the Protestant nobles against the Catholic element that sought to bring Queen Mary back from exile, which would have meant a restoration of Catholic ascendancy in Scotland. Evidently Patrick was on the Protestant side, which eventually prevailed, though many barons switched sides from time to time. Queen Elizabeth of England, after holding Mary, Queen of Scots, pris.oner for 18 years, had her executed in 1587. Thus came about the union of Scotland and England following Elizabeth’s death, with James VI of Scotland (James I of England) as king.

Sir Patrick III’s lawless feuding did not prevent him from being appointed to a high office by the Bishop of Glasgow. He was named "Bailie of Regality," an office similar to magistrate. This was an hereditary office formerly held by the earls of Lennox, now resigned in favor of the Houstouns.

Apparently the violence and bloodshed which stained his life and times had subsided before Sir Patrick died in 1605. He had made peace with at least some of his enemies, including the Cunninghames. Two of his granddaughters married into that family. Whether these Houstoun maidens and Cunninghame squires courted secretly during the bitter enmity of their elders is an interesting theme for speculation. One would like to think that it was a Romeo-Juliet-like romance that brought the two warring families to their senses. We shall never know.

However it came about, the families renewed their friendly relations and the names of Houston and Cunningham (modern spelling) are found linked in future generations in Northern Ireland and in America. It was some 100 years after the demise of Sir Patrick Houstoun that John Huston of Ulster, great grandfather of the distinguished General Sam Houston, married Margaret Cunningham.

Sir Patrick had ruled his domain 63 years and must have been well into his seventies at the time of his death. He and his wife, Lady Janet, had eleven children—four sons and seven daughters. The girls married into prominent families of Scot.land, the three younger sons settled in the area and the eldest, John, succeeded to the family estate and title.