SINCLAIR, Isabel 1
User ID: V664. General Notes: "In the month of July this same year, the Earl of Sutherland and his lady were both poisoned at Helmsdale, at the instigation, says Sir Robert Gordon, of the Earl of Caithness. The Earl and Countess, with their son Alexander, were at the time passing a few days at a hunting lodge near the river of Helmsdale, the ruins of which are still to be seen. The poison was administered to them at supper by Isobel Sinclair, wife of Gilbert Gordon of Garty, and daughter of William Sinclair of Dunbeath. Alexander, for whom the deadly draught was chiefly intended, had not returned in time from a hunting excursion in Kildonall to join them at supper, and thus had a very narrow escape. When he arrived at the lodge, his father, fully sensible of the danger of his situation, would not allow him to taste anything, and sent him home that very same evening to Dunrobin. By a singular retribution, Isobel Sinclair's own eldest son, John Gordon, became the victim instead of Alexander. Happening to call at the lodge, he complained of thirst, when one of the domestics, not aware of the deadly nature of the preparation, handed him some of the poisoned liquid, which he drank. He died in the course of two days after; and the appearance of the body, along with other circumstances, afforded a clue to the discovery of his mother's guilt. The Earl and his lady, after a lingering illness of eight days, expired at Dunrobin. Isobel Sinclair was apprehended and sent to Edinburgh, where, after being tried and condemned, she died, or as it was generally believed, committed suicide on the morning of the day appointed for her execution. Although she accused, it is said, her relative, the Earl of Caithness, of having instigated her to commit the horrid crime, her mere assertion in this case is no proof, arid cannot be credited. The ambitious and cruel woman had a sufficient motive of her own. Her eldest son was the next male heir to the earldom, and had she succeeded in her diabolical scheme, he would have become Earl of Sutherland." Isabel married Gilbert GORDON of Garty, son of Adam GORDON Lord of Aboyne, Earl of Sutherland, jure uxoris and Elizabeth SUTHERLAND 10th Countess of Sutherland.1 (Gilbert GORDON of Garty was born about 1507.) Marriage Notes: "Gilbert Gordon of Garty, named in a charter of 1563, as uncle of John, tenth Earl of Sutherland. He married Isabel Sinclair, daughter of Alexander Sinclair of Dunbeath, and had issue two sons, John and Patrick, who succeeded him in Garty. It was |