McDowell-Mercer County WV Archives Biographies.....Shields, Joseph & Henrietta Aldridge March 31, 1820 - August 20, 1891 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Mode jmode@mindspring.com July 26, 2012, 10:36 am Source: Family file/genealogy Author: Joe Mode/Betty Croy, et al INFORMATION ON OUR SHIELDS CLAN Some of this material was found at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org and may have been compiled by someone named Zula Hodges or by Randy Purdue. I found a great amount of information at Ancestry.com contributed by Betty Croy as well. The rest comes from my research. I will try to place credit where credit is due. This is Nancy Ellen Shields Cloninger’s family. An estimated lineage of our Shields Clan by Betty Croy: 1. William Shields, Birth: 1600 in County Antrim, Ireland. Death: 1655 in County Antrim, Ireland. Marriage 1 Spouse Unknown Children: 1. William Shields b: 1630 in County Antrim, Ireland 2. James Shields b: 1633 in County Antrim, Ireland 3. Daniel Shields b: 1637 in County Antrim, Ireland 4. John Shields b: 1645 in Ireland 2. William Shields, Birth: 1630 in County Antrim, Ireland. Death: 1699 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Marriage 1 Elizabeth Bray b: 1624 Children: James Shields b: 1674 Marriage 2 Mary Norcott b: 1668 in York County, Virginia Children: 2. Delight Shields b: 17 APR 1696 in Williamsburg, Virginia 3. Comfort Shields b: 17 APR 1696 in Williamsburg, Virginia 3. Delight Shields, Birth: 17 APR 1696 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Death: 1 FEB 1742 in Accomas County, Virginia. Marriage 1 Jerusha Stalker b: 1 JAN 1700 in Kent, Maryland. Married: 1 JAN 1718 in Accomac County, Virginia. Children: 1. John Shields b: 1719 in Accomas County, Virginia. 4. John Shields, Birth: 1719 in Accomas County, Virginia. Death: 1754 in Kernersville, North Carolina. Burial: Muddy Creek Cemetery, Kernersville, Guilford County, North Carolina. Note: ABT 1754 Delaware to the Shields' Yadkin River settlement in North Carolina. Marriage 1Mary Chipman b: 1720 Children: 1. Reuben Shields b: 29 JUN 1750 in Camden, Deleware 2. Abel Shields b: 7 FEB 1847 in Sussex County, Delaware 3. Obediah Shields 4. Perusia Shields b: 12 OCT 1753 5. Elizabeth Shields b: 1754 in Delaware 5. Rueben Shields, Birth: 29 JUN 1750 in Camden, Deleware. Death: 1837 in Kernersville, Stokes County, North Carolina. Note: The Reverend Reuben Shields is No. 69680 in the Mayflower Index, Vol. III 1960. So far as we can learn the set of Shields and Chippmans were Nicolites. The odd thing about the Nicolites was their clothing (was) made of natural colors. Rubin and Able Shields came to NC in 1784.Rubin and wife, Mary Moore Shields, settled south of Bunker Hill. Marriage 1 Elizabeth Masten Marriage 2 Mary Moore These are the children of Rubin and Mary Moore Shields and who they married: 1. Able born 28 DEC 1778 in Delaware or Rowan, North Carolina - married Sarah Saunders 2. William born 1780 in Delware - married Rebecca Roberson - 1st wife 2nd wife - Sarah Pitts Hanes (widow of Isaac Hanes,grandmother of Sophina Echols) 3. Jerusia born 9 APR 1784 in Stokes County, North Carolina - married Barnet Idol 4. Susan Delware - married Isaac Teague 5. Samuel born in North Carolina - married Hannah Williams 6. Benjamin born 1795 in North Carolina - married Miss Mary Fields 7. Mary b. NC - married David Robertson 8. Elizabeth b. NC - married Isaac Payne 6. Benjamin Shields, Birth: 1795 in North Carolina Marriage 1 Mary Fields b: 1801. Married: 24 FEB 1819 in Guilford County, North Carolina (ImageNum: 002584, County: Guilford, Record #: 02 400. Bondsman: James Duning. Witness: William T Shiel) Children: 1. Joseph Winston Shields b: 31 MAR 1820 in Stokes County, North Carolina 2. Elizabeth Shields b: 1835 3. Caroline Cenneth Shields b: 1828 in Surrey County, North Carolina 4. Susannah Shields b: 1832 5. Mary Shields b: 1838 Betty Croy lists the father of Benjamin Shields as the Reverend Reuben