THE SHERRELL FAMILY
By Elsie Sherrell Goodyear
August 1983The sandy road was dappled with warm, golden sunlight, filtering through the deep shade of the oaks and long-leafed pines growing close beside it. A horse and buggy was traveling the road at a faster pace than the little girl following it could run. She was crying and protesting loudly, her beloved Granny was in the buggy and she had left her behind. It did not matter that Granny was going only into the village, with a neighbor, to shop for an hour or two. She was, most of the time, the little girl's loving servitor and usually yielded to the child's wishes. This rejection could not be accepted.
This is one of my first memories of Elizabeth Clark Shirley Hampton, my father's maternal grandmother. She lived with us the first four and a half years of my life. So far I have not been able to find much documented history of my father's family (Alexander Keith SHERRELL 1877-1951), but I remember quite a lot of oral history which should be written, as it will be lost with my generation.
I will begin with Granny. A photograph taken in 1916, in Mobile, Alabama has her holding me on her lap. I was a plump, sixteen month old child. The elderly woman in the picture is sitting very erect; her face is wrinkled, the sunken mouth indicates she is toothless and her hair is not yet completely gray. But it is a strong face. Alert dark eyes, high cheek bones and straight black graying hair give evidence of her Indian heritage. According to family history, one of her grandmothers was an Indian.
I wish I were talented and could write a novel, using her life as a basis of the story. It would contain a lot of adventure, danger, much drama and sorrow, and I'm sure a lot of love - all the things she experienced in her long, long life. She must have been an exceptionally strong woman and it is hoped some of this strength has been passed down to her descendants.
This excerpt from my personal journal makes a statement of my personal feelings about her, which I wish to include here:
February 1970
"Last night I slept snuggled warmly under a new quilt - not really new, only the lining and filling are new. The small bits and pieces of cloth, of which the top is made, were carefully cut and sewn together over a half a century ago, by the hands of my greatgrandmother, Elizabeth Clark Shirley Hampton.
The old-fashioned materials of calico, dimity, percale and gingham were pieces of her dresses, the scraps carefully saved for just this purpose. The colors were difficult to pair with modern colors, to use to "set it up" and for the lining.
Covered with the quilt, I somehow had the feeling she was still warming and comforting me, as she did so many times, before she left our home, when I was four years old. Somehow I have always felt a certain affinity to her, a feeling of the continuity of life - some of my genes are from her, and I have passed them on to my children and grandchildren."
Elizabeth was born in Miller County Missouri, in the early part of the 1800's. Her birthdate was not known but from some of her early memories it was deduced she was probably 107 years old at her death. She remembered when the "stars fell." This was most likely the spectacular event which occurred on November 13, 1833, but it is not known how old she was at that time.
It can be assumed that she married my greatgrandfather, William (Bill) Shirley (sometimes spelled Shearly) in the early 1850's, as my grandmother, Martha Jane was born 10 January 1854, in Miller County.
Then a second daughter, named Elizabeth, was born to them. William Shirley was stabbed to death by a drunken "friend" during an argument while playing horse shoes. The man was executed for this crime, some versions said a public hanging. Granny kept the blood-stained portion of the shirt he was wearing. She kept it wrapped in paper, in her trunk. I remember looking at it with a felling of shrinking and awe.Thus she was left a young widow with two small daughters, living on a farm alone, during the Civil War. My mother recalls her stories of how she fed troops, from both sides in Missouri, also bushwackers and scouts, as they came by her farm and would demand food. One young lieutenant voiced suspicion that she might poison them, but Elizabeth assured him she would not (I bet he was teasing her!). However one onery bushwacker dropped a small pig into the well to contaminate the water. During this time she plowed, planted and raised food and raised and butchered the stock herself. It's no wonder her picture shows a "strong" face - she had no choice but to be strong, to survive.
Then she fell in love with a young soldier. They planned to marry but he was killed in a battle before the marriage took place. Later she bore his child, a girl. Mother does not remember her name but when I was born, she gave a piece of beautiful eyelet embroidered material to be made into a dress for me. I still have a scrap of it.
