5. THE BARONS
The
provable baronial line starts with one John of Allardice, probably
heir to William, above. In 1397
John de Allardice, "dominum," appears in an inquisition. In 1405 John Allardice resigned the lands of Inverquharity,
near Shielhall and Tannandice, to Sir Walter Ogilvy of Lintrathan, treasurer of
Scotland.[1]
In 1426 John de Allardice, "militi" ("knight" or
"freeholder") was confirmed in the barony of Allardice.[2]
John died by 1457, and more probably in 1451, when his grandson Thomas
was seized in the lands of Allardice. He
married, before 1413, Margaret. John and
Margaret had three sons: 1) An eldest son, first name
unknown, father of Thomas Allardice, heir to his grandfather, died by 1426; 2) Hugh, mentioned in the 1426
confirmation; 3) David, mentioned in the 1426
confirmation. In 1413
David Allardice, scutifer (shieldbearer) to Robert, Duke of Albany (regent of
Scotland at the time), witnessed a confirmation of land to Thomas Moneypenny.[3]
He is mentioned as son of Sir John in the 1426 confirmation. In 1430 David witnessed grants to William de Hay of Erroll and to William
de Graham.[4]
A David of Allardice is mentioned as late as 1451.[5]
David's position in the household of the Duke of Albany, the king's uncle
and ruler of Scotland while King James I languished in an English prison,
suggests that even at this early date the Allardice family was of some
importance. Thomas,
Laird of Allardice
was born by 1426, and succeeded his grandfather in the barony of Allardice by
1457, and more probably succeeded by 1451, when Thomas had seisin[6]
of the lands of Allardice. As early
as 1457 he witnessed a decree regarding lands in the earldom of Mar, and a 1458
document records a pledge of lands to Thomas.[7]
In that same year he petitioned the king (James II) that his lands in
Kincardineshire and Aberdeenshire be redeemed from the crown. The king granted this redemption.[8]
In 1459 he was sued by David Dempster of Auchterless in Aberdeenshire
regarding rents from lands in Auchterless.[9]
Another document on the same lawsuit, in 1470, recorded that Thomas had
held the lands of Polglassy for 20 or more years.[10]
Thomas Allardice died after January 24, 1470 and before May 28, 1474,
when his son John was served as his heir.[11] Thomas
married Elizabeth Irvine, daughter of Alexander Irvine of Drum (d. 1454), by his wife, daughter of Laurence Abernathy, 1st Lord
Abernathy of Saltoun (died circa 1460). Elizabeth
died after her husband, and was living as late as 1503.[12]
They had two and possibly three children: 1) John, heir to his father; 2)
James, of Cushnie in Aberdeen. He married, by June 26, 1490, Janet Beaton.
A 1490 document mentions James and Janet his wife.[13]
In a 1495 document James promises to serve John Allardice of Allardice,
his brother.[14]
James probably died by 1510, for a document of that year mentions John
Allardice of Allardice and Alexander Allardice of
"Chusne."[15]
By 1542 a Thomas Allardice of Cushnie was charged with illegal fishing in
the river Ythan, which flows through Auchterless.[16]
The succession of names certainly suggests that the original James had
two sons (or a son and a grandson) Alexander and Thomas, who succeeded him in
Cushnie. 3) Margery
(?). The Book of Leslie[17]
has a John Leslie of Pitnamoon,
son of Leslie of Rothes, marrying a Margery, daughter of the Baron of "Ardres."
An ancient genealogy[18]
says that this John Leslie was the son of Lord Rothes, and died circa 1513. The Book of Leslie gives John and Margery, a son George, who
married Jean Rait, and a daughter Christina, who married John Chalmers of
Balbithan. George Leslie, 1st Earl of Rothes, died circa 1490. But neither of the two standard sources on Scots nobility[19] shows a son of this Earl
of Rothes married to an Allardice. Although it is not shown which laird of Allardice fathered
Margery, the chronology makes it likely that she was the daughter of Thomas
Allardice or his son John. In the
reigns of James III (1460-1488) and James V (1488-1513) a James or Sir James
Allardice appears frequently in royal documents.[20]
The first mention is a grant, in 1473, of an annuity to James Allardice,
clerk. By 1475 this James, an
auditor, is canon of Glasgow. The next year he is clerk of the abbot of Holyrood as well,
and a commissioner to negotiate the dowry for a royal marriage, a highly
important honour. In the next three
years he is made archdeacon of Moray and clerk of the Treasury. In 1480-1487, by now knighted, he served as provost of the
church of St. Andrews. A 1502 document calls him Sir James Allardice, dean of the royal chapel
and dean of the college of Stirling. It
appears that James was an educated man, a rare breed in the 1400s, who rose from
lower positions in lay church administration to become a major figure in the
court of James IV. Prior to 1600,
the king's ministers were often drawn from the ranks of the clergy, the clergy
being about the only educated and literate class in Scotland. James'
parentage is unknown, but given his education and his swift rise in the royal
administration, he would appear to be a member of the baronial Allardice family.
James' marriage (if any) and children aren't shown in any documents of
that period. However, a 1663
document[21]
lays out the pedigree of one Sir John Orchardtoun. Although this pedigree is highly suspect, it traces John's
ancestry to one Sir Robert Orchardtoun four generations back, who married Jean,
daughter of Sir James Allardice of Allardice. In this time period the only Sir James who appears on any documents is
the Sir James who was dean of the royal chapel. John,
Laird of Allardice
was born circa 1440-1445. In 1473
seisin of the lands of Allardice, Auchterless, Smelburne and Ordley was granted
to him after the death of his father. In
1474 he was served as heir to Thomas Allardice, his father, in Auchterless.[22]
In 1485 he was given charter of Alexander Irvine of Drum's lands in
Fulzemond, in warranty.[23]
In 1487 he witnessed a retour of service of William Hay of Ury.[24]
In 1492 he was a witness to a deed regarding portions of the lands of
Glenbervie and Barras, which belonged to Sir John of Auchenleck.[25] In
1493 he was a party to a contract of marriage of his daughter Janet, and in 1494
he participated in an inquisition concerning his son-in-law.[26]
A 1499 confirmation to John Allardice mentions his wife Elizabeth Gordon.[27]
John died after 1500 and before 1511 (probably just before the latter
date), when his son was given title to his lands.[28]
John
married 1st, in 1459, Catherine Arbuthnott, daughter of Robert, 10th of
Arbuthnott in Kincardineshire (a close neighbour), by Giles (died 1450),
daughter of Sir Walter Ogilvy of Lintrathen, Angus (died 1440), Lord High
Treasurer of Scotland and ancestor of the Ogilvy Earls of Airlie. John married 2nd, before (probably many years before) September 10, 1499,
Elizabeth, daughter of James Gordon of Methlic, Aberdeen, ancestor of the Gordon
Earls of Aberdeen. By the
first marriage John and Catherine had: 1) Janet, born circa 1460-70,
living as late as 1536. Janet
married (contract dated June 12, 1493) Alexander Irvine, 7th of Drum.[29]
A 1499 charter of Alexander Irvine of Drum mentions Alexander, his son,
and his spouse Janet Allardice. In
1536 "Joneta" Allardice, wife of Alexander Irvine of Drum, witnessed a
grant to William Ruthven.[30]
Alexander, who died circa 1553-1554, and Janet were ancestors of the
Irvines of Drum. By the
second marriage John and Elizabeth had: 2) John, his heir. 3) Robert Allardice of Badinscott
in Auchterless, co. Aberdeen. Robert
was born circa 1470 and was alive in 1510. Documents to 1549 mention a Robert Allardice of Badinscott, either this
Robert or his son. In 1512 Robert
had a charter from John Allardice, his father, of the half lands of Little
Barras, to himself and his heirs.[31]
By 1529 the documents mention Robert or Sir Robert Allardice, a chaplain,
which is presumably a reference to the son of the original Robert.[32]
The name of the elder Robert's wife is not known.[33]
He had
the (presumed) son Robert, and
an unnamed daughter, who married James Forbes of Craigton, son of Patrick Forbes
of Craigton and, daughter of Robert Blenchell, provost of Aberdeen[34].
