Scotland II

Newalls of  Scotland II

1600-1649

© by John P. Newell

No part of this document or site may be reproduced in any form.

Introduction

This Document is a continuation of  the report Newalls of  Scotland I, which covered the period up to 1599.

 

Scotland under the Early Stuarts (1603-1649) including New Scotland

In 1603 Queen Elizabeth I of England died and King James VI of Scotland was crowned as King James I of England. This was not a true union of the two states but two states sharing a common King. This continued until the execution of James’ son Charles I in 1649. After this England became a Protectorate under Cromwell and Scotland declared that Charles II, son and heir of Charles I, would become King. He ruled Scotland until 1651 when the armies of Oliver Cromwell occupied Scotland and drove him into exile. This Chapter touches on some of political events during the early Stuart Dynasty that had an impact on the Newalls of Scotland.

One of the first results of the united crown was a more stable border between Scotland and England. Prior to 1603 the border region was a  plagued by cattle raiders (Border Reivers) and other outlaws that took advantage of the border to escape the law on either side (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Reivers). Having a common King made it more difficult for them to operate and made the border region safer.

Once King James assumed the crown of England in 1603 events in Scotland started to be determined by decisions made in Westminster. One of the most significant events for Scotland in the early 17th century had its origins in Anglo/Irish relations.  During the last years of Elizabeth’s reign the Irish Earls in Northern Ireland, with backing from Spain, rose up against the English. By the time James assumed the crown the uprising was over and the Earls had fled to Spain.  English merchants and politicians then devised a plan to pacify Northern Ireland, and make a profit, by colonizing it with English settlers. With the arrival of King James in London this plan was quickly modified to include Scottish planters and settlers. The Ulster Plantation granted large tracts of land in NW Ireland to English and Scottish lords who then recruited settlers to ‘develop’ the land.

The Ulster Plantation quickly evolved into a scheme for resettling lowland Scots in Northern Ireland. This occurred since:

  1. The English lords that were granted land were more interested in business ventures than settlement
  2. English workers were not interested in settling Ireland which was preceved as dangerous and having less opportunities than England.
  3. King James was eager to reward his friends in Scotland with land in Ulster
  4. Scottish Lords/Lairds and settlers had fewer options at home.
  5. The Scottish were seen as tougher than the English and better able to deal with the Irish.

One source describes the Ulster Plantation as a way to eradicate Scotland of the hordes of Lowland and Border Scots, many of whom in their desperate poverty felt compelled to turn to a life of marauding and horse thievery, which had become an occupation in itself in the Scottish countryside. Many were hardscrabble, subsistence farmers barely able to support their families. Hence in the early years of the Plantation, the majority of the settlers were Lowland and Border Scots seeking a better life http://www.ulsterscotssociety.com/about.html.

Ulster was just one of a number of colonization schemes during the early 17th century. During this period the English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch were establishing overseas colonies. As King of England, James I sponsored the English ventures but as James VI of Scotland he also wanted to establish Scottish Colonies in the New World.

In terms of my research the most significant event during the 17th century was an attempt to establish a Scottish colony in the New World.  In 1621 King James granted Sir. William Alexander a charter for a colony of New Scotland.  In 1622 and 1623 Sir William made unsuccessful attempts to settle colonist in New Scotland [Nova Scotia].  As indicated earlier, Sir. Robert Gordon of Lochinvar had recruited the colonist for the 1622 voyage in Kirkcudbright and these were the same colonist that were involved in the 1623 attempt (see my Research on Richard Newall’s diary that covers the voyage of 1623).

To understand the links between Kirkcudbright and Sir William Alexanders attempts to colonize New Scotland we need to explore the life of Sir. Robert Gordon of Lochinvar. As Earls, Sir. James Douglas and Sir. John Maxwell, referenced earlier, were true Lords but within their domains there were numerous lesser Barons and Lairds like Sir. Robert Gordon.

During the 16th and 17th centuries Scotland was still under a feudal system of land ownership with tenant farmers living on land owned by a Lord to whom they paid rent to and owed allegiance. The hierarchy of Lords in Scotland was similar to the English system with the King at the top followed by, in descending order, by Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons) except in Scotland there were two types of Barons:

From the middle 1500s, the baronage of Scotland was gradually divided into Lords of Parliament (equivalent to English barons), who continued to attend Parliament in Edinburgh until 1707, and the lesser barons, of whom there were several thousands, each with his caput (manor house or castle), court, services, rights and privileges. These lesser barons were given conditional relief from the burden of attending parliament by the Act of Relief of 1587: the condition being that they appointed two of their number from each shire to represent them.

http://www.scotsbarons.org/feudal_system.htm

Many of these lesser Barons would be classified as Lairds (a generic name for the owner of a large established Scottish estate). In the Scottish order of precedence, a Laird ranks below a Baron and above a gentleman.  Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar (c.1663-1627/28) was classified as a lesser Baron or Laird; although, one who was well connected (his mother was the daughter of Sir John Maxwell, 4th Lord Herries and Lady Herries of Terregies) and with significant political influence.

Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar is sometimes confused with Sir Robert Gordon of Surherland (also referenced as Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstown). This Sir Robert Gordon was a younger man (born 1580), who was a gentleman of the Privy Chamber under James I and was made a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1625. See: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/baronage/page002.html

In his youth Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar was noted for his tendency towards violence, which was not unusual in 17th century Scotland, and a combative nature:  His wife left’ him, his mother fled from him. Murder, piracy, burnings, slaughters, and adultery were all laid to his charge (http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol24.pdf). Sir Robert’s father (Sir John of Lochinvar) died in 1604 and he succeeded to his estates. http://www.sorbie.net/lochinvar.htm

Sir Robert also had an early interest in maritime ventures. In 1600 he was competing for the position of Admiral of SW Scotland (both he and Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany claimed that right).  During this period Admirals were appointed to administer shipping activities in local waters but not infrequently they were little more than Pirates.

In 1615 the dispute between him and Bargany, as to the Admirality of Lochryan and other waters within the bounds of Galloway was renewed , and both parties were prohibited [by the King] from exercising the office. https://archive.org/stream/scotspeeragefoun05pauluoft/scotspeeragefoun05pauluoft_djvu.txt

However, later evidence shows that Sir Robert continued to operate as Admiral.

In August 1621 King James made him Baron of Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire in recognition of his services. These services might have included assisting Sir William Alexander or possibly rewards for assisting the Duke of Buckingham in his various operations (legal and otherwise). Sir Robert’s son John had connections to the Duke prior to Buckingham’s death in 1628.

The charter for the Barony of Crossmichael list the lands over which he was Baron; (http://www.rps.ac.uk/search.php?action=print&id=12727&filename=jamesvi_trans&type=trans ) these included  a number of farms in the vicinity of Crossmichael totaling approximately 350 acres (approximate since the merk is a unit of rent). This was not a large estate so Sir. Robert likely relied on other maritime activities for his income.

In September 1621 King James awarded Sir William Alexander his charter for New Scotland and two months after this King James, at the request of Sir William, granted a charter of the Barony of Galloway in New Scotland (Cape Breton Island in what is now northern Nova Scotia) to Sir Robert Gordon. By this Sir William was giving Sir Robert control over a portion of his grant. In 1625 Sir Robert published a tract entitled: Encouragements. For such as shall have intention to bee under-takers in the new plantation of Cape Briton, now New Galloway in America, by mee Lochinvar· Gordon, Robert, Sir, Edinburgh: Printed by John Wreittoun, Anno Dom. 1625

In 1626 Sir Robert  was made Governor of Nova Scotia, a member of the Council of War for Scotland and a Commissioner for the Middle Shires.

One of the most interesting controversies related to Sir Robert was the capture, off Wexford Ireland in March 1626, of a ship from Middleburgh (Middelburgh, Zeeland, Netherlands) by a Scottish Man-of-War under a Captain White.  Captain White was employed by Sir Robert, who likely owned the ship, and Sir Robert’s son John was also involved in the operation. Sir Robert was operating under “Letters of Marque” that allowed the capture of enemy (Spanish) ships but Middleburgh was not part of the Spanish Netherlands. The Middleburgh merchants complained to King James and Sir Robert was forced to release the ship. This demonstrates that Sir Robert was still involved in maritime operations. In fact Sir Robert’s interest in maritime operations extended far from local waters. In October 1626 King Charles I gave Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar (described as Vice-Admiral of the SW coast of Scotland) a charter for Charles Island in America (location unknown) with a license to Sir Robert to pass in his ship, the “Grace of Kirkcudbright”, south of the equinoctial line.  Again this was likely a privateering operation since he had “Letters of Marque”allowing the capture of Spanish ships.

We know very little about Sir Robert’s religious views.  Some Scottish Gordons remained Catholic but in his writings Sir Robert appears to lean towards the official Church of Scotland. His son John was a renowned Presbyterian (Wiki).

Sir Robert died in late 1627 or early 1628 but his son John (1599–1634) continued his legacy and in 1633 King Charles I made him Viscount of Kenmure and Lord Lochinvar.  Lord Gordon married Lady Jane Campbell, sister of Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll. The Campbells were related to Sir William Alexander and as a young man William Alexander was a tutor to the Earl of Argyll (Archibald Campbell of Ballamore, 7th Earl of Argyll).

