Kirkpatrick of Closeburn

OF CLOSEBURN. 29
Of the sovereigns of England, Edward III. is the first who is said to have used
supporters, but we have no conclusive evidence that supporters were in use at so early a
period. The use of supporters is now limited to Peers of the realm and Knights of
the Bath, although they are sometimes specially granted. Though thus restricted,
many of the old Barons of Scotland, who are not peers, and particularly the Cliiefs of
names, who had been in the habit of using them, protested against being compelled
to discontinue them, as they had been borne by their ancestors for many centuries, and
were retained as marks of superiority over their clansmen. The matter was not pressed,
and their families have since continued them without opposition. The same custom has
prevailed in some of the oldest and best of our English families, till they have acquired a
kind of possessory right, far more honourable than any modern grant which might be
obtained from an office of arms.
Sir Roger was made Commissioner of the West Borders by King James, 1455. In
the MS. History of the Somerville family, compiled by Lord Somerville in the year
1679, is the following passage respecting the matches of the first Lord Somerville's
daughters. ' This nobleman being blessed with many children, whereof five being alyve
wer now come to the estate of men and women, his eldest daughter named Marie, this
year 1427, he marryes upon Sir William Hay of Yestir ; his youngest daughter, named
Margaret after his own mother, he marryes upon the Laird of Closeburn in Niddis-
dale, of the sirname of Kirkpatrick, whose son Thomas named efter his grandfather
the Lord Somerville, we will have occasion to speak of in the memorie of his cousin
Lord John. What portion in land or money this lady had from her father I find not,
but it appears the house of Closeburn has been very well satisfied with this match.
Thus we see this nobleman happy and fortunate in his own match, and in the match-
ing of his daughters, being all in his own life time marryed to gentlemen of eminent
qualitie, two of them, Closeburn and Restairig, chief of their names and families.'
Margaret Somerville, Lady Closeburn, left a widow with a family, married her second
husband Thomas Ker of Fernyhirst, ancestor of the Marquis of Lothian. In 1465,
Cardinal Antonius confirmed a Charter granted by the monastery of Melrose to John
Kirkpatrick of Alisland, of the lands of Lalgonie, including Killilago and Dempsterton.