Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington
Sir Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington (1642–1710) was a 17th-century Scottish merchant who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1702 to 1704.
Life[edit]
He was the son of Hugh Cunningham of Craigend House near Stow, a descendant of William Cunninghame of Craigends.[1]
In February 1675 he was made Lord Dean of Guild in Edinburgh. In 1689 he was made Master Of Paul's Work, a building where Waverley Station now stands.[2]
In 1692 he became a burgess on Edinburgh Town Council. In 1694 he loaned the city £4000 and was made Water Baillie of Leith and a burgess of Canongate.[3]
In 1700 he became Master of the Merchant Company in Edinburgh.[4]
He is termed Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington, having purchased Bonnington House near Ratho around 1700 from the Scott family.[5]
In 1704 he is termed "Hugh Cunningham of Craigend" and had therefore presumably inherited Craigend House from his father. He purchased a burial plot in Greyfriars Kirkyard in the same year, probably to bury his father.[6]
He died on 16 December 1710 aged 68, and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.[7] The grave closes the vista of the sealed section commonly known as the Coventanters Prison.
Family[edit]
In 1681 he married Anna Moncrieff in Edinburgh. Their children included Anna (b.1682), Alexander (b.1685), Catherine (b.1690), Hew (b.1693), Matthew (b.1697).[8]
His daughters Margaret and Catherine were obliged in his will to endow "from time to time" place to a poor girl with the surname "Cunningham" in the Merchant Maiden Hospital.[9]
Alexander Cunningham inherited Bonnington House and Craigend House.
Catherine married George Smollet of Bonhill.[10]
Artistic recognition[edit]
He was portrayed by Sir John Baptist Medina around 1700.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ ODNB; Hugh Cunningham
- ^ "Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages".
- ^ "Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages".
- ^ "Bonhams : Sir John Baptist de Medina (Brussels 1659-1710 Edinburgh) Sir Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington 76 x 63.5 cm. (29 15/16 x 25 in.) oval".
- ^ "Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages".
- ^ "Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages".
- ^ "Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages".
- ^ ODNB: Hugh Cunningham
- ^ National Archives Kew: the will of Sir Hugh Cunningham
- ^ "Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Hugh William Williams".
- ^ "Bonhams : Sir John Baptist de Medina (Brussels 1659-1710 Edinburgh) Sir Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington 76 x 63.5 cm. (29 15/16 x 25 in.) oval".