Robert Bruce of Wester Kennet

ROBERT BRUCE OF WESTER KENNET

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

30 July 1599: Contract of Marriage between Archibald Bruce liferenter of Wester Kennet, and Robert Bruce fiar thereof, his eldest lawful son, on the one part, and Alexander Gaw of the Man, as taking burden on him for Elizabeth Gaw, his daughter, on the other part; whereby the said Robert Bruce, obliges himself to infeft, the said Elizabeth Gaw, his future spouse, in liferent, in the half of the town and lands of Wester Kennet, with the half of the manor place, orchards, &, and half of the coal thereof, lying in the barony and County of Clackmannan; and the said lands to be equally parted and divided, by four neutral men, equally chosen, and after such division, the said Archibald to have his choice, and reserving to himself, the meikle barn with the byre and the two parts of the byre closs, and the said Alexander Gaw, obliges himself, to pay to the said Robert Bruce, the sum of 3500 merks, money of Scotland, in name of tocher at the terms therein mentioned. Witnesses Sir Robert Bruce of Clackmannan Knight, John Commendator of Culross, Mr Mathew Gaw, Advocate, and Walter Wedderburn and Patrick Bruce, servants to the said Sir Robert Bruce - Tullibeltane Kirk (With copy.) National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce Family of Kennet, Clackmannanshire, reference GD11/83

Note: Archibald Bruce was afterwards married to one Grisell Foster.

                   2

27 September 1606: Testament of Robert-Bruce fiar of Wester Kennet, by which he desires his body to be buried in the Church of Clackmannan, and nominates Elizabeth Gaw his spouse his Tutrix Testamentar to Robert Bruce, their son and apparent heir, whom failing to Margaret and Marjory Bruce their daughters, and she to enjoy his hail living during her widowity, & for upbringing of his said children nominates James Bruce of Powfowls, David Brown of Finmond, John Gaw of Maw, Archibald Bruce, his lawful brother, John Bruce Saddler his natural brother, and David Bruce bailie of Clackmannan. Dated at Wester Kennet. (With copy.) National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Bruce Family of Kennet, Clackmannanshire, reference GD11/88

Note: This Testament is incomplete. It also appears by this and No GD11/83 that Archibald Bruce the father of Robert Bruce, was married to one Griselle Foster.