Sir James Halkett
SIR JAMES HALKETT (sometimes written as Halket), the eldest son, born 12 August 1610, and died 24 September 1670, he had been knighted by Charles I, at Dalkeith 14 June 1633, and used the title throughout the time he fought against the King in the Civil War (1642-1651). He was twice married (1) to Margaret Montgomerie,15th December 1682 (Edin. Marriage Register), eldest daughter of Sir Robert Montgomerie of Lochranza and Skelmorlie, and Lady Ann Campbell, daughter of Archibald 7th Earl of Argyll from this the Halkett family trace a connection upwards to King Robert the Bruce, By this marriage he had nine children to follow.
Sir James took an active part in the fighting on the side of the Presbyterians. His brother Robert was even more extreme, but narrowly escaping trial and possible execution for his activities against Cromwell, eventually settling down on lands in Argyllshire. Sir James left the battlefield of Kilsyth rather smartly when the Presbyterians were defeated by Montrose, having to fight his way out with the Marquess, and later was courtmartialled but exhonerated for again leaving the battlefield of Dunbar in a hurry without lifting a hand against Cromwell. He was one of the two officers who captured Montrose in the north of Scotland, and who took him to Edinburgh for execution.
The troublous times following the execution of Charles I, the Scottish military authorities, keenly alive to the importance of Inchgarvie in regard to the defence of the Ferry passage, were not satisfied with the condition of its fortifications; and steps were taken to have them put into a stage of proper repair. Following the Report of a Committee, a scheme was approved by Parliament on June 19, 1650. Sir James Halkett of Pitfirrane, General of Artillery, was appointed to see what as necessary for repairing the works. It was agreed tht the castle be garrisoned by two "rait" of men with a sergeant from the regiment of Major-General Holburne.
With the family connection of the first marriage, it is not surprising that we find Sir James taking an active part in the Civil War on the side of the Presbyterians. He raised and commanded an independent troop of horse, and was present at Kilsyth, his force having been joined with that of Lord Balcarres. He escaped with difficulty from that battle having to cut his way to safety. After the Battle of Philiphaugh, which saw the ruin of the hopes of Montrose, Sir James was sent by the Estates to announce the victory to the English deputies at Berwick. He also took part in the campaign in the north in 1650 that ended with the capture and execution of Montrose. Later when Cromwell marched north to Dunbar, Sir James was summoned before a parliamentary inquiry, the equivalent of a court-martial, for having failed to support David Leslie in an attack on some of Cromwell’s forces in a skirmish near Edinburgh prior to the battle of Dunbar. As Balfour puts it “Sir James Halkett received a great fright at a skirmish with the enemy; he should have secondit the Lieutenant General but turned never lowsit a pistoll against the enemy, but took him to speed of his horse’ heels”. Sir James was however exonerated by the committee, though Balfour dryly says for 3rd August 1650 “Sir James Halkett and Colonel Scotte cleired by the committee, zet that did little saeve ther honor among honest men and soldiours of worth and reputation.” He was appointed guardian or cautioner for £10,000 pounds sterling for the behaviour of his cousin, Archibald Lord Lorne, who was confined in 1651 by Monk to a radius of 25 miles from Gordon castle, and in 1659 he lends his wife’s uncle, Archibald, 8th Earl of Argyll, £17,000 pounds Scots, so that the family finances must have been on a firm foundation.
Although he signed the Submission of the Gentlemen of Fife at Amsterdam on 6th October 1651, he still retained the more extreme views shared by his brother Robert, though having estates to consider, was more politic. Yet that did not prevent him from being a signatory along with Samuel Rutherford and others to a letter to General Lambert in March 1653 which was referred to in a News letter of the time. The writer of the News letter says “You will perceive by it the drift of their intentions, which is to exalt their government and Kirk into their hands….to lett them have a liberty to
tyrannize both over bodies and soules of the poore people under pretense of giving them liberty of conscience.”
He appears to have been deeply engaged with the covenanters in the reign of King Charles I. From this prince he received his knighthood at Dalkeith, 14th June 1633 he was member of Parliament for Fifeshire in 1649, and about the same period was employed to examine into the state of the fortification of Inch Garvey, a small island at Queensferry. He became afterward colonel of a regiment of horse, and died in 1670. With the family connection of the first marriage, it is not surprising that we find Sir James taking an active part in the Civil War on the side of the Presbyterians.
After the Battle of Philiphaugh, which saw the ruin of the hopes of Montrose, Sir James was sent by the Estates to announce the victory to the English deputies at Berwick. He also took part in the campaign in the north in 1650 that ended with the capture and execution of Montrose.
Issue from first marriage:
1) Mary Halkett, bapt. 7 September 1633, m. Sir William Bruce of Balcaskie & Kinross
2) Charles Halkett, bapt. 5 September 1639, who succeeded him.
