James Stewart Shields was born on November 15, 1891, in the Birds Creek area of Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee. His parents were
Samuel “Cas” or Caswell Shields and
Martha Ann Ogle. He went by his middle name, Stewart. Cas and Martha had 10 children: James Stewart Shields,
Milas Odell Shields,
William Elmer Shields, Walter “Walt” C. Brown Shields, Sallie “Addice” Shields, Albert “Conley” Shields,
Blaine Arthur Shields, Melona Jane “Janie” Shields,
Pearl Lewcrilly Shields, and
Maude Maree Shields. Stewart, my great grandfather, was affectionately called “Pappy” by my siblings and me. Our nearest common relative is his daughter Daisy, my grandmother (Granny).
Stewart allegedly comes from a long line of the Shields family, centered around Robert and Nancy Stockton Shields, who had 10 sons. These brothers, known as “The Ten Brothers,” were among the early settlers in Sevier County, Tennessee. Their descendants have significantly influenced the region’s history and development. Their journey and contributions are detailed in the book The Shields Family: Particularly the Oldest and Most Numerous Branch of that Family in America by John Arthur Shields, originally published in 1917.
Robert and Nancy Shields also had one son, Ezekial, who did not survive infancy, and one daughter, Jennet (or Janet). I say Stewart allegedly comes from this line of Shields because I have been unable to find a record that connects Stewart’s father to his grandfather, Jesse William Shields.
Twenty-three years ago, when my sister and I connected with Tommy Shields, one of Cas’ grandsons, Tommy shared a piece of family lore that Cas was illegitimate. Cas’ wife, Martha (Ogle) Shields (Tommy’s grandmother), and Lela (Vineyard) Shields (Tommy’s mother and wife of William Elmer Shields’) claimed that Jesse was not Cas’ father. Martha further told Elmer that Jesse had been dead for seven years when Cas was born, and that it was quite a scandal at the time. It was believed that Cas’ father was a Dunlap, a traveling salesman with the Dunlap Tire Company, who sold rubber buggy tires and whips.
Cas appears in the 1870 District 13, Sevier County, Tennessee census with his mother, Mary A. Shields (40), and siblings: Martha (18), Elizabeth (13), Sarah (9), John (6), and William (3). Cas is listed as six months old in this census record. The only record I found with a death date for Jesse William Shields is a Find A Grave memorial, which shows he died in 1869. Unfortunately, the memorial does not provide proof of death, nor do I find a record to prove it, other than an 1890 Veterans Schedule that lists Mary as Jesse’s widow. But if Jesse passed away in 1869, it makes sense that Cas was just six months old, contrary to the seven-year discrepancy mentioned above.
Sadly, until I find a record connecting Cas to Jesse, I am unable to confirm that Stewart belongs to the line of the 10 Shields brothers.
On June 8, 1900, James and his family resided on a rented farm in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County, Tennessee. His parents were listed as 30 years old and had been married for eight years, indicating they married in 1892. The census record noted that Martha had four living children—James, Milas, William, and Walter—all of whom were at home. His father worked as a farmer. The William S. Shields family, who lived two houses away, were Stewart’s paternal uncle’s household.
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1900 census Soundex card |
Stewart married Hattie Jane Rhinehart, daughter of William Dearnald Rhinehart and Roda Elizabeth “Bettie” Sneed, in Sevier County on March 30, 1909. Hattie’s brother-in-law, Ashley Sutton, and Stewart posted a $1250 bond when they filed for the marriage license on March 29. The ceremony was officiated by the local Justice of the Peace, A. D. Eledge, who lived just seven houses away from Stewart’s family. At the time, Hattie was 14-years-old and Stewart was 17. Following the death of Hattie’s father in 1908, it is possible her mother was eager to see one of her daughters married.
Hattie and Stewart had 12 children over a span of 30 years: Daisy Lee Shields, Willie Mae Shields, James B. Shields, Betty Ann Shields, Paul Sam Shields (he went by Paul Sam), Bessie Lucille Shields, Mary Nell Shields, Dorothy Jolene Shields, Bobbie Jean Shields, Charles Dewayne Shields, Loyal Mack Shields, and an infant who did not survive. Unfortunately, I have not been able to pinpoint any dates for the infant.
After their marriage, Stewart and Hattie moved in with Hattie’s widowed mother, Bettie, in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County. The census enumerator found them there on April 29, 1910. Hattie’s sister Ollie and brothers James and Arlie were also living in the home. Bettie was farming on a rented general farm. Stewart and Hattie’s siblings worked as farm laborers, while Hattie was the only person in the household not working. Stewart’s sister-in-law, Malonia, lived next door with her husband Ashley Sutton and daughter Georgia.
