John Blair Jeane Cunningham
xager8on
Cunningham. I am looking for more information on their son David,
which I cant find any source.
The earliest documented Blairs of this line were descendants of a
Blair family living at Milgerholm in Ayrshire County, Scotland in the
middle to late 1500's. They were of the family The Blairs of Blair.
There is a record of John Blair, born 1555-1565, living in Milgerholm
Scotland. He was married to Beatrix Muir born 1555-1565. Beatrix was
of the family of Rowallan. It is believed there were six children but
only three, all born in Milgerholm, Ayrshire, Scotland , are known: 1-
(Reverend) Robert Blair 2- David Blair 3- Alexander Blair.
Note: This contradicts "The Scottish Nation or the Surnames, families,
Literature, Honours and Biblical History of the People of Scotland"
Vol 1, by William Anderson"
Note: Soon after the accession of James, about 1603, a company was
organized in London for the purpose of settling the northern province
of Ireland. King James divided some millions of acres of land into
small holding in 1612, and offered these to his loyal subjects at such
low prices - a penny an acre, that thousands of Scotch settlers
entered Ulster and became permanent settlers. The Ulster settlers came
largely from Galloway and the region included in the old kingdom of
Strathclyde. In Ireland the new comers swarmed into Londonderry,
Tyrone, Arrnagh, Fermanaghd, Down and Antrim. They were also plentiful
in counties Donegal and Cavan. A band of young men from Argyleshire,
of whom several bore the name of Blair, settled in Londonderry and
other parts of Ulster. The first of the children of John and Beatrix
Blair to go to Ireland was Alexander. He settled at Glendarmot in
1610. David followed a couple of years later and settled in Aghadowey
in Antrim County, Ireland.
John Blair b. abt 1625 married Lady Jean Cunninghame, daughter of
William, Earl of Glencairin and had at least one son, William, Lord of
Blair.
Thanks
wjhonson
Leo has this John Blair and Jean Cunningham here
http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00322578&tree=LEO
which gives you a chronological framework in which to work.
I would be suspicious of the claim that William Lord Blair would be
their son, primarily simply because Leo does not show any children.
Not to say that his work is comprehensive, but it should raise a red
flag at the least to confirm it with a decent Peerage source.
Will Johnson
John
>
> which gives you a chronological framework in which to work.
>
> I would be suspicious of the claim that William Lord Blair would be
> their son, primarily simply because Leo does not show any children.
> Not to say that his work is comprehensive, but it should raise a red
> flag at the least to confirm it with a decent Peerage source.
>
> Will Johnson
The family of Blair of Blair was covered in very early editions of
Burke's Landed Gentry, some of which may be available on Google Books,
and also in Burke's Commoners. These appear to be the source for the
account shown in the Stirbet database, augmented by information noted
in Stirnet as being from "the genealogist Jack Blair of Perthshire".
Stirnet indicates that the John Blair who married Jean Cunningham was
previously married to Katharine Turnbull (not indicated in the Burke's
account), and it suggests that she rather than Jean Cunningham was the
mother of John's son William, the next laird of Blair. Regardless of
how this discrepancy is resolved, there is no mention of a John Blair
who married Beatrice Mure of Rowallan, at least the line of the family
of Blair of Blair. But there is a reference in a Mure pedigree in
Stirnet to an unnamed Mure daughter who married an unnamed Blair of
Adamton [in Ayrshire]. This latter family is mentioned in the Burke's
account as an early cadet line of Blair of that Ilk, but its descent
is not carried forward. It seems likely that the Blairs you're
looking for may be in that branch rather than in the main line of the
Blair family. And thus John Blair and Jean Cunningham are probably
irrelevant to your search.
Will Johnson is incorrect in referring to John Blair's son William as
"Lord Blair" as he certainly was not a member of the peerage. He
would be properly called "William Blair, laird [or lord] of Blair" or
"William Blair of that Ilk" - but definitely not "William, Lord Blair".
Alex Maxwell Findlater
of ther earls is different from Leo's, her father being 7th earl.
William Blair was retoured heir of John Blair of that Ilk in 1664, on
5 Feb and 26 Oct, to different properties. John is stated by Douglas
to have died in 1662, but he does not give the wife. John was the
second son of Bryce Blair who succeeded his father John 10 April
1610. The elder son was Sir Bryce, served heir 25 April 1639 and had
a son John, served heir 1 May 1645 to both his father Sir Bryce and
his grandfather Bryce. John, the second son aforesaid, was served
heir to his gandfather John (d 1609) in 1650.
