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SHACKELFORD CLAN MAGAZINE
Genealogy of Shackelfords and Shacklefords
Editor: T. K. Jones 716 Ave. A Lubbock, Texas
$1.00 A Year Published Monthly 10¢ A Copy
Lubbock, Texas May 1947 Vol. 3. No. 1
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Motto: A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, are not likely to achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.
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The following is a letter written during the Revolutionary War, from Edward Butler, to his brother-in-law - John Shackelford. The Editor regrets that our informant did not include the date of the letter, nor from whence it was written nor to what place it was addressed. But since the Butlers lived in Hanover County, Virginia, it is presumed that it is where it was written; and as the Shackelfords lived in Halifax County, that is probably where it was sent to - Hanover the origin and Halifax the destination.
But though we do not have the exact date, the conditions mentioned therein reminds us of what is and has been happening in other parts of the world the past seven or eight years.
The letter, and we quote:
"This, under divine providence, leaves us in good health; and hoping this will find you and yours enjoying the same valuable blessings.
We have gone through many scenes of distress since you left my house. I think it was the day you left that my eldest son was taken with a violent flux, which the Sunday morning week after, landed him in eternity. And no sooner had we closed his eyes, like the messengers of Job, one misfortune on the back of another, we were informed the British were on the march, and our army retreating rapidly in front of them.
This we hoped however, was only news at a distance, expecting the report of the enemy being at Richmond before they came into this country. But no certain intelligence could we get about them until Tuesday morning, the 29th of May, when I was informed they were at New Castle, having never halted from the time they left Bottom's bridge until they got to Black Haney's; and after taking possession of New Castle and Hanover Town, Tarleton projected his route to Hanover Court House, a few of which came as far as Long's Lane. All of this was performed by Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock.
You can guess the confusion we were in now, men women and children flying before them, and leaving the roads, they took shelter in the woods near my fence. This was the first that put me in the notion of leaving home, which we did by 12 o'clock.
We had sent one load of things out of the way and carried off a few with us. Everything else was
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carried off by them, of clothes, or bed clothing. One bed was ripped open but left in the house.
Our negroes however, did more than I could have expected, some which they found. But I came off vastly better than I could have expected when we returned home.
However, when we returned what we had lost could not be replaced by sixty thousand pounds of Tobacco. I had two fellows - Ben and Lew to go away with them, but Lew returned after three weeks safe and without the small-pox.
My finding things better at my return than I had expected, I was perfectly well satisfied and now I am as well content as if I had lost nothing.
My gray mare and black horse, they carried away, but no cattle, and but few were lost. But when we left home and got up to the place where Mrs. Snyder lived, expecting the enemy to move on toward Fredericksburg, but Wednesday Tarleton moved up to John Wingfield's place, and took post between his farm and mine. Sanco, with the Queen's Rangers, took post at South of Anna Budge, and Cornwallis took his headquarters at the court house. Tuesday morning, finding ourselves surrounded on all sides, some of the company went in and got leave to return home with their families, etc. My wife and children agreed to go home with them and I set out for camp. Friday morning early the army marched again and I was in their front until I got up to Louisa Court House, and then I came to a halt and concluded to go home, thinking and feeling it in vain to go any further.
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At my return I found my son, my second son, violently ill with the very same disorder, but happily he recovered. The neighborhood has suffered much, but nothing to what we have done.
No more at this time, but my love to sister and children. I have however, kept clear of the British, and we are well off compared to some that stayed home and addressed to them.
I am sir:
Yours truly,
Signed-Edward Butler.
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"And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet".-Matthew 24:6.
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This issue of the Clan marks the beginning of our third year; and since last month marked the ending of the second year we are happy to report that we finished that second year in a blaze of glory so far as additional data is concerned, as during the month of April brought us data from many of you, and most of it being of branches of the family that we had not heretofore heard from. And we are grateful indeed for such splendid cooperation. Additional data came from the following: Miss Pearlie Scott, of Lexington, Tenn.; Mrs. Hazel Lloyd, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.; Mrs. M. H.
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Netherton, of Gentry, Ark.; Mrs. R. L. Thacker, of Franklin, W.Va.; Miss Ophelia Amason, of Crawford, Ga.; Mrs. James O. Franklin, of Lawrenceburg, Ky.; Mr. Kenyon Stevenson, of Hudson, Ohio.; Mrs. E. E. Evans, of Columbia, Mo.; Rev. F. S. Moseley, of Georgiana, Ala.; Miss Irene Morgan, of Talequah, Okla.; Mrs. Nora F. Shackleford, of Rochester, N.Y.; Mrs. George Fisher, Lexington, Tenn.; Mrs. Blanche G. Dickson, of Austin, Texas.; Mrs. William S. Hay, of Auburn, Alabama.; and Mrs. W. W. Shackelford, of Bates City, Mo.; To all of whom we are indebted, and say again -"Thanks a million" --
We are also indebted to the following persons for their subscription renewals: Mrs. E. E. Evans, of Columbia, Mo.; Mrs. Nora F. Shackleford, of Rochester, N. Y.; Dr. G. M. G. Stafford, of Baton Rouge, La.; and Mrs. Mary Harris-Armor, of College Park, Ga. Also to the following new subscribers: Mrs. William S. Hay, of Auburn, Ala.; Mr. J. G. Francis, of Lebannon, Penn.; and Mrs. M. H. Netherton, of Gentry, Ark. To all of whom we are very grateful.
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"As cold water is to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country:" -Proverbs 25:25.
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And we are happy to report that the old bird we so often hear of, but see so little of - old Doctor Stork, has been exceptionally busy this month, having delivered a son to Mr. George Gordon Shackleford, Jr. and his wife - the former Miss Mary Louise Bigley, and was christened George Gordon, III. They live in Chattanooga, Tenn.
William Hinton put in his appearance at the home of Dr. J. Hinton and Lucille Elliott- Shackelford, of Baltimore, Maryland., March, 29, 1947.
James Edward arrived on this ord April, 6, 1947, and will make his home with the proud parents - Mr. And Mrs. William Carl and Estelee Davis- Scott, of Lexington, Tenn.
Lusty little Miss Lavinia Kay was ushered into the home of Kenneth Lee and Sarah Jane Handley- Shackelford, of
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Pontiac, Ill, April 12, 1947, and was accepted as a permanent visitor.
And on behalf of all the Clan we send along our warmest congratulations to all.
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" -Psalms 127:3
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We have no marriages to report this month, but we do have a correction to make of one reported last month. In the April issue, page 5, we reported the marriage of Miss Sarah Jacqueline Geesling to Mr. Charles Barry Neill, Jr., son of Mrs. Gladys DuPesic, of Alachua, Florida, and Charles Barry Neill, Sr. of Greenville, S. C. But it should have been Charles Barry Neill, Jr. son of Charles Barry Neill, Sr., and his wife - Mrs. Gladys DuPesic-Neill, of Atlanta, Ga. We are sorry for the error, and happy to make the correction.
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And now it becomes our sad duty to report the death of two members of our Clan since going to press last month, and a belated report of two others who paid the supreme sacrifice during the late war.
Marian Virginia Shackelford was born the daughter of George Edwin and Missouri Ellen Medlicott- Shackelford, and saw the light of day for the first time in Gloucester County, Va., October, 3, 1867; and she passed to her eternal reward at her home in Franklin, W. Va., March, 6, 1947, after a short illness. Survivors include two sisters - Mrs. R. L. Thacker, of Franklin; also Miss Rowena Elizabeth Shackelford, and a number of nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
George Henry Wetherhold or Westerhold, born the son of Henry and Medora Shackelford - Westerhold, in Lafayette Co., Mo., Sept, 2, 1886; and passed to his eternal reward at his home near Bates City, Mo., April, 13, 1947. He was married to Gladys Kilander, of Kansas City, Mo., 1912, who survives him. Also surviving is a daughter - Mrs. Edith Mae Homefeld, two sisters, four brothers, a number of nieces and nephews and
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host of relatives and friends. He lost his only son - Kenneth Lee Westerhold, who was killed in action in Frances, August, 1, 1944.
And a report that has just been brought to our attention was the death of T/Sgt Thomas E. Shackelford, who was killed in a plane crash in India, February, 28, 1944; and who was laid to rest beside a brother Robert Shackelford, in Calcutta, India, also killed in line of duty a short time before. They were sons of Mrs. H. W. Shackelford, of Pelham, Ga. Both of whom gave all they had to give for the preservation of our American way of life.
And to all the bereaved and speaking, we feel certain for the entire Clan, we offer our profound sympathy and admonition of hope.
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"--Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, --and their works do follow them:" -Rev 14:13
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We are still seeking information of Ambrose Grayson Shackelford, who married Sarah M. Dorsey, in Hardin Co., Ky, 1826. Information regarding ancestry and descendants. Any one seeing this request, and being able to supply any of the information desired, please communicate with Miss Irene Morgan, or Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, or to or with the Editor.
And we are still seeking information of the ancestry and descendants of Susan Shackelford, who married Thomas H. Withers, in Lincoln Co., Ky., in 1838. Any one being able to give additional information, or clues as to where it may be found, please communicate with Mrs. E. T. Stier, 1402 Franklin St. Lexington, Mo., or with the Editor.
Nancy Jane Shackelford, daughter of George and Mary Ann Davis - Shackelford, was born, Jan, 1, 1810, probably in Spartanburn Co., S. C. She was married first to a Mr. McLean, and had Permelia, and perhaps other children. Permelia McLean married a Mr. Ragsdale, and they lived in Phillips Co., Ark.
Nancy Jane Shackelford - McLean, then married
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secondly, John Fondren; and they had the following childre: Mattie Ella, Ada Virginia, and Molly.
John Fondren died in St. Francis County, Ark. (Date not known) and Nancy Jane Shackelford - Fondren died in St. Francis County, Ark., near Forrest City, November, 11, 1868.
We have data of the Fondren children, but particularly desirous of obtaining information of Ragsdale and Permelia Mclean family.
Richard Shackelford, whose will was published in the April issue of the clan, it will be noted, mentioned as a legatee - Abner Pyles, a son-in-law, but the given name of the daughter - wife of Abner Pyles, was not shown.
Abner Pyles and his wife, the daughter of Richard Shackelford, are known to have had two children. Addison and Matilda, (perhaps others) Addison Pyles, son of Abner, was born in Spartanburg, County, S. C., October, 31, 1803, and died in Madison County, Tenn., November, 22, 1882. He married Martha A. Crenshaw, daughter of Archibald Crenshaw, November, 29, 1827., in Abbeville County, S. C. They had several children.
Matilda Pyles, daughter of Abner, married Tepo Teague, in Abbeville County, S.C. No more is known of this family.
Abner Pyles was born in Virginia, June, 9, 1772, and died in Laurens Co, S.C., February, 3, 1847.
We are particularly desirous of learning the given name of the Shackelford wife of Abner Pyles, the identity of his other wife, and the names of all of his children. Any one knowing anything of these people, or clues that will aid us in locating such information, please communicate with us, we will be happy to purchase or exchange.
Richard Shackelford also had a daughter Margaret, who married Major John Cook, March, 20, 1804, probably in Spartanburg, S.C., or in Laurens Co. The Bible records show the name of their first child as Emily, who
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was born August, 5, 1805. But they are said to have had other children namely: Margaret, Isaac, Clayton, Mary Ann and John, Jr.
John Cook, Sr., is said to have died in Madison County, Alabama, and then Margaret, his wife, is said to have married John Hathcock.
Emily Cook, eldest child of John and Margaret Shackelford - Cook, is said to have married her cousin - Calvin Shackelford.
And we are very desirous of having additional information of this family, of the descendants of John Cook and his wife - Margaret Shackelford.
Richard Shackelford also mentioned in his will, a son William, who was deceased at that time (1823). William, the son, married Nancy Wright, but nothing more is known of his family. Nancy Wright - Shackelford is thought to have died in Hinds Co., Miss, but we have no proof of that. If any one has information of the descendants of William and Nancy Wright - Shackelford, please communicate with us.
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Out in this section of the country where ye auld Editor claims domicile Spring seems to be that exceedingly short interval between the last series of freezes and the first series of un-comfortable heat waves.
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We regret to report that one of the most beloved and venerable members of our Clan - Mrs. Mary Harris- Armor, of 214 East Harvard Ave., College Park, Ga., is very ill. She is now in her 85th year. So won't you remember her with a shower of cards and letters of good cheer and encouragement.
But we are happy to report that our aunt - Mrs. Sally Shackelford, of Lexington, Tenn., whom many of you sent letters and cards of encouragement, is now much improved and able to walk a little. Thanks a million to all of you who remembered her. She is indeed grateful.
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We are still grateful for all additional data, old letters and documents, birth, marriage and death announcements.
Until next month, Adios - The Editor
Transcribed by Phoebe Larne, May 25, 1998
UpdatedThursday, 01-May-2008 16:49:21 EDT