William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, 4th Lord of Ruthven

WILLIAM RUTHVEN, EARL OF GOWRIE

Williame Maister of Ruthuen (1560) William Master of Ruthven (1585)

FAKE GENEALOGY

First

At least one pedigree published by MyHeritage falsely claims that William Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie, married Mary Gray, daughter of Patrick Gray, Lord Gray, and Marion of Ogilvy. Williiam and Mary were contacted to marry, probably when they were children, but the marriage did not actually take place. The same pedigree makes a second false claim, that Mary Gray also married George Seton, fifth Lord Seton, when she did in fact marry David Seton of Parbroath. The Scots Peerage IV: 262 The fake pedigree published by MyHeritage follows:

Hon. Mary Ruthven (born Gray), 1547 - 1600. Mary Ruthven (born Gray) was born in 1547, at birth place, to Patrick (Lord Gray Airlie) Gray and Marion Gray (born Ogilvy). Patrick was born Circa March 1508, in Buttergask, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. Marion was born in 1514, in Airlie, Angus, Scotland. Mary had 16 siblings: Elizabeth Helen Bruce (born Gray), Isabel Strethan (born Gray) and 14 other siblings. Mary married George (5th Lord of Seton) Baron The Sir Seton, 7th Lord Seton. George was born in January 1531, in Of Seton, Tranent, East Lothian, Scotland. His occupation was Master of the Household to Queen Mary of Scots 1563, waggoner, Scottish Ambassador to France 1583. They had 3 children: George SEATON and 2 other children. Mary married William Ruthven in 1565, at age 18 at marriage place. William was born in 1548, in Ruthven Castle, Perthshire, Scotland. His occupation was 1st Earl of Gowrie. Mary passed away in 1600, at age 53 at death place. MyHeritage

Second

A second pedigree published by MyHeritage falsely claims that Mary Gray, daughter of Patrick Gray, Lord Gray, and his wife Marion Ogilvy, married William Ruthven, Lord Ruthven. William and Mary were contracted to marry, probably when they were children, but the marriage did not take place. This fake pedigree goes further, and falsely claims that William Ruthven and Mary Gray had a son named William Ruthven. This is wrong. The Scots Peerage IV: 262 The fake pedigree published by MyHeritage follows:

Mary Seaton (born Gray), 1540 - 1600. Mary Seaton (born Gray) was born in 1540, at birth place, to Patrick Gray and Marion Gray (born Ogilvy). Patrick was born in February 1508, in Buttergask, Perthshire, Scotland. Marion was born in 1514, in Airlie, Angus, Scotland. Mary had 9 siblings: Patrick Gray, Katherine Mortimer (born Gray) and 7 other siblings. Mary married David Seton of Parbroath. David was born circa 1535, in Of, Parbroath, Fife, Scotland. His occupation was Comptroller of Scotland 1589. Mary married William Ruthven. William was born in 1528, in Ruthven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They had one son: Williame Ruthven. Mary passed away in 1600, at age 60 at death place. MyHeritage

The Question of Identity

William Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie, here treated, is the second son of Patrick Ruthven, Lord Ruthven, and his wife Lady Janet Douglas. The Scots Peerage IV: 262

Proposed Marriage

William, Earl of Gowrie, here treated, was contacted to marry Mary Gray, daughter of Patrick, Lord Gray, but the marriage did not take place. The Scots Peerage IV: 263

Death

William, Earl of Gowrie, was tried and found guilty of treason, and beheaded at Stirling on 4 May 1584. He had been the principal actor in the kidnap of the young King James VI, afterwards James I King of Great Britain, in what became known as the "Raid of Ruthven".Thereafter he took part in a plot to seize Stirling Castle. The Scots Peerage IV: 263

Marriage

William, Earl of Gowrie, here treated, married Dorothea Stewart, daughter of Henry, Lord Methven. The Scots Peerage IV: 263

Children

1. Lilias Ruthven
2. Dorothea Ruthven
3. Katheryn Ruthven
4. James Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie
5. John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie
6. Alexander Ruthven
7. William Ruthven
8. Patrick Ruthven, "Lord Ruthven"
9. Mary Ruthven, Dowager Countess of Atholl
10. Margaret Ruthven, Countess of Montrose
11. Sophia Ruthven
12. Jean Ruthven
13. Isabel Ruthven
14. Beatrix Ruthven
15. Barbara Ruthven

