Before going to Texas, George traveled to Indiana where he married Sarah Seely. They emigrated to Mississippi and settled in Monroe County, then later moved to Falls County, TX. All of his children except one were born in Falls County, TX. When he left Mississippi, he brought with him six horses, a wagon, a hack and six slaves. It was his intention to go to Dallas County. Along the way he was constantly prospecting for a site for a grist and flour mill. Two years later, in the newly formed county of Freestone, he found the perfect place in a good timber region with many springs of good water . Here, in 1852, he bought 320 acres of land and erected his mill. The millstones for his mill came from Grindstone Creek, near Fairfield. It was said that it was the only mill between Dallas and Houston. He built his home north of the spring and the mill. Soon after, he started a store and it wasn't long before the US Mail was being left there and the community of Steward's mill came to official being. A number of years later, the springs almost failed and slowed the work at the mill, so Washington procured two large steam boilers to power the mill. In the early years the settlement made everything possible by hand and nearly all other necessities were provided at home: bread, meat and even clothing. When the meat was scarce, the woods provide game. Before the Civil War, Washington gave most of his attention to the mill. Many small grains were raised in the area and kept his mill busy. People came from miles around in wagons, hacks, buggies and even horseback. Many camped overnight, or even days, waiting their turns. Steward's Mill was growing. About 1860, Washington gave ample ground for a church and Cemetery nearby. He was doing well financially and took his rightful place as one of the leading citizens of the county. The fall of the Confederacy found him greatly depleted of his wealth. As most of the families of Freestone County, they gave food, clothing, medicines and monies to the cause until there was little left for the necessities of life.
ARTICLE BY Lucille Riley Steward
From a letter of a descendant:
Washington's second wife was Rebecca Hinton Whitaker. Two months after she died, he married a Mrs. Singleton. When one of his friends told him that it was too early for him to marry again, he said "Well, John, she is just as dead now as she will ever be." He had two daughters by his third wife.
WHY IS GEORGE WASHINGTON'S NAME STEWARD WHEN ALL HIS ANCESTORS ANDSIBLINGS ARE STEWART?
Family lore says that that there was another George Washington Stewart in the same county where our George grew up. When he became a young man and started out on his own business ventures, he wanted to be distinguished from the other George Washington Stewart, so changed the spelling of his last name to Steward. There is ample documentation in the Fairfield, Freestone County, TX library that our George Washington is indeed the original George Washington Stewart, descendant ofWilliam Stewart and Nancy Hurt Stewart. Second source: Article by Lucille Riley Steward, Lucille states that there were two other George Washington Stewarts in the area, so he changed his name to Steward.
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STEWARDS MILL, TEXAS. Stewards Mill is at the intersection of Farm roads 833 and 2547, seven miles north of Fairfield in north central Freestone County. It was established in 1849 and named after Washington Steward of South Carolina, who built a gristmill in the area. The mill was one of only a few in the vicinity, and people came from as far away as Ellis and Dallas counties to have wheat and corn ground into flour and meal. A general store built in 1867 by Dr. James I. Bonner was known as Stewards Mill Store. Both the Harmony Presbyterian Church and the Stewards Mill Church were established in 1876. The town also had a brick plant, a sawmill, and the county's first phone exchange. A school founded in 1891 had an enrollment of twenty-five in 1893. The post office opened as Steward's Mill with Jeremiah T. Steward as postmaster in 1872. The apostrophe was dropped from the name in 1894. The post office was discontinued in 1914, and mail was sent to Kirvin. Cotton and corn were the main crops of the area, but livestock was also raised. The community became known for its mules. Mule raisers from as far away as Tennessee purchased stock at Stewards Mill. A school district was formed in 1906 but was consolidated with the Fairfield district in 1929. In the late 1930s the community had a population of fifty-five and two businesses. In 1959 the Fairfield and Harmony churches merged to become the Fairfield Harmony Presbyterian Church. In 1968 the population of Stewards Mill had dropped to twenty-two, and by the late 1980s the community had only a church, a cemetery, and a few scattered dwellings. In 1990 the population was still estimated at twenty-two. The Stewards Mill Store was recorded as a Texas historical landmark in 1964.
