Harrell Family History
Harrell, Harrold, Herrell, Horral, Harel, etc.

Jeremiah Harrell/Harrold, so far, is my oldest ancestor I have found.  Born 30 October 1756 in Pee Dee River, South Carolina, Jeremiah was a Revolutionary War patriot and pioneer.  Due to his illiteracy, his name has been spelled several different ways, depending on the record clerk.  Family information suggests that his father was a man named William, this has been unfounded so far.

Jeremiah's extended family may either be in North Carolina, Virginia, and or Georgia.  Just by speculation, Jeremiah may be a nephew, or other relation, to a Jacob Harrell who was the son of Francis Harrell of Nansemond Co., Virginia.  This Jacob, with some brothers, moved to North Carolina, then to the Pee Dee River area in South Carolina.  As tradition holds, many families moved together.  However, recent DNA testing of surviving male descendants of Jeremiah do NOT match up with persons of the Harrell/Harrold/Herl, et. al. names.  It turns out that Jeremiah may have been a Harrelson (or other variant).

These findings are exciting to say the least, not only that, but they explain the use of that name on early records like that of Jeremiah Jr. who married Elizabeth Glasgow in Rush County, Indiana; he is listed as Herrilson on the license.  However, this Jeremiah's family was known as Harrell on public records; including his wife's tombstone.

On 17 December 1781, in Virginia, Jeremiah married Sarah Osborne, daughter of Stephen Osborne and Comfort Longhorn.  Jeremiah and Sarah had 8 children.  They later left Virginia and settled in Indiana.  Two of Jeremiah's oldest sons may have stayed in Virginia, namely William and Stephen. 

Most of my Harrell info is from family sources.  My grandmother and her sister knew their family history very well back to Jeremiah Harrell, they speculated [for whatever reason] that Jeremiah's father was William.  The naming of Jeremiah's first son, supports this, but, again, this is just guesswork.

Any help you may have, or suggestions, corrections, etc. are welcomed!