Robert Montgomery of Hessilhead

ROBERT MONTGOMERY OF HESILLHEAD

Robert Montgomery of Hesillhead here treated is the eldest son and heir of Hugh Montgomery of Hesillhead. NRS: GD3/1/10/36/4 During his father's lifetime, on 6 November 1596, he is noticed as Robert Montgomery "younger of Hessilheid" NRS: GD3/1/10/19/6 His father predeceased his own father, John Montgomery of Hesillhead, and Robert was served as heir to his deceased grandfather in the ten merk land of Lyandcorce, in the Renfrewshire parish of Neilston, on 25 September 1602. Inquisitions II

Helen Boyd was the mother of Robert Montgomery of Hessilhead. This is confirmed by the last will and testament of her brother, Robert Boyd of Badenheath, dated 14 July 1611, where her son is referred to as "the Laird of Hessilhead, my sister sone". To the Laird of Hessilhead Badenheath left: "in ane remembrance, my signet of gold of ane vnce weicht, and my best stand of silk claithes to his sone, my god sone". The Scots Peerage V: p. 162

Death

Robert Montgomery of Hesillhead died before 21 February 1628, when his son Robert was served as heir to his deceased father. NRS: GD3/1/3/24/1

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

3 September 1588: Charter in favour of James Boyd of Kippis. Witnessed by Robert Montgomery, apparent of Hisselheid and others. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593, charter number 1944 on p. 656

                   2

5 January 1590: Charter by which John Spreule of Auchinbothie confirms that he has sold the nine shilling six penny land of old extent of Auchinbothie-Langmure to John Montgomery, son of Hugh Montgomery of Hesilheid. The charter was witnessed by Hugh Montgomery of Hesilheid, and Robert Montgomery junior of Hesilheid, and others. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1580-1593, charter number 1841 on p. 623

                   3

6 November 1596: Instrument of sasine following on GD3/1/10/19/5 in favour of Robert Fergushill of the foresaid lands. Robert Montgomery, younger of Hessilhead, baillie Witnesses: John Montgomery of Auchinbothie and others. Hugh Garven, notary. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/10/19/6

                   4

25 September 1602: ROBERTUS MONTGOMERIE de Hessilheid, haeres Joannis Montgomerie de Hessilheid, avi, - in 10 mercatis terrarum antiqui extentus de Lyandcorce (vel Lyandcorne), jacentibus in parochia de Neilstoun, regalitate de Kilwynning, et baronia de Renfrew, - 7l. 13s. 4d. - (Vide Ayr.) ii. 177. Inquisitionum Ad Capellam Domini Regis Retornatarum, etc. II

                   5

19 July 1602: Extract registered contract between Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, Lord Montgomery etc, with consent of Ludovick, Duke of Lennox, Earl Darnlie, Lord Tarbolton, Methuen and Obirzie, Sir James Elphingstoune of Barnetoun, knight, secretary to the King, Sir Neill Montgomery of Langschaw, knight, Robert Montgomery of Hessilhead, Sir George Elphingstoun of Blythiswod, knight, and Robert Boyd of Banhaith, curators to the said Earl, for their interest, and also the said Sir Neill Montgomery as cautioner for the said Earl on the one part and Mr William Melvill, their commendator of the Abbacy of Tungland with consent of Agnes Lindsay, his spouse on the other part; whereby the said Mr William with the consent of his spouse dispones to Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, his heirs and assignees whomsoever, the said barony of Kilwinning and binds himself to demit the office of commendator of Kilwinning in the King's hands when required; for the which causes the said Earl had then paid and delivered to the said Mr William and his spouse certain great sums of money; and further he with the consent of his curators and cautioners bound himself that he, after his perfect age, and failing him by decease his nearest and lawful heir, should ratify that present contract. Witnesses: Hugh Crawfurd of Clobarhill, David Montgomery, son lawful to Hugh Montgomery of Langschaw and others. Dated at Polnone, Glasgow and Edinburgh, 28 June, 3 and 27 July 1605 and registered in the Books of Council and Session, 19 August thereafter. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/1/77/11

