Hi Steve,

When Ian's article (Stower) pointed out that the John Urquhart of Cragiston was older than his wife, Elizabeth Innes, the only juvenile husband was Alexander Brodie, her second husband who was 17 at the time of marriage in 1935.

Elizabeth Innes was the oldest child of the marriage Dec. 18, 1611 of Sir Robert Innees and Grizel Stuart (Stewart). I have a date of 1613 for her birth, there are also dates given of 1621 which makes no sense. The most telling reason is 1621 is 10 years after their marriage.

Regardless of the difficult genealogical dates, this is what I think happened:

1) John Urquhart of Cragiston (b. 1611) married Elizabeth Innes (b. 1613)

2) They had issue in 1633 one child, Sir John Urquhart d. 1678

3) On Nov. 30, 1634 John died leaving a son.

4) In 1635 Alexander Brodie who attended King's College and who had returned because of the death of his father, at the age of 17 married Elizabeth Innes.

5) For whatever reason, probably because of his young age, he was   "shortly and quietly" married "upon her own eldest daughter Elizabeth Innes" [see Spalding]

6) After the death of her husband (John Urquhart) it was possible that her father Sir Robert Innes obliged her to marry young Alexander.

The balladeer would have these facts: Young Craigston (Alexander Brodie) was a young handsome boy, he went off to college (King's College). Her father wanted her to marry this young man who she had recently watched playing ball.   

Even tho it was John who died, leaving her with a one year old son-- a balladeer could easily be transfer those facts to Alexander -- also her husband.

7. In's fourteenth year he was a married man
In's fifteenth year he had a young son.
In's Sixteenth year his grave grew green
Alas! for Craigston's growing.

the ballad is only a few years off.

Alexander and Elizabeth had two children shortly after theynmarried- it's certain that she was the love of his life- she died when he was only 23 (in 1640) and he never wanted to remarry.

Richie