Our History

As I open the window to the past, a gentle summer breeze of this family’s future continued with the birth of Henry Stewart.  We take this time to remember the patriarch of this family whose legacy now spans more than 100 years.  

Henry Stewart was born on September 16, 1895 in Bryant County GA to Jennie Fuller Stewart and Allen Stewart.  Allen and Jennie were from Virginia and at some point moved to Georgia (date unknown) where granddad Henry was born.  In the 1900 Census granddad’s name was listed as William H. Stewart. We have no information on when or why he dropped his first name. (That was not uncommon in those days). He had several brothers, Tom, Louis, Edgar and Andrew and at least one sister, Missy (possibly Georgia Stewart was another sister).

Granddad Henry lived and worked on the family farm until he was 23 years old. He was then drafted into the Army and served until 12/12/1918 when he was honorably discharged. 

He married Pearl Agnes Foots on December 8, 1919 in Candler County.  To this marriage 4 children were born (Mary, Curtis, John and Lois). Cornelius was taken into their home and raised as their third son very soon after he was born.  Cornelius’s biological mother was Sugar Pryor.

From all accounts, verbal and photographic, they were an alluring couple who were loved and revered by all who knew them. Granddad Henry was a man of few words but he displayed a very strong-willed and determined character.   In the early 1920s he bought the Woodcock Plantation.  Due to several losses from the lack of financial backing and available credit and poor weather that resulted in crop failure, Granddad was unable to maintain the plantation.  However, he stayed on for 6 years as a “sharecropper” to provide for the family and to pay his debts. 

In 1939 the family moved to Metter, GA.  Although he had very little formal education Granddad Henry was self-taught and quite intelligent. The 1940 census showed Henry as head of household, Pearl was listed as his wife with 3 children, Cornelius, Esther and John.  It also listed Lucy Foots, age 76, as his mother-in-law living in the home.  He was a God-fearing man who had daily Bible Study and prayer with his family.  He was a faithful member of Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Metter from 1943-1968 where he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Church secretary.

Granddad Henry was small in stature (5’6” tall) but his rugged physique allowed him to work as a plumber for the City of Metter for 21 years. A rare occurrence for a Black man during that era. During most of this time he continued to farm his land to subsidize his income to provide food and clothing for his family.

In Dec., 1968 Granddad Henry and Grandmom Pearl moved to Augusta, GA where they intended to spend their “Golden Years”.  Sadly, On April 2, 1970, our beloved Granddad Henry Stewart died of a massive stroke.  He will always be remembered for his quiet strength and his soft spoken demeanor. 

This is a short journey through our family history.  A legacy to be cherished and passed on through the generations. Granddad Henry lived through very tough times in this country for African-Americans. Yet he persevered, showing his children and all of us who have followed just what the STEWARTS are made of.  For this is the “ROOT” that grounds our Family tree.