James Blaw of Castlehill, younger

JAMES BLAW OF CASTLEHILL

James Blaw of Castlehill, younger, is the son of James Blaw of Castlehill, elder. Helen Dewar may be his mother.NRS: B66/25/270

His Father's Last Will and Testament

James Blaw of Castlehill, elder, made his last will and testament at Castlehill on 29 October 1594. The witnesses present were: "James Blaw his sone John Chrystie Robert Bennat Ard Blaw & James Prymrois not public". He nominated Robert Bennat and Robert Blaw as his executors and intromitters with his moveable property: "to dispone upoun his guids and geir to his bairnes To wit Jonet Marioun Mgaret & Katherene Blawis". The plenishing of his house, the airship goods having been set aside, presumably for the benefit of his eldest son James, and the second part for his son Robert, was to be divided between the remaining children. In addition he left one cow with its calf to each of his daughters Jonet and Marion, one three year old cow to each of his daughters Margaret and Katherine, and a one year old bullock to his grandson Alan. Robert Bennat and Robert Blaw were confirmed as executors testamentary on 12 December 1594. [Edinburgh Commissary Court, Testament Testamentar and Inventory of James Blaw elder of Castlehill, parish of Culross, reference CC8/8/27]

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

Death

James Blaw of Castlehill died intestate on 1 January 1611. [National Records of Scotland, Dunblane Commissary Court, Testament Dative and Inventory of James Blaw of Castlehill, reference CC6/5/3]

His Testament Dative and Inventory

Christine Schorthous gave up the testament dative and inventory of her deceased husband on 3 September 1611. She did so in name and behalf of James, Robert, Agnes, and Margaret Blaw: "exirs datives decernit to the guids & geir their said umqll father be the Comissr of Dunblane". No mention is made of Castlehill's eldest son Alan Blaw, presumably because he inherited the house of Castlehill, and all of his father's heritage land. James Prymroise of Fodismylne and Robert Blaw, burgess of Culross, acted themselves as cautioners for Christine Schorthous and confirmation was granted to her on 3 September 1611. [National Records of Scotland, Dunblane Commissary Court, Testament Dative and Inventory of James Blaw of Castlehill, reference CC6/5/3]

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

Marriage

James Blaw of Castlehill married Christine Schorthous. NRS: B66/25/270 The marriage was booked on 8 July 1582, at Dunfermline in Fife, Scotland. Parish Register of Dunfermline: 68 Christine Schorthouse survived the death of her husband and gave up his testament dative and inventory on 3 September 1611. [National Records of Scotland, Dunblane Commissary Court, Testament Dative and Inventory of James Blaw of Castlehill, reference CC6/5/3]

Children

1. Alan Blaw of Castlehill
2. James Blaw
3. Robert Blaw
4. Agnes Blaw
5. Margaret Blaw

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

21 April 1582: Instrument of resignation and sasine in favour of James Blaw, yr. of Castelhill, and Christine Schorthous, his future spouse, and the survivor in conjunct infeftment of one half of the lands of Castelhill in lordship of Culross, sheriffdom of Perth, on resignation by James Blaw, elder of Castelhill, under reservation of liferents to himself and Helen Dewar, his spouse. National Records of Scotland, Stirling Burgh Charters and other Documents, reference B66/25/270

                   2

2 May 1600: Charter by which Robert Bruce of Blairhall confirms that he has sold the lands called the Brydis-medow in the lordship of Culross to James Blaw of Castlehill. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum.The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1593-1608, charter number 1133 on p. 389

Genealogy

1. Culross and Tulliallan or Perthshire on Forth its History and Antiquities etc. By David Beveridge. In Two Volumes. Vol I (William Blackwood and Sons, London and Edinburgh, MDCCCLXXXV), 402 pp.
2. Culross and Tulliallan or Perthshire on Forth its History and Antiquities etc. By David Beveridge. In Two Volumes. Vol I (William Blackwood and Sons, London and Edinburgh, MDCCCLXXXV), 427 pp. including index
3. John Blaw of Castlehill Jacobite and Criminal. By Christopher N. Johnston, K.C., LL.D., Sheriff of Perth (William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London, 1916), 154 pp. including index