The Stewarts of Glen Ogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland

Including the Stewarts of Stronvar, Hyndfield, Clach-Glas, Monachyle, Cuill, Achra and Achtubh

The Stewarts of Glenogle were a cadet branch of the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran, descending from Robert Stewart, younger son of Alexander Stewart, 2nd of Gartnafuaran.  The ancestors of this family are presented on the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran Page. 

The early generations of the Glenogle Stewarts have been extremely difficult to reconstruct.  However thanks to recent work by our Fellow Researcher, Jared Olar, we have now been able to piece together a convincing theoretical reconstruction of the principal branch of Glenogle and some of the cadet branches.  Jared’s article, “The Stewarts of Glenogle”, presents the evidence and arguments to support the arrangement of the primary branch we show here below.  As Jared’s article is published elsewhere on our website I will not repeat his arguments here.  On this page we will merely report the accounting of the Glenogle Stewarts as we now believe them to be.  Many of the early relationships are not proven, but in our considered opinions they represent the most likely arrangements based on available evidence.

Glen Ogle – The “Deep Glen” or The “Dismal Glen”

Glen Ogle is located straight north of Lochearnhead at the west end of Loch Earn.  Three etymologies are given for its name.  The first comes from Rev. David Cameron who suggests that it is Gleann Ogluidh = “the terrible/dismal glen”.  However Cameron’s suggestion doesn’t account for the fact that earlier records often refer to it as Glenagle, suggesting that the final vowel has shifted in pronunciation from “a” to “o”.  The earlier pronunciation gives rise to two possible etymologies: Gleann Aigeal (pronounced “eggul”) which means “deep glen” or Gleann Eagal, “valley of dread”.

In the 16th century Glen Ogle became the home of a branch of Stewarts who were descended from the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran.  The primary residences of this branch of Stewarts were Glenogle, Stronvar, Hyndfield and Clach-Glas with significant cadets in Monachyle, Cuill, and elsewhere.  Stronvar is located at the foot of Glenbuckie and Stronvar House later became the principal residence of the Stewarts of Glenbuckie.  Hyndfield is described in Stewarts of the South as being another name for Lochearnhead, but was more likely the name of a farmstead in Lochearnhead.

“Commonly called the Stewarts of Glenogle or Cloich-glas, near Lochearnhead or Hyndfield, all in [the] parish of Balquhidder.  Glenogle belongs to Lord Breadalbane, and Cloich-glas also; Hyndfield is the property of Capt Stewart [of] Glenbuckie.” 

Clach-glas means “Grey stone”.  There are two properties in Balquhidder bearing this same name.  One is located in Glen Ogle — up the glen on the eastern side — and the other is located in Glenbuckie, and is more fully known as “Clach Glas of Glenbuckie”

The Stewarts of Glenogle, Stronvar and Hyndfield

The Stewarts of Glenogle find their origin in the family of Alexander Stewart, 2nd of Gartnafuaran, as follows:

 Alexander STEWART , 2nd of Gartnafuaran b: ABT 1490 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is more fully detailed on The Gartnafuaran Page.  He married an unknown woman whose surname was GRAY and had the following children, the exact order of which is not certain, save for Andrew who was certainly the oldest:

1.  Andrew STEWART , 3rd of Gartnafuaran b: ABT 1525 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Information on Andrew is presented in detail on The Gartnafuaran Page.
2.  Duncan MacAlasdair STEWART , in Carnlea b: ABT 1528 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.   Duncan is mentioned in the following document as having participated in the murders of Hugh and John Stewart in Balquhidder in DEC 1568: “Reg. Privy Seal. Vol.VI. No. 737. 8 Sept. 1569. Gift to Alexander Stewart in Pittareg of the escheat of numerous persons all from Balquhidder including Alexander Stewart in Gartnascrow and Andrew his son also Duncan Stewart his son, and Blak Alexander Stewart in Glenbuckie and Patrick his son, for the murder of Hugh and John Stewart, his brother, in the lands of Balquhider in December last [1568]”.

   In a tack of Janet Stewart, Lady Ruthven, dated 12 APR 1569, Duncan is listed as a tenant in Carnlea near Ardveich. It is possible that he may have had descendants who remained in the area, but there is no record of any surviving male line. MacGregor suggests that Duncan may have been the father of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Glenogle (shown below as son of Robert), which is entirely possible. However, as Robert Stewart, Predecessor of Glenogle, would likely have had an eldest son named Alexander, and as the Glenogle line descends from Robert, then it makes more sense to attach Alexander Stewart, 1st in Glenogle to Robert rather than to Duncan McAlister.

3.  Alexander STEWART , 1st in Monachyle b: ABT 1530 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is the unverified possible founder of the Stewarts in Monachyle.  See 1 Line – Stewarts in Monachyle (below) for more information.
4.  Robert STEWART , Predecessor of Glenogle b: ABT 1533 in Gartnafueran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  His descendants are presented below.
5.  John STEWART , in Kirkton b: ABT 1535 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  The Ardvorlich History incorrectly says that John was ancestor of the Stewarts of Hyndfield, but Duncan Stewart’s 1739 History of the Stewarts says that John’s brother, Robert, was ancestor of Hyndfield; Duncan Stewart does not mention John. The Edward S. Gray Papers on file at The Stewart Society mention both sons, but say that Robert was ancestor of Hyndfield. MacGregor does not show John. However, The Black Book of Taymouth shows that �Andro Stewart in Gartnafoir,� his brother �Johne Stewart in Kirkton,� and several other Stewarts signed a bond of 1557 for their kinsman Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy (Olar). We have no record of any descendants for John.

Robert Stewart, Predecessor of Glenogle

 Robert STEWART , Predecessor of Glenogle (of Stronvar?) b: ABT 1533 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, shown above as the son of Alexander Stewart, 2nd of Gartnafuaran.  Duncan Stewart’s genealogy (1739) records Robert as “from whom John Stewart of Hyndfield or Stronvar is the 5th in a lineal descent”.  As Duncan Stewart wrote his history in 1730, nine years before it was eventually published, and at the same time as said John Stewart was actually in possession of Hyndfield, we should reasonably presume that Duncan’s source was John Stewart in Hyndfield himself.  We should have confidence that John Stewart would know his own ancestry, and thus we are confident that Robert Stewart was indeed the lineal male ancestor of John Stewart of Hyndfield (shown below).  We note that The Ardvorlich History does not show Robert at all and incorrectly shows Robert’s brother, John Stewart in Kirkton, as the ancestor of the Glenogle Stewarts.  We suggest that Robert had the following children:

1.  Alexander STEWART, 1st in Glenogle, b: ABT 1560 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is suggested as the son of the preceding Robert Stewart.  This Alexander was mentioned in the following bond: “Bond by Alexander Stewart in Ardvorlich, James Stewart, his eldest son, Alexander Stewart in Portnellan, Andrew Stewart of Blairgarrie, Duncan Stewart in Monochyle, Alexander Stewart in Glenogle, John Dow Stewart in Glenfinglas and Walter Stewart his brother german, for all their kin in Strathgartney and Balquhidder, to William, earl of Menteith. Dated in January of 1622.”  This is the earliest record we have for any Stewart possessing Glenogle.  MacGregor shows this Alexander as the son of Duncan McAlister Stewart in Carnlea, above — theoretically possible, but we prefer this arrangement (see Duncan McAlister Stewart in Carnlea for a further explanation).  Alexander is known to have had the following son:

   1.  Andrew STEWART 2nd in Glenogle, b. ABT 1585 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Andrew is mentioned in The Ardvorlich History as residing in Glenogle in 1618.  He is recorded in the 1622 bond with his father Alexander, shown above.  And then six months later Andrew “was ordered to appear before the Lords of the Privy Council on 11 JUN 1622, and is then styled as son of Alexander Stewart in Glenogle.” (MacGregor)  It is our suggestion that Andrew’s troubles with the Privy Council may have ended in his inability to continue in Glenogle, whether through imprisonment, exile, or death, as there is no further record of Andrew in Glenogle and the next mention of anyone in Glenogle comes six years later when Duncan MacRobert Stewart is shown in possession of Glenogle — whom we show here as Andrew’s uncle.  Thus it is our suggestion that the original Glenogle line became extinct with Andrew and Glenogle passed semi-laterally to his paternal uncle, Duncan MacRobert Stewart, shown next.  We suggest that Andrew had no heirs, at least not in Scotland.  It is possible Andrew could have been exiled to one of the colonies as punishment, and, if so, then he could have had a family there — however, such is pure speculation.

2.  Duncan MacRobert STEWART (2nd of?) Stronvar and 3rd in Glenogle, b. ABT 1565 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to MacGregor, Duncan was listed along with several other local Stewarts in a bond of manrent to Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy on 17 SEP 1623 in which he is styled “Duncan McRobert Stewart in Stronvar”.  His patronymic makes it nearly certain that he was the son of Robert Stewart, Predecessor of Glenogle.  The Ardvorlich History mentions a Duncan McRobert Stewart in Glenogle in 1628.  This is the first mention of Duncan being in possession of Glenogle.  We note above that in 1622 Duncan’s nephew, Andrew, was in possession of Glenogle, but Andrew suffered from some unspecified troubles with the Privy Council for which he was pursued.  It is our suggestion that Andrew’s legal problems resulted in his inability to continue in Glenogle sometime between 1622-1628 and that Glenogle then passed semi-laterally to Andrew’s uncle Duncan MacRobert.  Duncan Stewart’s 1739 History of the Stewarts shows a “Duncan Stewart in Glenogle” at this time being married to Janet STEWART of Ardvorlich.  The Duncan Stewart in question would have to be this Duncan.  Thus, we show that Duncan MacRobert Stewart married ABT 1620 in Balquhidder or Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland to Janet STEWART of Ardvorlich.  She was born ABT 1580 in Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland as the daughter of Alexander Stewart, 1st of Ardvorlich.  Duncan is suggested as father of the following children, however it is not certain that Janet would be mother to all of them.

   As Duncan MacRobert Stewart seems to have come into possession of the entirety of the family’s land holdings, it is our suggestion that he assigned his senior property, Glenogle, to his eldest son and his next property, Monachyle, to his second son and his next property, Auchtow, to his third son.  However, these are merely guesses on our part in an effort to try to reconcile incomplete data.

   1.  Robert STEWART, 4th in Glenogle and in Auchanlachoylithie and Balanluig, ancestor of Hyndfield, b. ABT 1600 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  He is described in detail below.
   2.  Duncan STEWART, 2nd in Monachyle, b. ABT 1605 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  For details on Duncan and his descendants, please refer to 1 Line – The Stewarts in Monachyle, below.
   3.  “Alexander” STEWART, 1st in Auchtow, b. ABT 1610 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  For details on Alexander and his descendants, please refer to 5 Line – The Stewarts in Auchtubh, below.

Robert Stewart, 4th in Glenogle

Robert STEWART, 4th of Glenogle and in Auchanlachoylithie and Balanluig, ancestor of Hyndfield, b. ABT 1600 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, shown above as a son of Duncan MacRobert Stewart, 3rd in Glenogle.  The Ardvorlich History records a Robert Stewart in Glenogle in 1645, however it must be acknowledged that this reference could simply be a transposition of the following 1654 reference.  As the Ardvorlich History does not mention the document in question we have no way of knowing.  Duncan Stewart’s 1739 History of the Stewarts mentions a “Robert Stewart, ancestor of Hyndfield” who is recorded as having signed the 1654 Bond of Keltney Burn along with the heads of all the other Stewart houses in Balquhidder, Athol, and Appin swearing tacit allegiance to King Charles II.  Onomastics and chronology along with a necessary 5-generation ancestry for Hyndfield, make it most likely that Robert was son of the preceding Duncan McRobert Stewart.  This Robert is apparently the “Robert Stewart in Achanlachoylithie” who on 3 JUN 1657 obtained a sasine for the lands of Glenogle, Auchanlachoylithie, and Balanluig for �1000 Scots.  He is suggested as the father of:

1. Capt. Duncan STEWART (5th?) of Glenogle, b ?, Duncan is listed in the Atholl Regality Court records on 22 JUN 1689 as being a Captain of the court for the purpose of keeping the peace in the eastern part of the parish in service to the Duke of Atholl.  He is likely also the same Duncan Stewart referred to in: “” Letter from Breadalbane to Kenloch. Taymouth, 6 May 1696. A receipt for �40 stg.; ‘I am afflicted for the poor people in the country, and cannot be at ease till ther be some remidie had … Speak to Allan Stewart and others in Glenlochay to use all endeavours to get young roes, and to foster them upon cows milk and not goat, and to give them but fyve or six spoonfulls at a tyme and I shall satisfie them for their pains. Send to Duncan Stewart in Glenogill and others in the country to doe the like’.” NAS GD112/15 “

   1. Robert Stewart, 6th of Glenogle…? (Robert fits better here than as a son of Alexander (presently accounted as 5th)  It may be that Capt Duncan represents the senior line and that Alexander was a younger son, possibly progenitor to Achtow?

2.  Alexander STEWART, 5th of Glenogle, b. ABT 1625 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to The Ardvorlich History, there is a reference in the Atholl Hunting Rolls citing an Alexander Stewart in Glenogle in 1667.  Alexander is presumed to be the son of the preceding Robert Stewart, 4th in Glenogle.  He is believed to be the Alexander Stewart mentioned as creditor in the testament of James Stewart in Wester Auchtow in 1684 (see 5 Line – The Stewarts in Auchtubh, below, for more information).  Alexander Stewart, 5th of Glenogle, is suggested as the father of:

   1.  Robert STEWART, 6th in Glenogle, b. ABT 1650 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  A contemporary “Catherine Stewart in Glenogle” is mentioned as a daughter to Alexander Stewart, brother to Robert Stewart, predecessor to John Stewart of Hyndfield and Stronvar (see Catherine’s entry below for more information).  From this reference it is suggested that the next in line in Glenogle was this Robert Stewart.  It is suggested that this Robert is the one referred to in the: “Testament of Robert Stewart in Glenogle who died in July of 1704 given up by Duncan Stewart in Monochyle as creditor”.  Robert is suggested as the father of:
      1.  “Alexander” STEWART.  Onomastics would favour that the eldest son of this family would be named “Alexander”. No such Alexander has been found and thus it is presumed that if he existed then he probably died young.
      2.  John STEWART, in Stronvar and 1st of Hyndfield, b. ABT 1680 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan Stewart’s genealogy (1739) records the thrice-preceding Robert Stewart of Glenogle as “from whom John Stewart of Hyndfield or Stronvar is the 5th in a lineal descent”.  Duncan Stewart’s History, although published in 1739, was actually written in 1730, thus we should presume that Duncan’s source was this John Stewart himself.  The Ardvorlich History says (incorrectly) that John was descended from John Stewart in Kirkton.  (See entry John Stewart in Kirkton, above).  Stewarts of the South records that the Monachyle branch was the senior surviving branch in 1815, thus it is believed that John of Hyndfield was the last male of the original Glenogle family and that the male line died out with this John.  We believe John Stewart of Hyndfield is the John Stewart who appears firstly in the Balquhidder OPR as “John Stewart in Stronvar Mor” with his first wife, and then later as “John Stewart of Hyndfield” with his second and third wives.  Onomastically, however, John’s recorded children do not fit with his father’s name.  One might be tempted to rely too heavily on OPR evidence, however the early OPRs are not reliable as to their completeness, and many births were simply not recorded.  The simplest explanation is that there is a gap between the recorded births of John’s first and second recorded children (1718-1724) into which the birth of an unrecorded son, Robert, could easily fit  Such a Robert would be presumed to have died as a child.  It is believed that John married firstly to Janet MCNAB with whom he had the following children:
         1.  Katrine STEWART, bap. 11 JUN 1718 in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland (exact place of birth not recorded).
         2.  “Robert” STEWART, b. ABT 1721 in Stronvar, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  There is no documentary evidence of any son named Robert.  He is suggested only by onomastics and is presumed to have died as a child.
         3.  Bettrice STEWART, bap. 8 MAY 1724 in Stronvar Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. (mother not given)
         4.  Anna STEWART, bap. 7 MAR 1727 in Stronvar Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

         John Stewart is next recorded as “John Stewart of Hyndfield” in the Balquhidder OPR as having married secondly BEF. 1730 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Jean CAMPBELL and had the following children:

         1.  Donald STEUART, bap. 13 AUG 1730 in Hyndfield, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Donald is presumed to have died as a child as this line died out with his father, John of Hyndfield.
         2.  Helen STEUART, bap. 13 NOV 1730 in Hyndfield, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

         John Stewart of Hyndfield married thirdly on 30 JUN 1733 to Janet BUCHANAN of Callander parish.  There is no record of any children from this marriage.

   2.  Alexander STEWART, in Glenogle, b. ABT 1655 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  The only reference to this Alexander comes from Patrick Stewart of Ledcriech’s 1763 genealogy, in a reference to the marriage of Alexander’s daughter, where she is recorded as the daughter of “Alexander Stewart, brother to Robert Stewart of Glenagle, predecessor to John Stewart of Hindfield and Stronsor”.
      1.  Catherine STEWART , in Glenogle b: ABT 1675 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Stewart Clan Magazine records the marriage of Alexander Stewart of Ledcreich to Catherine Stewart “daughter of Alexander Stewart, brother to Robert Stewart of Glenagle, predecessor to John Stewart of Hindfield and Stronsor.”  Thus it is suggested that she married abt 1695 to Alexander STEWART , 4th of Ledcreich b: ABT 1676 in Ledcreich, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Click on the link for Alexander Stewart of Ledcreich to see their descendants.

         1. Patrick STEWART, 5th of Ledcreich,  b 1697 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  (See Stewarts of Ledcreich for more information on this family.)

1 Line – The Stewarts in Monachyle, Craigrui, Clach Glas, & Glenfinglas

The first cadet branch of the Glenogle Stewarts is a family of Stewarts living in Monachyle at the west end of the Braes of Balquhidder.  For the longest time this branch eluded reconstruction.  Our presentation of this line is not proven, and may never be so unless some miraculous new documents materialize out of the ether.  But barring any such startling revelations we believe we have successfully reconstructed the most likely arrangement of the Monachyle Stewarts.

The earliest mention of any Stewart in Monachyle comes from the following bond:

1557 – Bond by Andro Stewart in Gartnafoir, Johne Stewart in Kirkton of Buchquhiddir his brother, Robert Stewart in Tullich, Alexander Stewart in Monochaill, Alexander Stewart son to John Roy Stewart, to Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhay giving him their calp and also to get as many of their friends, surname, and others as they can.  Witnesses.  Walter Stewart in Balliefulzie, Patrick Stewart in Glenbuckie, Duncan Stewart in Branchaill.  At the Caudmoir 15th Novr. 1557 (Cosmo Innes, Black Book of Taymouth).

Stewarts of the South indicates that the Monachyle family were the most senior surviving branch of the Glenogle Stewarts.  However, it is chronologically impossible for the Alexander Stewart in Monachyle mentioned in the above testament to be a descendant of the Glenogle branch which did not yet exist in 1557.  This Alexander would be contemporary with Robert Stewart, predecessor of Glenogle (or perhaps one generation earlier).  Thus, Alexander’s male line must have failed in some manner and Monachyle passed to the Glenogle family at a later date — either through inheritance, marriage or purchase.  If Monachyle passed to the Glenogle family by inheritance (as we are supposing) then Alexander must be of the closest possible relationship to Robert Stewart, predecessor in Glenogle.  We note that Robert has no known brother named Alexander and onomastics would demand that his father, Alexander Stewart, 2nd of Gartnafuaran, should have a son named Alexander.  Thus, for now, we are suggesting that the most likely placement for this Alexander is as a son of Alexander Stewart, 2nd of Gartnafuaran.  We are suggesting that the line of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle, failed in some manner, and that the property passed laterally to the next in line, namely, Robert, predecessor of Glenogle.  Upon Duncan McRobert Stewart receiving these properties we are suggesting that Duncan assigned his largest estate, Glenogle, to his eldest son, and his next most promising estate, Monachyle, to his second son (and similarly for Auchtow to his third son.)

However, the above bond also presents the greatest challenge to our accounting of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle.  We are suggesting that he was a younger brother of Andrew Stewart, 3rd in Gartnafuaran and an older brother of John Stewart in Kirkton.  Andrew and John are mentioned in the 1557 bond as being brothers.  However, Alexander in Monachyle is not styled as brother to either of these.  If he was their brother then why would the bond not say so?  An argument from absence is never sufficient — just because it doesn’t say he was their brother is not proof that he wasn’t.  However it does seem unusual.  This association is made even weaker by the fact that Alexander is separated in the list from his suggested brothers by Robert Stewart in Tullich.

If we have correctly accounted for Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle, then it is suggested that he had no surviving heirs as Monachyle appears next as a possession of Duncan Stewart, grandson of Robert Stewart, predecessor of Glenogle.  We are suggesting that Monachyle passed from Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle, at the time of his death, to his younger brother Robert’s son, Duncan McRobert Stewart, 3rd in Glenogle.  We are suggesting that Duncan McRobert assigned his senior property, Glenogle, to his eldest son and his next property, Monachyle, to his second son (and similarly for Auchtow to his third son.)

 Duncan STEWART, 2nd in Monachyle, b. ABT 1605 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan is suggested as a younger son of Duncan MacRobert Stewart, 3rd in Glenogle, shown above.  The birth of Duncan Stewart in Monachyle is nowhere documented and his placement here represents our considered opinion of the most likely connection based on current evidence. Duncan is first recorded in the 1622 Bond: “Bond by Alexander Stewart in Ardvorlich, James Stewart, his eldest son, Alexander Stewart in Portnellan, Andrew Stewart of Blairgarrie, Duncan Stewart in Monochyle, Alexander Stewart in Glenogle, John Dow Stewart in Glenfinglas and Walter Stewart his brother german, for all their kin in Strathgartney and Balquhidder, to William, earl of Menteith. Dated in January of 1622.”  The Monachyle branch are recorded in Stewarts of the South as being the senior (surviving) branch of the Glenogle Stewarts.  We know from above that the main stem of Glenogle died out with John Stewart of Hyndfield, thus the Monachyle branch must be second in seniority.  Therefore Duncan Stewart must branch off from the main Glenogle stem early enough to be an adult in 1622, but he must also descend from Robert Stewart, Predecessor of Glenogle.  As we know that Robert Stewart, Predecessor of Glenogle, already had a son named Duncan McRobert Stewart, then Duncan in Monachyle is most likely a son of Duncan McRobert Stewart, 3rd in Glenogle.  Duncan Stewart, 2nd in Monachyle, is believed to have had the following children:

1.  “Duncan” STEWART b: ABT 1628 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  There is no evidence of the existence of a son named Duncan.  Onomastics would favour that the eldest son of this family would be named “Duncan”. No such Duncan has been found and thus it is presumed that if he existed then he probably died young.
2.  Robert STEWART, 3rd in Monachyle, b. ABT 1630 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert was witness to a sasine for the lands of Dalveich in 1656, recorded as “Robert Stewart in Monchyle” (according to James Stewart’s, Settlements of Western Perthshire).  It is with Robert’s children that we see the first evidence of Monachyle being subdivided into at least three portions and this is the first time we see the use of the qualifying names Mor and Beag (big and little).  It is suggested that Robert Stewart had the following children:
   1.  Duncan STEWART, 4th in Monachyle, residing in Monachyle Mor, b. ABT 1660 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.   It is suggested that this Duncan is the one referred to in the: “Testament of Robert Stewart in Glenogle who died in July of 1704 given up by Duncan Stewart in Monochyle as creditor”.  Duncan’s descendants are presented below.
   2.  James STEWART, in 1/3 Monachyle, b. ABT 1670 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  It is possible that James’ portion of Monachyle may have been Monachyle Tuarach, however we are not certain that Monachyle Tuarach was a related property, and may simply have had a common first name.  James is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as proprietor of one-third of Monachyle.  It is suggested that he is mostly likely a younger son of Robert Stewart, 3rd in Monachyle.  James is recorded as having had the following illegitimate child with Janet MCLAREN in Auchtow:
      1.  J_____ STEWART, bap. 24 APR 1704, in Monachyle___, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  “Begotten in fornication.” (Name is illegible on original entry.)
   3.  Alexander Roy STEWART, in Monachyle Beg, b. ABT 1675 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  It is suggested that Alexander is most likely a younger son of Robert Stewart, 3rd in Monachyle.  Alexander is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as having had the following child by an unknown mother:
      1.  Janet STEWART, bap. 27 NOV 1707 in Monachyle Beg, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
   4.  “John” STEWART, in Stank, b. ABT 1680 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John’s actual forename is nowhere recorded.  The name “John” is suggested from onomastics from the names of his children’s families.  “John”, or whatever his real name is, is recorded in Stewarts of the South as the brother of Duncan Stewart, 4th in Monachyle, and as the patriarch of 2 Line – The Stewarts in Stank.  The exact relationship between “John” and the rest of the Glenogle family is not certain.  He is placed here as our present best theoretical guess.  His descendants are shown below under 2 Line – The Stewarts in Stank.
3.  “James” STEWART, ancestor of 3 Line – “Caleb” Stewarts in Strathyre, b. ABT 1640 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  “James” is a theoretical construct who is suggested as the possible ancestor of 3 Line –  the “Caleb” Stewarts in Strathyre, shown below.  There is no documentary evidence of his existence.  The earliest known ancestor of the “Caleb” Stewarts was James Stewart in Auchnandave in Strathyre, shown below under that branch.  Onomastics would favour that James’ father’s name was probably “Robert”.  This “Robert” Stewart, who probably resided in Strathyre, descends from the Stewarts of Glenogle at an uncertain point.  As the “Caleb” Stewarts are recorded in Stewarts of the South as being junior to the Monachyle and Stank branches, but senior to the later branches, then it is suggested that “Robert” was probably a grandson of Duncan Stewart, 2nd in Monachyle (shown above), through an unknown younger son, possibly named “James”.  Thus it is suggested that this theoretical “James” is possibly the father of the equally theoretical:
   1.  “Duncan” STEWART.  Onomastics would favour that the eldest son of this family would be named “Duncan”. No such Duncan has been found and thus it is presumed that if he existed then he probably died young.
   2. “Robert” STEWART, predecessor of 3 Line – “Caleb” Stewarts in Strathyre, b. ABT 1680 in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  “Robert” is a theoretical construct who is suggested as the possible ancestor of 3 Line –  the “Caleb” Stewarts in Strathyre, shown below.  See the entry for Robert’s father, “James” for a further explanation.
   3. “Alexander” STEWART, predecessor of 4 Line – The Stewarts in Inverlocharig Mor.  “Alexander” is a theoretical construct who is suggested as the possible ancestor of 4 Line – The Stewarts in Inverlochlarig Mor, shown below.  There is no known documentary evidence for his existence.  As the Inverlochlarig Stewarts descend from the Glenogle Stewarts at a point that is probably junior to that of the Caleb Stewarts and probably senior to that of the Auchtow Stewarts then the most logical place for them to descend would be here.  However, it must be considered that the reliability of the ranking of the cadet lines as presented in Stewarts of the South probably decreases with the later lines.  Thus it cannot be counted on that 4 Line is necessarily junior to 3 Line and senior to 5 Line, only that the author of Stewarts of the South believed that to be so.  See the notes on this line below for more information.

