Thomas Shirley
b. 1744-1749 in Prince William Co VA. Lived in Prince William Virginia. Family moved to Abbeville Co South Carolina and Barren Co Kentucky
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Thomas Shirley born between 1744 and 1749 in Prince William Co VA; Highly likely the son of John Shirley Sr who appeared in Prince William Co VA records as early as 1742; Thomas was named and enumerated - of taxable age- in the household of the elder John Shirley in Peyton's District tithe list in 1765 (thus fixing his approximate date of birth). This Thomas Shirley may have appeared in the store ledger of Daniel Payne in Prince William Co VA in the year 1759 and again in 1763; however, he would have signed and paid for goods (debits, credits) as a young man if so (On behalf of his father?, An older Thomas Shirley died and left a will - now lost - earlier in 1757 in PwCo). Thomas Shirley married Molly Grubbs likely in Prince William Co VA in 1770. He next appeared in the baptismal records for Broad Run Baptist Church on 8 May 1773. This church was located across the boundary in Fauquier Co VA. His wife Mary (Molly) Shirley was baptised later that summer on 13 August 1773. Both were "dismissed South" on 25 October 1783. In 1779 Thomas and his wife purchased 102 acres of land in nearby Fauquier Co VA adjacent John Shirley from William Wyatt and his wife Lettuce (DB 6/105). Thomas and Molly sold this land to William Cooke in 1779 (DB 7/85). Apparently, the family moved back across the boundary into Prince William County because Thomas Shirley was enumerated in the Prince William Co personal property tax list in 1782, 1 adult of tithable age, "6 horses, 20 cattle and 1 negro". They are not found in any land record for Prince William Co VA, thus they likely rented their land in that county. In 1783 just prior to the family moving South, Thomas was taxed on his personal property for 2 free adults over 21, 1 tithable slave, 7 horses, 11 cattle.

Thomas Shirley and wife Molly moved their family to Ninety-Six District, later Abbeville County in northwest South Carolina. He immediately was granted a survey on 640 acres of land on a branch of Eighteen Mile River in 96 District. On 29 January 1785, the family were founding members of Turkey Creek Baptist Church along with several relatives and nieghbors who also recently moved from Broad Run Baptist Church in Virginia. Thomas Shirley appeared periodically in extant church minutes including being cited for drunkeness on 12 February 1785. All Abbeville County land records were unfortunately burned and lost, so records are quite elusive for families in this region. However, Thomas appeared with 5 other Shirley families on a 1787 tax list for Ninety-Six District. In 1788, Thomas was listed as a trustee of Turkey Creek Baptist Church. He and his family were not enumerated in 96 District in 1790 federal census possibly in transit to Kentucky by that date. Thomas and Mary Shirley sold their 640 acres of land on Eighteen Mile Creek in Abbeville Co SC to Bennet Combs in a deed dated 5 April 1791, thus they may have returned to SC temporarily or simply moved to Kentucky after that date. James Shirley and Richard Shirley witnessed the sale. Thomas Shirley, his wife and his son Elijah requested and were granted letters of dismission from Turkey Creek Baptist Church in South Carolina on 8 March 1794 (Note: there is another Thomas Shirley, not likely the same, found in Turkey Creek Church records continuing after this date, through 1814, and enumerated in the 1800 census for Abbeville Co SC; This Thomas Shirley joined Little River Church)

Thomas and Molly Shirley moved from South Carolina to Scott Co Kentucky with several members of the Shirley clan. On 9 December 1794, Thomas and Daniel Neale purchased 2 treasury warrants of 100 acres of land located in Harrison Co KY. This land would later by sold by heirs of Thomas and Molly Shirley. They took up residence however in Scott Co Kentucky appearing in the tax list there in 1796, 3 males above 21 years old, 5 horses, 10 cattle, no land; In that same year, Thomas filed for an administrative bond to probate the estate of Richard Shirley Sr (presumably a brother who had also migrated from Virginia to SC, then to Scott Co KY). Thomas appeared on the 1797 tax list owning 422 1/2 acres on Ravens Creek, Harrison Co KY. Thomas then moved his family from Scott County to Barren County KY where he was taxed on 200 acres of land on Barrens River in 1799, where he helped to organize the Dripping Springs Baptist church in Wisdom KY. He and Molly built a house which stood until 1885 when it was destroyed by fire. The 1800 federal census was lost for the state of Kentucky but in 1801 Thomas administered the estate of James Shirley (presumably another brother who similarly migrated from Virginia, to SC and then to Kentucky). Thomas Shirley continued to appear on annual tax lists of Barren Co KY (as 'senior') at times holding as much as 1300 acres in Barren and Harrison Counties; They were enumerated in the 1810, 1820, and 1830 censuses in Barren County; Thomas Shirley died about 1834 in Barren Co. Kentucky the year his heirs are recorded selling his land holdings in Harrison Co KY. Thomas and Mollie are buried near where the house stood. Their graves have rectangular stones but no dates are visible.

1765 Prince William Tithables - Peyton's List - John Shirley, John Shirley Jr., Thomas Shirley 3 tithes [Note: John Jr and Thomas likely born between 1744, (age 21 to have a separate listing) and 1749, age 16 (to be named in household)]

1774 November 26 Fauquier Co Deed Book 6 pg 105 - William Wiatt and Lettice his wife of Prince William County to Thomas Shirley of Fauquier County, 102 acres on boundary of John Shirley's line, Watkins line and McClannahams line near a glad of Kettle Run.

1779 Fauquier Co Deed Book 7 pg 85 - Thomas Shirley and Mary, his wife, of Fauquier County to William Cooke, 102 acres part of purchase made by William Wiatt of the executors of Charles Carter, deceased....tract near glad of Kettle Run and McClannaham line, corner of John Shirley. Signed, Thomas Shirley, Marah Shirley. Wit. James Hathaway and Ambrose Barnett.

1783 Fauquier Co VA - Broad Run Baptist Church Minutes [with notation in the 1773 minutes]

Thomas Shurley Oct 25 '83 Dismt South
Mary Shurley Oct 25 '83 Dismt South

6/3/1784 Description: Shirley, Thomas, Plat For 640 Acres On Branch Of Eighteen Mile River, Ninety Six District, along the old trading road to Keowee; Surveyed By John Purves - SC Archives Online Index

1785 January 29 - Turkey Creek (of Saluda) Church, constituted on January 29, 1785, by Joseph Redding, and admitted to the Charleston Association the next year. The constituents, sixteen in number, and later other members, signed a covenant of fourteen articles in which the Philadelphia Confession was adopted as a standard of faith and practice. Turkey Creek was thus a Regular Baptist church from its constitution. Constituents of Turkey Creek:

Sarah Foster, sister of Ambrose Foster; Thomas Foster; Elizabeth Hall; Benjamin Northcut; Archibald Shirley; Margaret Shirley; Mary Shirley; Richard Shirley; Thomas Shirley; James Smith; Joseph Smith; Leannah Smith; Mary Smith; Sarah Smith; Martha Ware; Nicholas Ware;

1791 April 5 Pendleton Co DB B p 194 Thomas Shirley to Bennett Combs 640 ac 18 Mile Creek- Thomas Shirley, planter and Mary, his wife, of Abbeville Co. SC to Bennet Combs, planter of Pendleton Co. SC for 80 pounds, sold 640 acres granted Jan 21, 1785 said Shirley, being on Eighteen Mile Creek on an old trading road to Keowee in Ninety Six District SC. S/Thomas Shirley, Mary (X) Shirley, Wit: William Mitchell, James (X) Shirley, Richard (X) Shirley, Abbeville Co. SC. Sworn by oath of Richard Shirley July 23, 1791. Recorded Sept 25, 1793

1794 March 8 - Thomas Shurley, wife, and son Elijah petition for letter -- also James Shurley and wife and Archibald Shirly, also James Smith -Turkey Creek Baptist Church Minutes

1794 State of Kentucky - Treasury Warrent #6917 is granted to Thomas Shearly and Dan Neale __ of Robert Johnston and George Newman, a certain tract or parcel of land containing five hundred acres  bearing date of December 9, 1794 lying and being in Scott Co. on the waters of Raven Creek.

