Early Shiflett Project

Many people have contributed information for the Early Shiflet Project.

SOLOMON SHIFLETT, Died War 1812
Brother of NATHANIEL, and therefore son of RICHARD
Submitter of documents: Earl Marshall and Larry Shifflett

ELIZABETH LAMB, wife of THOMAS Jr.
Documented d/o RICHARD LAMB

Marriage Bond

JOHN of HAWKINS CO., TN
Married FRANCES MARTIN, d/o JACOB MARTIN
Also, he or his wife, are heir to BARTLETT DAVIS

John Shiflett of Hawkins Co., TN to James H. Langford of Augusta
2 Sep 1830

deed

John Shiflet of Hawkin County, TN to Peter Gibson; quit claim of interest in lands of Bartlett Davis
1 Sep 1830

deed

SERENA m. WILLIAM BENGE:
Daughter of THOMAS and ANNA HARDIN SHIFFLETT

DAVID m. LUCINDA DEAN:
Son of THOMAS and SUSANNAH WYANT SHIFLETT

THREE JOHN SHIFLET's bef. 1800

tax tables

John Shiflett Jr.
Analyzer: Chester Johnson
John Jr. was the spouse of Joice Powell and d. before the occurence of the Oct. Albemarle Co. Court session of 1794, when his will was entered into evidence. See their family chart. There are 2 John Shiflets listed in the Fredericksville Parish Vestry book on 9 Feb 1769. (See timeline.) It is probably now safe to assume that this was not a clerical error as was thought earlier. From the Albemarle Co. Land Tax, we find that John Jr. (845a.) and a John (125a.) are listed in 1782. The 2 Johns of Albemarle continue to be listed on the Land Tax rolls either as John and John Jnr. OR John Snr. and John Jnr. until 1795, when the listing changes to John Sr. and John Jnr. decd. From the dating of the will of the John who m. Joice Powell, we place him as the John Jr. who dies in 1794.

The land from John Jnr's estate (275a.) continues to be listed on the land tax rolls until 1801 with 275a. and then it drops off. In 1796 Joice sold 40a. along with the other heirs, and that year she also transferred title of some land to Lewis, but in 1801, John Jr's estate is still listed with 275a. I mention this because there is a similar problem with the estate of John Sr., below. (The land tax listing did not decrease due to a land sale.)
JOHN SHIFLETT Sr.
Analyzer: Chester Johnson
John Sr. is listed with 125a. through 1799. From the sale of this land by Bland and Vina in 1806, we now know that the John who purchased the land from John Ogg (and was later sued by Ogg for debt) was John Sr. In 1800, the land tax list changes to John Sr. decd. or estate and continues like this until 1811. From the dates above, we can conclude that John Sr. died in late 1799, 5 years after John Jr. In 1812 and 1813, there is a John Senr. with 125a. of land, but is this still the estate of John Senr. deceased and the clerk made an error, or another John? After 1813, there are no further John's listed in the Albemarle Land Tax list through 1825, so it is probably John Sr. decd. and a clerical error, but there are other possibilities.

Early JOHN SHIFLETT of Orange Co.
Analyzer: Julia Crosswell
We have records on the timeline and tax table for a John Shiflet in the 1735-7 time period. Later, we have records of a John Shiflett in Albemarle beginning in 1743 listing him as living on Coursey's land. It is not known if these are two separate Johns, or if one of them may be the John Sr. discovered above, or if records pertain to 3 different men.

JOHN SHIFLETT of Orange, husband of SUSANNAH:
Purchaser of the TAYLOR land in 1792
Analyzer: Julia Crosswell
On 3 May 1792, James Taylor of Caroline sells to John Shiflett of Orange, 200a. bounded by the lines of George Douglas, Thompson, Taylor, Powell and the watercourse Taylor's run. This John first appears on the Orange Co. Land Tax Rolls three years later in 1795 with 200a. (perhaps after he'd paid off the land?) On 26 Apr 1797, John and wife Susanna of Orange sell 100a. to Richard Morris of Orange, bounded by: Douglas's line on a ridge of the Naked Mtn., Snow's line, middle fork of Taylor Run, Taylor's line, Tillmon's line. In 1798, John's listing on the Orange Land Tax list drops to 100a. This is pretty good evidence that the John who bought the land from John Taylor in 1792 is the John who m. Susannah. Also, this John was b. bef. 1771 since you had to be 21 to purchase land.

Two JOHN SHIFLETs in Orange
Analyzer: Julia Crosswell, with other thoughts contributed by Harry Shifflett
It is now known that the John who bought the land from James Taylor in 1792 is the John who m. Susannah. She is listed as his wife when he sells part of this land to Richard Morris in 1797, shortly after their marriage. This Richard Morris is possibly the Richard who m. Ann Davis, sister of Susannah who m. William Shiflett in 1791.

However, between 1782 and 1795, only one John is listed on the Orange Co. PPT lists. The 1782 census lists a John with 3 family members; in 1785 he is listed with 5 family members. The likeliest explanation of the increased count is an increase in children, and if so, it is unlikely that this is the elder John of Orange listed on the tithe list almost 50 years earlier in 1736.

John m. Susanna in 1797. Unless she was his second wife, he could not be the man listed in 1782 and 1785. However, in 1795, when John is first listed on the land tax rolls with his 200a., there is still only one John listed on the PPT. It is unlikely that an older John Shiflet with a family just happenned to drop off the tithe list the same year John bought his 200 a. from James Taylor. The most likely explanation is that Susannah was John's second wife.

Contributing evidence that Susannah may be John's second wife is the problem with their reported daughter, Elizabeth, who m. George Airey in 1808. She has long been regarded as the child of John and Susannah Shiflett, but her estimated birth date falls way before their marriage date. She could possibly be the daughter of John and his first wife. NOTE: we now know that Jacob Shiflett is also the child of John and his first wife.

STEPHEN and ELIZABETH POWELL:
Married bef. 1750
Analyzer: Julia Crosswell
Stephen is listed on the 1766 Orange PPT list with 1 tithe. In 1767 he is listed with 2 tithes. The simplest explanation is that a son of his turned 16 in 1767 and became titheable. If this is true, it pushes back the date of Stephen and Elizabeths Powell's marriage to 1751 or earlier.

THOMAS m. LUCY HAM:
Son of RICHARD
Submitter of document: Dinah S. Balderson
1855 Rockingham Co. Death Record
Name: Thos. Shiflett; Date: Sept. 12, Place: Shen River; Cause: Cholera Age: 60

Parents: Richard Shiflett; POB: Greene Co.; Occ.: Farmer; Spouse: Mary Shiflett; Rep: Geo Berry; Relationship: Son in law

The Thomas who had a son-in-law named George Berry is the Thomas listed in the Shiflett book on p. 74. who m. Lucy Ham on Sept. 19, 1811. In the 1860 Rockingham Co. census, Lucy Shiflett is living in the household of her son-in-law, George Berry. Thomas and Lucy's daughter, Sally, m. George Berry on 26 Oct. 1826 in Orange Co. and several of their children m. back into the Shiflet family. Why Mary Shiflett is listed as the Spouse of this Thos. Shiflett is unknown. Perhaps Thomas had a wife before he m. Lucy Ham, or George Berry or the clerk made an error. Also note that the age as stated on his death record is probably in error. From the marriage record, we would place his birth in1790, making him at least 65 at the time of his death.

THOMAS and OLLEY:
Both Children of Richard and Elizabeth
Submitter of documents/analyzer: Larry Shifflett
In the War of 1812 widow's pension application of Lucy Shiflett, Thomas Shiflett's wife, at the National Archives, Olley Gentry states that she is a sister to Thomas Shiflett and a witness to both Thomas's marriage to Lucy and Thomas's death.

From Orange Co. Militia documents we see Thomas Shiflett, Son to Richard. Notice also the page with Thomas Shiflett, Son to Richard, and Thomas Shiflett listed together. The second Thomas is apparently Thomas Shiflett who married Susanna Wyant and not the son of Richard. Both Thomas Shifletts were in the Orange Co. Militia around the period of the War of 1812.
Captain Zeah. Early's Company-
Thomas Shiflett, S.to Richard ---
Thomas Shiflett,----

From the deed (See below) involving the homeplace of Richard & Elizabeth Shiflett, it might be inferred that Olley Gentry is the daughter of Richard & Elizabeth Shiflett, because they deed her the property on which they are living for a consideration of fifty dollars on Feb. 15, 1854. Richard Shiflett dies Jan. 22, 1855 in Greene County at the age of 93 years. Elizabeth Shiflett, his wife, dies May 23, 1854 in Greene County at the age of 98 years. A short time after the death of Richard and Elizabeth Shiflett, Olley Gentry deeds the property to her son, Austin Gentry, for the sum of 160 dollars. This deed is dated December 15th in the year 1856. Notice that Olley did not transfer the land to Austin until Richard and Elizabeth were both deceased. Also notice that the property adjoins Benson Shiflett, known son of Richard and Elizabeth Shiflett. This is apparently the property deeded to Benson by Richard and Elizabeth Shiflett on Dec. 16, 1848.

In Olley Gentry's Greene Co. death record, it is stated that she is the daughter of D. and Betty Shiflett. It is commonplace to call males named Richard by the short form "Dick" and females named Elisabeth by the short form "Betty". The death record of Olley Gentry may mean Dick and Betty Shiflett, or actually Richard and Elisabeth. Since we now have Thomas' death record, which clearly states his father was Richard, and we have the sworn statement from Olley stating she is Thomas' sister, we now know Olley is also Richard's daughter. From the land deed, the Richard Shiflet who Olley Shiflett Gentry is associated with is the Richard who m. Elizabeth.

GREENE COUNTY DEED BOOK 2, PAGES 409-10:
This Indenture made on this 15th day of February in the year 1854, between Richard Shiflett and Elizabeth his wife of the one part, and Olley Gentry, wife of John Gentry, all of Greene County of the other part. Witnesseth, that the said Richard Shiflett and Elizabeth his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars good and lawful money of this Commonwealth, to them in hand paid by the said Olley Gentry, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge by these presents - here bargained, granted, sold, released and confirmed and by these presents, do grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said Olley Gentry and assigns forever, a certain parcel of land situate, lying and being in the County of Greene and containing twenty eight acres, be the same more or less, and being the land on which the said Richard Shiflett and Elizabeth lives, bounded as follows to wit: Beginning at a birch on the bank of Lynch's River in Austin Gentry's line with the same down the meander of said river 84 poles to a sycamore in John Gentry's line, with the same S58 degrees West 45 poles to a large chestnut oak corner to said Gentry & Benson Shiflett with the said Shiflett South 67 1/4 degrees West 16 poles to a locust North 24 degrees W70 1/2 poles to a chestnut & black gum, thence N. 57 degrees East 43 poles to the beginning; and the said Richard Shiflett and Elizabeth his wife in law or equity or otherwise however, of, in , to or out, of the same, To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land, and every part and parcel thereof with their appurtenances, unto the said Olley Gentry and assigns forever. And the said Richard Shiflett, for himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators and for and in behalf of the said Elizabeth, his wife and her heirs, doth covenant, promise, grant and agree to and with the said Richard Shiflett, his heirs & assigns, by these presents, in manner and form following, to wit: That the said Richard Shiflett, and his heirs, the said tract of parcel of land and premises, hereby granted, with it's appurtenances unto the said Olley Gentry and assigns, against him the said Richard Shiflett, and his heirs, and against the heirs of the said Elizabeth his wife, and against all and every person or persons, what ever, will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof we have hereunto signed over money and affixed our seals the day & year first written.
Signed, Sealed, and Richard (his X mark) Shiflett SEAL
delivered in the presence - Elizabeth (her X mark) Shiflett SEAL
Willis Dunn
Austin Gentry
John Roberts

In Greene County Clerk's Office 16th March 1854. This Deed was this day filed & proved by the Oaths of Willis Dunn, Austin Gentry, and John Roberts, the witnesses thereto -
and admitted to record.
Teste - R. Pritchett, Clk.
(Margin note: Original taken by Austin Gentry.)

WINSTON SHIFLET, husband of MILLY
Their Children
Submitter of documents/analyzer: Larry Shifflett

See also the chancery suit that caused this revision.

1850 Greene County Census

Winston Shiflett 58 M Farmer
Milly 57 F
Burnace 34 M
Harrison 32 M Laborer
Matilda 24 F
Bird 22 M Laborer
Louisa 16 F
Dianna 13 F
Cary A. 6/12 F

In the Shiflet Book we have all of the above people listed as the children of Winston and Mildred Shiflett which is incorrect. Later information provided by the Rockingham Co. Chancery Cause quoted on the wills page has the "six lawful children" or heirs as follows:

Bill of Complaint 1884	Article of Agreement 1880
1-Nelson Shiflett	1-Nelson Shifflett of Albemarle Co.
2-Harrison Shiflett	2-Jackson Shifflett of Iowa
3-Jackson Shiflett	3-Bird Shifflett of Va.
4-Louisa Coleman	4-Harrison Shifflett
5-Dianna Coleman	5-Louisa Coleman
6-Rebecca Shiflett, wife of Jarrard	6-Diannah Coleman

Notice that the two lists vary slightly, with Bird excluded on the Bill of Complaint and Rebecca excluded on the Article of Agreement. [ed.note: Rebecca is excluded because she never signed the Article of Agreement selling the land; she and her husband Jarrad are the ones who filed suit against the other heirs who did sign the agreement. Bird agreed to the sale of land but is not listed on the bill of complaint. It's probable he died in the time period between the 2 documents.]

Matilda, listed in the 1850 GCC, is the wife of Harrison Martin Shiflett.

Cary A., listed in the 1850 GCC, is the daughter of Harrison & Matilda Shiflett and the second wife of Samuel McDowell Shifflett.

No further information is available of Burnace Shiflett.

We also have Polly Ann Shiflett, born 1820 as a daughter, but I can not find the supporting evidence.

If a child died before the Chancery Cause without marriage or issue, they would be excluded from mention in any later documents relating to the intestate death of Winston Shiflett.

NEW CONNECTIONS FROM MARRIAGE RECORDS

VINA: New child for John and Susannah
Dina (Vina or Lina??) m. Peter Morris 2 Oct 1826, sur. Howard Shiflett wit-A.H.Jameson, s/o John Morris, d/o John Shiflett who gives his consent; wit-William Turner, Howerd Shiflett and George Bingham. Howard is the son of John and Susanna Shiflett. Vina as the daughter of John and Susanna is the most logical explanation.

ASSOCIATIONS FROM RECORDS
Miley Shiflet, Jacob Shiflet, John Shiflet, George Airey; 1813 - Rockingman Co. Ct. Records

Miley is being sued by the Poor House on a recognizance bond as father of Ann Rains' child. Jacob, John and George post bond for him. George Airy m. Elizabeth Shiflett in 1808. Elizabeth is reportedly the daughter of John and Susanna who m. in 1796, but some researcher doubt this because she would have only been 13 at the time of the marriage. But there was a close association between her husband and John, Jacob and Miley. Perhaps she was John's sister instead? or the daughter of another John?
Absalom Shiflett, Edward Shiflett, Rowland Shiflett, Fielding Shiflett, James Shiflett, Stephen Shiflett, Kennel Shiflett; and: Nutty Herron and his father, William Herron; William Ham and the estate of James Herron. 1825 and 1829

Nutty Herron sells for $5 all his right and title in his father's estate to Absalom Shiflett. The others (except Kennel) witness the deed. What makes this unusual is the number of witnesses.

In 1829, William Ham sells his 1/13 part of the estate of James Herron to Absalom. Kennel and Edward witness this transaction. James is thought to be the son of William Herron. Absalom, Edward and Joice (Herring) his wife, and Winney Herrin sell these tracts of land in 1833 for $1 to Felix Williams.

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