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Sketch
XXXV
THE GRAEMES
OF BALGOWAN
DESCENDED OF GARVOCK
FROM
LORD WILLIAM
GRAEME OF KINCARDINE
ANCESTOR TO
THE EARLS OF MONTROSE
This volume would be incomplete without a reference to the Graemes of Balgowan
from whom sprung Thomas Graeme, Lord Lyndoch, and this must be the apology for venturing to touch on the hero of whom various
histories have already been written by more competent hands.
This sketch
will refer more particularly to the general history of his family than to Lynedoch himself, though through the kindness of
the present Mr Graham of Fintry, I am enabled to give some original letters written to his great grandfather Robert from Lynedoch,
while on Sir John Moore’s staff.
The Graemes
of Balgowan were descended from Montrose through Graeme of Garvock.
William Graeme,
first of Garvock, was 5th son of Sir William Graeme, Lord of Kincardine, and founding the family
of Garvock, with the lands of that barony obtained from his uncle King James I of Scotland, he had in descent –
Mathew, second of Garvock
Archibald Graeme, third of Garvock
John Graeme, fourth of Garvock, who married
first Mirabell, daughter of John Whyt of Lumbany and secondly, Katherine daughter of Arnot or Arnot.
Unfortunately,
I have not come across the record which would prove to which lady belonged the honour of being ancestress of Garvock and of
Balgowan. It was the second son of the fourth Laird of Garvock, John Graeme, who founded the family of Graemes called Balgowan.
On referring to Sketch IV the story
of the marriage of John Graeme first of Balgowan, will be found; his wife was Marion Rollock, widow of George Graeme the second
Great Baron of Inchbrakie and Aberuthven, and when John witnessed Inchbrakie’s will in 1575 he is still styled "John,
son of Graeme of Garvock"; nine years after this he has married Mrs Graeme of Inchbrakie, where the earlier years of their
married life may have been spent, and obtains by purchase from Lord Innerneath in 1584 the estate of Balgowan; and for his
assistance and loyalty in the matter of the Gowrie conspiracy (some authorities state that it was this Balgoune who found
the garter on that occasion) he obtained from James VI several of the forfeited lands of Innerneath estate, Nether Pitcairns,
Craigenhall, Half lands of Ledqurie and half of Codrachie Mill with the patronage of the church of Monedie.
The purchase
of many other lands follow; 12 years later a charter is granted him of Newraw, 1596, when we find Joyh Hay of Seyfield and
Marjorie Keyth his wife, sell to John Graham of Balgowan and Marion Rollo, Lady Inchbrakie, the land of Newraw in the barony
of Methven; Walter Rollox de Lawtoun, Lady Inchbrakie’s brother, and her son Patrick, the third Baron of Inchbrakie,
are witnesses.
The same year
John and Marion sign a receipt to Murray of Woodend on May 18th, 1596, for 400 merks; the "unquhile"
Patrick Murray of Newraw was heritable feuar of these lands; this deed mentions Keillour and Tulliehand as lying within the
barony of Methven. Marion’s signatures to this document are in clear black letter type. It is dated at Balgowan. Alexander
Maxtone, brother of Cultoquhey and "John Graham our lawful son" are among the witnesses; by this time all the Inchbrakie girls
and boys, half sister to John, are grown up; the young Laird of Inchbrakie is now living at that castle; many of Marion’s
and Inchbrakie’s daughters married; Lilias to Colville of Condie, and Marjorie to Maxtone of Cultoquhey. This is the
first of a series of marriages between the Cultoquheys and Graemes.
In 1601 John
Graeme is adding further to the lands of Balgowan. The Douglases hold Keillour, that he cannot touch, and Bacheltoune is held
by the Oliphants; so he stretches his hands right and left, and buys from Dunfermline Abbey lands, Meikill College in Perth,
and "Scho gaite" in Dalkeith on 23rd June 1601; again "John of Balgowan, senior" (showing us
Garvock’s son still lives), and John Balgowan, junior, buy on 28th March 1605 from John,
Earl of Atholl, in Baron of Invermay, the lands of Kippen lying in the parish of Muckarsie, Co. Perth; in 1610 his nephew,
Ninian Graeme of Garvock, sells some small portion of the Garvock lands to his uncle of Balgowan and his wife Marion Rollock;
with consent of Elizabeth Oliphant his wife; these are "Wellhill and Drum in Nether Garvock.
An idea of the
many differences which occurred between landlords regarding their marches, may be obtained by the following. The lands of
George Oliphant of Bachiltown and John Graeme of Balgowan "marched" and contention arose to whom the corn grown on these marches
belonged, it was claimed by both landlords. The corn, if allowed to stand while the law decided the question would have been
wasted, so on the 26th September 1604, the Sheriff of Perth orders that the corn be "shier
and wyn" and placed on Gorthie’s land who was a "neutrall" man.