Shields who was born on 29 June 1750 in Camden, Delaware and died circa 1837 in Kernersville, Stokes County. Reuben married Mary Moore. According to Betty Croy, Reuben and Mary Moore Shields had son Benjamin Shields who she lists as being the father of Joseph W. Shields. Benjamin was born circa 1795 in North Carolina. He married Mary Fields on 24 February 1819 in Guilford County, North Carolina. The bondsman was James Duning and the witness was Wm. T. Shiel (Record #02-400) At this point in time I am not sure of the parentage of Joseph W. Shields or Henrietta Aldridge. Within my research I have found a possibility for the parents of Joseph W. Shields and believe that his parents were Benjamin Shields and Mary Fields of Surry County, North Carolina. Betty Croy also lists the parentage of Joseph W. Shields as Benjamin and Mary Fields Shields. A Benjamin Shields married a Mary Fields on 24 February 1819 in Guilford County, North Carolina. The following census reports may be a place to start. As far as the parentage of Henrietta, there are two possibilities in Surry County. A Joseph Eldridge 52 is in Surry in 1850, page 181, with Ruth 48 (Joseph Aldridge married 23 December 1818 to Ruth Masemore in Surry County NC) with children Mary C. 28, Elizabeth 19, Nancy 17, Josiah 14, Martha J. 12, and William H. 7. There is a Drury Eldridge 57 in Surry in 1850 along with Sarah 40 (A Drewry Alridge married Sarah Brandle 14 December 1819 in Surry County, NC) with children Tabitha 26, Jemima 22, Daniel A. 20, William 17, Isaac 15, James N. 12, and Sarah A. 10 (This is only speculation at this point) 1840 Surry County, North Carolina Census (No. 4) page 107 This census lists Benjamin Shields family as follows: 2 Males between 10 and under 15. William Shields and unkown? Perhaps out of household, married. 2 Males between 15 and under 20. Martin Shields is 19 + - and Joseph Shields is 18 + -. 1 Male between 40 and 50. Benjamin Shields is 45 at this time. 2 Females under 5 years of age. Mary Shields is 2 at this time and Elizabeth Shields is 5. 1 Female between 5 and under 10. Susannah Shields is 8 at this time. 1 Female 10 and under 15. Ceneth is 12 at this time. 1 Female between 40 and 50. Mary is 39 or 40 at this time. 1. Joseph Winston Shields was born 31 March 1820 in Stokes County, North Carolina, and died on 20 August 1891 in Mercer County, West Virginia. He married Henrietta Aldridge circa 1849. She was born on 9 March 1826 and died after 1870. Her death date is not known at this time. Service Record: Joseph enlisted as a Private on 31 December 1861 Enlisted in Company K, 59th Virginia Confederate Infantry Regiment on 31 December 1861. He became a POW on 08 February 1862 at Roanoke Island, NC Paroled on 21 February 1862 at Elizabeth City, NC (Released) He is on the rolls on 01 May 1862 (Military information from the work of Betty Croy) The 59th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia, and in the Carolinas. The 59th Virginia (also called 2nd Regiment, Wise Legion) was organized in August 1861. Part of this unit was captured at Roanoke Island in February 1862. Some of the companies not captured made up the 26th Virginia Infantry Battalion. As the 26th Battalion, Virginia Volunteer Infantry, it was attached to the Department of Richmond, assigned to Wise's Brigade, and saw action during the Seven Days' Battles. Later the regiment was transferred to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and participated in various conflicts around Charleston. Returning to Virginia in the spring of 1864 it was placed in the Petersburg trenches, then fought in the Appomattox Campaign. Many were disabled at Sayler's Creek, and none of its members were present at the surrender. The field officers were Colonels Charles F. Henningsen and William B. Tabb, Lieutenant Colonels Frank P. Anderson and Joseph Jones, and Majors John Lawson and Robert G. Mosby. Children of Joseph W. Shields and Henrietta Aldridge: Taken From Joseph