The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.

About this Item

Title
The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.
Author
Douglas, Robert, Sir, 1694-1770.
Publication
Edinburgh :: printed by R. Fleming, and sold by him, and the other booksellers in Edinburgh; and at London by A. Miller, R. Baldwin, D. Wilson, and T. Durham,
1764.
Rights/Permissions

To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.lib.umich.edu/tcp/ecco/ for more information.

Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/004896980.0001.000
Cite this Item
"The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;." In the digital collection Eighteenth Century Collections Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/004896980.0001.000. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 26, 2025.

Pages

STEWART Earl of GALLOWAY.

AS the rise, descent, grandeur and anti∣quity of the illustrious and royal family of Stewart, is fully recorded and transmit∣ted to posterity by many historians, we shall proceed directly to the immediate ancestor of this noble family, which hath the honour to be among the first cadets of that illustrious house.

ALEXANDER, sixth lord high steward of Scotland,* 1.1 obtained from king Alexander III. a grant of the lands of Gairlies, anno 1263.

He married Jean, daughter and heiress of Angus MacRori, lord of Bute, and died in 1283, leaving issue two sons.

1. James, seventh lord high steward of Scotland, grandfather of king Robert II. the first Scotch king of the name of Stewart, of whom the whole of the royal family is de∣scended.

2. Sir John Stewart of Bonkill, the im∣mediate ancestor of this family.

I. Sir JOHN STEWART, second son of A∣lexander, sixth lord high steward of Scotland,* 1.2 got from his father the lands of Gairlies, &c.

He was a great hero and patriot, and was one of those noble worthes, who, upon the death of king Alexander III. entered into that memorable bond or association, whereby they bound themselves to stand by one another,* 1.3 in defence of their country, and whoever should by right of blood succeed to the crown of Scotland. The obligement is dated, 20th December 1286.* 1.4

He was one of the Scotch nobles chosen on

Page 278

the part of Robert Bruce, in his competition for the crown with John Baliol, anno 1292.

After he had performed many great actions in the service of his country, he was killed fighting gallantly against the English, at the battle of Falkirk, anno 1298, having marri∣ed Margaret,* 1.5 daughter and heiress of sir Alex∣ander Bonkill of that ilk, in whose right he came to be possest of a great many lands, par∣ticularly the barony of Bonkill, by which title he was afterwards designed.

By his said lady, he left a numerous issue, viz.

1. Alexander Stewart of Bonkill, after∣wards earl of Angus, whose male line is ex∣tinct.

2. Sir Alan Stewart of Dreghorn, ancestor of the Stewarts of Darnly, earls and dukes of Lennox. The last duke of the male-line of that family, dying without issue in 1672, king Charles II. grandson of king James VI. son of Henry lord Darnley, son of Matthew earl of Lennox, was then the next heir-male.

3. Sir Walter Stewart of Dalswinton, who carried on the line of this family.

4. Sir John Stewart of Jedburgh, of whom several considerable families are descended, and whose grandson married the heiress of Dal∣swinton, as will be shown hereafter.

5. Sir James Stewart of Preston, &c.— and a daughter,

Isabel, married to the brave Thomas Ran∣dulph earl of Murray, with whom he got the barony of Gairlies, which again returned to the family, as will appear afterwards.

II. Sir WALTER STEWART third son of sir John Stewart of Bonkill, was one of those pa∣triots who joined king Robert Bruce,* 1.6 as soon as he began to assert his title to the crown, and performed many gallant actions against the enemies of his country, under that great prince, from whom he obtained a grant of the lands and barony of Dalswinton, pro bono et fideli servitio sibi impenso, as the charter bears.

He also got the barony of Gairlies convey∣ed back to him, by John Randulph earl of Murray, son of the said Thomas,* 1.7 his brother-in-law, by a charter, in which he is designed dilectus avunculus noster.

He was succeeded by his son,

III. Sir JOHN STEWART of Dalswinton, who adhered as firmly to the interest of king David Bruce, as his father had done to that of king Robert.

He accompanied him in his expedition in∣to England,* 1.8 and was taken prisoner with him at the battle of Durham, anno 1346.

He had the good fortune to be relieved soon thereafter, which appears from an ori∣ginal charter, granted by John Crawfurd of Dalgarnock,* 1.9 to John Ferguson of Craigdar∣roch, of the miln of Balmachene in Dum∣fries-shire, in which this sir John de Dal∣swinton, with his two sons Walter and John, are witnesses.

He was likewise one of the great barons sent to England,* 1.10 as hostages for king David's ransom, anno 1357.

He married—by whom he had issue two sons.

1. Walter.

2. Sir John, both mentioned in the above charter of John Crawfurd of Dalgarnock.

IV. Sir WALTER the eldest, designed lord of Dalswinton and Gairlies, succeeded his father, and made a great figure in the reigns of king Robert II. and III.

He got from the king of England, a pen∣sion of 100 merks sterling, to be paid yearly out of the exchequer during his life, and that of Isabel his spouse, upon condition that he should serve him the king of England, against all men whatsomever,* 1.11 the king of Scotland only excepted. The obligation or indenture is dated 27th April 1392.

He left issue no sons, and but one only daughter, viz.

V. Dame MARIAN STEWART, daughter and sole heiress of sir Walter Stewart of Dal∣swinton and Gairlies, who was married to her cousin John Stewart, son of sir William Stew∣art of Jedburgh, sheriff of Teviotdale, and one of the greatest heroes of his time. He was son of sir John Stewart of Jedburgh, fourth son of sir John Stewart of Bonkill, younger bro∣ther of sir Walter of Dalswinton, great grand∣father of this Marian.

He, in right of his wife, became possest of the lands and baronies of Dalswinton,* 1.12 Gair∣lies, &c. which appears by their contract, dated anno 1396, and of this marriage, the present earl of Galloway is the lineal heir∣male.

In 1418, they▪ with mutual consent and assent, give and dispone from them and their heirs, to sir John Stewart lord of Greyton and his heirs, the lands and barony of Callie, in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, which went with Elizabeth Stewart,* 1.13 his daughter and sole heir∣ess, to her husband Donald Lennox, son of Duncan, the last earl of Lennox of that line; of which Donald, the Lennoxes of Wood∣head and Callie are lineally descended.

The had issue one son,

William of Dalswinton, &c.

Page 279

Dame Marian Stewart, heiress of Dalswin∣ton, survived her first husband, and married 2dly, sir John Forrester of Corstorphin, great chamberlain of Scotland, which appears from a donation made by her, with consent of the said sir John her spouse,* 1.14 and William Stewart her son and apparent heir, of the church of Kirkmahoe in Galloway, to be a prebendary of Glasgow. This deed is dated in 1424.

VI. Sir WILLIAM STEWART of Dal∣swinton and Gairlies, succeeded his father and mother: he was a man of good parts, and in great favour with king James II. who con∣ferred the honour of knighthood upon him anno 1443.* 1.15

He maried Dame Eupheme Grahame, by whom he had four sons.

1. Andrew, who got a charter under the great seal,* 1.16 Andreae Stewart filio et haeredi ap∣parenti domini Willielmi de Dalswinton, &c. but he died before his father without issue.

2. Sir Alexander who became his heir.* 1.17

3. Sir Thomas Stewart of Minto, of whom the lord Blantyre, and several other conside∣rable families are descended.

4. Sir Walter Stewart of Tongrie, of whom the earl of Blessington, the Stewarts of Bonkill, Shambelly, &c. are descended.

Sir William was succeeded by his son,

VII. Sir ALEXANDER STEWART of Gairlies,* 1.18 who obtained a grant of the barony of Dalswinton from his father, anno 1454, in whose lifetime he resigned some lands in Teviotdale,* 1.19 in favours of Alexander Scott of Howpaslet, which was confirmed by a char∣ter under the great seal, anno 1465.

He married Elizabeth Stewart, by whom he had two sons.

