pp125–155: From Brigadier Alexander Grant to “The Good” Sir James and his family

[125] XVI. 1. BRIGADIER-GENERAL ALEXANDER GRANT OF GRANT,

He was one of the Commissioners appointed on behalf of Scotland to treat for a Union with England, 27th February 1706, Original Commission in HM General Register House, Edinburgh.

He signed his name with others to the Articles of Union on 22nd July 1706, and attended the subsequent session of the Scots Parliament, voting always with the Government, and in favour of the Union, “Acta. Parl.” XI App. 190, 201-205. He was one of the thirty representatives of counties appointed by the Scots Parliament to sit in the first British Parliament, Ibid XI pp. 312-422 passim.

On the 4th March 1706, he received a commission from Queen Anne appointing him Colonel and Captain of a regiment of foot in Scotland, formerly commanded by John, Earl of Mar, and which is said to have been raised in 1702, Commission and Draft Memorial at Castle Grant. In 1708 Colonel Grant was elected as member for the Shire of Inverness to sit in the British Parliament, Original Commission at Castle Grant, dated 21st June 1708. He was a brave soldier and a capable officer, and saw much service in the wars of the Duke of Marlborough, “Chiefs” I pp. 336-346. On 24th August 1710, he had the misfortune to be taken prisoner by a French privateer. He [126] was released soon after on parole, and finally an exchange of prisoners was effected, Draft Memorial at Castle Grant.

[Graphic: signature of ROBERT WALPOLE, SEY. OF WAR.]

On 12th February 1711, he was raised, “for his loyalty, courage, and experience,” to the rank of Brigadier- General, Commission at Castle Grant; see “Urquhart and Glenmoriston” pp. 227, 228. On 24th September 1713, Brigadier-General Grant was chosen Member of Parliament for the County of Elgin and Forres, “Chiefs” I p. 347; Extract Minute of Election at Castle Grant. For other references to him see “Calendar of Treasury Papers” 1708-1714, as per index, and 1714-1719. On 11th January 1715, he became Governor of the fortress of Sheerness, and on 19th August 1715, he received a commission as Lord Lieutenant of the Counties of Banff and Inverness, “Chiefs” I pp. 355, 356; Commission at Castle Grant.

On the outbreak of the Jacobite insurrection, 1715, under John, Earl of Mar, he was appointed, 14th September, by John, Duke of Argyll, Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh, and was ordered to reinforce the garrison with two companies of his regiment, “Chiefs,” II p. 32. He was considerably annoyed by the fact that many men from Glen Urquhart went and joined the Jacobite army, “Urquhart and Glenmoriston” p. 230. [127] Macdonald of Keppoch entered Glen-Urquhart with three hundred men, committed great ravages, and carried off a large booty, "Major Fraser’s Manuscript” Edinburgh, 1889, II p. 71; Arbuthnot’s “Life of Lovat” London 1746, p. 215.

The Brigadier succeeded, as we have seen, on his father’s death, November 1716.

On the 17th July 1717 he was curtly informed that the King had no further occasion for his services, "Chiefs” I pp. 366, 367, and II p. 34. This black ingratitude was not unexpected by him, as in June 1716, John, Duke of Argyll, had been suddenly, without any known cause, deprived of all his offices. In the spring of 1719 he was seized with an illness which turned out to be fatal, and he died at Leith on his way north on 14th August 1719, Ibid, I p. 368. He was buried in the Chapel Royal at Holyrood, like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him, Accounts for Funeral at Castle Grant.

He married, first, Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James, Lord Doune (son and heir of Alexander, fifth Earl of Moray), and Lady Katherine Tollemache, “Chiefs” I pp. 369, 370; see “Scots Peerage” VI p. 323, article Moray.

Their marriage contract is dated 30th September and 29th December 1699, the marriage having been previously solemnised on 3rd December 1698, "Chiefs” III pp. 485-487. She had a tocher of £5000 sterling, bequeathed to her as a legacy by the Duchess of Lauderdale, her grandmother. She predeceased her husband, dying on 22nd April 1708, without surviving issue, and was buried at Duthil, Register of Deaths of the Parish of Boharm in Office of Registrar-General, General Register House, Edinburgh.

[128] He married, secondly, on 7th April 1709, Anne Smith, daughter of the Right Honourable John Smith, "Chiefs" III pp. 492-495, sometime Speaker of the House of Commons, then Chancellor of the Exchequer. She was a maid-of-honour of Queen Anne. Her tocher was also £5000. She also predeceased the Brigadier, dying in June 1717, also without surviving issue.

Brigadier-General Alexander Grant was succeeded by his next eldest surviving brother.

[Graphics: signatures of BRIGADIER ALEXANDER GRANT OF GRANT, ELIZABETH STUART.]
[Graphics: signature of ANNE SMITH.]

XVI. 2. SIR JAMES GRANT OF GRANT,

He was born 28th July 1679, Ibid I pp. 371-373; III pp. 253, 254, 487. He was for some time designated of Pluscardine, as he was provided for with those lands. His father, Ludovick Grant, only managed this property for him as tutor and trustee for his son till the year 1709. In the following year James Grant sold the estate to William Duff of Dipple, ancestor of the Duke of Fife.

