William Sheffield performed Patriotic Service in Georgia in the American Revolution.
William Sheffield is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A102393.
CAUTION
There are three men living in Georiga in 1820 who are about the same age, named William Sheffield. Two of these are often shown to the son of John Sheffield of Duplin, North Carolina. The proof seems to have been found that it is NOT this William, but the William living in Pulaski, Georgia. See his profile for the evidence. see a link to the 3rd William in the Research notes below.
Timeline
William’s origins are unknown. According to unsourced family trees he was born in Dublin, Bladen, North Carolina.[1] Birthplace is not known for sure. Based on an 1807 court record where he swore he was over sixty years old, he was born before Feb 7, 1747 [2]
In 1769 he is said to have married his wife, Mary Abbott in Duplin NC. [citation needed]
Feb 7, 1807 - “Georgia Bulloch County" this day Came before me William Sheffield who being duly Sworn Saith he is past the age of Sixty years William his mark Sheffield
Sworn to before me February 7, 1807} John Rawls recorded February 7th 1807”[2][3] Once men were over 60 years of age they could request that the court remove their names from the jury box.[4][5][6]
In the 1820 US Federal Census for Bulloch County, Georgia, only four Sheffield heads of households are listed and they are presumed to be the father William and his 3 sons. In 1820 William Sheffield Sr. (William Shepperds Junior was a transcription error) was living in Bulloch, Georgia. He was 45 or older so born 1775 or before. With him was 1 female the same age, and 1 male between 10 and 15 [1]
The following Free White Persons are listed in the household of William Sheffield, Sr: [7]
Sex
Age
male
age 10-16
male
age over 45
female
age over 45
Listed directly above William Sheffield, Sr., is William Sheffield, Jr. (Note: no free white females.) [8]
Sex
Age
male
age to 10
male
age over 45
2 pages before the 2 William’s is listed John Sheffield. Those in the household are listed as: [9]
Sex
Age
male
age to 10
male
age 10-16
male
age 16-18
male
over 45
female
age to 10
female
age to 10
female
age to 10
female
age 10-16
female
age 10-16
female
age over 45
3 pages after the 2 Williams is listed Isham Sheffield. Those listed in his household include: [10]
Sex
Age
male
age to 10
male
age 10-16
male
age 26 to under 45
male
age over 45
female
age to 10
female
age to 10
female
age to 10
female
age 10-16
female
age over 45
Land Records
Land records found as early as 30 July 1784, so he was either in Gerogia prior to the end of the war or got there quickly after. These may not all be for the same William Sheffield
30 July 1784 Land assements listed under Headrights and Bounty Land Records is found for William Sheffield, Burke, Georgia. "Two hundred Acres ... in the county of Burke. On all sides by Vacant Land [11]
22 Mar 1785 Land Assements listed under Headrights and Bounty Land Records is found for William Sheffield, Burke, Georgia. "Three Hundred Acres.... South Eastwardly by McNorils and Elberks Land, Northeastwardly by Baes and Thingers land, Northwestwardly by Tanns Land and on all other sides by Vacant Land" [12]
3 October 1785, Land Assessment listed under Headright and Bounty Land Records is found for William Sheffield in Burke, Georgia. "William Sheffield a track of Land, which shall contain One hundred Acres, in the said county of Burke, at the Sister Pond near Wm McNorrels, in line of a ____ and ordered him for the same quanity on Bryan Creek, on his Head Rights. [13]
20 March 1786, Headright and Bounty Platts, William Sheffield-Burke 100 Acres Burke County, Georgia."A tract of land containing 100 Acres near the Sister Pond and on the Savannah Road. Bound to the NE by Mary Rogers Land to the N W by Travis Fenns Land and on the other side Vacation" [14]
