Contents

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Section 1: Ardvorlich

Including the Stewarts of: Ardvorlich, Balmenoch, Auchraig, Glenfinglas (and the Bains of Glenfinglas), Tulloch, Letter, Lednascridan, Dalveich, Balachallan, and Annat

Dear Sir
After writing this narrative concerning the Stewarts of the South twice over I believe it can be done now with some degree of accuracy and since you were so anxious about it, please take the following account as authentic.

1 Branch (Ardvorlich) - Clan Slioch Toigh Nellain

**THIS BRANCH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED**  See Stewarts of Ardvorlich elsewhere on this site

They can be found here.

This is the initial principal branch of Ardvorlich up to Robert Stewart, 6th Laird of Ardvorlich.

James Beg of Baldorran in the parish of Campsie, Stirlingshire, was predecessor of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich, commonly called Slioch Toigh Nellain from a fortified island in Lochvenacher, Callendar Parish where James Beg usually resided and had different skirmishes with the Campbells and came off with success. Those Campbells are said to be of the family of Breadalbane which I think is not correct as the Breadalbane family had no branches and but little power at that time.

The old Branch of the Ardvorlich family (and sometimes Macorriston) became extinct when the present Mr Stewart's father became heir (i.e. Robert Stewart, 7th Laird of Ardvorlich).  The last branch which you may see in Duncan Stewart's History was Robert (6th Laird), a rude and boisterous man. He died without issue. 

Next, David, his (Robert's) brother, was a tenant in Glenfinglas (and sometimes in Macorriston).  He was Forrester to the Earl of Murray.  He was married to a daughter of Steward of Balled, widow of Campbell of Lochdochard, by whom he had one son - who was a promising youth; he was slain at the unfortunate battle of Culloden.  David (also) had some natural children. 

His (David's) brother, Alexander, married Stewart the heiress of Craigtown of the family of Annat.  Craigtown is in Down [Doune] parish now Earl of Murray's Estate.  By the Heiress he had one son and some daughters.  The son was a lunatic but had the income of the estate during his life.  His sisters claimed the estate, but were rejected. There was another child called William who died in England.

II Branch (Balmenoch and Ardvorlich)

**THIS BRANCH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED**  See Stewarts of Ardvorlich elsewhere on this site

They can be found here.

(This became the principal line of Ardvorlich with Robert Stewart, 7th Laird of Ardvorlich.)

Robert Stewart Taxman of Balmenoch father to the present Mr Stewart (believed to be William Stewart, 8th Laird of Ardvorlich, 1754-1838).  When he was born there was thirteen between him and the (Ardvorlich) estate.  It was with some difficulty he got the estate at all as he was not an active man himself.  This family were called the House of Balmenoch, of which farm they had a wadset or feu, of which they were dispossessed in an unlawful way by Robert of the first branch (6th Laird), a rude and unruly man.

The first of this branch was one William, an Uncle's son to Major (James Beag) Stewart.  He was called William MacAlastir. 

The Major mentioned above was the bloody Major James Stewart who killed Lord Kilpont.  Ardvorlich is on the south side of Loch Earn parish of Comrie County of Perth.

1st Line

a) William Stewart, Esquire (8th Laird of Ardvorlich), the present proprietor, has four sons:

1. Robert
2. John
3. William
4. Anthony

2 line

a) John Stewart Tacksman of Balmenoch of Do ( = "ditto" and refers to Ardvorlich), son of the late James Stewart, tenant of Ardvorlich, uncle to Mr Stewart of [ditto] (i.e. William 8th of Ardvorlich immediately above).  He had three sons who are all minors. Rent �150.  (John is the son of James Stewart, son of William Stewart, 3rd Balemenoch)

3 line

a) Robert Stewart, late tenant of Ardvorlich, his son James Stewart is a gentleman farmer of Laggan, Strathyre, Balquidder parish, on Buchanan of Cambusmore's estate.  He (James) had one son who is a minor and pays �260 of rent.  This James Stewart is one of the best managers of a farm of any in this country and keeps excellent cattle - as to character, he as a man it surpasses that of the farmer for generosity and humanity.  Here the stranger finds hospitality and the poor and needy shelter & relief.  He is an ornament to his Clan in many respects. 

b) William, his (James') brother, lives with him as a foreman. He (William) is a bachelor.

