Rapness  (said  to  be  a  son  of  Sir  John  Moncrieff  of 
Moncrieff  by  Beatrix  Forman)  was  father  of  David  of  Rapness,  who  married,  first, 
Barbara  Baikie  of  Tankerness,  and  secondly,  Mary  Nisbet  of  Swannie.  By  the  first 
marriage  he  had  Thomas,  clerk  of  the  exchequer  and  treasury,  who  was  created  a 
baronet  of  Nova  Scotia,  1685,  and  dying  s.p.,  was  succeeded  by  his  nephew,  Thomas  of 
Rapness.  For  fuller  account  see  Baronetage  works.  James  Moncrieffe  was  M.P.  for 
Kirkwall  in  the  Scottish  Parliament,  1669-74. 

Moodie. — This  family  has  generally  been  considered  as  indigenous  to  Orkney,  and 
even  attributed  to  Harald   Mudadson,  whose  male  issue,  Buchanan  informs  us,  were  all 


428  ORCADIAN  FAMILIES. 

carefully  emasculated  by  William  the  Lion.  The  Moodies  are  more  likely  Scottish. 
In  1455  William  Mudy,  Bishop  of  Caithness,  gave  church  lands  to  his  nephew  Gilbert, 
and  also  the  castles  of  Scrabster  and  Skibo  ;  confirmation  issued  in  1478.  Sir  Thos. 
Moody  witnesses  a  deed  by  William  Tulloch,  Bishop  of  Moray,  in  1481.  Lands  in  Hoy 
in  1503  are  held  "  In  manibus  Magistri  Willielmi  Mudy,"  while  in  1506  Sir  David  Sinclair 
leaves  "  to  Jhone  Mude  xx.  merkis  the  quhilk  I  bocht  fra  him  in  Scatness  and  the  ful 
payment  tharof."  In  1567  Magister  William  Mudie  of  Breckness,  and  Katharine 
Sinclair,  his  wife,  received  a  grant  of  lands  in  the  Utter  Town  of  Stromness.  The 
Moodies  of  Melsetter  were  an  important  family  in  Orkney.  James  Moodie,  younger 
of  Melsetter,  was  M.P.  in  the  U.K.  Parliament  for  Orkney  and  Zetland  in  1715-22. 
Nisbet  (1700)  states,  "it  is  an  old  family  in  Orknay,  upwards  of  400  years  standing,  who 
have  possessed  several  lauds  in  Caithness  since  1470.  Captain  James  Moodie,  late 
commander  of  H.M.  ship  "  Prince  George,"  for  his  merit  and  great  services  done  to 
Her  Majesty  Queen  Anne,  and  in  particular  for  relieving  the  town  and  castle  of 
Denia  in  Spain,  when  besieged  by  the  French  in  1707  and  1708,  was  honoured 
by  Queen  Anne  with  a  coat  of  augmentation  to  his  arms."  The  ancient  coat  of  Mudie 
of  Melsetter  was  :  As.  a  chevron  ermine  between  three  pheons,  ar.  in  a  chief  a  hunting 
horn.     Motto  :   "  God  with  us." 

Mowat. — The  Norman  form  of  this  name  was  Monhault,  invariably  Latinised  into 
Monte  Alto — the  high  mount.  Like  the  Sinclairs,  before  reaching  Scotland  and  Orcadia 
they  passed  through  England,  and  were  Welsh  Lord  Marchers.  Sir  William  of  Montealt 
obtained  from  King  William  the  Lion  (1165-1214)  the  lordship  of  Feme  in  Forfarshire, 
of  which  county  Eustace  de  Montealto  was  sheriff  in  1263,  while  in  1241  Richardo  de 
Moutealto,  Justiciario  Scotise,  witnesses  a  confirmation  of  Alexander  II.  Contemporary 
to  Richard  is  Sir  Robert  de  M-A  to  a  charter  by  whom  Laurentio  de  M-A  is  a  witness. 
Bernardus  de  Mohane  was  one  of  the  Scots  Nobles  parties  to  the  treaty  with  Wales 
about  1259,  and  later  on  he  witnessed  the  grant  of  Roslin  in  1280.  In  1281  Sir  Bernard 
Mouat,  knight,  was  one  of  the  Norwegian  Embassy,  and  was  drowned  on  the  return 
voyage.  Nisbet  notices  a  Michael  de  Monte  Alto  in  1252  in  connection  with  the 
perambulation  of  Cleish,  in  Fifeshire.  In  1275  William  de  Monte  Alto  witnessed  an 
agreement  between  Archibald,  Bishop  of  Caithness,  and  William,  Earl  of  Sutherland. 
In  1289  Guillam  de  Muhaut  subscribes  to  the  Scottish  letter  of  Brigham,  and  he 
will  be  the  Willielmus  de  Monte  Alto,  miles,  who  submitted  to  Edward  I.  in  1296. 
This  is  the  earliest  Scottish  surname  associated  with  the  Island  history.  In  13 12  Patrick 
of  Mowat,  a  Scot,  was  seized  by  the  Orcadians  and  held  to  ransom.  Robert  Bruce 
granted  (1306-30)  a  charter  of  Freswick  in  Caithness  to  a  Mowat  of  the  principal  family 
of  Balquholly,  in  Aberdeen.  In  1377  Richard  de  Montealto,  Chancellor  of  the  Church 
of  Brechin,  received  grants  of  the  baronies  of  Fferne  and  Kynblachmond,  Forfar.  The 
Duke  of  Albany,  between  1406-13,  confirmed  a  wadset  of  Freswick  and  Aukengill, 
granted  by  William  Mowatt  of  Loscraggy  to  his  son  John,  who,  in  1419,  was  killed  in 
the  chapel  at  Tain.  Further  notices  of  the  Mowats  are  to  be  found  in  ' '  Caithness  Family 
History ' '  aiid  ' '  Zetland  County  Families. ' '  They  are  apparently  all  of  the  Balquholly  stock. 
In  1545  Alexander  Mowatt  witnesses  a  charter  of  Sir  Hugh  Halcro,  and  the  same  year 
Patrick  of  Balquholly  attests  the  erection  of  the  Cath.  Chapter  in  Orkney,  while  in 
1548  the  latter  contracted  with  Malcolm  Halcro  of  that  Ilk  in  Orkney  for  the  marriage 
of  his  son  (Mowat)  to  Halcro's  daughter.     In  the  Provostry  Rental  of  1584  Magnus  in 


ORCADIAN  FAMILIES.  429 


Hoxa,  Magnus  in  Stowis,  and  Ingoram  Mowat  in  Mersettir  are  named.  Patrick 
Mowat  of  Swinzie  (1638),  married  Elizabeth  Leask,  and  was  succeeded  by  Alexander  of 
Swinzie,  who  married  Jean,  daughter  of  Hugh  Halcro  of  that  Ilk.  "  In  the  churchyard 
of  Flotta  is  a  tombstone  with  the  inscription  :  '  Heir  is  the  Buriall — Place  of  the  Antient- — 
Names  of  the  Mouats — In  Ferra,  William — Mouat  and  Marjorie  1) — Sutherland  and  his 
Gran — Mother.'  These  Mouats  were  a  branch  of  the  noble  Mouats  of  Hoy,  the  baronetcy 
of  which  family  has  been  allowed  to  drop."  Sir  George  Mowat  of  Inglistonn  was 
created  a  baronet  of  Nova  Scotia  by  letters  patent,  2nd  June,  1664,  with  remainder  to 
heirs  male  of  his  body.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sir  Roger  as  second  Baronet,  to  whom 
his  brother,  Sir  William,  was  served  heir  in  February,  16X3,  while  Nisbet  (circ.  1700) 
refers  to  Sir  Alexander  Mowat  of  Ingliston,  Baronet,  descended  of  Balquhollie,  as  then 
having  arms — Argent,  a  lion  rampant  sable  armed  gules,  within  a  bordure  of  the  second  ; 
Crest,  an  oak  tree  growing  out  of  a  rock,  ppr  ;  motto,  Monte  Alto. 

Muir. — This  family  has  been  located  in  Sauday  since  1502,  when  William  of  Mure 
and  his  brother  are  recorded  by  Henry,  Lord  St.  Clair.  William,  who  is  designed  as  of 
Clat,  there,  held  also  the  bull  (mansion  house)  of  Brugh,  Lemsgarth,  and  Brusgarth. 
Sir  Nicholas  Muir,  Canon  of  Orkney,  is  named  in  1426. 

Redland  of  Redland,  Stromness. — William  Redland  is  named  in  1595  and  1614: 
John  Redland  of  that  Ilk,  and  his  second  son,  Magnus,  have  an  appearance  in  1622. 
Several  are  enumerated  in  the  Valuation  of  1653,  and  other  earldom  records.  This 
family  owned  the  Palace  of  Brittabreck. 

Rendall  of  Reudall. — Henrie  Rendale,  as  Lawman  of  Orkney  (1426),  appends  his 
seal  to  the  Diploma.  In  the  Rental  of  1503  Sir  Hew  of  Randale  is  noted  as  having 
been  sent  to  Norway  for  his  lifetime  by  Earl  William.  Johnne  Rendale  fought  at 
Summerdale  1528,  and  was  respited  in  1539,  and  as  Johanne  Randaile  de  eodem  attests 
the  Cathedral  Erection  of  1544.  In  1640  John  Rendell  is  a  bailie  or  superintendent 
Westray. 

Sinclair. — Notices  of  this  lineage  appear  elsewhere  throughout  this  work. 

Stewart — There  have  been  several  families  derived  from  legitimated  and  natural 
issue  of  the  Orkney  Earls  so  named.  Some  of  the  members  of  these  have  represented  the 
Islands  in  Parliament. 

Sutherland. — Alexander  de  Suderland  named  in  the  Complaint  of  1426  is  probably 
identical  with  Alexander  Sutherland,  who  having  married  Mariota  de  Ross,  received 
from  her  brother  Alexander,  Earl  of  Ross,  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Dunbeath  in 
Caithness,  sasine  issuing  24th  October,  1429.  By  his  testament,  made  in  145°.  it  is  clear 
that  he  was  a  person  of  great  importance.  His  daughter  Marjory  married  William 
St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Orkney.  Dunbeath's  sons  were  Alexander,  Archdean  of  Caithness. 
Robert,  Nicholas,  Edward,  and  John.  Contemporary  with  these  were  Richard  Sutherland 
of  Forse,  and  William  Sutherland  of  Berriedale,  son  and  apparent  heir  of  Alexander 
Sutherland  of  Duffus,  an  account  of  the  descendants  of  whom  is  given  in  "Caithness 
Family  History."  The  Rentals  of  1503  disclose  Sir  Robert  Sutherland  as  owning 
Sandisend  in  Grimsey,  Ovirquhame  and  Bowbrek  in  Stromness,  and  Ovir  Garsand  and 
Mobisyord  in  North  Sandwick,  and  it  is  recited  that  he  has  withheld  the  king's  scatts  for 
twenty-two  years.  In  1546  Thorrald  Sudyrland  and  his  sister  Margaret  Reid  are  cited  as 
heirs  of  Katrin,  daughter  of  Thorrald  of  Broycht,  a  great  estate  in  Shetland.  The  name 
is  very  numerous  in  the  South  Isles. 


43Q  ORCADIAN  FAMILIES. 


Traill. — Nisbet  derives  this  family  from  the  Tyrol,  of  which  the  name  is  a 
corruption.  There  was  one  Hugh  Trail  who.  at  a  tournament  in  Berwick  (temp. 
Robert  III.),  defeated  an  English  champion,  John  Morlo.  Walter  Traill,  Archbishop  of 
St.  Andrew's,  purchased  the  lands  of  Blebo  in  Fife  (Robert  III.)  which  he  gave  to  his 
nephew.  The  Orkney  Traills  derive  from  those  of  Blebo.  They  have  represented  the 
Earldom  in  Parliament. 

Tulloch. — Tulloch  is  a  place-name  in  Aberdeen,  and  there  is  also  a  Tulloch  Castle, 
Inverness.  The  family  has  been  erroneously  derived  from  an  apocryphal  Earl  of  Orkney, 
Harald  the  Holy  Cta  helig).  Thomas  Tulloch  was  Bishop  of  Orkney,  1422-55,  and  to 
him  is  attributed  the  erection  of  Noltland  Castle  ;  in  1438  he  granted  Kynclune  to  his 
brother  David  de  Tullach,  and  in  1445  Walter  de  Tulach  receives  from  the  Orcadian 
bishop  a  pension  of  ,£5.  In  1446  Nicolas  Tulloch  attests  the  Diploma.  In  1456 
the  Test,  of  Alexander  Sutherland  of  Dumbethe  enumerates  several  of  the  name. 
In  1455  William  Tulloch  became  Bishop  of  Orkney.  In  1481  Sir  Martin  Tulloch 
witnesses  a  charter  by  Bishop  William.  In  the  rental  of  1503  Nicol  Tulloch  is 
named,  and  Tullo  of  Ness  in  the  adjudication  of  1514.  In  1544  Thomas  Tulloch  is  of 
Fleuris,  and  in  1567  Hieronimus  Tulloch  grants  Breckness  to  Mudie.  They  have  been 
Members  of  Parliament  for  the  Earldom.  See  Burke's  "  Colonial  Gentry  "  for  amplified 
notice. 

Yule. — Sir  Robert  Yule  is  noted  in  the  Rental  of  1503,  and  to  the  Rev.  Yule  of 
later  times  Orcadians  are  indebted  for  the  measures  taken  to  preserve  St.  Magnus' 
Cathedral. 

Various. — The  "  afs  "  are  in  italics,  and  similar  place-names  are  astericised. 

Adie,  Aikers,*  Aim,  Annal,  Aith.*  Banks,*  Benston,  Berstane*  (1503,  '14,  '39), 
Bews,  Bichan  (Buchan,  1369),  Bigland,*  Brass,  Breck,*  Brock*  or  Brough,*  Broun, 
Budge,  Burgar.*  Caithness,  Corsie,  Corston,*  Cotibisler,  Cumloquoy.  Deerness,* 
Delday,  Dinnison,  Drever.  Firth,*  Folster,  Flaws.  Garmistane,*  Garsand  (1426),  or 
Garson,*  Gray,  Grieve,  Groundwater.*  Harrald,  Harray,*  Hay,  Hestwall,*  Housgarth,* 
Hunto  or  Hunter,  Hurie.  Inksgair,  Inkster,*  Instabillie.  Keldie,  Kirkbrek.*  Eang- 
skaill*,  Larquoy,*  Eaughton,  Linay*  (Altars  of  Linay).  Mainland,  Male,  Manson,  Mar- 
setter,*  Marwick,*  Matches  (Mathew's),  Meason  of  Whytquay  (Holm  1617),  Meil,  Moar, 
Midhouse,*  Miller  of  Redland  (1716).  Norquoy,*  Norn,  Nestegard,*  Newgar.*  Oddie, 
Omand,  Orkney.  Paplay*  (1369,  1539),  Peace  (1310),  Petrie.  Rousay*  (now  Rosie, 
Rosey,  and  Rossey),  Ritch,  Rusland.*  Sabiston,*  Scarth*  (1514),  Sclatter,  Scollay, 
Seatter,* Shearer,  Shurie,  Skae,  Skethaway,*  Skaill,*Spence,  Stanger,*  Stove,  Stockan,* 
Swanney,  Stainsgar.*  Tait,  Towrie  or  Tyrie,  Turfeus,  Twatt.*  Velzian,  Vedder, 
Voy.     Walls,*  Work,  Wick.     Yorston,  and  other  less  frequent  names. 


THE  EARLS  OF  ATHOL.  431 


BOOK  II. 

» 

HISTORIETTES. 

THE  EARLS  OF  ATHOL.— ROYAL  CELTIC  LINE.* 
(1115— 1215.) 

Athol  was  one  of  the  ancient  comitial  divisions  of  Celtic  Scotland.  In  early  times  it 
was  written  in  a  variety  of  ways,  first  as  Athfothla  (Fotla's  ford),  then  Atheodle,  and 
lastly,  after  a  few  further  variations,  settling  down  as  Atholl.  The  first  Earls  of  Athol 
were  descended  from  King  Duncan  the  First,  who  had  issue,  by  the  miller  of 
Forteviot's  daughter,  an  illegitimate  son  who  succeeded  to  the  Scottish  crown  as  Malcolm 
Canmore,  and  two  lawful  sons,  Donald  Bane  and  Melmare  of  Atholl.  The  latter  is 
found  in  the  Book  of  Deer  witnessing  one  of  the  charters  as  Malmori  d'Athotla,  and  in 
the  Orkneyinga  Saga  is  a  reference  to  his  son  and  successor,  Moddad,  Jarl  af  Atjoklum, 
son  of  (Melmari)  Melmare,  brother  of  King  (Melkolm)  Malcolm,  father  of  David,  then 
King  of  Scots.     Thus  the  first  Earl  on  record  is 

I.    MADACH    Co>nes  (1115 — 1153), 

who  in  1 1 15  witnesses  the  foundation  charter  of  Scone  by  King  Alexander  I.  and  Sibylla 
his  queen.  As  "  Maddoc  "  and  "  Madeth  Comes"  he  also  witnesses  charters  of  King 
David  I.  Torfseus,  the  Danish  historiographer,  writing  of  this  Earl  of  Athol,  states  he 
was  the  noblest  prince  of  Scotland.  "Omnium  Scotiae  principum  facile  nobilissimus 
patruelis  quippe  Davidis  regis  Scotiae  in  praesens  reguantis."  From  a  charter  of  King 
Malcolm  the  Maiden,  granting  aid  for  the  restoration  of  the  Abbey  of  Scone,  we  learn 
that  the  style  of  the  Earls  of  Athole  was  "Comes  de  Ethocl,"  the  Atjokl  of  the  Saga. 

Earl  Madach  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  whose  name  is  unknown,  he  had 
issue  Malcolm,  his  successor  to  Athol.  He  married,  secondly,  Margaret,  eventually  sole 
heiress  of  Earl  Hakon  of  Orkney,  soon  after  which  event  a  noted  Orcadian  viking — 
Sweyn  Asliefsson — succeeded  in  abducting  Earl  Paul  the  Silent,  who  then  ruled  Orcadia, 
and  conveying  him  to  Athol,  delivered  him  into  the  custody  of  his  sister  Margaret, 
Countess  of  Athol,  and  Earl  Maddad,  who  at  this  time  seems  to  have  occupied  the  rath 
or  fortress  of  Logierait,  mentioned  in  one  of  the  Scone  charters  as  being  in  the  twelfth 
century  the  capital  of  the  Earldom. f  A  fairly  ample  account  of  the  reception  of  poor 
Paul  is  given  in  the  Saga,  which  tells  us  that  he  never  returned  to  his  dominions.  It  was 
generally  considered  that  he  had  been  put  to  death  by  the  Countess  and  Earl  of  Athol  in 
order  to  secure  the  Orcadian  succession  to  their  infant  son  then  (1139)  three  years  of  age, 

viz. : 

Harald,  who,  in  right  of  his  mother,  eventually  became  sole  Earl  of  Orcadia,  then  an 
extensive  region  comprising  Orkney,  Shetland,  Caithness,  Strathnaver,  and  Sutherland. 
A  fuller  account  of  this  powerful  Earl  is  given  elsewhere.     Like  his  Athol  ancestors  he  had 


Burke;  Ork.  Saga  ;  Nisbet  ;  and  Skene.  fOrk.  Saga. 


432  THE  EARLS  OF  ATHOL. 


a  partiality  for  the  Abbey  of  Scone,  to  the  monks  of  which  it  is  recorded  (circa  a.d.  1165) 
Harald,  Earl  of  Orkney,  Hetland,  and  Cataness,  granted  a  mark  of  silver,  to  be  paid 
annually  by  himself,  his  son  Turphin,  and  their  heirs.  By  his  first  marriage  with  Afrecca 
sister,  of  Duncan,  Earl  of  Fife,  he  had  with  daughters  : 

1.  Henry,  reputed  Earl  of  Ross,  of  whom  there  is  no  further  account. 

2.  Hakon,  fell  in  ambush  at  Dublin. 

By  his  second  marriage  with  Gormlath,  daughter  of  Malcolm  McHeth,  Earl  of  Moray, 
he  had  with  daughters  : 

1.  Thorfinn,  died  in  Roxburgh  Castle,  1201. 

2.  David,  Earl  of  Orcadia,  died  s.p.m.,  1214. 

3.  John,  Earl  of  Orcadia,  who  on  the  death  of  Earl  Henry  of  Athol  (in  1215)  became 

heir-male  of  Athol.     He  had  a  son 

Harald,  Master  of  Orcadia,  who  perished  at  sea  in  1226  vita  patris. 

Earl  John  was  murdered  in  1231,  and  left  no  male  issue. 
Earl   Madach   died  about  the  year  1153,    and  was   succeeded   by  his   son    of  the   first 
marriage.     Madach  is  the  Gaelic  equivalent  of  "  Ulf. " 

II.   Malcolm  (1153 — 1180). 

This  Earl  appears  in  connection  with  several  religious  grants  and  endowments.  He 
was  a  donator  to  the  Abbey  of  Scone,  for  by  his  deed  and  grant  he  made  over  to  the 
Abbot  and  convent  perpetually  the  church  of  Login  Muchbed  with  four  chapels  thereunto 
belonging  for  the  safety  of  his  soul.  .  .  .  He  was  also  a  benefactor  to  the  monks  of 
Dunfermline,  for  to  that  convent  he  gave  in  pure  and  perpetual  alms  the  patronage  and 
tithes  of  the  church  of  Moulin  :  "pro  salute  animae  suae,  et  anima  sponsae  suae  et  pro 
animabus  regum  Scotiae,  predecessor  urn  suorurn,  ibidem  requiescentium  "  :  and  that 
when  it  shall  please  Almighty  God  to  call  him  and  the  countess  his  wife  to  His  mercy, 
that  they  shall  be  interred  in  the  abbey  church  there.  This  deed  is  attested  by  King 
William  and  the  Bishops  of  Glasgow,  Aberdeen,  Dunkeld,  and  Brechin.  Earl  Malcolm 
also  granted  to  the  Abbey  of  Cupar  (1178-1180)  timber  for  its  construction  from  his 
forest  of  Athole.     In  the  Acts  of  Parliament  {temp.  William  the  Lyon)  a  charter  is  cited  in 

which  Earl  Malcolm  refers  to  his  spouse  E .      .  and  his  son  H In  1 164  he  is  a  witness. 

This  Earl  of  Athol  married  Hextilda,  a  granddaughter  of  King  Duncan,  after  the  death, 
in  1 189,  of  her  first  husband,  Richard  Cumin.  In  first  marriage  she  had  received  from 
King  David  some  of  his  possessions  in  North  Tynedale,  viz.,  Thornton,  Staincroft, 
Walwick,  and  Hethingeshatch,  and  as  Countess  of  Athol  she  bestowed  some  of  these 
lands  on  the  monks  of  Durham.  In  the  Chartulary  of  Cupar  Abbey  three  sons  are  named  : 
1.  Henry,  his  heir.  2.  Malcolm.  3.  Duncan. 

III.  Henry,  the  Last  Earl  of  his  Line, 
ratified  and  confirmed  to  the  Abbot  and  convent  of  Dunfermline  the  grants  his  father 
had  made  to  them  for  the  health  and  welfare  of  himself  and  relations,  whether  dead  or 
alive.  In  121 1  he  went  north  to  Ross  in  pursuit  of  Gothred  MacWilliam,  a  claimant  to 
the  Scottish  throne,  whom  he  secured.*  He  was  one  of  the  seven  Earls  of  Scotland 
present  at  the  coronation  of  Alexander  II. 

The  last  Earl  of  Athol  was  not  succeeded  by  either  his  son  or  grandson,  both  of 
whom  may  have  predeceased   him.       On  his  death   the  representation  devolved  on  his 

*  Balfour's  Annals. 


THE  EARLS  OF  ATHOL.  433 


cousin, Earl  John  of  Orcadia,  as  heir-male,  while  the  Athol  dignity  and  lands  were  trans- 
mitted, in  accordance  with  Celtic  usage,  to  his  two  daughters,  whose  husbands  in  their 
right  were  severally,  and  apparently  contemporaneously,  designed  Earls  of  Athol.     The 
name  of  his  dowager  was  Maria  [or  Margaret].       He  had  issue  a  son  and  two  daughters  : 
1.  Cumming,  who  granted  the  monks  of  Cupar  the  privilege  of  his  woods  at  Glenherthry  and 
Tolikyne.     (It  is  elsewhere  stated  that  Conan  [Cumming],  son  of  Henry,  Earl  of  Athol, 
received  from  his  father  temp.  Alexander  II.  the  lands  of  Glenerochy,  now  Strowan,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  son  Ewen  Fils  Conan  of  Glenerochy,  who  married  Maria,  one  of  the 
daughters  and  co-heiresses  of  Convalt,  lord  of  Tullibardine,  in  Stratherne,  by  whom  he 
obtained  a  large  accession  of  territory.) 

Ewen,  or  Eugenius,  confirmed  the  grant  of  his  father  Cumming  to  the  monks  of 
Cupar. 

1.  Isabella,  married,  first,  Thomas  of  Galloway,  Earl  of  Athol,  who  died  in  1231.     Their  son 

Patrick,  Earl  of  Athol,  was  murdered  in  1242,  *•./). 
And,  secondly  (in    1231),  Alan   Durward,   Earl  of  Athol,  High  Justiciary  of  Scotland,  b 
whom  she  had  a  daughter — 

Lora,  Countess  of  Athol  (  +  1269),  who  married  Malcolm  de  Iusulis,  thus  Earl  of 
Athol.     Her  son  was  the 

John,  Earl  of  Athol,  who  married  Isabel,  sister  to  King  Robert  Bruce,  and 
flourishing  till  about  1298,  then  ended  his  days  in  France  s.p. 

2.  Forflissa,   Ferelith  or  Fernelithe,   married  Sir  David  de   Hastings,  jure   uxoris,   Earl  of 

Athol,  and  had  an  only  daughter — 

Ada,  who,  marrying  John  de  Strathbolgie  (grandson  of  Malcolm,  Earl  of  Fife)  that 
baron  was  cunctus  rjlatlio  Comitatus  Atholie,  In  the  year  1253  they  confirmed  a 
grant  made  by  Ferelith  to  the  Monastery  of  Cupar  for  the  soul  of  her  husband, 
Sir  David  de  Hastings.      The  Countess  Ada  had  a  son — 

David,  Earl  of  Athol,  who  married  Isabel  de  Chilham  ;  he  was  forfeited  in 
1268,  and  went  to  Palestine  in  the  course  of  the  following  year.  He  had 
a  son — 

John,   designed   de  Strathbolgie,   also  son  and  heir   of  Earl    David, 
until  restored  by  Robert  Bruce  in  1306. 
On  the  death  of  the  heir-male,  John  of  Athol,  Earl  of  Orcadia,  in  1231,  he  was  succeeded 
by  Magnus,  second  son  of ,  Earl  of  Angus,  as  his  heir-at-law. 

MAORMORS   OF   ANGUS.* 

Angus,  the  older  name  of  the  County  of  Forfar,  was  the  territory  of  one  of  the  great 
Pictish  tribes  or  sub-kingdoms,  and  was  governed  by  a  succession  of  Celtic  maormors. 
The  Pictish  Chronicle  furnishes  us  with  the  names  of  three,  viz.  : 

Indrechtaig,  who  nourished  about  the  year  900.     His  son 

Dubucan,  died  about  935,  and  had  a  son  named 

Maelbrigdi,  perhaps  the  Maelbrigdi  of  the  Saga  ;  after  him  the  next  record  of  a 
ruler  of  Angus  is 

Dufugan  Comes,  one  of  the  seven  Earls  of  Scotland  appearing  in  the  reign  of 
Alexander  I.  The  similarity  of  the  name  to  that  of  the  second  maormor  justifies  the 
allocation  of  this  Earl  to  the  Angus  line.  After  him  comes  a  succession  of  five  Earls 
from  father  to  son,  first  of  whom  is 

Gillebride,  who  fought  at  the  battle  of  the  Standard  in  1138,  and  about  1160 
witnessed  a  charter  of  Malcolm  IV.  to  the  Monastery  of  Dunfermline.     In  11 64  he  and 


Skene's  Celtic  Alban  ;  Burke's  Peerage  ;  Nisbet's  Heraldry. 


434  MAORMORS  OF  ANGUS. 


Adam  his  son  attest  a  national  document.  Gilbert,  son  of  this  Earl,  acquired  the  lands 
of  Ogilvie,  and  is  reputed  ancestor  of  the  Ogilvies,  Earls  of  Airlie,  Findlater,  Seafield, 
and  Lords  Banff.     Earl  Gillebride  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 

Gilchrist,  who  first  appears  opposing  Somerled,  Thane  of  Argyle  and  the  Isles. 
That  ambitious  chief  had  made  war  against  the  authority  of  Malcolm  IV.  After  various 
conflicts  Somerled  was  repulsed,  though  not  subdued,  by  Earl  Gilchrist,  and  the  peace 
concluded  with  this  powerful  chieftain  in  1153  was  considered  of  such  importance  as  to 
form  an  epoch  in  the  dating  of  Scottish  charters.*  A  still  more  formidable  insurrection 
broke  out  in  Moray  under  Gildominick,  on  account  of  the  attempt  to  intrude  in  that 
county  the  Anglo-Norman  jurisdiction  of  the  Lowlands  on  their  Celtic  customs,  and  the 
settling  of  Anglo-Belgic  colonists  among  them.  These  insurgents  laid  waste  the  neigh- 
bouring counties,  and  so  regardless  were  the}-  of  the  royal  authority,  that  they  actually 
hanged  the  heralds  sent  to  summon  them  to  lay  down  their  arms.  King  Malcolm 
despatched  the  gallant  Earl  Gilchrist  with  an  army  to  subdue  them,  but  he  was  defeated 
and  forced  to  recross  the  Grampians  (circa  n6o).t  Gilchrist  was  one  of  the  hostages  for 
King  William  the  Lion  in  n  74.  His  seal  appended  to  a  charter  of  his  to  the  monastery 
of  Dunfermline  shows  on  the  helmet  a  flourishing  branch  of  a  palm  tree,  which  is  the 
earliest  instance  in  Scotland  of  a  shield  being  timbred  with  helmet  and  crest,  f  He  is 
stated  to  have  married  Mauld,  a  natural  daughter  of  King  Malcolm  and  sister  of  Duncan. 
To  him  succeeded 

Gillebride,  who  about  1180  witnessed  a  charter  of  King  William  the  Lion  to  the 
Abbey  of  Aberbrothock.  His  son  William  appears  ante  1200  in  the  Arbroath  Chartulary, 
and  another  son  Angus  23rd  September,  12 19,  in  the  Acts  of  Parliament.  He  is  stated 
to  have  married,  first,  a  daughter  of  Patrick,  Dunbar  Earl  of  March,  and  secondly, 
the  heiress  of  John,  30th  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness.      He  had  issue  : 

1.  Duncan,  next  Earl.  2.  Magnus,  31st  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness. 

3.  Gilbride,  32nd  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness.  4.  William.  5.  Angus. 

Duncan,  will  be  the  Earl  of  Angus  at  the  coronation  of  Alexander  II.  in  12 14. 
His  successor  was 

Malcolm  (1225-1242  ?),  the  last  Earl  of  this  Celtic  line.  A  fac-simile  of  his  seal 
appears  in  Laing's  Catalogue  (No.  420).  A  charter  of  King  Alexander  II.  to  the  Chapel 
of  St.  Nicholas  at  Spey,  dated  2nd  October,  1232,  is  witnessed  by  M.  .  .  .,  Earl  of  Angus 
and  Kataness.  Magnus,  son  of  the  Earl  of  Angus  (second  son  of  Earl  Gilbride),  who 
was  present  at  the  perambulation  of  the  Aberbrothock  Abbey  boundaries,  16th  January, 
1222,  is  taken  to  be  the  first  of  the  Angus  line  Earls  of  Orkney.  Earl  Malcolm  married 
a  daughter  of  Sir  Humfrey  Barclay,!  arm  died  circa  1237,  leaving  a  daughter 

Matilda,  Countess  of  Angus  in  her  own  right,  who  married,  first,  John  Comyn, 
jure  uxor  is  Earl  of  Angus.  Dying  in  France  in  1242,  he  left  an  infant  son,  BertraldE, 
Master  of  Angus,  who  followed  his  father  to  the  grave  the  same  year.  In  1243  the 
Countess  Matilda  married  Sir  Gilbert  Umfraville,  thereupon  designated  Earl  of  Angus, 
and  by  him  (who  died  1245)  had 

Gilbert  Umfraville,  Karl  of  Angus,  noted  as  in  ward  1264,  and  a  year  or 
two  later  as  of  age.  He  was  a  prominent  person  in  the  wars  of  the  Scottish 
succession,   and,   in    1291,   commanded    the    important    Castles    of   Dundee    and    Forfar, 


'Keltie's  Clans.  |  Nisbet 


MAORMORS  OF  ANGUS.  435 


which  he  declined  to  surrender  to  Edward  I.  of  England  until  he  received  a 
formal  letter  of  indemnity  from  the  Estates  of  Scotland.*  After  the  forfeiture  of  the 
Umfravilles,  the  Earldom  was  conferred  on  John  Stewart  of  Bonkill,  whose  grand- 
daughter Margaret  resigned  the  Earldom  in  1389  in  favour  of  her  natural  son  George, 
by  William,  first  Earl  of  Douglas  and  Mar,  who  thus  became  founder  of  the  Douglas  line 
and  ancestor  of  all  subsequent  Earls  of  Angus,  Marquises  and  Dukes  of  Douglas,  and 
Dukes  of  Hamilton,  etc.,  etc.  The  descendants  of  the  Umfravilles  are  the  representatives 
of  Matilda,  Countess  of  Angus,  while  the  representation  of  the  male  line  devolved  on 
Malise,  Earl  of  Stratherne,  who,  about  1321,  succeeded  Magnus  of  Angus,  last  of  his 
line,  Earl  of  Orkney. 

In  Balfour's  Annals  Prince  David,  Earl  of  Huntington,  is  described  as  also  Earl  of 
Angus  from  11 70  to  1205. 


THE  EARLS  PALATINE  OF  STRATHERNE.  f 

The  Earldom  of  Stratherne  was  certainly  one  of  the  most  ancient  dignities  of  the 
Scottish  realm,  for  we  find  the  Earls  made  mention  of  as  far  back  as  11 15.  In  earlier 
times  it  formed  a  division  of  the  Kingdom  of  Alban,  and  was  known  under  the  name  of 
Fortreun,  but  after  the  battle  of  Nectansmere  (685)  Alban  became  termed  the  Kingdom 
of  the  Picts.  Fortrenn,  or  ancient  Stratherne,  originally  comprehended  the  district  of 
Menteith,  which  was  erected  into  a  separate  Earldom  in  the  reign  of  Malcolm  IV.,  and 
it  also  contained  the  thanages  of  Struan  and  Duning  held  under  the  Earls,  and  that  of 
Forteviot  and  the  abthanerie  of  Madderty  in  the  Crown.  In  Irish  annals  Stratherne  is 
invariably  referred  to  as  Fortrenn.  Collateral  to  the  Earls  was  a  line  of  Seneschals  termed 
de  Stratherne,  one  at  least  of  whom  bore  a  name  in  hereditary  use  with  the  line  of  these 
Earls,  viz.,  Malise,  and  this  has  been  a  source  of  much  confusion  to  historians  generally. 
The  old  Earls  carried  for  arms  or  two  chevrons  gules.     The  first  on  record  is 

I.  Malise,  who  appears  as  one  of  the  seven  Earls  of  Scotland  witnessing  the 
foundation  charter  of  the  Priory  of  Scone  by  Alexander  III.  in  11 15.  He  is  there 
designed  M 'alius  Comes  Stradarnia.  He  signalised  himself  eminently  at  the  battle  of  the 
Standard,  22nd  August,  1138.  Before  the  battle  numerous  dissensions  arose  regarding 
the  right  to  occupy  the  van,  which  King  David  was  allotting  to  the  Norman  men-at- 
arms,  in  derogation  of  the  claims  of  the  men  of  Galloway  to  that  honourable  position. 
Thereon  Malise,  Earl  of  Stratherne,  exclaimed  indignantly  to  the  King,  "  Whence  arises 
this  mighty  confidence  in  these  Normans  ?  I  wear  no  armour,  yet  they  who  do  will  not 
advance  beyond  me  this  day."  Malise  is  a  witness  to  two  charters  by  King  David — one 
in  the  early  part  of  his  reign  to  the  Monastery  of  Dunfermline,  and  one  later  in  which 
David  grants  to  Dunfermline  the  whole  "shire"  of  Kirkcaldy.  His  son  and  successor 
was 

II.  Fereth,  2nd  Comes  Siradern.  Soon  after  the  accession  of  Malcolm  IV.  Fereth 
appears  as  witness  to  a  charter  of  confirmation  by  that  monarch  to  the  Monastery  of 
Dunfermline,  being  the  first  charter  noted  in  Malcolm's  reign.  Malcolm,  Earl  of  Athol, 
and  the  Comes  de  Angus  were  also  present  on  that  occasion.  This  Earl  headed  the  revolt 
of  six  of  the  seven  Earls  of  Scotland  against  Malcolm  IV.  in  1160.     Various  motives 

*Tvtler.  +  Skene;  Xisbet ;  Burke. 


436  THE  EARLS  PALATINE  OF  STRATHERNE. 


have  been  attributed  for  this  disaffection  of  the  nobles.  One  authority  ascribes  the 
conspiracy  to  the  too  great  familiarity  of  Malcolm  with  Henry,  the  English  King,  and 
his  dislike  of  Louis,  the  French  King.  Another  imputes  the  intention  to  depose 
Malcolm,  and  establish  on  the  throne  William  the  Atheling,  "  the  Boy  of  Egremont," 
grandson  of  Duncan.  Fordun,  quoting  the  Chronicle  of  Melrose,  says  : — "Six  Earls, 
Ferchard,  Earl  of  Stratherne,  to  wit,  and  five  other  Earls,  being  stirred  up  against  the 
King — not  to  compass  any  selfish  end  or  through  treason,  but  rather  to  guard  the 
common  weal — sought  to  take  him,  and  laid  siege  to  the  keepe  of  that  town  (Perth). 
God  so  ordering  it,  however,  their  undertaking  was  brought  to  nought  for  the  nonce, 
and  after  not  many  days  had  rolled  by  he  was,  by  the  advice  of  the  clergy,  brought 
back  to  a  good  understanding  with  his  nobles."  In  the  same  year  Fereth  witnesses 
a  grant  by  Malcolm  to  the  Monastery  of  Scone.  Dying  in  1171,  he  left  two  sons: 
Gilbert,  next  Earl  ;  and  Malise,  designed  brother  of  Gilbert  in  the  foundation  charter 
of  Inchaffray,  and  to  whom  King  William  the  Lion  gave  Kincardine,  to  be  holden  of 
Earl  Robert.  The  History  of  the  Saint  Clairs  assigns  to  Fereth  a  daughter,  Rosabelle  (or 
Katharine),  who  became  lady  to  Sir  William  St.  Clair. 

III.  Gilbert,  3rd  Earl,  succeeded  in  1171  on  the  demise  of  Fereth,  his  father. 
Three  years  later  (1174)  he  is  one  of  the  hostages  for  the  ransom  of  William  the  Lion, 
and  presently  (1178-80)  he  appears  receiving  a  charter  from  that  monarch,  which  is 
followed  by  another  at  an  interval  of  a  few  years,  anterior,  however,  to  1189.  In  1198 
he  founded  the  Monastery  of  Inchaffray,  Insula  Missarum  (the  Isle  of  Masses),  in 
Stratherne,  and  endowed  it  largely  for  canons  regular.  In  July,  12 10,  he  divided  his 
Earldom  into  three  equal  portions  :  one  he  gave  to  the  Bishopric  of  Dumblane,  another 
to  the  Monastery  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  and  monks  of  Inchaffray,  and  the  third 
portion  he  reserved  to  himself  and  his  heirs.  He  is  one  of  the  seven  Earls  of  Scotland 
at  the  coronation  of  Alexander  II.  in  1214.  Contemporary  with  this  Earl  was  Gilleness, 
Seneschal  de  Stratherne,  who  left  two  sons,  Malise,  Seneschal  de  Stratherne ,  and  Anechol, 
thane  of  Duning.  Earl  Gilbert  died  in  1223.  By  Matilda,  daughter  of  William 
d'Aubigny,  Earl  of  Albemarle,  he  had  issue  : 

1.  Gilchrist;  2.  William;  and  3.  Ferouhard,  died  v.p. 

4.  Robert,  4th  Earl.  5.  Fergus,  living  circ.  1200. 

1.  Christian,  married  Sir  Walter  Oliphant.  2.  Mary,  married  William  Hamilton. 

IV.  Robert,  4th  Earl,  witnessed  a  charter  of  Alexander  II.  of  the  Earldom 
of  Fife  in  the  eleventh  year  of  that  sovereign's  reign,  1224-5.  0"n  tae  3T&  April,  1231, 
Alexander  II.,  by  charter  under  the  Great  Seal,  ratifies  and  confirms  a  former  deed  and  grant 
by  Earl  Robert  to  Congal,  son  of  Duncan,  son  of  Malcolm,  of  the  lands  of  Tullibardine. 
Muriel,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Congall,  married  Malise,  Seneschal  0/  Stratherne.  When  the 
differences  between  Alexander  II.  and  Henry  II.  were  accommodated  by  the  Cardinal 
Legate  at  York  in  1237,  Robert  was  one  of  the  witnesses  to  the  treaty,  and  was  bound 
by  oath  to  maintain  the  agreement.  He  died  before  1244,  having,  besides  Malise,  his 
son  and  heir,  Annabella,  married  to  Sir  David  Graham  of  Dundaff  (ancestor  of  the  Dukes 
of  Montrose),  who  got  with  her  the  barony  of  Kincardine  ;  and  Amatilda,  married  to 
Malcolm,  Earl  of  Fife.  (Elsewhere  it  is  stated  the  widow  of  Malcolm,  Earl  of  Fife, 
married  the  heir  of  the  Earl  of  Mar.)  In  another  work  he  is  reported  to  have  had  a 
daughter,  Lucia,  married  to  Sir  William  St.  Clair.  Isabel,  Countess  of  Strathern, 
mentioned  as  second  wife  of  Sir  Walter  Comyn,  Earl  of  Menteith,  was  probably  relict  of 
this  Earl. 


THE  EARLS  PALATINE  OF  STRATHERNE.  437 

V.  Malise  II.,  5th  Earl,  succeeded  his  father  in  fortune  and  dignity.  When 
Alexander  II.  and  Henry  III.,  anno  1244,  entered  into  a  similar  treaty  to  that  between 
Alexander  and  Henry  II.,  this  Malise  was  one  of  the  guarantees.  In  1249  he  assisted 
at  the  coronation  of  Alexander  III.  He  married,  about  1243,  Marjory  ('aged  24  in  1249, 
and  dead  in  1254),  the  second  of  the  three  daughters  and  co-heiresses  of  Robert  de 
Muschamp,  Baron  of  Wooler,  and  had  issue  two  daughters  and  co-heiresses  : 

1.  Muriei.LA,  born  in  1244,  married  the  Earl  of  Mar,  and  died  1291-2  s.p. 

2.  Marjory  or  Mary,  born  in   1248,  married  Nicholas  de  Graham  (died  ante  1306),  and  was 

mother  of  John  de  Graham,  aged  28  in  1306. 
It  is  also  stated*  that  Issenda,  sister  of  Sir  Gilbert  Gask,  was  Countess  of  Stratherne. 
She  would  be  contemporaneous  with  this  Earl.  According  to  Douglas,  he  married  the 
lady  Egidia  Comyn  (she  married,  secondly,  Philip  Meldram),  daughter  of  Alexander, 
second  Earl  of  Buchan,  but  Nisbet  has  it  that  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  John 
Comyn,  Lord  of  Badenoch,  by  whom  he  had  Malise,  his  heir.  Balfour,  in  his  Annals, 
has  under  1272  :  "This  same  zeire,  also,  deyed  that  gallant  and  generous  noblemane, 
Malisse,  Earle  of  Stratherne,  in  France  ;  quhosse  corpse  wer  enbalraed  and  brought  home 
to  Scotland  and  solemly  interred  at  Dumblaine." 

VI.  Malise  III.,  6th  Earl,  succeeded  on  his  father's  demise.  He  may  have  firstly 
married  the  Lady  Matilda  of  Orkney,  daughter  of  Gilbride  II.  of  Orkney,  she  being 
contemporary  with  him.  He  certainly  married  Maria,  daughter  of  Alexander,  Lord  of 
Argyle,  and  Dowager-Queen  of  Man,  whose  husband,  Reginald,  King  of  Man,  had  died 
in  1269.  Malise  was  one  of  the  guarantees  of  the  marriage  treaty  of  the  Princess 
Margaret  of  Scotland  with  Eric,  King  of  Norway,  in  1281.  He  sat  in  the  Parliament  of 
Scone,  1283-4,  when  the  Scottish  nobles  became  bound  to  acknowledge  Margaret  of 
Norway  as  their  sovereign  in  the  event  of  the  demise  of  Alexander  III.  At  Duffaly,  on 
All  Saints'  Eve,  1284,  Henry,  son  of  the  quondam  Malise,  Seneschal  of  Stratherne, 
confirms  the  charter  of  his  mother,  Muriel,  daughter  of  Congal,  to  William  de  Moravia 
(son  of  Malcolm  de  Moravia)  and  his  wife  Adda  (daughter  to  Muriel  and  sister  to  Henry) 
of  the  lands  of  Tullibardine.  This  Muriel,  lady  to  Malise,  Seneschal  of  Stratherne,  has 
been  erroneously  mentioned  as  Countess  of  Stratherne,  and  Sir  George  Mackenzie,  in  his 
Science  of  Heraldry,  gives  us  as  an  uncouth  specimen,  and  in  illustration  of  the  antiquity 
of  using  supporters,  the  shield  of  arms  of  Muriel  [Countess  of  Stratherne]  supported  on 
the  left  side  by  a  falcon  standing  upon  the  neck  of  a  duck,  lying  under  the  base  point 
of  a  formal  shield,  and  all  placed  within  a  lozenge,  which  he  dates  from  the  year  1284, 
and  which  is  •'  the  oldest  and  ancientest  that  ever  I  met  with."  In  1286  he  grants  a 
charter  of  the  lands  of  Cairntulloch  to  Malcolm,  Lord  of  Logie,  son  of  the  quondam 
Malise,  Lord  Seneschal  of  Stralherne.  This  deed  is  witnessed  by  Alexander,  Earl  of 
Buchan,  Justiciary  of  Scotland,  and  Sir  Malcolm  Moray,  who  married  the  daughter  and 
heiress  of  Sir  Gilbert  Gask,  and  whose  son  William  married  Adda,  daughter  of  Malise, 
Seneschal  of  Stratherne,  by  Muriel,  daughter  of  Congal  Fitz-Duncan.  Malise,  Earl  of 
Stratherne,  appears  together  with  Maria,  Regina  de  Man  and  Comitissa  de  Stralherne,  in 
July,  1292,  swearing  fealty  to  Edward  I.  of  England.  In  1292  Maria,  Comitissa  de 
S/ralheme,  who  was  wife  of  Hugh  de  .Abernethy,  was  summoned  to  Parliament  to  show 
cause  why  she  should  not  restore  to  Alexander,  son  of  the  said  Hugh,  certain  properties. 
From  this  it  would  seem  that  Alexander  de  Abernethy  was  nearing,  or  had  attained,  his 


Nisbet. 


438  THE  EARLS  PALATINE  OF  STRATHERNE 

majority,  hence  the  claim.  That  this  Maria  was  not  the  Queen-Dowager  of  Man  is 
made  manifest  by  them  both  appearing  in  a  list  of  widows  in  1296.  It  is  most  consistent 
with  chronology  to  suppose  the  re-marriage  of  Maria  Comyn,  relict  of  Malise  II.,  who 
died  in  1271-2,  with  Hugh  Abernethy  soon  after  the  Earl's  death,  and  thus  Alexander, 
the  issue  of  the  second  marriage,  would  be  attaining  his  majority  and  claiming  the 
paternal  estates.  In  1293  Malise  had  a  daughter,  Matilda,  contracted  to  Robert  de 
Thony,  being  not  yet  in  her  twentieth  year.*  Malise  was  one  of  the  Scottish  nobles 
summoned  to  attend  Edward  I.  into  Gascony,  1st  September,  1294.  In  1296  he  was  in 
the  Scottish  army  that  invaded  England,  for  which,  it  appears,  his  estates  were 
sequestered.  He,  however,  again  rendered  fealty  to  Edward  on  the  13th  July,  1296, 
when  the  English  monarch  issued  an  order  to  repone  Maria  {quae  uxor  Malise,  Earl  de 
S. )  in  her  possessions.  As  Maria,  Countess  of  Stratherne,  who  was  wife  of  Hugh  de 
Abernethy,  also  appears  in  a  list  of  widows  that  year  (1296),  Skene  presumes  that 
Malise  was  then  dead,  thus  accounting  for  her  widowhood,  and,  going  back  to  her 
previous  appearance  as  Countess  of  S.  in  February,  1292,  considers  it  established  that 
Malise  III.  had  died  before  that  date,  and  that  his  son  and  successor,  Malise  IV.,  held 
the  dignity  for  the  brief  interval  between  February,  1292,  and  1296,  and  was 
the  husband  of  Maria,  Countess  de  Stratherne,  who  was  the  wife  of  Hugh  de 
Abernethy,  and  that  by  1296  Malise  IV.  had  died.  This  is  all  highly  speculative  and 
improbable,  and  it  is  more  likely  that  Malise  III.  did  not  die  till  after  13 10,  as  Malise  IV. 
— presumably  of  almost  even  age  with  his  sister  Matilda — would  have  been  born  about 
1272,  and  could  scarcely  have  had  a  son  old  enough  to  appear  in  the  siege  of  Perth  in 
1310.  Malise  IV.  joined  John  Comyn,  Lord  of  Badenoch,  in  an  expedition  to  England 
in  1297,  where  they  besieged  Carlyle,  but  had  to  raise  the  siege  and  return  to  Scotland. 
Presently  they  re-assembled,  and  took  Dunbar,  but  the  English  made  a  vigorous  effort 
and  succeeded  in  recovering  it.  Nisbet,  with  uncertain  authority,  places  the  death  of 
"the  loyal  Earl  Malise,  last  of  his  race,"  in  1300.  The  Earl  was  with  the  English 
garrison  in  Perth,  besieged  by  Bruce  in  1310,  under  whose  banners  his  son  Malise 
fought  and  made  him  prisoner.  It  is  likely  both  sire  and  son  fought  for  Bruce  at 
Bannockburn.  Gordon,  in  his  "  History  of  Bruce,"  when  describing  that  battle,  makes 
King  Edward  rush  into  the  throng  with  the  '  characteristic  bravery  of  his  race,'  killing 
the  Earl  of  Stratherne  and  his  son,  and  other  knights  whose  names  are  unrecorded. 

"  Their  angry  King 
Most  bravely  from  his  troops  doth  forth  advance, 

And  there  were  killed  by  his  princely  hand 

Seven  valiant  Knights  whose  names  hath  Time  forgot. 

Stratherne's  old  Earl  there  dy'd  beneath  his  Brand 
Whose  Son  with  Sorrow  prick'd,  with  Fury  hot 

Did  fiercely  him  assail,  but  all  in  vain  ; 

Death  made  him  soon  forget  his  Father's  pain." 
The  Earl  died  between  1310  and  1320,  leaving,  beside  his  son  and  successor,  Malise  IV., 
a  daughter  Mary,  married  to  Sir  John  Murray  of  Abercairney,  who  had  issue  Sir  Maurice 
Moray,  who  married  his  cousin,  Johanna  de  Stratherne,  Countess-Dowager  of  Athole, 
in  1339;  created  Earl  of  Stratherne  in  1345  ;  and  fell  at  Durham  in  1346  ;  and  another 
daughter,  Matilda,  in  1293,  contracted  to  Robert  de  Thony,  who  died  s.p.  131 1. 

*  Ork.  Saga  introd. 


THE  EARLS  PALATINE  OF  STRATHERNE.  439 

VII.  Malise  IV.,  7th  Earl,  was  born  about  1272,  and  we  have  already  seen  him 
figure  at  the  siege  of  Perth  in  13 10.  He  was  married  vita  pain's*,  as  appears  by  a 
charter  of  King  Robert  (1306-29)  of  the  lands  of  Kingkell,  Brechin,  to  Maria  de 
Stratherne,  wife  of  Malise  de  Stratherne,  being  then  in  apparency  only,  as  the  title  is 
not  accorded  him,  yet  this  same  Maria  figures  as  Countess  of  Stratherne  when  involved 
in  the  Brechin-Soulis  conspiracy  of  1320,  so  his  father,  Malise  III.  must  have  died  before 
that  year.  Soon  after  1319  he  confirms  the  grant  of  his  father,  Malise  III.,  to  Sir  John 
Murray  and  Mary,  daughter  of  Malise  III.  In  1320  he  signs  the  celebrated  ltre.  to  the 
Pope.  In  1 33 1  he  possesses  the  fourth  part  of  Caithness,  and  falls  at  Halidon  Hill  on 
nth  July,  1333.  The  Orcadian  Diploma  records  that  Malise  II.  of  Orkney,  and  V.  of 
Stratherne,  married,  first,  Johanna,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Menteith,  but  it  seems 
certain  that  Malise  IV.  also  married,  secondly,  a  daughter  of  Sir  John  Menteith,  by 
whom  he  had  a  daughter,  Johanna,  married,  first,  to  John  Campbell,  Earl  of  Athol, 
died  1333  ;  secondly,  John  de  Warrenne,  Earl  of  Warren,  Surrey,  and  Stratherne  ;  and, 
thirdly  (during  life  of  her  second  husband),  to  her  cousin,  Sir  Maurice  de  Moray  (died 
1346),  whom  she  survived.  Malise  seems  also  to  have  married  the  heiress  of  Orkney 
(probably  a  daughter  of  John  II.  by  his  countess,  a  daughter  of  Graham  of  Lovat), 
for  he  acquired  the  possessions  and  dignities  of  the  Earldoms  of  Orkney  and  Caithness, 
and  these,  as  well  as  those  of  Stratherne,  he  transmitted  to  his  son  and  successor 

VIII.  Malise  V.,  8th  Earl.  From  Dean  Gule's  translation  of  the  Orcadian  Diploma 
we  ascertain  that  King  Magnus  of  Norway  iiad  directed  the  Lawman  and  Commons  of 
Orkney  to  deliver  to  Earl  Malise  all  charters,  evidents,  and  letters  of  privilege  pertaining 
to  him  concerning  the  Earldom  of  Orkney.  Very  little  is  known  of  this  Earl.  In  1334 
he  had  endeavoured  to  recover  Stratherne,  which  Earldom  King  Edward  III.  of  England 
had  bestowed  on  Earl  John  de  Warrenne,  brother-in-law  of  Malise.  He  is  supposed  to 
have  visited  Norway  about  the  same  year,  and  in  1344  failing  heirs-male,  makes  a 
speciald  estination  of  the  Earldom  of  Caithness  to  his  daughter  Isabella,  who  presently 
married  Sir  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  and,  surviving  all  other  issue  of  her  father, 
died  post  1404,  transmitting  her  claim  to  that  Earldom  to  her  son  Earl  Henry  II. 
of  Orkney,  who  allowed  it  to  remain  dormant,  but  the  claim  was  successfully  revived  in 
the  person  of  his  son,  Earl  William,  who  thus  became  first  of  his  line  Earl  of  Caithness, 
anno  1455.  The  Diploma  states  that  Earl  Malise  married,  first,  Joanna,  daughter  of 
the  Earl  of  Menteith  (perhaps  his  cousin),  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Matilda,  married  Weyland  de  Ard,  and  had  an  only  child— 
Alexander  de  Ard,  Earl  ok  Caithness  (1375)  s.p. 
And  secondly,  Marjory,  daughter  of  Hugh,  Earl  of  Ross,  by  whom  he  had — 

1.  Isabella,  married  to  Sir  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  and  had,  with  other  issue— 

Henry  St.  Clair,  Karl  ok  Orkney,  1379. 

2.  Annot  (or  Meretta),  married  Ereugisle  Suneson,  jure  uxoris,  Karl  of  Orkney,  1353-57,  s.p. 

3.  Daughter,  married  Gothorm  Spar,  and  had 

Sir  Malise  Spar,  Claimant  ok  Orkney,  slain  s.p. 

4.  Euphemia,  died  without  issue. 

The  Earldom  of  Stratherne  was  apparently  a  male  fief.  Earl  Malise  is  presumed  to  have 
died  before  1345,  in  which  year  [his  brother-in-law  and  cousin],  Sir  Maurice  Moray,  was 
created  Earl  of  Stratherne,  who  falling  at  Durham  the  following  year,  the  Earldom  was 
given  to  Robert  Stuart, f  first  of  his  line  King  of  Scotland,  who,  later  on  when  he 
ascended  the  throne,  assigned  it  to  his  brother  David. 

*  Burke.  t  The  Steward  was  also  brother-in-law  to  Earl  Malise  V. 


44Q  THE  ORCADIAN  EPISCOPATE. 


THE  ORCADIAN  EPISCOPATE.* 

1050  c.  Thorolf  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Orkney  in  the  middle  of  the  xith 
century  by  Adalbert,  Archbishop  of  Hamburg,  in  response  to  a  requisition  from  the 
Orcadians. 

Adalbert  is  mentioned  as  his  successor  in  the  see. 

1070  c.  Ralph  was  consecrated  at  York  by  Thomas,  Archbishop  of  York  (1070 — 
1 100),  assisted  by  Wulstan,  Bishop  of  Worcester,  and  Peter,  Bishop  of  Chester.  It 
appears  from  a  letter  that  Ralph,  an  Orcadian  cleric,  had  been  sent  by  Earl  Paul  to 
Lanfranc,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  to  be  consecrated  Bishop  of  his  realm.  Ralph  will 
be  the  bishop  who  assisted  the  Archbishop  of  York  in  1109  to  consecrate  Turgot  as 
Bishop  of  St.  Andrew's.  Anselm,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  (1092 — 1107),  wrote  to 
Earl  Hakon  Paulson  exhorting  him  and  his  people  to  obey  the  Bishop,  ' '  whom  now  by 
the  grace  of  God  they  had." 

1 100  c.   Roger  was  consecrated  by  Gerard,  Archbishop  of  York  (1100 — 1108). 

1 138  c.  Ralph,  presbyter  of  York,  said  to  have  been  elected  by  the  Orcadians,  was 
consecrated  by  Archbishop  Thomas,  successor  to  Gerard.  He  figures  in  the  accounts  of 
the  battle  of  Northallerton,  1138.  Papal  letters  were  addressed  in  his  favour  to  the 
Norwegian  kings  Sigurd  and  Eystein,  in  one  of  which  it  is  expressly  stated  that  another 
bishop  had  been  intruded  in  his  place. 

The  preceding  appointments  appear  to  have  been  only  titular,  in  exercise  of  primatial 
contention  by  York  that  Scotland  and  the  Isles  lay  within  the  jurisdiction,  and  by 
Hamburg  that  as  successors  to  St.  Anschar,  Hamburg  was  metropolitan  for  all  Scandi- 
navian churches.  Meantime  the  Norwegians  made  their  own  bishops,  and  conveyed 
possession  of  the  see,  which  disposed  effectually  of  the  pretensions  of  prelates  with  titular 
consecrations. 


1 102.  I.  William  I.,  the  Old,  occupied  the  see  for  66  years  from  consecration  in 
1 102  till  death  in  1168.  His  remains  were  discovered  in  1848  in  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral 
in  a  leaden  cist  inscribed  :  "  Hie  Requiescit  Willialmus  Senex,  Felicis  Memorice,  Primus 
Episcopus."  The  see  was  first  at  Birsay,  where  was  Thorfinn's  cathedral  erection  of 
Christ's  Kirk,  but  when  St.  Magnus'  was  built  in  1137  the  see  was  translated. 
Anastasius  made  Troudheim  metropolitan  in  1 1 54,  and  declared  Bishop  William  one  of 
its  suffragans. 

1 168.   II.  William  II.  died  in  1188. 

1 188.  III.  Bjarni  Skald  was  the  son  of  Kolbein  Hruga.  He  was  a  famous  poet, 
and  to  him  is  ascribed  Xhzjomsvikitigadrapa — Lay  of  the  Jomsburg  Vikings.  Innocent  III. 
addressed  to  him  a  bull,  27th  May,  1198,  in  connection  with  the  refusal  of  John,  Bishop 
of  Caithness,  to  collect  in  the  latter  diocese  an  annual  tribute  granted  by  Earl  Harald  II. 
He  conveyed  to  the  monastery  of  Munkalif,  Bergen,  the  land  called  Holand,  near  the 
Dalsfiord,  north  of  Bergen,  "for  the  souls  of  his  father,  mother,  brother,  relations  and 
friends."     He  died  in  1223. 


Dr.  Anderson's  introduction  to  Orkn.  Saga. 


THE  ORCADIAN  EPISCOPATE.  441 


1223.  IV.  Jofkeyk,  Dean  of  Tunsberg,  was  consecrated  in  1223.  Gregory  IX.,  by 
bull  at  Viterbo,  nth  May,  1237,  enjoined  Sigurd,  Archbishop  of  Drontheim,  to  either 
remove  him  or  provide  him  with  an  assistant,  as  he  had  been  paralytic  for  many  years. 
Jofreyr,  however,  retained  the  see  till  his  death  in  1247.  In  his  time  Honorius  III. 
issued  a  Brief  dated  3rd  November,  1226,  to  Nicolas,  Archdeacon  of  Jhatland,  directing 
him  to  disburse  the  twentieth  of  all  ecclesiastical  revenues  to  Jarl  Skule,  then  arming  for 
a  crusade. 

1247.  V.  Henry,  Canon  of  Orkney,  received  dispensation  9th  December,  1247,  from 
Innocent  IV.  for  defect  of  birth.  He  accompanied  King  Hakon  in  1263,  and  died  in 
1269. 

1270.  VI.  Peter  was  consecrated  in  1270,  and  died  in  1284.  A  Brief  of  his  at 
Tunsberg,  3rd  September,  1278,  grants  forty  days'  indulgence  to  those  in  his  diocese 
contributing  to  restore  St.  Swithin's  Cathedral  at  Stavanger,  which  had  been  destroyed 
by  fire. 

1286.  VII.   Dolgfinn,  consecrated  in  1286,  died  in  1309. 

1310.  VIII.  William  III.  was  consecrated  in  1310.  At  the  Provincial  Council  held 
at  Bergen  in  1320,  Eilif,  the  Archbishop,  preferred  several  complaints  against  Bishop 
William.  Eilif  had  sent  Kormak,  Archdeacon  of  the  Sudreys,  and  Grim  Ormson, 
prebendary  of  Drontheim,  on  a  visitation  to  the  Orcadian  diocese.  These  clerics  reported 
that  the  Bishop  had  scpuandered  the  property  of  the  see,  had  bestowed  the  offices  on 
foreigners  and  apostates,  had  compromised  his  dignity  by  participation  in  the  boisterous 
pastime  of  hunting  and  other  unseemly  diversions,  had  imprisoned  Ingilbert  Lyning,  a 
canon  of  Orkney,  and  had  refused  to  permit  removal  of  the  corpse  of  an  Orcadienne, 
although  her  will  directed  interment  in  the  Trondheim  Cathedral. 

1328.  IX.  William  IV.  succeeded  sometime  after  the  year  1328.  He  is  noticed  in 
an  important  record  of  1369,  and  was  slain  in  1382. 

1390  X.  William  V.  occurs  in  a  Scottish  instrument  temp.  Robert  III. 

1394.   XI.   Henry  II.     Torfasus  cites  an  appearance  in  this  year. 

1397.  XII.  John  is  a  party  to  the  Union  Treaty  of  Calmar. 

XIII.  Patrick  appears  in   an    attestation   by   the  Lawman  of  Orkney,   two 

canons  of  St.  Magnus',  and  four  burgesses  of  Kirkwall,  as  to  the  descent  and  good  name 
of  James  of  Cragy,  laird  of  Hupe.  The  instrument  alludes  to  many  losses,  injuries,  and 
disquietudes  endured  by  this  bishop  at  the  hands  of  his  adversaries. 

1416.  XIV.  Alexander  Vause,  sir,  the  elected  Bishop  of  Caithness  is  now  Bishop- 
elect  of  Orkney. 

141 8.  XV.  Thomas  de  Tulloch  first  appears  in  existing  records  in  1418.  He  seems 
to  have  been  previously  Bishop  of  Ross.  The  chief  events  of  his  episcopal  rule  have  been 
already  referred  to. 

1 46 1.  XVI.  William  VI.,  de  Tulloch,  was  the  last  bishop  during  Norwegian 
domination  in  the  Orkneys.  In  his  time  Sixtus  IV.  by  bull,  17th  August,  1472, 
transferred  the  Orcadian  see  from  the  Norwegian  to  the  Scottish  metropolitan.  In 
succession  to  him  were 

1477.  XVII.  Andrew  ;  [1501.  Andrew];  1511.  XVIII.  EDWARDStewart ;  [Thomas]  ; 
1525.  XIX.  Robert  Maxwell ;  1540.  XX.  Robert  II.,  Reid  ;  1558.  XXI.  Adam  Bothwell 


442  THE  CAITHNESS  EPISCOPATE. 

to  1580;    1606.  XXII.  James  Law  ;    1615.  XXIII.  George  Graham;    [1639.  Robert 
Baron]  ;    1662.  XXIV.  Thomas  St.  Serf;    1664.  XXV.   Andrew  III.,  Horiyman  ;    1676 
XXVI.  Murdoch  Mackenzie  [1688.   Andrew  Bruce]. 
Abolition  of  episcopacy. 

THE  CAITHNESS  EPISCOPATE.* 

Before  the  death  of  Earl  Rugnvald  in  1158  there  was  a  monastery  at  Dornoch,  for 
King  David  (1  124-53)  addressed  a  missive  to  Rognvald,  Earl  of  Orkney,  and  to  the  Earl 
of  Caithness  (Harald  Maddadsson),  and  to  all  good  men  in  Caithness  and  Orkney, 
requesting  them  to  protect  the  monks  living  at  Durnach  in  Caithness,  their  servants  and 
their  effects,  and  to  see  that  they  sustained  no  loss  or  injury.  The  diocese  was  seemingly 
co-extensive  with  the  older  Earldom,  comprehending  Caithness  and  Sutherland  as  far 
south  as  the  Kyle  of  Sutherland.  The  see  was  first  at  Halkirk,  near  Thurso,  the 
Hd  Kir  km,  or  High  Kirk  of  the  Saga  ;  in  later  times  the  Cathedral  Church  was  at 
Dornoch. 

1 153.  I.  Andrew,  the  first  bishop  on  record,  was  a  learned  man,  much  about  the 
court  of  David  I.  He  is  said  to  have  been  author  of  the  curious  treatise  "De  Situ 
Albanice,"  attributed  to  Giraldus  Cambrensis.  In  1153  he  received  from  David  I.  grant 
of  the  lands  of  Hector  Conon,  and  gave  one  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity  of  Dunkeld 
to  the  monks  of  Dunfermline  ;  in  1165  he  and  Murethac,  his  clerk,  witness  a  charter 
confirming  the  said  gift,  by  Gregory,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld  ;  about  1181  he  witnesses  the 
grant  of  Earl  Harald  to  the  see  of  Rome  of  a  penny  annually  from  every  inhabited  house 
in  Caithness  ;  he  is  also  a  witness  to  a  document  engrossed  in  the  Book  of  Deer,  by  which 
King  David  I.  declares  the  clerics  of  Deer  to  be  free  from  all  lay  interference  and  undue 
exaction,  "as  it  is  written  in  their  book,  and  as  they  pleaded  at  Banff  and  swore  at 
Aberdeen."     He  died  at  Dunfermline,  30th  December,  1185. 

1 198.  II.  John,  refusing  to  collect  the  grant  to  Rome,  Innocent  III.  in  a  bull,  27th 
May,  1 198,  enjoined  Bishops  Bjarni  of  Orkney  and  Reginald  of  Ross  to  compel  Bishop 
John  to  cease  opposing  the  collection  on  pain  of  the  censure  of  the  Church.  When  Earl 
Harald  recovered  Caithness  in  1202  he  was  so  exasperated  with  the  Bishop  as  to  authorise 
or  allow  the  soldiery  to  mutilate  him.     Bishop  John  survived  till  12 13. 

1 2 14.  III.  Adam,  Abbot  of  Melrose,  was  consecrated  in  12 14  by  Malvoisin,  Bishop  of 
St.  Andrew's.  In  1218  he  went  on  a  pilgrimage  to  Rome  with  the  Bishops  of  Glasgow 
and  Moray.  Exasperating  the  Caithnessians  by  excessive  exactions,  they  burnt  him  in 
his  own  kitchen  at  Halkirk  in  1222.  In  consequence  of  apparent  comitial  complicity  or 
approval  of  this  crime,  Alexander  II.  deprived  Earl  John  of  Sutherland,  and  tortured  80 
of  the  ringleaders.  Honorius  III.,  in  January,  1222,  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Scottish 
bishops  commending  the  promptitude  and  zeal  shown  by  the  Scottish  king.  His  body 
(or  ashes)  received  interment  in  the  church  at  Skinnet,  and  was  afterwards,  it  is  said, 
removed  to  Dornoch  in  1239. 

1223.  IV.  Gilbert  de  Moravia,  Archdeacon  of  Moray,  was  consecrated  in  1223.  He 
built  the  Cathedral  at  Dornoch,  and  his  charter  of  constitution  is  still  extant  in  the 
archives  at  Dunrobin.      The  churches  assigned   to  the  prebends  were  those  of  Clyne, 


Dr.  Anderson's  introduction  to  Orkn.  Saga. 


THE  CAITHNESS  EPISCOPATE  443 

Dornoch,  Creich,  Rogart,  Lairg,  Farr,  Kildonan,  and  Durness,  in  Sutherland;  and 
Bower,  Watten,  Skinnet,  Olrig,  Dunnet,  and  Canisbay,  in  Caithness.  Golspie  and  Loth, 
Reay,  Thurso,  Wick,  and  Latheron  were  reserved  to  the  bishop.  He  named  the  Abbot 
of  Scone  as  one  of  his  canons.  The  abbey  of  Scone  was  proprietor  of  the  church  of 
Kildonan,  which,  with  its  chapels  and  lands,  was  confirmed  to  the  canons  of  Scone  by 
Honorius  III.  in  1226.  This  prelate  built  the  "Bishop's  Castle"  at  Scrabster,  and  was 
made  keeper  of  the  king's  castles  in  the  north.  He  found  a  gold  mine  in  his  lands  in 
Duriness,  and  is  traditional  builder  of  Kildrummy  Castle  in  Mar.  He  was  Lord 
Chancellor  of  Scotland.  Dying  at  Scrabster  in  1244  or  1245,  he  was  afterwards  canonised. 
His  relics  were  preserved  in  Dornoch  Cathedral  and  long  held  in  reverence.  A  record  of 
1545  apprises  us  that  the  parties  then  compearing  before  John,  Earl  of  Sutherland,  in  the 
chapter-house,  Dornoch,  made  oath  by  touching  the  relics  of  the  blessed  Saint  Gilbert. 

1250.  V.  William  appears  with  other  Scottish  bishops  in  an  address  of  1259  to 
Alexander  III.     He  died  in  1261  or  1262. 

1263.  VI.  Walter  de  Baltrodin,  canon  of  Caithness,  was  chosen  his  successor. 
Urban  IV.  in  a  letter  of  1263  announces  that  in  consideration  of  the  election  being 
unanimous,  etc.,  etc.,  he  is  satisfied  to  accept  it,  although  not  in  canonical  form.  He 
died  before  1274.  On  his  death,  Nicolas,  Abbot  of  Scone,  was  chosen  to  succeed  him, 
but  rejected  by  the  Pope,  when 

1275.  VII.  Archibald,  Archdeacon  of  Moray,  was  chosen.  The  Pope's  letter  of 
confirmation  mentions  as  his  nominees,  R.,  the  Dean,  Patrick,  the  treasurer,  and  Roger 
de  Castello,  canon  of  Caithness.  In  his  time  Boyamund  de  Vitia  was  commissioned  by 
Gregory  X.  to  collect  moneys  in  aid  of  the  crusade  ;  the  accounts  for  1274  and  1275 
furnish  the  names  of  various  churches  and  their  contributions.  Dying  before  1279  the 
chapter  elected  R.,  the  dean,  and  constituted  Magister  Henry  of  Nottingham,  a  canon  of 
Caithness,  to  procure  confirmation,  but  the  latter  confessing  in  the  Papal  presence  that 
the  dean  had  a  son,  thirty  years  of  age,  and  was  senile,  the  Bishops  of  St.  Andrew's  and 
Aberdeen  were  enjoined  to  use  their  influence  to  oblige  him  to  resign. 

1290.  VIII.  Alan  de  St.  Edmund,  an  Englishman,  was  elected  by  the  influence  of 
Edward  I.,  with  whom  he  was  a  great  favourite.  He  signed  the  letter  of  1290  to  that 
king  proposing  marriage  between  the  Maid  of  Norway  and  Prince  Edward  of  Wales.  He 
was  made  Chancellor  of  Scotland  in  1291  by  King  Edward,  who  in  that  year  directed 
Alexander  Comyn,  keeper  of  the  royal  forest  of  Ternway  in  Moray,  to  supply  Bishop 
Alan  with  forty  oaks  suitable  for  the  fabric  of  the  Cathedral  Church  of  Caithness,  which 
the  king  had  granted  for  the  souls  of  Alexander,  King  of  Scots,  and  Margaret,  his  queen, 
the  sister  of  the  donor.  Alan  died  the  same  year,  when  the  chapter  elected  as  his 
successor  I.  (oannes  ?)  their  archdeacon,  but  the  election  not  being  in  canonical  forniH  is 
Holiness  preferred  to  the  vacant  diocese 

1296.  IX.  Adam  II.,  precentor  of  Ross,  who  died  at  Sienna  shortly  after  the  papal 
letter  in  his  favour,  1296. 

