Douglas of Pumpherston
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On 4th July 1489, James Dowglace of Awdestoune had a charter from
William, Lord Grahame, confirming to him and his heirs and assigns
the lands of Pumfrastoun in the barony of Caldore, together with
those of Clyftoun and Clyftounhall in Linlithgowshire, Robert
Dowglace of Lochlevin being a witness.
Robert Douglas of
Pumfrastoun witnesses at Calder a charter of John Sandilands, fiar
of Calder, in 1539. The same Robert was on an assize 26th February
1534; he is mentioned as joint occupier with Peter Hamilton and John
Lochcotis, of the church lands of Levingstoun, in a charter of the
same by Mr Richard Bothuile, Provost of the Collegiate Church of Our
Lady of Camps, loth April 1 543 ; and twelve days later Rob. Douglas
de Punfrastoun witnesses a charter of James, Earl of Morton. On 29th
March 1546 he acted himself caution to the Privy Council that John
Sandilands, younger of Calder, should enter within the Castle of
Edinburgh when charged thereto, within the space of twenty-four
hours. He is stated to have married a lady of the Marjoribanks
family, and he appears to have had several sons. Thus in 1562 Johne
Dowglas of Pumpherstoun made complaint to the Assembly of the
Church, on behalf of the parishioners of Calder, that they are
defrauded of the preaching of the word by the appointment of their
minister to be superintendent of Lothian. Twelve years later, namely
in 1 574, " James Dowglas, sone to umquhile Robert Dowglas of
Pumphrastoun," is mentioned in connection with a tack of the lands
of Halkerston's Croft ; and in 1 579» James Dowglas, designed " of
Pumphrestoun," is servitor to James, Earl of Mortoun, High Admiral
of Scotland. In the year following,
Joseph Douglas of
Pumphrastoun witnesses at Aberdour a charter of the same Earl^ 6th
August 1580. This Joseph was laird for many years, and was a
redoubtable personage withal. He married in 1574, Mary, daughter of
John Sandilands of Calder (who was still living in the year 1628),
and he was one of the curators of the minor Lord Torphichen, in
which capacity he assents to the marriage of his ward in 1595. His
name appears somewhat frequently in documents to which we have had
access relating to the closing years of the i6th century. Thus, in
1590, Eupham M*Calyean, only daughter of Mr Thomas M'Calyean of
Cliftounhall, Provost of Edinburgh in 1 561, was executed for
witchcraft, part of the indictment against her being that she had
consulted with Jonett Cwninghame, in the Cannogait, alias callit
Lady Bothwell, ane auld indytit wich of the fynest stamp, eighteen
zeiris syne or thairby, for to haif poysonit Joseph Dowglas of
Punfrastoune, be ane potioun of composit watter in ane chopin stoup.
Joseph was caution in ;£'iooo for Patrick Hume of Aytoun that he
should enter before the Privy Council on loth November 1591 to
answer to a charge against him touching the violent taking of
certain teind sheaves of the parsonage of Duns.
The laird of
Pumpherstoun is included in a list of gentlemen of the name of
Douglas who bear evil will against Andro, Lord Stewart of Uchiltrie,
on account of the slaughter of James, Lord Torthorwald ; and the
Privy Council being determined that "all unlauchfull revenge so
dishonourable to the natioun and offensive to his Heynes salbe
forborne," Pumpherston and Uchiltree are required to enter into
reciprocal assurances in ;^iooo to keep the peace towards each
other, 2nd March 1609. Joseph Douglas of Pumpherston was on an
assize 20th December 161 6, and in 1636 he witnesses the baptism of
his grand-daughter Margaret Douglas. His latter will is dated at
Cliftounhall 23rd April 1637, and he died within the same year. He
had a son, William, who succeeded him ; another son, Mr Hew, who
witnesses a deed at Cliftounhall 31st January 1623 ; a daughter,
Jean, married to Mr Robert Dalgleish of Lauriston, solicitor to
Charles H, whose only child, Margaret, married in 1662 to Ludovick
Craig of Riccarton ; and a second daughter, Margaret, who married
(contract dated 12th October 1626) George Ker, burgess of Edinburgh.
