The Stewarts of Ledcreich

The Stewarts in Ledcreich, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland

Branch Ia of the Stewarts of Glenbuckie

The Stewarts of Ledcreich are Branch Ia of the Stewarts of Glenbuckie. They resided at Ledcreich and Stronslany, just west of the Kirkton of Balquhidder in Perthshire, Scotland.

This family should have been the senior line of the Stewarts of Glenbuckie. Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich, was the oldest son of Alexander Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie, and was thus the rightful heir to the estate of Glenbuckie. However, for reasons unknown, Patrick exchanged his birthright to Glenbuckie with his younger brother, Duncan, who was due to inherit Ledcreich. Thus, Patrick became 1st of Ledcreich instead of 5th of Glenbuckie. We may never know why.

The Stewarts of Ledcreich, like many other Highland families, were a military family who were strong supporters of the Stewart/Stuart royal cause. In the Civil War of 1685, they supported Crown against the Covenanters. In the 1715 Jacobite Rising they appear to have continued their support for the Stuarts. However, the defeat of the Stuart cause in 1715 may have disillusioned them, as 24 years later, in 1739, probably amidst much clandestine talk of another potential Rising, Patrick Stewart, 5th of Ledcreich, sold the family estate of Ledcreich and took his family to America.

This is their story.

Ancestors of the Stewarts of Ledcreich

The Stewarts of Ledcreich descend from the Stewarts of Glenbuckie. Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich was the eldest son of Alexander Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie. Information on the Stewarts of Glenbuckie can be found here:

Photo Gallery

Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich

Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich,   b. Abt 1550, Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN, was the eldest son of Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie, and his wife, Christian Drummond, of Migrams. They can be found on our Stewarts of Glenbuckie page.

Patrick Stewart renounces his rights to the estate of Glenbuckie

Patrick Stewart was born in the mid-16th century as the oldest son of his father, Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie. As the eldest son, Patrick would have been the rightful heir of the estate of Glenbuckie, and his younger brother Duncan would have been heir to the lesser estate of Ledcreich. But, for some reason, that didn’t happen. Instead, Patrick and Duncan exchanged their lands and hereditary rights, so Patrick inherited the estate of Ledcreich and his younger brother, Duncan, inherited Glenbuckie. In one source we are told that Patrick “sold” his rights and in another that he “renounced” his rights.  Why would Patrick renounce his rights not only to the larger estate but also to the chieftainship of the Glenbuckie sept of the Stewarts of Balquhidder? This was unheard of! There must have been an important reason to do so. Whatever that reason was, it was not written down, nor was it passed down to his great-grandson, Patrick Stewart, 5th of Ledcreich, who recorded the history of the Stewarts of Ledcreich. We are left to guess at the reason. We’ll explore one possibility below.

In 1763, Patrick’s great-great grandson, another Patrick Stewart, denominated 5th of Ledcreich, recorded his family history. In that family history, Patrick Stewart, 5th of Ledcreich, refers to his great-great grandfather, Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich, saying:

“This Patrick sold his right and title to Glenbucky to his next brother, Duncan Stewart, second son to the aforesaid Alexander, and his posterity enjoys the land and title at present.”

This family history was cited in Stewart Clan Magazine:

“[Patrick] sold his right and title of Glenbucky to his next younger brother Duncan and his posterity enjoy the land and title to the present day [1763].” (Edson, George, Stewart Clan Magazine, Tome C, Dec. 1934, vol. xii, no. 6, pp. 91-92, citing the 1763 family history.)

“[Patrick] renounced his rights to the lands of Glenbucky and, instead, obtained those of Ledcreich, and married Christian Drummond. He had issue.”

“Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich, had his goods escheated for complicity in the murder of Hugh and John Stewart in December of 1568 and is styled eldest son to his father in a Bond of Manrent (below) to Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy in 1586.”

A MacGregor Murder

In 1586 the following people, all from the Stewarts of Glenbuckie, including Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich, his brothers, his father, his uncle, and his first-cousin, were all included in a bond of manrent to Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, for the murder of John MacOlchallum Comrie. (Gordon MacGregor, author of The Red Book of Scotland, personal correspondence):

• Walter Stewart in Bailliefoile (natural son of Patrick Stewart, 2nd of Glenbuckie)
• Robert Stewart (son of Walter Stewart in Balliefoile)
• Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie
• Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcriech (son of Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie)
• Duncan Stewart, 5th of Glenbuckie (son of Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie)
• Robert Stewart of Broichie (son of Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie)
• James Stewart (son of Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie)
• John Stewart of Voil (natural son of Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie)
• Walter Stewart (natural son of Alexander Dubh Stewart, 4th of Glenbuckie)

There is much more to this bond of manrent than meets the eye!

