Catherine Baer's Bible
Valentine and Catherine Shirley's children are written in German in Catherine's Bible. The Bible was published in 1763 by Christopher Sauer of Germantown, Pennsylvania. The Bible has passed through several generations and now is in the possession of a James Moore in Oklahoma City, OK.
Catherine's initials C. B. (Catherine Baer) are stamped on a brass heart on its cover and lists the births of the children of Valentine Shirley and Catherine Baer. The edges of the leaves are frayed, the ink is faded and some of the words are hardly legible. The Shirley children did some scribbling on the leaves. Jacob wrote his name and date of birth in English. The names "Anna Schally" and "Elizabeth Schally" are also written. The Bible became the property of Catherine's daughter, Elizabeth, who gave it to Ida Springer Powers who gave it to me not long before her death in 1940.
Catherine was the daughter of Jacob Baer, Jr. and a grand-daughter of Jacob Baer, Sr. and Anna Muller.
This is the English version
In the year 1772 Mari Barbara was born on the 12th day of April.
In the year 1774 Jacob was born on the 7th day of February.
In the year 1776 Johan was born on the 2nd day of August.
In the year 1779 Henry was born on the 26th day of May.
In the year 1782 John Equolus was born on the 2nd day of April.
In the year 1786 Adam was born on the 17th day of July.
In the year 1790 Anna Elizabeth was born on the 19th day of Feb.
In the year 1792 Anna as born on the 29th day of Feb.
On May 18, 1779 Catherine's parents, Jacob and Barbara Baer of Rocking ham Co. VA conveyed 2 tracts of land in Augusta Co. VA to Valentine. They were located on the south side of Middle River (book 22 page 514).
On May 15, 1787, Valentine received a land grant of 180 acres in Rockingham Co. between the Shenandoah River and South Mountain, (book O page 73).
On April 13, 1801 he patented 496 acres on Middle River in Augusta Co. (book 39, page 420).
August 19, 1777 Felty Shirly recommended for ensign. (Felty is suppose to be a nickname for Valentine).
Feb 17, 1778 Valentine Shirley commissioned ensign in the militia.
Aug 18, 1778 Valentine Shirly and Jacob Barrier appointed road surveyors.
Nov 16, 1779 Grand jury presentments against Valentine Shirley and 40+ others for retailing liquors without a license.
Sept 24, 1791 Marriage bond of Samuel Pecker (should be Baker)...and Barbara Sherley, daughter of Valentine Sherley (German).
1793 Valentine Softley (Shirley), a petitioner for a road in Rockingham Co. that would pass through his land and other lands including those of Samuel Baker.
June 29, 1793 slander suit by Gawsper Mefford, Jr. against Valentine Sherley. Recorded April 1795
Aug 12, 1793 Jacob Shearley, infant, by Valentine Sherley, next friend, versus George Mefford.
Nov 6, 1794 Valentine Shirley an appraiser of estate of Jacob Barrier.
April 6, 1795 Valentine Sherley surety for marriage license of Henry Spearing, widower and Jane Price, a widow.
On June 8, 1811 Valentine sold 496 acres on Middle River in Augusta Co. VA to his son, Jacob Shirley and George Cook for 2000 pounds. On July 8th, 1811 he entered 480 acres in Orange Co. Indiana. It is not known if he made the trip to Orange Co. Indiana or not as he made his will Sept 3, 1811 in Augusta Co. VA and was in low health. His will was probated Sept 23, 1811.
I am researching the Shirley-Baker connection. Barbara SHIRLEY m Samuel BAKER. They had a daughter Catherine E. BAKER b. 28 Aug 1792 VA d 30 Aug 1868. Thanks, Sylvia... mailto:Keziah1639@aol.com
from Gayle Basaldu basaldus@hotmail.com
I have been looking for the Charles Shearley/Shally/Shirley who married Sarah/Sally Engledow/Engledove/Ingledove (Ingledore) in Wythe County, Virginia, 1807. Then, Sally Shearley, is named in her father, William Engledow's Will, in Wythe County, Virginia, 1813-1814.
Orange County, Indiana. Springer Cemetary, French Lick Cemetery.
SHIRLEY, Catherine Baer, widow of Valentine SHIRLEY, mother of Elizabeth WILSON. Came from Virginia in 1815. No stone found.
WILSON, Andrew. 1789-1853. (Soldier War of 1812; son of Joseph WILSON, a soldier of the American Revolution.)
WILSON, Elizabeth, w. of Andrew. 1791-1881.
WILSON, May L., dau. of A. E. 1831-1836
WILSON, James H., son of A. E. 1822-1833
A baffling observation by Betty Shirley.
Valentine Shirley's sister in law, Ann Baer m. George Argenbright. Their daughter Sally Argenbright was living in the home of Peter Shirley in 1797 (branch #31) as she gave deposition in a suit.
George and Betsey Shirley, son of Michael Shirley, (branch #30), had a grandson George A. T. Shirley (born Aug 25, 1828 KY to Charles David Shirley) who married Cornelia Ann Baer Oct 23, 1853. Her father was Henry Baer who was a brother to Catherine Baer who married Valentine Shirley, (branch #29)
Mar 4, 1799 Peter Shirley (branch #31) bought land in Madison Co. KY BK D page 629.
