Early LIfe
Michael Elphinstone was born on the 23
rd of December 1593, the ninth son of
Alexander, fourth Lord Elphinstone and
Jean Livingstone.
Life and Family
Michael was the first Laird of
Quarrell.
From
Lands and Lairds1:
The Elphinstones, as early as 1512, had a charter of the superiority of Quarrell, but it was not till about 1610 that they seem to have owned the lands. At that date, Mr James Elphinstone, second son of Alexander, fourth Lord Elphinstone, by his wife, the Honourable Jean Livingstone, is designed of Quarrell. He resigned the lands of Quarrell and East Skaithmure on 27th October, 1619, to his father, Lord Elphinstone. The lands were then given to Michael Elphinstone, first of Quarrell.
The same source later continues:
He had a sasine of the lands of Quarrell and East Skaithmure, recorded 15th November 1619, proceeding on a charter granted by his father...with consent of Alexander Elphinstone of Kildrummie, fiar of Elphinstone. He also acquired the lands of Mungall, in the parish of Falkirk.
From
The Scot's Peerage2:
On 23 July 1602 he got the lands of Quarrell, formerly possessed by his brother James, instead of some other lands in the parish of Airth, which his father had given him. On 15 February 1618 (contract 12 January, tocher 5000 merks) he married Mary, daughter of Mr. Robert Bruce of Kinnaird.
From
Elphinstone Family Book3:
He was provided by his father in an annual rent of £300 Scots out of the barony of Elphinstone...On 18th September 1618 his father gave him part of the lands, with coal, of the New Cast and Cobiltriegait, in the parish of Airth. This and a grant of 23rd July 1602 he renounced for the lands of Quarrell and Easter Skaythmure, formerly owned by his brother James Elphinstone, with the lands of Bothkenner. From this time he and his descendants became known as Elphinstone of Quarrell.
Death
Michael Elphinstone died at Durham, and was buried there 1
st November 1640. There is a
monumental stone to his memory in the parish church of Larbert, which is near Quarrell. It reads:
Michalle Elphinstone. 1680. Mary Bruce
Cause caused. Do weel and doubt not.
Michale Elphinstone, youngest son to Alexander Lord Elphinstone, who died in Durame and was buried thair upon the 1 of November 1640, which was the first of his familie: Who's mother was Dam Janne Livingston, Leady Elphinstoune, daughter to the Earle of Linlithgow. Interred heer his youngest sonne John, 14 of September 1680, who gifted to this Kirk two communion cupps.
Footnotes
[1] Lands and Lairds of Larbert and Dunipace Parishs, John C. Gibson, Glasgow (1908); Elphinstones of Quarrel, pages 47-52
[2] The Scot's Peerage, James Balfour Paul, Volume 3, 1906, Page 539
1593 - Abt 1640 (46 years)
[1, 3] 
