William Randolph Mayfield and his wife Sarah Amanda Davis ca. 1900.

Mayfield Family Genealogy

Tombstone of Micajah Mayfield (1748-1838), Revolutionary War Veteran.

Home VA Mayfields NC Mayfields KY Mayfields TN Mayfields MO Mayfields NY Mayfields Cherokee Mayfields Biographies 1790 Census 1820 Census Allied Families

 

Sharp Family

An Essay By Phil Norfleet

 

I have not personally researched the genealogy of the Sharp family; the following report has been generated from secondary sources only. Much of the information contained herein have been obtained from the work of Merle Stevens of Brownwood, Texas. Accordingly, the report should be used as a starting point only, to use in forming genealogical hypotheses. To prove these hypotheses, the reader of this report must provide his/her own supporting rationale obtained from personal family documents such as Bible records and/or memoranda; and from official documents such as wills, deeds, court minutes, etc.  The ancestor numbering system utilized in the report is that recommended by the National Genealogical Society (NGS).

Although the Sharp surname is frequently spelled "Sharpe," in this report the name is always spelled "Sharp." Also, several Sharp females were named "Elinor" or "Ellender;" throughout this report I have used the more modern spelling of Eleanor.

 

Generation No. 1

1. John1 Sharp was born in Pennsylvania, and probably died in Tennessee. He married (1) Name Unknown. He married (2) Eleanor Mayfield 06 July 1799 in Jefferson County KY, daughter of James Mayfield and Name Unknown. She was born Abt. 1784 in Virginia, and died Bef. 1844 in Illinois.

Notes for John Sharp and Eleanor Mayfield

MARRIAGE

A certain James Mayfield gave his written consent for his daughter, Eleanor Mayfield to marry John Sharp. The consent statement, dated 05 July 1799, is filed with the marriage bond packet at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Louisville. A record of the marriage may also be found in Jefferson County KY Marriage Book 1, page 33.

Their Jefferson County KY Marriage Bond is dated 06 July 1799. Consent, dated 05 July 1799, for the bride is given in writing by her father, James Mayfield as follows:

"July the 5th: 1799

"Sir,

"This comes to inform you that you are in no danger to give John Sharp lisans [sic] for her and one of my daughters is a going to bee [sic] mared [sic] givin [sic[ my hand this day.

"/S/ James Mayfield

"To Mr. Pope" [Worden Pope, was then Clerk of the Jefferson County Court.]

The only James Mayfield that I know of who was of the right age and was then living in Jefferson County is James, the brother of Micajah. The records of Virginia's Illinois Regiment indicate that there were two James Mayfields serving in that regiment in 1779-1780. Presumably, one James is the father of Micajah Mayfield and others, who was killed by the Delawares in Middle TN in August 1780. The other James is probably a son of the elder James and brother of Micajah Mayfield (1748-1838).

LAND PURCHASE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY KY

About one year before his marriage to Eleanor Mayfield, John Sharp purchased a 96-acre tract of land on Chenowith's Run in Jefferson County KY from a certain Richard Chenowith, on 5 June 1798. The land was bounded by land owned by Martin Resinger, Aaron Rolings, William Fleming and Daniel Murphey [See Jefferson County KY Deed Book 4, page 584.]

LAND SALE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY KY

Shortly after their marriage, in September 1799, John Sharp and his wife sold 50 acres of the above cited 96-acre tract of land to a certain John Bruner, for a sum of $100. After the sale, Sharp still retained the balance of the 96-acre tract = 46 acres. The indenture refers to his wife as "Nally" - probably a phonentic attempt to spell the nickname for Elaenor more commonly represented as "Nelly!" However, her signature, at the end of the indenture, uses the full name of "Eleanor." The indenture, recorder on 5 November 1799, states the following:

"This indenture made this third day of September One Thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine. Between John Sharp of Jefferson County State of Kentucky and Nally his wife of the one part and John Bruner of the County and State aforsaid of the other part, Witnesseth that the said John Sharp and Nally his wife for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred Dollars to him the said John Sharp in hand well and truely paid, the receipt and payment whereof is hereby acknowledged, they the said John Sharp and Nally his wife have granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said John Bruner his heirs and assigns, all those ... situate an lying in Jefferson County State of Kentucky containing fifty acres of land bounded and ... corner to Martin Resinger ... to Aaron Rolings ... in Daniel Murpheys line ... In witness whereof the said John Sharp and Nally his wife

have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.

