1795 April 22 - Culpeper Co VA Wills and Administrations;
Inventory of James Sherley dec'd WB C:438 - In obedience to an
order of Culpeper Court, we the subscribors being fore sworn
have appreasied the estate of James Shearly deceased as follows
to wit [list of personal property including slaves Dick, Clowey,
and Dinah] Given under our hands this 22nd day of April 1795.
<s> John Clore, Jnt Smith, George Hume. At a court held
the 20th day of June 1795, this inventory of the estate of James
Sherley decd was returned to court and ordered to be recorded.
teste John Jameson C. Ct.
Sale book of the lands of James Shirley dec'd sold by Benjamin
Cuisler as commissioner in compliance with an order of the county
court of Madison bearing date 23 October 1845 sold the 13th December
1845. Mansion Tract 104 1/2 acres $966.62 sold to Thomas Clore;
Tract of 55 1/4 acres $608.30 sold to James Yowell, Tract of
106 acres $106.12 sold to John Quaintance. [Feb 1848 Chancery
lawsuit, Wm Shirley et al vs John Snyder et al.]
married Judith Garriott. She died in Kentucky. She
was enumerated in Madison Co VA in 1810 census after the death
of her husband James Shirley. She was apparently alive on 10
October 1820 when her daughter Jane McGehee and her husband James
of Person Co NC sold interest in their inheritance to brother
Zachariah Shirley, "land lying in the Co of Madison...containing
106 acres beign the same land on which Mrs Judith Shirley now
lives...."
children:
1(i). Mary Shirley born 1 April 1755; She died 21 January 1844
married in 1771 Tobias (Michael?) Wilhoite Oct 15, 1750 He served
in the Revolution (pensioned). They moved to to Jefferson Co.
KY now Bullitt Co. prior to 1795. In 1808 they moved with some
of their children to "Shakertown, Mercer Co. KY where they
became charter members of the Pleasant Hill Shaker Community
and died. The birth and death dates are from the Shaker Society
Records. Her representatives received 1/11th share as heir of
James Shirley, dec'd on 23 August 1850 (heirs named); She died
7 February 1839. They had 12 children.
1(ii). Thomas Shirley born say 1757 (twin) lived in Madison Co. VA.
Enumerated as taxable in Culpeper Co in 1790 and 1791; Died 1845
intestate. He was a bachelor and owned approximately 100 slaves
and the largest farm in Madison Co. VA comprising of 48,933 acres.
His estate was valued at $120,000 to $130,000 at his death. His
administrators received 1/11th share as heir of James Shirley,
dec'd on 23 August 1850;
"Madison County, Virginia, A
Revised History," by Margaret G. Davis, p. 294: "1793:
. . . Robert Oliver was tax delinquent on forty-two thousand
acres of land which was bought by the Shirleys.
By 1851 there were 551 farms in Madison
County. Eighty five of these contained over five hundred acres;
seventeen, over a thousand acres; five, over two thousand acres;
three over five thousand acres; and one, owned by Thomas Shirley
contained about fifty thousand acres. The average farm in 1851
contained three hundred and five acres.
Thomas Shirley began accumulating
land in 1799. Legend says that Thomas Shirley and his brother
Zachariah received their first land as a result of the murder
of their father. It seems Mr. Shirley [James 1739-1791 branch
#21] was an alcoholic and two young men of the neighborhood saw
Mr. Shirley fall down in an alcoholic stupor. The boys tortured
Mr. Shirley until they realized he was near death. Thomas and
Zachariah Shirley frequently went to look for their father to
take him home. When they found him on this occasion, he was conscious
enough to tell them the names of his torturers before he died.
The Shirleys notified the father of the two young men and told
him the sheriff would be called and the boys charged with murder.
The father, realizing what the outcome of the action of his sons
would be, offered the Shirley brothers all his possessions and
promised to move West if the Shirley's would not notify the sheriff.
Since Mr. Shirley was dead and the family in financial need,
Thomas and Zachariah accepted the offer. The man deeded his land
to the Shirleys and moved his family West and they were never
heard of afterwards.
Thomas Shirley eventually became
the largest land owner ever to live in Madison County. He died
about 1850. Chancery suits in settling Thomas Shirley's estate
were not completed until 1906 and they are considered among the
the most famous law suits in Virginia history. Thomas Shirley
owned many distilleries and he marketed his whiskey in Fredericksburg.
