The Early Dryden Family
in Chronological Order and Probable Order of Birth

excerpts from the book The Dryden Family 1296-1989 ©

The Drydens are of Scandinavian origin.  They sailed away from their homeland and landed in Scotland in the twelfth century, about the time of the reign of King David I.  This information and the following data is a result of intensive research by Earl J. Taylor (James) (1895-1977), who made three journeys to Scotland, researching and following the many trails leading to the discovery of those Drydens listed below and eventually to our Pedigree ancestor, Thomas Dryden (1742-1805).

The details of Earl Taylor's interesting journeys in Scotland are outlined in the story he wrote in 1975 and which has been reproduced in condensed form beginning on Page 3 of the book... The Dryden Family 1296-1989.

Phillipe De Dryden was a Norman Knight who paid homage to Edward I by signing the famous Ragman Roll, as were all Scotsmen forced to do or forfeit their property.  The origionals of this document are still preserved in the British Museum and the Public Records Office.  On September 3, 1296, Phillipe had property in Angus which was restored to him by the Sheriff of Forfar.  He was also associated with Robert the Bruce and was with him at Bannockburn.  This was the famous Battle of Bannockburn which took place on June 24, 1314.  Bannockburn is a town in Stirlingshire, Scotland, two miles south-east of Stirling.

Henry De Dryden.  In 1329 a Henry de Dryden is recorded as being a porter to King Bruce.

Robert De Dryden was the brother of Henry (below).  In 1394, he was a priest in the Diocese of Glasgow, Scotland.  He also was granted the Abbacy of Kelso by the Pope.  In 1414, a Robert was a witness to the Chartulary of Lindores Abbey, and was probably the same Robert.  In 1439, Robert was Chaplain to King James II.  King James II (1430-1460) ascended to the throne in 1437 at the age of seven when his father was slain by a party of infuriated lords.  Unfortunately, James II also met an untimely death at age thirty; killed when a siege gun he was inspecting exploded.

Henry De Dryden:  This Henry was the brother of Robert (above).  In 1426 he is recorded as being the Augustinian Canon of Holyroodhouse, Scotland.  Then successively, he was the Abbot of Holyroodhouse, prior of St. Mary's Isle and Vicar of Falkirk.

Laurence De Dryden:

Thomas De Dryden:

John Dryden:

Ralph Dryden:  In 1574, he was a witness to a document relating to a sale of property of Melrose regality, which was made to Walter Scott of Horden.

? Dryden:  In 1590, he was a landlord in Edinburgh, Scotland.  His first name is not known

Thomas Dryden:  In 1671, he was a Burgess of Jedburgh and a witness in Melrose Abbey

James Dryden:  In 1717, he was a witness to a birth record in Hawick, Scotland

Thomas Dryden:  This is our Pedigree ancestor, who was born in 1744 in the Parish of Nisbet Crailing, Roxburghshire, Scotland.  In 1771 he married Jean Thomson.  In 1793, two years following Jean Thomson's death, Thomas married Janet Fletcher.  Thomas Dryden died in 1805.