Barony and Castle of Thornton

By Jim Strachan, MBA, FSAScot (Printed August 2005, Last Revised 9 April 2023)
Clan Strachan Scottish Heritage Society, Inc.
All photographs are copyright by their original holders.

Figure 1: Dennis Strawhun and Jim Strachan (2005)
Founders of the Clan Strachan Society at Thornton Castle

A Short Form Genealogy

There are various claims regarding how the Strachan family came into possession of the barony of Thornton. There are even more conflicting claims regarding the family's genealogy in subsequent centuries. Indeed, little can be afforded to the accuracy of Strachan of Thornton's early genealogy due to the inability to confirm various claims in Playfair's Baronetage (1811), which itself is said to be based on family oral tradition and frequently unsupported by grants, charters, or other supporting documents. McFarlane's Genealogical Collections, p. 265, is little better, while both volumes of Rogers, "Memorials of Strachan and Wise" (1873 and 1877) incorporate notoriously inaccurate information based upon both Playfair and McFarlane accounts. [source] Rogers' Memorials of Strachan and Wise is frequently taken out of context. The "book" is nothing more than a special pleading by the Wise family to acquire the Strachan of Thornton Baronetcy of Nova Scotia after the family had gone extinct in the male line.

Rogers Memorial of Strachan and Wise (1873)
Falsely claims these are the arms of Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan, Bt.
Sir Richard never filed a petition for arms in Scotland, England, Ireland, or Wales
Rogers did not include these arms in his second edition published in 1877

Regarding the Baronetcy, during the 2014 Clan Strachan Family Convention, David Sellar, Lord Lyon King of Arms, remarked in a letter dated 22 July 2010 to the author: "The history of the Strachan baronetcy of Thornton after its first holder who died c. 1659 does seem to be extraordinarily convoluted with a multiplicity of soi-disant claimants." The author might add, more directly, that the holder of the baronetcy on multiple occasions had an extraordinarily doubtful claim, and the genealogical line arguably failed as early as 1659.

The earliest mention of Strachan in the Mearns is in a charter dated 1365. David II granted Alexander de Strathechin the lands of Lower Morphie in Kincardineshire (RI, 34-10; and H&G, 1874: 304).  However, the territorial designation 'de Thornton' is not mentioned in the grant. Contrary to accounts provided in Playfriar's and Genealogical Collections, the first documented account of Strachan of Thornton is in a charter dated 1429, and any earlier date of the Strachan family being associated with Thornton estate is unconfirmed and therefore speculative.

Alexander Strachan of Thornton

In the charter, Alexandro de Strahekyn de Thorntoun (1429-1451), is a witness to the Earl of Athole's gift of the lands of Cortachy to the Cathedral of Brechin, in 1429. (BR, no 30 and   Memorials of Angus and the Mearns: 377)

John Strachan of Thornton

Upon Alexander Strachan of Thornton's death, the Estate was inherited by John Strachan of Thornton (fl 1470-1503):

Arms of John Strachan of Thornton (dtd. 2 Nov. 1470)
(source: SAS, no 2715and Lang, Seals, no 758 )

John and son David Strachan of Thornton

10 November 1490, John Strathaquhyn of Thornton and David Strathaquhyn, his son and heir apparent, together founded a Chaplaincy "at the alter of the Blessed Virgin Mary" in Aberluthnot and enlarged the parish church (RMS, ii, no 1987).

John's son and heir was David Strachan of Thornton (fl. 1473-1512):

David Strachan of Thornton (dtd. 1503)
Source: SHS, no 623/10

David Strachan of Thornton was married to Margaret Hay  (RMA, ii, no 3791) . David Strachan died without heirs.

According to historical notes, upon the death of David Strachan, the Thornton Estate was inherited by a nephew, Alexander Strachan of Thornton (fl 1521-1548). 

John Strachan of Thornton

Alexander was succeeded by John Strachan of Thornton (fl 1572-1587). His arms are provided from various armorial rolls and shown below:

Slains Roll (1562)

Hague Roll (1580)

Crawford Secondus (1588)

Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton, 1st Baronet (d b 1659)

According to various historical accounts, Alexander was the eldest child and son of John Strachan of Thornton, and inherited the Thornton Estate upon his father's death. Other accounts suggest he was the son of Robert Strachan and Sarah Douglas (m 5 April 1586), daughter of the Earl of Angus.

