The Legend of John Sherbondy’s Ancestry
Compiled by Jeffrey D. Sherbondy

The Background

It was probably the mid 1800’s.  George Sherbondy, ancestor of Clan J (grandchild of John #1), was the owner of a tavern on the “old turnpike” near Greensburg, PA.    George Sherbondy kept a ledger of the “daily goings of the tavern.” ii  The ledger book was quite large and hard to miss. ii In the back of it was a record of the family. ii  It had Sherbondy Family facts. i  George Sherbondy put in it a lot of family history. ii

It was passed down to Joseph Williamson Sherbondy, George’s son. ii  Joseph Williamson gained some prominence as a farmer and citizen in Freeport, Illinois.   He had knowledge and family pride of Sherbondy heritage. iii  He added to the family record. i ii It was then passed down to Anna Sherbondy Corman, Joseph’s daughter, who moved to Nebraska in 1891. iii  It was viewed by Bert De Forrest Sherbondy (son of Joseph W. Sherbondy) at Anna Corman’s house “the winter I was at Oak” (Neb.). ii  It was in an “old leather trunk” and quite old. ii  

The outcome of the ledger book after that is less clear.  It may have gone to Anna rather than a son (Richard Allen) because of a “lack of interest” by Richard’s line.   The book “went thru a flood in the 1930’s and may have been disposed of as beyond redemption!” i  It was possible that Nora Corman Hineline (Anna’s daughter) came into possession of it. i  Grace Corman asked her about it, but she couldn’t seem to recall (She was 88). i  After Nora passed away, Grace and other family members waited for her effects to be taken care of in hopes that it could be found. i   No other information about Nora’s estate is known.  

The Legend

The original Sherbondy was imprisoned as a political prisoner in a camp bounded on three sides by high walls.  iv   He was in a French garrison.   He was in a concentration camp. vi  On the fourth side was a cliff dropping down to and/or looking upon the Bay of Biscay. iv vi vii  One day, he saw a ship from America nearby. vi He saw a ship in the harbor. vii  He decided to risk an escape by making the long leap off the cliff and into the Bay. iv vi vii  His attempt was successful. iv vi  He was taken aboard and brought to America. iv vi vii 

He evidently feared for his life. vi  He wanted to escape possible pursuit. iv vii  He made his way as far west as civilization extended. iv vi vii  He went to Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburgh.   

Additional Information

Uncle Dick mentioned the unusual name “Melchior” during his conversation with Grace Corman and later (1972) Grace found that name as one of John’s children per John’s will.  This gave Grace additional assurance that Uncle Dick’s story had credibility. v 

Cheslea T. Sherbondy typed up an outline on 9-1-1972 which included the following and sent it to approximately 9 of his relatives:  John Sherbondy #1, French political prisoner escaped by jumping into Bay of Biscay – picked up by Colonist ship to America.  Joined Revolutionary War forces.    In December, 1977 Ches prepared an update to his “Sherbondy Family Chart” and sent it again to approximately 9 of his relatives. In this version, the following information was added: born in a tiny village of Sherbondyville, France about 1735.  He arrived in America in early ‘70’s when he was 40 years old.  He married an English girl.   None of this additional information is supported in any of Grace Corman’s letters or notes.  His revised outline does name Lloyd & Ethel Sherbondy as additional sources for the story.  In a letter to Jeffrey D. Sherbondy from 1978, Ches indicated that he made some assumptions from his interpretation of Grace’s letters.    Also, marrying an English girl was proven false in 2006 with the discovery of a deed from John’s mother and father-in-law (Germans). 

George and Joseph Williamson Sherbondy apparently had strong family heritage interest.  It seems likely that they would have passed important artifacts down to their descendants.  An example is the ledger book.  Another example is a sword and epaulets (shoulder adornments).  They were passed down to Joseph Wallace Sherbondy, another son of Joseph Williamson Sherbondy.  It is not known who used them originally. vi Mellie Sherbondy Morey inherited the farm house of her father (Joseph Wallace) where the items were located.  She rented the farm house, but after the tenants left, the sword and epaulets had disappeared. xii 

The core information in the Legend will continue to be researched to determine if it can be verified as true.

Jeffrey D. Sherbondy
Copyright © 2008 Sherbondy Family Association, website: www.sherbondy.org 
August 2008