Shirley

Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society

1892 Map of New Hampshire

The Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society is a 15 publication series documenting the state’s history through various primary sources, including manuscripts, letters, and public records. It collates valuable narratives that were previously difficult to access, providing insight into events, individuals, and communities in New Hampshire. Each volume offers focused topics and historical analyses, and most volumes contain individual indexes.

Genealogies of the Town of Goffstown New Hampshire

Orrin Moore and family of Goffstown, New Hampshire

The genealogical record of Goffstown, New Hampshire, was a substantial undertaking, hampered by the extinction of early families and the widespread scattering of descendants. Efforts to gather vital statistics necessitated considerable travel and correspondence, often revealing discrepancies in recorded dates across various sources. Despite challenges, contributions from former works and assistance from individuals proved invaluable in compiling this record. The comprehensive index reflects the depth of research involved in documenting the town’s heritage.

History of Bedford, New Hampshire

Bedford Center from Bell Hill

This volume, titled History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737, was compiled by Peter P. Woodbury, Thomas Savage, and William Patten. It was published in Concord, N.H., by The Rumford Printing Co. in 1903. The primary objective of this edition was to incorporate all facts from the predecessor’s work, along with additional details and events that occurred since its publication, documenting the town’s history up to the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation on May 15, 1900. A significant portion of the work is dedicated to Genealogies of 157 families, furnished largely by family representatives and compiled by Miss Mary E. Manning. The book also includes Biographies of notable figures associated with Bedford and a chapter on Vital Statistics (births, deaths, and marriages) compiled from town records, with recognized limitations due to the incompleteness of earlier record-keeping.

History of Amherst New Hampshire

Residence of Isaac Brooks in Amherst New Hampshire

The history of Amherst, New Hampshire, unfolds from its 1675 land grant to veterans of the Narraganset War, marking the impetus for settlement along the Souhegan River. From its early governance and incorporation in 1760 to territorial adjustments that birthed Mont Vernon and Milford, this narrative encompasses local geography, economy, and Indigenous presence. Key military engagements, civic institutions, and genealogical records are explored up to 1882, offering a comprehensive view of the town’s evolution and its prominent figures.

Abstractions from Huron County Ohio, Will Book A

Volume A, Huron County Wills to 1852

This volume is “Abstractions from Huron County Ohio, Will Book A.” These will abstractions cover the years from 1828 to 1852. They have been taken out of order as they appeared in the original volume and sorted by name. This abstraction was done by Henry Timman of Norwalk, Ohio, in 1960.

The Amidon Family of Rehoboth, MA

The Amidon Family

The Amidon Family genealogy book details the lineage of Roger Amadowne, a French Huguenot who fled to England and later to America after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Documented in Salem, Massachusetts in 1637, variations of his surname include Amadon, Amidown, and Ammidon. The work, organized with biographical sketches and two helpful indexes, presents the family’s history and is richly illustrated. Originally published in 1904, it serves as a valuable resource for descendants and historians alike.

History of old Chester from 1719 to 1869

History of Old Chester title page

The *History of Old Chester from 1719 to 1869* by Benjamin Chase, published in 1869, offers a detailed account of the early settlement and development of Chester, New Hampshire. Compiled with the assistance of local historian Judge Samuel D. Bell, the book explores the town’s founding, genealogies, and significant events, using primary sources such as deeds, probate records, and personal diaries. Chase aimed to preserve the history and traditions of Chester’s early settlers while providing a comprehensive record for future generations. The work covers a broad range of topics, including religious, military, industrial, and genealogical history.

Richard Dexter Genealogy, 1642-1904

Arms of Dexter

Being a history of the descendants of Richard Dexter of Malden, Massachusetts, from the notes of John Haven Dexter and original researches. Richard Dexter, who was admitted an inhabitant of Boston (New England), Feb. 28, 1642, came from within ten miles of the town of Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland, and belonged to a branch of that family of Dexter who were descendants of Richard de Excester, the Lord Justice of Ireland. He, with his wife Bridget, and three or more children, fled to England from the great Irish Massacre of the Protestants which commenced Oct. 27, 1641. When Richard Dexter and family left England and by what vessel, we are unable to state, but he could not have remained there long, as we know he was living at Boston prior to Feb. 28, 1642.

Seneca County New York Biographies

Seneca County History Newsletter Drawing

In the 1980’s a series of newsletters were published four times a year by Seneca County NY featuring historical information concerning Seneca county and her past residents. The current historian for Seneca County placed these online using PDF files. One of the main features of each edition were biographical sketches of early settlers of Seneca County. This is a list of those biographical sketches linked to the pdf copy of the newsletter.

Slave Narrative of Edd Shirley

Edd Shirley, a 97-year-old janitor from Tompkinsville, Kentucky, recounts his experiences as a slave, having been owned by three families. He describes the varied treatment of slaves, noting some were treated well if compliant, while others faced severe cruelty. Shirley shares a harrowing account of witnessing brutal whippings, contrasting these experiences with occasional festivities held by slaves after work. He reflects on the relative kindness of some slave owners and mentions his grandfather, who lived to be 115 without ever being sick.

Biographical Sketch of John Shirley

John Shirley, a Revolutionary War soldier, was born during a sea voyage from England and grew up in Boston. He settled in Fitzwilliam around 1780 and married Submit Bogle, with whom he had nine children. Shirley lived to the age of ninety-three, passing away in the home where his grandson, William H., currently resides. His son Henry was a selectman and died at seventy-two in the same town. William H., also born in that house, serves as the town’s first selectman.

Shirley, Orville Dee – Obituary

Orville Dee Shirley, 79, of La Grande, passed away on June 2, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Born on October 21, 1926, in Wallowa, he spent his early years in Enterprise before moving to the Willamette Valley. During World War II, he worked in the Oregon shipyards and later became a log truck driver and millwright, retiring from Boise Cascade. An avid hunter and fisherman, he is survived by his sons, Dee Allan and George Lee Shirley. Cremation and burial arrangements are handled by Grays West Co. Pioneer Chapel.

Shirley, Orville Dee – Obituary

Orville Dee Shirley, 79, passed away on June 2 in La Grande, Oregon. Born on October 21, 1926, in Wallowa, he spent much of his life in the Willamette Valley, serving in shipyards during World War II before working in the timber industry as a log-truck driver and millwright for Boise Cascade. He is remembered for his love of hunting, fishing, and automobiles. He is survived by his sons, Dee Allan and George Lee Shirley. Burial will be at Enterprise Cemetery.

Shirley, Michael L. – Obituary

Michel L. Shirley, 60, of Milton-Freewater and a former resident of Union, passed away on August 13 at St. Mary Medical Center. Born on November 5, 1945, in California, he was a Union High School graduate and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He held various roles in hospital facilities management, notably at Wallowa Memorial Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and church activities. He is survived by his wife, daughters, siblings, and grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Christian Aid Center.

Biography of John Shirley

John Shirley, born in 1835 in Hancock County, Ohio, was a significant figure in Santa Ana, California. After moving to Iowa with his family, he drove an ox team west and engaged in mining. He served in the Civil War and later became a successful grain elevator owner in Nebraska. Seeking a warmer climate, he settled in Santa Ana in 1887, where he held various local offices and worked as a money broker. Shirley was married to Mary V. Crow, and they had four children.