Robert was the second son of Walter Stewart and Isobel (letters from Philip B. Stewart, 6 Sabal Ct., Sewall's Pt., Stuart, Fl., 1/27/1990 and 4/24 1990). He is said to be one of the Covenanters who took part in the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, between the troops of Charles II and the Covenanters, led by their ministers, in which the Covenanters were defreated with great loss.
At this time, James II led persecutions against the Scotch Presbyterians. Robert became an exile, fleeing to Ireland and settling in Londonderry, which became a Protestant stronghold and was laid seige by King James following his return from exile in France. After peace was restored Robert returned to Edinburgh, but never recovered his estate (Severance, B. Frank. Genealogy and biography of the descendants of Walter Stewart of Scotland and of John Stewart who came to America in 1718 and settled in Londonderry, N.H. Greenfield, Mass. : T. Morey & Son, 1905, pg 2-3).