Ancestors of Brown County, Ohio

Descendants of George Shelton

1 George Sheltonb: 1730 in VA, USA d: 1830 in Brown Co., OH, USA .......... 2Thomas Sheltonb: 1776 in Stafford Co., VA, USA d: 15 February 1870 in Aberdeen, Brown Co., OH, USA .............. +Elizabeth Stark b: 1777 in VA m: 2 January 1798 in VA? ...................... 3 Martin Shelton b: 3 January 1799 ...................... 3 Catarine "Ann" Shelton b: 5 October 1800 .......................... +William Wood ...................... 3 Azild Carter Shelton b: 14 September 1802 ...................... 3 John Shelton b: 17 March 1804 ...................... 3 Thornton Shelton b: 9 December 1805 d: 19 July 1851 in Adams Co. OH .......................... +Elizabeth Leechman m: 27 December 1824 in Adams Co. OH .................................. 4 Sarah Shelton b: Abt. 1834 .................................. 4 Thomas Shelton b: Abt. 1837 .................................. 4 Samuel Shelton b: Abt. 1839 ...................... 3 George W. Shelton b: 3 October 1807 in OH .......................... +Phoebe Nelson b: Abt. 1817 in OH m: 30 September 1832 in Brown Co. OH .................................. 4 Elizabeth Shelton b: Abt. 1834 .................................. 4 Franklin Shelton b: Abt. 1836 .................................. 4 Hannah Shelton b: Abt. 1843 .................................. 4 Thomas Shelton b: Abt. 1847 ...................... 3 Jeremiah Shelton b: 17 May 1813 ...................... 3 Charlotte Shelton b: 25 May 1815 ...................... 3 Mary Shelton b: 23 January 1817 .......................... +David T. Wood ...................... 3 Elizabeth Shelton b: 31 March 1820 .......... 2James Shelton b: 6 April 1777 in Stafford Co., VA, USA d: 10 April 1845 in Brown Co., OH, USA.............. +Francis Dallas?? b: 1 January 1767 in VA, USA m: Abt. 1796 in VA, USA d: 30 March 1858 in Brown Co., OH, USA ...................... 3 Jeremiah Shelton b: 15 April 1797 in Stafford Co., VA, USA d: 5 November 1849 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA .......................... +Mary Augustus b: 28 March 1802 in PA, USA m: 29 June 1820 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: Abt. 1835 in Brown Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Elizabeth Shelton b: 6 September 1821 in Brown Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Benjamin P. Blythe b: Abt. 1820 in OH, USA m: 13 June 1840 in Brown Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 David Shelton b: 5 December 1823 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 15 August 1907 in Bethany, Moultrie Co., IL, USA ...................................... +Sarah Jane Taylor b: 14 June 1831 in Brown Co., OH, USA m: 31 January 1849 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 7 May 1869 in Moultrie Co., IL, USA .................................. *2nd Wife of David Shelton: ...................................... +Mary Ann McReynolds b: 2 September 1841 in Moultrie Co., IL, USA m: 24 July 1870 in IL d: 3 November 1912 in Moultrie Co., IL, USA .................................. 4 James Shelton b: 23 April 1826 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: Bef. 1907 in Missouri, USA ...................................... +Keziah b: 1832 in Virginia .................................. 4 Enoch Shelton b: August 1828 in Huntington Twp., Brown Co., OH, USA d: Bef. 1907 in White Co., IL, USA .................................. 4 Dallas Shelton b: 1832 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: Abt. 1864 ...................................... +Jessimah b: Abt. 1834 .................................. *2nd Wife of Dallas Shelton: ...................................... +Charlotte L. O'Connor b: 1838 m: 15 December 1853 d: 1 November 1906 in Aberdeen, Brown Co., OH, USA ...................... *2nd Wife of Jeremiah Shelton: .......................... +Jane Little b: Abt. 1812 in Brown Co., OH, USA m: 13 May 1835 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 15 October 1875 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA .................................. 4 Minerva Shelton b: 13 March 1836 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 24 February 1911 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA ...................................... +William McElvaine b: Abt. 1836 in OH m: 1 October 1851 .................................. 