ABERCROMBY, Alexander (1677-1729), of Glasshaugh, Banff.

Abercromby belonged to a junior branch of one of the chief parliamentary families of Banffshire, which he represented for 20 years. Though on Harley’s pay-roll in Anne’s last Parliament, he was classed as Whig at George I’s accession, voting regularly with the Government. In 1720 he became involved in financial difficulties owing to speculations in the Mississippi and the South Sea companies.1HMC Portland, v. 351; x. 316, 318, 484; G. D. Henderson, Mystics of the North East, 168; Sunderland (Blenheim) mss D. II, 3. On 20 Oct. 1722 he moved unsuccessfully that the election petition of Colonel John Campbell should be heard at the bar of the House.2Knatchbull Diary. Between 1723 and 1725 he bombarded the ministry with petitions for promotion, pleading that he had ‘served faithfully sixteen years as a captain at all sieges, battles, and other services during the said time and at the Union ... also attending the Parliament every session’.3Cal. SP Dom. Geo. I, 3 Oct. 1723; Abercromby to Walpole, 2 Jan. 1725, Cholmondeley (Houghton) mss. He died 23 Dec. 1728.