This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wNHBAIB/2968 Message Board Post: Dear Shelton Families and Friends: William Robert Shelton Jr., the last male heir to Rural Plains, Hanover County, Virginia died Friday, May 5, 2006 at 5:40 pm. Mr. Shelton lived and died deeply proud of his unique American heritage. Throughout their lives, his family carried the responsibility of nurturing and preserving what they knew of their family history and graciously opened their door and hearts to countless men and women seeking their Shelton roots. He gave the ultimate gift to Shelton Genealogy when he participated in Family Tree's DNA project by contributing his Y-Chromosome sample so that other male descendants of his line may know their true genealogical lineage. His DNA sample in the Shelton Family Tree database is SH-58. William Shelton understood well the idea that many of us carrying the surname Shelton have romanticized a connection to his renowned ancestry. He believed that we should seek actively to clarify a cloudy genealogy by encouraging our families to follow his example and use science as a tool to make clear our individual Shelton Family Lineage. In addition he also made clear to me, he understood without question, that Mildred Whitaker was faulty in her research and that her composition of his family tree was inaccurate. His only sister, Mary Winn Shelton, based her memberships in genealogical societies on the assumption that Mrs. Whitaker was correct in her research. However, shortly before she died in 1967, Mary Winn became aware that her Shelton ancestry as Mrs. Whitaker proposed and published was far from the truth. Mary Winn Shelton knew that there was no evidence of proof for many of Mrs. Whitaker’s assertions. WILLIAM ROBERT SHELTON JR. William Robert Shelton Jr. a beloved citizen of Hanover County died Friday, May 5th. Born at Studley on June 14, 1920, he was the son of William Robert Shelton Sr. and Maud Greenlee Shelton. He grew up at Rural Plains, the historic Virginian home and land where the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek was fought in May of 1864. Mr. Shelton was a man proud of his American heritage. His three hundred year old home was also the birthplace of his great-great-great-aunt, Sarah Shelton, the first wife of the patriot Patrick Henry. The National Park Service plans to preserve the ancestral home and land as a National Battlefield Park. Our friend “Bill” was schooled in agriculture and operated Rural Plains Nursery for fifty years. His dearly loved sister Mary Winn Shelton died in 1967. Cherished wife Hollie Bailey Enroughty Shelton preceded him to Heaven in February 2004. He leaves behind devoted cousins and many loyal friends who are blessed to have known and loved him. The memory of his unique spirit will live on in our hearts and continue to be whispered on the wind by the countless trees he planted during his lifetime. My Father’s Home! A golden star Is burning o’er the mountains crest; Its ray of beauty points afar To that dear home, the land of rest. Victoria Anne Toms May 5, 2006