Archibald (Stewart) Stewart Xth of Ardgowan and Blackhall (1589 - 1665)

Born 1589 in Blackhall, Renfrewshire, Scotland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Blair — married 24 Apr 1613 (to Aug 1621) in Scotland

Descendants

Died Mar 1665 at about age 76 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland [uncertain]

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Biography

Archibald (Stewart) Stewart Xth of Ardgowan and Blackhall is a member of Clan Stewart.

This profile is part of the Stewart Name Study.

Sir Archibald Stewart, M.P., P.C., 10th of Blackhall and Ardgowan, was born circa 1589, second son of John Stewart (9th of Blackhall and Ardgowan) and his wife Margaret Stewart of Castlemilk.

He was Commissioner to Parliament for Renfrewshire. He held the office of Member of Parliament. He was invested as a Privy Counsellor for King Charles I, who knighted him.

He died in March 1665, as stated in his testament dative recorded in the Register of Testaments of the Glasgow Commissariat (CC9/7 f36ff).

Marriages

His first marriage in 1613 was to Margaret Blair, eldest daughter of Bryce Blair and Annabell Wallace. Their marriage contract is dated 23-24 April 1613, and was ratified with the consent of Archibald's cousin Walter Stewart, Lord Blantyre (see the Index of Blair of Blair Muniments at the Scottish Records Office, Catalog No. GD 167, Box 14, Bundle 2). In 1624 he was married for the second time to Margaret Home, the daughter of Sir George Home of Wedderburne and Lady Jean Haldane of Gleneagles. ^[1]

SIR ARCHIBALD STEWART (Knight), of Blackhall, P.C., M.P. one of the Commissioners to Parliament for the county of Renfrew in the reign of CHARLES I, who chose him to be one of his Privy Council and advanced him to the dignity of Knighthood. He was also of the Privy Council to CHARLES I, when in Scotland 1650. He married firstly 1613 Margaret (d. Aug. 1621), daughter of Bryce Blair of that Ilk, and secondly 1624 Margaret, daughter of Sir. George Home of Wedderburn (see HOME, Bt., of Blackadder).^[2]

Sir ARCHIBALD STEWART of Blackhall, PC; MP, Commr to Parl for Renfrewshire; m 1st 1613 Margaret (d Aug 1621), dau of Bryce Blair of that Ilk; m 2nd 1624 Margaret, dau of George Home, de jure 3rd Earl of Dunbar (see HOME OF BLACKADDER, Bt), and d 1665, leaving by his 1st w:

1a John; m 1633 Mary, dau of Sir James Stirling of Keir, and dvp by 1658, leaving, with other issue:

2a Archibald, of Scotston; m Margaret, dau and heiress of John Hutcheson of Scotston

3a Walter, of Pardovan; m Elizabeth, dau and heiress of Robert Stewart of Pardovan, and had:

1a Annabella; m 1646 Sir George Maxwell as of Auldhouse and Pollok (d April 1677) and had issue (see HERON-MAXWELL OF SPRINGKELL, Bt)

2a Margaret; m Sir David Boswell of Auchinleck

---Beginning With Kings—From Royal Stewart to Shaw Stewart—Their Story; Janet S. Bolton; 1989; Nenufra Publications

(11) Sir Archibald Stewart Infeft c. 1613 twice married 1st to Margaret Blair by whom 4 sons 2 daughters secondly to Lady Margaret Home 1 son. Died c. 1665^[3]

"James Stewart, 10th of Blackhall and Ardgowan, was named heir to his father John “in the lands of Gass in Carrick and Kildonan in Arran” on 30 August 1597. This indicates that John probably died in 1597, prior to 30 August. Although the family estates passed to him, James would not be able to administer them personally until reaching his majority... The next we hear of the young heir James is in a charter dated 16 April 1607, given to him by the Earl of Abercorn, which granted “the Kirklands of Innerkip” to “James Stewart of Ardgowan” and to his heirs male. And then, about five years later, young James died, unmarried and lacking either legitimate or illegitimate issue. This was apparently the first time in the history of the family that the eldest surviving son failed to beget an heir. From the foundation of this line in 1390, the inheritance seems to have passed generation by generation, from father to eldest son. With the untimely death of the 10th laird of Blackhall and Ardgowan circa 1612, the family estates passed to the next in line, James’ younger brother Archibald."

...

"During the lifetime of Archibald Stewart, 11th of Blackhall and Ardgowan, Scotland was to suffer terribly from chronic violence and war that resulted from the seventeenth century’s many agonising religious conflicts. Paradoxically, this generation also saw this family attain what was until then the heights of its fortunes.

"For instance, Archibald was knighted by King Charles I sometime between 19 April 1636 and 23 October 1637, and was chosen as a member of the King’s Privy Council. The downside of those honors is that they placed Archibald right in the middle of the same religious tumult that eventually brought about the murder of the King in 1649 at the hands of an English Calvinist military junta.

