| Notes |
- Rachael Primrose Cameron Sherrard was born on Sunday June 04, 1882. "Rose" was the
youngest of six children. She had 3 sisters and 2 brothers. The oldest was born in 1868 and
Rose in 1882. She was the granddaughter of Judge Joseph H.S. Sherrard and Ann Singleton of
Winchester, Virginia and Col Andrew Warwick Cameron and Ellen Hyde of Bath County and
the daughter of Rose Cameron and Col Joseph H. Sherrard, a cavalry officer of the Stonewall
Brigade and who later served in the Virginia Senate. No matter where Rose lived she was
always a "Virginian" from the day she was born until the day she died. Her Mother, Rachael
Primrose Cameron Sherrard, died after a long illness when Rose was not quite 4 years old.
When her Mother died Mandy lifted up her on the bed to say goodby. Mandy, a crippled lady
that always lived with the family took care of the children for many years after Roseís mother
died Her sister Nellie referred to her, "But I must say, as pretty as the baby is with her blue eyes
and blonde hair, she is becoming rather spoiled". In a letter written by her son Charles he says
"Mother (Rose) was telling us that Mandy, who raised her and was with them when her mother
died, used to read the bible to her and she would memorize it. Rose knew most of the old bible"
According to the 1880 census the family was living in the Cedar Creek census district near
Warm Springs, Virginia. This would have been near where Roseís mother grew up and was
raised. Rose was born in Bath County near Warm Springs. After going to a rural Rockbridge
County school near "Thorn Hill" she graduated from high school in Goshen, Virginia and was
studying to enter nurses training when she married.
Her father, Joseph Holmes Sherrard, Jr. died in his daughterís arms when Rose was 24. When
her father died he and Rose and Cam had an apartment in town, Holmes was off working
apparently, and the evening he died, Cam and Frank Coe, Jr. were downtown leaving Rose alone
with her father Joe. After Joe died Rose crawled through a hedge to tell a Mrs. Deaver who went
to find Cam. After the death of Joseph H. Sherrard the family moved to Thorn Hill with their
sister Nannie who had married Frank Coe. Rose helped Nannie and Frank with their 3 children.
Rose was very fond of Wilson, Frank, and Primrose.
One of many story about Rose: VMI cadets used to visit Thorn Hill to see mother and her neice,
Tetie. Rose and her friends used to sit on the steps and watch them in the parlor. One time, a
cadet, Nuckols and Rose went for a drive. He had a nice carriage and horse and they had driven
up towards Natural Bridge but returned after dark and Frank Coe had locked the door. So, the
young man had to drive the carrige close to the house so mother could crawl through a window
to get into the house. (It may not have been Nuckols but a young doctor that was paying some
attention to her.)
Rose was smaller than most of the other school children and the teacher used to wrap her up and
put her to rest in the back of the school room. They had to memorize poems during the week
and recite them Friday afternoon. She said, she had no difficutly in learning the poem, but
invaribly the rest of the students would get her to giggling so she could not recite the poem and
she would have to stay after school.
On Tuesday August 20, 1907 Rose married Charles P. Harman. Charles was descended from
ìthe fighting Harmanís of Virginiaî of the Civil War. Charles had attended VMI and was an
engineer. They were married at Thornhill and had a honeymoon at Natural Bridge.
After Rose and Charles married they moved to Johnson City, Tennessee. By 1908 they were
living in Knoxville, Tennessee where Charles was born. Trav was born in Washington, D.C.
when Rose and Charles were contracting city work in the early 1910ís. And their third son Joe,
was born in Glasgow in 1914.
Charles and Rose came to Montana on railroad construction for the Great Northern. After he
was seriously injured in a railway accident they homesteaded near Glasgow in 1912. Rose and
Charles each had a homestead of 360 acres for a total of 720 acres. Charles had gone back to
Virginia and died in a Veteranís Home in 1919. After Charles died Rose raised her three sons by
cooking for construction crews, threshing and lambing crews, farmers and ranchers and
operating boarding houses. After Glasgow the family lived in Havre, Great Falls, and in
Washington state. In her later years Rose would spend her winters in Spokane and would take
the Greyhound bus every spring to Virginia and then back again by bus in the fall to Spokane.
Trav, her middle son, purchased some property near Charlotsville, Virginia which they called
"Triple Oaks" where Rose would spend the summers
Several words have been used to describe Rose as she was called. "Unusual, tough, wild one,
really poor one, maverick, spunky, stubborn, proud, and spirited to name a few. Rose was know
as the best horsewoman in Virginia according to John Sherrard of Rose Hill. She was a very
religious woman who went to church every Sunday, even though she wasn't baptized until her
three sons were baptized in the Episcopal Church in Glasgow, Montana. She had several
boyfriends. One of them, a Tom Johnson of Lexington, Virginia built a small bungalow in
Lexington, Virginia for them to live in. They never married. But he was to live in this home the
rest of his life as a single gentleman. The house still is standing in 2000 and when Tom Johnson
died and the house was sold several letters from Rose to Tom were found. They are in the
possession of Tom Paxton of Lexington.
