[from Burke's Peerage and Douglas' Peerage]
I. JOHN SINCLAIR, whose paternal grandmother was of the family of Longformacus, and who is himself said to belong paternally to that family as son of George (charter 1604), second son of Matthew Sinclair of Longformacus, amassed a considerable fortune as a merchant at Edinburgh, of which metropolis he was Lord Provost, and purchased the lands and barony of Stevenson, in the counties of Edinburgh and Haddington, in 1624. He founded a Sinclair Society about 1620. A Scottish song entitled "The Clouting of the Cauldron" was made about this baronet. He was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia 18th January 1636. By his wife Marion, daughter of McMath of Newbyres, he had (besides younger issue) -
NOTE - In 1633, John Sinclair was Member of Parliament for Edinburgh.
Sir John died in 1648, and was succeeded by his grandson
II SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, at whose decease, unmarried, about 1652, he was succeeded by his brother
III SIR ROBERT SINCLAIR, Lord Stevenson, who was appointed by King William II in December 1689, sheriff of Haddington, a Privy Councillor in the May following, and one of the Barons of the Exchequer. In 1689 he was Lord Justice-Clerk. He was representative in Parliament for Haddingtonshire 1689-1702.
On 29th July 1680, he was pannelled for factiously opposing Act of Privy Council, levying 5500 militia; on the 13th and 14th March 1683, assoilzied [freed] from damages claimed by Sir John Seton of Garmilton, but on the 30th same, the Chancellor caused the Lords to alter above and make Stevenson liable, though damage was from a cause ab extra. On the 2nd August next thereafter Sir Robert was imprisoned in castle for declining purge in the matter of Test Act, but was presently released. In 1663 he had his lands erected into a barony. Sir Robert married, first, Helen, daughter of John, 14th Earl of Crawford and Earl of Lindsay; and secondly, Anne daughter of Sir William Scott of Ardross, without issue.
He died July 1713, and had issue -
IV SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, who represented Lanark in Parliament 1703-7.
He married in 1698 Martha, widow of Cromwell Lockhart of Lee, County Lanark, and daughter of Sir John Lockhart of Castlehill, a Lord of Session, sole heir on her brother's death to a large estate, by whom he had eight sons and five daughters -
V SIR ROBERT SINCLAIR.
This gentleman married in 1732 Isabella, only daughter of Colonel James Kerr, of the 3rd Regiment Foot Guards, by whom he had four sons and four daughters -
VI SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, who succeeded 19th August 1766, to Alexander Sinclair, Earl of Caithness, in Murkle and other lands under an entail. He married Mary, youngest daughter of Blair of that Ilk [of Blair], by whom he had -
VII SIR ROBERT SINCLAIR of Stevenson and Murkle, Lieut.Governor of Fort St.George in Scotland. This gentleman married, 3rd April 1789, Madalina, second daughter of Alexander, fourth Duke of Gordon.
Dying 4th August 1795, he was succeeded by his heir
VIII SIR JOHN GORDON SINCLAIR, a distinguished seaman, 63 years in the Royal Navy. Born 31st July 1790, and served when a mere youth in the "Victory" flagship under Lord Nelson. His own gallant conduct while commanding the "Redwing" in the Mediterranean at Morjean and Cassis was officially commended and won much public approbation. He became captain in 1814, and an admiral in 1861. He married 15th June 1812, Anne, only daughter of Admiral the Hon.
Michael de Conrey, and had issue: -
IX SIR ROBERT CHARLES SINCLAIR of Stevenson, County Haddington, and Murkle, County Caithness, Deputy-Lieutenant for Haddington; J.P. and D.L. for Counties Haddington and Caithness, and Inverness; late Captain 38th Regiment; Hon. Colonel 1st Caithness Artillery Volunteers (V.D.); born 25th August 1820; married, first, in 1851, Cbarlotte Anne, daughter of Lieutenant John Coote, 71st Regiment, and secondly, 5th December 1876, Louisa, eldest daughter of Roderick Hugonin, Esq., of Kinmylies House.
Seals - Murkle, Caithness; Stevenson, Haddington.
Residence Achvarasdal Lodge, Reay, Thurso.
Clubs - Arthur's New (Edinburgh).
Sir Robert is patron of one living - Ripple Rectory, Kent.
Arms - See Armoury
He was succeeded by the eldest son of the first marriage,
Sir John died in 1726, and was succeeded by his eldest son
Issue of second marriage -
Sir Robert died in 1754, and was succeeded by his eldest son
He was succeeded at his decease in 1789 by his eldest son
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