Lord John Melville, 3rd Lord Melville of Monimail

Biographical Summary

"John, third Lord Melville of Monimail, succeeded his father in the family estates in January 1626, and was infeft in Raith 13 March 1626. He succeeded his cousin Robert in the title in 1635. The latter had been empowered by a royal charter of 1627 to nominate either his heir-general, James Melville of Hallhill, or his heir of conquest, John Melville of Raith, as his successor in the honours. His decision having been in favour of the Laird of Raith, the latter assumed the title on the death of his kinsman 19 March 1635. The King, however, at first declined to acknowledge him as Lord Melville, and instructed the Scottish Privy Council to forbid the use by the Laird of 'suche title of a lord ' until authorised by royal warrant. The Council thereupon summoned Melville before them, but, on his production of the royal charter of 1627, they were satisfied, and informed the King accordingly. On 11 May 1636 he was retoured heir of conquest and provision to Robert, Lord Melville, in the lands and barony of Monimail, with the title of Lord Melville, and in the lands of Letham, Monksmire, and others, in the county of Fife. He was present in the short Parliament of 1639 and in that of the following year. About the year 1640 Lord Melville's net rental in the parish is stated at 3900 merks. In March 1643 his lands of Monimail, Raith, and others were erected into the barony of Monimail. He died 22 May 1643. His will was confirmed 27 May 1644, the debts exceeding the personal estate and assets by 2927. He married (contract 27 October 1627) Anne, elder daughter and co-heiress of Sir George Erskine of Innerteil, a Lord of Session, with the title of Lord Innerteil, a brother of the first Earl of Kellie, and by her, who survived him and was still alive in 1648, he had issue :

• George, who succeeded.
• John, named in his father's will. He died, without issue, before 1675.
• James, who acquired the lands of Cassingray. On 22 August 1693 he witnessed a discharge by his brother George, at Melville. He appears to have died about 1706. He married (contract 7 September 1673) Anne, daughter of Mr. Alexander Burnett of Carlops. There was apparently no issue of the marriage, as his nephew David, third Earl of Leven, was retoured his heir-general 19 August 1714.
• Isabel, who was provided in 1643 to the sum of 6000 merks. She appears to have died young.
• Jean, who was also provided to 6000 merks. She died between 1645 and 1650.
• Anna, who was provided with a similar portion as her elder sisters. She was married to Thomas Boyd, younger of Penkill. She had issue, and died before 1675.
• Catherine, who was similarly provided for with her sisters. She died unmarried, and was buried at Raith 18 March 1692."

SOURCE: The Scots peerage, Vol. VI, page 105