On 28 May 1625, Alexander Strachan of Thornton acquired the baronetcy of Nova Scotia from Charles I, who granted Sir Alexander lands in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Canada (Royal Province of New Scotland and her Baronets, Appendix B, pg. 16).  The Baronetcy was not merely given, but rather 'acquired' in support of the Crown to settle the Scottish colony of Nova Scotia. The individual acquiring the Baronetcy of Nova Scotia was bound to furnish six men "towards His Majesty's Royal Colony, armed, apparelled, and victualled for two years" or else pay 2000 marks toward the undertaking and 1000 marks toward the expenses incurred by the Earl of Stirling in exploring and settling Nova Scotia. (page 9)

The arms of Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton, Bt. are on the Round Tower at Thornton:

Arms of Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton, c 1596-1604 (SAS,  no 2721-22 & Laing, Seals, no 759)
SHIELD: A stag trippant on foilage
CREST: A dexter arm holding a saltire
MOTTO: Constant et Fideli (Constant & Faithful)

Inscription of Sir Alexander STRACHAN of Thornton, Bart.

Sir Alexander Strachan had the curious habit of adding an S to his initials to indicate his rank. He would invariably subscribe himself "S. A. Strauchane" on official documents, of which there are many examples in the Records of the Privacy Council.

Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton, Baronet of Nova Scotia, was with a low probability, succeeded by his son and namesake, Alexander Strachan of Thornton. According to Cokayne's Complete Baronetage, the first Baronet, Alexander had two sons. John, who is referred to as the "Friar of Thornton" in August 1626, but predeceased his father.  Alexander is said to be the second son and only lawful son of Sir Alexander Strachan and Elizabeth Douglas. This Alexander, presumably (and not his father), was likely the M.P. for Kincardineshire in 1650. There is no mention of him in his father's will dated 15 May 1657, and it is thought (with a high probability) he was deceased without issue by this date.  [Cokayne: 185-86 (1900)]

Further, there is also no record of him having used the title of Baronet, which may support this conclusion. It is almost certain the genealogical line of the 1st Baronet had become extinct in the male line.

Sir James Strachan, 2nd Baronet

In 1659, Thornton Castle and the Baronetcy of Nova Scotia was succeeded by collateral succession through a relative, James Strachan of Inchtuthill. "Sir James had an extremely remote relationship, so distant, the pedigree so uncertain that the right to such assumption seems extremely doubtful".[Cokayne: 186 (1900)]

Transactions Of The Royal Historical Society (1873), ,vol ii, pg 53, has a claim that "Sir James of Thornton, elder brother of the Bishop of Brechin, had an only son James, who having studied for the ministry, was ordained minister of Keith in 1665. He was twice married, and had a numerous family. He was deprived of his living in November 1689 for not praying for King William and Queen Mary, and praying for the restoration of James VII. He succeeded to the family title, and died at Inverness in 1715, in his 75th year."

In 1683, Sir James Strachan sold the castle and estate of Thornton to his wife's father, Robert Forbes of Waterton, for £13,934 14s 8d. James next resigned his own interest in favour of his wife (Barbara Forbes). The reason Sir James sold Thornton, some argue, was that it was financially over-encumbered. While others suggest that it is with a significantly higher probability due to his remote claim on Thornton, and that Sir James sold the estate before a challenge could be mounted.

Although the barony had been sold, the baronetcy of Nova Scotia remained.

If we can believe Cokayne's Baronetage, James Strachan, the only son and heir of the aforementioned Sir James appears to have died before 1686, and left a son James, who according to one account "died in infancy," and another claims "was alive in 1710, probably then being 40 years of age" but who apparently never assumed the Baronetcy.

Sir John Strachan, 3rd Baronet

As stated above, Sir James's eldest son and namesake is said to have died during the Jacobite uprising in 1689, leaving his second son, John Strachan , to become heir to the Baronetcy. Sir John Strachan is often overlooked as being the 3rd Baronet of Nova Scotia. However, Burke's General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales (Vol. III, p.978) recognizes Sir John as Baronet in 1685, and states the following:

STRACHAN (Inchtuthill, Scotland, bart., 1685) 
Shield: Or a hart at gaze Azure attired Sable a bordure Gules.
Crest: a demi-stag springing Or holding a thistle in its mouth proper.
MMotto:  Non Timeo Sed Caveo.

Arms of Sir John Strachan, Inchtuthill, Bart.
Granted by the College of Arms in London -1685.

Interestingly, these arms are granted in 1685, before the presumed death of Sir James Strachan, 2nd Baronet, in 1715.

Sir William Strachan

It is said that John was succeeded by his son, Sir William Strachan, Baronet. According to Cokayne's Baronetage, pp 287, Sir William succeeded to the Baronetcy in 1715. However, according to footnote (c), it is only assumed he ascended to this dignity. After a cursory search, we cannot find any reliable documentation evidencing William used the title of Baronet.

