James Elphinstone of Barnes

JAMES ELPHINSTONE OF BARNES (formerly JAMES ELPHINSTONE OF QUARRELL

Spurious Pedigree

Six of the eight children attributed to James Elphinstone of Quarrel and his wife Catherine Gordon by the genealogy website Our Family Histories actually belong to James Elphinestone of Woodside and his wife Katherine Bisset. It is difficult or impossible to explain how this mistake could have been made, because Catherine Gordon and Katherine Bisset are two quitre different people. Moreover, James Elphinstone of Woodside had a daughter whose name is not mentioned in her baptismal record dated 22 August 1611 and, without explanation or justification, Our Family Histories has identified her as Catherine Elphinestone

The Question of Identity

James Elphinstone of Barnes here treated is the second son of Alexander, Lord Elphinstone, and his wife Jane Livingstone. According to Sir James Balfour Paul, he was born at Kildrummy in Aberdeenshire on 20 November 1580. He died between 14 April and 6 May 1628. He married twice. He was married first to Catherine Gordon, with whom he had one child, a daughter named Jean. He was married second to Helen Forbes, with whom he had two children, Alexander, who succeeded as Lord Elphinstone, and Anna. The Scots Peerage III: 538

Death

James Elphinstone of Barnes died between 14 April 1628 and 6 May 1628. The Scots Peerage III: 538

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

15 September 1626: Copy charter by John, Earl of Mar, and John, Lord Erskein [Erskine], his son, to Mr James Elphinstoun [Elphinstone] of Barnes [Barns], son of Alexander, Lord of Elphinstoun, and to Helen Forbes, his spouse, of lands of Balnabothe [Balnaboth] and Blewmilne, in parish of Kilbatho [Towie], and others, in barony of Kildrymie [Kildrummy], containing obligation upon said grantees to appear at 'vapinschawingis'. Annexed: obligation, same date, by said Mr James and Helen to fulfil terms of said charter. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Erskine Family, Earls of Mar and Kellie, reference GD124/1/309

Genealogical Accounts

1. The Scots Peerage, Vol III, pp. 525-54 for Elphinestone, Lord Elphinestone
2. The Elphinstone Family Book I: 345 pp
3. The Elphinstone Family Book II: 401 pp. including index
4. Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy: James Elphinstone of Quarrell