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Shirleys of the Rhee, Agivey Parish,
Londonderry
Shirley's at the time were tenants of substantial farms.
The Griffith Valuation gives Robert (s/o Alex) and Robert (s/o
Robert) in Rhee. These were distinguished in the family as "Roadman
Robert." because one took roads to repair and Elder Robert
because he was the Elder of the church. Both Rhee farms once
owned by the two Shirley families are now in possession of William
Hull of the Rhee, at present treasurer of the Aghadowey, and
son of William Hull and Catherine Shirley.
This Lineage Last Updated
June 2021
Robert "Robin" Shirley, weaver of Ree He was enumerated in Parnell's
1823 rental survey of tenants in Agivey Parish Londonderry, taxed
on land called "Keelogs" in the Rhee Townlands at 12
pounds 15 and 0. Mary Shirley, possibly his mother was also taxed
on land at Keelogs in Rhee at 21 pounds 7 and 6; He was enumerated
in the 1831 Londonderry Census, residing at Ree, Agivey Parish,
dwelling #11 with 4 males, 2 females, no servants in the household;
They were Presbyterians.
"Elder Roberts' father was Robert or Robin Shirley,
who never did any farm work, but spent his life weaving. Robin
married Betty Gray and they had a number of children who died
young, while three survived. They include the one who became
Elder Robert Shirley and he married Margaret Harper of Tamneymore.
An old tombstone in Agivey commemorates "Elizabeth wife
of Robert Shirley , late of Rhee, died (1825?), age 40. Also
4 other children." This must be Robin's first wife. He married
second to Nancy Miller, who stories of her family were remembered
by Elder Robert's children, one of whom Catherine who married
William Hull of Segory in 1890/ Nancy Miller's father was a united
Irishman, and she told how he and another man had shot an informer
near Ballymoney. The father disappeared at the battle of Antrim
and was never heard of again. His wife Catherine Miller was left
to ring up two children. Nancy born 1795 and George born 1797."
married 1) Elizabeth "Betty" Gray died ?1825
age 40 (tombstone in Agivey "wife of Robert Shirley, late
of Rhee. Also 4 other children")
married 2) Nancy Miller born 1795; Her father was a
United Irisman, disappeared at the Battle of Antrim, wife Catherine
raised the two children Nancy and George Miller
children: "3 survived"
1(i). "Elder" Robert Shirley born about 1810;
Elder in the local Presbyterian Church; Tenant of roughly 40
acres of land in the Townland of Ree, Agivey Parish in the 1858
Griffith's Valuation in possession of the Worshipful Company
of Ironmongers of London. His entiry implied he was the son of
Robert Shirley, differencing another tenant named Robert Shirley,
son of Alexander Shirley; He died 31 March 1901 age 91yrs and
was buried in the Presbyterian Churchyard.
Probate of the Will (and Codicil) of Robert Shirley late
of Rhee Aghadowey County Londonderry Farmer who died 24 March
1901 granted at Londonderry to Mary Shirley Spinster and Catherine
Hull Married Woman. Date Of Death: 24/03/1901 Date Of Grant:
14/05/1901 Effects: Effects £520 Registry: Londonderry
Londonderry Registry of wills
The Presbyterian Church yard:
In memory of:
Robert Shirley, died Mar 31, 1901 (91yrs)
Margaret Shirley, died Oct 24, 1892 (73 yrs)
Elizabeth C. Loughery, died Sept 17, 1919 (67 yrs)
Mary Jane Shirley, died Jan 11, 1922 (61 yrs)
William Hull, died Feb 26, 1914 (72 yrs)
Margaret A. S. Hull, died Dec 28, 1910 (19yrs)
Lizzie C. Hull, died May 31, 1934 (33 yrs)
Catherine Hull, died Dec 5, 1956 (94yrs)
married Margaret Harper of Tamneymore; born about 1819;
she died Oct 24, 1892 (73 yrs)
Robert Shirley married Margaret Harper April 15, 1846.
The 2nd Presbyterian Meeting House in the Parish of Errigal.
