Moodie book

The Moodie Book.
8 9
named in father's will, 1st February 1617.
VI. MUDIE OF MUIR
I. William Mudie of or in the Muir of Blairhill, in the Parish of Muck-
hart, Perthshire, married Isabel Patoun, and had issue : —
I. John Mudie, 1 of whom presently.
II. James Mudie,
III. William Mudie,
IV. John Mudie, executor to his mother's will, 21st November 1612 ;
named in father's will, 1st February 1617.
V. Christian Mudie, has a legacy in her father's will.
William Mudie died July 1617, and was buried at Muckhart. 2 His will (" Com
of Stirling"), proved 1st February 1617-8, was made in the presence of Patrick
Davidsone, minister at Muckhart ; John Mudie, elder 1 ; James, William, and
John Mudies (sic), his lawful sons ; David and John Patoun. He leaves legacies
to John, " his youngest son," and to Christian, his daughter. His wife pre-
deceased him, and was buried at Muckhart. Her will (" Com. of Stirling") was
proved 21st November 1612, and appoints her youngest son, John, executor.
1 Mr J. G. F. Moodie ETeddle thinks that the "John Mudie, elder," is a brother, not son, of
William Mudie, and is so styled to put him in line with the older generation, and to distinguish him
from the John of the younger generation. He adds — "Can it be possible (seeing we can trace no
earlier Mudie of Muir) that this William Mudie simply came into that property through his wife ?
In such cases, provided the husband had other landed property to leave to the elder son or sons, it
was the commonest thing in the world for the wife's property to be settled on the youngest son. And
see how in this ease the younger son is the mother's executor. I suspect that Blairhill may represent
the original Moodie property thereabouts, and would thus go to the elder sons. This explains how
the father simply leaves a legacy to the youngest son and to the daughter Christian. Land, of course,
was never left by will in Scotland, but by deed of gift having (theoretically) an operation from time
it was made, but reserving the granter's life interest. Reading the two wills together, I am strongly
of opinion that John, elder, was an uncle, and that the youngest son succeeded to Muir, as being his
mother's property, his elder brothers being otherwise provided for. It may be, however, that 'elder'
here implies eldership of the kirk."
2 The Muir vault, with the following inscription, is in Muckhart Churchyard : —
Ex.
O
JOHN
MUDIE OF
M U R
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