Robert Lyle
I was
on my way to Easton a few weeks ago and decided to take 611. There are a number
of cemeteries along the drive but I was drawn to the Scotch Irish Presbyterian
burial grounds. Located in Martins Creek, Northampton County, Pa. There is a placard
giving the history of the churches and burial grounds. The information came from the diaries of
David Brainerd, a missionary to the Indians of the Forks of the Delaware. The
area was settled predominantly by the Scotch-Irish in about 1734. The earliest grave marker is of Jean and James Miller dated 1763.
Robert Lyle born in 1698 County
Antrim, Ireland. His stone is a long large flat marker, it is located in almost the center of the cemetery. It has a heart reading: Remember Death and the
grave. Come all you that pass by as you are now so once was he now in the dust
with worms doth as he is now so must you be. It also tells a lot about Robert: Here lies the mortal remains of Robert Lyle squire who departed this life the 9th
day of December ad 1765 in the 67th year of his age.67 years of age
is for the 1700s was a long life. He served as a ruling elder of the church, could explain the placement of the cemetery stone.
He was the son of John (1670-1740) and Mary
Lyll (1671-1729) Lyle. When not serving in the war or prospecting with his
brother he was a prosperous farmer. He married Mary Gilleland ( 1724-1792) in
1747 Bucks Co., Pa. Robert and Mary had 10 children; Jane, Elizabeth, John,
Robert, Moses, Rosannah, Eleanor, Aaron, David, and Mary. Robert was a Captain
serving in the War of the Revolution for Northampton Co., I found a number of
references to him in the Pa. Archives. In 1780 his company was guarding
prisoners in Easton.
Robert died on 9 December 1765.
Some information regarding the Lyle surname; Lyle History Motto:
An I May
Crest: A cock Or, crested and barbed
Gules
Current Chief: None, armigerous clan
As early as the start of the 1200s a family of
Lyles were barons of Duchal in Refrewshire.
The name Lyle is part of the same stock as the
Northumberland family of 'de Insula' (as it is in Latin) 'Lisle' (de Lisle,
Delisle in French).
Ralph de Insula, or Radulphus, is the first of
this name to appear in Scotland. A follower of the Steward, around 1170, he
witnessed the church of Innerkyp being gifted by Baldwin de Birge, the sheriff
of Lanharc (Lanark), to the monks of Paisley. Around the same time, de Insula
also witnessed the giving of ferms of his mill at Paisley by Walter Fitz-Alan
for the soul of Sir Robert de Brus.
He witnessed, at some point prior to 1177, the church of Cragyn (Craigie in Kyle) being given to the monks of Paisley by Walter Hose.
He witnessed, at some point prior to 1177, the church of Cragyn (Craigie in Kyle) being given to the monks of Paisley by Walter Hose.
Along with many of Scotland's nobility in
1296, John del Ille of Berwickshire, and Richard del Isle signed the Ragman
Roll, pledging their allegiance to England's Edward I.
James II (1437-1460) made Sir Robert Lyle a
Lord, raising his knighthood to a peerage. The second Lord Lyle was appointed
as ambassador to England in 1472. He was also said to have witnessed the
alleged murder of James III (1460-1488) at the 1488 Battle of Sauchieburn. It
is said that Lord Lyle was so mortified by the regicide of his king that he,
along with other nobles, including the Earl of Lennox, decided to take up arms
to avenge the supposed murder of James II. However, this was not successful,
and the title of Lord Lyle was forfeited the following year.
A Hercules Lyle fought in the 1745 rising, but
died at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746.
for more reading
Jean Miller
