My great-great grandmother, Mary Stewart of Almonesson, New Jersey (Born in 1824, in
Deptford, Gloucester, NJ) daughter of John Stewart (born in 1798 in Deptford, Gloucester,
NJ) & Mary Packer (born in 1802 in Deptford, Gloucester, NJ), was related to Mary,
Queen of Scots. There are many stories of Mary, Queen of Scots' very personal life
experiences that have been passed down in my family, by our ancestor that lived during the
Queen's lifetime, and lived in the castle Queen Mary resided, whichever one it was at the
time (Queen Mary's residence changed a few times). At this time, I only have
genealogical data on this ancestral line which ends at Mary Stewart of 1824, & her
parents. It has been stated that our direct line ancestor was a first cousin to the
Queen, but at this point the relationship is speculative, since some of the stories are
beginning to fade. The story goes, that our ancestor who lived with the Queen was
her Lady-in-Waiting and was very close to her and shared many private moments with Queen
Mary and many pleasant memories. She was also present at the execution of the Queen
(ordered by Queen Elizabeth).
I do know, that when I read the very touching accounts of Mary, Queen of Scots' courageous
life, that I am affected very deeply, and feel a special closeness to her, and a great
sympathy and admiration. What a change for someone who didn't care to have Scottish
blood and hated bagpipes when she was a teenager!! I am the recent administrator of
a Scottish cultural renaissance organization "The Fayre Isle Stewarts"
with a partner, Lady Louann Augustine. I dread the day our 'bagpiper,' Ellic Somer
cannot attend our meetings and play his beautiful music!
Queen Mary's last name was 'Stewart.'
The spelling of the name 'Stewart' has changed at different times in history, with
'Stuart' being the most common variation. Mary's son James, became King James
VI of Scotland and King James I of England, which brought about the union of the
crowns. He is the same King James that commissioned the translation of the Holy
Scriptures into English, creating the King James Version of the Holy Bible. For more
information on King James, go to the "Renaissance Realm Geneology Page" link at
the bottom of this page, and click on the "British Royal Family Geneology" link.
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