The Stewarts of Cappagh Parish, Co Tyrone

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Family Version of the history of  Dr Hamilton Stewart, my great great great grandfather

He was a surgeon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 on one of Lord Nelson's ships. His sword was handed over to Cultra Heritage Centre. However there is no trace of it there  He later settled in Newtownstewart where he had a medical practice and was known as Surgeon Stewart. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Newtownstewart

There is a suggestion that Dr Stewart (or as part of his family group) might have fled Ireland after the United Irishmen Rebellion which commenced in 1791 with a meeting in Belfast. his daughter was born in Manchester and lived there until she was 3 years old - about 1825. Many Presbyterians were involved including tradesmen and professional men like doctors.

Some Stewart Graves in Cappagh C of I Graveyard
 

What I have established:-

Hamilton Stewart from Erganagh townland, Cappagh parish - next to Correnary townland where the Lyons family lived - died 15 August 1846 aged 51 years - so born 1794 - 1795. His parents were William Stewart 1762-22 Aug 1834 and Rebecca 1761-12 Sep 1827.
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Hamilton Stewart was shown as a doctor on the marriage certificate of his daughter Anne to Robert Lyons on 15 Jan 1846
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Peter Davis' site Naval Surgeons shows Hamilton Stewart declared unfit as an assistant surgeon on 04.01.1813.
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Hamilton Stewart was a member of Masonic Lodge 547 Newtownstewart in 1826 and in 1834 he became the Worshipful Master
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What does not fit:- If this Hamilton Stewart had been involved with the Battle of Trafalgar he would have been aged 11 - unless he had been press-ganged as a loblolly boy. (The first enlisted man on record assigned this duty was John Wall, who signed as a loblolly boy on June 1, 1798 for the Frigate Constellation. ) A Loblolly Boy was a Ship's Doctor's Assistant

Other Strabane man served in the Navy and memorials in the local cemeteries suggest that quite a few locals saw service at sea in these years. How many of them were volunteers or had been forced into the Navy through the activities of the infamous press gangs is not known but it is likely to have been a mixture of both. The press gangs were especially active in ports but also travelled inland and were often to be seen at fairs and other celebratory events.

What fits:- Hamilton Stewart was alive in 1846 at the time of his daughter's wedding
There is no mention of Hamilton Stewart in any of the Trade Directories - 1824 Pigot's - 1846 Slater's. However family history states that his daughter was born in Manchester and returned to Ireland at age of 3 - in 1825 - and he died in August 1846 so that would account for the lack of entries in the Directories I think.

I am pretty sure that the Hamilton Stewart buried 1846 at Cappagh C of I  is my great great grandfather but I have no conclusive proof.

From the Tithe Applotment Records :-

William Stewart of Cullion townland, Parish of Cappagh - the next townland to Erganagh Glebe - 1827
William Stewart of Strawletterdallen townland, Parish of Ardstraw - 1834  - where the Lyons lived  

From Griffiths Valuation James Stewart of Strawletterdallen townland, Parish of Ardstraw - 1860

In the Stewart/Lyons photos is one of Carolina H G Stewart and Anna Maria Stewart, taken on 1st July 1866 at Brookvale.

Photographer's address was Coleraine Co Derry - there is a Brookvale at Coleraine Rd Portrush. Could these be nieces of Anne Susan Stewart?

Robert Lyons wrote in his day book:-

1862 Cash paid to James Stewart - going to America  - £141 - for stock .
See shipping record in Stewart/Lyons photos - arrived 23 May 1862  on the Victory - aged 20

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