August 1799 Christian and Rosanna Canote Shirley bought land in Madison Co. KY from William McGuire and his wife Mary Shirley (she is daughter of Michael Shirley and Katy Franz Branch #30).
Rosanna Canote's parents bought property from Michael Shirey/Shirley in Augusta Co. VA in 1802.
It would appear their is a relationship with these three branches yet none has been proved.
1. Mary Barbara Shirley April 12, 1772 VA, died 1831 IN, married Samuel Baker Sept 24, 1791. He was born May 1770 PA and died April 1842 IN. He was the son of: Phillip Peter Baker Dec 23,1723 Germany, died Mar 1, 1801-1801 and Barbara Schubic. Phillip was the son of Johann Nicholas Backer (Baker) who married Anna Marie Schawnee Jan 1723. Johann is said to have farmed in Frederick Co. VA before 1755. His will is written in German and probated in 1762.
Their early married life was spent in Rockingham Co. VA and most of their children were born there. Their farm bordered on Augusta Co. VA and was near the home of her father, Valentine. On March 16, 1807 they sold 240 acres near the North and Middle Rivers to John Craig for 540 pounds. Shortly afterwards the family migrated to Kentucky. A descendant said they traveled by way of the Cumberland Gap and the Wilderness Road to the Lexington KY area. They worked for Henry Clay and boarded with the slaves on pickled pig's feet and corn bread. Not liking the country or the habits of the people, they loaded up again and started for the Indiana Territory about 1808. They settled in section 28 of Pierce Township in Washington Co. where they obtained title to 240 acres.
Children
(1). Barbara Baker Aug 28, 1792 VA d. 1858 unmarried. Buried Baker Cemetery, Washington Co. IN
(2). Catherine Baker Aug 28, 1792 (twin) died Aug 20, 1866 or 1868. She married John Bush, Jr. They were the parents of ten children.
(3). Valentine Baker June 1793 VA died Aug 7, 1859. He married 1st. Nancy Overton. They were the parents of five children. He married 2nd Mary Mahala Hamilton and they were the parents of seven children.
(4). Elizabeth Baker 1795 VA died Jan 8, 1885, married Frederick Wyman. They were the parents of six children.
(5). Anna Baker 1796 VA died 1834, married Nathaniel B. Wilson. They were the parents of six children.
(6). Mary Baker 1801 VA died 1867, married Joseph Wilson, Jr. , brother of Nathaniel. They were the parents of seven children.
(7). Jane Baker about 1804 died 1829, married Leonard Wyman, brother of Frederick. They had four children.
(8). son who died young.
(9). Zachariah Baker April 2, 1815 IN died May 3, 1861. He married 1st, Elizabeth Bixler, no issue, married 2nd Sophia Green. They were the parents of eight children.
There may have been another daughter who died at age 18. Her name was Sarah Baker
7. Anna Elizabeth (Betsey) Shirley born Feb 19, 1790, died Jan 5, 1881, m. Andrew Wilson Dec 25, 1815. He was born Aug 5, 1789 VA and died Oct 7, 1853. They were the parents of 7 children.
Anna Elizabeth was called Betsey and in her father's (Valentine) will she was bequeathed a brown mare named Jin and her colt and 2 cows, or $124, also 1 good feather bed and furniture, as well as her equal share of the estate. At the sale in 1811 she bought a black filly for six pounds six shillings. The final settlement of Valentine's estate shows that she chose the money instead of the animals and that she also received $267. Betsey with her mother and others of her family came to Indiana in 1815. On July 7, 1815 she entered 160 acres in Paoli Twp, Orange Co. IN. She was the first woman to enter land in the township and the only woman among 121 persons who entered land there through 1819 according to the history of Orange Co IN.
children
(1). Amanda Jane Wilson Aug 6, 1818, died July 6, 1857, m. Michael Lindsey Jan 31, 1839. He was born Feb 6, 1807 KY, d. Jan 31, 1881. They are buried in the Green Hill cemetery, Orleans. They were the parents of 6 children.
children:
A. Mary Elizabeth Lindsey 1842 (no info)
B. Eliza Oreon Lindsey Nov 30, 1843 d. July 14, 1923 m. Thomas G. Street. He was born Mar 29, 1841 d. Mar 3, 1901 and was a Civil War Veteran. Both buried in the Bethel IOOF cemetery in Orangeville.
C. Andrew Wilson Lindsey Feb 24, 1846 d. Mar 26, 1917 m. Lavinia J. Quackenbush Mar 18, 1869. She was born Jan 12, 1846 d. Feb 9, 1936. Both are buried Fairview cemetery Orleans.
D. Ann Catherine Lindsey b. 1849 d. 1872
E. James Henry Lindsey Aug 2, 1850 m. Martha ____.
F. Marquis DeLafayette Lindsey (no info)
(2). Mary Wilson June 11, 1820, d. Feb 7, 1913, m. Alfred Bruner Dec 29, 1836. He was b. Apr 5, 1815 KY, d. Sept or Oct 26, 1898.
