| Notes |
- James is said to have been born on the banks of the Garry. It is tempting to suggest that he may be related to the Stewarts of Strathgarry, a branch of the Stewarts of Invernahyle (Appin), who acquired Strathgarry around 1680, except for the fact that there were multiple Stewart families residing on the banks of the Garry at that time. Unless further documentary evidence comes to light, at this point all that can be said of James' origins is that he came from a family who resided on the banks of the Garry River. His descendants have not been identified in Stewarts of the South.
From the book, Traditions of Dunblane 1887, by John Monteath. (Full text below.)
"James Stewart sheep farmer at Calzie-Balhalzie was born in a humble cot in the banks of the Garry. His father fell with Lord Dundee.
He knew every corner of the district having been a sheep farmer on both sides of the Allan Water. He knew Auld Balhaldie (McGregor) who he met the night before the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the battle with the help of his Jacobite friends got the tenancy at Calziebohalzie which he held until his death.
At this sequestered Muir land spot several incog. meetings of the feudal chief are believed to have been held previous and during the 1745 rebellion. James Stewart did not fight in 1745 but he lost both of this sons on the moor of Culloden. Excessive grief, the carnage of the Duke of Cumberland and the disarming act preyed on his mind and he fell in to incurable despondency which impaired his mental faculties.
He survived to the age of 80, dying in 1762 (born c1680)."
James is not mentioned by name in the Glassingall trial notes, but is referred to as the great-grandfather of Robert Stewart in Buchany, which would make him the father of James Stewart in Calziebohalzie: "Robert Stewart Blacksmith at Milton of Burn of Cambus in the Parish of Kilmadock who solemnly declares that he is 75 years of age and that he was born at Buchany a village on the Estate of Cambus Wallace, situated about a mile and a half to the South East of Annat, that his father Donald Stewart was a Blacksmith at Buchany; that his grandfather James Stewart was a labourer in Buchany, and that his great-grandfather lived at Calziebolhalzie, a farm on the Braes of Doune in Kilmadock."
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“AULD CALZIE.”
From the book, Traditions of Dunblane 1887, by John Monteath.
James Stewart, sheep-farmer at Calzie-Balhalzie, south base of Uwanvhore, who died about seventy years ago, inherited more than an ordinary portion of that martial spirit which was roused into action during the victories of Montrose, and which burned with true devotion in the heart of many a Highlander, in the several subsequent attempts to restore the Stewart family to the British throne. James Stewart, the hero of the present number of our Oral Traditions, was born at a humble cot on the hanks of the Garry, and was about seven years old when his father fell with Lord Dundee, at the Pass of Killiecrankie. From this time, young Stewart was taught to become the inveterate foe of every red-coat ; and this hatred, once instilled, was cherished to the last. He soon became passionately fond of the broad-sword, and excelling his compeers in its exercise, longed for an opportunity of signalizing his valour. This did not occur till 1715, when the Earl of Mar led, or rather misled, some 12,000 Highlanders to the fight at Sheriff-muir. Stewart was among them, burning for fame and vengeance on account of the death of his father. He knew every corner of the country in the district, from his having been shepherd for several years on different farms situated on both sides of the Allan. On this account he was known to "auld Balhaldie," who, having happened to fall in with him the evening previous to the battle, remarked to him, that he (Stewart) being a stout fellow, might be singled out in the approaching conflict, and therefore recommended him to " put a horse-shoe in the crown of his bonnet," which being attended to, was the means of saving his life, as shall be afterwards shown.
The eventful morning arrived, and the Highland army moved from the Moor of Kinbuck to the scene of action. The march, in order that they might obtain possession of the heights before Argyll, was rapid, and proved successful. Mar's lines were hardly formed, before a volley from the " red-coats " brought down a number of Highlanders, and, among the number, the Chief of Clanranald, when the right wing rushed forward with a terrific yell to the onset, with Glengarry at their head. The Highland ranks being rather irregular at the moment of collision with the bayonets of their opponents, and Stewart being a tall stout man, and on the right of the front line, he was instantly singled out by a dragoon, who rode at him full speed, and before Stewart's attention could be directed towards him, a blow from his sabre brought Stewart to his knees; yet, by an effort of strength and agility, he recovered in time to disable and repel his antagonist. Stewart's bonnet having dropt off in the scuffle, he witnessed the happy effects of having paid due regard to Balhaldie's advice, for he found that the horse-shoe had done him good service in warding his sconce from the blow which brought him to his knees, and which the dragoon had so heartily and powerfully dealt, as almost to cut the metal through. Stewart soon refitted his head with the simple yet serviceable head-gear, and joined the mellé of death. He was soon attacked by another dragoon, but this one he saw coming, and was prepared. A single parry and thrust was all that was found necessary to make his assailant drop from his saddle on the earth. A minute or two afterwards, when the whole left wing of the red-coats was on the point of retreat, Stewart observed two or three robust Highlanders, bareheaded, in the centre of the detested red-coats, back to back, dealing death around them. Fearing his hardy countrymen must inevitably be discomfited and slain, with such fearful odds against and around them, he rushed forward with his sword, dirk, and target, and striking to the right and left at the same moment, soon opened his way ; and some more Highlanders coming up to their aid, the whole of the scarlet circle was cut to pieces-quarter being neither asked nor given. Thus far, all went well with our hero ; but in the pursuit, and near to the farm-house of Stonehill, poor Stewart fell from a musket-shot passing through his thigh. And here he lay until he was fortunately picked up by the victorious wing to which he belonged, on their return to the battle-field in the evening. He shortly afterwards recovered.
