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Walter Stewart Clan 2014 Newsletter www.walterstewart.org
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF
Dear Stewart Descendants,
The 107th Annual Reunion of the Walter Stewart Clan will be held during the weekend of August 9–10, 2014 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, near Clinton, S.C. All the events of the weekend, ending with the traditional noon family meeting and picnic dinner on Sunday, will be held at or near the church. We hope you’ll join us at all the activities.
Last year the family voted to add Bethany, our original “home church,” to the Stewart reunion church rotation cycle. This year it’s Bethany, in 2015 it will be New Harmony, and in 2016 Fairview. Our sincere thanks go to Bethany Church and its pastor, Rev. Herb Codington, to 317654 Joey and Becky Henderson, and 3222211 Valerie S. and Les Jones, Bethany members who stirred interest in learning more about this part of our history.
Our roots go deep in the Bethany community, since this is where our ancestor Walter Stewart and his family first lived after coming to this country. His son, 5 Walter, Jr., helped found Bethany Church in 1833, donated land for the building, and was buried there along with his brother, 1 Samuel, who lived out his long life at the old family home-place behind the church. It was probably at nearby Musgrove Mill that 2 John Stewart and 31 “Squire Bill” Stewart learned their trade before becoming millers in Fountain Inn. 6 Clark Berry Stewart taught at Bethany School before leaving for seminary, and after graduation he was one of Bethany Church’s first ministers.
The Stewart family held reunions at Bethany from time to time after the first reunion at New Harmony in 1907. As the years went by population around the church declined and finally there was little activity in the old wooden structure, which eventually became unusable. Then interested members of the Clinton Presbyterian Church and a group of Presbyterian College students began working to open the church again. Rev. Herb Codington, a 1972 P.C. graduate and an expert in small church organization, became its pastor and a new church was built. The membership grew and was enlivened by children from Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton who chose to attend the church. Rev. Codington says the church has been inspired by joining a “cluster” of fifteen small churches in the Laurens County area that pool their resources for the greater good in the community and the common missions of the churches. For example, the cluster hosts a summer youth camp, offers an adult ministry program, and sent seventeen tons of food to Haiti after its destructive earthquake. I myself am looking forward to talking with Bethany church members and hearing about the many good things they do. I think our ancestors would be proud of them.
To begin our weekend this year, the Stewart Executive Committee will gather on Saturday at 1:00 pm at Fatz Restaurant off I-26 at Clinton for lunch and its annual meeting. Please join us there and help in planning for the future; we need input from as many family members as possible. (And it’s an excellent restaurant, by the way.)
At 3:30 pm Saturday afternoon we’ll meet in the visitors center of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site a few miles away to learn about the Revolutionary War history of the area. Musgrove Mill was the site of a battle that was a prelude to the Patriots’ even bigger wins at Kings Mountain and Cowpens.
Saturday evening, we will meet at the Bethany Church community building at 6:30 pm for a catered supper. This is a time of fellowship, renewing family ties, and sharing family news. And, of course, we want to continue our effort to collect old and new pictures for our family computer experts. Please hand in any news of births, deaths, and marriages in the family at this time. Sunday morning we will meet at Bethany for the morning worship at 11:00 am, with our family business meeting and dinner afterwards.
I also need to let the family know that I have appointed my son Dick Stewart of Greenville as my assistant in carrying out the chief’s duties. We older folks can develop hearing problems along with wisdom as we get older, and I have my share. I especially need Dick’s help in hearing comments from the floor during meetings, so please make sure he hears you even if I don’t.
We look forward to seeing you during Stewart reunion weekend to renew old ties and celebrate new ones. As it has for over a hundred years, the call still goes out, bring a full picnic basket and join us. We hope to see you. Sincerely,
Charles B. Stewart, Chief Stewart Furniture Co., Woodruff, SC 864-476-3914
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THE STEWART FAMILY AND MUSGROVE MILL
This heroic story comes from the Walter Stewart Family History entry for 151
Margaret Caroline Newman on pages 54 and 55. See also www.walterstewart.org/histsamuel.html.
