John Cunningham (abt. 1540 - abt. 1597)

Born about 1540 in West Barns, East Neuk, Fife, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Euphemia (Leslie) Cunningham — married about 1586 in Fife, Scotland

Descendants

Biography

John Cunningham ... John was born about 1540 (approximated) He was said to be Laird or Baron of Barns in Fife, Scotland, near the village of Craile, Fife. April 10 1572 his father, William, gave him part of the Barns land in Fife. On 16 April 1596, he filed papers in Edinburgh, Scotland to legitimize his bastard son, John Cunningham (later known as Hans Konningham).

Altho' his son, John was ilegitimate, this individual appears to have been married at least once and to have four or more legitimate off-spring. Until more information is found, it is difficult to assign possible birth years to any of this line. The book, East Nuek of Fife, p 397 does not refer to John by name, but says of him "he purchased the Isle of May from Allan Lamonth, c1570. Probably he was the Laird of Barns (so called, for he was only Tutor), who about the same time, married Lamonths eldest daughter, and whose second son Allan, md his cousin Helen, daughter of Henry Lamonth."

Official Guide to Crail, p71 speaking of the Isle of May "Cunningham, according to all accounts, made a good thing of it (Isle of May), for he is credited with building the earliest lighthouse upon the island, for the maintenance of which Parliament in 1636 ceded to his son (or grandson) the right of exacting an impost (tax) of 2s scots (two pence of our money) on the ton of all native vessels, and 4s scots on the ton of all strangers, passing up or down the channel."

- From time of original Cunningham title to Barns to Niel (or Nigel) Cunningham, in 1376, down to 1596 when this John drew up papers regarding his son, would include five to eight direct line ancestors.

Sources

Great Seal of Scotland

An Alexander Cunningham and his father William Cunningham are mentioned in a letter (1700) dated January 26 1565/66 (under the great seal of Scotland) given land in West-Barnis and Gallowsyde " in constabularia de Craill, vic, Fyffe"

Signed by Mary Stuart and Henry her husband "Rex et Regina".

Part of same land is given to John Cunningham "filio legitimo Willelmi C. de Barnis in another letter (2038) dated April 10 1572. We can also learn here that Williams wife was Beatrix Lawmont.

Source: "The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland" Volume IV A.D. 1546-1580.

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Book: The Red Book of Scotland, vol. 2, by Gordon MacGregor