William Shirley's parents (to keep this in perspective, my great-great-grandparents) abducted Martha Jane and moved out of the area. They felt their son's widow had disgraced the family. But, strangely, did not take Elizabeth, the younger child. Granny did not see her daughter again for 40 to 45 years. By that time all ten of Martha Jane's children were grown. The details of this meeting are lost in time. In an old address book, dated 1925, Mother had written the address of Granny's daughter Elizabeth:
Mrs. Elizabeth Adams
106 4th St.
Fulton, MissouriSeven years after the death of "Bill" Shirley, she married John Hampton. For several years they lived near Babtown, Missouri, on the bank of the Osage River. Some details of her life there as she related them are published in her lengthy obituary, which will be included later in this article.
Mother is now approaching ninety, but she remembers some of the things Granny told of her life, when she lived with Mother and Dad. Mother was in her early twenties at that time. Memories learned early in life seem to stay with one longer, so she remembers these things quite clearly.
Elizabeth bore three sons to John Hampton, all died of cholera, brought by the boats on the river. She told of catching a huge catfish, upon cutting it open, she found a small baby's arm in the fish's stomach.
Once when she was near the end of a pregnancy her husband became acutely ill. She went into labor and delivered the child alone. At that time very severe and freezing weather was approaching. They had a large supply of fire wood on a small island in the river. This was urgently needed.
Immediately after delivering the child, Elizabeth wrapped the baby in a blanket and put it in a safe place. She then went to the river and paddled her small boat to the island three times and brought back wood. Her husband was so weak, ill, and distressed because he could do nothing to help, he just lay in bed and cried from frustration.
Later they moved to Iowa. One night, John Hampton was on his way home, carrying a sum of money. In a woods, as he neared the house, he was shot, killed and robbed by a foster son. The killer was tried, found guilty and executed. This must have seemed like a horrible "re-run" to Elizabeth!
I have no idea how many years elapsed during this time, but according to her obituary in 1923, she had joined her daughter and grandson in Oklahoma, at least sixteen years before her death.
Granny went South in the covered wagon caravan of Shields (Mother's parents) and Sherrells to Mobile County Alabama in 1913. She lived with us until my father took her, by train, back to Oklahoma. This was shortly after Christmas in 1917.
Newspaper article published at Carmen, Oklahoma on the life and death of Elizabeth Clark Shirley Hampton.
Country's Grand Old Woman Dies at Age of 107 Years
Mrs. Elizabeth Hampton Lived a Century of Hardship - Twice Widowed by Tragedy.
Stricken with paralysis last Thursday, Mrs. Elizabeth Hampton died Sunday at the home of her grandson, John A. Sherrell, eight miles west of Carmen. She was past 107 years old and up to the time of her last illness was enjoying good health and taking an active part in the affairs of the neighborhood. At the last presidential election she cast her vote for Harding, going into the voting booth unaided. Her sight was good.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Sand Creek Church, and the body laid to rest there, A large gathering of neighbors and friends attended and paid honor to the "Country's Grand Old Woman".
An obituary sketch written by S.A.D.Easterling, a neighbor and a friend, is an interesting story of the remarkable life of the good old woman and is here presented:
Wood's county's oldest citizen, Mrs. Elizabeth Hampton, passed away at her grandsons, John A. (not W.) Sherrell, West of Carmen, about seven o'clock Sunday evening. She was stricken with paralysis last Thursday, her left side being completely paralyzed and her speech so that she could not speak distinctly. Her health for the past few weeks had been better than usual and she was cheerful and happy, having just been discussing with her daughter, Martha Jane, about a bundle of remnants she had ordered for her favorite work, piecing quilts.
"Grannie", as she was familiarly called, had passed beyond the century mark but her exact age is not known as the record of her birth was burned years ago, when she lost her home by fire.
In answer to a phone call, the writer and his wife were at her bed side Friday evening. She seemed to recognize us and gripped my hand with her right hand, which she still had the use of. Dr. Harris of Carmen visited her and advised her there was no hope for her recovery. Readers of the Chronoscope will remember a few years ago an incident in the life of this aged woman we tried to pen, we now try to write the closing chapter of this remarkable woman.
Few live to the advanced age to which she lived. She went through hardships beyond the average person of this life. She was born in Miller county, Missouri on a farm. On account of her father's health and lack of boys to do the work she became a farmer, ploughing the soil, planting and tilling, and in fact, doing everything that was done, as well as the work of the home. She lived in the days of homespun and home woven cloth, and a great deal of this work for others, as well as for the household at home.
