John Steel of Lincoln, mercer and draper.

Born at Scottlethorpe, Lincolnshire, in about 1761, eldest son of the second John Steel, and baptised at Edenham 20 January 1761. Died 12 February 1837 at Dunsby, Lincolnshire, the home of his son John.

Became a mercer and draper at St. Peter in Arches, Lincoln from about 1786, when he took on an apprentice named Benjamin Wetherall (31 Jan 1786). Other apprentices include Thos. Bonsor (8 January 1791), Thos. Smith (5 December 1791), Wm. Musson (4 April 1795) and Robt. Moody (28 March 1802, in conjunction with his brother George Steel).

Last Friday was committed to the said prison, for trial at the next assizes, Elizabeth Hormon, charged with stealing two pieces of lawn, the property of Mr. John Steel, mercer and draper. Stamford Mercury, 14 April 1786

JOHN STEEL, MERCER, LINEN and WOOLLEN DRAPER, LINCOLN BEGS Leave to offer his sincere Thanks to his Friends for the Favors he has received, and humbly solicits a Continuance of their Support. He wishes to inform them and the Public, he has purchased of the Manufacturers a very considerable Quantity of the FINEST STUFFS for the ensuing LINCOLN BALL, for which he begs to receive their early Orders. Those who do him the Favor, may depend upon every Attention and Expedition in the Execution of their Commands. Gentlemen who wish to subscribe, are desired to send their Names, and Tickets will be reserved for them. An APPRENTICE Wanted. Stamford Mercury, 8 October 1790

WANTED A PACK of HARRIERS, from 15 to 30 Couple. Any Person having a Pack to dispose of may hear of a Purchaser by applying to Mr. JOHN STEEL, of Lincoln; or Mr. PELL, of Tupholme. Stamford Mercury, 1 February 1799

At some point in about 1804 he acquired an interest in the Manor of Metheringham, appointing a gamekeeper there in conjunction with Thomas Mackeness; this went on at least until 1814, by which time he was a trustee of Mackeness's will. In 1806 his Father died, and shortly thereafter he seems to have moved to Fiskerton and built himself a big house. He surrendered his lease of a shop next to the Reindeer Inn in Lincoln to Abraham and Challis Sheath, and it seems likely that his is when he moved into Banking as a partner in the firm of Sheath, Son, Steel and Wray. This all went wrong in 1814, when the bank went bust and he became bankrupt:

CITY of LINCOLN. —A PLEASANT SITUATION. To be SOLD by AUCTION, SOME TIME IN MAY, A Very excellent HOUSE, at the top of High-street, with good conveniences, now in the occupation of Mr. John Steel. Possession at Midsummer, or sooner, if required. N.B. The new part was originally built for Two Tenements, and may be converted into such at a very trifling expence. April 22, 1807. Stamford Mercury, 1 May 1807

WHEREAS a Commission of Bankrupt is awarded and issued forth against ABRAHAM SHEATH, of the borough of Boston in the county of Lincoln, Esquire, CHALLIS SHEATH, of the same place, Esquire, JOHN STEEL, of Fiskerton, in the said county of Lincoln, Esquire, and JOHN WRAY, of the city of Lincoln, Esquire, Bankers and Copartners — carrying on business under the firm of Sheath, Son, Steel, and Wray, at the said city of Lincoln, as bankers—and they being declared bankrupt, are hereby required to surrender themselves to the Commissioners in the said Commission named, or the major part of them, on MONDAY the Twenty-ninth day of AUGUST next, on SATURDAY the Third and on SATURDAY the Tenth days of SEPTEMBER next, at Ten o'clock in the forenoon of each of the said days, at the SARACEN'S HEAD INN in the said city of LINCOLN, to make a full discovery and disclosure of their estate and effects; when and where the creditors are to come prepared to prove their debts, and at the second sitting to choose assignees, and at the last sitting the said bankrupts are required to finish their examination, and the creditors are to assent to, or dissent from. the allowance of their certificate.—All persons indebted to the said bankrupts, or who have any of their effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to whom the Commissioners shall appoint, but give notice to Mr. HOWELL, solicitor, Furnival's-Inn, London; or Mr. BALDWIN, or Mr. BROMEHEAD solicitors, Lincoln. And notice is hereby also given. That the said Commissioners will attend at the above mentioned mentioned place, not only on the days above appointed, but also on TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY the Thirtieth and Thirty-first days of AUGUST next, and on THURSDAY and FRIDAY the first and Second days of SEPTEMBER next, between the hours of Ten in the morning and Five in the afternoon of those days, for the purpose of enabling any persons, who may be creditors to the amount of ten pounds and upwards, to prove their debts, and vote in the choice of assignees if they think proper; which election will take place on SATURDAY the said Third day of SEPTEMBER, at Three o'clock in the afternoon ; and several other days will be appointed for receiving proof of debts previous to any dividend being made - JOSH. BALDWIN, JNo. MAY BROMEHEAD, Solicitors July 26th, 1814. Stamford Mercury, 5 May 1814

As a result of this bankruptcy all his posessions seem to have been sold, and he seems to have spent the rest of his days living with his son John Steel at Dunsby.