Rose was a long time member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She always like to tell
stories about life in Virginia. She had a terrific memory. Rose had a green thumb and loved
gardening, raising poultry, and reading. She was especially fond of roses. Rose loved people
and had many friends where ever she lived and kept in touch with them as far back as her early
school mates. Although Rose had never had much in her life those in need of a helping hand
were never turned away empty handed. She had an alert and sharp mind until she passed away
at the age of 98 years, 8 months.
_________________________________________________________________________________
July 12, 1907
My dear Rose,
I just received your letter and was awfully glad to hear from you as it is the first time I have heard from home for months. I was afraid you had all forgotten me out here In the brush. I wish you would writ real often, even if I am a little slow about answering some times it is not because I don' want to write but because I am awfully busy or awfully lazy, the latter usually being the state of my health. I had a letter from Holmes yesterday said he was coming over Sunday for a few hours. I havent seen him for some time You know I have a little sub contract from Mr. Jacoby here and have to stay awfully close to work to get out at all last month. I did not quite pay expenses but think will come out all O.K. This I have been off however for a few days and just got back yesterday was up at a house party at Hagan hall, and old Million airs count home had an awfully nice time, but had to hurry back to camp. Was awfully sorry to hear of Miss Weannies accident, for she is one of the sweetest ladies I ever knew.
Am sorry to hear Mr Coe lost a colt, and hope the one that was lacked is all right again. Hope he had a good wheat crop, how much will he make? Give my love to all the children and Mr. Coe and my kindest regards to Ned G. and my other friends. Write real soon again.
Yur devoted bro Cam
Staunton VA 7-27-07
L. Box 552
Dear Miss Rose
I was much gratified on my return today to find your much appreciate souvenir card in remembrance of our pleasant evening Should it suit your pleasure should be pleased to drive you over to Natural Bridge some time the early part of the coming week, starting early so as to get the cool of the day spend the day and return in the cool of the evening?
I should be pleased to have permission to call. When you are in Staunton, should I be so fortunate as to be here, and know when you are here
Very sincerely yours
C.P. Harman
Miss Rose Sherrard
Lexington VA
September 23, 1907
Johnson City
Monday
My dear Holmes-
You will be surprised to know I am so close to you. Am here at 201 Myrtle Ave. Johnson City. Started to write to you and Cam to come and stay over Sunday with us, but thought I would wait till next Sunday - Mr. Harman is now at Alta Pass, N.C. and I expect to go this week - don't know whether I will have a house there or board - couldn't you come over there some Saturday? You get free passes don't you? Your letter was forwarded to me here - yes I did get married in a hurry. You remember you gave me the advice to marry. Well I took it! Had to write to the Hospt. to let me off. Thank you for saying you would pay my bills. You have been good to me in many ways and I
appreciate it more than you imagine. Cam wrote me he tried to go home this month - Guess the Coes are there. Wish I could go too, but guess it is impossible just now.
Hope you will have a good time at Jamestown. I send you the address of a lady we stayed with while there Miss Adaws - at Ocean View-just on the beach, and she furnishes bathing suits - only a short ride from the grounds and much cheaper - .75 a night 2 in a room - .35 for breakfast .60 for six oclock dinner - .25 for lunch or take lunch on the grounds. If she is fall there are lots of these cottages where you could stay - tell her I sent you
Always yours
Rose
201 Mrtle Ave.
Johnson City Tenn.
Thursday September 27, 1907
My dear Holmes-
We will be here over Sunday, so if you can, come over and stay over Sunday with us -1 am going to write to Cam also -
Always,
Rose
St. Louis, Nov 12, 1907
My dear Rose,
I am going to New York to night. Under normal conditions this work would be all right But under existing conditions I am going to let it go by I will write you from new York. You can write me there on receipt of this letter. Hope you arrived safely and had a pleasant trip.
Lots of love
Your ever devt and loving
Hubbie
C.P.H.
C.P. Harman
R.S. Harman GenMgr.
R.S. HARMAN & COMPANY
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
612 WEST CUMBERLAND AVENUE
OFFICE 407 ARNSTEIN BUILDING
Knoxville, Tenn. Oct 24 1908
My dear Holmes- .
Your letter just came, am sorry you did not get down to see us. Charlie is not at home is out in N.C. I will forward your letter know if he gets it an time he will go to Plainfield at once. We have about quit here - there has been no money in this work -just a living I am anxious for Mr. Harman to work on a salary - he is anxious to sub, 'some work - but should a job turn 'up here we and I will have been come. Thank you for forwarding letter also for thinking of us - Suppose you know all the news from 'Thorn Hill". I have only had one letter from there since I left in June. Come to see us when ever you can, all ways glad to see you.
As ever
Rose
July 17, 1911
233-lO S tNE
Washington DC
Dear Cam
I am not well neither are the children. I want to go away for 10 days. I need #10 Can you lend it to me for a few weeks I will pay it back when I come back. I have a note due the 25 and it will take all the money I can scratch and I have to go away at once so I can come back before Charlie leaves If you can accommodate me, send by return mail - yours
Rose
Camp McClellan
Anniston Ala.
Nov 7-1917
Rose: An enclosing $2.50 If I stay in the Army, would you want to get married again, as the Rose I new in Lexington. William Harman might do all right. But you see he does not start out right. As for a visit it is all right. But if he expected to do business with me he should have written me. Shall we get married again or not.
Charley
Ruth Riddell Harman, Rose's daughter-in-law, said that the reason that they got a divorce was so they could get 2 homestead's in Montana instead of one. Where they homesteaded outside of Glasgow was dustbowl country. One needed a lot of land to raise any cattle or for that matter anything else. Charles, Rose's son never would talk about the divorce so .......... who knows.
January 1971
Dear Audrey and Cameron,
Thanks each of you for your cards and thanks for flowers and Audrey for the snap shots. I have more ofFloe.
I miss Travis- a good thoughtful man - none better - I am thankful - he did not linger and suffer - only in hospital a short time - He had an apt down and I one on 2nd floor- He did all for me - a lonesome man - You tried to be nice to him - he appreciated it and really cared - but he resented all slights to me - that I was sorry for - I served the Coes long and well - then what - I was ordered get out - and I never went back - Trav carried them all to their resting places - He- was buried without kin - but he is with his God now at rest - I do not know who notified the East - Could have been Myrtle - I was never notified when the Coes died. My husband buried in Staunton - Coes Old Frank could not go - so he was buried alone - I could not go - enough said - I seem to have heard you built a house -
you and Cameron deserve it - and I am pleased. You have a grand job - and you pull together - so carry on - I have never been in Warrickís home - was in the old place once for a grand turkey dinner - John Sherrad never once asked me to his home - I guess his -- JJ(?)- wife would not have me - She flatters and crawls to Mildred and Coes - they think she is wonderful - John S earned all he got from Frank - I think it a crime - Tetie has to use back door - live in that old kitchen. The Tuckers rich - Ha Ha !!! - so - I loved Wilson - and I know he did me - He cried when Frank told me to get out - but he was helpless - so I am glad he did not last. No one wanted him - a great family all "show" - I think it a dirty outrage - John S dare not go to his Mothers on holidays - but to Tuckers.
Floe is a wonderful woman - where would her boys be if she had not worked - starved and suffered for them - Cam was a good man - just jumped the track - loved me - and worshipped the Coes - What did they ever do for him - yes helped him - brag - - He took after old Nannie !- I saw my father cut the blood out of my brothers legs - a 14 year old son - old Frank had talked to him - so my brother left home. I was a very little girl - but this I saw - What did my father ever do for his own little girl - and 2 little boys - Nothing - just sit and brag - - what to brag about? - that I do not know - Ha Ha -
Cameron - I am fond of you - once I went with you to sell apples - and we had fun - so hold up the proud old name - Carry on - Audrey - write me some time - my eyes are so I doubt if you can read this - Hope your children are a comfort to you - seems you are grandparents now - you know I seldom hear. Bye now - take a rest Ha
Always -
Rose SH
Rose (Rachel Primrose Sherrard) was the youngest daughter of Joseph Holmes Sherrard Jr. and Rachel Primrose Cameron. Roseís oldest sister Nannie (Ann Singleton Sherrard) married Frank (Francis Deane Coe). They had three children who survived to adulthood, Frank Jr. (Francis Dean Coe), Tetie (Primrose Cameron Coe) and Wilson (Wilson Park Coe). The two brothers to which Rose refers are Cam (Andrew Cameron Sherrard) and Holmes (Joseph Holmes III). (Cam) is this brother whereas (Cameron) is the aforementioned (Camís) son (Andrew Cameron Sherrard II) as is John S. (John Carpenter Sherrard). JJ is John and his wife Jon Sherrard.
Rachael Primrose Cameron Sherrard was born on Sunday June 04, 1882. "Rose" was the
youngest of six children. She had 3 sisters and 2 brothers. The oldest was born in 1868 and
Rose in 1882. She was the granddaughter of Judge Joseph H.S. Sherrard and Ann Singleton of
Winchester, Virginia and Col Andrew Warwick Cameron and Ellen Hyde of Bath County and
the daughter of Rose Cameron and Col Joseph H. Sherrard, a cavalry officer of the Stonewall
Brigade and who later served in the Virginia Senate. No matter where Rose lived she was
always a "Virginian" from the day she was born until the day she died. Her Mother, Rachael
Primrose Cameron Sherrard, died after a long illness when Rose was not quite 4 years old.
When her Mother died Mandy lifted up her on the bed to say goodby. Mandy, a crippled lady
that always lived with the family took care of the children for many years after Roseís mother
died Her sister Nellie referred to her, "But I must say, as pretty as the baby is with her blue eyes
and blonde hair, she is becoming rather spoiled". In a letter written by her son Charles he says
"Mother (Rose) was telling us that Mandy, who raised her and was with them when her mother
died, used to read the bible to her and she would memorize it. Rose knew most of the old bible"
According to the 1880 census the family was living in the Cedar Creek census district near
Warm Springs, Virginia. This would have been near where Roseís mother grew up and was
raised. Rose was born in Bath County near Warm Springs. After going to a rural Rockbridge
County school near "Thorn Hill" she graduated from high school in Goshen, Virginia and was
studying to enter nurses training when she married.
Her father, Joseph Holmes Sherrard, Jr. died in his daughterís arms when Rose was 24. When
her father died he and Rose and Cam had an apartment in town, Holmes was off working
apparently, and the evening he died, Cam and Frank Coe, Jr. were downtown leaving Rose alone
with her father Joe. After Joe died Rose crawled through a hedge to tell a Mrs. Deaver who went
to find Cam. After the death of Joseph H. Sherrard the family moved to Thorn Hill with their
sister Nannie who had married Frank Coe. Rose helped Nannie and Frank with their 3 children.
Rose was very fond of Wilson, Frank, and Primrose.
One of many story about Rose: VMI cadets used to visit Thorn Hill to see mother and her neice,
Tetie. Rose and her friends used to sit on the steps and watch them in the parlor. One time, a
cadet, Nuckols and Rose went for a drive. He had a nice carriage and horse and they had driven
up towards Natural Bridge but returned after dark and Frank Coe had locked the door. So, the
young man had to drive the carrige close to the house so mother could crawl through a window
to get into the house. (It may not have been Nuckols but a young doctor that was paying some
attention to her.)
Rose was smaller than most of the other school children and the teacher used to wrap her up and
put her to rest in the back of the school room. They had to memorize poems during the week
and recite them Friday afternoon. She said, she had no difficutly in learning the poem, but
invaribly the rest of the students would get her to giggling so she could not recite the poem and
she would have to stay after school.
On Tuesday August 20, 1907 Rose married Charles P. Harman. Charles was descended from
ìthe fighting Harmanís of Virginiaî of the Civil War. Charles had attended VMI and was an
engineer. They were married at Thornhill and had a honeymoon at Natural Bridge.
After Rose and Charles married they moved to Johnson City, Tennessee. By 1908 they were
living in Knoxville, Tennessee where Charles was born. Trav was born in Washington, D.C.
when Rose and Charles were contracting city work in the early 1910ís. And their third son Joe,
was born in Glasgow in 1914.
Charles and Rose came to Montana on railroad construction for the Great Northern. After he
was seriously injured in a railway accident they homesteaded near Glasgow in 1912. Rose and
Charles each had a homestead of 360 acres for a total of 720 acres. Charles had gone back to
Virginia and died in a Veteranís Home in 1919. After Charles died Rose raised her three sons by
cooking for construction crews, threshing and lambing crews, farmers and ranchers and
operating boarding houses. After Glasgow the family lived in Havre, Great Falls, and in
Washington state. In her later years Rose would spend her winters in Spokane and would take
the Greyhound bus every spring to Virginia and then back again by bus in the fall to Spokane.
Trav, her middle son, purchased some property near Charlotsville, Virginia which they called
"Triple Oaks" where Rose would spend the summers
Several words have been used to describe Rose as she was called. "Unusual, tough, wild one,
really poor one, maverick, spunky, stubborn, proud, and spirited to name a few. Rose was know
as the best horsewoman in Virginia according to John Sherrard of Rose Hill. She was a very
religious woman who went to church every Sunday, even though she wasn't baptized until her
three sons were baptized in the Episcopal Church in Glasgow, Montana. She had several
boyfriends. One of them, a Tom Johnson of Lexington, Virginia built a small bungalow in
Lexington, Virginia for them to live in. They never married. But he was to live in this home the
rest of his life as a single gentleman. The house still is standing in 2000 and when Tom Johnson
died and the house was sold several letters from Rose to Tom were found. They are in the
possession of Tom Paxton of Lexington.
Rose was a long time member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She always like to tell
stories about life in Virginia. She had a terrific memory. Rose had a green thumb and loved
gardening, raising poultry, and reading. She was especially fond of roses. Rose loved people
and had many friends where ever she lived and kept in touch with them as far back as her early
school mates. Although Rose had never had much in her life those in need of a helping hand
were never turned away empty handed. She had an alert and sharp mind until she passed away
at the age of 98 years, 8 months.
_________________________________________________________________________________
July 12, 1907
My dear Rose,
I just received your letter and was awfully glad to hear from you as it is the first time I have heard from home for months. I was afraid you had all forgotten me out here In the brush. I wish you would writ real often, even if I am a little slow about answering some times it is not because I don' want to write but because I am awfully busy or awfully lazy, the latter usually being the state of my health. I had a letter from Holmes yesterday said he was coming over Sunday for a few hours. I havent seen him for some time You know I have a little sub contract from Mr. Jacoby here and have to stay awfully close to work to get out at all last month. I did not quite pay expenses but think will come out all O.K. This I have been off however for a few days and just got back yesterday was up at a house party at Hagan hall, and old Million airs count home had an awfully nice time, but had to hurry back to camp. Was awfully sorry to hear of Miss Weannies accident, for she is one of the sweetest ladies I ever knew.
Am sorry to hear Mr Coe lost a colt, and hope the one that was lacked is all right again. Hope he had a good wheat crop, how much will he make? Give my love to all the children and Mr. Coe and my kindest regards to Ned G. and my other friends. Write real soon again.
Yur devoted bro Cam
Staunton VA 7-27-07
L. Box 552
Dear Miss Rose
I was much gratified on my return today to find your much appreciate souvenir card in remembrance of our pleasant evening Should it suit your pleasure should be pleased to drive you over to Natural Bridge some time the early part of the coming week, starting early so as to get the cool of the day spend the day and return in the cool of the evening?
