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William Shirley
b. 1788. Lived in Mercer County, Kentucky

DNA haplogroup R

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This Lineage Last Reviewed and Updated in January 2026
William Shirley born say 1788 in Kentucky (age in 1860 census) or possibly in Virgina (as per children's 1880 census info); He appears in Mercer Co KY records as early as 1813 and subsequently on county tax lists in 1816, 1817 and 1818, owning no land at that point and having no sons between the ages of 16 and 21; He was enumerated on the Mercer Co KY census for 1820 age 26-45 (born 1775-1794) with wife and one son age 10-15 (born 1804-1810) William Shirley lived in Mercer Co KY in 1830 age 40-50, with 5 sons and 2 daughters in the household, as well as his wife age 30-40 and an elderly female age 90-100, likely his or his wife's mother or possibly grandmother. He purchased land in Mercer County in 1834 from David Womer and was enumerated in the Mercer Co KY census in 1840 with 6 sons and 1 daughter in his household; By 1850, only 2 sons Andrew age 22 and Elijah age 21 lived with William and wife Roda Shirley in Mercer County; occupation: farmer. He lived in Mercer Co KY in 1860 age 72; died 1868 Mercer Co. KY. He served in the War of 1812 in Capt. Isaac Gray's Company, KY Militia with Isaac Shirley. May be a brother of Isaac Shirley, Branch #17 of Washington Co KY

1 June 1868 Mercer Co KY DB 1869-1870 pg 493 - William F Shirley and Mary Ann Shirley his wife of Mercer Co KY, Elizabeth Devine and Harrison Devine (signed as W H) her husband, of ____ Co, State of Indiana, Nelson Shirley and Deborah his wife of Washington Co KY, James M Shirley and Caroline his wife of Washington Co KY and Melinda Merritt (signed as Nancy Merritt) and John L Merritt her husband of _____Co, Missouri, and Joseph M Shirley (signed as JW Shirley) and Marian Shirley his wife of Owen Co KY, the legal representatives of Wm Shirley decd of the 1st part and E G and A J Shirley of Mercer Co KY of the 2nd part for $1,000 as per the partition sold to the 2nd party, land lying in Mercer Co on the Chapline Fork (land description) containing 106 acres, conveyed to the sd Wm Shirley decd by David Womer in DB 19 pg 45 <signature of heirs>

married 1)____________ She was enumerated in the 1820 census but died prior to 1822. Assumed based on children having been born prior to marriage to Rhoda Evans in 1822.

married 2) Rhoda Evans, a widow on 31 December 1822 in Mercer Co. KY.

children:

1(i). William Frank Shirley born about 1815 in KY (1850 census age), son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); Enumerated in Mercer County KY in 1840 census, age 20-30 (born 1810-1820; He was enumerated in the 1840 census for Mercer Co KY, but without wife or children at that time; He married in 1843 in adjacent Washington County Kentucky, age about 28; He lived in Washington Co KY in 1850, age 35 with wife and 3 kids, but enumerated back in Mercer County in 1870 census, farmer age 51; Untraced "He moved his family to Missouri by April 1889" (source of this statement?). There is a curious William Shirley (wife Jane) in Grundy Co MO in 1880, living adjacent to Lunenberg Shirley of Branch 17

married Mary Ann Campbell on 2 November 1843 in Washington Co. KY, which is adjacent to Mercer County. She was age 42 in 1870 census;

1(ii). Elizabeth Shirley born about 1815, daughter of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); She married William Harrison Devine on 10 February 1834 at Mercer Co KY, William Shirley was her surator; They lived in Spencer Co. Indiana in 1868.

