STEWART LORD AVANDALE AND OCHILTREE

ANDREW STEWART FIRST LORD AVANDAL

He has been described as natural son of Sir James Stewart, third son of Murdoch, Duke of Albany, but was more probably eldest natural son of his second son, Sir

Walter Stewart. (Frasers´The Lennox´) After the fall of the Abanys family he was educated by King James II. In England, made Gentleman of the Bedchamber and

knigted, and in 1456 was granted the Barony of Avandale, being before next year created Lord Avandale.

He was warden of the west marches and one of the Scottish guardians of the truce between England and Scotland, ratified 11 june 1459. In 1460 he was made Lord

High Chancellor of Scotland, and was one of the Lords of the regency during the minority of James III. He was ambassador to Denmark in 1467, and on 4 may 1471

obtained a grant for life of the earldom of Lennox, which had belonged to his grandmother, Isabella, Countess of Lennox and on 28 aug 1472, he and his brothers,

Artur and Walter, receved letters of legitimation, but without specifying their parentage, and again with fuller effects on 17 april 1479.

He supported the King against the Duke of Albany, and was again ambassador to England in 1484. He died without issue between 11 march 1487-88 and 12 july 1488

when his title became extinct. His nephew, Alexander Stewart, son of Walter Stewart of Morphie, had a charter of the lands and Barony of Avandale 4 january 1485-86

on the resignation of Lord Avandale, his uncle. He was one of the Lords auditors 21 january 1488-89, but appears to have died before 2 june 1489.

ANDREW STEWART SECOND LORD AVANDALE

Was grand-nephew of first Lord, being son of Alexander,son of Walter Stewart of Morphie, the brother of the first Lord Avandale. It has been alleged that this Walter

Stewart was, unlike Lord Avandale, a legitimate son of Sir Walter Stewart, son of the Regent Murdoch of Abany, by a marriage with Janet, daughter of Sir Thomas

Erskine, for which he had a dispensation from pope Martin V, 27 may 1421. If however, he was legitimate, it is difficult to explain why he received whit his brothers

letters of legitimation on 17 april 1479, and also how his descendants claims to the throne as sole male descendants of King Robert II were disregarded completely on

the death of King James V. Andrew was a minor at his father´s death, and had sasine of the Barony of Avandale 8 october 1498.

He and his wife received a charter of confirmation of the Barony of Morphie fresale 4 february 1499-1500, and he is there styled Lord Avandale, so that the title must

have been conferred upon him before that date. He was Lord of the Bedchamber to King James IV, and sat as Lord in parliament in 1503 and 1505. He was killed at

Flodden 9 sep. 1513, having married before 4 feb. 1499-1500, Margaret daughter of John second Lord Kennedy, by whom he had issue :-

1. ANDREW, his successor.

2. HENRY created Lord Methven after his marriage with the Queen-Dowager, Margaret Tudor. (see title Methven). He supported the Earl of Arran against Angust

in 1524. He owed his advancement, however to the favour of the Queen-Dowager Margaret Tudor, widow of King James IV who became attracted by him about

1526, when he held the office of Master Carver to the King her son. The Queen was then in the midst of her quarrel with the Earl of Angus, her second husband,

and was soon completely governed by Henry Stewart, who favoured the English alliance. She appointed him treasurer, Lord Chancellor, and keeper of the seals, and

he ´ordered everything.´

The Queen obtained a divorce from Angus, at Rome 11 march 1527-28, and shortly after 23 march 1527-28, at which date the news had not arrived, but before 2 april

1528, married Henry Stewart. He was imprisoned for a short time, but on the fall of the power of Angus was received into the favour of the King, and retained it until

his death. He was created Lord Methven 17 july 1528, the King giving in conjunct fee to his mother and to Henry Stewart her husband, brother of Andrew Lord

Avandale, the lands of Methven and Balquhidder, erected into a Barony to be called the Lordship of Methven.

