Page 558, 559 – Francis, eighth Lord Sempill, the only surviving son, was retoured heir of his father, as Lord Sempill, in the lands and barony of Sempill, and of his brother Robert, Master of Sempill, in the lands of Barr in Kilbarchane, etc., on 9 September 1680; made profession of the reformed religion, and took his seat in Parliament, where none of his ancestors, who were Roman Catholics, had sat since the reign of Queen Mary. He died s.p. aged twenty-four, at Leith, 4 April, and was buried in the ancient mausoleum of the family at Castle Sempill 10 May, 1684. He married Grissel, who was born 19 September 1661, daughter of Sir Archibald Primrose of Carrington, Baronet, sister of Archibald, first Earl of Roseberry, at Edinburgh, on 30 April 1681. She married, secondly, in 1693, Brigadier-General Richard Cunningham. She died at Dalry, near Edinburgh, on 22 June 1723, and is designed in her confirmation ‘Grissel Lady Sempill.’ On his death there were competing services between his sister Anne and Sempill of Cathcart. Under date 4 November 1684 Lord Fountainhall states that the Lady of Abercrombie of Fetterneir ‘is served heir of line to “her brother,” as also Robert Sempill is by thir moyen served heir-male by two services, one general, the other special, tho’ Sempill of Cathcart founded on a talzie by the last Lord to him, failing heirs of his own body.’ Riddell notes that he cannot find these retours. Two petitions were subsequently presented to the Court, the one craving that the rents of the estate might be sequestrated during the dependence, and the other that the writs and charter-chest might be secured till it was found who had the best right. A factor was appointed under the first, but the second petition was refused. The decision in the competing services apparently went against Cathcart, for the next holder of the title was Anne, who succeeded as Baroness Sempill, and married Francis Abercromby of Fetterneir.