Another child
of Marjory Rollo and step-child of John, first of Balgowan, of whom record has been met, is a daughter named Katherine; her
marriage contract dated 14th April 1602 states that Archibald Campbell (who has in 1601 been
given a charter of the quarter lands of Monzie by Sir Duncan) with consent of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, his father,
one the one hand, and Catherine Grahame, lawful daughter to Marion Rollo, spouse of John Graham of Balgowan, on the other,
are to be married, and he leases his said spouse in "All" and "Haill" the mains of Lagvinshach and "fourt part of Monzie,"
etc.
John, first
of Balgowan and Newraw, dies in 1625, and is succeeded by –
JOHN GRAEME OF BALGOWAN
SECOND LAIRD
1625 –
1689
As shown by
a retour of October 4th that year, this was the "John, my brother", whom the Bishop, George
Graeme, speaks of in his inventories and letters, showing confidence in his opinion in all things (especially when the purchase
of Gorthie for the Bishop’s son was being discussed), and in the Methven papers he is constantly referred to as a "persona
grata"; Patrick Smythe (the elder) of Braco writes to him only a couple of weeks before his death on a matter which is troubling
him, addressing him as follows:
"to the Richt Honourable and my speciall friend,
the Laird of Balgowan"
Meall, 13 April
1655
From P. Smythe
of Braco"
He writes he
is recovering from a long and dangerous illness, and gives praise to God for his recovery and is still very unable and "seekley",
prays God to grant him patients to bear it. His son Patrick has written him of a foolish contract, "My daughter, Barbara,
has med" to match with her servitour, "David Graeme." (marriage to David Graeme – first cousin).
He is very much
grieved at this and offended with her, and has written his son to take Gorthie’s and Balgowan’s advice how to
dissuade her from this course; he hears some of her friends in Strathearn encourage her, who they are he knows not, but does
not think Balgowan is one. If she persist she shall not receive a grot from him, nor will he acknowledge her hereafter!
He concludes
with his "dewtie" love and remembrancer to"yourself the young laird and his descreet Lady."
"Your reall
friend and humble servant
"at command,"
F.Smythe off
Braco
John, second
of Balgowan, married in 1605, Isobel, daughter of Mr Bonar of Keltie (his uncle, Mr James Graeme, fifth of Garvock, had married
her aunt Janet in 1571), but appears to have had no son by her, for in 1638 we find a precept under the privy seal, granting
Mr John Graham of Balgowan and Isobel Bonar, his spouse, in life-rent, and to John Graham, younger, his son and the lawfulheirs
male of his body, whom failing to David Grahame of Gorthie, and the lawful heirs of his body, whom failing to Mr George Graham
of Balgowan, senior, his heirs and assignees whomsoever of the lands of Balgowan in Methven, also Nether Pitcairns, Craginelt,
and others, etc.
The above charter,
as mentioned in the sketch of Garvock, caused the seventh laird of Garvock so much irritation, that it induced him to consult
Inchbrakie on the matter.
In 1659 there
is a mention of a daughter of Balgowan, a child of the second laird, presumable by his wife, Miss Bonar; fo ron 5th
March 1659, "Isobel Graham, Ladie Cultuquhey," gives up the will of her husband John Maxtone of Cultoquhey.
John Graeme,
younger, of Balgowan, owes him money.
A second marriage of John,
second of Balgowan, is mentioned to Helen, daughter of Blair of Balthayock, by whom he is stated to have had four sons and
five daughters. John, the second laird’s death is recorded as follows: "1662 (sometyme) John Graeme of Balgowan depairted
and buried in the Kirk of Methven."
JOHN
THIRD LAIRD
OF BALGOWAN
It is ventured
to point out that it was this laird (the son of the second laird to whom the above charter gave the estates) who married Miss
Blair of Balthayock, and not his father. This information is obtained in the document drawn up for Garvock (which lies with
Inchbrakie papers). Just before Black Pate’s death, 1677, Garvock insists on serving himself heir to Balgowan (he was
James, seventh laid of Garvock, and a young man in 1677), his father and mother were recently married when the Balgowan charter
of 1638 had been granted, but the manner of the third laird of Balgowan’s inheriting seems now to have come to light;
young Garvock applies to his old kinsman Inchbrakie, and the reply written by a lawyer, probably a kinsman (the paper is unsigned)
states the facts in plain language, adding that when John, the second laird of Balgowan, obtained the charter in 1638, he
had resolved to marry this son, "to Balthay’s daughter."
