Sir John Smith of Grothill and Kings Cramond (c. 1600 – c. 1675) was a 17th-century Scottish landowner and merchant who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1643 to 1646.
[1] In 1634 he is first referred to as "John Smith of Grothill" in the purchase of the Southfield estate (south of Edinburgh) from William Adamson of Craigcrook (his close neighbour).
The time of this is critical as it immediately precedes Scotland's involvement in the English Civil War and is said to have been a tactical election.
However, the "Moor" offered to cure Smith's daughter: if he failed he would leave; if he succeeded a ransom should be paid.
Andrew Gray had fled Edinburgh at the time of rioting due to the coronation of King Charles I, and had been living in exile.
[6] His most important task in this period was representing the city of Edinburgh during the creation of the Solemn League and Covenant in 1643: the document which gives name to the Covenanters.
It was demolished around 1800 and replaced by a huge mansion by Robert Adam known as Barton House and owned by the Ramsays of Barnton, a banking family.