Colonel Robert Abercromby (1740-1827) was baptized 13 October 1740, son of George Abercromby (1705-1800) and Mary Dundas, at Logie, Perth, Scotland, the home parish of his mother who was daughter of Ralph Dundas of Manor and Helen Burnet. Robert was a nephew of the South Carolina attorney general, James Abercromby (1708-1775).

Robert, later General Sir Robert Abercromby, had a distinguished military career like his older brother, General Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801) of Tullibody. Robert was ensign of the 4th regiment of foot on 30 August 1756; lieutenant of the 4th foot on 4 October 1757; ensign to the 44th foot on 21 July 1758; lieutenant to the 44th foot on 19 April 1759; and lieutenant to Cooke’s regiment on 27 October 1760.

He was a Colonel in the British Army in North America during the American War of Independence and took part in the siege and reduction of Charleston, South Carolina in April and May 1780. George Washington mentioned him in a letter from Philadelphia on 26 February 1782 as one of the British officers authorized to negotiate prisoner exchanges.

Robert was promoted to major general in 1790, served in India, succeeding Cornwallis as commander-in-chief in 1793, and was made a general in 1802.

In 1798 he purchased Airthrey, a property that had been in his mother’s family.