Willis Turner (Wheat) Shirley (1855 - 1935)

Born 11 Nov 1855 in Monroe, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 16 Jan 1935 at age 79 in Monroe, Kentucky, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Claudia Bourdon [send private message]

Biography

Willis was born 11 November 1855 out of wedlock to Mary Ann Wheat. His name was recorded as Willis T Wheat. His father was Zachariah Shirley who was a young man in the same neighborhood in Monroe Co, Ky. Zachariah’s name appeared on Willis’ death certificate as his father.

Willis is found living in his father’s household with Zachariah, his step-mother and his half siblings in the 1870 Census. For the remainder of his life he went by the name Willis Turner Shirley.

Willis’ parents are proven by the will of his father Zachariah Shirley where he claims Willis Turner as his son out of wedlock by Mary Ann Wheat. Most trees on Ancestry as well as FindAGrave incorrectly show his step-mother as his mother.

Thanks to Denise Shoulders, Certified Genealogist for her research. Ms Shoulders has posted images of the Will of Zachariah Shirley on his FindAGrave profile page. See sources below.

Sources

• Birth: "Kentucky, U.S., Birth Records, 1847-1911"
  Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives; Frankfort, Kentucky; Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records - Microfilm (1852-1910)
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1213 #420468 (accessed 28 March 2023)
  Willis T Wheat born on 11 Nov 1855, son of Mary A Wheat, in Kentucky, USA.

• 1870 Census: "United States Census, 1870"
  citing Page: 22; Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 1; FHL microfilm: 000545988; Record number: 10255;
  FamilySearch Record: MXWR-3B4 (accessed 28 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: S3HY-DT63-7Z1 Image number 00267
  Willis T Shirley (15) in Monroe, Kentucky, United States. Born in Kentucky.

• Marriage: "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954"
  citing Marriage, Tompkinsville, Monroe, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 589,654.
  FamilySearch Record: Q288-BXC3 (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9BF-79GT-D Image number 00308
  Willis T Shirley marriage to Sarah C Simpson in Jan 1880 in Tompkinsville, Monroe, Kentucky, United States.

• 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1880; Census Place: Turner, Monroe, Kentucky; Roll: 434; Page: 277D; Enumeration District: 199
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #12122739 (accessed 28 March 2023)
  Thomas Shirly (23), married, Farmer, head of household in Turner, Monroe, Kentucky, USA. Born in Kentucky.

• 1900 Census: "United States Census, 1900"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T623; Line: 3; FHL microfilm: 1240544; Record number: 33100;
  FamilySearch Record: M9H7-RFF (accessed 28 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: S3HY-XCTQ-S4X Image number 00681
  Turner Shearley (44), married head of household in Center Point, Monroe, Kentucky, United States. Born in Kentucky.

• Death: "Kentucky, U.S., Death Records, 1852-1965"
  Death Certificates, 1911-1965 > 1934-1935 > Film 7019812: All Counties > image 2365 of 3314
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 31 March 2023)
  Willis G Shirley.

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #29497667 (accessed 28 March 2023)
  Memorial page for Willis Turner Shirley (22 Nov 1856-16 Jan 1935), citing Old Soldiers Cemetery, Tompkinsville, Monroe County, Kentucky, USA; Maintained by Randy Jobe (contributor 46840841).

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #33305852 (accessed 28 March 2023)
  Memorial page for Zachariah Shirley (9 May 1824-21 Mar 1877), citing White Cemetery, Sulphur Lick, Monroe County, Kentucky, USA; Maintained by Randy Rumble (contributor 47038904).