4 Darius Shelton b: 8 April 1839 in Huntington Twp., Brown Co., OH, USA d: 15 April 1919 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Rachel b: 15 August 1839 m: Abt. 1879 d: Aft. 1889 .................................. *2nd Wife of Darius Shelton: ...................................... +Elizabeth Ann Duffey b: November 1842 in OH m: 21 February 1902 in Adams Co., OH USA d: 1902 .................................. 4 Frances Shelton b: 1 March 1840 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 8 March 1915 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA ...................................... +Isaac Matlock b: Abt. 1840 in OH .................................. *2nd Husband of Frances Shelton: ...................................... +James Van Winkle b: Abt. 1840 .................................. *3rd Husband of Frances Shelton: ...................................... +Thomas Porter b: Abt. 1840 in OH .................................. 4 Thomas Martin Shelton b: 1841 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: Bef. 1850 in Huntington Twp. Brown Co. OH .................................. 4 George W. Shelton b: 27 July 1843 in Huntington Twp. Brown Co. OH d: 28 September 1843 in Huntington Twp. Brown Co. OH .................................. 4 Sofia Shelton b: 31 October 1844 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA d: 25 December 1925 in Jonathon, Hamilton Co., IL, USA ...................................... +Andrew Maiden .................................. *2nd Husband of Sofia Shelton: ...................................... +Jonathon Dicky b: Abt. 1844 in IL m: 4 April 1860 .................................. 4 John Alexander Shelton b: 3 March 1847 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA d: 6 May 1926 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA ...................................... +Mary Elizabeth McMahon b: 3 April 1849 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA m: 27 March 1865 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA d: 15 October 1905 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA .................................. *2nd Wife of John Alexander Shelton: ...................................... +Eliza J. Prince b: 15 September 1874 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA m: 31 March 1906 d: 15 December 1957 in White Co., IL, USA .................................. 4 Jeremiah M. Shelton b: 7 September 1849 in Hamilton Co., IL, USA ...................................... +Martha Ann Cozart-Tucker .................................. *2nd Wife of Jeremiah M. Shelton: ...................................... +Cynthia Ann Ballard m: 2 February 1871 ...................... 3 Thomas Shelton b: 1799 in Stafford Co., VA, USA d: 1839 in Adams Co., OH, USA .......................... +Elizabeth Dryden b: Abt. 1799 .................................. 4 Cynthia Shelton ...................................... +William Severns .................................. 4 Elizabeth Shelton b: in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Amos Wilson .................................. 4 Thomas Shelton ...................................... +Letha J. .................................. 4 Robert Shelton .................................. 4 James Shelton b: Abt. 1818 in Union Twp., Brown Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Clarissa Baylor m: 6 October 1842 in Brown Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Frances Shelton b: Abt. 1820 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Jesse D. Ellis b: Abt. 1820 m: 13 September 1842 in Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Sarah Shelton b: Abt. 1825 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +John Hurd b: Abt. 1825 m: 15 March 1845 .................................. 4 Richard Shelton b: 1831 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Jane Garrison b: 1825 in KY .................................. 4 Caroline Shelton b: 6 August 1833 d: 1 June 1859 in Brown Co. OH ...................................... +Absalom Scott b: Abt. 1833 ...................... 3 Robert Shelton b: 30 May 1803 in VA, USA d: 6 October 1873 in Brown Co., OH, USA .......................... +Sarah Runyon b: 1802 m: 15 November 1821 .................................. 4 Robert Shelton b: 31 May 1824 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA d: 1861 in Sprigg Twp. Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Nancy Ann Truitt b: 19 December 1832 in OH, USA m: 6 November 1848 in Adams Co., OH, USA d: 28 July 1883 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................... *2nd Wife of Robert Shelton: .......................... +Susan ???-Wilson b: 3 July 1809 in Brown Co., OH, USA m: 8 June 1826 in Brown Co. OH, USA d: 13 June 1893 in Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Abigail T. Shelton b: 26 August 1828 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA d: 4 May 1887 in Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +William Neel b: September 1812 in OH d: 6 May 1896 in Green Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Amelia Permelia Shelton b: 13 March 1831 in Adams Co., OH, USA d: 27 February 1884 ...................................... +Middleton Anson Neel b: 1822 in Brown Co., OH, USA m: 4 April 1850 d: in OH .................................. 4 Henry Shelton b: Abt. 1835 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA d: 1864 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Anna M. Berbower b: Abt. 1833 m: Abt. 1854 in Adams Co, OH, USA d: 1910 in Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Noah W. Shelton b: 30 January 1836 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA d: December 1927 in Newtown, Scott Co., KY ...................................... +Mary Jane b: Abt. 1842 in OH, USA .................................. *2nd Wife of Noah W. Shelton: ...................................... +Elizabeth Flaugher b: August 1851 in OH m: 6 February 1883 in Brown Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Jacob Shelton b: 26 July 1838 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA d: 15 July 1905 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY, USA ...................................... +Lucinda Paul b: 23 March 1843 in OH, USA m: 22 December 1860 d: 14 February 1899 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY, USA .................................. 4 Anthony W. Shelton b: 29 December 1840 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA d: 15 July 1924 in West Union, Tiffin Twp., Adams Co., OH ...................................... +Mary A. Steele b: 8 December 1844 in Bradyville, Adams Co., OH, USA m: 11 October 1866 in Adams CO., OH, USA d: 18 September 1914 in Tiffin Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 James Shelton b: 12 March 1843 in Adams Co., OH, USA d: 12 August 1852 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co, OH, USA .................................. 4 Wilson Harvey Shelton b: 6 April 1845 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA d: 11 February 1920 in OH ...................................... +Elizabeth Ann Scott b: 15 April 1847 in OH, USA m: Abt. 1868 in OH, USA d: 26 May 1932 in Manchester, Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Elizabeth Frances Shelton b: Abt. 1847 in Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Andrew J. Campbell b: Abt. 1843 in PA, USA m: Abt. 1865 d: in Aberdeen, Brown Co., OH .................................. 4 Anna Belle Shelton b: Abt. 1855 in Adams Co., OH, USA ...................... 3 Sophia Shelton b: 14 March 1806 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 19 September 1881 in Manchester, Adams Co., OH, USA .......................... +Alexander L. Shelton b: 29 January 1801 in Louisa Co., VA, USA m: 24 February 1825 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 17 April 1891 in Manchester, OH, USA .................................. 4 Angeline Shelton b: 18 November 1825 in Bethlehem, Brown Co., OH, USA d: 11 February 1906 in Manchester, Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Henry Bradford b: 24 March 1824 in Adams Co., OH, USAm: 20 August 1846 in Adams Co., OH, USA d: 16 September 1907 in Manchester, Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Nancy Ann Shelton b: 1826 in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Thomas Hutson Lowe b: 1821 in Bradyville, Adams Co., OH, USA m: 5 March 1846 in Adams Co., OH, USA d: 15 February 1897 in Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 William Shelton b: Abt. 1827 in Mason Co., KY, USA ...................................... +Elizabeth E. Mitchell b: Abt. 1833 in KY, USA m: Bef. 1852 .................................. *2nd Wife of William Shelton: ...................................... +Nancy J. Lewis b: Abt. 1827 in OH m: 2 June 1873 .................................. 