Person:John Shaffer (22)

St John Episcopal Church Cemetery

Shaffer, John Jackson born 27 April 1831 in Lafourche Parish and died on 24 Sept. 1918 in Terrebonne Parish

The 1860 Federal census indicates that 28 year old John owned $69,000 in real estate and his personal estate was valued at $41,500. John's occupation was listed as that of a planter and there are three individuals that resides with him, M.A. female (Minerva Anne his wife), 24 years, John 2 year old male and a female infant approximately 3 months old. This census was supposed to be taken on 20 July 1860. All claimed to be born in Louisiana and all were literate. (US Census 1860, 4th Ward, Terrebonne Parrish, Page 101-102).

The Slave Schedule of the 1860 Federal Census also indicated that John owned 16 slaves. There were 10 males and 6 females the ages ranged from 2 months to 35 years old. William claimed to have four homes for the slaves. ( US Census, 1860, Schedule 2, Slave Inhabitants, 3rd Ward, Terrebonne Parrish)

Bought Magnolia Plantation from the Bank of New Orleans in 1874. Magnolia was formally owned by the Ellis Family. Capt Shaffer fought in the Battle of Bayou Chicksaw with distinction under Gen Steven D. Lee in siege of Vicksburg. [Milhado Lee Shaffer Sr, John Jackson Shaffer Genealogy Sheet, Abt 1960]

The use of the word Captain for John Jackson Shaffer reflected two different professions. The most widely accepted was that of Capt of Company F, of the 26th Louisiana Infantry. The other was as the steamboat Captain and owner of the TS Archer. It appears that a younger J. J. Shaffer (approximately 23 year of age) was an entrepreneur and owned a steamboat servicing the Southern Louisiana area. His steamboat traveled from the Opolousas Railroad from Tigerville to the upper waters of Bayou Black. (Houma Ceres, 9 Aug, 8 Sep, 12 Oct 1855)

Capt Shaffer also served in the Civil War. Civil War records indicate that he first enlisted on 27 Mar 1862 and was captured at Vicksburg on 4 Jul 1863. It also appears that he returned to battle and was ultimately released at the end of the war on 19 May 1865. His last confederate War Department card revealed that Capt Shaffer's residence as Chachoula, Louisiana, he had ruddy, complexion, dark hair, 5' 8" and hazel eyes. (War Department Records). He served in the defense of New Orleans at the Camp at Chalmette. When New Orleans fell, their operation moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he fought under the commands of Gen M. L. Smith and Gen Stephen D. Lee in the Battle of Chicksaw Bayou. (Confederate Veteran, Vol XXVII, April 1919, Page, 146).

In a description of the funeral the Confederate Veteran stated, "A very pathetic and touching incident was the meeting of the hearse by the remaining members of the Braxton Bragg Camp, UCV as it neared Thibodaux, when the Confederate flag was borne at half-mast, and the veterans walked as guard of honor on each side of their beloved Commander." (Ibid)

From Roster of Braxton Bragg Camp, pg 45.
No.  Name		Rank	Co. Reg't		Branch	Remarks
83   SHAFFER, John J.	Capt.	 F    26th La	 Inf

1. ↑ United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9).

   Year: 1880; Census Place: 2nd Ward, Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll 472; Family History Film: 1254472; Page: 227A; Enumeration District: 186; Image: 0457; Dwelling 4, Family 8.
   
Shaffer John J. W M 49 [abt 1831] Self Married Planter Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana
Shaffer Menerva A. W F 45 [abt 1835] Wife Married Keeping House Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana
Shaffer John D. W M 22 [abt 1858] Son Single Lawyer Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Shaffer Effie W F 20 [abt 1860] Dau Single At Home Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Shaffer Maggy L. W F 17 [abt 1863] Dau Single At Home Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Shaffer Thomas A. W M 15 [abt 1865] Son Single At Home Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Shaffer Anna L. W F 13 [abt 1867] Dau Single At Home Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Shaffer Bessie W F 10 [abt 1870] Dau Single Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Laudabert Cecile Mu F 40 [abt 1840] Single Servant Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Ancestry


2. ↑ United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M653).

   Year: 1860; Census Place: Ward 4, Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll M653_425; Page: 102; Image: 430; Family History Library Film: 803425; Dwelling 708, Family 708.
   
Shaffer J J 28 [abt 1832] Male Planter; real:69,000; pers:41,500 Louisiana
Shaffer M A 24 [abt 1836] Female Louisiana
Shaffer John 2 [abt 1858] Male Louisiana
Shaffer Infant 3/12 [abt 1860] Female Louisiana
Ancestry


3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 United States. Passport applications, 1795-1925. (Washington, D.C. : National Archives).

   Birth date: 27 Apr 1832
   Birth place: Parish of La Foweche, Louisiana
   Issue date: 1 Jul 1897
   Residence place: United States
   Source: Passport Applications, 1795-1905; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1372, 694 rolls); General Records of the Department of State, Record Group 59; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
   Ancestry Link

   1897 Passport Application
4. ↑ United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623).

   Year: 1900; Census Place: Police Jury Ward 2, Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll T623_584; Page: 26B; Enumeration District: 68; Dwelling 483, family 574.
   
