| |
This Lineage Last Reviewed
and Updated May 2022
Noah Shirley born about
1809 TN (age in 1850 census); He first appears in White Co TN
records in 1833 enumerated in Capt Wilson's district along with
a James Shirley; Interestingly, a secondary list of "free
white inhabitants" that same year also includes Championa
Shirley who is one of the original Shirleys to migrate to White
County (thus, can he be the father?) By 1836, Noah was taxed
on 88 acres in White County and taxed in subsequent years along
with James Shirley; In 1837 Noah was listed in an extant store
ledger (propriotor not known, but assumed to be Wm Gilmore Sims).
On April 9 of 1837, Noah had apparently purchased goods at the
Sims store on the same day as James Shirley (named twice) and
Thomas Shirley, both clearly relatives; The elder Championas
Shirley was still alive in 1837, being listed in the store ledger
on May 20th of that year. Noah was absent from the 1840 federal
census enumeration, but several Shirley families of White County
are instead found in nearby Hamilton Co TN (Chattanooga); The
trail goes cold for the whereabouts of Noah Shirley in the 1840s,
but he once again appears in White Co in the 1850 federal census
(Did he come back, or maybe never left?) In the 1850 census,
Noah Shirley was enumerated as age 41, thus born about 1809 in
Tennessee, with wife Rebecca age 34 (born Virginia) and 5 children,
the eldest Polly Ann Shirley born 1839, would suggest Noah and
Rebecca married say about 1838; The census also enumerates a
James Brewington age 15 born TN in the household; It is likely
this James was surnamed Shirley and Brewington instead a rare
middle name (James was enumerated in the census household in
order by age which would not be the case if a different surname).
If so then, Noah and Rebecca's date of marriage would have been
about 1834 instead of about 1838; Nothing more is known, but
Noah Shirley apparently died sometime before 1854.
"I grew up only a few miles from the Cherry Creek/
White Co. area of TN.My dad was actually born in the White Co.
area. Our line goes back to a Noah Shirley. He was on the census
records as being in White county in I think 1850 with his family.
I believe from the stories that my grandpa told me that Noah
was a Baptist preacher, that we came from Sequatchie Valley (around
Marion co.) and also before that from N.C. and Virginia as well
as grandpa telling me Noah was from Cherry Creek.I know that
Thomas bought land in Cherry Creek, so I believe that Noah was
one of Thomas's sons. According to the census he was born about
1809.in S.C. My grandpa also told me that "old Noah"
and his family sold whisky to the Indians when they were going
on war parties. The Indians would go through, fight, get bloody,
and then come back through and tell them that they" fought
like hell, and got beat like the devil." I also heard a
story that one winter before he had a house to live in, Noah
spent the winter in a huge hollowed out tree. Noah was supposed
to have been buried in the lower end of Board Valley (Clouse
Cemetery) where the church is at. His grave was lost supposedly
due to flooding. So we know he is there, just don't know what
spot.There are other Shirley children buried there though."
- Sent to the Shirley Association by Anita, a descendant of
Noah Shirley
married Rebecca Sparks about 1835 (or 1838); Her surname
is found in the death certificates of several children; She was
born 24 October 1815 at Washington, VA (is this Washington DC,
or Washington County VA?); She died 1 December 1891 at Lower
Board Vall, White Co. TN; Her maiden name is identified in the
death cert. of their daughter Margaret. Widowed, Rebecca Shirley
married next Lancaster Randolph on 27 November 1854 in Putnam
Co TN after the death of her husband; Enumerated with husband
and Lancaster children (sic) in 1860 census for Cumberland Co
TN; She died 1 December 1891 and was buried at Board Valley Cemetery,
Sparta White Co TN (To help avoid confusion from later family
mixing, here are Randolph's children in 1850 census before marrying
Rebecca: John Randolph b 1831, Mahala b 1834, Malinda b 1834,
Elizabeth b 1838, Jesse b 1840, Calvin b 1842, Chisum b 1845)
1854 [Misc manuscript documents
of the Howard family] State of Tennessee Putnam Co to any regular
ordained minister of the gospel havng the care of souls or is
any justice of the peace in and for the said county or to any
judge of said state bond and security having been given according
to law you are here but given or authorized to solumnie the rites
of matrimony between Lancaster Randolf and Rebecca Shirley of
said county and join them together as husband and wife in the
holy wedlock given under my hand at office this 27 day of November
A.D. 1854. Russell Moore, clerk
Putnam Co Court by Byrum C. Johnson, Depty.
Children of Rebecca Sparks Shirley and next husband Lancaster
Randolph, married November 1854
- Nancy Randolph born about 1854 TN, Enumerated with widowed
mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland
Co TN census, age 6 (as Nancy Randolph), age 15 in mother/stepfather's
1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Nancy Lancaster)
- Martha Randolph born about 1856 TN, Enumerated with widowed
mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland
Co TN census, age 4 (as Martha Randolph), age 13 in mother/stepfather's
1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Martha Lancaster)
- Febe (Phoebe) age 6/12 in 1860 census household
children
2(i). James Brucington/Brewington [Shirley?] born about
1835 TN, age 15 in Noah and Rebecca Shirley's 1850 census household
(Census enumerators always use ditto marks to indicate same
surname as persons above them on the list, but no ditto marks
are shown for James after Noah and Rebecca Shirley, thus his
surname may indeed be Brucington/Brewington rather than Shirley,
however, his enumeration is in order by children's age, which
implies he is a Shirley son; If he had been a nephew or stepson,
then he would have been enumerated at the end of the family,
out of age order) nothing more known
2(ii). Polly Ann Shirley born about 1838 TN, age 12
in parent's 1850 census household (Census enumerators identified
her surname as Shirley following James Brucington) nothing more
known
2(iii). Roda Shirley born about 1839 TN, age 11 in
parent's 1850 census household; Enumerated with widowed mother
and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN
census, age 20 (as Rhoda Randolph);
2(iv).William Shirley born 6 June 1843 TN (tombstone),
age 8 in 1850 census; At age 18, William was enumerated in 1860
census with William Sparks, age 77 in Dry Valley, Putnam Co TN;
He was married, enumerated in the household of Mary Patton,
age 50 in 1870 Putnam Co TN census; William Shirley lived in
Putnam Co TN in 1880 census, age 37 and in the 1900 census, age
57; He died 23 November 1919, age 77 (tombstone); Note:
the Putnam Co death cert of a William Shirley born 5 Jun 1842;
died 1919 says his father was Thomas Shirley and mother Lizzy
Randolph. G.W. Foister was the informant (clearly something is
not correct.)
William Shirley and MaryAnn Jackson
married 1) Sarah ______ She was listed as wife in 1870
Putnam Co TN census
married 2) Margaret _______ She was listed as wife
in 1880 census, age 33 born TN
married 3) Mary Ann Jackson She was listed as wife
in 1900 census, age 53 born TN; She was born 20 September 1848
and she died 7 January 1927 (tombstone) Daughter of Andrew Jackson
and Nancy Hicks (death cert says b 10 Oct 1848)
children
3(i). Mary Shirley born about 1868 TN, age 12 in the
1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900 census
household
3(ii). Thomas Jasper Shirley born about 1870 TN, age
10 in the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's
1900 census household
3(iii). Elizabeth Shirley born about 1875 TN, age 5
in the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900
census household
3(iv). Isaac W. Shirley born about 1877 TN, age 3 in
the 1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900
census household
3(v). Dicy Shirley born about 1878 TN, age 2 in the
1880 Putnam Co census, not enumerated in parent's 1900 census
household
3(vi). Levi S. Shirley born 4 February 1878 TN (tombstone),
age 1 in the 1870 Putnam Co census; age 21 in parent's 1900 census
household; He died 11 May 1961 at Putnam Co TN, buried at Sand
Springs Mem. Gardens, Monterey, Putnam Co TN
Ancestor of DNA Kit #932400 (replacing defunct Kit #73699)
married 1) Bell Bilbrey on 30 August 1900 in Putnam
Co TN; She died 15 May 1908; She was the daughter of Hilary Bilbrey
and wife Letitia Blaylock; Buried Clouse Cemetery, Putnam Co
TN
married 2) Ellen Miller, widow nee Bradham on 5 March
1911 in Putnam Co TN
3(vii). Noah Andrew Shirley born 18 March 1880 TN,
age 0 in the 1880 Putnam Co census (as Newton A); age 19 in parent's
