Pvt. Samuel Steele

A Patriot of the American Revolution for Virginia. DAR Ancestor # A108290

SAR Patriot #: P-296751
Patriotic Service Description:

1. Private, Capt. Smith Thompson's Company Augusta County Militia
2. FURNISHED SUPPLIES
3. TOOK UP DEFECTOR

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DAR Ancestor

Pvt.,Revolutionary War
Capt. Smith Thompson's Company Augusta County

m.1st SARAH CAMPBELL;
m. 2nd MARGARET FULTON;
m. 3rd MARTHA FULTON sister of MARGARET(2nd wife)

Source: Ancestry.com

"Burroughs Family Tree

Samuel Steele

Birth: 1709

, Montgomery, Virginia, USA

Death: 30 Jan 1790

Waynesboro, Augusta, Virginia, USA"

Samuel Steele dies in Augusta Co., Va. 13T127-8: Morton, on p.431 476, 532; Samuel Steel b. 1709, prob. in Wales; d. 30 January 1790, Augusta Co., son of Richard and Mary (Scurlock) Steele; [NO] m. (1) by 1753 Sarah Campbell, dau. of James; m. (2) Margaret Fulton.

Reprinted with Ernest Thompson's permission:

I am a descendent of Samuel Steele and Margaret Fulton. I regret to tell all that there is almost no possibility that the very famous Sir Richard Steele, author and playwright, and his wife Mary Scurlock were the parents of our Samuel Steele. The life of Sir Richard is extensively documented in at least three biographies (e.g., Life of Richard Steele by Aitken) and there is no record indicating he had a son either by Mary or anyone else including his first wife Margaret Stretch. Sir R. and Mary did have a child in 1709, but it was a daughter named Elizabeth. The theory that the Steeles of Steele's Tavern in Augusta Co. were descendents of Sir Richard has been around for 40 -50 years and seems to have a life of its own.

Much as we might like to think we are descendents of Sir Richard (I know I would) we will have to look elsewhere for the origins of the Steeles of Augusta Co.

Here's a story about Samuel which may be true.

Dr. Foote, writing about the Battle of Guilford Court-house, relates an experience of an ingenious Tinkling Spring Man: The greatest loss of the Rockbridge and Augusta forces, was experienced after they commenced their retreat. Lee’s light-horse [forces] were not ready to cover them, and their retreat became a flight, exposed to the sabres of the British light-horse. Mr. Samuel Steele, that died an old man near Waynesborough, in the retreat shot one horse-man that followed him. Two others came upon him before he reloaded, and he surrendered himself a prisoner –“give us your gun.” “Oh, no,” said he, “I can’t think of that.’ “I say, give us your gun!” “Oh, no, I can’t think of that.” Bursting into a laugh at his simplicity – “Well, carry it along, then.” Motioning him to follow in the rear. (sic) He went along some distance, when suddenly springing into the thick top of a fallen tree he commence loading his gun. The horsemen unable to get at him with their swords, put spurs and rode out of reach of his shot. He took advantage of their disappearance, and was soon out of danger. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place 15 March 1781. Samuel was then 70-71 years old. (Howard McKnight Wilson, The Tinkling Spring: Headwater of Freedom, page 201)

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 2 2022, 6:33:25 UTC