Johne Andersson Mowat (abt. 1550 - 1617)

Born about 1550 in Delting, Shetland Islands, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Christian Stewart — married before 21 Nov 1597 in Scotland

Descendants

Died Aug 1617 at about age 67 in Shetland Islands, Scotland

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Biography

Johne (John) Andersson Mowat is recorded as the eldest son and heir to Andrew Mowat, of Hugoland, by his first wife, Ursulla Tulloch, the daughter to William Tulloch of Skae. ^[1]

On 27 March 1577, he appears in a Charter on the Register of the Great Seal, in a confirmation by King James VI, of a charter granted by his father in favour of John his eldest son, and apparent heir of partial lands in Delting (presumably the property of Hugoland), some in Aithsting, in Walls, in Tingwall, in Yell, and some in Unst. The Charter also mentions that should the line of John fail then the properties will pass to Malcolm, second son, then to Patrick, third son, reserving always his own liferent and a life rent on half of the said lands to Ursella Tulloch, his spouse. This charter informs that Andrew had three sons, at least, to Ursula, his first wife, and that, in 1577, his first wife was still alive. This Charter also allows that he may build a "fortalice" on his lands due to the frequent raiding by the Irish.^[2] Delting is the neighbouring Parish to Northmaven.

He was underfowde (Baillie) of Northmaven on 2nd July, 1589^[3] and was likely Baillie before that date as this when a case was brought before the Privy Council, at which he failed to appear. On the record of the Privy Council at this time, he appears as "Johnne Mowatt, son of Andro Mowatt of Hugoland, underfoude of Northmavine" suggesting he had not inherited title, to Hugoland by that date.

His father is said to have died 1610/11 and it might be presumed, although no Charter has been found, that he inherited Hugoland and others, by Inquisition, about that date.

John died August 1617, likely on his property, either in Delting or at Northmaven.^[4]

Family and Legacy

Grant indicates that he married Christian Stewart, although does not provide her lineage. The marriage presumably occurring c. 1575. They had a number of children:^[5]

1. Andrew Mowat, of Hugoland, d. 1631, whose daughter Isabel Mowat married Ninian Neven of Scousburgh.
2. Gilbert Mowat, later of Garth.
3. James Mowat, of Burrafirth and Ure, a witness to a Disposition by Magnus Polsone (Paulsson) to Laurence Sinclair of Burray, of the lands of Setter, in Weisdale, 12th September, 1616, is mentioned in the supplication to Parliament for James Mouat of Ollaberry and Ninian Neven in 1641. He married Agnes, daughter of Mr. James Pitcairn, minister of Northmaven, and had children.
4. Jean Mowat, married David Heart, Sheriff-Clerk of Orkney and Shetland.
5. Catherine Mowat, married Hugh Sinclair, in Damsay, Orkney.

According to The Scots Peerage, Christian Stewart was the daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney. Christian married John Mowat of Hougaland. She passed away after 1634.^[6]

"Christian [Stewart], married to John Mouat of Hougaland in Shetland, and, as his widow, was living, and in feud with her brother-in-law, in 1634." (citing _Reg.Mag.Sig._).^[6]

Notes for John Mowat and Christian Stewart

See excellent, very well-researched notes at Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy^[7]

Note: Wikipedia appears to have added two sons to the family of Andrew (Anders) Mowat of Hugoland; a Gilbert Mowat of Garth and a James Mowat, of Ure and Burrafirth. Both of these were sons to John Mowat and grandsons to Andrew… excerpted “The County Families Of The Shetland Islands”Mouat of Garth

Notation on Andrew Mowat [Mouat] of Hugoland and his eldest son and heir, John Andersson Mowat of Hugoland :
“ Skea, 21 November 1597: Disposition by Andro Mowatt of Howgoland; with consent of Johne Mowatt; his eldest son and apparent heir; and of Cristian Stewartt; spouse of Johne to James Mowatt and his heirs male; whom failing to Gilbertt Mowatt and his heirs male; whom failing to the said Johne Mowatt and his heirs; with reservation of the liferent to Andro, of 9 marks land; 8 pennies the mark; in Burrafirth; in the parish of Sandsting; 6 marks land; 6 pennies the mark, in Brownatwat; 6 marks land, 6 pennies the mark, in Stennistwat, 4 marks land, 9 pennies the mark; in Ulvista, 11/2 marks land; 8 pennies the mark; in Brabuster, 1 mark land; 9 pennies the mark, in Brek; 3'/, marks land; 8 pennies the mark; in Seter; in the parish of Wallis; 4 marks land; 6 pennies the mark; in Howasetter; 3 marks land; 6 pennies the mark, in Grenewall; marks land, 8 pennies the mark; in Caldcliff; 2 marks land, 6 pennies the mark, in Daill; 1 mark land; 8 pennies the mark; in Skalloway; and 1 mark land, 8 pennies the mark; in the isle thereof called the Brether Ile, 11/2 marks land; 8 pennies the mark, in Nesbester, in the parish of Tingwell and Quhitnes; 1 mark land; 12 pennies the mark; in Gletnes, 1/2 mark land; 9 pennies the mark; in Beinsta, 1 mark land; 12 pennies the mark; in Catford; and 10 marks land, 8 pennies the mark; in Laxvo; in the parish of Nesting and Lunesting; togidder with the haill landis of Daill and Daillis guidis; quhairever the samin lyis within the cuntrie of Yetland'. The lands are to be held by James for payment of scat and teinds to the king and the kirk, and of all other customary dues; together with one penny; upon the grounds of the lands of Caldbak; yearly to Andro on Beltane day, if asked. The disposition is in fulfilment of a contract between Andro; on the one part, and Johne and Cristiane; his spouse; on the other part, dated 20 and 21 November 1597 at Collafirth and Skea. Precept of sasine. Witnesses: Barrold Mowat, Donald Williamson; Magnus Tullo; Magnus Cogill; Andro Mowat; Archibald Sinclair; and William Fermour, notary public; with divers others. Cristiane Stewartt subscribes with her hand held at the pen. Andro Giffhartt subscribes as a witness. Sasine given at Burrafirth on 23 November 1597 (at 12 noon) by Gilbert Giffert; bailie. Witnesses: Magnus Mowat; George Broun; Nicoll Olasoun, and Archibald Sinclair. William Fermour, notary public. SA, GD.144/254/3. The sasine is on the back.”….. excerpted from: Shetland Documents 1580-1611, pg 117-8, item 264

Notation on rent contract concerning Andro [Andrew] Mowat of Howgoland; and his son and heir, John Mowat:
“Olaberie, 11 July 1609: Contract between Andro Mowat of Howgoland; and John Mowat; apparent thereof; with consent of Cristien Stewart, spouse of said John on the one part; and Mr James Pitcairne; minister at Northmavine; on the other part; whereby Andro renounces to Mr James 'the richt, use; government and dispositioun of the haill rent; leving and dewties of all ... thair landis within the cuntrie of Yetland; togidder with the lordis of Norowayis landis presentlie in thair possessioun ... the said Mr James his entrie thairto beand and begynnand to this instant crope and yeir of god Jaj VJc and nyne yeris, and thairefter to be upliftit be him and the said Johnne Mowat coniunctlie, alwayis uset; imployit and disponit upon be the said Mr James allanerlie; ay and quhill the full redemptioun, outquytting and recoverie of sic landis thairof as lyis in wodsett or uthir burding and danger quhatsumevir'; with reservation to Andro of 'his rowmes of Brevick; Stenhous; Howgaland and Lien; frie of all debt or dewtie to be requyrit thairof; as also the landsetter town of Papa, and the fischingis in Veaskerie'. Mr James binds himself to employ the 'rent; leving and dewteis' as will extend to in money 'according to guid estimatioun'; to redeem yearly thereof after first paying and satisfying the lords of Noroway of their debts and duties. Witnesses: Edward Scollay of Strynie; Thomas Swentoun, minister at Kirkwall; John Swentoun; his son; minister at Holme; Mr Robert Swentoun; minister at Wallis; James Mowat; son of said Andro; and James Jack; notary public; writer hereof“……excerpted from: Shetland Documents 1580-1611, pg 237, item 482 SRO, RD.1/165, ff. 187-8

