John Stewart (of Livingstone) facts for kids
Colonel John Stewart (died 1726) was a Scottish soldier. He first served in the Scottish Army. After Scotland joined with England, he served in the British Army. He fought with the army in Scotland, France, and Flanders. He also served in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a Member of Parliament from 1708 to 1715.
He lived at Hartrigge House in Jedburgh. He passed away in 1726 after an argument with another Member of Parliament.
Colonel John Stewart's Life
Stewart's early life is not fully known. He might have been the son of William Stewart of Livingstone. But this is not certain.
He joined the army after the Glorious Revolution. His first years in the military are also unclear. He likely served with the Scots Greys. He may have been Captain John Stewart who joined a regiment in 1695. We know for sure that in 1707, he became a Lieutenant-Colonel. This was in a new regiment formed by Alexander Grant.
Serving in the Army and Parliament
From 1708, he served in Flanders with the Duke of Marlborough. He would return to Scotland from time to time. In 1708, he was elected to the new Parliament of Great Britain. This was during the 1708 British general election. He became the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kirkcudbright Stewartry. He won this election partly because his opponent was jailed. His opponent was thought to support the Jacobites.
Stewart returned to Scotland for the 1710 British general election. On his way, a French privateer captured his ship. A privateer was like a pirate, but they had permission from their government to attack enemy ships. Stewart was later released. He was re-elected as MP for Kirkcudbright Stewartry. But talks with the French took a long time. He was not fully cleared until late 1711.
He was re-elected again in 1713. Stewart was known as a Whig. The Whigs were a political group at the time. He was not a very active member of the House of Commons. He decided not to run for election in 1715. He left full-time army service in 1713.
Colonel Stewart's Passing
Stewart was an important citizen in Edinburgh in 1708. He was also important in Glasgow in 1716. He helped manage supplies for Kirkcudbright Stewartry in 1706. He owned land in Livingstone in Kirkcudbright. He also owned land at Stewartfield in Jedburgh. He inherited the first land from his father. He got the second through his marriage in 1704. He married Elizabeth Scott. She was the daughter of Sir Francis Scott.
Owning land allowed him to vote in county elections. In 1726, there was a special election in Roxburghshire. After the election, the landowners had a dinner. Sir Gilbert Eliott, 3rd Baronet, of Stobs was there. He had won the election. He complained to Stewart for not voting for him.
An argument started between them. Stewart was fatally injured during this argument. He managed to strike two blows before they were separated. But his injury was very serious. Stewart's last words were that he had been injured while sitting. He said Sir Gilbert Eliott was responsible.
Eliott was declared an outlaw. He escaped into exile. Later, he was given a royal pardon.
