In a copy of a citation notice in the State of Mississippi, Malinda's brother, Moody and John are trying to contact her and some other family members who own land (et all). It appears that they were in Texas and told to return to Mississippi. Not just Malinda but it also says that many of the family was in Freestone Texas.
Got info on marriage to Ellis Seely and descendants of Malinda I got from the internet from BSMITHJIM@AOL.COM (Barbara Smith)
James F. Steward (b. 1809) married Eleanor S. Murphy (b. 1815 - d. 1847) in 1829 in Monroe Co. Mississippi. Children were Jane, James M. (killed in Civil War), Lafayette, Margaret (m. Mr. Cannon), Sarah, Martha (m. George Davis), William C., Elinor S., and James F. James in found in 1860 census of Monroe County with wife named Martha. My information comes from a 1896 book, Andrew Moore and his descendants in which the Murphys are found. In it, Eleanor S. Murphy, born 1815, married James F. Stewart 14 February 1829 in Monroe County. He was born ca 1809. She died 1 Sep 1847. Alexander Murphy (Eleanor S. Murphys father), in his will, refers to his daughter as Syrena Stewart (1846) so I know she was living then. There is an old Stewart home still standing (barely) in Monroe County. - Jim Murphy, jmurphy@aeneas.net
THE FAMILY OF JOHN MURPHY SR. by James L. Murph, Po Box 386, Caledonia, MS 39740 it states that James moved to Hurricane Hill, Arkansas. I put a query in as to where Hurricane Arkansas was and this was the reply: My topo map puts it 19.2 miles due east of Texarkana, AR, on the east side of the Red River and in Lafayette Co., AR, on Spirit Lake Road, about 3.5 miles north of State Route 82 that runs east and west through the town of Spirit Lake. The county seat for Lafayette Co., AR, is Lewisville. The Lafayette County Historical Society, P. O. Box 180, Bradley, AR 71826, is listed in the "Handy Book" - Ellen Hernandez
1860 CENSUS of Monroe Co., MS James and Martha are listed with children WC, Martha, Elly, John M., and Mary. Living with Jno. L. Nocut age 27 and his wife Nancy age 24, Casper age 6 and R. age 4 and A. age 2, all born in Alabama.
FROM MIKE MASSEY: Kathy, Think I may have found James F. and Martha on the 1880 Arkansas Columbia County, Hadley Township Census. It lists a James F. Stewart age 71 born sc/sc/sc and Martha age 47 or 42 born sc,sc,sc. Their children are Mary age 17 born ms/sc/sc,Thomas age 16 born ms/sc/sc and (?) could not read name but female age 14 born ms/sc/sc. What relationship are you to them? Will look at some cemetery records I have, they may be there but probably have to go a library that has cemetery records of that area.They are next to an Ormand and Adams family on the census.
Eleanor probably died in or after childbirth of her last child, James F. in 1847.
1870 STEWART, LAFAYETTE in Benton County AR, pg 308, Osage Township, Federal Population Schedule AR 1870 Federal Census Index AR126372572 (This is probably him)
In the 1850 census Ellinor S. Steward age 3 is living with the COOK family.
Marriage recorded in MISSISSIPPI Marriages, Monroe CO., 1821-1858 pg. 233
FREESTONE COUNTY, TEXAS HISTORY: "Before coming to Texas, Washington traveled to Indiana where on 10-2-1831 he married Sarah Seely b. 1813, d. 1862 daughter of Edward Seely." It goes on to say 3 of his sons fought in the war between the states.
ARTICLE BY Lucille Riley Steward (from Linda Graves Walker)
Before going to Texas, George traveled to Indiana where he married Sarah Sealy (Seely). They emigrated to Mississippi and settled in Monroe County, then later moved to Freestone County, TX. All of his children except one were born in Freestone County, TX. When he left Mississippi, he brought with him six horses, a wagon, a hack and six slaves. It was his intention to go to Dallas County. Along the way he was constantly prospecting for a site for a grist and flour mill. Two years later, in the newly formed county of Freestone, he found the perfect place in a good timber region with many springs of good water .Here, in 1852, he bought 320 acres of land and erected his mill. The millstones for his mill came from Grindstone Creek, near Fairfield. It was said that it was the only mill between Dallas and Houston. He built his home north of the spring brand and the mill. Soon after, he started a store and it wasn't long before the US Mail was being lef there and the community of Steward's mill came to official being. A number of years later, the springs almost failed and slowed the work at the mill, so Washing procured two large steam boilers to power the mill. In the early years the settlement made everything possible by hand and nearly all other necessities were provided at home: bread ,meat and even clothing. When the meat was scarce, the woods provided game. Before the Civil War, Washington gave most of his attention to the mill. Many small grains were raised in the area and kept his mill busy. People came from miles around in wagons, hacks, buggies and even horseback. Many camped overnight, or even days, waiting their turns. Steward's Mill was growing. About 1860, Washington gave ample ground for a church (Harmony Church) and Cemetery nearby. He was doing well financially and took his rightful place as one of the leading citizens of the county. The fall of the Confederacy found him greatly depleted of his wealth. As most of the families of Freestone County, they gave food, clothing, medicines and monies to the cause until there was little left for the necessities of life.LETTER FROM A DESCENDANT:
Washington's second wife was Rebecca Hinton Whitaker. Two months after she died, he married a Mrs. Singleton. When one of his friends told him that it was too early for him to marry again, he said "Well, John, she is just as dead now as she will ever be." He had two daughters by his third wife.
(from Linda Graves Walker)
WHY IS GEORGE WASHINGTON'S NAME STEWARD WHEN ALL HIS ANCESTORS AND SIBLINGS ARE STEWART?
Family lore says that that there was another George Washington Stewart in the same county where our George grew up. When he became a young man and started out on his own business ventures, he wanted to be distinguished from the other George Washington Stewart, so changed the spelling of his last name to Steward. There is ample documentation inthe Fairfield, Freestone County, TX library that our George Washington is indeed the original George Washington Stewart, descendant ofWilliam Stewart and Nancy Hurt Stewart. Second source: Article by Lucille Riley Steward, Lucille states that there were two other George Washington Stewarts in the area, so he changed his name to Steward. (Linda Graves Walker)FROM LINDA GRAVES WALKER:
Just some more tidbits (or rumors!) - the mill was completely destroyed by Yankees during the Civil War. One of his sons, George Washington Steward, was captured by the Yankees and died in Dec of 1861 at Hopkinsville, KY. In April of 1862, he lost yet another son in another prison, Camp Douglas, IL and in July of that year lost his wife, Sarah. He was, naturally depressed for some time, and lost all his money during the war and was never able to regain his financial stature of the pre-war years. He was in his 50s when the war was going on. I also heard that Steward's Mill came back to life a little after the war, but when the railroad came through, Steward's Mill was bypassed and the railroad went through nearby Fairfield and that spelled the end of what was once a very thriving and prosperous community.MISSISSIPPI RECORDS, MONROE COUNTY, Volume 2 - Elizabeth Jones: Deeds of (Gift?) Monroe County 1821-1859, Page 96 Deed book eleven: pg 55 between Washington Stewart of Lowndess County Mississippi and Abel Cain for his 3 infant sons, Johnson W. Cain, James T. Cain and Wm. A. Cain. Signed by Washington Stewart and his wife Sarah.
FROM THE INTERNET: He was a primitive Baptist and attended church monthly at Shanks,
Texas. After his death in 1882, his home was sold to A. T. Watson.1860 CENSUS MONROE CO. MS - Living with Washington and his wife and children were William MCoy, screwmaker age 26 born in NC and Washington's brother, Francis M. Stewart age 22 screwmaker and Monroe Edger age 26 screwmaker born in SC. Also lived next door to the Crosby family, Jeremiah Seely and Sarah (Washington's sister) and the Boyd family.
BIBLE RECORD: The following is taken from a Xerox copy of the Bible made in 1969. At that time Margaret Steward Richards, great-granddaughter of Washington Steward, of Fairfield, Freestone Co., TX owned the Bible. Spelling is as found; any brackets are mine. Mike Bonner
WASHINGTON STEWARD'S BIBLE
PAGE ONE
The New Testament of our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST: Translated out of The Original Greek: and with The Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. New-York: American Bible Society, Instituted in the Year 1816
---------
1845 PAGE TWO FAMILY RECORD
MARRIAGES.
Washington Steward and Sarah Seely October 27 1831
Marriages of their Children Below
John T. Egger and Mary Matilda Steward 27 of January 1832
Terry V. Keel and Margaret Malinda Steward 10 of February 1859
Jer. T. Steward and E. J. Whitaker Dec. 20th 1860MARRIAGES.
Washington Steward and Rebecca J. Whitaker Sept 21st 1868
Washington Steward and Mary Jane Singleton January 22nd 1872
PAGE THREE
BIRTHS.
Washington Steward October 25th 1811
Aberville [sic] South Carolina
Sarah Seely Sept. 20th 1813
in the state of Ohio
*Twin Boys born Aug. 10 1833
Born dead
The Births of their Children:
William Randolft September 1st 1832 Monroe County, Mississippi
*
Jerremiah Terry, Nov. 1st 1834 Miss.
