Frasers of Philorth > Volume 1

206 THE FRASERS OF PHILORTH, LORDS SALTOUN.
They may not have reached the stage at which opposition was requisite, or
he may have been unaware of his own right, for if the annexation of the
Earldom of Eoss to the Crown, which took place in 1476, were annulled, and
the title restored to be borne by a subject other than one of the Royal
Family, it ought in justice to devolve, by the charter of David II., granted
in 1370, under which it passed through five successions, upon the legitimate
heirs of John, Earl of Eoss and Lord of the Isles (from whom it was taken),
the great-grandson of Euphemia, Countess of Eoss, elder daughter and heiress
of William, the Earl of Eoss to whom that charter was given ; and failing
them, upon the legitimate heirs of Lady Johanna de Eoss, the Earl's second
daughter, who were the Frasers Lords Saltoun. But the title of Earl of Eoss
could in no way rightfully appertain to any descendant of Hugh de Eoss of
Earichies, the Earl's brother, until the legitimate descendants of Euphemia
and Johanna became extinct.
Lord Saltoun appears to have led a quiet and rather secluded life at
Philorth, occupied in the management of his estate and the education of his
family, until 1781, when he died there on the 30th of August, shortly after
the completion of his sixty-first year. 1
By his wife, Eleanor Gordon, who survived him and died in 1800, he had
seven children, of whom five were living at his decease —
Alexander, his successor.
George, born 12th June, died 4th October 1759.
John, born 18th January 1762, died 6th June 1772.
George, born 29th March 1763, served in 42d and 60th Eegiments,
became captain in the 59th, died at Nevis, in the West Indies, unmarried, 8th
January 1799.
Henrietta, born 20th July 1757, died unmarried, 1826.
Mary, born 27th October 1760, died unmarried, 1809.
Eleanora, born 29th March. 1766, married, 1st, in 1786, Sir George
Eamsay, Baronet, of Banff, who died 1790; and, 2d, in 1792, Mr., afterwards
Lieutenant-General, Campbell of Lochnell, but had no issue by either
husband.
1 Philorth Charter-room.