Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 54.djvu/135

 STEDMAN, ROWLAND (1630?–1673), nonconformist divine, son of Henry and Mary Stedman, was born about 1630 at Corfton, in the parish of Diddlebury in Shropshire (there is a gap in the registers from 1598 until 1683). He matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, as ‘plebeian,’ on 12 March 1648–9, but migrated to University College on obtaining a scholarship there in 1649. He graduated B.A. on 16 Oct. 1651, and proceeded M.A. on 22 March 1655–6.

Stedman was appointed to the rectory of Hanwell, Middlesex, in 1657, and remained there for three years. In 1660 he was made rector of Wokingham in Berkshire, and held that living until 1662, when he refused episcopal ordination and was ejected for nonconformity. After his ejection Stedman resided at Neasdon in the parish of Willesden in Middlesex, but presently became chaplain at Wooburn in Buckinghamshire to, fourth lord Wharton [q. v.], who, dying on 5 Feb. 1694–5, was described on his monument in Wooburn church as opening his mansions for ‘an asylum for the suffering ministers of the word of God.’ Stedman remained at Wooburn until his death, on 14 Sept. 1673, and was buried on the 16th at Wooburn church, ‘leaving behind him the character of a zealous nonconformist’. His will, dated 24 Oct. 1667, was proved 8 Oct. 1673 (P. C. C., 132 Pye). He married Margaret, daughter of William and Anne Jemmatt, who survived him.]

His works are:
 * 1) ‘The Sure Way to Salvation; or, a Treatise of the Mystical Union of Believers with Christ; wherein that great mystery and privilege of the Saints' union with the Son of God is opened in the nature, property, and necessity of it,’ 1668.
 * 2) ‘Sober Singularity, or an Antidote against Infection by the example of a multitude; being practical reflections on Exod. xxiii. verse 2,’ 1668.



STEEL, SCUDAMORE WINDE (1789–1865), lieutenant-general, born in 1789, was appointed a cadet in the East India Company's service in 1805, and became lieutenant in the Madras army on 11 Sept. 1806. In 1808–9 he served under Colonel Doveton in Berar against the Pindaris. He took part in the Mahratta war of 1817–18 as assistant quartermaster, and was slightly wounded in the capture of one of the hill forts. He became captain in the army on 27 March 1821, and in the 51st native infantry on 1 May 1824. He was employed on the quartermaster-general's staff at Nagpur, and in the first Burmese war in 1826. He was promoted major in his regiment on 15 Dec. 1832, and was secretary in the military department at Madras from 1832 to 1845. He planned and took part in the operations for the reduction of Coorg in 1834. He was made lieutenant-colonel in the army on 28 July 1835, and of the 24th native infantry on 9 April 1838. On 20 July in that year he was made C.B.

In 1845 he was appointed military auditor-general; on 13 Sept. 1847 colonel of the Madras fusiliers; and on 8 March 1849 colonel of the 18th native infantry. He commanded the Madras division of the army engaged in the second Burmese war in 1852–1853, was mentioned in General Godwin's despatch of 24 Dec. 1852, and directed the column sent to Martaban in January to operate on the Salwin. He was made K.C.B. on 9 Dec. 1853, and was appointed to the command of the Pegu division and the Martaban provinces, being promoted major-general on 28 Nov. 1854. Steel returned to England in 1856, became lieutenant-general on 2 Sept. 1861, and died at Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, London, on 11 March 1865.



STEELE, ANNE (1717–1778), hymn-writer, daughter of William Steele (1689–1769), timber merchant and lay baptist preacher, was born at Broughton, Hampshire, in 1717. Her otherwise uneventful life was deeply affected by the drowning of her affianced lover a few hours before the time fixed for the wedding. She died on 11 Nov. 1778, ‘aged 61 years and 6 months’ (inscription on tombstone at Broughton).

Miss Steele wrote very many original hymns. In 1760 she published ‘Poems on Subjects chiefly devotional,’ under the signature of ‘Theodosia,’ and after her death this was reissued in three volumes (Bristol, 1780), with numerous additions and with a preface by Dr. Caleb Evans. Her complete works were published in one volume by [q. v.] (London, 1863), under the title of ‘Hymns, Psalms, and Poems by Anne Steele, with memoir by John Sheppard.’ They include 144 hymns, 34 metrical psalms, and about 50 poems on moral subjects. Few of the hymns can be placed in the first rank, but one or two, such as ‘Father, whate'er