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From: Ancestry.com Biographies ...
Moses Shelby was born 05 May 1728 in Tregaron, Cardiganshire, Wales, and died 13 Oct 1776 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He married Isabel maiden name unknown, She died 1780 in Cabarrus, NC, USA. Moses is the subject of the next generation.
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)
Deed BK # 1 p61- 17 Feb 1775- Moses Shelby, farmer, of Meckl Co, NC
for "Love, good will & affection which I have & do bear towrd my
grdau, Mary Carruthers, of sd Co & province" conveys to said Mary "one
Negro Wench named Anse," provided that if Mary die without issue,
"then said Negro Wench to be the property of her sister, Esther
Carruthers." However, the said wench is "to remain in the hands of my
Daughter, Elenor Carruthers during her life time." Wit: James Harris,
Evan Shelby, Thomas Shelby, & Oliver Wiley-Apr 1781.
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…
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, and his Will
was dated 2 September 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."
April 1784, Court Minutes, Cabarrus Co., NC (microfilm): "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."
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."
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.
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 Cabarrus Co., Minutes Apr 1806 for Isabel's Will being proved in
court. Letters of Testamony issued by Oliver Harris, Executor named
in said Will which was done according to law. Makes no mention of her
husband. The actual Will hasn't been found to date.
Jan 1808, Cabarrus Co., Minutes of the Court of PQs, 1805-1817, pg.
40: "Isabel 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."
The Clear Creek area is where the old Rocky Spring 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". (MCM - 2002)
(From: George Timblin - 2003)
1. The date of Rocky Spring Meeting House Burial Ground is 1770. Philadelphia Presbyterian Church (originally called Clear Creek Presbyterian) was established in 1770. This was the first site of the church.
2. The Cemetery at the Second Site (Commonly Called Rice Cemetery) was never called Rocky Spring Cemetery. The name of Cemetery at the Second Sitewas suggested by Rev. Kerr and is the name we are now using since if provides a better link to the church. We still use the reference (Commonly called Rice Cemetery) in the literature since that is what it was referred to over the years. The name Rice came from the name of the family who owed the land surrounding the cemetery.
3. While the church was at the Rocky Spring (first site) from 1770-1780, members continued to be buried there into the early 1800s.
4. When the church moved to the second site it was no longer in the Clear Creek watershed, so the name of the church was changed to Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in 1780. The first documented burial at the second site was 1797 (Tunis Hood), but it is believed that burials began soon after the move in 1780. Burials continued into the 1830s (the marked graves are from 1797-1835), and Rev. Kerr believes that some even took place after 1865.
5. The church moved to the third and present site in 1826 where new cemeteries were begun soon after the move. Three cemeteries are at the third site of the church and these have been well-maintained.
6. You reference the church ending in 1826. As you know the church is still in business at the third site. The date 1826 was when the move took place from the second to the third (and current) site.
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).
The Rocky Spring Meeting House 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)
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 Rocky Spring 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)
(From the State Lilbrary of NC):
Anson was formed in 1750 from Bladen. It was named in honor of
George, Lord Anson, a celebrated English admiral who circumnavigated
the globe. It is in the south center section of the State and is
bounded by the state of South Carolina and Union, Stanly, and Richmond
counties. Its land area is 531.57 square miles and its population in
2000 was 25,275. From 1755 to 1780 the county seat was called Anson
Court House. In 1782 and 1783 laws were passed concerning the
courthouse. In the latter year New Town was authorized to be
established. In 1787, Newton, the county seat, was changed to
Wadesboro. Wadesboro is the county seat.
Mecklenburg was formed in 1762 from Anson. The act was to become
effective February 1, 1763. It was named in honor of Princess
Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Queen of George III who
was King of England. It is in the south central section of the State
and is bounded by the state of South Carolina and Gaston, Lincoln,
Iredell, Cabarrus and Union counties. The present land area is 526.28
square miles and the 2000 population was 695,370. Charlotte, named for
Princess Charlotte and established in 1766. is the county seat.
Cabarrus was formed in 1792 from Mecklenburg. It was named in honor
of Stephen Cabarrus of Edenton, several times a member of the
Legislature and four times speaker of the House of Commons. It is in
the south central section of the State and is bounded by Stanly,
Union, Mecklenburg, Iredell and Rowan counties. The present land area
is 364.39 square miles and the 2000 population was 131,063. In 1795 an
act was passed naming commissioners to erect a courthouse on the land
of Samuel Hugey which had already been selected as a proper place for
the county seat. They were to lay out the town of Concord. Concord was
incorporated in 1806, and is the county seat.
Union was formed in 1842 from Anson and Mecklenburg. At the time
the county was formed there was a dispute between local Whigs and
Democrats as to whether it should be named Clay or Jackson. The name
Union was suggested and adopted as a compromise because the new county
was created from parts of two others. It is in the south central
section of the State and is bounded by the state of South Carolina and
Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly and Anson counties. The present land
area is 637.37 square miles and the 2000 population was 123,772.
Commissioners were named in the act to select a site, lay out a town
by the name of Monroe, and erect a courthouse. Monroe is the county
seat.
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