John Stevens (abt. 1781 - 1870)

Born about 1781 in New Haven, Connecticut

Ancestors

Husband of Catherine (Stymest) Stevens — married about 1805 in St. John, New Brunswick

Descendants

Died 3 Sep 1870 at about age 89 in Lancaster, Saint John, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Pat Miller [send private message]

Biography

John was born in 1781 in New Haven, Connecticut (his daughter Catherine Wiley Chamberlain's death record states birth location) to Loyalist parents. In the Find A Grave record John's parents are listed as Shubael Stevens and Martha Howe. He was the second oldest in a family of 11 children. He married Catherine Stymest, oldest child of Loyalist Jasper Stymest. They both died in 1870 after living together 65 years. She died in May. He died in September leaving six children, 27 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. John and Catherine Stevens are buried in the Stevens Cemetery, Grand Bay, Kings, New Brunswick.

Daughters

John had the following known daughters:

• Unknown Stevens
• Matilda Stevens [1]
• Catherine Stevens [2]
• Charlotte Stevens [3]
• Sarah Stevens [4]

In addition he had 1 adopted daughter Louisa Augusta Stevens. There is some suggestion that Martha Ann Stevens may be a daughter and the burial record shows her as the daughter of John and Catherine. However, the history of the graveyard records Martha Ann as the cousin of the first burial in the Stevens Cemetery: Melilia Stevens per [5]. As Melilia was John's sister this would imply that Martha was not his daughter. In addition, in the marriages linked above Martha wouldn't have fallen in between the known sisters in chronological order however there is no interruption per the marriage announcements which leads to further uncertainty as to whether Martha is indeed John's daughter, or perhaps in his household from another family member. (Text by Marc Zimmer)

If a daughter who was first born died at an early age often in marriage records the second daughter was listed quite properly as the eldest daughter giving some genealogists the erroneous view that the first daughter wasn't a daughter. It didn't happen every time but it did happen. Therefore further investigation on the subject of Martha Ann Stevens is needed before she can be ruled out as a daughter of John and Catherine. (Text by Pat Miller)

Sources

• Canada, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, John Stevens, death 3 Sep 1870, birth 1790, father Shubael Stevens, mother Martha Howe Stevens, spouse Catherine Stymest Stevens, burial Stevens Cemetery, Grand Bay, Kings, New Brunswick
• Family records, Charlotte Hutchinson Bartlett (1847-1937) Stymest family "Catherine married John Stevens of South Bay." (South Bay is located near Saint John)
• Obituary published in The Daily Telegraph, Saint John, Sept 6,1870, funeral from his residence in West Hill. John Stevens, age 89
• Find A Grave birth date in question. His father was a Loyalist, not likely to be living in Connecticut in 1790. Conflicts with age in newspaper obituary.