Guthrie Mentions in the
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum (RMS)

Volume 10 (1652-1659)

Overview

Protectorate era focus on Auchmuthie (Patrick Guthrie + Janet Reid; daughters Isabell/Margaret with provision bonds) and Pitforthie (James → son David; minister William Guthrie). Francis Guthrie of Gagie as adjacent holder; messengers (James Guthrie). Hiltoun of Guthrie place refs.

Genealogical value: Family provisions, liferents, and succession amid political upheaval. Strong continuity for Auchmuthie/Pitforthie.

Research tip: Links to earlier Volume 9 Auchmuthie grants; useful for post-1650 land recovery patterns.

Rule over Scotland between 1652 – 1659

There was no traditional King or Queen of Scotland who reigned between 1652 and 1659. During this decade, Scotland was without a sovereign and was forcibly incorporated into the republican Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. 

Supreme power over Scotland during this time was held by the English Lord Protector: [1]

• Oliver Cromwell: Governed the Commonwealth from December 1653 until his death in September 1658.
• Richard Cromwell: Succeeded his father as Lord Protector, ruling from September 1658 until he was overthrown in May 1659.

While Charles II was technically crowned King of Scots at Scone in 1651, he was defeated by Cromwell’s forces and forced into exile in Europe for the duration of the 1650s. He did not formally reign until the monarchy was restored in 1660. 

Chronological Summary of Major Charters
^{Click the Charter # Navigation Links in the Table to go Directly to that Charter}

Final Volume 10 Summary Table (Link column removed)

Charter Details in Chronological Order
^{Navigation links go to original Latin text images in RMS}

Charter 89 Major Entry / High Value Entry

Charter 89, 21 February [1652/3], Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 10, Images 61-62, Pages 49-50)

THE KEEPERS grant to JOHN EARL OF ETHIE, his heirs and assignees whomsoever heritably,—the lands of Auchmuthie; the lands of Newtoune of Aberbrothock; half of the town and lands of Bruntoune, with the teind-sheaves of the said lands of Newtoune and half of the lands of Bruntoune included which were never in use to be separated from the stock, within the lordship and barony of Aberbrothock, regality thereof and sheriffdom of Forfar;—Reserving to Jonet Reid, spouse to Patrick Guthrie of Auchmuthie, her liferent of the sunny half of the lands of Auchmuthie, and the houses, &c., thereof, whereof she has a liferent lease granted by the said Patrick;—which lands, teinds, &c., were resigned by the said Patrick in favour of the said Earl, instruments being taken in the hands of Gavin Burnet, notary public:—To be held of the Keepers;—the said Earl giving to the Keepers the feu-duties, &c., after specified, excepting the tenth part of the feu-duties of the same lands above and under written, which with the teind-sheaves included are allowed in feu-duty to be paid to the persons and ministers and others having right to the said teinds, viz.:—for the said lands and town of Auchmuthie £42, 13s. 4d., and 16s. for the part of one rin-mart,—[detailed reddendo continues with specific victual, capons, poultry, oats, services, and augmentation of rental as shown in the images, payable at Whitsunday and Martinmas, plus 3 suits of court at the 3 head courts of the regality of Arbroath, duplicand on entry of heirs, etc.]—and for the half of Bruntoune 5 merks:—With precept of sasine.

Significance/Role within the Document:

• Patrick Guthrie of Auchmuthie is the party who personally resigned the lands (core transaction enabling the grant to the Earl).
• Jonet Reid (his spouse) receives explicit protection of her liferent (liferent lease) in the sunny half of Auchmuthie and houses — a standard Scottish practice to secure a wife’s lifetime interest in family lands.
• This is a classic resignation and re-grant involving a major Forfarshire estate in the Arbroath regality during the early Protectorate period.

Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:

• High value for the Auchmuthie cadet line — direct evidence of Patrick Guthrie of Auchmuthie’s landholding and family arrangements in the 1650s.
• Confirms marriage to Janet/Jonet Reid (cross-referenced in the Volume 10 index).
• Illustrates Scottish legal practices: resignation (voluntary transfer of lands), liferent (lifetime usufruct/right to income/use), precept of sasine (formal order for delivery of possession), feu-duty (annual feudal payment), duplicand (doubling of feu-duty on heir’s entry), and suits of court (attendance at head courts).
• Links to earlier Volume 9 material on the Auchmuthie branch and sets up Charter 424 (the 1646 bond of provision for his daughters).
• Excellent for tracing continuity of Angus landholdings through turbulent mid-17th century.

Charter 424 Major Entry / High Value Entry

Charter 424, 28 June 1655, Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 10, Image 197, Page 183)

THE PROTECTOR confirms the bond of provision, dated 2nd December 1646, granted by umquhile Patrick Guthrie of Auchmuthie in favour of ISABELL and MARGARET GUTHRIES, his only lawful daughters, procreate betwixt him and Janet Reid his spouse, whereby he bound himself to infeft the said Isabell and Margaret in annualrents of 800 merks and 480 merks respectively, to be uplifted furth of his lands of Auchmuthie, in the lordship and regality of Aberbrothock and sheriffdom of Forfar, and of the lands of Newtoun of Aberbrothock, and half of the town and lands of Bruntoun, with the teind sheaves of the foresaid lands of Newtoun and half lands of Bruntoun, which were never in use to be separate from the stock, in the regality and sheriffdom foresaid:—To be held blench of the granter and his heirs;—redeemable during the lifetime of the granter on payment of “ane reasonable” [sic] or 16 merks, and by his heirs on payment of 10,000 merks to the said Isabell and 6000 to the said Margaret;—with the instrument of sasine following thereon, subscribed by Mr Johne Dinmuire, notary public.

Significance/Role within the Document:

• Patrick Guthrie of Auchmuthie (deceased by the confirmation date) is the granter of the original 1646 bond.
• Direct family identification: Janet Reid as his spouse; Isabell and Margaret Guthries as his only lawful daughters.
• The Protector’s confirmation secures the daughters’ financial provision (annualrents from core family lands) after Patrick’s death.
• Includes standard redemption clauses and sasine instrument for legal enforceability.

Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:

• High value for the Auchmuthie cadet line — provides clear evidence of Patrick Guthrie of Auchmuthie’s marriage to Janet Reid and the names/ provision for his two daughters (Isabell and Margaret).
• Excellent demonstration of 17th-century Scottish bond of provision (a formal deed securing portions or annuities for children, often daughters) and infeftment (legal investiture of title/rights).
• Redeemable clauses show typical safeguards for family estates.
• Directly complements Charter 89 (where Jonet Reid’s liferent is reserved) and strengthens the family structure for this branch in the 1640s–1650s.
• Useful for tracing inheritance, marriage, and provision strategies in Forfarshire during the Commonwealth period.

Charter 450 Major Entry / High Value Entry

Charter 450, 27 July 1655, Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 10, Image 207, Page 195)

THE PROTECTOR grants to DAVID GUTHRIE, lawful son to the deceased James Guthrie of Pitforthie, his heirs and assignees (subject to the legal reversion),—the lands of Pitforthie, manor-places, &c., thereof in the barony of Kethick and sheriffdom of Forfar, with the teind sheaves and other teinds of the said lands;—which lands pertained to the said James Guthrie, and were on 9th August 1653 apprised from Mr William Guthrie, minister at the new kirk of Kilmarnock, for himself and as charged to enter heir to the deceased James, his father, at the instance of Robert Arbuthnott, fiar of Fuddownsie [Findownie?], in payment to him of 36,565 merks, with sheriff-fee corresponding thereto (at 12d. for ilk pound, conform to the Act of Parliament) to John Black, messenger,—which decree the said Robert Arbuthnott assigned to the said David Guthrie:—With precept of sasine.

Significance/Role within the Document:

• David Guthrie receives the direct grant/assignment of the Pitforthie lands.
• Mr William Guthrie (minister) is explicitly the eldest son who was in the process of entering heir to their father James Guthrie of Pitforthie; the lands were apprised from him in 1653 to satisfy a debt.
• The 1655 confirmation formalizes the transfer to the younger brother David.

Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:

• High value for the Pitforthie cadet line — confirms the family structure: James Guthrie of Pitforthie → eldest son Mr William Guthrie (minister at Kilmarnock) and son David Guthrie.
• Clarifies succession dynamics: William was positioned to inherit but the lands were apprised and reassigned to David.
• Key terms: Apprising (judicial sale for debt), charged to enter heir (formal summons to take up inheritance), legal reversion (redemption right), precept of sasine.
• This entry is especially useful for distinguishing branches and understanding debt/ inheritance pressures on Forfarshire Guthrie families in the 1650s.

Charter 585 Notable Entry / Supporting Role

Charter 585, 19 June 1656, Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 10, Image 258, Page 246)

THE PROTECTOR grants to WILLIAM GRAY, sheriff-clerk of Forfar, his heirs and assignees whomsoever (subject to the legal reversion),—the right of superiority or tenandry and service of free tenants of the town and lands of Newbiggings, with the pertinents, &c., of the same, sometime pertaining to the deceased Alexander Lowder, lying within the barony of Pennie [?] and sheriffdom of Forfar, with the profits, &c., thereof, and all other rights belonging to the deceased George Gordoune of Gight or Alexander Gordoune of Kincaldrum, his son,—which were on 10th April 1656 apprised from the said Alexander Gordoune, for himself and as charged to enter heir to his said father, at the instance of the said William Gray, in payment to him of £2493 6s. 8d. Scots, with £124 13s. 4d. of sheriff-fee to James Guthrie, messenger:—With precept of sasine.

Significance/Role within the Document:

• James Guthrie, messenger appears only as the recipient of the sheriff-fee in this apprising process.
• The main transaction is a grant to William Gray of superiority/tenandry rights following an apprising from the Gordoune family.
• Passing reference to a Guthrie in an official legal capacity.

Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:

• Low to Moderate value — records James Guthrie serving as a messenger (a legal officer responsible for delivering summonses, executing court orders, and handling apprisings) in Forfarshire in 1656.
• Adds to evidence of Guthries in minor civic/legal roles in Angus during the Protectorate, but no direct land, family, or line-specific details.
• Sheriff-fee: Standard payment to the official (here the messenger) involved in the valuation and sale process.
• Useful for occupational spread of the name but not high-impact for core genealogy.

Charter 605 Notable Entry / Supporting Role

Charter 605, 24 July 1657, Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 10, Images 269-270, Pages 257-258)

THE PROTECTOR grants to WILLIAM GRAY, sheriff-clerk of Forfar, his heirs and assignees whomsoever,—the lands of Kirkton of Aberbrothock with the muir fall and croft or tofts of Sanct Vigean, together with a piece of land of the common lying upon the south part of the kirk of Sanct Vigean, with the houses, &c., thereof, together with the teind sheaves of the same which were never wont to be separate therefrom, with the pertinents, lying betwixt Carny and Lethem, within the lordship and regality of Aberbrothock, parish of Sanct Vigean, and sheriffdom of Forfar, and siclike that west meadow and portion of land called Kirkton Meadow alias Lethem Meadow lying on the west part of the water of Brothick betwixt the said water on the east, the foresaid lands of Kirkton on the west… and the lands of Lethem… and the lands of the Muir of Kinaldie… [full detailed description of acquired lands, resignations by prior parties including Hamiltons, and historical chain]—which lands pertained to Mr Thomas Hamilton… and were resigned… likeways on 20th June 1656 the right in the said lands of Andro Hamilton… was apprised… with £319 3s. of sheriff-fee to James Guthrie, messenger;—(Confirmation of all charters and other writs of the said lands in favour of the said William Gray; Clause of Novodamus);—one sasine to be sufficient:—To be held of the Protector;—giving for the lands of Kirkton 28 bolls oatmeal, 28 bolls bear, and 7 bolls wheat… [detailed reddendo, services, retention of feu-duties, etc.]—With precept of sasine.