W. Shields Bible: Births Joseph W. Shields born Stokes Co., North Carolina March 31, 1820 Henrita Shields born March 9, 1826 William Shields born February 18, 1850 Harper L. Shields born Aug 29, 1852 Alexander Shields born October 6, 1854 Amanda Shields born March 28, 1856 Mary Shields born July 18, 1860 Nancy Ellen Shields born May 16, 1862 Joseph Shields born October 16, 1864 Levy and Ely Shields born January 15, 1869 Deaths Levi Shields died December 29, 1888 Aged 20 years 11 months 14 days Ely Shields died December 31, 1888 Aged 20 years, 11 months, 16 days Joseph W. Shields died August 20, 1891 (From Betty Croy’s work at Ancestry.com) 1. William Shields was born on 9 February 1850, most likely in Surry, North Carolina and died? 2. Harper Lindsay Shields was born on 29 August 1852, most likely in Surry, North Carolina, and died on 14 November 1936 in McDowell County, West Virginia. He married 1st Joanna Totten 12 November 1878 in McDowell County, West Virginia (daughter of James and Annie Totten) She died? He married 2nd Judy Evelyn Jervis 24 August 1887 in McDowell County, West Virginia and she died? His Death Record states that he died in the town of Matoaka, was a farmer, born in “Gracin Co, Va.” and died of Myorardial ?, and was buried at Matoaka Cemetery. The informant was Levi Shields. (Certificate #16823) Harper’s son Levi Franklin Shields died on 28 January 1967 in Mercer, West Virginia according to his death certificate. According to Betty Croy, Harper was 81 years old when he died on November 14, 1936. His birth date wasn't given, just the year of his birth. The Undertake was Matoaka Funeral Service, in Matoaka, West Virginia. He lived in Matoaka for 1 year and 6 months before he died. He died from Uremia and Myocardial Insufficiency. He is buried at the Matoaka Cemetery in Matoaka, West Virginia According to Gladys Shields Croy, Harper was at tall and slender man very much like Uncle Bob with a long beard. When he came to her dad's (George Shields) to stay, he slept with the boys. Some of the boys slept at the top and some at the bottom of the bed. The boys would always say they could put their feet in Harper's beard to keep them warm (Source: Gladys Shields) 3. Alexander Monroe Shields was born on 6 October 1854, mostly likely in Surry, North Carolina or Grayson County, Virginia and died on 7 October 1931 in Mercer County, West Virginia. He married on 6 January 1880 Mary Ann M. Smith, age 21, born in McDowell County, WV, daughter of Peter and Martha Smith. Parents are reversed in this listing. Alexander’s death Record states that he was born in “Grason Co., NC”, was a farmer, lived in the town of Princeton, died of Proslatitis, buried at Smith Cemetery, husband of Mary Ann Smith, and the informant was Arthur Shields of Bluefield, WV. (Certificate #12258) Alexander was a big tall lanky man and wore a mustache. He had extremely long legs, it seemed as though he could sit on a horse and his legs would touch the ground. Everyone called him Alex. Alexander made baskets in all different shapes and sizes. He selected wood he was going to use and prepare the stripes for the baskets. Alexander used to sit in the barn near the door, on rainy days cutting up turnips, rutabaggers for the animals to eat. The barn was located between Mary Shields house and Jr. Shields' house. Alexander had two horses named Frank and Jim. They were very gentle horses that anyone could ride. Different ones would ride them back and forth across the holler. Whey they were finished riding them, they would let them go and they would find their way home. George Weaver Shields claimed Frank while Robert Franklin Shields claimed Jim. Frank choked to death on a corncob (Source: Memories of Our Family August 28, 1993 - Family Bits & Pieces-Gladys Shields Croy) Alexander Monroe Shields brought his family from McDowell County, West Virginia to an area known as Ceres Hollow, located in Mercer County, West Virginia where he purchased a small farm in 