Edward Sinclair
Edward Sinclair of Essenquoy (b. Bef 1600, d. After 1634) was a Burgh and Shire Commissioner for Orkney and Shetland to the Parliament of Scotland in 1617 with Robert Henderson of Holland.
Biography
The rental of 1614 notes the bishopric lands of North Widfirth (St.Ola's) as in the hands of Sinclair of Essenquoy, feued to Robert Chalmer. He was Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland in the Scottish Parliament of 1617, on 4th November in which year he heads the list of suitors before the Earldom Court. On 15th August 1615, James, son of John Louttit (by Helene Sinclair his spouse), receives from Essenquoy a discharge for money lent to his people. On 25th November 1616, he appears for Robert Sinclair of Campston against Francis Mudie of Breckness; and on l0th May 1619, sues William Sinclair of Tolhop and John Sinclair, merchant in Kirkwall. He granted charter to Alexander Flet in How, Harray, of the houses and lands of Ramsgar in Overton in Harray, which was produced 23rd November 1621.
Edward Sinclair of Aestenquoy is Sheriff-Depute of Orkney 1st July 1623. He was conjoined with Robert Sinclair of Campston for the purpose of reporting upon the King's lands in the isle of Rousay, of which they were taksmen, and was sworn thereto at Kirkwall, 12th June 1627; and again in the Report of the Parish of St.Andrews. At St.Ringan’s Chapel the 21st day of June anno 1627 the Commissioners elected thereto viz. Robert Sinclair of Campston, David Kinked of Yeinsta judicially sworn in that respect of their knowledge and insight in that business; and for their better proceeding did choose the most ancientest men within the parish to help them by their information, that is, Edward Sinclair of Essenquoy etc., who can testify their diligence. As for prebendries there is a part of St.John's prebendries in this parish of St.Andrews sett by Mr. Patrick Inglis, minister at Kirk, and prebender of the said stowke, with consent of ane reverant father in God, George Bishop of Orkney and the whole chapter, to Campston and Essenquoy for the payment of £20 money to the said prebender as it has been to his predecessors of old".
In the parish report at Our Lady Kirk in Deerness, 25th June 1627, "The worth of the Rowms of this Parish contains allusion to the ten penny half penny land in Sandwick bishop’s land of old, and set to umquhill [deceased] Olefer Sinclair of Essenquoy for the payment of 20 merks money, and now in the hands of Edward Sinclair of Essenquoy his son for the payment of £20 to his Majesty's chamberlains, conform to the rental".
On the 2nd April 1630, he was Sheriff-Depute, and commissioned as such by the Lords of Session to take the Oaths of Verity of George Bishop of Orkney and Patrick Smyth of Draco, in the case of Mr. Alexander Bruce of Cultmulindie, etc. He was Sheriff-Depute 6th November 1632; and on 26th May 1637, when William Sinclair of Saba compeared in the matter of security for John Cromartie for the corns embarked by him in the "Gift of God", Essenquoy again fills that honourable office.
On 16th August 1635, he was judge of assise on the Dittay of witchcraft against Helene Isbuster. On 26th December 1616, he and his son Gilbert are als of James Baikie of Tankerness for 1,600 merks Scots, etc. In 1640 he is a bailie ordained for St.Ola's, and is a suitor present at the Curia Capitalis 24th May 1641.
He married Ursilla Fulzie, second daughter of Gilbert Fulzie, Archdeacon of Orkney (sasine 1641), and was succeeded by his son