I should be pleased to have permission to call. When you are in Staunton, should I be so fortunate as to be here, and know when you are here
Very sincerely yours
C.P. Harman
Miss Rose Sherrard
Lexington VA
September 23, 1907
Johnson City
Monday
My dear Holmes-
You will be surprised to know I am so close to you. Am here at 201 Myrtle Ave. Johnson City. Started to write to you and Cam to come and stay over Sunday with us, but thought I would wait till next Sunday - Mr. Harman is now at Alta Pass, N.C. and I expect to go this week - don't know whether I will have a house there or board - couldn't you come over there some Saturday? You get free passes don't you? Your letter was forwarded to me here - yes I did get married in a hurry. You remember you gave me the advice to marry. Well I took it! Had to write to the Hospt. to let me off. Thank you for saying you would pay my bills. You have been good to me in many ways and I
appreciate it more than you imagine. Cam wrote me he tried to go home this month - Guess the Coes are there. Wish I could go too, but guess it is impossible just now.
Hope you will have a good time at Jamestown. I send you the address of a lady we stayed with while there Miss Adaws - at Ocean View-just on the beach, and she furnishes bathing suits - only a short ride from the grounds and much cheaper - .75 a night 2 in a room - .35 for breakfast .60 for six oclock dinner - .25 for lunch or take lunch on the grounds. If she is fall there are lots of these cottages where you could stay - tell her I sent you
Always yours
Rose
201 Mrtle Ave.
Johnson City Tenn.
Thursday September 27, 1907
My dear Holmes-
We will be here over Sunday, so if you can, come over and stay over Sunday with us -1 am going to write to Cam also -
Always,
Rose
St. Louis, Nov 12, 1907
My dear Rose,
I am going to New York to night. Under normal conditions this work would be all right But under existing conditions I am going to let it go by I will write you from new York. You can write me there on receipt of this letter. Hope you arrived safely and had a pleasant trip.
Lots of love
Your ever devt and loving
Hubbie
C.P.H.
C.P. Harman
R.S. HarmanGenMgr.
R.S. HARMAN & COMPANY
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
612 WEST CUMBERLAND AVENUE
OFFICE 407 ARNSTEIN BUILDING
Knoxville, Tenn. Oct 24 1908
My dear Holmes- .
Your letter just came, am sorry you did not get down to see us. Charlie is not at home is out in N.C. I will forward your letter know if he gets it an time he will go to Plainfield at once. We have about quit here - there has been no money in this work -just a living I am anxious for Mr. Harman to work on a salary - he is anxious to sub, 'some work - but should a job turn 'up here we and I will have been come. Thank you for forwarding letter also for thinking of us - Suppose you know all the news from 'Thorn Hill". I have only had one letter from there since I left in June. Come to see us when ever you can, all ways glad to see you.
As ever
Rose
July 17, 1911
233-lO S tNE
Washington DC
Dear Cam
I am not well neither are the children. I want to go away for 10 days. I need #10 Can you lend it to me for a few weeks I will pay it back when I come back. I have a note due the 25 and it will take all the money I can scratch and I have to go away at once so I can come back before Charlie leaves If you can accommodate me, send by return mail - yours
Rose
Camp McClellan
Anniston Ala.
Nov 7-1917
Rose: An enclosing $2.50 If I stay in the Army, would you want to get married again, as the Rose I new in Lexington. William Harman might do all right. But you see he does not start out right. As for a visit it is all right. But if he expected to do business with me he should have written me. Shall we get married again or not.
Charley
Ruth Riddell Harman, Rose's daughter-in-law, said that the reason that they got a divorce was so they could get 2 homestead's in Montana instead of one. Where they homesteaded outside of Glasgow was dustbowl country. One needed a lot of land to raise any cattle or for that matter anything else. Charles, Rose's son never would talk about the divorce so .......... who knows.
January 1971
Dear Audrey and Cameron,
Thanks each of you for your cards and thanks for flowers and Audrey for the snap shots. I have more ofFloe.
I miss Travis- a good thoughtful man - none better - I am thankful - he did not linger and suffer - only in hospital a short time - He had an apt down and I one on 2nd floor- He did all for me - a lonesome man - You tried to be nice to him - he appreciated it and really cared - but he resented all slights to me - that I was sorry for - I served the Coes long and well - then what - I was ordered get out - and I never went back - Trav carried them all to their resting places - He- was buried without kin - but he is with his God now at rest - I do not know who notified the East - Could have been Myrtle - I was never notified when the Coes died. My husband buried in Staunton - Coes Old Frank could not go - so he was buried alone - I could not go - enough said - I seem to have heard you built a house -
you and Cameron deserve it - and I am pleased. You have a grand job - and you pull together - so carry on - I have never been in Warrickís home - was in the old place once for a grand turkey dinner - John Sherrad never once asked me to his home - I guess his -- JJ(?)- wife would not have me - She flatters and crawls to Mildred and Coes - they think she is wonderful - John S earned all he got from Frank - I think it a crime - Tetie has to use back door - live in that old kitchen. The Tuckers rich - Ha Ha !!! - so - I loved Wilson - and I know he did me - He cried when Frank told me to get out - but he was helpless - so I am glad he did not last. No one wanted him - a great family all "show" - I think it a dirty outrage - John S dare not go to his Mothers on holidays - but to Tuckers.
