III. Archibald Bruce of Powfoulis

III ARCHIBALD BRUCE OF POWFOULIS

Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis, here treated, is the son of I. Andrew Bruce of Powfoulis He is noticed as such in a letter of reversion dated 1572. Powfoulis Writs: 644

His Last Will and Testament

Archibald Bruce of Powfoulis, here treated, made his last will and testament on 4 October 1603, at Powfoulis in the parish of Airth, in Stirlingshire, and died there on 5 October 1603. The inventory of his moveable estate was given up by his widow, Marjorie Napier, and his youngest son, Alexander Bruce. In his last will and testament he nominated and appointed his wife Marjorie Napier and his youngest son Alexander Bruce to be his executors testamentar and only intromitters with his goods and gear. Confirmation was granted to the executors testamentar on 3 February 1604. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, The Testament Testamentar and Inventory of Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis, Parish of Airth, Sheriffdom of Stirling, reference CC8/8/38]

1. Image of Testament
2. Image of Testament
3. Image of Testament

Death

Archibald Bruce of Powfouls, here treated, died on 5 October 1603, at Powfouls in the parish of Airth, in Stirlingshire, Scotland. [NRS:CC8/8/38]

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

10 November 1566: Notarial instrument narrating receipt by Archibald Bruce of Powfowlis, and as spouse of Jayne Gib, of 800 merks from David Reddocht servitor and procurator for Robert Bruce of Clackmannan and Margaret Morry, his spouse, for redemption of half of the lands called the Mains of Clackmannan alias Cragy, in barony and sheriffdom of Clackmannan. National Records of Scotland, Stirling Burgh Charters and other Documents. reference B66/25/263

                   2

10 May 1570: Instrument narrating redemption from Archibald Bruce of Powfoulis and Marjorie Napier, his spouse, of 40 merks Scots annual rent from 40 shillinglands of Watston, in barony of Edinbellie and sheriffdom of Perth, by Archibald Napier of Edinbellie, kt. Witnesses: John Napier, younger of Merchiston; Alexander Perrie; William Greenlaw in Carse; Alexander Logan, Bruce's servant; John Henderson; and Thomas Buchan, Archibald Napier's servants. Notary: Master George Freer, clerk of Glasgow diocese. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Napier Family, reference GD430/132

                   3

19 July 1570: Obligation by Archibald Bruce of Powfoulis to Sir Archibald Napier of Edinbellie, kt, and Marion Napier, his sister, Bruce's future spouse. When required, he will appear before the minister at the parish church to solemnize marriage and for proclamation of banns. He has received from them 1500 merks Scots as tocher; and he has infeft her and heirs to be born between them in lands of Taylorton, Cortebrook, Newton, Haughs of Airth, and Pocknave, in sheriffdom of Stirling, and 400 merks of lands of Watston [in sheriffdom of Perth]. If he obtains in heritage or wadset 600 merks Scots more than said lands, he will infeft her and their heirs therein. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Napier Family, reference GD430/162

                   4

21 July 1577: Charter by Robert Bruce, son and heir of the late Alexander Bruce, to Robert Bruce, his uncle, and the heirs-male of his body, whom failing to Robert Bruce, son of Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis and his heirs whomsoever, of an annualrent of 40 merks furth of 4½ oxgates of Halls of Arht. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce family of Airth, reference GD37/62

                   5

10 December 1578: Contract betwixt Alexander Stewart of Scottistounhill, and Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis; whereby second party obliges himself to infeft first party in an annual rent of 20 merks Scots furth of the lands of Brighous, in the barony of Ogilfaice and sheriffdom of Lynlythgw (wadset to him by James Wodderspone of Brighous with consent of Elizabeth Hammiltoun, his mother, for 200 merks Scots), to be held blench of second party; and also to assign to first party the arrears of said annual rent of all years since the date of second party's infeftment therein, 5 Nov 1568. For which first party bound himself to pay second party 200 merks Scots betwixt and the feast of Pasche next to come. With consent to registration in the Books of Council. National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2500

                   6

24 February 1580: RMS 1580-93: 173

                   7

24 March 1580-81: Instrument of Sasine by Alexander Bruice of Airtht, kt., to Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis and Marjory Nepar, his spouse, of an annualrent of 40 pounds payable furth of the lands of Kirklands and Mains of Airtht. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce family of Airth, reference GD37/68

