Robert Stewart

Notes:

1st Earl of Orkney.

From Wikipedia:

Robert Stewart, Knt., 1st Earl of Orkney and Lord of Zetland (Shetland) (1533 – 4 February 1593) was a recognized illegitimate son of James V, King of Scotland, and his mistress Eupheme Elphinstone.

In 1539 Robert was made Commendator of Holyrood Abbey, and Commendator of Charlieu Abbey in France by 1557. On 9 February 1560 he testified against the Hamilton Duke of Châtellerault and Earl of Arran, and the Protestant Lords of the Congregation to James MacGill and John Bellenden of Auchnoule. They were collecting evidence for Henri Cleutin and Jacques de la Brosse, the French advisors of his step-mother Mary of Guise who planned to have the Hamiltons charged with treason against his half-sister, Mary, Queen of Scots and France. Robert himself had signed some of the letters that were to be cited as evidence.

He was knighted as Sir Robert Stewart of Strathdon on 15 May 1565, as part of marriage celebrations of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. In 1581 he was named, by James VI, the 1st Earl in a second creation of the Earldom of Orkney. The new earldom replaced a short-lived Dukedom of Orkney, which had been awarded in 1567 by Mary, Queen of Scots, to her notorious third husband James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. This dukedom was forfeit later that same year after Mary was forced to abdicate and Bothwell was charged with treason. Prior to this dukedom there had existed an Earldom of Orkney that was surrendered in 1470 by William Sinclair, 3rd Earl of Orkney.

Mary wrote a will at Sheffield in 1577 ineffectually declaring his title to Orkney null and void, after Robert was imprisoned in 1575 for obtaining a letter from the King of Denmark declaring him sovereign of Orkney. His crimes included colluding with Shetland pirates. The Earl was imprisoned at Linlithgow Palace. He was released in 1579. He built the Palace of Birsay on Orkney. On his death in 1593 the earldom passed to his son Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney.

From the Scots Peerage:

