Stewart, Robert (b. 1702, d. ?)

Note: Robert Stewart, brother of Samuel, sailed from Belfast with his family, but was driven back by weather. After three different unsuccessful attempts, he abandoned his design to emigrate. We have no further account of Robert.

Note: Stewart, Samuel, son of Samuel Stewart, born in county Down, Ireland, was brought to Pennsylvania in the emigration of his father’s family in 1735, and on coming of age settled as a farmer in Hanover township, Lancaster county, now West Hanover, Dauphin county, Pa, about 1750.

His warrant for one hundred acres of land was dated May 17, 1754, and in an "assessment for the King’s use, 1759, Samuel Stuart" is taxed five shillings. This township, established in 2737 and named in honor of the reigning family of Great Britain, almost exclusively settled by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, was on the then frontier and contiguous to the Kittatinny mountains. From the date of his settlement therein, in 1754, until 1764, on account of its proximity to the wilderness, it was subject to Indian raids and depredations from which the inhabitants suffered fearfully in their persons and property, often being compelled to abandon their homes and fly for safety.

This state of affairs continued until the massacre in Lancaster of the Conestoga Indians, who were the aiders and abettors of these outrages. A public meeting of the citizens of Hanover township, June 4, 1774, has gone into history, showing the earliest recorded movement toward independence, and, when the Revolutionary war began, the liberty-loving and patriotic Scotch-Irish of Hanover were found faithful and active participants.

Samuel Stewart entered as a private, serving in Col. Timothy Green’s battalion for the defense of the frontier, and, in June 6, 1776, in Capt. Rodgers’ company of Lancaster county associators, "destined for the camp in the Jerseys." On the erection and organization of the county of Dauphin, in 1785, we find him upon the first grand jury, composed of prominent citizens.

A Presbyterian by birth and a supporter of the old Hanover church, founded in 1735, and situated eleven miles east of Harrisburg, the records show that on "November 2, 1788, Samuel Stewart and Nancy Stewart, his wife, were admitted to the Lord’s table."

Samuel Stewart died September 16, 1803, and was buried in Hanover church graveyard. He was a large man, weighing two hundred thirty pounds, six feet in height, eyes blue and complexion fair.

His surviving wife, Agnes Calhoun, and his son, Samuel Elder Stewart, were the executors named in his will.

He married, first, Nancy Templeton, daughter of Robert and Agnes Templeton, of Hanover; died 1788, and buried in old Hanover church graveyard.

Samuel Stewart married, secondly, in 1789, Agnes (Nancy) Calhoun, born 1763; died August 29, 1823; buried in the cemetery at Graysville, Huntingdon county, Pa.; daughter of William and Hannah Calhoun, of Paxtang township, Dauphin county, Pa. On the death of her husband in 1803, she purchased a farm in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., adjoining the farm of Robert Stewart, ten miles east of Harrisburg, on the Jonestown road, where she remained until the spring of 1813, when she removed to Spruce Creek, Centre county, Pa.

Note: [I, Minnehaha Finney, have a record which makes what I think is this Robert, as being born in 1732 in Ireland, so would be only three years of age on arriving in America in 1735. He married Sarah Stewart and I have her dates and list of their children and it is my guess that this Sarah and Suzanna (Stewart) Finney, my great great grandmother, would be sisters, of which I think I can give proof. Also, I think that Sarah and Suzanna Stewart were sisters and daughters of Robert Stewart, who was a brother of Samuel Stewart, see page 2). (Added in ink by Maude Stewart – "Pages 1 and 4 and Hugh." On the side of the page written in ink is the following: "M. Finney. ‘The proof I refer to is that Sarah Stewart was a witness together with Samuel Stewart of the will made by young Elijah Finney, son of Suzanna Stewart Finney, (see will) Elijah died in his youth.’)."]

