The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.

BORTHWICK Lord BORTHWICK.

THE traditional accounts of the origin of this antient family are various. Some say, they are descended of one Andreas, a son of the lord of the castle of Burtick in Livo∣nia, who accompanied queen Margaret from Hungary to Scotland,* 1.1 anno 1057, and got possession of some lands in the south or west parts of this country, and that his posterity assumed their sirname of Borthwick from the place from whence this Andreas came: Others are of opinion, that it is a local sirname.

It is evident, from our histories, that they were long a great, numerous, and flourishing family in Scotland; they had large possessions in lands; and the noble alliances they made, by their frequent marriages with the greatest families in the kingdom, sufficiently appear from the following narration: We shall there∣fore deduce their descent, by unquestionable authority, from

I. THOMAS de BORTHWICK, who ob∣tained some lands near Lauder,* 1.2 in the shire of Berwick, from Robert Lander of Quarrel∣wood, in the reign of king David II. who succeeded to the crown of Scotland anno 1329.

He lest issue a son and successor,

II. Sir WILLIAM de BORTHWICK, who was in possession of the lands of Catkune,* 1.3 in the reign of king Robert II▪ which appears from a charter dated in 1378.

He left issue a son,

Sir William,—and a daughter,

Margaret, married to William Abernethy, ancestor of lord Abernethy,* 1.4 of Salton, who was designed, Filia domini Willielmi de Borth∣wick militis, anno 1413.

He was succeeded by his son,

III. Sir WILLIAM BORTHWICK, who was witness in a charter of James,* 1.5 second earl of Douglas, to his son sir William Douglas,

of the lands and barony of Drumlanrig, &c. circa annum 1387.

He was one of the guarantees of a treaty of peace with the English,* 1.6 anno 1398, and died soon thereafter, leaving issue a son,

Sir William,—and two daughters.

1. Janet, married, 1st, to James Dou∣glas, lord Dalkeith; 2dly, to George Crich∣ton, earl of Caithness.

2.—, married to sir John Oliphant.

IV. Sir WILLIAM succeeded, and was designed Willielmus de Borthwick,* 1.7 dominus de eodem, miles, in several authentic writs.

Before this family acquired the lands of Borthwick, they were promiscuously designed by the titles of Catkune, Legertwood, and Heriotmuir, but were afterwards designed Borthwicks of that ilk.

This sir William was a man of great parts, was often employed in negotiations of impor∣tance, and was concerned in most of the pu∣blic transactions of his time.* 1.8 He was one of the commissioners appointed to treat with the English in December 1400.

He was again appointed one of the com∣missioners for prolonging the truce anno 1404,* 1.9 and obtained a safe conduct to treat with the English about other matters, particularly with the earls of Fife and Douglas,* 1.10 then prisoners in England, anno 1405.

He got another safe conduct from the king of England,* 1.11 Willielmo de Borthwick, de Le∣gertwood, militi, anno 1408.

And got a charter,* 1.12 from Robert duke of Albany, governor of Scotland, of the lands and barony of Borthwick, in the shire of Sel∣kirk, which formerly belonged to Robert Scot, dated 4th day of June 1410.

He was again one of the ambassadors ap∣pointed to the court of England in the years 1411 and 1413.* 1.13

Also, in the year 1421, to treat about the king's liberty,* 1.14 which is the first time we find him designed dominus de Borthwick.

He was one of the magnates Scotiae that sat on the assize of the duke of Lennox and Murdoch duke of Albany's two sons,* 1.15 anno 1424.

This William appears to have been created lord Borthwick before the year 1430; for, in October that year,* 1.16 at the baptism of the king's two sons, there were several knights created, and, amongst the rest, William, son and heir of William lord Borthwick, was one.

He obtained, from king James I. a licence to build a castle upon the lands of Lochwarret, viz.* 1.17 Ad construendam arcem in illo loco qui vulgariter dicitur le Motte de Lochwarret, by a charter, under the great seal, anno 1430. A stately castle was accordingly built, called Borthwick castle, which afterwards became the chief seat and title of the family.

He was succeeded by his son,

V. WILLIAM, second lord Borthwick, who made a considerable figure when but a young man. He was one of the hostages for king James I.'s ransom,* 1.18 anno 1424; and hav∣ing got liberty to return to his own country, we find him appointed one of the ambassadors to the court of Rome, anno 1425; but it seems he had again returned prisoner to England; for it appears he only obtained his liberty anno 1427,* 1.19 and had the honour of knighthood con∣ferred upon him anno 1430, as before observed.

This lord was also a man of knowledge in state affairs,* 1.20 sat in the first parliament held by king James II. anno 1437, and in several other parliaments afterwards.

We find him no less than three times sent ambassador to the court of England,* 1.21 anno 1459 and 1461, and dying soon thereafter, left issue three sons and one daughter.

1. William, his heir.

2. Sir Thomas Borthwick of Colylaw,* 1.22 knight.

3. James, who obtained from his father the lands of Glengilt,* 1.23 on which he got a charter, anno 1467, and was the first of the Borth∣wicks of Glengilt.

His daughter,* 1.24 Margaret, married to sir John Maxwell of Calderwood.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

VI. WILLIAM, third lord Borthwick, who got a charter,* 1.25 under the great seal, of the lands of Glengilt, &c. anno 1482.

He sat in the parliament called by king James III.* 1.26 to meet anno 1467, who appointed him magister hospitii, and was in several par∣liaments thereafter.

He was sent ambassador, with some others, to negotiate a treaty with the English,* 1.27 anno 1473, and on two embassies afterwards, anno 1484 and 1498.

He married Maryota de Hope-Pringle,* 1.28 by whom he had two sons and four daughters.

1. William, his heir.

2. Alexander Borthwick of Nenthorn, of whom the present lord Borthwick is lineally descended, as will be shewn hereafter.

1st daughter,* 1.29 Agnes, married to David earl of Cassilis.

2. Catharine,* 1.30 married to William earl of Glencairn.

3. Mary,* 1.31 married to James Hope-Pringle of Gallashiels.

4. Margaret,* 1.32 married to sir Oliver Sin∣clair of Roslin.

He was killed, with many of his brave countrymen, and their royal leader, king

James IV. at the fatal field of Flowdon, anno 1513, and succeeded by his eldest son,

VII. WILLIAM, fourth lord Borthwick, who got charters,* 1.33 under the great seal, of the lands and moat of Lochwarret, Midleton and Buteland, the lands of Borthwick, Le∣gertwood and Heriotmuir, Willielmo domino Borthwick, &c.

He married Margaret Hay, daughter of John lord Yester, by whom he had a son,

John, his heir,—and two daughters.

1. Catharine,* 1.34 married to sir James Crichton of Frendraught, ancestor of viscount Fren∣draught.

2. Janet,* 1.35 married to Alexander Lauder, son and heir of Alexander Lauder of Hatton.

He died anno 1542, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VIII. JOHN, fifth lord Borthwick, who was retoured heir to his father, anno 1543, and made an entail of the lordship and barony of Borthwick, failing heirs-male of his own body,* 1.36

"to and in favours of Gavin Borth∣wick of Fenton, and the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to Michael Borth∣wick of Glengilt, and the heirs-male of his body; which failing, to William Borth∣wick of Soltry, and the heirs-male of his body, &c."

dated 10th January 1544; upon which there passed a charter, under the great seal, Johanni domino Borthwick, dated 15th of the same month.

It must here be observed, that as the heirs∣male of the above John, Gavin, and Michael, are all extinct, the succession therefore de∣volves upon the heir-male of William of Sol∣try, who was the next person in the substi∣tution, of whom the present lord Borthwick is the undoubted representative.

This John lord Borthwick was a great loy∣alist, a firm and steady friend of queen Mary, and never deserted her interest in her greatest distress, on which account he suffered many hardships.

He married lady Elizabeth Lindsay, daugh∣ter of David earl of Crawfurd,* 1.37 by Isabel his wife, daughter of—Lundy of that ilk, by whom he had a son,

William, his heir,—and a daughter,

Maryota,* 1.38 married to Andrew Hope-Pringle of Gallashi••ls.

He died before the year 1572, and was succeeded by his son,

IX. WILLIAM, sixth lord Borthwick, who got a charter,* 1.39 under the great seal, of the lands, lordship, and barony of Borthwick, the lands of Moat of Lochwarret, Middleton, Heriotmuir, &c. Willielmo domino Borthwick, anno 1572.

He married Grizel,* 1.40 daughter of sir Walter Scot, ancestor of the duke of Buccleugh, by whom he had a son,

X. JAMES, seventh lord Borthwick, who succeeded him.* 1.41 He married Margaret Hay, daughter of William lord Hay of Yester, an∣cestor of the marquis of Tweddale, by whom he had a son,

John, his heir.

