Grahams of Rowan & Iredell Counties, North Carolina

The Grey House

of

Grahams of Rowan & Iredell Counties, N.C.

by

Robert L. Graham III

500 Lenoir Road Apt. #325

Morganton, North Carolina 28655-2669

Phone (828) 439-8155

Email:pilot42@bellsouth.net

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2012 Robert L. Graham. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/02/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-7553-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-7564-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906952

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Preface

Edgar A. Guest & other poems

Historical Information

The Battles Of Scotland

Scotland Maps

Outline Descendant Tree Of James Graham

Register Report Of James Graham

Bibliography

Humor

This book is dedicated to-

to my wife of 65 years.

Sarah Lois Parker Graham

She has been a computer widow

while this book was being prepared.

Preface

Are there any errors in this volume? Yes, there are! Any work of this type is subject to errors since many assumptions are made. Assumptions are interpretations of information gleaned from various sources. Should you find an error in these records, please let me know, however, I will make any correction provided you submit documentation or proof. Legends and lore are not acceptable as proof. They can be accepted with the understanding that they are just a legend or lore. Legends and lore can only be accepted as such.

Many times in reading Old English Script or in the census, it is indecipherable. Sometimes the writing was obliterated by ink blots. Other times in, particularly in the census, the writing was so faded or so bad, you could only guess.

In the absence of a date for an individual, we have assigned an about (abt) date. This is necessary because of so many with identical names. We feel that these abt dates are at or near the actual date but could be off by even 1020 years.. This will be true for birth and marriages. We have not assigned a death date except where there have been one or more marriages or if documented.. The the assigned will be proceeded by before (bef).

My mother told me her grand father, Henry Shaw came from England. Using census and naturalization papers, he claimed to be a citizen of Ireland. In census records he stated he was born in Scotland, so it behooves us to document the information and cite sources. This we have tried to do.

Some of these sources include family records, wills, birth certificates, estate records, military records, newspapers, obituaries, city directories, census, bible records, tombstones just to name a few. in countless visits to libraries, State and Federal archives, letters to individuals, phone calls, emails and just about anything you can think of has been used to acquire documented information.

I have not included the LDS web site because there are too many errors. One such error was where someone submitted that an ancestor was born in Virginia in the 1500s. The county was even named Jamestown settlement was 1607. Middle names were not used until about the late 1700s or early 1800s but that did not deter someone from assigning a middle name to James Graham born 1670.

This is not a book which includes all the Graham descendants in Rowan County. It is a book that is to document my Graham line starting with James Graham who came from Scotland and was born in 1670. Again legend say that he came with a brothers, John and Richard but were they brothers of James born 1695?

Was his birth in Inveraray, Argleshire or Perth or Peebles, Scotland? Many claim Inveraray but a Scottish correspondent could not find any record of James in Inveraray in church records. I have found two others James’ B. James was born 8 March 1670 in Findo-Gask, Peebles, Scotland another James born 16 May 1670 in West Linton, Perth, Scotland. Efforts are being made to try and determine what happened to these two James Grahams.

Needless to say many hours have been spent in trying to put families together. I have hundreds of family group sheets on Grahams from Rowan County, NC that I have been unable to find their parentage. Then again, I have a great many Graham children that I have not found where there were married and thus no children. If you have purchased this book and you don’t find your Graham, please contact me and I will check all the hundreds of family group sheets to see if your Graham is among them.

For those of us who have a desire to know more about our ancestral line, we regret that we did not start sooner. We should have asked our parents and grandparents more. There are errors, omissions, please understand that it is because we were not able to get the information. If you do find an error, please let me know so that I can correct the master copy.

It has, however, been a labor of love and not for financial rewards. If it had been done for financial rewards, then this book would have been priced at many thousands of dollars. I can’t even begin to estimate the number of hours spent tracing various families and then getting the documentation must get this to a publisher soon as I am 90 years of age.

Before we go I would like to list soon of the Graham descendants who have contributed data, bible records and other documental data. If someone has been omitted, please accept my apology.

William Oscar Graham, John Comer, Cheryl Zelek, Graham Reeves, Todd Brandoff, Roger Settlemire,, Marie Biggs, Catherine A. Koon, E. Michael, Bill and Jonna Graham, Tery Armstrong, Karen Cromie, Tracy Graham. Nancye Knott, Loren H. Dudley, Glyniss McHargue Patterson, Marie Biggs, Barbara Turner, Maria Gretham tam, Ed Riley, Loren H. Dudley, Jackie Pressley, Boyt Cathey, Franki Jones, John Graham, Ruth Graham Cook, Kathy Genois, Grady Hall, Richard Graham, Bruce Graham, Thomas Graham, Alex Fuller, Tom Fox, Jerrry Lynn, Barbara Beall, Mal Holmes, Nina Mack, Paul Dillon, Sheryl Shockley, Tommy E. Graham, Carol Scott, Carole M. Jacobs, Chistine Bruhn, & Others.

I am sure there are some that did not get included above and I thank those that are listed and those that I failed to list.

OUR ANCIENT SIRES

by Edgar A. Guest

Now when you think your task is hard and working hours are long,

Remember, in the ancient days, they died who were not strong,

They had to build their walls and roof and hew the wood for fire,

They had to catch and kill their meat and spin for warm attire.

They dipped the water from a well; no rest from toil they knew,

With aching backs and blistered hands they paid for all they grew,

And though thru years were cruel things and would no mercy give;

The men and women braved them through and though it good to live.

Now you have but one task to do that asks six hours a day,

And yet you whimper it’s too hard; too long to work to stay.

For you’ve forgot those ancient sires who toiled their whole lives through,

And never thought their hours too long; their tasks too much to do.

MY FOREBEARERS

To all of you, my forebearers here I give thanks

While there yet remain the time for giving,___

Thanks for the fact that through you I now live,

And I know the boundless joy there is in living.

Author unknown

WHERE IS THE HEART

Where is the heart that doth not keep

Within it’s inner most core.

Some fond memories hidden deep

of days that are no more.

Author unknown

KITH AND KIN

If you could see your ancestors

All standing in a row.

Would you be proud of them or not

Or don’t you really know?

Some strange discoveries are made

In climbing family trees

And some of them you know, do not

Particularly please.

If you could see your ancestors

All standing in a row,

There might be some of them perhaps

You wouldn’t care to know

But theres another question, which

Require a different view,

If you could meet your ancestors

Would they be proud of you?

