Landed families of Britain and Ireland

This site, which was short-listed for the Society of Architectural Historians (GB) Colvin Prize in 2019, presents my research into the landowning families of the British Isles and the country houses which they owned. Comments, especially in the form of corrections, additional information or new illustrations, are very welcome. Please use the Contact Form in the right hand side bar to contact me privately or the comments facility at the bottom of the page to make a public comment.

Thursday, 28 February 2013

(6) Abercromby of Tullibody and Airthrey, Barons Abercromby

Abercromby of Tullibody
coat of arms

Abercromby, Baron Abercromby
coat of arms

Alexander Abercromby, the second son of Sir Alexander Abercromby of Birkenbog, settled at Tullibody in Clackmannanshire, which he inherited from his cousin George Abercromby of Skeith, and also bought Menstrie Castle (Clackmannanshire) in 1719. His son, George Abercromby (1705-1800) purchased the Brucefield (Clackmannanshire) estate in about 1758.

George had two distinguished soldiers among his sons. The elder was Lt-Gen Sir Ralph Abercromby, who died from wounds received in the Battle of Aboukir in 1801, and whose widow was created Baroness Abercromby in his honour later the same year. In 1827 the 2nd Baron inherited Airthrey Castle (Stirlingshire) from his uncle, General Sir Robert Abercromby, who had acquired it in 1797.[1] It was sold by the his grandson between 1883 and 1905. Tullibody seems to have been sold by the 4th Baron in 1906, and on the death of his brother in 1924 the title became extinct. Tullibody House, which consisted of a main block and two wings, was burnt and demolished c.1961. Airthrey Castle is now the University of Stirling. Menstrie Castle belongs to the National Trust for Scotland.

Sir Ralph's third son, James Abercromby, became Speaker of the House of Commons and was created Baron Dunfermline in 1839, but this title became extinct on the death of his son in 1868. Both Lords Dunfermline lived at Colinton House in Midlothian, now the home of Merchiston Castle School, which was built to the designs of Richard Crichton for Sir William Forbes in c.1801.

Tullibody House (Clackmannanshire)


Tullibody House from an old postcard

The house sat on a magnificent site by the shore of the River Forth. A house was built here in the 1650s by Robert Meldrum, but was rebuilt about 1710 by Alexander Abercromby (1675-1753), who also laid out fir plantations and formal gardens around it after 1725. The house had a main block of three storeys and six bays, with a tall hipped roof, joined by curved one and a half storey links to two-storey pavilions at right angles to the entrance front. William Stirling carried out unidentified alterations in c.1803 at a cost of around £2,109. In the 19th century the setting of the house became industrialised, and it was demolished in 1963 as a result of railway works and a fire.

Descent: sold 1648 to Robert Meldrum; to brother, Maj. George Meldrum, who sold 1662 to William Sharp, who sold 1679 to George Abercromby (d. 1699) of Skein/Skeith (Aberdeens); to cousin, Alexander Abercromby (1675-1753); to son, George Abercromby (1705-1800); to son, Sir Ralph Abercromby, kt. (1735-1801); to widow, Mary Anne Abercromby, 1st Baroness Abercromby (d. 1821); to son, George Abercromby (1770-1843), 2nd Baron Abercromby; to son, George Ralph Abercromby (1800-52), 3rd Baron Abercromby; to son, George Ralph Campbell Abercromby (1838-1917), 4th Baron Abercromby; to brother, John Abercromby (1841-1924), 5th Baron Abercromby, who apparently sold the house before 1923; Major Hugh Carlisle Campbell Forrester DL (fl. 1939)

Menstrie Castle (Clackmannanshire)

Menstrie Castle, 2008. © John Lee. Licenced under a Creative Commons Licence

Menstrie Castle before restoration.

A sturdy, picturesque three-storey L-plan castellated house with steep roof, crowstepped gables, dormer windows and pepperpot turrets, probably the remaining part of a full quadrangle, entered through a wide-arched gateway. The house was burnt by the Marquess of Montrose during the Civil War, and later in the 17th century a new laird’s house (Windsor House) – now demolished – was built opposite. After centuries of neglect and misuse, it was saved from demolition by a campaign led by the actor Moultrie Kelsall in 1960-64 and converted into flats, a museum and coffee shop. It is a wealthy manor house rather than a defensible castle, and is now surrounded by a simple square of housing designed by W.H. Henry, 1957-60. The castle now contains a commemoration room to the baronets of Nova Scotia administered by the NTS, in recognition of the fact that Sir William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling, founder of Nova Scotia, was born here.

Descent: Built c.1560 for William Alexander (d. c.1574); to Sir William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling (c.1576-1640); Robert Murray of Woodend (Perths), mortgagor foreclosed before 1640; burnt 1645; sold 1649 to Maj. James Holborne of Menstrie; to son, James Holborne of Menstrie; to son, Sir James Holburn of Menstrie, 1st bt. (d. 1737), who sold 1719 to Alexander Abercromby of Tullibody (1675-1753); to son, George Abercromby (1705-1800); to son, Sir Ralph Abercromby, kt. (1735-1801); to widow, Mary Anne Abercromby, 1st Baroness Abercromby (d. 1821); to son, George Abercromby (1770-1843), 2nd Baron Abercromby; to son, George Ralph Abercromby (1800-52), 3rd Baron Abercromby; to son, George Ralph Campbell Abercromby (1838-1917), 4th Baron Abercromby; to brother, John Abercromby (1841-1924), 5th Baron Abercromby; sold 1924 after his death.

Brucefield (Clackmannanshire)

A plain three storey house in the earliest classical manner introduced to Scotland by Sir William Bruce, built c.1724 for Alexander Bruce of Kennet. The central block has a tall hipped slate roof and prominent chimneystacks and four widely-spaced windows, and to either side are lower hipped-roofed wings. The two storey south wing was added c.1760 and the three-storey north wing in the early 19th century. The entrance is now through a Doric porch on the west front, but was formerly at first floor level on the east. The house was restored by James Shearer of Dunfermline in the 1930s for the 7th Lord Balfour of Burleigh.

Descent: Alexander Bruce (d. 1747); to son, Robert Bruce (1718-85), Lord Kennet, who sold c.1758 to his father-in-law, George Abercromby of Tullibody (1705-1800) who leased it to his brother James (d. 1775) and then to his son, Capt. Burnet Abercromby (d. 1792); to son, Gen. Sir Robert Abercromby (1740-1827); ??to great-nephew, Robert Bruce (1795-1864) of Kennet; to son, Sir Alexander Hugh Bruce, 6th Lord Balfour of Burleigh (1849-1921); to son, George John Gordon Bruce, 7th Lord Balfour of Burleigh (1883-1967); to son, Robert Bruce, 8th Lord Balfour of Burleigh (b. 1927)

Airthrey Castle (Stirlingshire)

Airthrey Castle. © roger4336. Licenced under a Creative Commons licence.

A D-shaped castle-style house, which however employs mainly Classical forms, designed by Robert Adam in 1790-91 for Robert Haldane (whose brother-in-law, Richard Oswald, had employed Adam thirty years earlier at Auchencruive). Haldane dismissed Adam after the plans had been supplied, and redirected the money for architects’ fees to building in ashlar instead of rubble. Haldane sold the house to Sir Robert Abercromby in 1798 when it was not quite finished, and went off to be a missionary in Bengal. The house was enlarged, the north-facing entrance front rebuilt in a dull, loosely Baronial style and the interior extensively altered by David Thomson for Donald M. Graham in 1891. The hall has a lavish late 19th century interior with panelling and a massive timber fireplace. The lodges, one of which has been demolished, were designed by William Stirling for Sir Robert Abercromby in 1809. The park was landscaped by Thomas White c.1798 and by Alexander Nasymth, c.1802, and now accommodates the main Stirling University campus: the lake survives, but a late 18th century hermitage on a clifftop overlooking Airthrey Loch is now only a pile of rubble. The house was used as a maternity hospital from 1939-69, and an incongruous nurses’ home was built extending east from the Victorian service court. In 1966 it was acquired by the University, which has effected considerable refurbishment.

Descent: Robert Haldane; sold 1798 to Sir Robert Abercromby (1740-1827); to nephew, George Abercromby (1770-1843), 2nd Baron Abercromby; to son, George Ralph Abercromby (1800-52), 3rd Baron Abercromby; to son, George Ralph Campbell Abercromby (1838-1917), 4th Baron Abercromby, who sold 1889 to Donald M. Graham (d. 1901); to widow, Mrs. Graham and her Trustees; leased as maternity hospital 1939; sold 1946 to Stirling County Council; transferred 1966 to University of Stirling

Colinton House (Midlothian)

Colinton House in 1880

A distinguished five bay villa, built for the Edinburgh banker, Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo in 1801-06. It is built of polished Craigleith ashlar, with a front of broad, relaxed proportions. There is a large central porch with coupled Ionic columns, and the wide segmental fanlight is repeated in each wing beneath a plain attic panel. Forbes bought the estate from the Foulises in 1800 and first consulted John Fraser of Colinton, who suggested the repair and extension of the existing castle. Plans by an unknown architect in the castellated manner of Adam were accordingly produced, but at the same time Thomas Harrison, Richard Crichton, Robert Burn, John Paterson and others produced plans for a new house. A letter of 1801 confirms that Harrison’s design formed the basis of what was built, and the bowed rear elevation resembles that of his Kennet (Clackmannanshire, 1793; dem. 1967), with the addition of a continuous balcony, suggested by one of Forbes’ many advisers. The final drawings for the front were executed by Crichton, suggesting he may have amended the original designs. Forbes himself managed everything and everybody. For the house John Fraser was the mason, John Young the carpenter, William Scott the plumber, Charles Stewart the slater, John Baxter the glazier and James Bryce the painter, the work being measured by Hugh Cairncross. Forbes died before work was completed and the house was finished by his son. It was sold after the latter’s death to James Abercromby, Speaker of the House of Commons, who commissioned W.H. Playfair to make alterations to the interior in 1840-41; these included remodelling the staircase. The house has been part of Merchiston Castle school since 1929, and was adapted as its science laboratory by W.J. Walker Todd, with a Venetian-windowed addition to the west. The interior has fared badly. The entrance hall and Ionic pilastered corridor survive, both groin-vaulted. The staircase is a simple dog-leg, but its network balustrade has been damaged. The house sits in parkland created by Forbes, who in 1801 obtained a plan from Matthew Stobie and recommendations from William Alexander, but who attributed the result to his own gardener, James Rintoul.