1. John, who married Elizabeth, daugh∣ter of sir John Shaw of Hallie,* 1.20 but died with∣out issue before his father.

2. Alexander of Gairlies.

He died anno 1477, and was succeeded by his son,

VIII. ALEXANDER, who in his father's lifetime was designed Alexander of Gairlies, which continued to be the chief title of the family till they were made earls of Galloway.

He married Elizabeth,* 1.21 daughter of sir Ar∣chibald Douglas of Cavers, heretable sheri•••• of Teviotdale, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

1. Sir Alexander of Gairlies.

2. Walter Stewart of Barelay.

1st daughter, Agnes, married to John lord Maxwell.

2. Janet, who was second wife to John Dunbar of Mochrum, of which marriage Dunbar of Baldoon was descended.

He died in 1501, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

IX. Sir ALEXANDER STEWART of Gair∣lies, who was in great favour with king James IV.* 1.22 from whom he received the honour of knighthood, and was killed in the service of his country, with his royal master, at the fatal battle of Flowdon, anno 1513, leaving issue, by Elizabeth Kennedy his wife, one son, viz.

Sir Alexander of Gairlies,* 1.23—and sixteen daughters.

1. Janet, married to sir John Kennedy of Culzean, and had only one daughter, marri∣ed to Gilbert earl of Cassilis.

2. Christian, married to captain James Stewart of Cardonald.

3.—married to—Towers of Innerleith, in vicecom. de Edinburgh.

4.—married to—Douglas of Pompherston in West-lothian.

5.—married to—Moultray of Seafield, in vicecom. de Fyfe.

6.—married to—Lundy of Balgony, ibidem.

7.—married to—Hannay of Sorbie in Galloway.

8.—married to Alexander Adair of Kilhill in Wigton.

9.—married to Finlay Campbell of Corsehill in Galloway.

10.—married to Thomas Kennedy of Bargenie.

11.—married to—Lockhart of Barr in Airshire.

12.—married to—Kennedy of Blairquhan, ibidem.

13.—married to—Crichton of Naughton in Fyfe.

14.—married to—Johnston of that ilk.

15.—married to—Cairns of Orchardtown.

16. Elizabeth, married to Thomas Mac∣Dowal, son and heir apparent of Uthred Mac∣Dowal of Garthland.

X. Sir ALEXANDER STEWART of Gair∣lies, succeeded his father anno 1513, and made a great figure in the reign of king James V. He was one of his privy council, and was sent ambassador extraordinary to king Henry VIII. of England, and acquitted him∣self with honour, fidelity and reputation.

He, when a young man, with consent of his curators, Robert lord Maxwell,* 1.24 &c. mar∣ried Catharine, daughter of sir James Crichton

Page 280

of Cranston-Riddel, who died soon thereafter without issue.

He married, 2dly, Margaret, daughter and heiress of Patrick Dunbar of Clugston, by whom he had two sons and one daughter.

1. Alexander, his apparent heir.

2. John,* 1.25 parson of Kirkmahoe, progenitor of the Stewarts of Phisgal.

His daughter, Margaret, married, 1st, Pa∣trick Agnew of Lochnaw,* 1.26 and had issue; 2dly, Patrick Mackie of Larg.

He married, 3dly, his cousin Catharine, daughter of Walter Stewart of Barclay,* 1.27 by whom he had three sons and one daughter.

1. Robert Stewart, who married, 1st, Eli∣zabeth, daughter and co-heiress of James Stu∣art of Cardonald; 2dly, Marian, daughter of the earl of Eglinton, but died without is∣sue.

2. Anthony Stewart, parson of Penning∣hame,* 1.28 who married Barbara, daughter of A∣lexander Gordon bishop of Galloway, by whom he got the lands of Clarie, anno 1566, and had issue.

3. William Stewart of Bargrenan, who married and had issue.

His daughter, Helen, married, 1st, to Wil∣liam Gordon of Murefode, ancestor of viscount Kenmure; 2dly, to John Glendoning of Drum∣raik,

Sir Alexander made an entail of a great many of his lands, to himself in liferent, and to Alexander his eldest son and apparent heir, and the heirs-male of his body, in see; which failing,* 1.29 to his second son John, brother ger∣man of the said Alexander, and the heirs-male of his body, &c. &c. all contained in a charter under the great seal, dated anno 1541.

Sometime after, he made an entail of his o∣ther lands,* 1.30 to his heirs-male, and to the same effect and purposes as above, upon which he passed another charter.

XI. ALEXANDER, younger of Gairlies, first son and apparent heir of sir Alexander, was a man of great bravery and spirit, and a mighty promoter of the reformation:* 1.31 He sent a challenge to the famous sir William Kirkaldy of Grange, governor of the castle of Edinburgh for the queen, who wisely evad∣ed the combat, not out of cowardice, but be∣cause he knew his life was of the utmost con∣sequence to her majesty.

He was appointed commissioner for the kirks of Nithsdale, and was a member of the convention or parliament that met in 1560.

He was knighted when Henry lord Darnly was made earl of Ross, and was one of those who signed a protection, together with queen Mary's privy council, to the earl of Murray, to come and discover the pretended conspira∣cy against his life, anno 1565.

He adhered firmly to the interest of king James VI.* 1.32 in his minority, and was slain with the regent Lennox at the surprize of the town of Stirling, anno 1571, his father being then alive.

By Catharine his wife, daughter and one of the co-heiresses of William lord Herries of Terreagles, he left issue a son,

XII. Sir ALEXANDER STEWART of Gair∣lies, who succeeded his grandfather,* 1.33 and was in great favour with his majesty king James VI. who conferred the honour of knighthood upon him, at the solemnity of his queen's co∣ronation, anno 1590.

He married, 1st, Christian, daughter of sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig, ancestor of the duke of Queensberry, by whom he had two sons, and three daughters.

1. Alexander, afterwards earl of Gallo∣way.

2. William Stewart of Mains, ancestor of the Stewarts of Burray in Orkney.

1st daughter, Helen, married to John Dou∣glas of Stanhouse.

2. Jean, married to John Kennedy of Culzean.

3. Nicolas, married to John Dunbar of Mochrum.

He married, 2dly, lady Elizabeth Dou∣glas, daughter of David earl of Augus, dowa∣ger of Robert lord Maxwell, by whom he had no issue.

He died anno 1596, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIII. Sir ALEXANDER STEWART of Gair∣lies, a man of eminent parts, great loyalty, and integrity; he was first knighted, then raised to the peerage by king James VI.* 1.34 by the title of lord Gairlies; the patent being to him, and the heirs-male of his body, and bearing date 19th July 1607.

The king's esteem and favour for him still increasing, he was further dignisied with the title of earl of Galloway,* 1.35 by a new patent, dated 9th September 1623.

He was likewise a steady and firm friend of his majesty king Charles I. was one of his privy council, and never deserted his inte∣rest.

He married Grizel, daughter of sir John Gordon of Lochinvar, ancestor of viscount Kenmure,* 1.36 by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of John Maxwell lord Herries, ancestor of the earl of Nithsdale, by whom he had two sons and one daughter.

1. Alexander, lord Gairlies.

Page 281

2. Sir James Stewart, baronet, afterwards earl of Galloway.

His daughter, lady Anne, married to sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, baronet.

XIV. ALEXANDER, lord Gairlies, first son and apparent heir of Alexander first earl of Galloway, died in 1638, having married la∣dy Margaret Graham, daughter of William earl of Monteith and Airth, lord justice-ge∣neral, and president of the council, in the reign of king Charles I. by whom he had a son,

Alexander, lord Gairlies, who dying un∣married in 1642, was succeeded by his uncle sir James Stewart, baronet, before mention∣ed, who was served heir to Alexander lord Gairlies,* 1.37 son and heir of Alexander earl of Galloway, &c. on 5th December 1643.

The earl, who lived to a great age, died in 1649; and was succeeded by his second son,

XIV. JAMES, second earl of Galloway, a man of untainted loyalty, who, after the mur∣der of the king, adhered firmly to the inte∣rest of his son king Charles II. for which he suffered greatly.

In the year 1654, when Oliver Cromwell gave an act of indemnity to the Scots, this noble lord, for his strong attachment to the royal family,* 1.38 was fined in four thousand pounds sterling, which he was forced to pay. However, he had the good fortune to out∣live the usurpation; and, for his great sufferings and personal merit, was highly esteemed by, and in great favour with king Charles II.

He married Nicholas, daughter of sir Ro∣bert Grierson of Lag,* 1.39 by whom he had issue three sons and one daughter.

1. Alexander, lord Gairlies.

2. Robert Stewart of Reimston.

3. William of Castlestewart, who married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of John Gor∣don of Cardonness.

His daughter, lady Grizel, married to A∣lexander viscount Kenmure.

He died anno 1671, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XV. ALEXANDER, third earl of Gallo∣way, who married lady Mary Douglas, daugh∣ter of James earl of Queensberry, by whom he had six sons and two daughters.

1. Alexander, lord Gairlies.

2. James, who succeeded his brother.

3. Brigadier John Stewart of Sorbie.

4. Andrew, who died in the expedition to Darien in 1699.

5. William.

6. Robert Stewart, Esq;.

1st daughter, lady Margaret, married to sir John Clerk of Pennycuik, baronet, one of the barons of exchequer.

2. Lady Henriet, married to William earl of Glencairn.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVI. ALEXANDER, fourth earl of Gal∣loway, who dying unmarried in 1694, his e∣state and honours devolved upon his brother,

XVI. JAMES, fifth earl of Galloway, who was a man of good parts, great honour and integrity, and a true lover of his country.

He was one of the lords of the privy council to queen Anne, and married lady Catharine Montgomery, daughter of Alexan∣der earl of Eglington, by whom he had four sons and four daughters.

1. Alexander, now earl of Galloway.

2. James, a major-general of his maje∣sty's forces, and colonel of the 37th regiment of foot, was twice member of parliament for the shire, and twice for the burghs of Wig∣ton, &c.

3. William, also an officer in the army, and was member for the burghs of Wigton, &c. to the 9th British parliament.

4. George.

1st daughter, lady Margaret, married, 1st, to James earl of Southesk; 2dly, to John lord Sinclair.

2. Lady Eupheme, married to Alexander Murray of Broughton, Esq;.

3. Lady Catharine.

4. Lady Anne.

The two last died unmarried,

He died anno 1747, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVII. ALEXANDER, sixth earl of Gal∣loway, who is one of the lords of police, &c.

He married, 1st, lady Anne Keith, daugh∣ter of William earl Marishall, by whom he had two sons and one daughter.

1. Alexander master of Gairlies, who died at Aix-la-chapelle unmarried.

2. James, who died young at Dalkeith school.

His daughter, Mary, married to Kenneth lord Fortrose, son and heir of the late earl of Seasorth.

He married, 2dly, lady Catharine Coch∣rane, daughter of John earl of Dundonald, by whom he had four sons and six daughters.

1. John, lord Gairlies, now member of par∣liament for Morpeth, in England.

2. George, who was a captain in the army,

Page 282

and killed at Ticonderago in America, anno 1758, much regreted.

3. William, who died young.

4. Keith.

1st daughter, lady Catharine, married to her cousin, James Murray of Broughton, Esq;.

2. Lady Susanna.

3. Lady Margaret, married to Charles earl of Aboyne.

4. Lady Euphemia.

5. Lady Henriet.

6. Lady Charlotte, married to William earl of Dunmore.

ARMS.

Azure, a fess cheque azure and argent, sur∣mounted of a bend gules, within a double tressure, flowered and counter-flowered, with flowers de lis of the last.

CREST; on a wreath, a pelican feeding her young in the nest, proper.

SUPPORTERS; on the dexter side, a sa∣vage, wreathed with lawrel about the temples and middle, holding a battoon over his shoulder, all proper; and on the sinister, a lion rampant gules.

MOTTO; Virescit vulnere virtus.

CHIEF SEATS.

At Gairlies, Glenish, Glasserton, and Clary, all in Wigton-shire.

Notes

Do you have questions about this content? Need to report a problem? Please contact us.