Item
Moses Stewart, Farmer
Pilot
Jan 15, 1885
There has been recorded at the record office, a lease from the Municipality of charlotte Co. to Jessie Brickson, of that lot of land on the western commons, the lease of which up to the date of the transfer, Nov. 13, 1884, was held by Moses Stewart. There has been also recorded a mortgage on said lot dated November 14th, 1884, given by the before mentioned Jessie Brickson to Thomas Turner Odell for the sum of two hundred dollars payable in two years from date with interest at eight percent
Having heard that one of the Councillors for the Parish St. Andrews, was securing signatures to a petition addressed to the Municipal Council, praying that the rent due by Moses Stewart on the lot of commons land, now occupied by Jessie Brickson, be remitted. Friday last the editor of the Bay Pilot addressed a not to the gentlemen referred to, requesting an opportunity of reading said petition and also for a copy thereof for publication. As requested an opportunity was given to read the petition, but a request for permission to take a copy of the same for publication, was flatly refused. A perusal of the petition showed that the object of its promote or promoters, was to secure the remission of the rent due on the lot referred to, up to the first day of November last, but the amount of rent due was not stated in the petition.
That the rate payers who have not already singed the petition may not do so under a misapprehension of the facts, as we know some of those who signed it did, we will state for their information that the rent of the lot recently held by Moses Stewart, and transferred to Jessie Brickson, is nineteen dollars and two cents per annum, that the arrears of rent due up to November 1st, 1884, is seventy seven dollars and twelve cents, or over four years’ rent. Why was such a large amount of arrearages allowed to accrue? One reason we have heard stated, was that the senior councillor had directed the collector not to press for payment.
Is there any good and substantial reason, why the Parish of St. Andrews should make the present lessee of the lot, a present of seventy seven dollars. If there is, we would like to hear it. At the present time, there is owned either by Moses Stewart or by the new lessee, and on the premises ten head of neat cattle and one horse, besides several tons of hay, and other produce of the lot. Is that a reason why the rate payers of St. Andrews should be called upon to add at least ten percent to their taxes next year.
Why it may be asked would the remission of the rent add to the taxation. Simply for the reason that the income derived from the commons Lands, is for the support of the poor of the parish, and as in addition to the commons Lands rent, a sum of $700 or $800 is annually assessed so that if $77 is given away the rate payers will be called upon to make it up.
Is it fair for the rate payers of large means to throw a burden upon their poorer brethren which they are ill able to bear. Their proportion of the tax, may be admitter of little moment to them, but how with men who are earning only a dollar a day, and men who have not earned half that during the past year. Is it not a matter of moment to them.
If a remission of rent is to be made on a property that yields a return, sufficient to pay that rent, why not remit the taxes of the poor men, who have had a hard struggle to make both ends meet.
Is not the present lessee of the lot, sufficiently remunerated for any service rendered to her father Moses Stewart, by the free gift of the lease of the lot, and presumably, of the buildings stock and other personal property thereon.
Pilot
Aug 7, 1886
We publish today the speeches made by Councillor G.D. Grimmer, and Henry Osburn, at the public meeting of the rate payers of this town, held in the Court House on the evening of Thursday the 28th ult., together with a synoptical statement by Mr. Osburn of he Alms House accounts, for the first eight months of the current year. . . . The statements made by Mr. Osburn, chairman of the Alms House commissioners, was most gratifying, showing as it did, a great entailment in the expenses connected with the maintenance of the Alms House and of the poor. A statement that fully justified, if justification were necessary, the councillors in making the radical change they did in the personnel of the commission. Councillor Grimmer was in error in the statement made by him in reference to the Moses Stewart property. The rent of the 18 acre lot leased by Stewart is twelve dollars and two cents per annum, in addition to this lot, several years ago, Stewart acquired the lot held by one O’Brien, the rent of which is four dollars, and the lot held by Thomas Algar, at a rental of three dollars per annum. The rent of the three lots, therefore amounting to nineteen dollars and two cents per annum, and instead of the town owing Moses Stewart, the reverse is the case.
Pilot
June 9, 1887
Complete list of taxpayers and rates. Moses Stewart there. T. T. Odell is the biggest bar a huge margin.
March 1/1888
Fire at Slabtown
The house on the Commons occupied by Moses Stewart, Mrs. Brixon and C. H. Norris (colored) was with its contents destroyed by fire last Tuesday evening. The fire probably originated in a defective flue. No insurance.
Rural Cemetery Burial
Moses Stewart
95 years, 6 months
Lot 26B
Farmer
Dec 17, 1888
Pilot
Dec 20/1888
The oldest resident of St. Andrews at the date of his death on Friday last, was Mr. Moses Stewart. He was the last pureblooded Negro born in this vicinity. The late Mr. Stewart was a most exemplary man, and during the long period of his pilgrimage of 95 years, led a most harmless life. He retained his sight and hearing until nearly the last. He was a member of the Church of England, and until failing health prevented, was a regular attendant at its services. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon. His remains were taken from his late residence, Queen Street, to All Saints Church and from thence to the rural cemetery, and were followed by a number of relatives and friends.