Elizabeth Steele1

Father(?) Steele
Marriage Elizabeth Steele married James Caldwell, probably on 31 Jan. 1805 in Washington County, Virginia, although the record at the courthouse recorded the groom's name as James Chadwell.2 
Court Record25 Jul 1837  Elizabeth's brother William Steele died in the summer of 1837. He left a piece of paper stated to be his will which was not dated. It was witnessed by only one person, Robert E. Lowrey. The will was presented at court, however there was some concern as to whether it could be legally executed. The record noted that Elizabeth Caldwell was present at court and was William Steele's sister. It also noted that if the will was not allowed Elizabeth was the only heir. However, Elizabeth stated that the document expressed her brother's wishes and that she did not wish to overthrow it. She also expressed her natural love and affection for the parties named in the document.

William Steele's will named his nephew John S. Caldwell as his executor and left him two slaves Bob and Mimia. William left a cash gift to William S. Keys, son of Robert L. Keys, to William S. Graham, son of Robert Graham, and to Elizabeth M. Lowrey, daughter of Robert Lowrey. He also left sizeable cash gifts to the two slaves Bob and Mimia. The remainder of William' personal estate was to be equally divided among the children of John S. Caldwell with John's son William S. Caldwell receiving the land.

It is not clear to me at this time how William S. Keys, William S. Graham and Elizabeth Lowrey were related to William Steele [and therefore also to his sister Elizabeth], or if they were.1 
Cens-186028 Jul 1860  In July 1860 Elizabeth was enumerated in the household of her son John and his second wife, Martha. Elizabeth was 84. In addition, the household included 5 children from John's first marriage and 3 children from his second.3 

Family

James Caldwell d. bef 23 Aug 1807
Child
Last Edited20 May 2013

Citations

  1. [S695] Elizabeth Caldwell deed (1837), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 7: 210. The deed, written to affirm the terms of William Steele's will, stated that Elizabeth Steele was the sister and sole heir of William Steele, dec'd.
  2. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 10. James Chadwell to Elizabeth Steele by James Harper.
  3. [S234] John S. Caldwell household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western district, p. 144 (original script), dwelling 1071, family 1028, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2009. Household includes: John S. Caldwell, 53, farmer, owns land valued at $4,500 and personal property worth $2,500; Martha, 44; John, 25, owns pers. prop of $250; Jane, 23, spinster; Elizabeth, 21, spinster; Robert, 20, farmer; Samuel, 17; Thomas, 5; Sarah, 3; Charles, 1; Elizabeth Calwell [sic], 84; all b. VA.
  4. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; citing Washington County, Virginia death register entry for John S. Cauldwell: d. 20 Oct 1867, age 61y, s/o James & Elizabeth Cauldwell, married, Informant: son (unnamed).