He received the grant of many other lands also. On account of his marriage he assumed (and bore on his seal 1539) for one of his supporters a dragon (the badge of

his wife´s father, King Henry VII of England), and for crest, a queen crowned, standing erect, holding a naked sword reversed with her right, and leaning on a wheel

with her left. He was later made `Maisterof the Ordinaunce and Sherif of Linlithcu by inheritance.` The Queen later, in 1537, obtained a dissolution of her marriage

with him also on the ground that he was within the fourth and fourth degress of consanguinity to the Earl of Angus, her second husband, and wished to marry again

but her son James V prevented this scandal, and she died at Methven 18 oct. 1541.

He received a final grant of he Lordship of Methven 10 oct. 1551 to himself, Janet Stewart Mistress of Sutherland, and their son, and died shortly after. He was, it is

stated, married early in life to `Lady Leslie ´by whom he had a son. His first proved marriage, however, was to the Queen-Dowager. On her death he married the mother

of his four children, Janet Stewart who as his wife, received with him, june 1545, the third part of the lands of Nether-Gorthie. She was daughter of John second Earl

of Atholl, and widow, first of Alexander Master of Sutherland and secondly of Sir Hugh Kennedy of Girvanmains. She survived him, liferenting the Lordship of

Methven and married, fourtly (contract 9 april 1557), Patrick Lord Ruthven. This is her last proved marriage, but it is alleged that she was married, fifthly to James

Gray, son of Gilbert Gray of Foulis.

3. JAMES STEWART of Beith, ancestor of the Lords Doune. Obtained on the 14 july 1528 a grant of the captaincy of the Castle of Doune from King James V, then

inminority whose gentleman of the bedchamber he was. Three days later his brother Henry Stewart, who had married the Queen-Mother, was created Lord Methven.

He had a charter 14 july 1529 of Traquair, sold to him by Queen Margaret.

In 1538 he witnessed a charter as ´Senescallus de Menteith´and on 1 june 1543 had a charter of a grant of 27 april of that year of the lands of Beath by Richard Abbot

of St. Colm, ´insuce de ymonia,´ which proceeded ´pro ingentibus pecuniarum summis sibi persolutis ad reparationem monasterii sui per veteres suos Anglie imimicos

nuper combusti, ´in favour of himself and his wife.

He was killed at Dunblane on whit sunday 1547 by Edmonstone of Duntreath and his brothers, to whose family the office of Stewart of Menteith had formerly

belonged. He married Margaret Lindsay, daughter of John third Lord Lindsay of the Byres, and widow of Richard third Lord Innermeath.

4. ALEXANDER frater germ anus of Andrew Lord Ochiltree 27 june 1541.

5. WILLIAM brother german of Henry, Lord Methven 18 july 1548. He married Isobel Ker.

6. BARBARA married first before 1535 to Sir James Sinclair of Sanday, Governor of Kirkwal : secondly in 1541 to Roderick Macleod of Lewes. As ´Lady Barbara

Stewart`she acguired the Island of Burray in Orkney from Bishop Adam Bothwell, paying yearly´ 62 li. 6 s. 8 d. 24 cunningis and 24 maiss of Stra.

7. AGNES married, as his second wife, to Jon Boswell of Aucinleck.

8. ANNE married to Bartholohew Crawfurd of Carse.

ANDREW STEWART THIRD LORD AVANDALE AND FIRST LORD OCHILTREE

Son of the last. He took the side, during the minority of King James V of the Queen-mother, who married his brother Henry Stewart Lord Methven, and in 1525 received

a pardon for taking the field against the Regent John Duke of Albany. His affair becoming involved, he exchanged his land of Avandale with Sir James of Fynnart for

the lands and Barony of Ochiltree, and this transfer was confirmed by a charter under the Great Seal 2 sept. 1534. On 15 march 1542-43 an act of parliament ordained him

to be callit, he and his successiouris in tyme to cum, Lord Stewart of Oycheltree, and to haif vote and place in the parliament as utheris Lordis of the realme augt and

sould haif in ye samin, haifand all honouris and dignities efferand thereto.

He and his successors thencefort bore the title of Lord Ochiltree, and he himself sometimes Lord Ochiltree and Failford. He died about 1548, as next year his son appears

as Lord Ochiltree. He married, before 22 aug. 1515, Margaret Hamilton, she is styled ´Filia notha ´of James Earl of Arran, and was unquest onably one of his many illegiti-

mate children. She had with her husband at that date confirmation of the lands of Glengevil.

Issue :-

1. ANDREW his successor.

2. WALTER STEWART ´submersos `.

3. ISOBEL married, as his first wife to Duncan Macfarlane of that Ilk.

4. ROBERT STEWART a natural son, legitimated 1 sep. 1542. He tock part in the French wars on the huguenot side, and was killed in France.

5. And perhaps another son WILLIAM STEWART, was ´went with Sir Andro Keth (Keith) the Lord of Dyngwell probably to Sweden.

ANDREW STEWART SECOND LORD OCHILTREE

Called from his zeal for the reformed religion, ´The good Lord´, born about 1521, succeeded his father. He early declared for the principles of the reformation and of the

staunch supporters of Knox in1555, and remained his freind trough life. He opposed the marriage of Queen Mary and Darnley, and fled into England, but returned after

the murder of Ricco, and was wounded, sore hurt and in danger of his life..... receiving his chief wound with a sword in his neck, given by the Lord Herris at the battle of

Langside, he became a member of the Privy Concil of King James VI, and one of the Lords of the articles.

In later life he was chiefly know as father of the King´s favorite, James Earl of Arran, and some others of illgovernment. He own lyvinge and power of lyttle valve. He

died about 1592. He married first, Agnes Cunningaw who with him had a charter of Pennymore and others 27 march 1549. She was living 31 jan 1556-57, when she is

mentioned in a charter of Ochiltree, and is stated to have been ´Filia domini de Caprington´.

He married, secondly, Margaret Cunyngham widow of John Wallace of Graigie and daughter of Alexander fourth Earl of Glencairn, who died in june 1573. Her testament

dative was given up by the children of her first marrige, and she is styled sometyme spous to ane nobill Lord Andro Stewart of Ochiltree, Lord Ochiltree had issue:-

1. ANDREW master of Ochiltree of whom presently.

2. JAMES STEWART usually styled Captain James Stewart, was the second son of Andrew second Lord Ochitree, whose mother Margaret was only child of James

first Earl of Arran by his first wife. He played a conspicuous part in the annals of his time, but his singular career belongs more to the history of Scottland than to a

here genealogical notice. The leading facts in his life, however may be briefly summarised. He received an unusally good education, (Privy Council Reg) had been a

soldier of fortune in france and Sweden, and returned home in 1579. He must have had considerable personal attractions, as he speedily obtained the favour of the

King, on 18 march 1579-80 and 24 aug 1580 he had charter to him self in fee and his father in liferent of lands of Bothwellmuir and others, in the country of Lanark.

( Reg. Mag. Sig.) He was appointed one of the Gentlemen of the King´s Chamber 15 okt 1580; (Privy Council Reg iii 323n ) arrested the Earl Morton, as accessory to

Darnley´s murder, 31 dec 1580, for which service he received the approval of the Privy Council and Parliament; ( ibid, 339n, 389.) was appointed tutor to his Kinsman

James Earl of Arran, who had been cognosced an idiot; admitted to the Privy Council 9 feb 1580-81.

