Branch Eight of the Stewarts of Gartnafuaran

Descent from John Stewart in Brackland 

 Compiled by Belinda Dettmann

Revised, May, 2008

My ancestor Janet Stewart was born in Brachlan, Callander Parish, Perthshire in 1788.  In 1808 she married James Graham, Laird of Lennister, and bore him three children.  She died in 1813, probably in childbed, and in 1814 James married his second wife Katharine Stewart.  According to family folklore Katharine was Janet’s cousin. Details of Janet and Katharine’s descendants can be found in my report on the Stewarts of Annat.

The author of the manuscript now known as Stewarts in the South states that the Stewarts of Bracklin (or Bracklan or Brackland) were the eighth branch of the family of Stewarts of Gart-na-fuara. They were commonly called “Stuirtaich Chireu” from their ruddy complexion.  ‘These in general are not of the first rate however they can take care of themselves’. As a daughter of this family, Janet descends from one of the Lairds of Gartnafuara.

I have succeeded in tracing her line back through several generations. It was a help that the family followed the traditional Scottish naming scheme (their Australian descendants continued this custom into the 1870s) and Stewarts of the South gave several valuable clues.  So I can get back as far as John Stewart in Brackland with reasonable certainty.

There I stick.  The only candidate I can find is one John Stuart, christened in Comrie parish on 4 June 1694, son of Patrick Stuart and Janet NcLaran.  This seems too far away to be likely, but the records are very sparse in this period so John’s birth was probably not recorded.  Consequently I have not yet found the family connection to the Lairds of Gartnafuaran, parish of Balquhidder. 

 SOURCES

1. Microfilm copies of the Old Parish Registers from the parishes of Callander, Kilmadock, Aberfoyle and Port of Menteith.  These were kindly provided on loan through the Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.

2. Notes on character and circumstances are taken from the manuscript known as Stewarts of the South.  WARNING:  Some comments are distinctly uncomplimentary!

NOTE ON SPELLING

Spelling was not consistent in the original sources but I have made little attempt to standardise it.   Consequently the names of people and places are sometimes spelt different ways in the same sentence.  I do tend to use STEWART as the generic spelling of the family surname, as a defence against the variations introduced by individual session clerks, ministers and the author of Stewarts in the South.  Although each one tended to have his own personal preferences when it came to spelling there was still an astonishing amount of variability

Generation One

1.  John STEWART in Wester Brackland (5248); married Elizabeth McLaran (5249), daughter of John McLaran (7243) and Elspeth (--?--) (7244), circa 1715; married Catherine McRuer (8794) 15 Dec 1726 Callander, Perth  (Bride transcribedas Cathrine McKuar).

     Children of John Stewart in Wester Brackland (5248) and Elizabeth McLaran (5249) were as follows:

                      i.    Elizabeth (5543); born 26 Mar 1715 Easter and under Brachlan, Callander, Perth.

           2.        ii.    Patrick in Easter Brackland (356), christened 7 Apr 1717 Aberfoyle, Perth; married Margaret McArthur (357).

                     iii.    Janet (5542); born 10 Jul 1718 Auchinlaich, Callander, Perth.

           3.       iv.    Donald in Wester Brackland (191), born 23 Aug 1719 Aberfoyle, Perth; married Janet McBeath (192).

           4.       v.    Walter in Wester Brackland (316), born 12 Oct 1721 in Auchenlarich, Callander, Perth; married Christian McArthur (317).

     Children of John Stewart in Wester Brackland (5248) and Catherine McRuer (8794) were as follows:

           5.        i.    James in Down (6059), born 25 Jan 1728 Brachland wester, Callander, Perth; married Janet McArthur (5246).

                      ii.    Janet (8795); born 26 Feb 1730 in Brachlan Wester, Callander, Perth  (Mother named Cathrine McRuer).

           6.      iii.    Alexander in Brachland (8790), born 4 Aug 1732 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth.

