William (Sutherland) Sutherland Xth of Duffus (abt. 1579 - 1626)

Born about 1579 in Duffus, Morayshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 21 Oct 1626 at about age 47 in Duffus, Morayshire, Scotland

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William Sutherland was a member of the aristocracy in British Isles.

Biography

William (Sutherland) Sutherland Xth of Duffus is a member of Clan Sutherland.

He was the son of William Sutherland, 9th of Duffus and Elizabeth Sinclair.

William Sutherland of Duffus was, on 30 April 1616, served heir to his late father, William Sutherland, in the lands and barony of Skelbo, comprehending a considerable extent of territory within the earldom of Sutherland, then accounted in the sheriffdom of Inverness.[1] From the date of his accession to his estates he was more or less embroiled with his neighbours, beginning with differences between him and Sir Robert Gordon, then Tutor of Sutherland. He also took up an aggressive position in regard to the tithes of his lands of Pronsies, and not only endeavoured by legal means to obtain right to them instead of the patron, the young Earl of Sutherland, but he carried off the teind-sheaves to his own barns. These, however, he was compelled by the Sheriff of Sutherland to disgorge. The matter was taken to the Court of Session, who decided against him in the matter of the tithes: but he was willing to submitother questions in dispute to arbitration, and the affair was finally arranged at Elgin in October 1617.[2]

In 1621, however, he again became involved in a serious dispute, this time with John Gordon, younger of Embo. The Laird was the first to use violence, and assaulted Gordon, wounding him slightly. This led to a feud between the families, which, though composed for a time, broke out again in 1625. The parties appeared in the law-courts, but resisted all attempts at reconciliation, when the comparatively sudden death of the Laird of Duffus, in October 1626, removed one of the disputants, and his executors joined in a reconciliation between the families.[3]

This Laird married, 1612, Jean, daughter of John Grant of Freuchie.[4] contract 19 September, who survived him, marrying, secondly, Thomas Mackenzie of Pluscarden. They had issue:--

*1. Alexander Sutherland, who succeeded, afterwards first Lord Duffus.

*2. William, who is named in the testament, dated in 1674, of his brother, Lord Duffus. He had the lands of Inverhassie in 1694. His son

>*(1) James, along with his father, had in 1694 a bond from James, second Lord Duffus, for 3000 merks.[5] He also held the lands of Dalnamain.[6] He died before 1722. He had at least one son.

>>*i. James, styled of Evelix. He married, 8 August 1726, Margaret, eldest daughter of John Sutherland of Rearquhar. He was still alive and over eighty in 1784.[7] He had an only son

>>>*Lieutenant Hugh Sutherland of Evelix, who, in 1776, was served heir-male general to his grandfather, James Sutherland of Evelix, formerly of Inverhassie.[8] He married Magdalene, daughter of John Clunes of Neilston, and was alive in 1819.

*3. John, styled brother of the Laird of Duffus in 1649, when named on the Commission of Supply for the county of Elgin.[9] He became a lieutenant-colonel. He was dead before 23 January 1658,[10] without issue. His brother Williamwas by a clare constat declared his heir in the lands of Kinminitie and others in co. Banff, and was infeft in September 1662.[11] He married (contract dated 7 and 10 March 1656) Isabella, eldest daughter of David Ross of Balnagown, who survived him and was married (contract dated 9 May 1659) to James Innes of Lichnet, brother of Sir Robert Innes of that Ilk.[12]

*4. Anna, married to Patrick Grant, brother of James Grant of Freuchie. A disposition dated 7 December 1660 was granted to her and her spouse by her uncle James over Cluniemoir, Clunieberg, and other lands. She was still alive in 1663.[13]

[1] Retours, Sutherland, No. 3.

[2] Sutherland Book, ii. 126, 127; Sir Robert Gordon's Genealogy, etc. 329, 342, 344, 345.

[3] Ibid., 364, 365, 397, 404.

[4] Chiefs of Grant, i. 196.

[5] Writs in Sutherland Charter-chest.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Writs in Sutherland Charter-chest.

[8] Services of Heirs, 1770-79.

[9] Acta Parl. Scot., vi. pt. 2, 192.

[10] Part. Reg. Sas., Elgin, etc., v. 12.

[11] Gen. Reg. Sas., vii. 186.

[12] Part. Reg. Sas., Banff, ix. 109.

[13] Gen. Reg. Inhibitions, 5th ser., vol. vii, 9 January 1664. This marriage is not noticed by Sir William Fraser in his Chiefs of Grant.

Sources

• MOSLEY, Charles, editor. "Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage", 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, 2003.volume 1, page 1204.

• PAUL, Sir James Balfour The Scots Peerage, Vol. III.

• Wikipedia Clan Sutherland

• Five Gateways Page 9 No. 51

• https://sites.google.com/site/fivegateways/alphabetical-index-s/sutherland/suth0055

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p23349.htm#i233487

The family tree of the Dukes, Earls, Lairds and Chiefs of Clan Sutherland 1100-2015 by John M Sutherland-Fisher, Genealogist of Clan Sutherland

The Peerage of Scotland by Sir Robert Douglas (1764) 1st edition within which are found:(Sutherland, Lord Duffus pages 194-196 and Sutherland Earl of Sutherland pages 660-667)

The History of the Earldom of Sutherland by Sir Robert Gordon (written 1650) who was younger son of Alexander Gordon 12th Earl of Sutherland and created 1st Baronet of Gordonstoun

The Sutherland Books Volumes 1-3 by Sir William Fraser (1892) [presented in 1894 by the Duke of Sutherland to Queen Victoria]

Burke’s Peerage and Baronetage 1935 edition

Burke’s Landed Gentry

Private papers referring to various cadet branches of the Sutherland family in the collection of John M Sutherland-Fisher, Genealogist of Clan Sutherland

A short history of Clan Sutherland , the families of Sutherland, Forse and Duffus 12th -19th centuries by Daniel J J Sutherland, Historian Emeritus of Clan Sutherland.

A Fighting Clan: Officers in Clan Sutherland 1250-1850 by Malcolm Sutherland, Historian Emeritus of Clan Sutherland.

Private papers in the collection of James B Sutherland, Historian of Clan Sutherland

Private papers in the collection of John M Sutherland-Fisher, Genealogist of Clan Sutherland

• Find a Grave Memorial #173735983 Photos of grave stone. Inscription says: Here lyis ane honorabil man WILLIAME SVTHERLAND of DVFFVS qvha Depertit this lyf ye 21 day of October 1626 being 34 zeiris of age

• Moray Scotland, Local Heritage Index, 1632-2014

• The Heraldry of the Murrays, G. Harvey Johnston FSA Scot, W&A.K. Johnston, Ltd., Edinburgh and London, MCMX, p. 9