Hi Sally
Greetings from the Cider county
Glad you are well
I think you are right about them staying with the free mason's when they got to the U.S. as that side of the family all seamed to be involed here in England in the 1800's.
In answer to your other question yes.
William T Shappley Com G 34th Mississippi Inf.
Samuel J Shappley Com H 19TH Mississippi Inf.
The 2 boys and I are first cousins 4x removed.
I guess we are all just good old rebel's at heart.
Norman