Note 274 — THE PREFACE.

James Sandilands, second son of Sir James Sandilands of Calder, (see vol. i. page 301,) became Preceptor of Torphichen, (ib. page 249,) and in virtue of this office, under the title of Lord St. John, he had a seat in Parliament. He was employed in several embassies; and with the rest of his family he joined the Reformers; this mission to France shews the estimation in which he was held. Having obtained a grant of the possessions of the Knights Templars and Hospitallers in Scotland in 1563, the same were erected into a Free Barony or a Temporal Lordship, in his favour, by Queen Mary, as Lord Torphichen; and he relinquished his former title of Lord St. John. See the copy of the Charter, dated 24th January 1563-4, with several interesting notices regarding the Templar Lands and Dignities, by Mr. Maidment, in the Spottiswoode Miscellany, (vol. ii. pp. 17-32,) Edinb. 1845, 8vo. James Lord Torphichen, died 29th November 1596, leaving no issue, and his estates and title devolved on his grand-nephew, James Sandilands of Calder.