John St Clair, Master of Sinclair
John St Clair, Master of Sinclair (5 December 1683 – 2 November 1750)[1] was a Scottish noble and Tory politician.
Contents
Background
He was the older son of Henry St Clair, 10th Lord Sinclair and his wife Grizel Cockburn, eldest daughter of Sir James Cockburn, 1st Baronet.[2] St Clair was educated at the University of Franeker.[3]
Career
In 1708, he stood for Dysart Burghs to the British House of Commons, but as a peer's eldest son, his election was declared void.[4] Thereupon St Clair joined Preston's Regiment as a captain-lieutenant later in that year, however having killed two brothers in duels without seconds was forced to leave a short time after.[5] Sentenced to death by a court martial, he was granted a reprieve by the regiment's commander John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.[5] St Clair came then in the service of King Frederick I of Prussia until being pardoned by Queen Anne of Great Britain in 1712.[4]
In 1715, St Clair supported the Jacobite rising and took part in the Battle of Sheriffmuir in November of that year, for which he was attainted and excluded from succession to his father's lordship.[6] He fled to Kirkwell Castle and therefrom to the continent.[6] Pardoned by letters patent in 1726, St Clair returned to Scotland and although an act of parliament in 1736 relieved the forfeiture's terms, he never assumed his title.[6]
Family
On 16 August 1733, he married firstly Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter of James Stewart, 5th Earl of Galloway and widow of James Carnegie, 5th Earl of Southesk.[4] She died in 1747 and St Clair married secondly Amelia Murray, daughter of Lieutenant-General Lord George Murray at Arnhall on 24 April 1750.[4] Both his marriages were childless.[7] St Clair died at Dysart and, but for the forfeiture was succeeded in his title by his younger brother James, a general in the British Army and Member of Parliament for forty years.[2]
References
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| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for Dysart Burghs 1708 – 1710 |
Succeeded by James Abercromby |
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
| Preceded by | Lord Sinclair de jure 1726–1750 |
Succeeded by James St Clair |
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- 1683 births
- 1750 deaths
- British MPs 1708–10
- Heirs apparent who never acceded
- Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Scottish constituencies
- People of the Jacobite rising of 1715
- University of Franeker alumni
- Cameronians officers
- Duellists
- Recipients of British royal pardons
