Shearer Family Papers, 1850-1910 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Mary Beth Rogers and Chuck Hill

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Collection Overview

Title: Shearer Family Papers, 1850-1910

Extent: 1.0 Folders

Date Acquired: 05/08/2002. More info below under Accruals.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Shearer Family Papers consists primarily of receipts for store accounts, tax payments and court fees which belonged to various members of Absalom Shearer's immediate family. There are a few letters or letter fragments and school reports but none are extensive or detailed. Also included are two family photographs and a charcoal sketch of Samuel Shearer.

Collection Historical Note

Samuel Shearer (1800-1893) was the son of Mathew Shearer. His brother Absalom Shearer married his second wife, Rachel Huguely, on 25 Nov 1856. His first wife, Susan Lorimer, had died within months of their marriage, and they had no children. Rachel was the daughter of Jacob and Florina Huguely. She was born in 1838 and died in 1878. Absalom was born in 1824 and died in 1900. Absalom and Rachel had nine children:

1.) Jacob Shearer (5 Sep 1857 - 11 Oct 1936) married Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Huguely.

2.) Matt (Bud) Shearer (17 Sep 1859 - 13 Jul 1936).

3.) Flora Alice Shearer (23 May 1862 - 5 Mar 1952) married John B. Parrish 29 May 1883.

4.) Mollie Lee Shearer (20 Jun 1864 - 17 Feb 1952) married Daniel Stafford 4 Feb 1890.

5.) Caleb Massie Shearer (16 Jun 1867 - Nov 1941) married Leta Feland 30 Jan 1901.

6.) Willie Shearer (4 Apr 1870 - 8 Jul 1871).

7.) Maggie Shearer (15 May 1872 - 11 Sep 1873).

8.) Hallie Katherine Shearer (23 Jul 1874 - 11 May 1939) married George Prewitt 8 Jun 1899.

9.) Abby Rachel Shearer (14 Sep 1877 - 14 Mar 1965) married Marion Sappington in 1901.

Absalom Shearer married Maggie Huguely Baxter, the sister of his second wife. They had five children:

1.) Harris Shearer (2 May 1885 - 12 Sep 1959).

2.) Susan Shearer (29 Oct 1887 - 13 Jan 1916).

3.) Huguely Shearer (30 Jul 1890 - 20 Aug 1963).

4.) Mary H. Shearer (1 Feb 1893 - 16 Dec 1986) married Floyd Anderson 23 Jul 1919.

5.) Minnie H. Shearer (1 Feb 1893 - 3 Oct 1962) married W.A. Green

For extensive biographical and family history, please refer to Shearer, a family genealogy by Oliver Shearer that may be found in the EKU Archives, Special Collections (non-circulating) - CS71.S538 1991a, and the Shearer Family History File #289 located in the EKU Archives Reading Room.

Absalom was also known as Abner and in these documents his name is often abbreviated as "Ab."

Caleb was also called Caley or Cale.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Accruals: Folder 2 with the Cassius Clay deed and other documents was added to the collection February 20, 2017.

Acquisition Source: Shearer, Oliver

Finding Aid Revision History: Updated April 4, 2017 to add additional materials.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Folder:

[Folder 1: Receipts, Correspondence, and Legal Documents],
[Folder 2: Receipts and Legal Documents],
[Folder 3: Oliver F. Shearer Journal Typescript, 1988-1994],
[Folder 4: Photographs],
[All]

