John Shields

See discussion under William Shields (1600) and also under his 2 oldest sons William and James Shields

It is generally believed that John Shields' family came to Maryland about 1738/1739, and settled in Frederick County.

Note: According to John A. Shields, John Shields sailed for America in 1739 with his son William, who was 12 at the time. John died en route and was buried at sea. His son William arrived at Newcastle, Delaware of Maryland and lived for two years with cousins, settling later in Frederick County Maryland. His great-great-grandson was a United States senator from Tennessee.

It has recently been decided that John A. Shields was in error. John Shields was born and died in Ireland. His son William was the one who died at sea en route to America. However ... according to William Hathaway, John died at sea and his son William survived and stayed with the Hathaways for two years.

Some sources (including John Edgar Shields) say John was born in 1650.