Adam Sherrill

Adam Sherrill
Spouse(s) Elizabeth Corzine
Children 9 (William B.; Samuel; Uriah; Adam Jr.; Aquilla; Isaac; Jacob; Moses; and Catherine)

Adam Sherrill (Cherokee:ᎠᏓᏫ; a da wi), or Adam "the pioneer" Sherrill (1697 - May 4, 1774) was the first European to cross the Catawba River in North Carolina.

Childhood and marriage

Adam Sherrill was one of the six children of William Sherrill and Margarette Rudisil.

In 1722 Sherrill married Elizabeth Corzine. Soon after their marriage they moved to Augusta County, Virginia.

Children

Adam and Elizabeth had nine children, eight sons and one daughter. 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 Carolina. Adam spent two days scouting the Catawba River when he attempted to cross it. Adam crossed 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 in 1747 the honor to name a small town which is now Sherrills Ford, North Carolina.

Will

Adam Sherrill wrote his will on March 5, 1772. His will quoted:

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 bequeath 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 witnesses of this will are: James Clark, Jr.; Abraham Roberson, Jr.; and William Berry.

Death

Adam died May 4, 1774 of old age. He was 76 or 77. He left his wife and nine children.

Sources

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, April 29, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.