|
Thanks to
Elsie Ritchie for this information
The Traills of Fife (a very clerical family) and their cadet
families
The Traill family whose
surname is variously spelt Traile, Treyl, Trail, or Traill has a tradition
that those members of the family who left Fife permanently should always
add the second L. Thus we have the Orkney family branch always spelling it
with the double L. and most of the branches that have migrated adhering to
the family rule, except the descendants of David Trail who migrated to
Maryland in the 17th century.
This family has a long
tradition of involvement in Church administration. They are said to be of
Viking descent, at first settling in Brittany, but sometime after
conversion to Christianity in the 5th century and probably as
late as the 11th century, their difficulties with the French
became too much and they moved to Scotland in the time of Malcolm Canmore
and his Queen Margaret.
At the time of the death of
William Rufus King of England a Walter Treyl was involved in the killing,
although he swore till the day of his death 15 years later, that he had
not shot the arrow.
In the reign of William’s
brother, Henry the second of England we have Traills mentioned twice.
Henry’s wife was a princess of Scotland, so finding a Traill (from French
possessions belonging
to David the first the Queens brother) married to an English girl is not
too big a surprise. This couple had 3 sons and also a grandson Walter de
Traill who is recorded in 1212. It seems very likely that this family,
which fits the family tradition of their origin, are the original Traills.
In Scotland the
Trails are as far back as is known, based at Blebo in Fife with a cadet
branch moving to the Orkney isles in the late 16th century. It
would be impossible to believe that they came out of nowhere ready to be
church administrators in the 14th century to such eminent
families as the Stewarts, the Bruces, the Lindsays and the Flemings,
without some backgound which both gave them an education and credibility
with their neighbours. All these families rose to prominence under the
rule of David I after his return to Scotland from his long involvement
with his niece the Empress Mathilda’s fight for the English crown in the
mid 12th century.
The only mention of a
person thought to be a Traill for the 13th century is in the St. Andrews
area at Blebo
In the charters of
Scotland, folio 342, there is a charter Adames filius Octonis Domino.
Priori et Conventui Sancti Andrew. The date is not mentioned but among the
witnesses are David, Episcopus Santi Andrew, Inez, Dominus M. comes de
Fife, Joannes of Blebok. David must refer to David Benham camerarius regis,
1238-57 and the Comes de Fife can only be Malcolm the 8th Earl who was
Earl from 1229 to 1266, which fixes this charter between 1238 and 1257.
Whether Joannus de Blebok was an ancestor of the Trails of the 14th
century cannot be determined though highly probable, and he would be the
likely ancestor of the Trails, referred to in the next extract.
Our next record of a Traill
is in Galloway in the reign of Robert the Bruce’s son David II. This is of
Prior David Trail of the Cistercians. The Cistercians were an order that
benefited many of the areas they lived in by their agricultural labours.
In addition this well organised order is believed to have been a pattern
for many of the military orders, including the Knights Templar.
Charter record
15/5/1359 Charter of King
David the Second, confirming a charter by which Devorgilla, daughter of
the late Alan of Galloway [and great, great granddaughter of David I], in
her widowhood, grants and confirms to God and the Church of St Mary of
Sweetheart [a Cistercian Abbey in Kirkcudbrightshire], and the monks there
of the Cistercian Order of the Convent of Dundrennan [in
Kirkcudbrightshire]..... her whole land of Louqrindelow and of Kirkpatrick
Dorand [Durham], namely the land of Louqrindelow.... Witnesses....David,
Prior 'de insula' (Trail).
By the late 14th
century 4 more Trails were church administrators as far as can be
ascertained,. These were
Alexander Trail: -
Bachelor of Laws, clerk of Aberdeen Diocese in 1380, Canon of Aberdeen,
Canon of Moray, rector of Kilmany; in 1381 Doctor of both Laws and rector
of Kinkell, and by 1390 Licentate in Civil Law and rector of Monymusk,
diocese of St. Andrews. Rector at Monfech, diocese of Aberdeen 1392, (Ref.
Papal Letters to Scotland, Letters of Clement VII edited by Charles
Burns).
Laurence Trail:-
Priest of St Andrews diocese in 1379 takes position at the perpetual
vicarage of Monyfech vacated by Walter Trail. In 1392 he swaps this parish
with Alexander Trail’s parish of Monymusk in the diocese of St, Andrews,
(Ref. Papal Letters to Scotland, Letters of Clement VII edited by Charles
Burns.
Thomas Trail:- born
1362, Licentate in Arts studying in Paris 1383, obtained his M.A. circa
1385, was appointed to the church of Fetchrressach, St Andrews,(vacated by
the resignation of Walter Trail) appointed a Canon of Moray, then became
a Canon of Aberdeen in 1391. In 1391 it was recorded that he was studying
theology. (Ref. Papal Letters to Scotland, Letters of Clement VII edited
by Charles Burns).
We do not know much of
Father Lawrence Trayle of Aberdeen, who was appointed to a parish, or
Canon Thomas of Moray but one description of Thomas calls him a merchant
of Glasgow and Aberdeen. He is first referred to in 1378, when he is
appointed to a position at Aberdeen.
In any
case Pope Clement VII thought highly enough of him to award him an income
"17th Nov. 1378 - To the
Chancellor of Paris. Mandate to provide Thomas Trayl [Traill], clerk of
Aberdeen diocese, to a canonry of Moray with expectation of a prebend" In
case you didn't know, a prebend was a share of the revenues of a
cathedral. Our next information is when he resigns from the Church
position in 1426.
[Extract from Scottish
Supplications to Rome 1423-1428: Scottish Historical Society 1956]
Thomas Trail Treasurer
of Glasgow from 26 September 1424 to 1430.
Took occupation of position
26 Sept.1424 resigned in favour of Robert de Moffat by papal authority 1st
Feb. 1430
 Treasurer of
Glasgow, canon of Aberdeen and preband of Clat, for certain causes
proposes freely to resign the canonry and prebend of Clat: 17/6/1426. Clat
probably refers to Clatt, a village and parish in the western end of the
Garioch district of Aberdeenshire. By 1426 Thomas would have been in his
65th year and entitled one would think to retire from some of
his duties.
Walter Trail:- 1365
In the 'Calendar of Petitions to the Pope,' 1342--1419 he is referred to
in 1365 as Walter Trayle of the diocese of Aberdeen, holding a benefice in
the gift of the abbot and monastery of Aberbrothoc. Canon of the diocese
of Aberdeen, Licentiate in Both Laws(1378) Paris, Master of Arts, Doctor
of both Laws 1379, (Civil and Canon), University of Paris; recorded as a
Canon of Aberdeen in 1378. In 1379 he was recorded as an official of
Glasgow, Canon of Ross, Canon and Treasurer of Glasgow without
responsibilty( to which he had been appointed by Gregory XI prior to
1378), Dean of Moray, judge of the papal palace, rector of Fetteresso, and
vicar of Monifeith, appointed Bishop of St. Andrews 29th
November 1385. (Ref. Papal Letters to Scotland, Letters of Clement VII
edited by Charles Burns). Clements interest in Scotland was personal as a
relative of both the Scots and French royal
families.
The strong Traill tradition
that Bishop Walter Trail, also had an elder brother James who lived at
Blebo in Fife has very little either for or against as far as primary
evidence goes, but there is circumstantial evidence, that Walter himself
had grown up at Blebo. In Sibbald's Fife and Kinross, Bishop Trail is said
to be a son of the House of Blebo; and in Keith's Catalogue of Scottish
Bishops a similar statement is made. At Blebo is an ancient fortified
tower dating back to the mid 14th century known as Bishops
Walter’s tower.
We were unfortunate when St
Andrews was destroyed in the 16th century as writings by Bishop
Walter were reputed to be among those things destroyed, or we may have
known more of his early life. At any rate we know from the Papal letters
of Clement VII that there was a solid little group of Trayles in
administrative Church positions in Scotland. A Canon a Parish Vicar and
Walter himself. Whatever the family background it held a respect for
education and religion. It seem obvious too that Walter must have formed
one of those pupils whom St Andrews felt were worthy of being sent to the
University in Paris. It is certain he, Thomas and Alexander went there
Because of Walter's
position in the Church, there is a comparative wealth of information
about his career, not only from the Papal Letters of his patron Pope
Clement VII of Avignon, which are of course contemporary.:-
In the Papal Letters of
Clement VII the first entry naming Master Walter Trayl, D.U.J. graduate
from Paris in both Civil and Canon law is dated 18th January 1379; it
directs the official of Aberdeen to move Lawrence Trayl, priest of st
Andrews diocese to perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Monyfech,
Aberdeen vacant by the free resignation of Walter Trayl treasurer of
Glasgow. On 11 July 1381 Walters position was papal chaplain and judge of
the papal palace at Avignon. He had spent several years at Avignon as
referendarius from Scotland at the court of Clement VII, and was there in
1385 when the see of St. Andrews fell vacant. He was appointed Bishop
Elect of St. Andrews 29 November 1385 vacant by the death of Bishop
William and his qualifications were listed. He was appointed to the
bishopric by the pope, who said that 'he was more worthy to be a pope than
a bishop, and that the place was better provided for than the person.' The
Treasurer of Glasgow position had been already given to Thomas Trayl Canon
at Moray Aberdeen in 1378 as well and Thomas didn't resign from the
position till 1426, so evidently they shared the income which was probably
considerable.
In 1390 he assisted at the
funeral of Robert II at Scone and crowned Robert III, under whose feeble'
reign he exercised a great influence on the affairs of the country. In the
following year he was sent as ambassador to France to effect a treaty
between France, England, and Scotland, when a year was spent in fruitless
negotiations. But he was definitely one of the supporters of the Auld
Alliance, a great deal of his education was in France also, and his
understanding of the French therefore probably strong. Also the
Cistercians are a French order of Benedictine monks .
