Family and Education

b. c.1699, 2nd s. of James Stewart, 5th Earl of Galloway [S], by Lady Catherine Montgomerie, da. of Alexander, 9th Earl of Eglintoun [S]; bro. of Hon. William Stewart. educ. Eton 1715.1 unm.

Offices Held

Ensign 3 Ft. Gds. 1720, lt., capt.-lt. 1734, capt. and lt.-col. 1736, 2nd maj. and col. 1744, 1st maj. 1745, lt.-col. 1748; col. 37 Ft. 1752-d.; maj.-gen. 1754; lt.-gen. 1758.

Biography

James Stewart, a professional soldier, served in the Scots Guards for 32 years, being present at Fontenoy. Returned on his family’s interest for Wigtown Burghs in 1734, after a contest in which his father and brother, Lord Garlies, took an active but illegal part, he voted with the Administration on the Spanish convention in 1739 and the place bill of 1740. Moving in 1741 to the county to provide a seat for his younger brother William, he voted for Walpole’s candidate for the chairman of the elections committee in December. Under the new Administration he was absent on the Hanoverians in 1742 and 1744, but voted for them in 1746, when he was classed as an Old Whig. Meanwhile Lord Garlies, then in opposition, succeeded to the earldom of Galloway and the family interest on his father’s death in February 1746. Finding that James was to be opposed in the county for the 1747 election, Galloway, who had gone over to the Administration, transferred him to the Burghs, where he was unopposed. James went back to the county in 1754 but did not stand again. He died 27 Apr. 1768.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. Mems. Sir John Clerk of Penicuik (Sc. Hist. Soc. xiii), 87.