Evidence from the Muniments of the Monastery of Scone

                   1

6 September 1560: Letter of procuracy by which Williame, Maister of Ruthuen, with the consent of his father Patrick, Lord Ruthuen, appoints Alexander Blair of Freretoun, John Peblis and James Thomsoun to act as his procrators and mandates them to appear before Patrick, Bishop of Moray, Commendator of the Monastery of Scone, and there resign his lands of Over Collane in favour of Thomas Scott of Cambusmychell. Scone Liber: pp. 207-09

                   2

5 March 1585: To Gilbert Fildie and Janet Yair his spous the quarter landis of Innerburs on resignation of umquhile William Master of Ruthven. Scone Liber: p. 208

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

9 April 1562: Charter by which the Queen of Scots confirms that she has given the lands of Haliland in the barony of Ruthven to William, Master of Ruthven, and his wife Dorathie Stewart. This land was previously resigned by William's father, Patrick, Earl of Gowrie. It was to be held William and Dorathie in conjuct fee and liferent, and it was destined to be held by their legitimate male heirs, whom failing by William's heirs. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1546-1580, charter number 1413 on p, 320

                   2

27 January 1568: Baptismal record for Lelyas Ruthven, daughter of William, Lord Ruthven, afterwards Earl of Gowrie, and Dorothea Stewart. [National Records of Scotland, Perth Baptisms, 1560-81, reference OPR.387/1]

                   3

30 April 1570: Baptismal record for Dorathe Ruthven, daughter of William, Lord Ruthven, afterwards, Earl of Gowrie, and Dorothea Stewart. [National Records of Scotland, Perth Baptisms, 1560-81, reference OPR.387/1]

                   4

28 February 1571: Baptismal record for Katheryn Ruthven, daughter of William, Lord Ruthven, afterwards Earl of Gowrie, and Dorothea Stewart. [National Records of Scotland, Perth Baptisms, 1560-81, reference OPR.387/1]

                   5

25 September 1575: Baptismal record for James Ruthven, Lord Ruthven, afterwards Earl of Gowrie, son of William, Earl of Gowrie, and Dorothea Stewart. [National Records of Scotland, Perth Baptisms, 1560-81, reference OPR.387/1]

                    6

23 June 1576: Precept by William Lord Ruthwen sheriff of Perth to charge Donald Leich and Donald Dow Moir in terms of a decree of the sheriff of Perth dated 20th Jun, at the instance of James Menzeis of That Ilk to flit from the lands of Kynaldie called Dunefull. Endorsed with certificate of execution dated 16th July 1576. National Records of Scotland, Menzies writs, reference GD50/186/8/27

                    7

22 January 1580: Baptismal Record for Alexander Ruthven, son of William, Lord Ruthven, afterwards Earl of Gowrie, and Dorothea Stewart. [National Records of Scotland, Perth Baptisms, 1560-81, reference OPR.387/1]

                   8

1 November - 17 December 1582: Charter containing precept of sasine by William, earl of Gowrie, with consent of Dame Dorothy Stewart, his spouse, to James Carmichael son of John Carmichaell, yr, of that ilk of the lands of Hiefeild and Arnotflat. [Seals of Earl and Countess of Gowrie, in fair condition]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/152

                   9

17 August 1583: Charter issued by William, Earl of Gowrie, Lord Ruthven, with the consent of his wife Domine Dorathie Stewart. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593, charter number 650 on pp. 199-200

                  10

1583: (Draft) tack by George, earl of Cathnes (Caithness) (assignee of Beatrix Ruthven, daughter of William, Earl of Gowrie, donatrix of the ward, nonentries, etc. of the earldom of Cathnes, which pertained to the deceased John Sinclair, Master of Cathnes, and fell to the crown by his decease,) with advice of his curators (John, Earl of Montrose, Mungo Grahame of Rathernes, Sir Patrick Hepburne of Lufneis and Patrick Hepburne of [Benestoun]), to his uncle, George, chancellor of Cathnes, of the four pennylands of Bordland of Murkill for the period during which they are in the king's hands. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Sinclair family of Mey, Caithness, reference GD96/199