Author unknown

Historical Information

"What they did never blinded them to

the meaning of what they were doing"

Graham

Originally Graeme—savage, gloomy. The family descended, it is supposed from Graeme, a general in the army of Fergus II, year 404.

Graham

Name & Place

Graham is a Scottish name, derived from the manor of Greagham ( Grey Home ) which is mentioned in the Doomesday Book. The Scottish Grahams were first established in the lowlands, and are popularly associated with Montrose in Angus.

Origins

We are indebted to Nellie Lowry Graham, The Clan Graham Society Genealogist, who wrote the following::

Scholars have long debated whence came the people and the name Graham. Some say the Grahams are descendants of the Graeme who commanded the armies of Fergus II in 404 AD. Others are equally convinced that they are of Norman descent, while others claim a Flemish or even Danish descent. Even the early officers of Clan Graham Society could not agree, with first President Harry L. Graham holding to a Norman connection although the first Society Genealogist J.. Kenneth Graham was in the Pictish Scot (Graeme) camp. Which is correct? We will examine the writings of these and other scholars and allow you to draw your own conclusions.

Harry L. Graham and researcher Thomas Dickson Graham of Clearwater, Florida, wrote in: From Whence the Montrose Grahams (1979):

William de Graham was the youngest son of William de Tancarville of Danish descent, and Matilda d’Arques, direct descendent of three Anglo-Saxon and Danish kings. The father was a Baron of Normandy, and went to England with William the Conqueror in 1066, and for his services received a great barony in Lincolnshire called Grantham. He also had great properties in Normandy. Eventually, he turned his Norman properties over to his eldest son, Rabel, and moved to England where he later became Treasurer for King Henry I and Justice of England. William de Graham was born about the time of the Norman invasion, whether in Normandy or in England is unknown, probably Normandy. As soon as he was old enough, he became Seneshal (business manager) for his father at the Barony of Grantham in Lincolnshire, England. He took the name William de Grantham which was soon shortened to William Graham (sometimes written Graeme). The book, The Norman people says:"In all the early records of England, Graham means Grantham in Lincoln; and William de Graham settled in Scotland in the time of King David I, (1124-1153) and obtained Abercom and Dalkeith.

"The English branches of the de Tancarville were generally named by Chamberlain. The banner of the Chamberlains of Lincoln bore three escallops, which also appear in the arms of de Graham or de Grantham, originally from Lincoln. Sir John Graham of Dundaff carried a banner with three golden escallps on a field of Black. The same three golden escallops area part of the Montrose Coat of Arms.) From this family descended the fame Marquis of Montrose and the brave Viscount of Dundee; also Sir James Graham of Netherby, the eminent statesman.

Evidence From The Falaise Roll

The Falaise Roll (a list of those who assisted William the Conqueror) says: William de Chamberlain de Tancarville, had a son, William (de Grantham) de Graham, from whom descended the Famous Marquis of Montrose, Viscount of

Dundee and the Graham Family."

The Encyclopedia Britannica, 13th edition, says under Grantham: "Although there is no authentic evidence of Roman occupation, Grantham (Graham, Granham in Doomesday Book) from its situate on the Ervine Street, is supposed to have been a Roman station. Grantham in Lincolnshire, England was situated… on the River Witham-105 miles north by west from London.

William de Graham fought with the forces of King Henry I (1100-1135), son of William the Conqueror, at Laigle in 1116 and 1119 at the Battle of Bremule. He commanded the English forces in the Battle of Bourgtesraude in 1124. He was in Scotland in 1125 when he witnessed a charter for the gift of land from King David I at Holyrood House. William de Graham married a daughter or sister of Odon Stigand, dapifer (meaning Stewart), an attendant at the Court of Duke William, later the Conqueror,. They had these children:

1.    Rabel, who was his successor at Grantham

2.    Peter, who went to Scotland;

3.    John, who went to Scotland; and possibly

4.    Alan, mentioned by Stewart in his book, The Grahams.

William de Graham died about 1128. Future Grahams dropped the ‘de’ from their name as it no longer had any meaning, since they were no longer of or from Graham. Graham then became the surname for all future generations.

Society Officers Divided

Besides the above authorities, Society President Harry L. Graham found many references to the people of Tancarville in the definitive biography of William the Conqueror by David C. Douglas, and in the 13th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

So convinced was he of his Norman research that President Graham added this note at the end: This does not clear up the origin if the name ‘Graham and it derivations among the Pictish Scots.

Society Genealogist J. Kenneth Graham wrote his thesis on the origin of the Grahams in 1981, advancing his theory of a Pictish Scot connection. This research, a synopsis which follows, including a needling note to President Graham: You can be a Norman if you wish, and I will stay a Pict descendant of one who was there with Fergus, and helped pull down a part of the Roman wall in the early days.

I hold that our family line descends from the early Pict people in what is now known as Scotland. The Picts were there long before the year one; and though we may have intermarried with the incoming Scots, and occasionally took a wife from Denmark, our name and main blood line came down from the original natives of old Caldonia, and not from Normandy.

From Or and Sable by Louise Grace Graeme:

No facts of William de Graeme’s ancestry has reached us; tradition alone records that he sprung from a renowned Graym who was the father in law of Fergus II, King of Scots, and had come over with that monarch from Denmark. Graym is said to have married a Princess of the House of Denmark, and their offspring became the wife of Fergus. He also commanded the king’s army, during which period he attacked and demolished the wall of Antoninus, built across Scotland from the Firth of Forth to that of Forth of Clyde, which marked the northern limit of the country conquered by the Romans.

After the death of King Fergus, Graym became the guardian to the young King Eugene (his grandson), and when he had restored the religion, law and order to the state, he resigned his guardianship and placed the government of the kingdom in Eugene’s hands as soon as that monarch reached full age. whether every descendant of the Montrose family accepts this tradition we must leave to their own decision, but it would seem that the characteristics and records of the family point rather to the Scandinavian than Norman Descent, which is the other alternative of William de Graeme’s origin."

