Alexander Innes, 18th of That Ilk

ALEXANDER INNES OF CROMBIE

Death

Aexander Innes entered into the mutual entail with John Innes of that Ilk. This transaction gave so much umbrage to the other branches of the family that Alexander was murdered by Robert Innes of Invermarkie in a treacherous and brutal manner at his house, in Aberdeen, in April 1580.

Marriage

Alexander Innes of Cromie married Elizabeth Forbes. NRS: GD96/117

Children

1. Robert Innes, 19th of that Ilk
2. Elizabeth Innes

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

21 May 1568: Charter by Alexander Innes of Crommye, feuar of the lands of Fynrasse, with consent of Elizabeth Forbas (Forbes), his spouse, to George Sinclar (Sinclair), son of George, Earl of Caithness, of the lands of Fynrassye in the barony and regality of Spynie, to be held of the bishop of Moray (to whom is reserved "Bischop-moss" or "Laverokis-moss"). Dated at Girnego. Witnesses: Alexander Innes of Catboll, Patrick Gordoune, son of William Gordoun in Murack, James Innes, son and apparent heir of the said Alexander Innes of Catboll, William Hey, servant of the granter, and Mr. Thomas Brady, notary public. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Sinclair family of Mey, Caithness, reference GD96/117

                   2

8 October 1575: Procuratory by Elizabeth Forbes, with consent of Alexander Innes of Crome, her spouse, in favour of William Forbes in Tullikyrie [Tillykerrie] for presentation to George, Earl of Huntlie [Huntly], of a chancery precept for her infeftment as heir to her father, Arthur Forbes of Balfour, in the lands of Puttoquhy [Putachie] and half of the "mekill toun" of Keig (alias Ouchterkeig). National Records of Scotland, Lord Forbes, reference GD52/443

                   3

9 September 1578: Mutual Obligation [in Scots] by William Sinclar of Dunbeth and Alexander Innes of Crummye whereby said William Sinclar obliges himself to grant charter and precept of alienation in favour of said Alexander Innes of town and lands of Inche in bishopric of Murray, regality of Spyne, sheriffdom of Elgyn and Fores, and to obtain decree of removing against Alexander Innes of Plaiddis in return for payment of 300 merks Scots by said Alexander Innes of Crummye. National Records of Scotland, Rose of Montcoffer (Kinharrachie) Papers, reference GD36/4

                   4

30 January 1579: Extract) contract (registered in the commissary court books of Moray on 31 January 1579) whereby Alexander Innes of Plaiddis bound himself to deliver to Alexander Innes of Crommy certain infeftments of the town and lands of Catboll, the lands and barony of Plaiddis, with the bailiary of Tayne (Tain), and the town and lands of Litill Kilmure, to assign the reversion made to him by William Sinclair, second son of George, earl of Cathnes (Caithness), of two-thirds of Catboll, dated at Aberdeen and Edinburgh, 3 September and 15 November 1566, and other reversions on the said lands of Kilmur and Plaiddis made by William and Thomas McCulloch of Plaiddis, and to deliver a discharge received by him from George, Earl of Cathnes; Alexander Innes of Crommy is to infeft the said Alexander Innes of Plaiddis and Isobel Innes, his spouse, whom failing Robert, their son and apparent heir, in the town and lands of Reidhall, to infeft them and Alexander, their son, in the town and lands of Styne, to infeft them and William, their son, in the town and lands of Blakhillis, and to infeft them and Thomas, their youngest son, in the town and lands of Insche; Alexander Innes of Plaiddis is to assign to Alexander Innes of Crommy a contract made between him and Alexander Ross of Ballangoun and George, his apparent heir [probably GD96/147]. Dated at Elgin. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Sinclair family of Mey, Caithness, reference GD96/175

