Mourning Burford Stewart

From Descendants of John Floyd by Pat M. Stevens:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://familyt...

33. MOURNING BURFORD6 FLOYD (JOHN5, WILLIAM4, JOHN3, CHARLES2, JOHN1) [313]

• was born Abt. June 1769 in Arcadia on the Pedlar River, Amherst Co., Virginia [314], and
• died Bef. 24 January 1848 in Oak Hill, Bairdstown, GA,
• tombstone marker in the Oak Hill Cemetery [315].
• She married BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN STEWART [316] 13 April 1784 in Amherst Co., VA,
  • son of JOHN STEWART and ANN HAW. He was born 1760 in Amherst Co., VA [317], and
  • died 23 April 1829 in Cherry Hill, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe Co., GA,
  • tombstone marker in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Notes for MOURNING BURFORD FLOYD: These are my notes (or I credit others) which I have seen copied without reference to me. Please use them at will, but cite me as your source. Thanks! --

Mourning is my 3rd great-grandmother and lies near the old plantation house at Oak Hill. She was named as an heir to her father's Kentucky lands, along with her half-siblings. Some of this claim was disallowed in a case that reached the US Supreme Court in 1829: Hunt v. Wickliffe, 27 US 201 (1829). The decision was announced by the Chief Justice, John Marshall. I have a copy of this report. Stewart might not have known the results as he died in April of that year.

Mourning and her half-brother John, the congressman (known as the father of the Oregon Territory) and governor of Virginia, probably never met. She was his only sister. We do know however, that they were close through correspondence, as noted in this sweet note from the governor's daughter Nicketti to Pauline Crosley. Both Nicketti and Pauline are elsewhere carried in these notes.

--

• #107 SOUTH FIFTH STREET,
• RICHMOND, VA.
• MARCH 3RD, 1896.

"My dear Cousin -

"For kinswoman you surely are, being the descendant of my father's only sister. The kinship may look very remote to you but to me it seems quite near, for I have heard my Father and Mother speak often of my Aunt Mourning. My Father never saw his sister, but they frequently wrote to each other as long as she lived. My Aunt was not my Father's full sister. She was the only child of my Grandfather's first marriage, her Mother being a Miss Burfoot, of what was then Amherst Co., Va. Her given name I never heard.

They must have been very young when they married, for he was not yet twenty years old when she died, leaving the little baby girl whom her father named Mourning, to commemorate his grief over her mother's death. The child was brought up by her mother's people, for my Grandfather had no settled home for years after his wife's death, nor did he marry again until he was 27 or 28 years old, when he married Jane Buchanan who moved to Kentucky, where three sons were born to them,

• William, who died in infancy,
• George, who lived and died in Ky., and
• my Father, John Floyd, who was born a few weeks after his father was killed by the Indians near what is now the City of Louisville.

"My Father married Letitia Preston of Virginia, and as she liked Va. better than she did Kentucky, he made this State his home. Why my Father and his sister never met, was from the fact that she was grown when he was but a little boy, as there must have been a difference of 12 or 13 years in their ages, she living in Georgia, and he in Virginia, traveling in those days was always fatiguing and sometimes dangerous, and he was always poor in the way of the world's goods but rich, indeed in all that constitutes "a man amongst men", and his personality was equal to King David's beautiful and beloved son Absalom.

The tradition in the Floyd family is, that three brothers came to this country from Wales, and settled on the eastern shore of Virginia. Later, one of the brothers went South, one North, the third remaining in Virginia, and it is from that one that we, you and I, are descended. You can go into the organization you wish through your Stewart blood or your Floyd either, but you have no Patton or Preston blood, that coming with the second marriage.

There is a gentleman in this City, a Mr. Stannard, who makes a business of tracing family connections for those who want to join the Daughters of the Revolution or the Colonial Dames, but I do not think he would be of any assistance to you, as he failed to trace for Evelyn Steward of St. Louis, some of the facts you desire.

"She too, is a descendant of my Aunt Mourning, and applied to me for much the same information that you ask but I could only give her what I have told you, which is nothing to the point. I think since her return to St. Louis she has gotten her record all right as to the Stewards, and if you lack on that line she might help you, for you are in the same direct line on both sides of your Steward and Floyd blood. I am living with my daughter Sallie Lee, the widow of Capt. Henry Lee, a grandson of "Light Horse Harry."

"We are like all Floyds, "poor but eminently respectable", and would be glad indeed if you could come and make us a visit, for it is so seldom that we have had an opportunity of seeing any of our Floyd kin, most of whom have lived in Kentucky and farther West.

I have delayed answering your letter, for the reason that I have not been very well of late, being old and infirm, and after all my letter is of little value to you. If it is not asking too much I would be so glad to hear further from you, of your family, of your children, as to where you were born and raised, your home in fact. It is not through idle curiosity I ask, but through sincere interest I feel in all who have a drop of the same blood in their veins, that of my dear Father.

"Hoping to hear from you again, I am most sincerely and cordially your Cousin - (sig.) Nicketti B. Johnston."

(This important letter was saved for years and copies typed and passed to her cousins by Pauline Crosley. I have the collection of Pauline's work preserved by my cousin Martha Bullard and given to my grandfather Pat, but recently Terry Honan gave a copy of his set to "Tuck" Wilson, another cousin, op. cit., who kindly set it to disc and passed an electronic copy to me in May 2002)

--

Mourning was named in memory of her mother Matilda who died in childbirth, leaving the infant Mourning. She was raised by her mother's relatives, generally believed to be the Burfords, as Daniel Burford signed her marriage release as her guardian. In addition, Brenda Hester has found an Amherst County record (see notes under John Stewart) in which she is identified as Mourning Burford (Floyd), at a time when she was already married to John. So I believe she was called Mourning Burford Floyd, preserving her parent's name as her middle name.

There has been a story circulating for years, with no substantiation so far as I know, that Mourning had a twin brother. However, there may well have been a half-brother born within a year of Mourning. The John Burford Floyd who married John Stewart's sister Anne is almost certainly the natural son of John Floyd, and Mourning's half-brother.

As I have shown here, John could be the son of John Floyd and Matilda's younger sister Virginia Burford, who was probably caring for Mourning after her mother's death. Since John (senior) left about 1772 for Kentucky and later went on to captain his privateer, the Phoenix, and to his subsequent capture and imprisonment, he may not have known for some years that Virginia was pregnant with a son.

