Sherman Hammons was born 9/9/1903 and died 9/3/1988 six days short of being age 85. . In my travels in Pocahontas County the name of the Hammons family was frequently mentioned, particular, for their folk music performances. I happened upon Mr. Hammons outside his abode along the William River road. It was morning. If I ever met a more interesting person I don’t remember it. He had a character hard to describe—a twinkle of the eye, a glance off as to capture a thought or more of your attention, countenance, the appearance of lackluster, yet one could tell that he could entrap you with coyness, capturing your imagination and then tie you to his every word. He appeared to be just a common man, but he was everything but common. His works and his family works in folklore and music appear and are available from the Recorded Sound Section, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540, Card number 73-750550. Other CD recordings can be purchased from outlets in Pocahontas County at a store in Hillsboro, W.V. Several current Bluegrass and folk music players spent time with him on the Williams River road learning to play his music.

Mr. Hammons’ grave can be found in the upper left hand section of the Cockran cemetery on the Edray to Woodrow road.