Misc Info for branch #44
Edward Shirley of Sutton Valence, Kent Co. England
Note from Betty Shirley
I found this:
Anna Pettenden married John Shurlye July 2, 1700 St. Georges, Canterbury, Kent Co.
For Sutton Valence the marriage of Mary Shirley to William Clout Oct 9, 1750.
John Shirley of Chart Sutton b. 1741 d. Feb 20, 1814 age 73.
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Be sure to visit: http://www.shirleyassociation.com/NewShirleySite/Members/England/kent.html
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In a letter from W. P. Shirley of Staplehurst, England to Charles Huffer's ancestor. (now this is an old letter)
Aug 16, 1884
Dear Mr. Shirley,
In reply to yours of of the 30th in respect of the Shirley family. There is an old headstone in Sutton Churchyard with this inscription..."Sara, wife of Edward Shurlye died Aug 7, 1696 aged (62 or 72) leaving two sons and three daughters".
Nicholas, son of Edward and Sara Shirley, was baptized at Sutton June 5, 1674 and buried June 11th, 1675.
The Shirley's came to Sutton from Sussex about 220 years ago, where there are tombstones and monuments which go back about 400 years.
Edward Shirley of Boyton Court, East Sutton married a Miss. Pettenden, their son Pettenden Shirley was born in 1705, and died in 1793. Pettenden Shirley married Mary Rawlins and their son William Shirley was born in 1731 and died Mary 8, 1791. William married Abigail Jarman and they had issue of several sons and daughters. William, their eldest son, married Mary Cox (or Coe). He was born Sept 28th, 1756 and died Feb 8, 1819. Edward the fourth son of William and Abigail Shirley (your grandfather or great grandfather), married Elizabeth Crispe. He was born Dec 16, 1764 and died March 16, 1853. William Pettendon Shirley, eldest son of William and Mary Shirley, married Elizabeth Coleman Baily. He was born Jan 13, 1791 and died Feb 27, 1848. They had issue one son and one daughter William Pettendon and Elizabeth Abigail.
There is difficulty in tracing pedigrees through the revolutionary times of Charles the first and Cromwell as so many documents have been destroyed and many people killed and buried no one know where.
Believe to remain,
Yours truly,
W.P. Shirley
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From Elizabeth Bennett of Australia
To fill in my Shirley line from late 17th century:
Edward Shirley d 1722 m Elizabeth Pettenden d 1726
Pettenden Shirley 1705 - 1793 m Mary Rawlings 1711 - 1791
William Shirley 1731 - 1791 m Abigail Jarman 1733 - 1803
William Shirley 1754 - 1819 m Mary Cox 1763 - 1853
William Shirley and Mary Cox had 3 children. William Pettenden, Elizabeth Abigail and Susanna.
William Pettenden Shirley (1791 - 1848) and his wife Elizabeth Bailey had 2 children neither of whom had any children so the line dies out on William's death in 1898 and the house "Ivy House" is willed to W.S.P. Grant, a descendant of his sister, Susanna (1803 - 1888) who had married Thomas Grant and had a son Thomas who in turn had a son Thomas.
The other child of William Shirley and Mary Cox was Elizabeth Abigail 1796 - 1826. She married Thomas Kipping and their daughter, also Elizabeth Abigail, married Lewis Michael Wibmer, my great grandfather.
Other unconnected comments: There is reference in the family bits and pieces to an Edward Shirley whose wife Sara (1624 1696) was buried in the Sutton Valence churchyard.
While my family's "bits and pieces" include reference to both Isfield and Wiston Shirleys there seems to be a general feeling that our connection was to the Isfield Shirleys. This has never been sorted out.
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I am not sure where the info below should go but fits into this family.