Robert Stewart of Strathdown was a half-brother of Queen Mary, being a natural son of King James V. by Euphame, daughter of Alexander, first Lord Elphinstone; she married, in 1540, John Bruce of Cultmalundie. Robert was born 1533, and was mentioned in the remainder of the castle and lands of Tantallon, granted to his half-brother James Stewart 31 August 1536, as son of the King by this lady nominatim. He obtained a grant of the Abbey of Holyroodhouse in commendam in 1539. In 1553 he went abroad, and was absent from Scotland for some years. After his return he early joined the Lords of the Congregation against the Queen-mother, and declared himself, according to Knox, to be on the Protestant side. On the return of Queen Mary he was constantly at Court, and had some knowledge of the plot for Darnley's murder. His elder children, legitimate and natural, were provided for out of the temporalities of Holyroodhouse. On 19 December 1564 he obtained a lease of the Crown lands of Orkney and Zetland, but this was revoked when the Queen married Bothwell and created him Duke of Orkney. In 1569, Lord Robert, however, exchanged the temporalities of Holyroodhouse for those of the See of Orkney with Adam Bothwell, Bishop of that Diocese, and in spite of the latter's protest that the proceedings were done by constraint, and also of various revocations and regrants, kept a hold on the earldom and bishopric of Orkney till his death. He was accused in 1571 of treason, having had intrigues with the King of Denmark relative to his islands, was imprisoned by the Regent Morton, and remained in ward until the latter's resignation. In September 1572 he received from Bishop Bothwell three charters of the lands of the bishopric to himself and his wife Jean Kennedy in liferent, and to Henry, their eldest lawful son, whom failing, to Patrick Stewart, his brothergerman, whom failing, to Lord Robert himself, whom failing, to Robert, his natural son, whom failing, to James Stewart, also a natural son, with a remainder to other persons named. He had the satisfaction of assisting at Morton's fall, conveying him to prison. By his nephew King James VI. he was, on 28 October 1581 created Earl of Orkney and Lord of Zetland, with remainder to the heirs of his body, legitimately born, whom failing, to the King. He obtained another entail of the earldom of Orkney, 9 June 1585, and died 4 February 1592-93. He married in 1561 Jean Kennedy, eldest daughter of Gilbert, third Earl of Oassillis, and had issue: 1. Henry, Master of Orkney, mentioned in the entail of the earldom 9 June 1585. He predeceased his father before 1590, when his brother Patrick is styled Master of Orkney. 2. Patrick, his successor. 3. John, created Lord Kinclaven and Earl of Carrick. (See the latter title.) 4. Sir James Stewart of Eday and Tullos, Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King James vi. In spite of the misleading footnote in Wood's Douglas, he was a legitimate son, and is, 1584, described as brother-german of Henry and Patrick, third born. His brother's downfall involved him in difficulties, and he and his eldest son had a protection from their creditors in 1635. He and his wife Margaret Lyon, in 1625, obtained a grant of £900 Scots 'in commiseration of their poore and indigent estate. They had issue:—(1) Colonel Robert Stewart of Eday, ancestor of that family in Orkney. Heirs to the earldom except for the attainder. (2) Colonel John Stewart of Newark, who left issue. (3) Mary, married (contract 1639) to Alexander Bothwell of Glencorse. (4) Margaret. (5) Jean, married, first, to Major George Crichton of Abekie; secondly, to Frederick Lyon of Brigtoun. 5. Sir Robert Stewart of Middleton, described in 1584 as brother-german of Henry, Patrick, and James, and fourth born. He was at one time abroad, and secretary to the Vice-Chancellor of Poland, and then in Ireland. King James VI. wrote to one Stallenge to commend his suit for Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Kenne, his ward, 14 April 1604. 6. Marie, married (contract 25 November 1585) to Patrick, sixth Lord Gray, as his second wife. 7. Jean, married, first, to Patrick, first Lord Lindores; and secondly, as third wife, to Robert, first Lord Melville of Raith. She survived him, and was alive in 1642. 8. Elizabeth, married to James Sinclair of Murkle, second son of John, Master of Caithness. 9. Barbara, stated to have been married to Hugh or Harry Halcro of Halcro in Orkney.

Earl Robert had a large number of illegitimate children. 1. Robert Stewart, who was legitimated. He is usually named before his brother James, and they are first named in 1566 in a grant to their brother Henry and two sisters, being carefully distinguished as natural sons. 2. James Stewart, who was also legitimated. He received with his brother Robert in 1574 provision out of the teinds of Holyroodhouse. It is exceedingly difficult to disentangle the history of these legitimated sons from those of their lawful brothers of the same name. 3. James Stewart of Graemsay in Orkney (his mother said to be Janet Robertson of Strowan), who was implicated in his father's treasonable intrigues with Denmark. 4. William Stewart of Egilshay, summoned 1600 to find caution for appearance at trial 'for the schamefull and cruell murther of Bellenden, his first spouse.' He was later a colonel in the Swedish service in 1609. 5. George Stewart of Eynhallow, legitimated 29 November 1586. His mother, and the mother of Edward and David was Marjorie Sandilands, wife of Adam Gordon, brother of John Gordon of Avachie. He had in 1584 been included in the provision out of the teinds of Holyroodhouse, and in 1585 was in the entail of the earldom of Orkney and lordship of Zetland. He had a number of lands, afterwards erected into the tenandry of Brugh, and was dead before 30 March 1616. 6. Edward Stewart of Brugh, ancestor of that family. He held the half of the lands of Brugh, and succeeded to his brother George before 30 March 1616. 7. David Stewart of How. 8. Christian married to John Mouat of Hougaland in Shetland, and, as his widow, was living, and in feud with her brother-in-law, in 1634. 9. Grizel, married before 27 December 1591 to Hugh Sinclair of Brugh in Shetland. 10. Mary, said to have been married to Lawrence Sinclair of Goat, in Shetland.

