Henry Primrose (abt. 1500 - 1576)

Born about 1500 in Culross, Perthshire, Scotland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died Apr 1576 at about age 76 in Scotland

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Gregory Lauder-Frost [send private message] and Erica Nicksin [send private message]

Biography

The various stories of the Primrose family give this Henry as the progenitor of the family. However this is decidedly unclear and is placed here for further investigation and confirmation with reliable sources.

The name: Primrose is coming from the lands of primrose in the parish of Dunfermline. It has been suggested that it originally came from the old British, "prenn rhos: meaning 'tree of the moor'. The Primroses were well settled in Fife, and particulary around the Abbey of Culross. Henry Primrose, who was believed to be born abt 1490, had four sons and one daughter. ^[1]

A Henry Primrose was born abt 1490 in Culross, Fife, Scotland, and died April 1576 in Scotland He married Unknown Primrose abt 1509 in Culross, Fifeshire, Scotland Children of Henry Primrose and Mrs Henry Primrose are ^[2][3]

1. David Primerose, b. 1520, Culross, Fife, Scotland169, d. 1574, Culross, Fife, Scotland he married Janet Blaw (Bleau)^[4]

A Henry Primrose (b 1490) is mentioned in Great Seal charters at Culross from 1558 onwards (see those listed, below) and Rets. and Decreets lxiii 379; Protocol Book of James Primrose of Newlands^[5]) . He had at least 4 sons^[6] and possibly also James of Newlands clerk of Culross and Peter of Burnbrae who died 1584^[7]).^[8][9]

A Henry Primrose was a landholder or tenant in Culross next to Byregrange (Gilbert Primrose later had land in Byrefield) 28 July 1558.^[10] Henry is further recorded as a landholder or tenant in Culross on 12th August 1575 and 8th November 1586.^[11] Further a Henry Primrose held land at Culross next to Barhill on 5th Dec 1586.^[12] (Archibald Primrose also held land next to Barhill at this time.)

A Henry Primrose is recorded “occupying” the Windmill Cross (dates wanting) in charters confirmed 20 Mar 1587/8 and 22 Dec 1591 where again the index gives him as “elder” but there is nothing in the printed charters to suggest this.^[13] Despite the dates of these confirmations (confirmations can be some time later) Henry was by then deceased .

The Testament Dative & Inventory of Henry Primrose, feuar (landholder) of one quarter of Kincardin in the parish of Culross, Perthshire, was proved on 31st July 1587.^[14]

Research Notes

It would appear that all of the above may relate to "the late Henry Primrose in Burnbrae" whose wife Margaret Beveridge, described as his relict, had an Order for Protection from harassment for herself and her family dated 31st January 1588/9.^[15]

Strays: It seems possible that Henry may have had a son, Archibald, who was described as sometime Chamberlain of Culross Abbey when he died in 1594 and his Testament Dative & Inventory were proved on 26th February 1595.^[16]

Gregory Lauder- Frost writes: I would seriously question secondary sources unless they cite a checkable primary source. There is absolutely nothing in "The Scots' Peerage" for any Primroses in the 16th century. Henry does not appear in any charters under The Great Seal before 1558. This would indicate that before this period he was a feuar or a tenant of the Abbey at Culross.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: Richard Lee White Family of Morehead Primrose Webclans Primrose
2. ↑ Source: KY:Information about Henry
3. ↑ Not a credible source
4. ↑ No credible source
5. ↑ No mention of Henry in this.
6. ↑ Evidence?
7. ↑ Edinburgh Testaments, Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh Edinburgh Testaments
8. ↑ Transcripts required.
9. ↑ quote from: Genealogy Wise Primrose family Scotland A. Macbeth Mitchell
10. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland no. 984 confirmed 1 May 1586.
11. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, nos.109 & 1269 confirmed 1 Dec 1586 and 8 June 1587.
12. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, no.1087 confirmed 1 Dec 1586. The Index describes him as “elder” but it does not say this in the printed charter.
13. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland, nos: 1496 & 1984.
14. ↑ National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissariot Court, CC8/8/18.
15. ↑ The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland edited by David Masson, LL.D., vol.iv, Edinburgh, 1881, p.350.
16. ↑ National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissariot Court, CC8/8/27.

• See descendants

Acknowledgements

• This person was created through the import of 12102010.ged on 20 December 2010.