no image
Privacy Level: Open (White)

John (Blair) Blair of that Ilk (abt. 1547 - 1609)

John Blair of that Ilk formerly Blair
Born about in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotlandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 11 May 1565 in Scotlandmap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 62 in Blair, Ayrshire, Scotlandmap [uncertain]
Problems/Questions Profile manager: Marge Mills private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 22 Jun 2011
This page has been accessed 9,366 times.
Preceded by
John Blair
[6th] Blair of that Ilk
1566 - 1609
Succeeded by
Bryce Blair

Contents

Biography

John (Blair) Blair of that Ilk is a member of Clan Blair.
Scottish flag
John (Blair) Blair of that Ilk was born in Scotland.

John Blair of that Ilk of was the son of John Blair and Margaret Cunningham, heir to the Barony of Blair in Ayrshire, Scotland.[1][2][3]

John married Grizel Semple.[4][5][6][7][8][9][3][10][11][12] They had the following children:

  1. John - eldest son and heir designate, but died before his father in 1604.[5][3][13]
  2. Bryce - formerly of Lochwood, succeeded to Blair in 1610.[14]
  3. Robert of Bogtoun, Auldmure, and Lochwood[14]
  4. Alexander[15][16]
  5. Hugh, of Auldmure and Bogside][15]
  6. Gavin, of Manismure, youngest son (name misread as "James" by earlier writers on this family)[15]
  7. James[17]
  1. Jean, m1. Alexander Cunningham, m2. John Stuart of Ardmaleish, Sheriff of Bute[17][3][13]
  2. Margaret, m. ____ Ker of Kersland[3]
  3. Grizel, m1. David Blair of Adamton, m2. Sir John Maxwell of Nether Pollock[17][3][12]
  4. Anna, m. John Brisbane of Bishopton[13]

As a young man, John lived through the Scottish Reformation, the process by which Scotland broke with the Catholic Church and developed a predominantly Presbyterian-oriented Calvinist national church. The family lived at Blair House, a stone Norman keep with a moat and a drawbridge that served as the baronial mansion.[18] It is located about two miles southeast of Dalry in Northern Ayrshire, approximately twenty miles southwest of Glasgow, and five miles from the coast of the Firth of Clyde.

John acquired the patronage of the geographically adjacent church of Dalry, which continued on with the family after his death.[19] The family had a long affiliation, at least 100 years, with the church in Dalry as evidenced by his great-grandfather's troubles with the Archbishop of Glasgow for bringing Sir Thomas Brown into the church on 21 July 1510. Since Sir Thomas had been excommunicated he was not allowed to associate with parishioners much less be on church grounds. Refusing to leave, Sir Thomas was forcibly ejected and great-grandfather John Blair had to answer for his actions to the Archbishop on 31 July 1510.[20]

John Blair died 15 Nov. 1609.[21][5]

Research Notes

In his history of Ayrshire, James Paterson notes that John Blair and his wife Grizel (or Grissel) Semple obtained a charter dated 8 Feb. 1573 that Paterson cited as "Johanni Blair de eodem, et Grizeldae Semple eius sponsae, terrarum Thornlie Wallace," etc.[22] They also obtained a charter, Paterson writes, on 1 Feb. 1575, for the lands of Ryesholme, Flaskwood, North and South Blaise, etc., and another in 1580 for the 40 shilling lands of Muirburn in Renfrewshire and of Over-Birkheid in Ayrshire. Lastly, Paterson notes, they obtained yet another charter in 1595 for the lands of Ramshorn and Meadowflatt, etc., in the shires of Edinburgh and Lanark, "which formerly belonged to Sir James Foulis of Colinton, who, in exchange, got the lands of Oxgang, and half of the mill of Currey, both in the neighbourhood of Colinton."

Paterson also relates that in 1575, John Blair of that Ilk "entered into a band of mutual assistance with Robert, Lord Boyd" (citing the charter chest of the last Earl of Kilmarnock). According to Scottish Nations, John and his brother William were found guilty of the slaughter of Thomas Craufurd.[2][23] However, John's involvement in criminal trails was more usually not as an accused defendant or convict. For example, Paterson says that in 1580, John Blair of that Ilk was on the assize at the trial of Arthour Hamiltoune in Bothwelhauche, who faced charges for involvement in the murder of the Regents Murray and Lennox. Then in 1593, John was one of the sureties for John, Earl of Menteith, who had been accused as a party of the Earl of Bothwell. In 1602, John Blair of that Ilk was involved in two different criminal trials: first, as one of the "preloquutouris" for the grand jury panel at the trial of John Mure of Auchindraine, who was accused of the slaughter of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean; and second, he and his son John were on the trial of Allaster M'Gregor for being at the "conflict of Glenfruine."

John Blair of Blair and his sons Bryce and Robert also witnessed a 1595 charter by Thomas Craufurd and his wife Margaret Craufurd to their son-in-law, John Blair of Giffordland. Then, in a deed dated 14 May 1600, John Blair of that Ilk granted a discharge to the burgh of Irvine for parsonage teinds of certain lands near Irvine -- in that deed, John is mentioned as "Blair of that Ilk, sometyme tutor testamentator to James Cuninghame of Mountgreenan, in behalf of the said James," and the witnesses to the deed are listed as "James Mowat of Busbie, John Craufurd of Craufurdland, Thomas Nevein of Monkreddin, and William Montgomery, writter hereof" (Paterson states that this deed was in the burgh's charter chest).

Paterson notes that in the 1609 testament of Fairlie, lawful son and heir of the late David Fairlie of Over Mynnok in the parish of Dalry, John Blair of that Ilk is mentioned "as having consigned the sum of Twa Thousand punds money in the hands of James Hamiltoun of Wodsyde, for the redemption of 'ye landis of Groitholme, wt. ye pertinentis by and wt-in the parochin and regalitie of Kilwyning."

Children

As indicated above, by a marriage contract dated 11 May 1565, John married Grissel Semple, daughter of Robert, 3rd. Lord Semple (probably by Robert's second wife Elizabeth Carlile. Scots Peerage, Vol. 7, p.550, says of Grissel: "10. Grissel, who, from the date of her marriage, was probably a daughter of Elizabeth Carlile though not mentioned in the precept of legitimation of her other children, was married (contract dated 11 May 1565) to John Blair of Blair, and had issue. " The marriage contract was cited from "Reg. of Deeds, xx. pt.ii. 332."[9]

A charter under the Great Seal, dated 7 Feb. 1601 [RMS VI, 1142] names the five younger sons of John Blair and Grizel Semple and their order of birth as shown above and in the chart below.[24]

Children of John Blair and Grissel Semple
Child's
Name
SourceNotes
RBSDouglasRobertson
202217981820
JohnXXXheir apparent but predeceased father
BryceXson of JohnXheir to Blair
RobertXXson: Sir Adam, daughter: Marrian
AlexanderXXm. Elizabeth, heiress of William Cochrane
HughXd. Jan. 1617, m. Barbara Hamilton, son: Capt. Brice Blair
GavinXXm. Annabella Stewart charter 15 June 1615
JeanXXXcharter 14 Aug. 1591
MargaretXXm. Ker of Kersland
GrisselXXXm. David Blair of Adamton 21 July 1598
AnnaXm. John Brisbane of Bishopton in 1594
JamesX

Death

His date of death has been incorrectly reported as 24 Nov. 1608, based on misinterpretation of probate information of John Blair of Mekill-Banchrie rather than this John Blair of this ilk.[25] Similarly, a date of death is reported as 30 July 1608, but the text indicates "Blair, John, younger, of that Ilk." This would be this John's son, John, although the younger John's testament dative recorded in the Commissariot of Glasgow records his death in Jan. 1604, not 30 July 1608. Finally there is a date of 11 Nov 1609 in Blair, Ayrshire, Scotland[26]. Paterson, in his history of Ayrshire, says only that John "appears in various testamentary documents down till 1609" and that he died probably shortly after appearing in a 1609 testament of Fairlie, lawful son and heir to the late David Fairlie of Over Mynnok in the parish of Dalry. Researcher Hugh Peskett, however, showed that John's death was 15 Nov. 1609, citing Scottish Records Office charter "C22/4,371v," a partial English translation of which reads:
"At Edinburgh 10 April 1610: The deceased John Blair of that Ilk, father of Bruce Blair now of that Ilk, died last vest etc., in the Blair estates . . . .; the lands are in the possession of the mesne superiors by reason of non-entry, from the death of the same John Blair who died 15 November last past, by default of the said Brice Blair his son and true heir male aforesaid."

