STEWARTS OF SAINT ANN, JAMAICA

William Henry Stewart Jr. (1843-1932)

​William Henry Stewart Jr. was born in Barton Bowen, St. Ann, Jamaica on April 6,  1843 to William Henry Stewart Sr. and Mary Ann Taylor. Mary Ann was born around 1803 and died February 8, 1883 in Helicon, Dry Harbour a.k.a. Discovery Bay, Jamaica.

W.H. Jr. was a carpenter and millwright. Around 1873 he built a house in Helicon.

On August 23, 1876 William married Annie Cornelia Hines of Hopewell, Hanover by Banns in St. Mark's Church in Browns Town by Rev. George Hall. Witnesses to the marriage were Charles Christie and Annie Green, believed to be relatives.

William was fondly known as "Old Razor".

William and Annie had six children:
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• Ernest Samuel
• Alfred Hugh
• Edward Nathaniel
• Charles Arnold
• Maria Maud
• Ida Idilla (Adel)

William also had two other daughters:

• Christiana 
• Elizabeth Eliza

St. Mark Anglican Church in Brown's Town

​Ernest Samuel Stewart (1877-1942)

Ernest Samuel Stewart was born April 15, 1877 at Cottage St. Ann, Jamaica.
When Ernest was in his 20s he and Catherine Williams had five children:

• Ida Josephine 1897-1898
• Howard Ethelbert 1899-1992
• Linda May 1902-1904
• Alice Maude 1907-1985
• Barief Nowal 1909-1981
  

When Ernest was in his early 30s he had a relationship with Matilda Allen of Jamaica. They had two  children; 

• Irene Eugenia born May 8, 1910
  
• Charles Adley born October 18, 1911 in Old Folly, Dry Harbour.

Ernest Samuel Stewart

A Philadelphia passenger list for the SS Concettina Di Giorgio shows that Ernest age 33 traveled with his sister Maria Maud Stewart on May 22, 1912. The record  confirms Ernest’s place of residence as St. Ann, Jamaica and their next of kin in Jamaica as W. H Stewart. Ernest’s occupation was a Carpenter. The passenger list describes Ernest as 5’10” tall, dark hair, grey eyes and race “coloured”.
The record also indicates that they were going to visit a “friend”, Alfred Stewart actually their brother).  At the time Alfred lived at 336 W. 59th Street, New Jersey. It seems that Ernest never returned to Jamaica.

On April 18,  1916 Ernest married Elizabeth (Betty) MUELLER of Germany in Bronx , New York USA. They had two daughters; Ruth Eugenia born November 14, 1920 and Rita born February 8, 1923.

​Betty died in 1827 and on December 22, 1927 and Ernest married Eryphena Louise McALESTER (ORR) of St. Ann  Jamaica. 

Ernest and "Pheyna" had three children; 

• William Ernest Stewart 1929-1978
• David Windsor Stewart 1930-2016
• Matilda Marion Stewart 1932-1988

ALFRED HUGH STEWART (1879-1913)

​It is believed that Alfred was the first of his siblings to travel abroad and live in the United States.

A Philadelphia passenger lists for the SS Concettina Di Giorgio shows that Alfred’s brother Ernest and his sister Maude traveled to the States on May 22, 1912. The record also indicates that they were going to visit a friend, “Alfred Stewart”.  At the time Alfred lived at 336 W. 59th Street, New Jersey.

On July 15, 1910 Alfred married Florence Young of Jamaica in Manhattan, New York. They had 4 children:

• Irvin(g) Henry Stewart born 1910
• Herman Stewart born c. 1911
• Clarence Alfred Stewart born April 20, 1912
• Evelyn Emma Stewart born c. 1914

Evelyn emmma Louise Stewart (1914-1941)

​Alfred's daughter Evelyn Emma Louise was born October 13, 1913 in New York, NY. She married Henri Woode in 1939. Both were composers and Evelyn had several songs recorded, most notably by Count Bassie.

EDWARD NATHANIEL STEWART (1881-1959)

​Edward Nathaniel Stewart was my grandfather. He was the third of six children born June 4, 1881 in Cottage, St. Ann, Dry Harbour, Jamaica. Edward a carpenter, ventured to Panama where he worked on the Panama Canal. He only stayed for a short time as he did not like the conditions.

He married Margaret Francis March 4, 1908. She was born 1883 in Old Folly, Dry Harbour, St. Ann, Jamaica, daughter of Hymon Francis and Rhoda Ann Graves. Edward and Margaret had one child.  Margaret died December 16, 1929 in Egypt, Browns Town, Saint Ann. The child also passed away but the circumstances are unknown at this time.

"Mass Eddie" married Ardel Fedelia Johnson on March 19, 1933. Edward and Ardel had three sons all born in Saint Ann, Jamaica:

• Glaister Leopold Alexander 
• Norman DeCarterate Stewart

There is one remaining living son.  Edward died April 3, 1959 two months before his 78th birthday.
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​See the Johnson page for more on Fedelia's family line.

Glaister Leopold Alexander Stewart (year unknown)

Glaister Leopold Alexander Stewart a.k.a. "Benny"

Glaister Stewart a.k.a. Benny, (Ben) or Kentish was born June 17, 1933 in Dry Harbour, Saint Ann. Benny migrated to the UK around  1960.

Bennie was a model for his younger siblings. He aspired to be a model student and was an ardent scholar.  He had high moral standards and great respect for those with whom he interacted. One of his hobbies was reading. He loved poetry and would often quote Shakespeare and other poets of that era. As a consequence of his love for poetry, his letter were always a pleasure to read and he was a great story teller. Another of his hobbies was gardening and anyone who visited him at his home at 13 Gladding Road can attest to the beautiful garden he had there.

​Benny worked for the Royal Mail for 23 years. He received the Long Service Award South London in October 1990 for 20 years’ service. He retired in June 1993 after 23 years of service.

Benny’s first job in Jamaica was as a Foreman for the Department of Public Works. He supervised workers on road repairs. He would leave home on Sunday evenings to the western part of the island and returning home at the end of the day on Fridays. Through his influence and probably his performance, one of his brother got a job (on an as needed basis) supervising measuring crushed stones by the cubic yard. The cruising of the stones was done primarily by women using stone hammers. The fact that Benny's brother was also hired by Public Works might have been an act of patronage. In reality, the fact is, he made an impression on his superiors.

Benny loved sports, especially cricket. His favourite position was bowling. He had an unorthodox delivery style somewhat similar to that of a professional bowler named Kentish. Hence he was nicknamed Kentish.

Glaister Leopold Alexander Stewart died November 28, 2011 in London, England. ​

Norman DeCarterate Stewart (1940-2015)

Norman De Carterate Stewart a.k.a. "Boogie" was born 21 May 1940 Dry Harbour. 

His mother experience a difficult pregnancy while carrying Norman. She credited her physician Dr. de Carterate with helping her through the pregnancy and a successful birth. She was so appreciative of this doctor that she gave Norman "De Carterate" as a middle name. 

Norman De Carterate Stewart

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What I found interesting after doing a bit of research is the tie between Dr. de Carterte and the Johnsons in Saint Ann. Brown’s Town Tabernacle was founded and built by the late Dr. James Johnston who came to Jamaica from Scotland and was a renowned   Physician, Preacher, Evangelist and Photographer.
​
Dr. Johnston established his medical practice in Brown’s Town on the church property as well as the headquarters of the mission.  He served as the first Pastor of the church until his death. In 1932 Dr. Raymond Jasper de Cartaret of England arrived in Jamaica and joined the medical team as a director. I believe that he is the doctor in question. Dr. de Carteret built his own medical practice known as de Carteret Medical Centre. 

Boogie worked with Berger Pa​ints in Jamaica for many years. He died July 4, 2015 in Kingston, Jamaica at age 75.

CHARLES ARNOLD STEWART (1883-1939)

Charles Arnold Stewart was born 22 May 1883 in Cottage, Dry Harbour, St. Ann, Jamaica. As per the 1910 US Census Charles lived on West 59th Street, New York, New York, USA.

It is unknown what year he married Maud Dunbar. They had four children, two of who have passed away:

• Charles Arnold McKinley Stewart was born August 26, 1956 in Discovery Bay.  He became a successful business man. He married twice and had three children.
• Siberd Eugene Stewart was born 18 Aug 1909 in Helicon, Dry Harbour, St. Ann, Jamaica and died about 05 Oct 1982 in Brown`s Town St. Ann, Jamaica.

MARIA MAUD STEWART (1886-1960)

Maria Maud Stewart was born July 1, 1886 in Cottage, Dry Harbour, Saint Ann, Jamaica. After a time Maria went by her middle name Maud.

Philadelphia passenger list for the SS Concettina Di Giorgio shows that Maud age 24 travelled with her brother Ernest Stewart on May 22, 1912. The record shows Maud’s place of residence as Dry Harbour, Jamaica and their next of kin in Jamaica as W. H Stewart. Maud’s occupation was a dressmaker.

The record also indicates that they were going to visit a “friend”, Alfred Stewart actually their brother.  At the time Alfred lived at 336 W. 59th Street, New Jersey.

Between the years 1906 and 1926 Maud was a seamstress. On November 28, 1906 Maud had a daughter Veronique Adela Thompson in Helicon.
In 1911 Maud had a son, Vivian St. Clair Cover also in Helicon. Sometime between 1912 & 1926 Maud married St. Clair's father, Percival Cover of Wilberforce, St. Ann Jamaica. It is believed that the marriage took place in the U.S.. By 1926 Percival died in the U.S. possibly in New York and Maud returned to Jamaica.
Maud's second son  Canute Lorenzo Cantel Edwards was born December 20, 1926 in St. Ann. His father was Charles Augustus Edwards.
On April 17, 1960 Maud died in Helicon and was buried in the Family Burial Plot there alongside her mother and father.

IDA IDILLA (ADEL) STEWART (1888-?)

Ida was born November 7, 1888 in Cottage, Dry Harbour, St. Ann. She married and American, Richard Harper Richardson Sr.  They had four children, Charles, Richard Harper II and two daughters.

Both Charles and Richard were in the military. See below for details.​

Richard Richardson (1921-2016)

 CHARLES HENRY RICHARDSON (1944-1968)

Charles Henry Richardson

​He was the captain of his High School Basketball team.
He received his Commission following his Graduation from Gettysburg College, in Pennsylvania and completion of the Air Force Training Program.

He was named to the All County Basketball team in 1962. He was the lead scorer on this team and 12th highest in the county. A biology major in college, his mother said he planned to teach "but when he had a taste of flying", she continued he thought he might like to be a commercial pilot". 

​"Chuck" had enlisted in the Air Force and entered via Reserve Military. He had the rank of First Lieutenant. Service number was 3192281. Served with 7th Air Force, 14th Special Operations Wing, 9th Special Operations Squadron. Lt. Richardson received his pilot training in Laughlin AFB in Texas. He had been assigned at Tan Soh Nhut AFB in Vietnam and began his tour on March 18, 1968.  He was with a psychological air unit. The Light plane he flew was equipped with a loudspeaker which was used to urge Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops to defect.

Lt. Richardson is survived by his parents, two brothers, Bruce and Richard and an Aunt and Uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Miles of Park Ridge, New Jersey. Mr. Richardson said he had not been told how Charles died. He is the 116th casualty in the war from Bergen County.

Richardson experienced a traumatic event which resulted in loss of life on October 8, 1968. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "Died through hostile action, air crash on land". Incident location: South Vietnam, Khanh Hoa province.

Charles is honored on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. Panel 41W Row 31 and buried in George Washington Cemetery in Paramus, NJ.

SOURCE Bergenfield High School Alumni:  http://www.bergenfieldalumni.com/veterans/7007.shtml

George Washington Cemetery in Paramus

christiana STEWART (1881-1939)

Christiana Stewart was born September 13, 1881 in Defiance, Dry Harbour. Her mother was Elizabeth Eliza Eccleston.

Chrsitiana married George Becan January 28, 1901 in Tweedside, Clarendon, Jamaica. They had eight children:

• Rosa 1903 -
• Bernita 1904 - 
• Leon 1905 - 
• William "Willie" 1906-1971
• Margerina Augusta 1908 - 
• Albert "Bertie" 1911 -
• Allan Joseph 1913 - 
• Varron 1918 - 

It seems that George died between 1817-1819. Christiana married Thomas Bradford "Bird" Williams on June 7, 1919 in Clarksonville  Saint Ann. They had five children. Christiana died March 14. 1939 in St. Ann.

ELIZABETH (Eliza) Stewart (1893-1937)

Ella was born about 1893. I have been unable to locate a birth record for her but her mother may have been  Elizabeth Eccleston. She married Arthur Barnes a ship labourer, December 28, 1927 in Dry Harbour, St. Ann. Her half-brother Edward Stewart and his wife Margaret were present at the wedding.

They had at least three children two of which have passed away:

• Gwendolyn Adassa 1918-1930
  
• Leonard Alexander  1924-1976

Ella passed away August 21, 1937 at the Corporation Poor House in Saint Andrew parish. Arthur died April 3, 1964 in Kingston parish.