| [Index] |
| William STEWART (1769 - 1854) |
| Soldier, Lt Colonel, Major General |
| Children | Self + Spouses | Parents | Grandparents | Greatgrandparents |
| William STEWART (1769 - 1854) | William STEWART | |||
| Elizabeth HORNE | ||||
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| b. 1769 at Strath, Caithness, Scotland |
| d. 08 Apr 1854 at Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia aged 85 |
| Parents: |
| William STEWART |
| Elizabeth HORNE |
| Siblings (1): |
| Anne STEWART (1775 - 1816) |
| Events in William STEWART (1769 - 1854)'s life | |||||
| Date | Age | Event | Place | Notes | Src |
| 1769 | William STEWART was born | Strath, Caithness, Scotland | |||
| 08 Apr 1854 | 85 | William STEWART died | Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Personal Notes: |
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Australian Dictionary of Biography
William Stewart (1769-1854), soldier and lieutenant-governor, was the son of William Stewart of Caithness, Scotland, and grandson of Donald Stewart of Appin, one of Prince Charles Edward's officers. Stewart joined the 101st Regiment as an ensign in 1794 and was transferred to the 3rd Regiment in 1796. He served in the West Indies, notably at Grenada, St Vincent, St Lucia and St Eustatius until 1802, and on the Peninsula (1808-12). In Portugal Stewart took part in severe fighting, was wounded, decorated, and promoted lieutenant-colonel in August 1810. He commanded the 3rd Regiment in America in 1814 and in the army of occupation in France in 1815-18. He became a colonel in 1819. In 1821 the 3rd Regiment was sent to New South Wales. Stewart disembarked at Sydney in April 1825. Before leaving England he had obtained a commission as lieutenant-governor but on 1 January 1825 this was amended by instructions that he was to associate the two senior members of the Legislative Council in any government of his. Stewart was senior military officer in the colony and a member of the Legislative Council. Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane held a poor opinion of him, and, although he had been authorized to leave Sydney any time after May, Brisbane delayed his departure, claiming that he could not trust the administration to the lieutenant-governor. The reasons for Brisbane's hostility are not clear but it is likely that he suspected Stewart's humanitarian and liberal views. Brisbane departed on 1 December 1825, and Stewart governed the colony for eighteen days until the arrival of Governor (Sir) Ralph Darling. His only important proclamation was on the fixing of postal rates. He also formed a small mounted police force and pardoned some convicts whom Brisbane had left under capital sentence. Darling regarded Stewart highly and employed him in various duties, making him a member of the Land Board, the Board of General Purposes, and an inquiry in 1826 into the administration of the Female Orphan School. Conflict between the two men occurred only once, after the drumming-out of Privates Sudds and Thompson in November 1826. Stewart claimed that Darling had promised that the heavy irons used on the offenders would be worn only during the parade, but they were not removed until later. When Stewart discovered this after the death of Sudds he rebuked the governor for his failure to keep his promise. In 1827 Stewart relinquished his position as lieutenant-governor when he went to India to command his regiment. He was promoted major-general in July 1830 and returned to New South Wales in 1832 to live in retirement near Bathurst on Mount Pleasant, an estate of 3200 acres (1295 ha) granted by Darling in 1826. After retirement Stewart took little part in public life, although he chaired a meeting at Bathurst in 1850 to protest against the proposed revival of transportation. He died on 8 April 1854 and was buried on his property. Stewart married Sylvia Anne, née Wolfe, and was survived by three daughters and one son, James Horne Stewart. A portrait by an unknown artist was owned by a descendant, Mrs S. Jamieson, of Strath, Bathurst. 