Genealogical collections concerning the sir-name of Baird, and the families of Auchmedden, Newbyth, and Sauchton Hall in particular

18 GENEALOGICAL COLLECTIONS
married, January, 1637, to Gilbert Mair of Awads; and their son, William Mair,
was settled in business at Newcastle, in 1673, and corresponded frequently with
Sir James Baird for many years after, and his posterity may very probably still
continue in that country.
II.
GEORGE BAIRD OF AUCHMEDDEN married Elizabeth Keith, daughter
to Alexander Keith of Troup, who was brother to the then Earl Marischall. Their
contract of marriage is dated 10th August, 1550. Her aunt, Lady Anne Keith,
daughter to William Earl Marischall, was first married to James Earl of Murray,
Regent of Scotland (to whom she bore a daughter from whom the present Earl of
Murray is descended), and next to Colin Earl of Argyll, grandfather of the Marquis.
This marriage acquired to George Baird the Regent's friendship in a very
particular manner, and it appears that he employed him much in his affairs, and
placed a great deal of confidence in him.
For by a deed, dated at Glasgow May 10, 1568, the Regent, then Wardator
of the Estate of Buchan, discharges the Reversion of the Estate of Auchmedden,
and dispones the same, heritably and irredeemably, to George Baird, and the
onerous cause is "for many acts of utility and friendship done to me, and sums of
money given out by him in my service."
This was just eight days after Queen Mary's escape from Lochleven, which
threw the Regent into a great consternation.
George Baird continued Popish all his lifetime, and (notwithstanding of his
connection with Regent Murray) in the friendship that had long subsisted between
his ancestors and the family of Gordon. For October 28, 1562, he attended the
Earl Huntly at the fight of Corrichie, and endeavoured to get him transported safe
to Aberdeen, having, after the engagement, caused set him on a cadger's horse with
croils, being a fat and unwieldy man, but through weakness he died by the way.
Anno 1589. — George Baird was at the insurrection at Aberdeen on the Roman
Catholic side, and got a pardon for it from King James VI., who is forced to
suppose that the allegation of his being present was a mistake, as follows : —
J. REX.
" Justice-Clerk and your Deputys, — We greet you well, forasmeikle as we
understand, that our lovit George Baird of Auchmedden, being an aged and
decrepit man, was summoned to the Court of the Sheriffdom of Aberdeen, for
assisting the Earl of Huntly and his complices in the last Insurrection made at