SHARPE Charles Nicholas

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1830, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States

Notes:

Mussel Forks Plantation and Notes on the Sharpe Family
From the notes of Olive Willie West Jennings (grandaughter of Charles Rufus Sharpe). Olive West Jennings was born in 1907 and died in 1982.
Mussel Fork Plantation

Riding along Route #31 in Surry County, Virginia, just inside the Northern boundary line of the Town of Dendron, one notices to the west (east?) and some distance from the highway, a very handsome two-story fram farmhouse known as Mussel Fork Plantation. The house was clearly built in two stages differing in dates by about sixty years. The smaller northern section is the older part and is believed by some to date back as far as 1731, while the larger part to the south dates from circa 1800. During this time, the land, composed of nearly fifteen hundred acres, was owned by the Sharp family of Surry and Sussex counties. They lost their holdings in 1854 because of an unpaid debt. Other families to own the farm include the Holdsworths, Steeles, a Charles Goodrich, the Surry Lumber Company, nd its present owner, Mrs. J. I. Cuthbert of Suffolk. The name has been spelled at least three different ways: today it is spelled "Mussel Fork", in 1943 (when the Cuthberts purchased it) it was "Muscle Fork" and in 1885 it was Mussle Fork". The middle spelling seems to be the correct one since the house sits between two branches that meet to form what resembles a bulging bicep.
Still in excellent condition, the house has suffered little over the years. All of the original woodwork survives as does an old kitchen to the right of the house. The 1800 section is protected by beaded weatherboarding and is a three bay structure with nine-over-nine sashes on both levels. The older portion's clapboards are not beaded and is likewise a three bay structure with nine-over-nines on the first level and six-over nines above., Both sections are covered with a tin roof greatly reducing the risks of leaks and rotting floors. All of the first floor woodwork is painted a pleasant cream including a beautiful sunburst mantel in the room to the right of the hall in the main part of the house. This mantel also boasts flanking Ionic columns. Most of the doors appear to the original and the stairrisers are painted to simulate wood graining.
The story of the Sharp family decline is noteworthy in that they were at the time of the Revolution, one of the more prosperous families in the county. In 1854, Thomas Sharp, Senior, borrowed money of a William Joynes. A few years later, his son, Thomas, Jr., got even deeper indebted to Joynes. Thus adding to the amount left unpaid by his late father. In deed book 14, page 52, Thomas, Jr., admits he owes Joynes $1,060 to be taken out of lands left to him in his father's will. The deed reads: I Thomas R. Sharp do hereby grant, convey and assign to the said William Joynes, his executors and administrators for the purpose aforesaid, so much of my share and interest of the estate of my late father, real and personal, as shall be equal to the amount as aforesaid, and to so much in addition as may be herafter advanced to me as aforesaid by saif Joynes on the same account....".
So, a bad debt lost one of Surry's most preminent families one of her nicest county homes. The house is still waiting to be saved and loved against the ravages of time. Once restored, it would add greatly to Dendron and to Surry County itself as one of the better pre-revolution homes still standing.
This paper was copied from one that Aunt Lill Bevard's grandson gave her. A close friend of Glenn's worked with A William and Mary College Professor studying old homes in Surry County and knew that it was her ancestral home. Her father Charles Rufus Sharpe had mentioned Mussel Fork Plantation and the town of Dendron being built on it - November 1975 - Olive West Jennings

Who was Thomas Sharp senior??
John Gibbons Sharp born 1778 had a brother, Thomas born 1790
His son, Charles Nicholas Sharp, born 1803, had a brother, Thomas born 1809 (Note added by RJS 8/4/2011 -This is the most likely candidate for the Thomas Sharp, Sr. - more research is necessary)
His son, Charles Rufus Sharp, born 1835 (1840), had a brother, Thomas born 1827
The date 1854, given in the record of the unpaid debt, might be either one. We know absoultely nothing about the one born in 1827; whether he died as a child or what. Our grandfather Rufus never talked of the 3 children apparently older than he, and mentiolned in his own mother, Maria Roger's Bible. He was not in that Bible listing but we know she was his mother. - OWJ