Duncan STEWART, 4th in Monachyle

Duncan STEWART, 4th in Monachyle, residing in Monachyle Mor, b. ABT 1660 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.   It is suggested that this Duncan is the one referred to in the: “Testament of Robert Stewart in Glenogle who died in July of 1704 given up by Duncan Stewart in Monochyle as creditor”.  Duncan is recorded in Stewarts of the South as being the brother of the patriarch of 2 Line – The Stewarts in Stank (below).  Duncan married Isobel STEWART and is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as the father of some of the following children and suggested as father of the others:

1.  Robert STEWART , 5th of Monachyle Mor and Beag and 1st of Craigruie b: 1690 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert Stewart was the 5th Laird of Monachyle Mor and Monachyle Beg (by our present accounting) and the 1st Stewart laird of Craigruie in western Balquhidder. Robert died in 1747 in Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland at the age of 57 years and is buried in the Balquhidder Kirkyard. (See photo at right.) He married ABT 1717 to Janet STEWART, although no record of their marriage has been found. Janet’s birth family is presently unknown, though onomastics would suggest that her father’s name was James and her mother’s name was Margaret and she would likely be the daughter of the head of one of the other major local families.

   Robert is mistakenly identified in Stewarts of the South as “John Stewart of Craigruie” and is referred to in the following reference from Stewarts of the South: “David Stewart’s father had once Monachill Mor and Monachill Beg [in the] Braes of Balquhidder, now the property of Miss MacNab, grand-daughter to Archibald MacNab of Newton.” It is believed that it was Robert Stewart who sold Monachyle Mor (and possibly also Monachyle Beg) to MacNab of MacNab at the time that he purchased Craigruie. Craigruie is adjacent to the Monachyle properties.

   1.  Duncan\David STEWART , 1st of Clach-Glas, 2nd of Craigruie and 14th of Glenbuckie b: ABT 28 JUL 1718 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  David’s information and descendants are presented just below.
   2.  James STEWART, b: ABT 29 APR 1720 in Monachill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   3.  Isobel STEWART, b: ABT 27 AUG 1721 in Monachill Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
   4.  Alexander STEWART, b: 16 OCT or 16 NOV 1724 in Monachyle Beg, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  It is not certain that Alexander is a son of this family. He is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as a son of “Robert Steuart, proprietor of Monachyle Beg”, but with no mother given. OPR records appear to show two Robert Stewarts, one in Monachyle Mor married to Janet Stewart and the other in Monachyle Beg married to Marjory Stewart, and both alive at the same time. This Alexander can fit chronologically as a son of either Robert. However, the Robert Stewart of Monachyle Mor (and later of Craigruie) was said to be proprietor of BOTH Monachyle Mor and Monachyle Beg. Thus, we are at a loss as to which Robert is correctly the father of this Alexander.
   5.  Margaret STEWART, b: ABT 26 OCT 1726 in Monachilmor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland

      (Note the 14 year gap in children.)

   6.  Robert STEWART, b: ABT 24 FEB 1740 in Monachill Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
   7.  Child STEWART, b: ABT 13 OCT 1742 in Marchfield, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
2.  Alexander STEUART, b: ABT 15 OCT 1701 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Alexander is not certain to be a son of this family.  His father’s first name not given is not given in the OPR but Duncan was residing in Monachyle Mor at the time.  It is possible that Alexander could be the son of James in 1/3 Monachyle, but unlikely.
3.  J STEWART, b: MAY 1706 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  The Balquhidder OPR says, “1706 May 2d Duncan Steuart in Monachill Mor had a child baptised called J___.” But the entry does not indicate if the child was a son or daughter.
4.  Child STEWART, b: ABT 4 AUG 1708 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. The Balquhidder OPR says only that a child of Duncan Stewart in Monachyle Mor was baptised. The child’s name and gender and the child’s mother’s name are not given.
5.  James STEWART, b: ABT 20 JAN 1712 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

David STEWART, 1st of Clach Glas, 2nd of Craigrui, and 14th of Glenbuckie

Duncan\David STEWART, 1st of Clach Glas, 2nd of Craigrui and 14th of Glenbuckie b: ABT 28 JUL 1718 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, shown above as a son of Robert Stewart, 5th of Monachyle Mor and 1st of Craigruie and his wife Janet Stewart.

David Stewart, 2nd of Craigruie was baptized as Duncan Stewart.  David is a known substitute name for Duncan.  David inherited Craigruie from his father.  David is also described as being “of Clach-Glas” (which means “Greystone”), and he later acquired the estate of Glenbuckie through marriage and became 14th of Glenbuckie.

Stewarts of the South probably has more to say about David Stewart than any other person recorded in that document. David is recorded wrongly in Stewarts of the South as: “David Stewart, late of Glenbuckie, was son of John Stewart of Craig-grui and Easter Monachail [sic, son of Robert Stewart of Craigruie and Wester Monachyle] in the Parish of Balquhidder. Craig-grui underwent several changes and belongs at present to a Mr Don McDonald, a great tacksman from Glenlyon. And Monachail belongs to the heiress of the late Barron McNab.”

Stewarts of the South also says: “David Stewart of Craig Ruidh, Balquhidder, sold [Craig Ruidh] to one Maclaren. Again it was sold to Macnab of MacNab. Now (1815) [it has been sold] to one Macdonald from Glenlyon. David Stewart’s father had once Monachill Mor and Monachill Beg [in the] Braes of Balquhidder, now the property of Miss MacNab, grand-daughter to Archibald MacNab of Newton, as mentioned above.” This reference outlines for us the transferrals of property. David’s father inherited the property of Monachyle which had belonged to his ancestors for at least five generations. David’s father sold Monachyle to MacNab of MacNab and purchased the adjacent property of Craigruie. On Robert’s death in 1747 David inherited the property of Craigruie. David is also described as having resided at Clach-Glas, which means “Greystone”. There were two places in Balquhidder named Clach-Glas: one in Glen Buckie and the other in Glen Ogle — both are now extinct. It is difficult to be sure which one is being referred to here as David’s ancestors were lairds of Glenogle and David himself later became laird of Glenbuckie.  However historic maps don’t show a residence at Clachglas in Glen Ogle, so the Clachglas that David owned was probably the one in Glen Buckie.

David is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as “David Stewart of Craigrui” who married Grisel STEWART of Moulin parish, Perthshire, Scotland (located in NE Perthshire, near Pitlochry).

It is presumed that David’s first wife, Grisel Stewart, died, as David married secondly to Elizabeth STEWART, Heiress of Glenbuckie, although no record of their marriage has been found. David is described in Stewarts of the South: “This David of Craig-grui married the heiress of Glenbuckie, Capt Stewart’s sister, by whom he had two sons.” The connection to Glenbuckie is rather complicated. Alexander Stewart, 12th of Glenbuckie, had a sister, Mary, who was married to John Stewart of Benmore. Alexander Stewart, 12th of Glenbuckie, had no children, and instead of passing the estate of Glenbuckie to his younger brother, Dr. David Stewart in Auchnahard (not to be confused with this David Stewart), instead he sold Glenbuckie to his sister’s husband, John Stewart of Benmore. John Stewart of Benmore also died without issue and the estate of Glenbuckie passed to his sister, Elizabeth Stewart. This is the Elizabeth Stewart who married David Stewart of Craigruie, presented here. Thus David Stewart became 14th of Glenbuckie by marriage.

On David’s death, Glenbuckie passed momentarily to David and Elizabeth’s son, John Stewart, who became 15th of Glenbuckie. However, when Elizabeth died, her half-brother, Capt. Duncan Stewart, managed by devious legal means to purchase the estate of Glenbuckie and had his nephew, John Stewart, unceremoniously evicted.

Meanwhile Dr. David Stewart in Auchnahard, son of Alexander Stewart, 10th of Glenbuckie, of the original Glenbuckie family (mentioned above), attempted unsuccessfully to reclaim Glenbuckie. So reviled was Elizabeth for her part in swindling the estate of Glenbuckie away from its lawful heirs that the author of Stewarts of the South described her as “a half idiot, [who] succeed her brother in the estate being heir-at-law” and later in the document could only bring himself to refer to her as “a lady of the name of Stewart in our country, whose name I shall not mention here.”

Stewarts of the South goes on to say:

“Betty [Stewart, sister of John Stewart of Benmore] married one David Stewart of the Stewarts of Glenogle, Cloichglas, or Hyndfield, — a branch of those Garnafuaran, or Sliochd an Toighbhaoil (“Children of the House of Voil”.) Glenogle is a part of the estate of Breadalbane, Balquhidder parish.

“David [Stewart of Craig Ruidh], by the extravagance of his wife, Betty, was under the necessity of enlisting as a single soldier, being but a simple good natured man and servant for seven years [to?] the late Revd Mr Maclaggan [of] Blair Athol in the 42d Regiment. After his return home rents were higher and his circumstances became more easy. And by his simplicity and short sight, he sold Wester Invernenty, Braes of Balquhidder, to the late Rev Mr Stewart whose son hath it yet also sold Blarchrich, Braes of Balquhidder, to the late worthy Capt Robert Fergusson of Stronvar. The Reverend Dunn Stewart bought Blarcroich from Capt R Fergusson’s nephew, the present Provost of Cupar in Fife – which farms his estate with Wester Invernenty, Braes of Balquhidder, now the property of his son Capt Alexander Stewart of Strathgarry in Athol, of the East India Company. Mr Stewart, [the] minister, was called by many “covetous and greedy”, [but] I thought this was not justice to his character. I believe he was a friendly and honourable gentleman. Many who slandered him would wish him back again.

“When David Stewart of Craigruigh (Craig Ruidh) married Betty Stewart what he got by her would be now as good as seven or eight hundred pounds per annum. After [David’s] death his son, John Stewart, late Glenbuckie, took loose reins altogether and was like to go through all. (That is, John was likely to waste his mother’s estate’s wealth.) [John’s] mother, Betty, by the advice of Miss Annie Stewart, [Capt. Duncan Stewart’s and her own] sister bound herself under the tutorage of [the following people:] her [half-] brother Capt Duncan Stewart, William Stewart of Ardvorlich, Commissary MacPhillip [of] Stirling, and the Revd Duncan Stewart of Balquhidder. As Capt Stewart had an eye in the estate [and] never took any steps to clear the debt after the death of The Revd Mr Stewart & Commissary MacPhillip, which would not permit of any misconduct, [Capt. Duncan Stewart] withdrew himself from the Trusteeship [and] the estate was advertised for sale and Capt Stewart bought it for �12500, which was thought undervalue[d] at that time. If one farm [could have been] sold the debt might [have been] be paid and the rest [of Glenbuckie] reserved.

“After the sale of [Glenbuckie], the late John Stewart of Glenbuckie [son of Betty Stewart of Benmore and David Stewart of Craig Ruidh] was turned out of his maternal estate and the farm occupied by himself was let to his own tenants, which he thought more cruel than the selling of the estate itself. ( [This would be] the same as if Mr Duncan MacDiarmid would take your worthy father’s place at Conichan. You know whither ingratitude he ought to do it.) But Glenbuckie Farmers shall never get such a good master. [John] offered [his uncle, Capt. Duncan Stewart] as much rent for his residing farm (that is, the farm where John was residing) as any other would give to his uncle, but was turned off, which he thought harder than selling the estate.”

David Stewart of Craigruie married firstly to Grisel STEWART b: ABT 1730 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland, although no record of their marriage has been found.  Her birth family is unknown.  They had the following children:

1. ???James STEWARTb ca 1740 and Catharine STEWART in Inverlochlarig Mhor and Invernenty, m. 13 FEB 1768 in Balquhidder, “both in this parish”

   1. Catharine STEWART, bap. 8 JUN 1766, “both in the Braes” (Duncan Stewart, grandfather, given as sponsor — by this reference alone Duncan could be the father of James or Catharine.  Catharine was born prior to her parents marriage.)

   2. David STEWART, bap. 12 JUN 1768 in Innerlochlarickvair
   3. Duncan STEWART, bap. 2 JUN 1771 in Innernenty
2.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 17 FEB 1755 in Craigruie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as being the son of “David Stewart of Craigrui and Stewart his wife.”
3.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 7 JUN 1765 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander’s exact birth place is not recorded in the Balquhidder OPR. His mother’s name is given as “Grisel STEWART of Muillian parish”.

From Callander OPR: John Stewart, b/b 18/30 JUL 1767 in Aberfeldy in parish of Dull in Appin Done, son of David Stewart and Grisal Stewart.

David Stewart of Craigruie married secondly to Elizabeth STEWART , Heiress of Glenbuckie b: ABT 1730 in Benmore, Glendochart, Killin, Perthshire, Scotland, although no record of their marriage has been found.  She was the daughter of John Glas Stewart of Benmore and the sister of John Stewart of Benmore and13th of Glenbuckie.  David and Elisabeth had the following children:

1.  Janet STEWART b: ABT 12 NOV 1768 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Janet presumably died young prior to the birth of her same-named sister.
2.  John STEWART b: ABT 23 MAR 1770 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John presumably died as an infant.
3.  Margaret STEWART b: ABT 4 JUN 1771 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
4.  John STEWART , 15th of Glenbuckie b: ABT 19 AUG 1772 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John Stewart inherited Glenbuckie from his mother.  He is described in Stewarts of the South as a poor manager and a big spender and was at risk of spending the full worth of the estate.  To protect herself against bankruptcy, John’s mother bound herself to several tutors including her half-brother, Capt. Duncan Stewart.  On John’s mother’s death when the estate passed fully into John’s care, Capt. Duncan Stewart “stepped aside” to allow his nephew, John, to get himself into financial trouble and then Capt. Duncan Stewart stepped in and purchased the estate of Glenbuckie.  Duncan then had John unceremoniously evicted from the property.  To add insult to injury, Duncan then replaced John with John’s own tenants, giving the appearance of elevating them in status to be equal to their previous laird.  See above for more details.  John Stewart had children by four different women but married only one. 

   John Stewart first had relations with Mary STEWART , in Lednascridan.  She may be the Mary Stewart b: ABT 5 JUL 1776 in Licstridan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland as the daughter of Robert Stewart and Catherine Stewart.  They had a son:

   1.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 18 OCT 1798 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is recorded as a natural child of John Stewart of Glenbuckie and Mary Stewart in Lednascridan. The Annat Tree wrongly records Robert as being the first child of John’s lawful marriage.  However, this is chronologically impossible as John and Catherine were married in Nov 1805 and their son David was born Mar 1806.  It is also onomastically unlikely as John would name has first lawful son after his own father, David.  It is more likely that this Robert, being a natural child, has been named after his mother’s father.

   John secondly had relations with an unknown mistress by whom he was father of:

   1.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 1800 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander STEWART, is found only in Stewarts of the South where he is described as as a young man living in Callander ca. 1815 and thinking of going to the West Indies. However, no birth record has been found for him and he may have been confused with his brother, Robert.

   John thirdly had relations with Mary MCINTYRE b: ABT 1770 in Scotland.  They had the following son:

   1.  John STEWART b: ABT 6 APR 1799 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John was a natural child by Mary McIntyre, late maid servant at Immereoin in Glenbuckie. He is presumed to be the John Stewart described in Stewarts of the South as “a young man living in Callander and thinking of going to the West Indies.”

   John then married “clandestinely” on 30 NOV 1805 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Mary STEWART , in Drumvaich b: ABT 1775 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland as the daughter of Robert Stewart, 3rd of Drumvaich and his wife, Catherine Stewart, of the Drumvaich branch of the Annat family.  The Balquhidder OPR records: “Balquhidder OPR – 1805 Novr 30th, John Stewart younger of Glenbucky and Mary Stewart paid their fine for clandestine marriage. �1-1, deduct Sess clks dues (Session Clerk’s Dues”) .1.6, �.19.6.”  Mary’s mother was second cousin to Gen. Robert Stuart of Rait.  John and Catherine had the following familly:

   1.  David STEWART b: ABT 9 MAR 1806 in Immereoin in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  David is found in the Balquhidder OPR but not in the Annat Tree.  Thus it is suggested that David probably died young.
   2.  Elizabeth STEWART b: ABT 1807 in Perthshire, Scotland.  She resided in “The Square” in Callander. It is believed that she never married.
   3.  Catherine STEWART b: ABT 1809 in Perthshire, Scotland.  She resided in “The Square” in Callander. It is believed that she never married.
   4.  Margaret STEWART b: ABT 1812 in Perthshire, Scotland.  She resided in “The Square” in Callander. It is believed that she never married.
5.  James STEWART b: ABT 8 DEC 1773 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. James is not mentioned in Stewarts of the South so it is presumed that he died young.
6.  Helen STEWART b: ABT 3 MAR 1775 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
7.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 18 JUL 1776 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Alexander is described in Stewarts of the South as “a spirit dealer in Edinburgh” with two sons who were minors ca. 1815.
   1.  Son STEWART b: AFT 1795 in Scotland
   2.  Son STEWART b: AFT 1795 in Scotland
8.  Janet STEWART b: ABT 16 MAY 1781 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland

[Insert gravestone photo here]

“THIS STONE IS DEDICATED BY DAVID STEWART OF GLENBUCKIE TO THE MEMORY OF HIS FATHER ROBERT STEWART OF CRAIGRUIE WHO DIED 1747 AGED 57 YEARS ALSO OF HIS MOTHER JANET STEWART WHO DIED 1766 AGED 65 YEARS.”

Archibald McDonald of Monachyle

The Ardvorlich History makes several references to the “current resident of Monachyle”.  This would refer to Donald McDonald, son of Archibald McDonald who purchased Monachyle in the late 19th century.  The McDonalds of Monachyle married into several branches of the local Stewart families.

Donald MCDONALD of Glen Lyon, b abt 1720 presumably in Glen Lyon, Fortingall. Donald’s family is recorded here only because several of his descendants married into several branches of the Stewarts of Balquhidder and thus it has been helpful to track this family to determine the inter-relationships of the various Stewart branches.

Donald may be the Donald McDonald born/bap 11/11 APR 1720 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland son of Archibald McDonald and Christian Buchanan.

Arivurichardich
www.multimap.com

John’s second marriage is not confirmed here. But the son John shown here later resided in Callander and according to Mrs Stewart of Milton, John McDonald was born May 1758 and was related to Archibald McDonald. We’re showing John and Archibald McDonald as half-brothers, however it’s also possible that they were related through the Stewarts of Cashlie and not through the McDonalds of Glen Lyon. The present arrangement is the simpler of the two and fits with all known evidence and is thus preferred for now. No marriage record has been found for Donald McDonald and Katrine Stewart.

Donald married to Margaret MCARTHUR (no record).  They had the following known child:

1.  Archibald MCDONALD of Monachyle b: ABT 27 OCT 1751 in Glen Lyon, Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland.  Archibald is the only son recorded as born to Donald Stewart and Margaret McArthur.  According to family records “in 1780 these McDonalds left Glen Lyon for Balquhidder where they were tenants in Craigrui.  They prospered and eventually bought Craigrui and were able to place their son Donald on the much larger neighbouring farm of Monachyle.  Their youngest son John had a mansion house built at Craigrui for his nephew, a Dr. Stewart, and succeeded to Monachyle on the death of his brother, Donald.”  Archibald purchased Monachyle sometime in the late 18th century.  Archibald married on 04 FEB 1776 in Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland to Margaret STEWART of Cashlies b: ABT 1750 in Glen Lyon, Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton (great-grand-daughter to this Margaret Stewart) Margaret was a “sister of the Stewarts of Cashlie” in Glen Lyon, Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland and an aunt to the Stewarts of Luskintyre, Harris, Inverness, Scotland. They were a cadet branch of the Stewarts of Garth.  Archibald and Margaret had the following children:
   1.  Margaret MCDONALD b: 27 NOV 1776 in Arivurichardich, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   2.  Elizabeth MCDONALD b: 05 DEC 1778 in Ariverchardich, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Elizabeth married on 24 APR 1800 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland to Walter STEWART , 2d of Lorachan and Edraleachdach b: ABT 1765 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  They had descendants.
   3.  Agnes/Ann MCDONALD b: 30 DEC 1779 in Arivurichardich, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Mrs Stewart of Milton says that Ann McDonald married “____ Stewart, a farmer at Glen Ogle” who were parents of Duncan Stewart of Monachyle who married Mary Stewart, sister of Mrs Stewart in Milton. Duncan’s wife was Ann McDonald, sister of Donald McDonald of Monachyle.  Agnes McDonald married on 12 MAR 1803 in Balquhidder to Duncan STEWART of Monachyle b: ABT 02 JUL 1809 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, son of James Stewart of Inverlochlarig Mhor and Catharine Stewart from Line 4 of the Stewarts of Glenogle, below.
   4.  Donald MCDONALD of Monachyle b: 06 APR 1782 in Arivurchardick, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Donald inherited Monachyle from his father. According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, “Donald died unmarried.” According to family records, upon Donald’s death, Monachyle passed to Donald’s younger brother John.  His brother John held Craigrui but also died unmarried. Both these properties seem to have reverted to their sister Ann’s husband, Duncan Stewart. 
   5.  Angus MCDONALD b: ABT 05 SEP 1784 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, Angus was in the army and was supposed to inherit Monachyle after the death of his brother Donald, but Angus also died before he could inherit.
   6.  Christian MCDONALD b: ABT 08 DEC 1786 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, Christian is burried in Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh. Christian’s daughter, Catharine Stewart, is recorded in The Ardvorlich History as “(McDonald of) Monachyle’s niece”. The IGI confirms Catharine’s father’s name was Alexander Stewart. It is most likely that the Alexander in question would be from Christian’s home area and that they were married before moving to Edinburgh as it is highly unlikely that Christian would move from Balquhidder to Edinburgh as a single woman. Thus we can have some confidence in searching for Alexander in Stewarts of the South. Two matches can be found for Alexander Stewarts residing in Edinburgh — both were spirit dealers, both with two sons listed in Stewarts of the South and both born within two years of each other. The Alexander shown here is preferred as the entry specifies that he lived “at the foot of the Cannongate” which is where the two daughters were baptized. This entry also matches maternal onomastics.  Christian is believed to have married to Alexander STEWART b: ABT 30 MAR 1778 in Dallanlaggan of Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, son of John Mor Bhuntata of the Flint Stewarts of Ardvorlich family.
   7.  Alexander MCDONALD b: ABT 27 OCT 1788 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander likely died in childhood as there is no later record of him and, had he lived, he would have been eligible to inherit Monachyle ahead of his brother John.
   8.  John MCDONALD of Craigrui b: ABT 12 APR 1793 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, John was “of Craigrui” and died unmarried. According to family records, John inherited Monachyle from his brother Donald.  Craigui and Monachyle then passed to John’s brother-in-law, Duncan Stewart of Monachyle, said to be a second cousin.