1297.  X.  Andrew  II.,  Abbot  of  Cupar,  was  thereupon  preferred  to  the  vacancy, 
and  the  Bishops  of  Aberdeen,  Glasgow,  and  Ross  were  instructed  to  consecrate  him. 

1310.  XI.  Ferquhard  Beleraumbe  acknowledged  Bruce  in  1310;  in  131 2  attested 
payment  of  the  Annual  of  Norway  by  Robert  the  Bruce;  and  is  noted  10th  July,  1321, 
in  a  Scottish  record  (Reg.  Great  Seal).  He  was  dead  and  the  see  vacant  in  1328.  After 
him  are  these  : 


444  THE  CAITHNESS  EPISCOPATE. 


XII.  Nicholas,  bishop-elect  in  1332.  XIII.  David,  dead  before  1340.  XIV.  Alan 
II.,  Archdeacon  of  Aberdeen,  confirmed  in  1341,  dead  in  1342.  XV.  Thomas  de  Fingask, 
confirmed  November,  1342  ;  attests  writs  by  William,  Earl  of  Ross,  in  1355,  declaring 
the  abbey  of  Feme  exempt  from  all  the  king's  taxes  ;  in  1359  he  witnessed  a  deed  with 
Ingelram  of  Caithness,  Archdeacon  of  Dunkeld.  Dying  at  Elgin  in  1360  he  was 
buried  under  the  Bishop's  seat  in  our  Lady's  aisle  of  the  chanonry  church  there. 
XVI.  Malcolm  confirmed  21st  February,  1369.  Gregory  XL  in  March,  1376,  confirms 
to  Dr. William  of  Spynie,  the  chanonry  and  prebendary  of  the  church  of  Orkney,  rendered 
vacant  by  the  preferment  of  Malcolm  to  the  Caithness  see.  XVII.  Alexander  is  bishop 
in  1389,  when  he  is  found  adjusting  a  dispute  between  the  Earl  and  Bishop  of  Moray.  Sir 
Alex.  Vause  is  in  1416  the  elected  Bishop  of  Caithness  and  Bishop-elect  of  Orkney.  He  is 
noticed  in  theExch.  Rolls  then,  and  in  1420  ;  and  in  1426  John  of  Vause  gives  discharge  to 
the  Bishop  of  Caithness  for  £3  6s.  8d.,  and  the  Bishop  of  Orkney  for  ,£5.  XVIII.  Robert 
Strathbrock,  1434 — 1444.  XIX.  John  Inues,  dean  of  Ross,  died  1448.  XX.  William 
Moody,  1448 — 1469.  XXI.  Prosper,  elected,  but  resigned  in  favour  of  XXII. , 
John  Sinclair,  canon  of  Glasgow,  1481  ;  bishop-nominate  for  24  years,  during  which 
time  it  is  stated  that  the  dean,  Adam  Gordon,  third  son  of  the  Earl  of  Huntly,  discharged 
the  official  duties.  XXIII.  Andrew  Stewart  (1490),  Abbot  of  Fearn,  Rosshire,  Lord 
Treasurer  of  Scotland.  XXIV.  Andrew  Stewart  (15 18),  son  of  the  Earl  of  Athol, 
translated  from  Dunkeld.  XXV.  Robert  Stewart,  1542,  Earl  of  Lennox,  died  1586, 
when  the  see  was  vacant  for  fourteen  years.  XXVI.  George  Gledstanes,  1600,  minister 
of  St.  Andrew's,  translated  to  St.  Andrew's.  XXVII.  Alexander  Forbes,  1606,  rector 
of  Fettercairn,  translated  to  Aberdeen,  1615.  XXVIII.  John  Abernethy,  1624,  parson 
of  Jedburgh  ;  deprived  by  the  assembly  of  Glasgow,  1638.  XXIX.  Patrick  Forbes, 
1662.  XXX.  Andrew  Wood,  translated  from  the  Isles  ;  ejected  soon  after  the 
Revolution  in  1688,  and  died  at  Dunbar  1695. 


ORCADIAN  ARGONAUTS.  445 


ORCADIAN     ARGONAUTS, 

OR 

Voyages  ok  the  Zeni.* 
1374—1404- 

The  World's  Fair,  recently  held  in  Chicago  (1892)  in  commemoration  of  the  discovery 
of  America  by  Columbus  in  1492 — four  centuries  ago — will  doubtless  cause  considerable 
interest  to  attach  to  authenticated  accounts  of  previous  discoveries  by  navigators  of  equal 
enterprise  and  daring,  in  whose  wake  he  sailed,  and  more  especially  will  interest  be 
concentrated  on  the  expedition  of  discovery  immediately  preceding  that  of  Columbus, 
of  which  he  must  have  heard  when  he  visited  Iceland,  and  the  knowledge  of  which, 
in  all  human  probability,  demonstrated  to  him  the  certain  existence  of  land  towards 
the  western  confines  of  the  Atlantic. 

Almost  a  century  before  Columbus  commenced  his  baffling  search  for  a  patron 
among  the  sovereigns  of  Europe,  Henry  I.,  42nd  Earl  of  the  ancient,  autonomous 
maritime  principality  of  the  Orkneys  (which  comprehended  the  Lordship  of  Zetland), 
and  Premier  Magnate  of  the  Norwegian  realm,  had  commissioned  his  Admiral,  Antonio 
Zeno,  a  Venetian  navigator,  scion  of  the  renowned  Ducal  family  of  that  name,  to  retrace 
the  footsteps  of  the  Scandinavian  discoverers  of  the  Western  World,  f  The  narration  of 
the  voyages  and  discoveries  was  published  at  Venice  in  1558  by  Nicolo  Zeno,  member 
of  the  Council  of  Ten,  a  descendant  of  Antonio,  and,  recently,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Hakluyt  Society,  a  British  translation  has  been  printed,  edited  by  the  late  R.  H.  Major, 
a  distinguished  member  of  the  Society  and  Secretary  of  the  Royal  Geographical  Society. 
His  able  exposition  of  what  had  been  previously  considered  irreconcilable  inconsistencies, 
and  his  copious  elucidations,  have  completely  established  the  genuineness  of  the  discovery. 

Major  states  :  The  first  to  do  himself  honour  by  vindicating  the  truth  of  the  Zeno 
story  was  the  distinguished  companion  of  Captain  Cook  (the  circumnavigator),  Johann 
Reinhold  Forster,  in  a  work  published  in  1784  and  1786.  Amongst  others  who  uphold 
the  narrative  we  have  the  following  brilliant  array  of  savants  : — Eggers,  Cardinal  Zurla, 
Zach,  Malte  Brun,  Walckenaar,  de  la  Roquette,  the  Polish  geographer  Joachim  Lelewel, 
and  the  Danish  antiquary  Bredsdorff,  also  the  illustrious  and  far-seeing  Humboldt, 
who,  with  his  usual  large-mindedness,  although  he  perceived  the  difficulties  attaching 
to  the  narrative  of  the  Zeni,  said,  "On  y  trouve  de  la  candeur  et  des  descriptions 
detaillees  d'objets,  dont  rien  en  l'Europe  ne  pouvoit  leur  avoir  donne  l'idee."  Briefly 
the  story  is  as  follows  : — 

Toward  the  end  of  1389,  Nicolo  Zeno,  a  member  of  one  of  the  noblest  and  most 
ancient  families  of  Venice,  went,  at  his  own  expense,  on  a  voyage,  rather  of  curiosity 
than  discover}',  to  the  Northern  seas.  After  passing  through  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar  he 
steered  north,  and  presently  encountered  a  terrible  storm,  which  bore  the  vessel 
helplessly  on,  wrecking  him  on  the  Faroe  Islands.  This  was  in  the  year  1390.  Most  of 
the  goods  were  saved,  and  he  and  his  companions  were  rescued  from  the  wreckers  who 
beset  them  by  Henry  Saint-Clair,  the  Orcadian  Earl,  who  happened  to  be  near  the  place 

*  Prepared  from  Major's  work  by  permission  of  the  Hakluyt  Society.  f  Balfour. 


446  ORCADIAN  ARGONAUTS. 


with  an  armed  retinue.  Accosting  them  in  Latin,  he  assured  the  Venetians  of  his 
protection  and  took  them  into  his  service.  St.  Clair  was  a  great  lord,  and  possessed 
certain  islands  lying  not  far  from  the  Faroes  to  the  south,  being  the  richest  and  most 
populous  of  all  those  parts,  and  besides  the  said  small  islands  he  was  Duke  of  So  Rano 
[So.  Ronaldsa?],  lying  over  against  Scotland.  St.  Clair  then,  such  as  is  described, 
was  a  war-like,  valiant  man,  and  specially  famous  in  naval  exploits.  Having  the 
year  before  (1389)  gained  a  victory  over  the  representative  of  the  King  of  Norway 
(this  relates  to  the  conflict  in  1389  between  Henry  St.  Clair  and  Sir  Malise  Spar, 
his  cousin),  who  was  lord  of  the  island,  he,  being  anxious  to  win  renown  by  deed 
of  arms,  had  come  with  his  men  to  attempt  the  conquest  of  the  Faroes,  which  are 
somewhat  larger  than  the  Shetlands,  so  the  first  exploit  in  which  Nicolo  participated  was 
the  reduction  of  that  group.  (When  Hjaltland  was  separated  from  Orkney  in  1195  it  was 
united  to  the  Faroes.  They  had  the  same  Foud  and  Lawman,  who  resided  at  Scalloway.) 
This  was  accomplished  with  a  fleet  of  thirteen  vessels,  whereof  two  only  were  rowed 
with  oars,  the  rest  were  small  barks  and  one  ship.  As  Nicolo  greatly  contributed 
towards  the  skilful  navigation  of  the  fleet  through  the  dangerous  channels  between  the 
various  islands,  the  Earl  in  recognition  of  his  services  conferred  on  him  the  honour  of 
knighthood. 

Sir  Nicolo  then  wrote  to  his  brother  Antonio,  relating  his  adventurous  experiences, 
and  asking  him  to  join  him  and  bring  a  vessel  with  him.  Antonio  did  as  desired,  and, 
after  a  long  voyage,  in  which  he  encountered  many  perils,  at  length  joined  Sir  Nicolo, 
not  only  his  brother  by  blood,  but  also  in  courage.  Both  brothers  won  much  favour 
with  Earl  Henry,  and  to  gratify  Sir  Nicolo,  and  also  because  he  knew  full  well  his  value, 
he  made  him  Commander  of  his  Navy  (Armada). 

In  that  capacity  Sir  Nicolo,  with  his  brother,  accompanied  the  Earl  to  Hjaltland 
and  established  order  in  that  group.  The  Earl,  after  effecting  the  pacification  of 
Hjaltland,  built  a  fort  in  Bressay,  where  he  left  Sir  Nicolo  with  some  small  vessels  and 
men  and  stores,  and  then,  thinking  he  had  done  enough  for  the  present,  returned  with 
the  rest  of  the  squadron  to  the  capital  of  his  Archipelagian  dominions. 

Being  left  behind  in  Bressay,  Sir  Nicolo  determined  the  next  season  to  make  an 
excursion  with  the  view  of  discovering  land.  Accordingly,  in  the  month  of  July,  he 
fitted  out  three  small  barks,  and,  sailing  towards  the  North,  arrived  in  Greenland  of  the 
' '  glittering  plains  and  snowy  mountains. ' '  There  he  found  a  monastery  of  the  order 
of  the  Friars  Preachers,  and  a  church  dedicated  to  St.  Olaus,  hard  by  a  hill  which 
belched  forth  fire  like  Vesuvius  and  Etna.  To  this  monastery  resort  friars  from  Norway, 
Sweden,  and  other  countries,  but  the  greater  part  come  from  Iceland.  Sir  Nicolo  gives 
a  detailed  account  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  friars,  and  of  the  inhabitants,  as 
also  of  the  trade  of  that  district  with  other  places.  He  discovered  a  river,  which  is 
shown  on  the  map  of  Greenland,  drawn  by  the  Nicolo  of  later  times  from  a  mutilated 
chart  belonging  to  Antonio.  At  length  Sir  Nicolo,  not  being  accustomed  to  such  severe 
cold,  fell  ill,  and  a  little  while  after   he   returned   to  Grislanda  (Hross-ey   or  Gross-ey 

NOTE.— It  seems  from  information  received  since  preparing  this  article  that  Major's  case  is 
weakened  by  the  discovery  of  the  Carta  Marina  of  Olaus  Magnus.  There  is,  however,  no  doubt  in  my 
mind  but  that  voyages  took  place  as  represented  in  unknown  latitudes  in  the  Northern  seas. 
Frobisher  and  other  almost  contemporary  navigators  adopted  the  narration  without  question.  See 
map  of  1570  in  "  Saga  Time  "  by  Sigurd  Stephans,  Rector  of  Sk.ilholt. 


ORCADIAN  ARGONAUTS.  447 


becomes  Gross-Islanda  to  the  Venetians),  where  he  died,  a  victim  to  the  rigorous  climate 
of  those  northern  regions.  The  text  sets  forth  that  Nicolo  was  wrecked  on  the  Faroes 
in  1390,  soon  after  which  he  was  joined  by  Antonio,  who,  at  the  time  of  Nicolo's  death, 
had  been  with  him  four  years.  Nicolo  sailed  for  Greenland  in  July,  and  died  shortly 
after  his  return,  which  event  would  probably  have  occurred  before  the  end  of  the  year, 
and,  as  he  had  been  a  little  more  than  four  years  in  the  service  of  the  Earl,  we  are 
enabled  to  place  his  death  as  towards  the  end  of  1394. 

Antonio  succeeded  him  in  his  wealth  and  honour,  but,  although  he  strove  hard  in 
various  ways,  and  begged  and  prayed  most  earnestly,  he  could  never  obtain  permission 
to  return  to  his  own  country.  For  the  Earl,  being  a  man  of  great  enterprise  and  daring, 
had  determined  to  make  himself  master  of  the  sea.  Accordingly  he  proposed  to  avail 
himself  of  the  services  of  Antonio  by  sending  him  out  with  a  few  small  vessels  to  the 
westward,  because  in  that  direction  one  of  his  fishermen  subjects  had  reported  the 
existence  of  certain  very  rich  and  populous  lands. 

Six-and-twenty  years  before  then  (about  1374)  four  Orcadian  fishing  boats  put  out 
to  sea,  and,  meeting  a  heavy  storm,  were  driven  over  the  ocean  in  utter  helplessness 
for  many  days  ;  when  at  length,  the  tempest  abating,  they  discovered  an  island  called 
Estotiland  (probably  Newfoundland,  but  unquestionably  in  North  America),  lying  to  the 
westward  about  1,000  miles  from  (Grislanda  =  Hrossey)  the  Orcades.  One  of  the  boats 
was  wrecked,  and  six  men  in  it  were  taken  by  the  inhabitants  to  the  ruler  of  the  place, 
but  none  understood  the  language  of  the  Orcadians,  except  one  that  spoke  Latin,  and 
had  also  been  cast  by  chance  upon  the  island.  The  original  castaway,  on  behalf  of 
the  king  [chief],  asked  them  who  they  were  and  whence  they  came  ;  and  when  he 
reported  their  answer,  the  king  desired  that  they  should  remain  in  the  country. 
Accordingly,  as  they  could  do  no  otherwise,  they  obeyed  his  commandment,  and 
remained  five  years  on  the  island  and  learned  the  language.  One  of  them  in  particular 
visited  different  parts  of  the  island,  and  reports  that  it  is  a  very  rich  country,  abounding 
in  all  good  things.  It  is  a  little  smaller  than  Iceland,  but  more  fertile  ;  in  the  middle  of  it 
is  a  very  high  mountain,  in  which  rise  four  rivers,  that  water  the  whole  country. 

The  inhabitants  are  very  intelligent  people,  and  possess  all  the  arts  like  ourselves  ; 
and  it  is  believed  that  in  time  past  they  have  had  intercourse  with  our  people,  for  he  said 
that  he  saw  Latin  books  in  the  library  of  the  ruler  which  they  at  this  present  time  do  not 
understand.  They  have  their  own  language  and  letters.  They  have  all  kinds  of  metals, 
but  especially  they  abound  with  gold".  Their  foreign  intercourse  is  with  Greenland, 
whence  they  import  furs,  brimstone,  and  pitch.  Here  it  will  be  well  to  make  allusion  to 
earlier  Scandinavian  discoveries  in  North  America.  In  1001  one  of  the  first  achievements 
of  Greenland  colonists  was  the  discovery  by  Leif,  son  of  Eric  the  Red.  The  tracts  of 
land  then  discovered  were  Helluland  (i.e.,  Slate  laud),  supposed  to  be  Newfoundland; 
Markland  (i.e.,  Woodland),  supposed  to  be  Nova  Scotia  ;  and  Vinland  or  Vineland. 
While  there  is  much  uncertainty  about  the  situation  of  the  former,  the  site  of  Vineland  is 
less  problematical.  An  old  writer  says:  "On  the  shortest  day  in  Vinland  the  sun  was 
above  the  horizon  from  (Dagmaal)  7.30  a.m.  to  (Eikt)  4  p.m.,"  from  which  it  follows 
that  the  length  of  the  day  was  nine  hours,  which  gives  the  latitude  of  forty-one  degrees. 
This  deduction  is  confirmed  by  a  curious  coincidence.  Adam  of  Bremen,  writing  in  the 
eleventh  century,  states  on  the  authority  of  Svein  Estridsen,  King  of  Denmark,  a  nephew 
of  Kuut  the  Great,  that  Vinland  got  its  name  from  the  vine  growing  wild  there,  and  for 


448  ORCADIAN  ARGONAUTS. 


the  same  reason  the  English  re-discoverers  gave  the  name  of  Martha's  Vineyard  to  the 
large  island  close  off  the  coast,  in  latitude  41  degrees  23  min.  The  old  documents  also 
mention  a  country  called  Huitramannaland,  or  Whiteman's  Land,  otherwise  Irland  it 
Mikla,  or  Great  Ireland,  supposed  to  include  North  and  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and 
Florida.  Hrafn,  a  Limerick  trader,  reported  this  land  to  Thorfinn  the  Great,  Earl  of 
Orkney.*  There  is  a  tradition  among  the  Shawnoe  Indians,  who  emigrated  some  years 
ago  from  Florida  and  settled  in  Ohio,  that  Florida  was  inhabited  by  white  people  who 
used  iron  instruments.  It  is  further  recorded  in  the  ancient  MSS.  that  the  Greenland 
Bishop,  Eric,  went  over  to  Vinland  in  the  year  121 1,  and  that  in  1266  a  voyage  of 
discovery  to  the  Arctic  regions  of  America  was  made  under  the  auspices  of  some  of  the 
clergymen  of  the  Greenland  Bishopric.  The  next  recorded  discovery  was  made  by 
Adelbrand  and  Thorvald  Helgason,  two  Icelandic  clergymen,  in  the  year  1285,  the 
country  found  being  supposed  to  be  Newfoundland.  The  last  record  preserved  in  the 
old  Icelandic  manuscripts  relates  a  voyage  from  Greenland  to  Markland,  performed  by  a 
crew  of  seventeen  men  in  1347.  The  account  written  by  a  contemporary  nine  years  after 
the  event,  speaks  of  Markland  as  a  country  still  known  and  visited  in  those  days,  and  it 
was,  until  now,  the  latest  document  that  spoke  of  the  intercourse  between  Greenland  and 
America.  In  the  Zeno  document  we  have,  however,  the  very  latest  evidence  known  in 
literature  of  the  continued  existence  of  that  intercourse  down  to  the  close  of  the 
fourteenth  century,  a  hundred  years  anterior  to  the  time  of  Columbus.  The  foregoing 
digression  has  been  made  to  account  for  the  comparatively  civilised  condition  of 
Estotiland. 

Resuming  the  narrative  of  the  Orcadian  fisher : — Towards  the  south  [of  Estotiland] 
there  is  a  great  and  populous  country,  very  rich  in  gold.  They  sow  corn  and  make 
beer,  which  is  a  kind  of  drink  that  northern  people  take  as  we  do  wine.  They  have 
woods  of  immense  extent.  They  make  their  buildings  with  walls,  and  there  are  many 
towns  and  villages.  They  make  small  boats  and  sail  them,  but  have  not  the  loadstone, 
nor  do  they  know  the  north  by  the  compass.  For  this  reason  these  Orcadian  fishermen 
were  held  in  great  estimation,  insomuch  that  the  king  sent  them  with  twelve  boats 
to  the  southwards  to  a  country  which  they  call  Drogio  (evidently  a  native  name  for  an 
extensive  tract  on  the  North  American  coast)  ;  but  in  their  voyages  they  had  such 
contrary  weather  that  they  were  in  fear  for  their  lives.  Although,  however,  they 
escaped  the  one  cruel  death,  they  fell  into  another  of  the  cruellest,  for  they  were  taken 
into  the  country,  and  the  greater  number  of  them  were  eaten  by  the  savages,  who  are 
cannibals,  and  consider  human  flesh  very  savoury  meat. 

But,  as  that  fisherman  and  his  remaining  companions  were  able  to  show  them  the 
way  of  taking  fish  with  nets,  their  lives  were  saved.  Every  day  he  would  go  fishing 
in  the  sea  and  in  the  fresh  waters,  and  take  a  great  abundance  of  fish,  which  he  gave  to 
the  chiefs,  and  thereby  grew  into  such  favour  that  he  was  very  much  liked,  and  held  in 
great  consideration  by  everybody. 

As  the  Orcadian's  fame  spread  through  the  surrounding  tribes,  there  was  a 
neighbouring  chief  who  was  very  anxious  to  have  him,  and  to  see  how  he  practised 
his  wonderful  art  of  catching  fish.  With  this  object  in  view  he  made  war  on  the  other 
chief  with  whom  the  Orcadian  then  was,  and  being  more  powerful,  and  a  better  warrior, 


Heimskringla 


ORCADIAN   ARGONAUTS.  449 


he  at  length  overcame  him,  and  so  the  fisherman  was  sent  over  to  him  with  his 
compatriots.  During  the  space  of  thirteen  years  that  he  dwelt  in  those  parts,  he  says 
that  he  was  sent  in  this  manner  to  more  than  five  and  twenty  chiefs,  for  they  were 
continually  fighting  among  themselves,  this  chief  with  that,  and  solely  with  the  purpose 
of  having  the  fisherman  to  dwell  with  them  ;  so  that  wandering  up  and  down  the  country 
without  any  fixed  abode  in  one  place,  he  became  acquainted  with  almost  all  those  parts. 
He  says  that  it  is  a  very  great  country,  and,  as  it  were,  a  new  world  ;  the  people  are  very 
rude  and  uncultivated,  for  they  all  go  naked  and  suffer  cruelly  from  the  cold,  nor  have 
they  the  sense  to  clothe  themselves  with  the  skins  of  the  animals  which  they  take  in 
hunting.  They  have  no  kind  of  metal.  They  live  by  hunting,  and  carry  lances  of  wood 
sharpened  at  the  points.  They  have  bows,  the  strings  of  which  are  made  of  beasts'  skins. 
They  are  very  fierce  and  have  deadly  fights  amongst  each  other,  and  eat  one  another's 
flesh.  They  have  chieftains  and  certain  laws  amongst  themselves,  but  differing  in  the 
different  tribes.  The  farther  you  go  south-westwards,  however,  the  more  refinement  you 
meet  with,  because  the  climate  is  more  temperate,  and  accordingly  there  they  have  cities 
and  temples  dedicated  to  their  idols,  in  which  they  sacrifice  men  and  afterwards  eat 
them.  In  those  parts  they  have  some  knowledge  and  use  of  gold  and  silver.  (This 
appears  to  have  been,  for  the  close  of  the  fourteenth  century,  a  pretty  good  description  of 
the  state  of  things  in  America  as  far  down  as  Mexico.) 

Now  this  Orcadian,  after  having  dwelt  so  many  years  in  these  parts,  made  up  his 
mind,  if  possible,  to  return  home  to  his  fatherland — the  land  of  the  Runic  Rhyme — but 
his  fellow-islesmen  despairing  of  ever  seeing  it  again,  gave  him  "God's  speed,"  and 
remained  themselves  where  they  were.  Accordingly  he  bade  them  farewell,  and  made 
his  escape  through  the  woods  in  the  direction  of  Drogio,  where  he  was  welcomed  and 
very  kindly  received  by  the  chief  of  the  place,  who  knew  him.  and  was  a  great  enemy  of 
the  neighbouring  chieftain  ;  and  so,  passing  from  one  chief  to  another,  being  the  same 
with  whom  he  had  been  before,  after  a  long  time  and  with  much  trouble,  he  at  length 
reached  Drogio,  where  he  spent  three  years.  Here,  by  good  luck,  he  heard  from  the 
natives  that  some  boats  had  arrived  off  the  coast,  and  full  of  hope  of  being  able  to  carry 
out  his  intention,  he  went  down  to  the  seaside,  and  to  his  great  delight  found  that  they 
had  come  from  Estotiland.  He  forthwith  requested  that  they  would  take  him  with  them, 
which  they  did  very  willingly,  and  as  he  knew  the  language  of  the  country,  which  none 
of  them  could  speak,  they  employed  him  as  their  interpreter. 

He  afterwards  traded  in  their  company  to  such  good  purpose  that  he  became  very 
rich,  and  fitting  out  a  vessel  of  his  own,  returned  to  the  Orkneys  [Grislauda],  and  gave 
an  account  of  the  wealth  of  those  distant  countries  to  his  lord  and  earl,  Henry  St.  Clair. 
The  sailors,  from  having  had  much  experience  in  strange  novelties,  give  full  credence  to 
his  statements.  Antonio  Zeno  wrote  his  brother — the  famous  Carlo  Zeno,  who  in  1382 
saved  the  Venetian  Republic — saying  that  St.  Clair  was  resolved  to  equip  a  fleet  and 
send  him  forth  towards  those  parts  on  a  voyage  of  discovery  and  conquest  ;  and  he 
continues,  "there  are  so  many  that  desire  to  join  in  the  expedition  that  I  think  we  shall 
be  very  strongly  appointed  without  any  public  expense  at  all.  "  Antonio  set  sail  with  a 
considerable  number  of  vessels  and  men,  but  had  not  the  chief  command,  as  he  hoped,  for 
the  Earl  went  in  person. 

In  a  subsequent  letter  to  Sir  Carlo  describing  the  enterprise,  he  relates  :  ' '  Our  great 
preparations  for  the  voyage  to  Estotiland  were  begun  in   an   unlucky  hour,  for  exactly 


45o  ORCADIAN  ARGONAUTS. 


three  days  before  our  departure  the  fisherman  who  was  to  have  been  our  guide  died  ; 
nevertheless,  St.  Clair  would  not  give  up  the  enterprise,  but  in  lieu  of  the  deceased 
fisherman,  took  some  sailors  who  had  come  out  with  him  to  the  island.  Steering  west- 
wards, we  sighted  some  of  the  Faroes,  and  passing  certain  shoals,  came  to  Lille  Dimon, 
where  we  stayed  seven  days  to  refresh  ourselves  and  to  furnish  the  fleet  with  necessaries. 
Departing  thence,  we  arrived  on  the  first  of  July  at  the  island  of  Skuoe,  and,  as  the  wind 
was  full  in  our  favour,  we  pushed  on  ;  but  not  long  after,  when  we  were  on  the  open  sea, 
there  arose  so  great  a  storm  that  for  eight  days  we  were  continuously  kept  in  toil,  and 
driven  we  knew  not  where,  and  a  considerable  number  of  the  boats  were  lost.  At  length, 
when  the  storm  abated,  we  gathered  together  the  scattered  boats,  and  sailing  with  a 
prosperous  wind,  we  discovered  land  on  its  western  side.  Steering  straight  for  it,  we  reached 
a  quiet  and  safe  harbour,  in  which  we  saw  an  infinite  number  of  armed  people,  who  came 
running  down  furiously  to  the  water  side,  prepared  to  defend  the  island.  St.  Clair  now 
caused  his  men  to  make  signs  of  peace  to  them,  and  they  sent  ten  men  to  us,  who  could 
speak  ten  languages,  but  we  could  speak  to  none  of  them,  except  one  that  was  from 
Shetland.  He  was  brought  before  our  prince,  who,  asking  the  name  of  the  island,  received 
answer  Kerry,  and  was  told  that  the  people  refused  intercourse  altogether  and  would 
oppose  his  landing.  To  this  our  prince  made  no  reply  beyond  enquiring  where  there  was 
a  good  harbour,  and  making  signs  that  he  intended  to  depart.  Accordingly,  sailing 
round  about  the  island,  he  put  in  with  his  fleet  in  full  sail  into  a  harbour  which  he  found 
on  the  eastern  side. 

The  mariners  went  on  shore  to  take  in  wood  and  water,  which  they  did  as 
quickly  as  they  could,  lest  they  might  be  attacked  by  the  islanders  ;  and  not  without 
reason,  for  the  inhabitants  made  signals  to  their  neighbours  with  fire  and  smoke,  and 
taking  to  their  arms,  the  others  coming  to  their  aid,  they  all  came  running  down  to  the 
seaside  upon  our  men  with  bows  and  arrows,  so  that  many  were  slain  and  several 
wounded.  Although  we  made  signs  of  peace  to  them,  it  was  of  no  use,  for  their  rage 
increased  more  and  more,  as  though  they  were  fighting  for  their  own  ver}-  existence. 
Being  thus  compelled  to  depart,  we  sailed  along  in  a  great  circuit  about  the  island,  being 
alwavs  followed  on  the  hill  tops  and  along  the  sea  coasts  by  an  infinite  number  of  armed 
men.  At  length  doubling  the  northern  cape  of  the  island,  we  came  upon  many  shoals, 
amongst  which  we  were  for  ten  days  in  continual  danger  of  losing  our  whole  fleet,  but 
fortunately  all  that  while  the  weather  was  ver3'  fine.  All  the  way  till  we  came  to  the 
east  cape  we  saw  the  inhabitants  still  on  the  hill  tops  and  by  the  sea  coast,  keeping  with 
us,  howling  and  shouting  at  us  from  a  distance  to  show  their  animosity  towards  us.  We 
therefore  resolved  to  put  into  some  safe  harbour,  and  see  if  we  might  once  again  speak 
with  the  Shetlander,  but  we  failed  in  our  object,  for  the  people,  more  like  wild  beasts 
than  men,  stood  constantly  prepared  to  resist  us  should  we  attempt  to  land.  Wherefore 
St.  Clair,  seeing  that  he  could  do  nothing  and  that  if  he  were  to  persevere  in  his  attempt 
the  fleet  would  fall  short  of  provisions,  took  his  departure  with  a  fair  wind  and  sailed  six 
days  to  the  westwards  ;  but  the  wind  afterwards  shifting  to  the  south-west  and  the  sea 
becoming  rough,  we  sailed  four  days  with  the  wind  aft,  and  at  length  discovering  land, 
as  the  sea  ran  high  and  we  did  not  know  what  country  it  was,  we  were  afraid  to  approach 
it  ;  but  by  God's  blessing  the  wind  lulled,  and  then  there  came  on  a  great  calm.  Some 
of  the  crew  then  pulled  ashore,  and  soon  returned  to  our  great  joy  with  news  that  they 
had  found  an  excellent  country  and  a  still  better  harbour.      Upon  this  we  brought  our 


ORCADIAN  ARGONAUTS.  451 


barks  and  our  boats  to  land,  and  on  entering  an  excellent  harbour  we  saw  in  the  distance 
a  great  mountain  that  poured  forth  smoke,  which  gave  us  good  hope  that  we  should 
find  some  inhabitants  in  the  island  ;  neither  would  St.  Clair  rest,  although  it  was  a  great 
way  off,  without  sending  a  hundred  soldiers  to  explore  the  country  and  bring  an  account 
of  what  sort  of  people  the  inhabitants  were.  Meanwhile  they  took  in  a  store  of  wood  and 
water,  and  caught  a  considerable  quantity  of  fish  and  sea-fowl.  They  also  found  such  an 
abundance  of  birds'  eggs  that  our  men,  who  were  half  famished,  ate  of  them  to  repletion. 

"  Whilst  we  were  at  anchor  here  the  month  of  June  (August)  came  in,  and  the  air  in 
the  island  was  mild  and  pleasant  beyond  description  ;  but  as  we  saw  nobody  we  began  to 
suspect  that  this  pleasant  place  was  uninhabited.  To  the  harbour  we  gave  the  name  of 
Trin,  and  the  headland  [Cape  Farewell]  which  stretched  out  into  the  sea,  we  called  Capo 
de  Trin.  After  eight  days  the  hundred  soldiers  returned  and  brought  word  that  they  had 
been  through  the  island  and  up  to  the  mountain,  and  that  the  smoke  was  a  natural  thing 
proceeding  from  a  great  fire  in  the  bottom  of  a  hill,  and  that  there  was  a  spring  from 
which  issued  a  certain  matter  like  pitch,  which  ran  into  the  sea  ;  and  that  thereabouts 
dwelt  great  multitudes  of  people  half  wild  and  living  in  caves.  They  were  of  small 
stature  and  very  timid,  for  as  soon  as  they  saw  our  people  they  fled  into  their  holes. 
They  reported  also  that  there  was  a  large  river  and  a  very  good  and  safe  harbour.  When 
the  Earl  heard  this,  and  noticed  that  the  place  had  a  wholesome  and  pure  atmosphere,  a 
fertile  soil,  good  rivers,  and  so  many  other  conveniences,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  fixing 
his  abode  there  and  founding  a  city.  But  his  people  having  passed  through  a  voyage  so 
full  of  fatigues,  began  to  murmur,  and  to  say  that  they  wished  to  return  to  their  own 
homes,  for  that  the  winter  was  not  far  off,  and  if  they  allowed  it  once  to  set  in,  they 
would  not  be  able  to  get  away  before  the  following  summer.  He  therefore  retained  only 
the  rowboats  and  such  of  the  people  as  were  willing  to  stay  with  him,  and  sent  all  the 
rest  away  in  ships,  appointing  me  against  my  will  to  be  their  captain.  Having  no  choice, 
therefore  I  departed,  and  sailed  twenty  days  to  the  eastwards  without  sight  of  any  land, 
then  turning  my  course  towards  the  south-east,  in  five  days  I  lighted  on  land,  and  found 
myself  on  the  island  of  Neome  (sic),  and,  knowing  the  country,  I  perceived  I  was  past 
Iceland,  and  as  the  inhabitants  were  subject  to  the  Earl,  I  took  in  fresh  stores,  and  sailed 
in  a  fair  wind  in  three  days  to  Orkney  [Grislanda],  where  the  people,  who  thought  they 
had  lost  their  prince  in  consequence  of  his  long  absence  on  the  voyage  we  had  made, 
received  us  with  a  hearty  welcome." 

Nicolo  Zeno,  the  younger,  writes  :  "  What  happened  subsequently  to  the  foregoing 
I  know  not,  beyond  what  I  gather  by  conjecture  from  a  piece  of  another  letter,  which  is 
to  the  effect  that  St.  Clair  settled  down  in  the  harbour  of  his  newly-discovered  island, 
and  explored  the  whole  of  the  country  with  great  diligence,  as  well  as  the  coasts  on  both 
sides  of  Greenland,  because  I  find  this  particularly  described  in  the  sea-chart,  but  the 
description  is  lost."     The  beginning  of  the  letter  runs  thus  : — 

"Concerning  those  things  that  you  desire  to  know  of  me  as  to  the  people  and  their 
habits,  the  animals,  and  the  countries  adjoining,  I  have  written  about  it  all  in  a  separate 
book,  which,  please  God,  I  shall  bring  with  me.  In  it  I  have  described  the  country,  the 
monstrous  fishes,  the  customs  and  laws  of  Grislanda,  of  Iceland  and  Shetland,  the 
Kingdoms  of  Norway,  Estotiland,  and  Drogio  ;  and  lastly,  I  have  written  the  life  of  my 
brother,  the  Chevalier  Messire  Nicolo,  with  the  discovery  which  he  made  and  all  about 
Greenland.      I  hare  also  written  the  life  and  exploits  of  St.  Clair,  a  prince  as  worthy  of 


452  ORCADIAN  ARGONAUTS. 

immortal  memory  as  any  that  ever  lived  for  his  great  bravery  and  remarkable  goodness. 
In  it  I  have  described  the  discovery  of  Greenland  on  both  sides,  and  the  city  that  he 
founded.  (The  combination  of  these  two  expressions  in  one  sentence  leads  to  the 
inference  that  the  discovery  of  Greenland  on  both  sides  was  due  to  the  Earl.)  But  of 
this  I  will  say  no  more  in  this  letter,  and  hope  to  be  with  you  very  shortly,  and  to  satisfy 
your  curiosity  by  word  of  mouth." 

It  is  known  that  Antonio  died  in  Venice  before  1406,  and  as  he  remained  ten  years  in 
the  service  of  the  Earl  after  the  death  of  Sir  Nicolo  in  1394,  it  is  probable  he  returned  in 
1404,  thus  coinciding  with  the  death  of  Earl  Henry,  an  event  which  would  operate  to 
release  him.  The  last-mentioned  letter  seems  to  have  been  written  almost  immediately 
prior  to  Antonio's  return,  and  as  in  it  he  states  he  has  written  the  life  and  exploits  of 
St.  Clair,  the  expression  would  almost  justify  the  deduction  that  the  Earl  was  then  dead. 
History  informs  us  that  the  Earl  was  slain  in  the  Orcades  while  defending  his  dominions 
against  an  invasion  of  the  Southrons. 

Nicolo  Zeno,  the  younger,  ends  by  saying:  "All  these  letters  were  written  by 
Messire  Antonio  to  Sir  Carlo  the  Chevalier,  his  brother,  the  Venetian  admiral  (Saviour 
of  Venice  in  1382),  and  I  am  grieved  that  the  book  and  many  other  writings  on  these 
subjects  have,  I  don't  know  how,  come  to  ruin  ;  for  being  but  a  child  when  they  fell  into 
my  hands,  I,  not  knowing  what  they  were,  tore  them  in  pieces,  as  children  will  do,  and 
sent  them  all  to  ruin,  a  circumstance  which  I  cannot  now  recall  without  the  greatest 
sorrow.  Nevertheless,  in  order  that  such  an  important  memorial  should  not  be  lost,  I 
have  put  the  whole  in  order  as  well  as  I  could  in  the  above  narrative,  so  that  the  present 
age  may,  more  than  its  predecessors  have  done,  in  some  measure  derive  pleasure  from 
the  great  discoveries  made  in  those  parts  where  they  were  least  expected  ;  for  it  is  an  agfe 
that  takes  a  great  interest  in  new  narratives  and  in  the  discoveries  which  have  been  made 
in  countries  hitherto  unknown,  by  the  high  courage  and  energy  of  our  ancestors." 

Mr.  Major  concludes:  "Now  the  question  may  be  asked  :  Cui  bono  all  this  toil  of 
analysis  and  research  ?     The  facts  may  answer  for  themselves  : — 

1.  If  the  realities  which  have  been  here  laid  bare  had  been  detected  anytime  during  the  last 
three  centuries  and  a  quarter,  so  that  the  site  of  the  lost  east  colony  of  Greenland  had  been  proved  to 
demonstration  instead  of  being  a  matter  of  opinion,  the  kings  of  Denmark  would  have  been  spared  the 
necessity  of  sending  out  a  great  number  of  unsuccessful  expeditions,  and 

2.  A  number  of  learned  disquisitions  by  some  of  the  most  illustrious  literati  in  Europe  would 
have  been  rendered  superfluous. 

3.  The  Zeno  document  is  now  shown  to  be  the  latest  in  existence,  as  far  as  we  know,  giving 
details  respecting  the  important  lost  east  colony  of  Greenland,  which  has  been  so  anxiously  sought  for. 

4.  It  is  the  latest  document  in  existence,  as  far  as  we  know,  giving  details  respecting  the 
Scandinavian  settlers  in  North  America — although  a  century  before  Columbus'  great  voyage  across  the 
Atlantic — and  showing  that  at  that  period  they  still  survived. 

5.  The  honour  of  a  distinguished  man,  whose  only  faults  as  regards  this  ancient  story,  fruitful  in 
confusion  as  they  have  been,  were,  that  he  did  not  possess  the  geographical  knowledge  of  to-day,  and 
that  he  indulged  in  the  glowing  fancies  and  diction  of  his  sunny  country,  has  been  vindicated. 

The  foregoing  incorporates  R.  H.  Major's  notes,  with  the  text  of  the  narrative  as 
edited  by  him  in  "The  Voyages  of  the  Zeni,"  printed  in  London  in  1873  for  the 
Hakluyt  Society.  In  one  or  two  places  Grislanda  has  been  substituted  for  Frislanda,  and 
Iceland  for  Shetland,  the  sense  seeming  to  so  require  it.  No  gentes  have  been  more 
distinguished  in  the  annals  of  their  respective  countries  than  the  Zeno  gens  aud  the  gens 


ORCADIAN   ARGONAUTS.  453 


dt  Sane lo  Clam.  The  heroic  achievements  of  the  Zeno  family,  given  in  detail  in 
Mr.  Major's  work,  suitably  illustrate  the  eminence  of  the  voyagers  who  so  adored  the 
Orcadian  Earl  for  those  valiant  exploits  in  which  they  shared. 

' '  And  gray  stones  voiced  their  praise  in  the  hays  of  far  isles." 

FOLD  OF  HJALTLAND. 
John  St.  Clair  (fl.  1411-18). 
This  personage  was  the  son  of  Earl  Henry  the  Holy.  His  first  appearance  is  in 
141 1,  when  Earl  Henry  II.  appoints  him  procurator  to  redeem  lands  in  the  Mearnes.  It  is 
also  recited  that  he  got  from  his  brother,  lands  in  Lothian,  namely,  Kirkton,  Loganhouse, 
Earncraig,  East  and  West  Summerhopes.  There  are  many  references  of  passports  into 
England,  1392 — 1421,  in  favour  of  a  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  but  these  may  relate  to  a 
contemporary  namesake.  In  1418  he  became  client  for  Hjaltland,  swearing  fealty  to 
Eric,  King  of  Denmark.  It  is  stated  that  he  married  Ingeborg,  a  natural  daughter  of 
Waldemar,  King  of  Denmark,  by  Tova  Litle  (daughter  of  the  Commissioner  of  Rugen), 
whom  legends  still  invest  with  a  romantic  interest.  Gurre,  which  Waldemar  imparadised, 
was  the  scene  of  the  lovers'  wooing.  William  St.  Clair,  his  son,  served,  it  is  said,  under 
the  German  Emperor  in  the  Holy  Wars,  and  from  him  derive  {semblable)  the  Sinclairs. 
barons  of  Brugh  in  Hjaltland. 

CHAMBERLAIN    OF    ROSS. 

Sir   David  Synclar  of  Swinbukgh,   Knight  (149N — 1507). 

Sir  David  Sinclair  was  a  son  of  William,  Earl  of  Orkney,  by  Marjory  Sutherland. 
He  acquired  the  lands  of  Swinburgh  in  1498,  and  in  1502  there  occurs  in  the  Orkney 
accounts  a  payment  to  him  of  200  merks  at  the  time  of  his  passage  to  Denmark,  and  in 
the  Reg.  Great  Seal,  3rd  September,  1502,  is  a  memo,  of  a  grant  to  him  of  50  merks 
yearly  from  the  king's  coffers  "pro  servicio  impendendo."  The  Norwegians  at  that 
time  had  risen  against  the  rule  of  Denmark,  and  Sir  David  evidently  accompanied  the 
fleet  of  vessels  equipped  with  soldiers,  sent  by  the  King  of  Scots  to  cooperate  with  the 
Danish  king  to  reduce  the  insurgent  Norse.  He  was  Governor  of  the  Palace  Guard  at 
Bergen,  and  Foud  of  Hjaltland.  He  renders  accounts,  1505-7,  as  Chamberlain  of  the 
Earldom  of  Ross,  and  he  is  noted  as  keeper  of  Dingwall  Castle  and  the  Red  Castle,  to 
which  offices  emoluments  were  attached.  He  executed  his  Last  Will  and  Testament  in 
1506,  rnd  14th  July,  1507,  then  at  Stirling,  grants  receipt  for  all  goods  contained  in  an 
indenture  between  James,  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's,  and  his  chamberlain.  He  died 
in  July  or  August,  1507,  leaving  issue  sons  and  daughters.  Many  lands  of  his  are 
referred  to  in  the  Complaint  of  1576  by  Arthur  Sinclair  of  Aith,  and  others.  His  will 
affords  a  most  complete  glimpse  into  those  remote  times.  Honoured  in  the  three 
kingdoms  of  Denmark,  Norway,  and  Scotland,  his  possessions  were  large,  his  bequests 
geographically  wide,  and  his  benefactions  great. 


454  HEREDITARY  PROTECTORATE  OE 


HEREDITARY     PRO  T  E  C  T  O RATE 


The  Scottish  Masonic  Craft.* 

Scottish  Masonry  is  an  old  institution,  and  seems  to  have  originated  in  trades-union 
organisations  amongst  the  masons  in  Scotland  contemporaneously  with  the  erection  of 
the  Abbeys  of  Holyrood,  Kelso,  Melrose,  and  Kilwinning,  the  Cathedral  of  Glasgow,  and 
other  ecclesiastical  fabrics  of  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  centuries. 

Legislative  enactments  were  made  in  Parliament  at  Perth  in  March,  1424,  instituting 
the  office  of  "  Deakon  or  Maister-man  "  for  the  protection  of  the  community  against  the 
frauds  of  craftsmen.  The  power  of  the  Deacons  was,  however,  restricted  by  an  Act  of 
September,  1426,  and  Wardens  chosen  from  each  craft  were  authorised  to  be  appointed 
by  the  town  councils  to  regulate  the  wages  of  masons  and  wrights.  It  was  further 
ordained  that  in  sheriffdoms  "  ilk  Barronne  sail  garr  prise  in  their  barronnies  and  punish 
the  trespassoures,  as  the  Wardene  dois  in  the  burrowes. "  It  seems  the  Deacons 
continued  holding  assemblies  in  subversion  of  the  powers  of  the  Wardenry  Courts,  which 
brought  about  a  statute  in  July,  1427,  prohibiting  the  office  of  Deacon  altogether.  In 
1493  James  IV.  came  into  collision  with  the  trade  combinations  of  his  time.  The  masons 
and  wrights  had  through  their  conventions  ordained  that  "they  should  have  fee  as  well 
for  the  holiday  as  for  the  work-day,"  and  that  "where  any  begins  a  man's  work  an 
other  shall  not  finish  it."  Public  tumult  arose  through  the  resistance  of  the  community 
to  these  demands.  The  Legislature  therefore  interposed,  and  in  1493  passed  an  Act  in 
which  the  ' '  makers  and  users  ' '  of  the  statutes  in  question  were  ordered  to  be  punished 
as  "  oppressors  of  the  king's  lieges."  The  Act  also  restricted  the  powers  of  Deacons  to  a 
testing  of  the  quality  of  the  work  done  by  their  respective  crafts.  Again  in  March,  1540, 
Parliament  overrode  the  Masonic  statutes  and  authorised  the  employment  of  unfreemen 
equally  with  burgesses,  and  anew  armed  magistrates  with  power  to  enforce  obedience. 

Sixteen  years  afterwards,  while  Queen  Mary  was  yet  under  age,  Parliament  again 
found  it  necessary  to  interpose  and  repress  the  extortionate  charges  of  tradesmen  made  at 
the  instigation  of  deacons,  and  this  hitherto  irresponsible  class  of  trade  officials  was 
attempted  to  be  got  rid  of.  The  private  conventions  of  craftsmen  and  statutes  other  than 
those  approved  of  by  town  councils  were  rendered  illegal,  while  "Visitors"  were 
appointed  in  lieu  of  the  former  Wardens.  On  attaining  her  majority  Queen  Mary,  so  far 
from  homologating  the  Act  of  the  Regency  suppressing  the  Deaconry  of  Craft,  repealed 
it  as  injurious  to  the  common  weal,  and  in  remedy  thereof  granted  letters  under  theGreat 
Seal  restoring  the  office  of  Deacon  and  confirming  the  trades  in  the  privilege  of  self- 
government,  the  observance  of  the  customs  that  were  peculiar  to  each,  and  the 
unrestricted  exercise  of  all  other  rights  which  they  had  enjoyed  under  former  monarchs. 

The  next  reign  furnishes  the  first  authentic  evidence  of  the  sovereign's  direct  control 
over  the  Masonic  Craft.  The  Privy  Seal  Book  of  Scotland  contains  a  record  of  the 
ratification  by  James  VI.  of  Patrick  Copland  of  Undaught's  election  in  1590  to  the  office 
of  "  Wardane  and  Justice"  over  the   Masons  within  the  counties  of  Aberdeen,  Banff, 


Murray  Lvon's  "  Freemasonry  of  Scotland." 


THE  SCOTTISH  MASONIC  CRAFT.  455 


and  Kincardine.  This  royal  missive  sets  forth  that  the  newly-appointed  Warden's 
predecessors  had  been  ancient  possessors  of  the  office,  but  that  in  the  present  instance  the 
king  in  anew  granting  right  to  the  fees  and  privileges  of  the  office,  had  given  effect  to 
the  choice  of  a  majority  of  the  Master  Masons  of  the  district  in  which  the  Warden  was  to 
minister  justice  in  connection  with  matters  affecting  the  art  and  craft  of  Masonry.  It  is 
apparent  that  this  was  a  strictly  civil  appointment,  similar  to  that  of  the  Barons  to  the 
Wardenrie  of  the  Crafts  in  1427. 

Emerging  from  chaos  to  the  period  of  Masonic  twilight,  we  find  the  Deacons, 
Masters,  and  freemen  of  the  Masons  within  the  realm  of  Scotland  granting  a  charter 
(1600-1601)  to  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  submitting  themselves  to  the  hereditary 
jurisdiction  of  the  lairds  of  Roslin.  The  lodges  of  Edinburgh,  St.  Andrew's,  Haddington, 
Acheson's  Haven,  and  Dunfermline  were  parties  to  this  document,  which  recites  that 
the  lairds  of  Roslin  have  from  age  to  age  been  observed  among  the  Masons  as  the 
patrons  and  protectors  whom  their  predecessors  have  obeyed  and  acknowledged.  The 
term  "lodge"  signifies  a  separate  assembly  of  Masons,  and  is  apparently  derived  from 
the  term  applied  to  a  shed  or  other  temporary  structure  for  shelter  or  during  meal  hours. 
Hence  the  general  application  of  the  word  in  its  Masonic  usage.  It  first  appears  in  the 
Burgh  Records  of  Edinburgh  in  a  "  Statute  auent  the  government  of  the  Maister  Masonn 
of  the  College  Kirk  of  St.  Giles,  1491."  The  word  again  appears  in  the  "Indenture 
betwix  Dunde  and  its  Masonn,"  a.d.  1536,  as  given  in  the  "  Registrum  Episcopus 
Brechinensis, "  and  is  interesting  as  containing  the  earliest  authentic  instance  of  a 
Scottish  lodge  following  the  name  of  a  saint,  viz.,  "  Our  Ladye  (i.e.,  St.  Mary's)  Luge  of 
Dunde." 

The  recital  of  the  Masonic  charter  to  (Sir)  William  Saint  Clair  of  Roslin  is  explicit, 
and  implies  in  distinct  terms  that  the  position  of  patron  had  existed  for  some  generations. 
The  earliest  notice  of  the  Roslins  having  any  special  connection  with  the  craft  is  in  the 
account  of  the  erection  of  the  Collegiate  Church  at  Roslin,  circa  1446,  when  many  masons 
were  employed,  and  treated  with  great  liberality.  Henry  St.  Clair,  son  of  Sir  Oliver,  first 
of  Roslin,  was  in  1541  Commendator  of  the  Abbey  of  Kilwinning,  a  fact  perhaps  not 
without  significance,  as  from  that  place  comes  the  Mother  Lodge  of  Scotland. 

The  charter  of  1600  was  followed  by  another  in  1628  from  the  "  Maissones  and 
hammermen  "  of  Scotland  to  Sir  William  Sinclar  of  Rosling,  sou  of  the  previous  grantee. 
The  recital  of  this  charter  also  refers  to  the  Lairds  of  Roslin  being  patrons  and  protectors 
of  the  craft  from  age  to  age,  and  further  informs  us  "whereof  they  had  letters  of 
protection  and  other  rights  granted  by  His  Majesty's  most  noble  progenitors  of  worthy 
memory,  which  with  sundry  other  of  the  Laird  of  Rosling's  writs  being  consumed  and 
burnt  in  a  flame  of  fire  within  the  castle  of  Roslin  in  an  .  .  .  the  consummation  and 
burning  whereof  being  clearly  known  to  us  and  our  predecessors  "  .  .  .  "In  the 
which  office  privilege  and  jurisdiction  over  us  and  our  said  vocation  the  said  William 
Sinclar  of  Rosling  ever  continued  to  his  going  to  Ireland,  where  he  presently  remains." 
.  .  .  The  date  of  the  second  charter  is  allotted  to  April,  1628,  a  conclusion  borne  out 
by  an  unfinished  minute  in  the  records  of  the  Lodge  of  Edinburgh  :  "At  rosling  the  first 
of  May,  1628.  The  quhilk  day  Sir  Williame  Sinklar  — "  It  is  thought  that  this 
fragmentary  item  has  reference  to  a  meeting  that  had  been  convened  at  Roslin  for  the 
purpose  of  presenting  to  Sir  William  the  deed  that  had  been  executed  in  his  favour. 


456  THE  FIRST  GRAND  MASTER. 


T  HE      FIRST      GRAND       MASTER.* 

William,  St.  Clair,  last  of  Rosslyn.I 
(+i77«-> 

To  the  success  attendant  upon  the  erection  of  an  English  Grand  Lodge  is  attributed 
the  movement  for  a  Scottish  Grand  Lodge  ;  and  the  minutes  of  Canongate  Kilwinning 
furnish  the  earliest  record  of  the  election  of  a  Grand  Master  having  formed  the  subject  of 
consideration  by  a  Scottish  lodge.  They  also  contain  data  in  illustration  of  "the  last 
Rosslyu's  "  Masonic  career.  On  29th  September,  1735,  the  duty  of  "framing  proposals 
to  be  laid  before  the  several  lodges,  in  order  to  the  chusiug  of  a  Grand  Master  for 
Scotland,"  was  remitted  to  a  committee  of  the  brethren,  who  were  again  (October  15th) 
instructed  to  "  take  under  consideration  proposals  for  a  Grand  Master."  In  the  interval 
between  this  and  the  next  mention  of  the  Grand  Mastership,  William  St.  Clair  was  (May 
18th,  1736),  on  payment  of  the  usual  fee,  made  a  "  brother  of  the  Antient  and  Honourable 
Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,"  and  on  the  2nd  of  the  following  month  was 
"advanced  to  the  degree  of  fellow  craft,"  he  paying  into  the  box  as  usual.  On  the  4th 
of  August,  1736,  John  Douglas,  surgeon,  a  member  of  the  Lodge  of  Kircaldy,  was,  in 
consideration  of  "  proofs  done  and  to  be  done,"  affiliated  into  the  Canongate  Kilwinning, 
and  was  at  the  same  sederunt  appointed  "Secretary  for  the  time,  with  power  to  appoint 
his  own  deputy,  in  order  to  his  making  out  a  scheme  for  bringing  about  a  Grand  Master 
for  Scotland."  On  the  20th  of  the  next  month  the  Lodge  was  visited  by  brethren  "from 
the  Lodge  kept  at  William  Gray's  Edinburgh  (Kilwinning  Scots'  Arms),  who  made  some 
proposals  anent  a  Grand  Master  for  Scotland."  Again,  the  Lodge  having  (October  6th, 
1736)  met  in  "order  to  the  concerting  proper  measures  for  electing  a  Grand  Master  for 
Scotland,  being  duly  formed,  heard  proposals  for  that  purpose,  which  were  agreed  to, 
and  gave  it  as  an  instruction  to  their  representatives,  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  four 
lodges  in  and  about  Edinburgh,  in  the  first  place  to  insist  that  a  proper  Secretary  should 
be  appointed  to  the  meetings  of  the  said  lodges,  who  should  be  invested  with  the  powers 
mentioned  in  said  proposals,  or  such  as  then  should  be  agreed  on,  which  Secretary  was 
then  named."  Eight  days  previous  to  the  Grand  Election,  St.  Clair  was  advanced  to 
"  the  degree  of  Master  Mason."  Two  days  afterwards  he  signed  the  document  that  was 
to  facilitate  the  election  of  a  Grand  Master,  which  was  written  and  attested  by  three  of 
the  more  prominent  of  the  brethren  belonging  to  St.  Clair's  mother,  or,  to  use  the 
phraseology  of  the  time,  "original"  lodge — a  circumstance  which  adds  to  the  presumptive 
evidence  upon  which  it  is  considered  that  Canongate  Kilwinning  was  the  originator  of 
the  scheme  for  his  advancement  to  the  Grand  Orient. 

The  delegates  from  the  four  lodges — Mary's  Chapel,  Canongate  Kil.,  Kil.  Scots' 
Arms,  and  Leith  Kil., — met  at  Edinburgh  on  the  15th  of  October,  1736,  when  certain 
regulations  were  framed  for  the  "good  and  prosperity  of  Masonrie  in  general,"  and 
provision  made  for  the  election  of  a  Grand  Master.  The  methods  and  regulations  arrived 
at  unanimously  by  these  four  lodges  were  to  be  printed,  and  copies  transmitted  to  all 
known  regular  lodges  in  Scotland,  accompanied  with  a  letter  explaining  the  object  of  the 
proposals  submitted  by  the  convening  lodges.     St.  Mary's  Chapel  thereon  nominated  the 

Murray  Lyon.  tMaidment's  Notes  ;  Sir  Walter  Scott ;  &c. 


THE  FIRST  GRAND  MASTER.  457 


Earl  of  Home,  but  Canongate  Kilwinning  had  three  weeks  earlier  issued  its  deliverance 
upon  the  "Method  and  Regulations  anent  the  Election  of  Grand  Master,"  and  was 
unanimously  of  opinion  that  Br.  William  Sinclair  of  Rosline  was  the  most  worthy  person, 
and  recommended  to  the  Brotherhood  his  interest  in  a  very  earnest  manner  ;  and  likewise 
were  of  opinion  that  in  case  Br.  Sinclair  should  not  succeed  in  the  election  of  Graud 
Master,  that  the  following  persons  (all  of  Canongate  Kilwinning)  were  proper  officers  to 
be  named  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  hereby  recommend  their  interest  to  the  several 
brethren,  viz.:  Mr.  Hew  Murray,  S.W.;  John  Douglas,  J.W.:  Thos.  Trotter,  Treasurer; 
Da.  Maule,  Secretary."  The  lodge  "thereafter  appointed  a  committee  to  meet  on  the 
15th  of  the  month  (November,  1736)  in  order  to  their  concerting  any  further  matters 
anent  the  said  election  oi  Grand  Master." 

After  several  meetings  of  the  convening  lodges,  it  was  on  25th  November,  1736, 
appointed  that  the  election  of  Grand  Master  should  take  place  in  St.  Mary's  Chapel  on 
Tuesday,  30th  of  November,  at  half-past  two  p.m.  According  to  this  arrangement,  then, 
the  first  General  Assembly  of  Scottish  Symbolical  Masons  was  convened  at  Edinburgh 
30th  November,  1736.  On  completing  the  sederunt  33  of  the  100  or  so  lodges  that  had 
been  invited  were  found  to  be  represented,  each  by  a  Master  and  two  Wardens  ;  and  to 
prevent  jealousies  in  the  matter  of  precedency,  always  a  rallying  point  for  Masonic 
asperities,  each  lodge  was  placed  on  the  roll  in  the  order  of  its  entrance  to  the  hall. 
Upon  the  final  adjustment  of  the  roll,  and  no  amendments  having  been  offered  to  the  form 
of  procedure,  or  to  the  draft  of  the  constitution  of  Grand  Lodge  that  had  been  submitted 
to  the  several  lodges,  the  document  known  as  the  "  Deed  of  Resignation  "  was  tendered 
by  the  Laird  of  Roslin  and  read  to  the  meeting.  By  this  celebrated  instrument  he  resigns 
the  Hereditary  Protectorate  of  the  Craft  which  had  been  vested  in  his  ancestors  since 
1600  or  earlier.  He  renounces  all  right,  jurisdiction,  etc.,  which  may  be  vested  in  him, 
' '  in  virtue  of  any  deed  or  deeds  made  and  granted  by  the  said  Massons,  or  of  any  grant 
or  charter  made  by  any  of  the  Kings  of  Scotland  to  and  in  favour  of  the  said  William  and 
Sir  William  St.  Clairs  of  Rossline,  or  any  others  of  my  pkkdhckssoks,  etc." 
Edinburgh,  24th  November,  1736. 

Though  some  of  the  representatives  present  had  been  instructed  to  vote  for  another 
than  Mr.  St.  Clair,  so  fascinated  do  the  brethren  seem  to  have  been  with  the  apparent 
magnanimity,  disinterestedness,  and  zeal  for  the  Order,  displayed  in  his  "Resignation," 
that  the  success  of  the  scheme  for  his  election  was  complete,  the  Deed  was  accepted,  and 
with  a  unanimity  that  must  have  been  grateful  to  the  lodge  at  whose  instance  it  had  been 
drawn,  the  abdication  of  an  obsolete  office  in  Operative  Masonry  was  made  the  ground  of 
St.  Clair's  being  chosen  to  fill  the  post  of  first  Grand  Master  in  the  Scottish  Grand  Lodge 
of  Speculative  Masons. 

A  report  by  the  Master  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  presented  to 
St.  Mary's  Chapel  at  its  communication  on  St.  John's  Day,  1736,  "  of  which  proceedings 
the  Brethren  of  the  Lodge  unanimously  approved."  The  recommendation  by  Mary's 
Chapel  of  the  Earl  of  Home  for  the  Grand  Mastership,  and  its  subsequent  approval  of 
the  conduct  of  its  representatives  in  unanimously  supporting  the  nomination  of  St.  Clair, 
would  seem  to  imply  that  up  to  the  time  of  election  that  Lodge  had  been  ignorant  of  the 
grounds  upon  which  the  latter  gentleman's  claims  to  the  honour  were  to  be  urged,  a 
circumstance  which  affords  presumptive  proof  that  the  leading  Scottish  Masons  of  the 
time  wTere  entirely  oblivious  of  any  constituted   authority  in   trade   matters  apart  from 


458  THE  FIRST  GRAND  MASTER. 


Lodges  and  Incorporations.  St.  Clair  was  a  member  of  neither  when  the  question  of  a 
Grand  Mastership  was  first  propounded,  nor  in  his  subsequent  admission  and  advance- 
ment as  an  Accepted  Mason  was  he  introduced  to  the  brethren  in  any  other  character 
than  that  of  a  private  gentleman. 

The  whole  facts  seem  to  show  that  the  Lodge  Canongate  Kilwinning  took  the 
initiative  in  the  agitation  for  a  Grand  Lodge  for  Scotland,  and  the  circumstances 
connected  with  the  affiliation  of  Dr.  Douglas  render  it  probable  that  he  had  been 
introduced  for  the  purpose  of  perfecting  a  previously  concerted  plan  whereby  the  election 
of  a  Grand  Master  might  be  made  to  contribute  to  the  aggrandisement  of  the  Lodge 
receiving  him.  His  subsequent  advancement  and  frequent  re-election  to  the  chair  of 
Substitute  Grand  Master  would  indicate  the  possession  of  high  Masonic  qualifications, 
and  to  these  the  Craft  may  have  been  indebted  for  the  resuscitation  of  the  St.  Clair 
charters  and  the  dramatic  effect  which  their  identification  with  the  successful  aspirant  to 
the  Grand  Mastership  gave  to  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland.  Whatever 
may  have  been  the  immediate  motive  of  the  originators  of  the  scheme,  the  setting  up  a 
Grand  Lodge  ostensibly  upon  the  ruins  of  an  institution  that  had  ceased  to  be  of  practical 
benefit,  but  which  in  former  times  had  been  closely  allied  to  the  guild  of  the  mason  craft, 
gave  to  the  new  organisation  an  air  of  antiquity  as  the  lineal  representative  of  the  ancient 
courts  of  Operative  Masonry  ;  while  the  so-called  resignation  of  St.  Clair  was,  if  not  too 
closely  criticised,  calculated  to  give  to  the  whole  affair  a  sort  of  legal  aspect  that  was 
wanting  at  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  In  December  of  the  same 
year  (1736)  he  made  a  grand  visitation  to  Canongate  Kilwinning,  accompanied  by  Lord 
Kintore,  the  Acting  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

Although  he  only  filled  the  Grand  Throne  during  the  first  year  of  Grand  Lodge's 
existence,  he  continued  to  take  an  active  interest  in  its  affairs,  and  through  his  influence 
with  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  Scotland,  secured  as  his  successors  in  the  Throne  crafts- 
men of  high  repute.  Forty-two  years  elapsed  between  his  retirement  from  the  chair  and 
his  death.  During  that  long  period  he  was  almost  always  present  at  the  annual 
festival  of  St.  Andrew,  and  was  at  the  one  immediately  preceding  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  4th  January,  1778,  in  the  78th  year  of  his  age.  A  solemn  Funeral  Grand 
Lodge  was  held  in  honour  of  his  memory.  "  On  this  occasion  the  masters,  officers,  and 
brethren  of  all  the  lodges  in  Edinburgh,  to  the  number  of  near  400.  appeared  in  deep 
mourning.  The  lodge  was  opened  by  Sir  William  Forbes,  Baronet,  Grand  Master  Mason 
of  Scotland,  with  a  funeral  oration,  after  which  the  Resurrection  Hymn,  the  Hallelujah, 
and  other  select  pieces  of  solemn  vocal  music  were  performed  with  great  taste  and 
execution  by  gentlemen,  brethren  of  the  Order.  The  whole  ceremony  was  conducted 
with  a  degree  of  solemnity  and  propriety  highly  suitable  to  the  occasion,  and  which 
exhibited  in  a  very  striking  point  of  view  the  true  spirit  and  principles  of  Masonry."* 

The  following  elegy,  composed  for  the  event,  was  sung  to  the  tune  of  Rosslyn  Castle  : 

Frail  man,  how  like  the  meteor's  blaze  !  1  Where  e'er  our  various  journies  tend, 


How  evanescent  are  thy  days  ! 
Protracted  to  its  longest  date, 
How  short  the  time  indulged  by  Fate  ! 
Nor  force  Death's  potent  arm  can  brave, 


To  this  we  soon  or  late  descend. 
Thither  from  mortal  eye  retired, 
Though  oft  beheld  and  still  admired, 
St.  Clair  to  dust  its  claim  resigns, 


Nor  Wisdom's  self  elude  the  grave.  And  in  sublimer  regions  shines. 

*Maidment's  Notes. 


THK  K1RST  GRAND    MASTER. 


459 


Let  us,  whom  ties  fraternal  bind,  Like  St.  Clair  live,  like  St.  Clair  die, 

Beyond  the  rest  of  human  kind.  Then  join  the  Eternal  Lodge  on  high.* 

An  Edinburgh  lodge  has  been  named  St.  Clair  in  commemoration  of  the  first  Grand 
Master,  and  the  prominence  of  the  Rosslyns  in  connection  with  the  craft  doubtless 
explains  the  popular  perpetuation  of  St.  Clair  as  a  Christian  name  in  so  many  families 
unrelated  to  the  gens. 

"The  last  Rosslyn,"  says  Sir  Walter  Scott  "(for  he  was  uniformly  known  by  his 
patrimonial  designation,  and  would  probably  have  deemed  it  an  insult  in  any  who  might 
have  termed  him  Mr.  Sinclair)  was  a  man  considerably  above  six  feet,  with  dark  grey 
locks,  a  form   upright,   but  gracefully  so,   thin-flanked   and   broad  shouldered,  built,   it 


would  seem,  for  the 
or  chase,  a  noble  eye 
and  undoubted  au- 
handsome  and  strik- 
effect,  though  some- 
aggerated  when  con- 
complexion  was  dark 
we  schoolboys,  who 
perform  feats  of 
the  old  Scottish  games 
used  to  think  and 
selves,  the  whole 
famous  founder  of 
pointed  out,  it  is  pre- 
monarch  on  a  con- 
as  the  man  whose  arm 
victory  by  the  ex- 
Dhuglass,  —  '  behold 
In  all  the  manly 
strength  and  dexter- 
rivalled  ;  but  his  par- 
in  archery . "  He  was 
pant  of  a  house  near 
ton  Wyud,  Ed  in- 
small  self-contained 
east  side  of  the 
southerly  exposure 
which  street  the  front 


business  of  the  war 
of  chastened  pride 
thority,  and  features 
ing  in  their  general 
what  harsh  and  ex- 
sidered  in  detail.  His 
and  grizzled,  and  as 
crowded  to  see  him 
strength  and  skill  in 
of  golf  and  archery, 
say  amongst  our- 
figure  resembled  the 
the  Douglas  race, 
tended ,  to  the  Scottish 
quered  field  of  battle, 
had  achieved  the 
pressive  words,  Sholta 
the  dark  grey  man.' 
sports  which  require 
ity  Roslin  was  un- 
ticular  delight  was 
proprietor  and  occu- 
the  bottom  of  Liber- 
burgh.  It  was  a 
edifice,  adjoining  the 
alley,  and  having  a 
to  theCowgate,  from 
was     visible.       He 


WILLIAM   ST.  CLAIR  OF  ROSLIN,   KSy. 

GOLKKR,  ARCHER,  GRANDMASTER  MASON. 

married  Cordelia,  daughter  of  Sir  George  Wishart  of  Cliftonhall,  by  whom  he  had  three 
sons  and  five  daughters,  who  all  died  young  except  his  daughter  Sarah.  He  sold  what 
remained  of  the  family  estates  to  General  Saint  Clair,  second  son  of  Henry  Lord  Sinclair, 
the  heir-of-line  of  William  St.  Clair,  last  Earl  of  Orkney,  and  they  were  until  recently  in 
possession  of  the  Erskines,  Earls  of  Rosslyn.  The  representation  of  the  family  is  claimed 
by  the  Chevalier  Enrico  Ciccopieri,  a  major  in  the  Italian  service,  who  has  been  served 
by  the  Sheriff  of  Chancery  as  heir-of-line  to  Colonel  James  St.  Clair,  who  died  in  1807. 


Scots'  Magazine.  February.  177S. 


460  THE  FIRST  GRAND    MASTER. 


The  last  Rosslyn  was  captain  of  the  Honourable  Company  of  Gentlemen  Golfers. 
These  enthusiasts  resolved,  on  nth  March,  1771,  "to  have  the  picture  of  their  present 
captain  (William  St.  Clair)  in  full  length  in  his  golfing  dress  in  their  large  room,"  and 
"  requested  him  to  sit  for  the  same,  which,  he  having  agreed  to,  Sir  George  Chalmers  is 
appointed  to  paint  the  same,  which  is  to  be  done  at  the  Golfers'  expense  as  soon  as 
conveniently  the  same  can  be  done."  The  linkmen  of  Leith  becoming  embarrassed 
pecuniarily,  their  effects  were  exposed  for  sale  in  1831,  when  this  portrait  passed 
into  the  possession  of  the  Royal  Company  of  Archers,  of  which  incorporation  the 
last  Rosslin  had  been  President  of  Council  during  the  years  1 768-1 778.  It  now 
hangs  on  the  walls  of  their  hall  at  Edinburgh.  Rosslyn  is  in  the  costume  of  a  golfer, 
with  a  round  blue  Scottish  bonnet,  and  a  very  fine  scarlet  swallow-tail  coat,  and  stands 
in  the  act  of  driving  a  ball  from  the  tee.  There  is  another  portrait  in  the  possession  of 
Canongate  Kilwinning,  where  he  was  initiated  a  Mason,  the  genuineness  of  which  is 
disputed.  It  is  known  to  have  been  in  the  lodge  from  about  1793  (only  fifteen  years 
after  his  death),  and  the  artist  is  thought  to  be  Allan  Ramsay,  a  son  of  the  poet.  In  it 
St.  Clair  is  in  Masonic  costume,  in  his  hand  a  scroll,  and  bears  the  level  suspended 
from  his  sash,  it  being  the  badge  at  that  time  general  among  the  craft.  *  ■ 

THE   KING'S    BISHOP. 

William  St.  Clair,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld.  f 

1312— 1332. 

This  militant  prelate  was  a  son  of  Sir  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin.      He  was  elected 

Bishop  of   Dunkeld    in    the   seventh    pontifical   year  of  Clemens   V.,   apud  Vienne   131 2 

(vii.  Idus  Maii.)      On   the  10th  July,  1321,  he  attests  a  national  document  (No.  84).     In 

a  certain  semi-historical  work,  I  have  also  come  across  the  notice,  referring  to  William 

Sinclair,  "The  Bishop  of  Dunkeld,  who  had  fought  against  the  enemies  of  the  Cross  on 

the  plains  of  Hungary,  and  was  as  brave  a  soldier  as  ever  drew  a  sword,"  etc.      Henry 

the  Minstrel  refers  to  him  thus  : — 

A  prelate  next  unto  Ardchattan  came  i       Good  Bishop  Sinclair  is  in  Bute  also, 

Who  of  his  lordship  nought  had  but  the  name  Who,  when  he  hears  the  news,  will  not  be  slow 

He  worthy  was,  both  prudent,  grave  and  sage.  To  come  and  take  his  fate  with  cheerful  heart  ; 

Of  Sinclair  blood,  not  forty  years  of  age.  He  never  yet  did  fail  to  act  his  part. 

The  pope,  to  save  poor  sinful  souls  from  hell, 

Did  him  create  lord  bishop  of  Dunkell. 

But  English  men,  through  greed  and  avarice,  Where  BishoP  Sinclair  came  to  hlm  on  s,Sht' 

Deprived  him  basely  of  his  benefice  :  With  clever  lads  from  Bute,  all  young  and  tight  (!) 

