William Douglas, 9th Earl of Morton facts for kids
William Douglas, the 9th Earl of Morton, was an important Scottish nobleman. He inherited his title in 1649. William tried hard to keep control of the Orkney and Shetland Islands for his family. These islands were very valuable.
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Who Was William Douglas, 9th Earl of Morton?
William Douglas was the son of Robert Douglas, the 8th Earl of Morton. His mother was Anne Villiers. He became the 9th Earl of Morton on November 12, 1649. This meant he took over his family's important position and lands.
The Islands of Orkney and Shetland
William's grandfather, the 7th Earl of Morton, had been given the Orkney and Zetland Islands. These islands were a very important part of the family's wealth. However, during a time called the Commonwealth (when England was not ruled by a king), this ownership was taken away. The islands became part of the Commonwealth's lands in 1657.
When the king returned to power during the Restoration, William worked to get the islands back. He received a new grant for them. This grant was even approved by the Scottish Parliament in 1661. But, this new grant was later cancelled. By an Act of Parliament on December 17, 1669, the islands officially became the property of the Crown (the king or queen). After this, the Earls of Morton could only hold the islands like a mortgage, meaning they had a special agreement with the Crown.
Other Family Lands
On September 9, 1672, William gave up control of the Barony of Dalkeith. This land went to James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth. The Dalkeith estate and other lands were very valuable. They had been sold around 1643 to help William's grandfather, the 7th Earl, pay for supporting the King.
Family Life and Succession
In 1662, William married Lady Grizel Middleton. She was the daughter of John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton. William and Grizel had one son named Charles, Lord Dalkeith. Sadly, Charles died when he was a baby in 1663.
William Douglas, the 9th Earl of Morton, died in 1681. Because he had no living children, the Earldom passed to his uncle. His uncle, James Douglas, became the 10th Earl of Morton. James was the son of the 7th Earl of Morton and Lady Anne Keith.