Sir Robert Gordon’s interest in shipping was likely based on an existing shipping industry serving Dumfries from ports on the north shore of the Solway Firth. By the 145O’s Dumfries was an important exporter of woollen cloth which was likely exported by ship from local ports.  In the Burgh Court Records for 1561 there are several mentions of  the shipp  and a group of Dumfries merchants concerned with her.  In 1562 a group of merchants bound themselves to the terms of an existing agreement regarding the sending of the ship now at Carsthorn [Carsethorn] to Rochelle and Bordeaux for salt and lime. A few weeks later we find the parties to the agreement accounting for the wine they have sold in the district. In 1653 there are references to the salt ship in kirkudbryt. For some years after this, casual references to local people or to merchants in Rowan (Rouen), “ Burdehouss ” (Bordeauxl), and “ Brattonye,” show these trade links still strong,  unfortunately there is a gap in the records from the 1580s to the630s, unfortunately there is a gap in the records from the 1580s to the 1630s.

http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol33.pdf

The transport of settlers from Scotland to Ireland and other overseas locations likely increased the volume of shipping in the early 17th century. These settlers departed from ports like Carsethorn and Kirkcudbright.  Carsethorn village, [in Kirkbean Parish]  was founded by Danish Vikings as a fishing and coastal trading port, became quite an important local port serving Dumfries from the 16th century. The sandy shore here made it safe to beach ships at mid-tide on a falling tide, allowing them to be loaded and unloaded from carts at low tide, then float them off on the next rising tide. Carsethorn is first mentioned as a port in 1562, when a ship was loading for Rochelle and Bordeaux [see above]. The ‘Carse’, as it is fondly referred to, acted as an outport for Dumfries, with the larger ships anchoring in Carse Bay before unloading their cargo. http://kirkbean.org/history/parish-history

Scottish Newalls  1600-1649

The preceding chapter has set the stage for the following analysis of historical documents relating to the Newalls of  Scotland between 1600 and 1649.

 

1600  birth Margaret Newell daughter Johnne and Katherene at Prestonpans

NEWELL MARGARET do JOHNNE NEWELL/KATHERENE HALEDAY FR42 (FR42) 0

04/05/1600 718/ 10 69 Prestonpans

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

Note: Prestonpans east of Edinburgh

 

1600     James Newall, one of the bailies of Dumfries  

Instrument of sasine at the hands of Cuthbert Cunyngham N.P. and one of the clerks of the burgh court of Dumfries and Robert Cunyngham joint notaries, narrating that James Newall, one of the bailies of Dumfries, compeared before the said notaries… And that the said James Newall gave sasine in eu perpetual to the said Herbert

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028091233/cu31924028091233_djvu.txt

Note: Sasine in Scots law is the delivery of feudal property, typically land

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028091233/cu31924028091233_djvu.txt

 

1601 Thomas Newall, heir of Archibald Newall, burgess of Drumfreis

http://forebears.io/surnames/newall

 

1602 Newaill Patrick smyt burgess Aberdeen

List of BURGESSES OF GUILD AND TRADE Aberdeen

https://books.google.ca/books?id=0I8LAAAAYAAJ

 

1603 birth Meittie Newaill [spelling] father Patrk Newaill

1603  NEWAILL MEITTIE  PATRK. NEWAILL/ 0

03/04/1603 168/A 20 14 Aberdeen

Note: see 1602 & 1610

 

1604 Jacobo Newall burgense Dumfries

Hec inquisitio facta fuit in pretorio burgi de Drumfreis vigesimo sexto die mensis Januarii anno domini millesimo et sexcentesimo quarto coram discretis viris Joanne astrane de garroch et Jacobo Newall burgense de Drumfreis senescallia senescallatiu de Kirkcudbricht et Annandaill et vicecomitibus vice comitatuu de Drumfreis Wigtoun et Roxbur conjunctim in hac parte per comissione SDN regis data sub testimonio sui magni sigilli de data apud Edinburgh primo die mensis Decembris ultimi elapse nunc constitutis per hos

https://books.google.ca/books?id=7RRcAAAAQAAJ

Note #1: Above translated from Latin by Google Translate:

This investigation was made in tolbooth   [a traditional Scottish ‘town hall’]    borough of Drumfreis twenty-sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and fourth before discreet men John Astrane of Garroch and James Newall burgense of Drumfreis  stewardship  [the steward]   of Kirkcudbricht and Annandaill and sheriffs time together in the counties of Drumfreis Wigtoun and Roxbur by SDN commissioned by the king of this part of the gifts of the testimony of his great seal, dated at Edinburgh the first day of the month of December last year,

Note #2. burgense (Latin version of Burgess) were merchants or craftsmen who owned property in burghs and were allowed to trade in burghs free of charge, It later came to mean an elected or unelected official of a municipality.  They were the economic basis for towns like Dumfries.

 

1607  Nicoll Newall and Johne Maxwall messengers, Dumfries

https://books.google.ca/books?id=XBw5AQAAMAAJ

Note: Messenger and Messenger-at-Arms were  Sheriff’s Officers

 

1607 James Newall, son of a deceased bailie of that name bound over.

The year 1607 saw several disturbances in the Kirk, one of  them relating to burials within the building… Above the grave of the late Archibald Newall, notar, the Youngs erected a stall at their own expense, but one Sunday whilst Patrick Young chirugeon was “sittand in my awindask disposing myselff only for the heiring of the Holy Word,” James Newall, son of a deceased bailie of that name, attempted to eject him with a whinger. The Newalls being the agressors were bound over in 1,000 merks each

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028091233/cu31924028091233_djvu.txt

The fact that James was bound over by a bond of 1000 ‘merks’ suggest that he was relatively well off.

