Sutherlands of Kinminity

134. Sutherland Of Kinminity.—In a Description of the Parish of Keith, written in 1742, and quoted by the Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon in the "Chronicles of Keith," a statement is made as to the financial condition of the last Sutherland of Kinminity. Early in 1742 (according to the sympathetic but exceedingly frank writer), Alexander Sutherland of Kinminity, who lived at Tarmore, the mansion-house •of Kinminity being in ruins, "fell over a fore stair at Fochabers and broke his scull, of which he died, leaving a poor widow and a numerous male family in great misery." Is anything known as to the fate of these children, or where their descendants (if any) are to be found ? Although a minor family, the Sutherlands of Kinminity possessed what might be termed an illustrious pedigree. Writing a few years ago on the Irvines of Drum in a local paper, I assumed that Kinminity was a cadet branch of Duffus, and descended from Nicholas, younger son of Kenneth Sutherland, 3rd Earl of Sutherland, who fell at Halidon Hill in 1333. I have since found this to be correct. James Sutherland, who had a charter of Kinminity from James Grant of Freuchie in 1657, was a brother of William Sutherland of Duffus. He owned considerable property in Elgin, and was known as the "Tutor of Duffus," having been guardian of his nephew, Alexander, created Lord Duffus in 1650. His daughter, Margaret, married, in 1673, James Irvine of Artamford, and their son, Alexander, in 1737 succeeded as 16th Laird of Drum. There was also a marriage connection with the Grants of Arndilly. Alexander Sutherland was laird in 1680, and either he or a son, who bore the same name and designation, sat on the jury which convicted James Macpherson, the freebooter, at Banff, in 1700.

J. F. George

from:
SCOTTISH NOTES AND QUERIES
SECOND SERIES
VOL. III.
July, 1901, то June, 1902
JOHN BULLOCH
K U I T O R
ABERDEEN
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1902