James Stuart-Mackenzie
Encyclopedia
James Stuart-Mackenzie was a Scottish politician.
Born James Stuart, he was a younger son of James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute
, and his wife Lady Anne, daughter of Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll
. Prime Minister John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
, was his elder brother. He inherited the Rosehaugh estates through his paternal grandmother Agnes Mackenzie and assumed the additional surname of Mackenzie. He was returned to Parliament for Buteshire in 1747, a seat he held until 1754, and then represented Ross-shire
from 1761 to 1780. In 1761 he was sworn of the Privy Council. In 1763 he became Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
until 1765 and then again in 1766 until his death.
In 1752 we find that the Hon. James Stewart Mackenzie, sold Rosehaugh and bought from Sir Thomas and William Nairn the ecclesiastical lands of Kirkhill in Meigle
, which belonged to the Holy Trinity of Dunkeld, and upon the site of the former Castle, which had been used as a grange for the Churchmen, he erected Belmont Castle, at a cost of £10,000.
He was a very studious man and a great astronomer. A telescope, purportedly made for him, is in the Robert Whipple Collection
at the University of Cambridge
. He was responsible for the building of the observatory on Kinpurnie Hill, then part of his estate. The observatory was designed by Alexander Bryce (1713 - 1786), Minister of Kirknewton and East Calder, but remained incomplete.
Stuart-Mackenzie married his first cousin Lady Elizabeth, daughter of John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
, in 1749. They had no surviving children. She died in July 1799. Stuart-Mackenzie survived her by less than a year and died in April 1800. According to a decision in 1803 his estates were passed on to his nephew James Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie
.
Born James Stuart, he was a younger son of James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute
James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute
James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute was the son of James Stuart, 1st Earl of Bute and Agnes Mackenzie.-Family:In February 1711, he married Lady Anne Campbell and had eight children:*John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute *James Stuart-Mackenzie James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute (before 1696 – January 28, 1723)...
, and his wife Lady Anne, daughter of Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll, 10th Earl of Argyll was a Scottish peer.-Biography:The eldest son of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll and Mary Stuart, daughter of James Stuart, 4th Earl of Moray, Campbell sought to recover his father's estates...
. Prime Minister John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute KG, PC , styled Lord Mount Stuart before 1723, was a Scottish nobleman who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain under George III, and was arguably the last important favourite in British politics...
, was his elder brother. He inherited the Rosehaugh estates through his paternal grandmother Agnes Mackenzie and assumed the additional surname of Mackenzie. He was returned to Parliament for Buteshire in 1747, a seat he held until 1754, and then represented Ross-shire
Ross-shire (UK Parliament constituency)
Ross-shire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832...
from 1761 to 1780. In 1761 he was sworn of the Privy Council. In 1763 he became Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
The office of Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, one of the Great Officers of State, first appears in the reign of David II. After the Act of Union 1707 its holder was normally a peer, like the Keeper of the Great Seal...
until 1765 and then again in 1766 until his death.
In 1752 we find that the Hon. James Stewart Mackenzie, sold Rosehaugh and bought from Sir Thomas and William Nairn the ecclesiastical lands of Kirkhill in Meigle
Meigle
Meigle is a village in Strathmore, Scotland. It lies in the council area of Perth and Kinross in the Coupar Angus and Meigle ward. The nearest town is Forfar in neighbouring Angus. Other smaller settlements nearby are Balkeerie, Kirkinch and Kinloch. Meigle is accessed from the north and south...
, which belonged to the Holy Trinity of Dunkeld, and upon the site of the former Castle, which had been used as a grange for the Churchmen, he erected Belmont Castle, at a cost of £10,000.
He was a very studious man and a great astronomer. A telescope, purportedly made for him, is in the Robert Whipple Collection
Whipple Museum of the History of Science
The Whipple Museum of the History of Science holds an extensive collection of scientific instruments, apparatus, models, pictures, prints, photographs, books and other material related to the history of science. It was founded in 1944, when Robert Whipple presented his collection of scientific...
at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. He was responsible for the building of the observatory on Kinpurnie Hill, then part of his estate. The observatory was designed by Alexander Bryce (1713 - 1786), Minister of Kirknewton and East Calder, but remained incomplete.
Stuart-Mackenzie married his first cousin Lady Elizabeth, daughter of John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
Field Marshal John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, 1st Duke of Greenwich KG , known as Iain Ruaidh nan Cath or Red John of the Battles, was a Scottish soldier and nobleman.-Early Life:...
, in 1749. They had no surviving children. She died in July 1799. Stuart-Mackenzie survived her by less than a year and died in April 1800. According to a decision in 1803 his estates were passed on to his nephew James Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie
James Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie
James Archibald Stuart, later Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie , British politician and soldier, was the second son of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute and his wife Mary Stuart, Countess of Bute....
.