 

1607   Supplication by James Young, chirurgeon, burgess of Dumfries and others including Helen Newall, spouse to Patrick Young and others complaining against John Newall, maltman and burgess of Dumfries; Nocoll Newall messenger; James Newall, son of the deceased James Newall, sometime bailie of Dumfries; Martin Newall son of the said Nicol, and Patrick Newall, tailor who have threatened the lives of the supplicants.

The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, Second Series VOL . VIII .  1544—1660

https://archive.org/stream/registerprivyco04coungoog/registerprivyco04coungoog_djvu.txt

 

1608 birth Mertene Newall son of Patrick and Catharine at Edinburgh

MERTENE so PATRIK NEWALL/CATHARIN THOMESOUNE FR182 (FR182) 0

12/01/1608 685/1  10  337  Edinburgh

 

1609 Marriage Patrick Newall to Agnes Blaikie at Edinburgh

NEWALL PATRIK   AGNES BLAIKIE/FR673 (FR673)  11/09/1609

685/1  430 73  Edinburgh

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/

Note: Sufficient time for new wife if Catharine died in or after childbirth in 1609. Limited death records at this time so cannot confirm.

 

1610 Johnne Newaill son of Patrick and Helene  at Aberdeen

NEWAILL JOHNNE so PATRIK NEWAILL/HELENE FRIEMAN FR494 (FR494) 0

22/02/1610 68/A 20 118 Aberdeen

Note: Different from Patrick 1609.

 

1612    James Newall, smith, John Newall, witnesses Dumfries

Disposition of f)avid Edzar of Gulliehill, son and heir of umquhile Andrew Edzar of Gulliehill, feuer of the lands under ,p.”ifi”d, in consideration of certain sums of money paid, without reversion, to John Young, notary’ burgess of Drumfreis’ ancl to the heirs male of his body, whom failing to John Young, second son of Patrick Young, chirurgeon, burgess of the said burgh, the elder brother of the said John Young, notary, and to the heirs male of the body of the said John Young, younger’ whom failing to the heirs and assignees rvhomsoever of the said John Young, notary, his twenty shilling land of the forty shilling land of Gulliehill, of his ten shilling land of the twentv shilling land of Eschieholme, and his six shilling and eight penny land of Stellintre olias Napartoun, lying in the parish, tu.o’y, ancl lordship of Haliewod and sheriffdom of Drumfreis, to be held of t|e granter, his heirs and assignees

Dated at Drunrfreis, zoth August, t6rz. Witnesses : Robert N{axwell, Patrick \-oung, James Newall, smith, John Newall, and John Mortoune

http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol6.pdf

 

1612   Birth Robert Newall son of Thomas Dumfries

First name(s) Robert
Last name Newall
Gender Male
Birth year 1612
Birth place
Baptism year 1612
Baptism date 18 Feb 1612
Baptism place DUMFRIES, DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND
Father’s first name(s) Thomas
Father’s last name Newall
Mother’s first name(s)

www.findmypast.co.uk

 

 

1613 Birth John Newall son of Mertein Newall Dumfries

First name(s) Johne
Last name Newall
Gender Male
Birth year 1613
Birth place
Baptism year 1613
Baptism date 02 Feb 1613
Baptism place DUMFRIES, DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND
Father’s first name(s) Mertein
Father’s last name Newall
Mother’s first name(s)

www.findmypast.co.uk

 

1614  Helene Newall spouse of Patrick Young chirurgeon, John Newall servant to William Young Dumfries

Disposition by Thomas Edzar of Fuird’ proprietor of the lands under specified, with consent of Issobell Thornsone, his spouse, in favour of Patrick Young, chirurgeon’ burgess of Drumfreis,and Helene Newall, his spouse’and the survivor’ and to John Young, …. At Dumfreis , 26th March, 1614, Witnesses : John Thomsone’ servant to John Young, notary ; John Newall’ servant to William Young; JohnCurror,ministeratLochrutene;and John wair’

http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol6.pdf

 

1615    Martinus Newall Clericus Scribe Signeto vel Signeti Regis

INDEX OFFICIORUM, The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland

https://books.google.ca/books?id=UHs5AQAAMAAJ

 

1616 John Newall married Margrat Maxwell

Ane register of the Mariages solemnizat within the Kirk of Drumfreis declairing the yeir of God and day of the monethe thay war mariet upon Begining wpone the 12 of May, 1616 yeiris. [1616]

20 October—Johne Newall & Margrat Maxvell mareit.

http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol9.pdf

 

1617   birth Robert Newall son of Mertein Newall Dumfries

First name(s) Robert
Last name Newall
Gender Male
Birth year 1617
Birth place
Baptism year 1617
Baptism date 20 Feb 1617
Baptism place DUMFRIES, DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND
Father’s first name(s) Mertein
Father’s last name Newall
Mother’s first name(s)

www.findmypast.co.uk

 

1619 Archibald Newall one of the jaylouris [jailors] of the burgh of Drumfreis;  Bailies ordered Archibald Newall the officer to apprehend an offender;  James Newall, Smith [blacksmith] in Dumfries wounded by Robert McBrair while assisting Archibald Newall.

