Sir Robert Grierson of Lag, 1st Baronet

Biographical Summary

"Robert Grierson, of [Rock Hall, in] Lag, co. Dumfries, s. and h. of William Grierson, or Grier, of Farquhar, by Margaret (mar. contract June 1654), da. of Sir James Douglas, of Mouswald (which William was 2d s. of Sir Robert Grierson, or Grier, of Lag, sometime, 1628-33, 1639-41, 1643, 1644-47 and 1648, M.P. [S.] for Dumfries Sheriffdom, who d. about 1654), was served h., 9 April 1669, to his cousin Robert (s. and h. of Sir John Grierson, of Lag), who had d. 17 March 1666, at the age of 18; was M.P. [S.] for Dumfries Sheriffdom, 1678, 1681-82 and 1685-86 ; was Steward of Kirkcudbright, making himself notorious by his vehement persecution of the Covenanters, and was cr. a Baronet [S.], as above, 25 March 1685, with rem. to heirs male whatsoever and with a pension of £200 a year. In April 1685, he presided at the trial and execution for refusing to take the abjuration oath of the two women known as " the Wigtown martyrs." After the Revolution he suffered many fines and imprisonments. He executed various entails 26 Oct. 1713, 28 Aug. 1719, 22 Oct. 1725, and 20 Dec. 1733, chiefly in favour of his 4th and yst. s., Gilbert, and to the exclusion of his eldest son. He m. Henrietta, 3d da. of James (Douglas), 2d Earl of Queensberry [S.], by his 2d wife Margaret, da. of John (Stewart), 1st Earl of Traquair [S.]. He d. 15 April 1736."

SOURCE: Complete baronetage; Cokayne, George E. (George Edward); 1904; Vol. IV; page 327