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- On 11 Jan 1811, Alexander Stewart was born in Wester Ardveich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, to John Stewart and Annie Stewart. ("1811, Jan 11, John and Ann Stewarts in Wester Ardveich had their son baptised named Alex'r." Comrie OPR)
About 1828, around the age of 17 or 18, Alexander Stewart began attending the University of Edinburgh. "At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Scotland's five university colleges had no entrance exams, students typically entered at ages of 15 or 16, attended for as little as two years, chose which lectures to attend and left without qualifications. The curriculum was dominated by divinity and the law." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_education_in_the_nineteenth_century)
In 1832, at age 21, Alexander Stewart graduated from the University of Edinburgh with the degree of Master of Arts.
He was licensed by Presbytery of Skye as missionary to Highlanders in Presbytery of Paisley
On 24 July 1839, at age 28, Rev. Alexander Stewart was ordained as a Minister of the Church of Scotland became minister at Killin, Perthshire, Scotland. He succeeded Rev. Robert Elder (Minister at Killin 1834-1838).
On 3 Sept 1839, Rev. Alexander Stewart married in Killin, Perthshire, Scotland, to Janet Robertson. They had no children.
In 1841, at age 30, Alexader Stewart was residing in the Manse of Killin in Killin, Perthshire, Scotland with his wife, Janet Robertson, and several household servants.
In 1843, at age 32, Rev. Alexander Stewart left the Church of Scotland to become a minister of the newly formed Free Church of Scotland. He founded the Free Church congregation in Killin.
In 1848, the membership of the Free Church at Killin was 271 persons.
In 1851, at age 40, Rev. Alexander Stewart was residing in the Free Church Manse at Killin, Perthshire, Scotland, with his wife, Janet Robertson, and their 6 year old nephew, George Robertson, along with three household servants.
In 1861, at age 50, Alexander Stewart was residing at Monmore, the Free Church Manse,at Killin, Perthshire, Scotland with his wife and several household servants.
In 1871, at age 60, Rev. Alexander Stewart was residing in the Free Church Manse at Killin, Perthshire, Scotland, with his wife, Janet Robertson, and their 13 year old nephew, John Robertson, along with three household servants.
In 1875, Rev. Alexander Stewart is listed in the Stent and Valuation Roles as residing in the Free Church Manse in Killin, Perthshire, Scotland.
In 1881, at age 70, Alexander Stewart was residing at Castleview, Logie, Perthshire, Scotland with his wife Janet and a servant. He was employed as the Minister of the Free Church at Killin.
In 1883, at age 72, Rev. Alexander Stewart retired from the Free Church at Killin and moved permanently to Castleview Cottage at Bridge of Allan in Logie, Perthshire, Scotland, where he lived until his death a few months later.
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REV. ALEXANDER STEWART, M.A., KILLIN
(Died August 30, 1883)
Author: Rev. Allan Sinclair, M.A., Kenmore
Source: The Free Church Monthly, March 1, 1884, Biographical Notices, p.82
"Year by year our Disruption worthies are becoming fewer in number, and the venerable subject of the following brief notice is another of the noble band of men, so many of whom have “been gathered to their people.”
"Mr. Stewart was born in 1811 at Ardbeich, in the parish of Comrie, on the banks of the beautiful and classic Loch Earn. His father and mother were of the Stewarts of Ardvoirlicb, an old Perthshire family that can trace its origin back to James, third son of Murdoch, Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland, who died in 1425. When about six years of age his father removed to the parish of Balquhidder, where he rented a farm, and was well known for many years as a much-respected elder of the Church of Scotland. It was here, in the parish school, that the future minister received the rudiments of his education. Preparatory, however, to his entering college, he went to the school of Leecropt, near Stirling, then conducted by a teacher of eminence, to whom his pupil was wont to say he was much indebted for his own attainments in classical literature. Mr. Stewart was an accomplished classic, which invariably showeel itself in the ease, grace, and readiness with which he ever acquitted himself, whether at the examination of schools or of candidates for the ministry. He studied at the University of Glasgow, and one who was a class fellow of his at this period says: “We sat at the same desk, and he often surprised me by his aptitude for picking up anything new. I never met with any one who showed equal ability in arithmetic and mathematics.”