4 line

a) John Stewart is a tailor in Edinburgh.  He has two sons. 

This finishes the branch of the Balmenoch house.

III Branch (Auchraig and Grodich) - Clan Sliochd Alastair Oaig

**THIS BRANCH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED**  See the Stewarts of Ardvorlich page

Duncan, brother to Major (James Beag) Stewart of Ardvorlich, was a tacksman of Auchraig, Port of Monteith parish, which was then the property of Ardvorlich.

Duncan had a son, Alexander, whose offspring are called Sliochd Alastir Oaig ("children of young Alexander").  Their descendants are as follows:

1 line

a) James Stewart, the lineal branch son to Donald Dubh, late tacksman of Grodich, Glenfinglas, was a tacksman of Monbreachy, port parish, [which is the] Duke of Montrose's estate, Ld (Lordship) of Monteith - rent �250.  He has four sons:

1. Donald, who is a wright in Callander and has three sons who are all minors.
2. Alexander, who is a tacksman of Auchyle, Port parish.  He has four sons who are all minors.  Rent �60
3. Archibald, who is a cow feeder in Glasgow.  He has three sons who are all minors.
4. Charles, a natural son, is a sawyer in Callendar. He has four sons who are all minors.  He is the most active of this family. 

The above James was a very sensible man and imparted but little of it to his family except to the natural son.

2 line

a) Duncan Stewart, was tacksman of Letter, Lochcathrineside, in Callendar parish, which is the estate of Perth.  He was brother to the above James (Line 1a above). His sons are:

1. John Stewart, is a subtenant of Toighbaid, Barony of Lendrick, Callander parish, which was once part of the Perth estate, but now belongs to Sir Patrick Murray of Auchtertyre.  John is a bachelor.
2. Donald, his brother, is a cottager in Milton of Aberfoil.  He has one son who is a minor.
3. David, who is a shepherd to his uncle James Stewart, has one son who is a minor.
4. Charles Stewart, a natural son, is a lotter at Old Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire.  He has one son, who is a minor.

3 line

John Stewart late tacksman of Ruchoais, Buchanan parish, Stirlingshire, which is the Duke of Montrose's property.  Lochlomondside called Craigrostain claimed once by Rob Roy Macgregor.  His sons are:

1. David, a cottager in Aberfoil  He has one son who is a minor.
2. Walter Stewart, who is a gardener in Glasgow  He has three sons who are minors.
3. Charles, a journeyman gardener in Do ["ditto" = Glasgow].  He has two sons who are minors.

4 line

Alexander Stewart, known by the name of Lord Glasgow at Callander where he has some houses. He was once a grocer in Glasgow.  He is both ignorant and purse proud.  He is son to James Stewart, late tenant of Cuilanleogale in Callander parish on the Earl of Murray's estate.  He has no family.  He is cousin to James Ban, a man of different turn of mind.

4 line (sic. s/b 5 line)

(The letter repeats "4 line".)

Alexander Stewart son to Duncan Stewart late tenant of ?Drunky, Port parish, Lordship of Menteith, now the property of Mr. Hunter in Edinburgh.  He (Alexander) is a grocer in Glasgow.  He has

1. three sons in good circumstances; one of them is a student of Divinity.

5 line (sic. s/b 6 line)

James Stewart had an uncle Alexander Stewart, commonly called Grudairgorrach.  He (James or Alexander?) was a Lieutenant in Colonel Stewart Invernenty's Regiment in the year 1745. He (James or Alexander?) left one son

1. James who has two sons, who are slate quarriers on the Isle of Bute.  His two sons are:
   1. David, who has four sons who are minors.
   2. James, who has four sons who are minors.

This finishes Sliochd Alastair Oaig.

