—Scared Shifflett
A: Well ’fraidy cat, Ace delved into the annals of Virginia Colonial history seeking answers to your query. But before Ace regurgitates his research findings, yours truly, being a well-integrated member of Charlottesville’s social circle and acquaintance of many a Shifflett, can tell you that the names Shifflett, Shiflett, Shifflette, can I get a Shifflette?, Shiflet and even Schiflett have been around these parts for centuries.
Genealogists and researchers concur that most of the 599 Shiffletts listed in the Charlottesville phonebook (the two Fs-two Ts-no terminal E spelling being the most common) are descendants of the first Shifflett known to reach the New World, John Shiflet. One of numerous 18th-century opportunists, Shiflet arrived in King William County in 1712 to get his piece of Virginia’s sweet Colonial land distribution deal.
According to files at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society, John Shiflet begat what would prove to be an extremely fertile family. At the turn of the 19th century, numerous Shifflett clans had upwards of 11 children each, and the family’s record of fecundity didn’t stop there. In the late 1900s, Althea Shifflett and Gallant Shifflett of Albemarle County died, leaving behind 26 and 24 grandchildren, and 32 and 15 great-grandchildren, respectively. In 1973 Betty and Jimmy Shifflett of Earlysville gave birth to triplets on Christmas day, to give a few illustrative examples.
Those who think the Shiffletts have a reputation as “moonshiners and backwoods marksmen,” as claimed by a 1994 article in The Daily Progress, have most likely overlooked the Shifflett history of community involvement, military service and, in some cases, exceptional athletic talent. Ace’s trek to the historical society revealed countless military records of Shiffletts who fought in both world wars, the Civil War and Vietnam. Earl J. Shiflet was Virginia’s Secretary of Education in 1972. And Barry Shifflett, who graduated from Western Albemarle High School, was drafted to play baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986.
So when it comes to family pride, this tribe is not found wanting. One Charlottesville Shiflett even pimped his ride family style, ordering a license plate with the characters “1F & 2TS.”
So, Scared, Ace recommends you chill it. The Shiffletts aren’t invading, they’ve just been around and abundant for eons. Ace hopes you note that he refrained from taking offense that you didn’t inquire about the colorful Atkins family. He assumes that’s because you’re already aware of the virtues of the low-carb culinary regimen. If the other Atkinses could convince the populace that bread, fruit and flour are bad for you, it’s no wonder Ace can report with such aptitude and cunning wit.