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1910 census Soundex card |
Two months after the census was taken, on June 24, 1910, Hattie gave birth to their daughter Daisy in Birds Creek, Sevier County, Tennessee.
Around 1910, Stewart’s father, Cas, gathered his wife and children for a family photo. Since Stewart had married in 1909, he was not included in this picture.
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Front: Melona Jane Shields in father Samuel Cas Shields' lap,
Albert Conley Shields, Pearl Lewcrilly Shields in mother
Martha Ogle Shields' lap, Blaine Arthur Shields, Sallie Addice Shields.
Back: Milas Odell Shields, William Elmer Shields, Walter C. Brown Shields.
Oldest son James Stewart Shields is not in the photo. |
Sometime between 1910 and 1913, the Shields family moved to north Georgia, where Stewart’s father, Cas, found the farmland to be better and cheaper than the mountainous land around Sevierville. Cas went ahead on his own and bought a farm in Whitfield County, Georgia, situated on a hill with a long driveway between Praters Mill and Deep Springs. He then returned to Sevierville to bring the rest of the family. They traveled to Dalton using two two-horse wagons, each pulled by mules, accompanied by two cows, four dogs, two coops of chickens, and all their furniture. The children alternated between walking and riding in the wagons. The approximately 120-mile trip took 8 to 10 days, with the family camping by creeks and in farmers’ fields along the way.
Sometime after Daisy was born and before their second daughter Willie Mae was born in 1914, Stewart loaded up the wagon and followed Cas and the rest of the Shields family to Whitfield County. Hattie’s mother, Bettie, joined Stewart, Hattie, and their daughters on the move. Around 1914, Hattie’s sister, Malonia, fell ill with what was believed to be cancer. Wanting to be near family for support and care, she and her family also relocated to Whitfield County. Malonia passed away on November 25, 1916, and was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton, Whitfield County. This cemetery is also the final resting place for several of my direct Holland ancestors. My Granny, Daisy Shields, married into the Holland family.
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Stewart, my Granny Daisy, Hattie, and Willie Mae (ca. 1916) |
Stewart played the banjo, fiddle, and guitar, while Hattie played the fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. Several of their children were also musically inclined, making music a constant presence in their home. In 1910, Stewart and Hattie formed a band called ‘The Skillet Lickers’ and performed around Sevier County. Music was in their blood, a passion passed down to their children.
Stewart owned 65 acres of land in Tunnel Hill. At some point after his children reached adulthood, he gave one acre each to his daughter Daisy and his son, Paul Sam, both located just down the dirt road. When we were young, we often visited my Granny and would walk down the road to see my great-grandparents, filling buckets with blackberries to make pies later that day. One night, Paul Sam’s house burned down (the exact year unknown). My sister Bonita noticed through the fog one morning that his house was gone, having burned down overnight without anyone hearing the fire truck’s arrival.
Stewart registered for the World War I draft in Whitfield County on June 5, 1917. At that time, he lived in Varnell, near Dalton, in Whitfield County. He worked as an independent farmer near Varnell to support his wife and two children. He described himself as of medium height and build, with blue eyes and light-colored hair.
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Stewart’s World War I draft registration card |
The North Georgia Citizen published a list of men who had registered in Whitfield County on June 7, which included Stewart and his brother Elmer. On August 30, the same newspaper published an additional 10 names of men who had registered, as well as a list of those who had claimed exemption. Stewart was among those requesting exemption. On September 6, they reported that Stewart had been granted exemption by the local board.
On January 5, 1920, Stewart and his family resided in the Lower Tenth Militia District of Whitfield County. Stewart worked as a farmer on a general farm, while his 54-year-old widowed mother-in-law, Bettie, lived with them and also worked as a farm laborer on the home farm. Stewart, Hattie, and Bettie were all literate. Daisy and Willie were attending school, and their daughter Betty was just three months old.
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1920 census Soundex card
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I recently discovered the family photo below which was posted online by Oliver Cagle, a 2nd cousin once removed. Unlike the family photo I shared earlier, I was thrilled to see Stewart included in this one. Oliver estimates that his ancestor, Melona Jane Shields, was about 13 years old at the time the photo was taken, which would place it around 1920.
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Front left to right: Janie, Maude, Pearl.
Back left to right: Walter, Addice, Conley, Stewart, Martha, and Cas Shields.
Ca. 1920. |
On February 10, 1930, Stewart’s sister Maude passed away in Georgia at the age of 16. Her last name was Horrell, suggesting she was married. It is possible that Maude died in childbirth. She was buried at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton, where her parents and sister Pearl would later be laid to rest beside her.
On April 18, 1930, Stewart, Hattie, and their eight children were living in Dalton, at Prater’s Mill and Deep Springs Roads. Stewart was working as a farmer on a general farm. His father, Cas, his mother, and his brother, Blaine, lived next door. Cas was also a farmer, and Blaine worked as a laborer on the farm. Hattie’s mother, Bettie, had moved back to Sevier County and was living with her widowed sister, Mary Sneed Loveday, and her niece and nephew, Ellen and George Loveday.