Stewarts in Glenfinglas

A mention shall be made often in the course of this narrative of Glenfinglas.  Before I proceed further I shall lay before you a part of the history thereof.  I think it was about the year 1535 or 6 that James Stewart of Beith or Lord Doun (sic - it was the son of this James Stewart who became Lord Doune) first got possession of this glen as Steward of Menteith - but before that time it was occupied by a numerous family or tribe of Clan Resans. But that tribe were almost lost except some old men and children in crossing the hill from Glenfinglas to an adjacent part of the parish of Callander with a burial in winter by coming unawares upon a small lake where the ice gave way and they were all drowned.

The MacGregors who were always ready to seize opportunities came and forced the remains of the Clan from the glen and became possessors themselves.  After the restoration of Charles II, Major (James Beag) Stewart, who was under the necessity of absconding for killing Lord Kilpont (sic - see below) and other crimes, undertook for the Earl Murray to drive the MacGregors out of the glen as they would neither pay rent and committed some acts of riot.  For this action the Earl procured pardon for the Major - this he executed together with one John Dubh Beg of [the] Glenbuckie family of Leadchrich.  The rest of his party deserted [and] he took the leader of the MacGregors alive and carried him to Doune castle where he was executed.  His name was Donach Oar (MacGregor).  For this action the Major got a tack of Glenfinglas from Lord Doune: one-fourth of which he give to the Glenbuckie family, one-fourth to Gartnafuaran and reserved one half for himself.  The family of Annat began to grumble -- a branch of his own family to whom he give one fourth of his own half and each party did subsist as most convenient to their own friends and others.  Sometimes they did not agree better than strangers, which is often the misfortune of society.

IV Branch - "Letter Stewarts"

Duncan Oag of Ardvorlich, commonly called "Letter Stewart", tacksman of Letter and Auchraig, then belonging to Ardvorlich, in Port [of Menteith] Parish.

This finishes the Letter Stewarts.

V Branch - The Tulloch Stewarts

The Tulloch Stewarts, on Sir John Murray's estate at Balquidder, are brothers to the Flints.  Toun Drummadich bought by Sir John (Murray?) from the Perth family is said to belong in ancient times to a family of the name of Ross, [although] I cant say whither of Kinfauns or Craigie near Perth.

1 line

1. John Stewart at Alloa, who is in the employment of the Steens of Kilbeagie, was son to the deceased Dougald Stewart, late tacksman of Tulloch.  John has no sons.

2. John Stewart, his nephew, is a shepherd at Tulloch. He has one son who is a minor. John was son to Duncan Stewart, a late tacksman at Ledchrich, Braes of Balquhidder.

3. Duncan Stewart, his brother, who is a shoemaker in Campsie.

4. James Stewart, their brother, has gone to America.

2 line

John Stewart, late tenant of Tulloch, Balquhidder, left two sons:

1. The one is a soldier.
2. The other is a bleacher in Campsie.

Both of them have a family of sons.

(The relationship between John Stewart above and the next three listings is not indicated in the original letter.)

1 James Stewart, late tenant of Wester Invernenty, Braes of Balquhidder, on the estate of the late Reverend Mr Stewart, had four sons who are all undertakers of road and other works about Glasgow.

2 Peter Stewart in Gartmore Parish has four sons who are minors.VIII

3 James Stewart, brother to Dougald Stewart of Tulloch (Line 1 above), Balquhidder, left three sons who are all in Glasgow in the Manufacturing line and all of them in good circumstances.

3 line

1. Robert Stewart left one son, John, a shoemaker in Callandar.

2. Duncan Stewart, late tacksman of Clachglass, Glenbuckie, left two sons.

1. David Stewart, Moss laird, Summerline flanders moss.  He has three sons, all at home.
2. Duncan Stewart, of Kirkline Flanders Moss, has four sons who are labourers about himself.

The moss is a part of Blair Drummond estate, Kinkardine parish. This Moss is among the greatest curiosities of Scotland.  It is part of the ancient estate of Drummond, gotten by the Heiress of Stobhall.

This finishes the Tulloch Stewarts.

