Land dealings, etc in NC of Duncan Stewart
We first see the future surveyor and land speculator, Duncan Stewart, in the records as a chain carrier. Thomas Robeson to William Stewart for 200 acres in big Colley Swamp, joins John Sutton on the west side, includes Chinkapin Island, entered Jan. 29, 1779, surveyed Oct. 8, 1779 by Will Bryan; Duncan Stewart and David Bailey, chain carriers.[1]
Thomas Robeson also in 1779 sold to William Stewart 400 acres on the east side of Big Colley Swamp at the old ford, joined at the upper side of John Suttton’s. Surveyed Oct 8, 1779 by Will Bryan; Duncan Stewart and David Bailey, chain carriers.[2] William Stewart wrote his will in 1778 and presumably died about that time. We see Duncan again as a chain bearer for someone besides his father in 1785: Thomas Robeson to William Cromedie, 200 acres between Sypruss Creek and Colley Swamp near his own line, surveyed by J. Rhodes; Duncan Stewart and Alexander Hendrey, chain carriers.[3] And again in 1786: WR Singletary to William Cromartie, 200 acres on the west side of Cypress Creek, joins his own land. Surveyed Apr 3. 1786 by J. Rhodes; Duncan Stewart and Alexander Hendrey chain carriers.[4] The same surveyor and chain carriers are found in three other land transactions in 1786.[5] But we find further land transactions of William Stewart in 1786: WR Singletary to William Stewart, 300 acres on the east side of Colley swamp, between a survey now held by William Cromarty and the swamp, surveyed by J. Rhodes; Duncan Stewart and Alexander Hendrey, chain carriers.[6]
In 1786 we find 23 year old Duncan purchasing land. WR Singletary to Duncan Stewart, 200 acres on the south side of South River above William Cromartie’s, surveyed by B. Murrill; no chain carriers listed.[7] And again in 1787: WR Singletary to Duncan Stewart, 111 acres on the west side of South river near or joining his late entry, surveyed by B. Murrill; Samuel Boozman and William Cromartie, chain carriers.[8] In 1787, WR Singletary to Duncan Stewart, 50 acres on the south side of South River joining land where William Stewart lives (Is the father William still alive?), surveyed by B. Murrill, no chain carriers listed.[9] In 1787, WR Singletary to Duncan Stewart, 160 acres, joining William Stewart’s late survey on Beaverdam Swamp on the south side, surveyed by B. Murrill, no chain carriers listed.[10]
It appears Duncan’s father, William Stewart, died about 1787 when Duncan was 24. Duncan was left land and slaves. Duncan on 28 Mar 1787 bought of Griffith Jones White for ₤600, 350 acres on the northeast side of the northwest branch of the Cape Fear in Bladen Co. In 1790 Duncan is listed in the New Hanover Co. census. In 1791 he is granted land on Beaverdam Swamp in Bladen (Columbus) County and also on the S. River. On 7 Oct 1795 he sold to E. Currie of New Hanover Co. for ₤ 20, 150 acres on Little Coharie Creek in Sampson Co. which he had bought 25 Mar 1795 of Lewis Williamson, witness James Stewart and Alexander Cromartie.[11]
9 July 1788, Thomas Wright, Esq., sheriff acknowledged the deed to Duncan Stewart.[12]
In the same court term, 10 July,1788 “ordered that David Bailey, Bennet Smith, Duncan Stewart and Solomon Lee, overseer, lay off a road from South River at Mr. Stewarts to the line of Sampson co. leading to the road called Tathars all the above persons to work on said road.”[13]
27 August 1793, estate of David Bastic decd. – Duncan Stewart appointed admin. Bond £1000, Edward Jones and John Devane, Jun. Sur.[14]
Estate of David Baily, Decd. Duncan Stewart, Admin. Filed inv.[15]
By 1794 Duncan Stewart has left for Tennessee. In 1798 we see Duncan listed as a resident of Montgomery County Tennessee. 26 March 1798, Duncan Stewart of Montgomery County Tennessee to Alexander and James Cromartie, 200 Spanish Mill Dollars, three tracts, 160 acres south prong of Beaverdam Swamp and 111 acres on Southwest side of South River, west of Beaverdam, 100 acres on south prong of Beaverdam granted to Duncan Stewart on 20 Dec 1791. Witness: William Sutton, Hugh Murphy, May Term 1798.[16]
Duncan Stewart and James Stewart, both of Montgomery County Tennessee, do appt. Hugh Murphy of Bladen Co. NC our lawful att. to convey all (and…22 Feb 1804. D. Stewart seal, James Stewart seal Witness: James Bailey, Jesse Deusone. Prov. By James Bailey. June Term 1804[17]
[1] Bladen
Co. Land Warrants, 1778-1783. p. 46.
[2] Ibid, p.
85
[3] ibid, p.
118
[4] Ibid. p.
66.
[5] Ibid, p.
128, 132, 135.
[6] Ibid p.
116
[7] Ibid, p.
148
[8] Ibid, p.
148
[9] Ibid, p.
149
[10] Ibid,
p. 151
[11] Chuck
Speed
[12] New Hanover
Co. Court Minutes, part 3, 1786-1793. Vol. For 1779-1792 in part (pages 185-447) Jan Term 1786-Jan. Term 1792.
p. 32
[13] ibid,
p. 305
[14] ibid,
p. 64
[15] ibid.
p. 65
[16] ibid.
p. 8
[17] Bladen
Co. NC Abstracts of Early Deeds, 1738-1804 by Brent H. Holcomb, CALS, pp.
111-112
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