Rose, Hew / Hugh
A Genealogical Manuscript of the Family of Rose of Kilravock
Estimate: £700 - £900
Auction: 18 June 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
According to family lore, although disputed by C. Innes, this is the manuscript written by Hew [Hugh] Rose, Minister of Nairne, in 1683-84, comprising 224 manuscript pages: [4], 216, [4], 19th century half morocco, covers detached, backstrip coming-away, a little, light internal dampstaining, a little edge-wear to leaves with occasional slight loss to letters, 20 x 32cm
Provenance
This copy seems to have been in the possession of Kilravock Castle since the time of writing (later 17th century)
Footnote
This bound manuscript was used as the basis for the Spalding Club's publication A Genealogical Deduction of the Family of Rose of Kilravock, 1848, alongside another copy in the possession of the Reverend Dr Rose of Inverness [see lot 2]. C. Innes writes in his introduction to the Spalding Club publication:
“The History of the Family of Kilravock, written in 1683-4 by Mr. Hew Rose, minister of Nairne, though hitherto unprinted, has been long known to Scotch genealogists; and many manuscript copies have been in circulation… it occurred to me that interest of the book might be much increased by joining to the ”genealogical deduction" of the author, a selection from the papers of the family which happen to be in my hands."
This “unusually rich and indescriminate assemblage of family papers…” is also largely transcribed within the Spalding Club's publication, providing an invaluable record of the Rose family.
The present manuscript is arranged into generations of the Lairds of Kilravock, beginning with the first Hugh Rose of Geddes, who it is supposed died around 1306, to the 14th Laird, Hugh Rose (d.1687), and interwoven into the history of Scotland and its monarchs.