John Stuart (loyalist)
Encyclopedia
John Stuart was a Scottish-born official of the British Empire in North America. He was the superintendent for the southern district of the British Indian Department from 1761 to 1779; his northern counterpart was Sir William Johnson.
Born in Inverness
, by 1748 Stuart had emigrated to South Carolina
, where he worked as a merchant. He became prominent in local affairs and in 1760 served as a militia captain in the Anglo-Cherokee War
. Stuart was captured by the Cherokee
s, but was ransomed by Chief Attakullakulla and returned to South Carolina.
His familiarity with Native Americans and the frontier led to his appointment as superintendent in the Indian Department. His role was to help Great Britain and the colonies bring order to their relations with the southern Indians (the "Five Civilized Tribes
"), and to prevent the recurrence of anti-British native confederations like the one that had produced Pontiac's Rebellion
in 1763. Stuart's diplomacy was successful, and when the American Revolutionary War
broke out in 1775, most native leaders in his area supported the British. During the war he fled to Georgia and then to Pensacola, Florida
, where he died.
His home, built in 1772 in Charleston, is now known as the Colonel John Stuart House
and was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark
in 1973.
Born in Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, by 1748 Stuart had emigrated to South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, where he worked as a merchant. He became prominent in local affairs and in 1760 served as a militia captain in the Anglo-Cherokee War
Anglo-Cherokee War
The Anglo-Cherokee War , also known as the Cherokee War, the Cherokee Uprising, the Cherokee Rebellion, was a conflict between British forces in North America and Cherokee Indians during the French and Indian War...
. Stuart was captured by the Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
s, but was ransomed by Chief Attakullakulla and returned to South Carolina.
His familiarity with Native Americans and the frontier led to his appointment as superintendent in the Indian Department. His role was to help Great Britain and the colonies bring order to their relations with the southern Indians (the "Five Civilized Tribes
Five Civilized Tribes
The Five Civilized Tribes were the five Native American nations—the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole—that were considered civilized by Anglo-European settlers during the colonial and early federal period because they adopted many of the colonists' customs and had generally good...
"), and to prevent the recurrence of anti-British native confederations like the one that had produced Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac's War, Pontiac's Conspiracy, or Pontiac's Rebellion was a war that was launched in 1763 by a loose confederation of elements of Native American tribes primarily from the Great Lakes region, the Illinois Country, and Ohio Country who were dissatisfied with British postwar policies in the...
in 1763. Stuart's diplomacy was successful, and when the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
broke out in 1775, most native leaders in his area supported the British. During the war he fled to Georgia and then to Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, where he died.
His home, built in 1772 in Charleston, is now known as the Colonel John Stuart House
Colonel John Stuart House
Colonel John Stuart House is a three-story Georgian style home built in 1772 in Charleston, South Carolina. It was the home of Colonel John Stuart, who was the King's Superintendent of Indian Affairs.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973....
and was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1973.
Further reading
- Alden, John Richard. John Stuart and the Southern Colonial Frontier. 1944.