*Sources: T. Lindsay Baker, Ghost Towns of Texas (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1986). Freestone County Historical Commission, History of Freestone County, Texas (Fairfield, Texas, 1978). Freestone County Historical Survey Committee, Official Texas Historical Markers of Freestone County (Fairfield, Texas?, 1974). (From the Handbook of Texas)
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Conspicious among those who settled in the northern half of the county (Freestone) between 1849 and 1853 were the families of John Burleson, Washington Steward, John Watson, Dr. John Bonner, Oliver and William Carter. These families and their neighbors formed the nucleus of the later communities of Woodland, Bonner, and Stewards Mill. Mr. Steward's contribution to the new county varied somewhat from that of the others. Shortly after he arrived he built a flour mill which came to be patronized by citizens of counties other than Freestone. Some say that customers were known to come from as far away as Ellis and Dallas to have wheat ground and to trade for flour.
*Source: History of Freestone County, Texas, First Edition 1978. Published by the Freestone County Historical Society. Repository: Personal Copy. p. 11
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1850 Monroe County, Mississippi Census (copy in files)
Washington Steward, age 39, occupation: ____ Maker), b. So Carolina
Sarah Steward, age 37, born Kentucky
William R. Steward, age 18, occupation: laborer
Jeremiah T. Steward, age 15, occupation: laborer
Mary M. Steward, age 14
Huett B., age 12
George W. Steward, age 9
Margt M. Steward, age 7
Nancy V. Steward, age 5
Francis M. Steward, age 4
Sarah R. Steward, age 1
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1 Feb 1841
Washington patented 40.19 acres of land in Huntsville, Monroe County, Mississippi. Columbus Land Office. Certificate No. 105
27 Feb 1841
Washington patented 40.09 acres of land in Huntsville, Monroe County, Mississippi. Columbus Land Office. Certificate No. 15395
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Deeds for land transactions: (copies in files)
IN THIS document, GW Steward, SR buys 320 acres of land for $320 in 1852. I may have the woman's name, Orpha Angelin - the seller, wrong, it's very hard to read. I have entered blanks where I can't read the words.
The State of Texas
The County of Freestone
This deed made this __ day December 29th, A.D. 1852 between Orpha Anglin of the County of Limestone and Sate of Texas of the first part and Washington Steward ___ part that the said Orpha Anglin for and in consideration of the Sum of three hundred and Twenty dollars to her in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath ___ and quit claim and by these Presents doth ___ and quit claim unto the said Washington Steward of the County of Freestone and State of Texas, his heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract or parcel of Land with the apparatus there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining (To wit) three hundred and twenty acres of Land it being apart of the headright Survey of F. Gancy (T. Sancy?) __ & Lying and being in the County of Freestone and State of Texas and beginning at the North West Corner of Said Survey at a Stake from which a P. O. 20 __ ___ bears, S 29, W 4 vis also another P.O 12 ___ ___ S. 72 E 10 vis, Thence N. 60 E with the north boundary line of said Lot No 6 - __60 vis to a stake on line from which a B. __ 12 __ __ ___N 60 E. 3 6/10 vis also another B.J. 12 ___ ___ Markers S. ___ S12th E 10 vis - Thence S. 30 E, 1529 vs _____ Southern boundary of Said Lot No 6 to a stake on line from which a B. M. ___ ___ ___ ___ S. 60 W. 2 vs. Thence S. 60 W with the Southern boundary 1532 vs __ to the __W. corner of Said Lot No 6 at a stake from which a P. O. 10 ___ ___ vs S 45 E vs also another P.O. 24 __ __ N 26 ___12 vs. Thence North with the west boundary 1743 vs to the place of Beginning containing an Area of 320 Acres of Land to the Said Washington Steward, his heirs and assigns forever to have and to hold the Said Land and premises with the apparatus thereunto belonging in any wise appertaining unto the Said Washington Steward, his heirs and assigns forever and the Said Orpha Anglin for herself and her heirs will Warrant and forever defend from herself and her heirs and assigns and no further ____ whereof I hereunto set My hand and Seal ring a ____ for here on the day and year above written.
Her
Signed Sealed and delivered Orpha x Angelin (Seal)
Mark
In presence of
Illegible
Garson B. James
James A. Billington
*Source: Will Book E, pp. 632-633. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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In this document, Washington Steward pays $500 for 151 ˝ acres of land from Jesse Clark.
State of Texas
Freestone County
16 Jan 1868
Know all men by these presents that I, Jesse Clark of the above State and County for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred Dollars to him in hand Paid hath this day bargained, sold, and delivered unto Washington Steward a certain tract of land being and lying in said County known as the Barley Anderson tract lying in the NorthWest Corner of the E. B. Davis league on headright assignee of John Bradly and Bonded as follows. Beginning at the Northeast corner of said tract or league then running South sixty west 654 ____ thence South thirty east 1908 vs thence East with ___ degrees of said Survey 654 vs ___ Back to the Place of beginning so as to include one hundred and fifty one and a half acres to have and to hold with all improvements therein and by these presents do deliver unto Washington Steward and his heirs and assigns forever and I do hereby bind myself my heirs Executors and Administrators to warrant and defend forever all and ____ the above tract of land unto the said Washington Steward his heirs and assignees against every Person whosoever doth ___ Claiming the same tract or any part thereof.
Witenss my hand and seal this 16th January 1868.
Witness W. E. Seely
Eli Clark
Deed Book H2, pp. 154-155, Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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This document is a correction to the DEED of January 16, 1868, wherein Jesse Clark sold land to Washington Steward. The original deed was for 151 ˝ acres, this is corrected to 147 acres.
The State of Texas
County of Freestone
16 April 1868
Know all men by these presents : That I Jesse Clark of said Freestone County, State of Texas for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred Dollars to me paid by Washington Steward also of said County & State, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted bargained sold and conveyed and by these presents do grant bargain sell and convey unto the said Steward the following described tract or parcel of land to wit: a part of the South East quarter of the E. B. Davis league situated in said Freestone County the ____ being one half of the Bailey Anderson tract of 303 acres in Said League and described as follows to wit: Beginning at a point in the East and West division line of said League between Landrums (?) and _______ 654 ____ S. 60 W from where said division line from joins the East boundary of said League; thence S. 30 E. 1308 vs.; thence S. 60 E. ____ the degrees of said League 66 vis; thence N. 30 W 1405 vs to the place of beginning containing 147 acres and being the West half of the said Barley Anderson tract. To have and to hold the above described tract of land together with all the improvements and appurtances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining to the said Washington Steward, his heirs and assigns forever; And I Jesse Clark for myself my heirs executors & Administrators do hereby warrant and defend the title to the said above described tract of land to the said Steward his heirs and assigns against all persons whomsoever claiming or to claim the same or any portions thereof. It is understood that this Deed is made as a duplicate or substitution for a certain original Deed made by me to the said Steward on the 16th day of January A. D 1868 for the purpose of correcting a mistake in the description of said land in said original Deed which is recorded in the Office of the County of the Freestone County in Book H, vol. 2 of Records page 154-155.
Witness of my hand and sealed using ____ for Seal, this the 16th day of April A. D. 1868.
Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of W. Cotton
Jesse X (his mark) Clark
G. S.
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In this document, dated 1879, J. T. Steward (son of Washington Steward) sells half interest in the land originally belonging to Washington from the 1852 purchase, less 1/7 which he describes as his separate interest. Some of it may have been sold before - not sure, but the original purchase was for 300 acres, and 1/7 of that would be about 42 acres, not 26 ˝ acres.
