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John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming

b. circa 1668, d. 10 February 1744

Person Exhibits

17 John Fleming 6th Earl 11th Lord

Birth

John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming, was born circa 1668.1

Parents

FatherCaptain William ("the Builder") Fleming, 5th Earl of Wigtown, 10th Lord Fleming (b. circa 1642, d. 8 April 1681)
MotherHenrietta Seton, eldest daughter of Charles, second Earl of Dunfermline (b. June 1652, d. between 30 November 1699 and 18 April 1700)

Family life

John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming, and Margaret Lindsay, second daughter of Colin, third Earl of Balcarres, were married on 14 March 1698 in Edinburgh.1 He and Margaret Lindsay, second daughter of Colin, third Earl of Balcarres, were divorced on 7 December 1708. Grounds for the divorce were adultery with John Lord Bellhaven.1,2,2 He and Mary Keith, eldest daughter of William, eighth Earl Marischal, were married on 8 February 1711.2 He and Euphame Lockhart, daughter of George Lockhart of Carnwath, author of the Memoirs of Scotland, were married after 1721. She survived him, and married, secondly, Peter MacElligot, major-general in the service of Maria Theresa, Empress Queen.1

Child with Margaret Lindsay, second daughter of Colin, third Earl of Balcarres, (b. 1680, d. 8 February 1711)

DaughterMargaret Fleming (b. after 1698, d. before 1724)

Child with Mary Keith, eldest daughter of William, eighth Earl Marischal, (b. 1691, d. 1721)

DaughterClementina ("the Heiress") Fleming+ (b. 1719, d. 1 January 1799)

Partner with Euphame Lockhart, daughter of George Lockhart of Carnwath, author of the Memoirs of Scotland, (b. 1703, d. 24 November 1762)

Residence information

John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming, resided at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye along with other catholic supporters of James VII and II at Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in Paris circa 1689. Lanarkshire - At the Revolution, he adhered to the cause of James III and resided for some time at St Germains 3,4,5 He resided in the seminary at Scots College in Douai at Scots College in Douai, France, circa 1690. This may be incorrect . Note that he is not recorded in vol i of the Scots College registers.
Douai or Paris???????3

Titles

John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming, held the title of succeeded as Earl on 8 April 1681. This Earl, the sixth who bore the title since its revival by James VI., was a decided Royalist, and of course had no sympathy with the efforts made by the worthies of the Covenant to thwart the designs of the men of power, and overturn the Stewart dynasty. When William, Prince of Orange, landed in England, he took no part in the general rejoicing, but remained sulkily at his house of Cumbernauld.5

Working life

  • In 1736 John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming, was occupied as King's Chamberlain in Fife in Fife. His factor for this role was William Johnstone, writer in Edinburgh.

    The Earl of Wigtown, in his role as chamberlain of Fife, was responsible for managing Crown lands and collecting feudal dues.
    Implications for the Fleming Family:
    •
    It shows the Earl of Wigtown’s administrative authority in Fife, extending beyond his hereditary lands.
    •
    His appointment as chamberlain reflects continued noble service to the Crown, even in a period of declining feudal structures.
    •
    The record also illustrates the routine financial mechanisms that sustained noble estates and royal revenues.3,4,6

Property781,96

John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming, possessed obtained a decree of adjudication in respect of the forfeited estates of his mother's brother, James Earl of Dunfermline on 9 January 1692.61010 He possessed confirmed a 29 Feb 1696 charter of disposition of these lands by James Kello to Andrew Broun, maltman burgess of Biggar on 21 October 1699 in Half burgh land on the South side of Biggar High Street.11 He possessed gave a Precept of clare constat in favour of William Gray as heir to his father, Andrew Gray, portioner of Badcow in the barony of Leinzie on 15 November 1699 in Badcow.12 He possessed granted a charter in these lands to Jean Osuall on 20 June 1701 in Whitehill in the parish of Denny.13 He possessed granted a charter of precept of clare constat in these lands to John Benny of Doupe on 5 July 1704 in Daupe in the parish of Denny.14 He possessed owned the lands of Denny (Stirlingshire) but the Earl of Mar has right by gift in 1707 in Denny.15,16 He possessed had a grant of the lands of Spittle on 21 June 1707 in Spittle.17 He possessed obtained a retrocession from his brother-in-law Mr. Harry Maule of Kellie of a decree of adjudication dated 9 January 1692 in respect of the estates of his uncle the late James Seton 4th Earl of Dunfermline on 18 July 1710.6 He possessed granted a bond of relief to his brother-in-law Harry Maule of Kellie who guarantor for Wigtown's debt to Sir James Dick on 23 January 1711.18 He possessed made three payments to his ex brother-in-law Harrie Maule of Kellie and his new wife Ann Lindsay in 1719.19 He possessed gave an instrument of sasine to James Hamiltoun, eldest lawful son to the deceased Daniel Hamiltoun, writer in Edinburgh on 1 March 1721 in Auchanvoall and the lands of Auchendavie and Garngaber all lying in barony of Lenzie.2021 He possessed agreed with Alexander Menzies of Culterallers and John Dickson of Hartee to straighten the boundaries therein on 16 May 1730 in Westerraw Moss.22 He possessed gave sasine of these lands to Elizabeth Thomson and her new husband John Gib as security for a loan of 3250 merks, part of a larger sum on 11 January 1732 in Chapeltown and others in the barony of Lenzie.23 He possessed presented William Wallace to the Church of Drummelzier in 1734 in Church of Drummelzier.24 He possessed on 6 August 1734.25 He possessed presented the Church of Broughton to Mr Andrew Richardson in 1735 in Church of Broughton.24 He possessed obtained 2 acres, 1 rood and 24 falls in these lands from John Dickson of Hartree on 4 November 1738 in Mains of Boghall.26 He possessed carried on several litigations against Biggar residents regarding their rights on the common in 1739 in Biggar.27,28 He possessed executed a new deed of entail to ensure that his title would not in the future be merged into another title in 1741.29,30