This boy John was raised as John Floyd Burford, later adopting his well-known father's name, and, being close to Mourning's age, may have later been identified as her twin, although I doubt he or Mourning did so. I do believe they may have privately acknowledged their relation, but without detailing the circumstances of the birth. Certainly Judge Floyd (see elsewhere) was clear when he stated that John Floyd was Mourning's brother. Interestingly, this makes the children of General Stewart and Mourning the double first cousins of Judge John J. Floyd, the child of Ann Stewart and John Burford Floyd.

The basis for these speculations are listed in the notes under Daniel Burford, and come from the Stewart Clan papers. Also, letters from John Burford Floyd's son note his father as a brother to Mourning.

Mourning lived for almost 20 years after her husband John died. Her daughter Permelia remained unmarried during that period and lived with her mother. Afterwards, Permelia married a Mr. Perkins. She is buried in the Stevens cemetery. I have her photograph, made when she was quite old. She was quite a celebrity with the Stevens children as they grew up at Oak Hill. There were many tales of her debates with Patrick, her nephew, and repeated times of their "burying the hatchet."

--

The following letter is in my files: It is addressed to (Miss) P. M. Stevens, Maxeys Ga., and dated 24 Feb., 1896:

My dear Miss, ( the author, Stewart, thinking Capt. Stevens a girl?)

Through the courtesy of one of the Floyd family... I am... enclosing the part which relates to the Floyd family, as my cousin, Ora Corbin, had sent me your letter to her and the enclosed clears up so many points in regard to the family and its connections. I understand that one of the descendants of the Floyds intends to publish a book....

I have not been fortunate in learning the relationship of my ancestor, John Buford Floyd, to the main branch, nor can I learn the relationship between him and your ancestress, Mourning Floyd. It seems to me that somewhere there must be a record of the connection or want of connection between the two, as in either event the question must have often been asked and answered. If you think any of the descendants of John Stewart and Mourning Floyd have in their possession any old documents, letters, etc., bearing on the subject I will be much obliged if you will ask them to look over all such. We may also learn the name of the father of John Stewart from the family bible if its whereabouts can be discovered.......Yours respect' Seymour Stewart"

-

On the back of the envelope, written in an unknown hand (but one of the Stevens children, probably either Pearl or Rose, who were at Oak Hill in 1896) is the following: "My great grandmother was Mourning Floyd of Amherst Co., Va. & a sister of 1st Gov. Floyd as Gen. John B. Floyd was her nephew. She married Gen. John B. Stewart, who in command of all the armies of Ga during the Indian War & held an office in the Continental War.

His daughter said he was a Gen. in the Revolution & another said he was a Colonel. He was an officer in Va. The old Stewart homestead was burned & in it the family bible & all family relicts.

My father who is a grandson of Gen. John B. Stewart & Mourning Floyd is now 74 years old & remembers nothing about the family all of whom are dead."

--

Amherst County, Virginia, Marriage Bonds 1784

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that we John Stewart and Hugh Rose are held and firmly bound to the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of Fifty Pounds Virginia Currency to which payment well and truly to be made to the said Commonwealth we bind ourselves and each of us and each of our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated this Thirteenth day of April, 1784.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between the abovebound John Stewart Batchelor and Mourning Floyd, Spinster, if there be no lawful marriage to obstruct the said marriage, then the above obligation to be void and of none effect.

• J. Stewart (SEAL)
• J. Stewart for Hugh Rose (SEAL)
• Signed sealed and deld.
• in the presence of
• Wm. Loving, Jr.

-

Certificate

Sir:

As guardian to Miss Mourning Floyd I do hereby authorize you to grant a license for the solemnization of her nuptials with the bearer Captn. John Stewart.

• Dan. Burford (SEAL)
• April 9th, 1784
• John Fowler
• Edward Taylor

-

Certificate

If Captn. Stewart should be disappointed in procuring security for obtaining his License, I do hereby oblige myself upon the honour of a Gentm. to enter into bond for him for that purpose whenever you shall require it. Yr. Friend and obt. Servt.

• Hugh Rose.
• Geddes Apl. 13th 1784
• Captn. Wm. Loving

--

OGLETHORPE COUNTY WILL BOOK D Page 228, Year 1833-1866

The Last Will and Testament of Mourning Stewart. I Mourning Stewart of the County and State aforesaid

Considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being weak and feeble in body but of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

• Item 1st I give and bequeath to my son Floyd Stewart one yoke of oxen and one cow and calf as his full share of all my estate and effects.
• Item 2nd I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Parmelia Perkins my tract of land lying in the State of Kentucky also the pension due to me as the widow of a Revolutionary Soldier, now in the bank of Savannah-- and I further give and bequeath to my daughter Permelia (after my debts are discharged) all my effects viz. negroes household and kitchen furniture, carriage, stock of all kinds and everything whereof I am possessed. And I hereby appoint her the said Permelia Perkins my sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 26th day of September in the year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Forty Four.
• Mourning (her mark x) Stewart
• signed, sealed published and declared in the presence of
• D.P. Parham
• W. H. C. Cone
• C. L. Tarpley

-

COURT OF THE ORDINARY JANUARY ADJOURNED TERM, JANUARY 24TH, 1848.

Having been duly proven at this adjourned term in the open court upon the oath of Wm. H. C. Cone one of the subscribing witnesses to the same, and ordered to be laid over until the regular term of the court for record.

Recorded the 5th day of April, 1848 Henry Britain, CCS

-

From this will we may take it that Cherry Hill stood at Mourning's death in 1844, and its sad burning came later. For this and a description of the site in 1927, see the wonderful letter recorded at the page for Linton E. Floyd, who was there that spring. The lands she mentions in Kentucky are probably those noted in the notes under her step-brother George Rogers Clark Floyd in this work. She and her husband contested much land left to her in Jefferson and other counties by her father: those lands that were occupied by the Breckenridges.

The Floyds finally gave up contesting the Breckenridge claims on their land, although those claims were weak and resulted from Jenny Floyd Breckenridge's sad end.

---

Notes for BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN STEWART: --These are my notes (or I credit others) which I have seen copied without reference to me-- please use and share but credit me so if I change my data others might track with it! Thanks--

This John Stewart is my 3rd great-grandfather. He was born in 1760 in Amherst Co., Va. In the early Amherst records he and his father John Stewart are distinguished by the appelations of Junr. and Senr., which I have used here, but John Junr. drops it after he leaves Amherst.

