Friday, May 10, 2013

Robert "Rob" Roy Steele (1823-1864), Martha's 2nd son.

Robert Steele called “Rob” in a few records.  Possibly, his full name was Robert Roy, taken from the famous Rob Roy MacGregor, a famous Scottish Highlander folk hero from the 1700’s. Born in 1823 (? ) in South Carolina.  Died February 4, 1864 Henry County, GA at age 41. Buried – Hudson Pair Steele Cemetery, corner of Hwy 42 and Campground Road, McDonough, GA

He was married on December 7, 1848, Henry County, GA
They lived in the Mount Carmel area of Henry County, and sometime on time on the farm purchased by Robert and his brother, Henry Smith Steele and their mother, Martha Steele.

Mary Ann Eddelman   Born August 1, 1831 in Georgia.  Died December 17, 1911, Henry County GA at age 80.  Buried at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, Spalding County, at Vaughn, GA. 
No parents have been confirmed for Mary Ann Eddelman, but the Census shows Household # 1173 Eddelman family with parents born in NC and children being born in Henry and Spalding Counties GA.   She is buried at Vaughn, GA apparently because her other son, George Hill Steele married Virginia “Jennie” Vaughn whose father settled the small town of Vaughn, located west of Experiment, GA and were active members of the New Salem Baptist Church.

 1860 U S Census Henry County, GA Mount Carmel District June 25, 1860

HH # 301 Robert Steel, age 39, M, W, Farmer, Value of real estate $400, Value of personal estate $200. Born in S. Carolina;  Mary Steel, age 27, F, born in Georgia;  Walter S Steel, age 9, M, born in Georgia;  George H Steel, age 1, M, born in Georgia;  Josephine Steel, age 5, born in Georgia;  (Sarah is not yet born, was born in 1863)

The 1870 census records indicate that after Robert’s death Mary moved to the Double Churches area located between Griffin and Luella.  She lived the rest of her life next door to Walter and Ellen Steele in Luella, GA and later lived with them in their home until her death.

Robert “Rob” Roy  and Mary Ann Steele’ s Children

1.  Walter Simeon Steele   b. August 19, 1850 d. December 15, 1939
 (The oldest child – see previous page)

2. Josephine Elizabeth Steele “Joanna b. August 12, 1853

  ß3. George Hill Steele b. August 22, 1858, d. January 5, 1938, age 80, Spalding County, GA.   In 1870 he was living with his mother, Cabin Dist, Spalding Co. GA. m. Virginia Herriott Vaughn, February 24, 1880, b. 6-6- 1859, d. 10-30-1929.  They lived in District 490, Militia District 1068, Spalding County, and Vaughn, GA.   Both Virginia and George are buried at New Salem Baptist Church, Vaughn, GA.  In 1930, a George was living at Union, Spalding County, GA.  Her father founded the town of Vaughn, GA.
-Their Children:  Martha “Mattie” Steele b. March 11, 1884, d. January 23, 1974, buried New Salem Cemetery, Vaughn, GA, M. an Adams.  Lora M. b. 1883; Opal Steele Lewis, b. February 16, 1894, d. February 5, 1980, M. Joe W. Lewis b. Sept 29, 1890, d. July 13, 1983.  George Hill Steele, Jr.   Children: Virginie O. Steele  b. 1894, m. Pyron; Eleanor Steele m. a McKoy; Vernon Steele; Lawrence H. b. 1898.  [From Pyron published tree.]
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           4. Sarah R. Steele b. 1862 or 1863; Known as “Bobbie”.  1st M. Whiddon;   2nd M. Jonathan Owen and had family.  She and Jonathan are buried In Sandy Springs, GA.  [From family records by Evelyn Burnett and Helen Maddox, Henry County Probate and census records?]   1880 Census shows her living in the Cabin District of Henry County with her Mother.

ROBERT STEELE was born in 1823 in SC and came to Henry County, GA with his mother, Martha Steele.  Martha Steele and 2 of her sons, Robert and Henry, and purchased a farm.   On February 10, 1843, Martha Steele gave James Russell a promissory note for $386, payable April 16, 1841, plus $5 recorded February 14, 1843, also bearing the signatures 2 of her sons, Henry Steele and Robert “Rob” Steel, witnessed by Jones S Smith, David Cagle, recorded February 14, 1843 by John Godwin, Clerk.  In Henry Co GA Deed Book K, page 122.  The purchase included household goods, animals, tools Lot # 62, 7th District.  
  The district numbers changed making the exact location of this farm difficult to determine.  It was located either in the Mount Carmel area or closer to McDonough near Hwy 42 and Campground Road.  (See Civil War Section that follows)  In 1848 he married Mary Ann.  Walter Simeon was born in 1850 and the last child was born in 1863, the year before Robert died.

By early 1860’s talk of The Civil War had started and units of the Georgia Militia were forming.  Shingleroof Campground near McDonough was used as a muster and training site along with other sites in the area.
Apparently, Robert Steele joined the 85th Georgia Militia around 1861 – 1862.   It is not clear when he left Georgia for service or the battleground because the last child, Sarah, was born in 1863, the same year before he died.  Some reports indicate that many GA Militia Units joined the 44th Georgia Infantry and fought under Robert E Lee in many battles in Virginia, including Gettysburg.  No record could be found to place Robert Steele in a certain location.  During the winter months of 1863 many soldiers returned home from Virginia to Georgia on furlough.  Many were sick or wounded.  It could be possible Robert Steele was among that group who went to a hospital in SC, but did not make it home until Mary Ann drove a wagon to SC to rescued him, bringing him home where he died on February 4, 1864 after making his death bed Last Will and Testament,   where he mentions his “last sickness”.  He bequeathed his possessions to Mary Ann and names the 4 children – Walter, Joanna, George and Sarah. 

The following is a transcript of Robert Steele’s death bed Will dated Feb. 4, 1864 the same day he died willing all his assets to his wife and children.

See blog entry featuring the Robert's death bed Will of 1864: "Robert joins the fight and meets his end."

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