Woodard Phelps Sharp
My mother descends through Woodard Phelps Sharp (b. 1855 Madison Co., AL-d. 1940 Dallas, Dallas Co., TX).
(1) Does anyone know at what juncture the Phelps name was introduced into the Sharp family?
(2) I guess I should also ask where the Woodard name comes in (thought it was his grandmother’s maiden name).
I’ll be the first to admit I thought I had it nailed but after reading this Sharp Forum I’m totally confused.
My mother’s story, that is also laced with remembrances from my grandmother, concerning Woodard Phelps Sharp is as follows (note neither was a computer user so do not believe the information is “tainted” - also - the Sharps, Fernando and Woodard, were in Collin Co., Texas before relocating to Throckmorton Co.):
"Maternal Grandfather
Woodard Phelps Sharpe was born on his parents' farm in Alabama.His great- uncle, Eli Sharpe, left $3,000.00 at his death to be used to educate his brother's sons; Andrew, Conroe, Woodard, and Haley.However, Woodard's father used the money to buy land and the children remained illiterate.Woodard Sharpe came to Texas with his wife and young daughter, Reba, four years old at the time, and farmed in Young County until World War I, when the family moved to Dallas.There, Woodard Sharpe did odd jobs until his death, apparently from a stroke, at age 72.He is buried in Dallas.
The maternal grandparents came to Texas to “pick the money off the trees” before the turn of the century.Settling first in Throckmorton County, the family worked on the large Davis Ranch."
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From the McKnight Ranch web site:
At the young age of fourteen, Eli Pentecost Davis left his Missouri home to join the Confederate cause as a drummer boy. By the War's end, Mr. Davis was discharged in Galveston and began scrounging for work on farms before taking post as a tanner for 18 months. As remuneration for his work, the young E. P. accepted tanned hides that he eventually traded for fifty steers—starting his career in the cattle business. For the next several years, he became a full-fledged cowboy, driving cattle north on drives through Indian Territory to Kansas. He eventually settled in Throckmorton County, Texas and began purchasing land and even more cattle. Upon his death in 1902, his estate was divided amongst his wife and six surviving children including Alice Elizabeth "Allie" McKnight. This land became the foundation of the McKnight Ranch.
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Re: Woodard Phelps Sharp
Richard Bradford 11/02/11