[129] In his twenty-third year he married, on 29th January 1702, Anne Colquhoun, sole child and heiress of Sir Humphrey Colquhoun, twentieth of Colquhoun and twenty-second of Luss, fifth Baronet of Luss (Contract dated at Edinburgh, 10th January 1702) “Chiefs” III pp. 487-491; “The Chiefs of Colquhoun” by Sir William Fraser, Edinburgh 1869, I pp. 310, 311. Sir Humphrey had provided in the Contract that they and the children of their marriage should succeed to the Barony of Luss. Sir Humphrey also, two years later, resigned his Baronetcy into the hands of the Crown for a new patent. Queen Anne, by a re-grant and new patent, dated 29th April 1704, granted, renewed, and conferred upon Sir Humphrey and his sons to be born, whom failing, upon James Grant of Pluscarden and the heirs male of his marriage with Anne Colquhoun, only daughter of Sir Humphrey, whom failing, upon the other heirs therein specified, the hereditary title, dignity, and designation of knight baronet, with all precedencies belonging thereto. It will be seen that the claims of the heir male, John Colquhoun, second of Tillyquhoun (Tilliehewen), son of Alexander Colquhoun of Tillyquhoun and grandson of Sir Alexander Colquhoun, first Baronet of Luss, were completely set aside, although, next to Sir Humphrey, he was the rightful Chief of the Clan Colquhoun. After Sir Humphrey’s death, he assumed the style and designation of “Sir John Colquhoun of that ilk, Knight and Baronett.” His son and subsequent lairds of Tillyquhoun followed his example. But this re-grant by Queen Anne had deprived them [130] of their rights. The Colquhouns of Tillyquhoun became extinct in the male line in 1838.

After his marriage with the heiress of Luss, Sir James, in terms of an entail made in his favour, by his father-in-law, of the estates of Luss, dated 4th and 27th December 1706, assumed the surname of Colquhoun, “Chiefs" I pp. 371, 372; “Chiefs of Colquhoun” I pp. 310-313; Bond of Tailzie recorded in the Register of Tailzie at Edinburgh, 28th February 1707. He is subsequently mentioned as concerned in several transactions as to lands in the Barony of Luss. “Chiefs of Colquhoun” I pp. 323-324.

He also accompanied his father-in-law on what was known as the “Lochlomond Expedition,” a movement made against the Macgregors in 1715, to secure the boats on Lochlomond, and thus hinder that Clan, who had joined the Earl of Mar, in their predatory excursions, Ibid pp. 321-321.

Upon the death of Sir Humphrey in 1718, his title descended, in terms of the re-grant, to his son-in-law, who was then designated Sir James Colquhoun of Luss, Baronet, "Chiefs” I p. 373; “Chiefs of Colquhoun” I pp. 328, 329.

He held the lands of Luss for only one year. In 1719 he succeeded to the estates of Grant on the death of his brother, the Brigadier-General. He was retoured heir to his brother by Special Service before the Bailie of the Regality of Grant on 24th October 1720, and was infeft in the Grant estates on 10th November following. He thereupon dropped the name and arms of Colquhoun of Luss, and resumed his paternal surname of Grant, in accordance with the terms of a clause in the entail [131] executed by Sir Humphrey Colquhoun, which expressly provided that the Estate of Luss should never be held by a Laird of Grant, “Chiefs of Colquhoun” I pp. 313 and 329. In terms of the entail, Sir James Grant’s second son, Ludovick, now became the possessor of the barony of Luss, Humphrey Grant, the elder son, being the heir apparent to the Grant estates. On his succession to these estates, Sir James also discontinued for a time the title of Baronet, but he afterwards resumed it, and continued to hold the dignity till his death, in terms of the limitation in the re-grant in favour of him and heirs male of his marriage with Anne Colquhoun.

Sir James Grant was returned Member of Parliament for the County of Inverness on 12th April 1722. He continued to represent that County till the year 1741, when he resigned, and was returned Member for the Elgin Burghs, which he represented till his death in 1747, Return of Election of Members of Parliament, 1878, Part II p. 60; and “Foster’s Members of Parliament,” p161.

When Prince Charles Edward landed in Scotland, Sir James Grant was in Morayshire, during one of his brief visits to the North, “Chiefs,” I pp. 386-389. On learning the news, he at once went to Castle Grant, and concerted with his son Ludovick as to what should be done. He then returned to his Parliamentary duties in London. Shortly after he left, his son forwarded him through the post a letter from Prince Charles Edward summoning him to the Standard, Ibid, I p386, and facsimile, and II p. 268. This letter remained unanswered, as he sent it [132] unopened to the Marquis of Tweeddale, then Secretary of State. Sir James was strongly opposed to the Government scheme of the Independent Companies, as he considered the best way of utilising the services of the clans loyal to the Government was to summon the whole clan under its Chief, after the usual Highland custom, and engage them in active service. Then, as now, such views were not acceptable to the Government, who much preferred sending the Highlanders in drafts or companies instead of in clans or battalions.

Sir James, on leaving Strathspey, counselled his son to remain passive unless he and the clan were called out together. It was not till the 12th February, 1746, that Sir James Grant’s offer of his whole clan was accepted, “Chiefs,” II p. 235; Letter from Mr Grant dated 16th February, 1746.

In the end of 1746 or beginning of 1747, while still in London, he was seized with gout in the stomach, and died there on 16th January 1747, “Chiefs,” I, p. 390.

[Graphic: signature of SIR JAMES GRANT OF GRANT BART. AS CRAIGELLACHIE.]

