RICHARD AND ELENOR (MARLOW) STEELE
Generation III
The first son and first child of George and Elizabeth (Ratcliff) Steele

From original research of Dodie E. Browning
Copyright 1987-1998 by Dodie Elizabeth Browning

With special thanks to Helen Steele Smith. Helen and her husband Jim (deceased) very graciously entertained my husband Ron and me, along with Jimmie and Charles Steele at their lovely home in Tazewell VA in (I believe it was) 1985. Helen invited us to her home to exchange research findings. She asked us to come for lunch. What a lunch it was! The gardens in Tazewell were full of every fresh vegetable one could image and I do believe that Helen had some of everything on her table that day. It was a feast! We had expected a light lunch and on to research. We had so much fun and ate so much, that it was getting late and we hadn't "cracked a book." The men retired to the den and the yard while Jimmie, Helen and I were writing as fast as we could because we had so much to share. Helen had birthdates and other records for two of Richard's sons (Edmond and Shadrack) that Jimmie and I had not seen. I had some records for Shadrack that Helen had not seen. I had been researching Richard's family when I found his son Shadrack, because I thought for awhile that he was "my" Shadrack who married Christina Deskins. I do not know what Helen copied from my records , nor what she copied from Jimmie's notebooks, but it was a wonderful day that I will never forget! I do recall giving Helen a copy of her ancestor's original will and told her where to find the original document. Ron and I had traveled from Michigan, while Jimmie and Charles traveled from Roanoke for this very special event.

If not for Helen Steele Smith, neither Jimmie nor I would have some of the exact birthdates that were from Steele family Bibles that we had not seen.. They were not our line, but hopefully will help descendants of Richard and Elenor with their own families.

Not only was Helen beautiful, she was the epitomy of a gracious southern lady and her husband Jim was a true southern gentleman. The only disappointment of the day was when Jim and I determined that our Smith ancestors were not connected. That would have been a miracle!

This is for you, Helen, with love:

Richard Steele was the oldest son of George and Elizabeth (Ratcliff) Steele. He was [probably] born in Fincastle County Virginia on 17 April 1774. (date from family Bible of George and Rosannah (Fannin) Steele.) He married Eleanor Marlow in Washington County, (formerly Fincastle County) Virginia on 11 Oct. 1798, when he was twenty four years old.

Richard spent his early boyhood in Charles County Maryland. His father died when Richard was barely seven years old. He lived with his mother and two younger brothers, near his grandparents, Richard and Susannah (Brooke) Ratcliff. The family later moved to Fairfax County, Virginia and lived there for a several years before his mother Elizabeth married his step father, Abednego White. In about 1791, the family moved to southwest Virgina when Richard was seventeen years old.

Richard became wealthy for the time period and he did own a number of slaves as evidenced in his will. Richard and Eleanor lived in Tazewell County, Virginia It is documented in Tazewell County Court records that Richard Steele had a tavern. It was not mentioned as such in his will, but it is certainly implied. Richard Steele's tavern was near the old Fincastle Turnpike, which was the main road through the area at that time. After Richard's death, his son Shadrack obtained a license to operate an ordinary (tavern) at the family home of Richard Steele, with Shadrack's older brother, Harvey as his Security. (Sheriff's Receipt, 1 July 1840.)

Richard died in Tazewell County Virginia on 3 December 1839. (From family Bible of George and Rosannah (Fannin) Steele.) Eleanor died in March, 1840. She was still living when Richard's will was probated on 26 February 1840 and her own will was probated in April, 1840.

The following was transcribed from a photo copy of the original by Dodie E. Browning:

In the name of God Amen, I Richard Steele of the county of Tazewell being somewhat afflicted in body but of sound mind and disposing memory, and calling to mind the solmn truth, that it is appointed all men to die, and being anxious to dispose of the estate that I posess according to my own wishes do make and ordain this for my last will and testament.
Item: First, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Ellenor Steel {sic, because he signed his own signature as Steele) one third part of all my lands except two parcels, which I shall herein dispose of...Also a negro girl named Vily, two bay horses, one gray mare, without her youngest colt, one third part of my beds and the furniture therunto belonging, one third part of my kitchen and household furniture, other than the beds and furniture aforesaid, one sixth part of all my grown cows and their calves, to be chosen by her from the entire stock; also four head of my two year old cattle, to be chosen by her, also one half of my flock of sheep, to be chosen by her; also my whole flock of geese; also my hogs.
Item 2. To my son Shadrack Steel [sic] I give and bequeath one tract of land supposed to contain one hundred acres, be the quantity more or less, to have and to hold for to himself and his heirs forever, which tract of land is called the Mountain Place. But this bequest is not intended to dispossess Edmond Steel [sic] of that portion of said tract of land, which he now occupies until reasonable time is allowed for building and clearing of some other land. I also give to my son Shadrack, a negro boy named Abraham to him and his heirs forever. I also give him my little red sorrel mare which he is now using, and also the Braioley ( sic?) horse, one sixth part of the grown cows and calves, after the cows herein-before given to my wife, shall be by her or someone for her, selected from my stock of cattle and then taken by him, according to age and size, and of average value- I also give him seven head of my two year old cattle, of average value, his mother first (illegible); I also give him one fourth part of the residue of my sheep; As many of my fine (?) tools and of my farming utensils; so many as might be sufficient for a new beginning housekeeper.
Item 3. To my youngest son Richard Steel [sic] I give my entire interest in the following parcels of land; namely one parcel bought of Grizler Haney, one parcel bought of Abednigo White and Ralph Blankenship; and another parcel bought of John Burk, known by the name of the Bristow Place; and another parcel or lot I bought of John Drake as one of the heirs of John Drake, deceased, unto him and his heirs forever---- also I give to him, the balance (?) of my edge tools of my harness , waggon [sic] tyre [sic] log wheels and chane[sic] and all belonging thereto, the Smith tools and all that is in the Smith shop, iron and steel, ploughs and plough plates- also all the cider kegs heald[sic] on my premises, All apples (?) in as about the still house, kegs, tubes, still, apple mill. I also give him three young negroes, to wit, Virginia, Commodore, and Trevis. I also give him my rifle gun, and a sorrel brood mare and her young colt.- My shoe maker tools I give to him and his next oldest brother- that is the shoemaker only jointly to them- I also give to my said son Richard, , one sixth part of my grown cows of average value, and one bull, choice of the two- also seven head of my two year old cattle- one fourth part of the residue of my sheep, one half of the residue of my present years calves. I also [give] him jointly with his next oldest brother and his mother, all the stock of brandy that can be made from this years crop of fruit- I also give to my said son Richard, seven head of my two year old cattle...[ note that this had already been mentioned ]
Item 4.To my son Harvey Steel [sic] I give and bequeath one negro boy named Harry, upon the condition that he pay to the guardian of my grandchildren Calvin and Marion Steele the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. I also give to him the two year old Clark filly, together with three grown cows of average of average value.
Item 5. To my two grand daughters Ann Eliza and Elizabeth Steel [sic] I give and bequeath one negro woman named Tiny, with a sorrel filly called the Tom filly, and I further give to each of my said grand children, one fourth part of the residue of my sheep, together with a cow and calf each to be choice cows and calves.
Item 6. To my favorite daughter, Nancy Horton and her children I give and bequeath a negro boy named Hiram to have and to hold forever, free from all other claims whatsoever, as their right and property.-I also give to her and her children one blaze fan Clark filly and two grown cows of average value
Item 7. To my son Edmond Steel [sic] I give and bequeath one tract of land, being the same that I purchased of Elisha McGuire, supposed to contain one hundred and fifty acres, be the quantity more or less, to him and his heirs forever. I also give him one negro boy named Wilson, but upon condition that he pay the guardian of my grand children, Calvin and Marion Steel, [sic] the sum of one hundred dollars. I also give him, my said son Edmond, one young bay horse, got by Clark's horse, together with three cows of the residue and of average value.
Item 8. To my said grand sons Calvin and Marion Steel, {sic] and to my two youngest sons, I give and bequeath jointly, all the money which may be collected and from my accounts and books, and I also give and bequeath to each of my said grand children and said youngest sons, an amount of money each , sufficient for defraying the necessary expenses of two years schooling. I also give and bequeath to my said grand sons Calvin and Marion, each one two year old heifer.
Item 9. To my son Thomas Steel[sic]I give and bequeath one tract or parcel of land, supposed to contain forty seven acres, be the quantity more or less- also one bull and a cow- I also give him a claim of land that I have in the widow's dower to the land of Isaac Johnson deceased, which is supposed to be one legatees share. I also give him one, if realized, one legatees share in a negro man named Tom- I also give him the young gray mare's youngest colt.
Item 10. To my wife and two youngest sons, aforesaid, I give and bequeath all my money which may be on hand at the time of my death, which may be left after the payment of my just debts, and funeral expenses, together with notes on hand other than herein disposed of.
Item 11. To my son Westly Steel[sic]I give and bequeath, one good two year old heifer, because I have always considered him to be my child
Item 12. To my son-in-law George Steel [sic]and my daughters Sharlotty Steel [sic]and Polly Steel, [sic] I give one shilling and no more.
13th and lastly I do duly constitute and appoint Joseph Stras executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others or former wills by me here to fore made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed (?) my name and affixed my seal this 7th day of November 1839.

[The will was signed by Richard Steele, and the signature was very "shaky" as if he was very weak when the will was signed. The will was witnessed by Robert Gillespi and Rees(e) T. Bowen; entered into Tazewell County Virgina Probate Records on 26 February, 1840. The original will was five handwritten pages.]

Ellener (Marlow) Steele's will was probated in Tazewell County Virginia (Will Book 2, pg. 169) in April 1840. Elizabeth and Ann Eliza are mistakenly referred to as daughters of Ellener Steel [sic]. Their guardian was Shadrack White (half brother of Richard Steele and Ellener's brother-in-law), who gave an accounting of the little girl's estate (inventory) on 2 December 1841. (Tazewell County Will Book 2, pg. 214) The inventory showed : " A negro woman named Tiny and her child, one sorrel filly, 2 cows and calves, eight sheep, 2 cows, one bed and furniture. Shadrack White made oath that the above inventory was bequeathed to the said Ann Eliza and Elizabeth by their grandfather and grandmother." He also stated that he had received $ 40.00 hire for the negro woman since his guardianship. There were other court records regarding Shadrack White's guardianship of these little girls and the settlement of their estate, which document that George Steele who was last known to be in St. Louis County Missouri in 1850 was the father of Ann Eliza, Calvin, (Francis) Marion and Elizabeth, all mentioned as grandchildren in Richard's will. Westley Steel was not mentioned in the will of Richard's wife, Ellenor. Since he only received a cow, in Richard's will, he was apparently not the son of Eleanor or she would have mentioned him in her will.

The name and gender of the child of the slave Tiny was not mentioned in the Inventory of the estate of Ann Eliza and Elizabeth. Either Tiny had a child after Richard died or she had the child before he died and Richard did not mention the child as a slave.

Children of Richard and Eleanor (Marlow) Steele:
1. Harvey Steele
2. Elizabeth Jane " Letty" Steele
3. Thomas Steele, b. 1806-1807, d. 1883; m. 30 Oct. 1828 to Jernacy "Jane" Romine/Remines.

       Children of Thomas and Jernacy (Remines)Steele:
       3(1) Isaac Boston Steele.
       3(2) Montraville Steele, m. Nannie J. Fields, d/o Wm. & Elizabeth.
       3(3) Caroline Steele, b. 1829-1830, m. 26 Feb. 1852 to J.W. Neal.
       3(4) Sarah Ann Steele, b. ca. 1832, m. J.R. Tatum 1n 1863, m. 2nd to Calvin M. Moore by 1870.
       3(5) Amanda Steele, b. ca. 1839, m. 25 Apr 1860 to Elias White, 
            s/o Milburn & Mahala (Whitt) White.