Can Anyone Identify These People Please?

[nat11911]

Hi all.

I have a letter written by Robert Maxwell to his father John Maxwell of Barncleugh, Dumfries, dated July 1705.

He mentions ‘my Lord Morton and Quensbury [Queensberry]’ setting out for Edinburgh, and refers to the recent death in Bombay of a (Capt) Glendining.

I’m hoping someone with knowledge of Scottish history c1700 can enlighten me as to the Lord Morton and Queensberry referred to (Googling turns up many with these names) - were they of any importance at this time?

Robert says that the Navy Board confirmed Glendining’s death, so if anyone has access to the relevant naval records to identify him too it’d be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! 

[isobelw]

I think 'my lord Morton ' will be the Earl of Morton who was part of the Douglas family. In 1705 that would have been James Douglas 11th Earl who died in 1715. The Douglas family play a prominent role in Scottish history. The 4th Earl was a regent to James 1 and V1 during his minority.
Isobel

[nat11911]

Hi Isobel

Thanks for the info that ‘my Lord Morton’ was probably James Douglas, 11th Earl Morton (d.1715), but now I’m even more confused because Google tells me that the 2nd Duke of Queensberry and 1st Duke of Dover (1662-1711) was named James Douglas as well!

I need a drink.

Chris

[isobelw]

There were several different scions of the Douglas family, all if whom would have been related to each other. You may find this website of interest.
http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/articles/douglas_titles.htm
Isobel

[nat11911]

Thanks Isobel. I'd already looked (briefly) at that site, but the convoluted nature of the Morton-Douglas relationships made my eyes spin. Now I see how these two people could be related - and even have the same name - which throws up other research possibilities.

Thanks again for your help.

Chris