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From: "Laura Shields" <>
Subject: [PaOldC] Daniel SHIELDS of W.Caln, died circa 1776
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 16:34:37 -0600


Here's one of my favorite "old chestnuts" on whom I haven't made any progress lately:

I have a copy of the will of Daniel SHIELDS, a doctor residing in West Caln, written Jan. 19, 1776 and probated April 14, 1779. Unfortunately, the inventory and estate papers were either never filed or have gone missing over the years. Here's the abstract; my notes are in brackets:

SHIELDS, DANIEL Doctor of Physic. W. Caln. [Chester Co PA]January 19, 1776. April 14, 1779. All estate real and personal to son Thomas SHIELDS formerly of Buncranoch in the North of Ireland, with rev. to Catherine SHIELDS daughter of John SHIELDS formerly of Town of Straban in North of Ireland, now of New York, Apothecary.

Executors: Friends Arthur O'Nail [same signature as Arthur O'NEILL who wrote his will in W. Caln 1809], Philip DOUGHERTY [brother-in-law of Arthur O'NEILL. They married daughters of Peter Matson]. Letters to DOUGHERTY, the other renouncing.Wit: Michael WALLACE,Benjamin WALLACE

The only other mention that I've found of this Daniel SHIELDS is his witnessing the will of John ELLIOTT of West Nantmeal in 1758. Here is that will abstract:

ELLIOTT, JOHN. West Nantmeal.September 15, 1758. October 30, 1758.Provides for wife Anne all estate during widowhood for maintaining of 3 children, Robert, Margaret and John. To daughter Margaret £50 at 18. Remainder between two sons. Executors: Wife Anne, Daniel HENDERSON [1753: on Sadsbury tax list? brother of John who died 1745?] and Frances MCCONNELL. Letters to wife, the others renouncing.Witnesses: Daniel SHIELDS [same signature on 1776 will], John CULBERTSON [perhaps the longtime resident of East Caln who died in 1767].

It's puzzling that a "doctor" should be so invisible as to not show up anywhere, not even a tax list as far as I can tell, yet I suppose he was in Chester Co. for 20 years.

I've done some work on the rest of the cast here, and they seem to have Donegal Ireland origins. Arthur O'Neill and Philip Dougherty were Roman Catholics; the others I believe were Presbyterians.

I would welcome any further sightings of Daniel SHIELDS!

Thanks,

Laura



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