Moses Shirley
Lived North Carolina and Darlington County South Carolina

 

DNA: Haplogroup R1b1 (matches all other Darlington SC Shirley families)
Note: Big Y DNA tests by a descendant of this Branch 55 and also a descendant of Branch 53 suggest their mutual common ancestor was born about 1690

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This Lineage Last Updated December 2020
Moses Shirley
  born say 1770. He is presumed to be the Moses Shirley who first appears in extant voter registration records in Snowhill Twp, Glasgow Co NC (formed from Dobbs Co, then renamed Greene Co). Also on the list was David Shirley who is possibly the same David Shirley who moved from NC to Cheraw District SC by 1798 and who raised a large family in what became Darlington Co SC (Branch 23); Moses next appears on the 1800 census for Lenoir Co NC (also formed from Dobbs Co) with wife and 2 sons and 1 daughter all under age 10, thus indicating a young family. He was age 26-45 in that census, likely on the younger end of that age range. Deed records are lost for several counties in that area, and only indexes remain. Moses was shown in these indexes as purchasing land in Lenoir county from a Richard Standley (DB 19 pg 158); Moses served on a jury at a court at New Bern NC in the October term 1801, then next appears in the 1810 Lenoir Co NC census; His family growing, wife age 26-45 with 3 teenagers (1 son age 16-26, 1 dau and 1 son age 10-16) and 2 sons and 2 daughters each age 0-10; A Benjamin Shirley (unknown) is also enumerated in Lenoir Co census in 1810; Moses disappears from Lenoir Co NC records after that point, and reappears in Darlington Co SC in the 1820 census living on land near Lynches Creek; In that census, he was finally enumerated over the age of 45 (thus born before 1775), 2 sons age 16-26, 2 sons and 1 daughter each age 10-16. He owned 325 acres of land on Lynches Creek in Darlington Co SC; Moses Shirley died about 1826 in Darlington County SC; His will was dated 17 Mar 1826, although not probated. His estate was appraised by Thomas Kea in 1826.

1800 Lenoir Co NC Census: Moses Shirley 20010 - 10010 - 00

1810 Lenoir Co NC Census Moses Sherly 21110 - 21010 - 00

1820 Darlington Co SC Census: Moses Shirley 020201 - 01010 - 05

In the name of god amen. I comend my spirret to god and my body to be bured in a christain manner. In the first place its my will that all my jest debts shold be paid. In the second place its my will that my two sons shold have all my land to wit Moses and Nathan Shirley also its my will that Moses Shirley shold have his horse bridle and sadle. I also give to my sone Nathan Shirley my mare bridle and sadle. I also give to my son Moses Shirley one fether bed and ferneture. I also give to my son Nathan Shirley one fether bed and ferneture. I also give to my son David Shirley one cow and calf. I also give to my three daughters one negro woman [named filles?] to wit Marther and Nancy and Caty Shirley. Its also my will for my son Moses to have thre herd of catle that he claims. Also its my will that my son Nathan shold have one cow and calf that he claims. Its my will that my sone John Shirley shold have one dollar. Its also my will that my two sons Moses Shirley and Nathan Shirley shold have all my hogs and plantation tools and all of my house hold and furneture with my life times exception on the hold of ther property. This being my last will and testament this the 17 of March in the Eighteen hundred and twenty six. It being the fiftyeth yer of Ameracan independency Wherun to I set my hand and seal <Moses Shierley> [witnessed by] Elias B[rased], Redden Beasley

married Unknown _________ likely dead before husband's date of Will, 1826.

children:

1(ii). David Shirley son of Moses Shirley; May be a child born prior to 1800 census; He was named in his father's 1826 Will.

Likely this David Shirley - born about 1795/6. Lived Darlington Co SC; He was age 55 in his application for bounty land in 1851 for service in the War of 1812, age 71 in 1866 Freedman' Bureau record. He enlisted in the War of 1812 in Snow Hill, Greene Co NC on 1 Aug 1814 and was discharged at Newbern NC in March 1815. David Shirley appears regularly in Darlington Co SC census (except 1830). In 1820 he was age 26-45, married with 1 daughter age under 10; In 1825 he was indicted for bastardy in Darlington. He was a private in the Seminole War in Florida in the late 1830s and appears in the 1840 Darlington Co census; In 1850 Darlington census he is head of household with Nancy Stokes (age 22) and Martha Stokes (age 10) residing. He states he lives in Darlington Co SC in his 1851 application for bounty land for service in the War of 1812. He died 4 March 1872 according to his War of 1812 documents

May 21, 1866 Freedmen’s Bureau Ration Book #3188, May – September 1866 - Rations issued to Poor & infirm persons etc.; 3. David Shirley (white), 71 years of age. Has a wife. Has a daughter of 11, two sons of six & four respectively. Lives near Lynches Creek about 18 miles west from Darlington. 10 days. {Issued for 3 days June 4th. Shows recommendation from O. D. Lee magistrate not satisfactory because of not stating facts within his personal knowledge. Sept. 11th -- brings certificate from O. D. Lee -- satisfactory.}

married Nancy Harrell (Stokes?) on 16 August 1846 (source 1871 application for War of 1812 service benefits); Nancy Stokes was enumerated in David Shirley's household in 1855, age 22, Wife "Nancy Shirley" was age 30 in the 1860 census household of her husband

June 4, 1866 Freedmen’s Bureau Ration Book #3188, May – September 1866; 105. Mary Stokes (white). Widow. 27 yrs. of age. Has 4 children. Is a niece of David Shirley who drew rations on May 21st. Lives about 5 miles this side of Kellys bridge over Lynchs Creek. 18 miles distant from Darlington. Issued for herself & 4 children for 3 days. 3 days. {Issued for 3 days July 14th. Issued for 6 days July 21st.}

children:

1(i). Martha A E Shirley (Stokes?) born about 1841 SC (likely Martha Stokes who was living with David Shirley in 1850 census, age 10), age 19 in David Shirley's 1860 census household, surname Shirley. Relationship determined by 1880 census, age 39 when Smithy Shirley, age 25, was identified as "sister" and Joseph Shirley, age 18 was identified as "brother" living in her household; She had numerous, Shirley-surnamed children in her household. Enumerated in son Brock/Brook Shirley's 1900 census household, age 62

children: (illigitimate?)

2(i). James Shirley born about 1869 SC, age 11 in mother's 1880 census household

2(ii). Brooke/Brack Shirley (male) born about 1872 SC, age 8 in mother's 1880 census household; He was enumerated in Hartsville Darlington Co SC in 1900 census, age 31 (as Brack Shirley); An "aunt" named Annie Shirley age 50 was also enumerated in his household

married Lizzie Lyles (source: son's birth cert)

children:

3(i). Louis Shirley born 15 June 1900 SC at Stokes Bridge, Lee Co SC (birth cert), age 0 in 1900 census

2(iii). Eugenia Shirley born about 1875 SC, age 5 in mother's 1880 census household

2(iv). Allie Shirley (male) born about 1878 SC, age 2 in mother's 1880 census household

1(ii). Smithy Shirley (female) born about 1854, age 6 in 1860 census; unnamed daughter age 11 in 1866 Freedman' Bureau Ration Book document.

1(ii). Edward Shirley born about 1863, age 10 in 1873, named as a son of David Shirley dec'd in 1873 guardian record. untraced

6 Jan 1873 Case A, Apt 32, package 24 (1564) Estate of Burrell J. Shirley, minors et al; Prudy H. Kelley gdn - The Humble petition of Prudy A Kelly showith to your Honor that David Shirley departed this life some time in March 1872 leaving two minors, namely Edward and Burwell Joseph Shirley aged as follows - Edward ten years old and Burwell eight years old. Said named minors have no property of any kind whosoever and no one to take charge of tehir person having neither mother or [sisters marked out] relatives. Wherefore your petitioner prays your Honor to grant her letters of guardianship of said minor children as the children have been in her care since the death of their father and your petitioner will ever pray etc. Jany 6th 1873. Prudy A Kelley (note: Prudence A Kelly is the daughter of the elder David Shirley Sr)

2(iii). Burwell Joseph Shirley born about 1865, age 8 in 1873, named as a son of David Shirley dec'd in 1873 guardian record. Enumerated in 1900 Darlington census, age 36; age 50 in 1910 Chesterfield SC census and age 54 in 1920 Chesterfield Co SC census. A nephew named Samie Shirley (male) was enumerated in his 1910 census household.