A Mysterious (And Debatable) Inscription

For those who accept the former, a very interesting account of the building of the wall of Antoninus, showing its date and progress, may be found in Mr. Gillespie’s edition of the History of Sterligshire, to which I am indebted for the following: When Falkirk parish Church (which was built by Malcolm Cnmore) was razed in 1011 a white marble slab was discovered amongst the foundations, about a foot square in size. It bears two inscriptions—one relating to the foundation of the monastery in 1057, and the other to the memory of the Thane who broke down the graet wall. The latter runs as follows:

FVNLRATVS HIC ROB GRAHAM

ILLE EVERVS VALL SEVERVS

A.C.D. 15 FERGYSIVS II R. SCO

From the existence of this slab*, it seems that the tradition must have been accepted as fact in the year 1057. That the remains of this wall in that district are called to this day Graham’s Dyke cannot be disputed. (* Metropolitan Museum Edinburgh: This is thought by some to be a forgery.)

James Bowne’s’ assertion is that the whole tradition is absurd fiction is scarcely argumentive, and certainly not proof, especially as he appears unable to to give any reason for the name Dyke bears: the etymology, he says, has confounded antiquarians and puzzled philologists which he throws great doubt on its being derived from Grym, which signifies strength, in the British and Welsh languages of the period.

In an old black-letter book in the library at Innerpaffray, Perthshire, (the title page of which is very quaintly ornamented and bears the date 1577 as the tear of printing), is the most detailed account of Grym that I have hereto come across.

The book is a history of Scotland, dedicated to the Lord Robert Dunley, Earl of Lycester, Baron of Denbigh, Knight of the Garter, etc. The author is one Raphael Holmshead. The following are extracts: The Scots and Picts being informed (of the building of the wall) they assembled together, and under the leading of a noble man called Graym, they set upon the Brytagnes (who were building the Dyke from Abercom to Dumbarton by order of the Romans, making it of ‘turfe’, sustained with certain posts of timber passing athwart the border) as they were buie in working the same, and slue not only a great number of labours and souldiours, which were to set to labour to defend the work, but also entering into the British borders fetched from thence a great bootie of Cattaile and other riches, etc. This Graym, who as I sayde was chief of the enterprys, was borne in Denmark (as some bode opinion) in the tyme of the Scottish men’s banishment, and had a Scottish man to his father descended of a noble house, and a Danish lady to his mother; he himself also married a noble woman of that nation, and had by him a daughter, whom Fergus by the perswasione of the King of Denmark took to wyfe, and had issue by hir (before his coming into Scotland) three sons Eugunius, Dongarus and Constantuos, of whom hereafter mention will be made.

Others affryme that this Grayme was Briton born, and throe hate of the Romans for their cruel government he fledde forth his native country, and continued ever after amongst the Scottes, first in Denmark and then in Albion.

‘The Leadership of Graym’

The author goes on to relate that whilst the Britons were busy sending ambassadors to Rome to consult about their defenses, the Picts and Scots advanced under the leadership of Graym. He was chief in repulsing the Bretagnes, and razed down the wall of Abercom, not leaving one piece thereon, so that only a few tokens are left to this day of that huge and wonderful work; it is called now in these days Grams Dyke, because that Grayme ye have heard was not only the chief in repulsing the Bretagnes from the same, but also at this time in the razing of it he was the greatest doer.

Mr. Gillespie’s History of Sterlingshire tells us that this wall runs along from Castle Cary parallel with Bonny water. After clearing Seabog Wood, it passes on to Chapel Hill, where a small Catellum stood on the north side of the ditch. It is between this point and Eli Hill that the wall bears the local name of Graham’s Dyke from the tradition that it was at this spot Graym brole trough the military cordon defending it.

For my purposes, the years 1225-39, with their indisputable proof of the tenure of the Graeme on Scotch soil, are sufficient. Certainly at this period, William de Grame was a person of assured position and wealth and established (as many of his descendants were to be also in the confidence and friendship of his king).

The first time the spelling of the name is written Graham is in Cambuskenneth charters in 1361. Hereto, it has been spelt Grame or Graym.

George Graham born in 1669, the Bishop of Orkney and Zetland had a large illustrious tree of his descent which was presented by him in 1177 to Stuart Thriepland in consequence of their relationship through the monk’s mother, Ann Smyth. This tree is elaborately drawn out and shows 22 quarterings on either side. Here and there are some blanks are left; it is illuminated on parchment folded into a morocco leather cover, and was drawn up to show his descent—a necessary qualification before being made Father Superior of the Capuchins. This tree is later on proved of some use in the service of the eighth laird to the Earldom of Montrose in 1770. On the left of the tree Father Graeme traces his descntback to Graeme the father in law of King Eugene, son of King Fergus, whose storming of the Roman wall in 407 A.D. has given the place near Falkirk the name of Graeme’s Dyke, which it holds to this day. The center tablet states that This is five and forty branches of the stems of which the four brothers James, Patrick, Robert and William Graeme are all heritably descended both from the father’s and mother’s side.

Norman, Pictish or Danish?

Other sources and scholars had opinions and theories on the origins and we present some of them to help in your decision to be Norman, Pictish or Danish descent:

From Calns and Families of Scotland, page 95:According to Buchanan of Auchmar, an ancestor of this family was appointed Regent or Governor of Scotland, during the minority of Eugenius, the successor of Kink Fergus; and being engaged in war with the Britons, he had an army over the wall of Agricola from which circumstances this wall has ever since entertained the name of Graham’s Dyke. In the year 1125, William de Graham is witness to the foundation charter of Hoylrood House. after which the family appears as Grantees in many charters, and are incidentally mentioned in others, so that thenceforth their history appears pretty clear and credible. A Sir Patrick was created Baron Graham in 1455; William, third lord, was killed at the Battle of Flodden; and his grandson, Robert, fell at the Battle of Pinkie.

Dictionary of National Biographies, Vol. 6, page 51, another book on the peerage says: The name has always been written interchangeably with Graeme, the Scottish Orthography. The earliest traceable ancestor (for we reject, of course, the fifth century hero, Graeme) is William de Graham, who settled in Scotland early in the 12th century. The surname, therefore, is clearly local and from its termination undoubtedly English. The only place in S. Britain of the name, which we find , is Graham near Kesteven, in Lincolnshire. The place meant is the well known town of Grantham, which is found as Graham in Medival records.

The Book of Surnames by Robert Bell, page 81: the name is territorial in origin from Grantham in Lincolnshire, a place noted in the Domesday Book, as both Grantham and Graham. The de Grahams were of Anglo-Norman family who settled in Scotland in the early 12th Century. The first of the name on record is William de Graham who witnessed the foundation charter of Holyrood Abbey in 1128. He was later granted the lands of Abercom and Dalkeith in Midlothian by David I. From that time the Grahams played a very important part in the affairs of Scotland.