John,
Laird of Allardice
was born about 1465, and succeeded his father shortly before 1511/12.[35]
Before succeeding to his estate he appears in a 1501 inquest.[36]
In 1512 he sold land to Thomas Bissett.[37]
In 1516 King James V (or more accurately, the regent of Scotland, James V
being four years old at the time) permitted John to mortgage his lands.[38]
In that year John, and his son John, requested Alexander Irvine's (his
brother-in-law) presence to pay off the mortgage on Auchterless. John died shortly before September 26, 1523.[39]
John married Janet Lundy, probably of the family of Lundy of Lundy. Their children were: 1) John, who succeeded his
father. 2) James, who was killed at the
battle of Pinkie fighting the English, September 9, 1547. James, who married M. Nicholson,[40]
had no surviving children and was succeeded in his lands of Balgowny by his
nephew John.[41] John,
Laird of Allardice
was born circa 1505. He must have
been born after 1502, because he shows as a minor on the 1523 succession, and
before 1516, where he and his father appeared to request a mortgage payoff[42]
and succeeded his father by October 19, 1523, as a minor.[43]
A 1527 charter from John, Earl of Buchan to Robert Innes mentions Robert
holding lands in Ardgrane of John Allardice of Allardice, son of John.[44]
In 1528 he witnessed a charter to John Beaton of Creich.[45]
In 1540 he had seisin of the lands of Allardice, and was confirmed in the
lands of Smailtown and Bonkils.[46]
The next year he and his wife were confirmed in their lands in Thomastoun.[47]
In 1542 John and his two Allardice cousins were charged with illegal
fishing in the
River Ythan.[48]
In 1543 John granted a bond of manrent to the Earl of
Huntly, where he bound himself to serve that great noble in peace and war.[49]
In 1544 John and his wife were confirmed in their lands in the barony of
Pitcarry, Kincardineshire.[50]
In 1547 he exchanged his lands of Auchterless, with Sir George Meldrum of
Fyvie, for Pitcarry.[51] John and
his brother James, were killed fighting the English invaders at the battle of
Pinkie, September 9, 1547, probably in the division led by the aforementioned
Earl of Huntly.[52]
Laird
John built the old seat of the family, Allardice Castle, around 1540, on high
ground overlooking the Bervie Water. When
the Allardice estate was sold, eighteen years after the death of Captain Robert
Barclay-Allardice, the castle was acquired by his neighbour, Lord Arbuthnott. John
married, before 14 July 1541, Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Erskine of
Brechin, Angus, said to be the son of John Erskine, 4th of Dun. Sir Thomas was secretary to King James V, of a junior branch of the
Erskines later Earls of Mar. Margaret
married a second time and became lady of Banff, and was buried in Holyrood
Palace Chapel in 1599.[53]
Their children were: 1)
John, who succeeded his father. 2)
Alexander (?). An Alexander "Allyrdies"
was a student in theology at Aberdeen University circa 1548-1549.[54] In
1561 Alexander witnessed a charter to John Ramsey of Corstoun.[55]
In 1572 Alexander, described as a minister in Benholm and Arbuthnott,
died, leaving a widow, children, and an illegitimate daughter. John Laird of Allardice was one of his executors.[56]
From the facts that Alexander was university educated, received the
ministry of the parish where the lairds of Allardice worshipped, and had the
laird as executor, it is probable that Alexander was a near relative of laird
John, either a cousin or brother. John,
Laird of Allardice,
was born circa 1541. In 1548 he had
seisin of the lands of Allardice, as heir to his father.[57]
In 1553 he was served heir to his uncle James.[58]
In 1558 he held Powburn, Scottistoun, Calsayend, Glachak and Achindrachy,
in Kincardineshire, with his new wife Beatrice Keith.[59]
In 1560 he was elected a member of the Scottish Parliament, as a
representative of the minor barons. In
1572 he served as executor to his brother(?) Alexander.[60]
In 1586
he and his wife granted lands in Kinneff to James Simpson, for a rent of 13
shillings yearly.[61]
In 1588 he had sasine of lands, probably upon the death of his eldest son
Robert.[62]
Quarrels over the ownership of his son's lands, with his son's widow
(Barbara Forbes), involved him in several legal
tangles
in the 1590s, including one time where he posted £1000 bond not to harm his
son's widow.[63]
John was alive in 1601,[64]
and probably died shortly before August 21, 1606.[65]
John
made the most brilliant marriage of any of the lairds of Allardice. His wife, Beatrice Keith (born circa 1542), was the daughter
of William, 4th Earl Marischal, by his wife Margaret (married 1538), daughter
and coheir of Sir William Keith of Inverurie, Aberdeen. The progenitor of the Keiths, Sir Robert Keith, commanded
King Robert the Bruce's cavalry at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. In reward for his valour, the king made Sir Robert and his heirs
hereditary marshals (military commanders) of Scotland, with vast grants of land
on the Northeast Scottish coast. With
the marriage Beatrice received Powburn. She
sold that land, and purchased Pitcarry, which land passed to her daughter-in-law.
Beatrice died May 19, 1596. John and Beatrice had 7 children: 1) Robert
Allardice, was born
circa 1561. He died, before his
father, December 26, 1587 in Edinburgh.[66]
Robert married (marriage contract entered into June 4-5, 1568 (1586?),
Barbara, daughter of William, 7th Lord Forbes (died 1593) by Elizabeth, daughter
and coheir of Sir William Keith of Inverurie. Barbara was thus Robert's first
cousin. Barbara was born 31 January 1560-61, and lived at least through 1607.[67]
Barbara
had a colourful widowhood and life. After
tangling with her father-in-law over Robert her husband's lands, she married, as
her second husband, Alexander Hay 8th of Dalgetty, Aberdeen, son of William Hay
of Dalgetty and Beatrice, daughter of George, 6th Earl of Errol. William Hay was brother to Andrew, 8th Earl of
Errol. Alexander had been married to Elizabeth Keith, daughter of Robert, 1st
Lord Altrie. During Elizabeth's
lifetime Alexander committed bigamy with Barbara Forbes presumably after Robert
Allardice's death, since no mention of Robert was made in the adultery suit. Alexander died circa 1638.[68]
She married thirdly Sir Archibald Douglas of Keilor and Barathill, son of
William 5th Earl of Morton by Agnes Leslie, daughter of George 4th Earl of
Rothes. Archibald died in 1649. Robert
and Barbara had one daughter: a. Isabel, born circa 1586-1587,
who was alive in 1622. Upon her
father's death an inventory of the estate was given to her. She married John Gordon of
Bucholm. She also may have married Forbes, since the sheriff court records of
Aberdeenshire (November 17, 1619) mention Isabel Forbes, daughter of Robert
Allardice of Allardice.[69]
2) John, who succeeded his
father. 3) James, of
Kinneff. In 1607 James witnessed a document.[70]
James Allardice of Falside, brother of John laird of Allardice, was
confirmed in his lands of Kinneff in 1625.[71]
James is also mentioned as brother of John in 1628, and is mentioned in
documents of 1627 and 1629.[72]
In
1646 James, while going to dine with his father-in-law at Little Fiddes, was
(with a servant) shot on the head of Bruxie Hill. Afterwards a cairn, called Allardice's cairn, was erected where he was
shot. James left a "son in the
cradle." His will is dated
November 17, 1646. James
married Margery Arbuthnott, daughter of Robert Arbuthnott of Little Fiddes and
his second wife, Jean Burnett of Craigmill.[73]
They had issue an only son, James, married a daughter of Raitt of
Hallgreen in Kincardineshire. The younger James' daughter Helen married (1st) Patrick Keith
of Kirtownhill,[74] (2nd) Sir Alexander
Cumming, 13th of Coulter. Helen's
son Sir Alexander Cuming (1670-1725) was made a baronet. Helen was alive in 1724.[75]
4) William. 5) Thomas, called Thomas
Allardice in Classindrum. As early
as 1599 he, as brother of John Allardice, registered a bond.[76]
In 1608, 1623 and 1625 he is mentioned in documents.[77]
He was living as late as September 29, 1627.[78]
Thomas married Elizabeth Ogilvy, who died shortly before June 19, 1619.[79]
6) Elizabeth, who married, in
December 1592, David Rait, Principal of the College of Aberdeen. Of the house of Rait of Hallgreen, Kincardine, David Rait was principal
from 1592 to 1632, and made doctor of divinity circa 1620. It would appear that he died circa
1632. Elizabeth and David had no children.[80]
7) Margaret, married first
Alexander Beton, Archdeacon of Lothian, and second in October, 1605 John
Falconer of Balandroe. John was
from the family of Falconer of Halkerton, later Earls of Kintore. Margaret died before August 1610, leaving issue.[81] John,
Laird of Allardice,
born circa 1562, died before July 29, 1628, and probably just before December
10, 1614.[82]
John succeeded his father before June 10, 1607.[83]
John was elected a member of the Scottish Parliament, sitting as a minor
baron for Kincardineshire 1607-1612. On
