Matthias Steelman’s origins are said to be in Delaware through Olof Persson Stille (1610-1684), who settled in New Sweden (Wilmington, Delaware) as one of the first Swedes to settle in the colonies.

However, I have never seen any documentation that actually linked Matthias into this family. It is certainly possible that he was a descendant of Olof Stille, but I would certainly like to see some proof.

Matthias Steelman, born c1722, may have hailed from Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, but the names of his parents haven’t been discovered. He migrated to Surry County, North Carolina and raised his family there.

Matthias was evidently in poor health as early as 1789, but his will was not recorded until 1793. He signed his will with his (X) mark.

Will of Matthias Steelman, 1793, WB 3:12-13
Source: FamilySearch

In the name of God. Amen. –  I Mathias Steelman being weak of body but of sound and perfect sence and memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament

First and foremost I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it me and my body to the earth to be decently buried after the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned as for what worldly goods it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and bequeath as follows. my Will and desire is that all my debts and funeral expenses be first paid and discharged.

Item. I lend to my beloved wife Ruth Steelman two hundred & thirty acres on Turners Creek beginning at a White Oak saplin on the East side of Buttens branch runs North thirty-five chains to a black oak thence West fifty-seven chains & twenty links to a pine thence South thirty-five chains to a post Oak thence East to said Creek thence down the same as it meanders to the mouth of the Green branch & thence North At an East course will go to the beginning.

I also lend to my beloved wife Ruth Steelman all my stock and household furniture during her widow hood or natural life, and when she either marries or dies to return to my beloved son James Steelman all the said two hundred and thirty acres and all the good & chattles before mentioned and if my son James Steelman should die without isue then the whole of my land and Estate to be sold at public auction & the money to be equally divided between my son William Steelman, Sealah Cain, John Steelman, Ruth Speer, Rachel Creson, Charles Steelman, George Steelman, and Elizabeth Speer.

I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloveing sons William Steelman and James Steelman hole and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke and disallow and make void all former will by me heretofore made or spoken.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of February 1789.

Mathias (X) Steelman (SEAL )
             His Mark

Witness Present
H. Speer
John Bruce

State of North Carolina Surry County November Court AD 1793

Henry Speer Esquire one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Last Will and Testament of Matthias Steelman made oath that he saw said Steelman sign, pronounce and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament that he was of sound disposing mind and memory and at the same time he saw John Bruce sign the same as Witness the same which was ordered to be recorded.

Recorded accordingly R.J. Williams

Matthias Steelman is another person who has many descendants today. If you are researching this family, please leave a comment. I would love to share info with you.

Mathias Steelman is my husband’s 6X great grandfather. He was born before 1726, as he applied for land in Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware in 1747.  He perhaps was born there.

His parents and siblings have never been identified, although it has been suggested that he is descended from the Stille/Mansson/ Steelman family of Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

Mathias left a will, which was probated in Surry County in 1793, clearly identifying his family. It is possible that he married wife Ruth (maiden name totally undocumented as “Thurston”) and that at least some of his children were born in Kent County, Delaware, where he was living as late as 1770.

However, by 1772, he appeared on a list of tithables in Rowan County, North Carolina and by 1774, he was on the Surry County, North Carolina tax lists.

Will of Mathias Steelman (3:12)

In the name of God – Amen. I Mathias Steelman being weak of body but of sound and perfect sense and memory, thanks be to AlmightyGod for the same, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament.

First and foremost I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it me and my body to the earth to be decently buried after the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned. As for what worldly goods it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and bequeath as follows. My Will and desire is that all my debts and funeral expenses be first paid and discharged.

Item. I lend to my beloved wife Ruth Steelman two hundred and thirty acres on Turner’s Creek beginning at a white oak sapling on the East side of Buttens branch runs North thirty-five chains to a black oak, thence West fifty-seven chains & twenty links to a pine, thence South thirty-five chains to a post Oak thence East to said Creek thence down the same as it meanders to the mouth of the Green branch & thence North at an East course will go to the beginning.

I also lend to my beloved wife Ruth Steelman all my stock and household furniture during her widow hood or natural life, and when she either marries or dies to return to my beloved son James Steelman all the said two hundred and thirty acres and all the good(s) and chattels before mentioned and if my son James Steelman die without issue then the whole of my land and Estate to be sold at public auction & the money to be equally divided between my son William Steelman, Sealah Cain, John Steelman, Ruth Speer, Rachel Creson, Charles Steelman, George Steelman, and Elizabeth Speer.

I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved sons William Steelman and James Steelman whole and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke and disallow and make all former will(s) by me heretofore made or spoken.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of February, 1789.

His
Mathias (X) Steelman (SEAL )
Mark

Do anyone have any current research of the origins of Mathias Steelman? The suggestion that he is the grandson of Peter Steelman doesn’t fit with his applying for land in 1747 because the earliest identified marriage for Peter’s children is 1730, unless one of those marriage dates was for a second marriage.