Duncan Stewart (Mississippi politician)

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Duncan Stewart (1761–1820) was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, slave owner, frontiersman, and politician. He holds the very rare distinction of having served three separate states state legislatures over his life, in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

Early life[]

Duncan Stewart was born January 16, 1761. He was the son of William Stewart, a Scottish immigrant. His mother was Janet Stewart, née McDougal. He was a 14th generation descendant of Robert the Bruce.[1]

During the American Revolution, Stewart entered the Revolutionary Army as a private, eventually being promoted to the rank of colonel of North Carolina troops.

In 1797, he married Penelope Jones (1779–1843). They had four children.

Political career[]

In the early 1790s he represented Bladen County, North Carolina in the North Carolina General Assembly. From 1790 to 1792[2][3] he represented Bladen County in the House of Commons (then the name of the state House of Representatives), and in the State Senate from 1793 to 1794.[4]

After he moved to Tennessee, he served as Tennessee state senator for the fourth, fifth, and sixth General Assemblies.[5] He represented Montgomery and Robertson Counties fourth and fifth General Assemblies, and he represented Montgomery, Robertson, Dickson, and Stewart Counties in the sixth General Assembly. Stewart County was carved out from the western part of Montgomery County, and is named after him. It was formed on November 3, 1803.[1]

In 1811, he moved to Woodville, Mississippi where he began cotton farming. After Mississippi achieved statehood, he was elected both as a Mississippi state senator and as the inaugural Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi. He was elected President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi Senate. Alongside Governor David Holmes, Stewart served as Lieutenant Governor from October 7, 1817 to January 5, 1820.[6]

In 1812, he had Holly Grove built.[7]

Death[]

Duncan Stewart died on November 26, 1820, at his plantation home, and was buried next to his twin brother James. The two are buried at the Stewart Two cemetery with four other people out in the woods in southern Mississippi. [1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "From the Archives: Founder of Our County". Stewart County Standard. Stewart County Standard. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  2. ^ "North Carolina - From Statehood to 1800, House 1790". Carolana. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  3. ^ "North Carolina - From Statehood to 1800, House 1791-1792". Carolana. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  4. ^ "North Carolina - From Statehood to 1800, Senate 1793-1794". Carolana. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  5. ^ Black, Diane. "TENNESSEE SENATORS ALPHABETICAL LISTING – INDIVIDUAL NAMES" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Tennessee Secretary of State's office. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  6. ^ Rowland, Dunbar (1907). Encyclopedia of Mississippi History, Vol. 2 of 2: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institution and Persons. The Southern Historical Publishing Association. pp. 75, 733. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Holly Grove". National Park Service. Retrieved 20 March 2021.

Further reading[]

  • North Carolina, Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
  • North Carolina, 1780-1781: being a history of the invasion of the Carolinas by the British Army under Lord Cornwallis in 1780
  • Colonial State Records, North Carolina, Vol 21, p193-195, V22, p36, 465
  • Stewart Clan Magazine, Page: Tome G, Vol. 34, No. 7 (Jan 1957), p. 184


Political offices
Preceded by
office created
 Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
October 7, 1817 - January 5, 1820 		Succeeded by
James Patton
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