Complaint by John Corsane provost of the burgh of Dumfries, Mr John Corsane his son, Archibald Newall officer of the burgh, James Newall smith there and William McGympsie cordiner there…

 Robert M Brair of Almegill [poss Amagill] and John and Robert McBrair his sons joined in the attack upon the provost [Corsane].

Mr Johne Corsane his sone he without ony kynd of airmoure or wappone come in haist to releve the said provest his father when John McBrair set upon him with his rapier hurt him in the arm and on closing with McBrair received from him a wound in the shoulder with a dagger.  Meanwhile the Robert McBrair struck the said James Newall with a grite rod the mouth

Royal Letter directing procedure in the action by Robert McBrair sheriff of Nithsdale against John Corsan provost of Dumfries

https://books.google.ca/books?id=Q2QhAQAAMAAJ

Note #1:  see 1587 for earlier problems between Newalls and McBrairs.

Note #2: Nithsdale was also a historic district of Scotland, bordering Annandale to the east,  t and Galloway to the west. The district was in the Sheriffdom of Dumfries and later became part of the County of Dumfries,

Note #3: Almagill situated near the village of Dalton is a small settlement about 10 miles southeast of Dumfries and 4 miles south of Lockerbi

Note #4: McBrairs of Almagill in that parish that they first appear in the records of the Burgh A retour dated 19th December 1573 warrants the supposition that they occupied Almagill at least a hundred years before that date as in it Archibald M Brair Provost of Dumfries is entered as heir to his great grandfather William M Brayre of Almagill in the 100s land of Almagill in Meikle Dalton and the three husbandlands in the town of Little Dalton called Hallidayhall When the Convention of Royal Burghs met at Edinburgh on the 4th of April 1552 John M Brair Provost of Dumfries probably the father of Archibald appeared as Commissioner for the town Provost Archibald M Brair and Bailie James Rig were its representatives in the Convention of October 1570 On the 5th of January 1561 John M Brair by obtaining a charter of The Mains which constituted part of the church lands of Dumfries acquired a still stronger footing for his family in the town though they do not appear to have given to it any chief magistrates after 1577 How before the lapse of another

Source History of the burgh of Dumfries, with notices of Nithsdale, Annandale, 

https://books.google.ca/books?id=D7QHAAAAQAAJ

 

1620  James Robesone notary servant to Martine Newall Writer [see note below] at Edinburgh

Acquittance by Williame Braidie mealmaker at the Coatbrig to James Prymrois Clerk of Council for 20 merks consigned in his hands by Johnne Aikman in Brumehous being the fine imposed on him for riot and oppression against the dischargen. He signs by the aid of James Robesone notary servant to Martine Newall Writer at Edinburgh 1st February 1620 before his own lawful son Thomas Braidie and Robert

https://books.google.ca/books?id=8h05AQAAMAAJ

Note: Writer  Sc. usage: a lawyer, notary, solicitor, attorney Now obs. or arch.

also writer to the Signet (formally abbreviated to W.S.), a member of a society of law agents in Edinburgh, orig. clerks to the Secretary of State, who have the exclusive privilege of signing all signet writs and drawing up crown writs.

http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/writer

 

1621 Complaint against James Newall smith burgess Dumfries

Complaint by Nicol Wallis baxter burgess of Dumfries and Janet Glover his spouse as follows On 23rd December last they were in the house of the late Elspeth M Kinnell in the burgh of Dumfries when James Newall smith burgess of Dumfries with others came armed under cloud and silence of night to the house attacked complainers with drawn swords gaif oute a nomber of stroakis at thame and strak and dang the said Jonnett Gloovar so brusing her that scho is not able to putt on hir awne cloithis and scho lyis bedfast in greit dolour and pane Nicol Wallis appearing personally

https://books.google.ca/books?id=Q2QhAQAAMAAJ

 

1622   Martin Newall writer

Mr Patrick Galloway Mr Andrew Ramsay Mr William Strutheris Mr John Guthrie and Mr Thomas Sydserff ministers of Edinburgh appearing personally with some of the elders of the Kirk of Edinburgh complain that they had been charged at the instance of Martin Newall writer to appear and hear and see themselves discharged of all pro ceiding aganis the said Mairtene for giveing of his aith in the sclander of adultrie quhairwith he and Helene Johnstoun ar burdyneit in respect as he alledgeit the tryall thairof wes already remittit to the Archibischope of St Androis

https://books.google.ca/books?id=Q2QhAQAAMAAJ

Note: for Writer see previous.

