As you drive along Interstate 95 North through Connecticut, you will cross the Norwalk river, and then pass the exit for East Avenue. If you look to your right just after East Avenue, you will see the property once owned by Robert Stuart. He bought four acres of land (referred to as Home Lot XXI) there on March 8, 1660 (360 years ago!) from Samuel Hales, one of the "First Settlers" of the town of Norwalk.
Here he married his wife, Miss Bethia Rumble, daughter of Thomas and Rose (Sherwood) of Stratford, Ct. They would go on to raise three sons and six daughters, although the youngest, Rachel, was only three years old when her dad died. Most of his children grew up, married, and had several children of their own, so that there are probably thousands of descendants of our Robert alive today.
Several other places bore Robert's name, although I do not know their exact locations. Stuart Island and Stuart Landing were to the southeast side of what is now Wilson Point, but at the time was known as Ely's Neck or Belden's Neck. Stuart Island is believed to be now completely under water. Other references are made to Stuart's Field, Stuart's Meadow, and Stuart's Swamp.