Reportedly the output of the distilleries was so great that teams
of oxen were kept on the road to and from Fredericksburg hauling
the liquor to market. The extra find liquor was hauled as far
Philadelphia. These journeys are credited with bringing the first
bananas and goats to Madison County. Tom Shirley owned so much
personal property that it took ten days of auctioning to sell
it after his death.
child.
illegitimate
2(i). daughter Shirley
1(iii). Zachariah
Shirley born say 1757 (twin) He first
appears in legal records in 1791 as taxable in Culpeper Co VA;
When Madison Co was formed from Culpeper Co, Zachariah found
himself enumerated in records in that county. Enumerated with
his brother Thomas Shirley in the 1810 census for Madison Co
VA. He died sometime in 1825 according to one of the many chancery
records involving this Shirley family; His will was probated
in Madison Co VA in 1826; On 23 August 1850, his adminstrators
received 1/11th share as heir of James Shirley, dec'd; He never
married but had 2 sons.
1(iv). Nancy Shirley born Mar 27, 1759. She died July 19, 1820.
Married James Yowell May 23, 1779 Culpeper Co. VA. They moved
to Oldham Co. KY about 1797. Her representatives received 1/11th
share as heir of James Shirley, dec'd on 23 August 1850; They
had 10 children.
1(v). Absolom Shirley he apparently died before 1816 (date of wife's
remarriage). On 23 August 1850, his estate representatives received
1/11th share as heir of James Shirley, dec'd .
married Cassandra [Felps?]. She married next Wm Austin Dec 26,
1816 in Jefferson Co. KY
children:
2(i). Elizabeth Shirley. She married Henry L. Harrison in Oldham Co.
KY She was named in the distribution of money related to the
estate of James Shirley dec'd in August 1850 (wife of H. L Harrison)
Jerry Riggs <bobbyriggs@worldnet.att.net>
Her parents were Absolom Shirley and Cassandra Felps(her maiden
name). Cassandra's father was Abbington Felps, there are several
variations of the name Abbington. Abbington Felps signed for
her to marry Henry L Harrison, since both her parents were deceased.
2(ii). Alphina Shirley. She married Jeptha Leet Oct 29, 1823 in Jefferson
Co. KY; She was named in the distribution of money related to
the estate of James Shirley dec'd in August 1850 (surname Leet)
2(iii). Sara Shirley. She married Caleb Vest. Her son Elija Vest
was named in the distribution of money related to the estate
of James Shirley dec'd in August 1850 (Sarah was deceased at
the time)
1(vi). Elizabeth Shirley. She married William Wilhoite. They immigrated
to Oldham Co. KY. Her representatives received 1/11th share as
heir of James Shirley, dec'd on 23 August 1850 (children named);
1(vii). Joshua Shirley born ca. 1763 lived in Bullitt Co. KY; He and
wife Mary resided in Nelson Co KY on 6 August 1805 when he sold
his rights to his inheritance from his father James Shirley to
Jeremiah Yowell of Nelson Co KY; He apparently died before 1845
when his children filed a power of attorney record in Madison
Co VA in that year; His assignee Jeremiah Yewell, received 1/11th
share as heir of James Shirley, dec'd on 23 August 1850; Joshua's
children brought suit against their uncle Thomas Shirley's estate
in 1847 Madison Co. VA. as a provision had been made in Zachariah
Shirley's will for Thomas Shirley, his twin brother, "to
sell some of their surplus lands and use proceeds to buy 100
or 150 acres in "some of the Western Countries (meaning,
KY?) ....for our brother Joshua to live and raise his family..."
That suit lasted for years and it provides much of the genealogical
information about this family. See Misc Link at top of page
Shirleys of Bullitt Co
Kentucky
1845. Orange Co VA DB 17:105 Deed.
Oct 25. Absolom Shirley, Juriah Shirley, Henry Shirley and William
Shirley children and heirs of Joshua Shirley dec. who was brother
to Thomas and Zachariah Shurley dec of Madison Co appoint our
brother Joshua Shurley of Bullitt Co Ky but who is now in Madison
our lawfull attorney infact to receive from executors or administrators
all sums of money or other estate that we may be entitled of
estate of Thomas and Zachariah Shirley dec. Oct 25 1845. Absolom
Shirley, Juriah (her mark) Shirley, Henry Shirley, William Shirley.