By charter of 22 april 1581 he was created Earl of Arran and Lord Hamilton, a ratification of which grant he received from Parliament in october following. It is curious

circumstance that at this time were two Earls of Arran, one a Stewart the other a Hamilton, and one the tutor of the other. James Stewart´s grandmother was, as above

stated, a daughter of first Earl by his first wife, and he apparently succeeded in inducing the King to treat the family of the third wife of his Great-Grandfather as

illegitimate, from dec 1580 to aug 1582 Arran and the Duke of Lennox were at the head of the Goverment in Scotland. But their attitude towards the presbyterian clergy

a suspicion that they were intriguing with Queen Mary and her adherents, and their evil influence on the young King, led to a feeling that the country was under a

despotism, and their career received a sudden check by the proceedings known as the raid of Ruthven, Arran was made prisoner by raiders, and committed to the

custody of the Earl of Gowrie, the Ruthven raid government, however, came to an end in june 1583, and Aeean, his former colleague Lennox having died, resumed his

supremacy, Gowrie, the leader in the raid, was executed 2 may 1584, and Arran energetically prosecuted both the raiders and the party know as the Banished Lords.

In sep 1584 he became Chancellor on the death of Argyll, though he had the office temporarily for nine months previous, he was also made Governor of Edinburgh

and Stirling Castles, Provost of edinburgh, and Lieutnantgeneral of the forces of the King, English influence and the intigues of the subtle Master of Grey led to Arran

being committed to ward in connection with a riot on the Borders which resulted in the death of Lord Russel, the son and heir of the Earl of Bedford. On 6 aug 1585 he

was released from ward and remitted to seclusion in his own house of Kinneil; but his power was broken and his supremacy gone. Once again, indeed, he made an

effort to recover it. In okt 1585 he took the field with the King against the party of the Banished Lords but without sucess. His opponents were received into favour,

and he himself retired into private life. But made one more bid for power. In nov 1592 he came to Edinburgh, apparently on the invitation of the King, and his

appearance alarmed the clerge; but after a short stay he retired again. His end came before long; on 1 dec 1595, while riding near Symington, meditating on another try

for the Chancellor-ship, he was attacked and killed by James Douglas of Parkhead, a nephew of the Regent Morton, whose fall Arran had been so instrumental in

bringing about.

The character of Arran has been the subjekt of the most bitter invectives: his anti-presbyterian policy rendered him highly obnoxious to the Scottish chroniclers of the

time: hi is described as "that tyrane, that godless and bloodie atheist, and seditious cataline". But some allowance must always be made for political rancour, no doubt

Arran was an energetic, self-seeking, and unscrupulous man: yet his personal charm must have been considerable, the English, under Lord Hunsdon, who met him in

aug 1584, to discuss matters relating to the two Kingdoms, were much impressed by him; `magnificent, "Kingly`, are the epithets applied to him; a man with the brave

countenace of a Captain of middle age, very resolute, very wise and learned, and one of the best spoken men that ever I heard; this testimony shows that Arran was

not the unredeemed monster he has generally been made out to have been.

The Earl of Arran married, 6 july 1581, Elizabeth Stewart, eldest daughter of John fourth Earl of Atholl, she had previously been married, first to Hugh Fraser sixth Lord

Lovat, who died in jan 1579-80; secondly, to Robert Stewart Earl of Lennox, the Kings great-uncle, this marriage was annulled, her marriage with Arran was hurriedly

arranged and the reason of this appeared in the birth of a child on 8 jan 1581-82. The Earl and his wife had to do eccleiastical penance for the irregularity, much against

her will. She is said to have been a young and beutiful woman, but like her husband, was furiously attacked by contemporary chronicclers, Calderwood calls her ` A

meete matche for suche a spous, depending upon the response of witches, and enemie to all human societte. James Stewart Earl of Arran and Elizabeth Stewart his

wife, had issue.

                                1. James Stewart of Killeith, afterwards Lord Ochiltree.

                                2. Henry Stewart of Killinnan.

                                3. Fredrick.Van Bassan (a very indifferent authority) says that he ´dyed young, ´and gives another brother, Sir William Stewart, the father, he says, of

                                    Charles Stewart, who was MajorGeneral in Sweden, ´but his account is very confused.

                                4. Elisabeth.

3. SIR WILLIAM STEWART OF MONKTON who received 1 nov 1587, a charter of the Barony of Carstairs in Lanark. He attempted to free King James VI after the raid

of Ruthven. He was slain in july 1588 by Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell, in the high street of Edinburgh. He married Helen Cunningham, relict of John Stewart,

Burgess

of Ayr, and left a son William, who on 14 july 1608 also in the high street of Edinburgh, killed Sir James Douglas of Torthorwald in revenge for the murder of his uncle,

Captain James Stewart, and was put to the horn as a rebel, 13 march 1610; and he had another son, mentioned with all his kin a bond for the indemnity of Lord

Torthorwald, 6 june 1606, as well as a daughter Margaret, married to James Whyte `Broudinster ´.

4. HENRY STEWART OF BARSKIMMING AND GOGAR son lawful 9 december 1580. He obtained, in 1609, a grant of 2000 acres in Ulster. Married about 1580, Janet

second daughter of Adam Reid of Barskimming, and had issue :-

                                 1. Adam Stewart, son and heir, married (contract 23 september 1610) Maria Ross, daughter of Margaret Wallace, Lady Haining.

                                 2. Janet, who Riddel says was living in 1605. She apparently was married to James Chalmers of Corraith.

5. ROBERT STEWART OF PITTHEVELES also designed of Halltoun of Luncartie. In 1609 he obtained a grant of 2000 acres in Ulster. Married (contract 1586) Jean Ross,

daughter of John Ross of Craigie. whose testament was recorded 14 february 1601. He was witness to a contract of his nephew, Lord Ochiltree, in 1612, and had issue:-

                                  1. William, who had a charter , 2 april 1622,of the superiority of the lands of Easter Polquhairne.

                                  2. Mr. Andrew, who was granted some lands in Ayrshire by James Lord Ochiltree, 26 nov 1620.

                                  3. Archibald.

                                  4. James.

                                  5. Agnes.

                                  6. Helen.

6. ISOBEL, stated to have been married to Thomas Kennedy of Bargany.

7. MARGARET, Married first, when a young girl, March 1564, to the elderly Reformer , Mr John Knox. His enemies attributed her marrige to his witchcraft, and declared

that in marrying a Stewart he wasaiming at the Crown. She was married secondly (contract dated 8 jan 1573-74) to Sir Andrew Ker of Faldonside. She was still alive in

1598-99.

8. BETHIA.

He had also a natural daughter, Elisabeth Stewart, legitimated 31 march 1585.

ANDREW MASTER OF OCHILTREE

Predeceased his father before 10 sept 1578, have a charter of lands of Portcarrick, Whitehills, etc., to the deceased Andrew Stewart Master of Ochiltree, passed the

Great Seal. He married before 9 march 1566-67, Margaret Stewart, daughter of Henry second Lord Methven. She seems to have borne the title of Lady Ochiltree, and

as such received a pension of 700 merks, granted to her by King James VI for having served his Queen for thirteen years, from her arrival from Denmark to herremoval

to England, and for ´her carefull annd beutifull attendance upon the late Queen and thair Royal children in thair young and tender aige. ´ ´Dame Margaret Stewart, Lady

Ochiltree elder, ´died 1 jan 1627, and her testament was given up, 8 feb 1627, by Susanna Stewart, her daughter, executrix dative. Issue :-

1. ANDREW LORD OCHILTREE, who succeeded his grandfather.

2. JOSIAS STEWART, witnessed a charter as ´frater Andree, magistri de Ochiltree, ´26 dec 1587. He was afterwards known as ´of Bonyngtoun, ´´amicus et servitor ´

of Sir James Stewart of Killeith. He witnessed the execution of a charge 17 march 1604 and under the designation of Josias Stewart of Wester Polquharne, subscribed

the assurance to Lord Torthorwald above mentioned. His wife was Mariota Finlayson and he had at least one daughter :-

                                          1. Margaret Stewart, wife in 1620 of Thomas Kennedy of Bargany. Their matrimonial disputes can be traced in vol.xii, of the Privy Council Register.

