CLERK, John of Penicuik, Merchant ^{2 3 4}

   Other names for John were CLARK, Johnne,⁶ CLERK, Johne ⁶ and CLERK, Johnne.¹

   User ID: V76.

  General Notes:

"This William (Clerk) continued a Merchant in that Town (Montrose) so long as he lived, and bred up his son John Clerk, my Grandfather, in the same occupation. He gave him afterwards a stock and sent him to Paris, where he continued many years, and gained, for those days, a considerable fortune, for he return'd to Scotland in the year 1646 possessed with at least ten thousand lib. ster.

When he came first home he had no other intention than to return to France after he had established a good correspondence with the merchants of his own Country, but having married my Grandmother, Mary Gray, he by Little and Little found his mind alienated from France, and so resolved to settle here, give over all Trade, and become a Country Gentleman. The lady I mentioned was Daughter of Sir William Gray, a... Cousin of the Lord Gray, and whose son, the Master of Gray, married the Heiress of the family of Gray, from whom the present Lords of Gray are descended.

In 1654 my said Grandfather bought the Baronie of Pennicuik. It had formerly belonged to many Heretors, but the Lairds of Pennicuik possessed he greatest part of it. This was a pretty old famely, but at that time became extinct. They held the Baronie of Pennicuik, or at least eh lands they possessed in it, of the Croun paying in redendo of blasts of a Horn which continues to this day...."

from Memoirs ³

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Purchase of lands, 1654, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland. ^{3 7}

John married Marie GRAY, daughter of Sir William GRAY of Pittendrum and Geillis SMYTH, on 10 June 1647 in Edinburgh parish, Edinburgh, Scotland.^{1 2} (Marie GRAY was baptised on 2 April 1630 in Edinburgh parish, Edinburgh, Scotland ⁶ and died before 27 February 1668 ².)

  Marriage Notes:

"CLERK
JOHNNE
MARIE GRAY/FR882 (FR882)
10/06/1647
685/1 430 275
Edinburgh"

from Index of Marriages ¹