Dortha "Shell" Newsome, Per Dr. William M. Pritchett's book, "Civil War Soldiers From Brunswick County, Virginia" there were numerous Shells in Brunswick Co. during the war. I feel quite sure there is a connection since there are not very many of them. In the book, the oldest, (father of several soldiers) was Edmund W. Shell who married Rebecca Carroll. Edmund was born about 1817. Edmund's mother was named "NANCY" . The 1860 census listed Edmund and Rebecca with 6 sons; Richard Jordan Shell, William J. Shell, John B. Shell, Henry Turner Shell, Charles Edward Shell, and Thomas T. Shell. This Rebecca Carroll died during the war and Edmund remarried. The 2nd wife, Martha Mitchell, died after the birth of one child, then Edmund married Martha Jackson, daughter of Asberry Jackson and Sally Doyle. Edmund and this last wife, Martha Jackson were my 3rd great grandparents. I know this does not answer your question, but thoght you may be interested. Tracy Clary, Brunswick Co., VA