IV Branch – The Craiglevan Stewarts

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

Craig Leven – The likely location of Craig Leven Farm is shown at the red circle.  Craig Leven Farm is not shown on modern or historic maps.  Craig Leven derives from the Gaelic craig leamhan, which means “rock of elms.”  There is a rock named Craig Leven located just above the Loch Katrine Pier.  The 19th century map below shows a farm at the pier that is not identified.  We suspect that to be the location of Craig Leven Farm.

Craig Leven – This 19th century map and the modern map below show no farm named Craig Leven.  Craig Leven is the name of the rock shown on these maps.  The closest farm to that rock is shown circled above.  As there is no other farm nearby it is likely that the farm shown above is Craig Leven farm, however we cannot be sure.

The Craigleven Stewart initially resided at Craig Leven farm.  The name “Craig Leven” derives from the Gaelic craig leamhan which means “rock of elms.”  No such farm has been found on modern or historic maps.  Stewarts of the South describes Craig Leven as being “as small farm possessed by them near Ardcheanochdan.”  The maps above show the location of a rock named Craig Leven just west of Ardcheanochdan (Tigh-Mor).  The 19th century map above shows an un-named farm at the base of Craig Leven on the shore of the bay on Loch Katrine.  As there is no other farm located nearby it is presumed that this is Craig Leven farm.

The Craigleven Stewarts are a sibling branch to Branch III of the Stewarts of Glenbuckie.  Stewarts of the South indicates that the Craigleven Stewarts descend from “Donald Stewart brother to foresaid James.”  The “foresaid James” is believed to refer to the patriarch of Branch III who is identified as “James, son of Alexander, son of Duncan.”  The Duncan in question is believed to be Duncan Stewart, 5th of Glenbuckie.  (See Branch III for further discussion on the exact identity of the patriarchs of these branches.)  Thus, the patriarch of the Craig Leven Stewarts would be Donald, son of Alexander, son of Duncan.

Stewarts of the South describes this branch very briefly as follows:

Donald Stewart brother to foresaid James called “Craiglevan Stewarts” from a small farm possessed by them near Ardcheanchnockan.

I give the History of James Stewart of Tar formerly (believed to mean “formerly of Tar”) who had five sons [who are] all dead and the estate [has been] sold. [It was in the Lordship] of Monteith [which is] now Montrose[‘s] estate. I remember when he had four sons [who are] now all dead.  Of his sons:

1. Alexander, the oldest of them was married to an aunt of the present [Stewart of] Glengoil.  [Alexander] left five sons; three sons of them are dead.  [The two living sons are:]
   1. James, the oldest, is a soldier
   2. Gregor is a grocer in Glasgow

6 Line

[John Dubh Stewart who is shown below to be the father of:]

1. Alexander Stewart mac Iain Duibh brother to
2. James of Dunveirg, [a] tacksman [at] Duncragan [in] Callander parish [on] Sir P[atrick] Murray’s estate.  [He has]
   1. one son [who is] alive. 

This shows the variety of human affairs [as] I saw this family at [one time] friendly and flourishing [but] now all dead, except [for that] one son who is a seaman at sea.

This finishes Sliochd Dhonal mhic Alastair mhic Dhonachie (“Children of Donald, son of Alexander, son of Duncan”), called the Craiglevan Stewarts.

The fact that the author of Stewarts of the South accounts for the latter half of this family as 6 Line is because he is continuing his accounting from the previous family, Branch III.  This continuous numbering across the two branches just further shows how these two families were sibling branches.  Line 6 above descends from a John Dubh Stewart.  Branch III concludes with a line that descends from a John Dubh Stewart.  It is worth clarifying that these are two different persons named John Dubh Stewart.  However, it’s also possible that Line 6 actually belongs as the final line of Branch III and the author inserted it here as an omission.  However the fact that James Stewart of Line 6 is said to have been “of Dunveirg”, which is located immediately adjacent to Tar in Ruskie makes it more likely that 6 Line is actually the second line of the Craigleven Stewarts.

Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions presents the following gravestone from Brig o’ Turk cemetery (just east of Ardcheanochdan) which pertains to James Stewart of Tar:

12         (at top � a pelican plucking its breast, on her nest) (in Latin) Katharine STEWART, 24 DEC 1735, husband James STEWART esquire of Tar (Mitchell notes: Duncan STEWART in Achray, feuer of Tar in Ruskie in 1754, son James succeeded him in 1784 and died before 1811 � son John, daughters Janet, Anne, etc, two wives)

We do not have a transcription of the Port of Menteith parish records as of yet so we have not been able to consult the OPR for matching records at this time.

The Origin of the Craigleven Stewarts

We account for the origin of the Craigleven Stewarts as follows:

Alexander STEWART, 1st of Ardcheanochdan, b: ABT 1589 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland as a natural son of Duncan Stewart, 5th of Glenbuckie.  A challenging reading of Stewarts of the South seems to indicate that Alexander was patriarch of III Branch Sliochd Sheumais mhic Alistir mhic Dhunachy or “Children of James son of Alexander son of Duncan”; IV Branch “Craiglevan Stewarts”, a.k.a. Sliochd Dhonal mhic Alastair mhic Dhonachie, or “Children of Donald son of Alexander son of Duncan”, and referred to as “Donald Stewart brother to foresaid James”; and V Branch “Lorrachan Stewarts”, described as descended from “James McAlistir foresaid”.  Thus, these three branches descend from James and his brother Donald who were both sons of Alexander, son of Duncan.  The key question is from which Duncan do they descend?  There are two clear possibilities: 1. Duncan, 5th of Glenbuckie, in which case the son Alexander would be this Alexander and the James and Donald would be his sons; or 2. Duncan, son of Duncan, 5th of Glenbuckie, in which case the descendant branches shown here would descend from this Alexander’s brother Duncan.  There is no sure way to tell which is correct.  One must ask which makes more sense, that a clan would name itself after the estate laird or after his third son?  Either is possible.  The first is preferred on the basis of pure logic.  However Stewarts of the South introduces Branch III with the following: “Duncan Stewart, brother to Iain Du Beg of Glenbuckie, had three sons.“  This would seem to imply that Branches III, IV & V descend from Duncan, son of Duncan 5th of Glenbuckie as MacGregor shows.  At present, these three lines descending from Alexander, son of Duncan, 5th of Glenbuckie.  Thus we suggest that Alexander had the following sons:

1. “Duncan” STEWART b: ABT 1615 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland.  There is no documentary evidence to support the existence of this Duncan. He is suggested by onomastics only. If he existed at all then it is suggested that he probably died young.
2. James mac Alasdair mhic Donnachaidh STEWART 2nd of Ardcheanochdan and 1st of Edraleachdach b: ABT 1620 in Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is tentatively accounted as 2nd of Ardcheanochdan and 1st of Edraleachdach. He went by the patronymic of “Sheumais mac Alasdair mhic Donnachaidh”. James is described in Stewarts of the South as the III Branch Sliochd Sheumais mhic Alistir mhic Dhunachy or “Children of James son of Alexander son of Duncan” and V Branch “Lorrachan Stewarts”, described as descended from “James McAlistir foresaid”.  It is suggested that James likely resided in Ardcheanochdan on what is believed to be his family’s 1/8 portion of the Glenfinglas holding. It is believed he also either inherited or acquired the estate of Edraleachdach in Upper Strathgartney and that he divided these two estates between his eldest sons.  He was the father of:
   1. Alexander STEWART 3rd of Ardcheanochdan b: ABT 1645 in Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.
      1. Alexander’s information and descendants are presented on the III Branch Sliochd Sheumais mhic Alistir mhic Dhunachy page.
   2. Donald STEWART 2nd of Edralechdach b: ABT 1650 in Glenfinglas, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.
      1. Donald’s information and descendants are presented on the V Branch “Lorrachan Stewarts” page.
3. Donald mac Alasdair STEWART, in Craiglevan, b: ABT 1625 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland,
   1. Donald’s information and descendants are presented immediately below.