By his wife, Anne Colquhoun, who died at Castle Grant on 25th June 1724, Sir James Grant had fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters, Leaf in old Bible at Rossdhu: Holograph entry by Sir James Colquhoun husband of Lady Helen Sutherland.

[133] The sons were:
I. HUMPHREY, who was born on Wednesday 2nd December 1702, and who died, unmarried, in September, 1732, “Chiefs” I p. 390; III p. 254.

II. Ludovick, who was born on Monday 13th January 1707, and who succeeded to the Estates of Luss, and afterwards to those of Grant, see infra.

III. ALEXANDER, who was born on Saturday, 8th September 1709 and died 12th March 1712, “Chiefs” I p. 391; III p. 254.

IV. JAMES, who was born on Monday 22nd February 1714, and baptized on the 24th of the month. On the resignation of his brother Ludovick, who, through the death of their elder brother Humphrey, had become heir-apparent of the Grant Estates, he was, on 29th August 1739, infeft in the lands and barony of Luss. He was created a Baronet of Great Britain on 27th June 1786, Ibid, I pp. 391, 397, 398; “Chiefs of Colquhoun” pp. 345-347, 372.

He married on 12th April 1740, Lady Helen Sutherland, eldest daughter of William, Lord Strathnaver (eldest son of John [nineteenth] Earl of Sutherland), who had died, 1720, Ibid I pp. 347-349. Their Contract of Marriage is dated at Edinburgh and at Castle Grant, the 3rd, 5th, and 10th of April and 4th June 1740. They had issue, and were the ancestors of the present Sir Ian Colquhoun, Bart. of Luss, lieutenant Scots Guards. [134] Lady Helen survived her husband a few years, dying 7th January 1791. He died at Rossdhu on the 16th November 1786, aged 72, Luss Bible at Rossdhu; Extract from a Bible at Dunrobin; “Scots Magazine,” Vol. XLVIII p. 571.

V. FRANCIS, who was born on Saturday 10th August 1717, “Chiefs” I p. 391; III p. 254. He became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Black Watch, and afterwards a Lieutenant-General in the Army. He obtained the Estate of Dunphail in the County of Elgin, and was MP for that County from 1768 to 1774. He also held property in Hampshire, and is styled of “Windmill Hill” there, in his will, which is dated 5th July 1781. He died on 30th December the same year, having married, 17th March 1763, Catherine Sophia, daughter of Joseph Cox of Stanford Vale, Berkshire, and Catherine Sophia Sheffield, daughter of John, Duke of Buckingham and Normanby. By his wife he left three sons and three daughters.

VI. CHARLES CATHCART, of Cardeny, was born 3rd April 1723, and became a Captain in the Royal Navy. He died, unmarried, on 11th February 1772. His brother, Sir Ludovick, was served heir to him on 16th May 1772, Ibid I p. 391; III p. 254.

The daughters were:

VII. JANET, who was born 31st May and died 5th October 1704, Ibid I p. 391; III p. 254.

VIII. JEAN, who was born on Friday, 28th September 1705 Ibid I p. 391; III p. 254. She married, in 1722, William Duff, who was raised [135] to the Peerage of Ireland by the Queen Regent, Caroline, under the title of Baron Braco of Kilbryde in the County of Cavan, on 28th July, 1735. On 26th April 1759, he was advanced to the rank of Viscount Macduff and Earl Fife, also in the Peerage of Ireland. He died 30th September 1760 and she on 16th January 1788. She was his second wife, and bore to him seven Sons and seven daughters. From their eldest son the present Duke of Fife, KT is descended.

IX. MARGARET, who was born on Monday 19th January 1708 and died on Wednesday 7th September 1709, “Chiefs” I pp. 392, 502; III p. 254.

X. ANNE DRUMMOND, who was born 2nd May 1711 and who married (Contract dated 9th October 1727) Sir Harry Innes of Innes, ancestor of the present Duke of Roxburghe, Ibid I p. 392. She died in February 1771.

XI. ELIZABETH, who was born on Monday, 22nd January 1713 and died on 1st February 1713 Ibid I p. 392; III p. 254.

XlI. SOPHIA, who was born on 12th January 1716 and died, unmarried, at Banff on 25th March l772, ibid; “Scots Magazine,” Vol. XXXIV p. 166.

XIII. PENUEL, who was born on Thursday 12th August 1719, and who married (Contract dated February, 1740) Captain Alexander Grant of Ballindalloch, “Chiefs” I pp. 392, 502, 511; III p. 254; see supra. Penuel is called in the Contract fourth surviving daughter, [136] her three elder sisters, Janet, Margaret, and Elizabeth, having all predeceased her. Of the marriage of Penuel there was one son, William, who became a Major in the Army. He succeeded to Ballindalloch on the death of his father, 14th January 1751. Penuel Grant survived her husband and received, in 1766, from her son a Bond of Annuity of 600 merks. She was alive in 1798, the last Codicil to her Will being dated 13th July in that year. She died at her house in George Square, Edinburgh.

XIV. CLEMENTINA, who was born at Castle Grant, 12th April 1721 and who married (Contract dated 13th October 1737) Sir William Dunbar of Durn in the County of Banff, “Chiefs” I p. 392; II pp. 137, 138; III p. 254. She was then the fifth surviving daughter, and died 1st June 1765. Of this marriage there was issue one surviving son, who became Sir James Dunbar, Baronet, and died unmarried in 1812.

