John Ruthven, Weaver in Glasgow

JOHN RUTHVEN

Disputed Ancestry

At least eight pedigrees published by MyHeritage claim that John Ruthven, here treated, is that son of John Ruthven, Weaver in Glasgow, and his wife Mary Henderson, whose baptism was registered at Glasgow on 3 May 1748. MyHeritage However, it is difficult or impossible to reconcile this proposition with the fact that John Ruthven, here treated, was admitted as a burgess and guild brother of Glasgow in right of his marriage to Margaret Wotherspoon, rather than as the eldest son of a burgess father. Glasgow Burgesses: 170 Moreover, this proposition is not supported by the Ruthven Family Papers, where John Ruthven and Mary Henderson are said to have: "had several children, all of them dying young, save one daughter, Margaret, who died unmarried in 1817" Ruthven Papers: 62

The Question of Identity

John Ruthven, here treated, is not the son of John Ruthven and Mary Henderson. This couple did have a son named John Ruthven, who was baptised on 3 May 1748, but he died unmarried before 7 May 1667. It would appear too that all of John Ruthven and Mary Henderson's children died without issue. Ruthven Family Papers: 62 It follows, therefore, that John Ruthven, here treated, is not the same person as John Ruthven

John Ruthven, here treated, is not the same person as John Ruthven, Tobacconist in Glasgow

Weaver in Glasgow: Burgess and Guild Brother of Glasgow

John Ruthven, here treated, was a weaver in Glasgow. He was enrolled as a burgess and guild brother of Glasgow on 19 September 1787. He was admitted in right of his marriage to Margaret Wotherspoon, the daughter of an existing burgess and guildbrother, Robert Wotherspoon, cooper in Glasgow, burgess and guild brother. Glasgow Burgesses, 1751-1846: 170

Death

At least nine pedigrees published by MyHeritage claim that John Ruthven died on 6 February 1788. MyHeritage This appears to be wrong, however. He was certainly alive on 19 September 1787, the date upon which he was enrolled as a burgess, Glasgow Burgesses,: 170 and it would appear that he was still alive on 30 April 1799, the date upon which his wife Margaret Wotherspoon was buried at Glasgow in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Certainly, she is identified as his spouse, rather than his widow or relict, in her burial record. Her burial record reads as follows: "Margaret Wotherspoon spouse of John Ruthven Weaver [Diseases] consumption [Aged] 45" [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Deaths, 1797-1826, reference OPR.644/1/52] Image of Burial Record

Marriage

John Ruthven, here treated, married Margaret Wotherspoon. A date and place of marriage has not been identified but the baptism of their eldest child was registered at Glasgow on 5 December 1668, and it might reasonably be suggested that they were married before this date, early in 1668, perhaps. Glasgow Burgesses, 1751-1846: 170

Children

1. Cathrin Ruthven - Birnie
2. John Ruthven
3. Robert Ruthven
4. Lillias Ruthven - Turner
5. Margaret Ruthven

Genealogy

The Ruthven Family Papers. The Ruthven Version of the Conspiracy and Assassination at Howroe House Perth, 5th August 1600. Critically Revised and Edited by Samuel Cowan, J.P. (Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Ltd., London, 1912), 210 pp. including index. For the family of John Ruthven and Marion Peadie see pp. 61-6