Noah Shirley   
b. ca1809 Lived White Co TN 

 

DNA Haplogroup R1b

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This Lineage Last Reviewed and Updated May 2022
Noah Shirley
born about 1809 TN (age in 1850 census); He first appears in White Co TN records in 1833 enumerated in Capt Wilson's district along with a James Shirley; Interestingly, a secondary list of "free white inhabitants" that same year also includes Championa Shirley who is one of the original Shirleys to migrate to White County (thus, can he be the father?) By 1836, Noah was taxed on 88 acres in White County and taxed in subsequent years along with James Shirley; In 1837 Noah was listed in an extant store ledger (propriotor not known, but assumed to be Wm Gilmore Sims). On April 9 of 1837, Noah had apparently purchased goods at the Sims store on the same day as James Shirley (named twice) and Thomas Shirley, both clearly relatives; The elder Championas Shirley was still alive in 1837, being listed in the store ledger on May 20th of that year. Noah was absent from the 1840 federal census enumeration, but several Shirley families of White County are instead found in nearby Hamilton Co TN (Chattanooga); The trail goes cold for the whereabouts of Noah Shirley in the 1840s, but he once again appears in White Co in the 1850 federal census (Did he come back, or maybe never left?) In the 1850 census, Noah Shirley was enumerated as age 41, thus born about 1809 in Tennessee, with wife Rebecca age 34 (born Virginia) and 5 children, the eldest Polly Ann Shirley born 1839, would suggest Noah and Rebecca married say about 1838; The census also enumerates a James Brewington age 15 born TN in the household; It is likely this James was surnamed Shirley and Brewington instead a rare middle name (James was enumerated in the census household in order by age which would not be the case if a different surname). If so then, Noah and Rebecca's date of marriage would have been about 1834 instead of about 1838; Nothing more is known, but Noah Shirley apparently died sometime before 1854.

"I grew up only a few miles from the Cherry Creek/ White Co. area of TN.My dad was actually born in the White Co. area. Our line goes back to a Noah Shirley. He was on the census records as being in White county in I think 1850 with his family. I believe from the stories that my grandpa told me that Noah was a Baptist preacher, that we came from Sequatchie Valley (around Marion co.) and also before that from N.C. and Virginia as well as grandpa telling me Noah was from Cherry Creek.I know that Thomas bought land in Cherry Creek, so I believe that Noah was one of Thomas's sons. According to the census he was born about 1809.in S.C. My grandpa also told me that "old Noah" and his family sold whisky to the Indians when they were going on war parties. The Indians would go through, fight, get bloody, and then come back through and tell them that they" fought like hell, and got beat like the devil." I also heard a story that one winter before he had a house to live in, Noah spent the winter in a huge hollowed out tree. Noah was supposed to have been buried in the lower end of Board Valley (Clouse Cemetery) where the church is at. His grave was lost supposedly due to flooding. So we know he is there, just don't know what spot.There are other Shirley children buried there though." - Sent to the Shirley Association by Anita, a descendant of Noah Shirley

married Rebecca Sparks about 1835 (or 1838); Her surname is found in the death certificates of several children; She was born 24 October 1815 at Washington, VA (is this Washington DC, or Washington County VA?); She died 1 December 1891 at Lower Board Vall, White Co. TN; Her maiden name is identified in the death cert. of their daughter Margaret. Widowed, Rebecca Shirley married next Lancaster Randolph on 27 November 1854 in Putnam Co TN after the death of her husband; Enumerated with husband and Lancaster children (sic) in 1860 census for Cumberland Co TN; She died 1 December 1891 and was buried at Board Valley Cemetery, Sparta White Co TN (To help avoid confusion from later family mixing, here are Randolph's children in 1850 census before marrying Rebecca: John Randolph b 1831, Mahala b 1834, Malinda b 1834, Elizabeth b 1838, Jesse b 1840, Calvin b 1842, Chisum b 1845)

1854 [Misc manuscript documents of the Howard family] State of Tennessee Putnam Co to any regular ordained minister of the gospel havng the care of souls or is any justice of the peace in and for the said county or to any judge of said state bond and security having been given according to law you are here but given or authorized to solumnie the rites of matrimony between Lancaster Randolf and Rebecca Shirley of said county and join them together as husband and wife in the holy wedlock given under my hand at office this 27 day of November A.D. 1854. Russell Moore, clerk Putnam Co Court by Byrum C. Johnson, Depty.

Children of Rebecca Sparks Shirley and next husband Lancaster Randolph, married November 1854

- Nancy Randolph born about 1854 TN, Enumerated with widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN census, age 6 (as Nancy Randolph), age 15 in mother/stepfather's 1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Nancy Lancaster)

- Martha Randolph born about 1856 TN, Enumerated with widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN census, age 4 (as Martha Randolph), age 13 in mother/stepfather's 1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Martha Lancaster)

- Febe (Phoebe) age 6/12 in 1860 census household

children

2(i). James Brucington/Brewington [Shirley?] born about 1835 TN, age 15 in Noah and Rebecca Shirley's 1850 census household (Census enumerators always use ditto marks to indicate same surname as persons above them on the list, but no ditto marks are shown for James after Noah and Rebecca Shirley, thus his surname may indeed be Brucington/Brewington rather than Shirley, however, his enumeration is in order by children's age, which implies he is a Shirley son; If he had been a nephew or stepson, then he would have been enumerated at the end of the family, out of age order) nothing more known

2(ii). Polly Ann Shirley born about 1838 TN, age 12 in parent's 1850 census household (Census enumerators identified her surname as Shirley following James Brucington) nothing more known

2(iii). Roda Shirley born about 1839 TN, age 11 in parent's 1850 census household; Enumerated with widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN census, age 20 (as Rhoda Randolph);

2(iv).William Shirley born 6 June 1843 TN (tombstone), age 8 in 1850 census; At age 18, William was enumerated in 1860 census with William Sparks, age 77 in Dry Valley, Putnam Co TN; He was married, enumerated in the household of Mary Patton, age 50 in 1870 Putnam Co TN census; William Shirley lived in Putnam Co TN in 1880 census, age 37 and in the 1900 census, age 57; He died 23 November 1919, age 77 (tombstone); Note: the Putnam Co death cert of a William Shirley born 5 Jun 1842; died 1919 says his father was Thomas Shirley and mother Lizzy Randolph. G.W. Foister was the informant (clearly something is not correct.)

William Shirley and MaryAnn Jackson

married 1) Sarah ______ She was listed as wife in 1870 Putnam Co TN census

married 2) Margaret _______ She was listed as wife in 1880 census, age 33 born TN

married 3) Mary Ann Jackson She was listed as wife in 1900 census, age 53 born TN; She was born 20 September 1848 and she died 7 January 1927 (tombstone) Daughter of Andrew Jackson and Nancy Hicks (death cert says b 10 Oct 1848)

children

3(i). Mary Shirley born about 1868 TN, age 12 in the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900 census household

3(ii). Thomas Jasper Shirley born about 1870 TN, age 10 in the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900 census household

3(iii). Elizabeth Shirley born about 1875 TN, age 5 in the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900 census household

3(iv). Isaac W. Shirley born about 1877 TN, age 3 in the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900 census household

3(v). Dicy Shirley born about 1878 TN, age 2 in the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900 census household

3(vi). Levi S. Shirley born 4 February 1878 TN (tombstone), age 1 in the 1870 Putnam Co census; age 21 in parent's 1900 census household; He died 11 May 1961 at Putnam Co TN, buried at Sand Springs Mem. Gardens, Monterey, Putnam Co TN

Ancestor of DNA Kit #932400 (replacing defunct Kit #73699)

married 1) Bell Bilbrey on 30 August 1900 in Putnam Co TN; She died 15 May 1908; She was the daughter of Hilary Bilbrey and wife Letitia Blaylock; Buried Clouse Cemetery, Putnam Co TN

married 2) Ellen Miller, widow nee Bradham on 5 March 1911 in Putnam Co TN

3(vii). Noah Andrew Shirley born 18 March 1880 TN, age 0 in the 1880 Putnam Co census (as Newton A); age 19 in parent's 1900 census household (as Noah); He died 20 February 1941 Civil District 8, White, TN; Buried at Clouse Cemetery, Cookeville Putnam Co TN (death cert, parents named)

married Mary Jane Osborne

3(viii). Rebecca Shirley born about 1884 TN; age 16 in parent's 1900 census household

3(ix). Melissa Shirley born about 1887 TN; age 13 in parent's 1900 census household

3(x). Solomon Shirley born about 1890 TN; age 10 in parent's 1900 census household

2(v). Thomas Carroll Shirley born 17 May 1845 TN (tombstone), age 6 in 1850 census; Enumerated with widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN census, age 14 (as Thomas Randolph); age 25 in mother/stepfather's 1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Thomas Lancaster); He married and was living in Hogan, Franklin Co Arkansas in 1910; He died on 5 January 1929 TN; Buried Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin Co Arkansas (tombstone) Shirleys of Franklin Co Arkansas

married Nancy Elizabeth Randolph on 30 November 1871 at White Co TN (corrected; source: White Co marriage document); She was born 4 July 1848 TN and she died on 23 June 1934 TN (tombstone)

children:

3(i). Thomas Randolph Shirley

married 1) Mary Diggins

married 2) Elizabeth Mauz

3(ii). Elzada C. Shirley born 5 Aug 1872

3(iii). Benjamin Franklin Shirley born 25 Aug 1874 in TN

married Tabitha T. Murray on 26 August 1895 Franklin Co. AR, She was born 1878 AR and died in Detroit, Wayne Co. Michigan.

children

4(i). Bessie B. Shirley born about 1897 in AR

4(ii). Minnie M. Shirley born about 1900 in AR

4(iii). Clarence S. Shirley born about 1902 in AR

4(iv).Mary J. Shirley born about 1904 in AR, United States

3(iv). G. Miles Shirley born 8 June 1876 in AR, He died 8 October 1898; buried Mt. Olive Cemetery, Healdton, Carter, OK

married 1) Anna E. Couch

married 2) Annie Murray

children

4(i). Edgar "Dewey" Shirley born 18 June 1898

3(v). Elbert Walling Shirley born 19 October 1877 in TN; He died 2 May 1969

married Mary Greenwood (Emile?)

children

4(i). Verna Shirley born about 1906 in Franklin, AR

4(ii). Loy Shirley born about 1908 in Franklin, AR

3(vi). Garfield Shirley born 24 December 1880; He died 10 December 1906

married Rita Maonaw

3(vii). Robert Lee Shirley born 24 January 1882

married Mary Buchanan

3(viii). Samuel Cleveland Shirley born 5 May 1885

3(ix). Ada B. Shirley born about 1889 in AR; She married Lee Garner

3(x). Maude May Shirley born 1 October 1893 in Denning, Franklin, AR; living with parents in 1910 census; She married Burt Hill

3(xi). John Chester Shirley born 8 March 1895 in Denning, Franklin Co AR; living with parents in 1910 census; He died 19 March 1983

married 1) Elizabeth Lee Bridges on 17 January 1919

children

4(i).  John Chester Shirley, Jr 

4(ii). Eugene Shirley

4(iii). Minta Shirley

4(iv). Bernardine Shirley

4(v). Thomas Cecil Shirley born June 24, Denning, Franklin Co. AR

2(vi). Elizabeth Shirley born 5 March 1847 TN (death cert; tombstone: Sep 1847), age 3 in 1850 census; Enumerated with widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN census, age 12 (as Elizabeth Randolph), age 20 in mother/stepfather's 1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Elizabeth Lancaster); She married _____Hall; She died 22 April 1919 and was buried at Clouses Chapel, Putnam Co TN (TN death cert: dau of Noh Sherly and Rebecca Sparks; Tombstone says 23 April 1919)

2(vii). Margaret Shirley born 1 November 1849 (tombstone date; not enumerated in parent's 1850 census); Enumerated with widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN census, age 10; age 18 in mother/stepfather's 1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Margaretta Lancaster); She married 1) Conley, married 2) Joseph H. Judd; She was said to be widowed at the time of her death 25 September 1924, at Putnam Co TN, age 75; Buried at Cloises Chapel, Putnam Co TN (TN death cert: dau of Noah Sherley and Rebecca Sparks)

 


August 6th, 2006, I received an email from Peggy and this is all her husband knew about his ancestry.

