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Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 121 -- Parish of Canongate

The following account of Queensberry House is abridged from Chambers Traditions
Edinburgh. "This was formerly the town mansion of the Dukes of Queensberry. It was built
by the first Duke who also built Drumlanrig castle in Dumfriesshire. He was minister
of the two last Stewarts. he was also a rich landed proprietor and a persecutor of the
Covenanters. The first Duchess often resided here whilst her husband occupied Sanquhar
Castle. The son of this Couple James 2nd Duke was the main instrument in promoting the
[legeslative] Union between Scotland and England. His Graces Eldest Son was an idiot of the most
unhappy sort and of Gigantic Stature. Charles 3rd Duke of Queensberry was born in this house
and occasionally resided in it he was patron of the poet Gay, tradition in Edinburgh
used to point the house opposite to Queensberry House where in an attic room the poet resided
when in Edinburgh and where it is said he wrote the Beggar's Opera. Duke Charles's eldest son
was counted a madman he shot himself in the year 1754. Duke Charles died in 1778 and the
title and estates devolved on his Cousin the Earl of March. In his time (Earl of March) Queensberry House was occu-
pied by other persons. In 1801 he caused the house to be stripped of its ornaments and sold.
With fifty-eight fire rooms and gallery 70 feet long besides a garden it was offered at
the low upset price of £900 The government purchased it for a barrack."

Transcriber's notes

This Name Book refers to Edinburgh 1852 - Sheet 30
OS large scale Scottish town plans, 1847-1895 - Scale: 1:1056