VI Branch (Lednascridan) - The "Flint" Stewarts, Clan Sliochd Sheumais Chrosts

Sliochd Sheumais Chrosts or Clachtein not improperly so called. (Chrosts is not a known Gaelic word, but may be a corruption of chrosda, which means "bad tempered", and may explain the comment "not improperly so called". Clachtein is believed to mean "of the stones".) They were named Flints from the white stones on the Farm of Leadsgriachan, Balquhidder, possessed by them for many generations as tenants -- a part of Toun Drummadich, now belonging to Sir John Murray.

1 line

John Stewart, tacksman Fenglam, Ardvorlich, Comrie parish, son to Peter Stewart, late tacksman of Leadsgriadan.  He has four sons who are all minors.  One of them is a student intended for the Church of Scotland.  John is a well doing farmer.  Rent �160

2 line

1. John Stewart, tacksman at Tulloch.  He is a cousin to the above John Stewart.  His father Robert was a farmer at Leadsgriadan.  He has three sons who are minors.  Rent �90.
2. James, his (John's) brother, is a tacksman of one-half of Tulloch.  He has no sons and pays �90

Both Flints in reality.  (That is, although they lived in Tulloch, they were not Tulloch Stewarts; they were Flints, really.)

3 line

John Stewart at Kirktown of Balquhidder, son to Duncan, late of Tulloch, has no family.

4 line

Robert Stewart Cruaidh or "hard" (cruaidh means "hard"), late of Stronyie of Strathyre, Balquhidder, on the estate of Cambusmore.  He left three sons:

1. John Stewart, a cottager at Keip of Strathyre, Bn (Buchanan's) estate, is a bachelor with his mother.
2. Duncan Stewart, a labourer who has 2 sons, one of whom is a minor.
3. James Stewart is a colleague at Woodend, Balquhidder.  He has four sons who are minors. James is called "Earl of Kinoul".

5 line

Robert Stewart, late tenant of Blarchroich, Braes of Balquhidder, estate of the late Rev Duncan Stewart, Balquhidder, left eight sons:

1. James Stewart, late tacksman of ?Drumky [Drunkie], Port [of Menteith] 'parish, Hunters estate, died childless
2. Robert Stewart, late tacksman of Inverchearnaig, Braes of Balquhidder, Earl of Murray's estate, left one son:
   1. James, a cow-feeder in Glasgow.  James has two sons who are minors
3. Duncan Stewart, late tacksman of Drumlich, Braes of Balquhidder, Earl of Murray's estate, left two sons:
   1. David
   2. Duncan
      Both are manufacturers in Glasgow.  They each have two sons, each minors.  They are in a prosperous and good way.
4. John Stewart, or Iain Mor a Bhuntata ("Big John of the Potatoes"), late tenant in Dailanlagain of Glenbuckie, Balquhidder.  He left one son:
   1. Alexander is a spirit dealer [at the] foot of Cannongate, Edinburgh, and is doing well.  He has two sons who are minors.
5. Peter Stewart, a tacksman of Blartannach, parish of Campsie, Stirlingshire, estate of ?Craigcarnet.  He is a gentleman farmer and a clever, active, sociable man who pays �350 per annum.  He has three sons:
   1. A gentleman cattle dealer.
   2. Has gone to America.
   3. A writer in Glasgow.
6. Alexander Stewart, late tenant at Monachilltuarach, Braes of Balquhidder, on the estate of Captain Stewart of Glenbuckie.  He left two sons:
   1. Robert, a flesher in Glasgow.
   2. Malcolm, a cattle dealer in [Glasgow].
      Both are unmarried, with good behaviour, and are well-meaning and well-doing lads.
7. Donald Stewart, a flesher in Renfrew, died without issue.
8. David, a late tenant of Balmenoch, Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, is now in Paisley.  He has two sons:
   1. A flesher.
   2. A carrier in Glasgow.
      Both have families.

6 line

John Stewart, late tacksman at Duard (Duart), Glenfinglas.  He is now a moss laird in good circumstances.  He has one son:

1. A brewer and innkeeper in Stirling in a good way.  He has three or four sons.

This finishes Clachteine or Flints.

VII Branch (Dalveich) - Clan Sliochd Iain Duibh Mhor

**THIS BRANCH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED**  See Stewarts of Dalveich (This is my own family).