So it goes
John d 1610
|
Bryce heir 1610, d 1639
|
Sir Bryce heir 1639, d 1645
|
John heir 1645, d by 1650
=
John 2 son of Bryce (d 1639), heir 11 Sept 1650 only in Craigmilne, as
heir male of Grandsire John of that Ilk, d 1662 per Douglas
|
William heir 1664
Alex Maxwell Findlater
John Blair of that Ilk, ie of the Ayrshire family, was born about
1540, the son of John and Margaret daughter of William Cunningham of
Glengarnock (qv). The son married (MC 11 May 1565) Grizel daughter of
Robert 3rd Lord Sempill. He had a charter in 1597 and died in 1609.
His eldest son John predeceased him in 1604 leaving, by Isobel
daughter of Thomas 6th Lord Boyd (MC 5 July 1589), three daughters,
Grizel married to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok, Anna married to the
laird of Porterfield and Margaret married to John Crawford of
Kilbirnie. He was succeeded by his second son Bryce Blair of that
Ilk, who was served heir in 1610. Bryce married Annabel Wallace of
Craigie (qv). He died in 1639, to be succeeded by his son Sir Bryce
Blair who died in the same year.
wjhonson
http://books.google.com/books?id=NiYNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA319#v=onepage&q=&f=false
actually states that Bryce Blair was "elder TWIN son", so evidently
just a tiny bit older than his brother John.
Since this Bryce died "within a few months of his father" who has died
in 1639, it must be that John served heir in 1645 when then a minor
and had come-of-age in 1645. Otherwise why the six year wait?
This John died "soon after his father" s.p. Depending on what "soon"
means exactly. Seems a little odd that "soon" could means six years
later. But his uncle John should be heir to his nephew in 1650. To
me that seems more straightforward than saying he was heir to his own
grandfather which seems a bit disjoint.
wjhonson
http://books.google.com/books?id=pVwLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA163&cd=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Will Johnson
wjhonson
Jean, but Katherine Turnbull jointly infect in 1638
http://books.google.com/books?id=pVwLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA164#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Will Johnson
wjhonson
in 1650. When he died, his uncle John Blair was his heir, "LATER"
John was also retoured heir to his grandfather.
So the first did not necessarily occur in 1650.
Will Johnson
xager8on
SCN on the Blairs.)
Im in total agreement of the following with my line, but it is David,
son of John Blair and Jean Cunningham that Im interested in:
1. John Blair, b. 1547 d. 1609 married Grizel Sempill b. 1551 d. 8 Feb
1573 issue Bryce, Alexander, John, James and William
2. Bryce Blair, b. 1573 d. 4 Feb 1639 married Annabella Wallace b.
1574 issue John, Bryce, Margaret, Isabell, Janet.
3. John Blair, b. 1594 d. Apr 1662 married (first) Katherine Turnbull
(by 01.01.1638) and (second) Jean Cunningham b. 1598 d. 1670; issue
with Katherine ;William issue with Jean; Jean (married Gebriel
Cuninghame). Supposedly, there is another son David. Which I find no
documentation. This David Blair ( if real) had 2 sons. James and
Abraham.
This James Blair is who married Rachel Boyd which are my direct
ancestors whose descendants are well documented, until I get to John
Blair of Blair County Pennsylvania. Below is excerpt:
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE EARLY BLAIRS
George D. Blair, Jr.
The name "Blair," which is of Celtic origin, signifies ''A Cleared
Field." It is found at a very early period of Scottish history, and
those who bore the name have taken an active part in the religious and
civic movements of their times. Blair Castle in Perthshire, in the
highlands of Scotland, has been traced back to 1250 when the original
part of the castle was built. In 1872 it was restored, and some
additions made. It is now the residence of the Duke of Athole.
During the late Sixteenth and early Seventeenth Centuries, attempts
were made by the English throne to supplant the Presbyterian form of
worship with that of the English Church, increasing the miseries of
the Scotch so that many wereinduced to leave their dearly-loved land
for regions where larger freedom could be secured. In 1612, King James
divided some millions of acres in Northern Ireland into small
holdings, at low prices, so that millions of Scots were thereby
enabled to acquire some land. At this time Sir William Brereton, who
was visiting James Blair at Irvine, Scotland, wrote that more than two
thousand persons had gone, or were going from that region alone, and
that crowds of discontented men were passing through the town at that
very moment. A band of young men, several of whom bore the name of
Blair, from Argyleshire, settled in Londonderry.