Donald mac Alasdair Stewart in Craigleven

Donald mac Alasdair STEWART, in Craiglevan, b: ABT 1625 in Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, shown above as a son of Alexander Stewart, 1st of Ardcheanochdan.  Donald is described in Stewarts of the South as the patriarch of IV Branch “Craiglevan Stewarts”, a.k.a. Sliochd Dhonal mhic Alastair mhic Dhonachie, or “Children of Donald son of Alexander son of Duncan”, and as “Donald Stewart brother to foresaid James called ‘Craiglevan Stewarts’ from a small farm possessed by them near Ardcheanchnock.”.  Donald was father of:

1. Son STEWART b: ABT 1670 in Craigleven, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  This son’s name is unknown.  He is suggested as the father of:
   1. Duncan STEWART in Auchrig and Tarr in Ruskie b: ABT 1700 in Craigleven, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
      1. Duncan’s information and descendants are presented below.
   2. John Dubh STEWART b: ABT 1705 in Craigleven, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  John is inferred in Stewarts of the South in an entry for his son Alexander in which Alexander is described as “Alexander mac Iain Duibh, brother to James of Dunveirg.” The chronology given for this line in Stewarts of the South is vague and it is possible that John and his descendants could be out by one generation as shown here. They have not been identified in any public records as of yet.  John had the following sons:
      1. Alexander mac Iain Dubh STEWART b: ABT 1735 in Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is described in Stewarts of the South as: “Alexander Stewart mac Iain Duibh brother to James of Dunveirg.” No dates or locations are given for him. His birth shown here is only an approximation. Given the lack of detail in Stewarts of the South for this line, it is possible that Alexander and his father and brother are out by one generation. It is inferred from the preceding entry that Alexander had no sons.
      2. James STEWART of Dunaverig b: ABT 1740 in Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as: “James of Dunveirg, [a] tacksman [at] Duncragan [in] Callander parish [on] Sir P[atrick] Murray’s estate. [He has] one son [who is] alive.” Dunveirg is shown on modern maps as Dunaverig in Ruskie in the parish of Port of Menteith. It is located immediately adjacent to Tar (see map below) where James’ cousin, also named James, was a feuer. The chronology for this line given in Stewarts of the South is vague and it is possible that James and his extended family may be out by one generation as shown here. They have not been identified in public records as of yet.
         1. Son STEWART b: ABT 1770 in Dunaverig, Port of Menteith or Duncragan, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  This son is not identified by name in Stewarts of the South, but is said to have been alive at the time of writing ca. 1815. He has not been identified in public records.

Duncan Stewart in Auchrig and Tarr in Ruskie

and James Stewart of Tarr in Ruskie

This family resided in Auchrig and Tarr in the parish of Port of Menteith.  Auchrig is located about two miles northeast of the town of Port of Menteith and Tarr is located about five miles east of the town of Port of Menteith midway along the road to Thornhill.  (See map above.)  The modern spellings for these farms are Auchrig and Tarr whereas the older spellings are Auchraig and Tar. There are actually three farms identified as Tarr: Upper Tarr, Lower Tarr and Easter Tarr. They surround the village of Ruskie. Stewarts of the South and the Aberfoyle OPR both indicate that James Stewart (below) was “of Tar” — that is, he owned the property and was not merely a tenant — but none of these documents specify which Tar. Given that these older documents don’t seem to differentiate between the various Tarr farms and refer only to “Tar in Ruskie” then we are interpreting these references to mean that James was the owner of all three Tarr farms.

