Elkanah Percival Stedman

Other Events:

• Occupation: 1819; Physician, Stockton, Chautauqua Co., NY
• Census: 1825, Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co., NY
• 1830 Census: 1830, Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co., NY
• 1840 Census: 1840, Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co., NY
• 1850 Census: 26 Oct 1850, Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co., NY
• 1880 Census: 1880, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH
• Newspaper Article: 5 Apr 1882, Hopewell, Mercer Co., NJ; Hopewell Herald
• Book Article: 1907, Oil City, Venango Co., PA; History of Erie Conference, by Jason Nelson Fradenburgh

Notes:

Elkanah was the second physician in Stockton, Chautauqua, NY.

Census:
According to the 1825 census, Elkanah was eligible to vote; had a married female under 45 yrs old in his household; no children; 8 1/2 acres of improved land; 1 horse; 17 sheep; 15 yards of wool; and was on line #135 on the original census record.

1830 Census:
p. 283

100 010 000 0000 - 100 010 000 0000

Male     20-30 : Elkanah P. Stedman, b. 1800
Female 20-30 : Wife, b. 1800-1810
Male         < 5 : Percival Stedman, b. abt 1827
Female     < 5 : Cordelia Stedman, b. 1828

1840 Census:
p. 187

001 000 100 0000 - 101 001 000 0000

Male     40-50 : Elkanah P. Stedman, b. 1800
Female 30-40 : Wife, b. 1800-1810
Male     10-15 : Percival Stedman, b. abt 1827
Female 10-15 : Cordelia Stedman, b. 1828
Female     < 5 : Mary Stedman, b. abt 1839

1850 Census:
p. 278

1880 Census:
Precinct A - Ward 2,    National Archives Film T9-1024     Page 112C

          Relation  Sex  Marr Race Age  Birthplace
Smith W. STANAGE    Self M    M    W    45   OH   Occ: Teacher Of Music      Fa: OH    Mo: OH
Mary M. STANAGE     Wife F    M    W    40   NY   Occ: Keeping House  Fa: NY   Mo: NY
Charles S. STANAGE  Son  M    S    W    16   IN   Occ: Florist        Fa: OH   Mo: NY
Alice P. STANAGE    Dau  F    S    W    14   IN   Occ: At School      Fa: OH   Mo: NY
Birdie L. STANAGE   Dau  F    S    W    11   OH   Occ: At School      Fa: OH   Mo: NY
William P. STANAGE  Son  M    S    W    9    OH                  Fa: OH      Mo: NY
Mary STANAGE   Dau  F    S    W    7    OH                  Fa: OH    Mo: NY
Smith W. STANAGE    Son  M    S    W    3    OH                  Fa: OH      Mo: NY
Ester STANAGE  Dau  F    S    W    1    OH                  Fa: OH    Mo: NY
Elkanah P. STEDMAN FatherL M  D    W    80   NY   Occ: Retired Physician      Fa: CT    Mo: CT
Maggie MC GINNISS Other  F    S    W    17   OH   Occ: Servant        Fa: OH   Mo: OH

Newspaper Article:
Elkanah P. Stedman, of Cincinati, heard that his daughter had appeared in a charity entertainment at Leominster, Mass., dressed in a male costume. In his will, just admitted to probate, is found the following clause: "I have heretofore intrusted to her a larger share of my property than prudence justified. I shall not leave her anything. I heard she appeared before promiscuous assemblies dressed in men's clothing to excite the admiration of the audience, trying t raise money to pay a church debt. I cannot devote any more to such purposes."

Book Article:
p. 660

Joseph E. Lee, Elkanah P. Steadman.

Joseph E. Lee had been a local preacher for several years, residing at North East, Pennsylvania, when he was admitted on trial in the Pittsburg Conference, and appointed second preacher on the Cambridge Circuit with Hiram Kinsley in charge. His health failing he was obliged to give up the work, and at the close of the year was discontinued. He labored, as his strength would permit, in the local ranks until called to his heavenly rest.

