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SHACKELFORD CLAN MAGAZINE
Genealogy of Shackelfords and Shacklefords.
Editor: T. K. Jones, 716 Ave A. Lubbock, Texas.
.60c A Copy. Published Monthly. .15c A Copy.
Lubbock, Texas. December 1945. Vol 1. No 8.
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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TEXAS HERO AND PATRIOT--EMPIRE BUILDER.
Last month we promised you a story this month of a Texas hero and an Empire Builder. And since "The Shackelford Clan Magazine" concerns only the genealogy and achievements of Shackelfords and descendants, this story is of one of the clan--Captain Jack Shackelford, (1790-1857).
The United States has produced many great men and women, and for that matter--many great families. But among the families, generally speaking, none has surpassed the Shackelfords-Shacklefords in noble and worthy achievements, and in producing men and women who have contributed to the building of the United States from an infant weakling to the world power that it is today. And it is of one of them that we write at this time, one to whom the United States in general and Texas in particular, owns much.
Jack Shackelford can be referred to as Captain Shackelford or as Dr Shackelford, as he was both. He was born in Richmond Co, Virginia, March 20, 1790, and died in Lawrence County, Alabama, January 27, 1857. He was the only son of Richard Shackelford and his third wife--Joanna Lawson.
As a young man, Jack Shackelford immigrated to Winsboro, South Carolina., where he met and married the
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charming and talented daughter of an eminent Presbyterian minister--Miss Marie Younge. Later in life he removed to Shelby County, Alabama., and still later to Courtland, Lawrence County, Alabama, where it is said that he lived like a baron of the middle ages, on a large plantation. His home, a mansion of that day, was built near the Coose River, where his wife's greatest joy was making him and his distinguished guests happy. But like other public men of wealth he could not refuse his friends and lost his fortune by endorsing for them.
But about this time Muscle Shoals was a matter of National concern. John C. Calhoun had said "A canal around or through the Shoals was a matter of National importance". So in 1828 The Federal Board of Internal Improvement was authorized to make an an (sic) examination, and on its recommendation Congress donated 400.000 acres of relinquished lands, the funds arising from the sales of which, were to be used for the construction of a canal at Big Muscle Shoals, and the president appointed Captain Shackelford as reciever to sell the lands and to establish the land office in Courtland. (Courtland Ala.) The appiontmen (sic) proved to be a wise one, well advised, as he succeeded in selling the lands in four years, and work was begun on America's greatest project, which after well over one hundred years, is still a center of National interest.
After having finished this important assignment Captain Shackelford became associated with a group of Tennessee and Alabama Capitalists and built the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railway, which was the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains. Captain Shackelford was one of the twelve members of the board of directors, of which he was elected "treasurer". This railroad, forty three miles long, when completed to Decatur in 1834, was said to be the best equipped in the world, and was built at a cost of slightly more that (sic) four thousand dollars per mile. The tracks con-
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sisted of wooden strings five inches square, laid on ties of red cedar, and to them bar irons three inches wide laid on and spiked to the stringers. In the middle of the track was the graveled horse path for mules or horses constituted the motive power until locomotive engines arrived from England. The initial trip with the new steam engine was made in December 1834, from Tuscumbia to Decatur, a distance of forty three miles and return, both in one day, amid a great ovation.
On the train were the officers, among whom was Jack Shackelford, who had been on the staff of Andrew Jackson in the war of 1812, and was soon to turn soldier again, in a cause that he considered of more importance than the Muscle Shoals, or even railroad building--the cause of liberty, where no doubt, Captain Jack Shackelford experienced his greatest adventure.
What the motivating force behind the decision of Captain Shackelford to journey to Texas and aid the Texans in their fight for freedom was, is not known. Perhaps it was his stout heart and fighting spirit, perhaps it was for his devotion to the cause of liberty and justice, or perhaps it was for his sheer love of adventure, but whatever the cause, he thus made up his mind and at once put his decision into action. He raised a Company of Volunteers from the flower of young manhood of Lawrence County, Alabama., among them being his own son F. S. Shackelford, and his nephew W. J. Shackelford, and his good friend--Dr J. H. Barnard. He and his Company of volunteers, known as "The Red Rovers", marched to Texas only to share the tragic fortune, or misfortune, of Col Fannin's ill fated command at Goliad. At the battle of Goliad the entire Company of Captain Jack Shackelford, with the sole exception of himself and his good friend--Dr Barnard, were killed; The Mexican commander sparing the lives of those two because they were both medical doctors, and were needed to administer to the wounded Mexican soldiers. And among the more than
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fifty killed, was the son of Captain Shackelford, also his nephew.
After being held a prisoner of war for two months Captain Shackelford made his escape and returned to his home in Courtland, Alabama.
To Captain Shackelford, more than to any other man, Texas is indebted for the vivid account of the battle and massacre at Goliad. He, and Dr Barnard, in their letters from observation, made it possible for Texas to know the story.
Then we see that the United States in general and Texas in particular, has every reason to honor and cherish the memory of one of our clan. And Texas has honored his memory by naming two counties Jack County and Shackelford County, for him.
Captain Jack Shackelford lost his beloved wife, the former Marie Younge, August 11, 1842; and on December 20, 1843, he married the charming Mrs Martha Chardavoyne, from another prominent family of the old South. She survived him for a number of years.
Thus we have given you a brief sketch of a typical American, and we might add, a typical Texan, good citizen, soldier, patriot, builder-financier.
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NEXT MONTH--A WONDERFUL DOCUMENT.
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To those not interested in genealogy we admonish you to read the following: "And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers". Malachi 4:6
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Here we wish to welcome the following new subscribers, and to thank them for their subscriptions and their interest and for their offer of co-operation. Mrs Mary E. Churchill, of Denver, Colo.; Mrs Fern Bachar, of Fort Morgan, Colo, reported twice before, but who this month sent in another for her son-Lt Gerald D. Bachar, U. S. N. R.; Mrs Kate Shackelford-Purcell, of Lexington, Ky.
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Mrs Mamie Izard-Beauchamp, of Little Rock, Ark.; Miss Ruth Ray, of Mojave, Calif.; Mr Paul A. Shackelford, Sr, of Kew Gardens, Long Island, N. Y.; Genealogy & History, of Washington, D. C.; Dr J. Hinton Shackelford, of Baltimore, Maryland, who included one for his brother--S/Sgt William C. Shackelford, of Bergstrom Field, Austin, Texas.; and The Genealogical Society of Utah, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
All of whom makes the Editor very happy, as the number of subscribers now are far beyond our fondest expectations in number. Your response has been wonderful as far as subscriptions are concerned. So now if you will be as responsive to our requests for additional data, for military records, for stories of noble deeds and worthy achievements, stories that any of us will be happy to read, everything will be perfect.
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Several years ago the Editor made a tour of research that required our journey into South Carolina. While there we took up the trail of one Richard Shackelford, whose two sons, (or two of his sons, he had four) had at one time lived in Henderson Co, Tenn, where ye Editor first saw the light of day. Trailing the sons, we discovered that several of their (sic) descendants had migrated to Texas, and to our surprise some of them were living right in the same block with us and had been our neighbors for a number of years. And through our neighbors we contacted one of their number--Miss Ruth Ray, of Washington, D. C.. And last week we were honored with a visit of Miss Ray, who incodentally (sic), lives in Mojave, Calif, now. Miss Ray is a very charming lady, and we enjoyed her visit very much. She was also kind enough to hand us the price of a subscription while here.
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"Both justice and decency require that we should bestow on our forefathers as honorable remembrance"--Thucydides--.
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We are somewhat disappointed this month in that we have not received a single request for information, a single reply to questions appearing in the magazine, a single name to be added to The Honor Roll, nor a single report of discarges from the service, or a single marriage.
We do wish to thank Mrs Lillian Donahew, of Owingsville, Ky., and Mrs Rowena S. Adams, of Redondo Beach, California, for their replies to our (sic) with additional data of their respective branches of the family. Also Mrs Vernon McArthur, of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Mrs Margaret Gray-Blanton, of New York City. It is fine of you to be so co-operative, and we shall be forever grateful.
And since no one else has made any requests the Editor will be forced to ask some questions of his own accord.
Roger Shackelford, born 1744, in Hanover County, Va., married Nancy Ann Carter, October 13, 1767. He died at or near South Union, Ky., 1824. He was a "Shaker". He and his wife--Nancy Ann Carter, are said to have had the following children:
Richard.,-----(born ??, married ??
Edward.,-----(born ??, married??
William.,-----(born Nov 13, 1770. died 1828)
John.,--------(born ??, married ??
James.,------(born ??, married ??
Elizabeth.,---(born Oct 18, 1774, died ??)
Sarah.,------(born ??, married -------Porter)
Thomas.,----(born June 1, 1776. d June 17, 1835)
Roger, Jr.,---(born ??, married ??
Nancy Ann.,-(born Oct 8, 1779. d April 26, 1870)
Carter.,------(born ??, married ??
Adeline.,-----(born May 17, 1789. d Sept 15, 1868)
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Bible and cemetery records, any information of a genealogical nature, of any of the descendants of the above sons and daughters of Roger and Nancy Ann Carter-Shackelford, wanted.
One James Shackelford married Margaret (Peggy) Simpson, in Madison Co, Ky., March 28, 1795.
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One James Shackelford married Polly Hollowell, in Sumner Co, Tenn., 1822. One Edward Shackelford married Mary Peasley in Madison County, Kentucky, March 20, 1790. And any one knowing any of the descendants of mentioned three men above, please pass along their names and address to the Editor of The Shackelford Clan Magazine.
Roger Shackelford, Jr, son of Roger, Sr, and Nancy Ann Carter, married in Madison County, Kentucky., April 1, 1796, Elizabeth Stewart. Since we feel certain that this is our direct ancestor we are particularly anxious to know something of his descendants. Census records show that there was one Roger Shackelford in Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1820, with one male over 45, one male 18 to 26, and one female 18 to 26. Query: Was this the same Roger that married Elizabeth Stewart?
Census records show that there was one Roger Shackelford in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1830, who was between 60 and 70 years of age, with one male 5 to 10; two females under 5; 1 female 10 to 15, and one female 20 to 30. Query: Was this the same man that was in Montgomery County, in 1820? Any person knowing anything about this man or men please send the information along. We will be forever grateful.
The Editor of "The Shackelford Clan Magazine" will pay a reward of $10.00 for the name and address of any person known to be a descendant of the above mentioned Roger, or the two Rogers.
William Shackelford, son of Roger and Nancy Ann Carter Shackelford, born November 13, 1770, married Elizabeth (Betsy) Moore, in Madison County, Ky., March 13, 1794, and had the following children: Eliza, William, Milton, Wylie A., Sabina, Edaline, Elizabeth (Betsy), Lucy, Mary (Polly), Francine (Sinai), Robinson, George Tarleton, Merlin, Allen, James, Richard, Nancy and perhaps Adeline.
Aside form Adeline, the last three names appear in the Bible record, but are not mentioned as heirs in the settlement of the estate of William, which was divided by the court in 1829, William leaving no Will, but he died in Edmonson County, Ky.
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The sons and daughters of William Shackelford and Elizabeth (Betsy) Moore, married as follows: Milton Shackelford married Elizabeth, (maiden name unknown). Sabina Shackelford married McClung Stroud, 1835. Lucy Shackelford married Otha Word or Ward. Mary (Polly) Shackelford married William H. Drake. Francine (Sinai) Shackelford married David Howard. Robinson Shackelford married Sarah Camp. George Tarleton Shackelford married Martha (Patsy) Howard. Merlin Shackelford married Sally Anderson, 1823. Allen Shackelford married Eliza Reynolds, 1824. Nancy Shackelford married Joseph Camp. And it is not known who Eliza, William, Wylie A., Betsy, James and Richard, married.
And and (sic) all genealogical information of any nature of the descendants of the above families will be greatly appreciated.
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"Every man is a bundle of his ancestors"-Emerson-
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It is quite wonderful these days to see so many new faces of young American manhood on the streets, and what a joyful thanksgiving this is going to be for so many fathers, mothers, wives and sweethearts; but how sad for those whose sons or husbands are not coming back.
Ye Editor has been very happy all this month because of the return of one son--Melvin Wayne, who is now home after forty three months of service, twenty eight months in India, but saddened by the fact that our other son is about to be sent overseas again, having already served seventeen months in the Pacific area.
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We have one new member of the clan reported this month. Little Miss Mary Darlene, pu (sic) in an appearance October 30, 1945, and will henceforth live with her parents--Mr and Mrs Sam Shackelford, of Granite City, Ill. Quite a young lady she was too, weighing in at 8 1/2 lbs. Congratulations Sam and Mattie.
Please send in your data.
Until next month, Adios--The Editor.
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Transcribed by Sandra A. Shackelford
May 25, 1998
UpdatedThursday, 01-May-2008 16:48:51 EDT