Donald is believed to have married secondly to Katrine STEWART b: ABT 1730 in Glen Lyon, Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland.  They had the following children:

1.  John MCDONALD in Blarcrioch b: ABT 15 MAY 1757 in Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, John resided in Blarcrioch in Balquhidder parish however his children were all born in Callander and Port of Menteith. It’s not known if Mrs Stewart of Milton is in error or if perhaps John resided in Blarcrioch after his children were all born or before.  John married on 01 APR 1888 in Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland to Margaret STEWART of Cashlies b: JUN 1768 in Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, Margaret Stewart was born June 1768 and was a sister of the Stewarts of Cashlie.  John McDonald and Margaret Stewart had the following children:
   1.  Margaret MCDONALD b: 27 AUG 1790 in Tomnascreddan, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Margaret married on 25 DEC 1812 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland to John STEWART of the Milton of Callander and of Blairgarry of the Stewarts of Auchnahard.
   2.  Janet MCDONALD b: 22 MAY 1792 in Gart, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   3.  Ann MCDONALD b: 26 MAY 1794 in Gart, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   4.  Donald MCDONALD b: 08 JUL 1796 in Gart, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland Donald MCDONALD and Mary STEWART in Blarchreich
      1. Catharine MCDONALD, bap. 14 SEP 1823 in Blarchrich, begotten in fornication
   5.  Alexander MCDONALD b: 06 JUN 1798 in Gart, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   6.  Angus MCDONALD b: 23 APR 1802 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, Angus was a banker in Callander.
   7.  Christy MCDONALD b: MAR 1805 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, Christy died in childhood.
   8.  Archibald MCDONALD b: MAR 1807 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   9.  John MCDONALD b: 05 AUG 1809 in Milton, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   10.  Charles MCDONALD b: 17 MAR 1812 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
   11.  Catherine MCDONALD b: 04 APR 1814 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
2.  Allan MCDONALD b: ABT 04 JUN 1762 in Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland

Donald had the following daughter by an unknown woman:

1. Ann MCDONALD, b ABT 1750 in Fortingall.  She married ABT 1770 to William STEWART, 7th of Luskintyre.

Another Robert Stewart in Monachyle

Then we have the line of Monachyle Beg, which curiously is onomastically identical to the family of Monachyle Mor.  Both families were headed by a Robert Stewart whose eldest son was Duncan and eldest daughter named Isabel, thereby suggesting that each Robert was the child of a different set of parents both named Duncan and Isabel Stewart!  Also, both Roberts had their first child in the same year, suggesting that the two Roberts were probably very close in age.

 Robert STEUART, of Monachyle Beg (Easter Monachyle), b. ABT 1690 in Monachyle Beg, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as being “proprietor” and “portioner” of Monachyle.  The later births for some of Robert’s children in Lochearnhead and Lettir may seem a bit removed to be from a Monachyle family, except that Lettir is recorded as being a later possession of the Monachyle family.  Robert Steuart married Marjory STEUART (of unknown origin) and had the following family.

1. Issabell STEUART, bap. 30 MAY 1718 (location not given), Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

2. Duncan STEUART, bap. 18 OCT 1720 (location not given), Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

3. John STEUART, bap. 6 DEC 1722 in Monachyle Mor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

4. Alexander STEUART, bap. 16 OCT or 16 NOV 1724 (double entered) in Monachyle Beg, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. (Mother’s name is not given in OPR.  Father is given as Robert Steuart, proprietor of Monanchyle Beg.) More likely to be a son of the other Robert in Monachyle.

5. James STEUART, bap. 24 OCT 1725 in Lettir, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. (A possible child of this family, but the mother’s name is transcribed as “Mary” and would be the only child for such a couple.)

6. Robert STEUART, bap. 21 JUN 1727 in Monachyle Beg, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. (Father described as “portioner in Monachoil Beg”.)

7. Alexander STEUART, bap. 22 JAN 1731 in Monachyle Beg, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

8. Marjory STEUART, bap. 28 AUG 1732 in Lochearnhead, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

9. Margaret STEUART, bap. 6 FEB 1735 in Monachyle Beg, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

10. Donald STEUART, bap. 5 JAN 1739 in Lettir, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

What if Issabell and Duncan were from a different family?  then this family’s eldest son would be John.

Research Leads

Best match for birth of Duncan Stewart “farmer at Glenogle” is:

Robert STEWART and Christian MCLAREN in Stronslany, Craigruie, Blarchrioch, Inverlochlarig Beg and Invernety, m. 18 APR 1767 in Balquhidder and 30 APR 1767 in Callander with Robert of Balquhidder parish and Christian of Callander parish

1. John STEWART, bap. 30 NOV 1770 in Stronslany

2. Mary STEWART, bap. 29 MAY 1774 in Craigruie

3. Duncan STEWART, bap. 2 JUL 1776 in Blarchrich

4. Donald STEWART, bap. 11 AUG 1778 in Innerlochlarigbeg

5. Christian STEWART, bap. 25 JAN 1781 in Innerlochlarigbeg

6. Margaret STEWART, bap. 13 APR 1784 in Innerlochlarig beg

7. Katharine STEWART, bap. MAY 1786 in Innernenty

Robert above may be the Robert STEWART, b: ABT 24 FEB 1740 in Monachill Mor brother of David Stewart 1st of Craigrui and son of Robert Stewart 5th of Monachyle Mor.

Note also: James STEWART and Janet MCDONALD in Wester Ardcheanochdan (This family has now been identified with Glenbuckie Branch VIII).

1. John STEWART, b/b 23/25 AUG 1776 in Wester Ardcheanochdan

2. Angus STEWART, b/b 21/23 MAR 1779 in Ardkenknokan

3. Ann STEWART, b/b 2 SEP 1781 in Ardkencnochan

4. Janet STEWART, b/b 1/9 NOV 1784 in ardkincnoctan

Donald MCDONALD and Catharine STEWART

1. Donald MCDONALD, b/b 4/5 SEP 1774 in Lochunnoch and Ki…, begotten in Fornication.

John STEWART and Margaret MCDONALD in Milnton, Callander

1. Duncan STEWART, b/b 7/11 AUG 1820 in Milnton

2. Alexander STEWART, b/b 24/27 JAN 1824 in Milntown

3. Margaret STEWART, b/b 23 /27 JAN 1828 in Milntown

1750 May 17^th          Robert Stewart and Janet McLaren in Cregruie had a son baptized called James.

2 Line – The Stewarts in Stank

The second cadet branch of the Stewarts of Glenogle is a family of Stewarts who resided in Stank in Strathyre, in southern Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  The name of the patriarch of this family is not known with certainty.  He is recorded in Stewarts of the South as being the brother of Duncan Stewart, 4th in Monachyle, shown above.  The name of “John” is suggested for him based on the fact that the eldest son of his heir, James, was named John.

Stewarts of the South says the following about this branch:

James Stewart, [who was a] tacksman of Stank and Leaniuch in Glenbuckie, and [also had] a fourth part of Glenfinglas, was a cousin of the above David’s father (John Stewart of Craig Ruidh).  [James] left one son:

1. James, (the) Younger of Stank, which place formerly belonged to Buchanan of Auchlessy, afterwards to the late laird of McNab, and since sold to a gentleman in Glasgow.  [Stank] is in the Parish of Callendar.  James [the] younger of Stank had five sons, [namely]
   1. James, who died in the West Indies
   2. Bryce, who died in the East Indies
   3. Walter, a surgeon, a decent clever man died there also
   4. John, Minister of Blair in Athol
   5. Robert, in the West Indies in the way of making a fortune
   6. Alexander, who died at home.

This old James of Stank was once a traveling merchant, and was the cleverest and most active of his own name or any other in that country and left many good leases with a good deal of money which were very ill managed by Ardvorlich and some other tutors. Mr Stewart of Blair had his part of Glenfinglas since his settlement in Athol.

For more information on the portioning of Glen Finglas please refer to our Stewarts in Glen Finglas page.

 “John” STEWART, in Stank, b: ABT 1680 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland as the son of Robert Stewart, 3rd in Monachyle, shown above.  John’s actual forename is nowhere recorded. The name “John” is suggested from onomastics from the names of his children’s families. “John”, or whatever his real name is, is recorded in Stewarts of the South as the brother of Duncan Stewart, 4th in Monachyle, and as the patriarch of 2 Line – The Stewarts in Stank (this line). The exact relationship between “John” and the rest of the Glenogle family is not certain. He is placed here as our present best theoretical guess. It is not known if John possessed Stank and so the accounting of Stank ownership begins with his son, James, as “1st of Stank”.  “John” was father of:

1.  James STEWART 1st of Stank, Liannach and 1/4 Glenfinglas, b. ABT 1710 in Perthshire, Scotland.  James is recorded in Stewarts of the South as a “tacksman of Stank and Leaniuch (Liannach) in Glenbuckie, and [also had] a fourth part of Glenfinglas, was a cousin of the above David’s father (the Laird of Glenbuckie)…. This old James of Stank was once a traveling merchant, and was the cleverest and most active of his own name or any other in that country and left many good leases with a good deal of money which were very ill managed by Ardvorlich and some other tutors.”  That James, the younger, was raised by tutors would suggest that James Sr died shortly after 1756.  James married Jean MCLACHLAN/MCLAGHLAN, although no recorded of the marriage has been found.  They had the following children, with James being his only surviving son according to Stewarts of the South:

   1. John STEWART, b. 1 NOV 1737 in Laggarainoch, bap. 6 NOV 1737 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  As John’s brother James is recorded in Stewarts of the South as the only surviving male then it is suggested that John died young.
   2. Robert STEWART, b. 27 MAY 1740 in Greenock, bap. 29 MAY 1740 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  As Robert’s brother James is recorded in Stewarts of the South as the only surviving male then it is suggested that Robert died young.
   3. Walter STEWART, b. 28 SEP 1744 in Stank, bap. 30 SEP 1744 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  As Walter’s brother James is recorded in Stewarts of the South as the only surviving male then it is suggested that Walter died young.

      It is worth noting the distinct gap in children following 1745.

   4. Catharine STEWART, b. 17 FEB 1750 in Stank, bap. 11 MAR 1750 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.
   5. Alexander STEWART, b. 6 APR 1752 in Stank, bap. 12 APR 1752 Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  As Alexander’s brother James is recorded in Stewarts of the South as the only surviving male then it is suggested that Alexander died young.
   6.  James STEWART, Younger of Stank, b. 27 DEC 1753 in Stank and bap. 30 DEC 1753 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. Stewarts of the South records that Stank “formerly belonged to Buchanan of Auchlessy, afterwards to the late laird of McNab, and since sold to a gentleman in Glasgow.  [Stank] is in the Parish of Callendar.  According to Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions, James married Rebecca BUCHANAN, although no record of the marriage has been found.  They had the following children:
      1. James STEWART, b 6 DEC 1778 and bap. 9 DEC 1778 in Stank, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is recorded in Stewarts of the South as having “died in the West Indies.”
      2.  Rev. John STEWART in Glenfinglas and Atholl, born 12 MAR 1780 and bap. 21 MAR 1780 in Stank, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Rev. John Stewart is recorded in Stewarts of the South as “Minister of Blair in Athol” and later in Stewarts of the South as “Mr Stewart of Blair had his part of Glenfinglas since his settlement in Athol.”  He is recorded in Mitchell’s MIs as: “#4 (enclosed with 5 & 6) Rev John Stewart admitted min of Blair 20.2.1806 d. 22.3.1843. w Anne Brown Wight 25.4.1870 chn: Maria, Robt, Jas, Alister, Rebecca, Anne. by surviving chn, Mrs Campbell, Maj Gen J.R. STUART c.b., Revd Atholl STUART (ED: see Fasti ecclesiae iv 145, 170, 283, & iii 21 (Mackinlay); Atholl Stuart, Blair Atholl as it was and is (1875) Revd John S. B 1781, parents Jas STEWART, tacksman of Stank, Callander & Rebecca BUCHANAN, da Jane md Revd Campbell Min Moulin & da Rebecca Md Col Jas Campbell 50th Madras Native Infantry.”  The Fasti Ecclesiae Vol. IV references cited in Mitchell are presented in the thumbnails at the right.

         Rev. John Stewart married on 20 NOV 1804 in Cranston, Midlothian, Scotland to Anne Brown WIGHT.  They had the following children:

         1.  Jane McConochie STEWART b: 16 JUN 1805 in Cranston, Midlothian, Scotland.  Jane married on 14 APR 1833 in Blair Atholl and on 15 APR 1833 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland to Rev. Duncan CAMPBELL , in Moulin b: SEP 1803 in Kenmore, Perthshire, Scotland.  Rev. Duncan Campbell was minister in Moulin and is described in the biography inset above.  They had the following children:
            1.  Rev. John Robert CAMPBELL , in Monzievaird b: 25 MAR 1834 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland.  John was minister at Monzievaird and is described in the biography inset above.
            2.  Emily Glenlyon CAMPBELL b: 3 JUL 1835 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
            3.  Jane Mary CAMPBELL b: 28 FEB 1837 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
            4.  Atholl CAMPBELL b: 11 APR 1839 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
            5.  Anne Maria CAMPBELL b: 24 NOV 1841 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
            6.  Nina CAMPBELL b: 11 FEB 1843 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
            7.  Janetta CAMPBELL b: 22 DEC 1845 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
            8.  Duncan CAMPBELL b: 10 JUN 1847 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
         2.  Maria McDonald STEWART b: 8 NOV 1806 in Scotland.  Maria died in childhood.
         3.  Rebecca STEWART b: 1 JAN 1808 in Scotland.  She married on 30 OCT 1841 to James CAMPBELL,  James was a lieutenant colonel in the 50th Madras Native Infantry.
         4.  Ann Gillespie STEWART b: 20 JAN 1810 in Scotland
         5.  Gen. John Ramsay STUART , C.B. b: 18 JUN 1811 in Manse, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland.  John was General and Commander of the Royal forces in Scotland. John is recorded in Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions as follows: “#6 General John Ramsay STUART, C.B. Colnel 2nd Battn Dorset Regt b Blair Manse 1811, d maulside Norwood 1889, 79. served in R S F for 37 y at Battles of Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman, Siege of Sebastopol, commanded the regiment at Inkerman & afterwards for 13 y, beloved of all ranks, when General he held command of the troops in Scotland 1875 – 8. by wid & Chn, w Lilian OSWALD 24.8.1824 – 25.2.1909.” John is recorded as a Captain at the time of his marriage.  John married on 14 FEB 1849 in Barony, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland to Lillias Oswald MITCHELL b: 24 AUG 1824 in Cessnock, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland.  They had the following child:
            1.  John Walter Robert STEWART b: 6 JUN 1854 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland
         6.  James Gillespie STEWART b: 29 SEP 1813 in Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland
         7.  Rev. Atholl STUART , in Blair Atholl b: 19 FEB 1818 in Manse, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland.  Rev. Atholl Stewart was a Free Church minister in Blair Atholl. He is recorded in Mitchell’s MIs: “#5, (next to 4) Athole STUART for 38 y min F.C. here d 13.9.1894, 76, w Margt HENDRY 6.1.1881, 56. da Anne Jane 3.4.1887, 21, 1s John Wm 28.3.1929 69 yr s Jas Alex 19.6.1950, 86, by surviving chn (in) 1897 (ED: see ewing Annals of the free Church— in 1843 the son of the late minister, who was acting as supply “came out”– in no district did the free Church encounter more determined and bitter opposition).”  He married Margaret HENDRY b: 1825.  They had the following children:
            1.  John William STEWART b: 1860 in Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland
            2.  James Alexander STEWART b: 1864 in Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland
            3.  Anne Jane STEWART b: 1866 in Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland
         8.  Lt. Alexander Robert STEWART b: 9 APR 1824 in Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alasdair was a lieutenant in the 31st Madras Native Infantry and died at Ranmad.
         9.  Robert STEWART b: 10 JUL 1836 in Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland.  He died in childhood.
      3. Robert STEWART, b. 7 JAN 1782 and bap. 13 JAN 1782 in Stank, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is recorded in Stewarts of the South as being “in the West Indies in the way of making a fortune.”
      4. Bruce STEWART, b. 12 AUG 1783 and bap. 20 AUG 1783 in Stank, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Bruce is recorded in Stewarts of the South as having died in the East Indies.
      5. Walter STEWART, b. 23 APR 1785 and bap. 28 APR 1785 in Stank, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Walter is recorded in Stewarts of the South as “a surgeon, a decent clever man died there also.”  He died before about 1818.
      6. Alexander STEWART, b. ABT 1788 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. Alexander is recorded in Stewarts of the South as having died at home. (No birth record has been found).
   7. Jean STEWART, b. 16 DEC 1756 in Stank, bap. 23 DEC 1756 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

Stank later passed to the Stewarts of Inverlochlarig – Line 4 of this family, below.

Other Stank families:

The following families also resided in Stank and may be related to the preceding branch, but have not been reconciled.

Duncan STEUART and Mary (possibly mis-transcribed for Marg. although IGI agrees) STEUART in Stank (Duncan & Marg m 23 JUL 1716 in Callander)

1. Robert STEUART, b. 1 FEB 1715 in Stank, bap. 6 FEB 1715 in Stank, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. (Mother: Mary)
2. Catherine STEUART, b. 1 JUL 1717 in Stank, bap. 4 JUL 1717 in Staing, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. (Mother: Mary)
3. Mary STEUART, b/b 19/22 MAR 1720 in Wester Bridge of Turk (mother Margaret)
4. Katherine STUART, b/b 18/21 JAN 1722 in Wester Bridge of Turk (mother Margaret)
5. Alexander STUART, b/b 23/28 JUN 1724 in Easter Brig o Turk (Mother: Marg)
6. Jannet STUART, b/b 16/20 NOV 1726 in Easter Bridge of Turk (Mother: Margaret)
7. Donald STEWART, b/b 6/9 MAR 1729 in Easter Bridge of Turk (Mother: Margaret)
8. Duncan STEWART, b/b 9/10 MAY 1733 in Dowart (Margaret)
9. Anne STEWART, b/b 10/12 OCT 1739 in Dowart (Margaret)
10. Elizabeth STEWART, b/b 23 MAY 1740 in Dowart (Margaret)

Donald STEWART and Janet MCGREGOR-alias-DRUMMOND in Culintogle and Stank

1. James STEWART, b. 4 APR 1757 in Culintogle, bap. 4 APR 1757 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.
2. Margaret STEWART, b. 4 FEB 1759 in Culintogle, bap. 8 FEB 1759 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.
3. Agnes STEWART, b. 22 JUL 1760 in Cullintogle, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
4. Duncan STEWART, b. 31 DEC 1762 in Stank, bap. 2 JAN 1763 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.
5. Donald STEWART, b. 15 MAR 1765 in Stank, bap. 17 MAR 1765 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.
6. Jean STEWART, b. 3 JUN 1769 in Groddich, Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Belinda Dettman’s research, Jean married Duncan MONTGOMERIE and had the following children:
   1. Janet MONTGOMERIE, bap. 9 DEC 1796 in Port of Menteith parish, Perthshire, Scotland
   2. Duncan MONTGOMERIE, bap. 16 MAR 1800 in Port of Menteith parish, Perthshire, Scotland
   3. James MONTGOMERIE, bap. 6 FEB 1802 in Port of Menteith parish, Perthshire, Scotland
   4. John MONTGOMERIE, bap. 5 NOV 1803 in Port of Menteith parish, Perthshire, Scotland
   5. Margaret MONTGOMERIE, b. 10 APR 1807 in Port of Menteith parish, Perthshire, Scotland
   6. Duncan MONTGOMERIE, bap. 6 APR 1809 in Port of Menteith parish, Perthshire, Scotland
7. Ann STEWART, b. 13 AUG 1771 in Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

Unknown Mausoleum in Stank Glen 1907
To the best of our knowledge, this photo is public domain. University of St. Andrews

This tomb was brought to our attention by a local hiker, Mr. Lindsay Wilson, who directed us to the above photo on the University of St. Andrews website.  According to Lindsay, there is no indication of a name for who is buried in the tomb.  The tomb bears the following inscription:
Grey recumbent tombs of the dead in desert places,
Standing stones on the vacant wine-red moor,
Hills of sheep, and the howes of the silent vanished races,
And winds, austere and pure:
This be the verse you ‘grave for me:
Here he lies where he long’d to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
(Robert Louis Stevenson)

Lindsay Wilson estimates the date of the tomb to be late 19th century given the date of the photo and the fact that it contained verses from Robert Louis Stevenson.  And we would add to that the fact that the verses are in English rather than Gaelic would suggest mid-19th century at the earliest.

Any information as to the occupant(s) of the tomb would be most welcome.

3 Line – The “Caleb” Stewarts in Strathyre

In Auchnandave and Ardnandave

The next branch of the Glenogle Stewarts is a family of Stewarts who also lived in Strathyre and who were known as “The Caleb Stewarts”.  The “Caleb” Stewart family lived on various farmsteads in Stathyre in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland, including the farmsteads of Ardnandave, Auchnandave, Asplar, Easter Cregan, Laggan and Immervuline.  This branch was named after Caleb Stewart, son of James Stewart in Ardnandave.  Presumably Caleb was a significant person who rose to the head of this clan.  However, we know nothing of Caleb other than a few bare facts and details.  Hopefully a descendant of this branch will contact us with an anecdotal history to fill out these bare details.

Auchnandave derives from the Gaelic Achadh nan Damh meaning “field of the stags”.  Ardnandave derives from Ard nan Damh which means “height of the stags.”  Both of these are now extinct, although they may not represent two different residences but may be two ways of referring to the same residence, with Auchnandave referring to the field at the bottom of the Glen and Ardnandave referring to the actual residence.  We note that James Stewart, below is recorded in Stewarts of the South as being “a tacksman of Auchnandave” but contemporary maps show the name of the farm as Ardnandave.  The map above shows the former location of Ardnandave Farm at the foot of the Ardnandave Glen on the west shore of Loch Lubnaig in Strathyre.

Stewarts of the South presents this branch in very sparse detail, saying only:

James Stewart, [a] tacksman of Auchnandave in Strathyre [in] Balquhidder Parish, [on] Buchanan of Auchlessy’s property, formerly that of Arnprior.  [He] left three sons, [namely]

1. Dugal, a labouring man in Stirling
2. Walter, [a] schoolmaster; Temple S from Edinburgh
3. Caleb, [a] tenant of Inver-a-riach, [in] Strathyre, [on] Buchanan of Auchlessy’s property. [He] has two sons with himself, [namely]
   1. James
   2. John

We believe this James was married three times, however the sons shown here come only from the marriages we believe to be his second and third.  We believe he had three sons from his first marriage.  One is believed to have died young, but the other two are merely unaccounted for.  Normally, we would suggest that these other sons probably died young since they’re not mentioned in Stewarts of the South.  However, James’ youngest son, Robert, had several male-line descendants who continued to reside in Strathyre into the mid-19th century, which Stewarts of the South also fails to mention, but which are mentioned in The Ardvorlich History.  So it may simply be that the author of Stewarts of the South was just unfamiliar with this branch… or we have completely screwed up the accounting of this family. 🙂

The earliest verifiable ancestor of this branch is James Stewart in Auchnandave in Strathyre.  Onomastics would favour that James’ father’s name was probably “Robert”.  This “Robert” Stewart, who probably resided in Strathyre, descends from the Stewarts of Glenogle at an uncertain point.  As this branch is recorded as being junior to the Monachyle and Stank branches, but senior to the later branches, it is suggested that “Robert” was probably a grandson of Duncan Stewart, 2nd in Monachyle (shown above), through an unknown younger son, possibly named “James”.

 James STEWART, in Auchnandave in Strathyre, b: ABT 1710 in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as “[a] tacksman of Auchnandave in Strathyre [in] Balquhidder Parish, [on] Buchanan of Auchlessy’s property, formerly that of Arnprior.” James’ exact place of birth is unknown. James is listed in Stewarts of the South as the patriarch of 3-Line of the Stewarts of Glenogle, a cadet branch of the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran. James’ exact line of descent from the Stewarts of Glenogle has not been determined. The present arrangement as shown here represents our current best theoretical reconstruction. The Ardvorlich History refers to this branch as “The Caleb Stewarts” — a reference to James’ son, Caleb, (by his second marriage) who presumably rose to a place of local prominence in the clan. James is believed to have married three times, however, Stewarts of the South records his surviving sons coming only from his second and third marriages (by our accounting). So it’s possible that the marriage we have shown as first here may actually be a different James Stewart in Auchnandave, but the coincidence of names, dates and geography makes it more likely that they are all the same James.

James is believed to have married firstly on 18 OCT 1742 in Callander parish to Jean STEWART.  James Stewart and Jean Stewart had the following children:

1.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 10 JAN 1744 in Ardnandave in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is presumed to have died young prior to the birth of his same-named half-brother in 1770.
2.  James STEWART b: ABT 3 MAR 1746 in Ardnandave in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is not mentioned in Stewarts of the South and may have died young, or may simply have been unknown to the author of Stewarts of the South.
3.  Isobell STEWART b: ABT 12 APR 1750 in Ardnandave in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
4.  Duncan STEWART b: ABT 20 APR 1752 in Asplar in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotlan.  Duncan is not mentioned in Stewarts of the South and may have died young, or may simply have been unknown to the author of Stewarts of the South.

Stewarts of the South only notes James’ later sons Dugal, Walter, and Caleb as surviving (all from the family we show as his second marriage).  So, either his sons above did not survive or the family above belongs to a different James Stewart living in Ardnandave.

