CUMYN, Alexander of Coulter

   Another name for Alexander was CUMMYN, Alexander.³

   User ID: Z451.

  General Notes:

"A deed executed at Drum on the 19th August, 1478, gives some idea of the manner in which property was then acquired, and of the influence exerted over their neighbours by those barons who, possessing more power than principle, were ever ready to secure their own or to seize the property of others.

This deed is in the Scotch language, and purports to be an indenture between Alexander Irvine of Drum and Alexander, son and heir-apparent of William Cummyn of Culter. It commences by stating that the said William Cummyn, of evil imagination and false suggestion, 'schappes' (contrives) how to annul and dispossess Alexander Cummyn, his son and heir-apparent, of his ancient inheritance and 'new conquestis' (acquired property). Therefore Alexander Irwin, as chief to the said Alexander Cummyn, binds and obliges himself and his heirs, by the faith of their bodies and on the Holy Evangelists, to maintain and defend the inheritance and rights of the said Alexander Cummyn, 'as he would defend his own heritage of the lordship of Drum, etc.'

Notwithstanding this solemn preamble, and the denunciation of 'the evil imagining' of the father of Alexander Cummyn, it will be perceived that Drum gets himself recognised as chief to the said Alexander Cummyn, and that the wily superior contemplates securing for himself that property which he engages to protect for the son against the father. It is stipulated that Drum is to receive one hundred merks from Alexander Cummyn, who is to defray part of that sum out of the marriage portion which he would receive: 'the quhilk marriage sail be completed God willand in all possibill hast.' Alexander Cummyn is also to give 'letters of manrent and retinue' to Alexander Irvin of Drum, and, after the death of his father, and his entry into full possession of the barony of Tuliboy and Culter, agrees, within forty days after the same is demanded, to infeft Alexander Irvine of Drum in these lands.

In 1483, Alexander, son and heir of the late William Cummyn of Culter, resigned into the king's hands his lands and castle of Inverallochy, and granted to his uncle, Alexander Irvine of Drum, a charter of the same, dated 12th of -- 1483. It is probable that these and other lands were alienated by William Cummyn of Culter from his eldest son and heir and granted to another son, William Cummyn, afterwards designed of Inverallochy. This charter of Alexander Cummyn, however, though probably unconfirmed by the king, served
as an excuse for the attacks of the friends of the Irvines on William Cummyn of Inverallochy. His castle was seized by Alexander, son and heir of this Alexander Irvine of Drum, whose pardon by the king for this act of violence will be afterwards noticed." (pages 52 and 53)

from Irvines of Drum

"Alexander Comyn's father (ie William Cumyn of Inverallochy and Culter) died soon after this bond was entered into (ie after the bond of 1478 with Alexander Irvine of Drum)), but had, in his lifetime, succeeded, in despite of Drum, in alienating Inverallochy to his younger son. Christian Burnett's husband, however, got Tilliboy and Culter, and transmitted them to his son, another Alexander Comyn, who was served heir to him on 1st February, 1504-5 (Antiq. Ab. Banff, III., 340)."

from Family of Burnett

Alexander married Christian BURNET, daughter of Alexander BURNET 7th of Leys and Elizabeth FORBES, 11 January 1480(1481)(papal dispensation). (Christian BURNET was born about 1462.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Alexander Burnet died shortly before 15th July, 1505 (Antiq. Ab. Banff, III., 341), leaving issue, besides his heir Alexander, a son Andrew, witness to a sasine in 1507, and a daughter, Christian, who in 1480 or 1481 married, in terms of a papal dispensation on the ground of propinquity, Alexander Cumyn, eldest son of William Cumyn of Culter.** Notwithstanding this marriage, and the previous propinquity alluded to in the dispensation, the relations between the two families seem to have been by no means friendly. It has been seen that Tilliboy and Little Culter are described in the charter of 1324-5, conveying them to Alexander Bumard, as formerly the property of John of Walchop. It is rather left to be understood, than distinctly specified, that they had come into the King's hands by forfeiture, and it is not specified by whose forfeiture."

" **Nisbet gives the following account of this marriage, Appendix, p. 57. Cumin of Coulter: 'V. William Cumin, who married Elizabeth Meldrum, daughter to Sir William Meldrum of Fyvie, Knight, and with her begot Alexander, his eldest son, and William Cumin his second; the eldest married Christian Burnet, daughter to the Laird of Leys, his near kinswoman, and for the consanguinity procured a dispensation from the Pope, dated 11th January, 1480, now in the hands of Cumin of Coulter. His father, William, disliking the marriage, did dispose to his second son, William, the lands of Inverallachie and others he then had in Buchan, and reserved only the barony of Coulter with the pertinents to his eldest son.' "

from Family of Burnett of Leys

Note: The mother of the Alexander Cumyn who married Christian Burnet is named in the footnote extract from Nisbet as Elizabeth Meldrum. This appears to contradict the account in The Irvines of Drum where Alexander Cumyn's uncle is the Laird of Drum. In addition, Sir William Meldrum of Fyvie appears to have lived rather late to be the father-in-law of Alexander Cumyn. According to The Thanage of Fermartyn, Sir William is said to have died in 1508, his father Alexander having died, it is also said there (pages 22-23), before 1450 or 1451. ²