MARR
b. 6 Jan. 1694 Hilston Park, Monmouth
m. 16 July 1719 CATHERINE (2) SURPLUS (b.9 Mar. 1703 Kittery,
d. 1770)
d. of exposure 1750, wrecked off Cape Cod
bur. Frost Burying ground, Eliot, ME
John was a mariner and was a descendant of the noble house of Marr whose name he assumed upon coming to America in 1717. He was first known as John de Mar, but then changed his name to John Marr.(1)
John's arms were "chequy Or and Argent, a fess Gules".
This belief prompted a number of John's descendants (mostly descendants of Dennis) to form an organization to recover the Mar estates and wealth in Scotland thinking they were dealing with an estate worth $80 million. On 24 Apr. 1833 they all signed a document giving their lawyer Arthur McArthur $20,000 to begin the legal chase. Over the next 40 years they spent an additional $50,000 to try to prove their claim and all of this in 19th century dollars! Unfortunately they lost their case due to misconceptions, poor home work and bad advise. All of this activity alerted the Erskine heirs in Scotland who were fighting among themselves for the title. The birth of John Erskine alias Marr was recorded in Llangattock-vivon-Abel near Hilston Park and the village of Newcastle, but during the 1840's the records of this parish mysteriously disappeared. John Marr of Rochester, NY, a lifetime student of Marr genealogy wrote in 1903 that: "I have never heard in all my eighty years of life any doubt expressed that John of Kittery was other than the son of John Erskine, Earl of Mar."(2)
For a complete discussion of all the arguments concerning this link between John of Kittery and Sir John Erskine see The Descendants of John and Catherine Marr of Kittery by James F. Jamison.
William Marr's genealogy from the 19th Century
Dodavah Curtis of Kittery, yeoman, his wife Elizabeth and Withers Berry of Kittery, yeoman sold for £10 to John Marr of Kittery, Mariner, one acre of land in Kittery "beginning at North West Corner of the sd Mars own land & runs West South West to the Country Road... comes in a Little Gore a Little below sd Mars House..."
On 7 Nov. 1724 William and Elizabeth Godsoe of Kittery gave to his son-in-law John Marr and Catherine his wife 256 pole of land on the road from Woodman's Ferry in Kittery.(3) On 13 Aug. 1721 William deeded additional land to John and Catherine. John and Catherine sold their home to John Jr. 24 Dec. 1740.
"Widow Katrine Marr" was listed on the 1760 tax list "for that Part of The Town Called the Middle Parish in Kittery the first Day of Sep". (5)
"... I Surplus Marr of Berwick... in consideration of forty eight shillings lawful money... paid by Thomas Rogers of Kittery... I do hereby... convey and confirm unto him the said Thomas Rogers all my title and interest which I have or ever may have in or to the land in said Kittery which was owned and possessed by my Honored Father John Marr of said Kittery deceased with my right and title to the Dwelling House... and I Rachel the wife of the above named Surplus Marr do hereby asign all my right of dower or power of thirds in or to the above granted premises. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands andseals this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and ninety one.... Surplus Marrs, Rachel X Marrs
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us attest James Marrs, Moses Bennett..."(4)
Issue- all children born in Kittery, ME
Ref:
(1) The Descendants of John and Catherine Marr of Kittery- James F. Jamison, p.242
(2) Ibid- p.241
(3) York Deeds- Vol.XIV, p.190
(4) Ibid- book 69, p. 185
(5) Perfecting or Valuatoin Lists of Kittery, Maine, 1760- Collections of the Maine Historical Society- Third Series, Vol. II, pp.210,212
Old Kittery and Her Families- Everett S. Stackpole, pp.604-5
Saco Valley Settlements- Gideon T. Ridlon, p.904
John Marr Founded Maine Branch of Family- William Mountain, Downeast Ancestry, Vol.2, No.4 (Dec. 1978), p.20
American Ancestry- Vol.VII, p.186
bpt. 3 Oct. 1725 Kittery, Maine
m.1. 19 Mar. 1746/7 Mercy Mitchell
2. 1 Jan. 1752 LYDIA (5) HILL
d. before 9 July 1791
James lived on the south side of the Spurwink River. On 26 Nov. 1748 Israel Mitchell of New Meadow, York Co., yeoman sold to James Marr of Scarborough, shipwright for £400 old tenor notes all his interest in the estate of his grandfather John Tiney of Scarborough, decd and of his father William Mitchell of Scarborough, decd, his mother being Elizabeth Mitchell now Elizabeth Harsken. Witnessed by Samuel Small and Moses Hanscom.(1)
"Know all Men by these presents that we John Marr of Cape Elizabeth... Cordwainer, and James Marr of Scarborough... yeoman, and Daniel Marr of Scarborough abovesaid Yeoman, and Dennis Marr Guardian for Rufus Marr, and Mercy Libby wife of Reuben Libby, and Lydia Fogg wife of George Fogg, and Cathran Marr, and Abigail Marr the lawful and sole heirs of James Marr late of Scarborough deceased, have and do by these presents divide all the Real Estate of our honoured Father James Marr deceased, Except our Mothers thirds, in manner following, viz.