The State of Texas
County of Freestone
10 May 1879
Know all men by these presents that I, J. T. Steward a resident citizen of said State and County for and in consideration of the sum of $400.00 to me in hand paid by A. T. Watson, also of said Sate and of the County of Limestone, the receipt whereof is herby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, soled and conveyed & by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said A. T. Watson an undivided one half interest in the hereafter described survey of land less one seventh or about 26 ˝ acres of said survey (this amount being my separate interest in said survey) being situated in Freestone County, Texas and being a part of the J. James League. Beginning 790 vis south from the NW corner of the J. James League - thence N 85 ˝ E 342 vis intersecting Spring Branch - thence following the meanderings of Spring Branch intersecting the S line of the survey granted by Orfila Anglin to Washington Steward S 60 W 164 vis from the S. E. corner of said survey. Thence S 60 W with the boundary line of said survey granted by said Orpha Anglin to Washington Steward 16_8 vis to the S W corner of lot No 6 (the same being the tract of land granted by the same Anglin to said Steward. Thence North 306 vis with said West boundary line to the beginning said survey including my said 1/7 interest 183 ˝ acres. To have and hold all and singular the said undivided ˝ interest after deducting 1/7 of the whole of said survey unto the said A. T. Watson, his heirs and assigns forever ___ ____ simple.
And I further agree to bind myself, heirs and adm ___ to forever warrant & defend the title to said promises unto the said A. T. Watson, his heris and assigns against all persons whoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof, by ____ or under me.
In testimony, I have hereto subscribed my name this the 10th day of May A. D. 1879.
J. T. Steward
*Source: Will Book P, pp. 515-516. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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The State of Texas
County of Freestone
19 May 1879
Before me T. W. Sims, clerk of the court in and for said county personally appeared J. T. Steward to me well and to me acknowledged that the had executed and delivered the foregoing Deed of conveyance bearing even date herewith for herewith for ____ ____ ____ and considerations therein contained. Given under my hand and offical seal this the 19th day of May 1879. T.W. Sims
*Source: Will Book P, p. 516. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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The State of Texas
County of Freestone
21 May 1879
I, T. W. Grims, clerk of the county court in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing with the certificate of authentication was filed in my office for record on the 19th day of May 1879 at 2 o'clock P.M. and was duly and correctly recorded in my office on the 21 day of May 1879 at 10 o'clock A. M.
In witness thereof I hereunto sign my name and affix the seal of said court my office in Fairfield this 21 day of May 1879. T. W. Sims
*Source: Will Book P, pp. 516-517. Repository: Freestone County Courthouse, Fairfield, TX
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From the Family Bible of G. W. Steward (copy in files)
(note-images are availabe from the home page)
MARRIAGES
Washington Steward and Sarah Seely October 27 1831
Marriages of their Children Below
John T. Egger and Mary Matilda Steward 27 of January 1832
Terry V. Keel and Margaret Malinda Steward 10 of February 1859
Jer. T. Steward and E. J. Whitaker Dec. 20th 1860
Washington Steward and Rebecca J. Whitaker Sept 21st 1868
Washington Steward and Mary Jane Singleton January 22nd 1872
BIRTHS
Washington Steward October 25th 1811 Aberville, South Carolina
Sarah Seely Sept. 20th 1813 in the state of Ohio
*Twin Boys born Aug. 10 1833 Born dead
The Births of their Children:
William Randolft September 1st 1832 Monroe County, Mississippi
Jerremiah Terry, Nov. 1st 1834 Miss.
Mary Matilda Aprile 29th 1836
Huet Burt Sept 12 1838
George Washington February 3rd 1841
Margaret Malinda December 15 1842
Nancy Victoria February 13 1845
Francis Marion Dec. 14th 1846
Sarah Rebecker December 24th 1848
Susan Martha Sept 14th 1851
J. T. Stewart. Jun. September the 7th 1862. This was the son of J. T. and E. J. Steward
Written in the margin:
__atilda Seely was born Aprile 29th 1820
Written in the margin at the bottom of the page:
A killing frost the 15th of Aprile 1849
A killing frost the sixth of Aprile 1857 deep snow on the 12 same date
Mary Caroline Egger, the daughter of J. T. Egger and Mary Oct 26th 1852
Ada Josephene Steward March 18 1873 daughter of W and M Steward
Jane Steward January 31st 1877 Freestone Texas
Washington Worth Steward Nov the 23rd 1867
Pleasant Alexander Steward December the 11th 1868
Jerry T. Steward Jr, Sept 1, 1862
Charles Burt Steward, Aug 15 1876
*Note, written the right hand margin beside these last 3 children is: Son of J. T. Steward
DEATHS
There are notes in the left margin of the following page detailing the cause of death. I have included them in parenthesis following each person.