10 Mar 1794 • Scotland William enlisted into the 101st Regiment of Foot. 1795 • Canterbury, Kent, England William transferred into the 3rd Foot-Buffs East Kent Regiment 25 Mar 1796 • West Indies Whilst serving under General Sir Ralph Abercrombie Captain William Stewart captured the Island of Grenada from the French. He was present at the storming and capture of the Fort and his Commanding Officer was killed. It was a bloody attack. Storming of Island of Grenada 26 Mar 1796 • St Grenada, West Indies The storming of one of the Forts was ferocious as it was an enemy strong point and was won by bayonet charges and hand to hand fighting. 5 Officers and over a hundred men were killed and wounded. Capture of the Islands of St Vincent and St Lucia Jul 1796 • St Vincent and St Lucia, West Indies Lieutenant William Stewart fought at the taking of the Islands of St Vincent and St Lucia in the West Indies and the capture of the ports of Guave and Mount Quaro. Purchase of Captaincy 25 Jan 1799 • Island of Grenada, West Indies William Stewart was promoted to Captain in the Buffs East Kent Regiment and was present with his regiment at the fighting in the mountains of St Vincent against the Caribs. Capture of the Dutch and Swedish Islands Aug 1799 • Island, of, St, Bartholomew, West Indies The Buffs Regiment was sent to capture and reduce the Dutch and Swedish Islands of St Bartholomew, St Croix, St Thomas, and St Martin in the Caribbean Capture of St Eustatia Jan 1801 • St Eustatia, West Indies Captain W Stewart was selected by his CO to accompany him on a mission to capture the French Island of St Eustatia. The Fort and batteries with 72 Cannons capitulated and surrendered. Appointment-Secretary to St Kitts Government 1801 • St Kitts, West Indies Capt. W. Stewart performance at the capture of St Eustatia was appreciated and he was appointed as Secretary to the Civil and Military Govt. He remained in this appointment for a period of 7 years without sickness. His Regt returned to England in 1802. Purchase of of his Majority 1805 • St Kitts, West Indies Captain W Stewart purchased his majority and discovered that an Army under Gen. Lord Cathcart was proceeding to Hanover and he volunteered his services to his Royal Highness. Hanover 1806 • Hanover, Region Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany Major W Stewart joined the 1st Battalion 3rd Regiment of Foot and embarked for Hanover probably from Chatham, Kent. He returned with the Regiment in the Spring of 1806. Lord Wellington's Peninsula Army 1808 • Douro, Leiria, Portugal Major William Stewart joined the retreating Army of Lord Wellington after the Battle of Talavera, Spain. The Army regrouped in Portugal.William served with Lt-Gen Hill's Division. Commandant 5th Bn Cacadores Jan 1810 • Elvas, Leiria, Portugal He was promoted to Lt Col and appointed to the Portuguese Army as Commandant in charge of the 5th Battalion Cacadores. He trained, drilled, equipped and organised the unit. Battle of Busaco 27 Sep 1810 • Busaco, Spain The 5th Bn Cacadores fought with the 2nd Division Allied Army of Lord Wellington and defeated the French Army under Marshall Massena.They occupied the heights around Busaco and won. Retreat to Lisbon Nov 1810 • Villa, Franca, Braganca, Portugal 5th Bn Cacadores formed part of the Rear Guard as the Allied Army retreated to the lines of Lisbon. Lt Col W Stewart repulsed the enemy at Villa Franca on the right bank of the River Tagus. Battle of Albuera 16 May 1811 • Albuera, Spain Lt Col W Stewart rejoined and commanded the Buffs. The opposing forces met at the village of Albuera. The Buffs took the lead and were the first to battle.They suffered heavy losses and William's horse was shot and he was wounded. He received a gold medal. Presentation of Gold Medal 1812 • Peninsula, Spain Lt Col W Stewart was presented a gold medal for his distinguishes services by His Royal Highness, Duke of York, Commander in Chief. William continued with the Regiment in the peninsula operations until October 1812. War in America May 1814 • Quebec, Canada Lt Col W Stewart commanded the 1st Battalion of the Buffs in Canada and their task was to defend northern America against the US military.In 1814 They sailed from Bordeaux to America and served on the canadian frontier and returned to England in July 1815. Marriage 1814 • Montreal, Quebec, Canada William marries Anne Sylvia Wolfe Occupation of Paris Aug 1815 • Paris, Île-de-France, France