II Branch – Stiuartich a’ Bhaid

In Coilantogle and possibly in Blairgarry

The name of this clan may give us a clue to their origins. “Bhaid” may mean “Wat”, a nickname form of Walter. Stiuartich a’ Bhaid may mean “Stewarts of Walter.” Given the popularity of the name Walter among the Gartnafuaran branch, it may mean that this branch descends from an early Walter Stewart.

The Stewarts in Coilantogle were a cadet branch of the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran.  Please refer to the Gartnafuaran page for a full introduction.

The Stewarts of Blairgarry

Our current theoretical construction of the Stewarts of Blairgarry is as follows:

John STEWART , Ancestor Of Blairgarry b: ABT 1500 in Gartnafuaran, Perthshire, Scotland as a son of Andrew Stewart, 1st of Gartnafuaran.  According to Duncan Stewart’s 1739 Genealogy, John Stewart, son of Andrew Stewart in Gartnafuaran, was the ancestor of the Stewarts who later lived in Blairgarry.  MacGregor’s research has shown that the lands of Blairgarry were held at this time by John’s paternal first cousin, Robert Stewart of Blairgarry, who was the son of Patrick Stewart of Ardkinknockane, who is believed to be a brother of Andrew Stewart, 1st of Gartnafuaran.  According to Duncan Stewart’s 1739 History, this John was the ancestor of a branch who came into possession of Blairgarry at a later time.  Three of many possible explanations present themselves as worth discussing: 1) Duncan Stewart was mistaken (which is not unheard of) and Andrew Stewart, “1st of Blairgarry” below is not the son of this John Stewart, but is instead the grandson of Robert Stewart, previously in Blairgarry; 2) Robert Stewart in Blairgarry had no sons and his daughter became heiress to Blairgarry and married this John or his son Andrew; or 3) that the earlier Blairgarry line became extinct and the lands of Blairgarry reverted to the Earl of Moray, as senior landlord, and were reassigned to this branch.  It is suggested that John was the father of:

1. 1.  Andrew STEWART, Baillie of Strathgartney, 1st of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1535 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  Andrew’s existence is inferred from a reference made in the Buchanan of Auchmar genealogy: �George Buchanan 3rd in Auchmar, married in his brother�s lifetime Janet Stewart, daughter to Andrew Stewart, who had a beneficial tack [esteemed in these days, equivalent to heritage] of the lands of Blairgarie, and some other lands, from the Earl of Murray, in Strathgartney, and in the Parish of Callander; he was also the Earl�s Baillie in these parts. That family is now (1728) represented by Alexander Stewart [8th] of Gartnafuaroe in Balquhidder parish.”  It is suggested that Andrew was the father of:

      1.  Andrew STEWART, 2nd of Blairgarry, b ABT 1570 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  This Andrew is suggested as the Andrew Stewart in Blairgarry mentioned 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.”  He is also mentioned in: “Sasine to Andrew Stewart, eldest lawful son of James Stewart of Blairgarry, for the lands of Blairgarry to which Andrew Stewart in Chapel of Lanrick is bailie, and which lands had previously been held by the now deceased Andrew Stewart of Blairgarry, father of the said James.” Dated 20 December, 1656. RS51/4/f.131r (National Archives of Scotland c/o Gordon MacGregor).  Andrew was the father of:

         1.  James STEWART, 3rd of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1600 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is recorded in the following sasine along with his father and son, and probable brother.  “Sasine to Andrew Stewart, eldest lawful son of James Stewart of Blairgarry, for the lands of Blairgarry to which Andrew Stewart in Chapel of Lanrick is bailie, and which lands had previously been held by the now deceased Andrew Stewart of Blairgarry, father of the said James.” Dated 20 December, 1656. RS51/4/f.131r (National Archives of Scotland).  James was father of:

            1.  Andrew STEWART, 4th of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1630 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Andrew is recorded in the following sasine:  “Sasine to Andrew Stewart, eldest lawful son of James Stewart of Blairgarry, for the lands of Blairgarry to which Andrew Stewart in Chapel of Lanrick is bailie, and which lands had previously been held by the now deceased Andrew Stewart of Blairgarry, father of the said James.” Dated 20 December, 1656. RS51/4/f.131r (National Archives of Scotland).  As Andrew is recorded in the 1656 sasine as being heir to the lands of Blairgarry, then he would likely be reaching marriage age at that time.  He is believed to be the father of:

