John Shirley
of Burton, Sunbury, New Brunswick Canada
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Main Source: New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the ... By William Richard Cutter

John (?James) Shirley esq. He was born at Saco, Maine, 1807 (source: biography below, but 1851 census says 1796, and age at death suggests 1797); Census says he entered Canada from Maine in 1820; He was living in Burton, Sunbury New Brunswick Canada in 1861 census "Irish" and Methodist, widowed; He died at Frederickton, 6 February 1878, age 81; Buried at Burton Courthouse cemetery. In religion he was a Presbyterian. [one source - see message board posting below - said he was born in New Hampshire in 1797; His name is clearly "John Shirley" , not James in 1851 census]

married 1) Frances Webber in Burton in 1824

married 2) Frances Brown, about 1830; born in Queensbury York county, died in Sunbury County on 20 November 1860, age 63; Buried at Burton Courthouse cemetery, Sunbury Co New Brunswick Canada.

Children:

1(i). James W. Shirley, born January 1827 in New Brunswick Canada; a farmer of Burton, Sunbury Co New Brunswick Canada; The family migrated to Maine about 1855-60; He lived at Montecello, Aroostock ME in 1870 census; They lived in Northampton, Carleton Co New Brunswick Canada in 1881 census; His religion was F. C. Baptist; He died 1 December 1903 in Caribou Maine; His death record says his father's name is James Shirley; This is not the only instance when James is named as the father of this entire pedigree (do we have an error?)

married Catherine Smith on 17 May 1854 at Fredericton New Brunswick Canada; She was the daughter of Andrew Smitih esquire of Lincoln. She died 20 May 1882 at Northampton, Carleton Co New Brunswick Canada, age 45.

May 24, 1854; County : York; Place : Fredericton; Newspaper : The Head Quarters - Married: Rusagonis (Sunbury Co.) by Rev. John M. Brooke, 17th inst James Shirley, Burton / Catherine Smith d/o Andrew Smith, Esq., Lincoln.

June 24, 1882; County : Carleton Place : Woodstock; Newspaper : Carleton Sentinel - Died Northampton (Carleton Co.) 20th May, of consumption, Catherine Shirley w/o James Shirley, age 45 years 3 mos., left husband, nine children.

children :

2(i). Oscar Shirley, born 15 August 1855 in Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada; He lived in Houlton Aroostock Co ME in 1880 (single), 1900 and 1910. They had 3 servants in their household in 1900; Occupation: farmer; He died 9 August 1929 at Aroostock Co ME; buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton, Aroostock ME

"A pair of Suffork Punch [Suffolk Punch] horses owned by Oscar Shirley about 1915, showing the low drop axel gigger waggon [jigger wagon], in use at that time in Aroostook Co., Maine." - Collections of Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum

married Sarah (Sadie) Hunter on 9 November 1882 at Houlton, Aroostock Co ME; Her mother Sarah Hunter was living with Oscar and wife in 1900

children:

3(i). child Shirley born 1884, died 1885, buried Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton Aroostock ME

3(ii). Orrin P Shirley born 1889, died 1890, buried Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton Aroostock ME

3(iii). Arthur J Shirley born 1892, died 1893, buried Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton Aroostock ME

3(iv). Katherine Shirley born about 1895 in ME; age 5 in 1900 census

3(v). child Shirley born 1897, died 4 May 1897 Houlton Aroostock ME (death cert)

3(vi). Burl Oscar Shirley born 17 November 1899 in Houlton Aroostock ME

married Burtha A Dow on 25 October 1926 at Houlton Aroostock ME

2(ii). Frances Shirley born about 1857 in New Brunswick Canada, age 13 in 1870 census; not found in family's 1881 census.

