Shirley Association Genealogical Research Website

Benjamin Shirley (continued)
b. ca 1760 Virginia. Family to South Carolina

MISC INFORMATION FOR THIS BRANCH
DNA Haplogroup E3b

< Back to Branch 4, Benjamin Shirley

This Lineage Page Last Updated June 2023
1(viii). Mastin Shirley born about 1800 Abbeville Co. SC. On 8 January 1841 Mastin Shirley was made guardian of his minor children as part of the estate of his father in law, John McAdams, dec'd. He was named several times in 1836 loose estate records of John McAdams of Abbeville Co SC (67/1643), both as a buyer and as a legatee on behalf of his wife Rachel. Mastin was age 49 in the 1850 Abbeville Co SC census. He may have moved to Guntown, Lee Co. MS, where he died, or else died in South Carolina and instead his widow and children moved to Pontotoc (later Lee) Co Mississippi

Jan. 28, 1841 Shirley, Mastin, — Box 90 , Pack 2227: Ezekiel Tribble, Mastin, Nathaniel Shirley, bound to Moses Taggart Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $2,000.00. Mastin Shirley made gdn. Of John F., Margaret J., Mary Ann, Nancy C., Newton N., Lettice A. Shirley, minors under 14 yrs.

Jan. 28, 1841, Mastin Shirley, Ezekiel Tribble, Nathaniel Shirley, bound to Moses Taggart Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $2,000.00. Mastin Shirley made gdn. Of Benj. H., Elizabeth, Sarah C. Shirley, minor chn. of Mastin Shirley.

married Rachel McAdams. She was born 22 November 1801 Abbeville Co. SC, daughter of John McAdams. She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; She lived in Pontotoc Co MS in 1860 census (later Lee Co MS). Although she may have instead died about 1841 in Abbeville Co SC

Note: Many earlier published lineages of this family claim that Rachel Shirley must have died about 1841 and that Mastin must have married another woman named Rachel after her death. But this is not required to fit extant records showing Rachel Shirley as Mastin's widow after this time period. It seems that the 1841 guardianship records of Abbeville Co SC naming Mastin Shirley guardian of all his minor children was not necessarily dependant upon his wife's death. In fact, Rachel Shirley's father John McAdams died about 1836 and a guardianship may have been established to protect the children's interest. Although yes, it might be that Mastin's wife Rachel McAdams was deceased

May 1855 Pontotoc Co MS - Pleasant Ridge Church Minutes - Opened the door for the reception of members and received Wm. S. Green and Sarah his wife, Rachael Shelly, Mary Ann Shirly, and Nancy E. Sherly by letters.

Sept 1855 Pontotoc Co MS - Pleasant Ridge Church Minutes - Wednesday opened the door and received David A. Billingsly, Barney Moser, Marthana T. Thomas, Emily Walker Letty A. Shirly by experience. THursday received Thomas W. Billingsley, Wm. R. Thomas Nathaniel N. Shirley, Mary A. Swann, George W. Shirley, Lucy A. Thomas, Harriet S. Prather, Caroline Berry, Frances Botts by experience. Friday received John Wade by Return of letter, Jesse A. Bounds, James E. McElroy, F. M. Gober, Isaiah M. Wages, John B. Carder, Jas. B. Wester, William Shirley, Mary R. Davis, Sarah J. Gambrell, Sarah M. Gambrell and R. R. Wallis by experience.

children:

2(i). Benjamin Hershel Shirley born about 1823 Abbeville, Co. SC. His father was named his guardian in 1841. Enumerated in Abbeville Co SC in 1850 census, married with a child, age 27; Age 38 living in Hart Co GA in 1860 census (As B. N. Shirley); Enumerated at Ford's PO Hart Co GA in 1870 census, age 48 (as Hershal Shirley), age 57 in 1880 Van Zandt TX census. Shirleys of Hart Co GA and Van Zandt TX

Benjamin Hershel Shirley and wife Lucinda Brock
(source: Glynn_Shaffer on ancestry.com)

married Lucinda Brock on 22 December 1846 Anderson Co. SC. She was age 46 in husband's 1870 census household

children

3(i). Benjamin Shirley born about 1850 SC, age 1/12 in 1850 census, not enumerated in parent's 1860 census, died young?

