Nicholas Shier II (1772 - abt. 1852)

Born 28 Oct 1772 in Courtmatrix, Adare, Limerick County, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Catherine Ann (Cronsberry) Shier — married about 1794 in Courtmatrix, Limerick Co., Ireland [uncertain]

Husband of Ann (Fitch) Shier — married about 1806 in Ireland

Descendants

Died about 1852 at about age 79 in Courtmatrix, Adare, Limerick County, Ireland

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Biography

Nicholas was born in 1772 to Nicholas Shier and Mary Switzer.

In about 1793, Nicholas married Catherine Cronsberry. They had five children. Catherine passed away in about 1805.

In about 1806, Nicholas married Ann Fitch. They had at least eleven children.

In 1830, seven of Nicholas' sons (Henry, Julius, Nathaniel, Loftus, Robert, B[amlet], and Tobias) from Courtmatrix parish in Rathkeale were among the 2000 Irish signatories of the "Declaration Against Repeal of the Union." Most of the signatories were Protestant. The Declaration opposed a bill that attempted to address inequalities in British Parliamentary representation. Specifically, the declaration was against allowing Catholics to run and serve as members of Parliament.

He passed away about 1852 .

A Family from Court Mattress – The story of the Irish Palatines by Dr. Walter C. Shier

Nicholas of Court Mattress was the third son of Nicholas of the third generation of the family. He was born about 1771 on the old homestead at Court Mattress where he was raised and where in turn, he raised his family. His first wife was Catherine Cronsberry, his second, Ann Fitch. They are remembered by persons with whom the writer has conversed, as speaking German equally as well as English.

Sources

• As recounted in “A Family from Court Mattress – The story of the Irish Palatines by Dr. Walter C. Shier”
• "The Palatines: 1798 and Its Aftermath", by Vivien Hick, The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Vol. 126 (1996), pp. 5-36
• 2008, Vivien Hick posted a list of Palatine signatories to the "Declaration against Repeal, 1830" on a Genealogy forum [1]
• Burial: Parish Church, Rathkeale, County Limerick, Ireland

See Also

Letter from Nicholas Shier to his son Samuel Shier after 1796. The Insurrection Act was passed in 1796 to prevent the Irish from signing illegal oaths [2]

Dear Samuel,

I rec'd yours of the 30th of July and yours of the first of Sept. and am very glad to hear that you and Ric'd and Catherine and children is in good health as I am and all the family, thank God. What I say to you I say the same to Rich'd. You wrote for Adam, John and Henry by the first opportunity, but I am not sure you can know the state of the country in the short time as you are there. But on the receipt of this letter you will know more of it, as Adam would go to you next spring or remain for one year more by your account. I would not hinder any of the boys or the family of going to you if it were in my judgment for the better. There is Mich'l Teskey and Sam'l Doupe and more of the neighbours in waiting with eager expectation on answer to this letter.

The price of wheat here is from 8 cents to 10 cents per stone, barley 7.5 cents, the best oats 6 cents and all kinds of provisions very low, so that if Adam should go to you this year I could not without hurting myself sent you that help I could wish, as he should carry with him what would purchase land and support him there one year at least.

Your uneasiness about Anne is all over. She is in good health and is married to Jacob Teskey the 6th of July. Your uncle John is dead as you heard when you were here, the reason of his death one cannot tell. James Shier is still in Cork but expected home soon. William Fazzelle got married to John Benners daughter but lived only six weeks after. He died by fever. Adam Shier of Ransker is dead also. He lived in Limerick and died by the fever. Adam Shier of Robertstown is contracted to Francis Teskey. Rich'd girl is willing to go to Rich'd if she can get her passage for there is little hope of her getting her three guineas.

Last summer was very scarce in provisions in Ireland Limerick. The poor got very great relief from abroad in those counties. The disturbances of this country is not yet over after all that was hung and transported. The insurrection Act is still in force and the army is very exact in their duty.

Sam, as short the time that you left us there is some gone to their eternal home. How frail and uncertain is our lives whether we live here or in America we are on the way to death. Let me know, is there any religion in America as I hope you have not forgot the loving kindness of the Lord? I desire you to write as soon as you recieve this letter as I cannot settle my mind until I receive your letter. Your mother joins me in love to you and Rich'd, and Catherine, Jacob Teskey and Anne send their love to you.

Nich's and Anne Shier (Cronesbury)

• my heritage site...