John Grant of Freuchie (died 1585)

John Grant of Freuchie (died 1585) was a Scottish landowner.

He was a son of James Grant of Freuchie (died 1553), and Elizabeth Forbes, a daughter of John Forbes, 6th Lord Forbes, or Christina Barclay.^[1]

His home was Freuchie, sometimes called Ballachastel, and now known as Castle Grant. He became the laird in 1553.^[2] Grant is said to have jousted with Hugh Fraser, Lord Lovat, at Inverness Castle and lost.^[3]

As Laird of Grant or Freuchie, his estates included Urquhart and Glenmoriston, from which he was obliged to pay a "feu-duty" which contributed to the household and food expenses of Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1569, Regent Moray asked Grant to pay the money to William Douglas as a contribution to costs of keeping the deposed queen at Lochleven Castle.^[4]

He died in 1585 and was buried at Duthil Old Parish Church and Churchyard.^[5]

Marriages and children

He married Margaret Stewart (died 1555), a daughter of John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Atholl. His second wife was Janet Leslie (died 1591), a daughter of George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes. His children included:

• Duncan Grant (1566-1582), his eldest son by Margaret Stewart, who died in his lifetime. Duncan married Margaret Mackintosh. Their son, John Grant, became Laird of Freuchie.^[6]
• Patrick Grant of Rothiemurchus
• Elizabeth, Elspeth, or Isobel. She was betrothed to William Fraser of Stowie, married and divorced John Leslie of Balquhain, and married William Cuming of Inverallochy
• Grissel Grant, who married Patrick Grant, younger of Ballindalloch
• Margaret Grant, who married Alexander Gordon of Beldornie
• Katherine Grant
• Marjory Grant
• Barbara Grant, betrothed to Robert Munro, younger of Fowlis, married Colin Mackenzie of Kintail
• Helen Grant, betrothed to Donald McAngus McAlester younger of Glengarry.^[7]

After his death on 3 June 1585, his widow Janet Leslie was required to surrender various items to John Grant, his grandson. These included a chain of gold, gold bracelets, a cloak of French black with velvet facings, a black satin doublet, a pair of silk breeches, and a gilt clock.^[8] Janet Leslie later married James Elphinstone, a son of Alexander Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Elphinstone. She was known as Janet Leslie, Lady Naughton from her fist marriage.^[9]

References

1. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). pp. 122-3.
2. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 126.
3. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 145: William Mackay, Fraser Chronicles (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 165.
4. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). pp. 127, 145: National Records of Scotland, E30/11 f2v, account of George Wishart of Drymme.
5. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 152 and plate.
6. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). pp. 153-5.
7. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 154.
8. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). pp. 150-1.
9. William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 153.