The Skaggs-Files

Benjamin Franklin Shipley, Sr. was born the 1st of January, 1805(1) in Sullivan County, Tennessee, USA, the oldest identified child of Richard Shipley, Sr. and Hannah Retta Hughes. He moved with his parents to Rhea County where his father was murdered in 1819. Benjamin married Sarah "Sally" Burkett about 1826 in the area that became Dallas, Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA(3) (Hamilton County was formed from part of Rhea County in 1819 and the name of the village was officially changed from Hamilton County Courthouse, to Dallas by the state legislature in 1833.) Sarah was born about 1809 in Tennessee.(4) Her parents may have been Matthias Burkett and Susanna McNeese.(5) Their first six children were born in Tennessee: Nathan Pascal was born in 1827 in Knoxville, Tennessee,(6) Ibbey Jane was born about 1831, Susan Arabella was born in 1834, Naomi was born in 1835, William Park was born about 1837 in Hamilton County, and Benjamin Franklin, Jr. was born in 1835 or 1839 in Hamilton County.

This description of Benjamin, Sr. is found in Hamilton County Pioneers:(7) "about 6 feet, stoutly built, rather rawboned, is considered a stout man, his skin is tolerably fair, and somewhat freckled but generally sunburnt, fair hair and pale blue or grey eyes, surly countenance, given to intoxication, on all occasions boisterous and uncontrollable when drinking, and is a sort of a blacksmith."

In 1830 Benjamin was living in Hamilton County with five people in his household: he, Sarah, Nathan Pascal and two older girls who can't be their children.(8) Dallas, Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA was a town of about 200 inhabitants including one lawyer, two doctors, four stores, two taverns, and a blacksmith shop in 1834.(9) In August of 1833 Benjamin sold his blacksmith tools to clear a $50 debt.(10)

No 75 Deed of Trust This deed of trust made this 28th
Benjamin Shipley day of August 1833 between Ben-
To jamin Shipley of the one part and
John Pearce for John Pearce of Trustee of the
the benefit of John Patterson second part and John Patterson
of the 3rd and last part all of the coun-
ty of Hamilton and State of Tennessee witnesseth
that whereas the said Benjamin Shipley in is in-
debted to the said John Patterson the sum of fifty
Dollars now know all men by these presents that I the
said Benjamin Shipley in consideration of one Dollar
the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do bargain
sell and deliver unto the said John Pearce his heirs
+© one yearlng Rone horse colt one red cow and calf
and the Blacksmith tools including Bellows anville
vice hammers screws plates tongs +© +© now
in the shop of said Shipley in Dallas all and
singular the articles aforesaid unto the said John
Pearce His heirs or assigns in trust for the express
purpose and to be appliede by him to the use of
paying and satisfying the aforesaid sum of fifty
Dollars to to the said John Patterson and it
is agreed by and between the parties that if the
said sum of fifty dollars is not well and truly
paid to the said John Patterson on or before the 1st
day of January 1833 then and in that event the
said John Pearce is authorized and empowered by the
parties to proceed to advertise at two public places
in the county one at Dallas and at Robert Pattersons Esquires
at least ten days before the day of sale stating the time and place
of the sale of said property which sale shall take place at the court
house or said Shipleys shop in the Town of Dallas for
ready money or so much thereof as shall be of suffi-
ceint to satisfy the said debt and the cost that may acarue
acrue on the proceedings under this deed of Trust
and the said John Pearce binds himself his heirs +© to
expose to sale as aforesaid the aforesaid property and
apply the proceeds as aforesaid and whatever portion
or part of said property if any that remains after
the extinguishment of said debt and costs whether
it be extinguished by sale as aforesaid or otherwise the
said John Peace promises and binds himself to recovery
to the said Benjamin Shipley his heirs +© and the
said John Patterson on his part agrees and promises
in the event that the said property is not delivered to
the said John Pearce Trustee as aforesaid that no
leability shall attach to said Trustee in consequence
thereof. In testamony whereof we have hereunto
set our hands and seals this day and date above
within written.

