The Stewarts of Ballachallan

The Stewarts of Ballachallan (and later of Annat)

Duncan STEWART , 1st Of Ballachallan b: ABT 1633 in Annat, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland, as a son of John Stewart, 2nd of Annat (above).  He died in 1700 (according to an LDS submission).  He acquired the lands of Ballachallan from Walter Graham of Ballachallan in 1664.  Duncan Stewart married ABT 1669 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland to Agnes GRAHAM daughter of George Graham of Bofroschlie b: ABT 1635 in Perthshire, Scotland.  They had the following children:

1.  Janet STEWART , Of Ballochallan b: ABT 9 FEB 1670 in Ballochallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  She married Walter GRAHAM , Of Nether Glenny and Mondowie, b: ABT 1670 in Perthshire, Scotland.  They had known descendants who are accounted for in Belinda Dettmann’s Annat Report.
2.  Agnes STEWART b: ABT 17 NOV 1670 in Ballochallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  Agnes presumably died as a child prior to the birth of her same-named sister, Agnes.
3.  Duncan STEWART b: ABT 5 MAR 1672 in Ballochallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  MacGregor reports that he “died young”.
4.  George STEWART , 2nd Of Ballachallan b: ABT 9 OCT 1675 in Ballochallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  He married ABT 1705 in Perthshire, Scotland to Mary, daughter and Heiress of Henry HUME , Of Argaty b: ABT 1690 in Argaty, Perthshire, Scotland.  Their children are presented below.
5.  Patrick STEWART b: ABT 31 MAY 1677 in Ballochallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  Patrick is not mentioned by MacGregor, therefore it is presumed he died too young for later documentation.
6.  Agnes STEWART b: ABT 5 MAY 1678 in Ballochallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alison Mitchell’s Monumental Transcriptions read: “Laedere Noli. Lieut. Walter Stewart, wife Agnes Stewart 8.1.1756, age 80, by son John, 1760.”  (It is believed that the 1756 death is Agnes’ and the 1760 reference is to the death of Walter.)  Stewarts of the South records that John married a daughter of Stewart of Ballachallan, but no such daughter can be found. However Walter’s wife, Agnes, is a near exact match for this Agnes, daughter of Duncan Stewart, 1st of Ballachallan. It is therefore suggested that Stewarts of the South was off by one generation and that it was actually Walter who married a Stewart of Ballachallan.  Thus we suggest that Agnes Stewart married Lt. Walter STEWART, in Brig O’ Turk.  Their descendants are presented on the Stewarts of Glenfinglas page.
7. Elizabeth STEWART, b. ABT 1680 in Ballachallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  She married James Buchanan, 2nd of Auchleshie, and had issue. (MacGregor)

George Stewart, 2nd of Ballachallan

George STEWART , 2nd Of Ballachallan b: ABT 9 OCT 1675 in Ballochallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  He married ABT 1705 in Perthshire, Scotland to Mary daughter and heiress of Henry HUME, of Argaty b: ABT 1690 in Argaty, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.

Argaty

The name Argaty, sometimes shown as Ardgaty, derives from the Gaelic aird, “height”, and gaoth, “wind” and means “windy height”.  Argaty is a farm estate located just over a mile northeast of Doune.  (See map above.)  Argaty was originally part of the Doune estate, property of the Dukes of Albany, ancestors of George Stewart.  When the House of Stewart of Albany was brought down and executed, their lands were forfeited to the Crown and Argaty was among the forfeited properties.  After the forfeiture the Crown granted the lands of Argaty to John Sinclair, Esquire to the King’s Chamber.  The property passed to Sinclair’s younger daughter who married Patrick Home (or “Hume”, pronounced “Hoom”, not “Hyoom”) of Polworth, and Argaty thus came into the possession of the Home family.  About a century and a half later the property again fell upon a daughter, Mary Hume/Home, who married George Stewart, 2nd of Ballachallan, whose descendants took the name Home-Stewart (or Hume-Stewart).  Ironically, through this circuitous route of forfeiture and marriages the property of Argaty actually returned to the descendants of the the same Stewarts who lost it three centuries earlier.

