Background
He was the oldest son of Sir William Eliott, 2nd Baronet (died 1699), a member of the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland. His mother was Sir William"s second wife Margaret, daughter of Charles Murray of Hadden, Roxburghshire.
He was the oldest son of Sir William Eliott, 2nd Baronet (died 1699), a member of the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland. His mother was Sir William"s second wife Margaret, daughter of Charles Murray of Hadden, Roxburghshire.
The Eliotts of Stobs dominated the politics of Roxburghshire. He stood down at the 1715 election in favour of William Douglas, son the county"s hereditary sheriff. At the 1722 election he let the seat be taken by his relative Sir Gilbert Elliot, 2nd Baronet, of Minto.
Minto was appointed in 1726 as a judge of the Court of Session, and at the resulting by-election Sir Gilbert was elected to replace him.
However, at a dinner shortly after the election, he fell into an argument with Colonel John Stewart (a former Member of Parliament for Kirkcudbright Stewartry). The dispute escalated into a fight, and Sir Gilbert killed the Colonel with his sword.
He was declared an outlaw, and fled to Holland. He later received a royal pardon, and returned to Scotland.
George Augustus Eliott, Lord Heathfield, (1717-1790)
Gilbert lived quietly on his own lands until his death in 1764, aged about 84.
2nd Parliament of Great Britain. 3rd Parliament of Great Britain. 4th Parliament of Great Britain.
6th Parliament of Great Britain]
Three generations of Sir Gilbert"s ancestors had represented the county in the Parliament of Scotland, and at the first general election, 1708, to the new Parliament of Great Britain, Sir Gilbert was elected to serve in Westminster as the Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Roxburghshire.