Person:William Steele (43)

NOTE: it is thought by some researchers that this William Steele MAY be a brother to Archibald Steele of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. More research is necessary to determine a relationship.

From "Archibald Steele and his descendants", by NEWTON CHAMBERS STEELE, M. D. :

12 ARCHIBALD STEELE AXD HIS DESCENDANTS

However, when I consider all the indications that I have discovered, I feel confident that Archibald Steele the First, had at least one brother in Pennsylvania who left descendants.

It is possible that this brother was William Steele, of Lancaster Co., Pa., who lived there before Archibald came over. He was born about 1708 and died 1782.

He was a captain of a "Home Guard" Company during the Indian troubles of 1756. He was Scotch-Irish and had four sons. You will notice the striking similarity of the given names of the two families. First, William and his four sons : John, Archibald, William and James ; and second, Archibald and his five sons : John, Joseph, William, James and Robert.

The sons of the Pennsylvania William Steele, became somewhat distinguished. John and James both were breveted brigadier general for services in the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812 respectively ; and Archibald and William were captains in the Revolutionary war.

Rut my attempt to find relationship between any of the Steeles of Pennsylvania, and the family of Archibald Steele the First, have failed. The time has been too long and the records are too few.

http://colonialroots.net/wiki/index.php?title=Steele_surname

WILLIAM STEELE, SR., (Capt. William Steele), settled along " Puddle Dock" run, a small branch of Conawingo creek, in Drumore township, Lancaster county, about one mile and a-half east of Chestnut Level, and along a public road laid out in 1737, which led from Caleb Peunel's turning mill, on the north side of Peter's creek, via James King's mill, on Conawingo creek, to a public road leading from Mt. Pleasant to Lancaster.

Prior to this date, as the road is described as running by " William Steele's farm," he took up two hundred acres and established a tannery, probably as early as 1730-5.

Mr. Steele was a stalwart Presbyterian and patriot. In 1756 he commanded a company of Associators, John Evans being his lieutenant and James McNeely his ensign.

The Revolutionary war found the old man full of military ardor, although by reason of his advanced years, and the infirmities of old age, he was incapable of enduring the fatigues and hardships of an active campaign. When the first battle-cry was heard, he sent four stalwart sons in defence of the Colonies to fight for their independence and release the people from the thraldom of a tyrannical King and his corrupt Parliament. Some of his sons were maimed for life, and carried British bullets in their bodies to their graves.

He did not live to see his country free, nor were his stalwart sons, whom he sent to battle and were in the tented field, with their armor buckled on ready for the bugle's blast, which was to call them into action, present when he died in 1780. His wife Rachel, and his two daughters, and some friends were the only persons with him in his last hours.

His children were :

i. Gen. Archibald Steele. ii. Ann Steele, m. Thomas Jordan 1740-1819. iii. William Steele, Jr.. iv. Rachel Steele, m. Jacob Bailey, son of Robert Bailey., of Sadsbury township. v. John Steele. vi. James Steele.

During the war an incident occurred, which came very near causing a tragedy. After the death of Mr. Steele his widow Rachel lived alone, or without any male protector about the house, when she was visited by a neighbor, probably a Quaker, who was opposed to all wars, and especially to the war of the Revolution, who commenced to upbraid her for allowing her sons to go to war instead of following the quiet pursuits of a country life.

Mrs. Steele replied with great spirit, and ordered her unwelcome guest from the house, and it is said that the craven struck her with his fist. Whether the last was true or not, it was so reported in the neighborhood. When her sons came from the army they heard what was said in the neighborhood, that a tory had gone into their mother's house and struck her. One of these sons, James or John, immediately took down his rifle from its resting place, and started to wreak condign punishment upon him. He went to the man's residence or met him on his way thither, and accused hint of the offense of which the neighbors reported to him. Whether he refused to apologize or added another insult to the indignity offered his mother was never known, for he shot him down. The tradition is that he died from the wound received; but it is more than probable that he left the neighborhood and was lost sight of.

Their son William resided and owned the old homestead, and his son William Washington Steele, who was a justice for many years, came to own it. Capt. John Long, of Drumore, married a daughter of Mr. Steele, probably the second husband of his daughter Ann.

SAMUEL EVANS.

Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society By Lancaster County Historical Society (Pa Published by [Lancaster County Historical Society], 1921

General John Steele

By SUSAN C. FRAZER The first Steele in this country of whom the descendants of General John Steele have absolute knowledge, proved by history, wills, family Bibles, court house records and the gravestones in the old churchyard at Chestnut Level, was Captain William Steele, Sr., born 1707, married Rachel Carr, of Maryland, who was born 1726. He settled along Puddle Duck Run, a small branch of Conowingo Creek. Prior to 1727 the road commonly called the Foundry Road, is described as running past William Steele's farm. He took up 200 acres of land, established a tannery as early as 1730. In 1756 he was in the Provincial Service; commanded a company of associators. He was a staunch Presbyterian patriot, but on account of his advanced years he was unable to endure the fatigues and hardships of an active campaign during the Revolution. His four stalwart sons fought for independence. Captain Willam Steele died at his home, Drumore Township, (his home is still standing about 21/, miles from here,) October 23d, 1750. The widow. Rachel Carr Steele, died April 18th. 1798. They are buried in the old graveyard of the Presbyterian Church at Chestnut Level. The eldest pon. Archibald Steele, was born in 174 The second son, William, was born July 30th. 1750; he married Elizabeth Bailey who was born October 14th. 1754, and fiey were married September 14th, 1775. He commanded a Companv in the war of the Revolution : fought gallanty on Long Inland. He with his wife is buried in the old graveyard of the Presbyterian Church at Chestnut Level. Their daughter, Ann, married first, William Dickson ; her second marr'age was to Ma.ior Thomas Jordan, of Chanceford Township. York County ; he was an office in Gen. Jas. Porter's regiment in the Revolution. Their daughter, Rachel, mnrried Jacob Ba'ley, son of Robert Bailey, a prominent man in the county.

The fourth son of Captain Wi'liam Steele. James, the youngest son, married Marv Humes. He was too young to join Hie Revolut'onarv army, but finally as a bov enlisted, marched as far as Baltimore with his comnanv when they heard of the surrender of Cornwallis at Torktown. He distinguished himself during the war of 1812; was made a General; died in 1S47.and is buried in cemetery at Harris- hure : his wife died in St. Paul, Minn., in 1804. and is there buried.

The third son. John Steele. the subject of this paper, was born June 5th, 1758; he was sent to the Chestnut Level Select School under the tuition of Rev. James Latta, D. D. ; the elder brothers, Archibald and William, were then lighting in war of the Revolution, but on account of his youth his parents refused to allow him to join the army. He was being prepared for College to become a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church. He left school without the consent of his parents, telling his venerable preceptor that until his country was free he must leave his studies for the camp. He entered the army as a volunteer, and though young, soon attained the command of a veteran company. Washington made him a Colonel, appointed him on his staff. At the age of 19 he commanded Mrs. Washington's bodyguard ; when the General was away he lived at her quarters at Morristown, N. J. There was great danger of an attack during the absence of the General. He had 60 troopers under him for her defense; so had no fear of the outcome of an attack. (There is a letter here to-day on exhibition which he wrote in 1780, telling of his life at the home of Mrs. Washington.) He was severely wounded at Brandy- wine, so severely that he was thought dead ; six of his faithful soldiers carried him after the battle on a blanket to bury him in the woods to prevent the British from mutilating his body ; when they reached the woods with his. body they discovered signs of life in him ; they carried him a long distance from danger of capture, reaching the home of two elderly ladies, who, thouglh entire stran- eers to him, nursed him assiduously and were the means of his restoration. His sense of obligation to them and his gratitude were lasting as life. Before he could return to active military duty his father heard what had befallen him and after much search found him in Bucks County, whither he had been carried after many removals, with a view to his safety. Returning health and strength restored the young soldier to arms, not at ail discouraged by what he had suffered. He followed General Washington through many battles, participated in the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown, wtere he was field officer of the day when Cornwallis surrendered his sword to Washington. At the (conclusion of the war he returned lome with an arm disabled, poor and lenniless. Abigail Bailey, daughter of Robert Bailey and Margaret McDill his wife, the sweetheart of his youth, waited for eight years for his return and remained true to her pledge and they were married March 4th, 1781. , 

