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1 Robert who succeeded him
2 John who married Janet Lindsay as is set forth in the Commissary Records of Glasgow where there are many entries in February and March 1590 and on 25th March 1591 regarding two actions at the instance of John Huntar tenant of half the lands of Wester Dalquhorne tutor of Huntarstoun against John Spreul of Coldoun He is also named in the Register of Deereets of the Lords of Session 24th December 1503 where there occurs a protestation for Robert Master of EgHntoun and Hew Montgomerio of Hesilhcad against John Iluntar tutor of Huntarstoun for not insisting in summons at the instance of Robert Huntar son and apperand air to umqle Robert Huntar of Huntarstoun tho said John Huntar tutor of Huntar his father's brother and Patrick Craufurd of Auchinames his mother's brother and nearest of kin to tho said Robert Huntar against the said Robert Master of Eglintoun and Hew Mont gomerie charging them to haif comperit before the lords ete etc etc
He is repeatedly named in the said Deereets in the action against him instituted by Robert Iluntar of Huntars toun and his curators and in the proceedings following thereupon from 1GS4 to 1G96 In the same Register of Deereets Marion Hamilton is named as his mother f and Robert Huntar is called his Fon J In all these very voluminous proceedings and in the numerous documents of tho period no mention is made of James Huntar who married Janet Neil the ancestor of the Abbotshill family who as Robertson affirms j is supposed to have been a younger son of Mungo Huntar of Huntarstoun who in 1547 was killed at the battle of Pinkie and from whom according to Burke more than one family of the name are descended.
Marion Hamilton widow of the deceased laird was living in 1594, when she offers to prove before the Lords of Session that she has been in possession of the tower fortalice and manor place of Hunterston for upwards of 48 years.
Robert Huntar of Huntarstoune or of that Ilk eldest son of the deceased Kentigern Huntar was but an infant when he succeeded he was served heir to his father in the lands of Campbelton on 2d October 1548, "which had been in non entry for one year in the hands of the Steward of Scotland". In 1551 he held as a tenant the Isle of Lamlash or Holy Isle sold by his grandfather to the Earl of Arran as is shewn by a precept of James Duke of Chatelherault dated 24th April of that year and he was infect in certain lands within the lordship of Craufurdland in April 1551, and in the lands of Annanhill which had been twenty years and one term in non entry on 6th November 1567.
He held also certain lands in Knockintiber sold to his father by Charles Mowat of Busbie 24th July 1571, and a rent of twenty merks yearly out of the lands of Kileasche sold by John Blair of that Ilk, 20th November 1569. He was one of those Ayrshire gentlemen who subscribed the Principal Band in defence of the reformed religion on 4th September 1562.
On the 29th November 1578 he obtained a Crown Charter from James VI of Southeames now the new town of Milport with adjoining Red Farlane Rocks in the island of Great Cumbrae which his ancestors probably held as rentallers or Crown tenants. He married Margaret daughter of Thomas Craufurd of Auchinames by Marcon daughter of Sir John Montgomerie of Hessilhead great grandson of Alexander first Lord Montgomerie and he died in 1580 His widow married John Stewart burgess of Glasgow and they were both living on 6th July 1597 as appears by deereet of the Court of Session Robert Huntar had by his wife Margaret Craufurd two sons and three daughters:-
1 Robert who succeeded him
2 Francis who died young
1 Jean married first Rev Robert Cunninghame minister of Barnwell to whom she had two daughters
-1 Jean who married Patrick Hunter and of whom afterwards
-2 Catherine married Robert Cunninghame of Auchinharvie and died prior to the year 1613. Second before the year 1008 Rev Alexander Serymgeour minister at Irvine who died prior to May 1017 as appears in a confirmation of that date in Commissary Records of Glasgow She was living 30th June 1024 as appears by a disposition of that date in Hunterston charter chest
