Lords Mordington (1641)

1^st Lord Mordington, James Douglas, b.c.1591, a.1641, d.1656

James Douglas was the second son of William Douglas, 10^th Earl of Angus and Elizabeth Oliphant, daughter of Laurence Oliphant, 4^th Lord Oliphant. He married Anne Oliphant, daughter of Laurence Oliphant, 5^th Lord Oliphant. When the 5^th Lord Oliphant died, he and his wife laid claim to the title having blood ties on both sides. Charles I decided that the proper heir-male, a grandson of the 4^th Lord Oliphant, should succeed to that title. However, in compensation, he raised Douglas to the peerage as 1^st Lord Mordington (the name of his barony in Berwickshire). As a Royalist he fought against the Parliamentarians and was captured at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

2^nd Lord Mordington, William Douglas, b.c.1626, a.1656, d.1677

Son of the 1^st Lord and Anne Oliphant. He suffered from being permanently in debt as a result of fines received during the Civil Wars.

3^rd Lord Mordington, James Douglas, b.1651, a.1677, d.1677

Son of the 2^nd Lord and Elizabeth Sempill, daughter of Hugh Sempill, 5^th Lord Sempill.

4^th Lord Mordington, George Douglas, b.?, a.1677, d.1741

Son of the 3^rd Earl and Agnes Seton (b.1651, d.?), daughter of Alexander Seton, 1^st Viscount of Kingston. He was an early example of a political writer and had various political essays published.

5^th Lord Mordington, Charles Douglas, b.?, a.1741, d.c.1791

Son of the 4^th Earl and Catherine Lauder. He went to sea when very young and did not return until after his father’s death. He joined the Jacobite Rebellion and was captured at the Battle of Carlisle. He was later released but his title and estates forfeit, and the title became dormant.

(Last updated: 03/08/2010)