John Rutherford

John Rutherfurd of Edgerston (1748 – 6 May 1834) was a Scottish soldier and politician.

Early life Rutherfurd was born in New York in 1748. He was the only son of John Rutherfurd (1712–1758) and Eleanor ( Elliot) Rutherfurd (1719–1797). John had two sisters, Elizabeth Rutherfurd (who married Andrew St Clair of Herdmanston, de jure 12th Lord Sinclair, parents of Charles St Clair, 13th Lord Sinclair) and Jane Rutherfurd (who married William Oliver of Dinlabyre). After serving as an MP for Roxburghshire, his father served in the Royal American Regiment during the Seven Years' War, but was killed at Fort Ticonderoga during the Battle of Carillon in 1758.

His maternal grandparents were Helen ( Stewart) Elliot and Sir Gilbert Elliot, 2nd Baronet, of Minto, the Lord Justice Clerk. Among his maternal family members were his uncles Sir Gilbert Elliot, 3rd Baronet, Andrew Elliot (who served as acting colonial governor of the Province of New York in 1783), and Admiral John Elliot of the Royal Navy and aunt Jean Elliot, a prominent poet. His paternal grandparents were Sir John Rutherfurd of Rutherfurd and Edgerston, and Elizabeth ( Cairncross) Rutherfurd. John was twelfth in descent from James Rutherfurd of Clan Rutherford, who was granted the manorial lands of Edgerston in 1492 by King James IV of Scotland. Among his paternal family was uncle Walter Rutherfurd, who moved to American and became a prominent merchant (and the father of U.S. Senator John Rutherfurd). Another uncle, Sir Robert Rutherfurd, was created a Baron of Russia by Catherine the Great in 1768.

He qualified as an advocate in 1770 and was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1771. He was also heir of his uncle, Baron Robert Rutherfurd of Fairnington.

Personal life On 15 June 1787, Rutherfurd married Mary Ann Leslie, the only child of Maj.-Gen. Alexander Leslie and Mary ( Tullidelph) Leslie. Mary's father was a younger son of Alexander Leslie, 5th Earl of Leven.