Generation Two

2.  Patrick STEWART in Easter Brackland (356); christened 7 Apr 1717 Aberfoyle, Perth  (Mother named ___ Stewart); married Margaret McArthur (357), daughter of John McArthur (7251) and Janet Muschet (7252), 31 Dec 1741 Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

     Children of Patrick Stewart in Easter Brackland (356) and Margaret McArthur (357) were as follows:

           7.        i.    John in Wester Torrie (4937), born 23 Mar 1744 in Easter Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Sara Ferguson (6038).

                      ii.    Janet (4963); born 19 Mar 1749 in Easter Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

                     iii.    James (358); born 6 Aug 1751 in Easter Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

                     iv.    Donald (361); born 24 Nov 1754 Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

                     v.    Donald (362); born 5 Feb 1756 in Easter Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

                     vi.    Elisabeth (360); born 22 Feb 1758 in Easter Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

                    vii.    Patrick (363); born 3 Dec 1763 in Easter Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

                   viii.    Christian (359); born 19 Jul 1767 in Easter Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

3.  Donald STEWART in Wester Brackland (191);  born 23 Aug 1719 Aberfoyle, Perth  (Mother named ____ Stewart); married Janet McBeath (192), daughter of Patrick McBeath (7254) and Christian Ferguson (7255), 15 Jul 1740 Callander, Perth.

     Children of Donald Stewart in Wester Brackland (191) and Janet McBeath (192) were as follows:

                      i.    Mary (193); born 4 May 1743 in Wester Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

           8.        ii.    James in Wester Torrie (5957), born 14 Jan 1745 in Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Catharine Ferguson (5958).

                     iii.    John (4959); born 17 Jan 1748 in Easter Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

           9.       iv.    Patrick in Daldorn etc (341), born 10 Mar 1750 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Mary McGrigor (6064).

                     v.    Christian (4968); born 4 Nov 1752 in Ballerin?, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

         10.       vi.    Donald in Buchany (6246), born 28 Nov 1752 Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Janet McGregor (6247).

                    vii.    Robert (4969); born 18 Nov 1755 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

4.  Walter STEWART in Wester Brackland (316); born 12 Oct 1721 in Auchenlarich, Callander, Perth; married Christian McArthur (317), daughter of John McArthur (5242) and Janet King (5243), 26 Aug 1748 Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

    Children of Walter Stewart in Wester Brackland (316) and Christian McArthur (317) were as follows:

                      i.    Elizabeth (318); born 23 Nov 1750 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth.

         11.        ii.    John in Bogton and Greenock (321), born 15 Mar 1753 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth; married Catharine Stewart (5089).

                     iii.    Patrick (322); born 3 Jun 1755 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth.

         12.       iv.    James in Brackland (4802), born 22 Jul 1757 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth; married Katharine McQueen (4803).

                     v.    Janet (4965)  (Mother recorded as Catherine McArthur); born 21 Oct 1759 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth.

         13.       vi.    Alexander in Easter Brackland (327), born 23 Mar 1761 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth; married Margaret Aitkin (4898).

                    vii.    David (326); born 26 Mar 1763 in Wester Broch, Callander, Perth.

                   viii.    Christian (319); born 10 May 1765 in Wester Brackland, Callander, Perth.

                     ix.    Patrick (323)  (Another birth entry for Patrick on 15 Oct 1767); born 25 Sep 1767 in Wester Brackland, Callander, Perth.

                     x.    Jean (320); born 26 May 1769 in Wester Brackland, Callander, Perth.

                     xi.    Margaret (329); born 26 Oct 1771 in Brackland, Callander, Perth.

                    xii.    Elisabeth (328); born 3 Apr 1776 E. Brackland, Callander, Perth.

5.  James STEWART in Down (6059); born 25 Jan 1728 Brachland wester, Callander, Perth  (Mother named Katherine Nickruer); married Janet McArthur (5246), daughter of John McArthur (5242) and Janet King (5243), 9 Oct 1763 Kilmadock, Perth; died 1772 Kilmadock, Perth  (Died before 10 Mar 1772, when his posthumous son James was born).

     Children of James Stewart in Down (6059) and Janet McArthur (5246) all born in Down, Kilmadock, Perth, were as follows:

                      i.    John (6061); christened 27 Oct 1766.

                      ii.    Peter (6305); christened 4 Nov 1767.

                     iii.    Janet (6390); born 2 Feb 1770.

                     iv.    James (6144); born 10 Mar 1772.

6.  Alexander STEWART in Brachland (8790); born 4 Aug 1732 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth  (Mother named Catherine McRuer).

