Sunday, July 13, 2014

52 Ancestors: #28 - Virenda Jane SHIFLETT Frazier

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small has issued a challenge:  write one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor.  It can be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem – anything that focuses on one ancestor.



My third great-grandaunt Virenda Jane SHIFLETT was the fourth child and first daughter of Jacob Shiflett and Polly Jarrell.  She was born about 1821 in a section of Orange County, Virginia that later became Greene.  Like her brother Burton Shiflett, she married a Frazier:  Michael P. Frazier, more popularly known as “Miley.”  Miley was a younger brother to Burton’s wife Nancy and to Leland Frazier, the one who stabbed Burton to death in 1860. 

While that story about Leland and Burton might be rather shocking, it’s just business as usual for the Frazier men, it seems.  My 94-year old cousin remembered Miley as a real character.  According to one story, he used to ride his horse through the house.  That sounds pretty bad, but read on.

One time Miley woke his nephew John Conway Shiflett because it was his turn to put the coals and wood on the fire. No gentle nudge. No calling out, “Hey, get up!”  No. Miley threw hot coals in Conway’s bed. The two of them started fighting and didn’t stop until the bed burned down to the springs.  They put the fire out and then resumed fighting. 

Probably the worst tale of Miley Frazier concerns Virenda Jane.  Supposedly a man calling on the Fraziers one day found Virenda hanging by her heels from the rafters.

Even though I’ve heard that story many times from different people, I don’t know whether to believe it.  However, it’s actually believable given Miley’s reputation.  He was known to be a terror to Greene County for years.  Ironically, for one who got into lots of fights, he was not a very good fighter; he was nearly disemboweled once.

Poor Virenda Jane – she really had her hands full.  I don’t know the date of her death, but I hope she lived at least until 1902 when Miley, well into his 90s, finally had himself baptized. 



THREE GENERATIONS:

Virenda Jane SHIFLETT ( 1821 Orange County, VA – Bef.  1900 Greene Co, VA ) & Michael P. “Miley” FRAZIER  ( Feb 1814 – Before 1910 Albemarle Co, VA )  14 Jul 1844 Greene Co, VA

1. Julia Ann FRAZIER ( 1845 Greene Co, VA – Bef. 1900 Greene Co, VA) & Thomas J. FRAZIER (1840 – 1918) 04 Jul 1864 Greene Co, VA
  • Thomas FRAZIER ( 1862 Greene Co, VA - ) & Elizabeth GARRISON ( Mar 1861 – After 1907 )  02 Jan 1884 Albemarle, VA
  •  Mahulda Jane FRAZIER ( 22 Mar 1866 Rockingham Co, VA - 04 Jan 1947 Greene, VA )  & John W. L. SHIFLETT  ( 1866 - )  03 Mar 1913 Rockingham Co, VA ; had several children with Francis Marion “Dosh” GARRISON although they never married
2. John T. FRAZIER ( 1847 Greene Co, VA – 1860 )

3. Henry Timber FRAZIER ( 12 Aug 1849 Greene Co, VA - 12 Feb 1931 Greene Co, VA ) & Eliza Susan LAWSON ( Oct 1857 Rockingham Co, VA - )  03 Jan 1874 Rockingham Co, VA
  • Caroline Jane FRAZIER ( 12 Nov 1874 Greene Co, VA  - 09 Mar 1949 ) & John W. L. SHIFLETT ( 1866 - ) 24 Dec 1902 Greene Co, VA
  • Ella Frances FRAZIER ( 1876 Albemarle Co, VA - 05 Jan 1937 Albemarle Co, VA ) &  Noah Clark HERRING 14 Apr 1903 Greene Co, VA
  • Ryland G. FRAZIER ( 06 Jan 1877 Greene Co, VA - ) &  Virgie Catherine SHIFLETT  (Mar 1886 Greene Co, VA -  28 Apr 1962 ) 22 Sep 1907 Greene Co, VA
  • George Henry FRAZIER ( 1879 Albemarle Co, VA - 03 Oct 1965 ) & Martha Fraces SHIFLETT ( 29 Dec 1876 – 11 Jun 1933 )  18 Feb 1901 Greene Co, VA
  • Edgar A. FRAZIER  ( 06 Jun 1880 Greene Co, VA - 23 May 1954 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Bertha Lee SHIFLETT ( May 1892 - 29 Jun 1950 Monongalia, WV )  24 Jun 1906 Greene Co, VA
  • Sarah F. FRAZIER  ( 06 Feb 1886 Greene Co, VA - 06 Feb 1969 Staunton, VA ) & Samuel P. LAWSON (23 Sep 1875 - 25 Jan 1943 Patrick Co, VA )
  • Mary Susan FRAZIER ( Jun 1888 - ) & James Nathaniel FRAZIER ( 16 Jul 1886 Greene Co, VA - 23 Aug 1953 Charlottesville, VA )
  • Victoria Anne FRAZIER ( 26 Sep 1890 Greene Co, VA - 26 Oct 1979 Grottoes, Rockingham, VA ) & James Wise ROSSON 20 Jul 1927 Greene Co, VA
  • William Austin FRAZIER ( 15 Feb 1894 - 18 Nov 1981 Harrisonburg, VA ) & Julia Ann Rosson (23 Apr 1904 -  13 Jul 1993 Charlottesville, VA )
  • Lillian N. FRAZIER ( Feb 1895 - ) & Unknown RIDGEWAY
  • Minnie Lee FRAZIER ( 24 May 1897 Albemarle Co, VA -  Dec 1976 Albemarle Co, VA ) & Thomas Jefferson FRAZIER (15 May 1893 Rockingham Co, VA - 10 Apr 1970 Albemarle Co, VA )  09 Aug 1922 Greene Co, VA
  • William McKinley FRAZIER ( 1901 Greene Co, VA -  1984 ) & Gracie SHIFLETT (1900 – 1984 )
4. Jacob Emanuel FRAZIER ( 1851 – 1920 ) & Frances Jane MORRIS ( - Bef. 1920 ) 26 Dec 1883 Greene Co, VA
  • Rebecca FRAZIER ( 17 Sep 1883 Greene Co, VA - 1967 Charlottesville, VA ) & Moses Sommerville CRAWFORD 05 Jun 1902 Greene Co, VA
  • Loretta FRAZIER ( 1884 Greene Co, VA - 1956 ) & Zachary CONLEY ( 1879 - ) 20 Apr 1911 Greene Co, VA
  • Annie FRAZIER ( 1888 Greene Co, VA - )  & Henry Hudson COLLIER ( 1886 - )  22 Mar 1909 Greene Co, VA
  • Emanuel  A. FRAZIER ( 1891 Greene Co, VA ) & Lucy CONLEY 18 Oct 1911 Greene Co, VA
  • Melvina FRAZIER ( 22 Apr 1892 Greene Co, VA - 11 Aug 1968 Greene Co, VA ) & Thomas MORRIS ( 1884 - )  23 Jun 1908 Greene Co, VA
  • Noah FRAZIER ( 23 Oct 1897 Greene Co, VA - 12 Oct 1984 Scottsville, Albemarle, VA ) & Sydney CRAWFORD  ( 1901 - ) 20 Oct 1919 Greene Co, VA
  • George H. Bluford FRAZIER ( 1900 Greene Co, VA - 1987 Greene Co, VA ) & Amanda COLLIER ( 1900 - )  20 Mar 1919 Greene Co, VA
5. Austin Jackson FRAZIER ( Jun 1855 Albemarle Co, VA - Dec 1921 Greene Co, VA ) & Nancy Frances MORRIS ( May 1852 Greene Co, VA - )  02 Mar 1876 Greene Co, VA
  • Loujourn FRAZIER ( Apr 1877 - ) & Sarah MALLOY (1883 - )  12 May 1922 Greene Co, VA
  • Virenda J. FRAZIER ( 25 Feb 1878 Greene Co, VA -  26 May 1955 ) & John Turner MCALISTER ( 1875 Albemarle Co, VA – 1961 )  02 Jan 1900 Greene Co, VA
  • Arthur Z. FRAZIER ( Feb 1880 - Before 1900 )
  • Althea Z. “Alti” FRAZIER  (15 Mar 1881 Greene Co, VA - 22 Feb 1947 Albemarle, VA )  
  • James Nathaniel FRAZIER ( 16 Jul 1886 Greene Co, VA -  23 Aug 1953 Charlottesville, VA )  & m1) Annie FRAZIER 02 Dec 1906 Greene Co, VA ; &  m2) Mary Lee MCALISTER  (17 Apr 1881 Albemarle Co, VA - 01 Oct 1917 Albemarle Co, VA ) 18 Jan 1911 Albemarle Co, VA ; & m3) Mary Susan FRAZIER (1888 - )
  • George Fountain FRAZIER ( Oct 1890 Greene Co, VA -  03 Mar 1967 Rockingham Co, VA ) & Sarah Mildred ROACH  1910
  • Anjenetta FRAZIER ( Apr 1893 Greene Co, VA - )
  • Barbra E. FRAZIER ( Feb 1894 Greene Co, VA -  Apr 1929 ) & m1) Richard Bruce SHIFLETT ; & m2) Norfield/Warfield MCCAULEY 01 Mar 1909 Greene Co, VA
  • Fannie F. FRAZIER ( Oct 1896 Greene Co, VA - Before 1922 ) & Thomas Jefferson FRAZIER (15 May 1893 Rockingham Co, VA - 10 Apr 1970 in Albemarle Co, VA )  30 Nov 1912 Greene Co, VA
6. J. M. FRAZIER ( 1859 Albemarle Co, VA - )

7. Polly Jane FRAZIER ( 1862 Greene Co, VA -  09 Apr 1936 Greene Co, VA ) & Elvis Sturdivant SHIFLETT ( 1862 Greene Co, VA  – Bef. 1900 Greene Co, VA )  07 Jun 1885 Greene Co, VA
  • Virgie Catherine SHIFLETT ( Mar 1886 Greene Co, VA - 28 Apr 1962 ) & m1) John L. SHIFLETT 13 Jun 1902 Greene Co, VA ; & m2) Ryland G. FRAZIER (06 Jan 1877 Greene Co, VA - )  22 Sep 1907 Greene Co, VA
  • Robert Harrison SHIFLETT ( 07 Nov 1887 - 02 Jun 1970 Albemarle Co, VA )
  • Charlie G. SHIFLETT ( Jun 1889 - )
  • Bertha Lee SHIFLETT ( May 1892 - 29 Jun 1950 Monongalia, WV ) & Edgar A. FRAZIER  ( 06 Jun 1880 Greene Co, VA - 23 May 1954 Rockingham Co, VA )  24 Jun 1906 Greene Co, VA
  • Thomas L. SHIFLETT ( Jan 1894 -19 Oct 1965 Dundalk, Baltimore, MD )
  • James Albert “Spriggins” SHIFLETT (Jan 1895 Greene Co, VA - Mar 1937 Charlottesville, VA ) & Mary Sally TRIPLET (03 Jul 1909 Albemarle Co, VA - 28 Oct 1979 Alexandria, VA )
  • Selena Gertrude SHIFLETT ( 28 Sep 1897 - 06 Nov 1972 Stafford, VA ) & m1) Andrew Allen FRAZIER (20 Apr 1892 -  17 Jul 1968 Albemarle Co, VA )  03 Jan 1912 Greene Co, VA ; & m2) Henry Luther FRAZIER (27 Apr 1904 Albemarle Co, VA - 25 Jun 1968 Stafford, VA )
8. George Dallas FRAZIER ( May 1866 Greene Co, VA - 13 Sep 1949 ) & Pauline Ann “Polly” MORRIS ( 1862 Greene Co, VA – After 1930 )  21 Oct 1886 Greene Co, VA
  • Drucilla FRAZIER (27 Dec 1890 Albemarle Co, VA – 15 Jun 1967 Albemarle Co, VA ) & Alexander Laird GARRISON  (30 Aug 1889 Albemarle Co, VA – 7 Jan 1935 )  24 Nov 1908 Greene Co, VA
  • William M. FRAZIER ( 1891 – Before 1988 )
  • George Mitchell FRAZIER (19 Dec 1892 Greene Co, VA – 04 Jan 1984 Harrisburg, PA ) & Eleanor GARRISON
  • Frances Louemonia FRAZIER (19 May 1896 Greene Co, VA – 9 Dec 1981 Albemarle Co, VA ) & John Thomas SHIFLETT ( 24 Dec 1895 Greene Co, VA – 16 Apr 1959 Albemarle Co, VA ) 31 Jan 1917 Greene Co, VA
  • Christine Helen Jane FRAZIER ( 1898 – After 1960 ) & Lewis Vernon SHIFLETT ( 07 May 1902 Greene Co, VA – 11 Sep 1938 Hummelstown, PA )  19 May 1924 Greene Co, VA
  • Lou Mittie FRAZIER ( 1899 – Before 1988 )
  • James Alfred FRAZIER (18 Jun 1901 – 04 Mar 1988 Albemarle Co, VA )



© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.
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14 comments:

  1. Rachna ChhabriaJuly 13, 2014 at 8:30 AM

    Throwing hot coals in someone's bed to wake them up is scary. I would have run out of the room screaming in fright.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WendyJuly 14, 2014 at 6:48 AM

      Really! It certainly wasn't funny--it's crazy!

      Delete
  2. Jacqi StevensJuly 13, 2014 at 10:42 PM

    He sounds like a real case. Actually, the whole family sounded like bad news. Hope things evened out a bit for subsequent generations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WendyJuly 14, 2014 at 6:51 AM

      I do wonder about this little pocket of people. Were they fairly normal for the place and time? When I see old photos of their descendants, they look VERY normal.

      Delete
  3. NancyJuly 14, 2014 at 1:28 AM

    Man, that Miley sounds like he was crazy! I'm not sure I'd want to claim him as a direct ancestor. But, his actions sure make for interesting stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WendyJuly 14, 2014 at 6:55 AM

      Miley was a rough one, that's for sure. Yet I get the impression that his children seemed loving, and they took very good care of family.

      Delete
  4. Colleen G. Brown PasqualeJuly 14, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    Miley certainly spices up your family stories! Even if the stories were exaggerated over the years there must have been some basis for them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WendyJuly 14, 2014 at 2:31 PM

      Yes, I wonder how much has been exaggerated. It's always fun to have a colorful character in the mix to brighten up the otherwise dull list of facts for everyone else.

      Delete
  5. Jana Iverson LastJuly 16, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    Wow! That Miley was something else!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Teresa Kay LamJune 13, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    Miley reminds me of his grandson to an extent, my Great Grandfather. They were characters that's for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMay 7, 2020 at 11:08 PM

    Miley is actually my husband's great-great-great grandfather!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Living CrazyFebruary 13, 2021 at 4:10 AM

    I am aware of these facts from my family research, but does anyone on here by chance have any more information about the below info: My great Grandmother is Virgie Catherine Frazier, and I've always wondered if the 8 kids she had were all by Ryland (2nd husband) or if the first few are by John (1st husband). Thanks.

    Virgie Catherine SHIFLETT ( Mar 1886 Greene Co, VA - 28 Apr 1962 ) & m1) John L. SHIFLETT 13 Jun 1902 Greene Co, VA ; & m2) Ryland G. FRAZIER (06 Jan 1877 Greene Co, VA - ) 22 Sep 1907 Greene Co, VA

    ReplyDelete
  9. Living CrazyFebruary 13, 2021 at 4:37 AM

    My email is: seashel2001@gmail.com I'm not sure if I'll get back to this post that I posted on about Virgie Frazier, but I loved all your content. One thing I know for sure, is that Virgie's marriages and 8 kids she had, never seem to be in everyone's family records. I can pretty much tell, that she married her first cousin, and so did some of her siblings. It was crazy, so maybe that's why the records are scarce. LOL. But it's just history and I love to know all about it.

    ReplyDelete

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