James (Douglas) Douglas VIIth of Drumlanrig (1507 - 1578)

Born 1507 in Drumlanrig, Dumfries, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Douglas — married about 1513 (to about 1540) in Dumfries, Scotland

Husband of Christian Montgomerie — married about 1540 in Drumlanrig, Dumfries, Scotland

Descendants

Died 27 Dec 1578 at about age 71 in Drumlanrig, Dumfries, Scotland

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Biography

James (Douglas) Douglas VIIth of Drumlanrig is Notable.

James (Douglas) Douglas VIIth of Drumlanrig is a member of Clan Douglas.

Sir James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig was the son of Sir William Douglas, 6th of Drumlanrig and Elizabeth Gordon.

Sir James was, in 1526, one of the barons who attempted to rescue King James V from the hands of the Earl of Angus, by whom he was kept in a state of thraldom, for which efforts, and his loyalty to Queen Mary, he was he was knighted by the regent Arran, Duke of Chatelherault.

He was also Laird of Hawick and, in 1537, he gave the town of Hawick it's charter.

In 1551, Mary, Queen of Scots, gave him a pardon for coming with the Earl of Lennox to besiege James V of Scotland at Linlithgow Palace in September 1526. In August 1526, James V had included Drumlanrig in a pardon for those who assisted in the murder of Thomas McClellan of Bomby in Edinburgh

In 1554 the Queen made him Warden of the East Marches(some sources suggest the West Marches), with full powers of justiciary, an office he stayed in for many years until retiring at an old age.

He subscribed the Book of Discipline on 27th January 1561, and was one of the confederated barons who marched against Queen Mary, in 1567, when she surrendered at Carberry Hill.

Old Drumlanrig, as James was called, was with the forces under the earl of Morton at Leith, in 1571, and engaged in some of the skirmishes with the castle of Edinburgh, then held by the queen’s party. On the 23d of June the same year, he was taken prisoner as he was riding home, on some business betwixt him and Lord Herries, and others who were at variance. Lord Herries treacherously appointed to meet him where the laird of Wormeston lay in wait for him, and he was conveyed to the castle of Edinburgh. On this occasion his son, Sir William, narrowly escaped. Not being certain whether his son had been killed or not, he sent him the following curious epistle: “Willie, Thou sall wit that I am haill and feare. Send me word thairfoir how thow art, whether deid or livand? Gif thow be deid, I doubt not but freindis will let me know the treuth; and gif thow be weill, I desire na muir,” &c. He showed this letter to his captors, that they might be sure it contained no treason; and to save his purse, he sent it with the letter, desiring the messenger to deliver it to his son. ^[1]

He was one of those who visited Knox on his deathbed.

He married, secondly, Christian Montgomerie, daughter of John Montgomerie, Master of Eglinton and Elizabeth Edmonstone.

He married, firstly, Margaret Douglas, daughter of George Douglas, Master of Angus and Elizabeth Drummond, in 1513. He and Margaret Douglas were divorced after 1513.

He rebuilt and lived at Drumlanrig Castle, Scotland.

He died 27 December 1578.

Marriages

Although the father of 18-20 children through two marriages, Sir James sired only one son in wedlock, Sir William of Hawick. Sir William predeceased his father in 1572. When Sir James died the family honours passed to his grandson James.

Child of Sir James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig

Nicola Douglas This could be Nicholace, daughter of Margaret.

The are claimed illegitimate children (all surname of Douglas):

1. John, of Ersmortoun = Grilis Irving
2. Robert
3. Robert, legitimised 16 Aug 1546
4. John, Legitimised 16 Aug 1546
5. Adam, Legitimised 16 Aug 1546
6. Janet
7. Alison
8. Agnes
9. Margaret, m. William Maxwell
10. Marion, m. Andrew Cunnyngham of Birkshaw

Children of Sir James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig and Margaret Douglas

1. Janet, married (1) William (Sir) (of Cashogle) Douglas, married (2) William (of Amisfield) Charteris
2. Nicholas or Nicholace (of Drumlanrig), m. 1545 John Johnstone of that Ilk
3. Margaret married John (of Applegirth) Jardine
4. Patrick

Children of Sir James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig and Christian Montgomerie

1. Sir William, of Hawick died 1572.
2. Margaret, married (1) Edward, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, (2) William, 5th Earl of Menteith, (3) Robert Wauehope of Niddrie
3. Helen Douglas+^[2] d. 1578, married 21 April 1566 Roger Grierson of Lag
4. Christian, married 21 April 1574 Andrew Stewart of Garlies
5. Elizabeth, married 18 February 1557 Andrew Ker, son of Walter Ker of Cessford
6. Janet, married (1) 25 January 1559/60 James Twedy of Drummelzier, (2) 2 March 1563/4 Wiliam Ker, Younger of Cessford

Research Notes

• http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/

• Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 106th edition, 2 volumes. Crans, Switzerland: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 1999. Volume 1, page 1282

• Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003. Volume 1, page 1279.

• Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 106th edition, 2 volumes. Crans, Switzerland: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 1999. Volume 1, page 80.

• Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003. Volume 2, page 3234.

• The Peerage

Sources

1. ↑ Calderwood, vol. iii. p. 105, note.
2. ↑ Paul Chilvers-Grierson, "re: Egidia Kennedy," Paul.D.Chilvers

See also:

• Wikipedia: James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig

• Wikidata: Item Q6132756, en:Wikipedia

• Johnston, George Harvey. "The Douglases of Drumlanrig, Queensberry and Kelhead." The Heraldry of the Douglases: With Notes on All the Males of the Family, Descriptions of the Arms, Plates and Pedigrees. Edinburgh: W. & A.K. Johnston, Limited, 1907. 19. Print.