     Children of Alexander Stewart in Brachland (8790) and McIntyre or McLaren (--?--) in Achra (8791) were:

                      i.    Duncan (8789); born illegitimate 21 Aug 1753 in Brachland, Callander, Perth  (1753 Augt 21st    Alexander Steuart in Brachland Callander Parish had a child in fornication with McIntyre or McLaren in Achra baptized and called Duncan.  Donald Steuart in Brachland sponsor for both this child was baptized by Mr. Richardson Minister at Aberfoyle the day the presbytery of Dunblane met and forfeiting a sallary to the schoolmaster. Recorded in Balquhidder Kirk Session).

Note the illegitimate birth to a woman living in Balquhidder parish, father living in Brachland, Callander parish, sponsor in Brachland, Callander parish, baptized by the Minister at Aberfoyle parish.

Generation Three

7.  John STEWART in Wester Torrie (4937); born 23 Mar 1744 in Easter Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Sara Ferguson (6038), daughter of John Ferguson (9361) and Barbara Campbell (9362), 27 Apr 1782 Kilmadock, Perth.

     Children of John Stewart in Wester Torrie (4937) and Sara Ferguson (6038) were as follows:

                      i.    Peter (6080); christened 23 Mar 1783 at Wester Torry, Kilmadock, Perth.

                      ii.    Barbara (6082); christened 20 Feb 1785 in Wester Torry, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     iii.    John (6078); christened 25 Mar 1787 in Wester Terry, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     iv.    James (6159); christened 17 Apr 1789 in Torry, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     v.    Daniel (6079); christened 29 May 1791 in Terry, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     vi.    Peter (6158); christened 31 Aug 1792 in Terry, Kilmadock, Perth.

                    vii.    Janet (6081); christened 16 Aug 1795 at Wester Terrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

                   viii.    Elisabeth (6039); christened 22 May 1799 Kilmadock, Perth.

                     ix.    Margaret (6132); christened 3 Sep 1801 at Wester Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

8.  James STEWART in Wester Torrie (5957); born 14 Jan 1745 in Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Catharine Ferguson (5958) 17 Dec 1785 Kilmadock, Perth.

     Children of James Stewart in Wester Torrie (5957) and Catharine Ferguson (5958) were as follows:

                      i.    Margaret (6084); christened 19 Apr 1788 in Buchany, Kilmadock, Perth.

                      ii.    Daniel (6085); christened 3 Dec 1789 in Terry, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     iii.    John (6083); born 28 Jul 1791 at Wester Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     iv.    Katharine (6219); christened 24 Apr 1793 in Wester Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     v.    James (6086); christened 3 Apr 1795 at Wester Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     vi.    Janet (6087); christened 19 Dec 1796 at Wester Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

                    vii.    Janet (6088); christened 20 Dec 1798 Kilmadock, Perth.

                   viii.    Mary (5959); christened 22 Mar 1800 in Wester Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     ix.    Walter (6375); christened 24 Mar 1802 at Wester Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     x.    Elisabeth (6040); christened 15 Sep 1804 Kilmadock, Perth.

                     xi.    Christian (6010); christened 31 Jul 1808 Kilmadock, Perth.

9.  Patrick STEWART in Daldorn etc (341); born 10 Mar 1750 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Mary McGrigor (6064).

     Children of Patrick Stewart in Daldorn etc (341) and Mary McGrigor (6064) were as follows:

                      i.    John (6065); christened 28 Jun 1773 in Daldorn, Kilmadock, Perth.

                      ii.    Ann (6245); christened 21 May 1780 in Argaty, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     iii.    Margaret (6244)  (Father named as Patrick Stewart); christened 25 Nov 1787 at Hole of Torrie, Kilmadock, Perth.

10.  Donald STEWART in Buchany (6246); born 28 Nov 1752 Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Janet McGregor (6247) 3 Feb 1776 Kincardine by Doune, Perth, NSW.

     Children of Donald Stewart in Buchany (6246) and Janet McGregor (6247) were as follows:

                      i.    Donald (6250); christened 8 Dec 1776 in Buchany, Kilmadock, Perth.

                      ii.    May (6249); christened 21 Mar 1779 Kilmadock, Perth.

                     iii.    James (6248); christened 25 Jul 1781 at Buchany, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     iv.    Alexander (6251); christened 7 Feb 1784 in Buchany, Kilmadock, Perth.

                     v.    Janet (7000); born 23 Mar 1789 in Buchany, Kilmadock, Perth.