Stewart, Hattie, Daisy, Willie, James, and Betty were all literate. Paul and Bessie were not yet able to read and write, but they were attending school. The census enumerator noted that Stewart was 17 and Hattie was 15 when they married.
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1930 census Soundex card |
By 1935, the Shields family had moved to the Blackstock District of Catoosa County. They were still living there on April 23, 1940. Stewart and his son Paul Sam were both farmers, working a 30-hour week, while Hattie managed the household. Stewart’s highest level of education was third grade; the grade box for Hattie was unchecked. Although Daisy, Willie, James, and Betty had left home, seven children remained: Paul Sam, Lucille, Mary, Jolene, Bobbie, Charles, and Mack.
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Hattie, Stewart, and their son, Mack |
Stewart and Hattie’s home in Tunnel Hill sat at the end of a gravel road, just down from my Granny’s house. You passed Granny’s house first; the road seemed to run right into the back of Stewart and Hattie’s house, where everyone would enter. The front of the house featured a porch stretching across its entire length, overlooking a beautiful pasture. Rocking chairs lined the porch, and my oldest sister recalls sitting out there, listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio. The back of the house had an overhang, creating a covered porch.
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Stewart and Hattie’s home |
Life on the farm was bustling. Besides tending to the fields, which were sown with a variety of vegetables, there were also cows and chickens to care for. It was crucial to preserve food for the winter months. Before my Mama and Daddy got married, she would spend summers with Stewart and Hattie. She once told me she thought of Hattie as a mother figure, even more so than her own mother. Several of Stewart’s children were close in age to Mama, and two were even younger than her, so she always had playmates, despite them being her aunts and uncles.
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the house had an outhouse and likely did not have indoor plumbing. Mama remembers saving corn cobs to use in the outhouse. The beds were made from corn shucks, and there was no electricity or telephone. They washed clothes in a nearby spring using a scrub board and octagon soap, then hung them on a line to dry. Mama spent a lot of time with Stewart and Hattie in the early 1940s after her mother was declared unfit by the courts and left home. Mama’s father, a truck driver, was often away for long periods. Hattie played a key role in Mama’s life.
Stewart’s sister, Pearl (Shields) Hester, succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 33 on July 26, 1941, at Stewart and Hattie’s farm in Dalton. Her breath could be heard from the porch, and she left behind five children aged 2 to 11. Pearl was laid to rest next to her sister Maude at Grove Level Community Cemetery. On June 30, 1942, Stewart was named as the contact who would always know Paul Sam’s address on his World War II draft registration card. Paul Sam worked on the farm with his father, who resided in Tunnel Hill. Stewart’s mother-in-law, Bettie, died of breast cancer in Sevierville on July 23, 1945, and was buried two days later at Catons Chapel Cemetery.
Again in the late 1940s, after Mama and Daddy separated just one year into their marriage, Mama and my oldest sister Bonita moved to Tunnel Hill to live with Stewart and Hattie. Mama found a job in Chattanooga, and Hattie took care of Bonita while she worked.
On April 18, 1950, Stewart and Hattie lived in Catoosa County with their children Bobbie, Charles, and Mack. Stewart had left farming behind and worked as a scrapper at O. B. Andrews Company, a cardboard manufacturer in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His job involved removing excess material from prescored cardboard carton blanks using tools like an air hammer and chisel, knocking out scored corners or edges, and removing damaged or defective blanks. Also living with them was Stewart’s five-year-old granddaughter, Mary E. Gardner, daughter of Mary. Their address was R.D. 1 in Tunnel Hill. By 1952, Stewart was still employed at O. B. Andrews Company, now working as a stripper. This role involved similar tasks to a scrapper, focusing on removing excess material from cardboard blanks, using an air hammer to strip waste, and ensuring edges were properly trimmed.
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Fay Lankford, her daughter Bonita (standing in front),
Willie Mae, Daisy, Hattie, and Stewart in the background (ca. 1953) |
In 1954 and 1955, Stewart worked as a janitor at O. B. Andrews Company, continuing to make the 25-mile trip from Tunnel Hill to Chattanooga. While the exact date of his retirement is unknown, he remained with the company until he retired.
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Stewart, Hattie, and their son, Elmer |
Stewart’s brother, Walter, passed away from heart disease at home in Varnell, Whitfield County, on April 6, 1955. He was buried on April 8 at Red Hill Cemetery in Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee. Six months later, on September 26, 1955, Stewart’s father, Cas, succumbed to liver cancer at the age of 85 at his home in Dalton. He was laid to rest at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton. Meanwhile, Stewart’s daughter, Bobbie, married George Ellis Hodges, son of Alfred Price Hodges and Lena Susan Sink, in St. Piqua, Ohio, on April 2, 1955. George worked as a salesman, and Bobbie was employed as a factory worker.
In May 1958, family members came together to celebrate Stewart's mother's 88th birthday. My family made the trip from Atlanta to Dalton for the occasion. The photo below captures that special day. A similar photo was also featured in The Atlanta Journal on May 27.
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Five generations (May 1958)
Front row: Bonita (my sister) and Martha (my 2nd great grandmother)
Back row: Fay (my Mama), Daisy (Granny), and Stewart (Pappy) |
The four photos below were also captured during Martha’s birthday celebration.
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Stewart, Elmer and likely one of Elmer’s grandchildren (May 1958) |
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My sisters Jennifer and Bonita, my mother Fay Lankford, Elmer,
and Stewart (May 1958) |
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Front: Bonita and Jennifer (my sisters)
Back: Sam Lankford (my father) holding me, Fay, Hoyt Vest
(my step grandfather), Daisy holding Michael (my brother), Stewart,
and Hattie (May 1958) |
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Addice, Hattie, Lela (Elmer’s wife), Elmer, Stewart, and Blaine Shields
(May 1958) |
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Stewart and grandson, Chuck Shields (ca. 1960) |
Hattie initially believed television was the devil’s instrument. In the late 1950s, she was suspected to have cancer and was sent to a cancer hospital in Rome, Georgia, for a year. Eventually, the doctors concluded it was not cancer and sent her home. During her absence, Stewart purchased a TV for the house. Upon her return, Hattie made him put it in the back room. Despite her initial resistance, Hattie grew to enjoy the TV shows and eventually asked Mama to name one of my sisters after an actress from a soap opera she liked.
On July 10, 1961, Stewart’s mother, Martha, passed away at the age of 91 in Dalton due to bronchial pneumonia due to senility. She was buried on July 12 at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton, resting beside her husband and daughters, Maud and Pearl. Stewart himself died suddenly at the age of 71 on the evening of September 7, 1962, from a heart clot. He was found in the field by his house in Tunnel Hill, where he had lived for 20 years. Stewart was laid to rest at Nellie Head Memorial Baptist Cemetery in Catoosa County, Georgia. He was survived by his wife Hattie, their 11 children, and his siblings Addice, Jane, Elmer, Miles, Blaine, and Connelly. After his passing, Hattie moved in with their son Paul Sam.
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Stewart and Hattie |
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Stewart at the old home place |
References
- About the Cover, Settler, vol. 3, no. 4, Sevier Printing Inc., December 1986.
- Bobbie Jean Shields, Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774–1993.
- Chattanooga, Tennessee, City Directory, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955.
- Complete List of Those Registered in Whitfield, North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, June 7, 1917.
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124853090/jesse_william-shields: accessed November 1, 2024), memorial page for Jesse William Shields (6 Jul 1820–1869), Find a Grave Memorial ID 124853090; burial details unknown; maintained by Sherry G., Genealogical Research (contributor 47340731).
- James S. Shields, Chattanooga, Tennessee, City Directory, 1954.
- James S. Shields, Georgia Deaths, 1919–98.
- James S. Shields, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
- James Stewart Shields, obituary, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, September 8, 1962.
- John Shields (explorer); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shields_(explorer).
- Martha Sue Ann Shields, Certificate of Death no. 16923, Whitfield County, Georgia, 1961.
- Maud Horrell Schields, Grove Level Community Cemetery, Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia.
- Paul Sam Shields, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947.
- Personal memories of Fay Lankford, Bonita Streetman, Jennifer Craine, Denise Murphy, and Tommy Shields.
- Personal visit to Grove Level Community Cemetery, Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia.
- Samuel Cas Shields, Georgia Department of Public Health, Certificate of Death no. 23911, 1955.
- Scrapper: A description for the scrapper job; https://job-descriptions.org/scrapper.html.
- Settler, no. 2, September/October/November 1984.
- Settler, vol. 3, no. 4, Sevier Printing Incorporated, December 1986.
- Ten More Certified, North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, August 30, 1917.
- U.S. Federal Census, Blackstock, Catoosa County, Georgia, 1940.
- U.S. Federal Census, Civil District 13, Sevier County, Tennessee, 1900, 1910.
- U.S. Federal Census, Enumeration District 23-14, Catoosa County, Georgia, 1950.
- U.S. Federal Census, Lower Tenth, Whitfield County, Georgia, 1920, 1930, 1950.
- Walter Shields, Georgia Department of Public Health, Certificate of Death no. 16906, 1955.
- Whitfield’s First Honor Men Have Been Selected, North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, September 6, 1917.