1732 Sept 15 Robert, son of John and Elizabeth Shirley - baptized
1737 Feb 6 Edward Shirley buried
1737 July 15 Mary, dau of John and Mary Shirley - baptized
1740 June 8 Martha, dau of John and Mary - baptized
1742 Aug 29 Pattenden, son of Edward and Mary Shirley - baptized
1743 Oct 23 Elizabeth Shirley buried
1745 May 19 Edward Shirley buried
1749 March 5 John Shirley died
1760 Nov 14 Thomas Shirley (Chart Sutton) buried
1760 Nov 28 Mary Shirley (Chart Sutton) buried
1791 March 14 William Shirley died
1793 Feb 9 Pattenden Shirley died
1796 May14 John Shirley died
1800 April 14 Pattenden Shirley died
1803 March 28 Abigail Shirley died
1804 June 5 Thomas Shirley died
1811 Feb 26 John Shirley (Chart Sutton) died
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Sutton Valence Church Registers
1696
Nov 7 Sarah and Ann, twins of John and Mary Shirley - baptized
Dec 23 Sarah died
1701
Oct 8 Margaret, daughter of John and Ann Shirley - baptized
1724
July 10 Sarah, dau of John and Elizabeth - baptized
1729
Feb 11 John son of John and Elizabeth - baptized
June 10 Pattenden Shirley married to Mary Rawlins
1730
Nov 17 Pattenden Shirley, infant, buried
1731
William, son of Pattenden and Mary Shirley - baptized
1732
Sept 15 Robert, son of John and Elizabeth Shirley - baptized
1734
Feb 21 Thomas, son of Pattenden and Mary Shirley - baptized
1735
March 16 Thomas Shirley, infant, - buried
1736
May 27 Ann, daughter of Pattenden and Mary Shirley - baptized
1737
Feb 6 Edward Shirley buried
July 15 Mary, dau of John and Mary Shirley - baptized
1738
Nov 14 Mary , dau of Pattenden and Mary - baptized
1740
Jan 30 John, son of Pattenden and Mary Shirley - baptized
June 8 Martha, dau of John and Mary - baptized
1742
Aug 29 Pattenden, son of Edward and Mary Shirley - baptized
1743
Jan 22 Elizabeth, dau of Pattenden and Mary Shirley- baptized
Oct 23 Elizabeth Shirley buried
1745
May 19 Edward Shirley buried
1749
March 5 John Shirley died
1751
Jan 22 Thomas , son of Pattenden and Mary Shirley baptized
1760
Nov 14 Thomas Shirley (Chart Sutton) buried
Nov 28 Mary Shirley (Chart Sutton) buried
1791
March 14 William Shirley died
1793
Feb 9 Pattenden Shirley died
1796
May14 John Shirley died
1800
April 14 Pattenden Shirley died
1803
March 28 Abigail Shirley died
1804
June 5 Thomas Shirley died
1811
Feb 26 John Shirley (Chart Sutton) died
NOTE:
The Anna Pettenden marriage to John Shurlye on 2 July 1700 looks like it fits with the birth of Margaret on 8 Oct 1701
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Posted November 8th, 2001
info from: Scott Duncan maizeblue6@earthlink.net
Ida F. Shirley
Ida F. Shirley's father, John Shirley was born in England. His parents were Edwin and Sophia Shirley. The Shirley family lived in Barre, Orleans County, New York and appears on the New York State Census of 1855. John Shirley is listed as living with, and probably worked on the William Randall farm. His family consisting of parents Edwin and Sophia Shirley, and his brothers and sisters: Samuel age 16, Matilda age 13, William age 8, and also Jane Pike, age 73, is listed as a widow and mother (probably the mother of Sophia). On the 1870 Federal Census of Kalamazoo County, Oshtemo Township, Edwin and Sophia are listed as living with William and his wife Diana. John and Hannah Shirley’s children listed on the 1880 Federal Census of Kalamazoo County, Michigan were: Effa Shirley born in 1862, Ada Shirley born in 1865, John M. Shirley born in 1867, Clara Shirley born in 1870, Grace Shirley born in 1872, Ida Shirley born in 1874, Nettie Shirley born in 1877, Nelly Shirley born in 1879, and the youngest Harry Shirley born in 1881. Hannah M. Shirley died in 1887 and John Shirley died in the spring of 1904 on his farm in Texas Township. John along with his wife Hannah are buried in Hope Cemetery in Texas Township on 8th Street. His parents Edwin and Sophia Shirley are buried in Schoolcraft Cemetery.
And below is the abstract of the obituary of Ida F. Harrison dated 29 May
1930:
“Mrs. Owen Harrison (Ida Shirley) Died at her home in Prairie Ronde Tuesday. She was 56. Funeral from the home, Friday. Rev. G.W. Maxwell off. Burial Harrison Cemetery. Dau. of Mr. & Mrs. John Shirley of Texas Twp. Born May 14, 1873. Married Owen Harrison Dec. 20, 1893. 3 ch. Clark died in infancy, Paul who died at 11 from drowning, Clare who resides on the farm. Lived on the farm taken up by Bazil Harrison 100 yrs ago. Sis. & bro. Mrs. Effie Wagar, Mrs. Clark O’Brien, Grace Parsons, Harry Hooper. John and Harry Shirley, joined Methodist Ch. in 1908."
The following is an abstract of the obituary of Owen W. Harrison dated
January 2, 1936:
“Owen W. Harrison, 67, grandson of Judge Basil Harrison. Died Tuesday Dec. 31, in Prairie Ronde at farm where he was born Oct 7, 1868 in Prairie Ronde, on old homestead where Judge Bazil Harrison, the first white settler of Kalamazoo Co. located in 1828. He was the youngest son of John S. and Louisa Harrison. Dec 20, 1893 he married Miss Ida F. Shirley of Texas Twp. & lived just west of Texas Corners, where their son Clark was born and died in infancy. They moved back to the old home and & have since resided there. Dec 18, 1907 their son Paul 11 yrs. drowned. 1 son Clare born Jan. 15, 1909. On June 4, 1930 his wife died, his son & wife lived with him until he married Iva Woodley of Greenville, Mich. His bro. Wm. died 23 days before him. Leaves wife Iva, son Clare of Texas Twp. 1 sis. Mrs. Emma Longwell. Funeral from home. Rev. Yinger of Three Rivers M.E. Ch. Burial Harrison Cemetery. Smith Chapel.”
The children of Owen W. Harrison and Ida F. Shirley:
1. Paul Crose Harrison, was born in 1896, and died 18 December 1906.
The following article was taken from the “Schoolcraft Express”, a
Schoolcraft local weekly newspaper, dated 20 December 1906 (note the
transcription of grave markers in Harrison Cemetery, on file at the Schoolcraft
Township Office, is incorrect, it shows Paul Crose Harrison as died in 1907):
“A drowning accident in which Paul Harrison, the 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Owen L. [sic] Harrison lost his life, and two other boys about the same age, sons of Harry Lockwood, had a narrow escape from a sad fate, occurred shortly before 5 o’clock Tuesday evening on Harrison lake, north-west of Schoolcraft.“BREAK THROUGH THE ICE.
Three Boys Go Down While Skating—
Paul Harrison Losses Life.The three boys had gone to the lake after school for a skate, and had proceeded from the south to the north-west end of the lake, and were near the Clark cross-way where the accident took place. The three boys were evidently skating close together, and coming to a place where the water was a little deeper and the ice thinner, they all broke through, the water at that point being about five feet deep. The two Lockwood boys succeeded after a hard and almost exhaustless struggle in getting to shore, by breaking the ice for three or four rods before striking ice that was solid enough to hold them.
As soon as one of the boys got out he hastened to notify Fred Bowersox, living on the Jay Clark farm, the other little fellow remaining to do what he could to assist his unfortunate companion who lost his life.
After breaking through, the Harrison boy from all appearances started for shore in a different direction than the others, and broke ice for several feet, thus keeping from going down for some time, but being a lad of rather frail build, his strength finally failed him and he sank to the bottom.
Upon being informed of the sad affair, Mr. Bowersox hastened to summon assistance, and securing a boat he and Walter Williams proceeded to make a search for the body, which by that time had been in the water two hours. The body was located a short distance from the fatal place where the boys went down, lying on the right side and the left arm extended upward.