This family is described in Stewarts of the South as:

I give the History of James Stewart of Tar formerly (believed to mean “formerly of Tar”) who had five sons [who are] all dead and the estate [has been] sold. [It was in the Lordship] of Monteith [which is] now Montrose[‘s] estate. I remember when he had four sons [who are] now all dead.  Of his sons:

1. Alexander, the oldest of them was married to an aunt of the present Glengoil. (This is presumably a reference to MacGregor of Glengyle, but there was a Donald Stewart in Glengyle at the time.) [Alexander] left five sons; three sons of them are dead. [The two living sons are:]
   1. James, the oldest, is a soldier
   2. Gregor is a grocer in Glasgow

Duncan STEWART in Auchrig and Tarr in Ruskie b: ABT 1700 in Craigleven, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, shown above as the lineal male descendant of Donald mac Alasdair Stewart in Craigleven.  Duncan is shown in Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions for Brig o’ Turk cemetery in reference to his son, James, as follows: “12 (at top – a pelican plucking its breast, on her nest) (in Latin) Katharine STEWART, 24 DEC 1735, husband James STEWART esquire of Tar (Mitchell notes: Duncan STEWART in Achray (sic “Auchrig”), feuer of Tar in Ruskie in 1754, son James succeeded him in 1784 and died before 1811 – son John, daughters Janet, Anne, etc, two wives).” As Duncan’s son James is shown as succeeding Duncan in 1784 then it is presumed that Duncan died in 1784.  Duncan had the following son:

1. James STEWART of Tar in Ruskie b: ABT 1728 in Auchrig, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland. 

James STEWART of Tar in Ruskie b: ABT 1728 in Auchrig, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as:

I give the History of James Stewart of Tar formerly (believed to mean “formerly of Tar”) who had five sons [who are] all dead and the estate [has been] sold. [It was in the Lordship] of Monteith [which is] now Montrose[‘s] estate. I remember when he had four sons [who are] now all dead.”

James is listed in Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions for Brig o’ Turk Cemetery in Callander parish as:

“12 (at top – a pelican plucking its breast, on her nest) (in Latin) Katharine STEWART, 24 DEC 1735, husband James STEWART esquire of Tar (Mitchell notes: Duncan STEWART in Achray (sic “Auchrig”), feuer of Tar in Ruskie in 1754, son James succeeded him in 1784 and died before 1811 – son John, daughters Janet, Anne, etc, two wives).”

James’ children are all (but one) found in the Aberfoyle OPR in which James is recorded as “Esquire of Tar.” The birth of James’ eldest son, Alexander, is recorded in the Kilmadock OPR in which James is recorded as “of Auchrig” and his wife Katherine is recorded as “in Argaty.” From these references we see that James inherited both Auchrig and Tar from his father and presumably sold Auchrig. Auchrig had previously been the possession of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich Branch III.

Although Stewarts of the South shows Tar being in Port of Menteith, as indeed it appears to be on maps, the baptisms of James’ children are recorded in Aberfoyle parish. This is because James’ children were all baptized at once at the time of his youngest daughter’s birth, so the baptisms are all recorded together on one page.

No marriage records have been found for either of James’ marriages. Stewarts of the South also notes above that all of James’ sons had died prior to the writing of that document ca. 1815 and the author only lists children for one son, Alexander. Given the likely ages of the other sons when they died it is inferred that none of them had any male descendants, and likely none of them had any children at all. As son John is the only son to be mentioned by Mitchell, then it is inferred that John lived the longest.

The author of Stewarts of the South writes more about James Stewart of Tar in the Appendix:

“I think I wrote you something concerning the Stewarts of Tar, before, and will do again if you think proper, though not in this paper.  My reason for neglecting in description is [for] their being extinct, [all] but two daughters that are married and in very low circumstances.  The late James Stewart of Tar father was in partnership with the late General Stewart of Raith’s father in purchasing Oakwoods, which trade was not at that time taken by any but clever active men.  He was called James Stewart of Boblach in the four and twenty farms of the Carse of Frews, in the Lordship of Doune, and was ground officer to the Earl of Murray.  And should I have the pleasure of seeing you soon, I shall relate some fine anecdotes that passed between them, both of them being very active grasping men.”

