Records of the Pringles of the Scottish Border, by Alex Pringle

Chapter 29

FIFE AND ELGIN

Fife

THE Pringles, so numerous in the Archbishop's Regality of Gala Water, make, as might be expected, an early appearance in Fife. In 1544 Robert is employed on the New College. In 1547 Robert in Scotlandwell, Kinross, dies in 1593, and his son Robert gives in his testament in 1598, while in 1642 John grants his son Robert, on his marriage, certain land there (S. E.). In 1559 William is one of 150 citizens of St Andrews who subscribe the band of the Lords of Congregation on 13th July (Kirk Session). In 1606 appear Patrick and Henry, tenants of the Laird of Lundy (P. C.) ; in 1614 Patrick and Thomas, sons of Thomas in Craigie, Leuchars; James in Dairsie and his sons David, James, and Alexander; and Thomas, seaman, in Buckhaven (1638).

In 1670 James Pringle, surgeon-apothecary, appears in Cupar. In 1677 he and George Hanson, Bailies thereof, are fined by the Privy Council £50 sterling each for allowing to escape from the tolbooth certain prisoners apprehended for harbouring conventiclers (P. C.). In 1678 a bond is signed by James and two other Bailies that they and the inhabitants of Cupar shall abstain from all conventicles (P. C.). James died in 1689 leaving two sons Robert and Patrick.

In 1693 Robert, eldest son of the said late James, summons Robert Balfour to pay a bond granted to him by Dr Alexander Balfour, and.. another assigned to him, the two now amounting to £777 Scots, and Balfour refusing to enter heir, the Lords adjudicate the lands of Lawlathie and Callathie to belong to Robert in satisfaction (A. D.). Robert matriculated as a student at the College of St Leonards on 30th April 1697. He gave a, silver medal to the winner of the University's silver arrow, engraved with his arms, azure, 3 escallops on a shield, and, below, the legend " Robertus Pringle, cuprensis,'' and on
reverse, with the figure of an archer shooting and the legend " Vincenti dabitur,'' and the date 1698. Robert died in 1746, bequeathing all his effects to his nephew James Lumsden of Rennyhill, his sister Jean's son (T., St Andrews).

In 1706 the inhabitants of Dunfermline addressed the High Commissioner protesting against the proposed articles of the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England, and amongst the signatories is James Pringle merchant there (Defoe).

In 1567 mention is made of the land of the late John Hoppringill in Argyle Street, Dundee. In 1628 the heirs of David Hoppringle inherit his four merklands and two tenements in Dundee. In 1716 is registered the testament of David Pringle, shipmaster in Dundee (Brechin Commissariat).

Elgin

In 1588 Alexander Hoppringle is appointed by the Bishop of Moray to give sasine to a party of a house in the college of Elgin Abbey (G. S., 1606). In 1591 he is one of 27 burgesses who find caution not to harm William Hay of Mayne (P. C.). In 1602 as a bailie of the town he contracts for building a new tolbooth; also he and certain other burgesses are cautioners in £1000 Scots not to harm James Earl of Moray or his curators. In 1605 he vacated his lands at Bishopmill. In 1636 James, of Redhall, is declared free of liability as cautioner in his son a case (A. D.).

In 1603 George Pringill of Vuroun is cautioner in £500 Scots for a party (P. C.); and. at the Kirk of Tarves, Aberdeenshire, George Pringill witnesses a bond of caution by William Gordon of Gicht.