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From - The Sherk Family by Thomas A. Sherk -
Christian Sherk, first child and oldest son of Joseph Sherk, was born in Willoughby Township, Welland County, Ontario. As a young man, he grew up on his father's farm in Bertie Township, Welland County near Stevensville. After his marriage to Annie Danner (circa 1829), he moved about 45 miles west to Rainham Township, Haldimand County, Ontario near Selkirk. There he established a farm along Lake Erie. Rainham Township was sparsly populated at this date, and there were considerable numbers of wild animals to contend with, as well as other hardships. Christian located his farm on Lot 4, Concession 1. The farm has been owned by the Sherk family ever since, and today it is owned by William F. Sherk, a great grandson of Christian. Christian apparently made many periodic trips back to his father's place near Stevensville. He owned land there as late as 1859 (1/2 of Lot 9, 14th Concession, and 1/2 of Lot 8 Concession 15, Bertie Township). Christian and Anna belonged to the Mennonite Church, and they atttended the Rainham Mennonite Church. This church body maintains a small cemetery on the banks of Lake Erie known as the Rainham Lakeshore Mennonite Cemetery. Christian and Anna are both buried there. The best information available is that all of Christian's children were born in Rainham Township, but it is uncertain if the first two children were born in Bertie or Rainham.
Last Will and Testament
May 27, 1876
"This is the last will and tesatment of me, Christian Sherk, of the Township of Rainham in the County of Haldimand and the Province of Ontario, Yeoman, made this twenty-seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, as follows.
I give, devise, and bequeath unto my fifth son Josiah Sherk his heirs and assigns forever, the old homestead consisting of part of lot number 4 in the first concession of the said Township of Rainham containing by admeasurement one hundred and twenty acres...[metes and bounds description]....to have and to hold the same to him, his heirs and assigns forever subject however to the payment of sixteen hundred dollars as hereinunder willed to my daughters payable in payments of two hundred dollars each year after the death of my wife and self and also the fulfillment of the bequests as hereinunder made to my wife Anna.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna one third of the growth of the homestead premises, hay to be stowed in barns, grain divided in the bushel, right of pasture and stable room for two cows, one horse and three hogs, one half of the dwelling house such as she may choose, wood and feeding of stock also to be done and furnished by my said son Josiah and attendance in sickness when required, also to my said wife so long as she may live all my household goods, furniture and goods and chattels save what will be required to satisfy other legacies and expenses of this my will, not otherwise provided for, and such as may not be required or used by her at her death to be equally divided among my eight daughters as hereinafter mentioned.
I give to my oldest daughter Elizabeth Snider to her and her heirs two hundred dollars payable by my said son on one year from my decease and that of my said wife.
I give unto my second daughter Mary Bingleman or her heirs two hundred dollars payable by my said son Josiah on two years from my decease and that of my wife.
I give unto my third daughter Lydia Hoover or her heirs two hundred dollars payable by my son on three years from the death of myself and wife.
I give unto my fourth daughter Catharine Effinger or her heirs three hundred dollars, one hundred dollars payable as soon as conveniently may be by my executors after the death of myself and wife, remaining two hundred payable by my said son on four years thereafter.
I give unto my fifth daughter Fanny Helkey or her heirs two hundred dollars payable by my said son on five years after the decease of myself and wife.
I give unto my sixth daughter Magdalene Fretz or her heirs two hundred dollars payable by my said son on six years after the death of my self and wife.
I give unto my seventh daughter Anna Fess or her heirs two hundred dollars payable by my said son on seven years from our decease.
And I give unto my youngest daughter Susanna Sherk or her heirs two hundred dollars payable on eight years from our decease, also bureau, two cows, etc., similar to what my other daughters received at the time of their marriages.
To my four sons Elias Sherk, Joseph Sherk, Jacob Sherk, and Benjamin Sherk, to each the sum of one dollar to be paid out of my estate as they each have already received from my hand their proportionate shares.
And lastly that my funeral and testamentary expenses be paid by my executors as soon as conveniently may be after my decease likewise, likewise any standing out debts the same to be taken out of my estate.
And I appoint my son Elias Sherk and my friend Joel Hoover to be the executors of this my last will hereby revoking all other wills.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Christian Sherk
Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Christian Sherk as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who both present together at the same time and in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witness.
Peter Hoover
J. W. Holmes
Haldimand Deaths, Rainham - Christian Sherk, 3rd January 1881, Male, Aged 73 Years, Farmer, Born Bertie, Cause of Death Rheumatic Gout, Duration For Years, Physician Dr. T. Harrison, Informant Thomas Harrison Physician Selkirk, Evangelical Association, R. A. Havill Division Registrar of Rainham
From The Herald of Truth -
SHERK - January 3d, in Rainham, Haldimand county, Ontario, of inflammatory rheumatism of many years standing. Bro. Christian Sherk, aged 73 years, 5 months and 9 days. Buried the 5th, when a large concourse of friends and relatives followed him to his last resting place. He leaves a wife and thirteen children to mourn their loss, but we trust their loss will be his gain. Services by Christian Geyman and Leonard Hoover.
On the 1881 Census of Rainham, Haldimand, Ontario are:
Anne SHERK Widowed, Female, English, Aged 69, Born Ontario, Mennonite
Susanna SHERK, Female, English, Aged 23, Born Ontario, Mennonite
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Rainham Builders
1807 - 1881 (73 years)
, d. 15 Jul 1911 (Age 78 years) [Natural]