Family/Spouse: (Unknown mistress of Robert Stewart). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Jean Kennedy in 1561. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: Aft Nov 1633

Notes:

For an account of the complaint she presented to the Privy Council in 1634, see the entry for her husband John Mowat.

Family/Spouse: John Mowat. John (son of Andrew Mowat and Ursula Tulloch) was born in of Hugoland in Northmaven, Shetland, Scotland; died in Aug 1617. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jean married David Heart before Oct 1615. David was born in of Rusland, Harray, Orkney, Scotland; died after 8 Mar 1656. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: of Taughboyne (Monreagh), Donegal, Ireland
• Alternate death: 8 Jan 1688

Notes:

His gravestone at Taughboyne reads:

HIC IACET CORPUS M----- IOANNIS HART ILLUSTRISSO STEMMATE ORIUNDI PASTO[RIS] VIGILANTIS PIENTISS [PHI]LOSOPHI THEOLOGI EXIMII QUI CHRISTUM PRAEDICANDO ECCLES TABOYNENSI MAG CUM FR[UI] TU SUPRA 30 ANNOS SUDAVIT ED MULTA PROPT[ER] CRISTUM PASSUS TANDEM MATURAM ANIMAM DEO ED DIDIT AETAT 70 IAN 8 AN 1687

(Here lieth the body of Master John Hart of noble descent, a watchful pastor, a devout philosopher, a distinguished divine, who labored for over 30 years preaching Christ with much success in the church of Taughboyne, and after much suffering for Christ's sake at length gave up his ripened spirit to God on 8th January 1687 aged 70 years.)

Much documentation for the life of the Rev. John Heart/Hart, compiled by Janet Wolfe, can be found here.

It had long been noted that "David Heart of Rusland, William and Mr. John Heart, his sons" witnessed a charter by Mr. Patrick Grahame of Rothisholm, dated at Kirkwall (in the Orkney islands), 8 Feb 1638. (Calendar of the Laing Charters, citation details below, pp. 529-30.) But then:

Jan Wolfe, on soc.genealogy.medieval, 9 May 2017:

Document SC11/5/1644/11, held at the Orkney Archives, is the marriage agreement, dated 21 February 1644, for Margaret Heart, daughter of David Heart and Jean Mowat, and James Grahame. The NAS catalog description is here:

http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/details.aspx?reference=SC11/5/1644/11

I recently ordered an image of this document from the Orkney Archives.

The contract specifies that James Grahame's part of the agreement is to be done by the "advyse of the said Dauid Heart if he sall be on lyff And failyeing of him throw deceas be the advyse of the said [William] Heart his eldest sone and of Mr John Heart Minister his secund sone or ather of thame."

With this evidence, I think that we can now confidently identify the parents of John Heart as David Heart and Jean Mowat. Jean's mother, Christian Stewart, was a daughter of Earl Robert Stewart of Orkney, and Robert was a son of King James V of Scotland by Euphame Elphinstone.

John Heart, who received his M.A. at St. Andrews in May, 1637, was ordained at Crail on March 22, 1643.

Agnes Heart, daughter of John Heart and Agnes Baxter, married Robert Craighead. Their children include colonial immigrants Thomas Craighead, husband of Margaret Wallace, and Katherine Craighead, wife of William Homes. Thomas and William were both Presbyterian ministers. Thomas and Margaret lived in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts, and then in Pennsylvania. Katherine and William lived in Chilmark, Dukes County, Massachusetts (on Martha's Vineyard) where William was the minister from the fall of 1715 until his death in 1746.

