Marty and Karla Grant

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Jacob Stewart (c1777-aft 1860) and Nancy Brittain of NC (Buncombe) and GA (Gilmer, Fannin)

[Stewart Home] - [Table of Contents] - Jacob Stewart (c1777-aft 1860)

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I am not related to Jacob Stewart as far as I can prove. However, he lived in Buncombe Co., NC for a time as did my own ancestor John Stewart (1730/40-1830) and my uncle, also named Jacob Stewart (c1774-1863).

Jacob Stewart / Stuart was born ca 1776/77 per his ages on the 1850 and 1860 censuses, 73 and 83. This agrees with his ages on the 1840, 1830 and 1820 census records.

His surname is spelled both Stewart and Stuart on records, so I have no idea if he had his own personal preference. However, if we go by the oldest tombstones I’ve seen for members of this family, then Stuart is probably the preferred spelling.

Jacob was born in North Carolina per his 1850 and 1860 census entries. It was probably Surry Co., NC where several connected Stewarts resided at that time.

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 Jacob’s age per his early census records, and other researchers have come to the same conclusion about Jacob likely being Nathaniel’s son, so I feel good about the connection.

Jacob Stuart would have been about 13 for the 1790 census. 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 Jacob would fit:

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               Definitely not.

Of those, Hambleton (Hampton) is a bit too young. He’s probably Jacob’s brother. John Stewart’s children are proven, and Jacob isn’t among them. John is probably an uncle to Jacob though. I don’t know anything about William and David, so they are certainly possible parents for Jacob. I chose Nathaniel though since he and Jacob were associated in Buncombe Co., NC later on.

Jacob Stuart would have about 23 for the 1800 census. He is not listed as a head of household anywhere as far as I’ve found. There were no Stewarts in Buncombe Co., NC yet. Nathaniel, my prime choice for Jacob’s father, was in Greenville Dist., SC in 1800. He had a son in the right age group to be Jacob. Two other households there also had potential matches. So, if we assume Jacob went to Greenville SC when Nathaniel did, one of these might be him in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1774/84).

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

I believe the Edward listed near Nathaniel is Nathaniel’s son, thus the “extra” older male with him could be his brother Jacob. I don’t know if William is the same one from 1790 Surry, but he certainly could be.

Nathaniel Stewart moved his family to Buncombe Co., NC in the 1800-1810 time-frame. Jacob appeared in Buncombe at the same time hence my main rationale for thinking they are father and son.

Jacob would have been about 33 for the 1810 census, but again, was not listed as a head of household, nor did he seem to be with his parents. I don’t think he was married yet. There is a Jacob Stewart listed on that census, but it isn’t him, but rather my uncle Jacob (1774-1863) who lived in the Newfound Creek region of Buncombe. Jacob (c1777) would have been enumerated in the 26-44 age group (born ca 1765/1784). Nathaniel Stewart Jr, his likely brother, had two males in that category, one being himself, and the other might be Jacob.

On 11 Oct 1810, Jacob Stewart purchased 200 acres from Elijah McCreary. The land was on the north side of Avery Creek, on the south side of Brittains Mountain. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book C page 324).

On 5 Sep 1811, Jacob Stewart purchased 150 acres on the French Broad River from John Young. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book D page 237).

On 9 Feb 1814, Jacob Steward sold land to Edward Steward. It was 200 acres on Avery Creek, south side of Brittains Mountain (same land he bought on 11 Oct 1810). Witnesses were William Prator (Edward Stewart's son-in-law) and Jacob Steward (Edward's son Jacob B.). (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book G page 293).

On 21 Mar 1815, Jacob Stewart sold Nathaniel Stewart 150 acres on French Broad River for $100. This deed does not say Jr or Sr for Nathaniel, but when he sold this same land he was listed as Jr. I believe Jacob is Nathaniel’s brother or first cousin. The land was described as on Benjamin Merrill’s line, Robert Pendland’s line (sic, Penland), originally granted to John Young. Jacob Stewart made his mark. Witnesses were John Miller and James Able. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book G Page 356).

On 12 Jan 1816 Charles Stewart of Buncombe made a deed to Nathaniel Stewart of Buncombe. For $250 he sold him 250 acres on both sides of McDowells Creek. He included a second tract of 50 acres joining the above on the northwest corner. Charles Stewart signed. Witnesses were Jacob Stewart and William Cockerham (his mark). (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book H, pp. 247-248.)

On 1 Mar 1817 Nathaniel Stewart made a deed to Edward Steward Sr for $50 for 200 acres on west side of French Broad on waters of Avery Creek near Rogers line ... being land granted to Nathaniel on 2 Oct 1812 (sic, that’s the entry date, not the grant date). Nathaniel Stewart signed. Witnesses were Jacob Steward and Charles Steward. In Jul 1818 court, Jacob B. Steward proved the deed, which means it wasn’t Jacob (1777). (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 11, pp. 476-477.)