George Stewart and Mary Hume had the following children:

1.  Daughter STEWART b: ABT 7 JUN 1706 in Ballachallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  This daughter is listed in the OPR without a first name.  The child may have died at birth, however she is claimed by MacFarlane family tradition to have married Donald MacFarlane of Lettir (ca.1685-1744).  No record of any such marriage exists, however David Hume Stewart, 3rd of Ballachallan is recorded as the tutor of the children of Donald MacFarlane as follows:

   A testament by Alexander MacFarlane in Lettir, a tenant of Donald MacFarlane of Lettir, by which at his death:

   “The balance (of his estate) estimated, in value to the sum of One Hundred and Forty Seven Pounds Scots money which was put in the hands of David Stewart of Ballochallan as Tutor to the children of Donald Mcfarlane of Letter who bought the said effects.”

   A tutor for minors is most often chosen from among the siblings of their deceased parents.  Thus it seems most likely that this unknown Stewart and his wife died young and that David Hume Stewart, 3rd of Ballachallan, was an uncle to the children of Donald MacFarlane of Lettir.  This claim is addressed by the following reference in the Stewarts of the South:

   “3 Auchraig & Letter Do – at present Benny Munrows property sold by the late Robert’s father to a family of the name of Stirling who sold it again to one Mcfarlane from whom the late David of Balchallan swindled it, although they were his sisters children [emph. added].  It was once a grazing place to Ardvurlich family.”

   This line is being researched by descendant Andrew MacFarlane in New Zealand.

2.  Francis STEWART b: 9 MAR 1713 in Ballachallan, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  Francis’ baptism is recorded in both Kilmadock and Aberfoyle parishes.
3.  David Hume STEWART , 3rd of Ballachallan, 6th of Annat, and of Argaty b: ABT 1715 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  David Hume Stewart of Ballachallan purchased the property of Annat from his cousin John Stewart, 5th of Annat (above). He also acquired the lands of Argaty from his mother on 24 July 1752 and, according to the Stewarts of the South, he tried to swindle Robert Stewart, 7th Ardvorlich, out of the property of Ardvorlich. According to the same letter, David is described as “a keen grasping man closely attached to the world and not much to friendship”. He died without issue.
   1. Donald STEWART, 4th of Ballachallan, b: ABT 1710 in Glen Finglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  David Hume Stewart of Ballachallan is alleged in some genealogies to have had a son named Donald Stewart, styled as 4th of Ballachallan, who fought at Culloden and then settled at Hythie in Aberdeenshire.  However this claim is mistaken.  Donald Stewart “in Ballachallan” and latterly of Hythie did exist but he was not the son of David Hume Stewart of Ballachallan.  In fact he was roughly the same age as David Hume Stewart and thus it would be chronologically impossible for Donald to be the son of this David and further, David Hume Stewart is recorded as having died without issue and his estates passed to his nephew George Home(-Stewart), 4th of Ballachallan, 7th of Annat, and 2nd of Argaty (shown below).  Donald Stewart was actually the son of David Stewart, Forester of Glen Finglas, who was in turn the son of James Stewart, 4th of Ardvorlich.  It is possible that Donald Stewart may have resided at Ballachallan and thus may have been styled “in Ballachallan” but he was never “of Ballachallan.”  Further information on the correct accounting of Donald Stewart of Hythie and “in Ballachallan” can be found on our Stewart of Hythie page.
4.  Dr. George HOME-STEUART , of Argaty b: ABT 1717 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.
   1. His information and descendants are presented below.
5.  James STEWART , Sheriff Of Kinross b: ABT 1720 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  He married on 3 JUN 1744 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland to Penelope ERSKINE , Of Cambo b: ABT 1720 in Scotland and had the following children:
   1.  Mary STEWART b: ABT 17 OCT 1746 in Kinross, Kinross, Scotland
   2.  Charles STEWART, b. JUN 1748 in Kinross, Kinross, Scotland
   3.  Janet STEWART b: 15 DEC 1749 in Kinross, Kinross, Scotland
6.  William STEWART b: ABT 1725 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  He entered the army as an officer.

