CUNNINGHAM, JOHN [SSNE 8269]

Surname

CUNNINGHAM, CUNINGHAM, CUNINGA, KONINGHAM, van CUINCHAM

First name

JOHN, JOHAN, JHON, J.

Title/rank

CAPTAIN, COLONEL?

Nationality

SCOT

Social status

OFFICER

Text source

John Cunningham was an officer in the Scots-Dutch Brigade. He served as a captain of artillery and was said to have distinguished himself in 1573 in the defense of Haarlem, when he was given command of the battery within the city. In 1581 he was commissioned as an adjutant to Count William Louis of Nassau, due to the fact that "at the battle of Noorthoeren [Nassau's] colonels, lieutenant, and captains were shot and some taken prisoners," and was thus "in urgent need of some one of rank and experienced in affairs of war," (Ferguson, p. 77). He was also commissioned as commander of the garrison at Dockum, and later ordered to provide some relief to the garrison at the beleaguered town of Naijesijl (pp. 77-78). Cunningham died sometime before 1598, when his widow, Anna van Duivenvorde began receiving a pension for his service. She received a pension until at least 1622. It appears that she and Cunningham had a daughter, Margaret van Duivenvorde, who was married to cavalry Captain Alexander Wishart. Cunningham may have also had another daughter, Elizabeth Cunningham, from a previous marriage in Scotland, as she was noted as receiving a pension along with Anna van Duivenvorde. 

 

Sources:

J. Ferguson, Papers Illustrating the History of the Scots Brigade in theservice of the United Netherlands, 1572-1697 (Edinburgh, 1899), pp. xxxiv, 4, 40, 41, 56, 58, 74 77, 78, 228, 231, 233, 321.

 

This entry created by Mr Jack Abernethy.

Service record

THE LOW COUNTRIES, THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, THE SCOTS BRIGADE

Arrived 1573-12-20, as CAPTAIN

Departed 1598-01-01, as COLONEL?

Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY