Robert Chappel Shill biography by Lucy Brown Archer

Robert Chappel Shill

Born: June 7 1789 at Colesborne, Gloucestershire, England

Died: October 6, 1855 at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri

Compiled by Lucy Brown Archer

Robert Chappel Shill was born on June 7, 1789 the natural son of Robert Chappel, a seaman on a ship out of London, and Mary Shill. It is not known why the children took the name of Shill. Robert was christened on June 14, 1789 at Colesborne, Gloustershire, England. (Note difference in spelling of this city.)

Robert had one sister, Ann Shill, christened September 17, 1786, also at Colesborne.

Robert C. Shill was three years old when his mother married Thomas Lawrence on the 30th of September 1792 at Colesborne. They were sealed by proxy in Marriage on October 12th 1894 at the Logan Temple. Both children, Ann and Robert, were sealed by proxy to their mother and Mr. Lawrence on January 21st, 1954 in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Robert Shill as a young man with a winning smile met and fell in love with Prudence Golding, also of Colesborne.
After a period of courtship, Robert age 20, and Prudence about 19, were married on the 30th of May 1809 at Syde (Shipton), Glocesterhire, England. Prudence is the daughter of Robert John Golding and Joan Mary Perry of England. She is one of eight children.

Robert and Prudence had lived in a small farming community all of their lives and raised their family of 12 children on a farm as stated by their son, Charles Golding Shill.

The 1851 Colesborne Census records listed Robert as an agriculture laborer, age 62, and Prudence his wife, age 61.

When the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints preached the gospel the family, being much impressed and convinced of the truthfullness of this new religion, their two sons George and Charles were baptized on the 13 of May 1846. Prudence entered the waters of baptism on the 11th of July 1846, and her husband Robert was baptised seven months later on the 2nd of February 1847. Both were baptized by their son Charles, who later baptized other members of the family.

The Shill family were very active in the Church and desireous of sharing the joy's of blessings of the gospel with others. Their home was open at all times to the missionaries and converts and many meetings were held there.

Prudence's greatest concern was always for her family. A letter written to her son Charles Golding Shill in London about 1850 where he had gone with his wife and child to seek employment, showed great concern for their welfare. Thanking him for the love and concern of his parents, his kindness and thoughtfulness to other members of his family. She also mentions Andrew "Drew" Bird (Ann Shill) and Charles Wager Richins (Louisa Shill) who later married her two daughters. Prudence died on the 13th of September 1851, soon after writing this letter.

After the death of his wife, grandfather Robert C. Shill was welcomed into the home of his son Charles Golding Shill and his family, here he was cared for and had a good home. It had always been his desire to journey to America to join his sons and daughters and the Saints who were already in Zion. So when Charles and his family sailed from England, grandfather Robert went with them.

They set sail on the ship "Chimborazo" April 1855, landing in Philadelphia in May, then by rail to Pittsburg, on down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi River to St. Louis.

Their dream of joining the Saints in Zion had to be postponed due to lack of funds. In St. Louis, Charles found work as a carpenter and provided for his little family. His work took him away from home and he returned only on weekends. One Monday morning as Charles was leaving for work grandfather Robert bade him "Good-bye", saying, "I shall never see thee again my son." When Charles returned home that weekend Robert had passed away, October 6, 1855. Just 6 months after leaving his beloved England and 4 years after his wife and sweetheart of 42 years had been laid to rest, the mother of his 12 children.

His dream of joining the Saints in Zion was finally realized. He was buried at St. Louis, Missouri.