The Irvine Family of Drum

by Donald D. Erwin 

 Family[1] is a word that most of us have recognized, understood, and appreciated almost from our earliest conscious memory. Even in most primitive civilizations it was recognized that the family was the most basic of all human institutions. As human culture evolved the family became the foundation for all of civilized society’s inner-actions. It is understood that the family has long been that element of life that has served to bond people together, even as those self-same people received much of their training and character heritage from its influence. It is also appreciated that the family, and the heritage it represents, has exerted its own creative forces to make us what we are.

Yet, the word family means different things to different people. To some it is the immediate family consisting of a mother, father, children; while to others it includes grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. Some, however, chose to define family as including preceding generations as well. I am of this latter opinion. To me, based on my genealogical research, William Irwyn is the progenitor of my family line.

William the Conqueror defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and it was not long before it became fashionable to “Normanize” one’s surname. At some point, William Irwyn started using the name “William de Irwyn” in the Norman fashion. Some early historical accounts of William de Irwyn show his surname being spelled several different ways, but since the standard “Kings English” had not yet been invented, the spelling of surnames often changed depending on the whim of the scribe. Archibald M. Duncan, an early historian inferred in his work[2] that William was the younger son of a prosperous family originally from Irwyn in Ayrshire from which the surname was derived. The name eventually evolved into its most commonly accepted form in Scotland during the latter half of the sixteenth century. Today, descendants of the early Erinvine/Eryvine clans have spread to most English-speaking nations around the world, plus – but not limited to – Germany, Austria, Hungary and Sweden. Today, in Britain and Scotland, the name is primarily spelled Irvine, but pronounced “Irvin.” In the United States, the name has many forms, the most common being: Ervin, Erwin, Irwin, Irvin, Irvine and Irving.

It has been said that the strongest virtue of the Irvines of Drum was their unfailing loyalty to both God and King. They, like most people of Scotland before the Reformation, were Roman Catholics. For many generations, they endowed St. Ninian’s Altar in St. Nicholas Church in Aberdeen, and it was extremely unusual if they were not in attendance there whenever worship was held.

After the Reformation, however, they followed the example of the Royal Family and embraced the new faith. On the other hand, when religion and politics became intertwined in the 1600s, they returned to Catholicism. For this they were persecuted, and a large portion of their accumulated wealth was lost, but when the King was returned to the throne they managed to regain most of their former properties.

1-Alexander de Irwynis thought to have been born about 1270, and supposedly had at least two children:

  • William de Irwyn, born about 1296, probably in Ayrshire, Scotland; and died in 1333, at Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • Roger de Irwyn.

Little is known of Alexander. We don’t know the names of his parents or that of his wife. It is believed by some that he was a brother of William, Laird of Bonshaw, and that he was the Irving/de Irwyn clan chief during the late 1200s and early 1300s, but there is no documented proof. Others believe that he was from Ayrshire. Whatever his roots, tradition has it – and there seems to be some realistic evidence – that this Alexander was an early supporter of Robert the Bruce in Bruce’s quest to free Scotland from the grip of Edward I of England. Tradition has it also that Alexander was part of Bruce’s party at Greyfriars Kirk (Church) in Dumfries on February 13, 1306, when Bruce met with John Comyn the Red, Lord of Badenoch – the only other serious contender for the Scottish Crown. It was a stormy meeting and tempers flared. Daggers were drawn, but Bruce got his blow in first and Comyn died from his wounds.

When Bruce stepped from the church and told his men what had happened. Roger de Kirkpatrick said “You doubt. Ise mac siccar (I make sure).” Kirkpatrick walked into the kirk to be sure that Comyn was dead. During the same fracas Comyn’s uncle was also slain by Sir Christopher Seton, another of Bruce’s supporters. It is also believed that Alexander was among the small group of supporters that helped Bruce escape the Comyn followers.

Alexander was also supposedly present in the Abby of Scone on March 25, 1306, when Bruce was final crowned King of Scots. In 1322, by then firmly settled on the throne of Scotland, and finally recognized as the true King of Scots by the Pope, Bruce granted a portion of the Royal Forest of Drum to Alexander de Irwyn.