From "Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church" (citation details below):

HART, JOHN: b. Scotland; educ. St. Andrews; M.A. (St. And.) 1637; ord. at Crail, 22 March 1642/3; mar. 1644, Agnes Baxter; res. 1646; inst. Dunino, 30 Dec. 1646; res. 1650; inst. Dunkeld, 1650; joined the Protesters 1651, and was dep. 1652; inst. Hamilton (2nd charge), 23 Jan. 1653. In Oct. 1655, a Commissr. from Taughboyne appeared at the Syn. of Glasgow and Ayr with a call to Mr. Hart. Inst. Taughboyne (Monreagh) 1656. Recd. £150 a year as from 29 Sept. last, from the Protectorate on the petition of the inhabitants and report of Drs. Winter and Harrison, and Mr. Mather as to his piety, etc., and that he had been there near half a year and had a great charge of children (25 March 1656). Dep. for non-conformity, 1661, but continued to minister.

On a visit to Dublin in the winter of 1662/3 some of those engaged in Blood's Plot applied to Mr. Hart for his concurrence. When examined later as to his complicity he incautiously dropped a word that brought trouble to Mr. Thos. Boyd, M.P. for Bangor. In vindicating himself he said that when the plot was revealed to him he expressed his abhorrence, as Mr. Boyd in Dublin knew. This led to Mr. Boyd's arrest and subsequent expulsion from the House of Commons. Hart seems to have been liberated on bail to appear when called upon. Excommunicated and imprisoned in Lifford, 1664-70, for disobeying a summons, issued by Robt. Leslie, Bp. of Raphoe, to appear before his court. Fined 20 and imprisoned 8 months for his connexion with a Fast (17 Feb. 1681), appointed by Laggan Presby.

Died 8 Jan. 1687, aged 70; int. at Taughboyne.

John married Agnes Baxter on 2 Apr 1644 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Agnes (daughter of William Baxter and Catharine Downie) was born before 15 Feb 1619; was christened on 15 Feb 1619 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; died before 21 May 1689; was buried on 21 May 1689 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Agnes married Rev. Robert Craighead about 1668. Robert was born about 1633; died on 22 Aug 1711 in Londonderry, Londonderry, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

One of TWK's twelve proven "gateway ancestors." He arrived, with his sister Katherine (also an ancestor of TWK), at Boston in October 1714, on the Thomas and Jane out of Londonderry, William Wilson, master.

M.A., University of Edinburgh, 28 Jul 1691.

From The Craighead Family, citation details below:

Thomas was educated in Scotland as a physician, and married the daughter of a Scotch laird. After practicing medicine for a time, he became much depressed in spirits, and his wife inquiring the cause, he informed her that his conscience upbraided him for not preaching the Gospel. She at once assured him, that she would not stand in the way of what he considered his duty. Accordingly, he soon after abandoned the practice of medicine, studied divinity, and was a pastor for several years in Ireland, principally at Donegal. In consequence, however, of the oppressions endured by the Presbyterians of that countiy from the government and from the Established Church, and their past experience giving them but little hope of any permanent relief, large numbers of the people determined to emigrate to America.

Among these emigrants was Thomas Craighead, who came to New England in 1715, accompanied by Rev. William Homes, who was married to Mr. Craighead's sister Catharine. Mr. Homes settled at Martha's Vineyard, and is buried with his wife, at Chilmark. Their eldest son Robert was a sea-captain, resided in Boston, and married Mary, a sister of Benjamin Franklin.

The first public mention made of Thomas Craighead in this country is by Cotton Mather, who speaks of him as preaching at Freetown, which was about forty miles south of Boston, and urges the people to do all in their power to have him settle among them. He appears to have been a relative of Mr. Hathaway, of that town, and probably had gone there in the first instance at that gentleman's invitation. Mather writing to a friend entreats the people "to give a demonstration of the wisdom that is from above," by encouraging Mr. Craighead in his work, and says, "That he was a man of an excellent spirit, and a great blessing to the plantation; a man of singular piety, meekness, humility, and industry in the work of God. All that are acquainted with him have a precious esteem of him, and if he should be driven from among you, it would be such a damage, yea, such a ruin, as is not without horror to be thought of."