October 6, 1612 he was elected to represent the county of Kincardine.[84]
John
married (contract dated May 14, 1593) Alison Lindsay, probably daughter of David
Lindsay of Vayne (flourished 1584-1606), descended from Alexander, uncle of
David 9th Earl of Crawford. She
died shortly before February 27, 1618.[85]
John and Alison's children were: 1) John, who succeeded his
father. 2) Elizabeth, who married
(contract dated November 1, 1618) Alexander Strachan, of Fawside in Kinneff. She and her husband are mentioned in 1622 and 1629 concessions.[86]
3) John also had an illegitimate
daughter, Joan, mentioned in a 1607 charter.[87]
John,
Laird of Allardice,
was born circa 1595. He is
mentioned, as John son of John, as early as 1607.[88]
A concession from John Allardice of Allardice and Helen Burnett his wife,
to Robert Keith of Brodiestoun, was dated July 29, 1628, which proves that John
succeeded his father before this date.[89]
John died November 2, 1631. He
married (sasine of the marriage contract dated September 3, 1617) Helen Burnett,
daughter of Alexander Burnett of Leys (died 1619) and Katherine Gordon of
Lesmoir.[90]
John and Helen had children: 1) James, who succeeded his
father. 2) Thomas, of Duninald in
Angus. This Thomas appears on more documents than the lairds of Allardice of
this period, perhaps because the lairds all died young before they had a chance
to become too involved in public affairs. A
1649 charter to his wife (Agnes Leighton) calls him tutor[91] of Allardice.[92]
In 1657 Oliver Cromwell, then protector of England and Scotland, granted
to Thomas and his heirs lands in Fawside and Thornton.[93]
In
1663 the crown granted Duninald (2 miles south of the town of Montrose) to
Thomas.[94]
In 1681 he was appointed commissioner of excise (tax) for Kincardineshire.[95]
Thomas died before March 4, 1697, and probably closer to 1687.[96]
He
married (by 1649) Agnes, daughter of Patrick Leighton of Duninald. Agnes had first married (circa 1637) John Erskine of Dun, brother of
David, Laird of Dun. The first husband died in the 1640s.[97]
Thomas
and Agnes had issue: a)
Robert, born December 2 1648, who succeeded Thomas in Duninald.[98]
The parish records for Craig Parish (by Duninald) show no less than 8
children being born to one Robert Allardice in the period 1672-1693. It is quite possible that these were children of Robert Allardice of
Duninald; b)
Marjory, baptised February 10 1650; c)
Helen, baptised April 27 1651; d)
Jean, baptised July 18 1652; e)
Katherine, baptised December 28 1653. f)
Magadelen, baptised April 16 1655, who married John Dundas of Fingask (died
1724). Their son Thomas, died 1762,
was the ancestor of the Dundas' Marquis of Zetland; One
of the daughters married James Gordon of Dauch (died 1720), son of James Gordon
of Dauch (died 1698). Their son
James (died 1740) married a daughter of an Allardice, clergyman in Ireland. Their son James died without issue. 3)
Margaret, who married Thomas Gordon
of Dilspro, Aberdeen, by June 26, 1620.[99]
They were living in 1648.[100]
Thomas Gordon was the son of Harry Gordon of Dilspro and his second wife,
Agnes, daughter of Sir Patrick Hepburn of Wauchton.[101] 4) Katherine, who died February
29, 1670. She married, in 1647[102]
John Fullarton, of Kinnebar near Montrose, probably son of John Fullerton of
Kinnebar and Jean, daughter of Alexander Falconer of Halkerton. A
John Fullerton of Kinnebar shows in land deeds from 1661 to 1681. After this date sons John and Robert show as
landholders. Jervise[103]
says "this
lady and her husband were so strongly in favour of the unostentatious principles
of the Quakers, then recently introduced, that the Presbytery of Brechin, after
a vast deal of communing among themselves, and private conferences with the
accused, found that all hope of gaining them back to their Church was gone, and
had to formally pronounce the ban of excommunication against both them and a
domestic servant, 'for adhering', in the intolerant words of the record, 'to the
scandalous errours (sic) of Quaquarism (sic)." 5) Jean, who married, before
November 17, 1646 William Beaton of Balmeidilidy (died 1670), third son of David
Beaton of Creich, Fife. Jean died
just after November 21, 1687.[104]
Jean and William had issue,[105]
including one daughter, Margaret, who married William Lindsay of Kilspindie.[106]
Margaret died shortly after March 10, 1682.[107]
James,
Laird of Allardice,
was born circa 1620. According to
the Parish Register, he was betrothed on 7 October 1635 to Margaret Halkett. It is not known if this marriage took
place. In 1637 he enrolled at Marischal College in Aberdeen.[108]
He married Marie (born circa 1624), daughter of Alexander Erskine, 11th
of Dun. James' life was cut short;
he was murdered, shortly before November 17, 1646, by a servant. The incident is described in the Fraser Papers:[109] “In
the time of Montrose's Burning the laird of Allardice having been on a visit to
Benholm where he staid the night, his tenant John Fettes of Mains of Allardice
came next day to apprise him of the burning being commenced at Millplough. It seems that by the orders given it was not intended to proceed further
north with the burnings than to the Water of Bervie, but a fellow having a few
weeks before broken a cart (the first ever seen at Allardice) while in the
laird's employ and got some chastisement for his carelessness, he had joined
Montrose's army and from revenge not only set fire to the houses on the
property, but also on seeing the laird approach his house (tho' strongly
entreated by Fettes to return to Benholm on meeting him by the way) shot him
while on horseback. And tho' some
of the tenants on seeing him fall came to his assistance and conveyed him to
Benholm he died soon after. On
the complaint however of Mr. Keith
of Benholm the Earl of Montrose tried Ronald the perpetrator of the deed by
Court Marischall and made him be hanged on the head of the Gallow hill of
Allardice.” The
"Montrose's Burning" the narrative speaks of was the visit to
Northeast Scotland, in March 1645 during the English Civil War, of the royal
army commanded by James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose. Montrose's troops wrought much destruction in the area.[110]
James
and Marie had three children: 1) John, his heir. 2) Helen, baptised 29 November
1642 and died in 1691. She married (as his second wife) John Gordon of
Collieston, Angus (1643-1718), son of Robert Gordon, 6th of Pitlurg (died 1681).
John Gordon was a member of parliament; married three times, but had no
children by any of the marriages.[111]
3) Elizabeth, baptised 11 January
1644. Sir
John Allardice, Laird of Allardice was born in 1641 (baptised December 12, 1641), and
served heir to his father September 12, 1654. In 1656 he entered Marischal College.[112]
The one public act we have record of his of his being appointed, in 1672,
overseer of a levy of seamen in Kincardineshire.[113]
Sir John died in April, 1676 (will dated January 27, 1676). At this
time the lairds of Allardice owed a great deal of money to their creditors; the
estates had been reduced, due to damage during the English Civil War
(1642-1649).[114]
In a 1647 petition to Parliament, the laird said his father “was
cruelle murthered be those wicked and merciless Irish rebels…and the whole
estate burnt and wasted, so that no rent had been received since the death of
the late laird.”[115] In 1662
(marriage contract dated September 26, 1662 at Fetteresso [116])
Sir John married Lady Mary Graham, daughter of John Graham, Lord Kinpont [117]
(heir to the earldom of Menteith) and his wife Mary Keith, daughter of William,
6th Earl Marischal. Lady
Mary died November 1720, and was buried December 2, 1720 at Allardice.[118]
The Fraser
Papers[119]
give the following lively anecdotes of their marriage and the life they
lived: “Lady
Mary Graham with a sister, at the time the family of Menteith were much reduced,
lived with Earl Marishall who got Lady Mary with child. He gave the lands of Davo for the support of the child Elizabeth Keith
before mentioned. J.N.'s
narrative mentions a dispute which arose about Marches between Arbuthnot and
Allardice in Lady Mary G.'s time and how it was settled by arbitration but which
seems of little importance to any others than the proprietors of these lands. Lady
Mary Graham daughter to Lord Kinpont and sister to the Earl of Menteith died in
the house of Allardice aged 113. She
was 29 years old when she was married. She
sate 7 hours in the marriage seat in the Kirk of Dunottar and got bread and wine
3 times before Allardice came. When
Allardice was coming into the Church Lord Marishall clapped him on the shoulder
and asked him how he had staid so long. He said he was waiting his Uncle. A
day or two after the marriage Allardice's creditor's came and took possession of
the house mill and lands of Allardice, when Allardice and Lady Mary fell a
crying and for sundry days wept sore. Lady
Mary then said 'This will not do Allardice to sit and weep together. I will yet go and see what my friend Lord Marishall will do for me.’
She then set off to Dunottar, staying 3 days. Allardice was up at the Barns looking for her, when she perceived she
waved her handkerchief bidding him to take courage and pointed to her lap. Next day Lord Marishall came to Allardice and stayed a
night. A messenger was sent to the creditors the following day and some of the
largest creditors having been merchants and apothecaries in Montrose who
expected to get a bargain of the lands of Allardice. Lady Mary told them there should not be a pottinger laird[120]
of Allardice while there were Piggars[121]
at Kinnaird. After
Lady Mary had visited all the farmers houses she observed the tenant's house of
the Mill and Mill farm to be the fullest and in particular got a present of a
linen web from the goodwife. This
occasioned her to resolve with the laird to take the possession into their own
management which was accordingly done. Lady
Mary was a great meal[122]
dealer. Her daughter Elizabeth
Keith, after mentioned was her multerer.[123]
A considerable trade was carried on in outsucken[124] for which the 25th boll
was received. Elizabeth Keith and
the miller Al. Steel having been
tried at Aberdeen for embezzlement (or perhaps rather over exaction) of multures,
it is said Lady Mary had influence over Lord Forglen one of the judges, and on
the Sheriff having been found fault he was obliged to take Elizabeth Keith on
his own horse and set her down at her own door. E. Keith lived to about 100
and her daughter Margt Milne also to a great age.” Sir John
and Mary had seven children: 1) Mary, born August 8,
1663. She married, December 9, 1681, Sir Alexander Ogilvy of Forglen, second
son of George, 2nd Lord Banff (died 1668) and Agnes, daughter of Alexander, 1st
Lord Falconer of Halketon. Sir
Alexander became a prominent judge and politician, connected as he was with
several of the leading families of the realm. He was appointed principal warden of the Scottish mint in 1699; appointed
Lord of Session (Senator of the College of Justice) in 1706; elected Member of
Parliament in 1701 for the town of Banff; and created baronet by the king in
1701. He died March 30, 1727. Mary and Alexander had numerous issue: their grandson was Alexander, 7th
Lord Banff. 2) Helen, born August 5,
1664. She died, unmarried, in January 1743 (buried January 12, 1743 in
Arbuthnott Parish). 3) Anna, born March 1, 1666,
living in 1691. She married, in
1686, John Gordon of Breakly (born 1659, living 1715), son of John Gordon
(killed 1666) and Margaret Burnett of Craigmill. The marriage was not a happy one: John
deserted his wife in 1689. They did
have children.[125]
4) John, baptised August 6, 1667,
his heir. 5) Jean (or Jane), born November
18, 1669. 6) George, born August 17, 1672,
baptised August 27, who succeeded his brother John. 7) Margaret, born November 30,
1673. John,
Laird of Allardice,
baptised August 6, 1667 at Arbuthnott. He
succeeded his father in 1676. In
1687 he entered Marischal College.[126]
He married (October 28, 1690 (contract dated October 17)) Elizabeth,
daughter of William Barclay of Balmakewan, Kincardineshire and his wife
Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Young of Aulbar.[127]
Only six weeks after his marriage, in December 1690, John died. He was interred at Arbuthnott January 9,
1691. The Fraser Papers[128]
have this to say about the
marriage: Lady
Mary's eldest son John Allardice having married a woman of the name of Barclay,*[129] she was so much offended
as to leave Allardice before the marriage and not return until after the death
of her son which happened only six weeks after the marriage, when she took
possession for her 2nd son. Lady
Mary in speaking of her son John's marriage said he was always a soft silly
creature and these puddock stools had imposed on him. But thanks to God the B___h had not bairns or we would not so easily get
quit of her. Sir
George Allardice, Laird of Allardice, was born August 17, 1672 at
Allardice. In 1688-89 he joined his brother John at Marischal College.[130]
In 1693 William, Earl of Menteith and Airth (his uncle) assigned to him
and his heirs the reversion of the lands and barony of Kinpont, Kinpont being
the lands and title held by the heir of the earldom of Menteith.[131]
On October 14, 1697 George was served heir to his father and brother in
the Allardice lands. By his marriage to the sister of the Earl of Seafield George
received several plum political appointments. In 1702 he was elected Member of Parliament for
Kintore. This was the last Scottish Parliament; the Act of Union in 1707 created
the United Kingdom, the separate Scottish parliament was dissolved, and Scotland
henceforth sent members to the new united Parliament in London. In common with his Seafield relatives, Sir George was a "zealous
supporter of the Union."[132]
In 1707 he was elected to the first Great Britain Parliament. He seems to have been a favourite of Queen Anne, who presented him with a
beautiful pendent jewel of gold set with fine stones. Sir George died young, on October 5, 1709, and was buried at Arbuthnott
parish church October 17.[133]
Sir
George married (contract dated October 20, 1692) Anne Oglivy, daughter of James,
3rd Earl of Findlater (died 1711) and Mary, daughter of the 7th Earl
of Eglinton. Anne's brother, the
1st Earl of Seafield, was Lord High chancellor of Scotland. Anne died August 27, 1735, and is buried in the Abbey Church of
Holyrood. Although the married couple initially faced difficulties, as the
following shows, later in life Sir George called his wife "a very honest
woman and a herty good wiffe." The Fraser
Papers[134]
contain some unusually intimate anecdotes about George and Anne's marriage: When
Lady Ann arrived at the house; both Lady Mary and she shed tears the one for joy
the other at the mean appearance of the house. Lady Ann was a maiden after she had 17 nights with
Allardice. After she lost her maidenhead she wept sore. This anecdote from a Robert Webster whose grandmother was servant in the
house of Allardice who hearkened them in a room she slept in adjoining to theirs.
Laird
George by the interest of Earl Findlater got himself appointed officer of the
Mint. He kept a smiddy in a vault
in the house of Allardice. J.N. has
seen his bellows with several crucibles on it, his forge or fireplace, his
bellows which hung from the top, the pipe turning or bending to the fire, and
some small pipes could be conveyed to the place where the crucibles were fixed. The bellows were wrought by the foot after the manner of a spinning
wheel. George
and Anne had issue: 1) James, baptised July 25, 1693
at Arbuthnott, heir to Allardice. 2) Mary, born October 11, 1693,
died ___. She is buried in
Greyfriar's Church, Edinburgh. She
married Andrew Hay of Mountblairy, Banffshire (marriage contract dated December
23, 1721), collector of taxes for Banffshire, and had issue. Andrew died in 1751, and was also buried in Greyfriar's.[135]
3) Anna, born September 25, 1695,
died 1735 (will dated August 27, 1735). 4) Helen, born July 18, 1697,
died January 18, 1746. Married
Alexander Lind of Gorgie, Midlothian.[136]
Katherine, born October 15, 1699, died March 12, 1744, unmarried. 5) William, born December 17,
1700. Died 1709.[137]
6) John, baptised December 11,
1701. Died before July 25, 1748. 7) Elizabeth, born/born October
5, 1703, died 1705 (buried May 3, 1705). James,
Laird of Allardice,
was baptised at Arbuthnott July 25, 1693. He
succeeded his father in 1709.[138]
James was appointed sheriff principal of Kincardineshire. His short life was filled with the struggle against poverty all too
common among the lower Scottish gentry of the time. The Fraser Papers[139] have the following
to say about him: Jas
Allardice the late laird's father in a dispute with Sir D. Ogilvy (Sir David
Ogilvy of Barras, 3rd Baronet, succeeded his father in 1706 and died 1737) at a
County Meeting at Stonehaven fought with Sir David who disarmed him, pinned him
down and besmeared his light colored cloathes with gutter and onions, the
conflict having taken place in a garden on a rainy day. After which he went home and never returned to Stonehaven. This
Laird married Mary Milne the only daughter of Mr. Milne of Balwyllo in
expectation of getting the estate; but her mother dying, her father married a
2nd wife who had a son Mr. Milne of Bonnington. J.N.
has been shown the pictures in the house of Allardice. Those he recollects of are Lady Mary Graham, Lady Ann Ogilvie, Mary Milne
of Balwyllo, Chancellor Ogilvie, Lord Menteith, Laird George, the Earl of
Haddington, Tom in the Cowgate, William in the Tower, Laird James and some
others, the laird of Arbuthnot with his fair hair. The
Laird of Allardice who was defeated by Sir D. Ogilvy died about 1738. He got the nickname of Thumbs from having very large
thumbs. It seems Allardice was much disappointed in not getting Balwyllie (beforementioned)
and often treated his lady with neglect. When
putting a piece of beef in the pot he would have told her he wanted no such
boils as these burgher bits she had been used with. James
died in May of 1728, and was buried at Arbuthnott May 21, 1728. James married, in May of 1720,[140]
Mary, daughter of Robert Mill (or Milne), Provost (mayor) of Montrose, a wealthy
merchant who bought the estate of Balwyllo.[141]
His wife survived him and later married Sir William Nicholson of
Glenbervie, Baronet, to whom she bore a son and daughter. Mary died December 24, 1749.[142]
James
and Mary had two children: 1)
Mary, born circa 1726. She married (contract dated November 20, 1758) James MacDonald, sheriff
substitute of Kincardineshire. She
died January 4, 1801, at Inglismaldie, age 75, and is buried at the Kirk of Pert.
