Marty and Karla Grant

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Noah Stewart (c1786-1881) and Nancy (Dillard?) of North Carolina (Buncombe, Haywood) and Georgia (Union)

[Stewart Home] - [Table of Contents] - Noah Stewart (c1786-1881)

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Noah Stewart and Nancy Dillard, his wife, are my 4 times great grandparents and my 5 times great grandparents via a second line of descent.

Special thanks to Minnie Ledford Barnes (1914-2002) and her husband Homer Barnes (1915-2002), Kathi Bobb and Pauline Stewart (1929-2019) and others for sharing data on this family.

Noah Stewart (just as often spelled "Stuart") was born in the 1780s. His exact date of birth is unknown. His age varies a little bit from record to record:

1810 Census = age 16-25, born ca 1784/1794.

1830 Census = age 40-49, born ca 1780/1790.

1840 Census = age 50-59, born ca 1780/1790.

From those we can conclude he was born ca 1784/1790.

1850 Census = age 65, born ca 1784/1785.

1860 Census = age 74, born ca 1785/1786.

1870 Census = age 84, born ca 1785/1786.

1880 Census = age 97, born ca 1782/1783.

If we disregard the 1880 census entry, we can probably safely say he was born late 1785 or early 1786.

He was born in North Carolina per the 1850, 1860 and 1870 censuses. Again, the 1880 census is the odd one out, listing him as born in South Carolina.

We don’t know what county he was born in. His older brother Jacob Stewart (c1775) was born in either Cabarrus (per 1850 census) or Guilford Co., NC (per 1860 census). We might assume Noah was born in one of those places as well. If Cabarrus, it would have been during the time when the area was still part of Mecklenburg County.

We have no direct proof that Noah is a brother of Jacob Stewart, but family tradition says they were brothers, and DNA testing supports it. Descendants of both men match quite closely on the Y-Chromosome indicating they are probably brothers just as family tradition says.

We believe that Noah and Jacob are sons of John and Mary Ann (—) Stewart. We have no direct proof of this. However, they were in the same areas at the same time and circumstantial evidence is strong that they are Noah and Jacob’s parents. Noah named his oldest son “John” and oldest daughter, “Mary.” Of course that could be a coincidence, but I doubt it.

Noah was undoubtedly with his parents for the 1790 census. He would have been about 5 years old, so should be in the “Under 16” age group. Old John Stuart, his suspected father, was not found in 1790, unless he was the John listed in 1790 Rutherford Co, NC (which I think he was, but can't be very sure). John did have an apparent son with him that year Noah's age.

Noah would have been about 14 or 15 for the 1800 census. That means he should be in the age 10-15 category (born ca 1784/1790). Old John Stuart was in Cabarrus Co, NC for that census, and he did have an apparent son with him who was Noah's age, and who is otherwise unaccounted for.

Noah Stewart married Nancy on 20 Mar 1802. They were married by Abraham Enloe, Esquire. This information was given in an Pension affidavit dated 8 Jul 1880. No actual copy of the marriage record has been found, thus we don’t know what county it took place in nor what Nancy’s maiden name was. The county is very likely Buncombe either in the Newfound Creek region or a little further west in what became Haywood County in 1808.

Nancy’s maiden name is generally believed to be Dillard, based on their second son being named Dillard Stewart, which is an odd choice if it isn’t a family name. Many of us Noah Stewart descendants have DNA matches with members of the Dillard family, so that supports the theory that Nancy was a Dillard.

Nancy Dillard’s birth place is problematic and changes from record to record. She was born in North Carolina per the 1850 and 1880 census, but South Carolina per the 1860 and 1870 census.

Her birth date is also problematic for the same reasons:

1810 Census = age 16-25, born ca 1784/1794.

1820 Census = age x

1830 Census = age 40-49, born ca 1780/1790.

1840 Census = age 40-49, born ca 1790/1800.

1850 Census = age 67, born ca 1782/1783.

1860 Census = age 70, born ca 1789/1790.

1870 Census = age 75, born ca 1794/1795.

If we conclude she was born ca 1789/90, that reconciles with 4 of the 6 records (1810, 1830, 1840, 1860), so that may be the most accurate approximate birth date. Then again it’s entirely possible she didn’t know her own birth date.