"/S/ John Sharp (Seal)

"/S/ Eleanor Sharp (Seal)

"Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of:

"Jno Miller"

[See Jefferson County KY Deed Book 5, page 163.]

SHARPS and Mayfields IN THE TAX RECORDS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY KY

People with the Mayfield and Sharp surnames that appear in the Jefferson County tax records during the years 1789-1807 are shown below. The tax returns for the year 1799 are highly significant as they strongly indicate that the John Sharp who married Eleanor Mayfield in 1799 was a man old enough to have already had one son age 16-21. Accordingly, Eleanor was undoubtedly his second wife! Their tax data is summarized as follows:

1789 - John Sharp, 1 white poll

1789 - Micajah Mayfield, 1 white poll

1790 - John Sharp, 1 white poll

1790 - Micajah Mayfield, 1 white poll

1791 - Micajah Mayfield, 1 white poll

1791 - John Sharp, 1 white poll

1791 - Adam Sharp, 1 white poll

1792 - McKager Mayfield, 1 white poll

1792 - John Sharp, Sr., 1 white poll

1792 - Adam Sharp, 1 white poll

1792 - John Sharp, 1 white poll

1793 - Micajie Mayfield, 1 white poll

1793 - John Sharp, 1 white poll

1794 - Micajah Mayfield, 1 white poll

1795 - Micajah Mayfield, 1 white poll, 220 acres on Floyds Fork

1795 - John Sharp, 1 white poll, 100 acres on Floyds Fork

1796 - No Mayfield or Sharps noted!

1797 - Macager Mayfield, 1 white poll, 159 acres on Long Run

1797 - John Sharp, 1 white poll, 100 acres on Chenowiths Run

1798 - No tax records extant.

1799 - Micager Mayfield, 1 white poll, 144 acres on Long Run

1799 - James Mayfield, 1 white poll plus 1 white male age 16-21

1799 - John Sharp, 1 white poll and 1 white male age 16-21, 46 acres on Chenowiths Run

1800 - Micager Mayfield, 1 white poll, 144 acres on Long Run

1800 - James Mayfield, 2 white polls and 1 white male age 16-21

1800 - John Sharp, 1 white poll plus 1 white male age 16-21, 100 acres on Long Run

1801 - Micager Mayfield, 1 white poll, 144 acres on Long Run

1801 - James Mayfield, 1 white poll plus 1 white male age 16-21

1801 - John Sharp, 2 white polls plus 1 white male age 16-21, 126 acres on Long Run and 40 acres on Chenowiths Run

1802 - No Mayfields or Sharps noted!

1803 - No Mayfields or Sharps noted!

1804 - No Mayfield or Sharps noted!

1805 - No Mayfields or Sharps noted!

1806 - Elijah Mayfield, 1 white poll

1806 - No Sharps noted!

1807 - Micager Mayfield, Jr., 1 white poll

1807 - No Sharps noted!

Children of John Sharp and his first wife (Name Unknown) are:

2 i. William2 Sharp, born Abt. 1782 in Pennsylvania; died Abt. 1865 in Lewis County TN. He married Eleanor Mayfield; born Abt. 1785 in Pendleton County SC; died Abt. 1870 in Lewis County TN.

Notes for William Sharp

The following is an excerpt taken from page 204 of the "History of Lewis County, Tennessee" published in 1995:

WILLIAM SHARP, born 1782 in Pennsylvania, son of John Sharp, was one of the earlier settlers of the Lewis County area. He is listed on the 1820, 1830 and 1840 Maury County census, but always lived in what became present day Lewis County. He died between 1860 and 1867, in Lewis County. His wife, Elinor, born 1785, South Carolina, died between June 1870 and 6 February 1871, in Lewis County; she may have been a daughter of Elijah Mayfield. Per early census records, William and Elinor had 13 children. There is information on 10:

Perry Sharp was dead by 1871 ...