William Strachan died without heir, and as will be seen, the family line began to fail in successive generations leading to its eventual extinction.

Sir Francis Strachan, 4th Baronet

The baronetcy of Nova Scotia passed to his brother, Sir Francis Strachan, Bt. (1725) who was a Jesuit Priest in Paris. Sir Francis resigned the title to the next presumptive heir upon his death.

Sir John Strachan, 5th Baronet (1740-55)

According to the Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, page 637, "At whose decrease the title devolved upon the next heir male." Sir John Strachan, his cousin was his successor. Sir John Strachan was awarded Letters Patent by the Court of the Lord Lyon 1740-1755. Per the Lyon Register:

Sir John died without heir.

Sir William Strachan, 6th Baronet (1756)

Approximately 10 years AFTER Sir John was recognized as Baronet of Nova Scotia, on 21-Feb-1756, one Sir William Strachan, Counselor of Law in London petitioned the Court of the Lord Lyon, and was granted the baronetcy of Nova Scotia, thus removing Sir John and his heirs male (i.e., the Inchtuthill line) from the baronetcy of Nova Scotia. Moreover, Sir William was also granted Supporters evidencing his superiority to the Chiefship of Clan Strachan as shown below. 

Sir William, Councilor or Law in London, is claimed to be the eldest son of William Strachan, Doctor of Law, who was the eldest son of Doctor Strachan, Professor of Divinity in Edinburgh, eldest son of William Strachan, Minister of Old Aberdeen, who was the eldest son of John Strachan, son and heir of Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton, 1st Baronet of Nova Scotia. Although our Clan Genealogist was able to conduct some research on Sir William, we are unsure of what genealogical proofs where provided (if any) to evidence his descent from the first baronet  (click here).  Historical records seem to indicate Sir Alexander Strachan's first son, John, had predeceased the Baronet by 1635 (Cokayne, pp. 286).  Before 1 Aug. 1635, Alexander is described as " only lawful son of Sir Alexander Strachan." Moreover, John Strachan is not mentioned in the baronet's will. One wonders what genealogical proofs, if any, were provided in 1756 to evidence descent from the first Baronet.

Sir William died without heir.

Captain Sir John Strachan, 7th Baronet (1756 and 1766)

John (the 7th baronet), like the two before him, died without heir, and his successor was his nephew Captain Sir John Strachan RN (d 1777). In 1765, by the death of his uncle, Sir John succeeded to the baronetcy. On 25 April 1765, Captain Sir John Strachan was granted Arms from the Court of the Lord Lyon.

1765 Arms of Capt. Sir John Strachan, Bt.

As the prior Sir John died without a direct male heir (e.g., a son), a mark of cadency (a red bordure on the shield) was added by the Lord Lyon in order to reflect this Sir John was heraldic heir of his predecessor. Sir John apparently realized his family had lost the Baronetcy of Nova Scotia, and he apparently setforth to reclaim the title. The following year a second entry is provided in the Lyon Register (Above dtd. 24-Apr-1766). This second entry (below) recognizes Captain Sir John as the Baronet of Nova Scotia, thus reclaiming the title for his heirs-male. Further, Supporters were awarded and thus Captain Sir John Strachan was recognized as Chief of Clan Strachan.  John died at Bath on 26 Dec. 1777.

Sir John married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Lovelace of Battersea, but had no male heir.

Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan, K.B., Bt. 8th Baronet

The baronetcy passed to his nephew, Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan, K.B., Baronet of Nova Scotia, and Representor of Thornton. Although Sir Dicky (as he was called by his friends) did not have arms granted, he did use the baronetcy title. A chronicle of Sir Richard's naval career is provided in his obituary (click here) . The highlight of his naval career was a smashing victory over the French in the Battle of Cape Ortegal on 4 November 1805.

One of the most infamous aspects of the Walcheren Campaign, apart of course from the spectacular scale of the sickness that swept through the British Army and helped hasten the campaign's end, was the complete breakdown of working relations between the military (Commanded by Lord Chatham) and naval commander (Sir Richard Strachan). Walcheren had been designed as an amphibious, or "combined", operation. Close cooperation between Lord Chatham, the military Commander of the Forces, and Sir Richard Strachan, the naval commander, was vital for success. The Secretary of State for War, Castlereagh, had sent Chatham off with the hope "that the utmost Spirit of Concert and Harmony will prevail... between the respective Services".

