Misc Information for Peter 1750 branch #31

1773  Peter lived Maryland

1785 Peter lived Washington Co. MD

1794 a Peter on the tax list of Bedford Co. PA

1796 Christian Shirley and Roseanna Canote married in Augusta Co. VA

1799 Mar 4, Peter Shirley bought land in Madison Co. KY

1799 Aug,  Christian Shirley bought land from William McGuire and Mary, daughter of Michael and Katy Franz Shirley branch  #30.

1800 Peter Shirley in the 1800 census of Madison Co. KY

1800 Christian Shirley in the 1800 census of Madison Co. KY

1801 Peter Shirley sold land to Jonathon Shirley

1806 Peter Shirley on tax rolls of Jessamine Co. KY (next to Mercer Co.)

1810 Christian Shirley moved to Harrison Co. IN

1813 Peter appears on Harrison Co. IN tax list

1840 a Peter died in Augusta Co. VA (may not be same Peter?)

June 30, 1848 John Shirley was granted a patent on 800 acres south east of Medoc. On Mar 16, 1850 he sold 160 acres to David Martin for $700. In June 1851 John Shirley bought two quarter-acre lots from John and Matilda Richardson located in the town of Carthage. In 1856 John Shirley sold this farm to George W. Broome. On Mar 29, 1861 George W. Broome advertised this same farm in the Carthage Southwest News..."600 acres of spring River bottom land situated in Jasper Co. about three miles northwest of Sherwood, and on one of the most beautiful streams in the west. There is 100 acres in cultivation, has on it a small apple orchard, dwelling house, kitchen, stable and c., has a good well. The larger portion of it is heavily timbered; stone coal is abundant in the vicinity, and a more desirable stock farm could not be found in the Southwest."

John Shirley's real estate holdings increased from $600 in 1850 to $4000 real estate and $6000 personal property in 1860.

John Shirley kept hotel in Carthage which included a liver stable and blacksmith shop. In the Carthage Southwest News of March 29, 1981 carried this advertisment"

CARTHAGE HOTEL, NORTHSIDE PUBLIC SQUARE, JOHN SHIRLEY, PROPRIETOR, HORSES AND HACKS FOR HIRE, A GOOD STABLE ATTACHED.

(from the Dec 8, 1979 issue of the Carthage Press written by Marvin L. Van Gilder, historian).

The Northside of the square in 1861 was owned entirely by the Shirley family, although it is apparent from other sources that a portion of it may have been occupied, perhaps on a rental basis, by others.

John Shirley, the former miller and whose household included teen-aged Myra Bell Shirley, the future Belle Starr, owned lots #19, 20, 21, 23, and 24. A. M. Shirley had title to lot #22.

Testimony of several pioneers places the Carthage House Hotel and Saloon, operated by Shirley, along with his stables and corrals as on the northside, with a blacksmith shop situated at or near the northeast corner of Main and Third. 

Hornbeck also credit John Shirley with ownership of lots #91 - #96 covering the entire block due north of his northside of the square holdings and reaching to Central Ave. Clearly Shirley was the dominate real estate of owner of ante-bellum Carthage.  

His property also included lots #132 and 133, embracing the area bounded by Sixth, Seventh, Lincoln and Fulton Streets. Other reports indicate the Shirley family owned a residence in that vicinity at one time. 

George Shirley left Virginia for Indiana in 1856. He was a blacksmith in his native state but sold most of his belongs when he made the long trek north to the banks of the Wabash nearly a century ago.

He settled in Vermillion County and in 1871 built the homestead where the Buntain family still lives. He continued his smithy career in Indiana and only this year have the last traces of his blacksmith shop gone when Mrs. Buntain planted a garden on the site where his smithy stood.

On Feb 1, 1865 Mr. Shirley held a public sale at his home in Shenandoah Valley section of Virginia and meticulously noted the prices brought for the various articles. Still intact in the Spencerian script favored in those days the Shirley accounts contain some extremely interesting bits of historic oddities. For instance if you had been a Virginia farmer anxious to add to your herd of cows, you could have purchased a cow with a bee for $15 and a cow with a white face for the same price. Pigs, sure, two first choice pigs brought $3.10 each, not so choice brought $2.65. Shirley sold his bay mare the sum of $10 and a bale of hay to feed the horse was $1.00.  A wheelbarrow was sold for $.75 cents while a chisel brought in $.38 cents. A wooden rake sold for $.06 and 1/4 cents while a draw knife was sold for $.06 1/2 cents. A hand ax went for $.62 cents, a churn sold for $.25 cents and a cook stove for $8.87.

Even then men were at a loss to describe some articles around the house and these things were tagged as "do-do's" but somehow they brought $.30 cents.  A coffee mill and box were worth $.49 cents to some housewife while she bought a meal sifter for $.08 cents.

