Shirleys of Hanley
Staffordshire, England

DNA Haplotype I

Merchant family in the Pottery Trade

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William Shirley b. ca 1760 Hanley Staffordshire. His children were christened at Stoke upon Trent as well as at Hanley chapelry (in Stoke). His abode in most instances at the time of his children's births was Shelton Staffordshire; He died May 6, 1808 Bucknell cum Bagnall Staffordshire. Editor: What is the source for the claim this particular William Shirley died at Bucknell in 1808?

married Hannah ____ She died Oct 17, 1807 Shelton, Stoke on Trent parish, Staffordshire.

Children:

1(i). John Wright Shirley chr 24 Apr 1780 at Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. Buried 2 Jul 1783 at Stoke on Trent, age about 3 years

1(ii). William Shirley chr 13 Jan 1782 Stoke on Trent; Living Shelton, Stoke on Trent parish in 1817 and still in 1832.

London Gazette 10 May 1806 - Notice is hereby given that the copartnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned William Shirley and John Buckstone both of Shelton in the parish of Stoke on Trent Staffs manufacturers of earthenware trading under the firm of William Shirley and Co was this day dissolved by mutual consent. 8 May 1806.

London Gazette 18 Apr 1807 - ...Copartnership between William Shirley and William Mander of Shelton in the parish of Stoke upon Trent Staffs manufacturers of earthenware carried on under the firm of Shirley and Mander was this day dissolved by mutual conset. 11 Apr 1807.

London Gazette 22 Nov 1817 - Hanley Staffs. To be peremptorily sold by aution in a commission of bankruptcy against William and Jesse Shirley late of Shelton in the parish of Stoke on Trent, Staffs potters and co-partners. on Tuesday the 16th day of December next at the Swan Inn in Hanley the sale to commence at five o'clock. All those convenient and well arranged set of potworks with the garden spacious yard and appurtenances therunto belonging most advantageously and pleasantly situated in Hanley in teh Staffordshire Potteries called the Old Hall Works late in the possession of the said bankrupts. These works are in complete repair well supplied with water and close to coals.

1(iii). Mary Shirley 1784 Stoke on Trent

1(iv). Jesse Shirley chr 21 May 1786 at Stoke on Trent; Living Shelton, Stoke on Trent parish in 1817 and still in 1832; He died 1839 in Philadelphia USA, age 52 Moved to Philadelphia Pennsylvania

London Gazette 22 Nov 1817 - Hanley Staffs. To be peremptorily sold by aution in a commission of bankruptcy against William and Jesse Shirley late of Shelton in the parish of Stoke on Trent, Staffs potters and co-partners. on Tuesday the 16th day of December next at the Swan Inn in Hanley the sale to commence at five o'clock. All those convenient and well arranged set of potworks with the garden spacious yard and appurtenances therunto belonging most advantageously and pleasantly situated in Hanley in teh Staffordshire Potteries called the Old Hall Works late in the possession of the said bankrupts. These works are in complete repair well supplied with water and close to coals.

April 3, 1839 Jesse Shirley died in Philadelphia in his 52nd year of age according to the Baltimore Sun. [Jesse was late of Staffordshire England.]

1(v). Mary Shirley 1788 Stoke on Trent

1(vi). John Shirley born 21 Sept 1790, chr 3 Oct 1790 at St John the Evangelist, Hanley. In 1821, he was a partner selling earthenware with his brother Benjamin Shirley in London Children moved to New York, Philadelphia, Maryland and California

1(vii). Cephas Shirley b 17 Apr 1793, chr April 28, 1793 at St John the Evangelist, Hanley; In the china business with his brother Benjamin Shirley in London 1814 [see Old Bailey proceedings below]; According to Staffordshire Potteries history, he operated a pottery operation in Stoke on Trent at least between 1818 and 1820. He was living in Deptford Kent prior to Sep 1823. He migrated to New York in June 1825 and died Oct 2, 1863 Baltimore, MD Moved to Baltimore Maryland

London Gazette 23 Jan 1816 - Notice is hereby given that the partnership lately carried on between Cephas Shirley and Benjamin Shirley carried on the business of Staffordshire Ware at No 17 Worship St Shoreditch MDX was this day dissolved by mutual consent. 11 Jan 1816.

London Gazette 1 Nov 1817 - Notice is hereby given that the partnership lately carried on between Moses Ellis and Cephas Shirley of Shelton in the Staffordshire Potteries as printers and enamellers of earthenware under the firm of Ellis and Shirley was this day dissolved by mutual consent. 28 Oct 1817.

London Gazette 23 Sep 1823 - Notice of Insolvent Debtors to be Heard - Cephas Shirley, formerly of Worship-Street, Norton-Falgate, in the County of Middlesex., Chinaman (cariying on business with Benjamin Shirley, under the firm of C. and B. Shirley, afterwards of Hanley, in. the County of Stafford, Earthenware Manufacturers (carrying on business with Richard Dean and William Hall, under the firm of Dean and Co. and afterwards with the said.Richard Dean, under the firm of Dean and Co.):, since of Shoreditch in the.said County of Middlesex, afterwards of the City-Road, in the said County of Middlesex, and late.of Deptford in the County of, Kent, Clerk, to Benjamin Shirley of Deptford aforesaid, Chinaman.

Early NY Naturalizations: Shirley, Cephas, b. Staffordshire, Eng. age 31 migrated from Liverpool, merchant 21 June 1825.

1(vii). Benjamin Shirley chr. July 26, 1795 at St John the Evangelist, Hanley d. 1845 In the china business with his brother Cephas Shirley in London 1814 [see Old Bailey proceedings below]. He was living in Deptford Kent about 1823

London Gazette 23 Jan 1816 - Notice is hereby given that the partnership lately carried on between Cephas Shirley and Benjamin Shirley carried on the business of Staffordshire Ware at No 17 Worship St Shoreditch MDX was this day dissolved by mutual consent. 11 Jan 1816.

London Gazette 29 Sept 1821. Commission of bankrupt bearing the date 28 Aug 1816 awarded and issued forth against John Shirley and Benjamin Shirley, of Worship Street London MDX dealers in earthenware and co-partners, meet at the Swan Inn in Hanley, Staffs...creditors who have not already proved their debts are to come prepared to prove the same....[same page and edition as another mention of the bankruptcy of William and John Shirley of Shelton Staffs.]

London Gazette 23 Sep 1823 - Notice of Insolvent Debtors to be Heard - Cephas Shirley, formerly of Worship-Street, Norton-Falgate, in the County of Middlesex., Chinaman (cariying on business with Benjamin Shirley, under the firm of C. and B. Shirley, afterwards of Hanley, in. the County of Stafford, Earthenware Manufacturers (carrying on business with Richard Dean and William Hall, under the firm of Dean and Co. and afterwards with the said.Richard Dean, under the firm of Dean and Co.):, since of Shoreditch in the.said County of Middlesex, afterwards of the City-Road, in the said County of Middlesex, and late.of Deptford in the County of, Kent, Clerk, to Benjamin Shirley of Deptford aforesaid, Chinaman.

This may be his family by virtue of James Elliot's Shirley's birth listing as Deptford Kent in the census

Ancestor of DNA participant - Kit #67158

married Mary Ann Gilliam 2 Sept 1827 at St Alphage, Greenwich Kent

children:

2(i). William James Shirly born 7 Oct 1828; chr 12 Nov 1828 at St Alphage, Greenwich Kent

2(ii). Mary Ann Shirley born 26 Dec 1829; chr 15 Jan 1830 at St Alphage, Greenwich Kent

2(iii). James Elliott Shirley, gent. born 5 Jul 1831; chr 31 Jul 1831 St Alphage, Greenwich Kent; He is living at 9 Talgarth Rd, Middlesex in 1881 census, occupation Timber Merchant, age 49, born Deptford Kent (the family has 2 servants in the HH)

1879 7 Feb - London Met. Archives - James Elliott Shirley of 110 Cannon Street, City of London, gent., executor and trustee of John Galloway the elder.

married Ellen ______ She was born in Islington Middlesex

children:

3(i). Elliott Shirley born about 1859 at Islington Middlesex, age 22 in 1881 family census, Occ: commercial clerk; 1871 census says he was born at Hackney MDX.

3(ii). Ellen Shirley born about 1860 at Islington Middlesex, age 21 in 1881 family census; 1871 census says she was born at St Pancras MDX.

3(iii). Jessie Shirley (dau) born about 1862 at Islington Middlesex, age 19 in 1881 family census

3(iv). Frederick C Shirley born about 1864 at Islington Middlesex, age 7 in 1871 family census; He does not appear in the family's 1881 household.

3(v). Phillip Shirley born about 1878 at Islington Middlesex, age 3 in 1881 family census

3(vi). Kenneth Evelyn Paxton Shirley born about 1878 at Isliington Middlesex, age 3 in 1881 family census

2(iv). Louisa Shirley born 14 Jul 1834; chr 16 Nov 1836 at St Alphage, Greenwich Kent

2(v). Ann Shirley chr 16 Nov 1836 at St Alphage, Greenwich Kent

1(ix). William Wright Shirley born 22 Sep 1797, chr Oct 1, 1797 at Hanley Staffordshire; He moved to the USA in 1823 and opened a crockery store and auction house in New York City; He was living in Brooklyn Kings Co NY in 1850 census; He died July 16, 1865 (age 67 yrs) Moved to New York City

Early NY Naturalizations: Shirley, William W. [report 21 Sept 1818] b Staffordshire, Eng., age 21 migrated from Liverpool, merchant 20 Mar 1823.

