Sir George Leslie, 1st Baron of Balquhain

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“CHAPTER I

"Sir George Leslie,

"First Baron of Balquhain.

"The distinguished family of Balquhain is, as Sir Walter Scott styles it, an ancient and honourable family of an ancient and honourable name. It is descended from Sir George Leslie, fifth son of Sir Andrew de Leslie, sixth Dominus Ejusdem, or of that Ilk, by his wife Mary Abernathy.

"Sir George Leslie got the estate of Balquhain, in the Garioch in Aberdeenshire, from his father, and obtained a royal grant of it for services to Robert Bruce in his wars against Edward II., and in those against Edward Baliol during the minority of David II., from whom, in 1340, he received charters of the lands and baronies of Balquhain, Syde, and Braco, which his family have continued to possess for upwards of 500 years. Hence he and his successors received the style and title of Barons of Balquhain, and use supporters to their arms -- a privilege allowed only to the oldest barons, and acquired by this family very deservedly for its public services, antiquity, extensive possessions, and the number, rank, and quality of its descendents. The Barons of Balquhain were wont to be created upon earls and great barons, and many of them held office of Sheriff-principal, or chief magistrate, of their native country of Aberdeen, which office was intrusted solely to the highest nobility.

"The following noble and distinguished families in Scotland, Ireland, France, and Germany, are descended from the family of Balquhain:--

" I. The Counts Leslie, in Germany.

" II. The Leslies of Pitcaple, from whom are descended the Leslies of Old Craig.

" III. The Leslies of Kincraigie.

" IV. The Leslies of Wardis, baronets, from whom are descended the Leslies of Warthill, the Leslies of Bucharn, the Leslies of Clisson in France, the Leslies of Dyce, The Leslies of Tarbet in Ireland, and the Leslies of Glasslough, also in Ireland.

" V. The Leslies of New Leslie, from whom are descended the Leslies of Kininvie, and the family of Leslie, Earls of Leven.

" VI. The Leslies of Crichie, from whom was descended the family of Tytler of Woodhouselee.

" VII. The Leslies of Cults, from whom was descended John Leslie, Bishop of Ross in the reign of Queen Mary.

"Sir George Leslie, first Baron of Balquahin, married Elizabeth Keith, daughter of the Baron of Inverugie, and by her had a son, Hamelin, who succeeded him as second Baron of Balquhain.

"Sir George Leslie died in 1351, and was buried in the churchyard of Logydurno."