1888. This is where several of his children were born and raised. Farm life meant that everyone had to do his or her share of work. On this one occasion, Alex's field was plowed and ready to be planted. He sent his young son George out to plant their corn. Now George was still just a youngster. He had worked in the field for what seemed to be an eternity and the young lad thought he couldn't plant another seed. He was probably thinking of all the things he wanted to do and planting corn wasn't one of them. But he needed a place to get rid of the rest of the corn. As he looked around, he found this rock which looked like the perfect place to hide the evidence and there he placed the corn underneath. As he ventured home he thought no one would ever know about the corn he hadn't planted. A few days later, Alex was walking around and checking his cornfield. To his surprise he found this rock with corn sprouts coming from underneath. It seems Mother Nature had a way of revealing George's little secret. Later on that day Alex took George out to the cornfield, as they walked around, George noticed they were fast approaching the rock where he had hidden the corn. Just imagine the look on George's face when he reached the rock and he saw his little secret coming from underneath the rock as corn sprouts (Source: Memories of Our Family August 28, 1993) Obituary for Alexander Monroe Shields Rites This Afternoon For Alexander Shields: Death occurred Wednesday at home near Ceres after long illness. Death occurred at 9:45 Wednesday morning to Alexander Monroe Shields, 77, at his home near Ceres on the Bluefield- Princeton Road, following a long illness.Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 this afternoon at the Shields home by the Rev. G. W. Collins, of Bluefield. Interment will be in a private cemetery near the home. Mr. Shields had resided in this section for a number of years, engaging in farming. His wife died five years ago. Surviving Mr. Shields are the following children, all of whom live at Ceres: Mrs. K. H. Smith, Mrs. K. G. Tanner, May Shields, Bessie Shields, Robert Shields, George Shields and Arthur Shields. He also leaves two brothers, Harper Shields, Matoaka, and Frank Shields, Seattle, and one sister Mrs. Nannie Tollinger (Nancy Ellen Shields Cloninger) of Knoxville. Mr. Shields was a native of Grayson, NC. (Grayson County, Virginia?) 4. Amanda Shields was born on 28 March 1856, possibly in Surry County, North Carolina or Grayson County, Virginia and died? 5. Mary E. Shields was born on 18 July 1860 in Ashe County, North Carolina, and died? She married Stephen Green on 7 April 1884 in McDowell County, West Virginia. He died? Stephen and May had 6 children who all died in infancy according to Betty Croy. 6. Nancy Ellen Shields was born on 16 May 1862, most like in Grayson County, Virginia, and died on 25 January 1952 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She married James Moses Cloninger on 23 February 1879 in Knoxville, Tennessee. 12 Children were born to this union (Listed at the beginning above) 7. Joseph Franklin Shields was born on 16 October 1864 in Grayson County, Virginia and died 27 November 1948 at the age of 88 in Skagit, Washington State. He married Ida Tilso on 3 November 1894 in McDowell County, West Virginia. She was born circa 1869 in Sullivan County, New York and died? In 1900 Joseph and Ida lived in Tulalip, Snohomish, Washington. 8. Eli Shields was born on 15 January 1869 in Grayson County, Virginia and died on 31 December 1888 in a boiler explosion at a saw mill in Sandlick, Mercer County, West Virginia. (From West VA Births and Christenings- Familysearch.org) Written in Joseph W. Shields Bible: Ely Shields Died December 31, 1888 Age 20 years 11 months 16 days (Betty Croy) 9. Levi Shields was born on 15 January 1869 in Grayson County, Virginia and died on 29 December 1888 in a boiler explosion at a sawmill in Sandlick, Mercer County, West Virginia (From West VA Births and Christenings- Familysearch.org) Written in Joseph W. Shields Bible: Levi died December 29, 1888 Age 20 years 11 months 14 days (Betty Croy) Census and other Data for our Shields Clan 1850 Surry County, North Carolina Census, page 232/463, household # 1033/1038. Benjamin Shields 55 Farmer NC Mary 49 “ “ Ceneth 22 William 20 Farmer Susannah 18 Elizabeth 15 Mary 12 1850 Surry County, North Carolina Census, One household away, Number 1031/1036. Martin Shields 30 Farmer NC Milly 35 William 21 Farmer NC (Too old to be son of Martin and Milly) Joseph W. Shields would have been born in 1820 and Martin would have been born ca. 1819. Perhaps he is a brother to Joseph. Joseph is listed as being 36 in 1860, putting his birth date in 1824, and listed as being 27 in 1850, putting his birth date in 1823. The ages, then, are slightly off thus making it more likely that the Benjamin Shields listed above is the father of Joseph Winston Shields. This is just speculation, but the ages and numbers in the household match up pretty well. There may be more children unaccounted for. Also, both Benjamin and Joseph Winston show up in the 1850 Surry, North Carolina Census reports. Surry Co., North Carolina 1850 Census, page 221, household # 878. Winston Shields 27 Farmer NC Henrietta 24 William J. 3/12 Grayson County, Virginia 1860 Census, Mouth of Wilson Creek, page 163, household # 1235. Joseph W. Shields 36 M W Laborer Henrietta 31 William 10 Harper 8 Alexander 6 Amanda 4 Joseph W. Shields seems to appear on the 1860 Grayson County Agriculture Census as Joseph W. Sheets, but the census does not show any entries for him in regards to livestock or produce. Grayson County, Virginia 1870 Census, Mouth of Wilson Creek, page 59/243, household # 401. Joseph W. Shields 49 Farmer Henrietta 45 NC Harper 18 NC Alexander 15 VA Amanda 12 NC Mary 10 VA Franklin 5 VA Eli 2 VA Levi 2 VA Note: Nancy Ellen Shields Cloninger is not shown within the household at this time. She was supposedly with her Baker relatives. The 1880 McDowell County, West Virginia, page 334-C, household #527 shows the family living at Elk Horn. Joseph W. Shields 60 (farmer) Henrietta 54, Amanda 24, Mary E. 20, Joseph 16, and Levi 12 (Do not show Eli Shields for some reason) The Alexander Shields Family Hi, Nancy Ellen Shields is the daughter of Joseph Winston Shields and Henrietta Aldridge. Nancy's brothers are Alexander Monroe, Harper Lindsey, Joseph Franklin, Eli and Levi. Eli and Levi were twins they were killed in a boiler explosion at a saw mill in 1891. Nancy's sisters were Amanda and Mary. I don't know anything about Amanda. I found Mary Shields had married Stephen Green in McDowell Co. WV. I believe that all of Joseph and Henrietta's children were born in Stokes Co., NC. I found them in the Census in 1850 and maybe 1860. They followed the New River and ended up in Elizabethton, TN, according to family. I found record of them in McDowell Co., WV through deeds and marriages. My husband's great grandfather Alexander married in McDowell Co 1880 to a Mary Ann Smith. In the 1880's they moved to Mercer County West Virginia. Harper lived around the Matoaka area of Mercer Co. WV At one time they had some land or lived around New Hope Church on the New Hope Rd. Alexander bought land in Ceres Holler in an area know as Greenvalley, which is located between Bluefield and Princeton, WV. Harper and Alexander stayed in WV. I believe Joseph Franklin moved out of this area. Joseph W. died in Mercer Co. I don't know when or where Henretta Aldridge Shields died, I assume that she lived with her son Joseph F. Alexander is buried in Ceres Holler along with his wife in the Smith/Shields Cemetery. Joseph W. Shields had a family Bible, which I copied down the information from it. The family member that had possession of the Bible lived in Florida. I don't know where the Bible is now. Betty Croy said, “My husband is Harry Glenn Croy, who was the son of Gladys Virginia Shields and Arnold Bradford Croy. Gladys was the daughter of George Weaver Shields, who was the son of Alexander Monroe Shields. (Letter from Betty Croy, 20 December 2005) Joe, I never heard anything about the Bakers or that Nancy lived with them. I started working on the family tree, which included my husband's family after his father died in 1977. Gladys wanted to see her sister that lives in TN, so we took her to TN on October the 1st, 1977. Velma, Gladys’s sister had info that she gathered when her father was sick and in the hospital about the family. I copied down what she had and started searching. Later, some of the others became interested and that is how I learned about Joseph W. Shield's Bible. In the Bible they had the birthdates for all his children, which included Nancy Ellen dates, a postcard and a picture of Nancy Ellen. If memory serves me correctly it was from Frank Cloninger and the address was somewhere in Knoxville. I had assumed that Nancy Ellen had married Frank Cloninger. When I wrote to Knox County I discovered that she married James (Moses) Cloninger. That is all that I knew about Nancy until last night, when I got an urge to check the Internet for Cloninger/Shields and found your info. Family has it that the Shields traveled up the New River to Elizabethton TN. I don't know why they came to WV, unless it was for jobs, because the lumber and mining business were booming back at that time. Several years ago, I copied some information from a Shields Book, they lived somewhere in TN. I have been trying for years to uncover the parents of Joseph W. Shields. It wasn't until a few years ago that I learned that his middle name was Winston and had the information in front of me the whole time. I gather the family traveled through Grayson Co. VA. I haven't found a marriage record for Joseph and Henrietta. I did find death certificate for Harper Shields, if you are into collecting that type of thing. (Letter from Betty Croy, 21 December 2005) 1. 1850 Census, Surry Co, NC, North Division, taken on 18 Sep 1850, page 221A, Family #878. Listed as Winston Shields, age 27, born in NC, farmer, head of household. 2. 1860 Census, Grayson Co, VA, Mouth of Wilson P.O., taken 21 Sep 1860; pages 163 and 164, Family #1235. Listed as Joseph W. Shields, age 35, born in NC, laborer, head of household. 3. 1870 Census, Grayson Co, VA, Wilson Creek Township, taken on 22 Aug 1870, page 243A, Family #401. Listed as Joseph W. Shields, age 49, born in NC, farm laborer, head of household. 4. 1880 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Complied by William A. Marsh, page 800. Elkhorn District, page 011. Listed as Joseph Shields, age 60, born in NC, head of household. 5. "Marriage Records of McDowell Co, WV", page 13. Marriage Record, Book 1, 1865-1896, page 107. Harper Shields, age 25, born in Carroll Co, VA, son of Joshu and Henrette Shields, married on 12 Nov 1878 Anna Totten, age 17, born in McDowell Co, WV, daughter of James and Annie Totten. 6. "Marriage Records of McDowell Co, WV", page 14. Marriage Record, Book 1, 1865-1896, page 109. Alexander Shields, age 25, born in Surry Co, NC, son of Joseph and Henretta Shields, married on 6 Jan 1880 Mary Ann M. Smith, age 21, born in McDowell Co, WV, daughter of Peter and Martha Smith. Parents are reversed in this listing. 7. Ancestry.com Web Site, Harper Shields search, 5 Mar 2002, submitted by Randy Pardue, cancer@mvn.net. Harper Lindsey Shields; born on 29 Aug 1852; died on 14 Nov 1936 in McDowell Co, WV; son of Joseph W. and Henretta Aldridge Shields; married first, Ann Totten; second, Judy Evelyn Jervis (sic, Jarvis) in 1889. Henretta Aldridge; born on 9 Mar 1826. Joseph W. Shields; born on 31 Mar 1820 in Stokes Co, NC; died on 20 Aug 1891 in Mercer Co, WV. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/mcdowell/photos/bios/shields5bs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wv/mcdowell/bios/shields5bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/wvfiles/ File size: 25.3 Kb