2 Katherine married first Hugh Garven of Irvine who died 29th June 1007 and second to the above named Robert Cunninghame of Auchinharvie on May 4 1616, on which day her brother the Laird executed a precept infefting her and her son Ninian Gurven in the lands of Hiclies
3 Marion married Robert Peibles one of the Baillies of Irvine descended from a family of considerable respectability and possessed of the estate of Broomlands subsequently acquired by George second son of Hugh Montgomerio of Stano He died on 16th September 1605 as appears by his testament in which, "He nominat Mareoun Huntar his spouse his onlie executrix and recomendis his wyf and barnes and thair effairis to the rycht honorabill personnes following to fortimc and assist thame in all thair actiounes and causes and to saif and preserve thame fra the injurie of sic as wald do thame wrung viz Robert Huntar of Huntarstonn Hew Montgomerio of Aikenhcid Johno Peblis of Rrumlandis Johne Peblis of Knokgerhill and Mr Allexander Serymgeour minister at Irvine "
He was succeeded by his eldest son Robert Huntar of Huntarston or of that Ilk who was not then of age and who was placed under charge of his uncle John as tutor at law as above stated his curators being Robert Master of Eglintoun Hugh Montgomerio of Braid stane John Stewart Sheriff of Bute Thomas Nevin younger of Monkredding John Craufurd of Craufurdland and Robert Fergushill of that Ilk styled his kinsman in a deed of 4th May 1616.
He married Margaret daughter of Patrick Peibles of Broom lands by Marioun daughter of John Montgomerio of Hessil head a cadet of the Eglintoun family by Margaret daughter of John Fraser of Knock Conjunctly with his wife he received a Royal charter of South Cames in Bute 20th July 1580, and on 5th April 1609 a royal charter of Arneil Huntar with tower fortalice manor place gardens and their pertinents and of Campbelton, Annanhill-Huntar and South Cames.
In 1609 a somewhat serious difference arose between the Laird of Hunterston and Sir William Stewart Captain of Dumbarton Castle regarding the faleons on the Red Farlane Rocks in the great Cumbrae. A rare breed of these much prized birds frequented that part of the Red Farlane known as the Hawk's Nest and as this head land stands on the lands of South Cames which belonged to Hunterston the Laird asserted his right to the faleons that bred upon them but the Governor of Dumbarton Castle disputed this right and as representative of the King claimed them as royal birds and interdicted the Laird from meddling with them upon which the latter forthwith took the law and the faleons into his own hands as is duly recorded in the Privy Council Minutes of 2d February 1609 in which it is stated that Sir William Stewart Captain of Dumbarton Castle complains "that Robert Huntar of Huntarstoun and Thomas Boyd Provost of Irvine had gone to the Isle of Comra with convocation of the leidges and tane away all the hawks thereon".
The Lords of Secret Council declare "that all the hawks quhilk bred on ye said isle properly belong to the King and ocht to be for the cumand of his Majeste and that the Captane of Dumbartanc Castle intromit therewith yeirlie and deliver the same to his Majeste and discharges the said Robert Huntar and all vtheris from meddling therewith ".
Having no issue the Laird of Huntarstoun settled his estate on the husband of his niece Jean Cuninghame above mentioned as appears from an instrument of resignation executed by him on the 27th September 1611 in favour of "Patrick Hunter son lawful to William Hunter in Beneberrie Yairds and the heirs of his body proereat between him and Jean Cuninghame his spouse dochtor lawful to Jean Huntar sister german to the said Robert Huntar", reserving only a life rent for his wife Margaret Peibles and himself which destination was confirmed by charter James VI dated 27th September 1611 On the 4th May 1616 he alienated the lands of Annanhill Hunter to his kinsman, Robert Ferguson or Fergushill of that Ilk. The charter still exists endorsed in the handwriting of the last Laird of Fergushill "given back to Huntarstoun qu: he bought back the land to be cancelled", The "Hunterstoun" referred to being Patrick Hunter.