Previous owners: sold 1800 to Sir William Forbes (1739-1806), 6th bt. of Pitsligo; to son, Sir William Forbes (1773-1828), 7th bt. of Pitsligo; sold after his death to James Abercromby (1776-1858), 1st Baron Dunfermline; to son, Ralph Abercromby (1803-68), 2nd Baron Dunfermline; to daughter, Mary Catherine Elizabeth Abercromby (d. 1908), wife of Lt-Col. John Moubray Trotter (1842-1924); sold after his death to Merchistoun Castle School.

The Abercrombys of Tullibody and Airthrey, Barons Abercromby

Abercromby, Alexander (1675-1753) of Tullibody (Clackmannans), advocate and MP. Born in 1675, the second son of Sir Alexander Abercromby (1608-84), 1st bt. and his third wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Baird of Auchmeddan. MP for Clackmannanshire 1703-07. He married Mary, daughter of Alexander Duff of Braco, and had issue:

(1) George Abercromby (1705-1800) (q.v.)

(2) Alexander Abercromby, of Alloa, married, 1732 Rebecca, daughter of Alexander Colquhoun;

(3) Helen Abercromby, married, 1739, her cousin, Sir Robert Abercromby (c.1699-1787), 3rd bt. of Birkenbog.

(4) James Abercromby (1707-75) of Brucefield; educated at Westminster, University of Leiden, Lincolns Inn (called to bar, 1738); attorney general of South Carolina, 1731-44; member of South Carolina Assembly, 1739-45; agent in London for North Carolina and Virginia, 1745-71; MP for Clackmannanshire 1761-68; deputy auditor-general of plantations 1757-65. Lived on his brother George’s Brucefield estate (Clackmannanshire), 1757-75, and owned substantial property (nearly 7,000 acres) in South Carolina.

He inherited the Tullibody estate in Clackmannanshire from his cousin, George Abercromby of Skeith, in 1698. He also purchased Menstrie Castle (Clackmannans) in 1719.

He died in 1753.

Abercromby, George (1705-1800) of Tullibody House, advocate. Elder son of Alexander Abercromby of Tullibody (1675-1753) (q.v.) and his wife Mary, dau of Alexander Duff of Braco. He married Mary, daughter of Ralph Dundas of Manour (Perths) and had issue:

(1) George Abercromby (b. 1728), baptised at Logie (Fife), 19 August 1728; perhaps died young;

(2) Sir Ralph Abercromby (1735-1801) (q.v.)

(3) Capt. Burnet Abercromby (dsp 1792) of Brucefield, Capt. in HEICS; MP for Clackmannanshire; m. [name unknown] (d. 1795) who m.2 [forename unknown] Barclay.

(4) General Sir Robert Abercromby (1740-1827), a General in the Army; commander-in-chief in India, 1793; Governor of Edinburgh Castle; MP for Clackmannanshire 1798-1802; purchased Airthrey Castle in 1798 before it was fully completed and was responsible for landscaping the park and building the lodges; died unmarried and the estate passed to his nephew, George Abercromby (1770-1843), 2nd Baron Abercromby;

(5) Alexander Abercromby (1745-95), advocate; lord of sessions as Lord Abercromby; died unmarried;

(6) Helen Abercromby, married, 1754, Robert Bruce (1718-85), Lord Kennet and had issue;

(7) Mary Abercromby, married Maj. Alexander Joass (d. 1794), Governor of Stirling, and had issue.

He inherited from his father the Tullibody House and Menstrie Castle estates, and c.1758 purchased Brucefield (Clackmannanshire).

He died 8 June 1800, aged about 95.

Maj-Gen. Sir Ralph Abercromby

Abercromby, Maj-Gen. Sir Ralph (1735-1801), kt. He was born 25 October 1735, the eldest son of George Abercromby (1705-1800) of Tullibody and his wife Mary, dau of Ralph Dundas of Manour (Perths). He entered the army in 1756 and was appointed Col. of the 103rd Foot in 1781 and Major-General in 1787. In August 1795 he was Commander-in-Chief of British forces in the West Indies; in 1798 he was given command of forces in Ireland, and shortly afterwards of those in Scotland, with the governorships of Fort Augustus and Fort George. Early in 1801 he had command of British forces in Egypt and at the famous second battle of Aboukir he received a wound of which he died shortly afterwards. He was appointed a Knight of the Bath in 1797 and was a member of the Privy Council. He married 17 November 1767, Mary Anne (1747-1821), second dau and co-heir of John Menzies of Ferntower, Crieff (Perths), who when an account of the triumph and death of her husband reached England, was created Baroness Abercromby in his memory, and awarded a pension of £2,000 a year for herself and the next three inheritors of the title. They had issue:

(1) George Abercromby (1770-1843), 2nd Baron Abercromby (q.v.);

(2) Lt-Gen. Sir John Abercromby (1772-1817) GCB, a Lt-Gen. in the Army; colonel of 53rd Regiment; captured Mauritius 1809; died unmarried at Marseilles;

(3) James Abercromby (1776-1858), 1st Baron Dunfermline (q.v.);

(4) Anne Abercromby (d. 1844), married, 1795, Donald Cameron (d. 1832) of Lochiel;

(5) Catherine Abercromby (d. 1841), married, 1811, Thomas Buchanan

(6) Lt-Col. Alexander Abercromby (1784-1853), served in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo; MP for Clackmannanshire 1817; died unmarried “at his country seat in Clackmannanshire”, 27 August 1853;

(7) Mary Abercromby (d. 1825).

He inherited his father’s estates in 1800 but was killed shortly afterwards. It is not clear what property if any he inherited from his wife’s father.

He died 28 March 1801, and was buried in the burial ground of the Commandery of the Grand Master under the walls of the castle of St. Elmo at Valetta (Malta). He is commemorated by a monument in St. Paul’s Cathedral ordered by the House of Commons.

Abercromby, George (1770-1843), 2nd Baron Abercromby. Born 17 October 1770, the eldest son of Maj-Gen. Sir Ralph Abercromby (1735-1801) and his wife Mary Anne, 1st Baroness Abercromby (1747-1821), daughter of John Menzies of Ferntower, Crieff (Perths). MP for Edinburgh 1805-06, Clackmannanshire 1806-07, 1812-15; Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire 1837-43. He married, 20 January 1799 at Edinburgh, Montague (1772-1837), daughter of Henry Dundas (1742-1811), 1st Viscount Melville, and had issue:

(1) George Ralph Abercromby (1800-52), 3rd Baron Abercromby (q.v.);

(2) Montague Abercromby (1807-53), married, 1831, Rt. Hon. Fox Maule (later Maule-Ramsay) (1801-74), 2nd Baron Panmure (and after her death 11th Earl of Dalhousie);

(3) Mary Anne Abercromby (1811-98), married, 1857, Col. N.R. Brown (d. 1870).

He inherited Tullibody House from his mother in 1821 and Airthrey Castle from his uncle, Sir Robert Abercromby (1740-1827) (q.v.) in 1827.

He died at Airthrey Castle 14 February 1843 and was buried at Tullibody. He was succeeded in his title and estates by his son.

Abercromby, Col. George Ralph (1800-52), 3rd Baron Abercromby. Born 30 May 1800, only son of George Abercromby (1770-1843), 2nd Baron Abercromby, and his wife Montague (1772-1837), dau of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. MP for Clackmannan & Kinross, 1824-31, Stirlingshire 1838-41 and Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire 1841-52; Lord Lieutenant and Sheriff-Principal of Clackmannanshire 1840-52. Served in the Army (Major 1826; Colonel). He married 3 April 1832, Louisa Penuel (c.1810-82), daughter of John Hay Forbes, Lord Medwyn, and had issue:

(1) Montagu Abercromby (1835-1931), m. 1856 George Frederick Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow (d. 1890) and had issue;

(2) George Ralph Campbell Abercromby (1838-1917), 4th Baron Abercromby (q.v.);

(3) John Abercromby (1841-1924), 5th Baron Abercromby (q.v.);

(4) Ralph Abercromby (1842-97), died unmarried.

He inherited Tullibody House and Airthrey Castle from his father in 1843.

He died at Airthrey Castle, 25 June 1852 and was buried at Tullibody.

Abercromby, George Ralph Campbell (1838-1917), 4th Baron Abercromby. Born 23 September 1838, eldest son of Col. George Ralph Abercromby (1800-52), 3rd Baron Abercromby and his wife Louisa Penuel (d. 1882), daughter of John Hay Forbes, Lord Medwyn. He was a JP for Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire and DL for Stirlingshire. He married 6 October 1858, Lady Julia Janet Georgiana Duncan (d. 1915), a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Victoria, dau of Adam, 2nd Earl of Camperdown, but had no issue.

He inherited Airthrey Castle and Tullibody House from his father in 1852, but sold the former between 1882 and 1905. He lived at Tullibody House.

He died in London, 30 October 1917, when his title passed to his younger brother, John Abercromby (1841-1924), 5th Baron Abercromby (q.v.).

Abercromby, John (1841-1924), 5th Baron Abercromby, antiquarian. Born 15 January 1841, second son of Col. George Ralph Abercromby (1800-52), 3rd Baron Abercromby and his wife Louisa Penuel (d. 1882), daughter of John Hay Forbes, Lord Medwyn. Lt, Rifle Brigade. President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; Hon LL.D, Edinburgh Univ. He succeeded his brother as 5th Baron Abercromby, 30 October 1917. He married 26 August 1876 (div. 1879) his cousin, Adele Wilhelmine Marika, daughter of Chevalier Charles von Heidenstam, Swedish Minister at the Court of Athens and had issue:

(1) Edla Louisa Montagu (b. 1877), married, 1906, Georges N. Nasos, director of the conservatory of music at Athens and officer of the Order of the Saviour, Greece.

He apparently sold Tullibody House and lived at 62 Palmerston Rd, Edinburgh in 1923.

He died 7 October 1924, when the barony of Abercromby became extinct.

The Abercrombys of Colinton, Barons Dunfermline

Abercromby, James (1776-1858), 1st Baron Dunfermline. Born 7 November 1776, third son of Maj-Gen. Sir Ralph Abercromby (1735-1801) and his wife Mary Anne (1747-1821), 1st Baroness Abercromby, daughter of John Menzies of Ferntower, Crieff (Perths). Called to the bar in 1800; commissioner of bankruptcy; appointed judge-avocate-general in 1827 and chief baron of Scotland, 1830; master of the mint and a member of the cabinet, 1834; speaker of the House of Commons 1835-39; created Baron Dunfermline of Dunfermline (Fife) 7 June 1839. He married 14 June 1802, Marianne (d. 1874), dau of Egerton Leigh of West Hall, High Legh (Cheshire) and had issue:

(1) Ralph Abercromby (1803-68), 2nd Baron Dunfermline (q.v.).