Significance/Role within the Document:

• James Guthrie, messenger receives the sheriff-fee (£319 3s.) in connection with the apprising of lands from Andrew Hamilton.
• The main charter is a large grant/confirmation to William Gray of extensive lands and rights in the regality of Arbroath (Kirkton, meadows, muirs, etc.).

Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:

• Low value — another appearance of James Guthrie as messenger in Forfarshire (1656/57), consistent with Charter 585.
• Adds a data point for Guthries in official legal roles handling apprisings but provides no new family, land, or line-specific information.
• Reinforces the pattern of Guthries serving in minor administrative/legal capacities in Angus during the Protectorate.
• Sheriff-fee and apprising terms as previously noted.

Charter 640 Notable Entry / Supporting Role

Charter 640, 19 February 1658, Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 10, Images 285-287, Pages 273-275)

THE PROTECTOR grants to Doctor Alexander Ramsay, physician to the late King, and to his heirs and assignees whomsoever heritably (subject to the legal reversion),—the lands and barony of Dronlay… [extensive grant including many lands, baronies, mills, fishings, etc. in Forfarshire, with detailed historical chain of apprisings from prior owners including William Ruthven of Garden] … the lands of Hiltoun of Guthrie called Pikertoune, with the services of free tenants, &c., in the sheriffdom foresaid… [full list continues with numerous other lands, baronies, and rights united into larger holdings] … all which were apprised from them… with £953 13s. 4d. of sheriff-fee to Adam Livingston, messenger:—With precept of sasine.

Significance/Role within the Document:

• Hiltoun of Guthrie called Pikertoune appears as one of many lands included in this large apprising grant to Doctor Alexander Ramsay.
• No living Guthrie individual is named; this is a place-name reference within a broad portfolio of Forfarshire estates.

Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:

• Moderate value for geography and land history — reinforces the continued recognition of Hiltoun of Guthrie(styled as Pikertoune / Pinkerton in other references) as a distinct holding within Forfarshire estates during the 1650s.
• Consistent with place-name patterns seen in Volumes 9–11; useful for mapping the historic footprint of Guthrie-associated lands (especially in the Rescobie / Arbroath / Forfar area).
• Apprising and legal reversion as previously explained.
• Helps track the barony of Guthrie / Hiltoun components even when not directly held by a Guthrie family member at the time of the charter.

Charter 658 Notable Entry / Supporting Role

Charter 658, 2 July 1658, Edinburgh
(RMS – Volume 10, Image 294, Page 282)

THE PROTECTOR grants to Thomas Scott, merchant burgess of Dundee, his heirs and assignees (subject to the legal reversion),—the town and lands of Westhall, with the manor-place, half mill, mill-lands, fishings, coals, coal heughs, limestone quarries, &c., bounded by the lands of James Lord Cuper on the east, the lands of Pittkirr ie pertaining to Mr James Durhame of Cusnes on the south, the lands of Duntrune pertaining to Walter Grahame of Duntrune on the west, and the lands of Eistir and Westir Gagies, pertaining to Francis Guthrie of that Ilk, and John Finlaysone of Eister Gegies, on the north parts, in the parish of Murrois and sheriffdom of Forfar, which towns and lands were held by James Beatoune of Westhall… and on 14th May 1658 were apprised from the said James… for £1048 9s. 4d. of principal, interest, and liquidate expenses, and for £42 8s. of sheriff-fee due to John Bowie, messenger:—With precept of sasine.

Significance/Role within the Document:

• Francis Guthrie of that Ilk is named as the proprietor of the adjacent lands of Eistir and Westir Gagies (bounding the granted Westhall lands on the north).
• This is a boundary/adjacency reference in a standard apprising grant to Thomas Scott.

Guthrie Research / Genealogical Value / Notes:

• Moderate value for the Gagie / of that Ilk line — confirms Francis Guthrie of that Ilk as a landholder in the Gagie area of Forfarshire in 1658.
• Reinforces geographic continuity of the Gagie branch (seen in Volume 9) and helps map landholdings in the Murrois parish.
• Apprising and legal reversion as previously noted.
• Useful supporting evidence for cadet line presence even when not the primary party.