Sir Thomas Burnett, 3rd Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Burnett of Leys, 3rd Baronet, (ca. 1656 - January 1714), Lord Clerk Register
, PC
, MP
. He was, at Stonehaven
, 21 April 1664, retoured as heir to his father, Sir Alexander Burnett, 2nd Baronet who had died the previous year. The 3rd Baronet is the grandson of Sir Thomas Burnett, 1st Baronet
, who completed the reconstruction of Muchalls Castle
and the great-grandson of Alexander Burnett of Leys (died 1619), who completed the construction of Crathes Castle
.
Official Burnett Website
for Kincardineshire
between 1689 and 1707. In 1689 he subscribed to the Act declatory of the legality of the Meeting of Estates summoned by the Prince of Orange
, and was a signatory to the letter of congratulation to King William II. In 1690 he was one of nine appointed to a Parliamentary Committee for the Plantation of Kirks and valuation of teind
s, and he was one of four persons chosen as Lord Clerk Register. On the discovery of plots for the King's assassination, he was one of the signatories to the association in defence of King William.
He opposed the proposal of making an addition to the standing army, which parliament adopted; and in the same parliament, during the discussions regarding the colony of New Caledonia in Darién Province
, when the question was raised whether the Company's right should be made the subject of an address to the King or of an Act of Parliament
, and the former alternative was carried by a majority of 108 to 84, Sir Thomas Burnett was one of the dissenters and protestors.
In May 1701 he was nominated, with others, for a peerage, but the King being ill did not sign the patents, which lapsed. In 1703 Sir Thomas made a protest against the Act allowing the importation of French wines and brandies as "dishonourable to Her Majesty, and inconsistent with the Grand Alliance in which she is engaged." His votes recorded in connexion with the Union are in favour of the first article and of the whole measure as carried.
On 13 February 1707 he was elected as a Member of the Parliament of Great Britain
at Westminster
, but he seems never to have presented his commission or sat. On 21 May he was appointed a member of the Privy Council of Scotland
, and in July appointed to the Court of Exchequer (Scotland)
.
regarding the affairs of the Arbuthnot family. The matter became very acrimonious and finally went to the Court of Session
, the legal proceedings being reported upon by Sir John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall
.
. They had sixteen (or even more) children.
Sir Thomas was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son and heir Sir Alexander Burnett, 4th Baronet. Of the other children:
Lord Clerk Register
The office of Lord Clerk Register is the oldest surviving Great Officer of State in Scotland, with origins in the 13th century.The Clerk-Register was from ancient times the principal Clerk in the kingdom, from whom all other clerks, whatever their government positions, and who were essentially his...
, PC
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
, MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
. He was, at Stonehaven
Stonehaven
Stonehaven is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It lies on Scotland's northeast coast and had a population of 9,577 in 2001 census.Stonehaven, county town of Kincardineshire, grew around an Iron Age fishing village, now the "Auld Toon" , and expanded inland from the seaside...
, 21 April 1664, retoured as heir to his father, Sir Alexander Burnett, 2nd Baronet who had died the previous year. The 3rd Baronet is the grandson of Sir Thomas Burnett, 1st Baronet
Sir Thomas Burnett, 1st Baronet
Sir Thomas Burnett, 1st Baronet of Leys was a feudal baron and leading Covenanter who had represented Kincardineshire in the Scottish Parliament in 1621.-Early years:...
, who completed the reconstruction of Muchalls Castle
Muchalls Castle
Muchalls Castle stands overlooking the North Sea in the countryside of Kincardine and Mearns, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The lower course is a well preserved double groined 13th century towerhouse structure, built by the Frasers of Muchalls. Upon this structure, the 17th century castle was begun by...
and the great-grandson of Alexander Burnett of Leys (died 1619), who completed the construction of Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle near Banchory in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. This harled castle was built by the Burnetts of Leys and was held in that family for almost 400 years...
.
Official Burnett Website
Career
Sir Thomas was Commissioner to the Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
for Kincardineshire
Kincardineshire
The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns was a local government county on the coast of northeast Scotland...
between 1689 and 1707. In 1689 he subscribed to the Act declatory of the legality of the Meeting of Estates summoned by the Prince of Orange
Prince of Orange
Prince of Orange is a title of nobility, originally associated with the Principality of Orange, in what is now southern France. In French it is la Principauté d'Orange....
