MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 



Vll 



fighting against Edward I., with many others of the Scot- 

 tish uobihtj. In the year 1314, Sir Robert most proba- 

 bly fought at the glorious field of Bannockbrn-n, with the 

 Lord High Steward and the rest of his family, under King 

 Robert Bruce ; as we find from Hollinshed that in the 

 following year he accompanied his three brothers, Sir 

 Allan, Sir Walter, and Sir Hugh, in the expedition to Ire- 

 land under Edward Bruce. He was also present at the 

 battle of Dundalk in 1318, where that adventurous prince 

 at leng-th terminated his career.* Su' Henry's mother 

 was daughter of Henry Steuart-Barclay of Collernie, in 

 the county of Fife, younger brother of Sir James Steuart 

 Bart, of Goodtrees, (son of the Lord Advocate of that 

 name,) M.P. for Mid-Lothian in the first parliament after 

 the Union, and afterwards Solicitor General in the reign 

 of George II. Of the issue of this marriage Sir Henry 

 was the only surviving son, and representative of this 

 ancient family. 



Of his early education, at this distance of time, few 

 particulars can be mentioned. Having been brought up 



* " From the Steuarts of Allanton, (we quote from a document found among 

 the papers of the late Sir Henry Steuai-t,) have sprung at different periods 

 various considerable famihes of the name, among which are the Steuaai;s of 

 Kirkfield and Coltness, those of Goodtrees, AUanbank, and Mitcham. It is 

 worthy of notice, that there are four Baronetages in the family, including the 

 grant, to be subsequently mentioned, to the eldest branch of it. 1st. That 

 of Coltness, in the county of Lanark ; which branch is also descended fi'om the 

 aforesaid James, and is now represented by General Sk James Denham Steuart, 

 Bart., (since deceased) Colonel of the second Regiment of Dragoons. 2nd. 

 That of Allanbank, in the coimty of Berwick ; which branch is descended from 

 James sixth of Allanton, and eighth of Daldowie, who died a.d. 1607, and is 

 now represented by Sir John Steuart Bart." — he has since that time been suc- 

 ceeded by his son Sir James. *'3rd. That of Goodtrees, cotmty of Edinburgh ; 

 which branch was descended and represented as last mentioned, ■ith. That 

 of Allanton," of which mention will be made in the course of this Memoir. 

 " It is a remarkable circumstance, that the three Baronetages first mentioned 

 were bestowed upon the family by three Sovereigns of character considerably 

 different, by James II., William III., and Queen Anne, and all in consideration 

 of thek public services." 



