Person:Samuel Stewart (18)

Notes

Possibly the same Samuel Stewart?

Samuel Stewart

Samuel Stewart has been a person of intrigue to me since 2001 (roughly). For years it was not apparent to me why I was so interested in Stewart and his family. Since 2005, however, the mystery has begun to unveil itself. I have learned more about Stewart, his family, and the local history of the area to which they settled (in NC) some two and a half centuries ago. It was necessary to uncover the heritage of places such as “Muddy Creek”, and “Tomahawk Branch”, and “Wachovia” (the old Moravian settlement of 1753), all of which were located in modern day Forsyth Co., NC. Furthermore, I reside in the same location, as well. But first, let’s look at a brief history of Samuel Stewart and his family, prior to their move to NC.

Stewart lived next to my ancestors (Robert and Sarah Patterson) in Sussex Co., Delaware (on the Broadkill River) during the 1720s and 30s. Between 1738 and the early 1740s, both the Pattersons and the Stewarts (plus other families such as Harrison, Black, Cravens, Hood, etc.) moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (on headwaters of Linville Creek) near modern day Harrisonburg (Rockingham Co.). In 1748, Samuel’s oldest son David left Va for the Yadkin River valley of North Carolina. Soon thereafter, Samuel, his wife Lydia, and the rest of their family followed David. In the late 1750s, my ancestors (the Pattersons, Blacks, and other families like the Harrisons, Cravens, Ponders, etc.) moved from Va to the border region of North and South Carolina around Kings Mountain, on Clarks Fork of Bullocks Creek (modern day York Co., SC).

The natural conclusion is that when the Stewarts left Va there was no longer any contact between these families. Samuel and Lydia Stewart died in NC, while the Pattersons and other families of Clarks Fork settled and died there. The Stewarts’ children and grandchildren migrated away from the region in different patterns than the Pattersons, et al. Surely, there was no contact between them after 1750 in Va. Right?

What I have discovered in the last few years begs to tell a different story. Details are still being unearthed as this story is written, and no doubt will continue to be discovered for years to come. Facts to consider certainly include, but are not limited to, the following:

Exactly where did Samuel Stewart move to in NC? Where was the Great Wagon Road in relation to his farm in the 1750s and early 1760s? Where was Tomahawk Branch? How close did Stewart live to Muddy Creek and Wachovia? How many times was Stewart recorded in the Moravians’ diaries, and what did those records say? Would the Pattersons have traveled by the Stewarts’ farm during their migration from Va to Carolina? Would the Pattersons have stayed over at the Stewarts’ for any length of time during that migration? How much did the French and Indian War on the Va frontier impact the timing of the Patterson’s move south? Would part of the Patterson clan have lived with the Stewarts until the rest of the Patterson family left Va following the war? Each of the above questions are valid based on evidence found concerning each family and each location and each time period. I hope to document these details and theories throughout this story.

Samuel Stewart received his first NC land warrant in 1753, a tract of land containing 508 acres located in Rowan Co. This warrant was dated November 30, 1753 and was surveyed the following May 24. Chain bearers for the survey were John Dawson and John Stewart, Samuel’s third son. This tract was deeded to Samuel Stewart on May 9, 1757, witnessed by David Stewart, the oldest son of Samuel. This tract of land was located on the west side of the Moravians’ Wachovia Tract, as well as the west side of Muddy Creek. A creek which ran through this Stewart tract was sometimes known as Stewart’s Creek or Stewart’s Run, but more commonly as Tomahawk Branch.

Tomahawk Branch is the name of this creek today. It is located in modern day Forsyth Co., part of it being contained within the city limits of Winston-Salem. Most of the former Wachovia Tract (99,000+ acres) is also contained within modern day Winston-Salem.

The Moravians built a road from their community of Salem (now Old Salem) to the Shallow Ford at the Yadkin River. That road became known as Shallowford Road over time, with parts of the road being renamed. Most of it within Winston-Salem is known as Country Club Road. Country Club crosses Muddy Creek running west, then passes modern day Meadowlark Drive (on the right), then crosses Tomahawk Branch, then changes names to Shallowford Road, all within a half-mile stretch. I am working to prove my theory that Meadowlark Drive is the old boundary of the Wachovia Tract on the western side. If it is not the old boundary, it is certainly within a few hundred yards of it.

Tomahawk Branch runs north to south, as does Muddy Creek, and dumps into Muddy Creek perhaps a quarter mile south of Country Club Road. The head of Tomahawk Branch begins some two or three miles north of Country Club Road, and also north of modern day Robinhood Road. Meadowlark Road runs two miles in length, from Robinhood Road south to Country Club Road. The old Great Wagon Road crossed the modern day Robinhood Road running southwest, most likely between the mile or so stretch of Robinhood Road between Meadowlark Drive and Tomahawk Branch.

The point in mentioning all of this is to establish the proximity between the Moravians’ Wachovia Tract, and Samuel Stewart’s tract, and the Great Wagon Road on which my ancestors (the Pattersons and Blacks) would have traveled in the late 1750’s. I am working to further pinpoint exactly where these roads, creeks, and tracts were in relation to one another.

Samuel Stewart was deeded another 332 acres on August 10, 1762. I have seen conflicting data as to whether or not this tract was next to the 508 acres. We know that his lands were both east of the Yadkin River and west of Muddy Creek (aka Gorgales Creek). There was later a dispute between the Stewarts and the Moravians about some of this land. It apparently bordered the Wachovia Tract. So, was it the 508 acre tract or the 332 acre tract on which there was a dispute? Or was it both?

Willard Gentry states on his web site at http://www.gentryjournal.org/archives/jgg0301.htm that William Gentry was hired by the Moravians to build a bridge across Muddy Creek in 1772. Here is Mr. Gentry’s statement:

“The next reference to William is found in the records of the Moravian settlement at Salem, North Carolina. He was hired by them to build a bridge across Muddy Creek on the road between Salem and Shallow Ford, the main point of crossing for the Yadkin River. The initial agreement was dated 29 June 1772 and he was to have the bridge completed by November 1. He apparently made good on his commitment since on November 30th the records show that William had been paid for the job but was also asked to extend the bridge on the western end which he agreed to do.”

Adelaide L. Fries, "Records of the Moravians in North Carolina", Raleigh, NC, 1925, Vol II (1752-1775); Edwards & Broughton Printing Co., Raleigh, NC, 1925.

p. 682: Diary of Salem Congregation, 1772, June 29: "The Grosse Helfer Conferenz met, and in the evening the Congregational Council; in both we discussed the necessity of building a bridge over Muddy Creek [midway between the Yadkin R. and Winston-Salem] on the new road to the Shallow Ford [near present day Huntsville], as otherwise trade with Salem will be much hindered. After full consideration, the Brethren who are members of Council and tax-payers took charge of the matter, and agreed to employ a Mr. Gentry, a carpenter, who is to build the bridge for 20 pounds Proc. ["Proclamation Money" was a term used both for the currency issued by the North Carolina Colony, and also for the rate of exchange for the money--p.628-633]. Brn. Herbst, George Schmid, and Triebel, having visited the place and having talked with the carpenter, made an agreement with Mr. Gentry, the Brn. Bagge, Meyer and Muschbach also being present. Mr. Gentry agrees to have the bridge built by Nov. 1st; it to be fifteen feet high, and of the stipulated length."

p.701: Extracts from the Minutes of the Aufscher Collegium, 1772, June 26: "William Gentry, on the Yadkin, offers to build a bridge over Muddy Creek, on the Shallow Ford Road, for 20 pounds; all expense for food, hauling and labor included, and to finish it before winter. He will guarantee it for four years against floods, and if it is carried away will rebuild it without pay. The offer is fair, if he can and will make it good. George Schmidt, as road-master, shall look into the matter, be present when the contract is signed, and collect the money."

p.708: Extracts cont'd, 1772, Nov 30: "The bridge over the Muddy Creek on the Shallow Ford road is finished, and William Gentry has been paid the 20 pounds for his work, through the Store. The neighbors had given us reason to hope that they would build the part of the bridge from the farther side of the creek to firm land, but they now refuse to do this, so the committee of Brethren who made the other contract with Gentry have arranged with him to finish the work for 10 shillings and a gallon of whiskey."

William Gentry apparently lived near Samuel Stewart. Mr. Gentry states on his web site that they believe one Claburn Gentry to have been the son of William Gentry. We know that Claburn owned land which bordered Isaac Douthitt. Douthitt’s 100 acre tract in 1794 bordered Claburn Gentry, Samuel Stewart, and the Wachovia Tract. My concern is the late date. Is this the same Stewart land? Samuel Stewart died in 1769, his widow in 1771. His lands were willed to his sons, but was any of that still in the family by 1794?

Notice the following records concerning the disposition of some of Samuel's land:

"SURRY COUNTY DEEDS 1779-1797.p 55 30 Aug 1779 Benjamin and Joseph Stewart to Matthew Brooks L520, 384 acres east side Yadkin being part of 508 acre Granville grant to Samuel Stewart Sr. Wit: William Thornton, Agness PRICE, and James Blackwell. Signed Benjamin (X) Stewart, Joseph (X) Stewart and Elizabeth (X) Stewart."

Another detail which should be mentioned is that Samuel’s oldest son David Stewart was deeded his 380 acre tract on the same day which Samuel received his 508 acre deed – May 9, 1757. It is believed that David was living on that land as early as 1748, however. The following records are from the N.C. State Archives:

Stewart, David Rowan Co., Grant 85, Bk 6, Pg 219, Iss. 5-9-1757, 380 ac. Stuart, Samuel Rowan Co., Grant 87, Bk 6, Pg 220, Iss. 5-9-1757, 508 ac. Stuart, Samuel Rowan Co., Grant 60, Bk 6, Pg 221, Iss. 8-10-1762, 332 ac. As the Moravian records are considered, one must be aware of both Stewarts living on or near the Yadkin River and Muddy Creek. Between the two of them, they owned over 1,000 acres, almost two square miles (640 acres = 1 sq. mile). We do know that the Moravians mentioned both Stewarts at least once each. More on that later.

Jerry Penley states on his web site that Samuel Stewart, Jr. also received a land patent. See http://www.penjaccphoto.com/penleyged/nti01140.htm for more details, but here is the excerpt:

“In the Earl of Granville's papers preserved in the North Carolina land office in Raleigh is the original order of survey for 640 acres of land in Anson county for Samuel Stewart, dated April 1, 1752. The land to be surveyed was on a branch of Muddy creek above the head of Stewart's Run. The tract had been entered on Oct. 9, 1751, in Granville's office, and a deed was issued Jan. 10, 1761, according to a notation on the order of survey. Muddy creek is in Forsyth county, and Stewart's run was evidently named for David Stewart who preceded Samuel. The surveyor's certificate, dated Apr. 23, 1753, says, 'I have surveyed for Samuel Stewart, junior, a plantation on the north side of the Yadkin and on the waters of Reedy Creek, beginning at a hickory David Stewart's corner, running from thence South...chain carriers: David and John Stewart. Ent'd 9th Oct. 1751.' The plat showed 646 acres, surveyed for Samuel Stewart, Junr.”

As I read the above statement, I interpret it to mean Samuel Stewart, Jr., indeed, and not to be confused with his father, Samuel. The chain bearers were his brothers, David and John. I interpret “Stewart’s Run” to be a branch of Tomahawk Branch, which feeds into Muddy Creek. I also interpret the “north side of Yadkin” to also mean to the east. Muddy Creek was ONLY on the east side of the Yadkin River, so you could not have a creek which crosses over the Yadkin River to then feed into Muddy Creek, which in turn dumps into the Yadkin River further south.

Given the fact that the date of deed is different from the others listed above, I see this as yet another Stewart (son of Samuel) who was granted land between the Yadkin River and Muddy Creek. Jerry Penley sites STEWART CLAN MAGAZINE, Vol. XXIV, No. 11, May, 1947, pp. 184-188 as his source.

The Yadkin River is several miles west of Muddy Creek. At this time I am not yet sure where Reedy Creek was. That will be important to determine as this tract not only was on the waters of Reedy Creek, but also bordered David Stewart’s corner. This could indicate there was some distance between David and Samuel Jr’s tracts and their parents’ tract near Muddy Creek. If this was the case, then I believe Stewart’s Run and Tomahawk Branch are two very distinct water ways, and unconnected. However, the early part of the description clearly states it was a branch of Muddy creek.

Notes from the Harrison Repository (Betty Jo Hulse has done much research regarding these families) sheds more light on David and Samuel Stewart, Jr.

"From THE STEWART CLAN MAGAZINE, Dec 1938. Article, STEWARTS OF OLD ROWAN COUNTY, NC - SAMUEL AND LYDIA STEWART OF YADKIN COUNTY. David Stewart, son of Samuel b c 1722 [Wes Patterson note: 1729 is more accurate] was in Augusta Co. VA 1747-48 when he "beat the bounds" (processioning boundaries I presume). About 1748 he got a Granville grant for 138 acres on the Yadkin in Anson Co. NC, later Rowan, then Surry, then after 1850 Yadkin Co. [Wes Patterson note: This was most likely in modern day Forsyth Co., not Yadkin Co.] It was surveyed Jan 10, 1748-9 with chain carriers Abraham Potter and Anthony Heavely. David settled on Swan Creek probably before his parents came. He had a constable's beat on the north side of the Yadkin from Muddy Creek (present Davidson Co) upward as shown in the minutes of the court 1753-1756. In 1757 he was granted 380 acres on the east side of Yadkin which he sold in 1779 to John Lynch. David and Samuel Stewart sureties 1762 on the marriage bond of JOSEPH HARRISON and ANN BALLS of Rowan. David and Samuel Stewart were execs of their father's will in 1770 and their mother's will in 1772. David Stewart had a daughter Lydia."

"Samuel Stewart, son of Samuel and brother of David b c 1724 m Elizabeth _____. He moved from VA to NC about 1751 probably before his parents. He obtained a grant of 646 acres 1751 with survey 1753. Later in 1762 he got another grant on the east side of the Yadkin on both sides of Swan Creek adjacent to his brother David. John Harrison was a witness."

Further record regarding David Stewart having served as a constable:

"FROM HISTORY OF ROWAN COUNTY by Rev. Jethro Rumple. p 54 David Stewart Constable 1753, on the north side of Yadkin from Muddy Creek and upward..

The Will of Lydia Stewart sheds more light on the 332 acre tract. 11 Jan 1771, widow of Samuel Stewart, Surry Co. NC, reveals a possible defect in title to the Swan Creek property. This was the 332 acres Samuel was deeded on 10 August 1762. She states that if a clear title can be obtained, the land should be sold and divided equally among her sons David, Samuel, John and Isaiah. Samuel Stewart had left the other property to the two younger sons. This land was situated on the south side of the Yadkin River on both sides of Swan Creek and adjoined Benjamin Pettit and James Carson.

The Moravians kept wonderful records during those years, and the Stewarts were mentioned on a couple occasions, at least. The following entry was dated 24 January 1754 regarding David Stewart:

"After the noon liturgy Brother Herman went 8 miles to order certain things from David Stuart."

This next entry presumably refers to Samuel Stewart, although it could have been David. It was recorded on 30 June 1755:

"Brother Kalberlahn went to Mr. Steward's to see his patient."

Wes Patterson

1.   .

   Samuel Stewart applied for a land warrant on 4/1/1752 consisting of 640 acres near Muddy Creek. Samuel may be the brother of Henry Stewart who was already living in the area near William Jenkins, Christopher Gist and Barney Curran. John McGuire, constable of Rowan County, hired these men to guide a traveling party to visit the French commander located in the Ohio Valley in 1753.
   
   https://piedmonttrails.com/2018/09/15/18th-century-settlers-along-the-banks-of-muddy-creek/