XVII. SIR LUDOVICK GRANT OF GRANT, BARONET,

born 13th January 1707 and as the second son of Sir James Grant by his wife, Anne Colquhoun, heiress of Luss, he, in terms of the entail by Sir Humphrey Colquhoun, succeeded to the Luss Estates in 1719, when his father became Laird of Grant, Ibid I pp.373, 393; “Chiefs of Colquhoun” I pp. 311-313, 334. After the death of his mother in 1724, Ludovick Grant was, on the 27th March 1729, retoured as nearest heir male of entail to her in the lands and barony of Luss and others, Copy Retour at Rossdhu. He therefore assumed the name of Colquhoun, and became the twenty-second [137] Laird of Colquhoun and twenty-fourth of Luss.

On the 6th July 1727 he married at Edinburgh, Marion Dalrymple, second of the three daughters of the Honourable Sir Hew Dalrymple, Baronet, of North Berwick, President of the Court of Session, “Chiefs” I pp. 375, 393-396. The parents of both parties were highly incensed, as their consent had not been obtained, but they were eventually pacified, mainly by the exertions of Patrick Grant, afterwards Lord Elchies, and the Contract was signed 13th August 1728, Ibid, III pp. 495, 496. Ludovick Colquhoun studied for the Scots Bar, and was admitted a Member of the Faculty of Advocates in the year 1728, Faculty List. He resigned the lands and barony of Luss, etc., 22nd June 1732, into the hands of the Commissioners of Frederick, Prince of Great Britain and Wales, "Chiefs” I p. 397; Original Instrument of Resignation at Rosadhu, for a re-grant of the same to him and the other heirs of entail, as required by the settlement of his deceased grandfather, Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss, and the same day obtained a Charter of Novodamus from Prince Frederick, with consent of his Commissioners, the Barons of the Exchequer, on which he afterwards received infeftment, Original Charter, dated 22nd June 1732 and Instrument of Sasine, dated 2nd August 1732, at Rossdhu.

In January 1735 Ludovick Colquhoun’s first wife died and was buried in the Chapel Royal at Holyrood on the 18th of the same month, Accounts for Funeral of Lady Luss at Castle Grant, but Holyrood Reg., 1900 edition, Scottish Record Society, p11, says 21st January 1735. On 31st October following he married Lady Margaret [138] Ogilvie, eldest daughter of James, fifth Earl of Findlater and Seafield and his Countess, Lady Elizabeth Hay, daughter of Thomas sixth Earl of Kinnoul, "Scots Peerage" IV p. 39, title Findlater. In contemplation of this event, and as Ludovick had become the eldest son through the decease of his elder brother Humphrey Grant, in September 1732, Sir James Grant settled upon him the estates of Grant in fee reserving to himself a life-rent interest. He finally, but not without great reluctance and only because he was compelled to do so by a decree given against him in the Court of Session, denuded himself of the barony of Luss in favour of his younger brother James, by a Disposition dated 25th and 30th January and 9th February 1738, "Chiefs" I p. 398; "Chiefs of Colquhoun" I pp. 311-313 and 347; see Charter by Frederick, Prince of Wales, dated 13th February 1738 at Rossdhu. In that disposition he is styled Ludovick Grant, younger of Grant. He now withdrew from practising at the bar, as his father had entrusted him with the management of the Grant estates. He became a Member of Parliament for the County of Moray, which he continued to represent till the year 1761, Foster's "Members of Parliament" p. 161; see supra. As we have seen, after the news of the landing of Prince Charles Edward, Ludovick's father, Sir James, handed over the headship of the clan to his son and went South to fulfil important Parliamentary duties. Mr Grant wanted to support the Government, but at first he found it was impossible, as by the Disarming Act of 1725, the Grants, with the other loyal clans, had been left without weapons.

[Facing page 138: Graphic: Cullen House]

Ludovick has been accused of sitting on the fence, and of only finally deciding after the battle [139] of Culloden which side he would support, and then of showing his zeal by pursuing and taking defenceless Jacobites, "Urquhart and Glenmoriston” pp. 246, 247. It must, however, be remembered that his grandfather, Ludovick, had suffered much in the cause of William III who had refused to compensate him in spite of the recommendation of Parliament. His uncle, the Brigadier, made large sacrifices for George the First during the Rising of the Fifteen, and got little thanks for his pains. Moreover, it was the duty of a Highland Chief to consider the interests of his clan, and on Ludovick Grant lay the responsibility of protecting his clan from such disastrous raids as had occurred during the Fifteen. It was known to him that there were several hostile clans only biding their time to wreak vengeance on the Clan Grant for the part they had taken in the events of 1715.

Even as it was, the Clan and their Chief were ready enough to help the Government cause, but the ardour of Chief and Clan had been damped in that they were only asked to raise one of the twenty independent companies formed at this time, while the Macleods were asked to raise five in all, “Chiefs of Colquhoun” I p. 336; “Chiefs of Grant” I pp. 414-417. This was looked upon not only as a slight to a powerful clan, but as casting suspicion on its loyalty.

It was, therefore, very natural that Ludovick should determine not to fight – at all events for the present. His father, in a letter written from London, which was intercepted by the Jacobites (and who knows if its interception was an accident or not?) desired him “to stay at home and take [140] care of his country, and join no party.” Letter, John Grant, Factor of Urquhart, to Ludovick Grant dated 17th September 1745. Grant, however, did raise his clan to prevent the Macphersons and Farquharsons invading Strathspey, and also to prevent their forcing men from Strathdon and Glenlivet to join the Jacobite Army, "Chiefs,” I pp. 408, 409; “Urquhart and Glenmoriston,” p. 247.