                  11

17 July 1585: Precept of clare constat by David, earl of Craufurd, lord Lyndsay addressed to Archibald Cullane, baillie in that part for infefting Thomas Wallace of Nather Collen, as heir to umquhile Robert Wallace, his father in the lands of Nather Collen in the barony and regality of Scone and sheriffdom of Perth. Granted to said Earl by the king upon the forfeiture of umquhile William, earl of Gowrie, to whom they had been granted on the resignation of the commendator and convent of Scone. Reserving the liferent of half said lands to Agnes Seytone, relict of said Robert and mother of said Thomas. At Brechin, 17th July 1585. Witnesses William Fullartoun of Ardoych, John Ramsay of Jurdanstoun, Alexander Ramsay, burgess of Brechin (?), Robert Kynnere, baillie of Breychine, William Ogilvy, portioner of Idvie, [ ] Grahame, notary public cum diversis aliis. National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2803

                  12

20 - 24 May 1587: Precept of clare constat by James, earl of Gowrie, with consent of Dame Dorothy Stewart, his mother and tutrix, in favour of Margaret, Jean and Mary, as heirs to John Forrest of Monkmylne, their father, in subjects in Dirltoun (as in No 125). [Granters' seals, in poor condition]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/181

                  13

11 May 1590: Charter by which James VI, King of Scots, confirms that he has given an annualrent of two hundred and ten pounds from the lands of Cousland, in the Sheriffdom of Edinburgh, to James Richardson of Smeatoun and his second son Robert. The annualrent had been granted to James Richardson by William, Earl of Gowrie, who had borrowed money from him and used Cousland as security. His obligation passed first to his eldest son James, Earl of Gowrie, and then to second son John, Earl of Gowrie. Earl John must have been a minor child when his father's obligation passed to him on 12 November 1589, for his mother was still acting as his tutrix testamentary on this date: "dicto Jo, et Dorathea Stewart comitissa de Gowry ejus matre et tutrice testamentaria". Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593, charter number 1730 on p. 593

                  14

24 July 1591: Transumpt of charter, dated at the monastery of Scone, 26 August 1559, by Patrick, bishop of Moray and commendator of Scone, and the convent thereof, to John Baxter, of the lands of Haltoune of Crwquhy; in action at the instance of the said John Baxter and Alexander, his eldest son, against Dame Dorothy Stewart, Countess of Gowrie, John, Earl of Gowrie, now commendator of Scone and others, for the production of the register of the said abbey for transumpt to be made; the original having been in the hands of David Bruce in Bandirrane and stolen from his house. [Charter not printed in the Liber de Scon]. [1569.173] National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Earls of Airlie, reference GD16/24/143

                  15

3 September 1591: Charter of confirmation by John, earl of Gowrie, with consent of Dame Dorothy Stewart, countess of Gowrie, his mother, and of his curators, confirming charters (nos 147 & 174). [Granters' seal, imperfect]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/207

                  16

27 August 1592: Assignation by Mr. William Ruthven to John Earl of Gowrie of the gift of the Earl's ward and marriage and any tacks of teinds hitherto held by the Lords of Ruthven, which had all become escheat on the forfeiture of Dame Dorathie Stewart, Countess of Gowrie, and had been donated to the granter. National Records of Scotland, Yule Collection, reference GD90/2/35

                  17

7 December 1597: Charter by John, Master of Montrose in favour of Mrs Margaret Ruthven his spouse, lawful daughter to William, Earl of Gowrie of the lands of Coul and Clune lying in the barony of Kincardine, parish of Auchterarder and sheriffdom of Perth in liferent, in return for payment of a sum of money by Lady Dorothy Stuart, Countess of Gowrie, mother to the said Margaret, reserving to John, Earl of Montrose his liferent of the said lands; at Holyroodhouse. National Records of Scotland, Title deeds and other writs of James, Duke of Montrose and his predecessors, reference GD220/1/A/5/3/10

                  18

1 June 1599: Assignation by William Ruthven, brother of deceased James, earl of Gowrie, with consent of Dorothy Stewart, countess of Gowrie, his mother, to Adam Hepburne, eldest son of Adam Hepburne of Bonhard, of escheat of said Adam Hepburne of Bonhard. National Records of Scotland, Hepburne Papers, reference RH15/29/20

                  19

28 December 1601: Precept of clare constat by Dame Dorothy Stewart, countess of Gowrie, in favour of Sir Hugh Carmichell of that ilk, as heir to his brother, James Carmichell, son of deceased John Carmichell, yr, of that ilk, in an annualrent of 200 scots furth of the lands and Mains of Dirltoun. [Granter's seal, defaced]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/228

                  20

26 March 1602: Precept of clare constat by Dame Dorothy Stewart, countess of Gowrie, in favour of Walter Angus, as heir to Robert Angus in Dirltoun, his father, in a tenement and yard on the north side of the Towne Grene of Dirltoun, between the lands of the abbacy of Dryburgh on the west and the lands of Laurence Schageslie on the east, and an acre on the north side thereof, between the lands of Robert Haistie on the east, the lands of Laurence Schageslie on the west and the common of Dirltoun on the north. [Granter's seal, in fair condition]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/230

                  21

1 October 1604: Charter issued by John Weymis de Pittincrieff, with the consent of his wife Dorathie Ruthven, which mentions Domine Dorathie Stewart comitisse de Gowrie. https://archive.org/details/registrummagnisi06scot/page/610/mode/1up Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1593-1608, charter number 1684 on p. 610]

                  22

31 October 1607: Precept of sasine by Lady Dorothy Stewart, Countess of Gowrie, in favour of John, Lord Lyndsay of Byris, in respect of four husbandlands in Elbottill and the half lands of Bernis, following on no 410. [Seal]. (With instrument of sasine, dated 3 November 1605 and registered SRS Edinburgh, 28 November 1607). National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Earls of Glasgow (Crawford Priory), reference GD20/1/411

                  23

1633-35: Disposition by Cecil Ruthven, only daughter of deceased Alexander Ruthven, brother of deceased William, Earl of Gowrie, With consent of her spouse, Francis Bruce, son of deceased Patrick Bruce of Fingask, in favour of Mr William Marshall of Pitcairns and Isobel Clerk, his spouse, of lands of Over Pitcairns. Instrument of Sasine in favour of said Cecil of said lands, following on precept of clare constat: recorded PRS Perth, 30 September 1633, vi, 397-8. Charter by Alexander, Bishop of Dunkeld, in favour of said Mr William and Isobel of said lands; signed by Bishop and prebendaries, with 2 tags, portion of 1 seal. Instrument of Sasine following, recorded PRS Perth, 30 September 1633, vi, 399-400; and Charter under Great Seal confirming said charter, with portion of Great Seal [RMS. viii, 2242]. Judicial Ratification by said Cecil. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Maxtone Graham Family of Cultoquhey, Perthshire, reference GD155/169

                  24

9 January - 1 March 1666: Renunciation and discharge by Cecile Ruthven, daughter and heir served and retoured to her father, Alexander Ruthven, brother german to William, Earl of Gowrie, in favour of James, Marquess of Montrose and George Hay of Boussie of an annualrent of 40 bolls victual payable yearly out of the land of Halyland, to which James Ruthven, brother to the said Alexander, had right from the Earl of Gowrie, redeemable by payment of 1000 merks and which he disponed to his brother, Alexander; dated at Edinburgh, 9 Jan and registered at Perth, 1 Mar 1666. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Graham Family, Dukes of Montrose (Montrose Muniments), reference GD220/1/B/8/9/1

Secondary Source Evidence

Liber Ecclesie De Scon; Munimenta Vetustiora Monasterii Sancte Trinitatis Et Sancti Michaelis De Scon. Edited by Cosmo Innes (Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, MDCCCXLIII), 264 pp. including indexes

Genealogy

1. The Scots Peerage IV: pp. 254-68 for Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie
2. Papers Relating to William, first Earl of Gowrie, and Patrick Ruthven, his fifth and last Surviving Son, 115 pp.
3. Darryl Lundy's Peerage page on William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie