Sir William Balfour

Sir William Balfour was buried in St Margaret's Church Westminster on 28th July 1660 but he has no marker or memorial. He had lived in Westminster for some years.

He was the son of Colonel Henry Balfour and his wife Christian (Cant). He served as Lt. Colonel in the regiment of Scots commanded by William Douglas, Earl of Morton in the La Rochelle expedition in 1627. He was also a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and Governor of the Tower of London from 1630-1641. As jailor he had custody of Thomas, Earl of Strafford.  At the battle of Edgehill he was Lt. General of Horse and also fought at the second battle of Newbury. His first wife was Helen Merchiston and his second Isabella. Two sons were killed in the English Civil War. His other son was Charles and he had four daughters. Isabel married John Balfour later 3rd Lord Balfour, Emilia married Alexander Stewart, 5th Earl of Moray, Susanna married Hugh Hamilton, Baron de Deserf, and Lucy married Blayney Townley. 

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography