Sutherland of Killipheder

The Sutherlands of Killipheder were a minor noble Scottish family and a branch of the ancient Clan Sutherland, a Highland Scottish clan. They were seated at Killipheder, in the county of Sutherland, Scotland.

History

Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder was a younger son of John Sutherland, 8th Earl of Sutherland,[1] (chief of Clan Sutherland). Alexander Sutherland’s legitimacy has been questioned and 17th-century historian, Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet, stated that Alexander was definitely illegitimate.[1]

Dispute to the Earldom of Sutherland (16th-century)

John Sutherland, 8th Earl of Sutherland was succeeded firstly by his eldest son, John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland who died without an heir in 1514.[2] Before his death, the 9th Earl of Sutherland had already declared that his sister Elizabeth Sutherland and her husband Adam Gordon (younger son of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, chief of Clan Gordon), as well as their children, were his nearest heirs.[1]

In 1517 the Battle of Torran Dubh took place in which it is claimed, by Sir Robert Gordon, that Elizabeth persuaded her younger brother Alexander Sutherland (1st of Killipheder) to lead the Clan Sutherland against the Clan Mackay whom they defeated.[3] However, the historical accuracy of this story has been questioned by historian William Fraser who stated that Alexander Sutherland was in prison for the whole year of 1517 when the battle is said to have taken place.[4] Some time after this Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder married a sister of John Mackay, the chief of the clan he had allegedly fought against at Torran Dubh.[5] Mackay then apparently tampered with Alexander Sutherland to claim the Earldom of Sutherland for himself,[6] which he did, rebelling against his sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon.[7] Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder was killed in the resulting Battle of Alltachuilain in 1518 and the Earldom of Sutherland remained with the descendants of his sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon.[7]

In 1550, Alexander Sutherland's son, John Sutherland, made an attempt on Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Earls and Countesses of Sutherland.[8] However, he was killed in the garden of the castle.[8]

Later conflicts

In 1586, William Sutherland of Killipheder, grandson of Alexander "the heir", fought in support of the Gordon Earls of Sutherland at the Battle of Leckmelm against the Clan Gunn.[9]

19th century

The chief of the Clan Sutherland was the Earl of Sutherland.[10] However, upon succeeding to the Earldom in 1766, Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland, infant daughter of the 18th Earl and later the Duchess of Sutherland, could not succeed as chief of the clan which could then not descend to a female.[10] William Sutherland of Killipheder (d.1832) enjoyed a small annuity from the Countess and was regarded as the eldest male descendant of the original earls.[10] However, John Campbell Sutherland of Forse was then considered the real chief of the clan.[10]

Killipheder

The descendants of Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder occupied the lands for generations on payment of a nominal rent to the Earls of Sutherland.[11] The ruins at Kilphedder are now more immediately connected with one of his descendants: William Sutherland of Kilphedder who was a man of gigantic strength and stature who repaired and extended the residence of his ancestors.[11]

List of Lairds of Killipheder (incomplete)
  • Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder.[12]
  • William Sutherland, 2nd of Killipheder (his two younger sons were Hugh and Angus Sutherland).[13]
  • William Sutherland, 3rd of Killipheder.[14]
  • Hugh Sutherland, 4th of Killipheder[15]
  • William Sutherland, 5th of Killipheder[16]

Descendants

According to volume VIII of The Scots Peerage which was published in 1911, the descendants of Alexander Sutherland, 1st of Killipheder continued until 1829, "and may still exist".[1]

References
  1. Paul, James Balfour C.V.O, L.L.D (1911). The Scots Peerage. Volume VIII. Edinburgh: David Douglas. pp. 334-336.
  2. Gordon, Robert (1813) [Printed from original manuscript 1580 - 1656]. A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. Edinburgh and London: Printed by George Ramsay and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co Edinburgh; and White, Cochrance and Co. London. pp. 83-84.
  3. Gordon, Robert (1813) [Printed from original manuscript 1580 - 1656]. A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. Edinburgh and London: Printed by George Ramsay and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co Edinburgh; and White, Cochrance and Co. London. pp. 91-97.
  4. Fraser, William K.C.B, L.L.D (1892). The Sutherland Book. Volume 1. Edinburgh. p. 79.
  5. Gordon, Robert (1813) [Printed from original manuscript 1580 - 1656]. A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. Edinburgh and London: Printed by George Ramsay and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co Edinburgh; and White, Cochrance and Co. London. pp. 75-84.
  6. Browne, James (1875). A History of the Highlands and of the Highland Clans. Volume 1. 34 Hutcheson Street, Glasgow and 31 South Bridge, Edinburgh: Archibald Fullarton. p. 181.CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. Gordon, Robert (1813) [Printed from original manuscript 1580 - 1656]. A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. Edinburgh and London: Printed by George Ramsay and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co Edinburgh; and White, Cochrance and Co. London. pp. 95-97.
  8. Grimble, Ian (1987). Castles of Scotland. BBC Publications. p. 133. ISBN 9780563205180.
  9. Mackay, Robert (1829). History of the House and Clan of the Name MacKay. 233 High Street, Edinburgh: Printed for the author by Andrew Jack & Co. pp. 151-152. Quoting: Gordon, Sir Robert. (1580–1656). A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. pp. 184–185CS1 maint: location (link)
  10. "Clan Sutherland History". electricscotland.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  11. Sage, Donald (1899). "VI: The Topography of Kildonan, 1800". Memorabilia Domestica or Parish Life in the North of Scotland (Second ed.). Wick, Caithness and Edinburgh: William Rae and John Menzies & Co. p. 74.
  12. "Alexander Sutherland, of Kilphedder". geni.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  13. "William Sutherland, of Kilphedder". geni.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  14. "William Sutherland". geni.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  15. "Hugh Sutherland". geni.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  16. "William Sutherland". geni.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.

See also
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