Mary Melissa Shelby

HAIRSTON.org ID#1716, b. 12 October 1835, d. 25 June 1923
Father*John Milton SHELBY b. 30 Jan 1806, d. 23 Jan 1872
Mother*Amanda F. RUDISILL b. 13 Jan 1813, d. 6 Mar 1884
Birth*Mary Melissa Shelby was born on 12 October 1835 in Tennessee.1,2,3,4

 
She was the daughter of John Milton SHELBY and Amanda F. RUDISILL. 
Census 1850Mary Melissa Shelby appeared on the 1850 census of John Milton SHELBY on 6 November 1850 in District 7, Shelby, Tennessee; John M Shelby 46 (blacksmith, b. NC), Amanda 36 (b. NC), Amanuel 16, Mary 14, Susan 12, Jas 10, Margaret 6, Nerissa 3, Danl 8/12. all children born in Tennessee. John Milton Shelby was a blacksmith with property valued at $6,000.3

Marriage*Mary Melissa Shelby married William Benjamin Williamson on 27 March 1860. 
Census 1860Mary Melissa Shelby appeared on the 1860 census of William Benjamin Williamson on 19 September 1860 in 7th District, Shelby, Tennesse; William B. Williamson 27 TN, Mary M. Williamson 21 TN, Scynthia M.Williamson 63 SC, Emily T. Williamson 22 TN.5 
Census 1870Mary Melissa Shelby appeared on the 1870 census of William Benjamin Williamson on 28 June 1870 in 7th District, Shelby, Tennessee; Williams, W.B. 35, Molly 32, Mary 8, John 6, Maggie 2 and Leven 2 (all born Tennessee).6 
WillIn John Milton SHELBY's will dated 27 September 1870 in Shelby, Tennessee, Mary Melissa Shelby was named as an heir.
Census 1880She appeared on the 1880 census of William Benjamin Williamson on 18 June 1880 in 7th Civil District, Shelby, Tennessee; Williamson, W. B., 47, wife M. M. 44, daughter H. M. 18, son J. B. 16, daughter M. R. 14, daughter L. M. 12, son M. B. 7 (all born in Tennessee).7 
Death Spouse*Her husband, William Benjamin Williamson, died on 8 July 1897. 
Census 1900Mary Melissa Shelby appeared on the 1900 census of Nicholas Blackwell Williamson on 13 June 1900 in Shelby, Tennessee; Williamson, Nicholas B. 27, wife Luisa M. 25, mother Mary M. 64 widow with 4 of 5 children still living and both parents born in North Carolina. 
Census 1910Mary Melissa Shelby appeared on the 1910 census of Nicholas Blackwell Williamson on 27 April 1910 in Shelby, Tennessee; Williamson, N. B. 36 widow, mother Martha 74 widow.8 
Census 1920Mary Melissa Shelby appeared on the 1920 census of Nicholas Blackwell Williamson on 5 January 1920 in Ward 22, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee; Williamson, Nick B. 47, wife Jessie 54, mother Mary 84.9 
Death*Mary Melissa Shelby died on 25 June 1923 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, at age 87.1,2 
Burial*She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee.1,10 
Obituary*DIED -- WILLIAMSON -- At residence, Ellendale, Tenn., Monday morning, June 25, 1923, at 7 o'clock, Mrs. Mary M. Williamson, aged 88 years, mother of Mrs. Lula M. Thomas, Mrs. W.H. Taylor, N.B. and J.S. Williamson. Funeral services will be held in parlors of Spencer Company, 246 Madison Ave., this (Tuesday) morning at 11 o'clock. Friends invited. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery. -- The Commercial Appeal, Tuesday, June 26, 1923, page 7.

MRS. WILLIAMSON DIES -- Death of Ellendale Woman Came Yesterday Morning. -- Mrs. Mary M. Williamson, resident of Ellendale, Tenn, died yesterday morning at the age of 88 years. She had been in gradually declining health for some time, according to reports. The end came at the home of her son, N. B. Williamson of Ellendale. Mrs. Williamson was the daughter of J. Milton Shelby, late resident of the Bartlett community, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby County. She is survived by two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Lula M. Thomas and Mrs. W. H. Taylor of Memphis and J. S. Williamson of Raleigh and N. B. Williamson. Funeral services will be held in the parlors of Spencer Company, 246 Madison Avenue, this morning at 11 o'clock, the Rev. F. D. Daniels of Third Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will take place in Elmwood Cemetery. - The Commercial Appeal, Tuesday, June 26, 1923, page 10.10 

Family

William Benjamin Williamson b. a 1833, d. 8 Jul 1897
Children

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S48] Photo of Grave Marker - only photos of grave markers that are contemporary to the deceased individuals death are acceptable for genealogical proof. Find-a-Grave, personal photos and other sources.
  2. [S51] Death Certificate.
  3. [S1850] 1850 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  4. [S1900] 1900 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S1860] 1860 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  6. [S1870] 1870 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  7. [S1880] 1880 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  8. [S1910] 1910 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  9. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  10. [S257] Obituary.
Last Edited19 Jun 2026