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.)