1.  JOHN FRANKLIN² SHIELDS  (JAMES [SR.]¹) was born November 04, 1814 in Azia, Georgia, and died April 17, 1888 in Fairlie, Hunt  County, Texas.  He married PENELOPE ANDERSON December 25, 1836 in Pike County, Alabama, daughter of STARLING ANDERSON and PHERIBY (?WILEY).  She was born April 16, 1815 in Twiggs County, Georgia, and died April 04, 1881 in Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas.

Notes for JOHN FRANKLIN SHIELDS:

Source: John F. Shields, birth place from records of James Cullen Shields.

I have been unable to find any town in Georgia called Azia.  It is not on the international geographical index for the state.  I posted asking if anyone could identify the county or the location of Azia, no response. If anyone knows anything about this location, I would greatly appreciate your contacting me. 

Martha

msthayer@comcast.net

All documents in this file are transcribed as written.  Corrections maybe inserted and will be noted when that occurs. Mt

1840 Census Pike County, Alabama

 Page 380 (#43) line 12

Shields, John F. Agriculture (1)

21001/00001

     2 m <5, 1 m 5-10, 1 m 20-30

     1 f 20-30

*I do not know who the 5-10 male is in the household.

He is too old to be their child as they were married in 1836. Martha

1850 Shields, John T. (John F.)   Pike County, Alabama

Roll:  M432_13

  Township: All Townships

Page:  181 (#96)

613/613 John F. Shields mw 35 farmer Georgia cannot read nor write

     Penelope fw 34  Georgia cannot read nor write

     Starling mw 12 Alabama cannot read nor write

page 181B (#97)

     James mw 12 Alabama attended school within the year

     Robert mw 9 Alabama

     Johnson mw 7 Alabama

     Josiah mw 2 Alabama

*ANDERSON, Mary fw 6 North Carolina

(Age is probably 68, b. place should be SC, this is probably an error or the number has faded) Mt

*This is probably Mary Ann Wiley guardian of the orphaned children of Starling & Pheriba Anderson of Twiggs County, Georgia. Mt

Sequential households: Henry Briggs> S. J. Anderson> John F. Shields> David Morris

1850 Slave owner schedule Pike County, Alabama

 slv0628.txt

631 29   Shields      John T. (F.)          1      60    F   B     . .       .

(This is probably the one from the 1840 Mary Anderson census record)

1860 Pike County Western Division

Page 146 Orion Post Office

#975 SHIELDS, John F.  45 mw farmer Tennessee 4000/8000

 [This is an error as he was born in Georgia as per his gravestone]

     Penelope 45 fw keeping house Georgia

     James 21 mw Alabama

     Robert 18 mw Alabama

     Thomas J. 16 mw Alabama

     Josiah P. 12 mw Alabama

     Augustus O. 9 mw Alabama

     John F. 7. mw Alabama

     Shadrack A. 3 mw Alabama

     Jack R. 1 mw Alabama

Slave Schedule page 51 #423 John F. SHIELDS,

10 slaves 2 houses

     Female: 28, 16, 16, 3, 2

     Males: 24, 6, 2, 6/12, 2/12

1866 Pike County State Census

Page 88 Shields, J. F.

3 m <10, 3 m 10-20, 1 m 20-30, 1 m 40-50

1 f 10-20, 1 f 50-60, 1 f 80-90 *Mary Ann Wiley/Anderson

We have 7 sons, T. J.  ("Johnse" Thomas Johnson) Shields has his own household in the 1866 census and   is living alone, he marries April of 1867.  The female 10-20 is Martha Davis, niece, who was born   August 23, 1864 (should be listed as under 10).  Penelope is the 50-60 and the female 80-90 is probably Mary Ann Anderson formerly Wiley, who was living in the Robert H. Anderson household in 1860.  Starling died before 1860. Therefore, we still have a male that would fit James in the household and it is after the civil war which ended in 1865.  Samuel J. Shields' son died in the war of disease, he is the only Shields in the 1866 census who listed a deceased son from the war.  However, a James Shields from Pike County, Alabama was killed in the Battle of Shiloh and is buried in a mass grave at Shiloh.  He is listed on the roster for the memorial battleground. Our oral history through Hattie Shields Shanks stated that James, twin of Starling was killed in the civil war. Martha

1870 Hunt County, Texas

Precinct 2, P. O. White Rock Texas

 page 334B (# 4)

October 14, 1870

29/29 SHIELDS, Jno. F. 55 mw  farmer ($1400-465) Ohio (ditto marks from entry above, should be Georgia)

     Penelope   54  fw keeping house Georgia

     Josiah P. 22 mw   farmer Alabama

Page 335 (#5)

October 15, 1870

29/29 Shields, Augustus 19 mw farmer Alabama

     John F. 18 mw at school Alabama

     Shadarick A. 13 mw at school Alabama

     Jack R. 10 mw at school Alabama

Davis, Martha 10 fw at school Alabama

Ancestry.com’s index has Penelope as pamlaky Shields

1880 Census Hunt County, Texas

 Precinct 2, ED# 66

Page 464D (#4)

June 8, 1880

34/34 SHIELDS, John F. wm 65 md farmer Georgia Georgia Georgia

     Penelopy  wf 65 md wife Georgia South Carolina South Carolina

     Bob wm 5 s grandson Texas Alabama Alabama

        DAVIS, Mattie wf 17 s Alabama Alabama  Alabama (relationship not stated, she is John's niece)

        PEEBLES, William wm 20 s farmer Missouri ------ -------

        SHIELDS, Augustus O wm 27 widowed son Teacher  Alabama Georgia Georgia

     Shadric wm 23 s son farmer Alabama Georgia Georgia

     Wheeler wm 4 s son Texas Alabama Tennessee }

     Lola wf 4 s Dau  Texas Alabama Tennessee} Gus' twins

*Bob is the son of John Frank Shields, Texas Giant & Laura Sedora Bolton

*Gus was widowed and the children Wheeler & Lola are twins and his children by his deceased wife, Angelina E. Ewing Shields.

*William Peebles is probably related to Angelina Peoples, second wife of John "Frank" Shields, Texas Giant.

*Mattie Davis is a niece and the daughter of Martha Ann Shields & Hampton Davis.

Pike County Alabama News 1860-1864 by Susie K. Senn

Estray Notice

Taken up by Henry Briggs and stated before N. S. Fowler, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county on the lst day of Jan., 1863, a bay mare mule about 18 years old, 15 bands high, with white spot on the back, mouth torn with bridle bit, and suppose to be sweeheyed. 

Appraised by Robert ANDERSON and J. F. SHIELDS at $100.00.

Jan. 14, 1863       Bird Fitzpatrick, P. J.

Georgia

Elbert County

Shields, John F. married Tucker, Elizabeth F. on 29 Dec 1836 in Elbert County, Georgia

They moved to Alabama.

1850 SHIELDS JOHN F. Macon County AL 252 District 21

This is John F. Shields with wife Elizabeth.  I place him in the file as a John F. Shields is the grandson of John Shields, Revolutionary of Williamsburg, Virginia as per the Mecklenburg papers.  However, as there are two I don't know which or if either fits the Williamsburg Shields line. Mt

Creek War

John F. Shields, private in Captain McDougald's company, Alabama Militia Creek War

John F. Shields - Section 8 township 11 range 21

                  the NW1/4 of the NW1/4  39.870 acres

                  Date - Oct. 1, 1851

                  #6104

Military Bounty Warranty:

The United States of America

     To  all to whom theses Presents shall come, Greeting:

     Whereas, in pursuance of the Act of Congress, approved September 28th 1850, entitled "An Act granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States," Warrant No. 6704 (6104? number is poorly written, first two numbers are questionable) for 40 acres, issued in favor of John F. Shields private in Captain McDougald's Company Alabama Militia Creek War has been returned to the GENERAL LAND OFFICE, with evidence that the same has been duly located upon the North East quarter of the North West,  of Section Eight, in Township Eleven, of Range twenty one, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Sparta Alabama, containing Thirty nine acres, and eighty seven hundredths of an Acre according to the Official Plat of the Survey of the said Lands returned to the GENERAL LAND OFFICE by the SURVEYOR GENERAL Excess paid for, as per Receiver's Receipt No. 11325

     Now Know Ye, That there is therefore granted by the UNITED STATES unto the said John F.  Shields the tract of land above described: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of Land, with the appurtenances thereof, unto the said John F.  Shields and to his heirs and assigns forever.

     In Testimony Whereof, I, Millard Fillmore PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed.

     Given under by hand,  at the City of Washington, the Tenth of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one and of the Independence of the United States the seventy-sixth.

     By The President, Millard Fillmore

(Seal)    by Alex McCormick Ass't  Sec'y

     E. L. Terry Recorder of the General Land Office

___________

Patented land in Pike County, Alabama

Shields, John F.         Patent: Al1990_.095

signed 11/1/58  Greenville

NESW, Sec. 11; township 10-N; range 20-E; Sect. N; St. Stephens Meridian 83.91 acres, Pike

Land Deeds:

Book B, page 262, John F. Shields, grantee, Sheriff's deed, Dec. 2, 1839, recorded Oct. 3, 1840

State of Alabama}

Pike County}

To all whom these Presents shall come Greetings.  I, Burwell W. Hodges, Sheriff of said County send greeting:  Whereas by writ of Fieri Facias Issued from the circuit court of said County bearing test the seventh day of October AD 1839 to the Sheriff of said County directed-  Said Sheriff was commanded that of the goods and chattels, lands and Tenements of John C. Bailey  he should cause to be made the sum of Three hundred & Sixteen 07/100 dollars for their damages as well as the further sum of Six 91/100 dollars which Hanrick D. Forest lately in the Circuit Court of said County recovered against the said John C. Bailey for their debt and cost aforesaid, and that the said Sheriff should have the said monies at a Circuit Court to be holden for said County on the Second Monday in March next after the dates of said Execution to render to the said Henrick D. Forest for his damages and cost aforesaid - And whereas I the B. W. Hodges. Sheriff as aforesaid in obedience to the mandate of the said Ulna did on the 26th day of October last past Levy said Executions on the NE 1/2 of NW 1/4 of Section Eight Township 11 of Range 21 Lands lying and being in said county as the property of John C. Bailey and did on the second day of Decr. Inst. being the first monday in said month the day appointed for the sale of said Land by advertisement duly made, expose the said Land to sale by publick venue or outcry and sold the same to John F. Shields of said County for the Sixty five Dollars he the said Shields being the highest bidder and that the highest & best price  bid at the said sale -- Now know ye that the said Hodges Sheriff as aforesaid for an in consideration of the aforesaid sum of sixty five dollars to me in hand paid by the same Shields before the sealing and delivery hereof have given granted and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said John F. Shields his Heirs and assigns forever the aforesaid tract or parcel of Land with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging thereunto belonging to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of Land unto him the said Shields his heirs and assigns to his & heirs use and behoof forever for such Estate and under such conditions as the said John C. Bailey had in the same at or immediately before the taking thereof in Execution aforesaid but for no other larger or greater Estate than the said John C. Bailey had and held in the same according to the force and effect of the Laws in such cause made & provided testimony whereof at the said B. W. Hodges Sheriff aforesaid have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of December in the year of Christ 1839. and of American Independence the Sixty Fourth Year.

     s/ B. W. Hodges (Seal)

Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of us

John F. Shields, Shields

John F. Shields & Shields

Interlined before assigning

Test} Richard L. Johnson

         Sterling Parker

The State of Alabama}

Pike County}

Before me Daniel McInnis, Clerk of the County Court of said County, personally appeared the above name B. W. Hodges and acknowledged that he signed sealed and delivered the forgoing Deed as his Voluntary Act on the day and year therein Written Given under my hand this third day of October 1840.

     s/ Daniel McInnis Clerk

Recorded 3rd October 1840

     Daniel McInnis Clerk

Book M, page 500, John F. Shields, Jan. 15, 1855 purchased from estate of Jesse Pugh, deed dated Dec. 20, 1855, Recorded April 6, 1864

The State of Alabama}

Pike County}

Know all men by these presents, that whereas an order was granted to the undersigned by the Probate County of said County as Executor of the last will & Testament of Jesse Pugh dec'd. of said County, deceased on the 13th day of Jan AD 1855 to sell the Real Estate of said deceased & whereas by virtue of the will of said dec'd & of said  Order in dec'd proceeding to sell one the 25th of January 1855 when John F. Shields became the purchaser of the North East quarter NE 1/4 of the North East quarter N 1/4 Sec Township (14) of T. 1101 Ten. in R (20), twenty at the price of one & 63 dollars per acre, said land lying and being in the said County & an order granted to make said purchases a title to said lands. Now in consideration of the premises & of the payment of the Purchase money by Shields the receipt of whereof we do hereby acknowledge, we have bargained, granted & sold by these presents do bargain, grant, sell & convey to the said John F. Shields his heirs & assigns forever all the right title & interest which our Testator, Jesse Pugh in his life time had in & to the said Lands.. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set ours hands and affixed our seals this 20th day of December AD 1855

               Masten B. Pugh (seal)

               Lewis Pugh (seal)

Test: C. Cunningham

Bird Fitzpatrick

Recorded for Record 4th and Recorded 6th April AD 1864

Book M, page 614, John F. Shields [X], Peninah (*Penelope) [X] Shields, sale dated Jan 26, 1863 to T. J. Park,  recorded  31st day of October AD 1863

State of Alabama}

Pike County}

Know all men by these presents that we John F. Shields & his wife, Peninah Shields for the following consideration to wit: Thirty five Hundred & twenty Dollars to them paid by J. T. S. Park the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have hereby bargained, sold and conveyed and by these presents do bargain, sell convey unto J. T. S. Park his heirs and assigns the following described property to wit: The E 1/2  of the S 11 1/4 of Section 11 Township 10 Range 20.  The SW ¼  of the NE 1/4 of Section 11 Township 10 Range 20.  West 1/2 of NW ¼  of Section 12 Township 10 Range 20.  The NW 1/4 of  the SW 1/4 of Sections 12 Township 10 Range 20.  The NE 1/4 of  NE 1/2 of Section 14 Township 11 Range 21. SE 1/4 of SE ¼  of Section 11 Township10 Range 20. Containing  four hundred & fifty acres more or less in Pike Co., Alabama. To have and to hold the said Lands to his own use and behoof, forever: And we the said John F. Shields & his wife Peninah shields do covenant with the said J. T. S. Park that the said lands are free from all encumbrances, that we have good right to convey the same, and that we will warrant and defend the title such conveyed to the said J. T. S. Park or legal representative against the lawful claim of all person whatsoever.  In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this the 26th day of January AD 1863

          John his + mark Shields (Seal)

          Peninah her +mark Shields (seal)

Test: W. H. Robert

George M. Dews.

H.S. Jones

The State of Alabama}

Pike County}

I James M. Park a Notary Public in and for the County and State hereby certify that W. H. Robert a subscribing witness to the within conveyance, known to me, appeared before me the day this day and being sworn, stated that John F. Shields and Peninah Shields the grantors in the conveyance, Voluntarily executed the same, in his presence, and in the presence of the other subscribing witness, on the day the same bears date, that he attested the same in the person of the granters and of the other witness and that such other witness subscribe their names as witness in his presence.  Witness my hand and seal this 31st day of October AD 1863

     James M. Park, Notary Public

Book N, page 527, John F. Shields [X] and Penelope [X], his wife, Jan. 12, 1869

State of Alabama}

Pike County}

     Know all men by these presents that we John F. Shields and Penelope Shields, my wife, for and inconsideration of two hundred and eighty dollars, to us in hand paid by James Howard and J. G. Kelly, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, do hereby grant, bargain and sell, send off and confirm unto the said James Howard and J. G. Kelly, to wit:  The North Wash fourth of the South West fourth of Section Eleven Township Ten Range Twenty and subject to sale, in the District of Lands, at Greenville, Ala. and containing forty acres more or less.

     To have and hold the aforegranted or aforesaid premises to the said James Howard and J. G. Kelly, Their Hiers and assigns to their use and behoof forever and we do covenant with the said James Howard and J. G. Kelly, their heirs and assigns, that we are lawfully seized in fee of the aforegranted premises and that they are free from all encumbrances, and that we have a good right to sell and convey to the said James Howard and J. G. Kelly, their heirs and assigns, and that we will warrant and defend the said premises to the said James Howard and J.G. Kelly, their heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.  In witness whereof we, the said John F. Shields and Penelope Shields, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this the 12th day of January AD 1869.

          John F. his X mark Shields (Seal)

          Penelope her + mark Shields (seal)

James Shields

Johnson Shields

Rec'd for record Decr. 21, 1869; Recorded Decr. 22, 1869

Sonora Cemetery near Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

J. F. Shields born in Georgia Nov. 4, 1814 moved to Alabama in childhood.  Was married to Penelope Anderson on Dec. 25, 1836.  In 1838 joined Missionary Baptist Church lived a Christian 49 years was the father of 9 sons raised them to be grown men.  Was an affectionate and loving husband died April 17, 1888

Age 73 years 5 months

Tolbert's Texas May 12, 1973

P. T. BARNUM 'FOUND' THE SHIELDS GIANTS

by Frank X. Tolbert

     What a nucleus for a basketball team the 4 Shields brothers would have made!  Only James Naismith hadn't gotten around to inventing basketball when the Shields boys were in their athletic prime.

     So they had to go work in side shows for people such as P. T. Barnum and Buffalo Bill Cody.

