Cecillia Ruthven, his wife

David was married to Cecilia, daughter of Lord Ruthven. David Wemyss of Wemyss lived from around 1535 to 1597 and had stepped into military service in place of his ailing father on several occations. One such occation was the assembling of the Scottish army on Fala-more in the begining of October 1557 for marching against England. There had already been a period of unquiet on the Borders, and the laird of Wemyss had served with his men there for some time, aggravating his illness. Now war was declared by the queen-regent, and a general muster was ordered. The young laird must therefore have accompanied the Scottish army over the Soutra hills to Lauder, thence to the Borders, where a good deal of skirmishing took place. The only real actions of note were an attack on the castle of Wark, and a battle fought at the foot of the Cheviots, in which the Scots were defeated with loss of forty killed and about four hundred prisoners, as described in Historical Memoira by Lord Herries, p.31. In 1565 his father became confirmed an invalid and David Wemyss, as a man “abill to sustene the pyne and travell of the weiris, raidis and armeis,” assumed the entire dicharge of this part of feudal service. That he also discharged the judicial functions incumbent on his father may be inferred from the fact of his recieving in 1560 from Archibald, Earl of Argyll, Justice-General of Scotland, a joint commission to hold courts for the trail of criminals within the barony of Wemyss. The only other matter in which during this period David Wemyss is mentioned in historic papers, was his serving on the jury of inquest at Dunfermline on April 11, 1566, for retouring John Melville of Raith to his paternal inheritance. He took part in many of the Border raids in the middle of the sixteenth century.

A few months after the death of his father, David Wemyss took steps to obtain feudal investiture in the Wemyss estates. On May 14th of the same year, 1572, he was served heir at Cupar to the deceased Sir John Wemyss in Wemyss-shire, Little Lun, Cameron Mill, Wester Tarvit, Wester Dron, Hill-Dron, and Tillybreak in Fife, also in Elcho, Balhepburn, Craigton, half of Ardargie, one-third of Strathardle, and the lands of Kinnaird in Perthshire, with the sixth-part of West Wemyss, purchased from Cunningham of Polmaise, and the superiority of Colliston. During his lifetime he was compelled to entertain at his castle of Wemyss a number of prominent Borderers, who are committed to the care of the well-affected barons of the realm as pledges for the good behaviour of their kinsmen. The penalty for permitting any one of these to escape was 2000 pounds, and the laird was threatened with being mulcted in this sum for not producing Lancy Armstrong, of Whitehaugh, a borderer who had been intrusted to his father, but had been liberated on granting his bond. Wemyss pleaded that he should not be held respnsible, but the Council, on August 18, 1573, decreed otherwise. A month was allowed him and other defaulters to produce their pledges. Meanwhile the Regent Morton proceeded to the Borders to reduce the turbulent spirits there to obedience, and Armstrong either returned or was brought back to Wemyss Castle, as in February 1574-5, the laird received the regent’s permission to allow his “pledge” to go home for twenty-six days. Other Border pledges intrusted to David Wemyss were John Graham of Stobohill, in 1587, and at a later period, Andrew Johstone, son of Cristie of Mylnbank, as pledge for the branch of the Johnstones, and Jock Johnstone of Brumell, as pledge for the “gang of Brumell and Elscheschelis.”

David Wemyss was involved in a feud between somewhat more powerful neighbours. He acted the part of a preserver of the peace, and evidently with success at the time. John Hamilton, commendator of Arbroath, and William Douglas of Lochleven, were at deadly enmity, and Wemyss, in the begining of August 1576, hearing that Hamilton had reached Cupar on his way to Queensferry, and fearing that in his passage by Lochleven there would be bloodshed between him and Douglas, despatched a special message to the Earl of Rothes, urging him to intervene and offering his services. The sheriff had already been active in the matter, and had communicated with both parties, being related to both, and had received assurance from Hamilton that he would not be the provoker of any engagement. Douglas, however, declined to give any promise. This caused Rothes much concern, owing to his connection with the parties, as but for this, he says, “I wald nocht speir thair caus, bot wald hesart my liyf with ony of tham.” However, he arranged a meeting with Wemyss for the early morning, when by joining their forces and those of other barons whom Rothes had summoned, he hoped they would form an effectual restraint upon the would-be assailant.

Wemyss, too, was now related to the Douglas family by the marriage of his son and heir in 1574 with Margaret Douglas, daughter of the laird of Lochleven. He was thus looked upon as a friend of the Douglases, and his aid expected in case of emergency. Unless, however, on the occasion just mentioned it does not seem to have been required for any but peaceful causes. In 1589 the laird received a letter from George, Earl of Huntly, requesting his attendance from the 4th to the 6th of February at the “serving of the Douglas of the lands of Angous and Mortoun,” and to have his “awys and counsall in sic affaires as sall occur.” (from an original letter dated January 31, 1588-9 in Wemyss Charter-chest) This was shortly after the death of Archibald, eighth Earl of Angus and fifth of Morton, whose two earldoms were divided, Angus to William Douglas of Glenbervie, and Morton to William Douglas of Lochleven; and the serving of both as heirs to the deceased earl may have taken place on the one day. David Wemyss was also requested by Lady Margaret Leslie, the countess of Archibald, eighth Earl of Angus, when pursued by her husband for a divorce, to accompany her before the Commissary Court at Edinburgh, and give her his counsel and help, assuring him that he would not be dishonoured thereby, in respect of her innocence. But this request may have been prompted by the long standing friendship between the houses of Wemyss and Rothes, to which the lady’s father makes kindly reference in his letter to the laird about the Hamilton and Douglas feud, rather than by the relationship of Wemyss to the house of Douglas.

Also for a considerable time a warm dispute raged between David Wemyss and the Boswells of Balmuto, respecting the marches of the Wemyss lands of Weste Raith, Powguild, and Glenniston, and the right of his tenants in these lands to the moor of Drumdonald. Efforts were made to obtain an amieable arrangement. A meeting of the parties and mutual friends was arranged to take place on the moor on November 24, 1573, but only on the previous day David Wemyss received a letter from Colville stating that on his side the meeting could not take place there, as his kinsmand, the laird of Cleish, was with the regent at Peebles, and the laird of Lochleven was detained in Edinburgh by pressing business and asking him to send over to Edinburgh for consultation there either Mr. James Wemyss of Lathocker or some other of his friends. The laird of Wemyss, in evident annoyance at the receipt of such a missive, at once replied be letter in which he says ----- Rycht Honorable Schir, ---Eftir maist harlis commendatioun, I resauit your wretting this Monunday, the xxiij of this instant at vj howris at ewin, quben I wes passand to my suppare, and thairby onderstandis ye may nocht keip tryst wpoun the mwire the xxiiij day of this moneth as wes appointit, becaus of the absens of the lairdis of Lochlewin and Cleisch, quha mycht nocht be lasaird to cum with yow. Schir, I think yowre excuis werraye reasonable: yit, considering I dout nocht the samyne wes knaen to yow fowr or fywe dayes sene, I think yowr aduertisment came owr lait to me,quhen I haid trwblid my freindis, and put to thame trqwell in ewill wodder, to hawe kepit that tryst. For gyff I heid herd ony inpediment quhairby I mycht nocht hewe kepti the tryst I suld hawe aduertissit yow fywe or sax dayis at the leist befoir to the effect that ye suld nocht hawe trublid youwr freindis in waist, as I hawe done myne at this tyme...

