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This Lineage Page Last
Updated December 2021
John Shirley
of Virginia and Anderson Co SC born about 1746, between
1744 and 1749 in Virginia was likely the son of an elder John
Shirley Sr who appeared in early records of Prince William County
Virginia. In 1765, John's (probable) father, John Shirley, the
elder was enumerated in the extant Prince William County tax
list of that year. The family household identified two sons specifically
by name, John Shirley Jr and Thomas Shirley who were both tithable
due to their age. John Shirley Jr. and his presumed brother Thomas
Shirley were thus between the ages of 16 and 21 in that year,
born 1744-1749.
In 1770, John Shirley Jr (thus John Shirley the elder still
living) first appeared independently in legal documents as a
witness to a pre-nuptual agreement bettween Chichester Curtis
and Lettice Thorton in Prince William County. On 11 July 1773,
John Shirley (i.e. Junior) was baptised at the Broad Run Baptist
Church in neighboring Fauquier County VA. He would have been
approximately 24 to 29 years old in that year and likely married.
His wife Elizabeth Shirley, the daughter of George Barmore, was
baptised at Broad Run Church a month later on 13 August 1773.
John and Elizabeth's precise date of marriage is unknown, however,
their first child John Shirley Jr was born about 1767. The couple
would ultimately have 12 children, with the last child Polly
being born in South Carolina on 14 August 1789.
John Shirley (the younger) moved to neighboring Fauquier County
in the early 1770s. On 3 May 1771, John Shirley "of Fauquier
County" purchased 160 acres [sic] of land in that county
from the executors of the estate of Charles Carter, esq. The
land was located in the Kettle Run tract in Hamilton Parish,
"near the road at the end of Neavils old meadow in George
Steels line" (Fau. Co DB 4 pg 36). John Shirley next appeared
on the county's rent roll as well as a list of tithables in 1777.
He was taxed owning 150 acres of land in that county. The 1778
rent roll for Fauquier County showed that John Shirley was employed
as an overseer on a plantation owned by John Green. John Green's
property was also taxed for 9 slaves. John Shirley was once again
taxed in 1780 for 150 acres. The 'tax after quit rent' was 0/14/3.
In the Fauquier County Tax List for 1782, he was tithable for
himself alone, owning 4 horses, 13 cattle and 1 slave. In the
1783 tax list, he owned one more horse and one more cow than
the year before. In 1784, he was still only tithable for 1 free
white male (thus his eldest son John Jr was not yet age 16),
6 horses, 18 cattle and 1 slave. His quit rent tax for his 150
acres that year was 0/19/3. In 1784, John Shirley and his wife
Elizabeth sold their 150 acres of land in Fauquier County Virginia
to Samuel Steel. Several members of the extended Shirley family
were noted in the Broad Run Baptist Church minutes as having
"moved South" in October 1783. Although no similar
notation is made next to John Shirley's name in the members'
roll, it is likely he and his wife Elizabeth departed for South
Carolina at about the same time. The 1785 Fauquier Co VA tax
list does not show John Shirley tithable or taxable, thus the
family likely immediately departed for South Carolina.
The many related Shirley families began arriving in Northwest
South Carolina about 1783-1784 when numerous land patents and
land surveys were issued for them in that year. John Shirley
entered 200 acres of land on Chickasaw Creek as well as another
200 acres on Long Cane Creek in Ninety-Six District. This land
would later become part of Abbeville County. Many members of
the newly arrived Shirley family were founding members of the
nearby Turkey Creek Baptist Church, headed by the notable preacher
Rev. Joseph Redding. On 12 February 1785 John and his wife Elizabeth
Shirley and Luke Hanks and wife Nancy - the latter family also
former members of Broad Run church in Fauquier County Virginia
- were each received into the church by letter. John Shirley
frequently appeared in church minutes throughout the 1790s being
appointed for various tasks and for making reports to the congregation.
On 11 January 1793 John Shirley and others were appointed to
meet with a woman named Anne Delp to find out why she was not
attending church. On 1 February 1797, John Shirley and Nimrod
Smith were appointed to "cut the pulpit lower" as part
of renovations being carried out to the Turkey Creek Church meeting
house.
John Shirley Sr. and John Shirley Jr. his son were each listed
in the 1787 tax rolls for the Ninety-Six District. Three years
later John Shirley Sr was enumerated in the 1790 US Federal Census
for Ninety-Six District South Carolina. His very large household
contained 6 males over the age of 16 (including the father John),
4 males under age 16, and 6 females of all ages (including wife
Elizabeth). The census did not enumerate any owned slaves in
the household.
In 1795, Pendleton District, land that would later become
Anderson County South Carolina, was removed from the Ninety-Six
District. After that date, John Shirley appeared regularly in
Pendleton District records. Thus John Shirley's land was very
likely orignally located in that portion of the Ninety-Six District.
Although on 25 December 1797, John Shirley 'of Abbeville County'
purchased 589 acres as well as an additional 88 acres and 15
acres on the waters of the Litte River of the Savannah River
from John Grissom Sr of Pendleton District (Pendleton Dist DB
C page 399).