               1.  Patrick McAndrew STEWART, 5th of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1660 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Patrick’s testament is referenced in The Ardvorlich History indicating that he died in 1705.  His patronymic would make it nearly certain that he was the son of Andrew Stewart, 4th of Blairgarry.  His 1705 testament records his lawful son as:
                  1. James STEWART, 6th of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1685 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is recorded in his father’s testament as the lawful son of the deceased Patrick McAndrew Stewart in 1705.  The Blairgarry line is recorded in the Buchanan of Auchmar History as having been extinct by 1728 (see reference to Janet Stewart below).  Thus it is suggested that James was the last of the main Blairgarry line and that he either died without issue or emigrated.

         2. Andrew STEWART, in Chapel of Lanrick, Baillie of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1605 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Andrew is mentioned in the 1656 sasine for James Stewart (shown here as Andrew’s brother, above), in which he is referenced as being the baillie of Blairgarry and residing in Chapel of Lanrick.  His exact relationship to the Blairgarry family is not indicated, but brother would make the most sense, logically, chronologically, and onomastically.  It is not known if he had any descendants.

      2. Janet STEWART, b. ABT 1575 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Janet is recorded in the Buchanan of Auchmar History as having married (probably ca. 1600) to George Buchanan, 3rd of Auchmar. �George Buchanan 3^rd in Auchmar, married in his brother�s lifetime Janet Stewart, daughter to Andrew Stewart, who had a beneficial tack [esteemed in these days, equivalent to heritage] of the lands of Blairgarie, and some other lands, from the Earl of Murray, in Strathgartney, and in the Parish of Callander; he was also the Earl�s Baillie in these parts. That family is now (1728) represented by Alexander Stewart [8th] of Gartnafuaroe in Balquhidder parish.”  Their son, Patrick was married in 1629, thus his mother must have been born ca. 1580 or earlier.

The branch is described in Stewarts of the South as:

Commonly called “Stuiartich a’ Bhaid” (probably means “Stewarts of the clump/tuft/thicket”) in ancient times.  The oldest branch of the family of Gartnafuara was Ground Officer to the Earl of Moray in the district of Doune.

There was one Andrew Stewart, [a] tenant in Cuil-n-togle who left two sons: William and John.

1. William is ground officer to the Earl of Moray in the town of Doune.  [He] has one son in a very respectable, affluent way in the West Indies.
2. John is a tenant in ?Enapach near Callander [which is] part of Burrel Drummond’s estate.  [He] had four sons; only two are alive:
   1. one, Robert, the oldest, [is] in good circumstances [and] is a spirit dealer in Glasgow.  (The following entry appears later in the original text but has been moved earlier to this place here to improve readability.)  This spirit dealing business is a mystical one to me. I much doubt that they are a good deal indebted to Arnswell in Glasgw with vitrol and other combustibles, which are unknown to me.  This Rob would, at one time, have been glad of a kilt full of potatoes or porridge, although he now affects all the splendour at his table that would serve a Lord’s son.  He is a man of some abilities, if he were moderate in his manner.  [He] was sometime a traveller to a house in Glasgow and had all the assurance of a highwayman’s horse, and might pass for Capt Plume or Sergt Kitt in the “Recruiting Officer”. Though I have marked him out, there is many of his sort in Glasgow in that line (of spirit dealers?).  He is said to be worth �9,000 or �10,000, and has three sons [who are] under age.
   2. Alexander, who went to the East Indies some years ago and is in a prosperous way there.

James mor Stewart, formerly [a] tenant [in] Grodich [in] Glenfinglas, [who] moved [from there] to Monavrechie [in] Port [of Menteith] parish.  [He was] a famous hardy soldier, who left three sons [namely]

1. Alexander, [a] cottar to the present Alex Stewart, tacksman of Leanchoille [in] Port [of Menteith] Parish, who has no family
2. James, his brother, [is] a founder in Glasgow [and] has three sons
3. Walter, [who is] a tailor in Glasgow, [and] who has two sons under age.

This finishes the account of “Stuartich a’Bhaid”, as they are called.

Mrs Stewart of Milton:

Of the Grodich Stewarts who left Grodich and came to Auchnahard, there were three of the name of John in succession: grandfather, father and son. That family eventually went to Aberdeen and became wine merchants there.

