Muniment Hill 65 was created by William Ross on July 20th, 1742, in Edinburgh. It documents a bond (debt) from Walter McFarlane of that Ilk, the 19th Baron of Arrochar, and the 16th Chief of Clan MacFarlane. This debt refers to two Helens. The first Helen was his mother Helen Arbuthnot who was later Mcfarlane after marriage to Walter’s father Col. John Mcfarlane, then after the death of Col. John, Helen Spottiswoode after marriage to her second husband John Spottiswood, of that Ilk. What confuses this document somewhat is that the second Helen is also Helen Spottiswoode, the stepsister of Walter because they have the same mother which was the first Helen mentioned. Walter’s stepsister Helen Spottiswoode was appointed to be the Sole Executrix (female executor) and Legatrix (female legator who receives a legacy) and Intromissatrix (female intromitter or someone who manages property) for their shared mother who at the time of her death was again a relict (widow) for the second time.
It is fortunate that Walter was not named John after his father Col. John because the eldest son of Helen and John Spottiswoode was named John Spottiswoode of Spottiswoode and that would have complicated family documents even more. Apparently the fourth child of the union of Helen and John Spottiswoode of that Ilk was named Macfarlane Spottiswoode which is also interesting.
Walter was chief from 1705 until his death on the 5th of June 1767 and he was buried in the Greyfriar’s Cemetery, Edinburgh. From what I understand Greyfriar’s cemetery is the same place as Greyfriar’s Kirkyard which is easily recognizable by a statue of Greyfriar’s Bobby with a pub of the same name nearby. It has been transcribed/translated and is now available for CMW members to read on the website under Muniments.
Be sure to login at the website first, then select "Clan MacFarlane" from the menu and then select "Muniments". The actual .pdf file will be available for you to open at the bottom of the page. Cheers!
Muniment Hill 78 was created in Latin on July 5th , 1543, and is a Charter of Confirmation (legal deed and confirmation or approval of a previous land grant) by Matheus (Matthew) 4th Earl of Lennox and Lord Darnley in favour of Duncan Mcfarlane the 13th Baron of Arrochar and 10th Chief & Katherin Colquhoun his spouse. The historic Clan Macfarlane lands lying in the Earldom of Lennox within the Sheriffdom of Dumbarton were confirmed by the Earl of Lennox. Duncan was the son and heir of Andrew Macfarlane, the 12th Baron of Arrochar, and the 9th Chief of Clan MacFarlane. This muniment lists many names of the land areas confirmed by the Earl of Lennox.
Be sure to login at the website first, then select "Clan MacFarlane" from the menu and then select "Muniments". The actual .pdf file will be available for you to open at the bottom of the page. Cheers!
Muniment Hill 77 was created in Latin on January 18th, 1541, and is a sasine (land deed) in favour of Duncan Mcfarlane the 13th Baron of Arrochar and 10th Chief. Duncan was the son and heir of Andrew Macfarlane, the 12th Baron of Arrochar, and the 9th Chief of Clan MacFarlane. John was the last vest and seised (being the last person legally invested with the formal possession and ownership of land or property before their death). Perhaps this means that Andrew Mcfarlane the 12th Baron of Arrochar and the 9th Chief did not go through the legal process for this land. This was the lands of Arrochar McGilchrist extending to a forty-pound land of old extent lying in the Earldom of Lennox within the Sheriffdom of Dumbarton proceeding on a Precept of Clar Constat (legal document issued by a superior to formally recognize and confirm an heir's right to inherit land held by a deceased tenant). It was granted by Mathew Stewart the 4th Earl of Lennox.
Be sure to login at the website first, then select "Clan MacFarlane" from the menu and then select "Muniments". The actual .pdf file will be available for you to open at the bottom of the page. Cheers!