Mary Matilda Aprile 29th 1836
Huet Burt Sept 12 1838
George Washington February 3rd 1841
Margaret Malinda December 15 1842
Nancy Victoria February 13 1845
Francis Marion Dec. 14th 1846
Sarah Rebecker December 24th 1848
Susan Martha Sept 14th 1851
J. T. Stewart. Jun. September the 7th 1862 This was the son of J. T. Steward and E. J. Steward
Written in margin of page:
---atilda Seely was born Aprile 29th 1820
A killing frost the 15th of Aprile 1849
A killing frost the sixth of Aprile 1857 deep snow on the 12 same date
PAGE FOUR
BIRTHS.
Mary Caroline Egger, the daughter of J. T. Egger and Mary Oct 26th 1852
Ada Josephene Steward March 18 1873 daughter of W and M Steward
Jane Steward January 31st 1877 Freestone Texas
Washington Worth Steward Nov the 23rd 1867 [son of J. T. Steward]
Pleasant Alexander Steward December the 11th 1868 [son of J. T. Steward]
(Jerry T. Steward Jr. Sept 1 1862) [son of J. T. Steward]
Charles Burt Steward Aug 15 1876 [son of J. T. Steward]
PAGE FIVE
DEATHS.
George W Steward December 7th 1861 at Hopkinsville Kentucky, Private in Capt. Mosby Company - measles and pneumonia
Sarah Steward July 8th 1862 age 48 yrs 10 months 12 days - measles
Margaret Malinda Keel Aug 17th 1862 - measles and pneumonia
Huett B. Steward April 16th 1862 Departed this life at Camp Douglas Chicago Ilinois - died from fever
W. R. Steward Oct 14th 1863 - consumption
J. T. Stewart, jun. Departed this life August the 29 1864
Pleasant Alexander Steward Sept 12th 1869
Rebecca Jane Steward wife of Washington Steward departed this life Dec 9th 1871 of cronic ulcer of the bowels
Sarah Rebecca Lake
Nancy V. Wells Sept. 8, 1906
(From Mike Bonner)
Sarah died of measles.
William died of consumption.
Huett died from a fever. Huett Birts stone is in the Stewards Mill Cemetery.
COMPANY G-7TH TEXAS INFANTRY REGIMENT - FREESTONE COUNTY-"FREESTONE FREEMEN"
Donated by: Tim Bell:
STEWART, Hewitt B. (23)- traveled from Fairfield to Hopkinsville, at his own expense; (k) Fort Donelson; also shown as captured at Fort Donelson, and (d), Camp Douglas, April 17, 1862, due to inflammation of the brain.---------------------------------------------------------
Letters from Huet Burt Steward
------------------------------------------------
McKenzie CollegeApril 28, 1860
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of the 16th of April. I was glad to here that
you all were well and also received the five dollars ($5.00) which Pa sent
me. Your letter found me well. you made some inquirey with regard to when
the examination or if you please when the school will be out. It will be
out the last of June. I would like for the one that comes to get here in
time. let him start in time to get here then. it will about six days to
come _____. I said send a two horse wagon after us. as to the wagon I am
not paticular. a carriage or anything that is convenient so it will hall us
and our produce. And again how much money I would owe at the close of the
school. I suppose it will take about two hundred dollars ($200.00). it
will be that ______ and I will want some books besides. But tell pa that to
not put himself to any extra trouble to send it all. but if he can I would
be glad. As I said in my last letter I reckon _____ _____ will stay with me
on vacation. he is making his arrangements to that effect and our intention
is to study there at home. If you can, it would do well to have us a house
built. about large enough to hold two beds and have sufficient room
besides. the place to put it would be best between the new house and fence
(nere the fence) to the right of the gait from the house. or if you will
not have time to build it if you can get the planks we can help to make it.
I take this to be the better plan as the family is large and frequently has
company. if you call upon any better plan do so. Tel Jerry if he at home
that I would have written to him but I thought it uncertain about his
getting it as he spoke of going to be absent from home. as soon as I learn
that he is stationary I will write to him. Tell George I think it is to me
he is learning how to write. We have some very cool mornings & heavy dews
now. very recently we had some heavy rains. Write if your school is going
on now & how long it will continue and write how your preacher is doing and
what his name is and if he is a man of a family and where he boards. Give
me all the nuse that would interest me. give my love to all. May God with
his infinite goodness preside over you all.Yours until death
H. B. Steward
P.S. It may be that you do not understand how it is that I owe so much. a
part of it is on the old score last year. I believe I shall want about five
dollars more. you may think that it takes a heap to do me, so it does.
everything I get I have it to buy. I would also like for you to send me a
pare of boots or if you cannot get good boots a pare of shoes will do. send
them by the one that comes after us. a pare that fits Jerry will fit me.
write soon.Yours as ever
H. B Steward
NOTE: The following letter was written sometime after Feb 21, 1862.
Camp
Douglass
Chicago, Ill.My Dear Pa & Ma
I am glad to write to you (letter torn here) for I know you will be
glad even to hear that I am well. as you have doubtless heard it is my sad
fate to be prisner of war though I expect to see better and happier days.
Since we were taken at Ft. Donaldson we been treated as well as prisoners of
war are commononly treated I reckon. we were surrendered 16th Febr and was
brought to this place on the 21st of Feb and have been here ever since. in
a few days after we got here our officers was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio near
Colombus and from there the field officers were sent to ______ ______. Geo
Bradley Lee Moody Geo Blair Bob _____ Bill Harris went with the officers to
Camp Chase. Si is with George yet. we have received a letter from Col
Gregg and Capt Moody each. they were all well. the locality of this place
is very low and in wet weather is very muddy & would I suppose afford a
beautiful scenery if it wasn’t for the plant wall which surrounds us. it is
in sight of Lake Michigan. There has been a good deal of sickness amon the
prisoners (here the top corner of the letter is torn away and the opening
words of the first five sentences are missing)…..up to this morning 165 dead
_____lost but one out of our co. that _____ Joseph S Manning. Died of
plurasne. ____ are three in the hospital viz Bob Steele, Will Huckaby &
Jeff Tull. I met with Jim George & Marion Seelys son Steward and several
other old acquaintances at Ft. Donaldson. They are here & I see them evry
day. Jim Seely was wounded in the arm and was left at Perduca ____. he got
here about a week ago. he is well of his would but has the mumphs. Knowing
the deep interest that is felt for the entire Co. I will give you a list of
all that is here. Our killed was Wm L Neal, Wm McIlveen, J___ Mayo &
Forkner Sims. the wounded was Syrms Love, John Means, Josh S____ & Tom
Jourden.We have had an opportunity of being released by taking the oath of
allegiance but when we come home we will come with honor. Pray for us. as
ever your obedient sonH. B. Steward
NOTES: This letter was written sometime after Feb 21st in 1862. H.B. had
only a short time to live. He died on 16 April 1862. He was only 22. Many
men did not take the “oath” and either came home or went on fighting. Many
felt that an oath was an oath, no matter to whom it was given. Some felt
that an oath given to “Yankees” wasn’t worth the ink it was written in.
Obviously, our Huet felt it would be dishonorable to take the oath.
(Kathy, here are the letters from George Washington Steward's sons. The spelling is exactly as it is in the letters and the ___ (underscores) are where I couldn't figure out what the word was supposed to be. Let me know if you have any trouble reading them and I'll try to think of a different way to send them. Linda Walker)
76. George Washington Steward Jr.
George died as a Private in Capt. Mosbys Company. He had measles and pneumonia.
COMPANY G-7TH TEXAS INFANTRY REGIMENT - FREESTONE COUNTY-"FREESTONE FREEMEN"
Donated by: Tim Bell:
STEWART, George W. (21)- (d), Hopkinsville, Kentucky, December 7, 1861. Marker in Steward's Mill Cemetery, Freestone County, Texas.LETTERS from George Washington SteKathy,
here are the letters from George Washington Steward's sons. The spelling
is exactly as it is in the letters and the ___ (underscores) are where I
couldn't figure out what the word was supposed to be. Let me know if you
have any trouble reading them and I'll try to think of a different way to
send them.Linda Walker
----------------------------------------------------------------
Letters from George Washington Steward Jr.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Marshal Texas October the 6 1861
Dear SisterI take my pen in hand to rite to you for the first time in life. we
are all well. My mes… I am well and doing as wel as you might expect. I
was soall the second day of this month. I mean that we was mustered in to
servis. yhey are 6 companeys muster into servis. we had three more on the
ground and one more acoming now on the road. we will leave this plase next
week. I would like to hear from you all the best _____ world. I have not
hear from home sinse I left. I want you to wright to if Jerry is gone home.
If he has tell him right to me. all of the family to right to me. I want
you to get me that ___ _____ and send it to me. good nuse from home.
Give my love and respects to all inquiring friends. Tel Huet if he is not
started to right to me whether he acoming or not. Tel him I would like for
him to come if posable. You must write soon. Back your letter to Monro in
care of Capt Moody. I have not time to right eny more. I have to drill.