3(ii). Elbert Lee Shirley born 28 September 1850 Abbeville Co. SC. Age 10 in 1860 census; age 19 in parent's 1870 census household; He died 8 June 1928 at Van Zandt Co. TX, They went to Texas with the Hughes family in 1874 and settled on a farm in Smith Co. TX. Shirleys of Van Zandt Co Texas

married Margaret Hughes on 13 October 1870 at Hart Co. GA; She was born 8 March 1853, daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah Delilah (Mitchell) Hughes).

children:

4(i). Robert N. Shirley born 5 October 1871; He died 12 November 1908 at Van Zandt Co. TX

married Sallie Lauperdale on 8 January 1895

4(ii). Nannie Lou Shirley born 24 April 1873 at Smith Co. TX; She died 28 July 1908 at Van Zandt Co. TX; She married G.L. Berry in 1897

4(iii). Mary Florence Shirley born 24 January 1876 at Smith Co. TX; She died 8 September 1879 at Van Zandt Co TX, age 3

4(iv). Eugenia Plaestine Shirley born 18 December 1877 at Shelby Co. TX; She died 24 September 1931 at Van Zandt Co TX; She married W. P. Rucker

4(v). James Shirley born 21 December 1879 at Van Zandt Co. TX; He died 27 August 1884 at Van Zandt Co. TX, age 4

4(vi). Della Shirley born 24 September 1882 at Van Zandt Co. TX; She died 13 April 1971; She married J. A. Hollis on 9 November 1910

4(vii). John Bunyan Shirley born 18 August 1884 at Van Zandt Co. TX; He died 28 August 1964

married Minnie Davidson in November 1906

4(viii). William Hayden Shirley born 29 April 1887 at Van Zandt Co. TX

married Blanche Constable on 19 September 1921

4(ix). Henry Grady Shirley born 2 October 1895 at Van Zandt Co. TX; He died 18 December 1969

married Emma Kingston on 16 July 1913

4(x). Sallie Reba Shirley born 2 October 1898 at Van Zandt Co. TX; She died 1 January 1966; She married W. O. Berry on 25 December 1919

3(iii). Adalin Shirley born about 1852, age 8 in 1860 census, not enumerated in parent's 1870 census household

3(iv). Mary A. Shirley born about 1854, age 6 in 1860 census, not enumerated in parent's 1870 census household

3(v). Jordon Shirley born about 1856, age 4 in 1860 census, age 14 in 1870 census household, age 24 in parent's 1880 census (as P. J. Shirley)

3(vi). Rachel Shirley born about 1859, age 8/12 in 1860 census, age 12 in 1870 census household, age 19 in parent's 1880 census household (as R. C. Shirley, daughter)

3(iv). William D. Shirley born about 1863 GA, age 7 in 1870 census household, age 18 in parent's 1880 census household (as W. D. Shirley)

2(ii). Elizabeth F. Shirley born about 1825. Her father was named her guardian in 1841.

2(iii). Sarah C. Shirley born about 1827. Her father was named her guardian in 1841.

2(iv). John Franklin Shirley born about 1829. His father was named his guardian in 1841 untraced

2(v). Margaret J. Shirley born about 1830, age 20 in 1850 census. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. She married Abner Branyon. They settled in Guntown, Mississippi

2(vi). Mary Ann Shirley born about 1832. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. Age 18 in 1850 census. She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855

2(vii). Nancy Catherine Shirley born about 1834. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. Age 16 in 1850 census, She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855 (as Nancy F), age 25 in widowed mother's 1860 census household

2(viii). Nathaniel Newton Shirley born about 1836. His father was named his guardian in 1841. Age 14 in 1850 census, He joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855, age 22 in widowed mother's 1860 census household; He served in the 2nd Infantry of the confederate army from Mississippi; He was frequently listed as sick in hospital in 1861 and 1862. Finally listed as killed at Gettsyburg on 1 July 1863.