Mr. Gregg gives a most favorable account of Elkanah P. Steadman : He was for several years a physician in Mayville. Chautauqua County, N. Y. "He was quite inclined to infidelity ; but by the conversion of his wife in a revival of religion, which took place in the winter of 1831-2, was induced to attend the meetings, and was soon awakened and powerfully converted to God. He immediately united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, gave up a lucrative business, received license to preach and was admitted on trial in the Pittsburg Conference in 1832. "He became a member of the Erie Conference at its organization. "Mr. Steadman was a tall, slim man, full of energy and zeal, and was a good preacher, except that he was rather monotonous in his style of speaking. He was active in Sabbath Schools, and the few years he was with us gave them a great start within our bounds ; one too that was greatly needed, as the ministry generally thought they had enough else of more importance to attend to, but were stirred up to greater activity in their behalf through his instrumentality."* --  (Gregg, History of Methodism, Erie Conference, Vol. I, p.. 294.)

Mr. Steadman was suspended from the ministry in 1837.

*E. P. Steadman --  Licensed to preach, 1832; admitted on trial, Pittsburg Conference, 1832; full connection, 1834; deacon, 1834, Soule; became a member of the Erie Conference at its organization, 1836; elder, 1836, Soule; suspended, 1837. Appointments -- 1832, Erie; 1833, Warren, Pa.; 1834, Erie; 1835, Agent of Allegheny College; 1836, supernumerary.
__________________

pp. 418-42

How Mr. Brunson Became Missionary To The Indians.

At this conference Mr. Brunson was removed from the district, and with George W. Clarke was appointed to Franklin, Pa.; but at the session of the first quarterly conference held at Franklin, August 20, 1835. he had not yet reported, and the following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That if Brother Brunson does not fill his appointment in this place, a young man be procured to supply his place." "Brother Brunson" did not come, and "a young man," James W. Lowe, who had recently been licensed to preach, was employed as a supply. Mr. Brunson at this time was preparing for a journey to the Illinois Conference -- or already on his way -- to establish a mission among the Indians.

A number of interesting historic facts are suggested by this resolution. In 1833 Elkanah P. Steadman had been appointed to Warren, Pa. Mr. Gregg says: "Erie, Pa., is made a station, but unfortunately the preacher stationed there did not go, his services being greatly needed at Warren, Pa., where through his exertions the previous year a fine brick church was commenced, and the two presiding elders agreed to an exchange, placing Mr. Steadman at Warren again and Mr. Plimpton at Erie; but Mr. Plimpton not liking the change, and not regarding it lawful, did not go to Erie, and the place had to be supplied." This concerning the appointments in 1834.

Alfred Brunson, who was Presiding Elder of the Meadville District in 1833 and 1834, gives an account which differs from this on essential points. He says: "Soon after conference (the conference of 1834) I received a letter from Doctor Steadman, who was appointed to Erie, in my district, stating that, owing to the delicate state of his wife's health, he dared not take her to the lake shore, and requested to exchange with Doctor Plimpton, who was appointed to Jamestown, in another district, and he was agreed to the change; and further, that the Presiding Elder of that district was willing and desired the change as an act of humanity to the afflicted lady. " Mr. Brunson, following the ruling of Bishop Emory in 1832, effected the exchange. He continues his account: "Steadman was the more popular preacher of the two, and the Erie friends refused at first to receive Plimpton, thinking thereby to secure Steadman. But Steadman's wife refused to go to Erie on any terms, and he stayed with her at Jamestown. Plimpton feeling wronged by the people's refusing to receive him, though they now consented, in his turn refused to go there, and the place had to be supplied, which I found very difficult to be done, and the year proved to be nearly blank in that place."'97    (Gregg, History of Methodism, Erie Conference, Vol. I, pp. 321322; Brunson, A Western Pioneer, Vol. II, pp. if-i8.)

These accounts are not incapable of reconciliation. The appointments as made at the conference were: Erie, E. P. Steadman; Warren, Allured Plimpton; Jamestown, J. J. Steadman. When it seemed best to return E. P. Steadman to Warren, Mr. Brunson did so and sent J. J. Steadman to Erie, and Allured Plimpton to Jamestown. Then came up the matter of Mrs. J. J. Steadman's health; and there followed the effort to make an exchange between J. J. Steadman and Allured Plimpton, resulting in the former's remaining at Jamestown, and the latter's refusing to go to Erie. Is there a better explanation ?

Mr. Brunson had always had enemies, and this furnished a new occasion. Bishop James O. Andrew, who presided at the conference of 1834 differed from Bishop Emory as to the authority of Presiding Elders to transfer preachers by mutual agreement from one district to another. Here then, said Mr. Brunson's enemies, is a case of maladministration.

