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John STUART (b 1882)

John Stuart is my paternal grandfather.

John was the third son and fifth child of William Stuart (b 1852) and Mary Jane McHardy (b 1857). He was born just after midnight on Wednesday, 27 September 1882 at 59 Maitland Street in the Milton district of Glasgow. His father reported the event two days later on Friday, 29 September. The traditional naming sequence had been completed by John's older siblings, William, Helen, and Isabella. He may have been named for his father's younger brother, John McCarter Stewart.

At the time of the census in March 1891, John was living at home with his parents at 20 Raeberry Street. He was eight years old and in school. His father was still getting his feet on the ground after having left the police force around 1885. Ten years later, in March 1901, he was with his parents at the same address, but his father was a hardware merchant working at the same address and John was working as a pastry baker.

Five years later, on 30 June 1906, John left Scotland for the United States. He sailed from Glasgow under the name John Bain on the S. S. Columbia (see note below). The ship arrived at the port of New York on 8 July 1906. He reported to the ship's purser that he was a 23-year-old, single man and baker with a destination of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He listed James Finlay at 668 Market Street in West Philadelphia as the friend or relative he was going to join. He had only $20 in cash but said he had not been to prison or an almshouse, was not anarchist or a polygamist and was in good health.

Whether or not John ever visited James Finlay may never be known. By his own report, he was in Trenton, New Jersey by 7 September 1906. Among his personal effects is a brief itinerary of his first months in the United States. Arrived in Philadelphia 7th July, 1906. Came to Trenton about 7th September 1906. Mary Higgins Arrived here October 10th, '06. Married in Trenton, New Jersey January 30th 1907. Came to Wilkes Barre March 10th. Came to Nanticoke on the 15th June 1907. Twins born on the 5th Dec 1907 at Nanticoke.

As John himself narrated, Mary Higgins, his wife-to-be, joined him in the United States on 10 October 1906. The couple married in Trenton, New Jersey on 30 January 1907. The wedding took place on a Wednesday evening at the parsonage of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church in Trenton. The Rev. William A. Frye conducted the ceremony. There were two witnesses listed on the certificate, Arthur Attwood and Viola Magee.

The couple moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and from there to Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Identical twin sons were born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania on 5 December 1907 and named William Theodore and Charles Edward. The address of the birth was given as 128 Market Street.

The couple moved to Lambertville, New Jersey sometime after the birth of the twins but before 1912. John filed a Declaration of Intention to be naturalized on 7 March 1912. At the time his residence was given as 252 Union Street, Lambertville, New Jersey. The declaration includes a physical description indicating he had a light complexion, was 5 feet 2-1/2 inches tall, weighed 120 pounds, had brown hair and brown eyes and a pit mark on his left cheekbone.

John followed through on his statement of intention to become a citizen, filing a petition for naturalization in Hunterdon County, New Jersey on 15 June 1914. The witnesses to the petition were Robert Park, a photographer, and Thomas Parker Wriggins, a manager. John was naturalized on 24 September 1914. The couple's address at the time was 258 North Union Street in Lambertville.

John was a Past Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The certificate he was issued by the Leni Lenape Lodge No 15 says that he was admitted as a 3rd degree member by card from Nanticoke Lodge No 886 of the State of Pennsylvania on 3 October 1911.

John worked as a baker for his entire career. Mae Coleman wrote that he was "a baker by trade and had his own business but went bankrupt." A family recollection was that John had the first all-electric bakery in New Jersey. It is likely that it was this enterprise that he owned and that went bankrupt.

Most likely, the bakery failed in 1915 or 1916 and John moved the family to Rochester, New York. The precise date of the move is not known, but John signed a Rochester report card for his son Charles in the fall term of 1917-1918, so the move from Lambertville. New Jersey to Rochester, New York probably took place between 1915 and 1917.

John registered for the draft (WWI) on 12 Sep 1918. He gave his address as 569 [presumably South] Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY. He was 36 years old. He named his wife Mary as his nearest realtive and Wm Schaller as his employer. His place of employment was identified as the corner of Jefferson and Plymouth in Rochester. He was still working as a baker.

