Duncan Stewart, A Short Historical and Genealogical Account of the Surname Stewart – 1739

Introduction

In 1739, Rev. Duncan Stewart, 1st of Strathgarry and Innerhadden, son of Donald Stewart, 5th of Invernahyle, published what he referred to as a “short” genealogical account of every family in Scotland with the surname Stewart. The full original title of the book is:

A Short Historical and Genealogical Account of the Royal Family of Scotland from King Kenneth II, who conquered the Picts; and of the Surname of Stewart, from the first Founder of that Name. Containing, A short Account of the Lives of the Kings of Scotland from that Period, and the Origin and Descent of all the Families of the Name of Stewart that are now extant, and the most considerable of those that are extinct, to which is prefixed a Genealogical and Chronological Tree of the Royal Family and the Name of Stewart

Duncan Stewart, M.A., 1739

The full original version of this book is now available online in pdf form from FamilySearch.org. (You will need an account to access it.)

For centuries, this book was the seminal resource for Stewart genealogists. While some errors have been identified in the centuries since, the majority of his work has stood the test of time.

Below we have reprinted the sections that pertain to the Stewarts of Balquhidder, including each of the major branches: the Stewarts of Baldorran, the Stewarts of Ardvorlich, the Stewarts of Annat, the Stewarts of Glenbuckie, and the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran.

Spellings

Some spellings have changed over the intervening centuries. Below you will find the spellings as they are presented in the original.

Generational Accounting

Duncan Stewart uses a different numbering system for accounting the generations of the various branches of the family. He numbers each generation by their descent from Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany. Thus you will find such examples as William Stewart, 2nd of Baldorran, being identified as “V William Stewart of Baldorran” as he was 5th in descent from Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany.

We have preserved Duncan Stewart’s original accounting here for integrity. If you wish to view an interpretation of this document adjusted for current numbering customs please refer to the respective pages for each of these families elsewhere on our site, or our online database.

Errors

Duncan Stewart’s original work has been preserved with its known errors. Parenthetical comments have been added to the text using square brackets [ ] to inform the reader about known errors in the original.

Publishing Information

Rev. Duncan Stewart, M. A., A Short Historical and Genealogical Account of the Royal Family of Scotland from King Kenneth II, who conquered the Picts; and of the Surname of Stewart, from the first Founder of that Name. Containing, A short Account of the Lives of the Kings of Scotland from that Period, and the Origin and Descent of all the Families of the Name of Stewart that are now extant, and the most considerable of those that are extinct, to which is prefixed a Genealogical and Chronological Tree of the Royal Family and the Name of Stewart (Edinburgh: W. Sands, A. Brymer, A. Murray & J. Cochran, 1739). Reproduced in the Gale Eighteenth Century Collections Online Print Editions.

Please note that this book is in the public domain and is not subject to copyright laws.

Early Generations

The first three generations presented in an earlier section of the book, which are predecessors to the Stewarts of Balquhidder are:

• I Robert Earl of Fife and Menteith, Duke of Albany, and Governor of Scotland, was third son to King Robert II.
• II Murdoch, eldest son and heir to Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany
• III Sir James Stewart, son to Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany

Below follows Duncan Stewarts accounting of the Stewarts of Balquhidder:

BALDORRAN and ARDVORLICH

pp128-130

IV James Stewart, son to Lord James, son of Murdach, Duke of Albany, is a frequent witness to charters granted by Isabel Dutchess of Albany, his grandmother, wherein he is designed, with the rest of his brothers [sic – he had no brothers, Duncan has confused his first cousins], d’Albania, the title of Duke Murdoch their grandfather. This James, commonly called James Beag, or little, from his stature, or in contradistinction to his father, who was called James More, or great, is designed Filius naturalis Jacob Stewart, fitz Murdach Ducas Albania, in 1464, when he got from his cousin, John, Lord Darnly, a charter of the lands of Baldorran in Stirlingshire, dated at Stirling the 7th of January foresaid year, and is confirmed by King James III the 12th of the same month. He married Annabel Buchanan, daughter to Patrick Buchanan of that Ilk, as evinceth a charter in his and the said Annabel’s favours, of the lands of Duchlass in Dumbartonshire. This charter is granted by King James III likewise the same year. By her he had William, his son and heir, and Janet, married to William Stirling, a brother of the house of Keir, and first of the Stirlings of Lettir, as testifies a charter, granted by James beg Stewart of Baldorran to Janet his daughter, by his wife Annabel Buchanan, of the lands of Lettir.

