| Notes |
- Robert,5 (Samuel,4 John,3 Robert,2 Walter,1) b. in Colrain, Mass., 1765, was an early settler of Salem, N. Y. The history of Washington County states that he settled three miles south of Salem Centre. It seems that sometime during the period of the Revolution he served as a soldier. He m. Elizabeth Huggins who d. May 2, 18 19, in the fiftieth year of her age. A pious woman, an affectionate wife and a tender mother. Two old letters, written by him, have revealed so much that is sacred and interesting to this history, that they claim a place here. The first to his brother Samuel of Royalton, Ohio, gives evidence of his excellent Christian character, and an important clew relative to the family. Efforts for several years had been in progress to recover the estate of his brother James, who fell in battle during an engagement with the Indians near Fort Wayne, about 1 79 1, and it seems the following letter was written in reply to one received in reference to their claims.
"Salem, 27 Feb. 1821.
" Dear Brother and Sister.
"It is with great satisfaction that I have the pleasure of addressing a few lines to you, to inform you of our welfare which I have longed an opportunity to do through your neglect, as I knew not where to find you, as you have never thought worth while to write to me, to let me know where you was, and I thought very hard of it, but it is a great satisfaction that our heavenly parent will not forget or forsake us unless we first forsake him, therefore I trust he will be my support and guide me until death and there be my everlasting portion forever. I received yours of the 6th which was a great satisfaction to us all to hear of your welfare but it would serve a great deal more if you had given us an account of all your situation and how far you are from brother Moore, as you inform me you was there last week, and as you have broke the ice in three or four years, I and some of the family will not let it freeze again, so that we may have a communication by letter which is a great satisfaction to me. You mentioned in your letter that you had heard of the death of my dear companion ; true she departed this life on the 2d of May 1819, with only nine days sickness, she died with inflamation of the head, she is gone and we must all follow sooner or later the Lord only knows when. I suppose I am contented to submit to his will, for blessed be his will in heaven let it be done on earth. I have seven children, two of them are married, the others live with me and they are all well. I was at brother Archibalds not long since, they were all well, it is a great time of health in this country, though there is a vast many old people about here, has just paid the debt of heaven this year. Uncle Joseph Stewart died last week, and was 100 years old 17th last Jan.
" I here send you a power of attorney as you re-quested me. I cant add any more on this sheet without I infringe on the power. I wish you to write give a full description of the country, my children all join me in my love to you all, " I remain your loving brother till death, " Mr. Samuel Stewart Robert Stewart. " Royalton,
" Ohio."
Omitting the formal part of the power of attorney, the following has been invaluable in tracing this line.
" For me and in my name to ask, demand, sue for, recover and receive of and from the legal representatives of my Brother James Stewart deceased, all such sums of money or other things as I may be entitled to as an heir to the estate of James Stewart deceased, of the state of Kentucky who was killed in Harmar's Defeat by the Indians."
The power of attorney is signed Robert Stewart and sworn to before Anthony Blanchard, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington, State of New York, on the 27th day of February, 1821.
The second letter written to his nephew, Ira Stewart, of Middlebury, Vt., has also been of inestimable value.
" Salem, N. Y., Feby. 22d, 1837.
" Dear Sir-
" I received yours of the 8th, respecting your father's services in the revolutionary war which I know nothing about only by hearsay as I was not in this part of the country at the time of his service and after I came here I have heard people say that he was a Sergeant in Capt. McCracken's Company and that is all I know about it and there is not one living as I know of that was with him. I have tried to find out some one but I cant and this is all I know of the business.
" Our friends and family are all well. I was up to see your aunt Elice (Alice ?) last week and found her well, though very much bowed down. I recd a letter last week from Ohio ; our friends there are all well. Your aunt Isabel Moor is well ; her husband is dead. Aunt Betty, Samuel's widow died about a year ago. Give my respects to your family and tell your mother that I intended to come and see her all this winter but my health is not as good as it has been therefore I think that I shall not go. I ad no more but remain your affectionate unkle Till Death.
" Ira Stewart, Robert Stewart.
" Middlebury."
He d. March 1, 1847, *n tne eighty-first year of his age.
The following is copied from his headstone in Salem ;
" The Christian, patriot, and friend Such was his life, and such his end. Life's end achieved, and full of years He left for heaven this vale of tears."
It has been a matter of profound regret that a more full record of his descendants at Salem were not furnished as they seem to have been numerous there.
" The Old White Church," a pamphlet published in 1897, the centennial year of the United Presbyterian Church of Salem, gives a list of the descendants of Robert Stewart, who have wor-shiped in that church, of which the following is a copy.
Mrs. Caroline Billings Austin
George
Bert
(Mrs. Julia Bain Austin)
Bessie
Elsie
Mrs. Ella Austin McAllister
(Robert McAllister Jr.)
Earl
Mrs. Carrie Austin Closh
Lewis Austin
(Mrs. Fannie Glenholm Austin)
Nettie
Alfred Austin
(Mrs. Nettie Glenholm Austin)
John M. Clark
(Mrs. Mary Guernsey Clark)
Lucretia Bell
Elizabeth.
Joseph
Irving
Henry Clark
Mrs. Cornelia Wright Clark.
Will
Mrs. Mary Clark Barnett
Mrs. Cornelia Clark Aiken
Alvah W.
Charles
Mrs. C. W. Wolff.
Mrs. Libbie Wolff Perkins
(Robert Perkins)
Harold
Ermine
Baby
(Severence)
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1765 - 1847 (82 years)
