Sarah Jane (Watson) Stewart: Died as Young Mother (#16 of 52 Ancestors)

Sarah Jane (Watson) Stewart, was only 27 years old when she died in 1853. She'd been married to John Q Stewart for a little over four years and given birth to two sons. Her oldest, George, would've been 3 years old, but it is possible he preceded his mother in death. The youngest, Alexander, was only 22 months old.

Sarah Jane's mother, Betsy, had died 7 years earlier while Sarah Jane was probably still living at home. Betsy was buried alongside other family members at Warrior Run Church Cemetery in Delaware Run, Pennsylvania. Five years later, Sarah Jane's older brother, Daniel, was also buried at Warrior Run.

Sarah Jane, Wife of John Stewart, Died Dec 12th 1853 Aged 27 years [unreadable]
Photo taken by Kathi Wertman & posted with permission on Find A Grave

Although she was probably living in Clinton County at the time of her death, Sarah Jane was also laid to rest at Warrior Run Cemetery in Northumberland County. Just three years later, her father was also buried there.

Besides leaving items to his surviving children, George Waston, Sarah Jane's father, left $500 to the surviving heir of his "deceased daughter Sarah J Stewart." To another deceased daughter, he'd left $1,000 to be divided between her three children. So, I'm unsure why Sarah Jane's widower, John Q Stewart, contested the will on grounds of "undue influence and duress [think it says 'duress']." At this time, Sarah Jane's son, Alexander, was 4 years old and was to receive the money when he reached the age of 21.

John Q Stewart married a second time and was not buried in the same cemetery as his first wife, Sarah Jane. I'm glad she was buried near other members of her family and hope to visit this cemetery some day.

My Line of Descent

• George Watson (1783-1856) m Elizabeth "Betsy" Vincent (1789-1846) 
• Sarah Jane Watson (1826-1853) m John Quiggle Stewart (1825-1922) 
• Alexander Stewart (1852-1922) m Catharine Jane McClintock (1852-1929) 
• Andrew "Andy" McClinock Stewart (1882-1954) m. Bessie Waldron Merrill (1879-1959) 
• James Edward Stewart (1910-1972) m. Hazel Lucille Peters (1910-1975) (my paternal grandparents) 

Do we share common ancestors? I'd love to talk! Please leave a comment or write me at drleeds@sbcglobal.net