Thomas Craig of Riccartoun

MASTER THOMAS CRAIG OF RICCARTOUN

Scottish jurist and poet; Advocate: Sheriff-depute of Edinburgh; Admiral-depute

Thomas Craig of Riccarton is the son of Robert Craig, burgess of Edinburgh, and his wife Katherine Bellenden. In his last will and testament of 1576, Sir John Bellenden bequeathed an annual pension of twenty pounds to his cousin Thomas Craig. Lives of Scottish Writers Master Thomas's mother was a sister of Sir John Bellenden, Justice Clerk. The Early Career of Thomas Craig, advocate

The Lands of Craigfintray

Thomas Craig acquired the lands of Craigfintray and others in the sheriffdom of Aberdeen from his kinsman William Craig of Craigfintray He had a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland on 16 April 1576. Four of his brothers were named in this charter as his heirs in remainder. RMS 1546-1580: 2552

Speaking of Thomas Craig's client base, John Finlay said this: "At the centre of his burgeoning Aberdeenshire client network was William Craig of Craigfintray for whom Thomas first appeared in 1574. According to T. A. Kerr, William was either a cousin or a paternal uncle of Thomas, and the Craigs of Craigfintray had long-standing connections to Thomas's family. William, most likely due to the financial difficulties which saw him escheated, resigned his lands in Craigfintray (near Turriff) and elsewhere, under reservation of a liferent to himself and terce to his wife, Margaret Keith, and Thomas Craig obtained a charter of the lands in April 1576. Edinburgh Law Review 8 (3). pp. 298-328

Death

National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, Testament Dative and Inventory of Thomas Craig, advocate, reference CC8/8/45]

His Testament Dative and Inventory

Confirmation was granted on 13 April 1609. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court, Testament Dative and Inventory of Thomas Craig, advocate, reference CC8/8/45]

First Marriage

Thomas Craig of Riccarton married Helen Hamilton. The Early Career of Thomas Craig, advocate

Second Marriage

Thomas Craig of Riccarton married Helen Heriot. The Early Career of Thomas Craig, advocate

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

No Date: Explanation (in 2 parts) of plan of the lands of Riccarton belonging to THOMAS CRAIG. National Records of Scotland, reference RHP1893/1-2

                   2

20 October 1571: nstrument under the hand of James Hoppringile, clerk of St Andrews diocese, notary public, setting forth that John Wallace, son of umquhile Bartholomew Wallace in Cragy, attorney and in name of Fergus McCallester of Dalreoch, came before John Kennedie of of Blairquhan superior of the lands undermentioned, and presented to him a Precept out of Chancery in the third form requiring him to subscribe and seal a Precept of Sasine of the 7 merklands of Dalreoch, Rowchane and Kicherne, of old extent, in the earldom of Carrik and sheriffdom of Air. The Superior declared that he would consult with his friends and lawyers, and then do what in law he ought to do. Whereupon said attorney solemnly protested for remedy of law. At the house of David Kintoir, indweller in Leith Witnesses: Said David Kintoir Master THOMAS CRAIG, advocate, William Carkerth [Cathcart] in Wodend, Mungo Craufurd, brother of John Craufurd of Camlair, David Craufurde of Kers and Symon Pennango, his servant, 'cum diversis aliis' National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2231

                   3

9 October 1573: Copy Retour of Inquest made in the Tolbooth of the burgh of Edinburgh before MR. THOMAS CRAIG, sheriff-depute of Edinburgh by Thomas Fawsyde of that ilk, Robert Lawsoun of Humbie, Alexander Coikburne of Wodeheid, John Scott of Burnehous, John Hoppringill of Murehouse, Thomas Hamiltoun of Preistfield, Archibald Hoppringell of Torquhen, John Scott of Settupe, John Stennope of Stennopesmylne, James Hamiltoun in Prestoun, Mr William Balfoure, David Logane, indwellers of Leith, and William Anderson, burgess of Edinburgh, who being sworn say that the late William, Master of Borthwick, brother german of James Borthwick, bearer of the presents, died last vest as of fee at the peace and fealty of the King in the lordship and barony of Borthwick containing the lands of the 'Moit' of Lochequhorwode and Castle of the same called the castle of Borthwick, the half lands of Midletoun, the lands of Buitland and town of the same, the lands of Hereote and Hereotemure, lying in the sheriffdom of Edinburgh; the lands of Borthwick lying in the sheriffdom of Selkirk; the lands of Little Oremestoun, Herthpuill and Quhytfeild, lying in the sheriffdom of Peebles; the lands of Hyndfuirde in the sheriffdom of Lanark; the lands of Aberdour in the sheriffdom of Aberdeen; the lands of Nenthorne Legertwode, Glengicht, Collelaw and Burnehouss, in the sheriffdom of Berwick; which lands were by the late King James V after his 25th year incorporated into a barony, the barony of Borthwick, sasine to be taken at the castle of Borthwick notwithstanding that the said lands and the barony of Aberdour lie disconnected and in divers counties; that the said James Borthwick is the nearest and lawful heir of his late brother in the said lands and is of lawful age; that the said lands and barony of Borthwick (except the lands and barony of Aberdour) are worth now by year 420 merks Scots and in time of peace were valued at 85 merks, and that Aberdour is now worth 75 merks yearly and in time of peace were valued at £10 Scots. That the lands and barony of Borthwick are held of the King in chief for rendering a red rose at the castle of Borthwick at the feast of St John Baptist called Midsummer in name of blench farm, if asked only; and that the fee of the lands (except Aberdour) now exists in the hands of the King, superior of the same because of the death of the said late William, Master of Borthwick who died 17 Mar 1570 by the space of 5 terms last past, the life rent being reserved to William, Lord Borthwick, father of said James; and that the lands and barony of Aberdour are now in the King's hands for the reason above. National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2294B

                   4

16 April 1576: Charter by which James VI, King of Scots, confirms that he has given the lands of Craigis-fintray, Balmalie, one quarter part of Tullmald, together with the foralice, manor, and mill of Craigis-fintray, all in the sheriffdom of Aberdeen, to MASTER THOMAS CRAIG, advocate. These lands had previously been resigned by William Craig of Craigis-fintray, who reserved his own liferent and that of his wife Margaret Keith. These lands were to be held by Thom Craig and his lawful male heirs, whom failing by his brother, Master John Craig, and his lawful male heirs, whom failing by James Craig, also his brother, and his lawful male heirs, whom failing by Robert Craig, also his brother, and his lawful male heirs, whom failing by Oliver Craig, also his brother, and his lawful male heirs, all of whom failing by the nearest male heirs of William Craig of Craigis-fintray who bear the name and arms of Craig. RMS 1546-1580: 2552

                   5

24 July 1579: Extract Decreet of the Sheriff Court of Edinburgh held in the Tolbooth thereof by MASTER THOMAS CRAIG, sheriff depute of Edinburgh, at the instance of Johnne Cunynghame of Cunynghameheid, decerning Margaret Bonkle (originally written Marioun Cheislie, which name is left standing in some clauses) to remove from an oxengang of the town and lands of Bonaylaw, in the barony of Reidhall and sheriffdom of Edinburgh; from which she had been duly warned to flit at Whitsunday last.National Records of Scotland, Register House charters, 1st series, reference RH6/2521

                   6

July 1589: Inventory of Evidents delivered by James Earl of Glencairn to MR. THOMAS CRAIG, Advocate with a docquet annexed signed by the Earl. (10 Instruments relating to the Mortgage of Caprington to Robert Cunningham Minister of Failford, and the transfer by him of an annual rent therefrom to his son lawful and eldest John Cunningham). National Records of Scotland, Earls of Glencairn, reference GD39/1/127

