Barclay, David (1)

Barclay, David (1), a prominent member of the Society of Friends, father of Robert Barclay, a distinguished Quaker, was born at Kirktounhill, Scotland, in 1610. He received a liberal education; travelled in Germany; enlisted in the army of Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, and soon rose to the rank of major;

returned to his native land at the breaking-out of the civil wars; was made colonel; quelled an insurrection by the earl of Crawford in 1646; the same year routed the marquis of Montrose; in 1647 drove the marquis of Huntly into the Highlands; and was made governor of Strathboggie. When Cromwell's party came into power in Scotland, colonel Barclay lost his commission. Subsequently, however, he was three times elected a member of Parliament, in which position in 1656 he vigorously opposed the crowning of Cromwell as king. Notwithstanding this, after the Restoration. he was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle as "a trustee under the usurper;" but was at length liberated without trial. In 1666 he became a member of the Society of Friends, on account of which he was subjectetd to various indignities. See The Friend, 6:282.