King sends team to
arrange Peace Treaty
29 September 1394: Robert
(III), King of Scotland, has commissioned Walter,Bishop of St. Andrews,
Thomas, Bishop of Galloway, George, Earl of March, James de Lindesay of
Crawford, bannaret, William Steward of Jedburgh and John de Ramorgny,
knights, Mr. Thomas de Barry, clerk, Alexander de Cokburn of Langton and
Adam Forestar of Liberton, esquires, as special commissioners to treat
with the king's adversary of England, to draw up a final peace and concord
in the king's name Any eight to four of them are empowered to act.
This gives some idea too of the close working between
Dunbars, Stewarts, Lindsays and Trails at this early date, these four all
represent lowland families, the Dunbars controlling the border, all are
represented in the above record. Walter would not have been the eldest
son but he certainly became the most powerful.
St Andrew’s castle was
destroyed in 1330 by Sir Andrew Moray, Regent of Scotland. Sir Andrew
recaptured the castle which had fallen into English hands after a siege
lasting three weeks. The old castle was then destroyed to prevent it
falling into English hands again. When Walter first went to St Andrews as
Bishop it is believed that he first lived at Dairsie Castle, which at the
time was the residence for the Bishops of St. Andrews and their staff.
Towards the end of the
fourteenth century Bishop Walter Trail ordered that St Andrews castle be
rebuilt this was to be the basis of all further development of the castle.
Included in the castles design was a bottle nosed dungeon. As the castle
was the residence of the most powerful church leaders in the land it saw
many important visitors among these was James I who received part of his
education from Bishop Henry Wardlaw, who was consecrated Bishop of St.
Andrews in 1404 after Walter’s death, and was later to found Scotlands
first University in 1410. Indeed the 15th century saw the founding of the
first three Scottish universities -- St Andrews 1410, Glasgow 1451, and
Aberdeen 1495
Early writers speak of Bishop Trail in high terms of
eulogy. Buchanan considered that the three national calamities of
Scotland., in 1401 were the deaths of Earl Douglas, Queen Annabelle., and
Walter Treyl, Bishop of St Andrews. According to Fordun Bishop Trail was "
Referendarus papae Clementis septirai," and was attending that Pontif at
Avignon, when a vacancy in the see of St Andrews took place. So high was
the opinion of Clement as to his learning and worth, that by his own
authority, without any election, he appointed him to the Bishopric saying
"This man deserveth better to be Pope than Bishop; the place is better
provided than the person.
Walter indeed was a
powerful politician, and following the accident at a tournament to Robert
the third, which left the king disabled, Walter was the Church official in
the regency Council. The other principal members of the Council were
Archibald Douglas, and Queen Anabella. During the year of the crowning of
the new king in 1390, it was Walter Trail who smoothed over the problems
caused by The 'Wolf of Badenoch' (Stewart Alexander, Earl or Buchan) who
had been excommunicated for destroying Elgin Cathedral in that year but
was absolved by Bishop Trail in the Black friars! Church, Perth Registrum
Moraviense, pp 353, 381).
In 1398, when the king made
his brother Robert Stewart Duke of Albany and his son David Stewart Duke
of Rothsay the first dukedoms conferred in Scotland, Trail preached and
celebrated.. Archibald Douglas (known as Archibald the grim) at some time
in the last decade of the 14th century deeded Blebo ( the Trail
family home) to Bishop Walter as freehold, which Walter then gave to his
nephew Alexander. Blebo is reputed to have belonged to the Earl of Douglas
in the time of David II's minority. But of course the Douglas lands were
divided into many different properties and manors. How early the Trail
family settled here is now unknown, but it is a firm family tradition that
they obtained freehold ownership during the 14th. Century through Bishop
Walter.
The Bishop is reputed to
have died between the middle of March and the beginning of July 1401 in
the castle of St. Andrews' which he had rebuilt. He was buried in the
cathedral in a tomb which he had erected for himself. On his monument was
the following inscription:,
Hic fuit ecclesiae direct&
columna, fenestra
Lucida, thuribulum redolens, campana. sonora.
which translates "He was an upright pillar of the
Church, a transparent window, a sweet sound, a melodious bell."
Trail receives a high
character from Fordun and Wynton, and ' was of such excellent worth that
even Buchanan speaks in his praise.
Fordun's Chron. - Wynton's
Chron. - Cal. of Petitions to the Pope, 1342-1419; Cal. Doc. relating to
Scotland; Exchequer Rolls of Scotland Book of Procurat, of English Nat.
at the Univ.of Parish; Keith's Scottish Bishops; Lyon's St, Andrews.]
G.W.S. Dict. National Biographies , Vol. 57 (1899)
We know of at least two
nephews of the Bishop:-
Sir
Alexander Trail
Our next piece of family lore concerns the shipwreck in
which Alexander Trail (Walter’s heir) was involved in which he is said to
have saved the life of a member of the royal court in 1418, and thus
gained favour. The crest is supposed to confirm the shipwreck story as he
is the member of the family to whom the crest of the tower was given.
