Sir William Weir of Stanebyres

SIR WILLIAM WEIR OF STANEBYRES

One of the Commissioners of War for Lanarkshire in 1647

Fake Genealogy

According to the 1846 edition of Burke's Landed Gentry, Sir William Weir of Stanebyres, here treated, was the great-grandson of James Weir of Blackwood Landed Gentry: 1475 This wrong. He was in fact the great-grandson of William Weir of Stanebyres.

The Question of identity

Sir William Weir of Stanebyres, here treated, is the son of George Weir of Stanebyres. He was served heir to his deceased father on 30 June 1630. Inquisitionum: 5845

Death

A date and place of death has not been identified for Sir William Weir of Stanebyres, here treated. However, his son James was served as heir to his deceased father on 11 January 1672, and it seems clear that Sir William died before thus date. Inquisitionum: 5845

Marriage

Sir William Weir of Stanebyres, here treated married, a sister of John Hamilton, Lord Bargany. The Scots Peerage II: p. 27 He is identified as the brother-in-law of John Hamilton, Lord Bargany in a bond dated 9 June 1640. NRS: GD109/1529

Children

1. Major James Weir of Stanebyres
2. George Weir of Stanebyres
3. Katharine Fergusson

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

15 April1629: Commission under the Signet to Sir John Hamiltoun of Barganie, Sir Hoiyrood James Maxwell of Calderwod, Sir James Lokhart, elder of Lee, William Weir of Stainbyres, John Hamiltoun of Orbestoun, Archibald Hamiltoun of Halcraig, sheriff depute of Lanerk, Thomas Inglis of Eistscheill, Hamilon of Gideon Jacke and James Gray, bailies of Lanerk, or any three of them, to search for, apprehend, ward, and examine Janet Scot in Wicketshaw, Marion Schailer in Law, Janet Weir, spouse to John Wilsoun in Baruch, and others for Helen Simsoun in Craignuick, Agnes Adame in Cleghorne, Marion Aitkine, spouse to Ralph Watsoun in Cleghorne, Isobel Quhyte, spouse to George Quhyte in Auchquhren, Beatrix Crichtoun in Kirktoun of Dowglas, Margaret Fischer in Stainbyremylne, John Greinscheills in Dundreven, Janet Clerksoun'in Cauldlaw, Margaret Sempill in Strafranke, Margaret Hutchesoun, spouse to Thomas Mure in Kirkbanke, Margaret Wilsoun, spouse to John Huttoun in Lanerk, James Frame in Lanerk, Margaret Haistie in Welgait of Lanerk, and Jean Cleilland in Corehouse Mill, who " ar commoun practisers of the detestable crymes of witchecraft, using of charmes and inchantments, laying on and taking aflF of sicknesses, and uthers devilish practises," as the depositions of Isobel Gray, lately " brint for witchecrerft, both before her convictioun and at her death," show. Signed by Mar, Hadintoun, Wiutoun, Roxburgh, Seafort, Lauderdaill, and Areskine. RPC 1629-30: 145

                   2

1 August 1629: Another commission to Sir . . . . . Maxwell of Calderwod, elder. Sir James Lokhart of Lee, elder, Archibald Hamiltoun, commissary of Lanark, William Weir of Stainbyres, and the Shirefif of Lanark and his depute, or any three of them, the sherifif, his depute, or the commissary being one for the trial of Margaret Haistie, widow of " Gawin Bannatyne, menstrell in Laidlie," Isobel Quhyte, spouse to George Whyte in Auchuren, Margaret Fisher in Linmylne of Stanebyres, Agnes Adam in Cleghome, John Greinscheill in Dimdraven, and Margaret Strudgeoun, vagabond, for witchcraft. Dated and signed as above. RPC 1629-30: 270

