Janet Ruthven

JANET RUTHVEN (aka JONET RUTHWEN)

Janet Ruthven is the daughter of William Ruthven of Ballindean. Her mother is probably Agnes Crichton, daughter of Sir John Crichton of Strathurd, who married her father before 11 June 1537 and survived his death in or before June 1566. Janet Ruthven's date of birth is unknown but it would appear that it was later than 11 June 1537. The Scots Peerage, iv, page 101

Death

Janet Ruthven died intestate on 20 January 1606. Her testament dative and the inventory of her goods and gear was given up by her daughter Elspeth Stewart. At the time of her death Jonet and her daughter Elspeth appear to have been indwellers in Perth. No other children are mentioned. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Edinburgh, Testament Dative of Jonet Ruthwen, relict of Adame Stewart prior of Charterhous, reference CC8/8/41 folios 333-34]

Her Testament Dative

Janet Ruthven, died intestate on 20 January 1606. Her testament dative and inventory was given up on 22 February 1606 by her daughter Elspeth Stewart. At the time of her mother's death, she and her mother were residents of the City of Perth. Elspeth Stewart, who was her mother's only executor dative, may have been the only child still in life. Certainly, no financial provision was made for any others. Confirmation was granted to Elspeth Stewart on 8 March 1606. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Edinburgh, testament Dative of Jonet Ruthwen, relict of Adame Stewart [prior] of Charterhous, reference CC8/8/41 folios 333-34]

1. Image of Testament Dative p. 333
2. Image of Testament Dative p. 334

Marriage

Janet Ruthven married Adam Stewart, one of the bastard sons of James V, King of Scots. The Scots Peerage, iv, page 101 After the death of her husband, Janet Ruthven was granted a pension of fifty pounds and a quantity of victual from the thirds of the Charterhouse not assigned to ministers. At this time she is said to have been 'gritlie burdynit with mony bairnis and not being providir for.' The terms of this gift were later changed and the money doubled, one of the reasons for the assistance being that the 'bairnis' were 'so tender of bluid unto him as his majestie man be cairful that sum relief may be had unto thame.' [Peter D. Anderson, Robert Stewart Earl of Orlney Lord of Shetland 1533-1593 (John Donald, Edinburgh, 1982), page 158 where Anderson cites the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, vii, numbers 1003 and 2316]

Children

When Adam Stewart died in 1575 his widow is said to have been: "gritlie burdynnit with mony bairnis." [Registrum Secreti sigilli, 1575–80, no. 1003] However, the names of only five daughters have been identified:

1. Barbara Stewart
2. Elspeth Stewart
3. Katheryne Stewart
4. Dorathie Stewart
5. Jane Stewart

Genealogy

1. Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms, The Scots Peerage (David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1907), Volume IV, 597 pp. For Ruthven Earl of Forth see pp. 101-06
2. Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms, The Scots Peerage (David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1904), Volume I, 575 pp. See p. 25 for the marriage of Adam Stewart and Janet Ruthven
3. Samuel Cowan, JP. (editor), The Ruthven Family Papers (London, 1912), 206 pp. plus index. See p. 69 for mention of the marriage of Janet Ruthven and Adam Stewart