In presence of
Daniel O. Rawlings B. Shipley seal
Richard Shipley John Pearce seal
John Patterson seal

State of Tennessee Personally appeared before me
Hamilton County Asahel Rawlings Clerk of the Court of
Pleas and quarter session of said
County Benjamin Shipley John Pearce and John Pattterson
the parties to the within deed of trust and signed
and acknowledged the same as their act and
deed for the purposes therein expressed on this
the day it bears date and I certify that I am
personally acquainted with said obligors witness my
hand this 28th day of August 1833.
Asahel Rawlings Clerk

State of Tennessee Register office the 29th day
Hamilton County of August 1833 Then was the
within and foregoing deed of
Trust and the certificate of the acknowledgment
and Registration thereof Registered in this office
In Book B pages 91 & 92. Given under my hand
at office the day and date last herein above
herein written.
Jeremiah Jones Regst
By Asahel Rawlings D Register

On the 23rd of June, 1838 Benjamin shot Archibald McCallie in the arm and hip.(11) Then in August 1838, a $100 reward was offered for the apprehension of Benjamin Shipley for the attempted murder of Archibald McCallie.(12) Ben fled to Arkansas in 1838 or 1839. Sarah and their six children soon followed him. The family settled in Vineyard Township in Washington County, Arkansas, USA.(13) Here Hannah Retta "Heneratta" was born in 1842 and Richard was born about 1844. They moved to Jasper Township in neighboring Crawford County, Arkansas, USA before the birth of James about 1845. Elijah was born in 1848 in Crawford County, Arkansas, USA.

Sometime between 1840 and 1850 Benjamin became blind. In the 1850 Crawford County census he is listed as a blind grocer.(14) According to Rufus Houston London, "The old man had his eyes put out in a drunken spree with grease + pepper." (15) Ben became despondent and restless, deserting Sarah and abandoning his family before 1854. Sarah was left to care for Richard, James, and Elijah. Susan said her father left her mother when Elijah was four years old, making it 1852.(16) He moved to Franklin County, Arkansas, USA where he lived with other women but visited Sally now and again. During one of these visits she became pregnant with Thomas who was born about 1854 and died two or three weeks later probably due to their poverty and malnutrition.

Sarah tells about their relationship in her Civil War pension deposition No. 379,798 dated the 19th of March, 1890.(17)

"My husband was Benjamin Shipley. I don't know whether or not I know when I was married to Ben Shipley. The Lord knows how long I lived with him, I don't. My maiden name was Burkett, and we were married at Dallas, Hamilton Co.,Tenn. by Squire Jones. My 3rd child was just 3 wks old at the time the "Stars fell". I had eleven children by Shipley. He was blind and couldn't content himself and he kept moving about. He and a man quarreled and he shot the man and he then left me in Tennessee and came to Ark. Afterwards I came to Ark. to join him. He went blind after we came to Ark. He died a year or two ago in Mulberry in Franklin Co. Ark. We were separated several years. I don't know whether we were separated in the time of the war or not. I believe I was by myself then. My youngest child is named Thomas and he was born after my husband left me. I can't say how long afterwards. I know I was by myself. It could not have been long. Ben had not left me for good then -- he kept coming back or forward before the child was born. It died in 2 or 3 wks after it was born. When my husband left me he link up with another woman but he was never married to her. She died and he then wanted to come home but I wouldn't let him. He was not living with me when my son James died and had not lived with me for several years before James died.
James was never married, consequently left no widow, child or children surviving him."

Elisabeth Minerva Shipley told this story,

"Ben was indifferent to Sarah at best. She said he became desolate and lost hope after he became blind. Soon after becoming blind, Ben deserted Sarah and lived with other women, but did not marry any. Ben also lived some with his daughter, Hannah Retta Shipley Newton. I can not say where Ben lived when he died except that he lived in Franklin County. He would wander back and forth to Sarah. Sarah became pregnant with Thomas who was born in 1854, but he died almost immediately as he and Sarah were malnourished."

