NOTICE ON TWO MINISTERS OF ROXBURGH 389 



David Betoun, son of the last, and fifth proprietor of 

 Creich, died without male issue in 1579, having disponed 

 his estate to his brother, James, who was then minister of 

 Eoxburgh. On his succession to the property as sixth 

 proprietor, he resigned his living and went to reside on his 

 estates. 



This James Betoun of Creich and Nether Eires was twice 

 married. His first wife was Helen Leslie, heiress of Kinnaird, 

 by whom he had two daughters, who died unmarried. His 

 second wife was Margaret, daughter of Sir David Wemyss 

 of Wemyss, who survived him, and died in 1636. He 

 married her in 1598. He was alive in 1613, and was 

 succeeded in his properties by his son, David, and after- 

 wards by his grandson, which latter sold Creich to James 

 Betoun of Balfour, and so the two estates of Balfour and 

 Creich became united under one laird. 



From what has been said, it will be seen that this first 

 Protestant minister of Roxburgh came of a notable family. 

 His father was held in high esteem by Queen Mary, and 

 occupied a position of trust at her court. His sister was 

 one of the Queen's favourite maids of honour. Both the 

 Earl of Arran, Regent of Scotland, and Cardinal Betoun 

 were first cousins of his grandfather. His father-in-law was 

 Sir David Wemyss of Wemyss, and one of his brothers-in- 

 law was Erskine of Dun. 



His successor in the parish of Roxburgh, the second 

 James Betoun, was presented to the parish by James VI., 

 on the 22nd of October 1579. This James Betoun was 

 related to his predecessor, both being descended from Sir 

 John Betoun of Balfour, who was the father of the Arch- 

 bishop of St. Andrews, the grandfather of the Cardinal, and 

 the great grandfather of the Archbishop of Glasgow. His 

 father was the Cardinal's nephew, and his mother was Agnes 

 Anstruther, who died in 1582, aged 76. His eldest brother, 

 John, inherited from his father the property of Balfour ; 

 and, when he died without male issue, another brother, 

 Robert, succeeded him in 1591. The minister himself married 

 Isobel Gilray, who died in 1600; and one of his sisters, 

 Margaret, married, soon after 1560, John Row, the Reformer, 



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