| He obtained in the lifetime of his grandfather a grant of the fee of the lands of Pittendreich and Erthbeg. These lands were resigned by Henry in the hands of his superior, John, Lord Lindsay of the Byres, who, on 6 November 1477, gave two charters of these lands to John Elphinstone, with the provision that if Henry died while the grantee was in minority, the superior was to have the casualties of ward and relief. John also on the same day had a grant of the lands of Stirkshaw, co. Roxburgh, to himself and his wife on the resignation of his grandfather. These charters show that at the time of their being granted John Elphinstone was a minor, but married. He seems to have occupied himself largely with making additions to and adjustments of his property, and his name occurs in a long series of charters relating to his lands. On 21 December 1496 he executed an entail of the Pittendreich and Erthbeg lands. The most important acquisition to his estates was that of the barony of Airth, which he got from Patrick, Lord Lindsay of the Byres, November 1497. On 12 August 1502 he had a charter from John, Lord Semple, of certain lands of Craigrossy, in Strathearn. The lands of Pittendreich and Cragorth were, on 4 January 1503-4 erected into the barony of Elphinstone. This is the first occasion on which he is styled 'miles'. His will is dated 2 August 1508, at his house in Peebles Wynd, Edinburgh, and he died previous to 19 October in that year, when his son and successor received sasine of the barony.10 |