LUMSDEN, Robert of Clova, Advocate and Bailie in Aberdeen ^{1 3}

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  General Notes:

"Robert (Lumsden), the third son, was a Bailie of Aberdeen, and seems to have been rather an influential man in his day. He was 'Commissary' for Aberdeen, along with Provost Thomas Menzies of Pitfoddels, in the Convention of Estates held at Perth, 28th July, 1569 ; and on the 31st August, 1574, in the name of the Provost and Magistrates, he presented to the Regent the bond by which the burgh of Aberdeen bound itself, under a penalty of £20,000, to be loyal and obedient. Less to his credit is the entry in the Register of the Privy Council, on the 9th July, 1569. 'Bessy Strathauchin, guddam of Thomas Annand fadirles pupill,' complains that Robert Lumsden, his tutor, neglects his duty to his ward ; and the Regent having had all parties before him, directs Robert to do his duty 'without further delay or protraction of tyme, as he will answer to God.' This confirms the view taken of his character by the writer of the Cushnie MS., who says: 'The friends and tutors,' Matthew and Robert, 'proved, as said, very unnatural, and their successors continue still of that same mind . . . Beware of them ! ' Elsewhere we read that Robert 'married his daughters upon the Chambers and Williamsons in Aberdeen, not having living heirs-male, gave his means to his daughters, and to the lairds of Caskieben and Tochone, and forgot to remember the house of Cushnie he was come of !' This last heinous charge, however, cannot be true, for Robert's property of Clova, by which he was always designated, came somehow, but I know not how, into the possession of his nephew John, the eighth laird."

from Families of Lumsden ¹

Robert married Elizabeth KEITH, daughter of Alexander KEITH of Pittendrum and Marion LUNDIE.¹ (Elizabeth KEITH was born about 1515 and died on 30 June 1572 ².)

  Marriage Notes:

"Robert married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Keith of Pettie, brother of the first Earl Marischal."

from Families of Lumsden

Note:

Two assumptions are made to justify this placing of Elizabeth Keith:

i] That "Alexander Keith of Pettie" and Alexander Keith of Pittendrum are one and the same

and

ii] That by "first Earl Marischal" the author of the above quotation is referring to the William Keith who married Elizabeth Gordon, since the William Keith who married Mariota Erskine does not seem feasible in the dating required.




"Lumsden, Robert. 1576.

Third son of Robert Lumsden of Medlar and Balnakelly. Magistrate of Aberdeen in 1545-46. Probably the procurator and factor, appointed for the Order of Trinity Friars in Aberdeen, 3rd September, 1555. Joint Commissioner for the Burgh of Aberdeen at the meeting of the Estates, held at Perth, 28th July, 1569. Sheriff Depute of Aberdeenshire in 1576. Proprietor of Clova.

Married, first, Elizabeth (died 30th June, 1572), dau. of Alexander Keith, brother of the Earl Marischal, with issue, of whom : -

1. Margaret, 'Lady of Leslie,' died 20th August, 1575.

2. Janet, or Jean, married Alexander Chalmers of Cults, Provost of Aberdeen.

Married, second, Janeta Menzies.

from History of the Society of Advocates ^{1 2}

Robert next married Jean MENZIES, daughter of Sir Thomas MENZIES of Pitfodels, Provost of Aberdeen and Marion REID heiress of Pitfoddels.^{1 2} (Jean MENZIES was born about 1534.)

  Marriage Notes:

"It appears from a sasine, dated 27th December, 1581, that Robert was twice married, his second wife being Joneta Menzies. By her he had a son, Robert, called in the sasine 'infantulo.' This child must have died soon afterwards, for in 1584 there is another sasine on the same property in which he is not mentioned. It seems almost certain, therefore, that his second son Robert was so called because the first son Robert was dead, and this belief is strengthened by the fact that the property described in the sasine (in the Gallowgate in Aberdeen) is said to be bounded on the south by one occupied by Elizabeth Turing, the first son's widow"

from Families of Lumsden




"Lumsden, Robert. 1576.

Third son of Robert Lumsden of Medlar and Balnakelly.

Married, second, Janeta Menzies.

from History of the Society of Advocates
^{1 2}