ROBERT STEWART. Of the prosperous and highly esteemed citizens of Jefferson township, none are more universally esteemed or more widely known than the gentleman whose name introduces this article. The Stewart family trace their lineage back through the generations to one Lord Stewart, a native of Scotland, who afterward settled in County Tyrone, Ireland, at a place known as Foggy Hill. James Stewart, a descendant of the old Scottish nobleman just mentioned, was married to Elizabeth Hemphill, and with his family sailed from Ireland for America on the ship "Doras." A long and tedious voyage followed, during which the vessel was boarded by a British man-of-war, and all the able-bodied men of the "Doras," as was customary in time of war, were impressed into the navy. Among those who were thus obliged to render unwilling service to the English Government was a son of James Stewart, named Robert, a youth of eighteen years. He was taken on board a British man-of-war, where he remained several months, finally obtaining his release through the efforts of his father, who persuaded a young lady to claim him as her husband. The ruse succeeded, and the young man was liberated, after which he came on to America, and first located in Philadelphia, whence after a year he joined the family in Smith township, Washington county., Penn., whither they had preceded him. In course of time he moved to Mt. Pleasant township, where his father died. Here he was soon after married to Miss Ann McGough, also a native of Ireland, and though history is silent concerning the identity of the self-sacrificing young lady who freed young Robert from imprisonment, yet romance would fain hope that she and his chosen bride were one. However, there is no foundation for the supposition, and historians are expected to confine their statements to known facts. After marriage Robert and Ann (McGough) Stewart went to Jefferson township, and they reared a family of six children, named John, Elizabeth (Mrs. Kidd), Sarah, Robert, James and Andrew. The father was a Democrat, and a member of the U.P. Church. Robert Stewart was born May 21, 1824, on the home farm in Jefferson township, this county, where he passed his youth in attending school and assisting with the general farm duties. He married Miss Sarah Jane Elliott, who bore him three children: John Elliott (born March 13, 1853), James (born November 25, 1855), and Robert (born February 26, 1858). The mother died September 25, 1858, and for his second wife Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Eliza Orr, of Irish descent, who died soon afterward, and June 17, 1864, he wedded, for his third wife, Miss Rebecca H., daughter of William Provines, who came from Ireland and settled in Jefferson township, this county. Robert Stewart is a popular and prosperous citizen. In political opinions he has always voted the Democratic ticket, being a counselor and advisor of that party, and in religious faith he gives a hearty support to the U.P. Church, of which his wife is a member.

Text taken from page 745 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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