                   7

26 April 1596: Procuratory of resignation by MASTER THOMAS CRAIG, advocate, whereby for certain sums of money paid to him by Robert Swintoun of that ilk, he constitutes John Inglis of Westir Harwod his procurator for resigning into the hands of James Sandelandis of Calder, lord of Torphechin as superior thereof, the lands of the Tempilhous in Quhitsum, sometime occupied by James Hud, as also the tempil lands called the Stridlingis extending to two husbandlands lying at the East Quarter of Swintoun in the parish of Quhitsum, regality of Torphechin and sheriffdom of Berwik, in favour of John Swintoun, son and apparent heir of the said Robert Swintoun for new infeftment. At Edinburgh. Witnesses: Thomas Henresoun, advocate; Alexander Lawson, writer; Robert Craig, brother german of the granter; and John Belcheis, the granter's servant. National Records of Scotland, Title deeds of the Swinton Family of Swinton, Berwickshire, reference GD12/149

                   8

1 May 1598: Discharge by John Elphinstone (Elphingstown) of Selling, as administrator to William Elphinstone, his eldest son, to Adam Spittal of Blair of 625 merks paid in terms of a decreet arbitral by John, Commendator of Holyrood House (Halyruidhous) and Mr Thomas Craig, advocate on the part of the said Adam, and by Mr Thomas Hamilton (Hammilltown) of Drumcarnie, and Mr William Oliphant (Olyphant), advocates, on the part of the said William Elphinstone, dated 27 and 28 October 1597 and registered in the Books of Council on 2 January 1597/8. Witnesses: MR. THOMAS CRAIG, advocate; Robert Craig, his brother John Gibson (Gibsown), servitor to said Mr Thomas; John Bartane, servitor to John Halliday, advocate. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Henderson Family of Fordell, reference GD172/1415

                   9

21 July 1604: Discharge by James Wynrame, agent and collector for the burghs, to burgh of Lythqw, of £96 received by MR. THOMAS CRAIG on behalf of said James, as contribution of said burgh to sum of 16,000 merks to be uplifted by said James "to outred certane commissionaris to Ingland to treat on the unioun National Records of Scotland, Henderson Collection, reference GD76/192

Genealogy

1. David Irving, LL.D., Lives of Scottish Writers, VOL I, (Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh, MDCCCXXXIX), pp. 147-60
2. Edinburgh Law Review 8 (3). pp. 298-328: J. Finlay (2004), The Early Career of Thomas Craig, advocate

Biographical Account by Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Craig_(jurist)

Sir Thomas Craig of Riccarton [Note] was a renowned writer on feudal law and his work "Jus Feudale" published in 1655 is still used by Scottish lawyers. Sir Thomas was admired by King James VI and was one of the Scots invited to attend the coronation of King James as king of England in Westminster Abbey in 1603.

His father was Robert Craig, an Edinburgh merchant, and his uncle was the Scottish theologian John Craig. Craig was educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh, and at the University of St Andrews, where he took the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1555. From St. Andrews he went to France, to study canon law and civil law. In Paris from 1555 to 1561, he studied civil law under François Baudouin. His work on feudal law shows the influence of François Hotman, which must be later.

Craig returned to the Kingdom of Scotland about 1561, and was admitted advocate in February 1563. In 1564, he was appointed justice-depute by the justice-general, Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll; and in this capacity he presided at many of the criminal trials of the period in Edinburgh, and in 1606 was made procurator for the church. He never became a lord of session, a circumstance that was unquestionably due to his own choice. He is said to have refused the honour of knighthood which James VI conferred on him in 1604. He had come to London as one of the Scottish commissioners regarding the personal union between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England, the only political object he seems to have cared about. But in accordance with James's command he has always been styled and reputed a knight.

Except his poems, the only one of Craig's works which appeared during his lifetime was his Jus feudale (1603; editions by R. Burnet (1655); Lüder Mencke, Leipzig, 1716; and James Baillie (1732). The object of this treatise was to assimilate the laws of England and Scotland, but, instead of this, it was an important factor in building up and solidifying the law of Scotland into a separate system.

