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.
WILL
BOOK
A – 1834 – 1869 pages 326
and 327 Henry County, Ga.
State
of Georgia) This will of Robert Steele
made and declared worthy of Delivery by him on this 4th day of
February 1864 in our presence of members of the following circumstances and in
these words he said Robert Steele being at his own house in Henry County
Georgia on the 4th day of February 1864 being near unto death in his
last sickness from which his war injury for some length of time, while
he is writing which . . . . P
– 327
Present
waiting on him after calling on them to bear witness of what he should say
declared as his Last Will the following words.
Item
1) I wish all of my just debts paid then my wife Mary Steele to have all of my
property. Soon after the speaking of
these words the said Robert Steele died.
Given under our hands this 4th
day of February 1864
G W Rowan Mary A Rowan
Mary M Dobbins James F Glass JSC
Upon application of
Mary A Steele widow of Robert Steel to prove the above as representative Will
of Robert Steele and representing that she had four minor children are Walter,
Joanna, George and Sarah. R. Steel
ordered by the county that Rutherford Petit Esq. be his duly appointed guardian
an ad litem to represent said minor offspring & see to proceedings
March
7th, 1864 P
R Nolan, Ordy (Ordinary)
I
accept said appointment as guardian ad litem of said wife & children &
with usual notice account that said will be offered as probate in solemn form
of Law at once. March 7th 1864
R Petit
Georgia)
In open court Mary A Steel having propounded
the witness
Henry
Co) writing as a nuncupative made by Robert Steele in his last illness
& Bushrod Petit as guardian ad litem for minor children Walter, Joanna,
George H Steele being present to witness proceedings (the following
witness: G W Rowan, Mary A Rowan &
Mary M Dobbins being introduced were duly qualified to this witness statement
& of facts & to the exact words & said they were said by Robert
Steel & that he did utter said words without any undue influence being
exerted over him by any person whatsoever & that words & statements as
written within were made out & signed by them as written in thirty days
from his uttering said language.
G W Rowan Mary G Rowan Mary (X) M Dobbins
 |
| Georgia Archives record title listing Robert Steel(e) as member of 85th Reg. GA Militia |
Death Bed Last Will & Testament, Robert Steele
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