James Stuart, 8th Earl of Moray

Biographical Summary

"James, eighth Earl of Moray, was born about 1708, and was served heir to his father 2 April 1740. Not long after his succession to the Peerage he was created a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, 23 February 1741 ; and he sat in the House of Lords as a Representative Peer from 1741 till 1767. Under the Act of 1747 for abolishing heritable jurisdictions he obtained 3000 for the sheriffship of Moray and Elgin, and 1200 for the stewartry of Menteith, in all 4200, in full of his claim for 14,000. He died at Donibristle 5 or 6 July 1767. He married, first, December 1734, Grace, daughter of George Lockhart of Carnwath, and widow of John, third Earl of Aboyne. She died at Darnaway 17 November 1738. The Earl married, secondly, 24 April 1740, Margaret, second daughter of David, third Earl of Wemyss. She died at Drylaw, near Edinburgh, 31 August 1779.

By his first marriage the Earl had issue :

• Francis, ninth Earl of Moray.
• Euphemia, born 27 August 1735, died 3 October 1770, unmarried.

By his second marriage he had :

• James, born 17 April 1741 ; captain 20th Foot, 24 February 1762; lieutenant-colonel Sutherland Fencible Regiment, 1793 ; deputy-governor of Fort George, 13 January 1777 ; captain North British Veteran Battalion, 21 April 1803. Died at Fort George 4 May 1808.
• David, born in 1745 ; was a lieutenant in the Navy, and died at Budley Saltarton, Devonshire, 12 June 1784. He married Elizabeth Begg, who died in Castle Street, Edinburgh, 14 October 1799, leaving issue."

SOURCE: The Scots peerage, Vol. VI, page 325