Transcription of Maria Rogers' Family Bible
This transcription was done by Anthier Elizabeth Sharp Holdsworth in 1942.
The Bible was published in 1830 and was left with Mrs. Maria Sharp by the Bible Society of Surry. According to Elizabeth Sharp in a letter dated May 20, 1942 to Olive West Jennings she stated that the Bible had two stamps in it. One (Nicholas Sharp & C) and the other looks like (Christinia White)
The Transcription reads:
Maria Sharp wife of Nicholas Sharp was 28 years old the 14th of October 1832
Nicholas Sharp was born 13th of April 1803
Thomas Sharp son of Nicholas Sharp was born 24th day of December 1827
Indiana Sharp daughter of nicholas Sharp was born 22nd of March 1829
Nicholas M. Sharp son of Nicholas Sharp was born 1st day of March 1831
Jesse B. Riggan was born September 22 1842
Mary A Riggan the wife of Jesse B Riggan was born the 18th day of September 1843
William S. Riggan son of Jesse B. Riggan was born 17th day of November 1870
Mary R. Riggan the daughter of J. B. Riggan was born January 21, 1873
Jesse T. Riggan was born April 23, 1878
Lula Bell Riggan daughter of J. B. and Mary A. Riggan was born December 16th 1880
Sarah E. Riggan the daughter of J. B. and Mary A. Riggan his wife was born January 12, 1883
Lillian Osgood Riggan the daughter of J. B. Riggan and Mary A his wife was born August 20th 1891.
Lillian died on Tues., October 4th 1898
Notes by Rebecca Jennings Somerhalder - August 3, 2011
My grandmother, Olive Wille West, who was the grandaughter of Charles Rufus Sharp, did extensive research in her lifetime on the Sharp family and was unable to find any information on the first three children (Thomas, Indiana and Nicholas) of Charles Nicholas Sharp and Maria Rogers. The fact that Indiana's birth is given as 1829 and Nicholas's birth is given as 1831 leads me to believe that the birth years we have found for Alfred and Charles Rufus are most likely incorrect (The census records for both men show inconsistency in their birth years- I have adjusted their birth years in my tree to reflect what I believe is more likely). I believe I have found the family living in Lower Chesterfield county in the 1850 census with Maria still alive and with 4 children: Alfred, Caroline (previously unknown), Charles R and Mary A. The children are listed as 15, 14, 10 and 6 years of age which make there birth years approximately 1835, 1836, 1840 and 1844. The 1850 Mortality Schedule for Chesterfield lists (Charles) Nicholas Sharp as dying in June of 1850 of consumption. The 1850 census record in which I found Maria and the children lists a Wren family living next door. Maria's mother was a Wren and possibly the family moved there for family support when Charles Nicholas and Maria became ill. My grandmother states in her research that her grandfather Charles Rufus Sharp was known to have relatives in Matoaca, Chesterfield. The other older children listed in the Bible very possibly could have already been living out on their own by that time or died earlier although there is no mention of their deaths in the family Bible which listed the Riggan family at a much later time. The stamps in the Bible could possibly be the Nicholas Sharp born 1831 with a wife Christinia White? More research is needed.

Census:
1830 United States Federal Census
about Nicholas Sharpe
Name:Nicholas Sharpe          
Home in 1830:, Surry, Virginia View Map          
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:1          
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29:1          
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:1          
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:1          
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23:1          
Free White Persons - Under 20:2          
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:2          
Total Free White Persons:4          
Total Slaves:1          
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):5          

Died:
Not sure why Charles Nicholas was living in Chesterfield County where he died of consumption. His wife and their children were also living in Chesterfield also. There was a Wren family living nearby. Grandma said that there were relatives in Matoaca.

