Marty and Karla Grant
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Charles Stewart (1770/75-aft 1830) and Elizabeth of Virginia (Patrick) and North Carolina (Surry, Buncombe)
[Stewart Home] - [Table of Contents] - Charles Stewart (1770/75-aft 1830)
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I am not related to Charles Stewart as far as I can prove. However, he lived in Buncombe Co., NC, his time there overlapping with my own ancestor John Stewart (1730/40-1830).
Charles Stewart (also Stuart) was born 1770/1775 per his ages on the various census records:
∙ 1810 age 26-44 1765/1784
∙ 1820 age 45+ before 1775
∙ 1830 age 50-59 1770/1780
All of the above combine to ca 1770/75. I believe he was born in Surry Co., NC.
I have no direct proof of his parents, but he was closely associated with Nathaniel Stewart Sr, so he seems the most likely suspect. Nathaniel was old enough, and he did have an apparent son Charles’s age per his early census records, and other researchers have come to the same conclusion.
There is a Charles Stewart listed on the 1786 state census in Surry Co., NC next to Nathaniel (Sr). That can’t be this Charles as this one was no more than 16 at this time. The one listed may be a namesake of this Charles, an uncle perhaps.
Charles would have been about 15 to 20 for the 1790 census. That means he could be in the under 16 age group (ca 1774/90) or the 16+ age group (bef 1774). There were six Stewart households in Surry Co., NC that year, five of whom had at least one son aged under 16 (born ca 1774/1790) which is where Charles could fit. One of those, William, also had an extra male over 16, so that makes him a possible match twice over.
1790 Census, Surry Co., NC
p. 511 Hambleton Stewart 1-2-3-0-0 Probably not.
p. 511 William Stewart 2-4-1-0-0
p. 511 Nathaniel Stewart 1-5-3-0-0
p. 515 David Stewart 1-2-3-0-0
p. 523 John Stewart 1-1-2-0-0 Probably not.
Of those, Hambleton (Hampton) is a bit too young to be Charles’s father. John Stewart’s children are proven, and no Charles was among them.
On 21 Mar 1795, Cornelius Keith of Surry Co., NC, made a deed to Nathaniel Stuart of Surry Co., NC for 100 pounds for 130 acres in Patrick Co., VA on the branches of Stuarts Creek. Cornelius Keith made his mark. Witnesses were Asaph Moore Colegate, Charles Stuart and John Dockery. (Patrick Co., VA Deed Book 3, p. 82.)
Stewarts Creek (modern spelling) rises where the North Fork Stewarts Creek and South Fork Stewarts Creek meet in Carroll Co., VA. It flows southeasterly several miles, crossing the state line into Surry Co., NC where it continues to flow southeasterly for several more miles before joining the Ararat River south of Mount Airy. It’s a rather lengthy stream and widens enough near the end to be considered a river.
Carroll County was formed in 1842 from eastern Grayson County. However, the part of modern Carroll where the Stewart Creeks are located was part of Patrick County until 1810 when Grayson took that section of county from Patrick.
There were no Stewarts listed in Patrick Co., VA on the 1791, 1792 or 1793 tax lists. Nathaniel Stewart was there in 1794 and 1795. No Stewarts were listed there 1796 through 1806.
On 24 Mar 1795, just three days after the last deed (21 Mar 1795), Cornelius Keith of Surry Co., NC made another deed to Nathaniel Stuart, this time listed as a resident of Patrick Co., VA. For 40 pounds, Keith sold him another 130 acres, this tract on the waters of Fish River, on the county line (didn’t specify what county), and crossing a branch of Stuarts Creek. Cornelius Keith made his mark. Witnesses were Charles Stuart and John Dockery. (Patrick Co., VA Deed Book 3, p. 81.)
Only a very small amount of Fishers River is in Virginia (now Grayson County). It’s about four or five miles from Stuarts Creek as the crow flies.
On 25 Jun 1798, Charles Stewart, William Carlin and Joseph Stewart witnessed a deed between Daniel Carlan and Abraham Hawks in Patrick Co., VA. (From Stewart Clan Magazine. I don’t have an exact reference, and didn’t find the original deed, but will look again. *****)
Charles Stewart would have been between 25 and 29 for the 1800 census. He was old enough to be a head of household, but wasn’t listed as such. He could be in the 26-44 age group (born ca 1755/74) or the 16-25 group (1774/84). He may have been living in Virginia at this time. Unfortunately the 1800 census is lost for Virginia. He was not listed on the Patrick Co., VA tax lists for 1791 through 1806.
Meanwhile, across the state line in Surry Co., NC, there were five Stewart households on the 1800 census, none of whom had anyone Charles’s age with them. This strongly suggests he was in Virginia at the time. It’s also possible he went to South Carolina for a time because Nathaniel had done so. There were a considerable number of Stewarts in Greenville Dist., SC in 1800 (where Nathaniel was). Of those, only three were potential matches.
1800 Census, Greenville Dist., SC
p. 248 Edward Stewart 10110-11110-0-0
p. 248 Nathaniel Stewart 01101-01001-0-0
p. 257 William Stewart Sr 02201-00101-0-0
Edward is Nathaniel’s son, I think. William’s relationship is unknown, but I suspect he’s the same William who had also been in Surry Co., NC back in 1790. I’m not 100% sure of that though.
On 24 Jan 1801, Charles Stewart and Moses Cockerham witnessed a deed between John Fletcher of Greenville Co., SC to Jacob Stewart for land on the head of Little Fisher River in Surry Co., NC. (Surry Co., NC Deed Book I, p. 452).
On 3 May 1801, Charles Stewart and Nathaniel Stewart Jr witnessed a deed between William Burrus and Joseph Stuart for land on Little Fishers River near the VA line. (Surry Co., NC Deed Book I, p. 525).
On 19 Jan 1802, Nathaniel Stewart and Charles Stewart witnessed a deed between John Hawks of Pendleton Co., SC to Edward Stewart of Surry Co., NC for land on Naked Creek. (Surry Co., NC Deed Book I, p. 451).
Charles Stewart was listed on the 1807 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA with one tithable (himself) and 1 horse. He was not listed there in 1806 or prior. There was no taxes for 1808, and he was not listed there in 1809.
Charles likely married during the 1800-1810 time period, either in Surry Co., NC or Patrick Co., VA. I don’t know who his wife was, but there is a widow Elizabeth Stewart in later records after his death that might be his wife. However, I have no solid proof so far that she was his wife, but she fits quite well. More on her later.
On 19 May 1807, Charles Stuart of Patrick Co., VA purchased land from William Burrus, of same place, for $50 he bought land on Little Fish River formerly belonging to Cornelius Keith Jr. It also mentions Stewarts Creek. William Burrus made his mark. Witnesses were Mitchell Thompson, Lewis Hail and Franky Burru. (Patrick Co., VA Deed Book 3, p. 51).
The land was probably right on the state line or close, because Charles is listed on the 1810 census in Surry Co., NC.
1810 Census, Surry Co., NC
Page |
Name |
M0-9
|
M10-15
|
M16-25
|
M26-44
|
M45+
|
F0-9
|
F10-15
|
F16-25
|
F26-44
|
F45+
|
FPC
|
Slaves
|
634 |
Chas Stewart |
2 |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
My analysis (who each person *might* be):
1m 26-44 (1765/1784) Charles Stewart (1770/75)
2m 0-9 (1800/1810) 1. Son? Richard H. Stewart (c1803) son?
2. Son? Isam P. Stewart (1804) son?
1f 26-44 (1765/1784) Wife? Elizabeth — Stewart (1775/80) wife?
1f 0-9 (1800/1810) Daughter?
On 6 Aug 1810, Charles Stewart received a Virginia Land Grant of 100 acres on the headwaters of Stewarts Creek in Patrick Co., VA.
They moved to Buncombe Co., NC by 1812 where his possible brother Nathaniel Stewart (c1772) was already living.
On 25 Sep 1812 Charles Steward purchased 100 acres from John Rogers. The land on McDowell Creek. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book G page 305).
On 24 Oct 1812, John Rogers and Robert Rogers sold 100 acres to Charles Stewart. This land was also on McDowells Creek, above Estabys Path. Witnesses were Robert Rogers and David Russell. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book H page 103).
I don't have a reference for it, but on 3 Jan 1814, Charles Stewart of Buncombe Co., NC sold his Stewart Creek land in Patrick Co., VA. The deed was recorded in Patrick Co, VA and is proof that it is the same Charles Stewart that went to Buncombe. I'm not sure where I found this, possibly in the D. C. Stewart records in the Stewart Folder at the N.C. Archives. (I'll try to verify that is where I got it. *****)
On 5 Sep 1814, John Rogers sold Charles Stewart two tracts, 50 acres each on McDowells Creek. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 129).
ON 28 Jun 1815, Jeremiah Pace sold Charles Stewart 250 acres on McDowell Creek. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 13 page 80).
On 12 Jan 1816 Charles Stewart sold 250 acres on both sides of McDowell Creek to Nathaniel Stewart. Witnesses were Jacob Stuart and William Cockerham. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book H page 247).
On 3 Mar 1817, Charles Steward and Jacob B. Steward (likely nephew) witnessed a deed between Nathaniel Steward (don't know if Sr or Jr) to Edward Steward. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 11 page 434).
On 1 Aug 1817, Charles Steward and Jacob Stewart witnessed a deed between Nathaniel Stewart Jr to Edward Stewart Sr. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 11 page 431).
Charles is listed on the 1820 census in Buncombe near Jacob (c1777), Nathaniel (c1772) and Edward (c1782), all presumed closely related.
1820 Census, Buncombe Co., NC
Page |
Name |
M 0 - 9 |
M 10 - 15 |
M 16 - 17 |
M 16 - 25 |
M 26 - 44 |
M 45 + |
F 0 - 9 |
F 10 - 15 |
F 16 - 25 |
F 26 - 44 |
F 45 + |
F P C |
S l a v e s |
125 |
Charles Stuart |
~ |
1 |
1 |
1 |
~ |
1 |
3 |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
My analysis (who each person *might* be):
1m 45+ (before 1775) Charles Stewart (1770/75)
1m 16-25 (1794/1804) Son? Richard H. Stewart (c1803) son?
1m 16-17 (1802/1803) * same as above
1m 10-15 (1804/1810) Son? Isam P. Stewart (1804) son?
1f 26-44 (1775/1794) Wife? Elizabeth — Stewart (1775/80) wife?
3f 0-9 (1810/1820) 1. Daughter?
2. Daughter?
3. Daughter?
On 25 Dec 1820, Charles Stewart purchased 50 acres on the French Broad River from Thomas Ballard. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 16 page 392).
Charles was mentioned in the Buncombe Co., NC Court records of October 1824 pertaining to the Administration of Nathaniel Stewart's estate. He was security for Edward Stuart, who was named administrator.
Charles Stuart was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County. He was either on McDowell Creek (in present Henderson County) or nearby. His neighbors on either side were Benjamin Richardson and Noah Green. William Praytor (son-in-law of Edward Stewart) was two houses away.
1830 Census, Buncombe Co., NC
Page |
Name (Males first row, females on second) |
0-4
|
5-9
|
10-14
|
15-19
|
20-29
|
30-39
|
40-49
|
50-59
|
60-69
|
70-79
|
80-89
|
90-99
|
100+
|
217 |
Charles Stewart |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
|
|
~ |
~ |
~ |
2 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
My analysis (who each person *might* be):
1m 50-59 (1770/1780) Charles Stewart (1770/75)
1m 20-29 (1800/1810) Son? Isam P. Stewart (1804) son?
1f 50-59 (1770/1780) Wife? Elizabeth — Stewart (1775/80) wife?
2f 15-19 (1810/1815) 1. Daughter?
2. Daughter?
On 30 Aug 1830, Charles Stewart sold 240 acres on the French Broad River to William Prater. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 17 page 103).