Floe is a wonderful woman - where would her boys be if she had not worked - starved and suffered for them - Cam was a good man - just jumped the track - loved me - and worshipped the Coes - What did they ever do for him - yes helped him - brag - - He took after old Nannie !- I saw my father cut the blood out of my brothers legs - a 14 year old son - old Frank had talked to him - so my brother left home. I was a very little girl - but this I saw - What did my father ever do for his own little girl - and 2 little boys - Nothing - just sit and brag - - what to brag about? - that I do not know - Ha Ha -
Cameron - I am fond of you - once I went with you to sell apples - and we had fun - so hold up the proud old name - Carry on - Audrey - write me some time - my eyes are so I doubt if you can read this - Hope your children are a comfort to you - seems you are grandparents now - you know I seldom hear. Bye now - take a rest Ha
Always -
Rose SH
Rose (Rachel Primrose Sherrard) was the youngest daughter of Joseph Holmes Sherrard Jr. and Rachel Primrose Cameron. Roseís oldest sister Nannie (Ann Singleton Sherrard) married Frank (Francis Deane Coe). They had three children who survived to adulthood, Frank Jr. (Francis Dean Coe), Tetie (Primrose Cameron Coe) and Wilson (Wilson Park Coe). The two brothers to which Rose refers are Cam (Andrew Cameron Sherrard) and Holmes (Joseph Holmes III). (Cam) is this brother whereas (Cameron) is the aforementioned (Camís) son (Andrew Cameron Sherrard II) as is John S. (John Carpenter Sherrard). JJ is John and his wife Jon Sherrard.
Rachael Primrose Cameron Sherrard was born on Sunday June 04, 1882. "Rose" was the
youngest of six children. She had 3 sisters and 2 brothers. The oldest was born in 1868 and
Rose in 1882. She was the granddaughter of Judge Joseph H.S. Sherrard and Ann Singleton of
Winchester, Virginia and Col Andrew Warwick Cameron and Ellen Hyde of Bath County and
the daughter of Rose Cameron and Col Joseph H. Sherrard, a cavalry officer of the Stonewall
Brigade and who later served in the Virginia Senate. No matter where Rose lived she was
always a "Virginian" from the day she was born until the day she died. Her Mother, Rachael
Primrose Cameron Sherrard, died after a long illness when Rose was not quite 4 years old.
When her Mother died Mandy lifted up her on the bed to say goodby. Mandy, a crippled lady
that always lived with the family took care of the children for many years after Roseís mother
died Her sister Nellie referred to her, "But I must say, as pretty as the baby is with her blue eyes
and blonde hair, she is becoming rather spoiled". In a letter written by her son Charles he says
"Mother (Rose) was telling us that Mandy, who raised her and was with them when her mother
died, used to read the bible to her and she would memorize it. Rose knew most of the old bible"
According to the 1880 census the family was living in the Cedar Creek census district near
Warm Springs, Virginia. This would have been near where Roseís mother grew up and was
raised. Rose was born in Bath County near Warm Springs. After going to a rural Rockbridge
County school near "Thorn Hill" she graduated from high school in Goshen, Virginia and was
studying to enter nurses training when she married.
Her father, Joseph Holmes Sherrard, Jr. died in his daughterís arms when Rose was 24. When
her father died he and Rose and Cam had an apartment in town, Holmes was off working
apparently, and the evening he died, Cam and Frank Coe, Jr. were downtown leaving Rose alone
with her father Joe. After Joe died Rose crawled through a hedge to tell a Mrs. Deaver who went
to find Cam. After the death of Joseph H. Sherrard the family moved to Thorn Hill with their
sister Nannie who had married Frank Coe. Rose helped Nannie and Frank with their 3 children.
Rose was very fond of Wilson, Frank, and Primrose.
One of many story about Rose: VMI cadets used to visit Thorn Hill to see mother and her neice,
Tetie. Rose and her friends used to sit on the steps and watch them in the parlor. One time, a
cadet, Nuckols and Rose went for a drive. He had a nice carriage and horse and they had driven
up towards Natural Bridge but returned after dark and Frank Coe had locked the door. So, the
young man had to drive the carrige close to the house so mother could crawl through a window
to get into the house. (It may not have been Nuckols but a young doctor that was paying some
attention to her.)
Rose was smaller than most of the other school children and the teacher used to wrap her up and
put her to rest in the back of the school room. They had to memorize poems during the week
and recite them Friday afternoon. She said, she had no difficutly in learning the poem, but
invaribly the rest of the students would get her to giggling so she could not recite the poem and
she would have to stay after school.
On Tuesday August 20, 1907 Rose married Charles P. Harman. Charles was descended from
ìthe fighting Harmanís of Virginiaî of the Civil War. Charles had attended VMI and was an
engineer. They were married at Thornhill and had a honeymoon at Natural Bridge.
After Rose and Charles married they moved to Johnson City, Tennessee. By 1908 they were
living in Knoxville, Tennessee where Charles was born. Trav was born in Washington, D.C.
when Rose and Charles were contracting city work in the early 1910ís. And their third son Joe,
was born in Glasgow in 1914.