1859 Pontotoc Co MS Tax Roll - N. M. Shirley Clocks: 1; val of clocks: 12; # free white polls 21-59 (@ .40 each): 0; tax: .46 (pg 59, clearly N. M, not N. N)

2(ix). Arminda Letitia Shirley born 3 Febuary 1840. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. She was age 12 in 1850 census. She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; Not enumerated in widowed mother's 1860 census household; Married 1st Armstrong Billingsby, married 2nd Welden Chesley Pearman Jan 24, 1868; She died 14 April 1914

2(x). George W. Shirley born about 1841, age 10 in 1850 census. Not named as a minor in 28 January 1841 court records, He joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; Not enumerated in widowed mother's 1860 census household; untraced

2(xi). William F. Shirley born about 1842, age 8 in 1850 census, He joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; age 18 in widowed mother's 1860 census household; untraced

2(xii). Marianna J. Shirley born about 1844, age 6 in 1850 census. She married Weldon Pearman Armstrong, age 16 in widowed mother's 1860 census household;

2(xiii). James Watson Shirley born 1 April 1847 in Abbeville Co. SC, age 4 in 1850 census, age 14 in widowed mother's 1860 census household; He died 16 April 1920 at Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co. TX,

married Mourning Christobel Darter. She was born 19 June 1855 Randolph Co. AL, She died 9 January 1930 Tarrant Co. TX.

children (born Roanoke, Denton Co. TX or Fort Worth, Texas)

3(i). Emma Christobel Shirley born 9 November 1877; She died 21 May 1880, age 2

3(ii). Valira Lottie Shirley born 5 September 1880; She died 10 May 1906 unmarried

3(iii). Fred Shirley born 22 July 1882 at Denton Co. TX; He died 19 September 1958 at Denton Co. TX,

married Frankie Burke on 23 November 1912

children

4(i). Fred B. Shirley

married Esther Seid

4(ii). Marvin Shirley

married Ruby Scott

3(iv). Etta Shirley born in December 1884; She died 19 June 1939 unmarried

3(v). James Bob Shirley born 20 June 1886; He died 3 January 1951

married Ruth Wise on 28 October 1920

3(vi). Mark Shirley born 7 June 1888

married Grace Alexander on 8 February 1922. (12 children)

3(vii). Mittie Bell Shirley born 26 June 1890; She married Lorenzo Dow Morgan 9 August 1910 (1 son)

3(viii). Violet Shirley born in December 1892; She married Jimmie Graham on 9 November 1919

