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days was lost at sea. In this area of shipbuilding, as well as
Mays Landing, captains built unusual three-story homes, topped by
a cupola called a “Widow’s Walk” or “Watch” whereby captains’
wives could oversee the entrance to the bay and could keep watch
for the safe return of their husbands’ ships.
It seems likely that the William Sharrock born in New Jersey about 1842,
and living in Egg Harbor Township in 1850, was the Captain Sharrock lost
at sea. He was alive in December 1874 when he fathered a child, but he
disappeared by 1880, when the census records show his wife Mary raising her
family as a single mother. William was the youngest, four years old.
The columns in the 1880 census records show, from left to right: name,
family relationship, marital status, gender, race, age, birthplace,
occupation, father’s birthplace, and mother’s birthplace.
1880 CENSUS, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Mary SHARROCK Self S Female W 34 NJ Retail Store NJ NJ
Charles H. SHARROCK Son S Male W 18 NJ Home NJ NJ
Anna SHARROCK Dau S Female W 8 NJ Home NJ NJ
Cora B. SHARROCK Dau S Female W 6 NJ Home NJ NJ
William SHARROCK Son S Male W 4 NJ Home NJ NJ
Also living in Egg Harbor Township in 1880 was Naomie Sharrock, raising
her seven-year-old son David as a single mother. Whereas Mary Sharrock
acknowledged her status as single, Naomie Sharrock told the census taker
she was married – but her husband was not living with her. Perhaps he,
too, was lost at sea, and Naomie was still hoping for his safe return.
1880 CENSUS, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Naomie SHARROCK Self M Female W 28 NJ Retail Store NJ NJ
David SHARROCK Son S Male W 7 NJ Home NJ NJ
Living in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey in 1880 was a boy
named Taylor Sharrock, five years old.
1880 CENSUS, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
David LEE Self M Male W 66 NJ Farmer NJ NJ
Mary E. LEE Wife M Female W 60 NJ Keeping House NJ NJ
Ella LEE Dau S Female W 22 NJ NJ NJ
Lewis LEE Son S Male W 21 NJ Sailor NJ NJ
Taylor SHARROCK GSon S Male W 5 NJ NJ NJ
John SMALLWOOD Other S Male W 13 NJ Laborer NJ NJ
Taylor Sharrock is identified in the census records as the grandson of
David Lee and Mary E. Lee. A thorough search of the Mormon website turns
up his birth record, in which he is listed as Taler Sharrick, son of Taler
Sharrick and Haoma. This would appear to be a misspelling of “Taylor,”
and an incorrect transcription of “Naomi.” Taylor (Taler) the younger was
born 15 September 1875 (one day before the birth of his cousin William
Sharrock) at English Creek, Atlantic, New Jersey. The Mormon website
gives no clue as to the origins of his father, but the census records
clarify that his mother’s maiden name was Naomi Lee, as little Taylor was
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