1(iii). J. Nelson Shirley born 1 November 1823 at Mercer Co KY, son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs);; Lived at Willisburg, Washington Co KY in 1870; He died in Washington Co KY on 27 January 1871 and was buried at Glens Creek Cemetery, Willisburg, Washington Co

married Deborah May on 10 August 1846 at Mercer Co. KY. She was born 19 February 1826 and died 14 June 1879 buried Glens Creek Cemetery Willisburg, Washington Co

1(iv). James M. Shirley born about 1824 in KY, son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); age 26 in 1850, also enumerated in 1860, 1870 and 1880 Washington Co KY census; Both he and his wife died in Washington Co. KY., date unknown.

married Caroline Hungate on 12 October 1846 in Washington co. KY.

1(v). Nancy Malinda Shirley born about 1823 in Kentucky, daughter of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs, Identified as Malinda, but signed as Nancy); Malinda married John L. Merritt sometime in KY. She and husband lived with 2 children in Moreau Twp Morgan Co MO in 1850 census, she was age 27 (born 1823). Lived Moniteau Co Mo in 1860, she was age 38. Lived Moniteau Co MO in 1870 (as Nancy M, age 48). In 1880, She and her husband were enumerated in Moniteau Co MO, she was age 58, b KY, father born VA, Mother b NC. Melinda was widowed by the 1900 census, enumerated in Moniteau Co MO, living with son John W Merritt. She possibly died prior to the 1910 census. (Thanks to Laurie for sending census info for Melinda)

1(vi). Joseph W. Shirley born about 1830, son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); age 40 in 1870 Willisburg Washington Co KY census; Also living at Willisburg in 1880 census, age 51; Lived in the household of son John C Shirley in 1900 census, age 70; He died 1906 Owen Co. KY. Not found as yet in 1860 census; Ancestor of DNA participant

Joseph W. Shirley

married Mariam Keightley on 11 September 1856 at Owen Co. KY Parents of 10 children.

1(vii). Andrew J. Shirley born 8 August 1827 in Mercer Co KY; He lived with father William in Mercer Co KY in the 1850 and 1860 census, age 32; He and brother Elijah purchased their father's 106 acres of land in Mercer County from the other heirs in 1868; He was living in Mackville Pct Washington Co KY in 1870; He died on 26 July 1909 at Spencer Co. KY

married 1) Tempa Hughes; she died on 28 May 1860

married 2) Salvisa Owen on 19 December 1860 in Washington Co KY; She lived with her son Robert Shirley in 1910 census, age 77. She died 10 July 1914, buried at Plum Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Spencer Co KY

children:

2(i). William Allin Shirley born 16 December 1855 at Mercer Co KY, son of Andrew J Shirley and Tempy Hughes. He died 7 February 1859, age about 3

2(ii). Mary Elizabeth Shirley born 8 December 1857 KY, age 12 in 1870 census; she married Commodore F. Adkisson

2(iii). Martha Allice Shirley born about 1863 KY, age 7 in 1870 Washington Co census; married Thomas W. Moore

2(iv). Amanda Ellen Shirley born 5 September 1864 KY; She died 6 October 1866, age 2 years

2(v). Anna Eliza Shirley born 5 October 1865 KY, age 4 in 1870 census

2(vi). Robert Owen Shirley born 25 January 1869 KY, age 1 in 1870 census; Married and lived at Spencer Co KY in 1910 census. His mother was enumerated with the family in that census; Widowed and living in Waterford Spencer Co KY in 1920 and 1930 census.

married Dolly M. Sanders on 13 April 1907 at Spencer Co KY; She died 1919, buried Valley Cemetery, Spencer Co KY

children:

3(i). Harvey Shirley born about 1908 KY, age 2 in 1910 census, age 11 in 1920

3(ii). Garnett S. Shirley born 1 September 1910 KY, age 9 in 1920 census; Died 26 July 2002 at Spencer Co KY. He married Dorothy L Cox

3(iii). Halley Shirley born about 1913 KY, age 7 in 1920 census

3(iv). Lillie Shirley born about 1915 KY, age 5 in 1920 census

2(vii). Cordelia Nelson Shirley born 28 November 1870 KY, age 9 in 1880 census; she married Andrew J. Hardin

2(viii). Louella Grant Shirley born 28 December 1872 KY age 7 in 1880 census; she married John R. Burkhead b: Mar 25, 1872

1(viii). Rev. Elijah Gordon Shirley born 2 November 1831. He was age 21 at the time of his marriage in Mercer Co Ky 1852; He and brother Andrew Shirley purchased their father's 106 acres of land in Mercer County from the other heirs in 1868; Elijah was a Baptist minister and circuit rider. He died 9 June 1898 Mercer Co. KY; buried Bethel Baptist, Church Cemetery, Washington Co KY;

married Mary Ann Lay on 2 (or 23) December 1852 at Cornishville, Mercer Co. KY. This marriage is also listed in adjacent Washington Co KY

children

2(i) ____ Shirley born 16 October 1853 in Washington Co KY source: KY birth records

2(ii). George Ann Shirley born 22 October 1854 KY; age 5 in parent's 1860 census household; She died 2 August 1918; She married Thomas Johnson Royalty on 25 December 1874 at Washington Co KY

2(iii). Sarah F. Shirley born 10 February 1857 at Mercer Co KY, daughter of Elijah G Shirley and Mary A. Lea at Cornishville. She died on 11 July 1858 Mercer Co., KY, age about 1

2(iv). Strother Cook Shirley born 30 September 1860 in Kentucky, age 9 in 1870 census household; He died on 5 May 1907

married Sarah E Pinkston on 29 January 1880 in Washington Co KY; she was b: Apr 06, 1864 d: May 16, 1947

2(v). Betty Shirley b: Apr 04, 1859, not enumerated in parent's 1870 census household

Info from Elwood Shirley of Kentucky

More than 20 years ago, Elwood told me (Betty Shirley) that he had talked to some of his older family members about where their Shirleys had come from. He was told their family of Shirleys came out of Culpeper Co. VA.

Elwood Shirley

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		William Shirley b. 1788. Lived in Mercer County, Kentucky DNA haplogroup R
		< Back to the USA Lineage Index Page
		This Lineage Last Reviewed and Updated in January 2026 William Shirley born say 1788 in Kentucky (age in 1860 census) or possibly in Virgina (as per children's 1880 census info); He appears in Mercer Co KY records as early as 1813 and subsequently on county tax lists in 1816, 1817 and 1818, owning no land at that point and having no sons between the ages of 16 and 21; He was enumerated on the Mercer Co KY census for 1820 age 26-45 (born 1775-1794) with wife and one son age 10-15 (born 1804-1810) William Shirley lived in Mercer Co KY in 1830 age 40-50, with 5 sons and 2 daughters in the household, as well as his wife age 30-40 and an elderly female age 90-100, likely his or his wife's mother or possibly grandmother. He purchased land in Mercer County in 1834 from David Womer and was enumerated in the Mercer Co KY census in 1840 with 6 sons and 1 daughter in his household; By 1850, only 2 sons Andrew age 22 and Elijah age 21 lived with William and wife Roda Shirley in Mercer County; occupation: farmer. He lived in Mercer Co KY in 1860 age 72; died 1868 Mercer Co. KY. He served in the War of 1812 in Capt. Isaac Gray's Company, KY Militia with Isaac Shirley. May be a brother of Isaac Shirley, Branch #17 of Washington Co KY 1 June 1868 Mercer Co KY DB 1869-1870 pg 493 - William F Shirley and Mary Ann Shirley his wife of Mercer Co KY, Elizabeth Devine and Harrison Devine (signed as W H) her husband, of ____ Co, State of Indiana, Nelson Shirley and Deborah his wife of Washington Co KY, James M Shirley and Caroline his wife of Washington Co KY and Melinda Merritt (signed as Nancy Merritt) and John L Merritt her husband of _____Co, Missouri, and Joseph M Shirley (signed as JW Shirley) and Marian Shirley his wife of Owen Co KY, the legal representatives of Wm Shirley decd of the 1st part and E G and A J Shirley of Mercer Co KY of the 2nd part for $1,000 as per the partition sold to the 2nd party, land lying in Mercer Co on the Chapline Fork (land description) containing 106 acres, conveyed to the sd Wm Shirley decd by David Womer in DB 19 pg 45 <signature of heirs> married 1)____________ She was enumerated in the 1820 census but died prior to 1822. Assumed based on children having been born prior to marriage to Rhoda Evans in 1822. married 2) Rhoda Evans, a widow on 31 December 1822 in Mercer Co. KY. children: 1(i). William Frank Shirley born about 1815 in KY (1850 census age), son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); Enumerated in Mercer County KY in 1840 census, age 20-30 (born 1810-1820; He was enumerated in the 1840 census for Mercer Co KY, but without wife or children at that time; He married in 1843 in adjacent Washington County Kentucky, age about 28; He lived in Washington Co KY in 1850, age 35 with wife and 3 kids, but enumerated back in Mercer County in 1870 census, farmer age 51; Untraced "He moved his family to Missouri by April 1889" (source of this statement?). There is a curious William Shirley (wife Jane) in Grundy Co MO in 1880, living adjacent to Lunenberg Shirley of Branch 17 married Mary Ann Campbell on 2 November 1843 in Washington Co. KY, which is adjacent to Mercer County. She was age 42 in 1870 census; 1(ii). Elizabeth Shirley born about 1815, daughter of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); She married William Harrison Devine on 10 February 1834 at Mercer Co KY, William Shirley was her surator; They lived in Spencer Co. Indiana in 1868. 1(iii). J. Nelson Shirley born 1 November 1823 at Mercer Co KY, son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs);; Lived at Willisburg, Washington Co KY in 1870; He died in Washington Co KY on 27 January 1871 and was buried at Glens Creek Cemetery, Willisburg, Washington Co married Deborah May on 10 August 1846 at Mercer Co. KY. She was born 19 February 1826 and died 14 June 1879 buried Glens Creek Cemetery Willisburg, Washington Co 1(iv). James M. Shirley born about 1824 in KY, son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); age 26 in 1850, also enumerated in 1860, 1870 and 1880 Washington Co KY census; Both he and his wife died in Washington Co. KY., date unknown. married Caroline Hungate on 12 October 1846 in Washington co. KY. 1(v). Nancy Malinda Shirley born about 1823 in Kentucky, daughter of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs, Identified as Malinda, but signed as Nancy); Malinda married John L. Merritt sometime in KY. She and husband lived with 2 children in Moreau Twp Morgan Co MO in 1850 census, she was age 27 (born 1823). Lived Moniteau Co Mo in 1860, she was age 38. Lived Moniteau Co MO in 1870 (as Nancy M, age 48). In 1880, She and her husband were enumerated in Moniteau Co MO, she was age 58, b KY, father born VA, Mother b NC. Melinda was widowed by the 1900 census, enumerated in Moniteau Co MO, living with son John W Merritt. She possibly died prior to the 1910 census. (Thanks to Laurie for sending census info for Melinda) 1(vi). Joseph W. Shirley born about 1830, son of William Shirley of Mercer Co KY (as per 1868 land sale by heirs); age 40 in 1870 Willisburg Washington Co KY census; Also living at Willisburg in 1880 census, age 51; Lived in the household of son John C Shirley in 1900 census, age 70; He died 1906 Owen Co. KY. Not found as yet in 1860 census; Ancestor of DNA participant Joseph W. Shirley married Mariam Keightley on 11 September 1856 at Owen Co. KY Parents of 10 children. 1(vii). Andrew J. Shirley born 8 August 1827 in Mercer Co KY; He lived with father William in Mercer Co KY in the 1850 and 1860 census, age 32; He and brother Elijah purchased their father's 106 acres of land in Mercer County from the other heirs in 1868; He was living in Mackville Pct Washington Co KY in 1870; He died on 26 July 1909 at Spencer Co. KY married 1) Tempa Hughes; she died on 28 May 1860 married 2) Salvisa Owen on 19 December 1860 in Washington Co KY; She lived with her son Robert Shirley in 1910 census, age 77. She died 10 July 1914, buried at Plum Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Spencer Co KY children: 2(i). William Allin Shirley born 16 December 1855 at Mercer Co KY, son of Andrew J Shirley and Tempy Hughes. He died 7 February 1859, age about 3 2(ii). Mary Elizabeth Shirley born 8 December 1857 KY, age 12 in 1870 census; she married Commodore F. Adkisson 2(iii). Martha Allice Shirley born about 1863 KY, age 7 in 1870 Washington Co census; married Thomas W. Moore 2(iv). Amanda Ellen Shirley born 5 September 1864 KY; She died 6 October 1866, age 2 years 2(v). Anna Eliza Shirley born 5 October 1865 KY, age 4 in 1870 census 2(vi). Robert Owen Shirley born 25 January 1869 KY, age 1 in 1870 census; Married and lived at Spencer Co KY in 1910 census. His mother was enumerated with the family in that census; Widowed and living in Waterford Spencer Co KY in 1920 and 1930 census. married Dolly M. Sanders on 13 April 1907 at Spencer Co KY; She died 1919, buried Valley Cemetery, Spencer Co KY children: 3(i). Harvey Shirley born about 1908 KY, age 2 in 1910 census, age 11 in 1920 3(ii). Garnett S. Shirley born 1 September 1910 KY, age 9 in 1920 census; Died 26 July 2002 at Spencer Co KY. He married Dorothy L Cox 3(iii). Halley Shirley born about 1913 KY, age 7 in 1920 census 3(iv). Lillie Shirley born about 1915 KY, age 5 in 1920 census 2(vii). Cordelia Nelson Shirley born 28 November 1870 KY, age 9 in 1880 census; she married Andrew J. Hardin 2(viii). Louella Grant Shirley born 28 December 1872 KY age 7 in 1880 census; she married John R. Burkhead b: Mar 25, 1872 1(viii). Rev. Elijah Gordon Shirley born 2 November 1831. He was age 21 at the time of his marriage in Mercer Co Ky 1852; He and brother Andrew Shirley purchased their father's 106 acres of land in Mercer County from the other heirs in 1868; Elijah was a Baptist minister and circuit rider. He died 9 June 1898 Mercer Co. KY; buried Bethel Baptist, Church Cemetery, Washington Co KY; married Mary Ann Lay on 2 (or 23) December 1852 at Cornishville, Mercer Co. KY. This marriage is also listed in adjacent Washington Co KY children 2(i) ____ Shirley born 16 October 1853 in Washington Co KY source: KY birth records 2(ii). George Ann Shirley born 22 October 1854 KY; age 5 in parent's 1860 census household; She died 2 August 1918; She married Thomas Johnson Royalty on 25 December 1874 at Washington Co KY 2(iii). Sarah F. Shirley born 10 February 1857 at Mercer Co KY, daughter of Elijah G Shirley and Mary A. Lea at Cornishville. She died on 11 July 1858 Mercer Co., KY, age about 1 2(iv). Strother Cook Shirley born 30 September 1860 in Kentucky, age 9 in 1870 census household; He died on 5 May 1907 married Sarah E Pinkston on 29 January 1880 in Washington Co KY; she was b: Apr 06, 1864 d: May 16, 1947 2(v). Betty Shirley b: Apr 04, 1859, not enumerated in parent's 1870 census household Info from Elwood Shirley of Kentucky More than 20 years ago, Elwood told me (Betty Shirley) that he had talked to some of his older family members about where their Shirleys had come from. He was told their family of Shirleys came out of Culpeper Co. VA. Elwood Shirley
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