Spouse: Benjamin Singleton
Birth: abt 1780      Fauquier Co. VA
Death: 18 May 1846            Hardin Co. KY

Children: 
1. Mary (Polly) (1803-1860)
2. John (1808-1879)
3. Eliza

There is some disagreement among researchers as to the father of Mary Shumate. He most likely is one of the well documented Shumates, descended from Daniel de la Shumate. John Shumate died in Nelson Co., KY in about 1794, and was old enough to have had Mary Shumate as his daughter. John's son Nimrod Shumate marred in Nelson Co. KY in 1796. The census show no other likely Shumates in Nelson Co. at the time, so I conclude John Shumate is the only possible father of Mary Shumate.

Caroline Robers tells us that,

Mary Elizabeth Shumate that married Benjamin Singleton, wrote a poem about the American Revolution that has been passed down to our Family through 7 Female generations. It is called "My Great Grandmother's Gift", This poem was written by Mary E. Shumate Singleton in 1857, she was 77 years old.

My Great Grandmother's Gift

The mystic tree of liberty~ Our Fathers planted here;
And did bequeath, to all their sons, To cultivate with care.
Behold her stately standing now, All dressed in living green,
Amongst the noble of the earth, She stands - a noted queen.
Her boughs are spreading far and wide, Ladened with choice fruit,
To gladden the hearts of mortal men, And make his mind acute.
Thanks to the Sons of Liberty, Who guard the root so well,
And on her boughs they will not let, the little vermin dwell.
She holds the scepter in her hand, No king can enter there~
No mitered head can ever breathe, Her sweet salubrious air.
Great Washington who drew his sword, And marched into the field,
He fought the battles for his land, And made Cornwallis yield.
Columbia's sons in triumph praised, While Britain stood aghast,
And did behold the hand of God, That made the great contrast.
Look on your tree when I am gone, And resting in my grave!
A memorial of your fathers works, The noble and the brave.

She also made a Quilt Block to go with the poem that I have a photo of and can send you if would like. It is because of this poem that I thought that her father or someone close to her fought in the Revolution. 1

Also from the same source:

Mary E. Shumate married Benjamin Singleton in 1796 in Nelson County, KY. Daniel Shumate, John Shumate and Nimrod Shumate all show up around her later. Because John only mentions his wife and 1 child, Nimrod, I think she may be a sister to Nimrod and a daughter of John, but I have no proof. 1

1. From web: http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=345&p=surnames.shumate
a posting by Caroline Rober (genealogist from California)

This page was prepared by Charles Hartley.