In 1870 a Benjamin Shipley was listed on the Franklin County, Mulberry census. He was blind and had a woman, Mary Burket, living with him listed as a housekeeper. This is probably our Ben although his age was listed as 49 and Benjamin would have been about 65.(18) Ben died the 26th of August, 1881 in Mulberry, Crawford County, Arkansas, USA and was buried in White Rock Cemetery, behind White Rock Community Church, near Lone Elm Community, Franklin County, Arkansas, USA.(19)

In the 1860 Crawford County census Sarah Shipley was living with, or next door to her son, Nathan Shipley and his wife "Betsey" Elizabeth. Sarah was listed as 65 years old, birthplace unknown. She had James, age 12 and Elijah, age 10 living with her. After James was mustered out of the federal army he and his mother rented land from "Betsey" for two or three years, Nathan was deceased. James then settled on government land near Betsey where he and his mother lived until he died in September of 1869. It appears that James was in poor health and often unable to work. They were "very poor people - dependent on his daily labor for their living."(20) James died in 1869 and their combined property was worth less than $50. They had one or two cows and a pony.(21) According to Sarah's 1890 deposition she had two horses, two or three cows, a yoke of steers and some hogs but no land when James died, but this seems like an exaggeration for the benefit of the examiner. She says a grandchild lived with her at the time of James' death.

Sarah continued living in the Crawford County area until at least 1890. She was treated by Dr. Harrison of Cedarville, Arkansas in 1884.(22) In 1888 she applied for James' Civil War pension as his dependent. She was very "feeble" when her deposition was taken the 19th of March, 1890. She was living 7 miles west of Chester at the time. She had been confined to the house for the past two or three weeks. "I am able to sit up a part of the time. I sat up a little while this morning." She died in Arkansas after the 19th of March, 1890 but the location of her grave is unknown.

 

Footnotes:

(1) Tombstone has the birth year as 1805. The birth and death dates are in different styles, possibly indicating birth date was inscribed before death. The 1850 census indicates his birth year is 1807. The unpublished Genealogical Research Documents of Grace Thirsaline Shipley Collins and Barbara Alice Collins, 1930-1980, have his birthplace as Sullivan County, but there is no known proof.

(2) All information on Benjamin Shipley and his descendants is from a gedcom from R. Cecil Shipley, unless otherwise noted. His primary sources were: 1) C. M. Crawley, 2) Sarah Burkett Shipley, Deposition Number 379798 for Pension, May 31, 1890, 3) Census records, 4) Birth records, 5) Death records, 6) Tombstones, 7) Family Bible records, 8) Wills and estate records, 9) Land records, 10) Elisabeth Shipley Collins, 11) Lynne Chandler, 12) Vontrece Miller, 13) Rick Albright, and 14) Holly Breidenbach.

(3) Sarah gives Dallas as her place of marriage in her pension deposition.

(4) In her affidavit for the James Shipley pension record, Sarah says she thinks she was born in 1811 in Oats Harvest in Tennessee. Current research indicates Oats Harvest refers to a time as there is no record of a place named Oats Harvest.

(5) According to James Likens <JDL04747@pomona.edu>; "I know that George Washington, Jackson, and Sarah Burkett (mother of Ibbey Jane Shipley) are siblings and that they were from Tennessee. I am using circumstantial evidence that William was their brother, and that Matthias Burkett and Susanna McNeese were their parents. This evidence is age, location and naming patterns. MATTHIAS BARKET/BURKET/BURKETT was born in Greene County, Tennessee, USA, and died Aft. 1870. He married SUSANNA MCNEESE January 16, 1805 in Greene County, Tennessee, USA. She died Aft. 1870. It has not been proved that Mathias Burket/Burkett and Susanna McNeese are the parents of William Burkett. Other children may be Louisa b 1807 and m John Turnbow, 1827, Perry County, Tennessee, USA; and Peggy b ?, married Charles Walker, 18 Nov 1824, Greene County, Tennessee, USA. Source: Lucy Haney at <madewell32 at hotmail dot com>."