Shaffer John J Head White Male Apr 1831 69 Married 40 1860 Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana Farmer
Shaffer Minerva Wife White Female Jul 1834 65 Married 40 1860 Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana
Foster Susan K Sister-in-law White Female Oct 1820 79 Widowed Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana
Ancestry


5. ↑ United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publications M593 and T132).

   Year: 1870; Census Place: Ward 3, Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll M593_533; Page: 365A; Image: 54; Family History Library Film: 552032; Dwelling 38; Family 38.
   
Shaifer John 38 [abt 1832] Male White Farmer [no prop] Louisiana
Shaifer Minerva 30 [abt 1840] Female White Louisiana
Shaifer John 11 [abt 1859] Male White Louisiana
Shaifer Effie 9 [abt 1861] Female White Louisiana
Shaifer Maggie 7 [abt 1863] Female White Louisiana
Shaifer Thomas 3 [abt 1867] Male White Louisiana
Shaifer Anna 2 [abt 1868] Female White Louisiana
Ancestry


6. ↑ Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.Original data - Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA from the following list of works.Copyright 1997-2009Historical Data Systems, Inc. PO Box 35Duxbury, MA 02331.Ori).

   Birth date: 27 Apr 1831
   Birth place:
   Death date: 24 Sep 1918
   Death place: Thibodaux, LA
   Residence date:
   Residence place: Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, USA
   _APID: 1555::3078012
   Ancestry Link

7. ↑ Ancestry.com. Louisiana Statewide Death Index, 1900-1949. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002.Original data - State of Louisiana, Secretary of State, Division of Archives, Records Management, and History. Vital Records Indices. Baton Rouge, LA, USA.Original data: State of Loui).

   Birth date: 1851
   Birth place:
   Death date: 24 Sep 1918
   Death place: Louisiana
   _APID: 6697::201912
   Ancestry Link

8. ↑ United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432).

   Year: 1850; Census Place: District 2, Nicholas, Kentucky; Roll M432_215; Page: 446A; Image: 349; Dwelling 767, Family 769.
   
Weston Military Institute [names alphabetized]
Shaffer J J 19 [abt 1831] Male Louisiana
Ancestry


9. ↑ United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T624).

   Year: 1910; Census Place: Police Jury Ward 2, Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll T624_529; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 102; Image: 573; Dwelling 85, Family 85.
   
Shaffer John J Head Male White 78 [abt 1832] Married (marr. 54 yrs) Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana Planter (Plantation)
Shaffer Minnie A Canty Wife Female White 79 [abt 1831] Married (6 ch, 6 liv) Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana
Bartlett Annie La Daughter Female White 40 [abt 1870] Widowed Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana
Foster Susan Kenner Sister-in-law Female White 84 [abt 1826] Widowed Louisiana South Carolina Louisiana
Ancestry


10. ↑ Find A Grave.

    Capt. John Jackson Shaffer

11.   Evans, Clement Anselm. Confederate Military History: A Library of Confederate States History. (Atlanta: Confederate Pubishing Co., 1899)
    Vol. [unknown], p. 578, 1899.

    Captain John J. Shaffer, of the Twenty-sixth Louisiana Infantry, in the Confederate States service, now residing at Minerva, La., and commander of Braxton Bragg Camp No. 196, United Confederate veterans, was born in Lafourche parish, La., in 1831, son of William A. Shaffer. His father came to Louisiana about 1808, settled near the present home of his son in 1837, and became prominent as a planter. Captain Shaffer was educated at the Western military institute, in Kentucky, graduating in 1851, and afterward was engaged in planting until the spring of 1862, when he took part in the organization of the Twentieth-sixth Louisiana, raising Company F, of which he was elected and commissioned captain. The regiment was stationed at Camp Chalmette, during the Federal operations against New Orleans, and was under fire of the Federal fleet. Thence they moved to Vicksburg, and served under the command of Gen. M. L. Smith during the bombardment in the spring and summer of 1862. In December of the same year they were gallant participants under Gen. S. D. Lee, in the defeat of Sherman at Chickasaw Bayou, and throughout the siege of 1863 they were on duty in the trenches until the surrender, July 4th. Returning home on parole Mr. Shaffer found desolation and ruin at the home of his father, who was the staunchest Confederate of that region, and he set to work to repair the ravages of war. Ever since he has been engaged in planting, and is now one of the prosperous men of Terrebonne parish. In 1855 he was married to Minerva Ann Cantey, of Baton Rouge. Their children living are: John D. Shaffer, a planter and for two terms State senator; Thomas A., also a planter; Mrs. S. I. Raymond, of Baton Rouge; Mrs. Robert L. Granbery, of Columbia, Tenn.; Mrs. O. Z. Bartlett, of Milwaukee, Wis.; and Mrs. Charles T. Madison, of New Orleans.

12.   Confederate veteran. (Nashville, Tennessee: S.A. Cunningham, 1893-1932)
    Vol, 27, p. 146, Apr 1919.

    "The Last Roll."
    
    Capt. John J. Shaffer.
    
    On Tuesday, September 24, 1918, there passed into the great beyond the soul of Capt. John Jackson Shaffer, who died as he lived, a true soldier of Christ. Surrounded by all the members of his devoted family, the end came peacefully after many weeks of suffering, during which time not one word of complaint was heard by those privileged to minister to him. He bore his lingering illness with the same calmness and Christian fortitude which had so marked his life. There are few indeed who leave behind such tender and sacred memories.
    
    His was a noble nature; always kind and generous, he was especially so to the poor and to those in trouble. His charities were large and he was always ready and willing to give. He was a devoted member of St. John's Church, Thibodaux, La., and the senior warden for the past thirty years.It was a great happiness to him to help in any way he could the life of the Church, and he was never found absent from the diocesan council when his health permitted. There he was always a notable figure, and his counsel and advice were often sought and heeded. He had a wonderfully strong character and lived a consistent Christian life.
    
    As his bodily weakness grew his great faith became stronger, and during the last weeks of his life he asked continually for the prayers of his beloved Church and for the blessed sacrament, which was administered to him a short time before his death. The Lord's Prayer was on his lips almost at the last, and he was surely one of the privileged few who were "ripe for the harvest."
    
    The passing of such a splendid character is a great loss to the entire community and leaves a vacant place in the hearts of his many friends which will never be filled. Nothing better can be said than the words of his faithful colored man-servant: "A blessed man has gone."
    
    Captain Shaffer was born on St. James Plantation, Lafourche Parish, La., April 27, 183. and was one of the most successful and best-known sugar planters of the State. He was always a conservative business man and his judgment was to be relied upon. He was captain of Company F, 26th Louisiana Infantry, Army of Tennessee, and was commander of the Braxton Bragg Camp, No. 196, United Confederate Veterans, at the time of his death. He was educated at the Western Military Institute, in Kentucky, graduating in 1851. The name of James G. Blaine appears on his diploma as the Latin instructor. Until the spring of 1862 Captain Shaffer was engaged in planting, leaving to part in the organization of the 26th Louisiana Infantry, raising Company F, of which he was elected and commissioned captain. At Camp Chalmette this regiment was stationed during the Federal operations against New Orleans and was under fire. Afterwards it was moved to Vicksburg and served under the command of Gen. M. L. Smith during the bombardment in the spring and summer of 1862. This regiment fought gallantly under Gen. Stephen D. Lee in December in the defeat of Sherman at Chickasaw Bayou, and throughout the siege of 1863 it was on duty in the trenches until the surrender, July 4.
    
    Captain Shaffer was married in Baton Rouge, La., to Miss Minerva Cantey, and together they celebrated their sixty-third wedding anniversary at his late residence, Magnolia Plantation.
    
    Sorrowing friends and faithful servants viewed the remains, which lay in state in the Confederate uniform he loved so well, with the cross of honor on his breast and the battle flag of the Confederacy covering the casket. The many floral offerings were exceedingly beautiful. The plantation bell tolled eighty-eight times as this procession slowly passed through the gates, and as it neared the colored church that bell also sounded its last tribute of respect and love.
    
    A very pathetic and touching incident was the meeting of the hearse by the remaining members of the Braxton Bragg Camp, U.C.V., as it neared Thibodaux, when the Confederate flag was borne at half-mast, and the veterans walked as guard f honor on each side of their beloved Commander.
    
    In the old, quaint, and historic St. John's Church, after the beautiful Church service, conducted by the Rt. Rev, Davis Sessums, D.D., assisted by a son-in-law of Captain Shaffer, the Rev. Dunham Van Syckel, of Hamilton, N.Y., the rector, the Rev. Dr. A. A. MacKenzie, and the Rev. Gardiner L. Tucker, of Houma, the body was lovingly borne to its last resting place by two sons, John D. and Thomas A. Shaffer, two grandsons, Randolph and J. J. Shaffer II, two sons-in-law, Samuel I. Raymond and Frederick R. Letcher, and the Messrs. Edward and Preston Pugh and Joe Williams. The ritual of the Braxton Bragg Camp was read by the Adjutant, Judge Engerran, and as the blessing was pronounced by the bishop there among the flowers and the grand old oaks the casket was place in the family mausoleum.

13. ↑ Will of John Jackson Shaffer, 1907.

    SEE TRANSCRIPT

14. ↑ Estate of John Jackson Shaffer, Succession Correspondence, 1918-1919.

    SEE TRANSCRIPT

15. ↑ Estate of John Jackson Shaffer, Inventory, 1919.

    SEE TRANSCRIPT

16.   Hall, Winchester, and 26th Confederate States of America. Army. Louisiana Infantry Regiment. The story of the 26th Louisiana Infantry: in the service of the Confederate states. (Gaithersburg, Maryland: Butternut Press, c1984).

    Archive.org photocopy

17.   The Times-Picayune. (New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
    p. 37, 15 Nov 1914.