Folder 1: Receipts, Correspondence, and Legal Documents

Barcode: 31234013924764

Item 1: Receipt, 11 Jan 1851: ADS D.J. Rowland, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $11.50.
Item 2: Bill, 1856: ADS J.H. Scholl, Clerk, Powell Circuit Court bill in the amount of $3.45 for court costs in the case of Absalom Shearer vs Simon Shearer & others. On the back is a receipt from George Smith to Absalom Shearer for $10.50 in payment for Smith's fees and the court costs dated 28 Jul 1856.
Item 3: Receipt, 24 Dec 1857: ADS A. Hicks, receipt for wall cording in the amount of $13.
Item 4: Receipt, 2 Nov 1857: DS J.B. Jarman, receipt to Absalom Shearer for payment of County Levy and Revenue Tax in the amount of $24.08.
Item 5: Receipt, 7 Nov 1857: DS J.B. Jarman, receipt to A. Shearer and Lacamore for payment of County Levy and Revenue Tax in the amount of $2.70.
Item 6: Receipt, 5 Jan 1858: ADS J.S. White [Dr. Jacob White], receipt to Absalom Shearer for $10.00 (this may be for attending the birth of his son Jacob who was born on 5 Sep 1857 as that date appears before "visit and [illegible] wife."
Item 7: Receipt, 18 Nov 1858: ADS John M. Harris, receipt to Abner [Absalom] Shearer for $44.50, paid in full.
Item 8: License, 4 Apr 1859: ADS Thomas H. Barnes, license to Absalom Shearer to "stand his jack Jim Porter" until 31 Dec (a jack is a male donkey that was used to breed mules) for $8.
Item 9: Receipt, 5 Sep 1859: ADS S. Sewell, receipt to Absalom Shearer for money loaned to Shearer in the amount of $175.90.
Item 10: Receipt, 2 Jan 1860: ADS J.M. Harris, receipt to Abner Shearer "in full of his bill,"$3.50.
Item 11: Receipt, 11 Jan 1860: ADS S. Sewell, receipt to Absalom Shearer for a subscription, $25.
Item 12: Receipt, 19 Mar 1860: ADS John Larimor, receipt to Absalom Shearer for $885 "on two notes he holds."
Item 13: Bill, 22 Mar 1860: ADS Stephen B. Eubank, lumber bill for A. Shearer in the amount of $106.39.
Item 14: Receipt, 30 Mar 1860: AD Absalom Shearer to Elisha Roberts for unspecified reasons or amount.
Item 15: Receipt, 18 Jun 1860: ADS Thomas Phelps, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $7.50 for first call on stock in the R.B. & O. turnpike [Richmond, Otter Creek & Boonesborough Turnpike Road Company]. Appended to this receipt is another receipt in the amount of $12.50 for second call on stock in the R.B & O. turnpike dated 1 Oct 1860.
Item 16: Receipt, 17 Oct 1860: ADS Thomas Phelps, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $12.50 for third call on stock in the R.B. & O. turnpike [Richmond, Otter Creek & Boonesborough Turnpike Road Company].
Item 17: Receipt, 17 Sep 1861: ADS J.W. Biggerstaff, receipt to A.B. Shearer in the amount of $10.24.
Item 18: Receipt, 8 Apr 1862: ADS John M. Harris, receipt of Abner Shearer for $1.50 and another receipt to $1.50 for "our bill" signed Harris & Chenault.
Item 19: Receipt, 13 Dec 1862: ADS Rowland Shackleford, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $19.50.
Item 20: Receipt, 6 Dec 1864: DS G.M. Parks, U.S. Internal Revenue receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $40.66 for "special income" and hogs.
Item 21: Receipt, 10 Nov 1866: DS W.C. Gillis, U.S. Internal Revenue receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of 60 cents for "hogs slaughtered."
Item 22: Receipt, 21 Dec 1863: ADS Bronston & Francis [Dry Goods], receipt to Absalom Shearer for $87.28.
Item 23: Receipt, 14 Sep 1863: DS G. Parish, receipt to Absalom Shearer for payment of Revenue Tax and County Levy in the amount of $28.95.
Item 24: Receipt, 1 Oct 1866: DS N. Jones, receipt to Absalom Shearer for payment of Revenue Tax and County Levy in the amount of $28.50.
Item 25: Receipt, 1 Apr 1867: ADS Jesse T. Cobb, receipt to James Slivers in the amount of $35.
