Shirley News
and Notices Blog
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SEE FOR YOURSELF HERE!!
March 30 2021
I found this Irish court record
that relates to an Irish-Canadian
branch of Shirleys
1807 February 3 - Ireland Exchequer
Court of Equity Bill Books [this looks like an estate lawsuit
of heirs] - James Honahan vs Cath. Honahan, Jno Honahan, Wm Honahan
and Edmd Honahan, James Mulroony, Cath his wife, William Shirly,
Mary his wife
March 28 2021
I spent a few hours, posted a new page
in the Ireland members' section surveying Shirleys
living in England in the 1851 census, but born in Ireland
March 27 2021
I posted the following land sale item
to the Kilkenny Ireland
page in the members' section
Kilkenny Ireland
1854 October 27 County of Kilkenny
- In the matter of the Estate of James Shirley esq of Garranaman
in the County of Kilkenny, owner. Ex parte John Shirley esq petitioner
- Rental
and particulars of SALE of the valuable estate of Bellmount county
of Kilkenny which will be sold by auction by the commissioners
on Friday the 27th Day of October 1854 at the hour of twelve
o'clock at noon at their court, 14 Henrietta Street Dublin
The lands of Bellmount are situate
in the Parish of Mothill, Barony of Fassadining and County of
Kilkenny and are within four miles of the Post Town of Castlecomer
and about eleven miles from the City of Kilkenny and the Kilkenny
Railway Terminus and about eight miles from the Town of Carlow.
This estate has many peculiar advantages and is of a very improveable
nature and the entire is demised under two Leases for Lives renewable
forever, the one paying a renewal fine of a pepper-corn only
on the fall of each life, and the other payiong a renewal fine
of L37 15s. 0d. old Irish currency on the fall of each life,
under each of which leases the tenants have very valuable interest
above the rents payable thereout.
March 6 2021
New Ireland
Branch - I posted the
following lineage to the Ireland lineage page in the non-member's
section. This lineage had long been a "working pedigree"
posted inside the member's section, but now has a DNA result
for a descendant which matches the DNA of the Shirleys of Killkenny
Ireland
Killkenny Ireland
3. Thomas
Shirley of Tullamaine Kilkenny, gent. Catholic. He held considerable townlands at Knockreagh,
Tullamaine, Thomastown Catholic Parish, Kilkenny. He was a cess
payer for lands at Tullamaine, Shillelogher Barony in 1834. Catholic.
haplotype
E
February 25 2021
I posted the following to the
USA
Branch 34 Ferrers Shirley lineage
Philadelphia PA
First Presbyterian
Church of Philadelphia PA
Baptisms
1764 April 20
Baptism of Lucia and Phares, children of Phares and Elizabeth
Shirley; Lucia born 26 January 1762, Phares born November 1764
(sic, 1763?)
1765 February
20 Baptism of Ferrers son of Ferrers and Elizabeth Shirley; Ferrers
born 19 February 1765
February 22, 2021
Dont' know any more details than
this, but....