There were two Stewart families in Grodich. The earlier family are those who eventually went to Aberdeen. The latter went to Strathyre  — of this family was John who was nearly 100 when he died. Walter Stewart (Frangich) was in Glenfinlas. He married an Aberdeenshire woman McNab. He was of the first Grodichs. Note: “Frangich” is Gaelic for “French speaker”. She says later, “Walter Frangich was probably related to Walter in Edralechan as I understand he was a cousin of my mother’s.  James of this family was a clockmaker in Glasgow.

NOTE: Ardvorlich III Branch contains a family of a James Stewart, tacksman of Grodich, who moved to Monbreachy

This branch is presented in Jared and Belinda’s Stewarts of Blairgarry Report.  The following information is excerpted from that report:

Here is Belinda Dettmann�s tentative reconstruction of part of the genealogy of the Stuiartich a� Bhaid as found in Stewarts of the South, incorporating information found in old Scottish parish registers.

Descendants of Andrew Stewart

Generation One

1. 1.  Andrew STEWART; married Katrin Murdoch 19 March 1750 in Kincardine by Doune, Perth.  This Andrew seems to be the same as �Andrew, tenant in Cuil-n-togle, [who] left two sons William and John.�

    Children of Andrew Stewart and Katrin Murdoch were as follows:

2.    i.       John, born 28 Mar 1751 Callander, Perth; married Janet Buchanan.
3. William; No date information on the register.

                                    ï¿½William is Ground Officer to the Earl of Moray in the town of Doune �

            has one son in a very respectable affluent way in the West Indies.�

Generation Two

2. 2.  John STEWART; born 28 March 1751 Callander, Perth; married Janet Buchanan 8 Jan 1773 Callander, Perth.  This John seems to be the �John is a tenant in ?Enapach near Callander, part of Burrel Drummond�s estate, who had four sons:  only two are alive, one Robert, the oldest, in good circumstances, is a Spirit dealer in Glasgow, and Alexander, who went to the East Indies some years ago, and is in a prosperous way there.�

     Children of John Stewart and Janet Buchanan were as follows:

1. Elisabeth; born 28 Oct 1773 in Culntogil, Callander, Perth.
2. Alexander; born 16 Mar 1779 in Culintogle, Callander, Perth.

iii.                  John a twin; born 14 Dec 1780 in Culntogle, Callander, Perth.

1. Robert a twin; born 14 Dec 1780 in Culntogle, Callander, Perth.
2. Walter; born 12 Feb 1783 in Cullintogle, Callander, Perth.
3. Catherine; born 25 Jul 1785 at Calliveag of Cullintogle, Callander.

Now, it should be noted that Stewarts of the South says Robert, son of John, was the oldest son, with Alexander younger than Robert.  The parish register, however, shows Robert as the third son, with Alexander as the oldest.  Stewarts of the South is almost certainly in error on this point, as it occasionally is in error on other matters.  It is all but certain that the family of John, son of Andrew, found in the parish register is the same as the family mentioned in Stewarts of the South, as can be seen not only by the matching given names but also the place names of Cuil-n-togle and Doune.

So far no likely candidates for �James Mor Stewart, formerly tenant in Grodich Glenfinglas, removed thence to Monavrechie, Port parish, Menteith, a famous hardy soldier, who left three sons,� have been found in old Scottish parish registers.

Research Leads

James STEWART b ca 1685 married on 30 JUN 1715 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland to Janet MCKEOUN b: ABT 1695 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  They had the following family:

1.  Donald STEWART b: 13 JAN 1716 in Corichrombie, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Donald’s mother’s name appears as “McIarmin” in our OPR transcriptions.
2.  Bettrice STEWART b: 4 NOV 1718 in Blairgarry, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
3.  Duncan STEWART, b: 10 APR 1719 in Culinlogle, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan’s mother’s name appears as “Mclean”.
4.  Mary STEWART b: 28 FEB 1721 in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Mary’s mother’s name appears as “McKermin” . Mary’s exact place of birth is not listed in the OPR.
5.  Catharine STEWART b: 17 APR 1721 in Culinlogle, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Catharine’s mother’s name appears as “Mcenan”. Given her dates it seems likely that she is a twin to Mary.
6.  James STEWART, b: 30 NOV 1726 in Blairgarry, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  James’ mother’s name appears as “McCermiak”
7.  Alexander STEWART b: ABT 1 DEC 1728 in Culnagrain, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland. 
8.  Walter STEWART b: 25 FEB 1730 in Milntown of Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Walter’s mother’s name appears as “McFrmin”