There is no doubt that Bishop Walters coat of arms was slightly different,
to those of succeeding generations. Our 3rd piece of
information is the name of his wife Elizabeth Bruce.
He is believed to have died in 1420, only two years
after the shipwreck, which is recorded at the Lyons Court to be in 1418.
Alexander spent the majority of his courtier days under
the rule of James Stewart Duke of Albany, Alexander had a close relative
probably his brother as he is also described as a nephew of bishop Walters
by a contemporary record
Sir Thomas Trail
In old records there is another Traill specified as
being nephew to Bishop Walter, and this is Sir Thomas, the champion Knight
from the games at Berwick in 1398
Sir Thomas Trail; nephew of Sir Walter T, bishop of St
Andrews, knight, fought Morley (from England) 1398 at Berwick and killed
him with one great blow
1397 Nov 27
Fiat [command, order, warrant] for letters of safe
conduct till 5th February following for Sir Thomas Traill knight of
Scotland, with twelve persons in his company. Westminster.
James Trail of Blebo (1390 – 1450)
Our next record is of a James of Blebo in 1434 Since
Alexander is the only one with a wife and there was no further record of
Sir Thomas it is believed that James is Alexander’s son, since he was
Walter’s heir. This John Trail is of great interest as he survived
through the struggles between the Stewarts and the Douglas family. Wisely
and no doubt because of the Bruce connection, the Trails were supporting
both James the second and James the third. This James Traill married a
daughter of Sir John Wemyss and his wife Margaret. Sadly we have no record
of her name. The following are our records for him.
1. In the Chartulary of the Priory of St. Andrews,
folio 497, there is an instrument of Fealty and Homage by Sir James
Kynimonde, son and heir of Eliza De Kynimonde, Militas, in the hands of
James Haldinstone, Prior of St. Andrews, proceeding upon and in quest by
sundry persons among whom was Jacobus Traille of Blebok, dated 19th June
1434
2 On the 20th June 1443, James Kennedy Bishop of St.
Andrews, by a writ under his hand consents that John Wemyss of Kilmnenie
being about to go on his affairs substitutes his brother in law James
Trail as Constable for one year see Martine and Douglass
PAROCHIAL ECONOMY of Kemback Parish
In the year 1446, Robertus de Ferny and Mariota Olifert,
his wife, lady of Kemback, granted to Gilbert de Galbrath, rector of the
church of Kemback, and to his successors, four acres of the lands of
Kemback with three cows' grass, and one horse's grass for ever, to be held
on condition of the rector being always bound to say two masses weekly in
the said church, for them, their parents, and benefactors, " purgatorii
poenas demollire, et fidelium animas in paradisi gaudiis collocare." The
deed and confirmation by the Bishop of St Andrews is witnessed by James,
abbot of the monastery of Lundoris; John, archdeacon of St Andrews; Hugo
Kennedy, chaplain of St Andrews; John Beatoun, rector of Dalry; and rector
of the University of St Andrews; John de Balfour, vicar of Lynlytholk;
James Treyle de Malgaske; Thomas de Wemyss de Myrtyn; James Butellere de
Rumgally; Alexander do Forsith de Nydy, and others.
John Traill of Aberdeen
In 1450, it appears from the Burgh records of Aberdeen,
that on 19th February of that year an Assize ordered a John Traile to pay
yearly 40 shillings “until he bring home the blue stone to his father, to
be raised at the sight and ordinance of his mother, and of Sir Adam and
Brother Thomas, to sing for his fathers soul at St Dustan’s Alter.
Unfortunately we do not
know exactly whom his father was, but this John may have been the John Traill of Blebo that lived between 1418 and 1479.
Exchequer Rolls
1460-1469
Computum ballivorum burgi
de Carale [Craill in Fife], redditum per Johannem Trail, [Edinburgh 4 July
1468, from 3 June 1467].
Charge. Fermes, by feu-charter,
£11. Issues of a chamberlain ayre, £2. Sum, £13.
Discharge. To prior of St
Andrews £2-13/4d; and heirs of John Sibbald of Balgowny £5 [Balgonie in
Markinch parish, Fife]; both are risk. To Wallas, Comptroller £3-6/8d. To
Master James Lindesay, keeper of Privy Seal, issue of Ayre £2. Sum £13. Et
sic eque.
We do not know his wife’s
name but among their sons there is John, Thomas, William, and James.
Midlothian: - Protocol Book
of James Young, 1501-1504
Volume 5. The Register of Marriages.
Volume 7.
Volume 9.
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
1134. 01 Apr 1501. Andrew
Kynnynmont of that ilk resigned in the hands of Sir Robert Livingston of
Drumry, baron of the east side of Lochorschir, his lands of Petcarne,
Ester Cowquhelis, Wester Cowquhelis and Litil Petkenny, lying in the said
barony and the sheriffdom of Fiff, and the said Sir Robert gave sasine of
these lands to the said Andrew, according to the charter of old infeftment
thereon and also according to a charter to be made anew. The said Andrew
asked the instrument. Done in the aisle of St. John the Baptist in the
collegiate church of St. Giles of Edinburgh. Witnesses: Patrick, lord
Lindesay of Biris, Sir William Scot of Balwery, Mr. David Setone, parson
of Fethircarne, Sir Thomas Myrtone, canon of Moray, John Multrare, Thomas
Blayre, Thomas Traill, William Kynnynmont and Robert Wardlaw, burgess of
Edinburgh. 9 68v.