He purchased Colinton House (Midlothian) after 1828 and in 1840-41 commissioned W.H. Playfair to remodel the interior.

He died 17 April 1858.

Abercromby, Ralph (1803-68), 2nd Baron Dunfermline. Born 6 April 1803, only child of James Abercromby (1776-1858), 1st Baron Dunfermline and his wife Marianne, daughter of Egerton Leigh of West Hall, High Legh (Cheshire). An eminent diplomat. He married 18 September 1838 Mary Elizabeth (d. 1874), eldest dau of Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1782-1859), 2nd Earl of Minto and had issue:

(1) Mary Catherine Elizabeth Abercromby (d. 1908), married, 1876, Lt-Col. John Moubray Trotter of Colinton (Midl.) DL and had issue.

He lived at Colinton House (Midl.), which passed to his daughter and son-in-law at his death.

He died 12 July 1868, when the barony of Dunfermline became extinct.

Sources

Burke's Peerage & Baronetage, successive editions; A. Swan, Clackmannan & The Ochils: an illustrated architectural guide, 1987; J. Gifford & F.A. Walker, The buildings of Scotland: Stirling & Central Scotland, 2002; http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/220184/details/tullibody+house/; http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/47133/details/airthrey+castle/; http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/141454/details/edinburgh+colinton+road+colinton+house/; http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/47125/details/menstrie+castle/; http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/139407/details/brucefield+house+brucefield+mains/

Where are their papers?

Abercromby family of Tullibody, Barons Abercromby: household and estate papers, National Archives of Scotland, GD124/17/656-674;
Abercromby family of Colinton, Barons Dunfermline: personal papers, National Library of Scotland MSS 24725-24774

Revision and Acknowledgements

This account was first published on 28 February 2013 and was updated 3 June 2015, 22 September 2017, 13 October 2018 and 16 July 2021.

(5) Abercromby of Birkenbog and Forglen, baronets

Abercromby of Birkenbog
Image: Stephen Plowman

A branch of the Abercrombys of Abercromby in Fife, whose direct line ended in the 17th century, acquired lands at Petmathen alias Pitmeddan in Oyne (Aberdeenshire) in the 15th century, and James Abercromby purchased Birkenbog (Banffshire) in the late 16th century. His grandson, Alexander, was created 1st baronet of Birkenbog in 1636, and the house there seems to have been rebuilt by the 2nd baronet in about 1730-40.

A younger brother of the 1st baronet, John Abercromby, acquired Glassaugh House (Banffshire) in the mid 17th century, and Glassaugh remained the seat of this cadet branch of the family until 1831 when on the death of the last surviving child of General James Abercromby (1706-81), it passed to the Duffs of Logie & Fetteresso (although they seem initially to have leased it back to Sir George Abercromby, 4th bt). The house, which was rebuilt about 1770, was further enlarged for the Duffs by Archibald Simpson in 1840.

Birkenbog seems to have remained the home of the main branch of the family until the time of Sir George Abercromby, 4th baronet (1750-1831), whose wife inherited Forglen House on the death of her brother, the 8th Lord Banff, in 1803. Sir Robert Abercromby, 5th baronet (1784-1855) rebuilt Forglen in 1839 to the design of James Smith, and this and (after 1877) Dunlugas remained the family seats until the death of Sir Robert Alexander Abercromby, 9th baronet, in 1972. Dunlugas passed to Lady Abercromby's daughter by her first marriage, Mrs. Alexandra Stancioff, who remains the owner today. In 2009, Forglen belonged to Mr & Mrs Russell. The baronetcy became dormant in 2003 on the death of Sir Ian Abercromby, the 10th and last baronet, who did not inherit the Scottish estates and lived at Tynte Park, co. Wicklow, and in Spain.

Hector Abercromby, a younger brother of the James Abercromby who acquired Birkenbog in the late 16th century, purchased a lease of Fetternear House from the Leslie family in 1627, and Fetternear descended to Francis Abercromby, Lord Glasford (1654-1703), who gave up the lease in 1690.

Birkenbog House (Banffshire)

Birkenbog House, nr Cullen (Banffshire). © Christopher Gillan. Licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

There was an E-plan tower house here c.1590, of which a truncated round tower survives at the back of the present building. This is a plain five bay two storey house of c.1730-40, patched up c.1795-1800 after a fire in 1790. The architraved central door has a reused 1693 armorial panel above, perhaps from Glassaugh. There is a 17th century walled garden to the rear; all is now derelict and on the buildings at risk register. The house was abandoned by the Abercrombys after 1790; they lived first at Glassaugh and later at Forglen and Dunlugas.

Descent: James Abercromby (fl. 1578-1600), who purchased the estate; to son, Alexander Abercromby (1578-c.1645); to son, Sir Alexander Abercromby, 1st bt. (1608-84); to son, Sir James Abercromby, 2nd bt. (1668-1734); to son, Sir Robert Abercromby, 3rd bt. (c.1699-1787); to son, Sir George Abercromby, 4th bt. (1750-1831); to son, Sir Robert Abercromby, 5th bt. (1784-1855); to son, Sir George Samuel Abercromby, 6th bt. (1824-72); to son, Sir Robert John Abercromby, 7th bt. (1850-95); to son, Sir George William Abercromby, 8th bt. (1886-1964); to brother, Major Sir Robert Alexander Abercromby, 9th bt. (1895-1972)

Forglen House (Banffshire)

Forglen House: a drawing of the old castle in the late 18th century.

The site of an ancient castle, which had been remodelled and partially rebuilt as a dwelling house by the late 18th century. This building, fortunately recorded in the drawing above, is said to have been replaced by an 'elegant classical house' by William Ogilvy, 8th Lord Banff, but no visual record of this has been found, and it seems likely that it was never built.

Forglen House from an old postcard, c.1910

The present house was built in 1839-45 as a vast neo-Elizabethan house by John Smith for Sir Robert Abercromby, 5th bt., and contains elements of its predecessor. The main front has an E plan and is almost symmetrical, with a central square staircase tower and an octagonal tower at the south end of the range, which contains inscriptions dated 1440 and 1577 from the old castle, built together like the great armorial panel at Huntly Castle.

The thorough-going Tudor Gothic exterior does not prepare one for the staunchly Classical interior, where the dining room has a Corinthian-columned screen. In the grounds is a large and ornate Gothic mausoleum of 1852 or 1865 by A & W Reid of Elgin.

Descent: William Ogilvy, 8th Lord Banff (d. 1803); to sister Jane, wife of Sir George Abercromby, 4th bt. (1750-1831); to son, Sir Robert Abercromby, 5th bt. (1784-1855); to son, Sir George Samuel Abercromby, 6th bt. (1824-72); to son, Sir Robert John Abercromby, 7th bt. (1850-95); to son, Sir George Alexander Abercromby, 8th bt. (1886-1964); to brother, Sir Robert William Abercromby, 9th bt. (1895-1972); sold 1974 ... Mr & Mrs Tristan Russell (fl. 1994-2018).

Dunlugas House (Banffshire)

A five bay two storey house built in 1793, probably for William Leslie, whose family became prosperous from introducing a new method of curing fish, with the previous house of c.1680, built for George Ogilvy of Dunlugas, retained as a service range at the rear. The main block is raised on a basement with a projecting pedimented single-bay centre and a double-pilastered doorcase on the piano nobile approached by an impressive flight of steps, with two flights rising to a central platform in front of the doorway. It has paired chimney-stacks in the gable-ends and raised quoins at the angles, suggesting that the house was originally harled. The house is modest in scale, with three main rooms on the ground floor. A narrow entrance hall leads through paired Ionic columns to a dog-leg ashlar main staircase with a round arched stair window and cupola. On the front of the house are the library (originally the dining room), redecorated (perhaps by John Smith) c.1820-30 with a trompe l’oeil painted plaster ceiling, simulating carved and panelled wood, a grey marble fireplace and panelled dado; and the drawing room with a plasterwork ceiling, white marble fireplace and the walls hung with pleated grey silk by John Fowler c.1965. At the rear is the dining room (originally library). The house is surrounded by parkland and rich plantations.

Descent: George Ogilvy (fl. 1680)...to William Urquhart of Eccleston (fl. 1779); sold c.1780-90 to William Leslie (1738-1811); to nephew, Hans George Leslie (d. by 1868); to son, Capt. Hans George Leslie HEICS (b. 1826) who sold 1877 to Sir Robert John Abercromby, 7th bt. (1850-95); to son, Sir George William Abercromby, 8th bt. (1886-1964); to brother, Sir Robert Alexander Abercromby, 9th bt. (1895-1972) who was resident by 1937; to stepdaughter, (Deirdre) Alexandra Lawrence (fl. 2019), later the wife of John Stancioff.

Fetternear House (Aberdeenshire)

Fetternear House, 2009

The massive footings of the palace built by Bishop Ramsay of Aberdeen in 1226 and extended by Bishop Kynynmound in 1330 are still visible in front of the old house. The lands remained with the bishops until 1550 when a lease, which rapidly became a gift, was granted to John Leslie, 8th Baron Balquhain. The oldest part of the house is the three-storey tower with circular south-west angle-tower and vaulted ground floor, built by Leslie when he acquired the lands. This house was tenanted by the Abercrombys from 1627 to 1690, and after they left Count Patrick Leslie added an extraordinarily elongated mansion in 1691-93. It was originally a symmetrical three-storey six-bay house with circular angle-towers, and a one-bay wing was added on the west to balance the original tower. Over the central door is an armorial panel incorporating Leslie’s arms as a County of the Holy Roman Empire, and devices proclaiming Leslie’s adherence to the Counter-Reformation. The forecourt, with stabling, offices and side wings, was burnt down in 1745 when the factor, to whom it had been leased, was attempting to strip it bare. The house was Gothicised by Massie in the early 19th century by raising the towers and adding corbelling and a heavy crenellated parapet. A two-storey wing with bow was added in 1818 and a two-storey cross-wing in 1850. The house was burnt out in 1919, and stands as an impressive ruin, with the walls and towers to full height, including the crenellations.

Lessees: Hector Abercromby (b. c.1570); to son, Alexander Abercromby (fl. 1627-56); to son, Francis Abercromby, Lord Glassford (1654-1703), who gave up the lease in 1690.