Last will and testament

I, Robert Stewart, of Liberty township, Adams County and State of Pennsylvania farmer, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, on due consideration, think proper to dispose of all my property at my death in the following form and manner;
1st I order and direct my executors herinafter named, and as soon as convenient after my decease, to adjust, and pay off my funeral expenses, and all other just debts out of my estate.
2nd I leave and bequeath to my son William Stewart, the sum of one hundred dollars.
3rd I leave and bequeath to my son John Stewart, the sum of fifty dollars.
4th I leave and bequeath to my son James Stewart, the sum of one hundred dollars.
5th I leave and bequeath to my son David Stewart, the sum of one dollar.
6th I leave and bequeath to my son Joseph Stewart, the sum of fifty dollars, and four dollars worth of my books.
7th I leave and bequeath to my son Robert Stewart, one horse, saddle and bridle, the horse to be of his choice of my stock, also his choice of guns, my silver watch and whip, and four dollars worth of my books, and the further sum of one thousand dollars in money, and to have the occupation and profits of the farm on which I now live, for the support of the family there for me, for one year after my death.
8th I leave and bequeath to my daughter Mary Cunningham, the sum of two hundred dollars.
9th I leave and bequeath to my daughter Jane, intermarried with John Stewart, the sum of two hundred, and twenty-six dollars and fifty cents.
10th I leave and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Stewart, a new suit, the ground to be of silk, and the residue of the suit conformable thereto; also her saddle and bridle, and spinning wheel, and half a dozen silver spoons with the initials of her name thereon, and to be supported on the farm until the same shall be sold, by my executors as hereinafter mentioned, and also the sum of four hundred dollars in money.
11th I leave and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Stewart, a new suit, the ground to be of silk, and the residue of the suit conformable thereto; also a new saddle and bridle, and her spinning wheel, and half a dozen silver teaspoons with the initials of her name thereon, and to be supported on the farm until the same shall be sold, and the sum of four hundred dollars in money.
And further I do order and direct, that the aforesaid pecuniary legacies to my ten children, shall be paid them by my executors equally in proportion to their several legacies out of the money, as it may come to hand from my personal estate, and the sale of my real estate. And I also direct that the said several legacies t my said children, shall be considered as a settlement of all amounts in full with them, severally up to this day.
12th I order and direct that all my estate of whatever kind real, person, and mixed, shall be sold by executors hereinafter named, as soon as the same can be done to advantage, after my decease, and the residue thereof, after payment of the aforesaid legacies, to be equally divided between my said ten children, to-wit; William, John, James, David, Joseph, Robert, Mary, Jane, Sarah, and Rebecca, share and share alike. And I do hereby impower my said executors to make and execute, as good a title to the purchaser, or purchasers of my real estate, as I myself could do were I alive and personally present. And it is my will that my wareing apparel and books shall not be exposed to sale but divided by my executors as they may see fit, except the books already bequeathed.
And last of all, I do by these presents, nominate, constitute and appoint my son Robert Stewart, and my son-in-law John Stewart to be executors of this my last will and testament wit full power to carry the same into effect, revoking all other wills by me made, and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof, I have herunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of October, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eleven.

Note: born in Lancaster County, Penna. in 1738 [(Rev. War ancestor of Minnehaha Finney, Sterling, Kansas.), settled in Hanover Twp. in 1780. After his death in 1807, his widow (Mary Patterson Stewart) in Paxtang township, Dauphin Co., Penna., moved to Ohio with her children Sarah Stewart and her husband, James Finney, and her three sons and four other daughters, all settled in Butler, Clark and Trumbull Counties in south-western Ohio.

Note: orn in Lancaster Co., in 1740, in 1764 married Robert Patterson, moved to West Newton, Westmoreland Co., Pa. In 1792 had seven sons and two daughters.

Note: born in Lancaster Co., moved to Hanover Twp. at an early day where he was killed by Indians in one of their raids.

Note: born in Lancaster Co., and finally settled in Allegheny Co., Pa. [Note by Mr. Barnett – Ancestor of Mrs. Jane Stewart Rankin, (Mrs. W. O.), 44 Parkside Ave., Lancaster, Pa. 1946.

Note: Joseph and Sarah were first cousins once removed.

Note: Agnes (Nancy) Calhoun , b. 1763 ; d. August 29, 1823 ; buried in the cemetery at Graysville, Huntingdon county, Pa. ; daughter of William and Hannah Calhoun , of Paxtang township, Dauphin county, Pa. On the death of her husband in 1803 , she purchased a farm in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa. , adjoining the farm of Robert Stewart , ten miles east of Harrisburg , on the Jonestown road, where she remained until the spring of 1813 , when she removed to Spruce Creek, Centre county, Pa

Note: Joseph Stewart ,4 (Hugh ,3 Robert ,2 John ,1) b. July 10, 1769 ; d. October 13, 1855 ; buried in Monroe cemetery; m., December 20, 1792 , by Rev. James Snodgrass , Sarah Stewart , daughter of his cousin Samuel Stewart , of Hanover township , (see v). In conjunction with his brother, James Stewart , administered on his father's estate and became the owners of the homestead which they sold in 1805 . In the spring of that year, Joseph and James Stewart with their respective families removed to Ohio , making the trip to Pittsburgh by wagon, and down the Ohio river by flat boat, and settled in Butler county . near the present town of Monroe . Became an elder in the United Presbyterian Church.