STRACHAN, Alexander 8th of Glenkindie ¹

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  General Notes:

Alexander succeeded his grandfather in 1675. His arms were registered in Lyon Office the same year.

"On 22nd April, 1675, there is a Precept of Clare Constat by Earl of Mar in favour of Alexander Strachan of Glenkindie, grandchild of Alexander Strachan, followed by sasine on 10th February, 1677. (Glenkindie Papers)"

"In 1676, Alexander Strachan of Glenkindie was accused of the murder of one Alexander Stour; the charge was said to have been maliciously made by Adam Gordon of Glenbucket.... A very long litigation ensued. In 1695 and Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed in his favour cancelling his bail, and also stating that the charge had originated in the malice of Adam Gordon of Glenbucket."

DEED OF ENTAIL, dated 21st October, 1694 (p.26) The Deed of Entail referred to states as follows: - 'Be it known to all men whom these presents may concern - Us, Alexander Strachan of Glenkindie and Master Andrew Strachan of Annachie - Brothers German, forasmeikle as we stand and exist infeft and seised in the lands of Glenkindie with the milne and other pertinents, and the lands of Annachie with the milne and pertinents threof and both of the same land proprietors, and none of us as yet having any aires maill procreat of our own bodies, and finding that the estate above-named may fail and proceed to some person who is not capable to manage and rule the lands conforme to the antiquity thereof... and considering that Patrick Strachan, now of Auchnagatt, second lawful son to the deceased Michael Strachan of Auchnagatt, our cousin german, is ....we have... to tailzie to him, finding he is the worthiest person to represent thair ancient family, etc etc."

"... , and on 1st June, 1700, an agreement was executed betwixt Alexander of Glenkindie and Patrick Strachan of Auchnagatt, whereby the former obliged himself to dispone to Patrick Strachan, his cousin, all and haill the Estate of Glenkindie... A Decreet of Adjudication, specifying the sum finally due by the purchaser is dated 5th July, 1705; it contains a long list of debts due by Alexander Strachan." from The Strachans of Glenkindie




It was Alexander's fate, because of financial difficulties arising from a personal and political grudge, to be the last of the direct hereditary male line of Strachan of Glenkindie. From this point on, although Glenkindie estate remained for a limited time in Strachan hands, Glenkindie was the subject of sale and market forces.

"Sir George Nicolson bought Kemnay, in 1682, from Alexander Strachan, younger of Glenkindie. He was the son of an Aberdeen merchant; and was called to the Scottish Bar in 1661. He succeeded Dr. Arthur Johnston's son, 'William, as Civilist in King's College, Aberdeen, at which time, and into 1861, he was styled "of Cluny '. He was made a Judge of Session in 1682, taking the title of Lord Kemnay, from his newly acquired property. He sold Kemnay, in 1688, to Thomas Burnett, ancestorof the present proprietor."

from Inverurie and the Earldom of the Garioch ²

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Charter in his favout: from his grandfather, the 7th laird, 1662. ¹ Alexander 7th laird granted a Charter in favour of his grandson of the "lands of Glencuy, Rinmore, Chapelton, Gorie Hill and Pitanlich, with the tiends". Sasine followed the same day and was recorded on 20 June 1662.

2. Served heir to Barony of Kemnay, 1675. ¹

3. Registration of Coat of Arms in Lyon Office, 17 February 1675. ¹

4. Precept of Clare Constat, 22 April 1675. ¹ In this the Earl of Mar recognised the grandchild, Alexander, as heir to the 7th laird of Glenkindie.

5. accusation, 1676. ¹ He was accused by Adam Gordon of Glenbucket of the murder of Alexander Stour or Sutor (or Sower), Glenbucket's servant. The charge, though later declared publicly to have been maliciously made, was taken seriously, requiring Glenkindie to raise 20000 pounds Scots from Charles, Earl of Mar, as bail. This huge bail was forfeited, ostensibly because of the non-appearance of two servants of Glenkindie named John Strauchan and Francis Spence.

The case dragged on for twenty years, impoverishing Glenkindie and destroying his way of life.

6. Sold Kemnay estate, 1682. ¹ He sold it to Sir George Nicolson.

7. Handed over right to land to cousin Patrick, 1694. ¹ Alexander and Andrew, two brothers, executed a disposition of Tailzie of Glenkindie lands, with Annachie and others, to their cousin, Patrick Strachan of Auchnagatt.

8. Act of Scottish Parliament, 1695. ¹ This Act cancelled Glenkindie's 20000 pounds bail as unlawful, and stated that the charge against him originated in malice of Adam Gordon of Glenbucket.

9. proposal then sale of Glenkindie to Patrick, 1695-1700. ¹ A petition was presented to Parliament, and an agreement executed between the Laird of Glenkindie and his cousin Patrick Strachan, son of Michael of Auchnagatt, to dispone to the latter all lands of Glenkindie. the sale took place on 25 September 1700, sasine following on 4 November of that year. A decreet specifying the sum due emerged in 1705, listing Alexander Strachan's debts, which were many.

10. Final sum due agreed, 1705. ¹ Long line of debts of Alexander.

Alexander married.

Alexander next married Lilias STEWART, daughter of Thomas STEWART 3rd of Drumin and Lilias GRANT, before 1695. (Lilias STEWART was born about 1669.)

  Marriage Notes:

"VII. Alexander Strachan succeeded his grandfather in 1675. His wife's name was Lilias Stewart."

"In 1695, Alexander Strachan of Glenkindie and Mrs. Lilias Stewart presented a petition to Parliament (Acts of Scottish Parliament, 1695). No doubt the long litigation had involved him in very great embarrassment, and necessitated Alexander Strachan's parting with the Estate.
They had no issue...."

from The Strachans of Glenkindie

Note:

Lilias Stewart has been placed, speculatively, within the Stewarts of Drumin family. No firm evidence has yet been forthcoming as to her parentage.