Children:
A. Amanda Jane Bruner Oct 8, 1838 d. April 7, 1910 m. Moses F. Ham Jan 6, 1859
B. Hester Ann Bruner Nov 7, 1840 m. Joseph Bruner Sept 6, 1866
C. Lucy Ann Bruner Mar 3, 1843 d. Aug 15, 1928 m. Silas Joel Halbert Feb 22, 1967.
D. Maria Bruner April 29, 1845 d. Sept 6, 1920 m. John Millis Sept 3, 1867
E. Nancy Ellen Bruner Dec 30, 1847 d. Dec 30, 1847 m. James Harvey Hudelson Mary 3, 1881, a cousin, she was his 4th wife.
F. Joseph Wilson Bruner April 23, 1850 d. Feb 27, 1854
G. Elizabeth Bruner Dec 6, 1852 d. June 7, 1962
H. Luther Mathers Bruner May 30, 1855 d. Feb 17, 1861
I. Alfred Wilson Bruner April 17, 1858 d. Mar 18, 1939 m. Flora Faucett April 17, 1879
J. Newton Thompson Bruner Sept 23, 1860 d. May 17, 1878
(3). James Harvey Wilson June 15, 1822, d. Aug 1, 1833
(4). Ann Catherine Wilson Aug 5, 1825, d. May 16, 1906, m. Thomas Luther Mathers Mar 5, 1846.
Children:
A. William C. Mathers 1844
B. Joseph H. Mathers 1848 m. 4th Elizabeth Hudelson
C. Mary Elzora Mathers Dec 20, 1849 IN d. Dec 16, 1936 KS m. James V. Moore April 2, 1872
D. Maria J. Mathers Mar 1852 d. 1940 m. Robert A. Street Oct 21, 1869
E. Florence Mathers May 29, 1853 d. 1941 m. Eli W. Monical Sept 19, 1872
F. Lucy Mathers 1856 m. Henry Murray Feb 18, 1875
G. Margaret Mathers Aug 1858 d. 1939 m. Jacob W. Cowherd Feb 28, 1886
H. Moses A. Mathers Dec 3, 1860 d. April 3, 1901 m. Elizabeth Porter June 25, 1996
I. Emma Mathere 1863 m. Douglas Burton Mar 18, 1891
J. George A. Mathers 1866 d. 1877
(5). Joseph Wilson Sept 3, 1828, d. Jan 3, 1864 in Civil War, m. Rilla Brown.
Child:
A.. Ida Wilson
(6). Lucinda Lingle Wilson April 9, 1831, d. Jan 31, 1837
(7). Mariah Wilson b. Dec 14, 1834, d. Nov 1924, m. William Harvey Porter Springer Aug 12, 1856. He was born Jan 23, 1832, d. July 19, 1889. (He was the son of John Slaymaker and Susan Nichols Springer). William Harvey Porter Springer was a physician in Orange Co. IN and later in Illinois or Missouri.
8. Anna Catherine Shirley Feb 29, 1792 VA, d. Nov 18, 1833, m. Thomas Sewell Oct 6, 1814. He was born Nov 6, 1791 and d. Aug 10, 1834. They were the parents of 5 children.
Anna was 19 when her father died. He bequeathed her a horse and two cows, or $124, and one good feather bed and furniture in addition to her share of the estate. Her only purchase at the sale on Nov 7, 1811 was a desk for four pounds, one shilling. In the final settlement of the estate her share was $310.13 plus the $124 in place of the animals. Anna signed a deed in Augusta Co. VA on June 16, 1814, and after her marriage to Thomas Sewell on Oct 6, 1814, she and Thomas both signed the deed.
children
(1). Fletcher Sewell Oct 9, 1818, d. after 1880, m. Catherine Osborn Jan 23, 1845.
Children in the census:
A. George Sewell 1846
B. Mary A. Sewell 1848
C. Sarah J. Sewell 1850
D. John T. Sewell 1852
E. Lafayette Sewell 1855
F. Emma A. Sewell 1856
G. Nancy M. Sewell 1861 m. William H. Gibson Aug 28, 1898
(2). Elizabeth Sewell June 15, 1821, d. 1844-45, m. James M. Campbell July 4, 1842. No issue known.
(3). Virginia Sewell Sept 22, 1824, d. July 15, 1900, m. John Solomon C. Reynolds Nov 14, 1850. He was born May 1, 1823 IN and d. June 4, 1893.
Children:
A. George Oscar Reynolds 1851 d. 1895
B. child died young
(4). Mary Ann Sewell Feb 10, 1828. d. 1865, m. Joel Lindley. He was born April 23, 1823 and died Sept 26, 1851.
Children:
A. Anna C. Lindley 1846
B. Joseph A. Lindley Mar 20, 1848 d. April 22, 1867
C. Emma D. Lindley April 3, 1851 d. Feb 25, 1864
(5). George Washington Sewell April 20, 1830. (no info)
