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This Lineage Page Last
Updated December 2021
Update: January 2020: Editor - I am
suddenly worried about the below James Shirley Sr being the son
of John Shirley Sr (married Elizabeth Barmore) whose will was
probated in Pendleton Dist SC in 1808, the progenitor of this
Shirley branch.
James Shirley of Branch 64 who lived
in St Clair Co AL and Sharp Co Arkansas was born in 1778 in SC,
children born in Anderson Co SC prior to moving to Alabama. Old
research claimed this particular James Shirley was the son of
John Shirley Sr (m Eliz Barmore), not the James Shirley the Shirley
Association has always shown below. I have long dismissed this
claim, but reccently reviewed the claim from that family's perspective,
with slate clean - assessing what facts were documented what
was undocumented.
James Shirley Sr (below) clearly lived
in the area known as 26 Mile Creek Pendleton District as early
as 1800. This area is located in the middle of today's Anderson
County. This creek is not near the area of Camp Creek which was
located on the Abbeville Co border where John Shirley Sr owned
land and where his other Shirley children lived.
There is, however, a James Shirley who
DID live in the Camp Creek area at the same time the above James
Shirley lived on 26 Mile Creek. This "stray" James
Shirley was enumerated in the 1820 census at the same time as
James Shirley of 26 Mile Creek. And the family profile of this
"stray" James Shirley matches perfectly the family
of James Shirley of Branch 64. Interestingly, in the 1820s census,
"stray" James is enumerated next door to William Shirley,
son of John Shirley Sr. Moreover, John Shirley Jr, son of John
Shirley Sr sold land to this "stray" James Shirley.
Plat drawings show this "stray" James with land adjacent
all the children of John Shirley Sr in the years following his
death in 1808. Remember, the James Shirley Sr of this web page
is documented to be living half a county away on 26 Mile Creek
at the same time.
There is no documented proof that I
can find (as yet) that proves James Shirley Sr (of this web page)
is in fact the correct James Shirley, son of John Shirley Sr.
If I wipe the slate clean and start from scratch, I would actually
say the "stray" James Shirley (of Branch 64) has a
better claim to be the correct son of John Shirley Sr.
Although the thoroughly researched Shirley
book published by Ethel Updike in 1969 does place the James Shirley
Sr (of this web page) as the son of John Shirley Sr, she is not
exactly convincing on the matter. Her language indicates she
was relying on 3rd party info that was too vague for my taste.
"He was mentioned in his father
John's will 1808, and a descendant of William Shirley, Lula Shirley
said William's bro., James, lived in Anderson Co., had a large
family."
John Shirley Sr d 1808
/
William Shirley b 1774 ............James Shirley
/
John Warren Shirley
/
Amaziah Shirley
/
Lula Shirley born 1889
Does Lula know her great-grandfather's
brother James' family real well. Family reunions? Do people get
confused?
I suspect Lulu Shirley would have said
William's brother James went to Alabama, lived in Arkansas or
that William's brother left South Carolina if she meant James
Shirley of Branch 64 and not the James Shirley of this web page
who lived and died in Anderson Co SC and "had a large family"?
But it's difficult to know exactly what Lulu Shirley actually
said to Ethel Updike in preparation for her book. Other family
history books that cover this family simply parrot Updike's info,
at times verbatim.
Note: I am currently searching for any
lineage showinig this family (in a book, DAR app, library collection,
etc) that pre-dates Updike's 1969 book
Can you help? Any thoughts?
1(ii). James Shirley
Sr of Anderson Co SC born
about 1769 likely in Fauquier County Virginia, long presumed
to be the son of John Shirley Sr and his wife Elizabeth, nee
Barmore who both died in Pendleton District South Carolina.
James Shirley and his new family were enumerated in the 1800
US Federal Census for Pendleton District South Carolina. On 20
December 1800, James Shirley Sr purchased land in Pendleton District
(DB F pg 101) from Joab Mauldin for $450; 120 acres on 26 Mile
Creek. Then on 25 March 1806, he sold the same 120 acres to John
Turner for $600 (DB H pg 331). On 6 August 1808, James Shirley
Sr, his brothers and brother-in-laws (on behalf of their wives)
sold land as legatees of their father John Shirley Sr's estate.