Give my love and respects to all of the family. I remain your dear brother
until death.George W Steward
______ ________ sendes his respects too you all
tel Jerry I will right to him soon
NOTES: Jerry is George’s brother, Jeremiah T. Steward, and Huet is another
brother, Huet Burt Steward.Memphist October the 22, 1861
Dear father and Mother
I am well and have bin ever since I left Marshal. I have nothing of
importance to write to you. we got her on the 20. we have not drild any
yet. we have bin washing our cloaths and cleaning up things generally.
they are too cavaraldy here. one from mississp and one from Alabama. ther
are nine thousand min on the ground. there are oanley two company of our
regerment got here yet. they come in every day. Captain Moody get a letter
from Mister Neal. he roat that him and mister neal would catch up in two or
three days. He has not got her yet. we are a looking for him everay day.
there a company from arkansaw. the day before we got here they say before
we got here they was 2 nine of them died and the next day they was 7 died.
that was yeterday. they have got the measles and they think it is the filth
and the way the management. they are campted about 7 miles from her. they
have measles in one company in about 50 yards that has had them and have one
case yet and they have not lost any yet. theys all well in our company
except a few that has the chils. everything is very hi here. red russsets
is worth two dollars and a half. Capt Moody ast the talor what he would
make a pare of pants and coat gray cloth and wanted him to make them as
plain as posable and he sed that he would make the coat for 25 dollars and
the pants for ten. Mr Carner sed that he would send us everything that was
nessary. he tuck a list of evrthing that we had and he sed that if he could
not get the country to send them he would get individuals to git them and
send them rite away. I would like to have a pare of undershirts and over
coat. if mister carner don’t git them I wish you would git them for me. if
huet don’ come in a few days I will go down to _____ in a few days and will
rite again and rite all the nuse I have not got time yet. I rote this on a
borde and held hit in my lap. I have not heard from home yet. I would like
to her from youall the _____ in the world. I want you to write soon and
tell them all to write to me and I will try to answer there letter. they
all have a better _____ than me. I have sean hard times ever since I have
ben in camp but I am afrade that I have not sead anything yet. tel nancy to
rite all about the school and tel her to rite one at the scool house and
tell all of the girls that wants to send me an word to put it down and Miss
Betty all so. it took about 24 hours to come from Monro to Memphist. I
will rite more the next time. give my love to all of the family and all
inquirryng friends. you must excuse bad spelling for I have not time to
spell it. So good by til the next time.I remain your sone until death
G. W. Steward
Envelope reads:
Geo W. Steward private in Capt W. L. Moody’s Comp.
Greggs’ Redgment Texas Volunteers
Mr Wash Steward
Fairfield
Freestone County, Texas
Postmarked Memp Tenn Oct __ 1861 DUE 10
Memphist, ten October the 15th 1861
Dear Brother and Sister
I take this short spase of time to inform you whar I am now and how I a
agetting along. I am well exept a bad coald. Several of the boys has that.
All of the balance is well. our company got there last Sunday the _____
_____ tuesday amd about fore today. we all left marshal the same day. we
look for the balance every day. they ladyes come to see us every day. they
was about a hundred ther every day. we walked from ther to monro. We had
prit wether except the last 2 or 3 days. we left Monro Satureday morning
and got here the next morning. we went about a hundred miles in about 24
hours. a feller never lerns eanything til he pais for it thou here he pais
for mor then he lerns. he lerns a heap but he pais for a heap mor. we
generally had bred and bacon and coffee but for the last three or four days
we have had a little pore beef and a little pore barly and meal brand and a
little coffy mixt together it makes a little sort of slop and nothing to
shorten with and flour and peas and a little grise and you may guse how it
eats. We will draw a little _____ Saturday. I have not had but one good
meal of vituals since I left home. Tell Cousin Beacy a good glas of cream
and a plate of butter would be worth something to me jest about now. we
have orders to leave here in a few days. we will go to Clarksville, ten. I
will be glad when the day comes. we will alect our officers as soon as all
of the regiment gets here and then we will have a ______ of our own. I
heard that Huett had started here but he has not get here yet. I look for
him every day. Jerry they have got the measles in a hundred yards of us tho
we have not got them yet. they are ten thousand volunteers on the ground
here at this plase. they ain’t eany of them volunteers for but twelve
months. if the war lasts more than twelve months we are gone under. they
are lots of the boys wish they was at home. we drill about 6 or 7 hours in
a day. Cournel Greg __________ they have been several battles fought
lately. we whip them every time. Memphist is the largest town I ever saw
and a beautiful plase. they are amaking canons and bom shells and grapeshot
and cannon balls. everyday the cares is as thick as the wagons is at our
mill of a good grinding day. you can hear them _____ all of the time. I
have not went down to Uncle Terry yet. I think I will go in a few days. I
can staret here at 6 oclock in the morning and git there at 4 in the
evening. I have no herd from home since I left. it would be the greatest
sadisfaction to me in the world for me. you all tell them all to write to
me and I will try answer all of ther letters. tell them to rite soon and
rite long letters. if one can’t fil it out tell all of them to put a little
in. You must excuse bad spelling for have not got time to spel my words and
have to write on a board on my lap. tell Cousin Jim that I have not shaved
since I was out ther. Tell him I have _______ set and if he has not go anof
jest to come over and I will let him have some grafts ______ that is ______.
so farwell til the next time. I trust in God that I will se you all againG W Steward
back your letter to the Cear of Capt Moody and Gregg regiment.
give my love to all the family and reserve_____ portion for yourself and
allot the inquiring friends & to the girls aspesshily. write soon.back your letter to Memphist first..
NOTES: George Washington Steward Jr. died on December 7, 1861 at
Hopkinsville, KY. He was 20 years old.---------------------------------------------------------
Letters from Huet Burt Steward
------------------------------------------------
McKenzie College
April 28, 1860Dear Sister,
I received your letter of the 16th of April. I was glad to here that
you all were well and also received the five dollars ($5.00) which Pa sent
me. Your letter found me well. you made some inquirey with regard to when
the examination or if you please when the school will be out. It will be
out the last of June. I would like for the one that comes to get here in
time. let him start in time to get here then. it will about six days to
come _____. I said send a two horse wagon after us. as to the wagon I am
not paticular. a carriage or anything that is convenient so it will hall us
and our produce. And again how much money I would owe at the close of the
school. I suppose it will take about two hundred dollars ($200.00). it
will be that ______ and I will want some books besides. But tell pa that to
not put himself to any extra trouble to send it all. but if he can I would
be glad. As I said in my last letter I reckon _____ _____ will stay with me
on vacation. he is making his arrangements to that effect and our intention
is to study there at home. If you can, it would do well to have us a house
built. about large enough to hold two beds and have sufficient room
besides. the place to put it would be best between the new house and fence
(nere the fence) to the right of the gait from the house. or if you will
not have time to build it if you can get the planks we can help to make it.
I take this to be the better plan as the family is large and frequently has
company. if you call upon any better plan do so. Tel Jerry if he at home
that I would have written to him but I thought it uncertain about his
getting it as he spoke of going to be absent from home. as soon as I learn
that he is stationary I will write to him. Tell George I think it is to me
he is learning how to write. We have some very cool mornings & heavy dews
now. very recently we had some heavy rains. Write if your school is going
on now & how long it will continue and write how your preacher is doing and
what his name is and if he is a man of a family and where he boards. Give
me all the nuse that would interest me. give my love to all. May God with
his infinite goodness preside over you all.Yours until death
H. B. Steward
P.S. It may be that you do not understand how it is that I owe so much. a
part of it is on the old score last year. I believe I shall want about five
dollars more. you may think that it takes a heap to do me, so it does.
everything I get I have it to buy. I would also like for you to send me a
pare of boots or if you cannot get good boots a pare of shoes will do. send
them by the one that comes after us. a pare that fits Jerry will fit me.
write soon.Yours as ever
H. B Steward
NOTE: The following letter was written sometime after Feb 21, 1862.
Camp
Douglass
Chicago, Ill.My Dear Pa & Ma
I am glad to write to you (letter torn here) for I know you will be
glad even to hear that I am well. as you have doubtless heard it is my sad
fate to be prisner of war though I expect to see better and happier days.
Since we were taken at Ft. Donaldson we been treated as well as prisoners of
war are commononly treated I reckon. we were surrendered 16th Febr and was
brought to this place on the 21st of Feb and have been here ever since. in
a few days after we got here our officers was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio near
Colombus and from there the field officers were sent to ______ ______. Geo
Bradley Lee Moody Geo Blair Bob _____ Bill Harris went with the officers to
Camp Chase. Si is with George yet. we have received a letter from Col
Gregg and Capt Moody each. they were all well. the locality of this place
is very low and in wet weather is very muddy & would I suppose afford a
beautiful scenery if it wasn’t for the plant wall which surrounds us. it is
in sight of Lake Michigan. There has been a good deal of sickness amon the
prisoners (here the top corner of the letter is torn away and the opening
words of the first five sentences are missing)…..up to this morning 165 dead
_____lost but one out of our co. that _____ Joseph S Manning. Died of
plurasne. ____ are three in the hospital viz Bob Steele, Will Huckaby &
Jeff Tull. I met with Jim George & Marion Seelys son Steward and several
other old acquaintances at Ft. Donaldson. They are here & I see them evry
day. Jim Seely was wounded in the arm and was left at Perduca ____. he got
here about a week ago. he is well of his would but has the mumphs. Knowing
the deep interest that is felt for the entire Co. I will give you a list of
all that is here. Our killed was Wm L Neal, Wm McIlveen, J___ Mayo &
Forkner Sims. the wounded was Syrms Love, John Means, Josh S____ & Tom
Jourden.We have had an opportunity of being released by taking the oath of
allegiance but when we come home we will come with honor. Pray for us. as
ever your obedient sonH. B. Steward
NOTES: This letter was written sometime after Feb 21st in 1862. H.B. had
only a short time to live. He died on 16 April 1862. He was only 22. Many
men did not take the “oath” and either came home or went on fighting. Many
felt that an oath was an oath, no matter to whom it was given. Some felt
that an oath given to “Yankees” wasn’t worth the ink it was written in.
