YMarty and Karla Grant

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Dillard Stewart (c1811-1862) and Sarah Wallace of North Carolina (Haywood, Buncombe)

[Stewart Home] - [Table of Contents] - Dillard Stewart (c1811-1862)

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Special thanks to Betty Boyd, Willa Cooper and others for data shared on this family.

Dillard Stewart is my three times Great Uncle. I descend from his brother John Stewart (1807-aft 1871) and also from his sister Mary Stewart Chandler Gilbert (c1820-1860s).

Dillard Stewart was born 1810/11 per his age on the 1850 census (39) or ca 1806/07 per his age in 1860 (53). I believe ca 1811 is more accurate. He was born in Haywood Co., NC.

He is a son of Noah Stewart and Nancy as proven in an affidavit made by Nancy Stewart regarding the Civil War service of her son Noah W. Stewart wherein she named all her children.

It is assumed that he was named for an ancestor, perhaps his mother’s maiden name (unproven).

Dillard would have been about 9 for the 1820 census. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to locate Noah Stewart on that census.

Dillard would have been about 19 for the 1830 census. Noah had a male aged 15-19 with him on that census in Haywood. That is probably Dillard.

On 18 Mar 1832 Dillard Stewart made a land entry for 50 acres in Haywood County on Hominy Creek bordering William Hampton and Noah Stewart. (Haywood Co, NC Land Entry Book page 304, number 34, shared by Kathi Bobb.)

On 17 Aug 1834, Dillard Stuart obtained a marriage bond in Haywood Co, NC to marry Sarah Wallis (Wallace), daughter of John Wallace (per the bond). David Miller was the bondsman.

Sarah Wallace was born ca 1813/14 per her age on the 1850 census (36) or ca 1811/12 per her age on the 1860 census (48) or ca 1807/08 per her age in 1870 (62). She was probably born in Buncombe Co., NC for that’s where her parents were on the 1810, 1820 and 1830 censuses, though in Haywood by 1834 when Sarah married there. Her father John is listed in Haywood on the 1840 census.

Dillard and Sarah were in Buncombe by 1835 for he was listed there as a voter in the 1835 Congressional elections. He was listed in Hominy Precinct as Dillard Stuard. His brother John Stewart was also listed on the same list, in the same precinct.

They were back in Haywood for the 1840 census. They were listed between Henry Henderson and David Miller (Dillard’s brother-in-law, married to Cassandra Wallace).

1840 Census, Haywood 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+

109

Dillard Stuart

~

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

4

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 20-29 (1810/1820)       Dillard Stewart (c1811)

1f 20-29 (1810/1820)         Sarah Wallace Stewart (c1814) wife

4f 0-4 (1835/1840)              1. Sarah Ann Catherine Stewart (c1835) daughter

                                               2. Nancy Stewart (c1836) daughter

                                               3. Emaline Stewart (c1838) daughter

                                               4. Lucinda Cordelia Stewart (c1840) daughter

They were back in Buncombe for the 1850 census. William Willace (Wallace?) (c1824) was next door. If that’s meant to be Wallace, then I’m sure he’s related to Sarah in some manner. If meant to be Willis, then probably not related. Levi Hampton and wife Celia Tutt Hampton were two houses away. Celia is a sister of Ruth Tutt wife of Dillard’s brother John Stewart. That makes her Dillard’s sister-in-law-in-law, if you will.

1850 Census, Buncombe Co., NC

Page 239B, House 601, Family 601

They were still in Buncombe for the 1860 census. Sophia Wallace, Sarah’s sister, was with them.

1860 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester PO

Page 282B, House 269, Family 269

Though too old by most standards, Dillard Stewart enlisted for the Civil War on 11 Sep 1861 at age 53 as a Private in Company H, 29 Regiment, North Carolina Troops in Buncombe Co., NC. He was listed as born in Haywood Co., NC. He died of fever just a few months later at Jonesboro, Tennessee. There are conflicting dates in his service record. One place lists his death as 10 Dec 1861, another shows 20 Jan 1862. That date (1862) is repeated a few times, so it may be more accurate. He is probably buried near where he died.

Sarah, now widowed with a huge family, is listed on the 1870 census in Buncombe.

1870 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Sulphur Springs Township No 2, Asheville PO

Page 200 & 200B, House 67, Family 68

Sarah Wallace Stewart died sometime in the 1870s, presumably in Buncombe Co., NC.

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Children

Dillard and Sarah had nine children as proven by the 1850 and 1860 census.

 

1.         Sarah Ann Catherine Stewart (c1835) married Montraville Wright.

2.         Nancy Stewart (c1836). Never married.

3.         Emaline Stewart (c1839) married William Elbert Lindsey.

4.         Lucinda Cordelia Stewart (c1840). Never married.

5.         Rachel Stewart (c1842). Never married.

6.         Laurania Stewart (c1844). Never married.

7.         Jane L. Stewart (1843). Never married.

8.         John Dillard Stewart (1846) married 1 Ann Elizabeth Lindsey 2 Mary F. Hill.

9.         Noah Welborn William Stewart (1849) married Mary Ramsey.

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Sarah Ann Catherine Stewart was born ca 1834/35 per her age on the 1850 census (15). She was probably born in Haywood Co., NC. She may have been named for her mother and her aunt Catherine Wallace.

She seems to be with her parents for the 1840 census, aged under 5 (born ca 1835/1840). She is with them in 1850, “Sarah A. C.” age 15.

On 17 Jun 1854, John Hawkins, JP, married Montraville Wright and Sarah C. Stewart in Buncombe Co., NC.

Montraville Wright was born ca 1833/34 in North Carolina, presumably in Buncombe. I don’t know who his father was, but his mother was Mary “Polly” Wright. He was with her on the 1850 census, aged 16.

They are on the 1860 census in Buncombe next to her parents. Montraville’s mother is living with them.

1860 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester PO

Page 282B, House 268, Family 263

Montraville Wright died during the 1860s, perhaps due to the Civil War, though he may have died after the war.

Sarah and her children were living with her mother in 1870, though mistakenly listed under the Stewart surname. Her three youngest children don’t seem to be listed at all.

1870 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Sulphur Springs Township No 2, Asheville PO

Page 200 & 200B, House 67, Family 68

They are on the 1880 census in Buncombe. She’s listed as both married and widowed. Widow might be marked out. Her sister Nancy (“Ann”) is next door.

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville (9^th) Township

Page 150, House 129, Family 159

Sarah is on the 1900 census in Haywood with her son John. There is a James W. Wright (1882) next door.

1900 Census, Haywood Co., NC, Iron Duff Township

Page 258B, House 60, Family 60

In 1906, “Katie Wright” applied for a widow’s pension for her late husband’s Civil War Service. He was listed as J. Mont Wright, alias Montville. I’ve only seen the index card for this and not the actual records within.

Sarah Ann Catherine Stewart Wright seems to have died prior to 1910 for I couldn’t find her on that census. I didn’t find her son John D. Wright either, so perhaps she was still alive and with him wherever he was.

Sarah had five children as proven by the various census records. This agrees with her 1900 census entry which listed her as having had five children, all of whom were still living at that time.

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Nancy Stewart was born ca 1835/36 per her age on the 1850 census (14). She was probably born in Haywood Co., NC. She was likely named for her father’s mother, Nancy.

She seems to be with her parents for the 1840 census, aged under 5 (born ca 1835/1840). She is with them in 1850, “Nancy” age 14. She was with them in 1860 also, “Nancy” age 22. By this time she had at least two children born out of wedlock.

1860 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester PO

Page 282B, House 269, Family 269

Nancy and her children were living with her mother in 1870.

1870 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Sulphur Springs Township No 2, Asheville PO

Page 200 & 200B, House 67, Family 68

Nancy is on the 1880 census next to her sister Sarah Wright. She is listed as “Ann” this time, a common nickname for “Nancy.”

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville (9^th) Township

Page 150, House 130, Family 160

* It said Wright, but that was overwritten with Stewart, making it very difficult to read.

I wasn’t able to find Nancy on the 1900 census. She may have died before then. I also checked 1910 just in case, but with no luck.

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Emaline Stewart was born ca 1838/39 per her age on the 1860 census (21), though she was listed as 8 in 1850, or born ca 1841/42. I think the 1860 entry is more accurate in her case, but I could be wrong.

She was probably born in Haywood Co., NC. I don’t know who, if anyone, she might have been named for. Perhaps her father’s aunt Emelia Stewart Waters? “Emelia” and “Emaline” are similar, though perhaps not variations of the same name.

Emaline seems to be with her parents for the 1840 census, aged under 5 (born ca 1835/1840). She is with them in 1850, “Emaline” age 8.

On 9 Jul 1857, Emeline Steward married “William E. Linney” in Buncombe Co., NC. William Elbert Lindsey was born ca 1832/33 per his age on the 1850 census (17). He is a child of John Lindsey and Elizabeth “Betsy” Shope. His sister Ann Elizabeth later married Emaline’s brother John Dillard Stewart in 1865.

