WILLIAM SHORT, b. 1613, England, d. 1659, Surry County, Virginia
married Elizabeth SYMONS, parents unknown. William Short's will was the
oldest one found in Virginia. It was found in a Wigwam.
William Short came to Virginia from England in 1635. He came from the
western part of England, probably around Plymouth. His arrival was 28 years after the
first English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia and 15 years after the Pilgrims landed at
Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. William was an early American settler.
Children:
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THOMAS SHORT, son of William Short and Elizabeth SYMONS Short, b. ca 1643.
His wife is unknown. Moved to Cabin Point, Surry Co., VA. He received a
tract of land on Burlin Swamp from his father, on a tributary of upper Chippokes Creek.
Children:
1. Robert SHORT, b. ca. 1668; m. Amy (Unknown). Living in Brunswick Co., VA.
2. William SHORT, b. ca 1670; m. Elizabeth GRIFFITH. Lived in
Prince George Co., VA
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WILLIAM SHORT (2nd son of Thomas SHORT and unknown wife), b. ca. 1670.
He lived in a section called Wyanoak Parish. He m. Elizabeth GRIFFITH,
daughter of Richard and Elizabeth GRIFFITH of Prince George Co. VA. His name appears in
court records many times in the unindexed Prince George records. He was an overseer of the
road from Wilkinson brick house to Warthen's mill, and was an appraiser of estates.
Children:
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CORNELIUS SHORT (3rd child of William SHORT and Elizabeth GRIFFITH SHORT), b. ca. 1700.
His first marriage was to (unknown) TYNES, daughter of Isaac TYNES. He
must have been a land speculator as his land was found in Henrico, Chesterfield, Amelia,
Prince Edward, and Halifax COS., VA. He had 3 children with his first wife: William,
Cornelius Jr., and John. His 2nd marriage was to Hannah HESTERLY, daughter of
Francis and Prodence HESTERLY of Henrico Co., VA. His children with Hannah were: Mary and
Francis.
Children:
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FRANCIS E. SHORT, (5th child of Cornelius SHORT Sr. And
Hannah HESTERLY), b. 1742 d. after 1809 in Wilkes Co., GA.
In 1763, 159 acres of land was conveyed from his parents to him at age
21, in Pittsylvania Co., VA. In 1779, Francis moved to Wilkes Co., GA. He may have also
lived in Oglethorpe Co., GA as he owned property there as well. His mother Hannah
accompanied him to GA.
Children:
Note: Francis also probably had daughters but their names have not been
learned.
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WILLIAM SHORT (2nd child of Francis E. SHORT and unknown wife) ca. 1774
Married, probably in Wilkes or Jasper Co., GA. Wife's name unknown. He
moved to Wilkes Co., GA in 1779 with his father and grandmother. His name appeared in the
1805 GA land lottery and was entitled to two draws. In 1821, the orphans of William
received one lottery draw meaning his wife (name unknown) was still living in GA. William
SHORT's younger brother Reuben C. SHORT was appointed guardian of William's children.
Children:
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JESSE SHORT (2nd child of William SHORT and unknown wife), b.
1803; m. Mary EVANS, 13 Jan 1825 in Wilkes Co., GA. He lived in Washington, GA and moved
to Troup Co., GA, along with his cousin Robert B. SHORT. In 1833, he was in Chambers Co.,
AL and settled on land near the town of Standing Rock. In 1850 Jesse and his family were
living in Dade County, Georgia. Around 1851, he came to Cowan, Franklin Co., TN where his
occupation was given as a farmer. His sons worked on the first railroad up the mountain to
the town now known as Sewanee.
Children:
He was a well known stone mason and helped build the University of the South.
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REUBEN BOAZ SHORT (5th child of Jesse Short and Mary EVANS),
b. 3 Jun 1836, m. 1 Dec 1866 to Julia Ann AUSTIN. Lived in Sewanee, Franklin Co., TN. He
was born in Chambers Co., AL near Standing Rock. His father Jesse and Uncle Rueben Short
were among the original white settlers of Chambers Co. It is thought that his parents came
to Franklin Co., TN between 1851 and 1855. They lived on a farm in the Cowan, TN area.
Reuben was a veteran of the Civil War. Died 2 Mar 1898, Sewanee, TN. Buried in University
Cemetery at Sewanee.
Children:
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DAVID WASHINGTON SHORT (8th child of Reuben Boaz SHORT and
Julia Ann AUSTIN SHORT), b. 4 Jan 1875. He m. Litha Leitha BARNES, daughter of George and
Nancy MCKNIGHT BARNES on 19 Feb 1903 in Winchester, TN. David was 28 years old and Litha
20 years old when they were married. Litha's mother, Nancy Jane MCKNIGHT BARNES and
David's mother, Julia Ann AUSTIN SHORT were half sisters, and daughters of Mary GIBSON
AUSTIN MCKNIGHT WEAVER. He died 4 Oct 1951, Sewanee, TN.
Children:
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JOSEPH "REECE" SHORT (2nd child of David Washington SHORT and
Litha Leitha BARNES SHORT), b. 6 Dec 1905, m. Lou Lemuel Phoebe Irene SULLIVAN, daughter
of John Duncan SULLIVAN and Augusta PASSONS SULLIVAN.
Children:
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