John Wesley Stewart 1824-1902

John Wesley Stewart was born enslaved in Virginia, eventually coming to Shelby County. Stewart desired better circumstances, and an arrangement was made for him to move to a neighboring plantation to escape maltreatment. Steart was a man of character. He was a successful armer and employer who contributed to economic growth. Stewart was a leader and moral compass of the freedman community and helped found Greenwood AME Church. Continued He instituted "Grandma's dinner", in which influential men and women were hosted by and introduced to the family and community. These dinners also served to teach farm, vocational, and homemaking skills and continue in the 21st Century. Stewart believed in a liberal education and with courage and foresight petitioned for the first public school built in north Shelby County. The contributions he and his descendants have made to Shelby County and Tennessee in the ministry, education, medicine, agriculture, and the armed forces are significant to this day.