John Somerville of Cambusnethan

JOHN SOMERVILLE OF CAMBUSNETHAN

John Somerville, here treated, is the grandson of Sir John Somerville of Cambusnethan On 27 March 1561 he had sasine of the the ten pound lands of Prestuikschawis in the Kyle-Stewart division of Ayrshire, which lands had been in the hands of the crown since his grandfather had been killed in action at the Battle of Flodden. Exchequer Rolls of Scotland XIX: 468

Death

John Somerville of Cambusnethan is reported to have died in February 1594. Stirnet: Somerville 02 He certainly died before 22 May 1594, the date upon which Hugh, Lord Somerville, raised letters of horning against his widow, Katherine Murray, and their eldest son John. NRS: GD40/4/158

First Marriage

Children of First Marriage

Second Marriage

John Somerville of Cambusnethan, here treated, married, as his second wife, Lady Katherine Murray, Of Falahall Somerville They are noticed as man and wife on 10 September 1554, the date upon which he gave her the lands and barony of Cambusnethan in liferent. RMS 1580-1593: charter number 733

Children of Second Marriage

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                  1

4 October 1539: Charter under the Great Seal of Scotland by which James V, King of Scots, confirms that he had give the lands and barony of Cambusnethan anew to John Somerville of Cambusnethan and his wife Hatherine Carmichael, to be held by them in conjunct fee and liferent, and thereafter by their lawful male heirs, whom failing by John's nearest lawful heirs whatsoever. RMS 1513-1546: charter number 2027

                   2

10 September 1554: Charter by which John Somerville of Cambusnethan confirms that he has given the barony of Cambusnethan in the sheriffdom of Lanark in liferent to his wife KATHERINE MURRAY, who obtained a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland on 4 September 1584. RMS 1580-1593: charter number 733

                   3

25 February 1560: Charter by John Somervell of Cambusnethan, [ to ] John Somervell, his son, of the lands and barony of Cambusnethan. Dated at Cambesnethan, 25 Feb 1560. National Records of Scotland, Boyd Papers, reference GD8/169

                   4

25 February 1560: Bond by John Somerville of Cambusnethan, to deliver the reversion for redemption of the lands and barony of Cambusnethan, from his son, John Somerville, dated at Cambusnethan, 25 Feb 1560.(Contains mention of a piece of gold called 'A Portingall Docat' which money the said John Somerville elder had received from Thomas, now Lord Boyd). National Records of Scotland, Boyd Papers, reference GD8/360

                   5

25 June 1560: Charter by which John Somerville of Cambusnethan confirms that he has given the barony of Cambusnethan to John Somerville, his son, procreated between him and his wife KATHERINAM MURRAY. John junior's charter, which was witnessed by Patrick Murray, son of Patrick Murray of Fallahill, and others, was confirmed under the Great Seal of Scotland on 19 January 1580-81. RMS 1580-1593: charter number 87

                   6

31 July 1560: Charter by John Somervell of Cambusnethan to John Somervell, his son, procreate, between him and KATHERINE MURRAY, his spouse, of the lands of Quiodquen. Dated at Cambesnethan, 31 Jul 1560. National Records of Scotland, Boyd Papers, reference GD8/168

                   7

27 March 1561: Ballivus de Kile respondebit pro £1900 de firmis decem libratarum terrarum antiqui extentus de Prestuikschawis etc., jacentium infra balliam suam et vicecomitatum de Air, existentium in manibus regine et quondam sui patris tanquam senescallorum Scotie per spatium quadraginta septem annorum et unius termini ultimo retroactorum ratione warde et sasina non recuperata respective, et pro £40 de relevio earundem, regine tanquam senescalle prescripte debitis per sasinam datam Johanni Somervile de Cambusnethane, cujus avus obiit in bello de Flowdoun. (Edinburgh, 27 March.] Exchequer Rolls of Scotland XIX: 468