(6) Family oral history: As told by Nathan's son, Thomas Wilson Shipley and recorded by Eloda Shipley. There is no proof that our Shipley family lived in Knox County.

(7) Hamilton County Pioneers, John Wilson, BookCrafters, Chelsea, Michigan, 1998, p.265.

(8) Benjamin Shipley is listed on the 1830 Census, Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA, p81 line 9: 1 Free WM 0-4, 1 Free WM 20-29, 1 Free WF1 0-14, 1 Free WF 15-19, 1 Free WF 20-29; Source: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnhamilt/1830-80.htm>.

(9) A History of Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA, James W. Livingwood, Memphis State University Press, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA, 38152,1981; p.90.

(10) State of Tennessee, Hamilton County Deed Book B, pgs 71, 72; No 75 Deed of Trust, Benjamin Shipley to John Pearce for the benefit of John Patterson. The original deed books of Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA were copied at later dates to preserve the records during the nineteenth century. The copy may not be identical in all cases. The microfilm was made in 1936 and includes both the original and the copy, but some originals are illegible. The deed states it is recorded on pages 91 and 92 of Book B, but the microfilm version shows it is on pages 71 and 72 of Book B. This indicates this version is the copy. This is also evidenced by the legibility of this version. In this deed some typo errors were corrected. The deed was usually written as one continuous, run on sentence, lacking any period or comma. Some words began with a capital in some instances and with a lower case in other instances. Some words were repeated without correction.

(11) Hamilton County Pioneers, John Wilson, BookCrafters, Chelsea, Michigan, 1998, p.203.

(12) Hamilton County Pioneers, John Wilson, BookCrafters, Chelsea, Michigan, 1998, p.265.

(13) Benjamin and Elijah H. Shipley are enumerated on the 1840 census of Washington County, Arkansas, USA. Elijah was from another Shipley family in eastern Tennessee. They seem to have known each other and some researchers speculate they were related.

(14) 1850 census for Crawford County, Arkansas, USA indicates Benjamin is blind. He is known affectionately in the family as Blind Ben.
1850 Census for Jasper, Crawford County, Arkansas, USA Estimated birth
Benjamin F. Shipley 43 M Grocer Tennessee Blind 1807
Sally 41 F Tennessee 1809
Susan A. 17 F Tennessee 1833
Naomi 15 F Tennessee 1835
William B. 13 F Tennessee 1837
Benjamin Jr. 11 M Tennessee 1839
Henrietta 9 F Arkansas 1841
Richard 6 M Arkansas 1844
James 5 M Arkansas 1845
Elijah 2 M Arkansas 1848

(15) Sarah Shipley Pension Application, No. 379,798; page 43; Deposition N by R. H. London. Another family folklore tale is that he was blinded by an Indian on the Trail of Tears.

(16) Sarah Shipley Pension Application, No. 379,798; page 30; Deposition I by Susan Crabtree.

(17) Sarah Shipley Pension Application, No. 379,798; page 8, 9; Deposition A by Sarah Shipley.

(18) 1870 Census, Franklin County, Mulberry Township, post office Ozark. page 7, line, 19.
Dwelling number 48, Family number 50. It reads as follows:
Shiply, Benja, 49, M, W, Farmer, $250(Property Value) 350 (Personal Property), Tennessee, cannot read, cannot write, blind, male citizen over 21
Burket, Mary, 40, F, W, housekeeper, Tennessee, cannot read, cannot write
Stanly, Jefferson, 6, M, W, at home, Arkansas. (No marks are in the attended school this year, cannot read, cannot write columns). Source: Holly Breidenbach.

(19) Source: R. Cecil Shipley, Email. "August 26, 1881 is the date on the marker. To find the cemetery from Interstate 40 in Arkansas, exit at Exit 35, which is Arkansas Highway 23. Go north on Highway 23 2 miles to Bourland Crossroads where Franklin County road 215 intersects Highway 23. On the southwest corner is the White Oak Grocery and Station. On the northeast corner is a small sign on a fence, which reads "Bourland Crossroads." Turn left onto Highway 215, which is also known as Old Wire Road. Go 3.7 miles to the Bourland Cemetery on the left. Continue west on Highway 215 2.7 miles to the Lone Elm community. The old general store and community building are on the left. Proceed across a one-lane bridge and immediately turn right onto a dirt/rock road. Go 0.8 mile to the Rankin Cemetery on the right. Proceed another 1.5 miles to a rock house on the left and on the right at some distance is a farmhouse with barn and several outbuildings. Among some oak trees near the farm on the right the White Rock Church is visible. Proceed 0.4 mile to a fork in the road. Turn right and proceed 0.1 mile to the White Rock Community Church on the right. The cemetery is behind the church. The grave of Blind Ben is between a rotting tree stump and the grave of Sarah R. Brown. The marker for Ben faces away from the church."

(20) Sarah Shipley Pension Application, No. 379,798; General Affidavit by Thomas W. Shipley.

(21) Sarah Shipley Pension Application, No. 379,798; General Affidavit by Thomas W. Shipley.

(22) Office Records of Dr. Harrison, Cedarville, Arkansas. Source: R. Cecil Shipley

Compiled and written by Susan Kimes Burgess 2003. Most of the research was done and generously shared by R. Cecil Shipley.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Research of R. Cecil Shipley:

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Shipley, Benjamin (son of Richard Shipley, Sr. and Hannah Retta
Hughes)
Township: Not Stated
County: Hamilton
State: Tennessee
Year: 1830
Roll: 180
Page: 81
1000100000000
0011100000000
1 male under age 5, Nathan Pascal Shipley
1 male age 20-29, Benjamin Franklin Shipley
1 female age 10-14, unknown but not a child of this family (This could be Elizabeth, who married Gilbert Dearing and is thought to be a sibling of Benjamin Franklin Shipley.)
1 female age 15-19, unknown but not a child of this family (Is this also a daughter of Richard & Hannah Shipley?)
1 female age 20-29, Sarah Burkett Shipley

On same page: , Hamilton, Tennessee, Page: 81; NARA Roll: M19-180; Family History Film: 0024538.
Name: Hardy Hughs
Home in 1830: , Hamilton, Tennessee
View Map
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 4
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 6
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 6
next residence:
Name: George Hughs
Home in 1830: , Hamilton, Tennessee
View Map
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 5 oh
on previous page:
Nathan Shipley

Benjamin Franklin Shipley, Sr. is "about 6 feet, stoutly built, rather rawboned, is considered a stout man, his skin is tolerably fair, and
somewhat freckled but generally sunburnt, fair hair and pale blue or grey eyes, surly countenance, given to intoxication, on all occasions boisterous and uncontrollable when drinking, and is a sort of a blacksmith."
Hamilton County Pioneers, John Wilson, BookCrafters, Chelsea, Michigan,
1998, p.265.

NOTE: John Wilson is a retired newspaper person who writes genealogical and history articles and books. Mr. Wilson has declined to reply to my letter requesting his sources for the information on Benjamin Franklin Shipley.

On 23 June 1838 Benjamin Franklin Shipley shot Archibald McCallie in the arm and hip.
Source: Hamilton County Pioneers, John Wilson, BookCrafters, Chelsea,
Michigan, 1998, p.203.

In August 1838, a $100 reward was offered for the apprehension of Benjamin Franklin Shipley for the attempted murder of Archibald McCallie.
Source: Hamilton County Pioneers, John Wilson, BookCrafters, Chelsea,
Michigan, 1998, p.265.

Sometime between February 1839 and 01 June 1840 Benjamin Franklin Shipley emigrated from Hamilton County, Tennessee to Washington County, Arkansas, USA. Sometime between November 1839 and 01 June 1840 Sarah Burkett Shipley and her six children migrated from Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA to Washington County, Arkansas, USA.

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Benjamine Shipley
Township: Vineyard
County: Washington
State: Arkansas
Roll: 20
Page: 268
2101100000000
2210100000000

2 males under age 5, Benjamin Franklin Shipley, Jr. and William Parker
Shipley
1 male age 5-9, Nathan Pascal Shipley age 13
1 male age 15-19, unknown but not a child of this family
1 male age 20-29, Benjamin Franklin Shipley, Sr. age 35
2 females under age 5, Naomi Shipley and unknown but not a child of this family
2 females age 5-9, Ibbey Jane Shipley and Susan Arabella Shipley
1 female age 10-14, unknown but not a child of this family
1 female age 20-29, Sarah Burkett Shipley age 30-31

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: E H Shipley
Township: Vineyard
County: Washington
State: Arkansas
Roll: 20
Page: 270
1121210000000
0000010001000

Elijah Hale Shipley is a grandson of Benjamin Shipley, born 1730 in Maryland. Some persons speculate Benjamin 1730 had a son Richard who may have been born about 1750 and who may be the father of our Richard Shipley, Sr.

I have not been able to identify the following family. Whether they had a relationship with Benjamin or Elijah is unknown to me.

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: John Shipley
Township: Van Buren
County: Crawford
State: Arkansas
Roll: 17
Page: 87
0000100000000
0000100000000

1850 Census: Jasper, Crawford, Arkansas; Roll: M432_25; Page: 335; Image: 665. Enumerated 27 Dec 1850,
Benjamin Shipley 43 M Grocer Tennessee Blind
Sally Shipley 41 F Tennessee
Susan A. Shipley 17 F Tennessee
Naomi Shipley 15 F Tennessee
William B. Shipley 13 M Tennessee
Benjamin Shipley 11 M Tennessee
Hanreitta Shipley 9 F Arkansas
Richard Shipley 6 M Arkansas
James Shipley 5 M Arkansas
Elijah Shipley 2 M Arkansas

I have not researched nor identified the following families enumerated on the 1850 United States Federal Census in Arkansas.
James H H Shipley Cadron, Van Buren, AR abt 1813 Tennessee
Mary Shipley Cadron, Van Buren, AR abt 1817 Tennessee
Christopher C Shipley Cadron, Van Buren, AR abt 1837 Tennessee

1860 Census: Mulberry, Franklin, Arkansas; Roll: M653_41; Page: 309; Image: 310.
B. Shipley 45 M W Farmer 915 Tennessee Blind
Richard Shipley 18 M W Farmer Arkansas
James Shipley 14 M W Arkansas
Elijah Shipley 10 M W Arkansas
Polly Burket 44 F W Tennessee

1870 United States Census:
Benja Shiply 49 M W Farmer 250 350 Tennessee Blind
Mary Burket 40 F W Housekeeper Tennessee
Jefferson Stanly 6 M W At Home Arkansas
Living near Miles Crabtree, Stephen Newton, and Yell Oliver families. Yell's wife is Lottie Oliver who is living with Benjamin as his housekeeper in 1880.

1880 United States Census:
Census Place White Rock, Franklin, Arkansas
Family History Library Film 1254044
NA Film Number T9-0044
Page Number 700B
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Benjiman SHISLEY Self W Male W 60 TN TN TN Blind
Challotte OLIVER Other D Female W 33 AR House Keeper AR AR
Nancy A. OLIVER Other S Female W 14 AR AR AR
Liza J. OLIVER Other S Female W 8 AR AR AR
William F. OLIVER Other S Female W 5 AR AR AR