John Abernathy, 8th Lord Saltoun

Biographical Summary

"John, eighth Lord Saltoun, signed his sister's marriage-contract in 1595, but did not make up his title to the estates till 1601, when he was served heir to his father, and in 1603 and 1606 he was served heir to his grandfather in many of his possessions. On 21 February 1602 he had a charter of novodamus of the barony of Saltoun, and on 26 April 1610 a grant of the lands of Balvenie. It has been suggested that he went with the King to England, and there, like so many other Scottish noblemen, spent more money than he could afford. Whatever may have been the reason, it is certain that he fell into embarrassed circumstances, and in 1612 disposed of a large portion of his estates, which were parted among various creditors. He died between 5 June and 21 September 1612, having married, first, Magdalen, daughter of Henry Urquhart, younger of Cromarty ; she had a charter as his future wife 30 September 1601, and died 4 April 1603 ; secondly (contract dated 20 April and 5 August 1605), Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of the 'bonny Earl of Moray,' but had no children by her. She died before the end of 1608, and he married, thirdly (contract 30 December 1608), Anne Stewart, elder daughter of "Walter, first Lord Blantyre. She survived him many years and subsequently had, by James, Marquess of Hamilton, a natural daughter Margaret, who was married to James Hamilton, first Lord Belhaven. By his first wife Lord Saltoun had issue :

• Margaret, mentioned in her mother's testament.

By his third wife he had:

• Alexander, ninth Lord Saltoun.
• Anne, born 19 November 1609, died in infancy.
• Margaret, born 2 February 1613, died, unmarried, about 1669."

SOURCE: The Scots peerage, Vol. VII, page 413