We have a great deal of certainty about this John's (b. 1760) descendants from our records, but no clarity yet about those who went before. DNA work is ongoing at this writing in Jun 2003. There are vast numbers who say they descend from John's siblings and time will perhaps reveal these family lines as we go forward. As I have noted above in these notes, there are many Stewarts who came early to Virginia!

But, now to this John:

A captain of militia in Virginia's Revolutionary service, he moved from Amherst County, Virginia to Georgia after the War, where he settled a vast tract near the Broad River in Wilkes-- now Oglethorpe-- County in about 1791. He took with him his mother and her younger children, as well as his own family which grew to a fairly large size. Cherry Hill, the home he built, is gone. The old home burned sometime after 1844, and was either earlier or later replaced with the more modest Oak Hill, a fine north Georgia plantation house which still sits in the trees across Georgia Route 77 from the earlier home site. (This is about two miles north of the Green County line, on the left side of the highway as one goes to Lexington.)

"His grandson, John Daniel Stewart, described General Stewart as 'quite a large, fine, rosy-complected man and stood as fair as any man in the state or any other state.' The wife of his grandson, Patrick M. Stevens, said General Stewart "was of great height and remarkable personal beauty. He was said to be the handsomest man in the Colonial Army. He was very fair, and had blue eyes and light hair.

"General Stewart served as a trustee of the University of Georgia. He was an active member of the Methodist church. He died April 23, 1829 and was buried in the family burial ground at Cherry Hill Plantation, Oglethorpe Co., GA. After his death his wife, Mourning, lived with their daughter Permelia until her death." (These two paragraphs are from Cyndi Markus, <impressions@direcway.com> and they are most likely from Pauline Crosley, the Stewart researcher and descendant.)

--

In a letter written August 24, 1873 by John Daniel Stewart to Addie Kelley are these notes about the general and his son John Berrien Stewart:

" You desire that I should write you something about our family. I can't say that I can write you a great deal about them, more than that they were originally from Virginia, and of as good standing as any family in the State.

My grandfather lived and died in Oglethorpe Co., in this State. He was quite a large, fine, rosy-complected man, and stood as fair as any man in this State, or any other State. His son, John B. Stewart, my father's brother, was also a very fine looking young man, and stood at the head of his profession, quite an eminent lawyer- Was Solicitor General of the Superior Court at the time of his death, the youngest man who has ever held that position before in the State. It was universally admitted that had he lived a little longer he would have been Governor of the State. He was very talented, and popular with everybody.

He married a very wealthy and accomplished young lady of that County, and lived but two weeks before he was taken with bilious fever and died. Your grandfather too was as much thought of as any man in the County, possibly State- was beloved and esteemed by all of his neighbors and acquaintances, and when I was a boy, he represented Oglethorpe Co. in the Legislature at Milledgeville...."

--

Ernest Stewart kindly sent this from the Stewart Clan Magazine, D-17-6-114 (I have omitted some numerals etc.)

"Gen. John Stewart born about 1758, probably in Hanover county, was captain of a company of Amherst county men in the Revolution.

He married (bond Apr. 13, 1784) Mourning Floyd in Amherst. Attached to the bond was this note, accepted by the clerk sufficient surety: "Sir--if Capt. Stewart should be disappointed in procuring security for; obtaining his license I do hereby oblige myself upon the honour of a gentleman to enter in with him for that purpose whenever you should require it. Yr. friend & obt. Servt. Hugh Rose. Geddes, Apr. 3, 1784 c Capt. Loving."

John was described as bachelor and Mourning as spinster, and Dan Burford, her guardian, gave his consent.' Mourning was a daughter of Col. John Floyd of Kentucky and his wife Jane Buchanan (editor-- no, she was a daughter of the deceased Matilda Burford, who died at her birth), niece and ward of Col. William Preston, of Virginia. Col. Floyd was killed by the Indians at Floyd's Station in Kentucky two weeks before the birth Apr. 24, 1783 of his son John, one day (1830) to become governor of Virginia. Col. Floyd was a son of William Floyd of Accomac county (editor: unproved that he is this William.... we are sure only that he lived in Amherst), who settled in Amherst county and married Abadiah Davis.

John Stewart gave power of attorney Nov. 7, 1785, to Philip Burford and Robert Floyd for "settling all my business in Kentucky, to sell lands and receive money or exchange lands in Lincoln, Fayette, Jefferson and Nelson counties and settle all claims or accounts any persons have against me," &c He was a party to numerous transactions in Amherst county between 1785 and 1789, when he and Mourning gave a deed to Charles Stewart and Benjamin Stone, disposing of all their goods.

In 1790 they gave power of attorney to Robert Breckinridge, Wyatt Powell, John Watson, William Meredith and George Nicholas to sell 1,400 acres of land in Jefferson and Nelson counties, Ky, which they received under the last will and testament of John Floyd: they gave power of attorney at same time to Charles Scott, John Fowler, Horatio Turpin and John Crittenden. In 1790 they gave power of attorney to their friend John Penn, stating they were about to remove to the state of Georgia [deeds. F: 577] Then "I, John Stewart, give to my three sisters, Betsey Stewart, Nancy Stewart and Sally Stewart , and my brother David Stewart the whole estate that my father was possessed with. I purchased it at the sale of said property which was sold according to law for the purpose of paying tile debts due from the said estate after the death of my mother.... as long as she lives." [deeds, G:8].

Capt. Stewart removed to Oglethorpe county, Ga. He became brigadier general of the Third brigade of Georgia militia in the war of 1812. He resigned in 1814, and was succeeded by John Floyd.

He probably made a journey to Kentucky to look after business matters, as in 1814, John Floyd, John Stewart and wife Mourning, James D. Breckinridge. Robert Breckinridge, Henry B. Breckinridge and William B. Breckinridge, an infant, by his next best friend, George R. C. Floyd, were involved in a law suit, the depositions filed in Franklin county, Ky., stating that John Floyd, deceased, 1784, left his estate to his wife Jane and children George, John and Mourning, and that Jane married again and survived her husband, and devised her estate to her children-George Floyd, John Floyd, Mourning Stewart, James, Robert, Henry; and William Breckinridge.