Her husband died August 23,
1809, age 82. James and Mary had a daughter, Mary, who married Charles
Ogilvie of Tannandice and Balgillo, Forfar. Their tombstone asserts "they lived upwards of forty-two years
together in greatest happiness, and in the practice of every Christian virtue,
beloved and revered by their family, and by all who knew them." From them
descend the families of Balfour-Ogilvie of Tannandice, and Ogilvie of Inshewan.[143]
2)
James, born January 29, 1727,
who succeeded his father. James,
Laird of Allardice,
the last in the male line, was born January 29, 1727 at Arbuthnott. He died not come of age until
1748. In that year he had a charter of the barony of Allardice.[144]
Despite his reduced circumstances, he lived most of his life abroad,
which only further exhausted an already heavily mortgaged estate.[145]
To give but one example of his poverty, in 1759 he was seven years behind
on the interest payments on his unpaid poor fund assessment to the local church.[146]
"Though universally considered to be entitled to the Earldom of
Menteith, he alleged his embarrassed circumstances for not assuming the Title,
and proving his right to that Dignity."[147]
Laird
James died at Allardice July 14, 1765, the last of a line of lairds who, for 570
years, exercised their rights over that part of Scotland. James
married (contract dated March 30 and April 7, 1756) Anne, only daughter of James
Barclay of London, a banker, and his wife Sarah Freame. Anne was a distant cousin, related to the Barclays of
Urie. Anne died in July, 1757.[148]
James and Anne had one daughter, Sarah Anne, born July 13, 1757.
Sarah
Anne Allardice,
born July 13, 1757. She had a
charter as sole issue of her father (3 July 1777) and was (February 26, 1785)
served nearest and lawful eldest heir portioner in general to William, Earl of
Airth and Menteith, brother of her great-great-grandmother. She married first, in December 1776 (postnuptial contract
dated June 9, 1780) Robert Barclay, of Urie, Kincardine. Robert Barclay (born 1731-1732, died April 8, 1797), a Member
of Parliament for Kincardineshire, was the son of Robert Barclay and Une
Cameron, of a family of Quaker origins, several of whom had intermarried
with the Allardices.[149]
Upon the marriage he assumed the name of Allardice. A wealthy merchant, he restored the Allardice
lands. She divorced her husband in September 1793, and married secondly (August
5, 1795 at Christ Church, Surrey) John Nudd, of Surrey in England. She died July 7, 1833, and is buried at Sprowston, Norfolk, England. Sarah
and Robert had eight children: 1) Anne, born September 13, 1777,
died October 29, 1782. 2) Une Cameron, born September
13, 1778; died at Cowie, Kincardine September, 1809. Une married (July 25, 1800) John Innes of Cowie (died April 17, 1832),
and had issue.[150]
3) Robert, born August 25, 1779,
of whom presently. 4) Margaret, born October 14,
1780; died December 16, 1855. Margaret
married (1809) Hudson Gurney, of Keswick, Norfolk (born 1775; died November 9,
1864), Member of Parliament 1812-13, 1816-32. The couple had no issue.[151]
5) Mary (twin), born October 14,
1780, died June 1799. 6) Rodney, born April 29, 1782,
died unmarried 1853. 7) James, born July 3, 1784, died
unmarried in Ceylon March 3, 1804. 8) David Stuart, born March 3,
1787, died unmarried at Otranto, Italy in 1826. He was an army officer, major of the 28th Foot. Captain
Robert Barclay-Allardice,
of Urie and Allardice, born August 25, 1779, was served heir male to his father
December 17, 1799, and heir male to his mother November 9, 1833. He entered the 23rd Foot in 1805, and during the 1809 Walcheren
expedition served as aide-de-camp to the Marquis of Huntly. He reached the rank of captain in the 23rd, but then returned to Scotland
and devoted himself to agriculture and the improvement of the local breed of
cattle. The most famous of all the
Allardices, he became known worldwide for his extraordinary pedestrian (walking)
performances. His most celebrated feat was walking one mile in each of
1,000 successive hours in 1809. Between
1801 and 1812 he performed many long distance walks, with times considered
extraordinary for that era. A
remarkably strong man, 6 foot tall and 186 pounds, it is said that at age 20 he
could lift half a ton. In 1842 he
made an agricultural tour of the United States and Canada, and published a book
recounting the tour. Captain
Barclay, as he was generally known, died May 8, 1854, from paralysis, having
been injured three days previously by a kick from a horse. He is buried at Urie. On June 2, 1800 Captain Barclay had a charter of the barony of Allardice. Conscious of his descent, and wealthy enough to pursue his rights through legal means, he decided to claim the Earldom of Airth, as heir to William Graham, last Earl of Airth and Menteith. In 1834, after his mother's death, he claimed that earldom. A petition embodying this claim was sent to the King, and on June 2, 1834 was referred to the House of Lords. In July and August of 1839, the case came before the House of Lords. The case generated great publicity; learned lawyers for the Crown, Captain Barclay, and other claimants exhausted much eloquence; but the House of Lords took no action on the petition.
Picture
from front piece of Pedestrianism; or, An Account of the Performances of
Celebrated Pedestrians (1813) On
August 4, 1840 Captain Barclay sent a petition to Queen Victoria laying further
claim to the old Graham earldoms of Strathearn and Menteith, as heir to David,
Earl of Strathearn, son of King Robert II of Scotland. No steps were taken to further this petition, and the claims were never
formally recognized.[152] Robert
Barclay-Allardice married, in 1815, (postnuptial marriage contract dated
November 3, 1817) Mary (died August 30, 1820; buried at Old, Northampton),
daughter of Alexander Dalgarno, of Aberdeen.[153]
Robert
and Mary had two daughters: 1)
Margaret, born July 4, 1816, of whom presently. 2)
Mary, born July 29, 1819, died October 14, 1823. Margaret
Barclay-Allardice,
born July 4, 1816, daughter and heir of the Allardice line; claimed as such the
earldoms of Strathearn, Menteith and Airth in 1870, before the House of Lords,
when the case again was adjourned. She
was served heir general to her father January 12, 1859, in the Sheriff Court of
Kincardineshire. In 1874 she
presented a petition to the House of Lords to direct the Duke of Montrose (head
of the elder line of the Grahams) to produce certain muniments alleged to be in
the Duke's charter-chest, but her application was refused. After
her marriages she resumed, by Royal License, her paternal surnames of Barclay-Allardice
for herself and her descendants. A
"remarkably clever and gifted lady," with a "wonderful clearness
of intellect," she spent her youth in London with her uncle and aunt, Mr.
and Mrs. Hudson Gurney, and while there had the opportunity to mingle with the
most noted people of the day.[154]
Margaret married, firstly, on April 2, 1840 (at St. Mary's Parish Church,
Kensington, Middlesex), Samuel Ritchie. Samuel,
born August 13, 1813, died September 17, 1845 in Auchinstrait, Scotland. He was the son of Duncan Ritchie and Mary Hay and is interredin the
family vault in Spital Cemetry, Aberdeen. Margaret
married secondly, July 30, 1854 in Boonton, New Jersey, U.S.A., James Tanner,
who died January 21, 1866, Staten Island NY. She died August 7, 1903 while at tea in a tent on the lawn of her house
in Cornwall. By the
first marriage Margaret and Samuel had: 1)
Robert Barclay, born at
Hamilton, Canada, May 19, 1841, of whom presently. 2) Mary Hay, born September 7,
1842 at Brooklyn, NY, died unmarried September 30, 1849, buried at Aberdeen,
Scotland. 3) Samuel Frederick, born at
Aberdeen October 15, 1843, died unmarried at Brooklyn, New York, April 14, 1862.
He is buried in Aberdeen. 4) David Stuart Barclay, born at
Duddinston, Midlothian, Scotland, November 21, 1845, of whom presently. By the
second marriage Margaret and James had: 5) Augusta Graham, born August
12, 1859, Brooklyn, NY, died unmarried December 21, 1874, buried at Aberdeen. Robert
Barclay Barclay-Allardice,
M.A., F.S.A. (Scotland), born May
19, 1841. He lived in Broadview,
Canada; Edinburgh, Scotland; and "Rose Hill," Lostwithiel, Cornwall,
England. From 1899 to 1901 and 1904
to 1906 he was mayor of Lostwithiel. Author,
"Guide to Lostwithiel." Chairman, Lostwithiel Conservative Committee. A family historian, he also claimed the Graham earldoms (before the House
of Lords in 1906-07), but never took active measures to pursue his claim. On July
2, 1883 he assumed, by Royal License, the surnames and arms of Barclay-Allardice,
in lieu of his patronymic (Ritchie). He
lived at least through 1912, for on April 25th of that year the London Times
reported that he had gone bankrupt. Robert
married, circa 1909, Beatrice Maud, elder daughter of W.H. Jeffrey[155]
of Surete’s House, Cornwall and had issue: 1) Mary
Graham. Born circa September, 1909, Bodmin, Cornwall, died ____. David
Stuart Barclay Barclay-Allardice, heir of the line, born November 21,
1845. He settled in the United States, living at 44 Belmont Avenue, Providence,
Rhode Island, and worked as a train conductor. David died October 12, 1915, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery,
Pawtucket. He married (October 15, 1868 in Brattleboro, Vermont) Fannie
Foster Elliot, daughter of Edward Day Elliot of West Brattleboro. She was born circa 1852, and died June 19, 1940.[156]
David and Fannie had issue: 1) Robert Barclay, born October
18, 1869. 2) Margaret Anna, born December
21, 1871, East Vineland, NJ. She
married (in Providence, June 14, 1893) William Howard Bigelow, of West
Brattleboro and Tarpon Springs, Florida. William
was killed by a shark off the coast of Florida on December 19, 1900. She married secondly (June 8, 1902) John Townsend
Hill. By her first marriage she had children Helen Janette (born March 14,
1894); John (born September 10, 1896);[157]
and Elliot (born October 13, 1897). She
perhaps married thirdly __ Malcolm and died March, 1936. 3) Elliot Ritchie, born October
10, 1873. 4) David Graham, born December
11, 1877. 5) Clinton, born August 1, 1882. 6) Augusta Standish, born August
18, 1886, died September 2, 1890. 7) Amelia Barclay, born October
3, 1889, died September 13, 1976 in Cranston, Rhode Island, and is buried in
Riverside Cemetery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She worked as a private secretary to the head of a Providence law office
and was active in the local Baptist Church. Robert
Barclay Allardice,
born October 18, 1869. Living in 1927. A buyer for the Shepard
Stores, a Providence department store. He
married (November 30, 1899) Jessie Darling (born circa 1871-72), daughter of
William Brown of Providence. Jessie,
a "publisher," was living in 1927. The
couple had no children.[158]
Elliot
Ritchie Barclay-Allardice,
born October 10, 1873 in Vineland, New Jersey. He died in 1956 in Marshfield,
Massachusetts. He was a self-taught civil engineer, having had to leave high
school in order to help support the family. He was the first superintendent of the water reservoir in Clinton,
Massachusetts (the Wachusett Dam and Reservoir) that supplies Boston with much
of its water. Elliot
married first, on June 1, 1899, Nettie Frances (born 1873), daughter of Denzil O.
and Mary Harrington of Clinton. She died in January, 1937. He
married secondly, in June 1938, Ann E. Harris
of Clinton. Ann was well known to
her high school students as "Apple Annie" because she brought an apple
every day as part of her lunch. After
Elliot's retirement, the couple bought an old house in Marshfield, refurbished
it, and spent many happy years until his death. After that Ann sold the home and moved in with one of her sisters in
Sharon Massachusetts, where she died circa 1968 at age 90. Elliot
and Nettie had issue (born in Clinton): 1) Carleton, born October 1, 1901, died June
1985. He worked as a hotel manager. He
married four times: to Zana Long of Clinton (a childhood sweetheart); to
Valerie, an Australian woman; Pauline O'Brien of Leominster, Massachusetts; and
to ___. His widow today
(1992) lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carleton
and Pauline had three sons: a)
a first son, stillborn; b)
Richard, now living in Leominster. Richard
and his wife Judith Lanza have two children, Catherine and Christopher; c)
Brien, now living in Leominster. Brien
and his wife Susan have two children, Brandon and Jacqueline. 2) Janice
Goodale, born May 7,
1905, passed away November 4, 1994 in Marlboro, Massachusetts. She married Preston M. Putnam of Danvers, Massachusetts on October 1,
1932. Preston died in December,
1954 and is buried with his wife in Danvers. After his death Janice became head resident at a private girls' school in
Troy, New York, and in 1965 accepted a similar position at Milton Academy in
Massachusetts. Janice
and Preston had two children: a)
Virginia Ann, born November 2, 1933. Virginia
married John William Maenpaa on April 26, 1951. They have two children, John W., Jr., and Janice
E. The couple live today in Sudbury, Massachusetts. b)
Elliot Preston, born March 21, 1937. Elliot
has been married three times, and has three children, Cynthia, David and
Jennifer. He lives today in
Marlboro. David
Graham Allardice,
born December 11, 1877. Married
(October 15, 1900) Annie, daughter of James E. Firth. David died sometime between 1920 and
1927. Annie, living in 1927, became assistant recorder of deeds of Providence. David and Annie had issue: 1) Graham Stuart, born October 6,
1902, died September 1978 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Graham Stuart had a daughter, Barbara, married to Richard
Lamarche, now (1993) living in Dania, Florida. 2) Robert Gordon, born October
11, 1904, died December 8, 1961 in Providence. He was employed as a chef in the Waldorf Cafeterias,
Inc. Buried in Riverside Cemetery. Robert
married first Marion Conley, who died at a young age. He married secondly, Gladys Robinson (1917-1979), who survived
him. Robert and Marion had a son, Robert Gordon Jr., born 1925, of East
Matunuck, Rhode Island and later
Hollywood, Florida. Robert and
Gladys had four daughters: Ursula (Cole), Patricia (Friedenthal), Adrienne, and
Alma, all of Beverly, Massachusetts. 3) Alma Adrienne, born September
17, 1906, living in 1961. She
married first (June 28, 1930 in Providence) George C. Bischoff. She married secondly Harry Kane of Hartford,
Connecticut. Harry left the family while the children were still young, and the
children became wards of the state. Alma
and George had two sons: a)
________________ b)
David. David was adopted by a Mr.
Brown of Providence, who educated him and took him into the family business. Today David and his wife Susan live in the old Brown family home in East
Providence. The couple have two
sons, Andrew and Homer. Clinton
Barclay-Allardice,
born August 1, 1882. Living 1920. A bookkeeper with the telephone company in
Providence. Married 14 April, 1915, Mildred Alice Husband, born 14 October,
1891, Providence, Rhode
Island. They had two daughters, and
shortly after the birth of their second daughter, Clinton and his family moved
to the west coast and lost touch with their eastern relatives: a) Marjorie, born April 10, 1916;
b) Jeanne, born 29 September
1928, Providence, Rhode Island. Jeanne married first on 2 September 1950, in New
Jersey, Lawrence Cummings,