A Vote for the Anglo-Saxons

In the Clan Graham News, Vol. 2 No. 5 , July 1984, an article entitled Who are the Grahams? states that Until recently the origins of the Grahams and their ancestors before they went to Scotland in the year 1026 was obscure. We know know that the family ancestry of the Grahams is traced to the ancient Anglo-Saxon Kinks of England through King Alfred the Great and the Norwegians who settled the Orkney Islands and became the original Vikings under Rollo the Great. They occupied the western Districts of France in 911 A.D. and became the historic Normans. Matilda, a descendant of King Alfred, married William, the youngest son of Duke Richard I of Normandy. Duke Richard II was the father of Duke William I, the Conqueror. Matilda’s daughter, and a cousin of Duke William I, married Gerold de Tankerville. Their youngest son, William de Tankerville, was a first cousin of William the Conqueror. His family were the hereditary Chamberlains of the Dukes of Normandy and prominent in Norman history.. They served with Duke William at Hastings and were rewarded with the Great Barony of Graham in Lincolnshire. The name ‘de of Graham originated here. Years later in Scotland the ‘de’ was dropped and thus the surname became "Graham

William de Graham, who was an English Baron and famous soldier, accompanied Kind David I, also a Norman, to Scotland and, as first Justicar of Scotland witnessed the charters of Holyrood Abbey (1126) and the chapel (1128). He was given the baronies of Dalkeith and Lothian, south of Edinburgh. From this family came all the future Grahams who comprised the ‘Great Historic Family of Grahams" in Scotland, the Grahams of Montrose and Monteith being the most prominent.

"Twice they married into the royal family. From them came many notable men, including Sir John de Graham, right hand man to the Great Wallace, killed in the Battle of Falkirk in 1298; the Great Marquis, religious leader, poet but above all, the most distinguished soldier of his time. He was martyred in 1650.

Evidence of Flemish Origin

The last theory we present to you on the origins was first present in an article by Claire Brooks and published in the official newsletter of the Clan Graham Association (UK) in 1998. In it she forceably advances the possibility of Flemish beginnings. The late Roger Graham, then chairman of the association introduced the article as…as masterly piece of original historical research, drawing together the many and various strands of the story, producing this lucid and readable account.

The article states that William de Graham was attending King David I of Scotland in his coronation procession in 1124. Many questions arise about the ancestors of William. Nine centuries later, the Grahams believe that he was a Norman and the son of a Norman, Ralph de Tancarville, Hereditary Chamberlian to the Dukes of Normandy. "Recent research and writings by Mrs. Beryl Platts, an expert in Heraldry, now presents an entirely different identity for William de Graham, which is justified by her detailed research and her wealth of knowledge of her subject. She has published three fascinating books: The Origin of Heraldry, Scottish Hazard Vol.1-The Flemish Nobility and their Impact on Scotland Scottish Hazard Vol. 2-The Flemish Heritage, published in 1980, 1985 and 1990 respectively by the Proctor Press, Greenwich, London, SE10 BER

Platts writes that our William was neither the son of Ralph de Tancarville, nor any other Norman, but was instead the son of Arnulf de Hesdin, son of Folk and nephew of Count Enguerrand, Comte de Hesdin in Flanders. Arnulf was of a Flemish noble family with an incredible pedigree and many lines of descent from Charlemagne. William, Duke of Normandy, needed ships and skilled officers for his invasion of England in 1066. The Flemish Nobles agreed to lend him 42 ships and crossed the channel themselves to fight the Normans at Hastings and were duly rewarded in return for English land grants. Arnulf and many Flemish Nobles fought on the right wing opposite Harold of England and undoubtedly contributed to the Norman victory. Anulf received land grants in 14 English counties, including part of Oxfordshire, where he built Norton Castle.

William the Conqueror was wise to seek the help of the Flemish Nobles as they were the best educated Nobles in Europe. They were great shipbuilders and International traders, experts in science and agriculture, not to mention their military prowess.

Arnulf, despite the fact that he was the second son of the second son in his family, was nevertheless, an important figure in Europe; he married a daughter of Ralph de Ghent, Peer of Flanders and Lord of A lost, and his wife Gisela, a daughter of the Count of Lyxumbourg; and his father, Folk, married a daughter of the great European family of Vermandois. He was related to most of the Counts in Flanders and it is said that his pedigree was revered by the Flemish. It should be noted that local his torians in Chipping Orton, Grantham and Shropshire County Council were contacted by Roger Graham and they provided considerable help about Arnulf and his own Immediate family. The proof of the identity of William De Graham and his father rest principally on the Flemish Heraldry from the 10 and 11th Centuries and on going, which was of great importance and pride to the Flemish. England did not have a real development of heraldry until the 13th Century. The de Hesdin Family heraldry devices were-’Azure, three escallops or ‘ i.e. a blue background and three gold escallops-the Arms of the Comte de Hesdin. William de Graham would take his Arms to Scotland and it is interesting that a couple of centuries later, Sir John Graham, a great-great-great-great grandson of William de Graham slightly altered the de Hesdin/Graham heraldic devices by adding a chevron of black and silver tincture of the de Gent family of Alost, into which family Arnulf had married. The personal Arms of the Duke of Montrose still carries two quarters the three escallops of de Hesdin. Confusion about Ralph de Tancarville could well have arisen when he borrowed the de Hesdin devices, as did the Malet family also. The Menteith Grahams also included the three escallops on their Arms, as do the Grahams of Inchbrakie with rather different colors, and did several border Graham families."

"The second piece of evidence as to the identity is the fact that the Scottish Graham family and the Scottish Stewart Family called each other ‘cousins’ from their early presence in Scotland. To make the revelant point as to the identity one must relate to Arnulfs daughter, Avelina. Arnulf had four or five children-one son Walter, heir to the Comte de Hesdin, our William, a son called Arnulf and a daughter, Avelina. Walter’s adult home was in Flanders. Avelina inherited a great part of Arnulfs English property and was known as the Domina de Norton. She married Alan Fitzfaald, son on Flaald, grandson ofFleance, and great grandson of Banquo, and one of the sons was called Walter FitzAlan who became the first High Stewart of Scotland, whose family took the name Stewart. Arnulf de Hesdin became the grandfather of the first Scottish Stewart and father of the first Scottish Graham, which is why they called each other cousins.

