Elizabeth Dundas

Elizabeth was born in 1650,[2] the daughter of Sir John Dundas of Newliston and his wife Agnes Gray.[1][3] She was the granddaughter of Sir William Gray of Pittendrum, and his wife Egidia or Geida Smith.

She had one brother, John Dundas, who was born in 1639. [4]

In 1655 Elizabeth inherited the bankrupt estates of her father.[4]

In 1667 she was forcibly abducted, however, although this was investigated, no conviction was made.[4]

Around 1668/9[1] she married John Dalrymple, the First Earl of Stair (1648-1707).  Between 1670-1680[2] she had 6 sons and 4 daughters, although only 3 sons and one daughter survived childhood.[1]

She died on 25th May 1731,[1] aged 81.[2]

Elizabeth’s grandparents, Sir William Gray and Egidia Smith built the house now known as Lady Stair’s House in 1622.  

By 1719 Elizabeth was a widow, and she bought her grandparents’ house,[3] known then as Lady Gray’s House after her grandmother.[1]  It was originally left to her mother’s younger sister.  She lived here until her death in 1731[5]

In 1765 the house was sold by her grandson, John Dalrymple of Newliston, who became 5th Earl of Stair in 1768.