Dr. George Home-Stewart of Argaty

Dr. George HOME-STEWART, of Argaty b: ABT 1717 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Dr. George Home-Steuart moved to Maryland, United States where he was a medical doctor. Dr. George Steuart was politically involved with the interests of the proprietorship of Maryland, i.e. the Calvert family; thus finding himself on the “wrong” side when the Revolutionary War erupted. He owned at least 4,100 acres in Anne Arundel County, Maryland in 1775. The Revolution caused a dilemma for Dr. Steuart. If he supported the Revolution, he would forfeit his property in Scotland. If he supported the Crown, his estates in America would be confiscated. It appears he was a pragmatic man, and divided his family. Dr. Steuart returned to Scotland with some sons, and proclaimed his loyalty. He left Ann and some of the family in Maryland, signed his land over to his sons, who professing sympathy for the Revolution, they retained the American properties. Dr. Steuart died in Scotland, just as the Revolutionary War was ending. Ann died in 1814, at the estate in Maryland called “Dodon.” The Steuart farm at Dodon is still family owned, though they only have about 550 acres left. You can visit their website at www.dodonfarm.com . (submitted by Arthur Bielfelt)  George married to Anne DIGGES b: ABT 1720 in Warburton, Prince George County, Maryland, USA. They had the following children:

1.  George HOME 4th of Ballachallan & 7th of Annat & 2nd Argaty b: ABT 1745 in Maryland, USA.  George succeeded his father in the lands of Argaty and his uncle in the lands of Ballachallan and Annat. Upon George’s death the estates of Ballachallan, Annat and Argaty passed to his daughter Sophia who married and the estates passed outside the Stewarts. George’s brothers all sued Sophia trying to claim the estates to keep them in Stewart hands, but they were unsuccessful.  George married firstly on 09 FEB 1777 in St. Ninian’s, Stirlingshire, Scotland to Mary ERSKINE of Powis b: ABT 1750 in Powis, Angus, Scotland, daughter of David Rollo of Powis.  They had no known children.  George married secondly on 20 NOV 1785 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland to Jane MUNRO of Auchenbowie b: ABT 1765 in Scotland, daughter of John Munro of Auchenbowie.  George and Jane had one child:
   1.  Sophia HOME-STEWART Heiress of Ballachallan & Annat & Argaty b: 05 AUG 1787 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  Sophia inherited the lands of Ballachallan, Annat, and Argaty on the death of her father. With her marriage to David Munro Binning the lands of Annat, et al, passed out of the hands of the Stewarts. Several of her uncles tried unsuccessfully to sue for the estate.  Sophia married on 08 AUG 1803 in Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland to David Munro BINNING of Softlaw b: ABT 1780 in Scotland.
2.  Dr. Charles STEUART of Annapolis b: ABT 1747 in Maryland, USA.  Charles was a medical doctor in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. He tried unsuccessfully to sue his niece Sophia Home-Stewart for the lands of Ballachallan and Argaty.  Charles married Elizabeth CALVERT b: ABT 1750 in Maryland, USA.
3.  Susanna STEUART b: 1749 in Maryland, USA
4.  David STEUART b: ABT 1752 in Maryland, USA.  David Steuart fought for the British during the Revolutionary War, but returned to Maryland where he died in 1814 and is buried at Dodon, the family estate. He tried unsuccessfully to sue his niece Sophia Home-Stewart for the lands of Ballachallan and Argaty.
5.  William STEUART b: 1754 in Maryland, USA
6.  Dr. James STEUART b: 1755 in Maryland, USA.  James Stewart was a medical doctor in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. James is described in Stewarts of the South as follows: “As far as I can learn this James of Balchallan altho born in America was one of the most friendly & generous gentleman of the name of Stewart of the Ardvurlich descendants and had the means to support his generosity – He left three brothers the oldest of them [David] came home and was claiming the Estate of Balchallan [against his neice, Sophia Home-Steuart] but was rejected. Another of them was m. to a niece of the celebrated & Gallant Gen Washington.” (sic) James did not have brother who was married to a niece of General George Washington, however his brother, Dr. Charles Steuart of Annapolis married Elizabeth Calvert whose sister was married to the stepson of General George Washington. This, perhaps, may be the source of the confusion.  James married on 04 NOV 1788 in Anne Arundel, Maryland, USA to Rebecca SPRIGGS b: UNKNOWN.  They had the following children:
   1.  George Hume STEUART b: 01 NOV 1790 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.  George married on 03 MAY 1826 to Anne Jane EDMONSON b: UNKNOWN.  They had:
      1.  Brigadier-General George Hume “Maryland” STEUART b: 24 AUG 1828 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA   George Hume Stewart attained the rank of Brigadier-General in the Confederate army during the Civil War, during which time he was affectionately known as “Maryland Steuart”.  He married Maria Hunter KINGIE and had the following daughter:
         1.  Mary Ann STEUART b: ABT 1855 in Washington City, District of Columbia, USA
      2.  Isaac Edmonson STEUART b: 11 JUL 1830 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
      3.  Mary Elizabeth STEUART b: 19 SEP 1837 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
      4.  Anne Rebecca STEUART b: 22 AUG 1839 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
   2.  Margaret STEUART b: 09 JUL 1795 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
   3.  Sophia STEUART b: 18 NOV 1796 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
   4.  Richard Spriggs STEUART b: 01 NOV 1797 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.  Richard died without children.
   5.  Henry STEUART b: 15 AUG 1800 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
   6.  Elizabeth STEUART b: ABT 1805 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.  Elizabeth never married.
7.  Ann STEUART b: 1757 in Maryland, USA
8.  Mary STEUART b: 1759 in Maryland, USA

