Adam Stewart

ADAM STEWART

Sometime Factor of Charterhouse, afterwards Pensioner of Charterhouse

Adam Stewart is the bastard son of James V, King of Scots : "filius illustrisimi principis Jacobi quinti scotorum regis" Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, May 12th 1919: Some further Orkney Armorials, page 186 His mother was Helenor Stewart (aka Elizabeth Stewart), daughter of John, Earl of Lennox. His date of his birth is not known. [Peter D. Andersen, Robert Stewart, Earl of Stewart, Lord of Shetland, 1533-1593 (John Donald, Edinburgh, 1982), p. 157]

Death

Adam Stewart died in Orkney on 20 June 1575 .[Peter D. Andersen, Robert Stewart, Earl of Stewart, Lord of Shetland, 1533-1593 (John Donald, Edinburgh, 1982), p. 157] He was buried in St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, where his daughter Barbara Stewart raised a tombstone. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, May 12th 1919: Some further Orkney Armorials, page 186

Monumental Inscription in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

Adamus . steuardus . filius . illustrisimi . principis . Jacobi . quinti . scotorum . regis . qui . obit . vicesimo ‘ die . junii . anno . domini . m . v . lxxv . [words along the edge follow] domina – de - halcro – filia – ejusdem – fieri – hac – sepulchrum – et – at least two words missing Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, May 12th 1919: Some further Orkney Armorials, page 186

Marriage

Adam Stewart married Janet Ruthven, daughter of William Ruthven of Ballendean. [Peter D. Andersen, Robert Stewart, Earl of Stewart, Lord of Shetland, 1533-1593 (John Donald, Edinburgh, 1982), pp. 71, 80, 104, biographical details, 156-8] The Scots Peerage, iv, page 101 After the death of her husband Janet Ruthven was granted a pension of fifty pounds and a quantity of victual from the thirds of the Charterhouse not assigned to ministers. At this time she is said to have been 'gritlie burdynit with mony bairnis and not being providir for.' The terms of this gift were later changed and the money doubled, one of the reasons for the assistance being that the 'bairnis' were 'so tender of bluid unto him as his majestie man be cairful that sum relief may be had unto thame.' [Peter D. Anderson, Robert Stewart Earl of Orlney Lord of Shetland 1533-1593 (John Donald, Edinburgh, 1982), page 158 where Anderson cites the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, vii, numbers 1003 and 2316]

Children

When Adam Stewart died in 1575 his widow is said to have been: "gritlie burdynnit with mony bairnis." [Registrum Secreti sigilli, 1575–80, no. 1003] However, the names of only three daughters have been identified:

1. Barbara Stewart
2. Elspeth Stewart
3. Katheryne Stewart
4. Dorathie Stewart
5. Jane Stewart

The Testament Dative and Inventory of his wife

Janet Ruthven, died intestate on 20 January 1606. Her testament dative and inventory was given up on 22 February 1606 by her daughter Elspeth Stewart. At the time of her mother's death, she and her mother were residents of the City of Perth. Elspeth Stewart, who was her mother's only executor dative, may have been the only child still in life. Certainly, no financial provision was made for any others. Confirmation was granted to Elspeth Stewart on 8 March 1606. [National Records of Scotland, Commissary Records of Edinburgh, testament Dative of Jonet Ruthwen, relict of Adame Stewart [prior] of Charterhous, reference CC8/8/41 folios 333-34]

1. Image of Testament Dative p. 333
2. Image of Testament Dative p. 334

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

3 February 1540-41: Instrument containing process of ratification by John Williamson, provost of collegiate church of Seiton, and Adam Stewart, canon of the cathedral church of Orkney, judges delegate appointed by Anthony, cardinal priest of SS Quatuor Coronati, of feu charter, 18 Jan 1539/1540, by Andrew, abbot of Melrose, and the convent thereof, in favour of William Linlithqw, son of deceased David Linlithqw, in liferent, and John Linlithqw, his son and apparent heir, in fee. National Records of Scotland, Leith-Buchanan of Ross and Drummakil, reference GD47/25

