Sir Stephen DE KIRKPATRICK, ,of Closeburne and Pennersax
Stephen, Lord of Closeburne in the Chartulary of Kelso is styled "Stephanus dominus Villae de Closeburni, filius et haeres, A de, de Kirkpatrick."
He received the lands of Pennirsax c1320 from King Robert the Bruce for his unflinching support throughout the wars of independance,and the heroic actions of his two sons.
It is written in Blind Harry's epic that Stephen's son's were "cousins dear" of William Wallace.It is probable though not proven that Stephen married the sister of William Wallace's mother,Margaret Crawford.
After the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Mary the Virgin, in the year 1278 ,Stephen sided with Kelso Abbey ,in a lawsuit between Kelso Abbey, on the one part, and Sir Adam, his father, on the other, concerning the right of patronage of the Church of Closeburn.The Lord Bishop of Glasgow found in favour of the Abbott and Sir Stephen,and directed Sir Adam to pay all costs of the lawsuit..
(Research):The history of Pennersax
In the year 1499 Adam de Kirkpatrick disposed of his ancient family inheritance, and Pennersex, now known as Pennersaughs, was added to the baronial possessions of Mouswald. The following brief abstract of the titles of this estate, down to its incorporation with that of Carruthers, sufficiently illustrates the history of the lands.
1. Grant (undated) " by William de Brus to Yvon de Kirkpatrick, of the land of Pennersex called Thorbeck, or Williamby, for military service seiz the eighth part of a warlike or effective man." Upon this it may be remarked that the name " Thorbeck " unites to " beck" the common Cumbrian word for stream " thor," whatever that may mean. Perhaps it is the same word which appears in the equally ancient name Torthorwald. " Williamby " was no doubt derived from the name of its owner, with the usual suffix " by," as seen in Lockerby, Middleby, Netherby, Canobie, and other places near.
2. Grant (undated) " by King Robert Brus to Stephen de Kirkpatrick, knight, both of the land and mill of Pennersex, then depending on the Lord of Annandale, by service according to use." The date probably was about 1320.
3. Grant by " Archibald, Earl of Doiiglas and Longueville, Lord of Galloway and Annandale, to his kinsman Sir Thomas de Kirkpatrick, Lord of Closeburn, of the Patronage of the Parish Church of Pennersex in the Lordship of Annandale, for homage, fealty and service, according to letters apart there referred to, May 5, 1428."
4. Grant " by the same Earl, Duke of Touraine in France, to George de Kirkpatrick, upon the resignation of his father, Sir Thomas, both of the lands and patronage before mentioned, to a series of heirs, one after another, on failure of that George and his issue male, June 13, 1432."
5. and lastly, Grant " by Adam de Kirkpatrick of Pennersex, with two consequent resignations to the Crown and a precept of King James IV. for passing a charter accordingly in favour of Simon de Carruthers of Mouswald and his heirs, not only of the above patronage, but likewise of the lands of Pennersex, March 19 and July 3, 1499".