And dying anno 1599, was succeeded by,

XI. JOHN,* 1.42 eighth lord Borthwick, who was charged to enter heir to his father, an∣no 1602, and got a charter, under the great seal, of the lands and barony of Heriotmuir, Lochwarret, &c. Johanni domino Borthwick, &c. anno 1610.

This John,* 1.43 with the three preceeding ge∣nerations, are further documented by a char∣ter from king Charles I. dated anno 1632.

He was a man of great honour and loyal∣ty, and adhered firmly to the interest of the royal family during all the time of the civil war.* 1.44 After the murder of the king, he held out his castle of Borthwick against Oliver Cromwell, and at last, when he saw no ap∣pearance of relief, was forced to surrender, and obtained very honourable terms, viz. Li∣berty to march out with his lady and family unmolested, and got fifteen days time allow∣ed them to remove their effects.

He married lady Elizabeth Ker, daughter of William earl of Lothian, by lady Anne his wife, heiress of that earldom, by whom he had a son and successor,

XII. JOHN, ninth lord Borthwick, who got a charter,* 1.45 under the great seal, of the lands and barony of Heriotmuir, &c. Jo∣hanni doinino Borthwick, anno 1663.

He married lady Elizabeth Ker, daughter of Robert earl of Lothian, and died without issue anno 1672, which ended the male line of William, fourth lord Borthwick, eldest son of the third lord, whereby the representation devolved upon the heir-male of Alexander his second son, to whom we now return.

VII. ALEXANDER, second son of William third lord Borthwick, was designed by the title of Nenthorn, by a charter from the said lord, as superior of the lands of Nenthorn, in the shire of Berwick,* 1.46

"to Alexander Borth∣wick, his second son, and Margaret his spouse, upon the resignation of James Wil∣son, &c. &c."

confirmed by a charter, under the great seal, 27th June 1495.

By the said Margaret, daughter of— Lawson of Humbie, he left issue a son and successor,

VIII. WILLIAM BORTHWICK, who was designed by the title of Soltry, in the entail of John, fifth lord Borthwick, before-menti∣oned, and is further instructed by a precept of clare constat,* 1.47 to William, son to Alexander Borthwick of Nenthorn, &c. dated 21st March 1522.

He was chamberlain to queen Mary, made a considerable figure in her reign, and left issue two sons.

1. William, his heir.

2. Alexander, ancestor of the Borthwicks of Sauchland, of whom Patrick Borthwick, merchant in Edinburgh, is said to be the male representative.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

IX. WILLIAM BORTHWICK of Soltry, instructed by an instrument of seasine, in fa∣vours of William Borthwick of Soltry, son and heir of William Borthwick of Soltry, his father, of the lands of Scholla and Camp∣slack, proceeding on a precept of clare con∣stat,* 1.48 by John, fifth lord Borthwick, to his cousin William Borthwick elder, son of A∣lexander Borthwick of Nenthorn, &c. dated 10th April 1550.

He lived after the year 1590, and left issue two sons.

1. Colonel William.

2. Alexander, great grandfather of Henry now lord Borthwick,

X. Colonel WILLIAM BORTHWICK, el∣dest son of William of Soltry, was designed by the title of Johnstonburn,* 1.49 &c. He be∣took himself to a military life, was a colonel under Gustavus Adolphus, and was father of

William Borthwick, a great loyalist, who raised a company of men in desence of king Charles I. and left issue a son, colonel Wil∣liam Borthwick, who was killed at the battle of Ramillies, anno 1706, without issue, which ended the male line of William of Soltry's eldest son; and as the representation fell to Henry, the present lord Borthwick, lineally desc••nded of Alexander the second son, to him we now return.

X. ALEXANDER BORTHWICK, second son of William of Soltry, and brother-ger∣man of colonel William of Johnstonburn, &c.

In a principal assignation, Robert Ker, son to Ralph Ker of Reidpath, to this Alexander Borthwick,* 1.50 he is designed second lawful son to William Borthwick of Soltry, 15th July 1633.

There is a principal minute of sale,* 1.51 betwixt Alexander Borthwick, brother-german to co∣lonel William Borthwick of Johnstonburn, and Andrew Haitly of—, of some hus∣band lands in Nenthorn, dated 23d February 1643, &c.