That a John
succeeded in 1662 is proved by the following receipt:
"Discharge Balgoune to Sir John Drummond off Logueamond,
1671.
"I, John
Graeme of Balgoune Grants me to have resaved fra Sr.Jo.Drummond of Logie Amond Three score 10 pund Scots in paiert of payment
of ane yiers a’rent off two thousand merks resting be the said Sir John to me, and that from the terme off Martimas
1670 (fra 9th the bond termanath) to the term of Martimas 1671 yiers yr off I grant the resset
protoscte (?) qrof this witness on wreting, subscribed withmy hand at Pitmugthane, 26th August
1672.
J.Graeme"
This record is proof of the existence of a "John of
Balgowan in 1671," as also the will of John Maxtone of Cultoquhey just referred to, that there was a "John, younger of Balgowan,"
in 1659; this is also proved by a charter, "John of Balgowan and Isobel Bonar his wife, and John, younger of Balgowan and
Isobel Bonar his wife, have a charter of Pitmurchlie, 1644" – therefore John third, not only did marry, but married
twice. His first wife was a cousin of his, niece and namesake of his mother; she died early and we cannot say if she left
children, but three years after the mention of her in the Perth sasine, John married secondly, Helen Blair of Balthayock (she
is called future wife to John, younger of Balgowan, 24th March 1647), and became the father
of several sons, and a daughter Elizabeth, who afterwards married Moray of Abercairny; the following sasines show us further
that in 1671, April, "I, John Graham of Balgowan," and Andrew his son obtain a sasine of ane a’rent 300 merks out of
the "lands of Meckven lying in Monzievaird proceeding on ane heritable band be David Toschah of Monzievaird," and in October
1672: "John Graham of Balgowan and his spouse in lifrent, and Thomas Graham their son in fea, viz, to the said John and his
spous of the lands of over Pitcairns.
John has sasine in 1673
of lands in Redgortoun from John Paterson with consent of Patrick Thriepland his tutor, Provost of Perth.
Another sasine in December 1675 from James Hay of Pitfour gives "John Graham of Balgowan in lyfrent and David his sone
in fie ane a' rent of 320 lib. to be lifted out of lands of Pitfour and others lyand within parish of St Madoes proceeding
on ane heritable band."
Thus it would appear that this John Graeme, third of Balgowan, had a number of sons and a daughter. We have read
from the sasines that these were:
1. Thomas.
2. James, married Marjorie Blair.
3. David, married Helen Blair, and had issue; his eldest son John adopts
the sea for his profession; on April 19th, 1711, his will is proved.
4. Andrew, afterwards of Jordanstoune near Alyth,
died unmarried.
5. John, minister at Maddertie of lands in Barony of Cairdney, 1677.
6. Elizabeth, Mrs Moray of Abercairny.
7.
Helen, Mrs Hering of Cally, 1698.
The latter are proved by others as follows: August 21st, 1677, James Graeme of Balgowan and Marjorie Blair his wife of
various lands proceeding on a charter to them by the said John of Balgowan, and in November of the same year two sasines by
John Graeme of Balgowan in liferent, and Elizabeth Graeme of Balgowan his daughter, out of the lands of Donald and Laycock
and Oswald, pertaining to Sir Robert Moray of Abercairny.
Thus Abercairny would appear to marry Elizabeth Graeme, daughter of John of Balgowan, not a daughter of Thomas of Balgowan
as hitherto stated.
Balgowan's fourth son, James, married his cousin, Marjorie Blair. Now comes the sasine which proves the conjecture
right that was made on a previous page that it was John, the third laird (not John the second) who married Helen Blair, daughter
of Blair of Balthayock.
On July 5th, 1679-80, this sasine for a new charter of the whole barony and lands of Balgowan are given as follows:
"Sasine John Graham of Balgowan and Helen Blair his spous, and Thomas Graham their son in lifrent, and John Graham
eldest lawful son of the said Thomas in fee of the whole lands and Barony of Balgowan, proceeding on a charter under the Great
Seal."
The third John is still alive in 1681, for David, son of John of Balgowan and Thomas, "fiar" of Balgowan, continue to hold
sasines on lands.
In 1687 John of Balgowan gets yet another sasine with his son (name not given) out of the lands of Little Dunkeld proceeding
on a band by Thomas Stewart of Ladiswall.
John Graeme takes part in all the usual affairs of a county man, and when in 1689 the proclamation was issued for calling
the Militia together, and in some counties the fencible men, John received the appointment to nominate captains of foot, and
lieutenants and cornets of horse; a letter from him, dated September 29th, 1686, is written to Lord Murray on this subject;
the result is that Lord William Murray (future husband to Margaret, second Baroness Nairne) is appointed a lieutenant to Lord
Warden's regiment of horse.
