History of the earldoms of Strathern, Monteith, and Airth

118 HISTORY OF THE EARLDOMS OF
rose. A letter from Mr. Patrick Scott to his
mother, dated at Edinburgh, 2nd November,
1709, shews that his right to the Earldom of
Monteith was then well known. Speaking of the
pecuniary difficulties of the family, Mr. Scott
says, " I think your son's clame and right to
the Title of Monteith should be a good argu-
ment why the Queen should take care of and
provide for him." ' Dying in May 1728 -, in
his thirty-fifth year, the Claim was not pro-
secuted. He left issue,
James Allah- James Allardice of Allardicc, Esq., his only
1728— n65. son and heir.^ He was born on the 29th, and
baptized on the 30th of January, I727'*; and on
succeeding to the family estate, which was greatly
encumbered, he was only two years old. Mr.
Allardice did not become of age until 1748, and
lived mostly abroad. Though universally con-
sidered to be entitled to the Earldom of Monteith,
he alleged his embarrassed circumstances as his
^ reason for not assuming the Title, and proving
his right to that Dignity. He married, in March
1756, Ann, daughter of James Barclay of Lon-
don ^, who died in child-birth in the follow-
1 Original Letter in the possession of the Claimant. See
Appendix, No. XVII.
2 Parish Register of Arbuthnott. (Printed Evidence,
pp. 69, 70.)
3 Crown Charter, dated 26th of July, 1748. (Ibid. p. 48.)
4 Parish Register of Arbuthnott. (Ibid. pp. 69. 70.)
s Marriage Contract, dated 30th of March, and 7th of
April, 1756. (Ibid. p. 49.)