James is known to have married on DEC 1754 in Aberfoyle and 18 JAN 1755 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Jean GRAEME/GRAHAME.  We believe this to be James’ second marriage.  Jean is believed to have been from Callander parish.  James Stewart and Jean Graeme had the following children:

1.  Dugal STEWART b: 14 JUN 1757 in Easter Cregan in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Dugal is described in Stewarts of the South as a labourer in Stirling.
2.  Margery STEWART b: ABT MAY 1759 in Ardcarch Farm, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
3.  Walter STEWART b: 16 SEP 1762 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland.  Walter is described in Stewarts of the South as a schoolmaster in Temple S. (Street/School/Stewart?) in Edinburgh.
4.  Caleb STEWART , in Inverariach and Immervoulin b: ABT 8 MAY 1765 in Ardnandave in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Caleb is described in Stewarts of the South as “[a] tenant of Inver-a-riach, [in] Strathyre, [on] Buchanan of Auchlessy’s property” and in the Stewarts of the South Appendix as “Caleb Stewart, Innervulin [in] Strathyre, of the Gartnafuaran family, an industrious good man, �70, Buchanan of Achleskie’s [property], under the same… [?]” OPR records indicate that he later resided in Laggan, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Stewarts of the South records that he had only two sons, James and John, but no birth record has been found for any such sons. Onomastics would dictate that Caleb should have named his eldest son James, so it seems reasonable to suggest that Stewarts of the South is correct and that Caleb was married firstly to an unknown woman by whom he had sons James and John and secondly on 2 MAY 1795 to Janet FERGUSSON of Balquhidder parish, by whom he had sons Robert and Patrick.

   Therefore, it is suggested that Caleb Stewart married firstly to an unknown woman by whom he had the following children”

   1.  James STEWART b: ABT 1790 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is recorded in Stewarts of the South as being a son of Caleb Stewart, alive ca. 1815, but no further description is given of him. No record of his birth has been found and it’s not known if he had any children.
   2.  John STEWART b: ABT 1792 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John is recorded in Stewarts of the South as being a son of Caleb Stewart, alive ca. 1815, but no further description is given of him. No record of his birth has been found and it’s not known if he had any children.

   The Balquhidder OPR confirms that Caleb married on 2 MAY 1795 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Janet FERGUSON b: ABT 1775 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  We suggest this is Caleb’s second marriage.  Caleb Stewart and Janet Ferguson had the following family:

   1.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 3 APR 1796 in Laggan in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is not mentioned in Stewarts of the South. It may be that he died young or he may have been unknown to the author of Stewarts of the South.
   2.  Patrick STEWART b: ABT 7 APR 1797 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Patrick is not mentioned in Stewarts of the South. It may be that he died young or he may have been unknown to the author of Stewarts of the South.

James Stewart is believed to have married thirdly ABT 1769 to Margaret MCNIE, although no record of their marriage has been found.  Robert’s great-granddaughters from this line are referred to in The Ardvorlich History as “Caleb Stewarts”, presumably a reference to them being “of Caleb’s family” even though they are not descended from Caleb himself.  James and Margaret had the following child:

1.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 4 NOV 1770 in Auchnandave in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This Robert is believed to be the Robert Stewart who married Janet WALKER (although no record of their marriage has been found) and had the following children. However these children do not fit onomastically, as Robert’s eldest son should be named James. And Robert seems too young to be born in 1770 and having his first child in 1791. But Robert’s great-granddaughters (below) are referred to as “Caleb Stewarts”, presumably a reference to a family relationship to Caleb Stewart, shown here as Robert’s half-brother.  Robert and Janet had the following children:
   1.  Donald STEWART b: ABT 6 FEB 1791 in Craigtoune, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  Donald is recorded as “Daniel Stewart” in the 1851 census as born 1793 in Callander and residing with his niece, Janet Stewart, in Laggan.
   2.  John STEWART b: 9 AUG 1792 in Heads, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland
   3.  James STEWART b: 29 DEC 1794 in Heads, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland
   4.  Christian STEWART b: 19 AUG 1796 in Heads, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland
   5.  Peter STEWART , in Immervoulin in Strathyre b: 12 NOV 1798 in Heads, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  The Ardvorlich History refers to three of Peter’s daughters as “Caleb Stewarts” — this being a reference to the fact that Peter’s father was half-brother to Caleb Stewart, chief of this branch. Peter married on 29 DEC 1821 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Jean MCGREGOR at which time they are described as being both of Balquhidder parish. Two of their daughters married Stewarts from the Auchnahard family in Glenfinglas. The Auchnahard family is accounted in The Ardvorlich History in which the two daughters are referred to as “Caleb Stewarts” and each being sisters to “Mrs. Stewart in Laggan”.  Peter and Jean had the following children:
      1.  Janet STEWART b: ABT 1 SEP 1822 in Immervuline, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Janet Stewart is the “Mrs. Stewart of Laggan” mentioned in the following reference from The Ardvorlich History (Glenfinglas Section): “John [Stewart] of the Grodich married Mary, a daughter of Duncan Stewart, son of John Bhan Stewart. This John married a Caleb [Stewart] sister of Mrs. Charles Stewart and Mrs. Stewart of Laggan.”  Janet was a “Caleb Stewart”, that is, a descendant of Branch III of the Stewarts of Glenogle. Janet’s grandfather’s half-brother was Caleb Stewart in Laggan.  In 1851 Janet’s uncle, Daniel Stewart, is shown residing with the family in Laggan. Daneil (Donald) is the brother of Janet’s father, Peter Stewart of Immervouin.

         Janet Stewart married on 15 AND 18 JAN 1853 in Balquhidder and Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland to Robert STEWART , 2nd of Laggan b: ABT 6 JUN 1821 in Laggan in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, son of James Stewart, 1st of Laggan and Mary Stewart.  They had the following children (shown in more detail in the Stewarts of Laggan article):

         1.  Mary STEWART b: 16 OCT 1854 in Laggan, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
         2.  Jean STEWART b: ABT 23 SEP 1856 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
         3.  Daughter STEWART b: ABT 21 AUG 1858 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
         4.  James STEWART b: ABT 30 SEP 1858 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
         5.  Peter STEWART , in Immervoulin b: ABT 30 NOV 1862 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
      2.  Robert STEWART b: 22 DEC 1823 in Immervuline, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This Robert may be the Robert Stewart who had an illegitimate daughter with Christian Stewart, daughter of James Stewart 1st of Laggan, cited in the following reference: Mary STEWART, b. 1 FEB 1854 and bap. 15 DEC 1854 in Laggan in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. She is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as “begotten in fornication with Robert STEWART, farm servant in Laggan.”
      3.  Mary STEWART b: 09 OCT 1825 in Immervuline, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Mary married in 1855 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland to John DUNN b: 1832 in Milling, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland, son of John Dunn and Margaret Stewart.  Margaret being the daughter of John Stewart, 2nd in Achra (Line 9 below).  Mary Stewart and John Dunn had the following children:
         1.  Jane DUNN b: 11 JUL 1855 in Milling, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
         2.  Margaret DUNN b: 1858 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
      4.  Margaret STEWART b: 25 FEB 1828 in Immervuline, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Margaret married on 2 DEC 1856 in Laggan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to John STEWART, of The Grodich in Glenfinglas b: ABT 4 AUG 1818 in Grodich, Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, son of John Stewart of the Grodich and his wife Mary Stewart of Glenfinglas.  They had the following children (presented in more detail on our Glenfinglas Page):
         1.  John STEWART b: 29 DEC 1857 in Grodich, Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
         2.  Mary STEWART b: 27 MAR 1861 in Auchnahard, Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
      5.  Son STEWART b: 18 MAR 1830 in Immervuline, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This son is not named in the OPR and is presumed to have died at birth.
      6.  Marjory STEWART b: 19 APR 1832 in Immervuline, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  The Ardvorlich History describes Marjory as “a Caleb, John of Grodich’s sister.”  She married on 16 OCT 1860 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Charles STEWART b: ABT 25 DEC 1816 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, son of Alastair Mhor Stewart in Auchnahard, Glenfinglas.  Charles was a second cousin to John Stewart of the Grodich who married Marjory’s sister, Margaret.  In 1881 they were living on Glenfinglas Road in Auchnahard and had no known children.

According to Mrs Stewart of Milton’s account: “There was a crofter in Strathyre named Stewart. He had three daughters: Margaret who married John (my cousin) son of John Stewart, Grodich; Marjory married Charles who died in Callander, and Janet married Stewart farmer in Laggan.

4 Line – The Stewarts in Inverlochlarig Mhor

Latterly in Stank, Glenogle, Monachyle, and Craigrui

Rob Roy MacGregor’s former residence

The next branch of the Glenogle Stewarts is a family of Stewarts who came from Inverlochlarig Mor in western Balquhidder.  Inverlochlarig is most famously known as the final residence of Rob Roy MacGregor after he was run out of Glengyle, just to the southwest on Loch Katrine.

As this property is not far from Monachyle, it seems likely that this branch probably descends in a presently unknown manner from Duncan Stewart, 2nd in Monachyle.  This family is recorded in Stewarts of the South with only the following entry:

James Stewart, late tenant of Inverlochlarig-mor in Balquhidder, formerly [the] property of McGregor of Glencarnaig, now that of the Earl of Moray, left two sons, [namely]

1. Alexander, [a] surgeon at Bo-ness in a respectable way, and who has a large family
2. David, a respectable dancing-master in Stirling, who has one son

Onomastics would favour that the father of James above might be called “Alexander”.  This “Alexander” descended from the Stewarts of Glenogle in a presently unknown manner.  Our present best guess is that he likely was a grandson of Duncan Stewart, 2nd in Monachyle, perhaps by the same theoretical “James” Stewart by which we suggest that the “Caleb” Stewarts also descend.  See the entry above for Duncan Stewart, 2nd in Monachyle, for more information.  We account for this family as follows:

 Alexander? STEWART Predecessor of Inverlochlarig b: ABT 1680 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, shown above as a theoretical grandson of Duncan Stewart, 2nd of Monachyle, however the exact connection between this family and the Stewarts of Glenogle has not been established. As the Inverlochlarig Stewarts descend from the Glenogle Stewarts at a point that is probably junior to that of the Caleb Stewarts and probably senior to that of the Auchtow Stewarts then the most logical place for them to descend would be here. However, it must be considered that the reliability of the ranking of the cadet lines as presented in Stewarts of the South probably decreases with the later lines. Thus it cannot be counted on that 4 Line is necessarily junior to 3 Line and senior to 5 Line, only that the author of Stewarts of the South believed that to be so.  Alexander is suggested as the father of:

1.  Alexander? STEWART b: ABT 1710 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander’s exact name is not known but is suggested from onomastics only.  He was the father of:
   1.  James STEWART in Inverlochlarig Mhor b: ABT 1740 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as: “James Stewart, late tenant of Inverlochlarig-mor in Balquhidder, formerly [the] property of McGregor of Glencarnaig, now that of the Earl of Moray, left two sons, [namely] Alexander, [a] surgeon at Bo-ness in a respectable way, and who has a large family [and David, a respectable dancing-master in Stirling, who has one son.”

      No matching birth record for son Alexander has been found. There is an excellent match for son David as shown here. Furthermore the Balquhidder OPR and Stewarts of the South show no other family that would match this description residing in Inverlochlarig. Thus we can be reasonably confident in the family as accounted here.

      The marriage of James Stewart and Catharine Stewart shown here is not confirmed. There is at least one other couple in the parish also named James Stewart and Catharine Stewart for whom the marriage in 1768 could also fit. The marriage register describes the couple simply as “both of this parish” which could apply to either couple. However, this James and Catherine are shown in the Balquhidder OPR having an illegitimate daughter in 1766 and then a legitimate son, David later in 1768 so the marriage does fit well here.

      There is no record of the birth of their first son Alexander. It is not known if Alexander may also have been born of the same parents prior to their marriage or if Alexander may have been the product of a previous marriage of his father, not recorded. In the absence of evidence either way Alexander is presently shown as the child of both James and Catharine for convenience.

      James is believed to have married on 13 FEB 1768 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Catharine STEWART b: ABT 14 JUL 1741 in Invercarnaig, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, daughter of Duncan Roy Stewart and Janet McAllum.  Catharine and James’ daughter, Catharine, was born illegitimately and the child’s grandfather, Duncan Stewart, was sponsor. Onomastics would suggest that Duncan was Catharine’s father. On that basis, there is only one match in the Balquhidder OPR for Catharine’s birth, and that is as shown here.  Duncan Roy Stewart’s ancestry has not been identified.

      James and Catherine had the following children:

      1.  Dr. Alexander STEWART Surgeon in Bo’ness b: ABT 1763 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
         1. Alexander’s information and descendants are presented below.
      2.  David STEWART Dancing Master b: ABT 12 JUN 1768 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  David is recorded in Stewarts of the South as being a “respectable dancing master in Stirling” and having had one son in 1815.  David’s son has not been identified.
      3.  Duncan STEWART in Glen Ogle b: ABT 02 JUN 1771 in Invernenty, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
         1. Duncan’s information and descendants are presented below.
      4.  Catharine STEWART b: ABT 08 JUN 1766 in Braes of Balquhidder, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  The Balquhidder OPR records Catharine’s birth as: “1766 JUN 8 – James Stewart and Catharine Stewart both in the Breas had a child begotten in fornication baptized and called Catharine and Duncan Stewart the Grandfather was sponsor for the child.” Her parents were married three years later. Catharine’s grandfather, Duncan, who acted as baptism sponsor, was most likely her maternal grandfather.

Dr. Alexander Stewart, Surgeon in Bo’ness and latterly in Stank

Dr. Alexander STEWART Surgeon in Bo’ness b: ABT 1763 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, shown above as a son of James Stewart in Inverlochlarig Mhor.  No record of Alexander’s birth has been found. As he was likely born a few years prior to his illegitimate sister, Catherine, it’s most likely that Alexander was either illegitimate himself or the product of a prior marriage which has not been recorded.

Dr. Alexander Stewart is recorded in Stewarts of the South as a son of James Stewart in Inverlochlarig Mor and as: “Alexander, [a] surgeon at Bo-ness in a respectable way, and who has a large family.” Bo’ness is in Midlothian. The Balquhidder OPR reveals a matching Alexander Stewart residing in Inverlochlarig Mor who has nine children including eight sons, which matches with the description in Stewarts of the South. However, the descendants of this family are found residing in Stank (another Glenogle clan holding) and have not been successfully traced to Bo’ness. If we have correctly accounted for this family then it would appear that Dr. Alexander Stewart did not move to Bo’ness until sometime between 1811 after his children were born and 1818ish when Stewarts of the South was written. There is no trace of Dr. Alexander Stewart’s descendants in Bo’ness in 1841 or 1851, thus it would seem that either Stewarts of the South is incorrect about him moving to Bo’ness or he wasn’t there very long before his children returned to Balquhidder.

Alexander married on 17 AND 30 DEC 1791 in Balquhidder and Callander, Perthshire, Scotland to Elisabeth STEWART b: ABT 1765 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Her birth family has not been identified.  Elisabeth’s marriage record states that she was from Callander parish. There is no match in the Callander OPR for an Elisabeth Stewart, daughter of Duncan, however there is an excellent match with Elisabeth Stewart b/bap 17/22 SEP 1768 in Corriechrombie, Callander, daughter of James Stewart and Anne Malcolm (possibly of Glenbuckie Branch III). As Ann is a substitute name for Agnes then it is a perfect onomastic, chronological and geographic match.

Alexander and Elisabeth had the following children:

1.  James STEWART b: ABT 05 OCT 1792 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is presumed to have died young prior to the birth of his same-named brother in 1797.
2.  Duncan STEWART b: ABT 21 APR 1794 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan is found in 1841 residing in Stank with his 2nd wife and daughter Janet. He has not been found in any other census records and is presumed to have died or emigrated between 1841-1851. In 1851 his daughter Elisa is found residing in Stank with her uncle James Stewart. Elisa is shown as being born in Dalgety, Fife, Scotland, confirming that the Dalgety and Balquhidder births for the children shown here do indeed belong to the same family. Dalgety is believed to have been one of the properties of the Earl of Murray which may indicate that Duncan was employed by the Earl.  Duncan married firstly on 11 JUN 1825 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Elizabeth MACNEIL b: 1796 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  They had the following children:
   1.  Janet STEWART b: ABT 26 NOV 1826 in Carstran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Janet was residing with her parents in Stank in 1841.
   2.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 16 OCT 1829 in Dalgety, Fife, Scotland.  Alexander is found residing with his parents in Stank in 1841.
   3.  Elisa STEWART b: ABT 23 AUG 1831 in Dalgety, Fife, Scotland. Elisa is not found in 1841, but in 1851 she was residing with her uncle, James Stewart, in Stank.
3.  John STEWART b: ABT 20 MAR 1795 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
4.  James STEWART b: ABT 04 DEC 1797 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is found residing in Stank in 1851-1871 where he was a farmer. He is shown with no wife or children and is presumed to have never married.
5.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 13 FEB 1800 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is found in 1841 residing with his brother Duncan in Stank. Robert has not been found in any other census records.
6.  David STEWART b: ABT 20 JUN 1802 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  David is found residing with his brother James in Stank in 1841-1871 where he was working as shepherd.
7.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 08 MAY 1805 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander has not been found in any census records.
8.  Agnes STEWART b: ABT 14 FEB 1808 in Inverlochlarig Mhor, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
9.  Archibald STEWART b: 1811 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  No birth record has been found for Archibald. He is found in 1851 residing in Stank with his brother James. Archibald is shown as a retired innkeeper, though it’s hard to understand how he could be retired at the age of only 40.

Duncan Stewart in Glen Ogle and latterly of Monachyle

 Duncan STEWART in Glen Ogle b: ABT 02 JUN 1771 in Invernenty, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan’s birth as shown here is not confirmed but is an excellent onomastic and chronological match from the Balquhidder OPR. Mrs Stewart of Milton says that Ann McDonald married “____ Stewart, a farmer at Glen Ogle” who were parents of Duncan Stewart of Monachyle who married Mary Stewart, sister of Mrs Stewart in Milton. Duncan’s wife was Ann McDonald, sister of Donald McDonald of Monachyle. Duncan is found in 1841 residing at “Glenagle Farson” (according to Ancestry.com’s transcriptions). The first element is clearly Glen Ogle, but the second element does not resemble any known residence in Glen Ogle. Duncan’s wife Ann and their sons James, Duncan and Donald are residing with them. Duncan is shown as born ca. 1781 however the 1841 census ages are not accurate. Duncan died between 1841-51 and his widow Ann is found residing at Glen Ogle in 1851 with their sons James, Archibald and Donald. Their son Duncan is residing at Monachyle with his uncle, Donald McDonald of Monachyle.

Duncan married on 12 MAR 1803 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Agnes/Ann MCDONALD b: 30 DEC 1779 in Arivurichardich, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, daughter of Archibald McDonald of Monachyle and Margaret Stewart of Cashlies (shown as a supplementary article under the Stewarts of Monachyle above.)  Ann is found in 1841 residing at Glenogle with her husband and sons. In 1851 she is found residing at Glenogle as “head”. Therefore she must have been widowed by 1851. Ann is found in 1861 residing at Glenogle with her sons James and Donald (transcribed as “Steward”).

Duncan and Agnes/Ann had the following children:

1.  James STEWART b: ABT 04 JUL 1805 in Dallanlaggan of Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James never married nor had children. James is found in 1841 residing in Glenogle with his parents and brothers. James is found in 1851 residing at Glenogle with his widowed mother and brothers Archibald and Donald. In 1861 James was residing at Glenogle with his mother and brother Donald (transcribed as “Steward”). James is not found in 1871 and is presumed to have died.
2.  Archibald STEWART b: ABT 28 JUL 1807 in Dallanlaggan of Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Archibald is not found with his parents in 1841, however he is found in 1851 residing at Glenogle with his widowed mother and brothers James and Donald. Archibald is not found in 1861 or 1871. He may have died or emigrated.
3.  Duncan STEWART of Monachyle b: ABT 02 JUL 1809 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan is found in 1841 residing in Glen Ogle with his parents. He is the “Duncan Stewart in Monachyle” mentioned in the following reference from The Ardvorlich History: “Robert, a farmer at Drunkie, who married Monachyle’s sister, and had one daughter who married Duncan, now in Monachyle, another married John Stewart of the Milton.” Mrs Stewart of Milton refers to Duncan’s wife as her sister.

   Duncan is found in 1851 residing in Monachyle and shown as the nephew of Donald McDonald of Monachyle and employed as “farm steward”. Donald McDonald is shown as the “landed proprietor.” The estate is shown as 5500 acres with 40 employees — an enormous estate by Scottish standards. In 1861 Duncan and his wife are shown as the sole occupants of Monachyle. He is still shown as a farm steward. Interestingly, there is an identical Duncan Stewart shown as a farm steward at Craigrui. It’s possible they could be the same person and that Duncan was proprietor of both properties. This would explain the “Glen Ogle” connection mentioned by Mrs Stewart of Milton.

   It appears that Duncan inherited Monachyle after Donald McDonald died. According to Mrs Stewart of Milton, Duncan was sued by his distant cousin Duncan Stewart in Shenachyle over the inheritance of the estate of Monachyle (which appear to have also included Craigrui.) Donald McDonald of Monachyle had no children of his own and his brothers all pre-deceased him with no male heirs of their own. The details of the lawsuit are not known to us, but by traditional rules of inheritance the next in line to inherit Monachyle would be Donald’s sisters from oldest to youngest. Donald McDonald’s oldest sister was Elizabeth McDonald who married Walter Stewart of Edraleachdach and Lorachan whose daughter Magdalene Stewart married Duncan Stewart in Monachyle who raised the lawsuit. Whereas this Duncan Stewart was the son of Ann McDonald, a younger sister of Donald McDonald.

   Duncan Stewart in Shenachyle’s only known claim would have been through his wife’s mother, who, being the oldest sister of Donald McDonald probably would have had a better claim than this Duncan Stewart being the son of Donald’s younger sister. It appears Duncan Stewart in Shenachyle felt he had some right to his mother-in-law’s claim. (Perhaps this may have been influence by the fact that both of his brothers were lawyers.) However, even if he could have established the validity of his mother-in-law’s claim, then her oldest son, James Stewart, 5th of Edraleachdach and Lorachan, would have had the superior claim over Magdalene Stewart. Duncan Stewart in Shenachyle was not successful in his claim and the estate of Monachyle passed to this Duncan Stewart.

   This Duncan Stewart had been working for many years as the estate manager for Donald McDonald and was probably closest to him. We also know that Duncan Stewart’s ancestors had been the previous owners of Monachyle and Craigrui prior to the estate being acquired by the McDonalds. As such, the estate ended up reverting to the heir of its previous owner. I’m sure Duncan felt like he was fighting to get his own family’s estate back.

   The lawsuit must have been settled by 1871 as in the census that year Duncan is shown residing at Monachyle with his occupation given as “farmer of 7000 acres” indicating that he was the proprietor of the property, and an enormous property at that! They were obviously extremely prosperous as they are shown with a large estate staff including a private tutor, a house maid, a dairy maid, a ploughman, 4 shepherds, and 2 cowherds.

   However, curiously, Duncan’s brother, Donald, is shown residing in 1871 at Glenogle Farm. He is shown as “brother” to the head of household who is shown as Duncan Stewart, b 1808 in Balquhidder. These two Duncans must be the same person, just as Duncan was shown in Monachyle and Craigrui in 1861. Thus it would appear that Duncan’s vast estates included Monachyle, Craigrui and Glenogle. As 7000 acres seems too large to describe just Monachyle, it may be that Monachyle was his primary residence and he was including the acrages of Craigrui and Glenogle in the description of his holdings.

   In 1881 Duncan was residing at Monachyle and shown as a farmer of 6000 acres. There are no Stewarts residing at Glenogle and Glenogle appears to have been sold off and subdivided into six smaller holdings. This may account for the decrease in Duncan’s holdings from 7000 to 6000 acres. His wife and children were absent. His cousin Archibald Stewart, retired farmer, b 1808 in Callander residing with him who is probably the son of Walter Stewart in Edraleachdach.

   Duncan married on 14 JUN 1859 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland to Mary STEWART b: ABT 07 MAY 1838 in Tarnduin, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, daughter of Robert Stewart of Drunkie and Mary Stewart of the Stewarts of Auchnahard.  Mary is described in The Ardvorlich History as being the wife of “Duncan Stewart in Monachyle.” Mrs Stewart of Milton describes Mary as her sister.  Duncan and Mary had the following children:

   1.  John McDonald STEWART of Monachyle b: 05 DEC 1863 in Monachyle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  According to Mrs Stewart of Milton: “John Stewart Macdonald now of Monacheil who is married to a Miss Hodgeson from Fife.”
   2.  Mary Ann STEWART b: 04 JUL 1871 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Mary Ann married Thomas WALTON b: ABT 1870 in Scotland and had descendants.
4.  Donald STEWART b: ABT 12 MAY 1811 in Bailliemor of Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Donald is found in 1841 residing in Glenogle with his parents. Donald is found in 1851 residing at Glenogle with his widowed mother and brothers James and Archibald. Curiously Donald’s occupation is given as “scholar” even though he was 40 years old — probably an error. In 1861 he was residing at Glenogle with his mother and brother James. In 1871 Donald was residing at Glenogle and shown as the brother to the head of household who is Duncan Stewart (of Monachyle).
5.  Margaret STEWART b: ABT 03 MAR 1814 in Dallinlaggan of Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
6.  Ann STEWART b: ABT 03 MAR 1816 in Glen Ogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Ann’s birth is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as having occured in Glengyle, although she was baptised in Balquhidder. However, this is believed to be a transcription error for Glenogle, as Anne’s father was said to be “in Glenogle.”

