Shields Family

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Comment by Pamela J. Shields-Patty on February 3, 2015 at 7:22pm

It seems there's not been much activity for several years here, so I'm not sure who all is still active. My Shields that I have from my brick wall down are from Pennsylvania stretching from Lycoming, York, Westmorland, Lancaster , Ligonier and Indiana Counties. My brick wall is revolutionary soldier James Shields, born April 14, 1733, location still being pin pointed, tho his wife, Margaret Jane Douglass' father William's will was written in Strabann Twp. York County PA, naming James and Margaret in it. James served under Col. Hazen's regiment, and was wounded in the battle of Brandywine. He and several sons eventually located in Indiana County in the West Wheatfield Twp and is buried in Punxsutawney with a Revolutionary Soldier marker. The headstone is worn and damaged by vandals with red paint, but I do have pension records, VA burial records, newspaper articles as well as a Bible entry marking his death April 13, 1847. I have spent almost 2 decades trying to connect him with various other Shields that originated in the same area, especially a John who was 3 years younger that also was a Revolutionary Soldier and came west around the same time frame settling in nearby Westmoreland County. The James Shields/Nancy Stockton family is well documented, and I have had leads to the possibility they may have shared a grandparent, especially when the state lines between Virginia and Pennsylvania counties intersected at one point.. There were sons William, Robert, John and James, which seem to be a very common first name in the Shields, making it difficult to trace any proof positive connection to forebears. I have found records of a James, William and Patrick who were brothers that originally came from Ireland but during the Cromwell reign had been shipped to Barbados. They eventually escaped and made their way north to the Gettysburg/Philadelphia area, and then offspring heading back south, with a Fort Shields being built in Virginia. Out of the Shields-Stockton branch came a Senator James Shields, as well as one who accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition among other notable things, but unfortunately this isn't the branch I descent from, nor can I make proof positive ties..

Comment by Carolyn Lysandrou on September 13, 2011 at 6:50pm

anyone have any updates on all this?

Comment by Joel R Shields on March 15, 2010 at 6:38pm

Hello Anne,
It looks to me like you have done some very good work. Anette Stanley Rardin has done much research on the shields, the McAchran's, Taylors and others. Her work is very close to what you have posted. Do you live near Mercer?

Comment by Anne Baker on March 14, 2010 at 6:36pm

I am very new to genealogy wise & not sure how to use this board. I tried for a long time to straighten out the Shields in Mercer Co. Failed miserably.

Mary McAchron (not Denny) was born 9 Mar 1773 in Pa & died 9 Oct 1857 in Putnam Co., Ind. married 17 Dec 1799 to James Shields b 3 Jun 1776 in Pittsylvania Co & died before bef Feb 1808 in Mercer Co., Ky. His parents were William & Jane Shields - who joined the Shakers with other children in Feb 1806.

MerCoKy Deed Book 5, pg 402. 1 Apr 1805 William & Jane Shields of MerCoKy to their son James Shields for love…100 a on Harrods Landing Run.

Mercer Co Ky Deed 1838….Mary Shields, widow & her 3 children, William H. T. Shields, Joel Shields, & Elizabeth Ann Shields now of Owen Co., Ind. Sell the above land.

Mercer Co., Ky.
25 Jan 1808. Polly Shields, William Hughes Taylor & Vance Wilson bound in the sum of $500 for said Polly Shields as admr of the estate of John Shields (sic).

30 Jan 1808. Vance Wilson, Barney Rinerson & Lanty Armstrong appointed to appraise the estate of James Shields, dec’d. return the appraisement.

22 Feb 1808. Mary Shields, with William H. Taylor, Vance Wilson, securities bound for $1,200 that Mary is this day appointed guardian to Joel, William H. & Eliza Ann Shields orphans of Jas. Shields dec’d.

Mary McAchran was the youngest child & only daughter of William McAchron & Hannah Thomas. William died before 1777 & Hannah married 2nd Thomas Parsons, a widower & they had one daughter, Susanna Parsons b 6 Apr 1779, Hannah died shortly thereafter.

My 3rd great grandmother was Susanna, this 1/2 sister of Mary McAchron, she married William Hughes Taylor whose land almost adjoined Shakertown. Mary's son William Hughes Taylor Shields was named for him and Susanna in turn named a son James Shields Taylor.

Hannah Thomas was the oldest sister of Elisha Thomas, one of founders of Shakertown, John Thomas, first surveyor of Mercer Co., Elizabeth Thomas w/o Samuel Denny, Rachel Thomas m Robert Denny and others.

William Shields, Sr. b 22 Feb 1743 Penn. - d 13 Sep 1831 Shakertown, MerCoKy
Wife: Jane b 1748 Penn. - d 26 Mar 1814 Shakertown, MerCoKy

The following is NOT a complete list of children:

1.James Shields b 3 Jun 1776 Pittsylvania - died between April 1805 & 30 Jan 1808
M 17 Dec 1799 MerCoKy Mary McAchron
?Betsy Shields b d
m 22 Nov 1796 Roger Thompson
?John Shields

2.Joel Shields b 10 Oct 1780 Pittsylvania Co., Va. d 23 Jul 1866 Shakertown MerCoKy
3.Molly Shields b 14 Dec 1782 Pittsylvania Co., Va. d 11 Nov 1823 Shakertown MerCoKy
4.Sarah Shields b 8 Sep 1785 Pittsylvania Co., Va d 16 Dec 1819 Shakertown MerCoKy
5.William Shields b 24 Aug 1788 Pittsylvania Co., Va. d 3 Jun 1863 Shakertown, MerCoKy
(they joined 2/00/1806)

Comment by Joel R Shields on February 9, 2010 at 9:11am

Oh ! Just thing of the thrill when you do find the connection. It make the hunt all worth it.

Comment by Joel R Shields on February 9, 2010 at 9:09am

What are the facts on your James Shields? Birth - death - wife - children.
I am sure you are way ahead of me on research but who knows I may trip over something.

Comment by Carolyn Lysandrou on February 9, 2010 at 8:54am

I was just diggin through some Shields papers last night. Its driving me crazy, I cannot connect the 2 different Shields groups in mercer Co KY at all. I kept going through papers again and again. I think I've checked every book in that courthouse too.

Comment by Joel R Shields on January 18, 2010 at 5:41pm

My family comes from St. Paul MN, in and near Grundy county MO, Putnam counrt IN, Mercer county KY, and Pittsylvania county, VA. I am happy to share what I have found as well as learn more. Joel

Comment by Carolyn Lysandrou on August 7, 2009 at 12:16pm

My SHIELDS are from Mercer and Nelson Counties Kentucky. They moved to Clay and Owen counties Indiana in the 1850s. Now we are scattered all over and trying to trace it all back! Please add, help, or tell about your SHIELDS!