Archibald Bruce, liferenter of Wester Kennet

ARCHIBALD BRUCE liferenter of Wester Kennet

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

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16 June 1568: Contract of Marriage between Robert Bruce of Kennet, as taking burden for Margaret Bruce, his daughter and apparent heir, on the one part, and Archibald Bruce son of the deceased David Bruce of Green on the other part, in contemplation of which, the said Archibald Bruce obliges himself to infeft the said Margaret Bruce his future spouse, in liferent, in the lands of Wester Kennet, and in the event of her surviving him, in four houses on the south part of the principal place, viz. a cellar, three chambers above the same and the entry to be at the tower door in the close, and the garden on the west side of the peace allenarly, and in like manner the said Robert Bruce obliges himself, to convey them his lands, Tenements and acres, within the country and freedom of Clackmannan, under burden of his own liferent and Elizabeth his spouse, and shall sustain the said Archibald and Margaret, together with a servant and nurse when such occurs, during his (the said Robert) lifetime and pay to the said Archibald £20 money of Scotland yearly, to keep his purse, and for the purpose of enabling the said Robert to redeem his said lands, the said Archibald to make payment to him, of the sum of 2400 merks, money of Scotland, as the terms therein mentioned etc. Dated at Stirling This Contract somewhat decayed. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce Family of Kennet, Clackmannanshire, reference GD11/60

Note: It appears by Nos GD11/83 & 88 that Archibald Bruce, son of David Bruce of the Green, was afterwards married to Griselle Foster.

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7 January 1575-76: Charter by Margaret Bruce, daughter and heir of umquhile Robert Bruce of West Kennecht, with consent of Archibald Bruce, her husband, and in implement of a Contract entered into by her father, of date at Clakmanen, 4 Jan 1572/1573, granting to David Bruce, her brother, and Margaret Cowstoun, his spouse, and the survivor of them in conjunct fee, and the heirs begotten or to be begotten betwixt them, whom failing, to revert to the granter and her heirs, a little croft of land lying in Pettinskeyn, in the lands of David Bruce of Grene on the east and south, the lands of John Broun in Feritoun on the west, and the common highway on the north). To be held of the granter for payment of one penny Scots in name of blench ferm. At the manor West Kennecht. Witnesses: David Bruce of Grene, Robert Bruce in Lynmylne, William Nycoll, Alexander Robesoun, notary public, cum diversis aliis National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2381

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30 July 1599: Contract of Marriage between Archibald Bruce liferenter of Wester Kennet, and Robert Bruce fiar thereof, his eldest lawful son, on the one part, and Alexander Gaw of the Man, as taking burden on him for Elizabeth Gaw, his daughter, on the other part; whereby the said Robert Bruce, obliges himself to infeft, the said Elizabeth Gaw, his future spouse, in liferent, in the half of the town and lands of Wester Kennet, with the half of the manor place, orchards, &, and half of the coal thereof, lying in the barony and County of Clackmannan; and the said lands to be equally parted and divided, by four neutral men, equally chosen, and after such division, the said Archibald to have his choice, and reserving to himself, the meikle barn with the byre and the two parts of the byre closs, and the said Alexander Gaw, obliges himself, to pay to the said Robert Bruce, the sum of 3500 merks, money of Scotland, in name of tocher at the terms therein mentioned. Witnesses Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan Knight, John Commendator of Culross, Mr Mathew Gaw, Advocate, and Walter Wedderburn and Patrick Bruce, servants to the said Sir Robert Bruce - Tullibeltane Kirk (With copy.) National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce Family of Kennet, Clackmannanshire, reference GD11/83

Note: Archibald Bruce was afterwards married to one Grisell Foster.