Lt- Col W Stewart and the 1st Batt Buffs served with Lord Wellington's Army of Occupation. Death of Father William Stewart(1748–1815) 1815 • Brabsterdorran, Caithness, Scotland, United Kingdom Returned Home to Scotland 1816 • Strath, Caithness, Scotland William returned home after the years of Military Campaigns.There are some family records that state he married Sylvia Ann Wolfe in 1814 whilst in Canada. Sarah Island penal settlement 1 Jan 1822 • Sarah Island, Tasmania, Australia Lt Samuel Wright and a platoon of the Buffs with chained convicts established a cruel and isolated penal settlement. A thriving ship building yard was established due to the availability of the famous Huon Pine timber. The settlement closed in 1833. Birth of Daughter Letitia Stewart(1822–1893) 1822 • Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Birth of Son William Stewart(1822–1829) 1822 • Edinburgh, Scotland Buffs in Australia 11 Mar 1822 • Port Jackson, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia The first detachment of the Buffs stationed in Mulligar Ireland moved and embarked at Chatham, Kent on the ship 'Shipley' on 7 Nov 1821 and sailed direct to Port Jackson under Lt Robert Stirling. Ship Arrivals transporting the Buffs Mar 1822 • Australia Shipley -11 Mar 1822, Richmond-19 May 1822, Phoenix-7 Jun 1822(Hobart), Guildford-15 Jul 1822, Asia-23 Jul 1822, Eliza-22 Nov 1822, Barmpton-22 Apr 1823, Anne&Amelia-2 Jan 1825, Asia-29 Apr 1825, Elizabeth-16 Aug 1825(Hobart). Buffs arrive in Australia 29 Apr 1825 • Port Jackson, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia The Commanding Officer of the Buffs Lt Col W Stewart arrives in Port Jackson on the ship 'Asia' on 25 Apr 1825. The Battalion is tasked to defend the Colony, guard the convicts,internal security, and maintain the penal settlements. Acting Governor 1 Sep 1825 • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Colonel William Stewart was appointed Acting Governor of New South Wales Sir Thomas Brisbane returned to Scotland. The new Governor Sir Ralph darling arrived on 18 December 1825. Birth of Son James Horne Stewart(1825–1920) 15 Sep 1825 • Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland Westernport Settlement 12 Dec 1826 • Westernport, Victoria, Australia Capt S Wright and Lt BH Burchell and a platoon of Buffs, 20 convicts, 4 Army wives and children, 1 stores supervisor, and Mr Hovell the explorer. Also included were cows,sheep and other livestock. The purpose was to prevent the French from settling. Land Grant-Mount Pleasant Bathurst, NSW. 27 Aug 1827 • Mount Pleasant, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia Sir Ralph Darling sent William Stewart to Bathurst to select his land of 3200 acres. This also encouraged others to settle in the area. Deployment to Calcutta , India 4 Dec 1827 • Calcutta, West Bengal, India Colonel Stewart and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion Buffs 3rd East Kent Regiment deploy to Calcutta on the ship 'Prince Regent' Retirement 1 Jan 1830 • Mount Pleasant, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia Major-General William Stewart retires from the regular Army and takes up his property at Mount Pleasant. He purchases another 11,848 acres to total 15,040 acres. Community Leader 1831 • Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia William Stewart known to locals as 'The General' becomes a very proactive community leader and is involved in every facet of the development of the City of Bathurst. Family travel to Mount Pleasant 1 Jul 1832 • Mount Pleasant, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia His wife Anne Sylvia Wolfe and their 6 children sail from Scotland and travel to Bathurst, New South Wales. Anne becomes a valued community leader among the first settlers. Death of Mother Elizabeth Horne(1748–1832) 3 Sep 1832 • Thurso, Caithness, Scotland Death of Wife Isabella Innis(–1836) Abt. Feb 1836 1836 Death 8 Apr 1854 • Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia William Stewart dies at his home 'Straith' on 8 April 1854. at the age of 85 years.The General was buried at the pinnacle of Mount Pleasant. His coffin was hauled up to the Mount by Bullocks and his Mounted Police and pall bearers in the pouring rain. |