Addenda – According to my account from Mr Crawford, I have said that James Stewart of Baldorran had a daughter, Janet, to whom he gives the lands of Lettir. But there is in the Record, lib 13, num151, a confirmation-charter to William Stewart of Baldorran, whereby he talzies the lands of Lettir (in the Lordship of Strogarthra, and shire of Perth, holden feu of the King, upon payment of sixteen shillings Scots yearly to Janet Stewart, his daughter, by his wife, Janet Buchanan, and her lawful heirs, which failing, to Agnes Stewart, his daughter by his foresaid wife, Janet Buchanan, and her lawful [illegible] heirs. The principal charter is dated at Stirling, the 4th day July 1493. Among the witnesses are, Alexander Stewart of Garchell, and James Stewart. And the confirmation under the Great Seal is dated at Edinburgh, the 5th of April 1494.

V William Stewart of Baldorran, married Marion Campbell, daughter to Sir Colin Campbell of Glenurquhy, as appears by a charter in their favours, granted by Robert Menzies of Comrie, of the lands of Emyr-Crechan [sic s/b Emyr-Crethane] and Croftyn-Terray, in the Earldom of Strathern and Shire of Perth, dated at Lochtay, the 5th of October 1498. This charter is confirmed by King James IV, the 25th of said month. By her, he had Walter and John, who is a witness to several charters , and designed Johannes filius Guliemi Stewart de Baldorran, particularly in 1508, granted by Glenurchy. Of him is Glenbucky. William of Baldorran is said to have had another son, Andrew, of whom Gartnafuaroe [sic – Andrew of Gartnafuaran was the brother of William, not his son.] Of these three brothers [sic] are most of the Stewarts of the South-west district of Perthshire descended, to the number at least 300 common people.

Addenda – For Emyr-Crechan, read Emyr-Crethane. These lands were talzied [illegible] of Walter, and his lawful heirs, to John Stewart, his brother. There is one Andrew Stewart, witness to this charter, who, perhaps, might have been Garnafuaroe’s ancestor. The lands of Duchlass, in the lordship of Rosneth, and shire of Dumbarton, holden of the King in Feu, are confirmed to Walter Stewart, son of WIlliam Stewart of Baldorran, and the lawful heirs-male of his body, which failing to William Stewart’s lawful heirs whatsoever, pub arch lib 13, num 370. By what evidences I have [illegible] of Baldorran, it appears that the traditional account mentioned in the note of page 133 [referring to the origin of the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran] is not well grounded.

VI Walter Stewart of Baldorran, obtained from King James IV a Charter of Confirmation of the lands of Duchlass, dated at Faulkland, 14th of September, 1500. This Walter sold Baldorran to William Livingston of Kilsyth about the year 1524 [sic – It was his son James who sold Baldorran], and after that was designed sometimes Baldorran and sometimes of Balquhidder, he being King’s Baillie there. He purchased from Janet Oquhanan [Buchanan], a wadset-right she had upon some lands in Strathyre in the shire of Perth, as appears by a charter in his favours of the said lands, dated in 1528. He died in the year 1575, or some short time before it, in the Faith and Peace of Queen Mary, as the writ bears. He married Eupham Reddoch, daughter to James Reddoch, Burgess of Stirling, Comptroller of Scotland, and Laird of Cultibragan, by whom he had issue, William and John. To William, he gave the lands of Duchlass in Dumbartonshire, which is confirmed by a charter under the Great Seal in 1545. He provides the estate of Duchlass to the heirs-male of his son, William’s body, which failing, to John Stewart, his son also, but it seems they both died without issue. Walter had [illegible] wife a natural son, James, who was legitimated under the Great Seal in 1555, and the father is then alive, for he is designed simply, Filius natural Walter Stewart, de Baldorran.

VII James was served heir to Walter Stewart of Baldorran, his father, in the year 1575. He married ___ Stewart, daughter to Patrick Stewart in Glenbucky, and left issue, 1 William, who died without lawful succession, 2 Alexander, first of Ardvorlich, 3 John, of whom Annat, 4 James Oig, and 5 Patrick.

VIII This Alexander, who purchased Ardvorlich, had the Irish epithet, Mac-mhic-Walter, that is, the son of Walter’s son, as had his brethren and posterity, to distinguish them from the Stewarts of Glenbucky and Garnafuaroe. The foresaid epithet likewise infers that Walter left but one son, viz James, who had issue. Alexander of Ardvorlich married Margaret Drummond, daughter to Drummond-Erinoch, by whom he had, 1 James, 2 William, 3 Duncan, and Isabel, married to John Stewart, great-grandfather to John Stewart of Glenbucky, likewise Janet, married to Duncan Stewart in Glenogle, ancestor to John Stewart of Hyndfield.

