Sherrard Family History (Transcribed)

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Introduction

The following is from a very faded typewritten copy. It was typed on letterhead bearing the imprint of Bobenmyer, Sherrard & Randolph, Manufacturers and Contractors of Crushed Stone and Stone Roads. The letterhead also bears a preprinted place and date: Oakwood, Ohio ________ 190___. (Note: Mary Sherrard Upson died in February 1904, so it would have been written before then.) At the top of the page are printed the names of Chas. Bobenmyer, A. C. Sherrard M.D., and Oscar Randolph. Whether the pages were actually typed by Mary Sherrard Upson or by someone else we do not know. From the dates mentioned in the body of the information, it appears the genealogy was written after Jan 25, 1900. No information on where A. C. Sherrard, M.D. fits into this family.

Sherrard Genealogy

To my sister, the only one of my father's family who inherits his likeness, these pages are affectionately dedicated. The following pages are written for the purpose of leaving a record of my father's Michael Sherrard's, family history as can be found at this late date.

For many years I have tried to collect all the evidence that would be of benefit in this work of love, at first the inquiries were just for my own interest, and were mostly gathered from my older brothers and sisters who had previously been told facts by our David Sherrard of Putnam Co. Ohio.

My father, Michael Sherrard, was born July 2nd (?) 1796 at Gary Town Berkly County West Virginia, and was a descendent of the French Huguenots who were driven out of France for religious beliefs.

No class of immigrants have contributed in proportion to their number a greater share of the prosperity, intelectual progress and refinement of the United States than have these exiles; they were almost without exception persons of superior social standing and good education.

Because of Catholic persecution in France the Huguenots were driven out and as early as 1555 attempts were made, but without success, to establish Huguenot colonies in Brazil and Florida. My ancestors fled to Scotland and after many years a whole clan of Sherrards emigrated to the north of Ireland in the County of Derry in and around Newton, Linarardy and Colerain, also the town of Londendery.

It was from here that my ancestor, John Sherrard, son of David Sherrard, came to America and it was here he married Miss Matlocks, from this union nine children were born named as follows: John, Rev. David, William, Henry and Michael, twins, Margaret, Jane, Martha, James, and Abraham. After the death of his wife in 1806, John Sherrard went to West Virginia and the following year he married a second wife, Miss Tabitha Smith, following are the names of the children by the second marriage: Rachel, Joseph, Sarah, Charlotte, Geo. W., Samuel, Hobert and Carlyle.

The above records were written by my Grandfather John Sherrard and were taken from his family bible. In 1849, Aug. 24, he died at the age of 70 years.

My father, son of the above named John Sherrard, married Miss Mary Hoover, daughter of Jacob and Susan Sarver <sic> Hoover, Virginia planters. After the birth of my parents second child they moved to Zanesville, Ohio, where they lived many years, afterward going to Quincy, Logan County, Ohio and in 1849 moved to Clayton County Iowa where my father lived a little less than a year, he died July 1st, 1850. His wife, Mary, survived him nineteen years and died at my home in West Union Iowa Oct. 16, 1869. Nine children were the result of their union, their names I will give later on in this brief history.

Having followed the different branches of the Sherrard family down to my fathers family, I now turn to the antiquties of the Sherrard family, some of this knowledge I have gained from my uncle, David Sherrard, who was 97 years old at the time of his death in 1882, and some of it from a book of genealogy of another branch of the Sherrard family, but whose ancesters were the same as mine.

We have authentic proof of a record of the Sherrard family in tabular form over three feet long by one broad, this traces the family back to Rezeat (?) whose father came over from France with William, Duke of Normandy, in 1750. There was more added to this record showing the pedigree of both the Scotch and Irish branches.

There is a printed record of a collection antiqities of the Sherrard family as far back as 1490 as follows: 1st - a coat of arms; 2nd - a motto and crest with supporters very handsomely done, this is a fine work of art; 3rd - a mounted engraving 12 by 18 inches showing the effigies and truth of Geoffrey and Jean Sherrard in 1490, allied lines around the border; 4th another engraving showing 15 effigies, added to the above are a few lines of printed matter with illustrations that give more of the family history, unfortunately this has been lost.

Following I give the names of my parents: Michael and Mary Hoover Sherrard's, nine children: Henry, Elizabeth, John, Joseph Hamilton, William Hamilton, David, Amelia, Mary Jane and Martin VanBuren. But four are now living, Joseph H., William H., Amelia and Mary Jane. Both David and Martin VanBuren were soldiers in the civil war and owing to many hardships and experiences their health was destroyed and they died in early manhood. That those who read may know the state of health my brother Joseph enjoys, I quote from the Ventura Chronicle dated Jan. 25, 1900.