3. WILLIAM STEWART in Ayr, married Marion MÁlexander who was his spous in 1614 when John Kennedy of Carloch granted a bond.

One of these brothers was probably father of Catherine Stewart Broyr. Daughter to the lait Lord Ochiltree and relict of the deceast Collonell Duncane Camble, whose

will is recorded 16 feb 1672.

4. JOHN STEWART described as brother german of Andrew Lord Ochiltree on 19 aug 1605.

5. MARGARET married to John Stewart of Traquair.

6. ANNE married ( contract dated 20 oct 1584 ) to Andrew first Lord Jedburgh.

7. MARJORY married to Sir Roger Aston Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King James I.

8. MARTHA married to Nichol Rutherford of Hundalee.

9. JEAN or ANNA married (contract dated at Holyroodhouse 6 jan 1596 ) to Gilbert Kennedy heir of Thomas Kennedy of Bargany. She died a widow, at Stilton, when

returning from London and was buried at Ballantrae.

10. AGNES

11. SUSANNA executor of her mothers testament 1627.

ANDREW STEWART THIRD LORD OCHILTREE

Succeeded his grandfather he was born in 1560. He took part in the feuds which led to the murder of `the Bonny of Moray´ by the Earl of Huntly 7 feb 1591-92, and

attempted to force the King to grant redress, and joined the party of Francis Earl of Bothwell. The King had ever great favour and liking for the Lord Ochiltree, and

used all means and occasions to persuade and draw the said Lord from the Earl of Bothwells company and afterwards pardoned him his fault. He was a member of the

Council first Lord of the Bedchamber, Governor of Edinburgh Castle and General of the Ordnance.

He was made King`s Lieutenant over the Western Island in 1608, but his affairs becoming involved, he settled as an undertaker in Ulster on escheated lands in Tyrone,

granted him by the King in 1610. Finding he was unable to pay his debts, he with the consent of his son and their respective wives, sold in 1615 the Barony of

Ochiltree to his cousin Sir James Stewart of Killeith, who obtained the title also from the King, the vendor having resigned it into the King`s hands. Andrew Stewart

was created by King James VI., on 7 nov 1619 Baron Castlestuart, in the county of Tyrone, with remainder to the heirs-male of his body, and died jan 1628. He married

Margaret daugther of Sir John Kennedy of Blairquhan who was his future spouse 8 aug 1587, when they both received a charter of the Lordchip of Ochiltree. She

consented to the sale of this estate in 1610. They had issue :-

1. ANDREW STEWART MASTER OF OCHILTREE afterwards second Lord Castlestuart. He was educated in France under Mr.Welsh, John Knox´s son-in-law, and

consented to his father´s resignation of the Lordship of Ochiltree, being then married (contract dated 15 aug 1594), to Anne, fourth daughter and co-heiress of John

Stewart, fifth Earl of Atholl. He was created a Baronet in 1618, and died in 1639, leaving issue.

2. JOHN STEWART FIFTH LORD CASTLESSTUART.

3. ROBERT, ancestor of the present Earl Castlestuart.

4. MARGARET, who had a gift of the escheat of James Douglas of Torthorwald in 1596, married to George Craufurd of Leifnorris.

5. MARIA married (contract dated 7 june 1615) to John Kennedy of Blairquhan. She was his widow in 1643.

SIR JAMES STEWART OF PREVICK

and afterwards of Killeith fourth Lord Ochiltree, eldest son of James Earl of Arran, uncle of the last Lord. Failing to obtain the Earldom of Arran, he purchased from his

cousin the Lordship of Ochiltree. On his doing so King James VI, wrote to the Privy Council, dating from Greenwich 27 may 1615, that he wished the purchaser to