Obviously, our Huet felt it would be dishonorable to take the oath.---------------------------------
Letters from Jeremiah Terry Steward
------------------------------
Camp 20 miles north of little Rock Dec the 23/62
My dear Wife,
I take the present opportunity to drop you a few lines to let you no how
I am getting a long. I am only tolerable well this morning. I have a very
bad cold and coff and have had ever since I left camp Nelson. I have been
puny every since then tho I have never stoped. I have been going al the
time. I ast the Capt to excuse me from general Review. he told me I would
have to go the the Dr and get him to let me off. I tolled him I would not.
I tolde him I would go if it killed me before I would go to the Dr. there
is a great deal of sickenss in camp. the diseases are janders Pneumonea and
diarear. we have lost and other man. George McMilan is dead. this makes
12 that has died out of our company. it looks like we wil ketch up with
Wood co if we keep on. it is thought that we will got Vikburg yet. if we
go then whitch must I do. come home or go the see my kin folks when I get a
furlough. I am satisfied that it will be some time before I get to come
home if General Holmes turns me lose. he is gon up to _____ man’s army and
it will be some time before he returns. if that letter does not do try the
subscription. I think it will have to go the secatary of war. you said
something about Frank coming to the army. tel him to wate just as long as
he can. not to come until he is old enof to be conscripted. tel him he wil
soon get tired of the service. I believe that I am better off than anyone.
I have no brother to died and leave me and I can’t leave them grieving after
me. when a man dies in camp if he has no brother with him there is but
little fus make about it. there would be more fus make about a dead hog
than a dead man. you said something about having fatty bread. I got your
letter last night and yesterday we got two hog feet to our mes and after
reading your letter I was determining you should not live better than I did
so I put the feat on to boil and when ______________it is very uncertain
about our being mounted aain. if you keep growing you will be longer than I
am when I get home if I ever do get there. I just weight 175 pounds with my
heavy close on. the boys say I look very pale lately. I have not been
clear of the head ache in some time. tho it is cold we have 19teen report
for duty in our co. I did not mean to hurt your feelings about the Jim
story. I said it in a joke. I hope you will for give me this time and kiss
him if you want to or wait until………(rest of the letter is missing).I did not send them that ring.
Dec. 25, 1862Camp 20 miles north of little Rock on Ark river
Dear Sister
I take the present opportunity to let you no how I am getting along. I
am not very well this morning. I believe I am taking the janders. I have
been on the decline for some time. I keep going tho I feal very weak.
there is several cases of janders in our company. have orders to march
tomorrow in the directin of Pine Bluff Ark. it is thought that we will go
to Vicburg yet. we will have to go somewhere. it is impossible for Ark to
fead us more than a month long. that is this part. we will have to go to
Vicburg or fall back to the Red River on accoaunt of provisions. our boys
seem to be very ancious to get in battle. we are armed with enfield rifles,
Belgium rifles and muskets. we are very well armed and we would do some
good fighting if we had an opportunity. Nan I no what to think when Tom
looks so mutch better than he use too and has got so mutch smarter. that is
a mity good sine that there is some thing ______. Nan let him run until the
war ends. there is many a poor woman that would be a heap better of than
they are if they had of been single when this war commensed. look at Jane
and see. suppose I never get back. it is rumered here that we have sunk
sixteen of the feds gun boats at Vickburg. there is but little talk of
pease. rite soon. tel the rest to rite.J T Steward
(Notations across top of this letter seems to refer to rings he sent his
wife and sisters during his service).February the 9
1863My Dear I am again permitted to drop a few lines to let you now how I am
getting a long. this leaves me in tolerable health. I hope when these few
lines reach your hand tat they may finde you all enjoying the best of health
and doing well in this world.we have had some very cold weather this winter. we have had four snows this
winter. one has just melted off and it looks very mutch like rain this
morning.NOTES: This letter made envelope style from steam boat receipts folder
over. It is addressed on the front to Mrs. J. T. Stewart, Fairfield,
Freestone Texas. The return is J. T. Stewart, Co. H. Randal Reg. _____
_____ Calvary. The Postmark is unreadable. There is also a broken sentence
written on the envelop side. Can make out what may the county of _________.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Camp near Pine Bluff Ark April 18, 1863
Miss N V Stewart
My dear and affectionate sister
It is with great pleasure that I am permitted to answer your kind
letter whitch came to hand yesterday. it found me enjoying good health and
I hope when these few lines comes to hand that they may find you all
enjoying the same good blessing. we lost another man the other day ______.
J.B. Taylor he died with the typhoid fever. this is 14 men that has died
out of our co. the health in camp is very good at this time. Josh Burleson
is not wel. he has had the mumps and has had lite fever for too or three
days. the rest of the boys is all wel. we have no nuse in camp and have
not had for too months. I never saw as dul times in my life. there is no
movements at all that we can here of. sometimes I think that they are
trying to make pease and then I think that they are fixing to do some of the
biggest fighting that ever has been dun since the war commenst. I would be
glad that they would do one or the other. if I had my choice I would have
them to make pease. we look every ______ mail for some nuse tho it never
comes. I would like to see home one more time tho it looks like it is a
long ways off. tho I hope the time wil come soon. you nead not be afraid
of my shoing my letters to my mess. I never sho mine and I never keap them
on hand. I read them and then burn them so no one reads them but me. the
young men shos there letters that they get to there mess. if I could see
you I could keep you company of sundays and I could interest you too., I
hope that time is close at hand.J T Stewart
Camp near Pine Bluff Ark April the 24th, 1863
My dear wife
It is with pleasure that I am permitted to answer your long and interesting
letter. it found me wel and I hope that this may find you all injoying the
same good blessing. the report is that the feds has taken Elexandra and
that Old Banks is ther with sixty thousand men. we are going to take up the
tine of march tomorrow morning for that plase. if they are there when we
get there we wil have a lively time. Josh Burleson and Dave wil be left
here. Josh had the mumps and they have fel on him. Dave has the rheumatic
pains so bad he can’t go. I can’t write mutch. everything is in sutch a
stir fixing to get off. if that subscription does wel and goes on to the
war department and comes there before it comes to me you had better wait
until you here from me when I stop before you start it to me. it mite be
that it would get lost. tel Molie and Nancy that I wil write to them when I
stop. it may be some time before you here from me. you must not get
uneasy. an I wil write every cance I have. you must be more cautious how
you write for I mite come home some time. if the boys was to ready your
letters whitch they would be shure to do if any come after I left they would
make a heap of sport of them. direct yours as you have until you here from
me. I will close. leave off the sweetnes in your letters. just say dear
or something of that kind. give my respects to all enquiring friends and
receive my love to yourself.J T Stewart
NOTES: The curator at the Fairfield County Museum said that they were
several other letters between JT Steward and his wife passed down to
descendants. At one point, a family member destroyed the letters because
they were considered “too warm” for others to read.State of Ark, county of Drew April 29, 1863
My dear wife
I take the present opportunity to drop you a few lines to let you no
how I am a getting along. this is the fourth day of our march. I am wel
and getting along tolerable wel with my nap sack on my back. It has rained
a great deal sinse we left and the roads is very bad. if they wer a little
worse we could not go at all. we are on our way to Monroe La. you must not
write to me until I write to you again. I have no nuse to write to you. I
hope when those few lines comes to hand that they may find you all wel and
doing wel. that dres pattern that man give to you you must keep it until
you see me. and if you never see me keep it any how all the time. I wil
write soon as I ______ (letter torn here) before. give my respects to all
enquiring friends and receive my love to yourself. may the blessings of God
be with you forever is my prayer.J T Stewart
NOTE: This letter is written on a ledger sheet marked Monticello, La….185,
Dealers in Hardware, Cutlery, Dry Goods & Groceries, _____of OLIVER &
TRAVIS.Delp______La July the 3/63
Dear and beloved wife
it is with pleasure that I am again permitted to drop you a few lines
to let you no that I am in good health and I hope when these few lines reach
your hand that they may find you enjoying the same blessing. we have had
another fight with the feds and negros. we killed a large number of negros
and a few feds and taken eleven hundred negros and 40 feds. our loss too
killed and thirteen wounded. we detroid several large farms and ________
that the feds had planted in cotton. we will strike them again in a few
days. we fout this battle last Monday. this is the third battle. the
other too was fought on Sunday. we heard yesterday that Johnson had whip
Grant out a Vikburg but whethere it is so or not I can’t tel. I hope it is.
we have been on the march ever sinse the 25th of April. and I have marched
a heap of it in the night. I stood it as wel as any of them. I have got to
be a small man. I weight one hundred and sixty pounds tho my health is very
good. Several of the boys is sick. one has died. James Gorman (possibly
Norman or Newman) died last Sunday with the flue. Josh Burelson had got a
very bad bile on his neck. the Chancelors are both wel. I saw Josh and
John Guffee about a weak ago. they were both puny. we have 37 men for duty
in our company. I rote to pa about that petition but perhaps he did not get
the letter. I will write again. the one they sent was no account. they
said the government did not need any cotton _________. if he wil get up
another one and get it up write it wil do some good. tel him to send it to
me this time. Mr Yarbro, Carner, Gorden (Garner?) and Dr. Adams, George
Bradley has been to see us. Dr. Adams and _______ staid at home yesterday.