Item 26: Receipt, 4 Nov 1867: DS P. Smith, receipt to Absalom Shearer for payment of Revenue Tax, County Levy and Railroad Tax in the amount of $57.48.
Item 27: Receipt, 28 Jan 1868: ADS Jonathon Ross, receipt to A. Shearer in the amount of $45.
Item 28: Receipt, 9 Oct 1868: DS P. Smith, receipt to Absalom Shearer for payment of Revenue Tax, County Levy and Railroad Tax in the amount of $47.25.
Item 29: Receipt, ca.1869: ADS Absalom Shearer, receipts showing that Dan Ballard, Dan Rodes, William Crawford and George Bruce had paid him money owed the Jabez M. Tipton estate.
Item 30: Receipt, 1 Feb 1869: ADS Isaac Hutcheson for Hutcheson, McChesney & Co., receipt to Abner Shearer in the amount of $107.47 on a claim against the estate of Jabez Tipton.
Item 31: Court Order, Sep 1869: DS R.B. Ferrill, Madison District Court order for Richard Davis to be paid $1 for attending as a witness in the trial of J.M. Tipton vs S. Sewell, etc.
Item 32: Receipt, 6 Sep 1869: ADS Stephen C. Powell, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $22.80.
Item 33: Receipt, 1 Jul 1870: AD D. Tipton, receipt to Asa Brochman, Milo Baxter, and Abner Shearer in the amount of $10.57 for four months tuition of one pupil.
Item 34: Receipt, 29 Jul 1870: ADS S.C. Harris, receipt to Abner Shearer in the amount of $146.36 for services as a teacher in the Brookstown District.
Item 35: Court Summons, 7 Mar 1872: Doc. C.K. Oldham, Sheriff, summons for Absalom Shearer to appear in H. Cobb vs C.N. Tribble as a witness for the plaintiff.
Item 36: Survey, 1 Sep 1873: ADS John D. Hamilton and Benjamin F. Crooke, description of the boundary of Brookstown District No.47.
Item 37: Receipt, 20 Sep 1873: ADS J.P. Herndon, receipt on ledger page to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $19.65 for candy, "old whiskey," eye balm, fish oil and other items.
Item 38: Land Contract, 12 Aug 1874: ADS T.J. Lanter and Joel T. Kerby, contract between the two for land belonging to the estate of Alex Lanter.
Item 39: Receipt, 1 Dec 1874: DS Crooke & Hume, receipt on ledger page from Crook & Hume Dry Goods, Notions & Stationery to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $66.12 for sewing notions, suspenders, calico cloth, and hose.
Item 40: Receipt, 3 Jan 1876: ADS H.D. Dillingham, two pages from an account book or store ledger, receipt and list of goods purchased between 20 May & 22 Oct 1875, for Absalom Shearer in the amount of $204.11. The entries include clothing items such as a boys suit, corsets, shoes and collars, cloth such as calico, silk, cashmere and cotton, and sewing notions that include buttons, ribbon, hooks & eyes and needles.
Item 41: Receipt, 18 Apr 1876: DS T.W. Burnett, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $8.50 for seeds, potatoes and produce purchased at W.H. Burton Wholesale & Retail Grocer.
Item 42: Receipt, 1 Jan 1877: DS C.I. Miller & Co., receipt to Absalom Shearer for nails, hinges, a ram rod and cartridges in the amount of $3.70.
Item 43: Store Account, 2 June 1877: DS J.T. Haydon, store bill for Miss Alice Shearer in the amount of $19.37 (it includes kid gloves and sewing notions such as whalebones and ribbon).
Item 44: Receipt, 31 Dec 1877: DS Shackleford & Gentry, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $1.95 for fruit cans and wax at Shackleford & Gentry Hardware, Stoves, Tinware & Agricultural Implements.
Item 45: Receipt, 12 Aug 1878: DS Francis and White, receipt to Absalom Shearer from Ballard, Francis, and White in the amount of $11.80 for a gilt picture frame, two pencils, composition paper, a cook book and several textbooks.
Item 46: Agreement, 11 Nov 1879: DS Absalom Shearer and E.L. McGhee, payment agreement with the Southern Calendar Clock Co. for the purchase of "One White-wood Walnut Veneered
Item 47: Receipt, 20 May 1881: ADS H.B. Dillingham, receipt to Absalom Shearer in the amount of $32.57.