Nelson Co Ky: Absolom Shirley, Juriah Shirley, Henry Shirley
and William Shirley came before us the Justices of the peace
in sd. County and acknowledged the power of attorney.
married Mary Bell on 28 Apr 1801 in Nelson Co KY; She lived in
Nelson Co KY in 1850 census after the death of her husband Joshua
Shirley; She was the daughter of Henry T. Bell of Nelson Co.
KY.
children:
2(i). Joshua Shirley, Jr., born about 1817 KY; Lived Bullitt Co KY in
1845 when he was named attorney of his siblings to secure any
money due them from the estates of their father's brothers Thomas
and Zachariah Shirley; He was age 33 in the 1850 census. He died
without heirs (per Chancery documents)
1866 Bullitt Co KY Estate Inventory
of Joshua Shirley - Bullitt Co. Will Book G p. 107 - Inventory
of the personal estate of Joshua Shirley dec'd. Page 108 (List
of debts)
One note on Thomas Shirley for one hundred and five dollars
and ninety nine cents dated and due 8 Apr 1858.
One note on Juriah Shirley for twenty dollars dated 9 Feb
1849
One note on Henry Shirley of thirty dollars dated 9 Feb
1849 and due 11 Feb 1850. Credit by fifteen dollars 29 Jan 1853.
One note on William Shirly and Joshua Shirley for thirty
one dollars payable to Thos. S. Shirley dated 9 Feb 1849 and
due 9 Feb 1850 Said note was assigned to Joshua Shirley by T.
Shirley for value received 10 March 1849. Credit by 20 on the
note payed by B.-- Shirley 18 Aug 1852.
2(ii). William Shirley born about 1819 KY, Lived in Nelson Co KY in
1845 according to power of attorney document filed in Madison
Co VA in that year; He was age 31 in 1850 Bullitt Co KY census
married Elizabeth Hogland on 23 January 1841 at Bullitt Co KY. Her surname
also listed in dau Alice's birth record
children
(This family is difficult to trace after 1850 census)
3(i). Henry Shirley born about 1842 KY, age 8 in 1850 census
3(ii). William Shirley born about 1844 KY, age 6 in 1850 census
3(iii). Mary Shirley born about 1846 KY, age 4 in 1850 census
3(iv). Alexander H. Shirley born about 1849 KY, age 1 in 1850 census
3(v). Alice Shirley born 20 Aug 1853 at Bullitt Co KY, born to
William Shirly and Elizabeth Hogland
2(iii). Thomas Shirley He nor his heirs are named in an 1845 power
of attorney record fileld by his brothers and sister in Madison
Co Virginia; Does not appear in the 1850 census with wife and
child (unless wrong wife/child). He is likely recorded as a debtor
in 1858 in the 1866 estate record of brother Joshua Shirley,
see above
married 1) Eliz. Brashear on 25 March 1841 at Bardstown, Nelson Co KY
married 2) Mary E. Cartmell on 9 November 1847 in Bullitt Co KY; She is
living alone with child in the 1850 Bullit Co KY census, age
25. (Is she the correct wife with child?)
children:
3(i). Demascus Shirley born about 1848 KY, age 2 in 1850 census household
of his mother untraced after 1850 (Mother may have remarried,
but searched only using first name without success)
2(iv). Absolom Shirley born about 1805 in Kentucky, He was enumerated
in Nelson Co Kentucky in 1840 census; Lived in Nelson Co KY in
1845 according to power of attorney document filed in Madison
Co VA in that year; He was age 45 in 1850 Nelson Co KY census,
occupation: farmer, value of property $10,000; He lived near
his widowed mother in Nelson County. He died 1863 Nelson Co.
KY Shirleys of Nelson Co Kentucky
married Sarah Miles on 12 November 1832 at St Lawrence, Daviess
Co Kentucky, age 38 in 1850 census.
children:
(This family is difficult to trace after 1850 census)
3(i). Mary Shirley born about 1834 KY, age 16 in 1850 census;
Married and living in Decatur Macon Co IL in 1860 census; Named
as heir of Absolom Shirley in Chancery documents; She married
John Dillaha of Decatur Macon Co IL (per Chancery documents)
They were married on 7 June 1857 at Bardstown, Nelson Co
KY, by a minister of the Catholic Church.
3(ii). Sarah Shirley born about 1838 KY, age 12 in 1850 census;
Named as heir of Absolom Shirley in Chancery documents; She married
John Obriyant (per Chancery documents) They were married
on 10 March 1854 in Nelson Co KY
3(iii). James L. Shirley born about 1840 KY, age 10 in 1850 census; Named
as heir of Absolom Shirley in Chancery documents
3(iv). John Shirley born about 1842 KY, age 8 in 1850 census
3(v). Nancy Shirley born about 1845 KY, age 5 in 1850 census
3(vi). M. Shirley (female) born about 1847 KY, age 3 in 1850
census
3(vii). Zachariah Shirley born about 1849 KY, age 1 in 1850 census; age
10, living with sister Mary Shirley Dillaha in Decatur, Macon
Co IL in 1860 census; Named as heir of Absolom Shirley in Chancery
documents (difficult to trace after this, maybe married Mary
Vessels?)
2(v). Juriah Shirley born about 1815; She lived in Nelson Co KY in
1845 according to power of attorney document filed in Madison
Co VA in that year; She was enumerated in Nelson Co KY in 1860,
age 45. An unidentified (as yet) William P Shirley age 25 is
enumerated in her 1860 household;
?children:
4(i). Sarah Shirley. Daughter of Juriah Shirley (who gave consent),
she married James Clark on 21 December 1847 in Nelson Co KY,
2(vi). Henry Shirley born about 1810 KY; Lived in Nelson Co KY in
1845 according to power of attorney document filed in Madison
Co VA in that year; living with widowed mother in 1850 Nelson
Co census, age 40 Not traced after 1850 census
2(vii). Judith Shirley married John J. Barker on 10 June 1820 at Brown
Co Ohio (per bounty land record) ; She was granted bounty land
on behalf of her deceased husband's service during the War of
1812; Residences listed in documents Clark Co IN, Belmont Co
OH, where she resided in 1878 and 1887
2(viii). Mary Shirley. She died 1845; She married Squire Murphy on
28 February 1839 at Nelson Co KY
1(viii). Jane Shirley born 1766 married James McGehee Aug 27, 1801
Madison Co. They lived in Person Co. North Carolina before moving
to Jefferson Co. Ky. She received 1/11th share as heir of James
Shirley, dec'd on 23 August 1850;
1(ix). Delilah
Shirley born ca. 1768. She was the
unwed mother of one child, Lewis Shirley. She ultimately married
Benjamin Fleshman and had several children; Her representatives
received 1/11th share as heir of James Shirley, dec'd on 23 August
1850 (heirs named);
1(x). William
Shirley born 4 August 1772 Culpeper
Co. VA; He received 1/11th share as heir of James Shirley, dec'd
on 23 August 1850; He died 24 March 1854 Ky; His will was probated
in Oldham Co. KY and copy in Madison Co. VA.
married Elizabeth Clore on 1 January 1796 in Madison Co Virginia
1(xi). Bathsheba Shirley born ca. 1774. She died 1838 married Asa (Wm?)
McGehee 1808 in Louisa Co. VA. Her representatives received 1/11th
share as heir of James Shirley, dec'd on 23 August 1850; She
had no children.
1837 Will of Bathsheba McGehee, Louisa
Co, VA - Debts to be paid; Lend estate to friend James Turner
and his heirs, but if he has no heirs then to be equally divided
amongst my nephew, Lewis Shirley, sister Jane McGehee, brother
William Shirley and brother Abselem Shirley's three daughters
the tract of land I live on, negro Joe, beds, books, etc. livestock.;
Fifty dollars to my executor to support the Gospel.; Balance
of estate to be sold and money to sister Jane McGehee, brother
William Shirley and three daughters of brother Absolem Shirley,
dec'd and nephew Lewis Shirley.; Beloved friend James D. Roberts
to be executor.; Dated 6 Feb. 1837. /s/ Bathsheba McGehee. Wit.
Erasmus H. Walton, Charles T. Trevlian, and Samuel W. Walton.
Recorded 10 Dec 1838.
1(xii). John Shirley. Named in August 1850 court records distributing
the money arising out of a sale of land to heirs of James Shirley,
deceased. John and his brother James Shirley were not provided
an heir's allocation "because they have not been heard of
for a great many years and from the best information that could
be obtained they both died in the life time of their father James
Shirly." Nothing more known
1(xiii). James Shirley. Named in August 1850 court records distributing
the money arising out of a sale of land to heirs of James Shirley,
deceased. James and his brother John Shirley were not provided
an heir's allocation "because they have not been heard of
for a great many years and from the best information that could
be obtained they both died in the life time of their father James
Shirly."Nothing more known
James Shirley