Earls of Traquair (1633)

1^st Earl of Traquair, John Stewart, b.c.1600, a.1633, d.1659

John Stewart was the descendant of several different branches of the Stewart family. His father was of the line of the Stewarts of Traquair, his mother’s father was of the Stewarts of Ochiltree, and his mother’s mother was of the Stewarts of Methven. Members of the family had been close attendants of royalty for several generations and it was natural for the young John Stewart to enter into the service of the King, firstly as a Privy Counsellor. He was created 1^st Lord Stewart of Traquair in Peeblesshire in 1628 and 1^st Earl of Traquair and 1^st Lord Linton and Caberston in 1633. He was Treasurer-Depute and an Extraordinary Lord of Session from 1630 and Lord High Treasurer of Scotland from 1636. He supported Charles I in his attempts to introduce the Anglican prayer book to Scotland but also advocated an end to the episcopacy. His inconsistency made him suspect on both sides and he was dismissed from office in 1641, and in 1644 declared an enemy of religion. He is also suspected of betraying Montrose to Leslie prior to the Battle of Philiphaugh, though this allowed him to return to Parliament. He was captured at the Battle of Preston in 1648 and released by Cromwell in 1654.

2^nd Earl of Traquair, John Stewart, b.1623-1624, a.1659, d.1666

Son of the 1^st Earl and Lady Catherine Carnegie (b.?, d.1655), daughter of Sir David Carnegie, 1^st Earl of Southesk. Although professing to be a stout Presbyterian, he married in succession two Roman Catholic ladies. He was ex-communicated, fined and imprisoned for going ahead with the first marriage but did not let this deter him from repeating his offence.

3^rd Earl of Traquair, William Stewart, b.1657, a.1666, d.1673

Son of the 2^nd Earl and Lady Anne Seton (b.1634, d.1685-1686), daughter of George Seton, 3^rd Earl of Winton.

4^th Earl of Traquair, Charles Stewart, b.c.1659, a.1673, d.1741

Younger brother of the 3^rd Earl. He actually became a Roman Catholic, for which he suffered after the Revolution, and was excluded from public office, as were his immediate successors. One of his daughters married William Maxwell, son of William Maxwell, 5^th Earl of Nithsdale.

5^th Earl of Traquair, Charles Stewart, b.1697, a.1741, d.1764

Son of the 4^th Earl and Mary Maxwell (b.?, d.1759), daughter of Robert Maxwell, 4^th Earl of Nithsdale.

6^th Earl of Traquair, John Stewart, b.1698-1699, a.1764, d.1779

Younger brother of the 5^th Earl.

7^th Earl of Traquair, Charles Stewart, b.1746, a.1779, d.1827

Son of the 6^th Earl and Christian Anstruther (b.?, d.1771).

8^th Earl of Traquair, Charles Stewart, b.1781, a.1827, d.1861

Son of the 7^th Earl and Mary Ravenscroft (b.?, d.1796). On his death the earldom became extinct or dormant. The estates remained with the 8^th Earl’s sister Lady Louisa Stewart until her death at the age of 99, though in an increasingly poor state due to reduced family circumstances. When she died, Traquair passed to a member of the Constable-Maxwell family.

(Last updated: 16/10/2009)