Lilias Grant

Biography

Lady Lilias Murray was the second daughter of Sir John Murray of Tullibardine, who in 1606 was created Earl of Tullibardine, and his wife, Catherine Drummond, daughter of David Lord Drummond. The marriage-contract of Lilias Murray and the Laird of Freuchie is dated at Cask, on 15 April 1591, and Lachlan Shaw records that King James the Sixth and his Queen attended the marriage.

Lady Lilias Murray survived her husband for twenty-one years, dying in the end of 1643 or the beginning of the following year. Her testament and latter will is dated on 30 December 1643. She also survived her son, Sir John Grant, who died in 1637.

From the evidence of the Grant muniments, she seems to have been a lady of much vigour of character. She took an active interest in the affairs of the Grant family, and was greatly respected by her family and neighbours. Taylor the Water-Poet, who visited Lady Lilias and her husband at Ballachastell in 1618, was much pleased with her, and he records that she was, both inwardly and outwardly, plentifully endowed with the gifts of grace and nature. He makes no mention of any poetical works.

That Lady Lilias Murray was a reader, and had, for these days, a good if not very varied collection of books, is proved by a list of her own library given under her own hand. In this list, St. Augustine, and the "Imitation of Christ" occupy a place.

Two poems survive in the grant papers, and are attributed to Lilias Grant, although whether original or copies in her own hand is not clear.