THE BALFOURS OF PILRIG A HISTORY FOR THE FAMILY, BY BARBARA BALFOUR-MELVILLE OF PILRIG PILRIO House. EDINBURGH WILLIAM BROWN, 5 CASTLE STREET 1907 Edinburgh: T. and A. Co::-;sTABLE, Printers to His Majesty DEDICATED TO THE DEAR MEMORY OF A. B.-M. vVHO FIRST PLANNED THIS HISTORY PREFACE Years ago ,ny fat her and nzother made researches among the scattered branches of the family z"n order to compile a record of all who claimed descent from 'The pi"rst Laird.' In those days these researches resulted in apparently inter- 1ninable sheets of paper, wh£ch for purposes of study used to be spread out on the floor. They were covered with neatly written names wh-ich represented, as far as could be known, the descendants of the sixteen children of James Balfour. Perhaps those who helped them to fill -in this tale of descen­ dants may now be glad to learn what we know of the common ancestors. It is in this hope that I have tried to piece together all the £nformation which my fat her and mother sought out, added to what f amity records are contained in the Piing archives themselves. It has been a pleasant task, in the course of which all the help I have asked for from the members of the family has been cordially given. And it is with real gratitude that I acknowledge first that of my s-ister, and, w-ith much apprec£at£on, the -invaluable azd of my cousins, S£r James Balfour Paul, Walter Bla£k£e, and Graham Balfour, to whose expert advice, given ungrudg·ingly, th£s history owes nzuch of what accuracy and trustworthiness it may possess. I would thank warmly, too, the veteran of our jam£ly, • IX PREFACE Mz"ss ./ane Whytt Balfour, whose memory, going back so far, keeps us in touch with the bygone generations. To her brother, the late Dr. George Balfour, I anz indebted for many details of the collateral branches. I would also express my thanks to Mrs. Be£th, and to Mr. Henry T. Balfour, for permission granted by them to reproduce the portraits of their ancestresses, Catherine Cant, wife of John Balfour, and Jane Elliot, wife of Majo1~ Henry Balfour, from pi"ctures in their possession, and to all the other members of the family who have so kindly g-£ven ass£stance. B. B.-M. PILRIG HousE, Dec. 12, 1906. CONTENTS CHAPTER I THE MOTHER HOUSE PAGE Pilrig House-Owned by the Monypennies-Bought by Gilbert Kirkwood-Situation and view-Tammy Byers-Bought by James Balfour-Description of house and furniture, 1 CHAPTER II THE EARLIEST ANCESTORS Origin of the Balfours-Balfours of Munquhanny-Of Balgarvy­ Alexander Balfour-Receives the tack of Inchrye-Flodden, and death of Alexander Balfour-His son David succeeds-His family -Sells Inchrye-Inchrye granted to David Balfour, junior-Death of David Balfour, . 10 CHAPTER III MR. JAMES BALFOUR David Balfour's wife-Melvilles of Baldowy-Mr. James Balfour -~Iinister at Guthrie and at Advie-1\1:arries Barbara l\1elville­ Called to Edinburgh-Moves thither-Is Oile of the ministers of St. Giles-Marries (secondly) Isobel King-His daughter Nicolas n1arries George Garden-He buys Incbrye and settles it on his younger son Andrew, 20 CHAPTER IV COURT AND KIRK King James endeavours to introduce Episcopacy into Scotland­ Sermon by Mr. David Black-The King's indignation-Riot in the. Xl THE BALFOURS OF PILRIG !'AGE city-The King retires to Linlithgow-The ministers have to fly from the city-Mr. James Balfour finds shelter in Fife-The Gowrie Conspiracy-James v1. succeeds to the English throne, 2 8 CHAPTER V MINISTERS SUMMONED TO LONDON Eight of the Edinburgh ministers summoned to London-Received at Whitehall-They spend the Winter in London-Ordered to live with the Bishops-They return to Scotland, . 35 CHAPTER VI LATER DAYS OF MR. JAMES BALFOUR; HIS SON, MR. ANDREW BALFOUR James Balfour lives at Inverkeithing-Imprisonment of his son James-His younger son Andrew takes his Degree-Becomes minister of Kirknewton-Ja mes Balfour dies-Andrew Balfour signs a protestation concerning the liberties of the Church-About his marriage-His death and testament, . 43 CHAPTER VII JAMES BALFOUR, ADVOCATE AND CLERK OF SESSION The children of Andrew Balfour brought up by their .Aunt-His eldest son James married, and has six children-The Edinburgh of the seventeenth century-Sir John Smith of Grotehall and Cramond-Death of Jan1es Balfour, 4 7 CHAPTER VIII THE DARIEN COMPANY 6..\n old treasure-chest-James Balfour, son of the Clerk of Session, marries Helen Smith-His house and works-Hopes of Kerse­ William Paterson-Founding of the Darien Company-Lists of subscriptions-' Scotland's '\Vish '-Accounts-Dinner to 'London men '-Fitting out Fleet-Bill of lading-Failure of the Darien Scheme-Death of James Balfour-His children, . 