James (Baillie) Second Lord Forrester of Corstorphine (abt. 1629 - 1679)

Born about 29 Oct 1629 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Joanna Forrester — married before 15 Dec 1649 in Corstorphine, Midlothian, Scotland [uncertain]

Husband of Jean Ruthven — married before Jul 1661 in Scotland

Died 26 Aug 1679 at about age 49 in Corstorphine, Midlothian, Scotland

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Biography

James (Baillie) Second Lord Forrester of Corstorphine was born in Scotland.

James Bailyea, son of Williame Bailyea and Jonet Bruce, was baptized on 29 October 1629 in the parish of Edinburgh, Midlothian^[1]

He first married Joanna Forester, the daughter of the first Lord Forrester of Corstorphine before 15 December 1649.^[2][3]

The title of Lord Forrester of Corstorphine was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1633 for Sir George Forrester. His son having died without issue, in 1650 Forrester resigned all of his estates in favor of James Baillie, the eldest son of General William Baillie of Lethame. James Baillie was married to Forrester's fourth daughter, Joanna. Corstorphine was to go to James and Joanna and their heirs-male conditional on James assuming the name and arms of Forrester; whom failing, to James's younger brother, William, and his future wife Lilias (Joanna's younger sister) and their heirs-male; whom failing, to the eldest daughter of James and Joanna; whom failing, to their other daughters successively; whom failing, to the similar heirs of William and Lilias. ^[2]

By virtue of this on the death of the first lord, in 1654, his son-in-law, James Baillie, became second Lord Forrester.^[2]

James and Joanna had one child:

1. William Forrester (baptised Corstorphine, Midlothian 8 Feb 1652) ^[4]

Joanna died soon after the birth of William, ^[5]

James marred secondly, before July 1661, Janet Ruthven daughter of Patrick Ruthven, Earl of Forth.^[2]

Sir James tried to live a loyal life. He signalized himself by his ardent loyalty, and on one occasion, as related by Nicol in his Diary, while Cromwell’s soldiers were in Edinburgh, his lordship caused a proclamation to be affixed on the close heads and other public places of that city, calling on all persons residing in Mid Lothian to put forth horse according to their rents for the king’s army. However, this favor was not returned, and in 1654 he was fined by Cromwell’s act of grace and indemnity £2,500 sterling, and his estate was overrun and pillaged by the English troops. His personal life dissipated and his affairs, in consequence, became much involved, and his rents being attached by his numerous creditors, while frequently spending whole days drinking in an alehouse in the village of Corstorphine. ^[6] This behavior led to his death when his niece killed him in.

He also lost his first wife soon after the birth of William, ^[7] and married, second, Janet Ruthven in 1661. Her children all took the name Ruthven.

Children of Second Marriage

1. Edward Ruthven, b. 19 Feb 1663. ^[8]

2. Clara Baillie-Forrester Christened 16 Jan 1665 ^[9]

3. John Baille-Forrester Christened 4 May 1666 ^[10]

4. Patricia Baillie-Forrester Christened 28 Oct 1668 ^[11]

Research Notes

Records used are James Baillie Forrester. James Forrester is a popular name and many records came up with children. The only documented male child from the first marriage is William, and his mother died and because James’ brother became the 3rd Lord Forrester, William is likely the only male child. The children of the second marriage all took the name, Ruthven, so I think the attribution to Joanne should be Jean and the last names Ruthven. I also ran across a George as a son but no references.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth or Baptism: "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, Parish Number: 685/1; Ref: 30/287; Frame: 885, ScotlandsPeople (accessed 25 May 2024), Surname: BAILYEA; Forename: JAMES; Parents/Other details: WILLIAME BAILYEA/JONET BRUCE FR885 (FR885); Gender: M; Birth/Baptism Date: 29/10/1629; Parish: Edinburgh.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} The Scots Peerage; James Balfour Paul; Vol 4; pages 91-94; accessed 25 May 2024
3. ↑ Papers of the Graham Family, Dukes of Montrose (Montrose Muniments); National Records of Scotland; GD220/6/260; Extract antenuptial contract of marriage between James and William Baillie, sons of Lt.Gen. William Baillie of Lethem and Jonet Bruce, his spouse, and Jean and Lilias Forrester, daughters of George, lord Forrester of Corstorphine, James marrying Jean, and William marrying Lilias; dated 15 December 1649; accessed 25 May 2024
4. ↑ Birth or Baptism: "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, Parish Number: 678; Ref: 10/42; Frame: 49, ScotlandsPeople (accessed 25 May 2024), Surname: FORRESTER; Forename: WILLIAM; Parents/Other details: JAMES FORRESTER/JOANNA FORRESTER FR49 (FR49); Gender: M; Birth/Baptism Date: 08/02/1652; Parish: Corstorphine.
5. ↑ MacGregor, Gordon. The Red Book of Scotland. Scotland: by the author (2016), rv. 2020, pp. 378-389.
6. ↑ New Stat. Acc. vol. i. p. 212.
7. ↑ MacGregor, Gordon. The Red Book of Scotland. Scotland: by the author (2016), rv. 2020, pp. 378-389.
8. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X1Y2-FH9 : 11 February 2020), James Baron Forrester Baillie in entry for Edward Ruthven, 1663.
9. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X1T9-3SH : 11 February 2020), Joanna Forrester in entry for Clara Baillie-Forrester, 1665.
10. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTPB-RJM : 11 February 2020), John Baillie-Forrester, 1666.
11. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XY33-LWL : 11 February 2020), Patricia Baillie-Forrester, 1668.

See also:

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p20500.htm#i204996
• https://clanforrester.org/
• Family Search profile for Joanna Forrester