Charles and Rose came to Montana on railroad construction for the Great Northern. After he
was seriously injured in a railway accident they homesteaded near Glasgow in 1912. Rose and
Charles each had a homestead of 360 acres for a total of 720 acres. Charles had gone back to
Virginia and died in a Veteranís Home in 1919. After Charles died Rose raised her three sons by
cooking for construction crews, threshing and lambing crews, farmers and ranchers and
operating boarding houses. After Glasgow the family lived in Havre, Great Falls, and in
Washington state. In her later years Rose would spend her winters in Spokane and would take
the Greyhound bus every spring to Virginia and then back again by bus in the fall to Spokane.
Trav, her middle son, purchased some property near Charlotsville, Virginia which they called
"Triple Oaks" where Rose would spend the summers
Several words have been used to describe Rose as she was called. "Unusual, tough, wild one,
really poor one, maverick, spunky, stubborn, proud, and spirited to name a few. Rose was know
as the best horsewoman in Virginia according to John Sherrard of Rose Hill. She was a very
religious woman who went to church every Sunday, even though she wasn't baptized until her
three sons were baptized in the Episcopal Church in Glasgow, Montana. She had several
boyfriends. One of them, a Tom Johnson of Lexington, Virginia built a small bungalow in
Lexington, Virginia for them to live in. They never married. But he was to live in this home the
rest of his life as a single gentleman. The house still is standing in 2000 and when Tom Johnson
died and the house was sold several letters from Rose to Tom were found. They are in the
possession of Tom Paxton of Lexington.
Rose was a long time member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She always like to tell
stories about life in Virginia. She had a terrific memory. Rose had a green thumb and loved
gardening, raising poultry, and reading. She was especially fond of roses. Rose loved people
and had many friends where ever she lived and kept in touch with them as far back as her early
school mates. Although Rose had never had much in her life those in need of a helping hand
were never turned away empty handed. She had an alert and sharp mind until she passed away
at the age of 98 years, 8 months.
_________________________________________________________________________________
July 12, 1907
My dear Rose,
I just received your letter and was awfully glad to hear from you as it is the first time I have heard from home for months. I was afraid you had all forgotten me out here In the brush. I wish you would writ real often, even if I am a little slow about answering some times it is not because I don' want to write but because I am awfully busy or awfully lazy, the latter usually being the state of my health. I had a letter from Holmes yesterday said he was coming over Sunday for a few hours. I havent seen him for some time You know I have a little sub contract from Mr. Jacoby here and have to stay awfully close to work to get out at all last month. I did not quite pay expenses but think will come out all O.K. This I have been off however for a few days and just got back yesterday was up at a house party at Hagan hall, and old Million airs count home had an awfully nice time, but had to hurry back to camp. Was awfully sorry to hear of Miss Weannies accident, for she is one of the sweetest ladies I ever knew.
Am sorry to hear Mr Coe lost a colt, and hope the one that was lacked is all right again. Hope he had a good wheat crop, how much will he make? Give my love to all the children and Mr. Coe and my kindest regards to Ned G. and my other friends. Write real soon again.
Yur devoted bro Cam
Staunton VA 7-27-07
L. Box 552
Dear Miss Rose
I was much gratified on my return today to find your much appreciate souvenir card in remembrance of our pleasant evening Should it suit your pleasure should be pleased to drive you over to Natural Bridge some time the early part of the coming week, starting early so as to get the cool of the day spend the day and return in the cool of the evening?
I should be pleased to have permission to call. When you are in Staunton, should I be so fortunate as to be here, and know when you are here
Very sincerely yours
C.P. Harman
Miss Rose Sherrard
Lexington VA
September 23, 1907
Johnson City
Monday
My dear Holmes-
You will be surprised to know I am so close to you. Am here at 201 Myrtle Ave. Johnson City. Started to write to you and Cam to come and stay over Sunday with us, but thought I would wait till next Sunday - Mr. Harman is now at Alta Pass, N.C. and I expect to go this week - don't know whether I will have a house there or board - couldn't you come over there some Saturday? You get free passes don't you? Your letter was forwarded to me here - yes I did get married in a hurry. You remember you gave me the advice to marry. Well I took it! Had to write to the Hospt. to let me off. Thank you for saying you would pay my bills. You have been good to me in many ways and I
appreciate it more than you imagine. Cam wrote me he tried to go home this month - Guess the Coes are there. Wish I could go too, but guess it is impossible just now.
Hope you will have a good time at Jamestown. I send you the address of a lady we stayed with while there Miss Adaws - at Ocean View-just on the beach, and she furnishes bathing suits - only a short ride from the grounds and much cheaper - .75 a night 2 in a room - .35 for breakfast .60 for six oclock dinner - .25 for lunch or take lunch on the grounds. If she is fall there are lots of these cottages where you could stay - tell her I sent you
Always yours
Rose
201 Mrtle Ave.
Johnson City Tenn.
Thursday September 27, 1907
My dear Holmes-
We will be here over Sunday, so if you can, come over and stay over Sunday with us -1 am going to write to Cam also -
Always,
Rose
St. Louis, Nov 12, 1907
My dear Rose,
I am going to New York to night. Under normal conditions this work would be all right But under existing conditions I am going to let it go by I will write you from new York. You can write me there on receipt of this letter. Hope you arrived safely and had a pleasant trip.
Lots of love
Your ever devt and loving
Hubbie
C.P.H.
C.P. Harman
R.S. HarmanGenMgr.
R.S. HARMAN & COMPANY
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
612 WEST CUMBERLAND AVENUE
OFFICE 407 ARNSTEIN BUILDING
Knoxville, Tenn. Oct 24 1908
My dear Holmes- .
Your letter just came, am sorry you did not get down to see us. Charlie is not at home is out in N.C. I will forward your letter know if he gets it an time he will go to Plainfield at once. We have about quit here - there has been no money in this work -just a living I am anxious for Mr. Harman to work on a salary - he is anxious to sub, 'some work - but should a job turn 'up here we and I will have been come. Thank you for forwarding letter also for thinking of us - Suppose you know all the news from 'Thorn Hill". I have only had one letter from there since I left in June. Come to see us when ever you can, all ways glad to see you.
As ever
Rose
July 17, 1911
233-lO S tNE
Washington DC
Dear Cam
I am not well neither are the children. I want to go away for 10 days. I need #10 Can you lend it to me for a few weeks I will pay it back when I come back. I have a note due the 25 and it will take all the money I can scratch and I have to go away at once so I can come back before Charlie leaves If you can accommodate me, send by return mail - yours
Rose
Camp McClellan
Anniston Ala.
Nov 7-1917
Rose: An enclosing $2.50 If I stay in the Army, would you want to get married again, as the Rose I new in Lexington. William Harman might do all right. But you see he does not start out right. As for a visit it is all right. But if he expected to do business with me he should have written me. Shall we get married again or not.
Charley
Ruth Riddell Harman, Rose's daughter-in-law, said that the reason that they got a divorce was so they could get 2 homestead's in Montana instead of one. Where they homesteaded outside of Glasgow was dustbowl country. One needed a lot of land to raise any cattle or for that matter anything else. Charles, Rose's son never would talk about the divorce so .......... who knows.
January 1971
Dear Audrey and Cameron,
Thanks each of you for your cards and thanks for flowers and Audrey for the snap shots. I have more ofFloe.
I miss Travis- a good thoughtful man - none better - I am thankful - he did not linger and suffer - only in hospital a short time - He had an apt down and I one on 2nd floor- He did all for me - a lonesome man - You tried to be nice to him - he appreciated it and really cared - but he resented all slights to me - that I was sorry for - I served the Coes long and well - then what - I was ordered get out - and I never went back - Trav carried them all to their resting places - He- was buried without kin - but he is with his God now at rest - I do not know who notified the East - Could have been Myrtle - I was never notified when the Coes died. My husband buried in Staunton - Coes Old Frank could not go - so he was buried alone - I could not go - enough said - I seem to have heard you built a house -
you and Cameron deserve it - and I am pleased. You have a grand job - and you pull together - so carry on - I have never been in Warrickís home - was in the old place once for a grand turkey dinner - John Sherrad never once asked me to his home - I guess his -- JJ(?)- wife would not have me - She flatters and crawls to Mildred and Coes - they think she is wonderful - John S earned all he got from Frank - I think it a crime - Tetie has to use back door - live in that old kitchen. The Tuckers rich - Ha Ha !!! - so - I loved Wilson - and I know he did me - He cried when Frank told me to get out - but he was helpless - so I am glad he did not last. No one wanted him - a great family all "show" - I think it a dirty outrage - John S dare not go to his Mothers on holidays - but to Tuckers.
Floe is a wonderful woman - where would her boys be if she had not worked - starved and suffered for them - Cam was a good man - just jumped the track - loved me - and worshipped the Coes - What did they ever do for him - yes helped him - brag - - He took after old Nannie !- I saw my father cut the blood out of my brothers legs - a 14 year old son - old Frank had talked to him - so my brother left home. I was a very little girl - but this I saw - What did my father ever do for his own little girl - and 2 little boys - Nothing - just sit and brag - - what to brag about? - that I do not know - Ha Ha -
Cameron - I am fond of you - once I went with you to sell apples - and we had fun - so hold up the proud old name - Carry on - Audrey - write me some time - my eyes are so I doubt if you can read this - Hope your children are a comfort to you - seems you are grandparents now - you know I seldom hear. Bye now - take a rest Ha
Always -
Rose SH
Rose (Rachel Primrose Sherrard) was the youngest daughter of Joseph Holmes Sherrard Jr. and Rachel Primrose Cameron. Roseís oldest sister Nannie (Ann Singleton Sherrard) married Frank (Francis Deane Coe). They had three children who survived to adulthood, Frank Jr. (Francis Dean Coe), Tetie (Primrose Cameron Coe) and Wilson (Wilson Park Coe). The two brothers to which Rose refers are Cam (Andrew Cameron Sherrard) and Holmes (Joseph Holmes III). (Cam) is this brother whereas (Cameron) is the aforementioned (Camís) son (Andrew Cameron Sherrard II) as is John S. (John Carpenter Sherrard). JJ is John and his wife Jon Sherrard.
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1882 - 1981 (98 years)