The efforts made for his settlement in Freetown were unsuccessful, for we find a notice in President Stiles's papers of his coming "to the Jerseys" in the spring of 1723. Whether he came direct from this town, or preached in other places in New England previous to his removal, we cannot now determine. On page one hundred and ninety-five of the New England Historical Register we have an extract from the diary of Jeremiah Bumstead, which refers to a meeting held in the Old South Church, Boston, June 19th, 1722, at which Mr. Craighead officiated. In the year 1724 (January 28th) he became a member of New Castle Presbytery, which at that period included portions of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and is spoken of in the minutes as having "lately come from New England." He received a call from White Clay Creek, Delaware, in February of the same year, and accepted it on the condition that he should have the privilege of preaching every third Sabbath at Brandywine. He was installed September 22d, 1724, and continued his ministry with this people for a period of seven years. According to the Records of the Presbyterian Church, 1706-1788, he was Moderator of the Synod in 1726, and was present at the formal adoption of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, as also of the Explanation of the Adopting Act.

Mr. Craighead removed to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1733, and September 3d of the same year, united with Donegal Presbytery, when a call was placed in his hands from the Church at Pequea. This he accepted, and was installed pastor October 31st, Rev. Mr. Anderson presiding. The Presbytery in its minutes always speaks of him as "Father Craighead," either out of respect and veneration for his years, or from a special affection for him. That he was respected for his talents and learning, and loved for his genial spirit and piety, there are abundant proofs. He was very active in planting and building up churches in the region. "His preaching was remarkably fervent, and often attended with revivals. His theology was strictly conformed to the Westminster Confession, for which he displayed a special attachment, and which he was the first to subscribe, both in New Castle and Donegal Presbyteries."

While pastor at Pequea, in the spring of 1736, the session of the Church complained to the Presbytery because Mr. Craighead debarred his wife from the communion table. The matter was fully considered during its next session, and as there were no hopes of settling the difficulty, Presbytery in September judged it expedient to dissolve the pastoral relation. At the same meeting Mr. Craighead was appointed by the Presbytery to supply "the people of the Conodoguinet," by which was meant the congregation whose place of worship was at Meeting House Springs, from one to two miles northwest of Carlisle, in Cumberland County. After fulfilling this appointment, and a subsequent one at Hopewell, he received a call from the latter people, which he desired to accept; but as there were difficulties respecting "the boundaries" between this congregation and that of Pennsborough, action in the case was delayed. He, in the meantime, supplied the church at Hopewell, whose place of meeting was at "the Big Spring," now Newville.

The same difficulty which had interfered with his usefulness in his last charge followed him to Hopewell, and was again fully considered at two successive meetings of Presbytery. Both Mr. Craighead and his wife appeared before that body. The former finally consented that the session should allow his wife to come to the Lord's table; and the latter stated that "she had nothing to complain of against her husband except this single act, and that he had uniformly treated her with kindness." By this means the trouble was amicably settled--a trouble which probably arose from there being two families in the same house; for the Presbytery, in consenting to withdraw all action in the case, instructed him that "his son John and family must no longer continue to live with him."

Presbytery declaring itself satisfied with this settlement of the domestic
difficulty, and the boundary between the congregations of Pennsborough and Hopewell being fixed, the latter renewed their call, which was accepted, Nov. 16th, 1737. The installation was ordered to take place "at some convenient time before the next stated meeting," and occurred October, 1738, his son, Rev. Alexander Craighead, conducting the services on the occasion.

Mr. Craighead's pastorate at Newville, however, was of only a short duration. He was now far advanced in life, though his earnestness and power remained unabated. A descendant of his (Mr. Thomas Craighead, formerly of Whitehill, Pa.) states, that under his impassioned sermons not infrequently his audience would be melted to tears, and the emotions of his hearers became so intense that they were unwilling to disperse at the proper time. On one of these occasions, near the close of April, 1739, he became exhausted, and hastened to pronounce the benediction; and waving his hand he exclaimed, "Farewell! farewell!" and sank down and expired in the pulpit. His remains are said to have been placed under the corner-stone of the present house of worship at Newville.