From this time until 1641 controversies ensued between Scotch and
Irish; then there was a long period of open hostilities, with the
Crown sometimes supporting one side, then the other, until the Siege
of Londonderry which began November 23, 1688 and lasted for one
hundred and five days. It was broken by friendly forces just in time
to save the besieged. In a description of this event, the names of
Captain Thomas Blair, Lieutenant David Blair and others were mentioned
for outstanding leadership and bravery.
At Derry, in the Cathedral yard, there stands a stone which was
erected to the memory of Thomas Blair, who was born in 1656 and died
in 1696. Next to it stands a stone marking the grave of his widow,
Eliza Blair, who died July 1754, at the age of ninety-six. Alexander
Blair, ancestor of the above mentioned Thomas, obtained a grant of
land from King James about 1610 at Glendamot, at a penny an acre.
Among the early Blairs was one James Blair, who erected a stone in
Aghadowey church yard to the memory of his wife, Rachel Boyd Blair who
died March 10, 1700, aged fifty-six years. They had two sons, Robert,
born 1683, and John, born after Robert. Sometime after his wife's
death, James Blair accompanied his two sons Robert and John to
America. It is believed that they landed "at the little wharf at the
end of State (then King) Street, Boston, New England, August 4,
1718" (from the first book of town records of Londonderry, New
Hampshire). The older son, Robert, first appeared in Rutland,
Worcester County, Massachusetts in 1720 and he is the ancestor of the
Blair family of New England. The younger son, John, first appears in
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1756.
References
1. BLAIR COUNTY'S FIRST HUNDRED YEARS,
www.libraries.psu.edu/do/digitalbookshelf/28175906/28175906_part_04.pdf
At the opening of the fateful year of 1688, they were quietly pursuing
their pastoral lives. Then Abraham Blair went to Derry, and while he
was gallantly fighting there the King's soldiers were harrying his
defenseless kindred, sacking and burning their houses, forcing many of
the suffering crowds under the walls he was defending. His brother
James' wife, Rachel (Boyd) Blair, managed to evade the hunters. With
her little children she cowered in the sheltering furze. Her son,
Robert was then about five years of age, old enough to receive a
vivid, lasting impression of the devastation of their cherished home.
His mother was a descendant of Thomas Boyd, who, in 1576, settled at
Craig, a village lying between Ballymena and Kilrea. He could trace
his ancestry back to Lord Boyd, who was a guardian of James Stuart III
[of Scotland who later became James I of England] during his minority.
In 1467, the eldest son of Lord Boyd created Earl of Antrim and
married the King's sister. Owing to enemies at court, in 1469, they
were convicted of treason and their estates were forfeited; they then
were governing the lordships of Kilmarnock, Ayran, Bute Cowal,
Renfrew, besides the castle of Rothsay. Lord Boyd fled to Oxfordshire,
and his brother Alexander was executed on Castle Hill.
The gravestone erected to the memory of Mrs. Rachel (Boyd) Blair by
her husband, James Blair, is still standing, and as it is alone, it
strengthens the inference that her husband accompanied his brother
Abraham, and his own sons when they sailed away to New England. Mrs.
Rachel Blair died May 10, 1700, aged fifty-six years.
When the siege ended, the Blairs returned to their own place,
rebuilding the house, watching the weaving and caring for the great
linen webs during the week, quietly walking with their children and
grandchildren to the old Kirk so close to their home, on the Sabbath,
where the Rev. James McGregor preached to them from the time of his
first settlement in 1701 until the end of his services in 1718. But
the peace of their earlier years had departed. Promises made by the
crown were not kept, and the future was dark and threatening, holding
no brightness for their sons and daughters who had married and had
many small children dependent on them. The brothers must have been
among the first who discussed the idea of leaving all the dangers that
darkened around them, and settling in far away New England, and who
shared in the hope that in casting their lot with a people who had
encountered hardship and trial to win religious freedom and a new
country for themselves, they would be going to a kindlier
brotherhood.
