Descendants of Jacob Stewart

(Personal information on living individuals has been withheld)

My family history research began in May 1973 with trying to find Rifflepont Plantation in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. It was after we found a letter among the papers of my grandfather Benjamin Stewart when we returned to his house after his funeral. I had a small notebook in my pocket and here is what I copied:

“Please to keep this copy of the history of my life this 23rd day of October 1927.

My grandfather and grandmother on my father’s side are Jacob Stewart and

Margaret Hogan Brown of Natchez, Mississippi and they were born in slavery

time. And my grandfather and grandmother on my mother’s side are Simon

and Hannah Gilyard of Rifflepont Plantation, Concordia Parish, Louisiana

and they were born in slavery time. And my father and mother are Perry Stewart

and he was born at Rifflepont plantation about the year 1856 and Louisa Gilyard

and she was born about the year 1855 and they were slaves for about eleven years.

And I was born in 1888 on September 5th.”

Benjamin Cleveland Stewart

It was Then that I felt a need to know more about my family. I needed to find this [lantation. I needed to find information on my ancestors on both sides of my family. I started researching in June, 1973. I made several trips to the Federal Archives Branch on Pulaski Road in Chicago, Illinois. I filled out an application for a researcher’s card and received my card in a short time. The searches were tedious and frustrating. In 1976, I limited the amount of time spent doing the family history research to part-time. In 1984, I had to start wearing glasses to read. I had become frustrated due to the lack of available information. I slowed my research to doing it every now and then. A few years later, in 1992, my daughter Julie became interested in family history research. She asked me about my research. We had several conversations and I learned that family history information was easier to obtain. She was interacting with an African American Genealogy Group online. So, I increased the amount of the time spent researching in 1993 and in 1995, I started researching full-time.

The earliest ancestor that I have found on the Stewart side of the family is Margaret Stewart. Margaret was born in Virginia sometime between 1820 and 1825. She is named as the mother of Jacob Stewart in an affidavit by Jacob’s nephew, Robert Stewart, son of Jacob’s brother, Perry Stewart. Robert stated

that Ben Barland is Jacob Stewart’s father. Robert also stated that Jacob had a sister named Eliza who married Henry Cephas. Jacob, Perry, and Eliza took the Stewart name of their mother.

Spending a great deal of time trying to find members of the family who were slaves by going over countless records of slaveholding families created an interest in researching the familie of the slaveholders. Since many of them gave their slaves as wedding gifts, as payment of debts, to heirs in wills, and a number of other reasons. One of the best ways to research slave ancestors is to research slaveholders.

I went back to researching at the Federal Archives Branch in Chicago. I received a lot of help from the staff and from other researchers. Clarence (whose last name I don’t recall) helped tremendously. I would mention a surname to Clarence and, without hesitation, he would tell me the state, county or parish to search. Tony Burroughs, Genealogist, was sometimes there, and he also helped me. I learned a lot from listening to the coversations that Clarence, Tony, and the Archive staff had with researchers.

I joined the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society and went to meetings at the Carter Woodson Library in Chicago. I made several trips to the LDS Family History Centers in Wilmette and Schaumburg, Illinois. I spent more time at the FHC in Schaumburg because it was closer.

I researched the 1860 United States Federal Census – Slave Schedules looking for Rifflepont Plantation and found Rifle Point Plantation under W. G. Conner. The names of the plantations, usually, are not listed on the census, but were often listed on census pages along with the names of the owners by A. R. Kilpatrick, U. S. Assistant Marshal for the Concordia Parish census. I researched W. G. Conner and found him to be William Gustine Conner son of William Carmichael Conner and Jane Elizabeth Boyd Gustine Conner of Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi.

I posted a message requesting any available information on the Stewart of Louisiana and the Adams family of Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi on the genealogy bulletin boards on Prodigy and AOL. The response I received was surprising and inspiring. Some members of the Kimball Family Organization gave me information on how to do research making it easier for me to know where to look online. I took part in an African American Family Research chat on AOL. I interacted with the AfriGeneas web site and received a lot of research help. AfriGeneas is another family for me.

I received an inquiry about my slave ancestors in Louisiana from Danell Spillman of the Louisiana African Americans. Danell sent me a copy of a Louisiana African American Publication that contained a copy of the Will of Dr. Samuel I. Gustine owner of Rifle Point Plantation. Dr. Gustine left his Rifle Point Plantation to his sister, Jane Conner.