He married Sibilla, daughter of William Cairns of Pilmore, by whom he had a son and successor,

XI. WILLIAM BORTHWICK, designed of Maysheill and Pilmore,* 1.52 who is instructed by a disposition from the above Alexander Borthwick, some time in Johnstonburn, now in Gilkerstoun, to William Borthwick, chi∣rurgeon burgess of Edinburgh, his eldest law∣ful son, of a tenement of land in Musselburgh, dated 25th January 1666.

He married a daughter of Mr. Henry Stewart of the family of Garntully, advo∣cate, by whom he had a son,

XII. Captain HENRY BORTHWICK of Pilmore, his successor,* 1.53 who is instructed by an act extracted in a process before the lords of session, at the instance of Henry Borthwick of Pilmore, Esq; decerned and confirmed heir to the deceast William Borthwick, chirurgeon burgess of Edinburgh, his father, 21st No∣vember 1702.

He married Mary, daughter of sir Robert Pringle of Stitchell, by whom he had a son,

Henry, now lord Borthwick.

He was killed at the battle of Ramillies, anno 1706, and succeeded by

XIII. HENRY, tenth lord Borthwick, who, anno 1734,* 1.54 gave in his claim for the titles and honours of Borthwick. He proved his de∣scent as above, was served heir-male to the last lord Borthwick, before an inquest, anno 1750, and has voted at every election of the peers since 1734.

ARMS.

Argent, three cinque-soils, sable. SUPPORTERS; two angels, proper, wing∣ed, or.

CREST; a negroe's head couped, proper.

MOTTO; Qui conducit.

CHIEF SEAT.

Borthwick Castle in Lothian.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Martin's ge∣nealogical collections, vol. II.
• * 1.2

  Chart. pen•••• dom. Andre∣am Lauder de Fountainhall, Bart.
• * 1.3

  Chart. pen•••• Mr. Sinclair de Herdman∣ston.
• * 1.4

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.5

  Chart. penes ducem de Queensberry.
• * 1.6

  Rymer, tom. VIII. p. 54.
• * 1.7

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.8

  Rymer, tom. VIII. p. 185.
• * 1.9

  Ibid. p. 369.
• * 1.10

  Ibid. p. 389, 411 & 417.
• * 1.11

  Ibid. p. 584.
• * 1.12

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.13

  Rymer, tom. VIII. p. 703, and tom. IX. p. 45.
• * 1.14

  Ibid. tom. X. p. 125.
• * 1.15

  Fordun, vol. II. p. 484.
• * 1.16

  Ibid. p. 490.
• * 1.17

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.18

  Rymer, tom. X. p. 344 and 348.
• * 1.19

  Ibid. p. 369.
• * 1.20

  Records of parliament▪
• * 1.21

  Rymer, tom. XI. p. 423, 426 and 476.
• * 1.22

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.23

  Ibidem.
• * 1.24

  Ibid. ad an∣num 1463.
• * 1.25

  Ibidem.
• * 1.26

  Records of parliament.
• * 1.27

  Rymer, tom. XI. p. 774, tom. XII. p. 243 and 677.
• * 1.28

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.29

  Craw••urd's peerage.
• * 1.30

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.31

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 72.
• * 1.32

  Ibid. p. 173.
• * 1.33

  Chart. in pub. archiv. inter 1530 & 1536.
• * 1.34

  Mill's genea∣logical collec∣tions, penes Macfarlane.
• * 1.35

  Ibidem.
• * 1.36

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.37

  Ibidem.
• * 1.38

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 72.
• * 1.39

  Ibidem.
• * 1.40

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. ad ann. 1582.
• * 1.41

  Chart. penes marchionem de Tweddale.
• * 1.42

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.43

  A charter in the records o•• privy seal an∣no 1632.
• * 1.44

  Two origina•• letters of Oli∣ver Cromwel in October and Novem∣ber 1650, with the ar∣ticles of capi∣tulation, pe∣nes dom. Borthwick.
• * 1.45

  Chart. in pub archiv.
• * 1.46

  Ibid. ad an∣num 1495.
• * 1.47

  Chart. in pub. archiv. ad an∣num 1522.
• * 1.48

  Seasine in the public regi∣ster, ad an∣num 1550.
• * 1.49

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.50

  Original pe∣nes dominum Borthwick.
• * 1.51

  Ibidem.
• * 1.52

  Ibidem.
• * 1.53

  Ibidem.
• * 1.54

  Retour in cancellaria.