The Skaggs-Files

William Lester Shipley was born the 4th of January, 1854 in Cedar Creek, Crawford County, Arkansas, the second child of Nathan Pascal Shipley, Sr. and Elizabeth Mildred Lester.(1) During the 1880 Crawford County census he is found living as a boarder in the home of Albert and Narcissa Rainwater. He was working as a laborer on a farm at that time.(2) Billy married Juda Ellen Reed(3) the 23rd of December, 1880 in Crawford County, Arkansas.(4) She was born the 23rd of May, 1862 in Cove City, Arkansas to John Jackson Reed and Sarah Elizabeth Burnett.(5) They had ten children who were all born in Crawford County, Arkansas: Thomas Wilson in 1882, Howard Graham in 1883, William Garvin in 1885, Benjamin Harrison in 1888, Beulah Mae in 1890, Ethel Grey in 1893, Flossie Belle in 1895, Johney in 1899, Ward LaClaire in 1902, and Paul Jefferson in 1905.

"All the family spoke of how sweet, kind, patient, and loving Juda was but William was bad tempered and hot-headed. Ethel always said her dad was pretty hard on the boys, using the razor strap freely."(6) He was elected Justice of the Peace of Cedar Creek Township in Crawford County, Arkansas the 6th of September, 1886.(7) He was literate and helped his grandmother, Sarah Shipley, apply for a pension as a dependent of her son, James. In 1890 the special examiner for the case described William this way:

"W.L. Shipley, an imspossible (sic) person whose standing for truth is not good in his community. He is not "overly" bright being rather a "smart aleck," ...W. L. Shipley would stoop to almost anything to gain his point and it would not surprise me that he offered witnesses money to testify. He testifies himself that in case his grandmother got a full pension he was to get $50."(8)

William and Juda later lived in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas where he worked as a butcher.(9) She died the 11th of September, 1942 in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. He died the 10th of June, 1938 in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. They are both buried in the Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas.(10)

Footnotes:
(1) R. Cecil Shipley's source for William Lester Shipley and his descendants is Carol Ellis as it appeared in The Shipley Family Newsletter, Fall 1992.
(2) 1880 Census: ED45, Lees Creek Township, Crawford Co., AR, pg 467B, line 45, D54, F55
Albert Rainwater, WM, 26, head of HH, M, Works on farm, AR, TN, TN
Narcissa Rainwater, WF, 23, wife, M, Keeps house, TN, TN, TN
Gertrude Rainwater, WF, 2, dau., S, AR, AR, AR
Mary Rainwater, WF, born Sep 1880, dau., S, AR, AR, AR
William Shipley, WM, 26, boarder, S, works on farm, AR, TN, TN
John Laire, WM, 48, boarder, M, works on farm, AR, --, --
(3) Marilynn Jane Aromi has her name as Judith Ellen Reed.
(4) Curtis Shipley, grandson of William Lester Shipley. Newspaper clipping about the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. (Some say marriage was the 18th of December.)
(5) Lynne Chandler's Shipley Descendant Chart, Jan. 25, 2000 I have also seen his name as James Jackson Reed. Cecil Shipley has her name as Sarah Evelyn Burnette. Steve Deitz and The Ancestors of David Long: Long Branches and Roots - has her name as Sarah Elizabeth Burnett, daughter of John D. Burnett and Sarah Sallie Oliver.
(6) Carol Ellis e-mail, February 1, 2003.
(7) Certificate dated the 2nd of October, 1886 and signed by Governor Simon P. Hughes, and Secretary of Ste E. B. Moon in the possession of Carol Ellis.
(8) Sarah Shipley Pension Application, No. 379,798; page 5; Examiners Letter to Hn. Green B. Raum, May 31, 1890, written by H. N. Patton.
(9) Marilynn Jane Aromi
(10) R. Cecil Shipley visited Forest Park Cemetery December 30, 1997 and verified the Shipley tombstones located there.

Dependent Mother No. 379,798
Sarah Shipley
Mother
James Shipley
Pvt. Co. "H." 1st Ark. Infantry
P.O. address Chester Crawford Co., Ark.