11.  John STEWART in Bogton and Greenock (321)  (SOTS p70: John Stewart tenant in the lots of Greenock in the ancient Barony of Callendar, formerly belonged to the family of Perth now to a gentleman from Edinr of the name of Hunter - has four sons two with himself and two in the W Indies, the one of which made a fortune.

SOTS p86: No 22 Mr John Stewart Bogton south from Callr a brother to the above [Walter and James] a rather better character;

born 15 Mar 1753 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth; married Catharine Stewart (5089).

     Children of John Stewart in Bogton and Greenock (321) and Catharine Stewart (5089) were as follows:

                      i.    Robert (5090); born 27 Apr 1778 in Offrans, Callander, Perth.

                      ii.    Walter (5091); born 15 Jan 1782 in Callander, Callander, Perth.

         14.      iii.    Christian (5092), born 15 Nov 1788 Callander, Perth; married William McQueen (8644).

                     iv.    Alexander (5093); born 5 Dec 1790 in Boglost, Callander, Perth.

                     v.    Alexander (5094); born 12 Apr 1793 in Garchonsy, Callander, Perth.

                     vi.    Jane (4778); born 22 Jul 1795 Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

12.  James STEWART in Brackland (4802)  (SOTS p 70: Branch eight [of Gartnafuaran] commonly called "Stuirtaich Chireu" from their ruddy complexion, These in general are not of the first rate however they can take care of themselves

James Stewart tenant in Bracklin Callendar E of Morays property, the best farm in the farthest east of the parish has seven sons - John resides with himself - James a Minstr who got a parish from the E of Moray in the North (that of Alloa) the first Stewarts that ever had a presentation of that family -  Archd tacksman of ?Drim-losgt, Doune parish rent L120 E of Morays property - Jas School master of Aberfoil - two of them at their education intended for the learned professions and the other under age - Alexr Stewart his brother, tenant in Bracklin has three sons under age - Both these are in good circumstances - Bracklin formerly was rented by twelve tenants - at present it pays L150 and is well worth L350 - will keep about 60 milk cows one half of this farm formerly belonged to the ancient and respectable family of the Dows of Ardnahaw of whom no person in that country knows anything of - this farm is now in the policy of Stirling of Keir.

SOTS p85-86: No 20 Mr James Stewart Tenant Easter Bracklend of the Gartnafuaran family a very indifferent Character Cheap Rent L75 Earl of Murray property Callander parish);

born 22 Jul 1757 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth; married Katharine McQueen (4803), daughter of John McQueen in Heads (4804) and Janet Stewart (6517), 23 Feb 1788 Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland; died 12 May 1837 Bracklinn, Callander, at age 79  (MI).

     Children of James Stewart in Brackland (4802) and Katharine McQueen (4803) were as follows:

         15.        i.    Janet (4807), born 11 Nov 1788 in Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married James Graham in Lenniston (5096).

                      ii.    Walter (4808); born 2 Jan 1791 in Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; died 27 Apr 1810 Elgin at age 19  (aged 23).

         16.      iii.    John (4809), christened 24 Mar 1793 in Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Margaret Campbell (8629).

                     iv.    Archibald (4811); born 17 Jan 1795 in Brackland, Callander, Perth.

                     v.    James Schoolmaster in Aberfoil (4813)  (SOTS p 70: Schoolmaster in Aberfoil); born 11 Dec 1796 in Easterbrackland, Callander, Perth; died 29 Apr 1822 Bracklinn, Callander, at age 25  (Student of Divinity aged 25).

                     vi.    Alexander (5258); born 23 Mar 1801 in Brackland, Callander, Perth; died circa 1852 joint tenant of Brackland, Callander, Perth  (Alexander Stewart, joint tenant residing in Brackland, afterwards residing in Sheels. 3/5/1852).

                    vii.    Katherine (4810); born 1 Mar 1803 in Brackland, Callander, Perth.

                   viii.    Peter (4812); born 28 Mar 1805 in Brackland, Callander, Perth.

                     ix.    David (5202); born 11 Mar 1810 in Brackland, Callander, Perth.

13.  Alexander STEWART in Easter Brackland (327)  (SOTS: No 21 Mr Alexr Stewart his [James'] brother same farm [Easter Brackland] a rather better character); born 23 Mar 1761 in Wester Brakland, Callander, Perth; married Margaret Aitkin (4898) 17 Mar 1805 Callander, Perth; died 11 Oct 1851 Callander, Perth, at age 90  (aged 90).