Thus, Nancy Dillard was born ca 1789/90 either in North Carolina or South Carolina. The next question is how does she fit into the Dillard family? See my Dillard page for more on this subject. The bottom line is that we don’t know for sure who her parents were, nor even if she was a Dillard herself, though it seems certain there is some connection to that family.

Noah was listed on the 1810 census in Haywood Co, NC. His father John Stuart and possible brother John Stuart were also listed there, but unfortunately the census was alphabetical, so we don't know if they all lived near each other or not. I suspect they did. I don't know precisely where they lived in Haywood County, but it may have been on or near Beaverdam creek, which is just over the mountain (and Buncombe County line) from Newfound Creek, where his father John had lived and Noah's brother Jacob was still living in 1810.

1810 Census, Haywood Co., NC

Page

Name

M0-9

M10-15

M16-25

M26-44

M45+

F0-9

F10-15

F16-25

F26-44

F45+

FPC

Slaves

72

Noah Stuart

1

~

1

~

~

1

~

1

~

~

~

~

My analysis (who each person *might* be)

1m 16-25 (1784/1794)       Noah Stewart (c1786

1m 0-09 (1800/1810)         John Stewart (c1807) son

1f 16-25 (1784/1794)         Nancy Dillard Stewart (c1790) wife

1f 0-9 (1800/1810)              Daughter?

On 18 Sep 1811 Noah Stewart was called for Jury duty for the December Term. (Haywood Co, NC Court Minutes)

On 16 Dec 1811 Noah Stewart was listed as a Juror in Haywood County Court. (Haywood Co, NC Court Minutes)

I have not done a thorough examination of the court minutes. There may be other references to Noah in Haywood County.

During the 1810s, Noah's father John moved back over the mountain to Newfound Creek and lived there on his son Jacob's property. Noah seemed to vanish as well. It is possible that he never left Haywood County, but for one reason or another, he was not listed on the 1820 census. He was either missed, or perhaps a page of the census was lost, or perhaps Noah moved away temporarily. He was not found in any other western North Carolina counties in 1820. If he had moved over into eastern Tennessee, such as Blount County, or somewhere, that would explain his absence, as the 1820 census records are lost for all of eastern TN.

If Noah did go into eastern TN, he was back to Haywood by the time of the 1830 census. There were no other Stewart families in Haywood in 1830.

1830 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+
366	Noah Steward	1	3	~	1	1	~	1	~	~	~	~	~	~
		~	1	1	1	~	~	1	~	~	~	~	~	~

My analysis (who each person *might* be)

1m 40-49 (1780/1790)       Noah Stewart (c1786)

1m 20-29 (1800/1810)       John Stewart (c1807) son

1m 15-19 (1810/1815)       Dillard Stewart (c1811) son

3m 5-9 (1820/1825)            1. Jacob Stewart (1822) son

                                               2. Isam Stewart (c1825) son

                                               3. Son?

1m 0-4 (1825/1830)            Noah Washington Stewart (c1830) son

1f 40-49 (1780/1790)         Nancy Dillard Stewart (c1790) wife

1f 15-19 (1810/1815)         Mary Stewart (c1820) daughter

1f 10-14 (1815/1820)         Hannah Stewart (c1820) daughter

1f 5-9 (1820/1825)              Caroline Stewart (c1825) daughter

Noah was listed on the 1835 Congressional Voter List in Haywood Co, NC in Beaverdam Precinct, which covers, I believe, the area around Canton, and borders against Buncombe County. Jacob Stewart was also listed in the same precinct. I think this is Jacob B. Stuart and not Noah’s son Jacob who was too young in 1835. It wasn’t Noah’s brother Jacob either for he was in Macon Co., NC in 1835 and voted there.

There must have been hard times for the Stewarts in the 1830s, for in 1836, Noah and Jacob (Jacob B), lost all of their land, and it was sold by the Sheriff. William Penland purchased Noah's land, and Robert Penland purchased Jacob's.

Noah was still in Haywood Co, NC for the 1840 census. His son Dillard was also there, but several pages away. Jacob B. Stuart was also listed, and some records seem to indicate he owned land bordering Noah Stewart, so that raises interesting questions. (Jacob B was a son of Edward Stuart Sr of Buncombe Co, NC, connection to Noah unknown.)

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+
117	Noah Stewart	~	~	1	2	~	~	~	1	~	~	~	~	~
		~	~	~	1	2	~	1	~	~	~	~	~	~

My analysis (who each person *might* be)

1m 50-59 (1780/1790)       Noah Stewart (c1786)

2m 15-19 (1820/1825)       1. Jacob Stewart (c1822) son

                                               2. Isam Stewart (c1825) son

1m 10-14 (1825/1830)       Noah Washington Stewart (c1830) son

1f 40-49 (1790/1800)         Nancy Dillard Stewart (c1790) wife

2f 20-29 (1810/1820)         1. Hannah Stewart (c1820) daughter

                                               2. Mary Stewart Chandler (c1820) daughter, now widowed

1f 15-19 (1820/1825)         Caroline Stewart (c1825) daughter

During the 1840's Noah and much of his family moved to Union Co, GA.

Noah was listed on the 1850 census in Union Co, GA. He was listed next to his son Isam and just a few houses from possible sister-in-law Elizabeth Stuart. His widowed daughter Mary Stewart Chandler and her son John were residing with him.

1850 Census, Union Co., GA, 85^th District

Page 232B & 233, House 429, Family 429

In 1860, Noah and Nancy were still in Union Co, GA, and listed next door to their son Noah Washington Stewart and just a few houses from son Isam Stewart. His newly remarried daughter Mary Stewart Chandler Gilbert was also just a few houses away.

1860 Census, Union Co., GA, Ivy Log PO

Page 493B, House 451, Family 451

Noah Stewart was listed on a voter list dated 3 Jul 1867 for Union Co., GA.

Noah and Nancy were still in Union Co, GA for the 1870 census. They had several other people residing with them then, including several members of the Ledford family, relationship unknown. Letty Ledford is the widow of James Mitchell Ledford. Martha L. is their daughter. I don’t know who Sarah C. Ledford is. Mitchell and Letty did have a daughter named Sarah Catherine born 1864. Perhaps this is her listed as 52 when it should have said 5 instead?

As before, son Isam Stewart was just a few houses away from his parents.

1870 Census, Union Co., GA, Subdivision 126, Blairsville PO

Page 43B, House 613, Family 613

On 18 Mar 1871, Noah and Nancy applied for a Civil War Pension based on their son Noah Washington Stewart (1830-1865) service. Noah (Jr) took care of his parents, and when he was killed in the War, they had no longer had any means of support. The pension records include a list of their living children as well as other interesting information such as their marriage date. Unfortunately it contains no data on Noah’s parents, siblings, or Nancy’s maiden name.

Thanks to Kathi Bobb for sharing it with me originally. Here is a transcript I’ve bolded all the names mentioned.

