Thomas Crawford

Captain Thomas Crawford or Thomas Craufurd (1530–1603) of Jordanhill (an estate in the West End of Glasgow, part of which is now a college and hospital near Victoria Park) was a trusted confidant of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, husband of Mary, Queen of Scots and a retainer of the Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox (Darnley's father). He famously planned the assault and led a small force of 150 men in 1571 that scaled the cliffs and embattlements to expel the castle garrison loyal to Catholic Queen Mary from Dumbarton Castle. Six years later, he became Provost of Glasgow, establishing a bursary for a student at the university and saving the cathedral from destruction. Family Thomas married first, Marion, daughter of Sir John Colquhoun of Luss, widow of Robert, Master of Boyd. They had a daughter: Marion, m. Sir Robert Fairlie of Fairlie He married second, Janet, eldest daughter of Robert Ker of Kersland (the elder). They had issue: Daniel, who assumed the name of his mother's family to becom Ker of Kersland. Hew Susanna Early career Thomas Crawford was born about 1530, a son of Lawrence Crawford of Kilbirnie Place near Kilbirnie in what is now North Ayrshire. As youngest of six sons, his career options were open, and he became a professional soldier.