Jefferson B. Stewart was born about 1845 in Ohio[1] or Calvin[2], Michigan. He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.
Education
In 1860, he is attending school in or near Calvin, Michigan.
Residences
1863: Brownsville, Michigan (military enlistment)
1860: Calvin Township, Cass County, Michigan (Brownsville post office) with his (presumed) sister Marinda, the Tann family (Newsome, Cath, Margaret) and E. A. Roberts
Military Service
During the Civil War, he served as a Private in Company H of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the second[3] regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 18 years old, single and working as a laborer when he enlisted on 26 April 1863 from Brownsville, Michigan. He was wounded in action on 30 November 1864 at Honey Hill and was discharged on 14 April 1865 from the General Hospital in New York.[4]
↑ and the first with federal recognition; the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment was against the wishes of the Secretary of War and filled only six companies, but did see action a full year before the 54th
Fold3.com. "Records of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (Colored), 1863-1865." National Archives Catalog #577134. "Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, compiled 1861 - 1865." Free Access Civil War Records 1-15 April 2018.
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Year: 1870; Census Place: Cedarville, Menominee, Michigan; Roll: M593_690; Page: 87B; Family History Library Film: 552189
Initials are right (J. B. Steward), but born in Illinois and described as white that year. May have been passing white, though.
Year: 1850; Census Place: Greenfield, Gallia, Ohio; Roll: M432_681; Page: 65B; Image: 543