James Stewart, "Callit of Buitte" Merchant in Glasgow

JAMES STEWART "Callit of Buitte"

James Stewart "Callit of Buitte" here treated is not the same person as James Stewart Neither is he the same person as James Stewart, Resident of Dunfermline in Fife or James Stewart of Floak, elder, Merchant in Glasgow

Bogus Genealogy

According to one pedigree published by FamilySearch: "When James Stewart was born on 3 May 1584, in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, his father, James Stewart II, was 19 and his mother, Catherine Fryer, was 17. He married Dorothy Dunlop on 9 August 1614, in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. They were the parents of at least 9 sons and 6 daughters. He died on 27 March 1659, in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, at the age of 74". FamilySearch This is made up nonsense. For example, the child whose baptism was registered at Dunfermline on 3 May 1584 was in fact the son of Michael Stewart and his wife Janet Kellock. Parish Register of Dunfermline: 74

The Question of Identity

The ancestry of James Stewart, here treated, has not been satisfactorily identified. It seems certain, however, that he is not the son of James Stewart and Catherine Fryer and that he was not born at Dunfermline on 3 May 1584. Nor does it seem likely that he is the grandson of James Stewart, 5th Lord of Innermeath

Merchant in Glasgow; Burgess and Guild Brother of Glasgow

James Stewart, here treated, called of Bute, was a merchant in Glasgow. He may have been an incomer to the town, because it would appear that he was admitted as a burgess and guild brother in right of his marriage to the daughter of a burgess, rather than by hereditary right, as the son of an existing or former burgess. He was enrolled on 18 August 1614. Glasgow Burgesses 1573-1750, p. 45

His 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

Death

A date of death has not been identified for James Stewart "Callit of Buitte". He made his last will and testament at Glasgow on 20 June 1643, and died soon after. He certainly died before 30 June 1643. He probably died in Glasgow. [NRS: CC9/7/29]

Marriage

James Stewart, here treated, is said to have married Dorothy Stewart, daughter of James Dunlop of that Ilk and Jean Somerville Stirnet: Dunlop 01 The marriage was booked on 9 August 1614, at Glasgow in Lanarkshire, Scotland. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Marriages, reference OPR.644/1/23]

Children

James Stewart, here treated, called of Bute, and his wife Dorothy Dunlop had sixteen children, eleven boys and five girls. However, on 20 June 1643, the date upon which he made his last will and testament, only one son and two daughters were still alive, James Stewart, Merchant in Glasgow and Bessie Stewart and Marion Stewart

1. Margaret Stewart
2. John Stewart, primus
3. Elizat Stewart
4. Robert Stewart, primus
5. James Stewart, Merchant in Glasgow
6. William Stewart
7. Robert Stewart, secundus
8. John Stewart, secundus
9. Bessie Stewart
10. Simon Stewart
11. Hector Stewart
12. Elspit Stewart
13. John Stewart, tertius
14. Marion Stewart
15. John Stewart, quartus
16. Thomas Stewart

Evidence from the Records of the Burgh of Glasgow

                   1

18 August 1614: James Stewart, merchant, B. and Guild Brother, as mar. the second dau. of a B. and Guild Brother. Glasgow Burgesses 1573-1750, p. 45

                   2

1629: From the Treasurer's Account — Anno 1629 . . . . . Item. — To James Stewart of But, for the laine of ane tou to win up the horolage brods, vi £. xvis. Glasgow Memorabilia: 67

                   3

8 August 1644: James Stewart, merchant, B. and G.B., as eld. l. son to dec. James S., merchant, callit of Buit, B. and G.B. Glasgow Burgesses 1573-1750, p. 114

                   4

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

Printed Evidence

Memorabilia of the City of Glasgow. Selected from the Minute Books of the Burgh. (James MacLehose, Glasgow, 1868), 389 pp. including index

Genealogy

Stirnet: Dunlop 01

Bogus Genealogy

1. FamilySearch
2. Black Family