John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie

JOHN, EARL OF GOWRIE

John, Earl of Gowrie, is the second son of William, Earl of Gowrie, and Lady Dorothy Stewart. He is said to have been born in about 1577. He succeeded his elder brother as Earl of Gowrie in 1588. The Scots Peerage IV: 267-68

Some Ruthven families have claimed descent from John, Earl of Gowrie, The Ruthven Family Papers: pp. 61 et seq. but evidence which proves this claim, or might tend to support it, has not been found. The Earl's younger brother Patrick afterwards styled himself as Lord Ruthven and it may be supposed that he would not have done so if another member of his family had a better claim. Papers Relating to William, first Earl of Gowrie: pp. 109-10

Death

John, Earl of Gowrie, was killed on 5 August 1600, at Gowrie House in Perth, hiis own house, along with his younger brother Alexander, the Master of Gowrie, during an alleged attempt to kidnap James VI, King of Scots. Their dead bodies were taken to Edinburgh where they were subsequently drawn, hanged and quartered. The Scots Peerage IV: 267-68

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

11 May 1590: Charter by which James VI, King of Scots, confirms that he has given an annualrent of two hundred and ten pounds from the lands of Cousland, in the Sheriffdom of Edinburgh, to James Richardson of Smeatoun and his second son Robert. The annualrent had been granted to James Richardson by William, Earl of Gowrie, who had borrowed money from him and used Cousland as security. His obligation passed first to his eldest son James, Earl of Gowrie, and then to second son John, Earl of Gowrie. Earl John must have been a minor child when his father's obligation passed to him on 12 November 1589, for his mother was still acting as his tutrix testamentary on this date: "dicto Jo, et Dorathea Stewart comitissa de Gowry ejus matre et tutrice testamentaria". Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593, charter number 1730 on p. 593

                    2

24 July 1591: Transumpt of charter, dated at the monastery of Scone, 26 August 1559, by Patrick, bishop of Moray and commendator of Scone, and the convent thereof, to John Baxter, of the lands of Haltoune of Crwquhy; in action at the instance of the said John Baxter and Alexander, his eldest son, against Dame Dorothy Stewart, Countess of Gowrie, John, Earl of Gowrie, now commendator of Scone and others, for the production of the register of the said abbey for transumpt to be made; the original having been in the hands of David Bruce in Bandirrane and stolen from his house. [Charter not printed in the Liber de Scon]. [1569.173] National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Earls of Airlie, reference GD16/24/143

                   3

3 September 1591: Charter of confirmation by John, earl of Gowrie, with consent of Dame Dorothy Stewart, countess of Gowrie, his mother, and of his curators, confirming charters (nos 147 & 174). [Granters' seal, imperfect]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/207

                   4

1 August 1592: Tack by John Earl of Gowrie, Commendator of Scone to John Forbes of Echt, for his lifetime, and to his heirs for 19 years thereafter, of the teind sheaves of the parish kirk and parish of Echt in Mar belonging to the Abbey of Scone. Yearly payment of £26.13.4 Scots. Dated at Edinburgh. Seal of John Earl of Gowrie attached. National Records of Scotland, Viscount Cowdray (Dunecht papers), reference GD42/100

                   5

27 August 1592: Assignation by Mr. William Ruthven to John Earl of Gowrie of the gift of the Earl's ward and marriage and any tacks of teinds hitherto held by the Lords of Ruthven, which had all become escheat on the forfeiture of Dame Dorathie Stewart, Countess of Gowrie, and had been donated to the granter. National Records of Scotland, Yule Collection, reference GD90/2/35

                   6

12 December 1593: Contract of marriage between John, Master of Montrose with consent of John, Earl of Montrose, his father on the one part and Mrs Margaret Ruthven with consent of John, Earl of Gowrie, her brother and he with consent of John, Earl of Atholl and his remanent curators on the other part, whereby the Earl and Master of Montrose are obliged to infeft the said Mrs Margaret Ruthven in the lands and barony of Aberuthven in liferent and the said Earl of Gowrie is obliged to pay £10,000 in name of tocher to the said Earl of Montrose at four Whitsundays; at Dunkeld. National Records of Scotland, itle deeds and other writs of James, Duke of Montrose and his predecessors, reference GD220/1/A/5/3/1

                   7

6 February 1593-94: Charter by John, Earl of Montrose and John, Master of Montrose in favour of Mrs Margaret Ruthven, sister to John, Earl of Gowrie for her lifetime, of the lands and barony of Aberuthven comprehending the town and lands of Aberuthven and mill thereof, the town and lands of Balhie, Pothill, Baillieland, Strathy Bonnar and one third of the lands of Strathy Boyes, the lands of Smiddiehaugh, Poldoquhy and one third of the lands of Strathy Chalmers and the kirklands of Aberuthven, all lying in the shire of Perth in implementation of GD220/1/A/5/3/1; at Dunblane. National Records of Scotland, itle deeds and other writs of James, Duke of Montrose and his predecessors, reference GD220/1/A/5/3/2

                   8

28 July 1595: Signet letters by John, earl of Gowrie, sheriff of Perth, in action at instance of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurchay, kt., v. John McIllechallum, Andrew Geallache and Allister McEanebege, tenants of Craiginusk and Drumnacraiffe, 28 July 1595. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/10/1/1