In 1694 John, third of Balgowan,
appears to be dead, for his son by Miss Blair of Balthayock, Thomas of Balgowan, obtains sasine from the lands of Lawmill
Trinity Gask, pertaining to Sir William Stirling of Ardoch; and "Mistris Helen Graham, lawful daughter to Deceist John Graham
of Balgowan," obtains sasine of various lands, 13th May, 1695, this was Mrs Hering of Cally
and –
THOMAS GRAEME
FOURTH LAIRD
OF BALGOWAN
Reigns in his
stead. He married first in 1671, Anne Drummond; she was the younger daughter of Sir James Drummond, the second of Machany
(ancestor of the Viscounts Strathallan by his second wife Agnes, daughter of Sir George Hay of Keillar), secondly, Christian
Leslie, daughter of Lord Newark.
In 1698 Thomas
obtains a sasine of lands from Sir W. Stirling of Ardoch; these were lands of Boighall and Myddlethird in Dunning parish,
and had belonged to George Graeme of Pitcairns of an ad of £520.
Then on 30th November 1703, Thomas Graeme of Balgowan obtains sasine of the ad
of 1000 merks forthcoming out of tops of Lyndoch and town and land of same given by Patrick Craig of Lyneoch, and in 1705
a sasine on further lands of Lyndoch on a heritable bond which he has obtained from James Ireland of Drumsey and now produces
at the Court himself. These are the lands owned for over a century by the Balgowan Graemes and from which Lord Lyndoch took
his title when granted a peerage for his services in the Pensinsula Wars; by this time the fourth laird’s son John,
is seeking a wife, and the marriage contract with Elizabeth Carnegie is followed by a sasine, 26th
October 1702, of many lands, while his daughter, Lilias is, by February 1703, spouse to John Ramsay, "fiar" of Banff,
who was afterwards the third Baronet of Banff, and their son became James, fourth Baronet.
Three younger daughters, Anna married in 1706 Robert Stewart
of Ardoirlich (who is entered as unmarried in the family genealogies) he was succeeded by his first cousin. Helen Graeme had kept house for
her uncle Andrw at Jordanstoun, near Alyth; she married T. Whitson, Esq of Parkhill; a house in Old Rattray bears their initials
T.W, H.G, 1725 and her sister Christian married Mungo Maxtone of Cultoquhey.
On the 6th
March 1706 Thomas lends Patrick Graeme of Inchbrakie 1200 merks; this is the seventh Laird of Inchbrakie, who is supposed
to be out of the country on account of the fatal result of his fray with the Master of Rollo.
In 1708 Thomas, the fourth
Laird of Balgowan, is alive and a grandfather, for he grants various lands to his eldest lawful son John and his grandson
Thomas. The lands have been granted to Thomas the grandfather by John Ramsay, "fiar" of Banff, Lilias Graeme his wife, and
Sir Alexander Ramsay of Banff. The following record has been communicated from America, and it would appear to fit in about
this period, and is inserted here with an extract from Mr Hardy’s book:-
"Graeme,
Thomas; born Balgowan, Scotland, October 20, 1688; came to America 1717, physician, Philadelphia; Naval Officer, 1727-1741,
1761; Privincial Council, Feb. 1726; he was Justine Supreme Court, 1731; Physician, Philadelphia Hospital, 1751-53; Thomas
Graeme died at Graeme Park, near Philadelphia, September 4th, 1772."
"Of American
women, in the early days of Independence, only one is known to have used a book-plate; this lady was Elizabeth Graeme, the
youngest child of Dr Thomas Graeme, member of the Provincial Council and in other ways a distinguished and wealthy citizen,
who owned Graeme Park, an estate lying some 20 miles from Philadelphia.
"She was
born 1737; at 17 years she was engaged to be married, but her engagement was suddenly – why, we learn not – broken
off. To divert her mind, Elizabeth set to work to translate Telemachus. She carried out the task but it was never published,
and lies today as she wrote it in the Philadelphia museum.
"Her next
engagement was to a man ten years her junior, Mr Ferguson; him she married, but her husband taking the Crown’s part,
they separated.
"By the
time of her death in 1801, she had grown needy, despite the fact that she received money from her literary productions, which
were numerous.
"Though
evidently a staunch Republican, she was the bearer of the famous letter from the Rev. Jacob Duche to Washington, in which
the writer begged his correspondent to own his allegiance to the King.
"The book-plate, which is in every way a curious and interesting one, is Armorial."
Besides
his heir Thomas the fourth laird had Robert and Patrick.