5 Line – The Stewarts in Auchtubh (Achtow)

The next branch of the Glenogle Stewarts is a family of Stewarts who resided in Auchtow, located just southwest of the west end of Lochearn.  Auchtow has many different spelling with the first syllable spelled “Auch” or “Ach” and the second syllable spelled “tubh”, “two”, “tow”, “too”.  The name derives from achadh meaning “field” and tubh meaning “thatch”, thus “field of thatch”.  The properties of Cuill, Achra, and Rusgachan are located adjacent to, or very close to Auchtow and it is believed that the families from those places descend from this line.

The following testament gives us a snapshot of part of an early Auchtubh (Achtow) family:

“Testament of James Stewart in Wester Auchtow who died in December of 1684 given up by Alexander Stewart in Glenogil in the name and on behalf of Alexander and Isabel Stewart, children of the defunct. Debts were owed by the deceased Alexander Stewart, brother of the defunct and also Duncan Stewart in Ballimeanoch and James Stewart in Glentarff.”

The children of James in Auchtow were not given into the care of anyone else and must therefore have been adults at the time of their father’s death and must have been born no later than 1664.  James must therefore have been born no later than about 1640.  With James having both a brother and a son named Alexander, onomastics would favour that James’ father was also named Alexander.  Thus, from the above testament we can reconstruct the following theoretical three generation snapshot of the early generations of the Auchtow family:

“Alexander” STEWART, in Auchtow, b. ABT 1600 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  who was father of:

1. Alexander STEWART, b. BEF 1640, in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  He is described in the 1684 testament as brother of James Stewart in Wester Auchtow.

2. James STEWART in Wester Auchtow, b. BEF 1640, in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  He died in 1684.

   1. Alexander STEWART, b. BEF 1664, probably in Wester Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   2. Isabel STEWART, b. BEF 1664, probably in Wester Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.

The “Alexander in Glenogil” who is mentioned as creditor in the testament would be Alexander Stewart, 5th of Glenogle (shown further above).  He must be a close relative to the deceased James.  He could not be a brother, as James’ brother, Alexander, is noted in the testament as already deceased.  The next closest relationship would be first cousin.  This would make James’ father, Alexander, a younger son of Duncan McRobert Stewart, 3rd in Glenogle.  It is possible that he could branch off higher up the tree, but as the fifth most senior branch it would seem unlikely and would create a challenge in accounting for the more junior branches.

This family is described in Stewarts of the South as follows

1. Duncan Stewart late tenant of Auchatoo, [in] Balquidder parish, [on] Sir John McGregor-Murray’s property, left three sons, [namely]
   1. James, a stocking manufacturer in Glasgow who has three sons [under age], a good character
   2. Patrick, a writer in Glasgow, a middling character
   3. Duncan, a clark to the Iron Company at Muirkirk, all their children under age.
2. Robert Stewart, late tenant of Auchatoo, left a son
   1. James, [a] farmer, [in] Gartfarran, [in] Drymen Parish [in] Stirling county, who has four sons.  Thrifty with himself and work as undertaker of roads.

The fact that both these lines have eldest sons named James would suggest that Duncan and Robert are probably brothers, and each sons of a father named James.  Their father, James, would be just the right age to be the son of Alexander who is mentioned in the 1684 testament as son of James in Wester Auchtow.

From the above information we can recreate the following theoretical arrangement for the Auchtow branch:

 Alexander STEWART, 1st in Auchtow, b. ABT 1610 in Glenogle, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is suggested to be a younger son of Duncan MacRobert STEWART, 3rd in Glenogle. Alexander’s name and identity is inferred from the 1684 testament of his suggested son, James Stewart in Wester Auchtow.  It is suggested that Alexander was the father of:

1. “Duncan” STEWART, b. ABT 1630 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  There is no evidence to show the existence of any such son as “Duncan”.  His name and identity are suggested based solely on onomastics.  If he existed at all then it is suggested that he probably died young.

2. Alexander STEWART, 2nd in Auchtow, b. ABT 1632, in Auchtow, Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is described in the 1684 testament as a predeceased brother of James Stewart in Wester Auchtow.  Whether he was an older or younger brother is unknown and does not adversely affect the accounting of this family.  However, the fact that he died before James would lend a small weight to the suggestion that Alexander was older.  It is presently suggested that Alexander was the older brother and that the property of Auchtow would have passed firstly to him, and, presumably with heirs failing, then latterly to his brother James.

3.  James STEWART, 3rd in Wester Auchtow, b. ABT 1635, in Auchtow, Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  He died in 1684.  His testament is presented above.

   1. Alexander STEWART, 4th in Wester Auchtow, b. ABT 1660, probably in Wester Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is described in the 1684 testament as the son of James Stewart in Wester Auchtow.  His suggested descendants are described below.
   2. Isabel STEWART, b. ABT 1664, probably in Wester Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Isabel is described in the 1684 testament as a daughter of James Stewart in Wester Auchtow.
   3. Robert STEWART, 5th in Wester Auchtow, b ABT 1665
4.  “Son” STEWART, predecessor to Cuill and Achra, (POSSIBLY IDENTICAL WITH JAMES STEWART 3RD IN WESTER AUCHTOW) b. ABT 1638 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  There is no documentary evidence for the existence of this unknown son.  He is suggested as the most likely place for the Cuill and Achra branches to descend from.  It is suggested that this unknown son may have been the father of:

   1.  Alexander STEWART, predecessor of Cuill, b. 1663 in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  It is suggested that this Alexander may have been a grandson of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Auchtow, by an unknown son, although it is possible that he could be descended from an earlier line.  However the fact that Cuill is located adjacent to Auchtow suggests that the Cuill family descend from Auchtow.  Furthermore, as the Achra branch, a later cadet branch, also descends from Auchtow then it would seem that Cuill must descend from Auchtow in order to remain senior to the Achra branch.  It is entirely possible that this Alexander could be identical with Alexander 4th in Wester Auchtow.  Alexander’s descendants are presented below under 7 Line – The Stewarts in Cuill.

   2.  Duncan STEWART, in Wester Auchtow, predecessor of Achra, b. ABT 1665 in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  It is shown below that the Achra Stewarts descend from the Wester Achtow branch and this would seem to be the most likely place.  The descendants of Duncan are presented below under 9 Line – The Stewarts in Achra.

Alexander STEWART, 4th in Wester Auchtow

 Alexander (or Robert) STEWART, 4th in Wester Auchtow, b. ABT 1660, probably in Wester Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is described in the 1684 testament as the son of James Stewart in Wester Auchtow.  It is suggested that Alexander is the father of:

1.  “James” (Duncan, b 1700 son of Robert) STEWART, 5th in Wester Auchtow, b. ABT 1700 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  There is no documentary evidence showing the existence of this James.  His name and identity are suggested from the onomastics of his children and grandfather.  Stewarts of the South implies that he was the father of:
   1. “Alexander” STEWART, b ABT 1735.  We have no evidence for the existence of this Alexander.  He is suggested by onomastics only.
   2.  Duncan STEWART, b; ABT 1740 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan is described in Stewarts of the South as a “late tenant of Auchatoo” and father of James, Patrick and Duncan, listed below.  He is believed to be the Duncan Stewart who married on 24 JUN 1769 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Anna MCLAREN (described as “both in this parish”).  They had the following children which match closely with the description in Stewarts of the South:
      1. Betterage STEWART, bap. 1 JUL 1770 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
      2. Margaret STEWART, bap. 3 JAN 1772 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
      3. James STEWART, bap. 14 NOV 1774 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as “a stocking manufacturer in Glasgow who has three sons [under age], a good character.”
      4. Catharine STEWART, bap. 30 AUG 1776 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
      5. Robert STEWART, bap. 29 DEC 1778 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  As Robert is not mentioned in Stewarts of the South it is presumed that he died young.
      6. Patrick STEWART, bap. 28? NOV 1780 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Patrick is described in Stewarts of the South as “a writer in Glasgow, a middling character.”
      7. Duncan STEWART, bap. 5 DEC 1782 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Duncan is described in Stewarts of the South as “a clark to the Iron Company at Muirkirk, all their children under age.”
      8. Janet STEWART, bap. 23 DEC 1786 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
      9. Mary STEWART, bap. 24 FEB 1788 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
   3.  Robert STEWART, b. ABT 1735 in Auchtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Robert is described in Stewarts of the South as a “late tenant of Auchatoo, left a son.”
      1. James STEWART, b. ABT 1770 in Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as “[a] farmer, [in] Gartfarran, [in] Drymen Parish [in] Stirling county, who has four sons.  Thrifty with himself and work as undertaker of roads.”

Robert STEUART and Margaret FERGUSON in Wester Achtow

1. Duncan STEUART, bap. 26 NOV 1752 in Wester Achtow
2. Anna STEUART, bap. 23 APR 1755 in Wester Achtow
3. Betterage STEWART, bap. 22 DEC 1757, location not given (mother given only as “Margaret”)
4. Catharine STEWART, bap. 4 MAY 1760 in Wester Achtow (mother’s name not given)
5. James STEWART, bap. 4 JUL 1763 in Wester Achtow
6. Janet STEWART, bap. 16 JUL 1765 in Wester Achtow
7. Margaret STEWART, bap. 2 NOV 1767 in Wester Achtow (probably married 1793 to Robert FERGUSON)

James

1. Alexander
   1. James
      1. Duncan
2. Robert STEWART, abt 1660
   1. James STEWART abt 1690
   2. Janet STEWART, 1696
   3. Duncan STEWART, 1700
      1. Robert STEWART, abt1735
      2. Duncan STEWART, abt 1740

Achtow families not yet reconciled

The family of “James” Stewart, 5th in Wester Auchtow, has not been identified in parish records.  The closest match is the following which is not a good match:

James STEUART and Betterage (Beatrice) STEUART (and/or James STEUART and Janet STEUART) in (Wester) Achtow and Kirkton and possibly Lianach. James and Betterage were m. 18 JAN 1717 in Balquhidder (both in this parish).  But there is an earlier marriage for James and Janet m. 19 MAY 1715 in Balquhidder, “both of this parish”.  There are no children shown for James and Janet either in Fiona or IGI, however the first child, Margaret, below is shown with mother given only as “Steuart”.  Thus Margaret could be the child of either mother.  And the James who married Janet could be the same James who married Betterage or it could be two different Jameses.

1. Margaret STEUART, bap. 19 NOV 1718 in Lianach (mother given only as “Steuart”, could be a child of either Betterage or Janet Steuart, see note above)
2. Robert STEUART, bap. 23 OCT 1719 in Wester Achtow (mother given as Betterage Steuart)
3. Patrick STEUART, bap. 20 DEC 1730 in Wester Achtow (mother given as Betterage Steuart)
4. Patrick STEUART, bap. 25 FEB 1733 in Wester Achtow (mother given as Betterage Steuart)
5. William STEWART, bap. 27 SEP 1740 in Kirktown of Balquhidder (mother given as Betterage Steuart)

Not yet reconciled:

1700 7 June Robert Steuart in Wester Achtow had a child baptized 7 of June 1700 called Duncan.

6 Line – The Stewarts in “Soldiers’ Land”

The sixth branch of the Glenogle Stewart is recorded in Stewarts of the South as follows:

John Stewart, [a] crofter [in] soldiers’ land (uncertain reference) near Callendar, [on] Burrel Drummond’s [estate].  [He] has two sons:

1. one of them a wright near Callendar
2. another [who is] a waiter in Edinburgh

“Soldier’s Land” was located at the east end of the present village of Callander. 

There is only one family of a John Stewart living in Callander village ca. 1815 and they match the description given above and cannot be matched anywhere else in Stewarts of the South. Thus we believe the following family to be the “Stewarts in Soldiers’ Land”. Which of the two sons was the wright and which was the waiter is not known.

John STEWART in Soldier’s Land b: ABT 1750 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. The sixth branch of the Glenogle Stewart is recorded in Stewarts of the South as follows: “John Stewart, [a] crofter [in] soldiers’ land near Callendar, [on] Burrel Drummond’s [estate]. [He] has two sons: one of them a wright near Callendar; another [who is] a waiter in Edinburgh.” There is only one family of a John Stewart living in Callander village ca. 1815 and they match the description given above and cannot be matched anywhere else in Stewarts of the South. Thus we believe the following family to be the “Stewarts in Soldiers’ Land”. Which of the two sons was the wright and which was the waiter is not known. “Soldier’s Land” was a small settlement just east of the original village of Callander but has now been enveloped by the growing town of Callander. John married on 25 JAN AND 04 FEB 1780 in Port of Menteith and Callander, Perthshire, Scotland to Mary FERGUSON b: ABT 1755 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland.  They had the following children:

1. 1. Janet STEWART b: 26 OCT 1780 in Callander Village, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   2. John STEWART b: 12 JUL 1782 in Callander Village, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   3. Catherine STEWART b: 14 APR 1785 in Callander Village, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Catherine is presumed to have died young prior to the birth of her same-named sister in 1790.
   4. Mary STEWART b: 21 APR 1787 in Callander Village, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
   5. Kathrine STEWART b: 15 FEB 1790 in Callander Village, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland

Note: There is a Duncan Stewart, born 11 May 1781 in Chrachavie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland (at the west end of Loch Venachar) natural son of John Stewart in Chrachavie and Mary Ferguson. This would have to be a different couple with the same names as this couple were married at the time.

The 1851 Scottish Census has an entry for a family residing in “Soldier’s Settlements”, including: Elisa Buchanan (nee Stewart), age 43, born in Callander, daughter of the widow Ann Stewart, age 69, born in Callander.

7 Line – The Stewarts in Cuilt and Rusgachan

The next branch of the Stewarts of Glenogle were a family who originally resided in Cuilt (also known as Cuill).  Cuilt and Cuill derive from the Gaelic coille, which means “woods or forest” and its plural form, coilltean.  The form Cuilt may derive either from the plural form or may be a local dialect variation, but there is no question that Cuilt, Cuill, and Coille all refer to the same place.

Cuilt was located in the glen between Lochearn and Balquhidder between Balquhidder Station and Edinchip, beside the old railway, and is now a ruin.

The family residence was called Tighnacoil (pronounced “tee-na-kull”; shown above in it’s present ruined state) which means “house of the woods” and implies the main farm house as opposed to one of the outbuildings or servants’ residence.  This would imply that this family was the senior tenant of Cuilt, rather than a serving family or farm workers.

This family descends from the Stewarts of Glenogle, above, but their exact point of departure from the Glenogle Stewarts has not been identified.  It is presently suggested that they most likely descend from an unidentified son of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Auchtow.

The family appears to have had old military connections with significant landed families in Moray, Scotland, including Fraser and McTavish, but especially with Clan Grant and one branch of this family later settled in Upper Strathspey in Moray on Clan Grant lands.  These same families were later instrumental in founding The North West Company, a fur trading rival to The Hudson Bay Company in North America.

The Stewarts in Cuilt must have had a passion for adventure as they produced at least four (and possibly five) members who were fur traders and famous explorers of the frontiers of North America for The North West Company and The Hudson Bay Company. The most noted of these were Robert Stewart (below) who discovered the Oregon Trail, John Stuart who was the first Governer of The Hudson Bay Company after its merger with The North West Company, and Donald Alexander Smith, Lord Strathcona, who was the longest serving Governor of The Hudson Bay Company.

The Cuilt Stewart family is described in Stewarts of the South with a very minimal entry as follows:

James Stewart, late tenant [in] Rusgachan, [in] Strathyre, Buchanan’s (of Auchlessy) property.  [He] left three sons:

1. one in North America
2. another in the West Indies, well doing and
3. the third, a spirit dealer in Edinburgh

This entry is difficult to reconcile with known information on this family.  As James Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt, died in 1796, about twenty years prior to the writing of Stewarts of the South, then it would initially seem most likely that the James being referred to in Stewarts of the South was James Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt.  However the description of his sons does not reconcile easily with what we know of James’ sons.  He did have one son, David, who was an explorer and fur trader in North America.  He had a son James who allegedly moved to Edinburgh, but we have no record of his occupation.  There is no record in family documents of any son moving to the West Indies.  And the eldest son, John, who inherited the family property, is not mentioned at all.

It’s possible that the entry in Stewarts of the South may refer to James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt.  In which case the third son who was a spirit dealer in Edinburgh, would most likely refer to James Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt, and would imply that he had a brother who went to North American and another brother who went to the West Indies.  The problem is that the reference above implies that all three of these sons were alive at the time of writing ca. 1818, and we know that James Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt, died in 1796.

The other possibility is, given the sparseness of this entry, that the author simply didn’t know this family well and was mistaken in his description of the family.  However, the fact that this family was involved in the Whisky business is supported by the next set of documents:

James Stewart in Cuilt is mentioned in the Reports on the Annexed (Jacobite) Estates in 1755-56:

There are two or three people in this barony who buy bear in the low country, carry it home, mini malt it, and distill it in[to] aquavitae*, particularity Ronald Drummond in Kirktoun & James Stewart in Cuilt; both keep publick houses.

There is upon this farm of Ruskachan a considerable plain consisting of arable and meadow grounds. Water for the use of the families or bleaching is extremely convenient, and there is great plenty of limestone upon the farm and firing abundantly easy to be got at.

*Aquavitae is Latin for “water of life”, which, in Gaelic, is uisge beatha, which, when abbreviated and Anglicized is better known to us as “whisky”.

James and Alexander Stewart in Cuilt are also mentioned in the accompanying Statistics of Annexed (Jacobite) Estates 1755-56

Cuilt: Alexander Stewart and James Stewart with 5 Cottars, 7 families total with: 8m & 13f age 17+, 1m & 2f age 10-17, 1m & 8f age -10, total 10m & 23f, 22 speak English, 13 spin, possess: 12 horses, 42 black cattle, 64 sheep and 7 pigs.

In 1756, James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, would have been about 60 years old and his son, James, 2nd in Cuilt, would have been about 34 years old.  The statistical report lists Alexander and James Stewart in Cuilt.  The fact that Alexander is listed ahead of James may suggest that he is the senior tenant.  The James Stewart being referred to here must be the elder James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, and not the younger James Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt.  These are records of the Annexed Estates — that is, they are lists of the residences of known Jacobites who’s lands were forfeited after the Jacobite Rising of 1745.  However, we know that the younger James Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt, served with the Blackwatch and fought for the Hanoverians in 1745.  Thus he was not a Jacobite and would not have been subjected to forfeiture.  As such, it would seem most likely that James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, had an older brother named Alexander (named firstly in the Statistics) who was probably a Jacobite and was the cause of the family’s forfeiture, and that his own nephew fought against him!  Whether James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, was a Jacobite himself or a Hanoverian is unknown to us and we have no evidence either way.

Another interpretation of the Statistics above could be that the Alexander and James represented were uncle and nephew.  If, perhaps, the elder James Stewart had died by 1756 then it could be James’ brother, Alexander, and James’ son, James, who were residing in Cuilt in 1756.  In which case, Alexander Stewart could be a younger brother of James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt.  However, this is unlikely, as, if it were the case, then the younger James would have been the senior tenant even if he wasn’t the eldest tenant.

The earliest confirmed ancestor of the Stewarts in Cuilt was Alexander Stewart, described as follows:

Alexander STEWART, predecessor to Cuilt, b. ABT 1663 in Balquhidder parish, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander’s date of birth is according to family records and has not been verified.  Alexander descends from the Glenogle family at an unknown point.  It is suggested that he is mostly likely a grandson of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Auchtow, (shown above under 5 Line – Stewarts in Auchtow) through an unknown younger son, although it is possible that he could be descended from an earlier line. However the fact that Cuill is located adjacent to Auchtow suggests that the Cuill family descend from Auchtow. Furthermore, as the Achra branch, a later cadet branch, also descends from Auchtow then it would seem that Cuill must descend from Auchtow in order to remain senior to the Achra branch. It is entirely possible that this Alexander could be identical with Alexander 4th in Wester Auchtow.

Alexander lived “in the valley of the Balvaig (River), known as Strathyre”. (SCM, May 1938, p.C318).

According to a later family letter, an ancestor of this family “took up arms in the cause of the First Pretender” (in 1715). This reference most likely refers to this Alexander Stewart, but may refer to one or more of his elder sons, or both.  This service to “The King Across The Water” may be the source of the military connection between the Stewarts in Cuilt and Clan Grant in Upper Strathspey and the other Moray families.

An erroneous family tradition describes this Alexander as “the famous Alexander Stuart who bested Rob Roy in his last duel.”  However the Alexander Stewart who bested Rob Roy was Alexander Stewart of Invernahyle (see Glenfinglas Stewarts) whose duel with Rob Roy became the subject of Sir Walter Scott’s book, Waverly.)

Alexander Stewart was the father of:

1. Alexander STEWART, in Cuilt, b: ABT 1690 in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander’s existence is uncertain.  If he existed then it’s possible that he should be accounted as “1st” in Cuilt.  Alexander’s existence is inferred only from the Statistics of Annexed (Jacobite) Estates 1755-56, cited above, in which he is listed ahead of James Stewart in Cuilt suggesting (though not conclusively) that he was an elder brother to James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt.  It is not known if he had any children.
2.   James STEWART , 1st in Cuilt b: 1695 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James’ date of birth is according to family records which have not been verified. James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, is presented further below.
3.  John STUART b: 1709 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John is described in family tradition as a Jacobite soldier and a younger brother of James “Seamus na Coille” Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt, however this is chronologically challenging. It is more likely that he was the younger brother of James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, and that the two Jameses have simply been confused for each other.

   According to research done by a descendant of this branch (Alison Milnes from Yorkshire) John was born in 1709. He fought at Culloden in 1746 with the Jacobites. He is believed to have remained in the area of Culloden after the battle and settled in Elginshire. Subsequent research has more precisely identified his location to be a farmstead called Leth na Coille near the village of Nethy Bridge on the edge of the Abernethy Forest in Upper Strathspey, Moray, Scotland (about 30 km southwest of Elgin) in the heart of Clan Grant territory.  It would appear that John Stuart may have taken refuge under the protection of Clan Grant.  It is noteworthy that John’s son, Donald, married the daughter of one of the senior families of Clan Grant and that one of the founding partners in The Northwest Company was Robert Grant, a London merchant born in Upper Strathspey. 

   According to a reference cited below, John’s grandson, John Stuart, the fur trader and explorer for The Northwest Company, was a cousin to David Stuart an earlier fur trader and explorer for The Northwest Company (son of James McTavish McAlasdair Stewart, 2nd of Cuilt, shown below). As such, this John Stuart’s line must descend from the Cuilt Stewarts.

   It is worth drawing attention to the fact that John Stuart’s residence was named Leth na Coille (also found as Leth-na-Coyle and Leanchoil).  Leth na Coille literally means “side of the woods” or “next to the woods”.  The fact that this residence was located on the outskirts of the Abernethy Forest would easily explain its name.  But it cannot be ignored that John’s birth family resided at Tigh na Coille in Strathyre.  It’s possible that the name of Leth na Coille may also have been chosen as an homage to the family’s primary residence, Tigh na Coille.

   It must also be considered that John Stuart may have descended one generation earlier from the Stewarts in Cuilt, as a nephew of Alexander Stewart, predecessor of Cuilt, rather than as his son.

   According to Forsyth (see below), John was an elder in the Cromdale Church in 1739 and son of John Stuart of Lethnachyle “whose family had been in the area for 3-400 years (ca 1900).  If the traditional origin of the Lethnachyle Stewarts is accepted then the cousin relationship with Cuilt may be maternal through John’s wife Marjory of Lynchurn.

   John Stuart married Marjory STEWART, presumably in Moray, but no record of their marriage has been found. According to family tradition, Marjory was born 1729 in Lynchurn, Abernethy, Speyside, Elginshire, Scotland, d 1830 in Granttown at age 101, however this may be a confusion with her later residence, or it could indicate that the farmstead of Leth na Coille came into the family by way of this marriage. It might be suggested that the cousinship between John Stuart the Explorer, below and David Stewart the Explorer above, was a maternal cousinship on Marjory’s side, however that would be highly unlikely as Marjory’s Stewart family was already in Elgin, perhaps residing at Leanchoil in 1729, before the Rising. The more reasonable explanation is that John Stuart simply settled into the area after Culloden, as we have seen that others also did.  John Stuart and Marjory Stewart had the following son:

   1.  Donald STUART b: ABT 1740 in Upper Strathspey, Moray, Scotland.  Little is known about Donald Stuart except that he resided on a farmstead called Leth na Coille on the edge of the Abernethy Forest, near Nethy Bridge, Upper Strathspey, Moray, Scotland.  According to his daughter Barbara, the Stuart family had resided in Upper Strathspey for “several generations.”  However, it’s not known how much stock we can put in this description and whether three generations might constitute “several”.  The little knowledge we do have of Donald and his family is largely because he ended up being the maternal grandfather of Donald Alexander Smith, Lord Strathcona.  Donald Stuart married on 6 JUN 1769 in Abernethy and Kincardine parish, Moray, Scotland to Jean/Janet GRANT b: 1 APR 1743 in Cromdale and Inverallan, Moray, Scotland as the daughter of Robert Grant of Cromdale. She was descended from the Chief of Clan Grant was a close cousin of the Robert Grant who co-founded The Northwest Company.  Donad Stuart and Jean Grant are recorded in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography as parents of John Stuart, the Canadian fur trader and explorer.  Donald and Janet had the following family:

      1. Lieut. Peter STUART, Town-Major of Belfast, b. ca 1770 in Upper Strathyre, Moray, Scotland ***should be youngest son.  According to Lord Strathcona – A Biography of Donald Alexander Smith, by Donna McDonald, 1996, Dundurn Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, “Peter Stuart, Town-Major of Belfast” was a brother of John Stuart the NWC explorer and was an uncle to Lord Strathcona.  According to Hart’s Army List, Peter was a Lieutenant and was appointed as Town-Major of Belfast on 24 DEC 1818.  Hart’s List also indicates that Peter was “late 1 R. Vet. Bn.” (reference uncertain).  Peter’s wife is unknown.  He is recorded as being the father of:

         1. Dr. Hugh Lindsay STUART, b ca 1800 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland.  Hugh is mentioned in McDonald’s book on Lord Strathcona as being a son of Peter Stuart and father of two daughters who received an annuities from Lord Strathcona.  Hugh is mentioned in Hart’s Army List as having served in the 38th Regt of Foot (The 1st Staffordshire) and was appointed as Company Hospital Assistant on 28 DEC 1820, Assistant Surgeon 15 DEC 1825, and Company Surgeon on 17 SEP 1839.  Hugh’s wife is unknown.  He was father of:

            1. Daughter STUART, b ca 1835 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. Her name is unknown.  According to McDonald’s book on Lord Strathcona, this daughter received an annuity from her cousin, Donald Alexander Smith, Lord Strathcona.

