The surname Sharp has been carried by many notable individuals and Patriots across American history. *The German spelling was Sharpf, Schärf, Schäerf, Shärf, Schäffer and even Schärff and was then "Americanized" upon their arrival in America - and for the purpose of this Bio.*

Through the combined efforts of Eileen Sharpe Fournier (NC Sharpes) FAG# 50972283 and Kelly Sharp-Geier (TN Sharps), our goal is to facilitate an ongoing FamilyTreeDNA genealogical study of male descendants with Sharp YDNA. This study is aimed at providing strong evidence for which original Sharp immigrant we descend from and how we are related to each other. 

This proof is possible because the male YDNA does not change substantially over the generations. This study will help trace and document the various family lines as well as tie back each family line to a specific common ancestor. We hope this study will help clear up many misconceptions and inconsistencies in the lineages of the various Sharp/Sharpe lines.

Many of the earliest Sharps resided and paid taxes in Virginia and North Carolina from at least 1763 through 1800. Most of the NC Sharps migrated to Tennessee and points west. Descendants of some of the North Carolina Sharps still reside in Alamance and surrounding NC counties. We have participants from both groups.

** If you are a male descendant and are interested in joining the Sharp/Sharpe YDNA geological study, please contact us. **

Much of the beginning historical Sharp data begins in North Carolina. As they expanded westward, they created the State of Franklin: An unrecognized, short-lived state (1784-1788) formed by settlers before federal recognition and before statehood. The land that is now the state of Tennessee was called the "Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio" after the State of Franklin failed, and is now more commonly known as the Southwest Territory. These early settlers faced significant conflicts with Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek, who were defending their lands. The settlers often felt the distant federal government provided inadequate military protection, which fueled their desire for self-government and eventual statehood.

A constitutional convention was formed in Knoxville in January 1796, where they drafted a state constitution and chose the name "Tennessee". The process was unique because Tennessee organized as a state before a formal Congressional approval process was fully established for territories, leading to initial confusion in Congress. However, Congress eventually approved its admission, and Tennessee became the 16th state in the Union. The name "Tennessee" was chosen for the new state name during that convention in 1796, deriving its name from the Cherokee town of Tanasi.

The Sharps are known to be the "first families" of the state of Tennessee, having spent many generations defending, changing, challenging and contributing to the landscape of the American South. Tennessee has several places associated with the Sharp family today, most notably:

• Sharps Chapel, Tennessee (This town is named for Revolutionary War soldier Henry Sharp and his descendants) in Union County, TN. Known for Norris Lake access and Chuck Swan State Forest
• Sharps Station - In 1783, Henry Sharp established a pioneer fort beside Norris Lake in what is now Big Ridge State Park.  Sharp's Station was part of a network of trade routes and safe stops for travelers en route to Jacksboro . Some of the other stations in this network included: James White's Fort, Well's Station, Gibbs' Blockhouse, Raccoon Miller's Blockhouse, and Holmack's Station.
• Sharp's Ridge in Knoxville, a Veterans Memorial Park with great views and hiking trails, named for the family who once lived on the ridge.
• Sharp Ousley House (National Register of Historic Places): An historic home in the Sharps Chapel area. Built by Henry Sharp's grandson, Jacob in 1835.
• Elisha Sharp House: An historic 1820s home in Ten Mile, TN

Kelly's concentration on FAG will be to preserve and correct their historical context where needed, add missing family members, and highlight their significant events and personal details - so that their legacy may live on and be available for those who come after.

Her lineage is as noted below. Other notable family descendants include families of John Sebastian Graves, Johannes Albright, Peter Efland, and Johannes "John" Loy.

Please visit her virtual cemeteries that include other descendants of her direct lineage as she attempts to bring these Sharp families back together.

"Those who came before us built the stage upon which we now perform"

??? Original Sharp Immigrant ???

John Joseph Sharp, Sr. 1753-1830

~ Wife: Phyllis Philopeni Efland 1751-1841

David Sharp 1789-1870

~ Wife: Anna Hardy 1786-1857

John Edward Sharp 1813-1900

~ Wife: Emily Jane Oaks 1820-1857

Henry R. Sharp, Sr. 1846-1918

~ Wife: Louisa Elizabeth Sweet 1846-1921

William Harvey Sharp 1870-1940

~ Wife: Arminta "Minnie" Wilkerson

Alfred Luther Sharp 1896-1922

~ Wife: Maud M Mayes 1894-1969

Roy Luther Franklin Sharp 1919-1987

~ Wife: Anna Ruth Smith 1922-2011

Jimmie Ray Sharp, Sr. 1942-2022

~ Wife: Judith Elaine Musser 1943-

Please visit my father's memorial - SFC Jimmie Ray Sharp, Sr., he is WHY I do this research. A career Vietnam Vet solider, small in stature, even smaller on conversation, but large on commitment to rules, regulations, country and family. Being a Vietnam Vet, he did not talk much. He observed, he mentored, he lived, and he died our Hero! He was the rock we beat ourselves against. This is my attempt to understand him better and where he comes from.

"Every man is his own ancestor, and every man is his own heir. He devises his own future, and he inherits his own past." – Richard Llewellyn