Branch 2 John Marshall Shirley and wife Matilda Eleaner Shirley

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John Marshall Feb 29, 1816 SC, d. Feb 26, 1863 Crystal Springs, MS. m. Matilda Eleanor Black Nov 13, 1834. She was born Nov 10, 1816, d. Feb 19, 1900. In 1844 they settled in Carroll Co. MS and in 1846 Choctaw Co. MS. where they were in the 1860 census. Later they lived in Capiah Co. MS. (see reunion photos at bottom of page)

He was raised by good faithful Baptist parents but chose to join the Methodist church in 1835, and he was appointed class leader the same year. He moved to Mississippi in 1844, settling in Carroll Co. In 1846 he moved to Choctaw Co, where he secured, by riding 20 miles for him, the services of a Methodist preacher, the Rev. Duskin, to organize a church of five members. This church as now grown to be one of the largest in the state. It is known as Bethel Church. He moved to Copiah County in 1858. He died full of faith in 1863 at Crystal Springs, Mississippi.

Matilda Eleanor Black was born in Abbeville SC. She joined the church in 1826. After 29 years of marriage she was left a widow with 8 children, several of whom were grown. She lived to see all married with families of their own, 42 grandchildren and several great grandchildren, all of whom became Christians and members of the church as son as they were old enough. She was almost totally deaf and having lost the sight of one eye in her later years, she attended church services regularly saying that it was the duty as well as the privilege of all Christians and she would do so for an example to her children and others.

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