Person:John Sharp (51)

John Sharp, Jr., born August 30, 1745 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; died December 01, 1823; married Elizabeth Laughlin March 21, 1771 in York, Pennsylvania; born 1746 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; died 1825 in Sullivan, Tennessee. Notes for John Sharp, Jr: History of Sullivan Co Tenn by Oliver Taylor 1909, pp 22-3 World Family Tree, vol. 23, tree # 1559, compiled by Mary Lois Pierce-Hughes, RR 2 Box 485, Athens, Ill. 62613, extracted May 1999. World Family Tree, vol 25, Tree # 2295, compiled by Rosemary Paul, 1218 E College, Broken Arrow, Okla. 74012, extracted May 1999. John Sharp, his brother, Thomas and Thomas Henderson were the first permanent settlers in Sullivan Co, Tennessee. They came in the spring of 1765. They cleared some land and planted a corn crop. In the fall, they gathered their corn and put it in cribs made of logs. They returned to Pennsylvania and brought their families back with them in the spring of 1766. They found the corn almost totaly destroyed by wild anumals. They had 3 tracts of land about 5 miles apart on the Holston River. They are still occupied by descendants today. The first deed executed to any of the settlers was 676 acres of land on Beaver Creek was to John Sharp and Benjamin Logan. John Sharp was an Indian Trader. He built the first mill in Sullivan Co. It was a small tub mill, located at the mouth of Muddy Creek. later known as Spurgeon's Mill. John was in the Battle of King's Mountain. He served on the first jury in Washington Co, Virginia. He served as a delegate from Sullinan County, North Carolina in July of 1788. He recieved 1000 acres in Roane Co, Tennessee for his duties in the Rev. War. He must have followed the Holston River to that area in 1806 or 1807. The land in Sullivan Co. went to the oldest son William. His land in Roane Co. was located on the Cinch River.

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   Footnote: "Kentucky Family Archive" _FOOT: "Kentucky Family Archive"

2.   Will of John Sharp, Roane Co., Probated April 1828
   20 Sep 1815.

   In the name of God, Amen, I, John Sharp of the county of Roane, Tennessee, being weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner following.
   I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife, Sarah, all my moveable property after paying my just debts and funeral chargesto be by her disposed of at her decrease as she may think proper.
   I give and bequeath to my son, John Anderson Sharp, my land in the county of Roane. Reserving to my well beloved wife her right of living and having her maintenance there on during her natural life and also reswrving to my two daughters, Margaret and Polly Ann, their right of living thereon so long as they remain single.
   I give and bequeath to my son, William Sharp $8.00 to be paid to him by my son John Anderson at the time the said John Anderson attains the age of 21. And having therefore provided for all of my other children by giving them what I considered their equal shares. I do not allow them any part of what may remain of my estate at my decease. And for the excution fo this my last will and testament, I constitute and appoint my well beloved son, William Sharp executor, hereby revoking all my wills by me formerly made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of September 1815.