"Sir Archibald, ever loyal to his King, even found himself arrested on 11 June 1641 by the Earl of Argyll, on an unfounded charge of treason, and imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle. Arrested and imprisoned at the same time were three other important nobles, including the Earl of Montrose, who was the King’s most influential and valiant supporter, and therefore Argyll’s arch-enemy. After being held for several months, Montrose, Sir Archibald, and their two fellow prisoners were a released in the middle of the night, separately and secretly, with no explanation given.

"In the context of such dangerous political and religious conflicts, it is understandable that whenever the Privy Council had to deal with controversial matters, Sir Archibald would be unable to attend their deliberations due to a very convenient attack of gout. So often did he use this excuse that his family nicknamed him “Gouty Toe.”...

"After the death of his older brother James, Archibald Stewart, 11th of Blackhall and Ardgowan, was served and retoured heir to his father John on 31 March 1613. At the same time, he was also served heir to his brother James of the lands of Kildonan in Arran and the lands of Gass in Carrick. Shortly after that, by the consent of his great-uncle Walter Stewart, Lord Blantyre, Archibald entered into a contract of marriage (dated 23-24 April 1613) with Margaret Blair, daughter of Bryce Blair of that Ilk by his wife Annabella Wallace.

"Archibald and Margaret had six children—four sons, named John (the heir), Archibald, Walter, and James, who were born one each year from about 1614 to 1617; and two daughters, named Annabella (born circa 1618) and Margaret (born circa 1619). In August 1621, just a few years after their youngest child was born, Archibald’s wife Margaret died. In 1624 Archibald took a second wife, Lady Margaret Home, daughter of Sir George Home of Wedderburne and Lady Jean Haldane. By his second wife, Archibald had a son named David. After a long and eventful life, Sir Archibald died in 1665, aged about 76 years.

"Of the five sons of Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall and Ardgowan, little is known of the two youngest sons James and David. As for David, we know his name and the time of his parents’ marriage. David’s older half-brother James appears in the records of the Baron Courts, but he apparently never married, presumably dying without issue. However, we know considerably more concerning Sir Archibald’s other sons and two daughters.

"On 23 August 1633, Archibald’s eldest son and heir John married Maria Stirling, daughter of Sir George Stirling of Keir. They had seven sons and two daughters. The family line was continued to the present day through their second son Archibald, who was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1667—the first of his line. By an arrangement similar to the settlement of 1574, John was infeft in the family estates in the lifetime of his father by a charter dated 29 March 1634. However, John predeceased his father by about nine years, dying on 1 December 1656, after which his son was designated as heir in his place.

"Archibald’s second son, also named Archibald, acquired the lands of Scotston by marrying Margaret Hutcheson, daughter and heiress of John Hutcheson of Scotston. Scotston was later held by his nephew George Stewart, one of the sons of Archibald’s older brother John by his wife Maria Stirling."

Children

Children of Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall and his wife Margaret Blair:

1. John Stewart, died 1656, 11th Lord of Blackhall & Ardgowan, married in 1633 Mary Stirling^[4]
2. Annabella Stewart, married Sir George Maxwell of Pollock, with issue
3. Archibald Stewart, married Margaret Hutcheson, heiress of Scotstoun, issue two daughters
4. Walter Stewart (ca. 1616-1681) m. 1st Anna Stuart, daughter of James Stuart, Tutor of Blackhall, m. 2nd Elizabeth Stewart, daughter and heiress of Robert Stewart of Pardovan
5. James Stewart, who died young and unmarried, no issue
6. Margaret Stewart, married Sir David Boswell of Auchinleck

Child of Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall and his wife Lady Margaret Home:

1. David Stewart, died before 1663, married Barbara Scott, daughter of Sir William Scott of Clerkington, but had no issue.

Archibald passed away in March 1665. His will was probated two years later, on 21 March 1667.^[5]

Testament Dative

Sir Archibald's second son Archibald Stewart of Scotstoun was appointed executor of his estate. Following is a complete transcription of Sir Archibald's testament dative (will) in the Register of Testaments of the Glasgow Commissariat (CC9/7 f.36ff), with punctuation and formatting added, and abbreviations and numbers spelled out in full, to aid in understanding:

"The testament dative & inventar of the guidis, geir, debts, & soumes of monye Quhilkis which pertenit to umquhill Sir Archebald Stewart of Blackhall, knight, within the paroshine of Innerkip [at] the tyme of his deceis, quha deceist in the moneth of Marche one thousand six hundred and thrie-scor and fyve [1665] yeiris; faithfully made and given up be Archebald Stewart of Scotstoune, Laufull creditor to the defunct, in maner underwrittine:

"In sa far as the said defunct was justlie adebtit and awand to Issobell Lowthiane his domestick servant the soume of Twentie four hundreth merks of guid & usuall monye of Scotland principall soum, with thrie hundreth twelff punds of bygaine annualrents preceiding Candllmes Last bypast [2 Feb. 1665], And fyve hundreth merks of liquidat expensis & penultie contenit in ane band made & grantit be the defunct as principall, & [by] Archebald Stewart, his grand child, Fiar of Blackhall, as cautioner & sovertie & full debtor for him to the said Issobels Lowthiane, of the dait att Ardgowane the Last of August one thousand six hundred and threescor four [31 Aug. 1664] yeiris, In and to the quhilk band of the dait abovewrittine and soumes of monye, principall, penultie, & annualrent rexive abovewrittine, The said Issobell Lowthiane hes made & constitut the said Archebald Stewart of Scotstoune her laufull, undoubtit, and irrevocabill sessionar & assignay, and hes surrogat & substitut him in her full place & right & titill of the samyn, Conforme to her assignatione subscrivit with her hand of the dait the fourtine day of Marche one thousand six hundred and thrie score seavine [14 March 1667] yeiris instant, as the said band and assignatioune of the daits rexive abovewrittine in themselves at mair Lenth makis mentiones, Quhilk Archebald Stewart of Scotstoune is Laufull creditor to the defunct in maner underwrittine as executor dative surrogat in place of Mr. Jon & Jon Herbertsones, procurator fiscals of the Commissariat of Glesgow, Quha ar executors dative decernit to the defuncts guidis, geir, & debts Be decreit of the Commissar of Glesgow upon the twentie ane day of March instant [21 March 1667]. And that for payment and satisfactioune to the said Archebald Stewart of Scotstoun, executor dative above, surrogat as Laufull creditor foresaid off the soumes of monye, principall, penultie, & annualrents rexive abovewrittine, In sa far as the defunct’s guidis, geir, & debts underwrittine will extend unto and as the Law may be recoverit thairof, As the decreit dative pronuncit thairanent of the dait foresaid att mair Lenth above mentioned.

"Inventar:

"Item: The defunct had the tyme of his deceis foresaid adebtit and awand to him of the soumes of monye underwrittine be the persounes eftirnamit –

"In the first, be David Boill of Kellburne, conforme to his ticket – 240 pounds

"<i>Item, be the frieholders of the Shyre of Renfrew, for his fies as commissionar for the Shyre to the Last parliament of this present majestie, quilk begane in the anno one thousand six hundred and three scor ane [1661] yeiris – 75 pounds

"Sum of the inventar – 2615 pounds

[Written in margin: Quot 103 pounds 12 shillings]

"Nulla divisio.

"I, Mr. William Flyming of Ferme, Commissar of Glesgow, Be the tennour heirof (eftir dew warning made be edict openlie as effeiris) Ratifie, approve & conferme the said Archebald Stewart of Scotstoune in executor dative above, surrogat to the defunct as Laufull creditor to him in maner abovewrittine, And that payment and satisfactioune to him as laufull creditor foresaid of the sowmes of monye, principall, penultie, & annualrents abovewrittine, And of the expenses of the quoat & confermatioune of this present testament, in sa far as the defunct’s guidis, geir, & debts abovewrittine will extend unto and as the Law may be recoverit thairof, with full power to the said Archebald Stewart to intromett thairwith to the effect abovewrittine, And if neid beis, to call & persew thairfor, Becaus he hes made faith as use is in sick caisis And fund cautioune as law will, As an act made thairupon beiris.

"Given att Glesgow the twentie ane day of Marche 1667 yeiris [21 March 1667], The quilk day compeired personallie Mr. Thomas Younger, servitor to the Laird of Blackhall, and is become actit & obleist as cautiouner & sovertie for Archebald Stewart of Scotstoune, executor creditor surrogat & confermit to umquhill Sir Archebald Stewart of Blackhall, Knight, that the guidis, geir, & debts given up & contenit in the defunct his confermit testament sall be made furth command to all pairteis haveand intres as Law will; And the executor creditor is become obleist for the cautiouner’s releiffe.

"Subscrivit befor Mr. Jon Herbertsone, William Selkrig, Jon Reid, & William Selkirig, wryters in Glessgow – As subscribed: [the clerk’s copy of their signatures follow]"

Sir Archibald Stewart was born about 1589. He was the son of John Stewart (1543-1598) and his wife Margaret of Castlemilk (1550-1595)

He passed away in 1665.

Sources

1. ↑ Burke’s Landed Gentry of Scotland 2010, p. 1269
2. ↑ Burke’s Peerage 107th Edition 2003; page 3589
3. ↑ The Stewarts of Blackhall, Ardgowan, and Auchigowan Part Three; Jared L. Olar, BA, FSO; Journal of Ancient & Medieval Studies; 2000 XVII; pp. 15-16.
4. ↑ Archibald Stewart's grandson was Archibald Stewart, 1st Baronet Stewart of Greenock and Blackhall (ca. 1635-1722). Cokayne, George Edward. Complete Baronetage. 1900, page 261. Exeter: W Pollard & Co, Ltd.
5. ↑ Grant - Glasgow: p. 477

See also:

• Bolton, Janet S. "Beginning With Kings: From Royal Stewart to Shaw Stewart," Greenock: Nenufra Publications, 1989, p.18-24.

• Grant, Francis J, "Commissariot Record of Glasgow, Register of Testaments, 1547-1800", Edinburgh: James Skinner & Co., 1901

• The Peerage: Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall M, #480211, d. 1665: Edited 5 Feb 2012. Accessed 13 Feb 2019.

• Stirnet

• FabPedigree

• Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015