Not  knowing  then  to  whom  to  make  his  suit,  ..... 

To  save  his  life  dwelt  three  full  years  in  Bute,  The  southron  bishop  that  fled  from  Dunkel', 

During  which  space  he  was  kept  safe  and  sound,    ■       To  London  rode,  and  told  all  that  befell. 

And  under  the  Lord  Stewart  shelter  found. 

Till  Wallace  who  won  Scotland  back  with  pain,    ; 

Restored  him  to  his  livings  all  again  :  Thus  in  defence  the  Hero  ends  his  days, 

i       Of  Scotland's  right,  to  his  immortal  praise  ; 
Good  Bishop  Sinclair,  without  longer  stay,  Whose  valiant  acts  were  all  recorded  fair, 

Met  him  on  Glammis,  and  travelled  on  the  way    ■       Written  in  Latin  by  the  famous  Blair  ; 
To  Brechin,  where  they  lodged  all  that  night ;  Who  at  that  time  the  champion  did  attend, 

and  unto  Perth  repaired,  Was  an  eye-witness  and  his  chaplain  then  ; 

There  Bishop  Sinclair  met  him  in  a  trice,  And  alter  that,  as  history  does  tell, 

And  wisely  gave  to  Wallace  his  advice.  -       Confirmed  by  Sinclair,  Bishop  of  Dunkel'. 


fLaws  and  Constitutions,  Scot.  Con.,  1848.       t  Hay's  Chartulary  ;  Tytler  ;  Hist.  Tales  of  Scottish  Wars. 


THE  KING'S  BISHOP.  461 


There  are  two  episodes  in  Scottish  history  in  which  he  occupies  an  honourable 
prominence. 

During  the  absence  of  King  Robert  Bruce  in  Ireland  to  assist  his  brother  Edward  in 
the  conquest  of  that  country,  the  English,  who  made  several  attempts  to  disturb  the 
tranquillity  of  Scotland,  appeared  with  an  armament  in  the  Frith  of  Forth,  and  anchored 
off  Inverkeithing.  The  panic  created  by  the  English  was  so  great  that  the  Earl  of  Fife 
and  Sheriff  of  the  County  with  difficulty  assembled  500  cavalry  with  which  to  oppose  the 
landing.  These,  intimidated  by  the  superior  numbers  of  the  English,  were  afraid  to 
encounter  them,  and  consulted  their  safety  by  flight.  Fortunately,  however,  the  spirited 
Bishop  of  Dunkeld,  who  had  in  him  more  of  the  warrior  than  the  ecclesiastic,  received 
timely  notice  of  the  desertion.  Putting  himself  at  the  head  of  60  of  his  servants,  and 
with  nothing  clerical  about  him  except  a  linen  frock  or  rochet  cast  over  his  armour,  he 
threw  himself  on  horseback,  and  succeeded  in  rallying  the  fugitives,  telling  their  leaders 
that  they  were  recreant  knights,  and  deserved  to  have  their  gilt  spurs  hacked  off. 
"Turn,"  said  he,  seizing  a  spear  from  the  nearest  soldier,  "turn,  for  shame,  and  let  all 
who  love  Scotland  follow  me."  With  this,  he  furiously  charged  the  English,  who  were 
driven  back  to  their  ships  with  the  loss  of  500  men,  besides  many  who  were  drowned  bv 
the  swamping  of  one  of  the  vessels.  On  his  return  from  Ireland.  Bruce  highlv 
commended  his  intrepidity,  declaring  that  St.  Clair  should  be  his  own  bishop  ;  and  by 
the  name  of  the  King's  Bishop  this  martial  prelate,  who  is  described  as  "right  hardy, 
meikle,  and  stark,"  was  long  remembered  in  Scotland. 

When  Edward  Balliol  won  Scotland  by  the  disastrous  battle  of  Dupplin  in  1332, 
secure  from  all  opposition,  he  repaired  to  Scone,  and  in  the  presence  of  many  of  the 
gentry  from  Fife,  Gowrie,  and  Stratherne,  was  crowned  King  of  Scotland  by  his  two 
prisoners,  "  Duncane,  Earl  of  Fyffe,  and  William  St.  Claire,  the  stoute  Bishop  of 
Dunkelden. "  "The  King's  Bishop  "  was  the  founder  of  the  old  Cathedral  of  Dunkeld. 
He    is   gracefully   introduced    by  Lithgow    in    alluding    to    the    motto    of  the    Earls   of 

Caithness  : 

.  "  Commit  thy  work  to  God, 
O  sacred  motto  !  Bishop  Sinclair's  strain 
Who  turned  Fyte's  lord  on  Scotland's  foes  again." 

THE   GREAT    MINION.* 

Oliver  Sinclair  ok  Pitcairn  and  Whitekirk. 
i523—i535- 

This  historical  personage  was  fourth  son  of  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  of  Roslyn,  the  favourite  son  of 
William  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  last  Lord  of  the  Isles.  His  name  figures  frequently 
in  Orcadian,  Scottish,  and  English  national  records.  A  staunch  Romanist,  he  was  a  favourite  with 
Tames  the  Fifth,  over  whom  he  had  a  great  influence.  For  these  reasons  he  and  his  brothers  incurred 
the  special  displeasure  of  the  reformer  Knox,  who  tells  us  that  "many  of  King  James'  minzeons  war 
pensionaris  to  preastis  ;  amangis  whome,  Oliver  Synclare,  yitt  remaning  ennemye  to  God,  was  the 
principale."  He  was  Governor  of  Tantallon  Castle  in  1540,  when  Sadler,  the  English  ambassador, 
narrowly  escaped  seizure  by  him  ;  and  on  20th  April,  1541,  on  rescission  of  Lady  Sinclair's  grant  of 
Orkney,  the  Isles  were  committed  to  him  as  Donatary  of  the  Tack. 

The  most  eventful  incident  with  which  the  Minion  is  associated  is  the  Scottish  surrender  at  Solway 
Moss  on  the  23rd  November,  1542.     The  account  of  this  so-called  battle  has  usually  been  related  to  his 

*  Knox's  Memorial  ;  Hay's  Chartulary  :  Tales  of  a  Grandfather,  &c. 


462  THE  GREAT  MIXION. 


disparagement,  and  it  is  fitting  that  his  memory  should  now  be  vindicated,  although  it  may  be  a  tardy 
removal  of  an  unfair  verdict.  It  had  long  been  the  wish  of  the  Scottish  Catholics  to  involve  James  V. 
in  war  with  his  English  uncle.  Assembling  an  army,  he  advanced  to  Berwick  and  wished  to  enter 
England,  but  the  nobility  refused  to  follow  him.  Mortified  by  their  action,  he  resolved  to  re-muster 
forces  for  an  expedition  to  be  known  as  his  own  raid.  On  approaching  the  river  Esk  the  halt  was 
sounded,  and  Oliver  Sinclair  was  elevated  on  the  "shield  of  war"  to  read  the  royal  commission 
proclaiming  him  commander-in-chief.  The  disloyally  affected  nobles  seized  the  appointment  as  a 
pretext  for  again  thwarting  their  sovereign,  and  allowed  themselves  to  be  captured  by  a  small  party  of 
English  cavalry.  The  effect  on  King  James  was  electrical ;  crushed  in  spirit,  he  died  within  a  few  days 
after  the  event.  The  captured  nobles  on  their  return  formed  a  political  faction  with  English  interests, 
known  as  the  "  Assured  Lords." 

On  the  restoration  of  the  Earl  of  Arran's  government  in  1584  Oliver  Sinclair  of  "  Solway  Moss  " 
made  his  historical  exit  in  an  object  lesson  to  that  bastard  upstart.  One  day  when  the  favourite  was 
bustling  into  the  Court  of  Justice,  at  the  head  of  his  numerous  retinue,  an  old  man,  indifferently 
dressed,  chanced  to  stand  in  his  way.  As  Arran  pushed  rudely  past  him,  the  man,  stopping  him,  said, 
"  Look  at  me,  my  lord, — I  am  Oliver  Sinclair."  Oliver,  as  favourite  of  James  V.,  had  exercised  during 
his  reign  as  absolute  a  sway  in  Scotland  as  Arran  now  enjoyed  under  his  grandson  James  VI.  In 
presenting  himself  before  the  present  favourite  in  his  neglected  condition,  he  gave  Arran  an  example 
of  the  changeful  character  of  court  favour.  The  lesson  was  a  striking  one,  but  Arran  did  not  profit  by 
it. 

HENRY,  BISHOP  OF  ROSS.* 

+1565- 
Henry,  third  son  of  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  was  born  in  1508  ;  studied  at  St.  Andrew's,  and 
was  incorporated  in  St.  Leonard's  College  in  1521 ;  in  1537  was  appointed  Lord  of  Session,  and  admitted 
13th  November,  same,  as  Rector  of  Glasgow  ;  in  1541  became  Commendator  of  the  Abbey  of 
Kilwinning,  exchanged  in  1550  for  the  Deanery  of  Glasgow.  While  Dean  of  Glasgow  he  went  as 
ambassador  to  England  in  1550,  and  thence  to  Flanders  and  concluded  a  peace  with  the  Emperor.  On 
his  return  from  France  in  1555  many  legal  reforms  were  introduced  at  his  instance.  He  was  a 
boundary  Commissioner  in  May,  1557  ;  became  Lord  President  of  the  Court  of  Session  2nd  December, 
1558,  and  in  1560  was  nominated  to  the  see  of  Ross,  special  means  being  taken  to  expedite  his  appoint- 
ment. A  prelate  present  at  the  Convention  of  22nd  December,  1561,  the  Bishop  of  Ross  was  selected  as 
one  of  twelve  Privy  Councillors,  his  high  qualifications  outweighing  the  then  unpopularity  of  his  cloth. 
Queen  Mary  asking  his  counsel,  20th  May,  1563,  as  to  the  acts  in  limitation  of  Romanism,  he  affirmed 
"that  she  must  see  her  laws  kept  or  else  she  would  get  no  obedience,"  and  when  she  held  her  ninth 
parliament  in  June,  1563,  in  which  the  "Act  of  Oblivion  "  was  ratified,  the  privilege  of  those  worthy 
to  enjoy  it  was  entrusted  chiefly  to  his  decision.  He  disconcerted  the  Queen  in  December.  1563,  by- 
speaking  in  favour  of  Knox,  then  arraigned  before  Queen  and  Council.  Queen  Mary  applied  to 
Elizabeth  of  England,  20th  Februar}-,  1563-4,  for  a  safe  conduct  "  unto  our  traist  Counsalour  Henry, 
Bischop  of  Ross."  He  died  at  Paris  2nd  January,  1564-5,  after  undergoing  a  painful  surgical  operation. 
His  name  written  upon  various  books  and  MSS.  preserved  in  the  Advocates'  Library,  and  in  other 
collections,  evince  his  great  love  of  literature. 

JOHN,  BISHOP  OF  BRECHIN.t 
1-1566. 
This  prelate,  fifth  son  of  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  was  admitted  Lord  of  Council  and  Session 
under  the  title  of  Rector  of  Snaw,  27th  April,  1540,  and  in  1549  sat  in  the  Provincial  Council  at 
Edinburgh  as  Dean  of  Restalrig.  On  18th  September,  1564,  Queen  Mary  applied  for  a  safe  conduct  for 
his  return  from  the  parts  of  France.  He  solemnised  the  marriage  of  Henrie,  King,  and  Marie,  Queen 
of  Scots,  at  6  a.m.  Sunday,  29th  July,  1565,  in  the  Chapel  of  Holyroodhouse.  In  1565  the  Dean  was 
promoted  to  the  see  of  Brechin,  and  on  13th  November,  same,  succeeded  his  brother  as  President  of  the 
Court  of  Session.  He  died  of  fever  in  April,  1566,  at  the  house  of  James  Mossman,  Forrester's  Wynd, 
Edinburgh,  having  then  in  his  possession  the  materials  collected  by  his  brother  Henry  for  writing  a 
history  of  Scotland. 

*  Memorials  of  Knox  ;  Tytler  ;  Balfour's  Annals.  t  Memorials  of  Knox. 


SCOTTISH  COURTIERS.  463 


SCOTTISH  COURTIERS. 

•'THE     QUEEN'S     KNICHT."* 

1490—1513- 
Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Dryden,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  one  of  Kingjatues  the  Fourth's 
attendants  or  courtiers,  and  may  have  been  of  descent  from  the  Edward  Saintclair  of  Draidon  of  1447. 
Sir  John's  name  occurs  in  the  Treasurer's  Accounts  as  early  as  1490,  and  it  frequently  appears  down  to 
1512-13.  In  1503  he  was  furnished  with  clothes  preparatory  to  the  king's  marriage,  and  was  one  of  his 
attendants.  He  probably  afterwards  became  the  "  Queen's  knicht,"  as  the  poet  Dunbar  styles  him. 
The  king  and  he  frequently  played  at  "  rowbowlis  "  and  "the  cartis."  November  3,  1506,  he  had  a 
gratuity  of  ^28  by  the  king's  command.  His  wife  received  ^10  as  a  New  Year's  gift,  1511-12,  and  a 
similar  sum  next  January  Dr.  West,  the  English  ambassador,  writing  13th  April,  1513,  to  King 
Henry,  describes  an  interview  with  James  V.,  and  states  when  he  went  to  see  Queen  Margaret  at 
Linlithgow  Palace  he  was  "  fetched  by  Sir  John  Sinclair  on  Sunday,  "t  Sir  John  may  have  fallen  at 
Flodden,  as  notices  of  him  cease  about  that  date.  Dunbar  refers  to  him  thus  in  the  first  verse  of  his 
poem  "  Of  a  Dance  in  the  Queen's  Chalmer  "  : 

Sir  John  Sinclair  begouth  to  dance, 

For  he  was  new  come  out  of  France  ; 

For  ony  thing  that  he  do  micht, 

The  ane  foot  gaed  aye  unricht, 

And  to  the  tother  wald  not  gree. 

Quoth  ane,  Tak  up  the  Queen's  knicht  : 

A  merrier  dance  micht  na  man  see. 


QUEEN    MARGARET'S    "PET."; 
1520-1528. 

On  the  exit  of  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Dryden  a  Patrick  Sinclair  enters  on  the  scene.  Margaret 
Tudor,  Queen-Dowager  of  Scotland,  in  a  letter  of  1520  refers  to  her  "  man  of  law,"  Pet  Synglar,  and 
for  the  next  few  years  he  figures  in  connection  with  her  English  correspondence  and  embassies.  In 
the  State  Papers  of  Henry  the  Eighth  there  are  many  letters  written  to,  by,  and  about  him,  the  notices 
being  quite  voluminous.  Scotland  was  then  disturbed  by  the  contentions  of  two  factions  which  had 
developed  after  the  battle  of  Flodden,  a  French  party  headed  by  Alexander,  Duke  of  Albany,  and  an 
English  party  which  rallied  round  the  Queen-Dowager.  Surrey  writes  Wolsey  from  the  Borders, 
"Sinclair  says  that  Albany  must  invade  England  or  send  the  Frenchmen  (6,000  upwards) 
home,  for  Scotland  cannot  support  them."  During  the  absence  of  the  Regent  Albany  in  France, 
Queen  Margaret  effected  a  coup-d'itat  by  which  her  son  King  James,  then  in  his  thirteenth 
year,  was  declared  of  age,  and  proclamations  were  instantly  issued  in  his  name,  while  the  Lords  of 
Scotland  in  Council  recognised  him  by  a  Profession  of  Obedience  at  Edinburgh,  31st  July,  1524.  The 
letter  written  to  Henry  in  the  name  of  the  young  king,  informing  him  of  his  assumption  of  the 
government,  was  sent  by  Patrick  Sinclair,  whom  Cardinal  Wolsey  denominates  a  right  trusty  servant 
of  James,  and  at  the  same  time  describes  as  a  spy  of  Dr.  Magnus— the  English  ambassador — and  a 
constant  friend  of  England. 

Queen  Margaret  in  one  of  her  letters  to  Patrick,  commends  herself  heartily  to  him,  and  signs  her 
strange  literature,  "  Yours  ze  vyt,"— "  Yours  ye  know."  Patrick  Sinclair,  as  she  writes  her  brother, 
was  her  "trusty  and  true  servant,  and  ever  hath  been  to  the  king  my  husband."  In  1526  (1528?)  he 
was  ambassador  to  England,  and  many  letters  testify  to  his  kind  reception.  The  one  by  Cardinal 
Wolsey  is  especially  remarkable,  recommending  Patrick  Sinclair  as  "  right  trusty  "  to  Henry,  then  at 
Winchester,  and  reciting  long  and  faithful  services  to  his  sister's  party.  Bishop  Clerk's  letter  thence 
telling  of  the  king's  imperturbable  silence  as  to  what  passed  privately  between  himself  and  Patrick  is  a 
study  as  to  secular  wisdom  baulking  clerical  curiosity. 

Dunbar's  Poems.  t  Sinclairs  of  England.  %  Sinclairs  of  England  ;  Tytler  ;  State  Papers. 


464  SCOTTISH  COURTIERS. 


Dr.  Magnus,  the  English  ambassador  at  the  Northern  court,  writes  Wolsey  that  Patrick  is  one  of 
the  six  nobles  then  wholly  devoted  as  "right  good  Englishmen."  He  is  never  tired  of  praising  him  as 
"an  honest  gentleman,"  "  our  good  friend  and  special  lover,"  and  as  "  ver)-  forward  "  in  the  cause. 
"Patrick  Sinclair  and  Mr.  John  Chisholm  are  nightly  with  us,"  writes  the  ambassador.  Queen 
Margaret's  letter  in  favour  of  Patrick  to  her  brother  of  England  is  a  highly  historical  document,  part 
of  which  runs  :  "Wherefore  I  beseech  your  grace  kindly  to  be  his  good  prince  for  my  sake,  and  that 
you  shall  give  commandment  to  the  Earl  of  Surrey  and  the  Lord  Dacres,  that  he  may  be  received  and 
well  treated  in  your  said  realm,  if  he  has  need  ;  And  this  you  will  do  at  my  request."  Later  on  he  was 
eclipsed  by  Henry  Stuart,  second  son  of  the  Earl  of  Avondale,  and  whose  sister  Barbara  was  married  to 
.Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Sanday,  Orkney.  His  eclipse  is  well  illustrated  in  a  letter  from  the  Duke  of 
Norfolk  in  reply  to  a  query  from  Wolsey.  The  Duke  writes  the  Cardinal  that  Patrick  Sinclair  and 
Henry  Stuart,  who  was  becoming  the  favourite,  were  at  variance,  and  he  could  not  write  letters  by 
Patrick  as  bearer,  because  Patrick  "cannot  please  her  now."  Henry  Stuart,  he  informs  the  Cardinal, 
is  made  lieutenant  to  Lord  Maxwell  of  some  200  men  of  special  dignity,  and  "  he  doth  put  in  and  out 
at  his  pleasure,  which  Patrick  Synclere  did  before."  He  says  for  final,  "  To  please  Henry  Stuart  she 
quarrelled  with  Patrick  Synclere  for  not  bringing  a  letter  from  me."  By  and  bye  Patrick  regained  his 
position.  On  the  escape  of  James  V.  from  the  custody  of  the  Earl  of  Angus  (a  warm  partisan  of  the 
English)  in  1528,  he  despatched  Patrick  Sinclair  to  the  English  court  with  a  message  to  Henry, 
informing  him  of  the  change  which  had  taken  place,  and  the  assumption  of  the  supreme  power  by  the 
young  monarch,  and  one  of  the  charges  against  Angus  was  that  he  had  used  the  royal  authority  against 
those  border  barons  who  declined  to  enter  into  bonds  of  manrent  with  him,  "so  that  the  king  would 
not  be  able  to  have  domination  above  him  and  his  lieges." — MS.  Caligula,  b.  ii.,  224.  Articles  and 
Credence  to  be  shewn  to  Patrick  Sinclair,  July  13th,  1528.     Signed  by  James  the  Fifth. 

Patrick  was  a  natural  son  of  Edward  Sinclair  of  Dryden. 

THE  KEEPER  OF  THE  PRIVY  SEAL.* 
1567. 
The  abdication  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots  in  1567  was  obtained  by  violent  means.  Lord  Lindsay 
being  admitted  to  audience,  his  stern  demeanour  at  once  terrified  her  into  compliance.  He  laid  the 
instrument  before  her,  and  with  eyes  filled  with  tears  and  a  trembling  hand,  she  took  the  pen  and 
signed  the  papers  without  even  reading  their  contents.  It  was  necessary,  however,  that  they  should 
pass  the  Privy  Seal,  and  here  a  new  outrage  was  committed.  The  keeper,  Thomas  Sinclair, 
remonstrated,  and  declared  that  the  Queen  being  in  ward,  her  resignation  was  ineffectual.  Lindsay 
attacked  his  house,  tore  the  seal  from  his  hands,  and  compelled  him  by  threats  and  violence  to  affix 
the  seal  to  the  resignation. t 

COUNCILLOR   OF   THE    DANISH    REALM.* 

Sir  Andrew  Sinclair 
+1625. 

Sir  Andrew?,  was  third  son  of  Henry  III.,  sixth  Lord  Sinclair.  Passing  to  Denmark  at  the  close  of 
the  xvi.  th  century,  in  161 1  he  appears  as  Governor  of  the  castle  and  town^of  Calmar,  in  1617  as  member 
of  the  "Rigsraad,"  and  in  1621  as  ambassador  to  England.  In  1606  he  accompanied  King  Christiern 
and  acted  as  mediator  between  that  king  and  Lady  Nottingham,  wife  of  the  aged  Armada  hero,  who 
had  misconstrued  an  action  of  the  royal  Dane.  A  great  friendship  existed  between  Sir  Andrew  and  the 
Lady  Arabella  Stuart,  which  letters  still  extant  testify.  The  queen's  jeweller  received  ^"320  for  a 
diamond  bought  by  His  British  Majesty  to  bestow  on  his  "  trusty  and  well-beloved  servant,  Sir  Andrew 
Sinclere,  knight."  He  died  in  1625.  In  1607  he  received  from  King  James  a  pension  of  ,£"1,000,  and  in 
1610  urged  Robert,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  to  send  him  his  pension,  and  also  to  obtain  a  loan  from  King 
James  as  he  had  bought  lands  [Saintclersholme]  in  Denmark  of  the  value  of  40,000  crowns,  part  of 

*Tytler.  t  Blackwood's  Magazine,  October,  1817. 

I  Scot's  Expedition  of  161 2  ;  Strickland's  Queen  ;  Sinclairs  of  England  ;  Arabella  Stuart ; 

Danish  Royal  Archivist.  'i  See  p.  304. 


ACADEMICAL  CELEBRITIES.  465 


which  he  still  owed.  He  also  asked  Lord  Salisbury  to  he  godfather  and  give  his  Christian  name  to  a 
son  born  in  that  year.  Many  of  his  letters  to  Lord  Salisbury  written  between  1610-1627  are  in  the 
Record  Office,  London.  The  Lyon  Register  of  Genealogies  has  it  that  Sir  Andrew  of  St.  Clair,  Lord 
thereof.  Councillor  of  Denmark,  and  Lord  of  Ghadsey,  married  a  daughter  of  Stewart  of  Grandtully, 
and  had  a  daughter  Isobel,  who  married  Andrew  Bruce  of  Muness. 


ACADEMICAL    CELEBRITIES. 

DAVID  ST.  CLAIR,  Professor  of  Mathematics,  Univ.  de  Paris. 

(fl.   1603 — 1622.) 

This  professor  was  a  man  eminent  in  his  time.  There  are  extant  some  Latin  tracts  of  his,  one  of 
them  forming  sixteen  quarto  pages  of  hexameters,  celebrating  the  coming  of  James  the  Sixth  to  the 
English  throne  in  1603,  and  finishing  appropriately  with  an  astronomical  diagram  of  the  king's 
horoscope.  There  also  survive  thirteen  Latin  pages  of  his  criticism  of  Euclid  and  Archimedes.  His 
skill  in  drawing  procures  for  him  from  one  of  his  admirers  the  title  of  eruditissimus  Apelles,  while 
Le  Sieur  dc  Philalethe,  Disciple  de  Monsieur  de  Sainr.t  Clair,  ConseMer  et  Profcsseur  du  Roy  rs  sciences 
inathematiqu.es  attempts  under  his  auspices  the  squaring  of  the  circle.  In  1607  David  addresses  Latin 
verses  to  the  Queen  of  France,  Margaret  of  Valois,  on  political  grounds.  Two  lines  of  the  poem  by 
"A.M."  in  his  own  praise  may  complete  notice  of  this  distingue: 

"  Ergo  te  (Sanclare)  manent  tua  debita  landis 
Praemia  ;  et  ingenio  debita  palma  tuo.  "* 
His  works  are  :   1.  De  Inauguration  Jacobi  I.,  Paris,  1603,  4to  ;  2.  Pro  Archimede  et  Euclide  At/caioAoAio, 
1622,  fol.;  3.  Direction  Cyciometrique,  par  le  Sr.  de  Philathe,  1622,  fol.t 

JOHN  SINCLAIR,  A.M.,} 
Regent  in  St.  Leonard's  College,  St.  Andrew's, 
was  presented  to  the  church  and  parish  of  Ormiston  in  East  Lothian  in  1646,  and  admitted  1^47  ; 
member  of  Assembly  164S  ;  visitor  to  Edinburgh  University  1649.  An  adherent  of  the  Protestors,  in 
1654  the  Protector  named  him  for  visiting  universities,  &c.  His  sister  Catherine  is  cited  8th  and  4U1 
October,  1679,  for  hounding  and  sending  people  to  the  rebellion.  In  December,  16S2,  he  was  deposed 
by  public  order  of  the  Bishop  of  Edinburgh,  when  he  removed  to  Holland  and  started  an  academy  to 
prepare  compatriots  sojourning  there  for  the  university.  Elected  to  the  congregation  at  Delft  in  16S3, 
his  admission  was  delayed  till  1684,  the  Scottish  Government  having  raised  process  against  him  for 
treasonable  practices,  ending  in  his  forfeiture  September,  16S4.  He  died  in  1687,  aged  about  69  years. 
His  son  John,  minister  of  Kirkpatrick  Irongray  in  1690,  died  in  1623  ;  much  given  to  mathematical 
studies,  but  unfortunately  disposed  to  melancholy;  by  Jean  Maxwell,  his  wife,  he  had  a  daughter 
Sarah. 

GEORGE  SINCLARE,  Professor  at  Glasgow  University.^ 
1654 — 1696. 

George  Sinclair  or  Sinclare,  brother  of  the  Rev.  John  Sinclar,  Regent  of  St.  Andrew's, 
elected  Professor  of  Philosophy  in  the  University  of  Glasgow  1654,  and  ejected  in  1662  for  refusing  to 
comply  with  the  episcopal  form  of  church  government,  was  restored  in  1688,  and  retained  his 
professorship  (to  which  in  1691  that  of  mathematics  was  added)  until  his  death  in  1696.  There  is  also 
a  record  of  the  Town  Council  of  Edinburgh  paying  £\o  sterling  in  1672  as  salary  for  one  year  to  George 
Sinclair,  one  of  the  Regents,  for  acting  in  the  capacity  of  Tutor  of  Mathematics. \  In  1665  a  George 
Sinclair  was  Regent  of  Philosophy  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh.  The  Regents  of  Philosophy  taught 
in   rotation   the    four    classes   in    the    Curriculum    of    Arts,    the    "Bajans,"    the    "  semi-Bajans, "    the 


•Sinclairs  of  England.  +  Allibone.  {  Satan's  Invisible  World  Discovered,  Preface. 

\  Edinburgh  University. 


466  ACADEMICAL  CELEBRITIES. 

"  Bachelors,"  and  the  "  Magistrands,"  as  the  students  of  the  first,  second,  third,  and  fourth  years  were 
respectively  styled.  Each  Regent  therefore  taught  every  subject  in  the  curriculum — the  Regent  of 
Humanity  (Latin)  being  subordinate  to  the  Regent  of  Philosophy,  and  being  employed  as  a  tutor  in 
Classics  to  unmatriculated  students.  This  system  continued  till  1708,  when  separate  Professors  were 
substituted  for  the  Regents  in  the  various  chairs  of  the  Faculty  of  Arts.* 

Chambers'  Domestic  Annals  inform  us  that  the  almost  sole  active  cultivator  of  physics  in  Scotland 
during  that  age  was  the  celebrated  George  Sinclair,  Professor  of  Philosophy  in  the  University  of 
Glasgow.  He  took  a  considerable  interest  in  the  operation  of  diving  bells  in  connection  with  wreck 
recovery,  and  in  a  work  entitled  "  Hydrostatical  Experiments"  describes  an  invention  of  his  own — a 
kind  of  diving-bell  which  he  called  an  ark.  Referring  in  another  work,  "  Ars  Nova  et  Magna 
Gravitatus  et  Levitatus,"  to  the  recovery  of  some  ordnance  from  the  sunken  wreckage  of  the  Florida, 
he  says  the  salvors  were  surprised  to  find  that  the  bullets  employed  for  the  guns  were  stone  instead  of 
metal.  The  work  by  which  he  is  most  remembered,  however,  is  "Satan's  Invisible  World  Discovered." 
This  curious  book  in  defence  of  the  belief  in  witchcraft  was  endowed  by  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council 
with  a  copyright  of  eleven  years.  Notices  of  Professor  Sinclair  will  be  found  in  Wodrow's  "  Life  of 
David  Dickson,"  Hutton's  Dictionary,  Chambers'  and  Thomson's  Biography,  Dictionary  of  Eminent 
Scots,  ed.  1855,  N.  263.+ 

ANDREW  ST.  CLAIR,  Professor  of  Medicine,  University  of  Edinburgh.* 

(fl.  1720— 1747.) 

Andrew  St.  Clair,  born  c.  1693,  graduated  in  Arts  6th  July,  1720,  and  Medicine  10th  July,  1720, 
in  the  University  of  Angers,  in  France.  He  occupied  one  of  the  chairs  in  the  Faculty  of  Medicine  at 
the  University  of  Edinburgh,  and  when  a  re-arrangement  was  made  in  1726,  by  which  the  four 
professors  then  (9th  February)  appointed  divided  the  teaching  among  themselves,  the  Chair  of  the 
Institutes  of  Medicine  was  allotted  to  him.  In  lecturing  he  took  for  his  text  book  the  "  Institutiones 
Medicae  of  Boerhaave,"  and  did  not  go  beyond  what  was  therein  contained.  His  lectures  were 
delivered  in  Latin,  as  indeed  all  those  of  the  Medical  Faculty  then  were,  with  the  exception  of  those  in 
Anatomy.  Sinclair's  Latin  was  considered  remarkably  elegant.  On  February  4,  1733,  Dr.  St.  Clair 
was  appointed  by  George  III.  "  our  first  physician  within  that  part  of  Great  Britain  called 
Scotland"  at  an  annual  salary  of  ^"ioo.  He  wrote  on  the  "Histories  of  Fever,"  &c.  Ed.  Med.  Ess., 
I733-t  His  health  failing,  he  withdrew  from  the  professorial  position,  it  is  said  in  1747,  but  from 
papers  in  the  possession  of  Lord  Sinclair  it  appears  that  he  died  before  28th  September,  1742,  when 
the  widow  of  Dr.  St.  Clair  is  referred  to. 


%* Another  of  the  gens,  Patrick  Sinclair,  occupied  the  Chair  of  Hebrew  and  Oriental  Languages 
in  the  Faculty  of  Divinity  at  Edinburgh  University  in  1692.  He  is  doubtless  the  "Patricius  Sinclarus" 
whose  Encomium  of  "Satan's  Invisible  World  "  and  its  author  appears  included  in  that  work. 

THE    MASTER    OF    SINCLAIR. \ 
1-1750. 

John  St.  Clair,  Master  of  Sinclair,  born  5th  December,  1683,  was  the  eldest  son  of  Henry,  Lord 
Sinclair,  first  baron  of  the  Herdmanston  line.  He  served  as  lieutenant  in  Marlborough's  army  with 
good  reputation,  but  in  vindication  of  his  honour  slew  two  officers,  brothers  to  Sir  John  Shaw,  of 
Greenock.  Tried  by  court-martial,  17th  October,  1708,  he  was  sentenced  to  death,  but  in  consideration 
of  the  great  provocation  given,  recommended  to  the  royal  mercy,  and  meantime,  with  the  connivance 
of  Marlborough,  escaped  into  Prussia.  On  the  advent  of  the  Tory  administration  in  1714  a  pardon  was 
accorded  him. 

In  1715  he  reluctantly  espoused  the  Jacobite  cause.  A  vessel  loaded  at  Leith  with  firelocks  and 
other  weapons  intended  for  Sutherland  got  windbound  at  Burntisland.  The  Master  being  apprised  of 
the  circumstance,  "  suggested  the  seizure  of  these  arms  by  a  scheme  which  argued  talent  and  activity, 
and  was  the  first  symptom  the  loyalists  had  given  of  either  one  or  the  other.     This  gallant  young 

*  Edinburgh  University.  +  Allibone.  J  Sir  Walter  Scott. 


THE  MASTER  OE  SINCLAIR.  467 


nobleman  with  about  fourscore  troopers,  and  carrying  with  him  a  number  of  baggage  horses,  left  Perth 
about  nightfall  on  the  2nd  October,  and  to  baffle  observation  took  a  circuitous  road  to  Burntisland.  His 
arrival  in  that  little  seaport  town  had  all  the  effect  of  a  complete  surprise,  and  though  the  bark  had 
hauled  out  of  the  harbour  into  the  roadstead,  he  boarded  her  by  means  of  boats,  and  secured  possession 
of  all  the  arms,  amounting  to  300  stand."  At  Sheriffmuir  the  Master  led  the  Fifeshire  squadron  and 
two  squadrons  of  Huntly's  cavalry,  forming  the  advance  of  the  whole  army,  but  remained  inactive  on 
the  field,  being,  it  seems,  held  in  check  by  the  dragoons  of  Argyle's  second  line.  After  the  defeat  the 
Master  proceeded  north  to  Strathbogie,  and  thence  to  Orkney,  where,  after  viewing  the  ruins  of  the 
ancestral  stronghold  at  Kirkwall,  and  moralising  thereupon,  he  seized  a  vessel  and  escaped  with  some 
of  his  companions  in  misfortune  to  the  Continent,  where  he  remained  until  1726,  in  which  year  he 
received  a  pardon  for  life.  He  then  returned  to  Scotland,  and  resided  at  Dysart  till  his  death,  20th 
November,  1750.  He  seldom  ventured  to  Edinburgh,  and  always  travelled  armed  and  well  attended, 
prepared  for  attack  by  the  Schaws  or  other  enemies.  He  married,  first,  Lady  Margaret  Stewart, 
daughter  of  James,  fifth  Earl  of  Galloway,  and  secondly,  Emilia,  daughter  of  Lord  George  Murray, 
and  sister  of  the  third  Duke  of  Athol,  but  had  no  issue  by  either  wife.  In  1735  he  had  bought  the 
Rosslyn  estate,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother.  General  James  St.  Clair. 

A  DISTINGUISHED  DIPLOMATIST. 

The  Hon.  James  St.  Clair,  de  jure  Lord  Sinclair,  was  brother  of  the  Master  of  Sinclair.  He  was  a 
General  in  the  British  Army  and  a  distinguished  diplomatist.  Hume,  the  celebrated  historian,  was  at 
one  time  a  member  of  his  staff.  The  estate  of  Ravenscraig  had,  about  1715.  been  settled  by  Henry, 
Lord  Sinclair,  on  the  General  and  his  brother,  Major  William,  nominally  in  supersession  of  the  Master 
of  Sinclair,  but  virtually  in  conservation  of  his  interests,  as  they  were  to  account  for  the  income  to 
trustees  appointed  on  his  behalf.  General  St.  Clair  died  without  issue  in  1762,  when  the  estates  became 
alienated  from  the  St.  Clair  lineage  and  passed  into  possession  of  the  Erskines. 

AN    UNFORTUNATE   ENVOY. 

MALCOLM,    BARON    SINCLAIR,  Svexsk  Major. 
(b.  1691  t  1739.) 

Few  events  created  a  greater  sensation  in  Sweden  than  the  tragic  fate  of  Major  Malcolm  Sinclair 
in  1739.  He  had  previously  been  captured  by  the  Muscovites  at  the  decisive  battle  of  Pultowa  in  1709, 
and  sent  to  Siberia  for  thirteen  years.  One  of  the  most  favourite  officers  of  King  Frederic,  he  was 
basely  assassinated  by  Russian  emissaries  on  his  way  to  Constantinople  bearing  important  despatches 
with  reference  to  a  treaty  between  Sweden  and  the  Porte.  The  infamous  Russian  Court,  having  ex- 
amined the  despatches,  coolly  sent  them,  via  Hamburg,  to  that  of  Sweden.  Then  the  excitement  became 
great.  At  Stockholm  the  population  rose  and  wrecked  the  houses  of  Catherine's  ambassador,  crying 
out  "that  they  were  inspired  by  the  soul  of  Sinclair."  The  remains  of  the  latter  were  placed  in  a 
magnificent  tomb,  inscribed  thus,  by  order  of  King  Frederic  :  "Here  lies  Major  Malcolm  Sinclair,  a 
good  and  faithful  subject  of  the  kingdom  of  Sweden,  born  in  1691,  son  of  the  worth}-  Major-General 
Sinclair  and  Madame  Hamilton.  Prisoner  of  war  in  Siberia  from  1709  to  1722.  Charged  with  affairs  of 
State,  he  was  assassinated  at  Naumberg,  in  Silesia,  17th  June,  1739.  Reader  !  drop  some  tears  upon 
this  tomb,  and  consider  with  thyself  how  incomprehensible  are  the  destinies  of  poor  mortals,  "t 

His  fate  is  feelinglv  alluded  to  in  verse  by  Anders  Odel.  a  noted  poet,  in  the  well-known  lines  of 
"Malcolm  Sinclair's  Visa." 

SENATORS  OE  THE  COLLEGE  OF  JUSTICE. 

Several  Sinclairs  have  been  Senators  of  the  College  of  Justice.  Mention  has  already  been  made  of 
Henry  St.  Clair  of  the  Roslin  family,  who  in  1537  was  appointed  a  Lord  of  Session,  and  in  155S  became 
Lord  President.     On  his  death  in  1565  his  brother  John  St.  Clair,  then  Dean  of  Restalrig,  was  advanced 

1  Scottish  Soldiers  of  Fortune,  by  Jas.  Grant.  t  Scots'  Magazine,  1740. 


46S  SENATORS  OF  THE  COLLEGE  OF  JUSTICE. 


to  the  Presidentship,  having  been  previously  admitted  as  a  Lord  of  Council  and  .Session  under  the  title 
of  Rector  of  Snaw,  27th  April,  1540.  Both  these  brothers  were  learned  in  the  law,  and  held  in  the 
highest  estimation  for  their  judicial  qualities.  At  an  interval  of  two  centuries  the  gens  again  supplied 
two  contemporary  Lords  of  Session  in  the  persons  of  John  Sinclair,  Lord  Murkle,  and  George  .Sinclair, 
Lord  Woodhall. 

JOHN,  LORD  MURKLE 

{d.s.p.  1755.) 
was  the  second  son  of  John  Sinclair,  46th  Earl  of  Caithness.     He  married  Jean,  daughter  of  the  first 
Earl  of  Cromarty,  by  Anne,  his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Mey.      He  died  in  1755  without 
issue.     He  was  appointed  Solicitor-General  on  iSth  January,  1721. 

GEORGE,  LORD  WOODHALL. 

(ti76i-5-) 
George  Lockhart  Sinclair  was  the  second  son  of  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Stevenson,  Bart.,  by  Martha, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Lockhart  of  Castlehill.  He  became  one  of  the  Senators  of  the  College  of  Justice 
by  the  title  of  Lord  Woodhall.  Alexander  Sinclair,  Earl  of  Caithness  (brother  to  Lord  Murkle),  in 
1 761  executed  an  entail  of  Murkle  and  his  other  lands  in  favour  of  Lord  Woodhall  and  his  heirs-male  of 
line.  On  the  Earl's  death  in  1765,  under  this  destination,  the  succession  was  taken  up  by  Sir  John 
Sinclair  of  Stevenson,  nephew  of  Lord  Woodhall,  the  latter  having  died  without  issue. 

THE    PASTOR    OF    KEISS. 

SIR  WILLIAM  SINCLAIR  OF  DUNBEATH,  BART. 
-U767. 

Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Keiss  was  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  James  Sinclair,  first  baronet  of  Dunbeath, 
by  Isabel,  daughter  of  Sir  Archibald  Muir  of  Thornton,  Provost  of  Edinburgh. 

Keiss  was  founder  of  the  Baptists  in  Caithness,  who  cherish  his  memory  with  affectionate  regard. 
On  embracing  Baptist  views  Sir  William  went  to  London,  where  he  was  formally  baptised,  and 
admitted  a  member  oi  his  adopted  church.  He  cotnmenced  preaching  in  Caithness  about  the  year 
1750,  and  continued  to  do  so  with  great  zeal  for  the  space  of  fourteen  years.  In  1750  he  formed  the 
church  at  Keiss— the  earliest  Baptist  church  in  Scotland — over  which  he  regularly  presided  as  pastor. 
In  1765  he  removed  to  Edinburgh,  where  he  died  in  1767.  His  hymnal — containing  some  sixty  songs 
of  his  own  composition — was  published  in  his  lifetime,  and  is  still  in  occasional  use  in  his  Keiss 
church.  It  is  styled  "  A  Collection  of  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs,"  by  Sir  William  Sinclair,  Minister 
of  the  Gospel  of  God  and  servant  of  Jesus  Christ.*  In  his  younger  days  it  is  stated  that  he  was  a  short 
time  in  the  army,  where  he  learned  to  become  an  expert  swordsman.  He  rendered  a  service  to  the 
Earldom  by  capturing  a  noted  highwayman,  one  Marshall,  the  "  Robber  of  Backlas,"  who  had  long 
levied  blackmail  on  all  and  sundry,  and  terrorised  the  neighbourhood,  having  twice  broken  into  the 
castle  of  Keiss  and  once  into  that  of  Dunbeath. 


COMRADE  OF  WASHINGTON,  f 

MAJOR-GENERAL     ARTHUR     ST.    CLAIR,     U.S.A., 

1736— 1818. 

Arthur  St.  Clair,  son  of  William  Sinclair,  merchant  in  Thurso,  was  born  there,  22nd  March,  1736. 
He  studied  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh  in  preparation  for  a  professional  life,  and  was  indentured  to 
the  famous  physician  William  Hunter,  of  London,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  abandoned  medicine 
for  an  ensigncy  in  the  army,  13th  May,  1757.  Under  Amherst  at  Louisberg  his  gallantry  won  him 
promotion  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  (17th  April,  1759),  and  in  the  fatal  struggle  on  the  Plains  of 
Abraham  (1760),  seizing  the  colours  that  had  fallen  from   the  hands  of  a  dying  soldier,  he  bore  them 


Allibone.  tSt.  Clair  P; 


per 


COMRADE  OF   WASHINGTON.  469 


until  the  field  was  won  by  the  British.  Resigning  his  commission  in  1762,  in  1764  he  settled  on  a  fine 
landed  estate  in  the  Ligonier  Valley,  where  he  filled  a  number  of  prominent  positions,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  adjusting  the  boundary  disputes  between  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  ;  but  as  the  spirit 
of  resistance  towards  British  aggression  gained  growth,  he  in  December,  1775,  resigned  his  civil  offices, 
took  leave  of  wife,  children,  and  as  the  event  proved,  of  fortune,  repairing  to  Philadelphia  on  a 
summons  from  President  Hancock.  In  January,  1776,  he  raised  a  regiment,  and  in  May  reached 
Quebec  at  a  critical  time,  and  covered  the  retreat  of  the  imperilled  army.  Throueh  the  disastrous  days 
which  followed  Colonel  St.  Clair  rendered  efficient  service  until  the  wearied,  weakened,  plague-stricken 
and  demoralised  forces  were  brought  into  camp  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Champlain.  On  the  9th  of 
August,  1776,  St.  Clair  was  made  a  Brigadier-General  by  Congress,  and  later  in  the  year  was  ordered  to 
leave  the  Northern  Department  and  join  Washington  in  the  Jerseys.  During  the  trials  and  hardships 
of  the  dark  winter  which  followed,  when  the  genius  of  Washington  shone  out  so  brightly  at  last, 
St.  Clair  was  one  of  the  faithful  and  trusted  advisers  of  the  Commander-in-chief.  To  his  counsel  arc 
attributed  the  victories  of  Trenton  and  Princeton.  It  was  in  recognition  of  his  distinguished  services 
in  this  campaign  that  he  was  commissioned  a  Major-General  in  February  and  assigned  once  more  to 
command  in  the  North.  On  the  12th  of  June,  1776,  he  took  command  of  Ticonderoga,  and  was 
subjected  to  much  cruel  censure  for  abandoning  that  post  twenty-four  days  later,  where  his  works  were 
commanded  by  guns  of  an  enemy  nearly  8,000  strong,  against  less  than  half  that  number  of  his  own 
ill-equipped  and  worse-armed  troops.  His  skilful  retreat  and  generalship  in  evacuating  preserved  his 
troops  to  the  Republic,  resulting  in  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga  and  the  triumph  of  the 
American  cause.  He  was  court-martialltd  for  the  evacuation,  but  unanimously  acquitted  of  all  charges 
and  with  THE  HIGHEST  honour.  Suspended  for  a  time  from  command,  he  became  a  member  of 
Washington's  military  family.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  shared  the  sufferings  of 
Valley  Forge,  was  a  member  of  the  court-martial  which  tried  Andre,  and  the  closing  days  of  the  war 
found  him  marching  to  the  support  of  Greene  in  South  Carolina. 

Equally  efficient  in  civil  and  military  life,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  last  Continental 
Congress,  1787,  and  Governor  of  the  North  Western  Territory,  1787,  a  post  which  he  held  for  fourteen 
years,  and  under  his  administrative  control  the  broad  foundations  of  coming  States  were  securely  laid 
and  established  in  the  freedom  and  education  guaranteed  by  the  great  charter.  He  was  removed  in 
1S02  by  President  Madison,  and  returned  to  Pennsylvania  in  his  old  age,  to  find  his  fortunes  wasted, 
while  the  Government  which  he  had  served  pleaded  the  statute  of  limitations  to  escape  re-imbursing 
him  for  money  advanced  to  prevent  Washington's  arm}-  from  melting  away.  While  administering 
Indian  affairs  he  had  become  responsible  for  certain  supplies,  and  this  amount  was  also  refused- 
at  first  on  the  ground  of  an  informality  in  his  accounts,  and  when  this  was  rectified  the  statute  was 
pleaded  once  more.  His  property,  a  valuable  one  for  those  times,  was  finally  forced  to  a  sale,  and  the 
old  soldier  and  his  family  were  reduced  to  want.  In  a  log  house  on  a  bleak  ridge  by  the  side  of  the  old 
State  road  from  Bedford  to  Pittsburg,  almost  in  sight  of  the  broad  acres  which  once  were  his,  the  closing 
days  of  the  venerable  patriot  were  ended  selling  "  supplies"  to  waggoners.  One  day  in  August,  1818, 
he  was  found  lying  insensible  on  the  road,  the  wheel  of  his  waggon  having  come  off  in  a  rut,  the 
faithful  pony  standing  near  waiting  the  word  of  command.  He  never  rallied  from  the  shock,  and  died 
on  the  last  day  of  summer  (31st  August,  1818). 

The  General  was  President  for  Pennsylvania  for  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati.  His  portrait  is  in 
a  public  building  at  Washington,  below  is  an  autograph  signature  graced  with  a  beautiful  whipcord 
flourish.  Lake  St.  Clair  and  other  American  places  are  named  in  his  honour.  Numerous  letters  exist 
sent  to  His  Excellency  from  military  and  diplomatic  celebrities,  amongst  others  Washington, 
La  Fayette,  Visct.  Malartic,  Generals  Butler,  Wayne,  Gates,  Greene,  Knox,  Paul  Jones,  etc.  His 
treaties  with  the  Wyandottes  and  the  Six  Nations  are  very  curious  documents. 


THE  ABLE  ULBSTERS. 


THE    ABLE    ULBSTERS. 


SCOTLAND'S     PROTO-STATISTICIAN. 

The  Right  Hon.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  Bart.,  1754-1S35. 

Sir  John  Sinclair,  only  son  of  George  Sinclair  of  Ulbster  and  Lady  Janet,  daughter  of  William, 

Lord  Strathnaver,  of  the  House  of  Sutherland,  was  born  at  Thurso  Castle  on  the  10th  of  May,  1754. 

He  succeeded  to  the  estates  at  the  age  of  sixteen.     Educated  first  under  the  tutorship  of  John  Logan, 

the  poet  divine,  he  passed  through  the  universities  of  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow,  completing  at  Trinity 

College,  Oxford.  In  1780 
he  was  returned  M.P.  for 
Caithness,  which  he  rep- 
resented until  181 1,  when 
he  vacated  his  seat.  No 
less  than  367  publications 
are  said  to  have  eman- 
ated from  his  pen,  travers- 
ing all  manner  of  topics, 
but  chiefly  in  the  nature 
of  industrial,  agricultural, 
or  political  advancement. 
Some  of  these  have  been 
of  incalculable  benefit  to 
the  empire.  Most  notable 
among  them  may  be  cited 
"The  History  of  the 
Revenue  of  the  British 
Empire,  1784,''  "The 
vStatistical  Account  of 
Scotland,  1798,"  "The 
Code  of  Health  and 
Longevity,"  and  the 
"Code  of  Agriculture." 
By  his  exertions  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  was 
formed  in  1793,  of  which 
he  was  president  for  thir- 
teen years.  He  made  a 
European  tour  in  17S6, 
visiting  the  courts  of 
France,  Holland,  Prussia, 
Denmark,  Russia, 
Sweden,  etc.,  collecting 
much  valuable  informa- 
tion.    In  conversation  at 

Warsaw  with  Stanislaus,  King  of  Poland,  the  latter  mentioned  that  the  name  of  Sinclair  was 
well  known  to  him,  especially  in  its  Swedish  connection,  and  King  Gustavus  remarked  that 
in  about  sixty  of  the  Scoto-Swedish  nobility  there  were  no  less  than  three  noble  families  of 
the  name  of  Sinclair.  Major  Sternsward  of  Engelholm,  in  Scanie,  writes  him  in  the  same 
connection,  8th  January,  1S08  :  "I  hope  the  name  of  Sinclair,  by  valour  eternised  in  Schweden, 
gives  to  this,  its  second  native  country,  a  proof  of  its  wish,  that  the  happiness  of  mankind 
may  increase."  Sir  John  was  knighted  in  1786,  and  in  1788  was  created  a  baronet  with  remainder 
in  default  of  male  issue  to  the  issue  of  his  daughters.  He  had,  in  1784,  applied  to  Pitt  for  a 
baronetage,  by  virtue  of  being  heir  and  representative  of  Sir  George  Sinclair  of  Clyth  ;  and  being  then 


The  Right  Hon.  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  Bart. 


THE  ABLE  1' MISTERS. 


47' 


a  widower  with  two  daughters,  he  requested  that  the  title  should  be  descendible  to  them.  As  some 
reward  for  his  public  services,  he  was  appointed  Cashier  of  Excise,  with  an  income  of  ,£'2,000  a  year 
He  died  at  Edinburgh  on  the  24th  December,  1835,  in  the  Sist  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Chapel  Royal  ot  Holyrood.  In  Caithness,  which  was  a  desert  till  his  active  spirit  improved  it, 
hundreds  owe  their  success  in  life  to  his  assistance  at  the  outset.  His  sterling  characteristics  have 
been  transmitted  to  his  descendants,  several  of  whom  have  attained  meritorious  eminence,  viz.  :  Sir 
George  Sinclair,  M.P.,  2nd  Bart.,  author,  died  1S6S  ;  Catherine  Sinclair,  authoress,  died  1S64  ;  The 
Yen.  John  Sinclair,  Archdeacon  of  Middlesex,  died  1875  ;  The  Yen.  William  Macdonald  Sinclair, 
Archdeacon  of  London,  horn  1850. 


SWEDISH  SOLDIERS  OK  FORTUNE. 


CHARLES     GIDEON,     BARO 
Military  Tactician   | 

Charles  Gideon,  Baron  Sinclair  of  Finnekumla,  born 
captain  of  the  German  Infantry  Regiment,  la  Dauphine  i 
"Pour  la  Merite  Militaire  "  ; 
Knight  of  the  Saxon  order, 
and  Second  Chief  of  the  French 
Colonel  in  the  Swedish  service  ; 
Gustavus  III.;  Colonel  and  Chief 
Master  of  the  Ordnance  ;  Knight 
Sword  ;  General  in  1799.  In 
Louise  Henrietta  Eikbrecht  de 
Roman  Empire,  by  whom  he 
With  him  expired  the  line  of 
although  from  the  notice  next 
this  Baron  Sinclair  was  claimed 
St.  Clair,  a  French  soldier  of  dis- 
Descendance "  attested  by  Sir 
attributes  to  this  line  a  direct 
Ravenscraig,  but  the  earlier 
A  copy  certified  correct  by  the 
possession  of  the  author  of  this 
connects  with  the  Barons  Finne- 
James  Sinclair,  Baron  of  Randel, 
line     of    Sinclairs,      Counts     of 

represent  the  senior  line  of  Finnekumla,  and  it  may  he  also 
to  be  cadets  of  the  Orcadian  Sinclairs  of  Saba. 


B; 


SINCI,/ 


N     SINCLAIR, 

-1803.) 

at    Stralsund,    12th    November,    1730,    was 

n  France  ;  Knight  of  the  French  order, 
Colonel  of  the  said  Regiment ; 
"The  White  Falcon";  Colonel 
Regiment,  Royal  Snedois ; 
First  Aide-de-Camp  with  King 
of  the  Swedish  Artillery ;  General- 
Grand  Cross  of  the  Order  of  the 
1773  he  married  at  Strasburg, 
Durkheim,  Countess  of  the  Holy 
had  no  issue.  He  died  in  1803. 
Sinclairs,  Barons  Finnekumla, 
hereafter  it  would  appear  that 
as  sire  by  Charles  Ferdinand  de 
tinction.  The  "Genealogical 
John  Sinclair,  first  of  Ulbster, 
descent  from  the  Barons  ot 
generations  require  examination. 
Royal  Archivist  of  Sweden  is  in 
work.  The  same  document 
kumla  in  the  earlier  generations 
IR  from  whom  derives  the  present 

Lambahof.  They  thus  now 
the  Barons  ot  Ravenscraig.     They  appear 


CHARLES    FERDINAND,    BARON    DE   ST.  CLAIR, 
Knight  of  the  Legion  of  Honour, 

occupied  a  very  foremost  position  in  the  Napoleonic  Wars.  In  1S20,  Charles  Ferdinand,  Baron  de 
St.  Clair,  colonel  de  cavalerie,  figured  remarkably  about  the  assassination  of  the  Due  de  Berry.  "  J<  tuts 
asscmsini."  He  protested  to  the  chamber  that  he  had  warned  the  highest  authorities,  police  and  other, 
of  the  conspiracy,  but  that  these,  being  themselves  involved  in  it,  had  arrested  and  imprisoned  him  for 
his  loyalty  to  the  Bourbon  prince.  His  pap  rs  are  published  in  book  form,  and  there  are  many 
references  to  his  extraordinary  military  career,  anx  bords  du  Rkin,  dans  I'armie  de  Condi,  en 
Angleterre,  aux  Antilles,  en  Hollande,  en  Egypte,  en  Italie,  en  Espagne,  en  Portugal,  en  Rmsic,  et  en 
Allemagnc.  He  had  seen  twenty-three  years'  service,  got  eighteen  wounds,  and  gained  innumerable 
decorations.  His  enemy,  M.  Decazes,  Minister  of  Police,  afterwards  Count,  put  him  into  great 
difficulty,  because  he  accepted  the  cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honour  which  one  of  the  Bourbons  offered 
him,  through  the  Prince  of  Conde,  two  years  before  the  twenty-five  years'  of  service  formally  needed 


472  EMINENT  ANTIPOUEANS. 

were  expired.  The  book  is  of  historic  interest  as  to  a  curiously  unsafe  time.  The  baron  does  not 
scruple  to  tell  M.  Decazes  his  mind,  "  N'etait  point  un  parvenu  comme  lui,  tnais  bien  un  descendant 
des  dues  de  Normandie  (du  cote  maternal)  et  des  comtes  des  Orcades  et  Oemodes  ;  un  descendant  de 
Jean  comte  de  Saint  Clair  qui  en  1649  prefera  etre  depouille  de  l'existence  la  plus  brillante  que  de 
reconnaitre  Cromwell ;  un  descendant  de  Henri  comte  de  Saint  Clair  qui  en  1689,  fut  le  seul  membre  des 
parlement  Britannique  qui  osait  faire  un  protestation  energique  contre  l'avenement  de  Guillaume 
prince  d'Orange  au  trone  des  Stuarts;  le  petit-fils  de  Jean,  sire  de  Saint  Clair  qui  en  1715  sacrifia  des 
biens  immenses,  et  fut  oblige  de  s'expatrier  par  son  energique  devouement  a  la  meme  cause  :  le  fils  de 
Charles  Gedeon,*  baron  de  St.  Clair,  colonel  commandant  le  regiment  royal  Suedois,  qui  iipres  avoir 
consacre  sa  vie  au  service  des  rois  de  France,  fut  sacrifie  a  Dijon  le  29  Janvier,  1793  ;  victime  de  son 
devouement  pour  Louis  XVI." 


EMINENT     ANTIPODEANS. 

THE  HON.  ANDREW   SINCLAIR.   M.D.+  (T26TH  March,   1861). 

Andrew  Sinclair,  sometime  Colonial  Secretary  of  New  Zealand,  paid  a  visit  to  that  Colony  in  the 

first   instance  for  scientific   purposes,   landing  at  Wellington    in    1S40.      He  was   appointed   Colonial 

Secretary   in   succession    to   Lieutenant    Shortlaud,    on    the    6th  January,    1S44,    by   His    Excellency 

Governor  Fitzroy,  Captain   R.N.     The  position  was  more  than  the  equivalent  of  the  Premiership  of 

of  the  Governor  it  then  devolved 


the  present  day,  as  in  the  absence 
upon  the  Colonial  Secretary  to 
istrator,  a  function  now  assigned 
This  important  office  he  con- 
introduction  into  the  colony  of 
1S56.  He  had  in  early  life  served 
He  is  remembered  as  the  first 
Zealand  natural  history,  botany, 
Indeed,  so  many  specimens  did 
mail  to  the  Kew  Gardens  and 
Grey,  of  the  latter  institution, 
first  scientifically  arranged  cata- 
bach's  work  on  New  Zealand. 
Dr.  (afterwards  Sir  Julius  von) 
explore  the  sources  of  the  rivers 
attached  himself  to  this  party 
assisting  in  the  proposed  botani- 
ranges,  and  whilst  so  engaged 
attempt  to  wade  across  one  of 
tata.  His  companions  buried 
foot  of  the  glaciers,  amongst  the 


The  Hon.  A.  S 


fulfil  his  duties  and  act  as  Admin- 
to  His  Honor  the  Chief  Justice-, 
tinued  to  hold  until  the  complete 
responsible  government  in  May. 
as  a  surgeon  in  the  Royal  Navy, 
collector  of  specimens  of  New 
conchology,  and  entomology, 
he  send  Home  by  almost  every 
the  British  Museum,  that  Dr. 
was  induced  to  commence  the 
logue,  which  appears  in  Dieffen- 
Subsequently  he  accompanied 
Haast  in  his  first  expedition  to 
Rangitata  and  Ashburton.  He 
mainly  with  the  intention  of 
cal  researches  in  the  mountain 
he  met  with  his  death  in  an 
the  main  branches  of  the  Rangi- 
him  in  a  lonely  grave  at  the 
native  shrubs  and  other  natural 
subject  of  his  ill-fated  researches, 
Mt.  Sinclair  in  the  Province  of  Nelson  ;  and  various 


MI). 


objects   which    had  formed   the 

26th  March,  1S61.     SinclairHead,  in  Cook  Straits; 

New  Zealand  flora  are  named  after  him. 

The  Lyttelton  Times  of  3rd  April,  1S61,  refers  to  him  thus  :  "  Of  all  accidental  deaths  since  the 
foundation  of  the  settlement,  none  can  be  found  so  lamentable  as  that  which  it  is  our  painful  duty  now 
to  register.  ...  Dr.  Sinclair  has  left  a  name  and  a  character  behind  him  to  which  we  regret  we 
must  fail  to  do  justice.  .  .  .  The  loss  of  one  of  his  attainments  and  character  is  a  public  calamity. 
.  .  .  The  passion  for  science  by  no  means  closed  the  heart  of  Dr.  Sinclair  to  human  sympathies.  If 
he  earned  reputation  at  a  distance  as  a  natural  historian,  he  was  better  known  in  his  immediate 
neighbourhood  as  a  true  philanthropist.  In  1843,  '44,  and  '45  Auckland  underwent  severe  privations 
and  distress,  such  as  the  settlers  in  our  parts  have  never  known.  Many  an  industrious  and  honest  man 
received  then  at  Dr.  Sinclair's  hands  the  assistance  necessary  to  tide  him  over  the  crisis  ;  and  not  a  few 
prosperous  men  of  the  present  day  have  reason  in  recalling  that  time,  to  name  him  as  the  man  who 
enabled  them  to  be  what  they  are." 

*  This  must  be  another  than  the  Swedish  tactician,  as  he  died  s.p. 
tMennell's  Dictionary  of  Australasian  Biography. 


FOUNDERS  OF  BLENHEIM. 


473 


FOUNDERS  OF  BLENHEIM,  N.Z. 
JAMES  Sinclair  of  Nybster,  Wick,  Caithness,  had  issue  there,  by  Christina  Campbell  his  wife,  on 
ist  November,  1817,  a  son  also  named  James,  the  subject  of  this  notice.  The  latter  was  married  by  the 
Rev.  John  Mackay  of  Lybster  on  the  14th  May,  1850,  to  Christina  (born  25th  December,  1S27),  daughter 
of  John  Sutherland,  merchant,  of  Hillhead  of  Lybster,  and  Jane  Harriet  Gordon  Sutherland,  his  wife. 
Acting  under  medical  advice,  Mr.  Sinclair  resolved  to  emigrate  to  New  Zealand,  and  took  passages  for 
self,  wife,  eldest  son,  and  nurse  (afterwards  well-known  in  Wairau  as  Mrs.  Charles  Brindell)  in  the  ship 
Agra,  which  left  London  in  November,  1851,  and  arrived  in  Wellington  3rd  March,  1852.  The  May 
following  he  removed  to  Nelson,  where  he  started  business  with  a  stock  of  goods  which  he  had  brought 
out  with  him  from  Manchester.  Hearing  favourable  reports  of  the  Wairau,  Mr.  Sinclair  went  there  in 
October,  1852,  and  so  greatly  was  he  impressed  with  the  capabilities  of  the  district,  he  determined  to 
establish  himself  at  Blenheim  there,  although  the  Wairau  massacre  was  still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  all. 


4H  6* 


A« 


Christina  Sutherland  Sincl.j 
Foundress  of  Blenheim. 


James  Sinclair,  M.P.C. 
Pounder  of  Blenheim. 


Prospering  greatly,  he  put  himself  in  the  forefront  of  every  movement  to  send  the  district  ahead. 
Gifted  by  nature  with  commanding  abilities,  he  commenced  an  agitation  which  culminated  in  the 
separation  of  the  Wairau  from  Nelson  and  the  creation  of  the  Province  of  Marlborough.  Mr.  Sinclair 
was  one  of  the  first  members  of  the  new  Provincial  Council,  anil  continued  to  hold  his  seat  until  the 
Abolition  of  1876.  Though  repeatedly  pressed,  he  declined  the  office  of  Superintendent,  but  his  great 
popularity  and  political  influence  made  him  a  power  to  be  reckoned  with.  With  the  assistance  of 
Messrs.  W.  H.  Eyes  and  Henry  Dodson,  he  succeeded  in  deposing  Picton  as  the  provincial  capital  in 
favour  of  Blenheim,  but  although  he  tried  very  hard,  he  was  unable  to  get  the  latter  city  made  the 
Colonial  seat  of  Government.  After  abolition  of  the  provinces  Mr.  Sinclair  gave  his  attention  more  to 
questions  of  river  conservation  and  matters  municipal.  A  staunch  Presbyterian,  while  unostentatious 
in  his  religious  professions,  Mr.  Sinclair  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  Kirk,  both  in  money  contri- 
*  Marlborough  Press  ;   Wellington  Post. 


474  EMINENT    ANTIPODEANS. 

buttons  and  in  land.  No  friend  ever  asked  his  help  in  vain,  so  long  as  he  possessed  the  means  of 
assistance,  and  in  the  early  days  his  hospitality  was  proverbial,  while  his  succour  in  times  of  distress 
and  floods  will  long  be  remembered.  He  died  at  Blenheim  on  the  9th  August,  1897  ;  his  remains 
received  Christian  burial  on  the  nth  same,  the  pall-bearers  consisting  of  the  Mayor,  the  Town  Clerk, 
and  other  leading  citizens  of  Blenheim,  desirous  to  thus  attest  their  respectful  estimation. 

Mrs.  Sinclair  predeceased  her  husband.  They  built  the  first  house  in  Blenheim.  An  affectionate 
and  devoted  wife,  she  braved  the  dangers  of  her  environs,  and  speedily  won  from  the  natives  respect 
and  friendly  regard.  Brought  up  in  an  affluent  and  genial  home,  hospitality  and  kindness  were  natural 
to  Mrs.  Sinclair,  whose  sweet  and  amiable  nature  endeared  her  to  all  of  her  friends  and  acquaintances. 
She  died  at  Blenheim  on  the  23rd  December,  1S95.  The  memory  of  these  two  estimable  colonists  will 
long  be  preserved  in  Marlborough.     Issue  : 

1.  James  John  Sinclair,  born  2nd  September,  1851  ;  married  at  Rangiora  12th  June,  1883,  to 

Jane  (eldest  daughter  of  the  late  William  Atkinson  of  Rangiora,  sheepfarmer,  and  his  late 
wife  Dorothea  Henrietta  Christiana),  relict  of  William  Blick,  of  Blenheim.  Mr.  Sinclair  is 
resident  at  Christchurch,  N.Z.,  where  he  is  trustee  for  several  important  estates.  While  a 
burgess  of  Blenheim  the  interests  of  Mr.  J.  J.  Sinclair  and  that  city  were  one  and 
indivisible.  If  the  father  had  been  founder  of  the  capital,  superintendent-maker  and 
provincial  patriarch,  no  less  was  the  son  in  line  with  the  parental  policy.  An  assiduous 
councillor  of  Blenheim  for  six  years,  that  city  has  been  greatly  a  gainer  by  his  energising 
influence,  especially  in  the  matter  of  extensive  building  improvements.  These  he 
commenced  to  enterprise  in  18S3,  now  recalled  by  citizens  as  the  "Sinclair  Era,"  when  the 
click  of  the  hammer  resounded  from  Grove  Road  to  the  further  extremity  of  the  town  belt. 
His  most  notable  erection  was  the  Criterion  Hotel,  a  palatial  building  of  75  rooms,  of 
which  the  furniture  alone  cost  ,£4,200.  The  present  fine  appearance  of  Blenheim  is  largely 
attributable  to  his  initiative  ventures.  Defective  municipal  appliances  and  the  prohibitory 
insurance  rate  of  £A  Per  cent,  rendered  it  impossible  to  make  adequate  provision  against 
fire,  a  contingency  that  occurred  some  years  later,  and  occasioned  a  series  of  reverses  that 
suggested  removal  to  Christchurch,  where  the  facilities  of  artesian  water  minimise  such 
hazards.     Issue  : 

Albert  Trevor,  born  in  Blenheim,  16th  April,  1SS4. 

James  Russell,  born  in  Blenheim,  20th  March,  1890. 

2.  John  Sinclair,  born  2nd  July,  1853  ;    builder  by  occupation  ;   at  sea,  reported  last  from 

Antwerp,  15th  July,  1894,  when  he  was  on  the  ship  Record,  owned  by  Andrew  Gibson 
of  Liverpool. 

3.  William  Sinclair,  born  6th  March,  1855;   Crown  Solicitor  at  Blenheim  for  the  Judicial 

District  of  Marlborough  from  1879  to  1893,  when  he  resigned  in  order  to  contest  a  seat  in 
the  House  of  Representatives  for  the  Wairau  electorate,  but  was  not  successful.  A  Liberal 
in  politics,  Mr.  Sinclair's  entry  into  political  life  is  desired  by  many  of  our  leading 
politicians  ;  when  elected,  it  will  not  be  long  before  he  occupies  a  portfolio.  For  many 
years  he  has  held  office  as  Councillor  of  Blenheim,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Education 
Board  of  Marlborough  ;  he  is  one  of  the  leading  barristers  in  New  Zealand.  Mr  Sinclair 
married,  19th  November,  1878,  Sarah  McRae,  third  daughter  of  the  late  Alexander  Mowat, 
of  "  Altimarlock,"  Awatere.     Issue  : 

Kate  Lilian,  born  9th  Sept.,  1879.  Ethel  Muriel,  born  31st  Dec,  1S80. 

Amy  Mildred  Alice,  b.  June  28,  18S2.  William  Robert,  born  3rd  Dec,  1883. 

Alexander  MowaT,  died  6th  September,  1886,  aged  6  months. 

Gerald  Ernest  Mowat,  born  nth  January,  1S88. 

Elsie  Edith  Violet  Evelyn,  died  10th  July,  1894,  aged  three  and  a-half  years. 

Sibyl  Geraldine,  died  nth  April,  1S97,  aged  1  year  and  1  month. 

4.  Son,  born  and  died  iotb  September,  1S56.  5.  Son,  born  and  died  30th  March,  185S. 

6.  Jane  Harriet  Gordon,  born  15th  April,  1S59  ;   resides  Blenheim;   married  at  Wakefield, 

Nelson,  9th  August,  1878,  to  her  cousin,  Sutherland  John  Macalister,  who  died  at 
Blenheim,  3rd  December,  1897. 

7.  David  Sinclair,  born  5th  October,  i860;  died  30th  December,  1S62. 

8.  Patrick  Sutherland  Sinclair,  born  16th  May,  1862;  died  19th  January,  186S. 

9.  David  Patrick  Sinclair,  born  Dec.  23,  1S68 ;  barrister  and  solicitor  ;  resident  at  Blenheim. 


MAYOR  OF  INVERCARGILL. 


475 


JOHN  SINCLAIR, 
Mayor  of  Invercargill,  New  Zealand. 
John  Sinclair  was  born  in  Latheron,  Caithness,  on  the  19th  October,  1S57.  His  parents  emigrated 
to  New  Zealand  in  1859,  and  took  up  land  on  the  Taieri,  some  twenty-eight  miles  from  Dunedin,  where 
they  and  some  ot  the  children  still  reside.  John  Sinclair,  the  eldest  sou,  has  achieved  civic  distinction 
in  the  Province  of  Southland,  having  in  1895  been  elected  Mayor  of  Invercargill,  the  southernmost 
borough  of  the  British  Empire.  His  career  has  been  one  of  constant  effort.  Up  to  the  age  of  21  he 
worked  on  the  homestead,  and  acquired  a  high  local  reputation  for  skill  in  agricultural  matters, 
gaining  numerous  prizes  for  ploughing,  which  at  that  time,  when  only  the  single  furrow  plough  was  in 
use,  required  a  steady  ban  I  and  true  eye.  He  next  occupied  himself  striking  the  forehammer  in  a 
station  blacksmith's  shop  on  the  Waitaki,  transition  from  which  to  the  agricultural  work  required 


the  station  was  easy,  and, 
one  who  threw  his  whole 
employers  were  so  well 
arising,  the}-  recommen- 
of  manager  of  an  estate 
McKenzie  country,  where 
when,  tired  of  a  com- 
tence,  he  returned  home, 
assumed  management  of 
owned  by  Mr.  A.  Lee 
trusted  him  with  that  of 
at  Toi  Toi,  Mataura,  con- 
known  as  Birchwood, 
and  Springfield,  and  corn- 
acres,  then  in  a  some- 
In  four  years'  time  im- 
about,  and  the  proprietors 
favourable  opportunity  to 
Mr.  Sinclair  turned  his 
an  entirely  different  char- 
residence  in  Invercargill, 
the  firm  of  Carswell  and 
agents.  From  this  start- 
auctioneer  for  the  J.  G. 
mained  in  that  capacity 
nised  as  one  of  the  best 
colony.  Nelson  Bros., 
the  Ocean  Beach  Freezing  J 
selected  as  chief  buyer,  and  remainei 
the  connection. 

From  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  Invercargill,  Mr.  Sinclair  took  a  lively  interest  in  municipal  and 
political  affairs.  A  councillor  in  1892,  he  was  returned  for  his  ward  for  a  second  term  unopposed,  and 
in  1S95  was  elected  Mayor  by  a  large  majority.  He  stood  in  Liberal  interests  for  Invercargill  at  the 
General  Election  of  1896,  and  polled  1,659  votes  against  2,237  and  646  registered  in  favour  of  the 
other  candidates.  While  managing  at  Waihola,  Mr.  Sinclair  married  Miss  Jessie  Mclntyre,  who  was 
born  in  Argyle,  Scotland.     They  have  issue  four  daughters  and  three  sons. 