"At the close of his divinity course, Mr. Stewart accepted a situation as tutor in the family of the late Dr. McLean of Rum; and it was while resident in this gentleman’s family that he was licensed to preach the gospel. Eager for ministerial usefulness, he soon thereafter accepted an invitation from the Presbytery of Paisley to become missionary to the Highlanders who in considerable numbers were engaged in the manufacturing and mining industries of that town and neighbourhood. He wrought in this field with diligence and acceptance for the space of two years, until the parish of Killin became vacant by the translation of Dr. Elder to Edinburgh, when the patron, the late Marquis of Breadalbane, made him an offer of it. He had another charge in his option-the parish of Balmaghie, in Kirkcudbrightshire, vacant by the translation of the late Dr. Brown to St. John’s, Glasgow; but his partiality for his native county and his love for Gaelic decided him in favour of Killin, where he was ordained in June 1839. Here he ministered to an attached people till laid aside from active duty by the illness of which he died, and which he bore with patience and resignation to the Master’s will till he entered into his rest.
"Mr. Stewart was one of four ministers in the Presbytery of Weem-now the Presbytery of Breadalbane-who joined the Free Church in 1843, and the only one who resigned a parochial charge. He did a great deal towards building it up within the bounds of the Presbytery, and lived to see all the parishes supplied with ordinances in connection with his own Church.
"Endowed with superior mental abilities, a cultured mind, a sound judgment, and a good presence, Mr. Stewart was a most attractive companion, numbering among intimate friends men such as the late Marquis of Breadalbane, Sir James Simpson, Bart., and others that might be named, who had for him a warm regard. To his brethren in the ministry he also greatly endeared himself by his affability, courtesy, and uniform Christian bearing towards them.
"The autumn following his settlement at Killin Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Robertson of Foxbar, near Paisley, who survives to cherish his memory and mourn the loss she has sustained by his removal."
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Alexander Stewart is shown in Mitchell's Monumental Inscriptions as "Rev. Alexander Stewart, MA, Free Church minister at Killin, born 1812 in Ardveigh (sic. Ardveich), died 31 AUG 1882. He married in SEP 1839 in Killin, Perthshire, Scotland to Janet ROBERTSTON. He 'came out' (left the Church of Scotland for the Free Kirk) in 1843. He is buried in Killin Churchyard."
Rev. Alexander Stewart is listed in the Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, vol 4. Alexander Stewart, born Loch Earn 1811, fifth son of John S., farmer, Ayrshire (sic “Ardveich”); educated at University of Glasgow; M.A. (1832); licensed by Presbytery of Skye as missionary to Highlanders in Presbytery of Paisley; ordained 24th July 1839. Joined the Free Church in 1843; minister of Killin Free Church 1843-83, died 30 AUG 1883. He married 3rd Sept 1839 Janet (died 29th March 1899), daughter of Rose Robertson, Foxbar.
"1883 - Alexander Stewart, Minister of the Free Church, Killin, married to Janet Robertson. Died 1883 August thirteenth, noon, at Castleview, Bridge of Allan, aged 70 years, son of John Stewart, farmer (dec'd) and Annie Stewart MS Stewart (dec'd). Cause of death: general decay. Informant: Katie McGowan, housemaid." (Register of Deaths, parish of Logie)
"The Rev.'d Alexander Stuart, M.A. Minister of the Parish of Killin for four years and afterwards of the Free Church of Scotland for thirty-nine years. Born at Ardveich 1812, died at Bridge of Allan, 31st Aug't. 1882. This stone is erected by the congregation he served so long and so faithfully to testify to his work and their affection and esteem. The memory of the just is blessed. Also Janet Robertson, widow of the above, who died 28th March 1899, aged 84 years." (Gravestone inscription in Killin, Perthshire, Scotland)
"Stewart, Rev. Alexander, value of estate £1540 12s 4d. 17 October - Confirmation of Rev. Alexander Stewart, M.A., sometime Minister of the Gospel, Killin, thereafter residing at Castleview, Bridge of Allan, who died 30 August 1883 at Bridge of Allan, testate granted at Stirling to John Robertson, Calenderer, Glasgow, his brother-in-law, and Ross Robertson Auld, Writer, Glasgow, Executors nominated in Will or Deed, dated 6 May 1875, and recorded in Court Books of Commissariat of Stirling, 17 October 1883." (Scotland National Probate Index)
"His stone refers to him as Alexander Stuart however Official Records (Including the Fasti) show him as Alexander Stewart.
Born at Ardveich, Lochearnhead, Perthshire to John Stewart + Annie Stewart
His marriage, as Alexr Stewart, to Janet Robertson was Proclaimed in The Abbey Parish, Paisley, Renfrewshire on 31st Aug 1839 (559 80/468) and Celebrated in Killin (Presbyterian) Parish Church on 3rd Sept 1839 (361 36/44). He defected to the Free Church in 1843.
His stone gives the Date of his Death as 31st Aug 1882 however, the entry in the Statutory Death Index records his death as Noon on the 30th Aug 1883 at Castle View, Bridge of Allan, Perthshire" (FindAGrave)
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Abt 1811 - 1883 (~ 72 years)
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