     The Shields brothers were Frank, 7 feet 11 1/2" tall; Jack, 7 feet, 11 inches; Guss, 7 feet, 10 inches, and Shade, 7 feet, 8 inches.

     The Shields boys were brought to my attention when I was seeking information on another professional giant, Jim Tarver, the agile 8-footer from Wood County, Texas, who was with Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey circus for many year.

     Weldon Shields, a grandson of Jack Shields and a Greenville automobile dealer, sent me some information on the towering brothers.

     THEY WERE lively lads.  At various times in the Merrick community of Hunt County, the boys got into trouble for "Sabbath breaking," one for swapping horses on Sunday, one for cursing on Sunday, one for taking a nip of hard liquor on the Sabbath, and one for dancing on Sunday.

     THE SHIELDS brothers were "discovered" around 1879 by Phineas T. Barnum.  At any rate, they were with Barnum's "Greatest Show on Earth" in London that year.

     According to the contemporary Weldon Shields of Greenville the brothers were with the Barnum Circus for 1879 to 1888. {Ringling didn't buy the Barnum circus until 1907}.

     The height measurements Weldon Shields furnished me were made in 1879 when Shade Shields, the runt of the family then, was only 18.  Shade continued his show career until well in the 1890's with circuses and with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, and it's probable that Shade grew taller than his 1879 specifications.  The other brothers retired from Barnum's circus after 1888, and one of them became a saloon keeper. {It's said there was never any trouble in his saloon.}

     WELDON SHIELDS is of normal size.  At least 3 of the grandsons, all descended from 7-foot 11 3/4 inch-tall Frank Shields did become giants of the basketball courts.

     Marcus Ross Freiberger, 6 feet 11 inches in height, was a basketballer for the University of Oklahoma and  was on the 1952 U.S. Olympics team at Helsinki.  His brother, 6-foot 8 1/2 inch Terry {Perry} John Freiberger, was a star at the University of Arkansas and was later with Bartlesville (Okla.) Oilers.  Still another grandson of Frank Shields, Louis Davis {Dale} Freiberger, 6 feet, 8 inches, was on the Texas A&M basketball varsity.

BOOK TELLS STORY OF TEXAS GIANTS

by Melva Geyer

Herald Banner Staff

     Just over 100 years ago, a man and a woman from Troy, Ala., packed up their belongings and nine sons and headed for Texas where they settled in Hunt County. {Note: they moved with 6 sons, as Johnse moved later with his mother in law, Martha Anderson Simpson. Mt}

     From that time, the family wove a pattern of living and dying that can be traced in "The Texas Giants" a book soon to be published by Weldon Shields of Greenville, the great-grandson of the Troy, Alabama couple.

     Shields is the grandson of Jack Shields, one of four brothers who became known as the Texas Giants, members of Barnum and London United Shows (later Barnum and Bailey).  Each of the boys were over 7 feet 8 inches tall. [*Bit of an exaggeration.  Shade was the shortest at 6' 9", Barnum had a creative ruler, they wore built up shoes and tall hats. Consequently, they measured from 7 feet 8 inches to just under 8 feet. Mt]

     Shields a Greenville car dealer who moved here from the family home in the old Merrick Community when he was 17, began collecting bits and pieces of information about his ancestors some six years ago.

     At that time, he had no intention of writing a book -- "In fact," he comments "I had never even thought of undertaking a task like that before."

     But, his collection kept growing, thanks to a distant cousin, Troy Anderson, a Houston genealogist who sent him copies of stories, letters and diaries pertaining to the family tree.  And, through some searching of his own, Shields has discovered a number of old pictures of the family and of communities around Greenville where the different sons settled.

     "Pretty soon I just asked myself, "Why not try to put it together in a book? " Shields explained.

     The work includes material on the Green, Colton and Anderson families who settled in the areas of Celeste, White Rock and Kingston. It also includes the lives of the Shields sons, including Guss, who settled in that area and is buried in Kingston; Jack, from the Greenville-Kingston area who is buried at Webb Hill; Frank, who lived and was buried in the Prairie Valley Community near Lone Oak, and Shade, who was from the Kingston-White Rock area and later settled in Kennett, Mo., where he is buried.

     Decedents of the Shields brothers have kept inclose touch and gather each summer in Decatur to reunite and recall the family history. (The family reunion is held in Emory, Texas, outside of Greenville, Hunt County, Texas on  the third Saturday of September. Mt)

     Many of the letters that Anderson passed on to Shields are also to be published, including a letter from one of the boys while the four were staying in Chicago with the circus, earning $100 a week among the four of them, but "having no responsibilities nor any work."

     "Chicago isn't quite as nice as the more eastern cities, but it is nicer than Texas," he wrote.

     Reproduction of a diary tracing a 400 mile journey in a covered wagon from Mineola to Menard is also included in the 250 page book which is being sold in the first printing through Shields at 2903 Stonewall St.

     Texas Juris Printing Company of Greenville will print the book.

     (The book is out of print, Weldon is deceased and his heirs have never republished his work.  The last time I heard of his book for sell, it sold for $100.00. Mt)

They began touring in the 1870s.  The Texas Giants appeared in Madison Square Garden with the PT Barnum Show of Giants & Midgets.  They toured Canada and in 1887 appeared in England with the Barnum and London United Shows afterward they  toured with "Barnum's London United Shows" throughout the United States and Canada. Mt

Quote from Texas Giants:

“The family of Franklin and Penelope who produce the famous Shields brothers who carried the circus billing as "the Texas Giants." Discovered in 1880 by the late P.T. Barnum as they punched cattle on their father's ranch lands around White Rock, the four tallest of the nine Shields brothers were signed up by the showman and billed as . . . "the four tallest brothers in captivity."  All were over seven feet. Three of the brothers became homesick after a few years in the circus and returned to Texas in 1888 to return to their former profession of teaching school, but Shade, christened Shadrach, went on to make a famous career in show business.” Weldon Shields

SHIELDS GIANTS - OF KINGSTON, TX.

 GREENVILLE HERALD BANNER, WED, 30 JUN 1993, A: 6

 SHIELDS MARKER TO BE DEDICATED

 GREENVILLE HERALD BANNER, MON, 19 JUL 1993, A: 1

 PIC.: DESCENDANTS OF THE SHIELDS GIANTS GATHER SATURDAY....

More About JOHN FRANKLIN SHIELDS:

Burial: Sonora Cemetery near Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

Military service: Captain McDougald's Company Alabama Militia Creek War

Nationality: Scots-Irish

Occupation: Farmer

Property: October 01, 1851, Military Bounty Land in Pike County, Alabama

Religion: Baptist

Notes for PENELOPE ANDERSON:

Susie K. Senn is a genealogist I hired to research the Shields and Anderson family in Pike County, Alabama. Martha

Pike County Alabama Civil War News by Susie K. Senn

The following is a list of Citizens of Pike County, who gave furnished articles to the Confederacy.  The page is partially unreadable so the articles cannot be listed.

Mrs. Penelope SHIELDS

Gravestone at Sonora  Cemetery, Hunt County, Texas

Penelope Anderson was born in Twiggs Co., Georgia, April 16, 1815.  Moved to Pike Co., Ala. in 1833, married J. F. Shields Dec. 25, 1836 joined ____ Missionary Baptist Church lived a devoted Christian 42 years was the mother of 9 sons raised them all to grown men was an affectionate and loving __?mother___

*cannot be read. Mt

More About PENELOPE ANDERSON:

Burial: Sonora Cemetery near Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

Nationality: Scot

Religion: Baptist

Residence: 1833, Moved to Pike County, Alabama

Marriage Notes for JOHN SHIELDS and PENELOPE ANDERSON:

Printed marriage record has John Shealds and Penelope Anderson

Shealds, John F.               Penelope ANDERSON Dec. 22, 1836, p. 57

Children of JOHN SHIELDS and PENELOPE ANDERSON are:

                   i.    STARLING³ SHIELDS, b. Abt. 1838, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. Abt. 1854, Troy, Pike County, Alabama.

Notes for STARLING SHIELDS:

He died when he was 16 yrs. of age from illness.

                  ii.    JAMES F. SHIELDS, b. Abt. 1838, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. January 01, 1863, Battle of Shiloh.

Notes for JAMES F. SHIELDS:

1860 Pike County, Alabama

Western District

Orion Post Office

Page 160 (#160)

September 4, 1860

#1076 Briggs, Henry 40 m  farmer, (400/10000) Mississippi

     Ann 30 f Georgia

     Eugenia 13 f  Alabama

     Eudora 11 f  Alabama

     Lurainy 8 f Alabama

     Mary 6 f Alabama

     Salie 4 f Alabama

     Elizabeth 6/12 f Alabama

     James Shields, 21 m farm labor in household Alabama

I don't know if this is two different James Shields or he was counted twice, as James Shields twin of Starling was enumerated in his father's household.  However, his mother's brother married Henry Briggs' sister.

Willis and Elizabeth Briggs' daughter Sarah Ann Briggs married Shadrack J. Anderson, Penelope Anderson's brother and brother in law of John Franklin Shields.

This should be our James Shields as he is serving in the same company with Thomas Johnson Shields. Martha

Roster CSA 37th Alabama Infantry Company F, Pike, AL

submitted by: Charlene Moore

Shields, J.F.  pri.

Shields, Jas.

 Confederate

 Infantry

 22nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry

CONFEDERATE ALABAMA TROOPS

22nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry

22nd Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Montogmery, Alabama, in November, 1861, then moved to Mobile. Its companies were raised in the counties of Walker, Clarke, Cherokee, Mobile, Pike, Choctaw, Montgomery, Calhoun, and Randolph. The unit suffered severe losses at Shiloh under General Gladden, then saw action in Bragg's Kentucky Campaign under General Gardner. Later the 22nd was attached to Deas', G.D. Johnston's, and Brantley's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. It fought in many conflicts from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, was part of General Hood's winter operations in Tennessee, and ended the war in North Carolina. After the Battle of Shiloh, the regiment reported only 123 men fit for duty. It sustained 94 casualties at Murfreesboro, and lost fifty-three percent of the 371 engaged at Chickamauga. In December, 1863, it totalled 272 men and 171 arms. It reported 5 killed and 35 wounded in the fight at Ezra Church; many were also disabled at Franklin and Nashville. The regiment was included in the surrender on April 26, 1865. Its field officers were Colonels Zach C. Deas, B.R. Hart, John C. Marrast, and Harry T. Houlmin; Lieutenant Colonels E. Herbert Armistead, Napoleon B. Rouse, and John Weedon; and Majors Robert B. Armistead, Robert Donnell, and T.M. Prince.

James Shields, William Robert "Bob" Shields and Johnson "Johnse" Shields fought in the civil war they enlisted in Pike County.

James enlisted on March 12 , 1862, and died on Jan 1, 1863.  "He was in Company I - Alabama Infantry Regiment, John Franklin Shields filed a death claim with the company on Jan. 28, 1863. William Robert Shields was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh."  Source: Texas Giants, Weldon Shields

There is a record of a James Shields buried in a mass grave at the Memorial Shiloh Battlefield, a Alabama State records refer to his service and death.  I went to Shiloh and he is referenced at the Battlefield.  I did not find the claim record to which Weldon referred.  I hired a genealogist in Alabama to locate the documentation, she did not find it. Mt

Johnse and Bob were fighting with Colonel Z. C. Deas and Captain A. P. Love's Company on March 28, 1862. When Johnse wrote a letter to his parents, from Corinth, Tishomingo County, Mississippi, referred to Johnse's (Thomas Johnson Shields) file for a copy of the letter.)

Transcribed by Weldon Shields, "Texas Giants".

James Shields, 22nd Ala Infantry CSA Company I in service Nov, 1861

Roster CSA 37th Alabama Infantry Company F, Pike, AL

Shields, J.F.  pri.

Starling and James were twins.

CSA Units of Pike County, Alabama

1st AL Cav Regiment

1st AL Inf Regiment... disbanded/reorganized, Spring 1862.

4th AL Cav Battalion

6th AL Cav Regiment... organized early 1863.

7th AL Inf Regiment... disbanded April 1862.

15th AL Inf Regiment

17th AL Inf Regiment... consolidated with 29th and 33d AL Inf Regiments,

1865.

18th AL Inf Regiment

22d AL Inf Regiment... consolidated with 25th, 29th, and 26-50th Al Inf

Regiments, 1865.

25th AL Inf Regiment

37th AL Inf Regiment

39th AL Inf Regiment... consolidated with 22d and 26-50th AL Inf Regiments,

1865.

46th AL Inf Regiment... consolidated with 23d AL Inf Regiment, 1865.

51st AL Inf Regiment, Mounted

53d AL Inf Regiment, Mounted

57th AL Inf Regiment... organized March 1863.

59th AL Inf Regiment... see Special Notes.

60th AL Inf Regiment... see Special Notes.

Eufaula Light Artillery

More About JAMES F. SHIELDS:

Burial: A Mass Grave, Shiloh Battlefield

                 iii.    WILLIAM ROBERT "ROB" SHIELDS, b. February 17, 1842, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. December 26, 1897, Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas; m. ELLEN HAMMER, April 21, 1871, Hunt County, Texas; b. October 18, 1854, Missouri; d. February 21, 1933, Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas.

Notes for WILLIAM ROBERT "ROB" SHIELDS:

1870 SHIELDS ROBERT A.  Hunt County, Texas

 White Rock Prect 2

Page 349 (#33)

253/253 Corzin, Berton in his household:

Shields, Robert A. wm 29 farmer Alabama

1880 Hunt County, Texas

District 71   Precinct No. 6

 Page   575C (#43)

June 30, 1880

368/369 Shields, Robert wm 35 married farmer Alabama Alabama Alabama

     Ellen wf  27 wife married keeping house Alabama Alabama Alabama

     Carrie wf *8 daughter Texas Alabama Alabama

     Jimmie wm 5 son Texas Alabama Alabama

     Laura wf  2 daughter Texas Alabama Alabama

*as on census (should be 6)

Other children: Lou Alice b. 1873 d. 1875, Minnie, Ida, Lizzie

The genealogy from Weldon does not have Laura or Carrie.

Refer to subsequent census records in Ellen Hammer Shields' file.

W.R. Shields (First_Last)

Regiment Name 22 Alabama Infantry

Side Confederate

Company  I

Soldier's Rank_In  Private

Soldier's Rank_Out  Private

Alternate Name

Notes

Film Number M374 roll 40

 CONFEDERATE ALABAMA TROOPS

22nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry

22nd Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Montogmery, Alabama, in November, 1861, then moved to Mobile. Its companies were raised in the counties of Walker, Clarke, Cherokee, Mobile, Pike, Choctaw, Montgomery, Calhoun, and Randolph. The unit suffered severe losses at Shiloh under General Gladden, then saw action in Bragg's Kentucky Campaign under General Gardner. Later the 22nd was attached to Deas', G.D. Johnston's, and Brantley's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. It fought in many conflicts from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, was part of General Hood's winter operations in Tennessee, and ended the war in North Carolina. After the Battle of Shiloh, the regiment reported only 123 men fit for duty. It sustained 94 casualties at Murfreesboro, and lost fifty-three percent of the 371 engaged at Chickamauga. In December, 1863, it totalled 272 men and 171 arms. It reported 5 killed and 35 wounded in the fight at Ezra Church; many were also disabled at Franklin and Nashville. The regiment was included in the surrender on April 26, 1865. Its field officers were Colonels Zach C. Deas, B.R. Hart, John C. Marrast, and Harry T. Houlmin; Lieutenant Colonels E. Herbert Armistead, Napoleon B. Rouse, and John Weedon; and Majors Robert B. Armistead, Robert Donnell, and T.M. Prince.

I do not know if the following military record applies to this individual. Martha

4th Ala. Infantry Battl'n Hilliard's Legion: Company B

page 57 Alabama Artillery CSA

Clanton's Battery

       Shields, William

W.  R.  SHIELDS & WIFE  ELLEN TO J. W.  MANNING

Hunt County Texas

Page 214, book number was not written on copy.

ca.  1892

The State of Texas}

County of Hunt}

Know all men by these presents that we W.  R.  Shields and wife Ellen

of the County and State aforesaid for and inconsideration of the sum of Five hundred dollar <$500.00> to us paid as follows.  Two hundred dollars paid on delivery of this deed and two promissory notes to become due and payable as follows.  The first note for one hundred and fifty dollars payable the first of December 1893.  the second note for one hundred and fifty dollars payable the lst of December 1894.  both notes to I want ten per cent interest from late until paid by J.  W.  Manning have granted sold and conveyed and by these insures do grant sell and convey unto the said J. W.  Manning of the County of Hunt and State of Texas all the certain tract of parcel of Land situated in the County of Hunt on the waters of South Sulphur & about 11 miles north and 70 degrees East from Greenville being a part of the Wm.  Keith head right survey as received in 68 pages 203 Records of Co.  Court of Hunt County, Texas.  Beginning at the North West Corner of Wm. Keith head right survey.  Thence east 277 2/10 No. to Rays Creek Thence in a northerly direction following the meandering of said Creek to the North boundary line of said Keith Survey 293 varas a stake.  Thence West following the North Boundary line of said Keith survey 689 varas to the place of Beginning thirty six acres of land To have and to hold the above described premises together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging unto the said J.  W.  Manning his heirs and assigns forever And we hereby bind ourselves our heirs executors and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the said W.  Manning heir heirs and assign against every person whomsoever (lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof.  ) Bottom of deed is cut off.