Son of Robert Shirley, farmer of Rhee. Daughter of James Harper,
farmer of Tamnamore.
children:
2(i). Mary Jane Shirley born about 1851; spinster
died Jan 11, 1922 (61 yrs)
2(ii). Elizabeth C. Shirley born about 1852; married
Loughery; she died Sept 17, 1919 (67 yrs)
2(iii). Catherine Shirley born about 1862; died Dec
5, 1956 (94yrs); She married William Hull of Segory. Owner
of the two Shirley farms at Rhee
This Lineage Last Updated
June 2021
Alexander Shirley of Ree He was enumerated at Rhee in Parnell's
1823 rental survey for Agivey Parish Londonderry; He was taxed
at 8 pounds 6 and 8. Mary Shirley possibly his mother was taxed
the same amount on an additional property. He was enumerated
in the 1831 Londonderry Census, residing at Ree, Agivey Parish,
dwelling #3 with 4 males, 3 females, 1 male and 1 female servants
in the household; They were Presbyterians.
married ______
children:
1(i). "Roadman" Robert Shirley born about
1781. Tenant of roughly 29 acres of land in the Townland of Ree,
Agivey Parish in the 1858 Griffith's Valuation in possession
of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers of London. Likely the
brother of Valentine
Shirley, who was also a son of Alexander Shirley of the Rhee
"Roadman Robert Shirley's father I take to be Alexander
who had the larger of the two Rhee farms in 1853. This may be
the Alexander Shirley who has one of the seats in a group allotted
to prominent local linen merchants and others who might be termed
as "the quality". This second Robert Shirley had a
son Robert Mooney Shirley [sic] who married Rachel Cochane and
had a large family of 8 boys and 4 girls, one of them marrying
David Kennedy and one John McKee of Camus.
Robert Shirley died Sept 26, 1871 in Rhee, 92 years old.
Died of old age, labourer. Robert Shirley present at death. Aghadowey
Presbyterian Church
Erected to the Memory of:
Bobby Shirley, died Jan 18, 1856 (8yrs)
James J. Shirley, died Feb 10, 1856 (6yrs)
"Suffer little children to come unto me"
Nancy Shirley, died June 6, 1873 (79)
Maggie A. Shirley, died Dec 11, 1876 (30 yrs)
married Nancy ________she
died June 6, 1873 (age 79)
Nancy Shirley died June 7, 1873 Rhee, Aghadowey, 79 years
old. Cause of death listed as Debility Anasenca. She was widow
of the late R. Shirley, farmer. Margaret Shirley was present
at her death. Aghadowey Presbyterian Church
[not sure if this Robert who undoubtedly
had wife Nancy is the correct Robert Shirley. There seems to
be another Alexander who may have lived in the 1830s as a posssible
father, rather than the elder Alexander]
children:
2(i). Robert Alexander Shirley of Rhee born say about
1820; He died 3 November 1894
20 May 1894 Will of Robert Alexander Shirley of Rhee Londonderry.
Appt Joseph Mooney of Cullyvenny farmer and Joseph Hunter of
Culcrow farmer exutors. Bequeath to my son John Mooney Shirley
charged with the yearly payment to my wife Nancy Shirley
during her life sum of 20 pounds support in the dwelling house
on my farm. Bequeath to my son John Mooney Shirley residuary
legatee 20 May 1894. <s> Robert Alexander Shirley Wit:
Robert O'Neill solicitor, Coleraine, Thomas J Martain, law clerk
Coleraine. 26 Aug 1894. L229.0.0
married 1) Nancy______ (same as next?)
married 2) Nancy Kelly/Keller on 4 November 1853 at
Aghadowey Prebyterian Church.
1853 - Robert Shirley married 4 Nov 1853 of full age widower
farmer of Ree son of Alexander Shirley farmer, married Nancy
KELLER [Another transcription says KELLY] of full age widower
of Knockaduff daughter of John Keller; wit: David Smyth Robert
Hickeson page 97 #98 Aghadowey Presbyterian Church
children:
3(i). John Mooney Shirley born 1840 (tombstone); living
in Agivey Parish in 1901 Ireland census; He died 1910
Presbyterian Churchyard Burial
John Mooney Shirley 1840 - 1910
Rachel Shirley 1843 - April 20, 1921
also their children...
Robert Shirley 1865 - 1866
William Shirley died Oct 30, 1930 (60yrs)
Robert Shirley, died April 7, 1944 (75)
married Rachel Cochraine born 1843 died April
20, 1921
John Shirley married Rachel Chochrane Nov 22, 1864, 2nd
Presbyterian Meeting House in Parish of Errigal. Son of Robert
Shirley, farmer of Rhee. Daughter of John Chochrane , farmer
of Curragh.
children: supposedly 8 boys and 4 girls
4(i). Robert Shirley born 05 MAR 1865 to John Shirley
and Rachel Cochraine (at Aghadowey); died 1866 according to tombstone.
4(ii). John Alexander Shirley born 11 FEB 1867 to John
Shirley and Rachel Cochraine (at Aghadowey); He appears in Ellis
Island records having arrived in New York 9 Sep 1904, age 37,
last residence Culcrow Londonderry, traveling with wife Willie
to his home in San Antonio Texas; Lived at 523 Milam Street,
San Antonio in 1910 census; Texas death record says he was born
11 Feb 1867 to John M and Rachel (Cochran) Shirley, and died
28 Sep 1954 at San Antonio Bexar Co TX. Buried 2 days later;
Lived San Antonio Texas
married Willie Maggie Haynes on 17 Jan 1900 in Bexas
Co TX; She was born 23 Jan 1879 TX; She is listed as an American
citizen in 1904 Ellis Island immigration record She was the daughter
of John James Haynes and Mary Melissa Phillips. Willie Maggie
Haynes died on Jun 27, 1965 at Comal County, Texas. Buried at
Confederate Cem, San Antonio, Bexar TX
children:
5(i). John Shirley born about 1910 TX, age 6 months
in 1910 census; known as "Jack" he is age 10 living
with his mother Willie Shirley and uncle James C Shirley in the
Chowning HH in 1920 Bexar TX census;
4(iii). Robert Shirly born 26 MAR 1869 to John Shirley
and Rachel Cochraine; died April 7, 1944 (75) buried Presbyterian
Churchyard
4(iv). William Shirley born 10 OCT 1870 to John Shirley
and Rachel Cochraine; Age 30 living in parents household in 1901
census; He died Oct 30, 1930 (60yrs) buried Presbyterian Churchyard
4(v). Margaret Shirley born 30 MAR 1872 to John Shirley
and Rachel Cochraine
4(vi). Andrew Mooney Shirley born 13 Feb 1876 (death
cert); Age 25 in 1901 Derry Co Ireland Census, carpenter living
in the HH of parents; He arrived at Ellis Island NY on Mar 5
1912, age 36; He was age 41 self employed as a mill wright carpenter
in San Antonio TX at the time of his WWI draft registration 12
Sept 1918; He was age 62 b Ireland (about 1878), single
living in the 1940 census household with named brother John Alexander
Shirley in Bandaras Uvalde Co TX; Texas death record says he
died 22 July 1957 at San Antonio Bexar Co TX, naming both his
parents Lived San Antonio Texas
4(vii). James Cochran Shirley born 4 Dec 1877 (death
cert); Age 23 living in parents HH in 1901 Ireland census; He
was age 32 b Ireland (about 1878) and named brother of John Alexander
Shirley in 1910 and again in the 1940 (age 62, single) in Bexar
Co TX USA census. Ellis Island records show him immigrating through
New York on the ship Glasgow on 29 Dec 1904, age 27, single,
residence Ballymoney; Living at 230 Nolan Street San Antonio
TX, age 64, born Dec 4, 1877 at Derry Ireland, working for Andrew
M. Shirley, at time of 1942 WWII Draft Registration; Texas death
record says he died 27 Aug 1957 at San Antonio Bexar Co TX, naming
both his parents Lived San Antonio
Texas
4(viii). Joseph Shirley born about 1877, age
23 (same age as brother James C. Shirley) living in parents HH
in 1901 census.
4(ix). Archibold Shirley born 20 January 1879 to John
Moony Shirley and Rachel Cochraine (source: LDS pedigree); Not
found in parent's HH in 1901 census.
4(x). David Shirley born 9 January 1881 to John Shirley
and Rachel Cochraine (source: LDS pedigree?). Member of the Royal
Irish Constabulary. Enlisted 1900. Age 19
4(xi). Annie K Shirley born 20 July 1883;
age 17 living in parent's HH in 1901 Ireland census; nurse
US Army; died 27 Nov 1918 at San Antonio TX USA, born Rhee Ireland;
dau of ____Shirley and Rachel Shirley (death cert); News clipping
"Annie K Shirley 431 Van Street died at 9 o'clock last night
at the Base Hospital Fort Sam Houston of pneumonia...";
likely Annie Kelly Shirley b 1888 Coleraine; Annie Kelly Shirley
in 1911 census Newcastle England age 27 b Aghadowey Derry; Lived San Antonio Texas
Aghadowey memorial: Nurse Annie Kelly Shirley, Aged 35,
Born: 20th July 1883, Daughter of John Mooney and Rachel (Cochrane)
Shirley, Died of pneumonia 1918
4(xii). Rachel Shirley born about 1885, age 16 in 1901
Ireland census, living in parents' HH.
4(xiii). Samuel Mooney Shirley, son of John and Rachel
Shirley of Coleraine Ireland, born 18 December 1888 (death cert.);
age 15 in 1901 Ireland census, living in parents' HH; died 27
Apr 1955 at Ocean Falls, British Columbia Canada (death cert)
Shirleys of British Columbia Canada
4(xiv). Jennie Shirley born about 1888, age 13 in 1901
Ireland census, living in HH of parents.
4(xv). dau Shirley married David Kennedy
4.xv dau Shirley married John McKee of Camus
This Lineage Last Updated
June 2021
William Shirley,
laborer of Rhee. born about 1801, age 93 at time
of his death in 1894 (if same) He
was likely the farmer of Rhee enumerated in the 1858 Griffith's
Land Valuation census and possibly the man of the same
name and location enumerated in the surviving 1831 census of
Londonderry, a Presbyterian household with 2 males, 1 female
and 0 servants in the household. He was named in the 1866 marriage
record of son James Shirley; He apparently died in 1896
1894 Jun 23 - Aghadowey Reg Dist - Death of William Shirley
at Rhee, married age 93, farmer. James Shirley his son informant
(by mark)
children:
1(i). James Shirley of Rhee, and later Curragh, born
say 1846, son of William Shirley of Rhee. He was at various times
a shoemaker and also a farmer as listed on the birth records
of his children.
married Margaret Hunter on 17 August 1866 at the Presbyterian
Church of Aghadowey, Derry. She was the daughter of Henry Hunter,
a weaver of Rhee
James Shirley married Margaret Hunter Aug 17, 1866, Presbyterian
Church of Aghadowry. Son of William Shirley, labourer of Rhee.
Daughter of Henry Hunter, weaver of Rhee.
children:
2(i). Margaret Shirley born 6 Aug 1867 at the Aghadowey
Reg Dist, daughter of James Shirley of Rhee, shoemaker and wife
Margaret Hunter. Elizabeth Hunter of Rhee informant at birth,
likely died young
2(ii). Margaret Shirley born 20 January 1872
at Aghadowey Reg Dist, daughter of James Shirley of Rhee,
farmer and wife Margaret Hunter. Elizabeth Hunter of Rhee
informant
2(ii). Ellen Shirley born 20 March 1874 at Aughadowey
Reg. Dist, daughter of James Shirley, labourer of Rhee and wife
Margaret Jane Hunter; Elizabeth Hunter of Rhee informant at birth
2(iii). Henry Shirley born 16 February 1876 at the
Aughadowey Reg. Dist, son of James Shirley, farmer of Rhee and
wife Margaret Jane Hunter; Elizabeth Hunter of Rhee informant
at birth
2(iv). Mary Shirley born 2 May 1878 at the Aughadowey
Reg Dist, daughter of James Shirley shoemaker of Curragh and
wife Peggy Jane Hunter; Sarah Wallace of Curragh informant at
birth
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Shirleys of Co. Londonderry