Sources

  1. MacGregor, Gordon, "The Red Book of Scotland", Scotland, private, 2022, Ed. 3, Vol. I, p. 796
  2. 2.0 2.1 Anderson, William, "The Scottish Nation; or. The surnames, families, literature, honours, and biographical history of the people of Scotland", Edinburgh: A. Fullerton & Co., 1867, Vol. I, Archive.org, p. 319
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Douglas, Robert, "The Baronage of Scotland, Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Gentry of that Kingdom. Collected from the Public Records and Chartularies of this Country, the Records and Private Writings of Families and the Works of Our Best Historians", Edinburgh: 1798, Google Books, p. 195
  4. RD1/20/2/332
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 MacGregor, Gordon, "The Red Book of Scotland", Scotland, private, 2022, Ed. 3, Vol. I, p. 797
  6. MacGregor, Gordon, The Red Book of Scotland, Scotland, private, 2022, Ed. 3, Vol. III, p. 442
  7. Paul, James Balfour. "The Scots Peerage : founded on Wood's ed. of Sir Robert Douglas's Peerage of Scotland; containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom", Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1906, Vol. III, Archive.org, p. 339
  8. Semple, William Alexander, "Genealogical history of the family Semple from 1214 to 1888", Hartford, CT: Press of Case, Lockwood, and Brainerd Company, 1888, Hathitrust, p. 13
  9. 9.0 9.1 Paul, James Balfour. "The Scots Peerage : founded on Wood's ed. of Sir Robert Douglas's Peerage of Scotland; containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom", Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1910, Vol. VII, Archive.org, p. 550
  10. Crawfurd, George; Semple, William, "History of the Shire of Renfrew", Edinburgh: George Crawfurd, 1782, Hathitrust, p. 30
  11. Robertson, George, "A Genealogical Account of the Principal Families in Ayrshire, More Particulary in Cunninghame", Irvine: Cunninghame Press, 1823, Archive.org, p. 84
  12. 12.0 12.1 Cokayne, George Edward, The Complete Baronetage, Exeter: William Pollard & Co, 1902, Ed. 1 Vol II, Archive.org, p. 384
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Robertson, George, "Topographical Description of Ayrshire; more particularly of Cunninghame: together with a genealogical account of the principal families in that Bailiwick", Irvine: Cunningham Press, 1820, Archive.org, p. 236
  14. 14.0 14.1 MacGregor, Gordon, "The Red Book of Scotland", Scotland, private, 2022, Ed. 3, Vol. I, p. 798
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 MacGregor, Gordon, "The Red Book of Scotland", Scotland, private, 2022, Ed. 3, Vol. I, p. 800
  16. Paterson, James, "History of the County of Ayr: With a Genealogical Account of the Families of Ayrshire", Edinburgh: John Dick, 1852, Vol. II, Archive.org, p. 507
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 MacGregor, Gordon, "The Red Book of Scotland", Scotland, private, 2022, Ed. 3, Vol. I, p. 801
  18. Pont, Timothy, and Dobie, James, Dobie, John Shedden, ed., Cuningham, Topographized by Timothy Pont, A.M., 1604-1608, with Continuations and Illustrative Notices by the Late James Dobie of Crummock, F.S.A. Scot.. Glasgow: John Tweed, 1876. p. 11, p. 80
  19. Paterson, James, "History of the County of Ayr: With a Genealogical Account of the Families of Ayrshire", Edinburgh: John Dick, 1847, Vol. I, Archive.org, p. 408
  20. Bain, Joseph, ed., Liber Protocollorum M. Cuthberti Simonis Notarii Publici et Scribae Capituli Glasguensi A.D. 1499-1570 Also Rental Book of Diocese of Glasgow A.D. 1509-1570, London: Grampian Club, 1875, Vol I, Archive.org, p. 487
  21. C22/4.317v
  22. Paterson, James, "History of the County of Ayr: With a Genealogical Account of the Families of Ayrshire", Edinburgh: John Dick, 1847, Vol. I, Archive.org, p. 414
  23. Pitcairn, Robert, "Ancient Criminal Trials in Scotland", Edinburgh: William Tait, 1833, Vol I, Part 2, Google Books, pp. 71-72 showing John and William were indicted by a grand jury panel 21 May 1577 and convicted 23 May 1577.