, and was a signatory to the letter of congratulation to King William II. In 1690 he was one of nine appointed to a Parliamentary Committee for the Plantation of Kirks and valuation of teind
Teind
Teind is a Scots word for tithe meaning a tenth part of. In Scotland, a teind was a tithe derived from the produce of the land for the maintenance of the clergy....
s, and he was one of four persons chosen as Lord Clerk Register. On the discovery of plots for the King's assassination, he was one of the signatories to the association in defence of King William.
He opposed the proposal of making an addition to the standing army, which parliament adopted; and in the same parliament, during the discussions regarding the colony of New Caledonia in Darién Province
Darién Province
Darién is a province in eastern Panama. It is also the largest province in Panama. It is hot, humid, heavily forested, and sparsely populated, having 48,378 habitants...
, when the question was raised whether the Company's right should be made the subject of an address to the King or of an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
, and the former alternative was carried by a majority of 108 to 84, Sir Thomas Burnett was one of the dissenters and protestors.
In May 1701 he was nominated, with others, for a peerage, but the King being ill did not sign the patents, which lapsed. In 1703 Sir Thomas made a protest against the Act allowing the importation of French wines and brandies as "dishonourable to Her Majesty, and inconsistent with the Grand Alliance in which she is engaged." His votes recorded in connexion with the Union are in favour of the first article and of the whole measure as carried.
On 13 February 1707 he was elected as a Member of the Parliament of Great Britain
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
at Westminster
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
, but he seems never to have presented his commission or sat. On 21 May he was appointed a member of the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
, and in July appointed to the Court of Exchequer (Scotland)
Court of Exchequer (Scotland)
The Court of Exchequer was formerly a distinct part of the court system in Scotland, with responsibility for administration of government revenue and judicial matters relating to customs and excise, revenue, stamp duty and probate...
.
Acrimony
In his private life he was engaged in an unpleasant dispute, from 1695 to 1702, with the Earl of SutherlandEarl of Sutherland
Earl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia. The Earl of Sutherland is also the Chief of Clan Sutherland...
regarding the affairs of the Arbuthnot family. The matter became very acrimonious and finally went to the Court of Session
Court of Session
The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland, and constitutes part of the College of Justice. It sits in Parliament House in Edinburgh and is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal....
, the legal proceedings being reported upon by Sir John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall
John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall
Sir John Lauder of Fountainhall, 2nd Baronet, Lord Fountainhall was one of Scotland's leading jurists who remains to this day an oft consulted authority...
.
Marriage and issue
He married while still under age, in 1677, Margaret (1662 - 1744), daughter of Robert Arbuthnot, 2nd Viscount Arbuthnot, by his spouse Elizabeth, daughter of William Keith, 7th Earl MarischalWilliam Keith, 7th Earl Marischal
William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal was a Scottish nobleman and Covenanter. He was the eldest son of William Keith, 6th Earl Marischal...
. They had sixteen (or even more) children.
Sir Thomas was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son and heir Sir Alexander Burnett, 4th Baronet. Of the other children:
- William of Criggie (now Ecclesgreig) (1683-1747).
- Robert, was made an honorary burgess of AberdeenAberdeenAberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
on 8 January 1689. - Thomas (b.1686) was made an honorary burgess of Aberdeen on 8 January 1689.
- John (b. 1688) was made an honorary burgess of Aberdeen on 8 January 1689.
- Charles (b.1691; d.unm.), an advocate.
- Katherine (d.1749), married in 1702 Sir William Seton, 2nd Baronet of Pitmedden, M.P. (bap.6 Mar 1673; d.1744).
- Mary (d.5 Jun 1754), married in 1712 Sir John Carnegie, 2nd Baronet of Pittarrow, (1673-1729).
- Elizabeth (b.1692) married by contract in 1715 George Beattie, merchant in Montrose, AngusMontrose, AngusMontrose is a coastal resort town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. It is situated 38 miles north of Dundee between the mouths of the North and South Esk rivers...
. - Margaret (b.1696) married in 1721 James Ogilvie of Melros, BanffshireBanffshireThe County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest...
. - Jean (b.1698) married in 1722 George Lauder of Pitscandlie, Forfarshire (d.bef August 1760), a younger son of Sir Robert Lauder of Beilmouth, Knt., M.P. (d.1709)
- Helen (b.1698) married Allardice of that Ilk.