                   6

13 December 1602: Charter by which James Sandilands of Calder confirms that he has sold various lands in the Cunningham division of North Ayrshire to Robert Montgomery of Hissilheid. Register Magni Sigilii Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1609-1620, charter number 1706 on p. 620

                   7

18 January 1609: Minutes of contract of wadset between Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, Lord Montgomery and Kilwinning on the one part and William Montgomery in Busbie on the other part whereby the said Earl dispones to William Montgomery and Marion Cunninghame, his spouse, and the longest liver of them two in conjunct fee, and the heirs lawfully gotten between them, whom failing the said William, his nearest and lawful heirs and assignees whomsoever the 4 merk land of Little Busbie under redemption on payment of 2000 merks. Witnesses: Robert More of Cauldwell, Robert Montgomery of Hessilhead, James Mowat of Busbie, and Thomas Nevin of Monkredding. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/10/20/1

                    8

20 August 1622: Extract decree of registration by Lords of Council and Session at instance of Robert Montgomery of Hessilhead against David Barclay of a bond by unquhile David Barclay to unquhile Robert Montgomery for 240 merks to the use and utility of Margaret, Ralph and George Montgomery, lawful children to unquhile James Montgomery of Ardochera, his brother german and failing payment to infeft the said unquhile Robert Montgomery or his foresaids in an annualrent of 380 merks to be uplifted yearly furth of the lands of Ladyland under reversion on payment of the principal sum. Dated at his dwelling house of Rosmellane in the County of Tiron and Kingdom of Ireland. Witnesses: Mr Hew Montgomery, son lawful to said Robert and others. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/3/24/2

                   9

21 January 1623: Letter of charge under the signet at the instance of Hugh Montgomery of Auchinbothie whereby on the narrative that Hugh Montgomery had obtained himself served heir to John Montgomery of Auchinbothie his brother in the lands of Meikill Dregarne called Loch which lands were held of the heirs of Hew Montgomery in Hessilsyde then deceased in free blench for payment of duty, and that Robert Montgomery now of Hessilhead eldest lawful son and apparent heir to unquhile Hew Montgomery his father had not procured himself served to the superiority of the said lands; therefore Robert Montgomery is charged to enter himself heir to his father within 40 days under certification of tinsel of the superiority. Given at Edinburgh with execution thereof against Robert Montgomery by John Ross, messenger, 16th February 1623. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/10/36/4

                  10

21 February 1628: General charge to enter heir at the instance of Robert Montgomery then of Hessilhead, son and heir served and entered to unquhile Robert Montgomery of Hessilheid, his father against David Barclay, then of Ladyland, eldest lawful son and heir to unquhile David Barclay of Ladyland. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/3/24/1

Genealogical Accounts

1. Histories of Scottish families > Montgomery manuscripts > (377) Page 363 - Hugh Montgomery of Ballymagown. < link >; < transcription >
2. James Paterson, History of the County of Ayr: With a Genealogocal Account of the Families of Ayrshire, Vol. I (John Dick, Ayr, MDCCCXLVII), pp. 290-92
3. A Genealogical History of the Family of Montgomery, pp. 134-36 for Montgomery of Hessilhead
4. The Montgomery Manuscripts etc
5. Memorials of the Montgomeries Earls of Eglinton by William Fraser, Volume II (Edinburgh MDCCCLIX), 400 pp.
6. Memorials of the Montgomeries Earls of Eglinton by William Fraser, Volume II (Edinburgh MDCCCLIX), 424 pp. including index
7. Wikipedia: Hessilhead
8. Stirnet - ‘Montgomery06’ (1) Robert Montgomery of Hessilhead (d before 26.10.1623) m. Margaret Wallace (dau of Robert Wallace of Dundonald by Agnes, dau of Stewart of Minto)
9. Stirnet - ‘Wallace 03’ Shows Margaret Wallace as daughter of John Wallace of Auchans & Dundonald & Agnes Stewart
10. “Clan MacFarlane Genealogy”
11. “Montgomery and Rowntree Families and Genealogy” Shows “James Montgomery of Rousky” as “2nd son” of Robert Montgomery & Margaret Wallace.