Robert Muir, merchant in Glasgow

ROBERT MUIR (aka ROBERT MURE)

The Question of Ancestry

According to FamilyCentral, Robert Muir here treated is the son of Andrew Muir and Jonat Corbet. FamilyCentral This proposal is followed by Ancestry.com Andrew Muir and Jonat Corbet did have a son named Robert. He was born before 8 April 1630, the date upon which his baptism was registered at High Church parish in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland; but it has not been proved that he is the same person as Robert Muir here treated. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow High Church Baptisms, 1622-31, reference OPR.644/1 20 291]

Merchant in Glasgow: Burgess and Guild Brother of Glasgow

Robert Muir here treated was enrolled as a burgess and guild brother of Glasgow on 16 August 1655. He was admitted in right of his marriage to a daughter of the deceased William Finlay, cordiner, burgess and guild brother of Glasgow. Glasgow Burgesses, 1573-1750, page 146

His House in the Saltmarket

Robert Muir owned a house and land in Glasgow's Saltmarket: "his tenement of land heigh & laigh back & foir with pertinents qlk lyes on the eist syd of the salt mercatt of Glasgow." Because he had no sons to succeed him he left it to his second wife Elizabeth Wilson in liferent, and the three surviving daughters of their marriage in fee, that is Elizabeth Muir, Anna Muir, and Marie Muir: "Item the sd Robert Muir ordaines his tenement of land house & laigh back & foir with the pertinents qlk lyes on the eist syde of the salt mercatt of Glasgow to fall pertain & belong to Elizabeth Anna & marie Muires his lawll bairnes equallie & pro portionally betixt them there and if ane of them shall happen to depart this lyfe befoir another then & in tht cais the sd Robert Muir ordaines his sd tenement of land above named to pertain & belong equally amongst those of thm that survive and the last avair of thm there to injoy all the sd tenement of land above & prest with the pertinents and farder the sd Robert Muir ordaines that if thr be a child procreat betwixt him & his sd spouse is born the tyme of his deceis then & in tht cais the child to have its portion equally wt the rest of his sd bairnes of the sd tenement of land above named and lykwayes the sd Robert Muir ordaines that the sd Elizabeth Wilsoun his spouse & excr shall lyfrent the sd tenement of land heigh & laigh back & foir with the pertinents during all the dayes lyftyme." [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Glasgow, Testament Testamentar of Robert Muir, reference CC9/7/43 pp. 531-34]

Seeming to underline, if not actually confirm the fact that he had no sons to succeed him, Robert Muir entailed his property in favour of three nephews: "and immediately after the last deceis of his sds bairnes if it shall happen at Gods pleasur and also the sd Robert Muir ordaines that eft the deceis of his fsd bairnes & wyfe above named that his sd tenement of land above spiert shall fall pertain & belong to John, Mathow & William Muires his brothers sones equally & proportionally betwixt them there and failzieing any ane of thm be deceis to be equally divydit among the rest survivand there all wayes among thm there paying & delyvering to ilk ane of the sd Robert his sisters bairnes the soum of xl lb Scotts mony & no uthr wayes. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Glasgow, Testament Testamentar of Robert Muir, reference CC9/7/43 pp. 531-34]

Death

Robert Muir died in February 1680. The date of his death is not certainly known but he made his last will and testament at Glasgow and it seems quite likely, probable even, that he died there, at his house in the Saltmarket, perhaps. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Glasgow, Testament Testamentar of Robert Muir, reference CC9/7/43 pp. 531-34]

His Last Will and Testament

[National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Glasgow, Testament Testamentar of Robert Muir, reference CC9/7/43 pp. 531-34]

First Marriage

Robert Muir married Jonet Findlay. Glasgow Burgesses, 1573-1750, page 146 'A record of the marriage has not been found but they were married before 16 August 1655, the date upon which her husband was enrolled as a burgess and guild brother of Glasgow.Glasgow Burgesses, 1573-1750, page 146 Jonet Findlay died in October 1665. Her husband gave up the testament dative and inventory and confirmation was granted to him on 12 May 1666. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Scotland Testament Dative of Jonet Findlay, reference CC9/7/35 pp. 471-72]

Children of the First Marriage

Robert Muir and Jonet Findlay had seven children born during the period 1657-65. Their names have been identified from the baptismal records of High Church parish in Glasgow:

1. William Muir
2. Matthew Muir
3. Adam Muir
4. Alexander Muir
5. Robert Muir
6. John Muir
7. Margaret Muir

Second Marriage

Robert Muir married Elizabeth Wilson. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Glasgow, Testament Testamentar of Robert Muir, reference CC9/7/43 pp. 531-34] The marriage was booked at Glasgow on 28 January 1668. [OPR.644/1 230 242]

Children of the Second Marriage

1. Robert Muir
2. Elizabeth Muir
3. Bessie Muir
4. John Muir
5. Michael Muir
6. Anna Muir
7. Marie Muir

Published Genealogical Accounts

1. FamilyCentral: The Family of Robert Muir and Janet Finlay [Note 1]
2. Ancestry: Robert Muir [Note 2]

[Notes 1 and 2]; Please note that FamilyCentral incorrectly identifies Robert Muir's son Alexander as the husband of Janet Allason and as the father of her children.

Information Supplied by Susan Muir

Robert Muir, Burgess of Glasgow (Muir) MyHeritage Family Trees Thomson Family in Thomson Family Web Site, managed by Hugh Thomson (Contact) Birth: Apr 8 1631 - Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland Parents: Andrew Muir, Jonet (The Corbett Family Would Later In History Have Barons Of Rowallan (Which Had Been The Home Of The Muirs) In Their Mists.) Muir (born Corbit) Siblings: Janet Muir, Andrew Muir, Euphram / Eupham Muir, Christian Muir, Christian Muir, John Muir Wife: Janet Muir (born Finlay) Children: William Muir, Matthew Muir, Alexander Muir, Robert Muir, John Muir, Margaret Walker (born Muir), Adam Muir