Mary Jane Rowan Steele

1800-1833

When Mary Jane Rowan was born on March 10, 1800, in Bardstown, Kentucky, her family was still living in the two-story log home which preceded the Federal Hill mansion. She married a cousin, William Steele, who was the owner of the Kanawah Salt Company, on December 8, 1817. They had three children during their marriage (William Jr, who died as an infant, Mary Jane Steele, John Rowan Steele).  Mary Jane, along with her husband William and their oldest child, Mary Jane Steele, died at Federal hill from cholera on July 27, 1833. Their 14 year-old son, John Rowan Steele, was then raised by Judge & Ann Rowan. Mary Jane and her entire family are buried in the Rowan family cemetery at Federal Hill.