This harmony was already in jeopardy before the expedition had even sailed, and on 27 July Chatham was already having to "assure" his worried cabinet colleagues "that I have had on all occasions the most unreserved and confidential intercourse with Sir Richard Strachan, who is a man I particularly like, and as far, as I can judge, I should say that we are upon ye most friendly and cordial footing possible". The troubled course of the campaign, during which military requirements and naval realities clashed repeatedly, did nothing to reconcile the two men. By the time the campaign was suspended on 27 August 1809, Chatham and Strachan were barely speaking.

Strachan and Chatham were polar opposites in terms of character. Much has been made of Strachan's famed impulsiveness. He was famous during his career for his ungovernable temper and violent cursing. This eventually earned him the nickname of 'Mad Dick' among his men, but he remained a popular and sought-after commander. On the other hand, Chatham's notorious lethargy didn't help, but a lot of the problems between the two men stemmed to the difficulties they had in communicating. Chatham was tight-lipped and taciturn; he preferred not to put important things down on paper, and was most comfortable in a face-to-face situation. Strachan, to judge from his confused, repetitive letters, was simply incapable of getting his thoughts and ideas across in a coherent manner. The problem was the necessities of the campaign kept the two men separate, and Strachan was often very difficult to track down. Miscommunication gave rise to friction, and this eventually became outright dislike.

:
Sir Richard Strachan (far left)

The last straw came on 27 August 1809, the day Chatham decided to suspend the campaign. Strachan wrote a letter to the Admiralty which he claimed should have remained private, but which was published (in extract) in the London Gazette on 3 September. In the letter he appeared to claim that he had urged not to suspend the campaign in the face of Chatham's stubborn refusal to listen. The letter had an undeniable impact on public opinion in Britain, and from the moment Chatham heard about the existence of this letter, he and Strachan found themselves "in a state of Hostility". The confusion and conflicting accounts led to the following doggerel verse in 1809:

The Earl of Chatham with his sword drawn,
Stood waiting for Sir Richard Strachan (/strawn/),
Sir Richard, longing to get at 'em,
Stood waiting for the Earl of Chatham.

Although both men had tarnished reputations due to the failed expedition. A period of angry recriminations followed the withdrawal, with Chatham presenting a narrative to King George III in 1810, blaming Strachan for the expedition's failure. Strachan defended himself, declaring that the ships had done all that had been required of them. He nevertheless became the scapegoat for the failure.

Despite these controversies, Strachan was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Red on 25 October 1809, a Vice-Admiral of the Blue on 31 July 1810, Vice-Admiral of the White on 12 August 1812, Vice-Admiral of the Red on 4 June 1814, and Admiral of the White on 19 July 1821.

Sir Richard died 3 February 1828, after a short but severe illness at the age of 83.

Sir Richard and his wife, Louisa Dillon, had a son who died young, and three daughters. His daughters seemed to have all faired quite well. Sir Richard's oldest daughter, Matilda Frances, became the Countess Bertholdi. Charlotte Leopoldine, the second daughter, married, 2nd April 1837, Emmanuel, Count Zichny-Terraris, and died in India in November 1851. The youngest, Sarah Louisa, is the Princess St Antimo, Italy.

Sarah Louisa Ruffo (Strachan), principessa di Sant'Antimo
Born April 29, 1818, died February 06, 1881

Sir John Strachan of Cliffden, 9th & 10th Baronet

& "Sir" John Strachan of Cliffden, Teignmouth, Devonshire (b 1761-9) - -  "Mr. Strachan sought to instruct his descent from Roger Strachan, of Glichno, brother of John Strachan, of Thornton, great grandfather of the 1st Baronet. This statement of pedigrees, unsupported by evidence and in entire variance with chronological requirements, was accepted by a friendly jury and certified by the Canongate Bailies, formed the basis of a retour in Chancery, bearing date 8 Nov. 1841."

"Sir" John Strachan, died 9 June 1844, and had two sons.  The eldest son and namesake, the 10th baronet, died ten years later, on 28 January 1854, without heir. The second son, James Graham, died unmarried. [Memorials of S&W, page 33]

 

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About Thornton Castle

Situated between Laurencekirk and Fettercairn, in the Howe of the Mearns, Thornton Castle is located immediately off the B9120 which itself is west of the A90). A must see for all Strachan clansfolk, this castle is beautifully maintained.

A visitor approaching the north-west front of the castle by this avenue will see on the left a squat round tower carrying the arms of the Strachans of Thornton and shot holes commanding the front elevation; the base of this tower, constructed of great whin-stone boulders, is a survival of an earlier building which stood on the site and extended over part of the gravel forecourt in the 14th century.

