John Maxwell, Burgess of Glasgow

JOHN MAXWELL

Merchant and Burgess of Glasgow: Sometime one of the Bailies of Glasgow

John Maxwell is the bastard son of Patrick Maxwell of Newark. He is certainly identified as his natural son, rather than his lawful son, in the witness list of a charter dated 7 November 1616. This charter is reproduced befow.National Records of Scotland, Earls of Glencairn, reference GD39/1/170

John Maxwell, here treated, seems likely to be that natural son of the laird of Newark who was enrolled as a burgesses of the burgh of Glasgow on 27 December 1617, Burgesses and Guild Brethren of Glasgow, 1573-1750, p. 51 and he may be the man of the same name who is noticed on 5 April 1626, in the witness list of a charter made in favour of his sister german Mariote Maxwell, daughter of Patrick Maxwell of Newark. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland,1620-1633, charter number 1418 on pp. 479-80

John Maxwell's birth date is not known but he must have been of perfect age when he was enrolled as a burgess of Glasgow on 27 December 1617 and it might reasonably be conjectured, therefore, that he was born before 27 December 1596. Burgesses and Guild Brethren of Glasgow, 1573-1750, p. 51

One of the Bailies of Glasgow

On 1 October 1633, John Maxwell was elected to serve as one of the three Baillies of Glasgow for the year 1633-34. Charters and Other Documents Relating to the Burgh of Glasgow, A.D. 1175-1649, (Glasgow, 1897), i, part 1, folio cccxxxviii

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

7 November 1616: Instrument bearing that in presence of a notary and witnesses, John Arthur, Servitor to James Earl of Glencairn passed to the personal presence of William Lord Kilmaurs and made offer to his Lordship (in name of William Barclay of Innergelly, donator to the escheat and liferent of the Earl) of 640 merks for completing the yearly maill of 500 merks, contained in the tack of the barony of Kilmaurs set by his Lordship to the Earl his father of the Martinmas term 1615, Whitsun term then last and preceding terms. Witnesses, Mr David Cunningham, minister of Kilmalcom, Patrick Maxwell of Newark, John Maxwell, his natural son, and Cuthbert Cunningham, servitor to Lord Kilmaurs. At Dumbarton. (William Lord Kilmaurs refused to accept the money, on the ground that 2 terms mail being owing, the tack had by an irritant clause therein, expired). National Records of Scotland, Earls of Glencairn, reference GD39/1/170

                   2

5 April 1626: Charter by which Duncan Campbell of Auchinbreck confirms that he has given the lands of Auchinbreck and others to his future wife Mariote Maxwell in liferent. The charter was issued in fulfilment of a marriage contract dated 3 April 1626. Mariote entered into the contract with the consent of her father, Patrick Maxwell of Newark, and his eldest son, George Maxwell, feuar of Teiling.,John Maxwell merchant in Glasgow is noticed in the witness list. A charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland was issued on 12 June 1629. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland,1620-1633, charter number 1418 on pp. 479-80