William Melville (bef. 1440 - abt. 1502)

Born before 1440 in Raith, Fife, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Euphemia (Lundie) Melville — married about 1480 (to 1502) in Fife, Scotland

Descendants

Died about 29 Oct 1502 after about age 62 in Raith, Fife, Scotland

Biography

William Melville is a member of Clan Melville.

William Melville, "3d Laird of Raith," was born before 1440 in Raith, near Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. He was the eldest son of John Melville, "Second Laird of Raith" (bef.1398-bef.1463), and Margaret Scott (bef.1400-), daughter of Sir William Scott, 5th Laird of Balwearie.

William Melville had 2 marriages:

1. Margaret, daughter of Douglas of Longniddry, m: ca. 1455-1460
2. Euphemia, daughter of Sir Robert Lundie of Balgone, m: ca. 1470

William Melville had 7 children: ^[1][2]

1. John Melville, "Younger of Raith," b. ca. 1460; m. Janet Bonar of Rossie; d: 4 June 1494 in Scotland. His 2nd son, Sir John Melville, b: 1482, became the "Fourth Laird of Raith" from his grandfather in 1502. NOTE: Not documented but likely he was the son of William's 1st wife: Margaret Douglas. John Melville later had many legal battles with his father about his younger (half) brothers' rights & lands.

Six children were by Euphemia Lundie: ^{[1] [3]}

1. William Melville, b: ca. 1475; "who held the lands of Pitscottie and Dura"
2. Andrew Melville, b: ca. 1480; "settled in Leith:" died after 1516
3. Egidia "Gelis" Melville, b: ca. 1485, m: Henry Pitcairn, 11th of Pitcairn & of Drongy. He died 9 Sep 1513 at the Battle of Flodden in England
4. David Melville of Wemyss, ca. 1490 in Wemyss, Fife; d: 27 May 1544 in Cupar, Fife, Scotland
5. Elizabeth "Elspet" Melville, "married John Gourlay, younger of Lamathlan [Lamlethan]"
6. Margaret Melville, "married James Bonar of Rossie"

William Melville, Third Laird of Raith, died a few years after February 1498, most-likely in October 1502 as the lordship of Raith was given to his grandson, Sir John Melville, b: 1482, as his oldest son, John Melville, b. ca. 1460, had predeceased his father in June 1494. Sir John Melville's 3rd son, Robert Melville, b. ca. 1527, was later created "First Lord Melville". ^[4]

Research Notes

William Melville first appears on record as a witness to a charter dated 2 Aug 1463.^[2] From this, one can conclude that he was born prior to 1449. The best "estimate" is around 1440. Trees purporting his birth around 1425 are simply too early for the known dates of his children's births, deaths, marriages etc.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} https://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/htol/lundin7.html
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Fraser, William. "The Melvilles Earls of Melville and the Leslies Earls of Leven", Edinburgh: T. and A. Constable at the Edinburgh university press, 1890, Vol. I, Archive.org, "The Melvilles Earls of Melville and the Leslies Earls of Leven," pg. 28. NOTE: A list of 6 of his children is given on pg. 34.
3. ↑ Fraser, William. "The Melvilles Earls of Melville and the Leslies Earls of Leven", Edinburgh: T. and A. Constable at the Edinburgh university press, 1890, Vol. I, Archive.org, "The Melvilles Earls of Melville and the Leslies Earls of Leven," pg. 34.
4. ↑ Fraser, William. "The Melvilles Earls of Melville and the Leslies Earls of Leven", Edinburgh: T. and A. Constable at the Edinburgh university press, 1890, Vol. I, Archive.org, "The Melvilles, Earls of Melville and the Leslies, Earls of Leven," pg. 33

• Wikidata: Item Q76303315

• https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/mcdonald-and-potts-family-tree/I545776.php - cites sources

• The Peerage: William Melville NOTE: some dates do not "match" and eldest son John's death is wrong (he died in 1494, not 1513).