VII. James Bruce of Powfoulis

VII. JAMES BRUCE OF POWFOULIS

James Bruce of Powfoulis, here treated, is the son and heir of VI. James Bruce of Powfoulis He was served as heir to his deceased father on 23 September 1653. Inquisitionum

Death

James Bruce of Powfoulis, here treated, died intestate in April 1688. [NRS: CC21/5/10]

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                    1

23 September 1653: (204) JAMES BRUCE, heir of James Bruce of Powfoulles, his father, in 3 oxgate of land called Poufoulles, . . . . . . Inquisitionum Ad Capellam Domini Regis Retornatarum etc. II

                  2

16 [ - - ]: Obligation by [ ? ] Bruce of Kinnaird, William Bruce of Newton, JAMES BRUCE OF POWFOULS, Bruce of Comrie. Whereby they oblige themselves to contribute their respective shares of the 40,000 merks promised by the Cautioners and Creditors to Sir George McKenzie of Tarbat according to Bond granted to him therein referred to (Not subscribed) c16 [ - - ]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the MacKenzie Family, Earls of Cromartie (Cromartie Muniments), reference GD305/1/148/1

                   3

1682: Letters to Patrick Smyth of Braco from Lady Margaret Hay; Mary Cowan; Patrick Hay, provost of Perth; Patrick Stewart of Ballechin; David Bruce of Clackmannan; Barbara Smyth, his sister; John, Earl of Breadalbane; JAMES BRUCE OF POWFOULIS; Mr William Denoon, tutor to Lord Tarbat; Duncan Robertson of Auchleeks; Alexander, Earl of Moray; David Smyth of Barnhill; Lady Jean Graham; Alexander Robertson of Strowan; Mr Hugh Anderson; John, Marquess of Atholl; Agnes Graham, Lady Edzell; David Lindsay of Edzell; Mr Rorie Mackenzie; Robert Dunbar; James, Marquess of Montrose; Mr Robert Blackwood; James Smyth; Mungo Haldane of Gleneagles; Sir James Keith; Sir John Murray of Drumcairn; Mr David Graham, tutor of Gorthy, and others. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Smythe Family of Methven, Perthshire, reference GD190/3/183

His Testament Dative and Inventory

James Bruce of Powfoulis died intestate in April 1688. His testament dative and inventory was given up by his widow Janet Bruce: "Ladie Poufoulis" who was recognised by the Commissary Court of Stirling as his executrix dative, and as his creditor for the sum of eight hundred and forty-seven pounds, eight shillings, and four pennies. Scots Money, which had been reserved by him for the maintenance of his family: "the sd Ladie and hir children," The children in question are not mentioned by name. On 1 July 1688 Michael Bruce: "uncle to the defunct" acted himself as cautioner for the widow, and confirmation was granted to her on 4 July 1688. [National Records of Scotland, Stirling Commissary Court, The Testament Dative and Inventory of James Bruce of Powfoulis, parish of Airth, reference CC21/5/10]

1. Image of Testament
2. Image of Testament
3. Image of Testament

Evidence from the Powfoulis Writs

28 September 1653: Extract retour, before the Sheriff of Stirling and Clackmannan, by Sir William Bruce of Stenhouse, Robert Bruce of Auchinbowie, Robert Bruce of Kynnarde, William Bruce of Newtoune, Mr. Robert Bruce of Kincavill, William Bruce, son to Alexander Bruce of Polknais, Robert Bruce, burgess of Stirling, and Mr. James Bruce, brother to Thomas Bruce of Waltoun, etc. of James Bruce of Powfoullis, as heir to the deceased James Bruce of Powfoullis, his father, who died in September 1650, in the barony of Powfoullis. Dated 29 September 2653. Powfoulis Writs: 646

Evidence from the Register of Edinburgh Apprentices

3 December 1690: Bruce, David, s. to dec. James B. of Powfoules, p. to John Rynolds, chir. apoth. (B.) Edinburgh Apprentices 1666-1700: 14

Printed Evidence

1. Register of Edinburgh Apprentices, 1666-1700. Edited by Charles B. Boog Watson, F. S. Ant. Scot., F. R. S. E. (Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1929), 98 pp.
2. National Library of Scotland. Family Records of the Bruces and Comyns. With an historical introduction and appendix, from authentic public and private documents. By M. E. Cumming Bruce. (William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London, MDCCCLXX), 692 pp. including index. See pp. 643-46 for Powfoulis Writs

Biographical Summary by Darryl Lundy's Peerage

Sir James Bruce of Powfoulis is the son of James Bruce of Powfoulis and Anna Bruce, He married Janet Bruce, daughter of Sir Henry Bruce, 11th of Clackmannan and Mary Shaw. Child of Sir James Bruce of Powfoulis and Janet Bruce. (1) James Bruce, 7th of Powfoulis Darryl Lundy's Peerage