We observe a George Douglas of Pumpherston, whose position
in the family tree does not seem to be well defined. He was
appointed a Commissioner of the Peace for Linlithgowshire 6th
November 1610, and acts in that capacity in 1615 and 161 6; but
although on these occasions he is styled " of Pumpharstoun," he
appears to have been a younger son either of Joseph or the preceding
laird.
William Douglas of Pumpherston, who succeeded his
father, Joseph, is first mentioned in 1609. I^ that year commenced
the Plantation of Ulster with Scots colonists, an event referred to
by Hallam as " perhaps on the whole the most important in the
constitutional history of Ireland, and that from which the present
scheme of society in that country is chiefly to be deduced." King
James declares the northern portion of that kingdom " now by his
royall airmyis fred and disburdynit of the former rebellious and
disobedient inhabitants thairof, who in the justice of God to their
schame and confusioun ar overthrawen." And although there be many
obedient subjects in England who would gladly proceed with their
families to that kingdom, "yet hes sacred Majestie out of his
unspeikable love and tendir affectioun toward his antient and native
subjectis" has invited applications for grants of land from the
nobility and gentry of Scotland. Seventy-seven, whose names are all
in the Privy Council register, were enrolled in June 1609, as the
first Scots colonists in Ulster, amongst whom William Douglass, son
to Joseph Douglass of Pumpharstoun, is entered for 2000 acres.
Unlike many who proceeded to the north of Ireland at this time, it
is evident that the young laird of Pumpherston did not settle there.
On 14th Jannary 1614, William Dowglas, younger of Pumphrastoun, was
on an assize in Scotland, and two years later there is a complaint
to the Privy Council by Johnne Wricht at the Bridgend of Calder, as
follows : —
1616, November 12— On 5th October last, William
Douglas of Pomphreston who has conceived a deadlie hatred against
the pursuer, came with a baton in his hand, to the back of
complainer's house, and chased him into his house. On 7th October,
the said defender came armed under cloud of night, to the house at
the Bridgend, where the pursuer was sitting before the fire. The
said William, who was '' disaguysit with a blew bonnet t on his
head, and a cloke about his mouthe,*' entered before the pursuer was
aware, and committed a fierce assault upon him with a squared baton.
He left pursuer for dead, and ^ trampit his wyff and baimis under
his feitt.'' The Lords, finding the latter assault proved, order him
to pay ;^4o to the pursuer, a fine of 40 merks to the Crown, and to
remain in ward until these sums be paid.
The Laird of
Pumpherston was twice married ; first to Mary, daughter and heir of
Gilbert, 8th Lord Somerville, relict of James, 2nd Lord Torphichen,
by whom he had a son, Sir Joseph of Pumpherston. Secondly, he
married Isobel Ewart, daughter of Ewart of Bodspeck, who bore him a
son, James, who ultimately succeeded, and six daughters, namely,
Elizabeth, married first to James Tweedie, merchant in Edinburgh,
who died before 1658, and secondly to Mr Patrick Darg, minister of
Fordice, and left an only child, Elizabeth Darg, heir-general of her
mother and of her uncle James Douglas of Pomphristoune, 2nd December
1697 ; Isobel, baptized 9th October 1634, married Patrick Graham,
younger, burgess of Edinburgh ; Margaret, baptized 12th April 1636,
married Mr Andro M*Ghie; Janet, baptized 26th December 1637; Jeane,
baptized 2nd May 164s ; and Helene — which daughters were all living
in 1658.
Isobell Ewart, spous to William Douglas of Pumpherston,
was cited to appear before the Kirk-Session, 22nd September 1644,
for scolding and railing against the Session, and was charged also
with having said there was four hundreth merkis gott in fra the
witches, and that the Sessioun leived thairupon. This she denied,
but said the minister had done many things behind folks backis which
he durst not do befoir thair faces.
She appealed to the
Presbytery of Linlithgow.
