Starting Sept. 30, 2014, Genealogy.com will be making a big change. GenForum message boards, Family Tree Maker homepages, and the most popular articles will be preserved in a read-only format, while several other features will no longer be available, including member subscriptions and the Shop.
 
Learn more


[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Ancestors of Martha Jo (Martha) Cross

Generation No. 9


      416. Sr. Moses Shelby, born 1728 in Tregaron, Cardiganshire, Wales; died October 13, 1776 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. He was the son of 832. Evan Shelby and 833. Catherine Morgan. He married 417. M. Isabel Alexander(?) Bef. 1746 in Hunts Cabin, Prince George Co., MD.

      417. M. Isabel Alexander(?), died Bef. October 27, 1788 in Mecklenburg Co, NC.

Notes for Sr. Moses Shelby:
"The NC Colonial Records contain a list of the old men who formerly were in Capt. Adam Alexander's Company. Daniel Alexander, Lieutenant; Moses Shelby, Sergeant; Privates Andrew Alexander, Aaron Alexander and Moses Alexander. Endorsed by Robert Harris, Clerk Feb 24 1756. The Capt. Alexander mentioned was Colonel of the Mecklenburg Militia.(ref. NC State Records, Vol. 12 pp 396-97-98). Identity of these old men were as follows:
Moses Shelby was the son of Evan Shelby of Frederick Co. MD and the oldest brother of Mary Shelby wife of Col. Adam Alexander"

In 1765 in Grantee Deed Book #2, page 612 of Mecklenburg Co., NC: is recorded that Gov. Dobbs and wife (Justina Dobbs), deed to Moses Shelby (m. Isabel), 227 acres on Caldwell's Creek and Beaverdam, a branch of Rocky River.

"1769 NC, Mecklenburg: The Presbyterian Congregation is divided into Quarters for purpose of administration and supervision; the First or, as afterward called, Smith Quarter had as its original elder, James Morrison; listed is Moses and Thomas Shelby; was done during pastorate of Hezekiah James Balch who served 15 Nv 1769 to 1776. James Morrison was minister b. 1795 ordained 1817, d. 1870." (A Chronology of Moses & Isabel Shelby and Their Sons, by Johnnie Mullinax Johnson)

Moses Shelby died during the American Revolution. He entered the war as a Patriot.
The DAR gives Moses time of death as 1 Jul 1776. However, there are other sources that give his death date as Oct, 13, 1776.

Moses was thought to have been buried in the Rocky Spring Cemetery in Mint Hill. There is no tombstone for him presently at Rocky Spring. However, when I visited there earlier this year, there were few tombstones visible because numerous stones seemed to be covered over by debris. (Martha Mordecai 2003).

Moses' Will was dated 2 Sep 1776 and filed in the Mecklenburg Co. Court. Will BK F pg. 154. It was not entered into probate until Jan 1777 according to the Archives in Raleigh, NC, Will and Shelby Book by Gallowary, page 36.

1783 April Sessions of the Mecklenburg Co., NC Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Session, page 21 states: "William Shelby & John Shelby came into court & choose Thomas Shelby their Guardian who entered into Bond with Oliver Wiley in the sum of 200 lbs. Specie, Condition the faithful discharge of his Duty." and "Catherine Shelby came into court and choose Oliver Wiley (as) her Guardian who entered into Bond with William Wiley in the sum of 100 lbs. Specie, Condition the performance of his Duty."

1785 In the Mecklenburg Co., NC Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions Book 2, page 48 1785 Dec. Session is stated "Ordered that Robert Archibald be appointed Guardian to Rachel Shelby, aged 13 years, and Orphan of Moses Shelby, deceased, Secy. Evan (Shelby?) bound in 50 lbs., and Ordered that Evan Shelby be appointed Guardian to Margaret Shelby, Robert. Archibald, Secy. 50 lbs., and Ordered that James Craton (Creighton) be Guardian to Isabella Shelby Orphan, Evan Shelby, secry. 50 lbs."
And on page 50, it is stated "A Release from William Shelby, John Shelby, Robert Archibald (?), Evan Shelby, & James Clark to Evan Shelby, Thomas Shelby, & Oliver Wylie, Exrs. of Moses Shelby, decd., dated 28th Decr. 1785. (Proved) by A. Osborn."

1788 In the Mecklenburg Co., NC Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions Court Minutes, Book 2, page 81, 1788 October Session states "Isabella Shelby, a Minor of Moses Shelby, Decd., comes into Court and Chooses Thomas Shelby (as) her Guardian who Offers for his Security Evan Shelby (who were) bound in 150 lbs."

1789 In the Mecklenburg Co., NC Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions Book #2, page 84, 1789 January Session, states "Ordered that Mr. Adam Alexander, Hez. Alexander, John Ford, Robert Harris, Senr., Robt. Harris, Junr., & Edward Giles be appointed a Committee to settle finally the Estate of Moses Shelby, Decd., to meet at Col. Robt. Harris on the first Tuesday in March next."

1789 In the Mecklenburg Co., NC Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions Book #2, page 85, 1789 April Session, states "A Settlement of the Estate of Moses Shelby, Deceased, Returd. by the Executor. Balance appears in their hands --- 56.00.07 lbs, which Divided amongst 7 Legatees each --------------------------------------------------------------------8. 00.00 lbs., which is-------------------------56.00.07 lbs."

The Clear Creek area is where the old Rock Springs Cemetery is located, adjacent to Cabarrus, and Union Counties. Clear Creek is a branch of Rocky River. This was the location of the first Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. The original Church was, at that time referred to "the Rocky Spring Meeting House".

Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, Mint Hill, had the cemetery deed back from a family who bought the land from the Wilson family. This Wilson family had been in Mecklenburg Co., since abt. 1750. (Source: Jean A. Guillen-Atilano of Mecklenburg Co., NC)

I recently exchanged emails with George Timblin who is working with the restoration project of the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. I am told that there are two sites for this church, old Rocky Spring in Mint Hill being one of them. During the present restoration project, which is the old Rice Cemetery (the 2nd location of the church), 200 previously unknown tombstones were uncovered. In 2004, the restoration project on Rocky Spring will begin. It is thought that there will be many tombstones uncovered there also. I feel confident that the tombstone of Moses Shelby will be, at that time, uncovered. (Martha Mordecai 2003).

These are the family lines from the Clear Creek area: Wilson, Blair, Cutherbertson, Hall, Stansell, McKinnon, Wilson. Moses Shelby was located with William Blair in the same area.
(Source Jean A. Guillen-Atilano)

The Rock Springs Cemetery is located in Mint Hill, Mecklenburg Co., NC: It is on the north side of Brief Road near the intersection with Hwy 218. It sits about 1500 feet from the road and can be reached by going down a dirt drive to the left of the cemetery. It is small, not very many tombstones and is covered with leaves. It is treacherous with numerous holes here and there. It is also referred to as the Ashcraft Cemetery. Now it is being referred to by the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, as site 1 - the Rocky Spring Meeting House Cemetery.

My researcher found at the N.C. Archives 3 papers that I sent in. (1)Extract microfilm Treasurer & Comptroller Records Military Papers - Misc Volumes: "Accts of The U.S. States With N.C. War of The Rev, Book A" - (for a wagon & team) p 99. (2&3)Extract book Mecklenburg Co Court Minutes Book 1, 1774-1780 compiled by Doris Futch Briscoe,"1775 A List of the Grand Jury,p 14, and "Jury Summons" p 15. Also the extract from the original N.C. Mecklenburg Co Court Records, for Jan 1775, Book 1, and the "List of the Grand Jury". At some point I think I also sent DAR the Moses Shelby will naming dau Mary Wylie (Wiley). Anyhow from looking at the approved returned appl, it looks like it was the civic service that DAR recognized (not - the being paid for wagon & team). I will want to try again with the "War of the Rev, Book A" when I submit Isabela ? Shelby's appl. - where she is paid (right next to Moses name) for pork and flour. Let me know if I can help with the documents I memtion. (Mary Lou Smith - Sept 2004)



More About Sr. Moses Shelby:
Baptism: May 05, 1728, St. Caron's Church, Tregaron, Cardiganshire, Wales
Burial: Unknown, prob Rock Springs Cemetery in Mint Hill, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

Notes for M. Isabel Alexander(?):
It has not yet been proven that Moses Shelby's wife's maiden name was Alexander. (Source: Judith Trolinger.)

