Shirley Association Genealogical Research Website

Benjamin Shirley
b. ca 1760 Virginia. Family to South Carolina

MISC INFORMATION FOR THIS BRANCH
DNA Haplogroup E3b

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This Lineage Page Last Updated June 2023
Benjamin Shirley born about 1760's likely in Prince William Co Virginia; He migrated from Fauquier Co VA to Old 96 District South Carolina (later Abbeville Co) between 1783 and 1785, the latter date when he applied for a land warrant for 200 acres on a branch of Turkey Creek. He was enumerated on successive federal censuses in Abbeville Co SC between 1790 and 1820; He died about August 1824 in Abbeville South Carolina. Benjamin did not leave a will, but his two son-in-laws, James Richey and Weldon Pearmon, were named as administrators of his goods and chattels. His goods were inventoried and sold on 11 October 1824 in Abbeville Co SC. Some of the many items listed were plows, tools, barrels, saddles, cow, horses, (one blind horse sold for $16), sheep, geese, bushels of wheat and corn, bales of cotton, household items and last but not least, slaves. The slaves were listed as follows: One Negro man named Jay purchased by James Richey, $500; one Negro boy named Noah purchased by Robert Kay, $400; one Negro woman and her youngster purchased by Weldon Pearmon $600, one Negro girl purchased by Elizabeth Shirley, $300, one Negro boy named Jackson purchased by Nathaniel Shirley, $200, One Negro boy named George purchased by John Shirley, $175. Benjamin's wife Elizabeth and their children along with neighboring farmers were the buyers of his goods and chattels. The house and 1241 acres of land were not mentioned in the estate sale papers that descendant Conrad Shirley had in his possession before his death. (Editor Note: Contrary to claims, Benjamin Shirley did not serve in the Revolutionary War)

1783 Fauquier Co VA Personal Property Tax - Benjamin Shirley 1 poll; 2 cows, 1 horse (near John Shirley listing)

4/11/1785 South Carolina Land Plat - Shirley, Benjamin, Plat For 200 Acres On Branch Of Turkey Creek (Saluda River), Ninety Six District, Surveyed By John Bowie. Names Mentioned: Bowie, John; Shirley, Benjamin; Shirley, James

1787 Old 96 District Tax List (names) Benjamin Shirley

1790 Census - Old 96 District - Benjamin Shirley 1 1 2 0 0

1800 Census - Abbeville District - Benjamin Shirley 2 1 0 1 0 - 3 1 0 1 0 (born 1755-1774)

Mar. 21, 1804 Abbeville District Probate - James Hughes— Box 45, Pack 1007: Est. admnr. by Benjamin Shirley, Henry Sharp, Thos. Beaty bound to Andrew Hamilton Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $7,000.00. Sale , April 10, 1804. Byrs: Wm. Hughes, Rachel Hughes, widow, etc.

1810 Census - Abbeville District - Benjamin Sherly (p54) 02101 - 11101 - 02 (1 son 16-26, 2 sons 10-16)

1820 Census - Abbeville District - Benjamin Shirley 000101 - 00001 (5 slaves, 1 son age 16-26)

Aug. 20, 1824 Abbeville District Probate - Benjamin Shirley— Box 85, Pack 2080: Est. admnr. Aug. 20, 1824 by Jas. Richey, Weldon Pearman, John Seawright, Reuben Kay bound to Moses Taggart Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $10,000.00. Cit. pub. At Greenville Church . Jan. 5, 1827 paid Mastin Shirley $59.08. June 2, paid Nathaniel Shirley $53.50. Paid John Shirley $53.50.

married Elizabeth Hughes. Her will probated in 1826 in Abbeville Co SC

1813, in Anderson Co., SC the widow Rebecca Neal left an estate in which Moses Hughes, John Hughes, William Hughes, Edward Hughes, George Brown, Benjamin Shirley, and Starrett Dobbins shared the proceeds from the sale of a slave. Rebecca was the wife of Nathaniel Hughes born abt. 1742 and died abt 1784. After Nathaniel died Rebecca remarried to Samuel Neal born abt. 1790 and died 1811 in South Carolina. Benjamin Shirley married Elizabeth Hughes and Starrett Dobbins married Rhoda Hughes.

In the name of God Amen, I Elizabeth Shirley being weake (sic) of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory doth make and publish this my last will and testament as to what worldly goods I possess. After all my true debts and funeral expenses is paid, I do hereby will and bequeath that all my property which I possess shall be made sale of directly after my decease and the proceeds thereof together with all moneys in hand or in notes to be equally divided between the different legatees as follows: that is to say my sons Nathaniel Shirley, Mastin Shirley and John Shirley, and my daughters Lety Pearman, Armond Kay, Julaney Richey and Rapady Cullins. I also bequeath to my daughter Lettice Wilson, five dollars. I also bequeath the balance of one eighth part of all my effects be and the same is hereby directed to be appropriated to the redemption of a certain tract of land, situated on the waters of Little River, whereon John and Lettice Wilson, my son-in-law and daughter now live. Said land being conveyed __ my son-in-law James Richey and that the said James Richey on receipt of the money he has advanced to give a bond to secure the right title and interest in the said premises to the bodily heirs of my daughter Lettice Wilson and to them , their assignees forever and do hereby appoint my son Nathaniel Shirley and my son-in-law James Richey to be my lawful Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness where I have hereunto sent my and and seal this 27th day of March in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Six. (Signed X)

children:

1(i). Nathaniel Shirley born 20 June 1787 in SC. He died 11 July 1849 of typhoid fever in Abbeville Co SC. He was buried at the small Old Shirley cemetery on Branyon Road, about 1 mile southeast of present day Keowee Baptist Church in Abbeville County. A Wakefield family researcher posted her finding of Nathaniel's headstone after searching for the long forgotten cemetery

married Nancy Grubbs, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Mitchell Grubbs.

1(ii). Letitia Shirley born about 1789; She died on 2 February 1842; She married Weldon Pearman on 15 December 1806

1(iii). James Shirley born about 1791.(source for this child?) He is not named in the 1826 will of his mother. All adult children of Benjamin and Elizabeth are accounted for beginning with the 1800 census. Therefore, it is highly likely that this son James Shirley (source?) died as a child, certainly before 1800. For example, it is highly unlikely this child is James Shirley (m Nancy) who lived in St Clair Co AL and Lawrence Co AR.

1(iv). Armand Shirley born 7 August 1792; She died on 5 January 1874; buried First Westminister Baptist Church cemetery, Oconee, South Carolina. Married 1st Robert Kay 9 October 1809 and they were the parents of 9 children, married 2nd Jesse Rutledge on 19 October 1838

1(v). Julaney Shirley born on 17 April 1794; She died on 2 December 1833; She married James W. Richey July 9, 1812, son of James and Elizabeth Dunn Richey, Jr. They were the parents of 10 children

1(vi). Letizier Irene Shirley born on 2 March 1797; She married John Wilson and they were the parents of 10 children

1(vii). John Riley Shirley born on 25 March 1798; John and Mary lived in Franklin Co. GA and moved to Fulton Co. GA after 1852. He was mentioned as residing out of state with wife, Polly, in the Trussell estate dated 29 March 1854. He died on 14 June 1873 at Fulton Co. Georgia

married 1) Acemith Kay on 30 November 1817 and they had 7 children. She was the daughter of John and Rosannah Kay.

married 2) Mary Eliz. Kay sometime efore 1850. She was born 12 January 1806 SC and died 18 July 1887. She was the daughter of Rev. William and Catherine Trussell Kay (widow of Asa Kay).

1(viii). Mastin Shirley born say 1800 Abbeville Co. SC; He may have married again after Rachel's death. If so, her name must have also been Rachel. He may have died in Guntown, Lee Co. MS where his widow and family certainly lived by the time of the 1860 census.

married Rachel McAdams in South Carolina. She was born 22 November 1801 Abbeville Co. SC, daughter of John McAdams

1(ix). Rapady Rhoda Shirley born about 1802 Abbeville Co. SC. She married James Cullens, a wheel-wright. He was born 1798 SC, son of James Cullens.

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		Benjamin Shirley b. ca 1760 Virginia. Family to South Carolina MISC INFORMATION FOR THIS BRANCH DNA Haplogroup E3b
		< Back to the USA Lineage Index Page
	.....	This Lineage Page Last Updated June 2023 Benjamin Shirley born about 1760's likely in Prince William Co Virginia; He migrated from Fauquier Co VA to Old 96 District South Carolina (later Abbeville Co) between 1783 and 1785, the latter date when he applied for a land warrant for 200 acres on a branch of Turkey Creek. He was enumerated on successive federal censuses in Abbeville Co SC between 1790 and 1820; He died about August 1824 in Abbeville South Carolina. Benjamin did not leave a will, but his two son-in-laws, James Richey and Weldon Pearmon, were named as administrators of his goods and chattels. His goods were inventoried and sold on 11 October 1824 in Abbeville Co SC. Some of the many items listed were plows, tools, barrels, saddles, cow, horses, (one blind horse sold for $16), sheep, geese, bushels of wheat and corn, bales of cotton, household items and last but not least, slaves. The slaves were listed as follows: One Negro man named Jay purchased by James Richey, $500; one Negro boy named Noah purchased by Robert Kay, $400; one Negro woman and her youngster purchased by Weldon Pearmon $600, one Negro girl purchased by Elizabeth Shirley, $300, one Negro boy named Jackson purchased by Nathaniel Shirley, $200, One Negro boy named George purchased by John Shirley, $175. Benjamin's wife Elizabeth and their children along with neighboring farmers were the buyers of his goods and chattels. The house and 1241 acres of land were not mentioned in the estate sale papers that descendant Conrad Shirley had in his possession before his death. (Editor Note: Contrary to claims, Benjamin Shirley did not serve in the Revolutionary War) 1783 Fauquier Co VA Personal Property Tax - Benjamin Shirley 1 poll; 2 cows, 1 horse (near John Shirley listing) 4/11/1785 South Carolina Land Plat - Shirley, Benjamin, Plat For 200 Acres On Branch Of Turkey Creek (Saluda River), Ninety Six District, Surveyed By John Bowie. Names Mentioned: Bowie, John; Shirley, Benjamin; Shirley, James 1787 Old 96 District Tax List (names) Benjamin Shirley 1790 Census - Old 96 District - Benjamin Shirley 1 1 2 0 0 1800 Census - Abbeville District - Benjamin Shirley 2 1 0 1 0 - 3 1 0 1 0 (born 1755-1774) Mar. 21, 1804 Abbeville District Probate - James Hughes— Box 45, Pack 1007: Est. admnr. by Benjamin Shirley, Henry Sharp, Thos. Beaty bound to Andrew Hamilton Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $7,000.00. Sale , April 10, 1804. Byrs: Wm. Hughes, Rachel Hughes, widow, etc. 1810 Census - Abbeville District - Benjamin Sherly (p54) 02101 - 11101 - 02 (1 son 16-26, 2 sons 10-16) 1820 Census - Abbeville District - Benjamin Shirley 000101 - 00001 (5 slaves, 1 son age 16-26) Aug. 20, 1824 Abbeville District Probate - Benjamin Shirley— Box 85, Pack 2080: Est. admnr. Aug. 20, 1824 by Jas. Richey, Weldon Pearman, John Seawright, Reuben Kay bound to Moses Taggart Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum $10,000.00. Cit. pub. At Greenville Church . Jan. 5, 1827 paid Mastin Shirley $59.08. June 2, paid Nathaniel Shirley $53.50. Paid John Shirley $53.50. married Elizabeth Hughes. Her will probated in 1826 in Abbeville Co SC 1813, in Anderson Co., SC the widow Rebecca Neal left an estate in which Moses Hughes, John Hughes, William Hughes, Edward Hughes, George Brown, Benjamin Shirley, and Starrett Dobbins shared the proceeds from the sale of a slave. Rebecca was the wife of Nathaniel Hughes born abt. 1742 and died abt 1784. After Nathaniel died Rebecca remarried to Samuel Neal born abt. 1790 and died 1811 in South Carolina. Benjamin Shirley married Elizabeth Hughes and Starrett Dobbins married Rhoda Hughes. In the name of God Amen, I Elizabeth Shirley being weake (sic) of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory doth make and publish this my last will and testament as to what worldly goods I possess. After all my true debts and funeral expenses is paid, I do hereby will and bequeath that all my property which I possess shall be made sale of directly after my decease and the proceeds thereof together with all moneys in hand or in notes to be equally divided between the different legatees as follows: that is to say my sons Nathaniel Shirley, Mastin Shirley and John Shirley, and my daughters Lety Pearman, Armond Kay, Julaney Richey and Rapady Cullins. I also bequeath to my daughter Lettice Wilson, five dollars. I also bequeath the balance of one eighth part of all my effects be and the same is hereby directed to be appropriated to the redemption of a certain tract of land, situated on the waters of Little River, whereon John and Lettice Wilson, my son-in-law and daughter now live. Said land being conveyed __ my son-in-law James Richey and that the said James Richey on receipt of the money he has advanced to give a bond to secure the right title and interest in the said premises to the bodily heirs of my daughter Lettice Wilson and to them , their assignees forever and do hereby appoint my son Nathaniel Shirley and my son-in-law James Richey to be my lawful Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness where I have hereunto sent my and and seal this 27th day of March in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Six. (Signed X) children: 1(i). Nathaniel Shirley born 20 June 1787 in SC. He died 11 July 1849 of typhoid fever in Abbeville Co SC. He was buried at the small Old Shirley cemetery on Branyon Road, about 1 mile southeast of present day Keowee Baptist Church in Abbeville County. A Wakefield family researcher posted her finding of Nathaniel's headstone after searching for the long forgotten cemetery married Nancy Grubbs, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Mitchell Grubbs. 1(ii). Letitia Shirley born about 1789; She died on 2 February 1842; She married Weldon Pearman on 15 December 1806 1(iii). James Shirley born about 1791.(source for this child?) He is not named in the 1826 will of his mother. All adult children of Benjamin and Elizabeth are accounted for beginning with the 1800 census. Therefore, it is highly likely that this son James Shirley (source?) died as a child, certainly before 1800. For example, it is highly unlikely this child is James Shirley (m Nancy) who lived in St Clair Co AL and Lawrence Co AR. 1(iv). Armand Shirley born 7 August 1792; She died on 5 January 1874; buried First Westminister Baptist Church cemetery, Oconee, South Carolina. Married 1st Robert Kay 9 October 1809 and they were the parents of 9 children, married 2nd Jesse Rutledge on 19 October 1838 1(v). Julaney Shirley born on 17 April 1794; She died on 2 December 1833; She married James W. Richey July 9, 1812, son of James and Elizabeth Dunn Richey, Jr. They were the parents of 10 children 1(vi). Letizier Irene Shirley born on 2 March 1797; She married John Wilson and they were the parents of 10 children 1(vii). John Riley Shirley born on 25 March 1798; John and Mary lived in Franklin Co. GA and moved to Fulton Co. GA after 1852. He was mentioned as residing out of state with wife, Polly, in the Trussell estate dated 29 March 1854. He died on 14 June 1873 at Fulton Co. Georgia married 1) Acemith Kay on 30 November 1817 and they had 7 children. She was the daughter of John and Rosannah Kay. married 2) Mary Eliz. Kay sometime efore 1850. She was born 12 January 1806 SC and died 18 July 1887. She was the daughter of Rev. William and Catherine Trussell Kay (widow of Asa Kay). 1(viii). Mastin Shirley born say 1800 Abbeville Co. SC; He may have married again after Rachel's death. If so, her name must have also been Rachel. He may have died in Guntown, Lee Co. MS where his widow and family certainly lived by the time of the 1860 census. married Rachel McAdams in South Carolina. She was born 22 November 1801 Abbeville Co. SC, daughter of John McAdams 1(ix). Rapady Rhoda Shirley born about 1802 Abbeville Co. SC. She married James Cullens, a wheel-wright. He was born 1798 SC, son of James Cullens.
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