Family and Education

b. c.1673, 3rd s. of Alexander Stewart, 3rd Earl of Galloway [S], by Lady Mary Douglas, da. of James, 2nd Earl of Queensberry [S]; uncle of James and William Stewart. educ. Glasgow 1687. unm.

Offices Held

M.P. [S] Wigtownshire 1702-7.

Ensign 3 Ft. Gds. 1691, capt.-lt. Apr. 1692, capt. and lt.-col. July 1692, 2nd lt.-col. 1704, 1st lt.-col. and col. of Ft. 1710; brig.-gen. 1710; ret. 1717.

Biography

John Stewart was a professional soldier who served with his regiment in Spain during the war of the Spanish succession and was afterwards with the Duke of Argyll in Catalonia. After representing his county under Queen Anne, he was again returned unopposed as a Whig on his family’s interest in 1715 and 1722, voting with the Administration on the septennial bill and the repeal of the Occasional Conformity and Schism Acts. In 1719 Craggs considered that he should be approached through Argyll, Sunderland marked him as doubtful, and he was absent on the peerage bill in December. He did not stand again and died in April 1748.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: J. M. Simpson

Notes