            2. Ellen STUART (1840-1934).  According to McDonald’s book on Lord Strathcona, Ellen received an annuity from her cousin, Donald Alexander Smith, Lord Strathcona.  According to a published Lewis family tree, Ellen married on 18 FEB 1862 in St. Annes, Belfast, Antrim, Ireland to Richard Thomas LEWIS (1799-1867), son of James Lewis 1723-1784 and Sarah Orr 1733-1784.  They had the following children

               1. Harriet Le Byrtt LEWIS, b ca 1862 in Comrie, Down, Ireland, d 19 JUL 1932, m Charles Frederick D’Arcy 1859-1938 (descended from D’Arcy of Hyde Park)

               2. Ellen Frances LEWIS, b 16 JUL 1865, registered in Ballylessan, Down, Ireland,  d ca1949 (dtr of Richard Lewis and Ellen Stuart)

      2.  John STUART, Canadian Fur Trader and Explorer, Chief Factor of The Hudson Bay Company, b: 12 SEP 1780 in Leth na Coille, Upper Strathspey, Moray, Scotland.

         The North West Company

         The North West Company (nicknamed “the Nor’ Westers”) was founded in 1779 by a group of merchants from Montreal, Quebec, Canada (then a British colony known as Lower Canada) who were trying to break the fur trading monopoly of The Hudson Bay Company.  The Nor’ Westers became the chief business rival of the HBC and in 1821 the two companies merged under the HBC name. (The company is still in business to this day and is the oldest retailer in North America.)  One of the founding partners was Robert Grant who was a maternal cousin of John Stuart. 

         The Nor’ Westers were responsible for much of the exploration of western Canada and the USA  Famous names among the Nor’ Wester explorers include Simon Fraser (whose mother was also a Grant), Alexander MacKenzie and David Thompson.  The Fraser River, MacKenzie River, Thompson River and Stuart River all stand as landmarks of their explorations.

         John Stuart is described in The Dictionary of Canadian Biography as follows:

         STUART, JOHN, fur trader and explorer; b. 12 Sept. 1780, probably at Leanchoil, near Nethy Bridge, Scotland, son of Donald Stuart and Janet Grant; d. 14 Jan. 1847 near Forres, Scotland.

               After receiving some education, John Stuart joined the North West Company in 1796, perhaps under the auspices of Roderick Mackenzie who had known him as a boy. Stuart was sent to Fort Chipewyan (Alta), and subsequently served at various posts in the Athabasca department. In 1805 he was assistant to Simon Fraser*, who had been charged with finding a supply route over the Rocky Mountains for the purpose of extending NWC operations into present-day British Columbia. That fall the two men established Rocky Mountain House (Alta) and the following year what would be called Fort St James (B.C.) on Stuart Lake. Because both Indians and traders were suffering from famine, Stuart was sent to explore a route to Nat-len (Fraser Lake), where provisions were reputed to be plentiful. On the strength of his report, Fraser built a post on that lake in 1806. Stuart spent the winter of 1806�7 on McLeod Lake at Fort McLeod, established in 1805.

               With the arrival of extra men and supplies in the fall of 1807, preparations began for the descent of the river now known as the Fraser but then thought to be the Columbia. On 28 May 1808 Stuart, as second-in-command, left Fort George (Prince George) with Fraser and 22 men on the epic journey down the river. It was a harrowing experience requiring superhuman perseverance and skill in navigating the whirlpools, rapids, and perpendicular rock canyons. On 2 July they passed the site of New Westminster and came within sight of the Strait of Georgia. They returned upriver, arriving at Fort George on 6 August. The voyage was a disappointment, for the river was not a navigable supply route, nor was it the Columbia. Stuart had proven himself an invaluable lieutenant: he was a good judge of river navigation, kept the official log, took the meridian observations, and was fearless before the suspicious Indians, some of whom had never before seen white men.

               Stuart returned to McLeod Lake and in 1809 was given charge of New Caledonia, the area west of the mountains. In 1813 he left Stuart Lake for the Columbia, searching for a supply route between New Caledonia and the Pacific coast. In October at Fort Astoria (Astoria, Oreg.), he was one of the signatories to the bill of sale of the Pacific Fur Company to the NWC. That year he became an NWC partner. Stuart returned to Fort St James in 1814, in which year trade goods were received from Fort George via the Fraser, Thompson, Okanagan, and Columbia rivers. This route, which enabled the posts in New Caledonia to receive their supplies by ship from England rather than overland from Montreal, does not appear to have been adopted permanently by the NWC.

               From 1817 until 1820 Stuart seems to have been in charge of Pierre au Calumet (north of Fort McMurray, Alta). With other Nor�Westers he took part in the successful harassment of Hudson�s Bay Company men, notably John Clarke*, who were trying to gain a toehold in the Athabasca country. By March 1821 he was back at Fort George, directing the establishment of Fort Alexandria (Alexandria, B.C.) that year.

               After the amalgamation of the NWC and the HBC in 1821 Stuart was made a chief factor and remained in charge of New Caledonia until 1824. By that time he could �no longer engage in the trials and hardships� that had been almost natural to him, and he asked to be transferred. He prided himself on his understanding and treatment of the Indians and the murder by two Carriers in 1823 of two HBC employees at Fort George had profoundly affected him [see ï¿½Kwah]. He subsequently assumed charge of the Saskatchewan district (1824�26) and the Winnipeg district (1826�32). His appointment in 1832 to the Mackenzie River district, an unusual posting for an officer of his service and inclination, may have been a punitive act. In 1830 Stuart had grumbled about the business methods employed in New Caledonia by Chief Factor John McLoughlin* and he had criticized Governor George Simpson* and John George McTavish for abandoning their country wives. Simpson�s unnecessarily harsh description of Stuart in his �Character book� of 1832 was an about-face, for in 1828 he had referred to Stuart as �the Father . . . of New Caledonia; where for 20 years of his Life, he was doomed to all the misery and privation . . . who with a degree of exertion, of which few men were capable, overcame difficulties, to which the business of no other part of the country was exposed.�

               Stuart was granted a furlough in 1835, which was extended for health reasons until 1 June 1839, when he left the HBC�s service. During that period, in 1838, he wrote to Simpson, Edward Ellice*, and Alexander Stewart, a long-time associate, recommending his nephew Donald Alexander Smith*, later Lord Strathcona, for employment in the HBC. Stuart retired to Forres, Scotland, and died near there at Springfield House in 1847. He had at least three children: a daughter, Isabel, born in 1802, whose mother is unknown, and two sons, Donald and John, by Catherine La Valle. In 1827 Stuart took another country wife, Mary Taylor. She joined him in Scotland in 1836 but because he withdrew his promise to marry her formally she returned to Rupert�s Land in 1838. There was considerable litigation over Stuart�s legacy to her, which Stuart�s sisters managed to have reduced from �500 to �350.

               Stuart was a man of courage, a good traveller and trader, and fair in his dealings with the Indians. He deserves to be remembered as an outstanding officer of the North West Company, and although he did not always agree with the management policies of the HBC he nevertheless served it well. Stuart Lake in British Columbia was named in his honour.

         According to descendant Alison Milnes, who cites the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, John was a cousin of David Stuart, the fur trader and explorer (shown below), however the on-line version of the DCB does not mention David Stuart (as seen above). It is possible that Milnes was citing a printed version of the Dictionary. Milnes’ claim is supported by an on-line history of the Nor’Westers and the Astorians (Third Millennium) which says: “David Stuart was a cousin of John Stuart, who was in charge of the company’s posts in northern New Caledonia. David’s nephew, Robert, was relatively a newcomer to the trade.” John is also recorded in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography and in McDonald’s biography of Lord Strathcona as uncle to Lord Strathcona (shown above).

         John and his brother Robert were the first of this family confirmed to have emigrated.  John later enticed his cousin David to join him. David in turn later enticed his own nephew Robert to join them. All four Stuarts worked initially for The North West Company. John was clerk to Simon Fraser and accompanied Fraser on his explorations into British Columbia, including his trip down the Fraser River Canyon. (It is possible that John Stuart and Simon Fraser were cousins as both had mothers named Grant from Inverness.)  John Stuart was instrumental in establishing a number of western Canadian fur trading posts including founding Kamloops, British Columbia. He was also instrumental in disrupting competition from John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company, where, ironically, his two Stuart cousins (David and Robert) were senior partners and, as noted above, he was was involved with the merger of the Pacific Fur Company with The North West Company. John Stuart became a full partner in the NWC in 1813 and in 1821 he assisted with the NWC merger with The Hudson Bay Company, where Stuart become the first Chief Factor for the newly amalgamated Hudson Bay Company.  Stuart also enticed his nephew Donald Alexander Smith to come to Canada, where Smith later became Chief Factor of the Hudson Bay Company as well as many other accomplishments (see above). 

         Stuart Lake and Stuart River in British Columbia, Canada are both named after John Stuart.

         John Stuart returned to Scotland in 1836 and died 14 JAN 1847 at Springfield House, near Forres, Elgin, Scotland. He is found in the 1841 Census residing in Springfield, Forres, Moray, Scotland as an “independent” with two servants and no family. It is believed that his children remained in Canada.

         John had the following daughter by an unknown woman:

         1. Isabel STUART b: 1802 in Canada

         John later married Catherine LAVALLE and had the following children:

         1.  Lt. Donald STUART b: AFT 1802 in Canada.  He married while in America, and had two sons, Donald and John, who both died comparatively young, the former having been a Lieutenant in Her Majesty�s 78th Regiment of Highlanders, and one of those who took part in the Crimean war. http://www.electricscotland.com/history/cairngorm/54.htm
         2.  John STUART b: AFT 1802 in Canada.  It is not known if John remained in Canada or returned to Scotland with his father, nor is it known if he married or had children.
      3.  Grace STUART b: ABT 1783 in Inverness or Elgin, Scotland.  Grace married and had children. Her husband is unknown. She is the ancestor of researcher Alison Milnes mentioned above.
      4.  Robert STUART, Canadian Fur Trader and Explorer, b: 1785 “near Inverness”, however more likely he was born at Leth na Coille near Nethy Bridge, Upper Strathspey, Moray, Scotland.  Robert Stuart was also a partner in the North West Company, but “drowned early on in the Columbia River trying to rescue his friends as he was the only one who could swim.”
      5.  Barbara STUART b: 1784 in Cromdale Inverallan and Advie, Inverness, Scotland.  She married on 5 DEC 1807 in Cromdale Inverallan and Advie, Inverness, Scotland to Alexander SMITH b: ABT 1780 in Scotland.  They had the following son:
         1.  Donald Alexander SMITH , 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, Member of Parliament, Governor and CEO of The Hudson Bay Company b: 6 AUG 1820 in Forres, Moray, Scotland.  Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, Canadian fur trader, businessman, railroad financier, politician, diplomat and philanthropist, b. 6 AUG 1820 in Forres, Morayshire, Scotland, died 21 JAN 1914 in London, England.

            Donald grew up on the stories of his uncle John Stuart’s exploring adventures. He studied at the Forres Academy and then briefly apprenticed to the town clerk. He immigrated to Canada in 1838 at the invitation of his uncle John Stuart and began work as a clerk for the Hudson Bay Company eventually succeeding his uncle as Chief Factor for the HBC. In 1869, he was sent to Red River, Manitoba, as the government representative to negotiate with Louis Riel, leader of the Red River Rebellion. In 1883, Smith became Director of HBC and its largest shareholder. He was a co-founder of the Canadian Pacific Railway and became its director in 1883. He was invited to drive the Last Spike when the railroad was completed in 1885. He was principal shareholder in the Bank of Montreal and president of the bank in 1887. In 1889 he became Governor and CEO of HBC. He was representative for Winnipeg in the Manitoba provincial legislature and, later, federal parliament representative for Montreal West. In 1896 (at the age of 76) he was appointed High Commissioner for Canada in the UK. In 1897, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal (Strathcona was in far eastern Ontario and Mount Royal is believed to be synonymous with Montreal). During the Boer War (1899-1902) he commanded the 500-member mounted regiment of Lord Strathcona’s (Royal Canadian) Horse. He was cofounder and chairman of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in London, England. He was chancellor of McGill University in Montreal and founded the Victoria College for Women and built the Royal Victoria Hospital. His 75 year tenure with the HBC has never been matched.

            Due to strange circumstances, Donald married repeatedly to his cousin Isabella Grant-nee-Hardisty. She was previously “married” to James Grant by whom she had a son. However she was of Metis origin and her marriage to Grant was never legally recognized. Neither did she actually divorce Grant. Thus when she married Smith the legal status of their relationship was constantly called into question and he ended up marrying Isabella on at least three occasions in order to re-establish the validity of their marriage. The couple used 9 MAR 1853 as the official date of their marriage. Smith adopted Isabella’s son from her first marriage, and together they had the following child.

            Donald Smith married on 9 MAR 1853 in Canada to Isabella GRANT-NEE-HARDISTY b: ABT 1820.  They had the following daughter:

            1.  Margaret Charlotte SMITH b: 17 JAN 1854 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  Margaret was believed to have been born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, but this is not confirmed.
4.  Duncan STEWART b: ABT 1712 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan is described in family tradition as a Jacobite soldier who fought at Culloden in 1746 and as a younger brother of James (Seamas na Coille). But, again here, it is suggested that family tradition is off by one generation and that he is more likely to be the younger brother of James, 1st in Cuilt.

5. **Dr. David STEWART, of Cromdale, surgeon, b. ca 1712, age 23 in 1735/6, along with Anne STEWART (no age) and another Anne STEWART (age 8) are listed among the first settlers of the Darien Colony in Georgia, USA.  He is not confirmed as son here but his close geographic connection must be noted.

IN THE SHADOWS OF CAIRNGORM
Chronicles of the United Parishes of Abernethy and Kincardine by
The Rev. W. Forsyth, M. A., D. D., Minister of Abernethy and Kincardine
Inverness: The Northern Counties Publishing Company Ltd. 1900
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/cairngorm/index.htm

Ch 32

The STUARTS of Lethnachyle (now called Lainchoil) were one of our oldest families (chap. IX.) Donald and John were the family names. In 1739 there was a John, who was an elder of the Church. His son John married Marjory Stewart of Lynchurn, who died at Grantown, 7th November, 1830, aged 101. Their son Donald married Janet, younger daughter of Robert Grant, Wester Lethendry, Cromdale, and had three sons, John, Robert, and Peter, and two daughters, Barbara and Marjory. Marjory died at Grantown in 1844, aged 72, and Barbara married Alexander Smith of Archiestown Cottage, Knockando, father of the late Dr Stuart Smith, of the 55th regiment, and Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal. The fortunes of the sons were very diverse. Patrick went into the army, and was for some years Fort Major at Belfast, Ireland. John and Robert went to North America. Robert was in the service of the North West Company, and came quickly to the front from his ability and courage. One day, going down the Columbia River, his canoe was upset, and he and the three men with him were thrown into the water. They succeeded in getting upon a rock, but this was but temporary relief. Stuart was a powerful swimmer, but none of the others could swim. He bade them be of good cheer�that, if God permitted, he would save them. Then, taking one of them on his back, he struck out for the shore, which with difficulty was reached. He was now safe, and he had rescued one of the men, but this was not enough so long as the others were in danger of perishing. So he dashed again into the water, and brought the second man ashore. The tremendous effort told upon him, and, if he had listened to the voice of self, he would have said, “I have done what I could; to try again would be to throw my life away.” But the man on the rock, alone amidst the surging billows, appealed to him. The third time he plunged into the river, and again he reached the rock. Resting for a little, he set out for the shore. But alas! his strength failed, and, after a brave struggle, he and the man he bore sank down in the mighty waters and were seen no more. John, the elder brother, was more fortunate. He found employment in the Hudson Bay Company. Being a man of much shrewdness and of indomitable pluck and perseverance, he soon rose to high position, and did great service in establishing trading ports and exploring the country. The Stuart Lake and Stuart River, which has recently been so often noticed in connection with the Klondyke Gold Country, are called after him. Mr John Stuart was for some years chief factor of the Hudson�s Bay Company. He died at Springfield House, Forres, in 1847, having directed in his will that he should be “interred in the tomb of his ancestors in the Parish Church-Yard of Abernethy, south-east corner of the Church.”

(Ch IX) THE ATHOLL STEWARTS. �This story is given as narrated by the late William Cameron, Tomgown, Tulloch. Some three or four hundred years ago there were two Atholl men, a Stewart and a Robertson, who had twelve sons each, “under bonnets.” The King heard of them, and wished to see them. They set out for Scone. At the gate they disputed as to precedency. The Stewarts claimed to go first, as the King was a Stewart. The Robertsons said they were as good men as the Stewarts, and would not yield. From words they came to blows. The fight was long and bloody. At last but two Stewarts and one Robertson were left alive. Robertson swam the Tay, and roused his clan. The Stewarts had to fly. They crossed the hills to Badenoch, but found no rest. On they came to Rothiemurchus, but still they were not safe. At Coylum they were hard pressed, and thought it best to separate. The one took the low road by the Spey, and the other took the high road by the hills through Tulloch. At Rothiemoon there lived a man who was a turner by trade. He had but one eye, and was called An Tuarncar C�m He was busy at his work. Stewart told him his story. “My life,” he said, “is in your hands; save me, if you can.” The turner said, “Change coats with me, and get up into my place.” This was done. Then the turner went out, and started across the Nethy. The Robertsons, coming up, saw him running, and followed hard in pursuit. At Achernack they came up with him. But, to their disgust, they found that he was old and one-eyed, and not at all the man they sought. They asked angrily why he had run from them. He answered, why had they run after him. He was only in a hurry to do his errand. Then they left him, and turned back. At Rothiemoon, where there was a village ale-house, they rested, and amused themselves by shooting at a mark. The lad of the loom was made to fetch their arrows. He did this for a while, and then said he was tired of fetching and carrying like a dog every time one of them shot. Let them shoot all their arrows, and then he would bring them back in one bundle. This they did. Then Stewart had them at advantage. The result was that they let him off. Stewart married the turner�s daughter. His descendants were called Sliochd-an-tuarncar-ch�m, the Stewarts of the one-eyed turner. One of the race, who died lately, was a landed proprietor in the Laich of Moray. The other Stewart kept by the hills. At Landichen he met a farmer driving out dung to his field, with a white mare, in a l�ban�the rude wicker cart of those days. He craved for help�” My life is in your hands.” The farmer told him to lie down, and then emptied the contents of the cart over him. Soon after the pursuers came up. They asked the farmer if he had seen such and such a man pass. His answer was, “He was here a little while ago. You might seek him yonder by the Laggandubh.” They set off in haste, and were seen no more. Stewart was taken to Landichen, and in due course married the farmer�s daughter. His descendants were called Stiubhardaich-an-l�ban, the Stewarts of the L�ban, or otherwise S. an-la�r-bh�n, the Stewarts of the White Mare. They are said to have held the farms of Landichen and Lethnachyle for three hundred years. The head of the family, as appears from Session records, was generally an elder of the Church, and some of their descendants have done good service to their country. The late Mr John Stewart, who died at Springfield, near Forres, in 1847, and whose career is traced in another chapter, was one of them.

William Stuart/Stewart, c. 1678-1719, Hudson Bay Company Explorer and Fur Trader.  In the early 18th century there was a Hudson Bay Company explorer in British North America (future Canada) named William Stuart/Stewart.  The Dictionary of Canadian Biography gives no information on any marriage or descendants for William, so we must presume that he died a bachelor.  His origins appear to be unknown, except that he was not born in North America and thus it must be presumed that he was born somewhere in the UK.  The fact that four later famous explorers of the surname Stuart and two company Governors, all major players in the Hudson Bay Company, came from this family makes it extremely tempting to associate William with this family.  In fact, to go one step further, so far as present research has been able to determine, the only Stewarts/Stuarts associated with the early fur trade in The North West Company and The Hudson Bay Company came from this family.

If William Stewart/Stuart did come from this family then he may have been a younger brother of Alexander Stewart, predecessor of Cuilt (at left), and possibly the first of this family to emigrate and to join the HBC.  At present we have no evidence to connect William to the Stewarts in Cuilt, but the possibility is so intriguing as to warrant this side note for now. 

The late James Houston, in his fiction book, Running West, based on the life story of this William Stewart, describes him as “banished from the Scottish Highlands after a duel” and as “a Scottish clerk banished from his homeland because of a disagreement with the local laird and relieved of his worldly goods by thieves in London, is indentured to the Hudson Bay Company to pay his debts”.  Whether these descriptions are based on fact or merely the author’s fictional creations is unknown.  The fact that later members of this family were also clerks in the Hudson Bay Company poses an intriguing coincidence

If you have further information on this William Stewart/Stuart, please contact us.

The North West Company

The North West Company (nicknamed “the Nor’ Westers”) was founded in 1779 by a group of merchants from Montreal, Quebec, Canada (then a British colony known as Lower Canada) who were trying to break the fur trading monopoly of The Hudson Bay Company.  The Nor’ Westers became the chief business rival of the HBC and in 1821 the two companies merged under the HBC name. (The company is still in business to this day and is the oldest retailer in North America.)  One of the founding partners was Robert Grant who was a maternal cousin of John Stuart. 

The Nor’ Westers were responsible for much of the exploration of western Canada and the USA  Famous names among the Nor’ Wester explorers include Simon Fraser (whose mother was also a Grant), Alexander MacKenzie and David Thompson.  The Fraser River, MacKenzie River, Thompson River and Stuart River all stand as landmarks of their explorations.

James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt

 James STEWART , 1st in Cuilt b: 1695 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James’ date of birth is according to family records which have not been verified.  According to our reconciliation of OPR records with family tradition, it would appear that James may have married three times, however this is not verified. According to family tradition, James married (firstly) to Janet FERGUSON, but no such marriage or corresponding children’s baptisms can be found in the Balquhidder or Callander OPRs. However, James’ second wife, Janet STEWART, may have been previously married to Donald Ferguson in Cuill, which may be the source of the family tradition. The Balquhidder OPR record of James’ suggested second marriage says that James was a soldier although his rank and company are not known. James’ suggested third marriage is not confirmed. A Charles Stewart is found in the Balquhidder OPR as born 1749 in Cuill to parents James and Catharine Stewart. This James’ son, also named James, married a Catharine Stewart in 1749 and had his first child with her in 1750. It’s possible that Charles could be the son of the younger couple, but that would violate onomastics and so seems unlikely. Thus it is presently suggested that Charles is the youngest son of James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt.

James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, married firstly ABT 1721 to Janet FERGUSON b: ABT 1700 in Perthshire, Scotland.  They had the following known child:

1.  Capt. James McTavish McAlasdair STEWART, “Seamus na Coille”, 2nd in Cuilt b: 1722 in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James resided in Cuill and was known as “Seamas na Coille”, which means “James (of) the Woods (Cuill)”. He resided at the farmstead called Tighnacoil, which means “house of the woods”. Family tradition accords James with the patronymic of “McTavish McAlester”, which is difficult to interpret.  It literally means “son of Thomas (who was in turn) son of Alexander”.  But James’ father’s name was not Thomas although his grandfather’s name was Alexander.  His patronymic should be “mac Seamas” (or “mac Sheamais” or “mac Hamish”) which means “son of James”, followed by “mac Alasdair”. “McTavish” may be an erroneous record for “McHamish”.  However, another intriguing interpretation arises when we note that one of the founders of the North West Company was Simon McTavish (along with Robert Grant who is mentioned above in connection with the Moray branch of the Cuilt Stewarts).  It’s possible that James was maternally descended from the McTavish family by means not so far known to us.  This possibility remains the prospect of future research.

   James was a Loyalist soldier who served in the 42nd Highland Regiment, also known as the Blackwatch. He fought with the Hanovarians in 1745 and his broadsword is now in the military museum in Edinburgh Castle. He retired with the rank of Captain and died in 1796.