"According to Arthur W. Clement of the Newark Museum, “The honor of first commercially producing porcelain in this country must be given to the Jersey Porcelain and Earthenware Company of Jersey City. . . .” (12). Workers from England, Ireland, and France were hired by William W. Shirley to manufacture Staffordshire earthenware and porcelain in Jersey City" [prior to 1826]

New York Times - November 29, 1851. FIRE:... The building was entirely destroyed, excepting the front walls. -From No. 211 the flames spread to tlhe five story building, No. 210 Pearl-, the store of which was occupied by William W. Shirley, dealer in crockery and auctioneer...

married Elizabeth Garrick Coddington, daughter of Moses Coddington and Sarah Farclo, on 15 Aug 1818 at St Stephens Episcopal Church in New York, New York, USA; born on 16 Dec 1799 in New York, NY; She died on 16 Jul 1880 in New York, NY

children: (listed in his 1850 Kings Co NY HH)

2(i). William Fairclo Shirley born March 4, 1833 in New York City; He died November 14, 1903

New York Times - Nov 16, 1903. Death Overtakes Old Couple. Mrs William F. Shirley expires suddenly while planning arrangements for husband's funeral. Side by side having died within a few hours of each other, William F. Shirley, a retired broker and his wife Carrie Chester Shirley are lying at the Antoinette, a hotel at 54 E 59th Street. Mr Shirley died first and at about 630 o'clock on saturday afternoon. At about the dame hour yesterday afternoon Mrs Shirley while sitting on a sofa in her apartment, discusing with her children the funeral arrangements and the kindnesses of the father and hunsband, suddenly leaned back and expired. Mr Shirley was 71 years of age and Mrs Shirley wa 70. Although in the technical description of Dr George B Fowler who ha been the family physician for many years both died of apoplexy, even the physician admitted last night that the shock of her husband's death had undboubtedly led to Mrs Shirley's death adn that she had died as near as in the cold actualities it is ever true of a broken heart. The couple were married in Christ Church in this city on April 4 1864. The Rev Hugh Miller Thompson performed the ceremony. Mrs Shirley was the daughter of Cornelius Low Sidell. Continuously since that time Mr Shirley had lived in New York. He began his business life in the crockery and glass business in which his father was active before him, and gradually increased his fortune. About 50 years ago he entered Wall Street and was for nearly 40 years a prominent figure in the brokerage business on the street. He was for many years broker for James R Keene. At one time he was a member of the Democratic Club, but resigned about 10 years ago. For about 8 years past Mr Shirley had been ailing and had not been active in business. On Friday evening about 630 o'clock he was stricken with an apoplectic stroke and died from its effects on Saturday evening about the same hour. The couple are survived by three children - Rufus G Shirley who is in the insurance business; Mrs Dr. Frank G. Hallstead, and Grace E. Shirley. The funeral arrangements which were in part completed by Mrs Shirley's own suggestions and which were interrupted by her death will now be altered and the couple will be buried together.

New York Times. Nov 16, 1903. Obituary: SHIRLEY: On Saturday Nov 14 at his residence 54 E 59th St. William Fairclo Shirley, son of the late William Wright and Eliza Garrick Coddington in the 71st year of his age. Notice of funeral hereafter. Baltimore and San Francisco papers please copy.

married Carolyn Chester Sidell on April 4 1864 at Christ Church New York City; daughter of Cornelius Low Sidell. She was born July 12 1848 and died Nov 15, 1903

children:

3(i). Rufus George Shirley; born August 7, 1873 at 53 W 37th St NY; He resided at 716 Madison Ave NY; He was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity; alive in 1903; worked at New York Life Insurance Co. In 1910, he is listed as divorced and living with aunt Emma L. Pinkrey, she age 64.