At home, they were forced to endure many grievances. As "Dissenters"
they were at liberty to follow their own form of worship, yet they
were obliged to pay tithes to the Church of England. Their land was
held by lease from the Crown and not in individual right; they were
Protestants in the midst of a Roman Catholic population, in whose
breasts smoldered the fires of revenge, which only lacked occasion to
burst forth into bloody deeds. Onerous restrictions were laid on their
manufacturers. Urged by these embarrassments this people sought out
more favoring conditions. Their attention was turned to New England by
a young man named Robert Holmes, the son of a Presbyterian minister
who had lived in the region. Encouraged by his account of the civil
and religious liberty enjoyed in the American colonies, several
clergymen, Rev. William Boyd, Rev. James McGregor and Rev. William
Cornwall, with their congregations, decided to migrate. Therefore in
the spring of 1718, Rev. William Boyd was sent with an address to
Governor Shute of Massachusetts Bay, which was signed by over three
hundred of the people, nine of whom were ministers, and all of whom,
save thirteen only, wrote their own names. (This paper is preserved in
the State House in Boston.)
The response of the Governor and his Council was so encouraging that
they prepared to migrate. Rev. James McGregor assembled his flock in
the fine old church which the Blairs had always attended and where
they must have been present when Mr. McGregor preached the farewell
sermon from Exodus, 33rd chapter, 15th verse, "If thy presence go not
with me carry us not up hence", and recounted the reasons for leaving
their homes. They were to avoid oppression and cruel bondage, to
escape persecution and designed ruin and to withdraw from the
communion of idolatry, to have opportunity of worshipping God
according to the dictates of conscience and the rules of his inspired
word. (From "Rambles Through Europe", by Mr. L. A. Morrison, Page 86.)
Five ships were chartered, and in these whole families embarked,
including aged grandparents and helpless babes, the main port of
departure being Londonderry, but the present harbor master of Larne
thinks the ships touched at other ports on the way out and that one
put in at Larne. These five ships anchored "at the little wharf at the
foot of State (then King) Street, Boston, New England, August 4,
1718." (From the first book of town records of Londonderry, New
Hampshire.)
The descriptions and statements of Aghadowey are taken from a series
of letters written by Miss Mary Semple of Monthill, Larne, County
Antrim, Ulster Province, Ireland, who made a personal visit to the
place and talked with the aged men, who recounted tales they had
received from their grandsires.
They emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, aboard "The Robert" arriving
4 August 1718 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Reference
1. Blair County's first hundred years Altoona PA History
SOURCES: Blair Magazine, Blair Society for Genealogical Research, May
1, 1926.
Charles Knowles Bolton, Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America,
Bonston, Bacon and Brown, 1910.
Preston E. Groome, compiler, Blairlin, Blair Clan Society, 1989.
Convent Station. NJ, Vol 1, Chart 2, pg. 112.
Gerhard Herm, The Celts, New York, St. Martin's Press, English
translation, 1976.
E. W. Leavitt, The Blair Family of New England, D. Clap & Sons,
Boston, FHL microfilm.
J. D. Mackie, A History of Scotland, Dorset Press, New York, 2nd
Edition, 1978.
Kenneth A. Maclever, The Flight of the Scotch-Irish, The Highlander,
Magazine of Scottish Heritage, Vol 17, No. 5, Se pt/Oct, 1989.
Rev. T H. Mullin, Aghadowey, Century Services Ltd, Belfast , 1972.
So the real question is who is James Blair's father? And how is he
linked to the Blair's of Ayrshire?
Thanks in advance
Alex Maxwell Findlater
John Blair of that Ilk who married Jean Cunningham was he who was
served heir in 1645 and died before 1650, as the decreet is dated
1647.
Reference GD39/1/285
Title Decree of declarator obtained before the Lords of Council and
Session at the instance of William Earl of Glencairn against Colonel
Robert Cunningham (lawful) son of umquhile Dame Janet Ker Countess of
Glencairn and (Lady - Cunningham) Ladies Margaret, Jean, Anne and
Marion Cunningham, (Lawful) daughters of the Countess, and nearest in
kin to her, Sir Ludovick Stewart of Minto husband of Lady Cunningham ,
David Beton of Creick, husband of Lady Margaret and John Blair of that
ilk, husband of Lady Jean making mention that the Earl had by Gift of
our sovereign Lord (See GD39/1/273) the liferent escheat of all lands
heritages etc which pertained to the said Countess with the maills
farms annualrent etc of all years and terms bygone since the expiry of
year and day after the Countess her denunciation to the horn, and of
all years and terms thereafter during her lifetime, pertaining to his
Majesty by reason of the Countess having upon the 17 July 1635 been
denounced rebel and put to the horn by virtue of letters of horning
(See GD39/1/269) against her at the instance of John Inglish merchant
burgess of Edinburgh for not making payment to him of £770:4/2 (Sic
but £1170) etc. as the letters of horning etc did at more length bear,
and as the letters of gift to the said William Earl of Glencairn under
the privy seal of date 22d January 1640 and also more fully purport.
