Elizabeth Maxwell Steele
| Elizabeth Maxwell Steele | |
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| Born | 1733 Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, United States |
| Died | November 22, 1790 Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, United States |
Elizabeth Maxwell Steele (c. 1733-1790) was an active supporter of the American Revolution. She helped run a prominent tavern in Salisbury, North Carolina that served as a “resort” for many notable figures of the time. Her involvement with the tavern allowed her to support the Revolution by offering hospitality and charity to other supporters of the American cause.
Steele was born in 1733 to a Scottish family, who had previously immigrated to Pennsylvania and later settled in Rowan County, North Carolina. Steele's ancestors, the Maxwells, had a long lineage in Scotland and held numerous titles and awards. The Maxwell family originally earned its high status in Scotland about 600 years ago, when Sir Eustace Maxwell fought with Sir William Wallace in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Steele first married Robert Gillespie, and had two children with him, Robert Jr. and Margaret Gillespie. Not much is known about Robert Gillespie Jr., and all that is known about Margaret Gillespie is that she married Samuel Eusebius McCorkle, who was a Presbyterian preacher and teacher. Robert Gillespie Sr. died in 1760, after being scalped by Cherokee Native Americans during a siege of Fort Dobbs.
After Robert Gillespie’s death, Steele Married her second husband William Steele, who was from Pennsylvania. They had one son together, John Steele. William Steele died before the Revolutionary War, which left Elizabeth Steele to raise three kids and run an ordinary tavern in Salisbury by herself. Steele also became involved in real estate speculation and was able to procure a small estate for herself.
John Steele, Elizabeth Steele's only child by her second husband William Steele (a merchant, innkeeper, and local real estate speculator), went on to become appointed comptroller of the U.S. Treasury by President Washington. He also played a major role in defending the militia concept and criticizing a standing army accompanied by excessive executive authority. There is also a book written about him called the Papers of John Steele.
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