Helen (Clephane) Campbell (abt. 1535 - abt. 1610)

Born about 1535 in Cupar, Fife, Scotland

Ancestors

Wife of Robert (Arbuthnot) Arbuthnot XIVth of Arbuthnot — married Sep 1553 (to 1579) in Scotland

Wife of Alexander Campbell — married 1580 (to 1608) in Scotland

Descendants

Died about 1610 at about age 75 in Brechin, Forfarshire, Scotland

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Biography

Helen was born about 1535 daughter to George Clephane of Carselogie and his wife Christain Learmonth.

Helen married Robert Arbuthnot of that Ilk in Aug 1553 and by him had seven children:

• David of Findowrie mar. Elisabeth Rait contract 8 Oct 1586
• Margaret mar. David Ogilvy of Glenmoy
• Elisabeth mar. James Mortimer of Craigievar, contract dated 15 Oct 1577.
• Catherine mar. James Ogilvy of Balfour contract 29 Oct 1579
• James of Gyritsmyre mar. Catherine Stewart
• George
• William of Blackstone in parish of Airlie.

On 9 Feb 1574/75 Robert Collace of Balnamoon and his wife Elizabeth Bruce sold for the sum of 7500 merks Scots the lands of Findowrie, Brechin to Robert Arbuthnot of that Ilk and Helen Clephane to be held by Robert Arbuthnot and Helen in liferent and their son David in fee.^[1]

A Contract of Marriage was signed at Brechin on 29 October 1579 whereby Master James Ogilvy of Balfour agreed with Helen Clephane the widow of Robert Arbuthnot of that Ilk that his son and heir apparent would marry her daughter Catherine Arbuthnot. This was with the consent of Andrew Arbuthnot who had just become laird on the death of his father Robert two weeks earlier. It was agreed that they would "solemnise the bond of matrimony in the face of the hail kirk" between 29 October and 25 December 1579. By this contract James was to be infefted in the lands of Cookston , Blackstone, a quarter of Kinalty, half of Peattie, Balfour, Kirkton, Ascreavies and a quarter of Kinclune reserving liferent to his parents. Initially the young couple were to live in Peattie. Witnesses were John Ogilvy of Inverkeilor, Archibald Ogilvy of Lawton, George Wishart of Invernes, Robert Grange of Inverley, Robert Arbuthnot of Little Fiddes and Master Patrick Fraser precentor of Brechin. ^[2]

After the death of her first husband Robert Arbuthnot, Helen Clephane married Alexander Campbell, bishop of Brechin.

Bishop Alexander and Helen Clephane had two daughters:

• Marjory Campbell
• Jean Campbell

At Findowrie on 23 March 1583/84 George Wishart senior of Drymmie sold to Alexander Bishop of Brechin and his spouse Helen Clephane the lands of the Muir of Montboy (one mile west of Findowrie) to be held of them in conjunct infeftment. A transumpt of that charter was made at Brechin on 26 June 1605. ^[3]

Shortly after her husband's, death, Helen Clephane, relict of Alexander, bishop of Brechin, with consent of George Clephane of Carslogie, and her daughter dame Jean Campbell, spouse of Sir John Hamilton of Lettrik, kt., having commission from him, in his absence furth of Scotland, granted on 4 August 1608 a charter whereby Helen disponed to Jean, her (Helen's) liferent lands and barony of Carco, in parish of Kinclaven, sheriffdom of Perth, in return for 900 merks scots yearly.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis Vol.ii p.285 Charter CCXLI
2. ↑ National Records of ScotlandGD121/2 Box 8 bundle 1
3. ↑ Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis Vol.ii p.293 Charter CCLIII
4. ↑ National Records of Scotland GD109/1318