The parentage of Samuel Steward (1760-1833) is unclear. It is believed he was a grandson of Josiah Steward (d.1751), and possibly the son of Joseph Steward (fl. 1712-1760) and Martha Down of Burlington County, who were married in 1756. Josiah Steward's youngest brother, Joseph Steward (1712-1780) was a blacksmith in Shelltown who in 1759 willed his shop and tools to one of his sons, Abner. In 1780, Abner Steward (fl. 1749-1789) sold the business to Samuel Steward. By the age of twenty, Samuel Steward was a blacksmith in Shelltown (now Ellisdale), Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County. He married Lydia Steward (1762-1794) and they had two children together: Elizabeth (1790-1861) and John (1792-1871). Soon after Lydia died at the age of thirty three, Samuel married Rebecca Herbert (1775-1857) with whom he had six children: Thomas (1793-1837), Jesse (b. 1795), Lydia (b. 1800), Hannah (1802-1861), Arminta (b. 1806), George H. (b. 1812).
From the description of Samuel Steward ledger, 1809-1823. (New Jersey Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 53008003
