William Paley Sharpe

     William Paley Sharpe was born on 25 August 1841 at Iredell Co, North Carolina. He was the son of Fieldon Sharpe and Sarah Allen. William Paley Sharpe married Mary Ann Cloer, daughter of Roberson Cloer and Margret Lavina Byers, on 22 March 1866 at Iredell Co, North Carolina. William Paley Sharpe married Mary Ann Cloer, daughter of Roberson Cloer and Margret Lavina Byers, on 5 May 1866 at Concord Twp, Iredell Co, North Carolina.¹ William Paley Sharpe died on 24 January 1930 at 509 Armfield Street, Statesville, Iredell Co, North Carolina, at age 88; His death certificate lists his parents as Fredman Sharpe and Sallie Allen, from information given by his wife Mary Ann. He died at 6 PM. There was no record of his birth.^2,3,4 He was buried on 25 January 1930 at Oakwood Cemetery, Statesville, Iredell Co, North Carolina.^2,5
     Much of what we know about William Paley Sharpe comes from military records. He was 6' tall with dark hair and complexion with blue eyes. He had been a Private in Company E with the 49th Regiment of the Infantry during the Civil War. He had enlisted on 26 February 1862 from Iredell County. During his service he was hospitalized at the Episcopalian Church Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia from 24 August 1862 until 25 December 1862 for a fever.
William Paley Sharpe deserted on 19 July 1863 but was returned to confinement on 22 October 1863. His name appears as signature to an oath of amnesty on 29 January 1865 at City Point, Virginia. He appeared on the census of 4 August 1870 at Concord Twp, Iredell Co, North Carolina; W. P. Sharpe, 29, works on farm, Mary, 21, William 3, and Lillia, 2/12 born in June of 1870. Cora Lee's birthdate is put in question here.⁶ He appeared on the census of 23 June 1880 at Sharpesburg, Iredell Co, North Carolina; William P. Sharpe, 40, Mary, 39, William M., 12, Cora L., 8, Julia B., 7, Charlie F., 3, Puella, 2, and James, 1 month (b. May).⁷ He appeared on the census of 25 June 1900 at Sharpesburg, Iredell Co, North Carolina; The 1900 census, Sharpsburg [Bryantsville Div] lists William and Mary married 43 yrs (obviously an error), and Mary as 35 years old, born Jan 1865, mother of 6 children, all 6 living. Cora was listed as born June 1869 and Puella as born May 1881. The person giving the information to the census taker was not very knowledgable in this area. Also in the household were Lawrence b. Jun 1884, and granddaughters, Mertie b. Sept 1896 and Gracie, b. March 1897. William could neither read or write, but Mary and Cora could both read. Mertie would have been Cora's daughter, Myrtle.⁸ He appeared on the census of May 1910 at Bethany Twp, Iredell Co, North Carolina; William P. Sharpe, aged 69, and wife Mary, 64, married for 42 years, had six children, five still living. Daughter Puella, 24, was there with her three children, Gracie, 13, Olly, 8 and Luther, 5. By this time, Gracie could read, along with her grandmother, Mary Ann Cloer Sharpe. Mary Puella could not read or write.⁹ Taxes for 1919 were $3.31 based on a property value of $205 -- Taxes were $3.28 with an extra $ .03 added, no reason given. He appeared on the census of 14 January 1920 at Bethany Twp, Iredell Co, North Carolina; Paley Sharpe, 77, Mary A., 72, daughter Puella, 37, Ila (? - had to be Ollie), 17, Luther 15, and Mettie E. (had to be Mary Edison), 5. Ollie was listed as daughter, but obviously is granddaughter. The last two entries were listed as grandson and granddaughter. Neither William Paley or Puella could read or write, but Mary could read. Ollie could read and write, but Luther could not.¹⁰