Strathendrick, and its inhabitants from early times

I7 8 HISTORY OF STRATHENDRICK
is, however, no part of the plan of this book to write a life of this great man.
That has been well done already, and it is only in connection with Strathendrick
that we have to do with John Napier.
His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Stirling of Keir, 1 wliom
he married in 1 57 1. By her he had:
Archibald, created a baronet of Nova Scotia, with remainder to his heirs
male whatsoever, 2nd March 1627, and created Lord Napier of
Merchistoun on 4th May following. He carried on the line, and is now
represented (in the female line) by the present Lord Napier and Ettrick. 2
Joanna, 3 or Jean, to whom he granted an annuity in 1595, but of whom
nothing more seems known.
Elizabeth Stirling, his spouse, died in 1579.
John Napier did not remain long unmarried, having within a very few
years wedded Agnes or Annas, daughter of Sir James Chisholm of Cromlix. 4
This marriage was not, so far at least as the father-in-law was concerned, a
happy one, for Sir James belonged to the Popish faction, and in fact was a
prime mover in the plot called the "Spanish Blanks," for which David Graham
of Fintry, a Strathendrick man, was executed in Edinburgh, 5 on 16th January
quarrels, not only with outsiders, but, like ordinary unphilosophical people, with his relations.
Sir Archibald Naper of Edinbellie, and Francis Naper, assayer of the Cunyiehouse, are caution
for 1000 merks that Johnne Naper, eldest son of the said Sir Archibald, would not harm James,
Earl of Moray, and other possessors of the lands and Barony of Cessintullie. — 23rd August 1 591
(Keg. P. C. of Scot., Vol. iv., p. 673). He was also occasionally surety for others. William
Naper of Wrichtishoussis was, on 1st Sept. 160S, appointed as a neutral person to settle a
dispute between "Johnne Naper of Marchiestoun and Mr. Waltir, Williame, Helene, Elizabeth,
and Marione Naparis, bairns of the late Sir Archibald Naper of Edinbillie, as to the right and
title to the teynd schavis of the landis of Marchinstoun and Maynis thairof for 1608" (Reg. P. C.
of Scot., Vol. VIII., p. 159). Sir Archibald Naper of Edinbillie, who died 15th May 1608, and
who had been "General of the Cunyiehouse" from 1576 to his death, was in possession when
he died of certain articles " furth of the assay box" and out of the Cunyiehouse. The next
Master of the Mint, Thomas Achasoun, portioner of Inveresk, who was then an officer of the
Mint, had gone to see Sir Archibald when he " wes lyand seik " at Merchiston, and, in
presence of his son and heir, asked him to return these articles, and this he promised would
be done. Nevertheless, John Napier, "now of Merchiston, his son and heir, Sir Alexander
(Sir Alexander Naper of Lauriston, his half-brother), Mr. William (another half-brother), Elspeth,
Helene, and Marioun Naperis, sons and daughters of the said Sir Archibald, refused to deliver
up the said articles." A complaint was laid before the Council against all these persons,
including Sir William Balfour, spouse to Helen Naper, and finally the articles were given up
(Reg. P. C. of Scot., Vol. VIII., p. 400).
1 Marriage Contract, 23rd Feb., 1571.
2 See Burke's and Debrett's Peerages. 3 Douglas' Peerage, Vol. II., p. 291.
4 Memoirs of John Napier of Merchiston (Mark Napier), p. 1 57, etc.
6 Page 160.