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		Benjamin Shirley (continued) b. ca 1760 Virginia. Family to South Carolina MISC INFORMATION FOR THIS BRANCH DNA Haplogroup E3b
		< Back to Branch 4, Benjamin Shirley
		This Lineage Page Last Updated June 2023 1(viii). Mastin Shirley born about 1800 Abbeville Co. SC. On 8 January 1841 Mastin Shirley was made guardian of his minor children as part of the estate of his father in law, John McAdams, dec'd. He was named several times in 1836 loose estate records of John McAdams of Abbeville Co SC (67/1643), both as a buyer and as a legatee on behalf of his wife Rachel. Mastin was age 49 in the 1850 Abbeville Co SC census. He may have moved to Guntown, Lee Co. MS, where he died, or else died in South Carolina and instead his widow and children moved to Pontotoc (later Lee) Co Mississippi Jan. 28, 1841 Shirley, Mastin, — Box 90 , Pack 2227: Ezekiel Tribble, Mastin, Nathaniel Shirley, bound to Moses Taggart Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $2,000.00. Mastin Shirley made gdn. Of John F., Margaret J., Mary Ann, Nancy C., Newton N., Lettice A. Shirley, minors under 14 yrs. Jan. 28, 1841, Mastin Shirley, Ezekiel Tribble, Nathaniel Shirley, bound to Moses Taggart Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $2,000.00. Mastin Shirley made gdn. Of Benj. H., Elizabeth, Sarah C. Shirley, minor chn. of Mastin Shirley. married Rachel McAdams. She was born 22 November 1801 Abbeville Co. SC, daughter of John McAdams. She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; She lived in Pontotoc Co MS in 1860 census (later Lee Co MS). Although she may have instead died about 1841 in Abbeville Co SC Note: Many earlier published lineages of this family claim that Rachel Shirley must have died about 1841 and that Mastin must have married another woman named Rachel after her death. But this is not required to fit extant records showing Rachel Shirley as Mastin's widow after this time period. It seems that the 1841 guardianship records of Abbeville Co SC naming Mastin Shirley guardian of all his minor children was not necessarily dependant upon his wife's death. In fact, Rachel Shirley's father John McAdams died about 1836 and a guardianship may have been established to protect the children's interest. Although yes, it might be that Mastin's wife Rachel McAdams was deceased May 1855 Pontotoc Co MS - Pleasant Ridge Church Minutes - Opened the door for the reception of members and received Wm. S. Green and Sarah his wife, Rachael Shelly, Mary Ann Shirly, and Nancy E. Sherly by letters. Sept 1855 Pontotoc Co MS - Pleasant Ridge Church Minutes - Wednesday opened the door and received David A. Billingsly, Barney Moser, Marthana T. Thomas, Emily Walker Letty A. Shirly by experience. THursday received Thomas W. Billingsley, Wm. R. Thomas Nathaniel N. Shirley, Mary A. Swann, George W. Shirley, Lucy A. Thomas, Harriet S. Prather, Caroline Berry, Frances Botts by experience. Friday received John Wade by Return of letter, Jesse A. Bounds, James E. McElroy, F. M. Gober, Isaiah M. Wages, John B. Carder, Jas. B. Wester, William Shirley, Mary R. Davis, Sarah J. Gambrell, Sarah M. Gambrell and R. R. Wallis by experience. children: 2(i). Benjamin Hershel Shirley born about 1823 Abbeville, Co. SC. His father was named his guardian in 1841. Enumerated in Abbeville Co SC in 1850 census, married with a child, age 27; Age 38 living in Hart Co GA in 1860 census (As B. N. Shirley); Enumerated at Ford's PO Hart Co GA in 1870 census, age 48 (as Hershal Shirley), age 57 in 1880 Van Zandt TX census. *Shirleys of Hart Co GA and Van Zandt TX* Benjamin Hershel Shirley and wife Lucinda Brock (source: Glynn_Shaffer on ancestry.com) married Lucinda Brock on 22 December 1846 Anderson Co. SC. She was age 46 in husband's 1870 census household children 3(i). Benjamin Shirley born about 1850 SC, age 1/12 in 1850 census, not enumerated in parent's 1860 census, died young? 3(ii). Elbert Lee Shirley born 28 September 1850 Abbeville Co. SC. Age 10 in 1860 census; age 19 in parent's 1870 census household; He died 8 June 1928 at Van Zandt Co. TX, They went to Texas with the Hughes family in 1874 and settled on a farm in Smith Co. TX. *Shirleys of Van Zandt Co Texas* married Margaret Hughes on 13 October 1870 at Hart Co. GA; She was born 8 March 1853, daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah Delilah (Mitchell) Hughes). children: 4(i). Robert N. Shirley born 5 October 1871; He died 12 November 1908 at Van Zandt Co. TX married Sallie Lauperdale on 8 January 1895 4(ii). Nannie Lou Shirley born 24 April 1873 at Smith Co. TX; She died 28 July 1908 at Van Zandt Co. TX; She married G.L. Berry in 1897 4(iii). Mary Florence Shirley born 24 January 1876 at Smith Co. TX; She died 8 September 1879 at Van Zandt Co TX, age 3 4(iv). Eugenia Plaestine Shirley born 18 December 1877 at Shelby Co. TX; She died 24 September 1931 at Van Zandt Co TX; She married W. P. Rucker 4(v). James Shirley born 21 December 1879 at Van Zandt Co. TX; He died 27 August 1884 at Van Zandt