The heirs sold for $684 their father's mill dam and a 150 acre
tract of land on Barker's Creek of Little River, located partially
in Pendleton District and partially in Abbeville District.
James Shirley was enumerated in the 1810 US Federal Census
for Pendleton District South Carolina. On 6 August 1810, James
purchased 348 acres in Pendleton District from Wimers Siler (DB
K pg 215). On 24 July 1810, James purchased 150 acres in Pendleton
District (DB K pg 203) from Benjamin Harris. And on the same
day, he purchased 20 acres at a Sheriff sale (DB K pg 201). On
5 Feburary 1814, James bought 108 acres
on Camp Creek of Little River from his brother John Shirley Jr.
The land was partially in Pendleton District, part in Abbeville
District. (Editor: this purchase is likely by a different James
Shirley) On 5 August 1817.
James bought 385 acres in Pendleton District from Eber M Bolles
(DB N pg 280). At this point, James Shirley Sr held about 1000
acres of land in Pendleton District South Carolina in the 26
Mile Creek area. Later that year on 27 December 1817, James sold
86 acres on 26 Mile Creek in Pendleton District (DB O pg 25)
to Aaron Smith
On 5 February 1824, James bought 187 acres of land in Pendleton
Distrct on 26 Mile Creek from Sarah Riggs (DB Q pg 347). He sold
184 acres in the same location on 7 July 1828 to Samuel Milwee
(DB S pg 300)
James Shirley Sr was enumerated in the 1830 US Federal Census
for Pendleton District South Carolina (page 2, row 6); On, 4
January 1830, James Shirley Sr gave 150 acres in what became
Anderson District (formerly Pendleton) to his son Aaron Shirley
(DB S pg 516) "for good will, love and affection I have
for my son Aaron Shearley". Similarly he did the same, giving
87 acres on 26 Mile Creek to his son James Shirley Jr "for
good will, love and affection". Again, similarly, he gave
93 acres of land adjoining John C Calhoun to James Erskine "for
love and good will" (DB T pg 364). On 5 August 1833, James
sole 22 acres on 26 Mile Creek to James Dickson (DB U pg 2).
And on 6 November 1837, James sold 60 acres on 26 Mile Creek
to Thomas Erskine (DB V pg 424)
James Shirley Sr was enumerated in the 1840 US Federal Census
for Anderson District South Carolina (page 2, row 20); His wife
died some time between this date and the next census in 1850.
James was also enumerated on the 1843 Anderson District tax list
On 18 March 1850, James Shirley Sr sold 96 acres of land on
26 Mile Creek to his son James Shirley Jr "for the maintenance
livilhood and support" (DB AA pg 133). On 15 June 1850,
James Shirley sold 57 acres on 26 Mile Creek to Richard Shirley
(DB AA pg 187); Also on 15 June 1850, James sold 57 acres on
26 Mile Creek to Robert Smith (DB AA pg 187) On the 3rd day of
September 1850, James Shirley Sr was enumerated in the household
of his son James Shirley Jr for the 1850 US Federal Census for
Anderson District South Carolina. According to the known tally
of land purchases and sales to this date, James Shirley Sr still
possessed upward of 300 acres of land in what was then known
as Anderson District South Carolina
James Shirley died some time prior to the next census in 1860.
No estate records have been found, likely because James distributed
his property prior to death (not sure about the 305 acres remaining).
His place of burial is not known.
Update Dec 2021: James Shirley was named as one of the brothers
and sisters of Robert Shirley deceased in 1854 Probate Court
Minutes of Fayette Co Alabama. Research
Target : If the loose probate
files of Fayette Co AL were not destroyed in a courthouse fire,
then these files could possibly identify the residence of Robert
Shirley's brother James Shirley, in order to pay him or his estate
what is due. The residence would settle the question as to the
true son of John and Elizabeth Barmore Shirley - James Shirley
of Sharp Co Arkansas or James Shirley of Anderson Co SC (this
page)
married ________ [likely Smith]
(updated January 2020)
The wife of James Shirley Sr is not
documented. Her name was not identified in any record, neither
as a joint seller of land with her husband nor when reliquishing
dower rights to land. Ethel Updike, who researched and published
a comprehensive Shirley lineage in 1969, interviewing numerous
relatives local to South Carolina and elsewhere only said the
following about the wife of James Shirley Sr:
His wife, who it is said, was Elizabeth,
may have been nee Smith, sis. of Aaron Smith, for
whom she named her son and whose dtr. Rebbah md. her first cousin,
James Shirley, Jr. She died between 1840-1850.
From logic, it may be the case that
it was "known" by descendants that James Shirley Jr
married his 1st cousin Rebbah Smith d/o Aaron Smith, and brother
Richard Shirley also married his first cousin Genny Reaves Smith
d/o Aaron Smith. THAT is clearly the origin for the claim that
James Shirley Jr's mother must have also been named Smith and
was also the sister of Aaron Smith (all other 1st cousin scenarios
do not work). And since it was also BELIEVED her first name was
Elizabeth.....so 2 + 2 = Elizabeth Smith.
James Shirley Sr's wife's name is today
assumed to be fact, not "may have been" as stated by
Updike.
A Mrs George Hilliard published a Shirley
lineage book in the same year as Ethyl Updike, Hilliard cites
Updike's book and clearly lifts wording directly from it, particularly
for the section describing James Shirley Sr. Hillard omits Updike's
qualifiyer language and states as fact, the wife of James Shirley
Sr was Elizabeth Smith, sister of Aaron Smith
Another example, Emma Baldwin's Shirley
lineage book published in 1982 (with lots of errors) cites Ethyl
Updike' 1969 book when presenting Elizabeth Smith as wife of
James Shirley Sr. But Baldwin also eliminates Updike's language
"who is said" and "may have been". Baldwin
simply states Elizabeth Smith, wife of James Shirley as fact
There exists other research, specifically
from the Wyatt Smith (m Eliz Sanford) family that tries to identify
an Elizabeth Smith d/o Wyatt Smith as the wife of James Shirley
Sr. The name Elizabeth is indeed found in a list of children
on the back of Eliz Sanford Smith's grave marker in Greenwood
SC, but the marker is modern, and placed there during a great
cemetery reunion ceremony with other similar markers in the 1950s.
(Note: I checked the offical ceremony program authored by famous
genealogist Leonardo Andrea and under the children of Wyatt Smith,
Andrea simply states "Elizabeth Smith m. _____". And
like the above, there are conflicing accounts . Remember, Elizabeth
was supposedly a sister of Aaron Smith, thus the claim their
children were 1st cousins upon marriage, but yet Aaron's name
is not found on the back of the modern grave stone of Elizabeth
Sanford Smith, unlike that of his supposed sister Elizabeth.
I am inclined to believe that James
Shirley Sr's wife was indeed a sister of Aaron Smith, but whether
her name was Elizabeth is not known. And I suspect this Aaron
Smith was the son of Caleb Smith who died and left a will naming
his children in Prince Wm Co VA (no child Elizabeth)
children:
2(i). Sarah Shirley born say 1798 ; She married
William Erskin on 6 May 1819; He was 27 June 1790 supposedly
in Ireland.
2(ii). Smith Shirley born say 1799; Living in Anderson
Co SC in 1820 (1 son) and in 1830 (6 children); He apparently
died before 1840, his widow appearing in the Anderson Co SC census
has head of household; His property was probated intestate in
1843 (Box 25; Packet #981)
married Diademia Smith, daughter of Nimrod and Nancy
Wyatt Smith. Nimrod was suppposedly the son of Wyatt and
Eliz. Sanford Smith. Nancy was the daughter of William and Frances
Newton Wyatt.
On 2 Oct. 1843 Diadema Shirley adm. sur. Wyatt Smith and
John Kay. She was named legal guardian of four children, bond
Richard H, Lee and James W. Shirley, wit. Aaron Shirley and Wyatt
Smith
children (order of children as shown in 1843
probate records)
3(i). James W Shirley born say 1819; Likely the James
W Shirley who was co-bondsman with brother William's widow Diadema
Smith Shirley in 1843; Named as an heir of Smith Shirley in loose
probate packet in October 1843
3(iii. Talitha Cumi Shirley born say 1820; Named as
an heir of Smith Shirley in loose probate packet in October 1843
3(iii). William Wyatt Shirley born 27 August 1821
Anderson Co SC (tombstone); Named as a minor child under age
21 of Diadema Smith in 1843 guardianship bond (sic); Enumerated
at Broadway Anderson Co SC in 1880 census, age 53, wife Rosanna;
He is widowed and living with his son James A. Shirley in the
1900 and 1910 Anderson Co census, age 78 and 88, widower; He
died 1 October 1914 Neals Creek, Anderson Co. SC; buried at Neals
Creek Bap Church Cemetery.
Obituary - William Shirley died last night at the home
of his son J A Shirley in Broadway township. Mr Shirley was one
of the most prominent men in the county and was well known and
highly respected. He was 93 years old. The deceased is survived
by three sons, J. A, Dr Thompson Shirley of Central and Hezekiah
Shirley of Liberty....Mr Shirley was a Confederate veteran one
fo the first to enlist in the cause and he served gallantly through
out the entire war; He was deacon in the Nealle's Creek church
for a number of years....
married Rosanna Elgin daughter of Hezekiah Elgin;
She was named as mother of son Levi Shirley in his death
certificate; She died 16 August 1896 and buried at Neal's Creek
Baptist Church Cemetery (obituary)
children:
4(i). James A Shirley born about 1859 in Anderson Co
SC; He was living at Broadway, Anderson Co in 1900 and 1910;
named in the 1914 obituary of his father William W Shirley
married Mannie _______ She was born about
1860
children:
5(i). Selma L Shirley living with parents in 1900 census
5(ii). Frank H Shirley living with parents in 1900
census
5(iii). Mary P Shirley living with parents in 1900
census
5(iv). Caro Shirley born 1887; age 23 in 1910 census
5(v). Lucy Shirley born 1889; age 21 in 1910 census
5(vi). Lillian Shirley born 1891; age 19 in 1910 census
5(vii). Annie Shirley born 1893; age 17 in 1910 census
5(viii). Maggie Shirley born 1895; age 15 in 1910 census
5(ix). James A Shirley born 1897; age 13 in 1910 census
5(x). Helen Shirley born 1900; age 10 in 1910 census
4(ii). Dr. Levi Thompson Shirley born 10 November 1859
in SC; Age 20 in parent's 1880 census household; named in the
1914 obituary of his father William W Shirley; He died 7 November
1917 at Central, Pickens Co SC (death cert., parents named)
4(iii). Hezekiah C. Shirley born 22 September 1852
SC (tombstone) Enumerated at Libery Pickens Co SC in 1900, age
48, and again in 1910 census; He was named in the 1914 obituary
of his father William W Shirley as living in Liberty SC in that
year; He died 30 September 1944, age 92, buried at Harlingen
City Cemetery, Harlingen Cameron Co Texas
married Mary E _______
children:
5(i). J. Hugh Shirley born about 1892 SC, age 8 in
1900 census, age 17 in 1910 census
5(ii). Hezekiah C Shirley born about 1898 SC, age 2
in 1900 census, age 11 in 1910 census
3(iv). Sarah Ann Elizabeth Shirley born say 1825 Named
as a minor child under age 21 of Diadema Smith in 1843 guardianship
bond (as Elizabeth) Named as an heir of Smith Shirley in loose
probate packet in October 1843 (as Sarah Ann E Shirley)
3(v). Nancy Shirley born say 1827 Named as a minor
child under age 21 of Diadema Smith in 1843 guardianship bond;
Named as an heir of Smith Shirley in loose probate packet in
October 1843
3(vi). Lettice Shirley born say 1829 Named as a minor
child under age 21 of Diadema Smith in 1843 guardianship bond;
Named as an heir of Smith Shirley in loose probate packet in
October 1843
2(iii). Aaron Shirley born 1801 SC; Living at
the "Six and Twenty" PO in Anderson Co SC in 1860; He
and his wife are mentioned as members of the Hopewell Bap Church
in March 1870; He "departed this life on the ___ day of
September AD 1871 in Anderson Co SC; His estate was probated
in 1874 (Loose Estate Packet #3044); Probate court suit for partition
of his land: James H McConnell admir and Mary Shirley plt vs
Mary L L Shirley, Eliza M Jones, Sophia A Jones, Margaret Carter,
Sarah Gray and also the heirs at law of James Shirley deceased
viz widow Matilda E Shirley and his children Hester J Shirley,
John R Shirley, Augustus R Shirley and Hariet L Shirley (children
noted as 'over the age of 14 years' except for Augustus and Hariet)
married 1) Margaret Erskin, she was born Feb 11,
1797 Anderson Co. SC, d. July 31, 1831, daughter of James and
Agnes (Nancy) Duncan Erskine.
married 2) Mary (Polly) Erskine she was born
on April 2, 1811, d. Nov 10, 1887, sister of Margaret.
children
3(i). James Erskine Shirley born say 1831, only son
of Margaret Erskine; Enumerated in DeKalb Co AL in 1860 census,
age 28; Named in the estate of his father in 1874, widow and
children identified;
Apr 6, 1846 Will of James Erskine Sr. "James E. Shirley,
my grandson and the son of my daughter, Margaret, is under the
age of 21. Appoints Aaron Shirley his father to be his guardian".
dau Polly Shirley also listed. Will dated Feb 7, 1845, proven
Apr 6, 1846. Page 222-224 Anderson County S.C., Will Book 1,
1835-1857, Book B. Pendleton District and Anderson Co SC Wills,
Estates, Inventories, Tax Records, Compiled by: Virginia Alexander,
Colleen Morse Elliott and Betty Willie.
"He was committed to the asylum in Columbia ,S.C.
3/4/1869 with epilepsy. I found this at the archives in Columbia.
He was discharged on 9/30/1870 with consumtion which was TB in
those days I think. I run into a wall there. Still trying to
find a death date. Im pretty sure it was between 1870 and 1874
as his estate appears in an Anderson county newspaper in Nov.
1874."
married Matilda E ______ named as widow in the 1874
estate of father in law Aaron Shirley; She lived at Centerville,
Anderson Co SC in 1880, widow, age 45
children:
4(i). Hester J Shirley born about 1858 SC, age 2 in
1860 census (as Esther J); Named in the 1874 probate record
of grandfather Aaron Shirley
4(ii). John R Shirley born about 1859 SC, age 1 in
1860 census; Named in the 1874 probate record of grandfather
Aaron Shirley
4(iii). Augustus R Shirley born about 1861 SC, age
19 in mother's 1880 census household; Named in the 1874 probate
record of grandfather Aaron Shirley
4(iv) Hariet L Shirley born about 1863 SC, age 17 in
mother's 1880 census housheold (as Hattie); Named in the 1874
probate record of grandfather Aaron Shirley
3(ii). Eliza Emily Shirley born 13 February 1836. Named
in the estate of her father in 1874 as Eliza Jones; She died
in 1912; She married Preiestly Augustus Jones
3(iii). Sophia Adaline Shirley born 25 August 1837;
Named in the estate of her father in 1874 as Sophia Jones; She
died 9 May 1928 buried Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery, Anderson
Co. SC, m. Stephen Ellis Jones
3(iv). Margaret L. Shirley born July 24, 1839; living
at home in 1860 and 1870 census; Named in the estate of her father
in 1874 as Margaret Carter;
3(v). Samuel M. Shirley born 1844; living at home in
1860 census; age 18 farm laborer. Not named in his father's 1874
estate records Nothing more known
3(vi). Aaron Whitaker Shirley born 1845; living at
home in 1860 census; He died Nov 8, 1869, age about 24
3(vii). Mary Elizora Elizabeth Shirley born Feb 28,
1849 Curiously not named in her father's 1874 estate records
as heir; She died 31 August 1926; She married Wm Brewster Moore
born May 9, 1852 SC d. July 27, 1924 Source for this child:
"Obituary for Mary Elizora states she has surviving
four sons and a daughter. The only surviving member of her immediate
family in 1926, was my g-g-grandmother, Sophia Adaline Shirley,
married Stephen E. Jones. The other children of Aaron and Margaret
and Aaron and Polly were deceased by 1926"
3(viii). William W. Shirley born 1851, killed
accidently prior to 1870, before age 19 Not named in his
father's 1874 estate records
3(ix). Sarah Shirley Named in her father's 1874 estate
records as Sarah Gray. One record suggests she was living at
Houston, Chickasaw Co Mississippi at the time
2(iv). James
Shirley Jr. born Sept 24, 1803 Anderson Co. SC.