U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index
about Nicholas Sharp
Surname:Nicholas Sharp          
Year:1850          
County:Chesterfield CO.          
State:VA          
Age:46          
Gender:M (Male)          
Month of Death:Jun          
State of Birth:VA          
ID#:MRT46_5911          
Occupation:LABORER          
Cause of Death:CONSUMPTION          

Other Events and Attributes:

• Milit-Beg: 24 May 1861, Sussex County, VA
• Pension: 16 May 1924, Sussex County, VA

Notes:

(Medical):Per pension of wife

Milit-Beg:
Co. A, 41st Regt Va. Infantry, Teamster, Enlisted Sussex C.H.

U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
about Alfred Stith Sharp
Name:Alfred Stith Sharp          
Enlistment Date:24 May 1861          
Rank at enlistment:Private          
Enlistment Place:Sussex Court House, VA          
State Served:Virginia          
Survived the War?:Yes          
Service Record:Enlisted in Company A, Virginia 41st Infantry Regiment on 24 May 1861.          
Death Date:7 Feb 1914          
Death Place:Waverly, Sussex County, VA          
Sources:The Virginia Regimental          

Pension:
U.S., Confederate Pensions, 1884-1958
about Alfred Stith Sharp
Name:Alfred Stith Sharp          
Application Date:16 May 1924          
Application Place:Sussex, Virginia          
Spouse:Mrs Anthier B Sharp          
Marriage Date:7 Feb 1878          
Marriage Place:Sussex County, Virginia          
Death Date:21 May 1914          
Death Place:Waverly, VA          
Application Type:Widow          

Notes:

Died:
Poss died at Caesley, Va

Mary married RIGGAN Jesse Bennett on 5 Mar 1867. Jesse (son of RIGGAN Samuel and RIGGAN Emily --LNU--) was born on 22 Sep 1842; died in 1926. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Died near Waverly

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 362

Notes:

Social Security Death Index
about Grace Sheffield
Name:Grace Sheffield SSN:229-05-2323 Last Residence:23229 Richmond, Henrico, Virginia, United States of America Born:14 May 1885 Died:Jun 1972 State (Year) SSN issued:Virginia (Before 1951)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 621

Notes:

living in NC with son

Family/Spouse: SHEFFIELD Martha --unknown--. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 630

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Homemaker & Waitress
• Reference Number: 47
• Census: 1940, Waverly, VA; Census:

Notes:

Funeral at Waverly Baptist Church, Buried in Waverly Cemetary.

(Medical):Mary Jane died in January 1951. Mary Jane died from Schrosis of the liver, even though she never drank alcohol. This was possibly cancer instead as cancer wasn't widely known at that time and the symptoms were the same as Herbert Horne's stomach cancer...Gene
Death Certificate verifies CA of the colon

Census:
Name:      Mary Sheffield
Age:      21
Estimated Birth Year:      abt 1919
Gender:      Female
Race:      White
Birthplace:      Virginia
Marital Status:      Single
Relation to Head of House:      Daughter (Child)
Home in 1940:      Waverly, Sussex, Virginia
Map of Home in 1940:      View Map
Street:      E Main Street
House Number:      1
Inferred Residence in 1935:      Waverly, Sussex, Virginia
Residence in 1935:      Same House
Resident on farm in 1935:      No
Sheet Number:      1A
Occupation:      Waitress
Attended School or College:      No

Highest Grade Completed:      High School, 4th year

Hours Worked Week Prior to Census:      54
Class of Worker:      Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939:      51
Income:      840
Income Other Sources:      No

Household Members:     
Name      Age
Grace Sheffield      54
Graver Sheffield      24
Mary Sheffield      21
Fred Sheffield      17
Cecil Sheffield      13

Mary married HORNE Herbert Calvin, Sr. on 15 Jun 1940 in Waverly, Sussex County, VA (Waverly Baptist Church). Herbert (son of HORNE Herbert Raines and GOODRICH Mary (Pinky) Elizabeth) was born on 8 Jan 1909 in Sussex County, VA (Milton Farm/Rt. 460); died on 25 Mar 1993 in Chesterfield County, VA; was buried on 27 Mar 1993 in Waverly, Sussex County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 620

Notes:

Living in Northern, Va at death

Family/Spouse: PLANCK Henrietta (Peggy). Henrietta was born on 21 Nov 1922; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: HC
• Reference Number: H48
• Living In: Abt 1962, Thornburg, Spotsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Fraternity: 1966, Hanover County, VA; Demolay
• Living In: 1965-1968, Hanover Courthouse, Hanover County, Virginia, USA
• Military Service: 1968, Howard AFB, Panama
• Occupation: 1968, Howard AFB, Panama; U.S. Air Force
• Funeral: Jan 1968, Wakefield, Sussex, Virginia, USA; Purviance Funeral Home

Notes:

Died on his father's 59th birthday while home on leave from Howard AFB, Panama. It was snowing very heavily and he and his friend (James (Jimmy) Russell Howard from Spottsylvania) crashed head on into a tractor trailer on Rt. 29 in Amherst County. It is unknow which was driving.

Calvin gave Gene HC's Demolay ring after HC's death.

HC was buried with Gene's "original parachute wings" since HC was the one that convinced Gene to go into the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller (CCT Special Ops)

HC was dating an American dependant while in Panama and it was getting to be a rather serious relationship. Gene met with her while he was in Panama and she was a very pretty girl and very nice.

One time while living in Hanover Courthouse, HC and James (Jimmy) bought an old car in Fredericksburg and drove it all the way back with no brakes, except for the clutch and parking brake. They made it with a few hair raising moments.

Living In:
They had a trailer beside the store. The store is still there. One day Calvin decided that HC needed to lose weight, so he made him dig a 2' ditch around the trailer and then fill it back in. All this was because HC loved his moon pies and cartons of milk (and a lot of other sweets) and put on a lot of weight. HC never went back to a lot sweets again and retained his much lower weight.

Military Service:
Air Traffic Controller

Occupation:
Stationed at Howard AFB, Panama as an Air Traffic Controller

Funeral:
Burial at Waverly Cemetery

Died:
Killed in an automobile crash

Other Events and Attributes:

• SSN: 226-62-5052
• Occupation: Real Estate Appraiser
• Reference Number: H49
• Baptism: Abt 1958, Waverly, Sussex County, VA (Waverly Baptist Church)

Notes:

Thomas Dale H.S. in Chester , Va in 7th & 8th grades and living with Landon & Ginny Horne while Calvin was starting new store in Thornsburg. Then attended Spotsylvania H.S., near Thornsburg for 2 years and then moved to Hanover Courthouse and Graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Ashland in 1966.

Martha married HORNER Arthur Hopkins on 18 Mar 1970 in Richmond, VA (Grove Ave Bapt Ch). Arthur (son of HORNER Charles Arthur and HOPKINS Margaret Sinah) was born on 16 Dec 1948 in Richmond, VA (MCV Hosp); died on 22 Jun 1994 in Chesterfield County, VA; was buried on 24 Jun 1994 in Chesterfield County, VA (Skinquarter Bapt Ch). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 623

Family/Spouse: FLOYD Joan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 626

Family/Spouse: RAWLINGS Bonita. Bonita was born on 11 Apr 1949. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Veterinary Tech
• Reference Number: H97
• Baptism: Abt 1986, Chesterfield County, VA (Chesterfield Bapt Ch)

Notes:

Graduated from L.C. Byrd H.S. in Chesterfield....1992 Attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg for first 2 years Now attending Virginia Commonwealth University and majoring in nursing.

Family/Spouse: SHARPE Clint. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Student
• Reference Number: 98
• Baptism: Abt 1989, Chesterfield County, VA (2ND Branch Bapt Ch)

Notes:

Graduated from L.C. Byrd High School in Chesterfield, Va....1995

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 625

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 628

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 629