Had seven children with Elizabeth Hershberger, nine children with Susannah Rothgreg, and no issue with Magdeline Yowell, according to the History and Genealogy of the Bieber, Beaver, Biever, Beeber Family, by the Reverend Irvin M. Beaver (Reading, Pennsylvania; 1939), page 598.

The house which Daniel Beaver had built in 1821 for his father and family, was located on land settled by Benjamin Strickler, and is now known as the Shirley House. It had the same "I-House" architectural style, as the house built by his first cousin, once removed, Henry Beaver, in Santa Rosa, California in 1853.

From Architectual Survey of Page County, (Virgina Historical Landmarks Commission, VA: 1974), np:

THOMAS SHIRLEY HOUSE (Hamburg 7.5) farmhouse; brick, Flemish bond facade with diapering, 5 course American bond rear and end walls; 2 stories; gable roof with moulded brick cornice; semi-exterior end chimneys; built circa 1821; additions include 2-story brick wing with interior end chminey and gable roof; outbuildings include brick wash house.

Erected by Daniel Beaver, the Shirley House is now in a state of deterioration. Chiefly notable for its interesting ornamental brickwook and well preserved outbuildings, the Shirley House also has some original interior woodwork including six panel doors with early hardware. With this combination of interior and exterior decorative detailing coupled with survival of several early outbuildings, the Shirley House is of major architectural significance to Page County.

When I was in the Massanutten area for the first time in 2004, I spent some time attempting to locate this house without success after seeing the above picture of it in the Luray Libary. It of course, had since been extensively remodeled since that time and the "I-House" had been converted into an "L".

From Old Homes of Page County, Virginia, by Jennie Ann Kerkhoff (Lauck and Company, Inc., Luray, VA: 1962), pp. 69 - 72:

Right in the "heart of the Massanutton Old Fields" is the Thomas R. Shirley, Sr. home, a large brick structure built in 1821 by Daniel Beaver. The property is owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Shirley, Sr.

The Shirley farm is where the pioneer, Benjamin Strickler located when he, with his three brothers, Jacob, Joseph and John, came to this Valley from Pennsylvania in the very early 1700's. The oldest brother, Jacob, located opposite the mouth of Mill Creek and his deed was dated 1731. Joseph lived on the property now known as Egypt and John owned property on the west side of the river between Newport and Grove Hill.

According to Harry M. Strickler's "Forerunners", in 1767 Benjamin Strickler purchascd 188 acres from Adam Painter (where Shirley farm is located). In 1776 he obtained a patent for 300 acres adjoining the Painter tract and in 1768 he obtained 150 acres from Lewis Selser and other lands, all adjoining, amounting to more than 600 acres.

Benjamin Strickler was a son of Abraham Strickler, tbe pioneer. He married Miss Mary Beidler and tbey were tbe parents of at least four children: Samuel, who married Christina Burner; Ann, who married Michael Rhodes (who was captured by tha Indians when the Rhodes family was massacred in 1764); Daniel, who married Margaret Crabill and David, who married Elizabeth Strickler.

In 1791 Isaac Strickler qualified as administrator of the estate of Benjamin Strickler and Abraham Beidler (Buydler), Michael Roth (Rhodes) and another as sureties. Philip Long, Christian Shelly and Daniel Mauck were appraisers. The 600 acres were sold to Henry Forrer in 1799 but Isaac later owned it. Benjamin is believed to have been buried in the old cemetery near the Shirley home in Massanutton.

Nancy Strickler, daughter of Isaac, married John Beaver and she inherited from her father the 600 acre farm and it was there that they reared their large family. They had 14 children. Many of the Beavers are also buried in the old cemetery on the Shirley farm,

It was Daniel Beaver, son of John and Nancy Strickler Beaver, who is believed to have built the Shirley home in 1821.

Martin Shirley of near New Market in Shenandoah County, came to the Page Valley and purchased the farm just prior to the Civil War. lIe was the grandfather of Thomas R. Shirley, Sr. and a brother of Major Christian Shirley of Civil War fame.

The Shirley home is a large, two-story brick structure, built L-shaped facing the "old road" through Massanutton. The road now passes to the rear of the house.

The front portion is the oldest part and this section contains two large rooms on the first floor and two on the second floor. Another section was added later by Martin Shirley and the house now has eight large rooms. The bricks were "burned" right on the property, as was the custom in those days, and Mr. Shirley stated that when the ground is plowed, chips of brick are often turned by the plow.

At the present time there are two stairways in the house, one having been dismantled when some remodeling was done, and five usable fireplaces (the one in the kitchen is closed). The doors and windows are huge and the sills are of limestone. The "doorknobs", if that is what you would call them, are most unusual and were handmade. ...