1803 Barren Co KY Tax List

Thomas Sherley Snr 200 ac in Barren Co on Bluespring, same, same
..........................same 100 ac in Barren Co on Bluespring, ---, same
..........................same 200 ac in Barren Co on Bluespring, [ ] Sherley, same
..........................same 200 ac in Barren Co on L. Barren, T Sherley, same
...........................sane 630 ac in Harrison Co on Raven Oak, R Johnson, same, same 2 wm 21+, 1 wm 16+, 0 blks 6 horses

1834 Harrison Co KY Deed book N, Drawer 11 Box 702, Shirley heirs listed: Richard Shirley, Thomas Shirley, Jr., Lettis Cullins and Wm. Cullins; Heirs of Thomas Shirley, dec'd; Polly Shirley, Lettice Shirley, Thomas Shirley, Heirs of Elizabeth Shirley, dec'd late of Barren Co KY, Isaac Dale, attorney to represent them in selling Harrison Co. Ky. land on Raven Creek.Wit: James Shirley, dated: 1834

married Mollie Grubbs on 7 May 1770, likely at Prince William Co Virginia

children:

1(i). Richard Shirley born 22 February 1771 likely in Prince William Co VA; He died 1846. They had a large plantation in Barren Co.  The land adjoined that of his father. The house was large 4 story brick structure having a full basement, main floor, upstairs and attic that went over the entire house. In each end there was a design made of light colored and dark colored bricks, contrasting with the read of the main wall. A great crack came in one of the walls which made it necessary to wreck the house. In the early days, the stage that ran through this part of the country made a regular stop at the Richard Shirley plantation. The story told was about great stacks of dried pies that were kept ready to serve the travelers and of the great beauty of their youngest daughter , Fanny.

"On the headwaters of Marrowbone, Skegg's, No Bob and Glover's Creeks, settled ... [names] ... and Richard Shirley, who killed two panthers on his plantation; others were heard day and night, screaming around his home. In those days--1800 to 1804--persons carried their guns with them everywhere, even to meeting to protect themselves against Indians and wild animals." - The Times of Long Ago, Barren County, Kentucky, by Franklin Gorin. Published by John P. Norton, Inc. Louisville, KY 1929. - originally a series of articles in the Glasgow Times about 1876 p. 25:

married Nancy Green. born about 1772; She was living with her son George Shirley in 1850 Barren Co KY census, widow.

1(ii). William Shirley born 15 March 1773; he died in 1833 Never married.

1(iii). Elijah Shirley born 1 October 1777; he died 1807, age about 30

May 11, 1793 Elijah Shirley received by baptism -Turkey Creek Baptist Church Minutes

[date?] Thomas Shurley, wife, and son Elijah petition for letter -- also James Shurley and wife and Archibald Shirly -Turkey Creek Baptist Church Minutes

1(iv). Nancy Shirley born 1 November 1779 (birth conflict); She married Thomas Smith. They were living in Hendricks Co. Indiana in the 1850 census.

1(v). Thomas Shirley, Jr. born 15 June 1779 (birth conflict); he died 9 April 1851 at Hiseville Barren Co. KY,

married Hannah Dale. She was born 15 January 1779 (Husband's bible says born June 15) and died 20 January 1859. She was the sister of Rueben Dale

Hannah Dale Shirley
Photo from Margo Elmhorst

1(vi). Elizabeth Shirley born May 1782; She died 1830 

married Robert Shirley, son of James Shirley and Mary McMekin, Branch #8.

1(vii). Lettice Shirley born about 1785; she died July 1859; she married William Cullins in 1813 Barren Co. KY

1(viii). Sarah Shirley born about 1786; she died Mar 18, 1831 Barren Co. KY; she married  Isaac Dale, Jr. Sept 2, 1817

1(ix). Fannie Shirley born Oct 1788 nothing more known

   

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