Early Life
Archibald Kelso succeeded to the estates in 1576 (according to
Burkes1) , so presumably must have been at least 18 at the time and so born no later than 1558. If he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Langside which took place in 1568 then he more likely was born prior to 1550. This corresponds well with extrapolations backwards from his 2x great grand-son
Capt. Robert Kelso (b. 1677). Archibald's father was
Thomas Kelso; his mother's name is not known.
Career
From
Kelso of Kelsoland2:
Archibald Kelso, Master of Kelsoland, was taken prisoner at the
battle of Langayde, with the Masters of Ross, Eglintoun, Cassilis, and the young Sheriff of Ayr, but was released shortly as his name appears on the "Ratification" found in the Boyd Charter Chest, dated Largs, July 28, 1568. He succeeded to the estates in 1578 and his name appears on the rolls of the Parliaments which sat at Edinburgh in 1585, 1593, 1595, 1598 and 1600. His Lordship married first; Margaret, daughter of James Stewart of Ardgowan and Blackhall, great grand-daughter of Robert III
a, by whom he had two daughters: 1) Jean, who married John Stewart of Ascog in Bute, and had a son Ninian Stewart who marred Janet, a daughter of Sir Bryce Blair of that ilk, and a daughter who married Fullarton of Greenhall 2) Janet, who married John Brisbane; and two sons: 3) David and 4) William. He married secondly Catharine, daughter of William, Earl of Gowrie, and following the so-called "Gowrie Conspiracy", was involved in the ruin which encompassed the Gowrie family. His life, lands and goods were declared forfeit in the Parliament held in Edinburgh, January 15, 1601. He died the same year.
Some sources (e.g.
History of the Counties of Ayr3) also give Archibald a third son,
Giles.
Footnotes
[1] e.g. 1st Edition, Volume 2 (1835) page 535
[2]
Kelso of Kelsoland, Compiled by Clarence E Kelso and Wilber M Kelso. page 13
[3]
History of the counties of Ayr and Wigton; Volume 1, part 2, page 742
1550 - 1602 (~ 62 years)