| Notes |
- Alexander's existence is uncertain. He is placed here as a present best guess.
The first cadet branch of the Glenogle Stewarts is a family of Stewarts living in Monachyle at the west end of the Braes of Balquhidder. For the longest time this branch eluded reconstruction. Our presentation of this line is not proven, and may never be so unless some miraculous new documents materialize out of the ether. But barring any such startling revelations we believe we have successfully reconstructed the most likely arrangement of the Monachyle Stewarts. The earliest mention of any Stewart in Monachyle comes from the following bond:
1557 - Bond by Andro Stewart in Gartnafoir, Johne Stewart in Kirkton of Buchquhiddir his brother, Robert Stewart in Tullich, Alexander Stewart in Monochaill, Alexander Stewart son to John Roy Stewart, to Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhay giving him their calp and also to get as many of their friends, surname, and others as they can. Witnesses. Walter Stewart in Balliefulzie, Patrick Stewart in Glenbuckie, Duncan Stewart in Branchaill. At the Caudmoir 15th Novr. 1557 (Cosmo Innes, Black Book of Taymouth).
Stewarts of the South indicates that the Monachyle family were the most senior surviving branch of the Glenogle Stewarts. However, it is chronologically impossible for the Alexander Stewart in Monachyle mentioned in the above testament to be a descendant of the Glenogle branch which did not yet exist in 1557. This Alexander would be contemporary with Robert Stewart, predecessor of Glenogle (or perhaps one generation earlier). Thus, Alexander's male line must have failed in some manner and Monachyle passed to the Glenogle family at a later date -- either through inheritance, marriage or purchase. If Monachyle passed to the Glenogle family by inheritance (as we are supposing) then Alexander must be of the closest possible relationship to Robert Stewart, predecessor in Glenogle. We note that Robert has no known brother named Alexander and onomastics would demand that his father, Alexander Stewart, 2nd of Gartnafuaran, should have a son named Alexander. Thus, for now, we are suggesting that the most likely placement for this Alexander is as a son of Alexander Stewart, 2nd of Gartnafuaran. We are suggesting that the line of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle, failed in some manner, and that the property passed laterally to the next in line, namely, Robert, predecessor of Glenogle. Upon Duncan McRobert Stewart receiving these properties we are suggesting that Duncan assigned his largest estate, Glenogle, to his eldest son, and his next most promising estate, Monachyle, to his second son (and similarly for Auchtow to his third son.)
However, the above bond also presents the greatest challenge to our accounting of Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle. We are suggesting that he was a younger brother of Andrew Stewart, 3rd in Gartnafuaran and an older brother of John Stewart in Kirkton. Andrew and John are mentioned in the 1557 bond as being brothers. However, Alexander in Monachyle is not styled as brother to either of these. If he was their brother, why would the bond not say so. An argument from absence is never sufficient -- just because it doesn't say he was their brother is not proof that he wasn't. However it does seem unusual. This association is made even weaker by the fact that Alexander is separated in the list from his suggested brothers by Robert Stewart in Tullich.
If we have correctly accounted for Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle, then it is suggested that he had no surviving heirs as Monachyle appears next as a possession of Duncan Stewart, grandson of Robert Stewart, predecessor of Glenogle. We are suggesting that Monachyle passed from Alexander Stewart, 1st in Monachyle, at the time of his death, to his younger brother Robert's son, Duncan McRobert Stewart, 3rd in Glenogle. We are suggesting that Duncan McRobert assigned his senior property, Glenogle, to his eldest son and his next property, Monachyle, to his second son (and similarly for Auchtow to his third son.)
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Abt 1525 - UNKNOWN