   James married on 22 AUG 1749 in Callander parish (although family tradition recalls the marriage taking place in Stirling) to Catharine STEUART. (Another marriage on 01 SEP 1748 also in Callander for a couple of the same name is believed to be a third marriage for James’ father — or this is the marriage of James and Catherine in Inverlochlarig, Line 4. Thus both father and son, both named James Stewart, appear to have married only a year apart to two different Catharine Stewarts and lived in the same place at the same time. Confusing!)  Catherine’s birth family has not been identified.  James and Catharine resided in Cuill.  They had the following family:

   1.  James STEWART b: ABT 29 JUN 1750 in Cuill, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is presumed to have died young prior to the birth of his same-named brother in 1759.
   2.  Isabel STEWART b: ABT 12 MAY 1751 in Tighnacoil, Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   3.  Janet STEWART b: ABT 3 JUL 1753 in Tighnacoil, Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   4.  Duncan STEWART b: ABT 7 FEB 1755 in Tighnacoil, Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  As Duncan did not inherit the family property, it is presumed that he died young. 
   5.  John “Ian Mhor na Coille” STEWART , 3rd in Cuilt b: ABT 23 JUN 1756 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Family tradition recalls that John was born in Rusgachan where he later resided, so it is possible that the family may have held both properties at this time. John was called “Ian mhor na Coille” which means “Big John of Cuill”. John resided in Rusgachan and married on AUG 1778 in Balquhidder and 6 AUG 1778 in Kincardine to Mary BUCHANAN. Mary was bap 26 SEP 1756 in Kincardine parish as the daughter of Robert Buchanan and Janet Mentieth. The marriage was then recorded again in 15 APR 1780 in Balquhidder showing “both in Ruskachan” in Balquhidder. It is strange that this marriage was re-registered two years after its original occurrence. The reason is unknown; perhaps the original marriage contract was unable to be fulfilled.) John was clerk of session at Balquhidder Kirk, so the double entry is his own doing. John was also schoolmaster in Strathyre and Callander. Family records indicate that John died “by the fire” at his home in Rusgachan.  John and Mary had the following family:
      1.  James STEWART b: ABT 12 JUL 1781 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James presumably died young, prior to the birth of his same-named brother in 1789.
      2.  John STEWART b: ABT 13 JUN 1783 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John is recorded in family records as having died young.
      3.  Robert STUART, Canadian/American fur trader and explorer, b: ABT 20 FEB 1785 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert was the fourth member of this family to immigrate to Canada to become a famous explorer.  His life is more fully detailed below.
      4.  David STEWART b: ABT 30 AUG 1787 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
      5.  James STEWART b: ABT 19 APR 1789 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
      6.  Janet STEWART b: 31 JUL 1791 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Janet’s birth is double registered in the Balquhidder OPR. Family documents record that she died young. The second baptismal entry may reflect her date of death
      7.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 3 MAR 1793 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander married Mary SIMPSON b: 1790 in Scotland, although no record of their marriage has been found.  They moved to Edinburgh and had the following family:
         1.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 18 AUG 1825 in Edinburgh parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.  Alexander was a legal advocate in Edinburgh. No convincing match for this family can be found in any census records.  He married Margaret HAIG b: ABT 1830 in Scotland, although no record of their marriage has been found.  They had the following child:
            1.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 1860 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.  Alexander went by the nickname “Andy” Stuart. Andy is described in a family letter as grandson to Alexander Stuart, brother of Robert Stuart (the explorer). He possessed an armchair and candlestick which allegedly belonged originally to Rob Roy MacGregor and which had been passed to the Glenbuckie family and then to this family.
         2.  James STEWART b: ABT 9 APR 1827 in Edinburgh parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.  James is not recorded in family history and may have died young.
         3.  Mary STEWART b: ABT 22 MAR 1830 in St. Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.  Mary is not recorded in family history and may have died young.
      8.  Mary STEWART b: ABT 24 MAY 1795 in Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Mary is shown in family records as having died young.
      9.  Katherine STEWART b: ABT 22 JUL 1797 in East Rusgachan, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Katherine is said to have married a man named CLARK, whose first name is unknown and had a family of 8 children, including a son named Duncan, and to have immigrated as a family to Australia. Census records and IGI have a perfect match with a family of Hugh Clark and Catherine Stewart, who married in Edinburgh, had 8 children including a son named David (which is a known substitute name for Duncan) and are found in the 1841 census but no later census records. Thus it is believed that Katherine STEWART m: 26 FEB 1821 in Edinburgh parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland to Hugh CLARKE and that they had the following family before immigrating between 1841-1851 to Australia:
         1.  Mary CLARK b: ABT 21 JUL 1822 in South Leith, Midolothian, Scotland
         2.  Christian CLARK b: 1826 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
         3.  Margaret CLARK b: 1826 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
         4.  Donald CLARK b: 1827 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
         5.  Elizabeth CLARK b: 1830 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
         6.  John CLARK b: 1832 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
         7.  Catherine CLARK b: 1834 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
         8.  James CLARK b: 1836 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
         9.  Duncan\David CLARK b: 1838 in St. Mary, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
   6.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 12 MAR 1758 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   7.  James STEWART b: ABT 9 DEC 1759 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is claimed in family records to have married Jessie MCLAREN and to have moved to Edinburgh where he died on 1 JUN 1871 and is buried in Liberton Old Churchyard in Edinburgh. However it is chronologically nearly impossible for a man born in 1759 to die in 1871. He would have been 112 years old. Furthermore, the IGI caries a member submitted record of this same death and claims that said James was born in 1774 and married in 1795. Thus, it must be concluded that family records are in error.
   8.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 4 JUL 1762 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   9.  Donald STEWART b: ABT 11 NOV 1764 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  The IGI entry for this birth shows Donald as baptised 11 NOV 1765, whereas our own transcriptions conducted by Fiona Truncik show the baptism as 11 NOV 1764. Fiona is presently preferred.
   10.  David STEWART, Canadian/American fur trader and explorer, b: ABT 19 DEC 1766 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Family tradition records David’s birth as 22 DEC 1765 in Balquhidder. He died 18 OCT 1853 in Detroit, Michigan, USA). David Stuart was the second of this family to immigrate to Canada to become a famous explorer. David immigrated to Canada between 1796-1807 following his cousin John Stuart (below). David settled first in Montreal where he worked for The North West Company (see below). David later invited his nephew Robert (above) to join him. David was involved in the discovery and settlement of Astoria, Oregon, USA and the Okanogan Valley in southern British Columbia, Canada. David never married.  He resided with his nephew Robert’s family.
   11. Catharine STEWART, born June 8, 1765/1766.  Stewart Clan Magazine’s accounting of this family shows this Catharine erroneously as a child of this family.  However, the OPR clearly shows that she is the illegitimate daughter of “James Stewart and Catharine Stewart in the Braes” (the west end of Balquhidder), and thus could not belong to this family.

   12. David STEWART, b. 12 JUN 1768.  Stewart Clan Magazine, also shows this David Stewart erroneously belonging this family.  This David was a son of James Stewart and Catharine Stewart in Inverlochlarig.  As Inverlochlarig would be considered “in the Braes” then this David is probably the brother of the preceding erroneous Catharine.

James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, married secondly on 16 JAN 1736 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Janet STEWART b: ABT 1710 in Scotland.  They had the following children:

1.  Bettrice STEWART b: ABT 12 JUN 1737 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Beatrice is suspected of having married 10 MAR 1759 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to John or James CAMPBELL. (Groom from Comrie parish and bride from Balquhidder, however the groom’s name is recorded in Fiona’s transcription as James Campbell, not John. Whereas the OPR baptism records show the father’s name as John. The IGI agrees with Fiona, thus any possible error must be presumed to be in the OPR itself.) She is believed to be the mother of the family shown here but her husband and children are not confirmed.
   1.  Duncan CAMPBELL b: ABT 4 NOV 1761 in Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland
   2.  Catharine CAMPBELL b: ABT 1 NOV 1765 in Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland
   3.  Ann CAMPBELL b: ABT 9 FEB 1769 in Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland
   4.  James CAMPBELL b: BET 25 FEB AND 22 MAR 1773 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   5.  Janet CAMPBELL b: ABT 2 SEP 1775 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
2.  Child STEWART b: ABT 2 AUG 1739 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This unnamed child is presumed to have died at birth.
3.  Anne STEWART b: ABT 14 AUG 1747 in Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland

James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt, is believed to have married thirdly to Catharine STEWART b: ABT 1725 in Scotland.  They had the following child:

1.  Charles STEWART b: ABT 20 AUG 1749 in Tighnacoil, Cuill, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Charles’ birth is a bit of a mystery. He is recorded in the Balquhidder OPR as being born at Tighnacoil, which is the primary residence of the Stewarts in Cuilt. His parents are recorded as being “James and Catharine Stewart”, which matches chronologically perfectly with James Stewart, 2nd in Cuilt, known as “Seamas na Coille” and his wife Catharine Stewart who were married in 1749 and had their first confirmed child in 1750. However, it would violate onomastics that they would name their first son, Charles. Thus it is inconceivable that Charles could be their son. However, there was another James Stewart also living at Tighnacoil — his father, James Stewart, 1st in Cuilt. It is therefore suggested, but not verified, that Charles was a much younger brother of Seamas na Coille rather than his son.

Robert Stuart (1785-1848), American Explorer, discoverer of the Oregon Trail

Robert Stuart was born 20 FEB 1785 in Rusgachan in Strathyre, in Balquhidder parish bordering on Callander parish in Perthshire, Scotland.  (Several accounts mistakenly indicate that Robert was born in Callander.  It would be more correct to say that he probably grew up in Callander.)  He was son of John “Ian Mhor na Coille” Stewart, 3rd in Cuill, schoolmaster in Callander, shown above.  Born with the traditional Scottish spelling of Stewart, Robert adopted the English spelling of Stuart upon emigration.

Balquhidder and Callander parishes were at that time strong Gaelic communities, and, as the son of a schoolmaster, Robert was raised with a strong knowledge of both Gaelic and English.  There is a disputed and doubtful claim that he was later educated in Paris and was fluent in French.  Correspondence shows that his French was merely passable.

Robert was allegedly named after Gen. Robert Stuart of Rait and Powblack of the East India Company.  A family letter describes the General as a “relative” but it was not known how close.  Gen Stuart of Rait was of the Annat family of Stewarts and paternally related, but very distantly so.  However he was a cousin by marriage to the Monachyle branch of Glenogle, above, and appears to have been in close contact with this branch.  According to the same family letter, Robert was originally intended for service in the East India Company under Gen. Stuart, however Robert’s mother strenuously objected and Robert chose instead to go to Canada.

Robert’s uncle, David Stuart (shown above), had immigrated to Canada prior to 1805 following his cousin, John Stuart (also above) where they both worked for the North West Company (see note above).  When Robert was 22 his uncle, David Stuart, invited Robert to join him in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  In 1810, Robert and his uncle were enticed away from The North West Company by J.J. Astor to help establish The Pacific Fur Company, which became the chief American rival to The Hudson Bay Company. In the same year Robert took the ship Tonquin on an expedition to the Columbia River and aided in laying the foundation of the city of Astoria, Oregon.

However, Robert is most famous for his discovery of the Oregon Trail.  In June 1812, Robert and a company of explorers left Astoria, Oregon to make the return trip east by land across the Rockies to St. Louis, Missouri.  They travelled by horse, canoe and on foot over 3800 miles and finally reached St. Louis ten months later in April 1813.  The trail marked out by Robert’s party on this journey would later become the Oregon Trail.  This was one of the most important events for opening up the western United States to settlement.  Meanwhile, ironically, Robert and his party had missed out on the entire War of 1812 between the USA and Britain (in what would later become Canada.)

After returning from this journey Robert travelled to New York where he married in 1813 to Emma Elizabeth Sullivan.  They would go on to have 9 children.

In 1817 (another account says 1819) Robert went to Mackinac, Michigan, USA where he was managing partner of the American Fur Company’s entire Northwest operations from 1817 to 1834.  His residence there is now a museum.

Rev. Ferry takes credit for “converting him to Christianity.”  (It’s more likely that Ferry merely won Robert into his congregation, as Robert was clearly already Christian.)  And it was through Robert�s urging that Ferry in 1833 made a circuit of Lake Michigan, beginning and ending at Mackinac, but stopping at the mouth of the Grand River along the way. Robert supplied much of the capital needed for the Grand Haven settlement that followed shortly. Ferry wished to name the community �Stuart� in his honour, but Rix Robinson already had registered the name Grand Haven. In 1833, Robert was in Chicago for the Indian Treaty and presented a request for $17,000 for losses allegedly suffered by the company though Indian activities since 1812.  In 1834 Stuart was an equal partner with Robinson and Ferry of the Grand Haven Company for the purpose of buying pinelands, erecting mills, lumbering, etc, at which time he moved to Detroit. In 1835 Stuart was Government Indian Agent for the Northwest. In 1846 he and his wife conveyed Block 13 of Akeley�s Addition to Ottawa County for public buildings. The county court house, offices, and jail were built on this site. Robert was also secretary to David Leavitt and Capt. William Swift, trustees for Illinois and Michigan Canal. 

Robert invested largely in real estate, was a director of the old Bank of Michigan and served as state treasurer in 1840, a position he held for a year. He was a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church (Detroit).

Robert died suddenly on a business trip to Chicago on October 29, 1848.  Robert Stuart Junior High School in Twin Falls, Idaho is named after him. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Robert STUART married Emma Elizabeth SULLIVAN on July 21, 1813, at First Presbyterian Church in New York City, New York, USA. She was born June 27, 1792, in Brooklyn, New York, USA and died in Detroit on September 26, 1866. They had the following children:

1. Mary Elizabeth STUART, b. 27 JUN 1814 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA.  Mary married and had children.  Her descendants are beyond the scope of this report.

2. Brig. Gen. David STUART, b. 1816 in New York (?).  David Stuart was a US Congressman and a Brigadier General in the Union Army during the US Civil War.  He married and had a large family.  His descendants are beyond the scope of this report.

3. Catherine STUART, b. 21 JUL 1820 in Michilimacinac, Michigran, USA.  Catherine married and had children.  Her descendants are beyond the scope of this report.

4. John STUART, b. 6 MAR 1822, Michilimacinac, Michigran, USA.  John married and had children.  His descendants are beyond the scope of this report.

5. Robert STUART, b. 8 OCT 1825 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA.  Robert married moved to Italy where he had children and later returned to the USA.  His descendants are beyond the scope of this report.

6. Marion STUART, b. 18 MAY 1828 in Michilimacinac, Michigran, USA.  Marion never married.

7. William Maynard STUART, b. 14 APR 1830 in Michilimacinac, Michigran, USA.  William died as a child.

8. Celia STUART, b. 3 JUN 1832 in Michilimacinac, Michigran, USA.  Celia died in infancy.

9. William Maynard STUART, b. 2 JUN 1837 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.  This William also died as a child.

The later descendants of this family are presented in Nell Lambert’s Family Report (not yet posted).

Research Leads

**Dr. David STEWART, of Cromdale, surgeon, age 23 in 1735/6, along with Anne STEWART (no age) and another Anne STEWART (age 8) are listed among the first settlers of the Darien Colony in Georgia, USA.

Robert STUART, b/b 2/8 AUG 1781 in Abernethy and Kincardine, Moray, Scotland, son of Donald Stuart and Janet Grant.

Donald STUART, b/b 22/28 DEC 1740 in ditto, son of John Stuart and Mary Grant

http://www.clanfraser.ca/frasers.htm

At least three loose ends regarding Simon Fraser senior (born about 1739) and junior (born about 1752) still need to be cleared up.  First, Simon senior was a �cousin� of Simon Fraser, seigneur of Matane (d.  1805), whose family connections, except for this reference, are completely obscure.  Second, Simon senior was the �cousin� of Simon McTavish (1750?-1804), the guiding genius of the North West Company of Montreal.  His portrait, attributed to John Hoppner, was likely painted between Dec 1793-May 1795 when McTavish was living in London.  Simon McTavish�s father was John McTavish (1701?-1774), tacksman of Garthbeg in Stratherrick and Lieutenant in the old 78th Regiment, Fraser�s Highlanders; Simon�s mother was Mary Fraser (1715?-1770), but her family is unknown.  McTavish had business connections with Simon Fraser senior over at least twenty years, and mentioned him in his will.  Third, one of the administrators of the estate of Simon Fraser junior was Peter Stuart of Quebec, described as �fourth cousin of the deceased by marriage�.

The claimed relationship must have been through Stuart�s wife Jane Fraser (1755?-1816), daughter of Ensign John Fraser, 60th Regiment, who had settled on land bought on 19 Jan 1765 from Malcolm Fraser (1733-1815), seigneur of Mount Murray, Quebec, also a Lieutenant in Fraser�s Highlanders.  The word �cousin� is imprecise in Scotland, as elsewhere, but it always means something.  There are specific relationships yet to be discovered about these early Frasers in Canada.

Peter Stewart, Esq., subscribed 23 APR 1789 to the roll of the Quebec Agricultural Society with “all the rank and fashion, nobility and clergy of all denominations”

Peter Stewart Esq was an executor to Alexander Fraser of Beauchamp, Hartford, Quebec, 27 JUN 1798

Lord Strathcona – A Biography of Donald Alexander Smith, by Donna McDonald, 1996, Dundurn Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

http://books.google.com/books?id=IKtijPPp87QC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=north+west+company+peter+stewart&source=web&ots=YDU38laY-2&sig=VQOrzWGk2RqAZrAZmdpbgDfODwo&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA25,M1

6 AUG 1820 – Donald Alexander Smith born in Forres, Moray, Scotland, fourth child of Alexander Smith and Barbara Stuart, bap 4 OCT 1820 at St. Laurence Church, Forres, Moray, Scotland.  Alexander and Barbara married in 1813 in Grantown-on-Spey. 

Barbara grew up on the edge of the Abernethy Forest.  Alexander came from downriver in Knockando and “preferred the cheerful companionship of the tavern to the effort of making a living.”  He worked in Grantown as a saddler.

Barbara Stuart’s family were “hard working, decent men and women who had farmed that spot for generations.”

Alexander Smith, b 1780, and Barbara Stuart, b 1784.

1. Margaret SMITH, b ca 1813 in Grantown. “Named after her mother’s youngest sister who drowned when a ship capsized en route to Orkney.  She c
2. John Stuart SMITH, b 1815 in Cromdale near Grantown, near her parents’ home, “named after Barbara’s favourite brother.
3. Jane SMITH, b ca 1817 in Grantown
4. Donald Alexander Smith, b 6 AUG 1820 in Forres. “Named after his maternal grandfather”
5. James McGrigor SMITH, b 1823 in Forres, d 1826.  “He was a sickly child.”
6. Marianne SMITH, b 1825 in Forres

The family moved from Grantown to Forres in 1818 because there was not enough employment for a saddler in Grantown.  Alexander should have prospered in Forres, but his “neighbours recalled a volatile temper and a continuing preference for a drink and good company.”  Barbara “held the family together, stressing the importance of courtesy and politeness and consideration for others at all times, teaching them the principles and practice of the Scots Presbyterian faith and imbuing them with the history and traditions of their Scottish ancestry.”

Alexander Smith had a sister Elspet who married.

Donald Smith was distantly related to a family of Cummings.In 1829 there was a major flood in upper Strathspey that wiped out bridges and houses.  10 inches of rain fell in 48 hours and the river overflowed its banks.

Alexander’s older brother, John, was trained at Marischal College, Aberdeen, as a medical doctor.  Upon graduation his parents sought help from Barbara’s kinsman, Sir James McGrigor, after whom Donald’s younger brother was named.  McGrigor was a Grant of Lethenby (in the parish of Cromdale) on his mother’s side.  McGrigor was the head of Wellington’s medical services during the Peninsular War and Director General of the Army Medical Department.  He secured a position for Dr. John Stuart Smith as assistant surgeon with the 55th Regt of Foot (Westmoreland Regt).  His army medical career took him to India, China, and Australia.

The Clearances drove thousands to emigrate to Canada and the USA.  In 1833 Chatham (Quebec?) was a naval dockyard.

Grants were merchants in London, Manchester and Montreal.  They were leading figures in the NWC.

Charles Grant and his son Charles Grant of the NWC were relatives and merchants who backed the NWC.  Also Robert and Cuthbert Grant were related.  Cuthbert’s son, Cuthbert, after being orphaned was sent to Scotland to be cared for by Donald’s Stuart relatives. (see note 17)

Barbara smith’s brothers, Robert and John had joined the NWC.  Robert had been stationed in New Caledonia and drowned when a canoe capsized.  John joined the NWC in 1799 and explored the Fraser River with Simon Fraser and Jules Quesnel in 1808.  John Stuart was admired by the NWC and the HBC (merged in 1821).  HBC Governor George Simpson described Stuart as:

“the father or founder of New Caledonia; where for 20 years of his life, he was doomed to all the misery and privation, which that inhospitable region could bring forth, and who with a degree of exertion, of which few men were capable, overcame difficulties, to which the business of no other part of the country was exposed; bringing its returns to near about their present standing, and leaving the district as a monument of his unwearied industry and extraordinary perseverance, which will long reflect the highest credit on his name and character, as an Indian Trader.” (see note 19)

Stuart had a reputation as a highly literate man.  In 1835 he was granted his first furlough since 1819 and arrived in London, then traveled to Forres.  Donald was convinced by John Stuart’s stories that he wanted to move to Canada.  His uncle advised him to remain in school first and finish his education.

Stuart was planning a visit to London to see his brother Peter, who was Fort Major at Belfast and some other fur trading “cronies”, and then he planned to spend a year touring the Continent.

Through his paternal grandmother, Donald was related to the Grants who established cotton weaving and printing mills in Manchester.  Donald was offered a clerkship. Donald declined.  He wanted to go to Canada.

John Stuart decided to retire in from the HBC in 1838 and not return to Canada.  John retired to a “house with a large garden” in Forres.

bef 1838 Donald Smith travelled to London, England with John Stuart and met John’s cousin, William Stuart, guardian of his son Donald — (b Canada) a student in England and namesake to Donald Smith

Donald provided annuities for the daughters of his cousin Hugh Lindsay Stuart

John Stuart had at least four country wives.  He appears not to have had any children by Francois Laurin; by another woman, he had a duaghter, Isabel; by Catherine Lavell�, he had two sons, William and Donald; there is no evidence that he had children by Mary Taylor who he refused to marry after bringing her to Scotland shortly after he retired.

Lieut. Peter STUART, appointed Town-Major of Belfast, 24 DEC 1818, “late 1 R. Vet. Bn.) (Hart’s List)

http://books.google.com/books?id=IKtijPPp87QC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=north+west+company+peter+stewart&source=web&ots=YDU38laY-2&sig=VQOrzWGk2RqAZrAZmdpbgDfODwo&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA23,M1

(out of place by a generation) Peter Stewart could not be an adult in 1756 to be sent to Halifax, and be an executor in 1798 and 1805 and be alive to be a cousin to Lord Strathcona b 1820 and be a brother to John Stuart 1780-1847.  There must be more than one Peter Stewart.

b ca 1750 in Scotland. m Jane FRASER (1755?-1816), daughter of Ensign John Fraser, 60th Regiment,

 http://www.sensato.com/Grant/canadian_fur_trade.htm In a will devised by Cuthbert Grant in 1822, a bequest was made to �his cousin Peter Stuart…brother of John Stuart, one of the partners in the Honourable the Hudson�s Bay Company.�

Reference is in the context of a discussion of other local residents from Strathspey who were among the first wave of immigrants to Canada.

It is clear from them, that long before the British captured Quebec, the members of the firm were doing business in Halifax. In 1756 Robert Grant was in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was made a member of the Council of the province; and William Grant writes, under date of August 31, that he has �just sent of Peter Stewart and John Grant with some goods to Nova Scotia.� When Quebec was captured, the firm seems to have transferred its attention to Canada. It is reasonable to suppose that the �Peter Stewart� who was sent out to Nova Scotia in 1756 was the Peter Stewart who later became a prominent merchant of Quebec, interested in the fur-trade of the King�s Posts on the St Lawrence; and there is no doubt that the Hon. William Grant of St Roch was sent out to Quebec about 1762 as an agent of the firm. There must also have been others, for William Grant, the writer of the letters, says in a letter from London, dated Feb. 10, 1763, �I can take care of three or four lads every year without being any loss to me and hope to give as good an account of those as them I have already exported, who have all been peculiarly lucky.�

Peter Stewart is well, a very honest man, and he realized in houses and lands about L2,500 besides what he has employed in a very safe and profitable lease of a post for the Indian trade.