First we set off to John Marr one piece of Land, containing about five acres... bounded... by Spurwink River adjoining John Sawyer... and Ebenezer Libby's lanse which he takes as his full share.
Nextly we set off to Lydia Fogg the wife of George Fogg one piece adjoining John Marr at the River...
Nextly we set off to our Sister Cathran marr, one piece of Land, beginning by the said River...with one piece containing by estimation three acres... joining Tyler and Hasty... to John Watsons land...
Nextly we set off to our sister Abigail marr one piece of Land adjoining Cathrans lot by the River...
Nextly we set off to Mercy Libby the wife of Reuben Libby the remaining strip of land left between Abigail and Lydia from the said River...joining Col. Jordan, Simonton's and mitchells marsh...
Nextly we set off to our Brother James marr one piece of Land containing nine acres... adjoining John Watson _____ & Anthony Libby...
Nextly we set off to Daniel marr seven acres of wood and pasture next joining James' nine acres...
Nextly we set off to our brother Rufus marr seven acres and one half next adjoining to Daniels seven acres...
In Witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and Seals this ninth of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred & ninty one.
John Marr, James Marr, Daniel marr, Reuben Libbee, Mercy Libee, Cathran Marr, Abigail Marr, George Fogg, Lydia Fogg, Dennis Marr as Gardian."(2)
James Marr- Division of Estate- page 1, Page 2, Page 3
Ref:
(1) York Deeds- Vol.28, p.92
(2) Cumberland Co. Deeds- Vol.28, p.540
The Libby Family in America: 1602-1880- Charles Thornton Libby, pp.38-9
Saco Valley Settlements- Gideon T. Ridlon, pp.904-5
John Marr Founded Maine Branch of Family- William Mountain, Downeast Ancestry, Vol.2, #4 (Dec. 1978), pp.20-2
The Descendants of John and Catherine Marr of Kittery- James F. Jamison, p.2-5
1. MARTACHUS, Maormor of Marr
Marr was a district of Abrdeenshire between the Don and Dee and was one of the ancient maormordoms of the Kingdom. The Ulster King-of-Arms states that the earldom of Mar is the most ancient title in Great Britain. Some of the Irish Annals in their accounts of the Battle of Clontarf name "Domnall son of Eimen son of Cainnech, Mormaer of Mar in Alba" as among those killed with Brian Boru on 23 Apr. 1014. The stronghold of the Maormaers of Mar was Důn Inbhir Nochdaidh (Doune of Invernochty) which was an earthwork castle dating to c.800.
The Doune of invernochty
In 1065 Martachus was a witness to a charter from Malcolm Canmore to the Céli Dé of Lochleven.
Martachus and Gratnach are mentioned in charters in the rigns of King Malcolm and Alexander, however, it is difficult to identify these people with a particular province. The line is only accurate from Morgund MacGillocher onwards.
Issue-
Ref:
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880- Vol. III, p. 108
"Diplomata Scotiae"- Anderson
Gratnach witnessed the charter of the Scone monastery by Alexander I in 1114. He was the first of the family to be called "Earl".
Issue-
Ref:
The Great Historic Families of Scotland- James Taylor, J.S. Virtue & Co., London, 1889- Vol. I, p. 7
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880- Vol. III, p. 108
3I. MORGUNDUS (MARTACHUS 1, GRATNACH 2)
Morgundus witnessed a grant of land from David I to the monks of Dunfermline.
Issue-
Ref:
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880- Vol. III, p. 108
4I. GILLOCHER (MARTACHUS 1, GRATNACH 2, MORGUNDUS 3)
Gillocher was a witness to a charter by David I.
Issue-
Ref:
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880- Vol. III, p. 108
5I. MORGUND (MARTACHUS 1, GRATNACH 2, MORGUNDUS 3, GILLOCHER 4)
m.1. AGNES ______
2. Orabilis (m.1. Robert de Quincy, m.3. Adam of Fife), d. of Nes of Mar
d. before 30 Mar. 1183
"Morgund son of Gillocher, formerly Earl of Mar" received from King William the Lion a renewal of the grant to the Earldom of Marr on 23 May 1171 as the lawful son and heir of "Gillocher, Earl of Mar... [Earl] of Moray". The authenticity of this document is suspect.(3) A memorandum from 1291 records that King William returned the earldom of Mar to "Morgundo Mac Gyloclery predecessori Domini Donenaldi comitis de Marre" with certain portions of the land being omitted.(5) In 1257 Alan Durward, a descendant of Gilchrist, Earl of Mar, chellenged the possession of Duncan, Earl of Mar on the basis of his father's claimed illegitimacy. This was probably when the fake 1171 document was produced.(4)
"Morgrundus comes de Mar" donated "ecclesiam sancti M'Huluoch de Tharuelund" to St. Andrew's Prior for the soul of his spouse, Agnes. This charter is undated and was witnessed by "Dunecan comite de Fif, Marleswano, Nesio filio Willi, Galfredo de Maleuill".(1) He also donated the church of Miggehwith to the Priory which was confirmed by his spouse Agnes. This undated charter was witnessed by "Ada comitissa, Hela comitissa, Alexandro de sco Martino, Hugone Giffard, Willo Giffard…Willo filio Hugonis Giffard".(2) "Agnes comitissa de Mar" donated "Dimidiam carucatam terre in ville de Inuerinche" to St. Andrew's priory for the souls of herself and her husband, earl Morgrund. This charter is undated and was witnessed by "Ada comitissa, Hela comitissa, Alexandro de sco Martino, Hugone Giffard".(7)
"The Pends"- Gate House to St. Andrew's Priory
Morgrund married as his second wife Orabilis, daughter of Nes of Mar. The marriage is indicated by an undated charter under which "Orabilis comitissa de Mar filia Nesii filii Willi" confirmed the donation of the church of Lochres made by her father to St. Andrew's Priory and witnessed by Duncan, Earl of Fife. The charted is dated to not much later than 1177 so the assertion that she was the wife of Earl Gilchrist in not possible as he is not on record until after 1204. It appears most likely that she married Earl Morgrund who died shortly thereafter and she married as her third husband Adam of Fife.(8)
Morgund's death was confirmed by a Papal Bull from Pope Lucius III dated 30 Mar. 1183 which confirmed the donations to St. Andrew's.(6)
Issue- all children by Agnes.
Ref:
(1) Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andree in Scotia- Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, 1841- p.246
(2) Ibid- p. 247
(3) Titles of Honor- J. Selden, Lawbook Exchange Ltd, London, 2006- p. 700; also see Celtic Scotland- W.F. Skene, Edinburgh, 1890- Vol. III, Appendix III, pp. 442-3
(4) Skene- p. 68
(5) Illustrations of the Topography and Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff- Spalding Club, Aberdeen, 1847- Vol. II, p. 151
(6) Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andree in Scotia- Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, 1841- p.59
(7) Ibid- p. 249
(8) Ibid- p. 287; see also The Complete Peerage- Vol. VIII, p. 399 and The Scots Peerage- Vol. IV, p. 6
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880- Vol. III, p. 108
6III. DUNCAN (MARTACHUS 1, GRATNACH 2, MORGUNDUS 3, GILLOCHER 4, MORGUND 5)
d. before 1234
Duncan was first mentioned as a witness to a charter dated between 1207 and 1228 from his brother Malcolm to St. Andrew's confirming a charter from their father Morgund.(1) King Alexander II confirmed property of St. Andrew's by a charter 29 Aug. 1228 including the lands of Dolfgmuld made by Duncan, son of Morgrunt.(2) In an undated charter Duncan, earl of Mar, donated the church of Lychel to St. Andrew's priory for the souls of his father Morgrund and his mother Agnes.(3)
Issue-
Ref:
(1) Spalding Club (1847) Illustrations of the Topography and Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff- the Spalding Club, Aberdeen, 1847- Vol. II, p. 17
(2) Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andree in Scotia- Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, 1841- p. 232
(3) Ibid- p. 362
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880
7I. WILLIAM (MARTACHUS 1, GRATNACH 2, MORGUNDUS 3, GILLOCHER 4, MORGUND 5, DUNCAN 6)
m.1. ELIZABETH (d.c.1265), d. of WILLIAM COMYN, Earl of Buchan
2. after 1267 Muriel of Strathearn, d. of Malise, Earl of Strathearn
d. 1270
"Willelmo filio Duncani comitis de Mar" is first mentioned in a charter (dated between 1223 and 1240) in which Fergus, son of Gilbert, earl of Strathern, donated the lands of Beny to Lindores Abbey.(2)
In 1258 William was appointed one of the Regents of Scotland. He was Great Chamberlain in 1252 and from 1262 until 1264 and in 1270 he was sent on a special mission to Henry III.
