Agnes Borthwick

AGNES BORTHWICK

Agnes Borwick seems likely to be the daughter of William, third Lord Borthwick. This is certainly what was proposed by the late Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland. His work is not flawless but he probably got it right in this instance. The Scots Peerage, ii, p. 107

The Question of Identity

There is some uncertainty about the identity of Agnes Borthwick in the minds of modern genealogists. It has been suggested by one that she was born in 1465 and that she was the daughter of William, fourth Lord Borthwick, but this proposition appears to have no basis in fact. WikiTree: Agnes Borthwick According to Darryl Lundy, Agnes Borthwick was the daughter of William, second Lord Borthwick, but his proposal seems to be nothing more than just a typographical error Darryl Lundy's Peerage: Agnes Borthwick for Lundy cites volume three, page 74, of the Complete Peerage as the source of his information and this volume identifies her as the daughter of the third lord. p. 74 The Complete Peerage etc., iii, p. 74 The editors of the Complete Peerage do not say where they found their evidence for the paternity of Agnes Borthwick. However, since volume three of this work was published in 1913 it might not be considered unreasonable to say that it was probably found in volume two of Sir James Balfour Paul's edition of The Scots Peerage, which was published in 1905. The Scots Peerage, ii, p. 107

Death

A date of death has not been identified for Agnes Borthwick. She was alive on 16 July 1505 NRS GD25/1/196 but she must have died before 9 August 1509, the date upon which her widowed husband David, Lord Kennedy, gave his second wife, Margaret Boyd, the dowager Lady Forbes, a charter for various lands in the Kyle Stewart division of North Ayrshire, which were part of the bailiery of Cunningham. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1473-1513, charter number 3371 on p. 721

Marriage

Agnes Borthwick married Sir David Kennedy, son and heir of John, Lord Kennedy, afterwards David, Lord Kennedy, and later David, Earl of Cassillis. The Scots Peerage ii, p. 461 The date of her marriage to David Kennedy is not known but she and her husband had a charter from her father-in-law, for various lands in the Cunningham division of North Ayrshire, which was confirmed under the Great Seal of Scotland on 9 July 1489. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1473-1513, charter number 1876 on p. 395

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

8 July 1489: Instrument of Resignation by John Dundas of that Ilk as procurator for John Lord Kennedy, in the hands of King James IV, of the lands of Balgray, the two Bordlands and half merk land of Struther, the lands of Fulwood, over and Nether Auchintibbers, Gabrachhill, Spittal, Whitelee, Peacockbank and Brydiland, extending altogether to a 40 merk land, and lying in the Lordship of Stewarton, for Infeftment thereof to be given by the King to Sir David Kennedy Knight son and apparent heir of the said John Lord Kennedy and Agnes Borthwick wife of the said Sir David, and longest liver of them in liferent Witnesses - Thomas Stewart of Minto, Andrew Wood Master of the Household, and Sir James Abercrombie and Sir John Dempster priests. Dated at Castle of Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis, reference GD25/1/151

                   2

9 July1489: Charter by King James IV, to Sir David Kennedy Knight son and apparent heir of John Lord Kennedy, and Agnes Borthwick wife of the said Sir David in liferent and the heirs procreate between them, whom failling the nearest heirs of the said John Lord Kennedy, of the lands of Balgray, the two Bordlands, the half merk land of Struther, the lands of Tubwood, over and Nether Auchintibber, Gabrachhill, Spittal, Whitelees Peacockbank, and Brydiland - proceeding on the resignation (GD25/1/148) of the said John Lord Kennedy. To be holden of the King and his successors Stewarts of Scotland for services used and wont Witnesses - Robert Bishop of Glasgow, George Bishop of Dunkeld, William Bishop of Aberdeen, Colin Earl of Argyll Chancellor, Patrick Earl Bothwell Master of the Household, John Lord Glammis and John Lord Drummond Justiciaries, William Lord St John Treasurer, John Prior of St Andrews, Keeper of the Privy Seal, Mr Richard Muirhead Comptroller and Mr Archibald Whitelaw Secretary. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis, reference GD25/1/153 see also Register of the Great Seal Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1473-1513, charter number 1876 on p. 395

                   3

8 July 1505: Copy of Precept by the said Andrew Graham of Knockdolian, for infefting Sir David Kennedy bailie of Carrick and Dame Agnes Borthwick his lady in conjunct fee and liferent in the 20 shilling land of Drumskeoch, the 16 shilling 8 penny land of Glackthoir, the 20 shilling land of Nether Altican and 6 shilling 8 penny land of Drumwauchty, lying in the barony of Knockdolian Witnesses - Sir John Kennedy Dean of Carrick, and William Halket and Dugald Macrether Chaplains. Dated at Mayboll. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis, reference GD25/1/195

                   4 

16 July 1505: Instrument of Seisins in favor of the said Sir David Kennedy and Dame Agnes Borthwick in the 20 shilling land of Drumskeoch, 16 shilling 8 penny land of Glackthoir, 20 shilling land of Nether Altican and 6 shilling 8 penny land of Drumwauchty proceeding on the above precept Witnesses - David Wood and John Montgomery. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis, reference GD25/1/196