Was referred to as Colonel James Shields because of his service in the War of 1812, the Indian campaigns and the Civil War.
In the early days of Indiana history, James and his cousin, John Tipton, took a contract to clear the trees and stumps for what was to be the capitol ground at Corydon. It was the first territorial, and later the first state, capitol.
Though he never held public office, those who did wished for his support. In 1832, John Vawter, himself an important man in Jennings County and seeking a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives, wrote to James' cousin John Tipton, at the time a United States senator, asking for Tipton's help in that regard. He wrote, "I would take it as a favour if you would write Major James Shields on my behalf, as he would do anything for you. He may be for me, but wish to secure his interest certain."
James, son of William and Margret, was commonly known as Colonel James, born in the fort in severe County, Tenn. Aug. 1794, Deanie in his 15th year when the family came into IN, settling near Brewersville. Later he entered the land and now known as the farm of James the Mc Cam in Hunts and Creek before IN became estate. He gave his military title because of his activities in the war of 1812 and the Indian campaign. He was married twice, first to Sarah J. Mc Causland, who died in 1834. William Preston, Mary Ellen, John Tipton, Eliza J., Nancy Ann and James Seviere were their children. His second wife was Martha Mc Castle and, in the he Wilson. The children were Charles, Sarah T., in Diana a less is, generally caller Alice D. There were two other children, Harvey and Winnifred, who died young.James with his cousin John Tipton took contract in early days of Indiana history to clear the trees and stumps from what was to be the capital ground that Corydon. In fact it was the first territorial and later the state capital. James was a Democrat and a Baptist. One of his daughters, Nancy Ann married Henry Wise in 1843; he was killed at Chickamauga while fighting with the Union Army. She too was loyal to the Union. In June 1864 James and Nancy Shields Elliott visited Colonel James Shields in Indiana after a happy greeting, Nancy Ann, the daughter asked if they were loyal to the Union. Upon being assured that they were, she arose with tears flowing, she said she wanted to shake hands with them again, as the she had given the treasurer of her life, her husband, for the cause. With three sons in the Union Army, Nancy, sister Col. James, took him aside and advised him not to mention politics or the war during the visit or Jimmy, her husband, would not stay overnight in his home. Although a fiery-fighter, he took her advice. For other descendants of Colonel James Shields, see history a of J. A. Shields.
James was married twice and apparently was divorced from his first wife, Sarah J. McCausland, in about 1834 because she did not die until 1900. (John A. Shields, an early genealogist, had presumed Sarah's death.) Sarah's obituary mentions Colonel James Shields as her husband and lists their six children. He married his second wife, Martha McCaslin, on 23 March 1835. Martha is listed as his spouse in the War of 1812 Pension List (WC-6983, SO-26252), published in 1840.During the Civil War, James was a member of a Home Guards company at Vernon, Indiana when Confederate General John Morgan made his raid into that section of the state. He actively engaged in opposition and was wounded and knocked from his horse in the battle. He was a prisoner for a short time but was released because the Confederates had no means of confining prisoners.
Research for the above: History of Jennings County, Indiana, published 1956; The Shields Family by John Arthur Shields, December 1917; Jennings County Order Book 1822-37, page 22; Jennings County, Indiana, Marriage Records;" "Threads of the Past" by Margaret R. McDonald, Galleon Press; List of War of 1812 Pensioners, page 1579; the "Tipton Papers" vol II, pp. 569-570.
Apparently, Sarah divorced from James about 1834 rather than dying, as John A. Shields and Mary Coleman supposed. Her obituary appeared in the North Vernon Sun 23 March 1900. It said, "Mrs. Sarah Shields, wife of James Shields, died at Vernon, Indiana, leaving six children. Col. Shields was among the first settlers of this county and died in 1875. The six children--all living and in good health, at at average of 77 years: William P. of Campbell Township.; Mrs. Louise Sullivan of Vernon; Mrs. Mary Newby and Mrs. H. A. Wise of North Vernon; Dr. J. T. Shields Seymour and Dr. J. S. Shields of Frankfort."
Christine Brown says Martha Wilson was a widow. Richard Groharing says Martha was married previously to a McCaslin.
Christine Brown says Martha Wilson was a widow. Richard Groharing says Martha was married previously to a McCaslin.
References:
(1) Marriage date of Samuel Floyd Pack in Marriages of Boone County, page 19,
State Archives of West Virginia.(2) Personal Knowledge of Mrs. Ada Esther Kidwell of Sylvester, Boone, West
Virginia.(3) Personal Knowledge of Mr. Ernest Browning of Sylvester, Boone, West
Virginia.(4) 1870 Census of Boone County West Virginia.
(5) Death Records of Boone County, page 48.
(6) Boone County Birth Records, pages 110, and 157.
Historical Notes:
(1) Samuel Floyd Pack and his wife Sarah Jane Workman, lost three children to
the deptheria epidemic in the 1880's.
References:
(1) The Workman Family History, page 648.
(2) Personal Knowledge of Mrs. Ada Esther Kidwell of Sylvester, Boone, West
Virginia.
References:
(1) 1850 Census of Boone County West Virginia.
References:
(1) Kith and Kin; vol. v, page 125.
(2) The Barker Family of Southern West Virginia, page 87.
Historical Notes:
(1) Jacob Barker originally came from Buckingham County, Virginia. After
arriving in Kanawha County, Virginia, he changed his name to Welch.
References:
(1) Kith and Kin; vol. v, page 125.
(2) The Barker Family of Southern West Virginia, page 87.
Historical Notes:
(1) Jacob Barker originally came from Buckingham County, Virginia. After
arriving in Kanawha County, Virginia, he changed his name to Welch.
References:
(1) Kith and Kin; vol. v, page 125.
References:
(1) Pioneers of the Virginias: Page 160.
(2) The Barker Family of Southern West Virginia, page 1, 2.
References:
(1) Workman Family History, page 648.,
(2) Personal Knowledge of Mrs. Ada Esther Kidwell, of Sylvester, West Virginia.
References:
(1) Information supplied by Mrs. Samantha A. W. Barker of Sylvester, West
Virginia.(2) Information supplied by Mr. Ronnie Lester Graybeal of Salt Lake City, Utah.
References:
(1) Personal Knowledge of Mrs. Samantha A. W. Barker of Sylvester, Boone, West Virginia.
(2) Information supplied by Mr. Ronnie Lester Graybeal of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Necessary Explanations:
(1) Abigail Scarborough also known by the name or nickname "Appe."
References:
(1) Information supplied by Mr. Ronnie Graybeal of Riverton, Utah.
References:
(1) Information supplied by Mr. Ronnie Graybeal of Riverton, Utah.
References:
(1) Information supplied by Mr. Ronnie Graybeal of Riverton, Utah.