Sir Joseph Douglas of Pumpherston,
the elder son of the last mentioned, appears to have become
possessed of the fee of the estate about the period of his father's
second marriage, as he is designed "of Pumpherstoun" as early as
1644, although his father was still living in 1673. On 31st December
1647, he had a precept furth of Chancery under testimony of the
Great Seal of the lands of Pumpherston, with manor place, etc., in
the barony of Calder, and on 9th March 1648 he had also a charter
from Francis, Earl of Buccleuch, of the east half of the lands of
Ormestoun, with mansion and manor place, the west half of the lands
of Mortoun and others in that district. There is also an Act of
Parliament of Charles I. disponing the teinds, personage and
viccarage of ye east kirke and parochine of Calder, called
Caldercleire, to his lovit Sr Joseph Douglas of Pumpherstoun, and
his heirs, 29th July 1644. He was on a Committee of War for
Linlithgowshire in 1646 and 1647 ; was Lieutenant Colonel of a
Regiment of Foot in 1650; and Commissioner of Supply in 1655, 1656,
and 1659. Sir Joseph Douglas was drowned when coming down to
Scotland from London with the Duke of York in the year 1682 ; and as
he left no issue, the succession passed to his half-brother
James Douglas of Pumpherston, the second son of William Douglas of
the same, before-mentioned. On 21st November 1672 this laird had a
charter of the kirklands of Levingstoun, called Canieland, in the
shire of Linlithgow, reserving the liferent thereof to his said
father, and to Isobel Euart, his mother, and it is worthy of remark
that the old laird could not at this date have been less than eighty
years of age. James had a disposition of the lands of Pumpherston,
Knightsrig, and Canielands from Walter, Lord Torphichen, 7th May
1679, in which he is styled James Douglas of Knightsrig (Dechmont
Law). He was Commissioner of Supply in the year 1686, and
Commissioner for the Militia in 1689, and he was still living at
12th June 1696, when he gave an annual rent of £160 out of his lands
of Pumpherston and Knightsrig to Mr James Henrysone of Pittadro,
W.S. He was deceased before Sth July 1697.
We thus witness
the extinction of the male line of the race of Douglas of
Pumpherston, which, for upwards of two centuries at least had kept
possession of their patrimonial lands. After the death of James
Douglas, the last laird, the estate passed by purchase to Alexander
Hamilton, bailie of Strathbrock (now Uphall), who acquired the
various rights of Isobel, Margaret, and Janet Douglas, and Elizabeth
Darg, the four heirs-portioners of the deceased James Douglas of
Pumpherston, as well as certain other encumbrances affecting the
lands, between 1698 and 170L He did not, however, long enjoy his
acquisition, but died prior to 30th April 1703, when John Hamilton,
his son, was retoured his heir.
Thomas Douglas of Clapperton, 1573, son of Robert Douglas of
Pumpherston, min. of Strathbrock, now Uphall, 1570 ; adm. here (?Dalkeith)
1573 ; pres. to the Deanery of Restalrig by James VI. 10th Nov.,
with consent of the prebendaries and chapter ; in 1575 he had also
charge of Lasswade and Glencorse ; died in June 1575. He marr.
Marion Hamilton, who survived him, and had issue James, his heir.
...the Baron of Riddle (spell it any way you want) getting
married to a Ker in the Borders, then marrying a Violet Douglas of
Pumpherston. Sir Joseph Douglas was the Tenant of Pumpherston
Castle.
Andrew Riddell who married firstly Agnes daughter of Sir George
Ramsay of Dalhousie, MC 1 Feb 1667, and secondly Violet Douglas,
said by Douglas’ Baronage to be a daughter of William Douglas of
Pumpherston. There are quite a number of charters under the Great
Seal relating to this generation. Andrew had by Agnes Ramsay an heir
John, later first baronet, also James 2nd son and Walter. Andrew
had, by Violet Douglas, his second wife, a favourite son called
Andrew, on whom he settled Haining, which continued in this branch
of the family till early last century, when it was sold to the
second son of Pringle of Clifton. Andrew of Haining married a
Stewart of Traquair, and dying young, his widow married secondly Sir
Willian Douglas, ancestor of the Marquis of Queensberry. His son and
successor, John Riddell of Haining, was Sheriff Principal, and M.P.
for Selkirkshire, and his grand-daughter, Magdalene Riddell, who
married David Erskine of Dun, after succeeding to Haining, sold it,
and the marquis of Ailsa, as the heir of the Erskines, now
represents the Riddell’s of Haining.
