Frasers of Philorth > Volume 1

THE FRASERS OF PHILORTH, LORDS SALTOUN. 197
procure the royal pardon for these crimes, and to obtain from the Court of
Session a decision in favour of his claim to the title of Lord Lovat. 1
The effect of the violent opposition of the Erasers of Beaufort, however,
was to break off the match between the Master of Saltoun and the heiress
of Lovat, and the young lady in 1702, married Alexander Mackenzie of
Prestonhall; while the Master of Saltoun, in 1707, espoused the Lady Mary
Gordon, daughter of the first Earl of Aberdeen, whose fortune of 18,000
merks was paid to Lord Saltoun in consequence of settlements made by him
in favour of the young couple.
As already mentioned, Lord Saltoun laboured earnestly to retrieve the
fortunes of the family, and his success was very great.
In 1676, by the disposition already referred to, he had become the
nominal proprietor of the estates, but he does not appear to have had the
real management of them until after his father's death in 1682.
He was, to a certain degree, assisted by the dowries of his own wife, and
of his son's, both of which he received ; but without going into particulars,
suffice it to say that he redeemed above eighty wadsets or mortgages upon
the property, and besides thus removing incumbrances, was enabled at his
death to dispose of a sum of ready money, the accumulations of a life of
frugality and good management, nearly as large as the amount of the debt
which he had to face upon his accession, and which he had cleared off. 2
Of this sum of ready money, he left about half between his eldest son,
the Master of Saltoun, and his eldest grandson, the Master's child; and
divided the other half between his widow and six younger sons and
daughters.
He appears to have taken considerable interest in the mercantile projects
of the age, and to have been a promoter of the Indian and African Company,
and other attempts to extend the commerce of the kingdom.
He was frequent in attendance to his duties in the Scottish Parliament,
and in 1706 was one of the Peers who strongly opposed the union with
England, — a proof how little many of the shrewdest and most sensible men of
1 The present noble family of Lovat are second son of Alexander, Lord Lovat, 1544-
not descended from this clever but unworthy 1557.
member of the race, but from Thomas Fraser, 2 Philorth Charter-room.