Sir Gideon Murray, Kt.

SIR GIDEON MURRAY OF ELIBANK

His Father's Testament Dative and Inventory

Andrew Murray of Blackbarony died on 1 September 1572. His testament dative and inventory was given up by Agnes, Andro, Gideon and William Murrays: "lauchfull bairnis to the said umqle Andrew," with the advice and consent of Dame Grisel Beaton their mother, who were recognised as nearest of kin and executors dative to their deceased father by the Commissary Court of Edinburgh. Confirmation was granted to the executors dative on 3 June 1573. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, The Testament Dative and Inventory of Andro Murray of Blackbaronie, reference CC8/8/2]

1. Image of Testament
2. Image of Testament

His Mother's Last Will and Testament

Dame Grizel Betoun, Lady Blackbarony, made her last will and testament at Edinburgh on 2 August 1579. The inventory of her moveable estate was given up by John Murray of Blackbarony and Thomas Greg, portioner of Culrope: "in name & behalf of Agnes Andro Judianne and Williame Murrayis hir lawfull barnes". In her last will and testament she nominated and appointed: "Agnes Judianne and William Murrayis brotheris & sister hir barnes hir onlie executrs & intromettors wt hir guds & geir". She left five hundred merks in legacy to her daughter Agnes. Confirmation was granted on 26 December 1579. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, The Testament Testamentar of Dame Grissell Betoun, Lady Blackbarony, reference CC8/8/7]

1. Image of Testament, folio 457
2. Image of Testament, folio 458
3. Image of Testament, folio 459
4. Image of Testament, folio 460

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

4 June 1601: Extract Decree in action pursuit before the Commissaries of Edinburgh by Margaret Pentland, spouse, and Patrick, William and Agnes Murray, as bairns of Mr Gideon Murray of Elibank against the said Mr Gideon Murray of Elibank anent their status as his wife and children, in respect of his promise to marry the said Margaret, ordaining him to complete the marriage. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Viscounts and Barons of Elibank, reference GD32/1/5

Biographical Summary

"(355) Sir Gideon Murray, third son of Andrew (No. 334), died 29th June 1621. Will recorded 22nd November 1621 (Edinburgh). He acquired Aliburn, or Eliburn, in Selkirkshire, 15th March 1594-95, and called it Elibank. He was M.P. for Selkirkshire 16T2, and Treasurer-Depute of Scotland 1615. He married Margaret, daughter of Dionis Pentland, and had issue : -

• Patrick (No. 356).
• William Murray of Langhermiston, born before 4th June 1601 ; died 1654. Will recorded 27th June 1654 and 24th May 1662 (Edinburgh). He married Katherine Skene, who died October 1632. Her Will recorded nth July 1634. They had a son:
  • John Murray of Langhermiston. Will recorded 6th November 1656 (Edinburgh).
• Sir Walter Murray of Livingstone, born after 4th June 1601 ; died February 1659. He married, before 26th May 1632, Elizabeth, daughter of John Pringle of Torsonce, who died November 1643, having had :
  • Patrick Murray of Livingstone, died c. 1672. He was served heir to his father 7th April 1659.

ARMS recorded in Lyon Office, 1672-77. - Or, a fetterlock azure ; on a chief of the second tliree mullets argent, - all within a bordure indented gules. Crest : A hand proper holding a fetterlock or. MOTTO : "Inde securior." [Plate VI., fig. 11.]

ARMS on Seal, 1601. - A fetterlock, and in honour point a small roundle ; on a chief three stars."

SOURCE: The heraldry of the Murrays: with notes on all the males of the family, descriptions of the arms, plates and pedigrees, by G. Harvey Johnston, 1910, page 85, paragraph 355

Biographical Summary

"Sir Gideon Murray of Elibank - third son of Andrew Murray of Blackbarony. In his youth he applied himself to the study of theology, but had the misfortune to kill a man in a quarrel, and was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle...

...He was knighted by the Lord Chancellor Dunfermline, on the 4th March 1605...

...He was admitted an Ordinary Lord, on the 2nd November 1613, in the place of William Melville, commendator of Tungland...

...after an illness of twenty days, died on the 28th June 1621."

SOURCE: An Historical Account of the Senators of the College of Justice: From Its Institution in MDXXXII; by George Brunton, David Haig; 1832; Page 254