Master John Nicolson of Lasswade, elder

MASTER JOHN NICOLSON OF LASSWADE elder

Advocate in Edinburgh; One of the Commissary's of Edinburgh

James Nicolsone, writer burgess of Edinburgh (1579) John Nicholsoun (1580) Master Joanni Nicolsoun, advocate (1591) Mr John Nicolsoune, advocate (1593) Mr Johne Nicolsoun of Lasswade (1605)

Death

Master John Nicholson of Lasswade, here treated, died on 2 January 1605. [NRS: CC8/8/40]

Marriage

Master John Nicolson of Lasswade, here treated, married Elizabeth Henryson They are noticed as man and wife on 29 June 1580 in the last will and testament of Helen Swinton his wife's mother. [NRS: CC8/8/13]

Children

The Last Will and Testament of his Mother-in-law Helen Swinton

Helen Swinton died on 1 July 1580. She made her last will and testament three days earlier, on 29 June 1580, at Edinburgh in Midlothian, Scotland, probably at her house there. The witnesses present included her brother Thomas Swinton. Her widowed husband, Mr Edward Henryson, gave up the inventory of their goods and gear in name and behalf of their three children, viz. Mr William Henryson, Thomas Henryson and Elizabeth Henryson. In her last will and testament she nominated and appointed her husband and their three children, to be her only intromitters with her goods and gear. On 29 May 1574 confirmation was granted to Mr. Edward Henryson and his three children, including his daughter Elizabeth Henryson and her husband John Nicholsoun, for his interest. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, Testament Testamentar and Inventory of Helene Swyntoun, sometime spouse to Mr. Edward Henryson, advocate, and one of the commissers of Edinburgh. reference CC8/8/13]

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His Testament Dative and Inventory

The testament dative and inventory of the deceased John Nicholson of Lasswade was given up by Elizabeth Henryson his "relict spous" and Mr. James Nicolson and Thomas Nicolson his "lawll sones" in name and behalf of Robert Nicolson their lawful brother. Mr James Nicolson and his brothers Thomas and Robert were recognised as executors dative to their deceased father by the Commissary Court of Edinburgh and confirmation was granted to them on 10 June 1605. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, The Testament Dative and Inventory of Johnne Nicolsoun of Lasswade, reference CC8/8/40]

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Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

20 May 1588: Contract between John Sinclare [Sinclair], son and apparent heir of John Sinclare of Dryden with consent of Margaret Giffert [Gifford] his spouse, on one part, and Patrick Edmestoun [Edmiston] of Newtoun [Newton] and Marion Hepburn, his spouse, on the other, whereby for sum of 3,000 merks, said John, yr, dispones to said Patrick and Marion part of tenandry of lands of Leswaid [Lasswade] extending to sixth part of said lands, town and lands of Leswaid, lands of Dryden and 10 acres of lands of Pentland. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/522

                   2

15 September 1579: Charter by which James VI, King of Scots, confirms the gift of a yearly pension of £63.6.8d for life which was given to James Nicolsone, writer burgess of Edinburgh, by Master Paul Fraser, chantor of Brechin: his "lovit freind and cousing." Fraser's letter making the gift, which was made a Brechin on 1 January 1577, was witnessed by John Nicolsone "sone lauchful to the said Jas." and others. RMS 1456-80: charter number 2901

                   3

27 February 1590: Charter under Great Seal in favour of Mungo Tennent [Tennant] of Mukraw, in liferent, and Mr John Nicolsoun [Nicholson], advocate, in fee, of lands of Mukraw, eight tenth parts of fourth part of lands of Lessuaid [Lasswade], three parts of another fourth part, and 40s lands of Lessuaid. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/528

                   4

1591-1597: Discharges (5) by John Sinclair of Drydane [Dryden] to Mr. John Nicholson, advocate, of sums for alienation of lands of Lasuaid [Lasswade] and Drydane. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/1497

                   5

23 February 1591: Contract between Mr John Nicolson, advocate, and Mungo Tennent [Tennant] of Muckraw, whereby said Mungo binds himself to infeft said John in eight tenth parts of a fourth part of lands of Lesuaid [Lasswade], three parts of another fourth part, and the 40s lands of Lesuaid, reserving to said Mungo his liferent of said lands. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/525

                   6

27 February 1591: Charter under Great Seal in favour of Mungo Tennent [Tennant] of Mukraw, in liferent, and Mr John Nicolsoun [Nicholson], advocate, in fee, of lands of Mukraw, eight tenth parts of fourth part of lands of Lessuaid [Lasswade], three parts of another fourth part, and 40s lands of Lessuaid. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/528

                   7

21 May 1591: Charter by which Joannis Sinclar, younger of Dryden, with the consent of his wife Margaret Giffert, confirms that he has sold part of the land of Laissuaid (Lasswade) to Master Joanni Nicolsoun, advocate, one of the commissary's of Edinburgh, and his wife Elizabethe Henrisoun, who were to hold this land in conjunct fee and liferent. Master Joanni Nicolsoun and his wife obtained a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland on 30 November 1592. RMS 1580-93: charter number 2116

                   8

29 June 1591: Tack by Mr George Ramsay, dean of Restalrig, with consent of prebendaries and chapter, to Mr John Nicolson [Nicholson], advocate, and Elizabeth Henryson [Henderson], his spouse, for their lifetimes and 19 years thereafter, of teinds of towns and lands of Dryden and Over Lessuaid [Lasswade] except those belonging to Mungo Tennent [Tennant]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/607

