George Maxwell of Newark

GEORGE MAXWELL OF NEWARK

George Maxwell of Newark is the son of Sir John Maxwell of Calderwood. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1424-1513, charter number 1352 on p. 275 His father gave him Newark (Finlastoun) on 7 January 1476. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1424-1513, charter number 1352 on p. 275

According to Darryl Lundy's Peerage, his mother was Margaret Borthwick. Darryl Lundy's Peerage: George Maxwell Clan MacFarlane is of the same opinion. Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy MacFarlane cites Stirnet as the source of this information but Peter Barns-Graham is actually more cautious, and does not go as far as to identify the mothers of any of Sir John Maxwell's children. Stirnet: Maxwell 04

Notwithstang the before mentioned proposals, Sir William Fraser, the Maxwell family historian, writing in his 1863 account of the Maxwells of Pollock, tells us that George Maxwell of Newark's mother was in fact Margaret Rutherford, the second wife of Sir John Maxwell of Calderwood. George and his father and mother are noticed in a charter which was issued at Edinburgh on 7 January 1476. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1424-1513, charter number 1352 on p. 275

The Barony of Fynlastoun afterwards the Barony of Newark

This notice of the Maxwells of Newark is taken from Walter MacFarlane's geographical collection. The name of the author is not know: "Sir John Maxwell of Calderwood hath with ther Fynlastoun afterwards called the barony of Newark, and is lately sold by them. they were a race of brave gentlemen and in reputation inferior to none in this country." Geographical Collections Relating to Scotland made by Walter MacFarlane (Scottish Records Society, Edinburgh, 1907), ii, p. 204

Death

George Maxwell of Newark died before 26 January 1484-85. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1424-1513, charter number 1612 on pp. 339-40

Marriage and Children

The name of George Maxwell of Newlands's wife is not known but he had at least three children. Their names follow:

1. Patrick Maxwell, 3rd of Newark
2. Archibald Maxwell of Stanely
3. Patrick Maxwell, 3rd of Newark

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

7 January 1476: Charter by which Sir John Maxwell of Calderwood and his wife Margaret confirm that they have given the barony of Finlastoun in Renfrewshire to George of Maxwell, son and heir of Sir John Maxwell of Calderwood' A charter of confirmation was issued under the Great Seal of Scotland on 22 January 1477-78. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1424-1513, charter number 1352 on p. 275

                   2

26 January 1484-85: Charter issued under the Great Seal of Scotland, following from a decreet of the Lords of Council, against Patrick Maxwell, son and heir of the deceased George Maxwell of Newark. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1424-1513, charter number 1612 on pp. 339-40

Genealogical Accounts

1. William Fraser, Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollock, Vol. I. Memoirs & Charters (1863), 497 pp.
2. William Fraser, Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollock, Vol. II. Correspondence (1863), 453 pp.
3. Stirnet: Maxwell 04
4. Clan MacFarlane and associated clans genealogy
5. Darryl Lundy's Peerage: George Maxwell