John Shirley was next enumerated in the 1800 US Federal Census
for Pendleton District South Carolina in Colonel Moore's Regiment,
District #626. Later on 18 March 1808, John Shirley Sr 'of Pendleton
District', then about age 60, sold 221 acres of land on the North
Side of Camp Creek to his son John Shirley Jr (Pendleton Dist
DB M page 212). The deed noted that this land was part of the
parcel of land John Shirley Sr earlier purchased from John Grisham
Sr [sic] in 1797. Elizabeth Shirley renounced her right of dower
6 years later on 22 January 1814 at the time the deed was finally
recorded at the Pendleton District courthouse. John Shirley signed
the deed, while his wife Elizabeth made her mark 'X'. John Shirley
made his last will and testament only several weeks after the
sale of land to his son John Jr. John Shirley Sr's will (Pendleton
Dist WB A, page 94) was dated 11 April 1808 and was probated
6 June 1808, thus he likely died in late April, early May of
1808.
In the name of God amane I John Shierley of the State of
South Carolina and District of Pendleton being week in body but
of Sound mind and Calling to mind the frailty of the body and
that it is apointed for all men once to Die Do constitute and
ordain this my last will and Testiment That is to Say first my
Soul to God who gave it and my body to the Dust in Such manner
as my Executors may think Decent -- I do ordain and apoint my
Sons William and Joshua my Executors to manage my Estate in the
following manner (that is) As soon after my Deceas as may conveniently
be don they shall sell all my personal property to go to the
payment of my Debts in the first place -- Also I alow my Dearly
beloved wife a Decent support out of my estate whether real or
personal dureing hir life or widowhood Also my three daugters
who are yet unmaried Shall have a good fether bed and furniture
and a Cow and Calf After the Deceas of my wife and the portion
of my unmaried girls I allow an Equal devide of my Estate real
and personal to all my Children or theri heirs who is as follows
Niper, William, Rhody, Joshua, James, John, Betsey, Robert, Sam,
Polly, Leanah -- -- In witness whereof I have herunto set my
hand and affixed my Seal this 11 day of Apil in the year of our
Lord Chris one thousand Eight hundred and eight and in the year
of American Independence thirty <s> John Shierley<s>
Wit: John X Wakefield, William Read. Recorded in WB A, page 94
on 6 June 1808 by John Harris O.P.D. Roll No. 602.
On 6 August 1808, the estate of John Shirley, Sr dec'd: Nipper
Shirley, William Shirley, William Grubbs, husband of Rhoda Shirley,
Joshua Shirley, James Shirley, John Shirley Jun., Hezekiah Wakefield,
husband of Elizabeth Shirley, Robert Shirley and John Wakefield
Jun., husband of Sarah Shirley, all of Abbeville District and
all heirs of John Shirley Sr, dec'd sold to Samuel McKinney of
Abbeville District property formerly owned by John Shirley Sr.
dec'd viz a certain mill and appertenances situated on Little
River in Pendleton District, the mill dam as far as the water
mark on the west of said river together with a certain tract
of land containing 150 acres lying part in Pendlton District
and part in Abbeville District on the Litte River, beginning
on Barkers Creek, on Gowdy's, Hacklemans, Nathaniel Aldridge
Sr's land. The land being sold was originally part of a tract
granted to Aldridge. McKinney paid $684 for the mill and property.
All heirs signed the document. The sale was recorded in county
court on Jan 24, 1810, (Pendleton Co DB K page 51-52)
The place of burial for John Shirley Sr is unknown, but no
doubt in a cemetery near his home possibly at Turkey Creek Baptist
Church, or somewhere on his land located on the boundary between
present day Anderson County and Abbeville County South Carolina.
John Shirley's widow Elizabeth supposedly lived only five
years after the death of her husband. She supposedly died Aug
1, 1813. However, as mentioned above, she appeared in court and
made her mark on a land sale, relinquishing her right of dower
to that land on 22 January 1814. Thus, either the claimed date
of death is wrong or the county clerk lied when he claimed she
appeared before him personally. The sale was indeed to a family
member, the son John Shirley Jr, who was finally recording the
deed on that date. Morevoer, he the purpose for finally recording
the deed was that he was simultaneously selling the same land
to someone else. Thus it is quite possible that John Shirley
Jr's mother Elizabeth had died in the interim and the county
clerk simply made an accomodation based on the reality of the
situation.
married Elizabeth Barmore born about 1743, died Aug 1, 1813, daughter of
George Barmore who was the father of one son, and three daughters.
Editor: John Shirley's widow Elizabeth
apparently lived only five years after the death of her husband.
Tradition states she died Aug 1, 1813. However, Elizabeth Shirley
appeared in court and made her mark on her husband's land sale
to their son John Shirley Jr on 22 January 1814 (years later).
She made her mark relinquishing her right of dower to that land.
Thus, either the claimed date of death is wrong or the county
clerk lied when he claimed she appeared before him personally.