Death

John ("the Pliant") Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown, 11th Lord Fleming, died on 10 February 1744 at age ~76 in Edinburgh.1,3,4,31 He was buried after 10 February 1744 in Biggar.1,4,31 He had his estate probated on 23 January 1745 at Glasgow in Commissary Court.32,21

Citations

  1. [S28] Sir James Balfour Paul, The Scots Peerage, vol viii, Fleming Earl of Wigtown pages 519 - 558
  2. [S21] George Crawford, The Peerage of Scotland, p 491-499, Fleming, Earl of Wigtown
  3. [S83] George Vere Irving, The upper ward of Lanarkshire described and delineated, vol i, p 32
  4. [S60] Bernard Burke, A Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire, Fleming, Earl of Wigton, p 218-19
  5. [S5] William Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p 560
  6. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; GD7/2/488, 5/11/1736, Discharge by William Johnstone, writer in Edinburgh, factor for John Earl of Wigtoun, chamberlain of Fife, to David Anderson
  7. [S17] Francis J Grant (Ed), Charter Chest of the Earldom of Wigtown, Charter 138
  8. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., GD45/16/25, 15 Jul 1661, Instrument of resignation by John, Earl of Wigtoun, of the barony of Biggar and more
  9. [S5] William Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p 558
  10. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 15 September 2025; GD45/17/750, 28 Apr 1697, Assignation by Mr. Harry Maule of Kellie to Henrietta Maule
  11. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; GD1/397/16, 21 Oct 1699, Charter of confirmation by John, Earl of Wigtoun, of disposition, 29 February 1696, by James Kello
  12. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 12 September 2025; GD1/447/16, 15 Nov 1699, Precept of clare constat by John, Earl of Wigtown, in favour of William Gray
  13. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; RH8/1161, 20 Jun 1701, Charter by John, Earl of Wigtoun, in favour of Jean Osuall
  14. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; RH8/184, 5 Jul 1704, Precept of Clare Constat by the Earl of Wigtoun in favour of John Benny of Doupe
  15. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 12 September 2025; GD124/1/812, 1707, Note of the reddendo of the lands of Dennie
  16. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 12 September 2025; GD124/15/598, 5 Jun 1707, Letter to the Earl of Mar from the Earl of Wigtown, in Edinburgh, who has sent up another signature
  17. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 12 September 2025; SIG1/168/22, 21 Jun 1707, Signature of the lands of Spittle etc granted to John, Earl of Wigtown
  18. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; GD45/17/895, 23 Jan 1711, Bond of relief by John, Earl of Wigtoun, to Mr. Harry Maule of Kellie
  19. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; GD45/17/956, 1719-1720, Receipts, one by Harry Maule of Kellie, two by Mrs. Ann Lindsay his spouse, to the Earl of Wigtoun
  20. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 12 September 2025; GD1/128/53, 1 Mar 1721, Instrument of sasine in favour of James Hamiltoun
  21. [S56] Scotland, Scotland's People, "Wills and Testaments 1513-1925," National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/search-records/legal-records/wills: accessed ), ., CC9/7/58; Will 1745 John Earl of Wigtown
  22. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; GD184/2/7/6/3, 16 May 1730, Attested agreement between the Earl of Wigtoun, Alexander Menzies of Culterallers and John Dickson of Hartree
  23. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 12 September 2025; RH8/645, 11 Jan 1732, nstrument of Sasine in favour of John Gib, merchant in Stirling, and Elizabeth Thomson, his spouse
  24. [S5] William Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p 551
  25. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; GD45/17/1075, 6 Aug 1734, Extract bond of relief by John, Earl of Wigtoun, to William Maule of Panmuir
  26. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 16 September 2025; RH8/1430, 4 Nov 1738, Instrument of Resignation in favour of John, Earl of Wigtoun [Wigtown], proceeding on Procuratory in Disposition by John Dickson of Hartree
  27. [S5] William Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p 562
  28. [S5] William Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p 615
  29. [S5] William Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p 561
  30. [S132] Thomas Watson, Kirkintilloch, p 40
  31. [S5] William Hunter, Biggar and the House of Fleming, p 563
  32. [S47] HM General Register House, HM General Register House, "ScotlandsPeople," database, National Records of Scotland, Scotland's People website (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed ), ., Will CC9/7/58, John Fleming, Earl of Wigtown
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