His paternal grandparents were Sir Gilbert Elliot, 1st Baronet, of Minto and Dame Jane Carre (the fourth daughter of Sir Andrew Carre of Cavers, Roxborough).A few days after the declaration of independence he left New York City for Perth Amboy for his safety.On 1 May 1777 he was appointed the head of the military court of police and on 17 July the superintendent of all imports and exports.[4] After returning to Scotland, he was asked to serve as British Minister to America in 1790, but declined and held no further public offices.[10] Together, they were the parents of:[3] Elliot died at home on 25 May 1797 at Mount Teviot, Jedburgh, aged 68.