JOHN GRAEME
FIFTH LAIRD OF BALGOWAN
Succeeds to the Barony. He married Elizabeth Carnegie and
she died at Pitmurthly, Perthshire in 1767. They had four daughters and five sons, all of whom are stated to have died
without issue except their eldest son Thomas. A daughter Jane married previous to 1737 or about that year, Sir Alexander
Murray of Melgund, and died in 1742 and Marjory married James Rattray of Craighall in 1730.
Their eldest
son, Thomas, succeeded his father John who died in 1748.
THOMAS GRAEME
SIXTH LAIRD OF BALGOWAN
This laird is in the services of Retours as "Thomas Graeme
of Balgowan to his grandfather, Thomas who died July 1728" and also as Thomas Graeme of Balgowan to his father John Graeme
of Balgowan who died in August 1748.
He married at
Hopeton House on 8th April 1743, previous to the death of his father, Lady Christian Hope,
daughter of the late Earl Hopeton.
Lady Christian
presented her husband with a son and heir at Balgowan on the 4th March 1745 who was baptized
John. The old laird John and his second wife were still alive and Thomas and Christian lived with them; in 1748 John died
at "his seat of Balgowan" and that year Thomas enters on his lands as shown in the services of heirs.
Some years after the step-grandmother of Thomas
dies; on the death of her stepson John in 1748, she moved into Edinburgh and resided there until her death is recorded, "Mrs
Christian Leslie," daughter of the late Lord Newark and widow of Graeme of Balgowan, 1752.
A daughter, Elizabeth Graeme of Balgowan,
married, 24th June 1762, William Scott of Thirlestane; he assumed the name of Scott-Kerr on succeeding to "Lady Chatto; "
one of their daughters, Jessie, married Sir Peter Murray Threipland of Fingask; their surviving son Robert succeeded to the
estates; he married, 1806, Elizabeth, daughter of David Fyffe, Esq. of Drumgeith, Co. Forfar; they had several children; a
daughter was named "Elizabeth Graeme" after her grandmother; their eldest son became representative of the Kerrs of Greenhead
and of the Scotts of Thirlestane. The seats are Chatto and Sunlaws.
In 1756 Thomas and Lady Christian Graeme lose their eldest boy John, when 11 years old; a second Charles died
in infancy; and when in 1766, Thomas, 6th Laird of Balgowan, died, he was succeeded by his
eldest surviving son Thomas, who became –
THOMAS GRAEME
SEVENTH LAIRD
OF BALGOWAN
COLONEL GRAEME
AND
LORD LYNDOCH
Born in 1748 at Newton of Blairgowrie, where the family at
that period owned land, his history has already been written so fully in other works, that it only remains to add a few lines
to recall the General to our mind and the hero to the hearts of the nation.
Lady Christian
Graeme lost her husband (Lyndoch’s father) when their boy was quite a lad; in 1772 she is living at Balgowan and the
Count de Guiges (Ambassador from France) visits her while there; previous to this she is in London and has had the boy painted
by Romney; he is represented as about 14 years old, and is dressed in scarlet coat, embroidered satis vest and breeches, while
the hilt of his sword is held lightly in his hand – a forecast of his future glory. The whole aspect of the boy represents
a "dainty gallant little gentleman," as the owner of the Romney so aptly describes him. Romney himself was quite young when
he painted the portrait; he went to London in 1762, and soon after this Thomas must have sat to him.Thomas Graham married on December 26th,
1774, the Honourable Mary Cathcart.
Lord Cathcart
in 1774 writes to his son from London and relates how on the 29th December as his daughters
and Mr Graham were going to Lady Brown’s in a coach, they were attacked on Hay Hill by footpads; one opened the door
and demanded money; Mr Graham collared and upset him, then leapt out and secured him while the others fled.
Balgowan and
his wife had been married three days at the time of this exploit! The wedding had takenplace on the 26th.
Then followed Mrs Graham’s declining health, the journey abroad, the wandering from place to place in search
of health, and the record of her death.
"Near Hieres,
in the south of France, the Honourable Mrs Graham of Balgowan, sister of Lord Cathcart, 1792."
During the 18
years of their wedded life Thomas Graham had her painted at least twice. The portrait of her in the simple girlish dress and
loose bound hair by Gainsborough please one most. The better-known full- length portrait by the same artist represents perhaps
a handsomer woman than the last, but the world (or perhaps her health) has left its mark, and discontent touches the lines
of the mouth and dims its beauty.
When Mrs Graham
died her husband (afterwards Lord Lynedoch) could not endure seeing the Gainsborough portraits of her. He stored them both
in London, and as years went on they were forgotten.
When his cousin
Robert Graham inherited all Lord Lynedoch’s effects at his death, he knew nothing of these pictures, and was surprised
to receive a letter telling him that a case "containing portraits" had been stored for many years, and that on payment of
expenses the case would be sent to him.
Robert Graham
sent the money, and the case was dispatched to Lynedoch where he was residing. Meanwhile Graham (who had some sort of recollection
of hearing that Mrs Graham had been painted by Gainsborough) was full of expectation.
Family tradition
says that he rode out on the road to Perth from Lynedoch to meet the cart that had been sent to convey the case, and insisted
on having it opened at once before it reached the house!
On Mr Robert
Graham’s death he bequeathed the large Gainsborough to the Scottish National Gallery, on condition that it was never
to be allowed out of Scotland. The smaller one (now in the possession of Anthony Maxtone Graham of Cultoquhey) he left to
his four sisters for their lives. It hung for many years in their house, Heriot Row, in Edinburgh.
Some say Mrs
Graham was made unhappy by the fact that her elder and younger sisters both took precedence of her in society; the elder,
Jane, had been married on the same day as Mrs Graham, under rather sad circumstances, for the Duke of Atholl’s sudden
death seven weeks before cast a gloom over the family while it made Jane Cathcart unexpectedly a Duchess on her wedding day.
A letter from
Sir James Adolphus Oughton to the Earl of Dartmouth gives a sad account of the death of the Duke of Atholl, and adds the poor
"Duchess" and family were to set out for London that day.
"Lord Cathcart
and all his family are with me, and begin their journey to town on Monday. The young Duke is to be married as soon as the
mourning will permit, and Mary Cathcart will be married the same day to Mr Graham of Balgowan, a young gentleman of very good estate and a most excellent character."
This letter is dated 16th November 1774 and from
Caroline Park near Edinburgh, once the home of the George Graeme, sixth of Inchbrakie, and his heiress wife Miss Nicholl;
it was then (1676) known as Royston!
The youngest of the three sisters married two years later David Viscount Stormont, who succeeded to the Earldom
of Mansfield. The three sisters all found their homes in Perthshire, the two younger were only separated by a few miles.
About the period of his marriage, Luncarty was added to the Balgowan estates and is the property, writes James
Cant (in 1774) of Mr Graeme.
It will be observed that the future Lynedoch's name in the above letters is always spelt Graham, whereas the
Balgowans had always used the diphthong themselves.
In 1795 Thomas Graham raised his famous "Balgowan Grey Breeks" otherwise the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry
(selling the Blairgowrie estate in order to do so); amongst them we find the following: 1795, Captain John Graham; 1795 to
1800?Lieutenant Oliphant; 1795 to 1805, Captain Thomas B. St George (a cousin of Mrs Lawrence Graeme, daugher-in-law to the
ninth Laird of Inchbrakie); 1797, Lieutenant David Graham; 1807, Quarter-Master Hector Graham.
This regiment was raised with the assistance of an old character, Sergeant Menzies, a man from the Athol] district.
The warrant Graham appeared with to raise the regiment was speedily executed; the jails of Edinburgh and the Provinces delivered
up their inmates (says George Penny), and in a few weeks on the Inch of Perth the ?grey breeks" mustered 1500 strong.
English, Irish and Scotch, broken-down gentry and pickpockets alike had to be strongly guarded lest they deserted. Graham
placed Colonel Moncrieff in command. Huge oxen roasted whole, hogs' heads of porter on the Inch kept them in good humour,
and they were shipped to foreign service without receiving any discipline, where the gallant 90th soon became known for their
intrepid bravery.
Previous to this, Graham had been renowned for his riding and considered the first horseman of his county; he
began his military life as a volunteer at Toulon, and at the Siege of Mantua, when the garrison were reduced to great distress,
he escaped from the fortress through the French lines with despatches to the Austrians.
Writing to his brother-in-law, Lord Cathcart, January 11th, 1797, he says, "On the 13th, if we carry the heights
of Rivoli the bridge will be established for our artillery, and we shall push on for Mantua.
Bonaparte will not quit his hold without a violent struggle; the garrison is at the last gasp." Colonel
Graham adds he hopes to write from Mantua in a few days.
It is not within the scope of the author to write an account of his military achievements; Lord Lynedoch was
presented with the freedom of the City of Edinburgh; he was greatly attached to and corresponded with Robert Graham, twelfth
of Fintry, who after he sold his estate under its older designation of Linlathen, resided at Balgowan, or more probably at
Lynedoch, while his kinsman was abroad on active service, and died there in 1815; Fintry's eldest surviving son served with
some distinction under Colonel Graham in the 90th and 93rd, afterwards he served in the Kaffir Wars, and the capital of the
Eastern Province of the Cape bears his name (Grahamstown).
In 1811 came the victory of Barossa on the 5th March:
"Hark! Albuera thunders Beresford, And Red Barossa, shouts for dauntless Graeme!"
