Alexander Sutherland, 3rd of Duffus

Alexander Sutherland, 3rd of Duffus

Alexander Sutherland, 3rd of Duffus (son of Henry Sutherland, of Torboll)

Alexander Sutherland, succeeded his father Henry in Torboll, and his uncle, apparently, in Duffus, before 13 March 1433-34, when he granted twenty-one oxgangs of the lands of Strabrock or Broxburn in West Lothian, to Robert Crichton of Sanquhar.[1] He held also from David Lindsay, Earl of Crawford, the lands of Ledbothy in Forfarshire, which he sold in or about 1445 to Richard Lovell of Ballumby.[2] In 1444 he seems to have paid a visit to England to Pontefract Castle, where his chief, John, Earl of Sutherland was then residing as one of the hostages for the ransom money of King James I., and obtained from him a confirmation of the lands of Torboll in succession to his father and grandfather, the destination being to Alexander himself and to the lawful heirs-male of his body.[3] In a Crown writ of 21 July 1541, cited later, he is referred to as Sir Alexander Sutherland of Duffus, but no other evidence of his knighthood has been found. He was alive in 1469 and 1478, and was apparently deceased about or before 1484,[4] though the evidence on the last point is not conclusive. He married, before 19 March 1433-34, Muriel, dauhter of John Chisholm of Chisholm, with whom he obtained the lands of Quarrelwood, Greschip, and others near Elgin. At the date named she, with her husband's consent, resigned in the hands of the Prior of Coldingham the lands of Paxton and Aldencraw, in Berwickshire.[5] Alexander and Muriel had issue at least two sons and two daughters:-

• 1. William Sutherland, of Berydall.
• 2. Angus Sutherland, of Torboll.
• 3. Isabella Sutherland, who married Alexander Dunbar of Westfield.
• 4. Dorothea Sutherland, said to be the daughter of Alexander Sutherland of Duffus, married to Alexander Ross of Balnagown, who was killed at the battle of Allt Charrais on 11 June 1486, leaving issue. She was blamed as one of the causes of the conflict.[6].
• [1] Reg. Mag. Sig., 10 March 1439/40.
• [2] Ibid., 29 October 1463.
• [3] Sutherland Book, iii. 25, 26.
• [4] Laing Charters, No. 160; Acta Dom. Conc., 5, 101*.
• [5] North Durham, App. No. 361.
• [6] Scot. Antiquary, iv. 9, 10.

Sources: Balfour Paul, J. (1906) The Scots Peerage, vol. 3. Edinburgh: David Douglas.

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