                 8

1 April 1574: Charter by John Somervell of Cambusnethan to John Somervell, his eldest son, of the lands of Guttaris in the lordship of Gilmertoun. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kerr Family, Marquises of Lothian, Somerville Writs, reference GD40/4/145

                   9

15 June 1574: Charter issued by David Neisbit of Dalzell. Witnessed by William Somerville, brother german of John Somerville of Cambusnethan: "Wil. Somerwell fratre germano Joannis S." RMS 1546-80: charter number 3006

                  10

10 May 1575: Lanark. Idem vicecomes respondebit pro £5600 de firmis omnium et singularum terrarum subscriptarum, videlicet, ville et territorii de Carnweth, extendentium ad decem libratas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Cowlo et Carlingden extendentium ad decem marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, [terrarum de] Murehall extondentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Torbrekis et Blaikcastell extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Grenefeild extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Auchingray extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, [terrarum de] Moshatt et Crofthill extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Eistir Sydwod et Westir Sydwod exten- dentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Hywod et Cleuch extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, extendentium in integro ad quadraginta libratas terrarum antiqui extentus, jacentium in baronia de Carnweth infra balliam suam, existentium in manibus supremi domini nostri regis et suorum predecessorum respective per spatium triginta quinque annorum ultime elapsorum sasina non recuperata, que firme extendunt annuatim ad centum sexaginta libras; et pro 2d. argenti per duplieationem albefirme earundem ; regi debitis per sasinam datam Joanni Somerville de Cambusnethaine. [Edinburgh, 10 May.] Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. Volume XX. 1568-1579, pp. 480-81

                  11

12 May 1578: Precept of sasine under the Quarter Seal in favour of Hugh, Lord Somervell, in respect of the lands of Gilmertoun, Drum and Gutteris, following on decree of declarator of redemption against John Somervell of Cambusnethem, KATHERINE MURRAY, his spouse, James Somervell younger of Cambusnethem and Margaret Hammiltoun, his spouse, and John Somervell, son of said John and Katherine. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kerr Family, Marquises of Lothian (Lothian Muniments), reference GD40/4/146

                  12

10 May 1580: Et de £5600 de firmis omnium et singularum terrarum subscriptarum, videlicet, vile et terrarum de Carnvath, cum pertinentiis, extendentium ad decem libratas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Cowbo et Carlingden, extendentium ad decem marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, [terrarum de] Murehall, extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Torbrekis et Blakcastell, extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Grenfeild, extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Auchingray, extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, [terrarum de] Moschat et Crofthill, extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Eister Sydwod et Vestir Sydwod, extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, terrarum de Hywod et Cleuch, extendentium ad quinque marcatas terrarum antiqui extentus, cum singulis earundem pertinentiis, extendentium in integro ad quadraginta libratas terrarum antiqui extentus, jacentium in baronia de Carnvath infra balliam computantis existentium in manibus regis et suorum predicessorum respective per spatium triginta quinque annorum ultime elapsorum sasina non recuperata, que firme extendunt annuatim ad centum sexaginta libras ; et de 2d. argenti per duplicationem albefirme earundem; regi debitis per sasinam datam Joanni Somervall de Cambusnethaine, decimo Maii, anno regni regis octavo. The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland XXI: pp. 81-2

                  13

13 May 1580: Charter under the Great Seal of Scotland in favour of John Lummisdane of Blanerne which mentions John Somerville, son of John Somerville of Cambusnethan, and KATHERINE MURRAY his mother: "Jo Somerwel filius Joannis S. de Cambusnethane, Katherina Murray ejus mater". RMS 1546-80: charter number 3015

                  14

4 May 1581: Contract between John Somerville of Cambusnethan, and KATHERINE MURRAY, his spouse, on the one part and John Somerville, their son, on the other part, whereby the said John Somerville younger, binds himself that he shall not appoint, transact nor agree with James Somerville, eldest son to the said John Somerville, of Cambusnethan towards the disposition of the lands and barony of Cambusnethan, in favour of the said James, without the special consent of his father. Charter at Cambusnethan, 4 May 1581. National Records of Scotland, Boyd Papers, reference GD8/310

