Posted by Norma Thompson on June 16, 2000 at 03:26:11:
Martha Ann Shirley died 1899 in Decatur County, IA. 2 of her children married into the Cherokee Still's. Several of them lived and died in Oklahoma/Indian Territory. Pictures look Indian. She was born 1823. I have the settlement of her estate that proves I am her descendent (gg granddaughter). She has always been a puzzle, especially since her daughter, my ancesstess, Laura E. Shirley, apparently, did not move with her when she moved, nor live with her on any of the census/tax lists. Martha, in turn, never had a man in the house, being listed as head of household, yet had 8 children and was in good standing with her church and the courts.
Any clues to her parentage or spouse would be appreciated.
After surfing the web for several weeks, I have seen 2 Shirley women of about the right age for whom I can find no more information: Martha Ann Crittenden, 1/2 Cherokee, wife of Samuel Perry Shirley, and Martha Casey, wife of Elijah Steven Shirley. Does anyone have any info on these 2 women?
Norma Thompson