The only thing I know right now is that my husband's Grandfather was Curtis Shirley. He died a few years ago in Illinois.

August 7th, 2006, Ken and I went to work again to see what we could do to help this family. A few more email exchanges and it didn't take very long to find Curtis. Would you believe it is the Curtis above who is 8 months old in the 1920 Census of TN? 

Peggy seemed surprised we found this info. (We love to surprise folk with our finds.) She says: This is so interesting, we are just excited as can be. My husband says that he thinks his great grandfather (maybe) died in Sparta around 20 years ago.

Evening of August 7th, we sent the census info above including the 1850 White Co. TN census. There is was, their lineage.

August 9th, 2006   we received this email:

Hi Betty, 

This has been a very productive few days. The information that you gave us was just so intense, it has just really pushed us to want to know more and more.

Well. Trent was able to find a posting from someone looking for information on Noah Shirley. He was able to track her down and he spoke with her on the phone today. Turns out that she is his second cousin and grew up with is dad. We are going to get in touch with each other and see about getting more info from here. She had also said that someone in her family had been doing a lot of research into the genealogy. So we will be emailing her and trying to find what else she has for more information.

I will keep you posted and also see if we can give you here email if you would like.


Posted Sept 5, 2006

I grew up only a few miles from the Cherry Creek/ White Co. area of TN. My dad was actually born in the White Co. area. Our line  goes back to a Noah Shirley. He was on the census records as being in White county in I think 1850 with his family. I believe from the stories that my grandpa told me that Noah was a Baptist preacher, that we came from Sequatchie Valley (around Marion co.) and also before that from N.C. and Virginia as well as grandpa telling me Noah was from Cherry Creek. I know that Thomas bought land in Cherry Creek, so I believe  that Noah was  one of Thomas's sons. According to the census he was born about 1809.in S.C. My grandpa also told me that "old Noah"  and his family sold whisky to the Indians when they were going on war parties. The Indians would go through, fight, get bloody, and then come back through and tell them that they" fought like hell, and got beat like the devil." I also heard a story that one winter before he had a house to live in, Noah spent the winter in a huge hollowed out tree. Noah was supposed to have been buried in the lower end of Board Valley (Clouse Cemetery) where the church is at. His grave was lost supposedly due to flooding. So we know he is there, just don't know what spot. There are other Shirley children buried there though. My other Shirley family is buried in the Upper end of Board Valley. I found the 3 Shirley men on the 1810 White co. census records. There was Thomas, John, and Champanus. I know John's family went back to Marion Co. I think Thomas went with him, but I wonder if the Cherry Creek property was left to Noah in his will? Perhaps that is why he stayed there instead of staying in Marion co. From going to Marion co. and talking to Paul Shirley, one of my "Marion co. cousins", John and Thomas, and possibly Champanus were brothers and went from N.C., to S.C. , around through Georgia or Alabama, came up to Whitwell, in Marion Co. TN, went on up and bought property in White Co. at Cherry Creek, and then went back to Whitwell.  I found a marriage license for Champanus in the far eastern part of TN. I have a copy of it and of the property deed where Thomas bought land in Cherry Creek. I found it at the White Co. courthouse.  I would like to submit the info I have on my family which is taken from actual gravestones and from family stories. I also have some pictures. How would I go about doing this? There was also a "Mary Shirley" in white county about the same time with a family of children. could she have been related somehow? Any info that you have on Thomas would be greatly appreciated. I have gotten stuck at his name, and can't seem to get farther back with any kind of accuracy. I would like to know the links of who he actually goes back to. I have read small portions of the "Stemmata Shirliana'' by Sir Evelyn Shirley, but I don't know for sure where out line goes. Do all Shirley's connect? Do we all somehow go back to the main family in England or were there people who lived on the land that took the family's name? Anyway, it is great to be in contact with you. I hope that the info I have will end up helping someone else along the way. Hope to hear from you soon! It is great to meet another cousin!                         Anita M. Shirley

Posted May 2022

I grew up by Noah Shirley's son William's home place. It was 66 acres where he raised his grandson, my grandfather Dallas Oba Shirley, and his brother Will. They were there for generations and had generations of family around them. I will see what kind of paper trail I can put together and mail to you to show a more complete picture of Noah's line. From my research, I believe Noah died in 1854, and his wife Rebecca Sparks remarried to Lancaster Lanier Randolph in Nov. 1854. He was a widower with children and so was she. I think they already knew each other and back then you married not just for love, but because farm families needed the protection and help to raise your kids. I was told Noah's son William, my line, married twice. His first family according to census records, was married to Sarah S. Unknown maiden name, and had 5 kids. He came home one day and she was gone. This was during reconstruction in the south, so I suspect she was murdered. It wasn't normal for a Southern woman to run off and leave 5 kids behind with no explanation, just gone, especially with generations of family around you. William's second wife was MaryAnn Jackson. According to the census records, their blended family had 12 kids. They also raised my grandpa and his brother Will, their grandchildren in a 4 room cabin with a "dogtrot" built in the center of the house. All of Williams first 5 kids died by their early 20's. None married. My grandpa told me who his grandpa Williams brothers and sisters were. I believe Nancy was Laniers daughter not Noah's. I believe Noah had William, Thomas, Elisabeth/Betty Hall, Margaret/Peggy Judd, and Rhoda Jane Hill. Also I believe the Brewington children were Noah's nephews. I believe one of Rebecca Sparks sisters married a Brewington. There's a pretty solid paper trail for Noah until proving his parents. Also the census with Noah's son William living with William Sparks, I think he was about 18 years old, that was his Sparks grandfather. Then he shows up with Sarah in Mary Patton's house. I haven't figured out who Mary Patton was,or how they are connected. Anita

1850 White Co. TN Census

NOAH 1809 TN      (Noah Shirley married Rebecca Sparks)

Rebecca 1816 VA

James Brucington 1835 TN

Polly Ann 1833 TN

Roda 1839 TN

WILLIAM 1842 TN

Thomas 1844 TN

Elizabeth 1847 TN

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

1880 Census of Putnam Co. TN

WILLIAM 1843 TN

Margaret 1847 TN

Mary 1868 TN

Thomas J. 1870 TN

Elizabeth 1875 TN

Isaac W. 1877 TN

Dicy 1878 TN

Levi 1879 TN

Newton A. 1880 TN

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

1900 Census Putnam Co. TN

WILLIAM June 1843 TN

Mary A. Dec 1847 TN

Levy Feb 1879 TN

NOAH Mar 1881 TN

Rebeeky Aug 1884 TN

Malissey Feb 1887 TN

Soloman Oct 1890 TN

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

1920 census for Putnam Co. TN - District Five

NOAH Shirley age 38 TN TN TN (father of Curtis)

Mary Jane Shirley 36

Nettie Shirley 19

C[onnor] Shirley 10

Jenel Shirley 8

Ima Pearl Shirley 6

Mattie Ethel Shirley 4 7/12

Nellie [T]emple Shirley2 10/12

[W.H.] CURTIS Shirley [8]/12 (this means....8 months old)


Anita sent the pictures below...

Solomon Shirley on the left, and my grandfather Dallas Oba Shirley on the right.

==============================================================

In August 2006, we heard from 2 people who are connected to this family of Shirleys. Neither knew one another. Based on the info they each provided and research by Ken and myself,  we have expanded our knowledge of this family and will share it here as branch #81.


From: Christina Shirley dolphfan@swbell.net

So far the names I have are my dad, Daniel Paul Shirley, born 1-14-56 in Dayton, Ohio. He died 5-3-96. I got 2 different names for my grandfather (I don't know why). His name was George William Franklin Shirley, says my uncle. My grandma said it was George Franklin Washington Shirley (later dropped the Washington). He was born in Black Oak Community in White County, Tennessee close to Sparta. He married my grandma, Naomi Morris. His dad's name was Noah Andrew Shirley who was married to Mary Jane Ozborne (spell?). Noah's grandfather's name was William Shirley married to Mary Ann Jackson. That's all I have right now. I hope you can help me trace this family more accurately, my family can't wait to find out.

George Franklin Washington Shirley or George William Franklin Shirley was born on December 30,1924. He did serve in the navy during WW2 on the USS Alabama.

 

   


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