Some years after this, Stewart, through the influence of his Jacobitical friends, obtained a lease of the farm already mentioned, and which he continued to hold till his death. At this sequestered muirland spot, several incog. meetings of the feudal Chiefs are believed to have been held previous to and during the rebellion of 1745; and here, according to our authority, several arrangements were made with the low country Lairds, friendly to the enterprise. "Auld Calzie," however, was not out himself in this last attempt to restore the exiled Stewarts ; but his two eldest sons were in all the engagements, and both died on the Moor of Culloden. From this time, excessive grief for his sons, and disappointment on account of the issue of the enterprise which began so prosperously-together with the news of the dreadful cold-blooded carnage among his countrymen by the Duke of Cumberland, and the disarming act-acted so powerfully upon Calzie's mind, that he fell into an incurable despondency, which gradually impaired his mental faculties, besides wasting his robust frame. Time, however, brought him partially to health of body, but his mind continued imbecile. He survived until 1762, and died at the age of four-score.
We shall add an anecdote of young Rob Roy, in one of his reckless plundering excursions to better his fortune, in which Calzie was concerned, and which happened immediately before the " Forty-five."
A portion of Calzie's black cattle were one morning amissing, and their owner was at last persuaded that they had been lifted, although he wondered that the whole, instead of a part, had not been taken. The neighbouring farmers and their shepherds being warned, set off for the different passes to the north to obtain information, while Calzie, who had always his " ain think," took a southward route by Doune. Here meeting with an old acquaintance and kinsman, he informed him of his loss, adding, that all but himself had gone north in pursuit of the harryers. "North!" exclaimed his friend, while he buckled on his weapons, " Tat tam scoundrel Rob Oig gaed ower the Brig o' Doune this mornin' wi' a hale drove, an' you may be sure yours was amang them. He has nae a cloot o' his ain, an' deil ane will trust him a fardin's worth." There was not a moment to lose. Calzie, laying his hand on the basket of his brand, started to his feet, and the two were mounted and off presently, Rob with his drove were readily traced by the Fords of Frew to Kippen, and thence by the high pathway towards Campsie, in the vicinity of which they were overtaken by their pursuers. After some merited reproach on Calzie's part towards the young reiver, he was permitted to select his own cattle from the rest of the spulzie, with which he immediately returned homewards ; but they had gone only a short way back, when, whom should they meet, riding forward with the utmost haste and fury, but Calzie's own neighbours, with others from Strathallan, who at the same time had been similarly treated, and having got the right scent, were hastening to the rescue of their cattle from the hands of the reivers. Redoubling their haste on obtaining additional information, an hour had scarcely elapsed when they appeared in Calzie's rear with the whole " drove," and Rob and his four men prisoners. A long consultation was then held how" " young Rob " should be disposed of. Calzie, "for his father's sake," begged his release, on promise of amendment. The more furious Strathallan "lallanders" were for prompt justice at the first tree, while the more rational and peaceably disposed preferred committing Rob and his assistants to the care of the authorities at Stirling. But Rob, "deevil that he was," had the policy to bare his breast, and invite some of them to shoot him on the spot, rather than that he should be committed to the custody of red-coats. The hated name " red-coat," old as he was, roused Calzie. He instantly drew his claymore, and vowed that that should not be while he lived ; and every Highlander present, following his example, was instantly at his back. The consequence was, that after a severe reprimand from Calzie, Rob Oig was permitted to escape ; the irregulars, who carried scythes, hay-forks, and other such weapons, having lowered their tone for prompt justice, on so sudden an appearance of naked swords and Highland wrath ; and the several parties singling out their own cattle from " the drove," departed for their homes, with very little courtesy shewn towards each other.
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1681 - 1762 (81 years)
