James Stewart (1787 - 1865)

Born 4 Oct 1787 in Croftcarnach, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Stewart — married about 1825 in Esquesing, Halton, Upper Canada

Husband of Jennet (McGregor) Stewart — married about 1847 in Canada West

Descendants

Died 19 Apr 1865 at age 77 in Esquesing Township, Halton, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

James Stewart migrated from Scotland to Canada.

This profile is part of the Stewart Name Study.

James was born October 4, 1787 at Croftcarnach in the parish of Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland and christened October 7th in the same parish.^[1]

Emigration & Testificate

James emigrated to Ontario Canada on July 23, 1818 and brought with him a letter of introduction called a testificate from the Kirk Session of Blair Atholl which stated:

"That the bearer James Stewart is a native of

this parish and resided therein mostly from his

infancy till the date hereof, behaving himself

soberly, honestly and inoffensively, free from

public scandal or grounds of Church censure

proven or alleged, so given by order and of ...ment

of our Kirk Session and attested(?), Blair 23rd July 1818

by John Stewart (Minister)

William Robertson

Patrick McGlashan, Elders"

He received approval for a crown land grant of 100 acres in Esquesing Township, in the County of Halton, Ontario, and lived near the farm of the parents of his 1st wife, Elizabeth, with some other Scots. He eventually owned 700 acres and operated his own sawmill on the property.

Marriages

His 1st marriage was to Elizabeth Stewart about 1824 in Halton county Ontario. She was the daughter of John Stewart (known as 'Father of the Scotch Block') and Margaret Lamond and she died in 1841 in Esquesing Township shortly after the last of their 6 children was born.

His 2nd marriage was to Jennet McGregor about 1847 in Ontario. She was born about 1815 in Scotland and they were the parents of 2 daughters.

Unfortunately the 1851 Census for Esquesing Township was destroyed!

Landowner and Farmer

1861 CENSUS - Esquesing Township, Halton, Ontario ^[2]

James STEWART age 68, born Scotland, yeoman

Janet STEWART, age 49, born Scotland

Janet STEWART, age 12, born Canada

Mary STEWART, age 9, born Canada

Susan BEATON, age 34, born Canada

John ADDISON, age 21, born Scotland

The 1861 Agricultural Census for James and janet Stewart gives us a glimpse into what these homesteaders had and what they accomplished!

385 acres held by James / 100 acres held by Janet

200 acres under cultivation

141 acres under crops in 1860

59 acres under pasture in 1860

3 acres under orchards or garden

185 acres under wood or wild

Cash Value of Farm = $18,000.00 Cash Value of Farm (in implements or machinery) = $400.00

45 acres of fall wheat / 500 bushels of produce

500 acres of spring wheat / 300 bushels of produce

6 acres of barley / 80 bushels of produce

12 acres of peas / 280 bushels of produce

10 acres of oats / 350 bushels of produce

1 acre of potatoes / 300 bushels in produce

1 acre of turnips / 150 bushels in produce

50 tons of 2000 lbs or 50 bundles of 16 lbs

63 pounds of wool

24 yards of flannel

12 steers or heifers under 3 years of age

8 milk cows

6 horses over 3 years of age

1 colt or filly under 3 years of age

22 sheep

20 pigs

Total Value of all Livestock = $925.00

550 pounds of butter

300 pounds of cheese

10.5 barrels of pork at 200 pounds each barrel

52 barrels of beef at 200 pounds each barrel

Death & Burial

James Stewart died April 19, 1865 and was buried in the Boston Church Cemetery in Esquesing Township, Halton, Ontario.^[3]

GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTION

Yet again we hope to meet thee

When the day of life is fled

There in heaven with joy to greet thee

Where no farewell tear is shed.

Sources

1. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQ7V-P2F), Christian Douglas in entry for James Stewart, 04 Oct 1787; citing , reference , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 993,520.
2. ↑ "Ontario Census, 1861," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQQK-39Q), James Stewart, Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 74, line 47; Library and Archives Canada film number C-1030-1031, Public Archives, Toronto; FHL microfilm 349,275.
3. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #118338258

• Stewart James, Probate of Will, vol. A, page 77-80, Instrument Number 36
• Stewart James, Esquesing, Probate of Will, vol. A, page 444-446, Instrument Number 289