James Stewart

1765 – 1854

James Stewart was a patriot ancestor of the chapter’s organizing regent.  He was born on April 17, 1765 in Rowan County, North Carolina, and was drafted at the age of 16 to serve in the Rowan County, North Carolina Militia. His duty was to guard the ferry from the enemy, and he was stationed frequently on the ferries to prevent or intercept the passage of the Tories.  Although he was in no battles, James received a pension for his service in the American Revolution (claim #32534).

James married Margery McEwen on March 25, 1794. Margery was born on July 27, 1772 in Virginia. James and Margery are found in Oglethorpe County, Georgia in 1794, listed in the sellers list for land transactions. In 1821, they moved to Clarke County, Georgia for daughter Margaret’s marriage to Larkin Strickland.  In 1827, James won 202 ½ acres in the Georgia Land Lottery, District 13, Carroll County. This area later became Heard County.  On the 1850 census, James is listed, at the age of 86, living with his son John.

James died on February 6, 1854, in Troup County, Georgia; and Margaret died on April 21, 1841, in Troup or Heard County, Georgia.  Their burial sites are unknown. A Memorial Marker has been placed at the foot of his son John Stewart’s grave, located in the Mount Zion Cemetery in the Glenn Community of Heard County.

They had seven children:

  • Mary (died young)
  • Sara (died young)
  • Margaret “Peggy” married Larkin Strickland
  • William married Morning Mullins
  • John married America French Cole
  • David married Rebecca Wesley Cole (America and Rebecca were sisters)
  • James McEwen married Samatha Jane Childs

David and James are buried in the Union Grove cemetery in Heard County, Georgia. William is buried in Chambers County, Alabama, site unknown.  Margaret “Peggy” Strickland is buried in Troup County, Georgia or Chambers County, Alabama.

Grave Marker of James Stewart

Grave Marker of James Stewart

EXCITING UPDATE:

The grave of James Stewart has been located in the Rocky Mount Cemetery in Abbottsford, Troup County, Georgia.

There are 10 marked graves and at least 9 unidentified graves.