Echoes from the Dismal Swamp

I believe Sarah’s husband was probably named, WILLIAM.  My conclusion is based on the usage of the name, William, in this Burkett family.

Generation No. 1

1.  Mr. Burkett  married Sarah.  She was born Abt. 1790.

Children of Mr. Burkett and Sarah are:
2    i.    Unknown Female Burkett, born Bet. 1804 – 1810.
+    3    ii.    Daniel Burkett, born Abt. 1808 in South Carolina.
+    4    iii.    Willis Burkett, born Abt. 1810.
5    iv.    Unknown Male Burkett, born Bet. 1811 – 1820.
+    6    v.  George  Washington (Wash) Burkett, born 01 June 1813 in South Carolina.

Generation No. 2

3.  Daniel2 Burkett (Mr.1) was born Abt. 1808 in South Carolina.  He married Sarah Catherine Woolbright 05 April 1837 in Pendleton District, South Carolina, daughter of Mary Woolbright.  She was born 28 September 1818 in Union County, South Carolina, and died in Walker County, Alabama.
Children of Daniel Burkett and Sarah Woolbright are:
7    i.    Sarah3 Burkett, born Abt. 1839.
8    ii.    William Burkett, born Abt. 1841.
9    iii.    Benjamin Franklin Burkett, born Abt. 1843.
10    iv.    Elijah Burkett, born Abt. 1845.
11    v.    Mary Burkett, born Abt. 1847.
12    vi.    George Burkett, born 1850.

4.  Willis2 Burkett (Mr.1) was born Abt. 1810.  He married (1) Martha.  She was born Abt. 1812.  He married (2) Amanda.  She was born Abt. 1843.
Children of Willis Burkett and Martha are:
+    13    i.    William3 Burkett, born September 1834 in South Carolina.
14    ii.    Julia Burkett, born Abt. 1835.
15    iii.    Caroline Burkett, born Abt. 1836.
16    iv.    Mary Burkett, born Abt. 1837.
17    v.    Elizabeth Burkett, born Abt. 1839.
+    18    vi.    Charles Burkett, born Abt. 1842 in South Carolina.
+    19    vii.    John C. Burkett, born Abt. 1843 in South Carolina.
20    viii.    Francis Burkett, born Abt. 1845.
21    ix.    Martha Burkett, born Abt. 1846.
+    22    x.    Benjamin Franklin Burkett, born Abt. 1848 in Georgia.
23    xi.    Perry Burkett, born Abt. 1849 in South Carolina.  He married Mary; born Abt. 1854 in South Carolina.

6.  George Washington (Wash) Burkett (Mr.1) was born 01 June 1813 in South Carolina.  He married Margaret Dennington 10 February 1831 in Pickens County, South Carolina, daughter of William Dennington and Elizabeth Austin.  She was born 14 May 1809 in South Carolina.

Children of Washington Burkett and Margaret Dennington are:
+    24    i.    Elizabeth3 Burkett, born 14 January 1833 in South Carolina; died 27 July 1907.
25    ii.    Sarah Ann Burkett, born 18 April 1834 in South Carolina.  She married David C. Sanders; born 06 February 1829 in South Carolina.
26    iii.    Wade Hampton Burkett, born 18 August 1836 in South Carolina.  He married Eunice; born March 1830 in South Carolina.
+    27    iv.    Ezekiel H. Burkett, born Abt. 1839.
28    v.    Thomas Perry Burkett, born 18 December 1843.
Served in the Civil War, Confederate, 2nd South Carolina Infantry, 2nd Palmetto Regiment, Co. C, Sergeant
SOURCE:  M381 Roll 5
29    vi.    Washington Burkett, born 13 April 1846.
30    vii.    Willis Burkett, born 02 August 1848.

Generation No. 3

13.  William3 Burkett (Willis2, Mr.1) was born September 1834 in South Carolina.  He married Nancy.  She was born Abt. 1837 in South Carolina.

Children of William Burkett and Nancy are:
31    i.    Helen E.4 Burkett, born Abt. 1857.
32    ii.    James E. Burkett, born Abt. 1858.
33    iii.    David L. Burkett, born Abt. 1866.
34    iv.    Ellis M. Burkett, born Abt. 1869.

18.  Charles3 Burkett (Willis2, Mr.1) was born Abt. 1842 in South Carolina.  He married Georgian A..  She was born Abt. 1844 in South Carolina.
He served  Civil War, Confederate, Private, 2nd South Carolina Rifles, 2nd Regiment, Co. K
SOURCE:  M381 Roll 5
Children of Charles Burkett and Georgian A. are:
35    i.    Cordelia L.4 Burkett, born Abt. 1867 in Arkansas.
36    ii.    Willie B. Burkett, born Abt. 1870.

19.  John C.3 Burkett (Willis2, Mr.1) was born Abt. 1843 in South Carolina.  He married Mary C..  She was born Abt. 1846 in South Carolina.
Child of John Burkett and Mary C. is:
37    i.    Charles F.4 Burkett, born Abt. 1868.

22.  Benjamin Franklin3 Burkett (Willis2, Mr.1) was born Abt. 1848 in Georgia.  He married Mary Elizabeth.
Children of Benjamin Burkett and Mary Elizabeth are:
38    i.    Samuel Pickens Burkett, born 10 November 1875.  He married Eula.
39    ii.    William F. Burkett, born Abt. 1878.

24.  Elizabeth3 Burkett (Washington2, Mr.1) was born 14 January 1833 in South Carolina, and died 27 July 1907.  She married Baylis B. Rice 21 December 1848 in Pendleton, South Carolina1.  He was born June 1822 in South Carolina.
Elizabeth and Baylis are buried in Sandy Springs Methodist Church, Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina

Children of Elizabeth Burkett and Baylis Rice are:
+    40    i.    George Washington4 Rice, born 30 January 1851 in South Carolina; died 30 January 1931.
+    41    ii.    Sallie Ann Rice, born January 1852; died 13 January 1923 in Stonewall, Campbell County, Georgia.
+    42    iii.    Mary Margaret Rice, born 01 June 1856 in South Carolina; died 16 November 1935 in Cobb County,                                                                                                                                                                                                             Georgia.
+    43    iv.    Harriett M. Rice, born 1859; died 1933.
44    v.    Daniel Pickens Rice, born 18 March 1861; died 05 October 1882.
Burial: Sandy Springs Methodist Church, Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina
45    vi.    Elizabeth P. Rice, born 05 August 1862; died 22 March 1890.  She married T. Taylor.
Burial: Sandy Springs Methodist Church, Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina
46    vii.    Thomas William Rice, born Abt. 1865.
+    47    viii.    John Baylis Rice, born Abt. 1870 in South Carolina.

27.  Ezekiel H.3 Burkett (Washington2, Mr.1) was born Abt. 1839.  He married Rachel Moore.  She was born 18 August 1831.

Child of Ezekiel Burkett and Rachel Moore is:
+    48    i.    Thomas William4 Burkett, born 18 January 1861.

Generation No. 4

40.  George Washington4 Rice (Elizabeth3 Burkett, Washington2, Mr.1) was born 30 January 1851 in South Carolina2, and died 30 January 1931.  He married Mary E. Cleveland.  She was born 01 February 1849 in South Carolina, and died 28 August 1928.

Children of George Rice and Mary Cleveland are:
+    49    i.    Wade Hampton5 Rice, born 14 August 1876.
50    ii.    Florence Rice2,3, born November 1878.
+    51    iii.    Jonathan Cleveland Rice, born 28 February 1880.
52    iv.    Thomas William Rice4, born 08 February 1882.

41.  Sallie Ann4 Rice (Elizabeth3 Burkett, Washington2, Mr.1) was born January 1852, and died 13 January 1923 in Stonewall, Campbell County, Georgia5.  She married John Barry Whitten, son of Zachariah Whitten and Margaret.  He was born June 1847 in Pickens District, South Carolina.

Children of Sallie Rice and John Whitten are:
+    53    i.    John B.5 Whitten, Jr., born June 1875.
+    54    ii.    Gussie Whitten, born June 1878.
55    iii.    Lawrence Whitten, born August 1881.
56    iv.    Arthur Collin Whitten, born 17 July 1885; died 05 May 1950.
57    v.    Hattie Whitten, born October 1887 in South Carolina; died 04 May 1901 in Cobb County, Marietta, Georgia.
Burial: Citizens Cemetery, Marietta, Georgia
58    vi.    Nannie Whitten, born April 1891.

42.  Mary Margaret4 Rice (Elizabeth3 Burkett, Washington2, Mr.1) was born 01 June 1856 in South Carolina, and died 16 November 1935 in Cobb County,  Georgia.  She married Phillip Nicholas Gasaway 11 August 1886 in Cobb County, Georgia.  He was born 14 February 1843 in Pickens County, South Carolina, and died 03 October 1915 in Cobb County,  Georgia.

COBB COUNTY TIMES, Marietta Georgia
21 November 1935
Wesley Chapel (a Methodist Church and community in East Cobb County, Georgia)
Mrs. Bertha Gasaway and famly attended the funeral of Mrs. Margaret Gasaway, mother-in-law, Sunday at Macland Church. Mrs. Gasaway had a number of friends in this commuity who were grieved by her death.
Mrs. Bertha Gasaway and family and J. C. Brown spent Sunday night with Rob Gasaway and family, of Lost Mountain.
Mary Margaret (Mattie) Rice Gasaway is buried Macland Cemetery, Powder Springs, Georgia

Notes for Phillip Nicholas Gasaway: (Buried Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Cobb County, Georgia)
On one side his tombstone reads:  “It was hard in deed to part with thee, but Christ’s strong arm supported me.”
On the other side:   Volunteered 1861,  1st SC Rifles, Co. A

Phillip enlisted in Pickens County, South Carolina, at the Sandy Springs Methodist Church Campground, as part of Orr’s Rifles.

Children of Mary Rice and Phillip Gasaway are:
+    59    i.    Wesley Clayton5 Gasaway, born 02 July 1888 in Cobb County, Georgia; died 26 December 1926 in Cobb County,  Georgia.
+    60    ii.    Robert M. Gasaway, born 28 May 1891 in Cobb County,  Georgia; died October 1981 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.
+    61    iii.    James Hugh Gasaway, born 1892 in Cobb County,  Georgia; died 1958.
62    iv.    Hattie Irene Gasaway, born January 1896, died, abt. 1925
63    v.    Charles E. Gasaway, born October 1898.  He married Martha Martin, December 1918 in Cobb County, Georgia.

43.  Harriett M.4 Rice (Elizabeth3 Burkett, Washington2, Mr.1) was born 1859, and died 1933.  She married Joseph F. Hackett.  (Buried at Sandy Springs Methodist Church, Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina.)
Child of Harriett Rice and Joseph Hackett is:
64    i.    Mary5 Hackett, born Abt. 1877.

47.  John Baylis4 Rice (Elizabeth3 Burkett, Washington2, Mr.1) was born Abt. 1870 in South Carolina.  He married Sallie R..  She was born Abt. 1867.

Children of John Rice and Sallie R. are:
65    i.    Thomas W.5 Rice, born Abt. 1892.
66    ii.    Bynard Rice, born Abt. 1893.
67    iii.    Elizabeth Rice, born Abt. 1894.
68    iv.    William Rice, born Abt. 1902.
+    69    v.    Rosa Lee Rice, born Abt. 1903.
70    vi.    Essie C. Rice, born Abt. 1907.
71    vii.    Paul O. Rice, born Abt. 1910.

48.  Thomas William4 Burkett (Ezekiel H.3, Washington2, Mr.1) was born 18 January 1861.  He married Mary F..  She was born Abt. 1861.

Child of Thomas Burkett and Mary F. is:
72    i.    Charley Milford5 Burkett, born 16 November 1898 in Seneca, Oconee, South Carolina6.

The following information was researched, compiled and written by Connie Chumley Stringer: Copyright 2009

It appears David O’Sheal (b. 1690) married into the Conner family of Ireland who settled in the Colony of Virginia.

My conclusion is based on several factors:

(1) Lewis Conner, Sr. (d. 1698),was a wealthy ship builder and merchant who was responsible for the transportation of goods between the colonies and the British Isles as well as islands in the Caribbean and the Virgin Islands.  Lewis Conner also engaged in slave trading.

David O’Sheal’s was an attorney and merchant who no doubt engaged in business ventures that involved shipping goods to England and more than likely he utilized ships owned by the Conner family.

David O’Sheal’s father, John O’Sheal, who lived in London, was a merchant tailor who manufactured and sold clothing and military uniforms made from wool.  More than likely, David O’Sheal owned  sheep on his numerous acres in Virginia and North Carolina. The wool sheared from the sheep was sent back to England.

Of further interest to the historian…After a period of time, England did not want wool sent from the colonies.  It became a crime to accept the wool during the mid 18th century.  England’s rejection of the wool and the Stamp Act were but two reasons which led to the American Revolution.

(2)  Lewis Conner, Jr. was granted 90 Acres in 1704 on Loosing Swamp (Nansemond County) which later became part of North Carolina.  This same 90 acres was transferred in 1720 to John O’Sheal, the oldest son of David O’Sheal.

(3) It is possible Lewis Conner, Jr. was the father-in-law of David O’Sheal because the same 90 Acres granted to Lewis Conner may have been purchased by him in 1704 as a gift for his daughter, who may have been born that same year. Therefore, the wife of David O’Sheal was around the age of sixteen or seventeen when she gave birth to her oldest son, John O’Sheal.

(4) There is also a possibility David O’Sheal’s wife was the daughter of Lewis Conner, Sr.  In 1698, Lewis Conner Sr. left a will which does not contain the names of all his children. His will was torn in places and is not easy to read.  Lewis Conner, Sr. did name a daughter, Maria Theresa/Teresa.

David O’Sheal and his wife, named a daughter, Teresa/Theresa/Maria Theresa O’Sheal, who married Rev. John Agnew.

FURTHER ANALYSIS SHOWS THE FOLLOWING:

One researcher stated David O’Sheal, Sr.  married one Elizabeth Maria Pugh.  No documents found to date can substantiate this myth.  There is no proof that David O’Sheal’s, the immigrant, wife was named Elizabeth.

26 January 1756,  Daniel O’Sheal of Granville County, NC, sold three slaves–a Negro man Shockoe and girls Diana and Moll–and one saddle to Thomas Fisher of Suffolk County, Virginia. Witnesses:  ELIZABETH O’SHEAL, APSLEY COUPLAND, AND REV. JOHN AGNEW.  (Apsley O’Sheal Coupland (daughter of David O’Sheal, Sr.);  Rev. John Agnew, the husband of Teresa O’Sheal and daughter of David O’Sheal, Sr.; Elizabeth O’Sheal, the widow of David O’Sheal, Jr.)

This transaction is the only legal transaction found which shows the name ELIZABETH O’Sheal in connection with the O’SHEAL family between 1714–1756.

Last year I located the 1756, inventory of the estate of David O’Sheal, Jr.

David O’Sheal, Jr., died either late in 1755 or early in 1756.   I believe the ELIZABETH O’SHEAL who witnessed the legal transaction cited above, was the widow of David O’Sheal, Jr.   It appears Daniel O’Sheal participated in the selling of his brother’s slaves and personal property on behalf of David O’Sheal’s widow, ELIZABETH O’SHEAL.

2 March 1756, Daniel O’Sheal granted land and livestock to Elizabeth Walker, his daughter.  This land appears to have been land Daniel O’Sheal acquired from the estate of his brother, David O’Sheal, Jr. and his wife, ELIZABETH O’SHEAL.  It is unknown whether Daniel O’Sheal purchased this land from his brother’s estate or attained it by way of some other means.  However, whatever the method, it seems quite clear Daniel O’Sheal intended to protect this property by granting it to his young daughter.

MORE O’SHEAL CONNECTIONS TO THE CONNER FAMILY:

Source:  A Hidden Phase of American History: Ireland’s Part in America’s Struggle for Liberty, written by Michael J. O’Brien, copyright 1919

“John Conner became Attorney General for North Carolina in 1730, and his successor in office

was David O’Sheal” (page 361).

1850 Census, Cass County, Georgia

John A. O’Shields b. SC, abt. 1829; wife, Frances Ophelia, b. GA, abt. 1827 (John A. O’Shields married Frances Ophelia Gaines, 16 May 1850, in Cass County, Georgia.)
Silas O’Shields, b. SC, abt. 1832, (living in home of Alfred C. Day

1860 Census, Cass County, Georgia
Silas O’Shields, b. SC, abt. 1832;  wife, M. b. abt. 1834; child, L. b. abt. 1858

1870 Census, Cass County, Georgia

Fanny O’Shields, b. SC, abt. 1827, (widow of John A. O’Shields/O’Sheal); son, Henry J., b. GA, 1851;  daughter, Fannie, b. GA, 1855

Silas O’Shields, wife, Catherine b. abt. 1839; Sidney(male), b. abt. 1862; daughter, Anna, b. abt. 1866, GA

Sidney O’Shields was sent to prison on 10 February 1879, from Bartow County, Georgia.  The nature of the crime  is unknown at this time.

Silas O’Shields served in the Civil War,  Pvt in Co “D”- 10th Battalion,Georgia Cavalry- Bartow County, Georgia

“The Standard Express Newspaper, “  Bartow County, Georgia, OBITUARY

January 4, 1872
SILAS O’SHIELDS, who for a long time has been a resident of our town, died on the 22nd (Dec 22, 1871) after a few days of severe affliction.
He was Kind, in offensive and obliging and had, we suppose, but few enemies.We tender his bereaved family our heart-felt sympathies and invoke upon the blessing of Him, who is the merciful friend of the widow and orphan. (Courtesy of Peggy Sasscer)

The Cartersville American, Cartersville, Georgia, October 21, 1884, page 5
On Wednesday evening, October 15, Mr. J. W. Bridges was married to Miss Annie O’Shields, at the residence of the bride’s mother, in this city. The ceremony was performed by Rev. F. M. Daniel. The happy couple left on Thursday for Pensacola, Florida, where Mr. Bridges is located, as agent for the Southern News Co., and which will be their future home.

OBITUARY of Catherine O’Shields, wife of Silas O’Shields:
“The Courant American Newspaper”
Cartersville, GA
Oct 13, 1887- Pg 3:
Mrs. O’Shields, mother of Mrs. J. Wylie Bridges, died at her home on Erwin Street last week after a long and painful illness. She was one of the first that settled in Cartersville when it was a hamlet and was long a consistent and dutiful member of the Baptist Church. (Courtesy of Peggy Sasscer)

1880 Census, Dawson County, Georgia
Henry J. O’Shields, b. 1851; wife, Sallie E., b. abt. 1855; son, Henry M. b. 1877; mother of Henry J. O’Shields, Ophelia, age 46.

1900 Census, Portsmouth Ward 2, Portsmouth City, Virginia
Henry Jethro O’Shields  b. February 1851 in Georgia; wife, Sarah, b. July 1857;
Children:
Henry M.  b. July 1877, GA (wife, Nonie, b. January 1880)

Notes for–  Henry Meyers O’Shields; married Naomi Crawford. A descendant of this couple, David O’Shields, supplied the maiden name of Henry Meyers O’Shields’ wife.)   Today, I found new information.  They married 11 October 1899, in Haralson County, Georgia, ceremony performed by A. G. Shaw.  Naomi Ruth Crawford was born in Carroll County, Georgia, parents were Augustus A. Crawford, b. abt. 1850 and Artie, whose maiden name is unknown at this time.

Fannie (Frances) M. b. September 1880,GA, married Charles E. Porter

Barbara L., b. December 1882  GA, d. 7 June 1972, married Mitchell Brown

Bernice b. November 1887, born in ALABAMA, married Ollie Russell

Jo (F) b. June 1892, GA

Cornelia (F)  b. June 1896, GA, married William Morecock

Henry Jethro O’Shields was born, 25 February 1851, and died 19 March 1912.  Sarah Elizabeth (Garrison) O’Shields was born, 10 July 1858, and died 15 January 1946. (SOURCE:  Tombstones, Oak Grove Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia)

Henry Jethro O’Shields, son of John A. O’Shields and his wife, Frances Ophelia Gaines,  married Sarah E. Garrison.  (Information taken from the death certificate of Henry Meyers O’Shields stated he was the son of Henry Jethro O’Shields and Sarah E. Garrison.  SOURCE: David O’Shields, who is a descendant of Henry Jethro and Henry Meyers O’shields.  David O’Shields lives in Virginia. He sent this information to me due to our communications via internet for the past several months.)

Henry Jethro O’Shields was the editor and publisher of Mountain Chronicle in Dawson County, Georgia.  It was established in 1879; printed every Friday; 4 pages; 19×25; Subscription $1.00;  (This information was taken from George P. Rowell & Cos., American Newspaper Directory, published 1882, in New York.)

Henry Jethro O’Shields published “The Stevenson Chronicle” in Stevenson, Jackson County, Alabama.  (1887)

In 1888, Henry Jethro O’Shields was one of the Editors of “The Piedmont Post,” located in Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama.

Henry Jethro O’Shields was publisher of The Tallapoosa Dispatch, 1891.  This newspaper was located in Tallapoosa, Georgia, about ten miles from Bremen, Georgia, in Haralson County and very near the Alabama border.

“The Bremen Chronicle,” Bremen, Haralson County, Georgia, Established 1893; Editor & Publisher Henry Jethro O’Shields; Wednesdays; 4 pages, 18×24; Subscription $1.00.

OBITUARY of Frances Ophelia Gaines O’Shields, The Atlanta Constitution

Mrs. F. O. O’Shields, Anniston, Ala., 14 April 1905, died here this morning. Mrs. O’Shields was 72 years of age. She is survived by a son, H. J. O’Shields, of Portsmouth, Va., and a daughter, Mrs. J. T. Hemphill.  The interment will take place tomorrow afternoon.

Frances Ophelia Gaines O’Shields died while living with her daughter, Frances M. O’Shields Hemphill of Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama. Frances M.  O’Shields married James T. Hemphill, 22 October 1876, Bartow County, Georgia. (Courtesy of Peggy Sasscer)

Frances M. O’Shields Hemphill, died 31 August 1918, Calhoun County, Alabama.

TO BE CONTINUED

John Drayton was a very popular, handsome, and well liked man in the state of South Carolina.  He was born 1766 and died in 1822.  Drayton served in the House of Representatives from 1792-1798; created the University of South Carolina,  served as Lt. Governor for South Carolina, and then, served as Governor John DRAYTON, from 1800-1802 and from 1808-1810.   When he was older, President Madison, appointed John Drayton as United States District Judge.

A researcher has insinuated the name DRAYTON originiated from the O’Sheal family and passed down to other O’Sheal descendants.  This is not true.  The name Wiley DRAYTON O’Sheal was taken from John DRAYTON, a beloved and respected man. Many families in and from the state of South Carolina named their sons DRAYTON.

NO DOUBT….Sanford DRAYTON Harrison was named after Governor John DRAYTON.   Sanford Drayton Harrison was the son of Elizabeth O’Sheal Harrison and Tyree/Tyrie Harrison.  Elizabeth O’Sheal was the daughter of Jethro O’Sheal, who served in the Revolutionary War.

Naming children after famous people was certainly very common in the 19th century.  For example, my great-grandfather’s name was, Joseph Brown Chumley.  He was named after the governor of Georgia.  Joseph Brown was the governor of Georgia during the Civil War.  My great-grandfather was not born until 1872.

Theresa O’Sheal, b. sometime between 1756-1775, had a daughter, Elizabeth.  This Elizabeth, b. bet. 1790-1793, married James Hewitt in Spartanburg or Union Counties, South Carolina.  James Hewitt and Elizabeth O’Sheal moved to Gordon County, Georgia, and lived near Ranger, Georgia.   They had a daughter, Sharlotte Letitia (Lettie) Hewitt, who married William Cowan. William was born abt. 1812 in Ireland.  This couple had a daughter, Clarinda Caledonia Cowan, b. 29 January 1847.  Clarinda married William Monroe Harris, b. 6 August 1846, in Georgia.  They had a son, Boss Hewitt Harris, b. 11 July 1888.

Sharlotte Letitia (Lettie) Hewitt Cowan and William Cowan had these children: ADELINE, Joseph, William, Clarinda, Monroe, Leander, RHODA, Sylvanus, and PATRICK.

Sharlotte Letitia (Lettie) Hewitt Cowan’s children’s names match some of the  names within the family of one Daniel O’Sheal.  This Daniel O’Sheal was NOT the son of Jethro O’Sheal, and this Daniel O’Sheal’s parents are unknown.  However, one can feel safe at saying Lettie Hewitt Cowan’s children carried some of the same names as this Daniel O’Sheal’s wife, children, and grand-children.

Daniel O’Sheal’s wife, children, and grand-children:  RHODY (Rhoda), ADELINE, and PATRICK are some names Lettie Hewitt Cowan chose for her own children.

Whether the Daniel O’Sheal mentioned in this Post was the brother of Elizabeth O’Sheal Hewitt has not actually been proven; however, because Sharlotte Letitia (Lettie) Hewitt Cowan chose names from Daniel O’Sheal’s family, it is very likely their was a close family connection.  Names such as ADELINE, PATRICK, and RHODY, were not the most common names to have chosen.  And, because Daniel O’Sheal’s children were born before Lettie Hewitt Cowan’s children, Lettie chose these names out of her relative Daniel O’Sheal’s family.

A researcher has stated that Theresa O’Sheal had a son named, Daniel.  As I’ve stated, I haven’t found proof, but it is very tempting to believe this is true since S. Letitia (Lettie) Hewitt Cowan did take names from Daniel O’Sheal’s family.  This Daniel O’Sheal would have been the uncle of Lettie Hewitt Cowan.

Myth # 1:  David O’Sheal did NOT marry Elizabeth Maria Pugh.  No documentation has surfaced proving the identity of David O’Sheal’s wife.  (David O’Sheal, b. 1690)

Myth # 2:  Jethro O’Sheals’ wife was NOT Sarah.  No documentation has surfaced proving this claim.

Myth # 3:  James Hewitt did NOT marry the daughter of Jethro O’Sheal. No documentation has surfaced proving this error.

Myth #4:  James Hewitt DID NOT preach at the funeral of Jethro O’Sheal.  James Hewitt moved to Georgia before 1845.  Jethro O’Sheal died in December 1846.

Myth #5:  John A. O’Sheal was NOT the nephew of Elizabeth Hewitt.

Myth #6:  Lucretia O’Sheal was NOT the wife of John O’Sheal.

Myth #7:  Pearl Parton Donehoo Waterfield did NOT leave boxes of old papers documenting the history of the O’Sheal family. She may have left some papers, but no one has ever viewed any important documents that were said to have come from this woman.

Myth #8:  Pearl Parton Donehoo Waterfield did NOT receive a 3,000 plus word letter documenting the history of the O’Sheal family.  Any reference to this has NEVER been proven. No original copies exist.

Myth #9:   One Daniel O’Sheal was the brother of Elizabeth O’Sheal Harrison and NOT Elizabeth Hewitt. (This Daniel was the son of Jethro O’Sheal.)

Myth #10:  Elizabeth Hewitt did NOT have the middle name, APSLEY

Myth # 11:  Some claim to have written an O’Sheal Record prior to 2003, this never happened. My research was used  by a person(s) who has no conscience and lacks moral standards of decency.

The ONLY Documented History of the O’Sheal family during Colonial times in this country was published by me in 2003.   My cousin and I researched, wrote, and published OSHEAL-CHUMLEY.   Any person who claims to have published the Colonial American O’Sheal family history prior to my book is not telling the truth.  Very few details were known about the O’Sheals in this country before my cousin and I completed the O’Sheal research.  We traced David O’Sheal to his parents in London, England.  From this point, we found more documents detailing members of the O’Sheal family as well as some family members who were loyal to King George III during the time of the American Revolution.  Much of this information can be found on this website.

No family letters or memoirs or diaries or word of mouth information were passed down through the O’Sheal family in America. The declaration of such has proven to be simply concocted tales of fiction.

The court cases of David O’Sheal were researched, compiled, and written by J.V. Michael Motes. Michael did a great deal of research and writing on the origin of the O’Sheal name.  This information have been placed on message boards and claimed as the research of others.  These individuals lack integrity and should be shunned.

A now deceased friend and cousin, Lonnie O’Shields, researched and wrote about the descendants of Daniel O’Sheal, one of the sons of David O’Sheal.  Lonnie’s book documented many descendants; however, his book did not detail the Colonial History of the O’Sheal family.  Lonnie’s book is a great guide for those looking to find their O’Sheal connection.

If anyone wants further information about my 2003 book, feel free to email me, and I will give you all the details relating to any person masquerading as the official historian for the O’Sheal family.  This person frequents genealogy websites with exaggerated tales while hoping to gain the reputation of a “Real” genealogist.  This person simply copies from others.  This person solicits information from others and then, uses the information as his/her research.

Myth # 12:  Mitochondrial DNA tests have NOT been conducted showing Theresa O’Sheal as the mother of any female or male O’Sheal descendants.   Any ridiculous story about Theresa O’Sheal is to be dismissed as pure hogwash!!!

Myth # 13:  No documents exist proving Elizabeth O’Sheal Harrison was the daughter of Theresa O’Sheal, and the male line ancestors of Elizabeth O’Sheal Harrison cannot be proven through DNA research.  Mitochondrial DNA tests through Elizabeth O’Sheal Harrison’s female line have NOT been conducted.  All claims to this are to be dismissed as rubbish!!!

Myth # 14:  Elizabeth O’Sheal Hewitt did NOT write or dictate her memoirs in 1866.  Some researchers believe the 1870 census which records Elizabeth Cox in the household of Cassey Hewitt Cox and her husband, John Cox was actually Elizabeth Hewitt, the mother of Cassey Hewitt Cox.  If this Elizabeth Hewitt was the same female age 84 living with Cassey Hewitt Cox and John Cox, the 1870 census record reports this Elizabeth Hewitt could neither read nor write.  In regard to the husband of Elizabeth O’Sheal Hewitt, James Hewitt.  James Hewitt was listed as Blacksmith in the 1850 census and Farm Laborer in the 1860 census records.  There does not appear to be a record of James Hewitt as a minister. ( However, two ministers did live near the Hewitt and Cox families.   They were William Fleming and Abraham Chastain.)  James Hewitt who was named in the Minutes of the Friendship Baptist Church in the Spartanburg/Union Counies area of South Carolina does not appear to have been the same James Hewitt who moved to Gordon County, Georgia.  There were at least three men named James Hewitt in the Spartanburg/Union Counties area in South Carolina.

Abraham Chastain was the most renowned Baptist minister in Gordon County, Georgia, during the period of time when James Hewitt inhabited Gordon County, Georgia.  Abraham Chastain performed the marriage ceremonies for some of James Hewitt’s children.  IF JAMES HEWITT WAS A BAPTIST MINISTER, HE WOULD HAVE PERFORMED THE MARRIAGE CEREMONIES FOR HIS OWN CHILDREN!!

Among the Revolutionary War Pension papers for Jethro O’Sheal is a letter that was written 12 October 1855 by John A. O’Sheal, who was one of the HEIRS of Jethro O’Sheal.  John was living in Cass County, Georgia, near his wife’s parents, Henry and Anna Gaines in Adairsville, Georgia, and  approximately ten miles from Calhoun, Gordon County, Georgia, which was the location from where the following letter was mailed. This letter proves John A. O’Sheal was a direct descendant of Jethro O’Shields.

SOURCE: Publication: M804; Pension number–S 18144–Jethro O’Shields or O’Sheal

Calhoun, Georgia, October 12, 1855,

L. P. Waldo, Esq.

“Sir, I desire some information in relation to what time Jethro O’Sheal of Spartanburg District, South Carolina drew his last pension or in other words at what time he made his last draw from the pension office.  The SAID Jethro O’Sheal was a Revolutionary soldier and died in the year 1846, about the last of end of that year. There was some time before he died that he did not draw at all, therefore there is coming to his HEIRS you will please give me some information concerning the amount that there is coming to SAID O’Sheal from the time he made his last draw up to December 1846, you will much oblige.    Yours very truly, John A. O’Sheal”

The line of descent from Jethro OSheal to John A. O’Sheal:

JETHRO OSHEAL had a daughter, ELIZABETH.

ELIZABETH OSHEAL married TYREE HARRISON in Spartanburg, SC.

ELIZABETH OSHEAL and TYREE HARRISON had a daughter, Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE HARRISON married JOHN O’SHEAL and had a son, John A.  (Charlotte Harrison and John O’Sheal were cousins.)

Their son, JOHN A. O’SHEAL was the same person who mailed the letter to L.P. Waldo 12 October 1855.

JOHN A. OSHEAL was the great-grandson of JETHRO OSHEAL through JETHRO OSHEAL’S daughter, ELIZABETH OSHEAL who married
TYREE HARRISON.

One researcher reported the name, Sarah or Sara was written into the letter by John A. O’Sheal.  My research shows this is not true.  I have quoted the entire letter from John A. O’Sheal, and the name–Sara–does not appear.  The researcher who reported the name Sara was incorrect with his conclusion.  The researcher substituted the word–SAID–for the name, SARA.

I have written several rebuttals to the preposterous claim Sarah O’Shields was the wife of Jethro O’Shields.  These rebuttals can be found on rootsweb and genforum.

I wish now to add one more reason Sarah O’Shields named in the Minutes of Friendship Baptist was NOTt the wife of Jethro O’Shields, who was born between 1761-1762.  In 1841, Jethro was about 80 years of age.  If this Sarah O’Shields was the ONLY woman who married Jethro O’Shields, this would mean she was at least 70 years of age in  1841.    IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY A WOMAN OF 70 YEARS PLUS would have left her 80 year old husband, especially in the years 1841-1842, Spartanburg, South Carolina, when life for most was a daily struggle, and most women were worn out by the age of fifty.

According to one family researcher, Jethro O’Shields and his wife, Sarah, had a daughter, Elizabeth, and this Elizabeth married James Hewitt.  This researcher has stated  Jethro married only one time to Sarah, but NOW that same researcher is trying to retract that statement by saying he couldn’t rule out the possibility that Jethro’s first wife was NOT named Sarah.  In that case the Sarah he claims was the mother of Elizabeth, he is now claiming was NOT the mother of Elizabeth.  He can’t have it both ways.   AGAIN, if Sarah O’Shields in the Minutes of Friendship Baptist Church was really the wife of Jethro and the mother of Elizabeth, this Sarah had to have been 70 years of age.  If she was not the wife of Jethro and mother of Elizabeth, then this person can no longer say Jethro O’Shields married Sarah, and they had a daughter, Elizabeth, who married James Hewitt.

The records show Elizabeth, the wife of James Hewitt, was born sometime between 1790-1793.  Her mother would had to have been born no later than 1774. By 1841, Elizabeth’s mother would had to have been near 70 years of age, just as I stated.  Therefore, back to my conclusion.  Sarah O’Shields, 1841-1842, recorded in the Minutes of the Friendship Baptist Church was not the wife of Jethro O’Shields.  She was the wife of Henry O’Shields.   Henry reported his wife, Sarah, left him and was NOT reporting HIS OWN MOTHER HAD DESERTED HIS FATHER.  The very notion is beyond comprehension.   Henry O’Shields and his wife, Sarah, moved from South Carolina to Texas.   It is possible this couple moved to Texas as a result of their family problems.  I doubt we will ever know.

It appears that common sense is no longer alive and well in this country.  Anyone who can be talked into believing a 70 year old woman in 1841 left her husband and reportedly for no good reason…Well, what can I say.   Since Nancy Pelosi can get away with calling the CIA liars, nothing should surprise me.

To those of you who have been fed lies and believed these lies about our O’Sheal family:  You have been duped by someone who has worked to destroy my research, especially the Colonial research of the O’Sheal family.  I find lies have been placed on the internet continuing to say someone else  is the author of the O’Sheal research.   This person is full of hatred and anger for me.  In October 2003, this person stole my book and send it to a lady in SC and said my book belonged to him/her.  My attorney sent a “cease and desist” letter to this person.  After receiving the letter,  this person’s anger and rage increased to a point of constant harassment of me on genealogy boards on the internet; telling lies about me on the internet and in phone calls; lies about my research and my cousin’s research on the internet and phone calls; CALLING my former employer and saying I stole his/her book.

This same person claims to have written the Colonial History of the O’Sheal family.  This lie is as convoluted and absurd as the stumbling, bumbling, arrogant words spewed from the mouth of Nancy Pelosi.  The truth remains I published the O’Sheal Colonial History of David O’Sheal in 2003.

9 February 1811
Ephraim Story sold to Benjamin WOOTON land on Dutchmen’s Creek, Spartanburg, South Carolina

Ephraim Story sold “40 acres, more or less” to Benjamin WOOTON for $30.00.  This land was “originaly granted to Dudly WOOTON.”  Other names mentioned in this deed were William Prewett, Samuel Prewett, and Nathaniel WOOTON.
Witnesses:  Osburn West and James HEWETT

26 January 1841
James HEWETT sold land to John WINSMITH.
“…the land whereon I now live, including the tract wherein
Landon HEWETT now lives…on the dry Branch, being the waters of Dutchmen’s Creek, and containing one hundred and seventy nine acres”
Wife, Elizabeth HEWETT , released dower

August 1842, James HEWETT and his wife left Friendship Baptist Church.

19 September 1843, Wiley O’SHIELDS sold land on Jimmey’s Creek, Spartanburg, South Carolina,  to N. C. Vance.

James HEWETT lived at Dutchmen’s Creek near his wife’s mother and brothers and sister.  He was the same James HEWETT who removed to Gordon County, Georgia.  He and his family traveled to Georgia with the families of Samuel O’SHIELDS and Wiley O’SHIELDS.
Samuel O’Shields’ son,  Hiram O’Shields stated in his application for a pension as a Confederate veteran that he had been a resident of Georgia since 15 August 1845. This date coincides with the approximate date of George HEWETT’s birth, as he appears in the 1850 Census records with James HEWETT, his wife, Elizabeth, and his children.
Elizabeth O’SHIELDS, wife of James HEWITT, was the sister of Samuel O’SHIELDS and Wiley O’SHIELDS, and Nancy O’SHIELDS.
James HEWETT sold land to John WINSMITH who was said to have fathered the children of Nancy O’SHIELDS, the sister of Elizabeth O‘SHIELDS HEWETT, Samuel O‘SHIELDS, and Wiley O‘SHIELDS.

According to information gathered from the O’SHIELDS’ DNA project via internet, Wiley O’SHIELDS’ father was not an O’SHIELDS but a WOOTON/WOOTEN. Based on the 1811 deed of sale, it is certain Wiley O’SHIELDS’ father (WOOTON/WOOTEN) was well acquainted with James HEWETT.  The 1811 deed of sale shows the close connection between the WOOTON family and James HEWETT.  Perhaps Benjamin WOOTON was the father of Wiley O’SHIELDS???