                   3

12 January 1630: Complaint by Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall, King's Advocate,Jinking Weir, indweller in Blakhall, as father, William Weir, brother, Agnes Weir, sister, and remanent kin and friends of the deceased George Weir, servitor for the time to William Weir of Stanebyres, also by James Lockhart, William and George Tutteups, brothers to the rebel aftermentioned and tenants to the said William Weir of Stanebyres, who delivered the money after referred to, and the said Laird of Stanebyres for his interest, as follows : - The wearing of hagbuts and pistols and convocation of the lieges in arms are very strictly prohibited, and James Tutteup in Byrewod being put to the horn for the slaughter of the said deceased William [sic] Weir, and the slain man's friends having purchased letters of caption against him, he kept himself so close that they could get no information of his whereabouts, till lately " Sir James Lokhart, elder of Lee, having tryed out where the said rebell wes, and being moved not with the love of justice or anie good will toward the partie, bot, as will appear heereafter, miscaryed with ane inordinat desyre to atteane to moneyes be whatsomever way he could," on 25 th September last directed George Lokhart, his third son, with David Fleeming in Chappell, John Lokhart, natural son to the said Sir James, William Forrest and Thomas Young, servitors to the said Sir James, Thomas Young in Qua, William Quhytfurde, younger in Contland, William Eastoun, tailor in Murgieland, Gabriel Smith in Bruxland, Thomas Haistie in Heidsdykeeheid, Gavin Prenteis in Heidsmure, and Robert Broun in Nether Mosplat, all tenants to the said Sir James, and others of the lieges to the number of twelve persons, armed with steel-bonnets, jacks, lances, hagbuts, muskets and pistols (the said Laird of Lee, elder, being but a private person "with no power nor auctoritie)," on horseback in warlike manner to the house of William Caidzow in Caldermure, where the said rebel was, and they, entering the house, apprehended the said rebel, carried him bound on horseback to Blaickbume and thence to Nether Mosplat, where they kept him until they had sent word to his father, mother, and friends that they " wer readie to present him to justice for the slaughter foresaid unlesse they did redeeme him frome thair hands." Thereupon the said rebel's friends and kin, who are tenants to the said Laird of Stonebyres, for preserving his life " transacted with the said George Lokhart and his complices and dely vered unto thame the sowme of aucht hundreth merkes in hand, togidder with ane band of the sowme of fiftie merkes to be payed thereafter," whereupon they set the said rebel at liberty. And thus " not onelie ar the kin and freinds of the umquhill George Weir frustrat of thair assythement for the slaughter foresaid, and the kin and friends of the said rebell, being hot meane labourers of the ground altogidder impoverished and disabled to pay to the said Laird of Stanebyres, thair maister, his fermes and dewteis, to his great hurt and prejudice, hot lykewayes by this sort of coosent^e his Majesteis auctoritie is verie farre abused, and ane preparative of dangerous exemple and consequence is heirby offered to persouns of the lyke dispositioun to committ the lyke or worse heerafter." Charge having been given to the persons above complained upon to compear and to restore this money, and the pursuers compearing and also the said Sir James Lokhart of Lee and George Lokhart, his son, for themselves and in name of the other defenders, being present, and the probation being referred to witnesses, the Lords assoilzie the said Sir James, against whom nothing was proved, but find that George Lokhart, accompanied by Gabriel Smith, David Fleeming, Thomas Young, William Eastoun, William Forrest and Thomas Haistie, armed with unlawful weapons, went the said day to the house of William Caidzow in Caldermure, and after lying about the same for some time, entered it with drawn swords in their hands, " stoged beds" and took the said James Tutteup without any warrant, " flightered [pinioned] him," took him and kept him and afterwards released him on receiving the money and bond foresaid, whereby they have committed " ane most inexcusable wrong in contempt of the regall auctoritie," and they ordain the said George to be committed to ward in the tolbooth of Edinburgh till they release him. They further ordain the said Laird of Lee to produce the said Grabriel Smith, David Fleeming, Thomas Young, William Eastoun, William Forrest, and Thomas Haistie, this day eight days ; and that he and his said son pay to each of the five witnesses produced £10 if a horseman, and 10 merkes if a footman.RPC 1629-30: 418-19

                   4

30 June 1630: Willielmus Weir de Stainbyris haeres Georgii Weir de Stainbyris, patris. xi. 50. Inquisitionum Generalium, Ad Capellam Domini Regis Retornatarum Retornatarum, Abbreviatio; Ratione Temporis Ordine Disposita. Inquisitiones Generales number 1729

                   5

29 January 1634: Extract bond by Sir John Hamiltoun of Barganie, kt., and Sir John Hamiltoun of Carrin, his eldest son and apparent heir, to William Weir of Staniebuyris for 2,500 merks. Reg. B. of C. and S., 27 March, 1639 National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/1483

                   6

1637: Tack by Sir James Drummond of Machannie, kt., and William Weir of Stanebyres to Robert Murehead in Beircroftis, of part of land of Beircroftis called the Tenaiker and Howatflatt with 5 riggs in the Medowland, with teinds, in parish of Falkirk, sheriffdom of Sterling, for 5 years. 3 February 10 February 12 June 1637 National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/3000

                   7

9 June 1640: Bond by John, lord Bargany, to Sir William Weir of Stanebyres, kt., his brother-in-law for 3,000 merks Scots National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/1529

                   8

19 July 1642: William Weir of Stanebyers witnessed a contract of marriage between the Reverend Mr. Richard Broun, minister of the Gospel at Tindrum, and Margaret Hamilton, his spouse. Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, 1638-43, pp. 304-05

                   9

1649: Commission by John, lord of Barganie, in favour of Archibald, earl of Angus, James, lord Mordingtoun, John, lord Beilheaven, Jean, lady Barganie, Sir William Carmichell of that ilk, Sir William Weir of Stanebyres, Sir Robert Drumond of Midop, James Drummonde, fiar of Machanie, Thomas Haye of Parke, John Whytfurde of Bellaghe, John Hammiltoun of Bangoure, chamberlain of Kinneill, Mr. John Hammiltoun of Rothe, or any three of them, said Jean being always one, to manage said lord Barganie's estate while he is furth of the country. Dated at The Hague in Holland National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/124

