William Paschal O'Shields continued...

One or two researchers claim that this William Paschal O'Shields was the illegitimate child of Nancy O'Sheal and John Winsmith. It is also claimed, with NO documentation to back the rumor, that this William Pascal O'Shields lived a double life with Carolyn Hammond and with Elizabeth Heaton, having multiple children with both women at the same time.

Rather than arguing family history, I will give an account of the records and you can judge for yourself. You will see that two men were named William Paschal O'Shields, they were nearly 25 years apart in age, the eldest married Elizabeth Heaton, the younger married Caroline Hammond.

I.  Sarah Jane O'Shields Breazeale letter

II. Census Records:

1. In 1830, ONE William O'Shields is found in Spartanburg County. He was of 20 years of age and under 30, placing his year of birth to be 1800-1810.

2. In 1840, ONE William O'Shields is found in Spartanburg County. He was of 30 years of age, under 40, placing his birth 1800-1810. He was living next door to his brother Isaac and 2 doors from John.

3. In 1850, ONE William O'Shields is found in Spartanburg County that matches this age group. He is 50, placing his birth to be abt. 1800.

(Keep in mind that only ONE William O'Shields is found in 1830-1840-1850.)

4. In 1860, my William was married to Elizabeth. They remained in Spartanburg County. William was listed as 55 years old, placing his birth to be abt. 1805. Once again, ONLY ONE William O'Shields fits the profile of the person named above, born 1800-1810 and this is him.

This year, Paschal O'Shields and Caroline lived over in Anderson County. He was 30 years old, placing his birth to be 1829-1830. (Note:  his tombstone shows that he was born in 1824.  All census records suggest 1829.)

5.  In 1870, no William O'Shields born 1800-1810 can be found. Elizabeth and her young children (William's children) have moved over to Pickens County, living in the home of William Lesley. (Makes sense to me, because it has been said in my family, that William died when my gr-grandfather was just a baby.)

This year, Paschal (age 40) and Caroline are living in Glenn Springs, S.C. with their children. 

6. In 1880, no William O'Shields born 1800-1810 can not be found. Elizabeth is living, with her children, still in Pickens County. She is shown to be WIDOWED.

This year, Paschal (W.P. O'Shields), 50 years old, and his wife Caroline are still in Glenn Springs. 

7. In 1900, Elizabeth can not be found in a census record, although I know that she was living. I believe her to be living with one of her children, as photos after this show her with my gr-grandparents.

This year, Paschal (Pack age 70, born Jul 1829) and Caroline are living over in Union County.

III. DNA: 

The DNA, of my immediate family member and that of another descendant of William Paschal and Elizabeth, matches several O'Shields men who are proven descendants of John O'Sheal and his brother Jethro.  We also match many Shields testees.  

I paid for the DNA tests of two descendants from the Paschal and Caroline O'Shields line.  They descend from different sons.  They match each other, but are NO match to other O'Shields or Shields testees.  In fact, they match that of many Reid, Reed, Read, and Redd testees.  So, what does this tell us?  I will not tell my theory at this point, but it proves without doubt that William that married Elizabeth is not the same man that married Caroline.

» More on the DNA Project

» Prev