Alexander Stewart of Blairbuie

1866 On the right of this stone lies the body of Alexr Stewart Blairbuie, Strathtummel who died 20. July 1861, aged 96y years In this grave lies the body of his beloved wife Marjory Stewart who died 30. August 1863 aged 76 years And on the left lies the body of their son Alexander who died at Blairbuie 14. March 1859 aged 28 years This stone we erected to their memory by their affectionate daughter Elizabeth Stewart

This memorial stone is leaning against the wall at the eastern entrance to Old Blair Parish church. In "Monumental Inscription (Pre-1855) in North Perthshire" by John Fowler Mitchell and Sheila Mitchell (1975), this stone is number 75 and was recorded as "Fallen Stone".

Alexander was the son of Malcolm Stewart of Pitaldonich and Christian McGlashan of Tomnacruag who married 8th November 1759. He was born 27th October 1765, and had an elder brother, Donald (born 1761), and two sisters, Ann (born 1763) and Janet (born 1767).

Alexander was farming in Grennich when he married Marjory Stewart on the 3rd December 1826. She was the daughter of Alexander Stewart in Tressait and Elspeth McDonald of Croftdouglas who married 21st July 1780. Marjory's brother, John Stewart, was also in Grennich when his sister married Alexander Stewart, and Marjory gave her address as Grennich when she married.

The only children seem to have been Alexander and Elizabeth, but there may have been others. The Old Parish records do not seem to record any baptisms for this family.

In the census returns, Alexander is described as a wright, and later as a spinning-wheel wright. He died, a pauper, 20th July 1861, and the death certificate was witnessed by Alexander Stewart of Grennich, his nephew.