Family History by Robert Monroe Fleming (Sr.)
Notes on Fanily History by Iva Causey Fleming
(Part 30)
Transcribed by Robert M. Fleming Jr.
A letter in Iva Causey Fleming's papers with no indication to whom sent, or a date. Regarding Revolutionary War veteran, Andrew McCormick. [There is the top of one more line visible at the bottom of the page, I can make out the beginning but as the line moves to the right less and less is visible until it disappears.] Could be from Armedia Jennings[?] ... ?
I am a grandson of General James General James R McCormick of Missouri, who was a son of Joseph McCormick. And I am a mutual descendent with you of Andrew McCormick, my great, great Grandfather.
In 1925 my sister desired to become a member of "Daughters of the American Revolution". I had the North Carolina Historical Commission search their records. And they supplied me with an offical record of the service of Andrew McCormick.
"The United States of America To the State of North Carolina Dr. For cash paid by Jacob Blount Paymaster of the Officers and Soldiers of the North Carolina Brigade as follows. Vizt.
July 1776 Andrew McCormick 122.7.9. From: North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts. Volume VIII Page 23, folio 2."
My sister became a member of the George Rogers Clark Chapter D.A.R.
In 1925, I got a complete description of the location of the old Andrew McCormick farm; as well as the adjoining farm of his son-in-law Enos Sherrill. This information was supplied me by my Grandfather's cousin Mr Richard Ellis Sherrill. Who in 1908 had made a trip back there and with relatives still living there had not only visited both the farms but also the old McCormick-Sherrill Burial Ground. His description was borne out by the will of Andrew McCormick, and deeds and other pertinent information found in our family history. "Scotch-Irish is Ireland and in America". by Fed. Judge A P McCormick.
Andrew McCormick, the Revolutionary War Veteran, was buried in the private burial ground on his farm. This burial plot is known as the "McCormick-Sherrill Colonial Burial Plot." And Andrew McCormick was buried after his death, which occurred Dec. 7, 1797.
Our ancestor, John Adams who was born in Holland in 1700, was buried here in 1801. And in 1841 Anos Sherrill was also buried there. He has a marble slab marking his grave. The older graves, however, are marked only with field stones.
In Oct. 1955 my sister and two brothers and I drove through the Southeast, and while on our way we stopped at the McCormick-Sherrill Colonial Burial Ground. It is located about a mile from the town of Catawba Co., N.C. It is located Northeast of Catawba and across Lyle's Creek on highways 70 & 64 running from Hickory to Statesville, N.C. The burial ground is on an elevation on the North side of the Highway and just before the highway passes over the bridge over the Catawba River from Catawba Co. and entering Iredell Co., N.C.
When I visited this old burial ground of our ancestors, I realized that the grave of our ancestor, Andrew McCormick was not properly marked. And as he was a war veteran the War Department would furnish a marker for his grave.
The McCormick farm and the burial plot as well as the adjoining Sherrill farm now belong to the Statesville Brick Co. So I called upon the president of that company and secured permission to order and place a government marker at the grave of our Revolutionary ancestor, Andrew McCormick. And I also secured permission to mark the grave of our ancestor John Adams.
The government stone arrived and in April I flew down there and arranged with the Catawba Marble and Granite Co. to mount the government marker on a larger six inch light gray granite base. I also arranged with this company to mark our ancestor John Adam's grave with a light gray granite stone. I personally paid the bill of $80.00. And I certainly expect no reimbursement under any circumstances for this. Or any other amounts advanced by me in regard to this project.
How ever I realized as this burial ground was in private hands we had no assurance of it's permanent preservation. Consequently I went to the president of the States ville Brick Co and offered to buy the plot. I had planned to place it in the care of the Hickory Tavern Chapter of the D A R of Catawba Co.
The president of the Statesville Brick Co. Asked that I have the lot surveyed, which I did at an additional cost of $21.50. The plot surveyed at just a little over 1/5 of an acre (.212). When I returned to the president of the Brick Co. and asked for his price, he stated he wanted $1000.00 for it. I realized that the price was most exorbitant and tried to get him to consider a reasonable price. He came down to $500.00 which he said was the least he would consider. I offered him $300.00 which he refused.
I am financially unable to bear this expense. Yet I feel that if the plot remains in private hands it will not be protected. Consequently I decided to go to the descendents of Andrew McCormick to see if they were interested in the project to the extent that we could individually pool an amount with which we could purchase the plot and place it in the hands of the D A R for proper care.
Of course they will probably want a small trust fund the interest of which could be used for perpetual care of the plot. What ever amount we could raise over and above the amount for purchasing the plot could be used for this trust fund.
The president of the Statesville Brick Co. did tell me that I could have the under brush in the burial plot removed. And the place cleaned up. This I am now doing at my own expense. And I hope to have a local chapter of the D A R hold a memorial service at the grave of Andrew McCormick on either Sunday Sept. 30th or Sunday Oct. 7th, 1956. At which service I hope that any of his descendents who are able to do so will be present.
Will you please write and let me know what your reaction is to this plan. And if you approve will you please advise me as to wether you would consider contributing to the cause.
Return to Family History home page
©2009 Robert M. Fleming Jr.
This page was last revised on 3 November 2009.