4 Elizabeth Shelton b: 1840 in KY, USA ...................................... +Mason Beasley b: Abt. 1840 in OH, USA m: 1 December 1859 in Adams Co., OH USA .................................. 4 Frances Dallas Shelton b: 6 October 1842 in Mason Co., KY, USA d: 31 March 1922 in Kingsville, Ashtabula Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Robert E. Woodbury b: Abt. 1841 m: 6 July 1865 in Adams Co., OH, USA d: Abt. 1915 in Kingsville, OH, USA .................................. 4 Abigail Shelton b: 1854 in Sprigg Twp. Adams Co., OH, USA ...................... 3 Elizabeth Shelton b: 5 February 1808 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 17 April 1886 .......................... +Alvin Warren b: Abt. 1805 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Susan Warren b: Abt. 1828 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Morris Warren b: Abt. 1833 in OH, USA .................................. 4 John Warren b: Abt. 1836 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Sarah Warren b: Abt. 1839 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Dillard Warren b: Abt. 1842 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Cintha Warren b: Abt. 1846 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Male Warren b: 1850 in OH, USA ...................... 3 William Shelton b: 1809 in Brown Co., OH, USA .......................... +Jane ?? ...................... *2nd Wife of William Shelton: .......................... +Elizabeth Wilson b: Abt. 1812 in OH m: 10 February 1833 in Brown Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 William Dallas Shelton b: 1834 in Huntington Twp., Brown Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Charlotte R. O'Connor b: 18 February 1838 in OH m: 15 December 1853 in Brown Co. OH, USA d: 1 November 1906 in Aberdeen, Brown Co., OH .................................. 4 Pheby Shelton b: Abt. 1839 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Mary Jane Shelton b: Abt. 1840 in Brown Co. OH d: 25 September 1888 in Clark Co. KY, USA ...................................... +John H. Lowe b: 1840 in Bradysville, OH m: 31 October 1859 in Adams Co. OH d: 6 November 1890 in Hedges, Clark Co. KY .................................. 4 Samuel Shelton b: Abt. 1844 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Elizabeth Shelton b: Abt. 1847 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Jacob Shelton b: April 1850 in Huntington Twp., Brown Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Charlotte O'Connor b: April 1840 in OH m: 18 September 1873 in Brown Co., OH, USA ...................... 3 Abigail Shelton b: 7 May 1812 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 10 April 1898 .......................... +Harvey Hall b: Abt. July 1813 in KY, USA m: 23 April 1835 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 22 October 1886 .................................. 4 Mary Hall b: Abt. 1836 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Elisha Hall b: Abt. 1841 d: Abt. 1871 .................................. 4 James S. Hall b: Abt. 1842 in OH, USA .................................. 4 Evaline Hall b: 16 February 1844 in Adams Co., OH, USA d: 27 January 1886 in Pike Co., OH, USA ...................................... +Abraham Bare b: 23 May 1842 in Westmoreland Co., PA, USA m: 1 February 1866 in Pike Co., OH, USA d: 4 July 1926 in Franklin Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Elizabeth Hall b: Abt. 1847 in OH, USA ...................................... +John Mason b: Abt. 1842 ...................... 3 Pamelia Shelton b: 16 July 1815 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 19 June 1856 in Adams Co., OH, USA .......................... +Benjamin Hall b: 4 August 1810 in Mason Co., KY, USA m: 23 December 1832 in Brown Co., OH, USA d: 22 October 1839 in Green Twp., Adams Co., OH, USA .................................. 4 Abigail Hall b: 8 October 1833 in Ripley, Brown Co. OH d: 11 June 1928 in Chicago, IL ...................................... +William Coan b: 31 January 1828 m: 17 May 1849 .................................. *2nd Husband of Abigail Hall: ...................................... +James Shipley b: 27 October 1829 in Marshall Co. IL m: 23 December 1866 d: 22 April 1934 in Kansas City, MO .................................. 4 Emma Hall b: 21 February 1838 .................................. 