| He entered the French army as a cadet in the Infantry Regiment of Normandois before 1688; became ensign in the Scottish Guards June 1689. He was probably the nephew of the late Lord Sempill, 'gentilman' to the Earl of Erroll, who assisted Colonel Hooke in 1705, and who, ' having fallen in some inconveniencys in his estate, is necessitated to seek someway to go abroad'. He became captain réformé in the Irish Infantry Regiment of Galmoye 29 June 1708, and was transferred to the Dillon Regiment 15 February 1715, in which he was still serving 27 May 1726. On 11 May 1712, being then a captain in Lord Galmoye's Regiment, he had a declaration of his noblesse from King James III and VIII, in which he was declared to be the 'sole heir-male of the property and the ancient title of the said Hugh, Lord Sempill, whose fourth son Archibald, father of the said Robert, is the only one who left any living male child'. On 16 July 1723 he appears as Mr. Robert Sempill, captain of the Regiment of Dillon, but seems after that date to have been created by James III and VIII a Lord and Peer of Parliament as Lord Sempill. He died at Paris intestate. Admon. as 'Robert, Lord Sempill, alias Robert Sempill, 11 November 1737.9 |