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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 10c A Copy
Lubbock, Texas September 1948 Vol. 4. No. 5
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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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OUR TOUR OF RESEARCH
Home at last and happy to be here, but not the least bit happy over our achievements during the tour. You will see why we are not happy by the time you finish reading this little story of what happened to us, and how.
We left Lubbock at noon on Sunday, August, 15th, making our first stop at Paris, Texas. Several Shackelfords came to Texas between 1835 and 1870, and so there are a great many Texas records that we need to complete our files. Then we journeyed on to Hope, Arkadelphia and Little Rock, Arkansas, picking up a few essential items at each place.
After leaving Little Rock we went to Lexington, Tennessee, the place where we had the good fortune to enter this earthly habitation some fifty six years ago, where we spent a week visiting relatives, friends, and places that brought back fond memories of our childhood; a week that ended all too soon, but we knew that we had to push on if we were to garner all the information that we had set out to find.
Leaving Lexington we journeyed to Nashville which place occupied our time five days scanning the records that are on file in The State Library. But on the afternoon of Friday Sept. 3rd, we were called home on an emergency. After making the necessary
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adjustments at home we again took to the open road, and Monday morning, September the 13th, found us once more searching the records of the Tennessee State Library.
Having finished at Nashville we set out for Raleigh, North Carolina, stopping at Murfreesboro, McMinnville, Sparta and Knoxville, Tenn; Ashville, and Charlotte, N.C., enroute. But while at Nashville we made a flying trip up to Franklin, Ky., and another down to Franklin, Tenn, two places that we could not make on our regular itinerary.
We remained in Raleigh for more than a week, where we picked up a great deal of needed and long sought for data. Then from Raleigh we went directly to Charleston, S.C., where our luck still held and again we added some luscious tidbits of long and painstakingly sought for information.
From Charleston we went directly to Columbia, S.C., where we found several items of intererst. Then to Augusta, Appling, Crawfordsville, Madison, and Athens, Ga. Finding at each place items that would have been of interest to many, if not all of you. But at Athens, Ga., our luck departed and thereby hangs a tale of woe.
We had finished our work in Madison, Ga., and then bought a ticket through to Anderson, S.C., as it was more convenient to get to Anderson from Athens than it is from Columbia to Anderson. But we had planned to stop at Athens that night and run over to Lexington, Ga., before proceeding on to Anderson. So when we alighted from the bus in Athens we immediately purchased a ticket to Lexington, intending to ride a bus that was at that very moment loading. But when we had purchased our ticket and turned to pick up our bags, one of them had been stolen, and it was the one that contained all the material that we had been fortunate enough to garner on our entire journey up to that very moment.
That was Saturday evening October, 16th. So two months labor and at a cost of more than three hundred dollars disappeared in the twinkling of an eye. So now you know why
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we were unhappy over the results of our tour.
We did everything we knew how in an effort to recover the missing bag, particularly the contents, but to no avail.
But we did not let that deter us in our determination to collect as much information from then on, as we possibly could; so we went to work with even more vigor, and although some scoundrel deprived us of our written notes, they did not, nor could not remove or erase from our memory much of the precious data.
Then after completing our work at Athens, Jefferson, Lexington, Danielsville, Ga., where we again troubled the kindly and affable Mr. Atkinson, the Ordinary, for another look at the Morgan Co. records, and thereby again added what was there, to our collection. Then we went to Monroe, then to Covington and Atlanta, Ga., where we remained for several days, making a journey down to Griffin, Forsysth, and McDonough, Ga., before leaving Georgia. After Atlanta we came to Montgomery, Alabama, where we happened to be on election day. From Montgomery we went to Meridian and Jackson, Miss., and while at Jackson we ran up and looked over the records at Canton and Yazoo City, taking time out to visit with our good friend, and one of the very finest members of the Clan--Mr. Irvin Miller Shackelford, of Eden, Miss. Then back to Jackson and on to Vicksburg, which completed our itinerary. And we were glad, for we were not only tired, but home sick. But after leaving Vicksburg we did take time out to spend three or four hours with one of our nephews--Dr. Jason P. Sanders, and his good wife, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Then we arrived home late in the afternoon of Wednesday, November the 10th, having been away all told almost three months, and having been in ten States, searching records in thirty three court houses, seven State Libraries, and after trudging over more old cemeteries than we care to remember. We saw many members of the Clan, tried to see others, of whom we shall say
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more in future issues. And we apologize to those we did not see, but our time wa so limited that we just could not.
We have here given you only an outline of what we did or tried to do, and from time to time we shall tell you more of our experiences in specific places and in more detail. Also of the fine people we met, members of the Clan that we wish all of you could know as we do.
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"The ideal man takes joy in doing things for others; but he feels ashamed to have others do favors for him. For it is the mark of superiority to confer a kindness, but a mark of inferiority to receive it"--Aristotle.
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While on our journey we received several subscriptions for the Magazine, and in each instance we made a note of it in our note book that was in our bag that was stolen, so if any of you have sent us subscription renewals and have not had it acknowledged, please call our attention to it, as it may have escaped our memory.
While searching through the records at the court house at Arkadelphia, Arkansas, we met two very charming ladies from Dalla, Texas, who were also looking over the records there. They gave us a dollar for a Magazine subscription, and we made a note of it, but that too, was in the book that was stolen. And so we have forgotten the names and the addresses of the two ladies. And we regret that very much, but can do nothing about it.
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We were also favored with additional data from several of you, including Mrs. Margaret Blanton, of New York City, Mrs. H. A. Knorr, of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Mrs. Cecil B. Taylor, of Clifton Forge, Va., and others that was in the stolen bag. We are very grateful for the favor, but regret indeed that we lost it.
While on our journey we received subscription renewals from the following persons, and though
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we lost the letters and all the checks, we do remember the following: Mr. Irvin Miller Shackelford, of Eden, Miss, who inclosed a check to the amount of five dollars for the Magazines for himself and his brother--Mr. Walter M. Shackelford, of Eden, Miss., and his daughter--Mrs. Cooper Blanton, of Bellflower, Calif.; Mr. F. T. Shackelford, of Minneapolis, Minn,; Mrs. Mary Harris-Armor, of College Park, Ga.; Miss Ora Tanquary, of Van Wert, Ohio; Mr. Odis Shackelford, of Nashville, Tenn.; Mrs. H. Mae Vining, of Milan, Ohio; Dr. B. L. Shackleford, of Atlanta, Ga.; To all of whom we are indeed grateful, and wish to thank you for your kindness, patience and spendid co-operation.
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We also received new subscriptions from the following persons; The lady from Dallas, Texas, whose name and address we lost; a Mr. William Shackelford, of Birmingham, Alabama, who also included one for his sister--who lives in Norfolk, Va. We lost his address also. Dept. of Archives & History, of Atlanta, Ga.; Charleston Historical Society, of Charleston, S.C.; Miss Ophelia Amason, of Lexington, Ga.; and Mrs. B. W. Gandrud, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. To all of whom we say "Thank You Very Much Indeed"--
From the following persons we received additional data, for which we are grateful, but some of which was lost also: Mrs. H. A. Knorr, of Pine Bluff, Ark.; (lost) Mrs Margaret Gray-Blanton, of New York City; (also lost) Mrs. Cecil B. Taylor, of Clifton Forge, Va.; (lost) Mrs. Mary E. Churchill, of Denver, Colo.; Mrs. B. W. Gandrud, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Mrs. Vernon E. McArthur, of Hutchinson, Kansas, and our good friend--Mr. Waid Scott Willis, of San Antonio, Texas. And there were others whose names we have forgotten.
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There has been a number of births reported to us since our August issue came off the press, some of which we lost and cannot remember names or dates, but we do have three, one of which we could never forget. On July the 26th, just two after (two days) after
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our August issue went to press, the wife of our youngest son--Mrs. Edith Evelyn Hunter-Jones, presented her husband with a fine baby son, tipping the scales at eight and three quarter pounds. The new heir was the first grandson of your Editor, and he will bear the name of Kenneth Wayne. And we feel certain that this new grandson, along with his elder sister, our only grand children, will also be the spoiled brat of the Jones Clan.
Then on August 12th, a charming little bundle of the sugar and spice and everything nice variety, arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Shackelford, of Birmingham, Alabama, and will bear the name of Patricia Ann. Mrs. Shackelford being the former Miss Elizabeth Pennington.
Then on August 20th, 1947 (belated report) a very charming little daughter to be known as Sylvia Kay, arrived to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Moss and Madora Blanche Pierson-McCulloch, of Los Angeles, Calif.
So on behalf of the entire Clan we extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to each of the happy parents and fortunate babies.
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"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement"--Hebrews 9:27.
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So according to the divine plan, we are now saddened by the fact that we must report to you the passing of several members of our Clan since the last issue of the Magazine went out to you. There were no less than three reports that were lost and we have forgotten the names and dates, but we do have four to report that were not lost.
Reported by Mrs. Mary E. Churchill, of Denver, Colorado. Charles Albert Pierson, born in Johnson County, Iowa, November 24, 1867. He passed to his eternal reward in Inglewood, Calif., June 1, 1948, after several weeks illness. He married Madora Bell Shackelford, November 25, 1897, to which union were born two sons--George Allen and Granville Harrison Pierson, both of whom survive. He is also survived by his widow, four grand children, four great grand children, and a host of
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relatives and friends.
Robert David Shackelford was born the son of John Lafayette and Elizabeth Carter-Shackelford, March 8, 1871, in Warren County, Mo. He passed to his eternal reward at the home of his son-Elmer Shackelford, at Leedy, Okla., August 8, 1948. He was married to Miss Jeannette Aiken, about 1900, and to them were born four children, two sons and two daughters, three of whom survive him, one having died in childhood.
Mr. Shackelford was one of eleven children, all of whom preceded him in death except one sister--Mrs. Bessie Erman, of Kansas City, Mo. Other than Mrs. Erman, he is survived by his widow, one son, two daughters, six grand children, and a host of other relatives and friends. (This report sent in by Mrs. M. H. Netherton,, of Gentry, Ark.).
Then while in Atlanta, Ga., we received a letter from Mrs. Blanche G. Dickson, of Austin, Texas, but who incidentally, was visiting in Atlanta at that time, reporting to us the death of her saintly old mother, and also her brother, who died in an accident just four days later.
Amanda Elizabeth Shackelford was born the daughter of Mordecai Shackelford and Nancy Pierce Howze, June 3, 1863. She passed to her eternal reward at her home near Franklin, Ga., September 24, 1948, after an illness that had plagued her for several months, she being in her 86th year.
On November 19th, 1882, she married William Alexander Gibson, and to them were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, five of whom preceded her in death. She was survived by five children, thirteen grand children, and several great grand children.
This writer had the pleasure of visiting in the home of Mrs. Gibson, (Aunt Manda, as she was affectionately known), and we shall always cherish the memory of that short visit. She was very kind and helpful, intensely interested in genealogy, and although nearing her 80th birthday at the time, she worked like a trojan in her efforts to provide us with every particle of information that she
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had in her possession. She was the mother of ten children, splendid sons and daughters all. She was not permitted to rear them all to maturity, but she did a fine job with all that she was allowed to keep. She lived a rich full life, and the Clan, as well as her sons and daughters, and the community where she lived, has lost a friend, a wonderful mother and a splendid neighbor. Indeed a grand lady that any community could ill afford to lose.
But the climax of this tragedy came when just four days after the death of Mrs. Gibson, her son Robert Ziba Gibson, of Lakeland, Florida, was accidentally killed. Details of how he met his fate was not made known to us.
Robert Ziba Gibson, son of William Alexander and Amanda Elizabeth Shackelford-Gibson, was born at or near Franklin,Ga., April 21, 1902. He passed to his eternal reward at Lakeland, Florida, Sept. 28, 1948, being accidentally killed.
He was married to Miss Julia Bush Oct. 20, 1926, to which union were born two sons and one daughter, all of whom survive. And in addition to his widow and children, he is survived by four brothers and sisters and a host of nephews and nieces and many other relatives and friends.
And so on behalf of the entire Clan we extend sincere sympathy and consolation of hope. May the Lord bless and comfort all of you in your hours of great sorrow.
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"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion--He hath given meat unto them that fear him:"---Psalms 111:4-5.
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During the time we were away we received many letters, some containing information, and some making inquiries. And we deeply appreciate hearing from every one of you, and wil say here that we have not made replies because of the fact that we have been away and have not had the time or an opportunity. Each of you will be hearing from us soon, now that we are at home. The next number of the Magazine will follow in a few days.
And until then, Adios--The Editor.
Trasncribed by Alex Early May 23, 1998
UpdatedThursday, 01-May-2008 16:49:39 EDT