Their only son Rufus George Shirley born at 53 W 37th St Aug 7 1873 resides at 716 Madison Ave NYC baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. A Republican in politic. He early evinced a desire for knowledge in military tactices, and entered the Military Academy at Peekskill for training receivng at the age of 12 a diploma for skill in drill. Later he became a student at Trinity School and from there pased on to the Columbia Institute acquiring in each proficiency in other studies. He finally graduated in June 1891 from the Dupuy School in Trenton New Jersey. By the desire of his father and the influence of their intimate friende the late Governor Roswell P Flower, he was appointed a cadet in the US Naval Academy rooming with cadet Worth Bagley of Raleigh NC (unfortunately the first naval officer to lose his life in the Spanish American War, being the 2nd officer in command of the US torpedo boat Winslow....). After his return to NY he was appointed in 1895 a clerk in the home office of the NY Life Insurance Co. Being alert both mentally and physically industrious genial and kindly in nature, with keen perception aptness in emergencies and quick resentment of infringements at the expiration of 5 years he was advanced in 1900 and made assistant manager of the Broadway branch. and 10 days later to the position he now occupies as agency director of the St James branch at 320 5th Ave NY. His reputation is an atractive character of wide observation broad and liberal views frank and earnest in his opinions an is gratified with the satisfaction and confidence of the company. His fondness for travelling has made him a tourist for considerable extent in America. In 1901 he went abroad for a sojourn of 10 weeks passing through Holland, Belgium and the northern part of France and especially vividly recalls with much pleasure a private coaching trip from London to Chester. up the valley of the Thames through many beautiful estates and being entertained at Lord North's estate at Waxton Abbey. He is an arden admirer of outdoor recreation being a close pursuer of large game in the Canadian wood and an enthusiastic disciple of Isaak Walton. He is vice pres of the North Lake Fish and Game Club, of Montreal Canada adn the Delta Chi Club of New York, Veteran Corps of Artillery, Historical Society, New England Society, Military Society of the War of 1812, St Nicholas Society, Sons of the Revolution. Sons of the American Revolution, Society of Colonial Wars, Huguenot Society, Metropolitan Musuem of Art, [more] He is a veteran of the 4th Division, First Naval Battalion, Naval Militia New York; first lieutenant Co H, 9 th Regt, N.G.N.Y - Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Family ..., Volume 1

married Maude N Longmire on Nov 8 1899 in Kings Co NY (divorced before 1910)

3(ii). Elaine Shirley; born about 1875 NY; alive in 1903; married Dr Frank G. Hollister/Hallstead

3(iii). Grace E. Shirley; born about 1879 NY; alive in 1903.

2(ii). Henry Shirley born 1838 NY

2(iii). Clara Shirley born 1840 NY

2(iv). Ellen Shirley born 1842 NY

1(x). Charity Shirley b 20 Sep 1802, chr 26 Sep 1802 at Hanley; supposedly died London

1(xi). Mary Shirley born about 1807 Lane End Staffordshire. Nothing more known


OLD BAILEY TRIAL PROCEEDINGS

SAMUEL CHAPMAN, theft : simple grand larceny, 25th May, 1814.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t18140525-36

original Text:
495. SAMUEL CHAPMAN was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 26th of April, six jelly-glasses, value 3 s. seven patty-glasses, value 3 s. the property of Benjamin Shirley and Cephas Shirley .

BENJAMIN SHIRLEY . My partner's name is Cephas Shirley; we are china-men in Worship-street. The prisoner was our warehouseman. On the 26th of April last, I was in the warehouse where the glasses are kept. I saw these glasses taken from the respective places, and set of one side; suspecting they were put there by the prisoner to be taken away at dinner time, I marked each one particular. I had applied to Mr. Armstrong to attend. On the prisoner going to dinner, I sent a servant up to see if they were gone; I discovered the glasses were gone. I went with the officer, and saw the prisoner taken in custody. He had got about fifty or sixty yards from our shop. He was then taken to the public-house next to the office. These glasses were taken out of his pocket; he confessed he had stolen them; they were the first; he hoped we would forgive him on account of his poor wife. The glasses were found in his pocket. He had a basket, carrying crockery-ware. He had bought articles of me before. I never suffered him to take anything without first bringing them into the shop, and having them booked to him. These glasses were up stairs, in the warehouse.

JOSHUA ARMSTRONG . I took the prisoner into custody, and searched him at the public-house, and found these glasses in his pocket. I asked him how he came by them; he said it was his first offence; he hoped Mr. Shirley would forgive him. He was very much alarmed. Afterwards, he said he told Thomas to book them.

THOMAS SHARP . I am bookkeeper to the prosecutors. The prisoner never desired me to book these articles to him. On this day he brought goods to me in this basket to book, but not these glasses. I booked the goods in his basket. I am certain these glasses were not among the things he brought to be booked.

Benjamin Shirley . These are the glasses; they are the same that I marked.

Prisoner's Defence. I was in the habit of buying articles of Mr. Shirley. I looked my goods out before I went to dinner; some earthen ware, and them glasses. I got them together; they were basons, jugs, and them glasses. I went to fetch the jugs and glasses down; I put the glasses in my pocket. I kept one glass in my hand to shew the clerk. As he was booking them a load of crates of earthen ware came to the door; he immediately told me to make haste home, that I should help him in with the crates. When I came back I took the glasses and went away. I believe I left a memorandum of the glasses; they would have been put down when I came back.

Sharp. There was a cart come with crates. I was certain the prisoner had the property about him. I would not suffer him to stop. He had not a glass in his hand. He put the earthenware on the counter to be booked, but not the glasses.

GUILTY , aged 57.

Confined 6 months in the house of correction , fined 1 s .

First Middlesex jury, before Mr. Justice Le Blanc

 


 

 

   


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