[3] Hume was eventually to inherit the Scottish estates, with the Maryland lands being divided between his brothers, now loyal to the fledgling United States of America.

These estates were held under entail,[4][5] and Steuart changed his name to Hume (also spelled "Home") in order to be able to inherit.

However, according to the memoirs of his nephew Richard Sprigg Steuart, Hume supported the ideals of the American rebels, and "was a staunch whig, and voted only for such members of parliament as went deadweight against the government and the war.

"[3] After Hume's death in c. 1788, his infant daughter Sophia inherited his estates of Argaty, Ballachallan and Annat.

His younger brother Charles Steuart unsuccessfully sued his niece Sophia for Hume's Scottish inheritance.