FALCONER, William 1
- Born: About 1585
- Marriage (1): GRANT(2), Margaret 1
User ID: P313.
General Notes:
WILLIAM FALCONER
In Gordons of Cairnfield there is a suggestion that William Falconer, the second husband of Margaret Grant was a Burgess of Elgin:
"1653, April 30. - Bond for 500 merks by Robert Gordone of Mayne to William Falconer, burgess of Elgin. Signed at Elgin, 18th Jan. 1648. [Falconer may have been the husband of Margaret Grant (Mrs Alexander Gordon of Dunkintie), whom Robert Gordon was accused in 1634 of terrorising]. (Elgin Commissary Record)."
This suggestion that William Falconer, Burgess of Elgin was the husband of Margaret Grant is not sustained because in Records of Elgin, volume 1 and volume 2, we find references to the Bailie/Burgess of Elgin as having another wife during the relevant years. For example in the Town Council Minutes for 1637:
"William Falconer, burges of Elgin, and Margrat Hamiltoun, his spous, ar appoyntit to be enterit be the toun to ane auchtan part of the grieschip lands of Elgin and auchtan pairt of Barflethills for payment to the tounes thesaurer of ten merks for the said auchtan part of grieschip lands with 25 merks for the quadroupill of the dewaties of the auchtan part of Barflethills and hauch thairof." (vol1, page 258)
From other references in volume 2 it is clear the marriage was of longstanding:
"l620.] THE CHURCH : KIRK SESSION. January 21st.
- Hamilton hir testimonial. - Hew Falconer, elder, producit ane testimoniall subscryvit be the minister of Aberdour, bearing that Margrat Hamiltoun, now spous to William Falconer, hes sworne and subscryvit to the trew professit religioun." (vol 2, page 163)
In 1625:
"August 31st. - Hamiltoun. - Comperit Margaret Hamiltoun spous to Wm. Falconer and confessit that she had taine the Communioun a thousand tymes efter hir avne fashioun and was nocht resolvit to tak the sacrament as yit with the rest of this congregatioun. " (vol 2, page 190)
In 1639:
"July 12th. - Not to resort the Channery kirk to prayer. - Certaine people warned for resorting the Chanery kirk. Comperit Agnes Lesly, the relict of vmquhill John Bonyman, and Robert Purse, Kathrein Robertsone, Margaret Hamiltoun, spous to William Falconer" (vol 2, page 235)
In 1641:
"April 23rd. - Compeired Margrat Hamiltoun, spous to William Falconer, bailyie, and promeised to keip the kirk at preaching and prayers." (vol 2, page 240)
William married Margaret GRANT(2), daughter of Patrick GRANT younger, 3rd of Ballindalloch and Margaret GORDON.1 (Margaret GRANT(2) was born about 1587 and died after 1634 1.)
Marriage Notes:
"Register of The Council
1634
Complaint by Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall, his Majesty's Advocate, and Margaret Grant, widow of Alexander Gordon of Dunkintie, and Mr. William Falconer of -------- , now her spouse, for his interest, as and follows: -
In violation of the law prohibiting the wearing of hagbuts and pistols, Alexander Gordon, now of Dunkintie, son of 'the said against Margaret, after the deceasse of her husband,' resolved to wreck his mother in her liferent lands etc."
from Register of The Privy Council
Note 1:
Further along in the same volume, page 618, the son Alexander is referred to as "Alexander Gordoun, now of Dunkintie, 'the unnaturall son of the said Margaret'." 1
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