One intriguing item in the list was labeled "box and contents" $.36 cents. A crock of apple butter was sold for $.50 cents, a child's cradle sold for $.12 cents, a clock for $1.47, three pictures $.08 cents, fox trap $.31 cents, and a Spanish saddle for $.50 cents.

Shirley, his wife and nine children made the journey safely to Indiana and added two more members to the Shirley clan after the arrived. The only tragic note in the move of this Virginia family to Indiana was when the Shirley's father decided to join his son in Hoosierland. He made his way to Indiana but at a fording place in the Wabash only eight 8 miles from his son's home he slipped from the tongue of the wagon, fell into the water and drowned.

Many descendants of the family still live in Vermillion County, making up one of the many families of pioneer settlers in this area. 

Written in 1972                  

Posted January 21st, 20001

Info from Debbie Umbdenstock

In an article written by Martha E. Adams, who was the daughter of Williamson Alexander and Elizabeth Shirley..... Martha talked about the land which Indiana University now stands, there was a main building, the one that burned down in 1853, and two brick buildings, one on the northwest corner of the old campus which faced the south, burned at a different time then the other two buildings that burned on the campus. She remembered stories that her father told her of when he was a boy, and they would play up and down Spanker's branch that was also known as the River Jordan. They would play there day after day with the Indian children who were quite friendly at the time. She mentioned that her father was a stock buyer, and quite well known over the county. She mentioned her grandfather owned a tannery, on the east side of town. She also mentioned that her father moved them to Missouri.

Land is deeded to Williamson from his father William D. Alexander in Greene County Indiana. Deed Book G. p. 213. Williamson paid the taxes on the land for lots 241, 27 and 28 in 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1848. He sold the land lot 241 to George W. Woodall in 1844. In 1844 the lots 27, 28 were sold to a John W. Allen by the Sheriff of Monroe County, Indiana Oct 19, 1844 on a judgement taken in 1841 for $11.77. This was resold to George Allen by John Allen. Deed book I p. 544

William ran for the legislature against a J. Lucas. Lucas was an uneducated man and by reason of his interesting stories, some smutty, he captured the baser element and was elected to the office.

William and Elizabeth are in the 1840 are in Monroe County Indiana according to the census .
They left this area and moved to Jasper County, Missouri to be close to her father John Shirley. John had divorced his wife Nancy Fowler in 1829. Elizabeth did not live with her father during her childhood, and remained with her mother Nancy. John remarried soon after his divorce in 1829. He divorced his second wife and in 1836 he married Eliza Pennington from Greene County, Indiana.

January 3, 1837 there is a land grant in Greene County made between Williamson and John Shirley. Williamson bought land from John for $2000. On February 6, of this same year, there is another land record, in which Williamson is giving the tracts of land to John's two minor sons, Preston and John Findley. The boys were minor's and John as their legal guardian had to sign for them. On July 4, 1837, there is a third land record between Williamson and John, in which Williamson paid John money, two notes of $250 each to Frances Shirley, $150 to a Andrew Downing, $50.53 and $130 to Jepe Rainbolt, and $255 to the county of Greene and $81.70 to William Shryer for lands and tennaments situated in Greene County. It is also stated in this record, that Williamson is to pay John $193.70 on an annual basis. From this I assume that Williamson bought this land from John and now John is renting the land from Williamson. This could have been done to prevent Francis, John's second wife from getting any of this land in the divorce settlement. John's reason may better be explained in a court document made on July 4th, 1839. This document is between Williamson and John R. Dixon, the sheriff of Greene County. In this record it states, " Frances Shirley filed a bill in the Floyd County Circuit Court the the state of Indiana, praying for a divorce from and also amongst other things, a division of the property of her and her other husband John Shirley, was duly served and whereas her husband the said John Shirley, with proceps to attend said court to be hold in the town of New Albany in the County of Floyd in the State afforsaidto answer unto the bill of complaint of the said John Shirley (so as aforsaid against him) on the fourth Monday of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and whereas the said cause being called for trial at the said town of the said court and the said Frances Shirley, by Henry P. Thorton, her counsel and the said John Shirley, by Hugh L. Livingston his counsel appeared. And the issue of the fact being joined a jury was empowered and sworn to try one of said issues of fact incharged in said bill to wit: that of adultry do say and fine other mature deliberation that the said John Shirley is guilty of adultry in manner and form as charged in said complaintants bill and other allegations in said bill being sufficiently by proof the said court did on this 27th day of April at the terms aforsaid of said court in the year aforsaid amongst other things order and judge and decree that the bands of matrimony therefore existing between John Shirley and Frances Shirley be dissolved and that the said Frances Shirley recover of the said John Shirley as her part of the person property, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars to be paid by installments as follows: Three hundred dollars on the first day of November annually thereafter for four years immediately next insuing. And also the costs of this suit and that the default of payments of any one or more of said installments at the time it may full due that the said Frances Shirley be authorized to sew out execution from the clerks office of said county of Floyd in the State aforsaid to cover the payment thereof according to law..." It is also stated in this document that the land that Frances Shirley received went up for auction and Williamson was the highest bidder and he paid $50 for the land. It is stated by the court that "I do as Sheriff of said county of Greene in the state of aforsaid forever warrent and defend to the aforsaid Williamson D. Alexander, his heirs the peaceable and quiet enjoyment and possession of the aforsaid described tracts of lands".