On 1 Aug 1817, Nathaniel Stewart Jr sold 150 acres on the West Side of French Broad River to Edward Stewart Sr for $100. Nathaniel Stewart signed. Witnesses were Jacob Stewart and Charles Steward. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 11 Page 431).

Jacob was still single as of the 1820 census, but this time was listed on the census in his own household, though living alone. He was listed next to Nathaniel Stuart Jr, two houses from Charles Stuart and four houses from Edward Stuart, all of whom could be his brothers or otherwise 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

Jacob Stuart

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1

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Jacob Stuart married Nancy Brittain ca 1820 or 1821, presumably in Buncombe. I don't know what the proof is for her maiden name, but I've heard there is a book on the Brittain family that documents this connection, listing her parents as James Brittain and Delilah Stringfield. I’ve yet to see this.

Jacob was approximately 44 when he married Nancy. I don’t know if he was ever married before her.

Nancy was born ca 1793/94 per her ages on the 1850 census (56) and 1860 census (66). Both of those give her birth place as North Carolina.

On 10 Mar 1820, Jacob Stuart purchased 225 acres from William Praytor (son-in-law of Edward Stewart). The land was on Brittains Mountain. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 423).

On some date in 1821, Jacob Stewart purchased 100 acres on Avery Creek from Edward Stewart. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 13 page 75).

On 25 Apr 1823, Jacob Stewart purchased 200 acres on Avery Creek from Phillip Brittain. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 17 page 108).

On 17 Mar 1828, Jacob Stewart purchased land (don't have acreage) from Richard Franks "between Big and Little Ivy". This is in the section of Buncombe County that borders present Madison County, or perhaps in present Madison County. This was a good distance from where Jacob lived (Avery Creek), but Jacob's suspected brother James Stewart lived in that area. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 17 page 154).

On 30 Nov 1829 Jacob Stuart sold 200 acres on Avery Creek to Swain Cockerham. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 16 page 232).

Jacob Stuart is listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe. He is listed as Sr, and is next door to Jacob Stuart Jr (Jacob B. Stuart, son of Edward). They seemed to be in the Avery Creek area. My uncle Jacob Stewart (c1774-1863) had moved to nearby Macon Co., NC by this time, so not listed in Buncombe.

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+

248

Jacob Stewart Senr

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248

Jacob Stewart Junr

2

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

1m 50-59 (1770/1780)       Jacob Stuart (c1777)

2m 5-9 (1820/1825)            1. Elam B. Stuart (c1823) son

                                               2. Iley T. Stuart (1824) son

1m 0-4 (1825/1830)            Benjamin O. Stuart (c1829) son

1f 30-39 (1790/1800)         Nancy Brittain Stuart (c1793) wife

1f 10-14 (1815/1820)         Niece? Other?

2f 0-4 (1825/1830)              1. Asenith P. Stuart (c1825) daughter

                                               2. Keziah V. Stuart (c1827) daughter

The family moved to Gilmer Co., GA in the mid 1830s.

They are on the 1840 census in Gilmer, the only Stewart family residing there at the time.

1840 Census, Gilmer Co., GA

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+
14	Jacob Stewart	~	~	1	2	~	~	~	~	1	~	~	~	~
		~	2	2	~	~	~	1	~	~	~	~	~	~

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

1m 60-69 (1770/1780)       Jacob Stuart (c1777)

2m 15-19 (1820/1825)       1. Elam B. Stuart (c1823) son

                                               2. Iley T. Stuart (1824) son

1m 10-14 (1825/1830)       Benjamin O. Stuart (c1829) son

1f 40-49 (1790/1800)         Nancy Brittain Stuart (c1793) wife

2f 10-14 (1825/1830)         1. Asenith P. Stuart (c1825) daughter

                                               2. Keziah V. Stuart (c1827) daughter

2f 5-9 (1830/1835)              1. Elizabeth C. Stuart (c1832) daughter

                                               2. Delilah E. Stuart (c1834) daughter

They are on the 1850 census in Gilmer Co., GA. Son Iley (Eli) and his family are next door. However, no other Stuarts were in Gilmer at the time.

1850 Census, Gilmer Co., GA

Page 410, House 869, Family 869

Fannin County formed in 1854 from western Union and northern Gilmer counties. Jacob Stuart and family fell into the new county.

They are on the 1860 census in Fannin Co., GA. Son Iley (Eli) is still next door.

1860 Census, Fannin Co., GA, 1205 Dist GM, Pierceville PO

Page 1045B, House 557, Family 557

I wasn’t able to find Jacob or Nancy on the 1870 census in Fannin Co., GA nor elsewhere. They apparently died during the 1860s.

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Children

Jacob and Nancy had seven children all proven by the 1850 and 1860 censuses. See the family group sheet (below) for more on them.

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For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Jacob Stuart and Nancy Brittain.

Revised: June 19, 2024

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

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