John, unlike his brothers William and Alfred, did not serve in the Great War. He died during the flu epidemic of 1918 in Rochester, New York. The recorded cause of death was lobar pneumonia and splenic leukemia. I know of no way to determine if his death was brought on by a case of the flu. The date of his death was 13 December 1918, just days after the twins eleventh birthday. The family's home address at the time of his death was 569 Plymouth Avenue in Rochester.

John was buried on 17 December 1918 in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. In 2002, the stone was said to be "in pristine condition, standing in the shade of a very old maple tree."

Mae Coleman, a Higgins relative, wrote more than 30 years later that her aunt "was singing [Jack Stuart's] praises as she said he was a very well-liked man."

Sources:

1882 Birth Registration for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: The National Records of Scotland. 1882/Births/644/8/1155. Content: The Registry of Births for the District of Milton, Burgh of Glasgow [Lanarkshire] shows that John Stuart, male, [was born]1882 Sep 26, 0h 15m am at 59 Maitland Street. Father: William Stuart, Police Constable. Mother: Mary Stuart m.s. McHardie. Married: 1874 Jun 25, Glasgow. Signed: William Stuart, Father, present. [Registered:] 1882 Sep 29 at Glasgow.

1891 Scotland Census, Household of William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1891/Census/644/9/87/0/2/002. Content: The 1891 Scotland Census of Barony, Kelvinside, Glasgow (Lanarkshire) on 05 Apr 1891 shows a flat (shcedule 10) at 20 Raeberry Street with a household composed of (1) William Stewart, head of household, married, male, age 38, a self-employed commercial traveller, born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, (2) Mary Stewart, wife, married, female, age 35, born in Glasgow, (3) Helen Stewart, daughter, female age 15, employed shop girl (hardware), born in Glasgow, (4) Isabella Stewart, daughter, female age 13, scholar, born in Glasgow, (5) William Stewart, son, male, age 11, scholar, born in Glasgow, (6) John Stewart, son, male age 8, scholar, born in Glasgow, (7) Susan Stewart, daughter, female, age 6, scholar, born in Glasgow, (7) Mary Stewart, daughte, female, age 5 years, scholar, born in Glasgow, (8) Albert Stewart, son,male, age 3, born in Glasgow, (9) Victoria Stewart, daughter, female, age 6 mos, born in Glasgow.

1901 Scotland Census, Household of William Stewart (b 1852): Citation: The National Records of Scotland, 1901/Census/644/9/84/11. Content: The 1901 Scotland Census of Barony, Kelvinside, Glasgow (Lanarkshire) Scotland on 31 Mar 1901 shows a flat of 3 rooms at 20 Raeberry Street with a household composed of (1) William Stewart, head, married, age 49, hardware merchant, employer, born Renfrewshire, (2) Helen Stewart, daughter, single, age 26, hardware assistant, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (3) Isabella Stewart, daughter, single, age 22, hardware assistant, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (4) William Stewart, son, single, age 20, Picture Frame Maker, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (5) John Stewart, son, single, age 18, Pastry Baker, worker, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (6) Susan Stewart, daughter, single, age 16, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (7) Mary Stewart, daughter, single, age 15, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (8) Albert Stewart, son, single, age 12, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (9) Victoria Stewart, daughter, single, age 10, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow, (10) Alfred Stewart, son, single, age 8, in school, born Lanarkshire, Glasgow.

1906 Passenger Manifest for SS Columbia, Entry for John Bain (aka Stuart) (b 1882): Citation: Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Year: 1906; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Line: 4; Page Number: 36. Content: A 1906 Passenger Manifest for SS Columbia, sailing from Glasgow on 30 Jun 1906 and arriving at Port of New York on 08 Jul 1906 lists (at line 4) passenger John Bain (sic) age 23, male, single, baker, can read/write, born Scotland, last residence: Glasgow, destination: Philadelphia, bought ticket himself, has $20 on person, has never been in the US before, friend: James Finlay, 668 Market St, West Philadelphia, never imprisoned on in alms house, not a polygamist, not an anarchist, in good health, has no deformity.

An itinerary of John's first months in the United States: The author possesses a facsimile of this handwritten itinerary.

1907 Marriage Certificate for John Stuart (b 1882) and Mary Higgins: Citation: The author possesses a facsimile copy of the certificate. Content: A 1907 certificate of marriage shows that John Stuart and Mary Higgins were married on Wednesday, the Thirtieth day of January AD One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seven at Trenton, New Jersey, according to the rites of the Methodist Episcopal Church ... Dated: Friday this First day of February AD 1907. Signed: William A Frye, Clergyman. Witnesses: Arthur Atwood and Viola Magee.

1907 Marriage Registration for John Stuart (b 1882) and Mary Higgins: Citation: State of New Jersey, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriages 1907. Entry 308. Transcribed by the author from microfilm (reel 226). Content: A 1907 State of New Jersey marriage aregistration shows that John Stuart and Mary Higgins were married on 30 Jan 1907 at Trenton, NJ. Groom: residence: 439 N Montgomery, Trenton; age 24; occupation: baker; birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland; father's name: Wm Stuart. mother's maiden name: Mary McHardy. Bride: residence 439 N Montgomery, Trenton; age 22; birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland; father's name: James Higgins; mother's maiden name: Mary Malone. Witnesses: Arthur Attwood, Viola Magee. Person officiating: W A Frye, Clergyman.

1907 Birth Certificate for William Theodore Stuart (b 1907): Citation: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Birth. Registration District 650, Primary Registration District No 1351, Registered No 992. Facsimile copy in possession of the author. Content: A Pennsylvania birth certificate shows that William Theodore Stuart, male, legitimate, twin, birth order: 1, was born 05 Dec 1907 in Naticoke (Luzerne) Pennsylvania at 127 Market Street. Father: John Stuart, Nanticoke, age 25, born Scotland, occupation:baker. Mother: Mary Higgins, age 23, born Scotland, occupation: housewife. Number of children of this mother: 2. Attending Physician: Seth W Kistler. Nanticoke, attended birth of this child born on 05 Dec 1907 at 3pm. Filed 31 Dec.

1907 Birth Certificate for Charles Edward Stuart (b 1907): Citation: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Birth. Registration District 650, Primary Registration District No 1351, Registered No 991. Facsimile copy in possession of the author. Content: A Pennsylvania birth certificate shows that Charles Edward Stuart, male, legitimate, twin, birth order: 2, was born 05 Dec 1907 in Naticoke (Luzerne) Pennsylvania at 127 Market Street. Father: John Stuart, Nanticoke, age 25, born Scotland, occupation:baker. Mother: Mary Higgins, age 23, born Scotland, occupation: housewife. Number of children of this mother: 2. Attending Physician: Seth W Kistler. Nanticoke, attended birth of this child born on 05 Dec 1907 at 3pm. Filed 31 Dec.

1910 US Census, Household of John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Year: 1910; Census Place: Lambertville Ward 3, Hunterdon, New Jersey; Roll: T624_895; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0017; FHL microfilm: 1374908. Content: The 1910 US Census of Lambertville City (Hunterdon) New Jersey on 07 May 1910, 252 Union Street, rented, lists a household composed of (1) John Strop (sic), head male, age 27, married (first, for 3 years), born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland, year of immigration is 1906, baker in a bakery working on his own account, out of work for 0 weeks in 1909, (2) Mary Strop (sic), wife, female, age 25, married (first marriage, for 3 years, 2 children ever born, 2 living), born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland, no occupation, (3) Wm Strop (sic), son, male, age 2, single, born PA, (4) Chas Strop (sic), son, male, age 2, single, born PA.

1912 Declaration of Intention for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: The author has a facsimile copy of the document provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1993. Content: USA Declaration of Intention (No 87, Duplicaate, 1148393), State of New Jersey, County of Mercer, District Court of ?? reads: I John Stuart, aged 29 years, occupation Baker, do declare on oath that my personal description is: Color: white, complextion light, height 5 feet 2-1/2 inches, other visible distinctive marks; pit mark on left cheek bone. I was born in Glasgow, Scotland on the 26 day of September, anno Dominin 1882; I now reside at 252 Union Street, Lambertville, NJ. I emigrated to the USA from Glasgow, Scotland on the vessel Columbia; my last foreign residence was Glasgow, Scotland. ... I arrived at the port of New York on or about the 8 day of July, anno Domini 1906; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein; So Help Me God. [signed] John Stuart. 07 Mar 1912,

1914 Naturalization Certificate for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: The author has a facsimile copy of a form watermarked original. Content: A USA Certificate of Naturalization (No 236366) provides a description of the holder: Age: 31; height: 5 feet 2-1/2 inches; color: white; complexion: Fair; color of eyes: Brown; color of hair: Brown; visible distinguising marks: pit mark on left cheek bone; Name, age, and place of residence of wife: Mary; 29 yrs; Lambertville, NJ; Names, ages, and places of residence of minor children: Charles E and William T, Both 6 years old, reside at Lambertville NJ. Signed: John Stuart ... State of NJ, Hunterdon County ... Court of Common Pleas ... 24 Sep 1914 ... John Stuart ... residence: 258 North Union, Lambertville, NJ. Seal: 24 Sep 1914.

1911 international Order of Odd Fellows Membership Certificate for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Original copy from personal effects of Charles Stuart. Content: Bro John Stuart, P[ast] G[rand] was initiated (or admitted as a 3rd degree member by card from Naticoke Lodge No 886 of the State of Pennsylvania on the Third day of October 1911) ... and passed the Noble Grand's chair 20 Jul 1915. ... Leni Lenape Lodge, No 15, IOOF [certified] that John Stuart, Past Grand, was installed Noble Grand of this Lodge on the Twelfth day of January 1915 and completed the term for which he was elected.

1918 Death Certificate for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Verified Transcript from the Register of Death, 1918, Register No 4569, Office of Vital Records, Rochester, New York. Content: The transcript reads: Date of death: Dec 13 1918; Register No: 4565; Name of Deceased: John Stuart; Sex: Male; Age: 36 years, 2 months, 17 days; Married; Race: White; Occupation: Baker; Birthplace: Scotland; How Long a Resident: [Blank]; Father's Name and Birthplace: William, Scotland; Mother's Name and Birthplace: Mary S, Scotland. Place of Death: 569 Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY; Cause of Death: Chief cause: Lobar Pneumonia; Other causes: Splenic Leukaemia; TIme from Attack till Death: [Blank]; Medical Attendance: S J LePard; Informant: Mary Stuart; Undertaker: Strauchen; Place of Burial: Mt Hope Cem.

1918 Rochester Times Union Obituary for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Rochester Times Union, [Rochester, NY] 13 Dec 1918, page 9, col 12. Content: The obituary reads: STUART-- Entered into rest in this city, Friday evening, December 13, 1918, at his home, 569 Plyouth Avenue, John Stuart, aged 35 years. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary Stuart; two sons, William and Charles Stuart of this city, and his parents, William and Mary Stuart of Glasgow, Scotland. Deceased was a member of the Masonic Order, and of the Leni Lenapi Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Lambertville, New Jersey. Funderal from the home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Find A Grave Memorial for John Stuart (b 1882): Citation: Find a Grave Memorial 151247436 for John Stuart (b 1882)

There is reference to an undated letter (circa 1955) from Mae Coleman, John's niece: The letter is in the possession of the author.

Note on John's use of an alias on his passage from Glasgow to New York: The reason for John having given his name as John Bain rather than John Stuart on his passage from Glasgow to New York remains a mystery to me. It strikes me that he was fortunate there was no check of the passenger manifest when he applied for naturalization. The name Bain was a familiar one to him. His sister Helen had married a Bain in 1901 and by the time of his departure from Scotland he had three Bain neices and nephews. I have often wondered if his choice of a bride from a Roman Catholic family had caused some family tension that led to a clandestine departure. If there ever was such tension, it did not show in John's father's affectionate letters to his son's widow and John's children. Excerts of those letters can be found in the page for John's father William (b 1852).