FOOTNOTES: [1] Robertson, vol. 3, p. 263; Jervise, Lindsays, pp. 343-344. [2] RGS, vol. 2, p. 13. The terms "baron" and "barony," as used here, are not meant to indicate a title of nobility, the more modern sense of the words. Barons, in Scotland, were a class of hereditary landholders with some of the attributes of the actual nobility. For example, they owed their feudal service directly to the king, rather than to a noble. The Barons of Allardice would not, however, be members of the House of Lords. Similarly, the Scottish term "Laird" has much of the meaning of the term "Lord of the manor," and comprehends a semi-noble status, but it was a title that went with the landholding, not (as with a title of nobility such as earl) the individual; if an unrelated individual purchased the lairdship lands, that individual would become the laird. [3] RGS, vol. 1, p. 944. [4] RGS, vol. 2, pp. 34, 36. In 1415 David witnessed another charter to the Hays of Erroll (see Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. 2, p. 321). [5] Reg. Episc. Brechin, Bannatyne Club Pubs., No, 109, App. p. 85. [6] Seisin (sasine, seizin): The seisin (or possession) of feudal property; the instrument by which feudal property was transferred. [7] Robertson, vol. 1, p. 282, vol. 4, pp. 206, 212, 257; GBHMS, p. 629. [8] GBHMS, pp. 629-630. [9] GBHMS, p. 630. [10] GBHMS, p. 630. [11] GBHMS, p. 630. [12] Irvines of Drum, p. 53. [13] GBHMS, p. 630. [14] GBHMS, pp. 630-631. [15] See 1510 RGS. [16] Fraser Papers, p. 184. [17] Leslie, vol. 2, p. 149. See also Macfarlane, vol. 34, p. 82. [18] “Ms. of the genealogy of the barons of Mearns, 1578, in the Barclay-Allardice Papers," Third Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. 2, pp. 213-221 at 215-216. [19] Cokayne; Paul. [20] The documents include: Exch., vol. 8, pp. 153, 266, 367, 476, 559; vol. 9, pp. 77, 209, 213, 298, 437, 459, 614, 620-621, 632, 639-40, 642; 1473 annuity to James Allardice, clerk; mentions of him as canon of Glasgow and auditor (1475); clerk of the abbot of Holyrood (1476); archdeacon of Moray and auditor (1478); clerk of the Treasury (1479); provost of the church of St. Andrews, etc. (1480-1487). Calendar, vol. 3, p. 293: James "Allirdas," canon of Glasgow, a commissioner to negotiate the dowry for a royal marriage, January 31, 1476/77. REG: James, provost of the church of St. Andrews ("prepositus capelle regie St. Andree"), witnesses a document (1480/81 and 1496/97); is called a prebendary (1491). RPS, vol. 2, p. 128: Mentions Sir James, dean of the royal chapel and dean of the college of Stirling (1502). [21] RGS, vol. 11, p. 248; see also Robertson, vol. 3, p. 87. [22] GBHMS, p. 630. [23] GBHMS, p. 630; Robertson, vol. 3, p. 32. [24] Fraser Papers, p. 109. [25] Jervise, vol. 2, p. 142, citing Acta Dom. Con. 1478-1495 p. 292. [26] GBHMS, p. 630; Robertson, vol. 3, p. 303. The "inquisition" mentioned here and elsewhere was a form of legal inquiry or grand jury proceeding; not to be confused with the later religious persecution. [27] RGS, vol. 2, p. 532. [28] RGS, vol. 2, p. 795. [29] Irvines of Drum, p. 156. See GBHMS, p. 630. [30] RGS, vol. 2, p. 532, vol. 3, p. 359; Robertson, vol. 3, p. 560; GBHMS, p. 631. [31] 1503 and 1511 sheriff court records of Aberdeenshire mention John Allardice as holding Badiscott (New Spalding Club, vol. 28, pp. 6, 31, 42, 89, 100).A 1510 document mentions Robert as holding Badinscott; 1511 and 1537 documents mention Robert as brother of John Allardice of Allardice (Robertson, vol. 2, pp. 335, 366). In 1512 Robert had a charter from John, his father, of the half lands in Little Barras, to himself and his heirs (Jervise, vol. 2, p. 142). In that year Robert was witness of a grant from John Allardice of Allardice (GBHMS, p. 631). In 1516 Robert witnessed a grant to James Bassett (RGS, vol. 3, p. 25). [32] 1529 exchequer roll mentions a Robert Allardice, chaplain, rendering an account to Alexander Irvine of Drum of a feu-farmer in Coule; 1530-32 exchequer accounts mention Sir Robert Allardice, chaplain; 1532 privy seal register mentions Sir Robert Allardice, vicar-pensioner of Auchterless; 1542 a Robert Allardice of Badinscott was charged, with Thomas Allardice of Chusne and John Allardice of Allardice, with illegal fishing in the river Ythan (Exch., vol. 16, pp. 33, 82, 216; Fraser Papers, p. 184); 1549 Robert Allardice of Badiscott was on an assize (RGS, vol. 4, p. 75). The protocol book of Sir John Christian (SRS, vol. 63) has Sir Robert Allardice, vicar of Auchterless, witnessing documents in 1534, 1548, and 1549/50. [33] A Katherine Lockhart and her husband Robert Allardice are mentioned in a 1497 document. See Reg. Aberbrothoc (Part II), Bannatyne Club Pubs., No. 107, p. 310. [34] SHS, 1st series, vol. 34, p. 219. [35] RGS, vol. 2, p. 795, in which the Crown confirms John and Janet in their lands. [36] Acta Dom.Con. 1501-1503. [37] GBHMS, p. 631. [38] GBHMS, p. 631. [39] GBHMS, p. 631. [40] Cowie, p.3 [41] GBHMS, p. 631. [42] GBHMS, p. 631. [43] BFR. [44] Robertson, vol. 3, p. 34. [45] RGS, vol. 3, p. 156. [46] GBHMS, p. 631; RPS, vol. 2, p. 523. [47] RPS, vol. 2, p. 623. [48] Fraser Papers, p. 184. [49] Jervise, vol. 2, p. 142; English text in Spalding Club, vol. 20, pp. 208-209. [50] RPS, vol. 3, p. 129. [51] BFR. [52] Exch., vol. 28, p. 431. [53] GBHMS, p. 631. She died July 17, 1594, according to her tombstone. [54] New Spalding Club No. 11 (Officers and Graduates of Aberdeen University), p. 51. [55] RGS, vol. 4, p. 317. [56] FES, pp. 857, 863. [57] Exch., vol. 28, p. 431. [58] GBHMS, p. 631. [59] RGS, vol. 4, p. 297. [60] FES, pp.857, 863. [61] Laing, p. 275. [62] Exch., November 15, 1588. [63] December 22, 1599 bond by John for Andrew Gray of Kinghorne, for 1000 pounds, not to harm Barbara Forbes, lady Pitcarry, and Alexander Hay of Dalgetty, her lover. See also GBHMS, p. 631; 1594 bond of John not to harm Margaret Brown, relict (widow) of Robert Lawson of Humbie; 1590s inquest regarding the lands of Balfreich (Jervise, vol. 2, p. 142). [64] Pitcairn, vol. 2, p. 36. [65] RGS, vol. 6, p. 699. [66] GBHMS, p. 631. [67] GBHMS, p. 631; RGS, vol. 6, p. 699. [68] Tayler, 1667, p. 285. [69] GBHMS, p. 631; New Spalding Club, vol. 31, p. 80. [70] RGS, vol. 6, p. 699. [71] RGS, vol. 8, p. 312. [72] RGS, vol. 8, p. 440; New Spalding Club, vol. 31, p. 314. [73] Arbuthnott, p. 49; See also Fraser Papers, p. 61, for the circumstances of James' death. [74] 1681 Deeds, vol 54, p. 296. [75] SRS, vol. 6 (Commissariot of Aberdeen, 1715-1800). [76] RPS, 1st series, vol. 6, p. 632. [77] Thomas is a witness to a document in 1607. He is mentioned in a 1625 confirmation of lands to James, his brother. (RGS, vol. 6, p. 699, vol. 8, p. 312) [78] September 29, 1627 caution by John Beaton of Inchowe for Thomas and his nephew John (RPS, 2nd series, vol. 2, p. 82). [79] St.Andrews Testaments (wills), June 19, 1619, record the estate settlement of Elspet Ogilvie, spouse to Thomas Allardes in Classindrum, Arbuthnott Parish. [80] New Spalding Club, No. 11, "Officers and Graduates of Aberdeen University," p. 25. A James Rait, who was regent of the college from 1610 to 1611, and later minister of Aberluthnot, was probably a brother of David's, not a son. [81] Cowie, p.5; Gifford p. 531. Gifford lists 5 children. [82] RGS, vol. 6, p. 699. [83] Testaments of St. Andrews, December 10, 1614. John was sued for debt in 1610 (RPC, 1st series, vol. 9, p. 70). [84] Foster, p. 11. [85] Foster, p. 11. [86] 1622 concession to Frederick Lyon of Kinghorn: Elizabeth Allardice, wife of Alexander Strachan of Brigtown, mentioned (RGS, vol. 8, p. 116); 1649 concession to William Napier of Harviestoun, mentions charter dated March 29, 1629 by John and Elspet Allardice and Alexander Strachan of Brigtown (RGS, vol. 9, p. 798). [87] RGS, vol. 6, p. 699. [88] RGS, vol. 6, p. 699. [89] The concession mentions that the land was granted, during the reign of James VI (1567-1625), to John, father of this John (RGS, vol. 8, p. 444). John and his uncle Thomas are mentioned in a 1627 "caution" (RPC, 2nd series, vol. 2, p. 82) and in a 1627 report signed by "Allardice of that ilk" (RPC, 2nd series, vol. 2, p. 560). [90] New Spalding Club, vol. 22, "Burnett of Leys." [91] The old Scottish word "tutor" has nothing to do with being a teacher. Rather, it is a title for the guardian (usually an uncle) of a minor heir. [92] RGS, vol. 9, p. 785. [93] RGS, vol. 10, p. 248. [94] RGS, vol. 11, p. 255. [95] RPC, 3rd series, vol. 7, p. 87. [96] RPC, 3rd series, vol. 16, p. 36; St. Andrews Testaments, March 4, 1697. [97] RGS, vol. 9, p. 785. RPC, 3rd series, vol. 13, pp. 239-246. Agnes' sister Jean married (1643) Sir James Sandilands, Lord Abercrombie, died circa 1673. [98] Succession indicated by land deeds, 1661-1691. [99] "The House of Gordon," Spalding Club, vol. 33, pp. 173-178, citing the Register of Sasines of Aberdeen, have Thomas and his wife Margaret, daughter of John Allardice of Allardice, getting sasine in Sack. [100] Harry Gordon of Dilspro was the younger son of James Gordon of Lesmoir. [101] "The House of Gordon," pp. 173-178. [102] Montrose/Kinnebar Parish Church records. The John Fullerton of Kinnebar who served as a Member of Parliament for Forfarshire, 1693-1702, was probably this son of John and Katherine. See Foster, p. 145. [103] Jervise, vol. 2, p. 143. [104] St. Andrews Testaments, will of Jean Allardice, relict of William Beaton, parish of Eaglescraig, dated November 21, 1687. [105] The will of Jean Allardice names as executors her brother Thomas, brother-in-law John Fullerton, and nephews-in-law John Gordon and John Dundas. Legatees Joan, Beatrix, Margaret (her