I came across the Arbuthnot web site when checking on links with Baltersan
and thought you may wish to receive what I know about Hugh Arbuthnot who inherited
Baltersan from his cousin, John in 1722.
I have a photocopy of the Testament of John Kennedy of Baltersan of whom it says,
"died abroad in London". Hugh Arbuthnot was a sea captain based at
Deptford which makes me think he was lodging with his cousin. There is a wonderful
old church with numerous 17th century monumental tombs in Deptford - the time I visited it
was locked fast. I wonder if John Kennedy's tomb is in there ?
Hugh Arbuthnot took up residence at Baltersan (1 mile from Maybole in Ayrshire) and became
a Burgess of the Burgh of Ayr.
The Fergusson of Kilkerran family papers have numerous mentions of Hugh in his dealings
with them. If you have any aditional information on Hugh, I would be most
appreciative. I think he must have died c. 1750 - certainly Baltersan was a ruin by
1764 and there is evidence of a major fire having reduced the building a long time ago.
I am aware of Arbuthnots of Montrose being mariners and wonder if I can establish a link
between Baltersan (c.1750) and Dundee (1790). The reason for this is most unusual.
Two of the windows at Baltersan had wooden shutters which slid into the thickness
of the wall - unique in Scottish 16th c. architecture. The next time this feature
appears is in a sea captain's house (Captain Rattray) in Dundee !
Any information you can furnish would be gratefully received. In the meantime, you
can find a considerable amount of information on Baltersan at my website.
Yours sincerely, James Brown
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Chronology on Arbuthnots / Baltersan
1717 (22 October)
Testament of Margaret Kennedy, relict of Mr Robert Arbuthnott, late Minister at Cranstoun.
{Edinburgh Testaments}
1721 (August)
John Kennedy of Baltersan dies "abroad" in London
1722 (27 April)
Testament Dative of John Kennedy of Baltersan, son of Hugh Kennedy of Baltersan,
confirmed. The value of his inventory is �100 Scots (about �6 10s. stg.) consisting of 6
cows, 1 bull, 4 stirks, 2 nolts and a Quoy. {Reg. of Testaments, Glasgow Comm. CC 8/8/88
ff.167v.-168r.}
1722 (2 August)
Hugh Arbuthnot, sailor in London, served heir to his uncle Hugh Kennedy of Baltersan who
died 1701 - Heir Special cum beneficio Inventarii in the lands of the Mains of
Crossraguel, Mochrumhill, Glaick, etc. in Ayrshire. (Recorded 18 April, 1724)
{Services of Heirs in Scotland, vol. I 1700-1749}
1722 (2 August)
Hugh Arbuthnot, sailor in London, served heir to his cousin John Kennedy of Baltersan who
died 1721 - Heir Special cum beneficio Inventarii in Easter and Wester Dunneven in the
Regality of Crossraguel, Ayrshire. (Recorded 23 April, 1724) {Services of
Heirs in Scotland, vol. I 1700-1749}
1722 (2 August)
Hugh Arbuthnot, sailor in London, served heir to his cousin John Kennedy, junior of
Baltersan. - Heir General cum beneficio Inventarii. (Recorded 11 June, 1725)
{Services of Heirs in Scotland, vol. I 1700-1749}
1722 (2 August)
Hugh Arbuthnot, sailor in London, served heir to his uncle Hugh Kennedy of Baltersan. -
Heir General cum beneficio Inventarii. (Recorded 16 July, 1725) {Services of Heirs
in Scotland, vol. I 1700-1749}
1725 (1 May)
Captain Hugh Arbuthnot of Baltersan admitted Burgess and Guild Brother. {Minutes of the
Burgh of Ayr}
1725 (10 June)
First EIK (Executor in Kin ?) to Testament of John Kennedy of Baltersan confirms Mr George
Arbuthnot, Rector of the High School in Edinburgh as cousin german to John Kennedy.
George Arbuthnot described as "son lawfull" to the deceased Mr Robert Arbuthnot,
sometime minister at Cranstoun. George Arbuthnot's mother was Margaret Kennedy, sister to
Hugh Kennedy of Baltersan. Marginal note mentions "Hugh Arbuthnot of Baltersan".
{Reg. of Testaments, Glasgow Comm. CC 8/8/88 ff.167v.-168r.}
1726 (1 March)
George Arbuthnot, Rector of the High School of Edinburgh, served Heir of Provisional
General to his daughter Agnes Arbuthnot (Recorded 1 July, 1728) {Services of Heirs
in Scotland, vol. I 1700-1749}
1728 (4 February)
George Arbuthnot marries Jean Crocket, widow of Mr William Wilson, W.S. in s.s.w. parish.
(See 1725) {Register of Marriages}
1738 (14 September)
Alexander Arbuthnot served heir to his brother John Arbuthnot junior of Caterline, late
Shipmaster in Montrose, - Heir General. (Recorded 9 October, 1738) {Services of Heirs in
Scotland, vol. I 1700-1749}