 

1622 Birth Jonet Newall parents Adame and Geils at Edinburgh

NEWALL JONET   ADAME NEWALL/GEILS MITCHEL FR623 (FR623) 0

08/09/1622 685/1  30 30  Edinburgh

 

1622 Birth James Newall son Mertein Newall Dumfries

First name(s) James
Last name Newall
Gender Male
Birth year 1622
Birth place
Baptism year 1622
Baptism date 04 Jun 1622
Baptism place DUMFRIES, DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND
Father’s first name(s) Mertein
Father’s last name Newall
Mother’s first name(s) Ewphame
Mother’s last name Kincade
Residence Dumfries, Dumfries, Scotland

 

1622   Charge was brought against James Newall, Mairteyne Newall writer and others Re contested election

in that they chose John Maxwell, clearly proved to be a skinner, as bailie, and James Newall, a blacksmith, as deem of Guild. On these grounds the election was declared null and void, and a new Council was ordered to be chosen

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028091233/cu31924028091233_djvu.txt

 

1623 James Newell Birth of daughter Dumfries, wife Margaret Wols

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/

 

1623 James Newall Craftsman and Committee member

The Arbiters were  John Geddes & Wm Carlyle for the Merchants and James Newall & Mr. John Maxwell for the Crafts, and Sir Willm Maxwell of Gribton oversman, chosen by both parties, concerning the number of Deacons of Crafts should be on the election of Magistrates & persons of Council.

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028091233/cu31924028091233_djvu.txt

 

1627 Bessie Newall, relict James Young, elder, chirurgeon [surgeon] Dumfries

https://archive.org/details/registerprivyco03coungoog

 

1628 Petition by Walter Newall, son to Alexander Newall in Newabbey [New Abbey]

https://archive.org/details/registerprivyco03coungoog

 

1629   James Cannan charged with assaulting John Newall procurator

James Cannan charged with assaulting John Newall, who was acting in St. John’s Clachan [“St. John’s Clachan” church, Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire] as procurator before the Commissary of Kirkcudbright. [procurator is an agent representing others in a court of law in countries retaining Roman civil law].

http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol31.pdf

Note #1:  Procurator is an agent representing others in a court of law in countries retaining Roman civil law.

Note #2:   James Cannan (i.) of Mardroquhat had been infeft in that land in 1620, during his father’s lifetime, and in connection with his own marriage (contract dated 12th Febru&rl, 1620) with Katherine Gordon, daughter of Mr Gilbert Gordon of Shirmers.l7 in 1629 he was charged, along with James Cannan of Barley, with assaulting John Newall, who was acting in St. John’s Clachan as procurator before the Commissary of Kirkcudbright.

Note#3:  Clachan Inn in StJohn’s Town of Dalry   AKA St John’s Clachan of Dalry

Note #4:  This is one of the earliest reference to Newalls in Kirkcudbrightshire; however it is not clear that he was a resident. Lochinvar, the historic home of Sir Robert Gordon, is located, around 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north-east of StJohn’s Town of Dalry.  The barony of Earlstoun [north of St. John’s Town] and the patronage of the church of Dalry were acquired by Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinver sometime after 1593.  In the 18th century a number of Newalls lived near St. John’s, Dalry.

 

1629    Martini Newall scribe signeto regio [seal royal i.e. clerk to the signet] and Joanne Newall clerico vicecomitatus [Sherrifs Clerk] Dumfries

Omnibus hanc cartam visuris vel audituris Willielmus Herreis filius legittimus quond Joannis Herreis de Madinpape hereditarius proprietarius terrarum aliorumq subscriptarum salutem in dno sempitnam Noveritis me pro perimpletione et obsrvatione vnius mee partis cujusdam tre aliena nis et dispositionis hac in parte ejusdem penes pns infeofamentum subscript per me cum consensu quorundam personarum inibi content dilecto meo Jacobo Neilsoune mercatori  [merchant] burgensi de Drumfreis fact virtute cujusquidem tre dictum Jacobum….

plenariam et irrevocabilem tenore pntium comitto potestatem In cuius rei testimonium pntibus ex chirographo Archibaldi Gibsone srvitoris Martini Newall scribe signeto regio manu mea subscript sigillum meum est appensum apud Drumfreis decimo quinto die mensis Maij anno Dfii millesimo sexcentesimo vigesimo nono coram his testibus Joanne Newall clerico vicecomitatus de Drumfreis Joanne Glencors Lanione burgense burgi de Drumfreis Joanne Makburne notario ibidem et Matheo Makburne ejus fratre insertore date et

https://books.google.ca/books?id=7RRcAAAAQAAJ

Note  RE possible shipping connections to Jacobo Neisoune mercatori Dumfries: In 1599 a James Neilsone was clerk (person responsible for cargo) on a voyage of the ship Robert of Dundee to Spain and a return voyage to Scotland with a cargo of Spanish wine. https://archive.org/stream/comptbuikofdavid00weddrich/comptbuikofdavid00weddrich_djvu.txt

 

1629    Death of Martin Newall   writer and clerk to the signet 

27th May. Adam Watt, sometime servitor to David Anderson, writer, is admitted an ordinary writer and clerk to the signet. Gave in to the box, £12. [On the margin ” in the place of umquhile Mairtine Newall.”]

