Thomas Weir of Kirkton

William Vere of Stonebyres by Elizabeth Hamilton – a son Thomas of Kirkton who by the Witch – Lady Jane Somerville – had Major Thomas Weir of Edinburgh: Sorcerer, King of the Witches of the Lallan and Elven Prince Consort to the Queen of Faery or Elphame – or as some say – “The Queen of Hell”.

Major Thomas Weir served with his Irish cousins as a Captain Lieutenant in Sir John Hume’s Enniskillen regiment in Ulster in 1640 and by family tradition he founded the Tyrone Branch of the family.

From Major Thomas Weir – who was burnt at the stake at Leith, Edinburgh in 1670 – a son Thomas whose issue decamped to Ireland during the witch craze, from whom John Weir of Kildress whose son Andrew Weir had a daughter – Margaret Weir of Vere of Kildress – who by Archibald Thompson had a son Archibald Weir of Vere, who married Rachael Stewart and had issue. The eldest son Robert Weir of Vere married a Vere cousin – Sarah Graham – and had a son John Weir who moved back to Scotland and married Mary Logan of Logan Manor in Galloway. The Logan families have held their lands in Galloway and the Stranraer Peninsula since the 1100’s, whilst others of that name held Restalrig. Accompanying Sir James Douglas, two Logan Knights, Sir Walter and Sir Robert Logan, were killed in Spain whilst taking the heart of Robert the Bruce to the Holy Land for burial.

Barony of Kildress

Genealogical Accounts

1. A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Ireland by Sir Bernard Burke, C.B., LL.D., Ulster King of Arms (Harrison and Sons, London, 1912), pp. 751-52

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THOMAS WEIR OF KIRKTOUN elder

Thomas Weir of Kirktoun is the son and heir of Thomas Weir of Kirktoun. On 20 March 1582 he is noticed as Thomas Weir, younger of Kirkton. presumably during his father's lifetime, in the witness list of a charter issued by Master John Weir, deacon, and perpetual vicar of the parish church of Lanark.
RGSS, charter number 537 on pp. 163-4

Thomas Weir of Kirktoun was the great-grandson of Thomas Hamilton of Milburne. The name of his paternal grandmother is not known but she was the sister of the laird of Milburne NRSGD30/2182 and her son Thomas was one of Milburne's heirs. NRS GD30/124

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

11 April 1575: Extract Retour in favour of Thomas Weir of Kirktoun, as one of the heirs of the deceased Matthew Hammuyltoun [Hamilton] of Mylburne [Millburn], his mother's brother. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Shairp family of Houston, West Lothian, reference GD30/2182

                  2

20 March 1582 :Thomas Weir, younger of Kirktoun,'is noticed in the witness list of a charter issued by Master John Weir, deacon, and perpetyal vicar of the parish church of Lanark. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1580-1593, charter number 537 on pp. 163-4

                   3

5 June-12 July 1596: Summons of Reduction at the instance of Mr Thomas Hammyltone [Hamilton] of Drumcairne [Drumcairn] and Mr William Uairt [Ewart] of Levylandis, advocates, and William Stewart, commendator of Pittinweme [Pittenweem], otherwise styled Sir William Stewart of Howstoun [Houstoun], knight, against Thomas Weir, now of Kirktoun, son and heir of the deceased Thomas Weir of Kirktoun, who was one of the heirs of the deceased Mathew Hammiltone of Mylneburne [Millburn],'Adam Arale [Arkle], indweller in Edinburgh, another heir of the said deceased Mathew, Agnes and [blank] Robertson, daughters and heirs of the deceased James Robertsons, burgess of Linlithgow, and Mr John Schairpe [Sharp], advocate, of their pretended rights to the lands of Houstoun with the mains and mill thereof; extract decreet following thereon; and papers thereto. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Shairp family of Houston, West Lothian, reference GD30/124

Evidence from the Particular Register of Sasines for the Sheriffdom of Lanark

[National Records of Scotland, Particular Register of Sasines for the Sheriffdom of Lanark, 1627-38, reference RS40/3B/167, RS40/3B/168, RS40/3B/256, RD40/3B/271 and RS40/3B/356]