Bessie Ruthven

BESSIE RUTHVEN

Bessie Ruthven is the daughter of William Ruthven, Writer in Edinburgh, and his wife Marion Clerksone. She was born before 18 April 1611, the date upon which her baptism was registered at Edinburgh in Midlothian, Scotland. Her baptismal record reads as follows: "Williame Ruthven wriater [and] Marione Clerksone a. d. n. Bessie w. James Hoppringle [and] James Braidfutt". [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Baptisms, 1610-1621, reference OPR.685/1/2] Image of Baptismal Record

Bessie Ruthven and her sister Marion gave up the testament dative and inventory of their deceased sister. Margaret Ruthven, who died unmarried and intestate in January 1645. They are not explicitly said to be the only children of William Ruthven who were alive on this date, but they were the only children with a legal right to make a claim on the moveable estate of their sister Margaret. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, Testament Dative and Inventory of Margaret Ruthven daugther lawful to umquhile William Ruthven, writer in Edinburgh, reference CC8/8/62] Image of Testament

The Testament Dative and Inventory of her Sister Margaret

The testament dative and inventory of "umqll Margaret Ruthven dochtir laull to umqll Williame Ruthvem wrytr in Edr" was "ffaithfullie maid and givine up be Bessie and Mareone Ruthvenes sisters laull and onlie exers datives decernit to hir be dec of the Commissir of Edr". The value of her moveable estate amounted to three hundred and thirty pounds thirteen shillings and four pence. Confirmation was granted to her sisters on 23 July 1646. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, Testament Dative and Inventory of Margaret Ruthven daugther lawful to umquhile William Ruthven, writer in Edinburgh, reference CC8/8/62]

1. Image of Testament