The sale was indeed to a family member, the son John Shirley
Jr, who was finally recording the deed on that date. Morevoer,
the purpose for finally recording the deed was that he was simultaneously
selling the same land to someone else. Thus it is quite possible
that John Shirley Jr's mother Elizabeth had died in the interim
and the county clerk simply made an accomodation based on the
reality of the situation. But also maybe the death date is wrong.
Update Dec 2021 - The following
children were confirmed as brothers and sisters of Robert Shirley
in his 1854 estate record in Fayette Co AL
children:
1(i). John
Shirley, Jr. 1767 lived Anderson Co. S.C.,
died April 30, 1837. John Shirley was named brother of
Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854 estate records in Fayette Co
AL; John and his 2nd wife are buried in the Little River Baptist
church cemetery.
married 1) Elizabeth______
married 2) Elizabeth Mitchell Grubbs. She was the widow
of Richard Grubbs.
1(ii). James Shirley
Sr born about 1769 VA. James
Shirley was named brother of Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854
estate records in Fayette Co AL (residence no provided); In the
1850 census he is living with his son James and family in Anderson
Co. SC.
married ?Elizabeth [possibly
Smith] (updated January 2020)
1(iii). Rhoda Shirley born about 1771; Rhody Grubbs
was named sister of Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854 estate records
in Fayette Co AL; She married William Grubbs
1(iv). Nipper
Shirley born say between 1765 and 1770 (census profiles),
likely in Prince William County Virginia where his father John
Shirley resided at the time; Identified as a son of John
Shirley Sr in his 1808 will probated in Pendleton District SC;
Nipper was married with children residing in Abbeville Co SC
at the time of the 1800 census, likely along the Anderson Co
border where his father owned land; he is again enumerated in
the same place in 1810 census an in the 1820 census; Nipper was
enumerated in adjacent Anderson Co SC in the 1830 census, age
60-70 with only his wife Jane and 2 other females in the household;
Named in the estate appraisal record of J. J. Robinson, dec'd
in September 1847; Nipper Shirley was named brother of Robert
Shirley dec'd in his 1854 estate records in Fayette Co AL; Nipper
predeceased his brother, dying in Anderson Co SC before 25 May
1848, when the sale bill for his estate was probated in Anderson
Co SC.
married Jane Cheeves, daughter of Thomas Cheeves
who in turn was born 1747 VA d. 1837 Abbeville, SC. and Margaret
Agnew.
1(v). William
Shirley born about 1774 likely in South Carolina. His
will was probated in 1827 in Abbeville Co South Carolina. William
Shirley was named brother of Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854
estate records in Fayette Co AL;
married Jemima Gant
1(vi). Joshua
Shirley born about 1775. Joshua
Shirley was named brother of Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854
estate records in Fayette Co AL; Family moved to Fayette Co.
Alabama
married 1) Elizabeth Long, daughter of John
Read and Sarah Long. His brother was Capt. Rueben Long of Sumpter
Co. SC and he was born in St. Marys Co. Maryland, and served
in the Revolution from Culpepper Co. VA,
married 2) Mary ________
1(vii). Sarah Shirley born about 1779; Sarah Wakefield
was named sister of Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854 estate records
in Fayette Co AL; She married John Wakefield, Jr. son
of Abel Wakefield and Ann Branson
1(viii). Elizabeth Shirley born about 1781 Abbeville
Co. SC; Elizabeth Wakefield was named sister of Robert Shirley
dec'd in his 1854 estate records in Fayette Co AL; She married
Hezekiah Wakefield born 1782 Fairfax Co. VA d. Nov
3, 1843 son of Abel Wakefield and Ann Branson. Hezekiah m.2nd
Cynthia Ann Gant daughter of Frederick and Eliz. Gant.
1(ix). Leanah Shirley born about 1785?; She married
Thomas Loller. Thomas Loller and wife (if same) were enumerated
in Pendleton District SC in 1800, both age 26-45; Thomas Loller
purchased 150 ac of land in Pendleton District (on Abbeville
line) from the heirs of his father-in-law in 1808; Leannah Loller
was named sister of Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854 estate records
in Fayette Co AL (They may be the Thomas Loller family of
1820 Franklin Co Indiana - following the Abel Wakefield family
to Indiana)
1(x). Robert
Shirley born about 1788 Abbeville, SC; They lived
in Fayette Co. AL; His estate was probated in Fayette Co AL in
1854 by his wife Sylvesta A Shirley
married 1) Mary ______ Mentioned as deceased in 1849
deed record
married 2) Sylvesta A_____ enumerated in his 1850 census
household, named widow in her husband's 1854 estate settlement
1(xi). Polly Shirley born Aug 14, 1789 d. Feb
6, 1872 Appanoose Co. Iowa; Polly Wakefield was named sister
of Robert Shirley dec'd in his 1854 estate records in Fayette
Co AL; She married William Wakefield born Aug 29,
1790 d. Feb 2, 1870 Appanoose Co. Iowa son of Abel Wakefield
and Ann Branson. They first went to Franklin Co. IN with his
brother, John Wakefield and then to Appanoosa Co. Iowa.
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John Shirley