John Bruce, of Wester Kennet

JOHN BRUCE OF KENNET

According to Francis J. Grant, following the death of her husband in March 1547, Euphemia Elphinestone married for a second time to John Bruce of Kennet, although he offered no proof. The County Families of the Shetland Islands The Red Book of Scotland makes no mention of a marriage between John Bruce of Wester Kennet and Euphemia Elphinestone.

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

No. 42 2d May, 1547 — Precept by Queen Mary, addressed to the Sheriff of Clackmannan, at the instance of Mr John Bruce of Wester Kennet, bearing that he was heritably infeft in the lands of Wester Kennet, lying in the Sheriffdom of Clackmannan ; nevertheless, Margaret Kinninmouth, relict of David Bruce of Wester Kennet, withholds from him his houses, fortalices, and manor place, of the said lands, and will not leave the same to him, void and redd ; as also, withholds his evidents, namely, Charters, Precepts of Sasine, and others, of the lands of Craighill, Hiltoun, cropt of 12 riggs, 10 riggs, and 7 nggs, lying in the Kennet hill, and Sheriffdom fore- said. Therefore, charging the said Margaret Kinninmouth to deliver up the said lands, evidents, and others, and that within six months after she shall be warned thereto.

The Charters, &c., (No. 24, 30, 32, 34, 39, and 42,) show that David Bruce of Kennet who succeeded in 1490, continued to be proprietor till his death, between 1543 and 1547. No. 43 shows that his eldest son was Patrick. The claim made by John Bruce (see No. 42) cannot refer to the whole estate of Kennet, but merely to the portions specially mentioned, to which John Bruce acquired right by some arrangement with his father. The designation "Wester Kennet" shows him to have been one of the family of Bruce of Kennet, and it would rather appear from subsequent writs (see Nos. 50, 53, and 54,) that he was the next eldest son to Patrick, and afterwards succeeded to the whole estate of Kennet, and dying without issue, was succeeded by the next son, Robert. . https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9494/94948513.23.pdf

2 May 1548 : Precept by Queen Mary addressed to the Sheriff of .........., at the instance of Mr John Bruce of Wester Kennet; bearing that he was heritably infeft in the lands of Wester Kennet, lying in the Sheriffdom of ............., nevertheless Margaret Kinninmonth relict of David Bruce of Wester Kennet withholds from him his houses fortalices and ............. of the said lands, and will not leave the same to him void and red, as also withholds his Evidents, viz. Charters, Precepts of Seisin and others, of the lands of Craghill, Hiltoun, croft of twelve riggs, ten riggs, and seven riggs, lying in the Kennethill, and in the Sheriffdom foresaid, therefore charging her, to deliver up the said lands, Evidents and others, and that within six days after she shall be warned thereto. Given under the Queens Signet at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce Family of Kennet, Clackmannanshire, reference GD11/45

No. 49.— 10th September, 1551 — Instrument of seisin in favour of Robert Bruce, brother-german of John Bruce of Wester Kennet, in a croft of land in the lands of Wester Kennet, called Byrecroft, lying in the Barony and county of Clackmannan — given propriis manibus- by the said John Bruce. Witnesses: David Bruce, Edward Riddoch, John Finlayson. https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9494/94948513.23.pdf

19 September 1551: Instrument of Seisin in favor of Robert Bruce, brother german of John Bruce of Wester Kennet,-in a croft of land of the lands of Wester Kennet called Byrecroft lying in the barony and county of Clackmannan-given propriis manibus by the said John Bruce. Witnesses David Bruce, Edward Riddock and John Finlayson. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce Family of Kennet, Clackmannanshire, reference GD11/54

No. 50.— 7th March, 1552— Confirmation by John, Archbishop of St Andrews, of Margaret Kinninmont, the Lady of Wester Kennet, given up at Gartalie on the 3d of April, 1551, before Thomas Stuart of Gartalie, John Stuart, Ewan Mackindow, John Macniven, and Sir John Taltour, curator of the church of Gartalie, by which she had in the hands of Thomas Bruce, her son, £20: in the hands of Alexander Gaw of Maw, and the said Thomas, three years rents of the lands of Bothkennier, £904, &c. ; and in the hands of Robert Bruce, her son, £20 ; resting to Margaret Bruce, .£40; Robert Fleming of Mores, 40 merks ; James Bruce, 20 merks ; Henry Bruce, 10 merks ; Elizabeth Bruce, 32s ; and by which she bequeathed her soul to the omnipotent God, and the blessed Virgin Mary, and all Saints, and her body to be buried in the Parish Church of Gartalie ; 20 merks to Fleming of Mores ; and 41s to each of his lawful children ; .£40 to Margaret Bruce ; 10 merks to Henry Bruce ; and 10 merks to James Bruce ; and constitutes James Kinninmond, her brother, Robert Fleming of Mores, Sir David Christison, chaplain, and Alexander Gaw of Maw, her executors ; and Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan, knight ; and Henry Stuart of Rossyth ; to give up her testament. .https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9494/94948513.23.pdf

Nos. 50 and 51— Show that Patrick Bruce had died, that John Brace was now acting as laird of Wester Kennet, while his mother with whom he had a lawsuit referred to in No. 40, was now dead. It is not expressly stated that John was a brother of Patrick, but it is to be inferred, because Robert, who afterwards succeeded John as the next brother (No. 53) was the son of David Bruce and Margaret Kinninmouth, as Patrick also was. https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9494/94948513.23.pdf

28 May 1556: Precept of Seisin by David Bruce of Clackmannan Knight directed to Patrick Bruce (of Green) and John Bradie, for infefting Robert Bruce brother german of the deceased Mr John Bruce of Wester Kennet-in the lands of Wester Kennet with their pertinents, lying in the barony and County of Clackmannan, in terms of Precept from chancery. Witnesses, William Templeton, John Brydone, Walter Bruce, David Bruce, and Mr Thomas........ - Clackmannan. This Precept is signed by David Bruce of Clackmannan. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce Family of Kennet, Clackmannanshire, reference GD11/56

Genealogical Accounts

1. Red Book of Scotland: Bruce of Wester Kennet
2. Stirnet: Bruce 03