                  10

4 September 1651: Commission by John, lord Bargany, in favour of dame Jean Douglas, his spouse, Archibald, earl of Angus, John, lord Beelhaven, Sir James Drummond of Machanie, Sir William Weir of Stanebyres, Thomas Hay of Park, James Cleeland of that ilk, John Whytford of Balloch, capt., Robert Menzies of Chesthil, as in GD109/124. Dated at "a board the ship callitt The Discoverie National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/125

                   11

1653: Bond by Sir William Weir of Stainbyres, Sir James Drummond of Machanie, Thomas Hay of Park and Adam Whytford of Bardrokwood to Hew Craufurd of Cloberhill, for 13,000 merks scots. [Cancelled]; with note anent discharge, 1662, June 6 National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/167

                   12

23 March 1658: Nominations by John, lord Bargany, of John, master of Bargeny, as his executor and of William, earl of Selkirk, John Kennedy of Colzeane, Sir James Drummond of Machanie, Sir William Weir of Stainbyires, Thomas Hay of Park, David Kennedy of Knockda, Jean Dowglas, spouse of said lord, and James Hammilton in Lanerk, or any three of them as tutors to his children National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/2554

                   13

8 July 1658: Translation by Mr. Alexander Hamilton, minister at Dalmeanie, son of John Hamilton, elder of Bangour, to said John, of Nominations by John, lord Bargany, of John, master of Bargeny, as his executor and of William, earl of Selkirk, John Kennedy of Colzeane, Sir James Drummond of Machanie, Sir William Weir of Stainbyires, Thomas Hay of Park, David Kennedy of Knockda, Jean Dowglas, spouse of said lord, and James Hammilton in Lanerk, or any three of them as tutors to his childrenbond, 4 August, 1649, by Sir William Weir of Stanebyaris, kt., and James Drumond, younger, fiar of Machanie, to Gilbert Hamilton, indweller in Kinneill, for £1,397 6s. 8d. scots National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/1606

                   14

9 December 1658: Discharge by John Hamiltone, elder of Bangour, and Mr. Alexander Hamiltone, minister at Dalmenie, to Sir William Weir of Stanbyers, kt., and Sir James Drummond of Machanie, of [blank] as annualrent due on bond for 2,500 merks, 2 and 4 August, 1649 National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, reference GD109/1610

                  15

20 December 1661: Assignation by Sir William Weir of Stainbyris, kt., to John, lord Bargany, of contract, 30 November, 1652, between deceased John, lord Bargany, and deceased Adam Quhytfuird, his chamberlain, whereby said Adam undertook payment of 2 bonds for 3,500 and 3,000 merks scots respectively, (undated) by said deceased John to said Sir William, by giving him wadset, (lands unspecified) National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, GD109/174

                  16

30 January 1662: Discharge by Sir William Weir of Stanebyris, kt., to John, lord Bargany, of 7 years bygone annualrent due on 2 bonds [undated] for 6,000 merks scots, by deceased John, lord Bargany, his father National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, GD109/1625

                  17

22 October 1662: Discharge by Sir William Weir of Stainbyris, kt., to John, lord Bargany, of annualrent of principal sum of 6,500 merks scots due on several bonds by deceased John, lord Bargany National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, GD109/1638

                  18

13 August 1663: Extract discharge by Sir William Weir of Stanebyers, kt., to John, lord Barganie, of bond for 3,500 merks scots as principal. Registered B. of C. and S., 15 August, 1663 National Records of Scotland, Papers of the family of Dalrymple-Hamilton of Bargany, Ayrshire, GD109/1652

                  19

11 January 1672: Jacobus Weir, haeres Domini Willelmi Weir de Stainebyres, patris. xxx. 265. Inquisitionum Ad Capellam Domini Regis Retornatarum, etc., number 5845

                  20

8 January 1677: The Eik or Additional Testament of Sir William Weir of Stanebyres was given up by James Weir, his eldest son, to whom confirmation was granted on 8 January 1677. [National Records of Scotland, Lanark Commissary Court, Eik to the Testament of Sir William Weir of Stainbyres, reference CC14/5/9]

1. Image of Testament
2. Image of Testament

Printed Evidence ==

The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland. Edited and Abridged by P. Hume Brown, MA., LL.D. Second Series Vol. III. A.D. 1629-1630 (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1901), 807 pp. including index

Genealogy

A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland. By John Burke, Esq., Author of "The Peerage and Baronetage," etc., and John Bernard Burke, Esq., of the Middle Temple, Barrister at Law. Vol. II. - M to Z (Henry Colburn, London, MDCCCXLVI.), 1673 pp. For Vere of Craigiehall and Blackwood see pp. 1475-1477