A bond of manrent was a contract of protection, usually between a powerful clan and a weaker clan. In this case, Clan Campbell was the most powerful clan in all of Scotland. Their chief, the Earl of Argyll, was Chancellor of Scotland! Argyll’s cousin, Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, issued this bond of manrent. Two centuries prior, during dispute between the Stewart Dukes of Albany (ancestors of the Stewarts of Balquhidder) and their cousins, the Royal House of Stewart, the Campbells of Lochawe (ancestors of both the Campbell Earls of Argyll and the Campbells of Glenorchy) had supported the Stewarts of Albany. Then, five generations later, in 1484, Sir William Stewart of Baldorran (great-great-grandson of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, and great-great grandfather of Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich) married the daughter of Sir Colin Campbell, 1st of Glenorchy, thus forming an alliance by marriage between the two clans. That means that every Stewart listed in the bond of manrent was also a cousin of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy who issued the bond.

What appears to have happened here is that a person or persons connected to the Stewarts of Glenbuckie murdered John MacOlchallum Comrie, who may have actually been a MacGregor. Clan Gregor at this time were in conflict with Clan Campbell. Highland clans believed in retributive justice. Thus, if a Stewart of Glenbuckie killed a MacGregor, then the MacGregors would naturally want revenge on the Stewarts of Glenbuckie. In response to that, we find the powerful Clan Campbell weighing in with a bond of protection for every major house belonging to the Stewarts of Glenbuckie, sending a message to the MacGregors that if they sought revenge on the Stewarts of Glenbuckie they would also have to face Clan Campbell. If this reminds you of an episode of Sons of Anarchy, well, you’re not wrong.

If Patrick was directly involved in both of these murders, then perhaps he was a bit of a hothead and his ability to be the future chieftain of the Stewarts of Glenbuckie was questioned. Perhaps even Clan Campbell were frowning. That could be a possible reason to demote Patrick and to promote his younger brother, Duncan, to be 5th of Glenbuckie.

Marriage and children:

Patrick Stewart married Christian Drummond, of Migrams,   b. Abt 1575, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. They had the following children:

William Stewart, 2nd of Ledcreich and Stronslany

William Stewart, 2nd of Ledcreich and Stronslaney,   b. Abt 1600, Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 31 Jul 1683, Ledcriech, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland   (Age ~ 83 years). William was the eldest son of Patrick Stewart, 1st of Ledcreich, shown above.

William Stewart is estimated to have been born around 1600 presumably in Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. His birth predates any ecclesiastical records of births or baptisms, thus his actual date of birth is unknown. He is presumed to have been born either in Ledcreich or Glenbuckie. His father, Patrick Stewart, and his uncle, Duncan Stewart, at some point in their lives exchanged their birthright estates of Glenbuckie and Ledcreich. We do not know if that occurred before or after William was born.

In 1763, William’s great-grandson, Patrick Stewart, 5th of Ledcreich, recorded his family history in which he says the following about his great-grandfather, William Stewart:

“3rd. Patrick was son to William Stewart, of Ledcreich and Sronslany, by Mary his wife, daughter to Duncan McGregor, of Dumvery, cousin-german to Gregor McGregor, of that ilk, which family is now extinct.

 

“4th. William was son to Patrick Stewart, of Glenbucky, by his wife Christian, daughter to Sir John Drummond, of Migams.”

Stewart Clan Magazine says:

“William Stewart born about 1600. [He] was laird of Ledcreich on Loch Voil and Stronslany, in the parish of Balquhidder, Perth. He married Mary MacGregor, daughter of Duncan MacGregor of Dermocry, ‘cousin germane to Gregor MacGregor of that ilk, which family is now extinct.’ [They had a] son: Patrick: m. Margaret B_____.” (SCM, Tome C, Jan. 1935, vol. xii, no. 7, pp.99-100.)

Gordon MacGregor (The Red Book of Scotland) says only that

“William Stewart, 2nd of Ledcreich, succeeded his father in these lands and married Mary, daughter of Duncan McGregor, in Drumcharry. He was father of Patrick Stewart, 3rd of Ledcreich.”

Duncan Stewart (1739) does not mention William Stewart.

In the Dunblane Commissariot Record – Register of Testaments 1539-1800 (SRO), there are three wills recorded for Ledcreich. These are:

1. Duncan Stewart; 25 Jan 1665 and 6 Jan 1666;
2. Margaret Buchanan and Patrick Stewart her husband; 22 Aug 1682;
3. William Stewart 31 Jul 1683.

Duncan Stewart (#1) is presumably the brother of William Stewart. Patrick Stewart (#2) is the wife of General Patrick Stewart, 3rd of Ledcreich. William Stewart (#3) is presumably this William Stewart.

Marriage and Children

William Stewart, 2nd of Ledcreich, married Mary MacGregor, of Drumcharry,   b. Abt 1600, Drumcharry, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. They had the following child, believed to be their own child.

General Patrick Stewart, 3rd of Ledcreich

Gen. Patrick Stewart, 3rd of Ledcreich and Stronslaney,   b. Abt 1625, Ledcreich, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. aft. 1685. Patrick was the only recorded child of William Stewart, 2nd of Ledcreich and Mary MacGregor of Drumcharry, as shown above.

Patrick Stewart’s birth is estimated to have occurred sometime around 1625, presumably in Ledcreich, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. He was born prior to the commencement of the Balquhidder parish register, thus there is no record of his birth or baptism. Patrick served in the armies of King Charles I, King Charles II, and King James VII/II and fought in over 25 battles. As Charles I reigned from 1625-1649, then Patrick must have been born early enough to have been a young adult during Charles’ reign.

The Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-1653

Patrick lived through a tumultuous time in Scotland’s history and a difficult and dangerous time to remain loyal to his distant royal cousins. The 1603 Union of the Crowns was still fresh and raw in the minds of loyal Scots who may have felt abandoned by King James VI when he moved to England and never looked back. His son, King Charles I, was deeply unpopular with the English Parliament. Charles’ views on the Divine Right of Kings felt too much like tyranny to the English Parliament. Charles also alienated the Scottish Parliament with his views on religion and his attempt to impose English-style bishops on the Scottish Presbyterian Church. This resulted in civil wars on both sides of the border.

Scotland Under Cromwell and the Bond of Keltney Burn

Charles I was executed in 1649, resulting in the abolition of the Crown and the establishment of a Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, but in England only. Scotland did not recognize the English Commonwealth and immediately crowned Charles’ son, Charles II, as King of Scots. This resulted in a short-lived war between England and Scotland culminating in the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651, at which Charles and his 16,000 Royalist soldiers were defeated. We don’t have a list of which battles Patrick Stewart fought in, but as one of Charles II’s loyal generals, he would certainly have been present at Worcester. After the defeat, Charles fled to Europe. 

The defeat of Charles II’s Royalist army at Worcester led to the imposition of Oliver Cromwell’s English Commonwealth government on Scotland. Meanwhile, Stuart loyalists worked secretly to secure the return of their exiled king. Among the secret planning, was a bond of mutual support signed  in secret in 1654 by the heads of the major houses of the three major Highland Stewart clans (The Stewarts of Appin, Atholl and Balquhidder). This document, known as The Bond of Keltney Burn, was a pact of loyalty to Charles II, but would also have been viewed as treasonous towards Cromwell. While we know that Gen. Patrick Stewart of Ledcreich was not one of the signatories to the Bond of Keltney Burn, his chieftain, John Stewart, 6th of Glenbuckie, was a signatory and Patrick’s loyalties certainly would have put him in alignment with the Bond, and he would have been bound by his chieftain’s signature.

The Stuart Restoration and the Glorious Revolution

In 1660, Cromwell’s son, Richard, was defeated and Charles II was invited back from exile in France to reclaim the throne. The Stuart Crown was restored. Charles II died in 1685 and was succeeded by his brother, James VII of Scotland and II of England. James reigned for only three years before he was deposed in the so-called “Glorious Revolution” and replaced by William of Orange, at the invitation of the English Parliament. This revolution was seen as far less “glorious” in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament did not immediately recognize William as King of Scots and Scottish loyalties were split. King James VII fled into exile in France and his loyal supporters in Scotland plotted for his return. His supporters came to be known as Jacobites, using the Latin form of James’ name.

Patrick’s Loyal Suffering

General Patrick Stewart’s wife died in 1682, but we don’t know when Patrick, himself, died. He was said to have served as a General in the Royalist army of King James VII, so he certainly lived long enough to see James installed in 1685 and to have fought on behalf of James during his reign. Given James’ short reign of only three years, Patrick almost certainly lived long enough to fight for his king during the so-called “Glorious Revolution“, and to witness his king flee into exile.

Patrick was said to have “suffered greatly” for his loyal service to the Royal Stuarts during this time period. One can certainly understand how his loyalty would have led to suffering.