They are on the 1860 census next to Emaline’s sister Sarah, two houses from her parents and next to his brother, Thomas Lindsey.

1860 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester PO

Page 282B, House 267, Family 262

They are on the 1870 census in Buncombe, two houses from his widowed mother.

1870 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester Township No 4, Leicester PO

Page 226B, House 219, Family 223

Emaline Stewart Lindsey apparently died after 1870, for by ca 1877 William had remarried. All I’ve found on her so far is her initials, A. M. and that she was born ca 1848/49 in North Carolina. They are on the 1880 census in Buncombe.

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester

Page 63B, House 40, Family 40

I didn’t find William nor his wife on the 1900 census.

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Lucinda Cordelia Stewart was born ca 1839/40 per her age on the 1850 census (10), though she got progressively younger each census afterwards.

She was probably born in Haywood Co., NC. I don’t know who, if anyone, she might have been named for. She was called “Lou” for short. I’ve never seen any proof that her middle name was Cordelia.

Lou seems to be with her parents for the 1840 census, aged under 5 (born ca 1835/1840). She is with them in 1850, “Lucinda” age 10.

I haven’t been able to find her on the 1860 census. She wasn’t with her parents. Perhaps she was living with another family as a servant at census time and they failed to mention her to the census taker.

She was back home for the 1870 census along with several children born out of wedlock.

1870 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Sulphur Springs Township No 2, Asheville PO

Page 200 & 200B, House 67, Family 68

Lou is listed on the 1880 census in the same house with sister Jane, though both had separate family numbers which helps distinguish which child belongs to whom. This census confirms that both were single mothers.

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Township

Page 155, House 217, Families 249 & 250

I’ve made several attempts to find Lou on the 1900 census but have failed each time. I was also unable to find her son Noah, who was twice married with children by then. My assumption is that she was with him, wherever he was. Her other two sons were in Buncombe listed two houses apart. Lucinda wasn’t with either of them.

I struck out in 1910 also. I was unable to find Lucinda. Her sons Noah (listed as “Alic”), Riley and Alfred were still in Buncombe, but she wasn’t with any of them. I suspect she was taking turns living with each of them and each thought the other reported her for the census, but none actually did.

Lucinda reappeared for the 1920 census, with her son Noah.

1920 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Haw Creek Ward, Asheville Township

Page 243, House 26, Family 26

Lucinda died on 24 Jan 1930 in Buncombe. Her death certificate lists her as “Lou Stewart” age 88, born Buncombe (which is probably wrong as her parents were in Haywood when she was born), parents were listed as Dillard Stewart, born Buncombe, and Sarah Wallace, born Haywood. The informant was N. A. Stewart, which is her son Noah. She was buried at “Mt. Olivet Cemetery” which is probably Mount Olive Baptist Church. Her grave might be unmarked for I couldn’t find a reference to it on Findagrave.com.

If she was born ca 1840, as per the 1850 census, she was 91 when she died, not 88. Close enough, I suppose.

Noah’s death certificate lists his father as “Not known” and mother as “Louise Stewart.”

Riley’s death certificate lists both parents as “Not available.”

Alfred’s death certificate lists his father as “John Stewart” and mother as “Lew Stewart.” The informant was R. A. Stewart, which was his brother Riley. I’m not aware of any John Stewart in the area that could be the one referred to here.

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Rachel Stewart was born ca 1841/42 per her age on the 1860 census (18). She was born in North Carolina, either Haywood or Buncombe County.

She was not with her parents on the 1850 census for some reason, perhaps left off by mistake when the census taker made his official copy of his original returns, or she wasn’t as old the 1860 census indicated (see notes on the 1880 census below).

She was with her parents in 1860, “Rachel” age 18, and with her widowed mother for the 1870 census, “Rachel” age 26.

She’s on the 1880 census near many of her other family members. Her age is off considerably, but I’m reasonably sure it’s her.

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Township

Page 155, House 219, Family 252

Note: What if her age isn’t off on this census? What if she really was only 25, or born ca 1854/55? That would explain why she wasn’t listed with her parents on the 1850 census. That would also mean her 1860 entry is in error and she wasn’t 18 then, nor 26 in 1870. An 1850s birth date would make her the youngest child of Dillard and Sarah. However, despite how that could explain everything, I’m not sure it’s the correct explanation. I think it’s more a matter of her, like her siblings, getting younger with every census. Either they lied about their ages, or didn’t know their actual ages, or someone else who didn’t know gave the information to the census taker.

Rachel is with her brother William for the 1900 census, with her age off considerably again. (There is certainly the possibility that this isn’t her at all, but I think it is her.)

1900 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Haw Creek Precinct

Page 64, House 317, Family 320

I was unable to find her on the 1910 census. She was not with her brother William that year.

I didn’t find her in 1920 either. She probably died before 1910.

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Laurania Stewart was born ca 1843/44 per her age on the 1850 census (16), or ca 1842/43 per her age in 1860 (17). Her name was spelled various but similar ways on the census records. Willa Cooper told me that she also was known as “Laura.”

She was with her parents for the 1850 census, “Lourania” age 6, and with them in 1860, “Lurena,” age 17, and with her widowed mother in 1870, “Lorena,” age 23, which is off from the earlier records.

I didn’t find her on the 1880 census, nor did I find a marriage record for her in the 1860s. She either died in the 1870s, or else married someone not recorded in the marriage records.

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Jane L. Stewart was born ca 1839/40 per her age on the 1860 census (20), or ca 1849/50 per her age in 1850 (30), or in February 1843 per the 1900 census. That one works fairly well, though it conflicts with Laurania, though her birth date isn’t certain either. Jane is listed as older than Laurania in 1860.

Jane is not on the 1850 census with her parents. She is home in 1860, “Jane” age 20. Her son John was there too.

1860 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester PO

Page 282B, House 269, Family 269

I didn’t find Jane on the 1870 census though her children are with Jane’s mother Sarah.

1870 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Sulphur Springs Township No 2, Asheville PO

Page 200 & 200B, House 67, Family 68

Perhaps Jane was meant to be listed but got left off somehow. It once occurred to me that perhaps Jane and Laurania/Lorena were the same person, but I was told by descendants that they were two different people. They are both listed on the 1860 census, but not in 1850 or 1870, which is why I started to wonder. I’d also wondered the same about Lucinda, but she is clearly a different person.

Jane is listed on the 1880 census in the same house with sister Lou, though both had separate family numbers which helps distinguish which child belongs to whom. This census confirms that both were single mothers.

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Township

Page 155, House 217, Families 249 & 250

Note that Jane, like all her siblings, was getting younger for every census. In this one she’s only 9 years older than her son John! While it clearly says 30, she was more like 37 at this time.

Jane is on the 1900 census with her daughter Rachel and her family. Her backwards aging continues, for she is listed as 47, but her birth date is given as Feb 1843, which would be 57.

1900 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Township, Beaverdam Ward, Raymond and Montford (community)

Page 50, House 64, Family 64

* (sic) should be Dairyman.

** Faintly written, perhaps partially erased.

Jane is on the 1910 census with her son John and his family.

1910 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville, Haw Creek Precinct

Chuns Cove Road

Page 85B, House 467, Family 495

I didn’t find Jane on the 1920 census. She wasn’t with her sons John or William, nor with daughters Rachel or Sarah. She was probably dead by then.

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John Dillard Stewart was born ca 1845/46 per his ages on the 1860 census (14), 1870 census (24), and 1880 census (34) and his 1900 census entry showing 54, birth date March 1846. Those are all quite consistent. His 1850 entry shows him as 3, or born ca 1846/47 which is close enough. However, his tombstone gives his birth date as 1 Mar 1839 which is way off. I’ve adjusted this to 1 Mar 1846 which works with most of his earlier census records.

He was the first son of Dillard Stewart, and following the common naming tradition he was named for his mother’s father, John Wallace. He was also named for his dad, Dillard Stewart.

John was with his parents for the 1850 census, “John D.” age 3, and with them in 1860, “John” age 14.

On 30 Sep 1865, John Steward obtained a marriage bond in Buncombe Co, NC to marry A. E. Tow.

Ann Elizabeth Lindsey was born ca 1840/41 in Buncombe, a daughter of John Lindsey and Elizabeth Shope. She was a sister of William Elbert Lindsey who married John Stewart’s sister Emaline in 1857. Ann was first married to Madison Tow.

They are on the 1870 census in Buncombe two houses from Ann’s widowed mother, and three houses from John’s sister Emaline Stewart Lindsey. The oldest child, Joseph, is actually a Tow from Ann’s first marriage, though not listed with the correct surname here.

1870 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester Township, Leicester PO

Page 226, House 216, Family 220

They were still in Buncombe for the 1880 census in Leicester Township.