Notation on John Mowat of Hugoland and wife, Christian Stewart:
“ 4 October 1615: [19r] Anent a precept for production of writs by Johne Mowat of Hugoland against Johne Nevein of Skowisburch and James Mowat of Burrafirth : pursuer had sundry actions to pursue against sundry persons in the sheriffdom for sundry lands, debts and sums of money to which he had right, and divers actions are pursued against him by sundry persons dwelling in said bounds, in which actions and causes pursuer 'can nather gudlie persew nor defend without he have the particular writtis and evidentis underwrittin delyverit to him', namely a crown charter of confirmation and novodamus, with consent of the Regent Morton, to deceased Andro Mowat of Hugoland, pursuer's father , of most of his lands in Yetland; precept and instrument of sasine following thereon; marriage contract between deceased Robert, Earl of Orknay, and Cristiane Stewart, his natural daughter, now spouse of pursuer, on one part, and pursuer on the other; charter by said deceased Andro to pursuer of all his lands, conform to said contract; instrument of sasine following thereon; procuratory of resignation whereby Andre resigned his lands in the hands of the earl for new infeftment to be given to pursuer; instrument of resignation following thereon; charter by earl to pursuer on said resignation; precept and instrument of sasine following thereon; certain charters and dispositions by divers persons in Yetland to said Andro of divers lands there: which evidents were in the hands of Johne Nevein of Skowisburch and James Mowat of Burrafirth , 'at the least they haid, hes or fraudfullie hes put the samen away and will on na wayis delyver the same to him to be keipit and unit be him ... in persute and defence of the saidis caussis, nather yit will they exhibite and produce the samen befoir the schireff principal or his said deputt to be delyverit ... to the said pursewar ... without they be compellit'; and anent the charge given to defenders to compeer before the sheriff depute (19v1 with all writs they have which pertain to pursuer; pursuer compearing by David Heart, his procurator, and defenders being personally present, sheriff depute decerned James Mowat to restore to pursuer the charter of confirmation and sasine following thereon and another evident in parchment, confessed by him to be in his hands and keeping; to be kept; and assoilyied Johne Nevein and James Mowat of having the remanent writs and of the whole remaining points and decerned them quit and free therefrom, because, the having of said writs and tenor of the libel being referred by pursuer to defenders' oaths, Johne Nevein confessed receipt from said James of said charter of confirmation and sasine thereon and the other writ on parchment, and gave his oath thereon and that he had no other writ pertaining to pursuer, and James confessed return from Johne Nevein of said charter of confirmation, sasine and other writ on parchment and made faith that he had no other evident or writ concerning pursuer.”….. excerpted from: Court Book of Shetland 1615-1629, pp. 20-1

Notation on further legal documents by Christian Stewart regarding ongoing feud on inherited land and rental properties:
27 July 1631: Complaint by Christian Stewart, widow of John Mowat of Hugoland and daughter of the deceased Robert, Earl of Orkney and James Mouat of Ure, her brother in law against Gilbert Mowat, her brother in law,”…... Excerpted from: Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, Vol 5, 1633-1635 (2nd. Series), pages 219-221

Notations About John Mowat, his daughter Jean Mowat, and her husband David Heart: “John Mowat, of Ollaberry, later of Hugoland, married Christian Stewart, natural daughter of Robert, Earl of Orkney. They had 4 children, among these was Jean, married David Heart, sheriff-clerk of Orkney and Shetland.”….. excerpted, http://www.cosoft.org/mowat/hugoland.html

Sources

1. ↑ The County Families Of The Shetland Islands Mouat of Garth
2. ↑ The County Families Of The Shetland Islands Mouat of Garth
3. ↑ The County Families Of The Shetland Islands Mouat of Garth
4. ↑ The County Families Of The Shetland Islands Mouat of Garth
5. ↑ The County Families Of The Shetland Islands Mouat of Garth
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Paul, James Balfour, Sir, 1846-1931, ed. dn. The Scots peerage; founded on Wood's edition of Sir Robert Douglas's peerage of Scotland; containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom. Edinburgh : D. Douglas. 1904. Stewart, Earl of Orkney, pp. 573-7.
7. ↑ Notes for John Mowat and Christian Stewart : accessed 25 Jun 2018

See also:

• The County Families Of The Shetland Islands; Francis Grant (the Rothesay herald); 1893. Available at archive.org

• https://www.shetland-fhs.org.uk/surname-of-the-month-mouat