William Elphinstone of Calderhall

WILLIAM ELPHINSTONE OF CALDERHALL

Sheriff-depute of Orkney (1576); Sheriff of Orkney (1603)

William Elphinstone of Calderhall is the son of Alexander, Lord Elphinstone, and his wife Katherine Erskine. He and his twin brother Michael, afterwards Sir Michael Elphinstone, were born on 26 September 1544. Their place of birth has not been identified. The Scotts Peerage iii, pp. 533-34

His Last Will and Testament

William Elphinstone of Calderhall was a resident of Stirling when he made his last will and testament on 3 June 1602. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Court of Edinburgh, Testament Testamentar of 'umqle Wm Elphingstoun brothr germane to umqle Rot Lord Elphingstoun indwellar in Stirling', reference CC8/8/37]

Death

William Elphinstone of Calderhall died on 26 July 1602. The place of his death is not certainly known but he was a resident of Stirling at the time of his death, and it seems quite likely that he died there. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Court of Edinburgh, Testament Testamentar of 'umqle Wm Elphingstoun brothr germane to umqle Rot Lord Elphingstoun indwellar in Stirling', reference CC8/8/37]

Marriage

William Elphinstone of Calderhall married Janet Henderson.

Children

1. Harry Elphinstone of Calderhall
2. Sir William Elphinstone, Kt.
3. Michael Elphinstone
4. Margaret Elphinstone
5. Jean Elphinstone

Bastard Son

William Elphinstone of Calderhall had a bastard son. The name of the mother is not known.

1. James Elphinstone

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

7 April 1589: Charter by which Robert, Earl of Orkney, confirms that he has given a feu ferme charter for the lands of Tresness on the Orkney island of Sanday to William Elphinstone, brother of Robert, Lord Elphinstone. Elphinstone's charter was confirmed under the Great Seal of Scotland on 30 May 1602. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1593-1608, charter number 1312 on p. 460

                   2

8 May 1592: Charter by James Henryson of Fordell (Fordells) in favour of William Elphinstone of Calderhall of annualrent of 250 merks from lands of Easter Clinkhill. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Henderson Family of Fordell, reference GD172/40

                   3

20 November 1603: Charter by which Thomas Livingstone of Hanyng confirms that he has given various lands in Stirlingshire, including Hanyng, to his son and heir Alexander Livingstone, and to Alexander's wife Janet Henderson, the widow of William Elphinstone, sheriff of Orkney. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1593-1608, charter number 1499 on p. 547

Biographical Account by Peter D. Anderson

Brother of Robert, Lord Elphinstone, and Robert Stewart's uncle (i.e. Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney, Lord of Shetland). Granted pension by Robert 1 August 1568 from tiendsheaves of Kinneil and Carriden (RRS, vii, no. 1907). Witnessed Adam Bothwell's charters to Robert and his son 17 July 1572 (Reg. Ho. Chs., SRO RH.6/2254; Abbrev. Chs., SRO E 14/2, ff. 146-9). November same year was principal with John Dishington and James Hay (qq.v) as cautioners in contract with James Marshall and William Monteith, (qq.v) in which money for 'setting fordwart and avansing' Robert's affairs was exchanged for Orkney produce (Reg. Deeds (1st Series) x, 211) 19 January 1575 warded with Bruce of Cultmalindie in south (TA, xiii, 93) but was furth of Edinburgh 13 January 1576, when messenger sent to charge him to find caution that he and Patrick Monteith (q.v.) would underlie law in Edinburgh Tolbook 17 October next (TA, xiii, 136). 20 December same year was himself charged as sheriff depute of Orkney, to apprehend Monteith and 20 others at horn for slaughter of Adam Dickson (RPC, ii, 576). May well be William Elphinstone who was appointed 'sewar' to the king for life 18 January 1581 (RRS, viii, no. 88) and granted gift of escheat of fruits of subdeanery of Orkney for 1580, (Ibid, viii, no. 373). 7 April 1589 granted charter by Robert of lands of Tresness, Sanday (RMS, vi, no. 1312). Married Jean Henderson of Fordell (Scots Peerage, iii, 533). [Peter D. Anderson, Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney, Lord of Shetland, 1533-1593 (John Donald, Edinburgh, 1982), pp. 71 et seq. for William Elphinstone and p. 173 for a short biography]

Biographical Summary

"William Elphinstone, born 26th September, 1544, had a charter of the landsof Trosnes, in Orkney, 30th May, 1602, wherein he is designed brother-german of Robert, Lord Elphinstone. He m. Janet, daughter of Sir James Henderson, of Fordall, and had, with several daughters, two sons, Harry, his heir; and William (Sir), who, died unmarried."

Genealogy

1. The Elphinstone Family Book of the Lords Elphinstone, Balmerino and Coupar. By Sir William Fraser, KCB., LLD. In Two Volumes. Col. I - Memoirs (Edinburgh, 1897), 345 pp. See pp. 90-1 for notice of the family of William Elphinstone
2. The Elphinstone Family Book of the Lords Elphinstone, Balmerino and Coupar. By Sir William Fraser, KCB., LLD. In Two Volumes. Vol. II - Memoirs etc. (Edinburgh, 1897), 401 pp. See pp. 161-2 and 268 for mention of William Elphinstone
3. The Scots Peerage etc. Volume III. (David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1906), pp. 525-54 for Elphinstone, Lord Elphinstone
4. A Genealogical History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland etc. By John Burke, Esq. Vol. II., pp. 371-72 for Elphinstone of Calderhall