Midlothian: - Protocol Book
of James Young, 1493-1497
Volume 5. The Register of Marriages.
Volume 7.
Volume 4.
County: Midlothian
Country: Scotland
858. 31 Jan 1496/7. Robert
Creichton, son and heir apparent of Edward Creichtone of Kirkpatrike and
procurator of Robert, lord Creichtone of Sanchar, forewarned Henry Cant,
elder, burgess of Edinburgh, to compear in the church of St. Giles,
Edinburgh, on Wednesday, 12 Apr next, to receive, at the altar of St.
Lawrence the martyr, 120 merks for the redemption of the four pound lands
of Strabroke in the town and territory of Ester Strabroke and sheriffdom
of Linlithgow, sometime pledged by the deceased Robert Creichton of
Sanchar, knight, great-grandfather of the said Robert, lord Creichtone, to
the deceased Adam Cant, father of the said Henry, under reversion, with a
tack of the said lands for five years, and to renounce and resign to the
said lord Creichton these four pound lands of Ester Strabroke. Witnesses:
sirs Mungo Creichton, vicar of Legerewod, Thomas Diksone, chaplains, John
Litill, George Polloke, Thomas Traill and Patrick Blak. 7. 26v.
21/6/1515 Instrument
narrating that Peter Crichtone of Nauchtane [in Balmerino parish, Fife]
with his own hands,in terms of a charter of sale by himself, gave sasine
to Thomas Hay of Nauchtan of the half lands of East Plewland and Sandfurd,
lying in the barony of Nauchtan and sheriffdom of Fife; to which sasine
Jonet Hay, spouse of Peter Crichton, freely, and in absence of her
husband, gave her consent. Witnesses...James Traill of Blebo, Sir James
Trale, chaplain,...
Alexander Traill
(known as Sandy Trail) poet
Very
little is known of this member of the group called by Dunbar, the Makars
but he is thought to have lived in the latter half of the 15th century and
had died before 1508. Anyone reading this will have have realised that the
Traills had a great fondness for the name Alexander. More information
would be a great help in order to decide which of Alexanders is the
correct man.
In 1479 Blebo changed hands
yet again to the next
James Traill 1450 to 1514
This James Trail of Blebo
married Euphermia, a daughter of Sir Andrew Kinnimont. At this time we
know of 4 sons, James, David, Alexander, and Andro.
John Traill of Blebo
1478 – 1533
During the whole of the 15th
century except for the family’s poet Alexander Traill who appears to have
lived at the time of James III, the Trails appears to have concentrated on
the acquisation of some material wealth, succeeding so well between 1400
and 1517, that Sir R. Sibbald, in History of Fife. 2nd edition (1803) page
200 (first edition 1710) gives full statement of a commission for an
inquisition in 1517 into the Divisions of Fife, and the several properties
there, intrusted to an Assize of 24 of the chief people of Fife under
presidency of Lord Lindsay of the Byres and Patrick Lindsay of Piteruvie.
Among them is
John Trail of Blebo
Blebo is put down
at £4. 0s
Carnbie Barony
and £6. 0s
The Mains over Carnbie
£3. 0s
Anstruther £6.
0s
Cambo & Belshies
£5. 0s
Randerstoun
£3. 0s
Rosyth, Barony
£16. 0s
In this interesting list
you will see two baronys held by the Trails. It was no doubt by right of
these that the Trails held a seat in Parliament, during the 16th century,
Blebo is reputed have been 900 acres at this time.
The Trails who had kept
themselves out of trouble up till this time having consolidated their
position started to become more involved again with the court, the
Parliament and the Army. The marriage of John Trail (known to all of us,
nowadays as The old Laird.) with Agnes Bruce in or about 1525 would seem
to be part of the reason for this. Agnes’ mother was Janet Stewart, her
grandfather Sir David Stewart of Rosyth. And her father Sir Alexander
Bruce of Earls Hall
It was not long after this
that the family gained its only known ghost in 1533. James Trail of Blebo
notified the authorities in a charter dated 15/1/1533-34 of the slaughter
of his brother Andro T (umquhile/deceased) and Alexander Wemyss. 'The
Headless Coachman' is said to still drive furiously along the back drive
to Blebo attended by much noise of rushing wind and flying hooves. This
James himself died later the same year as Blebo appears to have changed
hands passing to his son John Trail (born 1502) subsequently known as
the Old Laird by the time of his death on the 4th June 1580.
The Old Laird
When his wife died is
unknown, but up till now we have 6 members to his family culled from old
documents.