By virtue whereof the Earl had good and undoubted right to the
foresaid liferent escheat etc. (Edinburgh).
Dates 30/7/1647
wjhonson
> Alex, et. all thanks for the replies. (My main source is Stirnet and
> SCN on the Blairs.)
>
> Im in total agreement of the following with my line, but it is David,
> son of John Blair and Jean Cunningham that Im interested in:
>
> 1. John Blair, b. 1547 d. 1609 married Grizel Sempill b. 1551 d. 8 Feb
> 1573 issue Bryce, Alexander, John, James and William
>
> 2. Bryce Blair, b. 1573 d. 4 Feb 1639 married Annabella Wallace b.
> 1574 issue John, Bryce, Margaret, Isabell, Janet.
>
> 3. John Blair, b. 1594 d. Apr 1662 married (first) Katherine Turnbull
I'm suspicious that these birthyears can be supported by any
evidence. First toss them out, then let's see what the documentation
actually states. To me, they look like guesses.
Will Johnson
wjhonson
<maxwellfindla...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I think that the following, from the National Archives, shows that the
> John Blair of that Ilk who married Jean Cunningham was he who was
> served heir in 1645 and died before 1650, as the decreet is dated
> 1647.
>
> Reference GD39/1/285
>
Let me see if I'm understanding you.
The John who married Jean would then be the son of Sir Bryce by Marian
Dundas. This John served heir 1645, called "of that Ilk" here in this
new document 1647, but dead by 1650 s.p.
In or by 1650, his uncle, also John, is his heir, who had married
Katherine Turnbull. This John's son William was heir of his father in
1664, and married Margaret Hamilton, daughter of William the 2nd Duke
of Hamilton, Earl of Arran.
Is that the correction?
Will
Alex Maxwell Findlater
March 1666. I don't know about the Dundas marriage though.
xager8on
Primary Sources:
1. From Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed
Gentry, pg 104:
John Blair, of that ilk, who had four charters of lands, dated in
1573, 1575, 1580, and 1597. He espoused Grizel, dau. of Robert, third
Lord Sempill, and had, with three daus., five sons—viz., 1. John, who
m. Isabel, dau. of Thomas, fifth Lord Boyd, and left three daus.,
Grizel, wife of Sir John Maxwell, of Pollock; Anna, wife of the Laird
of Porterfield; and Margaret, wife of John Crawford, of Kilbirny; 2.
Bryce, of whom presently; 3. Alexander, who m. Elizabeth, dau. and
heir of William Cochrane, of that ilk, and was ancestor of the
Cochranes, Earls of Dundonald; 4. James; 5. Robert, of Bogtown. John
Blair d. in 1609, and was s. by his son,
ВRУСЕ Blair, of that ilk, who m. Annabell Wallace, and had (with five
daus.—viz., Margaret, m. in 1613 to Archibald Stewart, of Blackwall;
Isabell, m. in 1619, to James Chalmers, of Gadgirth; Anne, m. in 1633,
to Robert Boyd, of Pitcon; Janet, m. in 1636, to Ninian Stewart, of
Ascog; and Agnes, m. in 1640, to William Shaw, provost of Newton) two
sons, Bryce and John. The laird d. 4 Feb. 1639, and was s. by his son,
Sir Bryce Blair. of that ilk, knighted by Charles I., who m. in 1618,
Marian, dau. of Sir Walter Dundas, of Dundas, by Anne, his second
wife, dau. of Monteith of Carse, and dying a few months after his
father, was s. by his son,
John Blair, of that ilk, retoured heir to his father and grandfather
in 1645. He d. soon after, without issue, and was s. by his uncle,
John Blair. of that ilk, who m. Lady Jean Cunningham, dau. of William,
eighth Earl of Gleucairn, and dying in 1662, was s. by his son,
William Blair, of Blair, who acted a prominent part in the troubled
times in which he lived. Though so much esteemed by the court party as
to be put in the commission in Ayrshire, for holding courts on the
covenanters, he soon embraced the party which effected the revolution,
was a member of the convention of estates, 16 March, 1689, and one of
the committee for settling the government. In that year he raised a
troop of horses in support of King William, and marched with it into
Perthshire, but was surprised by Dundee, and carried prisoner to the
Highlands, where he d. very soon after. He m. Lady Margaret Hamilton,
dau. of William, second Duke of Hamilton, and was s. by his son,
William Blair, of Blair.
