Stewart, Walter, 1756-1796

Continental Army officer and merchant of Philadelphia, Pa.

From the description of Walter Stewart correspondence and regimental lists, 1783-1795. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70980533

Reputedly the most handsome man in the Continental Army, Walter Stewart emigrated to Pennsylvania from Ireland prior to the Revolution. At the age of twenty, he was appointed Captain of the 3rd Pennsylvania Battalion of the Continental Line, and after various assignments, rose to the Colonelcy of the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry in July 1778. The regiment was involved in several engagements during the Philadelphia Campaign and was brigaded with the 1st, 7th, and 10th Pennsylvania Regiments during the fall and winter of 1778-1779.

From the guide to the Walter Stewart Orderly book, 1778-1779, (American Philosophical Society)

Continental Army officer.

From the description of Papers of Walter Stewart, 1776-1783. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71070206

Walter Stewart was a soldier.

From the description of Orderly book, second Pennsylvania regiment, 1778-1779. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122632862

Walter Stewart was a military officer during the Revolutionary War and a merchant. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1756 and emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War. Stewart served in the Continental Army for seven years, gaining fame as Aid-de-Camp to General Horatio Gates. In 1776, Stewart was awarded a sword for bravery and Congress promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. One year later, he took part in the battles at Brandywine and Germantown. Stewart retired from active duty in 1783 as a Brigadier General.

After the war, Stewart became a Philadelphia merchant. During the 1780s and 1790s, Stewart owned three houses in Philadelphia. He was a successful businessman and from 1793 until 1796 served as Inspector of the Revenue and Surveyor if Customs at Philadelphia. In 1794, Stewart was appointed Major General of the First Division of the Pennsylvania Militia. He was a member of several Philadelphia organizations. Stewart married Deborah McClenahan on April 11, 1781; they had seven children. He died in 1796 at the age of 40.

From the description of Papers, 1773-1796, bulk 1792-1795. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 86134496