John married Elizabeth, daughter of Bryce SEMPILL, seventh laird of Cathcart in Renfrewshire, the first laird being the second son of John, Lord SEMPILL, who fell at Flodden. This marriage was a runaway match, for the parents of Elizabeth had chosen another husband for her. But the lovers were steadfast, and waited for a suitable opportunity, and so one night, when on a visit to her grandfather, Sir Samuel BAILLIE, at Lamington House, she made her escape through the window and galloped off with young LAWSON, who was waiting with horses. The marriage was a happy one, and "Lady Cairnmuir" as she was called, had a family of three sons and two daughters, the sons succeeding in turn to the property. (A fourth son is mentioned in Douglas's Baronage of Scotland(1798), p. 586, viz., James, surgeon to General Horne's regiment.) My note-- Sir Samuel BAILLIE was probably Elizabeth's great-grandfather. "Lady Cairnmuir, then a widow, had a visit from Prince Charlie's highlanders. None of her sons were with her, but she was quite equal to the occasion. The highlanders surrounded the house and some of them burst into her room and demanded food. Coldly the lady asked by whose leave they dared to enter her room without uncovered heads. The rebuke had its effect, off came the white cockaded bonnets, and Lady Cairnmuir then provided a substantial meal for the Prince's hungry followers. William LAWSON, her youngest son, met the highlanders after they had left the house, and sad to relate, they commandeered the boy's pony, and he had to find his way home on foot. Lady Cairnmuir lived to an advanced age, and saw the new house at Netherurd built. It was called New Cairnmuir, not very appropriately, but after it was sold to John WHITE the old name of Netherurd was resumed." History of Peeblesshire Pg 152-153