Family/Spouse: Margaret Wallace. Margaret (daughter of Michael Wallace and Barbara Cunningham) was born about 1664; died in 1738 in White Clay Creek, New Castle, Delaware; was buried in White Clay Creek, New Castle, Delaware. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: Abt 1672

Notes:

One of TWK's twelve proven "gateway ancestors." She arrived, with her brother Thomas (also an ancestor of TWK), at Boston in October 1714, on the Thomas and Jane out of Londonderry, William Wilson, master.

There are several places in Ireland called Donaghmore, Donoughmore, or Domhnach Mór -- the latter is simply Irish for "big church." Notwithstanding some online sources that give her birthplace as Donoughmore in county Cork, she was clearly born in Donoughmore in county Donegal, where her father was the Presbyterian minister from 1658 to 1688.

Katherine married Rev. William Homes on 26 Sep 1693 in Londonderry, Londonderry, Ireland. William (son of John Homes) was born about 1663 in Donaghmore, Donegal, Ireland; died on 20 Jun 1746 in Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; was buried in Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Margaret Brownnear Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Margaret (daughter of George Brown and Margaret Macky) was born in 1702 in Ireland; died on 13 Sep 1765; was buried in White Clay Creek, New Castle, Delaware. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Assumed to have been lost at sea in about 1727.

"May 15 1726. I heard this day from son Robert and understood that he has sold his sloop and designs to settle on shore and leave off the sea." ["Holmes, William. Diary." Manuscript digitized at the Congregational Library and Archives. 15 May 1726 entry on manuscript page 126 (click on the "close and view content" button on the lower right). Thanks to Jan Wolfe for finding this.]

"October 22. 1727. I heard the melancholy news of son Robert's death, but had no account of the circumstances of it." ["Diary of Reverend William Homes", citation details below]

Robert Homes is mentioned several times in the autobiography of his brother-in-law Benjamin Franklin, who consistently spells his last name "Holmes." Those instances are reproduced here on Janet and Robert Wolfe's (excellent) genealogy site.

Robert married Mary Franklin on 3 Apr 1716 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger) was born on 26 Sep 1694 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; was christened on 30 Sep 1695 in Old South Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; died in 1731 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Allen. John (son of James Allen and Elizabeth Partridge) was born about 1682 in West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; died on 17 Oct 1767 in Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also called Alice Craighead.

Family/Spouse: Rev. Alexander McDowell. Alexander (son of John McDowell) was born in 1721 in Gleno, Raloo, Antrim, Ireland; died on 13 Jan 1782; was buried in Stone Graveyard, Lewisville, Chester, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 10 Jan 1716, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Notes:

His grandfather William Homes wrote in his diary: "My Grand Son William Homes was born on Jan^y 10 1716/17 at 2 afternoon. He was baptized in the old north church by D^r Increase Mather the 13^th day of the same month."

He was a gold and silver smith. Described (by an unattributed source quoted in Lineage of the Bowens of Woodstock, Connecticut, citation details below, as "a man of tender conscience, good-tempered, and inclined to jocoseness," "thin, [with] large joints, [and] round-shouldered," and was "thought to bear a striking resemblance to his uncle, Benjamin Franklin."

Also according to Lineage of the Bowens of Woodstock, Connecticut, he was born in the same house where his famous uncle is said to have been born.

William married Rebecca Dawes on 24 Apr 1740 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Rebecca (daughter of Thomas Dawes and Sarah Story) was born on 9 Mar 1718 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; was christened on 23 Mar 1718 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; died in Jul 1786 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Zachariah Mayhew on 21 Nov 1738. Zachariah (son of Experience Mayhew and Remember Bourne) was born before 14 May 1718; died on 6 Mar 1806. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]