1. John1 Traill
was born 1502 in Scotland, and died 4 June 1580 at Blebo, Fife. He
married Agnes Bruce Abt. 1525 in Scotland, daughter of Alexander
Bruce
and Janet Stewart. She was born Abt.
1504 in Earls hall. She was one of five siblings , Janet who married
Andrew Balfour, Helen who married William Ramsay, William who married
Margaret Meldrum, and Margaret who married Patrick Kinimont.
Children of John Traill and Agnes Bruce are:
2 i.
Alexander2 Traill, born Abt. 1527 in Blebo Scotland; died April
1590 in Blebo Scotland. He married Elspeth Fearney 1559 in Blebo,
Scotland; born Abt. 1535 in Blebo,; died August 1590 in Blebo,. Of his
four sons John the Elder sold Blebo circa 1637. Thomas settled at Blebo
Hole beginning that line. George Traill moved to Orkney beginning the
Orkney Traills, and Patrick Traill whose family lived at Aberdeen died
with other retainers who supported Earl Robert Stuart in 1615
3 ii.
Jhon Traill, born 1529; died 9 May 1564 in Magask. He married Margaret
Heriot Abt. 1544.
4 iii.
Beatrix Traill, born 1530; died Aft. 1594. She married Thomas Grieg.
5 iv.
Andrew Traill, Col, born 1534 in Blebo, Ceres; died 25 July 1586 in Many,
Flanders. He married Helen Myrton Abt. 1554; born Abt. 1536 in Cambo;
died 13 February 1607/08 in St. Andrews. His son Col James of Beley was a
gentleman of the Privy chamber to Prince Henry, James VI’s eldest son and
later was one of the Scots chosen to form part of the settlement in
Ireland in 1610. He died at Anstruther in 1635. James of Beley’s two
eldest sons Col James Traill of Tullochin, in Ireland, and the Rev. Robert
Traill of Greyfriers are the best known of the Traills during the years of
Cromwell’s rule.
6 v.
Agnes Traill, born 1536. She married Robert Bethune 1564.
7 vi.
Thomas Traill, born 1540. Thomas’ son Thomas accompanied Charles the first
on his trip to Spain with the Duke of Buckingham, as a surgeon.
All birth dates for John
Trail’s children are estimated from their marriage and death dates which
as far as possible are exact.
Alexander Trail
(known as Sandy Trail) poet probably living between 1530 and 1590
Very little is known of this member of the group called
by Dunbar, the Makars but he is thought to have lived in the latter half
of the 15th century and had died before 1508. He is most probably the
Alexander Trail listed below.
Alexander Trail, citizen of St. Andrews. Witness (1456)
(ref. St. Salvatore’s College List and therefore linked to the University)
It is most likely too that he was the second son of
James Trail (1390 – 1450) and therefore named after his grandfather, Sir
Alexander Trail of Blebo.
The Orkney Traills
Quoting from Dr. William Trail in 1883 in his
geneaology of the Orkney Traills :
Some degree of obscurity hangs over the exact time at which one if not
two sons of the Laird of Blebo removed to Orkney; but in the opinion of
the best authorities, including David Balfour of Balfour, George Traill,
the ancestor of the present Traills of Orkney, was a younger son of
Alexander Traill of Blebo.
On referring to my notes on the Fife Traills, I find that the name of
Alexander Traill of Blebo occurs uninterruptedly from the year 1564 to
1583; and from about that time up to 1622, there were at least three
successive JohnTraills of Blebo. The date of the transfer of Blebo from
the last John Trail to Sir William Murray is unknown but was before 1637
Through the courtesy of the present proprietor of Blebo, I had an
opportunity, some years ago, of examining a vast number of letters and
documents referring to the former Traills of Blebo. I had not then time
at my disposal to read more than a third part of the papers in a cursory
manner; and although I gleaned some important genealogical facts, I
failed to discover anything
Dr. William Traill 1818
- 1886 relating to the
date on which certain younger members of that family settled in the
Orkney islands.
In Peterkin's Orkney Rentals there is a John Traill mentioned as
holding land there in the year 1595. Earl Robert Stewart died in
1592,and his son Patrick did not receive his final Crown Charter of the
Earldom of Orkney until 1600. it is, therefore, evident that at least
one person of the name of Traill was a landholder in Orkney between
these two periods. Mr Spence, the late Crown Chamberlain of Orkney, held
that two Traills came to Orkney with Earl Robert Stewart about 1585. In
the appendix to Bell's Life of Queen Mary, in Constable's
Miscellany, it is stated that George Traill accompanied Earl Robert
Stewart to Orkney about the year 1580. Also, in a M.S. book which
belonged to the late Anthony Traill, W.S., of Edinburgh, compiled from
Genealogical papers drawn up by at least six descendants of the Traills
of Blebo, there is an entry regarding Alexander Traill of Blebo in 1567
with the following statement:-" About this time two of the younger sons
of the. house of Blebo went to the Orkneys." These are of course only
approximate dates, but, though it is perhaps too late now to find out
the precise period at which the two families separated, there seems no
reason to.doubt their common lineage. It is some what remarkable that
John Traill of Westness, in the island of Rousay, Orkney, when making a
disposition of his property, in 1795, included among his Trustees Dr
William Traill, then Professor of Mathematics in Aberdeen, one of the
Fife Traills, who married Lady Frances Charteris. Furthermore, in
collecting materials for the subjoined Tabular Statement, I have, in one
instance, at least, acquired information from the M.S. account of the
Fife.Traills, which I was unable to obtain from local sources, I allude
to Patrick Traill the last of the Traills of Sabay, as to whom 1 could
find out little or nothing beyond the fact that he was a Major of
Artillery, and that he had been obliged to part with his property from
pecuniary embarrassment.