Will of Dr. Samuel Gustine

In the name of God Amen. I, Samuel Gustine of the city of Natchez and County of Adams State of Mississippi being sound and disposing mind and memory do make this last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me any time heretofore made.

First. I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint William C. Conner, Stephen Duncan, William J. Minor executors of this my last will and testament.

Second. it is my will that all my debts be paid out of my estate as speedily as possible.

Thirdly. I do hereby authorize and empower my said executors the survivors or survivor of them out of my estate to afford and furnish and ample and suitable maintenance and support annually to my sister Maria Gustine of Cumberland County Pennsylvania during her natural life.

Fourth. I give and bequeath to my half sister Sarah G. Snowdon of Franklin Pennsylvania one thousand dollars per annum during her natural life to be paid to her by my executors out of my estate semiannually in sums of five hundred dollars.

Fifth. I give and bequeath to James R. Snowdon son of said Sarah G. Snowdon the sum of five hundred dollars.

Sixth. I give and bequeath to Caroline Hitchcock of the County of Adams aforesaid a Negro slave named ?????? and now in her possession, and also the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars per annum to be paid her by my executors of my estate during her natural life but upon condition that if the said Caroline Hitchcock shall at any time meddle or interfere in any way with the guardianship education or control of Samuel Gustine natural son of Lemuel Gustine deceased who was my deceased brother during the minority of said Samuel that then the bequest in this sixth clause contained shall be wholly void.

Seventh. I do desire and hereby authorize my said executors or the survivors or survivor of them to emancipate and set free my slave Little Sam and if they the survivors or survivor of them shall think proper they are hereby authorized out of my estate to purchase and liberate the wife and children of said Sam.

Eighth. I do hereby authorize my said executors the survivors or survivor of them to set free at their discretion any number not to exceed ten of slaves and upon their emancipation to provide for them out of my estate to such an amount and in such manner as they may deem proper.

Eighth. I give grant devise and bequeath the one third of all the rest residue and remainder of my estate moveable and immovable situated in the state of Mississippi and wheresoever else situated to my sister Jane E. B. Conner, wife of William C. Conner for her sole use and behoof during the life time of the said William C. Conner provided she survives the said William and after the death of said William C. Conner provided survives hem to her and her heirs forever but if the said William C. Conner shall survive her then to her use behoof during her own life and after her death to the sole use and behoof of the said William C. Conner and his heirs forever.

Ninth. I give grant devise and bequeath one other third of all the above mentioned residue and remained of my estate to my four Nieces daughters of my deceased brother James Gustine and Mary Ann Gustine his wife, to wit Rebecca A. Minor wife of said William J. Minor, Sarah E. Gustine, Matilda D. Gustine, and Margaret D. Gustine equally to be divided among my said Nieces to them and their heirs forever.

Tenth. I give grant devise and bequeath to my said executors the remaining one third of all the above mentioned rest residue and remainder of my estate in trust out of the income thereof to maintain support and educate Samuel Gustine the natural son of my deceased brother Lemuel Gustine giving to him a most liberal education for which purpose I desire my executors or some of them may obtain the Guardianship of his person and upon his arrival at the age of twenty one to deliver unto his possession the one half or the property in this clause devised and bequeathed in which one half I desire may be included if found convenient by my executors the Rifle Point plantation in Concordia Louisiana to be held owned and enjoyed by him during his lifetime and after his death go to and belong to his lawful issue and their heirs forever provided he dies leaving at his death any lawful issue or descendants, but should he die without leaving any lawful issue or descendants at the time of his death then the one half in remainder to go to and belong the one half of the said half to my sister the said Jane E. B. Conner and William C. Conner or the survivor of them and their heirs forever and the other half of the said half to the said four daughters of the deceased brother, James Gustine to be divided equally , between them to have to hold the same to the said of them and their heirs forever. The other half of the property in this clause devised and bequeathed my said executors continue to hold and possess during the life time of the said Samuel paying over to him the annual income thereof provided he shall so conduct himself as in their opinion to render it prudent and proper to do so, and after his death shall be delivered by my executors into the possession and ownership of the lawful issue or lawful descendants of the said Samuel if without lawful issue or lawful descendants of the said Samuel if any such descendant or descendants shall be then living, but should the said Samuel die without lawful issue or lawful descendant or descendants then the said last mentioned one half shall go in remainder and belong to the one half thereof the my said sister Jane E. B. Conner and William C. Conner or the survivor of them and their heirs forever and the other half thereof to the said four daughters of my deceased brother James Gustine be divided equally between them to have and to hold the same to them and their heirs to their sole use and behoof forever.

Eleventh. In the execution of this my last will and testament and in carrying into effect the foregoing devised and bequests do hereby authorize and empower my said executors or a majority of them to keep all my property both real and personal and moveable and immoveable in possession and undivided until the said Samuel Gustine arrives at the age of twenty one or dies should he die before the age of twenty one.

And I do hereby authorize them to change the nature of any of the said property to sell and dispose of the same and purchase with the proceeds of such sales or with the funds of the estate other property real or personal as they from time to time may deem to be for the benefit and advantage of the said estate of the legatees and devises interested therein or they may said executors are authorized to make a division of the said estate at an earlier period at any time they may deem such division to be most advantageous and proper for the purposes contained in this will.

In testimony whereof, I the said Samuel Gustine have hereunto set my hand and seal to the above and foregoing six pages of this my last will and testament on this Twenty Fifth day of July, Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Six.

Samuel I. Gustine

Succession Record Book E, 1840-1846, pages 555-560,

Concordia Parish, Louisiana,

Succession of Dr. Samuel Gustine

State of Louisiana, Parish of Concordia

Be it remembered that on the fourth day of August A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Five, I, George C. McWharten Parish Judge and ex-officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of Concordia having been informed of the death of Dr. Samuel Gustine of this Parish proceeded ex-officio to his late residence in said Parish about eight or nine miles above the town of Vidalia known as called his Rifle Point Plantation to take an Inventory and cause an appraisement to be made of and singular the property belonging to the succession of the said Samuel Gustine deceased both moveable and immovable as well as the rights and credits and having appointed William Ferguson and Edward Cochran appraisers to assist me in making said Inventory and appraisement and they having taken, subscribed the oath in such cases by law required. The following is a true and faithful Inventory and appraisement of all and singular the said property as far as was shown to us or otherwise came to knowledge.

List of Negroes - Rifle Point Plantation

1. David Rentuck, aged 35, appraised at $550.00

2. Ben Hudson, aged 30, appraised at $650.00

3. Jack Chinnett, aged 22, appraised at $650.00

4. Nathan, aged 35, yellow, appraised at $900.00

5. Henry Bird, aged 23, appraised at $650.00

6. Sam Skinner, aged 24, appraised at $650.00

7. Calib, aged 21, appraised at $600.00

8. Isaac Taylor, aged 21, appraised at $650.00

9. George Smith, aged 30, appraised at $650.00

10. Tylose, aged 22, appraised at $700.00

11. Warren, aged 26, appraised at $700.00

12. Willis, aged 25, appraised at $800.00

13. Hank, aged 24, appraised at $600.00

14. Jack Cinber, aged 19, appraised at $650.00

15. Harry, aged 17, appraised at $600.00

16. Dick Big, aged 19, appraised at $650.00

17. Isaac Brient, aged 28, appraised at $700.00

18. Billy Jackson, aged 17, appraised at $600.00

19. Jo Hogan, age 22, appraised at $605.00

20. Abran Hilton, aged 26, appraised at $800.00

21. Abe Robinson, aged 24, appraised at $600.00

22. Bob Long, aged 20, appraised at $700.00

23. Cyrus, aged 18, appraised at $700.00

24. John Louis, aged 23, appraised at $700.00

25. Henry Bousier, aged 23, appraised at $650.00

26. David Geary, aged 24, appraised at $700.00

27. Pollard, aged 28, appraised at $600.00

28. Bob Brown, aged 22, appraised at $650.00

29. Albert Porter, aged 26, appraised at $550.00

30. Wesley, aged 18, appraised at $600.00

31. Daniel Big, aged 18, appraised at $600.00

32. John White, aged 19, appraised at $$600.00

33. Jim Moore, aged 17, appraised at $550.00

34. Oscar, aged 26, appraised at $600.00

35. Isaac Gibs, aged 30, appraised at

36. Joe Bingo, aged 45, appraised at $300.00

37. Dolphin, aged 50, appraised at $100.00

38. Bristo, aged 50, appraised at $200.00

39. Sam African, aged 55, appraised at $350.00

40. Ben White, aged 55, appraised at $350.00

41. Squire, aged 50, appraised $200.00

42. Frank old, aged 50, appraised at $100.00

43. Jack Brown, aged 80, appraised at $100.00

44. Sam Parker, aged 40, appraised at $600.00

45. Bristo Burnet, aged 28, appraised at $500.00

46. Frank Young, aged 22, appraised at $800.00

47. Frankey, aged 28, appraised $450.00

48. Wilson, aged 8, appraised at $200.00

49. Catharine, aged 6, appraised at $175.00

50. Madison, aged 4, appraised at $125.00

51. Jacob, aged 2, appraised at $125.00

52. Polly, aged 1, appraised at $100.00

53. Jimmy, aged 23, appraised at $600.00

54. Ann, aged 3, appraised at $300.00

55. Malvina, aged 1, appraised at $100.00

56. Elizabeth, aged 26, appraised at $600.00

57. Ann Strange, aged 27, appraised at $600.00

58. Flora, aged 23, appraised at $600.00

59. Harriet, aged 27, appraised at $600.00

60. Milly Bird, aged 24, appraised at $450.00

61. Sarah Ann Skinner, aged 23, appraised at $600.00

62. Sarah, aged 19, appraised at $600.00

63. Sarah Ann, aged 19, appraised at $600.00

64. Milly Barland, aged 38, appraised at $250.50

65. Estner, aged 21, appraised at $600.00

66. Betsey Boles, aged 26, appraised at $400.00

67. Mary McDowell, aged 28, appraised at $400.00

68. Ann Boss, aged 19, appraised at $650.00

69. Eve, aged 35, appraised at $350.00

70. Harriet Little, aged 17, appraised at $550.00

71. Polly Ward, aged 32, appraised at $400.00

72. Ann Bigs, aged 34, appraised at $450.00

73. Caroline Porter, aged 26, appraised at 400.00

74. Hannah, African, aged 38, appraised at $350.00

75. Christian, aged 17, appraised at $500.00

76. Moss, aged 35, appraised at $300.00

77. Brunetta, aged 17, appraised at $650.00

78. Sally Grigs, aged 20, appraised at $530.00

79. Caroline Blisford, aged 26, appraised at $550.00

80. Nancy Gibs, aged 30, appraised at $550.00

81. Venus, aged 40, appraised at $400.00

82. Hannah Swing, aged 21, appraised at $600.00

83. Harry, aged 32, appraised at $600.00

84. Rilly, aged 17, appraised at $625.00

85. Crilin, aged 55, appraised at $50.00

86. Sally, aged 50, appraised at $200.00

87. Polly, aged 50, appraised at

88. Milly Robinson, aged 60, appraised at $250.00

89. Sally Dick, aged 75, appraised at 100.00

90. Lowrey, aged 15, appraised at $500.00

91. Burrows, aged 14, appraised at $$500.00

92. Peter, aged 14, appraised at $450.00

93. Washington, aged 13, appraised at $300.00

94. William, aged 13, appraised at $500.00

95. Ben Barland, aged 13, appraised at $300.00

96. Dick Little, aged 12, appraised at $300.00

97. David Fillard, aged 9, appraised at $200.00

98. Susan, aged 6, appraised at $150.00

99. Jack, aged 4, appraised at $100.00

100. Alexandria, aged 8, appraised at $200.00

101. Harry, aged 6, appraised at $175.00

102. John Richmond, aged 3, appraised at $125.00

103. Patsey, aged 9, appraised at $200.00

104. Tennessee, aged 4, appraised at $200.00

105. Edward, aged 6, appraised at $200.00

106. Alonzo, aged 6, appraised at $150.00

107. Louisa, age 10, appraised at $450.00

108. John, aged 8, appraised at $250.00

109. Edward, aged 8, appraised at $200.00

110. Lenny, aged 5, appraised at $200.00

111. Isabella, aged 3, appraised at $125.00

112. Delpy, aged 8, appraised at $275.00

113. Nathan, aged 6, appraised at $275.00

114. Francis, aged 3, appraised at $175.00

115. Amanda, aged 3, appraised at $50.00

116. Francis, aged 11, appraised at $400.00

117. Cynthia Ann, aged 8, appraised at $250.00

118. Bob, aged 3, appraised at $200.00

119. Nancy, aged 10, appraised at $300.00

120. Hannah, aged 8, appraised at $250.00

121. Milton, aged 3, appraised at $125.00

122. Sampson, aged 8, appraised at $250.00

123. Rowlen, aged 4, appraised at $200.00

124. William, aged 4, appraised at $200.00

125. Winny, aged 7, appraised at $250.00

126. Anthony, aged 4, appraised at $150.00

127. Sam, aged 2, appraised at $125.00

128. Dennis, aged 11, appraised at $150.00

129. Ciliann, aged 4, appraised at $175.00

130. Oscar Little, aged 7, appraised at $250.00

131. Nelson, aged 8, appraised at $250.00

132. Eliza, aged 5, appraised at $175.00

133. Clorasum, aged 10, appraised at $200.00

134. Jim, aged 8, appraised at $200.00

135. Rachel Ann, aged 1, appraised at $100.00

136. Ann Maria, aged 1, appraised at $100.00

137. Andrew, aged 1, appraised at $125.00

138. Judy, aged 30, appraised at $450.00

139. Malinda, aged 2, appraised at $150.00

140. Malinda, aged 2, appraised at $100.00

141. Rachel, aged 28, appraised at $650.00

142. Isaac Lsibo, aged 40, appraised at $650.00

List of Negroes – Lake Place Plantation

1. Simon, age 65, appraised at $400.00

2. Maria, aged 38, appraised at $500.00

3. Zena, aged 10, appraised at $250.00

4. Elizabeth, aged 10, appraised at $200.00

5. Letty, aged 4, appraised at $200.00

6. Peter, aged 44, appraised at $400.00

7. Lucinda, aged 15, appraised at $450.00

8. Ben, aged 18, appraised at $500.00

9. Betsy, aged 15, appraised $350.00

10. Dan, aged 13, appraised at $475.00

11. Henry, aged 11, appraised at $450.00

12. Martha, aged 6, appraised at $250.00

13. William, aged 4, appraised at $150.00

14. Jess, a carpenter, aged 35, appraised at $800.00

15. Matilda, aged 25, appraised at $550.00

16. Clarisa, aged 8, appraised at $275.00

17. Eailsy, aged 1, appraised at $125.00

18. Joe Iseigo, aged 34, appraised at $650.00

19. Mary, aged 24, appraised at $500.00

20. Collins, aged 7, appraised at $275.00

21. Stroder, aged 5, appraised at $200.00

22. Henry, aged 3, appraised at $150.00

23. Abram, aged 28, appraised at $700.00

24. Harriet, aged 35, appraised at $525.00

25. Sarah, aged 25, appraised at $575.00

26. Bill, aged 22, appraised at $500.00

27. Jim, aged 18, appraised at $425.00

28. Roy, aged 22, appraised at $650.00

29. Silvey, aged 45, appraised at $300.00

30. Lewis, aged 15, appraised at $500.00

31. Jeremiah, aged 12, appraised at $450.00

32. Cornelius, aged 25, appraised at $650.00

33. Collins, aged 40, appraised at $550.00

34. Matilda, aged 45, appraised at $300.00

35. Alex Jackson, aged 38, appraised at $600.00

36. Henry Douglas, aged 33, appraised at $550.00

Source:

Will and Succession of Dr. Samuel Gustine

The Succession of Dr. Samuel Gustine,

The Journal Louisiana African-Americans, Volume I (1996) Number 2, pages 31-37.

Danell Spillman, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Conner family owned Rifle Point Plantation in 1856 when Perry Stewart was born. The 1860 U. S. Federal Census – Slave Schedules, Concordia, Louisiana lists W G Conner, as the owner with 271 slaves. W. G. Conner is

William Gustine Conner, the oldest son of Jane Conner, lived on and operated

the plantation.

There are:

5 males 4 years old and 4 males 3 years old (One could be Perry Stewart, born 1856)

8 females 20 years old and 2 females 22 years old (One could be Margaret Lightfoot)

8 males 20 years old; 1 male 21 years old; and 7 males 22 years old (One could be Jacob Stewart)

The Conner family was listed in the 1860 Slave Schedules, Concordia Parish, Louisiana with four plantations.

Innisfail Plantation –

L. P. Conner (Lemuel Parker Conner) 135 Slaves

Killarney Plantation –

F. B. Conner (Farrar Benjamin Conner) 97 Slaves

Rifle Point Plantation -

W. G. Conner (William Gustine Conner) 271 slaves

Spokane Place Plantation -

L. P. Conner (Lemuel Parker Conner) 122 Slaves

Other plantations owned by a member of the Conner family listed in the 1860 Slave Schedules, Concordia Parish, Louisiana.

Black Hawk Place Plantation -

Elliott, Anna F. (Anna Frances Conner Elliott ) 129 slaves

Ballymegan Plantation -

Elliott, Anna F. (Anna Frances Conner Elliott) 148 Slaves

Anna Frances Conner Elliott, daughter of William Conner and Jane Gustine Conner. She is the sister of William G., Farrar B., and Lemuel P. Conner.

Source:

1860 United States Federal Census – Slave Schedules, Concordia, L