Perhaps Isabel married James Creighton/Creaton/Craton after the death of Moses.
"The last Will of testament of Isable Craton was proved in Apr Court by the Oath of E. Speiars? Letters of Testamentary issued to Oliver Harris, Executor, named in said Will, wihch was done according to law. Cabarrus Co NC, Min's of Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, Apr 1806." (Source: Johnnie M. Johnson)

I believe this Isabel was the daughter of Moses who chose James Craton as her guardian. It appears that Isabel Shelby, the widow of Moses, must have died by 1788 .(MCM)

Cabarrus Co, NC Minutes of the Court of PQs 1805-1817, p40:
Jan 1808, Cabarrus Co..."Isable CRATAIN dec'd. Daughter, Mary WILEY, bequeathed a woman slave, was to be sold after being valued by Robert COCHRAN, William and James HARRIS. 3 hundred dollar value to be distributed among legatees."

Following are some miscellaneous data concerning James CREATON [James signs his name this way in Moses estate papers]:
The Cabarrus Co Court Minutes of Apr 1806 for Isabel's Will being proved in court- Letters of Testamentary issued to Oliver HARRIS, Executor named in said will which was done according to law-makes no mention of her husband- The actual Will apparently hasn't been found- so we don't know what it may have contained.

There is a James CREATTON with a wife- both over 45, with 2 slaves-on the 1800 census for Cabarrus Co, p678
1810 census this county, p137- there is a James CRATON living alone & none on 1820 census.

From Jean- April 1784-microfilm of Court Minutes, Cabarrus Co, NC:
James CRATON is given leave to move the property of several orphans & legatees of Moses SHELBY dec'd, not exceeding 3 miles provided he enters into bond with sufficient security to be approved of by Adam ALEXANDER, Esq, for the decent maintenance of said orphans during the space of 3 months.

From Moses SHELBYs original estate records- 27 Dec 1785- James CRATON & Evan SHELBY are bound by Adam ALEXANDER, John McNitt ALEXANDER ..50 lbs for Isabella SHELBY, minor & orphan of Moses SHELBY. James CRATON is appt guardian.

ibid- 18 Jan 1786- James CREATON rec'd of the Exec of Moses SHELBY estate, [etc]..part of a portion bequeathed to his wife Issable[sic] SHELBY. James signs...

[Oliver HARRIS is married to Moses SHELBYs sister, Margaret- Oliver & Margaret name their children: Isabel, Moses & Thomas HARRIS.]

(Source: Judy Trolinger-Oct. 2004)


More About M. Isabel Alexander(?):
Burial: Unknown, prob Rock Springs Cemetery in Mint Hill, Mecklenburg Co., NC.
     
Children of Moses Shelby and M. Alexander(?) are:
  i.   Mary Shelby, born Abt. 1746 in Hunt's Cabin, Hagerstown, Frederick County, MD. (Lickin Creek); died August 21, 1822 in Cabarrus Co., NC; married Oliver Wylie in prob. NC; died Unknown.
  More About Mary Shelby:
Burial: 1822, Spears Graveyard

  208 ii.   MD Evan Shelby, born Abt. 1748 in Hunt's Cabin, Hagerstown, Frederick County, MD.; died April 1825 in Cabarrus Co., NC; married Susannah Polk Alexander Bef. 1776 in Anson Co., N.C..
  iii.   Thomas Shelby, born Abt. 1750 in Hunt's Cabin, Prince George Co., MD; died 1803; married Sarah Helms in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died 1804.
  iv.   Elinor Shelby, born Abt. 1755 in Hunt's Cabin, Hagerstown, Frederick County, MD.; died Unknown; married John Carothers in Cabarrus Co., NC; died Unknown.
  v.   Jr. Moses Shelby, born November 08, 1761 in Hunt's Cabin, Hagerstown, Frederick County, MD.; died April 15, 1823 in Claiborne County, MS; married Elizabeth Neal 1784 in Claiborne County, MS; died 1819 in Claiborne County, MS.
  Notes for Jr. Moses Shelby:
Shelby, Moses, Jr. -- b. 8 November 1761 South Carolina. d 15 April 1823. Grave located at Pisgah Church Cemetery 7 miles from Hermanville, Claiborne County, Mississippi. Son of Moses Shelby and wife Isabel. Also a first cousin of Capt. Moses Shelby m. Milly Renfro. Wife Elizabeth Neal, both buried in same place. Served as pvt. in North Carolina Troops. (DAR MAGAZINE, November 1964).
Marked: 3 1964 -- Pathfinder Chapter

Rev. Oliver Hazzard Perry Davis Bible Record - Carthage, Leake Co., Ms.
Note: Rev. O.H.P. Davis was the s/o Mark P. Davis & Mary Davis. Mark P. Davis was a native of S.C. & Mary Davis was a native of Pa. The parents emigrated to Columbia Co., Ga. where O.H.P. was born in 1814.
Sometime prior to 1836, O.H.P. Davis came to Ms. and on 2 May, 1836 married Mrs. Sarah Julia Shelby Saxon Mills d/o Moses Shelby Jr. & Elizabeth Neal Shelby of Claiborne Co., Ms. Sarah Julia Shelby married 1st Joshua Saxon Jr. ; 2nd ____ Mills ,and 3rd, O.H.P. Davis. She died in May, 1862 and in August of that year he married Ann Eliza Hendrix of Carthage, Ms. d/o William & Mahala Massey Hendrix
O.H.P. Davis was one of the founders and was later pastor of Goshen Methodist Church in Leake Co., Ms. This church celebrated its centennial anniversary in 1948. Oliver Hazzard Perry Davis was a member of the Ms. Conference of the Methodist Church.

Moses Shelby Jr. (b. 1761 in S.C. ) was the s/o Moses Shelby Sr. (b. 1728 in Wales ; d. ca 1784 ) and Isabella Shelby (d. ca 1784 ) and grandson of Evan Shelby Sr. (b. ca 1692 in Wales ; d. 1751 ) and Catherine Shelby. He married in 1784 Elizabeth Neal (or Neil ). He had been a private in different Units of Sumtrer's Brigade, Greene's Army, in the Rev. After the War, Moses Jr. moved over into northern Georgia ; later he moved to Hardin Co., Ky. ; and in 1811 moved to Claiborne Co., Ms. Elizabeth neal Shelby d. in 1819 ; Moses Shelby
Jr. d. 1823 ; both died in Claiborne Co., Ms. and are buried in the old Pisgah churchyard, but their graves are not marked. Their children were: Mary, Jane Sprat, Thomas Neal, Marquis deLafayette, Sarah and Elizabeth.




  More About Jr. Moses Shelby:
Burial: Unknown, Pisgah Church Cemetery 7 miles from Hermanville, Claiborne County, Mississippi

  More About Elizabeth Neal:
Burial: Unknown, Pisgah Church Cemetery 7 miles from Hermanville, Claiborne County, Mississippi

  vi.   William Shelby, born Abt. 1763 in Hunt's Cabin, Hagerstown, Frederick County, MD.; died Unknown.
  vii.   John Shelby, born Abt. 1765 in Hunt's Cabin, Hagerstown, Frederick Co., MD; died Unknown.
  viii.   Margaret Shelby, born March 11, 1767 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died January 28, 1835 in Cape Giradeau, Missouri; married Oliver Harris September 04, 1788 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died Unknown.
  ix.   Catherine Shelby, born Abt. 1769 in Clear Creek, off Rocky River, Mecklenburg Co., NC; died Unknown; married Robert Archibald in Cabarrus Co., NC; died 1808 in Cabarrus Co., NC.
  Notes for Robert Archibald:
Robert was a Presbyterian Preacher (and her guardian). He was suspended from church on 4 Oct 1794 because of his belief in Doctrine of Universal Salvation. (Source: Johnnie M. Johnson in her book A Chronology of Moses and Isabel Shelby and Their Sons)

  x.   Rachel Shelby, born Abt. 1772 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died Unknown; married William Yarborough in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died Unknown.
  Notes for Rachel Shelby:
It has not been proven that Rachel actually married William Yarborough.

  xi.   Isabella Shelby, born Bef. 1776 in Hunt's Cabin, Hagerstown, Frederick County, MD.; died Unknown; married James Craton in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died Unknown.
  Notes for Isabella Shelby:
It is possible that it was this Isabel who married James Craton (Creighton), her guardian, and not Isabel who was Moses' widow.



[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Search for Family - Learn About Genealogy - Helpful Web Sites - Message Boards - Guest Book - Home
© Copyright 1996-99, The Learning Company, Inc., and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
© Copyright 1995-97 by Matthew L. Helm. All Rights Reserved.