Eric Sutherland (died 1768) was the 4th

Lord Duffus The title Lord Duffus was created by Charles II in the Peerage of Scotland on 8 December 1650 for Alexander Sutherland. He was a descendant of the 4th Earl of Sutherland, who fell in battle in 1333. The title is now extinct, although there may b ...

, member of the Scottish

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and a

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of the

Clan Sutherland Clan Sutherland also known as House of Sutherland is a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional territory is the shire of Sutherland in the far north of Scotland. The chief of the clan was also the powerful Earl of Sutherland; however, in the ear ...

Early life

He was the eldest son of Kenneth Sutherland, 3rd Lord Duffus and his wife Charlotta Christina, daughter of Eric Sioblade, governor of

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Lord of Duffus

Eric Sutherland was baptized on 10 August 1710 and was the

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4th

. In 1734, after his father had died, he presented a petition to

George II of Great Britain George II (George Augustus; ; 30 October / 9 November 1683 – 25 October 1760) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland, Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Electorate of Hanover, Hanover) and a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Em ...

explaining how his father had been detained in

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which meant that he had been unable to surrender on-time during the

Jacobite rising of 1715 The Jacobite rising of 1715 ( ; or 'the Fifteen') was the attempt by James Francis Edward Stuart, James Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender) to regain the thrones of Kingdom of England, England, Kingdom of Ireland, Ireland and Kingdom of Scotland ...

and thus disputed his father's

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. The

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decided against this claim and declared that he had no right to the title. However, letters from him and his wife show that he assumed the title and that this was accepted by his neighbors. He was apparently an

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in Colonel Disney's Regiment in 1731. During the

Jacobite rising of 1745 The Jacobite rising of 1745 was an attempt by Charles Edward Stuart to regain the Monarchy of Great Britain, British throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart. It took place during the War of the Austrian Succession, when the bulk of t ...

he remained loyal to the Crown and gave intelligence of the rebels to the

Earl of Sutherland Earl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia, 1st Earl of Sutherland, William de Moravia and is the premier earldom in the Peerage of Scotland. The earl or countess of Sutherland is al ...

. According to

James Balfour Paul Sir James Balfour Paul (16 November 1846 – 15 September 1931) was the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the officer responsible for heraldry in Scotland, from 1890 until the end of 1926. Life James Balfour Paul was educated at Royal High School, Edinbur ...

, he did not take part in any military operations. According to

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, he was a captain in the Earl of Sutherland's regiment. James Balfour Paul stated that Eric Sutherland's relations with the Earl of Sutherland's family were extremely friendly. He died on 28 August 1768. It is said that he died at Skibo but it is more likely to have been at Skelbo, where he had a house.

Family

Eric Sutherland, 4th Lord Duffus married his cousin in the male line Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Dunbar of Hempriggs, who had changed his surname from Sutherland to Dunbar after marrying into the Dunbar family. Their children were: #James Sutherland, 5th Lord Duffus (1747-1827), heir and successor. His title was restored by an Act of Parliament in 1826. He was succeeded by his 2nd cousin in the male line who had the surname Dunbar, the surname having been changed from Sutherland as mentioned above. #Axel or Axley Sutherland. #Elizabeth Sutherland, who married firstly, Captain Alexander Sinclair, son of Sir William Sinclair of

Keiss Keiss () is a fishing village at the northern end of Sinclair's Bay on the east coast of Caithness in Scotland's Highland Council area. Keiss castle Keiss Castle, which is now partially ruined, is located less than 1 mile north of the village ...

and had issue, and secondly, to Charles Sinclair of

Olrig Olrig is a parish in Caithness, Scotland. The main settlement in the parish is Castletown. Prior to the 19th century, the parish was sub-divided into ten townlands or "fermlands". Townland boundaries were mostly disregarded and lost during the a ...

and had issue. #Charlotte Sutherland, who married Sir John Sinclair of Mey, with whom she had issue: James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness. #Anne Sutherland, who married

George Mackay of Skibo George Mackay of Skibo (' 1715 – 25 June 1782) was a Scottish lawyer, soldier and politician. He fought for the British Government during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and was later a Member of Parliament.Mackay. Page 193. Early life Mackay ...

, and had issue.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duffus, Eric Sutherland, 4th Lord 1768 deaths Nobility from Highland (council area)

Duffus Duffus () is a village and parish in Moray, Scotland. The local shop and Post Office and Duffus Village Hall provide a focal point for the community. Nearby are the remains of Duffus CastleSt. Peters' Kirk and Spynie Palace. Name The name of ...

Eric Sutherland