IX Major James Stewart, designed Fiar of Ardvorlich in a disposition of the lands of Annat in 1621, anno 1617, as by his contract appears, married Katharine Murray, eldest lawful daughter to Robert Murray of Buchanty, of the family of Abercairny. (Sir William Murray of Abercairny consenting to the marriage) by whom he had, 1 Hary, who died of his wounds received at Tippermuir without issue, 2 Robert who succeeded him, and Barbara, married to John Mecgruber of Meggar. He had likewise a natural son, John. The Major married secondly, Janet Buchanan, relict of Walter Buchanan, ancestor to Arnprior and Auchleshy, without issue. Footnote: The Major James Stewart of Ardvorlich was the unlucky [illegible] of the slaughter of Lord Kilpont in Montrose’s Camp, the day after the Battle of Tippermuir in September 1644. An account of which may be had from the remission granted him by the Comm…[illegible] December following and from the Act of Parliament [illegible] the month of March after that, a copy of which, taken from the original, is to be seen in the appendix or second volume.

X Robert of Ardvorlich married Jean Drummond, daughter to Drummond of Comrie, by whom he had 1 James, 2 Alexander. Katharine married to David Drummond of Comrie, and Janet married to James Muschet of Mill of Goody.

XI James of Ardvorlich married Elizabeth, only daughter to John, last Laird of Buchanan, by his first lady, Mary, daughter to Henry, Lord Cardross. By her he had 1 Robert, now of Ardvorlich, 2 Alexander, 3 David, 4 William, and several daughters.

XII Robert, now of Ardvorlich

ANNAT

p131

VIII His predecessor was John, brother to Alexander of Ardvorlich, and son to James, son of Walter Stewart of Baldorran. This John’s son was,

IX Alexander, who purchased the lands of Annat from James Muschet of Burnbank, anno 1621. He married ___ MacNab, daughter to Aucharn, by whom he had, John, Walter, Andrew, and James. He had likewise Archibald, great-grandfather to Alexander Stewart of Glassingall, writer in Stirling.

X John Stewart of Annat, married, first, Janet Graham, daughter to Gespard Graham of Gartur, by whom he had, 1 Alexander, his son and heir, and 2 Duncan, who purchased Ballachallan, whose son George married Mary Hume, daughter to Hary Hume of Argaty, by whom he had David, now of Ballachallan, George, a surgeon in Maryland, James, William and several daughters.John of Annat married, secondly, Elizabeth Campbell, daughter to John Campbell of Kinloch, by whom he had, 3 William, who purchased Craigtoun. William of Craigtoun had Alexander, his son and heir, Lieutenant James Stewart, and Robert. Alexander of Craigtoun married Katharine Drummond, daughter to Drummond-Erinoch, by whom he had James, who died a batchelor, and several daughters.John of Annat had likewise by hi second wife, 4 James Stewart, Lieutenant-Colonel to the Scots Regiment of Horse Guards, and Deputy-Governor of the Castel of Edinburgh, who had issue, [illegible] 5 Charles, who had issue, 6 Captain Henry Stewart, and 7 Robert Stewart, a surgeon, who had issue.

XI Alexander Stewart of Annat married Janet Edmonstron, daughter to Demonston of Hermits-croft, by whom he had Alexander, and four daughters, married.

XII Alexander, now of Annat, married Isabel Fullerton, daughter to Mr John Fullerton of Greenb~~, Bishop of Edinburgh, by whom he had John, his son and hier, Duncan, a surgeon, who died in the East-Indies, and several daughters.

GLENBUCKY

p 132

VI Predecessor was John, son to William Stewart of Baldorran, by his wife Marion Campbell, daughter to Glenorchy. This John married a daughter of Patrick Buchanan, predecssor to Arnprior and Auchlessie, by whom he had Patrick, Duncan and Robert (sic).”Patrick married, first, a daughter of Lecky of that Ilk, secondly, he married a daughter to Edmonstron of Broich. He had twelve sons that came to maturity, but died himself without issue, only the eldest left a daughter. He had likewise three daughters, one married to Shaw of Cambusmoir, another to James Stewart, Ardvorlich’s predecessor, and the third to Andrew, predecessor to Gartnafauaroe. This Patrick had moreover a natural son, Walter.

VII Duncan, brother to Patrick Stewart in Glenbucky, married ___ Maclaren. By whom he had

VIII Alexander, who married ___ Stewart, grand-daughter to the foresaid Patrick, by whom he had Patrick (of whom Patrick Stewart of Ledcriech is fifth in lineal descent), Duncan, his successor in Glenbucky, James and Robert. He had likewise two natural sons, John and Patrick.

IX Duncan, son to Alexander Stewart in Glenbuckie, married first, ___ Campbell of the family of Ardkinglass, secondly, he married Katharine MacGrigor, grand-daughter to Dougal Keir MacGrigor, Predecessor to Innerlochlarig and Glengyle, said to be the last cadet of the Laird of MacGrigor, and had issue: 1 John, 2 Walter, 3 Duncan, 4 Patrick, 5 John Beg, and 6 Alexander.

