Over
the next ten years George Stiebel lived happily at Devon House
with his wife Magdalene, and surrounded by his grandchildren.
The Stiebels also did an impressive job of holding lavish
parties for friends and family. It was not surprising then
that they employed a large staff which reportedly included
four gardeners, two house maids, a butler, cook, laundress,
grooms and coachman. Servants' Quarters were located in the
space now used as the property’s commercial complex.
Sadness again befell Devon House when Stiebel’s wife
Magdalene died in October 1892. Magdalene was buried at the
St. Andrew Parish Cemetery under a grey granite tombstone
with a white marble cross-wreathed in white marble flowers.
It is said that at the time Stiebel imported enough grey granite
from Scotland to bury his entire family. Tragedy continued
to mark the Stiebel family. In 1895 his grandson Douglas died
of typhoid, and only a week later his son in law Richard Hill
Jackson (who served as Mayor of Kingston) passed away.
George
Stiebel died in 1896 at age 75. Stiebel’s generous spirit
lived on even after his death, as he ensured that his family
was well taken care of. His daughter for example was granted
an annual annuity of three thousand pounds, and she was assured
a permanent place at Devon House while she was alive. A total
of ten thousand pounds was to be allotted to each of his grandchildren
once they turned 21. The Stiebel- Jacksons occupied Devon
House until 1922 following the death of Theresa Stiebel- Jackson.