6 Jan 1873 Case A, Apt 32, package 24 (1564) Estate of Burrell J. Shirley, minors et al; Prudy H. Kelley gdn - The Humble petition of Prudy A Kelly showith to your Honor that David Shirley departed this life some time in March 1872 leaving two minors, namely Edward and Burwell Joseph Shirley aged as follows - Edward ten years old and Burwell eight years old. Said named minors have no property of any kind whosoever and no one to take charge of tehir person having neither mother or [sisters marked out] relatives. Wherefore your petitioner prays your Honor to grant her letters of guardianship of said minor children as the children have been in her care since the death of their father and your petitioner will ever pray etc. Jany 6th 1873. Prudy A Kelley (note: Prudence A Kelly is the daughter of the elder David Shirley Sr)

married Sarah _______

children:

3(i). Margaret Shirley born about 1890 SC, age 10 in 1900 census , age 14 in 1910 census

1(ii). John Shirley son of Moses Shirley; May be a child born prior to 1800 census; He was named in his father's 1826 Will. his lineage unconfirmed as yet

married Elley _________ She signed away her dower rights in her husband John Shirley's land sale in Darlington Co SC

It is likely that this family migrated to Washington Co AL (with other Shirley families) where Helen Shirley (aka Elley) was enumerated as head of household with children in the 1840 census; Elley Shirley is later enumerated in the 1845 tax list of Lauderdale Co MS. See Branch 41

1(iii). Martha Shirley born 11 September 1798 in North Carolina; She was named in her father's 1826 Will; She married a Skinner (likely James Skinner Sr.) about 1818

1(iv). Nancy Shirley daughter of Moses Shirley; may be a child born between 1800 and 1810 censuses; She was named in her father's 1826 Will. She married Emanuel Hearon; They moved to Dallas Co AL by the 1830 census and Washington Co AL by 1840; Nancy was enumerated age 30-39 in that census (born 1800-10); Nancy apparently died prior to the 1850 census, her husband enumerated without Nancy, living adjacent to Catherine and William Mozingo in Choctaw Co AL;

1(v). Caty (Catherine) Shirley born about 1804 NC (census); She was named in her father's 1826 Will. She married William Mazingo in Darlington Co SC about 1825; They moved to Washington Co AL by the 1840 census, Choctaw Co AL in 1850; The couple divorced from bed and board (not marriage) 13 July 1858 in Choctaw Co AL and Catherine Shirley Mozingo was enumerated without her husband in 1860 Choctaw Co AL, age 56 born NC

(Thanks to George for sending) Choctaw Co AL Petition for divorce from bed and board: The petition says Catherine was lawfully married to William Mozingo in Darlington district SC 33 years earlier, that they removed to Alabama in 1827 (part of Washington Co that became Choctaw), resided with husband until 5 June 1858, 10 children, 8 then living; Catherine Mozingo filed against her husband for financial support as they were separated. William Mozingo has been a Methodist preacher,.He had been silenced by the church for immoral behavior by committing adultery with sundry lewd women.and was currently living with one now. It says he had beat her 3 times. The document says she had not divorced him because of the children. Apparently he had a store and 1,000 acres of land - all worth about $3,000. She was seeking a divorce from bed and board, but not the marriage. She was awarded $1500

