David Barclay (soldier)
David Barclay of Ury was a Scottish professional soldier, courtier and the first Laird of Ury. A soldier of fortune, Barclay fought for Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden during the Thirty Years' War, and with the John Middleton, 1st [Earl of Middleton|Earl of Middleton] during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
Background
Barclay was the son of David Barclay, 11th of Mathers, of Kincardineshire, Scotland and Elizabeth Livingstone, daughter of John Livingston of Dunipace.Career
In 1626, he ventured to France to become a soldier of fortune. In 1630, he rose to the rank of a major under Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, during the Thirty Years War. He returned to Scotland in 1636 to serve in the covenanting army, becoming colonel of a cavalry regiment under General John Middleton.In 1648, he purchased the lands and barony of Ury in Kincardineshire from William Keith, 7th Earl of Marischal. As a known associate of the Earl Marischal he was subsequently confined in Edinburgh Castle where he met the John Swinton, who was confined in the same prison.
In 1660, the Restoration ended the Civil War. Barclay served at the court of Charles II and he became an influential figure at Whitehall and Edinburgh.
Family
Barclay married Katherine Gordon, daughter of Sir Sir [Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet|Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet].Barclay and Katherine had the following issue:
- Jean Barclay, married Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, to whom she bore eight children
- Lucille Barclay who died unmarried.
- Robert Barclay the eldest son, who became celebrated as the apologist for the Quakers.
- John Barclay the second son, settled in East Jersey in America, where he married and left children.
- David Barclay who died unmarried.