General Notes

REFN: 2484AN
REFN: P2485
Notes for PATRICK McILVANE from Kimberly Egan:
PATRICK MOILVANE s ucceeded his father, Gilbert, October 25, 1547, and
became Laird of Grimmet f or the years, 1547 to 1613. The estates at this
time included Upper Grimmet, Lower or Nether Grimmet and Attiquin. The
records of Frank McElvain list the children of Patrick and Isobel Kennedy
as John (m Jane Corry), Patrick (m Jan e Forrester 12-4-1615), Thomas,
David, and Alexander. Thomas was alive in 161 7 (Glasgow Commissariat).
PBGR mentions Patrick apprenticed to William Halibu rton in Edinburgh
(probably son of Patrick and Jane Forrester.) A decree of a bsolution on
record at Holyrood, February 1592, made by the Privy Council in favor of
John, Earl of Cassilis, names five Mcllvanes Patrick Mcllvene, elder of
Grimmet, John Mcllveanne of Grimmet, younger, John Mcllveanne of
Auchen harrie, Gilbert Mcllveane, Flesheur, in Maybole, and David
Mcllveane, Flesheu r in Maybole. The word 'Flesheur" refers to the
retailing of meats, or the fl esh of animals for food. Other records
indicate Alexander, whose will dated A ugust 1, 1620 made him a resident
of Ballantrae.
At Holyrood House, Edinburg h, 22 Feb. 1597, a document was signed by King
James VI confirming the lands as follows "The King as administrator,
etc., confirms to one Patrick Mcllivan e of Grumet (from whom Isobella
Kennedy, his wife, is conveyed a life estate) 21/2 measures of land in
the Manor of Lower Grumet and 1/2 measure of land a djacent, called
Willistoun (occupied by J.C. McClymouth) according to the old survey also
to John Mcllvane his son and heir apparent, and to his male heir s
whomsoever, 6 measures of land of Grumet, 6 1/2 measures of land of Lower
Grumet, and Attiquin, with their mansions, houses, fisheries and woods in
th e County of Carrik, called Air, excepting reserving to the said Patrick
the f ree use thereof and may redeem these lands from the said John by
paying five pounds at the parish church of Maybole on 40 days warning.
Held of Henry I, L ord and Seneschal of Scotland and Earl of Carrick. II
In the Register of Sasin es for 1601, Patrick's wife is referred to as
"Isobel Kennedy, Lady Grymett". This has given rise to all sorts of
speculation. Torrence and Allied Familie s declares that "Sir Patrick was
knighted for bravery on the field of battle" . What battle is not told. It
seems much more likely that Isobell brought the title of "Lady" with her.
One source says she was the widow of Kennedy of Kn ockdon. Since the use
of the title after the name denotes a widow, it seems f airly plain that
is all it means and had nothing to do with Patrick, no matte r how brave
he may have been.
These were particularly violent times in the h istory of Scotland. The
Reformation was in full swing, and the religious uphe aval is indicated by
the following
On May 19, 1553, Hugh and David Kennedy c ame with 100 followers with
jacks, spears, and guns to the Parish Kirk of Kir koswald and the College
Kirk of Maybole, and abused the sacrament of OHaly Ki rk", (The elements
of the Mass and other sacred items. ) The Earl of Carrick was quick to
respond, and a number of persons had to give caution (bond) afte rwards to
the extent of 3,000 Pounds for their future good Behavior.
At abou t the same time, one of the Kennedys living at Dunure tried to
seize the land s of Crossaugel Abbey. He tried to persuaDe the person
responsible for the De eds to turn them over by slowly roasting him over a
fire. He survived the roa sting, but did not turn over the deeds.
The Lairds of Grimmet were involved in a particularly bitter feud between
the Kennedy Earls of Cassilis
and their cousins, the Kennedy House of Bargany, which reached its most
intense fury be tween 1569 and 1602. It climaxed with the kidnapping of
the Countess of Cassi lis as she returned to Ayr from a visit in Galloway.
She was escorted as she travelled by various members of the family and