She was married twice, both of her husbands being murdered. Her first husband, William Shearly (Shirley) was murdered by a drunken man, he was executed for his crime.
Seven years later she was married to John Hampton and for years they lived on the Osage River, near Babtown, where they owned a farm. Besides doing the farming, they made railroad ties, cut cord wood and kept a woodyard on the Osage, and sold wood to the steamboats which plied the Osage. She was not afraid of the river or high water and had many thrilling adventures when the water was high.
When the water was high, many rafts of railroad ties would break loose above, the cables or heavy ropes at hand, she would paddle her skiff, as she called it, out to the floating raft, make fast the rope and paddle back to shore and anchor it to a tree, for which she would be amply rewarded by the owner who would identify his timber by the brand attached.
Later they sold out and moved to Iowa where Mr. Hampton was robbed and murdered. She had six children, three by each husband.
In later years she moved to Oklahoma and made her home with her grandsons, the Sherrell brothers, for a few years. She made her home in Alabama with Eleck Sherrill (Alex Sherrell) whom she loved and esteemed very much for his noble Christian character. It was at the coming of her grandsons, and at her advanced age, about sixteen years ago that she was converted. She was addicted to the tobacco habit, but on being converted her appetite entirely left her. She identified herself with the Free Methodist Church and remained a member until called home. Her funeral was conducted by the Rev. Shiply of Carmen, assisted by Rev. E.O.Davenport of Oklahoma City, at the Sand Creek Holiness church and the precious remains laid to rest in the cemetery at that place to await the first resurrection.
Her kindly disposition won for her admiring friends everywhere she was known. She romped and played with the children to their delight. She made her home the last few years with her grandsons, John and Silas Sherrell. We enjoyed several good visits with her at our own home. Her last visit was last winter during the revival meeting at the church, conducted by Rev. Waters of Estes Park, Colorado. She was a regular attendant and her testimony was an inspiration to all. She was, indeed, an interesting figure. She had longed to go home and be with her Lord she loved so well, but felt resigned, especially the last few weeks of her life, to stay and suffer if it was his will. Her loved ones are heartbroken but do not sorrow as those who have no hope. While they have bidden adieu to her here, they will meet her again around the great throne, to part no more.
(END)My father's parents, Isaiah Sherrell (19 August 1846 - 9 May 1905) and Martha Jane Shirley (10 January 1854 - 21 July 1927) were married in Missouri and lived in the vicinity of West Plains. John, their first child was born in December 1872, so they probably married in 1870 or 71. At this time the only information I have of Isaiah's forebears is from a page out of an old water soaked bible. I have copied the legible part and did get some names and birthdates. This bible was in my father's papers. I copied only that which I could read - no guesses.
William W. Sherrell was born the 8th of July 1809
Eliza E. Sherrell was born the 15th of November 1810David Shirrell was born the 4th of August 1833
Sam J. Shirrell was born the 27 of August 1835
John W. Shirrell was born the 28 of January 1837
Mary Ann Sherrell was born the 19 of October 1839
Sarah Jane Sherrell was born the 21 of January 1841
Alexander Sherrell was born the 19 of August 1846 / Twins
Isaiah Sherrell was born the 19 of August 1846 /
William S. Sherrell was born the 18 of August 1849
Essie (?) Ann Sherrell was born the 7 of ? 1852
On other side of page:
? Bridges was born ? May 1860
? ?? was born the 18 day of ? 1861
Sarah Jane Stegall was born the 24 April 1861
? Sherrell was born the 16 of September 1864Apparently William and Eliza had a large family, at least William did, we can't be sure about Eliza. Some of the paper was torn so there were probably more; surely the last ones were grandchildren. The writer started out spelling "Sherrell" then changed to "Shirrell, later the name was again spelled "Sherrell". The handwriting appeared to be done by the same person until "Sarah Jane Stegall". Only these names and birthdates were given, no marriages, death or places. This page only was left in the bible.
