| Esther Shill (1894-1982) | = | George Frederick Ford (?1874-1944) |
| James Albert Rudman Shill (1860 - ?) | = | Harriett Ladd (1862 - ?) |
| Sarah Ann Shill (1841 - ?) | = | (father unknown, maybe a Rudman?) |
| Mary Ann Shill (1823 - ?) | = | (father unknown) |
| Thomas Shill (c.1786 - ?1838?) | = | Sarah Biddle (c.1790 - ?1852?) |
"A shill is a confidence trickster's accomplice who pretends to be an enthusiastic customer in order to encourage the victim, or mark. ("I can walk!", or "I can see!", or "I'll buy ten!"). The technique employs group dynamics as an element of crowd psychology: the victim comes to feel that he or she stands in good company, has good judgement, and should not miss this opportunity. The word is probably an abbreviation of shillaber, which has the same meaning, and appeared early in the 20th century from an unknown origin." Read more....
The Shill family originates in Cirencester (at present state of play) with Thomas Shill. In the 1851 Census, there are also the following Shills born in Cirencester: David (1814, a gardener at Chesterton House), Henry (1827, moved to Portsmouth, a shoemaker), William (1802, a Greenwich pensioner and his family). There is also mention of a John (b.1803), Richard (b.1818) and Cordelia (b.1811). Were these any relation?
The Shill name seems to originate generally from Gloucestershire.
Created by: Sam Edwards, 2005.
Email me: samsheep@yahoo.com