                   9

5 August 1591: Decreet of Registration of contract of wadset, dated 5 May 1591, between John Sinclare [Sinclair], son and apparent heir of John Sinclare of Drydane [Dryden], and Margaret Giffert [Gifford], his spouse, on one part, and Mr John Nicolsoun [Nicholson], advocate, and Elizabeth Henrysoun [Henderson], his spouse, on the other, whereby said John Sinclare dispones to said John Nicolsoun, sixth part of lands of Leswaid [Lasswade], town and lands of Leswaid, lands of Drydane [Dryden] and 10 acres of lands of Pentland, under reversion of 8,000 merks, and also of contract, dated 3 Jul 1591, whereby sum of 600 merks is added to said reversion sum. Also letters of inhbition, dated 29 May 1591, at instance of said John Nicolsoun, for fulfilment of the above. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/544

                  10

22-23 November 1592: Contract between John Sinclair, yr, of Dryden, and Mr John Nicolson [Nicholson], advocate, whereby said John, yr, ratifies contracts in GD18/544, and increases reversion sum contained therein to 1,170 merks. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/546

                  11

12 December 1592: Extract Contract as in GD18/546, whereby sum of 300 merks is added to the reversion sum. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/548

                  12

22 December 1593: Extract Contract between John Sinclair, yr, of Dryden, and Margaret Giffart [Gifford], his spouse, with consent of David Creichtoun [Crichton], apparent of Lugtoun [Lugton], on one part, and Mr John Nicolsoune [Nicholson], advocate, on the other, whereby said John, yr, is acknowledged to be indebted to said John Nicolsoune for 13,860 merks and is obliged to pay the same at Michaelmas failing which the reversion of lands in Nos. 544, 546 and 548 is discharged and said lands are to belong outright to said Mr John Nicolsoune, he paying said John Sinclair the additional sun of 7,000 merks. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/549

                  13

18 August 1597: Redemption and Renunciation by Adam Courtie, son and heir of deceased William Courtie, skinner burgess of Edinburgh, and Janet Barklay [Barclay], relict of said William, to Mr John Nicolsoun [Nicholson] of Leswaid [Lasswade], advocate, commissary of Edinburgh, of subjects in GD18/496 on payment of 110 merks. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/553

                  14

21 March 1598: Extract Contract between Mr John Nicolsoun [Nicholson], advocate, and Beatrice Rollok, relict of Mungo Tennent [Tennant] of Muckra, whereby said John binds himself to infeft said Beatrice in liferent in eight tenth parts of fourth part of lands of Leswaid [Lasswade], three parts of another fourth part, and 40s lands of said lands of Leswaid, under the conditions specified. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/554

                  15

21 December 1598: Extract Contract between Mr John Nicolsoun [Nicholson] of Leswaid [Lasswade], advocate, and Margaret Tennent [Tennant], daughter of deceased Francis Tennent of Mukraw, whereby said John binds himself to infeft James Tennent of Linhous [Linnhouse] in lands of Mukraw following on disposition thereof by said Margaret, and said Margaret renounces all rights to lands of Leswaid [Lasswade] disponed to said John by her said father or by deceased Mungo Tennent of Mukraw, her brother, and ratifies all writs proceeding on said dispositions. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/556

                  16

1600-1601: Discharges (2) by Henry Home of Moreistoun [Morriston], Margaret Sinclair, his spouse, Henry Sinclair of Quhytkirk [Whitekirk], John Sinclair, Mr. Oliver Sinclair, Janet Sinclair and John Halyburton [Halliburton] of Mertoun, her spouse, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law of said Henry, to Mr. John Nicolsoun [Nicholson], of sums of money specified for the crops of lands of Lesuaid [Lasswade] sown by Beatrice Rollok [Rollock], mother of said Henry and his brothers and sisters. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/1498

                  17

8 June1601: Instrument of Resignation by Mr Alexander Kinge [King] of Drydane [Dryden], advocate, of 10 acres of lands of Pentland, in favour of Mr John Nicolsone [Nicholson] of Leswaid [Lasswade], commissary of Edinburgh, and Elizabeth Henrysone [Henderson], his spouse. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/558

                  18

28 November 1601: Discharge by Mr. Alexander King of Drydane [Dryden], advocate, to Mr. John Nicolsoun [Nicholson] of Leswaid [Lasswade], advocate, of £100 Scots for alienation of 10 acres of land of lands of Pentland called Pitcarties alias Paradys [Paradykes?] National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/1499

                  19

28 May 1602: Renunciation by Simon Watterstoun [Waterston], son and heir of deceased John Watterstoun, indweller in Loneheid [Loanhead] of Over Leswaid [Lasswade], to Mr John Nicolsoun [Nicholson] of Leswaid, of an acre of land, on payment of £10 Scots and delivery of tack of said acre for 3 years. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/561

                  20

31 July 1602: Renunciation by Margaret Carkettill [Carkettle], daughter and heir of deceased George Carkettill, burgess of Edinburgh, and Archibald Hammiltoun [Hamilton] of Bairfuit [Bearford], her spouse, in favour of Mr John Nicolson of Leswaid [Lasswade], of all rights of 40s lands of Leswaid. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/562

                  21

19 May 1607: Charter of confirmation and novodamus by George, Archbishop of St Andrews, in favour of Mr John Nicollsone [Nicholson] of Lawsuaid [Lasswade], eldest son and heir of deceased Mr John Nicollsone of Lawsuaid, of lands of Lawsuaid in barony of Listoun [Liston] and sherrifdom of Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Clerk family of Penicuik, Midlothian, reference GD18/563

Printed Evidence

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1546-1580. Edited by John Maitland Thomson, MA., Advocate. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1886), 1180 pp. including indices and errata

Genealogy

1. The County Families of the Shetland Islands: Nicolson of that Ilk, Lasswade and Lochend
2. Stirnet Nicolson 3