Sir Gavin Maxwell of Calderwood, Kt.

SIR GAVIN MAXWELL OF CALDERWOOD

Sir Gavin Maxwell of Calderwood is the son of Sir John Maxwell of Calderwood. On 14 February 1486 his father transferred ownership of the lands of Jackton, Allertun, Newlands and Greenhills, all part of the barony of Kilbride, to Gavin Maxwell, his eldest son and apparent heir: "filio suo primogenito et heredi apparenti Gawino Maxwell". For greater security Sir John and his son Gavin obtained a charter of confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland. This was issued at Edinburgh on 12 April 1487. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 1424-1513,charter number 1670 on p. 352 On the same date Sir John also transferred ownership to Gavin, of the lands of Craigton and Thomboy, in the earldom of Lennox. Ibidem, charter number 1671

Marriage

According to Darryl Lundy's Peerage account, Sir Gavin Maxwell married a lady named Elizabeth and died in 1492 Darryll Lundy's Peerage

Genealogy

1. William Fraser, Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollock, Vol. I. Memoirs & Charters (Edinburgh 1863), 497 pp.
2. William Fraser, Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollock, Vol. II. Correspondence (Edinburgh 1863), 453 pp.

NOTES

Maxwell History

Gavin, fourth of Calderwood. 1481-1489. D. before Febru-
ary. 148 C J. M. first. Agnes Dundas, and second, Elizabeth Lowys. Ik- had

XI 1 1-2. William, by second wife, of Newlands. From him are de- scended the Maxwells of Cardowers, in the Stewartry of Kirenbright. described in Burke's Baronetage.

XIII-1. Robert, by first wife, fifth of Calderwood. 1489-1510. M. Sybilla Carmichael. Knighted 1493. Served as heir of bis father. Sir Gavin, January 16, 1497. D. 1510.

BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

IV. SIR GAVIN MAXWELL, FOURTH OF CALDERWOOK, 1481-1489,

To whom his father propelled the succession to his estates in his own lifetime by the charters stated in the memoir of his father, which were confirmed by the Crown on 12th April 1487.

Sir Gavin did not long enjoy the family estates, having predeceased his father within a few years after obtaining them and before 19th February 1489.

He was twice married:

(1) First to Agnes, daughter of “Duncan of Dundas,” and

(2) secondly, to Elizabeth Lowys, who survived him.

On the 19th February 1489, Elizabeth, as his relict, along with Duncan Dundas, father of Agnes, his first wife, obtained a transumpt of nine of the old family charters, which were in Duncan’s custody, and of which Elizabeth also wished to possess authentic copies for the benefit of her children. Though these charters only name Robert, it appears from them that Sir Gavin had several children.

These were:

1. Robert, by the first marriage, who succeeded his father. 2. William apparently of the second marriage, designated of Newlands. He afterwards acquired the lands of Meldrum; and from him, it is understood, are descended the Maxwells of Cardoness, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, … 3. Isabella, married to Robert Porterfield of that Ilk. By a Crown charter, dated 16th December 1500, the lands of Porterfield were confirmed to Robert Porterfield, son of John Porterfield of that Ilk, and Isabella Maxwell, his spouse; and “this Isabella Maxwell, as hath been constantly believed, was a daughter of the family of Calderwood.

Please Note that the ancestry of Isobel Maxwell, of Newark is disputed. See the overview of her profile for details

Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollock. By William Fraserr. Vol, I. (Edinburgh, 1863) p. 467