Copy of transcription:

John Stewart Deed 783 To James Stewart (in Trust) Vol. VII and XXII

This indenture made the twenty-first day of Jan. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two between John Stewart Sr. of Wheatfield twp. of Indiana Co. and the state of Pennsylvania, of the first part and James Stewart in trust for his two sons John Stewart and James Stewart Sr. of the place aforesaid--witnesseth that the said John Stewart Sr. as well as for gift, as for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar and lawful money of the United States to him in hand, paid by the said James Stewart in trust for his two sons until they shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years at and before the ensealing and the delivering of the presents the receipt and payment where of is hereby acknowledged and thereof acquits and forever discharged the said James Stewart his heir executors and administrators by the presents. Hath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, enfeoffed, released and confirmed unto the said James Stewart in trust as aforesaid and to his heirs, and all that hereafter described tract or parcel of land situated, lying and being in Wheatfield township of Indiana County. Bounded as follows, to wit.

Beginning at a white oak, thence thirty-eight perches to a black oak, thence south thirty-five degrees, one hundred and ten perches to a chestnut. Thence south eight degrees, seventy-four perches of land to a black oak. Thence south fifteen degrees east seventy-two perches to a chestnut. Thence by land of Charles Stewart, one hundred and fifty-three perches to a post. Thence by land of William Shaff north one hundred and elven perches to a stone heap. Thence by David Stewarts division line south eighty-eight degrees east, thirty-seven perches to a chestnut, thence along said division line one hundred and fifty-two perches to the place of beginning. Containing one hundred and fifty-one acres and fifty-four perches with the allowance of six percent for roads.

Being part of a larger tract granted to the said John Stewart Sr. by warrant dated the thirteenth of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, and by the patent dated in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, granted to said John Stewart, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, called Cornfield. Together with all and singular the building, improvements, rights liberties privileges hereditaments and appertaining and reversions and reminders, rents, issues and profits thereof: and also all the estate right-title, interest, property, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said John Stewart Sr., in law or equity or otherwise however of in or out of the same to have and to hold the said tract of land or parcel of land will the hereditament and premises hereby granted or mentioned or intended so to be will the appurtenance unto the said James Stewart in trust for his two sons as aforesaid their heirs and assigns.

To the only proper use benefit and behalf of him the said John Stewart and James Stewart, miners children of James Stewart, them and their heir and assigns forever. And said John Stewart Sr. for himself and for their heirs, executors and administrators, do hereby covenant promise grand and agree to and will the said John Stewart for John and James Stewart, Jr. their heirs and assigns by these presents that he the said John Stewart Sr. and his heirs the above mentioned or intended so to be with the appurtenances unto the said James Stewart in trust as aforesaid their heirs and assigns against person or persons whosoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof, shall and will warrant and forever defend by their parents. In witness whereof said parties of these parents have hereunto interchangally set their hands and seals the day and year above.

Written, sealed and delivered in the presence of Nathaniel Bryon and David Stewart.

/s/ John Stewart Sr.

Recorded 27 March 1832

Transcription from History of Indiana County Pennsylvania 1745-1880:

[In 1852] two congregations were organized, composed of members which had made up the old charge of Pine Grove. One of these congregations was called Mechanicsburg, and had its place of worship located in the village of Mechanicsburg. The other was called East Union, and had its place of worship at a point situated about six miles east from Mechanicsburg. The members of the session at the organization of Mechanicsburg congregation were Daniel McFarland and Joseph Wilson, and it had about forty members, but what their names were is not known at this time. The first members of session in East Union congregation were Joseph McCortney and James Stewart, but what the names of the original church members were is not now known.

Transcription from Indiana County, Pennsylvania: Her People, Past and Present:

The first members of session in East Union congregations were Joseph McCartney and Maj. James Stewart.

Deaths.

STEWART--On August 11, 1879, Mr. James Stewart, Sr., of Buffington township, aged 83 years.

Transcription:

Major James Stewart was born on the place now occupied by John Stewart, in 1796, and was a son of John and Margaret Stewart nee McFarland. The pioneer was a native of Scotland, and came to what is now Indiana county, (in company with his brother Charles, a soldier in Lord Cornwallis' army,) sometime after the close of the Revolution. He served in the Indian wars, being wounded severely in the breast, and made a settlement at an early date, on the tract where our subscriber was born. He died in 1844, at the age of ninety-two--his wife in 1796. John Stewart's children were: Mary, d., m. to William Wilson, d.; James, d. in 1879, m. first to Mary Graham, d., and second to Elizabeth Galbraith, d. James Stewart held the office of captain, major, &c., in the militia, over forty years. His children were: John, m. to Sarah Grove; and James, m. to Elizabeth J. Cole. The warrant of the John Stewart place was dated February 13, 1797, and the patent, March 28th, 1799. The tract was called "cornfield." There are some mounds on this farm, which the old settlers pointed out as Indian graves.

Transcription:

Stewarts Hold Fine Reunion

The descendants of Major James Stewart of Buffington Township, Indiana County, met August 18 in the Indiana County Fair Grounds. One hundred fifty were in attendance. They came from Allegheny, Westmoreland, Jefferson, Cambria and Indiana Counties and Ohio and New York.

The forenoon was spent renewing acquaintances and forming new ones. After a sumptuous repast at the noon hour, which was preceded by singing and prayer, a brief history of the tow families--James and John Stewart, sons of Major James Stewart--was given by the Hon. J. T. Stewart of Indiana.

These two sons reared their families on adjoining farms in Buffington Township. John, the elder, born Sept. 7, 1821, married Sara Grow and to this union fourteen children were born--all of whom are now deceased.

James, born Oct. 5, 1824, married Elizabeth Jane Cole of Ligonier, and to them seven children were born. Of these, three are still living and were present at the reunion--William G. of Dilltown, Joshua T. of Indiana and Charles C. Mechanicsburg.

At the business meeting which followed it was decided to make the reunion an annual affair, to be held the third Wednesday of August. The officers for the coming years are: J. T. Stewart, president; Mrs. May Stewart Hoover, secretary, and Mr A. C. Hoover, treasurer; Charles Stewart of New Kensington, chairman of the entertainment committee.

The day was ideal. At a late hour the group departed for their homes feeling that the time had been well spent. Another beautiful picture had been added to their memories.

Transcription:

Maj. James Stewart was born on the old homestead Sept. 25, 1796. He grew to be a large, robust man, being six feet tall and weighing almost two hundred pounds. He was recognized as the strongest man in all that section of country, and was known to be an expert wrestler. In those days much chopping was done, and he was very skillful with the axe and took great delight in using it. Even at the advanced age of eighty he insisted upon cutting the wood for the old fireplace--especially the huge backlogs which only a strong man could carry. He could take the butt cut of a tree in chopping with others and always let it down. He was a man of whom his descendants can feel justly proud, for he was a leader in all matters of civil and religious concern. he was widely known as "Maj." James Stewart, having held the office of major, etc., in the militia over forty years. He took an active part in the affairs of the township, having served in the capacities of school director, tax collector, assessor, overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, etc. He was justice of the peace fifteen years and had a wide and extensive practice. It was said that he was as well versed in the law as the attorneys of his time. Young and old came from far and near to be married by him. His marriage ceremony was unique, and delivered by him with ease and dignity. He took an active part in advancing the schools and was a leader in the church, being a member of the first Session of the East Union United Presbyterian Church and remaining a member of that church and session until his death, which occurred Aug. 11, 1879. For many years he was the superintendent of the Sabbath school of his church. Being a firm believer in the Psalms as the only music that should be sung in worship, he would not permit the singing of a hymn in the home on the Sabbath day. He had great reverence for the Sabbath and would not allow anyone, whether a member of the home or a visitor, to whistle on that day.

To his first marriage two sons were born: John, Sept. 7, 1821, and James, Oct. 5, 1824. John was married to Sarah Grow and they reared a family of fifteen children.

[...] The old farm in Buffington township where James and Elizabeth Stewart reared this family of five sons and two daughters was bought by Maj. James Stewart of Henry Nixon, the executor of John Nixon, of Philadelphia, Pa., for $532. The farm contained 266 1/2 acres and allowances, and was purchased June 1, 1827. Maj. James Stewart walked to Philadelphia at the rate of four miles an hour when he made the purchase. It was a good farm upon which to rear so large a family, and the Christian influence in that home was always strong. Maj. James Stewart remained in this home until his death. He and his two wives, his son James, and his wife, Elizabeth, are all buried in the East Union cemetery.