WISHART, John 8th of Pitarrow, Sir ¹

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  General Notes:

"John Wischeard (37) engaged, like his grandfather, in legal studies. After succeeding to the paternal estates in 1545, he seems to have withdrawn from public affairs till 1557, when he joined the Earls of Argyle and Glencairn, Lord James Stuart, Prior of St. Andrews, and John Erskine of Dun, in dispatching a communication to John Knox at Geneva, inviting him to return to Scotland, and assuring him of general support."

from Wisharts of Pitarrow ¹

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Invited: John Knox of Geneva, 10 March 1557, to return to Scotland. ¹ He joined the Earls of Argyle and Glencairn, Lord James Stuart, Prior of St. Andrews, and John Erskine of Dun in this assurance to Knox.

2. Framed: bond, 3 December 1557, of the Congregation. ¹ "by which the Reformers confederated under the name of the Congregation, each becoming bound to seek the destruction of the Romish Church. Of the Congregation Wishart continued one of the leading members."

from Wisharts of Pitarrow

3. Attended: convention, February 1560, at Berwick. ¹ "when the Duke of Norfolk, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, agreed to support the Congregation against the power of France; and when the English army reached Edinburgh in April, with the intention of expelling the French, he joined the nobility and barons in hailing their advent and pledging cordial co-operation."

from Wisharts of Pitarrow

4. Named: as a commissioner of burgh, 1 August 1560, at Parliament held at Edinburgh. ¹

5. Ratification: of Confession of Faith, 17 August 1560, at Parliament in Edinburgh. ¹ "By this Parliament, on the 17th August, the Confession of Faith was ratified. The government of the State was entrusted to twenty-four persons, eight of whom were to be chosen by the Queen, and six by the nobility. Wishart was one of those selected by the nobles."

from Wisharts of Pitarrow

6. Knighted, 9 February 1561(1562). ¹

7. Denounced: as a rebel for opposing Queen's marriage, 1565, and fled to England. ¹

8. Obtained: royal pardon, 21 March 1566. ¹

9. Joined: confederacy, May 1567, against Earl of Bothwell. ¹

10. Appointed: Lord of Session, 19 November 1567. ¹

11. Switched: allegiance, 1568 after Battle of Langside, from opposing to supporting Queen Mary. ¹

12. Denounced: a rebel, 11 July 1573. ¹ "When Kirkaldy capitulated in May, 1573, he became a prisoner in the hands of the Regent Morton. On the 11th July he was denounced a rebel, and his lands and goods were conferred on his nephew, Mr. John Wischeard (58) son to Mr. James Wischeard of Balfeith (39). He was also deprived of his office of judge."

from Wisharts of Pitarrow

13. Re-appointed: extraordinary Lord of Session, 18 January 1574. ¹

John married Janet FALCONER, daughter of David FALCONER 4th of Halkerton and Mariot DUNBAR, by 21 December 1557.^{1 2} (Janet FALCONER was born about 1525 ² and died on 27 January 1580.)

  Marriage Notes:

"On the 21st December, 1557, he (John Wishart) and his wife, Janet Falconer (38) received a third part of the lands of Halkerton .... On the 28th July, 1565, he and his wife obtained a precept of charter, in conjunct fee, of the lands of Easter and Wester Balfour and Incharbak, in the County of Kincardine." (page 13)

"Sir John married Janet (38), sister of Sir Alexander Falconer of Halkerton, but had no children." (page 14)

from Wisharts of Pitarrow




"by ane after condescendence it was agreed, that either he should mary Janet or Katharen Falconers, which of the two should be most expedient or speedfull ; and he did mary Katharen.The other sister, Janet, married Wishart of Pittarow, and dyed childles. The tocher was 375 merks ; and Kilravock elder was to give them ten pound land in the baronie of Kilravock."

from Family of Rose of Kilravock ^{1 2}