Margaret Murray, of Falahill

MARGARET MURRAY

According to George Crawford, writing in his Peerage account of the Stewart earls of Buchan (published in 1716), Margaret Murray was a daughter of Murray of Philliphaugh. Crawford cited: "Mr. Martin of Clermont's collections in the hands of his son" as the source of his information, The Peerage of Scotland: 48 alternatively described by him, as "Mr. Martine of Clearmont's Genealogical Collections" in his account of the Stewart Earls of Traquair. Ibidem: 480

Sir Robert Douglas's account of the Stewart Earls of Buchan, published forty-eight years later (in 1764), follows Crawford's earlier account, saying that Margaret Murray was a daughter of Murray of Philiphaugh, The Peerage of Scotland 94 but Douglas went further in his account of the Stewart earls of Traquair, identifying Margaret as a daughter of Patrick Murray of Philiphaugh. He did not produced any evidence in support of this new claim, for which he simply cited his earlier account of the Buchan family "for which vide title Stewart earl of Buchan, page 94th". Douglas: The Peerage of Scotland 673

The Lands of Traquair

On 18 May 1491 James Stewart, earl of Buchan, gave the barony of Traquair to his bastard son James, and reserved an annualrent from the same to Margaret Murray. RMS: 2128

The Lands of Berrybus

On 4 March 1492 Margaret Murray and her son James Stewart were granted a three year lease for the lands of Berrybus in the lordship of Etttrick Forest. The lease was granted with the consent of the earl of Buchan. ERS X: 736 The lease was renewed on 30 April 1499, ERS XI: 398 and again on 15 April 1501. On this last ocassion John Murray of Falahill became pledge for them. ERS XI: 459

The Lands of Ploro

On 4 March 1492 Margaret Murray and her son James Stewart were granted a lease for the lands of Ploro in the lordship of Ettrick Forest. ERS X: 738 The lease was renewed on 30 April 1499, ERS: 401 and again on 15 April 1501. On this last occasion John Murray of Falahill became pledge for them. ERS XI: 458

The Lands of Cassoquhy

James Stewart, earl of Buchan, was granted a three year lease for the lands of Cassoquhy in the lordship of Methven on 3 December 1495. He gave it to Margaret Murray and her son James Stewart .ERS X: 745

Death

A date and place of death has not been identified for Margaret Murray, here treated. She was alive on 15 April 1501, when the lands of Berrybus and Ploro were set in rental to her and her son James Stewart, ERS XI: 459 but the annualrent from the lands and barony of Traquair that was granted to her on 18 May 1491 is not mentioned in her grandson's charter for the same dated 11 August 1512, and it seems quite likely, therefore, probable even, that she died before this date. RMS: 3761

Marriage

Margaret Murray, here treated, is said to have married William Murray. The Scots Peerage II: 267 The Scots Peerage account of the Stewart Earls of Buchan does not say who her husband was but it is possible that he was William Murray of Traquair. As much is certainly suggested by the fact that James, earl of Buchan. gave her an annualrent from the lands of Traquair, when he gave the barony to their son James on 18 May 1491. RMS: 2128

Bastard Bairns

According to John Milne, writing in the Scots Peerage account of the Stewart, Earls of Buchan, James Stewart, earl of Buchan, had: "several natural children by Margaret Murray, widow of William Murray". The Scots Peerage II: 267

1. James Stewart of Traquair
2. Agnes Stewart, Countess of Bothwell

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

3 February 1478-79: Charter by which James III, King of Scots, confirms that he has given the lands and barony of Trakware, together with annualrents from the lands of Quyltheth and Grebistoun, all in the sheriffdom of Peebles, to his uncle, James, earl of Buchan. These lands were in the king's hands because of the forfeiture of the deceased William of Murray. RMS: 1418

NOTE: MARGARET MURRAY IS NOT MENTIONED IN THIS CHARTER.

                   2

20 February 1488-89: Apud Edinburgh. REX dedit literam legitimationis JACOBO STEWART, filio naturali Jacobi comitis Buchanie. xii. 128. RMS: 1830

                   3

18 May 1491: Charter by which James, earl of Buchan, confirms that he has given the lands and barony of Trakware in the sheriffdom of Peebles to his bastard son James Stewart. His gift also included annualrents from the lands of Quhiltech and Grevistoun, both also in the sheriffdom of Peebles. The barony of Trakware was to be held by James Stewart and his lawful male heirs, whom failing by his brother Alexander Stewart, and his male heirs. James, earl of Buchan, reserved an annualrent to Margarete Murray, which was to revert to him following her death. This charter was confirmed under the Great Seal of Scotland on 23 January 1492-93. RMS: 2128

                   4

4 March 1492: ASSEDACIO TERRARUM DOMINII FORESTE DE ETTRIK, FACTA APUD PEBLIS QUARTO DIE MENSIS MARCII ANNO DOMINI ETC. NONAGESIMO-SECUNDO PER COMMISSARIOS SUPREMI DOMINI NOSTRI REGIS AD HOC SPECIALITER DEPUTATOS . . . . . Berybus de consensu comitis Buchanie assedatur Margarete Murraye et Jacobo Stewart filio suo pro terminis trium annorum inde pecunia iij li. ij quartaris bowkow, gressuma iij li, ERS X: 736

                   5

4 March 1492: ASSEDACIO TERRARUM DOMINII FORESTE DE ETTRIK, FACTA APUD PEBLIS QUARTO DIE MENSIS MARCII ANNO DOMINI ETC. NONAGESIMO-SECUNDO PER COMMISSARIOS SUPREMI DOMINI NOSTRI REGIS AD HOC SPECIALITER DEPUTATOS . . . . . Ploro assedatur, cujus una medietas assedator Marharete Murray et Jacobo Stewart filio suo pro terminis ut supra, inde pecunia iij li. ij quarteris bowkow, gressuma iiij li., et hoc de consensu comitis Buchanie. ERS X: 738

                   6

3 December 1495: ASSEDACIO TERRARUM DOMINII DE METHVEN, ASSEDATARUM APUD BURGUM DE PERTH TERCIO DE MENSIS DECEMBRIS ANNO DOMINI MILLESIMO QUADRINGENTESIMO NONAGESIMOQUINTO PER COMMISSARIOS, VIDELICET EPISCOPUM ABIRDONENSEM, ARCHIBALDUM COMITEM DE ERGILE ETC. JOHANNEM DOMINUM FORESTER DE SKIPINCH, MILITEM, COMPOTORUM ROTULATOREM, ET DOMINUM HENRICUM ALANE, ARCHDIACONUM DUNBLANENSEM . . . . . Cassoquhy assedatur Jacobo comiti Buchanie pro terminis trium annorum a festo Penthicostes proximo, inde pecunia iiij li., gressuma tantum, cum serviciis consuetis, et de consensu prefato comitis assedatur Margarete Murray et Jacobo Stewart filio suo pro terminis ut supra, inde pecunia et gressuma ut supra. ERS X: 745

                   7

12 February 1498-99: Precept of charter talze made to ALEXANDER ERLE of BUCHANE, lord of Ochterhous, - of al and sindrie the landis, baronyis, castellis, maner placis, fischingis, and officis underwrittin, with al thare annexis and dependencis, that is to say, the landis of the baronyis of Glencuthill and Grandon, with tennandis, tennandrys, and serviceis of fre tennandis of the samnyn with the pertinentis . . . . . landis of Glaskego, Cartralezane, Beldistoun, Alachane and Forthirletter . . . . . within the schirefdome of Abirdene; al and sindrie the lands of the barony of Glendooquhy, with the castel and maner place of Banff, with his fisching of Banff in the water of Dovern, togidder with the officis of schireschip and crownarschip of Banff; the landis of the baronyis of Strathalway and Montblare, with tennandis and tennandrys of the samyn; the landis of Rylandis, Culbirny and Inchdrewar, with tennandis and tennandrys of the samyn, with thair pertinentis, within the schirefdome of Banff; landis of the barony of Ochterhous, with the castel and maner place, tennandis and tennandrys of the samyn; and the landis of the baronyis of Nevay, Essy, Kynnalty and Ketnes, tennandis and tennandrys of the samyn, with the pertinentis, within the schirefdome of Forfar; - quhilkis was the saidis Alexanderis and resignit be his procuratouris in our soverane lordis handis at Edinburgh be staf and bastoun . . . . To be holden . . . . . to the said Alexander erle of Buchane, and his ayris male lauchfully gotten or to be gotten of his body quhilkis falzeand to Johne Stewart erle of Athole, his eme, quhilkis falzeand to Johne Stewart, sone and appearand ayre of the said John, erle of Athole, and his ayeris male lauchfully gotten or to be gotten of his body, quhilkis falzeand to his brother germane Andro Stewart and his ayris male lauchfully gotten or to be gotten of his body, quhilkis falzeand to the saidis Johne erle of Atholis ayeris male lauchfully to be gotten of his body, QUHILKIS FALZEAND TO JAMES STEWART SONE OF UMQUHILE JAMES ERLE OF BUCHANE GOTTEN BETUIX HIM AND MARGARET MURRAY AND MADE LAUCHFUL BE THE KING, AND HIS AYERIS MALE LAUCHFULLY TO BE GOTTIN OF HIS BODY, quhilkis al falzeand to the nerest and lauchfull heirs male of the saidis Alexander erle of Buchanys berand the surname and armes of Stewart quhatsumever etc., adeo libere: Reddendo servitia debita et consueta, etc. Per Signetum. Solut in Kirkcudbrycht. i. 74. RPC: 340

                   8

30 April 1499: ASSEDACIO DOMINII ET FORESTE DE ETTRIK, FACTA APUD EDINBURGH ULTIMO DIE MENSIS APRILIS ANNO DOMINI MILLESIMO QUADRINGENTESIMO NONAGESIMONONO . . . . . Berrybus assedatur Mergrete Murray et Jacobo Stewart ejus filio pro terminus ut supra, inde pecunia iij li. ij quarter bow, grassuma iij li. ERS XI: 398

                   9

30 April 1499: ASSEDACIO DOMINII ET FORESTE DE ETTRIK, FACTA APUD EDINBURGH ULTIMO DIE MENSIS APRILIS ANNO DOMINI MILLESIMO QUADRINGENTESIMO NONAGESIMONONO . . . . . Ploro, cujus medietas assedatur Mergrete Murray et Jacobo Stewart filio suo pro terminus ut supra, inde pecinia iij li. ij quarteris bowkow, grassuma iiij li. ERS: 401

                  10

15 April 1501: ASSEDACIO FORESTE DE ETRIK, FACTA APUD EDINBURGH XVto DIE MENSIS APRILIS ANNO MILLESIMO QUINGENTESIMOPRIMO PER COMMISSARIOS, VIDELICET . . . . . Ploro, una medietas, xij li. v s., illa medietas quam prius occupabat Radulphus Ker assedatur camerario et nunc de ejus consensu assedatur Mergrete Murray et Jacobo Stewart ejus filio pro terminis ut supra, plegiis camerario et Johanne Murray. ERS XI: 458

Note: John Murray here mentioned is probably John Murray of Falahill.

                  11

15 April 1501: ASSEDACIO FORESTE DE ETRIK, FACTA APUD EDINBURGH XVto DIE MENSIS APRILIS ANNO MILLESIMO QUINGENTESIMOPRIMO PER COMMISSARIOS, VIDELICET . . . . . Berybeuse 1/2 sted, x li., assedatur Margrete Murray et Jacobo Stewart ejus filio pro terminus ut supra, plegiis camerario et Johanne Murray. ERS XI: 459

Note: John Murray here mentioned is probably John Murray of Falahill.

                  12

11 August 1512: Charter under the Great Seal of Scotland by which James IV, King of Scots, confirms possession of the land and barony of Trakware, together with the lands of Schelynlaw, the mill of Trakware, and the lands of Innerleithan, all in the sheriffdom of Peebles, to William Stewart, son and apparent heir of James Stewart of Trakware. The lands in question, which had previously been resigned by James Stewart of Trakware, was to be held in liferent by James and in fee by his son William. This charter also incorporated parts of the lands of Glen into the barony of Trakware, including a third part of the lands of Glen resigned by Katrine Ruthirfurd, the wife of James Stewart of Trakware. James Stewart of Trakware reserved his own liferent in the barony of Trakware. RMS: 3761

NOTE: THE ANNUALRENT RESERVED TO MARGARET MURRAY ON 18 MAY 1491 IS NOT MENTIONED IN THIS CHARTER.

Extracts from George Crawford's Peerage

                   1

STEWART EARL OF BUCHAN . . . . . James, Earl of Buchan . . . . . "Also by Margaret Daughter of . . . . . Murray of Philiphaugh, he had James Stewart, ancestor of the present earl of Traquair". The source of this information is cited as: "Mr Martin of Clermont's collections in the hands of his son". Crawford: The Peerage of Scotland 48

                   2

STEWART EARL OF TRAQUAIR . . . . . James, Earl of Buchan . . . . . "James Stewart, his son by Margaret his 2d wife, daughter of . . . . . Murray of Philliphaugh". The source of this information is cited as: "Charta in Pub. Arch. ad Annum 1492. Likewise Mr Martine of Clearmont's Genealogical Collections". Crawford: The Peerage of Scotland 480

Extracts from Sir Robert Douglas's Peerage

                   1

STEWART EARL OF BUCHAN . . . . . Sir James Stewart (afterwards Earl of Buchan) . . . . . "He married, 2dly, Margaret Murray, a daughter of Philiphaugh, an antient family in the county of Selkirk, by whom he had another son, James, ancestor of the earl of Traquair, and three daughters". Stewart's h∣story, and Crawfurd's peerage are cited as the source of this information. Douglas: The Peerage of Scotland 94

                   2

STEWART EARL OF TRAQUAIR . . . . . James Earl of Buchan . . . . . "This earl, by Margaret his second wife, a daughter pf Patrick Murray of Philiphaugh, an antient family in the county of Selkirk, had another son, James the first of this family". He cites The previously mentioned account of the Stewart Earls of Buchan is cited as the source of this information: "for which vide title Stewart earl of Buchan, page 94th". Douglas: The Peerage of Scotland 673

Secondary Source Evidence

1. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great seal of Scotland, A.D. 1424-1513. Edited by James Balfour Paul, Advocate, FSA. Scot. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1882), 1153 pp. including indexes and Errata
2. Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland. Vol. I. A. D. 1488-1529. Edited by M. Livingstone, ISO. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1908), 824 pp. including indexes
3. Rotuli Scaccarii Regum Scotorum. The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. Edited by George Burnett, LL.D., Lyon King of Arms. Vol. X. A. D. 1488-1496 (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1887), 921 pp. including index
4. Rotuli Scaccarii Regum Scotorum.The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. Edited by George Burnett, LL.D., Lyon King of Arms. Vol. XI. A. D. 1497-1501 (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1888), 604 pp. including index

Genealogy

1. The Peerage of Scotland etc. By George Crawford (Edinburgh, 1716), pp. 480-84 for Stewart, Earl of Traquair
2. The Peerage of Scotland etc. By Robert Douglas (1764): Stewart, Earl of Traquair
3. The Peerage of Scotland etc. By Mr. Kimber (1767), pp. 60-2 for Stewart, Earl of Traquair
4. The Peerage of Scotland etc. By Sir Robert Douglas (1813), pp. 597-601 for Stewart, Earl of Traquair
5. The Scots Peerge etc. Vol. II (1905): pp. 266-70 for Stewart, Earl of Buchan
6. Foundation for Medieval Genealogy: Stewart Earls of Buchan
7. Stirnet: Stewart 18
8. Darryl Lundy's Peerage: Margaret Murray
9. Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy: Margaret Murray
10. Genealogics: Margaret Murray

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

                   1

The Peerage of Scotland etc. By Sir Robert Douglas (1813), pp. 597-601 for Stewart, Earl of Traquair]

                   2

Margaret, daughter of Patrick Murray, of Falahill & Philiphaugh[1, 2]

                   3

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION BY OUR ROYAL ANCESTORS

Margaret married William Murray, son of John Murray and Isobel Hoppar.2. She DID NOT MARRY Sir James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan, Lord Auchterhouse, Sheriff of Angus, Banff, & Forfarshire, High Chamberlain of Scotland, Ambassador to France. He had several illegitimate children by her, including a son (James) & a daughter (Agnes, mistress of King James IV of Scotland, and wife successively of Adam Hepburn, 2nd Earl of Bothwell, of Alexander, 3rd Lord Home, of Robert, 5th Lord Maxwell, & of Cuthbert Ramsey).

