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Sholto Henry MacLellan, 8th Lord Kirkcudbright

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Sholto Henry MacLellan (1 September 1769 – 16 April 1827) was the 8th Lord Kirkcudbright, from 1801 to 1827.

Life

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The son of John MacLellan, 7th Lord Kirkcudbright, and his wife Elizabeth (née Bannister), he was born in Cowes, Isle of Wight, Hampshire.[1][2][3]

After attending Tonbridge School, MacLellan was admitted to Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, on 18 June 1790, where he received an M.A. in 1792. He succeeded to the title of Baron Kirkcudbright on 24 December 1801, upon the death of his father, the 7th Lord Kirkcudbright, and regularly participated in the election of Scots peers at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.[2]

MacLellan is sometimes referred to as the 9th Lord Kirkcudbright, a common misconception that arises due to the fact that in 1668, John MacLellan of Auchlane, in the parish of Kelton, Kirkcudbrightshire, made a supplication as heir of the deceased William MacLellan, 4th Lord Kirkcudbright, as nephew of John MacLellan, 3rd Lord Kirkcudbright, but immediately renounced his right as heir because he was pursued by the creditors of his father William MacLellan of Auchlane and lacked sufficient funds to pay off his debts. Nevertheless, he is occasionally referred to as a Lord Kirkcudbright, despite the fact that he never possessed the title.[4]

As Lord Kirkcudbright, MacLellan often frequented the theatre and sometimes found himself in the public eye because of his controversial behaviour. In September 1807, he assaulted a Miss Ann Lunden, who was attacked by his dog. When she tried to fend it off with a walking stick, Lord Kirkcudbright kicked her and called her a "damn bitch." Witness testimony confirmed the assault, leading to Lord Kirkcudbright being found guilty and fined £20 by the court.[5][6][7]

Similarly, in July 1817, Lord Kirkcudbright and his servant, J. Watts, were charged with assaulting a Mr. John Penning in Marlborough Street. Penning opposed Lord Kirkcudbright's removal of furniture without paying rent. McClellan threatened Penning with a pistol, and Watts challenged him to a fight. Eventually, an agreement was reached, and the case was discharged after Lord Kirkcudbright posted bail.[8][9][10]

In April 1825, Lord Kirkcudbright appeared before the magistrates for breaking two panes of glass in Mrs. Kilner's drawing-room window, adjacent to his house. He explained his action as a response to what he perceived as impertinent looks from Mrs. Kilner's sons. Lord Kirkcudbright agreed to pay 12 shillings in damages and 4 shillings in costs after the magistrates intervened.[11][12][13]

It was not unusual to encounter rather harsh portrayals of Lord Kirkcudbright in satirical cartoons during that era. This was mostly likely because he may have been born with congenital kyphosis, a condition where the upper back bones fail to develop properly, causing the spine to curve and creating the appearance of a hunchback. Several works can be found in the British Museum collection, including illustrations by artists such as John Cawse, Isaac Cruikshank, James Gillray, Nicolaus Heideloff, William Holland, and Charles Williams.[14]

Lord Kirkcudbright married Mary Cantes in Braughing, Hertfordshire, on 28 March 1820.[15][16][17]

He died on 16 April 1827 at his residence, Redberry Lodge, in Southampton. According to the Morning Post of 24 April, "this Nobleman died at Southampton, a few days since, in the 59th year of his age. His Lordship was short in stature, and somewhat deformed in person. With some eccentricities, we understand he possessed many good qualities. He is succeeded by his brother Camden Gray McClellan who is an Officer in the Guards".[18][19][3]

Sholto Henry MacLellan was buried in the parish of Millbrook, Hampshire, on 28 April 1827. According to the Diocese of Winchester and the records of Holy Trinity Church, Millbrook, of the removal of graves and tombstones, his tombstone may have been illegible when the tombstones and memorials were transferred and as a result, was most likely removed sometime between November 1988 and May 1989.[20][21]

References

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  1. ^ Douglas, D. (1904): The Scots Peerage, Volume V, T. A. Constable, p. 273.
  2. ^ a b Torrance, D. Richard (1993): The McClellans in Galloway, Scottish Genealogy Society, p. 40.
  3. ^ a b Saint James's Chronicle, 26 April 1827.
  4. ^ Torrance, D. Richard (1993): The McClellans in Galloway, Scottish Genealogy Society, p. 26.
  5. ^ Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 16 September 1807.
  6. ^ Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette, 24 September 1807.
  7. ^ Royal Cornwall Gazette, 26 September 1807.
  8. ^ Star, London, Monday, 21 July 1817.
  9. ^ Oxford University & City Herald, 26 July 1817.
  10. ^ Morning Herald, London, 21 July 1817.
  11. ^ Sun, London, 6 April 1825.
  12. ^ Globe, 6 April 1825.
  13. ^ Evening Mail, 6 April 1825.
  14. ^ Sholto Henry Maclellan 9th Lord Kirkcudbright st the British Museum (Click Related Objects)
  15. ^ London Packet and New Lloyd's Evening Post, 3 April 1820.
  16. ^ Statesman, London, 3 April 1820.
  17. ^ Star, London, 3 April 1820.
  18. ^ Morning Post, 24 April 1827.
  19. ^ Hampshire Chronicle, 23 April 1827.
  20. ^ Burial record for Sholto Henry McClellan, Parish of Millbrook, Hampshire, England, 28 April 1827.
  21. ^ Diocese of Winchester (1989): Millbrook Old Cemetery, Southampton, Hampshire, England, Records of the Removal of Graves & Tombstones (1601-2007).
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