John Runciman

     John Runciman was christened on 4 Dec 1715 at Gordon, BEW, SCT; entry indexed as John Runciman, father David. An entry in the Parish registers for Dec 4 apparently reads³: "The Minister Lectured Isa 54 and preached upi supra Then Baptised a child to David Runciman in Lingerwood (sic) called John."^4,1,5,3 He and Elizabeth Familton were estimated to have married bef. 1744 prob. in the ?Par. of Earlston, BEW, SCT.⁶
     John Runciman died aft. Nov 1788 prob. in Earlston, BEW, SCT; so was at least 73 years of age.²
     John Runciman was a weaver of Earlston, BEW, SCT, cir. 1746 when daughter Margaret christened.⁷
     John Runciman and Male Runciman are related assuming that the William and James who went to the States were cousins, their mutual grandfather would have to be born around 1740-50s, give or take 20 yrs or so! This could make him a son of John & Elizabeth. Wouldn't it be wonderful to prove this! Whereas I cannot prove that this is exactly where the Michigan families spring from, I do now know that they are indeed related as a descendant of William in Michigan, and a descendant of the Wanton Walls families have come up with a 37 out of 37 marker match in dna tests. So, I have bitten the bullet and joined them into the RUNCIMAN family at John.⁸
     John Runciman executed a deed on 5 Feb 1750 over Yonder Croft, BEW, SCT, the extract of which is ... "That upon the fifth day of february in the year of our Lord Iajby [1700] and fifty years and of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the grace of God King of great Brittain, France and Ireland defender of the Faith the twenty third year ... Nottary Publick Subscribing the said procurator [abbreviated] having and in his hands holding ane principall Charter of feu farm ... granted by Dame Grisell Baillie of Jerriswood heretable proprietor of the piece of Ground therin ... and by the Said Charter confirm to the Said John Runciman his heirs and assigneys whatsoever heretably and Irredeemably without any manner of reversion Redemption or Regres whatsoever all and haill that piece of Ground called the Yonder Croft Lying on the South Side of the Town of Earlstone Bounded By the Meadow Ground Called the Sprott of the Heills on the east the Lands of John Carter on the South The lands of Mr John Sheill on the west and the lands of Barbara Tod on the north parts as the Same was possest by Robert Pringle Shoemaker in Earlstone lying within the parish of Earlston Barrony of Mellerstains and Sheriffdom of Berwick But always with and under the Burden and Servitude of a high road through the said peice of Ground in Manner therein and after mentioned Together with all Right and Intrest Claim of Right kindnes property and possession which the Said Dame Grisel Bailllie her heirs or Assigneys had have or anyways might have Claim or pretend thereto in time comeing To be hold & held all and haill the Said peice of Ground called Yonder Croft in manner mentioned in the said Charter Declaring as by the Said Charter is expresly declared that the Said John Runciman and his forsaids Shall be oblidged to give free ish and entry throt [= throughout] the Said peice of Ground to the tenants and possessors of the lands lying on the South Side thereof for Carrying out their Dung thereto and Inbringing of their corns therefrom on all occasions as the said Charter containing therein Clause of Warrandice with the said precept of Seasine after insert and Several other Clauses in it Self more fully bears which Charter of feu farm containing therein the Said precept of Seasine .... In presence of John Murray Mrct in Earltoun John Miller weaver ?? there Adam Mylson officer there ....(so is there an ealier sasine whereby John's father David also was granted the land? John's grandson James' will states that both John, his grandfather, and John's father David had the land, which seems unlikely as John received it from Grisell Baillie. This land may or may not be the land given to the local high school for a playing field by George Wight Runciman, great grandson of John⁹).^10,11,9
     John Runciman witnessed the execution of the Deed of George Hamilton and Mary Sweet on 17 Jun 1751 at Kelso, ROX, SCT, being described as "a weaver and portioner of Earlston."¹²
     John Runciman witnessed the execution of the Deed of George Hamilton and Mary Sweet on 30 Nov 1753 at Kelso, ROX, SCT.¹³
     In 1788 John Runciman was described as a portioner of Earlston, BEW, SCT, when wife Elizabeth buried.^4,6 His name was also spelt Runchaman in 1796; when dtr Margaret baptized.¹⁴ In the will of James Runciman on 8 Jun 1858 at Wantonwalls, Par. of Lauder, BEW, SCT, John Runciman was mentioned as his grandfather.^2,15