Our own Revolutionary War re-enactor, 317122 Robert Hall, is seen here taking part in Musgrove Mill Revolutionary War
Encampment Weekend.
“Caroline married John Thomas Farrow, the oldest son of Marion Levi Farrow (1821-‐1894) and Margaret Ann Cox (1823-‐1865) of the Fountain Inn area. John Thomas Farrow was a descendant of the "Fighting Farrows" up upcountry South Carolina, as they had been known since Revolutionary War days. His Scotch-‐Irish great-‐great grandfather, John Farrow, Sr., settled on the east bank of the Enoree River in the 1760s not far from the Bethany community. Five sons in the family fought in the Revolution. Three of them, it is said, were captured by the British during skirmishing in the area. Rosanna Waters Farrow, the widowed mother of the family, received word that her three sons would be hanged if not exchanged two for one for British prisoners captured during the Battle of Musgrove Mill near the Bethany community. Rosanna mounted a horse, rode posthaste to the Patriot camp near Fair Forest in Spartanburg County, was given six British prisoners and a guard, and rode with them to the British encampment at Ninety-‐Six in Laurens County. She exchanged the six British soldiers for her sons, the eldest of whom was 20 years old, and rode off with them after some spirited words on the appropriateness of exchanging six Redcoats for three Farrows. All five of her sons survived the Revolution and were the forebears of numerous Farrows who fought in later wars.” Additionally, you can read more about the connections between the Stewart/Bobo and Musgrove families and their stories on page 23 of the Walter Stewart Family History.
Photo credit: Diane Bastien Piermarini
You can find out more about Musgrove Mill at http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/musgrovemill.
2014 REUNION WEEKEND SCHEDULE All reunion activities for the weekend will take place in the area of Bethany Presbyterian Church,
Clinton, SC, near the intersection of I-385 and I-26.
Saturday, August 9 – Fatz Café, Musgrove Mill, and Bethany Presbyterian Church 1:00 pm Dutch lunch at Fatz Café, 179 E Corporate Center Dr., Clinton, SC 29325, 864-833-5280
Ask for the private room for the Stewart family. Directions: Fatz Café is at Exit 54 on I-26 at Clinton.
Look for the Citgo Station on the Clinton side of I-26. Take the frontage road on the left side of Citgo and see Fatz Café on the right.
2:00 pm Stewart Family Executive Committee meeting (open to all, same location) 3:30 pm Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, 398 State Park Rd., Clinton, SC 29325, 864-938-0100
Go to the main building (the only one). The park’s staff will show us the exhibits and describe the Revolutionary War history of the area. Directions: From I-26, take Exit 52 for SC 56 Cross Anchor/Clinton.
Turn toward Cross Anchor on Hwy 56 and drive for 6 miles. The Musgrove Mill entrance road and large brown sign will be on the left before the Enoree River bridge.
6:30 pm Catered supper, Bethany Presbyterian Church Community Building For reservations see the order blank in this newsletter. Directions: From I-26, take Exit 52 for SC 56 Cross Anchor/ Clinton.
Turn toward Cross Anchor and drive 3.8 miles. Turn left on Bethany Church Rd and go 1 mile to Bethany Church on the right at Fawn Rd. The side entrance leads to the Community Building.
7:30 pm Fellowship hour, Bethany Church Community Building. Bring family update sheets and old pictures or letters. Sunday, August 10 – Bethany Presbyterian Church 10:00 am Registration begins, Bethany Church (see driving directions above) 11:00 am Worship Service, Rev. Herb Coddington 12:15 pm Clan Meeting 1:15 pm Picnic dinner on the church grounds—bring food to share. Drinks/utensils provided.
