'Deacon' Robert Stewart of North Lochaber, N.S. (1798-1873)

Strathtummel from the Queen's View

Strathtummel from the Queen's View

'Deacon' Robert Stewart was the third son of Robert Stewart and Janet Robertson of Balcastle. He was born 17th May 1798 and died 22nd July 1873 in North Lochaber, Nova Scotia.

1798 Blair Atholl OPR
Robert, son to Robert Stewart and Jannet Robertson in Bailchastle born 17th May and baptised 20th.

Whilst still living at Balcastle he married Christian (Christy) Stewart, the daughter of Robert Stewart and Cecilia Stewart of Chamberbane.

1827 Blair Atholl OPR
Robert Stewart in Castletown of Borennich and Christian Stewart in Chamberbane, both of this parish (married) 6th May.

Three childred, Robert, Janet and John, were born before the couple emigrated to Canada.

1828 Blair Atholl OPR
Robert, lawful son to Robert Stewart and Chirstain Stewart in Bailchastle was born 29th February.

1829 Blair Atholl OPR
Janet, lawful daughter to Robert Stewart and Chirstain Stewart in Balcastle was born 8th February.

There should also be a baptism record for their son John who was born 27th June 1831, but it appears to be missing from the OPR.

In 1833 the family emigrated to Canada (probably on the 'Charlotte Kerr') along with his brother Donald's family, and possibly others from the area, and settled in Lochaber, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Another three children were born to the couple: Cecilia, 1833; Donald, 1836; and Christie, 1839.

'Deacon' Robert Stewart died 22nd July 1873, and was buried in North Lochaber, Antigonish, N.S. His wife Christy Stewart died 6th December 1879 and is also buried in North Lochaber, where there is a monument inscription.

Robert Stewart 'elder' died July 22nd 1873 aged 75 years. A native of Perthshire, Scotland

Christy died December 6th 1879 aged 80 years. Wife of the late Robert Stewart.

This information matches a letter from Mrs Binks of Ottawa, Canada, who claimed to be a descendant of this line.

My great grandparents Robert and Christy Stewart came to Canada from Scotland around 1833. We believe that Robert was the son of Robert Stewart and Janet Robertson, born May 17th 1798 at Bailchastle near Borenich.

Christy (born July 18th 1832) was married (January 24th 1854) to Robert Stewart (born February 29th 1828, died October 21st 1915) who was my grandfather's brother. Their parents were Robert Stewart (1798-1873) and Christy Stewart (1799-1879). They came to Canada also in 1833. My grandfather, Donald, was born in Canada in 1836.

This sounds very confusing, but we are dealing with two generations. 'Deacon' Robert Stewart and his son Robert, both married girls called Christy Stewart. It would also appear that Mrs Binks was unaware that the younger Robert had married his cousin, Christy, the daughter of Janet Stewart and James Stewart.

The children of 'Deacon' Robert and Christy Stewart, who emigrated from Scotland and settled in Lochaber, Nova Scotia, in the year 1833.

Name Born Married Date Residence Died
Robert Feb 29 1828 Christy Stewart Jan 24 1854 Middleton h. Oct 21 1915
w. Nov 30 1907
Janet Feb 8 1829 . . . d.
John 1831 Christy ......... . . h. Aug 13 1889
w. Feb 23 1894
Cecelia 1833 . . . d.
Donald 1836 . . . d.
Christie 1839 Robert Stewart 30 Jun 1882 Westchester d.30 Jun 1882

The younger Robert and Christy Stewart appear in the 1881 Canadian Census.

Lochaber, Antigonish, District 21B, Household 98

Name Status Age Birth-place Occupation Religion
Robert Stewart M 53y Scotland farmer Presbyterian
Christy Stewart M 48y Scotland Presbyterian
Janet Stewart 25y Nova Scotia Presbyterian
James Stewart 23y Nova Scotia farmer Presbyterian
Christy Stewart 21y Nova Scotia Presbyterian
Martha Stewart 18y Nova Scotia Presbyterian
Irene Stewart 16y Nova Scotia Presbyterian
Daniel Stewart 13y Nova Scotia school Presbyterian
Grace Stewart 11y Nova Scotia school Presbyterian
Secilia Stewart 9y Nova Scotia school Presbyterian
Robert Stewart 4y Nova Scotia Presbyterian

They lost very few children. Their first son, Robert, born 11th November 1854 had died when only 7 years old. A daughter Jane had died after a few days in 1861, and Benjamin who was born in 1874, died the following year. All are buried at the North Lochaber cemetery.

There is some confusion about Cecilia (Secilia in the census). A monument inscription in North Lochaber cemetery suggests that she was born in 1876 instead of 1872, as indicated by the 1881 census, and died 5th March 1882. However another source shows her marrying Peter Stewart.

For further details of this family branch and their descendants, link here to see the relevant part of "Genealogical Record of the Loch Tummel Branch of the Clan Stewart (1712 - 1912) by A. S. Ross" which is stored in the Record Room.

John, the second son of Robert senior, married yet another Christy (born 1834) and their family appears in the 1881 Canadian Census, nearly next to his uncle's family.

Lochaber, Antigonish, District 21B, Household 113

Name Status Age Birth-place Occupation Religion
John Stewart M 49y Scotland farmer Presbyterian
Christy Stewart M 47y Nova Scotia Presbyterian
John R. Stewart 14y Nova Scotia school Presbyterian
Donald Stewart 12y Nova Scotia school Presbyterian
James F. Stewart 9y Nova Scotia school Presbyterian
Janet Stewart 6y Nova Scotia Presbyterian
Secilia Stewart 5y Nova Scotia Presbyterian

Two other children of John and Christy Stewart died in childhood (Christy B. and Robert) and they have a memorial inscription in North Lochaber cemetery.

John Stewart died 13th August 1889 and his wife, Christy, died 23 February 1894. They also have a memorial inscription in North Lochaber cemetery.

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The Descendants of 'Deacon' Robert Stewart of Balcastle

The Descendants of 'Deacon' Robert Stewart of Balcastle

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