Individual Details

Birth

James Shaw was born on 5 March 1757 at Belfast, Antrium, Northern Ireland. At age 9, James's residence was at Derryvullan, Ireland. His immigration to America was in 1770 or 1771 and York County, Pennsylvania became his new home. In 1774, at the age of 17 he joined the miltary. James Shaw, who did valiant service in the Revolution, served under General Neville, and was at Three Rivers, Albany retreat, Trenton, Germantown, and Brandywine. Later in served as an Indian Spy during the Revolutionary War in Pennsylvania, New York and Canada until the end of the war. On March 5th, 1778 he was married to Anna Jolly, daughter of James and Maddie Jane Jolly, at York, York, Pennsylvania. During his life he had lived at Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (age 22), Limestone, Kentucky (age 39), and Campbell, Campbell, Kentucky (age 53) until death (age 66) at Alexandria, Campbell, Kentucky.
Notes of Tombstones in Stephen's Farm Cemetery by Gordon W. Shaw, 273 Rose Hill, Versailles,Ky., 40383. Stephen's Farm Cemetery, a private cemetery located on "Uncle Tom's" Alford's farm near Alexander, Ky.

Military

"Will Book B, p. 109, 18 Oct 1823, recorded 26 Jan 1824. Names wife Anne Shaw. Children mentioned but not all named. Daughter Elizabeth, Sons John Shaw of Clermont County, Ohio and Robert Shaw of Campbell County. Executors, sons John and Robert. Witnesses, Solomon Trusdell and Jacob Trusdell."

Also:

"Came to America about 1770-1771 at age 15 (to York Co., Pennsylvania). When Revolutionary War broke out, he enlisted in the army under Lafayette, serving throughout the war. Brought his wife and family to Alexandria (Campbell Co., KY) in 1795 where he secured and improved considerable wild land. Served under General Neville and was at Trenton, Germantown, and Brandywine. In 1790 moved to Limestone, now Maysville, KY. Five years later to Campbell County, KY. He is listed in the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolutionary Patriotic Index, 1966.
The DAR record Sheet for Helen Armacost Stoecklin (one of James' descendants) says: James Shaw, born 1757, Ireland, from York, PA, married Anna Jolly. He served in Revolutionary war as a private in the Pennsylvania line in the company commanded by Capt. David Grier, of the regiment commanded by Col. Irvin. He also served under Capt. John Lord (or Lard) and Capt. John Sherrer. He served as an Indian spy."
I have not been able to reconcile these two very different descriptions of his service. See the item below from "History of Clermont Co OH" for support of the former description. I have been able to find a James Shaw from York Co PA who satisfies the second description above, but am not convinced he is our JAMES SHAW.
Also from Boyd:
"James was bound out at age 15 coming alone to America in about 1770. The family he was bound to settled in York Co., PA.
Enlisted as a private in Captain David Grier's company, Colonel Irvine's Pennsylvania regiment from York Co., PA, 4 Jan 1776. Went north in the invasion of Canada and fought in the battle of Three Rivers where 23 soldiers of his company were captured. He was wounded in the right hip. Retreated to Albany NY where he spent time in a hospital until his discharge in Dec 1776. He later served one tour of two months as a volunteer and one tour of two months as a substitute and was involved in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. [so this description bridges both]
After his marriage the family moved to Westmoreland County, PA in December 1779. James again entered the service as a lieutenant and Indian spy and continued in such service until the end of the war (SHA-3 [I believe this cited source is "James Shaw, Campbell County, Kentucky", Margaret Strebel Hartman, self-published, 1962, Newport, KY, FHL 1,033,960, pt. 8]
The Shaw family moved to Limestone (now Maysville), KY in 1796, but shortly after settled near Alexandria, Campbell Co, KY where he secured and improved considerable wild land. He and was [sic] listed in 1800 as a taxpayer (1 Sep) from Campbell Co., KY. They were the only Shaws in county. Appointed Surveyor of the road from Mrs. Stevenses to the sag on the ridge on the Washington Road in the room and precinct of Timothy Raredon. Ordered that he keeps the same in repair according to law. Newport, Campbell County Court Order Book A, p. 262, June 1801. Others were called to help. p. 265, July 1801.
Purchased from Benjamin Beall, 382 3/4 acres being on Wells Creek (aka 12 Mile Creek). Campbell County Deed Book C, p. 193, 30 Sep 1807. Witnessed by John Shaw.
His home was near Robert Shaw.
Maintained Reuben Blanchard, orphan, four months and 10 days at $15 per month by order of Campbell County Court. Paid $65 and $15 for funeral expenses.
James completed papers for a Revolutionary War pension in 24 Jul 1822 but they were never submitted. He lists his estate as 300 acres of hilly land worth not more than $100. 1 horese ($25), 3 cows ($15), 10 sheep ($5), 6 hogs ($6), 2 bears ($20), household and kitchen utensels ($15), 1 plough ($2), 1 axe ($1), 3 hoes ($1); total $190 (SHA-3 [see above])."
History of Clermont Co OH, p 400:
"In this neighborhood also settled about the same time John Shaw, who was born in York Co., Pa., July 15, 1779. His father was James Shaw, who did valiant service in the Revolution, serving under Gen. Neville, and was at Trenton, Germantown, and Brandywine. In 1790 he moved with his family to Maysville, Ky., and five years later to Campbell County, of the same State, about three miles west of New Richmond, where he opened a large farm and lived until his death. Of his six sons, John, the eldest, purchased a tract of land in Ohio about 1800, having been led to see its beauty and fertility before the country was settled, while hunting on this side of the river. ... [See son John for more of this reference]"
NB, "three miles west of New Richmond [Clermont Co, OH]" is about halfway between New Richmond OH and Alexandria KY [Campbell Co], just over the Ohio River in KY.
Maureen Webb 1993:
"Annie [SHAW] had an aunt, Jane Shaw, who married Jonathan Riggs. Jonathan was a General in the War of 1812. Annie's father, James Shaw was b PA and d in TX. His father was James Shaw, his mother was Anna." [Jonathan got his generalship in the Black Hawk War, not 1812]
Shaw GenForum postings:
19 Dec 1993:
"My info says James Shaw b. 1755? Cork Co. Ireland, m. Anna b. 1808, Kentucky. Their child, James, b. 1811 married 1. Nancy Riggs 2. Julia Reed. Son from 2nd marr, Marcus Henry Shaw 1856-1935 m. Emma Colbert in Lincoln Co., Missouri." [The James who married Nancy Riggs is son of John Shaw; the James who married Julia Reed is son of JAMES SHAW, brother of John Shaw.]