  24. Reg. Mag. Sig., "Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum : The register of the Great seal of Scotland, A.D. 1593-1608 published by the authority of the Lords commissioners of H.M. Treasury.", Edinburgh: General Register House, 1890, Vol. 6., Archive.org, p. 394, no. 1142
    At Halyruidhous, 7 February KING, for himself and as administrator &c. (as in charter 174),—he grants, and for the service rendered to him and to his ancestors, he gave anew to ALEXANDER BLAIR, then named COCHRANE, the third [sic - fourth] lawful son of John Blair of the same, — to the extent of the complete half of the land from Cochrane. to 5 ancient boundaries stretched out, with fortification, manor place, mills, woods, fisheries, columbaries, tenants &c., in barony and street. de Renfrew - to the said Alexander, and Elizabeth his spouse to the said Alexander, third legitimate daughter of William Cochrane of that Ilk, - dark half of the said 5 boundaries of Cochrane, with mills &a. (and above); which all the said Wil. and resigned in their favor : — Reserving the free tenement to the said Wil. the complete half to the said Alex, and to the male heirs between him and the said Elizabeth legitimately to be procreated, and when they fail, the heirs of the said Alex, of lawfully procreating the body, the name and arms of Cochrane's offspring, to whom failing Robert Blair of Auldmure immediate elder brother of the said Alex. he read of his body, having been begotten, the surname and insignia of Cochrane accepting and resigning the name of Blair, to whom the failing, Brice Blair of Lochwood, their immediate elder brother, and heirs &c. to whom the failing, Hugh Blair, the younger brother of the said Alex, and his heirs &c. (as above), to whom the said Gavin Blair, youngest brother of the said Alex, and his heirs &c. (as above), to whom failing, the second legitimate son of the elder lord of Fulwood for a time, to the male heirs the surname and insignia of Sempill resign, and accept the insignia and surname of Cochrane; to whom the failing, lord of Barbachlaw, and his male heirs for the time who bear the nickname and insignia of Cochrane, to whom the said failing, and to his nearest heirs fem. said William Cochrane whatsoever, surname &c. (and above); shadowy and half the sayings of Alex and Elizabeth and of them to another living longer, and to their heirs as mentioned above. ; of the prince and steward of Scotland : — To be paid. one white rose in the name of a farm:--Providing that if the said Alex or the heirs of Cochrane declined the surname and insignia, the hereditary right would accrue to the next heir if he chooses the same tally; and that it would not be lawful to alienate the said lands or annual rents from them in prejudice to the surname of Cochrane (which if they did, the said alienation would be of no strength and land to the nearest heirs of the tally),—according to the terms of the marriage contract between the said persons. the church of Kilbarquhan, 24 Jul 1600
  25. Grant, Francis James, "Commissariot Record of Edinburgh: Register of Testaments, Part II Volumes 35 to 81 1601-1700", Edinburgh: James Skinner & Co., 1898, Part II, Archive.org, p. 39
  26. Find A Grave: Memorial #188341141

See also:

  • Peskett, Hugh. "Chiefship of Blair," 22 Aug. 1992, unpublished original research report on the Blairs of that Ilk addressed to William Campbell Blair.




Is John your ancestor? Please don't go away!
 star icon Login to collaborate or comment, or
 star icon contact private message the profile manager, or
 star icon ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA
No known carriers of John's DNA have taken a DNA test.

Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.



Comments: 2

Leave a message for others who see this profile.
There are no comments yet.
Login to post a comment.
Blair-375 and Blair-4258 appear to represent the same person because: same name, same parents, same spouse, same time frame, same location

B  >  Blair  |  B  >  Blair of that Ilk  >  John (Blair) Blair of that Ilk

Categories: Kilbirnie, Ayrshire | Clan Blair