Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

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SIR JOHN MACKENZIE OF TAEBAT, BARONET, FATHER OF THE
FIRST EARL OF CROMARTIE, 1608-1654.
ON the death of Sir Rorie Mackenzie in 1626, he was succeeded by his
eldest son, John Mackenzie, who took the designation of Tarbat. He
was then under age, as he had tutors in August 1628.
The hereditary title of Knight-Baronet was first instituted by King James
the First in 1611, for England, and was extended to Ireland in 1619, for the
purpose of promoting the plantation of Ulster. The order was extended
to Scotland by King Charles the First, on his accession in the year 1625,
with the view of furthering the plantation of Nova Scotia.
Two years after his succession to his father, and on his attaining
majority, the young Laird of Tarbat was created a Knight-Baronet of Nova
Scotia by King Charles the First, in 1628, aud was thereafter known as Sir
John Mackenzie, Knight-Baronet, of Tarbat. As Sir John was then a young
man, and had not yet had an opportunity of gaining distinction for himself,
it is presumed that the honour was conferred on him for the services rendered
by his father, Sir Rorie, in quieting and civilising the Northern Highlands
and Islands.
Part of the arrangement made on the creation of the earlier Baronets of
Nova Scotia was, that along with the honour of Knight-Baronet, they also
received a grant of territory in Nova Scotia, which was erected into a barony
generally corresponding in name to one held by the grantee in Scotland.