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We Served, We Settled
Patriots and Pioneers - The legacies of the Shane and Beck families
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 1741 - 1817 (~ 75 years)
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| Name |
Steele, Francis |
| Birth |
Aug 1741 |
Londonderry, Northern Ireland  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Death |
17 Apr 1817 |
Pennsylvania Furnace, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Burial |
Aft 17 Apr 1817 |
Pennsylvania Furnace, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Person ID |
I3045 |
Shane and Beck |
| Last Modified |
14 Jun 2023 |
| Family |
Crow, Margaret, b. 1752, Londonderry, Northern Ireland d. 9 Apr 1839, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 87 years) |
| Marriage |
9 May 1771 |
The Big Valley, Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Children |
| | 1. Steele, Elizabeth, b. 7 Jun 1773, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA d. 1841 (Age 67 years) [Father: natural] |
| + | 2. Steele, Martin, b. 8 Mar 1775 d. 17 Sep 1844, State College, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 69 years) [Father: natural] |
| + | 3. Steele, Francis, b. 20 Apr 1776, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA d. 30 Mar 1852 (Age 75 years) [Father: natural] |
| | 4. Steele, Margaret, b. 25 Oct 1779, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA [Father: natural] |
| | 5. Steele, Rebecca, b. 24 Mar 1781, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA [Father: natural] |
| | 6. Steele, Martha, b. 7 Jan 1783, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA d. 1 Oct 1852 (Age 69 years) [Father: natural] |
| | 7. Steele, Jane, b. 4 Jun 1785, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA [Father: natural] |
| | 8. Steele, Mary, b. 19 May 1787, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA d. 5 May 1851 (Age 63 years) [Father: natural] |
| | 9. Steele, Jacob, b. 26 Dec 1791, Bellefonte, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA d. 9 Jan 1862, Pleasant Gap, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 70 years) [Father: natural] |
| | 10. Steele, James, b. 7 Jul 1796, Bellefonte, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA d. 1841 (Age 44 years) [Father: natural] |
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| Family ID |
F1227 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
14 Jun 2023 |
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| Notes |
- Steele : English Place name, from 'stile' or a place of steep ascent.
It is not known when Francis Steele emigrated to America. He was born in Northern Ireland in 1741 and was married in Pennsylvania in 1771. Francis and Margaret Crow were married by a minister of the Church of England. They were living in Warwick Furnace, Chester County, Pennsylvania when Francis was called up by the Pennsylvania Militia. He was commissioned an Ensign of a company of foot. The commission is dated May 31, 1777. An extract of a listing of officers is as follows:
4th Batt. of Militia of Chester County
6th Company
James Boylan Captain
Saml. Hammel 1 Leut.
Jas. McAllister 2 Leut.
Francis Steel Ensign
Certified: Wm. Evans, Col. 6-5-1777
Francis was three (3) times in service for 2 months each time for total service time of 6 months. He was drafted once and twice he substituted for other men who were called up. He served under General Irvin. He was at the Battle of Brandywine and participated in a skirmish near Wilmington, Delaware.
After the war, Francis and Margaret lived in Philadelphia and Myerstown, and then they moved to Centre County where they lived on a farm.
Testimonials in Margaret Steele's declaration for a widow's pension indicate the following residences.
"For some time" in Brandywine, Chester County (signed Nathan Grier VDM; Nov. 4th - 1789).
"For some considerable time" in Bellefonte, Centre County (signed Henry R. Wilson VDM; March 10th 1806).
"Was several years in our congregation" (signed) William A. Boyd V. D. M. and Pastor of Spruce Creek and Sinking Valleys. Certified at Spruce Creek, Huntingdon County; October 22nd 1817.
The spelling of "Steele" and "Steel" are used at the discretion of the speller. Francis' signature appears on his will and is spelled "Steele." His commision and other militia records spell his name "Steel." Francis' son Martin spelled his name "Steel" and Martin's son Robert M. reverted to "Steele." Take your choice!
A printed copy of Francis Steele's will, preserving spelling and capitalization of the written document follows:
In the Name of god Amen
The Last Will and Testament of Francis Steele Senior Viz
First I Commit my Bodey to the Earth and My soul to god
Who Gave it.
Secondly I Leave and Bequeath to My Well beloved Wife
Margaret Steele What Money is Coming to me and all My
Personall Property to her Use and Before her Death I alow
her to Devise it Amongst My Children as she sees they
Deserve
Thirdly I leave to My son Jacob my watch and I Leave
Twenty Dollars to My son James. When he is free to Buy
him a Watch Exclusive of their parts.
Fourthly I apoint John Turbot & Jacob Steele Exactators
to this My last Will & Testament Dated and Made
This first day of July one Thousand Eight Hundred
And thirteen
s/ Francis Steele
Witnesses Present
s/ Charles McGhee
S/ Joseph Goheen
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Warwick Furnace/Farms
S of Knauertown off PA 23 on Warwick Furnace Rd., East Nantmeal Township Knauertown
The manor house at Warwick Furnace was built in 1738, the building of the Furnace having been set into operation by Samuel Nutt just prior to his death in 1737. His daughter Rebecca married Robert Grace who ran both the Warwick and nearby Coventry furnaces until his death in 1766.
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Location of Pennsylvania Furnace Cemetery
Franklin Township, Huntingdon County (cemetery very short distance from Centre County line).
Directions: Take Route 26 South from State College. At intersection of Route 26 and West Whitehall Road turn right. Go 7.1 miles on West Whitehall Road until there is a sharp left turn in the road. At this turn is a dirt farm lane to right. Several hundred yards back road the cemetery is on the left.
(From the Centre County Genealogical Society)
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