The Parents and Grandparents of James Grierson, our Maryland Ancestor
Below is the parish church at Glencairn, north of Dunscore and Dumfries, Scotland, and located not far from Cape Noch. Numerous Griersons and Maxwells are buried here. Our interest in the Scottish place of worship results because one of my generation's 10th great grandfathers was the clergy here in the late 1500s and early 1600s. His name was The Rev. John Browne and his wife's name was Sara Hope. John Browne held an M.A. and was the first pastor at the parish after the Protestant Reformation, hence he could be married.
Bear in mind, Elizabeth I is on the throne of England, and Mary, Queen of the Scots, had been deposed by her nobles due to her erratic love life and Roman Catholic beliefs. In 1603, the year before my generation's
9th great grandparents were born, Elizabeth died and James VI of Scotland became James I of England.
In 1604, John and Sara Browne had a daughter, Mary Browne, who in 1625 had a short marriage to Thomas Greer . However, Thomas died young, and in 1625, Mary married for a second time, in this case to a cousin of her first husband.
This new husband, who is my generation's 9th great grandfather, had the wonderful name of Sir James of the Rock. James was born 1604 at Cape Noch, one of the family homes. He married the widow Mary Browne in 1626 and a year later James Grier, who would immigrate to Maryland, entered this life. Sir James inherited the family estate, including Lag Castle from his brother, John who died without an heir in 1638.
It remains a puzzle how James of Maryland became an indentured servant when he appears to be the first born of a well-to-do family? Is our primary source incorrect, and was our James a Covenator, that is one who wished to worship as a radical Presbyterian? Was he captured and transported to the New World for his transgressions as were other Griersons in the area?
More in later posts on this fascinating time in history....
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