Notes:

of Clayslops, in 1739, afterwards portioner of East Blairlin.

A James Cleland in 1712 rented part of Spreull's Land in the Trongate. This individual probably was an ancestor of James Cleland, LL.D., because the latter was related to the Spreull's, and his father, John Cleland, lived in the Trongate.
A James Cleland was Baillie of the River and Firth of Clyde in 1730 and 1731.
In the enquiry into the riot on the Malt Tax in June,1725, in Glasgow, James Cleland is one of those examined by
the advocate. '*In examining James Cleland, after some other queries, he asked him what he thought of that rabble.
Mr. Cleland asked him pardon and said, matters were not come to that pass as to be obliged to tell people's thoughts."
(Wodrow-s " Analecta." Mattland Club.)

(Research):Alternative parents suggested:
James Cleland 1698-1791 and Jean Wharrie 1690

James 1698....
born 11 Sept 1698 Co Down, Ireland
died 11 April 1791 Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut, United States
no additional details for Jean Wharrie

There is conflicting information from both sources, so unreliable.

Died:
Probably date of death

James + Bethia Riddell. Bethia was born in 1815 in Newhouse, Roxburghshire, Scotland; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Possibly daughter of James Riddell, born 20 May 1716 in Lanarkshire, Scotland

William Cleland (209). Married 1764 Margaret Riddell, niece of Bethia Riddell. 8 children.

Notes:

Married:
Possible William Cleland and Margaret Riddle, 18 Nov 1764; citing , Bothwell, Lanark, Scotland as marriage location

Notes:

William (3rd of East Blairlin) advanced the family from the position of tenants to that of proprietors. When The Earl of Kilmarnock was disposing of his barony of Medrox, William purchased some of the land in East Blairlin, directly acquiring the farm Clayslope and partnering with others for purchase of East Blairlin. William married Elizabeth (Elspeth) Watson and lived at Clayslope until he moved to Muirhead. William and Elisabeth, had one son, James, and four daughters: Christian, Margaret, Marian, and Jean.



(Research):I previosly showed Jean Wharrie as William's wife (though at that time, his name was unknown to me:-
" Cleland (207), descended from the Clelands of that ilk (Monkland Branch). Married Jean Wharrie of the Covenanting Line." Such was the information furnished by my cousins of the furthest back Cleland ancestry,
whose descendants could be continuously traced down to the present day, but I have been unable to find the names in the New Monkland registers, unless the following may perhaps apply:-"1696, June 14. James Cleland and Janet Qtlair (Whitclair) in fidlersland a lawful son called John." However that may be Cleland and Jean Wharrie are given as
the parents of James Cleland following, whose descendants are well authenticated." (Notes by P. Galbraith, Esq.) John Cleiland appears in 1692 in the "Records of the Maltman's Craft," Glasgow.

The origin of this branch of the Clelands is uncertain.
"According to local tradition they are descended from the Clelands of Glenhove. This is probable enough, as the two places are contiguous." (Note by Mr. Harry Cleland, Kilsyth.)

William + Elizabeth (Elspeth) Watson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It is believed by Harry Cleland in his 1934 documentation of the Cleland of Blairlin District that Agnes and John had a son named ?George, and this George became Cleland the 1st of East Blairlin. Although he does have a disclaimer saying "?we cannot now prove the connection by documentary evidence, it is very probable that George (1) was descended from the Clelands of Glenhove.", he does offer some credible circumstantial evidence to support his position. I will adopt his premise as correct and use it as we continue towards Albuquerque.



George, 1st of Blairlin, was conjectured to be the "tacksman" of East Blairlin and that its many small holdings were sublet by him to other tenants. He and Margaret Paul had two sons, George and Alexander, and a daughter Jean, but little else is known about him. The wife Margaret preceded George in death. She dying prior to 1674 and he about 1684. Apparently Alexander was the rowdy one, with his affairs twice occupying the attention of the Privy Council. His escapades are interesting, but rather than divert from following our lineage, I will go to George (2nd of East Blairlin).



Little is known of George (2nd). He was married to Agnes Muir, who died about the same time as George's mother, for both of their wills were recorded on the same day. It is possible that an epidemic or the plague was the cause of their deaths. William Cleland, mentioned as a resident in East Blairlin in 1688, is supposedly George (2nd) and Agnes's son.