                   9

19 December 1596: Instrument narrating that Paul McClerich in Edinkip, attorney for Margaret Munro, relict of Colin Campbell of Ardbeych, passed to ground of lands of Edinambill with mill of the same, lands of Auchawewie, Balliewire, Balliemulline, Asseblair, Cartrone, Lettir, and the isle called Ilanebragane and loch called Locherne, lying in Buquhedir, sheriffdom of Perth, and there presented to Alexander Campbell, one of ordinary mairs of said sheriffdom, a precept thereof, ordaining said Margaret to be kenned to her sunny third of foresaid lands; precept by John, earl of Gowrie, 15 December 1596, is recited, and thereafter said Alexander entered said Margaret to said sunny third, with third tenement houses there, "be deliverance of earth and stane of the saids landis clap of the said mylne and of net and water for the said fischeing and of durris and boultis thaireof for the saidis tenements and houses". Witnesses: Duncan McClerich in Ardbeych, Malcol, McKeyich in Auchawewie, Patrick McInlister in Ballowyre, John McConoquhie VcCleach in Edinambill, Malcolm McMoreis in Balloch and Gilliechrist MakEwir in Edinkip. National Records of Scotland, National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/25/73

                  10

29-30 August 1597: Instrument narrating that Robert Campbell of Glenfallach produced a precept, 25 August 1597, by John, earl of Gowrie, sheriffdom of Perth, charging Alexander Campbell, mair of said sheriffdom, to remove various persons from lands of Glendochart. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reference GD112/1/350

                  11

16-19 September 1598: Precept of clare constat by the commissioners of John, Earl of Gowrie, Lord Ruthven and Dirletoun in favour of Barbara Fowlis as heir to Patrick Fowlis her father, in the annualrent out of the lands of Goodlyburn specified in GD220/1/A/7/5/1, dated at Perth and Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, itle deeds and other writs of James, Duke of Montrose and his predecessors, reference GD220/1/A/7/5/5

                  12

10 January 1599: PRECEPT of CLARE CONSTAT by James Wemis [Wemyss] of Bogie, Mr. John Moncreiff of Eister Moncreiff, and Alexander Ruthven of Frelands [Freeland], commissioners for John, earl of Gowrie, directed to William Pattillock [Pattullo] in Kinnochtry, as bailie, ordering sasine to be given to George Small, as heir to his father, deceased William Small of Fothrownis, of the lands of Fothrovnis, in the lordship and regality of Scone and sheriffdom of Forfar. Dated at Perth, 10 January 1598. Written by Alexander Robertsone [Robertson], notary in Perth. Witnesses: Andrew Henrysone [Henryson], chamberlain of Scone; Walter Cruikschank [Cruikshank], his servant; James Logy [Logie], servant of said Mr. John Moncreif [Moncrieff]; Alexander Robertsone, notary. [Seal, slightly damaged but good impression]. National Records of Scotland, Murray of Lintrose, reference GD68/1/113

                  13

3 June 1600: INSTRUMENT of SASINE narrating sasine given by John Duncan, one of the mairs of the sheriffdom of Perth, to Walter Henrisoune [Henderson] or Petrie, as heir to his deceased father, John Henrisoune or Petrie, of the shady half of the lands of Over Balbrogie; on chancery precept contained in a precept of John, earl of Gowrie, sheriff of Perth, dated at Perth, 28 May, 1600. Witnesses: William Bisset, portioner of Balbrogie, Robert Malcolm there; James Ductour there; John Yong or Uobstar [Young or Webster] there. Notary - John Schaw [Shaw], St. Andrews diocese. National Records of Scotland, Murray of Lintrose, reference GD68/1/118

                  14

17 July 1600: Decreet before the Lords of Session in favour of Barbara Fowlis, James Crumbie her husband and Mr Thomas Abercrombie their assignee, against John, Earl of Montrose, who had right to the lands of Goodlyburn by a gift from His Majesty upon the forfeiting of John, Earl of Gowrie and against the tenants of the said lands, finding letters of poinding raised or to be raised at their instance against the Earl and the tenants for the collection of the remaining bygone annualrent of 24 bolls victuals, at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, itle deeds and other writs of James, Duke of Montrose and his predecessors, reference GD220/1/A/7/5/7

                  15

15 November 1600: (a) Crown charter to Thomas Erskin of Gogar, one of HM Bedchamber, in consideration of his having preserved the King's life from John, earl of Gowrie, and Alexander Ruthven, his brother, of one third of the lands and barony of Dirletoun and lands of Boltoun, lands of Hassinden and Haleburtoun (sheriffdom of Berwick), half of lands of barony of Ballegarno, one third of lands and baronies of Abernyite and Forgundenny (sheriffdom of Perth) and one third of lands and barony of Segye (sheriffdom of Kinross), formerly pertaining to the said earl and now incorporated in a free barony to be called the barony of Dirletoun. [RMS vi, 1095]. (b) Extract act of Parliament ratifying the above grant. [APS iv, 216-9] (c) Crown precept of sasine in terms of above charter. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/222

                  16

13 November 1641: Lordship of Fenton: Extract ratification and renunciation by Patrick Ruthwen, brother of John, sometime earl of Gowrie, in favour of James Maxwell of Innerwick. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Brooke Family of Biel, reference GD6/460

Genealogy

1. The Scots Peerage IV: pp. 254-68 for Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie
2. Papers relating to William, first Earl of Gowrie, and Patrick Ruthven, his fifth and last surviving son: 115 pp.
3. Ruthven Family Papers etc: 210 pp. including index