Adam Sherrill
Encyclopedia
Adam Sherrill or Adam "the pioneer" Sherrill (1697 - May 4, 1774) was the first European to cross the Catawba River
in North Carolina
.
In 1722 Sherill married Elizabeth Corzine. Soon after their marriage they moved to Augusta County,Virginia.
. The Children were: William B.; Samuel; Uriah; Adam Jr.; Aquilla; Isaac; Jacob; Moses; and Catherine.
. Adam spent 2 days scouting the Catawba River
when he attempted to cross it, Adam crosesed the river from east to west and got a land patent on the Catawba River in 1751. Adam was the first European person in history to cross the Catawba River.
in 1747.
In the name of God
, Amen, I, ADAM SHERRILL of the County of Rowan
and the province of North Carolina being in perfect health and memory, praised be God, do make this my last will and testament
as followeth:
I, give and bequest unto my son ADAM, one Negro fellow, called and known by the name of Vail to him and his heirs forever after my decease.
I give and bequeath unto my son QUILLAR one Negro after my decease if either one, besides Vail, and in case I should have no others after my decease.
I give unto my son QUILLAR thirty pounds in lieu therefore to be raised out of my estate after my decease to him and his heirs.
I give and bequeath unto my son WILLIAM SHERRILL one of the best horses or mares
that I posses at my decease to him and his heirs forever.
The true intent and meaning of this, my last will is that no other will make by me or any other in my name shall disannul this my last will.
I do appoint my two sons, ADAM and QUILLAR executors of this my last will and Testament.
5 March 1772
Adam Sherrill
The wittnesses of this will are James Clark, Jr.; Abraham Roberson, Jr.; and William Berry
.
. He was 76 or 77. He left back his wife and 9 children.
Catawba River
The Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Childhood and Marriage
Adam Sherrill was one of the six children of William Sherrill and Margarette RudisilIn 1722 Sherill married Elizabeth Corzine. Soon after their marriage they moved to Augusta County,Virginia.
Children
Adam and Elizabeth had 9 children, 8 sons and 1 daughterDaughter
A daughter is a female offspring; a girl, woman, or female animal in relation to her parents. The male equivalent is a son. Analogously the name is used on several areas to show relations between groups or elements.-Etymology:...
. The Children were: William B.; Samuel; Uriah; Adam Jr.; Aquilla; Isaac; Jacob; Moses; and Catherine.
Fording the Catawba River
In 1747, Adam and his family settled in the west side of Catawba, North CarolinaCatawba, North Carolina
Catawba is a town in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 604 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Adam spent 2 days scouting the Catawba River
Catawba River
The Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
when he attempted to cross it, Adam crosesed the river from east to west and got a land patent on the Catawba River in 1751. Adam was the first European person in history to cross the Catawba River.
After Crossing
Finally after crossing the Catawba River, he got the honor to name a small town which is now Sherrills Ford, North CarolinaSherrills Ford, North Carolina
Sherrills Ford is a census-designated place in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 941 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
in 1747.
Will
Adam Sherrill wrote his will on March 5, 1772. His will quoted:In the name of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, Amen, I, ADAM SHERRILL of the County of Rowan
Rowan County, North Carolina
-Demographics and economics:As of the census of 2010, there were 138,428 people, 53,140 households, and 37,058 families residing in the county. The population density was 270.7 people per square mile . There were 60,211 housing units at an average density of 117.7 per square mile...
and the province of North Carolina being in perfect health and memory, praised be God, do make this my last will and testament
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
as followeth:
I, give and bequest unto my son ADAM, one Negro fellow, called and known by the name of Vail to him and his heirs forever after my decease.
I give and bequeath unto my son QUILLAR one Negro after my decease if either one, besides Vail, and in case I should have no others after my decease.
I give unto my son QUILLAR thirty pounds in lieu therefore to be raised out of my estate after my decease to him and his heirs.
I give and bequeath unto my son WILLIAM SHERRILL one of the best horses or mares
Mareš
Mareš is a Czech surname and may refer to:* František Mareš, Czechoslovak professor of physiology and philosophy, and nationalist politician* Jakub Mareš, Czech football player* Jaroslav Mareš, Czech biologist, traveller and writer....
that I posses at my decease to him and his heirs forever.
The true intent and meaning of this, my last will is that no other will make by me or any other in my name shall disannul this my last will.
I do appoint my two sons, ADAM and QUILLAR executors of this my last will and Testament.
5 March 1772
Adam Sherrill
The wittnesses of this will are James Clark, Jr.; Abraham Roberson, Jr.; and William Berry
William Berry
William Berry may refer to:* William Berry , First Settler of Hampton, New Hampshire* William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose , British newspaper publisher* William Berry...
.
Death
Adam died May 4, 1774 of old ageOld age
Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle...
. He was 76 or 77. He left back his wife and 9 children.
Sources
- "Adam "The Pioneer" Sherrill" - Loftin
- "SHERRILLS FORD NAMED FOR CATAWBA PIONEER, ADAM SHERRILL CROSSED RIVER IN 1747 AND BUILT HOMESTEAD ON WEST BANK" - Charlotte Observer
- "Bundle up for a cold one this winter, but very little snow" - Crossville Chronicle
- "VOLUNTEERS WORKING TO SAVE THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE" - Charlotte Observer
- "DENVER'S FIRST NAME: DRY POND" - Charlotte Observer
- "National Register of Historic Places" - North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office