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 # 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!!

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.

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.  (not proven by documentation but passed down through the O’Shields in Spartanburg)

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???

Some individuals have said Wiley O’Shields and Elizabeth O’Shields Harrison shared the same mother and the same father.  This is questionable and preposterous because O’Sheal/O’Shields researchers are now asked to believe: (1) Elizabeth O’Shields Harrison was the d/o Teresa O’Shields and unknown WOOTEN. AND (2) Wiley O’Shields nee WOOTEN and Elizabeth O’Shields Harrison shared the same unknown WOOTEN father.  Elizabeth was born abt. 1792 and Wiley 1801. There were at least eight years difference in their ages. In 1804, Teresa O’Shields named Joseph Betterton and Wm. Grant in the Bastard Bond of her daughter. So, now we have three men named as having affairs with Teresa O’Shields–Mr. Betterton, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Wooten– Three men between 1801–1804. Since Elizabeth O’Shields was born abt. 1792,and Wiley was born abt. 1801, I find it highly unlikely Elizabeth and Wiley were fathered by the same man. Dudley Wooten was quite possibly the father of Wiley O’Shields. Dudley was born abt. 1775, and owned land on Dutchmen’s Creek.  It is doubtful Dudley Wooten had an affair with Teresa when he was about seventeen, and then, again when he was about twenty-five.
Dudley Wooten’s father was probably, Nathaniel Wooten.

Samuel O’Shields, born abt. 1799, South Carolina, removed to Lumpkin (now Dawson) County, Georgia, in 1845.  As my cousin, J. V. Michael Motes stated in my 2003 OSHEAL book, “Living near to Samuel O’Shields was Wiley O’Shields, who was perhaps his brother.”  If Samuel O’Shields was also the son of Teresa O’Shields, the number of men involved with Teresa increases from three to four between 1798-1801.

I have reported that Samuel’s father was a Mr. Dodson.  This information was taken from legal papers I have in my possession.  A descendant of Samuel’s stated that the O’Shields family “goes back to the Dodson family.”  Whether or not this individual knew the truth of Samuel’s father, I do not know.  I am simply quoting from a legal document.

If Teresa O’Shields had these children–Elizabeth, Samuel, Wiley, and Nancy–then,  there were five possible men having children with Teresa.   Mr. Betterton; Mr. Grant; Mr. Wooten; Mr. ?? (Samuel’s father); Mr. ?? (Elizabeth’s father)

Based on current DNA testing capabilities, no descendant of Elizabeth O’Shields Harrison will be able to confirm the continued assertion that she was the daughter of Maria Theresa/Teresa O’Shields.   The same statement applies to the wife of one James Hewitt.  It cannot be proven through current DNA testing capabilities that James Hewitt’s wife, Elizabeth Allen alias O’Shields/O’sheal, was the daughter of Jethro O’Shields or John Allen.  Perhaps this Elizabeth was the daughter of Teresa O’Shields and sister of Wiley, Nancy, and possibly Samuel.

Based on the evidence presented from relatives living in Spartanburg, South Carolina, area, Jethro O’Shields’  daughter, Elizabeth, was the wife of Tyrie Harrison.

I JUST UNCOVERED NEW INFORMATION TODAY.

Wiley O’Shields married Mary Jane BETTERTON, who was born abt. 1805.  Mary Jane was the daughter of Joseph Betterton and Anna Blassingame.  This same Joseph Betterton was named in the Bastard Bond of 1804 as a possible father of Teresa O’Shields’ daughter.  Based on the ASSUMPTION that Teresa O’Shields was the mother of Wiley O’Shields, Wiley O’Shields married the half-sister of Teresa O’Shields daughter, who was his half-sister.   In other words, Wiley could have married his half-sister’s, half-sister if Joseph Betterton was the father of Teresa’s daughter, born 1804.

Joseph Betterton was the brother of Joshua Betterton, who served in the Revolutionary War under Lieutenant John O’Shields, the brother of Maria Theresa/Teresa/Treecy O’Shields.

I am still looking for primary sources which show Wiley O’Shields was the son of Teresa O’Shields.  I have believed so but believing is not proof.

Henry White  (aka HUGH White, friend of Jethro O’Shields)

Tyre Harrison   (husband of Elizabeth O’Shields, daughter of Jethro O’Shields)

Daniel O’Shields  (son of Jethro O’Shields, brother of Elizabeth O’Shields Harrison.  This Daniel O’Shields cannot be the son of  Trecy/Theresa O’Shields because Daniel and Trecy/Theresa were listed in the same age group, in column #5 of the 1820 Census.)

Samuel O’Shields  (son of Trecy O’Shields and Mr. Dodson, whose first name is unknown)

Trecy O’Shields  (Maria Theresa, daughter of Daniel O’Shields/O’Sheal and Sarah Walker O’Shields/O’Sheal)

Tho. Heaton

Robert HEWITT and Alexander HEWITT  (brothers of James HEWITT,  who removed to Gordon County, Georgia by 1845.  James HEWITT and his wife, Elizabeth are buried at Liberty Baptist Church in Ranger, Georgia.)

Daniel GRANT  (father of William GRANT.  According to a Bastard Bond, William GRANT was the possible father of Teresa/Treecy O’Shields’ female child, born in 1804 and living in the household of Trecy O’Shields, 1820.)

On the same page but several lines below is:

Jethro O’SHIELDS  (brother of Jefferson/Jeff O’SHIELDS, son of Daniel O’Shields, lived on the Southside of Dutchmen’s Creek, Spartanburg County)

A FEW PAGES LATER:

Jefferson O’Shields (brother of Jethro O’Shields, son of Daniel O’Shields)

–on the following line —

?? O’Shields   (The given name is difficult to read. He may have been Wm. or W. O’Shields and could have been William Chumley nee O’Shields.)

Jefferson O’Shields/O’Sheal was living in what is now Union County, near Fairforest Creek.

I informed Mary’s daughter that a myth has persisted on the internet, and this myth claims Elizabeth O’Shields, the daughter of Jethro O’Shields, did not marry Tyrie/Tyree Harrison.  Mary Howell Cotterell’s daughter replied, “I can only tell you I rely on my mother’s research, and my mother said Jethro O’Sheal married Lucretia Wooten, and their daughter, Elizabeth O’Shields, married Tyrie/Tyree Harrison.”

Mary’s daughter had no knowledge of the distortion of her mother’s research, especially the perverted suggestion Tyrie Harrison’s wife, Elizabeth O’Shields/O’Sheal was the daughter of Maria Theresa/Treecy O’Shields and not the daughter of Jethro O’Sheal.

Over the years I have placed messages at various genealogical websites about the O’Sheal family.  Many of my messages were removed due to the undermining of one individual. Some of my deleted messages were discussions about the wife of Jethro O’Shields.  I have stated Henry O’Sheal’s wife was Sarah, and this Sarah was the Sarah O’Shields named in the Friendship Baptist Church Minutes.  I have also stated Sarah could have been the wife of John or Jeff O’Shields.  Quite frankly, no one has absolute proof– through primary documentation–the true identity of one Sarah O’Shields named in the Friendship Baptist Church Minutes.

If Jethro O’Sheal/O’Shields did not marry Lucretia Wooten, no primary documentation has surfaced to prove this claim.  If Elizabeth O’Sheal/O’Shields, the daughter of Jethro O’Sheal and Lucretia Wooten, did not marry Tyrie Harrison, no primary documentation has surfaced to prove this claim. The ONLY evidence presented to refute the research of Mary Ethel Howell Cotterell has been  speculation and insolent hyperbole.

Finally, after careful examination of land records, I now believe Lucretia Wooten O’Shields was the daughter of Nathaniel Wooten and the sister of Dudley Wooten.

16 June 1789
The State against John Roebuck & John CHUMLER.  Indictment for Petty Larceny.  The defendants came into court and acknowledged themselves to owe to the State     20 each and William Bracher and Joseph Power as their Surities, acknowledged to owe to the State
10 each provided the said defendants shall not personally appear at next Court, and abide by the Judgment thereof on said Indictment.

March 12, 1792, Nathaniel Wooten and wife Mary to Samuel Sharbut; for 30  sterling sold 100 ac on N side of Cane Cr and N side of Tyger R; border:  Timothy Tonie; part of 200 ac grant to James Hembree.  Witness BENJAMIN GRIST, JOHN CHUMBLE, and JOHN GRIST. Signed Nathaniel and Mary Wooten’s marks.  Wit.  oath March 19, 1792 BENJAMIN GRIST to Wm. Smith.   Rec. Oct. 19, 1792.
4 January 1794
The State against Thomas Huckeby.  Bastardy.  The defendant with John CHUMLIE and William Avet came into Court and confessed Judgment for the following sum, to wit,   10 proc. money,   5and costs to be paid 6 months hence, and    5  12 months hence for his and Mary Powers fines for said charge, which remits her fine.

15 January 1794,The last will and Testament of John Grist deceased was approved of and proven in open Court by John CHUMLER & Thomas Tod according to law, Ordered to be recorded.

14 January 1796, Robert McNees against Thomas CHUMLER & Mary CHUMLER.  Debt.  Came the plaintiff by his Councellors, and the defendants by their attornies also a jury (same as before…We find for the plaintiff against Mary CHUMLER Debt and Costs with all lawful interest.   George Kirk, foreman, to recover against Mary CHUMLER   13   d  1 1/2 and costs…Samuel Farrow attorney for the defendant motioned for a new trial.

July 14, 1796
James Crow, sr and wife Elizabeth (Spartanburg 80 ac on S side Tygar R; part of 300 ac grant Apr. 3, 1788 Gov. William Moultrie to Thomas White “a party to these presents” (sic) who sold in 1788 to Isham Chote who sold in 1791 to James CROW, sr.
Witness  Nicholas Keating, THOMAS CHUMLEY, and Alexr Alexander.
Signed James CROW and Elizabeth’s mark.  Wit. oath Sept. 10, 1796

THOMAS CHUMLEY to George Bruton, Rec. Sept. 20, 1796

December 28, 1796
John Roebuck and wife Sarah (Spartanburg) both sides Motley’s Cr and N side Tyger R; border:  BENJA GRIST and JOHN CHUMLEY, Witness John Gowen and JOHN CHUMLEY.  Signed John Roebuck and Sarah’s mark.  Wit.  oath Jan. 18, 1797 Jon Gowen to H McCray.  Rec.  Feb. 6, 1797.

January 9, 1799
William Earnest and wife Rachel (Spartanburgh) to THOMPSON CHUMLEY (same); for 55  sold 150 ac; border; Alexander Alexander and Richard Stone; and sold :piece of land” William Earnest bought from Richard Chesney sr; otherwise William “forfiets” 55  to
THOMPSON CHUMLEY.  Witness  Jacob Earnest and Isaac Crow.  Signed William Earnest and Rachel’s mark.  Wit.  oath Mar. 23, 1802 (sic) Isaac Crow to John Dean.  Rec.  Dec. 24, 1801

December 13, 1801
In the land deed of James Millican to William Millican, THOMAS CHUMLEY was witness to the selling of 220 acres of land on the South side of North fork of Pacolet River.

October 22, 1817
In the Will of Isaac Crow, two Chumleys are named…“to my daughter Hannahs son John, land on Jamies Creek bought of WILLIAM CHUMBLES and THOMSON CHUMBLES & Isaac Crow the son of James.”