More Roberton Family History (1)

While looking for the author of The Robertons - A Noted Lanarkshire Family which appears in my last three posts (originally printed in the Hamilton Advertiser on August 7, 1943), a librarian at the South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture center also found an another piece on Roberton history, again from the Hamilton Advertiser, but published in July 1874. Entitled Earnock and its Early Proprietors, it is another lengthy writing that I will present in a number of postings.

Earnock and its Early Proprietors

(from the Hamilton Advertiser, July,  1874)

The estate of Earnock (Meikle and Little), the properties of Udstoun, Wellhall, Allanshaw, Stonehill, Neilsland, and adjoining small farms, Eddlewood, Earnockmuir and Kennedies, lying on the west side of the Strathaven road, and extending to the western extremity of Hamilton parish, although included in the original grant, in 1314, of the barony of Cadzow, by King Robert Bruce to Walter Fitz-Gilbert, the approximate founder of the ducal family of Hamilton, appear to have been parcelled out at an early period to some of the younger members of the family and their connections – the Robertouns, the Machans and others. As some of those families took a prominent part in public and local affairs of the olden time, formed alliances by marriage with the neighbouring nobility and gentry, and a number of their members and descendants rose to eminence and distinction in the army, at the bar and in the walks of literature, a sketch of their history, gleaned from the pages of Nisbet, Douglas, Anderson and other genealogists, may be found interesting.  We begin with

The Robertouns.

This family was one of the oldest untitled families of Lanarkshire. The first of the name met with in the records is Robertus de Robertoun, or Robertus de Villa Roberti.  He is said to have been of Flemish extraction, and obtained the lands of Robertoun, in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, and those of Earnock, in the parish of Hamilton, from Malcolm IV or William the Lion (1160-1200).  In 1228, he witnessed a charter by Hugo of Biggar, son of Robert, son of Waldeve of Biggar, patron of the Church of Strathaven, whereby he grants, in pure and perpetual alms to God and the Church of St. Machute of Lesmahagow, the whole teinds of the lands of Richard de Baird, lying on the south side of Aven, namely, the Great and Lesser Kype, Glengeel, Polnebo, Lochar and all the lands lying on that side that can be cultivated.  The other witnesses to the charter are Reginald de Crawford, Sheriff of Ayr and Archibald of Douglas.

Roberton Family History

The Robertons

A Noted Lanarkshire Family

(continued)

Chryston, Cadder, Bothwell:

With regard to the history of the Bedlay Robertons, two very interesting volumes have been published: Chryston and Its Worthies” by G. H. M. McIsaac, issued in 1910, and “Old Country Houses of the Old Glasgow Gentry”, issued by McLehose, one edition in 1870 and one in 1878.  From McIsaac’s book it is clear there was no place of worship at Chryston before 1774.  Before that date the people attended church at Cadder, nearly five miles away.  It seems, however, that the Bedlay people had their own mausoleum in their garden, but this was taken down in 1870 and the stones were used to build the modern lodge.  What became of the bodies the author does not mention.

That no Roberton was buried in the churchyard at Chryston I took the trouble to ascertain.  Cadder churchyard may have been used as a burial place, but after a careful search I failed to find any evidence.  Many of the oldest  stones, however, are moss-covered and worn and are absolutely undecipherable, so in my opinion may be wrong.  The main burial ground for the Robertons is at Bothwell churchyard, but I rather think that applies only to the Earnock and Lauchope lines.

The work on “Country Houses”contains an article and photograph of Bedlay House, and also one of the adjoining Gartferry House which for many years was   ...........latter taken down not long since, and armorial bearings over the main entrance vanished with the house.  There certainly is a lot of interesting matter in the above-mentioned books, but judging from authoritative standards in the details, unfortunately, are not always accurate.

Again, in dealing with documents relating to the Robertons, I have encountered on great difficulty – the name is often misspelt Robertson.  Taking into consideration the length of time the family lived in Lanarkshire the name is comparatively uncommon, and the reason for this, perhaps, is that younger sons have been careless and have allowed themselves to be called Robertson.  In the register of burghers and guild brethren of Glasgow, it is recorded that Gershom Robertson was enrolled in 1747.  In the same list two of the Earnock family are given as Robertson of Earnock.  All three were Robertons as can easily be demonstrated.

To conclude, Lanarkshire has had no reason to be other than proud of the generations who traced their descent from Robertus de Villa Roberti, and from those who founded the houses of Lauchope, Earnock and Bedlay.

(This concludes the article originally appearing in the Hamilton Advertiser August 7, 1943)

Roberton Family History

The Robertons

A Noted Lanarkshire Family

(continued)

The Bedlay Robertons:

But another branch of the family was flourishing, and those Robertons were destine to make a considerable stir in the world.  I refer to the line of Bedlay.  Bedlay House, built by the Earls of Kilmarnock, stands at a little distance to the south of Chryston.  The environment is beautiful, a clear fast-running stream flows through the estate, and in the old days the place must have been exceptionally attractive.  That people found it so is convinced by the fact that a local weaver and poet, Walter Watson, who was born in 1780, wrote in praise of it a song which is still remembered and sung, “The Braes O’Bedlay”.

About the year 1580 was born James Roberton, who held the title of Lord Bedlay.  In 1618 he was Professor of Philosophy and Humanity of Glasgow University.  He became Rector of the same on the third day of April, 1664, and Lord of Session in 1661.  As he lived through the Restoration period of Charles II, he must have witnessed many strange events.  He died in the month of May, 1661.  On the 17^th June, 1664, his son Archibald was served heir. He was granted arms at some period between 1672 and 1678.  His wife was Margaret, a daughter of James Hamilton of Woodhall, whose mother was Anne, daughter of Sir James Hamilton of Broomhill.

Notable Matches:

The next owner Archibald died about 1723.  His wife was Christian, daughter of  John Roberton of Earnock, so thus again the Roberton blood was mingled.  The next heir, so of the above couple, was James, who inherited the estate in 1724 and died about 1778.  His wife was Jean Hamilton, daughter of James Hamilton, third of Dalziel, by Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Sir Archibald of Rosehall, Baronet.  In this connection, it is curious to note how many of the Robertons married members of the Hamilton family.  Through the centuries they continued to do so and the reason for their preference is inexplicable.

But other notable matches were made.  For instance, Janet, daughter of James Roberton, Principal Clerk of Sessions, who died in 1719, married William, eighth Earl of Kincardine, the ancestor of the Earls of Elgin. Janet was a celebrated beauty in her day and it is said the well-known writer of Scottish songs, Hamilton of Bangour, praised her good looks in one of his compositions.  But that, I fear, is an error.  Recently, I made an exhaustive study of Hamilton’s works, but failed to trace the verses.  The most feasible explanation I can give is that the work of another writer was credited to Hamilton.

Further, the third son of James Roberton, mentioned above was William of Robertonhall, who died in 1747.  He was a well-known doctor, and it is believed that by his skill he cured of an eye trouble no less a person than Prince Charles Edward Stewart.  With Archibald, born about 1729, served heir in 1779, and died in Edinburgh on 14^th November, 1798, the reign of the Robertons of Bedlay came to an end.  In 1786 the estate was sold to Thomas Dunlop, a near relative of the family.

(Article originally appearing in the Hamilton Advertiser August 7, 1943.  See previous post for further details.)

Roberton Family History

Going through some family items, I came across an article entitled "The Robertons -A Noted Lanarkshire Family". It had originally been published in the Hamilton Advertiser (Hamilton, South Lanarkshire Scotland), August 7th, 1943 and a typewritten copy was sent to my father Arnold Roberton in Canada by his brother Hugh who lived in Canberra Australia. Hugh wrote the following note to accompany the article:

"Recently I discovered a Richard Roberton who is a pilot with a Company flying planes in the North West of West Australia & in the Northern Territory – Aerial Enterprises, of Derby, W.A.

He is a New Zealander who claims kinship and his eldest son, Hugh is doing Medicine at the Melbourne University.

He was good enough to send me a Photostat copy of “The Hamilton Advertiser” of 7^th August, 1943, and the enclosure is an accurate copy."

There was no mention of the article's author in my copy, however, thanks to the library at the South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Ltd., I have since discovered that the piece was written by someone with the initials W. R.

A Roberton perhaps?

As it is fairly long, I will present it in several postings.

The Robertons

A Noted Lanarkshire Family

There are four distinct families of Roberton, all related and probably descended from the original stock.  This indeed seems a certainty for so far as has been ascertained there was only one barony claiming the name.  Apart from the main line, there were Robertons at Earnock, Lauchope and Chryston.  After the Bedlay family several people now living claim their descent, and Lauchope House near Holytown, most fortunate of all, still has a Roberton for its laird.

An Upper Ward Roberton:

The family as is well known,  is the oldest in Lanarkshire.  Over 800 years ago Robertons held the lands of Roberton, that pretty little village to which they gave their name and from which they dated their charters.  In the year 1200 the then baron signed himself “Robertus de Villa Roberti”, but a century later the estates were forfeited.  The cause of this was understandable.  In 1296 Steven de Roberton swore fealty To Edward I.  Later, stupidly for himself and his posterity, he espoused the cause of the unworthy Balliol. These facts, unfortunately, were remembered by King Robert the Bruce when he came into power.  In revenge he outlawed the baron and bestowed his possessions on Sir James Douglas, and ancestor of the Earls of Morton.

It now remains to be recorded that in these modern and matter of fact days there is nothing left in Roberton or its neighbourhood to tell of those who, in the olden time, possessed the lands.  No fragment of their ancient fortalice exists, and the very site of it has been forgotten.  Time, the great iconoclast, has effectively obliterated all remembrance of the family, and nothing but the name survives.

Robertons of Earnock:

But the above crushing blow did not damp the spirit of the race.  Shortly afterwards the Robertons set up house at Earnock.  Their stay lasted many generations, and while there they won the esteem of the shire and mad many attractive alliances with members of the Scottish nobility.  It is on record that Anna, daughter of a John Roberton of Earnock, married the Marquis of Hamilton, and the daughter of another John became the Countess of Elington.  But, alas, no Robertons are not to be found at Earnock.  Their ancient and honoured name has been lost, their abode was demolished.  That seems a pity, for a friend of mine who was given the privilege of inspecting Earnock House told me the great hallway was beautifully decorated with armorial bearings of the Roberton, and that the fireplace was remarkable for its carving.