Each November, in celebration of Veteran's Day, U.S. flags are displayed on the main roads in Winchester and Decherd to honor Franklin County's vererans. Each flag holder has a soldier's name and a date of service on it.
The names are down the road in alphabetical order. The information on each cross is readable from a slow moving car if traffic isn't too bad.
It's a treasure hunt every year to find my 5th great grandfather, James Sherrod Williams. An unlikely game of hide and seek.
This year I found him on the corner, at the red light, in front of Wal-Mart.
James Sherrod was born in 1776, and died in 1831. His military service was during the War of 1812.
Here is a picture from last November. Last Year Sherrod's flag was in front of the high school on the bypass.
The names are down the road in alphabetical order. The information on each cross is readable from a slow moving car if traffic isn't too bad.
My mom, cousin Gay, and sisters know more about the family than I do. Still, I find all of this interesting and worth learning more about. And that's the reason for this blog story. So I can come back to it, and be reminded of where we came from.
His first name...
I wonder how they pronounced the name, "Sherrod."
Was it just like it looks? With proper diction. "Sherrod?" Then as I met several people that live in William's cove, they say it different than I'd imagined. A couple of them said "Shard." Like a shard of glass. Now, I imagine his name was said somewhere between the perfectly spoken, "Sherrod," and "Shard."
1815
A survey from 1815 listed Sherrod as living on land near the head of Norwoods creek, a branch of the Elk River.
1830
A land grant of 710 acres adjacent to Sherrods peoperty on Norwoods creek, that became Williams Cove.
The family line back to Sherrod...
Steve (me)
my sisters, Melanie, and Sheri. first cousins, Suzanne Williams Troeger, Taylor Judson Williams, and Erik Guess.
My mom, Carolyn Williams, Stone
Her brother Bill Williams, and her sister, Kay Williams Guess
Her dad, Rufus Judson Williams, married to Ethel Adel Jones
His seven Brothers and sisters...Ella Ruth, George Jr., Winnell, Jemimah, Cullie, Elizabeth, and Charles. Affectionatley known as, "The Eight."
His father, George H. Williams, Sr. married to Lela Belle Bryan
3 sons, 5 daughters. (above)
His father, John Williams. Married to Ella K. Corn
3 sons, 4 daughters
His father, Lent Williams, married to Violet Mcilheron
5 sons, 5 daughters
Finally...
His father, James Sherrod Williams, married to Mary Ann Looney
13 sons, 7 daughters.
Pretty sure that makes Sherrod, my 5th, Great Grandfather.
Another blog article dated 11-21-2024, has birth dates, dates of passing, and more specifics. It's a work in progress as I try to add details as they are found.
Finding Sherrod's flag at the redlight in front of Wal-Mart this year makes me smile...
I think about him being born in 1776, and passing away in 1831.
The first red light in Tennessee was in Brownsville, in 1935.
The first Wal=Mart in Tennessee may have been on Nolensville Road in Nashville in 1973.
The train from Nashville to Chattanooga made it's first trip through this area in the 1850's.
If Sherrod could see Franklin county today, what would he think?
Would he stop at Hardee's and visit with the farmers first thing in the morning over a biscuit and cup of coffee?
Use self check out at Wal-Mart?
Would he appreciate the efficiency of the round about south of town.
What would he say about Tim's Ford lake and dam.
Would he recognize the Elk River, and what is now William's Cove, as he knew it in 1815?
Until next year, Shard.
Veteran's Day will roll around again.
I look forward to our next game of Hide and Seek.