482 CAITHNESS XXX. 1765. 10. William (Sinclair), Earl of Caithness [S.], cousin and h. male, being served as such 28 Nov. i'j6%.(^) He was 2nd but only surv. s. and h. of John Sinclair, of Ratter, by Janet, da. of Patrick Sinclair, of Southdun, which John (who d. 1733) was s. and h. of another John S. (who d. 17 14), s. and h. of William S. (living 1663), only s. and h. of James S., all of Ratter afsd., which James S. was 4th s. (being the only s. that had issue) of Sir John Sinclair of Greenland and Ratter (d. 1 622), who was br. to James Sinclair of Murchil (ancestor of the 8th and 9th Earls) and to George, the 5th Earl. He was b. 2 Apr. 1727. By petition (1771) he claimed the "dignities of Earl of Caithness, Lord or Baron of Berriedale" as the nearest h. male of "John, Lord Berriedale, the ist s. of George, 4th Earl of Caithness." On 7 May 1772 his right to the Earldom (no mention being made of the title of "Berriedale) was declared by the Committee for Privileges. He m. Barbara, da. of John Sinclair, 'of Scotscalder. He d. 29 Nov. 1779, at Edinburgh, in his 53rd year. His widow d. at Bath 20, and was bur. 28 Feb. 1793, in the Abbey there. XXXI. 1779. II. John (Sinclair), Earl OF Caithness [S.], s. and h. He joined the army 1772, and became Major 76th Foot, 1777, serving, as such, in America, where, at the siege of Charlestown, he was wounded-C') Lieut. Col., 1783. He d. unm., having committed suicide by shooting himself, in London, 8, and was bur. 13 Apr. 1789, at St. Marylebone, Midx., in his 33rd year.('=) Admon. Oct. 1789. XXXIL 1789. 12. James (Sinclair), Earl OF Caithness [S.], cousin and h. male, being only s. and h. of Sir John Sinclair, 5th Bart. [S.], of Mey, by Catharine, da. of Eric Sutherland, of Duffus,('^) which Sir John was s. and h. of Sir James S., 4th Bart., s. and h. of Sir James S., 3rd Bart., s. and h. of Sir William S., 2nd Bart., s. and h. of Sir James S., 1st Bart., s. and h. of Sir. William S. of Mey, s. and h. of George Sin- clair of Mey, the 3rd s. of George, 4th Earl of Caithness abovenamed. He (^) He was opposed at the election of Peers [S.] 2 1 Aug. 1 766, and (again) 2 1 Dec. 1768, by James Sinclair, who stated himself to be s. and h. of David Sinclair, s. and h. of another David S., lawful s. and h. of David S. of Broinach, next br. to John, 8th Earl. It appears, however, that the younger David was unquestionably born a bastard, though, according to the claimant, he was legitimated by a subsequent marriage. The proof of this marriage is not altogether clear. This James Sinclair, who became a Capt. in the East India Company's service, d. s.p., 11 Jan. 1788, in Whitcomb Str, A long account of his claim is in Riddell, pp. 61Q-619, where a favourable view is taken of it. C") He had permission from the War Office, 5 Jan. 1780, to return to England. V.G. (■=) After his death the lands of Ratter, ^c, were sold by order of the Court for
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('*) Scots Peerage says "by Charlotte, 2nd da. of Eric Sutherland, de jure 4th Lord Duffus [S.] ". V.G.
