Douglases in Ayrshire

[William Douglas]

I was researching Douglas of Cunninghamhead (near Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland) whose daughter and heiress married a Cunningham, when I came across the following entries on Wikipedia (not all on the same page).

Warrix (now Warrick) Hill formed part of the demesne of the De Morvilles who forfeited their lands to Robert the Bruce. Sir James, son of Sir James Stewart of Bonkill, son of Alexander the High Steward of Scotland, obtained Peirstoun and Warrixhill, and his son, also Sir James, in turn inherited. This son had only a daughter as heir and she married Sir William Douglas and thus the property passed by marriage to the Barclay's of Pierstoun. Warrixhill became divided into two and the Montgomeries of Bourtreehill held one half whilst the Cunninghamhead family obtained the other. In 1524 William Cuninghame inherited the lands from his father John and both parts were sold to John Edmeston, Minister of Cardross, whose son John sold them to Jonathan Anderson, a Glasgow Merchant. William Henry Ralston, a cadet of the Ralstons of that Ilk purchased them in 1790 from John, son of Jonathan Edmeston. A nephew, Alexander MacDougal Ralston inherited in 1833. Margaret Fullarton was the wife of Alexander McDougall Ralston. They were buried in Dreghorn parish churchyard. The three sections of Peirstoun were known as Pierstoun-Barclay, Pierstoun-Blair and Pierstoun-Cunninghame. This latter portion is thought to have contained Warrickhill itself. John Muir of Warwick Mains died in 1875. He was a private in the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry and was killed in accident by his horse. He was buried in Dreghorn Parish Churchyard.

Nether-Pierstoun  The Barclays held this estate for several centuries. King Robert the Bruce originally gave the lands of Pierstoun and Warrickhill to Sir James Stewart in around 1330. His son James inherited and his only offspring, a daughter, married Sir William Douglas (see Perceton) who took the title of Pierston and in turn his only offspring again were daughters, the eldest of whom married Robert Barclay in around 1444. Charles II made Robert Barclay a Baronet by Letters Patent in 1668. The Barclays were much travelled and had strong social links with British and foreign royalty, also serving with distinction in the Royal Navy and the army. Nether-Pierstoun became simply Pierstoun / Perceton upon its sale to Andrew Macreadie, Provost of Stranraer in 1720..

Perceton House.The mansion house still stands, a little to the south of the former site, with a modern office block added for the use of the Irvine Development Corporation (IDC) which was wound up some years ago. The office block was designed so that the whole building could be converted easily into a hotel, however in the event North Ayrshire Council took over the buildings from IDC.
A daughter of Sir William Douglas, Dominus de Pierston, married Robert Barclay about the year 1400 and the lands of Pierceton and Warrickhill were the inheritance, being 900 Scots acres of among the most fertile lands in Dreghorn Parish. Previously they were part of the possessions of John Balliol, King of Scots and his near relatives, De Ferreres and De la Suche (Zouche). The Barclay family sold the property in 1720 to the Macredies, however the Baronetcy continued in the time of Robertson (1823), the family then residing in Middlesex. Perceton was originally a Barony held under Hugh de Morville. In 1640 the Lands of Perstoune held by the Laird were valued at £700.
The Macredie's, spelt 'McReady' in 1776 were involved in British Army service and various business pursuits until John Macredie succeeded in 1816. He had a daughter, Rachel Anne, who married Patrick Boyle Mure, second son of Thomas Mure of Warriston, by Helen, daughter of the Hon. Patrick Boyle of Shewalton, third son of John, second Earl of Glasgow. In addition to the name Mure he assumed the name of Macredie. Mure Macredie died in 1868, leaving two sons and three daughters.

 

Can anyone help with identifying these Douglases?  

• Why did Sir James Stewart of Bonkill/Pierston's daughter not inherit Warrick Hill?
• Sir William Douglas, Dominus de Pierston. is this Lord of Pierston??

[William Douglas]

Whilst I found the above on Wikipedia, it is taken from 'Ayrshire. Its History and Historic families' by William Robertson, (1908).

He puts the lineage of the Stewarts as: Sir James, son of Sir James Stewart of Bonkill, son of Alexander the High Steward of Scotland, obtained Peirstoun and Warrixhill, and his son, also Sir James, in turn inherited. This son had only a daughter as heir and she married Sir William Douglas.

However, it was Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland's son Sir John Stewart  (c. 1245-July 22, 1298), described as the "second son" who married the Bonkill heiress. He had seven sons and one daughter, and was killed in the Battle of Falkirk.

his heir, Sir Alexander Stewart of Bonkyl died in 1319. He had issue: John Stewart of Bonkyll, who was to become 1st Earl of Angus. It is through John Stewart's granddaughter, Margaret's (daughter of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Angus) illicit relationship with William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, that the Earldom of Angus, Lordship of Abernethy, and the comitatus associated with it passed on to the Douglases in the person of George Douglas (the first Red Douglas). Margaret was countess of Angus, and through marriage became the Countess of Mar.

Following the James, James, James descendency takes me to James Stewart of Durisdeer, Tutor to his nephew, the future King Robert II of Scotland, in 1327, who, depending on sources, either died childless, or had a daughter who did not marry a Douglas.

 

None of which helps me find William Douglas of Pierston.