FIRST GENERATION 1. Isaac "Crow" Sterling 1. Isaac Sterling was a merchant in Crisfield, Maryland, and this being the time of the cival way, and Maryland being a border state, it would be expected there were people in Crisfield who favored both sides. Isaac was known as a seccessionist among his people. Isaac "Crow" Sterling and Hester Somers had the +2 i. Noah Sterling. SECOND GENERATION 2. Noah Sterling (Isaac "Crow"-1) died in 1852 in Crisfield, Maryland. 2 Noah Sterling and Elizabeth Respess had the +3 i. George Washington Sterling of Virginia (born on April 19, 1848). 4 ii. Noah F. Sterling of Baltimore, Maryland was born in 1850 in Crisfield, Maryland. 3 THIRD GENERATION 3. George Washington Sterling of Virginia (Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on April 19, 1848 in Gwynn's Island, Mathews, Virginia. 4 He resided between 1849 and 1852 in Crisfield, Maryland. 5 He resided in 1866 in Gwynn's Island, Mathews, Virginia. 6 He owned Free School Property in 1882 in Severn River, Gloucester, Virginia. 7 He died on January 9, 1933 in Sterling Creek, Virginia. 8 George Attended private school in Crisfield until he was about thirteen years old. The headmaster of the school was an Irishman by the name of Drake. As a boy he helped to bring oyster shells to build the foundation of downtown Crisfield. In 1866 he returned to Gwynn's Island and worked one year in the oyster business. The following year he went to Baltimore and bought a boat by the name of Malta which he used to run freight to the Mobjack Bay. Then in 1867, he went into the oyster business on the Severn River, Gloucester County, Virginia and rented a part of the old Free School property, this property being the grant left by Henry Peasley in 1675 for the founding of a public school for Abingdon and Ware Parishes of Gloucester County. Following George to Gloucester county was a former slave named Rufus Miles who had belonged to George's Grandfather Isaac Sterling. Miles was about the same age as George and until his death felt responsible for him. In 1869, after marrying Ellen Augusta Deal, George moved to the old Free School house, which is still standing (1979). Here his first children were born, and his young wife died on 15 January 1875. After her death George moved to the store he had built on the Severn River and a year later married Alice Eugenia Deal, the sister of his first wife. In 1882 George, along with his brothers-in-law Joseph and George Deal, bought the Free School property at public auction for $6,500. In his operation of the Oyster business, he owned three fairly large boats, the "Martha Jump", the "Smith and Darling", and the "Sterling Sisters". In 1884 he helped organize the Severn Presbyterian Church, Naxera, Virginia. George was a charter member and an elder. While still a member and elder of the church he was also the Superintendent of Sunday School at 1
Groves Memorial Presbyterian Church, Glass County, Virginia, of which he was one of the original founders. In 1887 George closed his mercantile business and only operated the farm and oyster business. In 1897 he sent Mr. George Mason to York, Pennsylvania to buy a lumber mill, and after setting up the mill on Sterling Creek, he decided to build a new home. This home had fourteen rooms and was built facing the Severn River. About 1902 he added to the saw mill a grist mill for grinding corn. In February 1907 he married Elizabeth Bohannon Farrah of Fluvanna County, Virginia who had been a private tutor for his children. In 1911 with most of his children away from home he sold the home place and approximately fifty acres of land on the Severn River to a Mr. Carroll Winchester, and moved to a farm nearby known as the "The Woodland", which he bought from his son Walter. In 1918 longing to be back near the water, he sold the Woodland for two thousand dollars to his son-in-law James C. Deal and built another home on the land he still owned on Sterling Creek. After moving, he went in semi-retirement and died on 9 January 1933 at the age of eighty-five years. He was buried in the family Cemetery located on Sterling Creek. The last home he built was left in his will to the Severn Presbyterian Church. To say that George Sterling had a full life would be an understatement. He lived to be nearly Eighty-five, married three times, fathered seventeen children, built three homes, and undertook numerous businesses such as seafood, farming, mercantile, freighting, and both lumber and grist mills. At one time, he hired teachers, both academic and music, to teach his own children at home. With his own family, plus a lot of other people who helped or were employed in his many undertakings, it is easily understood that his home was beehive of activity at all times. (pages 1-3) He was married to Alice Eugenia Deal (daughter of John Allen Deal and Elizabeth Brown) on January 18, 1876 in Severn River, Gloucester, Virginia. 9 Alice Eugenia Deal died on June 25, 1904. 10 George Washington Sterling of Virginia and Alice Eugenia Deal had the 5 i. Infant Sterling. 6 ii. Samuel Egerton Sterling. 7 iii. William Powell Sterling. 8 iv. George Washington Sterling Jr.. 9 v. Elizabeth Sterling. 10 vi. Mary Ellen Sterling. 11 vii. Alice Eugenia Sterling. 12 viii. John Allen Sterling. 13 ix. Lucy Sterling. 14 x. Genevra Sterling. 15 xi. Daniel Webster Sterling. 16 xii. Thomas Jefferson Sterling. 17 xiii. Sadie Belle Sterling. He was married to Ellen Augusta Deal (daughter of John Allen Deal and Elizabeth Brown) on December 31, 1869 in Severn River, Gloucester, Virginia. 11 Ellen Augusta Deal died on January 15, 1875 in Severn River, Gloucester, Virginia. 12 George Washington Sterling of Virginia and Ellen Augusta Deal had the +18 i. Noah Franklin Sterling (born on November 7, 1870). 19 ii. Richard Henry Sterling. 20 iii. Joseph Walter Sterling. 21 iv. Infant Sterling died in 1875 in Virginia. 13 This child died with her mother during childbirth. He was married to Elizabeth Bohannon Farrah on February 28, 1907 in Virginia. 14 FOURTH GENERATION 2
18. Noah Franklin Sterling (George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on November 7, 1870 in Old Free School, Free School Creek, Virginia. 15 Today this creek is known as Deal's Creek. He died on October 12, 1943 in Sterling Creek, Virginia. 16 He was buried after October 12, 1943 in Family Cemetery, Sterling Creek, Virginia. 17 He was also known as "Old Man Noah". 18 Noah Franklin Sterling known as "Old Man Noah", was the oldest child of George Washington Sterling and Elllen Augusta Deal. He was born in the old Free School House on Free School Creek, which at present is known as Deal's Creek. As a boy of sixteen, he was captain of Col.. Wither's yacht, the "Hades". For a while he was captain of the "Corsair", a large ocean going yacht, but like most of the men in Robin's Neck, he turned to the seafood business for his livelihood. His first venture was in the oyster business, located on the Severn River, with his brother-in-law, Robert "Bob" Coates. In this operation, they owned a sloop, the "Flora & Elsie", which was considered a very fast sail boat. He sold his interest in the "Flora & Elsie" to "Bob" Coates, then with his father, two brothers, George Brewster, and John Allen called "Jack", started a pound fishing business at Factory Point on Back River. This partnership did not last long before there was a division, and Noah and another brother "Old Man Dick" started another pound fishing business. First they used a boat named the "Kate Withers", but later bought the "Blue Parts". Even later, they had the Smith Brothers in Guinea build a boat by the name of "Elva". In due time Noah took two of his sons, first, Noah Franklin Jr., and then Cecil (John Cecil Sterling) in business with him and old Dick. Around 1929 or early 1930 Old Man Dick sold his interest in the business to Noah and his two sons. In early 1933 they built a new camp on Messick Point and moved form Factory Point. Here they built a fish dock, ice house, and drilled the first deep-water well on the point. He was married to Missouri Coates (daughter of John Robert Coates and Margaret West) in 1891 in Virginia. 19 Missouri Coates was born on July 12, 1873. 20 She died on February 25, 1927 in Sterling Creek, Virginia. 21 She was buried after February 25, 1927 in Family Cemetery, Sterling Creek, Virginia. 22 Noah Franklin Sterling and Missouri Coates had the +22 i. Florence Sterling (born on November 16, 1891). +23 ii. Jeanette "Nettie" Sterling (born on August 12, 1893). +24 iii. Noah Franklin Sterling Jr. (born on September 12, 1895). 25 iv. Lucy May Sterling 23. 26 v. George Christopher Sterling 24. 27 vi. Virginia Holland or Dare Sterling 25. 28 vii. Countess Sterling 26. 29 viii. Ellen Augusta Sterling 27. 30 ix. John Cecil Sterling 28. 31 x. Richard Henry Sterling 29 was also known as "Little Dick". 30 32 xi. James Edward Sterling 31 was also known as "Ed". 32 33 xii. Margaret Pauline Sterling 33. 34 xiii. Thelma Aleen Sterling 34. He was married to Lillie Ruth Hall (daughter of Terry Hall and Maggie Lena Deal) on August 13, 1927. 35 Lillie Ruth Hall died on March 12, 1948. 36 She was buried after March 12, 1948 in Severn Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Naxera, Virginia. 37 Noah Franklin Sterling and Lillie Ruth Hall had the 35 i. Maggie Lorraine Sterling 38. 36 ii. Harry Byrd Sterling 39. 37 iii. Herbert Hoover Sterling 40. 38 iv. Charles Curtis Sterling 41. 39 v. Bernard Eugene Sterling 42. 3
FIFTH GENERATION 22. Florence Sterling 43 (Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on November 16, 1891. 44 She died on December 17, 1964. 45 She was married to Boyd Cheatham Clements on October 11, 1911. 46 Florence Sterling and Boyd Cheatham Clements had the +40 i. John Carroll Clements (born on January 23, 1912). +41 ii. Mary Elizabeth Clements (born on February 8, 1913). +42 iii. Boyd Sterling Clements (born on February 15, 1914). +43 iv. Robert Stanley Clements (born on June 19, 1915). 23. Jeanette "Nettie" Sterling 47 (Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on August 12, 1893. 48 She died on January 14, 1977. 49 She was also known as "Nettie". 50 She was married to Raymond Barrett Hillers on January 1, 1916. 51 Jeanette "Nettie" Sterling and Raymond Barrett Hillers had the +44 i. Shirley Hillers (born on October 31, 1916). 24. Noah Franklin Sterling Jr. 52 (Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on September 12, 1895. 53 He died on June 22, 1948. 54 He was also known as "Little Noah". 55 He was married to Martha Deal on June 27, 1917. 56 Martha Deal was born on August 1, 1896. 57 She died on June 13, 1978. 58 SIXTH GENERATION 40. John Carroll Clements (Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on January 23, 1912. 59 He died on February 29, 1972. 60 He was married to Annie Mildred Carmine on December 21, 1945. 61 John Carroll Clements and Annie Mildred Carmine had the +45 i. John Stanley Clements (born on January 30, 1947). +46 ii. Eva Howard Clements (born on October 26, 1948). 41. Mary Elizabeth Clements (Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on February 8, 1913. 62 She was divorced from Edward John Puhaty before September 5, 1951. 63 She was married to Edward John Puhaty 32 Apr 1941. 64 She was married to Marvin William Ewell on September 5, 1951. 65 Mary Elizabeth Clements and Marvin William Ewell had the 47 i. Richard Leroy Ewell was born on June 1, 1952. 66 42. Boyd Sterling Clements (Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on February 15, 1914. 67 He was married to Mildred Mawhinney on March 2, 1942. 68 Boyd Sterling Clements and Mildred Mawhinney had the 4
+48 i. Boyd Mawhinney Clements (born on January 17, 1945). +49 ii. Sallie Harris Clements (born on October 8, 1946). +50 iii. William Sterling Clements (born on March 20, 1951). 43. Robert Stanley Clements (Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on June 19, 1915. 69 He died on July 6, 1942. 70 He was married to Fannie Elizabeth Deal on December 28, 1940. 71 Robert Stanley Clements and Fannie Elizabeth Deal had the +51 i. Marjorie Evelyn Clements (born on October 23, 1941). 44. Shirley Hillers (Jeanette "Nettie" Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on October 31, 1916. 72 He was married to Margaret Thompson on October 6, 1941. 73 Shirley Hillers and Margaret Thompson had the following children: +52 i. Robert Thompson Hillers (born on October 25, 1943). +53 ii. Shirley Ann Hillers (born on September 24, 1946). SEVENTH GENERATION 45. John Stanley Clements (John Carroll-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on January 30, 1947. 74 He was married to Almeda Ann Shepherd on December 21, 1966. 75 John Stanley Clements and Almeda Ann Shepherd had the 54 i. Carroll Ann Clements was born on August 8, 1967. 76 55 ii. John Stanley Clements Jr. was born on September 19, 1972. 77 46. Eva Howard Clements (John Carroll-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on October 26, 1948. 78 She was married to James Oran Towell on August 21, 1971. 79 Eva Howard Clements and James Oran Towell had the 56 i. James Christopher Towell was born on May 23, 1974. 80 48. Boyd Mawhinney Clements (Boyd Sterling-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on January 17, 1945. 81 He was married to Linda Helen Briggs on August 4, 1968. 82 Boyd Mawhinney Clements and Linda Helen Briggs had the 57 i. William Boyd Clements was born on February 13, 1970. 83 58 ii. Elizabeth Ann Clements was born on August 3, 1971. 84 59 iii. John Sterling Clements was born on January 19, 1975. 85 49. Sallie Harris Clements (Boyd Sterling-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on October 8, 1946. 86 She was married to Kelly Alphonso Perdue on December 30, 1972. 87 5
50. William Sterling Clements (Boyd Sterling-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on March 20, 1951. 88 He was married to Sandra Lee Hinson on August 11, 1973. 89 William Sterling Clements and Sandra Lee Hinson had the 60 i. Sally Hinson Clements was born on August 19, 1979. 90 51. Marjorie Evelyn Clements (Robert Stanley-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on October 23, 1941. 91 She was married to Lawrence Alvin Lawson on November 19, 1956. 92 Marjorie Evelyn Clements and Lawrence Alvin Lawson had the +61 i. Lawrence Michael Lawson (born on April 15, 1957). +62 ii. Christina Jeanette Lawson (born on July 27, 1960). 63 iii. Deanna Elizabeth Lawson was born on August 16, 1974. 93 52. Robert Thompson Hillers (Shirley-6, Jeanette "Nettie" Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on October 25, 1943. 94 He was married to Elaine Bateman on November 19, 1965. 95 Robert Thompson Hillers and Elaine Bateman had the 64 i. Robert Thompson Hillers Jr. was born on December 11, 1968. 96 65 ii. Claire Allison Hillers was born on April 9, 1973. 97 53. Shirley Ann Hillers (Shirley-6, Jeanette "Nettie" Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on September 24, 1946. 98 She was married to Stanley Wayne Thomas on December 17, 1967. 99 EIGHTH GENERATION 61. Lawrence Michael Lawson (Marjorie Evelyn Clements-7, Robert Stanley-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on April 15, 1957. 100 He was married to Terry Lee Foster on August 4, 1975. 101 Lawrence Michael Lawson and Terry Lee Foster had the following children: 66 i. Christopher Michael Lawson was born on June 12, 1976. 102 67 ii. Thomas Joshua Lawson was born on June 28, 1977. 103 62. Christina Jeanette Lawson (Marjorie Evelyn Clements-7, Robert Stanley-6, Florence Sterling-5, Noah Franklin-4, George Washington-3, Noah-2, Isaac "Crow"-1) was born on July 27, 1960. 104 She was married to James Lewis Davis on June 28, 1976. 105 Christina Jeanette Lawson and James Lewis Davis had the 68 i. James Lawrence Davis was born on March 22, 1976. 106 69 ii. April Dawn Davis was born on October 10, 1979. 107 6
Prepared by: Michael L. Jex PO Box 282 7
SOURCES 1. Ethel W. Sterling. Book published by Ethel M. Sterling. November 1979 - "The information found herein was compiled by me, Ethel W. Sterling, to the best of my knowledge, all the history is accurate and complete as of November, 1979. My thanks to all who contribuated in any way to make this project possible. Ethel W. Sterling - Privately Published in 1979, 46 pages. Page 1. 2. Ibid. Page 1. 3. Ibid. Page 1. 4. Ibid. Page 1. 5. Ibid. Page 1. 6. Ibid. Page 1. 7. Ibid. Page 1. 8. Ibid. Page 1. 9. Ibid. Page 1. 10. Ibid. Page 2. 11. Ibid. Page 1. 12. Ibid. Page 1. 13. Ibid. Page 2. 14. Ibid. Page 2. 15. Ibid. Page 4. 16. Ibid. Page 4-5. 17. Ibid. Page 4-5. 18. Ibid. Page 4. 19. Ibid. Page 4-5. 20. Ibid. Page 4-5. 21. Ibid. Page 4-5. 22. Ibid. Page 4-5. 23. Ibid. Page 4-5. 24. Ibid. Page 4-5. 25. Ibid. Page 4-5. 26. Ibid. Page 4-5. 27. Ibid. Page 4-5. 28. Ibid. Page 4-5. 29. Ibid. Page 4-5. 30. Ibid. Page 4-5. 31. Ibid. Page 4-5. 32. Ibid. Page 4-5. 33. Ibid. Page 4-5. 34. Ibid. Page 4-5. 35. Ibid. Page 4-5. 36. Ibid. Page 4-5. 37. Ibid. Page 4-5. 38. Ibid. Page 4-5. 39. Ibid. Page 4-5. 40. Ibid. Page 4-5. 41. Ibid. Page 4-5. 42. Ibid. Page 4-5. 43. Ibid. Page 4-5. 44. Ibid. Page 4-5. 45. Ibid. Page 4-5. 46. Ibid. Page 4-5. 47. Ibid. Page 4-5. 48. Ibid. Page 6. 49. Ibid. Page 6. 50. Ibid. Page 6. 51. Ibid. Page 6. 8
52. Ibid. Page 4-5. 53. Ibid. Page 8. 54. Ibid. Page 8. 55. Ibid. Page 4-5. 56. Ibid. Page 8. 57. Ibid. Page 8. 58. Ibid. Page 8. 59. Ibid. Page 5. 60. Ibid. Page 5. 61. Ibid. Page 5. 62. Ibid. Page 5. 63. Ibid. Page 5. 64. Ibid. Page 5. 65. Ibid. Page 5. 66. Ibid. Page 5. 67. Ibid. Page 5. 68. Ibid. Page 5. 69. Ibid. Page 6. 70. Ibid. Page 6. 71. Ibid. Page 6. 72. Ibid. Page 6. 73. Ibid. Page 6. 74. Ibid. Page 5. 75. Ibid. Page 5. 76. Ibid. Page 5. 77. Ibid. Page 5. 78. Ibid. Page 5. 79. Ibid. Page 5. 80. Ibid. Page 5. 81. Ibid. Page 5. 82. Ibid. Page 5. 83. Ibid. Page 5. 84. Ibid. Page 5. 85. Ibid. Page 6. 86. Ibid. Page 6. 87. Ibid. Page 6. 88. Ibid. Page 6. 89. Ibid. Page 6. 90. Ibid. Page 6. 91. Ibid. Page 6. 92. Ibid. Page 6. 93. Ibid. Page 6. 94. Ibid. Page 6. 95. Ibid. Page 6. 96. Ibid. Page 6. 97. Ibid. Page 6. 98. Ibid. Page 7. 99. Ibid. Page 7. 100. Ibid. Page 6. 101. Ibid. Page 6. 102. Ibid. Page 6. 103. Ibid. Page 6. 104. Ibid. Page 6. 105. Ibid. Page 6. 106. Ibid. Page 6. 107. Ibid. Page 6. 9
INDEX Bateman Elaine... 6 Briggs Linda Helen... 5 Brown Elizabeth... 2 Carmine Annie Mildred... 4 Clements Boyd Cheatham... 4 Boyd Mawhinney... 5 Boyd Sterling... 4 Carroll Ann... 5 Elizabeth Ann... 5 Eva Howard... 4, 5 John Carroll... 4 John Stanley... 4, 5 John Stanley... 5 John Sterling... 5 Marjorie Evelyn... 5, 6 Mary Elizabeth... 4 Robert Stanley... 4, 5 Sallie Harris... 5 Sally Hinson... 6 William Boyd... 5 William Sterling... 5, 6 Coates John Robert... 3 Missouri... 3 Davis April Dawn... 6 James Lawrence... 6 James Lewis... 6 Deal Alice Eugenia... 2 Ellen Augusta... 2 Fannie Elizabeth... 5 John Allen... 2 Maggie Lena... 3 Martha... 4 Ewell Marvin William... 4 Richard Leroy... 4 Farrah Elizabeth Bohannon... 2 Foster Terry Lee... 6 Hall Lillie Ruth... 3 Terry... 3 Hillers Claire Allison... 6 Raymond Barrett... 4 Robert Thompson... 5, 6 Robert Thompson... 6 Shirley... 4, 5 Shirley Ann... 5, 6 Hinson Sandra Lee... 6 Lawson Christina Jeanette... 6 Christopher Michael... 6 Deanna Elizabeth... 6 Lawrence Alvin... 6 Lawrence Michael... 6 Thomas Joshua... 6 Mawhinney Mildred... 4 Perdue Kelly Alphonso... 5 Puhaty Edward John... 4 Respess Elizabeth... 1 Shepherd Almeda Ann... 5 Somers Hester... 1 Sterling Alice Eugenia... 2 Bernard Eugene... 3 Charles Curtis... 3 Countess... 3 Daniel Webster... 2 Elizabeth... 2 Ellen Augusta... 3 Florence... 3, 4 Genevra... 2 George Christopher... 3 George Washington... 1 George Washington... 2 Harry Byrd... 3 Herbert Hoover... 3 Infant... 2 Infant... 2 Isaac "Crow"... 1 James Edward... 3 Jeanette "Nettie"... 3, 4 John Allen... 2 John Cecil... 3 Joseph Walter... 2 Lucy... 2 Lucy May... 3 Maggie Lorraine... 3 Margaret Pauline... 3 Mary Ellen... 2 Noah... 1 Noah F.... 1 Noah Franklin... 2, 3 Noah Franklin... 3, 4 10 Richard Henry... 2 Richard Henry... 3 Sadie Belle... 2 Samuel Egerton... 2 Thelma Aleen... 3 Thomas Jefferson... 2 Virginia Holland or Dare... 3 William Powell... 2 Thomas Stanley Wayne... 6 Thompson Margaret... 5 Towell James Christopher... 5 James Oran... 5 West Margaret... 3