Albert Lee Stuart (1819 - 1876)

Born 25 Jun 1819 in Connecticut, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Susannah Hannah (Rea) Stuart — married 2 Jan 1840 (to before 1853) in Shelby, Tennessee, United States

Husband of Prissillah Jane (Bill) Stuart — married 15 Sep 1853 in Greene, Arkansas, United States

Descendants

Died 16 Mar 1876 at age 56 in Craighead, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Born on June 25, 1819, in the state of Connecticut, Albert Lee Stuart's life would encompass a series of transformations, marked by triumphs, challenges, and profound change. His parents, Wakeman William Stuart and Ruth (Ferguson) Stuart, laid the foundation for the man he would become.

On January 2, 1840, Albert embarked on a new chapter as he married Susan Hannah Rea in Shelby County, Tennessee. Their union represented the promise of a shared life, love, and companionship.

The 1840s saw Albert's presence in Shelby County, Tennessee. These years were likely filled with endeavors to establish a stable life for himself and his family, as he worked to create a prosperous future.

In the 1850s, Albert's journey led him to Big Creek Township, Greene County, Arkansas. Embracing the life of a farmer, he toiled to support his household, embodying the spirit of hard work and determination.

Tragedy struck when Susan Hannah Rea passed away before 1853. However, Albert found love again and married Prisshillah Jane Bill on September 15, 1853, in Arkansas. This union marked the beginning of a new chapter, offering hope and companionship anew.

Albert's path took an unexpected turn as he transitioned from being a shoemaker to a legal scholar. He read law, was admitted to the bar, and took on the role of representing Greene County in the Arkansas legislature from 1850 to 1852. His success as a lawyer, particularly in front of juries, showcased his transformation and determination to make the most of his talents.

However, his journey was not without its shadows. In moments of sobriety, Albert Stuart exhibited a kind and compassionate nature that endeared him to those around him. However, his demeanor underwent a drastic transformation when influenced by alcohol. Under the sway of whiskey, he became contentious and sometimes even demonstrated a tendency towards aggression. This duality in his behavior became tragically evident in an incident from his past.

During the early 1850s, Albert Stuart was involved in a fateful encounter in Gainesville that would have far-reaching consequences. The catalyst for this unfortunate event was a seemingly trivial dispute between Albert and his acquaintance Riley Vaughn. Their conflict escalated at an election gathering, where Vaughn's intentions turned confrontational. He advanced towards Albert in a saloon, openly declaring his intention to engage in physical violence. Vaughn, possessing a significant physical advantage, would likely have prevailed in a fair confrontation. However, the situation took a deadly turn when Albert, feeling cornered, drew his firearm and fatally shot Vaughn.

The subsequent legal proceedings surrounding this incident became a notable episode in the criminal courts of the state. Albert's trial, skillfully defended by Judge L. L. Mack, was characterized by an intense legal battle that left a significant mark in the county's history. Ultimately, Albert was acquitted of the charges against him, securing his freedom. The outcome, however, could not erase the fact that the incident had irreversibly altered the lives of all involved.

The tragic irony lay in the fact that Albert Stuart and Riley Vaughn had shared a lifelong friendship prior to this ill-fated confrontation. The weight of this regrettable event haunted Albert for the remainder of his days, serving as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of a single moment's impulsive action.

On a separate occasion, Albert Stuart engaged in a forceful act that would further underscore the complex aspects of his character. In this instance, he confronted a situation involving the ownership of a negro slave, pitting him against James McNeil and a group of five or six armed men accompanying McNeil. This confrontation transpired after a court ruling determined McNeil's lawful ownership of the slave.

Displaying a bold and solitary resolve, Albert Stuart intercepted this assembled group of men, positioning himself about a mile above Gainesville. Armed and with unwavering determination, he drew his pistol and approached the scene. In an audacious move, he pulled the slave from behind McNeil and released him from his restraints, urging him to seize his chance for freedom. The slave acted swiftly and fled, while the armed men accompanying McNeil curiously refrained from intervening, allowing Albert to carry out his intended act.

Sometime after this daring episode, another incident unfolded that again revealed Albert's propensity for forceful action. He ventured to the residence of an individual known as Old Man Peeble, where a dispute over horse ownership had arisen. In his characteristic manner, Albert attempted to seize the horse by force, leading to a confrontation. However, this time, his actions were met with resistance. Old Man Peeble, upon learning of Albert's intentions, retrieved his firearm and confronted Albert. In a tense standoff, Albert brazenly challenged Peeble to take action, doubting his courage to do so. Despite the exchange of daring words, Peeble eventually acted, firing at Albert and inflicting a wound initially feared fatal.

These episodes serve as vivid illustrations of Albert Stuart's willingness to assert himself through confrontational means, regardless of the potential consequences. They paint a portrait of a man driven by determination and willingness to confront adversity head-on, even in the face of significant opposition.

July 1, 1859, marked a new phase, as Albert purchased 40 acres of land in Craighead County, Arkansas. This significant acquisition underscored his transition into private land ownership, a symbol of his evolving status.

As the 1860s dawned, Albert lived in Powell Township, Craighead County, Arkansas, near the Greensboro post office. He had embraced a legal career, practicing law with a determination to overcome his past and contribute positively to society.

Through the 1870s, Albert remained a fixture in Powell Township, continuing his law practice. However, a transformative shift occurred within him. He discarded his past struggles with alcohol, wholeheartedly embracing the Christian faith and becoming an advocate for temperance.

Albert's life journey came to a close on March 16, 1876, in Craighead County, Arkansas. His passing was a testament to the power of personal redemption and change. He found his final resting place at Woods Chapel Cemetery in Greene County, Arkansas, a fitting location for a man who had experienced both the depths of conflict and the heights of transformation. Albert Lee Stuart's life story is one of contrasts, redemption, and the enduring capacity for change that resides within us all.

Sources

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LKD5-D4R

• 1840 United States Federal Census: Year: 1840; Census Place: Shelby, Tennessee; Roll: 530; Page: 205; Family History Library Film: 0024547 Ancestry Record 8057 #3008229
• 1850 United States Federal Census: The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Big Creek, Greene, Arkansas; Roll: 26; Page: 189b Ancestry Record 8054 #9503256
• 1860 United States Federal Census: The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Powell, Craighead, Arkansas; Roll: M653_40; Page: 871; Family History Library Film: 803040 Ancestry Record 7667 #13021556
• 1870 United States Federal Census: Year: 1870; Census Place: Powell, Craighead, Arkansas; Roll: M593_51; Page: 169A Ancestry Record 7163 #13607772
• Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957: Ancestry.com. Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2011. "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957," database, FamilySearch; from Arkansas Courts of Common Pleas and County Clerks. Digital images of originals housed at various county courthouses in the State of Arkansas. Marriage records. Ancestry Record 2548 #259929
• Arkansas, U.S., Homestead and Cash Entry Patents, Pre-1908: United States, Bureau of Land Management. Arkansas, U.S., Homestead and Cash Entry Patents, Pre-1908 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997. Original data: United States, Bureau of Land Management. Arkansas Pre-1908 Homestead and Cash Entry Patents. General Land Office Automated Records Project, 1993. Ancestry Record 2070 #32134
• Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records, 1780-2002: Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 Ancestry Record 1169 #2773506
• U.S., General Land Office Records, 1776-2015: Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records; Washington D.C., USA; Federal Land Patents, State Volumes Ancestry Record 1246 #1911254
• U.S., IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918: The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for Arkansas, 1867-1874; Series: T1208; Roll: 1; Description: District 1; Annual Lists; 1870; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006 Ancestry Record 1264 #85507
• Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/96880270/albert-l-stuart: accessed 30 August 2023), memorial page for Albert L. Stuart (25 Jun 1819–16 Mar 1876), Find A Grave: Memorial #96880270, citing Woods Chapel Cemetery, Greene County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Pamela (contributor 47334090).
• History of Craighead County, (n.d.). "Albert L Stuart." "Albert Lee Stuart Continued." Accessed 30 Aug 2023.