Sir Walter Stewart of Dalswinton

SIR WALTER STEWART OF DALSWINTON

Historical Notice of the Stewart Family, Earls of Galloway

When one considers the ancient lineage of the Earls and the large extent of their former lands in Galloway, these charters are disappointing. The foundation of the family fortunes dates back to 1396 when Sir John Stewart, eldest son of Sir William Stewart of Teviotdale, married Marion, daughter and heiress of Sir Walter Stewart of Dalswinton. Sir John is thereafter known as of Garlies and Dalswinton. In this charter chest there is nothing that throws light on the disputed paternity of Sir William Stewart of Teviotdale and not a single document bearing on the lands of Dalswinton, though Symson records that in his day the earliest writ of Dalswinton was a grant by Robert the Brus. Until the building of Garlies castle Dalswinton was the residence of the family and the titles of that property should throw much light on its early history. But the titles must be sought elsewhere. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Stewart family, Earls of Galloway (Galloway Charters), reference GD138

The earliest charter of Garlies is undated but was in the reign of David II, when John Randolph, Earl of Moray, granted the lands of Garlies, Glenmannoch and Corsok to Sir Walter Stewart the father of the above Marion. Not till nearly the middle of the 16th century is there another document relating to Garlies and Glenmannoch. By then Corsok was in other hands. Indeed the Exchequer Rolls reveal no Crown infeftment in the lands of Garlies till 1514. The reason may have been the disturbed state of Galloway a province acquired by the Douglases in 1369 and forfeited by them in 1455. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Stewart family, Earls of Galloway (Galloway Charters), reference GD138

Genealogy

The peerage of Scotland: 157