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Author: ldffly1
Surnames: Rich Shelton
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
I just received the Civil War pension record of David Rich. The pension was paid to the
three minor children of David Rich and Sarah Shelton. I am interested in both the Rich
family and the Shelton family. I'll just go through a few concerns.
There has been some concern, on my part and others researching this Shelton family, as to
whether Sarah (Sally) Ann was actually a Shelton. Her death certificate didn't provide
an answer. However, this set of documents contains the signatures of Henly and Sarah C.
Shelton, John Shelton, and Caleb Shelton. All testified that they were familiar with David
Rich, Sarah Ann Smith, and the three children. My conclusion is that it is far more likely
than not that Sarah was born a Shelton.
Sarah was married four times. This set of documents proves that she also was widowed four
times. When her last husband died, I don't know.
The pension documents don't settle the question of David Rich's county of birth.
Census records indicate that he was born in IN. I currently have some snippets of an 1838
probate record indicating that David's parents were Joseph and Sarah. The probate
record indicates four children. A military record makes it likely that David had a brother
named Jonah. Sarah continued to show up in the Jackson County, IN census showing birth in
KY. Jonah continued in the Jackson County census showing mother's birth in KY, father
born in NC.
If anyone is out there researching the Shelton family of Jackson County, IN, or the Rich
family of Jackson County, IN, I'd be glad to swap whatever info I have. My real
concern is to get to the specific birth county for Sarah, Caleb, Henly and John. It
probably was southeast TN, GA, or South Carolina. It's really been tough to narrow
down. Also where did the Rich family live prior to coming to IN. Thanks!
Robert Schneider
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