Item 48: Receipt, 19 Oct 1882: ADS Crooke & Son, receipt to Absalom Shearer for buttons & silk, $2.08.
Item 49: Receipt, 4 Dec 1882: DS Joe Deatherage, receipt to Absalom Shearer, guardian of Katie Shearer, for $1.50 in payment of Revenue, County Levy, Railroad and School Tax.
Item 50: Receipt, 4 Dec 1882: DS Joe Deatherage, receipt to Absalom Shearer, guardian of Mollie Shearer, for $1.50 in payment of Revenue, County Levy, Railroad and School Tax.
Item 51: Receipt, 22 Jun 1883: ADS J.P. Herndon, receipt to Absalom Sheare for merchandise such as cologne, polish, turpentine, magnolia balm, tooth brush and old whiskey, $13.12.
Item 52: Receipt, 10 Jul 1883: DS J.E. ______, receipt to Bud Shearer from Adams Express Company.
Item 53: Receipt, 7 Jan 1884: DS G.W. Pickels, receipt to Matthew Shearer from the G.W. Pickels Manufacturers of Saddles, Harness, Collars, Bridles, Saddle-Bags, Etc., for the purchase of a saddle and bridle, $19.75.
Item 54: Store Account, 10 Apr 1884: DS Lyter, notice of store balance due Lyter & Johnson, Clothiers & Merchant Tailors, from Matt Shearer in the amount of $12.10.
Item 55: Receipt, 17 Nov 1884: DS Crooke & Son, receipt to Absalom Shearer for merchandise such as silk gloves, cloth and sewing notions purchased at Crooke & Son Staple & Fancy Dry Goods between 7 Apr 1883 and 17 Oct 1884, $172.20.
Item 56: Receipt, 5 Jan 1885: DS Joe Deatherage, receipt to Absalom Shearer, guardian of Hallie Shearer, for 95 cents in payment of Revenue, County Levy, Railroad and School Tax.
Item 57: Promissory Note, 24 Jan 1885: DS Harry Shearer, Clabourn Shearer and Matthew Shearer (and by R.H. Crooke as witness), promissory note to S.D. Parris, administrator of the T. Turpin estate, for rent of the Turpin farm, $90.
Item 58: Receipt, ca. 1886: DS J.P. Herndon, receipt to Caley [Caleb] Shearer for cigarettes and a book, $2.05.
Item 59: Receipt, 1 Feb 1886: ADS J.C. Lyter, receipt to Matt Shearer in the amount of $6.
Item 60: Receipt, 1 Feb 1886: ADS Stephen Parrish, administrator of the T. Turpin estate, receipt to M.W. and Harry Shearer on account of Absalom Shearer for rent of the Turpin farm, $50.
Item 61: Receipt, 7 Feb 1887: ADS C.C. Wallace, receipt Caleb Shearer for cigarettes, figs and candy, $3.50.
Item 62: Store Account, 11 May1887: DS W.W. Pigg & Son, Livery, Sale & Feed Stable, to Caley [Caleb] Shearer for horse & buggy rentals but includes the rent of a "sad" horse [saddle horse], $10.25.
Item 63: Receipt, 28 May 1887: DS J.C. Lyter, Merchant Tailor, receipt to C.M. Shearer for merchandise, $34.75.
Item 64: Receipt, 30 Jul 1887: DS D.M. Bright, Dealer in Boots, Shoes, Hats, Caps and Gent's Furnishing Goods, receipt to Matt Shearer for clothing, boots and a "ventilator hat," $16.75.
Item 65: Receipt, 3 Oct 1887: ADS Lyman Parrish, receipt to James W. Smith on the account of B.W. Turner against Absalom Shearer, $45.65.
Item 66: Receipt, 3 Jan 1888: DS Million & Fox, receipt to Caleb Shearer for horse & buggy rentals, $40.25.
Item 67: Receipt, 3 Jan 1888: DS H.J. Streng, Dry Goods, receipt to Caleb Shearer for the purchase of underwear and a handkerchief, $5.00.
Item 68: Receipt, 1 Feb 1888: DS T.H. Karr, Dealer in General Merchandise, receipt to Matthew Shearer for coffee, cigars, coal oil, shoe polish and other items, $5.30.
Item 69: Receipt, 1 Mar 1888: Receipt to [Caleb] Shearer from S. Dinelli & Co., Confectioners and Dealers in Foreign and Domestic Fruits, Cigars and Tobacco a Specialty, Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor, Oysters in Season, for supper, breakfast and candy, $1.40.
Item 70: Receipt, 24 Mar 1888: DS T.E. Bush, receipt to Caleb Shearer for a one year subscription to Kentucky Stock Farm, $2.00.
Item 71: Receipt, 22 Aug 1888: ADS E.W. Woodruff, receipt to Brooksville Christian School of Madison County for the Kentucky Sunday School Union, $1.00.