Mary Ann Sharp (01 December 1805-22 December 1871) ...

John M. Sharp (1807-aft. 1880) ...

Catherine (Kate) Sharp (1810-March 1877) ...

Elizabeth Sharp (06 February 1811-21 July 1860) ...

Sophia Sharp (1813-aft. 1880)

William Anderson Sharp (1814-Aft. 1880) ...

George Milton Sharp (11 March 1819-19 April 1875) ...

Harriett Sharp (1826-bef. 1900) ...

Martha Jane Sharp (19 October 1828-21 April 1902) ...

+ 3 ii. Nehemiah Sharp, born Abt. 1784 in Pennsylvania; died 1870 in Lewis County TN.

+ 4 iii. Edward Sharp, born 17 January 1787 in Kentucky; died 14 February 1866 in Perry County TN.

5 iv. Henry Sharp, born Abt. 1790.

6 v. John Sharp, born Abt. 1792 in Kentucky; died 1852 in Lewis County TN. He married Mary Blackburn 12 July 1817 in Maury County TN; born 1781 in North Carolina; died Aft. 1852.

In a deposition given in June 1842, Maury County TN, John D. Sharp, a lawyer, stated that he was then 50 years old. [See Lawsuit of Rainey vs Rainey, Maury County TN Circuit Court.]

7 vi. Joshua Sharp, born Abt. 1793.

8 vii. Margaret Sharp, born Abt. 1794.

Children of John Sharp and Eleanor Mayfield are:

9 i. James2 Sharp, born Abt. 1800 in Kentucky; died Abt. 1855 in Perry County TN. He married Eliza Mayfield 17 August 1820 in Maury County TN; born 1804 in Kentucky; died Abt. 1865 in Perry County TN.

+ 10 ii. Samuel Sharp, born Abt. 1801 in Kentucky; died Abt. 1868 in Hickman County TN.

+ 11 iii. Adam Sharp, born Abt. 1813 in Tennessee.

 

Generation No. 2

3. Nehemiah2 Sharp (John1) was born Abt. 1784 in Pennsylvania, and died 1870 in Lewis County TN. He married (1) Milly Clayton 15 September 1807 in Williamson County TN. She was born Abt. 1787, and died Bef. 1858 in Lewis County TN. He married (2) Caroline Barr 10 August 1858 in Lewis County TN.

Children of Nehemiah Sharp and Milly Clayton are:

12 i. Nancy3 Sharp, born 10 April 1808; died 11 August 1859. She married Thomas Dodson.

13 ii. John Sharp, born 1811; died Abt. 1880.

+ 14 iii. William Sharp, born 1813 in Tennessee; died 08 March 1862 in Washington County, Arkansas.

15 iv. Mary Sharp, born 05 June 1816 in Maury County TN; died 18 April 1885 in Lewis County TN. She married George Vincent.

16 v. Elizabeth Sharp, born 1822 in Maury County TN; died 1884. She married Jones Vincent.

17 vi. James Sharp, born 1825 in Maury County TN; died Abt. 1864 in Texas (in Civil War). He married Sophia Caroline Churchwell Abt. 1849 in Tennessee; born 24 August 1829 in Tennessee; died 12 October 1914 in Washington County, Arkansas.

18 vii. Levi Sharp, born Abt. 1826; died 01 March 1862 in Saint Louis MO. He married Mary Jane Thompson.

Levi served in the Civil War and died as a POW in St. Louis MO.

 

4. Edward2 Sharp (John1) was born 17 January 1787 in Kentucky, and died 14 February 1866 in Perry County TN. He married Dorcas (Tabitha) Mayfield 28 April 1810 in Shelby County KY, daughter of Elijah Mayfield and Elizabeth _____. She was born 02 June 1791 in Pendleton County SC, and died 24 October 1876 in Perry County TN.

