Sir James Chisholm, 5th of Cromlix

Biographical Summary

"V. Sir James Chisholm of Cromlix...

...Sir James married Helen, daughter of William Stirling, brother of Stirling of Ardoch. Ardoch's wife and Helen's mother was Margaret, daughter of Murray of Strewan, one of the seventeen sons of Sir William Murray of Tullibardine. In 1617, prior to which she was left a widow, James VI. paid Ardoch a visit while on his way from Perth to Stirling. The lady met his Majesty on the lawn, surrounded by all her family, dressed up, to receive the King with becoming honour. His Majesty was struck with the number of children by which the Lady of Ardoch was accompanied, and he asked her " Madame, how many are there of them?" "Sire," she replied, "I only want one more to make out the twa chalders." As a chalder contains sixteen bolls, she meant the King to understand that her children numbered thirtyone. It is said that James enjoyed the lady's remark exceedingly, and that he afterwards paid her the honour of sitting down on a stone close by and eating a collop with her.

By Fair Helen James Chisholm had issue:

• James, his heir and successor.
• John, who succeeded his brother James.
• Jane, who married her cousin, the Honourable James Drummond, second son of David second Lord Drummond. Her husband, the Honourable James Drummond, was raised to the Scottish Peerage on the 31st of January, 1609, by the title of Baron Maderty, and to him she carried back the lands of Innerpeffray, which were her mother's portion as daughter and heiress of Drummond of Innerpeffray. It was through this marriage of Jane Chisholm, her mother's sole heiress, that her grandson, General William Drummond, Major-General of the Forces in Scotland and Lord of the Treasury to Charles II., and afterwards, on the 6th of September, 1686, created Viscount Strathallan and Lord Drummond of Cromlix, inherited the Cromlix lands.

Sir James married secondly, about 1612, Margaret, third daughter of William, eighth Earl of Glencairn, with issue a daughter, who, about 1631, married the Earl of Lothian.

Anna Chisholm, "a daughter of the familie of Cromlix," married John Rose of Bredley, fourth son of William Rose, XI. of Kilravock, and by him had issue John Rose, who succeeded him in the lands of Bredley ; James Rose, who was a captain in the Earl of Irwin's regiment, and died in France in 1643, after the battle of Rockroy ; Captain William Rose of Meft, and afterwards Provost of Nairn, who died on the 25th of November, 1678; Hugh Rose of Newton, who died in December, 1682 ; Alexander Rose, who had the sole trust of the Earl of Caithness affairs about the year 1661 ; and Harry Rose, who was alive in 1683-84. She had also by John Rose several daughters Anna, who married Alexander Dunbar of Boath ; Marie, who married John Dallas of Budzet, Dean of Ross ; and Jean, who married James, a son of Mackenzie of Inverlael, and sub-Dean of Ross. Anna Chisholm died on the 3ist of May, 1658.

Sir James was succeeded by his eldest son."

SOURCE: History of the Chisholms, with genealogies of the principal families of the name; Alexander Mackenzie; 1891; page 211

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

7 January 1617: Inhibition at instance of James Cheisholme of Cromlix on bond of provision 1 January 1617 in supplement of marriage contract between Jean, his sister, and Colin Campbell of Ardbeith. Reg. Particular Register of Inhibitions Perth 29 November 1617. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/2/52/19