Yarbro, _______ and Geo Bradley has gone over the Misp Riuver. if you can
see any chance you may send me some close. send me one shirt one pare of
pants and three pare of yarn socks. put pockets in the shirt. you (letter
torn). I had plenty of (letter torn) to throw them away. patch the pants
the first thing you do to them. you no where they will ware out first. on
the seat and on the nease. tel the girls that I have got letters from all
of them and was glad to get them but for the want of time and paper I could
not answer them. I have got plenty of paper but had to leave it at
Alexander. When we left Alexander we though we would go back in eight days.
we started back but the order was countermanded and do not no when we will
go back there. I would like to come home to see you all but the time looks
like it is a long ways off. I am glad you can dream sweet dreams about me
if you can’t see me. I am so tired when I lay down to sleap that I do not
take time to dream. when we march all day and until midnite we camp and
then have our next days rations to cook you can get wheter we have time to
dream or not. the boys all look like they was nearly worne out and we wil
not get to rest until the fight is desided at Vixburg. I here heavy
cannonading there this morning. kiss that big boy for me. that is all I
can write.J T Stewart
(Notes: Letter has been folded into enveloped shape with the last page
left blank so as to form an addressable front. Post marked Shreveport, La,
July 10 1863. Addressed to Mrs. J. T. Stewart, Fairfield, Texas. Return to
J. T. Stewart, Co. H, Randals Regiment Cavalry.Chenieville La Oct 4 1863
My dear and affectionate wife
I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you no that I am wel and
I hope when those few lines reach your hand that they may find you all well.
I was very sorry to hear of Randolf’s death. tho we all have to die sooner
or later the plan is to try to be prepared to meet death. there is no
getting around that death. my dear I did play cards some times for fun but
while Randolph was out here I quit and wil not play any more. you may
depend on that. the health of our co is very good. they were all wel the
last time I herd from them. I have not been with the command in over two
weeks. I am detailed on provo guarde. I do not no how long the detail wil
last. the winter I hope. I am acting ordily while I am on the detail and I
have a house to stay in. you are talking about coming to see me. if you
wait until you get this letter you had better wait unti Spring. the weathe
wil be getting so colde and worse. by that time I wil be closer to home
than I am now. unless Mr. Guffee comes. if he comes and brings a wagon you
can come with him if you want to. If Mr Guffee does not come tel Pa to send
Frank with my close. tel him to come by the country so the Jay Hawkers will
not ketch him. what Mr. David tolde was so. if yuou was to to come to see
me, if you was here now we could do fines as I am away frome the comande and
we could have a house to stay in. tho I do not no long I will stay here. I
saw John Guffee about two weaks ago. he was well. you must tel Mary Jane
that I would have been very proud to have been at home to of seen her. give
her my warmest respects. maby your petition wil do some good. it looks
like you intend to have me to come home if there is any chance. wel that is
rite. if at first you donte sucsead you wil sucsead this time I hope. you
ned not send me any suspender buckles. I have aplenty. you may send me
some buck skin to make me some shoe strings and you may send me an over
shirt. I do not want any ten dollar________ move down in the morning. our
calvary has taken too hundred fed prisoners in the last too weaks. I would
like if you could have my filley got up tho you nead not_______ yourself to
too mutch trouble. if she is lost it is not mutch. if I every get home I
will try to finde he. what is the reason your Ma does not get some boddy to
attend to her stock. I would think that they would not increase mutch
running at larte.(NOTE: Rest of letter is missing)
Camp near Evergreen La October the 11th,
1863My dear and affectionate wife
it is with the greatest pleasure that I am permitted to drop you a few
lines in answer to your kinde letter that came to hand last night. I was
glad to here from you all tho sorry to hear of McNabbs bad health. I am wel
this morning and I hope when these few lines reach your hand that they may
finde you all well and doing well. the health of our company is very good.
the Burleson boys is wel. we have been expecting a fight for too days tho
it is reported that the feds has fel back this morning. Col Spates Brigade
has a fight last weak. they killed about 40 yanks and taken 484 prisners.
one col and one lieutenance col. I saw the prisoners. our loss was bout 30
killed. I do not no the number wounded. the skirmishers has been light
fighting several days. it is hard to tel when we will have a fight or wil
not have one. tel Randolph that our boys that was in jale when he was hear
is out. they was not punished only kept in jale about a month. I rote to
you about my close. I wil want too shirts as I have lost one and one over
shirt. send me too shirts and one over shirt. and if you can make me a
good heavy blanket. I do not ______ one like Randolph had. weave it like
jeans heavy. it is said that the jay hawkers are stoping the people that
are moving to Texas and rob their wagons. turn them back and tel them to
stay in La. there has been a protracted meeting going on in our Brigade for
about a month and it is still going on and it is doing a great deal of good.
there has been something near fifty joined the church. it is a babtis
meeting. you said you wanted me to use every means to come home. I want to
come home worse than you want me to come but there is no chance for me to
come unless I desert. I don’t think you want me to come that way. I want
you to send me Huet’s testament if you can and if you send my close by Mr.
Gufee or by Frank send me your ambrotype. that one that is in the double
case. make a leather packet to put it in buckskin. my dear I am glad to
hear of you being in sutch fine health and so large and stout. you are
larger than I am. I exspect you are the best man now. I would like to take
a rastle with you to see whitch could throw down. you mite throw me but I
would turn you mity quick. I dreamed the other night that I ent home and
staid three days and nites and you would not sleep with me and hardly talk
to me. that makes twiste that I have drempt that. I exspect that it is so.
is it. direct your letters to Marshall. I have been to preaching. there
was six baptized today and 8 yesterday. I had just got back from the lodge.
I feel just as happy as any boddy could feel so fare from home.J T Stewart to his wife
Camp Near Marksville, La – January the 11, 1864
My Dear and Affectionate Wife,
it is with pleasure that I am onste more permited to drop you a few
lines in answer to your kinde letter that you directed to Chenneyville. It
found me wel and doing as wel as a man could in camp so far from his friends
and his home. these few lines leave me the best of health and I hope that
they may find you all we and doing wel.. My dear, you say that you have
lost all hope of ever seeing me again. I am sorry to hear that you have. I
have a brighter hope of seeing you now than I ever have had, that is for a
long time, and have more hope of the war ending soon. I don’t see how the
war can last more that one more year, for if the feds donte let us alone in
that time, we will have to give it up in that time for all the corn growing
lands in this has been destroyed. that is all the fences has been burned and
the negroes run off, all that did not go off with the feds and the whole
army west of the Misps (Mississippi ??) River will have to look to Texas
for support and if the feds take that, I donte see what we will do. You
have heard so many reports about Walkers invasion. It is all false. There
has been only one brigade and too Regt of walkers Division in a battle yet
there was Skwnynd (??) Brigade last summer at Milikens Bend and Robbert’s
and Kings’s at appaloulas last fall. that all of the walkers division that
has every been in a fight yet. Randals Brigade has never fired a gun in
battle yet. only Robbert Regt. there was a few killed. I do not no how
many and a bout 20 taken prisner they were taken to new Orleans but they
have also been exchanged and are now back in with their Regt. we taken more
of them them then they did of any men. they were all exchanged Christmas
day at neworlean. everything is very still now and times is very dul in
Camps. we have plenty of blue beaf and yellow corn bread to eat. this may
make you laugh but I wil tel you the taste the vituals that we have to eat
here a dog would not eat it unless he was very hungry. the beaf is so
______ that when it is boiled it shrivels up and makes a pot full of jelly.
I tel you that it looks too nasty for a dog to eat but it is that or
nothing. some times we come by a little pork at a dollar a pound. Chickens
is seling from too to four dollars a pease. you note that you was nearly
out of money. I donte no what you wil do for I have got no more to send to
you. everything is so xxx and I wil buy something to eat and my wages is so
little tht it takes all I get to keep me up. I use to save all my money and
send it to and when I had sent enof to pay my debts though I would try to
live off of the rest. the reason that note to you not to send me any more
close I thought I would try to draw my closths from the government. I have
not drawn any cloaths yet and have not got any clothing money yet and I
thought that the you taken to make my cloaths that you could knit or sew and
get money to buy sutch little thing as you need. if I could draw my
cloathing money I would sent it to you. they owe me over a hundred dollars
for cloathing but there is no teling when I wil get it. they was to of
payed it last September but it is not payed yet and I have not got all the
money fro my horse yet by a hundred and 15 dollars. If I had all that is
owing to me I could send you too hundred dollars but I do not no when I wil
get it. I have a hundred dollars by me now but I want to keep it so if I
get a furlow that I wil hae money to bare my expenses home. my Dear I am
comeing the first chance I get that you may depend on. I have plenty of
paper and ink and envelopes and more than I wil use. I want you to lend me
that golde pen of George’s by Jose Burleson if you get this letter before he
starts back. donte send mine send Georges. Nancy had it when I left home.
I donte want a holder. I only want the pen point. Send me a pare of socks
by Josh and you may send me them shoes and ____ Carter wants you to knit him
a pare of gloves like mine as soon as you can and send them to me. knit
them as soon as you can and send them first chance you have. my Dear if I
never see you and the feds comes where you are donte do like the ladys of
La. take your jewlry and bury it for if you them and the negros will get it
but keap it on and in your trunk. the best way wil be to keap I on tho I
hope they may never come where you are. my Dear I think I wil get a furlow
the next time there is any ones forlowed from our company. I am coming if
there is any chance for me to come if it was not for the after affect I
would come furlow or no furlow. I would take me of one and come any how. I
tel you I am getting very tired of this war now. xxxx I am given my best
respects to all enquiring friends and receive my love to yourself my dear.
if I could tel you my dream I had last night, you would nearly kill yourself
laffing. good bye sweetness. J T Stewart~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Camp near Clarksville La March the 1/64
My dear and affectionate wife
I take the present opportunity to answer your kinde letter which came
to hand yesterday. they found me wel and I hope when these few lines reach
your hand that they may finde you all wel and doing wel. I have no war nuse
to write. only our officers has opened free trade with the feds and have
got all the government wagons hauling cotton. they trade cotton for all
kinds of good and the calico they get is issued out the officers and the
privates gets nothing and it is causing great dissatisfaction among our
soldiers and a great many swares that they wil go home if it is stoped or
explained. they want to no what it means having free trade with a nation
and fighting at the same time and it does look strange to me tho it may all
be for the better. I hope it is. you rote to me to come home. I intend to
come home the first change and maby before tho you need not think that I
will desert to come home. if I do not get home by the first of May I want
you to put off coming a month longer. say the first of June. that wil be
soon enof for you to start to see me. you may tel Tarlton that he can’t sho
the paper that has got my name in it published as a deserter. it was James
Story, Bill Day and bill Driver. tel him my name was not in it and he noes
it and I hope it will never be said to our boy your father was a deserter.
I would like very mutch to go with you and the girls to the Falls a fishing.
if you and them will be ready if I get a furlow this Spring we wil go by
after Mr. J_____ and take a _____. I think I could enjoy a trip of that
sort now. finely I wi not tel you what them presents are that I have got
for you and the girls but I no you all wil like them. I have got one for
Mrs. Wells tho I have nearly got out of the notion of giving it to her. I
think if nothing happens I will get to start home by the middle of April.
Josh Burleson says your boy is the ugliest childe he ever saw in his life.
he says he is ugly as a mud fence stucked and ____ with tadpoles tho I hope
he is mistaken about him. I hope the time won’t be long before I can see
for myself tho it may be some time yet. my dear I try to write you a letter
every weak. my dear we have some mity fine fish here. we are camped too
miles from the River. we have a very strong forte on the River tho I hope
wil never have no use for it. I hope this war wil end some of these days.
I will close. give my best respects to all enquiring friends and receive my
love to yourself. tel Mollie I wil answer her letter in a few days.J T Stewart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Camp Bayou de lack March the 8th/64
My dear wife
I take the present opportunity to drop you a few lines to let you no
that I am wel and I hope when these few lines reach your hand that they may
finde you all wel and doing wel. we have moved our camp. we had to move on
account of water. we moved about ten miles. my dear we had a great
excitement up in our Regt last weak about this cotton trade. all of our
Regt refused to do duty until it was esplained. the officers was too days a
getting things to wright. the men are now getting to become satisfied. the
officers has promised and explaination in a short tiem. I hope it wil turn
out rite. my dear I wish I could write you a long letter tho it is
implosible for me to do it at this time. my dear you can make my clouths as
you spoke of doing. I do not like the culler of my overshirt as wel as I
thought I would. you make them to please yourself and they wil please me.
my dear I hope it wil not be long before I can have the opportunity to come
and bring you a verble letter. that would please me better than any thing I
no of at this time. my dear the longer I stay here the worse I want to come
and see you. our mail has not come in this weak. I have a chance to send a
ltter by Mr. A. C Anderson who has just come acrost the River. he is a
member of Moody’s olde company and if any of you wants to sende letters
across the River you can send them by him when he goes back and they will go
threw safe. his command is in Georgia. my dearl tel the girls not to get
tired of writing to me for I wil not get tired of reading letters. I would
be glad if it was so that I would read a new one every morning. I will
write every chance I have. I can’t complain of your for I do think that you
do very wel. it does me so mutch good to read a letter from my affectionate
wife. my dear I am in fine spirits this morning. I wish I new you was in
as good spritis as I am. tho I am in too big a _____ to write muctch this
time. when the mail comes in I will write again. _____ my respects to all
inquiring friends and receive my love to yourself.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J T Stewart to his dear wife you must write ofter I wil not get of
reading your letters.Camp Mag______ (Magruder?) near Mindon La Decenber 30/64
Dear Jane
It is with pleasure that I am one time more permitted to drop you a few
lines to let you no how I get a long. the too first days was as colde as
every I felt. the next day was more moderate. the next day it rained
nearly all day and after riding in the rain until nine in the night we got
to a house that we could stay at. next morning it was clear. we went on
our jurney. that night it was equally as hard to get to stay at a house.
I never had as hard a time in getting to stay at houses in my life before.
some had no corn to fead horses on and others had no house room. some did
not want soldiers to stay for fear they would steal something and some did
not want soldiers to stay for fear they would steal something and some did
not take Confederate money. we got to camp the seveth moring safe and sound
with a windshake or wood pecker hold. we found a 11 in moderate health and
comfortably situation in good houses and getting nearly enuf to eat. the
Burleson boys are wel and the Chancelors. I saw Isack Awalt the other day.
he was wel. he belongs to Gools Battalion. he is campted about four
hundred yards from us. Frank is wel. I found all the things that was sent
to me. the pants that pa sent for me to give away did not come. Bill Blair
said they were left at Fairfield. he did not bring them. I want to no if
you put a pare of socks in my alet when I started. if you did I lost them
before I got to camp. if I did lose them that was all I did losse on the
way to camp. I am wel pleased with the couler and the make of my coat tho
it is too short waisted and too small in the waist. tho it does very wel.
I do not like the couler of my pants as wel as if they had of been brown. I
never did like red pants tho they do mity wel. I think my coat is very
pretty. if you ever have to make me another one make it a little longer in
the waist. it large enof every wher else. frank has too many clouths and I
intend to send some of them home. I thought I would send my new over shirt
but frank has worn the bindings of his and he wanted mine because it was
warmer than his and I let him have mine. ma can make me one if the plase of
it next year if I nead it. I like the make of it too ____ ____ ____ ____
____ the pockets is made. you lacked one pocket of putting pockets enof in
my coat. you aught to have put one side pocket in the right side. Frank
has the itch very bad tho I think I will cure him in a short time. there is
several of the boys got it. the reason that I did not start the horses rite
back is Henry Arp has sent up a furlow and if he gets it he wants to ride
one of them home. it taken nearly all the money I had to have (haul) our
_____ to camp ______. I wil have enof to send them back it wil be a tite
fit. tho they say that the government wil pay us all it ows us next month.
if they do pay I have money plenty to do me. my dear I thought I would
write a few lines this morning just to ask your for your new years gift
while I was traveling Christmas Day. I got a fine egg Christmas. that is
more than I have got _____ this morning. It is colde that ails me. I don’t
think it wil hurt me mutch. I hope these few lines may find you all wel and
doing wel. I wil write a few lines when Steve gets ready to start. Jan 5,
1865…my dear I got your letter you sent by John Guffee. it found me wel
and I hope these few lines may finde you all wel and doing wel. I would
like very mutch to see you now. I could tel you something that would
interest you. I wil try to write a ltter that wil be interesting to you
next time. I do not feel like writing more this time. may the blessing of
god rest upon you now and forever is my prayer.Camp near Pine Bluff Ark March the __________
Molie Dear Sister
it is with pleasure that I am again permitted to wright you a few lines
in answer to your kinde letter of the 22nd of February. I was glad to hear
that you all was wel tho sorry to hear that Jane bothered paw so mutch and
was so mutch trouble to him. it makes me feel very sad. I hope she wil not
trouble mutch more. the health of our company is better than it has ever
been. we have but too sick men. they are not dangerous. their was too men
shot last friday for desertion and one to be shot next friday and seven to
be shot next friday weak for the same act. tho none of them belonged to our
Regiment seven of them was from our Brigade. they are all Ducth but one.
they tried to get to the feds and was caut by our pickets. there is but
little nuse in camp now and there is _____ prospect of the war coming to and
end soon. there is talk of our being ordered to Missour as soon as the
roads gets so we can move. they are so bad that we can not move now. as
for my part do not no where we will go too. Molie suppose that Bob is a
prisner. I have not heard a word of him since the fight. I saw him about
too weaks ago before the fight. he was wel and on his way to the Post. I
inquired of all the boys that away and they did not no whiter he was killed
or taken prisner. it has been some time since I herd from Josh and John.
John had been sick tho he was getting wel. Molie I have a ring for you if
you want it. it is like Jane’s and Nancy’s. I would have sent it to you
but I thought I would get to come and bring it.Jerry to Molie
(This next part goes with a letter to his sister Molie. There is no date
on either letter other than March)Miss Nancy Stewart
Dear Sister a few lines to answer to your short letter. I do not ____ you
for that short letter for there is plenty of nuse in the country that you
could wright and that I would like to hear and if I was at home and had
nothing to do I could wright a letter a mile long. there is a great
difference between writing at home and in camp. when at home you have a
cair sister Nancy to set on and a good table to wright on. while in camp I
have to set on a chunk and wright on my nee and so mutch to do that I hardly
have time to wright before I am called to do something. this leves me wel
with the exception of a bad cold. the weather is very pretty at this time.
looks like foolishness for so many men to be in camp doing nothing. it
looks like we aught to be at home making something to live on. the sap has
just commenst rising. the froot trees is just now in bloom. I think that
there will be a fine froot crop here this year. there wil be but little
corn made here this year. all the negrows has been run of and but few has
returned yet. the wheat that is sown here looks very promising. General
______ has been suspended by Kerby Smith. they was that Jane bothered paw
so mutch was she was all ways wanting him to carry her to Falls to see her
ma and it caused him to have to marry her so that Jane could see her with
out his having to quit his work to go with here. the trouble is all over
now. he said that was the sole cause of his marrying. I donte think so.
I think it was something else.Terry to Nancy
Somewhere in Ark. April the 5
(NOTES: there is no year on this letter – this is only part of a letter
from Jerry to his wife)this leaves me tolerably wel. I can’t say that I have been rite since the
first of last December tho I have been going all the time. that is I always
have went on duty when my time come. the small pox has broke out in out
Regt and they have stoped furlowing. they do not want it cartered over the
country. they say it is better for a man to stay in camp than for him to go
home on furlow and carry the small pox and give it to his family and I think
so too. you wanted me to get a furlow and come. tho you see that furlowing
is dun for some time. there is but one cacel for me and that is that
subscription. I hope it may do wel. I no if the people want me there they
can get me there. My dear I have not got that pretty wife yet tho I do not
no what I may do. there has been a many a soldier married in Ark that had
wives at home. the owmen of Ark say that they wil give a hundred dollars to
see a married man from Texas. they say they are all single. that they
_____have seen a married man from Texas yet. they say they do not no the
caus unless there is no women in Texas. our officers say that we wil start
down the country in a short time. they say we wil go down to ______ on the
coast. they say we are going down there to see Olde Banks. they think we
wil start in a weak or too tho it is unserten when we wil start. the
weather is very _____ now. we had sleat and snow on the 29 of March.Piney Wood Camp thirty miles west of Alexander La March the 17
(Note: No year on this letter)
My dear wife--------in haste I drop you a few lines to let you no that I am
wel tho the tierdes person you every saw. the feds got after us last monday
morning and we have been on a forse martch ever since. they taken fort
______. there was eleven companys in the fort. some of our men got away. I
do not know how many. there was one co from our regt they all got away but
tren. they got in this evening. we are ordered to put all of our bggage
but one blanket. the train wil start by day lite tomorrow morning. I do
not no whether we wil go to meat the enemy or not. that is the talk. they
are in possession of ?Alexander. I do not no how far they are this side. I
expect we will have _____ time for awhile now. when this fus is over it wil
be my time to come home. I can not tel when that wil be. the reason we had
to march so hard as the feds was a coming from too ways and was about to cut
us off from the hills. if we had some cavalary we could holde our own with
them. they have sent for ______. we wil have to wate for _____ him. I
would not be surprised at a fight any day. there has one gun boat gone
above the shoals. they have six at Alexandra but could not get any more
above the shoals. I have lost my gloves on this trip. we have had some
very colde weather lately for the time of year. I saw the boys from falls
this morning. they were all wel. Jasper, John, Jo and Larkin. give my
respects to all enquiring friends and receive my love to yourself.J. T Stewart
NOTE: This letter is from Eliza Jane Steward to Jermiah Terry Steward
Stewart’s Mill Sunday night March the ____ 186___
My Dear – I was very agreeable surprised this eavening by receiving two
letter from you. I was not expecting a letter and received one friday dated
March the 5th and two tonight 10th and 15th. Talton saw Capt. Means
yesterday in Fairfied. My Dear I will not write much tonight. I hope I
will see you soon. I am coming to see you if possibly can. Talton wants to
come. I think Pa or Talton one will go with me. Sarah says she is going if
I go to see you. I have bin to church today. Parson Green and Caperton
boath preached. the preacher Mrrs. Awalt ____ Mel____ and Albert Lemons
spent the eavening hear. I sent to the office this eavening. I thought
maby you had writin for me to come to see you but you say you will tell me
when to start. Mrs. Ownes sent me word I was perfectly welcome to here
wagon when I wanted to go to see you. I reckon I can get a mule. Jim
belongs to Pa now. I most know I can get him. I did the cloath cut out
your pants and intended to finish them last night but I hear ____ Robinson
would not start until Wednesday. I did not know wheather he would go to you
or not so I never finished them. Ma has the cloath to make your tenet.
Mat is writing to _____ and Mary to. Sarah has just finished writing to
Adam C. I told Sarah what you said. she said they would be in Germany
before you would get home. Hardleman’s Brig. that is Green’s old Brig is at
Cotton Gin or what friday. I will quit for tonight. I don’t feel well.
JaneMonday night, March the 20th. My Dear I will write you a few lines tonight.
I sent to Mr. Johnson’s today for my ring ____ and your gloves. I got them.
I am very much obliged to you for them. I hope I will be able to pay you
for them. I think I will if you ever get home to stay long enough. I will
have me a hat as soon as I can. I do think my ring is the pretties one I
ever saw. My Dear we had the hardest hail this eavening I ever saw. Pa
says it was the largest hail he ever saw. it hailed a half lites out of the
widowns in the north end of the MIll House. that was all that was in that
end of the House. Tuesday morning—My Dear all is well this morning. the
wind is in the north. very cold but the rain has stopt. My Dear you don’t
know how I felt about you last night and yesterday when it was raining and
hailing so hard. I could think of nothing but you. I heard good news
yesterday it is so. it was in the ____. if says Jeff Davis has peace in
his hands now. if he is a mind to make peace it will be very soon. it also
says that Sherman’s army is split all to peaces. we heard that Richmond and
Charleston and Branchville was in the hands of the enemy but is was only
Yankee account. I do hope peace will soon be made. Tom has not come in
yet. we have not heard anything of him. I believe from the way Pa talked
he is in good humor with him now. he misses him so at the Mill. I am
sorry now that I wrote to you anything about it but it is too lat now. I am
just as mad with them now as I was at first. you will see the names of all
but the guilty on the top of this page. if you see any name missing you
will know who I spoke of in my last letter. My Dear I am waiting patiently
for another letter to say for me to come. I have no idea who will come with
me. I don’t want to go with Steve if there is any other chance. it looks
to me like the women is all trying to see what they can do. this woman that
is in jail here and another owman dressed in men cloaths and went at night
and robed a war widows house nand then burnt it. they said they went to
kill the lady of the house but she was not at home. it was Mrs. Wilder.
lives near Cotton Gin. they caught boath of the woman. bill Wood went and
got one of them and took her off. the one that is in jail had a little
baby. she says her husband has bin gone four year. they was a soldier
talking to her through the jail window. she said she had not seen her
husband in four years. he says he surely sent you a damed good letter. Pa
and Ma is going to town. I must quit. excuse mistakes.I am yours truly, E. J. Stewart
NOTES: There are no names at the top of any of the pages on the original
of this letter. Unsure of what Jane was referring to or who she was mad at.
In his letter of June 5, 1864, J. T. asks for enough cloth to make a tent.
In this letter Jan says “Ma has the cloath to make your tent”. Unsure if
this is the same or a different request, or if this letter should be dated
1864 or 1865.
Susan never married. She lived with her brother Jeremiah Terry (J.T.) Steward until his death and then with her nephew, Charles Burt Steward, spending her entire life in Stewards Mill Texas.
Rebecca first married William Capps and then Major Pleasant C. Whitaker and then George Washington Steward. Eliza Jane Whitaker, her daughter is the wife of Jeremiah Terry Steward, son of George Washington Steward and Sarah Seely. Rebecca died of chronic ulcer of the bowels.
REBECCA JANE HINTON (1819 SC - 1871 TX) married 1st William Capps in MS in
1834; Capps killed by Indians in TX; married 2nd Major Pleasant Clarke
Whitaker in 1841 in Robertson Co., TX; Whitaker murdered in 1859; married 3rd
George Washington Steward/Stewart in 1862. Children: Elvirah Pearl Capps
(1839 MS-1917 TX); James Lewis Whitaker )1842-1862); Eliza Jane Whitaker
(1864-1901); Mary Worth Whitaker (1846-1920); Martha Elizabeth Whitaker
(1849-1929); Thomas Clarke Whitaker (1851-1855); Olive Whitaker (1853-1855);
Annie Whitaker (1856-1942);Henry McKenzie Whitaker (1858-1890). Mike JLKB@aol.com
It is said that Moody went up the Missouri River but returned to Mississippi. In the 1860 census for Monroe Co., MS, (Moodys wife died in 1855) there are 3 more children living with Moody and his other children, they are: Louisa Lamore age 10 born in MS, H.J. Lamore age 7, born in MS and Rupis M. Lamore age 5, born in MS. Also Mary Susan and Augue are not living with the family and Roena (Rowena), Argine and M.C. are living with another family.
NOTES from Vanetta McVey: Moody accumulated several thousand acres of land in Monroe County along the Tombigbee River. When Pres Lincoln freed the slaves, Moody freed 59 slaves, giving each 100 acres of farm land.
Nancy's father had a brother, Moody Burt whom I believe whe named her son after. Moody Burt had fought in the Revoluationary War.
Living with the family in the 1860 census is Andrew Crosby, age 22, possibly Catherine's brother.
In 1860 Sallie is living with her father and some of her brothers and sisters in Monroe Co., MS.
Also found as Susan M. Steward in IGI
Argus died in the Battle of Jackson on July 11, 1863. I have also seen his name as Argin.
From Jesse A. Stewart - They moved to fairfield, Freestone County, Texas.
The family resided in Wortham and Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas.
William changed the name from Stewart to Steward when he moved from Monroe Co. MS to Ponotoc Co. MS (From Tandy Martin - great granddaughter of Moody Augusta Steward, grandson of William Steward Jr.)
CEMETERY RESEARCHER: I think today is your lucky day.... when I looked for William STEWART, I found nothing that would match... I then looked under STEWARD and low and behold there was William STEWARD, married to Falina STEWARD, it IS in Glasgow Hopewell Cemetery... there are no dates and according to the notes, he is buried in an unmarked grave. Falina (Im not sure if this is your mistake or the transcribers) is also buried in the cemetery... The cemetery was transcribed by Laverne Steward... (Falina should be Salina - Kathy Longhurst - I found Laverne and she gave me more information on the family of James Polk Steward, one of Williams sons, and his descendants. James Polk Steward was her grandfather).
CHURCH RECORDS: From Lois M. Gore, 106 Somerset Dr., Natchez, Ms. 39120: I have church records that show Wm. and Silina Stewart at Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church in Calhoun Co. MS.
This family moved to Calhoun County, Mississippi about 1860.
167 Steward, William Tedford, Silina 25 Feb 1841 by Joseph A. Bland, Judge of Police Court, Johnson Tedford on bond - Monroe County Marriages from the Police Bond Book 1, 1840 - 1841
Mississippi Marriages, Monroe County 1821-1858 : STEWART, William & Silina TEDFORD 25 Feb 1841, Monroe County, Officer's Bond, Book #1, Page 165-1. We believe that Salina is the sister of johnson TEDFORD of MS, but have not been able to prove it.
Lucina is buried in an unmarked grave. The transcriber said she was a WIDD child, I'm not sure what that means. There was a WIDD family so maybe she married a WIDD. Maybe it means she was a widow? She is not listed in the citation regarding their grandfather property in 1878 so I assume she was already deceased.
1870 & 1880 Federal Census, DeSoto County, Mississippi pg 129 twp 2 R9, there is a Jasper Stewart.
Don't know if this is the right Jasper but he is listed with wife, Mary E. and children, Susie, Columbus and Betty.
MILITARY RECORD: Jasper N. Stewart, Company D, Unit 31 Mississippi Infantry. Rank - induction-Private, Rank discharge-Corporal, Box 232, Extracation 38, Record 3361.I don't believe this is the same Jasper as in the Estate Papers for his uncle, Francis M. Stewart dated 1877, All of William Stewart and Salina's children are mentioned that were alive and only 4 were mentioned, Anderson, James, Frank and Moody.
There is a Frank Steward in the1870 Desoto County Mississippi census, pg. 398, twn 6, R 7
Name was probably Francis, like uncle Francis and great grandfather Francis.
William Jonathan was not named in a citation regarding their grandfathers propery in 1878 so I assume he was already deceased.
Perry was not mentioned in a citation regarding their grandfathers property in 1878 so I assume he was already deceased.
STEWART CLAN MAGAZINE: Anderson went to Pontotoc County, Mississippi, according to STEWART Clan Magazine.
DEATH: From Jesse A. Stewart: Anderson was in Calhoun County Mississippi by 1860. He died in the Civil War, he was standing in a church doorway and was shot in the head.
CEMETERY: Jesse A. Stewart delane@gmi.net - There is more than one Stewart cemetery. The one I found was out of Banner Mississippi. Its east of Banner about a mile. When you get to banner, MS - and going south , turn right to go to Banner just off the highway, and turn left to go to the cemetery. The land was donated by Anderson Stewart widow. Anderson Stewart is my great grand father.
Notes for ANDERSON STEWART, Calhoun Co., MS 1860 Federal Census, household 683-701, Stewart, Anderson 37 m Farmer MS, Elizabeth 33 f MS, William 12 m MS, Sarah 7 f MS, Nancy 4 f MS, John 10/12 m MS, Served as a private in Co. E, Yerger's Calvary Regt., CSA.
More About ANDERSON STEWART, 1850 Census: Monroe Co., MS Federal Census, household 265/277, 1860 Census: Calhoun Co., MS Federal Census, household 683-701, Notes for MARY ELIZABETH CAIN, 1880 Calhoun County, Miss. Federal Census; page 561, local page 27, district 1
Cotton, Elizabeth 52 keeping house MS MS MS, Steward, Jeremiah 19 laborer MS, Steward, Henry 17 farmer MS, Cotton, Betty 9 dau MSAll of the info on Andersons descendants came from Jesse Stewart and Larry Hellums
Notes for ANDERSON STEWART:
Calhoun Co., MS 1860 Federal Census, household 683-701
Stewart, Anderson 37 m Farmer MS
Elizabeth 33 f MS
William 12 m MS
Sarah 7 f MS
Nancy 4 f MS
John 10/12 m MS
Served as a private in Co. E, Yerger's Calvary Regt., CSA.
More About ANDERSON STEWART:
1850 Census: Monroe Co., MS Federal Census, household 265/277
1860 Census: Calhoun Co., MS Federal Census, household 683-701
This family moved to Texas.
BIRTH & DEATH DATES: from Egger Cemetery. http://www.ebicom.net/~lowndes/eggers.html
Another birth date found was 26 Jun 1826 in Monroe Co., MS from abstracts of notes of Dr. Leonard Crosbys, kept in the home of his son, James Crosby in Aberdeen MS - given to me in March 2001 from Mary Ann Riggan.
Birth and Death dates from Egger cemetery. http://www.ebicom.net/~lowndes/eggers.html
116. Nancy A. "Nannie" Stewart
Birth and Death dates from Egger cemetery. http://www.ebicom.net/~lowndes/eggers.html
Found a John M. Stewart from Mississippi who was a Private and died in the Civil War - need to research to find out if this was him.
Found a John M. Stewart born abt 1855 in MS who married Alice born abt 1856 and had son robert born 1879 in the 1880 CENSUS MONROE CO MS.
Found info on this family at http://members.tripod.com/adm/popup/roadmap.shtml?member_name=mckinley783&path=Other_McKinleys&client_ip=152.163.189.129&ts=976831045&ad_type=POPUP&id=41fb07666d31468122c07f756f3dc889
Found info on this family at http://members.tripod.com/adm/popup/roadmap.shtml?member_name=mckinley783&path=Other_McKinleys&client_ip=152.163.189.129&ts=976831045&ad_type=POPUP&id=41fb07666d31468122c07f756f3dc889
I have a copy of their license application for marriage, James L. Kolb and Andrew J. Egger both signed and M.B. Steward J.P. also signed the part that says "By virtue of the above license, I have this day solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between Mr. J.L. Kolb and Miss A.B. Steward Witness my hand, this 22nd day of December 1859.
I have a copy of their application for a marriage license - signed by James L. Kolb and John E. Kolb and M.B. Steward J.P. " recorded this 25th day of March A>D. 1861"
This family was in Pontotoc Co, MS, in 1860
csharp@semovm.semo.edu (Charles E. Sharp)
Thank you for your quick response! I look forward to reading the file you sent and will get something back to you shortly.
A quick perusal showed me the following information about Thomas A.:
22 M i. Thomas A. STEWART was born 1812?.
Thomas married Christianne BOYD on 1848 in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
I believe he was married on May 10, 1836, in Monroe County, MS. The marriage record, I've been told, says Christian Baird, which I have assumed to be a misspelling of her name. By 1848 five children had been born, with the sixth one coming in 1848.
If Thomas were married to two different women named Christian, that claim has not been publicized. Christian was the daughter of Samuel Boyd, who moved to Monroe County, MS, from Union County, SC. (The probate of his estate names Christina Steward, wife of Thomas Steward of Pontotoc County.) Since most people couldn't read and write, it's only natural her name would be spelled in various ways.
I do think my Thomas and your William likely have some relationship. The one you listed is very credible. By the way, someone--I don't recall who right now--said Thomas A. had a brother named Simeon T., born about 1818. I have no idea what the source of that information was.
I'm happy to learn that a few people are working on the Thomas A. line. Perhaps eventually we'll gain some certainty.
Mary Ellen Sharp
PS: Do you have any files from Jim Harmon--a Thomas A. descendent, through the daughter Nancy, who married a Costner?Marriage Book #2, Monroe CO., MS 1834-50, pg 99: Thomas A. Stewart and C. Ann Baird, 10 Mar 1836
1850 Lafayette CO., MS Census, #975 & 976, show John Stewart living next door to his son, Thomas.
1850 CENSUS LAFAYETTE CO., MS
Thomas A. Stewart HH# 975 and 976
IGI record for birth date
Margaret never married.
147. Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Stewart
Info on Thomas was found at ancestry.com from BLOUBROWN@aol.com