There is another land record made between Williamson, Elizabeth, and John Dunn. The Alexander's had sold their land to John Dunn and the remaining parcels to John Rainbott.

In 1850 we find Williamson and Elizabeth in Jasper County,Missouri. According to the" History of Jasper Missouri" (p.1031) "John Shirley settled south of Spring River and west of where Galesburg now is: he came from Floyd County, Indiana in 1837. William Alexander came in 1850 and settled southwest of John Shirley's" Williamson is listed as a farmer in the 1850 census. Besides Williamson and Elizabeth there is also Mary age 13, Martha age 9, William age 7, and Williamson age 4. Also in Jasper County is John Shirley and Eliza. John is 54, Elizabeth is 45, Charlotte Allison age 12, John age 8, Myra age 2 and Benton age 9 months. Myra is non other then Belle Starr.

On May 8, 1850 there is a land record in Jasper County between Williamson, Elizabeth and Elizabeth's brother Preston Shirley. Preston gave Williamson and Elizabeth $200 for a tract of land in Jasper County.

In 1858 there is another land record in Jasper County, between Williamson and Reuben and Sophrona Ring. The Ring's were Martha Alexander's in-laws. There is no mention of Elizabeth in this transaction.

In 1858 there is another land grant in Jasper County between Williamson and Preston Shirley. Williamson sold him some land for $200. There is no mention of Elizabeth in this record.

In 1860 the Alexander's are not found in Jasper County. The two boys William and Williamson are found in Greene County Indiana living with their sister Mary and her husband Joseph Oliphant.

In the Weekly Banner Newspaper of Jasper County, June 8, 1867 is a deceased order of publication from the probate Court of Jasper County stating that Williamson is deceased. Again in the same paper July 2, 1868 Williamson D. Alexander is deceased named by the court Administration.

In the probate records of Jasper County, August 13, 1866, L. J. Busch, the administrator of William's estate, asks for his money of $101.60. August 14, a person seeking damages from Williamson's estate for the amount of $66.00. The estate of William is again in court August 15, 1866. In September 18, 1866 that C. Robertson, the administrator of Williamson's estate died leaving the estate uncared for. It is here that the public administrator L.J. Busch is named to take charge of his estate. Mr. Robertson's estate is asking for the sum of $1003.66 for his service as the administrator of Williamson's estate. On May 23, 1867, Williamson's probate is brought up again. The administrator of this will demands that notification of all the persons named in the will, and if they have not heard by these people before the court meets again, that the real estate owned by Williamson, be sold off to pay his debts. It also reads that notification of his death be placed in the Weekly Banner for 4 weeks. On August 17, 1867 It is in the court records stating the notification has taken place according to the law. On June 17, 1868 the administrator proved in court that the publication and notification of all parties took place. He states that there is not sufficient assets for the administrator of the estate to pay Williamson's debts. The administrator listed all the lands that should be sold that will enable him to pay Williamson's debts. July 21, 1868 the administrator Lyman Burch files an affidavit that there is in his hands nothing belonging to the estate. July 28, 1868, The administrator wishes Williamson's estate to make it's first annual settlement. It is said that Williamson has a credit owed to his estate of $7.00. April 29, 1873, the court approved the selling of some of Williamson's real estate to pay off his debts. The court also approved paying the administor, and some of Williamson's debts , from the selling of his real estate, $31.00 , $8,00 $60.50, $3.50, $17.50. A description of the land sold was given on this day. December 28, 1875, the court approves payment of the following debts owed: $5.00,$60.25, $5.25, $8.50, $12.50.

The last land entry is made in Jasper County in 1869. This record is between William R. and Sarah Alexander, (The son of Williamson and Elizabeth and his wife), and a Mr. Sexson. In this document William and Sarah are listed as the legal heirs of Williamson. They are selling the land to Mr. Sexson. It must be presumed that both Williamson and Elizabeth are deceased.

Sources:
Historic Treasures by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
Greene County History Book
Alexander Newletter Marriage Source: Here and There March 1991 p. 3
Greene County Court Records Marriage of Williamson and Elizabeth
History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, Indiana
Biographical Memoirs Greene County, In. Vol. 2
Weekly Banner Newspaper May 4, 1867, and July 2, 1868
Land records Jasper County, Missouri Vol M p. 620, Vol E.P. 2 Box 11101
Land Records from Greene County, Indiana p. 376, 348-351, QL 3,8,33, p. 55-56, 37-38
Land Records from Floyd County, Indiana K-376, O-583, T-25
History of Jasper County p. 1031
Ancestors and Records of the Clarence L. Carmichael Family
Census of Monroe County, Indiana 1830 p. 175
Census of Floyd County, Indiana 1830 pp. 145, 336
Census of Monroe County, Indiana 1840
Census of Jasper County, Missouri 1850 p. 74
Census of Jasper County, Missouri 1860
Lawrence and Monroe Counties Indiana p. 375,,266,374
Central Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly Vol 7. #3 p. 11
Historic Treasures Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall 1922 p. 107-108
Military Papers
Jasper County Probate records Book A 1865-1868 p. 18, 142, 148, 390,433,734,753

Images from the bible of Jacob Shirley (sold on Ebay August 2009)

5. Frances  m. James Runkle May 26, 1796 Augusta Co. VA

Children: RUNKLE

(1). Mary Magdolin 8 Mar 1797

(2). David 21 Dec. 1798

(3). William 16 Aug. 1800

(4). Susanah 23 Feb. 1802

(5). Elizabeth 29 May 1804

(6). Keterine 15 Feb. 1806

(7). Marget (Margot) 25 Dec. 1808

(8). John 16 April 1809

(9). Mathew 16 Aug. 1811

(10) Charles S. was born on 30 March 1812 in Kentucky and died on 12 March 1892 in Cooks Point, Texas. He was buried (At home near Caldwell, Burleson Co. TX) in Caldwell, Texas. He married Catharine Ann Dickerson, who was born on 18 March 1822 in Virginia and died on 27 December 1878 in Caldwell.

In a February 24th 1955 letter from Elizabeth(Willie) Wilson Runkle (1872-1959) to Kate Harrison-Runkle (1888-1975), she mentions; Charles S. Runkle's parents came to Germantown PA, but soon moved to Kansas where Charles S. Runkle was then born in 1812. Land was sold to James Runkle on July 2, 1804, containing seventy four acres lying and being in the county of Madison and state of Kentucky, on the waters of Taylor Fork a branch of Silver Creek near the town of Milford (Kentucky). He paid two hundred and fifty pounds currenc(y) of Virginia. Sold by Jonathan Sholley who had bought it from Peter Shally.

Children     INFO from Brian Prothro    brian@ziponline.com

i. Jeanette Catherine Runkle was born in Scottland Co. MO.

ii. Moses Runkle was born in Texas. Moses died of Died in infancy.

iii. James Thomas Runkle was born in 1842 in Scottland Co. MO. He was born on 12 September 1885.

iv. Charles William Runkle was born in 1848 in Scotland Co. MO. He died in 1926. (He had a daughter Elizabeth Ann(Lizzie) Runkle., a son Thomas Coke on 6 October 1871,a son Fred C. Runkle  in 1874 and a daughter Mary K. Runkle in 1883).

v. Cornelius Reuben Runkle was born in 1849 in Scotland Co. MO. He died in 1936 at Elizabeth Chapel. (He had a son Charles Kenny Runkle on 5 January 1871, a daughter Elizabeth (Willie) Wilson Runkle in 1872, a daughter Catherine(Kate) A. Runkle in 1875,  a daughter Frances(Frannie) Jeanette Runkle on 6 March 1877 in Cooks Point, a son James(1842) on 12 September 1885,  a son James Thomas Runkle Cooks Point, Texas Caldwell, a daughter Myrtle Cornelia Runkle on 31 October 1889 in Mississippi and daughter Mary Ethel Runkle in November 1894 in Texas).

vi. Joseph Daniel Runkle was born on 26 July 1852 in Scotland Co. MO. He died on 7 July 1935 and is  buried in Sipe Springs Cemetary, Comanche Co. Tx. (He had a daughter Hattie Runkle in Commanche Co. Texas,  a son Joseph Daniel Runkle  26 July 1852 in Scott county MO. J, a son James Samuel Runkle on 31 May 1876 in Burleson Co. Tx., a daughter Zelma Runkle  on 6 January 1878, had a daughter Nellie Ann Runkle  in November 1879, a son John W. Runkle in Commanche Co. Texas, had a son Fred Runkle on 31 August 1882, a daughter Mary Frances Runkle on 11 March 1893 in Comanche Co. Tx. and a daughter Annie Winnie Margaret Runkle on 12 January 1896).

vii. Mary Jane Runkle was born in 1857 in Texas. (She had a daughter Annie, had a son Archer, had a daughter Dulie, a son Thomas in 1873,  a son Jessie in 1883 and a daughter Mollie in July 1885.