3) Col. Robert Halkett (sometimes written Halkeid), bapt. 7 November 1640, m. Helen Scott, widow of Alexander Spittal, and was designated Colonel in a bond of 1690.
4) Sir James Halkett, bapt. 13 July 1642, later Knighted.
5) Margaret Halkett, bapt. 18 July 1643.
6) Thomas Halkett, bapt. 1 October 1646.
7) Anna Halkett, bapt. 29 July 1647.
8) John Halkett, bapt. 25 February 1649.
9) Jean Halkett, bapt. 10 October 1650, m. 15 Dec 1682, John Scott, younger of Headshaw.
Sir James Halkett married secondly at Holyrood in 1656 Anne Murray, it is noted the marriage took places at Anne's sister's house in Charlton, England on 2 March 1656, after, the couple returns to Sir James estate at Pitfirrane. Anne was b. 4 Jan 1622 London, d. 22 Apr 1699, Abbot House, daughter of Thomas Murray, Provost of Eton and preceptor to King Charles I, and who was one of the seven sons of Murray of Woodend and Jane Drummond. Her father claimed the honour of being descended from the Earl of Tullibardine's family, and her mother Jane Drummond, from the Earl of Perth's. But her family descent, or marriage relation, was her least distinction. She was a lady of great natural gifts, which she had diligently cultivated, and of decided religious and moral character. She was born in 1622, and, through her father's connection with royalty, was soon known at Court, where she was held in high esteem for her talents, prudence, amiableness, and benevolence, as well as strong attachment to the royal family, to whom she made herself very serviceable. She was appointed by King Charles I, and his Queen first sub-governess, and afterwards, on the death of the Countess of Roxburgh, governess to the Duke of Gloucester and the Princess Elizabeth. Immediately after the death of Charles I, she found it prudent to retire for a while from court to Scotland, and resided for some time in this town with the Earl and
Countess of Dunfermline, who always paid her great attention. It is said that while here, Charles II, having returned to his ancient kingdom, she had the honour of kissing his hand, being complimented by him for the service which she had rendered to his brother, and being told that if ever he came to command what he had a right to, there should be nothing in his power he would not do for her. To which (humbly kneeling) she replied that she had done nothing but her duty, and had recompense enough, if his Majesty accepted of it as a service, and allowed her his favour.
Shortly after this period, and the fatal battle of Dunbar, which caused her and the Earl's family to leave Dunfermline, she became acquainted at Edinburgh in 1652, with Sir James Halket, to whom she was marrid in 1656. He died in 1670, and she in 1699, during most of the 28 years of her widowhood, she resided in a house in the Maygate, having a communication with the churchyard the easy access of which she much enjoyed. Their matrimonial life was mutually happy. She experienced many changes of fortune in the troublous reign of Charles I, which she bore with Christian fortitude and resignation. Her scriptural knowledge and piety, as well as uncommon activity of mind, were her prominent excellencies, of which she has left substantial evidence in some writings still extant, particularly. "Meditations on the 25th Psalm; Meditations and Payers upon the First Week, with Observations on each day of the Creation, and Instructions for Youth."; with a Memoir, containing many interesting and pleasing incidents of her life. She wrote 5 books in folio, 15 in quarto, and 1 in octave, all of a religious and spiritual nature. Some of her MSS are still at Pitfirrane.
Issue by second marriage:
Elizabeth Halkett, bapt 4 Dec 1656, in the Torrie Kirk, m. 1 Dec 1672, Alexander Gemmel.
2) Henry (Harry) Halkett, bap. June 1658, died 12 May 1661.
3) Robert Halkett, bapt. 10 Feb 1660, A Captain served under James II in Ireland, d. 1692.
4) Jean Halkett, b. 1670.
Sir James died on 24th September, 1670, His son by his first marriage, Charles Halkett, took over the Pitfirrane estate. Because Charles did not get along with his stepmother he sent Lady Ann Halkett to live with her brother in Dunfermline. Lady Anne lived her last 28 years in the old house once call the Commendator's, now known as the Abbot House . It was in Abbot House where Lady Anne wrote a score of books on religious meditations. She died on 22 April 1699 at age 77. Her adult life covered a span of years, that covered all the troubled history of England and Scotland, during the reigns of James VI and I, of England, Charles I, Cromwell, Charles II, James VII, William and Mary, with all the trials and troubles of religious persecutions. But maybe, secure in the shelter of the old stone house, she was only interested in the writing of her pious reflections, looking out the window at the Abbey and graveyard where in the end she would be buried. She experienced many changes of fortune in the troublesome reign of Charles I, which she bore with Christian fortitude and resignation. Sir James was succeeded by his eldest son.
b. 12 Aug 1610