1900 census household (as Noah); He died 20 February 1941 Civil
District 8, White, TN; Buried at Clouse Cemetery, Cookeville
Putnam Co TN (death cert, parents named)
married Mary Jane Osborne
3(viii). Rebecca Shirley born about 1884 TN; age 16
in parent's 1900 census household
3(ix). Melissa Shirley born about 1887 TN; age 13 in
parent's 1900 census household
3(x). Solomon Shirley born about 1890 TN; age 10 in
parent's 1900 census household
2(v). Thomas Carroll Shirley born 17 May 1845 TN (tombstone),
age 6 in 1850 census; Enumerated with widowed mother and new
stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860 Cumberland Co TN census,
age 14 (as Thomas Randolph); age 25 in mother/stepfather's 1870
Putnam Co TN census household (as Thomas Lancaster); He married
and was living in Hogan, Franklin Co Arkansas in 1910; He died
on 5 January 1929 TN; Buried Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin Co
Arkansas (tombstone) Shirleys of
Franklin Co Arkansas
married Nancy Elizabeth Randolph on 30 November 1871
at White Co TN (corrected; source: White Co marriage document);
She was born 4 July 1848 TN and she died on 23 June 1934 TN (tombstone)
children:
3(i). Thomas Randolph Shirley
married 1) Mary Diggins
married 2) Elizabeth Mauz
3(ii). Elzada C. Shirley born 5 Aug 1872
3(iii). Benjamin Franklin Shirley born 25 Aug 1874
in TN
married Tabitha T. Murray on 26 August 1895 Franklin
Co. AR, She was born 1878 AR and died in Detroit, Wayne Co. Michigan.
children
4(i). Bessie B. Shirley born about 1897 in AR
4(ii). Minnie M. Shirley born about 1900 in AR
4(iii). Clarence S. Shirley born about 1902 in AR
4(iv).Mary J. Shirley born about 1904 in AR, United
States
3(iv). G. Miles Shirley born 8 June 1876 in AR, He
died 8 October 1898; buried Mt. Olive Cemetery, Healdton, Carter,
OK
married 1) Anna E. Couch
married 2) Annie Murray
children
4(i). Edgar "Dewey" Shirley born 18 June
1898
3(v). Elbert Walling Shirley born 19 October 1877 in
TN; He died 2 May 1969
married Mary Greenwood (Emile?)
children
4(i). Verna Shirley born about 1906 in Franklin, AR
4(ii). Loy Shirley born about 1908 in Franklin, AR
3(vi). Garfield Shirley born 24 December 1880; He died
10 December 1906
married Rita Maonaw
3(vii). Robert Lee Shirley born 24 January 1882
married Mary Buchanan
3(viii). Samuel Cleveland Shirley born 5 May 1885
3(ix). Ada B. Shirley born about 1889 in AR; She married
Lee Garner
3(x). Maude May Shirley born 1 October 1893 in Denning,
Franklin, AR; living with parents in 1910 census; She married
Burt Hill
3(xi). John Chester Shirley born 8 March 1895 in Denning,
Franklin Co AR; living with parents in 1910 census; He died 19
March 1983
married 1) Elizabeth Lee Bridges on 17 January 1919
children
4(i). John Chester Shirley, Jr
4(ii). Eugene Shirley
4(iii). Minta Shirley
4(iv). Bernardine Shirley
4(v). Thomas Cecil Shirley born June 24, Denning, Franklin
Co. AR
2(vi). Elizabeth Shirley born 5 March 1847 TN (death
cert; tombstone: Sep 1847), age 3 in 1850 census; Enumerated
with widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in
1860 Cumberland Co TN census, age 12 (as Elizabeth Randolph),
age 20 in mother/stepfather's 1870 Putnam Co TN census household
(as Elizabeth Lancaster); She married _____Hall; She died 22
April 1919 and was buried at Clouses Chapel, Putnam Co TN (TN
death cert: dau of Noh Sherly and Rebecca Sparks; Tombstone says
23 April 1919)
2(vii). Margaret Shirley born 1 November 1849 (tombstone
date; not enumerated in parent's 1850 census); Enumerated with
widowed mother and new stepfather Lancaster Randolph in 1860
Cumberland Co TN census, age 10; age 18 in mother/stepfather's
1870 Putnam Co TN census household (as Margaretta Lancaster);
She married 1) Conley, married 2) Joseph H. Judd; She was said
to be widowed at the time of her death 25 September 1924, at
Putnam Co TN, age 75; Buried at Cloises Chapel, Putnam Co TN
(TN death cert: dau of Noah Sherley and Rebecca Sparks)
August 6th, 2006, I received an email from Peggy
and this is all her husband knew about his ancestry.
