James Sr. and Elizabeth had a second daughter born to them in Virginia, whom they named Charity. Neither her marriage record nor her tombstone give her a middle initial, yet some researchers have assigned a B. as a middle initial to her. We have no references as to whether this was a name handed down. Guess, once we can get the earlier generations on this family we may find out. Charity was born on 16 April 1796. I have not seen a birth record for her, but this is the date that has been passed down from previous researchers. Her tombstone photo is not clear enough to read her death date nor her age at death so as to obtain her birth date. But, the relative who took the photo confirms what it reads for her death date. On numerous census records her birth year is also confirmed as 1796.
On 29 October 1823, in Guernsey County, Ohio, Charity married John Stuart (sometimes spelled Stewart). He was born in Pennsylvania in 1795. We do not know if either of them were married previously. But, they were of an age that could have put either of them in a previous although short marriage. We first can find this couple on the 1830 Federal Census for Beaver Township, Guernsey County, Ohio. The children in their household are reported as a male child under 5 years old, a male child 5-10 years old and a female child 5 to 10 years old, all of which fits with the known children of this marriage by 1830. So, we have no extra children by previous marriages, so it seems.
It seems that in either 1838 or 1840 (the records are hard to read) John and Charity were both baptised at the Salem Baptist Church in Gibson area, Guernsey County, Ohio. Their eldest child, Elizabeth was baptised at the same church in 1841. The 1840 census for Beaver Township, Guernsey County, Ohio, finds John with his family, which has now added one more son. The 1850 census finds them still in this township and county, and provides the names of his children as Elizabeth J. born in 1824 (probably named for Charity's mother). Next came a son born in 1825, who they named Charles B. (possibly for John's father?), then James L. Stuart born in 1827 (maybe for Charity's father, James LaRue?) and finally, William N. born in 1835 and this is the second time that we see the use of this name in being passed down in this family.
Shortly after the 1850 census, Beaver Township was broken off from Guernsey county and contributed to the makeup of the new Noble County. The family lives here until we see them selling the land and getting a letter of dismissal from the Salem Baptist Church in March 1860 (a means of transferring their church membership) and moving onto Jasper County, Illinois. Their children, all adults moved with them. Only two of their children ever marry. Charles B. Stuart marries Margaret Long, probably in Guernsey County. And, James L. marries a woman named Sara (last name unknown) probably in Noble or Guernsey County. They all move to Illinois.
Charles and James both die just a few years after the move. James L. dies in 1863 and we are not sure whether it was related to the Civil War or not. But his tombstone is found in South Muddy Township, Jasper Co., Illinois in the Trexler Cemetery with the rest of his family. James leaves his widow Sara and two daughters Armintha R. and Caroline M. who both go on to marry and have descendants.
Charles and James both die just a few years after the move. James L. dies in 1863 and we are not sure whether it was related to the Civil War or not. But his tombstone is found in South Muddy Township, Jasper Co., Illinois in the Trexler Cemetery with the rest of his family. James leaves his widow Sara and two daughters Armintha R. and Caroline M. who both go on to marry and have descendants.
In 1869 Charles B. dies and is buried there also. He leaves his wife, Margaret and children Mary Jane, Elizabeth Victoria, Jeanette, and a son predeceases him in 1867, Charles William Stuart. The surviving daughters go on to marry and have descendants also.
Hopefully in the near future I can get to this part of Illinois to followup on some research. Not so far North of this county, Charity's younger brother David, moves his family into Clark County. So I could get more on both of these lines with a trip to the area.