                   5

14 February 1579: Assignation by Alexander Innes of Plaiddis to Alexander Innes of Crommye of the right of redemption of the lands of Petneillie, Balynacutht and Pettogartye granted by William Denwn, sometime portioner of Arkboll, to the deceased Robert McCulloch of Plaiddis and assigned by him to the said Alexander Innes of Plaiddis, according to letters of reversion by the said William Denwn of date 8 March 1535 and 25 May 1539, and also of the right granted to the said Robert McCulloch of Plaiddis in a discharge by the said William Denwn to the deceased Thomas McCulloch of Plaiddis, of date 7 August 1547. Dated at Lewchris. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Sinclair family of Mey, Caithness, reference GD96/176

                   6

5 December 1581: Charter by which Robert Innes of that Ilk, son of the deceased Alexander Innes of Cromby, confirms that he has sold the land of Cars, called Carsrig, to John Innes and his wife Marjory Strachan. John Innes obrained a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland on 26 February 1587-88. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593, charter number 1470 on pp. 502-03

                   9

12 June 1591: Fragment of) letters under the signet, raised at the instance of George Sinclair of Mey and Catboill and Margaret Forbes, his spouse, charging Alexander Ross of Balnagowne, George Ross, his son, and their tenants (Donald Ross of Balmamukie, Walter Ross, his son, in Ballavaddoche and William Innes in Geneis), who have molested the complainers in their lands of Catboill and Kilmure, to fulfil GD96/147, which had been transferred to the complainers as assignees appointed by Robert Innes of that ilk and of Crombie, son of the deceased Alexander Innes of Crombie, who was assignee of Alexander Innes of Plaidis (of. GD96/175). Endorsements narrate executions dated 1, 6 and 12 June 1591. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Sinclair family of Mey, Caithness, reference GD96/237

                   10

c.1608: Letters of horning for the delivery to Robert Innes of that ilk, son and heir of the deceased Alexander Innes of Crombie, by James Innes, son of the deceased Robert Innes, son and heir of the deceased Alexander Innes of Plaidis (Plaidy), of infeftments of Cadboll, Plaidis (Plaidy) and Litill Kilmwre (Little Kilmuir), following on GD96/175 and GD96/226. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Sinclair family of Mey, Caithness, reference GD96/340

                  11

18 December 1613: Receipt by Robert Innes of that ilk to Alexander, Earl of Dumfermeling (Dunfermline), of precept of clare constat, dated 17 December, 1613, by said Earl in favour of said Robert as grandson and heir of deceased Alexander Innes of Crommy, of town and lands of Leucharis in barony and regality of Vrquhart (Urquhart), said precept being recited at length. National Records of Scotland, Papers relating to Lordship of Urquhart, reference GD94/93

Genealogical Account

1. Sir James Balfour Paul, The Scots Peerage, iii, pp. 588-94
2. Genealogics

From Ane Account by Duncan Forbes of Culloden

'...under trysting terms having appointed ane meeting with some friends at Aberdeen, Innermarkie takes his advantage of Crombie who had no body with him but John Innes of Leuchars, Gordon of Muiracke, and their servants. And on the night time whilst there was none with Crombie in his lodging but Leuchars and his son Robert, afterwards called "the Gleed Laird," Innermarkie and his accomplices came to Crombie's lodging and at the stair fitt simulates ane plea and cries out with ane loud voice, "murder, murder, a Gordon, a Gordon." This Crombie being ane sister sone of the Laird of Gights, ane bold man, comes down stairs in his slippers, with his sword in his hand, and upon his outgoing of the door, is shot dead. John Innes of Leuchars being in the room, none with him but the young Crombie, being apprehensive of the tragedy and murder, bolts the door, and by providence, as the story is told, there was ane back turn-pyke opened in that lodging which had been bigged up for many years before, at which back door Leuchars made the young man escape, to the great grief and surprise of Innermarkie and his friends, who intended the son's murder as well as the fathers. So Innermarkie having made all his complices socii criminis by puting each man his durk or dagger in the dead body, they sent also for Mr. John Innes student at Aberdeen, apparent of Coxtoune then, and caused the young man also put ane dagger in the dead body (as I have heard his own great grand child, the late Sir Alexander Innes of Coxtoune confirm to be a truth).'