Before her marriage she lived with her brother in Lancaster, Francis Bailey, who printed the first almanac, and on the title page was a picture of Washington, Bailey calling him "Washington, the father of his country," the first person who did it. She often sat in his office with her sewing and watched him setting type. One day she said to him, "Francis, I think I can help you," at once commenced operations and actually set up the first pocket almanac which was printed in this State. The knowledge of printing she obtained wan of great value to her husband in later life. With firmness, derision, enterprise and activity, she united all the amiable attributes of an accomplished lady ; she was well suited to be the wife of young Steele. It was perhaps as much owing to her knowledge of the business of a printer, as to the versatility of the genius of her husband that they went to Philadelphia and engaged in that business Which Franklin immortalized and which has immortalized Franklin, setting a praiseworthy example of industry and independence of character w-hen the arts were comparatively new in this country. General Steele with his own hands cast the type with which he and his wife set up th« first American edition of Dillsworth's Spelling Book and a copy of the New Testament, publishing edition after edition. Subsequently General Steele removed to a paper manufactory which he established on the Octoraro at Steelville ; there also he multiplied copies from his standing types and occasionally repaired them by casting the defaced letter anew. Agriculture was his favorite pursuit and from his paper manufactory and printing he retired to his farm in Drumore. at the Unicorn. While cultivating his native fields he frequently represented his district in the House of Representatives and in the Senate of Pennsvlvania. He was verv useful in settling difficulties between the different claimants of land in Luzerne County which were long a source of agitation and anxiety in the community whilst acting as Commissioner for Ms Stntp. To him. Locan. tIndian Chief, made his famous address while eha'rman of a Commission which was sent to make a treaty of peace with the Indians who had been at war with the whites of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 1808 he was appointed Collector of the revenue of the United States for the Port of Philadelphia and filled this important office with exemplary ability and fidelity until 1820, when he resigned on account of impaired health. At the conclusion of the war when Washington bade farewell to his officers at Xewburg, he with them formed the Society of the Order of the Cincinnati, which was to perpetuate their friendship, hardships and memories of the war as they returned to their homes and avccations of life. The membership in it was an inheritance to descend to the eldest son of the eldest :

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 Steele 

Posted by: ann gallagher (ID *****8210) Date: December 14, 2006 at 21:08:52

  of 6354  

This was sent to me today. Hope it helps others. I have not worked this line in a long time. Happy Hunting and Happy Holidays. Ann in Texas ladysilverdollar1@@hotmail.com

