The Erskine Legacy: The Transition of Estates and Family Growth

 The importance of inheritance

To truly understand how Sir David and Lady Jane Silence Erskine came to inherit estates and lands across North Wales and the East Neuk of Scotland, we must first travel back to the pivotal moment of their betrothal. Their union not only marked a new chapter in their personal lives but also set the stage for the inheritance that would shape their future and the legacy they would leave behind.

In 1818, "Mrs and Miss Williams went to the continent" (Pritchard, 2011) and serious discussions began about building a suspension bridge across the Menai Strait. As part of his duties, Thomas Telford was also asked to survey the route between Bangor and Chester. However, this ambitious project didn't come without opposition. Rowland Williams, a Beaumaris solicitor, presented a petition to parliament opposing the bridge, citing the potential harm it would cause to his ward, Jane Silence Williams - then "a minor and sole owner of the Bangor Ferry" (Bangor University Archives, 2025).

But Rowland Williams was not merely Jane's guardian. Long before her birth, he had been appointed the receiver of the revenues from the ferry crossing at Porthaethwy, an important source of income for the Pwllycrochon estate. The estate, heavily mortgaged by Jane’s uncle, Holland Williams, was in serious financial trouble, still owing over £5,000 even in 1820 (St Andrews University Archive, 2025). The tolls and ferry fares, generating £950 annually (Davies, 1966), were the only reliable financial support for Jane's widow mother, Mrs. Mary Williams, and her daughter.

When Rowland Williams succeeded in securing compensation for Jane, it became a historic moment - recorded as the largest sum ever paid by the British government to a single individual at the time (Provis, 1828).

Just months after this financial victory, a new chapter unfolded. The Earl of Kellie reached out to Rowland Williams, beginning marriage negotiations for his grandson, David Erskine and his ward Jane Silence Williams. The ensuing correspondence, which spanned across Europe, Scotland, London, and Beaumaris, was no simple affair. Rowland Williams, confident after his success against the British government, was not one to back down easily - especially when it came to challenging a British peer. The Earl's grandson, David Englehart, had a complicated heritage; his lineage was deemed illegitimate (his mother the illegitimate natural daughter of the Earl of Kellie during his time in Sweden), as the Prince Regent refused to acknowledge him as a potential heir to the Earldom. To settle the matter, David was formally naturalized as David Erskine in 1820, adopting his grandfather's family name. However, as a 28 year old man with only future prospects, it seems that a love match was not something Jane Silence Williams Guardian was too keen to allow. 

During the ongoing marriage negotiations, the Earl of Kellie made arrangements to settle two farms on his grandson for his lifetime in the hopes that this would appease Miss Williams' Guardian. After further back-and-forth, the Earl agreed to provide the newlyweds with £1,500 annually, again during his own lifetime. The marriage finally took place in July 1821 in Conwy. Although some terms were still under discussion, Lady Kellie, upon meeting her new granddaughter-in-law, Jane, instructed her husband to agree to all remaining matters. The day of the wedding also saw David Erskine granted the hereditary title of Baronet, making him Sir David Erskine. Thus, Jane became Lady Erskine of Pwllycrochon.

The Erskine Legacy: The Transition of Estates and Family Growth

In 1828, the Earl of Kellie passed away at his Cambo estate. Sir David and Lady Erskine with their young children Thomas and Harriet travelled to Cambo via steamer, sailboat, and carriage. Although the Earldom passed to the Earl's younger brother, Methven, Sir David was now officially the laird of the Cambo and Airdrie estates. The couple’s fourth child, David Holland Erskine, was born that September and was named after his late sister Jane Holland as well as to honour the maternal side of the family - the Hollands of Conwy.

By 1830, the Earldom had passed to a distant relative, but Sir David now held both Cambo and Airdrie estates legally and his title was recorded as Sir David Erskine of Cambo and Pwllycrochon. Another daughter was born that year - Mary named for Lady Erskine's mother. Lady Erskine quickly became a beloved figure in Scottish society, continuing the charitable work her predecessor, Lady Kellie, had initiated. The poor of the estate and surrounding villages were fed twice a week at the big house, with winter fuel (usually wood, and occasionally coal when conditions allowed) distributed to those in need. Meanwhile, Sir David continued his grandfather's improvements work, draining the land and improving the farm buildings of the estate as well as surrounding farms.

However, the once-prosperous farms struggled due to harsh winters and difficult wet summers. Balancing both the Scottish and Welsh estates proved increasingly challenging, and when Lady Erskine’s trustees reminded Sir David of his marriage settlement terms, financial pressures mounted. Despite his efforts, the £26,000 that had been awarded to Lady Erskine in compensation was now depleted after a decade of marriage - what with the building of the Pwllycrochon mansion, the redevelopment in Conwy town and the estate work in Scotland. The £1,500 annual income from his grandfather was no more and the revenue from the farms were insufficient to meet the growing demands of his expanding family. Sir David began the discussions to sell Pwllycrochon. 

The terms stipulated that investments must be made for the provision of the younger children of the marriage, up to £10,000 - at least £1,000 a year (vlex, n.d). This had not been undertaken and Lady Erskine's Trustees challenged this in 1830 resulting in Sir David taking out a loan for £10,000 in order to meet the terms. Unfortunately, the investment had not matured over this period and so whilst the matter had been resolved in part, Sir David now had to service the loan. With 2 daughters (Harriet - named for Sir David's mother and Mary) requiring a dowry in the future and a second son requiring either a living or setting up in practice, Sir David was mindful of the financial pressures.   

Moreover, the Welsh estates were protected under the marriage settlement terms and whilst Sir David under the law of coverture did receive all rents from Lady Erskine's estate, he could not sell her property nor her land in Wales. Pwllycrochon was saved, although the fixtures and furnishings were auctioned in the 'Splendid Sale' of 1831. 

In 1832, the Erskines experienced a heartbreaking loss when Lady Erskine gave birth to a stillborn daughter. 1833 saw the Erskine's travel to Wales with Sir David being recorded as landing at Bangor and staying at the St George's Hotel. Caroline - a daughter was born in 1835 at Cambo and just a year later, in 1836, another son was born and named Hugh, after Lady Erskine's father. Tragically, the baby boy passed away just weeks later on December 17th.

As their two eldest sons, Thomas and David, attended school in Edinburgh, Lady Erskine focused on her growing family, now with several children under her care. She also rode in various hunts with reports of her being missed whenever she was absent from the field due to pregnancy or praised for her excellent horsemanship and she became Lady Patron of a number of society balls. Sir David travelled extensively across the UK, visiting London, Wales, and overseeing estate matters with some 400 miles between them. In 1838, he took his two eldest sons to Wales to visit the Welsh estates of their mother and to discuss the arrival of the railway, a transformative development for the region. That same year, Lady Erskine gave birth to another son, Hugh Henry. But Sir David's health began to decline, and his illness remained a mystery to even the most eminent doctors of Edinburgh and London. Despite their best efforts, no one could determine a cure, and Lady Erskine found herself burdened with the weight of managing three estates and raising five children, whilst worrying about her beloved husband's ongoing illness.

A Turning Point: The Family's Move to the Isle of Wight

As Sir David’s health continued to decline, he faced the dual challenge of almost losing his eyesight, alongside a painful and debilitating illness that affected his nerves. Recognising the severity of his condition, trustees were appointed to help him manage the Scottish estates and protect his heir, the young Thomas should Sir David not regain his former good health.

The doctors, unable to pinpoint a cure, advised the family to relocate to a warmer, more temperate climate. They hoped that the combination of rest and a change in environment might help Sir David recover. In the autumn of 1840, the decision was made. Cambo was closed, and the family moved to the Isle of Wight, leaving behind not only their Scottish and Welsh estates but also the legacy they had worked tirelessly to build over the years. The move marked a significant chapter in the Erskine family's journey—one filled with uncertainty, but also a quiet hope for Sir David's recovery and the family's future.

As Thomas, the eldest son and heir, embarked on his army training, his brother David was still finishing his studies at school in Edinburgh. Meanwhile, their youngest sibling, Hugh Henry, was only two years old. With Thomas too young to take over the management of the family estates, Lady Erskine and Sir David had to rely on a team of skilled Land Agents to handle their affairs.

In Wales, Lady Erskine had her own trusted Land Agent - Mr Henry Jones of Bodidda who continued to represent her to her tenants,  as he had done since he had been appointed upon her attaining her majority in 1822, while Sir David employed two—one for their Welsh estates and another to oversee their Scottish holdings. These agents were crucial in managing the day-to-day operations of the estates, ensuring that the farms and lands remained productive and well-maintained during a time of significant personal and financial challenges for the family. Sir David's Welsh Land Agent represented him during the early tithe meetings post 1838, held after the Tithe Commutation Act of 1836, a massive survey (c. 1838-1850) to replace payments of agricultural produce (tithes) with cash payments to the church. Moreover the ongoing discussions around the railways also saw Sir David's Land Agent take over these matters. 

Sir David had been instructed by his Doctors to do nothing but rest. Lady Erskine took only a few trusted servants with her to the Isle of Wight, the rest remained in Scotland - redeployed to other large houses. 

Pwllycrochon was leased to a Captain Thomas. Old Bodlondeb was also leased and Lady Erskine's mother, Mary Williams remained at the Conwy townhouse Plas Isa. The Erskines were now of Winchelsea House, Ryde (Census, 1841). 

To read more about the Telford Bridge and Lady Erskine visit Gemma Campbell: The Enigmatic Lady Erskine of Pwllycrochon

References: 

Davies, H.R. (1966). A review of the records of the Conway and the Menai ferries. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.

Gilchrist, M. (2011). Erskine, Thomas, ninth earl of Kellie (1745/6–1828), merchant and diplomat. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Available online https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-68958. [accessed 9/07/2025].

msdep97/47 University of St Andrews Special Collections

Pritchard, R. (2011). Chronicle of Events in Conwy by Thomas Roberts CHRONOLOGY OF ALL REMARKABLE EVENTS SINCE THE YEAR 1814 OF DEATHS AND MARRIAGES ETC ETC AND KEPT BY GRANDFATHER. COPIED BY CATHERINE WEBSTER GRANDDAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE. FRONDEG JUNE 9th 1864. [online] www.threetownsforum.co.uk. Available at: http://www.threetownsforum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=462.0. [accessed 1/10/2025]

Provis, W. A. (1828) An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Suspension Bridge Constructed over the Menai Strait in North Wales. London: Ibotson and Palmer

TYN/671 Tyn y Gongl Papers, Bangor University Archives.

Williams Vs Erskine https://vlex.co.uk/vid/erskine-v-williams-803586125