Laid claim to the titles and privlidges of John, Lord Holyroodhouse, on 4 Feb., 1704, based on descent from Sir Richard Bothwell, Provost of Edinburgh, 2nd son of Sir Francis Bothwell, whose son, William, was the father of Adam Bothwell of Quhelpsyde.

The claim was not allowed on grounds the pedigree was incorrect.

Alexander’s son, Henry, subsequently claimed and assumed the title, though the claim was never acted upon. “Henry Bothwell of Glencorse, who was served heir to John Lord Holyroodhouse, 8th February 1734, and presented to the king a petition claiming the title. This petition was by his majesty's commands laid before the House of Lords, 20th March 1734, but no determination was ever come to respecting it. He nevertheless assumed the title, and died in Canongate, Edinburgh, 10th February 1755.”

First name also spelled Jonet.

Date of contract

Henry claimed to be heir to “John Lord Holyroodhouse, 8th February 1734, and presented to the king a petition claiming the title. This petition was by his majesty's commands laid before the House of Lords, 20th March 1734, but no determination was ever come to respecting it. He nevertheless assumed the title, and died in Canongate, Edinburgh, 10th February 1755. “87

His claim was based on a different pedigree than his father had set forth. Henry claimed his great grandfather, Adam Bothwell of Quelpsyde, was the son of William, the second son of the Bishop of Orkney. Howevr, it is known that William, son of the Bishop, was his fifth son rather than his second and that he died without issue. His brother, Capt. George Bothwell, was declared
to be his heir.

Also, the book stated “By his wife, Mary daughter of Lord Neil Campbell of Ardmaddie, second son of Archibald marquis of Argyle, he had five sons and four daughters. None of his sons had male issue, and the peerage may now be said to be extinct."87

CP stated that since Henry’s death, the title “has remained dormant, not being assumed by any of the five of his eight sons who lived to Man’s estate.”75 Only one of the sons, Robert, the 7th, produced an heir, Margaret, but no male heir.

In 1740, Henry acquired the former residence of the Countess of Hyndford by purchasing it from her.

It is postulated by some that Alexander, a merchant in Edinburgh, was declared dead but that in reality he left Edinburgh for Ireland where he joined another church, married an Irish woman, and later emigrated to the Americas in 1719 where he became the paterfamilias of the Bothwells of Rutledge, MA. However, there is no evidence to support this assumption, which appears to be based on the belief that the Alexander who settled in Rutledge appears to have been born in Edinburgh in August of 1661.

Scots Peerage cites the Home Manuscript and Glencorse papers as authorities for the statement that he died unmarried sometime after 15 May 1692. It also notes that “Services of Heirs” show Alexander’s brother, John, was declared to be Alexander’s heir on July 1, 1706.

John was served heir to his brother. Alexander, 1 July 1706.

Twice married, once in London to an English lady, the second time to a lady in Edinburgh.

He had two sons and one daughter.

in 1698, Dr. Charles Prestoun (MD) brought a “Process of Scandal” against Robert. The Processes include Actions for Divorce, both on the ground of desertion or adultery, Separation and Aliment, Declarator of Marriage or Legitimacy, Declarator of Freedom or Putting to Silence, Adherence, Reduction of Edicts of Executry, Nullity of Marriage, Reduction and Improbation and Scandal or Damages for Slander.

died as a child.

Died unmarried.