"Willelmus comes de Mar" confirmed the donations to St. Andrew's Priory 23 Jan. 1267 of "ecclesiam de Taruelond…de Migueth" made by "dńs Morgrundus avus noster…dńa Agnes avia nostra quondam comitissa de Mar" witnessed by "…Douenaldo Duncano filiis eiusdem comitis…"(1)
A charter dated 16 May 1291 records the homage sworn to King Edward by "Muriellć quć fuit uxor Willelmi quondam comitis de Mar, filić et heredis Margerić filić Roberti de Muschaumps defunctć" for the lands of "Margeria mater sua".(3)
Issue-children by Elizabeth.
Ref:
(1) Liber Cartarum Prioratus Sancti Andree in Scotia- Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, 1841- p. 311
(2) Chartulary of the Abbey of Lindores- J. Dowden, Scottish History Society, Edinburgh, 1903- Vol. XXVI, p. 29
(3) Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland- J. Stevenson, Edinburgh, 1870- Vol. I, CXXXIX, p. 229
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880
8I. DONALD (MARTACHUS 1, GRATNACH 2, MORGUNDUS 3, GILLOCHER 4, MORGUND 5, DUNCAN 6, WILLIAM 7)
m. HELEN, (m.1. Malcolm MacDuff, Earl of Fife, d. after 16 Feb. 1295), ?d. of Llewellyn, Prince of Wales
d. after 25 July 1297
Donald was knighted at Scone by Alexander III 29 Sept. 1270 (1) and witnessed a charter from the King to the 4th Earl of Lennox in 1272. He was also a witness to the marriage contract between Princess Margaret of Scotland and Eric, King of Norway in 1281 and was one of the nobles who at the Parliament of Scone 5 Feb. 1283/4 swore to acknowledge the Maiden of Norway as their Queen in case of Alexander's death. He was at Brigham 12 July 1290 when the treaty for the marriage of the Maiden of Norway with the Prince of Wales (Edward II) was concluded, but her death at Orkney on her way from Norway put an end to the union of the Kingdoms.
Donald was one of the nominees chosen for Robert de Brus, Earl of Carrick during the competition for the Scottish crown in 1290. He swore fealty to King Edward I as overlord on 13 June 1291 but, was active in the revolt against English rule. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Dunbar on 27 Apr. 1296, but, paid homage to Edward after the submission of John Balliol in July 1296.(2)
Helen's marriage to Donald is confirmed by documents in which "Eleanae comitissae de Marre" accounted for payment of "xl s pro parte dotis suae" on lands formerly belonging to Duncan, Earl of Fife 20 Nov. 1293 and 16 Feb. 1294.(3) However, it is not clear that this widow of Malcolm, Earl of Fife was the same as his wife who was the daughter of Prince Llywelyn. Malcolm's son Colban was born c.1245, but, Malcolm's widow had five children by Donald which means that she had children over a period of about 30 years which would be unusual. Also, it seems unlikely that Donald would have married as his first wife a woman who was more than 35 years old, again, unusual, but not impossible. It seems more likely that the daughter of Prince Llywelyn was Malcolm's first wife who died and Helen, Malcolm's widow who married Donald, was a second, younger wife whose origins are unknown at this point.
Issue-
Ref:
(1) Johannis de Fordun- Vol. II, Lib. X, Cap. XXVIII, p. 113
(2) Complete Peerage- Vol. VIII, pp.402-3
(3) Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland- J. Stevenson, Edinburgh, 1870- Vol. I, pp. 410, 414
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880
9I. GRATNEY (MARTACHUS 1, GRATNACH 2, MORGUNDUS 3, GILLOCHER 4, MORGUND 5, DUNCAN 6, WILLIAM 7, DONALD 8)
m. after 1292, CHRISTIAN BRUCE, sister of Robert I (m.2. Sir Christopher
Seton, 3. dispensation by Pope John XXII, 20 Sept. 1326, Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell, d. 1357, bur. Dunfermline)
d. before Sept. 1305
Kildrummy Castle
By his marriage to Christian, Gratney received Kildrummie castle in Aberdeenshire. John of Fordun records in his Scotichronicon "Robertum comitem de Carric... filia... seniore" maried "Garthenai comiti de Marria". In 1335 when besieged by the Earl of Athole, Governor of the Kingdom, the castle was under her charge.
Issue-
Ref:
Johannis de Fordun- Vol. II, Lib. XI, Cap. XIII, p. 150; Lib. XIII, Cap. XII, p. 287
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh, 1880
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