James Boswell (1740-1795) family tree

The 5th Earl of Eglinton, foreseeing he would died childless, "made a resignation of his earldom, dated at Seton, july 27, and August 1, 1611, and had a new grant of it, (a practice not unusual in the Scottish peerage,) under the great seal, dated November 28, following, with the former precedency to him and the heirs male of his body. Failing which, the Earldom of Eglinton and Lordship of Kilwinning, comprehending Eglinton, Ardrossan, Robertoun, Dreghorn, Giffen, Wrichtyhill, Torbolton, Methie, Langschaw, and Kilwinning, in Ayshire; Eglisham, Eastwood, Langside, Caldwwell, and Lochliboside, in county Renfrew; Bonytoun and Piltoun, in shire of Edinburgh; Lochransay, in Arran, and Island of Little Cumray, - were settled on Sir Alexander Seton of Foulstruther and heirs male of his body; which failing, Thomas and John Seton, and their heirs male; whom all failing, to his own nearest and lawful heirs male whatsoever, bearing name and arms of Montgomerie."

This action of the earl's was to the prejudice of his cousin, Sir Neil Montgomerie of Lainshaw, who was the heir male; but the murder of the earl's father by Lady Lainshaw's near relatives, and her own supposed complicity in the edeed, furnish sufficient reason, without seeking further, for the earl thus diverting his estates from his heirs male.

Source: A Genealogical History of the Family of Montgomery