Sir David Cunningham, 1st Baronet, of Auchinhervie

Who is Sir David Cunningham, 1st Baronet, of Auchinhervie?

Sir David Cunningham, 1st Baronet of Auchinhervie was the owner of Auchenharvie Castle in Ayrshire. A large number of his letters are preserved in the National Archives of Scotland. As a minor courtier and administrator to Charles I in London he wrote letters to his cousin Sir David Cunningham, 1st Baronet of Robertland, grandson of the master of work David Cunninghame of Robertland.

Sir David Cunningham was a member of the circle of Sir Adam Newton, who lived at Charlton House, Kent. Newton, a fellow Scot, was tutor to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. Newton and Cunningham continued as administrators for the Welsh and duchy incomes which funded Prince Henry's household after his death in 1612. His letters also discuss taking Newton's son Sir Henry Newton on an educational trip to France. On the death of Adam Newton in 1629 Sir David and Peter Newton were charged as his executors to rebuild St Luke's Church at Charlton. The Cunningham arms can still be seen carved on the pulpit. Cunningham continued to administer revenue from Wales and duchy lands for Charles I as king: in 1633 he paid Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Berkshire £100 for keeping horses for Charles.