However, on turning to the M.S. in question, I ascertained that he rose
to the rank' of General, that he was twice married, that he left a
daughter by his first wife, who, about the year 1800, married a French
Count, who was a Colonel in the British service: and that by his second
wife, who was an American lady, he had a son who went to America with
his maternal grandfather. The names of his wives and children were not
given., but this and other statements scattered through the M.S. tend to
show that the two 'branches of the family, though widely separated, had
kept up more than a casual acquaintance with each other. Robert
Nicholson., formerly Sheriff Substitute of Orkney, made up "Family
Trees" for several Orkney gentlemen, more than 70 years ago; but
considering the abundant materials he had access to in the shape of
letters and documents suitable for such a purpose, it is much to 'be
regretted that he prepared them in such a careless if not reckless
manner, that they were full of errors and quite untrustworthy. In his
account of the Orkney Traills he states that George Traill, from Blebo
in Fife, came to Orkney with Earl Robert Stewart in the capacity of
Steward or Factor, that his first wife was Jean Kennedy of Carmunks, a
near relation of the Cassilis family, and that his second wife was
Isabel daughter of Sir William Craigie.of Gairsay. Now, I can find no
indication that George Traill had any management of Earl Robert's
affairs, though in more than one document he is styled " Servitor to ane
noble and potent Lord Patrick Earl of Orkney,"and it is quite possible
that he held some position of trust under both Earls.
Opinion is divided, also, as to whether his first wife was a Kennedy
of Carmunks or of Bargeny; and with regard to the parentage of his
second wife. Isabel Craigie, it is an undoubted fact that George Traill
died and left her a widow with 13 children in the year 1634,at least 8
or 10 years before the birth of Sir William Craigie! There is, however,
some evidence to show that Isabel was the daughter of a Sir William
Craigie of Gairsay. It is noticeable that the Fife 'Traills spelt
their name in various ways. All of them with whom I am at present
acquainted spell it Traill, whereas in Orkney it is invariably Traill.
As this is a point of some interest, I should ' observe that in the
course of my researches through the ancient Blebo records, formerly
referred to, I found reason to believe that among the various forms of
the name that from time to time prevailed, more authority exists for the
spelling Traill than Trail.
The descendants of the Fife
Trails who settled in Orkney were so far removed from the great centres
of active life that they had not the same opportunity of distinguishing
themselves in the busy world. They seem, however, to have very soon
taken an active part in municipal affairs in Kirkwall. Their names
frequently occur among the members of the Town Council, and not a few of
them, from time to time, occupied the position of Provost of Kirkwall.
Some went abroad, or served in the Army or Navy, or entered the Church.
Thomas Traill, 1st of Holland, for some time served under Gustavus
Adolphus in Germany. Robert Traill, of the Hobbister family, son of the
Rev. Thomas Traill of Lady Parish, Island of Sanday, when a young man
went to Philadelphia, in America, in 1763. A descendant of his, the Rev.
Edward Traill Horn, of Charleston, South Carolina, lately sent me the
following short account of him, which presents the pleasing picture of a
man attaining an honourable position, and winning the respect and esteem
of his townsmen by sheer force of character. Mr S. Henry in his history
of the Lehigh Valley wrote-" Robert Traill ' was the second or third
resident lawyer in Easton. Of Mr Traill it may be said that in every
respect he, for many years, was everything to everybody. Any inhabitant
getting into difficulty was told. to go to Mr Traill, he will tell you
what to do. If any writings were to be drawn up correctly, go to Mr
Traill. If any secretary or clerk were wanting at any public meeting, Mr
Traill was called upon to officiate. In 1776-7-8 he was Secretary to the
Committee of Safety; at another time Member of Assembly; in 1782 Sherifr-Clerk
of Court, &c. Mr Traill was highly esteemed by all who knew him."
The Rev. George Traill of
Hobbister, D.D. first cousin to the above Robert Traill, became minister
of Dunnet in Caithness, his only son,James, studied Law, became Sheriff
of Sutherland and Caithness, married Lady Janet Sinclair, daughter of
William 10th Earl of Caithness, and acquired much property in that
county, including the valuable estate of Ratter.
James' eldest son, George,
who also studied Law, was born in 1787 and for many years represented
the County of Caithness in Parliament. George's nephew, James Christie
Traill, Barrister-at-Law, London, is the present possessor of Ratter and
Hobbister; and a younger brother of his, George Balfour Traill,
Lieut.Colonel Royal Artillery, served all through the Indian Mutiny,
including the siege and capture of Delhi, relief and capture of Lucknow,
&c.John Traill of Westness, grandson of William Traill, first of
Westness, and great-grandson of James Traill, first of Weststove, was
born in the early part of the last century. He inherited Westness from
his father, George Traill, and as heir to his uncle, James Traill, he
succeeded to the estate of Woodwick also. This latter property included
the island of North Ronaldshay, a place formerly dreaded by mariners on
account of the frequency of shipwreck on its shores. There is now a
first-class lighthouse on the island, but it is worthy of record that,
in those somewhat lawless, times, John Traill received many written
testimonials, besides money and plate to the value of £400, in
recognition of his liberal and humane conduct, on occasion of divers
shipwrecks there, from 1746 to 1791. Even in these remote regions his
life was not one of undisturbed tranquillity; for having been suspected
of favouring the cause of Prince Charles Edward, he was proscribed as a
rebel, and along with Archibald Stewart of Brugh, William Balfour of
Trenabie and John Traill of Elsness, he for some time took refuge in a
cave in the island of Westray, ever since known as the Gentlemen's Cave.
Meanwhile their dwelling houses were burned down, and their wives and
families subjected to cruel hardships and privations. At length quieter
times returned; but ` Westness," who had been a man of 6 feet 6 inches
in height, was bent with rheumatism for the remainder of his life. In
the early part of the present century, George William Traill of the
Westness family, entered the Indian Civil Service, where he long held an
important and responsible appointment ; and on his return to Britain
with an ample fortune, he purchased the island of Rousay, in Orkney,
which is now possessed by his relative and heir, Lieutenant General
Traill Burroughs, C.B., late in command of the 93rd Sutherland
Highlanders.
I may mention here that Mary
Traill, aunt of the above named George William Traill, married Keith
Spence, whose daughter, Harriet, married the Rev. Charles Lowell, father
of his Excellency the Honourable James Russell Lowell, American
Ambassador to England, who, in addition to being an able diplomatist,
has long enjoyed and maintained a high reputation in the paths of
literature.
I cannot conclude without a
passing notice of the last representative of the Traills of Thurlet or
Tirlet, as it is now usually called Dr Thomas Stewart Traill, Professor
of Medical Jurisprudence in the University of Edinburgh. He was a man of
singularly varied talents and of no common 'attainments, possessing such
extensive knowledge of many departments of Science, that on several
occasions he very ably discharged the duties of other Professorships
during temporary vacancies; and at the time. of his death, which
occurred in 1862,in his 81st year, he had just. completed the onerous
work of superintending a new edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannic.
Mary Queen of Scots
half brother Earl Robert Stewart and his son Earl Patrick of Orkney both
aimed at destroying the [Orkney] odal system...they silenced and
overawed the refractory odallers by their men-at-arms and they employed
their rights over the temporalities of the bishopric as a pretext for
levying fines from such landholders as incurred any censure of the
church. They thus succeeded in wresting much landed property from the
rightful owners, and terrified not a few of the odal proprietors into a
surrender of their peculiar priveleges, an acknowledgment of feudal
vassalage and an acceptance of tenure by charter. The rent of the
earldom, too, being paid chiefly in kind, they increased it by
increasing the value of the weights used. Earl Patrick even excelled his
father in his despotism, compelling the people to work like slaves in
carrying on buildings and other works for him, confiscating the lands of
the inhabitants on the most trivial pretences, carrying off the movable
goods of any who dared to leave the islands without special permission
from himself or his deputies, and - crowning display of his savage
temper and avarice- ordaining that 'if any man tried to give relief to
ships, or any vessel distressed by tempest, the same shall be punished
in his person and fined at the Earl's pleasure.' Bishop Law, howver,
intervened, more because the Earl's claims clashed with his than from
any desire for justice, and Earl Patrick was summoned to Edinburgh in
1609 and kept in prison there and at Dumbarton till 1615. In 1614 his
son, Robert, had seized the castle of Kirkwall and the steeple of the
cathedral, and held them with an armed force, but the outbreak was put
down by the Earl of Caithness, and both father and son were executed at
Edinburgh in 1615 on a charge of treason. ref. to the above will be
found in Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland 1885
Among the men who died in 1615 is believed to be George's brother
Patrick Traill son of Alexander Traill of Fife. the best report of his
death comes from the trial of a witch who was sentenced for witchcraft
in 1623 because she had forseen his death with a hempen rope around his
neck. However records of his wife and family were found in Aberdeen,
and confirmation that Patrick's son Patrick was the factor at Blebo for
Sir Willaim Murray was found in the St. Andrew's records
Click here to read
about the Covenanting Traills
Traill 2927
Liberal permission will be granted for use as
a family tartan.
Copyright holder
Cynthia
Corderman Balfour-Traill |