Dr. J.F. Chapin arrived at the lake just as the body was taken out, and everything possible was done to restore life but without avail, he having been in the water fully two hours and a half, and life was extinct.
The unfortunate incident cast a gloom of sorrow over the entire community and the bereaved parents have the deepest sympathy of all in their great affliction.
The funeral takes place to-day at 12 o’clock, at the home, and burial will be in the Prairie Ronde cemetery.
An obituary, which reached this office just as THE EXPRESS was going to press this morning, will appear in our next issue.”
The obituary from the “Schoolcraft Express’, dated 27 December 1906:
“Paul Crose Harrison, the only son of Owen and Ida Harrison, was born December 31, 1895. On Tuesday evening, December 18, in company with two other little boys, he went skating on the lake near his home. The ice was thin and treacherous and the three boys broke through the ice about one-half mile north east of the Jay Clark place. Paul’s companions managed to climb out of the water, but Paul was in a deeper place and was unable to find the ice sufficient to support him; he was drowned. His two playmates hurried to the nearest house and gave the alarm. The night was very cold and though the neighbors summoned by phone, hurried to the place, it was nearly two hours before the body was recovered. A physician was on the spot when the body was brought to shore and most diligent effort was made to resuscitate him, but it was too late.“Obituary—Paul Crose Harrison”Paul was a child beloved by all his companions as by all who knew him; he was an unusually bright boy and of great promise. His sudden death comes as a terrible shock to his parents as well as to his many relatives and friends. The dear boy has gone to his heavenly home, and to each sorrowing one comes the blessed words of Jesus: “Of such is the kingdom of heaven”. Paul cannot come back to those who mourn, but through God’s mercies each loved one can go to him. The parting is not for long. The meeting is sure, where sadness, grief and suffering does not enter. This can be our only hope and our sufficient consolation.
The funeral services were held at the house noon on Thursday, December 20, and the interment was in the Harrison cemetery. Rev. G.M. Hudson of Schoolcraft officiated at the services; singing by Mrs. Essie Fink and Miss Cora Foot of Kalamazoo.
2. Clark D. Harrison, born January 1895, and died on March 1895, buried in Harrison Cemetery, Prairie Ronde/Schoolcraft, (Kalamazoo County) Michigan.
The parents and relatives desire to express there sincerest and heartfelt thanks to their neighbors and friends for their many acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy in this time of their bereavement...."
3. Clare Shirley Harrison, was born 15 January 1909, died on 12 December 1968, and is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan; he married Elsie Augusta Pfau on 30 April 1929 (her parents were Charles Pfau and Anna Vogel both of Germany). Clare grew up as an only child on his Great Grandfather Bazel Harrison’s “old homestead” adjacent to Harrison Lake. His only siblings died before his birth. Elsie was born on 10 January 1910, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and died on 6 June 1984, she is also buried in Harrison Cemetery next to Clare. As a young man Clare worked and played on several of the surrounding farms in Prairie Ronde, including the Mack family, and the Williams family. Some of these friendships would endure his entire lifetime. Lyle and Louise Williams and J.C. and Leota Mack were two of Clare and Elsie’s oldest friends. As a boy he often went to Little Sugarloaf Lake, which is only about one mile away from the Harrison Farm. It is possible that the old Delong Cottage on the West Side of the lake once belonged to a cousin or relative, he mentioned going there as a boy. He also told of his boyhood adventures, shooting crows and making stews, and of a makeshift shack he and his friends built on the opposite side of the lake from the cottage. Char, his youngest daughter has a hand-sewn patchwork satchel that has separate pockets holding silver spoons that belonged to Clare. Clare earned the spoons working odd jobs as a boy. He also worked at Harrison Cemetery, doing everything from digging graves for $1, to shoveling snow with other neighbors to clear U Avenue from the Highway to 10th Street for winter funerals in Harrison Cemetery. Bill also remembers his father driving and working for Dr. Harter in Schoolcraft. Clare attended the one-room Clark School at the corner of 8th Street and U Avenue, which no longer exists.