TO THE CURIOUS in STOCK. To be SOLD by AUCTION, By Mr. WIDDOWSON, On Monday the 24th day of October, 1814, by order of the Assignees of Mr JOHN STEEL, a bankrupt, on the premises at FISKERTON, near Lincoln; THE whole of the very valuable LIVE STOCK, which has been selected and bred with the greatest care and attention, and will found desirable to amateurs in stock ; consisting of 130 tupping ewes, 54 gimmers, 23 two shear ewes, 51 shearlings, 75 two-shear wethers, 54 he lambs, 48 she ditto; 6 milch cows in calf, 1 cow and 2 calves. 1 cow and bull calf, 6 Durham heifers and calves by Comet (these are very curious), 5 heifers and 5 calves, 1 cow and calf, 2 cows in calf, 7heifers in calf, 6 feeding bullocks, 3 feeding heifers, 26 two-year old and yearling steers and heifers, 6 two-year- old heifers, 4 two-year-old steers, 1 four-year-old bull by Wadingworth; 2 hackney horses, 5 draught ditto, 2 ditto mares, 1 mare in foal, 1 two-year-old colt, 2 yearling colts, 1 yearling filly; 2 large store pigs, 5 small ditto, 1 sow and 8 pigs, 1 ditto and ditto. Credit will given on all bargains above 10l on approved joint security, until the Saturday in Lincoln April fair week, or a discount for ready money. On account of the great quantity of stock, it is requested that gentlemen will attend early, as the sale will commence at 10 o'clock exactly. Stamford Mercury, 14 October 1814

To be SOLD by AUCTION, by Mr. WIDDOWSON (By order of the Assignees of Mr. John Steel, a bankrupt,) on the premises at FISKERTON HALL, four miles from Lincoln, on Tuesday and Wednesday the 6th and 7th days of June, 1815; THE whole of the neat and genuine HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, PLATE, LINEN, CHINA, and GLASS; consisting of four-post, camp, and other bedsteads, with rich and moreen hangings, some lined with colored calicos; superfine goose feather-beds, with a variety of blankets and counterpanes; bedside carpets, chamber chairs, dressing tables and wash stands, night tables. &c.; superb dining tables, card and loo tables, several gilt branches for dining and other rooms, rich and large pier glasses, a very large mirror, and other chamber ditto; rich Witney and Scotch carpets of all sizes several sets of mahogany dining and drawing-room chairs ; hearth rugs, elegant fenders and fire-irons; a large sideboard, with two very elegant vase cases for knives and spoons; a very superb secretary and book-case, with a good collection of books; about 300 ounces of plate, and a variety of plated articles of the most useful kind and in high preservation ; a quantity of china and glass, with blue table services; family linen of every description ; and kitchen utensils in high condition.—Also condition. Also a cellar of very choice Wines; consisting of a large quantity of superior port wine, Madeira, and sherry; iron-bound casks, a copper, and brewing vessels of every description ; and a variety of dairy utensils. The sale to begin each day at Eleven o'clock. Stamford Mercury, 2 June 1815

