Sir James Naesmyth of Posso, 1st Baronet

Biographical Summary

"James Naesmyth [or Nasmyth], of Dawick, co. Peebles, said to be b. of John Nasmyth, by Isabella, da. of Sir James Murray, of Philiphaugh, was Advocate 17 March 1684, becoming a very successful lawyer (though at one time disbarred, but in 1696 re-instated), and having acquired in 1691 or 1692 the estate of Dawick from the family of Veitch (of which he had crown charter, 17 Sep. 1703, ratified by Act. of Pari. 1705) was known as the De'il of Daick, and was cr. a Baronet [S.], 31 July 1706, with rem. to heirs male whatsoever. He purchased, in or before 1709, the Barony of Posso, co. Peebles, from his cousin, Dr. Robert Nasmyth. He m. firstly in 1688, Jean, widow of Sir Ludovick Gordon, 2d Baronet [S. 1625], da. of John Stewart, of Ladywell. He m. secondly, Janet, 5th and yst. da. of Sir William Murray, 1st Baronet [S. 1664], of Stanhope, by Janet, da. of James (Johnstone) 1st Earl of Hartfield [S.]. He m. thirdly (contract 15 June 1702) Barbara, 1st da. of Andrew Pringle, of Clifton, co. Roxburgh. He d. 20 July, 1720, having, 19 Nov. 1709, executed an entail of his dignities and lands, including the recently purchased estate of Posso. His widow d. 2 July 1768."

SOURCE: Complete baronetage; Cokayne, George E. (George Edward); 1904; Vol. IV; page 441