He died in the said month of May 1616 as shewn by his testament "faithfully made and given by Patrick Hunter now of Hunterston". His widow Margaret Peibles Lady Huntarstoun survived him. She is mentioned in the testament of John Tempiltoun in Hilhouse (one of the Hunterston farms) in the parish of Kilbride May 1617 as a "Creditor of ferme the said yeir 1617, vii. firlots beir ete mair to hir ane mas of herring pryce lib vis viiid", and again Margaret Peblis Lady Hunterstone for wairs appears in the list of debts awand to the deid in the testament of Alexander Cunyng hame elder merchant burgess of Irvine 1611.
The deceased Laird was succeeded by Patrick Hunter who was the son of the above mentioned William Hunter by his wife Mareoun Hamilton as appears by "testament ete vmqle Mareoun Hamiltoun in Hunterstoun qua deceist in the moneth of May 1616 zeirs, ffayth fullie maid and gevin up be Williame Hunter in Binberrie Zairds hir spous in name and behalf of Patrick Hunter onlie lauchful sone to the defunct executour datiUe", etc. "James Hunter sonne o Robert Hunter in Air George Hunter in Hunter stoun Alexander Hunter in Hunterstoun and Johne Hunter burgess of Air", are mentioned in this testament.
He was born about ad 1591 and consequently could not have been of age when he married Jean Cunninghame, the heiress of Hunterston, about 1611
He was served heir on the 11th July 1616 in a Precept of that date by Charles as Prince and Stewart of Scotland In June 1630 he sold the lands of South Cames in Cum brae to Sir Robert Montgomerie elder of Skelmorlie. After this sale the small islets called "The Allans", which formed a part and pertinent of this estate continued to be possessed by the proprietors of Hunterston, although they are not specially reserved or mentioned in the conveyance to the purchaser. In 1634 he repurchased the lands of Annanhill from Robert Ferguson or Fergushill of that Ilk and obtained a Crown charter from Charles I on 25th January of that year. His name occurs among those of other gentlemen in the Committee of War for Ayrshire in the troublous times of 1647.
In 1662 we find the Laird of Hunterston fined £600 by one of Middleton's arbitrary acts.
2 John who married Janet Lindsay as is set forth in the Commissary Records of Glasgow where there are many entries in February and March 1590 and on 25th March 1591 regarding two actions at the instance of John Huntar tenant of half the lands of Wester Dalquhorne tutor of Huntarstoun against John Spreul of Coldoun He is also named in the Register of Deereets of the Lords of Session 24th December 1503 where there occurs a protestation for Robert Master of EgHntoun and Hew Montgomerio of Hesilhcad against John Iluntar tutor of Huntarstoun for not insisting in summons at the instance of Robert Huntar son and apperand air to umqle Robert Huntar of Huntarstoun tho said John Huntar tutor of Huntar his father's brother and Patrick Craufurd of Auchinames his mother's brother and nearest of kin to tho said Robert Huntar against the said Robert Master of Eglintoun and Hew Mont gomerie charging them to haif comperit before the lords ete etc etc
He is repeatedly named in the said Deereets in the action against him instituted by Robert Iluntar of Huntars toun and his curators and in the proceedings following thereupon from 1GS4 to 1G96 In the same Register of Deereets Marion Hamilton is named as his mother f and Robert Huntar is called his Fon J In all these very voluminous proceedings and in the numerous documents of tho period no mention is made of James Huntar who married Janet Neil the ancestor of the Abbotshill family who as Robertson affirms j is supposed to have been a younger son of Mungo Huntar of Huntarstoun who in 1547 was killed at the battle of Pinkie and from whom according to Burke more than one family of the name are descended.
Marion Hamilton widow of the deceased laird was living in 1594, when she offers to prove before the Lords of Session that she has been in possession of the tower fortalice and manor place of Hunterston for upwards of 48 years.
Robert Huntar of Huntarstoune or of that Ilk eldest son of the deceased Kentigern Huntar was but an infant when he succeeded he was served heir to his father in the lands of Campbelton on 2d October 1548, "which had been in non entry for one year in the hands of the Steward of Scotland". In 1551 he held as a tenant the Isle of Lamlash or Holy Isle sold by his grandfather to the Earl of Arran as is shewn by a precept of James Duke of Chatelherault dated 24th April of that year and he was infect in certain lands within the lordship of Craufurdland in April 1551, and in the lands of Annanhill which had been twenty years and one term in non entry on 6th November 1567.
He held also certain lands in Knockintiber sold to his father by Charles Mowat of Busbie 24th July 1571, and a rent of twenty merks yearly out of the lands of Kileasche sold by John Blair of that Ilk, 20th November 1569. He was one of those Ayrshire gentlemen who subscribed the Principal Band in defence of the reformed religion on 4th September 1562.
On the 29th November 1578 he obtained a Crown Charter from James VI of Southeames now the new town of Milport with adjoining Red Farlane Rocks in the island of Great Cumbrae which his ancestors probably held as rentallers or Crown tenants. He married Margaret daughter of Thomas Craufurd of Auchinames by Marcon daughter of Sir John Montgomerie of Hessilhead great grandson of Alexander first Lord Montgomerie and he died in 1580 His widow married John Stewart burgess of Glasgow and they were both living on 6th July 1597 as appears by deereet of the Court of Session Robert Huntar had by his wife Margaret Craufurd two sons and three daughters:-
1 Robert who succeeded him
2 Francis who died young
1 Jean married first Rev Robert Cunninghame minister of Barnwell to whom she had two daughters
-1 Jean who married Patrick Hunter and of whom afterwards
-2 Catherine married Robert Cunninghame of Auchinharvie and died prior to the year 1613. Second before the year 1008 Rev Alexander Serymgeour minister at Irvine who died prior to May 1017 as appears in a confirmation of that date in Commissary Records of Glasgow She was living 30th June 1024 as appears by a disposition of that date in Hunterston charter chest
2 Katherine married first Hugh Garven of Irvine who died 29th June 1007 and second to the above named Robert Cunninghame of Auchinharvie on May 4 1616, on which day her brother the Laird executed a precept infefting her and her son Ninian Gurven in the lands of Hiclies
3 Marion married Robert Peibles one of the Baillies of Irvine descended from a family of considerable respectability and possessed of the estate of Broomlands subsequently acquired by George second son of Hugh Montgomerio of Stano He died on 16th September 1605 as appears by his testament in which, "He nominat Mareoun Huntar his spouse his onlie executrix and recomendis his wyf and barnes and thair effairis to the rycht honorabill personnes following to fortimc and assist thame in all thair actiounes and causes and to saif and preserve thame fra the injurie of sic as wald do thame wrung viz Robert Huntar of Huntarstonn Hew Montgomerio of Aikenhcid Johno Peblis of Rrumlandis Johne Peblis of Knokgerhill and Mr Allexander Serymgeour minister at Irvine "
He was succeeded by his eldest son Robert Huntar of Huntarston or of that Ilk who was not then of age and who was placed under charge of his uncle John as tutor at law as above stated his curators being Robert Master of Eglintoun Hugh Montgomerio of Braid stane John Stewart Sheriff of Bute Thomas Nevin younger of Monkredding John Craufurd of Craufurdland and Robert Fergushill of that Ilk styled his kinsman in a deed of 4th May 1616.
He married Margaret daughter of Patrick Peibles of Broom lands by Marioun daughter of John Montgomerio of Hessil head a cadet of the Eglintoun family by Margaret daughter of John Fraser of Knock Conjunctly with his wife he received a Royal charter of South Cames in Bute 20th July 1580, and on 5th April 1609 a royal charter of Arneil Huntar with tower fortalice manor place gardens and their pertinents and of Campbelton, Annanhill-Huntar and South Cames.
In 1609 a somewhat serious difference arose between the Laird of Hunterston and Sir William Stewart Captain of Dumbarton Castle regarding the faleons on the Red Farlane Rocks in the great Cumbrae. A rare breed of these much prized birds frequented that part of the Red Farlane known as the Hawk's Nest and as this head land stands on the lands of South Cames which belonged to Hunterston the Laird asserted his right to the faleons that bred upon them but the Governor of Dumbarton Castle disputed this right and as representative of the King claimed them as royal birds and interdicted the Laird from meddling with them upon which the latter forthwith took the law and the faleons into his own hands as is duly recorded in the Privy Council Minutes of 2d February 1609 in which it is stated that Sir William Stewart Captain of Dumbarton Castle complains "that Robert Huntar of Huntarstoun and Thomas Boyd Provost of Irvine had gone to the Isle of Comra with convocation of the leidges and tane away all the hawks thereon".
The Lords of Secret Council declare "that all the hawks quhilk bred on ye said isle properly belong to the King and ocht to be for the cumand of his Majeste and that the Captane of Dumbartanc Castle intromit therewith yeirlie and deliver the same to his Majeste and discharges the said Robert Huntar and all vtheris from meddling therewith ".
Having no issue the Laird of Huntarstoun settled his estate on the husband of his niece Jean Cuninghame above mentioned as appears from an instrument of resignation executed by him on the 27th September 1611 in favour of "Patrick Hunter son lawful to William Hunter in Beneberrie Yairds and the heirs of his body proereat between him and Jean Cuninghame his spouse dochtor lawful to Jean Huntar sister german to the said Robert Huntar", reserving only a life rent for his wife Margaret Peibles and himself which destination was confirmed by charter James VI dated 27th September 1611 On the 4th May 1616 he alienated the lands of Annanhill Hunter to his kinsman, Robert Ferguson or Fergushill of that Ilk. The charter still exists endorsed in the handwriting of the last Laird of Fergushill "given back to Huntarstoun qu: he bought back the land to be cancelled", The "Hunterstoun" referred to being Patrick Hunter.
He died in the said month of May 1616 as shewn by his testament "faithfully made and given by Patrick Hunter now of Hunterston". His widow Margaret Peibles Lady Huntarstoun survived him. She is mentioned in the testament of John Tempiltoun in Hilhouse (one of the Hunterston farms) in the parish of Kilbride May 1617 as a "Creditor of ferme the said yeir 1617, vii. firlots beir ete mair to hir ane mas of herring pryce lib vis viiid", and again Margaret Peblis Lady Hunterstone for wairs appears in the list of debts awand to the deid in the testament of Alexander Cunyng hame elder merchant burgess of Irvine 1611.
The deceased Laird was succeeded by Patrick Hunter who was the son of the above mentioned William Hunter by his wife Mareoun Hamilton as appears by "testament ete vmqle Mareoun Hamiltoun in Hunterstoun qua deceist in the moneth of May 1616 zeirs, ffayth fullie maid and gevin up be Williame Hunter in Binberrie Zairds hir spous in name and behalf of Patrick Hunter onlie lauchful sone to the defunct executour datiUe", etc. "James Hunter sonne o Robert Hunter in Air George Hunter in Hunter stoun Alexander Hunter in Hunterstoun and Johne Hunter burgess of Air", are mentioned in this testament.
He was born about ad 1591 and consequently could not have been of age when he married Jean Cunninghame, the heiress of Hunterston, about 1611
He was served heir on the 11th July 1616 in a Precept of that date by Charles as Prince and Stewart of Scotland In June 1630 he sold the lands of South Cames in Cum brae to Sir Robert Montgomerie elder of Skelmorlie. After this sale the small islets called "The Allans", which formed a part and pertinent of this estate continued to be possessed by the proprietors of Hunterston, although they are not specially reserved or mentioned in the conveyance to the purchaser. In 1634 he repurchased the lands of Annanhill from Robert Ferguson or Fergushill of that Ilk and obtained a Crown charter from Charles I on 25th January of that year. His name occurs among those of other gentlemen in the Committee of War for Ayrshire in the troublous times of 1647.
In 1662 we find the Laird of Hunterston fined £600 by one of Middleton's arbitrary acts.
HUNTER Clan of Ayrshire
