MS48.02: Alexander Spotswood Papers
John Spotswood letter to Robert Rose, 1743/4 March 20
Sir
The desire I had to be Informed of my
Cosine the Generalls Family made one apply
to My Friend Mr Jo Anderson here whose Broyr +by whose means I was favoured wt
wt you
your Letter of ye 25 Jully last to Mr Andr Anderson
giving an account of the Generall's Family &
Fortunes wch yeilded me Infinite Satisfaction.
As to the account you want desire of the Posterity
of the Arch Bishop It is as follows Spotswoode you have it
Both in His Life prefixed to his History of Scotland
and also
in the History of the family of Spottiswood prefixed
to a book Intituled, practices of the Laws of Scotland
wrote by [illegible] Both, & Spottiswoode published by my father both wch
Books I know the Generall had & when he was
here in Scotland in ye year 1725 I gave him a Book
Intituled the History of Montrose's wars wch
Comprehends Severall particulars of Sir Roberts
Life But least these books may not be at Hand fallen asides
the following short account May not be thought
Superfluous
Arch Bp Spottswood dyed at London
in the
1639 having little befor his death resigned
the office of Lord High Chancellor of Scotland wch
he had enjoyed for the Space of four years
His commission from the Crown & an letter Original
Letter from King Char: 1st [requesting] that when his age & [Infirmity] should oblige his majesty to [govt] wt so
Bps
good a Servant are Still preserved up in my Custody x
His Eldest Son Sir Jo Spottiswoode of Dai[r]sie in
the County of [Wise] [was in great favour wt K. Fav. C. S.] had Issue 3 daughters & one
Son This only Son fell a Sacrifice to the rage of
the times about the year 1646 being then but
about 18 years of age. & left no Issue Sir John
for his Loyalty was obliged to leave the Kingdom
& he retired into England wt his 3 daughters some
of which were marryed there & I have had Severall
Letters from some Gentlemen in England
as Relations
by them.
Sir Robert Spottiswoode the Bps Second Son was
esteemed for his Learning Esteemed a great ornament to his
Country he was president of our High court of Justice
here for many years (wch I apprehend to be the same
wt us as Lord Cheiff Justice in England) & after-
wards Secretary of State for Scotland
both wch
offices he till his death but being obnoxious
to the Covenanters he was taken at the Battle of
Philipbough & forfeited & beheaded St Andrews
the 20th Janry 1645/6 a full account of his Tryall
&c is [offered] to the above Cited Book the [Practiks]
of the Laws of Scotland he left behind Issue 3 Sons
the Eldest of which dyed young The second
Alecr (was my Grand father) left Issue Two
Sons & Two daughters & Robert the youngest Robert was
father to the Generall.
The Arch Bps Daughter was marryed to [illegible]
Saint clare of Rossline & left an ancient family in
The County of Berwich Edinbr whose male Issue from whom is descended the present Rossline
are still Extant
John my father was Eledest Son to Alecr the his oyr
Son & a daughter dyed young & there is one daughter
still alive but has no Issue. My father dyed in
the 1728 & left Issue Two daughters besides my
self & one of my Sisters dyed lately leaving Issue
one Son My oyr daughter Sister is unmarryed
I marryed in the year 1740 & have Issue Two
Sons & one daughter. I hope
*
I hope this account I observe from Severall
Letters of the General's to my father that there was
they Keept a Close Correspondence & no doubt you
will find letters of my father's among the Genlls
papers I shou'd be fond of Cultivating a Correspond
ence wt my young Cusins to all whom I beg
you'll present my Humble duty and I am
Sir
your very most Humble Servt
Edinbr
March
20 1743/4
To Robert Rose Esqr Virginia