PHOTOGRAPH
Dimensions16 x 11 cm
Object numberHF.2017.08.15
DescriptionAn unframed rectangular sepia-toned photograph. The man, identified on the back as Robert Bruce Stewart, has short hair with a chin-strap beard. He is wearing a high collared shirt, a plaid vest, and a dark coloured cravat and jacket. He is staring forward, as if towards the camera. Narrative
Robert Bruce Stewart was born in 1813 in London, England. His father, David Stewart, acquired large landholdings in PEI prior to Robert, his wife and their five children moving to Charlottetown in 1846. Robert's wife, Helen Birnie, had ties to PEI as her father was a merchant on the Island.
Robert inherited more than 67,000 acres of land upon the death of his father in 1852.This inheritance made Robert the largest land-holding resident on PEI. Robert was a leading voice for the rights of land owners and fought vigorously against the Land Purchase Act but in 1875, he was forced to sell all but 500 acres of his vast estates to the PEI government. In 1863, Robert and his family relocated to live at their country estate, Strathgartney, named after his Scottish ancestral lands. Robert returned to Charlottetown where he died in 1884.
Robert inherited more than 67,000 acres of land upon the death of his father in 1852.This inheritance made Robert the largest land-holding resident on PEI. Robert was a leading voice for the rights of land owners and fought vigorously against the Land Purchase Act but in 1875, he was forced to sell all but 500 acres of his vast estates to the PEI government. In 1863, Robert and his family relocated to live at their country estate, Strathgartney, named after his Scottish ancestral lands. Robert returned to Charlottetown where he died in 1884.
20th century
1890
1890
1936
1905