Nancy Ann STRONG ⁴

  Research Notes:

It should be noted that the sources for this family include the family records of three individuals: Donnan K. Hunter, Ruth Winchell and Marjorie Gracy. There are minor differences between their respective records. Since I am in no position to arbitrate these differences, I have simply pointed them out and chosen a version that either the majority agreed with or made sense in light of other facts. ^{6 7 13}

  Birth Notes:

All known records, which includes the 1900 census, the family records of Ruth Winchell, the Morgan County History Book, obituaries and death certificate, have Nancy's year of birth as 1838. However, Marjorie Gracy believes 1839 is the year engraved on her grave marker. After viewing the grave marker in 1999, Marjorie wrote "[i]t was easy to see where the date on Nancy's tombstone could have been taken for a 8 instead of a 9 but when you rubbed your hand over it, it had to be a 9." The year 1839 fits better with her brother Andrew's year of birth, calculated as about 1838 from census records, but the weight of the evidence favors the year 1838. Certainly the 1900 census, the death certificate and the obituaries could not have been influenced by an incorrect reading of her grave marker.

  Death Notes:

Versailles Leader and Press Obituary:

"Mrs. Nancy Sharples was 89 years of age at the time of her death was conscious until the last.

Nancy Strong was born in Cole County, Missouri. June 19, 1938, Her life was spent in Missouri with the exception of a few years spent in Texas in early childhood.

On February 23, 1860 she was united in Marriage to William B Sharples. To this union were born 12 children, two having died in infancy and two Mrs Susan Englebrecht and Thomas J died in later life. Her husband departed this life 24 years ago, eight children survive all of whom were present at the funeral. They are: Robert S and William A of Barnett, James A of Spokane Washington, Mrs Elizabeth Gracy of Barnett, Mrs W K Hunter of Versailles, Mrs R E Lehman of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, Miss Rose Sharples of Barnett, Miss Maggie Sharples who has been located in Colorado Springs, Oklahoma in Bible training work. She is also survived by 28 grandchildren, twenty four great-grandchildren and two sisters Margaret Kingery of Chilicothi Ohio and Mrs A N Bowlin of Ionia Missouri.

In early life she was converted and united with the Presbyterian Church at Hopewell. She lived in a faithful consistent life. She was always a regular attendant at church services until about seven months before her death, when failing health kept her at home. Her Bible was her constant companion and guide, she was a great reader and in spite of her 89 years her eye sight permitted her to do a great deal of reading and her mind was clear to the last. She was a woman of unusual physical vitality and strength of character and will be greatly missed by those who live to bless her memory."

Versailles Statesman Obituary:

"Mrs. Nancy Sharples was born in Cole County, Missouri, 89 years ago. She came to Morgan County as early as 1849. Her husband, Wm. Sharpless, died 24 years ago. The family has lived in the east end of the county all of these years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs Sharples were: Mrs. Engelbrecht, now dead; Lizzie Gracie, Mrs. W. K. Hunter, Maggie Sharples, Rosa Sharples, Dora Lehman of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, Robert Sharples, Wm A. Sharples, James Sharples of Spokane, Washington, and Thomas Sharples, deceased.

Mrs. Sharples had long been a member of the Hopewell Presbyterian church and was a woman of the old type -- a real wife, mother, homemaker and helpful neighbor, always stretching out a helpful hand to those in need. Last June, she celebrated her 89th birthday and it was a happy occasion to her. She will long be remembered by the younger generation in her community. The funeral services were conducted at Hopewell today (Thursday), a large crowd of relatives and friends attending the funeral. Her children all attended the funeral. The Presbyterian pastor at Hopewell conducted the funeral services."

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Census: 1840, Cole County, Missouri. ¹⁴

Household of Hiram Strong: Presumed to be the female under age 5.

2. Census: 1850, Newton County, Missouri. ⁴

Household of Hiram Strong: Nancy Strong, age 10, female, born in Missouri.

3. Census: 1870, Morgan County, Missouri. ¹⁵

Household of William Sharpless: Sharpless, Nancy, age 31, female, white, keeping house, born in Missouri

4. Census: 1880, Morgan County, Missouri. ¹⁶

Household of William Sharpless: Sharpless, Nancy, white, female, age 41, wife, married, keeping house, born in Missouri, father and mother born in Tennessee.

5. Census: 1900, Morgan County, Missouri. ⁵

Household of William B. Sharples: Sharples, Nancy; wife; white; female; born Jun 1838; age 62; married 40 years; 12 children, 10 living; born in Missouri; father and mother born in Tennessee; can read and write and speak English.

6. Census: 1910, Morgan County, Missouri. ¹⁷

Household of Robert S. Sharpless: Sharpless, Nancy; mother; female; white; age 70; widowed; 10 children, 9 living; born in Missouri; father and mother born in Tennessee; speaks English; has own income; can read and write.

7. Census: 1920, Morgan County, Missouri. ¹⁸

Household of Robt Sharples: Sharples, Nancy; mother; female; white; age 81; widowed; can read and write; born in Missouri; father and mother born in Tennessee; speaks English; none for occupation.

[Daughter Rose is also in Robert's household.]

Nancy married William Bond SHARPLES on 23 Feb 1860 in Cole County, Missouri.^{1 6 7} (William Bond SHARPLES was born on 1 Aug 1825 in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina,^{5 6 7} died on 12 Jan 1903 in Barnett, Morgan County, Missouri ^{7 19} and was buried in Hopewell Cemetery, Morgan County, Missouri ^{7 19}.)