David Adam Halkett

DAVID ADAM HALKETT, son of William Halkett and brother of Henry Halkett, Provost of Dunfermline 1511 to 1512 and who died before July 1513. David Adam Halkett who along with a contingency of men from Dunfermline were killed at the Battle of Flodden 9th August 1513. He had, at the time of his decease, and for long before that ‘the right, title, kindness and possession of the lands of Pitliver and Braidley, with the myln and multures of the same’ In virtue of an act passed in favour of the wives and children of those who fell at Flodden, his widow, Helen Mason, received right and possession of the above lands and mill till her death in 1537 or thereby.

In that same year Henry Halkett, son of David Adam Halkett and father of David Halkett, the petitioner, having five years of his tack to run, obtained a new tack subscribed by the Prior and Convent of Dunfermline. Notwithstanding which - so the Petition runs - the late Charles Denneston (or Denielston), husband of Katherine Halkett (presumably a daughter of Adam Halkett and Helen Mason, wrongfully retained and kept possession of these lands and would not suffer the late Henry, David's father, entry thereto; and his widow still retains possession of the lands, so that David, though nearest and lawful heir to his father and grandfather, is wrongfully debarred therefrom. And now the Commendator of the Abbey and the Royal Treasurer intend to 'set' the said lands and mill to Katherine and her three daughters, unless he Lords of the Privy Council intervene. The Privy Council ordered the following to be summoned: the Commendator (Robert Pitcairn),Patrick Halkett of Pitfirrane, Katherine Halkett and her thre daughters, with James Mowbray and Robert Fraser, for their interest as husbands of Elizabeth and Margaret.

Note - Jean, the second daughter, married, 1) Hew, brother of David Murray of Cars and 2) as his second wife, John Swinton of Inverkeithing (Stephen, Hist., 469. See also Webster, History of Carnock, p. 297). By this time John Swinton was presumably dead.)

In due course all appeared, except the Commendator, when the Lords found: 1) that Katherine Halkett, as relict, and Elizabeth, Jane and Margaret, as daughters of the deceased Charles Danielston, had 'best kindness' to the lands of Pitliver and Braidlley; and (2) that the claim of Patrick Halket of Pitfirrane, in name of his son George, was invalid. The Lords, accordingly, called upon the Commendator, in accordance with the Act referred to, to receive them as tenants - Katherine and her husband having been in undisputed possession of the lands, for the space of fifty years, or thereby, bygane'. (Page 43. Charles Denneston. Petition of David Halkett.)

A Captain Charles Denneston was in charge of the work of fortification at Inchgarvie, 23d December 1514 (Stephen 382) Note. – Charles Denneston. Petition of David Halkett: (Regality of Dunfermline Court Book by J.M. Webster p.158)

Date