A Ventura County Patriarch who has more descendents than old Jacob, Rev. J. H. Sherrard of Bardsdale this county, is in many respects a remarkable man, he is 75 years old and has 138 children, grand children, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, 102 of whom are now living, all descendents of one wife. Mr. Sherrard informed the Chronicle that old Jacob of Bible times lived to be 120 years old and at the time of his death had but 78 children and had four wives. Mr. Sherrard is a native of Ohio and went to Iowa in 1849, to Texas in 1853 and to California in 1882, he preached several years in Texas and has filled 1? appointments made by the M. E. Church south in California. At the present time he works hard every day, eats well, sleeps well, and is as healthy as a bear, he has a splendid set of teeth and they are his third set. Mr. Sherrard uses no tobacco nor intoxicating drinks, his mental faculties are bright, his eye sight good, and he is as happy as a school boy, we have found him to be an intellectual genius, a kind and good man, that he has had a busy and useful life is very apparent. After an active business life spent mostly in Texas he started in the ministry, a desire he had long wished for.

The following I quote from a Texas paper: "When Mr. Sherrard entered the ministry the world lost one of its finest and most active business men, but the ministry gained a faithful and devoted follower."

When quite young Joseph married Lucinda Rhodes, nine children resulted from this union: Geo. Emery, Mary Ellen, Jacob Michael, Rachel Jane, Henry Hamilton, Isabel, Joseph Bolivar, Calvin and Perry. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Hannah Riley and after her death he married Miss Amanda McGowen his present wife.

After my fathers death my brother William filled the great vacancy in our home and became both a father and a brother to we younger children. He gave up all for the sake of his widowed mother, and through his untireing gentle devotion was loved and respected by all who knew him. In 1853 he crossed the plains and endured many trials and hardships, the same journey we now make in a few days and with very little inconvenience as the prairie schooner of 53 is lost to view in the dust left in the wake of the palace car of today. In 1853 William married Miss Sarah Denning. Below I give the names of their ten children: Mary, Hattie, Lincoln, David, Addie, Stephen, Lizzie, and Martin, David and Stephen are now dead. William has taken part in the Indian wars in Oregon, at present he resides with his wife in Coon Bay Oregon, may the good Lord bless and keep him is our prayer for he shall always live in our affectionate rememberance.

As a friend that's good and true
As a friend that's given to few
Who in a fathers vacant place
Soothed and solaced with sweet grace

It is with pride that I make mention of brother David's marked musical ability, the violin was his favorite instrument. Several of his children have inherited their fathers genius and strong love for music. Brother David married Miss Abigail Amsden, following are the names of their children: Perry, Eva, Alice, Willie, Hope, Hattie, and L. L.

My brother Martin never married, a great sorrow came to him early in life by death claiming his promised bride, he survived her but a few years and died as before stated in the early prime of manhood.

My sister, Amelia, one of the surviving four of my father's family, married A. W. Potts who was one of the most honored men of his day. At the time of his death in 1894 he was loved and honored throughout the state of California. He was a leading and successful politician and once a friend always a friend, the following extract is copied from a letter by his successor in office:

"I regret most deeply to learn of the death of our mutual friend, Willis Potts, he was a warm hearted, generous, honorable and true man, I am a firm believer in the fact that he is happiers in his new existence, many hearts have been saddened but his has been the gainer, thousands have known his charity and God will have rewarded him long ere this reaches you."

Below I will give the names of the children who survive him: Fred Wilson, Florence, Metta <?> and Alleen, my sister has a son by a former marriage, William Garber. All of Amelia's children are married. Florence, the eldest daughter married Mr. M. L. Wicks, a prominent lawyer of Los Angeles Cal. Metta, the second daughter married Mr. Arthur B. Holton <name could be something else>. They are the proud possessers of three charming children: Gwen (or Owen) Wilson, Florence ____, and Sherrard Stewart Helton, twins. Fred Potts married Miss Etta Walker, they have one child, a daughter, _eona. Aleen, my sister's youngest child married Chas O. Steveson. Wm Garber, my sister's son by a former marriage, has three children, Joseph, Andrew and Garber. <sic>

Having made mention of all my dear people except myself I have only to add that my life has been a most happy and contented one, I married Fred Upson, as good and true a husband as wife could wish for, the good Lord whom we both tried to serve faithfully has blessed us with three sons, Clayton Ashbel, Orin Alva, and Leon Legrand. Clayton, our eldest son married Miss Katharine White. They have had six children, four of whom are living, Alleen, Gay, Helen, Harry, Everett and Walter, their third child died when but a baby, his stay with us was not for long, but this little one so fresh from the hand of God dwells with us still as a sweet, sweet memory.

Orin Alva our second son married Miss Lula Greenleaf. They have three children, Hattie, _oola, and Fred. Gladys, their youngest child, died at the age of four years. On the head stone that marks this little one's grave, one may read the ever true words, "None knew her but to love her."

Leon Legrand, our youngest child, married Miss Bernice Patrick; they have but one child, a daughter, Beryle.

In loving rememberance of my dear mother and all of her blessed teachings and with the sincere wish that my sons may live the upright and honorable life that their Grandfather lived, I quote in closing from Longfellow:
"Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives divine
And departing leave behind us, foot prints in the sands of time."

Signed: Mary Jane Sherrard Upson, Los Angeles, California Rootsweb Link