Towards the end of October, 1745, hearing that the Macdonalds, Frasers, and the men of Glenmoriston were threatening to destroy Urquhart if his tenants there did not join the Prince’s army, he raised six or seven hundred men, and marched towards Inverness on his way to Urquhart, MS Narrative by Sir Archibald Grant and Lachlan Grant; “Culloden Papers” London 1815, p. 430-433; “Chiefs” I pp. 412, 414, and II pp. 179-184; “Urquhart and Glenmoriston,” pp. 260-262. On the 26th October 1745, the Factor of Glen-Urquhart and Grant of Dell met him in his camp, some miles from Inverness, and brought the agreeable news that the Jacobites had left Glen-Urquhart and marched north to Assynt. Mr Grant, therefore, dismissed his men, but he sent soon afterwards the independent company he had raised, under Grant of Rothiemurchus, to join Lord Loudoun. The company arrived at Inverness on the 3rd November and was employed governing the Castle under Ludovick’s uncle, Major George Grant. In the following February the Major surrendered the Castle to the Jacobites, whereupon some of the Grants went over to the Prince.

Mr Grant was able at this time to prevent Lord Lewis Gordon, a son of the second Duke of Gordon, from pressing and harassing the Duke of Gordon’s [141] tenants in Strathavon and Kincardine, with the intent of compelling them to join Prince Charles, "Chiefs,” I p. 413; II pp. 182, 185, 186; MS. Narrative by Lachlan Grant; MS. Narrative by Sir Archibald Grant of Monymusk. On the 12th December 1745, Mr Grant marched with five or six hundred men to Keith, in order to co-operate with the Laird of Macleod, and cover his passage across the Spey “Chiefs” I pp. 418-425; II pp. 193-206. He also occupied Cullen House, which was threatened by a small body of Jacobites, MS. Narrative by Sir Arch. Grant, and MS. Narrative of Lachlan Grant. On the 18th December Mr Grant marched to Strathbogie and caused the enemy to retire from that district towards Aberdeen. Here he received a letter from Lord Loudoun tacitly rebuking him for making this expedition without his commands, and intimating that it was impossible to take Mr Grant’s clan into the Government’s pay. Much against his will, Ludovick was thus compelled to return to Castle Grant, leaving, however, a party of sixty men to protect the district. The folly of the Government was demonstrated when Lord Lewis Gordon, taking advantage of the withdrawal of the Grants, surprised and defeated Macleod on the 23rd December at Inverurie. The detachment of Grants left behind covered Macleod’s retreat.

On the 15th February 1746 Mr Grant received from the Duke of Cumberland instructions, dated 12th February, to raise his clan in arms for the King, See supra and “Chiefs” I p. 431; II p. 235.

On the 24th February, finding himself threatened by the Jacobites and perceiving he could not stand a siege at Castle Grant, he, with his wife and [142] daughter, accompanied by Lord and Lady Findlater and by about four hundred men, left the Castle, the rest of the clan being instructed to defend the house and neighbourhood as well as they could, “Chiefs,” I, pp. 431-433; II, pp. 241, 242; MS. Narrative by Lachlan Grant. Mr Grant and his party advanced through Strathavon, but on reaching Newe, finding that he was threatened by no large body of rebels, he retained about one hundred and fifty of his men to escort himself and his family, and sent the remainder back to take care of their houses and goods. He joined the Duke of Cumberland at Aberdeen on March 1st. On the 9th March he was ordered to proceed to Inverurie. On or about the 16th March he took possession of Castle Forbes, “Chiefs,” II, p. 249. On the 14th March, Lord George Murray and Lord Nairn took Castle Grant, but it was soon evacuated.

Ludovick was also very much vexed by the fact than certain gentlemen of his clan, including Grant of Rothiemurchus and Grant of Dellachapple, having fallen into the hands of the Jacobites, signed a treaty of neutrality, Ibid I pp. 433-435; II p. 253; MS. Narrative by Lachlan Grant; Letter, by the Earl of Findlater to Mr Grant, at Castle Grant.

Grant, after being checked at Ballindalloch by parties of Jacobites while endeavouring to return to Castle Grant, returned to Strathbogie, where he remained till the 10th of April. On the next day he joined the Duke’s army at Cullen, “Chiefs” I pp. 433, 435-437; “Urquhart and Glenmoriston,” pp. 278-290.

He and his men took no part in the battle of Culloden, but on the way to Inverness after that [143] event, they captured Lord Balmerino and others, “Urquhart and Glenmoriston,” pp. 495-498, App. H; “Chiefs of Colquhoun,” I, pp. 341, 342. They then searched for Jacobites and arms in Strathnairn and the Mackintosh country, and afterwards in the country north of Inverness, the Aird and the Fraser country. A number of people who had been forced into rebellion were persuaded to surrender at discretion, and were marched under a strong guard to Moy. On the 4th May sixty-eight Glenmoriston men surrendered at Balmacaan, as did sixteen men of Urquhart, being persuaded by Ludovick’s advice that they had nothing to fear from the Royal clemency. Contrary to their expectation, Ludovick did not intercede for them, “Chiefs,” II, pp. 365-367. When he reached London he found all condemned his conduct, so he interceded, but too late. Grant of Shewglie, his son, and the minister of Urquhart, the Reverend John Grant, who had petitioned the Duke of Newcastle, were released from their cells at Tilbury Fort, and allowed to reside in London. The remainder were without trial shipped off as slaves to Barbados. Such was their treatment that only eighteen were alive in 1749, and of these only seven or eight returned home.