                  15

22 May 1594: Copy of letters of horning at the instance of Hugh, Lord Somervell, against KATHERINE MURRAY, relict of John Somervell of Cambusnethane, John Somervell, their eldest son, and James Somervell now of Cambusnethane in terms of a decree of redemption of part of the lands of Gilmertoun dated 18 Dec. 1577. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kerr Family, Marquises of Lothian (Lothian Muniments), Somerville Writs, reference GD40/4/158

Evidence from the Protocol Books of the Town Clerks of Glasgow

20 August 1560: John Somyrvaile of Cambusneithan gave sasine to John Kello, junior, attorney, and in name of John Somyrvaile (son of the said John Somyrvaile and Katherine Murray, his spouse), of (1) a cottage land (terram eotagiam) of the lower town of Quodquen; (2) his lands of the upper town of Quodquen, extending to a £7 10 s. farm (firme) ; (3) 44 acres of land, commonly called the New Maynes, lying on the north side of the common pasturage and of the lands of Quodquen ; and (4) the lands of Kerswell, extending to a ten merk land of old extent, lying in the barony of Carnwetht and shire of Lanark. Witnesses: William Selkirk, in Pedder; Symone Feichear in Libertoune, and Thomas Franche in Neddirtowne. Glasgow Protocols II: 578

Genealogy

Stirnet: Somerville 02

Biographical Summary

John (James) Somerville , 3rd of Cambusnethan

• Birth: 1520 - Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland
• Death: 1594 - Cowthally, Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland
• Parents: John Somerville, Margaret Graham

1. abt 1537 to Katherine Carmichael b: ABT 1515 d March 1550. This may possibly be the Katherine/Elizabeth Carmichael who was mistress to King James V. Mother of the Earl of Bothwell b 1532 & Janet, who married the Earl of Caegyle.
2. in 1552 to Katherine Murray d 1605, also a former mistress of James V

Children of Katherine Carmichael

1. James, 'Velvet Eye' 4th' of Cambusneth b: ABT 1539. Married Margaret Hamilton.
2. Robert.
3. daughter. "married meanly by her stepmother" to Gavin Hamilton of the Nether Hills

Children of Katherine Murray (3 sons, 4 daughters)

1. John Patrick. Of Green and Patherhall.
2. William.
3. Thomas, Cardinal of Padua.
4. 1st daughter. Married Sir John Skeine.
5. Jean. Married Laird of Dunlop.
6. Helen. Married Laird of Miltoun of the surname of Whiteford.
7. Nicola, 4th daughter. Married Walter Stewart.

Links

• http://histfam.familysearch.org/getperson.php?personID=I53546&tree=...
• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=maclaren&...

Sources 

1. [S452] #21 The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct, or Dormant (1910), Cokayne, George Edward (main author) and Vicary Gibbs (added author), (New edition. 13 volumes in 14. London: St. Catherine Press,1910-), vol. 2 p. 183.
2. Memorie of the Somervilles: being a history of the baronial house ..., Volume 1 By Baron James Somerville Somerville, Sir Walter Scott. Page 346, 347
3. The Baronial House of Somerville: an abridged and condensed narrative of the ... page 87
4. The Baronial House of Somerville: an abridged and condensed narrative of the .... Page 90. "The children of the first marriage were three: James (Velvet Eye) who succeeded to the estate; Robert (Hatton) afterward of Overcallo; and a daughter who married Gavin Hamilton of Nether Hilles. John Somerville (The Laird with the Plaides) died in 1593 at the age of 80, and was succeeded by his son James (Velvet Eye) as 4th Baron."

SmartCopy Reference

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jul 17 2016, 11:47:38 UTC