daughter?), Barbara, Sophia, Josephia and Anna are mentioned. [106] The Lindsays of Kilspindie were descended from William Lindsay of Evelick, a younger brother of the house of Edzell. See Macfarlane, vol. 33, p. 34; Jervise, Epitaphs, vol. 1, pp. 69-70. [107] St. Andrews Testaments, will of Margaret Beaton, spouse of William Lindsay of Kilspindie, dated March 10, 1682. [108] New Spalding Club, no. 18, p. 211. [109] Fraser Papers, pp. 60-61; Cowie p.6. Millplough is just north of Allardice castle. [110] See Arbuthnott, p. 68. [111] His other wives were 1) Margaret, daughter of John Dowel, and 3) Grizel, daughter of Sir Alexander Falconer, 2nd of GlenFarqhar. [112] New Spalding Club, no. 18, p. 224. [113] RPC, 3rd series, vol. 7, p. 87. [114] In 1657 the lands of Allardice were valued at £623:13s:4d. In 1669 a tax of £10 was paid on these lands (Fraser Papers, pp. 132, 137, 141). By comparison, Viscount Arbuthnott's lands in the same parish were valued at three times as much, and paid twice as much tax. [115] Cowie, p.6. [116] GBHMS, p. 632. [117] Lord Kinpont is the hero of Sir Walter Scott's A Legend of Montrose. He joined the royal army of his kinsman, the Marquis of Montrose, in 1644 and quickly rose to high position in the army. However, he was stabbed to death by his closest friend, a fellow army officer, after a private quarrel. Through Lord Kinpont and Lady Mary Graham comes the Allardice claim to the earldom of Airth. [118] Nicolas, p. 116; Paul, vol. 1, p. 142, citing Arbuthnott parish register. [119] Fraser Papers, pp. 57-60. [120] Literally, a laird who makes his own porridge; i.e., poverty stricken. [121] Pawnbrokers. [122] Grain. [123] One who grinds grain at a mill. [124] Grinding of grain on contract. [125] RPC, 3rd series, vol. 16, p. 431 (July 21, 1691). Tayler, 1715, p. 64; Tayler, 1667, p. 88. [126] New Spalding Club, no. 18, p. 257. [127] William Barclay was a distant relation of the Barclays of Urie, infra. Elizabeth Barclay married, after John's death, Wood, of Drumlagair, and by him had three daughters. [128] Fraser Papers, pp. 58-59. [129] John Allardice married Elizabeth Barclay, daughter of William Barclay of Balmakewan, and died in December 1690. By their marriage contract, dated 17 October 1690, she was entitled to a liferent provision of 10 chalder (one chalder equals 96 bushels) of vitual. But this became void under Scots law in respect that the marriage was dissolved within a year and a day without a living child having been got. The widow subsequently married Wood of Drumnagair. [130] New Spalding Club, no. 18, p. 263. [131] Cowie, p.7, cites a memorandum to the effect that the Marquis of Montrose (Head of the Grahams) threatened the life of his cousin the Earl of Menteith in order to get himself the Menteith inheritance. The mother of the Marquis was said to have seized the Menteith Charter Chest without permission. [132] Jervise, vol. 2, p. 143. Several letters of Sir George Allardice and his family are printed in "Seafield Correspondence From 1685 to 1708," SHS, 2nd series, vol. 3, pp. 110, 153, 159, 243, 343. Another mention of Sir George is in Third Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. 2, p. 109. [133] He died "leaving his affairs very much embarrassed," since his widow, who died in 1735, "was for many years the third widow who, at the same time, had a jointure or charge on the family estate" (Nicolas, p. 117; the others were Mary Graham and Elizabeth Barclay). [134] Fraser Papers, pp. 58-59. [135] For the date of Mary's birth see "Seafield Correspondence," p. 153. The Hays of Mountblairy were descended from Edmund, younger son of Sir William Hay of Yester (died 1421). From William's eldest son David descend the Hays, Marquis of Tweedale. Andrew Hay of Mountblairy's first wife was Ann, daughter of Sir Alexander Ogilvie of Forglen and Mary Allardice. Ann died in 1719, age 25. Andrew Hay thus married the cousin of his first wife. The commissariot of Aberdeen (SRS, vol. 6) has probate proceedings for Andrew Hay of Mountblairy April 23, 1751 and June 17, 1751. Their second son George Hay died July 2, 1771, age 45, and is buried in Greyfriars (Brown, p. 73). During the Rebellion of 1745, George was a lieutenant of Lord Pitsligo's Horse in Bonnie Prince Charlie's army. He married Janet, daughter of Lord Braco, who died March 4, 1758. For more on George Hay, see Tayler, 1745, pp. 304-308. [136] Probably the brother of George Lind (d. 1763), provost of Edinburgh and member of Parliament, and son of George Lind of Gorgie (d. 1725). For more on this family, see BLG (1848), p. 203. [137] According to a book by William H. Allardyce of Texas (born 1858), this William lived to adulthood and had a son, William Allardice of Bervie, who was born in 1747. This William had a son William, born 1777 who came to Canada. The family eventually migrated to Galveston, Texas. See The Allardyce Family, by William H. Allardyce. [138] James had a charter of resignation July 27, 1719. [139] The Fraser Papers, pp. 59-62. [140] Montrose parish records (indexed in the LDS Church's International Genealogical Index) have them marrying May 20, 1720 in Montrose. However, BFR cites a marriage contract dated May 31, 1720. [141] The preferred spelling seems to be "Mill." Montrose parish records have a Mary Milne, daughter of Robert Milne and Margaret Erskine, born December 26, 1700 in Montrose. [142] Sir William Nicholson of Glenbervie died June 7, 1766, at age 83 (Musgrave, vol. 4, p. 292; CCB, vol. 4, p. 392). Mary was William's third wife. He was 55 years old when they married. In 1763, at age 80, Sir William married a fourth wife, a 17 year old girl, and by her fathered still more children! [143] For more on these families see BLG (1922), p. 1332; Jervise, Epitaphs, vol. 1, pp. 211, 375; Paul, vol. 1, pp. 142-145; CCB, vol. 4, p. 392. [144] Charter dated July 20, 1748. [145] See Nicolas, p. 118. See also Fraser Papers, p. 71: "Laird Alexander Falconer of Halkerton and the late laird of Allardice made a tour of Europe together. J.N. saw them set off for Aberdeen in 1751 in a coach drawn by 6 black mares to take ship there. They returned about 1754." [146] Henderson, p. 214. [147] Nicolas, p. 118. [148] On November 12, 1757, Arbuthnott church was paid one guinea for the use of a mort cloth in the burying of Lady Allardice. See Henderson, p. 257. [149] Robert Barclay married first Lucy, daughter of David Barclay, and had a daughter. [150] Une and John Innes had at least 4 children (all born at Fetteresso, co. Kincardine): John, born April 21, 1803, Une, born April 26, 1805, married Colonel Phillip A. Latour; Elizabeth, born July 22, 1808, married Arthur Abercromby of Glassaugh; Margaret, born October 6, 1809, married Alexander Gibbon of Johnston. For more on the Innes family, see BLG (1922) p. 970; Jervise, Epitaphs, vol. 1, p. 83. [151] Hudson Gurney's death is mentioned in the London Times, November 9, 1864. Hudson Gurney was the son of Richard Gurney of Keswick, a banker, and Agatha, daughter and heir of David Barclay of Youngsbery, co. Hertfordshire. For more on the Gurney family, see BLG. The Gurney family were also Quakers; family papers are deposited with the Library of the Religious Society of Friends in London. [152] For more on these claims, see Appendix 1. [153] Probably that Mary Dalgarno, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Skinner) Dalgarno, christened March 6, 1797 in Aberdeen. [154] Colonel James Allardyce, "The Late Mrs. Barclay-Allardice," The Genealogical Magazine, vol. 7, pp. 294-296 (1903). [155] The 1881 census of Cornwall shows a William H. Jeffrey, aged 36, farmer, living in St. Buryan's Parish with wife Mary and two sons. If this is the same man as W.H. Jeffrey, daughter Beatrice Maud was either not living with the family, or not yet born. [156] According to family sources, David made her life miserable, and she was known to have said "Thank God" when he died. [157] John shows on the 1920 census as resident of Tarpon Springs, running a fishing house, with wife Frances (age 29), and daughters Jeanne (age 3) and Barbara (age 8 months). He died in January, 1983 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. [158] Robert and Jessie were childless by choice, as Jessie had a career as an entertainer. She and her father roller-skated on the stage, and today her roller skates are in the Smithsonian Institute, as a rare example of roller skates without ball bearings. Her grandniece remembers her as a "delightful tiny lady with flaming red hair, salt and pepper eyebrows and loads of rings on her fingers!"
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