However, I obtained my grandfather Isaiah's Civil War Service Record from the National Archives and his birth place was given as Tennessee County, Tennessee. (Tennessee county in now Robertson & other Counties). Isaiah Sherrell enlisted 7 February 1865 as a soldier in the Army of the United States, for the term of one year, at Columbus, Indiana, as Pvt. Co.F. 145 Regiment Indiana Infantry. (Bookmark 1924-A. 1889). I had had heard the story that he had enlisted shortly before the war ended (in April 1865). After staying in camp for several months, he became restless. He said he had volenteered to fight and the fighting was over, so he packed up and went home. It was sort of a shock to read in his record that he was a deserter ! He deserted on 10 August 1865 from Cuthbert, Georgia. Apparently the family had moved from Tennessee to Indiana, as that is where he enlisted.
Isaiah was married once before his marriage to Martha Jane. His first wife had died. The only knowledge we have of that marriage is there was a daughter. When my father moved to Alabama he brought a large, framed picture of his half-sister, Rose. We children always referred to it as "half Aunt Rose". She was married to Mr.D.C.Troutwine and they lived in Missouri. An old address is:
Mrs.D.C.Troutwine
R.R.#1
Benton,Mo.
C/o T.E.Chewning (her son-in-law?)In 1925 or 25 some of the family visited us in Albama, at Grand Bay, I believe it was her daughter and husband, half Aunt Rose's daughter. Mother says she remembers her mother-in-law, Martha Jane, telling of Isaiah's parents coming to visit them in Missouri, from Indiana. However, Melvin Sherrell (my cousin), wrote to me, in a letter: "I know one thing Dad always said his grandfather was thrown by a horse, the horse kicked him in the stomach and killed him. This was at the out break of the Civil War." But the time of these two incidents does not fit. We know memory is not infallible. No doubt both of these things are true, except for the timing.
There were ten offspring born to Isaiah and Martha Jane, evenly divided between male and female. I believe all were born around West Plains or in the vicinity of Mountain View.
John Anderson Sherrell b. 25 December 1872 d. 15 September 1949
md. 1st- Rose Hudson Children - 6
2nd - ? Haworth
3rd- ??Ida Luisey Sherrell b. 19 December 1875 d. 23 June 1954
md. John Salsman Children - 6Alexander Keith Sherrell b. 14 November d. 25 October 1951
md. Ethel Mae Shields Children - 5Jasper Sherrell b. 21 March 1879 d. 27 August 1950
md. Nora Fox Children - 10Silas Washington Sherrell b. 13 September 1881 d. 6 April 1961
md. Harriet Angeline Clark Children - 3Lula Sherrell b. 5 September 1884 d. 2 September 1964
md. 1st - Tom West
2nd- Dr. James Cobberly Children - 0
Albert Dock Sherrell b. 7 October 1886 d. 12 October 1959
md. 1st- Edith Mable Sheilds Children - 7
2nd- Samantha Evelyn Hilton
3rd- Della ? PorterAmanda Barbara Allen Sherrell b. 23 October 1888 d. 17 May 1973
md. Leslie Shaw Children - 0Lona May Sherrell b. 8 May 1891 d. 1974
md. William Orr Children - 1Oma Evelyn Sherrell b. 1 November 1893 d. 3 September 1953
md. Prentiss Sharpe Children - 3We speak of todays society being mobile, but our family did a lot of moving. I'm sure our fore-bears were among the very early pioneers who continually searched for more - or something else. Some of the later Sherrells never seemed to realize that the "grass was not necessarily greener on the other side."
Early in the marriage of my grandparents, Iasaiah apparently got "real itchy feet" :
In the spring of 1877, Isaiah, Martha Jane and their two children John and Ida, left West Plains to go with a wagon to Oregon. Nothing is now known of that long trip until they reached Trading Post then Pocatello, Idaho. While there, a man from the wagon train, shot and killed an Indian squaw. The Indians were enraged, came to the encampment and demanded the killer be given to them, otherwise they threatened to attack and kill the travelers. The man was reluctantly given to the Indians, who took him away. Later that night they returned him - scalped and skinned, but still alive. His friends applied oil to his body and wrapped him in a sheet. He died a short time later. It was rumored the Indians were very hostile in the territory ahead; about half of the wagons turned back, including my grandparents. Those who went on were reported to have been massacred.On the way back to Missouri Martha Jane was pregnant. At one time the wagon over-turned on a hill. She was thrown from it and suffered a fractured wrist; it was crooked the rest of her life. Shortly after their return to West Plains, Alexander, my father was born.
Apparently the family stayed in Missouri for a number of years. My father spoke of associating with his cousins, during his growing-up years, told of some of the practical jokes and rough-housing they participated in. I believe Isaiah's twin brother, Alexander, lived in Missouri too, for Dad spoke of his cousin Simon, whom I have always understood was Alexander's son. But at this point, I'm not sure of this. Simon later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. We visited him and family there, briefly, in 1927. I have tried to contact some of the Sherrells now living in Tulsa, but we have received no response.
I have the impression that my grandfather Isaiah was more of a hunter and fisherman than a farmer. My father used to tell of how they lived when he was a boy. He remembered when they acquired the first cookstove. Until then, his mother had cooked and baked in the fireplace. The boys slept in the loft of the log cabin. In winter, snow would shift in between the logs and on them as they lay sleeping. During the winter his father hunted for game, often there were as many as eight to ten frozen deer hanging from the rafters. This was the family's winter meat supply.
On the frontier, well prehaps not real frontier, but apparently they lived in rather isolated, undeveloped areas, story telling was an important form of entertainment. As children we were fascinated by the old stories he would tell to us. The following is one of the "goose-bump" ones!
A man living in the community had died; a friend was sitting up with the body during the night. The corpse was on a "cooling board", placed near an open window, for the weather was warm. The watcher dropped offf to sleep in the quietness of the night. He was awakened by a noise, and to his horror saw the body being pulled through the window by a panther! He let out a loud yell and the beast ran away. Television stories have nothing on the old days, eh?
We enjoyed hearing him tell this one:
Song books were not always available in the small churches. Hymns or songs were read line by line by the leader or minister and the people would sing them. This was called lining a hymn. A minister arrived at a little country church and discovered he had forgotten his glasses. He stood before the congregation, picked up the book and squinted and said, "My eyes are dim, I cannot see, I left my glasses at home." To the tune of "old One Hundred", the people sang the words.
The minister quickly said, " I did not mean for you to sing, although my eyes are dim". The people again sang the words.
Minister, " The peoples hearts are far from God, or else they'd understand!! The people sang. In desperation, the minister said, "Let us pray!" My father always sang the words; he sang very well.
He would also relate this personal experience:
He was walking home, one moon-lit night, along a very narrow road through the woods. In Missouri at that time there were various kinds of wild animals, bears, panthers, foxes and others. On this night he was feeling rather nervous; then ahead, close beside the path, he saw a dark object, motionless and indistinct. This was frightening, there was no other way to go, he had to pass it. So my father decided a good offense is the best defense. He rushed to the thing and gave it a very hard kick - and almost broke his foot on the black stump!
This is one more story he told us, his eager audience:
In earlier days, travelers often had to ask for shelter for the night at some homestead along the way. One such traveler, after sharing the evening meal with the family aid, "I would like to have some coffee." His host responded, "We only drink coffee at breakfast here." The guest, rather persistently, said, "Well, I sure would like a cup now." And the man of the house than said, "Well, you will just have to wait until morning!"
He was given a bed and the household settled down. During the night one of the children began to cry, the mother tried to quiet him, and finally asked, "What is it you want?" A voice from another room announced, "It's coffee that boy wants!" This was one of our family expressions, when someone was upset about not getting what he wanted.
Isaiah often went hunting or fishing, with his faithful dog as a companion. One day he did not return. Upon searching for him, some of the family found he had fallen into shallow water and drowned, apparently following a seizure. At one time he had a heat stroke and afterwards was subject to having an occasional seizure. His dog had remained with him and protected his body from prowling animals.
He died 9 May 1905, and was buried at Center Hill Cemetery beside a small church, near West Plains in Howell County, Missouri.