Called Sliochd Iain Duibh mhor ("children of big black John"), a natural son of Major James Beag Stewart of Ardvorlich.  This John was a rude and boisterous man and held Dalveich, Loch Earnside, parish of Balquhidder at that time belonging to the Marquis of Atholle, and now belongs to the Breadalbanes.  John had this farm by wadset.  His descendants are:

This finishes Sliochd Iain Duibh Mhor.

VIII Branch - The Annat Family

**THIS BRANCH HAS BEEN PARTIALLY IDENTIFIED** See Stewarts of Annat

Alexander Stewart of Annat sold the estate to David Stewart of Balchallan excepting one farm and some Feues, which are now the property of Sir John McGregor.  After the death of worthy Balchallan, which is said to have happen by poison, the most part of his estate of Balchallan was sold to Mr Buchanan of Cambusmor - being contiguous to his own.  And the estate of Annat was bought by Lord Down (Doune) as it was lying in the midst of his own estate, except for the farm mentioned above, which was bought by Sir John McGregor -- a very cheap purchase.  Balchallan and Annat are in Down (Doune) parish.  Besides the estate of Annat, he had a tack one fourth Glenfinglas, which he did sublet from the family of Perth, [and he] had a tack of two Portnellans, Lochvenacherside, Callander parish, purchased by the late Earl of Murray from the Perth family.  He had a tack of the farm of Offrans and Duncragan bought lately by Sir Patrick Murray of Auchtertyre from the Perth family and had good profit of them.

It is said the first of Annat Family was a bastard of the Ardvorlich family (although Duncan Stewart does not mention it) and that he purchased the estate of Annat from Misset of Burnbank with some money gotten by his mother from some of the Argyll family for hiding them. Whither it was by their marriages or their own activity or through other circumstances is uncertain, but they rose higher than any other branch of their father's race from Ardvorlich.  The last of them was a great drunkard, but was very mindful of his two sisters to see them in Stirling for they were much supported by Gen (General) Stewart of Boblack and by the profits of a tack they had of the farm of Offrans of the forfeited estate of Perth, now Sir Patrick Murray's property. 

1 Line

This line has been identified.  See Stewarts of Annat.

As far as I can understand, one Mr James (possible error -- his name may actually be John) Stewart, a merchant in Down (Doune) and proprietor of some houses there, is the lineal descendant of Annat.  He has three sons in the mercantile line in Glasgow.  His father was uncle to the present Ardvorlich by the mother's side (Margaret Stewart, who married Robert Stewart, 7th Ardvorlich).

2 line

Archibald Stewart in Noriston, near Thornhill.  Noriston was part of the estate of Nori, Down parish.  Nori, once a great name in that country is now almost extinct except a few about Carron water.  Noristown, a purchase of Earl of Murray.

1. Archibald's son lives at Kinross in middling circumstances.  He deals much in horses and has a family of sons.

3 line

This line has been identified.  See Stewarts of Annat.

James (sic, s/b Alexander) Stewart, tacksman of Boblack Carse of Frews, Down parish, Earl's estate, was drowned upon the water of Teith.  (sic - OPR records confirm that the father of General Robert Stuart of Rait was Alexander Stewart of Powblack in Frew, not James.  Thus it is not certain whether it was Alexander who drowned in Teith or whether it was an unknown James Stewart who has been confused.)

He left two sons:

1. Commissioner Stewart, who was in Stirling.  He left one son who sold the little property left him by his grandfather's mother to his uncle Gen (General) Robt Stewart of Boblack (below).  He now lives between Edinburgh and Falkirk.  He has some family.
2. Gen (General) Robert Stewart of Reath, of the Honorable East India Company, has three sons of whom you know something yourself.

4 line

This line has been identified.  See Stewarts of Annat.

1. Donald Stewart, son to Archibald Stewart, tacksman of Lendrick, a purchase of Sir Patrick Murray from Perth family, Callander parish, has one son and pays �330 of rent.

