Talk:Lady Grizel Baillie

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The following contribution to the page is in the first person, and not suitable for direct inclusion in the article. Charles Matthews (talk) 08:33, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

1. Lady Grisell's early life. In briefly transcribing this story of Lady Grisell Baillie's life, which was taken from the memoirs of her daughter Grisell (Lady Murray), who received it from her mother, I have hoped that it may be of interest to succeeding generations, who may not have access to the book. But in order to understand the following story and the driving force that led Scottish men and women of that period to endure torture, imprisonment, and death, we must be made aware of their almost fanatical devotion to the Presbyterian religion—which, for a time, they also tried to enforce in England.

The historical document "The Solemn League and Covenant, 1663" was the outward expression of their faith; it was signed by thousands of Scottish people. Some more prominent men at the time signed in their own blood, one of whom was Thomas Hamilton, second Earl of Haddington. This copy is in possession of the present earl.

2. Whatever one's own religious views, one can hardly fail to envy the stern, unfaltering devotion to what they believed to be the true religion—one they were prepared to sacrifice everything in this life for. Grisell Hume, born at Redbraes Castle in Berwickshire on December 25, 1665, was the eldest daughter of Sir Patrick Hume, a strong adherent of the covenant. When she was twelve years old, she was sent by her father (it was thought that a child would attract less suspicion than an adult) to Edinburgh—a journey of between thirty and forty miles—to visit his friend and neighbor, Robert Baillie of Jerviswich, who was imprisoned as a covenanter. She was to gain admittance to the prison, deliver a letter to him, and obtain any information she could.

Later, Robert Baillie was released; but some time after the persecution began anew, Grisell’s father thought it advisable to stay hidden, and soon found he had good reason for so doing, as parties of soldiers were continually sent out in search for him.

3. For greater safety, he removed to the vaults of Polwarth church, two miles distant. A faithful retainer, Jamie Winter, was the only person who knew of Sir Patrick's hiding place amongst the lead coffins of his ancestors, where there was only a slit at one end for light; he was concealed there for a month. Grisell, who shared the belief of that age in witches and ghouls, had a terror of churchyards; but overcoming all these fears, she went by herself in the wintry nights, carrying food and stumbling over graves, and would stay with him as long as possible (but got home before daybreak in order to evade the bands of soldiers in search of her father), telling him news and any amusing family stories she could collect.

Food was only procurable by stealing it off her plate at meals and slipping it into her napkin on her knees. As this gloomy habitation was not to be long endured, another place of safety had to be found, i.e., under a bed that drew out from the wall, in a room on the ground floor (for which Lady Hume kept the key). She and Jamie Winter dug a hole in the earth, which they did by scratching up with their hands to avoid any noise till her nails were worn down to the quick. At his own house, Jamie made a box large enough for his master to lie in, with holes in the boards for air.

At this time, the tragic news came of Robert Baillie’s execution in December 1684 at Edinburgh. He had written to his son George, asking him not to be present, as it would take a stout heart to see him hanged. Young George did not go; however, Robert did not die alone among his enemies. In Mellerstain Gallery, there is a portrait of a lady dressed in deepest mourning, with a haunting expression of sadness on her face. This is Mrs. Kirkton, Robert Baillie’s sister, who had the amazing courage to stay by her brother and witness the work of the hangman and butcher. Shortly after, a band of dragoons visited another Hume residence in search of Grisell’s father; his friend, John Hume of Halyburton the owner, plied them with intoxicating drink, whilst The lady of the house, who also favoured the Presbyterian interest, wrapped up a feather in black pieces of paper, and, calling for their most trustworthy servant, bade him ride for all his life across the moor to Redbraes, bearing a message to Lady Hume in the form of a feather. She immediately understood the warning, which was: "Fly."

4. They immediately set about preparing for Sir Patrick’s escape. They were obliged to trust John Allan, their bailiff, who fainted when he was told his master was in the house. He was to go with him on horseback before daybreak, pretending that he had orders to sell some horses at Morpeth fair.

Hume and John Allan set out in the dark; it was a sorrowful parting for all concerned. Hume was rapt in thought, wending as his horse carried him, and found himself by the side of the great river Tweed at a place not fordable and with servant. Ultimately, he found a means to get over to the other side, where after some time his servant joined him. He showed inexpressible joy at their reunion and told him he thought his master was following him—until he heard the sound of many horses' hooves.

This was a party of dragoons coming from the Redbraes, which they had searched very narrowly. Possibly hearing that horses were gone from the house, they suspected the truth and followed the horses. Obtaining no satisfaction, the soldiers rode off.

