From Abertarff to America

The National Trust for Scotland cares for numerous properties, most of which have well-documented histories. Abertarff House is an exception. Built in the late 16th century, Abertarff House is the oldest surviving dwelling in the city and attracts 24,000 visitors each year. Although we know it was owned by the Frasers of Lovat and Abertarff between 1808 and 1833, its early history remained unclear. However, in the past year, we have learned that a prominent Inverness family played a significant role in its story. 

A famous son of Inverness

John Stuart was born in Abertarff House in 1718. He was the grandson of Alexander Stuart, a key figure in the 1715 Jacobite Rising, and the son of Bailie John Stuart, another Jacobite and a respected shipowner, merchant and politician. Growing up during a period of political unrest in the Highlands, John fled to the American colonies in 1747/48, following his involvement in the 1745 Rising. 

He settled in South Carolina, where he quickly gained prominence through his work with Native American tribes in the region. By the time he was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Stuart had established himself as a skilled diplomat and negotiator.

Role as Superintendent of Indian Affairs

In 1763, Stuart was appointed the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Southern District of the newly formed USA, which covered Georgia, South Carolina and the western frontier. 

His primary responsibilities included managing relations with Native American tribes such as the Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw. He worked to maintain peace, negotiate trade agreements and protect British interests. One of his most notable achievements was his diplomatic efforts following Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763, where a Native American coalition sought to remove the British Army from the region. 

With the wealth gained during his career, Stuart built a large mansion on 106 Tradd Street in Charleston (SC), which still stands today as a listed building.
 

Military service and the American Revolution

As the American Revolutionary War loomed in 1775, Stuart remained loyal to the British Crown. During the conflict, he became involved in military operations, particularly in the southern colonies. His allegiance made him a target for American revolutionaries, and he faced significant challenges in maintaining alliances with Native American tribes, each of whom had their own interests in the war.

In 1776, as tensions escalated, Stuart fled to Florida. He tried to rally Native American tribes to fight on the British side, although with mixed success. Stuart was promoted to colonel and is known to have fought in at least one battle in Tennessee, where he was the only British officer to escape alive.

Later life and legacy

After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Stuart’s life was marked by the collapse of British authority in the United States. He spent his final years in exile in the British Caribbean and later in London, remaining loyal to Britain. He died in 1786 in Pensacola, Florida.

Colonel John Stuart’s career offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of imperial ambitions, Native American diplomacy and colonial resistance. His efforts to navigate the turbulent political landscape of the time are an important chapter in the history of the American South and the broader struggle for independence from Britain.

Interestingly, one of his sons (also John) rose to fame as a Lieutenant General in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars and was given the title of the Count of Maida – quite a contrast to his ancestor’s involvement in the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite rebellions.