James (Stewart) Stewart VIIth of Ardgowan and Blackhall (abt. 1521 - abt. 1579)

Born about 1521 in Blackhall Manor, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Janet Maxwell — married about 1533 in Blackhall Castle, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

Descendants

Died about 1579 at about age 58 in Blackhall Manor, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland

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Biography

James (Stewart) Stewart VIIth of Ardgowan and Blackhall is a member of Clan Stewart.

This profile is part of the Stewart Name Study.

James Stewart (7th of Auchingoun, Blackhall and Ardgowan) was born about 1512 in Blackhall Manor, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He is the son of James Stewart and his wife Janet Kennedy.

James Stewart 7th of Auchingoun, Blackhall and Ardgowan was married to Janet Maxwell, daughter of Patrick Maxwell (3rd Laird of Newark) about 1533 in Blackhall Castle, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

1. James Stewart (of Ardgowan). b. 1535 - d. 1589.
2. Janette Stewart. b. 1544 - d. 1562.

James died c.1579.

Research Notes

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

(7) James Stewart Infeft c. 1553 married Janet Maxwell of Newark 5 sons 3 daughters. Died c. 1579.

The Stewarts of Blackhall, Ardgowan, and Auchigowan Part Three; Jared L. Olar, BA, FSO; Journal of Ancient & Medieval Studies; 2000 XVII; pp. 12-13

"In 1542 the army of King James V was defeated by a much smaller English force at the Battle of Solway Moss. Not long afterwards the King, suffering from an illness that would soon take his life, received word that his kingdom would pass to a daughter, Mary, rather than a son. Thus the legitimate male line of the Royal Stewarts was extinguished. However, several illegitimate branches of the Royal Stewarts continued on, including the Stewarts of Blackhall and Ardgowan.

"About the same year that King James V died, the eldest son and heir of James Stewart and Janet Kennedy, also named James Stewart, made the first of several marital alliances between the Maxwells and the Stewarts of Blackhall. His wife was named Janet Maxwell, and she bore him at least five sons and three daughters. Thus the continuance of the Blackhall line was ensured at a time when their cousins the legitimate line of the Royal Stewarts died out.

"The names of the daughters are unknown, but we do know that one of them married Archibald Kelso of Kelso, another one married .... Wallace of Johnstoun, and the third one married Hugh Brisbane of Bishopston... The five sons were apparently born one each year from about 1544 to 1548. They were named James (the heir), Robert, Archibald, Dugald, and William.

"By a Precept of Chancery dated 20 May 1553, James Stewart, 7th of Blackhall and Ardgowan, was served and retoured heir to his father, who had therefore died sometime prior to that date. James continued to administer the family estates until 21 May 1574, which is the date of a charter by which James Stewart and his wife Janet Maxwell entrusted the control of the family’s estates of Ardgowan, Blackhall, Auchingowan, Lochwinnoch, and Finnock to their son and heir James, the eighth head of his line. It is remarkable that they took this extraordinary measure of granting their heir his inheritance in the lifetime of his father. Whether this was done because of some infirmity that afflicted the elder James, as a loving gift to a devoted son, or to resolve sibling rivalry among the five brothers, we cannot tell. It may even have been a protective measure taken in view of the terrible upheavals that had come upon Scotland as a consequence of external conflicts with England, and of internal religious conflicts—the result of decades of fanatical activities of the followers of (then recently deceased) John Knox, founder of the Presbyterian religion. James the elder survived for a few years after handing the estates over to his son, and probably died some time in 1579 (or no later than early 1580)."

• Burke seems to disagree on the lineage.^[1]

• http://fabpedigree.com/s076/f002637.htm

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p67668.htm#i676680

Sources

1. ↑ Burke, John Bernard, "Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage, Privy Council, and order of preference" , London: Harrison & Sons, 1915, 77th ed., Archive.org, p. 1885

See also:

• The Book "From Royal Stewart to Shaw Stewart" by - Mrs Janet S. Bolton