Helen Sinclair of Stempster

Donald Mackay, who died towards the close of 1550, married Helen, daughter of Alexander Sinclair of Stemster, son of William, second Earl of Caithness, to whom he gave certain lands in liferent soon after he had obtained a legal right to his property, and by her had issue :

• 1. Iye du, of whom follows.
• 2. a daughter, married to John, fourth chieftain of the Aberach Mackays, with issue.
• 3. Florence, married to Neil Macleod of Assynt, with issue.

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Disambiguation

Three different Helen Sinclair’s.

Helen Sinclair OGILVY was married to James Ogilvie is one -- and married ONLY to Lord James Ogilvy of Airlie. (daughter of Henry Sinclair, 3rd Lord Sinclair) had 4 sons and 4 daughters

Helen Sinclair Mackay who was married ONLY to Donald Mackay, 11th Chief of the Mackays (Alexander Sinclair of Sempster's daughter -- check Angus Mackay's book which you have piece of posted on this). They had 1 son and 2 daughters.

Helen Sinclair who married Alexander Hamilton. 11 sons and 1 daughters

Notes

Donald Mackay, who died towards the close of 1550, married Helen, daughter of Alexander Sinclair of Stempster, [ In the reign of King James V., Alexander Sinclair of Stempster had a charter under the Great Seal, dated 2nd November 1529, as follows:—" Alexandro Sinclair de Stamster et Elizabeth Innis, suae sponsae, terrarum de Dunbeath, Rae, et Sandside, in Baronian Dunbeth." Reg. Mag. Siff. and Blk. MS.] second son of William, Earl of Caithness.

Soon after Mackay obtained legal entry of his lands, he resigned a part of them to the Crown in order to secure for his wife a life-rent interest in the said part, viz., the lands of Balnaheglais and Golval, the lands of Straye, Armadale, Renowy, Melnes, Dirlot, Cattock, Broynoch, the water of Farr from the big ford to the sea, the water of Halladale from Bighouse to the sea, the water of Straye, the water of Hope from the loch to the sea.

His wife, Helen, obtained a life-rent charter of these lands, dated 22nd February, 1545, which we give in our Appendix. The issue of this marriage was one son and two daughters :

• i. lye Du Mackay, who succeeded, and of whom an account follows.
• ii. A daughter, who married John, 4th Aberach Mackay chieftain, and had issue as given in our Genealogical Account of the Aberach Mackays.
• ii. Florence, who married Neil Macleod of Assynt and had issue, as see Douglas' Baronage, p. 392, as also the Blk. MS.

Pg. 93

No. 15. Excerpt Liferent Charter under the Great Seal to Helen Sinclair, spouse of Donald Mcky of Farr, of the lands of Balnaheglis, Golval, Strathy, Armadale, Renovy, Melness, Dilret Cattack, and Broinach, with the Water of Farr from the big ford to the sea, the Water of Hallodale from Bighouse to the sea, the Water of Strathy, and the Water of Hope from the loch to the sea, 22 Feb., 1545 :—

Maria Dei gratia regina Scotorum etc. Sciatis nos etc., dedisse ect delecte nostre Helene Sinclare, sponse Donaldi McKy de Far, in vitali redditu pro omnibus sue vite diebus tantum terris de Balneglis cum molendino multuris et pertinentiis eiusdem, Gallowall cum molendino multuris et pertinen. suis, Stray cum molendino multuris efc pertinen. ejusdem, Armidaill cum molendino multuris et pertinen. ejusdem, Ranowy cum molendino multuris et pertinen. ejusdem, Melness cum molendino multuris et pertinen. ejusdem, Dilbart Cattock et Broynocht cum molendinis multuris et pertinen. earundem, aquam de Far a lato vado ad mare usque cum piscatione salmonum solita et consueta, aquam de Hallodale a lie Beghouse ad mare usque cum piscatione salmonum solita et consueta, aquam de Straye cum piscatione salmonum ejusdem solita et consueta, ac etiam aquam de Hoip a lacu ad mare usque cum piscatione salmonum ejusdem solita et consueta, jacen. infra vicecomitatum nostrum de Inverness etc. Apud Edinburgh vigesimo secuudo die mensis Februarii, anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo quinto, et regni nostri quarto.

pg. 393-394

THE BOOK OF MACKAY BY ANGUS MACKAY, M.A. (St. Andrews University) Minister at Westerdale, Caithness EDINBURGH : NORMAN MACLEOD, -25 GEORGE IV. BRIDGE CANADA : EDWARD MACKAY, ST. PETER'S MANSE, MADOC, ONT. M DCCCC VI

References

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sinclair-1412
• http://mackayproject.cundiffgenealogy.org/getperson.php?personID=P4...
• Caithness Family History. By John Henderson. Page 15-16. < GoogleBooks >. Helen Sinclair is not listed as a child of Alexander Sinclair.
• < “Iye Du Mackay, 12th of Strathnaver” > From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. “Iye Du Mackay was the eldest son of Donald Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver, chief of Clan Mackay and Helen Sinclair, daughter of Alexander Sinclair of Stempster who was in turn the second son of William Sinclair, Earl of Caithness and chief of the Clan Sinclair.[2] Iye Du Mackay succeeded his father Donald who died towards the end of 1550.[2]”
• 2. Mackay, Angus. (1906). The Book of Mackay. (St Andrew's University). Printed by William Rae, Wick. Page 93. < Archive.Org >

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HELEN SINCLAIR

Genealogy

1. The Saint-Clairs of the Isles; being a history of the sea-kings of Orkney and their Scottish successors of the sirname of Sinclair. Arranged and Annotated by Roland William Saint-Clair. (h. Brett, Auckland, New Zealand, 1898), 558 pp.
2. Stirnet: Sinclair 14

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HELEN SINCLAIR

Genealogy

1. The Saint-Clairs of the Isles; being a history of the sea-kings of Orkney and their Scottish successors of the sirname of Sinclair. Arranged and Annotated by Roland William Saint-Clair. (h. Brett, Auckland, New Zealand, 1898), 558 pp.
2. Stirnet: Sinclair 14