The Third piece of evidence relates to William’s presence in Scotland and association with David, later King David I. David, Earl of Cumbia, the youngest child of King Malcolm Canmore never expected to become king. In his teenage years his father sent him to England, to watch over his sister who married Henry I of England, and he lived there until his accession. He married a very important Princess of Flanders, Maud, widow of Simon de Senlis, around whom congregated many Flemish Nobles, whose company David enjoyed and from whom he learned much. He and his wife spent most of their time in England until his accession in 1124, when he then invited many of his Flemish friends, including William, to join him in Scotland to help him modernize his country, and, among other things, he gave William de Graham land grants in Dalkeith and Abercorn."

Fourthly we come to the matter of the surname. How did William come to change his name? Arnulf, after enjoying 29 happy and successful years in England, was accused in 1095 of having joined Robert de Mawbray, Earl of Nothumberland, in his rebellion against King William II (Rufus) and was about to be executed when the Pope requested William Rufus to produce an army for the First Crusade. Arnulf was reprieved. provided he fought a judicial duel and won, and he surrendered some of his English assets and some of his Flemish assets, and also that he agreed to join the First Crusade, all of which he accepted. He left his children in Chipping Norton Castle. In 1098, he was killed at the siege of Antioch. The closet relatives of the children were almost certainly from the de Ghent family of Alost, some of who had settled at the manor of Folkingham near Grantham. His son, Walter, was to return to Flander and succeeded to the de Hesdin Compte; Avelina was married; and it is a reasonable possibility that William joined his relative near Grantham, which may help the question of the ‘Graham Both Mrs. Platts and the local historian from Grantham confirmed that in the medieval period Grantham ignored the ‘nt’ in the name Granthham and, in fact, called it Graham and it was pointed out that Norman writers frequently left out nt. All the Flemish Nobles who emigrated to Scotland took more appropriate surnames for their new country. It is more than reasonable to accept that William did seek his relatives and settled in the Grantham area and remained there until his emigration to Scotland. His de Ghent relations took the surname of ‘Lindsay and William chose Graham. Finally, it is submitted that Ralph de Tancarville never set foot in England, as he remained loyally at his post as Chamberlain in Normandy, and his absence from England is confirmed by David C. Douglas in his book William the conqueror, first published in 1964."

The research of Beryl Platts has rendered much important knowledge for the Scottish people about their incredible Flemish heritage and for genealogist around the world who have Scottish ancestry. She has listed at least 29 Scottish Clans which originated in Flanders and there are more.

Well you can see that the many hours spent by scholars pondering our origins have only entrenched their resolve in the correctness of theory own theories. The several and varied ideas presented here will allow you to draw your own conclusions and perhaps, encourage you to prove your further research and arrive at the answer you find most fitting..

Theories on the Origins of the Grahams was first published July 2000 in the Clan Graham Society 25th Anniversary Souvenir Publication, edited by Larry M. Nichols, Vice President for Communications, Clan Graham Society

There is a legend of a Graham in Caldonia repulsing the Roman Legions and demolishing their wall, which became known as Graeme’s Dike. Historically first Graham was one of the Anglo-Norman barons who came to Scotland when King David I came to the throne in 1124. William de Graham or Graeme, that is of Greagham. He was one of the witnesses of David I’s Holyrood Charter, 1143-47. He afterwards obtained the lands of Abercorn and Dalkeith.

His great grandson, Sir David Graham, acquired Dundaff from Patrick, Earl of Dunbar and Strathblane and Mugdock from the Earl of Lennox. He had three sons: Sir Patrick, Sir David and Sir John, termed the ‘right hand ‘ of the patriot Wallace, who fell at the battle of Falkirk, 1298. Sir Patrick, his heir, a ‘goodly Knight fell in defence of Scotland at Dunbar in 1296.

Sir Patrick’s son, Sir David, signed the letter to the Pope. in 1320 and got from Bruce a charter for old Montrose, 1325. His descendent, Sir William, Dominus de Graham Kincardine obtained from Robert, Duke of Albany, a charter of entail of Old Montrose.

Patrick, his grandson, was created Lord Graham by James II about 1445. William the 3rd Lord, was created Earl of

Montrose by James IV in 1503. He fell at Flodden. James, the 5th Earl and 1st Marquis, was the illustrious Royalist and Lieutenant of Scotland for Charles I, who after several glorious campaign on behalf of the Scottish Crown was executed by the Parliament in 1650. John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount of Dundee, greatest of the Jacobite commanders and known as Bloody Clavers of Bonny Dundee, fell at Killecrankie in command of the army of James VII in 1689.

James, 4th Marquis, was created Duke of Montrose 1707; and James, 3rd Duke Highlanders were indebted for the Act in 1782 repealing the disgraceful statue of 1747, which made penal the use of Highland garb. Graham of Menteith, an historic branch, held the Earldoms of Airth, Menteith and Strathearn.

The Grahams of the Borders are descended from Sir John Graham of Kilbride, second son of malise, Earl of Strathearn and afterwards of Menteith. Sir John was ancestor of the Grahams of Gartmore in Perthshire.

The Clan

The Grahams have a noble tradition of patriotism and military leadership, dating back to the war of independence and including two of the greatest pro-Stewart generals, Sir Patrick, son of Sir David Graham of Dundaff (regarded as the real founder of the house of Montrose) was keeper of Stirling Castle. He died carrying the royal standard against the English in 1296. His nephew, Sir John, was the Richt Arm of Wallace. He fell at the battle of Falkirk in 1298. Sir Patrick was the first to hold lands in the Highlands through the marriage into the old Celtic House of Earls of Strathearn and his son was the first to hold lands in Montrose in Angus (as a result of an exchange with the king in 1325. In 1445, Patrick the current Graham Chief, became Lord Graham, and his grandson, the third Lord Graham, who was to die at Flodden, became the Earl of Montrose in 1505.

Some of the early Grahams that have been documented:

1. Isabel Graham was the second wife of Walter Stewart, 6th High Stewart of Scotland born 1292 and died 9 April 1326. He first married Marjory Bruce, [by whom Robert I, King of Scots]. Isabel was the sister of Sir John Graham of Albercorn (Reference: Scottish peerage Vol. I, page 14-15)

2. Elizabeth Graham, of Fintry, Married John Erskine, Laird of Dun. He was born 17 May 1504 and had a barony of Dun, on his father’s resignation, 28 January 1449. (Reference: :The Scottish Antiquary Vol.VI, page 51; John Guthrie Smith, Straightendrick-Glasgow 1896, page 155).

