Following on the initial general analysis of the available data, as set out in the "1126 to 1700" Page, and given that Alan M102, would have been the first generation Mortimer, numbered (1), in Scotland, a "Generation Timeline" can now be drawn up for each County, and, hopefully, after 18 generations, merged with the "interface" at 1650-1700.
The construction of such a Timeline will reveal "the missing generations", and thereby identify where further research effort should be directed.
| year and | ||||||
| generation | ||||||
| 1350 | Craigievar | Related | ||||
| 9 | M141 | |||||
| Aberdeen | M116 | |||||
| 1400 | 10 | (Old Machar) | Balquain | Bernard M142 | ||
| 11 | Henry M187 | Isobel M138 | ||||
| Edmond M145 | ||||||
| 12 | Andrew M188 | Malcolm M144 | Alexr M152 | |||
| 1500 | John M147 | |||||
| 13 | William M153 | |||||
| 14 | Alexr M155 | |||||
| 15 | John M157 | |||||
| 16 | John M189 | James M165 | ||||
| Alexr M191 | Janet M164 | |||||
| 1600 | 17 | Thomas M193 | Glencat | John M167 | Patrick M154 | |
| William M173 | Alexr M168 | |||||
| 18 | Thomas M194 | John M180 | ||||
| 19 | George M181 | |||||
| William M182 | ||||||
| 1700 | ||||||
Commentary:
The first mention, ( subject to further research ), of a Mortimer in Aberdeenshire, is of a "Mortimer of Craigievar" who married an "heiress of Aberdour", in 1377: this would suggest that a branch of the Mortimers of Angus was, by this time, well established at Craigievar, and would represent the ninth generation.
The family name is further extended, at this time, into Banffshire, by the grant of land in Alvah, by Lady of Mar ( a recurring benefactrix ), to a younger son of the Mortimers of Craigievar: this is a good example of how the name would have spread.
Bernard(10) of Craigievar, continued the association with Lady of Mar; and the association with the landed gentry was extended when his daughter, Isobel(11), in 1391, married Sir Andrew Leslie of Balquain, which is geographically close to Craigievar (see M138 in the Biographical Notes).
In 1457, Edmond(11) inherited Craigievar, to be succeeded by Alexander(12), whose brother John(12), was bailie to his cousin, Lord Leslie.
It is at this time, 1450-1500, that the name spreads to Aberdeen itself, with Henry(11) and Andrew(12), both probably younger sons of the Craigievar Mortimers, being Burgesses of that City. Also at this time, there is mention of a Duncan and a Thomas as witnesses and of an Alexander as a chaplain.
William(13),having inherited Craigievar, acquired additional land in the parish of Inverurie (in the Barony of Leslie), and was succeeded in quick succession by Alexander(14) and then John(15).
We now enter a disturbed period in the history of the Mortimers of Craigievar, with John(15) and his son and heir, James(16), being involved in serious fracas and, as a consequence, being subject to "Bonds of Caution" which inevitably led to their subsequent impoverishment and the sale of Craigievar.
Whereas other members of the family, who had settled in Aberdeen, John(16) and Alexander(16) were responsible members of the community; John(16) was the Treasurer of the City Council and his son, Thomas(17), held various senior diplomatic posts, negotiating with the English; his son, Thomas(18), is recorded as a Burgess of the City.
In 1610, John(17) has to sell Craigievar, before the building of the present castle was completed, and "remove back" to Angus; possibly assisted by Lord Glammis (see Angus Page).
Around this time, John's brother, Alexander(17), is outlawed on a charge of murder.
Around 1635, another of John's brothers, William(17), acquired, probably through marriage, lands at Glencat, rather remote moorland, in the parish of Birse.
Then, having been inherited first by John(18), then George(19), Glencat was sold by William(19) in 1696, who may then have stayed on as a tenant farmer.
So, from the overall perspective, one can see the relative success of those of the family, and it would have been the younger sons, who moved to the City, compared to the gradual decline in status of those who remained on inherited land.
The Interface:- 1650-1700.
The task of interlinking across the interface between the records before and after the introduction of parish records can now be studied; this will require further detailed research.
In view of the fact that this research will be frequently updated in the light of new findings, it will be displayed on a seperate subsidiary Page.
To see the Aberdeenshire INTERFACE - - - - - CLICK HERE.
To Return to "INDEX" - - - - - - CLICK HERE.