A portrait is given here of Colonel Graham when commanding the 9oth; the original is in the possession of Mr
Graham of Fintry; owing to his kindness it is reproduced.
Thomas Graham, in recognition of his services, was created a Baron under the title of Lord Lynedoch in May 1814;
and lived on his estates and in London.
In former years one of his greatest pleasures was planting trees to beautify his grounds and parks, which at
this date testify to his choice and taste in grouping; he was very fond of showing the results of his improvements to friends,
and this, of course, became a matter of common note.
Abercairny and his brother-in-law, David Graeme of Newton, were riding over to dine with Lord Lynedoch, then
Mr Graeme, at the end of the eighteenth century; Newton kept lagging behind, and Abercairny called out to him to come on or
"the dinner would be spoilt"; "better so," said Newton, "for if we are too early Balgowan will be showing us his planting!
"
Many anecdotes are told of Lord Lynedoch's activity and vigour, which he retained as age grew on him.
It is well-known that he was the founder of the Senior United Service Club, and took the greatest interest in
its welfare; the more so, perhaps, because he had pushed the matter in face of strong opposition from the Iron Duke, whose
manner of living had no sympathy with club life.
When Lynedoch was in his 90th year, hearing that an undesirable name was put up for election, he posted the
350 miles to London in order to blackball the unfortunate would-be member! It is needless to add that his influence had the
desired effect! Many of Lynedoch's kinsmen and relations naturally became its earliest members, amongst them the writer's
father. There hangs in an honoured place the picture by Sir Thomas Lawrence of its founder, who sat for his portrait at least
four times. Sir T. Lawrence painted Lynedoch a second time for the County of Perth, where that picture hangs.
On another page the portrait by Hoppner is given, painted when Lord Lynedoch was Colonel of the 90th, also the
Romney already alluded to, which represents him as a youth.
It is stated Lord Lynedoch was in his ninety-second year, when he died in 1843; he left no issue, and his property
passed to Robert Graham, his second cousin.
For the succession of the Balgowan estates we must now revert once more to Thomas, fourth Laird, who married
Ann Drummond of Machany; his eldest son was John, who married Miss Carnegie and was fifth laird, father of Thomas sixth laird
(to whom succeeded Lynedoch as seventh).
II. David who died sp.; III. Robert (see over page); IV. Patrick who carried on the line male: Thomas Graeme
and Ann Drummond's daughters were, Lilias, Lady Ramsay of Banff; Anne, Mrs (Robert) Stewart of Ardvoirlich; Helen, Mrs Whitson
of Park-hill; and Christina, Mrs (Mango) Maxtone of Cultoquhey. Delavoye's Pedigree of Balgowan adds Anna, Mrs Carmichael
of Balmeadie; and Elizabeth, Mrs (William) Moray of Abercairny.
III. Robert, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir D. Thriepland of Fingask, and had an only son (besides three
daughters, Mrs Kerr of Chatto; Mrs Hamilton of Redhall; and Mrs Webster).
John Graeme of Eskbank, he married Mary, daughter of Scott of Usan and had issue (besides four daughters, Elizabeth,
Margaret, Christina Hope, and Mary, who all died unmarried), a son, Mr Robert Graham, who succeeds to Lynedoch as eighth laird.
2. Alexina, married 17th December 1816 her third cousin Anthony Maxtone, Esqre. of Cultoquhey, Co. Perth, and
had issue besides a son John who died 1857 unmarried, Mary; and Alexina, died unmarried, a son James Maxtone who, on succeeding
to Redgorton, the disentailed estates of his uncle Robert, took the name of Graham in addition to Maxtone; he also inherited
many of the valuable family pictures and possessions as heir to his three aunts who died unmarried.
Mr Maxtone-Graham married 30th July 1851 Caroline Mary Anne, daughter of G. E. Russell, Esq., H.E.I.C.'s Service,
and had issue:
a. Anthony George, born 1854, the present owner of Cultoquhey.
b. Robert, born 1856,
married Julia, daughter of Seward, Esq., 1902, and has issue.
c. James, married 1893, Margaret Ethel,
second daughter to the late Philip Kington Blair Oliphant of Ardblair Castle, by his wife, Henrietta Yaldwin of Blackdown
(and niece of T. Laurence Kington Oliphant of Gask, Esqre.), they have issue: Anthony James Oliphant, born 1900; Ysanda Mabel;
Rachel Caroline; Laurence Patrick, born 1903.
d. Alexina Mary;
e. Margaret Graeme;
f.
Caroline Leonora;
g. Elizabeth Christina;
h. Georgina Marjorie Ramsay.
