John Stewart1

d. 1825
Marriage24 Feb 1789 John Stewart married Rosanna Beattie, daughter of Francis Beattie, on 24 Feb 1789.2,3 
Devisee17 Sep 1789  Rosannah's father, Francis Beattie, wrote his will in Washington County, Virginia on September 17, 1789, just 7 months after Rosanna and John married. In his will Francis left his plantation and most of his personal estate to Rosannah and John. However he charged them with the care of 2 of Rosanna's 5 siblings, Sarah and Francis. Francis's will does not mention a wife, suggesting Rosanna's mother was deceased. The will was recorded in court in February 1791.4 
Land-Buy15 Mar 1791  The following month John Stewart purchased 209 acres on a branch of the middle fork of the Holston River from Mathew Ryburn and James Kincannon, executors of the estate of Francis Beatie. The land was part of the original tract sold by James Wood to John Beattie. In 1784 John Beatie sold these 209 acres to Francis Beatie.5 
  John and Rosanna are believed to have lived approximately 1 mile east of present day Emory and Henry College, on the north side of highway 609. Their home, which was still standing in 1937, was included in a WPA Historical Inventory done at that time. Additional information on the home may be found on the Virginia Historical Inventory pages at the Library of Virginia website. 
Court Record21 Sep 1821 On 21 Sep 1821 John was called to make a statement in the case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al . This was a chancery case in which James Beaty sued his siblings over the distribution of their parent's [David and Mary Beattie's] estate ; a slave named Delilah was one of the points of contention. John stated that he had drawn Mary Beaty's previous will and instructed her that she did not have the right to devise the slave Delilah, although she wanted to do so and thought she had the right to do so.6 
Death1825 John probably died in late 1825.1 
Will-Recd20 Dec 1825  John's will, dated 18 May 1819, and recorded 20 Dec. 1825, named his wife Rosanah, dau Betsey Edmiston, grandson John S. Edmiston and son Robert Stewart (also named executor). John also left several books to Robert Lowery whose relationship, if any, was not mentioned.1 

Research Comment:

Josiah Beatie (grandson of Francis Beattie's brother John), writing to his brother Samuel on March 27, 1826, stated, "I presume you have heard of the death of old Uncle John Stewart". In reality, Josiah Beattie and Rosanna (Beattie) Stewart (wife of John Stewart) were first cousins once removed but it is easy to understand why the younger man referred to John Stewart as an uncle.7

Related Links and Images:

John's signature from his deposition in Beaty et al vs Clark et al (1821). For details of the lawsuit, including John's deposition, see the Chancery page
John's will

Family

Rosanna Beattie
Children
  • Elizabeth Stewart1 (16 Oct 1791 - 6 May 1839)
  • Robert Stewart1
Last Edited19 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S618] John Stewart will (recorded 1823), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 5: 259. John's will, dated 20 Dec. 1825, and recorded 20 Dec. 1825, named his wife Rosanah, dau Betsey Edmiston, grandson John S. Edmiston and son Robert Stewart (also named exec). John also left several books to Robert Lowery whose relationship, if any, was not mentioned.
  2. [S957] Francis Beatie will (recorded 1791), Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 1: 163. Names daughter Rosannah Stewart and her husband John Stewart; also daughter Sarah, son Francis, son David, daughter Mary Beatie, daughters Jane Bustard [?] and Margaret Hansford.
  3. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 54. Record reads: John Stuart and Rosanna Beatie marr 2 Feb. 1789 by Charles Cummings.
  4. [S957] Francis Beatie will (recorded 1791), Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 1: 163.
  5. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 195. Deed dated 15 Mar 1791.
  6. [S1039] Deposition of John Stewart in case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al; Wythe Co., Virginia Superior Ct. of Chancery no. 1821-04-SC. John was a witness for James Beaty. His deposition was taken on 21 Sept. 1821 at the home of Major Thomas Edmiston in Washington Co., Virginia.
  7. [S2217] Letter from Josiah Beatie (7 Mile Ford, Virginia) to Samuel Beatie (Boone Co., Missouri), 27 Mar 1826.