David B. Morris, clerk of the Town of Stirling, author of Robert Louis Stevenson and the Scottish Highlanders (Stirling: Eneas Mackay Publishing, 1929), wrote about various Jacobite families whose escapades inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write the books Kidnapped and Catriona, later made into a 1971 movie staring Michael Caine.

Doune Castle and the Stewarts of Ballochallan (pp. 37-43)

(Subheadings and corrections added.)

The leading family of Stewarts, in the neighbourhood of Stirling, was and still is that of the Earls of Moray. From them were descended the Stewarts of Ardvoirlich (sic), the Stewarts of Ballochallan (sic), and the Stewarts of Annat. (sic – Morris is incorrect. The Stewart Earls of Moray and the Stewarts of Ardvorlich share a common ancestor in Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany, back in the 15th century. They were distant cousin families. The Stewarts of Ballachallan descend from the Stewarts of Annat who descend from a brother of the first Stewart of Ardvorlich.) James, the seventh Earl, then a man of thirty-seven, took no part in the ’45, although he was on intimate terms with the Jacobite leaders, and had previously corresponded with Macpherson of Cluny. After Culloden, the Earl interested himself in the case of Roderick M’Culloch, a Ross-shire laird, who had been sentenced to death at Carlisle. Lord Moray and others petitioned in is favour, and he was pardoned.

In the course of the military operations, the Earl’s ancient seat, Doune Castle, was held for Prince Charles, being garrisoned by a detachment of MacGregors. This massive stronghold stands in a commanding position on a steep mound at the junction of the Ardoch Burn with the River Teith. Protected on three sides by water, the castle was defended on the fourth side by a deep ditch. The walls are of great thickness, and the structure is well preserved. Close by is the old Burgh of Barony of Doune, famous at one time for its manufacture of Highland pistols and sporrans. Referring to Doune Castle, Sir Walter Scott says, “This noble ruin is dear to my recollection from associations which have been long and painfully broken.” (Waverly, note 28)

Prince Charles’ object in placing a garrison in Doune Castle was to protect his communications with the Highlands, and to repel any sallies which might be made from Stirling Castle. This task was entrusted to that branch of the clan MacGregor to which Rob Roy had belonged. The main portion of the clan fought under MacGregor of Glencairnaig, whom they acknowledged as their chief, but the more lawless sept, who lived in the neighbourhood of Inversnaid and Balquhidder, preferred their independence. They were descended from Dugald Ciar Mhor, who, according to tradition, was responsible for the slaughter of young Glasgow students who had gone to witness the Battle of Glenfruin in 1603. This race acknowledged as their chief, Gregor MacGregor of Glengyle, otherwise called James Graham, Rob Roy’s nephew during whose childhood Rob had acted as captain of the clan. Gregor was known as Ghlune Dhu (“Black Knee”), from the dark birth mark on his knee. He is described as a tall, handsome man, brave and intrepid as might have been expected, but also extremely modest, and so honest and disinterested as to have given rise to a popular expression. He was the only MacGregor for whom poor Jean Key had a good word, and she had every reason to loathe the whole connection.

An anecdote is told of Ghlune Dhu when he held the command of Doune Castle. As the Castle would not accommodate all his men, it was recommended by a pistol maker in the village, Thomas Caddel, professedly attached to the house of Stewart, that they should be quartered on the disaffected. Caddel, soon after, complained of having some billeted on himself. MacGregor replied coolly, “I wish to ascertain, Mr. Caddel, how my friends like what one of them has prescribed for my enemies.” Although Gregor MacGregor was found guilty of treason and was excepted in the Act of Pardon, he was allowed to remain unmolested in his native glen. 