There are 3 Shirleys who earned
medals for service during the Battle of Waterloo campaign
Name: Wm Shirley
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: 7th (or Queens Own) Hussars
Name: Edward Shirley
Rank: Private
Regiment: 15th (or Kings) Regiment of Hussars
Name: Wm Shirley
Rank: Private
Regiment: 1st (or King's) Dragoon Guards
February 12, 2021
Still hard at work researching
(correcting) the Shirley family of Jamaica lineages in preparation
of a new E-book
Posted the following records to the Buckinghamshire
page in the members' section
Buckinghamshire
1798 Land Tax "Redemption"
Aston Clinton
Owned by: Thos Shirley Occupied by: Thos Shirley
Owned by: Mr Newman Occupied by: Thos Shirley
Brill
Owned by: Corpus College Occupied by: Michl Shirley Gentleman
Owned by: John Snell Esquire Occupied by: Wm Shirley
Owned by: Marquis Buckingham Occupied by: Rev Mr Slopes and Michl
Shirley
Owned by: Mr Harriess Occupied by: Mr Shirley
Owned by: Michd Shirley Junior Occupied by: Michd Shirley Junior
Owned by: Mr Partons Occupied by: John Shirley
Owned by: Lanard Pauling Occupied by: Richd Shirley
Owned by: Edwd Shirley Occupied by: Wm Shirley
Owned by: Mr John Shirley Occupied by: Michd Shirley Junior
Owned by: Mr Watker Occupied by: Miche Shirley Junior
Owned by: Lawrence Shirley Occupied by: Wm Shirley
Owned by: Wm Snell Esquire Occupied by: Michd Shirley Jour
Owned by: Sarah Shirley Occupied by: Sarah Shirley
Buckland
Owned by: Mr Newman Occupied by: Thos Shirley
Owned by: Mr Stevens Occupied by: Thos Shirley
Owned by: Thos Shirley Occupied by: Thos Shirley
Caversfield
Owned by: John Kirby Occupied by: Robt Shirley
Owned by: Wm Rolls Occupied by: Robert Shirley
Chalfont St Peter
Owned by: Mrs Sherley Occupied by: Mrs Sherley
Chesham
Owned by: Heny Parrott Occupied by: John Shirley
Owned by: Wm Christmas Occupied by: John Shirley
Horton
Owned by: Her Grace The Dutchess of Burdough Occupied by: Rd
Sherley
Marsh Gibbon
Owned by: Gough Widow Occupied by: James Shirley
Owned by: John Ashite Occupied by: James Shirley
Owned by: James Shirley Occupied by: James Shirley
Oakley
Owned by: Wm Snell Esquire Occupied by: Miche Shirley Senior
Owned by: Margius of Buckingham Occupied by: John Shirley
Owned by: Mrs Anderson Occupied by: Wm Shirley
Owned by: Mr Walher Occupied by: Miche Shirley Senior
Oving
Owned by: Miche Shirley Occupied by: Miche Shirley
Stoke
Owned by: Mr Shirley Occupied by: Mr Shirley
Upton
Owned by: Wm Nash Occupied by: Edwd Shirley
Owned by: Edwd Shirley Occupied by: Edwd Shirley
Wing
Owned by: Chesterfield Earl of Occupied by: Stephen Shirley
January 30 2021
I extracted the wills of George and Thomas
Shirley of Lower Shuckburgh Warwickshire
and posted to that county page in the members' section
Warwickshire
1813 Lichfield Consistory Court
- Will
of George Shirley Lower Shuckburgh (page
2) - George Shirley of Lower Shuckburgh co of Warwick,
Taylor; To my nephew Thomas Shirley of Lower Shuckburgh taylor
and to my good friend Richard Tew of Lower Shuckburgh executors;
Pay unto Samuel Shirley, Elizabeth Shirley Martha Shirley
and Lucy Shirley four of the children of my said nephew Thomas
Shirley L50 each at age 21; to nephew Thomas Shirley all
that my messuage situate in Lower Shuckburgh until said son Samuel
Shirley shall attain 21. At 21 then to said Samuel Shirley;
If he dies then at the behoof of nephew Thomas Shirley. Whereas
my nephew John Shirley of Priors Marston co Warwick indebted
unto me L150 mortgage of his estate in Priors Marston, bequeath
the interest to brother Thomas Shirley for his natural life
, and after decease I give the principal L150 unto all sons and
daughters of my said brother Thomas Shirley who shall be living
at the time of his decease. To my brother John Shirley
5 shillings. All wearing apparel to my brother John Shirley
and his son Wilks Shirley. To my sisters Fridaysweed Laurence
and Mary Browning L5 each; Residue of personal estate unto
said nephew Thomas Shirley; In witness <seal> George Shirley
1828 Lichfield Consistory Court
- Will
of Thomas Shirley Lower Shuckburgh (page
2, page
3, page
4, page
5, page
6) Thomas Shirley of Lower Shuckburgh in co of Warwick, Taylor
3 July 1820; Give my messuage in parish of Lower Shuckburgh to
my wife Elizabeth Shirley for natural life. After her decease
to William Walker of Lower Shuckburgh yeoman and to my son Samuel
Shirley for trusts after death of my wife Elizabeth Sirley to
sell messuage, proceeds equally to my said son Samuel Shirley
and my daughters Elizabeth, Martha, Lucy and Maria Shirley; Household
furniture to wife Elizabeth Shirley duirng natural life. AFter
death to my 4 daughters; Trustees also to hold messuages in parish
of Napton Warwickshire then to be sold after my death; to pay
L50 to daughter Lucy Shirley; money to daughter Maria Shirley;
additional monies to daughters Elizabeth, Martha, Lucy and Maria
after death of wife Elizabeth Shirley; <seal> Thomas Shirley
Wit: William Beasley, Knightcote, William Russell, Grandborough,
Rich: Burman, Southam
January 20 2021
I posted the following land entries to
the White
Co TN page in the members' section
White Co TN
1815 Land Entry 4236 - Thomas
Shirley assignee of John McBride by virtue of part of warrant
No 650 enters 10 1/2 acres land White County on the waters
of Cherry Creek beginning on a hickory it being the SE corner
of a 200 ac survey granted to John McBride running thence S 85deg
West with his line to the east boundary line of a 200 acre survey
granted to Benjamin Weaver thens S 5deg [?] with his line to
?harp line and East with the same for ?camplemeeeh 8 November
1815. Thos Sherly Loc.
1815 November 16 - Survey
of land entered - State of TN 3rd District - Surveyed
on the 16th day of November 1815 for Thomas Shirley assignee
of John McBride 10 1/2 acres of land by virtue of part of Warrant
No. 650 located the 8 day of November 1815 Location No 4236 situate
in White Co on the waters of Charry Creek beginning on a
hickory McBride's corner of his 200 acre survey running hence
with his line S 85deg West 70 poles to Weaver's corner thence
S ?6deg past with his line 22 poles to a white oak on Warmacks
line thence East with the same 78 poles to three hickory trees
North to beginning. W P White DS. Chain carriers: Thos Shirley,
Enoch Sherley
I posted the following land records to
Hickman
Co TN page in the members' section. I suspect these records
are for Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Shirley b 1760 Fairfield
Co SC
Hickman Co TN
1809 October 17 - Land Entry;
Warrant 330; Locr 4018; 50 acres; Thomas Sherley assignee
of Christopher Robertson - By virtue of a certificate warrant
No 330 for 300 acres enters 50 acres of land in Hickman County
on Turkey Creek of Piney River beginning at a branch on the
N side of said creek marked thus T. S. Running E 120 poles and
?Poueh for complement by Thomas (his mark) Sherlock loc (sic)
Survey
returned Oct 25 1809 by Wm B Ross
1814 Sept 10 - Survey of land
for Edmund Miller assigniee of Thomas Hickman. 22 acres in Hickman
Co on Turkey Creek beginning at a chestnut on the W boundary
line of Thomas Shearly land...... Chaincarriers Thomas
Shearley, Edmund Miller
1815 TN Land Entry No 14662 Survey
Pet 25 April 1815 made void 25 Oct 1815 - James R Shearley
assignee originally of James Davis by virtue of a certificate
warrant No 714 issued by the Commissioner of West Tennessee for
640 acres Entered 18 acres of Land in Hickman County on the
waters of Turkey Creek beginning at a chesnut on the East
side of a S branch of sd Creek part below a small Spring runs
East 22 poles and S and for complement so as to include a spring
at the head of sd branch 6 March 1815; Thos Shearly Loc [There
is a survey for this warrant dated 16 March 1815; Chain carriers
James R Shearly, Ezekiel Shearly]
1815 TN Land Entry No 14663 Survey
Pet 25 April 1815 made void 27 November 1819 by Ezekiel
Shearley [looks like original signature of Ezekiel Shirley] -
Ezekiel Shearley assignee originally of James Davis by
virtue of a certificate warrant No 814 issued by the Commissioner
of West Tennessee for 640 acres Entered 15 acres of Land in
Hickman County on the waters of Turkey Creek beginning
at a gum Thomas Shearley's SE corner runs South 38 and East
etc for complement 6 March 1815; Thos Shearly Loc [There is a
survey for this warrant dated 16 March 1815; Chain carriers
James R Shearly, Ezekiel Shearly]
January 19 2021
I posted the following newspaper
item to Branch
39 Thomas Shirley of Hamilton Co Tennessee. It details a
major court case by Thomas Shirley describing an elaborate Civil
War era fraud designed to steal 800 acres of land he owned. The
case was heard locally and was ruled against Thomas Shirley,
but Shirley won on appeal at the Circuit Court of East Tennessee
(see news account below), and when appealed again was upheld
by the US Supreme Court in October Term 1874
Branch 39 Thomas Shirley of
Hamilton Co TN
Knoxville Daily Chronicle,
January 29, 1871, Page 4
Important Decision by Judge Trigg
A Deep-Laid Plot Exposed
Judge Trigg delivered a very
important judgment yesterday in the equity side of the Circuit
Court in the case ot Thomas Shirley vs. Peter Monger, argued
some terms since. A statement of the facts of the case, as it
is one of considerable magnitude, may not prove uninteresting.
In March, 1868, Messrs. Baxter,
Champion and Ricks filled a bill in equity in the Circuit Court
for Thos. Shirley against Peter Monger and others, of Hamilton
county, East Tennessee.
The material allegations of the
bill were, substantially, these: Mr. Shirley charged that, in
November, 1863, he was compelled to leave his home, near Harrison,
Hamilton county, and flee to Georgia, because of his sympathy
for the Confederate cause. At the time he left, he owned, unincumbered,
a valuable tract of land ot 800 acres, worth $20,000.
In October, 1865, he alleges,
the defendant, Peter Monger, obtained a judgment against him
for $10,000 and interest on a note purporting to have been executed
by Thomas Shirley (the complainant) to one John W. Westmoreland
for $10,000, on the 1st of December, 1863, and endorsed by Westmoreland
for value received to defendant, Peter Monger. This note Shirley
alleges was a forgery; that at the time it purports to have been
executed he was lying at the point of death in Georgia; that
he never owed a debt of anything like that amount to any one;
that no such a man as John W. Westmoreland ever lived or could
be found; that the endorsement was a forgery and the whole claim
and judgment fraudulently procured by Monger and his confederates,
to obtain possession and title to his farm. Under the judgment
obtained at Harrison, the land was sold and Monger became the
purchaser. The note, after judgment was rendered, was taken by
some one from court and has never since been seen. Afterward,
to complicate the plot, Shirley charges Monger had the farm libeled
for confiscation in the District United States Court here, and
condemned for sale. Monger then intervened and set up his claim
under the judgment at Harrison. Shirley alleged the whole proceeding
fraudulent and a conspiracy to get his land; that he never knew
anything about the judgments or sale until he returned home after
the war, and prayed that the judgments of Harrison and Knoxville
might be set aside, and a writ of possession for his land awarded,
and a decree rendered for back rents. Monger answered and denied
all the allegations, particularly the forgery conspiracy; claimed
that he bought the note from Westmoreland. for Confederate money,
in good faith. The proof failed to identify any such man as John
W. Westmoreland, but showed, on the other hand, that Shirley
was a close business man, and never owed any large sum of money
or had such dealings as to make the execution of a note of that
amount necessary.
Judge Trgg, in delivering his
opinion, characterized it as one of the most remarkable cases
he ever knew; made some severe comments upon the fraud and rascalitv
developed, and ordered counsel for Shirlev to prepare a decree
setting aside the judgment in the court at Harrison: the order
of condemnation, sale and intervention in the District Court
at Knoxville; an order awarding possession of the land to Shirley,
and an account for back rents since I865, allowing Monger credit
for the amount paid on the condemnation in the District Court.
The decision is worth about $20,000
to Mr Shirley, and for this reason, as well for the peculiar
and startling facts developed, is worthy ol especial attention.
I created a page for the defunct James
County Tennessee in the member's section. And transcribed
the will of Thomas Shirley of Ooltewah James County (later Hamilton
County). This is Branch
39
James County TN (later Hamilton
Co)
1887 [James County TN Record,
now defunct] Hamilton County TN Wills
Vol 2 page 1 (page
2-3, page
4-5). Will and Codicil of Thomas Shirley of Ringold GA -
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Shirley of Ringgold
in the county of Catoosa nd state of Georgia farmer being of
sound disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last
will and testament. 1st I give and bequeath to my son James B
Shirley all of my estate both real and persona of which I may
be possessed at my death. With the following exceptions. To my
grandson George O Cate Jr I give and bequeath the sum of one
hundred dollars 2nd I give and devise to my belowed wife Julia
Ann a good and comfortable support for life out of my estate.
3rd I give and devise to my son James B Shirley any and all estate
in lands personality which I may acquire after date of this will
afterpayment of my debts and legacies. 4th I ordain and appoint
James B Shirley as executor of this my last will and testament.
In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal and
publish and declare this to be my last will and testament. In
the presence of the witnesses named below. This January 25th
in the year 1873. Thomas Shirley (seal). Wit: A J Robert, W S
Inman, W L Whitman, J L Varnell, J D Shropshire, Ferdinand Jett,
Dated Feb 13 1873 Dr J A Esmon, Hix Padget, Rufas Padget
Codicil - Terms of this codicil
or supplement are as follows: 1st My beloved wife Julia Ann having
died the said demise and bequest in her favor is revoked and
recalled and in no sense is to be deemed or held a charge upon
the land or other property bequeathed by my said Will above copied
to James B Shirley. 2nd I do in all othe respects ratify and
confirm said Will in which the above is a copy. 3rd I declare
in addition to the statements in said Will contained, that the
lands and real estate intended to be therein devised lie mainly
in James County Tennessee and on and near the waters of Savannah
Creek and through which the road from Ooltewah in James Co Tn
to Georgetown at the Meigs County line runs past and being known
as the Shirley Lands and about which I once had a lawsuit in
the courts of the US with Peter Monger and is now being occupied
by tenants and embrace 800 acres more or less. But my devise
and bequest aforesaid to said James B Shirley is not to be understood
as limited and restricted to the said lands last above referred
to; but is to be understood and his hereby expressly declared
to include and embrace all the lands of which I may die owned
or possessed situated in the County of James in the state of
Tennessee and in any other county in said state and also to embrace
any and all lands and personal property which I may own at my
death in any county of the State of Georgia or any other state
or government where ever the same may be 4th. I also give and
bequeath to my said son James B Shirley all the moneys notes
accounts and debts I may die owner or possessed where ever situated
without regard to limits or boundaries of state or county lines.
5th And if anything remains of my estate not embraced in the
foregoing provisions of this and the Original Will of 25 January
1873 I give and bequeath the same real perosnal and mixed rents,
moneys choses? in action and everything else to the said James
B Shirley absolutely and forever subject alone to the payment
of all my just debts and the bequest of one hundred dollars to
George O Cate Jr. It is proper to state I have many years ago
give to George O Cate Sr father of George O Cate Jr all I think
he or his child should have of my estate. 20 August 1878. Thomas
Shirley (seal) Witnessed by: Maxey Ethridge, Robert G Andrews,
John W Andrews, J L Varnell, J D Shropshire, Ferdinand Jett.
Feb 13 1883: Dr J A Esmon, Hix Padget, Rufus Padget; Recorded
at Oolteway 2 August 1887. J C Heaton clerk, James Co TN; Re-recorded
19 August 1916, John A Hall clerk, James Co TN
January 4 2021
I posted the following original Catholic
parish record to the Quebec
Canada page in the members' section
Montreal Quebec
1835 Basilique
de Notre Dame Montreal - Thomas Shirley resident
of this parish [domicille en cette paroisse] widower
of majority age [Venf Majeur] deceased [décédée]
Catherine Anderson in the English Hospital of this parish
[a l'hopital Anglais de cette paroisse] of one part (note:
Catherine Anderson is in the spot for his parents but clearly
was his deceased wife?) and Catherine Daly resident of
this parish [domicille en cette paroisse] daughter
of majority age [fille Majeur] of deceased [des
defuncts] John Daly and Joanna Shahen of County Cork in
Ireland of the other part. In presence of Thomas Fant and Mary
Small and Jean B Sanier
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