Transcribed from a copy of the original document housed in the Hunt County Courthouse, Greenville, Texas by Martha Thayer

Unknown children buried at Sonora Cemetery near Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

Shields, Hoyle

b. Dec. 8, 1911 d. Nov. 18, 1913

Shields, Infant

b. Jan. 27, 1879 d. Feb. 24, 1879

More About WILLIAM ROBERT "ROB" SHIELDS:

Burial: "Rob", gravestone at Sonora Cemetery near Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

Military service: CSA, Alabama

Religion: Baptist

Residence: 1869, Moved from Pike County, Alabama to Hunt County, Texas

Notes for ELLEN HAMMER:

1900 Hunt County, Texas

Justice Precinct 6

ED# 136

Page 135 sheet 2B (#4)

June 21, 1900

42/42 Shields, Ellen head wf October 1854 45 widow married 26 yrs. children 7 living 5 Missouri Missouri  Missouri

     James son wm May 1875 25 Texas Alabama Missouri farmer

     Minnie daughter wf August 1878 21 Texas Alabama Missouri

     Lizzie daughter wf January 1883 17 Texas Alabama Missouri

next door to Thomas J. Shields July 1843

1910 Fannin County, Texas

Ladonia Town

Justice Precinct 4

ED# 44

Page 39 sheet 9A

April 18 & 19, 1910

186/186 Hanes, James J.  head wm 67 m2 9 yrs. Georgia Georgia Georgia farmer general farm

     Ellen wife wf 55 m2 9 yrs. children 7 living 5 Missouri Missouri  Missouri

1920 Fannin County, Texas

Ladonia Town

4th Street

Justice Precinct 4

ED# 50

Page 46 sheet 3B

January 2, 1920

82/82 Hanes, James J. head owns wm 76 married Georgia Georgia Georgia none

     Elen wife fw 64 married Missouri Missouri  Missouri

I did not find her on the 1930 index.

More About ELLEN HAMMER:

Burial: Sonora Cemetery near Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

Marriage Notes for WILLIAM SHIELDS and ELLEN HAMMER:

W. R. SHIELDS ELLEN HAMMER 21 Nov 1871 Hunt TX

                 iv.    THOMAS "JOHNSE" JOHNSON SHIELDS, b. July 25, 1843, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. July 05, 1909, Byers, Clay County, Texas; m. LAURA JANE SIMPSON, April 28, 1867, Greenville, Butler County, Alabama; b. April 14, 1843, Pike County, Alabama; d. September 17, 1917, probably Hunt County, Texas.

Notes for THOMAS "JOHNSE" JOHNSON SHIELDS:

1866 Census Pike County, Alabama state census

Page 88 T. J. Shields 1 m 20-30

I did not find them on the 1870 census index. They did not move to Texas with his family they came later.  Laura wanted to move but Johnse did not.  He loved Alabama and did not want to leave, he finally gave in and moved to Texas.  He never returned to Alabama, he loved Texas.

1880 SHIELDS THOMAS J. Hunt County, Texas

E. D. 71 Judicial Precinct 6

 Page 564B (#22)

June 21, 1880

184/185 SHIELDS, Thomas J. wm 36 married farmer Alabama Alabama Alabama

     Laura J. wf 36 married wife Alabama Georgia Georgia

     Theodocia wf 12 daughter Alabama Alabama Alabama

     Mattie wf 11 daughter Alabama Alabama Alabama

     Laura wf 9 daughter Texas Alabama Alabama

     Augustus wm 8 son Texas Alabama Alabama

     Neppie wf 8 daughter exas Alabama Alabama

     Jacob wm 4 son Texas Alabama Alabama

     Thomas wm 2 son Texas Alabama Alabama

living between Robert Renfro & John Lincoln

1900 Hunt County, Texas

District 136 Justices' precincts; No. 6

Page 135B (#4)

June 21, 1900

43/43 Shields, Thomas J. head wm July 1843 56 married 32 yrs. Alabama Georgia Georgia farmer

     Laura wife wf April 1843 56 married 32 yrs. children 9 living 7 Alabama North Carolina South Carolina

     Neppie daughter wf March 1875 25 Texas Alabama Alabama

     Thomas J. Jr. son wm December 1878 21 Texas Alabama Alabama laborer on farm

     Beulah daughter wf May 1881 18 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

     Mollie daughter wf October 1883 16 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

     Pearl daughter wf September 1887 12 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

living next door to Ellen Shields, William Robert Shields' widow & children.

T.J. Shields (First_Last)

Regiment Name 22 Alabama Infantry

Side Confederate

Company  I

Soldier's Rank_In  Corporal

Soldier's Rank_Out

Alternate Name

Notes

Film Number M374 roll 40

Roster CSA 37th Alabama Infantry Company F, Pike, AL

submitted by: Charlene Moore

Shields, J.T. pri.

CONFEDERATE ALABAMA TROOPS

22nd Regiment, Alabama Infantry

22nd Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Montogmery, Alabama, in November, 1861, then moved to Mobile. Its companies were raised in the counties of Walker, Clarke, Cherokee, Mobile, Pike, Choctaw, Montgomery, Calhoun, and Randolph. The unit suffered severe losses at Shiloh under General Gladden, then saw action in Bragg's Kentucky Campaign under General Gardner. Later the 22nd was attached to Deas', G.D. Johnston's, and Brantley's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. It fought in many conflicts from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, was part of General Hood's winter operations in Tennessee, and ended the war in North Carolina. After the Battle of Shiloh, the regiment reported only 123 men fit for duty. It sustained 94 casualties at Murfreesboro, and lost fifty-three percent of the 371 engaged at Chickamauga. In December, 1863, it totalled 272 men and 171 arms. It reported 5 killed and 35 wounded in the fight at Ezra Church; many were also disabled at Franklin and Nashville. The regiment was included in the surrender on April 26, 1865. Its field officers were Colonels Zach C. Deas, B.R. Hart, John C. Marrast, and Harry T. Houlmin; Lieutenant Colonels E. Herbert Armistead, Napoleon B. Rouse, and John Weedon; and Majors Robert B. Armistead, Robert Donnell, and T.M. Prince.

Roster CSA 37th Alabama Infantry Company F, Pike, AL

Shields, J.T. pri.

Probate 11 day of November 1912 Hunt County, Texas

Individuals in the estate:

Laura J. Shields widow of Thomas Johnson Shields

Children:

Docia m. E. T. Lewis

Mattie m. J. W. Young (19 Nov. 1884)

Beulah m. R. L. Cooper

Neppie m. J. W. Casper

Pearl m. J.(ohn) F. Mills ( 26 Nov. 1908, B. O pg.203, Hunt Co., Tx)

J. A. Shields wife Mary

T. J. Shields wife Nannie (Davis - 1 Oct. 1905, b. M, Pg.490, Hunt Co., Tx)

"Thomas Johnson Shields, son of Penelope Anderson & John Franklin Shields married Laura Jane Simpson [Shields], daughter of Martha Anderson Simpson and Arthur Simpson.  Penelope and Martha were sister, making Johnse and Laura first cousins." Weldon Shields in Texas Giants

Shields Thomas   H 6 Alabama Infantry. Private Private   000374 0040

Shields Thomas W. E 43 Alabama Infantry. Sergeant 2 Lieutenant   000374 0040

Johnson or Johnse Shields in  Alabama- none listed

"Corinth Tishomingo Co. Miss.

Dear Father and Mother

I now seat myself to write a few line to let you know that James, Bob and myself are all well at this time, hoping that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessings.  I have nothing of much importance to write to you, only we have had another trip.  Day before yesterday morning we were aroused from our _____ at about 1 o'clock, and ordered to cook two days rations.  We then, about 8 o'clock, started and traveled about fifteen miles.  When we got about eleven miles from camp,  to a field where we expected the enemy to be but on arriving they were not there.  But they had been there the evening before, and had held dress parade in the old field.  The old field was near a little town called Monterey.  In this town the Yankees found a man that had some gold.  They took it away from him.  The amount was $500.  They then turned back and found a man that was subject to military duty.  They pressed him in and carried him off with them.  They said that they wanted him to guide them through the country.

     It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon when we got to that little town.  They then sent out pickets three or four miles to where a tolerably wealthy man lived, who had about 700  pounds of corn.  They came back and reported to the General.  We then started out, the sun being about half a hour high.  We then went on to within half a mile of the crib of corn.  By this time it was 11 o'clock in the night.  We have seventy-five wagons.  They went on and loaded them all by day bay break and started them back that night.  As we went we could see the lights of the enemy's fires very plainly.  It was said that their force that was camped there was about 15, 000 but they had a much larger force not many miles off.  One force that we had along was about 3,000 infantry and cavalry, with two companies of light artillery.

     Our regiment started back to came about 8 o'clock that morning. Before we started we could hear the enemy's drum very plainly.  It commenced beating about daylight and until we left where we stayed all night we could hear it plainer and plainer.  We started about 8 o'clock that morning and marched in quick time, for they said that the 15,000 Yankees were trying to cut us off from our corn and wagon.

     The man we got the corn from said that the Yankees had been there and measured the corn out, and he thought that they were going to take it, and he had rather for us to have it, so he sent us word to come and get it.  We thought that we would have to fight before we would get it, but we all arrived back at camp safe and sound with the exception of one man, who fainted and died on the way, for they marched us quickly time, and sometimes double quick.  So you may know that we all are sore and tired today.

     Spring is coming here at last.  The oaks are budding out and today is a beautiful spring day.  I must close.  You must write soon.  And believe me to be your dear son --- T. J. Shields

     To J. F. Shields, March 28, 1862

P.S. -- Since I have closed this letter James received one that was written the 14th February, and Ma wanted to know whether he got that box of vituals or not she sent us.  We got it and had a fine time eating as long as it lasted and it lasted till we got below Mobile and we had as much as we could eat.  It was very good.  Ma also wanted to know whether we had clothes enough or not.  We have got clothes enough and money plenty, for there is nothing here to buy, hardly.  We have drawn for nearly three months, and our computation so far as money and clothes are concerned, we have plenty.  We have got so many clothes as we can get along with or more.  T.J.S.

Source: Texas Giants by Weldon Shields

J.  Y.  HALL TO THOMAS SHIELDS

P.  104-105, January 18, 1893

The State of Texas}

County of Hunt }

 Know all men by these presents: That we J. Y. Hall and wife, C.  A. Hall of  the County of Hunt and State of Texas inconsideration of the sum of One Thousand Dollars paid and secured to be paid by Thomas Shields as follows Five hundred dollars cash in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and the further sum of Five hundred Dollars secured by our promissory note for said amount of even date with this convey and executed by the said Thomas Shields and payable to the order of J.  Y. Hall at Commerce Texas Sixty six months after date with interest from date at the note of 10% per annum have granted sold and conveyed and by these presents do grant, sell and convey unto the said Thomas Shields of the County of Hunt and State of Texas all that certain tract or parcel of land described as follows, situated in the town of Commerce, Hunt County, Texas and apart of a survey patented in the name of G.  W.  Cooper Beginning at the N.  E.  corner of a four acre tract once divided by J. T.  Hunt and wife to C.  S.  Mauldin.  Thence S.  75 varas a stake. Thence W.  50 2/5 varas to S.  E. - of lot sold by us to H.  P. Credille.  Thence N.  with is E.  B.  line 75 ½ varas his N.  E.  Thence East 50 2/5 varas to the beginning containing two third of an acre.  To have and to hold the above described forever __sis together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging unto the said Thomas Shields his heirs and assigns forever, and we do hereby bind ourselves and our heirs, executors and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the said Thomas Shields his heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof But it is expressly agreed and stipulated that the vendors lien is retained against the above described notes and all interest thereon are fully paid according to its face and tenor?, effect and reading, when this and shall become absolutely.  Witness our hands at Dublin Texas this the 5th day of January  A.D. 1893.

s/ J.  Y.  Hall

s/ C.  A.  Hall

The State of Texas}

County of Erath}

Before me W.  T.  Daniel a Notary Public in and for Erath County Texas on this day personally appeared J. Y.  Hall and Mrs.  C.  A.  Hall wife of J.  Y.  Hall both known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to be that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed and the same Mrs.  C.  A.  Hall wife of the said  J.  Y.  Hall having been examined by me privily and apart from her husband and having the same by me fully explained to her, she the said Mrs.  C. A.  Hall acknowledged such instrument to be her act and deed.  And she declared she had willing signed the same for the purposes and consideration. (Bottom of deed cut off when copied.  Mt)

J.  T.  SMITH and wife, M.  E.  SMITH TO T.  J.  SHIELDS

Page 106, November 18th, 1893

THE STATE OF TEXAS}

COUNTY of HUNT}

Know all men by these Presents, that we J.  T.  Smith and wife, M.  E. Smith of the County of Hunt and State aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of Two Hundred dollars to us in hand paid by T.  J.  Shields, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged and the further consideration of two notes as follows: One note for $200.  of even date here within Reserve due Dec.  20, 1893.  And one note for $100.00 of even date herewith to become due Nov.  1st, 1894 and a further consideration that he pay off and fully satisfies two within notes of $125.00 each of date Jan. 12, 1890, made payable to J.  R. & J.  W.  Scaff, one to become due Nov.  1, 1894 and the other to became due Nov.  1, 1895, with the int. thereon all said notes retaining a binders him on the herein after described land.  Have Granted, Sold, Conveyed and by these presents do Grant, Sell and Convey unto the said T.  J.  Shields of the County of Hunt and State of Texas all the certain tract or parcel of land described as follows: Situated in said Hunt County, and in the State of Texas, on the waters of Middie? Sulphur, and a part of the north half of a survey in the name of M.  H.  Wright.  Beginning at the NE corner of the south half of the original survey, John Hargis NE corner Thence west with the said Hargis N.B. line 1344 varas Thence North with said line 252 varas Thence East 1344 varas to original E. B.  Line- Thence South 252 varas tot he beginning Containing Sixty acres.

To have and to hold the above described premises, together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging, unto the said T.  J.  Shields, his heirs and assigns, forever.  And we do hereby bind ourselves our heirs, executors and administrators to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND all and singular the said premises unto the said T. J.  Shields, his heirs and assigns, against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof..  Witness our hands at Commerce this 18th day of November A.D. 1893.

s/ J.  T.  Smith

s/ M.  E.  Smith

THE STATE OF TEXAS}

County of Hunt } SS

Before me R.  B.  Long, JP & Ex officis   Notary Public in and for the Hunt County, Texas, on this day personally appeared

J.  T.  Smith & M.  E.  Smith wife of said J.  T.  Smith both known to me to be the person whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.  And the said M.  E.  Smith wife of the said J.  T.  Smith having been examined by me privily and apart from her husbands and having the same fully explained to her, she, the said M. E.  Smith acknowledged such instrument to me to be her act and deed, and she declared she had willingly signed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and that she did not wish to retract it.

Given under my hand and seal of office, this 18th day of November AD 1893

(Seal) R. B.  Long, JP, Ex officis Notary Public, Hunt County, Texas

Filed for record the 25th day of January 1894 at 2 o'clock PM and record the 31 day of January 1894 at 11 o'clock AM.  T.  A.  Smith, Clerk County Court, Hunt County, Texas

                    By H._? Kincy, Deputy Clerk

Transcribed from a copy of the original document housed in the Hunt County Courthouse, Greenville, Texas by Martha Thayer

 "Johnse Shields was buried in Byers, Texas because he was on a visit there to relatives when he passed away and they buried him there.  His wife in later years passed on and is buried there."

Weldon Shields stated he received the information from Allard Shields.

More About THOMAS "JOHNSE" JOHNSON SHIELDS:

Burial: Byers, Clay County, Texas

Military service: CSA, Alabama

Religion: Baptist

Residence: December 25, 1869, From Pike County arrived in  Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

Notes for LAURA JANE SIMPSON:

1910 Hunt County, Texas

living with her son Thomas J. Shields

Laura mother fw 64 wd ch. 10 living 8 Alabama Georgia Georgia

Hunt County, Texas

Vol.  205, p.  281

Filed April 19, 1918

The State of Texas

County of Hunt

Know all men by these Presents: that we Laura J.  Shields both for herself and as community Administrator of the estate of herself and her deceased husband T.  J. Shields, Docia Lewis joined by her husband E. T.  Lewis, Mattie Young joined by her husband J.  W.  Young, Neppie Casper and by her husband, J.  W.  Casper; Beulah Cooper joined by her husband R.  L.  Cooper, Pearl Mills joined by her husband J.  F.  Mills, J.  A.  Shields and his wife Mary Shields & T.  J.  Shields joined by his wife Nannie Shields, of the County of Hunt and State aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of Sixteen hundred dollars to us in hand paid as follows to wit:

Five hundred <$500.00> dollars cash in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledge and one rudon? liens note of eru? (escrow?) take herewith for the sum of $1100.00 due Jan.  1 , 1914 interest 10% from date, said note payable to the order of Mrs.  Laura J.  Shields and she shall be full and complete owner of etud. note with authority to release same anything it shall have been due.

Have Granted Sold and Conveyed and the these presents do Grant Sell and Convey unto the said J.  W.  Cox of the County of Hunt and State of Texas all that certain tract or parcel of land situated in Hunt County, Texas about 16 miles from Greenville on the waters of  Medith? Sulphur a part of the J.  C.  Sadler survey described as follows} Beginning at a stake North Harrell's W.  B.  line 1036 varas East of the N> W.  corner of the original Survey; thence south with said Harrell W.  B. line 720 varas to his S.  W.  corner & Thence 375 varas to bed of Branch.  Thence North with meandering of said branch to Railroad Bridge Thence in a northerly direction with picket fence to stake in N.  B.  line of original survey. Thence East with said line 301 varas to the place of beginning containing 34 ½ acres of land.

To have and to hold the above described premises together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in any wise belonging unto the said J.  W.  Cox his heirs and assigns forever.  And we do hereby bind our heirs, executors and administrators to Warrant and Forever Defend all and singular the said premises unto the said J.  W.  Cox his heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof.

Witness our hands at Fairlie, Texas this 11th day of November AD 1912

s/ T.  J.  Shields

s/ Laura J.  Shields

s/ Nannie Shields

s/ Pearl Mills

s/ J.  F.  Mills

s/ R.  L.  Cooper

s/ Beula Cooper

s/ Dosia Lewis

s/ E.  T.  Lewis

s/ J.  A.  Shield

s/ Mary Shields

s/ J.  W.  Young

s/ C.  W.  Casper

s/ Mattie Young

s/ Neppie Casper

Vol.  1205 page 383

The State of Texas}

County of Hunt}

Before me O.  C.  Mulkey a Notary Public in and for the Count on Hunt State of Texas on this day personally appeared Mrs. Laura J.  Shields known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that she executed the same for the purposes and consideration the reiuc?  expressed and in the capacity therein stated.

Given under my hand and seal of office this 11 day of November AD 1912.

s/ O.  C.  Mulkey, Notary Public

The State of Texas

County of Hunt}

Hunt County Treas.

Before me O.  C.  Mulkey, Notary Public in and for Hunt County, Texas on this day personally appeared T.  J.  Shields and Nannie Shields wife of T.  J.  Shields known to be to be the person whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purpose and consideration therein expressed.  And the said Nannie Shields wife of the said T.  J.  Shields, having been examined by me privily and apart from her husband; and having the same by me fully explained to her she the said Nannie Shields acknowledged such instrument to me to be her act and deed and declared that she had willingly signed the same for the purpose and consideration therein express, and that she did not wish to retract it.

Give under my hand and seal of office this 11 day of November AD 1912

(Seal) s/ O.  C.  Mulkey - Notary Public

The State of Texas}

County of Hunt}

Hunt County Texas

Before me O.  C.  Mulkey a Notary Public in and for Hunt County Texas on this day personally appeared J.  F.  Mills and Pearl Mills wife of J. F.  Mills known to me to be the person whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.  And the said Pearl Mills wife of the said J.  F.  Mills having been examined by me privily and apart from her husband and having the same by me fully explained to her the said Pearl Mills acknowledged such instrument to me to be her act and deed and declared that she had willingly signed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed and that she did not wish to retract it.

Given under my hand and Seal of office this 19 day of April AD 1913.

Seal s/ O.  C.  Mulkey; Notary Public

Transcribed from a copy of the original document housed in the Hunt County Courthouse, Greenville, Texas by Martha Thayer

More About LAURA JANE SIMPSON:

Burial: Byers, Clay County, Texas

Marriage Notes for THOMAS SHIELDS and LAURA SIMPSON:

Spouse 1: Thos. J. Shields

Spouse 2: Laura J. Simpson

Marriage Date: 27 Apr 1867

Marriage Place: Butler

Surety/Bond Date:

Performed By: Rev.

Surety/Perf. Name: D. W. Burt

OSPage: 355

                  v.    JOSEPH P. "JOSIAH" SHIELDS, b. Abt. 1848, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. Aft. 1890, Probably Fannin County, Texas; m. (1) MARY BELL EASTMAN, November 03, 1874, Fannin County, Texas; b. November 11, 1857, Morgan County, Alabama; d. February 13, 1878, Fannin County, Texas; m. (2) MARY A. ROBINSON, March 03, 1879, Fannin County, Texas; b. Abt. 1858, Texas.

Notes for JOSEPH P. "JOSIAH" SHIELDS:

Source of children: Volney Shields via Weldon Shields

Josiah by census, Joseph by legal document.  Weldon references were always Josiah, mine will be Joseph, as this is a traditional Shields name. It appears that Josiah was a nickname for Joseph as the same pattern existed in the Anderson family.  Martha

"In Bonham, Texas, the County seat of Fannin County, the records show Joe Shields as the father of Volney Shields and spelled his name Joseph but the Alabama census spells his name as "Josiah". <sic> The P. in his name is unknown.  Joe's family just drifted away.  I never heard from any of them." Texas Giants by Weldon Shields

Index has: J. P. Sheilds

1880 SHIELDS J. P. Fannin County, Texas

District 28   Precinct No. 5

Page 474C (#43)

June 16, 1880

264-270 Shields, J. P. wm 31 married farmer Alabama Alabama Alabama

     M. A. w f 22 wife married keeping house Texas Tennessee Alabama

     M. B. w f 4/12 January daughter Texas Alabama Texas

     Volney wm 4 Texas Alabama Texas

This is Joseph P. Shields and his second wife, Mary A. Robinson Shields and their daughter M. Belle Shields and Volney his son by his first wife, Mary Bell Eastman Shields who died in February 1878.  He remarried and I have his marriage certificate for J. P. Shields and Mary A. Robinson. Martha

Fannin County TXGenWeb

1890 Texas State Directory

Fannin County

available at the Dallas Library

R.L.   Polk &   Co. copyright Mar.12, 1890

" Where Post Office is not given the address is understood to be Bonham the county seat."

 Planters and Farmer’s Directory of Texas this first section is listed by the county instead of by the township. The Number is the number of acres they have in cultivation and the town

name is the Post Office they have.

Eastman, C.V. 216 Ladonia

Eastman, J.E. 151 Ladonia

Robinson, Wm. 558

Shields, J.P. 215

He is not on the 1900 census for Fannin County & Hunt County, Texas.

The following are the only census records which might apply to Joseph "Josiah" P. Shields, however none are listed on the index that are 50, 51 or 52 and born in Alabama.   There is no Mary Shields age 41-50 born in Texas on the 1900 index.

I do not know if any of the following census records applies to this Joseph "Josiah" P. Shields and his family. Martha

1900 Hunt County, Texas

Precinct 1 ED# 120

Page 64 sheet 28B (#56)

June 30, 1900

494/495 Shields, Mary head wf June 1858 41 widow children 1 living 1 Missouri Missouri Missouri

     Harvey step son wm May 1889 11 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

1900 Fannin County, Texas

Justice Precinct 5

ED# 75

Page 70 sheet 5A

June 6, 1900

73/77 Seaton, Ben head wm October 1858 40 married 18 yrs. Arkansas Alabama Tennessee farmer

     Annie wife wf February 1863 37 married 18 yrs. children 2 living 1 Mississippi Tennessee Tennessee

     Cora daughter wf March 1885 15 Texas Arkansas Mississippi

Shields, Mary sister in law wf September 1869 30 widow children 4 living 2 Arkansas Tennessee Tennessee

     Bessie --- wf November 1891 8 Texas Arkansas Arkansas

     Robert boarder wm February 1896 4 Texas Arkansas Arkansas

on same page with Martha Shields June 1846 Georgia living with her is a niece Rebecca Shields January 1882 born in Arkansas, next household Richard Shields 20 born in Arkansas & his wife Addie.

1900 Wood County, Texas

District 147 Justices Precincts; No. 6

Page 183B, sheet 7B (#15)

June 12, 1900

123/123 Shields, Joseph head wm September 1849 50 married 25 yrs. Georgia Virginia Tennessee farmer

     Sarrah wife wf February 1850 50 married 25 yrs. children 4 living 3 Texas Tennessee Tennessee

     Charlie C. son wm November 1876 23 Texas Georgia Texas farm laborer

     Rosa Lee daughter wf January 1879 21 Texas Georgia Texas

     Bertha daughter wf September 1882 17 Texas Georgia Texas

Mcnight, Willie niece wf November 1882 17 Alabama Georgia Alabama

Shields, Richard grandson wm September 1892 *7 or 1897 2 Texas Texas Texas

1920 Palo Pinto County, Texas

Precinct 5 ED# 198 including Mineral Wells

Page 104 sheet 1A (#1)

January 12, 1920

4/5 Shields, J. P. head mw 71 widower Florida Maryland North Carolina farmer  farm

     Ellie daughter fw 28 Texas Tenice Texas

     Mattie daughter fw 26 Texas Tenice Texas

     Stella daughter fw 10 attended school Texas Tenice Texas

next door

1920 Palo Pinto County, Texas

Precinct 5 ED# 198 including Mineral Wells

Page 104 sheet 1A (#1)

January 12, 1920

4/5 Shields, M. F. head owns mw 24 married  Texas Tenice Texas  truck driver

     Mary fw 29 wife married Texas Missouri Texas

     Willie May fw 8 daughter attended school Texas Texas Texas

Shields buried in Fannin County, Texas

Leonard Cemetery the old one

James Shiel(d)s 1851-1916

Charlotte Shiel(d)s 1855-1953

Thomas Shiel(d)s 1879-1907, Husband KR

Frank Shiel(d)s 1878-1961

Lou Shields 1883

Robert Shields 1863-1964

More About JOSEPH P. "JOSIAH" SHIELDS:

Occupation: Ran a saloon in Ladonia, Fannin County, Texas

Residence: 1868, Ladonia, Fannin County,  Texas

Notes for MARY BELL EASTMAN:

"Mary Eastman was the daughter of a banking family in Ladonia; and, I think they are still at the bank there."  Texas Giants by Weldon Shields

Mary "Bell" Eastman is the daughter of a Dr. James D. Eastman, Physician of Fannin County, Texas.  He was born in Ohio. His wife and children were born in Alabama the exception being Lore who was born in Texas.

She is buried on the Presbyterian side of the cemetery.

Gravestone:

Mrs. Belle Shields 1857-1878

More About MARY BELL EASTMAN:

Burial: Ladonia Cemetery, Ladonia, Fannin County, Texas

Notes for MARY A. ROBINSON:

I did not find her on the 1870.

                 vi.    AUGUSTUS "GUS" ORION SHIELDS, b. Abt. 1852, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. Bet. July 05, 1890 - 1899, Kingston, Hunt County,  Texas; m. (1) ANGELINA E. EWING, December 17, 1874, Hunt County, Texas; b. January 27, 1856, Hunt County, Texas; d. September 16, 1877, Celeste, Hunt County,  Texas; m. (2) SARAH JANE "SISSIE" GREEN, November 04, 1880, Hunt County, Texas; b. November 06, 1856, Hunt County, Texas; d. May 27, 1924, Greenville, Hunt County, Texas.

Notes for AUGUSTUS "GUS" ORION SHIELDS:

Gus was living with parents in 1870, refer to John Franklin Shields file for full census.

1880 Hunt County, Texas

Residing with his parents: John F. Shields & Penelope

 SHIELDS, Augustus O. wm 27 widower son teacher Alabama Georgia Georgia

     Wheeler wm 4 s son Texas Alabama Tennessee

     Lola wf 4 s daughter Texas Alabama Tennessee

Letter written to Shadrack  Anderson in Mineola, Texas, his maternal uncle, Penelope Anderson's brother.  This was written while he was touring with P.T. Barnum, he was in the side show.  He and his brothers were billed as the Texas Giants.

St. Louis, Missouri

June 2nd, 1883

Dear Uncles and Cousins:

Tis with pleasure that I drop a few words.  We are all well.  Leave here tonight for Chicago, Ill. Stay there 10 days.  Have been here one week, but after we leave Chicago will have 21 or 22 one-day stands as we call it, that is, show one day in a place.  When we stop more than one day in a place, we are "laid out" as it is called in this business.  Now I expect you wonder what laid out means.  I wondered what it meant when I first heard it.  They send a man ahead to "lay out the people."  Now it only means that he goes on to make arrangements for hotels for a place for the folks with the show to board.  Now as to style, there is not so much here as in the cities east, but even here it beats Texas some.  We have a nice large room with carpets on the floor; in fact, the whole floor is carpeted, even the stairs.  We have a good bed spring mattress. The bedstead is supposed to cost $12 to $15; marble-top wash stand, marble-top bureau and from appearance marble must be very cheap, for the fire board and from the fire board to the floor is all marble even the hearth is marble.  I am writing on a marble-top center table and my idea is it is more extravagance than anything else.  We are making money, but it is like almost any other business; it takes money to start and we use a good deal.  Although we are boarded and R.R. fare is paid, our other little expenses have to be paid.  We get $100.00 per week and make some on pictures and a little book which I wrote before we left home last spring.  The most I have made in one day is $8.72, but that was the best day we have had for selling books and pictures.  My part of the salary is $4.12 per day, so I have made about $6.00 clear per day and we have an easy time, no responsibility nor no work.  Go on exhibition generally at 12 o'clock and stay till 5;30, off an hour; then on again at eleven; although sometimes not so late.  I think this is the largest show I ever saw.  The daily expenses amount to $4,800.00.  They have between 350-400 people.  Direct your letter to me in Chicago, Ill. (In care of Barnum Show).  For want of space and something interesting, I will close. Please answer.

Yours truly,

A. O. Shields

Archives & Pioneers of Hunt County, Texas

Pg. 172

County Commissioner 1876 A. O. Shields

[ "Gus" Augustus Orion Shields]

Kingston Cemetery

Missouri Edna Shields b. 9-13-1886 d. 8-25-1887

     daughter of A. O. and S. J. Shields

     A. O. Shields m. Sarah Jane Green 4 Nov. 1880, b. C, Pg. 446, Hunt Co. Tx.

Indian Creek Dulaney Cemetery

Angie O. Shields, wife of A. O. Shields

daughter of A. B. and E. J. Ewing

Weldon's text states he had four children by Sarah Jane Green.  However, only three children are listed.   .Weldon has a Pearl Shields listed on his family chart, do not know if this is a child or not. Mt

B. B.  THOMAS & HIS WIFE, MINERVA THOMAS TO A.  O.  SHIELDS

Hunt County Texas

 page 306, book number was not written on the document when it was copied.

April 18, 1890

THE STATE OF TEXAS

County of Hunt}

Know all Men by these Presents, That We B.  B.  Thomas and his wife Minerva Thomas of the County of Hunt and State aforesaid, for and inconsideration of the sum of Six Hundred and Seventy five dollars to us in hand paid by A.  O.  Shields as follows Seventy five Dollars in Cash and 4 notes bearing every date herewith and due respectively 15 day of Oct.  1890 & 15 Oct.  1891 & 15 Oct 1892 & 15 Oct. 1893 for one Hundred and fifty Dollars each month ten per center per annum interest from date and a vendors lien is hereby retained on the herein after described land to secure the payment of the above described notes.  Have Granted, sold and Conveyed and by these presents do Grant Sell and Convey unto the said A.  O.  Shields of the County of Hunt and State of Texas all the certain tract of land situated in Hunt County Texas being part of J.  T. Kimbrough 640 acre survey.  Beginning at the N> W.  Corner of the original Survey.  Thence East 398 5/10 varas a Stake.  Thence South 425 varas a stake.  Thence West 398 5/10 varas a stake.  Thence North 425 varas to the place of beginning.  Containing 30 acres of land more or less.

To have and to hold the above described premises together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging unto the said A.  O.  Shields, his heirs and assigns, forever.  Are we do hereby bind ourselves and his heirs, executors and administrators to WARRANTY AND FOREVER DEFEND all and singular the said premises unto the said A.  O. Shields, his heirs and assigns, against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof. Witness our hands at Greenville, Texas this 15th day of April AD 1890.

s/ B.  B.  Thomas

s/ Minerva Thomas

THE STATE OF TEXAS }SS

County of Hunt}

Before me Alex Mason a Notary Public in and for the County of Hunt, on this day personally appeared B.  B.  Thomas and Minerva Thomas wife of said B.  B.  Thomas Known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledge to me that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. And the said Minerva Thomas wife of the said B.  B.  Thomas having been examined by me privily and apart from her husband, and having the same by me fully explained to her, she, the said Minerva Thomas acknowledged such instrument to me to be her act and deed, and she declared she had willingly signed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and that she did not wish to retract it.

Given under my hand and seal of office this 15 day of April AD 1890.

  Seal s/ Alex Mason, Notary Public, Hunt County, Texas

Filed for Record the 28th day of April 1894 at 2:45 o'clock  PM and recorded the 28th day of June 1894 at 4 o'clock PM

s/ T.  A.  Smith, Clerk County

Court, Hunt County, Texas

s/ Hy Remay?, Deputy Clerk

Transcribed from a copy of the original document housed in the Hunt County Courthouse, Greenville, Texas by Martha Thayer

GREENVILLE HERALD BANNER, THU, 18 JUL 1957, : 6

 HOMECOMING JULY 28 AT WHITEROCK CHURCH (PHOTOS)

SHIELDS, A.O., COUNTY COMMISSIONER

 GREENVILLE EVENING BANNER, THU, 11 APR 1929, 2: 1

 FROM LOG CABIN TO MARBLE PALACE (COUNTY COURT HOUSE BY GOFF)

JustJohn

More About AUGUSTUS "GUS" ORION SHIELDS:

Occupation: Tallest Texas Giant & school teacher

Religion: Baptist

Residence: Whiterock, Celeste & Kingston, Hunt County, Texas

Notes for ANGELINA E. EWING:

She died of Small pox.

Dulaney Cemetery west of Celeste (Indian Creek Cemetery)

b. 1-27-1856 d. 9-16-1877

"Angie, wife of A. O. Shields and daughter of A.B. Ewing and Emily J. Ewing."

Marriage Notes for AUGUSTUS SHIELDS and ANGELINA EWING:

A. O. Shields m. A. E. Ewing 22 Nov. 1874, book B, Pg. 289, Hunt County, Texas

Notes for SARAH JANE "SISSIE" GREEN:

1900 index,  I could not find Sarah or any of her children.

1910 Hunt County, Texas

District 120 Justice Precincts; Precinct No. 2, (part of)

Greenville & Merit Road

Page 238 sheet 12A (#23)

May 2, 1910

173/173 Shields, Sarah head fw 50 wd ch 9 living 3 Texas Illinois Illinois own income owns home

     Morton son mw 17 s Texas Alabama Texas odd jobs attended school within the year

Drew, Elisha head mw 70 m1 42 yrs. Canada English Canada English Canada English own income

     Martha E. wife fw 71 m2 42 yrs. ch. 9 living 6 Virginia Virginia Virginia

Year: 1920 Shields, Sarah    Age: 60

  Birthplace: Texas Roll:  T625_1820

  Race: White Page:  24A

  State: Texas ED:  121

  County: Hunt Image:  292

  Township: Greenville

January 24, 1920

2106/416/495 Shields, Sarah head rent fw 60 widow reads & writes Texas Missouri Illinois speaks English none

More About SARAH JANE "SISSIE" GREEN:

Burial: Cemetery at Kingston, Hunt County, Texas

Marriage Notes for AUGUSTUS SHIELDS and SARAH GREEN:

Book C, page 446, Hunt County, Texas

                vii.    JOHN "FRANK" SHIELDS, b. September 27, 1853, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. November 07, 1910, Hunt County, Texas; m. (1) LAURA SEDORA BOLTON, January 29, 1874, Book B pg. 247, Hunt County, Texas; b. February 26, 1859, Lowndes County, Alabama; d. December 20, 1875, Hunt County, Texas; m. (2) FANNIE ANGELINA PEOPLES, October 15, 1876, Hunt County, Texas; b. July 1853, Tennessee; d. January 25, 1883, Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas; m. (3) ACHSAH ANNA ROSS, December 18, 1884, Hunt County, Texas; b. November 03, 1866, Nanafalia, Marengo County, Alabama; d. July 30, 1927, Hunt County, Texas.

Notes for JOHN "FRANK" SHIELDS:

JOHN FRANK SHIELDS

1880 Hunt County, Texas

Precinct 6 ED# 71

Page 557D (#8)

June 10, 1880

66/67 SHIELDS, John F. wm 26 married farmer, Alabama Georgia Georgia

     Angeline wf 25 wife married Tennessee Georgia Tennessee

     Fred, wm 7/12, son Texas Alabama Tennessee

     PEOPLES, George W wm 19 brother in law, Missouri North Carolina Tennessee

They lived about 300 yards northwest of the first old Shields home place.

1900 Hunt County, Texas Census

District 126

Justices' precincts; No. 2 (part of)

 Page 201B  (#42)

June 21, 1900

360/376 Shields, Frank head wm Sept 1853 46 m 15 Alabama Georgia Georgia Farmer owns home

     Anna wife wf __ 1866 33 m 15 ch. 8, living 7 Alabama Alabama Alabama

     Fred son wm Oct 1879 20 s Texas Alabama Missouri at school- farmer

     Laura daughter wf Mar 1886 14 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

(# 43) page 202A

Shields,   Ethel wf daughter April 1888 12 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

     Rena wf daughter Feb 1890 10 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

     Virgie wf daughter June 1891 8 Texas Alabama Alabama at school

     Andrew wm son July 1893 6   Texas Alabama Alabama

     Frank wm son Aug 1895 4  Texas Alabama Alabama

     Girtie wf daughter April 1898 2  Texas Alabama Alabama

     May wf daughter Feb. 1900 3/12  Texas Alabama Alabama

1910 Hunt County, Texas

District 125 Justice Precincts; Precinct No. 4

page 273B, (#14)

April 27, 1910

139/143 Frank Shields head mw 56 m2 25 yrs. Alabama Georgia Alabama farmer farm owns home

     Anna wife fw 43 ,1 25 yrs. 13 children 12 living Alabama Alabama Alabama

     Ethel daughter fw 21 Texas Alabama Alabama Teacher Music

     Varina daughter fw 19 Texas Alabama Alabama Teacher  Public School

     Virginia daughter fw 18 Texas Alabama Alabama attended school within the year

     Andrew son mw 16 Texas Alabama Alabama farm laborer home farm attended school within the year

     Frank, Jr. son mw 14 Texas Alabama Alabama farm laborer home farm attended school within the year

     Gertrude daughter fw 11 Texas Alabama Alabama attended school within the year

     Hattie daughter fw 10 Texas Alabama Alabama attended school within the year

     Susie daughter fw 9 Texas Alabama Alabama attended school within the year

     Sanderson son mw 6 Texas Alabama Alabama

     Howard son mw 4 Texas Alabama Alabama

     Cullen son mw 2 Texas Alabama Alabama

Brown, Susan head fw 57 wd. 6 ch. 3 living Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee farmer farm laborer owns home

     John son mw 33 Texas Texas Tennessee  farm laborer home farm

     Thomas son mw 28 m1 2 yrs. Texas Texas Tennessee farm laborer home farm

     Maud daughter in law fw 19 m1 2 yrs. Texas Tennessee Tennessee

     Hubert grandson mw 4/12 Texas  Texas  Texas

living between Thomas Fry & Virgil Husbands

(I do not know why Susan Brown is listed as part of this household. There is not a known relationship to her.) Mt

John "Frank" Shields, Texas Giant toured with three of his brothers for P. T. Barnum in the late 1800s. Newspaper write ups on the Texas Giants are in their parents file, Penelope Anderson & John Franklin Shields.

Frank Shields was a member of  The Pleasant View Baptist Church, White Rock, Texas from 1885 to 1894.  He was on the Building Committee when the Pleasant View Baptist Church moved to White Rock in 1901.  He was a delegate April 21, 1894 and March, 1894 for subscriptions for pastors salary.  He was elected an elder August 4, 1890; on the Finance Committee November 24, 1889; and on a committee to revise the church books November 18, 1886.  On October 27, 1894, a letter of commission was given the following to start a new church at Money School House, south of White Rock, Texas, about four miles; Frank Shields, Achash (Achsah) Shields, Bob Shields, Fred Shields, N. C. Money, N. E. Money, M. G. Helton, Jack Morgan, W. H. Morgan, John Billington and Frank Bolton.  After the church was organized they returned their membership to Pleasant View Baptist Church. Texas Giants by Weldon Shields

"On September 21, 1889, a meeting was held and a baptism was planned for the next day, September 22, 1889 at Frank Shields' pond at 3 PM.  Frank Shields was elected trustee June 22, 1889."

IN MEMORY OF FRANK SHIELDS

          The funeral services over the remains of Brother Frank Shields were held in the Baptist church at Prairie Valley on Tuesday, November the 8th, A. D., 1910 at 4 o'clock p. m.  At the hour appointed a large congregation assembled in the church to pay the last tribute of respect to their departed friend and Neighbor.  Among those attending the services were eleven of the twelve surviving children of the deceased, and relatives and friends from Greenville and other part of Hunt County.

     The funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. H. Jesse, of Greenville, a former pastor, according to a special request made by Brother Shields a short time before his death.

     The services consisted in the reading of several passages of scripture, appropriate comments made thereon by Rev. Jesse, and of a brief review of the life and Christian experience of Brother Shields.  At the close of the sermon, according to special request made by Brother Shields before his death, the congregation sang the familiar hymns, "There's a Great Day Coming" and "How Firm a Foundation."

     After the services in the church were concluded, the W. O. W. Camp of Prairie Valley, assisted by several visiting Woodmen from Greenville, took charge of the remains, and conducted the services at the grave in accordance with the beautiful and impressive ritual of that order. Mssrs. R. L. Davidson and S.L. Arnold of the Greenville camp officiated as leaders in the service, Brother Shields having his membership in that camp at his death.

     R. D. Thompson, according to a special request made by Brother Shields, delivered a short address at the grave, wherein, he gave in brief outline the life and character of the deceased as a Christian and Woodman.

     Brother Frank Shields was the son of Franklin and Penelope Shields, and was born in Pike County, Alabama, September 27, 1853.  He moved with his parents to Hunt County, Texas, in 1868.  Professed religion and joined the Missionary Baptist Church at Sonora, in 1881.  He was Married to Miss A. A. Ross in Hunt County, December 18, 1884, and she with twelve of the thirteen children born of this union survives him.

     Brother Shields was one of a family of several brothers who were tall in stature, some of them being over seven feet, and were large in proportion to their height.  They were generally known throughout the country as "The Texas Giants."  There is only one brother surviving.

     Brother Shields was large in heart as well as large in body, and he was known and loved by the people generally on account of the kindness and generosity of his nature.  He was a kind and affectionate husband, a fond and indulgent father, a generous and helpful neighbor, a true and upright citizen and an earnest and faithful Christian.  He will be greatly missed in his family, his neighborhood and his church.  His life was one the usefulness of which will not end with his death, but will remain as an inspiration for good for years to come to those who knew him.

     While leaving to the members of his family only a moderate earthly estate, he has left to them a far more priceless heritage --- the heritage of a spotless name.  Now that his life work is ended, his loved one may well say of him:---

     "Servant of God well done, Rest from thy loved employ, The  battle's fought, the victory's won, Enter thy Master's joy."

     Respectfully, R. D. Thompson

Transcribed by Martha Shields Thayer

Certificate of Death

Name of deceased: Frank (nnm) Shields

Sex: Male

Date of death: ----

Race: white

Date of birth: 9-27-1853

Married

Birthplace: –

Occupation: Farmer

Kind of Business: Farming

Residence: Texas

County: Hunt

City or Town: Campbell

Signature of Informant: W. P. Dunbar

Immediate cause: Brights Disease [kidney failure- typically happens with heart failure, he had an enlarged heart and the family has always stated he died of heart failure]

Burial: Sodom Cemetery (now called Prairie Valley)

Location: Texas

Signature of Funeral Director or person acting as such: Jim Simpson

Registrar's File No. 2115

Date Recorded by local registrar: 12-7-1910

Certified Copy: State of Texas, County of Hunt

I, Mrs. Bloom Johnson, County Clerk of the aforesaid County and State do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the Death Record of Frank Shields

Recorded on 21/5/11 Hunt County Death Records

Given under my hand this 25 day of August, 81

by Jo Ann Spoonemore

My grandfather was in business with a preacher, whom he unfortunately trusted.  They were partners in a Grocery Store.  After my grandfather, Frank Shields, Giant died, my grandmother Achsah attempted to collect their share of the accounts which were unpaid.  As she called on each debtor, she learned the preacher had already collected all the unpaid accounts.  She never saw a cent from him.  My father, Howard Shields remembered her sitting in front of the fire place throwing the bills into the fire and stating  "they are not worth the paper they are written on."

Jim Simpson made the custom wooden coffin for my grandfather's burial as his height required it.  My grandmother, Achsah Anna Ross contracted Simpson to build the coffin.  She met Simpson and 4 years later she married him.  She was my grandfather's third wife and Simpson's third wife.

Martha

SHIELDS FAMILY SETS REUNION

May 8, 1960

     The sons and daughters of the late Frank and Achsah Ross Shields are holding a reunion this weekend at the Prairie Valley Baptist Church southeast of Greenville near Campbell.

     The is the first time in 35 years the nine Shields brothers and sisters have been together.  All attended the memorial service of the Sodom cemetery on Saturday May 7 and church services Sunday, May 8.

     The Shields children attending are Mr. and Mrs. George Shippey of Chula Vista, Calif.; Andrew Shields of Point; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shields of Moab, Utah; Mrs. Gertie Bonner of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Mr. and Mrs. Forest Shanks of Woodson, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Richardson of Raymondville; Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson Shields of Gardner, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Shields of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Mr. and Mrs. James Shields of Fort Worth.

     OTHER RELATIVES:

     Other relatives attending are Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Purcell of Portland, Oregon; Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Holman and family of Mesquite; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Morris of Amarillo; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Morris of Lubbock; Miss Edna Mae Spinks of Pampa; Aubrey Spinks of Borger; Mrs. Roger Malone and three sons of Wichita Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Boone of Dallas; Mrs. Richard Perkins of Kingsville, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Scarbrough of Hico; Mrs. and Mrs. Elmer Simpson of Waco; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Spinks of Terrell; Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Murdock of Sherman; Mrs. Harris Lewis and children, Borger, Curtis Spinks of Dumas; and Mr. and Mrs. Cullen Shanks of Frederick, Oklahoma.

     PIONEER

     Frank Shields was a prominent pioneer in the Greenville area. Franks was one of the four Shields brothers who traveled with Ringling Bros. (NO!Mt) Barnum and Bailey Circus, billed as "Texas Giants."

     Those attending the reunion are guest of Mrs. J. E. Harper of the Greenville Courts, 4106 Oneal Street.

     Clipping from Gertie Shields Bonner collection. Mt

The Shields Giants toured with the Barnum and London United Shows

they were billed as THE TEXAS GIANTS- The Shields Brothers, Frank, Gus, George and Shade, as listed on the billing schedule for the show.  The photograph of the Giants with the tall hats, like hats worn by drum major is the photo including George.

George substituted whenever a Giant could not appear Aunt Hattie has him as George Sturges.

The Shields Brothers - the Texas Giants

http://www.sideshowworld.com/atsShields.html

Site by Jack Robinson

Text and photos are posted.

More About JOHN "FRANK" SHIELDS:

Burial: November 08, 1910, Prairie Valley Cemetery, Hunt County, Texas

Cause of Death: Heart Disease

Medical Information: death certificate has Brights Disease which is kidney failure which occurs with a heart attack.  He had an enlarged heart.

Nationality: Scots-Irish, Scottish

Occupation: Bet. 1868 - 1899, "Texas Giant", with PT Barnum, grocery store co-owner, farmer

Religion: Baptist

Residence: 1868, from Pike County, Alabama to Hunt County, Texas

Notes for LAURA SEDORA BOLTON:

Her gravestone has Dec. 20th, Weldon has Dec. 21, Webb Hill Cemetery, Hunt County, Texas.  Weldon in his text on the Bolton family says she died of pneumonia.  Aunt Hattie's records indicated she died from the complications of child birth. Mt

More About LAURA SEDORA BOLTON:

Burial: Webb Hill Cemetery, near Whiterock, Texas

Cause of Death: Complication due to child birth

Notes for FANNIE ANGELINA PEOPLES:

Please note: Weldon Shields' book has her name as Peeples.  It is Peoples as per her marriage record and information on the back of photographs which were owned by Hattie Shields Shanks. Mt

Shields Cemetery (old home place of John Franklin & Penelope Anderson Shields)

Private: Located E. of Kingston

Shields, F. A. 7-1852 1-25-1883

Shields, Pearl 7-28-1881 7-24-1883

More About FANNIE ANGELINA PEOPLES:

Burial: The old Shields homeplace at Fairlie, Hunt County, Texas

Cause of Death: Small pox

Notes for ACHSAH ANNA ROSS:

Weldon has 1886 as her birth year, this is wrong.  She was born in 1866.

This census is in error on the last name of the children, they are all SHIELDS, Achsah & James Simpson did not produce any children. Martha Shields Thayer

Year: 1920 Simpson, James M   Age: 66

  Birthplace: Texas Roll:  T625_1820 (#3)

  Race: White Page:  2A

  State: Texas ED:  121

  County: Hunt Image:  520

  Township: Campbell

January 3, 1920

FM 19/19 Simpson, James M. head owns mw 66 married reads & writes Texas Tennessee Virginia speaks English farmer general farm

Page 3 (#4)

     Axer A. wife fw 59 reads & writes Alabama Alabama Alabama speaks English none

The following children are listed under Simpson but their surname is SHIELDS

     Andrew R. son mw 25 s reads & writes Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English laborer home farm

     Gerdie daughter fw 21 s reads & writes Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English

     Hattie daughter fw 19 s attended school within the year reads & writes  Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English

     Susie daughter fw 17 s attended school within the year reads & writes  Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English

     Sanderson son mw 15 s attended school within the year reads & writes Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English

     Howard son mw 13 s attended school within the year reads & writes Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English

     James C. son mw 11 s attended school within the year reads & writes Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English

     Jack son mw 8 s attended school within the year reads & writes Texas Alabama Alabama speaks English

Weldon spells her name Achasah or Achask proper spelling of her name is Achsah, a Biblical name.

CERTIFICATE OF DEATH

Achroh Anna Simpson

(this is an error as her name was Achsah Anna Ross Shields Simpson)

Sex: Female

Death Date: 7-30-1927

White

Place of death: Hunt

Town: Campbell

Married

Birthplace: Oklahoma (this is wrong she was born in Marengo County, Alabama).

{My aunt Hattie thought Simpson put Oklahoma as it was the place his birth and one of his previous wives.}

Citizen: USA

Surviving spouse: J. M. Simpson

Occupation: Housekeeper

Business: Home

Residence: Texas

County: Hunt

Town: Campbell

Father's name: Robert Andrew Ross

Mother's maiden name: Martha Updike (wrong, her mother was Matilda Caroline Updike)

Signature of Informant: J. M. Simpson

Immediate cause: Umbilical Hernia

Attending Physician: J. S. Stidham

Burial

7-31-1927

Conney Cemetery

(She is buried at Prairie Valley Cemetery between her two husbands under the name of A. A. Simpson)

Registrar file no. 269

Dated recorded by local registrar: 9-19-1927

Funeral director: Stringer & Sons

Transcribed from a copy of the original document: Martha Thayer

A. A. Ross married John Frank Shields in Hunt County, Texas on 18 Dec. 1844, Book D, Pg. 441, Hunt Co., TX.  John Frank Shields died on Nov. 7, 1910, Hunt County, Texas.  A. A. Shields married James Matthew Simpson on Sept 13, 1914, Book R, Pg. 287, Hunt Co., Texas Hunt County, Texas (NO ISSUE).  Achsah Anna Ross is the daughter of Matilda Carolina Updike and Robert Andrew Ross. She willed her share of the estate at the insistence and persistence of Simpson.  She  did not will her deceased husband's interest in the estate.  Thereby, leaving the estate to James Matthew Simpson for his lifetime, thereafter the estate was distributed to the children of Achsah Anna Ross and John "Frank" Shields, Texas Giant.  She is buried under the name of A. A. Simpson between her two husbands.  Her children paid for Simpson's burial and gravestone.  Simpson was hated by her sons.

Martha Ann Shields Thayer, granddaughter of Achsah and Frank Shields.

HANDWRITTEN WILL OF ACHSAH ANNA (ROSS SHIELDS) SIMPSON

Will of Achsah A. Simpson #3017

Filed Aug 4, 1927

Mrs. J. C. Alexander, Clerk County Court, Hunt Co., Texas by W. M. Henly, Deputy Z-373

STATE OF TEXAS

COUNTY OF HUNT

     I, Achsah A. Simpson of the County of Hunt and State of Texas being of sound and disposing mind and memory and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs while I have strength to do so, do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking any other will I may heretofore have made.

     It is my will and desire that all of the property both real and personal I may died seized and possessed of shall have? to and vest in fee simple to my beloved husband J. M. Simpson during his natural life and I hereby give bequeath and demise to my husband J. M. Simpson all the property I may own or be interested in at the time of my death to manage and control as he may see proper during his natural life and at his death to be distributed to our natural heirs.

     In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand this the 27 day of July A. D. 1926

               Achsah A. Simpson

Signed declared and published by Achsah A. Simpson as her last will and testament in the presence of us the attesting witnesses who have hereto subscribed our names in the presence of said Achsah A. Simpson at her special instance and request this the 27th day of July 1925.

               J. T. Yancey             R. E. McFadden

(Original) No. 3017 Estate of Achsah Simpson, deceased.

Notice of Application for PROBATE OF WILL

Issue 4th day of Aug, 1927

Mrs. J. C. Alexander, Clerk County Court, Hunt County, Texas by W. M. Henly, Deputy

Came to hand on 4th day of Aug. 1927 and executed on 4th day of Aug. 1927 by posting a true copy of this Write in three of the most public places in Hunt County, Texas one of which was the Court House door, and one at Campbell and one at Lone Oak Z-371, W. W. Waid, Sheriff, Hunt County, Texas by D. H. Ross Deputy, Fee 3.00

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR PROBATE OF WILL

The State of Texas

     To the Sheriff and any Constable of Hunt County -GREETING.

     YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to cause to be posted (for ten days, exclusive of the day of posting before the return day hereof) in three of the most public places in Hunt County, one of which shall be the Court House Door, and no two of which shall be in the same city or town, copies of the following notice:

          THE STATE OF TEXAS

To all Person Interested in the Estate of Mrs. Achsah Simpson, deceased: Know Ye; that J. M. Simpson, has filed in the County Court of Hunt County, an application for the Probate of the Last Will and Testament of said Mrs. Achsah Simpson, Deceased, filed with said application, and for Letters Testamentary, which will be heard at the next Term of said Court, commencing the First Monday in September, A. D., 1927, at the Court House thereof, in the City of Greenville, at which time all persons interested in said Estate may appear and contest said application, should they desire to do so.

     Given under my hand and seal of said Court, this the 4th day of August, A. D. 1927

     Mrs. J. C. Alexander, Clerk County Court, Hunt County, Texas by Wm. Henly, Deputy

I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original Citation now in my hand.

     W. W. Waid, Sheriff, Hunt County Texas by D. H. Ross, Deputy

APPLICATION FOR THE PROBATE OF THE WILL

The State of Texas} In the County Court of Hunt County,

County of Hunt}      Texas, September, Term, A. D., 1927;

     TO THE HON. N. E. PEAK, COUNTY JUDGE.

     Now comes your petitioner J. M. Simpson, and respectfully shows to the Court that he Resides in the County of Hunt and State of Texas, that Achsah A. Simpson, is dead that she died on or about the 30th day of July, 1927, at her home near Campbell, Texas, that at the time of her death she was a resident of the County of Hunt and State of Texas,

     That at the time of her death she was seized and possessed of an estate both real and personal of the probable value of $______ and left a written Will, duly executed and herewith filed, in which your petitioner is the beneficiary,

     That your petitioner is not disqualified by law from accepting letters testamentary,

     Wherefore your petitioner prays the Court that citation issue to all parties interested in said Estate as required by law that said Will be admitted to probate, and for such other and further orders as the Court may seem proper.

     J. M. Simpson, Applicant,

No. 3017 Estate of Achsah A. Simpson, deceased Proof of Will

     Filed Sept. 8th 1927 <sic> Z-372

     PROOF OF WILL

Estate of Achsah A. Simpson, Deceased

In County Court, Hunt County, Texas September Term, A.D. 1927

     On the 8th day of September A. D. 1927 personally appeared in open court J. T. Yancey who being duly sworn, deposes and says that on the 27th of July A. D., 1925, he was present and saw Achsah A. Simpson sign the instrument filed in this court on the 4th day of August A. D. 1927 and now shown to him, bearing date of 27th Day of July A. D., 1925 and purporting to be the last will of said Achsah A. Simpson and heard her publish and declare the same to be her last will and testament; that at the time of signing and publishing the same, the said Achsah A. Simpson was over twenty-one years of age, and of sound mind; that this affiant, and R. E. McFadden whose signature appears on said instrument, on said 27th day of July A. D. 1925, then and there being credible witnesses, and each above the age of fourteen years subscribed their names as witnesses to the same, in the presence and at the request of said testate six, and in the presence of each other.  That afterwards, on or about the 30th day of July A. D. 1927 said Achsah A. Simpson died in said County of Hunt in which she had her domicile, at and before her death, and without revoking said will, so far as known to affiant.

     J. T. Yancey

Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court before me this 8th day of September A D. 1927

     Mrs. J. C. Alexander, Clerk, County Court, Hunt County, Texas

     by W. M. Henly, Deputy

THE STATE OF TEXAS} IN THE COUNTY COURT OF SAID COUNTY;

COUNTY OF HUNT      } September Term 1927

In the matter of the Estate of Achsah A. Simpson, Deceased.

     The following is a full and true Inventory and Appraisement of all the Estate, both Real and personal, of Achsah A. Simpson, deceased, which has come to the possession or knowledge of the undersigned, J. M. Simpson, Executor of the said Estate.

REAL ESTATE

No.            Separate Property of Deceased      Appraised Value

1st  One Hundred and Seventy Acres of land 100 acres of which

     is in the Richard Brown survey and 60 acres in the Denton

     Survey less 52 ½ acres out of the said Brown survey which belongs

     to the heirs of Frank Shields Deceased, leaving as the Estate of

     Achsah A. Simpson a one half interest in 177 ½ acres of the land

     above described, valued at.                            $2650.00

2nd  Seven Mules and one horse of the probable value of 200.00

3rd  Five head of Cattle of the value of 162.50

4th  7 hogs of the value of                                150.00

5th  Household & kitchen furniture of the value of 100.00

Total Amount of Estate ½                               $3062.56

Less one half of the following

     Funeral Expenses                   $217.80

     Greenville Hardware Co.                82.50

     Cumby Hardware Co.                85.00

     Dr. Ed Becton                          25.00

     Druiep? At McNots Dnigsterr              5.50

     Bank Note                       197.00

One Half Total                      $612.50        $306.25

Total Net Estate                                       $2756.25

Dated at Campbell, Texas this 12th day of September, 1927.

     J. M. Simpson, Executor of the Estate of Achsah A. Simpson, Deceased.

     We, the undersigned appraisers, do hereby certify that, pursuant to a warrant under an order of your Court to us directed, we have appraised all the property described and mentioned in the above inventory, which has been to us exhibited, setting down opposite to each item in said inventory, in figures, the value thereof in money, as by us determined.

     Date this 12th day of September, 1927

Subscribed and sworn this 12th day of September}  F. R. Ridley }

A. D. 1927 H. A. Blackburn, Notary Public Hunt}   J. T. Yancey} Appraisers.

Hunt Co. Tex.

The State of Texas}

County of Hunt     }     J. M. Simpson

being duly sworn, on oath that ...he is the Executor of the estate of Achsah A. Simpson, deceased, which have come to his possession or knowledge and that upon diligent inquiry he has not been able to discover any other property belonging tot he estate of said deceased.

Subscribed and sworn to this 12 day of   }

September A. D. 1927.  H. A. Blackburn}      J. M. Simpson

Notary Public Hunt County, Texas

No. 3017 in County Court, County of Hunt in the matter of the estate of

     Achsah A. Simpson, deceased.

General Inventory

Filed September 13, 1927

Mrs. J. C. Alexander Clerk County Court, Hunt Co., Texas by W. M. Henley, Deputy Z-373

ADMINISTRATOR'S BOND

The State of Texas}           In the County Court

County of Hunt     }               September Term 1927

Know all men by these presents: That we, J. M. Simpson as Principal and as Sureties, are held and firmly bound unto N. E. Peak County Judge of Hunt County, and his successors in office in the sum of Two Thousand & NO/100 dollars, for the payment of which, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, firmly by these presents.

     Singed with our hands, this 13th day of September A. D. 1927

THE CONDITION OF THIS OBLIGATION IS SUCH, That whereas the above bounden J. M. Simpson has been appoint Executor of the Estate of Achsah A. Simpson, Deceased.

     Now, if the said J. M. Simpson shall faithfully discharge the duties of Executor of the Estate of Achsah A. Simpson, Deceased required of him by law under said appointment, then this obligation shall be null and void; otherwise to remain in full force and affect.

Approved this 24th day of Sept. }

A. D. 1927             }  J. M. Simpson

Union Indemnity Company

N. E. Peak                    By J. M. Murry? Mussey?

County Judge of Hunt Co., Texas}        Agent & Attorney in fact

                              Attest: W. N. Miller

               OATH

     I do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully perform and discharge all the duties, as prescribed by law, of Administrator of the Estate of Achsah a. Simpson, deceased tot he best of my ability.

                         J. M. Simpson

Sworn and subscribed before me, the 13th day of September A. D. 1927

     Mrs. J. C. Alexander, County Clerk Hunt County, Texas

     by W. M. Henly Deputy

Filed September 24, 1927

STATE OF TEXAS}

County of Hunt       }

TO THE SHERIFF OR ANY CONSTABLE OF HUNT CO., TEXAS

          WHEREAS, it has been made known to me, T. D. Starnes, County Judge of Hunt County, Texas, that the Union Indemnity Company, of New Orleans surety upon the Bond of J. M. Simpson, is insolvent and now in the hands of a Receiver, and that under the provisions of the Statutes of the State of Texas, said J. M. Simpson, should be required as such Executor, to give a new Bond;

          THEREFORE you are hereby commanded to summon the said J. M. Simpson, to be and appear before the County Court of Hunt County, Texas, at the Court House thereof in Greenville, Texas, instant, and give a new bond as such.

          And you will deliver to the said J. M. Simpson in person a true copy of this Citation.

          Herein fail not, but have you before this said Court this Write, with your return thereon, showing how you have executed the same.

          Given under my hand and seal of office, this the 21 day of March, A. D. 1933.

A. G. Cox, Clerk, County Court, Hunt County, Texas

by T. J. O'Neal, Deputy

     SHERIFF'S RETURN:

     Came to hand on the __day of March A. D. 1933, and executed on the 22 day of March, 1933, by delivering to the within named J. M. Simpson, in person, a true copy of this Citation: N

FEES: Serving  $1.00

Mileage: 18 miles   $1.35

Total               $2.35

                         D. M. Newton, Sheriff by V. Z Delany, Deputy

There was no disposition of the above matter in the estate file. Mt

Transcribed from copies of the original documents housed in the Greenville, Hunt County Court House by Martha Thayer

James Matthew Simpson Estate

The following matter concerns the Achsah Ross Shields Simpson's estate which was returned to her children after Simpson's death.  Uncle Andrew was executor. Mt

No. 3600 Notice in Probate in the County Court of Hunt County, Estate of J. M. Simpson, deceased.  Issued 25th September, 1935

     Hollis Cathey, Clerk by Thos. J. O'Neal, Deputy.

     32/97 FILED Sept. 25, 1935

No. 3600

          NOTICE IN PROBATE THE STATE OF TEXAS

To the Sheriff or any Constable of Hunt County------Greeting:

     You are hereby commanded to cause to be posted for ten days, exclusive of the day of posting, before the return day hereof, at the Court House doors, in Greenville, Hunt County, a copy of the following notice:

     THE STATE OF TEXAS,

     To all person interested in the welfare and estate of J. M. Simpson, Deceased.  Know Ye, That, A. R. Shields (Andrew Ross Shields), Administrator, has filed in the County Court of Hunt County, his Annual, Account, showing the condition of the Estate of said J. M. Simpson, deceased.

     And that said Account will be acted upon by said Court on Monday 7th day of October A. D. 1835, at the Court House hereof, in Greenville, Texas, at which time all persons interested in the welfare of said estate, may appear and contest said Account, if they see proper to do so.

     Herein Fail Not, but have you this writ before the said court at the time aforesaid with your return thereon, showing how you have executed the same.

     Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, at office in Greenville, Texas, this the 25th day of September, A. D. 1935.

     Hollis Cathey, Clerk, County Court Hunt County, Texas by Thos. D. O'Neal, Deputy

SHERIFF's RETURN

Came to hand on the 25th day of September A. D. 1935 at ____o'clock___M and executed on the 25 day of Sept. A. d. 1935 by posting a copy of the within citation for ten days, exclusive of the day of posting, before the return day thereof, at the Court House Door at Hunt County, Texas.

FEES:                }   D. M. Newton, Sheriff

Posting Citation-$1.00}  Hunt County, Texas

Mileage------------$1.00}     by V. L. Delany Deputy

FINAL ACCOUNT OF ADMINISTRATOR.

ESTATE OF J. M. Simpson, Deceased.  In County Court of Hunt County, Texas. April 14, 1947

TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM C. PARKER, COUNTY JUDGE:

     Now comes, A. R. Shields, Administrator of the Estate of J. M. Simpson, Deceased, and respectfully herewith presents his final account with said estate, as follows, to wit:

1.        March 13, 1839, there was a balance on deposit in Greenville National Exchange

Bank to the credit of J. M. Simpson Estate, A. R. Shields, Administrator the sum of ....$199.67

on which date said A. R. Shields made an account to this court to which account reference is here made for all previous collections and expenditures.

               From March 13th, 1839 to April 14th, 1947, the sum of ----------------$1870.67

was collected by this Administrator from rents and revenues from the 170 acres of land owned by said estate, and which rents and revenues are deposited in the Greenville National Exchange Bank, Greenville, Texas, to the credit of said estate, as fully set out and shown on bank Statements herewith filed, to which reference is here made for the amount and dates of each individual deposit. TOTAL--------------------------------------------------------$1990.34

Collected during said period.

2.        Administrator has paid out said rents and revenues in the following manner, from

March 13, 1939, to April 14th, 1947, in accordance with canceled checks and bank statements herewith filed:

                         Page 2

From March 13, 1939, to January 20th, 1940, said Administrator paid out for tax, upkeep, and payment made to the heirs of said estate in accordance with their respective interest in said estate, as advancements, after expenses of estate was paid, the sum of ----------------$381.75

The cancelled checks and bank statements showing each check making up said amount have been misplace, but the above amount was obtained from the copy of said bank statement, which was retained by the Greenville National Exchange Bank, and adding matching list is filed herewith the other cancelled checks and bank statements, for reference.

January 20, 1940, Sanderson Shields, for post for fence          $10.00

February 27th, 1940, Hull Hardware Company, for water pipe      3.48

February 24th, 1940, J. W. Callis, for call                       . 75

Feb. 23, 1940, H. Conrad's Cotton Breeder for cotton seed          13.20

March 2, 1940, G. S. Berry for Staples                     1.00

March we, 1940, W. R. Ting, hegari seed                    1.29

March 25, 1940, C. T. Belew, for threshing cane seed              .72

April 8, 1940, G. S. Berry, for cane seed                     10.60

April 23, 1940, Leo Haynes, for hegari seed                     1.05

April 25, 1940 G. S. Berry, for stapes                       . 65

April 16, 1940, S. L. Lytton, for horse collar                       1.65

May 18th, 1940, G. S. Berry, for oats                           3.50

June 8th, 1940, J. Benton Morgan, for annual account            2.50

June 19th, 1940, G. S. Berry, for barb wire                     7.50

July 22, 1940, G. S.  Berry, for baling wire                    4.50

August 26, 1940, Elliott's Store, for binder twine                   1.50

Sept. 3, 1940, Estle E. Simpson, feed cutting                   6.25

October 5, 1940, C. T. Belew, for threshing                     2.50

Nov. 15, 1940, Hull Hardware Co., for plow point                2.70

December 31, 1940, Curt Samples, county & State Tax for 1940       30.53

Jan 25, 1941, Estle E. Simpson, cutting sorghum                3.00

                         Advancement to Heirs:                   February 26, 1941, Varina Freiberger [Varina Shields Freiberger]     40.00

Feb. 16, 1941, A. R. Shields                            40.00

Feb. 28, 1941, J. C. Shields [James Cullen Shields]               40.00

March 19, 1941, J. W. Bonner [husband of Gertie Ray Shields]      20.00

March 19, 1941, W. E. Richardson [husband of Susie Eva Shields]   20.00

March 19, 1941, H. D. Shields [Duren "Howard" Shields]       20.00

March 19, 1941, J. B. Morris [husband of Laura Achsah Shields]    20.00

March 19, 1941, R. E. Spinks [widower of Ethel Edna Shields]      20.00

March 19, 1941, Virgie Shippey [Virgie Matilda Shields Shippey]   20.00

April 10, 1941, G. S. Berry, sorghum seed                      8.75

April 7th, 1941, Jack Shields Advancement to heir            20.00

April 25, 1941, Threadway Brothers, for seed              1.25

July 1th?, 1941, G. S. Berry, bailing wire                     3.30

August 25, 1941, J. S. Craig, for poison                        .81

September 15, 1941, G. S. Berry, for hegari seed              1.53

November 24, 1941, Bill Green, 1941 Co. & State tax          29.95

                         Advancement to Heirs:

Feb. 20, 1942, James Shields                            40.00

Feb. 20, 1942 A. R. Shields                             40.00

March 3, 1942, J. B. Morris                             20.00

March 5, 1942, Virgie Shippey                      20.00

March 6, 1942, W. E. Richardson                         20.00

March 7, 1942 Varina Freiberger                         40.00

March 7, 1942, Aubrey Spinks [son of dec'd Ethel Edna Shields]    20.00

March 19, 1942, H. D. Shields {D. H.}                   20.00

March 19, 1942, Gertie Bonner [Gertie Ray Shields Bonner]    20.00

March 23, 1942, Jack Shields                       20.00

April 20, 1942, Hull Hardware Company, wind mill parts          . 75

April 20, 1942, Hull Hardware Company, nails             1.00

October 29th, 1942, Co. Tax Collector, 1942 Tax             29.11

July 17th, 1942, Dail Morris, Hay bailing                   19.55

October 2, 1943, J. W.  (Bill) Green Co. Tax, 1943               28.72

October 23, 1943, Guaranty Abstract co., prepare Abstract        20.50

January 15, 1944, H. B. earl, government check              11.25

                    Advancement to heirs

February 27, 1944, A. R. Shields                       40.00

February 27, 1944, Varina Freiberger                   40.00

Feb. 11, 1944, H. D. Shields {D. H.}                        20.00

Feb. 11, 1944, Virgie M. Shippey                       20.00

Feb. 11, 1944, J. B. Morris                            20.00

Feb. 11, 1944, J. W. Bonner                            20.00

Feb. 11, 1944, W. E. Richardson                        20.00

Feb. 26, 1944, Edna May Spinks [daughter of Ethel Edna, dec'd]   20.00

Feb. 11, 1944, Jack Shields                            20.00

July 19, 1944, Arley Bryant,                           26.80

Sept. 25, 1944, Ferney Southall, for water tank             40.00

October 17th, 1944, Bill Green, County Tax 1944             35.72

August 4, 1945, F. F. Fry, hay bailing                 22.20

October 29, 1945 Roy Edwards, County Tax 1945               31.32

March 29, 1946, Guaranty Abstract Co., supplemental abst.     5.00

July 6, 1946, J. Benton Morgan, preparing deed                5.00

July 9th, 1946, Citizens National Bank, Rev. stamps on deed   7.70

November 18th, 1946, Roy Edwards, Co. Tax for 1946          31.86

March 15, 1947, J. Benton Morgan, prepare annual acct.      10.00

               Advancement to heirs

March 7, 1947, Varina Freiberger                       56.75

March 17, 1947, A. R. Shields                     85.27

March 17, 1947, J. C. Shields                     75.28

March 17, 1947, W. E. Richardson                       28.29

March 17, 1947 Aubrey Spinks                      28.39

March 17, 1947, J. W. Bonner                      28.39

March 17, 1947, Virgie Shippey                         28.39

March 17, 1947, D. H. Shields                     28.29

     TOTAL: amount paid out:                        $1990.14

April 14th, 1947, balance on deposit in Greenville

     National Exchange Bank, Greenville, Texas

     in account of J. M. Simpson Estate -

     A. R. Shields- Administrator -                    $  . 20

Cancelled checks, and Bank Statements 1, 2, 3, and 4 are filed herewith, to which reference; is here made for this apart as above set out.

3.   The debts and expenses still owing by said Estate are as follows to-wit:

None-other than expense of closing Estate - Costs due the County Clerk therefor -- the exact amount cannot be determined at this time.

4.   The following property belonging to said estate still remains on hand: NONE

     (In the way of explanation, as to the disposition of the 170 acres of land belonging to the said estate - on July 9th, 1946, said land was sold to Lawrence H. Burden, and wife Leola T. Burden, at the sum of $40.00 per acres, a total consideration of $6800.00, which $6800.00 was paid to each heir in accordance with their respective interest in said land, by a cashier check of the purchasers of said land, as said land was sold not through this administrations, but by deed from all of the heirs to the purchasers.

     The names of the heirs and the mount they received in said sale of said land are as follows:

     A. R. Shields 3/13ths interest and received       $1569.22

          (He owned 1/13th interest in his own right, and he has purchased the interest of Frank Shields of 1/13th interest, and the 1/13th interest of Laura Morris.)

     Varina Freiberger, 2/13ths interest and received  $1046.15

          (She owned 1/13th interest in her own right and had purchased the interest of Sanderson Shields.)

     James Shields 2/13th interest and received        $1046.15

          (He owned 1/13th interest in his own right and had purchased the interest of Hattie Shanks.)

     Mrs. V. M. Shippey, 1/13ths interest and received $ 523.08

     Gertie Bonner, 1/13th interest and received       $ 523.08

     H. D. {D. H.} Shields, 1/13th interest and received    $ 523.08

     Susie Richardson, 1/13th interest and received    $ 523.08

     Jack Shields, 1/13th interest and received        $ 523.08

As herein before stated this $6800.00 did not go through the hands of this Administrator, but was paid to each heir by Cashier's check of the Citizen National Bank, Greenville, Texas, the purchasers having placed said money in the hands of said Bank to distribute to the owners of the land.)

5.   There remains no property on hands, and the paragraph next above gives the names of the persons entitled to receive said estate, had there been any left on hands.  Said heirs have received their interest in accordance with their respective interest therein, in the rents and revenues on hands at various times during this administration, as fully set out in this account filed herein.

6.   The following advancements or payments have been made by me, as Administrator, from said estate:

          Reference is here made to itemized list of amounts paid out herein above given, as well as to previous accounts filed in this administration to such advancements so made.

7.   I herewith present proper vouchers in support of such item of this account, and ask that this account, and said vouchers be filed with the clerk of this court.

     Wherefore, A. R. Shields, Administrator of the Estate of J. M. Simpson, deceased ask that this account be filed, that due notice issue of his filing thereof as required by law, and that this account be approved, and that he be discharged from his trust, as there is no property on hands, an

More About ACHSAH ANNA ROSS:

Burial: July 31, 1927, A. A. Simpson, between her husbands, Prairie Valley Cemetery, Hunt County, Texas

Cause of Death: Surgery

Education: Attended boarding school

Nationality: Scottish- English- Dutch- Welsh

Occupation: Homemaker, Rep. for Woodman of the World

Religion: Baptist, formerly Presbyterian

Marriage Notes for JOHN SHIELDS and ACHSAH ROSS:

Weldon has they were married on the 19th of Dec. 1884.

A. A. {Achsah Anna} to Shields, J. F. 18 Dec 1884, b. D, p. 441

SHIELDS, J. F.

  Spouse: ROSS, A. A. Marriage Date: 18 Dec 1884

  County: Hunt State: TX

               viii.    SHADRICK ARCHIBALD "SHADE" "CAPTAIN" SHIELDS, b. December 01, 1855, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. January 01, 1938, Hornersville, Kennett County, Missouri; m. (1) CHRISTIANA DOROTHEA "RUTH" "ANNIE O'BRIAN" DUNZ, Abt. 1889, New York City, New York; b. January 05, 1862, Weinsberg, Wuttember, Germany; d. Bef. 1902, Cleveland, Ohio m. (2) "LIZZIE" ELIZABETH REBECCA KIMBROUGH, Aft. 1903, Hornersville, Kennett County, Missouri; b. February 17, 1865, Tennessee; d. Bet. January 24, 1938 - January 24, 1939, Hornersville, Kennett County, Missouri.

Notes for SHADRICK ARCHIBALD "SHADE" "CAPTAIN" SHIELDS:

I could not find him on the 1900 index.

1910 Dunklin County, Missouri

Clay Township

Hornersville Town

ED# 62

Page 57 sheet 10B

April 29, 1910

111/115 Shields, Shade A. head mw 54 m2 7 yrs. Texas US US farmer

     Elizabeth wife fw 45 m2 7 yrs. children 4 living 1 Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee

     Shade son mw 19 Texas Texas Texas

     Paul son mw 15 Texas Texas Texas

Kimbro, Willie hired hand wm 21 Missouri Tennessee Arkansas laborer farm

Shaw, Finnie servant fw 21 Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee housework general

living next door to Alfred Parsons

1920 Dunklin County, Missouri

Hornersville

Township: Clay

Page: 27

January 14, 1920

2/2 Shields, Shadrick A. head owns mw 65 married Alabama Georgia Georgia farmer

     Rebecca wife fw 55 married Missouri Tennessee Tennessee

     Paul son mw 24 attended school Texas Alabama Germany German laborer home farm

1930 Dunklin County, Missouri

Town of Hornersville, ED 4

Township: Clay

Page 48A (#9)

April 4, 1930

128/131 Shields, Shade head owns 1000 mw 74 married age 33 Alabama Georgia Georgia Mayor City Manager

     Lizzie wife wf 68 married age 18 Missouri Tennessee Tennessee

Kennett, Missouri graveyard: Uncle Shade, Shade Shields, his son, Alfred Parsons his step-son, and Major Ray his friend.

Double gravestone photo from the collection of Howard Shields:

     SHIELDS

ELIZABETH SHADRICK

Feb. 17, 1885  Dec. 1, 1855

Jan. 24, 1939  Jan. 1, 1939

She has to be born in 1865 rather than 1855, this is the date I will use.

Hornersville, Dunklin, Missouri

Texas Giants by Weldon Shields, 1972

(The following contains erroneous information.   Weldon's published statement are followed with corrections. Martha)

Shadrack A. (Shade) Shields 1860-1939

Shade Shields, b. December 1, 1860; d. January 1, 1939, was the last son to be born to John Franklin and Penelope Anderson Shields.  He was the smallest of the "Texas Giants".  He was 7' 8" when he was eighteen and he was the last of his family to pass away.  He was the only one of the Giants I ever saw.  He visited us in Greenville in 1931.  Around 1880, he married Annie O'Brian, a giantess who was born in Ireland.

They had three children:

S. H. "Shade" Shields b. September 6, 1890 d. April 3, 1924.  He was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, died in Dunklin County, Missouri in Hornersville, and buried in Dunklin County.

Paul Shields (no record)

A daughter (no record)

Shade lived around Greenville, White Rock, and Kingston, Texas in his youth.  He belonged to the Pleasant View Baptist Church of White Rock, Texas, later to became the White Rock Baptist in 1901.

Years back, Shade was with Barnum and Bailey through 1888.  Then he and wife were with Sell Forepaugh Circus which was Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.  They were also with John Robinson Shows.  Shade and Annie O'Brian Shields left the circus in the early 1890's and moved to Greenville, Texas, and lived on Johnson Street.  People would stop and watch them hang their window shades.

We are confused about his marriages.  One wife died up North when he was in the circus and one died in 1902 in Greenville.  His second wife was Ruth Parsons.  Shade's third wife was Elizabeth Bone, who shares his Grave site.  One of Shade's wives is buried in or near Ladonia, Texas in an unmarked grave.  I have found in some old papers of my mother's, in her handwriting, that Shade and Annie O'Brian Shields are the parents of young Shade and Paul.

While in Greenville, Shade Shields and his brother, Jack Shields ran a saloon East of the northeast corner of the Courthouse Square. (My dad told me this.)  Running a saloon was no more than running a grocery store in those day.

Shade moved to Hornersville, Missouri, where he was Mayor and Justice of the Peace for two terms.  Shade spent most of his last days going up and down the St. Francis River in Missouri, by boat, with Major Ray,  a midget and a great friend of the Texas Giants.  He was in the Barnum and Bailey Circus with them.  Major Ray, thirty six-inches tall, and his wife, were known as the "smallest couple in the world."  Shade was rather stooped in his last days.  He is buried in Kennett, Missouri, just north of Hornersville.  His tombstone reads "Born 1855, died 1939." however, the Pike County, Alabama census shows his birthday to be 1860.  He was one year younger than Jack Shields, who was born in 1859.  Shade Shields was a true circus performer and loved this life.

by Weldon Shields

----------------------------------

SHIELDS' SALOON, SHADE

 GREENVILLE MESSENGER, FRI, 6 JAN 1899, : 3

 A SERIOUS ROW (IN THE REAR OF SHADE SHIELDS' SALOON)

from JustJohn

------------------------

Weldon has a birth date of December 1, 1860.  All other records have Dec. 1,  1855, including Shade letter to Uncle Frank in which he refers to his age. Weldon states that Shade is  the youngest and refers to the census records, however, all the census records have him 2 to 3 years older than Jack.  Martha Thayer

1860 Pike County Western Division

Page 146 Orion Post Office

#975 SHIELDS, John F.  45

Shadrack A. 3, Ala

Jack R. 1, Ala

Hunt County, Texas 1870

29/29 Farmer ($1400-465)

SHIELDS, Jno. F. 55 m w

Shadarick [Shadrack] A. 13 m w Ala

Jack R. 10 m w Ala please refer to John Franklin Shields file for full census record. Mt

The photo on the cover of the Texas Giants Book has "Shade" (b. Dec. 1, 1855) age 18, 7' 8"; "Guss" (b. ca. 1852) age 24,  7' 10"; "Frank" (b. September 27, 1853) age 24, 7' 11 1/4", Jack (b. August 21, 1859) age 20, 7' 11 1/4".  It appears the ages and heights were not accurate, P.T. Barnum may have made Shade the youngest as he was the shortest of the Shields Giants. None of the Giants were as tall as PT Barnum's ruler made them appear.  Weldon seems to have made an effort to have his record comply with P.T. Barnum.  The Shields Giants began touring with the PT Barnum's side show in 1877.

Weldon says Shade married three times, Annie O'Brian, Ruth Parsons & Lizzie Bone.  However, I have found no information that he ever married a Parsons female other than Annie O'Brian who was previously married to William Patrick Parsons, Giant and the father of Alfred & Pauline Parsons.  I think he was referencing the marriage as per Shade's obit which has him married to Ruth Parsons in 1895.  This would be covering the same period of time he is married to Annie as their children were born September 06, 1890 and July 04, 1895, they were married until Anne's death in about 1902-1903.  A descendant of Paul's verified that Annie was the mother of Shade & Paul, as did the writings of Weldon's mother.

Weldon states Annie and Shade toured with the "Sell Forepaugh Circus which was Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show."   These are two different Circus' they toured with in the late 1800s.

As told to Martha Shields Thayer by my Uncle Frank  Shields, son of Frank Shields Texas Giant.

Annie O'Brian, a giantess, was born in Germany.  PT Barnum named her Annie O'Brian "The Irish Giantess" due to her red hair.  She was married to the Giant William Parsons.  They toured with PT Barnum's side show.

Uncle Shade met, fell in love and pursued Annie.  Annie eventually married Uncle Shade in NYC, NY.  Annie's children by her first marriage are Pauline and  Alfred Parsons, their photo is  in the Texas Giant book with Shade and Annie, the baby is Shade, Jr., the young boy is Alfred Parsons and the girl, obviously older than Alfred, is Pauline Parsons. Shade & Annie produced two sons, Shadrack  Hutchason Shields and Paul Archibald Shields, who moved to Flint, Michigan where his descendants remain.

(Weldon described the photo as Shade, Annie, Shade, Jr., Paul and unknown daughter.)

Shade Jr. is actually Alfred Parsons, Paul is actually Shade Jr. and the female is Pauline Parsons.

*Note: Alfred Parsons and Shade H. Shields (the family always referred to him as Shade, Jr. although he and Uncle Shade had different middle names) lived with or near Uncle Shade, Giant throughout their life.  They predeceased Uncle Shade in death, Shade, Jr. d. ca.  1924 and Alfred d. 1937.

Uncle Shade and Annie O'Brian toured with  PT Barnum, Barnum & Bailey, John Robinson's Show, Sells Brothers Circus, Forepaugh-Sells Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.  He toured as long as he could.  He loved the life. He stopped touring after Annie became ill.  Shade had wonderful humor, the family and my father dearly loved him.

Annie and Shade's son Shade, Jr.  and Annie's son Alfred Parson were average height, they were barely taller than my father, Duren "Howard" Shields, who was the runt of the Frank Shields family at 5' 8".   My father and Aunt Gertie Shields Bonner were the same heights, every other member of the family was much taller.  Many of my aunts were 6' +  and my uncles were all 6' 4" or more.  They were tall and big.

As told to Martha Shields Thayer by her father Howard Shields, son of Frank Shields, Giant.

Uncle Shade came to visit the Frank Shields family in the in the 1920s. The boys, Shade, Jr. and Alfred Parsons came with him.  They arrived in his custom made model T Ford with Uncle Shade sitting in the back seat and the boys in front.  They could barely see over the hood of the car as it tipped back so far with Shade in the back seat.  When Shade got out of the car the running board almost touched the ground as the car tipped deeply to the side when he was entering or exiting.  Dad and his family found it a comical sight.  Uncle Shade had a farm in Missouri but he let the boys work it as he said "It is hard work and I prefer to tour".  The family enjoyed his visit so much as his sense of humor was well appreciated.

Letter to Mr. Frank Shields, (son of Frank Shields, Texas Giant)

Letter head: Capt. S. A. Shields, Collecting Agency

     Will attend to all notes and accounts placed in my hands for collection promptly, and will collect them if they can be collected.

     "Fair Dealing and Quick Action is my Motto"

Hornersville,, Missouri  Dec. 4, 1930

Frank Shields

     Garosa Col

Dear Neffue I just recieved your leter of 29 was glad to hear from you this leavs me as wel as could be expected of a man of my age.  I was 75 years old (b. 1855 Mt) the first of this month I am bother with the rumatiz other wise in good health.  Well Frank it is the worst year I ever saw in this coutry on acount of the drought my farme made hardly anything this year a bout one third of a crop and got a very Small price for what we naied (need) and this coutry is in a bad fix don't know what people will do for suport to make another crop 2 years overflowes but we maud (made) som fead for stock but not but like this year but I have a noug money to run me in the Bank if it don't go brok as a lot of them have in this parte of the coutry but I think our Banks ar Solied (solid) but you can't tell well Frank I have been Justis of the peace hear for 8 years and major of Hornersville for 5 years  I will have to be elected J. Prect. March again I think I will be elected again as I have a lot of friends a party run against me last election and got 40 votes and I got 1800 so you See I am pretty popler don't you think

     Well Frank you remember my two boys Shade and Paul.  Shade has bin dead 4 years he was a fine youg man as ever lived.  Paul is in Flint Michigan is doing well he is marred and has 2 children both boyes.  Shad 2 boyes at his death his widow has remaried again his older boys are nerly growe, we have a very open winter hear have not had any Snow as yet but it looks Snowing today but I hop it won't.  Well I will close for this tyme hoping to hear from you sown a gain I am as ever your loving Uncle Shade Shields

Greenville, Texas newspaper write up.

CAPTAIN SHIELDS PASSES AWAY

Jan. 8, 1939

Former Hunt County Man Dies At Hornersville, Missouri

     Word has been received here of the death of Captain S. A. Shields, 81, former Hunt County man, who passed away last Sunday morning at his home in Hornersville, Missouri. He had been confined to his bed for the past two years.

     Mr. Shields was born in Alabama in 1855 and from there his father, the late J. F. Shields moved to Texas and he was reared and spent most of his youth in Hunt County, where he attended the public schools.  He was a member of a family of nine brothers, all of whom proceeded him in death.

     Of all his nine brothers the shortest was 6 feet 4 inches and the tallest over 7 feet; none weighed less than 200 pounds and their average was 300.  Mr. Shields himself was 6 feet 6 inches in height.

     The giants of public exhibitions, P. T. Barnum induced this remarkable family of brothers to join his great circus as the "Texas Giants" and during: 1880, 1881-85, in  1886 four of the brothers traveled all over the United States and Canada.

     In 1895, Mr. Shields married Mrs. Annie Parsons, the giantess of Barnum's shows, who was 6 feet 7 inches tall.  She died several years after their marriage.  Mrs. and Mrs. Shields were also with Sell and Forepaugh's, Robinson's and Buffalo Bill's exhibitions.  The late Major Ray was a fellow traveler with Mr. Shields in the circus, he and his wife being advertised as "The smallest married couple in the world."

     In 1902 after the death of his wife, Mr. Shields moved to Hornersville, Mo., and has since made his home there.

     He was later married to Miss Elizabeth Bone.  For many years Mr. Shields bought Cotten for the East St. Louis Cotton Oil company.  He also served as Mayor and Justice of the Peace for two terms in Hornersville.

     Several years ago, Mr. Shields professed religious faith and united with the Baptist Church at Hornersville, where his membership rested at the time of his death.

     He is survived by his widow, one son, Paul A.  Shields of Flint, Michigan and several grandchildren.

Shields Giants by Weldon Shields, 1972

Article in Greenville, Texas newspaper

     The Shields Brothers lived near Kingston in Hunt County and were a famous attraction with the P. T. Barnum Circus, forerunner of the present Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Circus.  The photograph shows them on stage in the sideshow in 1877.  They appeared together through the 1880s.  The youngest of the quartet (NO, Mt), Shade Shields, later was more than eight feet tall {NO, Mt}.  He married a giantess and the couple traveled in later years with Forepaugh-Sells Circus, the Buffalo Bill Wild West Shows, and others.  They retired in the later 90s and lived in Greenville, where he was in business.  Old timers here remember that Shields and his tall wife could hang window shades in their Johnson Street home standing on the floor.  His wife died about 1902 and he moved to Hornersville, Mo., where he died in 1939 following a second marriage and a term as mayor.  Numerous descendants of the Shields Brothers are living today, including James C.  (son of Frank Shields Texas Giant) of Fort Worth and Weldon (author of Texas Giant, 1972), Robert, Guy, Wallace, J. R. and George B. of the Greenville area. The photograph was loaned to the Herald Banner by Sanderson Shields (son of Frank Shields Texas Giant) of Gardner, Kansas.

From the clippings collection of Gertie Shields Bonner, (daughter of Frank Shields Texas Giant) transcribed by Martha Thayer

Write up in Hornersville Paper

Funeral Tuesday for Captain Shields

Former Mayor of Hornersville, 84.  Had Interesting Career.  Capt. S. A. Shields, 84 years old Hornersville citizen, died early Sunday morning at his home from complications of old age.  He had been confined to his bed for the past two years.  Mr. Shields had an interesting career.  He was born in the state of Alabama, and was a farmer, moved to Texas and he was reared and spent most of his youth in Hunt County, where he attended public schools.  He was a member of a family of nine brothers, the shortest being six feet four inches and the tallest over seven feet; none weighed less than two hundred pounds and their average was three hundred.  Mr. Shields himself was six feet six.

     The genius of public exhibitions, P. T. Barnum, included this remarkable family of brothers to join his great circus as they traveled all over the United States and Canada.  In 1895 Mr. Shields married Mrs. Ruth Parsons, the giantess of Barnum's Shows who was six feet seven inches tall.  She died several years after their marriage, leaving two children, Shadrack and Paul.  Mr. and Mrs. Shields were also with Sells and Forepaugh's and Robinson's and Buffalo Bill's exhibitions.  The late Major Ray was a fellow traveler with Mr. Shields in the circuses, he and his wife being advertised as "the smallest married couple in the world." After the death of Mrs. Shields, Mr. Shields was invited to spend the winter with Major Ray at Cardwell in 1902, and he like this country so well that he quit the circus business.

     A few years later he married Miss Elizabeth Bone.  They bought a farm and settled a mile and one-half south of Hornersville.  For many years Mr. Shields bought cotton for the East St. Louis Cotton Oil Company.  Fraternally, Mr. Shields was affiliated with the Hornersville lodge of the Masons.

     Mr. Shields served as major and justice of the peace for two terms in Hornersville.

     Funeral service will be held Tuesday at the Hornersville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Harvey Gray, pastor of the Dyress Colony, Ark., Church officiating.

     Deceased is survived by his wife, one son, Paul of Flint, Michigan, several grandchildren, and two grand grandchildren.

Texas Giants by Weldon Shields

"The following letter was written by Thera Parson, step-daughter (step-granddaughter Mt) of Shade Shields.  It was post marked Hornersville, Missouri, 5 P.M. January 4, 1939; and addressed to Mrs. V. (Varina Shields Freiberger. Mt) Shields, Rt. 2, Greenville, Texas.

     Hornersville, Mo.

     Jan. 4, 1939

My dear Mrs. Shields,

     I feel that I know you because I have heard grandpa Shields talk about you so much.  It seems that you ought to be our aunt or some relation to us.

     I am Alfred's (Parsons) youngest daughter.  You knew that he died last December a year ago.  Grandpa followed him  in death last Sun., Jan. 1st.

     He was quite ill several days before he died.  He had Colitis- then too, he was so aged.  He died easily, resting in sleep.

     We had to have a special casket made for him, because of his size. He was taken to Kennett, Mo., to be buried beside Papa.  His son, Paul who lives in Mich. could not be here.

     Grandma, Lizzie, as Grandpa called her, is in bed ill with Colitis too.  She was unable to attend the funeral she was so sick.  At present she is some better.  She is broken hearted, as she and Grandpa were so close for so many years.  We plan for her to come live with my mother, her daughter, and me.  We live alone since Papa's death, and the other two children are married.

     I have cut from the county paper a clipping about him, I thought you would like to read.

     Your letter arrived the day after his funeral and Grandma wanted me to write and tell you about it.

     She sends her best wishes and kind regards to you and your loved ones.

     I sincerely hope you are feeling fine and enjoying life.

          Sincerely Yours,

          Thera Parsons

(Thera Parsons is the youngest daughter of Annie O'Brian's Parsons Shields' son, Alfred Parsons and Uncle Shade’s second wife Lizzie Bone's daughter, Hattie Bone.  Their daughter Thera Parsons wrote the letter to Aunt Varina.) Mt

The author, Laura Ford LRFORD@AOL.COM

 FOR THE LOVE OF JENNIE: A TINY LOVE STORY

 LRFORD@aol.com

circusworldmuseum.com

Laura Ford's book is called:-

" For the Love of Jenny"

Published by Skyward Publishing PO BOX 40209

Memphis Tennessee 38174

ISBN number 1-881554-02-3

I purchased through Amazon.com.

Contacting the publisher is a better option as they can sell you multi-books at less cost. Mt

This book contains some real misinformation.  “Annie O’Brian” is described as dying in child birth in   Texas with an imaginary child who is even named.  She is described as Irish. 

There are a couple of really funny stories about Uncle Shade in the book and worth reading for the laughter. Just remember she did little research on Uncle Shade’s family. She did not know about Alfred Parsons nor his descendants living in Hornersville, Missouri who had accurate information on the family.  Mt

More About SHADRICK ARCHIBALD "SHADE" "CAPTAIN" SHIELDS:

Burial: Dunklin County, Missouri

Elected: Mayor of Hornersville, Kennett County, Missouri

Occupation: Giant:  PT Barnum, Barnum & Bailey, John  Robinson's Show, Sells Brothers Circus, Forepaugh-Sells Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

Religion: Baptist

Notes for CHRISTIANA DOROTHEA "RUTH" "ANNIE O'BRIAN" DUNZ:

1900 Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Scranton City

16 Ward of City 1st District

Franklin Avenue

Series T623  Roll 1421

 Page 141A sheet 10F

June 7, 1900

 Lackawanna Hospital

Shields, Annie patient wf January 1862 38 married 17 yrs. children 4 living 3 Germany Germany Germany migration 1880 resided in US 20 yrs. Giantess Circus

Die am 5 Januar 1862

The one the 5th January 1862

dahier gebornene

here borne

Christiane Dorothea Dunz

Tocher des Christian Friedrich Dunz, Bauer

daughter of Christian Freidrich Dunz, Farmer

under der Katharin Pauline geb. Beyttenmiller

and the Katharin Pauline maiden name Beyttenmiller

wird

is

BEZEUGT

Testified (certified)

DaB (sB) sie sich eines tadellosen Rufes

that she has a faultlessness reputation

erfreut and unbestraft ist.

And is unpunished.

Weinsberg, am 29 April 1887

Weinsberg on 29 April 1887

StadschultheiBenamt (sB)

City Mayor Office

Mausser, Bgm.

--------------------------------------------

Ambeldebescheinigung

(Abzug-Attest)

Leaving Certificate

fur nachstehende aus der Stadt Breslau nach Liegnitz Kreis - verziehende Person

The following listed person from City Breslau to Liegnitz Area- Moving person

Translation of the above German document.

Names of moving people

William Parsons

genannt O'Brien

known as O'Brien

Occupation job: Giant Circus

Born 10 February 1852

Birthplace: Norfolk, England

Nationality: England

Religion: Protestant

Married

Notes: lived here from 17 April till 7 May Taschenstreet 30

Social welfare or independent: Self

Christiane geb. (maiden name) Dunz

Occupation: Giant

Born: 5 Jan 1862, Weinsberg, Wu(umlat)ttember

Nationality: England

Religion: Protestant

Married

Notes: nothing is known of his detriment

Alfred

son

born: 20 April 1885

Jonesboro, America

Nationality: England

Religion: Protestant

Drawn up, Breslau the 1 of May 1887

The Royal Police Station

Notarized

Kaunnitz (city)

Polizei- Commisarius

Police Superintendent

Obit write up on Shade refers to marriage date as 1895.  However, it describes her as the Giantess who toured with Shade.   Annie and Ruth are the same person.  However, the marriage date is probably incorrect as they were touring together by 1888, same obit, by census they were married in 1888-1889. Mt

More About CHRISTIANA DOROTHEA "RUTH" "ANNIE O'BRIAN" DUNZ:

Christening: January 05, 1862

Immigration: From Weinsberg, Germany when she was 3

Occupation: Giantess:  PT Barnum, Barnum & Bailey, John Robinson's Show, Sells Brothers Circus, Forepaugh-Sells Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

Religion: Lutheran

Residence: 1902, Cleveland, Ohio

Notes for "LIZZIE" ELIZABETH REBECCA KIMBROUGH:

According to the census of 1930 she was born in 1861.

More About "LIZZIE" ELIZABETH REBECCA KIMBROUGH:

Burial: Dunklin County, Missouri

                 ix.    JACK ROBINSON SHIELDS, b. August 21, 1859, Troy, Pike County, Alabama; d. October 27, 1896, Hunt County, Texas; m. MARTHA VIRGINIA JOHNSON, September 08, 1880, Celeste, Hunt County, Texas; b. February 15, 1862, Alabama; d. September 13, 1948, Hunt County, Texas.

Notes for JACK ROBINSON SHIELDS:

1900 Hunt County, Texas Census

District 126 (image 38), page 199B

Justices' precincts; No. 2 (part of)

June 19 & 20, 1920

325/*439 Shields, Martha head wf Feb. 1862 38 widow 7 ch. 7 living Texas Alabama Alabama Farmer owns home

     Willie son wm Sept 1881 18 Texas Alabama Texas farmer

     Ernest son wm June 1883 16 Texas Alabama Texas at school

     Robert son wm May 1885 15 Texas Alabama Texas at school

     Byron son wm Aug 1887 12  Texas Alabama Texas at school

     Starling son wm Aug 1899 10  Texas Alabama Texas at school

     Joe son wm Aug 1891 8  Texas Alabama Texas at school

     Edna daughter wf Sept 1894 Texas Alabama Texas

1910 Hunt County, Texas

District 121 Precinct No. 2, (part of)

Page  248 sheet 5A, (#9)

April 20, 1910

75/77 Shields, Martha V. head fw 47 wd. Ch. 7 living 6 Texas Alabama Mississippi farmer general farm owns home

     Jack R. son mw 24 Texas Alabama Texas laborer home farm

     George B. son mw 21 Texas Alabama Texas laborer home farm

     Starling son mw 20  Texas Alabama Texas laborer home farm attended school within the year

Wells, Lonnie orphan fw 13 Texas Texas Texas attended school within the year

1930 Hunt County, Texas

Precinct 2 District 17

page 244B sheet 6B (#12)

April 8, 1930

99/100 Shields, M. V. head owns fw 68 widow Texas Alabama Mississippi farmer general farm

next door Starling Shields

Posted by: Corrine Shields Date: June 07, 2000 at 19:47:41 (Genforum)

Jack Robinson Shields, b. Aug 21 1859 in Troy, Pike County, Alabama d. Oct 27 1896 buried in Webb Hill Cemetery, Greenville, Texas m. Martha Virginia Johnson Sep 8 1880 at Celeste, Texas.  He moved to Greenville, Texas about 1887. He was a grocer there, but also ran a saloon with his brother Shade (Captain Shadrach Archibald Shields).

Corrine Shields

More About JACK ROBINSON SHIELDS:

Burial: Webb Hill Cemetery, Hunt County, Texas

Occupation: "Texas Giant" with PT Barnum, farmer

More About MARTHA VIRGINIA JOHNSON:

Burial: Webb Hill Cemetery, Hunt County, Texas

Residence: 1896, After Jack Shields died, the family moved to the old Shields homeplace 2 miles east of Kingston, Texas.

Marriage Notes for JACK SHIELDS and MARTHA JOHNSON:

They were married by Squire John Puckett, witnesses J. F. Shields, father of the groom and Mrs. S. J.  Hopewell, mother of the bride.