LIVINGSTON, William 5th of Kilsyth, Sir 1
User ID: N761. General Notes: "William Livingston, grandson of the fourth Laird of Kilsyth, obtained a charter, dated 7 October 1545, of lands in the earldom of Lennox which had reverted to the Crown through the forfeiture of Matthew, Earl of Lennox. His ward and marriage were granted to Janet Bruce, wife of his grandfather, 2 August 1545, as he was still in his minority, and it was not until 27 January 1552 that he had sasine of the family lands of Wester Kilsyth, Glaswell, now called Fennochthaucht and Middilthrid, along with Graden and Darnchester, which had been in the hands of the Queen for six years and a half by reason of ward. He had had sasine of Castletoun and Balmalloch, held of Lord Living-ston, 5 November 1545." William married Christian GRAHAM, daughter of William GRAHAM 3rd Earl of Menteith and Margaret MOUBRAY, by 25 March 1553 (charter).1 (Christian GRAHAM was born about 1527.) Marriage Notes: "After his marriage there are charters to him and Christian Graham, his spouse, of lands in Stirlingshire, 25 March 1553, and to him and William, his son, and the heirs-male of his body, with remainder to his uncle Alexander, and the heirs-male of his body, of the barony of Wester Kilsyth, etc., 19 June 1563. On the creation of Lord Darnley as Duke of Albany, 15 May 1565, he knighted fourteen gentlemen, among whom was Livingston of Kilsyth. Sir William's name appears in the list of those who were granted on 24 December 1566 a remission for Riccio's murder. During the captivity of Queen Mary Sir William got involved in the political movements of the time, the leaders of both parties suspecting him of treachery, and he was more than once in exile. He was one of the jury of sixteen who, on 1 June 1581, found the Earl of Morton guilty of complicity in the murder of Darnley. He appears to have died between 27 September 1595 and 29 January 1595-96. |