William Borthwick (bef. 1530 - abt. 1583)

Born before 1530 in Midlothian, Scotland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1583 after about age 53 in Midlothian, Scotland

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Biography

A great-grandson of William, 2nd Lord Borthwick. In 1550 "John, Lord Borthwick, son of William, Lord Borthwick, as superiors, granted sasine of the lands of Scholle and Compasslack in the Lordship of Wedale, to William Borthwick of Soutra, son of William Borthwick of Soutra, his cousin-german, son of Alexander Borthwick of Nenthorn." Sasine was dated 20th May 1550.^[1]

William Borthwick, senior of Soltray [sic], is mentioned as the father of Robert Borthwick in a charter dated 14 Nov 1565.^[2]

There is a "Charter by King James the Sixth confirming a charter dated at the Castle of Borthwick 9th December 1570, by William Lord Borthwick, conveying to his eldest son, William Borthwick, and the lawful heirs of his body, whom failing, to his second son, James Borthwick, etc., whom failing, to the lawful heirs of the granter's own body, to be begotten; whom failing, to William Borthwick son and heir of the late Sir John Borthwick of Cineray, etc., whom failing, to Michael Borthwick of Glengelt, etc., whom failing, to John Borthwick of Gordounshall, etc., whom failing, to John Borthwick of Cruxton [Crookston], etc., whom failing, to WILLIAM BORTHWICK OF SOWLTRY [SOUTRA], etc., whom failing, to the lawful heirs-male whomsoever of the granter, all and singular the lands and barony of Borthwick, including the lands particularly described as contained therein. Reddendo, to the King and heirs, one red rose, if asked. Dated at Leith 23rd October 1571.^[3][4]

When King James VI, in 1587, confirmed the charter granting the church lands of Soutra to the Burgh of Edinburgh, the Town Council entered into a tack with [this] William Borthwick, son of William Borthwick of Soutra Mains, at the yearly rent of £30 Scots. Under this tack Borthwick was to uphold also the parish kirk of Soutra.

One of this William's last acts before death, was the redemption of his lands of Nenthorn which had been wadset (mortgaged) to Helen Heriot, daughter of James Heriot of Trabroun. The instrument is dated 7th May 1582 in favour of William.^[5]

Sir Robert Douglas says that William Borthwick of Soltray [sic] was Chamberlain to Queen Mary and made a considerable figure in her reign.

He had three sons and two daughters.

Sources

1. ↑ A System of Heraldry &c., by Alexander Nisbet, Volume 2, facsimile edition, Edinburgh, 1984, Appendix page 106.
2. ↑ The Great Seal of Scotland charter number 1898, confirmed at Edinburgh, 24th November 1569.
3. ↑ Registrum Magni Sigilli, vol.iv.no.1974.
4. ↑ Calendar of the Laing Charters, A.D.854 - 1837 edited by Rev. John Anderson, Edinburgh, 1899, page 217, number 864.
5. ↑ Nisbet, 1722/1984, p.106.

• The Complete Peerage by G.E.Cockayne, edited by the Hon.Vicary Gibbs, London, 1912, Vol.II, p.223.
• Fala and Soutra, by Rev. James Hunter, F.S.A.Scot., Edinburgh, 1892, p.62-3.
• The New Extinct Peerage, 1884-1971 by L.G.Pine, London, 1972, p.32, which wrongly gives his death year as 1563, an obvious transcription error.
• A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage by Bernard Burke, London, 1880, vol.42, Part 1, p.137.

• http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/borthwick1452.htm
• See daughter Margaret's notes.