Most of the vital data for the family of this Edward Sharp have been taken from his Bible record as published by Merle Stevens of Brownwood, Texas. [See the periodical entitled "The River Counties," Volume 9, number 33, 1980 edition, page 105.]

The spelling of the Sharp name in the Bible record is"Sharpe." However, for the purposes of this database I have converted all the "Sharpe" surnames to the more common "Sharp" spelling.

Children of Edward Sharp and Dorcas Mayfield are:

19 i. Mariah3 Sharp, born 23 March 1811 in Hickman County TN. She married James Campbell.

20 ii. William Sharp, born 20 September 1812 in Hickman County TN.

21 iii. George F. Sharp, born 27 May 1815 in Hickman County TN; died 1864 in Maury County TN (Civil War Skirmish). He married Elizabeth Hensley 1836 in Maury County TN.

22 iv. Mary Ann Sharp, born 27 January 1817 in Hickman County TN.

23 v. John A. Sharp, born 06 November 1818 in Hickman County TN.

24 vi. Uraith C. Sharp, born 07 November 1820 in Hickman County TN. She married Edmond Harder.

25 vii. Isaac H. Sharp, born 13 August 1822. He married Leonna Kelley 1843 in Maury County TN.

26 viii. Elizabeth Jane Sharp, born 19 April 1828; died 11 December 1857. She married _____ Smith.

27 ix. James Mountable ("Mount") Sharp, born 30 September 1830; died 19 January 1908 in Lewis County TN. He married Sarah Clayton 25 March 1852 in Lewis County TN; born 14 February 1833; died 15 October 1906.

 

10. Samuel2 Sharp (John1) was born Abt. 1801 in Kentucky, and died Abt. 1868 in Hickman County TN. He married Millie Mayfield Abt. 1819 in Hickman County TN, daughter of Elijah Mayfield and Elizabeth _____. She was born Abt. 1800 in Pendleton County SC, and died Abt. 1868 in Hickman County (?) TN.

Children of Samuel Sharp and Millie Mayfield are:

28 i. George Washington3 Sharp, born 26 April 1840 in Lewis County TN; died 1934 in Hickman County TN. He married Iowa Clementine Southall 1865 in Hickman County TN; born 30 March 1848; died 26 May 1937 in Hickman County TN.

29 ii. Mary Ann Sharp. She married Jonathan Tolle 15 December 1853 in Lewis County TN; born Abt. 1795 in Virginia; died Abt. 1875 in Hickman County TN.

 

11. Adam2 Sharp (John1) was born Abt. 1813 in Tennessee. He married Nancy _____. She was born Abt. 1820 in Arkansas.

The names of children and age data for Adam Sharp and his family have been based on the 1850 Federal Census for Washington County, Arkansas.

Children of Adam Sharp and Nancy _____ are:

30 i. Margaret3 Sharp, born Abt. 1839.

31 ii. Mary Sharp, born Abt. 1841.

32 iii. Emily Sharp, born Abt. 1843.

33 iv. Eliza Sharp, born Abt. 1847.

34 v. Amanda Sharp, born Abt. 1849.

 

Generation No. 3

14. William3 Sharp (Nehemiah2, John1) was born 1813 in Tennessee, and died 08 March 1862 in Washington County, Arkansas. He married Minerva Mayfield 20 February 1839 in Maury County TN, daughter of Samuel Mayfield and Zuridice Rhoades. She was born 22 November 1814 in Maury County TN, and died 28 September 1870 in Washington County, Arkansas.

Names of William Sharp's children and their ages have been obtained from the 1850 Federal Census for Washington County, Arkansas.

Children of William Sharp and Minerva Mayfield are:

35 i. James4 Sharp, born Abt. 1841 in Arkansas.

36 ii. Levi Sharp, born Abt. 1843 in Arkansas.

37 iii. William Sharp, born Abt. 1845 in Arkansas.

38 iv. Louisa Sharp, born Abt. 1847 in Arkansas.

39 v. Thomas Sharp, born Abt. 1849 in Arkansas.

horizontal rule