2. Hugh Stewart, uncle to the foregoing Donald Stewart, tacksman of the Carse of Camus, near Down (Doune) Lodge, Earl's estate.  Rent �100.  He left five sons:

a. James, a tenant there with one son.

b. John, a merchant vintner and farmer in the village of Kippen, Stirlingshire.  He has four sons:

1-4. One of them is a surgeon in Glasgow, and the rest are at home - not this one, a writer, the third is a merchant in Glasgow, and the fourth at home.  (It is uncertain what the author means by "the rest are at home" as the third son is in Glasgow, not at home.)

c. Alexander Stewart, a merchant in Glasgow with one son.

d. Hugh Stewart, a wright in Glasgow with sons, but I am not certain of their number.

e. Archibald, a wright in Stirling, with a family of sons, but of their number I am not certain.

IX Branch - The Bains of Glenfinglas, Clan Sliochd Iain Buigh Mhor

**THIS BRANCH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED**  See Stewarts of Glenfinglas elsewhere on this site

John Stewart of Annat had a natural son called Iain Buigh mor.  He give him a farm in Glenfinglas.  His descendants are now called Bains.

This finishes Sliochd Iain Buigh Mhor.

X Branch (Ballachallan)

This Branch has been identified.  See Stewarts of Annat

David Stewart, last of Balchallan, had three brothers:

1. George a Surgeon in Maryland United States America
2. James Commissary of Kinross
3. William had a Commission in the Army

The last David of Balchallan, being a cunning and subtle man, made an attempt to swindle the present Mr Stewart's father out of the estate of Ardvorlich, who was but a simple man and of little experience.  Before Robert Stewart (7th Ardvorlich) was well-settled in the estate, David of Balchallan offered to pay Robert's debt and some money to himself besides and to leave him the estate if he (David) died without children.  Of which offer Robert would have accepted if had not been persuaded from it by his own wife and his brother James.  The estate of Balchallan was the most considerable of any that the Stewarts had in this country:

This finishes Balchallan family.

The Ardvorlich Lands

The Gartnafuaran family sometimes claims the seniority which I think is unjust as Ardvorlich had a good property and was long in possession which gives them the apparent reality of being the Stem.

The late Robert intended to sell Ardvorlich itself, and would actually have sold it if it were not for an advice given by Rob Roy McGregor - famed for good as well as bad actions when he was driven from Callandar and Balquhidder for his pranks upon the Duke of Montrose.  He was a fugitive at Auch Glenurchay.  Robert of Ardvorlich lodged a night with him when he was going to sell Ardvorlich to Stewart of Appin.  Rob Roy advised him to keep Feuer of Ardvurlich and that the Feu should keep him.

(XI Branch?) Campsie Family of Ardvorlich

This finishes Ardvorlich's family as far as I can know, excepting a family in Campsie who says they are of Ardvorlich.  One of them, John Stewart at Kirkton of Campsie says his grandfather Duncan Stewart came from Glenfinglas.  He had twelve sons. I know some of them scattered through that country.  There is one of them, a servant to Peter Stewart of Blartomach, who is not of the first rate.  He has some brothers through that country.  Perhaps the present Mr Stewart (William Stewart, 8th Ardvorlich) could give a more accurate account, as few gentlemen can be better versed in the history of his own clan and country, together with other branches of history.  It is a pity, but he should commit a part to paper ere he should slip the cable and leave a part to posterity.  But he is not acceptable to any but such as he counts his equals and superiors.  Perhaps flatterers and sycophants might draw something from him.

I shall finish my narration of the Ardvorlich family...

(The letter goes on at this point to discuss the Stewarts of Glenbuckie.)

Parish by Parish Accounting

The Stewarts of the South, in a later section of the document, also gives a parish by parish accounting of many of the residents of southern Perthshire.  Sometimes this second account can be reconciled to the earlier account given by family, and in other places it cannot be reconciled. I have presented here only an extract of that section as it pertains to those persons listed as being of the Ardvorlich family.  If you wish to see the complete list please refer to the original document at the link given above.

The text continues now with Section II: The Stewarts of Glenbuckie

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This page was last updated on March 27, 2009