Person:William Shaffer (18)

St. John Episcopal Church Cemetery Shaffer, William born 1797 in Fairfield Co., S. Carolina; died 5 April 1887

Shaffer, William Children listed: Lizzie H. married Thomas F. Brooks. Donation of land: 17 June 1869 (Houma Ct. Hse.:Book of Donations: v. A, p. 45)

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} 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: 238D; Enumeration District: 186; Image: 0480; Dwelling 235, Family 281.
   
Shaffer William A White Male 83 Widowed Planter N. Carolina Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
Fields Bell White Female 30 Daughter Widowed Keeping House Louisiana N. Carolina Louisiana
Voris Amelie White Female 25 Neice Single At Home Louisiana [illegible] [illegible]
Caraway Isick Black Male 70 Single Servant Mississippi Mississippi Mississippi
Ancestry


2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M653).

   Year: 1860; Census Place: Ward 10, Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll M653_425; Page: 96; Image: 424; Family History Library Film: 803425; Dwelling 674, Family 674.
   
Shaffer W A 64 [abt 1796] Male Planter; real:156,000; pers:173,000 South Carolina
Shaffer Emely 52 [abt 1808] Female Louisiana
Shaffer Isabella 19 [abt 1841] Female Louisiana
Shaffer Thomas 17 [abt 1843] Male Louisiana
Shaffer Benjaman 15 [abt 1845] Male Louisiana
Wood T F 51 [abt 1809] Male Overseer; pers:6,400 New York
Ancestry


3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432).

   Year: 1850; Census Place: , Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll M432_241; Page: 338A; Image: 186; Dwelling 401, Family 401.
   
Shaffer Wm A 51 [abt 1799] Male Farmer; Real:60,000 South Carolina
Shaffer Emily 45 [abt 1805] Female Louisiana
Shaffer John 19 [abt 1831] Male Louisiana
Shaffer William 16 [abt 1834] Male Louisiana
Shaffer Elisa 11 [abt 1839] Female Louisiana
Shaffer Isabelle 9 [abt 1841] Female Louisiana
Shaffer Thomas 7 [abt 1843] Male Louisiana
Shaffer Benjamin 4 [abt 1846] Male Louisiana
Ancestry


4. ↑ Hébert, Donald J. South Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Lafourche-Terrebonne Parishes. (Cecilia, Louisiana: Donald J. Hebert, 1978-1985)
   Vol. 1, p. 486.

   Shaffer, William A. & wife, Emilie Bourgeois, to Citizen Bank of Louisiana, Mortgage: 21 April 1838. Citing Houma Courthouse Original Acts, vol. 2, #430.

5. ↑ Hébert, Donald J. South Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Lafourche-Terrebonne Parishes. (Cecilia, Louisiana: Donald J. Hebert, 1978-1985)
   Vol. 8, p. 435.

   William A. Shaffer, died 5 Apr 1887 at 2:00 p.m., aged 90 yrs. Citing St. Matthew's Episcopal Church (Houma, La.), Vol. 1, p. 382.

6. ↑ Hébert, Donald J. South Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Lafourche-Terrebonne Parishes. (Cecilia, Louisiana: Donald J. Hebert, 1978-1985)
   Vol. 8, p. 435.

   Petition of Heirs of William A. Shaffer, 20 April 1887, Houma Courthouse, Succession file #788.
   Children listed: John J.; William L.; Belle W., who marr. Dr. Henry Sanders.

7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Find A Grave.

   Find A Grave Memorial #8677622

8.   "The Movers and Shakers, 1850 - 1870".

   William A. Shaffer was a planter by occupation, and was first engaged in his pursuit in Lafourche parish and subsequently moved to Terrebonne parish, where he established what is known as the Crescent Farm. He died at a ripe old age in 1886. His wife died in 1875. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, viz: John J, W. R., Lizzie H. wife of T. T. Brooks; Belle W., wife of Dr. J. H. Sanders of St. Mary Parish; Thomas J., Benjamin F. died at the age of 25 years, in Texas in 1871.
   
   Williamm. A. Shaffer, testified, "I have lived in this parish since 1835. Prior to the War, I was a planter. Before the War, on my plantation, the marriage between a slave man & woman was done in this way: The parties first made their application to me. After making some enquiries & if there were no objections by their parents, when I occupied the position of Justice of the Peace, I performed the ceremony myself & before that, I sometimes called in a minister, who performed the ceremony, and the parties were considered man and wife. This was a universal rule on my place. Open, public concubinage between slaves before the War was not allowed on my place. If I knew it, I put a stop to it.
   
   "I think generally, that the custom of my place on the subject of slave marriages, was the custom of the country, as far as my observations extended, but there were exceptions. On my place, a ceremony was required, which was performed by either myself or a minister."
   
   ----
   
   (From The Movers and Shakers 1850 - 1870, pg 68)
   
   Listing the wealthiest people in Terrebonne Parish during these years. "The Shaffer family was number nine with reference to W. A. Shaffer. His real estate was worth $60,000 (1850), total worth $329,000 (1860) and no value listed in the 1870 census. The family owned 159 slaves in 1860. William Shaffer owned Crescent Farm Plantation and the family has owned Magnolia and Ardoyne Plantations for over 100 years." (From The Movers and Shakers 1850 - 1870, pg 59)[From the Shaffer Gedcom provided by Lee Shaffer]
   [It appears that this was an article published in Terrebonne Life Line. I have found a tree for another family which cites "The Movers and Shakers 1850-1870" in Vol 6 No. 3 Fall 1987].

9. ↑ "Magnolia Plantation", In Terrebonne, in Seebold, Herman Boehm de Bachellé. Old Louisiana plantation homes and family trees. (New Orleans, Louisiana: Pelican Press, c1941)
   p 222 - 223.

   "Magnolia Plantation manor, named for the grove of magnolia trees that surround the old mansion and are scattered about the beautiful old garden, was erected in 1858 for Richard Ellis, a wealthy planter. It is of the modified Greek Revival style, built somewhat along the lines of Rosedown Plantation manor near St. Francisville, La.
   
   On the rear walls the old slave bells can still be seen. Like most old plantation homes the kitchen and service quarters are found in a separate building. The slave bells, each with a different tone, operated by special wires in working order form an interesting relic. These ancient slave bells are of different sizes and tones, and are connected by a wire arrangement to the various rooms. Each slave (servant) was familiar with the tone of his or her bell, and each personal maid or valet knew exactly where to go when called. These slave bells which in some of the largest of the old homes numbered at times as many as twelve in a row were placed in the service quarters above the kitchen window and were sheltered by the overhanging gallery of the upper floor.
   
   Up until a quarter of a century ago, many rows of these old slave bells were still to be found in most large Southern cities as well as on the larger of the old plantation homes. A bell man, as he was called, made a business of keeping these bells in order, going on calls both in the country as well as in the city as do the men who attend to the gas and electric meters today. They were arranged in a row and were picturesque in appearance. A similar arrangement can be seen in the moving picture, "Wuthering Heights", so the American way of calling servants must have found its origin in Europe.
   
   Seized by the Federal troops during the Civil War, the home was converted into a Federal hospital. At that time the furnishings of the handsome mansion were badly abused and damaged. Not having a feed trough handy the grand piano was hauled to the yard, the works removed, and it was used as a feed box for the horses. Among the many attractive architectural features of this interesting old manor house is the magnificent solid rosewood winding stairway. It is always beautiful but specially so during the Fiesta when lovely Southern belles in wide spreading crinolines bank the steps.
   
   Tradition has it that the marriage of General Braxton Bragg (whose ante-bellum plantation manor on Spring Hill Avenue, Mobile Alabama, still stands) to Miss Ellis took place in the spacious drawing room of Magnolia Manor.
   
   It was purchased in 1874 by William Alexander Shaffer, who restored the old house and garden to its present beautiful condition. The first floor front is of brick heavily plastered, the rest of the structure of choice heavy heart cypress lumber. Like most large plantation homes the kitchen is in a separate building. A special Cooling system to keep the drinking water at a low temperature was installed in the early days. It consisted of double brick walls tightly packed between with crushed charcoal and well shaded. It is a home where much entertaining is done, the old mansion being well adapted for that purpose."
   (Old Louisiana Plantation Homes, pgs 222 - 223)

10.   "Letter by Harriet Brooks, 10 April 1887", in William A. Shaffer Papers
    10 Apr 1887.

    Upon the death of William A. Shaffer it appears that there was a letter written by Harriet Brooks that detailed his death. The following is a a direct quote of that letter:
    
    "Magnolia Plantation, LA
    
    April 10, 1887
    
    The following request is very dear to me and was made by my dear father a few moments before his death. Although _____ and wasted by disease he had passed four score and ten.
    
    As he calmly awaited the summons of his maker, he dictated the following request, which shows a clear and unclouded intellect to the last.
    
    Present: Mrs Sanders and myself -
    
    -- Time 1.45 p.m. April 5th 1887 -
    
    He said almost inaudibly as follows.
    
    It is my desire that you, John and T.F. Brooks take charge and settle my estate according to the laws of Louisiana. My children are all dear children to me. I treat all alike there are no favorites. I recommend if possible that the property be kept together so long as you can agree. It will yield a better revenue than if divided. Be kind and good to each other. Do not have any contentions or law suits among your selves.
    
    ... an interval several moments ...
    
    John, do not let it get in the fix of the McCollams
    
    ... another interval of several moments ...
    
    Do not get it into the fix of the McCollams. My finances are in good shape and easily understood.
    
    We asked have you anything more to tell us. He replied: No that is enough. All will be well if you carry out what I have said. Let the old and faithful servants go to the funeral on the cars. Do not let them pay. He passed away at 2 p.m. April 1887.
    (Shaffer Papers, University of North Carolina, 10 Apr 1887)

11.   William A. Shaffer Papers
    1 April 1885.

    On 1 April 1885, William documented in his records that he had 50 mule, 16 head of cattle, 1500 acres of swamp land, 700 acres of uncleared land, 800 acres in corn and 500 acres in cane. He estimates his farm to be worth $47, 106. He also claimed the 1884 crop yielded 800 hogshead of sugar 600 barrels of molasses and 400 bushels of corn. William stated, "This estimate is about 19 percent lower than last year. [Shaffer Papers, University of Chapel Hill, 1 Apr 1885)

12.   William A. Shaffer Papers
    19 Mar 1838.

    William appeared to apply for credit to the Citizens' Bank of Louisiana in 1938. An appraisal accompanied the appraisal of his property. The application indicates that William owned 1000 arpents of land worth $20,000; had a wooden framed house valued at $300, owned 11 slaves, two mules, and two oxen. The value of his slaves was estimated at $6,300 and the total value of the property was appraised at $27,650. In 1938, William had 45 arpents in cotton and 45 arpents in corn, but had no land in sugar cane at this time. The application indicates he was married, was born in the United States and was a resident of Louisiana and Terrebonne for at least one year. He also stated he had no other mortgage. (Shaffer Papers, University of Chapel Hill, 19 Mar 1838)

13. ↑ Shaffer Research of Milhado Lee Shaffer, Sr., c1960.

    William Shaffer resided in South Carolina, Ohio (?), and Louisiana. Rented St James Plantation near Thibodaux, Louisiana before he married. Bought Crescent Farm from US Government Land Grant and built the house in 1836. Crescent Farm was built by a Philadelphia architect and furnished in 1837.
    He went to see President Cleveland, and late in life (80) returned to Winsboro. When he left and cut a cane close to his mother's grave. This cane was passed down from generation to generation and eventually was lost. Last know owner was Milhado Lee Shaffer, Sr.
    William also went with Senator Gibson on a trip to Washington, DC.
    [Milhado Lee Shaffer, Sr Genealogy Records, William Alexander Shaffer Sheet, Abt. 1960]

14.   United States of America, Bureau of the Census. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules. (Washington, D.C.).

    The Slave Schedule of the 1860 Federal Census also indicated that William owned 118 slaves. There were 56 males and 62 females the ages ranged from 65 to one years of age. One 65 year old males was identified as being blind. William claimed to have twenty-six homes for the slaves. ( US Census, 1860, Schedule 2, Slave Inhabitants, 3rd Ward, Terrebonne Parrish, Page 32) [From the Shaffer Gedcom provided by Lee Shaffer]

15.   William A Shaffer, Louisiana, in United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records.

    Accession Names Date Doc # Twp - Rng Aliquots Sec. # County
    LA0100__.436 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A 10/6/1841 71 014S - 016E E½NE¼ 104 Lafourche
    LA0130__.490 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A 9/25/1844 151 014S - 016E S½NW¼ 103 Lafourche
    014S - 016E N½SW¼ 103 Lafourche
    LA0140__.476 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A,
    VORIS, J M,
    MCMASTER, ALEXANDER 3/10/1845 708 017S - 016E Lot/Trct 1 72 Terrebonne
    017S - 016E Lot/Trct 5 72 Terrebonne
    017S - 016E Lot/Trct 6 72 Terrebonne
    017S - 016E Lot/Trct 2 71 Terrebonne
    017S - 016E Lot/Trct 3 71 Terrebonne
    017S - 016E Lot/Trct 4 71 Terrebonne
    LA0150__.153 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A 4/21/1845 2545 017S - 016E Lot/Trct 4 72 Terrebonne
    LA0170__.164 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A 7/3/1847 3098 017S - 016E Lot/Trct 3 75 Terrebonne
    LA0170__.165 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A 7/3/1847 3099 017S - 016E NE¼, Lot/Trct 1 75 Terrebonne
    017S - 016E NE¼, Lot/Trct 2 75 Terrebonne
    LA0170__.166 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A 7/3/1847 3100 017S - 016E W½NW¼ 74 Terrebonne
    LA0180__.200 SHAFFER, WILLIAM A 9/17/1849 3305 017S - 016E Lot/Trct 3 72 Terrebonne

16. ↑ ^16.0 16.1 United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M704)
    Year: 1840; Census Place: Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll: 129; Page: 37; Image: 80; Family History Library Film: 0009690.
17. ↑ ^17.0 17.1 U.S. Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3} United States. U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907. (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008).
19. ↑ Hébert, Donald J. South Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Lafourche-Terrebonne Parishes. (Cecilia, Louisiana: Donald J. Hebert, 1978-1985)
    vol 1, pg 486 (Thib. Ct. Hse.:Mar. v 1, #36A.

    William A. Shaffer, 29 yrs old; Fairfield county, S. Carolina (d. John & Hepsy Strowder) m. 26 Feb 1829 Melite Bourgeois, 24 yrs old (Thib. Ct. Hse.:Mar. v 1, #36A

20. ↑ Letter to the Editor from J. F. Wood, in "Weekly Thibodaux Sentinel" (Thibodaux, Louisiana)
    20 Jun 1885.

    Cincinati, Ohio, May 25, 1885:
    On May 3rd I left New Orleans in company with W. A. Shaffer, of Terrebonne, on a visit to Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, and Augusta, Ga., Columbia and Winnsborough, S.C. The latter is near the place of Mr. Shaffer's birth. We stopped over for several hours in search of his old home; finally our efforts were crowned with success. After an absence of eighty years, he found the place where the old house formerly stood; also, the old kitchen chimney stacks remaining. He had described to me (before reaching the place) very accurately the spring, situated some 70 yards from the old house, in the edge of a ravine of white sand (all others in the vicinity being of red clay). We had no trouble in finding the place where his mother was buried about the year 1802. He recollected the earth being red that the grave was filled with. We visited the recorder's office, and found his father's transfer of the old farm in the year 1803. From this place we visited Washington city. Saw President Cleveland and had a good shake of his hand. Mr. Shaffer told the president that he had come expressly to shake the hand of a Democratic President before he died. The President told him that he had heard of him before, through Senator Gibson.
    Mr. Shaffer left here on the 23rd inst. for his home in Louisiana, much improved in health. He is now in his 90th year and looks as if he would live to be a hundred.
    Yours truly, J.F. Wood
    P.S. I had forgotten to mention how the present owners of the farm were frightened, fearing that Mr. Shaffer was there for the purpose of settling up a claim for the farm. He assured the old lady that such was not the case, and furthermore that he would not pay the taxes on it for it.

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

    [code]Year: 1870; Census Place: Ward 3, Terrebonne, Louisiana; Roll: M593_533; Page: 365A; Family History Library Film: 552032
    Township: Ward 03;pg 5, Dwelling 37
    Shaffer, Nice 74 M W farmer South Carolina
    , Emily 64 F W Keeping House Louisiana
    [/code]