3. Elizabeth daughter of William Graham (41G-13), 2nd Earl of Montrose married George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness, died at Edinburgh, 9 September 1582 (Reference: Scots Peerage II, pages 340-341)

4. Elizabeth Graham will recorded 4 April 1576. She had been married to Goerge Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness (41F-13) (References: Scots Peerage Vol. II, page 340).

5. William Graham (43E-11), 2nd Lord Graham, M.P., died 1742. He had married Helen Douglas, seen 20 November 1486. (Reference: Complete Peerage Vol. VI, pages 222-223 * Vol. IX, page 12)

6. William Graham, 3rd Lord Graham, born about 1463, slain at Flodden, 9 September 1573, a familiar friend of James IV, he was Created in 1503, Earl of Montrose, married (1) 25 November 1479, Annabell Drummond (43D-13), daughter of Lord Drummond. (Reference: Scots Peerage Vol VI, pages 223-225).

7. William Graham, 2nd Earl of Montrose, 24 May 1571, a Regent of Scotland, 1536, Privy Councillor to Mary, Queen of Scots, 1561; married December 1515, Janet, daughter of William Keith, 3rd Earl of Marischal, by Elizabeth, daughter of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntley. (Reference: Scots Peerage Vol. Vi, pages 226-229).

8. Margaret Graham, Countess of Monteith, was probably by his first wife of Robert Stewart, a hostage for ransom of James I, in 1424, created before 5 September, Lord Lorn, died before 1449; married (dispensation 27 September 1397) Joan, daughter of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany (41D-(Reference: Complete Peerage Col. VIII, page 138; Scots Peerage Vol V, page 2-3).

9. Elizabeth Graham, died 15 March 1508, daughter of Sir Robert Graham, probably by his first wife; married John Erskine (41B-11), laird of Dun, died 17 May 1504. (References: Smith place cited; compare Northern Notes & Queries, Vol. Iv (1890) pages 117-118, which, however, confuses Elizabeth with her sister Marjory, who married Andrew Halliburton of Pitcar)

10. William Graham, 1st Earl of Montrose, born 1463 or 1464, slain at Floddin, 9 September, married Annabell Drummond, 4th daughter, seen in 1492, died before 17 March 1504/5. Married 25 November 1479 as his first wife. (Reference: Complete Peerage Vol. IV, page 469, note E; Vol. IX, page 146, Scots peerage Vol. VI page 225).

11. Sir Robert Graham, 1st Lord of Fintry, Provost of Dundee, 1465, died before 7 Jan 1492/3; married Janet, daughter of Sir Richard Lovell of Ballcumbie; married (2) Matilda daughter of Sir James Scrimgeour of Dudhope, January 1492/3. (Reference: Scots Peerage Vol. VI, page 218-219. John Guthrie Smith, Straithendrick-Glasgow 1896, page 154-156). His daughter Elizabeth married John Erskine.

12. Lady Euphemia Graham married Archibald Earl of Douglas & 2nd Duke of Touraine, son of Archibald, Earl of Douglas & his wife Princess Margaret daughter of Robert III, King of Scotland by his wife lady Annabelle Drummond. Son of Robert II.

13. Walter Stewart, the heraldry Lord High Stewart of Scotland 1293-1326 who had by his third wife Lady Isabel daughter of Sir John Graham of Albercorn goes back to Ethelred II King of England. (Reference Americans of Royal Descent. Lady isobel was a sister of Sir John Graham of Albercorn).

14. Lady Euphemia Graham married Archibald Earl of Douglas and 2nd Duke of Touraine son of Archibald Earl of Douglas and his wife Princess Margaret daughter of Robert III, King of Scotland by his wife Lady Annabelle Drummond and had. This lineage goes back to Robert II, King of Scotland. (Reference: Americans of Royal Descent).

15. John Graham, First Viscount Claverhouse, 1649-1689 a royal officer remembered for his enthusiastic & prolonged efforts toward the subjugation of the Scottish Presbyterian Covenanters, especially during 1684 called the Killing Time.

16. Mary Stewart, living 1458, married before 1416 was the second wife of Sir William Graham of Kincardine. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Homildon Hill, 14 September 1402. He was auditor in Exchequer 1405-1418. (Reference Scottish peerage I, 18 Vol. VI, 217).

17. John Erskine, Laird of Dun, d.17 May 1504 had a charter of the barony on his father’s resignation 28 January 1449. He married Elizabeth Graham if Ffintry (42C 11) (The Scottish Antiquary VI,51; John Guthrre Smith, Stratemdrick (Glasglow 1896) p/155)

18. Robert Stewart , a hostage for the ransom of James Iin 1424 before 1439. Lord Lorn d. before 1449; m. (dispensation 27 September 1397) Joan Daughter of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany (41D-8) probably by his first wife Margareta Graham, Countess of Menteith (Cp Viii, 138; SP V, 2-3)

19. Annabell Drummond, 4th daughter, swwn 1492, died before17 March1504/5, married 25 November 1479 as his first wife William Graham941G-12) 1st Earl of Montrose born 1463/4, slain at Flodden 9n September 1513(Vp IV, 469, not G/IX, 146, Sp VI/225)

20. Walter Stewart, 6th High Stewart of Scotland born 1292, die 9 April 1324, married Marjorie Bruce by whom Robert I, King of Scotland marriesd Isobel Graham sister of Sir john Graham of Albercorn (Sottish peerage I?14-15)

21. George Sinclair, 4th Earl od Cargness died at Edinburg 9 September 1582, married Elizabeth Graham (42G-14) daughter of William Graham (41G-13) 2nd Earl of Montrose (Sottish peerage II, 340-341)

All of the above was gleaned from the book Magna Charata Sureties, 1215 by Frederick Lewis & AthurAdams-Third Edition

From The Royal Descendants of 500 Immigrants:

1. Patrick Graham 1st Baron Graham married Christian Erskine whose father was Robert Erskine and her mother Elizabeth Lindsay. Her father was David Lindsay, 1st Earl of Crawford, who married Katherine Stewart whose father was Robert II, King of Scotland.