The only thing I know right now is that my husband's Grandfather
was Curtis Shirley. He died a few years ago in Illinois.
August 7th, 2006, Ken and I went to work again to see
what we could do to help this family. A few more email exchanges
and it didn't take very long to find Curtis. Would you believe
it is the Curtis above who is 8 months old in the 1920 Census
of TN?
Peggy seemed surprised we found this info. (We love to surprise
folk with our finds.) She says: This is so interesting, we are
just excited as can be. My husband says that he thinks his great
grandfather (maybe) died in Sparta around 20 years ago.
Evening of August 7th, we sent the census info above including
the 1850 White Co. TN census. There is was, their lineage.
August 9th, 2006 we received this email:
Hi Betty,
This has been a very productive few days. The information
that you gave us was just so intense, it has just really pushed
us to want to know more and more.
Well. Trent was able to find a posting from someone looking
for information on Noah Shirley. He was able to track her down
and he spoke with her on the phone today. Turns out that she
is his second cousin and grew up with is dad. We are going to
get in touch with each other and see about getting more info
from here. She had also said that someone in her family had been
doing a lot of research into the genealogy. So we will be emailing
her and trying to find what else she has for more information.
I will keep you posted and also see if we can give you here
email if you would like.
Posted Sept 5, 2006
I grew up only a few miles from the Cherry Creek/ White Co.
area of TN. My dad was actually born in the White Co. area.
Our line goes back to a Noah Shirley. He was on the census
records as being in White county in I think 1850 with his family.
I believe from the stories that my grandpa told me that
Noah was a Baptist preacher, that we came from Sequatchie
Valley (around Marion co.) and also before that from N.C.
and Virginia as well as grandpa telling me Noah was from Cherry
Creek. I know that Thomas bought land in Cherry Creek, so I believe that
Noah was one of Thomas's sons. According to the census
he was born about 1809.in S.C. My grandpa also told me that
"old Noah" and his family sold whisky to the
Indians when they were going on war parties. The Indians would
go through, fight, get bloody, and then come back through and
tell them that they" fought like hell, and got beat like
the devil." I also heard a story that one winter before
he had a house to live in, Noah spent the winter in a huge hollowed
out tree. Noah was supposed to have been buried in the lower
end of Board Valley (Clouse Cemetery) where the church is at.
His grave was lost supposedly due to flooding. So we know he
is there, just don't know what spot. There are other Shirley
children buried there though. My other Shirley family is buried
in the Upper end of Board Valley. I found the 3 Shirley men on
the 1810 White co. census records. There was Thomas, John, and
Champanus. I know John's family went back to Marion Co. I think
Thomas went with him, but I wonder if the Cherry Creek property
was left to Noah in his will? Perhaps that is why he stayed there
instead of staying in Marion co. From going to Marion co. and
talking to Paul Shirley, one of my "Marion co. cousins",
John and Thomas, and possibly Champanus were brothers and went
from N.C., to S.C. , around through Georgia or Alabama, came
up to Whitwell, in Marion Co. TN, went on up and bought property
in White Co. at Cherry Creek, and then went back to Whitwell.
I found a marriage license for Champanus in the far eastern part
of TN. I have a copy of it and of the property deed where Thomas
bought land in Cherry Creek. I found it at the White Co. courthouse.
I would like to submit the info I have on my family which
is taken from actual gravestones and from family stories. I also
have some pictures. How would I go about doing this? There was
also a "Mary Shirley" in white county about the same
time with a family of children. could she have been related somehow?
Any info that you have on Thomas would be greatly appreciated.
I have gotten stuck at his name, and can't seem to get farther
back with any kind of accuracy. I would like to know the links
of who he actually goes back to. I have read small portions of
the "Stemmata Shirliana'' by Sir Evelyn Shirley, but I don't
know for sure where out line goes. Do all Shirley's connect?
Do we all somehow go back to the main family in England or were
there people who lived on the land that took the family's name?
Anyway, it is great to be in contact with you. I hope that the
info I have will end up helping someone else along the way. Hope
to hear from you soon! It is great to meet another cousin!