FISKERTON, near LINCOLN. To be SOLD by AUCTION, by Mr. Widdowson, (Before the major part of the Commissioners named and authorized in and by a Commission of Bankrupt John Wray, bankrupts;) Abraham Sheath, Challis Sheath, John Steel, and Friday the Ninth day of June next, precisely at Three At the Saracen's Head Inn in the city of Lincoln, on Friday the Ninth day of June next, precisely at Three o'clock in the afternoon, under such conditions as will recently built in a most substantial ALL that elegant and commodious MANSION-HOUSE, about 5 miles from Lincoln, and lately occupied manner, and finished in the neatest style, situate at FISKERTON about 5 miles from Lincoln, and lately occupied by the said John Steel; comprising an excellent dining-room, 27 feet by 17, and 12 feet high.; an elegant drawing-room, good breakfast-room, and housekeeper's-room; 4 excellent and lofty bed-rooms and dressing-room, larder and dairy, and capital ale and wine cellars; 4 excellent and lofty bed-rooms and dressing-room, on the large staircase; and 3 very good chambers, an excellent laundry and water-closet, on the second staircase; with good Stables, Saddle-bouse, and variety of other with a large cheese-room, on the back staircase; together with good Stables, Saddle-house, and a variety of other Offices, suitable to the Mansion ; an excellent Garden, with wall and other fruit-trees, Pleasure Ground, Shrubbery, and Kitchen Garden. The house is situate on an eminence, sheltered on the East by the woods belonging to the estate, and commands, towards the West, a delightful prospect of the South Cliff which terminates with a fine view of Lincoln Cathedral; and towards the East, the Woods of Branston and the adjoining parishes; Also Two Farm-yards, with Barns, Stables, and every by any other situation near Lincoln. Also Two Farm-yards, with Barns, Stables, and every Meadow, and Pasture I.and, and Two Hundred and Fifty Acres of Wood Land, all situate in Fiskerton Meadow, and Pasture Land, and Two Hundred and The above estate is held lease for lives under the aforesaid, and abounding with game of every description. The above estate is held by lease for lives under the and the ages of thirty-three and thirty years. Also about Forty Acres of very good Copyhold Land, and of the ages of thirty-three and thirty years. Tenements, or Dwelling-houses, with the belonging situate in Fiskerton aforesaid, and several Messuages, Tenements, or Dwelling-houses, with the Gardens belonging thereto, situate in the city of Lincoln, in the occupations of William Baddalay and others. of Lincoln, on Thursday the Fifteenth day of June At the Greyhound Inn in Falkingham, in the county such conditions as will be then produced, by order of the Assignees of the said John Steel; The Life Interest of the said John Steel, now aged 54 years, of and in several Parcels of Arable, Meadow, and Pasture Land, situate in Aslackby, in the said county of Lincoln, containing together One Hundred and Fourteen Acres (more or less), in the occupation of George Casswell. And, at the house of Mr. John Gascoigne, the sign of the Green Man, in Little Bytham, in the said countv of Lincoln, on Wednesday the Fourteenth day of June next, precisely at Three o'clock in the afternoon, under such conditions as will be then produced, by order of the said Assignees; All that the said Messuage or Public-house, situate at Little Bytham aforesaid, with the Stables, Yard, Garden, Homestead, and other Appertenances thereto belonging. The estate at Fiskerton may seen by applying at the house, and the tenants of the other parts of the estates will show the same. Possession of the Mansion-house and premises in Fiskerton may be had at Michaelmas next. Printed particulars may be had at the place of sale; the Rein Deer and White Hart Inns, Lincoln; the Peacock and White Hart Inns, Boston ; the Angel and Talbot Inns, Peterborough; the George Inn, Stamford ; the Angel and George Inns, Grantham; the Three Crowns, Leicester; the Swan Inn, Melton Mowbray; the Black Moor's Head. Nottingham; the Kingston's Arms, Newark; the White Hart, Gainsborough; the Cross Keys, Hull; the Angel Inn, Doncaster; the New King's Head, Louth; the Bull Inn, Horncastle; the Angel and George Inns, Sleaford; at the Auction Mart, London; and at the offices of Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Bromehead, solicitors, Lincoln, where a plan of the estates may also be seen. Lincoln, May 23, 1815. Stamford Mercury, 2 June 1815

METHERINGHAM. Lincolnshire. To be SOLD by PRIVATE CONTRACT, (By order of the Assignees of John Steel, bankrupt.) A Very desirable Freehold and Tithe-free ESTATE, situate at Metheringham, in the county of Lincoln ; consisting of Three very good Farm-houses, with suitable and convenient Out-buildings; Eighteen Cottage Houses, with Gardens to each; and about Twelve Hundred Acres of very good Arable, Meadow, Pasture, and Fen Land, conveniently situated for occupation, and in good condition. Metheringham is a pleasant village, about nine miles from Lincoln, and the estate is let to responsible tenants at easy rents. The fen lands in this and the adjoining parishes are now completely drained, and highly improved by the recent works upon the river Witham.— The wood upon the estate to be purchased separately, at a fair valuation. The several tenants are under notice to quit at Lady-day next.—The estate may be viewed on application to Mr. Thomas Smith, of Waddington Heath, (one of the assignees,) where a plan of the estate may be seen, and farther particulars obtained; as also on application to Mr. Moore or Mr. Marr (the other assignees); or to Mr. Baldwin or Mr. Bromehead, solicitors, Lincoln. Lincoln, January 14th, 1817. Stamford Mercury, 24 January 1817

Married at Branston on 24 September 1798 to Elizabeth Curtois, daughter of the Rev Peregrine Harrison Curtois, Rector there. She was born at Branston 7 March 1777, and died at Dunsby 29 January 1836.

DIED. At Dunsby, on Friday last, aged 54, Mrs. Steel, wife of John Steel, Esq., formerly of Fiskerton, near Lincoln, and a banker in this city. Stamford Mercury, 1 April 1836

Issue one son and one daughter: