Thomas Shirley Sr. migrated to
Cheekville (later called Shirleyton) in Marion County, TN and
operated a trading post. An Indian bought a hunting knife, but
he became disgruntled and returned. He attacked and killed William
Shirley, a son of Thomas Sr. Thomas Shirley Jr. was armed with
a huge poker and was able to fend off the attacker. (this tale
may not be true)
Thomas Shirley Jr. was witnessing
land deeds in Hamilton County as early as 1828. In 1836, he
sold Moses Payne five slaves for $3,100. An election was held
"at the house of Thomas Shirley" in February of 1836.
He acquired 434 acres, including Williams Island and land on
the side of Walden's Ridge. At his property near Ooltewah, he
had a ferry landing and half interest in the Shropshire mill.
John Jackson Shropshire had married Mary Shirley at Whitwell
in 1821. Thomas Shirley Jr. was active in trying to establish
the town of Vannville (Harrison) and was its first postmaster
in 1839. He was an admirer of the Cherokee Chief James Brown,
and he named one son for Brown.
Thomas Shirley Jr. on Nov. 25,
1863, fled his home "under advice from neighbors from threats
that had been made that would cost him his life." Julia
Ann and the daughter, Adaline, stayed at the house, though they
spent most nights with Henry and Louisa Penick. Shirley made
his way to the home of Robert and Eliza Williamson near Tunnell
Hill , Ga. , refugeeing there several weeks. He became deathly
ill, but finally recovered. His wife and daughter arrived with
two horses, a wagon and some bedding, and they went on to join
James B. Shirley at Thomaston. Meanwhile, a Union man, Peter
Monger, took over the Shirley place. He allowed a cohort, Joseph
G. Ritchie, to live there. Other members of Ritchie's family
had been killed by Confederate sympathizers, and he had vowed
revenge. While Ritchie was at the Shirley home, it was burned
down in the winter of 1864-65 by the Confederate William Snow
"and his bandits."
married Julia Ann Johnson; she
died in the 1870s. buried at the Anderson Cemetery at Ringgold
GA
children:
2(i). Lucien Bonaparte
Shirley born about 1828,
bachelor. He was one of the leading attorneys of early Hamilton
County TN. Living in his parents household, age 22 in the 1850
Hamilton Co TN census
2(ii). Cordelia Shirley m. George Oliver Cates in Hamilton
Co., TN. Cordelia died either in childbirth, or soon thereafter. George
Cates remarried a widow, Mary Davis, & had many other children.
George is buried in the Mitchell Cemetery in Hamilton County
TN.
2(iii). Adaline R. Shirley born about 1832; died in 1876 at the
age of 44; buried at the Anderson Cemetery at Ringgold GA
2(iv). Thomas Shirley lll
born about 1834, died
young
2(v). Dr. James Brown Shirley born May 31,1837; 2nd Co.
K of the 1st Confederate Cavalry at Oltewah. He rose to the
rank of third sergeant, but he was captured May 12, 1863, at
Linden , Tenn. He was exchanged the next month and then was
hospitalized at Thomaston , Ga. , in October; graduated from
Tennessee Medical College in 1890 and became a doctor. Living
in what was then James Co TN in 1900 census; He died 1902.
married Mary Acshah Andrews
children
3(i). Adaline Josephine Shirley, married W. Edward McDonald on 2 Sep
1916 at Hamilton Co TN
3(ii). James B. Shirley Jr.
After the family's land
was taken by TVA, James moved to a farm at Winchester
married 1st Sarah Conner born
7 Oct 1905; died 18 Feb 1941 at Winchester, Franklin Co TN; daughter
of John Emory Conner and Sally M. Roberson
married 2nd Louise Axmacher Lutz.
children:
4(i). Walter Shirley married Nellie Ruth Morris,
4(ii). James B. Shirley III
died of colitis when
he was three,
4(iii). William Shirley married Retha Hershman,
4(iv). Mary Frances Shirley married Phil Burkhalter,
4(v). Jesse Paul Shirley married Willa Ann Myers.
3(iii). Homer Shirley born 17 Sep 1885; died 17 Nov
1941 at Chattanooga, Hamilton Co. TN
married Beulah Wilson.
3(iv). Thomas Griffin Shirley born Jun. 1, 1877 died Jun. 22, 1944;
buried McDonald Cemetery, Ooltewah, Hamilton Co TN
married 1st Daisy Hartman; divorced
married 2nd Elizabeth Monger.
children
4(i). Kate Shirley (of 1st wife)
4(ii). James Fielding Shirley who married Louise Glover,
4(iii). Thomas Griffin Shirley
who married Jemima Reed,
4(iv). William Frank Shirley who married Ruby Arnold,
4(v). Glenn Frederick Shirley
who married Lynita Guess,
4(vi). Robert Lee Shirley who married Elizabeth Carlock.
2(vi). Commodore Perry Shirley
died infant
Thomas Shirley