2. Margaret Graham married Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany whose father was Robert II, King of Scotland.

3. Katherine Graham traces her ancestry back to Edward II, King of England.

4. Sir John Scott, the fifth baronet, married 10 July 1792, Harriet, daughter of William Graham

Castles either owned or sacked by Grahams

Mugdock, Claypotts, Kirkandrews, Brackenhill, Dudhope, Buchanan, Hermitage, Newton, Gordon, Fyvie, Dollar Inverlochie.

The Earldoms of Menteith

1124-1694

Earldom of Strathearn

The Earldoms

of Starthern

Earldom of Strathearn

In 1988, I corresponded with Adam Graham of Ontario,

Canada. He was kind enough to send me his book on the

Grahams. Copies may be hard to find. His book traces

his ancestry back to B.C. The chart below is his family

tree.

James Graham-Marquis of Montrose ( 1612-1650 )

James Graham-Marquis of Montrose was the commander of the Royalist forces in Scotland during the Civil War. He suffered defeat at Philiphaugh. On 3rd September 1645 and fled to Norway. He was unable to raise followers upon his return in 1650. He was betrayed to the Parliament and executed in Edinburgh. His execution was gruesome. He was hanged and disemboweled at the Mercat Cross on 21 May 1650. Reportedly his last words, as he was pushed from the platform, were God have mercy on this afflicted land. After he died, his head, arms and legs were hacked off, the head being placed on a spike at the city’s Tolbooth, and the arms and legs put on display in the major Scottish towns. He was finally given a proper tomb in Edinburgh’s St. Giles Cathedral in 1888, ironically directly opposite his greatest adversary, Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyle, the inscription on his tomb, by

William Fathorne, read as follows:

"Scotland’s glory, Britain’s pride

As brave a subject as ere for monarch dy’d

Kingdoms in ruin often lie

But great Montrose’s Acts will never dye".

On himself, upon hearing what his sentence was to be he wrote:

Let them bestow on ev’ry Airth a limb;

Open all my veins, that I may swim

To Thee, my Savior, in that crimson lake;

The place my parboil’d head upon a s take,

Scatter my ashes, throw them in the air:

Lord (since Thou Know’st where all them atoms are)

"Scotland’s glory, Britain’s pride

As brave a subject as ere for monarch dy’d

Kingdoms in ruin often lie

But great Montrose’s Acts will never dye".

Scatter my ashes, throw them in the air:

Lord (since Thou Know’st where all them atoms are

I’m hopeful once Thou’lt recollect my dust,

And confident thou’lt raise me with the just.

Another poem attributed to him, reads as follows:

My dear and only love I pray

This noble world of thee

Be govern’d by no other sway

But purest Monarchy;

For if confusion have a part,

Which virtous souls abhor,

And hold a synod in thy heart,

I’ll never love thee more.

Like Alexander, I will reign,

And I will reign alone,

My thoughts shall ever more disdain

A rival on my throne.

He either fears his fate too much,

Or his deserts are small,

That puts it not unto the touch

To win or lose it all.

But I must rule and govern still,

And always give the law,

And have each subject at my will,

And all to stand in awe.

But ‘gainst my battery, if I find

Thou shunn’st the prize so sore

As that thou sett’st me up a blind,

The Exection of James Graham, Marquis of Montrose

by

William Topaz Gonogall

Twas the year of 1650, and on the twenty-first of May,

The City of Edinburugh was put in a state of dismay

By the noise of drums and trumpets, which on the air arose.

That the great sound attaractedthe notice of Montose.

Who enquied at the Catpainof the guard the cause of it,

Then the Officer told him, as he thought most fit,

That the Parliment dreading a n attempt might be made to rescue him,

The soldiers were called to arms, and that had made the din.

Do I, said Montrose, continue such a terror still?

Now when these good men are abo, ut my bloood to spill,

ut let them look to themselves, for after I am dead,

Their wicked consciencees will be in continual dread.

After partaking of a hearty breakfast, he commenced his toilet,

Which, in his greates troble, he seldom did forgave

And while in the act of combing his hair,

He was visited by the Clerk Regster, who made hm stare.

When he told him he souldn’t b so particular with his head,

For in a few hours he would be dead.

But Montrose replied, While my head is my own I’ll dress it at my ease,

And tomorrow when it becomes your, treat it as you please.

He was waited on by the Magistrates of the city,

But, Alas! for hm they had no pity.

He was habitated in a supberb cloak, ornamated with gold and siver lace,

And efrore the hour of execution an immense assemblage were found round the place.

From the prison, bareheaded, in a cart, they conveyed him along Watergate

To the place of execuion on High Street, where abut thirty thousand people did wait,

Some crying and sighing, a most pitiful sight to see,

All waiting patiently to see the executioner hang Montrose, a man of High Degree.

Around the place of execution, all of them were deeply affected, and air and magesty

But Montrose, the noble hero, seemed not the least dejected

And when on the scaffoldhe had,says the biographer Wishart,

Such a grand air and majesty, which made the people start.

As the fatal hour was approaching, when het0 bid the world adieu,

he told the executoner to make haste and get quickly through,

But the executioner, smiled grimly, but spoke not a word,

Then he tied the Book of Montrose’s Wars round hs neck with a cord.

Then he told the executioner, his foes would remember him thereafter,

And he was well pleased as if his Majesty had made him Knight of the Garter,

The he asked to be allowed to cover his head,

But he was denied permission, yet he felt no dread.

He then asked to keep on his cloak,

But was also deied, which was a most greviuos stroke;

Then he told the Magistrates, if they could invent any more totoures for him,

He would endure them all for the causes he suffered, and to think it no sin.

On arriving at the top of the ladder with great firmness,

His heroic appearance greatly did the bystander impress,

Then Montrose asked the executioner how long his body would be suspended,

Three hours was the answer, but Montrose was not the least offeded.

Then he presented the executioner with three or four peieces of gold,

Whim he freely forgave, to his hour to be told,

And told to throw him of as soon as he uplifted his hands,

While the executioner watched the fatal signal, and in amzement stands.

And on the noble patriot raining his hands, the executioner began to cry,

The quickly he pulled the corddown from the gibblet on high,

And around Montroise neck he fixed the rope very gently,

And in an istant the great Montrose was launched into eternity.

Then the spectators expressed their dissapprobation b general graon,

And they all disperded quietly, and wended their way home

And his bitterest enemies that saw his death that day.