Glassaugh House (Banffshire)

Glassaugh House, c.1850s. National Monuments Record of Scotland PA4/41/2

The estate was bought by John Abercromby in the mid 17th century and it was probably his grandson, Alexander Abercromby (1677-1729) who built the house recorded in an engraving, with a three bay centre and taller projecting pyramid-roofed bays to either sides, and detached pavilions with high hipped roofs. The house was rebuilt in the classical style in the late 18th century, perhaps for General John Abercromby (d. 1781), who retired from the army in 1759, and then extensively remodelled in 1840 by Archibald Simpson for Arthur Duff Abercromby. It has been a fine house: facades of crisp expensive polished ashlar, quoins, and end bays advanced as pavilion towers, a motif perhaps borrowed from the 17th century house. The main entrance door and the first floor windows in the pavilions, have pediments. A 16th century beehive dovecote survives in the grounds from the previous house. The house is now a ruin, and was once used to house livestock: chickens on the second floor, pigs on the first and cows on the ground floor.

Descent: sold c.1650 to John Abercromby (1609-after 1677); to grandson, Alexander Abercromby (1677-1729); to son, Gen. James Abercromby (1706-81); to daughter, Jean, wife of George Morison; to daughter Mary (c.1768-1833), wife of Robert William Duff (1767-1834) of Fetteresso; to second son, Arthur Duff (who also called himself Arthur Duff Abercromby) (1797-1855); to son, Rt. Hon. Sir Robert William Duff MP (1835-95); sold in early 20th cent.

Tynte Park, Dunlavin (Wicklow)

Tynte Park, Wicklow

A restrained two storey, five bay stuccoed Classical house of c.1835 with a single-storey Greek Doric portico of granite and a four bay single-storey service range to the right. The windows in the two outer bays are set in panels that break forward. Inside there is an oval staircase. The house is set in an extensive demesne.

Descent: Robert Tynte of Dunlavin (d. 1760); to son, Sir James Stratford Tynte, 1st bt. (1760-85); to daughter, Jemima Roberta Tynte (c.1785-1882), wife of Col. Joseph Pratt of Cabra Castle; to son, Joseph Pratt Tynte (1815-96) (who took name and arms of Tynte 1836); to son, Fortescue Joseph Tynte CB (1841-1907); to brother, Lt-Col. Mervyn Challoner Stephen Tynte (1846-1910); to son, Mervyn Arthur Tynte (1878-1918); to sister, Elise Geraldine Katie Tynte (1877-1963), wife of Hardress Edward Waller (d. 1932); to granddaughter, Anne Beatrix Tynte (b. 1938) (whose father took name and arms of Tynte in 1935), wife of Maj. Timothy Maximilian Irvine (later Tynte-Irvine), who sold c.1974 to Sir Ian Abercromby, 10th bt. (1925-2003)...sold 2007 to Mr. N. & Mrs K. Bullman (fl. 2013); for sale 2016.

The Abercrombys of Birkenbog and Forglen

Abercromby, Alexander (d. by 1505). Son of Alexander Abercromby (d. c.1484) and his wife Agnes Johnston of Braco and Ditouch, born about 1450. He married, c.1472, Janet, daughter of Sir James Ogilvy of Deskford, and had issue including:
(1) George Abercromby (b. c.1481).
In 1472 his mother resigned her lands of Braco and Ditouch into the hands of Thomas, Bishop of Aberdeen, and received a new confirmation to herself and her husband, and to their son Alexander and his future wife Janet Ogilvy. He also inherited lands at Harthill, Pitmeddan etc. (Aberdeens) from his father.
He was dead by 2 May 1505. His wife’s date of death is unknown.

Abercromby, George (b. c.1481). Only recorded son of Alexander Abercromby (d. by 1505) and his wife Janet, daughter of Sir James Ogilvy of Deskford, born about 1481. He married 1st, Christina Barclay and 2nd, Margaret Gordon, and had issue including:
(1.1) James Abercromby (d. by 1549).
He was served heir to his father on 2 May 1505 and infeft as his heir in Ley, Tollie and Classindammer, 18 December 1506. He had a charter under the Great Seal for the lands of Pitmeddan, 18 February 1513, which the King then erected into the barony of Pitmeddan.
He was living in 1527 but is date of death is unknown. His first wife’s date of death is unknown. His widow married, about 24 April 1553 (contract), Alexander Cuming of Culter.

Abercromby, James (d. 1546?). Only recorded son of George Abercromby (b. c.1481) and his first wife, Christina Barclay. He married 1st, before 1527, Marjorie Hay, and 2nd, Elizabeth, daughter of Gilbert Gray of Scheves, and had issue including:
(1.1) Alexander Abercromby (d. c.1587);
(1.2) William Abercromby (fl. 1544) of Westhall (Aberdeens); married and had issue at least two sons.
He and his wife had a charter from his father of the lands of Pitmeddan, 13 July 1527.
He is said to have been assassinated in 1546 as part of a feud with the Leslies, who surprised him in a tower in Aberdeenshire. His first wife’s date of death is unknown. His second wife’s date of death is unknown.

Abercromby, Alexander (d. by 1587). Elder son of James Abercromby (d. 1546?) and his first wife, Marjorie Hay. He married 1st, by 19 April 1550, Elizabeth (d. c.1572), daughter of Alexander Leslie of Pitcaple and 2nd, by 28 February 1582, Janet, widow of John Forbes of Brux, and had issue including:
(1.1) Alexander Abercromby (fl. 1574);
(1.2) John Abercromby (fl. 1583);
(1.3) Hector Abercromby (b. c.1570; fl. 1645) [for whom see below under The Abercrombys of Fetternear]
(1.4) George Abercromby (fl. 1591);
(1.5) Fr. Patrick Abercromby (d. c.1660); a Roman Catholic priest; died in Paris (France), c.1600;
(1.6) Andrew Abercromby; perhaps died in infancy;
(1.7) James Abercromby; said to have emigrated to Ireland and had issue;
(1.8) Walter Abercromby (fl. 1583);
(1.9) Robert Abercromby (fl. 1582);
(1.10) Adam Abercromby (fl. 1647).
He was served heir to his father in Pitmeddan, Newton, Adiescroft and Ardomie, 28 November 1549, and settled his lands on himself and his wife, 19 April 1550.
He died before 9 December 1587. His first wife died about 1572. His second wife’s date of death is unknown.

Abercromby, Alexander (fl. 1574). Eldest son of Alexander Abercromby (d. by 1587) and his first wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Leslie of Pitcaple. He married, about 10 March 1574 (contract), Margaret, sister of John Leslie of Balquhan, and had issue including:
(1) Alexander Abercromby (c.1578-c.1645) (q.v.).
He had a charter from William, Bishop of Aberdeen, 1 June 1562.
He died in the lifetime of his father before 9 January 1587. His wife’s date of death is unknown.

Abercromby, Alexander (1578?-c.1645). Only recorded son of Alexander Abercromby (fl. 1574) and his wife Margaret Leslie, born about 1578. He succeeded his grandfather at Pitmeddan. Said to have been Grand Falconer of Scotland to King Charles I. He married, about 20 October 1604 (contract), Elizabeth, daughter of David Bethune of Melgund, and had issue:
(1) Sir Alexander Abercromby, 1st bt. of Birkenbog (1608-84) (q.v.);
(2) Walter Abercromby of Brakenhills; married and had issue;
(3) John Abercromby (b. c.1609) of Glasshaugh [for whom see Abercromby of Glassaugh below];
(4) Jean Abercromby; married 1st, about 10 June 1637 (contract), William Davidson of Cairnie, and 2nd, about 1 June 1657 (contract), James Basken, Collector General of Cess in Banffshire;
(5) Lucretia Abercromby, married, about 3 August 1631 (contract), George Leslie, son of George Leslie of Kincragie;
(6) Janet Abercromby; married, about 18 November 1644 (contract), Maj. Walter Ogilvy;
(7) Elizabeth Abercromby, married Thomas Nicholson of Petmathen in Oyne and Cluny.

He inherited his grandfather’s lands at Pitmeddan in 1587, and presumably acquired the Birkenbog estate.
His date of death is unknown, but occurred between 1641 and 1648.

Abercromby, Sir Alexander (1608-1684), 1st bt. Eldest son of Alexander Abercromby (1578?-c.1645) of Birkenbog and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of David Betune of Melgund, born about 1608. He obtained (with others) a monopoly on trading between Scotland and Africa, 1636 and was MP in the Scottish Parliament for Banffshire 1640-41, 1643, 1646-47, 1648 and 1661-63. He was created 1st baronet of Birkenbog, 20 February 1635/6, with remainder to his heirs male and assignees whatsoever. During the Civil War he took an active part against the King, being considered a ‘main covenanter’ and in 1645 he was present at the battle of Auldearn among the forces of Major Urry. He married 1st, about 28 September 1628 (contract), Jean, daughter of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty; 2nd, Jean, daughter of [forename unknown] Sutherland of Kinminity; and 3rd, 22 August 1668, Elizabeth (1646-1708?), daughter of Sir James Baird of Auchmedden, and had issue:
(1.1) Alexander Abercromby; died young;
(1.2) Christian Abercromby; married James Fraser of Tyrie, son of Alexander Fraser;
(1.3) Mary Abercromby; married, about 23 August 1661 (contract), Sir George Gordon (d. 1691) of Edenglassie, and had issue two sons and four daughters;
(1.4) Violet Abercromby; married 1st, about 18 February 1663/4, John Kinnaird (d. c.1667), second son of Walter Kinnaird of Culbin, and 2nd, 1670, Robert Grant of Dalveg and Dunglass and had issue;
(2.1) Agnes Abercromby (b. 1663), married, about 6 June 1681 (contract), Robert Bisset, eldest son and heir of Alexander Bisset of Lessendrum;
(3.1) James Abercromby (c.1670-1734), later 2nd bt. (q.v.);
(3.2) Alexander Abercromby (1675-1753), of Tullibody [for whom see my post on that family];
(3.3) Anna Abercromby (b. 1676), baptised at Fordyce, 22 July 1676;
(3.4) Patrick Abercromby; apprenticed to James Nicholson of Trabroun, merchant in Edinburgh; said to have married a daughter of Col. Sempill and had issue;
(3.5) Elizabeth Abercromby, died unmarried.
He inherited his father’s estate at Pitmeddan and Birkenbog (Banffs) in the 1640s.
He died in December 1684. His first wife’s date of death is unknown. His second wife’s date of death is unknown. His widow married 2nd, Col. Patrick Ogilvie of Lonmay and Inchmartin, and had further issue; she is said to have died in 1708.

Abercromby, Sir James (c.1670-1734), 2nd bt. Eldest son of Sir Alexander Abercromby (1608-84), 1st bt., and his third wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Baird, born about 1670. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet in December 1684. MP for Banffshire in the Scottish Parliament, 1694-1702. He was evidently an active Jacobite as the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire received his surrender in 1716. His management of his estate left a good deal to be desired, but he had a library of some significance. He married, about 31 July 1690 (contract), Mary (d. 1742), daughter of Arthur Gordon of Straloch, and heiress of her brother, Robert Gordon (d. 1732) of Aberdeen, merchant, and had issue:
(1) Lt. Alexander Abercromby (b. 1692), baptised at Fordyce (Banffs), 6 December 1692; died without issue in the lifetime of his father;
(2) James Abercromby (b. 1693), baptised at Fordyce, 13 December 1693; died young;
(3) Sir Robert Abercromby (1695-1787), 3rd bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.);
(4) Elizabeth Abercromby (b. 1696), baptised at Fordyce, 7 July 1696;
(5) Lewis Abercromby (b. 1697), baptised at Fordyce, 19 August 1697; died young;
(6) Mary Abercromby (b. 1698), baptised at Fordyce, November 1698;
(7) Anne Abercromby (1700-40), baptised at Fordyce, 19 June 1700; married, about 7 August 1722 (contract), George Stuart (c.1685-1748) of Tanachie, eldest son and heir of Patrick Stuart of Tannachie; buried at Rathven (Banffs.), 11 April 1740;
(8) Jean Abercromby (b. 1701), baptised at Fordyce, 24 November 1701;
(9) Isabell Abercromby (b. 1703), baptised at Fordyce, 11 April 1703; married, as a child, 1715 (contract), James Dunbar (b. 1706) of Kincorth, second son of Sir James Dunbar (1665-1737), 2nd bt., of Durn;
(10) George Abercromby (1706-76), baptised at Fordyce, 23 August 1706; emigrated to Mexico, where he fell into financial difficulties and in 1764 was ‘being maintained by a negro wench and [her] two daughters’; he married, 1746 in Mexico, Maria Ygnacia, daughter of John Ingleby, and had issue four sons and one daughter; died in December 1776;
(11) Arthur Abercromby HEICS (1707-62), baptised at Fordyce, 30 November 1707; an officer in the East India Company’s service; died without issue, 1762;
(12) William Abercromby (1710-39), baptised at Fordyce, 29 May 1710; died without issue in the Netherlands, 1739;
(13) John Abercromby (b. 1711), baptised at Fordyce, 11 October 1711; died without issue in Russia;
(14) James Abercromby (b. 1713), baptised at Fordyce, 21 July 1713; living in London in 1740.
He was served heir general to his father, 13 December 1684.
He died 20 September 1734. His widow died in 1742.

Abercromby, Sir Robert (1695-1787), 3rd bt. Third, but eldest surviving son of Sir James Abercromby (1668-1734), 2nd bt., and his wife Mary (d. 1742), daughter of Arthur Gordon of Straloch, baptised at Fordyce, 3 May 1695. He succeeded his father as 3rd baronet, 20 September 1734. An officer in the army (Lt., 1739). He married, 17 July 1739 at Alloa (Clackmannans.), his first cousin, Helen (1713-91?), daughter of Alexander Abercromby (1675-1753) of Tullibody, and had issue:
(1) James Abercromby (b. 1740), born 22 November and baptised at Fordyce, 23 November 1740; possibly the man of this name who was an officer in the army (Ensign, 1773); died young before August 1778;
(2) Mary Abercromby (1743-1801), baptised at Alloa, 1 May 1743, married 15 November 1767, William Abercromby (1739-1811), second son of Gen. James Abercromby (1706-81) of Glasshaugh (for whom see below, under Abercromby of Glassaugh), but had no issue; died in May 1801;
(3) A son (b. & d. c.1745), born about 1745; died in infancy;
(4) Sophia Abercromby, baptised at Fordyce, 7 November 1747;
(5) Margaret Abercromby, baptised at Fordyce, 1 August 1749;
(6) Sir George Abercromby (1750-1831), 4th bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.);
(7) Elisabeth Abercromby, born 5 January and baptised 6 January 1752.
He inherited his father’s estate at Birkenbog in 1734, and probably rebuilt the house.
He died aged about 91, at Banff, 11 March and was buried at Fordyce, 16 March 1787. His widow is said to have died in 1791.

Sir George Abercromby
(1750-1831), 4th bt.

Abercromby, Sir George (1750-1831), 4th bt. Only surviving son of Sir Robert Abercromby (1695-1787) and his wife Helen, daughter of Alexander Abercromby of Tullibody, baptised 7 November 1750 at Fordyce (Banffs). He was admitted an advocate 1773, served as Sheriff of Morayshire and Nairnshire, 1783-1831; and was appointed clerk for the admission of notars 1807. He succeeded his father as 4th baronet, 11 March 1787. Captain Commandant of Enzie Volunteers (retired 1798); Acting Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, 1809-13. Master of St Andrew’s Lodge of Freemasons, Aberdeen, from 1789. He married 12 August 1778 at Forglen (Banffs), Jane (otherwise Jean) (c.1749-1838), eldest daughter and eventual heir of Alexander Ogilvy (d. 1771), 7th Lord Banff, and had issue including:
(1) Jane Abercromby (c.1779-1845), born about 1779; lived with her sister Charlotte at Earlsferry House (Fife); died unmarried, 28 November 1845; will confirmed at Cupar, 13 April 1846;
(2) Helen Abercromby (c.1780-1859), married, 30 April 1811 at Forglen House, William Gowan (later Mauleverer) HEICS (1788-1857) of Arncliffe Hall (Yorks), eldest son of Clotworthy Gowan (1752-c.1811), and had issue; died 6 September 1859; will proved 26 September 1859 (effects under £6,000);
(3) Maria Sophia Abercromby (c.1783-1846), born about 1783; married, 6 September 1810 at Forglen House, as his second wife, David Monypenny (1769-1850), Lord Pitmilly, a Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland, but had no issue; died at Pitmilly, 15 June 1846 and was buried at Kingsbarns (Fife);
(4) Sir Robert Abercromby (1784-1855), 5th bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.);
(5) Janet Elizabeth Abercromby (c.1785-1837), born about 1785; died unmarried at Banff, 7 June 1837; will proved in the PCC, 11 July 1837;
(6) Charlotte Abercromby (1787-1849), born 9 May 1787; lived with her sister Jane at Earslferry House; died unmarried, 26 December 1849; will confirmed at Edinburgh, 14 January 1850;
(7) Grace Abercromby (1790-1876), baptised at Forglen, 18 March 1790; married, about 7 June 1823 (contract) at Forglen, Joseph Murray (1786-1876) of Ayton (Fife), and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 25 July 1876.
He inherited his father’s estate at Birkenbog in 1787, but the fortunes of the family were transformed when in 1803 he acquired in his wife’s right, the estates of her brother, the 8th Lord Banff, including Forglen House. He lived at Glassaugh House until 1803 and probably thereafter at Forglen.
He died 18 July 1831, aged about 81. His widow died at Forglen, 29 April 1838.

Sir Robert Abercromby
(1784-1855), 5th bt.
Abercromby, Sir Robert (1784-1855), 5th bt. Only son of Sir George Abercromby (1750-1831) and his wife Jane, eldest daughter and eventual heir of Alexander Ogilvy (d. 1771), 7th Lord Banff, born 4 February and baptised 4 March 1784 at Forglen. DL of Kirkcudbrightshire and Banffshire and MP for Banffshire, 1812-18, but he was unable to afford to continue in Parliament. In 1820 he unsuccessfully petitioned George IV to create his mother Baroness Banff with remainder to her heirs male, or to call him to the Lords in the same title. He succeeded his father as 5th baronet, 18 July 1831. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh from 1822. His portrait was painted by Sir Henry Raeburn. He married, 22 October 1816 at Castle Douglas (Kirkcudbrights), Elizabeth Stephenson (1795-1863), only daughter of Samuel Douglas of Netherlaw (Kirkcudbrights.) and had issue:
(1) Elizabeth Abercromby (1817-93), born 10 September and baptised at Edinburgh, 1817; married, 14 June 1843 at Colinton (Midl.), Maj. William Monro (1815-81) of Craiglockhart (Midlothian), fifth son of Alexander Monro (1773-1859), and had issue three daughters; died 4 August 1893 and was buried at Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh; will confirmed 19 September 1893 (effects £13,059);
(2) A son (b. & d. 1818); died at Mayen, Rothiemay (Banffs.), 5 November 1818;
(3) Jane Abercromby (1819-44), born 11 November 1819; married, 14 June 1843 at Colinton (Midl.), Sir James Colquhoun MP (1804-73), 4th bt., Lord Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire, 1837-73, and had issue one son; died at Rossdhu (Dumbartons.) following childbirth, 3 May 1844;
(4) Mary Grace Abercromby (1820-87), born 26 November 1820 and baptised at Edinburgh, 1 January 1821; married, 9 June 1848 at Forglen, William Cosmo Gordon (1810-79) of Fyvie Castle (Aberdeenshire), and had no surviving issue; died 4 December 1887 and was buried at Fyvie; will confirmed 8 February 1888;
(5) Georgina Charlotte Abercromby (1822-39), born 19 July and baptised at Edinburgh, 28 August 1822; died unmarried, 5 February 1839 and was buried at St John’s Graveyard, Edinburgh;
(6) Sir George Samuel Abercromby (1824-72), 6th bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.)
(7) Samuel Douglas Abercromby (1825-47), born 8 August and baptised at Edinburgh, 7 September 1825; educated at Royal Military College, Sandhurst; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1842; Lt., 1847); died unmarried in Bermuda, 16 May 1847, and was buried at St Peter’s Church, Bermuda;
(8) Roberta Henrietta Abercromby (1827-1901), born 31 May 1827; married, 25 October 1853 at Forglen, Sir Edwin Hare Dashwood (1825-82), 7th bt., of Nelson (New Zealand) and later of West Wycombe Park (Bucks), and had issue four sons and two daughters; died 11 November 1901 and was buried at Hampstead Cemetery; will proved 23 November 1901 (estate £369);
(9) Constance Helena Abercromby (1829-72), born 28 February and baptised at Edinburgh, 21 April 1829; married, 13 April 1853 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), as his second wife, Hon. James Grant MP (1817-88), later 9th Earl of Seafield, fourth son of Francis William Grant, 6th Earl of Seafield, and had issue one son; died at Forres (Morays.), 13 February 1872 and was buried at Forglen;
(10) Sophia Anne Adelaide Abercromby (1831-1913), born 30 April and baptised at Edinburgh, 14 May 1831; married 1st, 19 September 1854 at Forglen (div. 1863 on the grounds of her adultery with the man who became her second husband), as his first wife, Henry Alexander Abercromby Hamilton (1829-1911), second son of Alexander Hamilton Hamilton of The Retreat, Topsham (Devon), and had issue two sons; married 2nd, 29 June 1864 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), John Wilson Rimington (1832-1909), third son of James Rimington of Broomhead Hall (Yorks), and had further issue one son and one daughter; died 20 March 1913; will proved 7 May 1913 (estate £3,643);
(11) Robert Abercromby (1833-54), born 2 August and baptised at Edinburgh, 13 August 1833; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1852; Lt., 1854); died without issue when he was killed at the Battle of Alma in the Crimean War, 20 September 1854;
(12) Frances Emily Abercromby (1835-87), born 4 March 1835; married, 18 November 1862 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), as his second wife, Sir William Forbes (later Forbes-Sempill) (1836-1905), 8th bt. and later 17th Baron Sempill, of Craigievar (Aberdeens.), and had issue five sons and two daughters; died at Bad Homburg (Germany), 13 May 1887; will confirmed 20 August 1887 (effects £2,634);
(13) David James Abercromby (1837-1918) (q.v.);
(14) A son (b. & d. 1839), born 1 July 1839; died in infancy the following day and was buried at St Cuthbert’s Churchyard, Edinburgh.
He inherited his father’s estates at Glasshaugh, Forglen and Birkenbog, and rebuilt Forglen House in 1839 to the designs of James Smith. He purchased much of the town of Fermoy in Ireland in 1820 and had a town house in Edinburgh.
He died at Forglen House, 6 July 1855, and was buried at Forglen; his will was proved in the PCC, 19 January 1856. His wife died in London, 28 December 1863, and was buried at Forglen, 5 January 1864.

Abercromby, Sir George Samuel (1824-72), 6th bt. Eldest son of Sir Robert Abercromby (1784-1855), 5th bt., and his wife Elizabeth Stephenson, daughter of Samuel Douglas of Netherlaw, born 22 May 1824. Educated at Loretto School and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1843; BA 1847; MA 1850). DL for Kirkcudbrightshire (from 1846). He succeeded his father as 6th baronet, 6 July 1855. A Commissioner of Supply for Banffshire by 1857. He married 12 June 1849 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Hon. Agnes Georgina (1826-98), second daughter of John Cavendish Browne, 3rd Baron Kilmaine (1794-1873) and had issue:
(1) Sir Robert John Abercromby (1850-95), 7th bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.);
(2) Elizabeth Agnes Abercromby (1852-1929), born 1852; married, 1 June 1882 at Turriff (Aberdeens), Henry Alexander Farquhar-Spottiswood (1859-1925) of Muiresk (Aberdeenshire) and had issue one daughter; died 15 June 1929; will confirmed 21 June 1930 (estate £1,131);
(3) Major George Cosmo Abercromby (1854-1930), baptised at Holdenhurst, 7 May 1854; educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1854); an officer in the militia (Lt.), 1871-74 and the army (2nd Lt., 1874; Lt., 1876; Capt., 1887; retired as Maj., 1888); lived latterly at Forglen House; died unmarried at Hove (Sussex), 13 October 1930; will confirmed 17 November 1930 (estate £7,536);
(4) Cavendish Douglas Abercromby (1858-1941), born 23 March and baptised at St Swithin, Walcot, Bath (Som.), 5 May 1858; educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1877); lived in London and later in Aberdeen, where he died unmarried, 20 December 1941;
(5) Douglas Charles Abercromby (1861-1915), born 1 November 1861; married, 27 February 1886 at Upper Norwood (Surrey), Helen Louisa Hodgson OStJ (1864- 1933), daughter of William Powell Murray of Upper Norwood, registrar of the Court of Bankruptcy, and had issue two sons and two daughters; lived at Kinbroon House, Fyvie (Aberdeens.); died at Forglen House, 15 June 1915; will confirmed, 19 January 1916 (estate £1,382);
(6) Grace Amelia Abercromby (1864-1932), born 18 June 1864; married, 28 December 1887 at All Saints, Hyde Park, Westminster (Middx), Keith William Murray FSA (1860-1922), Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms, son of William Powell Murray, registrar of the High Court of Bankruptcy, and had issue one surviving daughter; died 11 January 1932; will proved 3 March 1932 (estate £887).
He inherited his father’s estates at Forglen and Fermoy in 1855, and his mother’s estate at Castle Douglas in 1863.
He died at Forglen House, 15 November 1872, aged 48; his will was confirmed in July 1873 (effects over £140,000). His widow died at Neale Lodge, Upper Norwood (Surrey),
27 June, and was buried at Forglen, 2 July 1898.

Sir Robert John Abercromby
(1850-95), 7th bt.
Abercromby, Sir Robert John (1850-95), 7th bt. Eldest son of Sir George Samuel Abercromby (1824-72), 6th bt., and his wife Agnes Georgina, daughter of John Cavendish Browne, 3rd Baron Kilmaine, born 14 June and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster (Middx), 10 July 1850. Educated at Eton. He succeeded his father as 7th baronet, 15 November 1872. He was appointed DL for Banffshire (from 1874) and Aberdeenshire (from 1876) and served as Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire. A Conservative in politics. He married, 26 June 1883 at Aspley Guise (Beds), Florence Anita Eyre CBE (1860-1946), daughter of Eyre Coote of West Park (Hants), and had issue:
(1) Nina Abercromby (1885-1933), born 28 February 1885; married, 21 February 1910 at the Guards Chapel, London, Capt. Horace Leonard Kemble MVO (1882-1966) of Laggan, only son of Major Horace Kemble of Knock, Skye (Inverness), and had issue at least one daughter; died 30 October 1933 and was buried at Dores (Inverness.); will confirmed 7 February 1934 (estate £2,037);
(2) Sir George William Abercromby (1886-1964), 8th bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.);
(3) Myrtle Vere Abercromby (1890-1920), born 1 June 1890; married, 17 February 1913 at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), Reginald Henry Macaulay Abel Smith (1890-1964) of Goldings (Herts), eldest son of Reginald Abel Smith, but died without issue, 18 April 1920; administration of goods granted 29 May 1920 (estate £5,750);
(4) Sir Robert Alexander Abercromby (1895-1972), 9th bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.).

He inherited his father’s estates at Forglen and Fermoy in 1872 and purchased the Dunlugas House estate in Banffshire from the Leslie family in 1877 for £60,000.
He died 24 July 1895 and was buried at Forglen; his will was confirmed 2 October 1895 (effects £127,653). His widow married 2nd, 18 June 1899, Francis George Baring (1850-1929), 2nd Earl of Northbrook, but had no further issue; she died at Abbots Worthy (Hants), 4 December 1946; her will was proved 3 February 1947 (estate £179,122).

Abercromby, Col. Sir George William (1886-1964), 8th bt. Eldest son of Sir Robert John Abercromby (1850-95), 7th bt., and his wife Florence Anita Eyre, daughter of Eyre Coote, born 18 March and baptised at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), 21 April 1886. Educated at Eton. He succeeded his father as 8th baronet, 24 July 1895. An officer in the Scots Guards (2nd Lt., 1906; Lt.1909; Capt. 1914; Maj., 1916; Lt-Col commanding Black Watch 1916-18; retired 1919); ADC to Commander-in-Chief, Ireland 1910-12; appointed DSO 1917; Hon. Col., 6th bttn, Gordon Highlanders 1931-44. County Councillor for Banffshire, 1919 (Convenor, 1930); JP (from 1908) and DL (from 1928) for Banffshire; Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire 1946-64. He married, 17 January 1935 at Holy Trinity, Brompton (Middx), Eleanor (1898-1981), daughter of Sir Arthur Robert Anderson, kt., of Roffey Place, Horsham (Sussex), but had no issue.
He inherited the Forglen, Fermoy and Dunlugas House estates from his father in 1895 and came of age in 1907, but Forglen was occupied by his uncle until 1930. He sold the ground rents of Fermoy to Fermoy Estates Ltd. in 1919.
He died 9 September 1964, when his estate and title passed to his brother, Sir Robert Alexander Abercromby (1895-1972), 9th bt. His widow died in Oct-Dec 1981.

Abercromby, Sir Robert Alexander (1895-1972), 9th bt. Second son of Sir Robert John Abercromby (1850-95), 7th bt. of Birkenbog and his wife Florence Anita Eyre, daughter of Eyre Coote, born posthumously, 15 August 1895. Educated at Eton and Royal Military College, Sandhurst. An officer in the Scots Guards (2nd Lt., 1914; Lt., 1915; Capt., 1920; Maj., 1931; ret. 1933); served in First World War; awarded MC, 1919; JP (from 1950) and DL for Banffshire; Vice-Lieutenant of Banffshire 1965. He succeeded his brother as 9th baronet, 9 September 1964. He married 1st, 12 June 1923 at Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London, Hon. Diamond Violet (1900-27), daughter of Sir Charles Hardinge (1858-1944), 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy of India, 1910-16; 2nd, 31 October 1929 at Turriff (Aberdeens), Pamela (1902-44), daughter of John Chadwick Lomax of Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge (Suffk); and 3rd, 20 February 1951, Elizabeth (1895-1971), daughter of Maj. William James Corcoran of Meath and formerly the wife of Walter Woollard Lawrence (1903-56), but had no issue.
He lived at Dunlugas House and inherited the Forglen and Dunlugas estates from his brother in 1964. After his death, Dunlugas passed to the daughter of his third wife's first marriage, (Deirdre) Alexandra Lawrence, later Mrs. John Stancioff.
He died 19 October 1972, when the title passed to a distant cousin, Sir Ian George Abercromby (1925-2003), 10th bt., a great-grandson of the 5th baronet. His first wife died after a long illness, 11 January 1927. His second wife drowned in the River Deveron, 12 October 1944; her will was proved 10 April 1945 (estate £31,691). His third wife died 20 July 1971.

Abercromby, David James (1837-1918). Fourth and youngest son of Sir Robert Abercromby (1784-1855), 5th bt., and his wife Elizabeth Stephenson, daughter of Samuel Douglas of Netherlaw, born in Edinburgh, 25 April 1837. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1856; BA 1859). An officer in the Royal Aberdeenshire Militia (Capt., 1864; retired 1870). As a young man he was a keen mountaineer, and he was a member of the Alpine Club from 1866, making multiple ascents of Mont Blanc, the Eiger and the Matterhorn among other climbs, but he largely gave up climbing after his marriage. At the time of his death it was said that he never walked less than six miles a day. He married, 25 October 1877 at Roydon (Norfk), Beatrice Jane Temple (d. 1909), daughter of Rev. Henry Temple Frere, rector of Burston (Norfk), and had issue:
(1) Elsie Douglas Abercromby (1878-1961), born 6 September and baptised at Burston, 20 October 1878; married, 9 July 1902 at Holy Trinity, Brompton (Middx), William Orr Campbell (1877-1967) of Burton Hall, Christchurch (Hants), stockbroker, and had issue at least three sons; died 10 February 1961; will proved 10 May 1961 (estate £33,240);
(2) Ralph Frere Abercromby (b. & d. 1880), born and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster (Middx), 4 January 1880; died in infancy and was buried in Brompton Cemetery, 6 January 1880;
(3) Robert Ogilvie Abercromby (1881-1964) (q.v.);
(4) Aubrey Frere Abercromby (1889-1937), born 4 September and baptised at Holy Trinity, Brompton, 9 October 1889; died at Nemmara (India), 15 March 1937; will proved 26 May 1937 (estate £17,139);
(5) Temple Henry Abercromby (b. & d. 1891), born 30 March 1891; died in infancy, 6 April 1891.
He inherited his mother’s estate at Netherlaw (Kirkcudbrights.) in 1863 but lived in London after his marriage.
He died as the result of a motor accident in Hyde Park, London, 9 March 1918; his will was proved 19 April 1918 (estate £24,055). His wife died 26 February 1909; administration of her goods was granted to her husband, 8 April 1909 (effects £194).

