Archibald Montgomerie , 11th Earl of Eglinton Archibald Montgomerie , 11th Earl of Eglinton ( 18 May 1726 – 30 October 1796 ) was a Scottish General , and Member of Parliament ( MP ) in the British Parliament . He was also the Clan Chief of the Clan Montgomery . Montgomerie fought in the Seven Years ' War , where he served with George Washington . He also was the patron for the poet , Robert Burns . Early life . Archibald Montgomerie was born on 18 May 1726 , to Alexander Montgomerie , 9th Earl of Eglinton and the 9th Earl ' s third wife , Susanna Kennedy . Montgomerie was one of the 9th Earls 20 children . Montgomerie was educated at Eton during his teenage years . He then went to Winchester College . At age 13 , Montgomerie joined the army . Military career . After joining the army , Montgomerie received a commission as a Cornet . He served as a Cornet , from 1739 until 1740 . He received this commission in the Scots Greys . At the outbreak of the Seven Years ' War , Montgomerie raised the Montgomerie ' s Highlanders . He was elected Lieutenant - Colonel of the regiment , on 4 January 1757 . The regiment traveled to the American Colonies , in 1757 . Montgomerie was put under the command of General Amherst . Montgomerie and his regiment fought with George Washington , and Henry Bouquet at the expedition against Fort Duquesne , in 1758 . In 1760 , he commanded an expedition against the Cherokee during the Anglo - Cherokee War . Montgomerie ' s expedition , which included 1 , 200 men , was successful in its mission . Montgomerie had several Cherokee villages destroyed , including Estatoe . He defeated the Cherokees , in 1760 , at the Battle of Etchocy , and again defeated the Cherokees , in 1761 , at the Battle of War - Woman ' s Creek . Between 1767 and 1795 , Montgomerie was the colonel of the 51st Regiment of Foot . During his service with the 51st , Montgomerie fought in the French Revolutionary Wars . Montgomerie rose through the ranks of the British Military , and became a Major General , in 1772 . He was Deputy Vice - Admiral of Irvine in 1777 , within the Port of Irvine from Kelly Bridge to the Troon Point . He subsequently became a Lieutenant General , in 1777 . In 1793 , Montgomerie was commissioned a Full General . From 1795 until 1796 , Montgomerie was the Colonel of the Royal Scots Greys ( 2nd Dragoons ) . Political career and Earldom . Montgomerie ran for a position in the House of Commons , in 1761 . After the election was over , Montgomerie found that he was elected to two seats . He chose to give up Wigtown Burghs , to sit in the seat for Ayrshire . He served in the House of Commons , from 1761 until 1768 . Montgomerie served as a Whig . In 1761 , Montgomerie became an Equerry for Queen Charlotte . He was appointed Governor of Dumbarton Castle , in 1764 . Montgomerie was then appointed Deputy Ranger of St . James ' s Park and Deputy Ranger of Hyde Park , in 1766 . On 24 October 1769 , Montgomerie ' s brother , Alexander Montgomerie , 10th Earl of Eglinton , was shot by Mungo Campbell . Campbell shot the 10th Earl , after a dispute on whether or not Campbell could bear arms on the 10th Earl ' s property . The 10th Earl died , in the early morning hours , on 25 October 1769 and Montgomerie inherited the Earldom . He was Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge of Mother Kilwinning , from 1771 until 1796 . Montgomerie was elected as one of sixteen Scottish representative peer s , in 1776 . He was re - elected , in 1780 , 1784 , and 1790 . Montgomerie was appointed Governor of Edinburgh Castle , in 1782 . He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire , between 1794 and 1796 . Montgomerie was also the patron for , the poet , Robert Burns . Burns and Montgomerie would keep in contact until 30 October 1796 when Montgomerie died at Eglinton Castle . After his death , the Earldom passed to a third cousin , Hugh Montgomerie , 12th Earl of Eglinton . Although the Earldom passed to Hugh Montgomerie , the majority of Archibald Montgomerie ' s wealth went to his daughter Mary . Mary ' s son , Archibald Montgomerie , 13th Earl of Eglinton , would eventually become the Earl of Eglinton . There is a portrait of Montgomerie in Windsor Castle . It was offered back to the family , by King William IV , but the 13th Earl of Eglinton declined . He felt that it was an honor to have a portrait of his grandfather , at Windsor Castle . Personal life . Montgomerie was married , twice during his lifetime . He was first married , to Lady Jean ( Jane ) Lindsay . She was the daughter of George Lindsay - Crawford , 21st Earl of Crawford and Lady Jean Hamilton . They married , on 30 March 1772 . Jean died , in 1778 , without issue . Montgomerie married secondly , to Frances Twysden . She was the daughter of Sir William Twysden , 6th Baronet and Mary Jervis . They married , on 9 August 1783 and divorced on 6 February 1788 on account on her affair with Douglas Hamilton , the 8th Duke of Hamilton with whom she allegedly had a daughter . He and Frances had two children :