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Selected Families and Individuals
Notes
Benjamin Watkins Sherrod
Benjamin Watkins Sherrod attended school near and in Jackson and Brandon, MS, also at Tuscumbia, AL. In 1859 he went to a country school one mile out of Jackson, taught by an Irish teacher, named Barnes, who lived at the home of and studied medicine with Dr. S.C. Farrar, Benjamin Watkins Sherrod's step-father. When he was an infant he was left perfectly deaf from scarlet fever. He gradually recovered (partially) until at the age of 17 years he heard a clock tick for the first time. Because of his deafness, he was not permitted to enter regular service, however, during the latter part of the Civil War, at the age of 15 he entered Mississippi State Militia under Colonel Thornton. He measured in height 5 feet 5 inches. After the War, 1865, he returned to Tuscumbia, AL and lived on the Chantilly Plantation with his brother Frederick O. Sherrod. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Tuscumbia, AL. At the out-breaking of the Civil War, a great many people predicted that the world was coming to an end, and quoted, "Wars, rumors of wars," and all the prophesies of the bible to substantiate same. The following is a very comical composition written by Benjamin W. Sherrod when attending school at Jackson, MS, age twelve years, showing impressions upon the mind by the distressing uncertainties and religious fervor of the people at this time, drums beating at every cross road, and calls from eloquent and fiery orators, for volunteers to defend the South land, could be heard in every town: Jackson, MS, June 29, 1862 "What are we fighting for: "We are fighting for our homes, our wives, sisters, mothers, for our liberty. "God is now determined to punish man for his sins, the wrath and curse of God lays upon his head. Return from the paths of evil for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. "God has indulged us these many years, and our return to him ought to have been love. What is our return to him? It is nothing. "Love God with all our mind, body and soul and our neighbor as ourselves." Signed, B.W. Sherrod The following memorial was written by Mrs. Sam (Adelia) Harrington, a friend of Benjamin W. Sherrod in Tuscumbia, AL. "The many friends in this vicinity of Mr. Benjamin W. Sherrod will regret to learn of his death which occurred at his home in Birmingham, on Friday, January 30th 1914; leaving a wife, one daughter, Mattie Mae and six sons, to morn for one they loved so well. "After a lingering illness of much pain and suffering, extending over a period of several years, he fell asleep in Jesus, and his six sons, Ben, Felix, Jamie, Fred, Ray and Farrar acting as pall bearers, with aching hearts and loving hands, tenderly laid dear Father to rest in Elmwood cemetery. The funeral conducted by Rev. Walston of the Methodist Church. "Mr. Sherrod Belonged to one of the oldest and most influential families of Colbert County. "He was born in Tuscumbia Dec. 27, 1847. The greater part of his life was spent in Tuscumbia and vicinity. "He married Miss Mattie Alexander, at Russellville, in 1882. "He had many noble traits of head and heart which made him honored and respected by all: a high sense of honor, justice, truth and honesty, and all the sterling virtues that go to make a cultivated gentleman. A kind, good neighbor, and one ever ready and willing to extend a helping hand to the needy and distressed. "But the true nobility of his nature shone brightest in his home life; a true and devoted husband; a kind and loving and sympathetic father. "The angel of death has cast a dark shadow over a once happy home, and left in its footsteps a dear vacant chair; but to the weeping ones there comes a message tender and sweet: 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' He was an exemplary Christian; and was at one time a faithful elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscumbia. "Eighteen years ago he moved to Birmingham where he resided until his death. "The magnificent tribute of florals and flowers that covered his last resting place, was a silent token of the high esteem in which he was held by those who knew him, Flowers, beautiful flowers, speak a sweet language of love that cannot be uttered in speech. "Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee, Though sorrow and darkness encompass the tomb; the Savior has passed through its portals before thee, And the lamp of His love is thy guide through the gloom." ------------------------------------------ Benjamin Watkins Sherrod was very interested in the history of the Sherrod family and collected much of the information that is in this report. In a manuscript prepared between 1895 and 1901 he lamented the fact that he could not reach back into family history further than the eighteenth century. Moreover, he hoped that in time "some member of the family more fortunate in means and time...could complete this work which should be traced back several centuries." Ann Farrar Sherrod Carlton and Terry Downs Nelson have done just that. by establishing the fact that old Alabama Benjamin's grandfather first lived on Kirby Creek in Northampton County, and that he was the son of Robert Sherrod, will of 1727, the connection is made with John Sherrod, Jr., son of John Sherrer, Sr., and brother of Robert, whose descendants lived approximately ten miles away on Uraha Swamp in Northampton County, NC. Thus the veil of history lifts after some six generations of darkness.
