Note: Although Alfred's tombstone shows birth in 1843, other records show 1841.

Alfred Merriel "A.M." Stewart, Jr., was born Sep 30, 1841 in Anson County, NC, the eighth and last child of Alfred Merriel Stewart, Sr. and Catherine Richardson Stewart. Ten days after he was born his father died on Oct 10, 1841.

In 1854 when he was 13 years old his widowed mother loaded their wagon and she and her 8 children left their home in NC, and crossed the mountains with a group led by Elder Hosea Preslar, who was their pastor, neighbor and friend. It is said that on a narrow trail in the mountains, they met a wagon headed in the opposite direction. There was no room to pass. So they took one of the wagons apart, stacked the parts on the side of the mountain and the other wagon drove by. Then together they re-assembled the other wagon and all went on their way. The group continued on to Henderson County TN and settled in the community of Reagan, TN.

On March 15, 1862 Alfred Merriel Stewart, Jr and his brother, William R Stewart, enlisted for 3 years in the US Army to preserve the Union. They served in Co. E - 11th Illinois Infantry Volunteers. A close family member said A.M. spoke often of the difficult battles he was in, one of which was the siege of Vicksburg. He was discharged March 14, 1865 and returned to his home in Reagan, TN. He lived with and supported his widowed mother and two older unmarried sisters. On March 10, 1871 he married Miss Rebecca Harper. To this union eleven children were born, four boys and seven girls. At some time they moved to Gibson County, Milan, TN.

On March 7, 1914 Alfred Merriel Stewart, Jr. suffered a stroke of paralysis which rendered him helpless on one side. He died on March 20, 1914, and was buried beside his beloved daughter, Mrs. Missie Stewart Holcomb in Friendship Cemetery, Milan, TN.

Obituary
Alfred Merriel Stewart, Jr
September 30, 1841 – March 20, 1914
"It is with sadness that I try to write of the life and death of our much loved father-in-law, A.M. Stewart. He was born in North Carolina, September 30, 1841. His father died when he was ten days old and he was named for his father, Merrill. He moved to Henderson County, Tenn. with his mother and three brothers and four sisters at the age of thirteen years in the year 1854, all having preceded him in death except one sister. He was married to Miss Rebecca Harper, March 10, 1871. To this union were born eleven children, four boys and seven girls, all of whom lived to be grown, but three of whom preceded him to the glory world, one boy and two girls. He was a Federal soldier in the Civil War. I have often heard him speak of difficult battles he was in, one of which was the siege of Vicksburg."

"He had a stroke of paralysis in one side on the 7th day of March about 11:30 a.m. which rendered him helpless in one side. He seemed to have a faint knowledge for a moment at times of persons he knew, and especially the family. He gradually grew worse until death angel came on the 20th of March about 4:30 to claim his spirit. His body was placed in Friendship Cemetery beside his daughter, Mrs. Missie Holcomb, four miles southeast of Milan, Gibson County, there to await the resurrection. Elder J. C. Ross conducted the funeral services, speaking on the divine law of God being kept in our room and stead by our dear Saviour, thereby atoning for our sins. He spoke very beautifully, to comfort and satisfaction of the family. Brother Ross was one of his favorite preachers. Many times have I seen him sit under the sound of his preaching and the tears would fall freely from his eyes. Oh, how he feasted on the manna of the gospel of the Lord."

*The family does not know who wrote this loving and touching obituary but we assume it was his son-in-law Raymond Holcomb, widower husband of his beloved daughter Missie Stewart Holcomb, beside whom he was buried.

Alfred Merriel Stewart, Jr and Rebecca Elizabeth Harper had 11 children, four boys and seven girls:
1. Martha Caroline Stewart, 1872
married Thomas Brownlow Wallace
2. William R Stewart, 1874
married Dora Horne
3. Mary Elizabeth Stewart, 1877
married Robert Andrew Wallace
4. Thomas McGee Stewart,1879
married Minnie Bullman
5. Artie Missy Tennesy Stewart, 1881
married W Raymond Holcomb
6. Arbrie Atria Stewart, 1883
married Ester E Burrow
7. Steven E 'Ross' Stewart, 1886
married #1 Lee Etta Watson
married #2 Clara Bell
8. Nora Bell Stewart, 1887
married Herbert G Burrow
9. Sanders Richardson Stewart, 1889
married #1 Mary Taylor
married #2 Lucile Savage
10.Lilllie E Stewart, 1892
married William McIlwain
11.Minnie Elma Stewart, 1896
married Joseph Earl Burress

Alfred M Stewart, Jr died in 1914. He was 72.