1(vi). Nathan A. Shirley born about 1809 NC (census) Named in his father's 1826 Will. He is living in Lauderdale Co MS in 1850, age 41 born NC and in 1860 census, age 50 born NC. Shirleys of Lauderdale Co Mississippi

married 1) Emily Miller on 12 January 1837 in Washington Co AL; She was age 42 in husband's 1860 census household (born 1818 Georgia) Emmie A Shirley, age 50 born Georgia was enumerated in Kempdale, Tuscaloosa Co AL in 1870 census (b 1820), with 3 youngest children in household (see below) She was enumerated in Tuscaloosa Co AL in 1880 census, age 61 (b GA), with "daughter" Sarah Hooks age 38 (b 1842). and same again in 1900 Tuscaloosa Co census, age 80

married 2) Emily Sikes in Choctaw Co AL, dau of Elijah Sikes (what is the source for this marriage?)

children:

2(i). Martha J. Shirley born about 1834 AL, age 16 in 1850 census

2(ii). Sarah C. Shirley born about 1837 AL, age 13 in 1850 census, Given what is assumed next, then she is likely the SE Hooks born 1838 wife of Thomas Hooks in 1860 Sumter Co AL census; And she is likely Sarah Hooks, age 38 living with mother E. M Shirley in 1880 Tuscaloosa Co AL census, same again in 1900 Tuscaloosa census, age 60; She was still living in 1908 when she made further application regarding her husband's CSA pension

Widow's Pension Application of Sarah E Hooks, Tuscaloosa AL - 10 March 1899 - This day personally appeared Moses Shirley of Safford Graham Co Arizona says he knew Thomas Hooks who was a confederate soldier that he enlisted in Choctaw Co Al in the 22nd AL Inf. Co C in Spring 1861...I was captured in 1864 at battle of Resecca GA (sic)[other papers say Thomas Hooks never returned home after being wounded, but he was also on a list of arrested deserters in TN, subject to court martial in 1863]

2(iii). Moses Nathaniel Shirley born about 1839 AL, age 11 in parent's 1850 census household; Enumerated in Choctaw Co AL in 1860 census, age 20, single, living in the household of John Griffin; Served in Co C Alabama 22nd Infantry during the Civil War, captured at Resacca GA; He was enumerated in Choctaw Co AL in 1870 census, married, age 28; Lived Choctaw Co in 1880 census, age 47 (sic); The family apparently lived for a time in Graham Co Arizona Territory when he was enumerated there in 1892 and in 1896, then age 57 and several years later was a resident of Graham Co AZ when as an affiant for the CSA widow's pension for his sister Sarah Hooks in 1899; And in 1910 Moses and new family were enumerated at Justice, Cass Co TX, age 82; He died 25 February 1920 Choctaw Co. AL according to his CSA pension record

married 1) Mary Dickson Mozingo, She was age 37 in 1880 census

married 2) Willie Mozingo on 12 April 1900 at Choctaw Co AL; She filed for a widow's pension based on the CSA service of her deceased husband Moses Shirley; She was born 6 October 1876; She died 12 October 1948

children:

3(i). Martha Jane Shirley born about 1869 Choctaw Co. AL; died in 1869, died young

3(ii). Caroline Shirley born about 1871, died in 1874, died young

3(iii). Frances Shirley born 20 December 1873 AL, age 6 in 1880 census; She married David Tindle on 22 February 1897

3(iv). Melissa Shirley born 25 January 1876 AL, age 4 in 1880 census; She died 21 March 1940; She married George W. Louge on 25 January 1894

3(v). Lelia Shirley born 2 October 1878 AL, age 1 in 1880 census; She married Robert Jackson

3(vi). Rose T.C. Shirley born Nov 2, 1885 d. Dec 24, 1918 m. Luther Adolphus Shirley

3(vii). William Moses Shirley born October 1904 AL (by 2nd m. to Willie), age 6 in 1910 census; He died 22 January 1964 at Butler, Choctaw Co AL

married Lucy Arcena Tindle

3(viii). John Shirley born about 1907 AL, age 3 in 1910 census

3(ix). Luther Shirley born about 1908 AL, age 1 2/12 in 1910 census

3(x). Benjamin Shirley born Feb 16, 1911

married Ola Mae Casey

2(iv). Louise Shirley born about 1844 AL, age 6 in 1850 census, age 15 in 1860 census (enumerated out of age order)

2(v). Asbury Shirley born about 1846 MS, age 4 in 1850 census; age 13 in parents 1860 census

2(vi). Nathaniel Shirley born about 1849 MS, age 6 mos in 1850 census; not found in 1860 family household; may have died young.

