His paternal grandparents were Sir Gilbert Elliot, 1st Baronet, of Minto and Dame Jane Carre (the fourth daughter of Sir Andrew Carre of Cavers, Roxborough).
A few days after the declaration of independence he left New York City for Perth Amboy for his safety.
On 1 May 1777 he was appointed the head of the military court of police and on 17 July the superintendent of all imports and exports.
[4] After returning to Scotland, he was asked to serve as British Minister to America in 1790, but declined and held no further public offices.
[10] Together, they were the parents of:[3] Elliot died at home on 25 May 1797 at Mount Teviot, Jedburgh, aged 68.