Elizabeth Dundas
Lady Stairs House, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh
Born	1650 (1650)
Died	25 May 1731 (aged 80–81)
Spouse	John Dalrymple

Elizabeth Dundas (1650 – 25 May 1731), ^[1] Lady Stair, was a Scottish noblewoman and owner of Lady Stair’s House in the Lawnmarket, in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Early life

Elizabeth was born in 1650, ^[2] the daughter of Sir John Dundas of Newliston and his wife Agnes Gray. ^{[1] [3]} She was the granddaughter of Sir William Gray of Pittendrum, and his wife Egidia or Geida Smith.^{[ citation needed]}

She had one brother, John Dundas, who was born in 1639.^{[ citation needed]}

Marriage and later life

In 1655 Elizabeth inherited the bankrupt estates of her father. ^[4]

In 1667 she was forcibly abducted, however, although this was investigated, no conviction was made. ^[4]

Around 1668/9 ^[1] she married John Dalrymple, the First Earl of Stair (1648-1707).  Between 1670-1680 ^[2] she had 6 sons and 4 daughters, although only 3 sons and one daughter survived childhood. ^[1]

She died on 25 May 1731, ^[1] aged 81. ^[2]

Lady Stair’s House

Elizabeth’s grandparents, Sir William Gray and Egidia Smith built the house now known as Lady Stair’s House in 1622.  

By 1719 Elizabeth was a widow, and she bought her grandparents’ house, ^[3] known then as Lady Gray’s House after her grandmother. ^[1]  It was originally left to her mother’s younger sister.  She lived here until her death in 1731 ^[5]

In 1765 the house was sold by her grandson, John Dalrymple of Newliston, who became 5th Earl of Stair in 1768.

References