Who was Thomas Steward of Gloucestershire, England and was he related to Anne Steward?

Catherine Gauldin
May 25
10 min read

THOMAS "OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE" STEWARD was born about 1630 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England and he died after 1671. His first wife was JOAN DRAKE whom he married on 05 May 1651, probably in Gloucestershire, England. She was born about 1630 in England, although the exact date of her birth is not recorded in the records. This is an estimate based on the birthdate of her husband. They had several children: Joseph, Charles, Elizabeth and Thomas. Three died young but Charles immigrated to Virginia and died in King George County, VA, married and had descendants. Joan Drake died in 1669 in Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, England and her death is recorded in the records.

The second wife of Thomas Steward was ELIZABETH BENNETT, and they were married on 04 Sep 1669 in Gloucester Cathedral in Gloucestershire, England. (2) She was born about 1630 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England, and she died in 1671 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England. Only her death is recorded in the records, so the parents of neither Joan Drake nor Elizabeth Bennett are known for sure. Their children were Jane, Mary and James.

This chart shows the line of descent of Thomas Steward. He had four children with his first wife Joan Drake and they were Joseph, Charles, Elizabeth and Thomas. It would appear that of that number, only Charles survived long enough to leave heirs. Thomas Steward had three children with his second wife Elizabeth Bennett and they were Jane, Mary and James. Daughter Mary was born in about the same timeframe that Mary Steward who married John Gaulding would have been born, but there is no evidence they are the same person. Mary Gaulding also had a brother named James and a sister named Elizabeth.

Thomas "of Gloucestershire" STEWARD and Joan DRAKE had the following children:

1. JOSEPH STEWARD was born in 1652 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England. He died young in 1669 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England and did not marry or leave descendants. (3)

2. CHARLES STEWARD (Immigrant to Virginia) was born in 1657 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England and he died in 1725 in King George County, Virginia, USA. He left a will in which he named his wife as his Executrix and all of his children. He married SARAH GRACE ARNOLD (last name uncertain). She was born in 1672 and died in 1726 in King George County, Virginia, USA. That information came from the Stewart Family Tree, so no records confirm her last name. According to Bristol Registers of Servants to Foreign Plantations (4) by Peter Wilson Coldham, Charles Steward immigrated to Virginia in 1668 to be bound to Timothy Stamp as an indentured servant. The citation reads “Charles Steward of King George County was indentured to Timothy Stamp for four years in Virginia.” (5)

3. ELIZABETH STEWARD was born in 1658 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England. She died in 1671 in Gloucestershire, England.

4. THOMAS STEWARD was born in 1663 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England. He died about 1674 in Dymock, Gloucestershire, England. Thomas Steward was buried on 9 Jan 1674 in Dymock, Gloucestershire, England. (14)

Thomas "of Gloucestershire" STEWARD and Elizabeth BENNETT had the following children:

1. JANE STEWARD was born on 02 Sep 1670 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England and she died in infancy on 07 Sep 1670 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England.

2. MARY STEWARD was born before 1671 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England. Married John Turner (?) There was a Mary Stuart who married John Turner on 2 November 1691 in Fairford, Gloucestershire, England but since her parents are not given, it is impossible to determine whether she is Mary Steward, daughter of Thomas Steward. (15)

3. JAMES STEWARD was born before 1671 in Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, England.

The second generation:

Charles Steward, the immigrant to Virginia

Charles Steward was the son of Thomas Steward of Gloucestershire, England and Joan Drake. In 1725 Charles Steward left a will in King George County, Virginia: (6)

Charles Steward of the county of King George made his will on the 19th June 1725. Presented into court 6th August 1725 and admitted to record. (9)

“In the Name of God Amen. I Charles Steward in the County of King George, Virginia, being afflicted with great indisposition of body but in sound and perfect memory blessed be God. . . and knowing the certainty of death do now make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

Item, I give to Grace Steward, my dearly beloved wife, my two Negroes Kate and Ross during her natural life and after her decease for the Negro boy Ross to descend to my Daughter Elizabeth and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body and all the rest of my estate except one cow and calf which I give to my grandson James Kay, Junr. to be delivered to him when he is of age.

Item, I give to my wife to be disposed of among my children Thomas Steward, John Steward, Charles Steward, Joseph Steward, and Elizabeth Steward as she shall think fit all the rest of my estate.

And to my daughter Mary Kay, haveing had part of my estate already, I give One Shilling to her and her heirs.

My will and desire is and I do hereby appoint my beloved wife Grace Steward Executrix.

Ratifying this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this 19th day of June 1725.

Sign’d Seal’d Publish’d Pronounc’d

And Declar’d by the said

Charles Steward as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers

John Townsend

Jerh Bronough

Richard Ellkins

Charles (x) Steward “

This same information is recorded in the King George County, Virginia, Will Book A-1, 1721-1752.

In the same year the will was appraised: (7)

“At a Court held for King George county on Friday the 6th day of August Anno Dom: 1725. The Last Will and Testament of Charles Steward was presented into Court by Grace Steward Executrix who made Oath thereto, and the same being further proved by the Oathes of John Townsend, Jeremiah Bronaugh, and Richard Elkins, witnesses thereto subscribed was admitted to Record. Jeremiah Bronaugh, John Fargueson, Robert Strother, & Richard Ellkins or any three of them are appointed to appraise all & singular the Estate of Charles Steward deced in money that shall be presented to their view. Samuel Skinker Gent. or any other Justice of the peace for this County is requested to administer an Oath to the sd. Appraisers for their true performance.”

Likewise, on the 3 September 1725 Grace Steward, the widow of Charles Steward returned the Inventory and made Oath. (8) (9)

“At a Court held for King George County on Fryday the Third day of September Anno Dom: 1725.

Grace Steward return’d the Inventory of the Estate of Charles Steward deced. and made Oath thereto wch: was ord:d to be recorded… Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of Charles Steward deced. . . includes a negro boy and woman and a man servant. . . parcel of old books; parcell of house lumber. . . items valued and totalled, £ 146.13.5. . . made by appraisers Jerh. Bronaugh, Robert Strother, John Farguson. “ (9)

Charles Steward, presumably the only surviving son of Thomas Steward and Joan Drake, who began life in Virginia as an indentured servant was able to attain a respectable status in life, not doubt thanks to his hard work and industry.

Of the people named in the will, the following is known based on other records:

1. Grace Steward - Wife, Executrix. She made other testimony, specifically in 1726 when she came forward and stated that James Kay, Jr., the grandson named in the will of her husband was the son of her daughter Mary’s husband James Kay, Sr. and his first wife Mary Pannell.

“Grace Steward of King George Count, aged fifty-four [ca. 1672] years or there abouts, saith she knew James Kay Jr. who intermarried with Mary Pannell and had issue by her five children of which James is the eldest and only son now living. This deponent was in the room when the said James the son was born and saith he inherited all the lands which his father died possessed of within the colony. Signed Grace Steward. Deposition presented in court by James Kay and the said Grace Steward made oath in open court to the truth of what is therein mentioned which at the instance of James Markham is admitted to record. Recorded 1 April 1726. T. Turner.” (11)

2. Elizabeth - Daughter.

3. James Kay, Jr. – Grandson. According to the testimony of Grace Steward, he was the son of James Kay, Sr. and Mary Pannell. (11)

4. Thomas Steward - Son

5. John Steward – Son -

"March 1, 1727, John Steward of Hanover Parish, planter to Joseph Steward of same, whereas John Steward in consideration of the naturall love, good will, and brotherly affection which he hath and doth bear towards the above Joseph Steward his brother, and also for and in consideration of £ 20 sterling, that given, granted, bargained, sold, transferred, made over, and by these presents doth freely, clearly, and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, transfer and make over unto the said Joseph Steward 260 acres, part of a tract of 460 acres purchased by the said Jno. Steward of a certain Lazarus Dameron being on the branches of Deep Run. Bounded by the land of the said John Steward and the land of the said Lazarus Dameron. Signed John Steward. Delivered in presence of John Warner, Jerh. Bronaugh. Recorded March 1, 1727. T. Turner.” (12)

John Steward, the son of Charles Steward left a will:

“Will of John Steward - I John Steward of King George County being sick. . . give and bequeath to my loving wife the negroes (4 named) with all my moveable Estate during her life and then to my son Price. . . if he dies without heirs to my son James. To my son Jeremiah one negro man; to my son John one negro wench; to my son Benjamin one negro woman; to my son Thomas two negro boys. . . to my son James two negro boys; unto my granddaughter Rosey Stuart one Negro child. . . I appoint my son James Executor. The tract of land I bought of John Popham I give to my son Price. If he dies without heirs then to my son James.

