BIOGRAPHY
of
ISAAC² SHIELDS

His Story and Family

ISAAC² SHIELDS, son of Daniel¹ SHIELDS and Mary [--?--], was born 15 July 1774 in probably the North of Ireland.¹ Isaac accompanied his parents and siblings to the shores of "America in 1791" according to a sketch of his brother, Patrick SHIELDS. They are said to have landed at Baltimore, Maryland and made their way to "Pennsylvania where they lived for three years," and then they "removed to Cincinnati, Ohio"² where they "landed October 15, 1794."³

Isaac SHIELDS was listed on the Hamilton County, Ohio Voters' Lists in 1798-1799.⁴

Isaac SHIELDS and James SHIELDS (brothers) were among the signers who filed a petition to Governor of the Northwest Territory for land in third range of the Miami Purchase which was dated 31 August 1799.⁵

Isaac married abt. 1807 probably in Hamilton County, Ohio to Amy VAN CLEVE, dau/o John VAN CLEVE⁶ and Catherine BENHAM of Monmouth County, New Jersey; Washington County, Pennsylvania; and Losantiville (Cincinnati), Hamilton County, Ohio. Amy was born July, 1789 in Washington County, Pennsylvania⁷ and came with her parents and siblings to Losantiville (Cincinnati), Ohio in 1790. When Daniel Shields sold his land in Hamilton County, Ohio, we find the name of Richard BENHAM being a near neighbor on the deed. Richard was Catherine (BENHAM) VAN CLEVE's brother.

Isaac's father, Daniel SHIELDS apparently moved to Butler County, Ohio⁸ by 1807. Here "Daniel Shields" appears on the 1807 Tax List of Lemon Township. In February 1809, Patrick SHIELDS of Butler County, Ohio (s/o Daniel and bro/o Isaac) sold various cattle and household furniture to his father, Daniel SHIELDS of Butler County, Ohio. In April 1809 via a deed transfer, Daniel and Mary SHIELDS of Butler County, Ohio sold their land in Hamilton County, Ohio. It appears likely that Isaac and his family did not make the move to Butler County, Ohio, but maintained their residence in Hamilton County, Ohio at least until after the 1817 Census.

It is believed that sometime after the 10 August 1809 deed signing and before 1820 that Isaac's mother, Mary [--?--] Shields, died in Butler County, Ohio. Nothing is known of her demise, nor the place where she was laid to rest. It appears that she did not make the later move to Preble County, Ohio with her husband Daniel and sons and their families.

Isaac and Amy (VAN CLEVE) SHIELDS and their family were residing in Hamilton County, Ohio at the time of the 1817 Census. In this census, the age categories were given.⁹ Isaac was listed as the head of the household.

Sometime between 1817 and 1820 it appears that Isaac and his family along with his father (Daniel) and two brothers (James & Patrick) and their families moved to Preble County, Ohio, which was established in 1808. It is not known whether Isaac had moved his family to Butler County, prior to their move to Preble County. With this move, the father and brothers left their married sister (Mary) and her family in Butler County. It was here in Preble County, Ohio that Isaac and his family & probably his father, Daniel, appear residing together at the time of the 1820 U. S. Federal Census.¹⁰

On 2 March 1821, Isaac purchased 5+ acres of land in Butler County, Ohio for $1000 while living in Preble County. The reason for this purchase is unknown. It is possible that this was to be for an investment of some sorts since the price for the 5+ acres appears to be high for the value of land in those days, when some years later this same land was sold for $500. ¹¹

In 1821 when William CRISLER gave land¹² for the Dry Fork Baptist Church¹³ and Cemetery in Section 13 of Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio, Isaac SHIELDS was listed as one of the early trustees.

