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Shiels Family Historiy
Our research traces the Shiels family back to Scotland and Ireland about 1690 when Micheal Shiels travelled from Kildare, Ireland to Biggar, Scotland.
G1: Micheal Shiels (1690) & Elizabeth (Bessie) Broun
And so it begins….
Family tradition states that Micheal Shiels was born in Kildare, Ireland about 1690 and went to Scotland for the harvest. He liked the country, the whiskey and the Scottish Lassies so well that he decided to stay. He came to an area close to Coulter.
When he arrived, his first job was working for Dan Scott, a relative of Francis Scott, 2nd Duke of Buccleuch. He received 10 pounds a year and before the year was up, Micheal had fallen in love with Dan’s niece Elizabeth (Bessie) Broun. They were married on Nov 24, 1716 in Coulter. We have a copy of the records.
In the early 1700’s, forthcoming marriages were supposed to be proclaimed on three successive Sundays, however, in practice, all three proclamations could be made on the same day on payment of a fee. Micheal Shiels paid fourteen shillings to have the wedding the same day.
Tradition says there was a big fight and Micheal and Bessie left although we do not know where they went. We expect that Micheal continued to work with horses around the Culter, Lanarkshire area.
Micheal and Bessie had one son Dan (1719), named after Bessie’s uncle, and seven daughters; Bridget (1717), Annie (1721), Margaret (1723-1794), Nora (1725), Betty (1727), Sarah (1729) and Susan (1731).
Dan’s details are listed below.
Bridget started training as a Nun, then changed her mind and joined the Church of Scotland. As a Presbyterian, she went to China as a Missionary for her church.
Nora was a teacher and a very successful governess.
Annie married a farmer named Jim Dunn, but they had no children.
The remaining girls worked on a farm and never married.
G2: Dan Shiels (1719) & Janet (Jessie) Scott
Dan Shiels was born in 1719 and was the 2nd child of Micheal Shiels and Bessie Broun. He was the only son to carry on the family name.
Dan served a seven-year apprenticeship as a stone mason before he got a good job as Agent for the 2nd Duke of Buccleuch, Francis Scott, with a good salary for the 18th century.
Dan Shiels & Janet (Jessie) Scott were married on Jul 8, 1749 in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. Jessie was born Oct 20, 1730 in Kirkmichael, Perthshire.
In the 1750 census, Dan was listed as a Carter, which is a person who transports a load on a cart that is drawn by a “beast of burden”. Dan was also a good mechanic and lived to be nearly ninety years old. Jessie died in 1766.
Dan and Janet had two children, James (1750) and Elizabeth, born Mar 13, 1751 and christened on Mar 20, 1751 in South Leith, Midlothian. James and Elizabeth are the third generation, and their histories are detailed in the following pages.
James married Janet Younger and had two children, Robert & Thomas.
Elizabeth married John Kay and they had one child, Isabella Kay in 1781. Isabella married Alexander Ramsey in 1811 and they had one daughter, Elizabeth Ramsay in 1817. Elizabeth Ramsay married John Hardie in 1841 and they had 7 children. No other information is known about this line.
G3: James Shiels (1750) & Janet Younger
James Shiels was born in 1750 in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. He was the 1st child of Dan Shiels and Janet Scott.
James married Janet Younger on Dec 2, 1768 in Peebles. Janet was born Aug 5, 1750 in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. Records show that both were living in Peebles on Oct 30, 1768 when their bans were published.
James and Janet had two children, Robert & Thomas.
Robert Shiels was born on Jan 16, 1769 in Skirling, Peebles, about 3 miles north-east of Biggar. Robert married Annie Dickson and raised a large family.
Thomas Shiels was born May 12, 1771 in Kilbucho, Peebles, about 5 miles south-east of Biggar. We have no verifiable information on Thomas currently.
G4: Robert Shiels (1769-1840) & Annie Dickson
Robert Shiels was born 16 Jan, 1769 in Skirling, Peebles, Scotland. He was the 1st child of James Shiels and Janet Younger.
Robert married Annie Dickson on 9 Jul, 1790 in Drumelzier, Peebles, Scotland.
Robert & Annie lived their entire life in this area. Robert was a farmer.
Robert & Annie had 7 children.