Among my father's papers there is a printed card, on it are these words:
In Loving Rememberance of
My Dear Husband
Mr.Isaiah Sherrell
Died May 9, 1905
Aged 60 Years
Purchased by Mrs. Martha J. SherrellAnd he has gone, forever gone
And left me here to weep
Till I am called to follow him
And in the grave to sleep.But since he could no longer stay
To cheer me with his love,
I hope to meet with him again
In yon bright world above.Twenty seven year old Alexander took over the responsibility of providing for his mother and unmarried sisters. I don't know the exact year, but the family sold their belongings and moved to Oklahoma. We have a photograph of the family, taken in 1910, near Oklahoma City. It includes all ten of the Sherrell brothers and sisters, standing in a line, with their mother and Granny sitting in front.
Mother first met Alex around 1908, when he first moved to Oklahoma City, where her family lived, at that time. Shortly after, the Shields moved to Kansas. Also Alex later moved to Lincoln County, near Wellston. During this time, Alex courted Ethel by writing letters.
When seventeen year old Ethel married thirty four year old Alexander on November 5, 1991, she moved into her husbands home, over which her mother-in-law had presided. No doubt Martha Jane and Ethel both had some adjusting to do!
In 1913 my father decided to go South with Mother's parents, the Shields, also going were his brother Albert and Ethel's sister, Edith and their three children. A public sale was held and the trek to Alabama began. It started on August 22, 1913 for the Shields and Albert Sherrell family, from near Liberal, Kansas. Alexander, Ethel, four month Elsie and Granny joined the trip on October 16th. They arrived in Mobile County Alabama, in the area of Grand Bay, on December 16, 1913. A day by day diary written by sixteen year old Ida Etta Shields, tells of this interesting trip, made in covered wagons. Within a few days, Alexander had bought a farm and Christmas was celebrated in their new home.
From that time on, Martha Jane lived with various of her children in Oklahoma. I never knew my grandmother. This is no doubt my loss; during the last days of my father's life, his mind would wander and he would call for his mother. He always spoke of her as "mother." "We had a very short visit with her, in 1926, while visiting relatives in Oklahoma, near Aline and Carmen. She was a small, frail appearing little lady. She died 21 July 1927.
Did this nomadic family ever stay in one place and settle down? Not really, until their later years. Some of the brothers were more restless than others.
John - lived in Kansas City, Kansas from the late 1920s on. He is buried there.
Ida - lived in Oklahoma, near Chandler, all of her married life, I think.
Alexander - one of the restless ones - spent the last 20 years of his life in Alabama and Florida. He died in St. Petersburg and is buried there.
Jasper - spent his later years in Monroe, Louisana and is buried there.
Silas - lived in Oklahoma and later moved to California. He died there.
Lula - lived in Oklahoma and Arizona. I believe she died in Arizona.
Albert - lived mostly in Mississippi from the 1930s on. He died at Jackson.
Amanda - lived in Oklahoma and Kansas City.
Lona - lived in Oklahoma and is buried there.
Oma - lived in Oklahoma, possibly in Arizona at the last.
It is rather comforting to know this roving trait is not hereditary. Most of their offspring have been more settled. I have lived in St. Petersburg, Florida for 51 years.
We seem to have descended from strong, sturdy stock. They were not late-comers to these shores; having knowledge of the strong religious convictions of some of them, it's possible they came here to flee religious persecution! Our ancestors were among those who helped build this country into a nation, and for the most part have been firm believers in the "work ethic". Most of the Sherrell men tended to be farmers, at least part of their life, but not so with their offspring. They have had to live in a very complex world and find their place in it.
As to the spelling of our name: when I was in London in 1979, I found listed in the London telephone directory 9 Sherrells and 1 Sherrill. In 1982 I found 4 Sherrells in London and 4 in the county of Kent, but no Sherrills. This leads me to believe our name has always been spelled with an e. Perhaps all the Sherrills came to America - there are many more of them than us!
I hope to be able to add more to this history. I continue to search for knowledge of our progenitors. Tennessee has more Sherrells than any other state in the Union. Perhaps some day I will be lucky in my search. If any of you have any knowledge or memories of the family, past or present, I would like to hear them.
By Elsie Sherrell Goodyear
5541 24th Terrace North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
[Footnote: I have tried to retype this as near to the original copy as possible.
- Donna A. Sherrell][Footnote: Elsie Sherrell Goodyear died in the early spring of the year 2000.
- Rod Murrow]| Return to Isaiah Sherrell/Martha Jane Shirley information |