Writers society 1629, ABSTEACT OF MINUTES

https://archive.org/stream/historyofsociety00socirich/historyofsociety00socirich_djvu.txt

 

1635 John Newall, heir of Martin Newall of Bambachall (Kirkcudbright).http://forebears.io/surnames/newall

 Note #1: This is likely the Marin Newall writer and Clerk to the Signet who died in 1629. He had a son John who was born in 1613 which would be the right age for this John.

Note #2:  in a source doc name given as Martinus de Barnbachell

https://books.google.ca/books?id=htbmAwAAQBAJ

Note #3: likely Barnbauchle [Barnbackle ], Lochrutton, a parish in eastern Kirkcudbrightshire 4 miles WSW from Dumfries which is spelled as Barnbachell, Barnbacail, Barnbachle, Barnbackle  in other docs.

http://www.kirkcudbright.co/places.asp?ID=18

Note #4: Photo Road to Barnbackle Farm, Lochrutton

http://www.yourlocalweb.co.uk/dumfries-and-galloway/three-crofts/pictures/popup-403061-road-to-barnbackle-farm/

Note #5: In later years the Maxwells were the largest landowners in Lochrutton.

http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/historical-tax-rolls/farm-horse-tax-rolls-1797-1798/farm-horse-tax-1797-1798-volume-03/213#zoom=2&lat=795.5598&lon=1147.91066&layers=B

Note #6:  Terraughty [Terraughtie], Parish of Troqueer, Kirkcudbrghtshire (now in Maxwelltown a suburb of Dumfries) is between Barnbauchle and Dumfries.  Historically this area was associated with the Maxwells  http://www.kirkcudbright.co/historyarticle.asp?ID=328&p=16&g=4.

 

1637 Deed of appointment of John Newall as Commissary Clerk

National Records of Scotland   CC13/1/2

 

1638 John Newall and William Newall signatories to the Covenant of 1638 in Borgue and Minigaff Parishes, Galloway

NEWALL, John Covenanter; signed the Borgue parish Covenant BORGUE – Places Index, Volume III, pp 143-145

NEWALL, John (duplicate?) Covenanter; of Dalry Parish *Morton, A. S. p 357 ST. JOHN’S TOWN OF DALRY – Places Index, Volume III, pp 967-976

NEWALL, William Covenanter; signed the Borgue parish Covenant BORGUE – Places Index, Volume III, pp 143-145 *Morton, A. S. p 463

http://www.thecovenantingtrail.co.uk/docs/A_to_Z_%20-_People_involved_in_the_Covenanting_Years_pp_1_%20-_404.pdf

The following are the signatures: — …Jon Newall..

“With our hand at the pen by the Notar following at our commands because we cannot

wrycht [write] ourselves…William Newall…

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924029476003/cu31924029476003_djvu.txt

Note: Re Borgue [between Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse] see http://www.kirkcudbright.co/borgue.asp

 

1638 marriage of Jon Newaill to Isobell Fyiff at Aberdeen

NEWAILL JON ISSOBELL FYIFF/FR4021 (FR4021)

29/11/1638  168/A  120 400  Aberdeen

 

1638 Birth Adam Newall Kirkcudbright

Adam Newall was born in 1638 to Marian Edgar, age 37, and John Newell, age 46.
1638 • Scotland

Parker Tree Genealogy Facebook.com

Note: Not found in Scottish records

 

1639 Patrick Newaill, smith Aberdeen

1639 BAND OF RELIEF: List of non-subscribers in the Crooked Quarter Aberdeen

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=14464&sID=9099

 

1640  birth Robert Newell son of James and Elspet at Aberdeen

NEWELL ROBERT so JAMES NEWELL/ELSPET PEIRIE   0

12/01/1640  168/A  30 241  Aberdeen

Note: James poss son of Patrick see 1610

 

1641 marriage William Newall to Issobel Maxwell at Dumfries

NEWALL WILLIAM   ISSOBELL MAXWELL/FR1017 (FR1017)

27/05/1641 821/  40 41  Dumfries

 

1641   John Newall at Dairy a cold or uncovenanter

Alexander Gordon of Erlistone declares no cold or uncovenanters to be within the parochen

of Dairy, whereof he is Captain, except Johne Newall.

Re ‘cold’ above:

The quhilk day, the Committee foirsaid finds and declares ane cold covenanter to be suche ane

persone quha does not his dewtie in everie thing committed to his charge, thankfullie and

willinglie, without compulsion for the furtherance of the publict.

The Minute Book of the War Committee of the Covenanters in the Stewartry in the year 1640-41

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924029476003/cu31924029476003_djvu.txt

Note: Erlistone  is Earlston, Kirkcudbright

 

1642 marriage Thomas Newall to Issobell Muir at Dumfries

NEWALL THOMAS ISSOBELL MUIR/FR1021 (FR1021)

31/03/1642  821/  40 45  Dumfries

 

1643  marriage Robert Newall to Bessie Rowane at Culross

NEWALL ROBERT  BESSIE ROWANE/FR224 (FR224)

21/03/1643  343/  10 344  Culross

 

 

1643 James Newall, smith, burgess of Dumfries as witness

The Register; Of the Privy Council of Scotland – Forgotten Books

 

1643 Will Helen newall Kirktoun of Kirkmaho

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

Note KIRKMAHOE, a parish, in the county of Dumfries, 3½ miles (N.) from Dumfries containing the villages of Dalswinton, Duncow, and Kirkton.

 

1644 Birth Margarit Newall daughter Robert of Culross

NEWALL MARGARIT ROBERT NEWALL/0 13/02/1644  343/10 25 Culross

Note: Culross west Edinburgh

 

1645 Marriage Martine Newall Dumfries to MARIONE STURGEONE

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

Poss Son of Martin ?

 

1648   Birth John Newall Son Robert at Culross

NEWALL JOHN so ROBERT NEWALL / 0

02/04/1648  343/ 10 58 Culross

Note #1: Culross west Edinburgh

Note #2: See discussion of Culross Newalls in Section III

 

Summary Newalls of Scotland 1600-1649

During the reigns of James I and Charles I  Scotland was a political backwater to London but many Scottish Lords and Lairds and the country as a whole prospered as a result of their connections to the Stuart Kings.  The Newalls of SW Scotland appear to have also prospered during this period. Martin Newall,  as a Clerk to the Signet based in Edinburgh (the capital), also was clearly an important person in Dumfries (see 1622 RE charges of Election rigging in Dumfries).  There is sufficient information on Martin Newall to speculate regarding his family history:

  • He was likely the son of Nicol Newall messanger (see 1607)
  • He was likely the Martin Newall of Bambachall, Lochrurron (his birth place?) father to John (see 1635)
  • He had sons John born 1613, Robert born 1617 and James born 1622.
  • He was likely the Martin Newall writer [notary, solicitor] and clerk to the signet based in Edinbrough (see 1620, 1622 and 1629)
  • He was involved in Election rigging in Dumfries in 1622
  • His son John may have been the Sherrifs Clerk in Dumfries in 1629 and the Commissary Clerk in 1637.

 

Apart from Martin, Nicol and John discussed above, the other Newalls in Dumfries were: Jacob burgess (1604), James son of Archibald deceased burgess (1607), John maltman and burgess (1607), Patrick tailor (1607, 1609), James smith and later dean of crafts (poss James 1607, 1612, 1619, 1622, 1623, 1643, died 1657), Thomas (1612), Archabald Jailor (1619) and John procurator (1629).  All these Newalls held responsible positions in Dumfries although they did have their problems with their neighbours and the law.

While Martin and other Newalls based in Dumfries dominate the historical records (which are undoubtedly biased towards people involved in government and living in Dumfries) there were likely other Newalls living in SW Scotland during this period.

Walter and Alexander in New Abbey were captured in the records but based on the 1585 report of Newalls over which John Maxwell Earl of Morton was superior  there were almost certainly other decendents of these 1585 Newalls living in New Abbey and Kirkbean parish in the early 17th century.

During this period we get the first reference to Newalls living in Kirkcudbrightshire. These include:

  • Martin who in 1635 lived in Lochritton Parish (near the eastern border of Kirkcudbrightshire and only a few miles from Dumfries)
  • John and William who signed the covenant of Borgue (a parish between Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse) in 1638, and
  • John at Dairy in 1641.

There are also references to James Newall in 1604 and 1629 that indicate that he was working in St. John’s Clachan, Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire but it is not clear if he was living there.

At the start of the 17th century we get the first references to Newalls  outside SW Scotland.  These include:

  • Johnne Newell at Prestonpans (east of Edinburgh) in 1600,
  • Patrick Newaill  (blacksmith) at Aberdeen in 1602, 1603, 1610 & 1639,
  • Patrick Newall in Edinburgh in 1608 and 1609,
  • Martine Newall writer at Edinburgh in 1620, 1622 and 1629  but was also conducting business in Dumfries, and
  • Adame Newall at Edinburgh in 1622,
  • Jon Newaill at Aberdeen in 1638,
  • James Newell at Aberdeen in 1640, and
  • Robert Newall at Culross (west of Edinburgh) in 1643, 1644 and 1648.

At this time I have no evidence that these Newalls had their origins in Dumfries; however, this should be considered as a possibility. There is more discussion of the Newalls living outside SW Scotland in Section III.

There is no direct evidence of any Newalls involved in overseas shipping or colonization during this period; however, this may be the result of the absence of records for the Newalls of Kirkbean Parish, which includes the Port of Carsethorn, and the shortage of Dumfries shipping records for this period (see http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol33.pdf).

 

 

 

Continued in Newalls of  Scotland III