Joshua Stewart of Buncombe Co, NC
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I (Marty Grant) do not know how (or if) I'm related to Joshua Stewart.
Joshua Stewart (also spelled "Stuart" on some records) was born ca 1775/84 per 1810 and 1820 census (age 26-44 in 1810, born ca 1765/84, and age 26-44 in 1820, born ca 1775/94). If he is a son of Nathaniel Stewart, as I suspect, then I can narrow his birth down to ca 1784/86. I don't know where he was born, but if he was a son of Nathaniel Stewart, he was probably born in Surry Co, NC.
I have no direct proof, but I suspect that Joshua was a son of Nathaniel and Mary Stewart of Buncombe Co, NC. Joshua 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 Joshua. This is highly circumstantial, but I feel reasonably good about it.
Joshua 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).
Joshua 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, Joshua went with them.
Joshua was apparently home with his father for the 1800 census (age 10-15, born ca 1784/90).
Nathaniel moved his family to Buncombe Co, NC in the 1800-1810 timeframe. Joshua appeared in Buncombe at the same time (hence my main rationale for thinking Joshua is his son).
Joshua Stewart married someone (name not known) between 1800 and 1810, either in Greenville Dist, SC or in Buncombe Co, NC. I have not yet found any records with her name on it.
Joshua Stewart was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC. He was just a few houses from his probable brother James Stewart. Joshua was listed between the households of Henry Watzel and Daniel Carinder. Other neighbors were names I recognize as residents of that part of Buncombe that later became Henderson County. Though some neighbors on the other side, just a few houses away, are some that lived in the part of Buncombe that later became Yancey County. That just shows that you can't assume all people listed near each on the census were actually neighbors. I don't know what part of present Henderson County this was, though it might be on or near McDowell Creek, where some of Nathaniel's other children lived.
1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1810 Buncombe Co, NC pg 271/86 Joshua Steward 20010-10100 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Joshua STEWART (1784/86) s/o Nathaniel 2 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Son? (1804/10) Son? (1804/10) 1 Female(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Wife? (1784/94) 1 Female(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Daughter? (1804/10)
Joshua may still be in Buncombe County for the 1820 census. I say "may" because the listing that I have for him might not be him. He is listed as "Jas Stuart". Now "Jas" is short for James, but "Jos" is short for Joseph or Joshua. It is clearly an "a" in the given name, but Joshua's brother James is listed several pages away, and the enumerations for this "Jas" are a good match for Joshua. If this isn't Joshua, then it is another James Stewart who has not yet been identified. Also, if it is not Joshua, then that means that Joshua had moved away in the 1810-20 timeframe. I'm only half-way convinced that this listing is for Joshua. I have found numerous problems with the 1820 Buncombe census, so that helps me to accept this as being Joshua (though I wouldn't swear to it). It seems reasonable to assume that the available version is the copy the census taker made, and that he did a poor job of copying it, making lots of mistakes.
He was listed between Mary Ray and David M. McClane. I didn't recognize any of the neighbors, so I'm not sure what part of Buncombe County this puts "Jas Stuart" in. There were several Brittain's nearby, which suggests to me that they were near Avery Creek (but I'm not expert on the Brittains, but I know that one of Nathaniel Stewart Sr's sons married a Brittain).
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Buncombe Co, NC pg 110 Jas Stuart 220010-21010 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Joshua STEWART (1784/86) s/o Nathaniel 2 Male(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Son? (1804/10) Son? (1804/10) 2 Male(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Son? Son? 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Wife? (1784/94) 1 Female(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Daughter? (1804/10) 2 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Daughter? Daughter?
Joshua was not found on the 1830 census in Buncombe Co, NC (nor elsewhere in Western NC), nor were there any "extra" James Stewarts listed (thus helping me with my theory that "Jas" of 1820 was Joshua). He either left Buncombe County, or died prior to 1830. I found no apparent widows on the 1830 census in Buncombe, so that suggests he moved away.
I checked the 1830 census index for several states to see if I can find any trace of Joshua, assuming he migrated somewhere. I found several "J." Stewarts, and "Joseph" Stewarts, but I ignored those (though one of them might be the same person). As far as "Joshua" Stewarts went, I found one in Lowndes Co, AL; one in Clark Co, AR (listed as "Joshua D. Steward"); one in Muhlenberg Co, KY; one in Marion Co, TN. I don't know which, if any, of these is the same Joshua Stewart.
I also checked 1840 census index for several states. I found Joshua's in Chambers Co, AL; Clark Co, AR; and Carroll Co, GA; Crawford Co, MO; and Morgan Co, MO.
I checked a few Joshua's in 1850 as well, There was a Joshua in the index for Lumpkin Co, GA. That sounds like a strong possibility to be the same one.
Children
Joshua Stewart and wife had at least seven children per the 1810 and 1820 census. I have no data on any of them so far.
Researcher List
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
- None so far
- Also see pages suspected parents Nathaniel and Mary Stewart
Register Report
Nothing to report so far.
Last Updated January 16, 2006
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