James married firstly ABT 1755 in Perthshire, Scotland to Katharine STEWART in Argaty b: 24 DEC 1735 in Argaty, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland.  Katherine is mentioned in Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions for Brig o’ Turk cemetery in Callander parish in reference to her husband as follows: “12 (at top – a pelican plucking its breast, on her nest) (in Latin) Katharine STEWART, 24 DEC 1735, husband James STEWART esquire of Tar (Mitchell notes: Duncan STEWART in Achray, feuer of Tar in Ruskie in 1754, son James succeeded him in 1784 and died before 1811 – son John, daughters Janet, Anne, etc, two wives).” The date of 24 DEC 1735 shown with her name is presumed to be her date of birth, however the reference is ambiguous and no matching birth record has been found. Katharine is presumed to have died in conjunction with, or shortly after the birth of her last child as her husband James remarried abt four years later.  James and Katharine had the following children:

1.  Alexander STEWART b: 07 MAR 1756 in Auchrig, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland.
2. John STEWART b: 06 OCT 1758 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.
3. David STEWART b: 16 AUG 1761 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  David is described in Stewarts of the South (ca. 1815) as being already deceased.
4. Janet STEWART b: 16 AUG 1763 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland
5. Charles Francis STEWART b: 10 APR 1768 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Charles Francis Stewart is described in Stewarts of the South (ca. 1815) as being already deceased.
6. Smith STEWART b: 23 FEB 1770 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Smith Stewart is described in Stewarts of the South (ca. 1815) as being already deceased. 
7. Anne STEWART b: 23 DEC 1772 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.
8. Margaret STEWART b: 11 NOV 1774 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, ScotlandJames Stewart of Tar married secondly ABT 1778 in Perthshire, Scotland to Anne STEWART b: ABT 1750 in Perthshire, Scotland.  Her birth family has not been identified.  They had the following children:
9. Robert Graham STEWART b: 04 OCT 1779 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert is presumed to have died young prior to the birth of his same-named brother in 1782.
10. Isabella STEWART b: 17 DEC 1780 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland. 
11. Robert Graham STEWART b: 28 MAY 1782 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Robert Graham Stewart is described in Stewarts of the South (ca. 1815) as being already deceased.
12. Katharine STEWART b: 22 SEP 1784 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland
13. Maria STEWART b: 02 FEB 1787 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland
14. James STEWART b: 21 DEC 1788 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South (ca. 1815) as being already deceased.
15. Charlotte STEWART b: 10 DEC 1791 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland
16. Lilias Stewart, b 2 Sep 1793 in Tar of Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland

* These four sisters have now been identified as the four Stewart Spinsters who resided at Castle Cottage in Doune in the mid-1800s and submitted testimony to the Glassingall Court of Session hearings.

Alexander STEWART b: 07 MAR 1756 in Auchrig, Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is the only son of James Stewart of Tar to be described in Stewarts of the South. According to Stewarts of the South Alexander’s brothers had all died prior to the writing of that document ca. 1815.  Alexander is described in Stewarts of the South as: “Alexander, the oldest of them was married to an aunt of the present [MacGregor of] Glengoil (Glengyle). [Alexander] left five sons; three sons of them are dead. [The two living sons are] James, the oldest, is a soldier, Gregor is a grocer in Glasgow.” (sic)  Parish records confirm that Alexander actually had six sons and an excellent match has been found in 1841 for Duncan below.  Alexander himself is also described in Stewarts of the South (ca. 1815) as being already deceased, as indeed are all the sons of James Stewart of Tar.  Alexander married on 8 DEC 1786 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland to Jean MCGREGOR.  They had the following children:

1. 1. James STEWART b: 17 DEC 1787 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is described in Stewarts of the South as one of the two surviving sons of Alexander Stewart, son of James Stewart of Tar, in which James is described as: “James, the oldest, is a soldier.”
   2. John STEWART b: ABT 8 MAY 1789 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  John is not identified by name in Stewarts of the South but is said to have been already deceased by the time of authoring, ca. 1815.
   3. Duncan STEWART b: 23 JUN 1790 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Duncan is not identified by name in Stewarts of the South but is said to have been already deceased by the time of authoring, ca. 1815.  However Stewarts of the South is incorrect in the number of sons born to Alexander and may be in error on how many (or which ones) survived to adulthood as an excellent match has been found for this Duncan in the 1841 census residing at Drumbowie in Aberfoyle and working as an agricultural labourer with the family shown here.  As the census information contradicts Stewarts of the South, we cannot be sure if this family does actually belong to this Duncan (unless death records can be located indicating otherwise.)  None of this family, except Gregor, has been found in 1851.  Thus we suggest that Duncan may have married to Agnes (surname unknown).  No marriage record has been found.  The following children may belong to this Duncan:
      1. Margaret STEWART, b: ABT 1826 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland
      2. Gregor STEWART, b: ABT 1828 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Gregor is found in 1851 working as a shepherd at Struan (Strone) for John and Donald Stewart.  Gregor has not been found in 1861.  Gregor has now been identified in later records as marrying Janet Watt and residing in Glen Artney. UPDATES PENDING
      3. Duncan STEWART, b: ABT 1832 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland
      4. Duncan? STEWART, b: ABT 1838 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland. (The 1841 census shows two children named Duncan.  One may be a transcription error or could be a nephew.)
   4. Henry Gregor STEWART b: ABT 22 JUN 1792 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Gregor is described in Stewarts of the South as one of the two surviving sons of Alexander Stewart, son of James Stewart of Tar, in which Gregor is described as: “Gregor, a grocer in Glasgow.” Gregor’s wife and children, shown here, are found in only in the IGI (from OPR transcriptions and one LDS member entry). They are a perfect onomastic, geographic, and chronological match for the family of this Gregor, but they are not confirmed.  They have not been found in any census records and may have emigrated.  Henry Gregor Stewart married on 28 NOV 1817 in Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland to Elizabeth TARBET b: ABT 1795 in Scotland.  They had the following children:
      1. Alexander STEWART b: ABT 17 DEC 1819 in Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
      2. Elizabeth STEWART b: ABT 30 SEP 1822 in Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
      3. William STEWART b: ABT 02 JAN 1824 in Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
      4. John STEWART b: 10 JUL 1833 in Barony, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
   5. Alexander STEWART b: 22 FEB 1794 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is not identified by name in Stewarts of the South but is said to have been already deceased by the time of authoring, ca. 1815.
   6. David STEWART b: ABT 22 FEB 1796 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Alexander is not identified by name in Stewarts of the South but is said to have been already deceased by the time of authoring, ca. 1815.

John STEWART b: 06 OCT 1758 in Tar in Ruskie, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  John is described in Stewarts of the South (ca. 1815) as being already deceased along with all of his brothers. John is the only son of James Stewart of Tar to be mentioned in Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions. (See notes on John’s father for more information). As such it is inferred that John was the longest surviving son of James.

He is believed to be the John STEWART who married on 24 NOV 1784 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland to Janet FERGUSON

Mitchell’s Monumental Inscriptions contains the following entries for this family in Aberfoyle Cemetery:

96     by Finlay KEIR, 12.3.1909, 81, in memory of wife Jane MCGREGOR, died Aberfoyle 3.12.1876, 36, daughter Margaret Stewart 8.1.1877, age 12, son in law John FRASER, 17.2.1936, age 67 (with Jean Helen KEIR 11.5. 1959, age 85)

97a       Robert KEIR, died at Dunnance, 20 OCT 1850, age 55, wife Janet STEWART 22 MAR 1851, age 54, son John died (at) Duchray 12 SEP 1895, age 59, son Walter 8 SEP 1908, age 89 (and his wife Janet BLAIR 29 JAN 1913, age 91).