                   2

4 July 1556: Tack by Dean Adam Forman, prior of Charterhouse called the Vale of Virtue beside burgh of Perth, with consent of convent thereof, to Colin Campbell of Glenurquhay and Katherine Ruthven, his spouse, and Duncan Campbell, their son and apparent heir, of lands of Artollonyth with miln thereof, fishings on Lochtay, and lands of Ballacrag, in lordship of Glendochard, sheriffdom of Perth, for 6 years. Witnesses: Patrick, lord Ruthven, Mr Alexander Levingstoun of Doanypace, William Moncreif of that ilk, Sir Robert Forman of Luthry, kt., Lyon king of arms, George Johneson, burgess of Perth, Robert Rollok and Henry Eldar, chaplains and notaries. Applied papered common seal of Charterhouse, damaged. Signed by granter and members of conven sir John Burnat, sir Walter Touris, ? treasurer, sir John Syme, procurator, sir Andrew Blythman, sir James Meak, vicar, sir William Clapene, sir Alexander Calland and sir Adam Stewart National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), reerence GD112/1/100

                   3

21 August 1559: Accounts of Custumars and Bailies of Burghs, rendered at Edinburgh, A. D. 1560. Computum Thome Scot, custumarii de Perth redditum per eundum, [Edinburgh, 26 September 1560, from 21 August 1559. Charge £126, great custom of said burgh by tack to accountant, date 6 September 1558. Discharge. To comptroller, £10. To prior and convent of Charterhouse, by receipt of Adame Stewarte, alleged to be factor thereof, £26.13s.4d. To prior and convent of St. Andrews, 40s. George Powell McNeill, M.A., LL.B. (editor), Rotuli Scaccarii Regum Scotorm. The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, xix, A. D. 1557-1567, page 109

                   4

6 February 1572-73: An additional copy of a harter by George Balfour with an extra signature "Adam Stewart'" and granter's personal seal also attached. The charter follows:

Charter by George Balfour, prior of carthusian house called Vallis virtutis formerly situated near burgh of Perth, and convent thereof, to Colin Campbell of Glenurquhard and Katherine Ruthven, his spouse, in liferent, and to Duncan Campbell, their son and apparent heir, in fee, of 3 merkland of Kirktoun of Killin, 20s land of Badnacarrie, 20s land of Craignevin, 6 merkland of Kinyaldy with island called Ilanrane, 2 merkland of Qucharne, 2 merkland of Artnagald Eister, 1 merkland of Artnagald Wester, 20s land of Soy, 3 merkland of Incheschewin, lands of Artollony with fishing on Lochtay, lands of Ballacraig, with office of bailie, in lordship of Glendochard, sheriffdom of Perth, 6 February 1572/3.Seal of convent, poor impression, on tag.Signed by granter, James Sym and Andrew Blythtman.Witnesses: Mr George Boswall, chirurgian, Alexander Anderson, Andrew Brydy, burgesses of Perth, William Dundas and Mr George Quhyt. National Records of Scotland, Charterhouse of Perth, reference GD112/2/45/1

                   5

10 December 1573: Instrument of sasine following from a charter by James, Bishop of Dunkeld. Witnesses: Patrick Eviot of Balhoussy, Andrew Marsar, bailie, Adam Stewart, pensioner of Chartarhouss, David Murray, Gavin Hammiltoun, Dougal Campbell, servants of said Colin, Alexander Quhite, George Bow, burgesses, and William Ross, sergeant of said burgh. Seal on tag. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments), Titles to Particular Lands, reference GD112/2/130

Some Source References

1. Wikipedia: James V, King of Scots
2. Genealogics: Adam Stewart
3. Wikipedia: Prior of Perth
4. Wikipedia: Perth Charterhouse