Previous communications between the friends of the parties had produced a basis on which a compromise was proposed. But as it dealt only with the marches of the laird of Wemyss’s lands of Powguild, then occupied by his brother Gavin, he refused to proceed on that basis, unless the boundaries of the adjacent lands of Weste Raith and Glenniston were also determined at the same time. David Wemyss puts this as an ultimatum. In concluding his letter to Colville, he says, --- Gyf ye think it guid that it pas vpoun the merchis of the haill landis, debettable and dependand in proces, ye will aduertis me betuix this and the saxt day of Decembere nyxt to cum, to the effect that we maye caus freindis conwene at ane new day as schortlie as we may; and giff ye will nocht that the compromitt pas vpoun the haill landis debettabill quhilk are depandand in process, bot onlie vpoun ane pairt thairof, I will tak it for ane discharge of this commoning of freindis that is begune. For I cane of na wayis find it fuid, nor yit trow I will yowr seilf and yowr wyia freindia do. to dewyde the actioun and compromitt, ane pairt thairof to freindis, and laiff ane ythere part to be discussit be the law, the haill actiown and merchis deettabill being alltogidder dependand in a proces and in a precept. Remitting the raist to yowr aduertissment, for the quhilk I luik betuix this and the saxt of this nyxt moneth, and committis yow to the keping of God. At the Wemis, xxiiij day of Nowember, be yowris at power.

David Wemyss was well aquainted with King James VI. Perhaps the good-will of King James to the laird of Wemyss was owing to his having recieved a loan of money from him. David Wemyss recieved three messages from the king in May 1583, by special messengers, each at the interval of a week, and each more urgent than the other. The laird wished personally to bring the money to the king, but the state of the royal exchequer forbade such delay, and he was commanded to give the money to the third messenger, or repair to Linlithgow himself with it forthwith. It may have been this transaction which gave rise to the statement that Wemyss had purchased the King’s letters of summons in his own favor against Balmuto, or they may actually have been obtained, as King James would be nothing loath to receive an acuittance of his loan on such terms.

David Wemyss does not seem to have taken a decided part with any of the rival political parties of his day, contenting himself with maintaining a loyal bearing to the Crown amid the frequent changes at court. After the Ruthven raid, in which his kinsman, the Earl of Gowrie, had the chief concern, he was summoned to attend the king at Holyrood, with his friends and retainers on account of a threatened moveme nt of the Arran faction. But his sevices do not seem to have been required. It was also during the supremacy of the Ruthven raiders at court that the king favoured this laird of Wemyss by taking a loan of money from him. His eldest son received another command in April 1584, to attend the king at Stirling, which had been taken possession of by several of the Ruthven raiders in a renewed attempt to overthrow Arran, but probably on account of the flight of the insurgents a dispensation to remain from the host was given the young laird. Such a dispensation must have proved a grateful relief to David Wemyss and his son, as they were thereby spared taking part in measures which terminated in the execution of their relative, the Earl of Gowrie. This earl since the overthrow of his party in July 1583, had been estranged from the king, and though continuing in the country, did so on such precarious conditions that he at length resolved to go abroad.

Another cautionry this laird undertook was the means of his being required to enter himself in Blackness Castle as a prisoner. He had become surety for Alexander, Lord Home, in a contract between the latter and William, Earl Marischal, and for its nonfulfilment was ordred to ward himself in the castle of Inverness.

“When James VI was married to Princess Anne of Denmark, the Laird of Wemyss was among those summoned to a meeting of the Estates held in Edinburgh in April 1589. In May of the same year he was appointed convener of the county of Fife, and the duty of a convener of the county was to summon the freeholders of the shire for the election of Commissioners to represent them in a Parliament to be held on October 2nd. In 1596 the Laird of Wemyss was a Member of Parliament.” Rambles in Scoonie and Wemyss (page 267).

The laird of Wemyss himself appears as a member of parliament in 1596 as shown in Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. iv. p97. He was also probebly present in Edinburgh, with the rest of the Scottish barons, during the festivities of the King’s marriage, in the beginning of May 1590. James and his queen had been accompanied to Scotland by a number of distinguished Danes, and the king endeavoured to provide that they should experience the most generous Scottish hospitality in their progress through the country. He wrote to the laird of Wemyss instructing him to receive and entertain them for one night, Monday, the 11th of May. From the selection of Wemyss Castle from among the neighbouring baronial residences for this honour, it may be inferred that it was held in no inconsiderabe repute, a conclusion which is emphasised by the frequency with which it was made a resting place by the kings and queens of Scotland on various occasions. Moysie relates that in June the following year King James was in Wester Wemyss, when the Earl Marischal, who was in disgrace, came to make his peace with the king, and was sent prisoner to the castle of Edinburgh.

The hospitality of Wemyss Castle was also sought by others as occasion demanded. Patrick Adamson, archbishop of St. Andrews, in the autumn of 1582, having crossed the Forth at Kinghorn alone, and no provision b eing made for his conveyanc e to St. Andrews, sent for a convoy to Wemyss Castle to the laird of Wemyss, as one to whom he was always ready to resort.

Among the other public events of this period the laird of Wemyss was drawn into the feud between the Earls of Athole and Huntly, which arose out of the slaughter by the latter of the “bonnie Earl” of Moray at Donibristle. The kinsmen of the murdered earl cried to the king for justice against Huntly, but finding unwillingness to take action in that quarter, Andrew, Lord Ochiltrie, stirred up the friends and dependants of the house of Athole, causing them to subscrive a band obliging them to concur for the revenging of the murder when occasion should offer. David Wemyss of Wemyss was one of these, but there is no indication that he was ever involved in any hostilities on that account.