Martha Jane "Mattie" Alexander
Being left an orphan at the tender age of three years, she and her sister were reared with great love and motherly care by their aunt Mrs. E. J. Gorman of Russellville, AL.
Walter Sherrod
Lawrence County Alabama records show a Walter Sherod (note, one 'r') from Courtland, Alabama died while in prayer at church at 5 o'clock at Jonesboro, AL on Sep 23, 1875.
Maie Pope Sherrod
Tribute to Mrs. Maie Sherrod Odeneal, taken from Pioneer Society Book in Columbus, MS public library: On February 11, 1952, Columbus friends and relatives of Mrs. Maie Sherrod Odeneal were saddened when they learned of her death at the home of her brother, Mr. Henry Pope Sherrod, in Meridian, Mississippi. She was born on August 21, 1876, the daughter of the late Mr. Thomas B. and Betty Pope Sherrod and was related to the pioneer families: Billups, Pope, Moore, and others. She was married in 1900 to Dr. John D. Odeneal. Since his death, she had made her home with her brother and his family in Meridian, and had spent many happy days in Columbus visiting her aunt, Mrs. J.T. Champneys. Another brother, Mr. Charles Sherrod of Jackson, survives toghter with several Nieces and nephews. Mrs. Odeneal was a charter member of the Pioneer Society always showing interest in its activities when she lived in Columbus and at times when she could be here for meetings. She was possessed of beauty of face and character. Her sweet gentle charm was felt by all who came in contact with her. Her artistic talent will be remembered by friends and family who own pieces of her work. She was a member of and active in the work of the Presbyterian Church. Members of the Pioneer Society extend their deep sympathy to the members of her family for they too mourn her loss. November 28, 1952
Mary Sue Sherrod
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Miss Mary Sue Sherrod. - DAR ID Number: 83227 - Volume 84
page 83
Born in Columbus, Miss.
Descendant of Joseph Moore, Thomas Saunders, James Harrison, Benjamin McFarland,
and Joseph Bennett Bradford, as follows:
1. Charles F. Sherrod (b. 1854), m. 1886, Nina Harrison (b. 1866).
2. Charles F. Sherrod (1827-86), m. 1851, Susan Billups (b. 1832); Moses Kelley
Harrison, m. 1859, Mary McFarland Bradford (b. 1836).
3. Thomas Carleton Billups (1804-66), m. 1823, Sarah Moore (1805-45); Benjamin
McFarland Bradford (1805-74), m. 1830, Martha M. Saunders (1812-56); Isham Harrison
(1788-1863), m. 1810, Harriet Kelley.
4. John Moore (1779-1856), m. 1801, Nancy Booker (1783-1864); Rev. Turner Saunders
(1782-1853), m. 1799, Frances Dunn; Benjamin Bradford (1774-1819), m. 1798, Mary
McFarland (b. 1781). James Harrison, m., Elizabeth Hampton (1758-99).
5. Joseph Moore, m. 1769, Sarah Moore (b. 1754); Thomas Saundcrs, m. 1764, Ann Turner
(Hooper) (d. 1808); Benjamin McFarland, m. 1777, Mary Blackburn (1758-1820); Joseph
Bennett Bradford, m., 2nd, Margaret Wilson.
Joseph Moore served in the Virginia infantry during the Revolution. He was born in
England, 1740; died in Virginia. Thomas Saunders (1739-1808) served in the 3rd Virginia regiment during the Revolution.
He was born in Virginia; died in Brunswick County, Va. [p.83] James Harrison (1748-1815) served as private in the South Carolina troops when
the Carolinas were overrun by the enemy. He was born in Virginia; died in South Carolina Benjamin McFarland (1747-1823) was private in the 3rd Virginia regiment. He was born
in Bedford County, Va.; died in Jefferson County, Tenn.
Joseph Bennett Bradford (1738-1828) served as orderly to General Sumter at the battle
of Guilford Court House. He was born in Fauquier County, Va.; died in Burke County, N. C.
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