Ruth Rockhold Matlock Shell was born between 1790-1795 in Carter County, Tennessee. Her father was Dawson (Dosen) Rockhold and her mother was Ruth Ford. Ruth Rockhold married William H Matlock on April 17, 1817 in Carter County, Tennessee. He deserted her and relocated to White County, Tennessee. It is said they divided up their children. I do not know if they ever got a divorce, but Ruth married Andrew Johnson Shell on 3 April 1833 in Carter County, Tennessee. They were the parents of 2 sons. Ruth is said to have died in 1837. I do not know where Andrew and Ruth Shell are buried so I created the Shell-Rockhold Cemetery as a virtual cemetery so they would not be forgotten.

father
DAWSON (Dosen) ROCKHOLD (son of Asel Rockhold and Anne Rowe)
B: 1752 in Ann Arundel, Maryland
D: 1840 in Washington, Tennessee

mother
RUTH FORD
Birth 1739 in Somerset, Pennsylvania
Death 1804 in Bluff City, Sullivan, Tennessee

1st spouse
William H Matlock
Birth 1798 in Buncombe, North Carolina
Death 22 JUNE 1864 in Ruff Station, Georgia now called Smyrna, Cobb Co, Georgia


2nd spouse
Andrew Johnson Shell
Birth 1770 in North Carolina
Death 3 JUL 1843 in Watauga, Carter, Tennessee

children of Ruth and William Matlock
Sparta, Tn 1813–1880
*Lucinda Jane Matlock Lindsey 1817–
*Sarah Finney Matlock 1818–1844
*Elcana D. "Cainy" Matlock 1820–1868
*Catharine Matlock Howell 1824–
*James T. or F. Matlock 1828–unknown
Eleana Matlock
(there is a Harrison Matlock in White co, Tennessee but I do not believe he is their child-from another line of Matlock)
* came to White County, Tennessee though all were born in Carter County, Tennessee

children of Andrew and Ruth Shell
1 Aaron Shell, Sr.
Birth 13 April 1831 in Watauga, Carter, Tennessee
Death 19 July 1913 in Washington, Tennessee

2 Pvt Alfred Noah Shell
Birth 13 April 1833 in Watauga, Carter, Tennessee
Death 9 November 1902 in Watauga, Carter, Tennessee