Chisum family

The family was known in the Borders as early as the reign of Alexander III. The name derives from the Norman or French, 'chese', 'to choose' and the Saxon, 'holm', meaning 'meadow'. Their lands were at Chisholm in the parish of Roberton in Roxburghshire. One of the earliest recorded members of this family is John de Chesehelme, who was mentioned in a bull of Pope Alexander IV in 1254. Richard de Chesehelme of Roxburghshire rendered homage to Edward I of England and is listed in the Ragman Roll of 1296. The seal he used shows a boar's head which remains this family's principal device to this day. There is a tradition that two Chisholm brothers saved the life of the king when he was attacked by a ferocious wild boar. It is somewhat fancifully suggested that the armorial supporters granted to the Chisholm chiefs are said to represent the two brothers. By way of reward for the deed the family were granted lands in Inverness-shire, and they achieved prominence in the north when, in 1359, they gained control of an important stronghold. Robert de Chisholme was appointed constable of Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness in succession to his maternal grandfather. He had been knighted by David II and was taken prisoner at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. He was later ransomed and lived to become sheriff of Inverness and justiciar of the North. His son, Alexander, married Margaret, heiress to the lands of Erchless, and Erchless Castle was to become the seat of the clan. ....... continue

Robert de Chisholme was appointed constable of Urquhart Castle

• A1. John de Chisholme, lvd:1254, m. Emma de Vipont;
  • B1. Richard de Chisholme;
    • C1. John de Chisholme, lvd:1296/1320;
      • D1. Alexander de Chisholme, lvd:1335;
        • E1. Sir Robert de Chisholme, lvd:1346/1390, m. Anne Lauder;
          • F1. Sir Robert de Chisholme, Sheriff of Inverness-shire, lvd:1358/1394, m. Margaret Haliburton;
            • G1. John de Chisholme, d:1436, m. Catherine Bisset;
              • H1. Morella Chisholm, m. Alexander Sutherland;  <==  Clan Sutherland
            • G2. Robert de Chisholme, m. Marion Douglas;  <==  Clan Douglas
              • H1. Sir Edumnd Chisholm of Cromlix, m. Margaret Sinclair;
                • I1. Sir James Chisholm, Bishop of Dunblame, lvd:1534;
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  • J1. Sir James Chisholm, m. N. Drummond;  <==  Clan Drummond
    • K1. John Chisholm;
      • L1. Richard Cheesome of England, lvd:1620/1657, m. Margaret Isham;
        • M1. James Chisholm , lvd:1657/1698 Vermont, m. Ann Carter;
          • N1. John Chisum, lvd:1681/1734, m. Elizabeth Bradley;
            • O1. John Chisum, lvd:1704/1792, m. Ellender Gillentine;  ==>  Girlington family
              • P1. Elijah Chisum, lvd:1784/1817, m. Lucinda Claiborne;  ==>  Claiborne family
                • Q1. James Stewart Chisum, lvd:1774/1834, m. Elizabeth Gibbons;
                  • R1. Nancy Epps Chisum, lvd:1804/1844, m. Robert Vernon;  <==  Vernon family