Bessie Stewart

BESSIE STEWART

Bessie Stewart (1628) Elizabeth Stewart (1643) Elizabeth Stewart (1652) Elizabeth Stewart (1660) Elizabeth Stewart (1668)

The Question of Identity

Bessie Stewart, here treated, is probably the same person as Elizabeth Stewart, that daughter of James Stewart and Dorothy Dunlop who was still alive when her father made his last will and testament on 20 June 1643. This Elizabeth Stewart was still a minor child on that date, because her older brother, James Stewart, younger, and Mr. John Dunlop of Garnkirk, who was her mother's older brother, were appointed as her tutors testamentar by her dying father. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Commissary Court, The Testament Testamentar of James Stewart, merchant, burgess of Glasgow, called of Bute, reference CC9/7/29]

Bessie Stewart, here treated, is the daughter of James Stewart and Dorothy Dunlop. She was born before 9 May 1628, the date upon which her baptism was registered at Glasgow in Lanarkshire, Scotland. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Baptisms, 1622-31, reference OPR.644/1/2]

Her Father's Last Will and Testament

James Stewart "Callit of Buitte" made his last will at testament at Glasgow on 20 June 1643. The witnesses present included William Dunlop, merchant burgess of Glasgow, and Gavin forsyth, servant to James Gray, notary in Glasgow. James Gray, notary, subscribed for James Stewart: "at comand of said James Stewart elder becaus he can not wryt".

Extracts from his last will and testament follow. James Stewart "Callit of Buitte": "being seik in bodie but sound in mynd & judgement recommends his soule to the mercie of god throw the merits of Christ Jesus his saviour and nominats & appoynts Dorothie Dunlope his weil belovit spous to be his onlie exectrix & universall intromr wt his guids . . . . . " He also nominated and appointed Mr. John Dunlop of Garnkirk and James Stewart "his onlie lawfull sone" to be tutors testamentar to Elizabeth and Marion Stewarts "his lawfull dochters during the yeirs of their pupilaritie." To his niece Jeane Stewart "dochter to Archibald Stewart of Rothesay his brother" he left one hundred pounds "to be payit to her the nixt terme following her marriage". He also left twenty pounds to his servant Jonet Stewart.

James Stewart "Callit of Buitte" and his wife Dorothy Dunlop had a total of sixteen children but on the day that James made his last will and testament, 20 June 1643, only three were still alive, his son James, and his daughters Elizabeth and Marion.

On 17 August 1644 James Stewart, younger, Merchant Burgess of Glasgow "sone to umqll James Stewart elder" acted himself as cautioner for his mother, Dorothy Dunlop, and confirmation was granted to her on the same day. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Commissary Court, The Testament Testamentar of James Stewart, merchant, burgess of Glasgow, called of Bute, reference CC9/7/29]

1. Image of Testament
2. Image of Testament
3. Image of Testament
4. Image of Testament

Marriage

Bessie Stewart, here treated, married the Reverend Mr. Andrew Myrton, Minister of the Gospel at Carmunnock in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Fasti of the Church of Scotland III: 379

STEWART ELIZABETH
ANDRO MORTOUN/
09/09/1652
644/1
230 211
Glasgow

Children

Evidence from the Records of the Burgh of Glasgow

13 March 1668: Mr. Andrew Mortoun, late minister at Carmunock, B. and G.B., as mar. Elizabeth, l. dau. to dec. James Stewart, younger, merchant, called Buit James, B. and G.B. Glasgow Burgesses 1573-1750, p. 181

Genealogy

Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae. The Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation. Edited by Hew Scott, DD. New Edition. Volume III. Synod of Glasgow and Ayr (Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1920), p. 379