| Notes |
- Walter succeeded his father as a tacksman at Brig o' Turk. He was expelled from Brig o' Turk by the Earl of Moray for cutting down an oak tree without permission and thereafter lived in reduced circumstances as a cottar in Glenfinglas.
"Walter, son to John Stewart and Isabel Graham in Baleich was born the 30th day of March and baptized the first day of April 1765 by Mr Charles Rose at Donan." (Aberfoyle OPR)
Stewarts of the South says: "He was, some years ago, turned out of that farm for some misconduct or other. His mother (sic. grandmother) was of Balchallan. It was for the small crime of cutting an oak tree [that] he was turned out and he denied the charge, but it was proven and no argument would prevail with the Earl of Murray to let him stay because of not letting the truth. But other people were undermining him. He had one eighth of Glenfinglas. He is now (ca. 1815) a poor cottager -- a real contrast of his progenitors, which shows the uncertainty of human affairs."
Stewarts of the South also mentions that he had four sons, but does not mention their names.
In 1794, Walter Stewart in Brig o' Turk was a witness to a house search warrant served by Henrietta Murray-McGregor, his future sister-in-law, against her brother James Murray-McGregor for non-payment of debt.
Walter Stewart is cited twice in the Aberfoyle Kirk Session minutes for fornication, as follows:
1796 28th Feb, 1st March Margaret Mccallum in Craigughly, father Walter Stewart Serjeant Dumbartonshire Fencibles
1799 23rd, 27th & 30th June & 14th Augt. Walter Stewart Tenant in Bridge of Turk father of child of Margaret McCallum in Wester Craigughty Second child, first 1796
The names and genders of these children are not identified. They are not found in the Aberfoyle OPR. Based on the reference in Stewarts of the South indicating that Walter had four sons, it is presumed that these two unnamed children were sons.
"The Dumbarton Fencibles was raised by Colonel Campbell of Stonefield in 1794. The regiment was first stationed in Guernsey, and in 1797 was moved to Ireland, being reduced to 500 the previous year. The Dumbarton Fencibles were actively employed during the Irish Rebellion. The regiment returned to Scotland in 1802, and was disbanded the same year." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Fencible_Corps)
"[At Guernsey, in 1796, the regiment] was reduced to 500 men-orders being issued to discharge all above that number. In consequence of this measure the regiment was benefited by the dismissal of some indifferent characters recruited in Glasgow and other adjacent towns; so that, although reduced in numbers, it gained in character." (Sketches of The Character, Manners, and Present State of the Highlanders of Scotland, Major-General David Stewart of Garth. https://electricscotland.com/history/sketches/highlandsketches97.htm)
Whether Walter Stewart was one of the "indifferent" soldiers dismissed in 1796 is unknown, but the birth dates of his children suggest he was back home in Aberfoyle almost immediately.
Walter is presumed to have married about 1800 to Polly McGregor although no record of their marriage has been found. Their children are described as lawful.
In the early 1800s, following the birth of her two natural children, Walter's sister, Jean Stewart, is repeatedly cited in the Callander Kirk Session minutes for various transgressions in which she is identified as Mrs Paterson alias Jean Stewart, sister of Walter Stewart at Bridge of Turk.
In 1801, Walter Stewart at Bridge of Turk is cited in the Aberfoyle Kirk Session minutes as a witness for Agnes Campbell against William Strang. William Strang was the intimate partner of Walter's sister, Jean.
In 1802, Walter Stewart at Bridge of Turk is mentioned in the Aberfoyle Kirk Session minutes in a citation regaring his sister, Jean Stewart, in reference to one of her illegitimate children.
No death or burial record has been found for Walter Stewart. He is not found in the 1841 census and is presumed to have died before 1841.
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1765 - Bef 1841 (< 75 years)
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