Sir David Cunninghame of Robertland, Baron of New Robertland & 1st Baronet Cunninghame of Robertland of Nova Scotia

Biographical Summary

David Cuningham of Robertland, of the parish of Stewarton Ayr shire, son and heir of David Cuningham of the same location, by Margaret daughter of Patrick Fleming of Barochan, Renfrew shire.

He succeeded his father in April 1619, and in the following November served as his heir general [i.e. one who by operation of law inherits the property of a person who dies without leaving a valid will], and in October 1628 his heir special [i.e. heir by right of direct descendant of a bloodline] in Robertland, and was created a Baronet on 25 November 1630, sealed 8 June 1631, by not recorded in the Great Seal Register, with rem. to heirs-male whatsoever, and with a grant of presumably 16,000 acres in Nova Scotia, en-titled the Barony of New Robertland, of which, however, he appears never to have had seisin (that is, taken possession of land by freehold).

He was recorded as my honoured kinsman, Sir David Cunningham of Robertland, Knt. and Baronet, appointed universal legatee & executor in the will, dated 15 December 1647, of Sir David Cunningham, of Covent Garden, co Middlesex, Knt. and Baronet, which he accordingly proved 26 August 1659.

He was a Commissioner of Supply in 1661.

He, apparently, is the Sir David Cunninghame, Knt. and Baronet of St Martins in the Fields, Bachelor, aged 29, who had license (London) 8 June 1637 to marry at St Faith's Church, Elizabeth Harriott, of the same parish, widow, aged 28, widow of James Harriott Esq., that is, widow of James Heriot the Jeweller to the King, daughter of Robert Joyce the Keeper of the Robes.

He, possibly married (though more probably it was his son) as a 2nd wife, Eva, sister of James 1st Earl of Kilmarnock, the daughter of James Boyd 8th Lord Boyd and Catherine daughter of Robert Creyke.

David died between October 1661 and November 1671.

SOURCE: Complete baronetage; Cokayne, George E. (George Edward); 1900; Vol. II; page 384