Photo 2005

To the right is a four storey keep dating from 1531, though earlier work is incorporated. Nigel Tranter, who writes so knowledgeably about Scottish castles, describes Thornton ("The Fortified House in Scotland" Vol. iv, published by Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh, 1966) as "a fairly small but excellently well-preserved example of a fortalice of the late 15th or early 16th century," and the keep as "an L-shaped structure of main block and stair wing, rising four stories to a crenellated parapet with open rounds at the angles, carried on a chequered corbel table. The parapet walk, drained by the usual cannon-like spouts, continues around the building, and projects as a half-round to give access past a free-standing chimney-stack on the east front."

On the 1st floor of this keep the stone walls of the former great hall, now oak paneled, carried some ancient mural paintings and in one of the deep window recesses a small hinged panel can be opened to disclose a tempera portrait with the inscription "Dame Elizabeth, Lady of Thornton." This was Elizabeth Forbes, wife of Sir James Strachan of Thornton, to whose memory there was an elaborate memorial in the Thornton aisle in the Marykirk parish church and who died in childbirth in her 25th year in 1661.

A window lintel above the present entrance bears the date 1662 but a stone achievement below this was added by Sir Alexander Strachan soon after his appointment as one of the 3 original baronets of Nova Scotia in 1625. That the lower part of this middle section of the castle (which is formed of barrel-vaulted apartments supporting the living rooms above), is of an earlier date, was confirmed when in 1974, the work of conversion of a former butler's pantry for use as an Estate Office revealed the wide stone hearth and fireplace of the kitchen which served the great hall in the 16th century keep (known as the 'Strachan Fireplace').

The 'Strachan' Fireplace

The garden front, with its square tower, is a mid 19th century addition and the large room at the base of the keep and the stained glass windows on the south-east front were added by Sir Thomas Thornton, great grandfather of the present laird (see below):

Stained Glass, added by Sir Thomas Thornton

Early photographs show that the exterior of the castle, with the exception of the battlements and corbelling and the massive buttresses, was at one time faced in white. Today the stonework, with its blue and grey mountain boulders and the contrasting pink of the sandstone, can be seen in the warmth of its original texture.

The parks in front of the castle and the gardens, now much reduced in size, are studded with fine old trees notable among which are two ancient yews reputed to be over 600 years old, and planted by the Strachans of Thornton.

The yew trees, like the ones seen here, were used in the manufacture of long bows, due to the strength of the wood.

As mentioned previously, the castle was remodeled in the 19th century. However, further alterations and additions were made later. The basement is vaulted, the turnpike stair wide for the period. The Hall, on the first floor is now paneled but bears traces of tempera painting behind.

Thornton Castle - weather-vane bears the date of 1680

A weather-vane bears the date of 1680, and sits atop the newer square tower.

Small Statue located in the garden of Thornton Castle

After the Strachans, the property would eventually pass from the Forbes to the Fullartons for three generations, then to Lord Gardenstone, and in the 19th century to the Crombies, who did much alteration. In 1893 the late Sir Thomas Thorntonbrought the name back to the property, by purchase.

Thornton Castle is today located on approximately 1700 acres. The estate is absolutely beautiful, and contains a lovely daffodil field seen above in the distance. The above picture was taken from atop the square tower, and the daffodils of the Thornton estate can be seen in the distance.

 

Like many castles and estates in Scotland, the current front entrance to the castle used to be the rear, and visa versa. The following picture was taken in the now 'backyard' of the home, and shows what the entry to the keep used to look like. If you notice, the branches of the old Strachan yew trees are visible at the top of the picture.

ictured here is the NE rear of Thornton Castle. Against the back wall, you'll notice a square foundation. These are the foundations of the old green house, which was used (and perhaps built) by the Strachans of Thornton. They were recently discovered, and subsequently un-covered by the Thornton-Kemsleys.

Alexander Crombie's son and his heir the fourth Alexander Crombie of Thornton, known as 'Joe' to his friends, and Joe's younger brother Francis rests the credit of introducing to Scotland the game of Rugby football which they had learnt at Durham School in 1852-53 six years after the codification of the laws of the game as played at Rugby.

It was the Crombies who created the cricket park - still so called though long since farmed - between the Black Burn and the East Drive and built the fine pavilion which, used initially for country house cricket, has been the scene of many family festivities and tenantry parties, accommodated families of evacuees during the second World War and more recently, a children's play ground (pictured above).

On this ground in August 1882 Colonel H.W. Renny-Tailyour of Newmanwalls, a Scot who played cricket for Kent and the Gentlemen of England, scored 140 runs in a record second wicket partnership of 370.

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Special thanks to Griselda Thornton-Kemsley and the entire Thornton-Kemsley family for their hospitality in welcoming us to Thornton, and providing a personal tour of Thornton Castle.