In 1813 the NWC dispatched Henry [Alexander] and Alexander Stewart (Stuart), both partners, to establish trade at the mouth of the Columbia River, where John Jacob Astor* had set up a depot [see Duncan McDougall]. They were to work in conjunction with the Isaac Todd, sent from London via Cape Horn under Royal Navy escort to oust the Americans, with whom the British were now at war. Henry records the Nor�Westers� purchase of Astoria (which they renamed Fort George), hms Racoon�s arrival, Indian raids, and finally the Isaac Todd�s arrival. Reports of these episodes by Gabriel Franch�re*, Ross Cox*, and Alexander Ross* corroborate Henry�s narrative. He provides useful data on chief Comcomly and the Chinook Indians, and also records his visit to Lewis and Clark�s westernmost post, Fort Clatsop (near Astoria), and his trips into the Cowlitz and Willamette River valleys. On 22 May 1814 Henry, with Donald McTavish and five sailors, was going in an open boat from Fort George to the Isaac Todd. The boat capsized, and Henry and McTavish drowned. http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=2458&interval=20&&PHPSESSID=du8ili4gsnrkdinuhom4mms7l6

AFSO: p.271 07 Oct 1813 The North Westers arrived at Astoria with a party of 75 men in a squadron of 10 canoes headed by Messrs. McTavish and (Alexander) Stuart.  They camped outside the Fort waiting for the gun ship to arrive and negotiated for a peaceful turnover of the fort. http://www.oregonpioneers.com/pfc.htm

AFSO: p.284-287 08 Jan 1814 Two North West Company canoes and 20 men under direction of Messrs. Keith and Alexander Stuart, two partners of the North West Company were attacked by Indians on their way to the interior.  Mr. Stuart was shot with three arrows.  A half-breed named Finlay, shot his assailant.  Stuart was gatherered into the canoe and Mr. Keith pushed off.  Haste was made for Ft. George.  One man who was left behind showed up at the Fort nine days later in a destitute condition.  Mr. Stuart was very low.  The barbs of the arrows were of iron and one of them had struck a stone pipe which he carried in his waistcoat pocket, which perhaps saved his life.  One of the barbs it was impossible to extract and he suffered great pain and was confined to bed for upwards of two months.  He then gradually began to recover.

8 Line – The Stewarts in Burn of Cambus

(As we do not yet have a reliable accounting of this family they are not recorded in our on-line database.)

The eighth branch of the Stewarts of Glenogle is a family of Stewarts who lived in Burn of Cambus near Doune Lodge in the far southeast of Callander parish (possibly actually in Kilmadock parish.)  It is believed, but not confirmed that this family resided at an earlier date in Corriechrombie in the southernmost end of Strathyre.  This family is described in Stewarts of the South as follows:

Patrick Stewart, [in] Burn-a-campsy, near Doune Lodge, [in] Doune Parish, has two sons

1. the one a tailor and
2. the other a shoemaker

If this family originated with another Glenogle branch, then there are two potential births worth noting:

1. Patrick STEUART, bap. 8 JAN 1735 in Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, son of John Steuart and Janet Drummond-alias-MacGregor. (9 Line)

2. Patrick STEUART, bap. 25 FEB 1733 in Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, son of James Steuart and Betterage Steuart. (5 Line)

We have not yet transcribed the Kilmadock parish records, but in the Callander parish records there are only two contemporary Patrick Stewarts.  One is in Brackland and is known to be attached to the Stewarts of Wester Brackland, another cadet of the Gartnafuaran family.  Wester Brackland is located in the hills above Callander village, at some distance from Strathyre or any of the other Glenogle cadet lands.

The other Patrick Stewart is the one shown below who resided in Corriechrombie at the south end of Strathyre and who would match onomastically with the first of the two births shown above.  There are other Stewarts residing in Corriechrombie at the same time, and they too are presented below.  If this is the correct family then it is suggested that Patrick must have moved at a later date to Burn of Cambus, while his brothers may have emigrated.

Alexander STEWART and Christian KING in Corriechrombie

1. David STEWART, b. 20 DEC 1766 in Corriechrombie and bap. 23 DEC 1766 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
2. Duncan STEWART, b. 2 FEB 1768 in Corriechrombie and bap. ? FEB 1768 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland

Patrick STEWART and Helen STEWART in Corriechrombie, m. 04 APR 1766 in Callander, Perth, Scotland and 22 MAR 1766 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.

1. Janet STEWART, b. 3 JAN 1767 in Corriechrombie and bap. 6 JAN 1767 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
2. John STEWART, b. 12 MAR 1768 in Corriechrombie and bap. 17 MAR 1768 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland

James STEWART and Anne Malcolm/MacAllum in Corriechrombie

1. Elizabeth STEWART, b. 17 SEP 1768 in Corriechrombie and bap. 22 SEP 1768 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
2. Isabell STEWART, b. 10 AUG 1771 in Corriechrombie and bap. 12 AUG 1771 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

9 Line – The Stewarts in Achra/Auchraw

The final branch of the Glenogle Tree is a family of Stewarts who lived in Achra.  Achra is believed to derive from Achadh = “field” and possibly rath meaning either “good fortune” or “fortified house”.  This branch is described in Stewarts of the South as follows:

Donald Stewart, late crofter Aucha-raw near Loch-earn-head [in] Balquhidder Parish, [on] Lord Braidalbane’s property, left five sons:

1. James, [a] schoolmaster [at] Lochearnhead
2. John is a crofter near the same place [and] has six sons [who are] under age
3. Duncan, a crofter near Thornhill, [in] Kincardine Parish, [in] Perth county, has three sons
4. Peter, a carter in Glasgow, who has two sons.

All this family are industrious and careful.

Ancestors of Donald Stewart in Achra

We believe we have successfully identified the parents of Donald Stewart in Achra, shown below as John Stewart in Wester Achtow.  We have shown a theoretical connection for the Stewarts in Achra to the main branch of Glenogle, above via “Duncan” Stewart, suggested as 3rd in Achtow.  We begin our accounting of the Stewarts in Achra with said Duncan:

 “Duncan” STEWART , 3rd in Achtow b: ABT 1660 in Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  No documentary evidence exists for this “Duncan”.  “Duncan” is a theoretical extrapolation suggested by onomastics only.  “Duncan” is known to descend from one of the branches shown above, and at present the most favourable spot for him to graft into the Glenogle Tree would be as a grandson of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Auchtow by an unknown son.  It is also possible that this “Duncan” could be the brother of Alexander Stewart, predecessor of Cuill (7 Line, above).  “Duncan” is suggest to be the father of:

1.  John STEWART , in Wester Achtow b: ABT 1690 in Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Onomastics would suggest that John Steuart was the son of a Duncan Stewart, but this is not certain and no such Duncan Stewart has been identified. John’s wife, Janet, is nowhere recorded as “McGrigor-alias-Drummond” however the following children are shown mostly in Wester Achtow with mothers shown alternately as either Janet McGrigor or Janet Drummond, with a complimentary chronology. It is suggested that Janet McGrigor and Janet Drummond, both shown as wives of John Steuart in Wester Achtow are the same person and that she is actually Drummond-alias-McGrigor.

   John Stewart married on 25 NOV 1721 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Janet MCGRIGOR-ALIAS-DRUMMOND , in Comrie b: ABT 1700 in Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland.  They had the following children:

   1.  Margaret STEWART b: ABT 27 SEP 1722 in Milntown of Edinample, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. (Mother given as “___ Drummond”.)
   2.  Anna STEWART b: ABT 10 MAR 1725 in Tulloch, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. (mother not given, not certain to be of this family, may be Anne Stewart)
   3.  Duncan STEWART b: ABT 12 OCT 1732 in Achra or Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  (Mother given as Janet McGrigor.)
   4.  Patrick STEWART b: ABT 8 JAN 1735 in Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  (Mother given as Janet Drummond.)
   5.  Walter STEWART b: ABT 19 JUN 1737 in Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  (Mother given as Janet McGrigor.)
   6.  Unnamed STEWART b: ABT 21 JUN 1737 in Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This child is presumably Walter’s twin who died at birth.  (Mother given as Janet McGrigor.)
   7.  Donald STEWART , 1st in Achra b: ABT 31 JUL 1738 in Achra or Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
      1. Donald’s information and descendants are presented immediately below.
   8.  John STEWART b: ABT 24 OCT 1743 in Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  (Mother given as Janet Drummond.

Donald Stewart, 1st in Achra

 Donald STEWART , 1st in Achra b: ABT 31 JUL 1738 in Achra or Wester Achtow, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Donald’s mother’s name given as Janet McGrigor in the Balquhidder OPR.  Donald is described in Stewarts of the South as: “”Donald Stewart, late crofter Aucha-raw near Loch-earn-head [in] Balquhidder Parish, [on] Lord Braidalbane’s property, left five sons (although only four are named): James, [a] schoolmaster [at] Lochearnhead; John is a crofter near the same place [and] has six sons [who are] under age; Duncan, a crofter near Thornhill, [in] Kincardine Parish, [in] Perth county, has three sons; Peter, a carter in Glasgow, who has two sons. All this family are industrious and careful.

The description of Donald’s family matches almost identically with the description of Donald Stewart in Edinample whom we have accounted for elsewhere. The two Donalds should not be confused with each other. We have been unsuccessful in identifying this Donald’s children’s births in the OPRs.  And we have so far only been able to identify his eldest son, John in later life.

Donald had the following sons (and unknown daughters) but an unknown wife or wives:

1.  John STEWART , 2nd in Achra b: ABT 1760 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
   1. John’s information and descendants are presented below.
2.  James STEWART b: ABT 1763 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as “[a] schoolmaster [at] Lochearnhead.”
3.  Donald STEWART b: ABT 1765 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Donald is not recorded in Stewarts of the South, nor have we found any documentary evidence of his existence. He is suggested, without proof, by onomastics only.
4.  Duncan STEWART b: ABT 1767 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan is described in Stewarts of the South as being “a crofter near Thornhill, [in] Kincardine Parish, [in] Perth county, [with] three sons” ca. 1815.
5.  Peter STEWART b: ABT 1770 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Peter is described in Stewarts of the South as being “a carter in Glasgow, who has two sons” ca. 1815.

John Stewart, 2nd in Achra

 John STEWART , 2nd in Achra b: ABT 1760 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  John is described in Stewarts of the South as “John is a crofter near the same place [and] has six sons [who are] under age.” The “same place” may refer to either Lochearnhead or Achra, which are nearly adjacent anyway.  John married on 3 AUG 1793 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland to Margaret MCDONALD b: ABT 1770 in Scotland.  They had the following children:

1.  Son (Donald?) STEWART b: 11 AUG 1794 in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Onomastics would suggest that this un-named son was probably named Donald and that he likely died at birth so his name is not recorded in the OPR. Either that or it’s possible the original name in the OPR is unreadable.
2.  Janet STEWART b: 3 JAN 1796 in Wester Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
3.  Margaret STEWART b: 26 MAR 1797 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Margaret is recorded at her death as being a grocer in Millings, Port of Menteith, and as the daughter of John Stewart, weaver, and Margaret McDonald. The informant is given as Margaret Dunn, her granddaughter. In 1841 Margaret was residing with her widowed mother, her son, and her brothers James and Alexander.  Margaret had relations with, but never married, John DUNN b: ABT 1790 in Scotland, by whom she had one illegitimate son:
   1.  John DUNN b: 1832 in Milling, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland.  No record of John’s illegitimate birth has been found. The witnesses at John’s wedding were: John Graham, Robert Stewart and [illegible] Graham.  John married in 1855 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland to Mary STEWART b: 09 OCT 1825 in Immervuline, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, daughter of Peter STEWART in Immervoulin in Strathyre of the Caleb Stewarts (Line 3 above) and his wife Jean McGregor.  John Dunn and Mary Stewart had the following children:
      1.  Jane DUNN b: 11 JUL 1855 in Milling, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
      2.  Margaret DUNN b: 1858 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
4.  Patric/Peter STEWART b: 14 APR 1799 in Wester Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  He MAY be the following: Peter STEWART and Isabel STEWART in Easter Auchtow.  Married 2 MAY 1832 in Balquhidder, both of Balquhidder parish.

   1. Daniel STEWART, bap. 30 JUN 1833 in Easter Auchtow

   2. Catharine STEWART, bap. 11 JAN 1835 in Easter Auchtow

   3. Janet STEWART, bap. 5 MAR 1837 in Auchtow Mor

   4. Christian STEWART, bap. 22 FEB 1839 in Auchtow Mor

   5. John STEWART, born 31 MAR 1841, bap. 30 NOV 1854 in Auchtow Mor

   6. Margaret STEWART, born 5 DEC 1845, bap. 30 NOV 1854 in Auchtow Mor

5.  James STEWART b: 21 OCT 1801 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.
6.  John STEWART b: 30 OCT 1803 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
   1. John’s marriages and descendant information are to be added.

7.  Duncan STEWART b: 16 MAR 1806 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan married on 12 JUL 1829 in Kincardine-by-Doune, Perthshire, Scotland to Jane/Jean MCLAREN b: ABT 2 FEB 1800 in Kincardine-by-Doune, Perthshire, Scotland.

   1. Their information and descendants are presented below.
8.  Agnes STEWART b: 20 MAR 1808 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland
9.  Helen STEWART b: 18 NOV 1810 in Wester Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This Helen is nearly identical to another Helen Stewart 10 MAR 1811 in Lianach of Glenbuckie as a daughter of John Stewart in Lianach — Sliochd Walter nan Cliugh of Glenbuckie, and who married Alexander Fergusson and had a family with him in Strathyre.  Whereas the later whereabouts of this Helen Stewart from Wester Achra is unknown.
10.  Alexander STEWART b: 03 MAR 1816 in Glenogle, Balquhideer, Perthshire, Scotland.  In 1841 Alexander is found residing in Brnichna Clachan in Port of Menteith with his 70 year old mother, Margaret, his 45 year old sister Margaret Stewart, his 7 year old nephew John Dunn, his 35 year old brother James Stewart, and a 4 year old James Stewart, presumed to be a nephew, and a 40 year old James McKenzie of unknown relation (possibly a brother-in-law?).  Alexander married on 26 DEC 1854 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland to Marjory STEWART believed to be b: 01 SEP 1822 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland, daughter of David Stewart and Janet McMillan (see below).  Alexander and Marjory had the following children:
    1.  Janet STEWART b: 25 NOV 1855 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
    2.  Margaret STEWART b: 17 MAR 1858 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
    3.  John STEWART b: 11 FEB 1860 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
    4.  Alexander STEWART b: 17 OCT 1862 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
    5.  Margaret STEWART b: 02 FEB 1865 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland

Possible birth family for Marjory Stewart, wife of Alexander Stewart

David STEWART and Elizabeth MCGILL (IGI)

1. David STEWART, b ca 1802, m 28 JAN/2 FEB 1826 in Kilcalmonell & Kilberry parish and Killean & Kilchenzie parish, Argyll, Scotland to Janet MCMILLAN.
   1. Mary STEWART, b 1 SEP 1822 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland (from a different family or an illegitimate early birth?)
   2. Jean STEWART, b 15 APR 1827 in Kilcalmonell And Kilberry, Argyll, Scotland
   3. Janet STEWART, b 29 JAN 1829 in Kilcalmonell And Kilberry, Argyll, Scotland
   4. David STEWART, b 23 APR 1831 in Kilcalmonell And Kilberry, Argyll, Scotland
   5. Neil STEWART, b/bap 16 DEC/4 JAN 1832 in Kilcalmonell And Kilberry, Argyll, Scotland
   6. Archibald STEWART, b 1835 in Scotland, m 12 SEP 1868 in Bruce County, Ontario, Canada to Ann MCRAE, b 1842 in Scotland daughter of  Donald McRae and Cristy McRae. (Bruce County marriage register)

Inside Achraw Cottage

It’s not every day we get the chance to peek inside an ancestral residence.  One of the cottages at Achraw went up for sale in 2009.  Although this is not Wester Archraw, it does give us a peek inside one of the neighbouring cottages from the same farmtoun and the same period.  The following photos and description are from the real estate listing.

c/o www.sequencehome.co.uk

Charming stone built cottage with 200ft of loch frontage offering entrance hallway, lounge with multi fuel stove and beamed ceiling, fitted dining kitchen, three bedrooms (one with en-suite shower room) and family bathroom. Electric heating. Driveway. Mature gardens. Two out houses.
Hall 6′ 9″ x 3′ 5″ (2.06m x 1.04m)
Lounge 13′ 10″ x 10′ ( 4.22m x 3.05m )
Kitchen 17′ x 8′ 3″ excluding recess 5’1 x 4’4 ( 5.18m x 2.51m excluding recess 5’1 x 4’4 )
Bedroom 1 14′ x 8′ 7″ ( 4.27m x 2.62m )
Bedroom 2 12′ 2″ x 8′ 9″ ( 3.71m x 2.67m )
Bedroom 3 11′ x 6′ 9″ ( 3.35m x 2.06m )
Bathroom  8′ 7″ x 5′ 1″ ( 2.62m x 1.55m )

Duncan Stewart in Drymen

Duncan Stewart and Jean McLaren in Drymen
Photos c/o Val Roberts

 Duncan STEWART b: 16 MAR 1806 in Achra, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This is the Duncan Stewart mentioned in Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions for Kincardine Cemetery: “24b 1862. By Duncan STEWART and Jean and Christina MCLAREN, in memory of their father John MCLAREN, farmer (in) Lenniston, died 1 MAR184-, age 82, mother Janet STEWART, AUG 1811, age 42, sister Mary, MAR 1818 (sic 1813), age 20. (remainder buried under turf).”  Duncan married on 12 JUL 1829 in Kincardine-by-Doune, Perthshire, Scotland to Jane/Jean MCLAREN b: ABT 2 FEB 1800 in Kincardine-by-Doune, Perthshire, Scotland, daughter of John McLaren and Janet Stewart (of the Stewarts of Blarcrioch). See photos at right.  They had the following children:

1.  John STEWART b: 26 APR 1830 in Auchilty, Drymen, Stirling, Scotland.  John married on 02 JUN 1865 in Brig O’ Turk, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland to his cousin Catherine MCFARLANE b: 1833 in Brig O’ Turk, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, daughter of Alexander McFarlane and Margaret McLaren.  The wedding certificate for John Stewart and Catherine McFarlane states that they are cousins. Their mothers have the same maiden name and thus it is suggested that their mothers (Margaret and Jean McLaren) are sisters and are both daughters of John McLaren and Janet Stewart. John and Catherine had the following children:
   1.  Duncan STEWART b: 24 JUL 1857 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   2.  Jean STEWART b: 27 JUL 1865 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   3.  Christina STEWART b: 11 MAR 1869 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   4.  Janet STEWART b: 11 SEP 1871 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   5.  John STEWART b: 28 JAN 1874 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
2.  Janet STEWART b: 14 OCT 1832 in Bohellochan, Drymen, Stirling, Scotland.  Janet married on 30 NOV 1855 in Little Mill, Boquhapple, Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland to James FYFE b: 1833 in Clackmannan, Scotland.  They had the following children:
   1.  Jane FYFE b: 17 AUG 1856 in Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
   2.  Robert FYFE b: 13 AUG 1858 in Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
   3.  Janet FYFE b: 26 AUG 1860 in Moss-side, Blair Drummond Moss, Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
   4.  Margaet FYFE b: 05 JUN 1862 in Norrieston, Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
   5.  Agnes FYFE b: 15 SEP 1867 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland
3.  Margaret STEWART b: 26 FEB 1835 in Bohellochan, Drymen, Stirling, Scotland.  Margaret married on 07 DEC 1855 in Little Mill, Boquhapple, Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland to Robert THOMSON b: 1833 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland.  They had the following children:
   1.  Jane THOMSON b: 1860 in Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
   2.  Archibald THOMSON b: 16 NOV 1861 in Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
   3.  Duncan THOMSON b: 1864 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   4.  John THOMSON b: 22 MAY 1867 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   5.  Robert THOMSON b: 1870 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   6.  Euphamy F THOMSON b: 1871 in Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland
   7.  Peter THOMSON b: ABT 1874 in Norrieston, Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
4.  Jean STEWART b: 02 MAR 1837 in Kincardine-by-Doune, Perthshire, Scotland.  Jean married on 9 FEB 1864 in Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland to William STEWART b: 18 JUN 1834 in Back Borland, Drymen, Stirling, Scotland, son of Alexander Stewart and Agnes McAlpine, and belonging to the Stewarts in Caille Mor: Branch VI of the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran.  Jean and William had the following children:
   1.  Alexander STEWART b: 23 OCT 1864 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   2.  Jane STEWART b: 18 JUL 1866 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   3.  Agnes McAlpine STEWART b: 10 NOV 1868 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   4.  Janet STEWART b: 18 JAN 1871 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   5.  Duncan STEWART b: 03 MAR 1873 in Gartfarron, Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   6.  Margaret STEWART b: 17 APR 1875 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   7.  William STEWART b: 19 MAY 1877 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   8.  Mary STEWART b: 05 JUL 1879 in Drymen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
5.  Peter STEWART b: 15 APR 1839 in Kincardine-by-Doune, Perthshire, Scotland.  Peter married on 30 APR 1884 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland to Jean Baillie MUNN b: ABT 1857 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland.  They had the following children:
   1.  Margaret B A STEWART b: 07 JUL 1885 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
   2.  Charles Munn STEWART b: 15 SEP 1888 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
   3.  James STEWART b: ABT 1894 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
   4.  Marjory STEWART b: ABT 1896 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
   5. ADDITIONAL MARRIAGE AND DESCENDANT INFO TO BE ADDED
6.  Duncan STEWART b: 06 OCT 1842 in Kincardine-by-Doune, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan married on 13 AUG 1866 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland to Janet STEVENSON b: 1848 in Jawhills, Stirlingshire, Scotland.  Janet was already four months pregnant when she married Duncan Stewart, however she was pregnant by another man. The birth registration of her illegitimate son, John Stevenson, on 7 JAN 1867 in Fannyside Mill, Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, reads: “Janet Stewart, maiden name Stevenson, wife of Duncan Stewart, miller or mason, to whom she was married 13th August 1866 but who she declares is not the father of the child.” They father’s name is difficult to read but appears to be something like “Larset” Stevenson. The illegitimate son, John Stevenson, has not been found in any later census records.  Duncan Stewart and Janet Stevenson appear to have waited a couple of years to have their own child together.  They had the following children:
   1.  Mary STEWART b: 1870 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
   2.  Jane STEWART b: 1872 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
   3.  James STEWART b: 1876 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   4.  John STEWART b: 1878 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   5.  Peter STEWART b: 1880 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   6.  Maggie STEWART b: 1883 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   7.  Duncan STEWART b: 1885 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   8.  Robert STEWART b: 1887 in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   9.  Janet STEWART b: 1890 in Crooked Dyke, Lanarkshire, Scotland
7.  Robert McLaren STEWART b: 18 AUG 1844 in Thornhill, Norriestown (formerly Kincardine), Kincardine by Doune, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert married on 27 APR 1866 in Gargunnock, Stirling, Scotland to Helen DUNLOP b: 1844 in Gargunnock, Stirling, Scotland.  They had the following children:
   1.  Christina STEWART b: 26 SEP 1866 in Gargunnock, Stirling, Scotland
   2.  Duncan STEWART b: 28 SEP 1868 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
   3.  Jane McLaren STEWART b: 27 DEC 1870 in Gargunnock, Stirling, Scotland
   4.  Janet Dunlop STEWART b: 02 JUN 1873 in Kippen, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   5.  Helen STEWART b: ABT 1876 in Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   6.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 1877 in Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   7.  Robert STEWART b: ABT 1881 in Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   8.  John Dunlop STEWART b: 1890 in Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, Scotland
   9.  Bertie STEWART b: 1892 in Gargunnock, Stirling, Scotland

Research Notes

MacGregor Notes

The following testament was sent to us by Gordon MacGregor.

Testament of Alexander Stewart, taxman of 1/8 of Glenfinglas who died in May of 1707 given up by Walter McFarlane in Letter, Duncan Stewart in Monochhylemor, Robert and James Stewart in Glenfinglas as Tutors and overseers on behalf of Alexander Stewart, only lawful son of the defunct. Mention is made of Jean Stewart, his mother (Alexander, younger) and also of a debt due in the name of Tocher with the said Jean from the deceased Alexander Stewart in Gartnaferan, his grandfather.

The following discussion ensued on the Stewarts of Balquhidder Research Forum.  The accounting for Alexander named in the testament is still unresolved.

1. The interpretation of the Testament of 1707 is that Alexander Stewart who died in May of 1707 had married to Jean Stewart, the daughter of Alexander Stewart in Gartnaferan, and that her father, who was then dead, still owed money for her marriage settlement (or Tocher). It is probable that the others mentioned being Duncan Stewart in Monachylemore, Robert Stewart and James Stewart in Glenfinglas were brothers to the defunct or else maternal uncles. (Gordon MacGregor)

2. Or a combination of both.  It could be that Duncan in Monachyle was a maternal uncle while Robert and James were brothers from the branch of Sean Rob ‘ic Alasdair Oig — under which branch this testament is currently accounted.

3. I’d recently pointed out to Ryk that the Edward S. Gray Papers at the Stewart Society mention Jean Stewart, daughter of Alexander Stewart, 8th. of Gart’n, along with Jean’s husband Alexander Stewart, tacksman of one-eighth of Glenfinglas, died 1707. Evidently that information came from this document. However, Alexander Stewart, 8th. of Gart’n, was still alive in the 1720’s, while this testament indicates that Jean’s father Alexander was deceased. Therefore the Edward S. Gray Papers are wrong — Jean [could] have been a daughter of Alexander, 5th. of Gart’n, not Alexander, 8th. of Gart’n. (Jared Olar)

4. Lettir was later a possession of the Monachyle branch

Ardvorlich History

The Ardvorlich History lists the following references to Glenogle.  Unfortunately I do not have the references for Stronvar.

	1613 Alexander S in Glenogill
	1618 Andro S. in Glenogill
	1628 Duncan McRobert Stewart in Glenogill
	1645 Robert Stewart in Glenogill
	1667 Alexander S in Glenowgill (Atholl Hunting Rolls)
	1704 Robert S. in Glenogle (Dunblane Comm. Records)
	1798 Peter S. and John S. in Glenogle

Additional information to update when this page is migrated here: