Robert Bruce, of Blairhall & Easter Kennet

ROBERT BRUCE OF BLAIRHALL

Robert Bruce of Blairhall, here treated, is the son and heir of Sir Edward Bruce of Blairhall and Easter Kennet The name of his mother has not been satisfactorily identified. RMS 1546-80: charter number 2268

His Last Will and Testament

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

Death

Robert Bruce of Blairhall, here treated, died in September 1617. He was alive on 12 September 1617, the date upon which he made his last will and testament, but he died before 28 September 1617, when his testament was confirmed. [NRS: CC6/5/4]

Marriage

Robert Bruce of Blairhall, here treated, married Margaret Hamilton 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

8 July 1574: Charter under the Great Seal of Scotland by which James VI, King of Scots, confirms a charter dated 12 September 1559 which had been issued by Walter, Abbot of Kinloss. The charter in question confirmed that the Abbot had set in feu-ferme to (quondam) Master Edward Bruce of Easter Kennet the lands of Killesmond and others in the barony of Strathisla, Regality of Kinloss and Sheriffdom of Banff. The King also confirmed a charter dated 3 March 1573 by which Robert Bruce of Easter Kennet, son and heir of Master Edward Bruce of Easter Kennet conveyed part of this land to James Dempstar of Auchterles. RMS 1546-80: charter number 2268

                   2

9 August 1592: Charter under the Great Seal of Scotland by which James VI, King of Scots, confirms possession of various lands in and about Culros to Robert Bruce of Blairhall. The lands in question included the lands of Blairhall in the lordship of Culros and Sherrifdom of Perth. RMS 1580-93: charter number 2152

                   3

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

                   4

23 August 1600: Charter which Robert Bruce of Blairhall, with the consent of his wife Margaret Hamilton, confirms that he has son two acres of 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

                   5

21 January 1620: Precept of clare constat by James, Lord Coluill [Colville] of Culross, in favour of Robert Bruce of Blairhall as heir of his father, Robert Bruce of Blairhall, in the lands of Blairhall and others, sheriffdom of Perth. National Records of Scotland, Moir Bryce collection, references GD100/265

Evidence from the Laing Charters

18 March 1619: Charter by William Schaw of Lathangy, hereditary feu-farmer of the lands underwritten, with consent of his spouse, Euphamia Auchmoutie, in terms of a marriage contract (dated 9th March instant) between them and John Schaw, their son, on one part, and Sir George Bruce of Carnok, knight, and Robert Bruce of Blairhall, for themselves, and Isabella Bruce, younger daughter of the late Robert Bruce of Blairhall, on the other part, granting to the said John the lands of Lathangy, between the lands of Lochleven on south and west and the lands of Burly on east and north, as described, with boat upon Lochleven, in the regality of Dunfermline and shire of Fife (reserving liferents) : To be held of the superiors in feu-farm. Reddendo, £8.13s. 4d. Scots of feu-duty, with 40s. yearly for the boat. At Lathangy, 18th March 1619. Witnesses, Mr. Thomas Wardlaw of Logy, James Schaw, the granter's brother- german, and John Walwood, serjeant of the regality of Dunfermline, Alexander Kingorne, son of James Kingorne, notary public, being writer of deed. Calendar of the Laing Charters belonging to the University of Edinburgh, A.D. 854-1837: charter number 1816

Printed Evidence

1. 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
2. Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593. Edited by John Maitland Thomson, MA., Advocate. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1888), 1155 pp. including indices and errata’’’
3. 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

Stirnet: Bruce 05

Recurating from Ben MIA. Looking for primary sources [Sharon D 2023] https://www.geni.com/discussions/222593?msg=1627480