52 •• Xlt CONTENTS CHAPTER IX THE FIRST LAIRD PAG.E James Balfour proposes to share with the younger children-His mother persuades him to serve heir to his father-He marries Louisa Hamilton-Lives in Riddle's Close, Leith-Helen Smith marries William Cochrane of Rouchsoles-The Government pays money to the losers by the Darien Scheme-With his share James Balfour buys Pilrig-The Balfours move there-Accounts-Servants' wages -Religious exhortation to children and servants-Portraits painted, 62 CHAPTER X LETTERS TO AND FROM LEYDEN James Balfour sends his eldest son to study at Leyden-Self-dedica­ tion of the elder James Balfour-Letter from his son when a schoolboy-Letter of advice from father to son-Letters from son to father-Prescription, 73 CHAPTER XI HELEN AND GAVIN HAMILTON The eldest daughter of James Balfour married to Gavin Hamilton -Records in account-book-Gavin Hamilton-His own and his wife's portraits-Hamilton and the Porteous Mob-Hamilton and the Meal Riot in Water of Leith village, . 84 CHAPTER XII DEATH OF JAMES BALFOUR OF PILRIG Death of Helen Smith-Birth of first grandchild-Marriage of sons-Illness of Alexander-Illness of James Balfour-Their deaths, and funerals, 88 CHAPTER XIII ELLIOTS AND ELPHINSTONS The Elphinstons of Logie-Lady Elphinston-Her father, Sir Gilbert Elliot-His journey to and from London in connection Xlll THE BALFOURS OF PILRIG PAGE with the sentence upon the Duke of .Argyll-He goes into conceal­ ment after the baptism of his child-He defends Mr. Veitch-His wife and the Judge-He is one of twelve Scottish gentlemen who resolve to make war against the Duke of York-He is condemned to death and forfeiture, but escapes-Returns to Scotland-Is admitted to the Bar-He becomes a Judge-He dies-Stories about Lady Elphinston, 92 CHAPTER XIV THE SECOND JAMES BALFOUR OF PILRIG James Balfour of Pilrig marries Miss Elphinston-His portraits­ Their children-His sister marries Dr. Whytt of Bennochy­ ...~ccount of Dr. vVhytt-Their portraits-Bridget Balfour marries Rev. ,villiam Leechman, . 99 CHAPTER XV 'THE FORTY-FIVE' Fiight of Helen Hamilton and her children to Pilrig-Bailie Hamilton and the defence of the city-Officers billeted in his house-Hamilton one of a deputation to the Prince's headquarters at Slateford-Tables designating the ladies of the \Vhig and Jacobite parties, 104 CHAPTER XVI MR. NEIL l\1ACVICAR Prayer for Prince Charles-lVIr. Neil l\Iac Vicar, n1inister of St. Cuthbert's, married to Bridget Balfour-Encounter with the Laird of Inverleith-He preaches in Gaelic-He dies in 17 4 7-Death of his wife, 108 CHAPTER XVII JAMES BALFOUR AND DAVID HUME James Balfour appointed Sheriff-Substitute of Midlothian-He publishes a reply to David Hume's Principles of Morals-Letter from Hume. to Balfour-Scroll of answer sent by James Balfour, . 111 XlV CONTENTS CHAPTER XVIII JAMES BALFOUR AND HIS FAMILY PAGE James Balfour elected to the Chair of Moral Philosophy in the Edinburgh University through the influence of the ministers of the city-David Balfour goes to Pilrig-The death of James Balfour's eldest son-The Elphinstons-'Aunt Menie'-Her will- John Balfour goes abroad-Letter from Holland-Letter from Brussels, . 1 1 7 CHAPTER XIX MARY CECILIA AND WILLIAM GIBSON Letter from ,villiam Gibson announcing his engagement to Mary Cecilia Balfour-His descent-The marriage - contract signed­ Letter from William Gibson-Marriage of Mary Cecilia Balfour and William Gibson-Mr. Galloway, 123 CHAPTER XX COLLATERAL BRANCHES IN THE LAST HALF OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY Hamiltons-George Balfours - Wodrows-J ohn Balfours-John Balfour is partner with Gavin Hamilton-Garden at Redhall­ Letter from Gavin Hamilton-}ohn Balfour rents Kate's Mill­ Lives at Hailes House-Whytts of Bennochy-General Melville­ The Russells-Henry Balfour-His Petition-Marriage and after life-His grandson, Henry Balfour Biggar, 130 CHAPTER XXI MARRIAGE OF JOHN BALFOUR AND JEAN WHYTT At Bel Retiro-Dr. Hunter-Verses addressed to Jean Whytt- John Balfour marries Jean \Vhytt-Letter from Robert \Vodrow, . 143 CHAPTER XXII THE GIBSONS Firm of Gibson, Balfour, and Aitken-Mrs. Gibson-Sir James Gibson-Craig-Sir \Villiam Gibson-Craig-Gibsons in Cey Ion- Daughters of \Villiam and Mary Cecilia Gibson, . 147 xv THE BALFOURS OF PILRIG CHAPTER XXIII THE PROFESSOR P.a.GE The New Town of Edinburgh begun-Professor James Balfour­ Appointed to Chair of Laws of Nature and Nations-Publishes Dissertations on Philosophy-Verses, Religious Writings-Note concerning him by Sir Henry l\foncreiff- Opinion of contem- poraries-His death, 1 50 CHAPTER XXIV LETTER FROM MRS. GIBSON Letter from Mrs. Gibson, . CHAPTER XXV JOHN BALFOUR The Misses Whytt-Children of John Balfour and Jean Whytt­ Marriage of Martha Whytt-Children at Pilrig-Uncle Loo­ Letters from Mary Cecilia Gibson-Lewis Balfour goes to the Isle of Wight, .