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester Township

Page 53, House (cut off), Family 289

Ann Lindsey Stewart died sometime between 1880 and 1899, for on 28 May 1899 John Stewart, age 50, married Mollie Hill, age 18. Mary F. Hill was born 15 Jan 1879 per her tombstone.

John and Mary were listed on the 1900 census in Buncombe in Leicester Township. Several of his children, now married, were listed nearby.

1900 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester Township Precinct 3

Page 1A, House 16, Family 16

They are on the 1910 census in Buncombe.

1910 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester (Precinct # 2)

Page 108, House 79, Family 82

Still in Buncombe for the 1920 census.

1920 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Leicester Township

Page 115B, House 13, Family 13

They made a move eastward during the 1920s to Pittsylvania Co., VA. I can only imagine that it was the need for work that drew them there, though there might have been some other reason.

They are listed on the 1930 census there, though their surname is badly mangled.

1930 Census, Pittsylvania Co., VA, Tunstall Township, Schoolfield (community)

Page 225B, House 576, Family 586

* Listed as Civil War Veteran.

John Dillard Stewart died on 21 Aug 1931 in Schoolfield, Pittsylvania Co., VA at age 92 according to his death certificate, though it was more likely 85. The death certificate showed his father as Dillard Stuart and mother as “don’t know.” Widow Mollie was the informant.

He is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Danville, VA.

Mollie is listed on the 1940 census in Danville, Virginia. Danville was one part of Pittsylvania Co., VA, but by this time was an Independent City.

1940 Census, Danville, VA, Ward 8, Kemper Road

Page 398B, House 187

Molly is on the 1950 census in Danville with her son Junior.

1950 Census, Pittsylvania Co., VA, Danville, E.D. 106-46, Sheet 9

House 109

* (Sic)

Mary “Mollie” F. Hill Stewart died on 22 Jan 1963 and is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Danville, VA.

Thanks to Betty Stewart Boyd for data shared on this family.

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Noah Welborn William Stewart was born ca 1848/49 per his age on the 1850 census (1). He was 12 in 1860, or born ca 1847/48, so that’s close. In 1870 he was 20, or born ca 1849/50, so once again fairly consistent.

His name is Noah Welborn Stewart per the 1850 census, or “Wilburn” per the 1860, though William had been written in first but marked out. After that he was more often listed as “William” than anything else. I don’t know the proper order of his given names.

He was named “Noah” for his paternal grandfather, as was the custom for the second born son in those days. I don’t know if Wilburn was a family name or not.

He was home with his parents for the 1850 census, “Noah Welburn” age 1, and with them in 1860, “William Wilburn” with “William” marked out. He was home with his widowed mother for the 1870 census as “Noah” age 20.

On 2 Oct 1879, “William Stewart” age 26, married Mary Ramsey, age 18, in Buncombe Co., NC. They were married by H. E. Joyner. Witnesses were John C. Reynolds, E. H. Stroup and A. Cordell.

Mary A. Ramsey was born 1859 in Madison Co., NC, a child of Lewis Ramsey and Malinda Franks. Mary was with them in 1860 as “Mary A.” age 5 months, and with them in 1870 as “Mary L. M.” age 10, both times in Madison Co., NC. (Note: I’m not 100% certain that Mary, daughter of Lewis, is the same Mary Ramsey who married William Stewart, but I haven’t found any other candidates so far.)

William and Mary are on the 1880 census in Buncombe near several of his sisters.

1880 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Township

Page 155, House 218, Family 251

William is on the 1900 census in Buncombe as a widower, meaning Mary Ramsey Stewart had died before then. Their youngest child at home was born in March 1888, so she died between then and 1900. William’s sister Rachel was living with him. William is about 10 years too young here, but it’s him.

1900 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Haw Creek Precinct

Page 64, House 317, Family 320

They are on the 1910 census in Buncombe.

1910 Census, Buncombe Co., NC, Asheville Beaver Dam Precinct

Page 79B, House 338, Family 363

I wasn’t able to find them on the 1920 census.

Noah Welburn William “Bill” Stewart died on 27 Oct 1929 in Buncombe. His death certificate lists him as “about 80” which is exactly wright if born in 1849. His parents were listed as Dillard Stewart and Sally Wallace. “N. E. Stewart” was the informant. He is buried at Mount Olive Cemetery according to the death record. However, he seems to have no marker there.

“N. E.” might be Noah Albert Stewart, his nephew, as “Albert” was often spelled “Elbert.”

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For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Dillard Stewart and Sarah Wallace.

Revised: June 26, 2024

Copyright © 1996-2024 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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