BOSWELL, CHRISTINA [SSNE 8004]

Surname

BOSWELL, BOSWEL

First name

CHRISTINA, CRISTINA

Nationality

SCOT or ENGLISH

Text source

Christina Boswell was the wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Allan Coutts [SSNE 8003]. Coutts died by 12 May 1631, and within days she petitioned the States-General for a pension for herself and her children due to his long and faithful services. (Ferguson, 441-448). The matter was deferred to the Council of State, but on 22 May 1631 it was declined. Regardless, Boswell continued to petition the Council with varying success between 1631-1638.

What follows is a list of those attempts. No lifetime pension was granted, but she was awarded various sums over the years.

18 February 1632: Pension refused, 150 guilders awarded.

4 June 1632: Petition for pension declined on grounds that it would be "too great a burden for the country to support the widows of all captains and officers." The Council also refused on the grounds that her son already had an ensigncy and could be eligible for further promotion. Furthermore, they believed it wasn't as deserved because Coutts had died in bed, not while facing the enemy.

22 December 1632: Granted 30 guilders.

28 May 1633: Granted 100 guilders.

17 Oct. 1634: Boswell had previously been recieving 2 guilders a week from her doorman, this was now raised to 4 guilders.

30 July 1637: Granted 40 guilders. Continues recieving 4 guilders a week from her doorman.

2 November 1637: Granted 40 guilders.

23 January 1638: Granted 25 guilders.

6 May 1638: Granted 50 guilders.

13 August 1638: Continues recieving 4 guilders a week. Granted 25 more guilders.

 

Total (not including the 4 guilders/week): 420 guilders

 

Sources:

J. Ferguson, Papers Illustrating the History of the Scots Brigade in theservice of the United Netherlands, 1572-1697 (Edinburgh, 1899), pp. 441-448.

 

This entry created by Mr Jack Abernethy.

Service record

THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, LT. COL. ALLAN COUTTS

Arrived 1631-05-22

Departed 1638-08-13