William Wallace Stewart was named for his mother's brother WilliamWallace Allen. His wife was known to have told others that James RossStewart and his wife Elizabeth Allen Stewart named two sons WilliamWallace Stewart, the first of which died. When asked why, SarahClementine Stewart explained, "The name was important to us."

In further explanation, Sir William Wallace, the great Scottishpatriot who lived from 1272 - 1305, fought fiercely and courageouslyfor the freedom of Scotland. In Iredell County, N.C. the Stewart andWallace families were aligned. The name of Sir William Wallace hasbeen esteemed in Scotland for more than 600 years and the people stilltalk and sing of him and of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

William Wallace Stewart fought in the Civil War as did his fourbrothers Closen, John, Jeptha, and Franklin. He was captured andspent some months as a prisoner in New York City. Closen and Johnwere killed, and brothers Jeptha and Franklin were wounded. In hislater years William Wallace Stewart received a pension from thegovernment. With his first pension check, he purchased new pulpitfurnature for New Bethany Church.

William Wallace Stewart listed his occupation as "miller" in the 1860census. At the time of this census, he was living next door to hiswife Clemintine's family, Henry Stikeleather, in the Liberty HillTownship of Iredell County, North Carolina. Perhaps this was how hisyoungest son, Charles Atwell Stewart was motivated to own andopperatethe C. A. Stewart Flour Mill on the Buffalo Shoals Creek years later.This was the location of the John Stewart of Fourth Creek farm

William Wallace Stewart purchased a farm on the Lewis Ferry Road inthe Shiloh Community on June 11, 1885 from A J K Thomas and his wife SA Thomas adjoining the lands of the Raymer Brothers, the Thomas's, andothers (Iredell County Deed Book B, page 470). This farm was in the"Rock Cut" Township in the 1860 but is now the Shiloah Township. "RockCut" was the name given for the location of the railroad depot at whatis now called Eufola, NC. He and his sons farmed this land for hisremaining years.

William Wallace Stewart was blind in his last years. He was knownlocally as "Billy" Stewart. My father, Jacob Atwell Stewart, told ofan incident in which "Billy" decided to take a couple of cats thatsomeone had dropped out on him and drop them off on someone else whenhe was on his way to the post office at Eufolla. He dropped them off,unaware that a neighbor, John Byers, has observed him. Later thatday, Mr. Byers brought the cats back and told Billy "Mr Steyart(Stewart), I brought your cats back. I thought you might be on easy(uneasy) about them." This embarrassing little story has told onBilly by every generation since.

William Wallace Stewart was s devout man. Near the end of his life hesaid, "I have tried to live a Christian life all of my life." Hedied December 24, 1922 and is buried at New Bethany Baptist Church inIredell County, N.C.

• Married: 16 Sep 1853

1. Mary Elizabeth STEWART b: 31 May 1854
2. Margaret Ann STEWART b: 25 Dec 1855
3. Laura Prudence STEWART b: 3 Mar 1858
4. Jeanette Lecky STEWART b: 18 Oct 1861
5. John (Johnny) William STEWART b: 21 May 1863
6. Edward Fletcher STEWART b: 16 Apr 1866
7. Sarah Estelle STEWART b: 30 Mar 1869
8. James Henry STEWART b: 13 Jan 1873
9. Charles Atwell STEWART b: 24 Mar 1875