Gen. John Stewart died Apr. 23, 1830 in Oglethorpe county, Ga. Mourning, his widow, died Dec. 10, 1847." (END)

--

General Stewart is buried at the original home site, but is memorialized in the Stevens cemetery at Oak Hill, along with numerous members of his family. Through his own connections to Virginia and his wife's prominent relations-- her brother and her nephew both were governors of Virginia-- the Stewarts maintained a lively social and political discourse with their extended family.

He was appointed by the Governor as Brigadier General of the 2d Brigade, 3d Division of Militia 14 July 1796. He served in that capacity until his resignation for health in Oct 1814. He was reelected to serve against his wishes, and resigned again in November 1814, to be succeeded in command by his wife Mourning's cousin John Floyd. (This relationship between the Kentucky and the Georgia Floyds is unproven but was accepted by them and is noted elsewhere in the Floyd notes.)

I have included a marvellous letter to Stewart from his wife's half brother John Floyd written in October 1812: see John Floyd, 1783- 1837. It reveals that Stewart thought to remove to Kentucky in that period.

--

About his home in Georgia, Cherry Hill, and when it burned, we have an interesting note: in 1896 Addie Kelley wrote in a long letter preserved by Pauline Crosley:

"My mother (editor: Floyd Stewart's daughter Sarah) was at her grandmother Stewart's for some time when she was a child, before she went to her Uncle Daniel's to live, and Gen. Stewart was dead then, and had been for some time, tho' I don't know how long, and she did not remember. I suppose it was about 1822 or -23 that she was there. Great grandmother and Aunt Pamela were living then at the old home, Cherry Hill." (editor: He died in 1829, Sarah was born in, say, 1810-15, so he was surely still at Cherry Hill when she was of an age to recall. Suppose she were younger, though, born in 1824 or 25, implying a later death for her mother Sarah, and that he were ill towards the end, and she only five or six. This pushes the fire to after his death. This is still a mystery to me... when did Cherry Hill burn?)

Lorenzo Dow, the itinerant, and eccentric, Methodist preacher, visited Cherry Hill at least twice between 1802 and 1805 and wrote of it in his widely published Journals. Stewart named a son for him, as did many in the south.

There is a family report that the first Governor Floyd of Virginia died while visiting his sister Mourning at the Stewart home. In one extant letter he wrote in 1820, (in my collection and reproduced elsewhere) it is obvious that he wanted to see her, as he apparently never had. At that time Floyd was in the US House representing Virginia's Abingdon District. (He might well have visited Georgia, but most assuredly did not die there, as there would have been notice of that.)

Stewart gave a power of attorney to his friend John Penn in Va. in 1790, stating they were about to move to Georgia. Additional preparations involved two documents in the county records, recorded in the "Deeds of Amherst Co, Va., 1761-1807," by Bailey Fulton Davis (The first on page 262, the second on page 251):

• October 4, 1790 John Stewart, wife Mourning Burford - sold land - moving to Georgia. Witnessed by William Stewart.
• January 7, 1791 John Stewart to sisters; Betsy, Nanny,and Sally, and to brother David Stewart "Whole estate of my father" at death to go to above grantees. Witnessed by Charles and Thomas Stewart.

He was probably in Georgia as early as the summer of 1791, and was certainly there settling lands in Oglethorpe County by 1792 when he was appointed a Captain by the governor in April. (See record below.)

He may have travelled to Kentucky in 1814, where he had large land holdings from his father, as in that year John Floyd, John and Mourning Stewart, James D., Robert, Henry B., and William B. Breckinridge (an infant), were involved in a law suit in Franklin Co., Kentucky. Depositions stated that John Floyd, deceased, left his estate to his wife Jane and children George, John, and Mourning, and that Jane married again and survived her husband, and devised her estate to her children-- George Floyd, John Floyd, Mourning Stewart, and James, Robert, Henry, and William Breckinridge. (SCM, D, p115.)

-

Alex Luken, the Louisville researcher, notes that "I know for certain that she (ed.: Mourning) must have been (ed.: an owner of Kentucky land), extending into 1837, when Georgiana Floyd Carroll (ed.: see elsewhere) sued all of her John Buchanan/Letitia Preston Floyd cousins. At first I got really excited because there were defendants listed that I didn't know-- Benjamin B. and Nachite Floyd. But then I realized that that is Ben Rush Floyd and Nicketti.

There is a suit against the elusive Henry Floyd... (ed.: and I think that he is) Henry Helm Floyd, and he is related to William and Abadiah in some manner. I saw reference to an article on families who came to Ky. with the Clarks in 1778. I feel certain that the Floyd families are among that group given the close relationship. Will find the reference and let you run that one down... "

Alex also notes that these land suits were probably filed by local people to clear title on lands unoccupied for years by other heirs to them. Thus, when John Stewart in 1829, and Mourning, later in 1848, die, they leave their Kentucky lands in their wills, but I expect at least Mourning had never set foot on them. (And, note that these lands were different, John's were from his father, and Mourning's from her father.)

--

Terry Honan of Georgia notes that John Stewart of Oglethorpe Co. Ga. (1760-1829) has the following information on file in the GA Archives in Atlanta:

• 3rd Lt., Capt. James Edward Powell's Troop, 12/12/1775
• Lt., Capt. Haveron's Troop of Horse, July 30, 1776
• Q.M., Capt. Edward Barnard's Troop, 11/1/1773
• Road Comnr., Road from Rae's Creek to Little River, Richmond Co., 7/24/1783
• Capt., 12th Co., Freeman's Batt., Wilkes Co. Regt of M(ilitia), 4/28/1792 - June 1792
• Lt. Col., 5th Batt., Wilkes Co., Regt of M(ilitia), June 1792
• Brig. Gen., 2nd Brig., 3rd Div of Militia 7/14/1796 - Oct 14, 1814 res(igned). Reelected Oct 31, 1814 and resigned 11/10/1814
  • ( EQ & EM 1793-96 p741; EM 1814-15 p89)
• Brig Gen., Cov., Liberty, & Ogle. Cos. 8/31/1812

--

White's History of Georgia notes his move to Oglethorpe Co., Ga. after the Revolution, where he built his home Cherry Hill. The first of his large land holdings were by grant.

"His (Stewart's) and grandpa's portraits and many family portraits all got burned with the house, also the family bible...." (from a letter, P.M. Stevens, 1896). My own grandfather Pat Jr. said the house burned in 1812. It must have been replaced with something, for he was living at Cherry Hill until his death in 1829, and I do not believe Oak Hill was built nearby until the 1820s or 1830s.

--

From a letter in the Georgia Department of Archives and History (my parentheses):

• State House, Louisville, 14th July, 1796
• A letter dated the 2d April last from Brigadier General Blackburn was read

Whereupon

GO (General Orders) John Stewart Esquire, is appointed Brigadier General of the 2d Brigade in the 3d Division of the Militia of this State in the room of Brigadier General (Samuel) Blackburn resigned.

Ordered That the Secretary of the State prepare a Commission for the Honorable John Stewart agreeably to the foregoing appointment.

Attest, J Meriwether S.E.D. (?)

--

Letter: Addressed in Stewarts hand, and in the GA Dept of Archives and History: "To his Excellency John Millage, Lewisville, by the Revend W Blackburn"

• Cherry Hill Feby 23d 1806

Sir

This will be handed you by the Revend W Blackburn from the State of Tennessee a gentlman whom I recommend to your notice. Any friendship shown him will be as thankfully acknowledged as if it had bin done by myself. He is a man of piety and trying to promote the Kingdom of the Redeemer. He has been trying to civilise the Cherokee Nation of Indians and has flatering prospects of being succesful.

Could you be of any advantage to him by giving letters to some of your acquaintances that might favor a plan of that kind it will be very pleasing to him. He has now two schools in the Nation and finds the burden too heavy for him to bear a lone. Should a plan of that kind be pleasing to you I f(l)atter myself that your advise to him in the business will be profitable.

• from Sir your sincere friend & Verry
• Humbl. Servt.
• Jno Stewart

--

John Milledge was the Governor of Georgia, 1802-1806. A Revolutionary "patriot," he was a distinguished citizen of the state and after being its governor, was appointed to the US Senate in 1806, where he served until 1809. He retired to "distinguished leisure," and during that time was instrumental in the founding of the University of Georgia at Athens. The city of Milledgeville (and particularly Milledge Avenue), which became the capital from 1807-1867, was named in his honor. (see DAB, 1943)

--

Letter: Addressed in Stewarts hand, and in the Ga. Dept of Archives and History:

• Cherry Hill Octb. 14th 1814

Sir

I take this opportunity of resigning my command of the Second Brigade of the Third Division, my advanse stage of life makes it necessary for me to give place to someone else that may tender there country more service, I shall continue to act til some one else is appointed.

• I have the honour to subscribe myself
• Your excellencys most obt.
• Humbl. Servt.
• Jno Stewart

--

Quote from the Savannah Georgian, 18 May 1829: "Died, at his residence in Oglethorpe County (Geo.), on the 23d ult. Gen. JOHN STEWART, in the seventieth year of his age. He was one of that patriotic band that fought for the liberties of his country through the long war of the Revolution."

The Augusta paper adds to this: "He was a kind husband-- a tender, and fond, father-- and has left behind him a loving wife, and five affectionate children to lament his loss-- which alas! to them is an irreparable one. Milledgeville Statesman."

There was another prominent Georgia general named Stewart at this time, Daniel, said to be "an uncle of Genl Stewart's and from Scotland." (Note penned on back of letter about the family, by Martha Brooks Stevens about 1890.) Fort Stewart, Ga. is named for him.

Daniel Stewart, 1761-1829, at the age of sixteen, served under Sumter and Marion. He was taken prisoner, placed on a prison ship where he endured great suffering; made his escape and served to the close of the war. He became distinguished in the War of 1812 and died in Georgia in the county named for him.

Yet another John Stewart, 1740-1815, was a member of the Legionary Corps and was at the battle of Medway Church 1778 and the siege of Savannah. He was born in South Carolina; died in Liberty Co., Ga., and is buried in Medway Cemetery. (Both notes from DAR files.)

John Stewart's captaincy in the Amherst Co. militia is shown in the Louisa Co. record, 16 Apr., 1782. Gwaltney's "Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution" says the son John was a Captain, the father a private. See pp1742-1743, or vic. 1741 depending on the edition.

Of the father John: "Stewart, John, Amherst Mil., E," where the E presumably means enlisted. There is some debate about all this; we are pretty certain that John Jr. served as the captain, but whether John Sr. was indeed the private is not certain, although the family has long maintained it so.

There are a number of documents in the Georgia archives, including his letter of resignation, mentioned above, and letters of passage for Lorenzo Dow, the Preacher, through the Indian lands in the 1802-1805 period.

• 1800 Oglethorpe Co., Ga. census (furnished kindly by Ernie Stewart, op. cit.): Capt'n Stewart's District (south part of the county, near Maxeys, the Bairdstown District): William Stewart 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 16-26, 1 male 26-45, 2 females under 10, 1 female 26-45, 2 slaves
• And next door... "Ann Stewart 2 males 16-26, 1 female 16-26, 1 female 45+, 3 slaves (ed.: almost certainly our Ann Haw Stewart, mother of John, and from this born before 1755. We believe she was born about 1738)"
• And, removed from these two by several lines below, "John Stewart Genl. 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-16, 3 males 16-26, 1 male 26-44, none over 45, 4 females under 10, 1 10-16, 1 16-26, no other females, and 20 slaves."
• Closest neighbors are: John SHROPSHIRE, John DUNN, John WINN, Mathew BELCHER, William RICHY, Thos EDMONDSON, Alexr CUMMINS

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1804 Oglethorpe Co., Ga. Land Lottery List:

• Alford Stewart .............. 2 draws John Stewart ........... 1 draw
• Charles Stewart .......... 2 draws George Steward ...... 2 draws
• David Stewart ............. 1 draw John Stewart .......... 1 draw
• William Stewart ........... 2 draws Ann Stewart (widow) 2 draws
• David Stewart ............. 1 draw John Stewart, Jr. ..... 2 draws
• John Stewart (General). 2 draws Samuel Stewart ....... 1 draw
• Sallie Stewart (widow). 2 draws Graham Stewart ...... 1 draw
• Robert Steward .......... 1 draw

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN STEWART, DEC'D filed Oglethorpe Co., Wills, Book c, p 96, Year 1828

In the name of God, Amen, I John Stewart, being aged and infirm of body, but in perfect sense and memory do constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, I give my soul to the Almighty God beseeching his acceptance thereof. Respecting my worldly estate--

• ITEM. I give my whole estate, both real and personal to be equally divided, after all my just debts are paid, to my beloved wife, Mourning Stewart, and my daughter, Parmelia Stewart, and my son Lorenzo R. Stewart, except a Muckle, John Phelly, previously to Parmelia Stewart to be equally divided between them. My son Floyd Stewart and my daughter Sarah Stevens and my daughter Evalina Tarpley and my daughter Matilda Phinizy having received as much of my estate as I was able to give.
• Lastly, I nominate and appoint my wife and my daughter Parmelia Stewart and my son Lorenzo R. Stewart my executors to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 28th of August, 1828. John Stewart (Seal)
• In presence of us.
• GEORGIA, Oglethorpe County.
• Personally came into open court Joseph H. Lumpkin, who, being duly sworn, saith on oath, that he is acquainted with the handwriting of the testator, John Stewart, dec'd, and that he believes the body of the within instrument as well as the signature of the name to be written by said dec'd. Signed Joseph Henry Lumpkin
• Sworn to and subscribed in open court.
• W. H. Smith, C.M.
• Recorded 7 July, 1830 W.H. Smith, C.C.O.

--

For the travels of the renowned Lorenzo Dow, who visited General Stewart on several occasions, and for whom Lorenzo Stewart is named, see elsewhere in these notes. For a 1927 recounting of Cherry Hill's site by Linton Floyd, see his page of notes.

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From a web-based transcription of the book "Gone to Georgia," by Wm C. Stewart we have:

John Stewart was born, possibly in the Goochland County, VA., area, in 1730 (in Amherst County, VA., March 7, 1783, Stewart stated he was 53 when he testified to the age of Martha Cole West in connection with the issuance of a marriage bond to George Gilbert and Miss Cole). He married Ann Haw and they lived in Hanover and Cumberland Counties, va., before moving to Amherst around 1776. He died there (his will was probated April 14, 1784) and his widow moved to Georgia, where she died, according to family records.

Their children:

• 1. Charles married 12-15-1785 in Amherst, Sally Furbush; she was the daughter of Charles Stratham and Widow of William Forbush or Forbes of Nelson county, VA. Charles settled in Bedford county, VA., where he died Aug. 14, 1836, without lawful issue and without making a will. His brother Thomas Stewart of Bedford deeded Dec. 18, 1837, to Nathaniel W. Floyd, Administrator of Charles's estate, "representing my brothers and sisters both in Georgia and Virginia," for $200 his interest in the estate of their late brother, David Stewart of Georgia, who Also died without lawful issue.
• 2. General John was born around 1758, perhaps in Hanover County, VA., was captain of an Amherst company in the revolution, and married April 13, 1784, Mourning Floyd, Daughter of Col. John Floyd of Amherst and of Kentucky, who was killed by Indians in Kentucky two weeks before the death of his son John, later Governor of Virginia. John Stewart moved to Georgia around 1790 and settled in Oglethorpe county. He served as a Brigadier General in the War of 1812, and died Apr. 23, 1830; his widow died Dec. 10, 1847. He had children: Matilda, born 1793, married May 17, 1813, to Jacob Phinizy, moved to Clarke County, GA, Sarah Floyd, married Dec. 11, 1815, to John Stephens (ed: should be Stevens), Emeline, married Oct. 28, 1817, Joseph Tarpley, Pamela, married Mr. Perkins, Lorenzo Dow, married Sarah Ann Anderson Dec.10, 1830 in Bedford county, Va., and was enumerated 1850 in Yalobusha County, MS, Floyd born around 1789 and married first Sarah Daniel of Athens, GA, daughter of John and Sarah (Cunningham) Daniel of Prince Edward County. VA.
• 3. James was born around 1760, married Oct. 31, 1782, Clarissa, daughter of William Pollard, in Amherst County. He is the James Stewart to whom Col. Daniel Gaines gave a letter Dec. 29, 1783 to take to Wilkes county, Ga., where Gaines owned land. On Jan. 4, 1784, James Stewart of Amherst "being about to remove with my family to Georgia" appointed Gaines and his brother John Stewart his Attorneys, and not long after James and Clarissa appear in the Wilkes records. They moved to Clarke county, where he died. His brothers Samuel and Richard and widow Clarey applied Jan. 11, 1808 to the Clarke County Court for letters of Administration on his estate. Clarissa married a second time in 1809, to Isaac Newton of Clarke county. James was probably the man of that name who owned land on Shoal Creek, then in Jackson, now in Clarke county, who was listed 1799 in Capt. John Shields company. At the same time one Charles Stewart owned land on (Rose) Roe's Creek in Capt. Strong's district, then in Jackson, now in Clarke County.
• 4. William was born Nov. 3, 1762; Hanover County VA., served under his older brother John in Amherst in the Revolution. He married first Mary around 1783, daughter of William Penn and they moved around 1793 to Oglethorpe County. Mary died c18l6, William moved to Jasper County c1824 and a year or so later to Monroe County near his sons Thomas and James. He applied from Monroe for a pension Oct. 23, 1832, married (2) Martha B. Wilson, widow, and died in Macon County in June 1848. He had children John, Thomas R., Nancy, Charles, Frances, William Blanton, Mary and Richard M.
• 5. Robert was born cl764, and is said to have gone to Kentucky; the details of his life have not been definitely established
• 6. Mary married July 3, 1766, Charles Floyd.
• 7. Thomas born c1768, married Jan. 28, 1794, Terzah Davis, a widow daughter of William Morrison, lived in Bedford County, Va.
• 8. Elizabeth.
• 9. Anne born July 11, 1773 married John B. Floyd, Sept. 28, 1797, in Oglethorpe County, and resided in Covington, Newton County, Ga. (the Floyd-Burford genealogy is not clear).
• 10. Samuel was born c1780, is said to have gone to Oglethorpe County c1793 with his mother, Ann Haw Stewart and to have married Elizabeth, daughter of James Johnson. Samuel appears in the Oglethorpe records in 1804, in the Clarke County records 1808-1812, settled up his business in Clarke County Nov. 7, 1812, and seems then to have left Georgia, going-- according to various vague records-- to Tennessee, Kentucky or Amite County, Miss.
• 11. David went to Georgia c1793 with his mother and other members of the family, and died there c1837 (see above)
• 12. Sarah is said to have married Edmond W. Taylor in Clarke County, Ga.
• 13. Richard is said to have been born in 1783, but probably earlier, went to Georgia c1793, lived in Oglethorpe County, bought Oct. 14, 1809, of William and Nelson Battles, land in Morgan County, the same day that John Floyd and Richard Stewart bought of the Battles land in Clarke County. Richard married in Clarke County, Dec. 25, 1809, Mrs. Polly T. Culbertson, widow of Jeremiah Culbertson. Richard died Aug. 8, 1815 and Polly died Dec. 28, 1815

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More About BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN STEWART:

• Fact 1: 1784, Amherst Co., VA register of marriages identifies John as "Capt."

Marriage Notes for MOURNING FLOYD and JOHN STEWART:

• Amherst County Marriage Bond, 1784, Virginia
  • KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that we John Stewart and Hugh Rose are held and firmly bound to the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of Fifty Pounds Virginia Currency to which payment well and truly to be made to the said Commonwealth we bind ourselves and each of us and each of our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated this Thirteenth day of April, 1784.
  • The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between the abovebound John Stewart Batchelor and Mourning Floyd, Spinster, if there be no lawful marriage to obstruct the said marriage, then the above obligation to be void and of none effect.
  • J. Stewart (SEAL)
  • J. Stewart for Hugh Rose (SEAL)
  • Signed sealed and deld.
  • in the presence of
  • Wm. Loving, Jr.
• Certificate
  • Sir:
  • As guardian to Miss Mourning Floyd I do hereby authorize you to grant a license for the solemnization of her nuptials with the bearer Captn. John Stewart.
  • Dan. Burford (SEAL)
  • April 9th, 1784
  • John Fowler
  • Edward Taylor
• Certificate
  • If Captn. Stewart should be disappointed in procuring security for obtaining his License, I do hereby oblige myself upon the honour of a Gentm. to enter into bond for him for that purpose whenever you shall require it. Yr. Friend and obt. Servt.
  • Hugh Rose.
  • Geddes Apl. 13th 1784
  • Captn. Wm. Loving

Children of MOURNING FLOYD and JOHN STEWART are:

• 1. 68. i. FLOYD7 STEWART,
  • b. 1786, Amherst Co., VA;
  • d. Aft. 1870.
• 2. ii. JAMES STEWART [318],[319],[320],
  • b. Abt. 1788 [321];
  • m. RACHAEL STEVENS [322],[323],[324], 31 May 1808, Clark Co., KY [325];
    • b. Abt. 1788, Clark Co., KY;
    • d. Bef. 1860 [326].
      • Notes for JAMES STEWART: He is given as James Stewart in the Marriage Register, according to Ollie E. Reed, and Reed says James was a brother of Sarah Stewart Stevens, John's wife. Ollie is correct as to the marriage, for here is a transcription of the certificate:
        • STEWART, James - STEVENS, Rachel - 31 May 1808
      • Could this James be the son of William, whom I record as born in 1790? Or is he really John Stewart's son (whom I do not record thus far) as Ollie Reed notes?
      • I just today, December 19, 2007, obtained a copy of the Clark County, Kentucky will recorded there in 1827 for Joseph Stevens. One of the witnesses was Lorenzo Stewart, who must be John Stewart's Georgia son shown in these notes.... Additionally, a daughter of Joseph is deeded property-- she is Rachael Stewart. There is a wedding recorded in Clark County for Rachael Stevens and James Stewart to marry, but I have never known who this James is.... and why is Lorenzo signing the will as a witness? Perhaps we do have a James Stewart, son of John, who for some reason has been unrecorded...
      • John Stevens who married Sarah Stewart named a son James....
      • I am going to assign James as a son of John now, and hope for corroboration sometime. For now, I accept Ollie's assertion, but I also think that Lorenzo Stewart might be the one who wedded Rachael. We know that he married Sarah Ann Anderson in Bedford County in December 1830. Could he have earlier been married to Rachael? And did she die young with no children after her father wrote his will in 1827?
      • I will show James as the register in Clark Co has it, but I think Lorenzo is the husband, and who was witnessing his father-in-law's will because he was married to Rachael and living nearby....
        • Notes for RACHAEL STEVENS: Rachael is not noted as a daughter in John Martin's work.
• 3. 69. iii. EVALINA STEWART,
  • b. Abt. 1791, Amherst Co., VA.
• 4. 70. iv. MATILDA STEWART,
  • b. 24 December 1795, probably Cherry Hill Plantation, Oglethorpe Co., GA;
  • d. 24 May 1836, Athens, Clarke Co., GA.
• 5. 71. v. SARAH FLOYD STEWART,
  • b. Abt. 1798, Cherry Hill, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe Co., GA;
  • d. 16 November 1826, Cherry Hill or Oak Hill, Bairdstown.
• 6. vi. PERMELIA STEWART [327],
  • b. Abt. 1804 [328];
  • d. 31 March 1879, Oglethorpe Co., GA;
  • m. ADAM N. PERKINS, Bef. 1836 [329];
    • b. Abt. 1788;
    • d. 1836, Oglethorpe Co., GA.
      • Notes for PERMELIA STEWART: Addie Kelly's letter notes that, "After her mother's death, ... (she) married a Mr. Perkins, and never had any children." And of course she lies at Oak Hill as Permelia Perkins. She is an heir in her mother's will in 1844, as Permelia Perkins, so she was married before the will....
      • Jeanne Arguelles kindly sent that: "The Oglethorpe County Probate Index shows an Adam N. Perkins who died around 1836. Maybe that's him? Maybe Permelia married Adam, and he died soon after, and then she moved back in with her mother? Anyway, Permelia has a probate file, too (1879-80), and then there's only one other Perkins in the probate index (who died in 1930). See: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~gaogleth/newpage1.htm>. If Adam isn't her husband, then maybe Permelia's probate file might mention his name."
      • Most of the old letters and notes call her Pamela. Some Parmelia...
        • More About PERMELIA STEWART: Burial: the Stevens Cemetery at Oak Hill, Oglethorpe Co., GA
        • Notes for ADAM N. PERKINS: He could be Adam Perkins. See notes nearby.
      • Marriage Notes for PERMELIA STEWART and ADAM PERKINS: We have no idea where or when they married. Jeanne Arguelles who keeps the Oglethorpe Web site looked at several records for me and reports:
        • "Hi Pat, I checked Oglethorpe, Madison, Elbert and Wilkes, but didn't find any Stewart/Perkins marriages, or any Parmelias. The closest thing I could find to Parmelia is Parthenia Stewart who married Samuel Benjamin Brown on 28 Dec 1823 in Oglethorpe. And I've probably asked you this before, but... do you know who that Parthenia is? A whole slew of her descendants married into my Human family, and I've always wondered about her. Sorry I couldn't help with Mr. Perkins! Jeanne" (editor: I do not know the answer to Jeanne's query!)
• 7. vii. JOHN BERRIEN STEWART,
  • b. 1802 [330];
  • d. 06 August 1826, Oglethorpe Co., GA;
  • m. PERMELIA ANN WRAY, 20 July 1826, Oglethorpe Co., GA;
    • b. Abt. 1800.

Notes for JOHN BERRIEN STEWART: Named for his father's friend, John McPherson Berrien, the US senator and eminent jurist in early Ga. Later, John Berrien Stewart also became well-known -- reaching the position of Solicitor-General of the Superior Court of the Northern District at a young age (12 November 1825 to his death in August 1826). He was recognized before his death as a potential governor of Ga. He lived in Oglethorpe County.

Berrien was an interesting friend of Gen. Stewart: from the Biographical Directory of the US Congress we have "BERRIEN, John Macpherson, a Senator from Georgia; born at Rocky Hill, near Princeton, N.J., August 23, 1781; moved with his parents to Savannah, Ga., in 1782; was graduated from Princeton College in 1796; studied law in Savannah; was admitted to the bar and began practice in Louisville, then the capital of Georgia, in 1799; returned to Savannah; elected solicitor of the eastern judicial circuit of Georgia in 1809; judge of the same circuit from 1810 until January 30, 1821, when he resigned; captain of the Georgia Hussars, a Savannah volunteer company, in the War of 1812; member, State senate 1822-1823; elected as a Jacksonian to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1825, until March 9, 1829; resigned to accept the position of Attorney General in the Cabinet of President Andrew Jackson and served from March 9, 1829, until June 22, 1831, when he resigned; resumed the practice of law; again elected, as a Whig, to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1841, until May 1845, when he again resigned to accept an appointment to the supreme court of Georgia; again elected in 1845 to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by his second resignation; reelected in 1846 and served from November 13, 1845, until May 28, 1852, when he resigned for the third time; chairman, Committee on Judiciary (Twentieth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-seventh Congresses); president of the American Party convention at Milledgeville in 1855; died in Savannah, Ga., January 1, 1856; interment in Laurel Grove Cemetery."

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John Berrien Stewart apparently studied in Williamsburg for a time, for the below letter from his uncle John Floyd, then in the US Congress, cautions him to diligence. I would guess that young John had written to John Floyd, inviting him to Georgia, and perhaps asking his advice. Floyd addresses the letter to John P. Stewart, but the fact John Berrien studied law and his age at the date of this letter combine to make him the most likely addressee. Floyd's signature flourish at the close of the letter match his signatures as the Governor of Virginia. The letter clearly establishes the fact that Mourning was John Floyd's sister, through the references within. The letter is in frail condition, and was somehow preserved at Oak Hill until passed to me by my grandfather in about 1962. Where there are unreadable or missing patches, I have put x's in a number proportionate to the omissions.

The letter can be taken to mean that John Floyd had never met his only sister, Mourning. She was raised by the Burfords; she married when he was only a child and left for northern Georgia.

Cover of letter is the exterior of the folded letter, one page:

--

Free J. Floyd. M.C.

• John P. Stewart, Esq.
• Powhatan C.H.
• Virginia
• Mail
• Washington City
• Dec. 30th 1820

Dear Sir:

I received your kind letter two or three days ago for which I feel under many obligations for the friendly interests you express for me; I would have answered you immediately, but my health at no time good, has been for some days past worse than common. I have been afflicted with a most distressing cough ever since I am at this place, accompanied at times with an increased pain in the breast. I believe though I shall be as well as I can be in a few days by staying within doors, as a trip xxxxxxx has several times done me an injury.

You inquire of me whether I ever expect xxxx go to Georgia; of late years, I have intended it, at xxxxxx a year, and feel nothing more accutely than the xxxxxx in which I am, the various causes combining xxxxxx xxxxx the effect I have not ceased to lament, xxxxxx xxxx to relate, and difficult for any to feel in their true light but myself; I have not cherished a fonder hope than that I would have yet, the felicity of seeing and knowing a sister-- for the present I cannot do more than beg of you the favor to present to your mother xxxxxx affectionate regards and that yet I hope to see her in Georgia, present me likewise to your father and the rest of the family all of whom I cherish the hope of seeing.

I am though, for yourself, sorry you did not find it in your interest to remain in Williamsburgh another winter, but presuming you a better judge of these things than I can be, I relinquish any opinion on the subject; I cannot otherwise then feel a deep solicitude for your prospects in the law, as success is necessary to that degree of reputation which every gentleman ought to possess, independent of professional acquirements, nothing but labor can attain these ends. The farmer, the doctor, the lawyer or divine, cannot succeed unless much labor xxxxxx to his profession. You are young, have health and a xxxxxx constitution. Remember that there is no difference xxxxxx the talents, of xxxx of good common sence, but that which xxxxxx us from their superior information acquired by xxxxxx in their professional pursuits. Bring yourself to know xxxxxx undoubted fact, and accustom yourself to a rapid and xxxxxx elocution, and eminence in your profession, and a distinguished station will be the reward you will obtain.

• I am Sir with great regard
• Your affect. relation,
• John Floyd

--

John Berrien Stewart died 6 Aug 1826 in his "25th year of bilious fever two weeks after his marriage" per his obituary. He would have been born abt 1801. See: Daily Georgian Savannah 9-19-1826, GR 9-19-1826 and GRCG 8-14-1826. From Terry Honan and citing the work: "Marriages and Obituaries, 1820-1830" by Mary Bondurant Warren.

Notes for PERMELIA ANN WRAY:

Could this be Aunt Permelia of whom I have the picture, and not the general's daughter Permelia? Perhaps he had no daughter Permelia, for this Permelia would be Permelia Stewart also and could well have lived with her parents-in-law after John Berrien Stewart's death. If this is she, her grave is at Oak Hill.

But I don't think so-- Aunt Permelia was just that and not this younger girl. Still-- their ages seem to match. Makes one wonder....