5 March 1787, Land Assessment listed under Headright and Bounty Land Records is found for William Sheffield in Burke, Georgia. "One Hundred Acres in the said county of Burke" [15] (Note: In 1788 he sold the bounty land to Robert Forsyth. At this time he was a resident of Burke County. Land In Burke County, Georgia may have later become part of another county. Screven County was formed from parts of Burke and Effinham in 1793 Bulloch County was formed from parts of Byran and Screven Counties in 1796 See link in footnote for county formation maps.[16])
4 Sept 1794, Headrights and Bounty Plats, William Shufield- Effingham - 450 Acres, bounded southwardly by said Sheffied and vacant land on all other sides. [17]
16 May 1799 Headright and Bounty Land Records, William Sheffield, Bulloch County, Georgia "a grant of land which shall contain two hundred acreas of land ... on the waters of Black Creek " [18]
7 Feb 1803, Headright and Bounty Land Records, William Sheffield Bulloch County, Georgia. "A track of land which shall contain three undered acreas.... ajoining Solomon Grooveres land " [19]
11 Feb 1803, Headright and Bounty Land Records, William Sheffield Bulloch County, Georgia. "A track of land that contains two hudnred fifty acres adjoiing land of his own" [20]
On 4 March 1812 Headright and Bounty Land Records, Land Assessment for William Sheffield,sen. A track of Land in Bulloch County, Georgia which shall contain one hundred acres ... joining his own on the east and on joining land of James Denmark. [21]
William Sheffied, Jr (son),100 acres Dec 17, 1821 Recorded June 14, 1823 page 472
Mary Hoover (daughter), 100 acres, Dec 17, 1821 Recorded June 14, 1823 page 472
John Hoover (son in law), cattle, Dec 17, 1821 Recorded June 14, 1823 page 472
Death
The date, cause of death, location and place of burial are not known. It is presumed he died and was buried in Bulloch County, Georgia. On June 14, 1823 William deeded property to family members so he was alive at that time and died after that date.
William Sheffied’s FindAGrave memorial says he died on June 2 1826, however there is no tombstone or proof given to support this.[25]
Because of the uncertainty of the information on Findagrave the date used for his death will be after June 14, 1823 until a more accurate source is found.
Research Notes
Use caution when attaching children to this profile
Many of the Sheffield researchers have noticed a DNA connection between William Sheffield-110 and John Sheffield-59, suggesting they are closely related. It has been proven that Amos Sheffield-5106 is the son of William Sheffield
In addition, the naming patterns of William's children are also closely tied to the Duplin and Northampton groups. John, Delilah, Martha, Mary, Isham, and William are all names used with William of Northampton. John, Mary, Isham, and William are names used by John of Duplin.
Fold3 1 found in NC[26] and 2nd page showing he was in Halls' company Jan 1883 "Casualities" [27]
Roster of Soldiers from NC in the American Revolution 1 (maybe duplicate) NC. [28]
Certified List of Georgia Troops, a website Georgia Genealogy Trails[29] 1) Sheffel, Mash 2) Sheffel, Wm 3) Sheffie (Sheffield) WM 4) Sheffield, John, 5) Sheffield, John 5) Sheftall, Mardecai
Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783, Website Military Genealgy Trails.[30] No Sheffields found
Georgia Revolutionary War Soldiers' Graves" Vol One, compiled by H. Ross Arnold, Jr. and H. Clifton Burnham, he served as a private in Captain Hall's Company of the 10th Regt. of the NC Continental Line commanded by Col Abraham Shepard from 1782 until 1783. He later received 750 acres of headright land in Bulloch County where he is buried Bulloch County, GA.
- Ann Parkinson (need link or other details of this book)
A man named William Sheffield (not known which William this is) is listed in the Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia, Vol 1. It says he was born in NC (but doesn't give where in NC) and died in GA. He served in Georgia State Troops 1st Regiment, 4th Company, under Capt. Robert Raines received Bounty land on Jan 19, 1799. [31]No source of information for this is in the book and I've not located the Bounty land for 19 January 1799. 19 January 1799 (see above under Revolutionary War Soldier) This would be helpful if found in proving that War Record is in fact this William.