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HOTEL INFORMATION FOR CLINTON, SC NEAR I-26
Exit off I-26 Hotel Standard Rate Roomkey.com Rate 52 Comfort Suites $82 $66 + $7 = $73 52 Days Inn $55 $47 + $3 = $50 52 Quality Inn $69 $55 + $6 = $61 54 Hampton Inn & Suites $89 $76 + $8 = $84
*Rates as of 6/19/14. tax/fees not included tax/fees included
If the Roomkey.com rate increases, or you prefer to make your reservation over the phone, you can get a group rate at the Exit 52 Comfort Inn and Suites:
Call Comfort Suites at 864-833-1800 and say you are with the “Stewart Family Reunion” to get a discounted rate of $76 plus taxes for the nights of Friday, August 8th and/or Saturday, August 9th. This rate is only good if reservations are made before noon on Friday, July 25, 2014.
OTHER INFORMATION
Address Changes—We want to make sure you always get your copy of the newsletter, so if you move please send your new information to Newsletter Publisher Linda L. Clark. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by snail mail at 265 Clark Ln, Dorchester, SC 29437. Web Presence—If you have photos, links, or other content you would like to add to our website, or if you would like to help maintain the site, please contact Chelsea J. Clark at [email protected]. Family Tree—In the tradition of the Walter Stewart Family History book, we have now compiled our family records into an electronic database. If you have new content—such as stories or recollections—that you would like added please get in touch with Linda L. Clark at [email protected].
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Polly Hellams and family on the loss of her husband, John Hellams. John was a great blessing to the Stewart family. He served as our Nominating Committee Chair for many years and was an active and valued member of the Walter Stewart Clan.
We are forgoing the usual committee report and will attend to nominating business at the Clan Meeting in August. This year we will be electing officers.
Photo: John Hellams attending the Executive Committee Meeting in 2012
THE WALTER STEWART CLAN ON FACEBOOK
Our Walter Stewart Clan Facebook group now has 136 members. To encourage you to join and share your family news, here are some things we shared together this year:
Loren Stewart Cantos shared a picture of her
baby girl, 3843212 Violet Rome Cantos, born just a few days after the 2013
reunion (inset).
38213 Carl Kramer received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from
Indiana State Senator Jim Smith.
Bettye Jo Wilson was proud to represent the Stewart Clan at “Kirkin
O’ the Tartan” at ChristChurch Presbyterian.
Attorney and writer 38211 Edwin Kagin was featured in a New York Times article, after his
death in March, for his tireless work—both inside and outside the courtroom—as National Legal Director for American Atheists and Founder of Camp Quest.
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WALTER STEWART CLAN BIRTHS, DEATHS, AND MARRIAGES REPORTED 2013–2014
1328111 HARRIET BROWN COOPER, 73, wife of Bruce H. Cooper, passed away August 26, 2013. Private graveside services were held August 27, 2013 in Fountain Inn, SC. 151222 JOHN THOMAS HELLAMS, 81, husband of Pauline "Polly" Parsons Hellams, passed away June 1, 2014. Funeral services were held at Fountain Inn First Baptist Church and burial followed in the Nash family plot at Lebanon United Methodist Church, Honea Path, SC.
1512222 ROBERT MICHAEL HELLAMS, son of John Thomas Hellams and Pauline Elizabeth Parsons, married Stacy Rector Alexander on July 13, 2013 in Summerall Chapel at The Citadel, Charleston, SC. 162433 LOUISE STEWART SMITH, 83, wife of Roger Madison Smith, passed away August 21, 2013. Services were held in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. Interment was at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens, Buford, GA.
16243712 CHEYENNE GABRIELLE HEARD, 17, daughter of Jason (Debra) Heard and Nichelle (Tim) Stewart, passed away September 13, 2013. Interment was at Hightower Baptist Church Cemetery, Ball Ground, GA. 252121221 LUCAS CORY SHAVER was born May 28, 2008 and
252121222 LEVI CORY SHAVER was born July 2, 2013 to Adam and Megan Shaver. Grandparents: Jimmie and Gail Shaver, Jr. G-Grandparents: the late Jimmie and Eleanor Shaver.
25223 HELEN WILLIS RODGERS, 90, widow of Ernest Lee Rodgers, died December 30, 2013. Services were at Greenpond United Methodist Church, Gray Court, SC with burial in the church cemetery. 25251 SARAH KATHERINE MARLAR MAHY, 83, widow of Harold Eugene Mahy, died December 8, 2013. Entombment was at the mausoleum at Cannon Memorial Park. 2526311 SARA GRACE OVERSTREET, daughter of Miriam and Richey Earl Overstreet, married Jason Byers on October 16, 2012. 26333 THERON BOYD BURNS, 87, husband of Betty Sue Goodwin Burns, died April 20, 2014. Services were held at Downtown Chapel. Burial was at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, SC. 2674 BOBBIE JEANNE STEWART, 85, widow of Walter Claude Stewart, Jr., of Greenville, SC passed away March 8, 2014. Services were held at Mackay Mortuary in Greenville and burial was private.
32115311 CALLIE MAE KERSETTER was born October 20, 2012 in Yorktown, VA to Daniel and Holly Leonard Kersetter. Grandparents: Mark Leonard and Gretchen Barkowitz. G-Grandparents: Benjamin and Kathryn Leonard. 322121 JACK FRANCIS CUNNINGHAM, 86, widower of Gaynell Cunningham, passed away April 4, 2014. Graveside services were held at Pinelawn Memory Gardens, Clinton, SC. 38211 EDWIN FREDERICK KAGIN JR., 73, widower of Helen McGregor, died at his home in Union, KY on March 28, 2014. 3843212 VIOLET ROME CANTOS was born August 21, 2013 to David and Loren Stewart Cantos. Grandparents: the late Joe Allen Stewart, Jr. and William and Rebecca Teems. G-Grandparents: the late Joseph and Louise Stewart, Sr.
3.13.221 SARA HELEN S. STODDARD, 93, widow of Richard Shaw Stoddard, passed away on December 20, 2013. Services were held at Owings United Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery. 3.13.232 CARRIE BELLE STODDARD GAULT, 93, widow of Joseph Knight “J. K.” Gault, died January 5, 2014. Services were January 8, 2014 at Fletcher Funeral Service. Burial was in Cannon Memorial Park.
3.13.2812 LISA MARIE STODDARD ROGERS, 44, wife of Steve Rogers, passed away on May 10, 2014. Services were held at Pine Grove Baptist Church. Burial was at Cannon Memorial Park, Fountain Inn, SC. 3.13.711 CAROL ELIZABETH JONES, 76, daughter of Clinton Cedric Jones and Mary Ruth Stewart, died August 16, 2013 in Sarasota, FL. 6234 MILDRED HUNT STEWART, 96, widow of William Anderson Stewart, passed away on November 13, 2013. Graveside services were held at Fairview Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
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2013 REUNION MINUTES
The 106th Reunion of the Walter Stewart Clan was held the weekend of August 10th & 11th at Fairview Presbyterian Church in Fountain Inn, SC. The Annual Family Business Meeting was held in the Fairview Presbyterian Church Annex Building. Chief Charles B. Stewart #31712 opened the meeting with a prayer. Chief Charles welcomed and greeted family members and commented that even though there are so many electronic ways to communicate nothing beats the personal contact of a hug, a handshake and a smile. Chief Charles commented how fortunate we are that Fairview supports our meetings and there is no better place than the house of God that gives us rules and procedures.
Chief Historian, Mary Newton #31714, could not attend the meeting due to a fall that left her with a cracked rib. Linda Clark #317142 assumed her responsibilities for the meeting. The collection of family data has been entered in Family Tree Maker format. Chief Charles requested submissions of family stories, memories, poems etc. in addition to names and dates.
Chief Charles requested House Historians reports: House of Samuel kept by Margaret Sumerel, Laurens, SC, present: deaths: 3 House of John kept by Anne Shaver, Greenville, SC, present: deaths: 5 House of Robert kept by Alan & Kathy Fields, Louisville, KY: deaths: 5 House of James kept by David G. Jones, Austin, TX, not present: deaths: 4 House of Walter, Jr. kept by Donna Skarloken, Tracy, CA, not present: none House of Clark Berry kept by Larry E. Stewart, Kingsville, MD, present: deaths: 1 House of David Bobo kept by Clark H. Stewart, Glenn Rose, TX, not present: none
Treasurer’s report was given by Doug Stewart #31235: Balance as of Aug. 2013: $2,573.60. Offering collection: $739.00. Expenses: Tommy Brooks (Supplies for Reunion) $72.41. Balance: $3,312.60.
Doug requested to be replaced as the Treasurer by #384112 Nolan Stewart. Seconded from the floor, voted and passed.
New Business: Judy Smith #317143 motioned for a vote to add Bethany Presbyterian Church near Clinton, SC to the Stewart reunion church rotation cycle. A second came from the floor and there was open discussion before the vote was taken. Favor to add Bethany included: there is a lot of Stewart History at the church, Walter Stewart, Jr. donated the land for the church, the facility is a good one with air conditioned rooms for meeting, and better restrooms than New Harmony. Objections concerned the distance from the present two churches. Dick Stewart #317121 looked at the Stewart Constitution found in the Stewart book for procedure in the vote. The Constitution stated that a 2/3 majority would rule. From the floor the comment was made that however it comes out, a vote would not tear the family apart. Vote resulted in with 47 yes and 12 no adding Bethany to the church rotation that will begin next year with the reunion at Bethany. A motion was then made to cap the churches in cycle to only these three. Seconded and passed, 43 voted yes.
Chief Charles then requested members present from each house to stand for count. Numbers recorded:
House of Samuel: 11 House of John: 3 House of Robert: 75 House of James: 0 House of Walter, Jr.: 0 House of Clark Berry: 2 House of David Bobo: 0 Total in attendance: 91
States represented were South Carolina: 65, Georgia: 9, North Carolina: 7, Florida: 1, Tennessee: 2, Virginia: 0, Kentucky: 0, Texas: 2, Kentucky: 3, Ohio: 0, Indiana: 2.
The farthest traveled was from Texas, the closest was Jack & Joyce Pendarvis #25261, the youngest in attendance was James Clark Henderson, the oldest in attendance was Charles Stewart #31712. Least number of digits was Lucy Stewart and the first time in attendance was Jamie Hayes #384331. Those attending born in 1920s: 1, 1930s: 3, 1940s: 5, 1950s: 5.
Chief Charles ended the meeting with the meal blessing and all adjourned to the Sunday meal that was served in the same room as the Family Business Meeting. Respectfully Submitted,
LaMarr Brooks, Secretary
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2013–2014 WALTER STEWART FAMILY EXECUTIVE BOARD
ORDER FORM: RESERVATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Return to: Linda L. Clark No later than July 31, 2014 for reservations. 265 Clark Lane Checks payable to Walter Stewart Family. Dorchester, SC 29437 Please continue sending me the Stewart family newsletter at $2.00 per year for ____ years $_______
Reserve ____ places for the catered supper, Sat., August 9 at 6:30 p.m. at $8.00 per adult $_______
Reserve ____ places for children under 12 at $4.00 per child (no charge for baby in arms) $_______
Send ____ copy(s) of the Walter Stewart Family History book at $25.00 (postage included) $_______
Send ____ copy(s) of same, CD version at $35.00 per copy (postage included) $_______
Send ____ copy(s) of Centennial Stewart Family Cookbook at $15.00 per copy (postage included) $_______
Total Enclosed $_______
Your Name: Phone: E-mail: Address: City: State: Zip code:
Chief Charles B. Stewart 114 S. Main Street
Woodruff, SC 29388 864-476-3914
Chief Historian 31314 Mary S. Newton
1 Bishop Gadsden Way #123 Charleston, SC 29412
843-724-9221 [email protected]
Treasurer
Secretary 351231 LaMarr Brooks
108 Elfwing Lane Central, SC 29630
864-639-1601 [email protected]
Assistant Chief 317121 Dick Stewart 113 Lanneau Drive
Greenville, SC 29605 864-233-5399
Registrar 384241 Wendy Welch
5600 Ashwind Trce Alpharetta, GA 30005
678-893-0696 [email protected]
Parliamentarian 317141 Alan S. Fields
571 Tomkins Loop Cary, NC 27519 919-388-0296
Musician 31761 Martha S. Henderson
903 E. Lee Road Taylors, SC 29687
864-268-6160
Historian, House of Samuel 1.11.2332 Margaret Sumerel
1808 Poole Town Road Laurens, SC 29360
864-682-3924
Historian, House of John 2521211 Anne Shaver
2012 Hudson Rd. Greer, SC 29650
864-268-1819 [email protected]
Historians, House of Robert 317141 Alan & Kathy Fields
571 Tomkins Loop Cary, NC 27519 919-388-0296
Historian, House of James 422621 David G. Jones
3013 Yellowpine Terrace Austin, TX 78757
512-451-4381 [email protected]
Historian, House of Walter, Jr. 55722 Donna S. Skarloken
4417 Stoneridge Drive Tracy, CA 95304
209-835-2721 [email protected]
Historian, House of Clark 68412 Larry E. Stewart 5805 Glen Arm Road Glen Arm, MD 21057
410-592-5625
Historian, House of David 72361 Clark H. Stewart, Jr.
1425 Moody Lane Glenn Rose, TX 76043
254-897-7772 [email protected]
Reunion Supervisor 351231 Tommy Brooks
108 Elfwing Lane Central, SC 29630
864-639-1601 [email protected]
Logistics Coordinator 317122 Beth Stewart Hall
151 Oakwood Dr. Woodruff, SC 29388
864-580-9058 [email protected]
Computer Records Coordntr. 317143 Judy Lesslie Smith
3075 Pignatelli Crescent Mt. Pleasant, SC, 29466
843-971-1854 [email protected]
Website & Newsletter Editor 3171421 Chelsea J. Clark
107 Rose Dr. Columbia, SC 29205
843-693-0983 [email protected]
Newsletter Publisher 317142 Linda L. Clark
265 Clark Lane Dorchester, SC 29437
843-693-9520 [email protected]
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WALTER STEWART FAMILY UPDATE REPORT 2014–2015
Please help us keep the records up to date on your family! Use back of sheet or extra pages if necessary. Bring this information with you to the Stewart Reunion, give it to your house historian, or mail to the Chief Historian:
Mary S. Newton, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way #123, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-724-9221, [email protected]. New family data can also be added at www.walterstewart.org.
A small donation to defray the cost of keeping the family records is always appreciated.
BIRTHS
This child is #___ in this family.
Child’s Stewart code (if known) and full name:
Date and place of birth:
Father’s full name and occupation:
Mother’s full name and occupation:
Paternal grandparents' names and residence:
Maternal grandparents' names and residence:
Family’s mailing address:
MARRIAGES
Descendant’s Stewart code (if known) and full name:
Date and place of marriage:
Spouse’s date of birth:
Spouse’s parents and place of residence:
Descendant’s parents and mailing address:
DEATHS Please enclose a copy of the newspaper obituary if available.
Stewart code (if known) and full name:
Age of deceased:
Date of death:
Place of burial (cemetery and city):
Occupation (before retirement):
Last address:
Name of spouse: Your Name: Phone: E-mail: Address: City: State: Zip-code:
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Linda L. Clark 265 Clark Ln. Dorchester, SC 29437 Address Correction Requested