In April of 1825 Isaac purchased 159 acres of land in Section 24 of Monroe Township of Preble County, Ohio.¹⁴ In 1828, Isaac and Amy sold land in Section 30¹⁵; and in 1830 they sold 50 acres of their Section 24 land.¹⁶

At the time of the 1830 U. S. Federal Census, Isaac and his family continued to reside in Monroe Township of Preble County, Ohio. It appear at this time that his father (between 90y and 100y) is still residing with the family.¹⁷

Soon after the census taker's visit, sadness gripped Isaac's household when Amy (Van Cleve) Shields lost her life on 09 September 1830 at the age of 41 years 2 months 11 days. She was laid to rest at the Dry Forks Baptist Church Cemetery in Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio. Isaac is not known to have remarried, but lived as a widower for 31 more years.

The following year (1831), Isaac sold his small plot of 5+ acres in Butler County, Ohio consisting .¹⁸

It was probably another sad day for the SHIELDS family when the Irish patriarch, Daniel Shields, lost his life on 11 April 1833 having lived 92 years & 5 days. He was laid to rest at the Dry Fork Baptist Church Cemetery in Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio.

Isaac Shields deeded land to William Crisler in January of 1835.¹⁹

Isaac and his family continued to be enumerated in Monroe Township in Preble County, Ohio at the time of the 1840 U. S. Federal Census.²⁰

In 1844, Isaac deeded 30 acres to Henry Armstrong²¹ and Lot 42 in Euphemia to his son, Daniel Shields.²²

Isaac, like his father, continued to live a very long life. In 1850²³ and 1860²⁴, his unmarried son and unmarried daughter, Daniel and Phoebe, resided in Monroe Township of Preble County, Ohio with their aging father. Isaac died 21 September 1861 in Lewisburg, Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio. He was buried beside his wife in Dry Fork Baptist Church Cemetery in Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio.

Following Isaac's demise, a quit claim deed in Preble Co., OH was signed by all his children. ²⁵

  

1. Catharine Shields born 30 June 1808 married John Childres/Childers
2. John Van Cleve Shields born 10 September 1811 married (1) Catharine Reed; married (2) Julia Ann (Jellison) Huffman
3. Mary “Polly” Shields born 20 June 1812 married Jonathan Davisson
4. Daniel M. Shields born 11 August 1817 (never married)
5. Isabella Shields born 20 July 1819 married David Sellers
6. Phebe Shields born 6 April 1822 (never married)
7. Benjamin Shields born 16 December 1825 married Hannah Lee
8. Martha Shields born 7 July 1829 married George Corwin

¹ Anita (Bowers) Short & Ruth Bowers, DANIEL SHIELDS Family Lineages, ca 1970; 2008, Internet: E-mail to ASH: Anita (Bowers) Short

² Ohio History Central: Losantiville (later Cincinnati): "Ludlow, Denman, and Patterson provided the first thirty settlers with two free lots, one of each type. The three men named the town Losantiville." "In 1790, the governor of the Northwest Territory, Arthur St. Clair, proceeded to establish Hamilton County and made Losantiville the county seat. St. Clair disliked the name Losantiville and changed the town's name to Cincinnati."

³1875 Darke County, Ohio Atlas, 1875: Biographical Sketch: Patrick Shields

⁴Hamilton Co., Ohio Voters' Lists in 1798-1799 by Marie Dickore’, A.M., Cincinnati, 1960, page 61

⁵Old North West Quarterly, Vol. 9, published 1906

⁶ Pioneer Life in Dayton and Vicinity 1796-1840 by John F. Edgar, page 29: (abstract)

Benjamin and Rachel Van Cleve of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Son John Van Cleve born 16 May 1749, soldier in War of Revolution, served in his father’s company. In 1772 he married Catherine Benham and resided for some years in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Four children born to here—Benjamin, Ann, William and Margaret. Some time after birth of Margaret the family moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania and had Mary and Amy. In December 1789 John Van Cleve started west and arrived at Losantiville, Ohio, January 3, 1790 the day the name was changed to Cincinnati, Ohio. Amy Van Cleve married Isaac Shields and died in Prebel (sic-Preble) County.

⁷ History of Montgomery County, Ohio, p. 272

⁸ Butler County, Ohio was formed from Hamilton County, Ohio in 1803.