The above deed (30 Aug 1830) is the last record I found for Charles in Buncombe County. He either died shortly thereafter or moved away.
On 18 Mar 1832, someone named Charles Stewart entered 50 acres of land in Haywood Co, NC on the waters of Hominy Creek, adjoining Henry Miller and George Miller. I don't know if this is the same Charles Stewart, but the timing works, however, I have no other data to support or refute it being the same Charles. (Haywood Co, NC Land Entry Book page 304 number 35, shared by Kathi Bobb).
Henderson County was formed in 1838 from Buncombe County, including the McDowell Creek region where the Stewarts lived. (The border was the ridge between McDowells Creek and Avery Creek, which meant that many of the Stewarts who were still neighbors, now lived in two different counties, Buncombe and Henderson).
I didn't find Charles on the 1840 census, but I found an apparent widow, Elizabeth Stewart, in Henderson County. I don't know for sure that she was Charles' widow, but I suspect she was. She was in the same area he had been in, and her age is a perfect match for Charles' wife, per previous census records. I'd be more comfortable listing her as his wife, if I could find some document with her name on it in conjunction with his name.
In 1840, Elizabeth Stuart was listed between Edward Praytor (son of William Praytor, I think), and John Clayton Jr. She was living alone.
1840 Census, Henderson Co., NC
Page |
Name (Males first row, females on second) |
0-4
|
5-9
|
10-14
|
15-19
|
20-29
|
30-39
|
40-49
|
50-59
|
60-69
|
70-79
|
80-89
|
90-99
|
100+
|
152 |
|
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
|
|
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
My analysis (who each person *might* be):
1f 60-69 (1770/1780) Wife? Elizabeth — Stewart (1775/80) wife?
Elizabeth did not appear on the 1850 census in Henderson County, nor elsewhere in Western North Carolina as far as I have found. There is a mystery Elizabeth Stuart, age 60 (ca 1790 NC) who appeared in Union Co., GA in 1850 just two houses from my ancestor Noah Stewart. This *could* be Elizabeth, widow of Charles, but she’s ten years too young. Then again, it could still be her. See Elizabeth Stewart’s web page for more on that one.
Charles and Elizabeth Stewart and wife had at least six children per the 1810 through 1830 census records. Unfortunately, none of them are proven. I think I know who their two sons are, but I can’t prove them either.
1. Unknown Son (1802/04). This son was home in 1810 (aged under 10) and in 1820 (aged 16-17), and gone in 1830. I strongly suspect this is Richard H. Stewart (c1803). He was from Buncombe and he did name his oldest son Charles.
2. Unknown Son (1804/10). This son was home in 1810 (under 10), and in 1820 (aged 10-15), and still home in 1830 (20-29). This almost has to be Isam “Ice” Stuart (1804). He too was from Buncombe (later Henderson) and named his oldest son Charles.
3. Unknown Daughter (1800/10). This daughter was home in 1810, aged under 10 (c1800/10) but gone by 1820 so either married or dead by then. I don’t know who this daughter was.
4. Unknown Daughter (1810/20). This daughter was home in 1820, aged under 10 (c1810/20) but gone by 1830 so either dead or married by then. I don’t know who this daughter was.
5. Unknown Daughter (1810/15). This daughter was home in 1820, aged under 10 (c1810/20) and still home in 1830 aged 15-19 (1810/15) but gone by 1840 so either dead or married by then. I don’t know who this daughter was.
6. Unknown Daughter (1810/15). This daughter was home in 1820, aged under 10 (c1810/20) and still home in 1830 aged 15-19 (1810/15) but gone by 1840 so either dead or married by then. I don’t know who this daughter was. However, if Elizabeth Stuart of 1850 Union Co., is indeed the same Elizabeth who was Charles’s widow, then I do know who this daughter is: Frances Stewart (1815) who married John Hampton before 1835. She does fit, but I can’t prove she, or her mother Elizabeth, are part of this family.
For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Charles Stewart and Elizabeth.
Revised: July 4, 2024
Copyright © 1996-2024 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
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