Jacob Stuart and Nancy Brittain of Buncombe Co, NC and Fannin Co, GA

Jacob Stuart (also spelled "Stewart" on some records) was born ca 1776/77. If he is a son of Nathaniel Stewart, as I suspect, then he was probably born in Surry Co, NC.

I have no direct proof, but I suspect that Jacob was a son of Nathaniel and Mary Stewart of Buncombe Co, NC. Jacob did live in Buncombe Co, NC, apparently in the same area as Nathaniel, and Nathaniel did have an unknown son the right age to be Jacob. Jacob also witnessed many of Nathaniel's deeds, and there are other records to tie them together. Other researchers have came to this same conclusion also, so I feel fairly good about the connection.

Jacob was apparently home with his parents for the 1786 census (age "under 21", born ca 1765/86), and in 1787 (age "under 21", born ca 1766/87).

Jacob was apparently home with Nathaniel for the 1790 census also, age "under 16", born ca 1774/90.

Around 1795, Nathaniel and family moved to Greenville Dist, SC. Presumably, Jacob went with them.

Jacob did not appear to be home with his father for the 1800 census, but his brother Edward had an "extra" male with him who was Jacob's age. I suspect that this was him, but can't be sure of course.

Nathaniel Stewart moved his family to Buncombe Co, NC in the 1800-1810 timeframe. Jacob Stewart appeared in Buncombe at the same time (hence my main rationale for thinking Jacob is his son).

Jacob Stuart was not listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC, nor did he seem to be with his parents. However, his brother Nathaniel Jr had an "extra" male with him the right age to be Jacob. I suspect that is him, but can't prove it.

Jacob first appeared on the public records in Buncombe County in 1810 when he purchased land. It should be noted that he was not the only Jacob Stuart / Stewart in the county then, as there was another, slightly older Jacob living there also. This other one was my uncle Jacob Stewart (1775). In most cases, I'm fairly sure that I've properly separated their records, but there may be a mix up or two.

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 his brother 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). (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book G page 293).

On 21 Mar 1815, Jacob Stewart sold 150 acres to Nathaniel Stewart. I don't know if this was Jacob's father Nathaniel, or his brother Nathaniel Jr. I think it is "Jr" (see 1 Aug 1817 deed below). This would seem to be the same land he purchased on 5 Sep 1811. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book G page 356).

On 12 Jan 1816, Jacob Stuart witnessed a deed between his brother Charles Stewart to Nathaniel Stewart (don't know if this is his father or brother). It was 250 acres on McDowells Creek. The other witness was William Cockerham. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book H page 247).

On 1 Aug 1817, Jacob Stewart and his brother Charles Steward both witnessed a deed between their brothers Nathaniel Stewart Jr and Edward Stewart Sr, for 150 acres on West side of French Broad River., originally granted to John Young on 25 Jul 1807 This seems to be the same land Jacob sold to Nathaniel on 21 Mar 1815. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 11 page 431).

Jacob was listed on the 1820 census in Buncombe. He was listed by himself (he wasn't yet married). He was next door to his brother Nathaniel Stewart Jr and two houses from his brother Charles Stewart, and just five houses from Edward Stewart (1782), a probable nephew.

On 10 Mar 1820, Jacob Stuart purchased 225 acres from his nephew 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 his brother 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).

It was around this same timeframe (ca 1820/23) that Jacob Stuart married Nancy Brittain in Buncombe County. 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.

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 was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County. He was listed as "Sr", and was next door to his nephew Jacob Stuart "Jr" (Jacob B. Stuart, son of Edward). They seemed to be in the Avery Creek area.

Sometime during the 1830's, Jacob Stuart moved his family to present Fannin County, Georgia (then still part of Gilmer County).

Jacob was listed on the 1840 census in Gilmer Co, GA, the only Stewart family there that year. He was listed next door to my cousin James M. Bryson.

Jacob was still in Gilmer Co, GA for the 1850 census. I don't have that listing yet.

Fannin County was formed in 1854 from part of Gilmer (and Union) County, including where the Stuart family lived.

Jacob was listed on the 1860 census in Fannin Co, GA. I don't have this listing typed up yet.

Both Jacob and Nancy died after 1860 in Fannin Co, GA. I have not done any research on this family at all in Georgia (other than census records), so I don't know what other data might be available for them.

Children

Jacob Stuart and Nancy Brittain had seven children. The list I have for them was shared by Lawrence Wood (deceased), and I'm not sure where he got it originally. I think all are confirmed by census records.

Researcher List

1. Jacob¹ Stuart , born 1776/77 in NC; died 1860/70 in Fannin Co, GA, son of Nathaniel Stewart and Mary (---) . He married in 1820/21 in Buncombe Co, NC Nancy Brittain , born 1793/94 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Fannin Co, GA, daughter of James Brittain and Delilah Stringfield .

Children of Jacob Stuart and Nancy Brittain were as follows:

2 i Elam B² Stewart , born 1823 in Buncombe Co, NC.

+ 3 ii Iley Theophilus² Stewart , born 6 Mar 1824 in Buncombe Co, NC; died bef 1870. He married Margaret Ann Hyde .

4 iii Asenith Paralee² Stuart , born abt 1825 in Buncombe Co, NC.

5 iv Keziah V² Stuart , born 1827 in Buncombe Co, NC.

6 v Benjamin Othed² Stuart , born 1829 in Buncombe Co, NC.

7 vi Elizabeth C² Stuart , born 1832 in Buncombe Co, NC.

8 vii Delilah E² Stuart , born 1834 in Buncombe Co, NC.

Generation 2

3. Iley Theophilus² Stewart (Jacob¹), born 6 Mar 1824 in Buncombe Co, NC; died bef 1870. He married in 1848 in Gilmer Co, GA Margaret Ann Hyde , born 1825/26 in Macon Co, NC; died 15 Oct 1911 in Fannin Co, GA.

Children of Iley Theophilus Stewart and Margaret Ann Hyde were as follows:

9 i Virgil A³ Stewart , born 1849/50 in Gilmer Co, GA.

10 ii Amanda³ Stewart , born 1850/51 in Gilmer Co, GA.

11 iii Lovada³ Stewart , born 1851/52 in Gilmer Co, GA.

12 iv Julius Cicero³ Stewart , born 1852/53 in Gilmer Co, GA.

13 v Elizabeth³ Stewart , born 1853/54 in Gilmer Co, GA.

14 vi Elam³ Stewart , born 1856/57 in Fannin Co, GA.