Zeroing in on Frances Shiflett Property Location

Okay...I think I've got it!  Take a look at the two images below.  I think we've got a perfect fit!

Locating Frances Shiflett

Take a look at this when you get a chance:

Link to image of end of State Rt. 626

Google actually has photographs available all the way down Rt. 626 (along what I think is Mill Creek). I believe the link above takes you to where the S. Roach home is on the 1885 map.

Also, take a look at the map below.  I've been studying the 1885 map and I'm pretty certain that what I've drawn below is correct (or very close to it).

And if the map above is correct, I'd put money on Frances Shiflett's property being located somewhere within the map below.  I've inserted the plat (drawn close to scale) in a possible location:

Let me know what you think.

Andrew Jackson Allen Pension

We recently received a collection of Civil War pension records related to Andrew Jackson Allen. These claims and associated content paint a very interesting picture of his life. There are many records but I will start with the following transcript from the pension claim that Andrew Jackson Allen submitted in 1879. These are his words and explanations as told to the clerk. Andrew Jackson could not read or write and he is attempting to persuade the pension office that he is worth of the claim. Pension rules changed over the years, generally becoming more lenient, but at the time he submitted this, the claimant had to prove that he was disabled and that the disability was caused by his service during the war. Some portions of the page were faded and difficult to read.

State office WVa
Raleigh County

It is not convenient for me to furnish the Affidavit of a commissioned officer of my company or regiment to prove when, where and the circumstances under which I contracted the disabilities for which I demand an Invalid Pension Claim No 252,655 for the following reasons: 1st, their whereabouts is not known to me. 2nd, I have not the money to send them to pay for their affidavits and certificates. Consequently I offer the evidence of two comrades in lieu thereof.

I cannot furnish the "Evidence of a family Physician, showing my physical condition at and prior to enlistment." I will prove this by "other competent testimony."

I cannot furnish "Medical evidence showing what my physical condition was at the date of discharge, what is has been continuously from that time to the present" for the following reasons: I have treated myself as best I could. 2ndly, I have but little confidence in medical pretenders. 3rdly I have been poor and hardly able to support my family and had no means to enable me to emply physicians and of course they would not treat me without pay. I propose to offer other and competent testimonywhich .... .... to one who was never treated for any disability by any physician priot to enlistment but was severely drugged in the army hospitals during the year 1864, and the sequence is I have never .... .... The fever (and probably the effects of poison - our medicines) Setting in my Right Hip Thigh and Leg. A permanent disability is the result of my army life. Though I shall never regret aiding in putting down the late infamous rebellion.

Andrew J. Allen (his mark) Claimant

.... me this 11th day of January 1879 A.J. Williams

I John Beckley Clerk of Raleigh County Court W. Va do certify that A.J. Williams Esqr whose name is signed to foregoing affidavit was at the time of so doing an acting justice of the peace duely commissioned and sworn, that all his official acts are entitiled to full faith and credit and that his signature thereto is genuine. Witness my hand and official seal this 14th day of January 1879.

John Beckley Clerk

One gets a sense of desperation from A. J. Allen. He has none of the supporting documents that the pension office requires, only the testimony of some comrades and himself. We also learn from this that Andrew was still in West Virginia in 1879, though he shows up in Ohio on the 1880 census. Unless he had to go back to West Virginia (unlikely) to make the claim, it seems that this information allows us to place a date on his move to Ohio. One can speculate that he was desperate for money and when the pension claim was denied, he packed up and moved to Ohio, where there was work.

I will continue to transcribe and scan in the documents and post updates as I get to them.

Brockman/Madison Connections

The mother of Ashby Henry Price was Helen Elizabeth Edwards. Her mother was Agnes or Agatha Brockman. The Brockmans were apparently large landowners and are mentioned in Edgar Woods' 1901 history ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA. The excerpt is below and I have bolded those Brockmans in our direct line.

One of the early land owners in the northeast part of the county was Samuel Brockman. He died in 1779, leaving two sons, Samuel and William, and probably a third named Jason.

William was apparently prosperous in his affairs. He lived on Priddy's Creek, owned a considerable quantity of land, and had one of the first mills erected in that section. He died in 1809. A Baptist church, the precursor of the present Priddy's Creek Church, was on his land, and he devised it to the congregation using it as a place of worship. His children were Frances, the wife of a Taylor, Elizabeth, John, Margaret, the wife of a Henderson, Thomas, William, Ambrose, Samuel, and Catharine, the wife of a Bell. Ambrose married Nancy, daughter of Captain William Simms, and became a Baptist preacher. Samuel married Ann Simms, a sister of Ambrose's wife, and his son Samuel, who died in 1847, was the father of Richard Simms, Bluford, Tandy, Simpson, Tazewell, and Agatha, the wife of Thomas Edwards. Richard Simms married Martha, the daughter of Wiley Dickerson, and removed to Amherst. Among his children were Fontaine D., Harriet, the wife of William Jeffries, Tandy, and Willis Allen, who removed to Atlanta, Georgia.

In the early part of the century many of this name emigrated to Kentucky, a Tandy Brockman going to Christian County, and Elizabeth, a widow, with a large family of children, to Boone.

The eldest Samuel Brockman was born sometime around 1690 in St. Marys County Maryland. He then moved first to King and Queen County and then Orange. It seems he never lived in Albemarle. Among his neighbors in Orange were the Madisons. In fact, James Madison, Sr. (father of the 4th president) witnessed the signing of his will (see below). There has been speculation that Samuel's wife, Mary, was a Madison, but this cannot be proved. Others claim she was Mary Collins, Mary Henderson, or a host of other names. No one has any proof that she was a Madison and it's very possible the stories were invented.

WILL OF SAMUEL BROCKMAN, DATED 3 NOV 1762
"Unto my sons Samuel and William the tract of land which I have in Albermarle County containing about 358 acres to be divided as they themselves think proper. I formerly intended to give my late son John the tract of land containing 150 acres which he lived on at the time of his death and by his last will did divise to his son Joseph, and to prevent any dispute which might arise touching Joseph's title to the said land I do confirm the gift. Unto my well beloved wife Mary during her natural life only my land whereon I now live and all the Negros and also my other estate. After her decease, To my son William one Negro Wench Phillis. Unto my daughter Mary Singleton one Negro man George. To my daughter, Mary Singleton one Negro man George. To my daughter Elizabeth Street one Negro child Winney. Also 15 pounds current money. To my daughter Sarah Henderson one Negro boy Hercules. To sons Samuel and William one Negro man Peter in trust for the maintenance of my daughter Rachael Rogers during her natural life. Peter shall decend after her decease to such of the said Rachael's children as shall be living. All the rest of my estate be at the death of my wife equally divided amongst my sons and daughters that shall then be living and the children of such as are now or shall be then dead. Such grandchildren shall not be entitled to any greater share than what their father or mother would have been entitled to. My sons Samuel and William Brockman Executors.
Samuel (S) Brockman
Wit: James Madison, William Sims, John White, James Meginnis.

A Codicil was added on 19 July 1765 to distribute four more slaves. On 25 Sept 1766, the will was proved in court.

FYI, Samuel Brockman would be my 7 greats grandfather.

Frances Shiflett Native American?

[Read from bottom to top]

From: Stephen
To: Carolyn & Russ
Sent: Wed, March 10, 2010 9:15:38 AM
Yeah the beard is a give away that there probably wasn't much Indian blood there. Also, back in the day, if they thought you were half Indian, you probably got labeled as Mulatto on the census. Frances is always white on the census records.

I think every family has an Indian heritage rumor. Grandma Luck's gg grandmother Anzaleah Harbarger was said to be part Indian. Someone even went so far as to put a new gravestone up a few years back that said "Cherokee Indian" even though there never were any Cherokees in Augusta County, VA.


=================================================

From: Russ
To: Carolyn
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 8:48 AM

Yes, I'd say people that lived in the mountains of Virginia in the early 1800's still feared the "savages". Because of these feelings of fear, it wouldn't surprise me at all if certain "unfortunate events" were blamed on the Native Americans.

But even if you put that whole theory aside, the idea that the dark hair and skin of the Allens can be attributed to Native Americans is still a bit of a stretch. Dark hair is dominant in just about every society on Earth. And "dark skin" in the Allens, particularly of the Native American variety, isn't really evident to me. Plus, have you ever seen a Native American with a full black beard like that of John W. Allen in that ca.1909 photo?
Anyway...I wouldn't cut-out the idea altogether. But I find it highly unlikely that Frances would be the product of a Native American man and a white woman. Many families share a similar story, but in most cases, I just don't believe they are true. BTW: if Wendell takes the DNA test, it should help prove this one way or the other.

We think that Stephen Shifflet was either Frances' Father or Grandfather, but we have no proof of either. They all appear to have been illiterate. Which, unfortunately, has left us with very poor family records.
Russ


=================================================

From: Carolyn
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:37:55 -0500
To: Russ & Stephen

Well, that does put a little "excitement" into the story. A savage Indian? Were they around then? Ha. Don't you think some of the Allen's look like indians - the dark skin and hair?

Have you traced Frances Shiflett's father and mother. I guess I should check the family tree. Sounds like we have a lot of illigitimate ancestors!

=================================================

From: Russ
To: Stephen & Carolyn
Sent: Tue, Mar 9, 2010 12:42 pm


Personally, I don't believe the "Indian" reference.

Here's how I can see it going down...

Frances Shiflett's mother becomes pregnant with Frances at a young age after going "to far" with her boyfriend. What better way to 'play-off' this mistake than to say that she was viciously attacked and raped by a savage Indian while in the woods?

I find this concept somewhat believable. But the idea that she was actually the off-spring of an Indian...extremely unlikely. My guess is that she was the illigitimate child of one of Stephen Shiflett's older daughters. Also possible: She, herself, was the daughter (ligitimate or not) of Stephen Shiflett.

--Russ

=================================================

From: Stephen
To: Russ & Carolyn
Sent: Tue, March 9, 2010 12:11:49 PM

He might have been confusing Mary Maiden with Frances Shiflett. The one story we have from Elaine Allen Thompson, as told to her by George Allen, mentions that they thought Frances was part Indian and was illegitimate.

Russ, when Grandma was over the other day she mentioned that Asa Baugher's surname is pronounced "Bocker" not "Bower". Just a little something I thought I'd pass on.

=================================================

From: Carolyn
To: Russ
Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 11:52 AM


I did share a little about his great grandfather and grandfather with Wendell. He has some misinformation about his grandmother Marcy C. Allen, (aka Mary C. Maiden).  He was told she was Indian and there was no information about her because the family disowned her.  It is not clear to me what he really knows about his Allen ancestors - didn't get into the "famous" story of the Allen clan. Told him about our trip to Charlottesville to visit cemeteries and old home places. He knew about the Busch's owning Algretus Via's old place and also about the old tree near the airport. He was surprised we got to go into Gertrude Via's old house.

Ballard Line

To mix it up a little bit, I'm going to throw a post in here on the Ballard line. We descend from Ann Ballard who married Gabriel Maupin around 1745. Algretus Rice Via and Martha Frances Wood both descend from children of Gabriel and Ann - Algretus on his mother, Mary Maupin's side and Martha on her father, Clifton Rice Wood's side (Clifton's mother was a Maupin). Algretus and Martha were 3rd cousins.

Ann Ballard Maupin was named in the will of Thomas Maupin, recorded in Albemarle County on May 9, 1782:

Thomas X Ballard of Albemarle Co., VA - Daughter, Mary, five pounds sterling **Sons, Thomas Ballard and Bland Ballard, wll this my land, they suffering my daughter-in-law, Mourning Ballard, to live on, use and occupy that part of whereon she now lives during her life, the lang to be equally divided between them, so that Bland enjoy the part whereon he now lives, the use of a negro Delphia unto my daughter, Frances Ballard, and after her decease, I give and bequeath the negro, Delphia, to her heirs Daughter Susanna Pettis during her life all my lands in Louisa Coounty, and after her death, I give unto her and to said Susuanna Pettis' oldest son, then living Remainder of my estate to be equally divided among five children, Thomas, Bland, Anna Maupine, Frances Ballard and Susanna Pettis.

Sons Thomas and Bland, Executors

Dated 30th Day of June 1779

Thomas Ballard is more of a mystery and theories abound as to his parentage.


I have come across many family trees that state that Thomas was the son of Captain John Ballard, who lived in Yorktown and whose home still stands there. This appears to be untrue. John did have a son named Thomas, but a recently located Ballard family bible notes that this Thomas was born in 1728.

John was the son of another Lt. Col. Thomas Ballard (born 1655, died 1711). This Thomas gave the land on which William and Mary College was founded. A lawyer by trade, he also served as sheriff of York County, vestryman for Bruton Parish Church, and in the House of Burgesses for several years. He is regarded as the primary founder of Yorktown, Virginia. Lt. Col. Thomas's father was another Thomas Ballard. You can read about him on Wikipedia here. He was a prominent land owner and was also a vestryman at Bruton Parish (see photo at left of a pew in Bruton Parish Church).

One indisputable fact about Anne Ballard Maupin's father Thomas is that he patented 320 acres on the south side of Piney Mountain in Albemarle County in 1738. In the patent, he is listed as being of Caroline County. I have found another patent from 1728 which I believe to be the same Thomas Ballard (a portion of which you can see below). The patent is for 330 acres on the North Anna River and on the county line. Since Spotsylvania and Caroline share a border and each is along the North Anna, I've jumped to the conclusion that this very well could be the Thomas Ballard that ends up on Piney Mountain. In this patent he is listed as being from York County. This would seem to tie him to the family of the more famous Thomas Ballards, possibly even a son of Lt. Col Ballard (1655-1711).

Many family trees list Thomas's birth date as 1717, but that would make it very difficult for him to have a daughter married in 1745! It seems more likely that he was born around 1695. Another theory states that our Thomas might have been the son of William Ballard, son of Lt. Col. Thomas Ballard, and Philadelphia Lee or Ludwell (her name is in doubt). One of their sons, Phillip, also moved to Albemarle County, which lends support to this theory. The name Bland, which Thomas used for one of his sons, is also common in this branch of the family.

Much more remains to be discovered on this line.

Frances Shiflett Parcel

Russ and I have successfully calculated the shape of the parcel owned by Frances Shiflett and later, John William Allen. I have labeled some landmarks mentioned in the deed but it's still difficult to know exactly where the parcel was. The best hints we have are the road that was mentioned, the branch that seems to run along the eastern edge of the property as well as the names of neighboring landowners. Some of these include Smith Roach, Solomon Shiflett, Powell, Armentrout, and Hill Shiflett.

On the 1901 timber rights deed, another Shiflett is mentioned, which appears to be Hill Shiflett. According to the 1900 census, Hilary Shiflett was a neighbor to John William Allen and family. There is a cemetery in Shenandoah National Park often called the Hensley/Shiflett/Powell (H/S/P) cemetery but also referred to as the Hill Shiflett cemetery (more info here).


This topo map (found here originally), shows the location of the cemetery. To the east of the cemetery is Smith Roach Gap. Smith Roach was also listed as a neighboring landholder on the 1901 deed. The cemetery just north of Smith Roach Gap is called the Smith Roach Family cemetery, so we can assume he did live in this vicinity. If we assume Hill Shiflett lived near his cemetery and Smith Roach lived near his, perhaps the "hse" homesite north of the Smith Roach cemetery would make a good guess as to the location of Frances Shiflett's property. The yellow lines are old wagon roads, and there is a branch or stream running in the direction that we guessed from the deed description.

Location of Frances Shiflett's Property

What Lynn is pointing to as "F. Shiflett" is debatable, but I can see what she's thinking. On the 1885 map (below), look north of Mill Creek, right on Swift Run at Swift Run Gap. You'll see what appears to be a J. Shiflett or an F. Shiflett (imagine the F. as an 'old English' style F, like the one shown in the menu bar of this blog tool's editor). It's just her guess, but it could be worth considering. Even if it isn't an F (I don't see any other 'old English' font styles on the map), it could very well be a J...and that J could stand for John Shifflet (though by 1885, we believe he had already changed his name to Allen).  However, it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn that they labeled the household after the 35-year-old male rather than his 60 year-old mother.

Your discovery, that Solomon Shiflett is Stephen Shiflett's son, is great news.  This lends credence (in my mind) that Stephen is likely the Father (or possibly the Grandfather) of Frances.

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

From: Stephen Shaw
To: Russ Shaw
Sent: Thu, March 4, 2010 1:12:10 PM

Russ,

Yes I got the invite and saw the deeds, thanks for typing those in. Very interesting! I was curious about the 1887 reference you mentioned as well. I'm not seeing the "F. Shiflett" on the 1885 map though? If she was closer to the Maidens, that would put her closer to Asa Baugher on the map as well, up near Mill Creek where it seemed like she was when I looked at the 1870 census. I saw a reference to Smith Roach in the 1901 deed. There is an S. Roach up Mill Creek from Asa Baugher as well. I looked up Solomon Shiflett and he was a son of Stephen Shiflett, born about 1818. Funny enough, he had a son named Andrew Jackson Shiflett! Coincidence?

Stephen

Frances Shiflett Property

I just received the deeds associated with Frances Shiflett's property in eastern Rockingham County. Deput Clerk Lynn Lambert in the Rockingham County Circuit Court has been extremely kind to provide some research assistance to us. I will attempt to transcribe the deed records here:

[First recorded deed for Frances Shiflett]

August 18, 1866 (pg. 332)
This Deed made the 18th day of August 1866 between Frances Shiflett of the County of Rockingham and State of Va of the one part and Asa S Baugher of the County and State afforesaid of the other part witnesseth that said Asa S Baugher for and in consideration of the sum of Eighty-Dollars do bargain an sell to the said Frances Shiflett a certain track or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Rockingham and bounded as follows Beginning at a hickory near a branch corner to Solomon Shiflett thence S11E80 poles to a poplar on a branch S19E62 poles to a large rock and two lyns(?) S42 1/2 W16 poles to a white walnut and hickory S59W19 3/4 poles to a mahogany on a rock S40W18 poles to a large chestnut oak S51W19 1/2 poles to a red oak and locust in or near Powells line N43W165 poles to a chestnut stump on a moutain in Shifletts field N60E145 poles to a large poplar S80E35 poles to a white-oak near the road S23E3 poles to the beginning containing fify five acres more or less the said Asa S. Baugher do grant unto the said Frances Shiflett and her heirs and against the claim of all persons whatever shal and will warrent and defence the said land by these presents. In witness wherof the said Asa S. Baugher have herun to set his hand and seal this day and year first above written.

Asa S Baugher [seal]

In the Clerks office of the County Court of Rockingham August 21st 1866 this deed from Asa S. Baugher to Frances Shiflett was this day presented to me Deput Clerk of said County and being acknowledged by the said Asa S. Baugher is admitted to record.

Atteste
Wm L. Trout, DC


[Timber rights deed from John W. Allen]

January 5, 1901
This Deed made and entered into this 5th day of January 1901 between John W. Allen and Mary C. Allen, his wife of Greene County, parties of the first part and J.R. Cover of Rockingham County party of the second part, all of the State of Virginia witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the sum of Thirteen Hundred Dollars cash in hand paid by the party of the second part to the parties of the first part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said parties of the first part for the above consideration doth bargain grant and sell unto the said party of the second part with general warranty the following bark and timber right ?: all the timber and bark right except the chestunt timber and seven locusts standing around the spring near the dwelling house and fire wood that is not fit for timber on the following tract or parcel of land lying and being in the East part of Rockingham County on the West side of the Blue Ridge Moutains and adjoining the lands of Smith Roach, (?ll) Shiflett and others with the following lines and corners: beginning at a hickory near a branch corner with Solomon Shifflett thenc S11E80 poles to a poplar on a branch S190E62 poles to a large rock and two lyns S42 1/2W16 poles to a white walnut and hickory thence S59W19 3/4 poles to mahogany standing on a rock thence S40W18 poles to a large chestnut oak thence S51W19 1/2 poles to a red oak and locust in or near Powells line, thence N43W165 poles to a chestnut stump or hickory on the mountain in Shifletts field thence N60E145 poles to a large poplar thence S80E35 poles to a white oak near the road thence S23E3 poles to the Beginning, containing (1?)55 acres more or less. The said parties of the first part grant unto the said party of the second part the right away to build roads and to haul said timber and bark off of said tract of land except through the house lot. And further the said party of the second part is to have five years from the date of this deed to get the bark and timber off of said tract of land. Witness the following signatures-seals the day and date first above written
John W. Allen [seal]
Mary C. Allen [seal]

State of Virginia Count of Greene to wit
I Killis Roach a Justice of the Piece for the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia do certify that John W. Allen anad Mary C. Allen whose name are signed to the writing hereto annexed bearing date on the 5 day of Jan 1901 acknowledge the same before me in my County aforesaid given under my hand this the 5 day of Jan 1901.
Kills Roach, J.P.

Virginia
In the Cler's Office of the County Court of Rockingham County, January 8, 1901, this Deed from John W. Allen and wife to J. R. Cover was this day presented in the office aforesaid and is together with the certificate of acknowledgement annexed admitted to record.
Teste,
J.S. Messerley, Clerk


[Sale of Property from John W. Allen to M. M. Jarman and John Tompkins]

March 7, 1913
THIS DEED, Made this 7th day of March in the year one thousand nine hundred and Thirteen between John W. Allen and Mary C. Allen his wife of Greene County Va. parties of the first part, and M. M. Jarman and John Tompkins of Rockingham County Va. parties of the second part.
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred Dollars Cash in hand paid by the said parties of the second part to the said parties of the first part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said John W. Allen and Mary C. his wife do bargain grant and sell and by these presents do grant unto the said M. M. Jarman and John Tomkins jointly with General Warranty, all of that tract or parcel of land lying and being in East Rockingham and situated on the West side of the Blue Ridge Mountains adjoining the lands of Smith, Roach, Armentrout and others, with the following distances and Courses: Begining at a Hickory near a branch Corner to Solomon Shiflett thence S11E80 poles to a poplar on a branch S19E62 poles to a large rock & two lyns S42 1/2 W16 poles to a White Walnut and Hickory S59W19 3/4 poles to a Mahogany on a rock S40W18 poles to a large chestnut oak S51W19 1/2 poles to a Red Oak and Locust in or near Powells line N43W165 poles to a chestnut stump on a mountain (but now a marked hickory) N60E145 poles to a large poplar S80E35 poles to a White oak near the road S23E3 poles to the beginning containing fifty five acres more or less being the same land that the said John W. Allen heired from his Mother the Late Frances Shiflett (he the said John W. Allen being the only heir) This the same tract of land conveyed to the said Frances Shiflett on the 18th day of November 1887 by Deed from Asa S. Baugher and Eliza F. Baugher which Deed is recorded in the Clerks office of the Circuit of Rockingham County in Release Book No. 1 at page 85 &6 reference to which Deed is made for further description of said land. The said John W. Allen and Mary C. Allen reserve all mineral rights on said land with privilege to work same but not reserving any timber on said land, said parties of first part covenant that they have the right to convey the said land to the grantee: that they have done no act to encumber the said land; that the grantee shall have quiet possession of the said land, free from all encumbrances, and that they the said parties of the first part, will execute such further assurance of the said land as may be requisite. Witness the following signature and seal:
John W. Allen [seal]
Marcy C. Allen [seal]

State of Virginia,
County of Greene to-wit:
I, W. A. Crawford Depty Clerk for B. I. Bickers Clerk of the Circuit Court of Greene County in the State of Virginia, do certify that John W. Allen and Mary C. Allen, whose names signed to the foregoing writing, bearing date on the 7th day of March, 1913, have acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid. Given under my hand, this 7th day of February 1913
W.A. Crawford, Dept C. G. C.

Virginia: In the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Rockingham County July 25, 1913.
THIS DEED from John W. Allen and wife to M.M. Jarman & John Tomkins was this day presented in the office aforesaid, and is, together with the certificate of acknowledgement annexed, admitted to record.
Teste, [signature], Clerk.