4 Jane Love Hall b: 21 February 1838 d: 1904 in Joplin, Missouri ...................................... +David Shipley .................................. 4 Benjamin Hall b: 19 March 1840 in OH, USANOTES: GEORGE SHELTONAs extracted by Ann Johnson: Lawson (Dawson) Robertson by his attorney A. Beatty, complains of George Shelton in custody, etc. of a plea of trespass in the case; for that whereas at a Court of Quarterly Sessions continued and held for Stafford County in the State of Virginia on the 18th day of March 1803, the said plaintiff obtained against the said defendant, a judgement for one hundred & thirty five pounds currency in the State of Virginia of the value of 450 dollars of the State of Ohio with interest thereon to be computed after the rate of five per centum per annum from the 10th day of April 1797 till paid, and eight dollars and 41 cents it being the amount of a judgement and costs rendered against the said plaintiff -- security of the defendants in favour of John Lawson attorney in fact for Oswald Dennistown & Co. assignees of Ann administratrix of George Brent, deceased, which the said plaintiff has been compelled to pay and also four dollars and 82 cents the costs of the motion to obtain the judgement aforesaid which said judgement was to have a credit for forty-seven pounds, one shilling Virginia Currency of the value of 156 dollars and 83 cents had by the 1st of January 1798 and forty pounds Virginia currency of the value of 133 dollars and 33 1/3 cents paid the first day of January 1797.

In consideration whereof, the said defendant afterwards to wit, on the first day of September 1804, at the County of Adams aforesaid undertook and to the said plaintiff there and then faithfully promised that he would pay to him the amount of the said judgement, interest and costs after deducting the payment aforesaid whenever afterwards he should be thereunto required.

And whereas afterwards to wit on the day and year last aforesaid and at the county of Adams the said defendant was indebted to the said plaintiff in another sum of 450 dollars of lawful money cur---- money by the said plaintiff before that time laid(?) ____expended and paid for the said defendant and at his special instance and request and being so indebted the said defendant in consideration thereof afterwards to wit on the same day and year last aforesaid and at the county last aforesaid undertook and faithfully promised the said plaintiff to pay him the said cost mentioned sum of money whenever afterward he, the said defendant, should be thereunto requested.

Nevertheless, the said defendant not regarding his several promises and assumptions so aforesaid in this behalf made, but continues and intending to deceive and defraud the plaintiff in this behalf, has not paid the said several sums of money or any part thereof, to the said plaintiff although often thereunto requested but the same to pay has altogether refused and still does refuse to the damage of the plaintiff 334 dollars wherefore he sues....etc. A. Beatty

Adams County, Ohio Deedbook Volume 4, Page 111; 30 March 1804. Bill of Sale

Know all persons who it may concern, I George Shelton of Huntington Twp. for $50 in hand paid by James Shelton of the same place, sell and deliver to said James Shelton, one dark by mare, 2 cows, the one a pide with a white face and the other a black -- 2 yearlings, the one a paid heifer and the other a pide steer; 2 beds and furniture, one earthen dish, 6 earthen plates, one pot, one frying pan, one duch oven, one skillet, 2 flat irons, one play & gears and three weeding hoes to have and to hold the said bargained property unto the said James Shelton his heirs and assigns forever and the said George Shelton my executors and administrators do in good faith deliver the said property unto the said James Shelton in order to satisfy the sum of $50 which I the said George Shelton am justly indebted to said James Shelton and I the said James Shelton and out of the charity of my own good will doth agree to lend the aforesaid property unto the said George Shelton until I the said James calls for it and the said George Shelton doth agree that if the mare or any of the cattle should die or any of the other property should get wasted before the said James calls for it to pay him the full amount thereof in leighbour at a reasonable rate as witness my hand and seal this 30 day of march 1804. Signed with marks by George Shelton and James Shelton. Attested by Simon Reeder and John Shelton.

NOTES: THOMAS SHELTON

Justice of the Peace "Esquire" of Aberdeen, Brown Co. OH 1820 Census, Brown Co. OH Page 309 - Thomas Shelton 1840 Census, Huntington Twp. Brown Co. OH; Page 416 SHELTON: Thomas 1 M 15-20 1 F Under 5 1 M 20-30 2 F 10-15 1 M 50-60 1 F 15-20 1 F 50-60 1850 Census, Huntington Twp. Brown Co. OH #1397-1421 SHELTON: Thomas 74 WM VA JP Elizabeth 73 WF VA 1860 Census, Huntington Twp. Brown Co. OH #146-146 SHELTON: Thomas 85 M VA JP Wood: Louisa 18 F OH Evans: Sarah 17 F OH ******************* Ohio Magazine - April 1994 Excerpt from The Marrying Kind by Randy McNutt A hundred years ago, little Aberdeen, Ohio, was a mecca of matrimony, presided over by two squires who would do anything to accommodate the flocks of eager couples, even row out into the middle of the Ohio river and perform the ceremony in a boat. The village of two thousand people is known for one thing: the Simon Kenton Bridge, built over the Ohio in 1931. It seems a one-way route: Ohioans cross the river to shop, work and entertain themselves. A century ago, however, generations of Maysville people came to little Aberdeen just to say, "I do." Ever since, genealogists on both sides of the river have been trying to untangle their conjugal roots. Aberdeen, Ohio, and Maysville, Kentucky, are linked by a steel bridge and a shaky family tree. The smaller Aberdeen, on U.S. Route 52 in Brown County, never culminated in a typical nineteenth-century business district, as did Maysville and neighboring Ripley, home of Ohio's burley tobacco market. Maysville and Ripley are red brick and Southern in appearance, but Aberdeen is more informal, all white and sprawling, as if its founders had to keep their options open. Aberdeen, meanwhile, has spent the last century trying to live down-or live up to, depending on your family's perspective-past of shotgun marriages and twenty-dollar brides. Some flowed across the river in yellow velvet gowns; others sneaked across at night in homespun dresses. They al sought temporary relief on Aberdeen's muddy shore, where anybody could be hitched for the right price. Because marriage itself is a gamble, Aberdeen became a rural Las Vegas, and Ohio's number one marriage market. So many couples were married there in the nineteenth century, in fact, that the states lost count. Aberdeenians exploited their town's strategic location on the river by bringing in boatloads of couples and offering low-cost witness service. Brides were Aberdeen's cash crop. In Margaret's Kitchen, a little white restaurant on Route 52, the old counter and knotty pine seats look comfortable enough on a quiet early afternoon. I ask where a guy can marry quickly in this town, and people stare as though I were an undercover cop. One of the waitresses says, "Aberdeen was the home of the marryin' squires." People stop in here all the time to ask about the old boys, who must have hitched everybody's ancestors. We hear about the stuff all the time from genealogist. Yeah, Squire Beasley-oh, gracious, he married a lot of couples. An old man seated at the counter looks up from his serving of pie and says, "Uh, thousands". "Tens of thousands," his friend adds. And he is not exaggerating. In the 1800's Aberdeen was called "America's Gretna Green," referring to a village in Dumfries, Scotland, once known as a runaway lovers' haven. The nickname came honestly enough, for Thomas Shelton, a Huntington Township justice of the peace elevated the holy bonds to cottage industry status. His successor, Massie Beasley, too the tradition to new heights. If a couple wanted to elope, all they had to do was go to Aberdeen. No other town entered their minds. After all, in Aberdeen nobody worried about marriage's minute details-license included. Steamboat companies and, later, railroads, made Aberdeen a regular stop on the Cincinnati-to-Pittsburgh route. Shelton's pockets bulged. Keeping his work at a minimum, he stood before each couple and said loudly: "Marriage is a solemn ordinance, instituted by an all-wise Jehovah. Jine yer right hands. Do you take this woman to nourish and cherish, to keep her in sickness and health? I hope you live long and do well together. Take your seats." In the squires' time, townships were powerful local governments that controlled the schools, taxed, built roads and kept the peace. There were no real "squires", but local people used the term endearingly to refer to their justices of the peace-influential country magistrates elected by the townships. They not only married