Died in 1862 in Anderson Co SC
2(v). Thomas Shirley born about 1805; nothing more
known
2(vi). Elizabeth Shirley born about 1807 Anderson
Co. SC. d. Feb 21, 1898 buried Midway Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Anderson Co. SC. m. Thomas Erskine born April 7, 1807 Anderson
Co. SC d. May 25, 1879 Anderson Co. SC. He was the son of James
Erskine and Agnes (Nancy) Duncan.
2(vii). Richard Shirley born about 1811; Richard lived
in Anderson Co. SC through the 1870 census when he lived in the
Hopewell township. and was a farmer. The family moved to DeKalb
Co AL before 1880 census. He died before 1900 when his wife was
listed as a widow. Moved to DeKalb
Co Alabama
married 1) Genny Reeves Smith Aug 9, 1835, she was
born Oct 1, 1815 and died Sept 22, 1848, daughter of Aaron and
Rachel (Montgomery) Smith. (Aaron Smith bible)
married 2) Bedelia A. (Delia) McConnell before 1850.
Listed as a widow in 1900 DeKalb Co AL census
Children:
3(i). Joseph Enoch Shirley born May 11, 1836 SC (family
bible); living with parents in 1850 age 14. He died in the
Civil War
3(ii). William M. Shirley born about 1840 SC; living
with parents in 1850 age 10. He died in the Civil War
3(iii). Mary E. Shirley born about 1842 SC; living
with parents in 1850 age 8; living with parents in 1870, age
28
3(iv). Leticia R. Shirley born about 1846 SC; living
with parents in 1850 age 4; living with parents in 1870, age
24
3(v). Rachel J. Shirley born about 1848 SC; living
with parents in 1850 age 2; living with parents in 1870, age
22; living with parents in Alabama in 1880, age 32 and with her
widowed mother in 1900.
3(vi). Lawrence Orr Shirley born about 1850 SC
(by 2nd marriage to Bedelia) ; living with parents in 1850 age
0. He was not enumerated in parent's 1870 census household,
nothing more known.
3(vii). S.A. Shirley born about 1852 (female); living
with parents in 1870, age 18
3(viii). Dillard Oliver Shirley
born April 27, 1853, living with parents in 1870, age 17; living
with parents in Alabama in 1880, age 27; Living in Wise Co TX
in 1900; He died July 15, 1928 Iowa Park, Texas, Moved to Wise Co Texas
married Missouri Pinson ca. 1880, She was born July
28, 1859 Ducktown, Polk Co. TN. She died May 5, 1941 Forestburg,
Montague Co. Texas. She was the daughter of Arus B. and Rachel
(Nichlson) Pinson. She lived with son William Shirley
in 1940 census.
children
4(i). Minnie Mae Shirley born 24 April 1882 in Dekalb
Co AL. She married John Thomas Oliver.
4(ii). William Shirley born 2 February 1888. He lived
Montegue Co TX in 1940 census. He died 15 June 1951 at Carson
Co TX
4(iii). Addie Shirley
4(iv). Eliza Shirley
4(v). Maggie Shirley born 15 May 1894 in Dekalb Co
AL. She married John Ellis Mullins
4(vi). Braxton Kirby Shirley born 29 November 1898.
He died 4 November 1963 at Gray Co TX
4(vii). Homer Shirley born 14 April 1903. He died 15
September 1923, age 20. Buried Highland Cemetery, Wichita Co
TX
3(ix). A.T. Shirley born about 1855 (male); living
with parents in 1870, age 15. Not living with parents in 1880
census, nothing more known
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John Shirley(continued)