IN    Si 


air,   Mayor  of  Invercargill,  N.Z. 


as  was  to  be  expected  of 
energy  into  his  work,  his 
satisfied  that,  opportunity 
ded  him  for  the  position 
of  20,000  acres  in  the 
he  remained  until  1879, 
paratively  isolated  exis- 
After  a  short  interval,  he 
a  property  near  Waihola, 
Smith,  who  presently  en- 
a  more  important  estate 
sisting  of  four  properties 
Thornhill,  Ocean  View, 
prising  in  all  about  9,000 
what  neglected  condition, 
provements  were  brought 
availed  themselves  of  a 
realise.  At  this  stage 
attention  to  business  of 
acter.  Taking  up  his 
he  became  connected  with 
Co.,  stock  and  station 
ing  point  he  became 
Ward  Company,  and  re- 
until  1S93,  and  was  recog- 
wool  salesmen  in  the 
Limited,  having  bought 
Woiks,  Mr.  Sinclair  was 


that  situation  until  1896,  when  for  personal  reasons  he  severed 


476 


CAMEOS  AND    SAGAS. 


HOOK   III. 


CAMEOS    and    SAGAS. 


ST.     CLAIR. 


A  PRAYER,  by  R.  W.  St.  Ci.air. 


Thou,  the  godfather  of  a  lofty  race, 

In  daily  prayer  kneeling  within  thy  cell, 

Lived  in  humility  beside  a  well — 
Which  since  relieves  afflictions  of  the  face. 

And  ever,  when  the  suff'rer  wends  to  dip 
Into  its  crystal  depths,  bis  sight  revives, 

He  blesses  thee,  who  art  his  Hope— his  "  Ship 
Of  Promise  "—he  but  trusts  in  thee  and  thrives. 


Thou,  who  did  write  in  the  far  years  long  past 
"  The  Ritual  ok  Divine  Duty  "  (for  all 
Of  future  ages,  who  in  doubt  should  fall)— 
A  golden  deed,  the  meed  whereof  shall  last. 

It  guides  the  Christian  in  his  darkest  hour- 
It  comforts  him  when  dolour  o'er  him  hangs, 

In  time  of  tribulation  'tis  a  tower, 
Shelters  him  from  the  Serpent  and  bis  fangs. 


Thou,  who  when  tried  thyself,  withstood  all  ill, 
And  dared  the  Tempter — though  in  woman's  guibe 
He  plied  thee  with  the  cunningest  device — 

Tried  to  pollute  thy  fountain  at  the  rill — 
Albeit  triumphant,  still  thy  life  thou  lost. 

Relentless  foes  slew  thee  when  stricken  down, 
Despatching  thee  to  join  the  Heavenly  Host, 

Winning  for  thee  for  aye  the  Martyr's  Crown. 


Thine  ashes  peaceful  were  not  let  to  rest — 
Scattered  by  pagan  Norsemen  o'er  La  France, 
In  many  burials  came  to  earth,  perchance 

O'er  all  a  hallowed  fane  each  spot  doth  test. 

Guard  thou  thy  Name,  o'er  it  keep  watch  and  ward ! 

Protect  thy  gens,  shield  them  from  every  taint ! 
This  is  the  prayer  of  those  who  serve  thy  Lord — 

Evangelist  and  Hermit  !  Martyr  !  Saint  ! 


ORCADIA. 


LAND   OF   THE 
(Davi 
Land  of  the  whirlpool — torrent — foam, 

Where  oceans  meet  in  maddening  shock  ; 
The  beetling  cliff— the  shelving  holm — 

The  dark,  insidious  rock  : 
Land  of  the  bleak,  the  treeless  moor — 

The  sterile  mountain,  sered  and  riven  ; 
The  shapeless  cairn,  the  ruined  tower, 

Scathed  by  the  bolts  of  heaven  : 
The  yawning  gulf— the  treacherous  sand— 
I  love  thee  still,  my  native  land. 

Land  of  the  dark — the  Runic  rhyme — 

The  mystic  ring— the  cavern  hoar  ; 
The  Scandinavian  seer — sublime 

In  legendary  lore  : 
L^nd  of  a  thousand  Sea-kings'  graves — 

Those  tameless  spirits  of  the  past, 
Fierce  as  their  subject  Arctic  waves, 

Or  hyperborean  blast : 
Though  polar  billows  round  thee  foam, 
I  love  thee  !  Thou  wert  once  my  home. 


ENGRAILED    CROSS. 
D  Vedder.) 

With  glowing  heart,  and  island  lyre, 

Ah  !  would  some  native  bard  arise 
To  sing  with  all  a  poet's  fire 

Thy  stern  sublimities ; 
The  roaring  flood — the  rushing  stream, 

The  promontory  wild  and  bare, 
The  pyramids  where  sea-birds  scream 

Aloft  in  middle  air  ; 
The  Druid  temple  on  the  heath, 
Old,  even  beyond  tradition's  breath. 

Though  I  have  roamed  through  verdant  glades, 

In  cloudless  climes,  'neath  azure  skies  ; 
Or  plucked  from  beauteous  orient  meads 

Flowers  of  celestial  dyes. 
Though  I  have  laved  in  limpid  streams, 

That  murmur  over  golden  sands  ; 
Or  basked  amid  the  fulgid  beams 

That  flame  o'er  fairer  lands  ; 
Or  stretched  me  in  the  sparry  grot, — 
My  country  !  Thou  wert  ne'er  forgot. 


C  A  MHOS  AND    SAGAS. 


477 


THE  SWORD  CHANT  OF  THORSTEIN  THE  RED. 

(William  Motherwell). 

Thorstein  the  Red  was  a  son  of  Olaf  the  White,  King  of  Dublin.  Uniting  his  forces  with  those  ot 
Earl  Sigurd  of  Orkney,  they  conquered  Caithness,  Strathnaver,  and  Sutherland  from  the  Scots  (875). 
On  the  death  of  Guttorm,  son  of  Sigurd,  the  conquered  territories  appear  to  have  passed  to  Earl 
Duncan  {d  quo  Duncansbay),  a  Scottish  noble  who  had  married  the  Lady  Groa,  daughter  of  Thorstein, 
and  heiress  of  his  Scottish  conquests.  Their  daughter  Grelauga  married  Karl  Thorfinn  of  the  Orkneys, 
whose  fame  has  been  recorded  as  the  "  Cleaver  of  Helmets,"  and  from  these  two  is  lineally  descended 
the  present  Earl  of  Caithness,  and  all  the  St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles.  Thorstein's  warlike  spirit  is 
graphically  presented  to  us  in  the  following  animated  stanzas  :  — 


"Fis  not  the  gray  hawk's  flight  o'er  mountain  and 

mere  ; 
'Tis  not   the    fleet  hound's   course,   tracking    the 

detr; 
'Tis  not  the  light  hoof-print  of  black  steed  or  gray, 
Though  sweltering  it  gallop  a  long  summer's  day, 
Which  mete    forth    the    lordships  I   challenge   as 
mine  ; 

Ha  !  ha  !  'tis  the  good  brand 
I  clutch  in  my  strong  hand, 
That  can  their  broad  marches  and  numbers  define. 
Land  Giver  !  I  kiss  thee. 

Dull  builders  of  houses,  base  tillers  of  earth, 
Gaping,  ask  me  what  lordships  I  owned   at   my 

birth  ; 
But  the  pale  fools  wax  mute  w-hen   I  point  with 

my  sword 
East,  west,   north,   and  south,  shouting:   "There 

am  I  lord  !" 
Wold  and  waste,  town  and  tower,  hill,  valley  and 
stream, 

Trembling,  bow  to  my  sway 
In  the  fierce  battle  fray, 
When  the  star  that  rules  fate  is  this  falchion's  red 
gleam. 

Might  Giver  !  I  kiss  thee. 

I've  heard   great  harps   soundirg  in   brave  bower 

and  hall  ; 
I've  drunk  the  sweet  music  that  bright  lips  let  fall ; 
I've  hunted  in  greenwood,  and  heard  small  birds 

sing  ; 
But  away  with  this  idle  and  cold  jargoning  ! 
The  music  I  love  is  the  shout  of  the  brave, 
The  yell  of  the  dying. 
The  scream  of  the  flying, 
When  this  arm  wields  death's  sickle  and  garners 
the  grave. 
Joy  Giver  !  I  kiss  thee. 


Far  isles  of  the  ocean  thy  lightning  hath  known. 
And  wide  o'er  the  mainland  thy  horrors  have  shone. 
Great  sword  of  my  father,  stern  joy  of  his  hand  ; 
Thou  hast  carved  his  name  deep  on  the  stranger's 

red  strand, 
And  won  him  the  glory  of  undying  song. 

Keen  cleaver  of  gay  crests, 

Sharp  piercer  of  broad  breasts, 
Grim  slayer  of  heroes,  and  scourge  of  the  strong  ! 

Fame  Giver  !  I  kiss  thee. 

In  a  love  more  abiding  than  that  the  heart  knows, 
For  maiden  more  lovely  than  summer's  first  rose, 
My  heart's  knit  to  thine,  and  lives  but  for  thee  : 
In  dreamings  of  gladness  thou'rt  dancing  with  me, 
Brave  measures  of  madness,  in  some  battle-field, 

Where  armour  is  ringing, 

And  noble  blood  springing. 
And   cloven,    yawn    helmet,    stout    hauberk,    and 
shield. 

Death  Giver  !  I  kiss  thee. 

The  smile  of  a  maiden's  eye  soon  may  depart  ; 
And  light  is  the  faith  of  fair  woman's  heart  ; 
Changeful  as  light  clouds,  and  wayward  as  wind, 
Be  the  passions  that  govern  weak  woman's  mind. 
But  thy  metal's  as  true  as  its  polish  is  bright  : 

When  ills  wax  in  number, 

Thy  love  will  not  slumber  ; 
But,  starlike,  burns  fiercer  the  darker  the  night. 

Heart  Gladden ek  !  I  kiss  thee. 

My  kindred  have  perished  by  war  or  by  wave  ; 
Now,  childless  and  sireless,  I  long  for  the  grave. 
When  the  path  of  our  glory  is  shadowed  in  death, 
With  me  thou  wilt  slumber  below  the  brown  heath  ; 
Thou  wilt  rest  on  my  bosom,  and  with  it  decay  ; 

While  harps  shall  be  ringing, 

And  Scalds  shall  be  singing 
The  deeds  we  have  done  in  our  old  fearless  day. 

SONG  Giver  !  I  kiss  thee. 


478 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


THE   VISIT   OF   EARL   THORFINN. 

(Sir  Edmund  Head.)1 

"The  history  of  the  event  touched  upon  here  is  to  be  found  in  the  Orkneyinga  Saga.  Earl  Thorfinn, 
who  was  the  fourth  son  of  Sigurd,  died  in  1064.  He  was  only  five  winters  old  when  he  was  made  an 
Earl  by  Malcolm,  King  of  Scots,  his  mother's  father ;  and  he  held  the  title  for  seventy  years.  This 
fierce  and  warlike  man  not  only  slew  his  nephew,  Earl  Riignvald,  the  son  of  Brusi,  but  he  also  put  to 
death  in  cold  blood  those  adherents  of  King  Magnus  who  had  sided  with  Riignvald.  It  is  to  that 
massacre  the  ballad  alludes.  After  his  death  his  deeds  of  bravery  were  celebrated  in  verse,  which  may 
be  seen  in  the  Saga  above  referred  to.  One  of  the  closing  stanzas  is  given  as  a  specimen  of  the 
Scandinavian  poetry  of  that  wild  period  : — 

'The  bright  sun  swarthy  shall  become,  in  the  black  sea  the  earth  shall  sink, 
Austri's  labour  shall  be  ended,  and  the  wild  sea  hide  the  mountains, 
Ere  there  be  in  those  fair  islands  born  a  chief  to  rule  the  people — 
May  our  God  both  help  and  keep  them  !  Greater  than  the  lost  Earl  Thorfinn.' 

Such  a  glimpse  into  the  beginning  of  the  eleventh  century  reveals  the  condition  of  North  Britain  under 
the  ruthless  Jarls.  The  traveller  from  the  South  may  now  pass  through  all  those  places  without 
having  his  sensibilities  shocked  by  any  cold-blooded  massacre.  The  eternal  sea  whispers  not  of  such 
scenes  as  her  waves  ripple  at  your  feet  ;  and  the  rocky  caverns  only  moan  a  requiem  over  all  such 
melancholy  incidents."! 

The  sea  still  ebbs  and  flows  the  same  as  then, 
The  same  stars  peep  from  out  the  midnight  sky, 

But  in  those  isles  and  bays  are  other  men 
Than  those  who  lived  and  died  in  days  gone  by — 

Those  days  that  are  so  far  beyond  our  ken. 


King  Magnus  sat  at  his  mid-day  meal, 

Where  his  fleet  at  anchor  rode, 
When  a  stranger  crossed  the  royal  deck, 

And  straight  to  the  table  strode. 

He  greeted  the  king;  he  took  the  loai 

That  lay  upon  the  board, 
And  broke,  and  ate,  as  if  of  right, 

Whilst  neither  spoke  a  word. 

King  Magnus  gaz'd,  as  he  wiped  his  beard, 

"  Wilt  thou  not  drink  ?"  he  said, 
And  passed  the  cup.     The  stranger  drank, 

And  bowed  in  thanks  his  head. 

"  Thy  name  ?"     "  My  name  is  Thorfinn,  sir." 

"  Earl  Thorfinn  !     Can  it  be  ?" 
He  smiled.     "Well,  yes  ;  men  call  me  thus 

Beyond  the  western  sea." 

"And  is  it  so  ?"  the  king  replied. 

' '  I  had  resolved  me  well 
That  if  we  two  met — what  pass'd  when  we  met 

Thou  should'st  not  live  to  tell. 


"Together  now  we've  broken  bread, 

And  thus  my  hand  is  stayed  ; 
But  think  thou  not  the  score  is  quit, 

Though  vengeance  be  delayed." 

It  chanced  as  friends  they  drank  one  day — 

On  the  deck  a  Norman  stood  ; 
"  Lord  Earl,"  he  said,  "  from  thee  I  claim 

The  price  of  a  brother's  blood. 

"  When  Kirkwall  street  was  drench 'd  in  gore, 
And  the  King's  men  slaughter'd  lay, 

By  thy  command  that  brother  died — 
Will  thou  his  man-bote  pay  ?" 

Loud  laughed  the  Earl.  "  What  ho  !  thou  fool, 
Thou  must  oft  have  heard  it  said, 

How  Thorfinn  scores  of  men  hath  slain, 
But  man-bote  never  paid." 

"  All  this,  lord  Earl,  is  nought  to  me  ; 

'Tis  nought  if  our  king  sits  by, 
Nor  cares  to  avenge  those  men  of  his 

Led  out  like  sheep  to  die." 


Fraser's  Magazine  of  January, 


t  "Rambles  in  the  Far  North,"  by  R.  M.  Ferguson. 


CAMEOS  AXU  SAGAS. 


479 


Then  Thorfinn  looked  again,  and  swore 
"  By  the  rood  !  I  know  thee  well  ; 

Why,  I  gave  thee  thy  life  in  Kirkwall  town, 
When  all  thy  comrades  fell. 

"  My  chance  is  hard — I  have  oft  been  blamed 

Too  many  that  I  slew  ; 
And  now  this  coil  hath  come  about 

Because  I've  slain  too  few." 

The  king's  brow  flushed  with  wrath — "Forsooth! 

It  seerueth  to  vex  thee  sore 
That  in  thwarting  my  rights  and  slaying  my  men 

Thou  hast  not  done  still  more." 


But  now  a  fair  breeze  fills  each  sail, 

And  pennons  are  floating  free, 
As  the  long  warships,  with  their  dragon  heads, 

Go  cleaving  the  dark  blue  sea. 

And  aye  to  the  west  of  the  Norway  fleet, 

Earl  Thorfinn  steers  his  bark  ; 
Men  saw  her  holding  her  course  with  them 

One  night  when  the  sky  grew  dark  : 

Hut  when  morning  broke  that  bark  was  gone 

Far,  far  o'er  the  western  foam, 
Where  Orkney  breasts  the  waves,  and  where 
Earl  Thorfinn  sits  in  Kirkwall  fair, 

Sole  lord  of  his  island  home. 


THE  ROYAL  HUNT  OF  ROSLIN.* 

King  Robert  the  Bruce,  when  he  was  returned  from  Ireland,  and  his  countrey  free  from  King 
Edward's  tyranny,  began  to  take  pleasure  in  pastimes,  as  hunting  and  hawking.  So  upon  a  time  he 
appointed  a  great  hunting  upon  Pentlaud  Hills,  which  was  then  the  king's  forrest,  and  when  his  nobles 
were  all  assembled,  and  had  made  two  or  three  days'  pastime,  he  declared  to  them  how  he  had  oft 
hunted  a  white  faunch  deer,  neither  ever  could  his  hounds  prevaill,  and  desired  them  if  they  had  any 
to  try  them.  They  hearing  the  king's  speech,  denied  that  they  had  any  could  kill  the  deer.  Sir 
William  Saintclair,  haveing  two  red  fellow  hounds,  named  Help  and  Hold,  says,  not  thinking  that  any 
should  charge  his  words,  that  he  would  wager  his  head  that  they  should  kill  the  deer  before  ever  she  came 
over  the  marche  burne  ;  but  the  words  no  sooner  evanished  in  the  aire,  but  it  was  declared  to  the  king, 
who  takeing  indignation  that  his  hounds  should  be  speediest,  would  have  him  abide  att  his  word,  and 
laid  against  his  head  all  Pentland  Hills  and  Pentland  Moor,  with  the  Forest,  and  immediately  he 
caused  make  proclamation  that  all  should  bind  up  their  hounds,  and  be  quiet,  least  they  should  affray 
the  deer,  except  a  few  horsemen  with  ratches  to  search  her  forth.  Sir  William  Saintclair,  greatly 
astonished  att  that,  went  with  his  hounds  to  the  best  hounding  part  he  could  find,  and,  according  to  the 
custome  of  that  time,  he  prayed  to  Christ,  the  blessed  Virgin  Marie,  and  Sainte  Kathrine,  as  mediators, 
to  save  him  from  danger.  His  prayer  was  no  sooner  ended,  but  the  deer,  by  clamour  of  the  people  being 
raised,  came  off  the  back  hills  to  that  part  where  he  was,  who  hunting  his  hound  called  Hold  first,  then 
Help,  and  followed  speedily  himself,  being  mounted  upon  a  gallant  steed,  till  he  saw  the  hinde  passe  to 
the  middle  of  the  burne,  wherat  he  fell  on  his  face,  beseaching  Christ  to  have  mercie  on  him,  but  the 
hound  called  Hold  came  to  the  deer,  and  made  her  stay  in  the  burne,  and  then  Help  came  and  made 
her  goe  to  the  same  side  where  Sir  William  was,  and  there  slew  her.  The  king  sieing  this,  came  and 
embraced  Sir  William,  and  gave  him  those  lands  in  free  forestrie,  which  contained  the  Kirktone, 
Loganhouse,  Earncraig,  Whitehaugh,  Easter  and  Wester  Summerhopes,  Back  and  For  Spittles, 
Midlethird  and  Skipperfields.  After  this  Sir  William  Saintclair,  in  remembrance  of  this,  in  the  place 
where  he  made  his  last  devotion,  builded  the  church  of  St.  Kathrine  in  the  Hopes,  which  now  remains 
to  this  day.  Know,  reader,  that  the  hill  on  which  King  Robert  stayed  till  the  deer  was  hunted,  to  this 
day  is  called  the  King's  Hill,  and  the  place  where  Sir  William  hunted  is  called  the  Knight's  field.  It 
is  reported  that  Sir  William  Saintclair  sent  a  priest  to  the  grave  of  that  holy  woman  Saint  Kathrine,  in 
which  there  is  a  precious  oyle,  that  issueth  from  her  bones,  to  bring  him  therof,  that  he  might  carry  it 
to  his  new-builded  chapell.  The  priest  goeing,  and  returning  with  the  oyle,  he  became  so  weary  that 
he  was  forced  by  the  way  to  rest  him  att  a  place  a  mile  distant  from  Libertoune  Church,  where  falling 
asleep  upon  a  rush  bush  near  by,  lost  his  oyle.  The  news  wherof  comeing  to  Sir  William  Saintclair, 
he  made  workemen  to  digge  the  place  where  the  oyle  was  spilt,  and  presentlie  up  sprung  a  fountaine, 
which  to  this  day  hath  like  a  black  oyle  swimming  upon  it.  He  then  bethought  himself  of  the  great 
robberie  committed  about  Sainte  Kathrines  in  the  Hopes,  considering  that  Saint  Kathrine  would  not 
permit  the  baulme  of  her  bones  to  be  brought  to  sutch  a  prophane  place,  least  they  who  came  to 
worship  there  should,  without  all  relligious  reverence,  be  rigorously  robbed.* 

*  Van  Bassan  or  Hay. 


4So 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


Sir  William  was  slain  by  the  Moors  in  Spain  while  escorting  the 
Heart  of  Bruce  to  the  Holy  Land  in  1330.  The  effigy  on  his  tombstone 
on  the  floor  of  Roslin  Chapel  depicts  him  standing  upon  the  dead  stag, 
in  the  attitude  of  adoration  and  gratitude.  The  figures  of  his  two 
hounds,  Help  and  Hold,  are  near  the  top  of  the  stone  at  either  side  of 
the  knight's  head.  Sir  William  erected  a  chapel  at  Pentland  endowed 
with  ground  in  the  neighbourhood  ;  the  Reformation  levelled  this 
chapel  to  the  ground,  but  the  churchyard  is  still  in  good  repair,  and 
there  are  two  stones  lying  flat  upon  the  ground,  the  crusading  cross  and 
sword  on  each  of  them,  with  the  inscription  nearly  obliterated,  which, 
in  all  probability,  are  connected  with  the  knight  and  his  history.  A 
stone  of  the  identical  pattern  was  lately  (1848)  found  at  Roslin,  with 
"  Sir  William  St.  Clair  "  upon  it,  but  no  date  or  other  inscription.  The 
knight,  likewise  erected  upon  the  same  estate  another  monastery, 
dedicated  to  St.  Katherine,  the  tutelary  saint  of  the  family,  which  was 
also  demolished  at  the  Reformation.  Lady  St.  Clair,  the  heiress  of 
Orkney,  built  and  endowed  near  the  Meadows,  at  Edinburgh,  on  the 
same  Pentland  estate,  a  splendid  monastery  for  Dominican  nuns,  and 
dedicated  to  St.  Katherine  of  Sienna.  At  the  Reformation,  too,  the 
magistrates  of  Edinburgh  seized  upon  the  revenues  of  this  convent,  and 
the  poor  gentlewomen  who  had  been  educated  as  nuns,  and  spent  their 
lives  in  devotion  within  its  sacred  walls,  were  turned  out  upon  the  wide 
world;  nor  would  the  magistrates,  until  compelled  by  Queen  Mary, 
allow  the  nuns  a  subsistence  out  of  the  funds  with  which  Lady  St.  Clair  had  endowed  the  convent. 

Early  in  the  present  century  the  chapel  built  upon  the  spot  where  the  stag  was  killed  was  in  fair 
preservation  ;  but  stone  enclosures  being  in  progress  of  erection  on  the  farm  on  which  it  stood,  the 
farmer,  with  a  feeling  worthy  only  of  a  Gothic  age,  took  its  stones  to  build  the  dykes.  Beneath  the 
altar  the  workmen  came  upon  an  urn.  The  barbarians,  impatient  to  see  what  it  contained,  broke  it  to 
shivers,  and,  to  their  joy,  it  was  found  to  contain  gold  and  silver  coin,  no  doubt  deposited  by  the 
heroic  huntsman  when  laying  the  foundation  of  the  chapel.  This  quasi-sacrilegious  act  was  followed 
by  a  visitation  termed  by  the  pious  as 

The  Vengeance  ok  Heaven, 
for  the  labourers  employed  to  pull  down  the  chapel  and  who  broke  the  urn,  being  employed  a  few  days 
after  in  a  stone  quarry,  a  mass  of  earth  fell  upon  them,  killing  all  but  one  man,  who  was  made  lame  for 
life,  and  wandered  in  poverty  as  a  living  monument  of  sacrilegious  profanity.*  And  again,  by  a 
curious  coincidence,  when  the  proprietor  of  the  place  whereon  was  situated  the  Dominincan  nunnery 
founded  by  Lady  St.  Clair  employed  masons  to  pull  down  the  sacred  walls  of  that  chapel,  the 
scaffolding  gave  way  and  the  tradesmen  were  killed.  This  being  viewed  as  a  judgment  of  heaven  for 
demolishing  the  house  of  God,  no  entreaties  nor  bribes  have  been  able  to  prevail  upon  tradesmen  to 
accomplish  its  entire  demolition. t 


Effigy, 
Sir  Wm.  St.  Clj 


HELP  AND    HOLD. 


"Now  fie  !  now  fie  !"  quoth  Robert  the  king — 
And  the  red  blood  flew  to  his  brow,  [ring — 

And   the   weight   of    his    hand   bade  the  beakers 
"  I  am  shamed  this  day,  I  trow  ! 


LEGEND   OF   THE    HOUSE   OF   ST.  CLAIR. 
(By  G.  J.  WhyTE-Melvii.le.) 

And  I  vow  to  St.  Hubert  as  I  sit  here. 

To  St.  Andrew.  St.  Rule,  and  St.  Bride,      [deer. 
Till  I've  sounded  '  the  mort '  o'er  the  white  faunch 
No  more  in  the  woodland  to  ride  !" 


•  In  stable  and  hall  I  have  steeds  and  men, 
I  have  hounds  both  staunch  and  free  ; 

?ut  the  white  faunch  deer  of  the  hawthorn  glen 
Makes  light  of  my  woodcraft  and  me  ! 


Then  up  and  spake  the  bold  St.  Clair, 
Was  drinking  the  red  wine  free, 

"  The  lands  of  thy  vassal  are  scant  and  bare, 
My  liege,  as  they  should  not  be. 


Royal  Hunt  of  Roslin  (Jackson). 


tArnot's  Edinburgh 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


481 


"  But  had  I  the  space  by  wood  aud  wold, 

To  breathe  them  a  summer's  day, 
I'd  ask  but  my  two  hounds.  Help  and  Hold, 

While  I  brought  the  white  deer  to  bay  !" 

"  Ye  are  stout,"  quoth  the  King — "ye  are  stout, 
As  behoves  a  St.  Clair  to  be,  [my  lord, 

But  there's  many  a  brag  at  the  evening  board 
Winna  stand  in  the  morn  on  the  lea. 

The  lands  of  the  Strath,  both  far  and  near, 
Shall  be  yours  if  her  flight  ye  can  turn, 

And  bring  me  to  grips  with  the  white  faunch  deer, 
Ere  she  win  through  the  black  march  burn. 

But  a  man  dare  not  take  if  he  dare  not  lose, 

And  the  venture  is  yet  to  be  said  :  [choose, 

Should  your  good  hounds  fail,  then  ye  shall  not 
Mv  lord,  but  to  forfeit  your  head." 

"  A  wager  !  a  wager  !"  cried  bold  St.  Clair  ; 

"  See,  bring  me  both  hound  and  horn  ; 
Go  saddle  the  bonny  black  Barbary  mare, 

The  fleetest  that  feeds  on  corn. 

A  wager  !  a  wager  !  on  Help  and  Hold  ! 
Was  never  a  lord  ofmy  line 

But  wou'd  wager  his  life  against  lands  and  gold  ; 
My  liege,  the  broad  Strath  shall  be  mine  !" 
***** 

They  saddled  their  steeds  at  mirk  o'  night, 

They  mounted  when  dawn  was  near,  [light, 

And  they  slipped  the  good  hounds  with  the  dim  grey- 
On  the  track  of  the  white  faunch  deer. 

The  white  faunch  deer  like  an  arrow  flew, 

The  good  hounds  followed  fast ; 
I  trow  they  drove  her  from  slot  to  view, 

Ere  noon  was  fairly  past. 

Still  first  in  the  chase  rode  bold  St.  Clair, 
The  Bruce  spurred  hard  in  his  track, 


And  the  foam  stood  white  on  the  Barbary  mare, 
1       And  the  King's  bonny  bay  grew  slack. 

"She   fails,"    quoth    St.    Clair,    "and    the    good 
St.  Katherine  speed  their  flight  !    [hounds  gain, 

Now  cote  her  !  and  turn  her  across  the  plain, 
For  the  black  march  burn  is  in  sight  !" 

The  black  march  burn  falls  steep  at  the  bank, 

To  the  pitch  of  a  horseman's  chin, 
But  Hold's  grey  muzzle  is  hot  on  her  flank, 

And  the  white  faunch  deer  leaps  in. 

Light  down  !  light  down  !  thou  St.  Clair  bold  ! 

Or  never  go  hunting  more  ; 
Now  have  at  her,  Help  !  now  hang  to  her,  Hold  ! 

And  they  turn  her  back  to  the  shore. 

The  King's  bonny  bay  a  good  bow-shot  mark 
Stopped  short  of  the  Barbary  mare  ; 

And  the  hounds  stood  grim  and  the  deer  lay  stark 
At  the  feet  of  bold  St.  Clair. 

"  My  liege  !  my  liege  !  will  ye  take  the  knife  ?" 

The  St.  Clair  bent  his  knee  : 
"  By  St.  Katherine's  aid,  both  lands  and  life 

Have  my  good  hounds  won  for  me. 

And  I  vow  to  St.  Katherine  I'll  build  a  shrine 
In  '  the  Hopes  '  by  the  western  wave, 

And  I  vow  to  St.  Hubert  these  hounds  of  mine 
Shall  be  carven  in  stone  on  my  grave  !" 

The  bold  St.  Clair  he  sleeps  in  Spain, 
For  with  good  Lord  James  he  had  part, 

When  they  hewed  a  red  path  through  a  host  ol 
To  follow  the  Bruce 's  heart.  [slain, 

But  Help  and  Hold,  as  I've  been  told, 
May  be  seen  in  St.  Katherine's  chapelle  ; 

And  scion  and  heir  of  the  house  of  St.  Clair 
Still  love  a  good  hound  well. 


THE   HEART   OE  THE    BRUCE.* 

When  on  his  deathbed  King  Robert  the  Bruce  assembled  around  him  the  nobles  and  counsellors 
whom  he  had  most  trusted,  whom  he  informed  that  it  had  been  his  intention  had  he  lived  to  have 
gone  to  Jerusalem  to  make  war  upon  the  Saracens  who  held  the  Holy  Land,  as  some  expiation  for  the 
evil  deeds  of  his  life,  more  particularly  for  the  murder  of  the  Red  Corny n.  But  as  he  was  about  to  die, 
he  wished  his  heart  to  be  taken  to  Palestine,  and  entrusted  the  sacred  office  to  Sir  James  "the  Good" 
Douglas,  who,  accompanied  by  Sir  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  Sir  Robert  Logan,  and  many  other 
Scottish  barons,  started  on  the  journey,  but  were  fated  never  to  reach  the  intended  destination. 
Hearing  that  Alonzo.  King  of  Castile  and  Leon,  was  fighting  against  Osmyn,  the  Moorish  Governor  of 
Grenada,  the  Scots,  having  regard  to  the  religious  nature  of  their  mission  and  the  vows  they  had 
taken  before  leavirg  Scotland,  viewed  the  cause  of  Alonzo  as  a  holy  warlare  ;  and  before  proceeding  to 
Jerusalem  determined  to  first  visit  Spain,  and  signalise  their  prowess  against  the  Saracens.     They  met 


*  Tytler  ;  Tales  of  a  Grandfather. 


482 


CAMEOS  AND   SAGAS. 


in  action  near  Theba,  on  the  Andalusian  borders,  when  the  Moorish  cavalry  suffered  defeat,  but  the 
Scottish  warriors,  advancing  too  eagerly  in  the  pursuit,  were  surrounded  by  a  strong  division  of  the 
Moors,  which  had  rallied  on  seeing  them  so  far  from  the  main  body  of  the  Spanish  army.  Sir  William 
St.  Clair  of  Roslin  bad  been  foremost  in  the  chase  of  war,  as  in  the  chase  of  the  hunting  field.  His 
perilous  position  was  manifest.  "  Yonder  worthy  knight  will  be  slain,"  Douglas  said,  "  unless  he  have 
instant  help."  With  that  he  galloped  to  his  rescue,  but  in  attempting  it  became  inextricably  involved 
with  the  enemy  and  perished  in  company  with  his  comrades,  Sir  William  St.  Clair,  Sir  Robert  Logan, 
and  divers  others  (on  the  8th  September,  1330*).  It  will  be  sufficient  for  the  purposes  of  this  work  to 
submit  the  closing  verses  of  Aytoun's  well  known  poem  : — 


THE     HEAR 
(W.   E. 


T     OF     BRUCE. 
Avtoux.") 


The  trumpets  blew,  the  cross-bolts  flew, 

The  arrows  flashed  like  flame, 
As  spur  in  side  and  spear  in  rest, 

Against  the  foe  we  came. 

And  many  a  bearded  Saracen 
Went  down,  both  horse  and  man  ; 

For  through  their  ranks  we  rode  like  corn, 
So  furiously  we  ran  ! 

But  in  behind  our  path  they  closed, 

Though  fain  to  let  us  through, 
For  they  were  forty  thousand  men, 

And  we  were  wondrous  few. 

We  might  not  see  a  lance's  length, 

So  dense  was  their  array  ; 
But  the  long  fell  sweep  of  the  Scottish  blade 

Still  held  them  hard  at  bay. 

"  Make  in  !  make  in  !"  Lord  Douglas  cried, 

"  Make  in,  my  brethren  dear  ! 
Sir  William  of  Saint  Clair  is  down  ; 

We  may  not  leave  him  here  !" 

But  thicker,  thicker,  grew  the  swarm, 

And  sharper  shot  the  rain, 
And  the  horses  reared  amid  the  press, 

But  they  would  not  charge  again. 

"  Now  Jesu  help  thee,"  said  Lord  James, 
"  Thou  kind  and  true  Saint  Clair  ! 


An'  if  I  may  not  bring  thee  off, 
I'll  die  beside  thee  there  !" 

Then  in  his  stirrups  up  he  stood, 

So  lion-like  and  bold, 
And  held  the  precious  heart  aloft 

All  in  its  case  of  gold. 

He  flung  it  from  him,  far  ahead, 

And  never  spake  he  more, 
But — "  Pass  thee  first,  thou  dauntless  heart, 

As  thou  wert  wont  of  yore  !" 

The  roar  of  fight  rose  fiercer  yet, 

And  heavier  still  the  stour, 
Till  the  spears  of  Spain  came  shivering  in, 

And  swept  away  the  Moor. 

"  O  Bothwell  banks  !  that  bloom  so  bright 

Beneath  the  sun  of  May, 
The  heaviest  cloud  that  ever  blew 

Is  bound  for  you  this  day. 

And,  Scotland,  thou  may'st  veil  thy  head 

In  sorrow  and  in  pain  ; 
The  sorest  stroke  upon  thy  brow 

Hath  fallen  this  day  in  Spain  ! 

We'll  bear  them  back  unto  our  ship, 

We'll  bear  them  o'er  the  sea, 
And  lay  them  in  the  hallowed  earth, 

Within  our  own  countrie." 


THE  DEATH  OF  HACO.f 

Irritated  by  the  ravages  of  Farquard  Kiarnach  Machonas,  Earl  of  Ross,  on  the  Western  Isles,  then 
subject  to  the  Norwegian  crown.  King  Haco  of  Norway  fitted  out  a  magnificent  fleet  containing  over 
100  galleys,  with  which  he  sailed  west  to  make  reprisals  on  the  Scots.  He  called  at  Hjaltland,  and 
passed  thence  to  Orkney,  where  most  of  the  summer  was  occupied  in  completing  his  preparations.  There 
he  obtained  the  support  of  Earl  Magnus  of  Orkney,  and  finally  steered  through  the  Petland  Firth, 
plundering  Caithness,  subjugating  the  islands,  and  carrying  all  before  him,  till  he  anchored  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Clyde,  and  landed  on  the  Scottish  coast  near  Largs.      The  young  King,  Alexander  III  , 


*  Balfour's  Annals. 


tClotiston's  Guide  to  Orkney. 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


4^3 


hesitated  to  meet  in  battle  such  a  formidable  host  ;  but 
as  the  autumnal  equinox  was  at  hand,  the  Scottish 
generals  wisely  delayed,  expecting  help  from  the 
elements.  Nor  were  they  disappointed,  for  a  violent 
storm  arising,  dashed  many  of  the  ships  against  each 
other,  and  greatly  injured  the  fleet.  A  battle  ensued, 
in  which  16,000  of  the  Norsemen  fell,  though,  after  all, 
the  victory  was  doubtful.  Haco,  however,  retired, 
having  first  burned  the  damaged  ships,  and  buried  the 
slain  on  the  field  of  battle.  He  came  to  Kirkwall  with 
the  shattered  remains  of  his  grand  fleet,  and  the  stormy 
weather  having  now  set  in,  they  were  compelled  to 
remain  in  Kirkwall  for  the  winter.  Haco  occupied  the 
upper  flat  of  the  Bishop's  Palace,  while  his  men  were 
quartered  throughout  the  island.  In  a  short  time,  how- 
ever, the  brave  old  monarch  sickened,  and  soon  he  died, 
it  is  believed  of  a  broken  heart,  for  the  loss  of  his  ships 
and  his  brave  followers.  The  body  lay  in  state  in  the 
upper  chamber  of  the  palace,  after  wbich  it  was  coffined 
and  placed  before  the  shtine  of  .St.  Magnus,  where  his 
warriors  watched  it  by  turns  during  the  winter.  In 
spring  the  body  was  conveyed  to  Bergen,  and  buried  in 
the  royal  sepulchre  of  Norway. 
There  is  a  full  account  of  these  occurrences  in  the  "  Edinburgh  Magazine  "  for  17S7  (translated 

from  an  Icelandic  Chronicle),  which  is  so  fine  and  graphic  that  one  would  be  tempted  to  reproduce  it 

but  for  the  fact  of  almost  literal  illustration  in  the  lines  that  follow. 


The  Naa 


M  vi 


THE     DEAT 

(John  Stua 
The  summer  is  gone,  Haco,  Haco, 

The  yellow  year  is  fled, 
And  the  winter  is  come,  Haco, 

That  numbers  thee  with  the  dead  ! 
When  the  year  was  young,  Haco,  Haco, 

And  the  skies  were  blue  and  bright, 
Thou  didst  sweep  the  seas  then,  Haco, 

Like  a  bird  with  wings  of  might. 
With  thine  oaken  galley  proudly, 

And  thy  gilded  dragon-prow, 
O'er  the  bounding  billows,  Haco, 

Like  a  sea-god  thou  didst  go. 
With  thy  barons  gaily,  gaily, 

All  in  proof  of  burnished  mail. 
In  the  voes  of  Orkney,  Haco, 

Thou  didst  spread  thy  prideful  sail  ; 
And  the  sturdy  men  of  Caithness, 

And  the  land  of  the  Mackay, 
And  the  men  of  stony  Parf,  Haco, 

Knew  that  Norway's  king  was  nigh. 
And  the  men  of  outmost  Lewis,  Haco, 

And  Skye  with  winding  kyles, 
And  Macdougall's  country,  Haco, 

Knew  the  monarch  of  the  Isles. 
And  the  granite  peaks  of  Arran, 

And  the  rocks  that  fence  the  Clyde, 


H     OF     HACO. 

RT    Bl.ACKIK.) 

Saw  thy  daring  Norsemen,  Haco, 

Ramping  o'er  the  Scottish  tide. 
But  scaith  befell  thee,  Haco,  Haco  ! 

Thou  wert  faithful,  thou  wert  brave  ; 
Yet  truth  might  not  shield  thee,  Haco, 

From  a  talse  and  shuffling  knave. 
The  crafty  King  of  Scots,  Haco, 

Who  might  not  bar  thy  way, 
Beguiled  thee,  honest  Haco, 

With  lies  that  bred  delay. 
And  hasty  winter,  Haco,  Haco, 

Came  and  tripped  the  summer's  heels 
And  rent  the  sails  of  Haco, 

And  swamped  his  conquering  keels. 
Woe  is  me  for  Haco,  Haco  ! 

On  Lorn,  and  Mull,  and  Skye 
The  hundred  ships  of  Haco 

In  a  thousand  fragments  lie  ! 
And  thine  oaken  galley,  Haco, 

That  sailed  with  kingly  pride. 
Came  shorn  and  shattered,  Haco, 

Through  the  foaming  Pechtland  tide. 
And  thy  heart  sank,  Haco,  Haco, 

And  thou  felt  that  thou  must  die, 
When  the  bay  of  Kirkwall,  Haco, 

Thou  held  with  drooping  eye. 


4»4 


CAMEOS  AND   SAGAS. 


And  they  led  thee,  Haco,  Haco, 

To  the  bishop's  lordly  hall, 
Where  thy  woe-struck  barons,  Haco, 

Stood  to  see  the  mighty  fall  ; 
And  the  purple  churchmen,  Haco, 

Stood  to  hold  thy  royal  head, 
And  good  words  of  hope  to  Haco 

From  the  Holy  Book  they  re^d. 
Then  outspake  the  dying  Haco, 

"  Dear  are  God's  dear  words  to  me, 
But  read  the  book  to  Haco, 

Of  the  kings  that  ruled  the  sea." 
Then  they  read  to  dying  Haco 

From  the  ancient  Saga  hoar, 
Of  Haldan  and  of  Harald, 

When  his  fathers  worshipped  Thor. 
And  they  shrove  the  dying  Haco, 

And  they  prayed  his  bed  beside  ; 
And  with  holy  unction  Haco 

Drooped  his  kingly  head  and  died. 
And  in  parade  of  death,  Haco, 

They  stretched  thee  on  thy  bed, 
With  a  purple  vest  for  Haco, 

And  a  garland  for  his  head. 
And  around  thee,  Haco,  Haco, 

Were  tapers  burning  bright, 


And  masses  were  sung  for  Haco. 

By  day  and  eke  by  night. 
And  they  bore  thee,  Haco,  Haco, 

To  holy  Magnus'  shrine, 
And  beside  his  sainted  bones,  Haco, 

They  chastely  coffined  thine. 
And  above  thee,  Haco,  Haco, 

To  deck  thy  dreamless  bed, 
All  crisp  with  gold  for  Haco, 

A  purple  pall  the}'  spread. 
And  around  thee,  Haco,  Haco, 

Where  the  iron  sleep  thou  slept, 
Thro'  the  long  dark  winter,  Haco, 

A  solemn  watch  they  kept ; 
And  at  early  burst  of  spring-time, 

When  the  birds  sang  out  with  idee. 
They  took  the  body  of  Haco 

In  a  ship  across  the  sea — 
Across  the  sea  to  Norway, 

Wh-  re  thy  sires  make  moan  for  thee. 
That  the  last  of  his  race  was  Haco, 

Who  ruled  the  Western  sea. 
And  they  laid  thee,  Haco,  Haco, 

With  thy  sires  on  the  Norway  shore, 
And  far  from  the  isles  of  the  sea,  Haco, 

That  know  thv  name  no  more. 


THE  HERO  OF  BRIDGENORTH. 

HUBERT  DE  ST.  CLARE,  Castellan  ok  Colchester  Castle. 
(t  1 165.) 

The  heroism  of  Hubert  St.  Clair  has  been  a  favourite  theme  with  English  annalists.  Lord 
Lyttelton,  Stowe,  Camden,  Speed,  Sir  William  Pole,  Polwhele,  &c,  all  notice  the  noble  self-sacrifice  of 
his  life.  Hubert  was  the  son  of  Hamo  de  St.  Clare,  whom  Henry  I.  had  appointed  Constable  of 
Colchester,  and  in  course  of  time  succeeded  his  father  in  that  office.  Lord  Lyttelton's  account  of  his 
fate,  appearing  in  his  Life  of  Henry  the  Second,  gives  us  a  vivid  presentment  of  the  scene  : — 

"  Mortimer,  though  abandoned  by  his  friends,  would  not  lay  down  his  arms.  Henry,  incensed  at 
his  obstinacy,  led  a  great  army  against  him,  with  which,  having  divided  it  into  three  bodies,  he  at 
once  assaulted  the  three  castles  of  Clebury,  Wigmore,  and  Bridgenorth  ;  and  though  it  was  expected 
that  each  of  them  would  stand  a  long  siege,  they  were  all  surrendered  to  him  in  a  short  time.  Before 
that  of  Bridgenorth,  which  was  defended  by  Mortimer,  he  commanded  in  person,  and  exposed  himself 
to  so  much  danger,  that  he  would  there  have  been  slain,  if  a  faithful  vassal  had  not  preferred  his  life 
to  his  own.  For  while  he  was  busied  in  giving  orders  too  near  the  wall,  Hubert  de  St.  Clare, 
constable,  or  governor  of  Colchester  Castle,  who  stood  by  his  side,  seeing  an  arrow  aimed  at  him  by 
one  of  Mortimer  s  archers,  stepped  before  him,  and  received  it  in  his  own  breast.  The  wound  was 
mortal :  he  expired  in  the  arms  of  his  master,  recommending  his  daughter  (Adelaide),  an  only  child, 
and  an  infant,  to  the  care  of  that  prince.  It  is  hard  to  say  which  most  deserves  admiration,  a  subject 
who  died  to  save  his  king,  or  a  king  whose  personal  virtues  could  render  his  safety  so  dear  to  a  subject, 
whom  he  had  not  obliged  by  any  extraordinary  favours  !  The  daughter  of  Hubert  was  educated  by 
Henry,  with  all  the  affection  that  he  owed  to  the  memory  of  her  father,  and  when  she  had  attained  to 
maturity,  was  honourably  married  to  William  de  Longueville,  a  nobleman  of  great  distinction."  .... 
In  Knight's  "  History  of  England  "  an  illustration  of  the  event  is  given. 

Speed  ("History  of  Great  Britain,  161 1  ")  has  :  "  It  bound  Tiberius  most  of  all  to  Sejanus,  when  a 
part  of  the  banqueting  cave  in  which  they  were,  suddenly  falling,  Sejanus  was  found  to  have  borne  the 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS.  485 


ruins  from  the  emperor,  with  the  peril  of  his  life  ;  but  Sejanus  survived  that  adventure,  which  our 
Senclere  did  not,  save  only  in  the  better  renown  thereof,  which  deserves  to  be  immortal  being  an  act 
of  piety  worthy  of  a  statue  with  Co  Irus,  Curtius,  Manlius,  or  whosoever  else  have  willingly  sacrificed 
themselves."  The  incident  is  also  recorded  by  Ralph  Niger,  a  contemporary  chronicler  under  the  year 
1 165,  who  further  tells  us  that  William  Longville  acquired  with  Hubert's  heiress  her  paternal  heirship, 
and  had  by  her  a  son,  whom  he  called  by  his  own   name  and  surname. 


ROSLIN  CHAPEL. * 
By  Willi  \m  Wordsworth,  g>.X. 

The  wind  is  now  thy  organist— a  clank  Camethose  liveherbs  ?  By  whathand  weretheysown 

(We  know  not  whence)  ministers  for  a  bell  Where  dew  falls'  not,   where  rain-drops  seem  un- 

To  mark  some  change  of  service.     As  the  swell  Yet  in  the  temple  they  a  friendly  niche     [known  ? 

Of  music  reached  its  height,  and  even  when  sank  Share  with  their  sculptured   fellows,  that,  green- 
The  notes  in  prelude,  Rosi.in  !  to  a  blank  grown, 

Of  silence,  how  it  thrilled  thy  sumptuous  roof,  Copy  their  beauty  more  and  more,  and  preach, 

Pillars  and  arches, — not  in  vain  time-proof,  Though  mute,  of  all  things  blending  into  one. 
Though  Christian  rites  be  wanting  !  Fromwhatbank  ^Composed  therein  during  a  storm. 

The  beautiful  chapel  of  Roslin  is  still  in  tolerable  preservation.  It  was  founded  about  1446  by 
William  Saint  Clair,  the  princely  Earl  of  Orkney,  Zetland,  and  Caithness,  etc.,  etc.  The  architecture 
is  Gothic  in  its  most  rich  and  florid  style.     Among  the  profuse  carving  on  the  pillars  and  buttresses, 

^     .            _ a_^  the  rose  is  frequently  introduced,  in  allu- 

,./•■-.•            -  V-    *..  sion  to  the  name,  with  which,  however,  the 

'  ;   "       ""               •         '"             '^  flower  has   no   connection;    the  etymology 

..  ^  -                               ~  being   Rosslinnhe,   the   promontory  of  the 

,       :                                     ~     ;  linn,  or  waterfall.     The   chapel   is   said   to 

;      ',-•    '               i  '--            '•*__   *                             9HK|  appear   on    fire    previous    to    the    death    of 

'"^--^"^  _..--,  *.^^~r'*^-..\  ^  any  of  his   descendants.     This  superstition, 

,'*'.'.',              f'^Lf^V         '■   -            '  — i^\      '■  alluded   to  in   the   text,  is  probably  of  Nor- 

w£/':     V /\  '  '/,'JT'-''      -       "    "-  '                        ^N. '"         '■  wegian  derivation,  and  may  have  been   im- 

'       *'v     * '-   &-P.                                                       'S^V\^    -  ported    by   the   Karls    of  Orkney  into   their 

'               '    l:)f  .     ■                .<•-'"."-    -  -i*"->      ','            V  ■    '{'•  Lothian  dominions.      The  tomb-fires  of  the 

,.'f                  i^^WKtM                          v»  '•    y  North  are  mentioned  in    most  of  the  Sagas. 

''.•'■-.         fjf                                    ---                                 \'\'^     '  The  Harons  of  Roslin  were  buried  in  armour 

'""      '        ^fw''^          '"'           s:''^ '-':;'■-' \         "•■".,      \:      -JSrt     '  in  a  vault  beneath  the  chapel  floor. 


Sir  Walter  Scott  has  from  these  incident;- 


V'-  %  \  S  evolved  the  beautiful  ballad  in  the  "  Lay  of 
g^l,'  the  Last  Minstrel,"  in  which  Harald,  the 
Earl's  bard,  tells  us  of  the  hapless  fate  of 
the  dutiful  Rosabelle.  The  earlier  Earls  of 
Orkney  undoubtedly  had  scalds  on  their 
staff,  so  it  is  in  perfect  keeping  with  his- 
torical traditions  to  allot  one  to  their  suc- 
cessors, the  St.  Clairs.  The  name  of  Rosa- 
belle  only  occurs  once  in  connection  with 
the  family,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  name 
was  ever  in  general  use.  The  Lords 
Marchers  had  met  at  Branxholme,  and 
__  were  passing  time  listening  to  the  popular 

Thk  Under  Chapel,  Rosslixx.  minstrelsy  of  the  day.     Albert  Graeme  had 

treated  the  nobles  to  a  favourite  Border 
ballad,  "For  Love  will  still  be  Lord  of  all  ";  the  Saxon  Fitztraver  attuned  his  harp  to  the  praises  of 
"  Surrev  and  Geraldine  "  ;  and  then  from  his  seat,  with  lofty  air,  rose 


486 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


HARALD,  BARD  OF 
St.  Clair,  who  feasting  high  at  Home, 
Had  with  that  lord  to  battle  come. 
Harald  was  born  where  restless  seas 
Race  round  the  storm-swept  Orcades  ; 
Where  erst  St.  Clairs  held  princely  sway 
O'er  isle  and  islet,  strait  and  bay  ; — 
Still  nods  their  palace  to  its  fall, 
Thy  pride  and  sorrow,  fair  Kirkwall  ! — 
Thence  oft  he  marked  fierce  Petland  rave, 
As  if  grim  Odin  rode  her  wave  ; 
And  watched  the  whilst  with  visage  pale, 
And  throbbing  heart,  the  struggling  sail  ; 
For  all  of  wonderful  and  wild' 
Had  rapture  for  that  lonely  childe. 

And  much  of  wild  and  wonderful 
In  these  rude  isles  might  fancy  cull  ; 
For  thither  came,  in  times  afar, 
Stern  Lochlin's  sons  of  roving  war, 
The  Norsemen,  trained  to  spoil  and  blood, 
Skilled  to  prepare  the  raven's  food ; 
Kings  of  the  main  their  leaders  brave, 
Their  barks  the  dragons  of  the  wave. 


BRAVE  ST.   CLAIR.* 

And  there  in  many  a  storm}'  vale, 

The  Scald  had  told  his  wondrous  tale  ; 

And  many  a  Runic  column  high 

Had  witnessed  grim  idolatry. 

And  thus  had  Harald,  in  his  youth, 

Learned  many  a  Saga's  rime  uncouth, — 

Of  that  Sea-Snake,  tremendous  curled, 

Whose  monstrous  circle  girds  the  world  ; 

Of  those  dread  Maids,  whose  hideous  yell 

Maddens  the  battle's  blood}'  swell  ; 

Of  Chiefs,  who,  guided  through  the  gloom 

By  the  pale  death-lights  of  the  tomb, 

Ransacked  the  graves  of  warriors  old, 

Their  falchions  wrenched  from  corpses'  hold. 

Waked  the  deaf  tomb  with  war's  alarms, 

And  bade  the  dead  arise  to  arms  ! 

With  war  and  wonder  all  on  flame, 

To  Roslin's  bowers  young  Harald  came, 

Where,  by  sweet  glen  and  greenwood  tree. 

He  learned  a  milder  minstrelsy  ; 

Yet  something  of  the  Northern  spell 

Mixed  with  the  softer  numbers  well. 


THE   DIRGE 
O  listen  !  listen  ladies  gay  ! 

No  haughty  feat  of  arms  I  tell  ; 
Soft  is  the  note,  and  sad  the  lay, 

That  mourns  the  lovely  Rosabelle. 

"  Moor,  moor  the  barge,  ye  gallant  crew  ! 

And,  gentle  ladye,  deign  to  stay  ! 
Rest  thee  in  Castle  Ravensheuch, 

Nor  tempt  the  stormy  firth  to-day. 

"  The  blackening  wave  is  edged  with  white  : 
To  inch  and  rock  the  sea-mews  fly  ; 

The  fishers  have  heard  the  Water-Sprite, 
Whose  screams  forbode  that  wreck  is  nigh. 

' '  Last  night  the  gifted  Seer  did  view 
A  wet  shroud  swathed  round  ladye  gay  ; 

Then  stay  thee,  Fair,  in  Ravensheuch  ; 
Why  cross  the  gloomy  firth  to-day  ?" 

"  'Tis  not  because  Lord  Lindesay's  heir 
To-night  at  Roslin  leads  the  hall, 

But  that  my  ladye-mother  there 
Sits  lonely  in  her  castle-hall. 

"  'Tis  not  because  the  ring  they  ride, 
And  Lindesay  at  the  ring  rides  well  ; 

But  that  my  sire  the  wine  will  chide 
If  'tis  not  filled  by  Rosabelle." 

O'er  Roslin  all  that  dreary  night 

A  wondrous  blaze  was  seen  to  gleam  ; 


OF   ROSABELLE.* 

'Twas  broader  than  the  watch  fire's  light. 
And  redder  than  the  bright  moon-beam. 

It  glared  on  Roslin's  castled  rock, 
It  ruddied  all  the  copse-wood  glen  ; 

'Twas  seen  from  Dryden's  groves  of  oak, 
And  seen  from  caverned  Hawthornden. 

Seemed  all  on  fire  that  chapel  proud, 
Where  Roslin's  chiefs  uncoffined  lie, 

Each  baron,  for  a  sable  shroud, 
Sheathed  in  his  iron  panoply. 

Seemed  all  on  fire  within,  around, 

Deep  sacristy  and  altar's  pale  ; 
Shone  every  pillar  foliage-bound, 

And  glimmered  all  the  dead  men's  mail. 

Blazed  battlement  and  pinnet  high, 
Blazed  every  rose-carved  buttress  fair — 

So  still  they  blaze,  when  fate  is  nigh 
The  lordly  line  of  high  St.  Clair. 

There  are  twenty  of  Roslin's  barons  bold 
Lie  buried  within  that  proud  chapelle  ; 

Each  one  the  holy  vault  doth  hold — 
But  the  sea  holds  lovely  Rosabelle  ! 

And  each  Saint  Clair  was  buried  there, 
With  candle,  with  book,  and  with  knell  ; 

But  the  sea-caves  rung,  and  the  wild  winds  sung 
The  dirge  of  lovelv  Rosabelle. 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS.  4«; 


THE    DRUM-HEAD   CHARTER.* 

A  TALK  OF  FLO  DD  EX  FIKLD.T 
I5LV 
One  of  the  peers  slain  at  Flodden  was  William  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Caithness.  This  nobleman  had 
been  forfeited  by  James  III.,  and  the  sentence  still  remained  in  force,  yet  his  rank  was  acknowledged 
and  he  joined  the  army  with  his  retainers.  When  the  English  were  pressing  hard  on  James  at  Flodden, 
he  perceived  a  knight  and  his  followers  advancing  in  gallant  order,  all  clad  in  green.  He  asked  those 
beside  him  who  they  were.  They  replied  that  they  thought  they  were  the  men  of  Caithness,  and  that 
the  Earl  himself  was  at  their  head.  The  king  mused  a  little,  and  then  said,  "  If  that  be  William 
Sinclair,  I  will  pardon  him."  The  knight  was  William  Sinclair,  the  name  of  the  Earl  of  Caithness. 
There  being  no  parchment  in  the  camp,  King  James  ordered  the  deed  ot  removal  of  forfeiture  to  be 
extended  on  a  drum-head.  When  the  pardon  had  received  the  royal  signature,  it  was  cut  out  and 
delivered  to  the  Earl,  who  forthwith  despatched  one  of  his  men  with  it  to  Caithness,  strictly  enjoining 
him  to  deliver  the  valuable  document  to  his  lady,  that  in  the  event  of  his  death  in  battle  the  family- 
might  be  secured  in  his  restored  honours  and  estates.  The  bearer— one  of  the  Clan  Gunn— was  the  only 
one  of  the  Caithness  corps  that  ever  returned,  the  rest  having  been  slain  in  the  engagement.  Such  was 
the  impression  which  their  fate  made  in  the  remote  district  of  their  birth,  that,  as  he  and  his  followers 
had  passed  the  Ord  of  Caithness  on  a  Monday  to  join  the  royal  army,  the  Sinclairs  had  a  mortal 
aversion  to  pass  that  promontory  on  Mondays,  or  to  wear  any  dress  of  a  green  colour. 
What  youth,  of  graceful  form  and  mien,  Wild  to  the  harp's  deep,  plaintive  string, 

Foremost  leads  the  spectred  biave,  The  virgins  raise  the  funeral  strain, 

While  o'er  his  mantle's  fold  of  green  From  Ord's  black  mountain  to  the  northern  main . 

His  amber  locks  redundant  wave  ?  And   mourn   the   emerald   line   which    paints  the 

When  slow  returns  the  fated  day,  vest  of  spring. £ 

That  viewed  their  chieftain's  long  array. 

It  has  been  said  that  this  deed,  granted  to  the  Earl  of  Caithness  on  the  field  of  Flodden,  was  preserved 
by  his  descendants.  Earls  of  Caithness,  until  the  death  of  Earl  Alexander  in  1766,  when  it  was  secured 
by  his  son-in-law  and  executor,  tbe  Earl  of  Fife,  with  whose  family  it  still  remains.  The  author  is 
advised  by  the  Duke  of  Fife  that  there  is  no  record  of  such  an  instrument  (!)  ever  having  been  in  the 
Fife  archives. 

THE  HOUSE  OF  SINCLAIR. 
A  Genealogical  Poem,  by  William  Lithgow. 

"  Travels  through  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa."  Lithgow,  under  date  1628,  writes  thus  :  "And  now- 
being  arrived  at  Maji  (Mey)  to  embark  for  Orkney,  sight,  time,  and  duty  command  me  to  celebrate 
these  following  lines,  to  gratify  the  kindness  of  that  noble  lord,  George,  Earl  of  Caithness,  with  his 
honourable  cousin  and  first  accadent  of  his  house,  the  right  worshipful  Sir  William  Sinclair  of  Catboll, 
knight,  laird  of  Maji  :  — 

Sir  !  sighting  now  thyself  and  palace  fair,  Which  palace  doth  contain  two  four-squar'd  courts 

I  find  a  novelty,  and  that  most  rare  ;  J  Graft  with  brave  works,  where  th'art  drawn  pencil 

The  time  though  cold  and  stormy,  sharper  sun  sports 

And  far  to  summer,  scarce  the  spring  begun  ;  On  walls,  high  chambers,  galleries,  office  bowers, 

Yet  with  good  luck,  in  Februar,  Saturn's  prey,  Cells,  rooms,  and  turrets,  platforms,  stately  towers  ; 

Have  I  not  sought  and  found  out  fruitful  May,  Where  green  fac'd  gardens,  set  at  Flora's  feet, 

Plank'd  with  the  marine  coast,  prospective  stands,    |  Make  nature's  beauty  quick  Apelles  greet, 
Right  opposite  to  the  Orcade  isles  and  lands  ;  Nay,  not  by  blood,  as  she  herself  can  do, 

Where  I  for    flowers,   ingorg'd   strong    grapes    of   j  But  by  her  pattern,  feeding  younglings  too  ; 

Spain  For  which  this  patron's  crescent  stands  so  stay, 

And  liquor'd  French,  both  red  and  white  amain.      |  That  neither  spite  nor  tempest  can  shake  May  ; 


■Calder.  t  Scottish  Wars.  i  Leyde 


488 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


Whose  scutcheons  cleave  so  fast  to  top  and  side, 
Portends  to  me  his  arms  shall  ever  bide. 
So  Murckle's  arms  are  so,  except  the  rose 
Spreadon  the  cross,  which  Bothwell's  arms  disclose; 
Whose  uterine  blood  he  is,  and  present  brother 
To  Caithness'   Lord,  all   three   sprung   from   one 

mother  ; 
Both  well's  prime  heretrix,  plight  to  Hepburn's  race, 
From  whom  religious  Murckle's  rose  I  trace, 
This  country's  instant  shrieve  ;  whose  virtue  raised 
His  honoured  worth  ;  his  godly  life  more  praised. 
But  now  to  rouse  their  roots  and  how  they  sprung, 
See  how  antiquity  time's  triumph  sung, 
This  scallet,  worth  them  blanched,  for  endeavour 
And  service  done  to  England's  conqueror  ; 
With  whom  from  France  they  first  to  Britain  came, 
Sprung  from  a  town,  St.  Clair,   now  turn'd  their 

name, 
Whose  predecessor,  by  their  val'rous  hand, 
Won  endless  fame,  twice  in  the  Holy  Land  ; 
Where  in  that  Christian  war,  their  blood  been  lost 
They  loath 'd  of  Gaul,  and  sought  our  Albion  coast, 
Themselves  to  Scotland  came  in  Canmoire's  reign 
With  good  Queen  Marg'ret  and  her  English  train. 
The  ship  from  Orkney  sail'd,  now  rul'd  by  Charles, 
Whereof  thev  Sinclairs  long  time  had  been  earls, 
Whose  lord,  then  William,  was,  by  Scotland's  king 
(Called   Robert   Second;    First   whence    Stewarts 

spring) 
Sent  with  his  second  son  to  France,  called  James, 
Who  eighteen  years  lived  captivate  at  Thames. 
This  prisonerlast  turned  king,  called. /«>«<>>'  the  First, 
Who  Sinclair's  credit  kept  in  honour's  thirst. 
The  galley  was  the  badge  of  Caithness  lords, 
As  Malcolm  Canmoire's  reign  at  length  records. 
Which  was  to  Magnus  given  for  service  done 
Against  Macbeath,  usurper  of  his  crown, 
All  which  survey'd,  at  last  the  midmost  gate 
Designed  to  me  the  arms  of  that  great  'state, 
The  Earls  of  Caithness  ;  to  whose  praise  imbaged 
Thy  muse  must  mount,  and  here's  my  pen  incadg'd; 
First  then  their  arms ;  a  cross  did  me  produce 
Limb'd  like  a  scallet,  traced  with  flour  du  luce  ; 
The  lion,  red  and  rag'd,  two  times  divided 
From  coin  to  coin  as  heralds  have  decided  ; 
The  third  join'd  stance  denotes  to  me  a  galley, 
That  on  their  sea-wrapt  foes  dare  make  a  sally  ; 


The  fourth  a  gallant  ship,  puft  with  taunt  sail 
'Gainst  them  their  ocean  dare,  or  coast  assail  : 
On  whose  bent  crest  a  pelican  doth  sit — 
An  emblem  for  like  love,  drawn  wondrous  fit ; 
Who  as  she  feeds  her  young  witli  her  heart's  blood  > 
Denotes  these  lords,  to  theirs,  like  kind,  like  good: 
Whose  best  supporters  guard  both  sea  and  land 
Two  stern-drawn  griffins,  in  their  strength  do  stand: 
Their  dictum  bears  this  verdict,  for  heaven's  ode 
Ascrib'd  this  clause,  Commit  thy  iror/r  to  God. 
O  sacred  motto  !  Bishop  Sinclair's  strain 
Who  turned  Fyfe's  lord  on  Scotland's  foes  again. 
Lo!  here's  the  arms  of  Caithness,  here's  the  stock  ! 
On  which  branched  boughs  rely  as  on  a  rock. 
But  further  in  I  found  like  arms  more  patent, 
To  kind  Sir  William  and  his  line  as  latent ; 
The  premier  accade  of  that  noble  race, 
Who  for  his  virtue  may  reclaim  the  place ; 
Whose  arms,  with  tongue  and  buckle,  now  they 
Fast  cross  sign  ty'd,  for  a  fair  Lesly'ssake.  [make 
The  lion  hunts  o'er  land  ;  the  ship,  the  sea  ; 
The  ragged  cross  can  scale  high  walls ;  we  see 
The  wing-laid  galley  with  her  factious  oars, 
Both  heavens  and  floods  command,  and  circling 

shores  ; 
The  feathered  griffin  flies,  O  grim-limb'd  beast  ! 
That  winging  sea  and  land,  upholds  thy  crest  ; 
But  for  the  pelican's  life-sprung  kind  story 
Makes  honour  sing,   Virtute  ct  amorc* 
The  lion  came,  by  an  heretrix  to  pass, 
By  marriage,  whose  sire  was  sirnamed  Douglas. 
Where,  after  him,  the  Sinclair  now  record 
Was  Sheriff  of  Dumfries  and  Nithdale's  lord, 
Whose  wife  was  niece  to  good  Kingjames  the  Thrid  ; 
Who  for  exchange  'twixt  Wick  and  Southern  Nidde, 
Did  lands  excambiate  ;  whence  this  Caithness  soii 
Stands  fast  for  them  ;  the  rest  their  friends  recoil. 
Then  circle-bounded  Caithness,  Sinclair's  ground, 
Which  Pentland  Firth  environs,  Orkney's  sound  : 
Whose  top  is  Dunkane's  bay,  the  root  the  Ord. 
Long  may  it  long  stand  fast  for  their  true  lord  ; 
And  as  long,  too.  heavens  grant  what  I  require, 
The  race  of  Maji  may  in  that  stock  aspire, 
Till  any  age  may  last,  time's  glass  be  run, 
For  earth's  last  dark  eclipse,  of  no  more  sun. 


TRADITIONS  OF  SUMMERDALE.t 
(1528.) 

Several  curious  traditions  have  been  handed  down  about  this  battle,  which  present  a  striking 
picture  of  the  superstition  and  savage  barbarity  of  the  northern  people  at  that  period  : — 

"When  the  Earl  of  Caithness  and  his  men  lauded  at  Orphir  in  Orkney,  a  witch  preceded  them  on 
their  march,  unwinding  two  balls  ot  thread  as  she  walked  before  them.  One  was  blue  and  the  other 
"Sir  William  Sinclair's  motto.  t  Calder. 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS.  489 


red,  and  the  thread  of  the  latter  having  become  exhausted,  the  witch  assured  the  Karl  that  the  side  on 
which  blood  was  first  drawn  would  certainly  be  defeated.  Placing  implicit  faith  on  this  prognostica- 
tion, the  Karl  resolved  to  slay  the  fir^t  Orcadian  that  crossed  his  path,  and  so  insure  victory  to  himself 
and  his  followers  in  the  coming  conflict.  Soon  afterwards  a  boy  was  descried  herding  cattle,  so, 
thinking  that  if  it  was  Orkney  blood,  it  was  no  great  matter  whether  man  or  boy,  the  Karl  and  his 
men,  with  eager  haste,  caught  the  boy,  and  mercilessly  slew  him  without  a  moment's  warning.  Hut 
they  had  reckoned  without  their  host,  for  the  boy  was  then  recognised  by  some  of  them  to  be  a  native 
of  Caithness,  who  had  for  some  time  been  a  fugitive  in  Orkney  ;  and  it  speedily  occurred  to  them  that 
if  the  words  of  the  witch  were  worth  anything,  they  had,  by  the  cruel  murder  of  a  helpless  boy,  now 
lying  a  bleeding  corpse  at  their  feet,  rendered  certain  their  own  discomfiture,  l'rone  to  superstition 
as  the  Karl  and  his  men  seem  to  have  been,  this  untoward  circumstance  must  have  had  a  strong 
tendency  to  depress  their  spirits  and  unnerve  their  arm  ;  and  this  is  probably  the  key  to  the  subsequent 
battle  of  Summerdale,  where  they  were  met  and  completely  routed  by  the  Orcadians. 

"  The  battle,"  says  the  tradition,  "was  fought  on  a  piece  of  smooth  grass,  where  no  stones  were  to 
be  seen  previous  to  the  morning  of  the  encounter,  but  they  were  then  found  in  such  abundance  that  the 
Orcadians  threw  down  the  pitchforks  with  which  they  were  armed,  and  plied  their  Caithness  foes  so 
effectually  with  stones  that  they  were  unable  to  get  near  enough  to  use  their  weapons.  The  incessant 
and  murderous  showers  of  these  primitive  missiles  soon  told  with  effect  on  the  ranks  of  the  Caithness 
men,  who  were  at  last  compelled  to  betake  themselves  to  an  ignominious  flight.  Throwing  their  arms 
into  the  Loch  of  Kisbister,  they  fled  pell-mell  over  the  broken  ground  towards  their  landing-place  ;  but 
they  were  closely  pursued,  and  in  a  short  time  only  a  few  survived  to  continue  the  hopeless  race  for 
life.  Amongst  these  was  the  Karl  of  Caithness,  who  reached  the  farm  of  Oback  in  Orphir,  and  dashing 
through  the  'close  '  between  the  dwelling-house  and  the  offices,  in  the  hope  01  escaping  the  merciless 
pursuers,  who  were  close  at  his  heels,  rushed  unwittingly  into  the  arms  of  another  party  of  his  foes, 
who  slew  him  on  the  spot.  Not  one  of  the  Caithness  men  escaped  to  carry  home  the  tale  of  their 
discomfiture.  The  Karl  was  among  the  last  that  fell,  and  his  head,  sent  back  in  proud  defiance,  was 
the  sole  relique  that  reached  the  shores  of  Caithness  of  the  fated  band. 

Notable  events  are  seldom  limited  to  one  tradition,  and  another  informs  us  that  "  the  Karl  in  his 
flight  from  the  field  outran  his  pursuers,  and  entered  a  farm  house  to  solicit  refuge.  There  was  nobody 
in  but  an  old  woman  sitting  before  the  fire  and  spinning  from  a  distaff.  The  Norse  tongue  was  then  the 
language  of  the  peasantry,  but  the  Karl,  by  means  of  signs  and  the  magic  power  of  a  few  pieces  of 
money,  contrived  to  make  her  comprehend  the  purpose  of  his  visit.  She  rose  irom  her  seat,  led  him  to 
the  far  end  of  the  byre,  which  was  quite  dark,  signed  to  him  to  lie  down,  covered  him  with  straw,  and 
then  returned  to  her  work.  A  little  after  a  party  of  ten  entered,  and  asked  the  old  woman  if  he  was  in  the 
house.  She  replied,  '  He  is  not  here,'  but  while  she  said  so  pointed  with  her  finger  to  the  spot  where 
he  lay  concealed.  Thither  they  accordingly  went.  Finding  that  he  was  betrayed,  the  Karl  started  up, 
and  with  his  drawn  sword  defended  himself  for  some  time  with  unshrinking  courage.  At  length,  how- 
ever, he  was  overpowered  and  slain  ;  but  cot  until  four  of  his  assailants  had  fallen  down  before  him 
mortally  wounded.  He  was  buried  in  a  field  not  far  distant  from  the  cottage,  and  a  slab  was  erected 
over  his  grave,  which  was  afterwards  broken  and  carried  away  for  some  domestic  purpose." 

"Only  one  Orcadian  fell  on  that  day,  which  proved  so  fatal  to  their  adversaries,  and  his  death  was 
a  tragic  one.  He  had  dressed  himself  in  the  clothes  of  one  of  the  slaughtered  Caithnessiaus,  and  was 
coming  towards  his  own  house  in  the  evening,  when  he  was  met  by  his  mother,  who,  not  recognising 
him,  but  believing  him  to  be  one  of  the  enemy  that  had  escaped  the  general  carnage,  struck  him  a 
fatal  blow  on  the  forehead  with  a  stone  which  she  had  put  into  the  foot  of  one  of  his  own  stockings, 
and  was  carrying  in  her  hand." 

"The  motive  which  led  to  the  Karl's  hostile  visit  to  Orkney  is  involved  in  obscurity:  bm  the 
relentless  spirit  of  the  contending  parties,  as  displayed  in  the  murder  of  the  boy  ;  in  the  complete 
slaughter  of  the  invaders  ;  and  in  the  fiendish  thirst  for  vengeance  exhibited  by  the  woman,  who,  in 
the  blindness  of  her  fury,  murdered  her  own  son,  sufficiently  proves  that  a  bitter  animosity  existed 
between  the  inhabitants  of  Orkney  and  Caithness,  which  it  has  taken  upwards  of  three  centuries  to 
extinguish." 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


A  MERRIE  JEST.* 

"The  History  of  Sutherland,"  written  by  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  the  avowed  adversary  of  the 
Caithness  Sinclairs,  gives  us  an  extraordinary  instance  of  the  spirit  of  wanton  cruelty  and  mischief  in 
which  hostilities  were  carried  on  three  centuries  ago.  Since  the  defeat  of  Summerdale,  Caithness  and 
Orkney  had  ceased  to  hold  amicable  intercourse,  and  a  rooted  hatred  which  had  frequently  broken 
out  into  open  strife,  had  long  existed  between  the  Earls  of  those  countries. 

In  the  year  1608  some  of  the  Earl  of  Orkney's  servants  had  been  forced  to  land  in  the  county  of 
Caithness  "  by  a  contrarie  wind  and  vehement  storme  of  weather.  First,  the  Earl  of  Calteynes  maid 
them  drunk  ;  then,  in  a  mocking  iest,  he  cause  sheave  the  one  syd  of  their  beards  and  one  syd  of  their 
heads  ;  last  of  all,  he  constrayned  them  to  tak  their  weshell  and  to  goe  to  sea  in  that  stormie  tempest  ! 
The  poor  men,  feareing  his  farther  crueltie,  did  choyse  rather  to  committ  themselves  to  the  mercie  of 
the  senseless  elements  and  rageing  waves  of  the  sea,  then  abvd  his  furie.  So  they  entered  the  stormie 
seas  of  Pent 'lay  Firth  (a  fearfull  and  dangerous  arme  of  sea  between  Catteynes  and  Orknay),  whence  they 
escaped  the  furie  thereof,  by  the  providence  and  assistance  of  God,  who  had  compassion  on  them  in 
this  lamentable  and  desperat  case,  and  directed  their  course;  so  that  they  landed  saiflie  in  Orknay. 
This  affront  and  indignitie  wes  highly  taken  by  the  Earle  of  Orknay,  who  complained  therof  to  The 
King  and  his  Counsell.  His  Maiestie  did  write  to  the  Councell  of  Scotland  to  punish  the  Earle  of 
Catteyiies  seveirlie,  after  dew  tryall,  as  haveing  committed  a  fact  against  his  authoritie.  But  when  both 
the  Earles  of  Catteynes  and  Orknay  came  to  Edinburghe,  readie  to  informe  one  against  another,  they 
aggreid  all  their  privatt  quarrells,  by  the  mediation  of  friends,  least  they  should  revedc  too  much  of  either' s 
aoings .  So  this  controversie  was  past  over  with  silence  ;  and  some  acknawledgement  was  maid  by  the 
Earle  of  Catteynes  to  the  Earle  of  Orknay,  as  a  satisfaction  for  abusing  his  servants,"  etc. 

The  historian  of  Sutherland  quaintly  remarks  :  "Only  one  example  oi  this  crime  I  do  remember. 
The  servants  of  David,  King  of  Israel,  were  so  entreated  by  Hanun,  King  of  the  Children  of  Ammon. 
The  Earl  of  Caithness  thus  far  exceeded  Hanun,  that  not  satisfied  with  what  himself  had  done,  he 
forced  the  Earl  of  Orkney  his  servants  to  take  the  sea  in  such  a  tempest,  and  exposed  them  to  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  raging  waves  ;  whereas  Hanun  suffered  King  David  his  servants  to  depart  home  quietly 
after  he  had  abused  them." 

The  Earl  of  Caithness  at  length  brought  ruin  upon  himself  and  family,  by  endeavouring  "to  mak 
the  Lord  Forbes  wearie  of  his  landis  in  Catteynes."  This  benevolent  purpose  he  tried  to  effect  by  con- 
stant oppression  of  his  tenants  and  servants,  in  virtue  of  his  office  of  Sheriffship,  which  he  had 
obtained  from  the  Earl  of  Huntlie  on  his  marriage  with  Lady  Jean  Gordon,  his  sister.  He  secretly 
caused  incendiaries  burn  all  the  corn  standing  in  the  corn-yard  of  Sansett  in  November,  1615  ;  and  to 
remove  suspicion  from  himself,  industriously  rumoured  abroad  that  the  fire-raising  had  been  done 
by  Mackay's  tenants,  with  whom  the  Forbes  were  then  at  feud. 

A   LEGEND    OF  STROMA.! 

"  There  is  an  amusing  legend  in  an  old  topographical  work  on  Scotland,  which  says  that  a  dispute 
once  arose  between  the  Earls  of  Orkney  and  Caithness  as  to  which  county  Stroma  belonged.  Instead 
of  deciding  the  quarrel  by  the  arbitrament  of  the  sword,  the  chiefs  on  both  sides  agreed  to  refer  the 
decision  of  the  matter  to  an  experiment  in  natural  history.  Some  venomous  animals— of  what  kind  we 
are  not  told— lived  in  Stroma.  A  certain  number  of  them  were  shipped  at  the  same  time  as  colonists 
to  Orkney  and  Caithness.  Those  that  were  brought  to  Caithness  took  kindly  to  the  soil  as  to  a 
congenial  habitat ;  while  those  that  were  sent  to  Orkney,  from  the  unfavourable  effects  of  the  climate 
on  their  constitution,  sickened  and  died.     By  this  singular  fact  Stroma  was  adjudged  to  Caithness." 

During  the  Norse  period  Stroma— the  Straumsey  of  the  Sagas— was  important  as  an  Orcadian  out- 
post, and  had  a  governor  appointed  to  reside  in  it.  The  Sinclairs  soon  after  their  accession  to  the 
Earldom  of  Caithness,  obtained  by  royal  grant  the  property  of  the  island.  In  1574  George  Sinclair  of 
Mey  was  served  heir  of  entail  to  his  brother  William,  of  various  lands,  inter  alia  Stroma.  The  island 
was  noted  for  its  non-putrefying  properties.  In  a  vault  of  the  Kennedies  of  Carmunks  the  remains  of 
the  dead  were  converted  into  mummies  by  the  continual  saltish  air  caused  by  the  rapid  tides  of  the 
Pentland.  Murdo  Kennedy  used  to  beat  the  drum  on  his  father's  body,  and  seating  it  at  table,  by- 
pressing  the  foot,  "made  the  figure  move."  Numbers  of  other  bodies  were  suspended  by  nails  on  the 
walls,  etc. 

*  Scottish  Wars.  +  Calder. 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


ROSLIN  CASTLE. 
This  air  is  identical  with  one  known  as  "  The  House  of  Glatns,"  though  which  title  has  the  better 
right  to  the  air  is  not  manifest.     The  air  of"  Roslin  Castle"  was  used  for  the  Masonic  elegy  on  the 
death  in  177S  of  William  St.  Clair,   "the   last  Rosslyn."     Hewitt  has  written  some  lines  of  a  rural 
nature  which  generally  are  attached  to  the  air,  viz. : 

'Twas  in  that  season  of  the  year, 
When  all  things  gay  and  sweet  appear, 
That  Colin,  with  the  morning  ray, 
Arose  and  sung  his  rural  lay  : 
Of  Nannie's  charms  the  shepherd  sung, 
The  hills  and  dales  with  Nannie  rung  ; 
While  Roslin  Casti.e  heard  the  swain, 
And  echoed  back  the  cheerful  strain. 

And  other  three  verses. 


FAIR    ISLE. 


AN    INCIDENT   OF 

A  lonely  isle 

'TwixtHetland  and  the  Orkneys  there  looms  forth 

Uprearing  high  to  Heaven  its  bold,  proud  head. 

The  Fair  Isle — to  Shetland  appertaining, 

And  of  like  origin,  and  by  like  race 

Inhabited  at  first.     A  mere  insect 

It  seemeth,  from  a  thick  swarm  disjoined, 

And  here  alone  into  the  wave  cast  down. 


THE    SPANISH    ARMADA.* 

!  Scarce  to  one  hundred  count  the  souls  who  dwell 
Upon  the  south  side  of  this  desert  spot, 
Like  earth's  last  habitants,  or  like  to  men 
Forgotten  by  the  world,  strange  to  the  age, 
Unmoved  to  other  change  than  the  raindrops 
Of  birth  and  death  which  variation  make, 
And  grave  themselves  into  their  life's  hard  soil." 
— "Fair  Isle,"  from  the  German  of  Jensen. 

Fair  Isle,  the  Fridarev  of  the  Saga,  belonged  to  the  Sinclairs  of  Quendale  till  somewhere  about  the 
middle  of  last  century,  when  one  of  them,  according  to  tradition,  lost  it  at  cards  to  the  then  Stewart  of 


Brugh.  The  great  his- 
with  Fair  Isle,  and  which 
Jensen's  poem,  was  the 
one  of  the  ships  of  the 
Grifon,  the  flagship  of 
dina,  who  was  in  colli- 
sion, consisting  of  23 
storeships,     and    which  Fair   Isi.k. 

de    Vrcas."      The    event 

teniber,    158S.     One   of  his   officers,    a   Captain    Patricio,   is   buried 
shipwrecked   Spaniards   paid   the    Islanders   for  all   supplies,   but   the 


torical  incident  connected 
furnished  the  theme  for 
wreck  in  Sivars  Geo,  of 
Spanish  Armada,  El  Gran 
Don  Juan  Gomez  de  Me- 
mand  of  the  eighth  divi- 
transports,  hulks,  and 
was  termed  the  "  Armada 
occurred  on  the  17th  Sep- 
1  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral.  The 
latter,   at  last  fearing  a  famine. 


began  to  conceal  their  stock.  So  a  boat  was  sent  to  Shetland  to  Andrew  Umphray  of  Berry, 
then  tacksman  of  the  Island,  requesting  assistance.  Umphray  responded  by  despatching  a  small 
vessel  he  possessed  to  bring  the  survivors  to  Dunrossness,  where  they  were  landed  at  Quendale.  Here 
they  were  hospitably  treated  whilst  waiting  till  Umphray  got  a  vessel  ready  to  convey  them  to 
Dunkirk.  On  landing  at  Quendale,  Don  Gomez  (imagining  the  people  did  admire  him)  made  his 
interpreter  ask  Malcolm  Sinclair  whether  he  had  ever  seen  a  finer  man  ?  To  which  Malcolm  replyed, 
"  Farcie  in  that  face,  I  have  seen  many  prettier  men  hanging  in  the  Burrow-moor."  "  From  Zetland 
Andrew  Umphray  carried  them  in  his  shallop  to  Dunkirk,  for  which  the  Don  rewarded  him  with  3,000 
merks."t 

A  silver  cup  with  heraldic  shields,  given  by  Don  Gomez  to  Malcolm  Sinclair,  is  now  in  the 
possession  of  Mr.  Balfour,  of  Balfour  and  Trenabie,  into  whose  family  it  came  through  a  marriage  of 
one  of  the  Sinclairs  to  a  Balfour. 


Tudor. 


tMonteith. 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


THE    KRINGELEN    AMBUSH.* 

Misfortunes  never  come  singly.  The  Sinclairs  of  Caithness  have  bitter  experience  of  the  truth  of  this 
adage.  Reference  has  already  been  made  to  the  losses  suffered  at  Flodden  (1513)  and  Sunimerdale 
(1528),  and  now  the  third  and  heaviest  wave  of  adversity  was  to  break  over  them.  It  was  the 
depopulation  of  Caithness  from  these  three  disasters  that  weakened  the  Sinclairs  in  their  family  feud 
with  the  Sutherlands.  Their  third  misfortune  was  the  massacre  of  Kringellen,  in  which  a  whole 
regiment  was  blotted  out.  There  are  several  accounts  of  this  tragical  incident,  and  recently  (1886) 
Michell  has  written  a  "History  of  the  Scottish  Expedition  to  Norway  in  1612."  Epitomised  the  story 
reads  thus  : 

Colonel  George  Sinclair  was  a  natural  son  of  David  Sinclair  of  Stirkoke,  and  "nephew"  of  the 
Earl  of  Caithness.  A  soldier  of  fortune,  he  had  been  early  in  the  army  of  "The  Bulwark  of  the 
North."  Before  embarking  for  Norway  he  had  been  engaged  in  a  somewhat  desperate  affair,  the  arrest 
of  John  Maxwell,  Lord  Nithsdale,  whose  pathetic  "  Good  Night"  is  printed  amongst  the  Ballads  in  the 
Border  Minstrelsy,  and  when  the  hand  of  fate  overtook  Colonel  Sinclair,  it  was  deemed  but  a  just 
retribution  by  the  whole  Maxwell  clan.  The  Colonel's  action  in  apprehending  Lord  Nithsdale  for  the 
murder  of  Sir  Jas.  Johnstone  was,  however,  an  ordinary  unavoidable  executive  duty  as  justiciary  for 
his  uncle  the  Earl. 

Gustavus  Adolphus,  King  of  Sweden,  dispatched  officers  to  Scotland  in  1612,  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  troops  to  assist  him  in  a  war  with  the  Danes  and  Norwegians.  As  King  James  of  Scotland  was 
brother-in-law  to  the  Danish  king,  Christian  IV.,  troops  were  levied  in  a  clandestine  manner,  and  the 
Privy  Council  as  a  deterrent  threatened  to  put  the  leaders  "  to  the  horn,"  i.e.,  to  declare  them  outlaws 
after  three  blasts  of  the  horn  at  the  cross  of  Edinburgh.  Among  those  who  volunteered  their  services 
from  Scotland  was  Colonel  George  Sinclair,  son  of  Stirkoke,  who  in  his  native  county,  Caithness, 
raised  a  regiment  of  900  men,  almost  all  of  them  of  his  own  clan  and  name.  Landing  at  Vibelungsnaest, 
on  the  Romsdal  coast,  he  discovered  that  owing  to  the  Swedish  shore  from  Nyborg  to  Calmar  being  in 
temporary  possession  of  the  Danes,  and  Stockholm  invested  by  their  fleet,  his  only  way  of 
reaching  Sweden  was  by  an  overland  march  across  the  Norwegian  Alps.  He  therefore  determined 
upon  that  hazardous  experiment,  which  had  recently  been  managed  by  Colonel  Munckhoven.  As  soon 
as  the  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Scottish  invaders  reached  Lars  Hage,  the  Lehnsman  of  the  Dovre,  he 
hurried  to  the  parish  church,  where  service  was  being  held.  Striding  into  the  building,  he  struck 
thrice  upon  the  floor,  and  cried,  "Listen  !  the  foeman  is  in  the  land."  The  congregation  upon  this 
immediately  broke  up,  and  it  was  finally  agreed  to  lay  an  ambush  at  Kringelen,  which  from  the 
precipitous  nature  of  the  ground  overhanging  the  road,  was  well  adapted  for  the  purpose.  Signal  fires 
were  lighted  on  every  commanding  height,  and  the  bwlstick  (message-rod  or  fiery  cross)  transmitted  to 
all  for  a  general  muster.  Some  500  peasants  assembled,  armed  with  rifles  and  axes,  under  the  leadership 
of  Berdon  Segelstadt  of  Ringeboe,  and,  unable  to  meet  the  Sinclairs  in  open  field,  had  recourse  to 
stratagem.  One  of  the  Norwegians  offered  to  guide  the  regiment,  his  intention  being  to  lure  them  to 
their  destruction,  whilst  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  rode  a  peasant  on  a  white  horse,  whose  orders 
were  to  keep  alongside  of  the  advancing  enemy.  A  peasant  girl  was  stationed  on  a  hill  over  the  water, 
with  her  cow-horn,  with  which  to  signal  as  soon  as  the  Scots  had  fallen  into  the  snare.  These 
precautions  were  necessary,  as  from  their  ambuscade  the  peasants  were  unable  to  see  below.  In  the 
march  Colonel  Sinclair  was  accompanied  by  Fru  (or  Lady)  Sinclair.  She  was  a  young  and  beautiful 
woman,  unwilling  to  part  from  her  husband,  to  whom  she  had  been  but  recently  united.  Disguising 
herself  in  male  attire,  she  succeeded  in  getting  on  board  ;  nor  did  she  reveal  herself  until  the  corps  had 
landed  in  Norway.  The  title  of  Fru  implies  that  she  was  his  wife,  and  she  is  still  affectionately 
remembered  by  the  Norwegians.  A  mermaid  appeared  to  Colonel  Sinclair  by  night,  and  warned  him 
of  death  if  he  advanced  ;  but  he  replied  "that  when  he  returned  in  triumph  from  the  conquest  of  the 
kingdom,  he  would  punish  her  as  she  deserved."  The  mermaid's  name  was  Ellen,  and  some  allege 
that  she  was  Fru  Sinclair  in  disguise.  An  insolent  speech  of  the  Colonel's  is  still  repeated  by  the 
Norwegians  with  great  indignation  :  "  I'll  recast  the  old  Norway  lion,  and  turn  him  into  a  mole  that 
will  not  venture  out  of  his  burrow  !" 

On  marched  the  Sinclairs  through  the  fatal  Pass  of  Kringelen,  the  "defile  of  death."  The  air 
which  their  pipes  played  is  still  remembered  in  Norway,  and  it  was  certainly  their  own  "dead  march." 


^Calder  ;  Vedder  ;  Scottish  Soldiers  of  Fortune  ;   An  Oxonian  in  Norway. 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


493 


Presently  the  strange  and  melancholy  tones  of  an  Alpine  horn  resounded  from  a  distant  height.  At 
the  same  instant  down  thundered  a  mass  of  half  hewn  trees  and  loosened  rocks,  urged  over  by  levers, 
that  swept  away  whole  sections  and  hurled  them  into  the  mountain  torrent  that  foamed  below. 
Sinclair  himself  fell  as  a  Scotsman  should  always  fall — in  the  foremost  rank,  when  gallantly  essaying 
to  storm  the  rocks,  claymore  in  hand.  He  was  shot  by  Berdon  Seilstadt,  who  had  bitten  one  of  his 
silver  buttons  into  the  shape  of  a  bullet,  so  as  to  be  sure  of  Sinclair,  who  was  supposed  to  bear  a 
charmed  life.  Taking  aim,  he  hit  him  on  the  left  temple,  and  death  was  instantaneous.  Among  those 
hurled  into  the  stream  was  the  Fru,  "  but,  being  supported  by  her  ample  robes,  she  was  able  to  carry 
her  infant  son  safe  across  in  her  arm."  All  perished  in  the  pass  save  sixty  and  the  adjutant.  These  were 
at  first  distributed  among  the  inhabitants;  but  the  latter  grew  tired  of  supporting  them,  and,  marching 
them  into  a  meadow,  murdered  nearly  all  in  cold  blood,  excepting  the  Fru  and  two  others.  One  of 
these  escaped  through  the  instrumentality  of  a  robust  female  peasant,  whom  he  afterwards  married. 
Their  descendants  are  numerous,  and  their  origin  is  well-known  in  the  district.  Another  Sinclair,  a 
prisoner,  when  about  to  be  killed,  rushed  up  to  a  Norwegian  horseman,  exclaiming,  "Protect  me!  I 
am  not  prepared  to  die  !"  The  Norwegian  w-s  more  merciful  than  his  compatriots,  and  Sinclair  after- 
wards sent  his  salvor  in  Norway  a  stained  glass  window  rep  esenting  an  angel  protecting  a  suppliant. 
The  window  has   been  preserved,  and  is  highly  valued  by  the  people.     The  Fru  Sinclair  apparently 


remained  in  the  place,  and  when 
Norwegian.  The  bodies  of  the 
buried,  a  prey  to  the  wolf  and 
was  paid  to  the  remains  of  the 
interred.  The  Norwegians  are 
gers  the  spot  where  he  is  buried, 
the  fatal  pass,  and  over  the 
a  tablet,  on  which  is  the  follow- 
language  : — "  Here  lies  Colonel 
Scots,  were  dashed  to  pieces, 
of  Lessoe,  Vaage,  and  Froen. 
was  their  leader."  There  is  a 
the  event,  entitled,  "  Herr  Sin- 
literally,  ' '  Lord  Sinclair's  Song ' ' 
( f  the   peasants   is   highly   ex- 


the  child  died,  adopted  a  young 
slain  were  barbarously  left  un- 
the  vulture.  But  some  respect 
leader,  which  were  decently 
proud  of  pointing  out  to  stran- 
It  lies  in  a  remote  solitude  near 
graves  is  a  wooden  cross  with 
ing  inscription  in  the  Norse 
Jorgen  Zinclair,  who  with  900 
like  earthen  pots,  by  the  boors 
Bergen  Segelstadt,  of  Ringeboe, 
fairly  long  Norwegian  ballad  on 
clair's  Vise  af  Storm,"  that  is 
by  Storm,  in  which  the  prowess 
tolled.  It  is  sung  everywhere 
constitutes   one   of  the   great    national   airs.      There   are   several 


Cm 


•L   SI 


throughout  "  Gatnel  Norge,"  and 
translations  of  this  ballad.  Calder  has  one  in  his  "  History  of  Caithness"  ;  Vedder,  the  Orcadian  poet, 
has  one  in  his  collection  ;  but  perhaps  the  best  is  that  given  in  the  "  Scottish  Soldiers  of  Fortune,"  by 
Grant,  who  calls  it  a  translation  from  Oehlenschalager,  the  Danish  national  poet.  The  opening  lines 
by  Vedder  run  thus  : 

■  The  horned  moon  is  gleaming  red, 

The  waves  are  rolling  deep  ; 
A  mermaid  t' oiled  her  demon  lay— 
Childe  Sinclair  woke  Irom  sleep. 


Childe  Sinclair  and  his  menyie  steered 

Across  the  salt  sea  waves  ; 
But  at  Kringellen's  mountain  gorge 

They  filled  untimely  graves.      ■ 

They  crossed  the  stormy  waves  so  blue. 

For  Swedish  gold  to  fight  ; 
May  burning  curses  on  them  fall 

That  strike  not  for  the  right  ! 


"  Turn  round,  turn  round,  thou  Scottish  youth. 
Or  loud  thy  sire  shall  mourn  ; 
For  if  thou  touchest  Norway's  strand, 
Thou  never  shalt  return. 


In  Storm's  ballad  the  Sinclairs  are  untruly  accused  of  burning  and  plundering  all  in  their  line  of 
march.  Their  best  vindicaticn  is  the  official  report  of  Knvold  Kruse,  a  local  stadtholder  :  "We  have 
also  ascertained  that  those  Scots  who  were  defeated  and  captured  on  their  march  through  this  country 
ha%-e  absolutely  neither  burnt,  murdered,  nor  destroyed  anything." 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


THE   MASSACRE   OF   KRINGELLEN. 


(A  translation  of  Oehlenschalager, 
Childe  Sinclair  sailed  from  Scottish  land, 

Far  Noroway  to  brave  ; 
But  he  sleeps  in  Gulbrand's  rocky  strand, 

Low  in  a  bloody  grave. 
Childe  Sinclair  sailed  the  stormy  sea, 

To  fight  for  Swedish  gold  ; 
"  God  speed  thy  warrior  hearts  and  thee, 

And  quell  the  Norseman  bold  !" 

"  He  sailed  a  day,  and  two,  and  three, 

He  and  his  gallant  baud  ; 
The  fourth  sun  saw  him  quit  the  sea, 

And  touch  old  Norway's  strand. 
On  Romsdal's  shore  his  soul  was  fain 

To  triumph  or  to  fall ; 
He  and  his  twice  seven  hundred  men, 

The  gallant  and  the  tall. 

"  O  stern  and  haughty  was  their  wrath, 

Cruel  with  sword  and  spear  ; 
Nor  hoary  age  could  check  their  path, 

Nor  widowed  mother's  tear. 
With  bitter  death,  young  babes  they  slew, 

Though  to  the  breast  they  clung  ; 
And  woful  tidings,  sad,  but  true, 

Echoed  from  every  tongue. 

"On  hill  and  rock  the  beacons  glared, 

To  tell  of  danger  nigh  ; 
The  Norseman's  sword  was  boldly  bared— 

The  Scots  must  yield  or  die  ! 
The  warriors  of  the  land  are  far, 

They  and  their  kingly  lord  ; 


taken  from  "Scottish  Soldiers  of  Fortune.") 

Yet  shame  on  him  who  shuns  the  war, 
Or  fears  the  foreign  horde  ! 

"They  march — they  meet — theNorwayan  host, 

Have  hearts  both  stern  and  free  ; 
They  gather  on  Bredalbigh's  coast — 

The  Scots  must  yield  or  flee. 
The  Lauge  flows  in  Leydeland, 

Where  Kringen's  shadows  fall  ; 
Thither  they  march,  that  fated  band, 

A  tomb  to  find  for  all. 


"  In  the  onslaught  first,  Childe  Sinclair  died, 

And  ceased  his  haughty  breath, 
Stern  sport  for  Scottish  hearts  to  bide, 

God  shield  them  from  the  death  ! 
Come  forth,  come  forth,  ye  Norsemen  true, 

Light  be  your  hearts  to-day  ! 
Fain  would  the  Scots  the  ocean  blue 

Between  the  slaughter  lay  ! 

"  Their  ranks  yield  to  the  leaden  storm, 

On  high  the  ravens  sail — 
Ah  me  !  for  every  mangled  form 

A  Scottish  maid  shall  wail  ! 
They  came  a  host  with  life  and  breath, 

But  one  returned  to  say, 
How  fares  the  invader  in  the  strife 

He  wars  with  Old  Norway  ? 

"  There  is  a  mound  by  Lauge's  tide, 

The  Norseman  lingers  near  ; 
His  eye  is  bright — but  not  with  pride — 

It  glistens  with  sfiear  !" 


MALCOLM  SINCLAIR'S  VISA. 
(Anders  Odel  fi773-) 
Malcom  Sinclairs  albekanta,  fordom  iifver  hela  landet  sjunga  visa  har  ofta  blifvit  tryckt  under 
foljande  titel  ;  "  Hjeltarnes  samtal  med  den  tappre  och  omistelige,  men  pa  sin  hemresa  fran 
Constantinopel  i  nejden  af  Breslau  d  19  Juni  1739,  forradeligen  mi.rdade  Svenska  Majoren  vid  Uplands 
regemente  ;  den  viilborne  Herren,  Herr  Malcom  Sinclair,  uppa  de  ljufva  eliseiska  fiilten  i  de  diidas 
rike:  berattadt  af  herden  Celadon,  som  af  en  gammal  obekant  gubbe  blifvit  ofiirmorlligen  dit  och 
diidan  ford." 


26 
Strax  liittes  blanka  diirren  opp, 
En  svensker  karl  framtriidde 
Med  skjuten,  sargad  hjelte-kropp, 
Dock  miner  inte  riidde  ; 
Hans  ansigt  var  med  blod  beskiiljdt, 
Nedsabladt,  trampadt,  slaget, 
Och  briistet,  som  hans  hjerta  doljt, 
Had'  grofva  skott  intaget. 


26 
Clang  !  wide  the  open  doors  disclose 
A  Swedish  knight  to  view  ; 
Although  bescarred  with  numerous  blows, 
Yet  is  his  courage  true. 
His  face  with  blood  is  crimson  red, 
Covered  with  wounds  and  hacks  ; 
The  frame  whose  spirit  scarce  has  fled, 
Is  bruised  with  spear  and  axe. 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


495 


27 
Hans  hjerna  satt  i  haret  klent, 
Jag  ryser  det  att  namma. 
Men  gliides,  att  ej  Sir  f<>r  sent 
For  himlen  sadant  hiimma, 
Han  hade  spiind  pistol  i  hand, 
Liksom  han  ville  skjuta, 
Men  diidens  hardt  atsmirda  band 
Befallte'n  f&rr  att  sluta. 


27 
Clotted  his  hair  is,  cloven  his  brain, — 
Matters  I  loathe  to  mention — 
May  vengeance  swift  th'  assassins  gain 
By  Jesus  Christ's  subvention. 
His  pistol  cocked  is  held  in  hand, 
As  if  for  firing  ready  ; 

But  clay-cold  winds  from  Charon's  strand 
Have  slackened  sinews  steadv. 


•■<w;.:# 


Malcolm  Sinclair. 


28 
Han  helsade  pa  svenskt  maner, 
Da  kongen  nadigt  svara, 
Och  sad',  "  Vi  kiinne  inte  Er, 
Hvem  skulle  I  viil  vara  ?" 
"Jag  iir"  sad' han,  "en  svensk  major 
Mitt  namm  iir  Malcom  Sinclair, 
Min  sjal  un  nylig  'af  mig  for 
Fran  hjertats  vrar  och  vinklar." 


28 
He  greeted  them  most  courteously, 
In  Swedish  way  and  manner. 
Questions  the  King,  "  Do  we  know  thee 
Foughtest  thou  for  our  banner  ?" 
"  I  was,"  said  he,  "of  major's  rank 
And  Malcolm  Sinclair  called  : 
I  from  beyond  the  Stygian  bank 
Arrive  here  unappalled." 


496 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


29 
"  Hur,"  sade  kungen,  "  blef  du  diid? 
Du  tappre  krigsbuss  store  ! 
Du  iist  I  blod  sa  fiirgad  rod, 
Liksom  du  slagtad  vore." 
"Jo,"  sadehan,  "  Hans  Majestiit  ! 
En  ofi'.rskiind  Bellona 
Har  sa  betalt  de  trogna  fjiit, 
Jag  gatt  for  Sverges  krona." 


"  How,"  said  the  King,  "becam'st  thou  deai 

Warrior  renowned  and  skilled  ? 

And  why  with  blood  so  smeared  and  red, 

Like  deer  unkindly  killed  ?" 

"Sire,"  said  the  Swedish  warrior  bold, 

"  Bellona,  Dame  capricious, 

Rewards  at  times,  so  I  am  told, 

With  presents  thus  malicious." 


SINCLAIR'S   CHAINS. 

There  are  three  different  accounts  as  to  the  origin  of  this  lock  puzzle, 
ascribing   it    to   Malcolm 

ambassador.     It    consists  ':,  ■ 

disconnected  from  seven 
when  captive  in  Siberia, 
set  at  liberty  if  he  could 
his  prison  door  was 
there  imprisoned,  by  way 
occupation,  he  invented 
despatch  -  box  when  en 
was  so  fastened.  This 
tion  in  the  three  northern 
Sweden,  and  Denmark- — 
"bojor"   is    a    favourite  Sinclair's  "  Bojor. 


"  bojor,"  and  all  unite  in 
Sinclair,  the  murdered 
of  a  bolt,  which  has  to  be 
rings.  (1)  It  is  said  that 
he  was  promised  to  be 
open  this  lock  with  which 
closed.  (2)  That  while 
of  amusement  or  mental 
the  lock.  (3)  That  his 
route  for  Constantinople 
toy  is  in  general  circula- 
kingdoms  —  Norway, 
where  the  solution  of  the 
pastime — exercise. 


ROSLINS    DAUGHTER, 

OR 

CAPTAIN     WE  DDER  BURN'S     COURTSHIP.* 

[This  popular  and  amusing  ballad  is  reprinted  from  Mr.  Jatnieson's  text,  with  a  few  variations 
supplied  by  Mr.  Kinloch  to  previous  editors.     *  Legendary  Ballads  of  Scotland.] 


The  Laird  o'  Roslin's  daughter, 

Walked  thro'  the  wood  her  lane  ; 
And  by  cam  Captain  Wedderburn, 

A  servant  to  the  king, 
He  said  unto  his  serving  man, 

"  Were't  not  against  the  law, 
I  wad  tak  her  to  my  ain  bed, 

And  lay  her  neist  the  wa'." 

"  I  am  walking  here  alane,"  she  says, 

' '  Amang  my  father's  trees  ; 
And  you  must  let  me  walk  alane, 

Kind  sir,  now,  if  you  please  ; 
The  supper  bell  it  will  be  rung, 

And  I'll  be  mist  awa  : 
Sae  I  winna  lie  in  your  bed, 

Either  at  stock  or  wa'." 

He  says,  "  My  pretty  lady, 
I  pray,  lend  me  your  hand, 

And  ye'll  hae  drums  and  trumpets 
Alwavs  at  vour  command  ; 


And  fifty  men  to  guard  you  wi', 
That  well  their  swords  can  draw  ; 

Sae  we'se  baith  lie  in  ae  bed, 
And  ye'se  lie  neist  the  wa'." 

"  Haud  awa  frae  me,''  she  said, 

"  And  pray  let  gae  my  hand  ; 
The  supper  bell  it  will  be  rung, 

I  can  nae  langer  stand  ; 
My  father  he  will  angry  be, 

Gin  I  be  mist  awa  ; 
Sae  I'll  nae  lie  in  your  bed, 

Either  at  stock  or  wa'." 

Then  said  the  pretty  lady, 

"  I  pray  tell  me  your  name  ?" 
"  My  name  is  Captain  Wedderburn, 

A  servant  to  the  king  : 
Though  thy  father  and  his  men  were  here, 

O'  them  I'd  have  nae  awe  ; 
But  wad  tak  you  to  my  ain  bed, 

And  lav  vou  neist  the  wa'." 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


497 


He  lichtit  aff  his  berry  brown  steed, 

And  set  this  lady  on  ; 
And  held  her  by  the  milk-white  hand, 

Even  as  they  rade  alang. 
He  held  her  by  the  middle  jimp, 

For  fear  that  she  should  fa', 
To  tak  her  to  his  ain  bed, 

And  lay  her  neist  the  wa'." 

He  took  her  to  his  lodging-house  ; 

His  landlady  lookit  ben  ; 
Says,  "Mony  a  pretty  lady, 

In  Edinbruch  I've  seen  ; 
But  sic  a  lovely  face  as  thine 

In  it  I  never  saw  ; 
Gae  mak  her  down  a  down-bed, 

And  lay  her  at  the  wa'." 

"O  haud  awa  frae  me,"  she  says, 

"  I  pray  you  let  me  be  ; 
I  winna  gang  into  your  bed, 

Till  ye  dress  me  dishes  three  : 
Dishes  three  ye  maun  dress  me, 

Gin  I  should  eat  them  a' ; 
Afore  I  lie  in  your  bed, 

Either  at  stock  or  wa'." 

"It's  ye  maun  get  to  my  supper 

A  cherry  without  a  stane  ; 
And  ye  maun  get  to  my  supper 

A  chicken  without  a  bane  ; 
And  ye  maun  get  to  my  supper 

A  bird  without  a  ga'  ; 
Or  I  winna  lie  in  your  bed, 

Either  at  stock  or  wa'." 

"  Its  when  the  cherry  is  in  the  blutne, 

I'm  sure  it  has  nae  stane  ; 
And  when  the  chicken's  in  the  egg, 

I  wat  it  has  nae  bane  ; 
And,  sin'  the  flood  o'  Noah, 

The  doo  she  has  nae  ga'  ; 
Sae  we'll  baith  lie  in  ae  bed, 

And  ye'se  lie  neist  the  wa'." 

"  O  haud  thy  tongue,  young  man,"  she  says, 

Nor  that  gate  me  perplex  ; 
For  ye  maun  tell  me  questions  yet, 

And  that  is  questions  six  : 
Questions  six  ye '11  tell  to  me, 

And  that  is  three  times  t  •  a, 
Afore  I  lie  in  your  bed, 

Either  at  stock  or  wa'." 

"What's  greener  than  the  greenest  grass  ? 

What's  higher  than  the  trees  ? 
What's  waur  nor  an  ill  woman's  wish  ? 

What's  deeper  than  the  seas  ? 


What  bird  sings  first  ?  and  whereupon 
First  doth  the  dew  down  fa'  ? 

Ye  sail  tell  afore  I  lay  me  down 
Between  you  and  the  wa'." 

"  Vergris  is  greener  than  the  grass  ; 

Heaven's  higher  than  the  trees  ; 
The  deil's  waur  nor  a  woman's  wish, 

Hell's  deeper  than  the  seas  ; 
The  cock  craws  first ;  on  cedar  tap 

The  dew  down  first  doth  fa'  ; 
Sae  we'll  both  lie  in  ae  bed, 

And  ye'se  lie  neist  the  wa'." 

"O  haud  your  tongue,  young  man,"  sh 

"And  gie  your  fieechin  ower 
Unless  ye  find  me  ferlies, 

And  that  is  ferlies  four  ; 
Ferlies  four  ye  maun  find  me, 

And  that  is  twa  and  twa  ; 
Or  I'll  never  lie  in  your  bed, 

Either  at  stock  or  wa'." 

"  It's  ye  maun  get  to  me  a  plum, 

That  in  December  grew  ; 
And  ye  maun  get  a  silk  mantel, 

That  waft  was  ne'er  ca'd  through  ; 
A  sparrow's  horn  ;  a  priest  unborn, 

This  night  to  join  us  twa  ; 
Or  I'll  nae  lie  in  your  bed, 

Either  at  stock  or  wa'." 

"  My  father  he  has  winter  fruit, 

That  in  December  grew  ; 
My  mother  has  an  Indian  gown, 

That  waft  was  ne'er  ca'd  through  ; 
A  sparrow's  horn  is  quickly  found; 

There's  ane  on  every  claw  ; 
And  twa  upon  the  neb  o'  him  ; 

And  ye  shall  get  them  a'. 

The  priest,  he's  standing  at  the  door, 

Just  ready  to  come  in  ; 
Nae  man  can  say  that  he  was  born, 

Nae  man,  unless  he  sin  ; 
A  wild  boar  tore  his  mother's  side, 

He  out  of  it  did  fa'  ; 
So  we'll  baith  lie  in  ae  bed, 

And  ye'll  lie  neist  the  wa'." 

Little  kenn'd  Girzie  Sinclair, 

That  morning  when  she  raise, 
That  it  wad  be  the  lattermost 

O'  a'  her  maiden  days. 
But  now  there's  no  within  the  realm, 

I  think,  a  blyther  twa  ; 
And  they  baith  lie  in  ae  bed, 

And  she  lies  neist  the  wa'. 


493 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


THE  STANDING  STONES  OF  STENNIS.* 

The  Standing  Stones  of  Stennis  are  in  several  groups,  of  which  the  most  remarkable  are  those 
termed  the  Circle  of  Stennis,  and  the  Ring  of  Brogar.  The  former  of  these  is  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Bridge  of  Brogar,  near  the  edge  of  the  Loch  of  Stennis,  and  at  a  short  distance  from  the  public 
road.  A  great  portion  of  the  circle  is  destroyed,  but  it  appears  to  have  been  about  235  feet  in  diameter, 
measuring  from  the  outer  edge  of  the  embankment.  The  original  number  of  the  stones  composing  the 
Circle  was  probably  twelve,  although  only  two  now  remain  standing  the  tallest  of  which  is  18  feet  in 
height,  4  feet  7  inches  in  breadth  at  the  base,  much  broader  at  the  top,  and  about  11  inches  thick.  The 
other  stone  is  1534  feet  high,  and  much  thicker  and  broader  than  its  neighbour.  Another  very  large 
block  of  stone,  18  feet  long,  and  calculated  to  weigh  upwards  of  10  tons,  lies  on  the  ground,  having 
been  thrown  down  in  1815.  The  circle,  when  complete,  must  have  had  a  very  imposing  appearance. 
The  remains  of  a  cromlech  are  still  visible  within  the  circle.  It  is  not  in  the  centre,  but  towards  one 
side,  and  the  remains  of  the  flat  top  stone  still  rest  partially  on  two  of  the  upright  stones,  which  have 
latterly  been  pushed  outwards  from  beneath  it.  The  perforated  Stone  of  Odin  stood  to  the  northward^ 
near  the  Bridge  of  Brogar,  and  at  the  south  end  of  the  bridge  the  immense  "  Watch  Stone"  raises  its 


The  Standing  Stones  of  Stennis. 


hoary  head.  The  hole  that  was  cut  through  the  upper  part  of  this  Stone  of  Odin  was  for  the  purpose, 
it  is  supposed,  of  tying  the  sacrificial  victim  ;  but  in  after  years  it  was  used  in  quite  another  way. 
When  young  people  fell  in  love,  they  resorted  to  the  Stone  of  Odin,  and  joining  hands  through  it, 
plighted  their  troths.  "When  the  parties  had  agreed  to  marry,  they  repaired  to  the  temple  of  the 
Moon,  where  the  woman,  in  the  presence  of  the  man,  fell  down  on  her  knees  and  prayed  to  the  god 
Woden  (for  such  was  the  name  of  the  god  whom  they  addressed  on  this  occasion)  that  he  would  enable 
her  to  perform  all  the  promises  and  obligations  she  had  made,  and  was  to  make,  to  the  young  man 
present ;  after  which  they  both  went  to  the  temple  of  the  Sun,  where  the  man  prayed  in  like  manner 
before  the  woman.  Then  they  went  to  the  Stone  of  Odin  ;  and  the  man  being  on  the  one  side,  and 
the  woman  on  the  other,  they  took  hold  of  each  other's  right  hand  through  the  hole  in  it,  and  there 
swore  to  be  constant  and  faithful  to  each  other. "t  When  the  couple  wished  to  annul  this  vow,  they 
simply  repaired  to  the  Church  of  Stennis — the  one  passing  out  at  the  north  door,  the  other  at  the  south 


*  Anderson's  Guide  to  the  Orkney  Islands. 
fThis  betrothal  ctreniony  was  known  as  the  "Promise  of  Odin." 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS.  499 


— and  the  thing  was  done.  It  is  said  that  the  people  used  to  leave  offerings  at  the  stone  ;  and  there 
was  a  prevalent  belief  to  the  effect  that  a  child  who  was  passed  through  the  Stone  of  Odin  would 
never  shake  with  the  palsy.  The  large  circle  of  .Standing  Stones  is  on  a  slope  on  the  north  side  of  the 
bridge,  and  is  366  feet  in  diameter,  measuring  from  the  inner  edge  of  the  ditch  which  surrounds  the 
circle  of  stones.  The  ditch  or  trench  is  about  29  feet  wide,  6  feet  of  average  depth,  and  incloses  a  space 
containing  nearly  2)/z  acres.  The  number  of  stones  in  this  ring  was  probably  sixty  originally,  but 
thirteen  only  are  now  standing,  and  ten  are  lying  on  the  ground,  besides  several  stumps.  The  highest 
standing  stone  is  13  feet  3  inches,  and  the  lowest  4H  feet ;  but  the  latter  has  evidently  been  broken. 
The  ground  within  the  circle  has  never  been  levelled. 

THE  LEGEND  OF  LOUISA  ST.  CLAIR.* 

The  proposed  Indian  treaty  at  Duncan  Falls,  in  1788,  being  postponed  and  adjourned  to  Fort 
Harmar,  the  Indians  prepared  for  peace  or  war,  and  were  hostile  to  holding  a  convention  to  adjust 
peace  measures  under  the  guns  of  Harmar  and  Campus  Martius.  Young  Brant,  son  of  the  famous  chief 
of  that  name,  came  down  the  Tuscarawas  and  Muskingum  trail  with  200  warriors,  camped  at  Duncan 
Falls,  nine  miles  below  Zanesville,  and  informed  Governor  St.  C'air,  by  runner,  that  they  desired  the 
treaty  preliminaries  to  be  fixed  there. 

The  Governor  suspected  a  plot  to  get  him  to  the  Falls  and  abduct  him,  yet  nothing  had  transpired 
of  that  import.  He  sent  Brant's  runner  back  with  word  that  he  would  soon  answer  by  a  ranger. 
Hamilton  Kerr  was  dispatched  to  Duncan's  Falls  to  reconnoitre  and  deliver  St.  Clair's  letter.  A  short 
distance  above  Waterford,  Kerr  saw  tracks,  and,  keeping  the  river  in  sight,  crept  on  a  bluff  and  raised 
to  his  feet,  when  hearing  the  laugh  of  a  woman,  he  came  down  to  the  trail,  and  saw  Louisa  St.  Clair  on 
a  pony,  dressed  Indian  style,  with  a  short  rifle  slung  to  her  body.  Stupefied  with  amazement,  the 
ranger  lost  his  speech,  well  knowing  Louisa,  who  was  the  bravest  and  boldest  girl  of  all  at  the  fort. 
She  had  left  without  knowledge  of  anyone,  and  calling  "Ham" — as  he  was  known  by  that  name— to 
his  senses,  told  him  she  was  going  to  Luncan's  Falls  to  see  Brant.  Expostulation  on  his  part  only 
made  her  laugh  the  louder,  and  she  twitted  him  on  his  comical  dress — head  turbaned  with  red 
handkerchief,  hunting  shirt,  but  no  trousers,  the  breech-clout  taking  their  place.  Taking  her  pony  by 
the  head,  he  led  it  up  to  the  trail,  and  at  night  they  suppered  on  dried  meat  from  Ham's  pouch.  The 
pony  was  tied,  and  Louisa  sat  against  a  tree  and  slept,  rifle  in  hand,  while  Ham  watched  her.  Next 
morning  they  pursued  their  way,  and  finally  came  in  sight  of  the  Indian  camp.  She  then  took  her 
father's  letter  from  the  ranger,  and  telling  him  to  hide  and  await  her  return,  dashed  off  on  her  pony, 
and  was  soon  a  prisoner.  She  asked  for  Brant,  who  appeared  in  war  panoply,  but  was  abashed  at  her 
gaze.  She  handed  him  the  letter,  remarking  that  they  had  met  before,  he  as  a  student  on  a  visit  from 
college  to  Philadelphia,  and  she  as  the  daughter  of  General  St.  Clair,  at  school.  He  bowed,  being 
educated,  read  the  letter,  and  became  excited.  Louisa  perceiving  this,  said  she  had  risked  her  life  to 
see  him,  and  asked  for  a  guard  back  to  Marietta.  Brant  told  her  he  guarded  the  brave,  and  would 
accompany  her  home.  In  the  evening  of  the  third  day  they  arrived  with  Ham  Kerr  at  the  fort,  where 
she  introduced  Brant  to  her  father,  relating  the  incident.  After  some  hours  he  was  escorted  out  of  the 
lines,  returned  to  the  Falls,  and  went  up  the  valle3'  with  his  warriors,  without  a  treaty,  but  in  love  with 
Louisa  St.  Clair.  In  January,  1789,  he  returned,  took  no  part  in  the  Fort  Harmar  treaty,  was  at  the 
feast,  and  asked  St.  Clair  in  vain  for  the  hand  of  his  daughter. 

In  the  fall  of  1791,  Brant  led  the  Chippewas  for  a  time  during  the  battle  of  Miami,  where  St.  Clair 
was  defeated,  and  told  the  warriors  to  shoot  the  general's  horses,  but  not  him.  St.  Clair  had  four 
horses  killed,  and  as  many  bullet  holes  in  his  clothes,  but  escaped  unhurt.  Had  St.  Clair  given  his 
daughter  to  young  Brant,  would  the  alliance  have  averted  war  ? 

LEGEND  OF   "THE  POLWARTH  THORN."! 

Polwarth  is  one  of  those  poetical  localities  which  so  frequently  arrest  the  traveller's  attention  on 
the  frontiers,  and  exert  such  pleasing  or  impressive  influence  on  the  fancy— the  effect  of  past  association 

*  The  St.  Clair  Papers,  pp.  179-180. 
tScotland  Illustrated,  by  Wm.  Beattie.     London,  Geo.  Virtue  &  Co.,  1S38,  pp.  27-S. 


5°o 


CAMEOS  AND  SAGAS. 


rather  than  the  force  of  existing  circumstances  or  scenery.  The  legend  of  the  Polwarth  Thorn  is 
founded  on  the  following  circumstances  connected  with  the  ancient  famih'  of  Sinclair,  to  whom  this 
estate  originally  belonged.  In  the  fifteenth  century,  it  is  said,  the  direct  male  line  having  failed,  the 
inheritance  devolved  upon  two  daughters,  co-heiresses  of  the  family,  whose  favour  became  an  object  of 
no  small  ambition.  Of  their  many  suitors,  preference  was  conceded  to  the  sons  of  their  powerful 
neighbour,  Home  of  Wedderburn,  and  it  so  happened  that  the  younger  sister  was  beloved  by  the 
elder  Home — George  ;  while  the  elder  placed  her  affections  on  the  younger — Patrick.  After  death 
of  their  father  the  young  ladies  passed  into  ward  of  an  uncle,  who,  anxious  to  prevent  their  marriage 
that  he  himself  might  become  their  heir,  immured  them  in  his  castle,  somewhere  in  the  Lothians.  In 
this  dilemma  the  fair  prisoners  contrived  to  transmit  a  letter  to  their  suitors  by  means  of  a  mendicant 
woman,  and  they  were  soon  gratified  with  the  sight  of  the  two  Homes  accompanied  by  a  band  of  men 
of  the  Merse.  The  uncle  made  vain  resistance  and  remonstrance  ;  his  nieces  were  forcibly  taken  from 
him,  and  carried  off  in  triumph. 

On  their  arrival  at  Polwarth  the  two  marriages  were  celebrated  in  due  form,  and  the  merry  rural 
dances  which  succeeded  under  "  the  thorn  "  were  the  first  to  commemorate  an  event  propitious  alike  to 
the  houses  of  Wedderburn  and  Polwarth.  From  that  date  the  custom  was  introduced  of  holding  all 
marriage  festivals  at  "  Polwarth  on  the  Green,"  which  gave  rise  to  a  dance  tune  so  named,  to  which 
songs  have  been  successfull}'  adapted.  The  trunk  of  this  celebrated  "nuptial  tree  "  is  still  preserved 
in  Marchmont  House. 


THE    ORCADIAN    HOMELAND. 

(Mrs.  J.  L.  Sinclair.) 

Written  on  receiving  a  newspaper  from  the  Northland  Isles.     The  expression  "gownsmen  "  is  in 
allusion  to  the  progress  made  in  education,  so  many  Orcadians  appear  to  be  gaining  University  honours. 


In  the  land  of  the  rocks  and  the  heather, 

The  Northern  Lights  and  the  snow, 
When  the  Islesmen  assemble  together, 

I  should  like  to  be  present,  I  know. 
I  should  like  to  attend  their  meetings 

A-near  the  cathedral  chime  ; 
As  I  cannot,  I  send  kind  greetings 

To  the  "  Land  of  the  Runic  Rhyme." 

By  mountain,  by  field,  or  by  river, 

Where  duty  impels  to  go  forth, 
Our  hearts,  like  the  needle,  turn  ever 

To  the  dear  island  home  in  the  North. 
For  our  sires  in  the  old  time  were  sea-kings. 

Who  sailed  o'er  the  waves  alway, 
Thus  our  pulses  are  stirred  like  a  viking's 

At  the  sight  of  the  salt  sea  spray. 

To  the  land  of  the  cross  ettgri'ie, 

The  land  of  the  midnight  sun, 
My  thoughts  revert  thitherward  daily, 

Ere  ever  the  day  is  done. 
And  when  darkness  comes  with  the  night-time , 

As  I  put  aside  my  work, 
Once  more  I  hear  the  bright-chime 

Of  the  old  cathedral  kirk. 


A  message  from  o'er  the  Pacific 

Has  come  to  the  Maoriland  shore  ; 
It  acts  as  a  magic  specific, 

Reviving  the  memories  of  yore. 
Oftentimes  I  peruse  in  press  pages 

The  name  of  some  schoolmate  or  friend, 
Who  has  passed  thro'  this  life's  serried  stages, 

Enduring,  in  hope,  to  the  end. 

Here's  "  Good  Luck  "  to  our  old  fellow  towns- 

And  women,  so  tender  and  true —       [men — 
Of  whom  many  have  since  become  gownsmen, 

And  many  more  likely  to  do. 
And  success  to  dear  "  Ultima  Thule  " 

In  all  that  is  brightest  and  best ! 
May  her  children  act  wisely  and  truly, 

Until  they  are  called  to  their  rest. 

In  the  land  of  the  rocks  and  the  heather, 

The  Northern  Lights  and  the  snow, 
When  my  countrymen  gather  together, 

I  should  like  to  be  present,  I  know, 
Once  more  to  hear  at  their  meetings 

Tales  of  the  northland  clime  ; 
As  I  cannot,  accept  these  greetings 

For  the  sake  of  the  olden  time. 


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APPENDICES. 


BOOK    IV. 
APPENDICES. 

A.— CHARTERS     OF     HERDMANSTON* 

I.— THE     ORIGINAL     GRANT     OF     CARFR.E. 
Wm.  de  Moreville  to  Henry  de  St.  Ci.air. 

(CIRCA  Il60.) 

Willielmus  DE  Moreville,  Constabularius  Regis  Scotise.  Omnibus  amicis  et  probis  hotninibus 
suis  presentibus  et  futuris  salutem.  Sciatis,  me  concessisse,  et  hac  mea  charta-confirmasse,  Henrico 
de  SancTO  Claro,  Carfra,  per  suas  rectas  divisas,  scilicet,  sicut  Langilde  se  jungit  ad  Mosburne,  et 
illinc  descendit  usque  ad  Ledre,  et  ex  superiori  parte,  sicut  Mosburn  ascendit  usque  ad  Venneshende,  et 
de  Venneshende  usque  ad  Sumunindnight,  illinc  per  descentum  usque  ad  viam  de  Glengelt  et  illinc 
usque  Ledre,  tenendam  de  me  et  haeredibus  meis,  illi  et  haeredibus  suis,  in  feodo  et  hereditate.  in  terris 
et  aquis,  in  pratis,  et  pascuis,  et  bosco  et  piano,  et  extra  forrestam,  libere  et  quiete,  per  servitium  unius 
militis.  Concessi  etiam  illi  ut  in  feodo  suo,  Molendinum  suum  habeat  sine  multura.  Concessi  ei  ut 
nemo  utetur  terra  sua  vel  pastura,  vel  bosco  suo,  nisi  per  eum  excepto,  et  simul  utemur  communi 
pastura  de  dominiis  nostris.  His  testibus  ;  Comite  Duncano,  Rollando  filio  Uthredi,  Hugone  Giffarde, 
Alexandro  de  Sancto  Martino,  Herberto  Decano,  Stephano  filio  Richardi,  Alano  de  Culstene,  Roberto 
Samuelis  filio,  Godfredo  de  Ros,  Petro  del  Haya,  Edulfo  filio  Uthredi,  Gilberto  de  Lane,  Richardo 
filio  Gilberti,  Adam  Patre,  Adamo  filio  Edulfi,  Herberto  filio  Roberti,  Willielmo  Clerico. 


II.— CHARTER   OF  CONFIRMATION. 

Roland  Fitz  Uthred  to  Alan  de  St.  Clair, 
(circa   1196.) 

Rolandus  filius  Uthredi,  Constabularius  Regis  Scotiae,  omnibus  hominibus  et  amicis  suis, 
praesentibus  et  futuris,  salutem.  Sciatis  me  dedisse  et  concessisse,  et  praesenti  charta  mea  confirmasse, 
Alano  de  Sancto  Claro,  et  Mathildae  de  Windsoure  sponsre  suae,  et  haeredibus  eorum,  qui  ex  iis 
exierint,  illam  terram  quam  Willielmus  de  Morevill  iis  dedit,  tenendam  de  me  et  haeredibus  meis  in 
marriagium,  scilicet  sicut  Mosburn  descendit  in  Langild,  et  Langild  in  ascendendo  usque  ad  caput  de 
Langild,  et  de  capite  de  Langild  usque  ad  divisas  de  Laodonia  versus  Lamberlawe.  Hiis  Testibus 
Herberto  Decano  de  Glesco,  Alexandro  filio  Cospat.,  Gilberto  de  Umfravilla,  Alano  de  Clesan,  Thoma 
Anglico,  Willielmo  filio  Rogeri,  Jacobo  de  Rosse,  Alexandro  de  Cheon,  Waltero  et  Ethelredo,  Clericis 
meis. 

The  seal  thereunto  appended  was  of  white  wax,  representing  011  the  one  side  ane  armed  man,  with 
ane  naked  sword  in  his  hand,  a  horseback,  the  horse  covered  also  with  armour,  haveing  chevrons  on 
the  pans,  sutch  we  have  seen  att  the  carousels. 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  William  of  Morevill  died  in  1196,  without  heirs  of  his  body,  and  that 
Roland,  Earle  of  Galloway,  who  had  married  his  sister,  succeeded  him  in  his  estate,  and,  consequently, 
was  bound  to  confirme  the  former  gift,  wherof  we  have  ane  instrument  taken  by  John  Saintclair  of 
Herminston  in  1434,  as  follows  : — 


Roslyn  Chartulary. 


APPENDICES.  503 


III.— INSTRUMENT  IN  RENEWAL  ok  the  CHARTER  OF  WM.  DE  MOREVILLE, 

1434,     A.D. 

In  dei  nomine,  Ajien.  Per  hoc  presens  publicum  instrumentum,  cunctis  pateat  evidenter,  quod, 
anno  a  nativitate  ejusdem  mccccxxxiy.  indictione  xii.,ac  niensis  Maii  die  xiii.  Pontificatus  sanctissimi 
in  Christo  patris,  ac  Domini  nostri,  Domini  Eugenii,  divina  providentia,  Papa.-  iv.,  anno  iv.  In  mei 
notarii  publici,  et  testium  subscriptorum  presentia,  personaliter  constitutus,  prudens  vir  Johannes  de 
Sancto  Claro,  dominus  de  Herdmanston  mihi  notario  publico,  quandam  litteram  in  pergamento 
scriptam,  cum  suo  sigillo  in  cera  alba  antiquo  more  sigillatam,  non  rasam,  non  cancellatam,  non 
abolitam,  nee  aliquo  more  suspectam,  tradidit,  perlegendam,  et  in  forniam  publicam  redigendam,  cujus 
tenor  sequitur  in  h;ec  verba.  (Here  follows  a  recital  in  Latin  of  the  charter  from  William  de  Moreville.) 
Super  quibus  omnibus  et  singulis,  in  pnedicta  littera,  sive  in  praedicta  charta  contentis  pru_-fatus 
Johannes  de  Sancto  Claro  sibi  presens  publicum  petiit  fieri  instrumentum.  Acta  fuerunt  hsec 
apud  Castrum  de  Herdmanston,  hora  quasi  decima  ante  meridiam,  sub  anno,  indictione,  die, 
mense,  et  pontificatu,  quibus  supra.  Pnesentibus  providis  ibidem  viris  Thoma  de  Sancto  Claro, 
Patricio  Dickson,  et  Edwardo  Stenson,  cum  multis  aliis  testibus  ad  prEeinisso  vocatis  specialiter  et 
rogatis. 

Et  Ego,  Guilielmus  Harpar,  Clericus  Glasguensis  Dioctesis  Publicus,  imperiali  authoritate,  Notarius, 
prtefatam  litteram  sive  chartam  vidi,  tenui,  et  legi,  ac  de  verbo  in  verbum  fideliter  copiavi,  pnesensque 
instrumentum  inde  confectum,  meaque  propria  manu  scriptum,  meis  signo  solito  et  subscriptione 
signavi,  rogatus  et  requisitus,  coram  his  testibus  prtedictis,  in  fidem  et  testimonium  omnium  et 
singulorem  pnemissorum. 


B.— GRANT   OF   INNERLEITH* 

IN    I28o  TO 

Sir  William  de  St.  Clair,  First  of  Roslvn. 

Alexander,  &c.  Cum  Nicholaus  pi.stor  quondam  serviens  noster,  nobis  resignaverit,  per  fustim 
et  baculum,  terram  de  Innerleth,  cum  pertinentiis  suis,  quam  idem  Nicholaus  de  antecessoribus  nostris 
et  nobis  quondam  tenuit,  per  chartam  bona?  memorise  Willielmi  Regis  Scotorum  illustris  :  Noveritis, 
nos,  eandam  terram  de  Innjr.eth,  dedisse,  concessisse,  et  hac  prasenti  charta  me  confirmasse, 
Willielmo  de  Sancto  Claro,  militi,  et  heredibus  suis  :  Tenendam  et  habendam,  sibi  et  heredibus 
suis,  de  nobis  et  heredibus  nostris,  cum  omnibus  justis  pertinentiis.  Concessimus  etiam  evidem 
Willielmo,  et  heredibus  suis,  ut  bladum  suum  de  domo  sua  propria  molant  ad  molendinum  nostrum, 
libere,  absque  multura  aliqua  inde  danda,  sed  homines  sui  multuram  dent.  Testibus  Willielmo  de 
Soulys  Justiciario  Loadonire,  Hugone  de  Perisby,  Thoma  Randulph,  Simone  Fraser,  Nicholao  de  Haya, 
et  Nicholao  de  Vetere  Ponte.     Apud  Hadington,  octavo  die  Aprilis,  anno  regni  nostri  tricesimo  primo. 

The  seal  is  white  wax,  the  tak,  parchement,  the  King  a  horseback,  the  horse  covered  with  a  cloath, 
upon  which  is  seen  a  lyon  rampant  in  a  double  tressure  floure  and  contre  floure ;  the  reverse,  the  King 
in  a  seat  of  justice. 

In  the  reign  of  King  William  the  Lion  (1165-1214)  these  lands  were  held  of  the  crown  by  "  Reginaldus 
janitor  Castelli  de  Edinburgh,"  after  whom  they  were  granted  by  King  William  to  "  Ailifo,  pistori  meo, 
per  servitium  sui  corporis"  (vide  Charta  apud  Castellum  Puellarum,  Roslyn  Chart.).  This  was  followed 
later  on  by  a  charter  from  the  same  king  to  "Nicholao  filio  Ailif,  Pistori  meo,"  confirming  him  in  the 
lands  of  Innerleith  formerly  held  by  Reginald  and  by  Ailif,  and  on  the  resignation  of  Nicholas  in  1280 
a  charter  issued  as  above  to  Sir  William  de  St.  Clair,  which  is  the  first  record  of  the  Rosljn  family 
acquiring  Scottish  lands.  Innerleith  was  afterwards  given  to  the  family  of  Towres,  with  reservation  of 
the  superiority,  whereupon  there  is  yet  a  charter  of  inquisition,  and  a  retour  (1525)  of  Innerleith  in 
Roslin's  charter-chest,  justifying  what  is  above  mentioned. 

It  is  thought  that  the  office  of  Pauetarius  accompanied  these  lands. 


Roslyn  Charlulary. 


5o4  APPENDICES. 


C  — CHARTA    ALEXANDRI   REGIS, 
1280. 

TERRARUM  DE  ROSKELYN  ET  DE  CATEKON* 

TO 

William  de  St.  Clair. 

Alexander,  &c.,  Cum  Henricus  de  Roskelyn  tenens  noster  de  terris  de  Roskelyn,  et  de  Catekon, 
resignavit  per  fustim  et  baculum  in  manu  nostra,  et  quietum  clamaverit.  pro  se,  et  heredibus  suis, 
prsedictas  terras  de  Roskelyn  et  de  Catekon  :  Tenendas  et  Habendas  praedicto  Willielmo  de  Sancto 
Claro,  et  heredibus  suis,  de  nobis  et  heredibus  nostris,  in  feodo  et  hereditate,  cum  socco  et  sacca,  et 
furca  et  fossa,  cum  Thol  et  Them,  et  infangantheif,  in  boscis  et  planis,  pratis  et  pascuis,  molendinis  et 
stagnis,  et  omnibus  aliis  libertatibus,  et  aysiamentis  ad  praedictas  terras  pertinentibus,  adeo  libere  et 
quiete,  integre  et  pacifice,  sicut  predictus  Henricus  de  Roskelyn,  terras  illas,  liberius,  quietius  aut 
melius,  aliquo  tempore  tenuit  aut  possedit :  Faciendo  inde  nobis,  et  heredibus  nostris  servitium 
dimidii  militis.  Testibus,  Roberto  Episcopo  Glasguensi,  Willielmo  Eraser  Cancellario  nostro,  Gilberto 
Comite  de  Anegus,  Willielmo  Comyn  de  Kilbryde,  Symone  Fraser,  Bernardo  de  Monte  Alto,  Willielmo 
Byseth,  Patricio  de  Graham  et  multis  aliis.  Apud  Trevequayr,  decimo  quarto  die  Septembris  anno 
regni  nostri  tricesimo  primo. 

D.— DIPLOMA   OF   THE   ORCADIAN   SUCCESSION! 
(870  to  1420). 

DIPLOMA  OR  DEDUCTION  concerning  the  Genealogies  of  the  Ancient  Jarls  of  Orkney, 
from  their  flrst  creation  to  the  fifteenth  century  :  drawn  up  from  the  most 
authentic  Records  by  Thomas  Bishop  of  Orkney,  with  the  assistance  of  his  Clergy 
and  others,  in  consequence  of  an  order  from  eric,  king  of  denmark,  to  investigate 
the  right  of  william  lord  saint  clair  to  the  jarldom. 

Quoniam  inter  ceteras  hujus  fluctuantis  seculi  curas  &  solicitudines,  pensata  temporum,  morum  ac 
hominum  in  hac  lacrimarum  valle,  labilitate  &  brevitate,  testante  venerabili  illo  cronographo  Martino, 
Domini  nostri  pape  Penetentiaiio  &  Capellano,  necesse  videtur  de  congruo  extrahere  progenitorum, 
regum,  principum  &  aliorum  preclarorum  genealogias  per  quos  mundus  iste  transitorius  regitur,  Reges 
regnant  &  principes  gubernant  signantq  ;  in  deduccionem  &  agniccionem  veritatis,  quo  ad  eorundem 
successionem  verisimiliter  evenire  speratur.  Illustri  ergo  &  excellentissimo  Domino  nostro,  principi 
supremo,  Norwegie  regi,  suisq  :  successoribus,  satrapis,  patriciis,  consulibus  &  proceribus  dicti  regni, 
Thomas,  Dei  &  Apostolice  sedis  gracia  Episcopus  Orcadie  &  Zetlandie,  Canonici  Ecclesie  Cathedralis 
sancti  Magni  Martyris  gloriosissirui,  legifer,  ceteriq;  proceres,  nobiles,  populus  ac  couimunitas  ejusdem, 
gracia,  pax,  caritas,  gaudium,  longanimitas,  misericordia  a  Deo  Patre  omnipotente.  &  a  Jesu  Christo  in 
Spiritu  Sancto.  In  omnibus  vobis  per  quern  reges  regnant  &  in  cujus  manu  corda  sunt  regum  cum 
omni  subjectione,  humilitate  &  obedienca  prompti  &  parati,  vestram  in  Jesu  Christi  visceribus  zelantes 
&  facientes  salutem  in  caritate  non  ficta  :  Requirentes  ut  in  dicendis  in  nostra  simplicitate  vestra 
suppleat  regia  sublimitas,  &  quia  scimus  firmiter  &  longi  temporis  spacio,  efficax  rerum  magistra  nos 
experienta  docuit.quod  in  dubium  non  revocamus  qualiter  erga  Comites  Orcadie,  regalis  ipsa  sublimitas 
zelum  semper  exuberantem  exercuit :  Quamobrem  firmam  spem  gerimus,  plenamq  ;  fiduciam  obtineuius 
quod  ilia  regia  majestas  verba  nostra  benique  recipiat,  diligenter  intelligat  &  effective  prosequatur,  ut 
infra  pectoris  claustrum  solicite  considerare  convenit  ipsa  regia  sinceritas  &  diligenter  attendere,  quod 
adulatorium  vestre  serenitati  aliquid  non  scribimus,  quod  secundum  Petrum  Blessensem  in  suo  prologo 
canentem,  Olei  venditores  esse  non  intendimus,  sed  patefactores  veritatis. 

Ergo  arbitramur  pium  esse  &  meritorium,  testimonium,  perhibere  veritati  ne  Veritas  occultetur, 
presertim  ilia  per  quam  innocenti  possit  prejudicium  generari,  &  cum  uterq  ;  reus  est  qui  veritatem 
occultat  &  mendacium  dicit,  quia  ille  non  prodesse  iste  nocere  desiderat,  quod  a  nobis  Deus  avertat, 
potissime  cum  in  dicendis   per   quondam  recolende  memorie  Erici  vestri   predecessoris   regis   nostri 


*  Roslyn  Chartulary.  t  Wallace's  Description. 


APPENDICES.  505 


admoniti  patentes  literas  fuissemus  testimonium  perhibere  veritati  prout  latius  in  sequentibus  patebit. 
Hinc  est  quod  nos  Thomas  Episcopus,  Capitulum,  Canonici,  Legifer,  ceteriq ;  proceres,  nobiles, 
populus,  communitas  sive  plebei  antedicti,  coram  Deo  in  fide  ac  fidelitate  quibus  vestre  regie  Majestati 
tenemur  astricti,  fideliter  attestamur  &  ad  perpetuam  rei  memoriam  deducimus  fidemq  ;  facimus  vobis 
&  omnibus  presentibus  &  futuris  Jesu  Christi  fidelibus,  sancte  matris  ecclesie  filiis,  in  forma  &  effectu 
subsequentibus  :  Coram  nobis  congregatus  c  mparens  magnificus  &  prepotens  Dominus,  Dominus 
Willielmus  de  Sancto  Claro,  Comes  Orcadie,  Dominus  le  Sinclar  in  ecclesia  sancti  Magni  Martyris  in 
Orcadia  proposuit  in  hunc  modum  ;  supposuit  enim  quod  nobis  bene  &  ad  plenum  cognita  res  fuisset, 
quo  modo  magnis  retroactis  temporibus  antecessores  sui  &  progenitores  ac  ipsi  Orcadie  comites  juste  ac 
juridice,  inconcusse,  linialiter  &  gradatim  jure  hereditario  comitatui  Orcadie  superdicto  successerant,  ac 
illam  per  tempora  magna  &  longeva  nulla  aliena  generatione  interveniente,  quietissime  possederant. 
Et  qualiter  diverse  carte,  evidencie,  instrumenta,  libri  censuales  &  alia  diversa  probacionum  genera 
fuerant  igne  consumpta,  deperdita  &  alienata,  hostilitatis  tempore  &  guerrarum  emulorum  inimico- 
rumq;  nonnullorum,  defectu  &  carentia  firmissime  domus  seu  municionis  inexpugnabilis  ubi  hujusmodi 
collocarentur  ;  subjunxit  idem  Dominus  Comes  quod  habuit  literas  quondam  supremi  Domini  nostri 
Regis  Erici  illustris,  p.tentes,  quas  nobis  ostendit  &  perlegi  fecit,  precepta  continentes  subsequencia, 
scilicet  quod  si  quis  nostrum  habuerit  vel  qui  habuerint  aliquas  cartas,  evidencias,  cirographa,  instru- 
menta, munimenta,  codicillos  ,acta  vel  privilegiorum  literas  ad  progenitores,  antecessores,  vel  ad  se 
spectantes,  dictumq  ;  suum  comitatum  concernentes,  quod  indilate  &  sine  mora  aut  contradictione  seu 
obstaculo,  quibuscunq  ;  eidem  Domino  comiti  deliberaret  vel  deliberarent,  secundum  quod  ipsius 
Domini  nostri  Regis  evitare  velimus  indignacionem  :  Virtute  quarum  literarum  sicut  eadem  comitis 
continebat  propositio  nos  requisivit  ut  si  de  hujusmodi  antedictis  munimentis,  aliqua  habuissemus  in 
nostris  scriniis,  apothecariis,  thecis,  cistis,  archivis  seu  cartophilaciis,  quod  ipsa  sibi  deliberaremus,  & 
in  casu  quo  non  habuerimus,  sed  sciremus  ab  aliis  ea  haberi  quod  sibi  intimaremus  &  revelaremus.  Et 
si  nee  unum  nee  reliquum  sciremus,  tunc  nos  requisivit  earundem  literarum  autoritate,  quatenus  nos 
Deum,  justitiam,  &  equitatem  pre  oculis  habentes  in  declaracionem  veritatis,  velimus  sagaciter  & 
studiose  mature  digestis  iterum  iterum  ac  tertio  perscrutari  scripturas,  cronicas  autenticas  &  approbatas 
que  faciunt  fidem  illas  perlegere,  diligenter  inspicere,  sane  concipere  &  intelligere,  ac  naturas  infeoda- 
cionis  &  ecclesiarum  fundaciones  perspicue  intendere,  quibus  sic  mature  rimatis  &  ad  plenum  discussis 
velimus  supremo  Domino  nostro  manifestare  per  genealogias  ac  cronicas  autenticas,  per  quos  &  a  quibus 
linealiter  &  gradatim  idem  Willielmus  Comes  processit  &  per  quanta  tempora,  legitime,  juste,  bene  & 
inconcusse  predecessores  sui  &  ipse  gavisi  sunt  dicto  comitatu  cum  universis  &  singulis  suis  insulis, 
commodita  ibus  &  justis  suis  pertinenciis,  ne  hujusmodi  successio  ultra  debitam  procelaretur  hominum 
memoriam.  His  omnibus  sic  propositis,  avisatis,  discussis,  digestis  mature  &  ad  plenum  conceptis  & 
intellects,  habitis  prius  diversis  &  singulis  hinc  inde  tractatibus,  ad  honorem  Dei  omnipotentis,  mani- 
festationem  veritatis  &  obedienciam  &  reverenciam  supremi  Domini  nostri  Regis,  tanquam  filii  obedi- 
encie,  precep  arii,  mandatarii  prout  decet  in  his  quie  audivimus  a  senioribus  nostris,  deinde  que  legibus 
intelleximus  &  concepimus  &  ad  plenum  sano  effectu  digessimus  per  libros scripturas,  cronicas  regnorum 
utrorumq  ;  Scocie  et  Norwegie  &  progenitorum  eorundem  ;  sic  quod  singulariter  singuli  &  universaliter 
universi,  uno  animo,  una  fide,  unico  consensu  &  assensu  respondemus  fiilem  ut  prefertur  &  testimonium 
veritatis  facientes  univers  s  superscriptis.  Quod  universa  genera  munimentorum,  cartarum,  evidenci- 
arum  et  aliarum  probacionum  species  que  apud  nos  erant  ob  reverentiam  supremi  Domini  nostri  dicto 
Domino  Comiti  deliberavimus  &  exhibuimus  ante  dictum  comitatum  concernencia.  Sed  verum  est,  et 
in  veritate  attestamur  ex  relatione  fidedignorum  antecessorum  &  progenitorum  nostrorum  quod  prin- 
cipulus  &  precipuus  mansus  sive  manerium  Dominorum  Comitum  Orcadie  fuit  diversis  temporibus  igne 
combustus  &  ad  nihilum  redactus  &  funditus  destructus,  et  patria  tota  depredata  &  vastata  per  emulos 
nostros  &  inimicos,  per  quas  depredaciones,  consumpciones  &  destrucciones  firmiter  credimus  quod 
principales  evidencie,  carte  &  alie  patentes,  diverse  litere  fuerunt  &  sunt  alienate  &  consumpte  spec- 
tantes et  concernentes  ad  antecessores  &  progenitores  dicti  Domini  Comitis,  defectu  unius  castri  in  quo 
tutissime  ipse  evidencie,  &  carte,  &  alia  patrie  jocalia  firmissime  poterant  collocare.  Ast  quantum  ad 
linealem  progressum  &  gradum  successionis  dicti  Domini  Comitis  &  suorum  antecessorum  seu  progeni- 
torum Comitum  Orcadie,  nos  prenominati  superius  expressatis,  juxta  nostrum  ingenium,  sensum  et  in- 
tellectum  perscrutati  sumus  &  mature  avisati  lucidissime  per  diversa  linguarum  genera,  scripturas 
autenticas  et  approbatas  cronicas,  scilicet  in  lingua  Latina  &  Norwegica  per  quas  reperimus  infeoda- 
ciones  ecclesiarum    nostrarum,   genealogias  nostras  &  antecessorum   nostrorum,    cartis   &    evidenciis 


506  APPENDICES. 


ipsoruru  &  nostrorum  nianifestantibus  &  claro  stili  eloquio  testimonium  perhibentibus  ad  fidem 
facientibus  ;  in  quibusdam  cronicis,  libris,  cartis  ac  aliis  autenticis  scripturis  reperimus  nomina  diver- 
sorum  comitum  Orcadie,  tempora  infeudacionum  ipsorum  juxta  modum  et  formam  sequentem,  sed  de 
eorum  strenuis  &  notabilibus  operacionibus,  gestis,  nominibus  filiorum  filiarumq  ;  suarum,  de  modo 
migrandi  ab  hac  luce,  de  divisione  seu  unione  hereditatis  ipsorum,  de  incremento  vel  decremento  pos- 
sessionum  suarum  pro  presenti  brevitatis  causa  pretermittirnus  ;  &  nos  ad  antiquas  cronicas  &  geneal- 
ogias  autenticas  &  approbatas  referimus. 

Reperimus  itaq  ;  imprimis  quod  tempore  Haraldi  Comati  primi  Regis  Norwegie  qui  gavisus  est  per 
totum  Regnum  suum,  hsec  terra  sive  insularum  patria  Orcadie  fuit  inhabitata  &culta  duabus  nacionibus 
scilicet  Peti  &  Pape,  que  due  genera  naciones  fuerant  destructt  radicitus  ac  penitus  per  Norwegenses  de 
stirpe  sive  de  tribu  strenuissimi  principis  Rognaldi,  qui  sic  sunt  ipsias  naciones  aggressi  quod  posteritas 
ipsarum  nacionum  Peti  &  Pape  non  remansit.  Sed  verum  est  quod  tunc  non  d  nominabatur  Orcadia 
sed  terra  Petorum  sicut  clare  verificatur  hodie  adhuc  cronica  attestante,  per  mare  dividens  Scociam  et 
Orcadiam,  quod  usque  ;  ad  hodiernum  diem  mare  Petlandicum  appellatur  &  sicut  pulchre  subjungitur 
in  iisdem  cronicis.  Rex  iste  Haraldus  Comatus  primo  applicuit  in  Zetlandiam  cum  classe  sua  &  conse- 
quenter  in  Orcadia  &  contulit  illam  Orcadiam  &  Zetlandiam  antedicto  principi  Rognaldo  robusto  ex 
cujus  stirpe  ut  prefertur  prefate  due  naciones,  fuerant  everse  &  destructe  sicut  cronice  nostre  clare 
demonstrant,  a  quo  quidem  Rognaldo  processerunt  linealiter  &  gradatim  omnes  Comites  Orcadie  & 
possederunt  temporibus  suis  dictum  Comitatum  libere  sine  quacunq  ;  exactione  quocunq  ;  canone  seu 
sensu,  excepto  obsequio  prestando  regibus  Norwegie  tributi  ratione,  sicut  in  clausula  sequenti  latius 
patebit  que  in  cronica  de  verbo  in  verbum  continetur.  Revera  enim  usq  ;  hodie  illorum  posteritatis 
dominio  subjacent  excepto  quod  jure  tributario  Norwegie  regibus  deserviunt  :  Qui  quidem  princeps 
Rognaldus  strenuissimus  hujusmodi  comitatum  libere  &  pure  donavit  cuidam  fratri  suo  Swardo  nomine, 
qui  Comes  Swardus  procreavit  quendam  filium  Gothormum  nomine,  qui  comes  Gothormus  possedebat 
dictum  Comitatum  per  unum  annum  &  decessit  sine  herede  legittimo  ;  et  sic  reversus  est  iterato  dictus 
Comitatus  dicto  principi  Rognaldo,  qui  pure  &  libere  illam  contulit  cuidam  filio  suo  Eynar  nomine 
qui  postea  cognominabatur  Turffeinar  ;  qui  quidem  per  longa  tempora  possedebat  dictum  Comitatum 
&  habundavit  opibus  &  plenus  fuit  divicijs.  Cui  successit  Alius  ejusThurwider  Hedclevar;  cui  successit 
Alius  ejus  Hlauderver;  cui  successit  filius  ejus  Comes  Swardus  robustus  ac  corpulentus,  magnus  & 
strenuissimus  bellifer.  Adhuc  tamen  non  fuit  regeneratus  sacri  baptismatis  lavacro  neq  ;  alij  Comites 
prenominati.  In  cujus  quidem  Comitis  Swardi  diebus  supervenit  Olaus  Thurgonis  filius  Rex  illustrissi- 
mus  de  occidentalium  partium  guerris,  cujus  inductione  comes  ille  Swardus  una  cum  gente  Orchadie 
devenerunt  Christiani,  gentilitatis  relinquentes  errorem.  Cui  Comiti  Swardo  successit  filius  ejus  comes 
Thurfinus,  procreatus  ex  filia  quondam  excellentissimi  Principis  Malcomi  Regis  Scotorum  illustris. 
Qui  quidem  Rex  contulit  dicto  Thurfino  terras  de  Cathnes&  Suthirland  sub  unica  denominatione  comi- 
tatus in  Scocia  ;  &  illis  gavisus  est  una  cum  comitatu  Orchadie  Zetlandie  &  pluribus  alijs  dominijs  in 
Scocie  Regno  jacentibus,  &  vixerat  diu,  &  strenuissimus  erat  in  campis.  Post  cujus  quidem  Comitis 
Thurfini  obitum  successit  sibi  ejus  filius  Comes  Erlinus  primus  ;  &  iste  Erlinus  primus  genuit  Comitem 
Paulum  &  Erlinum  Secundum  ;  qui  Paulus  Comes  genuit  Comitem  Haco.  Comes  Erlinus  Secundus 
procreavit  Comitem  Magnum,  gloriosissimum  Martyrem,  patronum  Orcadie,  qui  sanctissime  abijt  ab 
hac  luce  virgo  &  martyr.  Post  cujus  quidem  Magni  Martiris  decessum,  &  post  obitum  Comitis  Hacon 
successit  Comes  Rolandus,  qui  primo  fundavit  Ecclesiam  Sancti  Magni  Martiris,  illamq  ;  magnispossessi- 
onibus  divicijs  &  redditibus  dotavit,  predictus  virq ;  sapiencia  &  virtute  pollebat  per  plura  bona  pietatis 
opera  famabatur  venerabaturq  ;  &  reputabatur  pro  sancto  viro.  Post  cujus  quidem  obitum  successit 
ejus  frater  Ericus  comitatui ;  Cui  successit  Comes  Haraldus  ;  Cui  successit  comes  Johannes  filius  ejus  ; 
Cui  Johanni  successit  comes  Magnus  secundus,  a  quo  Alexander  Scotorum  Rex  cepit  comitatum  de 
Sutherland.  Cui  Magno  comiti  secundo  successit  comes  Gilbertus  primus,  cui  successit  Comes  Gilbertus 
secundus  ejus  filius,  qui  gavisus  est  comitatibus  Orchadie  &  Cathnes  in  Scocia.  Qui  quidem  Gilbertus 
secundus  procreavit  Magnum  tertium  &  quandam  filiam  Malildam  nomine.  Iste  Comes  Magnus  filius 
Gilberti  secundi  genuit  Comitem  Magnum  quartum,  &  quendam  Johannem,  &  ille  Magnus  comes 
quartus  ab  hac  luce  abijt  sine  prole  ;  cui  successit  Johannes  ejus  frater  in  antedictis  comitatibus  Orcha- 
die &  Cathnes.  Joannes  iste  genuit  quendam  Magnum  Comitem  quintum.  Cui  Magno  quinto  jure 
Successionis  linealiter  successit  Dominus  Malisius  comes  de  Stratherne  in  Scocia  tanquam  heres  legiti- 
mus  jure  hereditario  ad  utrosq  ;  comitatus  Orchadie  et  Cathnes  sicut  clarissme  manifestant  munimenta, 
evidencie  &  carte  utrorumq  ;  regnorum  Scocie  et  Norwegie  confirmacionis  desuper  confecte.     Qui  qui- 


APPENDICES.  507 


dem  Comes  Malisius  revera  primo  desponsavit  filiani  Cotuitis  de  Menteith  in  Scocia  &  ex  ea  genuit 
filiam  Matildam  nomine,  post  cujus  quidem  prime  uxoris  obitum  desponsavit  filiam  quandam  quondam 
Hugonis  Comitis  de  Ross,  &  ex  ea  procreavit  quatuor  filias  &  decessit  sine  masculis,  sicq  ;  ejus  dominia 
teme  &  possessiones  fuerunt  divise  inter  illas.  Filiam  vero  antiquiorem  ex  prima  uxore  procreatam, 
Matildam  scilicet  duxit  in  uxorem  Welandus  de  Ard,  qui  ex  ea  procreavit  quendam  filium  Alexandrum 
de  Ard,  qui  Alexander  jure  Regni  Scoc  e  &  consuetudine  hereditarie  successit  Comiti  Malisio  de  Strath- 
em  in  principali  manerio  sive  manso  ratione  sue  matris  Comitatus  de  Cathania  &  possedebat  jure  & 
appellacione  Comitis  &  eadem  ratione  &  eodem  jure  gavisus  est  certa  perticata  sive  quantitate  terrarum 
Orchadie  &  gerebat  se  pro  Balivo  &  Capitaneo  gentis  Orchadie,  Norwegie  Regis  ex  parte  ;  Idemq  ; 
Alexander  de  Ard  tempore  suo  vendidit  &  alienavit  quondam  recolende  memorie  Domino  Roberto 
Stewart  primo  Scotorum  Regi  dictum  comitatum  de  Cathnes  mansum  sive  manerium  principale  & 
omnia  alia  jura  spectantia  seu  concernencia  ad  se  ratione  matris  ejus  tanquam  ad  antiquiorem  sororem 
jure  &  consuetudine  regni  Scocie  cum  denominacione  comitatus  sive  Comitis.  Iste  vero  Alexander 
finaliter  decessit  sine  herede  de  sua  corpore  quocunq  ;  legittimo  procreate  Nunc  vero  vertamus  stylum 
ad  quatuor  filias  ex  secunda  uxore  procreatas,  quarum  una  desponsata  era  cum  Domino  Willelmo  de 
Sancto  Claro,  Domino  le  Synclar,  qui  Dominus  Willelmus  ex  ea  genuit  Dominum  Henricum  de  Sancto 
Claro  ;  qui  Dominus  Henricus  desponsavit  Jonetam  filiam  Domini  Walteri  de  Haliburtouu,  Domini  de 
Dirletoun,  &  ex  ea  procreavit  Dominum  Henricum  de  Sancto  Claro  secundum,  qui  ultimo  decessit 
comes  Orcadie  indubitatus,  qui  in  uxorem  habuit  venerabilem  Dominam  Dominam  Egidiam  filiam 
filiae  antedicti  quondam  Domini  Roberti  Scotorum  regis  illustris  filiamq  ;  quondam  strenuissimi 
Domini  Willelmi  de  Douglas  Domini  de  Nydysdale,  &  ex  ea  procreavit  presentem  Dominum  Wilelmum 
de  Sancto  Claro  comitem  Orcadie,  Dominum  le  Synclare.  Quedam  alia  filia  secunde  uxoris  desponsata 
fuit  cum  quodam  milite  denominato  Here  Ginsill  de  Swethrick  partibus  oriundo,  qui  vero  miles  in 
Orcadie  partibus  venit  et  jure  ac  ratione  sue  uxoris  gavisus  est  quadam  parte  terrarum  Orchadie,  que 
quidem  uxor  ab  hac  luce  sine  herede  migravit  leggittimo  ex  suo  corpore  procreato.  Tertia  vero  filia 
secunde  uxoris  fuit  nupta  cum  quodam  Gothredo  nomine  Gothormo  le  Spere  qui  ex  ea  procreavit  quen- 
dam filium  Dominum  Malisium  le  Spere  militem,  qui  tandem  decessit  sine  herede  legittimo  de  suo  cor- 
pore genito,  similiter  &  quarta  filia  decessit  sine  herede  ex  suo  corpore  legittime  procreato.  Verum 
iste  Dominus  Henricus,  primus  Dominus  le  Sinclare,  ejus  matre,  Alexandro  de  Ard  &  domino  Malesio 
Spere  adhuc  viventibus  ad  Dominum  nostrum  supremum  regem  Norwegie  adivit  Hacon  nomine,  cum 
quo  rege  certas  iniit  pactiones,  condiciones  et  appunctuamenta  per  quas  reversusest  ad  Orchadie  partes 
illisq;  gavisus  est  usq  ;  ad  extremum  vite  sue,  comesq  ;  Orcadie  obijt  &  pro  defensione  patrie  inibi 
crudeliter  ab  inimicis  peremptus  est.  Et  post  decessum  istius  Henrici  comitis  primi  in  Orcadie  parti- 
bus, supervenit  dicti  Comitis  Henrici  primi  mater,  filia  Domini  Malesij  Comitis  prenominati,  &  ibi  fixe 
remansitusq;  post  obitum  filij  ejus  Henrici  Comitis  primi  ;  &  supervixerat  post  obitum  omnium  soro- 
rum  suarum,  filiorum  filiarumq  ;  suorum  ;  sic  quod  ipsius  antedicti  quondam  Comitis  Henrici  primi 
mater  successit  omnibus  sororibus  ejus  eorundemq  ;  filijs  et  filiabus  tanquam  unica  &  legittima  heres 
comitatus  Orcadie  &  terrarum  de  Cathnes  sibi  tanquam  uni  sorori  debitarum  ;  parte  duntaxat  &  porci- 
one  exceptis  sororis  sue  antiquioris  de  terris  de  Cathnes  sub  denominacione  &  appellacione  comitatus 
sive  Comitis  ;  quam  partem  ut  superius  dictum  est  alienavit  &  vendidit  ipse  quondam  Alexander  de 
Ard  regi  Scocie  prenominato.  Hujusq  ;  rei  testes  sunt  adhuc  viventes  fidedigni  qui  ipsam  matrem 
Henrici  primi  oculis  viderunt  labijsq  ;  sunt  locuti  cum  ea  communicantes  ad  plenum  ;  Cui  successit 
ejus  nepos  Henricus  Secundus  filius  primi  Henrici ;  cui  Henrico  secundo  successit  presens  &  superstes 
Dominus  Wilelmus  comes  modernus  Dominus  le  Sinclar. 

Excellentissime  Princeps  ut  premisimus  in  principio  ita  fine  protestamur  quod  vestra  serenissima 
regia  sublimitas  ac  ipsius  benignissima  majestas  juxta  ingenij  nostri  modulum  &  sensuum  capaciiatem 
nos  linguamque  naturam  incultam  nebulis  ignorancie  multipliciter  obfuscatam  velut  rudes  indoctos  a 
Rhetorica  sciencia  alienos  in  fecunda  facundia  ignaros  habere  excusatos  quamvis  barbarico  more  non 
poetice  locutionis,  modo  grosso  loquamur,  quia  Insulares  sumus,  a  literarum  sciencia  penitus  alieni, 
imo  quod  condecenti  rethorice  locutionis  stilo  sive  scriptura  non  referimus  vestre  regie  majestatis  ea  & 
nos  submittimus  correctioni.  Sed  verum  est  ut  attestamur  quod  more  nostro  barbarico  omnia  que 
superius  vestre  majestati  scribimus  vera  sunt,  quia  ex  antiquis  libris,  scripturis  autenticis,  cronicis  ap- 
probatis  &  relacionibus  fidedignorum  antecessorum  nostrorum,  ac  infeodacionibus  nostris  ecclesiarum 
nostrarum  ista  extruximus  &  compilavimus.  Et  si  opus  esset  plura  quam  in  proenti  epistola  vestre 
celsitudini  latius  manifestare  sciremus  ipsamq  ;  in  premissis  informare,  sed  quia  longa  solent  sperni, 


APPENDICES. 


hec  pauca  sufficiunt  pro  presenti.  Et  ut  hec  nostra  epistola  taliter  qualiter  compilata  vestre  regie 
majestati  ac  dominis  vestri  consistorij  &palatij  circa  latera  vestra  existentibus  majorem  fidem  ac  roboris 
firmitatem  faciat,  animos  vestros  ad  plenum  informet,  ac  inter  archana  pectorum  vcstrorum  radicem 
emittat  veritatis  firmam,  &  ceteros  Christi  fideles  sancte  matris  Ecclesie  filios  instruat  ad  Deum,  et 
sacrosancta  dei  evangelja  per  nos  corporaliter  tacta  juramus  quod  premissa  modo  quo  super  relata 
deponimus  ad  Dei  honorem  vestreq  ;  celsitudinis,  predecessoris  ruandatum  &  non  alias  nee  prece  nee 
precio,  odio,  amore  vel  favore  vel  sub  spe  cujuscunq  ;  muneris  presentis  vel  futuri  sed  pro  veritate 
duntaxat  dicenda.  In  quorum  omnium  &  singulorum  fidem  &  testimonium  premissorum  sigillaThomi 
Episcopi,  Canonicorum  &  Capituli  antedictorum,  totiusq  ;  populi  &  communitatis  patrie  nostre  Orcadie, 
quod  dicitur  sigillum  commune  &  mei  Henrici  Randale  legiferi  in  nostra  publica  &  generali  sessione 
non  sine  magna  maturitale  &  plena  digestione  presentibus  sunt  appensa  apud  Kirkwaw  mensis  Maij 
die  quarto  Anno  Domini  millesimo  quadringentesimo  tertio. 

There  is  a  translation,  apparently  from  another  copy,  in  Barry's  History,  made  in  1554  by  Dean 
Thos.  Gwle,  munk,  at  the  request  of  ane  honorable  man  Wilzem  Sinclair,  barroun  of  Roslin, 
Pechtland,  and  Herberschire.  "To  the  faytht  and  witnessing  of  all  and  singulare  thir  premissis  oure 
salis,  that  is  to  mene  the  saill  of  Bischop  Thomas,  and  of  the  chanonis  of  the  chaptre  foresaids,  and  of 
all  the  pepill  and  commonite  of  the  cuntrie  of  Orchadie,  quhilk  is  callit  the  commune  saill,  the  saill  of 
myn,  Henrie  Rendale,  law-man,  of  Nicholie  Tullach  myn,  of  Joan  Cragy  my  armig.,  of  Richard 
Fodringame  Lawrik-men  myn,  of  Alexander  Sinclare  myn,  of  Joane  Tod  myn.  of  James  Lask  myn,  of 
Alexander  Brown  myn,  and  of  Angus  Mangson  myn,  with  certane  sawlis  of  others  faythfull  parsonis  of 
the  cuntrie,  till  thair  presents  ar  to  hangit  at  Kirkwaw  in  Orchadie,  the  first  day  of  the  monetht  at 
Junii,  the  zer  of  oure  Lord  ane  thousand  4  hundrecht  and  40  sex." 

E.— INSTALLATION  DOCUMENTS  OF  EARL  HENRY  I. 
(2nd  Aug.,  1379.) 

1. — The  Comitial  Obligation.* 

"To  all  who  shall  see  or  hear  the  present  letters,  Henry,  Jarl  of  the  Orkneys,  Lord  of  Roslin, 
wishes  salvation  in  the  Lord.  Because  the  very  serene  Prince  in  Christ,  my  most  clement  lord  Hakon, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  the  king  of  the  kingdoms  of  Norway  and  Sweden,  has  set  us  by  his  favour  over 
the  Orcadian  lands  and  islands,  and  has  raised  us  into  the  rank  of  jarl  over  the  beforesaid  lauds  and 
islands,  and  since  this  is  required  by  the  dignity,  we  make  well  known  to  all,  as  well  to  posterity 
as  to  contemporaries,  that  we  have  made  homage  of  fidelity  to  our  Lord  the  king  himself,  at  the  kiss 
of  his  hand  and  mouth,  and  have  given  to  him  a  true  and  due  oath  of  fidelity,  as  far  as  counsels  and 
aids  to  our  same  lord  the  king,  his  heirs,  and  successors,  and  to  his  kingdom  of  Norway  must  be 
observed.  And  so,  let  it  be  open  to  all  that  we  and  our  friends,  whose  names  are  expressed  lower,  have 
firmly  promised  in  faith  and  with  our  honour  to  our  same  lord  the  king,  and  to  his  men  and  councillors, 
that  we  must  faithfully  fulfil  all  agreements,  conditions,  promises,  and  articles  which  are  contained  in 
the  present  letters  to  our  beforesaid  lord  the  king,  his  heirs,  and  successors,  and  to  his  kingdom  oj 
Norway. 

"In  the  first  place,  therefore,  we  firmly  oblige  us  to  serve  our  lord  the  king  outside  of  the  lands 
and  islands  of  the  Orkneys  with  100  good  men  or  more,  equipped  in  complete  arms,  for  the  con- 
veniences and  use  of  our  same  lord  the  king,  whenever  we  shall  have  been  sufficiently  requisitioned 
by  his  messengers  or  his  letters,  and  forewarned  within  Orkney  three  months.  But  when  the  men 
shall  have  arrived  in  the  presence  of  our  lord  the  king,  from  that  time  he  will  provide  about  victuals 
for  us  and  ours. 

"  Again,  if  any  may  wish  to  attack  or  hostilely  invade,  in  manner  whatsoever,  the  lands  and 
islands  of  the  Orkneys,  or  the  land  of  Hjaltland,  then  we  promise  and  oblige  us  to  defend  the  lands 
named,  with  men  whom  we  may  be  able  to  collect  in  good  condition  for  this  solely,  from  the  lands  and 
islands  themselves,  yea,  with  all  the  force  of  relatives,  friends,  and  servants. 

"Also,  if  it  shall  be  necessary  that  our  lord  the  king  attack  any  lands  or  any  kingdoms,  by  right  or 
from  any  other  reason  or  necessity,  then  we  shall  be  to  him  in  help  and  service  with  all  our  force. 

*  Translated  by  Thos   Sinclair,  M.A..  author  of  "Caithness  Events,"  from  the  Latin  in 
Torfteus  "Orcades." 


APPENDICES.  509 


"Moreover,  we  promise  in  good  faith  that  we  must  not  build  or  construct  castles  or  any  fortifica- 
tions within  the  lands  and  islands  beforesaid,  unless  we  shall  have  obtained  the  favour,  gocd-pleasure. 
and  consent  of  our  same  lord  the  king. 

"  We  also  shall  be  bound  to  hold  and  to  cherish  the  said  lands  and  islands  of  the  Orkneys,  and  all 
their  inhabitants,  clergymen  and  laity,  rich  and  poor,  in  their  rights. 

"  Further,  we  promise  in  good  faith  that  we  must  not  at  any  time  sell  or  alienate  that  beforesaid 
earldom  and  that  lordship,  whether  lands  or  islands,  belonging  to  the  earldom,  or  our  right  which  we 
obtain  now  to  the  earldom,  the  lands,  and  islands,  by  the  grace  of  God  and  of  the  king  our  lord,  from 
our  lord  the  king  himself,  or  his  heirs,  and  successors,  or  from  the  kingdom,  nor  to  deliver  these  or  any 
of  these  for  surety  and  for  pledge  to  any  one,  or  to  expose  them  otherwise,  against  the  will  and  good- 
pleasure  of  him  and  his  successors. 

"  In  addition,  if  it  happen  that  our  lord  the  king,  his  heirs,  or  successors,  wish  to  approach  those 
lands  and  islands  for  their  defence,  or  from  other  reasonable  cause,  or  to  direct  thither  his  councillors 
or  men,  then  we  shall  be  held  to  be  for  help  to  our  same  lord  the  king,  and  his  heirs,  to  his  councillors 
and  men,  with  all  our  force,  and  to  minister  to  our  lord  the  king,  and  his  heirs,  his  men  and 
councillors,  those  things  of  which  they  may  be  in  need  for  their  due  expenses,  and  as  necessity  then 
requires,  at  least  to  ordain  so  from  the  lands  and  islands. 

"  Moreover,  we  promise  that  we  must  not  begin  or  rouse  any  war,  law  suit,  or  dissension  with  any 
strangers  or  natives,  by  reason  of  which  war,  law  suit,  or  dissension  the  king  my  lord,  his  heirs,  or 
successors,  or  their  kingdom  of  Norway,  or  the  beforesaid  lands  and  islands,  may  receive  any  damage. 

"  Again,  if  it  happen,  but  may  this  be  absent,  that  we  notably  and  unjustly  do  wrong  against  any 
within  the  beforesaid  lands  and  islands*  or  inflict  some  notable  injury  upon  any  one,  as  the  loss  of 
life,  or  mutilation  of  limbs,  or  depredation  of  goods,  then  we  shall  answer  to  the  pursuer  of  a  cause  of 
that  kind  in  the  presence  of  our  lord  the  king  himself  and  his  counsellors,  and  satisfy  for  the  wrongs 
according  to  the  laws  of  the  kingdom. 

"Also,  whensoever  our  lord  the  king  shall  have  summoned  us,  on  account  of  any  causes,  to  his 
presence,  when  and  where  he  shall  have  wished  to  hold  his  general  assembly,  then  we  are  bound  to  go 
to  him,  to  give  him  advice  and  assistance. 

"  Further,  we  promise  that  we  shall  not  break  the  truces  and  security  of  our  same  lord  the  king, 
nor  his  peace,  which  he  shall  have  made  or  confirmed  with  foreigners  or  natives,  or  with  whomsoever 
others,  in  any  manner  whatever,  to  violate  them,  nay,  defend  them  all  as  far  as  our  strength,  and  hold 
those  as  federated  to  us  whom  the  king  of  Norway  himself,  our  lord,  may  wish  to  treat  as  his  favourers 
and  friends. 

"We  promise  also  that  we  must  make  no  league  with  the  Orcadian  bishop,  nor  enter  into  or 
establish  any  friendship  with  him,  unless  from  the  good-pleasure  and  consent  of  our  lord  the  king  him- 
self; but  we  must  be  for  help  to  him  against  that  bishop,  until  he  shall  have  done  to  him  what  is  of 
right,  or  shall  be  bound  to  do  so  for  that  special  reason,  upon  those  things  in  which  my  lord  the  king 
may  wish  or  be  able  reasonably  to  accuse  that  bishop. 

"Besides,  when  God  may  have  willed  to  call  us  from  life,  then  that  earldom  and  that  lordship, 
with  the  lands  and  islands,  and  with  all  the  jurisdiction,  must  return  to  our  lord  the  king,  his  heirs 
and  successors  freely  ;  and  if  we  shall  have  children  after  us,  procreated  from  our  body,  male,  one  or 
more,  then  he  of  them  who  shall  claim  the  above  said  earldom  and  lordship  must  demand,  with  regard 
to  this,  the  favour,  good  pleasure,  and  consent  of  our  lord  the  king  himself,  his  heirs,  and  successors. 

"  Further,  we  promise  in  good  faith  that  we  shall  be  bound  to  pay  to  our  abovesaid  lord  the  king, 
or  to  his  official  at  Tunsberg,  on  the  next  festival  of  St.  Martin  the  bishop  and  confessor,  a  thousand 
golden  pieces,  which  are  called  nobles,  of  English  money,  in  which  we  acknowledge  us  to  be  bound  to 
him  by  just  payment. 

"  Also,  we  promise,  because  we  have  been  now  promoted  to  the  earldom  and  lordship  oftensaid  by 
our  lord  the  king  himself,  that  our  cousin  Malise  Sparre  must  cease  from  his  claim  and  dismiss 
altogether  his  right,  if  it  be  discernible  that  he  has  any,  to  those  lands  and  islands  ;  so  that  my  lord 
the  king,  his  heirs,  and  successors  shall  sustain  no  vexation  or  trouble  from  him  or  from  his  heirs. 

"Again,  if  we  have  made  any  agreement  or  any  understanding  with  our  cousin  Alexander  Ard.  or 
have  wished  to  enter  into  any  treaty  with  him,  in  that  case  we  will  do  similarly  on  our  part  and  on  the 
part  of  the  king  my  lord  to  whatever  was  done  in  precaution  about  Malise  Sparre. 


5i° 


APPENDICES. 


"  Further,  we,  Henry,  earl  abovesaid,  and  our  friends  and  relatives,  namely,  Simon  Rodde, 
William  Daniels,  knights,  Malise  Sparre,  William  Crichton,  David  Crichton,  Adam  Byketon,  Thomas 
Bennine,  and  Andrew  Haldaniston,  armsbearers,  conjunctly  promise  in  good  faith  to  our  oftensaid  lord 
the  king,  Hakon,  and  to  his  first-born  lord  the  king,  Olaf,  and  to  his  councillors  and  men  within- 
written,  namely,  to  the  lords  Siguard  Haffthorsen,  Ogmund  Findersen,  Eric  Ketelsen,  Narvo 
Ingualdisen,  John  Oddosen,  Ulpho  Johnsen,  Ginther  de  Vedhonsen  ;  John  Danisen,  Hakon  Evidassen, 
knights  of  the  same  lord  the  king;  Hakon  Jonssen,  Alver  Hardlssen,  Hantho  Ericsen,  Erlend 
Phillippsen,  and  Otho  Remer,  armsbearers;  and  for  this,  under  preservation  of  our  honour,  we  bind 
ourselves  and  each  of  us  in  a  body  to  the  aforesaid  lords,  that  we  must  truly  and  firmly  fulfil  all  the 
agreements  and  conditions  and  articles  which  are  expressed  above  to  our  lord  the  king,  within  the 
above-written  feast  of  St.  Martin,  the  bishop  and  confessor,  so  far  as  one  particular  business  was 
declared  by  itself  above. 

"That  all  these  things  now  promised  may  have  the  greater  strength  for  this,  and  may  be  fulfilled 
the  sooner,  we,  the  aforesaid  Henry,  Earl  of  the  Orkneys,  place  and  leave  behind  us  our  cousins  and 
friends  Lord  William  Daniels,  knight,  Malise  Sperre,  David  Crichton,  and  the  lawful  son  of  the  said 
Simon,  by  name  Lord  Alexander,  here  in  the  kingdom  hostages.  Upon  their  faith  they  oblige  and 
promise  themselves  to  this,  that  from  our  lord  the  king  of  Norway,  or  from  that  place  in  which  he 
shall  have  wished  to  have  them  within  his  kingdom  of  Norway,  they  in  nowise  may  go  away,  publicly 
or  secretly,  before  all  the  abovesaid  things  be  totally  fulfilled  with  entire  integrity  to  our  lord  the  king  ; 
and  particularly  and  specially,  the  conditions  and  articles  for  whose  observation  the  within-written 
reverend  fathers,  bishops,  and  prelates  of  the  churches  of  the  kingdom  of  Scotland,  and  the  other 
nobles  within-written  of  the  same  kingdom,  Lord  William,  Bishop  of  St.  Andrews;  Lord  Walter, 
Bishop  of  Glasgow  ;  Lord  William,  Earl  of  Douglas  ;  Lord  George,  Earl  of  March  ;  Lord  Patrick 
Hepburn,  Lord  Alexander  Haliburton,  Lord  George  Abernethy,  Lord  William  Ramsay,  knights,  must 
promise  in  good  faith,  and  upon  this  remit  their  open  letters  to  our  same  king  the  lord,  with  their  true 
seals,  in  the  before-noted  time,  as  in  our  other  letters  written  upon  this  is  declared  more  fully. 

"Also,  we  promise  in  good  faith  that  we  must  assume  in  no  direction  to  us  the  lands  of  our  lord 
the  king,  or  any  other  rights  of  his  which  his  progenitors  and  the  king  our  lord  are  known  to  have 
reserved  to  themselves  ;  and  concerning  those  lands  or  jurisdictions  not  to  intromit  in  any  manner 
whatsoever.  They  have  reserved  those  laws,  indeed,  and  those  pleas  within  the  Orcadian  earldom,  as 
is  before  said,  and  the  lands  and  pleas  of  that  kind  will  remain  in  all  cases  safe  for  them  ;  but  if,  upon 
this,  we  shall  have  his  special  letters,  then  we  ought  to  be  specially  bound  thereafter  to  our  same  lord 
the  king. 

"  Besides,  but  may  it  be  absent,  if  all  those  abovesaid  things  shall  not  have  been  brought  to 
conclusion,  and  totally  fulfilled  to  the  same  my  lord  the  king  as  it  has  been  expressed  above,  or  if  we 
should  have  attempted  anything  in  the  contrary  of  any  of  the  premises,  then  the  promotion  and  favour 
which  we  have  experienced  from  the  king  our  lord,  and  of  his  grace,  ought  to  be  of  no  strength  ;  yea, 
the  promotion  and  favour  of  that  kind  done  to  us  must  be  broken  down  altogether,  and  in  their  forces 
be  totally  empty  and  inane,  so  that  we  and  our  heirs  for  the  rest  shall  have  no  right  of  speaking  for  the 
beforesaid  earldom  or  for  the  lands  or  beforesaid  islands,  or  we  of  acting  about  those  lands  and  islands 
in  any  way  whatsoever,  that  it  may  be  manifest  to  all  that  the  promotion  and  grace  of  this  kind  was 
given  by  no  force  of  law  or  justice. 

"  And  so  we  append  our  seal,  together  with  the  seals  of  our  said  friends,  to  our  present  letters,  in 
testimony  and  the  firmer  evidence  of  all  the  premises. 

"  These  things  were  done  at  Marstrand,  in  the  year  of  the  Lord  1379,  the  2nd  day  of  August." 

2.— Bond  Executed  By  Scottish  Sureties.* 
' '  Henry  de  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Orkney,  Lord  of  Roslin  in  Scotland,  salvation  in  the  Saviour  of  all. 
We  make  well  known  to  your  entirety,  by  the  presents,  that  we  have  promised  in  good  faith,  and  by 
the  tenor  of  the  presents  we  promise  with  all  fidelity,  to  our  most  excellent  prince  and  lord  the  lord 
Hakon,  the  illustrious  King  of  Norway  and  Sweden,  that  we  will  on  no  account  alienate,  pledge,  or 
deliver  as  surety  the  lands  or  islands  of  the  earldom  of  Orkney,  or  the  crown  possessions  of  the  kingdom 
itself,  from  our  beforesaid  lord  the  king,  his  successors,  or  from  the  kingdom,  without  the  consent  of 
our  lord  the  king  abovesaid,  his  heirs,  or  successors,  and  that  we  shall  observe  faithfully  all  the  premises. 


Caithness  Events. 


APPENDICES.  511 


"The  venerable  lords  and  fathers  in  Christ,  Lords  William  and  Walter,  Bishops  of  St.  Andrews 
and  Glasgow  ;  William  and  George,  Earls  of  Douglas  and  March  ;  William  Ramsay,  Walter  Haliburton. 
George  Abernethy,  Patrick  Hepburn,  John  Edmonston,  Alexander  Haliburton,  John  Thumbce,  Robert 
Dalzeil,  barons  and  knights,  also  have  promised. 

"In  testimony  of  all  which  things  our  seal  was  appended,  and  we  have  procured  to  be  appended  to 
the  presents  the  seals  of  the  said  bishops,  counts,  barons,  and  knights. 

"Given  at  St.  Andrews  on  the  first  day  of  the  month  of  September,  1379." 


F.— AMENDS  OF  MALISE  SPARRE.* 
I387- 
To  all  to  whose  knowledge  the  present  letters  shall  have  arrived  Malise  Sper,  Lord  of  Skuldale, 
salvation  in  the  Saviour  of  all.  Let  your  entirety  know  that  I  have  made,  in  the  presence  of  a  magnifi- 
cent lord,  James,  Earl  of  Douglas,  firm  friendship  with  Henry  St.  Clair,  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Lord  of 
Roslin,  and  have  condoned  and  remitted  finally  all  actions  ot  injuries  and  offences,  by  him,  his  men, or 
whomsoever  in  his  name,  to  my  men,  lands,  and  possessions  whatsoever,  and  as  to  his  universal  goods, 
acquired  by  him  or  his.  Further,  I  firmly  promise  to  restore,  pay,  and  satisfy,  with  my  men  whomso- 
ever, concerning  all  injuries,  offences,  and  things  acquired,  as  to  the  beforesaid  Lord  Earl,  or  whomso- 
ever in  his  name,  up  to  the  present  day,  with  lands  and  possessions  excepted,  if  there  are  any  to  which 
my  men  have  the  right  of  claiming  according  to  the  laws  of  the  country.  In  testimony  of  this  trans- 
action, my  seal  was  appended  to  the  presents  at  Edinburgh,  iSth  November,  1387." 

G— CHARGES   OF   THE   ORCADIAN    COMMONS* 

Against  David  Menzies  of  Wemyss,  Pr.esvs  of  the  Islands, 
laid  before  king  eric  the  pomhranian  (1425). 

I.  Although  years  adverse  to  the  crops  distressed  the  country,  and  in  public  council,  with  the  con- 
sent of  David  himself  also,  it  had  been  decreed  that  no  corn  should  be  exported,  but  sold  to  the  inhabi- 
tants at  a  reasonable  price,  nevertheless  the  president  himself  carried  away  with  him  corn  to  Scotland 
in  four  vessels,  and  before  this  decree  had  been  made,  sent  off  elsewhere  five  or  six  ships  laden  with 
produce,  to  the  very  great  hurt  of  the  islanders. 

II.  Besides,  he  brought  in  foreigners  who  had  violently  pushed  themselves  on  the  whole  of  the 
people,  even  on  those  who  administered  the  courts  ;  burdensome  very  much  to  hospitality  by  the  great 
losses  and  troubles  to  the  citizens. 

III.  He  took  away  the  public  seal  of  the  country  against  the  will  of  the  supreme  prefect  of  the  law, 
and  contrary  to  the  laws  and  customs  adhibited  it  for  signing  what  he  pleased ;  and  when  a  certain 
notable,  by  name  Christian  Ellingeflet,  expostulated  that  the  seal  of  the  people  was  drawn  into  abuse 
preposterously,  he  made  a  great  fine  of  money.  When  also  the  earl  came  and  asked  that  he  would 
produce  and  bring  the  same,  to  seal  the  evidence  by  which  his  right  over  the  Orkneys  was  conveyed 
from  his  ancestors  to  himself  by  order  of  succession,  and  at  the  same  that  certain  of  the  more  important 
of  the  inhabitants  would  be  permitted  to  pass  over  the  sea  with  him  to  the  most  serene  king  and  his 
senate,  to  declare  the  public  condition  and  to  bear  authentic  testimony  concerning  his  right,  he  neither 
obtained  the  seal  nor  any  companions  except  Thomas  Sincler  and  the  Archdeacon  of  Hjaltland  and 
two  native  servants. 

jy  _In  tlle  next  year  from  that  in  which  the  earl  had  stayed  in  Denmark  with  the  most  serene 
king,  when  the  beforesaid  David  had  been  about  to  set  out  thither,  he  solicited  the  whole  assembled 
inhabitants  of  the  islands  for  a  testimonial  to  the  life  passed  among  them,  and  he  obtained  that  by 
writs  to  the  most  clement  king  and  by  letters  given  to  him  with  this  condition,  that  twenty-four  men  of 
the  first  rank  should  follow  him  to  the  king,  who,  if  they  had  arrived  thither,  the  citizens  nowise 
doubted  would  inform  the  king  as  well  about  the  king's  interests  as  also  about  the  administration  of 
David.  But  they  remained  at  home,  prohibited  by  David  from  the  journey.  He  set  out  alone,  carried 
the  people's  seal  with  him,  nobody  of  the  notables  accompanying  him. 


*  Translation  by  Thomas  Sinclair,  M.A. 


512  APPENDICES. 


V.  He  lessened  the  value  of  the  royal  money  to  such  a  degree  that  he  ordered  one  Scotch  coin  to 
be  equal  to  two  royal  coins,  and  this  until  he  had  all  but  emptied  the  whole  region  of  money.  When, 
however,  Thomas  Sincler  had  returned  last  time  out  of  Denmark,  it  was  restored  to  the  same  value 
which  it  possessed  in  Norway,  and  that  was  promulgated  publicly,  which  also  it  holds  to-day. 

VI.  His  rigid  exactions  of  the  fines  due  to  the  king  and  the  earl,  beyond  the  rules  of  laws,  privil- 
eges, or  renewals,  wronged  the  inhabitants  not  a  little. 

VII.  The  wite  and  relatives  of  the  supreme  judge  of  the  islands,  whom  they  call  the  lawman,  have 
charged  that,  twice  apprehended,  he  had  been  cast  into  the  tower  prison  for  such  causes  as  these.  The 
first  was  that  John  Baddi,  servant  and  relative  of  the  lawman,  had  fetched  back  his  horse  from  Michael 
Magi,  a  relative  of  David,  who,  going  somewhere,  had  taken  him  against  his  will,  for  which  reason  he 
shut  up  the  lawman  in  the  tower,  who  was  apprehended  while  walking  in  the  Place  of  Kirkwall. 
Again,  after  he  had  dismissed  the  Caithness  foreigners  thrust  into  his  house,  he  made  the  strong-room 
to  be  broken  open,  and  whatever  things  were  contained  there  to  be  carried  forth,  and  all  the  articles 
great  and  small  which  were  in  the  house  to  be  destroyed,  without  even  an  exception.  He  threw  the 
lawman,  seized  afresh,  into  the  tower,  only  because  he  had  refused  to  deliver  to  him  the  seal  of  the 
country  to  sign  whatever  he  wished,  and  there  he  detained  him  till  he  had  submitted  himself  to  him, 
and  his  wife  had  placed  the  seal  and  code  of  laws  on  the  altar  of  St.  Magnus.  From  that  time  David 
took  the  seal  and  code  into  his  own  custody,  and  appointed  another  lawman,  who  had  assumed  that 
office  with  difficulty. 

VIII.  During  the  period  in  which  he  had  shut  the  supreme  judge  in  the  tower,  he  also  thrust  into 
prison  at  the  same  time  another  native  notable,  against  the  laws  and  without  a  reason. 

IX.  John  Loggi  accused  him  that  he  also  was  confined  in  the  same  prison  because  he  refused  to 
him  the  seal  demanded  unless  it  had  been  entrusted  for  keeping. 

X.  Thomas  Sincler,  mandatary  for  the  earl,  expostulated  with  David  because  out  of  the  earl's 
annual  dues,  since  the  death  of  his  father  and  the  year  which  preceded,  he  took  eight  pounds  English, 
besides  other  things.     This  the  earl  resolved  to  implead  before  the  most  clement  king. 

XI.  Thomas  Sincler  complained  also  himself  in  his  own  name  particularly,  because  after  he  had 
been  fortified  with  royal  letters,  in  which  the  king  had  received  under  his  regal  protection  him,  his 
servants,  goods,  ship,  and  whatever  things  were  his,  nevertheless  his  household  servant,  David  Smid, 
was  apprehended,  beaten  within  his  house  as  far  as  to  blood,  thrust  down  into  the  depths  of  the  tower, 
and  there,  with  fetters  put  on,  detained  till  his  own  return  out  of  Scotland.  Himself  as  soon  as  he  came 
back  into  the  Orkneys,  with  good  men  warning  him,  went  immediately  to  his  house  with  his  people, 
and  there  remained  till  the  close  of  the  day,  where  then  John  Kroge  and  his  sister's  son  came  and 
advised  that  he  should  take  refuge  in  the  cathedral  or  elsewhere,  unless  he  and  his  preferred  to  perish 
by  fire.  When  he  had  betaken  himself  thither  he  appealed  without  effect  to  the  rights  of  the  cathedral 
and  to  the  letters  of  royal  protection  which  at  the  same  time  he  exhibited.  In  the  end  he  slipt  away 
secretly.  His  friends  and  those  of  the  most  clement  king  assembled,  he  demanded  that  under  the 
king's  favour  they  would  vindicate  themselves  from  oppression,  and  claimed  again  and  again  the 
guardianship  of  the  laws  for  them  and  theirs.  Accompanied  by  these,  when  he  had  returned  to  the 
cathedral,  and  sent  his  servants  thence,  his  sister's  son  had  been  slain.  Then  the  lawman  with  other 
principal  men  interposing  themselves,  that  dispute  was  settled  ihus,  that  securities  given  by  each  side, 
they  would  commit  the  whole  case  to  be  decided  by  the  court  of  the  king  or  the  earl.  Thomas  gave 
caution  by  twelve  securities,  David  none.  Also,  when  the  former  had  returned  into  Scotland,  the  earl 
died.  This  known,  David  extorted  from  those  twelve  securities  thirty-six  pounds  English,  and  refused 
all  delay  so  as  together  they  might  be  forthcoming  in  the  court  of  the  king  and  the  senate.  These 
things  so  ordained,  he  fined  those  who  had  adhered  to  Thomas  Sincler  at  the  sacred  house,  in  uphold- 
ing the  king's  letters  of  protection,  eighty  pounds  English  and  fifty  shillings.  These,  indeed,  were 
they  who  had  heard  the  words  of  David  and  Thomas  when  Thomas  appealed  for  sentence  of  law  and 
judge,  to  wit,  Nicholas  Myre,  Master  Laurence,  Master  John  the  canon,  William  Hedal,  Alexander 
Suderland,  John  Kroge,  William  Irving,  William  Flet,  Adam  Nestegaard,  Christian  EUingeklat,  and 
many  others  of  that  country,  good  men,  both  clerical  and  lay. 

XII.  He  also  bound  with  fetters  William  Bress  without  any  judicial  process,  much  less  convicted 
of  any  crime,  merely  because  he  had  gone  into  Scotland  for  an  interview  with  the  earl. 

XIII.  When  the  commons  of  Riignvaldzti  complained  to  the  president  of  their  province  concerning 
those  who  are  called  the  savages  of  the  Scots,  because  of  their  threatening  and  swaggerings  towards 


APPENDICES.  513 


them  and  other  annoyances  in  serious  repetition,  having  declared  they  would  rather  die  than  be  tor- 
mented ever  and  anon  by  such  great  injuries,  David  replied  that  they  were  not  to  die  all  in  one  and  the 
same  day,  but  some  on  each  of  the  days  as  long  as  he  ruled  over  them. 

XIV.  David  Meyner  took  two  English  half  pounds  from  Henry  Garoch  because  he  adhered  to  the 
beforesaid  Thomas  in  vindicating  the  authority  of  the  royal  diploma. 

XV.  He  took  from  John  Simonson  on  the  same  day  eleven  shillings  English. 

XVI.  Malcolm  Jonson  also  complained  that  he  spoiled  him  of  a  ship  and  other  goods,  to  the  sum  of 
two  hundred  nobles,  without  action  of  law. 

XVII.  The  beforesaid  David  commanded  John  Johnson  to  be  apprehended,  and  threw  him 
into  the  tower  bruised  to  blueness  and  blood,  and  cheated  irom  him  one  boat  of  six  oar-rests  to  the 
sum  of  two  English  pounds,  with  more  other  goods,  without  reason. 

XVIII.  Shipmaster  Thomas  Brun  complained  that  he  was  cast  into  the  tower  by  David  because  he 
had  not  come  at  the  first  messenger. 

XIX.  Also  when  David  had  last  returned  from  Denmark,  he  seized  a  ship  of  the  beforesaid  Thomas 
which  was  laden  with  goods,  and  sent  it  against  his  will  into  Scotland,  and  there  spoiled  him  of  fine 
flour  to  the  value  of  twenty-four  nobles,  and  detained  him  the  greatest  part  of  the  winter,  at  the  end  of 
which,  when  the  ship  had  sailed  home,  it  made  a  loss  of  some  of  the  goods  and  sailors. 

XX.  John  Loggi  complained  that  out  of  the  cargo  of  the  beforesaid  ship  he  was  stripped  by  David 
in  ten  casks  called  tuns  with  barley,  eight  filled  with  fine  flour,  eight  butts  with  pitch  bound  by  one 
iron,  eleven  measures  which  they  call  stones  of  wax,  twenty-six  great  and  small  caldrons,  two  balances, 
two  worked  washhand  basins,  one  hundred  and  eight  pounds  of  hemp,  six  pewter  tankards,  eleven 
decades  of  white  and  red  pots,  which  together  in  sum  rose  to  twenty-six  pounds  English. 

XXI.  The  beforesaid  David  took  of  Andrew  Jonson  from  the  same  vessel  six  caldrons,  to  the  value 
of  six  nobles. 

XXII.  The  beforesaid  David  made  Nicholas  Jonson  be  spoiled  of  forty  shillings  English,  in  gold  and 
silver,  because  he  had  joined  Thomas  Sincler,  and  obeyed  the  diploma  of  the  most  clement  king  in 
that  he  appealed  to  the  laws,  but  in  vain. 

XXIII.  He  took  two  cows  and  one  ox  from  Patrick  Thyrgelson  for  the  same  reason. 

XXIV.  John  Fif,  thrown  into  the  tower,  he  bound  cruelly  with  iron  fetters,  and  fined  him  twenty 
nobles,  only  because  he  said  that  the  earl  was  more  powerful  by  right  than  he  in  the  Orcadian  country, 
and  that  himself  was  related  by  blood  to  the  earl. 

XXV.  He  seized  by  night  from  John  Blatt  fifty  marks  English,  because  he  had  united  with 
Thomas  Sincler  in  vindicating  the  mandates  of  the  king  and  also  implored  for  the  laws  and  a  trial, 
but  without  success. 

XXVI.  William  Graa  complained  that  he  was  forced  by  him  to  send  over  his  ship  to  an  island  far 
distant  in  the  sea,  called  Suleskerry,  under  threats  of  banishment  ;  and  when  he  had  placed  his  two 
vounger  brothers  and  eight  other  natives  on  the  ship,  all  perished  with  it  ;  the  ship  with  its  tackle  and 
goods  estimated  at  fifteen  English  merks. 

XXVII.  Samson  Williamson  deplored  that  he  was  violently  snatched  from  the  cathedral, 
bound  after  the  manner  of  the  condemned,  destined  by  David  to  the  loss  of  his  head  forthwith,  unless 
the  canons  with  his  own  wife  had  interceded  ;  and,  besides,  fifty-one  shillings  English  were  wrung  from 
him  without  process  of  law,  only  because  he  had  charged  himself  that  he  had  wounded  his  servant,  and 
was  not  allowed,  though  he  wished  it,  to  purge  himself  of  the  crime  by  the  laws. 

XXVIII.  Paris  Lutzit  had  declared  that  he  also  was  shut  up  in  the  tower,  forced  into  fetters  of 
ron,  three  whole  days  and  nights,  then  obtained  his  freedom  by  payment  of  ten  minted  merks,  con- 
victed of  no  crime  inadvertentlv,  only  because,  a  dependant  of  Thomas  Sincler,  he  studied  to  run  the 
king's  mandates. 

XXIX.  The  beforesaid  mandate,  while  being  read  to  Paris,  was  snatched  by  David,  who  remarked 
that  he  could  buy  such  letters,  translated  into  a  foreign  language,  for  eighteen  English  pence  in  Den- 
mark.    He  retained  it  then,  and  retains  it  to-day,  when  this  complaint  has  been  initiated. 

XXX.  He  seized  from  Thomas  Bimson  twenty-one  merks  English,  the  case  unheard. 

XXXI.  The  case  also  unheard,  without  trial,  against  the  laws,  he  took  from  Magnus  Jenneland 
twelve  casks  full  of  barley  to  the  value  of  twenty-four  shillings  English. 

XXXII.  He  put  William  Geredson  and  his  horses  into  the  tower,  without  legitimate  process,  only 
because  he  supported  the  rights  of  Thomas  and  of  the  royal  mandate,  compelled  to  buy  his  liberation 
with  thirteen  merks  English. 


APPENDICES. 


XXXIII. — For  the  same  reason  he  spoiled  by  night  Sander  Brun  of  twenty-seven  English  merks. 

XXXIV. — The  servant  also  of  the  beforesaid  Sander  he  spoiled  of  eleven  merks  English  on  the 
pretext  of  the  same  charged  offence. 

XXXV.  Sir  Nicholas  Myre  and  Sir  Laurence,  canons,  complained  because  he  had  taken 
out  the  seal  of  the  chapter,  which  stood  in  a  box  in  the  inmost  part  of  the  cathedral,  and  had  detained 
it  beyond  half  a  year,  and  ordained  that  anything  to  be  written  he  would  make  to  be  sealed  for  him- 
self, not  for  them. 

There  are  many  more  things  which  could  and  were  necessary  to  be  written  about  the  deeds  of 
David  Meyner  and  the  losses  brought  on  the  Orcadian  people  by  him,  but  the  heap  and  long  series  of 
his  crimes  they  are  unable  to  declare  at  present ;  only  in  testimony  of  these  heads  more  strongly,  and 
in  the  greater  security,  these  letters  were  signed  by  the  seal  of  their  country  and  people,  confirmed  also 
by  the  seals  of  a  revered  and  worthy  man,  William  Thurgilson,  lawman  of  the  region,  Kolbein  Fltet. 
John  Magnusson,  and  William  Irving. 


H.— THE  TESTAMENT  OF  SIR  DAVID  SINCLAR  OF  SWVNBROCHT,  KNYCHT,* 

1506. 

In  the  Name  of  God,  Amen. 
Be  it  kend  til  al  men  and  be  knawin  that  I,  David  Sincler  of  Swyxbrocht,  Knycht,  seik  in- 
my  bodye  nevir  the  less  hail  in  my  mynd,  makis  my  Testament  in  maner  and  forme  as  efter  ffollowes. 
Item,  In  the  fyrst  I  lief  and  commendis  my  saule  to  God  Almychte  in  quhaiis  protectione  and  defense 
I  incal  the  blyssit  Virgen  Mare  and  all  the  Satctis  in  hevin.  Item,  I  lief  my  bodye  to  be  erdit  in  Sanct 
Magnus  Kyrk  of  Tyngwell.  Item,  to  proteir  and  defend  my  Testament  I  chuis  and  humblie  praiss  oure 
maist  Soverane  Prince,  Kyng  James,  troucht  the  grace  of  God  Kyng  of  Scottis  :  In  the  quhilkis 
releuatione  of  labouris  I  ordeue  discreit  men,  that  is  to  saye,  Richard  Lesk  and  Thorrald  of  Brucht, 
veray  executoris  of  this  Testament,  the  quhilkis  sal  dispose  my  geir  baytht  vrettin  and  ouevrettin  as 
thai  will  answer  befor  God.  Item,  the  penchione  of  Dingvell  and  the  Red  Castell  paiis  thar  dittis  this 
zeir.  Item,  I  lave  na  thing  to  my  Lorde  Sincler  bot  the  penchione  of  Zetland  for  the  zeir  present,  to 
the  quhilk  Lorde  I  geive  and  leissis  all  the  laudis  that  I  possessit  efter  my  Fader  deide  in  Zetland,  and 
my  best  siluer  stope  wyth  twels=e  stoppis  inclussit  in  the  samen  wyth  my  schipe  callit  the  Carvell  wyth 
hir  pertinentis,  and  twa  sadillis.  Item,  I  leiffe  to  my  Ladye  Sincler  my  myd  stope  of  silver  wyth 
twelsse  stoppis  inclusit  in  the  samen.  Item,  I  leife  to  the  sone  and  aire  of  Henre  Lord  Synclar  my 
best  siluer  stope  with  sex  stoppis  inclusit  in  the  samen  and  wyth  all  the  moveabill  beistis  that  ar 
contenit  in  the  landis  afor  assignit  to  my  Lord  his  fader.  Item,  I  leife  to  my  bruder  Sir  William 
Sincler,  Erie  of  Caithtness,  my  innes  in  Edinbrucht  wyth  the  pertinentis.  Item,  I  leife  to  Sir  William 
Sincler,  the  Knycht  [of  Warsettir  ?]  m}'  doublet  of  kletht  of  gold  and  my  gray  satein  goune  wyth  thre 
ostreche  fedderiss.  Item,  I  leiff  to  Allan  Aitsone  my  blak  govne  of  dammess  wyth  silver  bouttouneis, 
my  graye  scarlet  hoiiss  and  my  doubled  of  doune  cramesse.  Item,  I  geive  and  leiffss  to  Gertrude  my 
great  siluer  belte  and  ane  pece  of  kletht  of  gold  the  lyntht  of  ane  Flanderiks  Ellin.  I  leif  to  William 
Flete  and  his  bruder  Criste  Flete  my  litill  schipe  wyth  al  geir,  and  all  my  landis  in  Orknaye  wyth  my 
innes  in  Kyrkwall  :  excep.  Setter  and  Vachtesequyr  wyth  housis  and  uder  pertinensis,  the  quhilk  I 
leiie  to  Alexander  Borthvick,  togedder  wyth  twa  kye  in  Kyrkwall  ;  and  al  the  moveabill  gudis  in 
Schalpandsaye.  Item,  I  leife  to  James  Sincler,  capitane  for  the  tym  in  Dingvell,  al  my  geir  that  is  in 
Ross,  that  is  to  saye,  my  harness,  gooneiss,  kletht  in  gold,  siluer,  bestis,  corne,  and  general}-  al  that 
ever  I  have  thare  except  my  red  cote  of  weluote,  the  quhilk  I  leife  to  the  hie  Alter  of  the  Cathedrall 
Kyrk  of  Orknaye.  Item,  I  leif  to  ilk  Sone  I  have  fyive  scoir  merkis  land,  and  to  ilk  Dochter  fyfte  ;  and  I 
mycht  schaw  it  now  as  this  time,  but  gif  I  cannot  schaw  it  I  command  my  executoris  to  schaw  it. 
Item,  I  leife  to  Thorrald  of  Brucht  and  to  his  wife  and  his  airis  ten  merkis  land  in  Glaitness  and 
xv.  merkis  land  in  Linggo  with  all  gudis  thar  contenit,  and  xxij  merkis  in  Pappale,  ten  merkis  in 
Brucht.  Item,  I  leif  to  Richart  Lesk  twenty  merkis  landis  in  Cwndistay  and  my  Inglis  schipe  with  all 
geir.  Item,  I  geive  to  William  Spens  all  rny  landis  in  Gloppa  and  xv.  merkis  in  Baltone.  Item,  I  leife 
to  Alexander  Smeythtone  xii.  merkis  in  Eistrud  wyth  all  bestis  that  is  thare.  Item,  I  leife  to  Jhone 
Mude  xx.  merkis  the  quhilk  I  bocht  fra  him  in  Scatness,  and  the  ful  payment  thar  of.     Item,  I  leife  to 


Banuatyne  Miscellany,  111.,  p.  103. 


Al'PKNDICKS.  515 


Sanct  Magnus  Kyrk  in  Tynguell  the  twa  part  of  my  blak  welwoss  cote,  and  the  third  parte  I  leife  to 
the  corss  Kyrk  in  Dynrosness.  Item,  the  chelleris  of  Sanct  Magnus  in  Tyngvell  is  in  Dyngwell,  the 
quhilk  I  command  to  be  deliverit.  Item,  I  leife  to  Magnus  Sincler  my  blew  doublet,  the  brest  set  wyth 
precious  staneis,  and  my  hude  set  with  precious  staneis,  and  my  golden  chenze,  the  quhilk  I  weair 
dailly.  Item,  I  leife  to  Jhone  Aundour  twenty  licht  florens.  Item,  I  leife  to  Peter  Merchell  my  blak 
doublet  of  wellouss  and  my  redd  hoiss  and  my  schort  red  cote  of  wellouss  wythout  sclewis.  Item,  I 
geve  and  leius  to  my  Sister  dwelland  in  Orknaye  al  my  gudis  that  ar  in  Pappay  and  Housbe.  Item, 
I  leife  to  Doctor  Jhone  Oke  twelfe  ellis  of  yper  blak  and  twa  roiss  nobillis  and  my  sadell  wyth  the 
pertinenss,  the  tane  half  of  ...  .  and  ane  schort  blak  cote  of  welouss.  Item,  I  leife  to  Sir 
Magnus  Harrode  twa  nobillis,  and  the  Buk  of  Gud  Maneris. 

Item,  I  leife  to  the  Provest  of  Byrrone  my  signet.  Item,  I  leife  to  Thome  Haa  four  merkis 
in  Morra  Nordammad.  Item,  the  geir  that  is  nocht  disponit  be  efter  the  gift  of  my  gud  beneuolanss  I 
ordinat  to  be  deuidit  betwixt  my  Soneis  and  Dochteris.  Item,  gif  ony  of  my  Soneis  or  Dochteris  of 
myne  discessis  wythout  airis  of  thar  awne  body  that  part  to  be  devidit  amange  the  leife  of  Breder  and 
Sisteriss.  Item,  the  puir  folk  that  come  out  of  Orknay  wyth  me  I  leife  thame  thar  awne  land  or  ellis 
also  gude.  Item,  I  leife  to  Segreit  in  Rorik  twa  pak  of  wedmell  and  twa  kye.  Item,  I  leife  to  the 
Halye  Cross  in  Stanebruch  twa  nobillis  of  the  roiss.  Item,  I  geive  to  Sanct  Georgeis  alter  in  Rosskyill 
my  golden  Chenze,  the  quhilk  is  callit  ane  collar,  the  quhilk  chenze  the  Kyng  of  Denmark  gave  me. 
Item,  I  leif  to  Thome  Bosvell  my  best  ,  the  quhilk  came  hame  to  me  with  my  schipe  out  of 

Xorrowaye.  Item,  ten  pundis  of  gold  to  be  paiit  to  Jhone  of  Veinde  in  Desert  the  quhilk  Henre  Spens 
resauit.  Item,  xv.  merkis  I  ordane  to  be  paiit  to  the  Inglisman  that  sauld  me  the  schipe.  Item,  I  leife 
to  Jhone  Boide  the  best  piece  of  ane  lynnein  robe,  the  quhilk  I  boucht  fra  the  Flemyngis.  Item,  I  leife 
the  fruitis  of  my  landis  of  the  zeiris  crope  to  the  puir  folkis.  Item,  I  leife  to  Saude  Sincler  my  bruder 
some  sex  ellis  of  grein  claitht.  Item,  I  leif  to  Patre  Cuke  and  James  Baxstair  ten  ellis  of  grein 
claitht.  Item,  I  leife  to  Ingarecht  in  Cransetter  twa  kye.  Item,  I  leife  to  Henrie  Sincler,  my  bruder 
son,  all  my  brutell  bestis  that  is  in  Oxvoo.  Item,  I  leife  and  commandis  to  geive  to  Jhone  Glappayr 
ix.  merkis,  the  quhilkis  I  promit  to  hym  in  his  spoussage. 

Gii-fix  at  Tyngwell  the  zeir  of  God  1  M.  fyfe  hundreths  and  sex  zeiris,  the  aucht  day  of  the 
Vesitatione  of  our  Ladye  :  thir  men  be  and  presente— Sande  Brothvik,  Peter  Merchell,  Jhone  Mude, 
Jhone  Boide,  Magnus  Sincler,  Peter  Cuk,  Alexander  Smeithtone,  wyth  utheris  mony  sundri  and  divers. 

Ita  fateor  ego  Doctor  Johannes  Oke  de  Gesteria  me  ascultasse  et  concordat  de  verbo  ad  verbum 
cum  suo  illeso  origiuali  quod  fateor  man  propria,  etc. 

Haec  est  vera  hujus  originalis  copiata  sive  collationata  de  verbo  in  verbum,  ac  translata  de  latino  in 
Anglicam  linguam  haud  in  ullo  discrepans,  sed  per  omnia  concordano  per  me  Dominum  Jacobum 
Scuill,  sacre  millesimo  quingentissimo  xxv  ,  die  vero  sexto  mensis  Augusti,  hora  quasi  quinta  post 
meridiem  vel  eo  circa  presentibus  ibidem  venerabilibus  viris  Roberto  Flet,  Domino  Georgio  Dufe, 
Alexandro  Paulsone  et  Andrea  Sanger  cum  diversis  aliis  formaliter  ;  sicut  stat  omni  meliori  forma  qua 
potui,  et  etiam  roboravi,  meis  signo,  nomine  cognomine,  et  manuali  subscriptione  quibus  utor. 

Jacobus  Scuill,  Xotarius  Publicus. 


I.— SPECIAL  DESTINATION  OF  CAITHNESS,* 
1344. 
David,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  the  Scots,  to  all  true  men  of  his  whole  kingdom,  greeting. 
Know  ye  that  we  have  examined  a  certain  charter  of  Males,  Earl  of  Caithness,  to  this  effect : 
"To  all  the  sons  of  Holv  Mother  Church  who  shall  examine  this  present  letter,  Males,  Earl  of  the 
earldoms  of  Stratherne,  Caithness,  and  Orkney,  greeting  (health  everlasting!  in  the  name  of  our  Lord. 
Be  it  known  unto  your  order  that  we,  not  moved  thereto  by  force,  fear  nor  fraud,  but  of  our  mere  and 
unrestrained  will  and  pleasure,  have  given  and  granted  the  right  of  marriage  of  our  daughter  Isabella, 
begotten  of  us  and  of  our  lawful  spouse  Marjory,  to  the  noble  William,  Earl  of  Ross,  to  marry  her 
when  and  at  such  time  as  shall  seem  to  him  good,  conveniently  with  our  true  purpose  herein.  The 
said  Isabella  we  do  hereby  make,  appoint  and  designate  our  heir  and  successor  to  all  our  earldom  of 
Caithness,  with  its  rightful  appurtenances,  if  we  shall  not  have  had   heir  male  and  surviving  by  our 

*  Translation  of  the  original  Latin  in  the  Dunrobin  Charter-room 


516  APPENDICES. 


lawful  spouse  the  said  Marjory.  And  the  said  William,  Earl  of  Ross,  has  promised  and  faithfully  under- 
taken to  defend  and  maintain  with  all  his  power  the  said  earldom  of  Caithness  equally  with  the  earldom 
of  the  said  William  of  Ross.  In  testimony  whereof  we  have  set  our  seal  to  these  presents  in  the  house 
of  the  preaching  friars  of  Inverness  on  the  28th  day  ot  the  month  of  May,  A.D.  1344,"  which  in  all 
points,  articles,  conditions,  etc.,  we  hereby  approve,  etc.  Given  at  Scone  the  12th  May  in  the  32nd 
year  of  our  reign,  i.e.,  1362. 

J.— ACT  IN  RECOGNITION  OF  HENRY,  LORD  ST.  CLAIR.* 
1489. 

Henry,  Lord  Saintclair  (son  to  William,  Lord  Newburgh)in  the  first  Parliament  of  King  James  IV., 
1489,  begun  at  Edinburgh  Die  Lunae,  sexto  die  mensis  Octobris  and  continued,  is  declared  chief  of 
the  blood,  Lord  Saintclair,  and  heir  to  the  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Lord  Newburgh,  the  14th  January. 
The  act  is  recorded  in  the  Lower  House  folio,  verso  113,  in  the  following  terms  : — 

"  Item,  anent  Sir  Henry  Saintclair,  that  our  Soveraine  Lorde,  with  advyce  and  delyverance  of  the 
estaitis  of  his  Parliament,  declares  that  sene  the  said  Sir  Henry's  grandschire  and  faider,  Lords  Saint- 
clair, for  the  tyme  are  decessit,  and  the  said  Sir  Henry  richwise  heretor  to  thaim  ;  that  he  is  chef  of 
that  blude  ;  and  will  therefor  that  he  be  callit  Lord  Saintclair  in  tyme  to  cum,  with  all  dignities, 
emenents,  privilegis,  tenandiis,  tenandriis  belonging  thairto,  efter  the  forme  of  chartars  and  evidents 
made  thairupon." 

K.— R  E  S  P  I  T  E 

In  favour  ok  Edward  Sincxare  and  others  for  the  slaughter  of  thk  Eahi,  of  Caithness. 

(From  the  Original  Parchment. )\ 

James,  be  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Scottis.  To  all  and  sundry  our  justices,  wardanis,  lieutenants, 
justice  clerks,  shreffs,  stewartis,  crounaris,  yare  deputis,  proveslis,  auldermane,  and  baillies  of  burrow- 
is,  and  all  oyeris  our  ofnciaries  pyt.  and  to  cum,  and  yare  deputis,  liegis,  subditis,  quham  it  efferis, 
quhaire  knawlege  yir  our  letteris  sail  cum,  greting. 

Wit  se  we,  of  oure  special  grace,  to  have  respitt,  supersedeit,  and  delayit,  and  be  yir.  or.  letteris  in 
ye  law  spealie  respittis,  supersedes,  and  delayis,  Edward  Sinclare  of  Strome,  Magnus  Sinclare  of  Wer- 
settir,  Johnne  Sinclare  of  Tollap,  William  Sinclare  of  House,  Olive  Sinclare  of  Hilwra,  Magnus  Sinclare, 
Lawrence  Sinclare,  James  Sinclare,  James  Cragy  of  Brogh,  Johnne  Rendale,  Adam  Sclatter,  Johnne 
Burness,  Johnne  Cromarte,  Magnus  Cromarte,  Robert  Hercas,  Johnne  Hercas,  George  Hercas,  William 
Perisone,  Johnne  Jamezon,  William  Kardy,  Gilbert  Cragy,  William  Zorstone,  Walter  Forester,  Christe 
Jane,  Magnus  Midhouse,  Johnne  Loutit,  Johnne  Paplaye,  Magnus  Gariacht,  Williame  Cragy,  John 
Cragy  of  Banks,  and  Edward  Birstane,  and  generally  all  and  sundry  uyeris  persones,  kynismen,  fryndis, 
assistaris,  adherentis,  partakoures  and  complices  wt  ye  said  Edward  and  persones  above  written, 
dwelland  wtin.  ye  ylis  of  Orknay  and  Zetland,  being  with  them  in  company  at  the  committing  of  any 
cryms  and  arts,  and  part  wt  thame  yrintill  in  ony  tyme  bygane  before  ye  day  of  ye  date  of  yir  pytis. 
ffor  art  and  part  of  the  convocation  and  gadering  of  our  lieges  in  arrayit  battel  agains  umqll.  Johnne, 
Erie  of  Cathness,  and  for  art  and  part  of  ye  slaughter  of  the  said  umqll.  Erie  and  his  friendis  and  par- 
takours  being  with  yame  in  company  at  that  tyme,  and  for  all  uyeris  slaughteris,  mutilations,  oppres- 
siouns,  ressis,  forthot.  tellonies,  tressonis,  crymes,  transgressiouns  and  offensis  quhatsumever  committit 
and  done  by  yame,  or  any  of  yame,  or  in  any  uyir  part  or  place  wtin.  or.  realm,  in  ony  tymes  bygane, 
before  ye  day  of  ye  dait  hereof,  treasoun  in  or.  owne  proper  person  allenarlie  exceptit,  for  ye  space  of 
19  zeres  next  to  cum  eftir  ye  date  of  yir  pyttis.,to  indure  but  any  revocatioun,  obstakle,  impediment,  or 
againcalling  quhatsumever.  Attour  we  will,  grantis,  and  ordains,  vat  yis  oure  speale  respitt,  super- 
sedere, and  delay,  sail  be  of  als  grate  strenth,  avale,  force,  and  effect  to  ye  persones  yatt  are  not 
namyt  and  comprehendit  in  the  samen,  being  wt.  ye  said  Edward  and  his  complices  at  ye  committing 
of  ye  saidis  cryms,  and  art  and  part  wt.  yame  yrintill,  as  and  yare  names  and  surnames  were  spealie  and 
particularly,  indinyt  thereintill.  Quharefore  we  charge  you  straitlie,  and  commandis  zou  all  and 
sundry  our  justices,  wardanis,  lieutenants,  justice  clerks,  shreffis,  stewartis,  crounaris,  provestis,  aulder- 


Antiquities  of  Scotland,  Edin.,  1836.  t  Barry's  History. 


APPENDICES.  517 

niene  and  haillies  of  burrowis,  and  all  uyris  our  officiars  pynt.  and  to  cum,  and  zor.  deputis,  liegis  and 
subdits  forsaidis,  yat  nane  of  zou  tak  upon  hand  to  call  jornay,  attacke,  arrest,  accuse,  molest,  truble, 
follow  and  persew  ye  saidis  persones,  yare  kyninsmen,  freyndis,  assistaris,  adherentis,  partakeris  and 
complices,  or  any  of  yame  wtin.  ye  saidis  boundis,  for  ye  saidis  crymis  bvgane,  or  to  do  or  attempt  ony 
thing  incontrar  violation  or  breking  of  yis  our  speale  respitt,  supersedere  and  delay,  in  ony  wise,  during 
all  ye  tyme  and  space  above  written,  under  all  the  hieast  pane  and  charge  yat  aftir  may  follow.  Dis- 
charging you,  and  ilk  ane  of  you  of  zor.  offices  in  yat  part,  in  ye  meyntyme,  be  yir  oure  leeris,  given 
under  oure  Privie  Sele.at  Striveling,  ye  nineteen  day  of  September,  and  of  our  reigne  ye  [25]  zeres. 

Per  signaturam  maim,  S.D.N., 

Regis  Subscriptam. 

Upon  the  label  to  which  the  seal  (which  is  broken  off)  had  been  affixed,  is  inscribed  :  "  Respectua- 
tio  Edwardi  Sinclere  de  Strome  et  triginta  aliorum." 

Marked  thus  on  the  back  :  "  Ane  nynteen  zeris  respitt  to  Edward  Sincler  and  his  complices,  for  ye 
slaughter  of  the  Erie  of  Cathness,  etc."     The  date  was  19th  September,  1539. 

L.— DEED   OF   RESIGNATION* 

OF 

THE    HEREDITARY    PROTECTORATE   OF    THE    SCOTTISH    MASONIC    CRAFT 

BY 

William  St.  Clair  of  Roslix. 