2. From The Scottish Nation, Vol 1 pg 351:
John Blair of that ilk, his son, died in the early part of the reign
of James the Sixth, and was succeeded by his son, John Blair of Blair.
In the work just quoted, under date May 21, 1577, John Blair of that
ilk, William Blair his brother, Robert Blair, brother of William Blair
of Halie, with twenty-five others, their servants and followers, are
indicted for shooting with pistolets, following and chasing one Thomas
Crawford and his servants, for their slaughter, upon forethought
felony. The laird of Blair, and his brother, William, being found
guilty, they respectively found security to enter their persons in
ward within the castle of Blackness by eight o'clock in the evening,
and not to escape therefrom until they were relieved, John Blair under
the penalty of five thousand pounds, and William Blair, under that of
two thousand pounds. By his wife, Grizel, daughter of Robert, third
Lord Sempill, this John Blair of Blair had, with three daughters, five
sons, viz., John, who married Isobel, daughter of Thomas, fifth Lord
Boyd, and who predeceased his father,leaving three daughters all well
married; Bryce, who succeeded to the estate on the death of his father
in 1609; Alexander, who married Elizabeth, only daughter and heir of
William Cochrane of that ilk, when he took his name and arms, and thus
became ancestor of the noble family of Dundonald, his grandson, Sir
William Cochrane, knight, being created earl of Dundouald in 1669,
[See DUNDONALD, earl of]; James; and Robert of Bogtown, father of Sir
Adam Blair of Bogtown.
Bryce Blair of Blair, the second son, married Annabell Wallace, and
had two sons and five daughters, the latter of whom were all well
married. He died 4th February 1639. and was succeeded by his elder
twin-son, Sir Bryce Blair who was knigbted by Charles the First. He
married, in 1618, Marian, daughter of Walter Dundas of Dundas, and
died a few months after his father. He was succeeded by his son, John
Blair, who died soon after without issue, and was succeeded by his
uncle. John Blair, who married Lady Jean Cunningham, daughter of
William, eighth earl of G1encairn, and dying in 1662, was succeeded by
his son, William Blair of Blair.
The Scottish nation , Volume 1, pg 321 does support Robert BLAIR,
Robert, an eminent minister of the Church of Scotland, in the days of
the Covenant, was born at Irvine, Ayrshire, in 1593. He was the sixth
and youngest son of John Blair of Wlndyedgc, in that county, a branch
of the family of Blair of Blair, and of Beatrix Muir, of the family of
Rowallan.
3. Stirnet, references BGL1850 (Blair of Blair) with input from the
genealogist Jack Blair of Perthshire:
a. John Blair of that ilk (d. 1609) who m. Grizel Sempill with a
marriage contract dated May 11, 1565
b. Bryce Blair of Lochwood, of that ilk (d after 04.02.1639), m.
Annabell Wallace (of Craigie)
c. John Blair of that ilk (d 04.1662), m1. (by 01.01.1638) Katherine
Turnbull (assumed to be father of William, m2. (05.08.1646) Jean
Cunningham (dau of William Cunningham, 8th Earl of Glencairn) assumed
to have been the mother of Jean Blair
d. Janet Kerr (b c1580) m. (1609) William Cunningham, 8th Earl of
Glencairn (b c1575, d 10.1631)
4. Complete peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and
the United Kingdom, Volume 7, by George Edward Cokayne, pg 110
a. III. 1550. 3. ROBERT (SEMPILL), LORD SEMPILL [S], s. and h. by
first wife, b. about 1505; had charters of lands and offices, 23 Feb
1532/3, and 24 Jan. 1543/4; was taken prisone at the battle of Pinkie
in Sep. 1547. He received pardon ar "Robert, Master of Sempill', 6
Sep. 1550, for the murder (b) of William, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
[S], soon after which apparently he suc. to the peerage [S]. he joined
the association to defend James VI. [S] in 1567 and was present at the
battle of langside, 1568; had a grant of the abbacy of paisley 1569.
He m. firstly (contract 27 May 1543), Elizabeth or Isabel, da. of Sir
William HAMILTON, of Sanquhar. He m. secondly Elizabeth CARLYLE, of
the house of Torthorwald. He was living 11 June 1572, but d. before 15
Dec. following.
5. History of the counties of Ayr and Wigton, Volume 3, Part 1, By
James Paterson, pg 163.
a. Margaret, who in 1613, married Archibald Stewart of Blackhall. Her
Father, Bryce [Blair], and her brother-german, Alexander Cochrane of
that ilk, bind themselves for her tocher, which is l5000 Scots. (this
would make her birth abt 1595. Which then would make Annabella birth
about 1577)
Secondary Sources:
http://www.jcblair.com/history.html
1. This John Blair b. 1547 married Grizel Sempill, daughter of Lord
Robert Sempill. They had five sons; John who married Isobel daughter
of Thomas Lord Boyd but only had female progeny, Bryce b. abt 1573 who
succeeded to the estate on his father’s death in 1609, Alexander who
married Elizabeth Cochrane (then changed his name to Alexander
Cochrane in order to inherit the Cochrane estate. His son William was
1st Earl of Dundonald), James and Robert. The above named John Blair,
Blair of Blair, is believed to be the ancestor of participant #4816 in
the Blair DNA test.
2. Bryce Blair, b. abt 1573 heir of John Blair, married Annabell
Wallace and had two sons, Bryce b. abt 1600 and John b abt 1625.
3. John Blair b. abt 1625 married Lady Jean Cunninghame, daughter of
William, Earl of Glencairin and had at least one son, William, Lord of
Blair.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~janet/Blairfamilies.html
1. JOHN BLAIR of that Ilk, son of John and Margaret. Douglas tells us
that John got several charters, the earliest dated 8 February 1573,
the latest dated 3/4 February 1580. According to Douglas, he married
GRISEL SEMPLE, daughter of Robert, 2nd. Lord Semple, and had one son
(his heir), John, and three daughters: -- Jean Blair, who got a
charter under the Great Seal-- "Jeannae Blair, filia Johannis Blair de
eodem, terrarum de Hutterhill, etc." in Ayrhsire--dated 14 August 1591
[ This Jean Blair must be the one mentioned in SCM as the third wife
of John Stewart, Hereditary Sheriff of Bute, who died ante 1612. ] --
Margaret Blair, who married (NN) KER of Kersland, and got a charter
under the Great Seal to her and Robert Ker her son, of the lands of
Frearn in Ayrshire, dated 2 Jan. 1594. -- Grisel Blair, who married
DAVID BLAIR of Adamton, by a charter under the Great Seal, 21 July
1598.
John Blair, mistakenly calls of Blair, or John "Alexander," of that
Ilk. but this error is (Marriage contract corrected in the to Grissel
dated Corrigenda in 11 May 1565.) SP IX Grissel Sempill illeg. dau. of
Robert, 3rd. Lord Sempill, by his mistress Elizabeth Carlile, an
English- woman.
2. Bryce BLAIR Birth: Abt. 1573 Of Blair, Ayr, Scotland; Bryce Blair
of Lochwood Alexander's eldest brother german.") styled "of Lochwood"
during his father's life, afterwards "of Blair" or "of that Ilk."
Bryce is called "eldest brother german" of Alexander Blair, no. 4
Bryce (Bricius) Blair, his heir.
3. Robert SEMPLE 3rd. Lord Birth: Abt. 1519 Eliotstoun, Renfrew,
Scotland d. c. 1574 Spouse: Elizabeth CARLYLE Marriage: Abt. 1550
Renfrew, Scotland Father: William SEMPILL Mother: Margaret. Grizel
SEMPLE Birth: Abt. 1551 Of Blair, Ayr, Scotland illegitimate daughter
of Robert, 3rd. Lord Sempill Father: Robert SEMPLE Marriage contract
dated 11 May 1565] d.1609 John Blair of that Ilk or John Blair of
Blair
According to this site: http://www.drublair.com/blair_related.html
details the descendents of Bryce Blair and Annabella Wallace.
Bryce Blair b.1573-4
+Annabella Wallace
3 John BLAIR b: 1594 in Blair, Ayshire, Scotland
+ Beatrix Muir
4 David Blair b: ABT. 1618 (1610) (9 Jun 1603)
5 Abraham Blair b:ABT 1644 in Aghadowey, Ulster,
+ Hannah
5 James Blair b:1644-1650 (b: 1640/1644 in
AGHADOWEY,Ulster,Ireland) d: 1706 (1732)
+ Rachel Boyd b: 1644 Aghadowey, Antrim (1650 in SCOTLAND)
married 1660
Therefore, based on these sources logical birth dates have been
assigned:
1. John Blair of that ilk, b. abt 1547 (Had charters in 1573 and to
be legal age of 18, so at least before 1555) d. 1609, m. Grizel
Sempill, b. abt 1551 (based on Bryce being born in 1573 and her being
minimum of 18 [b. bef 1555], and her Father Robert marrying Elizabeth
Carlyle Abt. 1550).
2. Bryce Blair, b. 1573 (based on Margaret, m. in 1613 [at least bef
1595, which would have made his father at least 48 yrs of age and his
mother 40 yrs of age, which is highly unlikely she gave birth that
late)] d. 4 Feb 1639 m. Annabella Wallace b. bef 1577
3. Multiple sources have multiple birth dates for John Blair. Or
better yet do the secondary sources incorrectly reference a different
John Blair?
a. Stirnet has John Blair marrying Katherine Turnbull (by 01.01.1638
[makes his birth date bef 1622)
b. jcblair website has John Blair b. abt 1625
c. drublair website has John Blair b. abt 1594
Assumptions:
1. If Bryce Blair was b. 1573 and John b. abt 1525 that would make his
father 52 and his mother 48. Not likely.
2. If John Blair was born in 1594, his marriage to Katherine Turnbull
would have made him 44. And even older when he married Jean
Cunningham.
Hence the rational for the following questions:
1. Did this John Blair marry Beatrix MUIR prior to his marriage to
Katherine Turnbull? Or do the secondary sources have this John Blair
confused? Every primary source points to Katherine Turnbull and Jean
Cunningham.
a. If he did indeed marry only Katherine and Jean, then my line
goes a different path and that needs research.
b. If true, then what sources, if any, can be provided for David
Blair, his son?
Will, I hope this clarifies my chosen birth/death dates based on the
sources noted.
Alex Maxwell Findlater
Court record, held in the NAS?
wjho...@aol.com
Logic dictates to us, that when we have no evidence for a birthyear
whatsoever, we do not use a birthyear chosen randomly from the ether.
What we do is say something like born 1560 to 1590 to indicate that we
really have no idea within a 30 year span, or 20, or 5 when a person was born.
When you use a birthyear like b 1573 you are stating, not that you have no
idea, but rather that you know exactly. Sometimes people will say "EST
1570" as Leo does in cases. Sometimes we know that a person has said "being now
about 45 years old, I dispose that 10 years ago...." and so we can get a
good fix, at least on how old the person thinks they are themselves!
Sometimes, we know that a person is the "third son" and we know the eldest
son was born in 1561 exactly. So we can approximate that they were born
1563 to 1575 or something of that nature.
But using exact birthyears when we have no idea, only adds to later
confusion, as we all try to sort out why the line doesn't work when a new document
is uncovered that conflicts with "received knowledge" that turns out to be
based on nothing at all.
Will
wjhonson
>
> 5. History of the counties of Ayr and Wigton, Volume 3, Part 1, By
> James Paterson, pg 163.
>
> a. Margaret, who in 1613, married Archibald Stewart of Blackhall. Her Father, Bryce [Blair], and her brother-german, Alexander Cochrane of that ilk, bind themselves for her tocher, which is l5000 Scots. (this would make her birth abt 1595. Which then would make Annabella birth about 1577)
>
I just now noticed this statement. Margaret married in 1613. How is a
statement related to her marriage year, turned into a statement
related to her birthyear ? (of "abt 1595" as above)
That doesn't follow. Girls did not always marry at age 18 or any
particular age for that matter. Unless you want to change to
something like "born sometime between 1588 and 1601".
We know that girls were contracted under the age, at which they could
agree, because there were laws written specifically to handle the case
of what to do, when they got to that age, and didn't agree with the
contracted partner. We also know that there were women who did not
marry until well into their early or even mid 20s and yet then had
children.
Will