State of Georgia, County of Union. "On this 18th day of March, 1871. Before me, W.R. Logan, Ordinary and Ex Officio Clerk of the Court of Ordinary within and for the Count and State above named, personally appeared Nancy Stuart, mother of Noah W. Stuart, deceased whose application for Pension is No. 186051 who being first duly sworn in addition to her former declaration, declares: First that she is the wife of Noah Stuart. That she and her said husband has resided in Union County in the State of Georgia for the last Twenty five years. Second that her and her said husband owns now at this time one Milk cow, seven head of Stock Hogs and a small quantity of Household and Kitchen furniture and that Noah W. Stuart deceased their son has supported them almost entirely for the last Twenty years prior to his death. That the whole of the Estate owned and possessed by her and her said Husband is not worth exceeding one hundred dollars, and that she and her said husband have not means sufficient to support them, but that they have been supported chiefly by their neighbors and especially by Nancy Russell since the death of their son Noah W. Stuart. Third. That her said husband Noah Stuart is Eighty four years old, in feeble health, has no occupation except a farmer and is unable to carry that on at this time and has been for the last twenty years and has earned nothing by his labor for that period of time. Dr. E.g. Crump is our Family Physician. Fourth. That her and her said husband have three sons living towit: John Stuart aged 67 years and who resides in the State of Tennessee, Isham Stuart aged 39 years and who resides in the County of Union is afflicted with Canser on the face and is also a Pensioner, and Jacob Stuart who resides in the State of Tennessee aged about 30 years, and have done nothing to Support us for the last ten years. Fifth. That Noah W. Stuart was about twenty two years of age at the time of his death and lived at home until he went into the service of the United States a short time prior to his death - That he the said Now W. Stuart rendered us great assistance from the time he was ten years old until he entered the United States Service in 1863. He generally made a small crop each season and hired out some times on the farm and some times in the mines and generally received about from Eight to Ten dollars per month for hire. He worked in the mines for different persons John Perkins in Union County, GA, March Addington of the same place and others, rented land from different persons to wit: James Barnes of Union County, GA and John A. Stuart of the same place. That She never received allotments, bounty or other money from her said son subsequent to his enlistment except his bounty and pay due him at the time of his death. She makes this declaration in addition to her former declaration now on file at Washington."

Signed: Nancy X Stuart.

Attest: Henry T. Carroll

John Reece

Nancy Dillard Stewart died on 12 Jun 1880 in Union Co, GA. We don't know for sure, but we believe she is buried at the Henderson cemetery in an unmarked grave of which there are many there. (Some are actually marked, but without any sort of inscription.)

Noah Stewart was residing with his daughter Caroline and her husband Wesley Rhodes for the 1880 census. It is obvious that someone else reported his birth information, as he is reported born in SC, with both his parents also born there. This disagrees with the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census records which show him born in NC. It isn’t likely his parents were born in South Carolina either.

1880 Census, Union Co., GA, Ivy Log Dist No 843

Page 138B, House 160, Family 165

Noah Stewart died on 5 Feb 1881 in Union Co, GA. Like Nancy, we think he is buried at the Henderson Cemetery in an unmarked grave or one of those marked but with no inscription.

---

Children

Most of Noah and Nancy's children are proven by the census records and by the 1871 Pension application. There seem to be at least two more unidentified children based on census analysis. I’m descended from their son John Stewart as well as their daughter Mary Stewart Chandler Gilbert.

1. John Stewart (c1807-aft 1871) married Ruth Tutt.

2. Unknown Daughter (c1800/10).

3. Dillard Stewart (c1811-1861/62) married Sarah Wallace.

4. Mary Stewart (c1820-1860s) married 1: James S. Chandler, 2: Joshua Gilbert.

5. Hannah Stewart (c1820-aft 1880) married Pinkney Brown.

6. Jacob Stewart (c1822-1881) married Tempey Allison.

7. Unknown son (c1820/25).

8. Isam Stewart (c1825-1878) married 1: Margaret Rebecca Rhodes, 2: Mary E. Russell.

9. Caroline Stewart (c1825-1880) married Wesley Rhodes.

10. Noah Washington Stewart (c1830-1865).

11. Nancy (—) ca 1825, with Noah W. in 1850 and 1860. Who is she?

---

John Stewart was born ca 1807 in Buncombe (now Haywood) Co., NC. He married Ruth Tutt ca 1830/31 in Buncombe. They lived in the Buncombe/Haywood area until moving to Union Co., GA in the early 1840s. John and Ruth are my ancestors via their daughter Margaret Emaline Stewart and her husband Thomas M. Henderson.

See John’s page for additional information.

---

Unknown Daughter (1800/10). Noah Stewart seems to have a daughter this age with him for the 1810 census (aged under 10, or born ca 1800/1810). His 1820 census entry is missing, so I can’t say if she was still home with him then. She was gone by 1830 so had either married or died by then. There were no Stewart marriages recorded in Haywood during that period.

---

Dillard Stewart was born ca 1810/11 in Haywood Co, NC. He married Sarah Wallace on or about 17 Aug 1834 in Haywood Co, NC. He was listed on the 1835 Voter List in Buncombe Co, NC, Hominey Precinct. By 1840 Dillard was across the line in Haywood County, but by 1850 back in Buncombe. He was also listed on the 1860 census in Buncombe, in Leicester.

Dillard enlisted in the 29th NC Regiment, Company H on 11 Sep 1861. He died of fever at Jonesboro, TN on 20 Jan 1862. His widow Sarah was still in Buncombe for the 1870 census but died sometime before 1880.

See Dillard’s page for additional information.

---

Mary Stewart was born 1819/1820 in Haywood Co, NC. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1830 census (and probably 1820, though we don't have that record).

On 4 Nov 1835 James S. Chandler obtained a marriage bond in Haywood Co, NC to marry Marey Steward, who was listed on the bond as a daughter of Noah. Lewis S. Deaver was the bondsman.

James Chandler died in 1837 in Haywood Co, NC, leaving Mary and one son (John). I didn't find Mary on the 1840 census, but someone her age was with her father Noah in Haywood Co, NC. This could have been her.

For the 1850 census, Mary was with her father in Union Co, GA. Her son John Chandler was there also. Sometime between 1850 and 1854 Mary married Joshua Gilbert in Union Co, GA. Like her, he had been previously married. They were listed in Union Co, GA on the 1860 census. Mary died during the 1860s before 28 Oct 1869 for on that date Joshua Gilbert married a 3rd time (to Rhoda Russell Miller). The proof of the marriage of Mary Stewart and Joshua Gilbert is the death certificate (1914) of their son Noah Washington Gilbert (my ancestor) who's parents were listed as Joshua Gilbert and Mary Stewart. This was also common knowledge in my family about her being a child of Noah Stewart.

Mary Stewart and her 2^nd husband Joshua Gilbert are my ancestors.

See their page for more information.

---

Hannah Stewart was born ca 1819/20 in Haywood Co., NC. She is the same age as Mary, so it’s possible they were twins, or perhaps one of their approximate birth dates is off. However, their ages were consistent on the census records. Hannah was 30 in 1850, 50 in 1870, 60 in 1880. Mary only left two census records, she was 30 in 1850, 40 in 1860, so perhaps they really were twins.

On 18 Sep 1843 Pinkney Brown obtained a marriage bond in Haywood Co., NC to marry Hannah Stewart. Joseph A. Cabe was bondsman. Her father wasn’t listed on the bond, which is probably because she was 23 at the time and didn’t need parental permission to marry.

They were in McMinn Co., TN by the time of the 1850 census. Using the children’s ages and birth places, it seems they moved to Tennessee immediately after marriage.

1850 Census, McMinn Co., TN, The 23^rd Subdivision East Tenn

Page 357B, House 2704, Family 1883

I searched several times but was unable to find them on the 1860 census.

They were in Texas by the time of the 1870 census.

1870 Census, Lamar Co., TX, Beat No 2, Paris PO

Page 283, House 183, Family 183

Lamar Co., TX is in the north east part of Texas bordering Oklahoma, or Indian Territory as it was then. By 1880 they had moved south and east to Coryell Co., TX.

1880 Census, Coryell Co., TX, Enumeration District No 27

Page 500, House 216, Family 216

I didn’t find either of them on the 1900 census. They likely died between 1880 and 1900, though whether in Coryell or elsewhere I don’t know.

---

Jacob Stewart was born either ca 1813/14 per his age in the 1850 census or ca 1821/22 per his age in the 1860 census. The 1822 date seems more likely.

On 25 Jun 1846, Jacob Stewart married Tempy Warn in Union Co., GA. Tempy’s first marriage was to Daniel Warren who died ca 1835.

There is some dispute about her maiden name. Numerous records show it to be Allison, yet she herself listed it as Stroud on Civil War widow’s pension application. I don’t yet know how to resolve this conflict.

Jacob and Tempy were on the 1850 census in Union Co., GA, the 1860 census in Cherokee Co., NC, 1870 and 1880 in McMinn Co., TN. He died there in 1881. Tempy died there in 1915.

---

Unknown Son (1820/25). Noah Stewart seems to have a son this age with him for the 1830 census. He was gone by 1840, so had married, died, or just moved out by then. I don’t know who this is.

---

Isam (or Isham) Stewart was born ca 1825. He married first, Margaret Rebecca Rhodes in 1845 Union Co., GA. She died in 1863. Isam married again after that to Mary E. Russell.

Isam died ca 1878 in Union Co., GA. Widow Mary died after 1880.

---

Caroline Stewart was born ca 1829/30 or ca 1824/25 depending on which census records are correct. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1830 and 1840 census, both times in the 1820/25 age grouping, so that supports her birth being ca 1824/25.

She was still single and at home with her parents on the 1850 census in Union Co, GA, “Caroline” age 21.

She married Wesley Rhodes by ca 1854, presumably in Union Co., GA, though no marriage record was found. Wesley was born ca 1823 in North Carolina, a son of Henry and Mary Ann (—) Rhodes.

They are on the 1860 census in Union Co., GA next to Wesley’s parents and near other Rhodes, presumably related.

1860 Census, Union Co., GA, Ivy Log PO

Page 502B & 503, House 517, Family 516

They are on the 1870 census in Union.

1870 Census, Union Co., GA, Subdivision 126, Blairsville PO

Page 58B & 59, House 832, Family 832

They are on the 1880 census in Union Co., GA. Caroline’s father is living with them as is Wesley’s mother, both widowed.

1880 Census, Union Co., GA, Ivy Log Dist No 843

Page 138B, House 160, Family 165

Caroline Stewart Rhodes died on 28 Aug 1880 in Union Co., GA. I don’t know when Wesley died, though between 1880 and 1900 since he wasn’t found on the 1900 census.

---

Noah Washington Stewart was born ca 1829/30 per his age on the 1850 census (20), or ca 1827/28 per his age on the 1860 census (32). Either of those work with his parents 1830 and 1840 census entries as they had a son each time born ca 1825/30.

Noah is listed on the 1850 census in Union Co, GA. However, he is mistakenly listed as George instead of Noah. I’m 99% certain it is him though, despite the wrong name. There is a woman named Nancy, age 25, living with him. One would assume she was his wife. However, when Noah’s mother made her Civil War Pension application she stated that Noah was a single man when he died with no wife or children. Does this mean Nancy wasn’t his wife? Or is simply that she died before he did, thus not mentioned by his mother so as not to complicate things since there were no children anyway? If that’s the case, Noah W. Stewart married Nancy before 1850, presumably in Union Co., GA. If she’s his wife, I don’t know what her maiden name is.

1850 Census, Union Co., GA, 85^th District

Page 241B, House 545, Family 545

They are still in Union for the 1860 census next door to his parents.

1860 Census, Union Co., GA, Ivy Log PO

Page 493B, House 450, Family 449

For the Civil War, Noah Washington Stewart enlisted on 7 Mar 1863 in Company B, 7th Battalion, North Carolina Cavalry (CSA). He was listed as a resident of Union Co, GA, though he enlisted in Clay Co, NC.

On 7 Mar 1863 he was transferred to Company F, 65th Regiment, NC Troops. He deserted and was dropped from the rolls in September - December 1863. He took the oath of allegiance to the United States in Louisville, KY on 22 Dec 1863. At some point around then he entered the Union Army. He died on 10 Jan 1865 in Tennessee.

Noah (Sr) and his wife Nancy applied for a Civil War Pension (18 Mar 1871) based on Noah Washington Stewart’s service. Noah (Jr) took care of his parents, and when he was killed in the War, they no longer had any means of support. The affidavit gives much information on the family. See Nancy below for more information on this subject.

---

Nancy was born ca 1824/25 per her age on the 1850 census (“Nancy” age 25), or born ca 1827/28 per her age on the 1860 census (“Nancy” age 32). In both cases she was with Noah Washington Stewart (c1830-1865). I’d originally assumed she was his wife, but when his parents filed for Civil War Pension it was stated that Noah Washington Stewart was a single man.

5 Jul 1880. “... who died while in the Military Service of the United States War of 1861. That. Said Noah W Stewart was a young single man unmarried and left no widow or child surviving him. But that he left the Applicant- Noah Stewart his Father and Nancy Stewart his mother surviving his death ...”

Who then was Nancy Stewart living with him in 1850 and 1860? Two possibilities come to mind right away:

1. She was indeed his wife, but she died before he did, i.e. between 1860 and 1865, leaving no children, and thus wasn’t mentioned by his mother when she filed for a pension later so as to avoid any potential complications regarding heirs from Nancy’s side of the family. This could be the explanation.

2. She wasn’t his wife but was a sister. The main problem with this is that she doesn’t fit into the family. They didn’t have any unidentified daughters her age per the 1830 or 1840 censuses, so I don’t think Nancy was actually a Stewart, or perhaps she was, but not a daughter of Noah Sr.

3. A final possibility. She was Nancy Russell, and lived with Noah W. in 1850 and 1860 either as a boarder or perhaps a common law wife, though they had no children together and weren’t legally married. I mention Nancy Russell because someone of that name was residing with Noah W.’s parents in 1870, five years after his death. Was it the same person?

1870 Census, Union Co., GA, Subdivision 126, Blairsville PO

Page 43B, House 613, Family 613

The age of Nancy Russell in 1870, 43, works out to a birth of ca 1826/27, so that’s compatible with the Nancy who was with Noah W. in 1850 and 1860. She was with his parents in 1870, so that’s also a strong clue. She was mentioned in the 1871 application Noah’s mother made for Civil War Pension benefits for Noah W.’s service:

... that Noah W. Stuart deceased their son has supported them almost entirely for the last Twenty years prior to his death. That the whole of the Estate owned and possessed by her and her said Husband is not worth exceeding one hundred dollars, and that she and her said husband have not means sufficient to support them, but that they have been supported chiefly by their neighbors and especially by Nancy Russell since the death of their son Noah W. Stuart. Third. ...

Can we prove that Nancy Russell of the 1870 census and 1871 affidavit are the same person as Nancy “Stewart” with Noah Washington in 1850 and 1860? Not exactly, but circumstantial evidence supports it.

First, there is no Nancy Russell on the 1850 census in Union Co., GA (except a much older woman of that name). Nor is there one in any nearby county.

Second, there is no Nancy Russell on the 1860 census in Union Co., GA nor nearby.

This supports the theory that Nancy with Noah W. on those censuses was Nancy Russell, just mistakenly listed as a Stewart each time, which is a common census error. Then again, they may have been passing as husband and wife on purpose.

Nancy Russell was listed on the 1880 census in Union Co., GA living alone, aged 55, widowed. She was born North Carolina as were both parents.

Who was she widowed from? I didn’t find any marriage records for her in Union Co., GA 1840s through 1880.

I suspect that Nancy Russell is a sister of William Russell (c1820) who lived in Cherokee (now Clay) Co., NC. Several members of his family married into the Stewarts and related families and some lived very near Nancy in 1880.

---

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Noah Stewart and Nancy Dillard.

Revised: June 26, 2024

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

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