George W Steward December 7th 1861 at Hopkinsville Kentucky, Private in Capt. Mosby Company (measles and pneumonia)
Sarah Steward July 8th 1862 age 48 yrs 10 months 12 days (measles)
Margaret Malinda Keel Aug 17th 1862 (measles and pneumonia)
Huett B. Steward April 16th 1862 Departed this life at Camp Douglas Chicago Ilinois (died from fever)
W. R. Steward Oct 14th 1863 (consumption)
J. T. Stewart, jun. Departed this life August the 29 1864 (notation on cause of death is illegible)
Pleasant Alexander Steward Sept 12th 1869
(notation on cause of death is illegible)
Francis Marion, 3-21-1921 (note this is written in a completely different hand, and suspect it was added in recent times)
Rebecca Jane Steward wife of Washington Steward departed this life Dec 9th 1871 of cronic ulcer of the bowels
Sarah Rebecca Lake
Nancy V. Wells Sept. 8, 1906
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When Washington proposed to Rebecca Jane (his second wife), he put his saddle on her porch and told her if it was gone in the morming, then he would come in and they would get married, and if was still on the porch in the morning, he would just get his saddle and be on his way.
*Source: Story told to me by Jo Watson Turner, descendent, in Sept. 2002
He was born about 1696 in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia. He is mentioned in the will of his Father-in-law who at the time lived in Gloucester County; however, the Father-in-law had extensive land holdings in Stafford County and may have lived there earlier. George could have met his wife in either place.
The first mention we have of this George is that he is listed with his wife Mary Singleton in the will of Robert Singleton. "…and the other three hundred acres belonging to that patent I give to my two daughters, Susannah, the wife of Thomas Smithers, and Mary, the wife of George Foster." This land was in Stafford County, which later was broken into an additional County called Prince William. Apparently George and Mary lived on the land given them in the will, since their children were listed as born in Prince William County.
Sometime in the early 1700s, George and family moved to Luneburg County - Charlotte County area of southern Virginia. Could he have decided to follow many of his children who had moved there? We know his sons Josiah and George Jr. and daughter Elizabeth Dabbs were there early. There is evidence that most of the family located in Charlotte, Luneburg, and Amelia Counties.
George Foster lived to a ripe old age. He wrote his will the 17th day of February 1789 and his death occurred that year because his will was probated 1 June 1789. It reads:
"In the name of God Amen, I George Foster the Elder of the County of Charlotte, being weak but of sound mind and memory to make and ordain this my last will and testament. First, I recommend my soul to God, and as to what worldly estate it has pleased him to bless me with in this life, I give and dispose of in the following manner.
I give and bequeath to my son William, my Negores Bess and Tom to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Dabbs, the wife of Richard Dabbs, my Negroe Tamar and her children now in her possession, and also my young bay horse to her and her heirs forever.
I give my Grandson, John Foster, son George Jr. the sum of five schillings sterling and no more.
I give to my son Josiah Foster all the rest of my Negroes not herein mentioned, to him and to his heirs forever. I give also to my said son Josiah the tract of land whereon I now live to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
The residue of my estate not herein particularly mentioned and devised, I give one half to my son Josiah Foster and his heirs and the other moiety I given in equal division to my son William and my daughter Elizabeth and their heirs forever, but out of this residencary legacy I desire all my just debts to be paid in the most speedy and ready manner, each legacy to pay in proportion to his devise;
and lastly I constitute and appoint my sons Josiah and William Foster and my son-in-law Richard Dabbs executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other heretofore mad declaring this to be my lat will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal 17 day of February 1789."
George Foster
1 June 1789, will ordered probabted and Josiah Foster gave security.
The wife, Mary Singleton Foster, was not mentioned in the will and must have died earlier. George Jr. had died in 1762 at an early age. John died in 1788 and James in 1771. As you can see, George outlived many of his family.
*Source: Foster....Foster.....Foster Compiled by Henry Ashcroft, 1989
Retitled and retyped by Bill & Eva Roberts "Richard Singleton Foster & Elizabeth Mann Foster of Keysville, Charlotte County, Virginia and Stiversville, Maury County, Tennessee"
Robert Singleton had extensive land holdings in early Virginia. He lived in Gloucester County at the time of death, but also owned land in Stafford County. We find land records dealing with this Robert in Early Virginia records. In 1704, Robert paid quick-rent on 650 acres in Gloucester County, Kingston Parish. In 1705, Robert Singleton was granted 600 acres of land in Stafford County. In his will he indicates ownership of land in Richmond County.
The will of Robert Singleton was found as a copy in the Redwood Collection, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. The original Court Records have been destroyed early in history. At the time of his death, Robert had remarried and had two children with a second wife named Elizabeth. His first wife (Sarah Crow) had four children, including our Mary Singleton.
EXTANT WILLS FOR COUTIES WHOSE RECORDS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED
WILL OF ROBERT SINGLETON OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Transcribed by George H. S. King
"In the name of God Amen. I Robert Singleton being very sick &c; but in perfect sense and memory do make this my last will and Testament as Followeth.
Item: I give unto my loving son Joshua Singleton all my Lands in Richmond Count to him and his heirs forever and also I give unto my son Joshua Singleton three hundred acres of Land lying upon Ocaquan River in Stafford County and to have choice our of Pattent of six hundred acres which I have upon Ocaquan River and other three hundred acres belonging that Pattent. I give unto my two daughters Susannah, the wife of Thomas Smither and Mary, the wife of George Foster. I give it to them and their heirs forever and to be equally divided between them.
Item: I give unto my youngest son Isaac Singleton all my lands on Winter Harbour to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my eldest son Robert Singleton Thirty pounds to be paid him in current Money out of my estate and my Executors is for to have the time for to raise the thirty pounds in Current Money between this date now Present the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty and one pay sooner if they can. I likewise do ordain that my cattle (only six steers to be chose out of them for the use and raising of my youngest children) the rest of my cattle, horses and sheep to equally divided amongst my and all my children.
Item: I give all my household goods that is my bedding, pewter, potts, kittles, still, sider cast, and all my goods whatsoever belonging to house or plantation two thirds parts to my son Isaac Singleton and other third part of my daughter Avrilla Singleton to them and their heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my son Issac Singleton two Negro men named Dick and Tony to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my daughter Averilla Singleton and her heirs forever. Likewise my will is that no land shall be cleared belong to my home Plantation or timber wasted whilst my son Isaac Singleton is under age and I do desire that the fences about my orchards may be made good and threes kept from damage and likewise I desire that my houses may be kept in repair…my son Isaac Singleton is to possess his estate at age twenty one years of age and my desire is that my son Isaac Singleton shall be put to school until he comes to the age of fourteen or fifteen and then to be bound an apprentice to some good trade by my executors or trustees which shall have the keeping of my youngest children Isaac and Averilla and if my son Isaac shall die without lawful Heir of his body and then the Land aforementioned given to him shall fall to my eldest son Robert singleton and his heirs forever my wife holding the third part of the land during her life. My son Robert Singleton has already received two pounds ten shillings of the thirty pounds above mentioned.
Lastly, I appoint my well beloved friend Robert Smith and my loving wife Elizabeth Singleton to be my Executor and my loving wife Elizabeth Singleton to be my Executor and Executrix of this my last will and Testament. As Witness my hand seal this 15th day of April 1724.
Robert Singleton SEAL
Sign'd Sealed in the presence of:
John Smith
John Foster
John dicken
At a Court held for Glouster County on the 25th day of March 1725.
This will was this day proved in open Court by oaths of John Smith and John Foster witnesses thereto and admitted to record and is recorded.
Source: Foster....Foster.....Foster Compiled by Henry Ashcroft, 1989
Retitled and retyped by Bill & Eva Roberts "Richard Singleton Foster & Elizabeth Mann Foster of Keysville, Charlotte County, Virginia and Stiversville, Maury County, Tennessee"