In the presence of:

Jno. Hobby

Willm. Steward

John Steward

At a court held 5th October 1769. This will presented into court and admitted to record. James Steward refusing to take upon him the burthen and Execution thereof administration with the will annexed is granted to Rosamond Steward, widow of said John who acknowledged a bond. “ (13)

6. Charles II Steward - Son

7. Joseph Steward - Son

8. Mary Steward, married James Kay, Sr. His son by his first marriage with Mary Pannell was James Kay, Jr. who was also named in the will of Charles Steward. (11)

9. Others named: John Townsend, Jeremiah Bronough, and Richard Ellkins, were witnesses.

Q: Who was William Steward?

Is there a connection to Mary Anne Steward married John Gaulding?

This chart shows the line of descent of Mary Anne Steward who married John "of New Kent" Gaulding. They may have been the same couple who had a son named John who was born in Westbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire, England in 1688. This was before they (presumably) left for America and went first to Chester, PA before eventually settling in New Kent, Virginia.

Pros:

1. Mary Anne Steward had a sister named Elizabeth and a brother named James, who with his wife petitioned the court to obtain custody of Mary Anne’s grandchildren after the death of her son Alexander.

2. Mary Anne Steward and John Gaulding may be the same couple who had a son born in Westbury-on-Severn and died in infancy there in 1688. The story put forth by Laura Gaulden is that they were Quakers and went first to Chester, PA before moving to Virginia.

3. Thomas Steward of Gloucestershire had a son named Charles who immigrated to Virginia, died there and left descendants. He settled in King George County, Virginia and that is quite a distance from New Kent County, Virginia but nevertheless he had a connection to Virginia.

Cons:

1. I know of no one in the extended family of John Gaulding who lived in King George County.

The next step was to do a search of Church Transcripts, Births, Deaths and Marriages in Gloucestershire, England for the following surnames:

**Steward

**Goldinge (or derivative)

Turner

Kay

Drake

Bennett

Arnold

The link to the Xcel document created for Gloucestershire and Wiltshire is:

Gaul Origins Glouc and Wiltshire.xlsx

I have prepared another document in Word for Gloucestershire and Wiltshire with Family units highlighted. It is available at the following link:

GEN_GaulOrigins_FamilyUnits_Gloucestershire_Wiltshire.docx

Sources

1 Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Ancestry.com, Name Thomas Steward, Gender Male, Child: Elizabeth Steward.

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9841/records/192044011?tid=120903483&pid=3

72556864629&ssrc=pt.

2 Ancestry.com, Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials,

1538-1813 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Ancestry.com, Thomas Steward, Gender Male, Event Type Marriage: Marriage Date 4 Sep 1669; Marriage Place Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire, England Spouse Elizabetha Bennett.

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/4732/images/47782_263021009496_2264

0-00018?pId=16385140.

3 Stewart Family Tree, Stewart Family Tree, Owner: Donald Travis Stewart. This information is about Joseph Steward, the son of Thomas Steward and Joan Drake: Joseph Steward was born in Dec. 1652 in Westbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire, England and he was the son of Thomas Steward and Joan Drake.

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/77804403/person/372237426677/facts.

4 Ancestry.com, U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc), Ancestry.com, Charles Steward, Arrival Year 1668; Arrival Place: Virginia; Primary Immigrant: Steward, Charles. Source Publication Code: Annotation 1218.5. Date of covenant or indenture of service and apprenticeship with intended destination. Extracted from Servants to Foreign Plantations, a two-volume set discovered in the Council House of Bristol. A summarized transcription by R. Hargreaves-Mawdsley. Source Bibliography COLDHAM, PETER WILSON. The Bristol Registers of Servants Sent to Foreign Plantations, 1654-1686. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988. 491p.

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7486/records/4028711?tid=120903483&pid=372

682611632&ssrc=pt.

5 Peter Wilson Coldham, Bristol Registers 1654-1686 (Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1988), Transcript of indenture of Charles Steward to Timothy Stamp for 4 years departing to Virginia in Bristol Council records. Charles Steward of King George County was indentured to Timothy Stamp for four years in Virginia. Source citation for Bristol Registers of Servants to Foreign Plantations

Citation information: Transcript: “ The 7th September 1668…..Charles Steward bound to Timothy Stamp for four years in Virginia the same conditions”

http://archives.bristol.gov.uk/

https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/120903483/person/372682611

632/media/528c71f4-261c-46d2-8e7d-2fcf974292a7?galleryindex=1&sort=-created.

6 Stewart Family Tree, Will of Charles Steward; King George County, VA Will Book A-1, 1721-1752, p. 29

https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/120903483/person/372682611