Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington
{{Short description|Scottish merchant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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
File:The grave of Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington, Greyfriars Kirkyard.png
He was the son of Hugh Cunningham of Craigend House near Stow, a descendant of William Cunninghame of Craigends.ODNB; Hugh Cunningham
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.{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/joerocksresearchpages/bonnington-house-by-ratho-west-lothian-2|title = Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/joerocksresearchpages/bonnington-house-by-ratho-west-lothian-2|title = Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages}}
In 1700 he became Master of the Merchant Company in Edinburgh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24758/lot/5/|title=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}}
He is termed Hugh Cunningham of Bonnington, having purchased Bonnington House near Ratho around 1700 from the Scott family.{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/joerocksresearchpages/bonnington-house-by-ratho-west-lothian-2|title = Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/joerocksresearchpages/bonnington-house-by-ratho-west-lothian-2|title = Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages}}
He died on 16 December 1710 aged 68, and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/joerocksresearchpages/bonnington-house-by-ratho-west-lothian-2|title = Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Joe Rock's Research Pages}} The grave closes the vista of the sealed section commonly known as the Coventanters Prison.
Family
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).ODNB: Hugh Cunningham
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.National Archives Kew: the will of Sir Hugh Cunningham
Alexander Cunningham inherited Bonnington House and Craigend House.
Catherine married George Smollet of Bonhill.{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/hughwilliamwilliams/bonnington-house-by-ratho-west-lothian-2|title=Bonnington House, by Ratho, West Lothian - Hugh William Williams}}
Artistic recognition
References
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Category:People from the Scottish Borders
Category:17th-century Scottish merchants
Category:17th-century Scottish landowners
Category:Lord provosts of Edinburgh