Robert Lauder (abt. 1700 - 1767)

Ancestors

Died 1 Oct 1767 at about age 67 in Belhaven, nr.Dunbar, Haddingtonshire, Scotland.

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Robert Lauder was a member of Scottish Nobility. Join: Scotland Project Discuss: Scotland

Biography

An essay by Alexander Grant entitled "Extinction of Direct Male Lines" mentions that the Lauders were one of only 31% of the great families of the time of Robert the Bruce who survived in the direct male line beyond 1500.^[1]

Alexander Nisbet states: "Sir Robert Lauder of Beilmouth was father of Archibald, father of the present Robert Lauder of Beilmouth."^[2]

James Young states that Archibald Lauder of Beilmouth "was succeeded by [this] Robert Lauder of Beilmouth, who, it would appear from the "Indexes to Services", married Marjory, daughter of John Hendry, Edinburgh."^[3]

This Robert was recorded as a Captain in the Jacobite Artillery in 1745 who narrowly escaped from Carlisle. His son Archibald, a cadet in the Jacobite artillery, wrote his last letter on 29th July 1746 where he states that "I unluckily lost the opportunity of leaving Carlisle with my father who went off on the 20th December, and we were taken the 30th......if you see my papa, give my humble duty to him and may God Almighty be with you all."

James Miller states that "in 1745 the son of Lauder of Beilmouth took part in the rebellion. Particular favour, it is said, was shewn by the rebels on this account to the tenantry of West Barns and Belhaven. Young Beilmouth was taken at Carlisle and executed. [Incorrect] A search was made for the laird, who by means of a concealment in his house (which was situated in Belhaven) evaded discovery till the heat of pursuit was over." ^[4] However, Allardyce and other Jacobite scholars (correctly) say otherwise, and that Robert Lauder left Carlisle with the Prince's army not long before that place was captured. It is on record that he was sought by the Government for some time afterwards. But the suggestion that his son was executed is also untrue as records state he died in prison in London from 'flux', probably consumption. Mr.Miller also mentions a further interesting insight into Robert Lauder of Beilmouth's character: "he was a firm believer in the dark science of astrology; and when on a visit to Ireland, endeavored to read his destiny by means of the horoscope."

There are Deeds registered in the Books of Council and Session relating to this Robert Lauder of Beilmouth; one, issued by him as a Writ or Summons of Scandal on 30th August 1758 (recorded on 5th August 1759) against Thomas Smith, mason in Dunbar, and Robert Traill, indweller in Belhaven, for Libel (SRO ref: CC8/6/22), and another which mentions him (presumably after death), ref: RD4, MACK, Vol.244, fol.176.^[5]

Under a Trust disposition dated 11th July 1754, Robert Lauder with the consent of Marjory Hendry his wife, alienated to Francis Farquharson on behalf of Robert's creditors all and whole of his sixteenth part of the town and lands of West Barns commonly called One Rigg thereof, and all and whole of his fourth part of the lands of Floors commonly called half a Rigg thereof, with all the houses, biggings, yards, tofts, crofts etc., belonging to these lands in the parish and lordship of Dunbar, as well as sundry tenements of land holding burgage in the town of Dunbar. This Trust Disposition was judicially ratified on 11th July 1754 and registered on 6th January 1758. It was formally completed and registered at Edinburgh on 29th July 1788 (Ref: RD4/144, fol.176. National Archives of Scotland). Francis Farquharson of Haughton, appears to have been some sort of business partner to Robert Lauder's uncle, George. He is mentioned as such in the Testament of Robert & George's sister, Janet, and as deceased by 1780.^[6]

An advertisement of the roup [auction] of the above property was put in the Edinburgh newspapers to be held on 30th July 1756 in the Exchange Coffee House of Edinburgh between 4 and 5 p.m. There was only one bidder - Robert Seton, a writer in Edinburgh acting on behalf of James Hamilton of Bangour (in Ulster?) - who offered only £800 sterling for West Barns and £115 sterling for Floors. It was stated that the precept (authorisation for giving Sasine) was contained in the Deed, but was not executed. By 1770 James Hamilton of Bangour was the registered owner of the Beilmouth estate.

A mortcloth entry records the burial of this last Robert Lauder of Beilmouth on 1st October 1767.^[7] He was, according to James Miller (1830), buried beneath the pulpit of the ancient (Saxon, 11th century) collegiate church of Dunbar.

Sources

1. ↑ Essays on the Nobility of Medieval Scotland, edited by K.J.Stringer, John Donald publishers, Edinburgh, 1985, p.214. ISBN: 0-85976-113-4
2. ↑ Systems of Heraldry, Edinburgh, 1722, vol.1, p.433.
3. ↑ Historical References to the Scottish Family of Lauder, Glasgow, 1884, p.89.
4. ↑ History of Dunbar, Dunbar,1830.
5. ↑ National Records of Scotland.
6. ↑ National Records of Scotland.
7. ↑ Dunbar Collegiate Church Kirk Session Minute Books at the NRS.