Mr Robert Graham of Balgowan, the only son of Mr Graeme of Eskbank, appears like Lynedoch to have repudiated
the correct spelling of the family name; he succeeded as second cousin once removed, and heir in line male, to the hero of
Barossa in 1843 ; owing to a flaw in the entail he was able to disentail the old Balgowan estates to meet Lord Lynedoch's
obligations, but those lands bought by Lord Lynedoch remained entail.
On Robert Graham's death s .p. in 1859; he was succeeded in the entailed lands by his heir male and first cousin
(once removed), John Murray of Murrayshall, who in accordance with the deed of entail added the name of Graham.
Robert Graham left Redgorton (which had been part of the Nairn estate) to his nephew (through the distaff),
Mrs Maxtone's son James, as just recorded.
IV. Patrick, the fourth surviving son of Thomas Graeme (fourth laird of Balgowan) and Anne Drummond of Machany;
and grand uncle of the above Robert Graham, married Janet, eldest daughter and heiress of Andrew Murray of Murrayshall (he
was grandson to Viscount Stormont) and had two children. Marjory, married 1764 to James Maxton of Cultoquhey, son of Mungo
of Cultoquhey, by Christian, daughter of Thomas Graeme, fourth of Balgowan, their son James succeeded to the property left
by his uncle Robert Graeme; and Mr John Murray of Murrayshall, who appears to have dropped the prefix of Graham or Graeme,
married Janet, eldest daughter of Thomas Anderson of Newburgh, Co. Fife. He died in 1818, and was succeeded by his only son:
ANDREW MURRAY, ESQRE., J.P., D.L.
OF MURRAYSHALL.
He was an advocate and sheriff of Aberdeenshire, born 13th August 1782; married 3rd October 1808, Janet, only
child of Oliver Thompson, Esqre. of Leckiebank, Co. Fife, and dying 6th February 1847, left issue:
I. John Murray Graham, who succeeded his second cousin Robert Graham in 1859 to such of the entailed estates
of the Balgowan family as Robert Graham had been unable to disentail; he was author of an interesting volume on the life of
Lord Lynedoch; and dying unmarried in 1881, was succeeded by his nephew Henry Stewart Murray Graham.
II. Andrew Murray, C.B., Consulting Engineer to the Board of Admiralty, married in 1844, Marianne, daughter
of Henry Francis, Esq. of Maize Hill, Kent; they had issue:
1. Henry Stewart Murray Graham, now of Murrayshall.
2. Janet Francis.
3. Mary Stewart, married W. Rickman,
Esq.
4. Elizabeth Josephine, married D. Munro, Esq. Andrew Murray died in 1872.
III. Thomas Graham Murray, W.S. Mr Graham Murray was the principal mover in the organization for collecting
the necessary funds to erect the Memorial to the Great Marquis in St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. He married Caroline,
daughter of John Tod, Esqre. of Rukhill, and dying in 1891 left issue:
1. Andrew Graham Murray, Lord Advocate; he married, 1874, Mary, daughter of Sir William Edmonstone, Bart. of
Duntreath. The Lord Advocate has issue: Three daughters and an only son, Ronal Thomas Graham Murray; who married in
1903, Evelyn, daughter of Sir David Baird, Bart. of Newbyth.
IV. Robert, Civil Engineer to the Board of Trade.
V. Anthony, Major-General of the Bombay Artillery.
VI.
Grace, died unmarried.
VII. Janet, married Rev. A. Foote, D.D. of Risehill, Brechin.
VIII. Lucretia, married Sir Henry
Welwood Moncrieff, Bart, D.D.
COLONEL HENRY STEWART MURRAY GRAHAM,
MALE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FAMILY OF BALGOWAN,
married, 1875, Annie Elizabeth, daughter of John Sowerby, Esq. of Benwell Tower, Northumberland, is a Colonel,
R.A., and has issue, his heir in line male to John, first of Balgowan, Andrew John Graham Murray Graham, born 1878.
When Mr Robert Graham disentailed and sold part of the family estates on succeeding, Balgowan and Keillour were
purchased by Mr J Maitland Thomson, who greatly improved these properties. His surviving son, Mr J. Maitland Thomson,
is now the able Curator of the Register House, Edinburgh. The writer well remembers Balgowan and the walk to Lynedoch
Cottage, which was then standing, and appeared to her girlish mind glorified by having been at times inhabited by the great
Lynedoch. The Lynedoch portion was sold to Lord Mansfield, and the old house was pulled down.
On Balgowan again appearing in the Market, it was purchased by James Black, Esq., in 1883, and it is owing to
his kindness that a copy wnepofsent of the old House of Lynedoch can be represented here; the estate of Balgowan. Balgowan
which was purchased by John, 2nd son of Graeme of Garvock in 1854, is also in his possession.
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