Before the meeting of parliament in May 1592, King James summoned a meeting of the nobles and others in the previous month to arrange the business to be then transacted. Later in September of the same year the laird of Wemyss was summoned to attend the king on an expedidtion against the Borderers, who had resetted Bothwell after the attempt at Dalkeith. The raid had been intended for September, but was postponed to the date mentioned in the letter to the laird, 10th October, for these reasons, that “be the lang continewance of this stormie and unseasonable wedder the crop and corns of the lvoing subjects he had ordered to accompany him ar lying yit for the maist parte untane in, so that thair personis may nocht be weill spairit fra the ingaddering and wynning thairof wothout thair hurte and hinder (the corns of the said rebels being also for the maist parte in the same cais, so that they can nocht convenientlie be tane sic ordour with as his Majestie intendit be this raid) and as he finds, moreover, that the mone, now being in the wane, raderis the nichtis unmeit for sevice, therefore the said muster is to be continewit to the tent of October nixt, quhen baith the saidis cornis may be stakkit and wyn in, and the mone lykwayes wilbe at hir full lieht.” As the king was at Jedburgh about the date prescribed, it is probable that the laird with his followers was in attendance on him there. Register of the Privy Council, vol. v. pp. 13,14.

Another service at which the king commanded the attendance of David Wemyss of the ilk was the baptism of Prince Henry on August 18, 1594. The laird was requested to give a proof of his “affectioun and guidwill” by hastening into Holyrood “sic quick stuf as ye may haue in redynes and may spair.” Venison and wild fowl are in special demand, but a postscript explains that these were only expected from the Highlands and not from Wemyss, the letter sent to both places being similar.

David Wemyss was also bailie of the river Leven, and in this capacity received a command from King James the Sixth to place no hindrance in the way of Andrew Wood of Largo fishing within his own bounds at the mouth of that river during the close season.

During the time of this laird the burgh of West Wemyss was the unfortunate doorway by which the country experienced a new visit of the plague. It had been raging in England, and precautiouns had been taken to prevent ships from infected ports conveying it to Scotland; but an infected barque entered the harbour of West Wemyss, and in a short time the pestilence raged not only in that town but all along the coast of Fife, causing great mortality as recorded in the Register of the Privy Council, vol. iii. pp. 679,695, etc.

The status of the burgh of Wemyss was now becoming more recognised. In 1592 it ranked among its neighbours along the shores of the Forth as one where proclamation was ordered to be made at its market cross, of an Act warning seamen and otheres against killing the solan geese upon the Bass Rock. It had its courts too, though sometimes serious cases were settled by friendly arbitrament.

David Wemyss of that ilk, like many other proprietors on the sea coast, carried on the manufacture of salt, and traded in it. There was a considerable export traffic carried on, which at one time threatened to stop the supplies necessary for home consumption, and the Privy Council deemed it necesary to restrict the export until the country itself was supplied. Then and then only it was to be lawful for the salt manufacturers to expert salt, and that on condition that the exporters brought home for every chalder of salt six ounces of silver, which they were to deliver to the master of the mint on their return, at the rate of thirty shillings the ounce. To oblige himself to observe this agreement, David Wemyss, as master and owner of the salt pans of Wester Wemyss, five in number, was summoned to appear before the Privy Council at Holyrood, on August 17, 1573. The minutes of the Privy Council record the fact that he did so.

David Wemyss of that ilk died on February 22, 1596-7. He left no will, but an inventory of his effects was given up on March 6, 1600 by Gavin Wemyss, son of James Wemyss of Caskieberran, as executor-dative in place of the fiscal. He had during his lifetime seen a number of his children married, and settled their portions, and several years before his death he also provided for his younger children, so that they might have “quyatnes, luiffe and cheritie amang thame selffis.” Cecilia Ruthven, lady of Wemyss predeceased her husband on July 8, 1589. An inventory of her personal estate was given up by him as lawful administrator to their younger children on April 4, 1595.

Scotland of the 1600s and The Baronetcies of Wemyss and Bogie

Poverty and insecurity were the way of life for most of the about half a million people who lived in Scotland during the early 1600s. All of the towns, and a majority of the population lived in the Lowlands and every royal burgh in old Scotland was within ten miles of the sea. There were nearly no trees and to travel one must either walk or pick his way on horseback over unkept paths because there were no roads nor any public conveyances. There were marshes or small lochs all over the Lowlands which no longer exist today. There were no fences, hedges, or even stone walls to separate fields or farms.

Sir William Brereton, Travels in Holland, the United Provinces, England, Scotland, and Ireland, 1634-35 wrote “We passed through a barroen and poor country, the most of it yielding neither corn [grain] nor grass; and that which yields corn is very poor, much punished with drought” p118, about his travel from Glasgow to the southern part of Ayrshire.

The insecurity of the Scottish people came from the lack of a known orderly government, recurrent wars with English and abominable economic methods. This time in Scotland can be compaired to the Wild West of the United States. Law was given and maintained only by each individaul lord. Scotland was a poor country, royal burghs and farm “touns” were mere villages with filthy mudholes for streets and foul shanties for the average inhabitant to live in. From John Warrack’s Domestic Life in Scotland, 1488-1688 -”Scots themselves had a wry saying that when the Devil showed all the countries of the world to our Lord, he kept his “mickle thoomb” upon Scotland. Later John Cleveland, cited in Henry Grey Graham, The Social Life of Scotland in the Eighteenth Century, “Had Cain been Scot, God had ne’er changed his doom, Not made him wander, but confined him home.” p2

The laird seemed to have taken little or no part in overseeing the farming methods of his tenants. Few lairds or even barons of the time could read and write. James G. Leyburn in his book, The Scotch-Irish, A Social History suggested that the root of the trouble was political due to no king having been able to keep the English out, or rule over the whole country providing national law and order since the time of Robert the Bruce who had died in 1329. The week kings gave the noblemen an oppertunity to bicker, maneuver and to assert their independence from royal control. Scotland had no standing army, no regular taxation, no police force, and very few civil servants. Under such conditions every baron was law unto himself. p7

The Wemyss family was of Nobel and land owning class and therefore did not have it as badly as the farmers and laborers who worked their land. Still it was a rough and poor time in Scottish history.

The American Weems are believed to be direct decendents of The Baronetcy of Bogie which we begin to follow at about this point in our Scotish history. As Sir John Wemyss-Kessler pointed out, there is considerably less information about the members of this branch available to us. Howev-er, since most of the members of this branch of the family live in the United States and spell their last name Weems it is probable that here lies our direct decendancy, so this part is important to most of us here in the United States. Because the two emigrant boys who came to America in`1715-20 as our ancestors are believed to be of the family of Sir James Wemyss, first Baronet of Bogie who died in 1707, it is important to include the baronetcy in any geneaoly study of the American Weems.

Sir John Wemyss-Kessler wrote:

It is interesting to note that various Weems family historians here in America have been preoccupied with the earldom as the place to look for the connection between the American branch of the Weems family and our Scottish counterparts. In fact the American branch of the family is only distantly related to the earldom. It is well to remind ourselves that the Wemyss/Weems family is a large one both here in America and in Scotland, and as with all large families we contain many branches. We have here in America a large number of branches, all descended from one or the other of the two emigrant brothers, David or James. There are a number of family branches that do not carry the Weems surname who are directly descended from Williamina Wemyss, the sister of David and James.

In Scotland there is a large number of other family branches besides the ones that are being written about in this book. They all lived in the county of Fife in Scotland, but by no means were they confined to the county of Fife. Here are the names of some of these branches. Wemyss of Wemyss, the Earldom, The Baronetcy of Bogie, Burntisland, Caskieberren, Lathockar, Rires, Wester Wemyss, Unthank, Wemyss Hall, Earl de Wemyss of Venice, Italy, Rumgay or Craighill1 Fingask, Foodie, Danesfort in Ireland, and many others too numerous to mention.

Sir James Wemyss of Bogie,

Margaret Melville,

Elizabeth Dune,

Sir James Wemyss was the second son of Sir David Wemyss of that ilk. He did not follow in line for the earldom because he was the second son. Instead he founded the Wemyss of Bogie branch and obtained from his father in patrimony, the lands of Bogie, Easter and Wester Touches, Bambrook, Smeutons, Balsusnie, with several lands lying above the town of Kirkcaldy; also the lands of Balfarge, Newton of Markinch, Spittles, with many others too numer-ous to be here described. He got a charter under the great seal,"Jacobo Wemyss, fiho legitimo domini davidis Wemyss de eodem, Terrarum de Freuchies”, dated 2nd F ebruary 1519. Sir James Wemyss was likewise possessed of a considerable casual rent of coal and salt about Kirkcaldy. But we must here observe, that by his father Sir David's deed of settlement in favour of his second son, James it is especially provided and declared, that in case his eldest son, Sir John Wemyss, should die without suc-cession, whereby, James succeeds to the estate of Wemyss, then, and in that case, James is obliged to denude, and re-nounce all his rights to the above lands in favour of his younger brothers, successively, and their heirs-male. This deed is dated October 1st, 1585. Sir James Wemyss had the honour of knight-hood conferred upon him by King James the VI. He was appointed Vice Admiral of Scotland, by Ludovick Duke of Richmond and Lennox, her-itable High Admiral, by his commission dated Anno 1591. Sir James Wemyss of Bogie, was ancestor of the families of Bogie, Balfarge, and Condland, all in Fife. He was infeft in Bogie and other lands by his father in 1583. He married in 1585, Margaret Melville, daughter of John Melville of Raith, by whom he had issue.

Contract of Marriage of James Wemyss of Bogy and Margaret Melville 1st October 1585

At Wemis, the first day off October the yeir off God jmvc four scor and fyve yeris, it is appunctit, aggreit, and finalie contractit betuix the rycht honorable personis, parteis follwing: To wit, David Wemis of that ilk, James Wemis, his laufull so ne, fear of Bogy, vpoun that ane parte, John Malvill of Rayth, and Margaret Malvyll, his laufull doghtar, vpoun that vther parte, in maner, forme, force, and effect as efter followis; that is to say, the said James Wemis, with counsall, consent, and asent off the said David Wemis off that ilk, his father, sall, God willing, mary and tak to his spousit wyffe the said Margaret Malvyll, and solempnizat the band of mareage with hir in face of Christis congregation, betuix this and Martimes nixt cummis; And befor the completing of ye said band, the said James, with consent and assent of the said David, his father, and Sicilla Ruthwen, his mother, sall infeft the said Margret, his futur spous, in hir pure virginite, for all the dais of hir lyftime, in all and haill ane annuall rent of aught chalderis victuall, tua parte thairoff ait maill, and thrid parte beir, gude and sufficient stuff, to be yeirlie vpliftit and tane of all and haill thair part landis of Bogy, and akaris thairabout pertening to thame, lyand within ye regalite of Dunfermling, and schirefdome of Fyffe, to be yeirlie delyuerit betuix Yuill and Candilmes at ony parte, to be delyuerit within thre mylis to Bogy, with the common mentt of Dysart or Kyrcauldy; to be hauldin of the said James Wemis, his airis and assignals, or of the superioris thairoff, be confirmation to pas thairuppoun at the will of the said John Malvyll of Rayth, and Margret Malvyll, his daughter. And during the Ladie Naughtanis lyftyme, the said David Wemis of the ilk sall infeft the said Margret in aught chalderis forsaid stuffe of his manis of Wemis and pertinentis, in claus of warrandys of the aught chalderis victull off Bogy, and being sufficientlie infeft in the said aught chalder wictuall, sall accept the samin, and be thir presentis, acceptis it in full contentation of all tercis or vther coniunctfeis the said Margret Malvyll may clame or haif be the said James, or be his deceis, of his leving of Bogy: Provyding that how lang it sall happin the said James and Margret, his futur spous, remane in hows with the said David Wemis of that ilk, it sall nocht be lesum to thame to vplyft and ressaif the said qught chalderis victuall of thair coniunctfe, fiffin in arrandys of the Manis of Wemis as saud us, bot sall content thame with the toquhar gude and gwir, and the profyte thairoff, induring thair abyding and remanning in howss with the Larde of Wemis as said is: And that to be in the said James Wemis and his futur spous willis giff thai awin hows and coniunctfe. Mair, gyff it sall be Goddis plesour that the said James Wemis be Lared of Wemis, in that cais, the said James Wemis and his futur spous salbe hauldin, lykeas thay be the tennour heiroff faythfully bindis and oblissis thame, thair airis, executouris, and asignals, to renunce all and haill the saidis landis of Bogy, and akaris tharabout partening to thame, Smetoun, Sefeild, Tyre, landis off Newtoun Markinche, and thair partinentis, quharin the said James in presentlie infeft, to and in favouris of his brethren successiue in the infeftment thairanent, or vtheris quhom it sall pleis the said David Wemis ot that ilk and his spous provyde the samin, togiddar with all rycht, titill off tycht, clame, interes, and possession, the said James and Margret, his futur spous, had has, may clame, or haif thairto in tymis cuming, in cais forsaid; provyding alwais the said Margret Malvyllis coniunctfe forsid stand quhill sche be sufficientleie infelt in als mekill as gude off the landis of Wemis: An d als giff it sall pleis God that na airis maill be procreat betuix the saidis James and Margret, his future spous, bot airis famell, in that cais, becaus the said James landis forsid ar talyeit, as the infeftment thairoff beris; in that cais the airis famell sall haiff to thair mareage, giff thair be bot ane, twenty-fyve hundrethe merjus nibe Scottis, and giff thair be tua or mai, four thousand markis amang thame all. For the quhilk caussis the said Johne Malvyll off Rayth sall thankfully content, pay, and delyver in name of toqubar gude with the said Margret, his doghtar, to the effect vnderwrittin, the sowme of twenty-fyve hundreth markis vsuall monei of this realme of Scotland, to be pait in maner following: To wit, at Witsondday nixt cummis, imvclxxxvj yeris, ane thowsand markis, and than thairwith fyftie markis, as ane termis annuall thairfor; and at Witsonday, fourscor sevin yeris, ane vther thowsand markis, and at Martimes nixt thairefter fyve hundrethe markis, in compleit pament of the said tuenty-fyve hundrethe markis: And becaus the said Margret Malvyll may nocht lyft and resaif the said aught chalder victuall induring thair remaining in hows with the Larde of Wemis, as said is, thairfor and for that caus the said James Wemis and his futur spous sall ressaiff the said toquhar gude and haif the vse thairoff, ay and quhill the said Margret Malvyll gait the said aught chalderis victuall, and securite of als mekill of vther competent landis of the Larde of Wemis: And than becaus the said James is infeft alredy in the half landis of Newtoun Markinche, lyke as als vmquhill Maister Andro Wemis, his brother, was infeft in the vther halff thairoff; in the quhilk half landis that the said vmquhill Maister Andro was infeftin, the said Dauid Wemis of that ilk sall duly infeft the said James, his sone, his airis and assignais, as he has the vther half thairoff; thairfor the said toquhar gude to wit tuenty fyve hundreth markis sall be giffin and delyverit to Patrik Wemis, laufull brother to the said James, or ony vther havand power to renunce the said half landis; and at the renuncing and infefting the said James thairin, and in cais the said Patrick Wemis, or vtheris havand the rycht of the saidis half landis of Newtoun, will nocht renunce as said is, in that cais, the said James Wemis sall retene the said toqubar in his handis quhill the samin be renuncit as said is; it being alwais in the said Patrikis option, or vtheris hafand the rycht of the asidis half landis, quhiddar thai will haif the said xxv hundreth markis, and renunce or nocht: And for fulfilling of all and sindry the premissis for the partis of the said David Wemis of that ilk, and James Wemis, his sone, Johne Melvill, fier of Rayth, cautionaris and seuerteis, coniunctlie and seuerallie, and the said David to freyth and releiff thame thairoff, with all costis, damnage, and expenssis of plei thei sall happin susten thairthrow, and for fulfilling of all and sindry the premissis for the part of the said John Malvyll of Rayth, cautionaris, coniunctlie, and seuerallie, and the said John Malvyll of Rayth to freyth and releif thame thairoff, and with all costis, damnage, and expenssis of plei thay sall happin sustein thairthrow: And heirto bayth the saidis parties and souerteis faythfully bindis and oblissis thame, thair airis, executouris and assignals to vtheris; and ar content and consentis that thir presentis be insert and registrat in the bukis of our Soueranis Session, and haif the strenthe, force, and effect of actis and decretis of the lordis thairoff, with executoriallis to pas thairuppon at the will of the partie complenand; and for acting heiroff, all the saidis parties and souerteis, with ane consent and assent, makis and constitutis rycht honorabill maisteris thair procuratouris, coniunctlie and seuerallie, promittand to hald ferme and stabill, be thir presents subscriut with thair handis in maner following, day, yeir, and place forsaid, befor thir witnessis.

Sir. Dauid Wemys, off yt ilk, wt my hand.

Jhone Maluill, of Raith, wt my hand.

Henery Orrok, vitines.

Margaret Melville died in October 1598. He married secondly ( contract dated 22nd of May 1599), Elizabeth Dune, sister of Robert Dune of that ilk, and daughter of David Dune, by whom he also had issue. She was still alive in April 1653. Sir James Wemyss survived till about 1640.

His childen were:--

James Wemyss, of which more information will be given John Wemyss Esq., an officer in the army, who having acquired a considerable fortune settled in Ireland, married a sister of Lord Dingwall and is the ancestor of Wemyss of Danesfort.

David Wemyss, named with his brother Henry in a bond of provision by their father Sir James Wemyss of Bogie, of date 11 October 1622. They were sons of Elizabeth Dune. David died before 1653, leaving issue by his wife Margaret Orrock, two sons and two daughters, James baptized 1st January 1641; John baptized 23rd of October 1646, Elizabeth, baptized June 1st 1642; all three named in the will of their Aunt Janet Wemyss on April 1st 1653, and another daughter Janet, baptized 25th June 1643. Henry Wemyss of which more information will be given Mr George Wemyss, Principal of Saint Leonard's College , Saint Andrews, appears as a son of Sir James Wemyss of Bogie, and Elizabeth Dune in various writs, beginning 15th January 1631. He was admitted Provost of the Old College there on 1st November 1664. He married Magdalene Lundie with whom he had a charter of Wester Pitcaple on 1st March 1648.

Ludovick Wemyss, Doctor of Divinity, is named on 20th August 1631 in connection with an assignation by Sir James Wemyss of Bogie, his father. He is also referred to in a writ of 6th October 1658, where his son James is named. Andrew Wemyss of Glennistoun is named, in 1653, as a brother of Janet Wemyss, referred to below. He was then dead, having died in 1649. He had a daughter, Elizabeth named in her aunt's will, and an inventory of his effects was given up on 4th January 1673 by James Wemyss of Glennistoun, perhaps his son. Another son, name unknown, a student at Saint Andrews, was drowned in June 1666, while bathing at the Witchhill, Saint Andrews.

James Wemyss, named as a witness to the baptism of James, son of Mr David Wetnyss, his brother on 1st January 1641. Elizabeth Wemyss, married in 1628, to John Boswell of Pittedy; secondly in 1638, to James Arnot of Wester Fernie.

Janet, married in 1630 to John Lundie, son of Robert Lundie of Balgonie. He was Laird of Easter Conland, in Abbotshall Parish, and died in April 1641. She sold Easter Conland to her brother Henry, a short time before his death. She made her will on April 1653, and in it she named her brothers James, David, and Andrew with their children , and appointed her nephew Sir John Wemyss of Bogie her executor. She died on 20th April 1653 without issue.