Patrick’s Family History

In 1763, Patrick’s grandson, Patrick Stewart, 5th of Ledcreich, dictated a detailed family history in which he says the following about his grandfather:

“2nd. Alexander Stewart, of Ledcreich, was only son to Patrick* Stewart, of Ledcreich, who suffered much in the reign of the two Kings Charles and King James the Seventh, and to Margaret his wife, daughter to Robert B., of Drumlain, cousin-german to the Laird of Lenny.”

 

*This Patrick was a general in the royal army in the reign of King Charles the First, and in the course of the wars of the two kings Charles and James, the second of England and seventh of Scotland, he fought twenty-five field battles besides skirmishes, and suffered greatly on account of his loyalty to that family. [Added by] James Caraway, February 8, 1789.

 

“3rd. Patrick was son to William Stewart, of Ledcreich and Sronslany, by Mary his wife, daughter to Duncan McGregor, of Dumvery, cousin-german to Gregor McGregor, of that ilk, which family is now extinct.”

Stewart Clan Magazine says,

“[Gen.] Patrick Stewart, born about 1620 (sic), was laird of Ledcreich, in Balquhidder, Perthshire. He was a soldier in the army of King Charles I and is said to have held the rank of general in the service of Charles II and James II: he was in 25 battles besides skirmishes. For his loyalty to the Stuarts he suffered much. He married Margaret B______, daughter of Robert B______* of Drunlain, cousin to the laird of Lenry. Only son: Alexander; m. Catherine Stewart.

 

“* This name was indistinct in a manuscript found in 1876 in the possession of Maggie Williams by John A. Dougherty and copied into his diary. The Stewart Clan Magazine is indebted to J. Adger Stewart of Louisville, Ky., for a copy of this valuable document. It was written Jan. 18, 1763, by Charles Stewart, son of Patrick Stewart of North Carolina (grandson of Gen. Patrick Stewart), under his father’s direction, to correct some error in Crawford’s history of the Stewarts. Crawford had sent a copy of the book to Patrick Stewart in America, and Patrick, perceiving the error, wrote to Crawford to have it corrected. Not receiving a corrected edition of the book Patrick had his son Charles write down his correct genealogy and place it in Patrick’s large bible. There it remained until the death of Patrick’s granddaughter, Anne Gist, without children.” (Edson, George, Stewart Clan Magazine, Tome C, March 1935, vol. xii, no. 9, p.109.)

In the Dunblane Commissariot Record – Register of Testaments 1539-1800 (SRO), there are three wills recorded for Ledcreich. These are: (1) Duncan Stewart; 25 Jan 1665 and 6 Jan 1666; (2) Margaret Buchanan and Patrick Stewart her husband; 22 Aug 1682; (3) William Stewart 31 Jul 1683.

Duncan Stewart (1739) does not mention Patrick Stewart.

Gordon MacGregor, in The Red Book of Scotland, says only: “Patrick Stewart, 3rd of Ledcriech, succeeded his father and married Margaret, daughter of Robert Stewart of Drumbain. He was father of Alexander Stewart.”

Marriage and Children

General Patrick Stewart married to Margaret Buchanan, of Drumbane,   b. Abt 1635, Drumbane, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. She was daughter of Robert Stewart of Drumbain, cousin to Buchanan of Lenny, on of the leadings families of Clan Buchanan. Patrick and Margaret had one recorded child:

Alexander Stewart, 4th of Ledcreich

Alexander Stewart, 4th of Ledcreich and Stronslaney,   b. Abt 1676, Ledcreich, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. Abt 8 Jan 1731  (Age ~ 55 years). Alexander was the only recorded son of General Patrick Stewart, 3rd of Ledcreich, shown above.

Alexander is estimated to have been born about 1676, presumably in Ledcreich, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Alexander was born prior to the commencement of the Balquhidder parish register, so no record of his baptism exists. No record of his death has been found either, but his son, Patrick inherited Ledcreich on 8 Jan 1731, thus Alexander would presumably have died shortly before that date.

The Birth of the Jacobites

We don’t know a lot about Alexander’s life, but we can surmise much from his context. Alexander was alive during the 1688 so-called “Glorious Revolution“ in which the Scottish King James VII (and II of England) was deposed and replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary II and her Dutch husband William III, ruling as joint monarchs. Alexander’s father likely fought in the Glorious Revolution and witnessed his king flee into exile. It would have been crushing to one who had committed so much to what felt like a losing cause. Alexander, though too young to have been involved, would have been raised on the stories of his father’s gallant loyalty to their royal kin. 