⁹ Census for Cincinnati, Ohio, 1817

1817 Census Hamilton County, Ohio Isaac Shields Males: 1 (21 & up) 1 (12 to 21) [unknown person] 2 (0-12) Females: 1 (21 & up) 2 (0-12)

¹⁰ 1820 U. S. Federal Census

1820 U. S. Federal Census Preble County, Ohio Monroe Township Page 111 Shields, Isaac Males: 2 (0-under 10) 1 (26-under 45) [Isaac Shields] 1 (45 & over) [possibly Isaac's father, Daniel Shields.] Females: 2 (0-under 10) 1 (10-under 16) 1 (26-under 45) [Amy (Van Cleve) Shields] (Ancestry: Image 1)

¹¹VANCE, Joseph H., Warren and Ethel (Garland) Markwith, Their Ancestors, Descendants and Related Families, 1982, p. 162: Butler County, Ohio Deed Book I, p. 69; TRANSCRIPTION: Butler Co., OH Deed Record: ALBS

Butler County, Ohio Deed Records – Book I, page 69 Isaac Shields from P.B. Dickson; dated 2 March 1821; consideration of $1000.; for 5.45 (five and 45/100) acres located in Butler County, State of Ohio “Beginning at a stone or stake on the north boundary of the said Dixon land and the south boundary of John Harvey’s (deceased) tract to a honey locust 28 links distance, thence west with the said boundary line 31 perch to a stake or stone with a Sycamore 20 links to a box elder 16 links near Dick’s Creek, thence so 28 perch and four links to a stake or stone thence east 31 perch to the east side of the road leading from Hamilton to Middletown, a stone near the corner of Platt B.P. Dixon orchard, thence north 28 perch and 4 links to place of beginning containing 5.45 acres” Signed: Platt B. Dickson and Elizabeth (her x mark) Dickson. Witnesses: Thompson Jones, David Cox. Received and recorded 12 March 1822, Edmund Harrison, J.P. 2008, Courtesy of ALBS

¹² Preble County, Ohio Deed Book 8, pages 375-376

¹³ History of Preble County, Ohio, William, 1881, page 295

Dry Fork Baptists organized in 1822. In 1832 the first building was built of logs and weather boarded. This stood until 1880 when it was torn down and a new building erected a few months earlier for $400.00 next to the old one. Seating capacity of the new building is 200. The present pastor is Rev. G. M. Peters. Membership is 23.

¹⁴ Preble County, Ohio Deed Records, Deed Book 71, page 28

United States Land Patents, Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio to Isaac Shields; 1 April 1825; 159 acres; SW ¼ Section 24, Township 9, Range 2.

¹⁵ Preble County, Ohio Deed Records, Deed Book 9, page 215

Isaac Shields and Amy his wife to Henry Armstrong; 28 February 1828, part of Section 30, Township 9, Range 2. Signed: Isaac Shields and Amy (her mark) Shields. Witnesses: Geo. Price and Sophia Price; recorded 1 December 1828.

¹⁶ Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio Deed Records, Deed Book 11, page 305

Isaac Shields and Amy his wife to Peter Banta; dated 26 August 1830; 50 acres, part SW ¼ Section 24, Township 9, Range 2. Signed: Isaac Shields and Amy (her mark) Shields. Witnesses: Wm. Leas and John Childress.

¹⁷ 1830 U. S. Federal Census

1830 U. S. Federal Census Preble County, Ohio Monroe Township Page 365A Shields, Isaac Males: 1 (0-under 5) 1 (10-under 15) 1 (15-under 20) 1 (50-under 60) [Isaac] 1 (90-under 100) [probably Isaac's father, Daniel] Females: females: 1 (0-under 5) 1 (5-under 10) 1 (10-under 15) 1 (15-under 20) 1 (40-50) [Amy] *probably Isaac’s father Daniel (Ancestry: Image 9)

¹⁸ VANCE, Joseph H., Warren and Ethel (Garland) Markwith, Their Ancestors, Descendants and Related Families, 1982, p. 162: Butler County, Ohio Deed Book R, pp. 218-219; TRANSCRIPTION: Butler Co., OH Deed Record: ALBS

Butler County, Ohio Deed Records – Deed Book R, page 218-219 Isaac Shields of Preble County, Ohio to W.J. Henry; dated 11 June 1831; consideration $500.; land in Butler County being NE quarter of South tract. Names adjoining tracts: Sinkey, Adam Dickey, Jacob V. Quick; also 28 links, 60 perch and 28 perch laying north of Hamilton-Middletown Road. Signed: Isaac Shields; Witnesses: William Leas J.P., Ann Leas. Received and recorded 28 October 1831. At this time Isaac Shields sister was Mary (Shields) Sinkey-Freeman. She was widow of John Sinkey and wife of George Freeman. 2008, Courtesy of ALBS

¹⁹ Deed: Isaac Shields to Wm. Crisler

Preble County, Ohio Deed Records – Deed Book 22, page 408 Isaac Shields to Wm. Crisler; dated 7 January 1835; NW of Section 24, Township 9 Range 2. Signed: Isaac Shields. Witnesses: Benj. Marsh and Daniel (his mark) Shields

²⁰ 1840 U. S. Federal Census

1840 U. S. Federal Census Preble County, Ohio Monroe Township page 149A Shields, Isaac Males: 1 (10-15) 1 (15-20) 1 (60-70) Females: 1 (10-15) 1 (15-20) 1 (20-30) (Ancestry: Image 193

²¹ Preble County, Ohio Deed Record

Preble County, Ohio Deed Records – Deed Book 39, page 389 Isaac Shields to Henry Armstrong; dated 30 April 1844; 30 acres part Section 24, Township 9, Range 2. Signed: Isaac Shields. Witnesses: Benj. Marsh J.P. and Henry Hicks

²² Preble County, Ohio Deed Record

Preble County, Ohio Deed Records – Deed Book 34, page 158 Isaac Shields to Daniel Shields; dated 31 December 1844; lot 42 in Euphemia. Signed: Isaac Shields. Witnesses: R.H. Holt and Wm. Collins, J.P.

²³ 1850 U. S. Federal Census

1850 U. S. Federal Census Preble County, Ohio Monroe Township 26 July 1850 #223-223 Isaac Shields, 76, male, farmer, Real Estate $1600, b Ireland Daniel Shields, 33, male, farmer, Real Estate $339(?), b Ohio Phebe Shields, 26, female, b Ohio (Internet, Heritage Quest: Series: M432 Roll: 723 Page: 398 Image: 32)

²⁴ 1860 U. S. Federal Census

1860 U. S. Federal Census Preble County, Ohio Monroe Township Page 114 26 July 1860 #854-824 Shields, Isaac, 85, m, farmer, $3200/$700, Ireland _______, Daniel, 42, m, farmer, $2250/$1400 Ohio _______, Phoeba 37, f, Ohio (Internet, Heritage Quest: Series: M653 Roll: 1026 Page: 57 Image: 10)

²⁵ Preble County, Ohio Quit Claim Deed

John Shields & others to Daniel Shields; dated 21 March 1862; consideration of $1800.00; Quit Claim deed for land owned by Isaac Shields, deceased, at his death; being NE part of SW ¼ Section 24, Township 9, Range 2 (Monroe twp.). Signed: John V.C. Shields, Katherine (her mark) Shields, wife of John; Phebe (her mark) Shields; David Sellers, Isabell (her mark) Sellers, wife of David; Jonathan Davisson, Mary (her mark) Davisson, wife of Jonathan; Benjamin Shields, Hannah (her mark) Shields, wife of Benjamin; Catherine Childers. Appearing before the Justice of the Peace of White County, Indiana came John V.C. Shields and his wife Catherine Shields agreeing to the above transaction on 21 March 1862. Witnesses: Josiah Davisson, Hannah Davisson. Recorded 16 March 1864. Note: There are also two suits which are in the land records and also in the Common Pleas Court, with Benjamin Shields and wife Hannah filing petitions for their share. 2008, Courtesy of ALBS

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Webpage by: Audrey (Shields) Hancock

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Created: 24 August 2008 Revised: 30 August 2008

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