SIR ARCHIBALD STEWART OF BLACKHALL AND ARDGOWAN

• Son of John Stewart of Ardgowan and Margaret Stewart

The Last Will and Testament of his brother John

John Stewart, here treated, made his last will and testament on 11 August 1627, at Paisley in Renfrewshire, Scotland. He nominated and appointed his brother Archibald Stewart of Blackhall and Ardgowan to be his only executor and intromitter with his goods and gear. He left a number of legacies, including one thousand merks to his bastard son Matthew Stewart and a liferent drawn on the same to Matthew's mother Margaret Snodgrass He also left five hundred merks to his brother Archibald Stewart of Blackhall and Ardgowan He also left thirteen hundred merks to Jonet Wallace and Agnes Wallace to be divided equally between them, and an annuity drawn from the same to their mother and his Margaret Stewart Confirmation was granted to Archibald Stewart of Blackhall and Ardgowan on 6 December 1627. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Commissary Court, Testament Testamentar of umqle Johnne Stewart brother germane to Sir Archibald Stewart of Ardgowand, reference CC9/7/22]

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Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

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29 July 1641: Papers relating to the trial of James, earl of Montrose, Lord Napier, Sir George Stirling of Keir and Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall, 1641-2: Another petition by Montrose to Parliament for counsel and also liberty to meet with the other persons accused; with an indorsation dated 29 July 1641, refusing the petition. Signed by Lord Burghly as President. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Graham Family, Dukes of Montrose, reference GD220/3/55

                    2

16 November 1641: Act of Parliament for the liberation of the Earl of Montrose and others from Edinburgh Castle. In the Parliament held at Edinburgh, 16 Nov 1641, was given up the supplication of James, Earl of Montrose, Archibald Lord Napier, Sir George Stirling of Keir and Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall, knights, to be released from Edinburgh Castle where they were imprisoned by Parliament; with the supplication by Sir Robert Spottiswood and Sir John Hay, knights, also seeking their release from Edinburgh Castle; and that of Lieut Col Stewart. And Parliament ordains their release providing they provide caution that they will behave themselves in such a way as to promote the 'weill and peace of the Kingdom'. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Graham Family, Dukes of Montrose, reference GD220/1/H/4/2/1

                    3

8 January 1663: Precept of clare constat granted by John, Earl of Middleton for infefting William Cunninghame. Precept of clare constat granted by John, Earl of Middleton, Lord Claremont and Fettercairn, King's High Commissioner, William. Earl of Glencairn, Lord Kilmaurs, Chancellor of the Kingdom, John, Earl of Rothes, Lord Leslie, President of the Privy Council, James, Earl of Newburgh, General of the Scotch Army, William, Lord Cochran of Paisley and Dundonald, Sir Archibald Prymrose of Chesteris, Clerk Register, Sir John Fletcher, Lord Advocate, Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall, Sir George Maxwell of Nether Pollok, Sir James Stewart of Strathbroch, Sir John Nisbet, advocate, and Master John Stewart of Kettletoun, advocate commissioners for Charles, Duke of Richmond and Lennox, Earl of Darnley, March and Leitchfield, Lord Tarbolton, Methuen, and Abignie, and Great Admiral and Chamberlain of the Kingdom of Scotland, for infefting William Cunninghame [ ] of deceased John Cunninghame of Caprington as heir of his said [ ] in the foresaid lands. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/9/2/6

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8 January 1663: Precept of clare constat for infefting [John] Montgomery formerly of Langschaw as heir of the deceased Neill Montgomery. Precept of clare constat granted by John, Earl of Middletoun, Lord Claremont and Fettercairn, the King's High Cmmissioner, William, Earl of Glencairn, Lord Kilmaurs, lord chancellor, John, Earl of Rothes, Lord Leslie, president of the Privy Council, James, Earl of Newburgh, commander of the forces, William, Lord Cochrane of Paisley and Dundonald, Sir Archibald Prymrose of Dalmanie, lord clerk register, Sir John Fletcher, lord advocate, Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall, Sir George Maxwell of Nether Pollok, Sir James Stewart of Strathbrock, Sir John Nisbitt, advocate and Mr John Stewart of Kettilstoun, advocate, commissioners of Charles, Duke of Lennox and Richmond etc, for infefting [John] Montgomery formerly of Langschaw as heir of the deceased Neill Montgomery of Langschaw his great grandfather's father in the foresaid lands Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/9/19/15

Evidence from the Laing Charters

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12 December 1655: Precept of Clare Constat by John, Earl of Traquair, Sir George Maxwell of Nether Pollock, Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall, and John Stewart, fiar thereof, commissioners of Marie, Duchess of Lennox, for managing the affairs of her son Esme, Duke of Lennox and Richmond . . . . . Laing Charters: charter number 2475 on p. 581

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15 October 1662: . . . . . . Sasine given by Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackhall, bailie of the Regality [of Paisley] ..... Laing Charters: charter number 2562 on p. 599

Printed Evidence

Calendar of the Laing charters, A.D.854-1837, Belonging to the University of Edinburgh. Edited by the Rev. John Anderson (James Thin, Edinburgh, 1899), 1053 pp. including indexes

Genealogy

1. Stirnet: Stewart 16
2. Stirnet: Blair 02
3. From Royal Stewart to Shaw Stewart, By J. S. Bolton (Printed by Orr Pollock and Co. Ltd., Greenock, 1989), 82 pp.