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

APPENDIX. 95
There is also mention of him in his father's lifetime, for in an inventory of the
Temple lands of Banff, dated 19th May, 1634, which lands were sold by Sir
George Ogilvie of Carnrorig to Andrew Baird, burgess of Banff, it appears that —
" Edr., July 12, 1566. — The Lord Torphichen granted a precept of Clare Constat
on these lands to Thomas Baird, son to William Baird in Byth."
He is designated as of the Shaws of Montblairy in the Fraser MS. It is
probable that he was the person who sold the lands of Byth, for in 1593 Duncan
Forbes built the present old house of Byth, the arms of himself and his wife,
Christian Udny, being cut in stone over the principal entrance, with the above
date. 1 They were, however, repurchased by another member of the Baird family
shortly afterwards — viz., Sir John Baird, who acquired them in 1663.
Thomas Baird left a son,
VII.
James, who is designated " of Bankheid" in the Fraser MS. He is no doubt
the person alluded to as " Corskie " in the Commissary's letter of date 10th
February, 1631; respecting whom Auchmedden says in a note, "Corskie was
Chesterhall's ancestor." He must not be confounded with George Baird, 5th son
of George Baird, 2nd of Auchmedden, who about this date acquired the other
lands of the same name. (See note on page 20.) He left a son,
VIII.
John Baird in Cullen, of whom there is a fuller account. He was a baillie of
the town, and in 1670 and 1672 a Commissioner to the Scotch Parliament (Acts
of the Parliament of Scotland). He left at least three sons; James, the eldest, who
acquired the estate of Chesterhall ; William, treasurer of Cullen ; and Alexander.
The two former married and left issue ; of Alexander there is no account, but it is
believed that he died unmarried. The line of James and of William must be
traced separately.
IX.
James Baird, afterwards of Chesterhall, was born circa 1670. He settled in
Edinburgh, and was, on 19th July, 1697, admitted a member of the Society of
Writers to the Signet. On the first of that month he was married to his first wife.
The following is an extract from the Register of Marriages, Edinburgh : —
1 Pratt's History of Buchan, pp. 142, 438-9.