people, but also served as court officials and worked with township constables to prevent breaches of the law. Shelton did all these things-and more. Shortly after his appointment in 1822, he determined that marrying couples could be a lucrative sideline to politics. From then on, the good squire concentrated on matrimony. He'd marry anybody who could pay-and do it with or without a license. Beasly was worse. He falsely told grooms he could face a long prison sentence for marrying couples without a license, but, for a fee commensurate to the risk, he'd cooperate. The squire invested his considerable earnings in gold and bank notes. As word of easy marriage spread in the 1820's, Shelton married couples from all over the South, and from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, New York and other states. Thousands flocked to Aberdeen. Each morning, Shelton followed a ritual: He's walk down to the wharf to watch for steamboats bringing more happy-and sometimes desperate-couples. Shelton used to say, "The early squire gets the wedding." He preferred payment in cash, of course, usually twenty dollars, but, if that wasn't possible, he'd take a pocketknife or anything he considered valuable. Twenty dollars was a large fee in the 1800's, but Shelton knew his customers had few options. If they were poor, he'd accept payment in pork, potatoes, apples, turnips and other vegetables to stock a large produce house that he operated as another sideline. He was an entrepreneurial wedding machine. He even married slaves escaping through the Underground Railroad. He accepted whatever payment they could offer. "In thousands of cases, the squires didn't bother to record the marriages," says Dorothy Helton, a member of Brown County's genealogical and historical societies. "They married couples under the table, you might say. Other times, the squires intended to file marriage certificates in the courthouse, but they didn't go over to Georgetown, the county seat, too often. When they finally went the forgot to take the certificates. Most of the 'lost marriages' involved Kentuckians, who came to Aberdeen to avoid an 1800's Kentucky law requiring couples to produce a bondsman-usually a family member with cattle or some other form of security-to assure that the marriage would hold together. The funny thing is Ohio in the early part of this century made couples wait three days before they could marry. That's why during World War Two a lot of Ohioans went to Kentucky to be married fast." The squires' casual attitude has caused much trouble across the river ever since the 1800's. "Some families wonder if their ancestors ever did bother to marry," says Molly Kendall of the Mason County Museum in Maysville. "In my own family, the squires married a number of people, so I can tell you from experience that this is a tough genealogical pursuit. Shelton turned in some of his marriages to the courthouse, but Beasley didn't bother much. He was so eager to marry people, though, that he'd row out into the middle of the river if necessary and marry them right there in rowboats." Years of ignoring the law finally caused trouble, however, when the civil War ended in 1865. Seeking pensions for themselves and their children, widows of veterans applied to the state of Kentucky, only to be told that their marriages were invalid and their children illegitimate. After thousands of widows complained, Molly Kendall says, the Kentucky legislature was forced to recognize marriages performed in Aberdeen before the war. Despite the criticism, Shelton did not slow down. In fact after the controversy his marriage business increase. More eager couples arrived in Aberdeen, many wearing fancy clothes and riding in carriages. Some were married on horseback, for quick escape. By the time Shelton died in 1870, it was apparent that Aberdeen's business of matrimony had become too big-and necessary-to stop cold. Shelton estimated, conservatively, that he had married ten to fifteen thousand couples in 47 years. The question naturally arises as to why these men were never prosecuted and why the people of the town stood by and suffered their laws to be ignored. The apparently perplexing query is readily explained by the old adage, 'A kind heart covers a multitude of sins.' A more popular man than either of these rollicking, careless old squires never trod the earth, and if they made money easily and in a questionable way, they in turn spent it just as freely among their neighbors. ************