97b    (next to 97a) by Duncan KEIR, died 15. …, aged 77 years, in memory of wife Mary MCCURTAIN, 22.12.1881, age 65, daughter Janet died Waterworks Cottage Duchray, 15.11.1887, age 31 (husband George WEIR).

John Stewart and Janet Ferguson had the following children:

1. Allan STEWART, bap 26 MAY 1782 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland. Recorded as a “natural son; late servants in Achray.”
   1. 1. James STEWART, bap 17 JUN 1788 in Letruniken, Aberoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.
      2. Robert STEWART, bap 25 JUL 1791 in Letrinchan, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.
      3. Janet STEWART, bap 13 MAY 1794 in Letrinchan, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland. d 1851 in Aberfoyle.  Janet married on 30 AUG 1828 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland to Robert KEIR, b 1800, d 1850.  In 1841 Janet is found (miss-transcribed as “Keri” at Ancestry) residing at Upper Sammend, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland without her husband, but with her children.  In 1851 the orphaned children are found residing in Dounance, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland with Walter Keir as head.
         1. Walter KEIR, b 11 DEC 1823 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  In 1851 Walter was residing with his mother.  In 1851 he was residing in Dounance, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland as head of household with his orphaned siblings.  He was employed as a taylor.
         2. Finlay KEIR, b/bap 24 NOV 1828/21 APR 1829 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  Finlay is not found with his birth family in 1841.  In 1851 Finlay was residing with his brother Walter and employed as an agricultural labourer.
         3. Janet KEIR, b/bap 12 NOV/7 DEC 1830 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  In 1841 Janet was residing with her mother.  In 1851 Janet was residing with her brother Walter and employed as a housekeeper.
         4. Duncan KEIR, b 1835 in Aberoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  No baptismal record has been found for him.  In 1841 Duncan was residing with his mother.  In 1851 Duncan was residing with his brother Walter and was a student.
         5. John KEIR, b. 1837 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  No birth record has been found for John.  John is found in 1841 residing with his mother, but is not found in 1851.
         6. Robert KEIR, b 12 JUL 1841 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.  In 1841 Robert was residing with his mother.  In 1851 Robert was residing with his brother Walter and was a student.
      4. Margaret STEWART, b/bap 25/27 JAN 1798 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.
      5. John STEWART, b/bap 25/27 JAN 1798 in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland.

Research Leads

The following family is found in Mitchell’s MIs and in the Callander OPR.  They resided in Craigleven and could partially match with John Dubh Stewart above.  They are buried in Kilmahog adjacent to the family of Robert Stewart in Duart (Gartnafuaran branch), but do not seem to match with that family.  Mitchell indicates that the three families buried at graves 44-46 are not related to the “other” Stewarts in Duart.  This could be understood that the families at 44-46 were related to each other, or it could also be interpreted that they were merely not related to the “other” family in Duart (the Invernahyle branch) and it’s not necessarily the case that the entry at 46 is related to 44 & 45.

46         1793.  pelican plucking its breast, in her nest (crest of the STEWART family).  John STEWART and Mary MCINTYRE.

There are two who potentially match this description:

John STEWART and Mary MCINTYRE/WRIGHT, m 29 MAY 1769 in Aberfoyle

1. Margart STEWART, 18 FEB/12 MAR 1770 in Culntogl (Wright)
2. John STEWART, b/b 7/13 MAR 1774 in Ardcheanochdan, Callander. (McIntyre)
3. Henny STEWART, 11/12 OCT 1777 in Creaghvan (Wright)
4. Janet STEWART, 2/2 NOV 1779 in Creaghvan (Wright)
5. James STEWART, 3/6 MAY 1781 in Creglevan (Wright)
6. Mary STEWART, 3/7 SEP 1783 in Creglevan (Wright)
7. Elizabeth STEWART, 9/9 SEP 1785 in Creaglevan (Wright)

This family is also presented on our Sliochd Rob Duibh Mhor in Duart page.