John Elphinston

JOHN ELPHINSTONE (aka JONE ELPHISTOUN)

Burgess of Glasgow: Rentaller of the lands of Gorbals and Bridgend

John Elphinston here treated is first noticed as a citizen or burgess of the burgh of Glasgow on 20 September 1510. RSS I: 2127 It is not certain but it seems quite likely, probable even, that he is that son of Agnes Forsyths' who is noticed four years or so earlier, in an instrument of tack dated 19 March 1506. Liber Protocollorum I: 164

The name of John Elphinstone's father is not known but because his father is certainly known to have died before 19 March 1506 it has been supposed that he was another John Elphinstone, a man who is noticed as a citizen of Glasgow on 10 May 1503 Liber Protocollorum I: 55 and again on 3 February 1506. Liber Protocollorum I: 201

John Elphinstone owned a tenement of land in Glasgow, in the street which leads from the Quadrivium to the Market Cross there. Ownership eventually passed to his grandson, George Elphinstone, who took sasine of the same on 12 May 1554. Glasgow Protocols I: 185

Death

John Elphinstone here treated died before 13 June 1620, the earliest date upon which Beatrice Wardlaw is noticed as a widow. Rental Book of the Barony of Glasgow, A.D. 1509-1570, p. 78

Marriage

John Elphinstone here treated married Beatrix Wardlaw and they had a son named George Elphinstone. Rental Book: 82-3 Following his death, Beatrix remarried, although the name of her second husband has not been identified. Ibidem: 78

Children

1. George Elphinstone, rentaller of Gorbals and Bridgend

Evidence from the Protocol Book of Cuthbert Simonis

                   1

10 May 1503: Instrument on the acknowledgement by John, Lord Symple, that he had received at the hands of Sir Amdrew Merschell, chamberlain to Robert, archbishop of Glasgow, the sum of 360 merks as part payment of 1360 merks , which the said archbishop was bound to pay to the said Lord Symple for the lands of Cragrossy, which were to be sold by the latter to the former, after the redemption thereof in the hands of John Elphinstoun, on the 20th day of the month of May then current; and (2) on the reatification by Lord Symple of a letter of assignation made by him to the said archbishop and his chamberlain, and of an indenture made between them respecting the sale to be made to the archbishop of the said lands of Cragrossy. Done in the house of Mr. David Chonigham, official of Glasgow about 3 o'clock p.m., 1oth May 1503. Liber Protocollorum M. Cuthberti Simonis Notarii Publici et Scribae Capituli Glasguensis A.D. 1499-1513. Also Rental Book of the Diocese of Glasgow A.D. 1509-1570. Vol. I (Grampian Club, London, 1875), protocol abstract number 55 on p. 292

                   2

3 February 1506: Instrument on the declaration by John Elphinstoun, citizen of Glasgow, before Cuthbert Aimson, notary, and witnesses, that Sir Thomas Forsith had said of him, in his absence, in presence of several trustworthy witnesses and in public, "John Elphinstoun is a defamit persone perpetuall, and ane verray erratik, and a Jow, or words to that effect; and on the protest by the said John Elphinstoun for remedy of law against the said Sir Thomas Forsith thereanent. Done in the chamber of Patrick Hamiltoun, 3d February 1506. Liber Protocollorum M. Cuthberti Simonis Notarii Publici et Scribae Capituli Glasguensis A.D. 1499-1513. Also Rental Book of the Diocese of Glasgow A.D. 1509-1570. Vol. I (Grampian Club, London, 1875), protocol abstract number 201 on p, 359

                   3

19 March 1506: Instrument on the tack granted by Agnes Forsith, spouse of Patrick Hamiltoun, having the frank tenement and usufruct of a tenement in Glasgow, on the east side of the street as you go from the cathedral to the cross, in favour of John Elphinstoun, her son and heir, for her lifetime, of a chamber situated above the kitchen of the said tenement, on condition that the said John should build and give to her for her lifetime a house near at hand in which she could confortably brew and bake bread for her own family and strangers. Done in the said tenement on 19th March 1506. Liber Protocollorum M. Cuthberti Simonis Notarii Publici et Scribae Capituli Glasguensis A.D. 1499-1513. Also Rental Book of the Diocese of Glasgow A.D. 1509-1570. Vol. I (Grampian Club, London, 1875), protocol abstract number 164 on p. 342

                   4

20 September 1510: A protectioun maid to Jhone Elphinstoun, citinare of Glasgw, in the common forme, etc. Gratis eidem dominum. iv. 7. Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum.The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland. Vol. I. A.D. 1488-1529 (H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1908), number 2127 on p. 324

Evidence from the Rental Book of the Barony of Glasgow

                   1

13 June 1520: Betragis Wardlaw remytit off the forfattour led on hir for contrakyn off marige but leciance, and rentalit agayn in the vj mark land off the Bryghend. Rental Book of the Barony of Glasgow, A.D. 1509-1570, p. 78

                   2

22 March 1521: George Elphistoun, son off vmqwyle Jone Elphistoun, rentalit in vj lib. land off Bryghend and Gorbaldis in Gwfane ward, be consent off his modyr, Beatrise Wardlaw, scho brukand for her tyme, and efftyr hyr the sayd George. Ibidem, pp. 82-3

Evidence from the Protocol Books of the Town Clerks of Glasgow

12 May 1554: John Mwre, bailie, gave sasine to George Elphinstoune, as heir of John Elphinstoune, his grandfather, of a tenement of land, fore and back, with yard and pertinents, lying t.c., in the street which leads from the Quadrivium to the Market Cross, between the lands or tenement of John Crawfurde of Rowchtsallo on the south, the lands, yard, and tenement of Mr. John Sprewile on the east, and the street on the west. Witnesses: Robert Herbisoune, John Pawtoune, William Brok, and David Watsoune, serjeant. Abstracts of Protocols of the Town Clerks of Glasgow, Vol I. First Protocol Book of William Hegait, 1547-55, protocol number 185 on p. 63

Genealogical Account

Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy: John Elphinstone