Fort Smith . Ark.
May 31, 1890

Hn. Green B. Raum
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sir:
I have the honor to return this paper
and to submit my report in the above indicate
claim, which was referred to the S.E. Div to
determine incurrence of soldiers disability
in service and also dependence, contributions
date + cause of death.
The claimant was properly notified
and her rights fully explained to her.
Claimant is pretty old and was in
quite feeble health when I was there. The
case was opened up in March and
on account of the comrades living in
so many different localities I have been
unable to complete it until now.
A short history of this event seems
to be: that several years prior to the war
Page 3

Claimants husband, being a pretty hard
case, left her and never returned, or aided
her in anyway in caring for the little
ones; but when the war came up James,
to soldier, and "Lige" were her only support
and dependence. "Lige" is about a half witted
fellow not smart or intelligent by
any means; that James was vaccinnated
while in the service, but how, when or by
whose orders the testimony fails to show, and
his mother went after him, brought him
home and nursed him until his arm
got well; that in 1869 - Sept. while pulling
fodder for a brother, decd. he became
overheated, took suddenly sick at his
Aunts, decd. and died of typhoid fever
in 19 days there after; that Claimt. Never
applied for back bounty and never filed
her claim for pension, as a dependent
mother, until Sept. 1888.
John T. Dotson, a comrade of doubtful
veracity, testifies before me that soldier was
vaccinnated at Waldron Scott Co. Ark in Sept.
1864; that soldier died of fever + had no
sores, pimples or blisters on him +c. Compare
this with his former affidavit (B.J. 6)
Wm. Y. Oliver a comrade of good repute
testifies that he only knows that soldier was
vaccinnated by hearsay. However was one
on his arm 5 or 6 months before he (depment)
Page 4

Enlisted (Oct. 1864) and never saw anything
but the scar after enlistment. Never saw
any skin eruptions +c. Vaccinnated in right
arm this time (In BJ.7)
This claim has been worked up
by a grandson, W.L. Shipley, an imspossible person
whose standing for truth is not good in his
community. He is not "overly" bright
being rather a "smart aleck", if I am
permitted to use that expression. Wm Oliver
(B.J. 7) told me in a conversation after I had
taken his evidence that they had promisd
him $10.00 for making the affidavit in case
the claim was allowed. He could not be
qualified which one of the family it was,
but was under the impression it was "Lige"
the half witted fellow. W. L. Shipley would
stoop to almost anything to gain his point
and it would not surprise me that he offered
witnesses money to testify. He testifies himself that
in case his grandmother got a full pension
he was to get $50.
In coming to a conclusion in this
case, I will briefly say, that in my
opinion, the soldier was vaccinnated
while in the service, but that it never
hurt him in the least - nothing spurious
about the virus. It is a fact that soldiers
brother, Park Shipley, decd. had a terrible skin
disease and died a terrible death. I believe
they are trying to mixed these two brothers up
Page 5

that soldier died in Sept. 1869
of typhoid fever brought on no doubt
by over exhaustion ? ??? pulling fodder
and that his death causes no way
connected with the service. I believe
the claim to be spurious and void
of merit, and I there fore recommend
rejection.
Very respectfully
H. N. Patton
Special Examiner

PS. Geo. Wells + W N. Moore (Inlist) knew
nothing for or against and I did not take
their evidence.

Page 6

(3-446.)
DEPOSITION ________
Case of Sarah Shipley , No. 379,798

On this 22 day of Mch. , 1890 , at
Chester , County of Crawford ,
State of Ark. , before me, H. N. Patton , a
Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared W. L.
Shipley , who, being by me first duly sworn to answer
truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid
pension claim, deposes and says: I am 36 years old : occupation
farmer : P. O. address Chester Crawford Co, Ark.
The claimant is my grandma.
James Shipley died at my mothers. He was
working at our house when he was taken sick.
I wouldn't be qualified whether he was pulling fodder
or not; Why yes I've heard it said that he was over heated
pulling fodder but I couldn't swear to it. It was
supposed that he died from the effects of vaccinnation.
I have heard some say that it might have been
some kind of fever that he died with but I don't know
of course. I was only 16 years old but I helped
to wait on him. I did not help wash and dress him
but I was present. I can't say how long he was sick.
I did not know how he acted when he was first
taken. I can't say whether he was taken suddenly
or not. It has been too long ago. He might have
been complaining 2 or 3 wks for what I know. I
have assisted the old lady in getting up her claim.
I can't ????? give you any of the symptoms of his
last illness - it has been too long ago. Quite a long
time before he was taken sick I saw him take off his
shirt a hundred times and wring it. I've seen him
work for hrs at a time without any shirt on. And I remember
his body was of a purple color all over. I would never
have noticed it, but then I heard him speak about
it and I heard him ask my ma to look at his
hands + body. At the time of this death I noticed
Page 46 Deposition O

Page 47
some little breaking out around on his face like. I
can't say where abouts on his face. It was just blisters.
I cant tell you whether there were any sores or ulcers
or scabs on his face. He was just broke out like
measles or something. Why yes I noticed a sore
on his arm, the same arm that I was vaccinnated
in. That was after he was dead. Well, it was a scar
and sore together. There were little sores broke out all
around that scar where he was vaccinnated. That
scar was just below the elbow and was about 4 inches
long + 1 ½ inches across. I wouldn't swear point blank
to anything. That is all the sores or ulcers I noticed on
him. I can't give any of the symptoms of his last illness
other than above stated. Cant say whether he was feverish
+ wanted water, or whether he complained of his left side
or of his breast. I never noticed any thing the matter with
his lungs. All I ever noticed was his body was
purple + he had a breaking out. Yes, Sir I have heard
James Shipley speak about old Nan. Blevins, but I don't
remember any thing about it now. Well, I cant tell you what
kind of a character she has. She is considered a pretty straight
old lady as far as I know.
I have heard former affidavit read and the
facts therein are correct.
The old lady told me if I'd get up the evidence
she would pay me well for it. She told me that if she got
a part pension she would give me $25.00 and if she would
get a full pension she would give me $50.00. It was just a
verbal contract. Taylor was her Agt.
I have understood the questions asked, and you
have written my answers down correctly.
W. L. Shipley
Deponent

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22 day of Mch ,
1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
H.N. Patton
Special Examiner.
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Research of Susan Kimes Burgess:
1860 Census: Upper Township, Crawford County, Arkansas enumerated Aug 1, 1860 ; Post Office: The Narrows
Series: M653 Roll: 40 Page: 720
14 801 773 Nathan Shipley 28 M Farmer 1000 1611 Tenn
15 Elisabeth Shipley 28 F Arks
16 Elisa J. Shipley 8 F Arks
17 William Shipley 6 M Arks
18 Thomas Shipley 4 M Arks
19 James Shipley 2 M Arks
20 Nathan Shipley 9/12 M Arks
21 Throb Shipley 65 F Unknown Over 20 can't read or write
22 James Shipley 12 M Arks
23 Elijah Shipley 10 M Arks

1870 Census: Upper Township, Crawford County, Arkansas enumerated July 28, 1870; Post Office: Lees Creek
Series: M593 Roll: 51 Page: 245
1 73 73 Shipley, Elisabeth 39 F W Keeping House 800 400 Ark
2 Shipley, William 16 M W Farm Laborer Ark
3 Shipley, James 14 M W Farm Laborer Ark
4 Shipley, Thomas 12 M W Farm Laborer Ark
5 Shipley, Elisa 18 F W Ark
6 Shipley, Nathan 10 M W Ark
7 Shipley, Jefferson 8 M W Ark
8 Shipley, Margaret 66 F W Keeping House 300 300 Ky

1900 Census: Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas; Roll: T623 56; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 63
Shipley William Head White Male 46 Married 19 1881 Arkansas South Carolina Tennessee Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Juda Wife White Female 38 Married 19 1881 Arkansas Tennessee Tennessee Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Wilson T Son White Male 18 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Howard Son White Male 16 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Garvin Son White Male 14 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Harry Son White Male 12 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Bulah Daughter White Female 9 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Ethel Daughter White Female 7 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Flossy Daughter White Female 4 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas
Shipley Baby Son White Male 7/12 Single Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas

1910 Census: Fort Smith Ward 6, Sebastian, Arkansas; Roll: T624_65; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 163; Image: 1012
Name Age
W L Shipley 56
Julia Shipley 48
Walter Shipley 28
Garvin Shipley 24
Harry A Shipley 22
Bulia Shipley 19
Ethel Shipley 17
Flossie Shipley 14
Paul Shipley 5

1920 Census: Fort Smith Ward 2, Sebastian, Arkansas; Roll: T625_82; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 153; Image: 299
Name Age
William L Shipley 65
Judath E Shipley 58
Harry B Shipley 30
Ethel G Shipley 26
Flossie B Shipley 23
Waford L Shipley 17
Paul J Shipley 14

1930 Census: Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas; Roll: 95; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 36; Image: 158.0
Name Age
William Shipley 76
Juda Shipley 67 Arkansas Tennessee Tennessee
Florrie Shipley 34