I,  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  Esq.,  taking  into  my  consideration  that  the  Masons  in 
Scotland  did,  by  several  deeds,  constitute  and  appoint  William  and  Sir  William  St.  Clairs  of  Roslin, 
my  ancestors,  and  their  heirs,  to  be  patrons,  protectors,  judges,  or  masters  ;  and  that  my  holding  or 
claiming  any  such  jurisdiction,  right,  or  privilege,  might  be  prejudicial  to  the  craft  and  vocation  of 
Masonry,  whereof  I  am  a  member,  and  I  being  desirous  to  advance  and  promote  the  good  and  utility 
of  the  said  craft  of  Masonry  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  do  Therefork  hereby,  for  me  and  my  heirs, 
renounce,  quit-claim,  overgive  and  discharge  all  right,  claim  or  pretence  that  I.  or  my  heirs,  had,  have, 
or  anyways  may  have,  pretend  to  or  claim,  to  be  patron,  protector,  judge,  or  master  of  the  Masons  in 
Scotland,  in  virtue  of  any  deed  or  deeds  made  and  granted  by  the  said  Masons,  or  of  any  grant  or 
■charter  made  by  any  of  the  Kings  of  Scotland  to  and  in  favour  of  the  said  William  and  Sir  William 
St.  Clairs  of  Roslin,  my  predecessors  ;  or  any  other  manner  of  way  whatsoever,  for  now  and  ever  ;  And 
I  bind  and  oblige  me  and  my  heirs,  to  warrand  this  present  renunciation  and  discharge  at  all  hands  : 
And  I  consent  to  the  registration  hereof  in  the  books  of  Council  and  Session,  or  any  other  Judge's 
books  competent,  therein  to  remain  for  preservation  ;  and  hereto  I  constitute  ....  my 
procurators,  &c. 

Ix  WITNESS  whereof  I  have  subscribed  these  Presents  (written  by  David  Maul,  writer  to  the 
signet)  at  Edinburgh,  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  November,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty-six 
years,  before  these  witnesses,  George  Eraser,  deputy-auditor  of  the  Excise  in  Scotland,  master  of  the 
Canongate  Lodge,  and  William  Montgomery,  merchant  in  Leith,  master  of  the  Leith  Lodge. 

W.  St.  Clair. 

Geo.  Fraser,  Canongate  Kilwinning,  witness. 

Wm.  Montgomery,  Leith  Kilwinning,  witness. 

M.— CALENDAR  OF  DOCUMENTS  RELATING  TO  THE   EARLIER  HISTORY    OF    ORCADIA. 

Twelfth  Century. 

(H50)  The  Old  Metrekey,   or  Clavis  Rhythmica,  by  Earl    Riignvald  \In    appendix    of    Heimskringla, 

and  Hall  Ragnasson                     ..                                                .  .  '      Egilson's  edition 

(1165)  Charter  by  Earl  Harald        ...  Scone  Chartulary 

-<ii8i)  Grant  of  Peter's  Pence  by  Karl  Harald                          .  .              .  .  Dip.  Norvegicum.  vii.,  p.  2 

-  1196    Scottish-Caithness  war,  Acct.  of  Roger  de  Hove  den                 ..  Rolls  Edwd.  IV.,  pp.  10,  12 

-  119S    Bull  of  Pope  Innocent  III.                 ..              ..              ..              ..  Diplomaticum  Norveg.,  vii.,  p.  2 

Mortification  of  Norwegian  lands  by  Bishop  Bjarni.  .  ..      Chart,  of  Munkalif 


Hay's  Genealogie. 


APPENDICES. 


(1202) 
1222 

(1223) 
(1245) 
1237 
1247 
1266 
1263 
(1274) 
1275 
1278 
1290 
1297 
1299 


Thirteenth  Century. 

Ltre.  from  Innocent  III.  to  Bishop  Bjarni    .  . 

Ltre.  of  Pope  Honorius  III.  re  murder  of  Bishop  Adam  of  C. 

Constitution  of  Cath.  Chapter  of  Caithness 

Bull  of  Pope  Gregory  IX.  >r  Bishop  Jofreyr  of  Orkney 

Dispensation  by  Innocent  IV.  re  Bishop  Henry  of  Orkney 

Treaty  of  Perth  between  Scotland  and  Norway 

Letters  from  King  Hakon  to  Caithnessians 

Accts.  of  Caithness  churches,  pr.  Boyamund  de  Vitia 

Deed  containing  claim  of  then  Bishop  of  Caithness  . . 

Brief  of  Peter,  Bishop  of  Orkney 

Extract  (2  Wardrobe  Rolls  of  King  Edward  I. 

Earl  John  of  O.  and  C.  swore  fealty  at  Murkle,  his  seal 

Norse  document  referring  to  Burra  Firth 


Dip.  Norveg.,  vii.,  p.  3 

Theiner's  Vet.  Hon.,  p.  21 
\  Records,  Dunrobin  Castle 
/Ban.  Miscellany,  vol.  iii. 

Dip.  Norveg.,  vii.,  p.  18 

Torfaeus,  p.  172 

Compota  Camer.  Scotke  i.,  p.  31 

Theiner's  Vet.  Mon.,  pp.  n  2-1 15 

Ork.  Saga,  p.  107 

Tortseus,  p.  172 

Ork.  Saga  Intro.,  p.  50 

Dip.  Norveg.,  vol.  i,  p.  Si 


Fourteenth  Century. 

1312  Treaty  of  Inverness,  Norway  and  Scotland   . 

1320  Letter  from  Community  of  Scotland  to  the  Pope 

1321  Letter  from  Robert  Bruce  to  the  "  ballivi  "  of  Orkney 

1320  Archiepiscopal  complaints  against  William,  Bshp.  of  Orkney 

1327  Mortgage  of  Shetland  Bishopric  dues 

1327  Letter — Bishop  of  Bergen  to  Bishop  of  Orkney 

1329  Charters  (2)  Katharina,  Countess  of  Orkney  and  Caithness   .. 

1334  Letters  (2)  King  Edward  of  England  re  Earl  Malise 

1340  Reference  to  John  More  (?  =  Beg  Sutherland)  re  Berridale 

1344  Contract  of  Marriage  executed  by  Earl  Malise 

1364  Deed  of  Conveyance  at  Kirkwall  to  Hugh  de  Ross   .. 
(1360)  Scot.  Ordinance  adopting  Pondus  Cathanke  as  standard 

1367  Scottish  Royal  Edict  re  harassing  Orkney 

1369  Agreement  at  Kirkwall — Bishop  Wm.  of  Orkney  and  anr.     .  . 

1375  Commission  to  Alex,  de  Ard 

1379  Deed  of  Investiture  of  Henry  St.  Clair  as  Earl  of  Orkney 

1387  Amnesty — Malise  Sper  to  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney     .. 


Peterkin's  Rentals,  App. 
Scottish  National  MSS. 
Ork.  Saga  Introd.,  lv. 
Diplom.  Norveg. 


ii.,146 
Rymer's  Fcedera,  Syll.  i., 
Scottish  Chamb.  Rolls 
Dunrobin  Charter-room 
Reg.  Aberdonense  i.,  106 
King  David  II. 

Dip.  Norveg.  i.,  30S 

ii-.  337-339 
ii-,  353-358 

Hay's  Genealogie 


[389    Enumeration  of  Orcadian  nobles  (and  their  seals)  at  Helsingborg 


1391    Grant  of  Newburgh  and  Auchdale 

1396  Quittance  (8  Sir  John  Drummond  to  Earl  of  Orkney 

1397  Union  Treaty  at  Calmar.     Eminent  Orcadians  present 

Fifteenth  Century. 
(1418)  Attestation  of  descent  of  James  of  Cragy 
1418    Fealty  of  John  St.  Clair  for  Hjaltland 
1426    Complaints  of  Orcadian  Commons.  . 
1433    Deed  of  Gift  at  Kirkwall    .. 
1437    Diploma  of  The  Orcadian  Succession 
144S    Patronage  of  St.  Duthac's  .  . 

1451    Bond,  Sutherland  of  Forse  to  Chaplain  St.  Andrew's,  Golspie 
1455    Charter  of  Caithness  Earldom,  also  precept  thereon 

1455  Grant  of  Stambuster  by  Thomas,  Bishop  of  Orkney 

1456  Testament  of  Alex.  Sutherland  of  Dun beath 
1468    Resignation  of  Orkney 

147 1  Ratification  of  Ravenscraig 

1468    Acts  re  Impignoration  of  the  Isles  (to  147 1) 

1472  Bull  of  Pope  Sixtus  re  Orcadian  See 

1476    Charter  of  Earldom  of  Caithness  to  William  II.  St.  Clair 


Dip.  Norveg.  ii.,  401 
Perth  Charter-chest 


Misc.  Spald.  Club  v.,  257 
Dip.  Norveg.  ii..  4S2 
Balfour's  Memorial,  App. 
Deeds  relating  to  Ork.,  p. 
Barry's  Orkney 
Hay's  Genealogie 
Caith.  Fam.  Hist.,  p.  153 
Hay's  Genealogie 
Ork.  Saga  Introd.,  79 
Hay's  Genealogie 


APPENDICES. 


519 


1481 


1484 

1485 
1485 
14&5 

14S6 


Agreement   between    William,  Master    of    Orkney,   an 

brother,  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  of  Roslin     . 
Annuity  to  Bishop  of  Orkney,  pr.  John  Sinclare 

,,  ,,  Henry  de  Sancto  Clai 


Ancient  Skatt  Book  of  Zetland 
Norwegian  Decree  re  Shetland  lauds 
Charter  of  Kirkwall  as  a  Royal  Burgh 
14.SS    Scottish  Act  recognising  Henry,  Lord  St.  Clair 
1490    Charter  of  Regality  to  Andrew,  Bishop  of  Orkne) 

1496  The  Groat  Inventories 

1498    Charter  of  Swinburgh   in  Shetland. 

1497  Rentals  of  Orkney 


Charte 
O.P.S. 


-chest  of  Sir  John  G 


Balfour's  Memorial,  Appendi 
Mackenzie's  Grievances 
Kirkwall  Records 

Peterkin's  Rentals 
Calder's  Caithness 
Peterkin's  Notes 
Peterkin 


S I X X K E N TH    C E N T UKV. 

1500  Rentals  of  Orkney  (to  1503) 

1501  Confirmation  of  Charter  of  Regality,  1490    .. 
1503  Caithness  Charter  to  A.  Byrsbane   .. 

1506  Will  of  Sir  David  Sinclair  .  . 

1513  Drum-head  Charter  to  Earl  of  Caithness 

1514  Adjudication  of  Tohop  in  Orkney    .. 
(1519)  Decree  of  Orkney  Lawman 

1527  Charter  of  Murkle,  &c,  to  William,  Master  of  Caithness 

1527  Complaint  of  William,  Lord  Sinclair 

1528  Mandate  to  John,  Earl  of  Caithness,  (u  King  James 

1529  Jo.  Ben's  Account  of  Orkney 

1529  Charter  of  Dunbeath  to  Alex.  Sinclair 

1536  Charter  re  Burgh  of  Kirkwall 

1539  Respite  to  Orcadians  re  Summerdale 

1543  New  Charter  to  John,  Master  of  Caithness   .  . 

1544  Erection  of  Cathedral  Chapter,  Orkney 

1545  Confirmation  of  same 

1560  Balfour's  Charters  (3),  1565  ;   1566    .. 

1564  Charter  to  Earl  Robert  Stuart 

1567  Mudie's  Charter    .. 

1567  Erection  of  "  Dukery  " 

1574  Sederunt  at  Holyrood  re  William  Sinclair  of  Dunbeath 

1575  Complaint  of  Islesmen 

1581  Confirmation  to  Earl  Robert 

1583  Opinions  of  Nobility 

15S5  Cursetter  Charter    . 

1586  Agreement  at  Girnigo,  Earls  of  Caithness  and  Sutherland 

15S9  Erection  of  Wick  into  Burgh 

Also,  Norwegian,  Danish,  Scottish,  English,  French,  and 


Peterkin 

Peterkin's  Rentals,  Appendix 
Calder's  Caithness,  Appendix 
Bann.  Miscellany  iii  ,  p.  103 
(Fife  Charter-chest?) 
Mackenzie's  Grievances 
Mackenzie's  Grievances,  p.  6 
Caith.  Family  Hist.  Intro  ,  p. 
Barry's  History,  p.  238 
Keltie's  Clans,  p.  94 
Barry's  History,  Appendix 
Caithness  Family  History,  p.  1 
Glimpses  of  Kirkwall,  p.  5 
Barry's  Appendix 
Caithness  Family  History,  p.  ( 
Peterkin's  Rentals,  Appendix 

Peterkin's  Notes,  Appendix 


Reg.  Priv.  Council 

Peterkin's  Notes,  Appendix,  p.  16 
.     Bann.  Miscellany 

Peterkin's  Notes,  j).  12S 
Calder's  Caithness,  p.  326 

P   344 
Vatican  Records,  &c,  &c. 


X.  —  C  HART  U  L  A  R  V     0  F     K  0  S  S  L  V  N . 

CONTENTS. 


(1 160 )    Charter 
(1196) 

Grant  of  Innerleith 


TWKLFTH    CBNTURY. 

Wm.  de  Moreville  .  . 
Roland  fit/.  Uthred 
King  William  the  Lion 


to  Henry  de  St.  Clai 
to  Alan  de  St.  Clair 
to  Ailif,  pistori  nun 
to  Nicolas  fitz  Ailif 


520 


APPENDICES. 


12S0    Grant  of  Innerleith 
[  280    Grant  of  Roslin 
[292    Charter  of  Merton 


Thirteenth  Century. 
Wm.  de  Lvsuris 


King  Alex.  III.      .  . 
John,  Abbot  of  Newbottle 


1527 

1531 

1533 
1542 
1543 
1543 
1546 
1551 
1554 


Agreement  .  . 
Mortification  of  Lands 
Confirmation  in  Roslin,  et 
Ch.  of  Cnthiltoun  and   Little 

Deny 
Renewal  of  Charters 
Entail  of  Roslin 
Retour  of  Lord  Borthwick 
Seasine  thereon 
Bond 

Obligation 
Retour 


Sixteenth  Century. 
William,  Lord  Borthwick 

Sir  Wm.  Sinclair    .  . 
King  James 

Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  ... 

King  James 

Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 

Sir  Wm.  Sinclair  . . 
Marie,  Queen-Dowager 
John,  Lord  Borthwick 


Fourteenth  Century. 

Charter  of  Temple  lands 

Walter  fitz  Stephen  de  Melville 

Charter  of  Gourton  lands 

Thomas  Modok 

1317 

,, 

Edward  de  Gourton 

1328 

Gilbert  de  Gardan 

1328 

Pension 

King  Robert  the  Bruce 

1358 

Confirmation  of  same 

King  David  Bruce 

1358 

Grant  of  Merton 

1387 

Amnesty 

Malise  Sper 

1389 

Confirmation  of  Herbertshire 

King  Robert  II.     .  . 

Fifteenth  Century. 

1404 

Charter  re  Castle  Guard 

King  Robert  III. 

1407 

Conveyance  of  Herbertshire.  . 

Arch.  Earl  of  Douglas 

1407 

Confirmation  of  same 

The  Regent  Albany 

1411 

Procuration 

Henry  II.,  Earl  of  Orkney 

1413 

Charter  of  Tullicultre 

The  Regent  Albany 

1419 

Indenture 

Henry  II.  of  Orkney 

1434 

Renewal  of  Charters 

Wm.  Harper,  Notary 

1437 

Grant  of  Garioch  Revenues  . . 

King  James 

1438 

Complaints 

Egidia,  C.  of  Orkney 

1447 

Instrument  of  Infeftment 

1448 

Patronage  of  St.  Duthac's 

Bishop  of  Orkney 

1455 

Grant  of  Earldom  of  C'thness 

King  James  II. 

1455 

Precept  of  Infeftment  thereon 

,, 

1456 

Erection  of  Roslin  into  a  Burgh 
of  Barony 

1456 

Testament  of  Alex.  Sutherland 

of  Dumbethe 

1471 

Discharge  for  Orkney 

King  James  III. 

147 1 

Ratification  of  Ravenscraig  .  . 

1476 

Charter  of  Roslin 

William,  Earl  of  Cathness.  . 

1476 

Charter  of  Herbertshire 

1480 

Bond 

George  Lord  Seton 

to  various 

to  Stephen  de  Melville 
to  Thomas  de  Melville 
to  Sir  Wm.  de  St.  Claii 

to  Sir  Wm.  Bvsett 


to  Sir  Wm.  de  St.  Claii 
to  John  de  Hanewich 
to  Sir  Henry  St.  Clair 


to  Wm.  de  St.  Cls 


to  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkr 
to  Sir  Wm.  de  Douglas 


to  Henry,  Earl  of  Orkney 
to  Hy.  II. ,  Earl  of  Orkney 

to  John  de  St.  Clair 

to  Earl&C'tessof  Buchan 

to  Adam  of  Dalkell 

to  John  de  St.  Clair 

to  Eliz.,  C.  of  Orkney 

to  Lord  Lieut,  of  Scotland 

to  Eliz.,  C.  of  Buchan  and 

Orkney 
to  Earl  of  Orkney 
to  Wm.,  Earl  of  Orkney 
to  Officials  in  Inverness 

[Sheriffship 
to  Wm.,  Earl  of  Orkney 

to  Wm.,  Earl  of  Cathness 

to  Sir  Oliver  Sinclair 


to  Sir  Oliver  Sinclair 

to  Roslin  Eccles.  College 

to  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 

to  his  son  Alexander 
to  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 


to  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 
to  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 


APPKXDICHS. 


1558 

Premonition 

1559 

C.  of  Justiciary  of  Lothian 

1 57 1 

Charter 

1 57 1 

1572 

Inquisition     . 

1574 

Remission  for  Langside 

1574 

Resignation  of  Roslin,  etc. 

1574 

Confirmation  of  same 

1578 

Charter 

15S1 

Seasine  thereon 

1582 

Resignation  of  Roslin 

1582 

Notice  re  Marriage  . 

1 5M 

Wm.  Sinclair  of  Roslin 

King  Francis  and  yueen  Mary 

Provost  of  Roslin  Chapel 

Win.  Lord  Borthwick 
King  James  VI. 
Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 
King  James  VI. 

Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 

Edward  Sinclair 
Wm.  Sinclair  of  Roslin 


to  Sir  Mathew  Sinclair 
to  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Roslin 


to  Sir  Wm.  .Sinclair,  etc. 
to  Edward  Sinclair 


to  Win.,  Lord  Borthwick 


to  Wm.  Sinclair 

to  James,  Lord  Borthwick 


1602  Charter  of  Jurisdiction  No. 

1 61 7  Resignation  of  Roslin,  etc. 

161S  Seasine  thereon 

1630  Charter  of  Jurisdiction  No. 

1647  Valuation  of  Rosling 

( )  Petitions  (two) 


Seventh enth  c  e n t r  k  y 

Scottish  Masons 
Wm.  Sinclair 

Scottish  Masons 

Lady  Roslin 


to  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Roslin 
to  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 


to  Sir  Wm.  Sinclair 
to  Queen  Mary  d'Este 


O.-THK    NAME    OF    ST.   CLAIR. 

Thk  following  are  sump:  of  its  variants  : — 

de  Sancto  Claro. — de  Sancta  Clara,  de  Santo  Claro,  de  Sancto  Clario,  de  Sancto  Clauro,  de 
Sanct-Clare,  de  Sancte  Clair,  de  Sancto  Cleer,  de  So'>  Claro,  de  Sc<">  Clero,  de  Saint  Claro. 

ST.  Clair.— St.  Claire,  St.  Clara,  St.  Clare,  St.  Claro,  St.  Clario,  St.  Clauro,  St.  Clayr,  St.  Cler, 
St.  Clear,  St.  Cleer,  St.  Clere,  St.  Cleere. 

Saint  Clair. — Sainct  Clair,  Saintclair,  Saintclaire,  Saintclayr,  Saintclar,  Saintclare,  Sainteclair. 
Sainteclaire,  Saint-Cler,  Saintcler,  Saintclere,  Saint  Clere,  Sanct  Clare,  Sanctclare,  Sancte  Clere, 
Santcler,  Sayntclere,  Sayncler. 

Seint-Cler.  —  Seint-Clare,  Seintcler,  Seint-Cleir,  Seint-Cleyr,  Seint-Clere,  Sentcler,  Sentclere, 
Seinctclier,  Seintcleer. 

Sevntcler. — Seyntclere,  Seyncle,  Seyncler,  Seynclere,  Seynt  Clere,  Sentclire,  Seynt-Clare, 
Seynt-Cler,  Seynt  Cleyr,  Se)'nclowe. 

Saincler. — Sainclar,  Sanclar,  Sanclair.  Sanclayr. 

Sencler. — Seincler,  Seincleyr,  vSeincoler,  Seinclow,  Seinclere,  Sencleer,  Sennicler. 

Sinclar. — Sinclair,  Sinclaire,  Sinclare,  Sinclaro,  Sincleir,  Sincler,  Sinclere,  Sincklar,  Siuklar, 
Sinkler,  Sintclare,  Sinklair,  Sinclayr,  Sinclayre. 

Sonclere. — Sonncler,  Sonnclere,  Sonneclere. 

Synclair. — Syncklare,  Syucklayr,  Synclowe,  Synclare,  Synglar,  Synclere,  Shingler)?),  Chantclere. 

Zinclair. — Zinclar,  Zinchel,  Zichmni. 

le  Sinclare,  von  Sinclair,  von  Zinclair,  Childe  Sinclair,  de  St.  Clair,  &c,  &C,  &c. 


APPENDICES. 


P.—  EARLIER    SCOTTISH    EARLDOMS. 


nparative  Table. 


In  Hereditary 
Succession. 

!    (Caithness 

S70 

2  "(Orkney 

3  Buchan     . . 

4  Moray 

p. 
c. 

870 
1033 

1086 

5     Fife 

p. 

1093 

6    Mar 

p. 

1 107 

7     Dunbar  or  March  . 

c. 

1070 

8     Athole      .  . 

c. 

I"5 

9     Angus 

c. 

1115 

io    Stratherne 

c. 

1 1 15 

ii     Menteith  . . 

p. 

1153 

12  Ross 

13  Carrick 

p. 

1153 
1 186 

14  Lennox 

15  Sutherland 

c. 

1205 

1228 

16     Galloway 

— 

17     Mearns 

— 

Extant 

Surrendered  1478 
Mentioned  in  6th  century 

Previously  in  royal  family 
Mentioned  in  1014  ;  extant 

Branch  of  royal  line 
Mentioned  in  10th  century 

Detached  from  Stratherne 


Cadets  of  Fife 
Severed  from  Caithness 


Mentioned  1094 


Of  these,  the  earldoms  of  Caithness,  Mar,  and  Sutherland  are  still  extant,  but  have  been  transmitted 
through  female  succession.  The  Sinclairs  thus  hold  the  oldest  comitial  dignity  in  Britain,  although 
the  precedence  only  dates  from  [1455].  They  also  represent  the  earliest  Earls  of  Athole,  Angus,  and 
Stratherne. 


Q.—  SCOTTISH    HISTORICAL    FAMILIES. 


Table  showing  Dates  of  Ennoblement  to  Comitial  Rank. 


(1069) 

("53) 
(1211) 
(1258) 
1357 
1404 
1450 
145S 
1503 
1509 
1600 
1606 
1606 
1623 
i633 
i639 
1669 
1703 


Dunbar 
Ross 
Comyn 
Steivart  {d) 
Douglas  (c) 
Erskine  (a) 
Seton  (c) 
Keith  (a) 
Hamilton  (c) 
Kennedy 
Livingstone  (a) 
Lyon  (a) 
Fleming 
Mackenzie 
Carnegie  (a) 
Dalzell 
Blair 
Boyle  ;  Hope 


1228 
1271 
1379 
1411 
'453 
1488 
1505 
(1582) 
1605 
1606 
1613 
1624 
1633 
1643 
1682 
i7°3 


Sutherland 

Bruce  (d) 

St.  Clair  (a) 

Macdonald 

Hay  (b) 

Hepburn  (c) 

•Graham  (c) 

Ruthven 

Drummond 

Murray  (c) 

Maxwell 

Maitland 

Wemyss 

Johnston  (b) 

Gordon 

Dalrymple 


139S  Lindsay  (c) 
1437  Leslie  (c) 
1457  Campbell  (c) 
148S  Cunningham 
1508  Montgomery 

1605  Home 

1606  Kerr  (c) 
1 6 19  Scott 
1633  Ramsay 
l639  Ogilvie  (a) 
166 1   Boyd 
1690  Melville 
1703  Primrose 


The  object  of  this  table  being  to  show  at  what  period  the  leading  Scottish  houses  became  of 
continuous  historical  consequence,  the  dates  given  are  those  when  extant  earldoms  were  permanently 
acquired,  and  the  table  therefore  omits  those  short-lived  creations  which  expired  without  succession, 
nor  does  it  include  honours  since  1703,  being  more  British  than  Scottish.     Italicised  names  indicate 


APPENDICES.  523 


that  the  earlier  dignity  has  left  the  family  named  by  extinction,  female  succession,  attainder  or  other- 
wise. Honours  acquired  since  first  elevation  to  earldom  are  indicated  thus  :  (a)  earldoms  ;  (b)  a 
marquessate  ;  (c)  ducal  ;  and  (d)  royal  honours.  The  St.  Clair  family  has  perpetuated  the  dignity  of 
earl  in  unbroken  and  legitimate  masculine  succession  for  a  longer  period  than  any  other  family  in 
geographical  Scotland. 

R.—  THE   ST.  CLAIR    ARMOURY.* 

Arms  of  Dominion. 

ORKNEY  (Earldom  of). — Az.,  a  ship  at  anchor,  oars  in  saltire  and  sails  furled,  within  a  double  tressure 

dory  counterflory,  or. 
Caithness  (Earldom  of).— Az.,  a  ship  under  sail  or,  the  sails  ar. 

Arms  ok  the  LINEAGE. 
ST.  Clair  (Rosslyn  in  xiii.  and  xiv.  centuries). — Argent,  a  cross  engrailed,  sable. 
ST.  Clair  (Henry  II.,  Earl  of  Orkney,  141 1). — Quarterly — 1st  and  4th,  a  ragued  crosse  for  Roslin  ;  2nd 

and  3rd,  Orkney,  a  galey  of  one  maste,  her  sails  up,  cordages,  and  on  her  stern  a  head  like  to  a 

goats  contourne.     No  supporters. 
(Egidia,  "  Comitissa  Orcadie,  Domina  Yallis  de   Nith   et   baronie  de  Harbartshire,"  10th  September, 

1425).— Quarterly— 1st,  Orkney  (3  masts);  2nd,  Douglas  ;  3rd,  Roslin  ;  4th,  Nithsdale  (the  Lion  of 

Galloway,  facing  towards  the  left). 
(William,   Earl  of  Orkney,   9th  September,    1476). — Quarterly — 1st  and  4th,  Orkney  ;    2nd  and  3rd, 

Cathnes.     Upon  the  tout  a  ragued  cross,  Roslin.     Supporters,  two  grifons  ;  about  the  scutcheon, 

Sigillum  Will.  Comitis  Orchadite  et  Cathanise  Dominii  de  Sancto  Claro. 
Sinclair  (The  Lords  Sinclair,  Barons  of  Ravenscraig).—  Quarterly — ist  and  4th,  Orkney  ;  2nd  and  3rd, 

Caithness;   over  all  an  escutcheon  ar.  charged  with  a  cross  engrailed  sa.   for  Sinclair  of  Roslin. 

Crest — A  swan  with  wings  expanded  ppr.  ar.  ducally  gorged  and  chained  or.      Or  sometimes  they 

give  for  crest — A  phcenix  in  a  flame  of  fire.     Supporters — Two  gryphons  ppr.  armed  and  beaked  or. 

Motto — Feight.     (Esplin  gives  for  crest — A  griffin's  head). 
(Balgreggie). — As  Lord  Sinclair,  with  a  crescent  for  difference. 
(Sainteclersholme,  in  Denmark). — As  the  Lords  Sinclair. 
(William  II.  St.   Clair,   Earl  of  Caithness,    149S). — On    a  seal  couch//   and    quartered,   1st   and  4th, 

Caithness  ;    2nd  and  3rd,  Nithsdale  ;    and  over  all  dividing  the  quarters  Roslin  ;   the  shield  was 

timbred  with  a  helmet,  ensigned  with  a  flower-de-luce  tor  crest  ;  supported  on  the  dexter  by  a 

griffin,    on    the    sinister   by  a    lion,   and   as   legend    around   the   seal,   "  Sig.    Willielmi,    Comitis 

Cathanite." 

Esplin,  Marchmont  Herald,  assigns  as  sinister  supporter,  a  mermaid  combing  her  hair  ppr.; 

and  for  crest,  a  demi-bear  issuing  out  of  a  coronet  ;  with  motto — Commit  thy  work  to  God. 
(George,   Earl   of  Caithness,    1529-83).  —  Quarterly — ist,    Orkney;    2nd   and   3rd,    Nithsdale;    4th, 

Caithness  ;  Roslin  over  all  dividing  the  quarters.      Motto — Comitt.  yi  vark  to  God.     Supporters — 

ppr.  two  griffons.     Crest — A  pelican  feeding  her  young. 
(Murkle). — As  the  last,  the  cross  differenced  with  a  rose. 
(Freswick  and  Rattar). — As  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  within  a  bordure  chequy  or.  and  gu.     Crest — A 

cross  pattee   within   a  circle  of  stars  ar.     Motto — Via   crucis,  via  lucis.     The    Freswicks    acquired 

Dunbeath  and  are  sometimes  so  styled. 
(Dunbeath,  Bart.,  1704). — Quarterly,  as  Earl  of  Caithness,  within  a  bordure  indented  gu.      Crest — A 

man  displaying  a  banner  ppr.     Motto — Te  duce  gloriamur. 
(Stemster). — As  Dunbeath  within  a  bordure  invecked  gu.     Same  crest  and  motto. 
(Barrock  as  recorded   1757,  succeeded  to   Dunbeath  baronetcy  18421  — Quarterly,  as  Earl  of  Caithness, 

within  a  bordure  erm.     Crest — A  cock  ppr.     Motto — Fidelitas. 
(Dun). — Ar.  a  cross  engrailed  sa.  within  a  bordure    of  the  second  charged   with   S  plates.     Crest — A 

man  on  horseback  ppr.     Motto — Promptus  ad  certau  en. 
(Lawrence  Sinclair,   cadet  of  Dun,    16721. — Ar.  a  cross  engrailed  sa.  within  a  bordure  wavy  of  the 

second  charged  with  six  stars  of  the  first.     Crest — A  demi-man,  holding  in  one  hand  a  sea-chart,  in 

the  other  a  pair  of  pencils,  all  ppr.     Motto— Sic  rectius  progredior. 


Burke,  Nisbet,  &c. 


524  APPENDICES. 


(Forss,  cadet  of  Dun). — Arg.,  a  cross  engrailed  sa.  within  a  bordure  of  the  second,  charged  with 

eight  plates.     Crest— A  man  on  horseback  ppr.     Crest — Promptus  ad  certamen. 
(Stirkoke).— Quarterly,  as  Earl  of  Caithness,  within  a  bordure  compony  gu.  and  or.     Crest— A  naked 

arm  issuing  out  of  a  cloud,  grasping  a  small  sword,  with  another  lying  by,  all  ppr.     Motto— Ille 

[me]  vincit  ego  mereo. 
(Ulbster,    Bart,    1786).— As    recorded    167S— Quarterly,    as    Earl    of    Caithness,    within    a    bordure 

compony  sa.  and  ar.     Crest — A  star  issuing  out  of  a  cloud  ppr.     Motto — Ad   aspera   virtus.     As 

recorded  1778— Quarterly,  as  Earl  of  Caithness,  with  the  engrailed  cross  quarterly  ar.  and  sable  all 

within  a  bordure  quarterly  or  and  gu.,  the  last  charged  with  three  stars  of  the  first.     Crest— A  star 

of  six  points  waved  ar.     Supporters— Two  red  deer  ppr.     Mottoes — Ad  astra  virtus  ;  andj'aimela 

meilleur. 
(Harpsdale,  cadet  of  Ulbster,  1750). — Ar.  a  cross  engrailed  on  the  outer  side  and  invecked  on  the 

inner  sa.  within  a  bordure  compony  of  the  second  and  first.     Crest — An  arrow  and  a  branch  of 

palm  in  saltire  ppr.     Motto— Detur  forti  palma. 
(Brims,  successors  to  Ulbster).— Same  arms,  &c. 
<Thos.,son  of  William  Sinclair,  merchant  in  Thurso,  descendant  of  Caithness,  1672).— Ar.,  a  cross 

engrailed  sa.  between  two  mullets,  az.     Motto — Fear  God  and  live. 
(John   Sinclair,  writer   in  Edinburgh,  descendant   of  Caithness,   1672). — Argent,    a    cross   engrailed 

between  two  mascles  in  chief  sa.     Motto — Crux  det  salutem. 
(Staverton  Court,  Gloucester).— Quarterly,  1st  and  4th,  Orkney  ;  2nd  and  3rd,  Caithness  ;  over  all  an 

escutcheon  ar.  charged  with  Roslin.     Crest— A  ph<enix  in  flames  ppr.;  over  it  the  device,  Renasce 

piu  gloriosa.     Motto— Fight. 
(Sir  James  Sinclair  of  Oldbarr,  baronet).— Ar.,  a  cross  engrailed  quarterly  sa.  and  gu.  in  the  dexter 

canton,  the  badge  of  knight-baronet.     Crest— (An  otter  issuing  out  of  the  wreath)  a  demi-otter 

issuant.     Motto— Quocumque  ferar. 
(Sir  William  de  Sco.  Claro,  c.  1296). — From  a  seal  with  shield  on  which  is  a  cross  engrailed  in  a  centre 

of  rounded  tracery,  and  in  each  of  the  three  compartments  a  boar's  head  couped  with  the  legend, 

"S\  Willelmi  de  Sco.  Claro  Militis." 
(Longformacus,  Bart.,   1664).— Ar.  a  cross  engrailed  gu.     Crest— A  cock  with  open  bill  and  wings 

expanded  ppr.,  having  a  broken  chain   or  about  his  neck.     Mottc — Vincula  temno.     These  arms 

were  subsequently  borne  quarterly — 1st  and  4th,  Longformacus  ;  2nd  and  3rd,  three  stars  of  the 

first  for  Towers  of  Innerleith. 
(Stevenston,  descendants  of  Longformacus,  Bart.,   1636).— Originally — Ar.  on  a  cross  engrailed  gu. 

five  bezants,  or.     As  recorded  in  1767,  in  consequence  of  an  entail  by  the  Earl  of  Caithness  to  bear 

the  name  and  arms  of  Sinclair  of  Murkle.     Quarterly,  as  Earl-  of  Caithness  (the  engrailed  cross 

being  blazoned  quarterly  ar.  and  sa.)  with  a  crescent  argent  in  the  centre.     Crest— A  griffin's  head 

erased  ppr.     Supporters — Two  griffins  per  fess  or  and  gu.,  armed  and  langued  az.    Motto — Candide 

sed  caute. 
(Roslin,  post  1476).— MSS.  of  Sir  David  Lyndsay  assign  Roslin  arms  with  a  mullet  for  difference. 

Nisbet  saw  the  seal  of  Sir  Oliver  St.  Clair  to  a  document  of  1481,  and  it  had  only  a  cross  engrailed. 

Hay  (circ.  1700)  assigns  the  Roslins,  Ar.  a  cross  engrailed  sa.     Supporters— Dexter  Ane  Mermaiden 

and  ane  Griffon  on  the  Senistre  ;  ane  Helmet  befitting  his  quality  ;  above  which  is  a  Dove  argent, 

becked  and  membred,  gules.     Motto — Credo.     The  Mermaiden  hath  ane  combe  in  the  right  hand, 

and  in  the  left  a  branch  of  some  sea  wrack.     In  a  charter  of  1523  Hay  adds  :  Sir  William  St.  Clair's 

seal  was  red  upon  white  wax.     A  Ragued  Cross,  and  again  the  like  in  157 1.     As  recorded  1672,  Ar. 

a  cross  engrailed  sa.     Crest — A  dove  ppr.     Motto — Credo. 
(Deskford,  1420). — As  Roslin. 
(E.  Sinclair,  of  Essinquoy.     Carving  from  an  oak  pew  in  St.  Magnus'  Cathedral,  circ.  1630). —  1st  and 

4th,  a  galley;  2nd,  three  escallops;  3rd,  a  crown  between  three  mullets,   over  all  dividing  the 

quarters,  a  cross  engrailed. 
(Sinclair  of  Rapness,  Westray,  1676,  from  tombstone  in  choir  of  St.  Mary's  Kirk,  Pierowall,  Westray). 

— Quarterly — 1st,  Orkney  ;  2nd  and  3rd,  Nithsdale  ;  4th,  Caithness  ;  over  all,  dividing  the  quarters, 

a  cross  engrailed  sable. 


APPENDICES.  525 


(Sinclair  of  Houss,  Shetland). — Argent,  on   a  cross  engrailed  sable  a  man's  heart  gules,  and  in  the 

dexter  chief  a  crescent.     Crest — a  winged  heart. 
(Sinclair  of  Quendale,  Shetland,  as  quartered  on  the  tombstone  of  Rev.  John  Gaudie,  Archdeacon  of 

Shetland).— Engrailed   cross   and   galley  of  the   Sinclairs   with  a   mullet    or    star    in    the   other 

quarters. 
(Sinclair  of  Brugh,  Shetland).— Quarterly—  1st  and  4th,  argent,  a  cross  engrailed  sable  ;  2nd  and  3rd, 

a   mullet    between    three    inescutcheons.      Mottoes — "Remember  to   die,    and   after   that   to  live 

eternally  "  ;  and  "  In  earth  nothing  containeth,  and  man  is  but  a  shadow." 
(Herdmanston,  County  Haddington). — Ar.  a  cross  engrailed  az.    Crest — An  eagle's  head  ppr.  crowned 

or.     Motto — Entends  -toi. 
(The   St.  Clairs  of  Herdmanston,  Lords  Sinclair).— Quarterly— 1st  and  4th,  Orkney  ;  2nd  and  3rd, 

Caithness ;   over  all  an  escutcheon  ar.  charged  with  a  cross  engrailed  sa.  for  Sinclair.     Crest — A 

swan  ar.  ducally  gorged  and  chained  or.     Supporters — Two  gryphons  ppr.  armed  and  beaked  or. 

Motto— Fight. 
(James  St.  Clair,  younger  son  of  Lord  Sinclair,  as  recorded  1735).     Quarterly — 1st  and  4th,  a  cross 

engrailed  sa.,  in  the  dexter  canton  a  cock  gu.;  2nd,  Orkney  ;  3rd,  Caithness.     Crest — A  swan  ppr. 

having  a  ducal  collar  and  chain  or.     Motto — Fight  and  faith. 
(Blanse,   Haddington.  16th   century). — Quarterly — 1st  and    4th,   Ar.  a  cross   engrailed  az.;    2nd  and 

3rd,  or  3  martlets  gu.  for  Gourley. 
(Earlston). — Arms  as  Herdmanston. 
(Northrig  and  Morainl. — Arms  as  the  last. 

c./.  — Compare  peerage  works  for  arms  of  the  present  day. 

DENMARK. 
(Saintclersholme). — As  the  Lords  Sinclair  of  Ravenscraig. 

SWEDEN. 

(No.  444  in  the  House  of  Nobles,  descended  from  Frans  Sinclaire,  colonel  in  the  Swedish  service  and 
naturalised  as  Swedish  nobleman  in  1649.  Family  extinct  16S3). — Quarterly — 1st,  Orkney  ;  2nd 
and  3rd,  Nithsdale  ;  4th,  Caithness.     Crest — A  cock. 

(No.  626,  descended  from  David  Sinclair,  came  to  Sweden  165 1,  and  was  naturalised  as  Swedish  noble 
1655,  and  fell  as  Colonel  at  Warszawa  1656.  Family  extinct  1S03). — Quarterly — a.  and  <l.,  Niths- 
dale ;  b.,  Orkney  ;  c,  Caithness  ;  the  escutcheon  divided  by  a  cross  "  engrt'lce  "  with  a  white  rose 
in  the  middle. 

(No.  965,  descended  from  Anders  Sinclair,  Swedish  musketeer  1635,  and  later  became  colonel  ; 
naturalised  as  Swedish  nobleman  16S0,  barons  1766,  counts  1771). — Arms:  Quarterly — a.  andr/., 
Orkney  ;  b.  and  c,  springing  hound.     Crest— An  armigerous  arm. 

(Counts  Sinclair — No.  95  from  grandson  of  the  last). — Quarterly — a.,  Orkney  ;  b.  and  c,  Nithsdale  ; 
</.,  Caithness  ;  escutcheon  of  pretence  with  a  cross  "engr&lee."  Crest — A  cock.  Supporters — Two 
hounds.     Motto — Via  crucis  via  lucis. 

ENGLAND. 
St.  Clere  [Suffolk]  or,  a  lion  rampant  gu. 

,,         or,  a  lion  rampant,  tail  forked  gu.  collared  ar. 
,,  ,,         or,  a  lion  rampant,  tail  forked  and  nowed  gu.,  collared  ar. 

4.  ,,  [Dorset]  ar.  a  lion  rampant  gu.,  in  a  border  sa.,  crusally  or. 

5.  ,,  or,  a  lion  rampant  gu.,  collared  ar. 

6.  ,,  [Essex]  gu.,  a  fesse  between  three  lions' heads  erased  or. 
Seyncle  ,,         gu.,  a  fesse  between  three  lions'  heads  erased  or. 

8.  Seyncler  gu.,  a  fesse  between  three  lions' heads  erased  ar. 

9.  St.  Clere  [Corn,  and  Essex]  on  a  canton  gu.,  a  lion  pass.  ar. 
M  on  a  canton  gu.,  a  lion  pass.  ar. 

or,  a  lion  rampant  gu.  within  a  bordure  sa. 

or,  a  lion  rampant  within  a  bordure  sa.  charged  with   crosses  crosslet  of  the 
field. 


526  APPENDICES. 


St.  Clere  [Corn.]  or,  a  lion  rampant  gu.,  tail  forked  collared  of  the  field. 

St.  Cler  or,  a  lion  ramp,  gu.,  within  a  bordure  sa.,  charged  with  eight  bezants. 

St.  Clere  [Corn,  and  Essex]  az.,  a  sun  in  its  glory,  or. 

St.  Cleere  az.,  a  sun  in  his  glory. 

St.  Clere  az.,  a  sun  in  its  glory,  or. 

[Devon]  per  pale  or  and  az.  the  sun  in  his  beams  counterchanged. 

[Sussex]  az.,  the  sun  in  splendour,  or. 

[Tidwell,  Devon]  per  pale  or  and  az.  a  sun  counterchanged. 

[Oxford]  az.,  the  sun  in  splendour  or.     Crest — A  ram  statant  ar.  horned  or. 

az.,  three  suns,  or,  two  and  one. 

az.,  three  suns  within  a  bordure  engrailed  or. 

az.,  three  suns  within  a  bordure  engrailed  sa. 
St.  Clere  az.,  three  suns,  a  border  engrailed  or. 

az.,  on  a  chev.  ar.  between  three  suns  or,  as  many  mullets  pierced  sa. 
Sonclere  or  St.  Clere  [Devon]  per  pale  or  and  az.,  three  suns  counterchanged. 
Sonnclere  az.,  on  a  chev.  ar.  between  3  suns  or,  as  many  mullets  pierced  gu. 

Sonneclere  per  pale  az.  and  or,  three  suns  counterchanged. 

St.  Clere  ar.,  two  bars  gu.     Crest — A  fox  courant  ppr. 

az.,  a  star  of  sixteen  points  or. 

gu.,  a  fesse  between  three  boars'  heads,  ar. 
St.  Clere  or  St.  Cleere     ar.,  a  saltire  sa. 

Sinclair  ar.,  on  a  cross  sa.  three  crescents  in  fesse  or. 

St.  Clere  ar.,  a  cross  engrailed  sa.  voided  of  the  field. 

(Geo.  Sinclair,  M.A.,  Notts.  1775)     Caithness  arms,  impaling  a  chevron  between  three  roses,  gu., 
and  on  a  chief  as  many  mullets  of  the  first. 


March. — The  "Sinclair  March  "  will  be  found  in  the  "Scots'  Expedition  to  Norway  in  1612." 

War  Cry. — In  1335  the  "  cri  de  guerre  "  of  Thomas  of  Rosslyn  was  "  A  Rosslyn." 

Badges. — Clover  and  whin. 

Tartans. — There  are  two.  Of  these  the  old  green  one  is  the  true  lineage  tartan  as  worn  at 
Flodden  Field,  and  the  red  or  full-dress  is  of  modern  origin,  having  been  designed  early  this  century 
by  the  then  Countess  of  Caithness  and  Lady  Sinclair  of  Ulbster.  There  should  be  a  third  tartan  for  the 
"  St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles." 

Saints'  Days. — St.  Clair,  17th  July  ;  St.  Katherine,  tutelary  saint  of  the  lineage,  25th  November  ; 
St.  Magnus,  16th  April ;  St.  Olaf,  29th  July  ;  St.  Rognvald,  20th  August. 

Cadency  Distinctions. — Arms  are  thus  differenced  :  The  eldest  son  during  life  of  father  carries 
on  his  shield  a  label  or  file.  Other  sons  are  distinguished  thus  :  2nd,  a  crescent ;  3rd,  a  mullet  ;  4th,  a 
martlet;  5th,  an  annulet;  6th,  a  fleur-de-lys  ;  7th,  a  rose  ;  8th,  a  cross-moline  ;  9th,  an  octofoil  or 
double  quatrefoil.     Unaffiliated  descendants  could  use  a  Thor's  hammer  for  difference. 

Colours. — Or  =  gold  ;  argent  (ar.)  =  silver  ;  azure  (az.)  =  blue  ;  sable  (sa.)  =  black  ;  gules  (gu.)  =  red; 
(erm.)  =  ermine. 

The  sun  in  glory  may  be  a  punning  allusion  to  sun-glare,  which  has  almost  the  same  sound  (idem 
sonans),  as  St.  Clair,  and  the  three  boars'  heads  in  the  seal  of  1292  may  be  similarly  accounted  for  as 
sanglier  =  St.  Clair. 

All  persons  descended  from  an  annigerous  ancestor  are  entitled  to  bear  arms  ;  but  if  there  is  no 
proof  of  descent  from  such,  or  from  a  Grantee,  then  the  person  desiring  to  acquire  the  right  must 
become  a  Grantee  himself.  In  Scotland  it  is  necessary  to  matriculate,  but  as  Orkney  and  Shetland  are 
entitled  to  their  own  laws,  registration  has  not  been  exacted  in  those  parts  until  recent  centuries. 
Arms  paternal  and  hereditary  are  those  transmitted  from  the  first  possessor  to  his  heirs  ;  the  son  being 
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TOPOGRAPHY.  537 


TOPOGRAPHY.* 

There  are  several  places  in  France  named  St.  Clair.  From  one  of  these  originates  the  lineage 
surname,  the  lord  thereof  being  territorially  designated  St.  Clair-sur-Epte  is  celebrated  as  the  place 
where  cession  of  Neustria  was  made  to  Hrolf  the  Northman.  There  is  the  Barony  of  St.  Clare  in 
Wales  ;  Sinclair  Bay  and  Sinclair  Castle  in  Caithness ;  Sinclair  town  in  Fife  ;  Lake  St.  Clair  in 
Tasmania;  Sinclair  Head,  Mount  Sinclair,  and  the  favourite  marine  resort  of  St.  Clair,  in  New  Zealand. 

Monuments  to  the  St.  Clairs  in  America,  more  enduring  than  any  of  the  Old  Country,  and  of 
necessity  causing  the  name  to  be  known  and  used  by  thousands  of  people,  daily  for  all  time  : — 

Lake  St.  Clair,  in  Michigan  and  Canada  ;  St.  Clair  River,  in  Michigan  and  Canada  ;  St.  Clair 
County,  in  Missouri;  St.  Clair  County,  in  Michigan  ;  St.  Clair  County,  in  Illinois;  St  Clair  County,  in 
Alabama  ;  Santa  Clara  County,  in  California. 

Towns  and  Post  Offices. 

Saint  Clair,  Lowndes  County,  Alabama;  Saint  Clair,  Crittenden  County,  Arkansas;  Santa  Clara, 
Santa  Clara  County,  California  ;  Santa  Clara,  Huerfano  County,  Colorado  ;  Saint  Clair,  Burke  County, 
Georgia  ;  Saint  Clere,  Pottawatomie  County,  Kansas  ;  Cinclare,  West  Baton  Rouge  County,  Louisiana  ; 
St.  Clair  Springs,  St.  Clair  County,  Michigan  ;  Saint  Clair,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota  ;  Saint  Clair, 
Franklin  County,  Missouri  ;  Saint  Clair,  Cascade  County,  Montana  ;  St.  Clair,  Antelope  County, 
Nebraska  ;  St.  Clair,  Churchill  County,  Nevada ;  Sinclairville,  Chautauqua  County,  New  York  ; 
St.  Clara,  Franklin  County,  New  York;  St.  Clairsville,  Belmont  County,  Ohio;  St.  Clair,  Columbiana 
County,  Ohio  ;  St.  Clair,  St.  Clair  County,  Michigan  ;  Upper  St.  Clair,  Alleghany  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  St.  Clair,  Alleghany  County,  Pennsylvania  ;  St.  Clairsville,  Bedford  County,  Pennsylvania  ; 
Saint  Clair,  Schuylkill  Count}',  Pennsylvania;  Sinclair,  Lexington  County,  South  Carolina;  St.  Clair> 
Hawkins  County,  Tennesee  ;  Santa  Clara,  Washington  County,  Utah  ;  St.  Clair,  Smyth  County, 
Virginia  ;  St.  Clair,  Doddridge  County,  West  Virginia  ;  Sinclair,  Preston  Count}-,  West  Virginia  > 
Santa  Clara,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota. 

Schools,  squares,  parks,  hotels,  and  streets  in  cities  all  over  the  country  also  bear  this  name,  given 
in  honour  of  some  member  of  this  family. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY.  + 
St.  Clair  of  Rosuin,  Alexander. — MS.  poems  in  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh. 

A.  B. — Russian  Imperial  Freedom  v.  Turkish  Constitutional  Liberty.     London,  1877,  8vo. 

Andrew,  M.D.,  Edin.,  1733. — Histories  of  Fever,  &c,  Ed.  Med.  Ess. 

Angeline  Sophia. — "  Senora  Ines,  or  the  American  Volunteers." 

Arthur.    Maj.-Genl. — "Narrative   of  the   manner   in   which   the   Campaign   against   the 

Indians  in  the  year  1 791  was  conducted  under  the  command  of  Major-Genl.  St.  Clair  ; 
with  his  observations  on  the  statements  of  the  Sec.  of  War. "     Phila.,  1872,  8vo. 

Arthur,  Lieut.,  U.S. — "  Two  years  on  the  Alabama. "     Gay  and  Bird,  1S96. 

A. — John  L.  M.  Lawrence,  Viceroy  of  India.     London,  1S87,  cr.  8vo. 

Chas.  Ferdinand,  Baron  de. — See  p.  471. 

David,  Paris,  1622.— See  Historiette,  p.  465. 

George. — 1.  Darwinism  and   Design  ;    or  Creation  by   Evolution.      London,  1873,  p.  8vo. 

2.  Evil,  Physical  and  Moral  ("  Modern  Handbooks  of  Religion  ")  London,  1887,  i2mo. 

Henry,  Bishop  of  Ross,  died  1565. — Continuation  of  Boece's  "  History  of  Scotland." 

John. — Appeal  to  Parents  on  the  Education  of  their  Children  ;  2nd.  edn.,  Glasgow,  1874, 

8vo. 

John,   Bishop   of  Brechin,   died  1566.— Sinclair's  "  Practicks,"  a  legal  work  contained  in 

manuscript  in  the  Advocates'  Library. 

John,  Master  of  Sinclair,  died   1750. — "  Memoirs  of  the  Rebellion  of  1715."  published  by 

the  Roxburghe  Club,  1858. 

*  The  American  Notes  were  supplied  by  the  Hon.  C.  H.  St   Clair  (No.  Soi). 
f  Allibone's  Dictionary  ;  Diet.  National  Biography  ;  &c. 


538  BIBLIOGRAPHY 


St.  Clair,  Lady  Harriet.— Dainty  Dishes,  3rd.  edn.     Edin.  1866,  p.  8vo.     Phila.,  1867,  imo. 

Mary. — Somebody  and  Nobody  ;  a  Tale.     London,  1871,  p.  8vo. 

Robert,    M.D.— i.  The   Abyssinian    Philosophy    Considered    and    Refuted  ;    or    Telluris 

Theoria  neither  Sacred  nor  agreeable  to  Reason.     London,  1697,  8vo. 
2.  Eruptions  of  Fire  in  Italy,  &c,  Phil.  Transactions  ;  169S. 

Roland,  Wsi. — "Annuals  of  the  N.Z.  Amateur  Swimming  Association,"  1891-92  to  1894-5. 

"The  St.  Clairs  of  the  Isles,"  Auckland,  N.Z.,  1898. 

S.  G.  B.  and  C.  H.  Brophy. — Residence  in  Bulgaria.     London,  1869,  8vo. 

T.  S. — Residence  in  the  West  Indies  and  America.     London,  1834,  2  vols.,  8vo. 

Saint  Clar,  Robert. — The  Metropolitan  ;  or  know  thy  neighbour.     New  York,  1865,  cr.  Svo. 
Sainte  Claire,  Arthur  M.  de. — On  the  Causes  of  the  Terminal  differences  affecting  the  Gender  of 

French  Nouns.     Edin.,  1878,  Svo. 
Sinclare,  George,  Prof.— See  Historiette,  p.  466. 
Sinclair,  Sir  Arch'd.—  Some  Thoughts  upon  the  Present  State  of  Affairs.     1703,  4to. 

Alex.  (Ulbster). — Historical,  Genealogical,  and  Miscellaneous  Tracts,  8vo.     N.  D. 

Captn.  Arch'd. — Reminiscences   of  the    Discipline,   Customs,  and  Usages  of  the  Royal 

Navy,  1814  to  183 1,  sm.  8vo.     N.  D. 

Catherine  (1800-1864). — 1.  Modern  Accomplishments,  or  the  March  of  Intellect.     2.  Shet- 

Chevalier  Von. — A  notable  German  dramatist. 

land  and  the  Shetlanders.  3.  Wales  and  the  Welsh.  4.  Scotland  and  the  Scotch 
(republished  in  America,  and  translated  into  various  languages).  5.  Holiday  House 
(once  very  popular  with  children),  and  some  twenty  other  publications. 

F.  S.,  M.A. — Cambridge  Natural  History,  vol.  5,  Myriapods,  1896. 

John.—"  Scenes  and  Stories  of  the  North  of  Scotland,"  cr.  8vo.     "  Heather  Bells,"  &c. 

James,  52ND  Earl  of  Caithness  (1821-1881).— Lectures  on  Popular  and  Scientific  Sub- 

jects.    1S77.     2nd.  edn.,  1879. 

James  Augustus,  54TH  Earl  of  Caithness. — MS.  on  the  family  history  of  the  north  of 

Scotland. 

John,   vocalist   (1791-1857). — Composer   of  "Come,   sit   ye   doon,"    "The    Bonnie    Breast 

Knots,"  "  The  Mountain  Maid,"  "Johnny  Sands,"  &c,  &c. 

James  Leask,  died  1896)    "  Orcadian  Rhymes,"  Kelso,  1864,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of 

Mary  Mowat  )  fugitive  verse. 

Mrs.  Francis. — "  Hawaiian  Flowers,"  4to. 

Rev.  John,  Archdeacon  of  Middlesex  (1797-1875). — "  Dissertations  vindicating  the  Church 

of  England,"  1S36  ;  "  Life  and  Times  of  Sir  John  Sinclair,"  1837  ;  "  Vindication  of  the 
Aposto.ical  Succession,"  1861  ;  Letters  and  Reports  on  National  Education,"  1861. 

Rev.  Wm.  Sinclair  (1804-1875).—!    "The  Dying  Soldier:  A  Tale  Founded  on  Facts," 

1838.  2.  "  Manual  of  Family  and  Occasional  Prayers,"  1854.  3.  "  The  Sepoy  Mutinies  : 
their  Origin  and  Cure,"  1857.  4.  "Charges  of  Archdeacon  Sinclair  of  Middlesex," 
1876. 

Sir  Wm.,  Bart,  of  Duubeath,  1751. — Composer  of  60  Hymns.     See  Historiette,  p.  468. 

Sir  Geo.,  Bart,  of  Ulbster,  died  1868. — Various  works. 

Sir  John,  Bart,  of  Ulbster,  died,  1835.— See  Historiette,  p.  470. 

Thos.  M.A. —The  Sinclairs  of  England;    The  Gunns  ;    Caithness  Events,   1S94 ;    Poems; 

The  Messenger;  The  Mount;  Love's  Trilogy;  Goddess  Fortune,  3  vols.;  Quest; 
Essays  in  Three  Kinds  ;  Travel  Sketch  ;  Humanities  ;  Humanitatstudien. 

The  Hon.  Andrew,  M.D.,   died    1861. — "Remarks   on   Physalia   pelagica  "   (Tasmanian 

Journal  of  Natural  Science,  vol.  1,  1842),  and  a  letter  "On  the  Vegetation  of  Auckland," 
(Hooker's  "  Journal  of  Botany,"  vol.  iii.,  1851). 


GLOSSARY. 


539 


GLOSSARY  * 

OF    UNFAMILIAR    WORDS   AND    EXPRESSIONS    USED   HEREINBEFORE, 
WITH    NOTES   WHERE   NECESSARY. 

"  The  power  thou  dost  covet 
O'er  tempest  and  wave, 
Shall  be  thine,  thou  proud  maiden, 
By  beach  and  by  cave ; — 
By  stack  and  by  skerry,  by  noup  and  by  voe, 
By  ayre,  and  by  wick,  and  by  helyer  and  gio, 
And  by  every  wild  shore  which  the  northern  winds  know 
And  the  northern  tides  lave." — Scott. 


C,  Caithnessian.t 
Celt.,  Celtic. 
Fr.,  French. 
Ice.,  Icelandic. 


Abbreviations. 


Z.,  Shetlandic. 


N.,  Norse. 
O.,  Orcadian. 
Sco.,  Scottish. 
Sw.,  Swedish. 


A,  ay — an  island,  N. 

aergin — a  shieling,  Celt. 

aith — a  tongue  of  land,  O.  and  Z. 

al-thing — a  general  assemblage  of  Free-men,  N. 

arff— heritage,  succession,  N.,  erffd. 

ats — contraction  for  "  at  suit  of." 

ayr,  aer — an  open  beach  of  sand  and  or  shingle,  O.  and  Z. 

Banks — the  cliffs  where  fowling  is  pursued,  O.  and  Z. 

bard — a  bold  headland,  with  top  projecting  beyond  its  base,  O.  and  Z. 

bear,  bere — a  species  of  barley  with  six  rows  of  grains,  Sco. 

berg — a  rock,  O.  and  Z. 

bcendi — a  yeoman  or  Odaller,  plural  bcendr,  N. 

bracken — heathery,  O.  and  Z. 

bref,  breve — an   officer  of  authority,  N.  ;  cf.  Bishop  Thomas,  breff  af  Orknoy  (141S)  and  the  Breve 

of  Lewis, 
broch,  brough,  or  brugh — prehistoric  towers  reputed  Pictish,  see  p.  177,  also  applied  to  a  detached 

precipitous  rocky  islet,  O.  and  Z. 
brother-german— full  brother,  an  expression  used  when  either  parent  has  been  married  more  than 

once, 
bru — a  bridge,  or  in  the  neighbourhood  of  one,  O.  and  Z. 
bruike — to  enjoy  or  possess,  Sco. 

bu,  bull — the  principal  farm  or  manor  house  on  an  Odal  estate,  O.  and  Z. 
but,  bot — without,  not  burdened  with,  Sco. 

Chemis-place — the  manor  house  or  baronial  residence,  Sco.;  cf.  chesmcz,  old  Fr. 
cheytrey — revenue  arising  from  the  Scottish  casualty  of  Escheit,  Sco. 
coinmonty — a  right  of  pasturage  in  common  with  others,  Sco. 

*  Balfour's  Memorial  ;  Edmonston's  Glossary  ;  Jamieson's  Dictionary  ;  Dennison's  Sketch-Book  ; 

Peterkin's  Notes  and  Rentals  ;  Tudor's  Orkney. 

+  Many  words  glossed  as  O.  and  Z.  are  also  current  in  Caithness. 


54o  GLOSSARY. 


compeirit — appeared  with,  Sco. 
conqueist — acquired,  purchased,  Sco. 
coram — in  presence  of,  Latin 

corss — the  signal  in  Norse  times  for  clerical  assemblies, 
cosingnace — feminine  of  cousin,  Sco. 
cost — victual,  two-thirds  malt,  one-third  meal. 

cowsworth — part  of  a  mark  of  land,  one-third,  one-fourth,  or  one-eighth, 
craig — the  neck  or  throat,  Sco. 
craigie — a  long-necked  bottle,  Sco. 
cru — a  small  enclosure,  generally  a  sheepfold,  Z. 

cuttell — a  measuring  rod  of  the  length  of  a  Scottish  ell,  used  in  Shetland  as  the  fundamental  unit 
of  length  and  valuation,  N. 

Donatary — a  grantee  of  the  Crown  Skatts,  Males,  and  Duties.  Sco. 
drong — a  steep  rock  rising  out  of  the  sea,  O.  and  Z. 

Eirde-house— earth-house,  Sco. 
excambion — exchange  of  land, 
ey — an  island,  N. 

Ferd — fared,  travelled,  N. 

fey — demented,  witless,  O.  and  Z. 

ferry-louper — one  from  over-sea  beyond  Orcadian  confines,  O.  and  Z. 

fiar,  feuar— usually  applied  to  the  eldest  son  during  life  of  father,  Sco. 

fjell — a  mountain  range. 

flet — scolded. 

flesh — rent  paid  in  cattle,  generally  estimated  by  weight. 

flow — a  reach  of  the  sea,  N.;  cf.  Scapa  Flow. 

fold — originally  Collector  of  the  King's  scats,  afterwards  Chief  Judge,    and  lastly  Sheriff  of  the 

Foudrie  of  Shetland,  N. 
foss,  force — a  waterfall,  N. 
foy — a  festival  or  convivial  gathering,  O.  and  Z. 

Garth — an  enclosed  portion  of  the  Odal  heritage,  N. 

geo — a  cave,  a  rocky  creek  or  inlet,  a  deep  ravine  which  admits  the  sea,  a  fissure,  O.  and  Z. 
gill — a  deep  rut  or  ravine  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  N. 
gloup — a  sea-cave  with  roof  collapsed  at  landward  end,  O.  and  Z. 
gcedingr,  gofugr — terms  applied  in  Sagas  to  Odallers  of  position,  N. 
gudeman — gude-wyff— are  self-explanatory,  Sco. 
guid-folk— the  elfin  race, 
good  neighbours — the  good  fairies, 
grencher — great-grandfather,  O.  and  Z. 
gutcher — grandfather,  Sco. 

grind — a  sea  gate,  in  the  Fiiroes  applied  to  a  whale-drive,  O.  and  Z. 

guestquarters— occasional  residence  of  the  Jarl  as  guest  of  the  Husbondi,  whose   bord-land  was 
therefore  exempt  from  skatt. 

Havers — fictitious  gossip. 

haf — the  deep  sea,  O.  and  Z. 

hawk-hens— hens  exacted  by  the  royal  falconer  on  visiting  the  Islands,  O.  and  Z. 

helyer — a  tidal  cavern,  O.  and  Z. 

herad— a  district. 

heritor — a  landowner. 

hoch — haug,  or  how,  a  mound  or  tumulus,  O.  and  Z. 

holm — a  small  island,  uninhabited,  used  only  for  pasture,  pronounced  as  ham. 

hope — a  small  bay,  O.  and  Z. 

horn— proclamation  of  outlawry  by  three  blasts  "at  the  Kingis  Horn,"  Sco. 


GLOSSARY.  541 

Ilk — the  like,  de  codem,  Sco. 

impignoration  =  a  mortgage. 

infangtheif—  the  right  of  trying  a  thief  captured  within  the  baronial  jurisdiction. 

infeft— enfeoffed. 

Jarl — earl,  N. 

Kirk — church,  N. 

Laing— a  narrow  ridge  of  land,  as  distinguished  from  "  skift,"  a  broad  ridge,  O.  and  Z. 

langersam — a  longing  for  something,  O.  and  Z. 

last — as  a  measure  =  12  barrels  ;  as  a  weight  =  24  meils,  O.  and  Z. 

law-book — the  book  of  laws,  N. 

law-man — President  of  the  Althing  and  Chief  Judge,  N. 

lispund,  or  setteen — 24  merks  =  281bs.  av. 

Male — rent,  Sco. 

manbote — compensation  for  manslaughter,  N. 

mart — cattle  salted  for  winter  provision,  killed  about  St.  Martin's  Day  (nth  Nov.),  Sco. 

master — a  title  of  address  to  the  eldest  son  or  heir  apparent  to  a  Scottish  earldom  or  barony, 

affected  of  late  by  principals  of  English  colleges  ;  cf.  Master  of  Balliol. 
meil — a  weight  =  6  lispunds,  N. 
merchetis  mulierum — a  clause  frequently  found  in  charters,  probably  the  right  to  a  fine  upon  the 

marriage  of  a  tenant's  daughter, 
mark — a  weight  =  24  lispunds  ;  also  a  land-measure  ad  valorem,  N. 
merk — a  Scottish  coin,  nominal  value  13s.  4d. 
moor — a  heavy  and  dense  fall  of  snow.     A  snowdrift  was  called  a  irind  moor,  a  snowfall  a  lift  moor, 

O. and  Z. 
moul,  maol.  or  mull— a  bold  promoutory  or  headland,  N.  or  Celt, 
muir — heath  pasture,  common  to  all  Skathalds  and  Hrepps  of  a  Herad,  Ice. 
muir-stane — the  idol,  afterwards  the  thing-stone,  N. 

Non-entry— a  Scottish  feudal  casualty,  the  failure  of  heir  to  renew  investiture  with  superior,  on  death 

of  predecessor,  Sco. 
norn — old  Norse  language, 
noss,  ness — a  promontory,  O.  and  Z. 

noup— a  lofty  headland,  precipitous  seaward,  sloping  landward,  O.  and  Z. 
noust — a  boat  hauling-place,  O.  and  Z. 

Odal— "a  term  applied  to  lands  held   by  uninterrupted  succession,  without  original  charter,  feudal 

service,  or  acknowledgment  of  any  superior,"  N. 
opgestry — conveyance  of  property,  subject  to  maintenance  of  granter  for  life,  O.  and  Z. 
oy — a  grandchild,  O.  and  Z. 
oyse — an  inlet  of  the  sea,  O.  and  Z. 

Pas — a  step,  precedence,  Fr. 
peerie — little,  tiny,  O.  and  Z. 
pit  and  gallows— a  baronial  privilege  conferred  by  charter  allowing  a  pit  for  drowning  women,  and 

gallows  to  hang  men  convicted  of  theft,  Sco. 
planking— the  process  by  which  runridge  lands  are  laid  into  severalty, 
provost— the  chief  magistrate  of  a  burgh,  Sco. 

Quern— a  small  handmill  for  grinding  corn,  N. 
quhair  throw— where  through,  through  which,  Sco. 
quhyt — white,  Sco. 
quhilk — which,  Sco. 
quhill— while,  Sco. 


542 


GLOSSARY. 

quondam — the  deceased,  Latin. 
quoy — a  fenced  enclosure,  O.  and  Z. 

quoyland — a  possession  enclosed  from  common,  and  not  intermixed  with  town  lands  ;    it  pays  no 
scat,  O.  and  Z. 

Riding  the  hagrie — is  when  the  parochial  heritors  ride  the  scattald  marches,  O.  and  Z. 
rentals — records  of  the  various  burdens  chargeable  by  the  Donatary. 

roost — a  strong  current,  race  or  rush,  occasioned  by  the  meeting  of  rapid  tides,  O.  and  Z. 
rancelman — the  official  appointed  to  ransack  the  parish  for  goods  stolen,  O.  and  Z. 
runrig — lands  variously  owned  lying  intermixed. 

Saga — an  ancient  Northern  composition,  usually  in  verse,  and  dateless,  N. 

schind — an  inquest  of  Thing-men  upon  matters  of  heritage,  O.  and  Z. 

scart — the  cormorant  or  shag,  O.  and  Z. 

scord — a  deep  indentation  in  the  top  of  a  hill  at  right  angles  to  its  ridge,  O.  and  Z. 

scutage — shield-money . 

set — an  agreement,  the  letting  of  land,  N. 

setteen — a  synonym  for  the  lispund. 

setter — the  infield  pasture  of  a  town,  N. 

sixareen — a  six-oared  boat,  O.  and  Z. 

skat — tribute  for  Orcadian  defence,  payable  to  the  Suzerain  or  his  donatary,  N. 

skald — court  bard  to  the  King  or  Tarl,  N. 

skaw — a  promontory,  N.,  Ice. 

skerries — rocky  reefs,  or  insulated  rocks,  O.  and  Z. 

skyld — tenant's  rent  as  opposed  to  skat,  odaller's  tax,  Danish. 

span — a  synonym  for  lispund  or  setteen. 

stack,  a  precipitous  insulated  rock,  O.  and  Z. 

stem-bod — a  symbol  of  citation,  being  a  Staff  for  ordinary  meetings,  an  Arrow  formatters  of  urgency, 

an  Axe  for  a  Court  of  Justice,  and  a  Cross  for  Ecclesiastical  or  Religious  affairs,  N. 
stent — skat  according  to  extent  of  land,  N. 
stoup — a  flagon,  Sco. 
swa  o'  sea — the  music  of  the  sea-swell,  O.  and  Z. 

Tack — a  lease,  to  tak  possession,  Sco. 

tang — seaweed,  O.  and  Z. 

teind — tithes,  Sco. 

thing— an  assembly  of  Free-men,  N. 

tocher — dower,  Sco. 

toft — land  once  tilled,  but  abandoned,  N. 

town — a  collection  of  houses  within  a  dyke,  N. 

trows — evil  elves,  such  as  Hill  (i.e.,  unseen),  Kirk,  and  Water  trows,  N. 

tumail — land  enclosed  from  the  common  or  hill,  and  tilled,  Sco. 

tutor — a  term  often  applied  to  a  relative  as  guardian  of  a  noble  in  minority,  Sco. 

Urisland — an  i8d.  land,  N. 
umquhile — late,  deceased,  Sco. 

Vatn — a  loch  or  lake,  N. 

viking — pirates  from  wicks,  "  bay-boys,"  N. 

voe — a  long  narrow  bay,  O.  and  Z. 

vor — spring,  O.  and  Z. 

Ward — the  turf  or  fuel  prepared  for  beacon-fires  on  the  ward-hill,  N. 
wick — an  open  bay,  O.  and  Z. 

Yon — yonder,  Sco. 

yule — the  old  pagan  festival  of  the  Norse  at  New  Year,  O.  and  Z. 


NOTES  AND  QUERIES.  543 


NOTES   AND   QUERIES. 

Page  33. — DSrrud  :  Torfaeus  interprets  this  as  the  name  of  the  person  who  saw  the  vision,  but  in 
reality  it  signifies  a  range  of  spears,  from  Daitr  Hasta  et  Radir  Ordo.     See  note  in  Gray's  poems. 

Page  37. — The  precise  apportionment  of  Insular  Orcadia  into  trithings  is  not  clear. 

Page  39.— Olaf  the  Holy  was  foster-brother  to  Riignvald  II.  A  prince  or  chief  slain  on  his  own 
estates  was  heilag,  or  holy.  Thus  Riignvald  II.  qualified  for  the  expression  equally  with  his  royal 
foster-brother. 

Page  42. — Petland  Firth  :  Scottish  scribes  have  corrupted  this  word— always  appearing  as  Pettland 
(i.e.,  Pict-land)  in  the  Sagas— to  an  assimilation  with  the  Pentlands,  a  range  of  hills  near  Edinburgh, 
and  conversely  the  latter  are  often  found  spelt  Petland. 

Page  62. — Harald  "  The  Wicked  "  :  This  soubriquet  is  of  recent  ascription,  and  appears  to  be 
unmerited.     It  is  not  made  use  of  in  the  Sagas. 

Page  72. — Bard  :  This  is  the  equivalent  of  the  Irish  surname  Barrett. 

Page  73. — Gilla-odran  is  found  attesting  a  charter  of  Malcolm  IV.  in  1161.      See  Cupar  cbartulary. 

Page  83. — Langlif :  A  John  Langlifsson  is  mentioned  in  the  Haconian  expedition  of  1263. 

Page  84.— Earl  John  II.  appears  to  have  married  a  daughter  of  Graham  of  Lovat.  See  History  ot 
"The  Frasers  of  Lovat."  Earl  John  was  apparently  dead  in  1303,  when  "La  lettre  U  eyhind  de 
Stikclawe  tesmoignant  sa  venue  a  la  pees  le  Roi  d'  Engleterre  et  aussint  que  le  Roi  li  bailla  la  garde  du 
corps  Munes  fuiz  et  heir  le  Counte  de  Cateneys,  Ian.  xxxi.,"  i.e.,  Edwd.  I.  (Bishop  Stapleton's 
Kalendar).  Stickley  is  a  Caithness  place-name.  There  is  an  Orcadian  family  named  Stickler,  cf,  also 
the  English  Stukelys. 

Page  86  et  seq. — It  is  probable  that  only  one  of  these  Stratherne  earls  was  Earl  of  Orkney,  as 
notices  1320 — 1333  appear  to  refer  to  the  last  Earl  Malise. 

Page  91. — It  is  difficult  to  locate  the  de  Ards.  There  was  a  Gascon  family  de  Lart,  or  de  Lard, 
one  of  whom  settled  in  England,  coming  in  the  train  of  the  Black  Prince.  The  de  la  Ards  were  once 
owners  of  "  the  Ami,"  a  district  lying  between  Inverness  and  Beauly.  In  1342,  Godfrey  del  Arde,  son 
of  Alexander  del  Arde,  forcibly  retains  the  ward  and  marriage  of  his  heir  and  Isabel  Fenton,  wife  of 
the  latter.  In  1368  Lord  Fenton  of  Baky  and  Alexander  de  Chishelme./i/re  uxor  is,  are  co-portioners  of 
the  barony  of  Aid.  In  1403  Margaret  de  la  Ard,  domina  de  Erchless,  and  Thomas  de  Chishelme,  her  son 
and  heir  ,"6  n  the  one  part,  and  William  de  Fenton  of  Baky,  divide  between  them  the  lands  of  which 
they  were  heirs-portioners,  and  among  these  is  the  Barony  of  Air d  or  Ard.  In  1513  Wiland  de  Chisholm 
obtains  charter  of  the  lands  of  Comer. 

Page  91. — The  Spar  or  Sperra  family  are  Hjaltlanders.  Ivar  Sperra  appears  there  in  1299  and 
1307,  and  Malis  Sperra  in  1386  (Dipl.  Norveg.).  Sir  Malise  Spar  held  the  lands  of  Holm  and  Quendale 
in  Outer  Westness,  in  Rousay  (see  Rental,  1503). 

Page  100. — Alexander  de  Claphame,  at  Kirkwall,  1391.  King  Erik  the  Pomeranian  at  Lund,  15th 
April,  1412,  grants  to  his  trusty  servant,  Alexander  van  Klapam,  all  his  lands  in  North  Maven,  in 
Shetland — "  Alt  vaart  godz  sem  ligger  uppa  Hieltland  for  Nordan  Mawed  huiliket  plseger  att  skyllda 
ok  gifua  tiu  loduga  marker  til  skat  landskyld  ok  wesel,"  &c.     (Dipl.  Norveg.). 

Page  ioi. — Van  Bassan  :  See  page  275  for  estimate  by  Father  Hay. 

Page  109. — The  indenture  of  1419  between  Earl  Henry  II.  and  Adam  of  Dalkell  is  in  the  Scots' 
vernacular,  it  requires  payment  when  made  to  be  "  betweyn  the  ryseing  of  the  sone  and  the  down  pas- 
sing of  the  ilk."  This  Earl  and  his  brother,  William  de  St.  Clair,  died,  says  the  Book  of  Cowper  (1422), 
"of  a  deadly  disease  which  the  vulgar  call  le  quheu,"  which  would  make  them  the  earliest  recorded 
victims  of  influenza  in  Scotland.     This  notice  has  been  erroneously  applied  to  Earl  William  on  p.  125. 

Page  126. — The  last  Earl  of  Orkney  had  by  each  of  his  two  marriages  a  son  named  William.  See 
page  167  for  two  brothers  Sinclair,  each  named  Laurence  ;  and  on  page  295  there  are  two  each  named 
William.     This  confusing  custom  occurs  in  other  Scottish  families,  but  only  with  brothers-uterine. 

Page  128. — Yat  :  The  initial  letter  in  this  and  other  instances  is  not  meant  for  ;/,  but  merely  a 
contraction  for  th,  and  is  to  be  pronounced  accordingly. 

Page  130. — Midhouse,  Netherhouse,  &c,  all  indicate  relative  position  to  the  main  house  in  the 
neighbourhood. 

Page  131. — "  Yellow  Carvel  "  :  May  the  Orcadian  fleet  have  provided  a  nucleus  for  the  Scottish 
navv.     The  first  admiral  on  record  is  Henry  I.  of  Orkney,  next  after  whom  are  his  son  Henry  II.  (1412) 


544  NOTES  AND  QUERIES1 


and  grandson  William  I.  (1435).  Henry,  Lord  St.  Clair,  commands  in  1512  the  flagship  the  "  Great 
Michael,"  and  thereafter  the  office  passes  heritably  to  the  Hepburns  of  Both  well,  evidently  because  of 
their  St.  Clair  connection  and  the  minority  of  the  fifth  Lord. 

PAGE  133. — "The  Description  of  the  Isles  of  Orkney,"  by  John  Bellenden  the  Benedictine, 
attributed  to  1529,  must  have  been  written  at  a  later  period,  for  in  referring  to  Earl  John  of  Caithness, 
slain  at  Summerdale  in  1529,  he  makes  him  grandfather  to  the  Earl  now  living.  The  "  Description" 
must  thus  have  been  written  later  than  1582.  Bellenden  is  also  inaccurate  in  dating  the  battle  as  in 
1527,  an  error  impossible  to  make  if  written  two  years  after  so  important  an  event. 

PAGE  134. — Even  the  debris  of  Kirkwall  Castle  is  now  removed,  aud  a  modern  hotel  has  been 
erected  on  the  Castle  "Stance." 

PAGE  156. — Procures  Orcadium.     See  Buchanan's  "  History  of  Scotland." 

PAGE  165. — There  are  Sinclairs  at  Dunedin,  New  Zealand,  claiming  to  derive  from  the  Barons  of 
Brugh. 

Page  167. — Henderson  of  Buness,  Unst. — This  family  derives  from  Hendrich  Hendrichson,  Great 
Foud,  Lawman,  and  Chancellor  of  Hjaltland,  whose  commission,  granted  by  King  Christian  I.  of 
Denmark,  in  the  year  1450,  and  written  in  the  Danish  language,  is  said  to  have  been  in  the  possession 
of  James  Henderson,  last  of  Gardie,  died  1799,  and  to  have  been  presented  by  Thomas  Mouat  of  Garth 
in  1792,  along  with  all  the  old  papers  of  the  family  to  a  Swedish  knight. 

Page  169,  line  13.— For  595  deeds  read  535. 

Page  175. — Rustung:  This  sobriquet  occurs  in  the  Decree  by  the  Lawman  of  Bergen  in  1485  a.d., 
when  Endrith  Svenson-Rostungh  is  noted  as  a  Council-man  of  [Bergen  or]  Shetland. 

Page  186. — The  Charter  of  Caithness,  if  extant,  should  be  examined,  to  determine  the  relative 
seniority  of  the  Roslin  and  Caithness  cadets.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  charter  of  Roslin  secures 
succession  first  in  remainder  to  William  II.,  Earl  of  Caithness.  Had  he  been  senior  to  Sir  Oliver,  the 
remainder  would  have  gone  to  the  next  younger  brother.  The  titles  (emoluments)  of  Carnoch  and 
Innernavir  attached  to  the  earldom  charter  of  1455  refer  to  estates  in  the  Caithness  appanage  or 
province  of  Strathnaver. 

Page  187. — In  the  Swinburgh  charter  of  149S  the  enumeration  is  first  according  to  rank  and  then 
to  seniority  in  this  order  :  William,  Earl  of  Caithness  ;  Oliver  St.  Clair  of  Roslin,  knight;  Messrs. 
Alexander,  George,  Robert  and  Arthur  Sinclare  ;  Elenor  Sinclare,  Countess  of  Athol  ;  Elizabeth 
Sinclare,  Lady  of  Houston  ;  Margaret  Sinclare,  Lady  of  Balmuto  ;  Catherine,  Euphamia,  Marjorie  and 
Marieta  Sinclair.     Thus  the  ex-Duchess  of  Albany  yields  precedence  to  her  married  sisters. 

Page  194. — Barbara,  Countess  of  Sutherland,  will  be  the  Barbareta  Sinclar,  wife  of  Alexander 
Urquhart,  whose  seal  is  appended  19th  June,  1571,  to  his  Procuratory  of  Resignation  of  lands  of 
Helmsdale  to  Alexander,  Earl  of  Sutherland. 

Page  195  — Alliances  with  the  Hepburns  of  Bothwell  invariably  resulted  in  unrul}r  issue.  Examine 
the  career  of  the  descendants  of  the  Earls  of  Bothwell  in  the  direct  male  line  and  in  the  descendants  of 
Jean,  Lady  Morham,  for  which  latter  see  the  Caithness  family,  that  of  Sinclair  of  Underhoull,  Shetland, 
Bruce  of  Sumburgh,  and  Stuart,  Earl  of  Bothwell. 

PAGE  195. — Agnes  Sinclair,  sister  or  daughter  of  John,  Master  of  Caithness,  married,  first,  Andrew, 
seventh  Earl  of  Errol  ;  second,  Alexander  Gordon  of  Strathdon. 

PAGE  210.— Sir  Thos.  Urquhart  applauds  the  prowess  of  Francis  Sinclair,  the  valiant  bastard  ot 
Caithness,  who  conquered  a  gallant  nobleman  of  High  Germany  in  the  presence  of  the  Emperor  and  all 
his  court. 

PAGE  215. — In  the  event  of  the  Sarclet  Sinclairs  establishing  legitimacy  of  descent  from  David 
Sinclair  of  Broynach,  the  comitial  designation  accorded  to  the  48th  and  subsequent  earls  will  become 
void.     Nos.  52  and  53  will  then  become  Barons  Barrogill,  and  No.  50  et  scq  baronets  of  Mey. 

Page  217. — Marie,  late  Countess  of  Caithness,  Duchesse  de  Pomar,  died  in  1895.  She  was 
authoress  of  "  The  Mystery  of  the  Ages"  and  other  Theosophical  publications.  At  "Holyrood,"  her 
salon  in  Paris,  celebrities  of  cosmopolitan  note  were  accustomed  to  assemble. 

PAGE  225. — For  "  Daniel  Anne  "  read  only  "  Anne."  It  is  stated  that  the  eldest  son  of  Donald 
Sinclair  (iv.,  article  Sarclet)  was  William  Sinclair,  whom  Alexander  II.,  47th  Earl  of  Caithness,  made 
tacksman  of  Isauld  barony  with  its  many  subtenants.  In  1760,  while  purchasing  corn  in  Reay  market, 
an  affray  arose  in  which  he  killed  a  Mackay  in  open  fight,  after  which  event  he  retired  with  his  wife 
and  two  children  to  Muirends,  near  Avoch,  in  Ross-shire.      His  son  James  in  Muirends  was  succeeded 


NOTES  AND  QUERIES.  545 


by  his  eldest  son  John  in  Muirends,  whose  son  the  Rev.  John  Sinclair,  B.D.,  author,  &c,  is  a  minister 
in  the  Established  Church  at  Kinloch-Rannoch,  Perth.  He  is  married  to  a  sister  of  Hugh  Ballingall 
Lord  Provost  of  Dundee,  and  by  her  has  two  sons,  aged  11  and  8. 

Page  240. — There  is  a  remote  likelihood  of  the  Sinclairs  of  Dun  being  descended  from  Sir  David 
Sinclair  of  Swinburgh. 

Page  244.— Corrections  :  The  issue  of  Veitch  Sinclair,  M.D.,  should  read  thus  :  5,  Henrv  Tweedie  • 
6,  James,  L.R.C.P.S.,  &c;  7,  Arthur  Veitch  ;   8,  Augustine,  M.D.,  &c. 

Page  249. — Sir  George  Sinclair  of  Clyth  was  an  M.P.  in  1706  and  probably  a  baronet. 

Pages  266-274.— These  are  inserted  partly  as  a  curiosity,  chiefly  to  illustrate  how  valueless  are  the 
numerous  statements  when  tested  by  modern  research. 

Page  277. — The  St.  Clairs  of  Roslin  seemingly  came  direct  from  Normandy  in  the  reign  of 
Alexander  II.,  1213— 1249,  as  they  do  not  identify  armorially  with  any  of  the  English  St.  Clares  nor 
with  the  Herdmanston  family. 

Page  283. — Lady  St.  Clair  is  noted  in  the  Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  as  Alicia  de  Fen  ton.  John  de  Fenton, 
sheriff  of  Forfar,  1261,  was  father  of  Alicia  and  William  (1292),  married  Cecilia  Bisset,  and  had  Isabella, 
married  to  Godfrey  del  Arde  or  his  heir. 

Page  287. — The  lands  of  Stevenson  were  subsequently  acquired  by  cadets  of  the  Longformacus 
line. 

Page  294.— Oliver  Sinclair  of  Pitcairn  is  now  represented  by  the  Ramsays  of  Dalhousie. 

Page  294.— Edward  Sinclair  of  Dryden  is  seemingly  a  son  of  William,  Earl  of  Orkney,  by  first 
marriage. 

Page  29S.— Surely  this  agreement  between  Lord  St.  Clair  and  Sir  Oliver  is  still  extant. 

Page  307. — It  is  not  clear  whether  Major  William  St.  Clair  and  his  brother  David  survived  Lord 
James,  but  Henry,  the  fifth  son  did. 

Page  311. — John  of  Hirdmanestune  may  not  have  been  of  the  St.  Clair  lineage.  Andrew 
Herdmonston  was  of  Balnagowan  in  Ross,  circ.  136S. 

Page  313.— Polmase  St.  Clair  and  Polmase  Weland  :  Can  Polmase  have  been  so  divided  on  the 
occasion  of  the  Stratherne  heiresses  marrying  Weyland  de  Arde  and  William  St.  Clair  ? 

Page  314. — Beatrix  Rantoun,  Lady  Herdmanston,  has  several  notices  of  an  unconiplic  entary 
nature  in  records. 

Page  317. — The  earlier  generations  for  the  Swedish  families  do  not  synchronise. 

Pages  319  and  320. — Lambahof  is  not  attached  to  the  dignity,  which  is  personal,  and  should 
appear  as  Count  Sinclair  pur  et  simple. 

Page  357. — Rachael  Sinclair  (231)  was  great  grandmother  of  J.  R.  Shaw,  a  subscriber  hereto. 

PAGE  353.— Mary  St.  Clair  (129)  is  grandmother  of  Henrietta  Marie  (May)  Whitney  (Mrs.  Dr. 
Nathaniel  Emerson),  an  authoress  of  note,  organiser  and  secretary  of  the  Society  De  Sancto  Claro  in 
America. 

Page  352. — In  recomitting  to  his  relatives  the  history  of  his  family,  James  St.  Clair  (51)  said: 
"  Our  first  ancestor  in  America  was  named  John,  he  came  to  America  from  near  Edinburgh,  Scotland. 
His  father's  name  was  Henry  ;  he  was  a  farmer.  We  are  related  to  General  Arthur  St.  Clair,  and  I  am 
going  to  pay  him  a  visit."  The  visit  was  made  in  1816,  and  on  his  return  he  stated  they  were  "  cousins.'' 
On  these  grounds  the  New  Hampshire  scions  are  affiliated  to  Henry  Sinclair  (see  page  195),  son  of 
John,  Master  of  Caithness  (died  1567),  and  although  the  said  Henry  is  explicitly  described  as  brother- 
natural  to  the  43rd  Earl,  it  is  lately  alleged  that  a  charter  has  come  to  light  establishing  his  legitimacy. 
It  is  not  clear  how  James  St.  Clair  of  1816  could  have  acquired  the  knowledge  necessary  to  enable  him 
to  make  the  statements  recorded  as  his  with  regard  to  his  origin,  and  as  evidence  it  appears  to  be  quite 
insufficient.  At  the  time  John  Sinkler,  first  of  New  Hampshire,  emigrated,  viz.,  165S,  there  must  have 
been  many  namesakes  to  whom  affiliation  could  be  claimed  on  precisely  similar  grounds 

Page  424. — An  examination  of  the  Mowat-Halcro  charters  will  throw  light  on  the  history  of  these 
families  in  their  Orcadian  connection. 

Page  446. — Frobisher,  the  Elizabethan  navigator,  records  sighting  the  coast  of  Friesland  in  1576, 
1577,  and  1578,  thus  accepting  the  chart  of  the  Zeni.  His  account  of  the  condition  of  the  Orcadians  in 
1577  does  not  indicate  an  advanced  state  of  civilisation. 

Page  453- — Examination  of  the  succession  to  the  Summerhopes  should  result  in  affiliating 
subsequent  Sinclairs  to  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  Foud  of  Hjaltland;  and  a  like  perusal  of  the  Complaint  of 
1576  should  disclose  descendants  of  Sir  David  Sinclair  of  Swinburgh. 


546  NOTES  AND  QUERIES. 


Page  457.— In  1635  Sir  William  St.  Clair  of  Roslin  claimed  hereditary  charge  of  the  Scottish 
Masonic  Craft  (see  page  291). 

Page  461. — The  Dunkeld  Register  gives  the  death  of  Bishop  Sinclair  as  27th  June,  1337. 

Page  464. — Footnote  %  :  For  "Scot's  "  read  "  Scottish  "  ;  for  "  Queen  "  read  "Queens." 

Page  466. — "Satan's  Invisible  World  Discovered":  This  title  has  recently  been  travestied  by 
Stead  of  the  Review  of  Reviews  in  his  book  styled'  "  Satan's  Invisible  World  Displayed. " 

Page  466. — The  Master  of  Sinclair  was,  in  1708,  chosen  member  of  Parliament  for  the  county  of 
Fife. 

Page  467. — The  Hon.  James  St.  Clair  became  Colonel  in  1722,  Major-General  in  1741,  and  on  4th 
June,  1745,  Lieut. -General  with  command  of  British  forces  in  Flanders.  In  1746  he  was  appointed  to 
the  command  of  a  force  of  6,000  men  originally  intended  to  act  against  Quebec,  but  eventually  sent 
against  Port  L'Orient  with  an  additional  2,000  men.  Large  reinforcements  having  been  thrown  int<-> 
the  town,  he  resolved  to  abandon  the  siege,  and  after  destroying  the  forts  in  Quiberon  Bay,  re- 
embarked  for  England  on  17th  October,  1746.  The  historian  Hume  was  his  secretary  during  this 
expedition.  General  St.  Clair  afterwards  acted  as  ambassador  to  the  courts  of  Vienna  and  Turin.  On 
10th  March,  1761,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  General.  He  sat  in  the  House  of  Commons  for  many 
years,  being  chosen  for  the  Dysart  burghs  in  1722,  1727,  and  1747  ;  for  the  county  of  Sutherland  in  1736 
and  1741  ;  and  in  1761  for  the  county  of  Fife.  He  died  at  Dysart,  30th  November,  1762,  being  then 
Governor  of  Cork,  and  Major-General  on  the  staff  in  Ireland.  By  his  wife,  Janet,  youngest  daughter  of 
Sir  David  Dalrymple  of  Hailes,  and  widow  of  Sir  John  Baird  of  Newbyth,  he  left  no  issue. 

Page  468. — Reference  to  the  entry  of  General  Arthur  St.  Clair  into  army  life  should  throw  light 
on  his  parentage. 

Page  472. — The  Hon.  Andrew  Sinclair  is  represented  by  his  nephew,  Andrew  Sinclair,  of 
"Kuranui,"  Symonds  Street,  Aucklnnd,  N.Z. 

Page  476. — The  verses  dedicated  to  St.  Clair  are  merely  a  poetical  exercise  by  the  author  upon 
the  incidents  narrated  in  paragraph  1,  page  418,  and  do  not  involve  religious  belief. 

Page  488. — The  thread  unwound  by  the  witch  represented  the  "clew  of  fate." 

Page  510. — The  text  implies  that  Simon  Rodde  is  the  father  of  Alexander  Ard. 

Page  510. — Ogmund  Findzson  as  the  King's  steward,  adjudged  on  8th  October,  1386,  to  Herr  John 
and  Herr  Sigurd  Hafthorsson  the  estates  left  in  Shetland  by  Fru  Herdis  Thorvaldsdaughter,  and 
which  Malis  Sperra  had  unlawfully  appropriated. 

Page  127.— Jon  de  Baddi.  The  lands  of  Goirisness  in  Rendall  were  escheated  prior  to  1503  from 
one  Baddi  because  he  "drew  bluid  in  the  kirkyaird." 

Page  515. — Bishop  Arnthor  of  Bergen  certifies  on  nth  August,  1512,  that  he  has  seen  the  Testa- 
ment of  Her  David  Syncklare  demising  half  of  Samphray  to  Dr.  Hans  Eek,  who  sold  12  marks  land 
there  by  deed  at  Bergen  21st  July,  1512,  in  which  he  is  described  as  "Dr.  Hans  Eek  an"  Gestryalandh, 
vicarius  j  Skatzta  hogbwreen  herres  Jacob  med  gudz  nad  kouunges  aff  Skotlandh  kappelan."  He  is 
doubtless  ancestor  of  the  family  of  Hawick  of  Scatsta,  Shetland. 

Page  123. — There  was  nothing  extraordinary  in  King  Christian  pawning  Orkney.  He  had  often 
placed  Copenhagen  in  pledge. 

Page  123. — In  the  treaty  concluded  between  Denmark  and  England  in  1667,  this  article  was 
inserted  :  "  That  the  suspension  of  the  restitution  of  Orkney  and  Zetland  should  not  have  any  effect  to 
the  prejudice  of  the  King  of  Denmark  and  Norway,  nor  diminish  his  right  to  recover  them,  which  is 
acknowledged  to  remain  open,  entire,  and  unviolated,  and  which  he  may  prefer  at  a  more  convenient 
time." 

Page  123. — Forty  years  after  the  Impignoration  (1508)  this  curious  entry  occurs  in  the  minutes 
of  the  Lords  of  the  Articles  :  "  Compeirit  Jhone  Skrimgeour  Mastr.  and  askit  Instrumentis  that  he 
advertist  the  Lordes  forsaid  how  that  the  tyme  of  his  being  in  Denmark  he  knavvis  that  the  discharge 
of  Orknay  and  Scheteland  myt  have  been  had  sovirly  to  the  King's  grace  and  that  therefor  the  Lordes 
suld  now  laubor  for  the  samyne."  On  6th  December,  1567,  a  Committee  of  the  Scottish  Parliament 
considered,  "  Quhidder  Orknay  and  Zetland  sal  be  subject  to  the  comone  law  of  this  realnie  or  gif  thai 
sal  bruk  thair  awne  lawis."  The  Committee  "  funds  thai  aucht  to  be  subject  to  thair  awne  lawis." 
In  1587  a  commission  was  granted  to  certain  persons,  with  "  power  to  heir  determyne  and  conclude  in 
the  matter  of  the  answer  to  the  Petitionis  of  the  King  of  Denmark  anent  Orknay."  A  Scottish 
embassy  to   Denmark  contracted  with  Christian   IV.,   and  his  four  Regents  and  .Governors  on  20th 


NOTES  AND  QUERIES. 


547 


August,  1589,  when,  in  addition  to  the  matrimonial  contract  between  James  VI.  an  1  Anne  of  Denmark, 
this  was  also  read  and  exhibited  before  Christian  and  his  Regents  :  "  Togidder  w.th  the  forme  and 
tennor  of  the  attestations  seillit  subscrivit  and  deliverit  be  thame  to  the  saidis  Regentis  anent  the  Isles 
of  Orknay  proporting  in  effect  a  grant  maid  at  their  requisitioun  be  the  foirsaidis  King  and  Regentis 
that  all  further  claim  or  repetitioun  of  the  foirsaidis  His  upon  quhatsoever  pretendit  richt  or  interesse 
allegit  thairto  be  that  Crown  sal  be  supersedit  and  continuit  for  thair  partis  unto  the  said  elected 
Princes  perfite  aige.  And  the  saidis  Ambassadouris  acceptatioun  thairof  in  name  foirsaid  always  but 
prejudice  of  quhatsoever  richt  or  title  acclamit  thairto  be  ather  of  the  Crownis  as  at  mair  lenth  is 
contenit  in  the  said  attestatioun  Quhairof  the  authentiq  subscrivit  be  the  handis  of  the  saidis  haill 
four  governors  bearing  the  dait  forsaid  was  likwayes  exhibited  and  red  befoir  his  Hieness  and  Lordis 
foirsaidis."  And  it  finds  that  the  Ambassadors  have  conformed  themselves  in  every  point  to  their 
commissions  and  instructions.     The  proceedings  of  the  embassy  were  ratified  in  1592  by  James  VI. 

Page  123.— Cottonian  MS.  British  Museum  (Titus,  c.  viii.,  art.  71.  f.  134.)  "  Notes  on  King  of  Den- 
mark's Demand  of  the  Orcades."     Orcades,  15S7. 

"  Frederik,  King  of  Denmark,  told  Daniell  Rogers  that  the  King  of  Scotts  dallied  with  him,  and 
that  he  had  not  answered  him  to  make  restitucion  of  the  Orcades  when  he  sewed  for  his  daughter 
Anne  to  be  his  wife  ;  neither  kept  promise  in  shewing  such  ltres.  as  he  pretended  to  have  from  the 
King  of  Denmarke,  by  which  it  would  appear  that  he  weare  released  from  the  contract  by  which  his 
predecessors  were  bound  at  all  tymes  to  be  ready  uppon  the  receipt  of  one  hundred  thousand  gilders, 
to  restore  the  Orcades  unto  the  kingdome  of  Denmark  againe,  which  he  must  needs  have  agayne,  for 
that  the  state  of  his  kingdome  had  putt  him  in  mynde  of  his  oath,  which  he  made  when  he  was 
contracted." 

In  1549  an  assessment  was  levied  in  Norway  by  Christian  III.  for  the  purpose  of  paying  off  the  sum 
for  which  Orkney  and  Shetland  were  pledged.  In  1804,  Napoleon  Bonaparte  in  a  proclamation 
addressed  to  the  army  assembled  at  Boulogne  for  the  invasion  of  Britain,  descanted  on  the  claim  of  the 
Danish  King  of  Norway  to  the  Orkneys. 

Page  123. — Section  35  of  the  Agreement,  Promise  or  Hand-binding  of  Frederik  the  First  to 
Norway  in  1524  is  as  follows  : — "  Should  we  again  be  able  to  release  or  recover  to  Norway's  Crown  the 
Orkney  and  Shetland  Islands  which  our  dear  Lord  and  Father  Christian  I.  pawned  or  parted  with 
without  the  will  or  consent  of  the  Norwegian  State  Council,  &c,  &c." 

Page  132. — The  Orcadian  Law-book  was  required  to  be  produced  in  1575,  Nicol  Randal  v.  Robert 
Earl  of  Orkney,  for  dispossession  of  the  Isle  of  Gairsay,  the  odal  inheritance  of  plaintiff. 

Page  132. — Provost  Craigie  of  Kirkwall  (circ.  1660)  in  a  MS.  under  his  own  hand,  writes,  "That 
on  pretence  of  distraining  for  a  private  debt,  Earl  Patrick  Stewart  seized  upon  the  charter-chest  of 
Kirkwall,  and  destroyed  all  the  town's  charters  and  records." 

Page  143. — Monteth  describing  the  deleat  at  Tain  in  1650  says,  "  Montrose  swam  over  the  river 
accompanied  by  the  gallant  Sir  Edward  St.  Clair  and  St.  Clair  of  Brims,  a  gentleman  of  Caithness." 
The  former  was  an  Orcadian  Major,  and  the  latter  Alexander  Sinclair  of  Brims. 

Page  142.— The  band  subscribed  by  the  country  people  of  Orkney  in  favour  of  adherence  to 
Robert  Stewart,  bastard  son  of  Earl  Patrick,  was  produced  at  Edinburgh,  at  the  trial  of  the  latter  in 
1615.     It  should  disclose  important  information. 

Page  464. — About  161 1  Captain  Andreas  Sinckler  commands  a  company  600  strong.  Aarsberet- 
ninger  fra  det  Kongelige  Geheimearchiv,  vol.  6. 

Page  214. — "  Earl  Alexander  disinherited  his  daughter  because  he  did  not  like  his  son-in-law 
[Lord  Macduff,  afterwards  Earl  of  Fife],  and  the  supposed  heir  having  called  [at  Hemer  Castle]  and 
being  kept  waiting,  his  expressions  of  impatience  were  reported  to  Earl  Alexander  by  the  old  Earl's 
servant,  and  the  Earl  cut  him  off.  This  alludes  to  an  unfortunate  man  who  could  not  obtain  the  title 
though  it  was  afterwards  proved  he  had  the  right.  He  gave  his  estates  to  his  remotest  relation  of  our' 
surname  because  one  of  them  was  at  school  with  him'  The  beneficiary  was  30  degrees  off."  (Notes 
printed  privately  by  Alexander  Sinclair,  of  the  Ulbster  family  ) 

Page  98. —  Henry  Earl  of  Orkney  and  Malise  Spar  were  both  present  at  the  Norwegian  State 
Council  Meeting  at  Helsingborg,  in  June,  1389,  when  Erik  the  Pomeranian  was  proclaimed  beir  to 
Norway.  The  transactions  are  recorded  in  two  documents,  the  one  in  Swedish  containing  signatures 
and  seals  of  20  Councillors  including  the  signature  ot  Malise  Spar,  but  it  does  not  occur  in  the  Latin 
copy  which  only  contains  19  seals  and  signatures.  Perhaps  he  was  slain  before  he  had  time  to  sign 
the  latter. 


548  NOTES  AND   QUERIES. 


PAGE  103. — Martin  V.  was  elected  Pope  in  1417,  by  the  five  nations  of  Christendom.  France  then 
contended  that  England,  Ireland,  Scotland,  etc.,  ought  not  to  be  counted  one  of  the  five,  but  the 
learned  priests  of  Britain  successfully  argued  at  Rome  the  right  to  equality.  Their  chief  argument,  to 
quote  Gibbon,  was  "  that  including  England,  Scotland,  Wales,  the  four  kingdoms  of  Ireland,  and  the 
Orkneys,  the  British  islands  are  decorated  with  eight  royal  crowns." 

Page  230. — Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Rattar,  was  justiciary  and  sheriff  of  Orkney  in  1614. 

Page  307.  —A  Scottish  Peerage  could,  down  to  the  Union,  be  resigned  into  the  hands  of  the  King 
to  be  re-granted  to  a  new  series  of  heirs,  a  transaction  to  which  the  heir  alioqui  succesturus  had  no 
right  to  object,  and  which  was  completed  by  a  Crown  charter  of  resignation. 

Page  214. — Prince  Charles  Edward  Stuart  when  fugitive  in  the  North  of  Scotland,  assumed  the 
name  of  "Sinclair." 

Page  14.  —  Palgrave  in  enumerating  the  descendants  of  Richard  I.,  of  Normandy,  Sans  ^eur, 
states,  "  Mauger  who  acquired  much  importance  in  French  affairs  was  assuredly  legitimate  "... 
and  again,  "Mauger,  much  distinguished  by  his  policy  and  valour,  was  invested  with  the  extensive 
County  of  Mortaigne  as  an  inheritance,  while  through  marriage  he  acquired  Corbeil." 

Page  312. — The  "  Sword  of  Bruce  "  was  stolen  from  the  Herdmanston  family  early  last  century. 

Page  102.— Commission  of  Bailliary  by  Lady  Marjorie  Menzies  in  1418,  to  John,  her  son  and 
heir,  and  nomination  by  Henry  Earl  of  Orkney,  wherein  the  Earl  styles  Sir  David  Menzies  his  brother- 
in-law. 

Page  304  — Ross  of  Craigie  (cadet  of  Innernethie),  and  Aytoun  of  Inchdairnie  represent  the 
Sinclairs  of  Balgreggie  through  heiresses. 

PAGE  138.— Henry  Sinclair  was  Provost  of  Kirkwall  in  1549,  and  Edward  Sinclair  of  Essinquoy, 
1622  to  1635  ;  Nicoll  Sinclair,  Dean  of  Guild,  1567,  and  a  Baillie  in  1595  ;  Arthur  Sincla-'r,  Baillie  in 
1619  and  Hew  Sinclair  of  Damsay,  Baillie  1623  to  1628,  1633  and  1642  to  1644. 

PAGE  127. — In  the  complaint  of  1575,  one  of  the  charges  preferred  against  Robert  Stewart,  th» 
Abbot  Earl,  was  sending  his  Maister  Household,  Gawin  Elphingstone,  and  Henry  Sinclair,  his 
chamberchyld,  to  the  King  of  Denmark  in  order  to  offer  Orkney  and  Zetland  to  him,  and  attributed 
this  "  to  his  fearing  sometime  God's  judgment."  It  is  alleged  that  Elphinstone  got  the  Danish  King's 
confirmation  of  Lord  Robert's  title,  which  came  home  in  a  strictly  private  way  ' '  enclosed  in  a  bolt  of 
Holland  Clayth." 

Page  127. — Patrick,  Earl  of  Orkney,  was  Provost  of  Kirkwall  in  1604.  He  set  up  a  mint  and 
coined  money  in  Orkney. 

Page  278.— These  notices  of  Robert  de  St.  Clair  occur  in  Bain's  "Documents,"  and  would  appear 
to  have  reference  to  attestation  of  the  original  Scottish  charters  in  1213  rather  than  the  Inspeximus  of 
1261  and  Inquisition  of  1264. 

Page  460.— The  King's  Bishop  :  Master  [Dominus]  Wm.  de  St.  Clair  and  other  Scottish  prisoners 
taken  in  Dunbar  Castle  were  committed  to  Gloucester  Castle,  16th  May,  1296.  A  writ  issued  13th 
August,  1297,  allowing  money  for  expenses  re  same  to  Walter  de  Beauchamp  the  castellan,  from  1st 
May,  1296,  to  30th  June,  1297.  On  nth  March,  1302-3  pardon  issued  to  Beauchamp's  heirs  and 
executors  for  all  action  in  connection  with  the  escape  of  Master  Wm.  de  St.  Clair,  a  Scottish  rebel. 

In  1565  one  Saint  Cler  was  a  French  officer  in  America  under  Laudonniere. 

Page  51.— This  Liot  of  Sutherland  is  considered  ancestor  of  the  Macleods.  Strafleet  is  named 
after  him. 

Page  68. — Gunni  Olafsson  is  accounted  ancestor  of  the  Clan  Gunn. 

Page  51. — From  Helga  is  derived  the  place-name  Helgarie,  on  the  Helmsdale,  near  Kildonan,  in 
Sutherland. 

Page  442.— Adam  I.,  Bishop  of  Caithness,  is  cited  by  Sir  Robert  Gordon  as  author  of  a  History  of 
Scotland  in  3  vols. 

Page  442.— St.  Gilbert  resided  in  Burnside  Castle.  He  contributed  to  the  defeat  of  the  Danes  at 
Embo.  He  translated  the  Psalms  and  the  Gospels  into  the  Gaelic  language.  He  is  worshipped  on  the 
1st  April. 

Page  83.— The  first  survey  of  Orkney  was  made  at  command  of  Hakon  IV.  in  1263,  who  issued 
orders  to  divide  the  whole  occupied  lauds  of  O.  and  Z.  into  Marklands  containing  eight  Eyrislands  or 
Urislands,  each  of  which  should  find  quarters  and  supplies  tor  a  Hofding  and  a  fixed  number  of  men, 
probably  in  proportion  to  the  Skatts  formerly  paid. 


NOTES    AND    QUERIES.  549 

Page  470.— In  a  letter  to  Sir  John  Sinclair  of  Ulbster,  George  Washington  writes,  "Certainly  no 
good  reason  can  be  assigned  why  the  hemp  of  New  Zealand  should  not  thrive  with  us,  as  that  country 
lies  in  about  the  same  southern  latitude  that  our  middle  states  do  in  the  northern.  Phila.,  10th  Dec, 
1796. 

Page  470. — A  letter  to  Sir  John  from  Robert  Sinclair  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  (30th  November, 
1819),  contains  an  account  of  the  latter's  parentage  and  family. 

Patronymics  have  been  in  vogue  in  Shetland  until  this  century.  In  1733,  Patrick  Giibertson,  aged 
about  90,  reckoned  himself  the  22nd  generation  in  lineal  possession  of  Islesburgh.     (Gifford.1 

Page  441. — A  Genealogical  MSS.  written  by  Wm.  Tulloch,  Bishop  of  Orkney,  was  in  Rosendal's 
house  in  Norway.     (Wallace.) 

Page  441. — Bishop  Adam  Bothwell  crowned  James  VI.  in  1567.  A  full  account  of  Orcadian 
Bishops  will  be  found  in  Craven's  "  History  of  the  Church  in  Orkney." 

Page  263. — In  1633,  John  Sinclair  was  M.P.  for  Edinburgh. 

Page  339. — Captain  David  Sinclair,  "an  old  officer  of  courage  and  honour,"  was  prisoner  for 
debt  in  the  fleet  in  1726. 

Page  339. — The  poet  Savage  in  1727  lan  a  Mr.  James  Sinclair  through  the  body,  when  he  was  not 
in  a  posture  of  defence. 

Page  339. — Patrick  Sinclair  was  rector  of  Norfolk  livings  (presented  by  Horace  WalpoleV  1700- 
1750.  There  is  a  monumental  tablet  to  his  wife  "the  good  Mrs.  St.  Clair"  who  died  in  1727,  "  the 
year  terrible  for  fevers." 

Page  339. — Geo.  Sinclair,  M.A.,  rector  of  Wilford,  Notts,  died  there,  12th  June,  1775,  aged  46 
years.     See  Armoury. 

Page  445. — The  "  Carta  Marina  "  of  Olaus  Magnus  in  1539  has  been  discovered  in  Munich.  The 
most  important  paper  on  the  Zeno  voyages  was  read  by  the  Prof.,  Dr.  Gustav  Storm  of  Christiania, 
17th  December,  1S90,  and  published  in  the  annual  volume  of  Det  Norske  Geograficke  Selskabs : 
Arbog  II.,  1S90-91.  Comparison  of  the  Zeno  map  with  the  Carta  Marina  proves  the  Frislanda  of  the 
former  to  be  the  Farce  group,  with  the  internal  waterways  omitted.  (An  abstract  of  notes  kindly 
supplied  by  C.  H  Coote  of  the  Map  Department,  British  Museum.)  See  also  "  Athenaeum,"  6th 
February,  1892,  and  10th  June,  1893 

Page  532  — David  Sinclair  was  succeeded  by  John  de  St  Clair  of  Newburgh,  in  1414  residing  in  the 
tower  of  Crail,  when  he  took  the  balance  of  accounts  from  the  bailies  of  that  place 

Page  532 — Richard  de  St  Clair,  "  Our  worthy  and  faithful  scutifer,"  was  confirmed  31st  July,  1367, 
in  the  lands  of  Finlettre,  and  again  8th  June,  13S2,  to  which  is  attached  the  Grieveschip  of  Culane  with 
the  pertinents.     These  lands  were  put  to  the  horn  in  1391. 

Page  220. — Magnus  Budge,  custumar  of  Wick,  is  noted  in  the  Exch.  Rolls  in  1429  for  hides 
custumed  by  him  at  Wick,  and  re-entered  at  Aberdeen. 

Page  127. — Sir  A)ex  McCulloch  of  Mirtone,  knight,  first  (chief)  falconer  of  the  King  going  to 
Orkney  for  falcons,  was  married  to  Marjory  Sinclair.  Charter,  17th  February,  1499- 
Page  311  — Blans  :  George  Sinclair  in  1455  received  ^"13  6s.  8d.  from  the  Customs  of  Haddington, 
and  in  1461  had  sasine  ;  in  1473  Edward  Sinclair  is  of  Blans  ;  in  1491  George  de  Sancto  Claro  ;  111  1513 
John  Sinclair,  who  is  a  witness  in  1531  ;  1575-1590  David  Sinclair  is  of  Blans  ;  and  on  16th  April,  1605, 
there  is  caution  in  ^'1000  for  Wm.  Sinclair  of  Blans. 

Page  311. — Gosfurd  :  Thos.  Sinclair  witness,  1463;  receives,  1464,  repayment  from  Queen  of  ^100 
money  lent ;  in  1465  receives  fermes  of  the  County  of  March  ;  in  1474  has  charter  of  Gosfurd  and 
pertinents  subject  to  24  marks,  annual  rent;  has  confirmation  28th  January,  145S-59,  to  him  and  his 
spouse  Mirabelle  Dalrymple.  In  1506  John  Sinclair  has  sasine,  and  is  in  1507-10  chamberlain  of  the 
lordship  of  Ballincrief  and  Gosfurd.  Ballincrief  in  1471  was  tenanted  by  William  Sinclair;  in  1508  by 
James  Sintclar ;  in  1569,  John,  son  to  William  Sinclair  in  Gosfuirde  ;  in  1582,  Alexander,  son  to  the  late 
William  Sinclair  of  Gosfurd,  and  John,  son  to  Alexander  in  Ballincrief  are  cited  to  appear. 

In  1513  William  Sinclare  in  Morham  is  vice  comes  in  hue  parte,  viz.,  Edinburgh  infra  Haddington, 
also  for  Roxburgh,  Selkirk,  Linlithgow,  and  Berwick. 

Adam  Sinclar  de  Fynlark,  1438  ;  John  Sinclere  is  de  Fiularge,  149S  ;  George  de  St.  Clair  of  Hume, 
1439  !  William  Sinclare  de  Northrig,  1497  ;  quondam  Archibald  Sinclar  de  Westhall,  1503  ;  Andrew 
Sincler  (de  Sco.  Claro),  Vicar  of  Lagan  and  Notary  Public,  1509,  in  1527  and  1529  is  Canon  of  Ross  ; 
Mariote    Sinclere    mitnx   Jacobi  principis   S--otii,    and    David    Carruthers  her  spouse,    15 12  ;     Dominus 


55°  NOTES  AND  QUERIES. 


Patrick  Sinclare,  Rector  of  Auldehamstokis,  1450;  William  Sinclair  of  Auchinfrankach,  1501  ;  John 
Sinclare  of  Auchingilbert,  1515  ;  William  Sinclair  of  Fynlarg  in  Forfar,  royal  charter  in  1529  ;  charter 
to  Edward  Sinclair  of  Galvelmoir  in  Perth,  1528-29,  confirmation  to  him  and  Elizabeth  Lytili  his 
spouse,  1544-45  ;  charter  to  Jas.  Sinclair  and  Isabelle  Inglis  his  spouse,  of  Murdocarny  in  Fife.  1529  ; 
Dominus  Adam  Sinclair,  prebendary  of  Crichton.  1543;  D.  Thos.  Synclare,  capellanux  witness,  1449; 
D.  George  Sinclare,  rector  de  Polwarth,  1536  ;  John  Sinclair,  rector  of  Comry,  1533  ;  D.  Stephen 
Sinclare,  vicar  de  Aberfule,  1543  ;  the  king  confirms  in  1495  the  charter  of  William  Sinclair,  Lord  of 
Auchingibbert,  to  his  nephew  Richard,  with  reservation  of  a  third  to  Margaret  Gladstainys,  wife  of 
granter  ;  &c,  &c,  &c. 

George  Seintcler  received  safe  conduct  to  England,  23rd  March,  1424. 

Alexander  Sinclere  received  passport  to  England,  25th  February,  1425-26. 

Earlstou  :  This  was  bought  in  1472  by  a  younger  son  of  Sir  John  St.  Clair  of  Herdmauston  from 
Sir  Patrick  Hepburn  of  Hailes.  In  1541  John  Sinclair  is  of  Erlistoun  (Ex.  Rolls);  he  married  Janet, 
daughter  of  John  Gordon  of  Troquhain,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  son  John,  who  married  Catherine, 
daughter  of  John  Glendinning  of  Drumrash,  and  had  two  daughters  (1)  Margaret,  married,  1582,  to 
John  Gordon  of  Aire's,  whose  issue  succeeded;  and  (2)  Rosina,  married  to  John  Stewart  of  Ardoch. 
George  Sincla;r,  son  cf,  and  brother  of  the  late  John  Sinclair  of  Earlston,  is  noted  in  1590.  John 
Sinclair  had  a  son  accidentally  drowned,  and  a  natural  son  also  named  John,  afterwards  legitimated  but 
excluded  from  the  succession.  He  was  an  officer  in  Lord  Kenmure's  troop  of  horse  at  Killiecrankie. 
and  from  him  lineally  descended  William  Sinclair,  who  held  farms  on  the  Kenmure  estate.  The 
devotion  of  Robert  Sinclair  to  Viscount  Kenmure  is  well  known.  His  mother,  Annie  Gordon,  was  of 
near  kin  to  the  Viscount.  Robert  was  grandfather  of  John  Sinclair,  farmer,  who  died  at  New 
Galloway  in  1813  or  1814,  leaving  sons  and  daughters.  His  grandsons,  William  and  Robert,  left  only 
daughters,  and  his  grandson,  John  Sinclair,  had  by  his  wife,  Mary  Jane  Sadler,  daughter  of  a  Bristol 
merchant,  John  Sinclair,  architect,  in  Western  Australia  ;  Robert  Sinclair,  auctioneer,  Toowoomba  ; 
and  David  Dalrymple  Sinclair,  law  student  in  Western  Australia.  About  a  hundred  3'ears  ago  a  seal 
was  found  in  the  garden  of  Earlstoun  bearing  the  arms  of  Sinclair  and  having  this  legend,  "Sigillum 
Barones  Baronife  De  Earlstoun." 

The  Sinclairs  of  Kellister  and  Snarnes.-,  a  small  estate  on  the  shores  of  St.  Magnus  Bay,  Shetland, 
have  a  tradition  that  their  forbears  escaped  from  Castles  Girnigo  and  Sinclair  by  cutting  their  way 
from  the  dungeon  floor  to  the  sea,  and  then  fleeing  to  the  Orkneys.  The  old  deed  of  land  situated  in 
Sinclair  Bay  was  in  their  possession  in  1854  (letter  trom  Robert  Sinclair  of  Gympie,  Queensland,  a 
member  of  this  family). 

Ecclesi^  ScoTiCAN,£.—  These  ministers  have  brief  notices  :  Morton,  1640— Adam  Sinclair,  A.M., 
Edinburgh,  died  1673,  aged  71.  Lochrutton,  etc.— Archibald  Sinclair,  1572— 1615  ;  his  son  Archibald  died 
19th  June,  1620.  Langton — Samuel  Sinclair,  A.M.,  died  1653,  aged  about  74,  left  a  son  Robert. 
Jionklr.  and  Preston — William  Sinclair,  1574 — 1616.  Bolton,  1692— John  Sinclair,  grad.Edin.,  1675;  died 
28th  February,  1707  ;  married  Eupham  Reid  ;  issue,  five  sons,  five  daughters.  Spott — Robert  Sinclair, 
A.M.,  Edinburgh,  1656  ;  died  1688,  aged  52  ;  married,  1666,  Jean  Clelaine,  nieces  Maria  and  Jean 
served  heirs.  Kirkmahoe — John  Sinclair,  1576-79.  Whittingham — Thos.  Sinclair,  1734.  Bulfron — Geo. 
Sinclair,  died  1759  ;  Jeane  Baine,  his  widow,  1784.  Madderty — Robert  Sinclair,  A.M.,  Edinburgh, 
flourished  1578 — 1607.     fiorthmaven,  1662 — Hercules  Sinclair,  A.M.,  St.  Andrews,  25th  July,  1657. 

Scottish  Men-at-Arms  in  France. — 1469,  Jas.  Cinclar  the  elder,  and  Jas.  Cinclar  the  younger, 
Thos.  Cinclar,  Joe  Cinclar  ;  1494-97,  Adam  Sainct  Cler ;  1496,  James  Saint  Cler ;  1498-99,  Alexandre 
St.  Cler  ;  1505-7,  James  Sancler  ;  1507,  Georges  de  Saint  Cler;  1550,  Jourdain  Gresinclar;  1554,  Jehan 
de  St.  Clere  ;  1473— 1504,  Guill.  Singlar  ;  1485-94,  Georges  Singler  ;  14S7-94,  Robin  Sinclar  ;■  1509-11, 
James  Sinclar  ;  1509-15,  Patrix  Sinklar  ;  1523,  Guillaume  de  St.  Cler,  to  1553  ;  and  Jehan  to  156S  ;  1527, 
Jacques  St.  Clar,  to  1557  ;  1543,  Robert  de  St.  Cler,  to  1561  ;  1587,  James  St.  Clair.  These  were  chiefly 
"  Archiers  de  la  garde  du  Roi." 

The  title  of  Oldenburg  attached  to  the  Danish  royal  family  has  by  some  means  got  transferred  to 
the  Sinclairs.  The  error  probably  originates  through  Sir  James  Balfour  misreading  a  reference  in 
Latin  to  Henry  I.,  Earl  of  Otkney,  in  this  manner:  "He  was  created  by  Christian  I.  of  Denmark, 
Duke  of  Oldenburgh,  Earl  of  Orkney,"  to  mean  that  the  Earl  of  Orkney  was  also  created  Duke  of 
Oldenburg.     The  error  is  of  the  die-hard  species,  and  should  easily  be  run  to  earth. 

Page  83.  —  Examine  the  account  of  the  Haconian  expedition  for  the  possibility  of  Orcadian 
names. 


NOTES  AND -QUERIES.  551 


Page  325. — Captain  John  St.  Clair  died  at  Mountmellick,  Ireland,  in  1784.  His  will  was  proved  in 
Dublin  the  same  year.  He  had  been  an  officer  in  the  17th  Light  Dragoons,  and  had  served  with  his 
regiment  in  the  American  War.  He  had  a  son  James,  who  was  a  boy  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death, 
and  who  subsequently  became  an  officer  in  the  1st  Royals  which,  from  the  army  lists  of  that  period, 
would  appear  to  have  hardly  ever  been  without  one  or  more  of  the  name  amongst  its  officers  (Notes 
and  Queries,  8th  Series  1. 

Page  196. — The  continual  contention  between  the  leading  families  in  Scottish  Orcadia  is  well 
exemplified  in  the  still  current  couplet  : 

"  Sinclair  and  Sutherland,  Keith  and  Clan  Gunu, 
There  never  was  peace  where  these  four  were  in." 
The  reference  is  to  the  Earls  of  Sutherland,  and  not  to  the  family,  which  is  found  to  be  always  at 
amity  with  the  Sinclairs. 

Page  ioi. — The  right  to  coin  money  was  never  exercised  by  any  of  the  Orcadian  Earls,  nor  can 
any  Orcadian  coins  be  found  in  the  numismatic  collections  of  Scandinavia. 

Page  50. — Taken  in  a  geographical  sense,  St.  Magnus  was  the  last  Scottish  saint. 

Or':ney  and  Shetland  have  supplied  a  larger  number  of  occupants  of  professorial  chairs  in  Scotland 
than  any  other  county  of  the  same  size  and  population. 


^gajteaa, 


552 


REGISTERS. 


REGISTERS. 


ORKNEY.* 

Births. 

Marriages. 

Deaths 

Birsay   . .              . .              .  .              . .               begins  1631 

1631 

— 

Cross  and  Burness            .  .              .  .              .  .             1711 

1711 

— 

Deerness              . .                             . .              . .             1753 

1753 

— 

Evie                      . .              . .              .  .              . .             1725 

1725 

— 

Evie  and  Rendall              . .              .  .              .  .             1802 

1802 

1816 

Firth  and  Stenness           .  .              .  .              .  .             1732 

1732 

1746 

Harray .  .             . .                                             .  .             17S4 

— 

— 

Holme  and  Paplay           .  .              .  .                .             1654 

1654 

— 

Hoy  and  Grsemsay           ..              ..              ..             1799 

1799 

— 

Kirkwall  and  St.  Ola       . .              .  .              . .             1657 

1657 

— 

Orphir  .  .                                               .  .              .  .              1711 

1718 

1817 

Rousay  and  Eagleshay    .  .              .  .              .  .             1733 

1733 

— 

St.  Andrews        . .              . .              .  .              . .             1657 

1657 

— 

Sandwick             .  .              .  .                                             1728 

1727 

— 

Shapinsay            .  .              .  .              . .              .  .             1632 

1632 

1793 

South  Ronaldsay  and  Burray        . .              . .             1749 

17S4 

— 

Stromness            .  .              .  .              .  .              .  .             1695 

1695 

1763 

Stronsay              . .              .  .              . .              . .             1743 

1801 

1801 

Westray                                 . .              .  .              .  .              1733 

1784 

— 

Eday  and  Lady  made  no  return  .  .              .  .               — 

— 

— 

SHETLAND.* 

Delting                 . .              .  .              . .              . .             1751 

1751 

— 

Fetlar  and  Northyell       . .              . .              .  .             1754 

— 

— 

Lerwick                ..                             ..              ..             1704 

— 

— 

Sandsting  and  Aithsting                                . .              1733 

— 

— 

Unst                     .               . .             . .             . .             1776 

— 

— 

Yell 1723 

1800 

1740 

Dunrossness        . .              . .              .  .              . .             1746 

1746         . . 

— 

Delting,  Nesting,  and  Northmaving,  are  not  made  clear. 

No  returns  made  from  Bressay,  Burra 

and  Quarff;  Tingwall,  Whiteness,  and  Weesdale  ;  or  Walls. 

CAITHNESS.* 

Bower    ...                                                                   — 

— 

— 

Canisbay               .  .                                                                1651 

1706 

— 

Dunnett                                                                               — 

— 

— 

Halkirk                .  .                                                            1790 

— 

— 

Latheron              .  .                                                            1740 

1755 

— 

Olrick  .  .               .  .                                                            1700 

— 

— 

Reay      . .                                                                            1745 

— 

— 

Thurso  .  .                             .  .              .  .                             1648 

— 

— 

Watten                                 . .                             .  .             1701 

1714 

— 

Wick                                                                   .  .             1701 

1703 

— 

*Turnbull's  Parochial  Registers  of  Scotland,  1849. 


REGISTERS.  553 


Particular  Register  of  Sasines — 

Caithness. 
I.   (i).    1646-1674  ;   (2).    1658-1661.          II.    1675-1S69. 

Orkney  and  Zetland. 

I.  (1).  Orkney  1617-1626,  (2).  Zetland  1623-1672. 

aDd  1634-1656. 

II.  (1).  Orkney  and  Zetland  combined,  1661-1752. 

(2).  Orkney,  1753-1869,  gap  from  21st  November,  1765,  to  1st  September,  1767. 
(3).  Zetland,  1744-1869. 

General  Register  of  Sasines — 

1869,  Orkney,  Shetland,  and  Caithness. 

TESTAMENTS. 
Caithness  1661  ;  Orkney  and  Zetland  1611,  and  deeds  1644. 

Retours,  or  Inquisitiones  post  mortem  commence  in  1545  and  continue  to  the  present  day.     They 
are  equivalent  to  service  of  heir  to  property  of  a  deceased  landowner. 


554  AUTHORITIES  AND  AIDS. 


AUTHORITIES  AND  AIDS. 

Anderson,    Joseph,    LL.D.,    Keeper    of    the     National    Museum,     Edinburgh.  —  "  Introduction    to 

Orkneyinga  Saga." 
Balfour,   David,  of  Balfour   and   Trenaby.— "  Odal    Rights   and    Feudal   Wrongs:    A   Memorial    for 

Orkney."     Edinburgh,  1859. 
Barry,  The  Rev.  George,  D.D. — "  History  of  the  Orkney  Islands  "  (Edinburgh,  1805)  ;  with  Notes  by 

the  Rev.  James  Headrick.     Edinburgh,  1808,  4to.;  3rd  edition,  Kirkwall,  1867. 
Bhllenden,  John. — "  Descriptio    Insularum    Orchadiarum,    per   me,    Jo   Ben,    Ibidem    Colentem,   in 

Anno,  1529  "  (Appendix  to  Barry's  History). 
Brand,  The  Rev.  John. — "A  Brief  Description  of  Orkney,  Zetland,  Pightland  Firth,  and  Caithness." 

Edinburgh,  1701,  8vo. 
Blrke,  C.B.,  LL.D.,  Sir  Bernard.  —  "A  Genealogical  and  Heraldic   Dictionary  of  the  Peerage  and 

Baronetage.     London,  1884. 
Calder,  James  Trail.— "  Sketch  of  the   Civil  and  Traditional   History  of  Caithness  from  the  Tenth 

Century."     Second  edition,  Wick,  1S87. 
Clouston,  M.D.,  The  Rev.  Charles. — "  Guide  to  the  Orkney  Islands."     Edinburgh,  1862,  8vo. 
Craven,  The  Rev.  J.  B.—"  History  of  the   Episcopal   Church  in   Orkney,   168S—  1S82,  1662— 1688,  and 

155S — 1662."     Kirkwall,  1883,  1893,  and  1897. 
Cursiter,  James  W.,  F.S.A.,  Scot.— List  of  Books  and   Pamphlets  relating  to  Orkney  and  Shetland. 

Kirkwall,  1894. 
Dennison,  Walter  Traill. — "The  Orcadian   Sketch-book:    Being  Traits  of  Old  Orkney  Life,  written 

partly  in  the  Orkney  dialect."     Kirkwall,  1S80,  8vo. 
Dictionary   of   National   Biography,   vol.   Hi.     Edited   by  Sidney  Lee,  London,    1897.     Articles 

"  Sinclair." 
Edmondston,   Thomas. — "An   Etymological  Glossary  of  the  Shetland  and  Orkney  Dialect."     Edin- 
burgh, 1866,  Svo. 
Gifford,  Thomas,  of  Busta. — An   Historical  Description  of  the  Zetland  Islands  in  the  year  1733." 

Edinburgh,  1879,  Svo. 
Gorrie,  Daniel. — "  Summers  and  Winters  in  the  Orkneys."     London,  1868. 

Grant,  Francis  J.,  W.S.  (Carrick  Pursuivant  of  Arms). — "Zetland  County  Families."      Lerwick,  1893. 
Hay. — Richard   Augustin,   Prior   of  St.  Pieremont. — "  Genealogie    of    the    Sainteclaires   of    Rosslyn, 

including  the  Chartulary  of  Rosslyn."     Edited  by  James  Maidment.     Edinburgh,  1S35. 
Henderson,  John,  W.S. — "Caithness  Family  History."     Edinburgh,  1884. 

Hibbert,  Samuel,  M.D. — "  A  Description  of  the  Shetland  Isles."     Edinburgh  and  London,  1862,  4to. 
Jamieson,  John. — "An  Etymological  Dictionary  of  the  Scottish  Language,"  2  vols.     Edinburgh,  1S08, 

4to.     Two  Supplemental  vols.,  1825.     Second  edition,  revised,  &c,  4  vols.     Paisley,  1879-82,  4to. 
Johnson,  The  Rev.  A.  H.,  M.A. — "The  Normans  in  Europe  "  (Epoch  series).     London,  1S77. 
Kelt:e,J.  S.-"  History  of  the  Scottish  Clans."     Edinburgh,  1S85. 
Laing   the    Elder,    Samuel.— "  Sturleson's   Heimskringla:    Translated    from    the    Icelandic,"  3  vols. 

1844,  Svo. 
Low,  George. — "Tour  through  the  Islands  of  Orkney  and  Shetland  in  1774."     Kirkwall,  1S79,  8vo. 
Mackenzie,  James.—  "  The  General  Grievances  and  Oppressions  of  the  Isles  of  Orkney  and  Shetland." 

Reprint.     Edinburgh,  1836,  Svo. 
Maxwell,  C.  H.— "  Historical  Tales  of  the  Wars  of  Scotland"  :  cited  as  "Scotish  Wars."    Edinburgh, 

1S52. 
Michell,  Thos. ,  C.B.— "  History  of  the  Scottish  Expedition  to  Norway  in  1612."     Christiania,  18S6. 
Morrison,    The    Hon.    Leonard   Allison,    A.M.— "  History    of  the    Sinclair    Family   in    Europe   and 

America  for  1,100  Years."     Boston,  Mass.,  1S96. 
Nisbet,  Alexander. — "A  System  of  Heraldry,  Speculative  and  Practical,"  2  vols.     Edinburgh,  1722— 

1742,  folio. 
Orkneyinga  Saga  :  Translated  from  the  Icelandic  by  Jon.  A.  Hjaltalin  and  Gilbert  Goudie.     Edited 

by  Dr.  Anderson.     Edinburgh,  1S73,  8vo. 


AUTHORITIES  AND  AIDS.  555 


Orkneyixga    Saga    and    Magnus   Saga    with    Appendices.      Edited    by    Gudbrand   Yigfusson,   M.A. 

Icelandic  Text  ;  Rolls  edition.     London,  1887. 
Orkneyingers'   Saga    (Rolls   edition).      Translation   of  preceding   by    Sir   G.    W.    Dasent,«  D.C.L. 

London, 18S4. 
Peterkin,  Alexander. — "Rentals  of  the  Ancient  Earldom  and   Bishopric  of  Orkney."     Edinburgh. 

1S90. 
PETERKIN,  Alexander. — "Notes  on  Orkney  and  Zetland."     Edinburgh,  1S22,  Svo. 
Scottish  Antiquary,  The.— A  quarterly  magazine,  price  is.     Edinburgh. 
Scott,  The  Rev.  Hugh,  D.D. — "  Fasti  Ecclesia.-  Scoticame  ;  or,  the  Succession  of  the  Ministers  in  the 

Parish  Churches  of  Scotland  from  1560  to  the  Present  Time."     Edinburgh,  1870,  4to. 
Sibkald,  Sir  Robert,   Knt.,  M.D.— "  Description  of  the   Islands  of  Orkney  and  Zetland,   by  Robert 

Monteith,  of  Egilsea  and  Gairsay,  1633."     Edinburgh,  1S45,  Svo. 
Sinclair,  Thos.,  M.A. —"Caithness  Events  "     Wick,  1894. 
Sinclair,  Thomas,  M.A. — "The  Sinclairs  of  England."     London,  1887. 
Skene,  William  Forbes.  — "  Celtic  Scotland,"  3  vols.     Edinburgh,  1876-80,  Svo. 
Smith,  William    Henry.— "The  St.  Clair  Papers  :  The   Life  and  Public  Services  of  Arthur  St.  Clair, 

Soldier  of  the   Revolutionary  War,   President  of  the  Continental  Congress,   and  Governor  of  the 

North-Western  Territory."     Cincinnati,  U.S.A.,  1SS2. 
Torf.EUS,  Thormodeus.— "  Ancient   History  of  Orkney,  Caithness,  and  the  North."     Translated  by 

Alexander  Pope,  Minister  of  Reay.     Wick,  1866,  121110. 
Tudor,  John  R.— "The  Orkneys  and  Shetland  :  their  Past  and  Present  State."     London,  1883. 
Tytler,  Patrick  Fraser. — "  History  of  Scotland,"  4  vols.     Edinburgh.  1S64. 
Wallace,  James,  M.I).,  F.R.S.  —  "  An  Account  of  the  Islands  of  Orkney."     London,  1700,  8vo. 
Zeno  the  Younger,  Nicolo.— "  The   Discovery  of  the  Islands  of  Frislanda,  Eslanda,   Engronelanda, 

Estotilanda,  and  Icaria,  made    by  two    brothers  of  the  Zeno  family:    viz.,   Messire   Nicolo,  the 

Chevalier,  and  Messire  Antonio."     With  a  map  of  the  said   Islands.     Venice,  155S.     Translated. 

London,  1873,  by  R.  H.  Major  F.S.A.,  &c,  for  the  Hakluyt  Society. 


556  CONCLUSION. 


CONCLUSION. 

"The  Earldom  of  Orkney  and  Lordship  of  Shetland  combined  has  come  down 
through  all  the  ages  as  a  distinct  and  determinate  corpus.  It  is  otherwise  with  the  Scottish 
Maormordoms  and  Thanages,  which  can  now  be  recognised  only  as  traditional  and  undeter- 
minate,  in  respect  both  of  their  extent  and  their  revenues.  It  is  this  living  permanence, 
so  indissolubly  and  so  largely  mixed  up  with  the  history  of  the  islands,  that  gives  to  the 
Earldom  its  abiding  interest,  and  renders  the  investigation  of  its  records  from  age  to  age 
important  in  the  study  of  Orkney  and  Shetland  history.  "* 

"No  family  in  Europe  beneath  the  rank  of  royalty  boasts  a  higher  antiquity,  a 
nobler  illustration,  or  a  more  romantic  interest  than  that  of  St.  Clair.  Cradled  in  the 
baronial  castle  whose  towers  crown  the  brink  of  the  most  precipitous  and  wooded  glen  in 
the  Lothians,  and  buried  under  the  florid  arches  of  the  richly  decorated  chapel  which 
crowns  the  adjacent  bank,  the  Lords  of  Roslyn  made  Scotland  ring  with  the  renown  of 
their  deeds,  which  needed  not  to  be  enhanced  by  romance  and  poetry — for  both  are 
outdone  by  the  vicissitudes  of  their  fortunes,  "f 

From  the  preceding  citations  it  will  be  readily  recognised  that  this  work  on  the 
"Sea-Kings  of  Orkney  "  and  the  "  St.  Clair  Lineage  ' '  can  only  serve  as  a  fore-runner  to 
the  many  volumes  required  for  the  more  complete  elucidation  of  material  available  in  so 
extensive  a  field  of  research.  The  documents  in  the  Diplomatarium  Norvegicum,  in  the 
Vatican  Records,  and  in  the  Scottish,  English,  and  French  national  repositories,  relating 
to  the  earlier  history  of  Orcadia,  remain  unpublished,  and  what  is  worse  still, 
uncalendared,  while  no  attempt  has  as  yet  been  made  to  grapple  with  the  enormous 
amount  of  information  lying  hidden  in  the  Particular  Register  of  Sasines,  the  Retours  of 
Heirs,  the  Wills  and  Testaments,  and  the  numerous  Parochial  Registers,  and  there  are 
of  course  many  other  supplemental  sources. 

A  Scottish  Record  Society  has  recently  been  formed,  and  in  due  course  its  operations 
will  arrive  at  the  Orcadian  section.  This  might  be  greatly  expedited  by  Orcadian 
support,  nor  should  the  interest  be  limited  to  those  resident  in  North  Britain,  as  there 
are  now  more  Orcadians  abroad  than  at  Home.  Many  are  to  be  found  in  Canada,  in  the 
United  States,  in  Australia,  and  in  New  Zealand.  The  Sinclairs  and  St.  Clairs  in  New 
Zealand  alone  number  about  1,000  out  of  a  total  population  of  some  650,000  Europeans 
and  50,000  indigenes. 

The  author  will  be  glad  to  receive  communications  having  reference  to  Orcadia  or 
the  St.  Clairs. 

Roland  St.  Clair. 

Auckland,  N.Z., 

16th  April,  1898. 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS.  557 


LIST     OF     SUBSCRIBERS 


(  Pkiok  to  Issue). 


Allan,  A.  A.,  (Pres.  O.  and  S.  Society),  Bay  Street,  Toronto 

Auckland  Swimming  Club 

Auckland  Free  Public  Library. 

Auckland  University  College. 

Balfour,  St.  Clair,  Hamilton,  Ontario. 

Beatton,  James,  P.O.  Augusta,  South  Australia. 

Cbristiania  University,  Library  of,  Norway. 

Clouston,  Dr.  T.  S.,  M.D.  Royal  Edinburgh  Asylum,  Morningside,  Scotland 

Douglas  &  Foulis,  No.  9,  Castle  Street,  Edinburgh. 

Douglas  &  Foulis,  No.  9,  Castle  Street,  Edinburgh. 

Douglas  &  Foulis,  No   9,  Castle  Street,  Edinburgh. 

Drever,  W.  B.,  Solicitor,  Kirkwall,  Orkney. 

Dulau  &  Co.,  37  Soho  Square,  London. 

Edinburgh  Public  Library,  Edinburgh. 

Flaws  &  Son,  R.,  Manchester  Buildings,  Melinda  Street,  Toronto. 

Fotheringham,  Rev.  T.  F.,  St.  John's,  New  Brunswick 

Gellibrand,  Thos.,  Auckland,  N.Z 

Gordon  &  Gotch,  Melbourne. 

Goudie,  Gilbert,  37  Northumberland  Street,  Edinburgh. 

Gray,  Wm.,  (Cook  &  Gray),  Auckland 

Hall,  J.  W  ,  Merchant,  Auckland,  N.  Z. 

Johnston,  Alfred  W.,  Imperial  Institute,  London,  S.W. 

Leask,  Dr.,  Mount  Farquhar,  Sepoy  Lines,  Singapore. 

Mackenzie,  W.  Dalgleish,  of  Farr,  Inverness. 

Menzies  &  Co.,  John,  12,  Hanover  St.,  Edinburgh,  per  Simpkin,  Marshall,  Hamilton,  Kent  &  Co. 

Mitchell  Library,  The,  21  Miller  Street,  Glasgow. 

Mitchell  Library,  The,  21  Miller  Street,  Glasgow. 

Mowat,  Daniel,  93  Stanford  Hill.  London,  N. 

Mowat,  Daniel,  93  Stanford  Hill,  London  N.  (2nd  copy). 

Myers,  Leo  M.,  Director  Campbell-Ehrenfried  Co.,  Auckland,  N.Z. 

Nutt,  David,  270  Strand,  London. 

Ottawa  Parliamentary  Library,  Ottawa,  Canada. 

Peace,  W.  G.,  Solicitor,  Grantown,  Strathspey,  Scotland. 

Redkey,  Mrs.  Nancy  St.  Clair,  Rainsboro,  Highland  Co.,  Ohio. 

Rendall,  J.  H.,  Old  Blythesdale,  S.  &  W.  R.,  W.  Queensland. 

Samson  and  Wallin,  Booksellers,  Stockholm,  Sweden. 

Shaw,  J    R.,  Hunter  Street,  Stockton,  Cal. 

Sievewright,  Basil,  Solicitor,  Dunedin,  N.Z. 

Stout,  Sir  Robert,  K.C.M.G.,  Wellington,  N.Z. 

Stout,  Sir  Robert,  K.C.M.G.,  Wellington. 

Sutherland,  Mrs.,  Kaneira,  via  Wycheproof,  Victoria. 

Sydney  Public  Library,  New  South  Weles. 

Toronto  Public  Library,  Toronto,  Canada. 

Trail,  John  Arbuthnott,  LL.B.,  W.S.,  17  Duke  Street,  Edinburgh. 

Viking  Club,  The,  17  Grosvenor  Road,  Westminster. 

Warren,  Rev.  C.  F.  S.,  Coventry,  England. 

Wigg  &  Sou,  E.  S.  (Perth  Library),  Hay  Street,  Perth,  W.A. 

St.  Clair,  Albert  M.,  Leland,  Miss.,  U.S.A. 

St.  Clair,  Ashley.  Calais.  Me.,  U.S.A. 

St    Clair.  Edmund  Bower  de,  Riga,  Russia,  per  Sampson  Low  &  Co. 


558  LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 

St.  Clair,  W.  Graeme,  Editor  Free  Press,  Singapore. 

Sinckler,  E   G..J.P.,  &c,  Stirling,  Belleville,  St.  Michael's,  Barbado  es,   Westlndies. 

Sinckler,  E.  G.,  Barbadoes  (2nd  copy). 

Sinclaire,  Henry  P.,  Corning,  N.Y.,  U.S.A. 

Sinclaire,  Richard  Ker,  Auckland  City,  N.Z, 

Sinclair,  Andrew,  "Kuranui,"  Symonds  Street,  Auckland,  N.Z. 

Sinclair,  Count  James  Henry,  Lambahof,  Linkoping,  Sweden. 

Sinclair,  David,  353  Great  Horton  Road,  Bradford,  U.K. 

Sinclair,  Dav  d,  Springlands,  Blenheim. 

Sinclair,  Dr.  James  Edward,  1  Queen  Anne's  Gate,  S.W. 

Sinclair,  D    P.,  Solicitor,  Blenheim. 

Sinclair,  H.  Herr,  Count,  Mjrilby,  Sweden. 

Sinclair,  Francis,  of  Honolulu,  Berkeley,  California. 

Sinclair,  Geo.  F.,  G.  R.  Brass  Co.,  Gran  Rapids,  Mich. 

Sinclair,  Geo  ,  No.  161,  Queen  Street,  Auckland,  N  Z. 

Sinclair,  James,  c/o  Macrae  and  Robertson,  solicitors,  Kirkwall,  Orkney. 

Sinclair,  James,  Senr.,  Dumbarton,  Newcastle,  W.A. 

Sinclair,  Tames  Sutherland,  The  Right.  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  Lakota,  N.  Dak 

Sinclair,  James  J.,  115  Durham  Street,  Christchurch,  N.Z. 

Sinclair,  James  J  ,  115  Durham  Street,  Christchurch,  N  Z. 

Sinclair,  Jessie,  Miss,  Esperance,  W.A. 

Sinclair,  John,  Clyde  Street,  Invercargill. 

Sinclair,  John  S.,  Rev.,  Arundel  House,  Fulham,  London,  S.W. 

Sinclair,  John  R.  G.,.Sir,  Barrock  House,  Wick,  N.B. 

Sinclair,  John  G.  Tollemache,  Sir,  Thurso  Castle,  N.B. 

Sinclair,  John  G.,  The  Hon.,  Orlando,  Fla.,  U.S.A. 

Sinclair,  J.  P.,  Swanson,  N.Z. 

Sinclair,  Junr.,  Arthur,  366  Washington  Street,  Boston,  Mass. 

Sinc'air,  Lord,  The  Rt.  Hon.,  55  Onslow  Square,  London,  S.W. 

Sinclair,  Mrs.  H.  A.,  West  Lebanon,  N.H.,  U.S  A. 

Sinclair,  Rev   A.  Maclean,  Belfast,  Prince  Edward  Island. 

Sinclair,  Robert,  Lands  Registry  Office,  Dunedin. 

Sinclair,  Robert,  Hilton  Road,  Gympie,  Queensland. 

Sinclair,  Robert,  Toowoomba,  Queensland. 

Sinclair,  Robert,  Waipawa,  N.Z. 

Sinclair,  Russell,  A  M.P.  Buildings,  Brisbane. 

Sinclair,  S.  G.,  1  Sunnyside,  Devonshire  Road,  Liverpool. 

Sinclair,  S.  G.,  Prince  Park,  Liverpool. 

Sinclair,  The  Hon.  Norman,  Master  of  Caithness,  3S  Bedford  Row,  EC. 

Sinclair,  The  Hon.  Chas.  A.,  17  State  Street,  Boston,  Mass. 

Sinclair,  Thos.,  M.A  ,  Belgrave  Lodge,  Torquay,  England 

Sinclair,  Thos.,  Stockman's  Lane,  Upper  Falls,  Belfast,  Ireland. 

Sinclair,  W   M.,  The  Ven.  Arch.,  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  London. 

Sinclair,  Win.,  "Rosslyn,"  Lisburn,  Antrim,  Ireland. 

Sinclair,  W.  J.  L.,  Coolgardie,  West  Australia. 

Sinclair,  Wm.,  Solicitor,  Blenheim. 


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