Joseph Douglas of Pumpherston was was drowned along
with 130 others when the frigate Gloucester sank off Yarmouth, 6 May
1682: The Duke of York, later James VII, was on the same ship, but
was rescued, as was John Churchill, afterwards Duke of Marlborough.
Margaret, daughter of James Douglas of Pumpherston and Adeston
married Patrick Halyburton, 5th Baron of Dirleton.
John Sandilands had three daughters (and two sons), who are all
named in the testaments of their grandparents, recorded in 1567, viz,:
Margaret, married to James Tennent of Linhouse ; Euphame; and Mary,
who in 1574 became the wife of Joseph Douglas of Pumpherston.
(but see dates below)
Mary Sandilands, daughter of John Sandilands of Calder (d
12.1559/c1565), married (mcrt 15.07.1586) Joseph Douglas of
Pumpherston. She was a descendant of Eleanor Douglas, Countess of
Carrick, herself the daughter of Sir Archibald Douglas of Liddesdale,
Cavers, etc. (Regent of Scotland, b c1297, d Halidon Hill
19.07.1333). Joseph and Mary Douglas had issue.
George Ker of Fawdonside, Tutor of Cessford (d. betw. 21 Sep
1542 and 12 Mar 1553/4), mar. Margaret Halyburton, 3rd dau. and
cohrss. of Patrick [Halyburton], 5th Lord Dirletoun, by his
first wife Margaret Douglas, dau. of James Douglas of
Pumpherston and Adeston, and was ancestor of the Kers of
Fawdonside.
James Sandilands of Calder, Lord Torphechin, who died August
1617, married firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of James Heriot of
Trabroun, who was the mother of his descendants ; and secondly,
Mary, daughter of Gilbert, 8th Lord Somerville, who bore him no
issue, and subsequently married again to William Douglas of
Pumpherston. The marriage contract with Elizabeth Heriot is
recorded in the books of Council and Session, ist August 1595,
and is entered into by the Lord Torphichen, with consent of
James Sandelandis of Slamanane, Kt, Joseph Douglas of
Pomphraystoun, and Mr Andrew Sandilands, son of the late James
Sandilands of Sanct Monans, his curators, for their interests.
The issue of this marriage was : James, 3rd Lord Torphichen, who
was served heir of his father 15th December 1618, and died
unmarried in January 1622.
In 1616 complaint was made by Johnne Wricht at the Brigend of
Calder, that on the 5th October in that year, William Douglas of
Pumpherston, who had conceived a deadlie hatred for him, came to
his house disguised and under cloud of night, struck him down
with a baton, and " trampit his wyff and baimis under his feitt
! "
In 1686, The king's majesty and estates of parliament do add the
persons following to be commissioners for his majesty's supply
in the shires respectively after-mentioned, as follows: in the
shire of Edinburgh, James Douglas of Pumpherston
In 1707, Sir Joseph Douglas of Pumpherston nominated and
appointed as commissioner of war (within the several shires of
the kingdom, as well as to burgh as to land) in the sheriffdom
of Edinburgh principal and in the sheriffdom of Linlithgow.
(Presumably the same Sir Joseph to both sheriffdoms)
Sibbald states in 1710 that Knightsridge House, dechmont, West
Lothian, was inhabited by a cadet of Douglas of Pumpherston.
The Arms of Douglas of Pumpherston were: Ermine, on a chief
azure three mullets, which is cut on a stone at Lauriston
Castle, about 1655, as the coat of Jean, daughter of Joseph
Douglas of Pumpherston, impaled with that of her husband, Mr
Robert Dalgleish of Lauriston ;
See also:
Pumpherston
Any contributions will be
gratefully accepted
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