Sir Alexander Erskine of Cambo, 2nd Baronet

Biographical Summary

"Sir Alexander Erskine, Baronet [S. 1666], of Cambo, only s. and h., b. 1665; suc. to the Baronetcy in Feb. 1677, though not served heir to his father till 12 Oct. 1686 ; was, when under age, installed Lyon King of Arms, 27 July 1681, an office which, under the Great Seal, 29 Jan. 1702, he held with rem. to his son, Alexander Erskine (who predeceased him) ; was Joint Keeper of the Signet, 1711 ; M.P. [S.] for Fifeshire (two Paris.) 1710-15 ; joined the Jacobite rising in Aug., but surrendered, 17 Sep. 1715, and was imprisoned at Edinburgh till it was put down. He m. in 1680 Mary, 1st da. of his paternal uncle, Alexander (Erskine), 3d Earl of Kellie by his 1st wife, Mary, da. of Col. Kirkpatrick. He d. (not in 1735 but) in 1727."

SOURCE: Complete baronetage; Cokayne, George E. (George Edward); 1904; Vol. IV; page 255-256

Other References

• The Scots peerage, Vol. V, page 91-92

COLONIAL CORRESPONDENCE, with Samuel Cranston, Governor of Colonial Rhode Island

I
To all and sundry whom these presents do or may concern, I, Sir Alexander Erskine of Cambo, Knight & Baronet, Lyon King of Arms of that part of Great Britain called Scotland Isles and Dependences thereof, sendeth Greeting.

Whereas I have taken to my consideration the application made to me as Lyon King of Arms in the name of & behalf of Samuel Cranston, sometime Gov of Rhode Island

II
on the east coast of New England, son to the deceased John Cranston, sometime Gov. of said Island, of Scottish Extract, for an authentic Diploma or Certificate of his Genealogy an Descent of his Coat of Arms proper for him: and having made all inquiry into the said matter, do therefore hereby certify & declare, that said John Cranston was lawful son of John Cranston A.M. (Above Mentioned) and one of the chaplains of his Sacred Majesty King Charles I

III
of ever blessed memory, of which James Cranston was lawful son(.) John Cranston of Boul and Christian, his wife, daughter of Sir Robert Stewart predecessor to the Earl of Fraquair, which said John was a younger son of James Cranston, brother to John Lord Cranston and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell and which James Cranston was son to William Lord Cranston and Helena, his wife, daughter of Knight & Baronet, Lyon King of Arms of that

IV
Cranston and Helena, his wife, daughter of James Lindesay, predecessor to the Earl of Crawford. And the Ensign Armourial of the said Samuel Cranston are matriculated & recorded in the Registers of my office and are thus blazoned, riz Gules three Cranes argent with a bordine imbattled of the second above the shield & helmet befitting his degree with a mantle, gules doubling argent and wreath of his colors is set for his crest a crane passant motto Dum Vigilo Curo,

V
which coat of arms above blazzoned Gratify, assign & confirm to the said Samuel Cranston and his heirs in all time coming, as their proper Coat of Arms & Rearing. In testimony whereof I have subscribed these presents with my hand & have caused to be appended my seal of office hereto at Edinburgh the 29th day of June, 1724.

Alexander Erskine, Lyon