Francis Sharp (1660-1738)

Francis Sharp is one of the possible fathers of Jacob Sharp (1714-1748) . See my post on the two theories of Jacob Sharp's father. The other is Wiiliam Sharp who I wrote about last week. Francis Sharp was born about 1660 in Northampton Co., VA. He purchased 100 acres of land in York Co., VA in 1702 and in 1707 he bought an additional 50 acres next to the first 100. He first married Comfort Fitchett about 1709 in Northampton Co, VA, daughter of Joshua Fitchett and Esther Witherington. She was born about 1689 in Northampton Co, Va. She was mentioned in her father Joshua's will of 1709 as Comfort Sharp., and died 1710 in Surry Co, Va. Surry Court records noted her death. She is not mentioned in her mother Esther's will of 1716. The Burton Parish Church, Williamsburg records mention her death.

Francis second married Elizabeth Fitchett after 1717 probably in Northampton Co, VA Elizabeth was born about 1691 in Northampton Co. VA. In her father, Joshua's, will of 1709 she is unmarried. In her mother Esther's will of 1716 she is named Elizabeth Sharp. Elizabeth died about 1735 probably in Surry Co, VA. She died before her husband and is not mentioned in his will. On Nov. 1717 Surry Co., VA, Francis was arrested for suspicion of murder of John Marot, Ordinary House owner. However, the charge was never proven and he was released. In 1718 he was granted a license to operate an ordinary house on his land and his tavern still stand sin Colonial Williamsburg.

In 1719 he bought land in Surry Co. across the river form Williamsburg. In 1724 and 1725 he bought land in Isle of Wright, VA. In 1731 he bought more land in Surry Co. On August 12, 1739 he was granted 400 acres in Surry Co. VA on the south side of the Main Black Water Swamp and the south side of the Seacawris Swamp adjoining Col. Benjamin Harrsion, Wiilaim Burgess, and Joseph Richardson for 2 pds. He died on August 1739 in Meherin, Isle of Wright Co (Surry Co). Joseph Witherington was the appraiser of his estate and he had owned land in Surry Co, Williamsburg, and Jamestown when he died. Francis and his first wife, Comfort, had two known children:

1. William, born before 1710 in Northampton Co, VA, died 1742 in Surry Co., VA. Probate by 1743, mentions that he had a wife and children. A William Sharp is listed as owning land in Bertie Co., next to Thomas Mann on the east side of Wickkacone Creek, on August 4, 1723 in the land patent (2169, p. 160) of James Boon. There is a similar mention of William Sharp owning land next to Thomas Mann in the land patent (3360, p. 298) of Trudle Keef of Jan. 19, 1715/16. William Sharp is also listed as receipt of a land patent (3288, p. 279) of 380 acres on the south side of Wickacone Creek in August 26, 1716. On the same day he also received a land patent (3287, p. 279) for 900 acres in Chowan precinct, joining the side of Killum Swamp near the land of Thomas Mann.

2. Elizabeth, born before 1710 in Isle of Wright Co,/Surry Co., VA, died about 1765 in Northampton Co., VA. She married Amos Garris III, farmer, about 1730 in Surry Co./Isle of Wight Co, VA. They had seven children: Amos IV (1735-1771), John (1737-1800), Joshua (1739-1810), Benjamin (1740-1810), Hannah (1744-before 1772), Susannah Elizabeth (1745-). In 1722 Amos sued for land that belonged to his late brother John that was occupied by John Addison. In 1725 Amos is listed as “non solvent” by the court. In 1731, after his marriage to Elizabeth, Amos bought 375 acres of land in Isle of Wright Co. near the land of Francis Sharp. Francis Sharp’s will of 1739 mentions his daughter, Elizabeth Garris. Elizabeth’s son, Benjamin, enlisted in the Rev. War Army on May 4, 1777 at Kinston, VA but was replaced shortly by Sikes, his son. Sikes also had two brothers, John and Benjamin, who served in the war. John’s son, Griffin served in the War of 1812.

Francis and his second wife, Elizabeth Fitchett, had seven children:

1. John, born after 1714 in Isle of Wright Co, Va/Surry Co, VA; died October 1759 in Surry Co, Va. His will written Apr. 12, 1759, probated Oct. 12, 1759. He married Comfort. They had four children, all born in Surry Co. and under age when their father died in 1759: Burrell Sharp, Elizabeth, Mary Sharp, Cherry.

2. Jacob, born after 1714 in Isle of Wright Co, VA, died about Oct. 1748 in Hertford Co.-Bertie Co, NC. He married Elizabeth (Tanner). Jacob Sharp and Elizabeth (Tanner) three known children: Issac, Starkey, (1743-1791), Timothy. (but this is controversal)

3. Sarah, born after 1714 in Isle of Wright Co, VA. A Sarah Sharp served as a Legatee to the will of Samuel Sabane Plomer in April 12, 1755 along with Elizabeth Plomer Sharp

4. Comfort, born after 1714 in Isle of Wright Co, VA. She married Joseph King about 1734 in VA; born probably in VA. They lived next door to Francis Sharp Sr and Jr, bordered by Joseph Witherington land and Wm Fitchett land. In 1742 he sued his brother-in-law John Sharp over 3 pounds. Francis Sharp’s will of 1739 mentions his daughter Comfort King.

5. Mary, born after 1714.

6. Garris, born after 1714.

7. Francis, born after1714 in Isle of Wright Co, Va. His land in Surry Co was bordered by William Fitchett, Joseph Witherington, and Joseph King. He died after 1753 in VA. He witnessed the will of John Person on Aug. 31, 1751, with Amos Garris. He married Lidia Groves in Southampton Co., VA. They had two known children: John (Between 1735 & 1737- about 1806), Groves (about 1745-1779). On July 4, 1759 he was granted 96 acres in Southampton Co. VA on the south side of Flatt Swamp adjoining the Sharps old land and Edward Winham for 10 shillings.

Much of the information on the Francis Sharp line (William, Francis, Jacob) is taken Christine Tomlin’s “Descendents of William Sharp” and some of the following generation benefit from this materials.

Comments

[Soumia]

WOW! Sorry to hear you had torlbue with the first lens. I heard rumors the some had to be sent back for calibration. This ROCKS.I'm sure you'll love your 500 as much as I love mine.