James Wemyss of Bogie,abt

Margaret Kinninmonth,

Cecilia Wemyss, 2nd wife

James Wemyss married in 1612 Margaret Kinninmonth of that ilk, daughter of Andrew Kinninmonth of that ilk, or Craighall. His second wife was Cecilia Wemyss, daughter of David Wemyss of that ilk and sister of Sir James Wemyss of Bogie. He died before 12th July 1634, leaving issue. His wife survived him.

David Wemyss of Balfarge,

Mary Wemyss, his wife

David Wemyss of Balfarge , second son of James Wemyss, obtained from his grandfather Sir James Wemyss of Bogie, the lands of Balfarge and several others in the parish of Markinch. He married Mary Wemyss, daughter of his grand-uncle David of Fingask. David Wemyss of Balfarge referred in writs of 1672 and other dates, as brother of Sir John Wemyss of Bogie. In September 1653 he obtained the office of Sheriff of Fife. He and his wife had issue.

James succeeded his uncle Sir John Wemyss in Bogie. Ludovick Wemyss was drowned at sea with his only child. Elizabeth Wemyss was married in 1641 to Alexander Orrock of that ilk. Margaret Wemyss married to David Boswell of Douan.

Sir James Wemyss, 1st Baronet of Bogie,

Anna Aytoun, 1st wife

Elizabeth Loch, 2nd wife

Sir James Wemyss, eldest son of David Wemyss of Balfarge, was carefully educated by his uncle Sir John Wemyss, to whom he succeeded. He was a great loyalist and invariably attached 1:0 the interest of the Royal family, but negligent of his private affairs, and a very bad economist, whereby he greatly incumbered his paternal estate. Upon the death of David, second Earl of Wemyss, anno 1679, without living male issue, Sir James Wemyss became the undoubted male representative of our noble family, and by the old investitures would have succeeded both to the estates and honours of Wemyss; But Earl David thought it proper to alter them; and by his resignation and regrant of 1651, having transferred all upon his youngest daughter and to her heir-male and female, :Ln prejudice of Sir James and Margaret's oldest sister. Marga-ret succeeded thus accordingly. Sir James Wemyss, the nearest heir-male, received the Nova Scotia Baronetcy conferred on his predecessor, Sir John Wemyss on the 29th of May 1625, which now devolved on him because Earl David had the destination changed, in the same way as for the earldom with its remainder to Sir James' heirs-male and female. He and his posterity, because of this, ever after carried the arms of Wemyss simple as well as the Nova Scotia Baronetcy. In addition, he received from the second Earl the hereditary chieftain and Lairdship of the Clan MacDuff which has been traditionally the Wemyss family clan. Sir James Wemyss married first Anna, daughter of Sir John Aytoun of that ilk, and Lady Elizabeth Wemyss, his wife, daughter of John, first Earl of Wemyss. Anna died after 1682.

It is believed that Sir James Wemyss married a second time about 1700 to Elizabeth Loch, the cousin of Doctor William Loch, who was a large land holder in the colony of Maryland at that time. There has at this point been found no marriage records or contract between Elizabeth Loch and Sir James Wemyss, however the case has been made that this is the direct connection to the American Weems line. Sir John Wemyss-Kessler has established this belief partially based on the following information:

Elizabeth Loch was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1684. She married Sir James Wemyss of Bogie in about 1700-01. Sir James Wemyss of Bogie was a widower at this time. Sir James Wemyss was a cousin of Margaret, Countess of Wemyss, and would have inherited both the titles and estates of Wemyss on the Death of David the Second Earl of Wemyss, in preference to his daughter Margaret, had not David, changed the destination of the estate and titles. As a result Sir James Wemyss of Bogie only inherited the Nova Scotian Baronetcy of Wemyss given out originally to the First Earl in 1625 and in addition the tradi-tional Coat of Arms of the Wemyss family.

Elizabeth Loch died on the birth of her daughter Williamina in about 1704-5. This means that the commonly accepted dates of birth for these children must be changed so t hat probably James was the oldest child followed by David and then Williamina. The evidence for this is circumstantial but persuasive. First, the information that Elizabeth Loch died at the birth of Williamina comes from Williamina's own son-in-law, Rev. William Smith, and is probably true. Second the Maryland Archives, 1908, Vol.XXVIII, pp.77-79,LC. show that James Weems was Deputy Surveyor in 1724 and Sheriff in 1725 and 1726 in Anne Arundel County. If this James Weems was born in 1707 then he became Sheriff when he was 18 years old and newly arrived in Maryland. This is a highly unlikely story. Probably James had come to America, as the oldest son, with William Loch in about 1716. James was probably born about 1700, which meant he would have been 16 years old in 1716 and 25 years old when he was made Sheriff. This is a more plausible story.

(More details sourounding Sir John Wemyss-Kessler’s belief can be found in later chapters, when we look more closely at the American Weems lines.)

Sir James Wemyss of Bogie was created BARONET on the 12th of October 1704, by Queen Anne for various services to the Crown, with a remainder to "his Heirs-Male," This is the title he afterwards used in preference to the baronetcy of Wemyss. The children by his first wife, Anna Aytoun were,---

Sir John Wemyss, the second Baronet of Bogie and fourth Baronet of Wemyss. Elizabeth Wemyss, born 23rd of December 1677.

David Wemyss, Born December 1, 1679. He married Catharine, daughter of Mr. John Baillie, second son of Baillie of Haddington and had issue, a son John, who went to Jamaica in 1729.

Margaret Wemyss, born 29th September 1675. married first to John Bethune of Blebo; secondly to Philip Hamilton of Kilbrackmont. Ann Wemyss, born December 24th, 1682.

The children by his second wife Elizabeth Loch were our - Scottish Ancestors that came to Maryland early in The Eighteenth Century

For the continuation of this line, the children of Sir James Wemyss of Bogie and Elizabeth Loch, go to the chapter entitled American Weems.

From WEEMSANA Vol XXXXI, Vol 1, Sep 95

By COL William S. Slayden II, USA (Ret)

"Following is the record of Sir James Wemyss of Bogie (at which point our line branched off of the Earldom line) down to our immigrant ancestor James.

1. Sir James Wemyss of Bogie, 1560-1640. He was the second son of Sir David Wemyss of that ilk. He obtained from his father in patrimony the lands of Bogies etc., and was knighted by King James Vl. He also was appointed Vice Admiral of Scotland.

2. Sir James Wemyss of Bogie, (About 1590-1634). He was the first son of Sir James, above. He had two sons, John and David.

3. David Wemyss of Balfarge, (Born ]615). He was the second son of Sir James above. David obtained the lands of Balfarge from his grandfather. He was Sheriff of Fife. Sir John, his older brother, died without issue.

4. Sir James Wemyss, the First Baronet of Bogie and Third Baronet of Wemyss ( 1672-1707). He was the father of our ancestor James. Sir James was the first son of David Wemyss above and was educated by his uncle Sir John above whom he succeeded.

Upon the death of David, the Second Earl of Wemyss, in 1679 without male issue, this Sir James became the undoubted male representative of the noble family of Wemyss. By applying the old investiture process, Sir James would have succeeded both to the estates and honors of Wcmyss; but, David, the Second Earl, altered the succession and transferred the Earldom to his youngest daughter, Margaret, and her male heirs.

The other honors were not transferred and were inherited by Sir James Wemyss as the senior male representative of the family. These honors included the Baronetcy of Nova Scotia, given to David ' s father the First Earl of Wemyss, by King Charles l in 1625; the Family Coat of Arms and the Chieftainship of the Clan MacDuff; and the hereditary title of High Admiral of Scotland. Sir James was created First Baronet of Bogic October 12, 1704 by Queen Annc.

Sir James first married Anna Aytoun, daughter of a sister of the First Earl of Wcmyss, by whom he had two sons and three daughters. After the death of his first wife, Sir James married a second time in 1700 to Elizabeth Loch; she was the sister of Dr. William Loch, a large landholder in the American colony of Maryland. Three children were born to Sir James and his second wife, Elizabeth Loch — Williamina 1704, David 1706 and James 1707 or 1708.

Sir James was created Baronet of Bogie the same year Williamina was born. The main reason he was elevated to the title of Baronet was because Sir James was a great loyalist and closely attached to King William III. His biographer, Sir Robert Douglas states that it is not surprising he named his daughter after his benefactor.

Sir James died about the same time his last child was born, and his eldest son by his first wife succeeded him. Because this first son, Sir John, age 37, succeeded to the estate and titles, he required the young widow and her three children remove themselves from the manor of Bogie to make room for himself, the Second Baronet. Obviously, this created friction between the two families and is probably the reason Lady Elizabeth Loch Wemyss and her children immigrated to America to be with her brother where their economic situation was much improved. The two brothers, David and James, changed the spelling of their surname from Wemyss to Wcems, but Williamina continued to use the old spelling.

In the 1100s, Hugo of the MacDuff Clan first used Wemyss to name his son: Michael of the Wemyss. The last name came from the Gaelic word meaning a cave or a Picts' house. The ancient subterranean dwelling places of the Scottish clans were called"wemyss" (pronounced weems). Thus, Michael became the first to bear the name Wcmyss. He died in 1208.

Of interest is the family shifts in titles. The titles have run through all the descendants of Sir James, first wife and have come hack up and down the line of Elizabeth Loch Weems, descendants— but this is the subject of another article. "

Dr. James Weems (c1700/1708-1781). Born in Fife, Scotland. Immigrated to Maryland c1715 with his uncle, Dr. William Loch. Raised in Anne Arundel County, Maryland where he studied medicine with his uncle. After completing his training, he moved to his uncle's lands in Stafford County, Virginia and began his medical practice. Later returned to Maryland, where, in addition to being a doctor, he owned plantations and engaged in mercantile business. Served as Calvert County Representative in Maryland Assembly. Also served as a Justice and as Sheriff of Calvert County. Died in Calvert County, Maryland. Married twice and had six children. [See notes at the top of the page on the children of Dr. James Weems] Married firstly, in 1728, Sarah Parker (born 1711, daughter of Susanna Parrott and George Parker, Jr. of Calvert County, Maryland, and widow of a Mr. Stoddert). Son of:

Sir James Wemyss of Bogie (c1645-1707), First Baronet of Bogie and Third Baronet of Wemyss. Hereditary chief and laird of Clan MacDuff. Held Nova Scotia (Canada) Baronetcy. Lived in Fife, Scotland. Married twice and had eight children. Married secondly Lady Elizabeth Loch (died c1721). Son of:

David Wemyss of Balfarge (1615-1679), Sheriff of Fife, Scotland. Had lands in Balfarge and Markinch, Scotland. Married once (to daughter of his granduncle) and had four children. Married Mary Wemyss (daughter of David Wemyss of Fingask). Son of:

Sir James Wemyss (c1590-c1634) of Fife, Scotland. Married and had children. Married, in 1612, Margaret Kinninmonth (daughter of Cecilia Wemyss and Andrew Kinninmonth; granddaughter of Katherine Sinclair and David Wemyss). Son of:

Sir James Wemyss of Bogie (1560-1640) of Fife, Scotland. Knighted by King James VI. In 1591, Sir James Wemyss became Vice Admiral of Scotland. He had lands in many places in Scotland, including in Bogie, Easter and Wester Touches, Bambrook, Smeutons, Balsusnie, Balfarge, Newton of Markinch, Spittles, near Kirkcaldy, and elsewhere. Married twice and had children. Married firstly, in 1585, Margaret Melville (died October 1598, daughter of John Melville of Raith). Son of:

Sir David Wemyss of Wemyss (c1535-1597) of Fife, Scotland. Member of Parliament. Married once and had eleven children. Married, on December 2, 1556, Cecilia (died July 8 1589, daughter of William, second Lord Ruthven). Son of:

Sir John Wemyss of that ilk (c1513-January 1572) of Fife, Scotland. Laird of Wemyss. In 1551 received licenses to hold courts of justice on his lands in time of harvest. Fought in Battle of Pinkie, was captured, but later released. Active in other engagements against the English. Repelled the English fleet during its attempt to land near Wemyss Castle. Hosted Queen Mary of Scots at Wemyss Castle c1564 where she met Lord Darnley, who later became her husband. Sir John Wemyss married twice and had twelve children. Married firstly, on October 20, 1534, Margaret Otterburn (daughter of Sir Adam Otterburn of Redhall; her father was provost of Edinburgh and a statesman under King James V). He divorced her in 1556. Sir John was son of:

David Wemyss (died May 1544) of Fife, Scotland. Led to the creation of the haven-town West Wemyss as a burgh. He married twice and had children. Married firstly, on January 27, 1512, Katherine Sinclair (daughter of Henry, Lord Sinclair). Son of:

Sir David Wemyss (died September 9, 1513) of Fife, Scotland. Knighted c1510. He continued to consolidate ancestral Wemyss lands. He accompanied King James IV in his expedition against the England and was killed with him at the Battle of Flodden. Married twice and had four children. Married firstly, before 1493, Euphemia Lundy (died c1511, daughter of John Lundy). Son of:

Sir John Wemyss of Strathardle and Wemyss (c1448-c1508) of Fife, Scotland. Knighted in 1487. Married twice and had six children. Married, in 1468, Christian Abernethy (daughter of Laurence, Lord Abernethy of Saltoun). Son of:

Sir John Wemyss of Wemyss (c1425-c1502) of Fife, Scotland. Knighted in 1460. Married and had three children. Married c1447 Margaret Livingstone (died c1494, daughter of Sir Robert Livingstone). Divorced about forty years later, but parted peaceably. Son of:

David Wemyss of Methil and Wemyss (died c1430) of Fife, Scotland. Had lands in Methil, Wemyss, Inchmartin, Strathardle, Tillybreak, the Haugh, Innerleven, Nether Cameron, and elsewhere. He sought to consolidate ancestral lands in Wemyss, and through negotiations the Wemyss area emerged as East and West Wemyss. Married Dame Christian Douglas and had three children. Son of:

Sir John Wemyss of Kincaldrum (c1350-1428) of Fife, Scotland. Had lands in Leuchars, Kincaldrum, and Reres, inherited from his grandfather Sir John of Kincaldrum. In 1412-1413, he was among those engaged in negotiations in England for the release of King James I and in 1424 was among the barons who received safe conduct to meet the King upon his return to Scotland. Sir John Wemyss married at least twice and had children. Married secondly Isabel Erskine (died c1424; daughter of Isabel Inchmartin and Sir Alan Erskine; granddaughter of Margaret Wemyss and Sir John Inchmartin). Son of:

David Wemyss (c1320-before 1372) of Fife, Scotland. Son of:

Sir John Wemyss of Kincaldrum (born c1290) of Fife, Scotland. Son of:

Sir David Wemyss (c1260-c1325) of Fife, Scotland. Had lands in Lochore, in Glassmonth near Kinghorn and elsewhere. He was one of two Scottish Ambassadors to Norway. He was appointed to escort princess Margaret, known as the Maid of Norway, from the Orkney Islands to the capital of Scotland, where she was to assume the throne. Although she died before she reached Scotland, the King of Norway acknowledged the preparatory efforts of Sir David Wemyss and the silver basin he gave him is still in the possession of the Wemyss family in Fife. He supported King Robert the Bruce and served as King's Lieutenant. Sir David Wemyss was among the signers of the Declaration of Arbroth, a Scottish independence document sent to the Pope. He married twice and had at least two sons. Married firstly Annabella St. Clair-Bisset (daughter of Sir William St. Clair; widow of Sir Robert Bisset). Sir David Wemyss was son of:

Sir Michael Wemyss (before 1231-1319) of Fife, Scotland. Took a prominent part in public affairs and witnessed various charters. He was among those involved in decision making regarding selection of an heir to the throne of Scotland. He initially supported John Balliol as King, but after King Edward I of England seized Scotland, he was among the Scottish nobles who did homage to him. King Edward I stayed at Wemyss Castle in March 1304.

However, within the two years that followed, it is likely that Sir Michael Wemyss became a strong supporter of Robert Bruce and an independent Scotland, since Wemyss Castle and all of Sir Michael Wemyss' lands and other property were burned by order of King Edward I. Sir Michael Wemyss, who married a daughter of David Lochloe and had at least one son, was son of:

Sir John of Methil and Wemyss (1203-c1264) of Fife, Scotland. Had lands in Methil and Wemyss. Was knighted. Witnessed various charters and was part of arbitrations of disputes. While ill as an old man, his ancestors, Queen Saint Margaret and King Malcolm, accompanied by knights at the Dunfermline abbey, appeared to him in a dream. The Queen spoke to him. After the dream, we went to Dunfermline where he kissed the relics of the Queen-Saint and became well. Son of:

Michael of Methil and Wemyss (c1165-1214) of Fife, Scotland. Had lands in Methil and Wemyss. Married and had two sons. Son of:

Hugo MacDuff (died 1200) of Fife, Scotland. Had lands in Markinch, Scotland. Married and had children. Son of:

Hugo MacDuff (died 1168) of Fife, Scotland. Married and had children. Son of:

Gillemichael MacDuff (c1080-c1136). Fourth Earl of Fife. Son of:

MacDuff (died after 1128). Second Earl of Fife. Probably named for an ancestor, King Duff. Married and had at least two sons who survived to adulthood. Son of:

Aethelred, also known as Aedh (died c1098/1128). First Earl of Fife. Last hereditary Abbot of Dunkeld. Eldest son of King Malcolm and Queen Margaret, but probably passed over for succession to the throne due to his religious position. Married the Princess of Moray (daughter of King Lulach of Albany; sister and heiress of Maelsnechtan, King of Moray and Chief of Clan Duff). Son of:

King Malcolm III of Scotland, also known as King Malcolm Canmore (c1031-November 13, 1093) and his wife Queen Margaret (c1047-November 16, 1093), who later became St. Margaret, also known as the Pearl of Scotland. They married in 1070 in Scotland and had six children. They lived in the royal palace at Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland and at Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh. King Malcolm was son of King Duncan (who was killed by Macbeth) and Queen Aelflaed of Northumbria. Through his father, King Malcolm was descended from the first kings of Scotland who in turn descended from the kings of Ireland. King Malcolm also was descended from the royal line of the Picts, the indigenous peoples of Scotland. Queen Margaret was daughter of Edward Atheling and Agatha and the granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside and Ealdgyth. Queen Margaret was of royal Saxon heritage and among her ancestors are the early kings of England, including King Alfred the Great. Her lineage also includes royal lines in Scandinavian and Germany, and according to the Icelandic Prose Edda, extends even to Asia Minor, to King Priam of Troy. More information on the lineages of King Malcolm III and Queen Saint Margaret can be found in history books as well as in the royal data bases of the Internet.

Lineage compiled from a variety of sources including:

Tongue Family Notes (1976) compiled by Jennie Norman Tongue Reichardt and Charles Reichardt Records in Tongue Family Bible and other Family Papers Sir John Wemyss-Kessler (1996). The House of Wemyss -- A Thousand Year History. Sir William Fraser (1888). Memorials of the Family of Wemyss of Wemyss. Edward C. Papenfuse et al (1985). A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature. ancestral sites visits and personal interviews with family members in USA and Fife, Scotland. Compiled by Selena Fox selena@mhtc.net PO Box 219, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572 USA