Notes from "...Earldom of Sutherland"

The line of the Earldom of Sutherland, according to Sir Robert Gordon:

Alane Southerland, Thaine of Southerland
- killed by King Macbeth

his son... Walter Southerland, First Earle of Southerland
- when very young, was restored to his father's estate by King Malcome
- it was King Malcome who changed the Thanes in Scotland to new names,
erles, lords, barrons, and knights
- Walter was created Erle of Southerland by King Malcolme
- died very old, leaving son Robert to be his successor

his son... Robert Southerland, Earle of Southerland
- "This Robert earle of Southerland wes the first founder and builder of
the castell of Dounrobin, so called from his name; for Doun-Robin signefieth
the mote or hill of Robert." (p. 26)
- died very old

Hugh Southerland, Earle of Southerland, Nicknamed Freskin
- succeeded Robert, but Sir Robert Gordon does not state any relation between them
- during the time of "Richard the First, king of England, surnamed Coeur de Lyon"
and "William, king of Scotland"
- "keiped his cuntrey and the inhabitants therof frie from the oppression of others
all the dayes of his liffe." (p. 30)
- succeeded by his son, William Southerland, which is the one we now refer to as
the 1st Earl of Sutherland.

"This Hugh Freskin, erle of Southerland, disposed by his charter, under his seale, unto Mr Gilbert, archdeacon of Morray, and to his heirs, the lands of Skelbo, Inwershin, and Ferrinbusky, lying within Southerland. This charter was confirmed by King William the Lyon, the 29th day of Aprile, at Slishcheles, and the king's great seale was annexted thereto; which is yet extant among the Erle of Sutherland's writs: and I had a sight of it from James Southerland, tutor of Duffus, it being then among his nevoyes writs. Heir it is to be observed, that in the originall confirmation, their is neither mention maid of the yeir of Chryst, nor of the yeir of the king's raigne, onlie ther is the day of the moneth, with the king's seale annexed therunto." (p. 28)

The mentioned James Southerland, Tutor of Duffus, is our ancestor. He is also called James Sutherland of Kinminitie. He lived from 1586-1679. His father had died in 1616, and his son that we are descended from was just born in 1625. Sir Robert Gordon wrote this in about 1630.

"nevoyes" = nephew's.... James Sutherland of Kinminitie was the Tutor of his nephew, the Laird of Duffus.