Nancy Agnes Shields (1798 - 1875)

Born 28 Feb 1798 in Sevier County, Tennessee, USA

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 2 Feb 1875 at age 76 in Washington, Washington County, Kansas, USA

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Biography

The information contained in the passages below are verbatim excerpts from the reproduced issue of The Shields Genealogy by Mary Ovanda Coleman (nee Derrick), the granddaughter of Nancy Agnes Elliott (nee Shields) and James Elliott. According to Rebecca Romine Shields Hardin, a cousin, Van began her research around the time John A. Shields was working on his book "Shields Family History," which he self-published in 1917. Van's original work was most likely self-published after John's as she references his book in her introduction. Rebecca Romine Shields Hardin was my maternal grandmother. She was instrumental in the reproduction of "The Shields Genealogy," and prepared its index and appendix. --Marcia Powell

The fifth child of Wm. and Margaret Wilson Shields was named Nancy Agnes for her paternal grandmother, born Feb. 28, 1798, a 2nd edition of Wm. , her father, in calm, self-poise, fearlessness, and undaunted courage and high sense of justice. While yet in Tenn., and she a child of ten, her father was detained from home one night until quite late. Soon after dark a disturbance was heard among the pigs. Nancy was sent to investigate, taking her gun along. Seeing a dark object near or in the pen she shot at it, on her return to the house she exclaimed, "Oh, mama, I am afraid I shot a man. Something ran off in the woods and it sounded like it cried, 'Oh me! Oh me." The next morning her father took the trail and soon came upon the carcass of a bear.

After her family moved into southern Indiana, and while living in the fort in Jackson County she met James Elliott, a fine christian [sic] man. They were married after the close of the war of 1812, on December 7, 1815 in Salem, Indiana. They lived in Decatur County until 1827 when they, with other relatives, moved to northern Indiana in what is now Carroll County near Delphi. In August of 1829 they again moved into Fulton County near Lake Manitou. James Elliott, owning the land on which Rochester is now built, living in this vicinity, among the Pottawatomie Indians until 1837. They became well versed in the language. James served thru the War of 1812 under Capt. Bigger and Gen. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe.

James and Nancy Shields Elliott were the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to maturity. Their names and birthdates are: Elizabeth Ann, February 23,1817; Margaret McClintoe, [sic] February 13, 1819; Absalom, August 27, 1821; James, 1823; Ruth Jane, November 15, 1825; William, 1827; John Perry, May 29, 1829: Mary, 1831: Jasper Newton, January 9, 1833; Nancy McCaleb, December 24, 1835; Isaac Tipton, February 6, 1837; Jesse Shields, June 10, 1840; Rebecca Ann, January 3, 1843.

Nancy took up the study and practice of medicine with Drs. Sippe and Bracket, receiving her diploma. Dr. Gunn's Medical adviser and Remedies was the Standard works at that time. Her supply of drugs was obtained from natures storehouse of roots and herbs. While a supply of oils, cream of tartar, sulphur and rosin as well as brandy was always kept at hand. She was very successful in setting bones, also in the use of the lance for bleeding. Having perfect knowledge of the veins of the temple, arms and ankles, and the result in lancing of either. One case in particular she was called for relief of convulsions in a pregnancy case. She knew the exact vein in the ankle to lance, obtaining a spoonful or so of blood. This resulted in the relief from the convulsions and brought on labor and saved both mother and babe. Lancing of a vein at the elbow, taking a pint or so of blood has saved many a case from what is now termed uric ( uremic) poisoning. In her 40 years of practice, no other doctor was ever employed by any of her descendants. In the diagnosing of contagious diseases, fevers, etc. she was adept, always sympathetic, calm and serene. She was a benediction to all she ever met. Loved and revered by all her children as well as all who knew her.

Sources

• "Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF36-P5C : 3 December 2014), James Elliot and Nancy Shields, 07 Dec 1815; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 549,460.

• Find A Grave, database and images (https://new.findagrave.com : accessed 30 September 2017), memorial page for Nancy Agnes Shields Elliott (28 Feb 1798–2 Feb 1875), Find A Grave Memorial no. Find A Grave: Memorial #133976488, citing Spenceville Cemetery, Hanover, Washington County, Kansas, USA ; Maintained by NHans (contributor 47587301) .

• Coleman, Mary Ovanda, Shields Genealogy, pp. 21-22; Reproduced April 1979, Rochester, Indiana. The reproduction of The Shields Genealogy was made possible through the sponsorship of the Fulton County Historical Society, Rochester, Indiana.