Ludovick Grant’s zeal for the Government met with little reward, “Urquhart and Glenmoriston,” pp. 291, 292, and 499-502, App. I; Original Report at Castle Grant. His request to be refunded £494 8s for his outlays when rebel-hunting was treated with contempt. Early in July his estate of’ Urquhart was overrun by Kingston’s Light Horse, who burnt the houses and carried away the horses, [144] cattle, and household effects of the tenants, Memorial by Ludovick Grant to the Duke of Newcastle – Copy at Castle Grant. In October a levy of one hundred blankets was made on Urquhart for the King’s troops, and a similar demand for one hundred and fifty blankets was made on the people of Strathspey the following January. For these losses and exactions Ludovick and his tenants in vain sought redress. He succeeded as Sir Ludovick Grant of Grant, Baronet, 16th January, 1747.

When John Grant, Baron Elchies, decided to sell the estate of Easter Elchies, Sir Ludovick was anxious to purchase it, that it might still belong to a Grant, “Chiefs,” I, pp. lxxiv and 437; II, p. 269, 270. Although at the time he was disappointed, as the estate was sold to the Earl of Findlater, Easter Elchies reverted to the family of Grant on the succession of Sir Ludovick’s grandson to the title and estates of Seafield in the year 1811.

In 1761 Sir Ludovick resigned his seat in Parliament owing to ill-health, but his son James succeeded him in the representation of Morayshire. He died, much lamented, at Castle Grant, 18th March, 1773, after an illness of eight days, and was interred in the family burial aisle at Duthil Parish Church lbid, I, p. 437.

By his first marriage with Marion Dalrymple Sir Ludovick had

I. A daughter ANNE, born 1728, Ibid, I, pp. 398, 439; II, pp. 132, 425 ; “Chiefs of Colquhoun,” I, p. 345. She died unmarried in London, 6th December, 1748, at the age of twenty. [145]

II. Another child who died in infancy. Account of Funeral Charges for a child of the Hon. Mr Colquhoun of Luss, dated 7th December, 1733, at Castle Grant.

As we have seen, Sir Ludovick’s first wife died January, 1735, and on the 31st October following he married, at Castle Grant, Lady Margaret Ogilvie, “Chiefs,” I, pp. 439, 440.

[Graphic: signatures of SIR LUDOVICK GRANT OF GRANT, MARION DALLYMPLE, LADY MARGARET OGILVIE.]

Simon, Lord Lovat, Ludovick’s uncle, in a letter dated from Beaufort, 1st November, 1735, alludes to the wedding festivities he celebrated then, and how he gave a ball “which concluded with most of the gentilmen’s being dead drunk” Ibid, II., pp. 337, 338. Lady Margaret died at London, 20th February, 1757, “Scots Magazine,” XIX, p. 111.

The only son of this marriage was [146]
III. JAMES, who was born on 19th May, 1738, “Chiefs,” I, p. 440. He succeeded to the title and estates of Grant.

The daughters of the second marriage were
IV. MARIANA, who died, unmarried, at Culnakyle, Strathspey, 28th March 1807, Ibid
V. PENUEL, born at London, 20th September 1750; died 3rd April 1835; married on 6th January 1776, Henry Mackenzie of the Exchequer in Scotland, author of the “Man of Feeling” and other popular works, and had issue, Ibid, I p. 441.

Joshua Henry, one of their sons, became a Lord of Session under the name of Lord Mackenzie.

VI. MARGARET, born at London, 11th May 1752. Died unmarried. Ibid.

VII. HELEN, born May 1754, who married on 9th September 1773 Sir Alexander Penrose-Cumming Gordon of Altyre and Gordonstoun, First Baronet, Ibid. When this match was announced to Mrs Penuel Grant of Ballindalloch, the aunt of Helen Grant, she wrote to Penuel Grant, sister of Helen, on 31st August 1773: “I have not for a great while heard anything which gave me such joy, and it makes me particularly happy to hear he is a young man much to her brother’s mind, which circumstance weighs like heavy gold with me for hopes of success and good luck in every part of the intended match.” Original Letter at Castle Grant. [147] Lady Cumming died 1st January 1832 leaving issue.

VIII. ANNA-HOPE, born at London, 6th July 1756, who married, 3rd April 1781, the Very Reverend Robert Darly Waddilove D.D., Dean of Ripon, and died in 1797, leaving issue, "Chiefs,” I pp. 440, 441.

IX. MARY, who died, unmarried, at Edinburgh, on 12th and was buried at Holyrood 14th December 1784. Ibid I, p. 441, and “Holyrood Burial Reg.,” p. 19.

X. ELIZABETH, who died unmarried on 27th March 1804, “Chiefs,” I, p. 441.

XVIII. SIR JAMES GRANT OF GRANT, BARONET,

He married, 4th January 1763, at Bath, Jane Duff, only daughter and heiress of Alexander Duff by his wife, Lady Anne, eldest daughter of William Duff, first Earl Fife, Ibid I pp. 446, 447. After his marriage, Mr Grant resided chiefly at Castle Grant, his father having given up to him the management of the Grant estates.

