John Stewart, Ancestor of Blairgarry

John STEWART , Ancestor Of Blairgarry b: ABT 1500 in Gartnafuaran, Perthshire, Scotland as a son of Andrew Stewart, 1st of Gartnafuaran.  According to Duncan Stewart's 1739 Genealogy, John Stewart, son of Andrew Stewart in Gartnafuaran, was the ancestor of the Stewarts who later lived in Blairgarry.  MacGregor's research has shown that the lands of Blairgarry were held at this time by John's paternal first cousin, Robert Stewart of Blairgarry, who was the son of Patrick Stewart of Ardkinknockane, who is believed to be a brother of Andrew Stewart, 1st of Gartnafuaran.  According to Duncan Stewart's 1739 History, this John was the ancestor of a branch who came into possession of Blairgarry at a later time.  A full description of this controversy and the known descendants of this branch can be found on the Stewarts of Blairgarry a.k.a. Stiubhartich a' Bhaid Page.  Three of many possible explanations present themselves as worth discussing: 1) Duncan Stewart was mistaken (which is not unheard of) and Andrew Stewart, "1st of Blairgarry" below is not the son of this John Stewart, but is instead the grandson of Robert Stewart, previously in Blairgarry; 2) Robert Stewart in Blairgarry had no sons and his daughter became heiress to Blairgarry and married this John or his son Andrew; or 3) that the earlier Blairgarry line became extinct and the lands of Blairgarry reverted to the Earl of Moray, as senior landlord, and were reassigned to this branch.  It is suggested that John was the father of:

Has Children Andrew STEWART, Baillie of Strathgartney, 1st of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1535 in Gartnafuaran, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland. Andrew's existence is inferred from a reference made in the Buchanan of Auchmar genealogy: “George Buchanan 3rd in Auchmar, married in his brother’s lifetime Janet Stewart, daughter to Andrew Stewart, who had a beneficial tack [esteemed in these days, equivalent to heritage] of the lands of Blairgarie, and some other lands, from the Earl of Murray, in Strathgartney, and in the Parish of Callander; he was also the Earl’s Baillie in these parts. That family is now (1728) represented by Alexander Stewart [8th] of Gartnafuaroe in Balquhidder parish." It is suggested that Andrew was the father of:
Has Children Andrew STEWART, 2nd of Blairgarry, b ABT 1570 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. This Andrew is suggested as the Andrew Stewart in Blairgarry mentioned in the 1622 Bond: "Bond by Alexander Stewart in Ardvorlich, James Stewart, his eldest son, Alexander Stewart in Portnellan, Andrew Stewart of Blairgarrie, Duncan Stewart in Monochyle, Alexander Stewart in Glenogle, John Dow Stewart in Glenfinglas and Walter Stewart his brother german, for all their kin in Strathgartney and Balquhidder, to William, earl of Menteith. Dated in January of 1622." He is also mentioned in: "Sasine to Andrew Stewart, eldest lawful son of James Stewart of Blairgarry, for the lands of Blairgarry to which Andrew Stewart in Chapel of Lanrick is bailie, and which lands had previously been held by the now deceased Andrew Stewart of Blairgarry, father of the said James." Dated 20 December, 1656. RS51/4/f.131r (National Archives of Scotland c/o Gordon MacGregor). Andrew was the father of:
Has Children James STEWART, 3rd of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1600 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. James is recorded in the following sasine along with his father and son, and probable brother. "Sasine to Andrew Stewart, eldest lawful son of James Stewart of Blairgarry, for the lands of Blairgarry to which Andrew Stewart in Chapel of Lanrick is bailie, and which lands had previously been held by the now deceased Andrew Stewart of Blairgarry, father of the said James." Dated 20 December, 1656. RS51/4/f.131r (National Archives of Scotland). James was father of:
Has Children Andrew STEWART, 4th of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1630 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. Andrew is recorded in the following sasine: "Sasine to Andrew Stewart, eldest lawful son of James Stewart of Blairgarry, for the lands of Blairgarry to which Andrew Stewart in Chapel of Lanrick is bailie, and which lands had previously been held by the now deceased Andrew Stewart of Blairgarry, father of the said James." Dated 20 December, 1656. RS51/4/f.131r (National Archives of Scotland). As Andrew is recorded in the 1656 sasine as being heir to the lands of Blairgarry, then he would likely be reaching marriage age at that time. He is believed to be the father of:

                   Has Children Patrick McAndrew STEWART, 5th of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1660 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Patrick's testament is referenced in The Ardvorlich History indicating that he died in 1705.  His patronymic would make it nearly certain that he was the son of Andrew Stewart, 4th of Blairgarry.  His 1705 testament records his lawful son as:

                       James STEWART, 6th of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1685 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  James is recorded in his father's testament as the lawful son of the deceased Patrick McAndrew Stewart in 1705.  The Blairgarry line is recorded in the Buchanan of Auchmar History as having been extinct by 1728 (see reference to Janet Stewart below).  Thus it is suggested that James was the last of the main Blairgarry line and that he either died without issue or emigrated.

Andrew STEWART, in Chapel of Lanrick, Baillie of Blairgarry, b. ABT 1605 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. Andrew is mentioned in the 1656 sasine for James Stewart (shown here as Andrew's brother, above), in which he is referenced as being the baillie of Blairgarry and residing in Chapel of Lanrick. His exact relationship to the Blairgarry family is not indicated, but brother would make the most sense, logically, chronologically, and onomastically. It is not known if he had any descendants.

       Janet STEWART, b. ABT 1575 in Blairgarry, Strathgartney, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland.  Janet is recorded in the Buchanan of Auchmar History as having married (probably ca. 1600) to George Buchanan, 3rd of Auchmar. “George Buchanan 3rd in Auchmar, married in his brother’s lifetime Janet Stewart, daughter to Andrew Stewart, who had a beneficial tack [esteemed in these days, equivalent to heritage] of the lands of Blairgarie, and some other lands, from the Earl of Murray, in Strathgartney, and in the Parish of Callander; he was also the Earl’s Baillie in these parts. That family is now (1728) represented by Alexander Stewart [8th] of Gartnafuaroe in Balquhidder parish."  Their son, Patrick was married in 1629, thus his mother must have been born ca. 1580 or earlier.

Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rykbrown/gartnafuaran.htm#...