Clare was an avid fisherman and hunter. Several of his children have related stories of his prowess in a boat. His son Paul remembers spending one summer at a cottage on Crooked Lake in Texas Township, when he and his young sister Janet were fishing in a rowboat not far from shore when she began to cry because she had to use the bathroom. Paul wouldn’t bring her to shore because he had been catching some very nice bluegills and they were biting as soon as he threw in his line. Clare and Elsie heard Janet and came out in another boat to investigate. Clare of course wanted to know why Paul refused to bring his little sister in to shore. Paul reached into the water and pulled up a stringer full of nice ‘gills’. Clare told Janet to get into the boat with her Mother and he stayed and continued to fish with Paul. There are several family photos of Clare showing a prize catch, and of him and his sons on hunting trips.
There are also many fond memories of Ray and Grace Parsons, who lived in Texas Township. Grace (Shirley) Parsons was Ida F. (Shirley) Harrison’s sister, and Clare’s aunt. Paul remembers Grace making big sugar cookies, and when Clare and Elsie were younger they would always enjoy playing practical jokes on each other. One evening Clare and Elsie along with Lyle and Louise Williams, broke into the Parson’s home and removed the slats from the bed, and sewed their pajama sleeves and bottoms together. Ray and Grace also had a son Clayton who married Pearl, Ray and Grace Parsons are both buried in the Texas Township Cemetery. Clare also had an “Aunt Em”, Owen Harrison’s sister Emeline “Emma” (Harrison) Longwell, mentioned in Owen's first will. Jerrie remembers visiting Aunt Em with Elsie. Emma’s husband Loren Longwell also descended from one of the early pioneer families in Prairie Ronde. The Loren and Emma Longwell farm was located in Section 1 of Prairie Ronde, northeast of Harrison Lake. Loren preceded her in death; they are both buried in Harrison Cemetery in Prairie Ronde.
Life on the Harrison Farm was not easy for Clare, Elsie and their young family during the depression. After the death of his father Owen, Clare spent most of his small inheritance buying back the necessary tools to run the farm. Paul remembers picking corn by hand with only a wagon pulled by two horses named “Tony and Bob”. Paul also remembers attempting to ride and then being thrown off by Tony. Jerrie the oldest remembers never having any new clothes, and wearing hand-me-downs until she was much older. In late 1946 or 1947, the family separated when Elsie took the children to live in Kalamazoo in a small house owned by Grandma and Grandpa Pfau, on Humphrey Street. Bill stayed with his father and lived in one of the small houses on the William’s farm. Later the family was reunited and moved into the house on Dwight Street. Elsie was best known for her work in the kitchen, which isn’t too surprising since she came from a large German family, and raised her children until about 1947 on a farm in Prairie Ronde. Probably best known for her homemade bread, coffee cake, biscuits, noodles and soups, her sons and daughters somehow always knew when she was baking and would stop by for their loaves of bread. Clare, Elsie and Char moved from the house on Dwight Street to a smaller house on Seemore Street in about 1964. This is the house that most of the grandchildren remember Clare and Elsie living in. The exception to this would probably be Terrie better known as “TT”, the oldest grandchild, who may also have memories of Clare and Elsie living on Dwight Street. TT is also responsible for the nicknames that Clare and Elsie were known by to all their grandchildren. Apparently as a small child TT tried to say grandpa and grandma, and it came out as “Bampa”, and “Mimi”.
After Clare’s death in 1968, Elsie continued to live on Seemore Street, along with her dog, a Pekinese named Candy. Later she moved in with her daughter Janet, into the garage, which was converted into a small apartment. Because of her German heritage, she once told me that as a small girl she and the rest of the Pfau family faced some resentment by others during WW I, and although she was very proud of her German roots, she was also a very patriotic American. Several of her sons and daughters remember being at the home of Lyle and Louise Williams in Prairie Ronde when WW II ended, and driving all the way in to Grandma and Grandpa Pfau's house on Humphrey St. to celebrate the end of the War. She was also very proud of the Harrison name. At the dedication of the marker for Bazel and Martha (Stillwell) Harrison in Harrison Cemetery, her name is mentioned during the program as she is asked to introduce her family.
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