John Arnot of Birswick (Orkney) (1530–1616) he son of William Arnot and his wife, Margaret Wallac. He ewas a 16th-century Scottish merchant and landowner who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1587 to 1591 and from 1608 to death. He was Deputy Treasurer to King James VI.
Marioune, one of the daughters and heirs portioners of Sir John Arnot of Birswick, provost of Edinburgh, and treasurer depute to king James VI., by Margaret Craig, his wife, sister of sir Thomas Craig of Riccartoun, the other heir portioner of sir John being Helena, wife of sir George Home of Manderston.
He married twice: firstly to Margaret Craig of Riccarton, daughter of Thomas Craig of Riccarton. They had two daughters, Rachel and Marion.
Margaret Craig had a financial interest in lead mining. She was part-owner, with John and Robert Johnsoun, of lead ore produced under a royal lease by the Earl of Atholl and George Douglas of Parkhead. The lead ore was taken to Leith and stored in a cellar belonging to John Dalmahoy. There was a disagreement in 1574, and Helen Barron, the wife of Robert Johnsoun, put new locks on the cellar. Regent Morton asked them to share their rights to a third part of the ore.
After Margaret Craig's death in 1615 Arnot. married Helen Johnston, and has one further daughter, Helen or Helena Arnot (1568-1650). Helen married Sir George Hume or Home of Manderston. George Home owed Sir John £14,000 but was apparently upset at receiving nothing in his will. The relationship between George and Helen deteriorated to the point that she was accused of witchcraft against him in 1629/1630. Not surprisingly she divorced him in November 1630.T his was forty years after the North Berwick witch trials.
His daughter Marion Arnot married James Nisbet (1557-1621), a son of Henry Nisbet of Dean and brother of William Nisbet of Dean. Marion Arnot inherited Lochend House at Restalrig from her father. James Nisbet was known as James Nisbet of Restalrig after the marriage.
His Last Will and Testament Sir John Arnot of Berswick, here treated, made his last will and testament at Edinburgh on 20 January 1616. Confirmation was granted on 24 May 1616. Death Sir John Arnot of Berswick, here treated, died on 21 January 1616.[1]
2-18 August 1617: Sheriffdom of Midlothian: Precept of clare constat by John, Lord Balmerino, in favour of Marion Arnot and Dame Helen Arnot, as heirs to Sir John Arnot of Birswick, their father, in four oxgates in the town of Restalrig, and instrument of sasine following thereon. [2]
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