Anita M. Shirley
Posted May 2022
I grew up by Noah Shirley's son William's home place. It was
66 acres where he raised his grandson, my grandfather Dallas
Oba Shirley, and his brother Will. They were there for generations
and had generations of family around them. I will see what kind
of paper trail I can put together and mail to you to show a more
complete picture of Noah's line. From my research, I believe
Noah died in 1854, and his wife Rebecca Sparks remarried to Lancaster
Lanier Randolph in Nov. 1854. He was a widower with children
and so was she. I think they already knew each other and back
then you married not just for love, but because farm families
needed the protection and help to raise your kids. I was told
Noah's son William, my line, married twice. His first family
according to census records, was married to Sarah S. Unknown
maiden name, and had 5 kids. He came home one day and she was
gone. This was during reconstruction in the south, so I suspect
she was murdered. It wasn't normal for a Southern woman to run
off and leave 5 kids behind with no explanation, just gone, especially
with generations of family around you. William's second wife
was MaryAnn Jackson. According to the census records, their blended
family had 12 kids. They also raised my grandpa and his brother
Will, their grandchildren in a 4 room cabin with a "dogtrot"
built in the center of the house. All of Williams first 5 kids
died by their early 20's. None married. My grandpa told me who
his grandpa Williams brothers and sisters were. I believe Nancy
was Laniers daughter not Noah's. I believe Noah had William,
Thomas, Elisabeth/Betty Hall, Margaret/Peggy Judd, and Rhoda
Jane Hill. Also I believe the Brewington children were Noah's
nephews. I believe one of Rebecca Sparks sisters married a Brewington.
There's a pretty solid paper trail for Noah until proving his
parents. Also the census with Noah's son William living with
William Sparks, I think he was about 18 years old, that was his
Sparks grandfather. Then he shows up with Sarah in Mary Patton's
house. I haven't figured out who Mary Patton was,or how they
are connected. Anita
1850 White Co. TN Census
NOAH 1809 TN
(Noah Shirley married Rebecca Sparks)
Rebecca 1816
VA
James Brucington 1835 TN
Polly Ann 1833 TN
Roda 1839 TN
WILLIAM 1842 TN
Thomas 1844 TN
Elizabeth 1847 TN
-----------------------------
1880 Census of Putnam Co. TN
WILLIAM 1843 TN
Margaret 1847 TN
Mary 1868 TN
Thomas J. 1870 TN
Elizabeth 1875 TN
Isaac W. 1877 TN
Dicy 1878 TN
Levi 1879 TN
Newton A. 1880 TN
-----------------------------
1900 Census Putnam Co. TN
WILLIAM June 1843 TN
Mary A. Dec 1847 TN
Levy Feb 1879 TN
NOAH Mar 1881 TN
Rebeeky Aug 1884 TN
Malissey Feb 1887 TN
Soloman Oct 1890 TN
-----------------------------
1920 census for Putnam Co. TN - District
Five
NOAH Shirley age 38 TN TN TN (father of
Curtis)
Mary Jane Shirley 36
Nettie Shirley 19
C[onnor] Shirley 10
Jenel Shirley 8
Ima Pearl Shirley 6
Mattie Ethel Shirley 4 7/12
Nellie [T]emple Shirley2 10/12
[W.H.] CURTIS Shirley [8]/12 (this means....8
months old)
Anita sent the pictures below...
Solomon Shirley on the left, and my grandfather
Dallas Oba Shirley on the right.
==============================================================
In August 2006, we heard from 2 people who are connected to
this family of Shirleys. Neither knew one another. Based on the
info they each provided and research by Ken and myself,
we have expanded our knowledge of this family and will share
it here as branch #81.
From: Christina Shirley dolphfan@swbell.net
So far the names I have are my dad, Daniel Paul Shirley, born
1-14-56 in Dayton, Ohio. He died 5-3-96. I got 2 different names
for my grandfather (I don't know why). His name was George William
Franklin Shirley, says my uncle. My grandma said it was George
Franklin Washington Shirley (later dropped the Washington). He
was born in Black Oak Community in White County, Tennessee close
to Sparta. He married my grandma, Naomi Morris. His dad's name
was Noah Andrew Shirley who was married to Mary Jane Ozborne
(spell?). Noah's grandfather's name was William Shirley married
to Mary Ann Jackson. That's all I have right now. I hope you
can help me trace this family more accurately, my family can't
wait to find out.
George Franklin Washington Shirley or George William Franklin
Shirley was born on December 30,1924. He did serve in the navy
during WW2 on the USS Alabama.
|
Noah Shirley