Adam Gillies, Lord Gillies

He was born in Brechin, Forfarshire on 29 April 1766,[1] the son of Margaret (née Smith) and Robert Gillies of Little Keithock.

[4] In the late 18th century he was a member of the Crochallan Fencibles, a club which met at Dawney's Tavern on Anchor Close in Edinburgh.

[2] His body was returned to Edinburgh and he was buried in a private vault in the now sealed south-west section of Greyfriars Kirkyard known as the Covenanter's Prison.

The girls were educated by Lord and Lady Gillies and introduced into Edinburgh society.

[6][7] During their time in Edinburgh the two girls were introduced to Thomas Southwood Smith, the powerful new preacher to the Unitarian congregation at Skinners' Hall, Canongate, who was to play a large part in their later lives.