                   4

Identified as "dau of _ Murray of Falahill". Suggested as being of this generation.-Ed..

                   5

Although he had a wife and children, Hearty James Stewart, Earl of Buchan, inherited the Beaufort libido. He had a mistress, Mrs. Margaret Murray, by whom he had two children – James Stewart, 1st Laird of Traquair and Agnes Stewart who continued in the tradition of her mother. Charles Stuart-Menteth was descended from the son whose descendants were fairly quiet and well behaved, but Ludivina was descended from the wild daughter, Agnes Stewart.

                   6

BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY BY WIKIPEDIA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Stewart,_1st_Earl_of_Buchan#:~:...

Buchan had several illegitimate children with his mistress Margaret Murray (b. ca. 1446), many of whom were later legitimized by a royal charter issued in 1488–1489.

1. James Stewart,[5] 1st Laird of Traquair (1480–1513),[citation needed] was the founder of the Traquair family. He was gifted the Traquair estate by his father in 1491. He obtained letters of legitimation, and married the heiress of the Rutherfords, with whom he received the estates of Rutherford and Wells in Roxburghshire.[5] He was killed at the Battle of Flodden Field.[5] He was the ancestor of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair.
2. Lady Agnes Stewart, married first Adam Hepburn, 2nd Earl of Bothwell in August 1511, secondly Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home, thirdly John Maxwell, 4th Lord Maxwell and fourthly Cuthbert Ramsay.[6] They had at least eight children. Adam Hepburn, 2nd Earl of Bothwell was killed at the Battle of Flodden Field on 9 September 1513, she died in February, 1557.

                   7

BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY BY DARRYL LUNDY'S PEERAGE

Children of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan

• Margaret Stewart+5
• Elizabeth Stewart+5

Children of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan and Margaret Ogilvy

• Alexander Stewart, 2nd Earl of Buchan+2 d. 1505
• unknown daughter Stewart+2

Children of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan and Margaret Murray

• Agnes Stewart+7 d. c Feb 1557
• Isabella Stewart+1
• James Stewart, 1st of Traquair+5 b. b 1489, d. 9 Feb 1513

                   8

Margaret Murray and her daughter Agnes must have been very attractive women. At an early age Agnes Stewart attracted the attention of her cousin King James IV of Scotland, and she bore him a daughter, Janet Stuart (Stewart) (1508-1563) who also seems to have inherited the family beauty, and especially the libido. Agnes was married four times after this affair with James IV. Her first husband was Adam, the 2nd Earl of Bothwell. Their grandson, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell and Duke of Orkney, briefly married his cousin Mary Queen of Scots as her third husband. The second husband of Agnes was Alexander, the 3rd Lord Home. Her third husband was Robert, 4th Lord Maxwell and the fourth and last was Cuthbert Ramsey. In her later years she had the desire to be legitimatized, and perhaps turned to religion, as the Beaufort libido faded

References

• https://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00006082&tree=LEO cites
• [S00058] The Complete Peerage, 1936 , Doubleday, H.A. & Lord Howard de Walden. 2:238
• [S04225] The Baronage of Scotland , Douglas, Sir Robert. 105
• [S04727] The Peerage of Scotland (by Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie). 2nd ed., 1813 , Wood, John Philip (ed). 1:268
• https://www.clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info/genealogy/TNGWebsite/getpe... cites
• [S6] Stirnet Genealogy, Peter Barns-Graham, Ker02.
• [S81] Murray of Stanhope, Jack Murray, (http://www.murrayofstanhope.com/index.htm), http://www.murrayofstanhope.com/williammurraytraquair.htm