2(iii). John Shirley born about 1860 in New Brunswick Canada, age 10 in 1870 census, age 20 in 1881 census

2(iv). Annie Shirley born about 1862 in Maine, age 8 in 1870 census, age 18 in 1881 census

2(v). Charles Wesley Shirley, born 6 December 1865 (tombstone) in Maine; age 16 in 1881 census; lived Thief river Falls, Pennington Co Minnesota in 1910, 20, 30; He died 30 August 1933 at Pennington Co MN (parents named in death cert) Buried Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, Pennington Co MN

married Gina Gilbertson; She was born 25 May 1882 and died 11 Nov 1957 (tombstone); Her mother Carrie M Gilbertson was living with the family in 1920, age 69 b Norway.

children:

3(i). Helen Shirley born 21 June 1906 in MN, age 3 in 1910; She died 19 April 1910, age 3

3(ii). Dorothy M Shirley born about 1910 in MN, age 0 in 1910, age 10 in 1920

3(iii). Charles E. Shirley born 20 October 1916 in Pennington Co MN (tombstone), age 3 in 1920, age 13 in 1920, age 23 living with widowed mother in 1940 census; He died 7 February 1988; Buried Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, Pennington Co MN

2(vi). Loretta Shirley born about 1867 in Maine, age 3 in 1870 census, age 13 in 1881 census; She died 19 June 1884 at Ludlow Northampton Co New Brunswick Canada, age 17.

July 5, 1884; County : Saint John; Place : Saint John; Newspaper : The Daily Telegraph - Died Ludlow (North. Co.) 19th ult., Miss Saritta Shirley d/o James Shirley, age 17.

2(vii). Sarah E Shirley born about 1869, age 2/12 in 1870 census; She is not found in family's 1881 census

2(viii). Georgia A. Shirley born about 1870; age 10 in 1881 census; She was 24 at the time of her death on 25 Apr 1894 at Fort Fairfield Arrrostock Co Maine; She married Joseph White on 9 August 1892 at Caribou ME. (parents named in death record)

2(ix). Bertha Shirley born about 1873 in Maine, age 8 in 1881 census

2(x). Elenoria Shirley born about 1876 in Maine, age 5 in 1881 census; She died 7 July 1881

July 30, 1881; County : Carleton; Place : Woodstock; Newspaper : Carleton Sentinel - Died Northampton (Carleton Co.) 7th July, of inflammation of the lungs, Ellnora Shirley, age 5 years 9 mos., d/o James Shirley and Catherine Shirley.

2(xi). Emma Shirley born about 1879 in New Brunswick Canada, age 2 in 1881 census.

1(ii). Elizabeth Ann Shirley, born about 1825; She died 1865 [see letters below] She married Joseph Alexander, of Sunbury county on 16 July 1846; He was a native of Ireland, and they had children: Maria, second wife of Richardson Boone; James, Lizzie, Louisa, Anzonetta and Letitia Alexander.

1(iii). Margaret Shirley born about 1829, age 32 in father's 1861 census household. not traced

Children of John Shirley by second wife :

1(iv). Annie Skidmore, born at Oromocto, Sunbury county, New Brunswick, in May, 1832. died at Fredericton, 13 November 1887. She was a Free Baptist. She married Richardson Boone, son of Samuel Boone, was born in Sunbury county, New- Brunswick, 3 September 1834. He has been a justice of the peace in Fredericton for more than twenty years. In politics he is a Liberal. He is a member of the Free Baptist Church and of the Orangemen.

1(v). Frances Louisa (Fannie) Shirley, born about 1834, age 17 in 1851 census; She died 1873; She married Thomas Alexander, of Sunbury county on 25 September 1851; children: William; Emma, married Thomas A. Lindsay, of Woodstock, Carleton county ; Eliza, married Briggs ; Edward ; Chandler ; Etta ; Frank ; Evelin ; Sterling Alexander.

1(vi). John Shirley born about 1837, not found in parents' 1851 census household; age 24 in father's 1861 census household; not traced

1(vii). Maria Shirley born about 1836, age 15 in 1851 census; She resided at Okotoks, Alberta, Canada; She married William Thompson, a farmer of Sunbury; children: Henry ; Willard ; Lily, married Fred McKane, of Fredericton.

1(viii). Jane Shirley, born about 1839, age 12 in 1851 census; She married George Bunker; children : Chandler and Edith.

1(ix). Lydia Shirley, born about 1840, age 10 in 1851 census; She married Enoch Fairly, of Bridgewater, Maine.

