Margaret Hamilton

MARGARET HAMILTON

Margaret Hamilton, here treated, was the bastard daughter of Grisel Sempill and the Right Reverend John Hamilton, Archbishop of St Andrews Her date or year of birth is not known. Concerning this it should be said. Her mother married Robert Sempill, 3rd Lord Sempill before 10 March 1540, RMS 1513-1546: 2120 and became the mistress of Right Reverend John Hamilton, Archbishop of St Andrews before 21 February 1546.The Scots Peerage VII: 545-6 It seems quite unlikely, therefore, that she was born before this last date.

Death

Margaret Hamilton predeceased her husband, who died on or after 12 September 1617. [NRS: CC6/5/4] She is reported to have died on 15 December 1614. Darryl Lundy's Peerage

Marriage

Margaret Hamilton, here treated, married Robert Bruce, of Blairhall & Easter Kennet She is noticed as his wife on 2 May 1600. RMS 1593-1608: charter number 1133

Children

1. Robert Bruce of Blairhall
2. James Bruce of Bordie
3. George Bruce of Kineswood
4. Margrat Bruce
5. Issobell Bruce

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

2 May 1600: Charter by which Robert Bruce of Blairhall, with the consent of his wife Margaret Hamilton, confirms that he has sold the Bydis-medow, in the lordship of Culros and sheriffdom of Perth, to James Blaw of Castlehill. The land was to be held in feu-ferme. James Blaw obtained a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland on 16 January 1601. RMS 1593-1608: charter number 1133

                   2

23 August 1600: Charter which Robert Bruce of Blairhall, with the consent of his wife Margaret Hamilton, confirms that he has sold two acres of the arable land of Over Gaghie in the crofts of Culros, in the lordship of Culros and Sheriffdom of Perth, to John Porterfield, burgess of Edinburgh. The land was to be held in feu-ferme. John Porterfield obtained a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland on 14 January 1602. RMS 1593-1608: charter number 1280

The Last Will and Testament of her husband Robert Bruce of Blairhall

Robert Bruce of Blairhall made his last will and testament on 12 September 1617. He nominated and appointed four of his children to be his executors testamentar, that is James Bruce, George Bruce, Margrat Bruce and Issobell Bruce. He left a cash legacy to his eldest son Robert Bruce. No financial provision was made for a widow and it is supposed that his wife must have predeceased him. Confirmation was granted to his executors testamentar on 28 September 1617. [National Records of Scotland, Dunblane Commissary Court, The Testament Testamentar and Inventory of Robert Bruce of Blairhall, reference CC6/5/4]

1. Image of Testament
2. Image of Testament
3. Image of Testament
4. Image of Testament
5. Image of Testament

Printed Evidence

‘’’Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. A. D. 1593-1608. Edited by John Maitland Thomson, MA., Advocate. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1890), 1142 pp. including indices and errata

Genealogy

1. Stirnet: Bruce 05
2. Stirnet: Hamilton 29
3. Darryl Lundy's Peerage

Commentary

Re-curating from Private User, MIA. Looking for primary sources to validate. [Sharon D 2023]