                   2

3 December 1619: Obligation by Colin Campbell of Ardbeich, Balloch, as to writs of Kingart. Narrates that, with consent of Jean Chisholme, his spouse, and Sir James Chisholme of Cromlix, his brother-in-law, he had, by contract dated at Dunblane and Balloch 2-20 November 1619 sold to Colin Campbell, fiar of Glenurquhay, his heirs male and assignees, the 8 merklands of Kingart, stewartry of Stratherne and sheriffdom of Perth. Binds himself to make available for judicial transumpt etc:- Extract Retour dated at Crieff 25 January 1610 as heir to late Colin Campbell of Ardbeich, his father, in Kingart, Ardbeich, Darrie etc, stewartry of Stratherne, sheriffdom of Perth. Sasine 6 March 1616 (Patrick Drummond, notary) on precept from Chancery following on above retour. Procuratory by Colin Campbell of Ardbeich 19 December 1616 for resignation of 8 merklands of Kingart, 8 merklands of Ardbeichlorne, 4 merklands of Darrie with mills etc to Crown for new grant to said Colin Campbell and Jean Chisholm in liferent, and heirs male etc. Instrument of resignation following thereon, 19 December 1616, Patrick Hamilton, notary. Great Seal charter 20 December 1616 in favour of Colin Campbell and Jean Chisholme and heirs male etc of 8 merklands of Kingart, 8 merklands of Ardbeich Lorne and 4 merklands of Darrie, with mills etc. Precept of sasine under Quarter Seal of 20 December 1616. Sasine 21 February 1617, Robert Muschet notary. Written by Thomas Rae, notary public, servant to Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhy, and witnesses by him with John Campbell of Eddiramucky, Mungo Lokhart, servant to Colin Campbell, fiar of Glenurquhay, Andrew Ogilvy, servant to granter, and James Campbell, fiar of Fintullich. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/2/6/48

                   3

4 January 1620: Letters of inhibition at instance of Colin Campbell, fiar of Glenvruqhie, against Colin Campbell of Ardbeith. Narrates contract dated at Dunblane and Balloch 2-20 November 1619 by which, for sum of 5000 merks, said Colin Campbell of Ardbeith, with consent of Jean Chisholme, his spouse, and Sir James Chisholme of Cromlix, his brother-in-law, sold to said Colin Campbell of Glenvrquhie the 8 merklands of Kingarth, stewartry of Stratherne and sheriffdom of Perth, and was to grant tack of said lands until entry of said Colin Campbell of Glenvrquhay with the superior. Seeks inhibition in implement of said contract. With executions. Inhibition reg. Perth Sheriff Court 18 February 1620. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/2/6/52

                   4

9 February 1622: Charter by Colin Campbell of Ardbeith, Edinburgh, with consent of Jean Chisholme, his spouse, and Sir James Chisholme of Cromlix, to Archibald Campbell, brother of Sir James Campbell of Laweris, of 6 merklands of Ardchalzie Eister in lordship of Glendochart, reserving his own liferent, in implement of contract made at Dunblane on 4 September 1621 and contract of present date. Written by Master David Ramsay, servant to Adam Lawtie, writer in Edinburgh. Witnesses: John Campbell of Innerzelvie, Master William Stirling, son of late Master William Stirling, rector of Aberfoyll, said Adam Lawtie and Masters David Ramsay and Andrew Patersone, his servants. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/2/7/7

                   5

6 January 1622: Charter by Colin Cambell of Ardbeithe, Dunblane, with consent of Jean Chisholme, his wife, and of Sir James Chisholme of Cromlix, knight, in favour of Archibald Cambell, brother of Sir James Campbell of Laweris, in terms of agreement at Edinburgh 21 December 1622 of 6 merklands of Ardchalzie Eister in lordship of Glendochart, Perth-shire, holding from Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhie and Colin Campbell, his son, reserving liferent. Written by Alexander Hervie, servant to Robert Alschunder, writer. Witnesses: Master James Campbell, son of Sir James Campbell of Laweris, John Blakwode, in Dunblane, Thomas Hambell, notary there, and Robert Muschet, notary in Montethe. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/2/7/8

                   6

24 March 1632: Extract registered renunciation by Anna Campbell, Dunblane, daughter and heiress to late Colin Campbell of Ardbeiche with consent of Mungo Campbell, fiar of Laweris, Archibald Campbell, his uncle, Sir James Chisholme of Cromlix, and Walter Chisholme in Dunblane, her curators, and of Jean Chisholme, her mother, widow of Colin Campbell, and consent of Sir Colin Campbell of Glenwrquhy. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/2/6/53