Adam Sherrill

Adam Sherrill (Cherokee:ᎠᏓᏫ; a da wi), or Adam "The Pioneer" Sherrill (1697 - May 4, 1774) was the first European to permanently settle on the West side of the Catawba River in North Carolina.

Childhood and marriage

Adam Sherrill was one of the six children of William Sherrill and his wife (name unknown, but not 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 moved from Augusta Co., Virginia and became the first Europeans to permanently settle on the west side of Catawba River in North Carolina. Adam spent two days scouting the Catawba River when he crossed it at a shallow area thereafter called Sherrill's Ford (located just north of modern-day Charlotte, NC). Adam's later received a land patent in 1749 on acreage located on the west bank of the Catawba River.

Adam had an advantage that other early settlers didn't, which was that he spent several years of his childhood living with the native Susquehanna Tribe near Conestoga, PA. The Susquehanna spoke an Iroquoian dialect, and Adam became fluent in the language. Later in life, the area Adam settled in west of the Catawba River was populated by the Cherokee and Catawba tribes, who also spoke an Iroquoian dialect. Certainly, understanding the customs and language of the native inhabitants was a huge advantage to Adam. In fact, Adam apparently negotiated a lease with the Cherokee that allowed him to stay while other settlers were harassed or even killed.

For perspective, it was over two decades after Adam settled at Sherrill's Ford that a town called "Charlottesburg" was founded about 10 miles to the south. This settlement later grew into the modern metropolis that is Charlotte, NC.

Will

Adam Sherrill wrote his will on March 5, 1772. It states:

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. His sons Samuel and William later fought in the Revolutionary War at The Battle of King's Mountain, along with several of their sons.

Sources

• "Adam 'The Pioneer' Sherrill" - Loftin
• "SHERRILLS FORD NAMED FOR CATAWBA PIONEER, ADAM SHERRILL CROSSED RIVER IN 1747 AND BUILT HOMESTEAD ON WEST BANK" - Charlotte Observer
• "Bundle up for a cold one this winter, but very little snow" - Crossville Chronicle
• "VOLUNTEERS WORKING TO SAVE THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE" - Charlotte Observer
• "DENVER'S FIRST NAME: DRY POND" - Charlotte Observer
• "National Register of Historic Places" - North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
• "The Overmountain Men" by Pat Alderman