5. After such a miraculous escape, Hume quit the high road and made his way to London, sending Allan back to Redbraes with the joyful news of his escape. From London, he found his way to France and traveled on foot to Holland, whence he sent for his wife and children. One daughter, Julia, was too ill to travel with her family, so Grisell returned later from Holland to bring her over.

Grisell had agreed to the cabin bed and was well provided with food and other necessaries. The captain behaved outrageously, having previously let the cabin to others, and finally took possession of it for himself and stole all their provisions. After a dreadful and stormy voyage, they arrived at Brill at night and set out on foot to Rotterdam, accompanied by a kindly gentleman who carried their baggage. Soon, Julia’s strength gave out, and she lost her shoes in the mud. Grisell carried her on her back until they reached Rotterdam, where their father and brother were waiting for them. From that moment, all their troubles seemed forgotten.

They continued to live in Holland in happiness and safety for three and a half years, but in great poverty, as sir Patrick’s estates had been forfeited. Friends in Scotland periodically sent them consignments of food and money, and Sir Patrick assumed the name of Doctor Wallace on board the ship that carried him to France; he then travelled to Holland. During this time, Grisell was the light and life of the home and the mainstay of her parent and nine brothers and sisters, not only carrying out the humbler but necessary duties of daily marketing, cooking, etc., but also transacting all the family business. It was considered unsafe for her father to appear in public; but, being very highly educated, he found his time fully employed in carrying on the education of his family. This home was also the rendezvous for many other exiles, where they were entertained with all the hospitality the Humes could offer, which included singing and playing on a small spinet that they had purchased with great difficulty. George Baillie, son of Robert Baillie, who was also an exile since his father's execution, joined them.

The Prince of Range, afterwards William III, made Baillie and Patrick Hume (Grisell's brother) members of his bodyguard. Grisell sat up at night to patch and darn her brother’s lace cuffs and cravats and declared that no gentleman in the bodyguard should turn out more smartly than her brother. The Prince of Orange often dined in public; his subjects were often admitted to see him. Patrick and George always contrived to be on guard at the same time, and when any pretty girl sought admission, they set their halberds across the door and exacted a kiss before allowing her to pass, which caused the girls to call them very pert Scottish soldiers.

Now came the revolution, when James II fled from England; this was followed by the accession of Mary and William of Orange to the Throne of England. The queen wished to make Grisell one of her ladies in waiting, but Grisell's heart was already given to George Baillie, and she refused them.

The whole family returned to England. Sir Patrick, named Lord Polwarth (1690) and Earl of Marchmont (1697), was again put in possession of the estates by the king. Two years later, in 1691, Grisell and George Baillie were married, and she went to live at Mellerstain.

Then followed almost fifty years of unbroken happiness until his death at Oxford in 1738. During this period, Lady Grisell and her husband entertained royalty and wrote a book entitled "Lady Grisell’s Household Book," which contained a minute record of her expenditures, menus, and very detailed instructions to an unknown individual and the housekeeper on their respective duties, all of this throwing a most interesting and surprising light on the running of a large Scottish country of that century.

Lady Marchmont died on 11 October 1703 at Edinburgh; her children were all around her. Grisell, in the agony of grief, had hidden herself behind the bed curtains, and her mother said, "Where is Grisell? Blessed be to you above all, for a helpful child you have been to us." Grisell and George Baillie had three children: a son and two daughters. The son died young, so Grisell, the elder daughter, inherited Mellerstain. She married Sir Alexander Murray and died childless. The property passed to her younger sister, Rachael, who married Charles Lord Binning—eldest son of the sixth earl of Haddington—to whom lady Grisell was profoundly attached. He died before his father did, and the estates of Tyningham and title automatically passed to his eldest son as seventh Earl of Haddington. Rachael left Mellerstain to her second son on condition that he assume the name of Baillie.

When Thomas, ninth Earl, died childless, the Tyningham property and title passed to the nearest kin, then Lady Grisell’s grandfather, George Baillie, and the family name became Baillie-Hamilton. The heroine of this story died in London in December 1746 and was buried on her birthday in the family burial place at Mellerstain. Tradition has it that, as they bore her to her last resting place, the trees were covered with hoar frost, sparkling in the winter sunshine that Christmas morning with an almost unearthly radiance. This story of a devoted wife and mother records a character of supreme courage, great abilities, and a most lovable nature.

There are a large number of direct descendants that remain alive scattered across the world, myself being one of them.

For those interested, the most immediate direct descendant, Grizel Kennedy, has a significant portion of historical data at some point. I hope to fully document this; however, for those interested in the family line, visit this link and follow the tree from 1547 to the present day (warning: it's over 600 pages in total, so go direct). http://www.thepeerage.com/p17800.htm#i177998