Co. TX, age 4 4(vi). Della Shirley born 24 September 1882 at Van Zandt Co. TX; She died 13 April 1971; She married J. A. Hollis on 9 November 1910 4(vii). John Bunyan Shirley born 18 August 1884 at Van Zandt Co. TX; He died 28 August 1964 married Minnie Davidson in November 1906 4(viii). William Hayden Shirley born 29 April 1887 at Van Zandt Co. TX married Blanche Constable on 19 September 1921 4(ix). Henry Grady Shirley born 2 October 1895 at Van Zandt Co. TX; He died 18 December 1969 married Emma Kingston on 16 July 1913 4(x). Sallie Reba Shirley born 2 October 1898 at Van Zandt Co. TX; She died 1 January 1966; She married W. O. Berry on 25 December 1919 3(iii). Adalin Shirley born about 1852, age 8 in 1860 census, not enumerated in parent's 1870 census household 3(iv). Mary A. Shirley born about 1854, age 6 in 1860 census, not enumerated in parent's 1870 census household 3(v). Jordon Shirley born about 1856, age 4 in 1860 census, age 14 in 1870 census household, age 24 in parent's 1880 census (as P. J. Shirley) 3(vi). Rachel Shirley born about 1859, age 8/12 in 1860 census, age 12 in 1870 census household, age 19 in parent's 1880 census household (as R. C. Shirley, daughter) 3(iv). William D. Shirley born about 1863 GA, age 7 in 1870 census household, age 18 in parent's 1880 census household (as W. D. Shirley) 2(ii). Elizabeth F. Shirley born about 1825. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. 2(iii). Sarah C. Shirley born about 1827. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. 2(iv). John Franklin Shirley born about 1829. His father was named his guardian in 1841 untraced 2(v). Margaret J. Shirley born about 1830, age 20 in 1850 census. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. She married Abner Branyon. They settled in Guntown, Mississippi 2(vi). Mary Ann Shirley born about 1832. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. Age 18 in 1850 census. She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855 2(vii). Nancy Catherine Shirley born about 1834. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. Age 16 in 1850 census, She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855 (as Nancy F), age 25 in widowed mother's 1860 census household 2(viii). Nathaniel Newton Shirley born about 1836. His father was named his guardian in 1841. Age 14 in 1850 census, He joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855, age 22 in widowed mother's 1860 census household; He served in the 2nd Infantry of the confederate army from Mississippi; He was frequently listed as sick in hospital in 1861 and 1862. Finally listed as killed at Gettsyburg on 1 July 1863. 1859 Pontotoc Co MS Tax Roll - N. M. Shirley Clocks: 1; val of clocks: 12; # free white polls 21-59 (@ .40 each): 0; tax: .46 (pg 59, clearly N. M, not N. N) 2(ix). Arminda Letitia Shirley born 3 Febuary 1840. Her father was named her guardian in 1841. She was age 12 in 1850 census. She joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; Not enumerated in widowed mother's 1860 census household; Married 1st Armstrong Billingsby, married 2nd Welden Chesley Pearman Jan 24, 1868; She died 14 April 1914 2(x). George W. Shirley born about 1841, age 10 in 1850 census. Not named as a minor in 28 January 1841 court records, He joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; Not enumerated in widowed mother's 1860 census household; untraced 2(xi). William F. Shirley born about 1842, age 8 in 1850 census, He joined the Pleasant Ridge church in Pontotoc MS in 1855; age 18 in widowed mother's 1860 census household; untraced 2(xii). Marianna J. Shirley born about 1844, age 6 in 1850 census. She married Weldon Pearman Armstrong, age 16 in widowed mother's 1860 census household; 2(xiii). James Watson Shirley born 1 April 1847 in Abbeville Co. SC, age 4 in 1850 census, age 14 in widowed mother's 1860 census household; He died 16 April 1920 at Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co. TX, married Mourning Christobel Darter. She was born 19 June 1855 Randolph Co. AL, She died 9 January 1930 Tarrant Co. TX. children (born Roanoke, Denton Co. TX or Fort Worth, Texas) 3(i). Emma Christobel Shirley born 9 November 1877; She died 21 May 1880, age 2 3(ii). Valira Lottie Shirley born 5 September 1880; She died 10 May 1906 unmarried 3(iii). Fred Shirley born 22 July 1882 at Denton Co. TX; He died 19 September 1958 at Denton Co. TX, married Frankie Burke on 23 November 1912 children 4(i). Fred B. Shirley married Esther Seid 4(ii). Marvin Shirley married Ruby Scott 3(iv). Etta Shirley born in December 1884; She died 19 June 1939 unmarried 3(v). James Bob Shirley born 20 June 1886; He died 3 January 1951 married Ruth Wise on 28 October 1920 3(vi). Mark Shirley born 7 June 1888 married Grace Alexander on 8 February 1922. (12 children) 3(vii). Mittie Bell Shirley born 26 June 1890; She married Lorenzo Dow Morgan 9 August 1910 (1 son) 3(viii). Violet Shirley born in December 1892; She married Jimmie Graham on 9 November 1919
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