2006 email to Ann I saw your query. I feel that the Steele-McPherson connection is somehow related to the Lancaster Steele line from William Steele of Drumore, Sadsbury Twp, Lancaster, who died in 1780. This tree from the Bailey line who married his daughter shows a McPherson branch. The Ankrum/Ankrims here are mostly buried at Chestnut Level and I think McPhersons are found there also. There were many branches fo the Steele family and with at least one McPherson marriage I expect there would have been others that are not documented here below. Best regards, Malcolm Humes / From : Mal Humes <mal2@@mal.net> Sent : Thursday, December 14, 2006 4:18 PM To : <ladysilverdollar1@@hotmail.com> Subject : John Steele Mcpherson Descendants of Col. William Steele 1 Col. William Steele 1707 - 1780 .... +Rachel Carr/Kerr 1726 - 1798 ........ 2 Archibald Steele 1741 - 1832 .............. +Jane Gibson ................... 3 Anna Steele 1764 - 1854 ......................... +John Irwin 1762 - 1830 ................... 3 Archibald Jr. Steele 1771 - 1831 ......................... +Mary Patterson 1775 - 1806 ................... *2nd Wife of Archibald Jr. Steele: ......................... +Elizabeth McPherson ................... 3 Hannah Steele 1775 - ......................... +J. Porter ................... 3 Hatty Steele 1779 - ................... 3 George Steele 1779 - ................... 3 Matthias Steele 1781 - ................... 3 Diane Steele 1783 - ........ 2 Ann Steele 1744 - 1804 .............. +Thomas Jordan 1740 - 1819 ................... 3 Archibald Steele Jordan 1774 - 1859 ......................... +Rebecca Turner 1799 - 1869 ................... 3 Thomas Ross Jordan 1775 - 1850 ................... 3 Benjamin Jordan 1777 - 1861 ......................... +Mary Potter Crouch 1791 - 1846 ............................. 4 Edward Crouch Jordan 1819 - 1870 ............................. 4 Rachel Crouch Jordan 1831 - 1846 ................... *2nd Wife of Benjamin Jordan: ......................... +Hannah - 1859 ................... 3 Samuel Jordan 1777 - 1828 ......................... +Margaret ............................. 4 Mary A. Jordan ............................. 4 Hetty Louise Jordan 1805 - ................... 3 James Potter Jordan 1783 - 1813 ................... 3 Joseph Jordan 1785 - 1848 ......................... +Mary Cowden 1791 - 1847 ............................. 4 Mary Ann Jordan 1821 - 1858 ................................... +Andrew Clarkson Manifold 1817 - 1890 ............................. 4 Rachel Hannah Jordan 1822 - 1824 ............................. 4 Martha Jane Jordan 1824 - 1871 ................................... +J. L. Free ............................. 4 Abbie Steele Jordan 1827 - 1859 ................................... +James Wallace ............................. 4 Rebecca Margaret Jordan 1828 - 1853 ................................... +? Archer ............................. 4 Thomas Martin, MD Jordan 1830 - 1888 ............................. 4 James Cowden Jordan 1832 - 1895 ................................... +Mary Roseanna Mitchell 1835 - 1876 ................... 3 Rachel Margaret Jordan 1787 - 1818 ........ *2nd Husband of Ann Steele: .............. +Robert Dickson - 1773 ................... 3 William Dickson - 1819 ......................... +Mary ............................. 4 Mary Dickson - 1819 ............................. 4 Anna Dickson - 1819 ................... 3 Robert Dickson ................... 3 Anna Dickson ................... 3 Mary Rachel Dickson ........ 2 Rachel Steele 1746 - 1803 .............. +Jacob Bailey 1741 - 1797 ................... 3 Margaret Bailey 1766 - ......................... +John Humes 1770 - ................... 3 Rachel Bailey 1768 - 1857 ......................... +Edward Crouch 1764 - 1827 ................... 3 Susannah Bailey 1772 - ................... 3 Harriett Bailey 1774 - ......................... +Joseph Burd 1768 - ................... 3 Ann Elmira Bailey 1784 - 1862 ......................... +Hamilton Humes 1774 - 1859 ............................. 4 Elizabeth Humes ............................. 4 Rachel Bailey Humes 1816 - 1883 ................................... +Samuel Humes 1804 - 1859 ............................. 4 Catherine Humes 1828 - ................... 3 Elizabeth Bailey ........ 2 William Steele 1750 - 1847 .............. +Elizabeth Bailey 1754 - 1826 ................... 3 William Washington Steele 1776 - ......................... +Isabella Morrison ............................. 4 William Steele ................... 3 Lydia R. Steele 1779 - 1869 ......................... +Robert Bailey - 1808 ............................. 4 Robert William Bailey - 1861 ................... 3 Rachel Steele 1782 - 1841 ......................... +Johnson ................... *2nd Husband of Rachel Steele: ......................... +James Ankrum 1766 - 1853 ............................. 4 James Franklin Ankrum 1805 - ............................. 4 Martha McPherson Ankrum 1810 - ............................. 4 Elizabeth Steele Ankrum 1810 - ............................. 4 William Steele Ankrum 1812 - ............................. 4 Lydia Steele Ankrum 1813 - 1859 ................................... +James Alexander McPherson 1811 - ........................................ 5 William McPherson ........................................ 5 Mary E. McPherson ........................................ 5 Elizabeth McPherson 1840 - ........................................ 5 Rachel McPherson 1842 - ........................................ 5 Lydia J. McPherson 1844 - ........................................ 5 Lucinda McPherson 1848 - ........................................ 5 Martha Matilda McPherson 1850 - ........................................ 5 Frank James McPherson 1853 - ............................. 4 Andrew Jackson Ankrum 1815 - ............................. 4 Rachel Steele Ankrum 1817 - 1898 ................................... +Thomas McKinney - July ........................................ 5 Mary A. McKinley 1850 - ........................................ 5 Jordan McKinley 1855 - ............................. 4 Matilda Ankrum 1819 - 1889 ................................... +Robert Clark 1811 - ........................................ 5 Robert Jr. Clark ........................................ 5 James Henry Clark 1846 - ........................................ 5 Rachel Steele Clark 1852 - ........................................ 5 Nancy Jane Clark 1857 - 1926 ............................. 4 Samuel Martin Ankrum 1821 - 1888 ................................... +Catherine Lucielle Patterson 1821 - ........................................ 5 Mary L. Ankrum 1857 - ........................................ 5 William James Ankrum 1858 - ........................................ 5 Belle Ankrum 1861 - ............................. 4 Elmira Ankrum 1823 - ................... 3 Margaret Julian Steele 1784 - 1827 ......................... +Joseph Boyd ............................. 4 William Boyd ............................. 4 Elizabeth Boyd ............................. 4 John C. Boyd ................................... +Hannah Montgomery ........................................ 5 James Boyd .............................................. +Louisa Yeomans ................... 3 Robert Bailey Steele 1786 - 1795 ................... 3 Eliza Steele 1790 - ......................... +William Boyd - 1843 ................... 3 Abby Ann Steele 1795 - ......................... +John Maxwell - 1826 ............................. 4 Robert Smith Maxwell 1824 - ................... 3 John James Steele 1798 - 1834 ......................... +Theodosia B Morrison 1799 - ............................. 4 William John Steele 1829 - ............................. 4 Hetty Ann Steele 1832 - ........ 2 John Steele 1758 - 1827 .............. +/Abigail/ ........ *2nd Wife of John Steele: .............. +Abigail Ann Bailey 1752 - 1828 ................... 3 Harriet Steele - 1839 ......................... +Robert Jr. Maxwell ............................. 4 Robert Steele Maxwell 1815 - 1890 ................................... +Elizabeth Sheldon Bull 1815 - 1888 ........................................ 5 Edward (Edwaed?) Sheldon Maxwell ................... *2nd Husband of Harriet Steele: ......................... +John Long 1788 - 1855 ............................. 4 H. Harvey Long ............................. 4 Elizabeth S, Long ............................. 4 [42] William Steele Long 1817 - 1869 ................................... +[43] Harriet R. Jordan 1829 - 1922 ................... 3 John Steele 1788 - 1853 ......................... +Jane Porter 1791 - 1867 ............................. 4 [44] Mary Steele 1828 - ................................... +[45] Henry Edward Slaymaker 1825 - 1905 ........................................ 5 [46] Mary Reigart Slaymaker .............................................. +[47] Edward Peters COWELL ........................................ 5 [48] Francis Slaymaker ........................................ 5 [49] Susan Reigart Slaymaker ............................. 4 Sarah H Steele 1819 - 1893 ............................. 4 Abby Ann Steele 1821 - 1887 ............................. 4 Robert Steele ............................. 4 William Steele ............................. 4 Marshall Steele ............................. 4 James Steele ............................. 4 Jane D Steele ............................. 4 John Steele ............................. 4 Margaret Steele ................... *2nd Wife of John Steele: ......................... +McClung ........ 2 James Steele 1768 - 1845 .............. +Mary Humes 1782 - 1864 ................... 3 Frank Steele 1814 - 1880 ......................... +Miss Barney ................... *2nd Wife of Frank Steele: ......................... +Eliza Ann Barney ................... 3 Sarah Jane Steele 1823 - 1869 ......................... +Henry Hastings Sibley 1811 - 1891 ............................. 4 Sarah Jane Sibley 1851 - 1925 ............................. 4 Alfred Brush Sibley 1866 - 1946 ............................. 4 Augusta Sibley 1844 - 1932 ............................. 4 Charles Frederick Sibley 1860 - 1917 ............................. 4 Franklin Steele Sibley 1853 - 1863 ............................. 4 Henry Hastings Sibley 1846 - 1846 ............................. 4 Alexander Hastings Sibley 1864 - 1864 ............................. 4 Henry Hastings Sibley 1847 - 1851 ............................. 4 Mary Steele Sibley 1855 - 1863 ................... 3 Abby Steele ......................... +Potts ................... 3 [44] Mary Steele 1828 - ......................... +[45] Henry Edward Slaymaker 1825 - 1905 ............................. 4 [46] Mary Reigart Slaymaker ................................... +[47] Edward Peters COWELL ............................. 4 [48] Francis Slaymaker ............................. 4 [49] Susan Reigart Slaymaker