He founded the town of Grantown in 1766, upon what was then a barren moor, Ibid, I, pp. xci, 447, 448; II, pp. 450, 451.

[148] He also prepared plans, 1769, for the erection of a town on his Urquhart property, to be called Lewistown, "Chiefs" I pp. lxxvi, lxxvii, lxxxii, lxxxiii, 448, 449; “Urquhart and Glenmoriston,” pp. 443, 444.

He represented in Parliament at different periods the counties of Moray and Banff, "Chiefs,” I pp. 449-451; see Foster’s “Members of Parliament,” p. 161. On the death of his father, Sir Ludovick Grant, on 18th March 1773, James Grant succeeded to the baronetcy and to the Grant estates. He found the estates very heavily burdened, as a result of the loyal service of the Chiefs of Grant to the Government. He, therefore, gave up his seat in Parliament in order to avoid the expense of living in London, and as a chief means of relief, Sir James determined to sell all the outlying portions of his possessions, retaining in the family only their territories in Strathspey, Memorandum by Colquhoun Grant, W.S., Edinburgh, agent for Sir James, 22nd May, 1782, at Castle Grant. He sold, between 1774 and 1785, Moy, Mulben, Westfield, Dunphail, and Achmades, lands then representing a value of £52,500. His father, Sir Ludovick, and his grandfather, the first Sir James, had previously sold the estates of Pluscardine, Allachie, Alanbuie, Ballintomb and Arndilly for £24,000. £20,000 was also obtained by selling Lady Grant’s own estate. In spite of his difficulties he found himself able to gradually redeem the wadsets on the Strathspey lands as they expired, "Chiefs” I pp. lxix, xciv. Among the wadsets thus redeemed was that on the lands of Tullochgorm, held by a branch of the Clan.

Sir James Grant made every effort to obtain from Government some compensation for the large [149] sums expended by his family in the public service, “Chiefs,” I pp. 451, 452; II pp. 474-477, 484, 485. His brother-in-law, Mr Henry Mackenzie, author of the “Man of Feeling,” did his best to assist his application. On the 22nd August 1784, Mr Mackenzie advised Sir James Grant to name a sum to be accepted in full of his claims, which were submitted to the Barons of the Exchequer to be reported on, and they reported that Sir James had a just claim for £12,540, for which no compensation had been made, save occasional releases for feu duties, etc. Mr Mackenzie suggested that Sir James should, in default of a fixed sum, accept as compensation an office or pension of £500 or £600 yearly. The Grant papers and correspondence do not clearly show the result, but it is probable that the appointment of General Cashier for the Excise in Scotland, conferred upon and accepted by Sir James Grant in 1795, was intended as compensation for the losses of the family. On his receiving this appointment, he resigned his seat as Member for Banffshire, having been elected in 1790, and after this resided much in Edinburgh.

During his tour in the Highlands Robert Burns paid Sir James Grant and family a fleeting visit at Castle Grant. He brought with him a letter of introduction from Mr Henry Mackenzie, Ibid, I pp. 452, 453. Works of Rev. John Skinner, Aberdeen: T. Chalmers & Co. 1809, II p.105.

In 1793, when France declared war on Britain, he levied the first regiment of Fencibles, and in the following year he raised the 97th regiment. He [150] was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Invernessshire in 1793, an office which he resigned in 1809. See General Stewart of Garth’s "Sketches of the Highlanders” Edinburgh, 1825, II pp. 284, 285, 380-388, 488-490, and Browne’s “History of the Highlands and Highland Clans,” Edinburgh, 1848, Vol. IV, pp. 353 and 370, 371; “Chiefs,” I, pp. 454-457. Printed Copies Royal Warrant dated 1st March 1793, at Castle Grant.

Lady Grant died suddenly at Castle Grant on the 15th February 1805, deeply regretted by her husband and by all who knew her, "Chiefs,” I pp. 457, 458; II p. 281. Original Letter at Altyre.

Her husband died on 18th February 1811 at Castle Grant, and was buried at Duthil. General Stewart’s “Sketches of the Highlanders" II pp. 383, 384. A man of high character, he was greatly mourned, being greatly respected and beloved by all around him. He was a Presbyterian, and a regular attendant of the Parish Churches of Cromdale and Inverallan.

[Graphic: signatures of SIR JAMES GRANT OF GRANT JANE DUFF OF HATTON.]

Sir James and Lady Grant had a large family of seven sons and seven daughters. Of these several died young.

The Sons were [151]

I. LEWIS ALEXANDER, born 22nd March 1767, who succeeded his father in the Grant Estates in 1811, and in the same year succeeded his cousin as heir general to the title and estates of the fourth Earl of Seafield, See infra, and “Chiefs,” I, p. 460.

II. ALEXANDER, “second son,” the exact date of whose birth has not been ascertained, but who died in infancy at Castle Grant, 21st March 1772 “Chiefs,” I, p. 460.

III. JAMES THOMAS, born 10th August 1776, was educated at Richmond, near London, went to India in 1792, Ibid, I p. 460; see II, pp. 510, 511, 516-523, 526. He became a magistrate at Furruckabad, and in 1801 was appointed Registrar of the Provincial Court of Benares. He died in India, unmarried, on 28th July 1804.