1(x). John Edward Shirley, born about 1843 at Bridgewater Aroostock Co ME, age 8 in 1851 census; age 18 in father's 1861 census household; He was a contractor, living at Arlington, Massachusetts

married Helen M Hill; She was born at Lexington, Middlesex Co Mass; Her mother Louisa R Hill age 72 was living with the family in 1880 census.

children:

2(iv). Helen Fannie Shirley born about 1869 in MA, age 11 in 1880 census

2(ii). George H. Shirley born about 1871 in Massachusetts, age 49 in parents' 1920 household (no children)

married Helen Albert Wilbur on 1 Oct 1907 at Somerville MA; She was the daughter of Henry A Wilbur and Helen I Pickard

children:

3(i). John E Shirley born 13 June 1909 at Arlington Middlesex Co MA; likely died young

2(iii). Edward Chandler Shirley born 22 April 1874 in Arlington Middlesex Co Massachusetts, Lived at Arlington Middlesex Co MA in 1920

married Inez Crandall on 9 November 1898 at Arlington Middlesex Co MA

children:

3(i). Lester Crandall Shirley born 27 August 1900 at Arlington Middlesex Co MA; age 19 in 1920 census

2(iv). Almina Lizzetta Shirley born about 1877 in MA, age 3 in 1880 census; She married Clarence Henry Wilbur on 15 Octoer 1902 in Arlington Middlesex Co MA; He was the son of Henry A Wilbur and Isabelle Pickard; She was living with her parents in 1920 census, age 44

2(v). Amos Warren Shirley born 2 August 1879 at Arlington Middlesex Co MA. He died 4 August 1880 (not mentioned in family biographical sketch)

2(vi). Marion Emerson Shirley born 20 February 1886 at Arlington Middlesex Co Mass; Lived with parents in 1920 census, age 32

1(xi). Chandler William Shirley, born about 1845, age 6 in 1851 census, age 16 in father's 1861 census household; living in Burton, Sunbury NB Canada in 1861 and 1871 census "Irish" and Methodist; Immigrated to the US about 1876; a ranchman in Madison, South Dakota.; Living in Lake Co South Dakota in 1900 Shirley Family of South Dakota

married Ola Philbrick on 18 March 1882 at Luverne Rock Co Minnesota; born Wisconsin.

children:

2(i). Codie Shirley (female) born August 1883 South Dakota

2(ii). John C Shirley born July 1885 South Dakota

2(iii). Francis Anna Shirley born November 1887 South Dakota, age 22 in 1910 census

2(iv). Harrison Fletcher Shirley born July 1890 South Dakota, age 19 in 1910 census

2(v). Jessie M Shirley born July 1894 South Dakota; age 15 in 1910 census

1(xii). Charlotte Shirley, born about 1847, age 4 in 1851 census, age 14 in father's 1861 census household; She married (first) Charles Lindsay, and had one child, Emery Lindsay, captain of a boat, of Sunbury county; She married (second) William Ward, and had children: Allison, Silas, Marley, Garret, Harrison, and one daughter, Nettie.

 


Letters of the Alexander Family

The 1871 census shows the family of Joseph Alexander in Blissville, division 1, Sunbury County. Joseph is 55, widowed, born in Ireland, with five daughters and one son at home:

Maria 22
Louisa 20
Letitia Ann 18
James A. 16
Elizabeth 14
Angonetta 11

Four of the six letters are from the eldest daughter Maria to her younger sisters Lizzie and Louisa, apparently now living in Maine, while Maria remained at home in Fredericton Junction, or near home in Fredericton where she was a dressmaker. Another sister, Letitia, is referred to often in the letters. In 1875, Letitia had just got married but come home to visit.

There are two letters from cousins, Sarah Jane and Maggie L. Alis, to the two sisters, Lizzie and Louisa. Maggie writes to Lizzie C. Alexander. Maggie is quite possibly the daughter of John Alexander, whose family is two farms over in the 1871 census of Blissville. Maggie was 14 in that census; the same age as Lizzie. John Alexander's family also includes a Sarah Jane, age 21 in 1871. She wrote to Loiusa who was close in age to her at 20 in 1871. Sarah Jane refers to Uncle Joe's family (ie. that of Louisa, Lizzie, and Maria) and of Uncle Thomas's family, possibly another brother of John and Joseph Alexander. (There is a Thomas Alexander, age 49, and family in Blissville division 2).

Vital statistics records from New Brunswick newspapers (see PANB web site)
James A. Alexander, of Blaine, ME, married Matilda E. Briggs, 2 January 1891.
Nettie Alexander, dau. of Joseph Alexander and niece of Major T. L. Alexander, Fredericton Junction, married B. H. Sanborn, 15 Sept. 1892, at the residence of her father in East Blaine, Maine.
Maria Alexander and Richardson Boone, both of Fredericton, married 1 January 1894, at the residence of Mrs. B. Jones.

Sunbury County Marriages, 1766-1888 (vol. 1)
John Alexander and Sarah Jane Lindsay,13 Aug 1839, of Blissville and Burton
Joseph Alexander and Elizabeth Ann Shirley, 16 July 1846, of Blissville and Burton
Thomas Alexander and Frances L. Sherley, 25 Sep 1851, of Blissville and Burton

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summaries of the Letters
25 January 1875, Maggie L. Alis to Cousin Lizzie
You must be lonesome so far from home; I saw Maria at sabbath school said I could send a letter with hers; One of the twins, the little boy (joey?), died, took him to St. John to bury him; Mr and Mrs Macleod went; I was home Christmas time and saw Eliza Jane, did not see Uncle Thomas; Tommy took [K]ena,Carrie, and I out; Minnie back from Sussex after 4 wks; Do you see Annie Lindsay or Aunt Charlotte, is Mrs Thompson well? How are the babies? Do you like taking of care of children?

13 December 1875, Maria A. to Sister Lizzie
I got a letter from home the day before yours, they are all well; Pa is able to go out, Letitia is better; Letitia home second time since married, [L]ettie is staying with her but is going home this week to go to school; They have got new school house so they can teach in it; Charley Fendleson and Mrs Golfohywin [Goldsworthy?] married; Mary Farley was getting better, then was taken worse than ever, sent for another doctor who has given her up; I sold your socks for 22 cents and got your muff it was 1 dollar 85; I sent the collar to Charlotte; Aunt Anne

22 March 1877, Sarah Jane to Cousin Lizzie
Often we speak of Uncle Joe's family and wish we [hold] as near each other as we used to, especially since our boys and girls have been away from home; Maria has been making a visit at [Bunkerville?] and now is here; I mean to keep her as long as I can; We are all quite well also all your cousins at Junction; Largest number of cousins are away at present, pretty well scattered; Do come and visit whenever you can, Ma talks so much about you; Please write a little note if you write to Maria when Uncle Thomas comes; Tell Letitia I would come to see her baby.

30 September 1877, Maria to Sisters Lizzie and Louisa
Just got home from a funeral after Sunday School got out, Mr Nesbet was a mason, was buried by the freemasons, very large procession; I was home 3 days last week making a dress; I got Letitia's letter and was glad to hear Ethel is better; Letitia said you were going over to the Mineral spring and I hope it helps; I forgot to give James the cruet bolle and will send them up with Aunt Ma[r]y; Jimy Kimble [a James L Kimball lived in Burton] was up and said he has sold his place and would have to send for Aunt Mary to come down; The latest style of hats is called Derby; I can send them to you by Aunt Mary; Tell James to get me his picture; Grandpa home from Aunt Jane's; Did James go to Hollen, how did he make out with the potatoes, and has his picnic come off on Mars Hill yet?

20 February 1878, Maria to Sister Lizzie
Aunt Ann and I just called on a bride, Miss Broach, you know her she lived in the house with us; She married a Mr Howell the day Grandpa died [John Shirley d. 6 Feb 1878, age 81, reference- Sunbury cemeteries]; I have just got Pa's picture enlarged it is splendid just as natural as can be, I gave 2 dollars just to get it enlarged, I had the frame given me as a Christmas present; I have Mr and Miss McKenzie's picture (the great temperance man); I was glad to get Louisa's picture and would like to have James and Netta and like Letitia and then I would have the whole family; I expected to be to the Junction before then but the work keeps coming in I have three dresses to make, 2 for Mrs Glasier; Alford has got a house and it is so handy; What is James to work at now? Glad to see Mr and Mrs Tompkins; Jones Boone has sold his place and moved in the house that John lived in; John and his wife have parted; Mrs [Losin?] has moved to St John to her sisters and she put her children in the Orphan asylum, she is real miserable has not been able to sew since before Christmas; a lot of diptheria this winter Uncle Richard is not home yet they are going to move in the spring to a larger house and take in boarders; Mina and Ell have the mumps; How is Aunt Lydia and family?

6 March 1906, Maria to Sister [Lizzie?]
Louisa and [W.?] went home just as soon as she heard of poor little [Joe's] death; And poor little Harold how longer he is going to be my heartache for him; How little I thought that morning he left here that in 2 weeks he would be [buried?]; Matilda will always regret coming down; Had a card from Nettie they are all well; Louisa is stopping with James Wolfield; dressmaking and sewing; Letter from Ethel she is well; Will Gladys be having holidays soon?


Celia Brasso (View posts) Posted: 14 Jan 2001 12:00PM GMT Classification: Query
Surnames: SHIRLEY, WEBBER, BROWN, ALEXANDER, BOONE, LINDSAY
Need help on the elusive Shirley family! John Shirley (perhaps aka James) was born in Massachussetts in abt. 1797 and came to New Brunswick via Maine in 1820. He married 1. Frances Webber of Burton in 1824 and 2. Frances Louisa Brown of Queensbury, York abt. 1830. Children from first marriage were Elizabeth (1825-1864; married Joseph Alexander) and Margaret (1829-?). Children from second marriage: Annis Skidmore (1832-1887; m. Richardson Boone); Frances Louisa (1834-1873; m. Thomas Alexander Jr); John (1837-?); Jane (1839-?); Lydia (1840-?); John Edward (1843-?); William Chandler (1845-?); Charlotte (1847-?; m. Charles Lindsay).

Family lore insists the Shirley family were United Empire Loyalists

eward1189 (View posts) Posted: 23 Oct 2007 12:03PM

Classification: Query
Surnames:
Charlotte Shirley is my great grandmother. Her first husband Charles Lindsay( they married Dec.22nd 1866) died on April 1st 1873, and she married my great grandfather William Ward.Their childern were: Henrietta 1876/Allison Humphrey 1878/Silas VanBuren 1880/Morley William 1882/Garnet Wolsey 1885 (my grandfather)
/Harrison Fletcher 1888
Charlotte died Jan 1st 1927 and is buried in Burton Parish Courthouse Cemetery
Also in Burton Parish, there was a Shirley Settlement, possibly a connection to your Shirleys


New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the ... By William Richard Cutter

Richardson Boone, son of Samuel Boone, was born in Sunbury county, New- Brunswick, September 3, 1834. He has been a justice of the peace in Fredericton for more than twenty years. In politics he is a Liberal. He is a member of the Free Baptist Church and of the Orangemen. He married Annis Skidmore Shirley, born at Oromocto, Sunbury county, New Brunswick, in May, 1832. died at Fredericton, November 13, 1887. She was a Free Baptist. John Shirley, her father, was born at Saco, Maine, 1807, died at Frederic- ton, 1878. In religion he was a Presbyterian. He married (first) Frances Webber, (second) Frances Brown, born in York county, died in Sunbury county. Children of John Shirley by first wife:

I. James Shirley, a farmer, died in Maine ; married Catherine Smith, of Sunbury county, New Brunswick, and had children : Oscar, of Houlton, Maine, a farmer; Charles,of Minnesota; John, Georgia, Annie and Emma Shirley.

2. Elizabeth Shirley, married Joseph Alexander, of Sunbury county, a native of Ireland, and had children: Maria, second wife of Richardson Boone; James, Lizzie, Louisa, Anzonetta and Letitia Alexander.

Children of John Shirley by second wife :

3. Annis Skidmore, married Richardson Boone, mentioned above.

4. Fannie Shirley, married Thomas Alexander, of Sunbury county ; children:
William; Emma, married Thomas A. Lindsay, of Woodstock, Carleton county ; Eliza, married Briggs ; Edward ;
Chandler ; Etta ; Frank ; Evelin ; Sterling Alexander.

5. Maria Shirley, resides at Okotoks, Alberta, Canada ; married William Thompson, a farmer of Sunbury; children: Henry ; Willard ; Lily, married Fred McKane, of Fredericton.

6. Jane Shirley, married George Bunker ; children : Chandler and Edith.

7. Chandler Shirley, a ranchman in Madison, South Dakota.

8. John E. Shirley, married Helen Hill ; a contractor, living at Arlington, Massachusetts ; children : George, Edward, Miriam, Fannie and Mina Shirley.

9. Charlotte Shirley, married (first) Charles Lindsay, and had one child, Emery Lindsay, captain of a boat, of Sunbury county ; she married (second) William Ward, and had children: Allison, Silas, Marley, Garret, Harrison,
and one daughter, Nettie.

10. Lydia Shirley, married Enoch Fairly, of Bridgewater, Maine.

 

   


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