2-William de Irwyn was born about 1296, probably in Ayrshire, Scotland, and died in 1333, in Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married Lady Marotte Bernard, probably in 1315. It is believed they had several sons and at least one daughter. The ones known:

  • Alexander de Irwynwas born about 1317, at Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • Robert de Irwyn.
  • William de Irwyn, ancestor of the Irvines of Orkney.
  • Adam de Irwyn
  • Thomas de Irwyn,
  • Daughter de Irwyn, who married Sir John de Kindlock

The story of the Irvine family covers seven centuries, and continues today with David Irvine, the 26th Baron of Drum. It was King Robert the Bruce who first brought the Irwyn/Irvine family to Drum. At this point, there are two conflicting theories as to the heritage of William de Irwyn. For many years it was believed that this William was armor-bearer and secretary to the king, and that he came from the Irving family of Bonshaw in the Borders area. However, detailed research by members of the Irvine family, and others, of contemporary charters and documents – most notably genealogist Donald M. Mackintosh[3] – has challenged this version. It seems more likely that William – and perhaps his father Alexander as well – hailed from the ancient Royal burgh of Irwyn/Irvine on the coast of the Firth of Clyde in Ayrshire, and was a clerk in the royal chancellery where he was a protégé of Bernard, Abbot of Arbroath, who was also Lord Chancellor of Scotland from c.1311-1328.

In any case, William was apparently sufficiently well regarded in the royal household to be appointed one of the king’s representatives. On February 1, 1323, Bruce granted William de Irwyn a Free Barony in Aberdeenshire. According to Donald Macintosh, this was probably at the urging of Abbot Bernard. The grant included the Tower of Drum and control of some 8000 acres of the Royal Forest surrounding Drum, all of which had been a part of the original Royal Caledonian Forest of Drum, an extensive hunting reserve where, for over a century, the kings of Scotland had come to hunt deer and wild boar. The barony gave William the judicial power of “Pit and Gallows,” or the express authority to hang or drown wrongdoers within the boundaries of the estate. A second grant was at Kyncross and was dated October 9, 1324. These two original grants are still in existence, and are kept in a vault at Drum. Thereafter William was known as the Baron and Laird of Drum. Twenty-five additional Laird’s of Drum would occupy the estate. In 1975, Henry Quintin Forbes-Irvine, the twenty-fourth Laird, turned over Drum Castle and 411 acres of the original estate to the National Trust for Scotland.

If an Irving/Irvine/de Irwyn did, in fact, join Bruce’s band of followers when he left the Irving sanctuary it could not possibly have been the William Irwyn who eventually became the first Baron and Laird of Drum, for he was only twenty-seven when he was given control of Drum in 1323. On the other hand, it could have been another family member of the Irwyn/Irvine family, for one must keep in mind that there was supposedly an Irwyn/Irvine in Bruce’s group of followers during the Greyfriars Kirk incident, as well as Bruce’s coronation, but in the rare references to this Irwyn\Irvine he has been called Alexander. This individual is thought to have been William’s father, for many later lairds of Drum were either named Alexander at birth, or took it later as what appears to be almost an honorary title. At this point, there doesn’t seem to be any really firm documented proof about any of this…but it does “sound right.”

My line began using Erwin, one of the more commonly accepted forms of the name in the United States, during the latter half of the 18th century, shortly after my immigrant ancestor arrived in the Colonies. This was at a time, however, when King Edward I of England was attempting to consolidate Scotland, as well as Wales and Ireland, into his kingdom. John Fordum’s fourteenth-century work called, Chronicle of the Scottish Nation, gives us some idea of Bruce’s challenge. He wrote: “Great was the task that Robert Bruce took upon himself and unbearable the burdens upon his shoulders. His mishaps, flights and dangers; hardships and weariness; hunger and thirst; watchings and fastings…” Edward I died in 1307, and “Hammer of the Scots” is inscribed on his tomb. It would be many years before his grandson, Edward III, would acknowledge Bruce as the true King of Scots.

After 1306, Bruce and his followers made gradual progress in freeing Scotland, but it was at the Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314, that the tide really turned. Bruce had a force of about 12,000, and faced a force of 25,000 seasoned English horseman and infantry. Bruce, however, drew the English into the low-lying area of Bannockburn where they camped next to some swampy marshes. The next morning Bruce’s forces, using their famous schildron formation, consisting of rings of men with spears leveled at every point of assault, charged downhill and massacred the English. It was a decisive victory; the most crucial military success in all Scottish history. It didn’t end the war with England, but it did prove that even a mighty English army could be beaten in open battle.

Bruce would rule Scotland for another fifteen years. There were many more skirmishes with the English, more raids over the Border by the Scots and north into the Lowlands by the English, but the Scots were generally more successful than the English. It was the aim of Edward I and Edward II to subjugate Scotland, but Bruce sought only freedom from aggression and recognition by the English king and the Pope that he, Robert Bruce, was the King of Scots. In 1323, however, Edward II and Bruce agreed to a kind of truce. Hostilities would cease, and Bruce would refuse to accept any correspondence not addressed to him as King of Scots. In 1324 Pope John XXII finally recognized Robert’s title as well. Four years later Edward III also formally recognized Bruce and an independent Scotland at the Treaty of Northampton, and sealed it with the betrothal of his sister to Bruce’s son.

3-Alexander de Irwyn, the second Baron and Laird of Drum, was born in 1317, at Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire just outside of Aberdeen, Scotland. He died there in 1380. He married an unknown Fraser. Alexander de Irwyn became the second Laird of Drum in 1333, when his father died. Historian Forbes-Leslie erroneously stated that William’s eldest son was named Thomas, but documentary evidence recently found by Donald M. Mackintosh states that his name was Alexander. He was a baron during the reign of King David II and was a member of the Parliament that was held at Perth, Scotland in 1369.

It was probably during the lifetime of this Alexander that a feud began between the Irwyns and the Keiths who were near neighbors. Legend has it that the Irwyns burned down Haloforest Castle, stronghold of the Keiths – this in revenge for their burning to death one of the Irwyn children.

When Alexander died his eldest son and heir succeeded him. Alexander Irwyn and Fraser had at least two children. They were:

  • Alexander de Irwyn, born about 1356, and died in 1410.
  • Robert Irwyn, born about 1365 at Drum Castlein Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He died in 1457.

4-Alexander de Irwyn, 3rd Baron and Laird of Drum, was born about 1356, in Drum Castle. He died in 1410, and is buried at St. Nicholas Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. He married an unknown Monimusk. At least two children were born to Alexander and unknown Monimusk:

  • Sir Alexander Irwyn was born about 1382, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died July 24, 1411. He became the 4th Laird of Drum in 1410, when his father died. In 1409, he and his cousin, Alexander Stewart, the Earl of Mar, went to Flanders and joined the army of the Duke of Burgundy. He was knighted on the morning of the Battle of Liege and returned to Scotland in 1410. He commanded the Lowland Army under the 12th Earl of Mar at the Battle of Harlaw. The Highland Army was commanded by Eachin Ruadh Nan Cath McLean. The commanders fought each other in personal hand-to-hand combat, and both died of their wounds. They were fighting for the Earldom of Ross.

Robert Irwyn, a younger brother, would succeed Alexander as the Laird of Drum. For some reason, possibly because Alexander’s claim to Drum had not been formally recognized in the short period between the father’s death in 1410, and when Alexander died at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411, both Alexander and Robert are considered to be a “4th Laird of Drum.”

  • Sir Robert Irwyn was born about 1386, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died in July 1457. On the death of his brother at the Battle of Harlaw, Robert changed his name to Alexander and became the second Alexander, 4th Baron and Laird of Drum. As a pledge to his brother he also married his brother’s virgin widow Elizabeth de Keith (they had been betrothed as children) after 1411. The marriage had been arranged in order to end the violent clan feud between the Keith and the Irwyn (Irvine) families, but had never been consummated. The first Earl of Marischal, who was Elizabeth’s brother, gave as dowry the lands of Strachin Kincardine by charter October 16, 1411. Alexander 4th was knighted in 1424, during the reign of King James I. He was also captain and governor of the burgh of Aberdeen (1439-1440).

Robert married Elizabeth de Keith, daughter of Sir Robert de Keith, Marischal of Scotland, and wife Mary, about 1410. Elizabeth was born in 1376, in Aird, Lovat, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died after 1457 in Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Their children were:

  •  Alexander Irvine, (of Auchindoir), born about 1412, and died between 1446 and 1452.
  • Robert Irwyn (of Beltie) was born about 1414, and died in 1452.
  • Elizabeth Irwyn was born about 1418.
  • Agnes Irwyn was born about 1422, and died before 1460.

Sir Alexander (Robert), on his marriage, received from Sir Robert Keith, by Charter dated October 16, 1411, the lands of Strachan in Kincardineshire; and he also had a Charter, under the Great Seal, of the lands of Learney, on the resignation of John Haliburton, dated 1446. He was one of the Commissioners deputized by the Estates of Scotland in 1423, to make a judgement concerning the ransom of King James I, and in the following year, May 21, 1424, he was knighted by that monarch for his services. In 1437, after King James’s murder at Perth, and during the confusion that followed, the services of Sir Alexander were solicited by the inhabitants of Aberdeen for the defense of their town, and in 1440, he was, by consent of the burgesses, appointed Captain and Governor of the burgh, with an authority superior to that of the Chief Magistrate. He held the post for two years, and there is no other instance on record of a similar appointment in Aberdeen. When the Earl of Huntly, in the next century, became Chief Magistrate, it was by the title of Provost.

 5-Alexander Irvine was born about 1412, and died between 1446 and 1452. He married Catherine Abernethy, daughter of Lord Abernethy of Saltoun, in 1425, in Saltoun, East Lothian, Scotland. Catherine was born in 1404, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

The children of Alexander and Helen Abernethie were:

  • Elizabeth Irvine, born about 1438, in Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • Alexander Irvine, born about 1440, in Scotland.

6-Alexander Irvine, 5th Baron and Laird of Drum,was born about 1440, in Scotland, and died in December 1493, also in Scotland. He married Marion Forbes about 1456. The marriage of this Alexander Irvine was arranged by his grandfather, the second 4th Laird of Drum, when he was just twelve or thirteen. This was to hopefully ensure that the Irvine line would not become extinct.

When Alexander, (Robert) 4th Laird of Drum, died his grandson, Alexander, son of Alexander of Auchindoir, became the 5th Laird of Drum. While serving as Sheriff of Aberdeenshire (Aberdeen County) in 1471, Alexander attacked the house of Sir Walter Lindsay of Bewfort with a large force of men. For this, by judgement of the Lords of the Council, he was dismissed from the office of sheriff and sent to prison. It is not known how long he was in prison, but it is thought that he married his second wife about 1475.

The children of Alexander Irvine and Marion Forbes were:

  • Alexander Irvine, born about 1456.
  • Janet Irvine, born about 1460.
  • Thomas Irvine, born about 1468.

Laird Alexander learned, probably around 1480, that wife Marion had been seeing Sir Edward McDowell, his chaplain, on the side. The laird’s outrage was so intense that, with the assistance of Alexander Irvine of Strathdee, a cousin, he violently gelded McDowell. Historian Forbes Leslie stated it more discretely “…the outrage perpetrated on the ecclesiastic in the tower of Drum placed him forever after beyond the reach of jealous suspicions.”

Historian Donald Mackintosh reports that a Gordon family history indicates that Alexander applied for, and received, a Papal Remission (forgiveness) from Rome for his attack on McDowell. But the unfaithfulness of his wife, and his vicious assault on her lover, changed the laird’s life completely. He left his wife, although it appears that he continued to support her. The laird apparently left Drum permanently and took up residence in Aberdeen. As long as Marion lived he could not remarry, but sometime later, around 1482, he was reported to be living with Nannys Menzies (probably his second cousin), by whom he had at least four illegitimate children. They were:

  • David Irvine was born about 1482, and died about 1501
  • Alexander Irvinewas born about 1484, and died about 1531.
  • Agnes Irvinewas born about 1486. She married Alexander Gordon about 1500.
  • John Irvine was born about 1488.

Due to the restraints of the Roman Catholic Church at that time Alexander could not legitimize his children by Nannys Menzies. He did, however, do the next best thing by providing generously for them in his will.

7-Sir Alexander Irvine, 6th Baron and Laird of Drum,was born about 1455, in Scotland, and died December 4, 1527, in Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married (1) Janet Keith July 8, 1475, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of Sir Gilbert Keith of Ludquharn, and Janet Graham. Janet was born in 1495, and died about 1492. He married (2) Margaret Chalmer about 1512.

Alexander was sheriff in Aberdeenshire in 1492, the year Columbus sailed to the New World. He received Lonmay and Cairness from his father in 1475, and became the Laird of Drum when his father died in 1493. Alexander was knighted at some point, but the date is not known. The children of Alexander Irvine and Janet Keith were:

  • Elizabeth Irvine, born about 1476, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • Alexander Irvine, born about 1477, in Drumlaurig, Scotland.
  • Daughter Irvine, born about 1479, and married Chalmers of Streicken.
  • Daughter Irvine, born about 1480, and married Coutts of Westercoul
  • Margaret Irvine, born about 1481, and married Archibald Douglas.
  • Richard Irvine, born about 1483.
  • Henry Irvine, born about 1485 at Drum Castlein Aberdeenshire.
  • Elspet Irvine, born about 1488, and died in 1512. She married George Ogilvie
  • Daughter Irvine, born about 1489, and died about 1539. She married Robert Duguid of Auchinhove.
  • Janet Irvine, born about 1492.

8-Alexander Irvine, 7th Baron and Laird of Drum,was born about 1477, in Drumlaurig, Scotland, and died in Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland in July 1557. He married Janet Allardice about 1498, daughter of John Allardice and Catherine Arbuthnot.

Alexander became the 7th Laird of Drum when his father died December 4, 1527. Alexander Irvine and Janet Allardice had six children:

  • Alexander Irvine “of Forglen,”born about 1500.
  • Gilbert Irvinewas born about 1502, and probably died at the Battle of Pinkie, September 1547.
  • Elizabeth (Isobel) Irvine, born about 1506.
  • Daughter Irvine, born about 1510. She married John Ogston.
  • Janet Irvine, born about 1512.
  • Margaret Irvinewas born about 1518, and died in August 1603.
  • Mary Irvine, who married Sir Archibald Douglas.

9-Alexander Irvine,of Forglen, was born about 1500 in Scotland. He died in Scotland September 10, 1547 during the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, which took place on September 10, 1547, on the banks of the River Esk   near Musselburgh, Scotland. The last pitched battle between Scottish and English armies, it was part of the conflict known as the Rough Wooing, and is considered the first modern battle fought in the British Isles. It was a catastrophic defeat for Scotland, where it became known as Black Saturday.

Alexander married Elizabeth Ogilvy in 1526. She was the daughter of George Ogilvy and Elspeth Irvine. His eldest son succeeded was the next Laird of Drum. The children of Alexander Irvine and Elizabeth Ogilvy were:

  • Alexander Irvine, born about 1527.
  • Janet Irvine, born about 1530, and died after 1602. She married Alexander Gordon IV of Abergeldie.
  • Robert Irvine was born about 1534, and died in July 1602.
  • William Irvine of Ardlogie was born about 1535, and died in 1601.
  • Elizabeth Irvine was born about 1536, and died about 1556. She married Alexander Seton.
  • Sir James Irvine, born about 1538, and died after 1596, probably in France.
  • Margaret Irvine, born about 1540, and married William Chene (Cheney) in 1556.
  • John Irvine was born about 1544, and died about 1564.
  • Gilbert Irvine was born about 1548 in Auldquhat, Scotland, and died there in 1597.

 10-Alexander Irvine, 8th Baron and Laird of Drum,was born about 1527, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died at Drum June 9, 1602. He married Lady Elizabeth Keith, daughter of William Keith, 4th Earl of Moray, in 1552, in Aberdeen. She was born in 1535, at Dunnottar Castle, Kincardineshire, and died in 1585, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Alexander became the Eighth Laird of Drum in 1553, when his grandfather, the 7th Laird of Drum, passed on. Alexander Irvine held charter under the Great Seal on December 12, 1553, to all the Lands of Drum, Learney and Auchindoch, to himself and all his male heirs. This is according to the records at Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The children of Alexander Irvine and Elizabeth Keith were:

  • Janet Irvine, born about in 1553. She married John Hay of Ury.
  • Mary (Isobel) Irvine was born at Drum Castle in 1556. She married Robert Keith of Craig & Invergie.
  • Sir Alexander Irvine, 9th Laird of Drum, was born about 1557, in Drum Castle, and died in 1629.
  • James Irvine of Brucklaw. He was born in 1558, and married Lucrece Irvine, a cousin, in 1578.
  • Robert Irvine of Fornet & Moncoffer, was born about 1559, in Aberdeen. He married Bogg Hay.
  • William Irvine, of Easter Beltie, was born about 1563. He married Lady Margaret Frazier in 1624.
  • John Irvine “of Artamford,” was born about 1564, in Aberdeenshire, and died in 1652.
  • Anne Irvine, born about 1565.
  • Elizabeth Irvine was born about 1572. She married James Ogilvy of Boyne in 1590.
  • Margaret Irvine was born about 1574. She married (1) Gilbert Menzies and (2) Alexander Duff.

Alexander married (2) Marion Douglas in 1586, in Scotland. She was born in 1567, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died in 1630, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

11-John Irvine,of Artamford, was born about 1564, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He died March 2, 1636, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He married Elizabeth Beatrix (Bessie) Irvine. She was a cousin, and the daughter of John Irvine and Elizabeth Wood.

In November 1605, John Forbes, who was head of a gang called “The Company and Society of the Boys,” waylaid John Irvine, of Artamford, brother of the Laird of Drum, near the Peill of Lumpanan. John Irvine narrowly escaped, but his servant, William Broun, was killed. Two of his companions – John Chalmer and Patrick Irvine – were wounded. On January 20, 1606, a hearing was held at Drum. Arthur, Master of Forbes, John Forbes of Pitsligo, William Forbes of Tolquhon, John Forbes of Brux, Abraham Forbes of Blacktoun and James Gariock of Kinstair were called on to take responsibility for the “attack and slaughter,” and to determine whether the “joint honor and long-continued friendship with the House of Drum” should continue. All present agreed, by formal submission, to abide by whatever decree or sentence Alexander Irvine of Drum might pronounce against the guilty parties. On October 22, 1606, the Laird of Drum fined John Forbes, Robert Skeen and Patrick McKanier. In the meantime, John Forbes had been seized and tried in Edinburgh for the attack on John Irvine and others, as well as for miscellaneous other crimes. On November 6, 1606, the Edinburgh court sentenced John Forbes to be beheaded and his property confiscated. It is not clear why, but the sentence was not carried out and John Forbes was released. On December 11, 1606, Robert Irvine, also a brother of the Laird of Drum, was charged with the murder of John Forbes. The court, however, declined to prosecute because of irregularities. Robert was acquitted.

On November 25, 1634, John Irvine was appointed Justice of the Peace in the Sheriffdom of Aberdeen.

The children of John Irvine and Elizabeth Irvine were:

  • John Irvine, of Beltie, was born about 1602, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died about 1658. He married Elizabeth Forbes about 1630.
  • James Irvine, of Artamford, was born about 1604, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died there in 1675.
  • Alexander Irvine, born about 1608, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He married Jean Gordon.
  • Captain Robert Irvine was born about 1612, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Francis Irvine was born about 1616.
  • Gilbert Irvine, of Larchmoir, was born about 1633, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died in 1678.
  • Richard Irvine was born in 1626, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died on July 4, 1703, in Aberdeen. He married Margaret Adie.
  • William Irvine was born about 1632, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died there.

12-James Irvine I of Artamford, was born about 1604, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died there in 1675. He married Anna Keith before 1633, in Scotland. She was the daughter of Alexander Keith of Ravenscraig. The children of James Irvine and Anna Keith were:

  • Elizabeth “Bessie” Irvine was born about 1634. She married Alexander Dalgardno on June 16, 1654.
  • James Irvine II, of Artamford, was born in 1642, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Robert Irvine was born about 1637.
  • John Irvine was born about 1645, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Anne Irvine was born in 1646, in Aberdeen, Scotland. She married John Elphinstone.
  • Beatrix Irvine was born about 1647, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Margaret Irvine was born about 1653, in Aberdeen, Scotland. She married Hugh Rose November 3, 1700, in Aberdeen.

 13-James Irvine II of Artamford was born in 1642, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died before February 11, 1702/03. He married Margaret Sutherland in 1673, in Aberdeen. She was the daughter of James Sutherland and Margaret Seton. She was born in 1627, in Kinminitie, Banff, Scotland, and died after 1697, in Aberdeenshire. The children of James Irvine and Margaret Sutherland were:

  • Alexander Irvine, of Crimond, was born about 1675.
  • William Irvine IV, of Artamford, was born about 1676, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Margaret Irvine was born in 1679, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died there on October 20, 1788.
  • Robert Irvine was born about 1682, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died after 1749.
  • James Irvine, born about 1684, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • Capt. Thomas Irvine was born September 30, 1685, in New Deer Parish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died there after August 4, 1760. He married Catherine Elphinstone.
  • Richard Irvine was born August 19, 1687, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Charles Irvine, born about 1693, in Aberdeen, Scotland; died there October 8, 1771.
  • Francis Irvine was born March 29, 1695, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died in 1695.
  • Anna Irvine was born May 27, 1697, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died there September 28, 1698, at one year of age.

 14-Alexander Irvine,of Crimond, 16th Baron and Laird of Drum, was born about 1675, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died there in 1744. He married Isabel Thompson, daughter of Thomas Thompson, on August 18, 1698, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was born about 1678, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and died there after 1721.  The children of Alexander Irvine and Isabel Thompson were:

  • Thomas Irvine was born June 1, 1699, in Faichfield, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died in January 1701.
  • Margaret Irvine was born March 22, 1701, in Faichfield, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died February 15, 1779, Aberdeen, Scotland. She married James Rose, of Clava, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Isabel Irvine, born March 3, 1703, in Fodelhills on Faichfield, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • Janet Irvine was born March 1, 1705, at Crimond Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died March 9, 1782, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • Ann Irvine, born November 8, 1707, at Crimond Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died June 1, 1779, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
  • James N. Irvine, of Crimond, was born December 22, 1709, at Crimond Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died February 27, 1770, in Rowan Co., NC.
  • Alexander Irvine, was born June 24, 1711, at Crimond Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and died February 19, 1761, at Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He would be the 17th Laird of Drum. He married Mary Ogilvy, August 20, 1751, in Aberdeen, Scotland.
  • Elizabeth Irvine was born February 25. 1715, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died there January 18, 1779.
  • Mary Irvine was born February 13, 1721, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died there in November 1813, at age 91. Mary never married. She was living in the Shiprow District of Aberdeen when she passed. Her portrait is on display at Drum. She is credited for hiding her older brother Alexander when he was on the run.

[1] From Peter Laslett’s work at the Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure.

[2] Regesta Regum Scottorum, A.M. Duncan, Chair of Scottish History and Literature at the University of Glasgow (1962-1993)

[3] The Irvines of Drum and Their Cadet Lines, by Donald M. Macintosh; published 1998, Southern Historical Press