The Rev. John Home, the author of Douglas, A Tragedy, who served in the ’45 as a trooper on the Hanoverian side, was imprisoned in Doune Castle, having been taken by the Jacobites at the Battle of Falkirk. With five companions, he escaped by making a rope of blankets and dropping over the battlements. Four persons, including Home, reached the ground in safety. But the rope broke with the fifth, who was a tall, heavy man. The sixth was Tomas Barrow, a young Englishman, a particular friend of Home’s. Barrow slid down on the broken rope so far as it could assist him, and then let himself drop. His friends beneath succeeded in breaking his fall, but he dislocated his ankle and had several of his ribs broken. His companions, however, were able to bear him off in safety. The Highlanders next morning sought for their prisoners with great activity. An old gentleman told Sir Walter Scott that he remembers seeing the commandant Stewart riding furiously through the country in quest of the fugitives. 

Although the noble house of Moray were not actively engaged in the Rising, a neighbouring clansman, Stewart of Ballochallan, was Jacobite Governor of Doune Castle. (sic) He figures in Waverly (to quote his own words) as “Donald Stewart, governor of the garrison, and Lieutenant Colonel in the service of his Royal Highness Prince Charles Edward.” (Waverley, chapter 18) Stewart’s chilly reception of Scott’s hero rather damped that insipid young man. The real Stewart of Ballochallan entertained at his house some years later Alan Breck Stewart, and also James Stewart of the Glen, a few days prior to the Appin murder. Thus, we have a link with Stevenson. Ballochallan lies about six miles from Doune on the river Teith, near its junction with the Keltie, the stream which, in the hills above, forms the falls of Bracklin. Ballochallan is but a short distance from Cambusmore, embowered in the trees, where Sir Walter Scott resided for a time when he acquired the local setting and traditions which enabled him to produce The Lady of the Lake. 

In what relation Gregor MacGregor and Stewart of Ballochallan stood to each other during the occupation of Doune Castle is not clear. One may have succeeded the other in command, or their respective duties may have been defined.

The Stewarts of Ballochallan were descended from the Stewarts of Ardvoirlich on Loch Earn. (sic) Certain tragic events in the history of this old family were intimately connected with the MacGregors, and were introduced by Scott in A Legend of Montrose. Major David Stewart of Ballcohallan was in hiding on the braes of Leny, near Callander, with six friends after Culloden. They were surprised by a party of the Perth volunteers, who, after a tough conflict, overpowered Stewart and his comrades and carried them to Stirling, where the major died of his wounds. Among the seven was Captain Donald McLaren of Invernenty. Two of Major David Stewart’s brothers, Doctor Stewart and William Stewart, took refuge in America, where they resided at Annapolis in Virginia (now Maryland). (sic) Near them were settled their former ntighbours, John Muschet and Doctor Muschet, nephews of Haldane of Lanrick. The name of Charles Stewart of Ballochallan occurs in the list of persons found guilty of treason in 1747, and also in the list of those excepted from the General Act of Pardon. 

Morris here, like many others, has confused and conflated two different contemporary David Stewarts of/in Ballachallan. The cause of the confusion is the usage of the word “of” which in its strict sense is used to denote ownership of a property and is contrasted with “in” to denote residing in, but not owning, a particular property. However, in casual usage the word “of” is often used to refer to either. In particular, the notation of prisoner Maj. David Stewart “of” Ballachallan refers to Maj. David Stewart “in” Ballachallan. There is no evidence that his contemporary David Stewart of Ballachallan was a Jacobite soldier at all. The two Davids were:

• David Hume Stewart, 3rd of Ballachallan and 6th of Annat. His brother, Dr. George Home-Stuart of Argaty moved to Annapolis, Maryland, USA. His brother, William Stewart also moved to Maryland, USA. A Charles Stewart of Ballachallan is listed as a Jacobite prisoner as noted by Morris, however there is no other record of his existence and it’s not clear which family he belonged to. There is no indication that this David Stewart was out in the ’45. The fact that he kept his lands afterwards probably indicates that he was not out in the ’45.
• Major David Stewart, in Ballachallan and MacOrriston, Forester of Glenfinglas, son of James Stewart, 4th of Ardvorlich, himself Steward of Doune Castle and Chamberlain to the Earl of Moray. This David is the one who was Jacobite governor of Doune Castle and was later captured and died in prison. See our Stewarts of Ardvorlich page for a full explanation of the the confusion between these two Davids.