Robert Lauder of Beilmouth

Sir Robert Lauder of Beilmouth, Knt., (d. June 24, 1709) was an armiger, lawyer and Clerk of Exchequer in Scotland. In 1683 he was made a Justice of the Peace for Haddingtonshire [ Brown, P.Hume, MA., LL.D., "The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland", Third Series, volume VIII, Edinburgh, 1915: 279] . As Robert Lauder of Belhaven he was in the old Scottish parliament for Haddington in 1685, and, as Sir Robert Lauder of Beilmouth, in 1704. He was also Commissioner of Supply for Haddington in 1689 and 1690 [ "General Index to the Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland", Edinburgh, 1875] .

Family

The son of Robert Lauder of Belhaven and West Barns, Dunbar, (d. c1672) by his spouse Marie (d. before July 1657), daughter of Patrick Douglas of Standingstone [ Nisbet, Alexander, "Systems of Heraldry", Edinburgh, 1722, vol.1: 433] by his wife Christian, daughter of Andrew Leslie, of Inverdovate, Fife [ "The Great Seal of Scotland", November 1, 1648: 1995] , Robert jnr is mentioned in his mother's Testament. Some time between 1672-7 Robert Lauder, portioner (landowner) of Belhaven and West Barns, matriculated Arms as a direct descendant of the family of Lauder of The Bass [ Paul, Sir James Balfour, "An Ordinary of Arms", Edinburgh, 1903, 2nd edition: 203] . The motto over the crest means "it sprouts forth again". It is unclear if he then changed his designation to 'of Beilmouth' or whether he did so when he was knighted, some time in the 1690s.

Legal Agent for Edinburgh

In December 1672 George Norvell, advocate died and was replaced by Mr. Robert Lauder of Belhaven as Agent for the college (Edinburgh University) and town, by Act of the town council, a few days later. [ Crawford, Donald, editor, "Journals of Sir John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall, 1665-1676", Scottish History Society, Edinburgh, 1900, p.222.]

"Robert Lauder, portioner of Belhaven, and Agent for the good town of Edinburgh, and college therein, was admitted a Burgess of Edinburgh by right of his wife Jonet, daughter to Thomas Young of Leny, WS., who himself was admitted as a Burgess of this Burgh as spouse to Margaret, daughter to James Primrose, Clerk to HM Privy Council of Scotland, April 7, 1675" [ "Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses, 1406-1700", Scottish History Society: 299] .

A copy of the Test dated November 1681 subscribed to by advocates and other lawyers, was provided to the Privy Council by "Robert Lauder, Agent for the town of Edinburgh, and Notary Public" [ Brown, P.Hume, MA, LL.D., "The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland", Third Series, volume VII, Edinburgh, 1915: 721 ] .

Lord Fountainhall notes that Robert Lauder demitted office in 1686: "Mr.William Gordon made Agent to the town of Edinburgh, in place of Mr.Robert Lauder, at the Scots Parliament dissolved October 8 1686" [ Lauder, Sir John, Lord Fountainhall, "Chronological Notes of Scottish Affairs 1680-1701", Edinburgh, 1822: 194]

Clerk of Exchequer

Sometime before 1677 [ Deeds of Council & Session dated October 19, 1677, ref Mack/41/592] he was made one of His Majesty's Clerks of Exchequer [ Lord Fountainhall's "Decisions", Edinburgh, 1758, vol.1: 278] . Robert Lauder of Beilmouth is mentioned many times in relation to bonds and actions relating to the Exchequer, and he was still in office in 1697 [ Kelsall, Keith & Helen, "An Album of Scottish Families 1694-96", Aberdeen University Press, 1990: 42,94,119,137] .

Witches

Robert Lauder of Beilmouth's father, also Robert, had been on a Commission to try witches in 1661 and 1662, and on another to try a murderer on January 5, 1664 [ Brown, P.Hume, "The Privy Council Registers of Scotland", Edinburgh, 1908: 33,34, 143,477] .

The son continued in pursuit of witches: Lord Fountainhall relates that "Mr.Robert Lauder, and some other gentlemen at Dunbar, by commission from the Privy Council of Scotland, upon some presumptions, condemned ane old woman for a witch. She was brought before the Councill, and they enclined to assolzie her, and sent her back to prison; for the main thing proven, was her threatening such as refused to give her money, and some evil accidents befalling them shortlie thereafter. But, on July 12, 1688, being brought again before the Councill, she was remitted back to Dunbar, to be burnt there, if her Judges pleased, because she had confessed once, though she retracted" [ Lauder, Sir John, Lord Fountainhall, "Chronological Notes of Scottish Affairs 1680-1701", Edinburgh, 1822: 260] .

Burgess of Canongate

In "The Roll of Canongate (Edinburgh) Burgesses", dated 2nd October 1705, Sir Robert Lauder of Beilmouth was made a Burgess of Canongate "for many good services done by him to the burgh".

Marriages and death

Sir Robert died at Edinburgh, where his Testament was proved on February 9, 1710. He married thrice: (1) before 1673, Jonat, daughter of Thomas Young of Leny, W.S., by his spouse Margaret Primrose. Jonat died August 18, 1687 and was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh, leaving issue (i); (2) August 19, 1688, at Dunbar, Lilias Brown, with no issue; (3) April 25, 1694 at the Tron Kirk, Edinburgh, Helen (d. January 9, 1714), daughter of George Ogilvy, 2nd Lord Banff (d.1668) by his spouse Agnes, daughter of Alexander 1st Lord Falconer, of Halkerstoun. They left issue (ii):

* (i) Baby daughter buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, October 8, 1673.
* (i) Archibald Lauder of Beilmouth, (b.June 21, 1675), his eldest son and successor, who left issue.
* (i) Mary (b. February 16, 1678), married George Hepburn, M.D., later in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
* (i) Jonet, (b. August 8, 1679).
* (ii) Robert Lauder of Rosecraig, Aberdeenshire (d. January 7, 1723), married, October 11, 1722, at Banchory, Jean Gordon.
* (ii) George Lauder of Pitscandlie, Forfarshire (October 31, 1699 - before July 29, 1760)), married Jean, daughter of Sir Thomas Burnett, 3rd Baronet, of Leys, M.P.
* (ii) Janet (1698 - 1774).

References

* "The Scots Peerage", by Sir James Balfour Paul, Edinburgh, 1905 (under 'Banff').