X John married Isabel, daughter to Alexander Stewart of Ardvorlich, by whom he had Duncan, who died without issue, Alexander, his successor, James and Donald, who both had issue, and several daughters

XI Alexander married Helen, daughter to Hugh (Ewan) Campbell of Leeks and had Duncan.

XII Duncan who married Jean Graham, daughter to John Graham of Duchray, by whom he had John, Lieutenant Walter Stewart, Alexander, and Patrick, who all had issue.

XIII John Stewart of Glenbucky married Jane, daughter to John Stewart of Ardsheal, Tutor of Apine [Appin], by whom he had Alexander, Duncan, Donald, and John.” (sic – the existence of the fourth son, John, has not been substantiated by any other sources.)

XIV Alexander, now of Glenbucky, married Janet, daughter to Mr. David Drummond, brother to Cul~be~ly (Colquhalzie), and had issue.

GARTNAFUAROE*

p133

VI His predecessor was Andrew, son [sic – brother, see note below] to William Stewart of Baldorran. His sons were Alexander, and John, predecessor to the Stewarts of Blairgary.

VII Alexander married ___ Gray (she afterward married MacNab of that Ilk,) he had Andrew his eldest son, and Robert, from whom John Stewart of Hyndfield, or Stronvar, is the fifth in lineal descent.

VIII Andrew Stewart in Gartnafuaroe, married ___ Stewart, daughter to Patrick Stewart in Glenbucky, by whom he had Wlater, who succeeded him.

IX Waltar in Gartnafuaroe, married ___ Buchan, and had [Spelling of Waltar is true to the original.]

X Alexander, who married Janet MacGregor, by whom he had Andrew, Walter, Robert and Alexander

XI Andrew married Margaret Stewart, daughter to Alexander Stewart of Ardvorlich, by whom he had Walter, who succeeded him.

XII Walter married Isabel, daughter to John Stewart predecessor to Glenbucky, by hom he had Alexander, Robert and John.

XIII Alexander Stewart of Gartnafuaroe married Margaret daughter to Colin Campbell in Dundurn, and had James and Walter.

XIV James, now of Gartnafuaroe, married Janet, daughter to Alexander Campbell of Ardeonaick, relict of James Campbell of Leckrip and had issue.

* Notes [for clarification, these are Duncan’s original notes from 1739]: I have placed my account of Gartnafuaroe (Gartnafuaran) after Ardvorlich and Glenbucky because I have not found any written documents to mistrust who was his predecessor, though in the meantime he contends with Ardvorlich for being lineally come of the eldest brother. And as it is a constant uncontroverted tradition that they were three brothers, so I doubt not but it may sometime after this be documented that they were such, and that perhaps he was elder than Glenbucky’s predecessor.

Addendum – By what evidences I have [illegible] of Baldorran, it appears that the traditional account mentioned in the note of page 133 [above] is not well grounded.

Editor’s Comment:

Duncan Stewart initially wrote (above) that “VI Andrew” (Andrew Stewart, 1st of Gartnafuaran) was a son of (Sir) William Stewart (2nd) of Baldorran, whereas we now know they were brothers. So, Andrew Stewart, 1st of Gartnafuaran, was a son of James Beag Stewart, 1st of Baldorran. In the addenda at the end of the book, Duncan questions this connection, but doesn’t fully correct it as he remained uncertain of which accounting was correct.

Why is this important enough to warrant two qualifying notes from the author? Because it affects the order of precedence of the three main branches of the clan. Thus, it affects the order of inheritance for the estates involved and the leadership of the clan.

As Andrew Stewart, 1st of Gartnafuaran, is actually a son of James Beag Stewart, 1st of Baldorran, then he is one degree further removed from the senior family (Baldorran/Ardvorlich) when compared to John Stewart, 1st of Glenbuckie. So the precedence between Glenbuckie and Gartnafuaran is clear and undisputable. If, for some reason, the Ardvorlich family were to become extinct, then the Glenbuckie Stewarts would clearly be next in line for the estates and the chiefship. However, if Andrew was a son of Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Baldorran, (as Duncan Stewart initially believed) then that would make Andrew a brother of John Stewart, 1st of Glenbuckie — one step closer to the senior line. And the order of precedence would then depend on which brother was older.

Legal records around birth order were not necessarily as accurately kept as documents pertaining to who was the child of whom. So it makes the precedence murkier.

If the Ardvorlich family died out, then there could easily be a battle between the Stewarts of Glenbuckie and Gartnafuaran as to who was next in line. The difference between uncle and nephew is clear. The difference between two brothers depends on proving which brother was older. This is what Duncan was referring to in his note above as he probably realized that his book could be cited as evidence in a court case if it came down to it.