DAR Records: The DAR says many errors in these records, so use with caution
William Sheffield Ancestor #A102393 (1745-1825 Bulloch,GA ) Service Source: HEMPERLEY, MIL CERTS OF GA 1776-1800, P 67; KNIGHT, GA ROSTER OF THE REV, P 158 Service Description: 1) REFUGEE, ISSUED CERT AS PER ACT OF 20 AUG 1781, Spouse Mary [32]
Willaim Sheffiield Ancestor #A208900 (1759-1853 Hancock, GA) Service Source: S*W26453; BLWT #36648-160-55 Service Description: 1) CAPT WILLIAM MOORE, COL LITELL, CONTINENTAL LINE Spouse Elizabeth Pension Number: S*W26453
Sources
↑ 1.01.11820 Census:
"1820 United States Federal Census," database with images
Fourth Census of the United States, 1820; Census Place: Bulloch, Georgia; Page: 15; NARA Roll: M33_7; Image: 27 Ancestry Sharing Link (free access) Ancestry Record 7734 #1427199 ($, accessed 12 November 2023)
Name: William Shepperds Junior [William Shephads Junior] [William Sheffield Sr]; Enumeration Date: 7 Aug 1820; Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Bulloch, Georgia, USA; Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1; Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1; Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over: 1; Slaves - Males - Under 14: 1; Slaves - Females - Under 14: 2; Slaves - Females - 26 thru 44: 1; Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1; Free White Persons - Under 16: 1; Free White Persons - Over 25: 2; Total Free White Persons: 3; Total Slaves: 4; Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 7.
↑Land Assessment: "Georgia, Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909," database with images
citing Digital film/folder number: 004720671; Record number: 0
FamilySearch Record: CYFG-SYT2 (accessed 25 November 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 9392-XTC5 Image number 00274
Name: William Shuffield; Land Assessment Date: 30 Jul 1784; Land Assessment Place: Burke, Georgia, United States.
↑Land Assessment:
"Georgia, Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909," database with images
citing Digital film/folder number: 004720679; Record number: 0
FamilySearch Record: CBW2-RPMM (accessed 25 November 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 9392-XT71-D Image number 00076
Name: William Shuffield; Land Assessment Date: 22 Mar 1785; Land Assessment Place: Burke, Georgia, United States.
↑Land Assessment:
"Georgia, Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909," database with images
citing Digital film/folder number: 005316348; Record number: 0
FamilySearch Record: CCL7-WJPZ (accessed 25 November 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 33S7-L1PP-7XX Image number 00389
Name: William Sheffield; Land Assessment Date: 3 Oct 1785; Land Assessment Place: Burke, Georgia, United States.
↑Land Assessment:
"Georgia, Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909," database with images
citing Digital film/folder number: 005171859; Record number: 3
FamilySearch Record: CC3J-MKT2 (accessed 25 November 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9BSZ-9GDJ Image number 00501
Name: William Sheffield; Land Assessment Date: 5 Mar 1787; Land Assessment Place: Burke, Georgia, United States.
↑Land Assessment:
"Georgia, Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909," database with images
citing Digital film/folder number: 005316348; Record number: 0
FamilySearch Record: CCL7-WJN2 (accessed 25 November 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 33S7-81PP-7XR Image number 00387
Name: William Sheffield; Land Assessment Date: 4 Mar 1812; Land Assessment Place: Bulloch, Georgia, United States.
↑Burial:
"U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current," database with images
Original data: Find a Grave. Find a Grave®. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi; URL: Find A Grave: Memorial #35346773 Ancestry Record 60525 #118037514 ($, accessed 5 November 2023)
Name: William Sheffield; Birth Date: 1 Jun 1745; Birth Place: Duplin County, North Carolina, United States of America; Death Date: 2 Jun 1826; Death Place: Bulloch County, Georgia, United States of America; Has Bio?: Y.
↑Rev. War Soldier in Geogia:
"Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia Vol. I," database with images
Original data: McCall, Mrs. Howard H. Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia. Vol. I. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004 Ancestry Sharing Link (free access) Ancestry Record 49320 #91669 ($, accessed 12 November 2023)
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with William by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with William:
Making you aware of a plan to remove John Sheffield-1786 in 3 days as a son of William who was found in Effingham County, Georgia as early as 1794, then found in Bulloch County, Georgia where he died. No sources are on John Sheffield-1786 profile showing he ever lived in Bulloch County, Georgia. All his attached sources indicate he lived in North Carolina all his life.
Sources for John Sheffield-3330 indicate he was in Bulloch County, Georgia as early as 1806 and lived there until sometime before 1830 when he showed up in the Thomas County, Georgia census. Sheffield-3330 married Martha Harvey (from the well documented Harvey family of Effingham and Bryan Counties and proof of their marriage is documented in a probate record from Jackson County, Florida.
I did add to John Sheffield-1786 a Sheffield name study sticker for ongoing research.
Seeking input on plan to edit profile in 3 days. These changes include adding notes on his profile with corresponding sources. One source lists his age as over 60 years so will edit birth year based on source. Plan to move comments not about his bio to research notes and add headers as needed.
Marsha Sturdivant and I are working on the William Sheffields living in Georgia in the 1820 Census. Sheffield-110, Sheffield-5074 and Sheffield-4295. Two of these show the father as John Sheffield who was married to Nancy Turner and Elizabeth Graddy. We are looking for proof of which of the 3 Williams is John's son. There are duplicates for the profiles of John and Nancy, but I suggest we leave them as they are for now. eventually, we need to merge them.
I have started a spreadsheet showing all three men and what proof we have gathered for each. If you would like to collaborate and see this spreadsheet, please send me a message.
There are 3 William Sheffields living in Georgia in THE 1820 Census, all born in 1775 or earlier. Census for 1820 shows 1 in Hancock, GA, 1 in Bulloch, GA, and 1 in Pulaski, GA.
The one in Hancock would be Sheffield-5074, the one in Pulaski would be Sheffield-4295, and then one in Bulloch, which would be both Sheffield-110 and 978.
It appears that often times, the Revolutionary War Records and children are being mixed between these three men. I would love to work together with everyone to fix this and to merge Sheffield-110 and Sheffield-978.
Also there are earrings that the age of this man and his parents and siblings don't work out - so adjustments are needed.
There are 3 William Sheffields living in Georgia in THE 1820 Census, all born in 1775 or earlier. Census for 1820 shows 1 in Hancock, GA, 1 in Bulloch, GA, and 1 in Pulaski, GA.
The one in Hancock would be Sheffield-5074, the one in Pulaski would be Sheffield-4295, and then one in Bulloch, which would be both Sheffield-110 and 978.
It appears that often times, the Revolutionary War Records and children are being mixed between these three men. I would love to work together with everyone to fix this and to merge Sheffield-110 and Sheffield-978.
Sources for John Sheffield-3330 indicate he was in Bulloch County, Georgia as early as 1806 and lived there until sometime before 1830 when he showed up in the Thomas County, Georgia census. Sheffield-3330 married Martha Harvey (from the well documented Harvey family of Effingham and Bryan Counties and proof of their marriage is documented in a probate record from Jackson County, Florida.
I did add to John Sheffield-1786 a Sheffield name study sticker for ongoing research.
Should you have questions, please let me know.
I have started a spreadsheet showing all three men and what proof we have gathered for each. If you would like to collaborate and see this spreadsheet, please send me a message.
The one in Hancock would be Sheffield-5074, the one in Pulaski would be Sheffield-4295, and then one in Bulloch, which would be both Sheffield-110 and 978.
It appears that often times, the Revolutionary War Records and children are being mixed between these three men. I would love to work together with everyone to fix this and to merge Sheffield-110 and Sheffield-978.
Also there are earrings that the age of this man and his parents and siblings don't work out - so adjustments are needed.
edited by Marsha (Cain) Richardson
The one in Hancock would be Sheffield-5074, the one in Pulaski would be Sheffield-4295, and then one in Bulloch, which would be both Sheffield-110 and 978.
It appears that often times, the Revolutionary War Records and children are being mixed between these three men. I would love to work together with everyone to fix this and to merge Sheffield-110 and Sheffield-978.