IV. THE HON. FRANCIS WILLIAM, On 3rd July 1822, King George the Fourth advanced the brothers and sisters of Lewis Alexander, then Earl of Seafield, to the same rank which they would have attained had their father, Sir James Grant lived to be Earl of Seafield born 6th March 1778, “Chiefs” I p. 460 (see infra). In 1840 he succeeded his eldest brother in the Grant and Seafield Estates, and also as sixth Earl of Seafield.

V. THE HON. ROBERT HENRY, occasionally described as “fourth son,” born 5th August 1783. Ibid. He died, unmarried, on 11th February 1862.

VI. ALEXANDER HOPE, born 8th August 1784; died at Castle Grant, 22nd August 1793 Ibid, [152]

VII. DUNDAS CHARLES, youngest son, born 21st October 1787; died at Castle Grant, 21st March 1788, "Chiefs" I p. 469.

The daughters were

VIII. LADY ANNE MARGARET, born 25th July, 1764,"Chiefs" I p. 460, 461. Died unmarried at Grant Lodge, Elgin on 23rd November 1827 and her remains were interred in the family vault at Duthil Church. She was a lady of great personal beauty and accomplishments. Of the devotion she inspired among the Strathspey men, a noteworthy instance occurred in the year 1820, Ibid pp. 464-486. She, with her sisters Margaret and Penuel, was then residing at Grant Lodge, in Elgin. In those days political feeling ran high, and at the time a contested election was taking place in Elgin Burghs. The contest lay between Mr Farquharson of Finzean, brought forward by Lord Kintore, and supported by Lord Seafield’s interest, on the one side, and General Duff, backed by Lord Fife, on the other. The Elgin burghers strongly favoured the cause of the latter, and during the heat of the election the Grant ladies dared scarcely appear in the streets of the town, without being annoyed by the rabble. Grant Lodge was, in fact, completely beleaguered by the townspeople; not a soul was allowed to go in or out of the house and those of the Town Council who were favourable to Colonel Grant were forcibly seized and carried across the Moray Firth in an open boat to Sutherland. Lady Anne contrived the escape of one of her grooms at night with a note to young Patrick Grant, son of Major Grant, Auchterblair, [153] describing her situation, and saying she was sure his father’s son, mere boy though be was (he was a little over “fifteen years at the time"), would not hear of the daughters and sisters of his chief being insulted without making an effort to come to their relief. A similar note was written to Captain Grant, Congash, the Factor of Strathspey. The fiery cross was sent round, and in the course of a few hours some five or six hundred men were on their march from Strathspey to Elgin. It being a Sabbath morning, some of the people were assembling at the various churches at the time, but instead of worshipping they joined in the march. Arriving at Elgin, they marched through the town to Grant Lodge, which they found besieged by the townspeople, who, alarmed by the numbers and resolute bearing of the Highlanders, instantly fled. Lady Anne gave the Strathspey men a hearty welcome. The Provost of Elgin, in fear and trembling that the town would be sacked, is said to have contrived to get access to Grant Lodge by a back entrance, and on his knees to have implored Lady Anne to induce the Highlanders to spare the town and return to Strathspey. The Sheriff of the county backed up this appeal. Lady Anne consented to send them home after food was provided for them. They then started for Strathspey. Lady Anne sent orders to Forres and every inn on the road to give the Highlanders everything they wanted. At Forres they had a real good night of it, eating and drinking and dancing till morning. They went on to Strathspey without a halt, so that the men from the remoter parts must have walked eighty miles without going to bed. This is said to [154] have been the last raid by Highlanders as a clan. The young Patrick Grant who took part in it was known afterwards as Field Marshal Sir Patrick Grant G.C.B., G.C.M.G., K.C.B., who was Adjutant General in India 1845-51; was appointed A.D.C. to the Queen, 1851; was Commander-in-Chief at Madras, 1856-1857 and 1857-61; and Commander-in-Chief in Bengal, 1867. He was Governor and Commander-in-Chief at Malta, 1867-72, and in 1874 was appointed Governor of Chelsea Hospital. He was appointed Colonel, Royal Horse Guards, and Gold Stick-in-Waiting on the Queen, 1885. Sir Patrick Grant with his own hand furnished an account of this march to Sir William Fraser, and was always proud of this, his “first campaign,” the Raid to Elgin.

On the occasion of King George IV’s visit to Scotland in 1822, at one of the presentations which took place during his stay at Holyrood or at the ball given to His Majesty by the Peers of Scotland, the King asked one of the lords-in-waiting to point out the lady on whose account so many Highlanders went down to Elgin two years before. The lady was pointed out, and the King emphatically remarked, “Well, truly she is an object fit to raise the chivalry of a clan.”

IX. LADY MARGARET, born 27th May 1772. She married, 10th July 1795, Major-General Francis Stuart of Lesmurdie and had issue, "Chiefs,’ I p. 461. She died 3rd December, 1830 and was buried at Elgin. [155]

X. JANE, born 1st March 1774. She died at Grant Lodge, Elgin, 22nd May 1819 aged 45, unmarried, and was interred in the family vault at Duthil Church, “Chiefs,” I, p. 461.

XI. LADY PENUEL, born 21st December 1779; died, unmarried, on 27th January, 1844 Ibid

XII. CHRISTINA TERESA, born 13th January 1781; died at Grant Lodge, Elgin, 16th July 1793, unmarried. Ibid

XIII. MAGDALEN, a daughter living in 1796; died unmarried Ibid

XIV. MARY SOPHIA, died at Castle Grant, 26th February 1788 unmarried Ibid

part V