Alexander would have been entering adulthood during the years of King James’ exile and would have felt the sting of James’ death in France. Alexander was surrounded by Jacobite loyalists. While we have no record of Alexander having served in the military, he was almost certainly aware of the plans swirling around him to try to install the late king’s son, Prince James Francis Edward Stuart, as King James VIII/III of Scotland and England. Given the rest of the clan’s loyalty and involvement, it’s very likely that Alexander was involved in some way in the 1715 Jacobite Rising and he would have felt the sting of the Rising’s failure.

Was Alexander himself a Jacobite? We don’t know for sure, but given the loyalties of those around him, almost certainly yes.

Stewart Clan Magazine, says:

[Alexander’s] property had been diminished by reason of his father’s support of Kings Charles I, Charles II and James II, and perhaps his own activities in 1715 on behalf of the Chevalier St. George (Prince James Francis Edward Stuart). (Edson, George, Stewart Clan Magazine, Tome C p.115-116, April 1935, vol. xii, no. 10)

Alexander’s Family History

In 1763, Alexander’s eldest son, Patrick dictated a detailed family history in which Patrick says the following about Alexander:

“2nd. Alexander Stewart, of Ledcreich, was only son to Patrick* Stewart, of Ledcreich, who suffered much in the reign of the two Kings Charles and King James the Seventh, and to Margaret his wife, daughter to Robert B., of Drumlain, cousin-german to the Laird of Lenny.”

The April 1935 issue of Stewart Clan Magazine says,

“Alexander Stewart, born about 1665, was laird of Ledcreich, in Balquhidder, Perthshire. He married Catherine Stewart, daughter of Alexander Stewart, ‘brother to Robert Stewart of Glenagle (sic, Glenogle), predecessor to John Stewart of Hindfield and Stronsor (sic, Stronvar).’ His property had been diminished by reason of his father’s support of Kings Charles I, Charles II and James II, and perhaps his own activities in 1715 in behalf of the Chevalier St.George (James Stuart). Sons: Patrick, c.1687: m. Elizabeth Menzies, settled in North Carolina in 1739; Robert; William.” (Edson, George, Stewart Clan Magazine, Tome C, April 1935, vol. xii, no. 10, p.115-116.)

Twenty years later, Stewart Clan Magazine in the Dec. 1956 issue, updated its article on Alexander Stewart as follows:

“Alexander Stewart, born about 1676 in Balquhidder parish, in western Perthshire, Scotland, was the only son of Gen. Patrick Stewart of Ledcreich, an officer in the armies of Kings Charles I, Charles II and James II. This Patrick, according to James Caraway in an interpolation in the manuscript genealogy of this family, written in 1763, “fought in 25 battles, besides skirmishes, and suffered much [financially] on account of his loyalty to the family.” Alexander married Catherine Stewart, daughter of Alexander, “brother of Robert Stewart of Glenagle (sic, Glenogle), predecessor to John Stewart of Hyndfield, or Stronvar.”” (Edson, George, Stewart Clan Magazine, Tome G, December 1956, vol. 34, no. 6, pp.177-179)

Alexander is not mentioned in Duncan Stewart (1739).

Gordon MacGregor, in The Red Book of Scotland, says:

“Alexander Stewart, 4th of Lecreich, is stated to have been the only son of his father and whom he succeeded in the lands of Ledcreich. He married Catherine, daughter of Alexander Stewart, brother of Robert Stewart of Glenogle. He had issue.” He goes on to provide an approximate date for Alexander’s death, saying, “Patrick Stewart, 5th of Ledcreich, succeeded his father and purchased the feu of the lands of Ledcreich from James, Duke of Atholl, on 8 January 1731.”

William Stewart in Ledcreich

William Stewart, in Ledcreich,   b. Abt 1711, Ledcreich, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 2 Aug 1778, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, United States   (Age ~ 67 years)  William was the youngest son of Alexander Stewart, 4th of Ledcreich shown above.

William was the youngest brother of Patrick Stewart, 5th of Ledcreich, above. His birth is not recorded in the Balquhidder Parish Register. His birth year is identified in later American records. Information on William’s early life in Scotland is dubious. Multiple sources offer contradictory accounts as to when and where William married and had children. What is known for sure is that he grew up in the same household as his older brother Patrick, who was 14 years his senior, and would have been exposed to many of the same circumstances as described in Patrick’s biography. He likely looked up to his oldest brother and followed his lead in life. (The reader is encouraged to read Patrick’s story to fully understand William’s context.)

In the late spring of 1739, William Stewart accompanied his oldest brother Patrick Stewart, and Patrick’s family, to Campbeltown in Argyllshire. On June 6th, 1739, they boarded the ship “Thistle” of Saltcoats, under its shipmaster, Robert Brown, and sailed for Cape Fear in America.