Item 72: Court Summons, 25 Aug 1888: DS H.C. Rice, summons for Absalom Shearer to appear in answer to a claim of $3.25 past due to White & Stockton. On the back is an ANS Lyman Parish saying that the amount had been paid in full, 27 Aug 1888.
Item 73: Receipt, 1 Jan 1889: DS G.W. Pickels, receipt to Caleb Shearer for straps and saddle blanket, $2.00.
Item 74: IOU, 4 Jun 1889: ADS C.M. Shearer, I.O.U. to J.J. Embrey for $7.50. On the back is an ANS W.A. Williams saying that payment in full was received, 1 Jul 1889.
Item 75: Receipt, 1 Jul 1889: ADS Denny & Green, receipt to Matthew Shearer for clothing, $5.00.
Item 76: Receipt, 1 Jul 1889: DS Wallace & Rice, receipt to Bud Shearer for clothing, $41.25.
Item 77: Receipt, 2 Jun 1890: DS Jonathon G. Taylor, receipt to Caleb Shearer for a cart wheel, $5.60.
Item 78: Receipt, 21 Sep 1891: DS D.M. Bright, receipt to Absalom Shearer for payment due in 1890, $25.25.
Item 79: Receipt, 13 Mar 1891: DS J.W. Baker, receipt to Caleb Shearer for $45.25 in payment of Revenue, County Levy and Railroad Tax with a note that it was paid by Thomas Phelps.
Item 80: Receipt, 13 Mar 1891: DS J.W. Baker, receipt to Absalom Shearer for $47.75 in payment of Revenue, County Levy and Railroad Tax with a note that it was paid by Thomas Phelps.
Item 81: Receipt, 4 Apr 1891: DS Shackelford & Gentry, receipt to Abner Shearer for nails and other items, $1.60.
Item 82: Receipt, 25 Jul 1892: DS Powers & Hagen, Dealers in Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Dye Stuff - Pure Wines and Liquors for Medical Purposes - Toilet & Fancy Articles, Books & Stationery and All Standard patent Medicines, Etc., receipt to O.M. Shearer for cigarettes, perfumery, paint, ginger and soap, $10.10.
Item 83: Receipt, 25 Sep 1893: DS P.H. Gum, receipt to Bud Shearer for rope, paint and other merchandise, $4.80.
Item 84: IOU, n.d.: Fragment, an
Item 85: Correspondence, ca.1888: ANS "Lace," with an address, L.L. Bright, Alleghaney Academy, Lexington, KY. It contains a list of initials with dollar amounts and dated 1 Feb to 1 Mar 1888. [This is probably Lacey Bright who appears on the 1880 Census as the 11 year old son of David & Laura Bright of Richmond.]
Item 86: Correspondence, 14 Mar 1893: ALS J.W. Spencer, letter addressed to Absalom Shearer & Sons discussing a $15 payment and offering to stand one of two horses "Idol Wilkes" or Umpire S." at stud for one of the Shearer's mares.
Item 87: Correspondence, 8 Feb 1895: ALS Bud Shearer, letter to Absalom Shearer addressed, "Dear Pa," describing his new job as an attendant at the Kentucky Lunatic Asylum.
Item 88: Correspondence, 14 Feb 1895: AL [Bud Shearer], letter to Abby Shearer discussing his new roommate and asking her to write to him.
Item 89: Correspondence, 26 Apr 1896: ALS C.M. Shearer, letter to R.A. Sparks discussing farming and the prospects of a job in Livingston, Ky at his "firm."
Item 90: Report Card, Mar, 1910: DS Ruth Crow, Pupil's Report, Caldwell High School, for Mary Shearer showing perfect attendance and excellence in English and Algebra.
Item 91: Report Card, Oct, 1910: DS Ruth Crow, Pupil's Report, Caldwell High School, for Mary Shearer showing perfect attendance and excellence in English and Algebra.
Item 92: Report Card, Dec, 1910: DS Ruth Crow, Pupil's Report, Caldwell High School, for Minnie Shearer showing perfect attendance and excellence in Physical Geography, Algebra and Latin.
Item 93: Report Card, Feb, 1911: DS Ruth Crow, Pupil's Report, Caldwell High School, for Minnie Shearer showing perfect attendance and excellence in Algebra and Latin.
Item 94: Report Card, 28 Oct [1911]: DS Ruth Crow, Pupil's Report, Caldwell High School, for Mary Shearer showing perfect attendance and excellence in English, Biology, Algebra and Latin.
Item 95: Note, n.d.: AN to Miss Loula, "Bessie is giving a candy pulling tonight."