Abercromby, Robert Ogilvie (1881-1964). Eldest son of David James Abercromby (1837-1918) and his wife Beatrice Jane Temple (d. 1909), daughter of the Rev. Henry Temple Frere, rector of Burston (Norfk), born 9 September and baptised at Burston, 23 October 1881. An officer in the army (2nd. Lt, 1900; Lt., 1906; retired 1909) and in the Royal Flying Corps (2nd Lt., 1913; Lt., 1915; Capt., 1915; retired as Maj., 1919). He married 1st, 14 July 1921 at Holy Trinity, Brompton (Middx), Gladys Vivian (1895-1931), daughter of Henry Willock Boileau and widow of Charles Colwyn Rolph, and 2nd, 19 May 1936, Monica Margaret Mary (1890-1978), daughter of Joseph Monteith, and had issue:

(1.1) Sir Ian George Abercromby (1925-2003), 10th bt. (q.v.).
He died at Tenerife (Spain), 11 May 1964; his will was proved 19 May 1965 (estate £27,200). His first wife died in a sanatorium at Leysin (Switzerland), 3 May 1931; her will was proved 1 December 1932 (estate £2,311). His widow died at Hove (Sussex), 16 September 1978; her will was proved 18 December 1978 (estate £211,766).

Abercromby, Sir Ian George (1925-2003), 10th bt. Only son of Robert Ogilvie Abercromby (1881-1964) (q.v.) and his first wife, Gladys Vivian (d. 1931), daughter of Henry Willock Boileau, born 30 June 1925. Educated at Lancing and Bloxham. He succeeded his second cousin as 10th baronet, 19 October 1972. He married 1st, 24 June 1950 at Wokingham (Berks) (div. 1957), Joyce Beryl (1925-2011), daughter of Leonard Griffiths of Sheraton House, Spencers Wood (Berks); 2nd, 17 July 1959 at Reading (Berks) (div.) Fanny Mary Anne (1914-2002), daughter of Dr Graham Udale-Smith (1871-1952) of Tenereife, Spain; and 3rd, Jul-Sept. 1976, Diana Marjorie (1917- 2000), daughter of Horace Geoffrey Cockell of Dotton House, Oxley Wood (Herts) and widow of Capt. Ian Charles Palliser Galloway (1912-72) of Blervie (Morays), and had issue:
(1.1) Maria Amelia Abercromby (b. 1955), born 10 January 1955, married, 23 January 1988, Wellesley Theodore Octavius Wallace (b. 1938), son of Dr. Caleb Paul Wallace and had issue, two daughters.

He did not inherit the family estates but lived at Tynte Park (Wicklow) and in Malaga (Spain).
He died 16 May 2003, when the baronetcy became dormant. His first wife married 2nd, 1971, Jack Derek Harry Ballauff, and died 23 December 2011; her will was proved 27 January 2012. His second wife died 11 June 2002. His widow died 29 February 2000; her will was proved 28 June 2001.

The Abercrombys of Fetternear

Abercromby, Hector (b. c.1570; fl. 1645). Younger son of Alexander Abercromby (d. 1593) and his wife Margaret, daughter of William Leslie of Balquhain. During the Civil War he offered resistance to covenanting soldiers who came to occupy his lands, and subsequently fled to Berwick; in 1645 he was declared a ‘malignant’ by Parliament and his assets were seized. He married Marjory Gordon, and had issue including:
(1) Alexander Abercromby of Fetternear (d. by 1675) (q.v.).
He had a charter of Old and New Westhall under the great seal in 1590, and acquired Fetternear in 1621 from John Leslie of Balquhain, later confirmed under the great seal in 1631.
He lived at Westhalls and Fetternear (Aberdeens).
He was living in 1645 but probably died soon afterwards. His wife’s date of death is
unknown.

Abercromby, Alexander (d. by 1675). Only recorded son of Hector Abercromby (fl. 1631) of Westhalls and Fetternear (fl. c.1630) and his wife Marjory Gordon. He married Jean, daughter of John Seton of Newark and had issue, perhaps among others:
(1) Francis Abercromby of Fetternear (1654-1703), Lord Glasford (q.v.);
(2) John Abercromby of Afforsque (b. c.1655), born about 1655; a Jacobite;
(3) Dr Patrick Abercromby (1656-c.1716), physician, antiquarian and author; born at Forfar (Angus); educated at St. Andrews (MD 1685) and travelled on the Continent, where he may also have studied in Paris; on his return he was converted to Roman Catholicism and practised as a physician in Edinburgh; he was appointed physician to King James II & VII, 1685-88, and after King James fled into exile he lived for some years abroad before returning to Scotland; he was a fervent opponent of the Union of Scotland and England, and was a Jacobite pamphleteer and author of The Martial Achievements of the Scottish Nation (2 vols., 1711-16); married but probably had no issue; died between 1716 and 1726, and is said to have left his widow in distressed circumstances;
(4) Alexander Abercromby; married, 22 November 1725 at Edinburgh, Jean, daughter of Richard Scott and widow of Alexander Leslie of Aberdeen, advocate.
He succeeded his father in the lease of the Fetternear estate from 1627.
He was dead by 1675. His wife’s date of death is unknown.

Abercromby, Francis (1654-1703), Lord Glasford. Eldest son of Alexander Abercromby (d. by 1675) of Fetternear and his wife Jean, daughter of John Seton of Newark. Created Lord Glasford as a life peerage, 5 July 1685, no doubt as a result of his first wife’s succession to a peerage. A Roman Catholic in religion. He married 1st, about 6 August 1675 (contract), Anne (d. 1695), daughter of Robert Sempill, 7th Baron Sempill, who succeeded her brother Francis, 4 April 1684, as 9th Baroness Sempill in her own right, and 2nd, about 27 March 1699 (licence) (but sep. soon afterwards, when he was jailed for debt), Christabella (c.1655-1710), daughter of [forename unknown] Tyrrell and widow of Sir Giles Eyre (d. 1695), kt. of Whiteparish (Wilts), a justice of the Kings Bench, and had issue (who took the name Sempill) by his first wife:
(1.1) Francis Sempill, 10th Lord Sempill* (c.1685-1716); succeeded his mother as 10th Lord Sempill in 1695 and took his seat in the Scottish Parliament, 14 May 1703; he was a steadfast opponent of the Union of Scotland and England; a Commissioner of Supply, 1704; an officer in Lord Carmichael’s Regiment of Dragoons (Capt., 1711); died 2 August, and was buried at Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh, 4 August 1716;
(1.2) Capt. Robert Sempill; present at a Roman Catholic meeting in the Duke of Gordon’s lodging in Edinburgh, 1699; died unmarried when he was killed in action abroad;
(1.3) John Sempill, 11th Lord Sempill* (c.1687-1727); succeeded his elder brother as 11th Lord Sempill, 2 August 1716 and was served heir, 29 January 1717; active in the training of the Ayrshire Fencibles during the rebellion of 1715; he evidently got into financial difficulties and a receiver was managing his estates at the time of his death; he died 17 February, and was buried at Holyrood, 2o February 1727;
(1.4) Alexander Sempill (fl. 1688), died young;
(1.5) Brig-Gen.Hugh Sempill, 12th Lord Sempill (c.1690-1746), born after 1688; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1709; Captain, 1712; Major, 1718; Lt-Col., 1731; Col, 1741; Brig-Gen. 1745); he fought at the Battle of Culloden, 1746, where he had charge of the left wing of the army; he succeeded his elder brother as 12th Lord Sempill, 17 February 1727 and sold the estates of Elliotstoun and Castle Sempill the same year, buying the estate of North Barr in 1741; married, 13 May 1718, Sarah (d. 1749), daughter and co-heiress of Nathaniel Gaskell of Manchester, and had issue five sons and six daughters; died at Aberdeen, 25 November, and was buried in the Drum aisle of the West Church, Aberdeen, 1 December 1746;
(1.6) Jean Sempill (d. 1743); died unmarried, 8 May 1743.
He was served heir to his father’s estate at Fetternear (Aberdeens) in 1675, but gave up the lease in 1690.
He died in the Fleet prison, London, where he had been confined for debt for four years, 23 November 1703, aged 49, and was buried at St Bride’s, Fleet St., 23 November 1703. His first wife died in 1695. His widow died in 1710 and was buried with her first husband at Whiteparish (Wilts); her will was proved February 1710/11.
* The marital status of the 10th and 11th Lords is uncertain. They are usually stated to have been unmarried, but in 1731 the will of Katherine, daughter of Robert Masson and widow of [forename unknown] Baillie of Culross and of Lord Sempill was confirmed, and she was presumably married to one or other of them. It is on balance more likely that she was the widow of the 11th Lord.

The Abercrombys of Glassaugh

Abercromby, John (c.1609-91). Second son of Alexander Abercromby (d. c.1645) (q.v.) and his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of David Bethune of Melgund. Admitted an advocate in Scotland, 1639. In 1679 he was given permission to construct a family burial place at Fordyce (Banffs). He married 1st, about 23 March 1623 (contract), Isobel, daughter of Walter Ogilvy of Dunlugas and widow of James Ogilvy (d. 1619) of Boyne; and 2nd, about 19 December 1679 (contract), Catherine (d. 1683), only daughter of Sir George Gordon of Haddo (Aberdeens), and had issue:
(1.1) Alexander Abercromby (d. c.1691?) (q.v.);
(1.2) Marion Abercromby (fl. 1691); married Sir John Reid (b. c.1650; fl. 1722), 1st bt., of Barra (Aberdeens.), son of Alexander Reid of Barra, and had issue at least one son and one daughter;
(1.3) Elizabeth Abercromby (d. 1667); said to have married John Gordon (b. c.1651) of Tilphoudie (who m2, 1668, Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Duguid of Auchinhove); died 1667;
(1.4) Anne Abercromby; married, 30 October 1667, Adam Duff (1630-82) of Drummuir, and had issue one daughter;
(1.5) Helen Abercromby; married Sir Colin Campbell (d. c.1696), 2nd bt., of Lundie (Angus), and had issue two daughters.
He acquired the Glassaugh estate from Harry Gordon junior in 1657.
He died early in 1691. His first wife’s date of death is unknown. His second wife died in October 1683.

Abercromby, Alexander (d. c.1691?). Only recorded son of John Abercromby (c.1609-91) of Glassaugh and his first wife Isobel, daughter of Walter Ogilvy of Dunlugas and widow of James Ogilvy. He married, 22 July 1675 at Dyke (Morays), Katherine (b. 1655), eldest daughter of Sir Robert Dunbar of Grangehill House and widow of Charles Gordon (1631-74), a younger son of Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet of Gordonstoun, and had issue three sons and five daughters, including:
(1) Alexander Abercromby (1678-1728) (q.v.);
(2) James Abercromby (b. 1683), baptised at Fordyce, 14 June 1683, apprenticed to John Baillie, surgeon-apothecary in Edinburgh, 1705;
(3) George Abercromby (1684-1722?), baptised at Fordyce, 1 December 1684; possibly the man of this name buried at Fordyce about September 1722;
(4) Grizel Abercromby (b. c.1685), born about 1685; married, c.1708, as his second wife, Alexander Fraser (1665-1736) of Culduthel, son of Malcolm Fraser (fl. 1709), and had issue two sons and one daughter;
(5) Elizabeth Abercromby (1686-1756), baptised at Fordyce, 24 June 1686; married, 7 February 1712, as his second wife, William Baird (1676-1720) of Auchmedden, an active Jacobite, son of James Baird (d. 1681) of Auchmedden, and had issue one son and three daughters who survived to adulthood; died 12 April 1756;
(6) Katherine Abercromby (b. 1688), baptised 19 March 1688; perhaps died young.
His date of death is uncertain. He is said to have died shortly before his father, but his eldest son was not served his heir until 1698. His widow married 3rd, James Ogilvie of Badintoul (fl. 1707), by whom she had two further daughters.

Abercromby, Alexander (1678-1728). Eldest son of Alexander Abercromby (d. c.1691?) of Glassaugh and his wife Katherine, eldest daughter of Sir Robert Dunbar of Grangehill House and widow of Charles Gordon, born 5 November 1678. He was brought up under the tutelage of Sir James Abercromby of Birkenbog, 2nd bt., whose mismanagement of the Glassaugh estate contributed to his lifelong financial insecurity. He joined the household of the 3rd Earl of Findlater at Cullen House, and through the earl’s patronage was appointed a commissioner of judiciary for the Highlands of Scotland, 1701-02, and later an officer in the Army (Lt., 1706; Capt., 1707; Lt. Col. on half pay, 1721), a commissioner on the Equivalent, 1707-19, and MP for Banffshire. He was ADC to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough in 1711 and Lieutenant Governor of Fort William, 1726-28. MP for Banffshire in the Scottish Parliament, 1706-07 and at Westminster, 1707-27; burgess of Edinburgh, 1724. He evidently had ‘no strong religious or political principles… [but] a survivor’s pragmatism’. In 1720 he was again in financial difficulties owing to speculations in the Mississippi and the South Sea companies. He married, c.1703, Helen, daughter and co-heir of Rev. George Meldrum (d. 1692) of Crombie and Laithers, minister of Glass (Banffs), and had issue:
(1) Jean Abercromby (b. 1704), baptised at Fordyce, 8 September 1704; married, 1 September 1729 at Fordyce, George Joass (1707-55) of Colleonard, son of John Joass of Colleonard, and had issue three sons and one daughter; living in 1737;
(2) Ann Abercromby (b. 1705), baptised at Fordyce, 31 August 1705; probably died young;

(3) Gen. James Abercromby (1706-81) (q.v.)
(4) Catherine Abercromby (1708-84), baptised at Fordyce, 9 May 1708; married, 26 November 1729, Alexander Innes (1701-61) of Rosieburn House, Provost of Banff, son of John Innes of Edingight, and had issue two daughters (of whom Katherine was an ancestor of Robert Byron, 6th Lord Byron, the poet); died 8 October 1784 and was buried at Banff;
(5) Isabel Abercromby (1710-69), baptised at Fordyce, 11 August 1710; said to have married John Watson WS (1709-83), of Edinburgh, and had issue at least one son and one daughter; died 18 November 1769 and was buried in St Cuthbert’s Churchyard, Edinburgh;
(6) Helen Abercromby (1712-81), baptised at Fordyce, 2 November 1712; married, 17 June 1732 at Fordyce, James Duff (d. by 1743) of Craigston, and had issue at least one daughter; died 3 April 1781;
(7) Alexander Abercromby (1721-28?), baptised 4 May 1721 at Fordyce (Banffs); said to have died young, 23 December 1728.
He inherited Glassaugh House (Banffs) from his father or grandfather and was probably responsible for remodelling or rebuilding the house there. His wife was served heir to her father’s estate at Crombie, 18 December 1707.
He died 23 December 1728. His widow was living in 1744 but her death has not been traced.

Gen. James Abercromby
(1706-81)

Abercromby, General James (1706-81). Elder son of Alexander Abercromby (1678-1728) and his wife Helen, daughter and co-heir of John Meldrum of Crombie and Laithers, baptised at Fordyce, 15 October 1706. MP for Banffshire 1734-54; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1717; Capt., 1736; Major, 1742; Colonel, 1746; Major-General, 1756; Lt-General, 1759; General, 1772). He served in the War of the Austrian Succession (quartermaster, 1746, wounded 1747) and the Seven Years War, where he was Commander in Chief of British Forces in America 1758-59, and led the disastrous assault on Fort Carillon (later Fort Ticonderoga) with the loss of 2,000 men killed and wounded; as a result he was recalled, 1759, and replaced by General Lord Amherst. Deputy Governor of Stirling Castle, 1739-81; Judge Advocate to the Marines and to the forces in America, 1740; Colonel-in-Chief of 44th Foot, 1756-81. He married, 30 November 1731 at Fordyce (Banffs), Mary (1714-86), daughter of William Duff of Dipple and had issue:

(1) Jean Abercromby (1733-96?), baptised at Fordyce, 11 February 1733, married 1st, 11 June 1767 at Aberdeen, Capt. George Morison (d. 1777) of Bognie and Haddo, and had issue one daughter; married 2nd, 8 November 1781, as his second wife, Vice-Admiral Robert Duff (1721-87) of Logie & Fetteresso, Governor of Newfoundland; said to have died in 1796;
(2) Helen Abercromby (1734-49?), baptised at Fordyce, 20 February 1734; possibly the daughter who died of measles in London, November 1749;
(3) Mary Abercromby (1735-61), baptised at Fordyce, 16 July 1735; died at sea on her way to Scotland, 30 August 1761;
(4) Capt. Alexander Abercromby (1736-56), baptised 5 July 1736 at Fordyce (Banffs); educated at Westminster (admitted 1748); an officer in the army (Capt., 1755); died of consumption, unmarried and without issue, at Edinburgh, 6 May 1756;
(5) William Abercromby (1739-1811), baptised at Fordyce, 28 April 1739; inherited Glassaugh from his father in 1781; married, 15 November 1767 at Fordyce, Mary (1743-1801), daughter of Sir Robert Abercromby (1695-1787), 3rd bt. of Birkenbog (q.v.), but had no issue; died in London, 26 March, and was buried at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), 1 April 1811;
(6) Col. James Abercromby (1740-1804), baptised at Fordyce, 17 April 1740; an officer in the army (Capt., 1762; Maj. 1777; Lt-Col. 1783; Col. 1794) who after retiring from his regiment in 1786 became captain of an independent company of invalids in Scotland; married, 9 April 1784 at Edinburgh, Charlotte (d. 1804), daughter of James Gordon (1694-1771) of Coclarachrie, but had no issue; died at his house in Edinburgh, 2 January 1804 and was buried at Greyfriars Cemetery;
(7) Rev. Thomas St. Clair Abercromby (c.1749-1823), born about 1749; educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen (admitted 1765; MA 1769); chaplain to 12th Foot (retired 1775); died without issue at Rome (Italy), 9 April 1823;
(8) Margaret Keith Abercromby (1754-1831), baptised at Fordyce, 14 September 1754; inherited Glassaugh from her brother, 1811; died unmarried at Edinburgh, 30 March 1831.
He was served heir to his father’s estate of Glassaugh, 31 October 1729, and he rebuilt the house c.1770. At his death it passed to his son William (d. 1811) and then to his daughter Margaret (d. 1831), and finally to the descendants of his daughter Jean, the Duffs of Logie and Fetteresso.
He died 3 April 1781 and was buried at Fordyce, where he is commemorated by amonument in the Glassaugh aisle; his will was proved in the PCC, 15 November 1782. His widow died in Edinburgh, 28 March 1786, and was buried at Fordyce, where she is commemorated by a monument in the churchyard.

Sources

C.D. Abercromby, The family of Abercromby, 1927, passim; G. MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland, 2nd edn., 2018, vol. 1, pp. 14-28; https://www.crombie.info/.

Location of archives

Abercromby family of Birkenbog & Forglen, baronets: deeds, estate and family papers, 1327-19th cent. [National Records of Scotland, GD185];
Abercromby, General James (1706-81): corresp and papers [Huntington Library, no ref.], corresp as commander in chief in North America, 1755-59 [The National Archives, WO34], letterbook, 1746-73 [Library of Virginia, no ref.]

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 28 February 2013 and was revised 6 November 2014, 12 June and 14 September 2016, 2 & 14 October 2017, 3 March 2019, 16 July 2021. A major revision was undertaken 3-12 September 2022. I am grateful to Brad Verity for additional information about the Abercrombys of Glassaugh; to Elizabeth Still for information about Dunlugas; and to Carmel Dahl for sharing her research into the whole Abercromby family.

Pages

Thursday, 28 February 2013

(6) Abercromby of Tullibody and Airthrey, Barons Abercromby

Sources

Where are their papers?

Revision and Acknowledgements

(5) Abercromby of Birkenbog and Forglen, baronets

Birkenbog House (Banffshire)

Forglen House (Banffshire)

Dunlugas House (Banffshire)

Glassaugh House (Banffshire)

The Abercrombys of Birkenbog and Forglen

The Abercrombys of Fetternear

The Abercrombys of Glassaugh

Sources

Location of archives

Revision and acknowledgements