Other works were: De unione regnorum Britanniae tractatus, English translation (1910) by Charles Sanford Terry; De jure successionis regni Angliae, written to answer Robert Parsons, and translated as Concerning the Right of Succession to the Kingdom of England by James Gadderar; De hominio disputatio. This was translated by George Ridpath as Scotland's Sovereignty asserted; being a dispute concerning Homage (1695). Craig's first poem, an epithalamium in honor of the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Darnley, appeared in 1565. Most of his poems have been reprinted in the Delitiae poetarum Scotorum.

Family

Craig had numerous family connections, and was married twice. His first wife Helen Hamilton of 1573, who died in 1575, was the niece or granddaughter of Robert Richardson. His second wife of 1578 was Helen, daughter of Robert Heriot of Lumphoy in Midlothian, by whom he had four sons and three daughters; she was also the step-daughter of Edward Henryson, her mother Helen Swinton's second husband. His eldest son, Lewis Craig (1569–1622) was raised to the bench in 1604. His second son James was killed in Ireland in 1641 while defending the castle at Croghan against rebels. His third son John Craig was a royal physician who died in 1655; another royal physician John Craig was his uncle and brother of Thomas Craig. His eldest daughter Margaret married Alexander Gibson, Lord Durie I, and was mother of Alexander Gibson, Lord Durie II. The second daughter Elizabeth became the wife of James Johnston, and was mother of Archibald Johnston, Lord Warriston, and Rachel Johnston, who married Robert Burnet, Lord Crimond. His third daughter Janet m. John Belches of Tofts, of the Belches of Invermay.

Note: According to John Finlay: "despite later tradition and almost universal usage in modern literature, there is absolutely no basis for the attribution of a knighthood to Thomas Craig". Edinburgh Law Review 8 (3). pp. 298-328: J. Finlay (2004), The Early Career of Thomas Craig, advocate

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Sir Knight (The Peerage)

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!#506> England & Wales Visitation Notes-

!#506> England & Wales Visitation Notes-v5-p184-186ped*, (FHL 942 D23hn); !RES> & of Riccarton,Mloth; PROP> acquired Riccarton shortly bef death;

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!#21-v4pt2apndx(G)-p616; !Lord Advocate;

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CRAIG - History of the surname CRAIG A BRIEF HISTORY from homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com

The ancient surname CRAIG originated independently in numerous locations and is found in many variations, although its earliest beginnings

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Sir Thomas Craig from Electric Scotland Website CRAIG, SIR THOMAS, of Riccarton, a distinguished lawyer and writer on the feudal law, was born at Edinburgh about 1538. It is uncertain whether his father was Robert Craig, a merchant in Edinburgh, or

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Thomas's son, Sir James Craig of Craig C

Thomas's son, Sir James Craig of Craig Castle and Craigston County, Aberdeen, became one of the Scottish undertakers of the Ulster Plantation in 1610. His descendant, James Craig, became the first Prime Minister of Ireland in 1921, having been an organizer of the Ulster Volunteer Force in the struggle against Home Rule. He was then elevated to the Peerage, taking the title Viscount Craigavon. The new town of Craigavon in County Armagh was named for him.

Thomas acquired the estate of Riccarton, Edinburgh.

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Life Sketch

Lord Advocate and Judge. Educated at St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews University, B.A. 1555, called to Bar, 1563, appointed Justice Depute, 1564; acquired a crown charter of the estates to himself and his heirs male, 16 April 1576. Sir Thomas Craig accompanied King James I to England in 1608 and acquired celebrity from his "Treatise on Feudal Law", 1603, and "Treatise on Union of Two Kingdoms", 1605.

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St. Andrews University

Thomas attended St. Andrews where he completed his law degree. "An Account of the Life and Writings of Sir Thomas Craig"

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Sir Thomas Craig 1538-1608 Scottish Jurist & Poet Thomas Craig (jurist) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thomas Craig, from an 1823 book. Sir Thomas Craig (c. 1538 – 26 February 1608) was a Scottish jurist and poet.

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