2(vii). Emily A. Shirley born about 1851 Mississippi; living with parents in 1860 census, age 9

2(viii). Benjamin Shirley born about 1852 Mississippi; living with parents in 1860 census, age 8, age 14 in mother's 1870 census household, working in Kempdale cotton factory

2(ix). Charles A. Shirley born about 1857 Alabama; living with parents in 1860 census, age 3, age 12 in mother's 1870 census household, working in a cotton factory

2(x). Nancy J. Shirley born about 1858 Alabama; living with parents in 1860 census, age 1, age 10 in mother's 1870 census household, working in a cotton factory

1(vii). Moses Shirley born about 1810 NC (census) Named in his father's 1826 Will; Enumerated in the 1840 census of Washington Co Alabama, age 30-40 (indexed name is garbled); In 1843, Moses Shirley of Washington Co AL was granted 40 acres of homestead land in Choctaw Co AL (formed from Wash. Co in 1847); He was living Choctaw Co. AL in 1850 Census, age 40; Enumerated in Choctaw Co AL in 1860 census, age 53, also in household are 8 Mozingo (or Morris?) family teenagers as well as 72 year old George Mozingo; Also William E Shirley age 24 born Alabama who is unidentified as yet; Enumerated in Choctaw Co AL in 1870 census, age 70 (sic), apparently widowed; Shirleys of Choctaw Co Alabama

married Susan Mozingo She was age 51 born SC in 1860 census; She apparently died prior to 1870 census

children:

2(i). Mary Shirley born about 1834 AL; living with parents in 1850 census, age 16, age 25 in parent's 1860 census household

2(ii). Eliza Shirley born about 1837 Al; living with parents in 1850 census, age 13, age 23 in parent's 1860 census household. age 30 in widowed father's 1870 census household

2(iii). James A. Shirley born about 1841 Al; living with parents in 1850 census, age 9, not found in parent's 1860 census household

2(iv). Sarah J. Shirley born about 1843 AL; living with parents in 1850 census, age 7, not found in parent's 1860 census household

2(v). Susanah Shirley born about 1846 AL; living with parents in 1850 census, age 4, not found in parent's 1860 census household

2(vi). Bertha A H. (Martha) Shirley born about 1849 AL; living with parents in 1850 census, age 1, not found in parent's 1860 census household, age 28 in widowed father's 1870 census household (as Martha)

2(vii). Lemuel Jackson Shirley born 27 November 1851 in Womack Hill, Choctaw County, Alabama, not found in parent's 1860 census household; Enumerated in Choctaw Co AL in 1870, age 19 (as Jack), married; Living in Choctaw Co AL in 1880; died on 22 February 1926 in New Boston, Bowie County, Texas.

married Martha Jane Mozingo; she was born about 1851

children:

3(i). Susan Ellen Shirley born about 1872 at Womack Hill, Choctaw Co AL; She married Jacob Lee

3(ii). William Jackson Shirley born 26 May 1874 at Womack Hill, Choctaw, AL; He died 4 Sep 1900 at Choctaw Co AL; buried in Bear Creek Cemetery

married Elizabeth Indiana Landrum

3(iii). James Lemuel Shirley born 1876 at Womack Hill, Choctaw Co AL

married Lizzie Harper

3(iv). Martha J. Shirley born 3 Mar 1880 at Womack Hill, Choctaw AL; She married __Brewer; She died at New Boston Bowie TX

3(v). Jessie Ray Shirley born 1884 at Womack Hill, Choctaw Co AL

3(vi). Robert Moody Shirley born 22 Aug 1887 at Mt Olive choctaw Co AL; He died at new Boston Bowie TX on 3 may 1974

married Annie Harper on 15 Dec 1914 at Seymour Baylor Co TX

   


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