                   8

29 November 1583: RMS 1580-93: 636

                   9

24 February 1586: RMS 1593-1608@ 2181

                  10

September 1594: Charter by Patrick Hammyltoune, fiar of Lewingstoune, whereby on the narrative that by contract (of even date herewith) entered into between him, with consent of John Cokburne of Clerkingtoun and James Hammyltoune of Lewingstoune, his father, at whose instance he was interdicted, on the one part, and James Dowglas elder of Clappertoun and James Dowglas fiar of Clappertoun, his son, on the other part, he was bound to infeft the said James, elder, and Mariot Bruce, his spouse, and the longer liver of them in conjunct fee and their heirs and assignees, or anyone to be nominated by them, in the annualrent aftermentioned, and that the said James and Mariot nominated Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis their heir and assignee in the said annualrent and constituted him their assignee to the said contract, he with consent of his interdictors, granted to the said Archibald, his heirs and assignees, an annualrent of 240 merks Scots furth of his 14 merklands of Breigh with pertinents lying in the barony of Lewingstoun and sheriffdom of Linlythqw, as principal, and furth of his other lands lying in the said barony and sheriffdom in warrandice: To be held de me for payment of two pence Scots in name of blench farm: With precept of sasine addressed to James Dowglas, fiar of Clappertoun. At Greneknow, Clarkintoun, Levingstoun and Linlythqw, 11th, 13th, 17th and 25th September 1594. Witnesses, Thomas Cokburne, brother-german of the said John Cokburne of Clerkingtoun, Patrick Hepburn, Alexander Setoun, son of James Setoun of Tyllybody, Alexander ..........toun and Archibald Cokburne, the granter's servitors, Claude Hammyltoun, James Johnestoun, notary, and Andro Ker, notary public. The Charter is written by David Hart, servitor of the said Andro Ker. National Records of Scotland, Sir William Fraser Charters, reference GD86/310

                 11

8 June 1618: Instrument of resignation by heirs of deceased Ninian Bruce, brother of Archibald Bruce of Powfoulis, in hands of John, Earl of Mar, of five gardens and vaults of manor-house of Dryburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Erskine Family, Earls of Mar and Kellie, reference GD124/1/1015

                  12

9 July 1627: Instrument of Sasine under the hand of Robert Andersone, clerk, of the diocese of St. Andrews, notary public, following upon and narrating a precept of clare constat (dated at Airthe 18th June 1627) by Sir James Bruce of Powfoullis, knight, addressed to Andrew Blacader, for infefting Archibald Bruce as heir of his father Robert Bruce, brother-german of the granter, in an annualrent of 240 merks Scots furth of the 14 merkland of Breiche, lying in the barony of Levingstoun and sheriffdom of Linlithgow, and from the other lands lying in the barony of Levingstoun within the said sheriffdom, now pertaining to Sir James Levingstoun, in special warrandice thereof: Which annual rent was sold by the late Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis, father of the granter, to the said Robert Bruce, his son, and Christian Arnot, his spouse, and the longer liver of them in conjunct infeftment and to the heirs lawfully procreated or to be procreated between them, whom failing, to the heirs of the said Robert whomsoever, redeemable on payment of 2400 merks Scots, Sasine given by the said Andrew Blacader upon the ground of the said lands of Breiche and barony of Levingstoun on 9th July 1627. Further, narrating that immediately thereafter the said Archibald Bruce, in implement of his part of a contract of marriage (dated 15th November 1626) entered into between him and KATHARINE ANDERSONE, his spouse, gave sasine propriis manibus to her in liferent of said annualrent, by the hands of said Andrew Blacader, her attorney. Witnesses to the precept, Andrew Cowye and Patrick Morisone, notaries public, and Alexander Morisone, brother of the said Patrick. Witnesses to the sasine, Peter Mure in Levingstoun, Cuthbert Eistoun, servitor of Patrick Richardsone in Breich, Patrick Caddell, younger, in the Canongate near Edinburgh, Thomas Lourie in Nortoun and William Mure, tailor in Levingstoun. Registered in the Particular Register of Sasines kept at Edinburgh 20th July 1627, Vol. 12, Fol. 222. National Records of Scotland, Sir William Fraser Charters, reference GD86/501

Evidence from Bruce Family Records

                   1

1572: Letter of reversion by Archibald Bruce, son to umquhile Andrew Bruce of Powfoullis, to Robert Bruce of Auchenbowie, his father-brother, of parts of the Halls of Airth, in payment of three hundred three score and eighteen merks. Dated 1572. Alexander Bruce of Arth, John Bruce, his brother-german, witnesses. Powfoulis Writs: 644

                   2

24 October 1582: Remission by King James VI, to Archibald Bruce of Powfoullis, and Ninian Bruce, his brother, for art and part of the felonious "foreknowledge concealment, and execution of the seizure, detention, and captivity of our most noble person, done in the month of August 1582, in and near the place of Ruthven." Dated at Struiveling (under the Great Seal) 24th October 1582. Powfoulis Writs: 644

                   3

19 November 1603: Jacobus Bruce de Powfoullis haeres Archd. Bruce patris, in terris vocat Powfoullis etc. (iii. 38.) Family Records: 635

Printed Evidence

1. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593. Edited by John Maitland Thomson, MA., Advocate. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1888), 1155 pp. including indices and errata
2. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. A. D. 1593-1608. Edited by John Maitland Thomson, MA., Advocate. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1890), 1142 pp. including indices and errata
3. National Library of Scotland. Family Records of the Bruces and Comyns. With an historical introduction and appendix, from authentic public and private documents. By M. E. Cumming Bruce. (William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London, MDCCCLXX), 692 pp. including index. See pp. 643-46 for Powfoulis Writs