Dear Listers, Several years ago I was able to borrow via Interlibrary Loan some fragments of The Pendleton Messenger. I offer the follwong for your consideration: "Pendleton Messenger, SC, Wednesday 11 August 1818. On the 27 ultimo (meaning 27 of July 1818), Mr.John Stewart, a citizen of this district, was shot while working in his gun shop. The ball entered the body below the right nipple and passedout below the left; he died in a short time afterwards. The Cornoner's Inquest have returned it willful and malicious murder by William Jordan, Sr., who has made his escape. We understand that His Excellency the Governor has issued his Proclamation offering a reward ofd Two Hundred Dollars for apprehending the said Jordan." Also, in other copies of the paper which I had on film, the following notices of mail at the post office were cited: "1 Januaary 1819, letter at P.O. for Mary Stuart 4 January 1819, letter at P. O. for Robert Stuart, James Sherard 1 July 1820, letter at P.O. for Mary Black 2 July 1821, letter at P.O. for Mrs. Mary Stewart" "1 January 1823, 250 acres more or less whereon defendant now lives, adjacent land of Widow Steward and others on 12 Mile River as property of Andrew Davis at the suit of the Administration of Dr. Wm. Hunter" I believe that the John Stewart cited as murdered is my immigrant ancestor. About two months ago I posted information on land transaction of Stewarts, Stewards and Stuarts to this list; they as Grantees/Sellers, acreage, Deed Book No. and Pages, as well as Date of Transfer and To Whom. I can find no Estate Records in Anderson County for the settlement of this John Stewart. I think that may because as a capital case, the jurisdiction would have been other than the county court. Does anyone have access to Pickens and Oconee county courthouse records that might reveal something new on his death and estate settlement? If I remember correctly , the next court above the county court was called Washington District Court. I believe this is he same John Stewart who bought of Andrew and Jean Liddell (Liddle) on 12 Mile Creek land in 1792/3 which was recorded. I do not wish to burden this list with my problem, but I would certainly appreciate any assistance any of you can lend that might help me solve the riddle. The Stewart/Steward/Stuart names I believe refer to the same family. My line used Stewart consistently, but that does ot mean the county officials spelled it correctly evey time. >From the Georgia Genealogical Magazine, page 231, Summer 1975, No. 57 and published by the Reverend Mr. Silas Emmet Lucas, Jr. , P. O. Box 229 , Easley, SC 29640 Under Miscellaneous Pendleton District South Carolina Coroner's Inquest, as abstracted by Mr.Brent Holcomb, I quote: "No. 1 Inquest on the body of John Stewart, Filed 1 August 1818; murdered on Twelve Mile River, District of Pendleton, 27 July 1818 before Barnett H. Algood, Justice of the Quorum...upon the oath of Phillip May, Isaiah Kirksey, Andrew Davis, Isaac Miller, Champ Taylor, Daniel Murphee, James Powell, Henry Davis, James Byrum, Samuel Youngbood, Nathaniel Merritt. and Elisha Dean, good lawful men of the District....said John Stuart was shot through the body with a rifle ball....between the hours of 9 and 10 o'clock ...we believe that the said Stuart was shot by William Jordan, Sr., with his son's rifle gun...Philip May (seal); Isaiah Kirksey (seal); Andrew Davis (seal); Isaac Miller (seal); Champ Taylor (seal); Daneil Murphee (seal); James Powell (seal); Henry Davis (seal); James Bynum (seal); Samuel Youngblood (seal); Nathaniel Merritt (seal); and Elisha Dean (seal)." "Affidavit of William Jordan: personally appeared William Jordan, Jr., sic Jurden) before us and sayeth that on Monday morning 27 July 1818...as he was returning from his work by the shop of John Stuart he saw the said Stuart standing in his shop...then going on to his father's house for breakfast...his father had taken his gun and gone toward the river.the report of a gun...went to shop and found said John Stuart lying prostrate on the floor...William Jordan, Philip May, Foreman: Barnett B. Allgood, JP. (seal)" Affidavid of Mary Stuart: "Personaly appeared Mary Stuart before us and sayeth that on July 27th, 1818, she was in her loomhouse and her husband was in his shop and between 9 and 10 o'clock she heard the report of a fun and found her husband shot through the body and on asking him who shot him he said William Jordan, Sr. Mary Stuart, Phillip Nay, Fioreman: "Affidavit of Ann Stuart: Personally appeared Ann Stuart before me and sayeth that her mother came to the home and said her father had been shot....Philip May Foreman, Ann Stuart. Barnett R. Allgood, JP (seal)" I would welcome any information or suggestions from Listers who might render assistance. My John Stewart's daughter Ann married Francis Cunningham and his daughter Nancy married John Sherrard. In the 1850 census for Cobb Co., GA, Nancy Stewart Sherrard is listed as age 60; hence born circa 1790 IRELAND. I believe that these are all of the same Stewart family. Thanks, Cordelia