Their hearts were filled withsorrow and dismay.

Thus died at the age of thirty-eight, James Graham, Maruis of Montrose,

Who was brought to a premature graveby his bitter foes;

A Commander who had acquired great military glory

In a short space of time, which cannot b equaled in story.

Letter from the Great Marquis to Black Pate.

lack Pate was the 5th Great Baron of Inchbrackie.

His wife was Jean Drummond

He was called Black Pate due to a black powder accident.

The signature of the Great Marquis

Montose Letter to Black Pate

Grahams of Esk, Netherby and Norton-Conyers

This is from the book Graham Genealogy

by Bernice Graham Fowlkes

The most important of the minor branches of the family of Grahams, are descended from Sir John Graham of Kilbride in the year Dunblane, 2nd son of Mailise, Earl of Strathearn. On account of the distinguished courage and daring exployits, he was commonly surnamed John, the Bright Sword. Having fallen into disfavor at Court, Sir John retired with a considerable number of his kinsman and clan to the Borders, in the reign of Henry IV and settled in the Debatable Land, a strip of territory on the banks of the Esk, near Solway Firth-so called because it was claimed by both, Scotland and England. (for more information on this subject read the book The Steel Bonnetts by George MacDonald Frazier). Sir Walter says that this fierce and hardy race:

‘Whoever lost, wer sure to win,

They sought the beeves that made their broth

In Scotland and in England both’

On July 6, 1605, 50 Grahams were sent to Brill and 72 to Flushing, cautionary towns of Northern Ireland, to serve in garrisons. Richard Graham, son of Walter Netherby Graham, was one of them and a letter in his behalf was written by the Earl of Montrose, from Holyrood House to the Governor of Flushing. many of the clan settled in Northern Ireland and prospered greatly and their descendants at the present day form the backbone of the industry of Ulster. Richard Graham purchased the estate of Netherby and the barony of Liddell from the Earl of Cumberland, was created a baronet in 1629 by the style of Sir Richard Graham of Esk. He was succeeded by his son, George. His younger son, Richard, was created a baronet in 1662 and was the ancestor of the Grahams of Norton Conyers.2 It is not an established fact, but thought by some, that Richard, father of William Graham was of this line since William was born in Ulster, Ireland.3

1 .Lay of the Last Minstrel, cato vi

2 The great Historic families of Scotland, Page 182-186 Vol. II by James Taylor M. A., D. D.

3This was taken from the book Graham Genealogy by" by Bernice Graham Fowlkes

According to the Web site: www.heritagequestionline.com

Few families, says Walter Scott, " can boast of more historical background that that of Graham. so much obscurity and fable involve the origin thereof, That even Sir Robert Douglas repeats the old story, that the Grahams are descended from a famous warrior who breached the Roman wall in 420, and win the name of Graham Dyke in the time of Fergus Ii. He was the progenitor of a noble family of Scotland, who when surnames came into use took the name of this famous ancestor.

William Graham is one of the witnesses of David I, Holyrood Charter, circa 1143-47. The first authentic appearance of the name occurred when he obtained the lands of Abercorn and Dalkeith. His grandson, and representative, David Graham, obtained from William the Lion before 1214 certain lands near Montrose. David’s son, of the same name, acquired under the succeeding monarch, by exchange of land belonging to him in Galloway, from Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, the lands of Dundaff and Strathearn; and from the Earl of Lennox those of Dundaff and Strathearn and Mugdock. He was one of the guarantees of a treaty with Henry III in 1244. His son, Sir David of Dundaff, married a daughter of the Earl of Strathearn, by whom he had three sons, Sir Patrick, Sir John, and Sir David. The second was Richt Hand of Wallace, in whose arms he died of his wounds after the battle of Falkirk. He assisted Sir William Wallace so manfully he was said to be next to Wallace the " most valiant of the Scots’. Sir Patrick had previously fallen at Dunbar and, when dying, gave his sword to his son, making him swear upon the blade that while he lived he would fight for Scotland. ‘That sword is now in the hands of the Duke of Montrose.

His grandson and representative, Sir David, in a Royal Charter, witnessed by him in 1360, is old Montrose. In that year his son Patrick, with many men of rank, appeared on the forth, near Stirling, to adjust a bloody feud between the Drummonds and the Menteith. His eldest son by a second marriage, Sir Patrick Graham of Elieston, was the ancestor of the Earls of Menteith of the name Graham.

His son, Sir William, Dominus de Graham et Kincardine, obtained from Robert, Duke of Albany, a charter containing an entail of old Montrose.. The lands of this Earl of Montrose were erected into a free Barony and Earldom, which formerly belonged to the progenitors by the gift of King James IV, and is to be seen in the Charterlary of Dumferling and in the Earl of Haddingtown collection in the Lawyer’s Library of London.

Patrick, his grandson, was one of the Lords of Regency after the murder of James II about 1445. The third Lord was created Earl of Montrose by James IV in 1504, and fell by the side of the latter at Flodden.

His great grandson, John, the third Earl ( whose father, Lord Graham, had fallen at Pinkie ) was Lord High Chancellor, and in 1598 Lord High Treasurer of the Kingdom.

James, fifth Earl, and first Marquis of Montrose, born in 1612, by the splendor ofhis valor in the Royal cause, was called: The Great Montrose". He was the king’s high commissioner and Lieutenant General of Scotland. He perished on the scaffold in 1650; but for the memory of his services to the Crown, James, fourth Marquis of Montrose, was raised to the Dukedom by Queen Anne in 1707.

Eighteen landed gentlemen, all with the surname Graham, officiated at the state funeral of the Great Marquis at Edinburgh in 1661.

The immediate ancestor of the Claverhouse Grahams was Sir William of Kincardine who lived in the time of Robert II. David, Brother of the first Viscount of Dundee, followed King James to France and died in 1700.

The Grahams of Barco and Gartmore, were made Baronets respectively in 1625 and 1665. The border Graemes,, who chiefly inhabited the Debatable Land, claimed their descent from them.

James, first Duke, died in 1742, and was succeeded by his son William, the second Duke, Great grandfather of Douglas, fifth and present Duke of Montrose. Since the twelfth century the succession of this family has been farther to son, the chief-ship never going astray than a brother succeeding a brother, or a grandson his grandfather; and since the sixteenth century all the heads of