     He appeared on the census of 1841 Easter Brackland, Callander, Perth  (aged c 75).

     Children of Alexander Stewart in Easter Brackland (327) and Margaret Aitkin (4898) were as follows:

         17.        i.    Francis (8860), born circa 1808 Callander, Perth; married Hellen McNab (8861).

                      ii.    Christian (4899); born 28 Jul 1809 in Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.

                     iii.    James (4900); born 11 Feb 1812 in Easter Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; died 5 Jun 1847 Callander, Perth, at age 35.

     He appeared on the census of 1841 Easter Brackland, Callander, Perth  (aged c 25).

Generation Four

14.  Christian STEWART (5092); born 15 Nov 1788 Callander, Perth; married William McQueen (8644), son of Daniel McQueen (8656) and Jannet McGibbon (8657), 22 Jan 1813 Kippen, Stirling.

     Children of Christian Stewart (5092) and William McQueen (8644) all born Kippen, Stirling, were as follows:

                      i.    Catharine (8654); baptized 2 Jan 1814.

                      ii.    Janet (8646); baptized 23 Dec 1816.

                     iii.    Daniel (8651); baptized 15 Nov 1818.

                     iv.    Christian (8655); baptized 25 Jan 1820.

                     v.    Mary (8650); baptized 11 Aug 1822.

                     vi.    William (8653); baptized 13 Nov 1825.

         18.     vii.    John (8645), baptized 16 Mar 1828.

                   viii.    Peter (8652); baptized 16 May 1830.

                     ix.    Jean (8649); baptized 4 Nov 1832.

15.  Janet STEWART (4807); born 11 Nov 1788 in Brackland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married James Graham in Lenniston (5096), son of Archibald Graham (7950) and Mary Stewart (231), 6 Aug 1808 Callander, Perth; died 1813 Lenniston, Callander, Perth.

     Children of Janet Stewart (4807) and James Graham in Lenniston (5096) all born Lenniston, Port of Menteith, Perth, were as follows:

         19.        i.    Archibald (7987), born 11 Jun 1809; married Janet McIntyre (7991).

                      ii.    James (7988); born 15 Oct 1812.

                     iii.    Catherine (7989); born Nov 1813; married William Weir (7990).

16.  John STEWART (4809); christened 24 Mar 1793 in Brakland, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland; married Margaret Campbell (8629), daughter of Donald Campbell (8642) and Katharine McDiarmid (8643), 8 Feb 1834 Killin, Perth.

     He appeared on the census of 1861 Middle Brackland, Callander, Perth  (Aged 66 c 1795 head b Callander Perthshire addr: Middle Brackland Farmer (of 150 acres)).

     Children of John Stewart (4809) and Margaret Campbell (8629) all born Callander, Perth, were as follows:

                      i.    Catharine (8637); born 15 Jan 1836.

                      ii.    Margaret (8634); born 15 Jun 1838.

                     iii.    Christian (8635); born 16 May 1840.

                     iv.    Sarah Brown (8636); born 12 Aug 1842.

                     v.    James (8640); born 25 Feb 1844.

                     vi.    Janet (8639); born 6 Oct 1846.

                    vii.    Jean Young (8638); born 28 Oct 1848.

                   viii.    Charles (8641); born 28 Jul 1850.

17.  Francis STEWART (8860); born circa 1808 Callander, Perth; married Hellen McNab (8861) 9 Feb 1850 Callander, Perth.

     Children of Francis Stewart (8860) and Hellen McNab (8861) all born Callander, Perth, were as follows:

                      i.    William (8864); born 18 Jun 1851.

                      ii.    Elizabeth (8862); born 28 Oct 1853.

                     iii.    John McNab (8863); born 30 Mar 1856.

Generation Five

18.  John MCQUEEN (8645); baptized 16 Mar 1828 Kippen, Stirling.

     Children of John McQueen (8645) and an unknown spouse were as follows:

                      i.    Margaret (8647); born circa 1852.

                      ii.    Christina (8648); born circa 1854.

19.  Archibald GRAHAM (7987); born 11 Jun 1809 Lenniston, Port of Menteith, Perth; married Janet McIntyre (7991) 5 Jun 1829 Glasgow, Lanark.

     Children of Archibald Graham (7987) and Janet McIntyre (7991) were:

         20.        i.    James (7997), born 17 Dec 1831 Glasgow, Lanark; married Jane Graham (7998).