There was still another reason for hostility. We will let Mr. Brunson state the case: "The conference was annually sending out its resolutions in favor of the temperance cause, but because I had insisted upon the observance of these resolutions, some tippling members complained to some milk-and-water preachers, and here was ground for another complaint. It would not do to say. directly, that it was because I advocated temperance, but it was said: 'He bears down upon the thing with a heavy hand. His words are like a sledge hammer, and his tongue shaves like a razor, only it is rough on the edge.' It is true that when convinced that I am right, I am in earnest, and endeavor so to speak as to be understood, and, if possible, have the sentiment advanced felt by the hearer."'97    (Brunson, A Western Pioneer, Vol. II, p. 24.)

For these reasons Bishop Andrew removed Mr. Brunson from the eldership and appointed him to Franklin. Bishop Robert R. Roberts, who had charge of the Northwest Indian Missions, was present as a visitor. Mr. Brunson had become greatly interested in this work, and when asked by Bishop Roberts to transfer to the Illinois Conference'97    which included at that time all the Indian country'97    he accepted the invitation. He secured his transfer before he started, and not as Mr. Gregg says at the close of the conference year.'97    (Brunson. A Western Pioneer, Vol. 2, pp. 25-27; Gregg, History of Methodism, Erie Conference, Vol. i, p. 349.) Here he was given a great district "extending from Rock Island to St. Anthony's Falls, five hundred miles long, including all the settlements on both sides of the Mississippi river, and about seventy miles wide."'97    (Brunson, A Western Pioneer, Vol. II, p. 31.)

This piece of history explains the resolution of the Franklin Quarterly Conference.'97    (Stewards' Book of Franklin Station, extending from August 20, 1835, to July 2, 1866.)

Elkanah married Sally C. [--?--] Bef 1827; divorced Yes, date unknown. Sally was born Abt 1809, ____, ____, NY; died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

1. Percival Stedman was born Abt Jan 1827, ____, ____, NY; died Unknown.
2. Cordelia Stedman was born 1828; died 9 Apr 1844; was buried Aft 9 Apr 1844, Mayville Cemetery - Mayville, Chautauqua Co., NY.
3. Mary M. Stedman was born Abt 1839, ____, ____, NY; died Unknown.
4. Agness P. Stedman was born Abt 1846, ____, ____, NY; died Unknown.
5. Delia Stedman was born Abt Jan 1850, ____, ____, NY; died Unknown.

Other Events:

• Residence: Between 1776 and 1780; Durham, Middlesex Co., CT
• 1810 Census: 1810
• 1820 Census: 1820
• 1830 Census: 1830

Notes:

Bef. February 11, 1777, Pvt in Lieut Parson's Co., 5th Battalion, Wadsworth's Brigade, CT Line

February 11, 1777, Enlisted as Pvt, 2nd Troop, Col. Sheldon's Light Dragoons

Bet. September 12 - 20, 1778, Rev. War Prisoner

1810 Census:
Durham, Greene Co., NY, p. 235

1820 Census:
Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co., NY, p. 44, as Levi Sedmond

1830 Census:
Stockton, Chautauqua Co., NY, p. 456

Buried:
STEDMAN,
Here lies the body of Levi Stedman for 7 years and 8 months a faithful Soldier of the Army of the Revolution
died 26 Oct. 1834, age 76.
DAR Marker.

Levi married Anna Percival 2 Nov 1786, Freehold - Durham, Greene Co., NY. Anna (daughter of Timothy Percival and Mary Fuller) was born 14 Apr 1766, ____, ____, CT; died 27 Jun 1857, Stedman, Chautauqua Co., NY; was buried Aft 27 Jun 1857, Pleasantville Cemetery, Chautauqua Co., NY. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• 1850 Census: 26 Oct 1850

Notes:

1850 Census:
Charlotte, Chautauqua Co., NY, p. 278

Buried:
STEDMAN, Anna,
relict of Levi Stedman of the Army of the Revolution, died at Stedmanville, NY, June 27, 1857, age 91. "A faithful and devoted wife and mother. Having served her own generation by the will of God she fell asleep and here awaits the final resurrection."

Ebenezer — Rebecca [--?--]. Rebecca died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Timothy — Mary Fuller. Mary died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

[--Catchall — Miss [--?--]. Miss died Unknown. [Group Sheet]