When Artie Sizemore was born on December 2, 1873, in McDowell, Kentucky, her father, John, was 35 and her mother, Fanny, was 26. She married John Anderson "ANT" Hall in 1887 in her hometown. They had 12 children during their marriage. She died as a young mother on July 30, 1907, in McDowell, Kentucky, at the age of 33, and was buried there.
Birth
Artie Sizemore was born on December 2, 1873, in McDowell, Kentucky to Fanny Osborne, age 26, and John Penny Sizemore, age 35.
2 Dec 1873 • McDowell, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
The first Kentucky Derby in 1875 brought thousands of spectators to Louisville eager to participate in what would become an annual race steeped in tradition.
May 17, 1875, dawned clear and bright. A crowd of 10,000 entered the stadium to watch fifteen horses gallop around the track in the inaugural race at Churchill Downs—the first Kentucky Derby. The new grandstand was packed with ladies and gentlemen in their finest. On the grass in the middle of the track, children perched on their father’s shoulders to see through the crowds. A drum was tapped to signal the start, and the people erupted. The track was fast, the dirt hard and compact, and just 2 minutes and 37 seconds later Aristides crossed the finish line. A celebration with champagne and a wreath of roses took place in the winner’s circle, where all could see the champion colt. With programs clutched tightly in their fists, the crowd gradually dispersed, eager to make it back to Churchill Downs, where a new race would be held every day.
Residence
Artie Sizemore lived in Halbert, Kentucky, in 1880.
Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Daughter
1880 • Halbert, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Arty Sisemore
Age8
Birth Yearabt 1872
BirthplaceKentucky
Home in 1880Halbert, Floyd, Kentucky
RaceWhite
GenderFemale
Relation to Head of HouseDaughter
Marital StatusSingle
Father's NameJohn P. Sisemore
Father's BirthplaceKentucky
Mother's NameFanny Sisemore
Mother's BirthplaceKentucky
Household Members
NameAge
John P. Sisemore42
Fanny Sisemore32
Arty Sisemore 8
Jane Sisemore 7
Kate Sisemore 2
John L. Sisemore 8m
Death of Mother
Artie's mother Fanny passed away on August 28, 1886, in Halbert, Kentucky, at the age of 39.
This is an approximation due to no record found yet. On 1900 Census, with children listed it is estimated that Artie and John married at least a year before the 1st child on the census. It could have been a little earlier. Need to find the record to get exact.
Birth of Daughter
Her daughter Virginia was born on November 23, 1888, in McDowell, Kentucky.
Artie Sizemore died on July 30, 1907, in McDowell, Kentucky, when she was 33 years old.
30 Jul 1907 • McDowell, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
John Penny Sizemore
1838–1917
2nd great-grandfather
John Penny Sizemore was born on January 29, 1838, in Floyd County, Kentucky, the child of Lewis Level and Catherine Katy.
He married Fanny Osborne on January 26, 1871, in Floyd County, Kentucky. They had six children in 10 years. He died on November 10, 1917, in Floyd County, Kentucky, at the age of 79, and was buried in McDowell, Kentucky.
Birth
John Penny Sizemore was born on January 29, 1838, in Floyd County, Kentucky to Catherine Katy Gearheart, age 37, and Lewis Level Sizemore, age 38.
29 Jan 1838 • Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Residence
John Penny Sizemore lived in Floyd County, Kentucky, in 1840.
1840 • Floyd, Kentucky, United States
Lewis Sciremone
Home in 1840 (City, County, State)
Floyd, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5
2
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49
1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9
2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14
1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19
1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49
1
Persons Employed in Agriculture
1
Free White Persons - Under 20
6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
2
Total Free White Persons
8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves
8
Residence
John Penny Sizemore lived in Floyd County, Kentucky, in 1850.
1850 • My District, Floyd, Kentucky
John Sizemore
Age
12
Birth Year
abt 1838
Birthplace
Kentucky
Home in 1850
My District, Floyd, Kentucky
Gender
Male
Family Number
214
Household Members
Name
Age
Louis Sizemore
50
Katharine Sizemore
49
Sarah Sizemore
28
Rhoda Sizemore
24
Elizabeth Sizemore
20
Francis J Sizemore
17
William Sizemore
15
John Sizemore
12
Richard Sizemore
10
Alexander Turner
23
Peter Gearhart
22
Residence
John Penny Sizemore lived in Floyd County, Kentucky, in 1860.
1860 • Floyd, Kentucky, United States
John Sizemore
Age
21
Birth Year
abt 1839
Gender
Male
Birth Place
Kentucky
Home in 1860
Floyd, Kentucky
Post Office
Prestonsburg
Family Number
517
Household Members
Name
Age
Lewis Sizemore
59
Catharine Sizemore
59
William Sizemore
24
John Sizemore
21
Richard Sizemore
19
Catharine Sizemore
20
Residence
John Penny Sizemore lived in Floyd County, Kentucky, in 1870.
1870 • Precinct 9, Floyd, Kentucky, United States
John Sequeira
Age in 1870
32
Birth Year
abt 1838
Birthplace
Kentucky
Home in 1870
Precinct 9, Floyd, Kentucky
Race
White
Gender
Male
Post Office
Prestonsburg
Household Members
Name
Age
Lewis Sequeira
70
Catharine Sequeira
70
John Sequeira
32
Richard Sequeira
29
Elizabeth Stumbe
34
Willard Stumbe
18
Jane Stumbe
15
William Stumbe
12
Lisettey Tuiben
22
Marriage
John Penny Sizemore married Fanny Osborne on January 26, 1871, in Floyd County, Kentucky, when he was 32 years old.
John Penny Sizemore lived near Louisville in 1870 around the time horses ran in the first ever Kentucky Derby.
May 17, 1875, dawned clear and bright. A crowd of 10,000 entered the stadium to watch fifteen horses gallop around the track in the inaugural race at Churchill Downs—the first Kentucky Derby. The new grandstand was packed with ladies and gentlemen in their finest. On the grass in the middle of the track, children perched on their father’s shoulders to see through the crowds. A drum was tapped to signal the start, and the people erupted. The track was fast, the dirt hard and compact, and just 2 minutes and 37 seconds later Aristides crossed the finish line. A celebration with champagne and a wreath of roses took place in the winner’s circle, where all could see the champion colt. With programs clutched tightly in their fists, the crowd gradually dispersed, eager to make it back to Churchill Downs, where a new race would be held every day.
Residence
1880 • Halbert, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Self
John P. Sisemore
Age42
Birth Yearabt 1838
BirthplaceKentucky
Home in 1880Halbert, Floyd, Kentucky
RaceWhite
GenderMale
Relation to Head of HouseSelf
Marital StatusMarried
Spouse's NameFanny Sisemore
Father's BirthplaceKentucky
Mother's BirthplaceKentucky
OccupationFarmer
Household Members
NameAge
John P. Sisemore42
Fanny Sisemore32
Arty Sisemore8
Jane Sisemore7
Kate Sisemore2
John L. Sisemore8m
Death of Son
His son John L. passed away in 1880 in Halbert, Kentucky, at the age of 1.
1880
1880 Death of Daughter
His daughter Jane passed away in 1880 in Halbert, Kentucky, at the age of 7.
1882 Birth of Son
His son Edward was born in January 1882 in Floyd County, Kentucky.
1883 Birth of Son
His son Adam was born in December 1883 in Floyd County, Kentucky.
1886 Aug 28 Death of Wife
His wife Fanny passed away on August 28, 1886, in Halbert, Kentucky, at the age of 39. They had been married 15 years.
Residence
1900 • Halbert, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Marital Status: Widowed; Relation to Head of House: Head
John Sizemore Age 63 Birthplace Kentucky Home in 1900 Halbert, Floyd, Kentucky Race White Gender Male Relation to Head of House Head Marital Status Widowed Father's Birthplace Tennessee Mother's Birthplace Kentucky Household Members
Name
Age
John Sizemore
63
Edward Sizemore
18
Adam Sizemore
16
Thomas Stambo
119
Death of Daughter
His daughter Artie passed away on July 30, 1907, in McDowell, Kentucky, at the age of 33
Residence
1910 • Holbert, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Marital Status: Widowed; Relation to Head of House: Head
1917 Death
10 Nov 1917 • Floyd, Kentucky, USA
3Sources
John Perry Sizemore
Death Date
22 Mar 1918
Death Location
Floyd
Age
86
Gender
Male
Race
White
Birth Date
10 Dec 1831
Birth Location
Floyd
Father's Name
Edgar Sizemore
Father's Birth Location
Kentucky
Mother's Name
Fannie Osborne
Mother's Birth Location
Virginia
Burial
McDowell, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
2Sources
John Penny Sizemore
Birth Date
29 Jan 1838
Death Date
10 Nov 1917
Cemetery
Hopkins Family Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place
McDowell, Floyd County, Kentucky, USA
Has Bio?
N
John Penny Sizemore
Birth Date
29 Jan 1838
Age at Death
79
Death Date
10 Nov 1917
Burial Place
McDowell, Floyd County, Kentucky, USA
Household Members
Name
Age
John Penny Sizemore
Fanny Osborne
2nd great-grandmother
BIRTH4 FEB 1847•Prestonsburg, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
DEATH28 AUG 1886•Halbert, Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Fanny Osborne was born on February 4, 1847, in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the child of Edward Lewis and Rhoda. She married John Penny Sizemore on January 26, 1871, in Floyd County, Kentucky. They had six children in 10 years. She died on August 28, 1886, in Halbert, Kentucky, at the age of 39, and was buried in McDowell, Kentucky.
Males - 10 thru 14: 1 Males - 20 thru 29: 1 Females Under 5: 2 5 thru 9: 1 Females - 15 thru 19: 1 Females - 20 thru 29: 1 Under 20: 5 20 thru 49: 2 Total Free White Persons: 7 Total - All Persons : 7
Name
Lewis Sizemore
Home in 1830 (City, County, State)
Floyd, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14
1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29
1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5
2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9
1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19
1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29
1
Free White Persons - Under 20
5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
2
Total Free White Persons
7
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored)
7
(1800–1875)
1833
THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL
Though meteor showers are common, no one predicted the explosion of shooting stars that illuminated the night sky on November 12, 1833. Just before dawn, people threw on clothes and gathered in roads and fields to watch the 150,000 meteors (about 30 per second) dance in plain view during the storm’s peak. One eyewitness told the Pantagraph newspaper in Illinois that, “the very heavens seemed to be ablaze.” Though many were spellbound, not all rejoiced in the cosmic celebration. At the time, the South was a hotbed for the national religious revival known as the Second Great Awakening. Some awoke terrified, fearing it was the End of Days, as predicted by a Bible verse: “and the stars of heaven shall fall.” But in the weeks following, newspapers demystified the showers with science.
1835 Death of Mother
Lewis Level's mother Louannah passed away in 1835 in Perry County, Kentucky, at the age of 61.
Property
1836 • Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Grantee: Lewis Sizemore Number of Acres: 50 Survey Date: 30 Mar 1836 County: Floyd Watercourse: l Fk Beaver Cr Book Number: I-2
Grantee
Lewis Sizemore
Number of Acres
50
Survey Date
30 Mar 1836
County
Floyd
WaterCourse
l Fk Beaver Cr
Book Number
I-2
Birth of Son
His son John Penny was born on January 29, 1838, in Floyd County, Kentucky.
Residence
1840 • Floyd, Kentucky, United States
Males - Under 5: 2 40 thru 49: 1 Females - 5 thru 9: 2 10 thru 14: 1 15 thru 19: 1 40 thru 49: 1 Employed in Agriculture: 1 Total All Persons - : 8
Name
Lewis Sciremone
Home in 1840 (City, County, State)
Floyd, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5
2
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49
1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9
2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14
1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19
1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49
1
Persons Employed in Agriculture
1
Free White Persons - Under 20
6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
2
Total Free White Persons
8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves
8
Property
22 Jul 1842 • Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Grantee: Lewis Sizemore Number of Acres: 50 Survey Date: 22 Jul 1842 County: Floyd Watercourse: Martins Fk Book Number: 10
Grantee
Lewis Sizemore
Number of Acres
50
Survey Date
22 Jul 1842
County
Floyd
WaterCourse
Martins Fk
Book Number
10
Property
26 Feb 1844 • Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Grantee: Lewis Sizemore Number of Acres: 50 Survey Date: 26 Feb 1844 County: Floyd Watercourse: Fk Beaver Cr Book Number: 20
Grantee
Lewis Sizemore
Number of Acres
50
Survey Date
26 Feb 1844
County
Floyd
WaterCourse
Fk Beaver Cr
Book Number
20
Residence
1850 • My District, Floyd, Kentucky
Name Louis Sizemore
Age 50
Birth Year abt
1800
Birthplace Virginia
Home in 1850 My
District, Floyd, Kentucky
Gender Male
Family Number 214
Household Members
Name Age
Louis Sizemore 50
Katharine Sizemore 49
Sarah Sizemore 28
Rhoda Sizemore 24
Elizabeth Sizemore 20
Francis J Sizemore 17
William Sizemore 15
John Sizemore 12
Richard Sizemore 10
Alexander Turner 23
Peter Gearhart 22
Death of Father
Lewis Level's father Edward "Ned" passed away on November 27, 1855, in Perry County, Kentucky, at the age of 81.
Property
13 Jun 1856 • Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Lewis Sizemore Number of Acres: 50 Survey Date: 13 Jun 1856 County: Floyd Watercourse: Fk Beaver Cr Book Number: 48
Grantee
Lewis Sizemore
Number of Acres
50
Survey Date
13 Jun 1856
County
Floyd
WaterCourse
Fk Beaver Cr
Book Number
48
Residence
1860 • Floyd, Kentucky, United States
Lewis Sizemore 59 Catharine Sizemore 59 William Sizemore 24 John Sizemore 21 Richard Sizemore 19 Catharine Sizemore 20
Lewis Sizemore
Age
59
Birth Year
abt 1801
Gender
Male
Birth Place
Virginia
Home in 1860
Floyd, Kentucky
Post Office
Prestonsburg
Family Number
517
Household Members
Name
Age
Lewis Sizemore
59
Catharine Sizemore
59
William Sizemore
24
John Sizemore
21
Richard Sizemore
19
Catharine Sizemore
20
1861
For American Southerners, 1861 to 1865 were long and difficult years that saw families uprooted and women forced to head households as more than a million men marched off to fight in the Civil War.
For all Southerners, 1861 to 1865 were long and difficult years—families were uprooted and women forced to head many households as more than a million men marched off to fight.
Primarily on Southern soil, the battles left behind a wake of destruction: barren cupboards and entire cities burned to the ground. In a decisive move, the factory-heavy North withheld vital goods like clothing and munitions.
Simultaneously, Union forces blocked Southern ports from exporting cotton, virtually shutting down the already crumbling Confederate economy. The home front and battlefront became one and the same: civilians, like soldiers, faced hunger, violence, and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. When the war finally came to a close, Southerners struggled to adapt to a new way of life as they rebuilt their devastated hometowns.
Residence
1870 • Precinct 9, Floyd, Kentucky, United States
Lewis Sequeira 70 Catharine Sequeira 70 John Sequeira 32 Richard Sequeira 29 Elizabeth Stumbe 34 Willard Stumbe 18 Jane Stumbe 15 William Stumbe 12 Lisettey Tuiben 22
Frances Jane Sizemore was born in 1833 in Floyd Co, KY.
Frances married John Stambaugh.
929
M
vii
John Penny Sizemore was born on 29 Jan 1838 in Floyd Co, KY.
John married Fanny Osborne.
930
M
viii
Richard Sizemore was born in 1840 in Floyd Co, KY.
Catherine Katy Gearheart
3rd great-grandmother
BIRTH23 DEC 1800•Reed Creek, Wythe, Virginia, United States
DEATH1875•Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Birth
23 Dec 1800 • Reed Creek, Wythe, Virginia, United States
Death of Husband
Her husband Lewis Level passed away in 1873 in Floyd County, Kentucky, at the age of 73. They had been married 52 years.
Death
1875 • Floyd, Kentucky, USA
Refer to Lewis Level Sizemore data. Hers is exact when her name finally shows up. At this time we don't know who her parents are. Requires more research.
Edward "Ned" Sizemore
4th great-grandfather
BIRTH1774•Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah, Virginia, USA
DEATH27 NOV 1855•Perry, Kentucky, USA
Edward"Old Ned" and Louanna Bolan/Bowling had ten children:
1. Nancy Sizemore m. David Jones 2. William Sizemore b. abt. 1798 m, Josephine Anglia." 3. Sally ""White Sally"" Sizemore b. abt. 1800 in Hawkins Co. Tn. m. John Bowling." 4. Winnie Sizemore b. abt. 1801 in Va. m. 1st Unknown Haddix: m. 2nd Benjamin Grigsby. 5. Edward "Slim Red" Sizemore b. abt 1805 M. Linsy Wood: Mo. m. Easter Owens b. abt 1831 [dont know where I got this] 6. George Washington Sizemore b. abt 1805 [Parrish-1796] in Clay Co. Ky[son's Death Cert - Indiana [Perez-Boone Co, IN].m. Annie Walter on May 14, 1826 in Perry County, Ky. She was b. abt. 1807 Tn [son's death certificate - Ky]." 7. Susan Sizemore b. abt. 1807 in Clay Co. Ky. she married Samuel Allen. 8. Christopher "Kit" Sizemore b. abt. 1810 in Clay Co. Ky. m. Catherine unknown b. abt. 1810 in Ky." 9. Ephraim Sizemore b. abt. 1812 Clay Co. Ky. died 1858 in Madison County Ar. m. Naomi Ritchie. 10. Sylvania Sizemore b. abt. 1815 died aft. 1900 m. John Ritchie.
Timeline
Birth1774 Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah, Virginia, USA
Lord Dunmore’s War
In 1774, Edward "Ned" Sizemore was living in Virginia during Lord Dunmore’s War.
A 70-year-old dispute between British colonists and nearby Native Americans gave way to the declaration of war in 1774 in the Virginia Colony. The neighbors could not agree on hunting and property rights along the Ohio River. But the guns and muskets of the colony’s militia quickly outmatched the Native Americans. The governor of Virginia - John Murray, Lord Dunmore - commanded the forces that, on October 10, 1774, swiftly forced a Native American surrender.
Colonial Life Before the American Revolution
In the years leading up to the Revolution, colonists in America enjoyed relative prosperity under the protection of the British Crown.
Compared to their British brethren across the pond, American colonists enjoyed relative prosperity and freedom.
The vast majority lived in rural farming villages on their own property–less than 10 percent lived in cities.
Family farms dominated the north. Large plantations that grew cash crops like tobacco and rice dominated the mid-Atlantic and southern landscape.
Thousands of African slaves were imported each year for labor, and by 1750, outnumbered white settlers in some colonies (like South Carolina) by thousands.
As the British Empire thrived, taxes and imperial interference in local politics were minimal, allowing provincials the space to create their own unique identity. However, this changed in 1763 when the French and Indian War left the British deeply in debt.
Taxes were raised to replenish the royal coffers and colonists were forced to house British soldiers still stationed in the New World, eventually prompting the outbreak of the American Revolution.
The Declaration of Independence
In 1776 the Continental Congress proclaimed America’s independence from the British Crown and colonists were caught up in the excitement.
July 8, 1776: A 2,000 pound copper bell rang through the city of Philadelphia, calling the people to gather. Colonel John Nixon stood on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Hall—which would from then on be known as Independence Hall—and read the Declaration of independence in public for the first time.
Colonel John Nixon stood on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Hall—which would from then on be known as Independence Hall—and read the Declaration of independence in public for the first time.
Nixon barely made it through his reading as Philadelphians shouted huzzah and fired their muskets, thrilled with what Congress had sent to the King.
Some cities celebrated by making bonfires and burning effigies of King George III, “the just reward of a Tyrant.”
The Declaration was read from the pulpit in churches across the colonies, the people’s shouts echoing off the church walls. In places like New York City, a town with a high population of Americans still loyal to the King, some colonists reacted to the document with anger and disgust. But the Declaration swept through the colonies like wildfire, exciting the colonists and inspiring many to join the cause for independence.
Males - Under 10: 2 16 thru 25: 1 Females - Under 10: 2 16 thru 25: 1 26 thru 44: 1 Number of Household Members Under 16: 4 Number of Household Members Over 25: 1 Number of Household Members: 7
Name
Edw Sizemore
Home in 1810 (City, County, State)
Clay, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10
2
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25
1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10
2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25
1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44
1
Number of Household Members Under 16
4
Number of Household Members Over 25
1
Number of Household Members
7
New Madrid Earthquakes
Edward "Ned" Sizemore was living in Kentucky around the time it was shaken by the most powerful earthquakes to ever hit the Midwest.
Known as the “Earthquake America Forgot,” the New Madrid tremors rocked the Midwest during the winter of 1811–1812.
During the winter of 1811–1812 Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky experienced one of the most shocking natural disasters in North America.
The four earthquakes that took place in December, January, and February affected the landscape more than any other earthquake on the continent.
Eyewitnesses recalled the ground “rolling in waves” and the river rising up “like a great loaf of bread.” The incredible magnitude of the earthquakes affected an area ten times larger than that of the infamous San Francisco earthquake in 1906; bells trembled in their towers and chimneys shook more than 190 miles away from the center of the quake in New Madrid, Missouri.
Due to its rural location, the death toll was mercifully low, but for those who felt the shakes, it was an event never to be forgotten. Eliza Bryan, a citizen of new Madrid, described “the screams of the affrighted inhabitants running to and fro, not knowing where to go, or what to do … a scene truly horrible.”
Wilderness Road
In 1810, Edward "Ned" Sizemore likely made the trek along with hundreds of thousands of other Americans across the Appalachian Mountains to Kentucky along the Wilderness Road.
The great frontiersman, Daniel Boone blazed the trail that in just three decades brought 300,000 pioneers through the Appalachian Mountains, from Virginia to Kentucky by 1810.
But their journey was not without risk. Native Americans enraged by the English colonists’ push westward into their homeland protested the migration by attacking pioneers on route.
Even so, the road remained a key passage of people and supplies until the 1830s when canals replaced the trail as a safer, faster form of transportation.
1820Age: 46
Clay, Kentucky, USA
Males - Under 10: 3 10 thru 15: 1 16 thru 18: 1 16 thru 25: 2 45 and over: 1 Females - Under 10: 2 10 thru 15: 1 16 thru 25: 1 Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 4 Free White Persons - Under 16: 7 Free White Persons - Over 25: 1 Total F
Males - Under 5: 1 Males - 20 thru 29: 1 Free White Persons - Under 20: 1 Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1 Total Free White Persons: 2 Total - All Persons : 2
Name
Edward Lizerman
Home in 1830 (City, County, State)
Perry, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5
1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29
1
Free White Persons - Under 20
1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
1
Total Free White Persons
2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored)
2
Death of Mother
Edward "Ned"'s mother Agnes "Aggie" Cornet passed away in 1833 in Perry County, Kentucky, at the age of 78.
Death of Wife
His wife Louannah passed away in 1835 in Perry County, Kentucky, at the age of 61. They had been married 38 years.
Sizemore Cherokee Lineage
SIZEMORE Ned (Probably lived on Catawba Reservation, Cherokee Nation,NC.) Born before 1740. Died Ca 1780. References: "More than 2,000 Eastern Cherokee applications, Blevins Family Records and information from more than 20 Sizemore family searchers as complied by R. L. Blevins, A. B. Blevins and R. J. Schuler". Indian ancestry was passed from one generation to another along the Sizemore lineage. In June 1906 the Supreme Court set aside several million dollars and a large amount of land to be divided among the descendants of the Cherokees who had lost their lands under the Treachota in 1835. This Treaty gave all Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River to the U.S. Government. Most of the Perhaps this data was contained in an old family Bible. Most of the applications we file by descendants of George Sizemore, an early Ashe County resident a a son of Ned. Most of the claim applications filed, except those from WV, omitted George's name and mistook him for Ned. Ned Sizemore's name was first found in a 1746 land patent in Pittsylvania County, VA (Then Lunenburg County). Edward and the Sizemore family were closely connected to the Jackson, Owen, Green, and Griffin families. By 1774 Edward Sizemore and James Hart were in the same household in old Surry Co, NC. In 1776 Edward signed a loyalty oath in Botetourt County, VA, and was in court with his son , Owen, in Montgomery County, VA in 1779 for taking part in an insurrection. After 1779 this Edward disappeared from area records and should not be confused with another Edward Sizemore living in Hawkins Co, TN in 1790.
Ned Sizemore and his Indian wife had at least six sons, John, George Edward, Owen, Hiram, Ephraim, and Henry, and two daughters whose names are not known. The daughters married into the Allen and Hall families.
REFERENCE: "Records of Eastern Cherokee Ancestry in the U.S. Court of Claims, 1906-1909" - In 1904 the Eastern Cherokees won a million dollar judgement against the U. S. because of it violations of the treaties of 1835-36 and 1845. The payments were to go to all living persons who had been members of the Cherokee tribe at the time of the treaties, or their descendants. Over 46,000 people filed a claim. The claimants resided mostly in Northwestern NC, Northwestern TN, Southwestern VA, Southern WV and Western ALA. The statements in the claim applications and affidavits filed in support of the claim applications, and in the testimony taken were not entirely consistent but substantially the same claim were made for all these individuals. More than 60 witness were examined in the field and their testimony can be found in the Court's "Sizemore" record file, pages 1 to 75. Claimants never proved to the Courts satisfaction that any immediate ancestor was ever enrolled with the Eastern Cherokees, or lived as Indians with the Cherokee Nation During the treaty of 1835-36. However, most of the claimants of their immediate ancestors were living from 150 to 300 miles from the Cherokee domain at the time. From the accounts, affidavits and testimony, it appears that Ned (Edward) Sizemore was born in Halifax Co, NC (VA?),between 1740 and 1760, and was enrolled upon the roll of the Cherokee Nation taken and made in the year 1748 in the CATAWBA Reservation. (William H. Blevin prominent man (served as their unofficial chief) among the claimants and one who has been largely instrumental in prosecuting claims testified (Sizemore testimony p.56) "I remember one Elish Blevins who said that old Ned Sizemore came from the Catawba River", or Catawba Reservation, as he called it. Wesley Blevins testified in 1896 to the same statement.
SIZEMORE Ned (Probably lived on Catawba Reservation, Cherokee Nation, NC.) Born before 1740. Died Ca 1780. References: "More than 2,000 Eastern Cherokee applications, Blevins Family Records and information from more than 20 Sizemore family researcher
DSizemoreLauer56confused: so...... I am confused.
Debbie Sizemore-me born 1956 in dayton Tennessee
albert Sizemore= father born Manring Tennessee 1913
robert Sizemore-grandfather born in skidmore or Scott coundty JUly the 4th, 1886
Joseph Sizemore- g grandfather was born in leslie county Kentucky janurary the 13, 1859
gg James "Fiddler Jim" sizemore born in Clay county Dec. 1820
ggg John Rockhouse Sizemore- born in Wilkes North Carolina in 1770
gggg George All Sizemore- born in Virginia 1755
Edward Sizemore???????????born in Wilkes, Ashe North Carolina in 1725
How does one know or prove that Edward or Old Ned is my ggggg grandfather. I thought he was. I also have that he may have been born in hanover, Virginia. HMMMMM
08 Feb 2008••
ppdrg13 diff George's that people confuse........ 1.George All Sizemore < parents are unknown Birth 1754 in Halifax County, Virginia, USA Death 13 JUL 1822 in Dry Hill, Leslie, Kentucky, United States married to Agnes "Aggie" Shepard Birth 1750 in Tryon, Polk, North Carolina, USA Death 1839 in Leslie County, Kentucky, USA. 2.George Sizemore Birth 1750 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Virginia, United States Death 1820 in Prathers Creek, Ashe, North Carolina, United States married to Anna Ellizabeth Hart Birth 1750 in Logan, , Virginia, USA Death 1820 in Laurel Springs, Alleghany, North Carolina, USA parents listed as Old Ned Sizemore 1724 – 1780 and Elizabeth Rachel Jackson < not sure if this is one person or two 1726 – 1760 3.George J. Sizemore Birth 1797 Death 1877 who married Jennie Baldwin was the son of George Sizemore Birth 1750 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Virginia, United States Death 1820 in Prathers Creek, Ashe, North Carolina, United States and Anna Ellizabeth Hart Birth 1750 in Logan, , Virginia, USA Death 1820 in Laurel Springs, Alleghany, North Carolina, USA A lot of Sizemore descendants mix the info on these 3 George's.
01 Nov 2013••
Biography of Edward Sizemore
Note from Elaine Sizemore Bratton on RootsWeb: "Ned Sizemore owned a lot of land and had a lumber business. He traded with settlers. His Indian name had something to do with his love of trees. Ned was a Cherokee or Creek Indian. The church would not marry him and Martha, so they married in an Indian ceremony in North Carolina. When she became pregnant, Ned took her to Kentucky, built her a cabin, dug a well, and left another Indian to watch after her while he checked on business. When he didn't return from his last trip, the other Indian went to look for him. The Indian returned saying he had found Ned dead. He plowed and planted her fields and slipped away in the night." From Millie Clark, RootsWeb Post-em: "Ed Sizemore was a lumberman and had many valuable walnut trees. He was a full Cherokee Indian. His Indian name was 'Lover of Big Trees'. He took the name Fields when he married #2 wife Mahalia (Martha-Patty) Fields. Patty's mother was Cherokee Indian Abigail Creech. They married sometime after the birth of their only son, Isaac Fields. Ed Sizemore's first wife was Louanna Bowling. They had 10 children. Ned built Patty a cabin and when he went down the trail he never returned. He was killed on the trail and Patty never remarried." Note from Brittany Marschalk: The death record I've found for Ned testifies to a much more mundane fate -- he died at age 77 of "apoplexy." I also believe he is the "Edward Grigsby" in his daughter Winnie's household in 1850
Residence
1840 • Scott, Virginia, USA
Males - 20 thru 29: 1 Females - 20 thru 29: 1 Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1 Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2 Total Free White Persons: 2 Total All Persons : 2
Name
Edward Siqemore
Home in 1840 (City, County, State)
Scott, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29
1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29
1
Persons Employed in Agriculture
1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
2
Total Free White Persons
2
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves
2
Residence 1845 • West Virginia, USA
Residence 1850 • District 71, Wyoming, Virginia
Edward Sizemore 62 Ann Sizemore 64
Death
27 Nov 1855 • Perry, Kentucky, USA
Name
Edward Sisemore
Death Date
27 Nov 1856
Death Location
Perry
Residence Location
Perry
Age
78
Gender
Male
Birth Date
abt 1778
Father's Name
George Sisemore
Mother's Name
Agness Sisemore
NameEdward Sizemore
Birth Date1778
Birth PlaceShenandoah County, Virginia, USA
Death Date27 Nov 1855
Death PlacePerry County, Kentucky, USA
Cemetery
Has Bio?Y
George "Of All" Sizemore
Section1
These are ongoing pages.
If you can add to them, or if
you see that I have made
a mistake please
let me know. EMAIL ME
Generation 1
George "Of
All" Sizemore was the oldest Sizemore to first come to Clay County, Ky. He
came from Hawkins, Tennessee according to an interview with his great grandson
Felix Begley in the Dickey Diary. We first see him on the Tax List of 1807 and others on down the years. Then we find him
on the 1810 and 1820 census for Clay County. He is listed as over 45 years
of age on both censuses, the only ones he is listed on. By 1830 George has
died. George is alive as is proved by court records in 1818. Yet he is
dead by August of 1822 as is also proved in the Clay County, court records in
reference to the "Widow Sizemore". We only have one other form of
documentation for George "Of All" Sizemore in Clay County, Ky. and it
is the Dickey Diary. This Diary gives us some
insight to the man George was and also lists some of his family
members. The reference to George's nickname as George "Of
All" is unclear to me at this time where it actually came from.
George married Agnes
Shepherd. The only references we have for her name are the Dickey Diary and the Clay County, court
records, where she is referred to as the "Widow Sizemore" from
1822 to 1824 then in 1825 they called her "Aggy
Sizemore" The reference for Aggy's Maiden name comes
from the Dickey Diary (the interview of Polly North).
Children of George "Of All" Sizemore
and Aggy Shepherd as stated in Dickey Diary:
Generation 2
Henry John
Ned
George Jr. Minny
Rhoda Ruth Susan
Note: These
children also show up in the Clay County Census.
·
CENSUS
1810 Census
George Sizemore:
1 Male over 45
1 Female over 45
1 Male 16-26
1820 Census
George Sizemore:
1 Male 45 and over
1 Female 45 and over
1 Male 16-26
1 Female 16-26
1 Male 16-18
1 Male under 10
Dickey Diary Interviews
Both submitted by: Phyllis Hefelfinger
Felix T. Begley - Bull Creek - March 27, 1898
pgs. 2204-2205
I was born March 6, 1834 in Leslie County,
then Perry near the mouth of Cutshin. My great
grandfather
BEGLEY
came from Ireland. He was a weaver by trade. He came
with my
grandfather and is buried on Cutshin. He had a
by-word "Damn-an-it". He spoke broken
English.
My
grandmother was MINNY SIZEMORE. She was a daughter
of
"Old GEORGE of All" SIZEMORE, who came with my grandfather,
Wm BEGLEY
from Hawkins County,Tennessee. He had sons as
follows: HENRY, JOHN, NED, and GEORGE; MINNY (Wm
BEGLEY),
RHODA
(ROBERTS), Ruth (John JONES), Susan (BOLLING).
"Old GEORGE of All" was a hairy man and a prize
fighter. He wounded Wm TWITTY in a fight,
so that he died.
SIZEMORE nursed TWITTY would cry and tell him he
had nothing
against him. All he asked of him was to
fight again if he
got well. SIZEMORE is a Cherokee Indian
name. He is said
to be half or more Indian.
The SIZEMORES are very numerous in the mountains.
The SIZEMORES settled first on Middle Fork, then
went to
Clay,
Floyd and other counties.
Note by Dickey: (POLLY NORTH), 85 years old,
whose mother
was RHODA SIZEMORE say they
came from New River. J.J.D.)
Kidnapping
“When Kentucky was first being settled, emigrants from either North Carolina or Tennessee, headed by a man named Cornett, reached the Kentucky River late one evening. They decided to camp and wait until daylight before crossing the river. They had wives, children, livestock and equipment with them. After supper they were sitting around their campfire talking, when suddenly Indians [ed. -thought to be Creek] dashed into camp and captured two of the girls.
“Three of the white men saddled horses and went after the Indians. Late in the night they caught up with the Indians, who were not expecting pursuit and had made camp. The men advanced near enough to see the girls asleep on pallets near the fire. Each man agreed to dash in and grab one of the girls. This they did and got away without a fight. When they came to their camp the men discovered that they had also captured a little Indian girl. The next morning, after crossing the river, the emigrants decided to keep the Indian girl. Mr. Cornett agreed to take her and raise her.
“In the meantime, in another part of the area, the Cherokee [ed. Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees] Indians had also captured a white girl. One Indian Chief, seeing her beauty, became desirous of possessing her for his own, and took her into his teepee. However, his love was short-lived, for the girl’s brothers made pursuit and brought the girl back to her own people, but under her heart she carried the child of the Indian Chief. This child was given the name of George All Sizemore. (Information from Pleasie Woods, deceased.)
“When George All grew to manhood he married the Indian girl whom Mr. Cornett had raised. George All and Agnes Shepherd thus became the progenitors of the Leslie County Sizemores. Shepherd was Agnes’ Indian name. She was sometimes called Shepherd and sometimes Cornett.”Taken from the book “The Rugged Trails of Appalachia” by Mary Brewer. This tidbit was generously provided by Pam Powell PamPowell28@myfamily.com
“When George All grew to manhood he married the Indian girl whom Mr. Cornett had raised. George All and Agnes Shepherd thus became the progenitors of the Leslie County Sizemores. Shepherd was Agnes’ Indian name. She was sometimes called Shepherd and somet
Kidnapped - Indian Girl
Excerpt from the book, "The Rugged Trails of Appalachia", written by Mary Brewer.
When Kentucky was first being settled, emigrants from either North Carolina or Tennessee, headed by a man named Cornett, reached the Kentucky River late one evening. They decided to camp and wait until daylight before crossing the river. They had wives, children, livestock and equipment with them. After supper they were sitting around their campfire talking, when suddenly Indians dashed into camp and captured two of the girls.
Three of the white men saddled horses and went after the Indians. Late in the night they caught up with the Indians, who were not expecting pursuit and had made camp. The men advanced near enough to see the girls asleep on pallets near the fire. Each man agreed to dash in and grab one of the girls. This they did and got away without a fight. When they came to their camp the men discovered that they had also captured a little Indian girl.
The next morning, after crossin the river, the emigrants decided to keep the Indian girl. Mr. Cornett agreed to take her and raise her. In the meantime, in another part of the area, the Cherokee Indians had also captured a white girl. One Indian Chief, seeing her beauty, became desirous of possessing her for his own, and took her into his teepee. However, his love was short-lived, for the girl's brothers made pursuit and brought the girl back to her own people, but under her heart she carried the child of the Indian Chief. This child was given the name of George All Sizemore. (Information from Pleasie Woods, deceased.)
When George All grew to manhood he married the Indian girl whom Mr. Cornett had raised. George All and Agnes Shepherd thus became the progenitors of the Leslie County Sizemores. Shepherd was Agnes' Indian name. She was sometimes called Shepherd and sometimes Cornett.
Each man agreed to dash in and grab one of the girls. This they did and got away without a fight. When they came to their camp the men discovered that they had also captured a little Indian girl.
MRS. POLLY NORTH, CUTSHIN
(*LESLIE COUNTY)MARCH 27, 1898
pgs. 2205-2206
I
am 85 years old, was born in this county.
My
father was a Wilder, my mother Rhoda
Sizemore. The first
preacher
I ever heard was Chenault, a Baptist, and he
preached
on Cutshin. William Mattingly was the
first
school
teacher. I remember he taught when I was
a child.
My
grandmother's maiden name was Aggie Shepard.
I remember
to have
heard my Grandfather Sizemore say to her
"Dam-an-it Shepard I can't stand you much
longer". At Glade
on
Bower's Creek John Gilbert killed a wolf.
It had killed
a
two-year-old mule of his. He rode on the
pelt as long
as he
lived. I have seen Rev. John Gilbert
have to hold on
to the
fence because he had taken a dram too much.
I have
heard him
say many a time at the close of the service on
Sunday as
he would start for the door "Dear, dear me brethren
have you
any bull yearlings to sell?" I have
wove many a yard
of cloth
from nettle which grew wild. It made
white cloth.
Note
added in Diary-by John J. Dickey:
The old
lady chews tobacco.
Court Records
All submitted by: Phyllis Hefelfinger
August 1822
Ordered that $ 10 be
levied for the Widow Sizemore and John Gilbert
appropriate the same.
September 1823
Ordered that there be
levied for the Widow Sizemore $10 and that John Gilbert
appropriate the same.
November 1824
Ordered that the Widow
Sizemore be allowed and that John Gilbert
appropriate the same $10.
October 1825
Ordered that $10 be
levied to Aggy Sizemore and that John Gilbert
appropriate the money for her benefit.
George All Sizemore
Following is an excerpt from an article on the George All Sizemore and Aggy Shepard connection to the Creeks and the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees.
"The marriage of George "ALL" Sizemore to Aggy Shepard originated from a raid of Indiams on the white mans camp where they captured a white girl. In retaliation, the white men followed and rescued the girl and captured an Indian girl who was later given to a white family to raise (Aggy). Aggy is thought to have been a Creek Indian. George lived in both the white man's world, and the Whitetop Cherokee tribe throughout his life."
"The Indian Chief," Chief Red Bird" for whom Red Bird Creek in Clay County was named is known as member of the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees from North Carolina. He was a great hunter and allured by the game in this remote region. He finally took up residence on the creek that bears his name at the mouth of Jacks Creek in this county. He came to his death by the abarice of the "pale face". There lived with him a crippled Indian named Willie. This man dressed the skins which Red Bird brought to their wigwam and looked after the culinary department of their house. Some hunters from North Carolina, greedy and unscrupulous, came to the wigwam and murdered Willie. Then they secreted themselves and awaited the return of the brave chief who had long before buried his tomahawk and for years had been living in peace with the white man, and as he approached his crude castle the bullet of an assasin laid him in the dust. They threw his body into a hole of water nearby which is still called "Willie Hole", and from which John Gilbert and others took him and buried him. One tradition is that he was sitting on the bank of a creek fishing when he was shot and that he fell into the creek."
Males - 16 thru 25: 1 Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1 Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1 Number of Household Members Over 25: 2 Number of Household Members: 3
"Hyden, Kentucky, the seat of Leslie county, was founded in 1878 and named for state Senator John Hyden (1814 - 1883), then state senator from Clay County and one of the commissioners appointed to establish Leslie County. The first settlers to live on the land at the mouth of Rockhouse Creek on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, where the town of Hyden is located, was the Sizemore family. John Sizemore, sold the land to the John Lewis Family. The land was later donated to the county and Hyden was founded there on the site of John Lewis' farm. Hyden is served by US 421, KY 80, and the Daniel Boone Parkway. The Hyden post office opened in 1879 with Leander Crawford as Postmaster." Cleary George and Aggie were fascinating characters and well known by everyone in the area. Free spirits, tough and resourceful, maybe even a bit on the wild side, to me they represent a part of the Sizemore personality that I'm quite proud of.
Of Bolder Men, A History of Leslie County
The following is from: “Of Bolder Men, A History of Leslie County” by Mary T. Brewer, p. 208-212. 236 pages (no date); published & distributed by: The Leslie County News, Hyden, KY 41749. (not published recently) Kenneth L. Dyer
SIZEMORE
When Kentucky was first being settled, immigrants from either North Carolina or Tennessee headed by a man named Cornett reached the Kentucky River late one evening. They decided to make camp and wait until daylight before crossing the River. They had wives, children, livestock and equipment with them. After supper they were sitting around their camp fire talking when suddenly Indians dashed into camp and captured two of the little girls. Three of the white men saddled horses and went after the Indians. Late in the night they caught up with the Indians who were not expecting pursuit and had made camp. The men advanced near enough to see the girls asleep on pallets near the fire. Each man agreed to dash in and grab one of the girls. This they did and got away without a fight. When they came to their own camp the men discovered that they had also captured a little Indian girl. The next morning after crossing the River, the immigrants decided to keep the Indian girl and Mr. Cornett agreed to take her and raise her. In the meantime, in another part of the area the Cherokee Indians had also captured a white girl. One Indian Chief, seeing her beauty, became desirous of possessing her for his own and took her into his teepee. However, his love was short lived for the girls brothers made pursuit and brought the girl back to her own people, but under her heart she carried the child of the Indian Chief. This child was given the name of George All Sizemore. Pleasie Woods (deceased) When George All grew to manhood it seems most evident that he married the Indian girl whom Mr. Cornett raised. George All and Aggy Shepherd thus became the progenitors of the Leslie County Sizemores. Shepherd was Aggy’s Indian name. She was sometimes called Shepherd and sometimes Cornett. Their children were: Henry, John, Edward, George, Sally Ann who married Eli Couch, Minerva (Winnie) who married William (Bill) Begley, Rhoda who married a Roberts and a Wilder, Ruth who married John Jones and Susan who married a Bowling.
In the 1856 Mortality List for Clay County it is shown that Edward died November 27, 1856 at the age of 78. He was born in Shenandoah County Virginia, the son of George and Agnes Sizemore. George All was born around 1750-55 and Agnes Cornett around 1763. The Clay County tax list shows that George and Edward both paid taxes in 1807. According to Government testimonies the Sizemore family made application for obtaining grants of funds under the 1835 and 1846 Treaties with the Cherokee Indians. However, from information available George All and Aggy were not among those applying for grants or funds. The family known to have applied was another George Sizemore known as George Gullie, Goulden or Gollden. He was also referred to as Golden Hawk Sizemore. He was born in North Carolina in 1783 and lived in Magoffin and Floyd Counties. Hemarried Sallie Anderson in Hawkins County, Tennessee. The 1860, 1870 and 1880 Census lists the children of George Golden and Sallie Sizemore as having been born in Floyd and Magoffin Counties. They appear to have been related to the Leslie County Sizemores. In fact, T. C. Sizemore claims to be a direct descendant of Golden Hawk. There is evidence that Chief Red Bird mentioned in the Indian Lore of this book was the father of the Leslie County Sizemores. Ruch Sizemore, a son of Chief George All’s daughter, claimed that Chief Red Bird was his father. Information from: Manchester Enterprise
NOTE: Then follow quotes from Rev. Dickey’ interviews with Felix T. Begley and Polly North that I had submitted in an earlier post a few minutes ago. I am omitting these here. George All and Aggie settled in what is now Leslie County, owning most of the land opposite the town site of Hyden. This land was later owned by son John and wife, Nancy who built the first home in this section now Known as Hyden. In 1842 John sold the property to James Lewis.
Information by: Pleasie Woods (deceased), John X Begley (deceased), the Dickey Diary, Mrs. Dorothy Jenkins.
George "All Chief" Sizemore
…in the meantime, in another part of the area, the Cherokee Indians had also captured a white girl. One Indian Chief, seeing her beauty, became desirous of possessing her for his own, and took her into his teepee. However his love was short-lived, for the girl's brothers made pursuit and brought the girl back to her own people, but under her heart she carried the child of the Indian Chief. This child was given the name George All Sizemore. (Information from Pleasie Woods(deceased).When George All grew to manhood he married an Indian girl whom Mr. Cornett had raised. George All and Agnes Shepherd thus became the progenitors of the Leslie County Sizemores. Their children were Henry, John, Edward, George, Sally Ann (who married Eli Couch)Minerva 'Winnie" who married William "Bill" Begley, Rhoda who married a Roberts and a Wilder, Ruth who married John Jones, and Susan who married a Bowling." According to the "Clay County Ancestral News" 6-1991, in an article from the John J. Dickey Diary, an interview with Felix T. Begley, Bull Creek, Kentucky, March 27, 1898: "Old George "All" was a hairy man and a prize fighter. He wounded William Twitty in a fight, so that he died. Sizemore nursed Twitty and would cry and tell him he had nothing against him. All he asked of him was to fight him again if he got well. Sizemore is a Cherokee Indian name. He is said to be half or more Indian. The Sizemore are very numerous in the mountains. The Sizemores settled first on Middle Fork, then went to Clay, Floyd, and other counties. (Polly North, 85 years old, whose mother was Rhoda Sizemore, says they came from New River).
"Tory" Sizemore Hanging
From: "Joy King" Subject: RE: [Sizemore]"Tory" Sizemore Hanging Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2003 21:53:15 -0500
Info from my Sizemore Chronology- Joy
+Col. Cleveland was once captured by a party of Tories as they were then called in what is now Ashe County. The Tories were determined to execute him, but wanted a permit from him to pass southward towards Salisbury before he was executed. Col. Cleveland delayed the matter as much as possible as he expected his friends to attempt to rescue him. Finally he was given only five minutes longer, and just then his friends appeared upon the scene, and killed and captured most of the party. One of the Tories named SIZEMORE escaped them but was afterwards captured by Col. Cleveland somewhere in Wilkes Co. and was hung near the ford of the river, one mile below Col. Cleveland's residence. Mr. Jas Gwyun, Maj Hickerson's informant was then a small boy, dropping corn behind a Negro boy plowing. Col. Cleveland took the plow line from the boy and used it in hanging SIZEMORE. Col. Cleveland was in tears while adjusting the rope, said he regretted the necessity for hanging him, but could not do otherwise.
*Col Benj. Cleveland captured "Tory" SIZEMORE, in Blue Ridge Mts., 15-18 miles above Yadkin River, brought him to Yadkin Valley, Hughes Bottom, and hanged him at or near the mouth of a small stream called Hughes Creek, in the presence of James Gwyn who was 12-14 yrs. old at that time [b 1768].
Note JK: Elkin is on boarder of Wilkes & Yadkin Co.
Draper Collection - All from the King's Mt. Papers [have copies of those below JK]
+1) 1880 Nov. 6 5DD7 2) 1880 Dec. 1 14DD70
Harrill, L
Brier Creek, Wilkes Co., N.C.
hanging of Tory, Sizemore
A.L.S. 4pp.
2) 1880 Dec. 1 14DD70
Banner, John
Mt. Airy, N.C.
gives incident of Tory hanging and later unearthing of body.
A.L.S. 4pp. A.L.S. 2pp.
*3) 1880 Dec. 4 5DD8
Gwyn, J
[Elkin,Wilkes Co.,N.C.] Tory Sizemore hung on writer's
plantation circumstances leading thereto. A.L.S. 2pp.
4)[1881 April 4] 12DD48 .
Lenoir, W.W.
Shulls Mills, Watauga Co, N.C.
incident of Col. [Benjamin] Cleveland hanging the Tory, Sizemore. A.L.S. 5pp.
The following info sets the date as NOVEMBER 1779, unless Cleveland was captured twice!
http://www.angelfire.com/va2/homested/amos.html
AMOS CHURCH PENSION APPLICATION - . . . They then moved to Wilkes County where this affiant has liv'd ever since. . . . He further states that in the month of NOVEMBER 1779 he volunteered and was called into service for three months under the command of apt. Robert Cleveland, marched across the Blue Ridge to the South Fork of the New River at a place called The Old Fields, in pursuit of a Company of Tories: who had captured Col. Benjamin Cleveland . We pursued them across the mountains near the North Fork of said river, where we overtook them, and fired upon them, wounded one Tory, and made three prisoners, and rescued Col. Cleveland. We then returned to the Old Fields and remained a few days and returned home in ten days from the day we started...
Draper Manuscripts- King's Mt. Papers.
Information from this collection indicates that RIDDLE, REIVES & ZACHARIAH GOSS were leaders of this band under the command of SAMUEL BROWN and ______ COYLE. RIDDLE, REIVES and Zachariah GOSS were hung.
Note JK:
1790 census Orangeburg, SC- ZACHARIAH GOSS & Matthew GOSS with SIZEMORES.
1800 census Pendleton Dist., SC- Thomas GOSS & LAVINA SIZEMORE in same area.
1) 1780 July 8DD4 [Campbell, Col. William]
Fragment of letter to Col. Arthur Campbell. Copy 7 pp. Printed in Wis. Hist. Colls., xxiv, Draper Series, v, 236-240.
p.6: That night we went again to Captain Cox's where we were next morning met by a part of 130 men under the command of Colonel Cleveland from Wilks County, North Carolina. They had the day before apprehended a certain ZACHARIAH GOSS, a fellow who belonged to a party under the command of SAMUEL BROWN and ____ COYLE, two noted murderers, horse thieves and robbers. GOSS was immediately hung, I believe with the joint consent of near three hundred men, and two other villains were very well whip'd.
2) 1881 Feb. 20 5DD122 Reynolds, James E. Wilkes Co., NC A.L.S 2pp.
[his father Elisha Reynolds b.Apr.1755 on the old Reynolds plantation which lies along the north bank of the Yadkin River five miles below the town of Wilkesboro in Wilkes Co. Elisha d.13th Dec. 1836 at his old homestead on Mulberry Cr. in said county, was Rev. sol., drew pen., wife Judith d.May 1850] . . . . . "During the revolution this county was infested with Toreys & Robbers, there was three notorious torey's namely RIDDLE, REIVES & GOSS, these were leaders of a band and at one time captured Col. Cleveland at Riddles fork in Ash county my father went in charge of a detachment of whigs to rescue their Colonel, which they did taking 3 of the torey's, the balance fled, they brought the 3 Toreys RIDDLE, REIVS & GOSS to the town of Wilkesboro and hung them on the hill in the Suburbs of the town to an oak limb."
Draper Manuscripts Vol.5 p.112: Hand drawn map showing county line between Watauga & Ash counties with Riddles Knob [in Watauga Co.] and the Old Fields and what looks like GOSS Creek P.O. in Ashe Co. Another rec. names WM. RIDDLE & JAMES COLEY.
Also of note JK: White, King’s Mountain Men, p.220.
REYNOLDS, ELISHA was born in Wilkes 1755, was in skirmishes under Rutherford in 1776, fought the Tories on New River, and served with Cleveland at King’s Mountain. After his colonel was captured by RIDDLE, he went to his relief under Captain Johnson, and the Tory gang was broken up. He became a lieutenant, and died in 1836 aged eighty-one.
Loyalists In The Southern Campaign, Vol. I, p.24
Muster, Capt. Robert PEARIS' Co., SC Royalists, Camden, SC, 24 Feb 1781, 60 days inclusive, 24 Feb-24 Apr 1781:
EDWARD SIZEMORE deserted 19 Apr 1781
OWEN SIZEMORE deserted 19 Apr 1781
Note JK: Camden Dist. included Fairfield & Kershaw Co.
SC Loyalist, Col. John COTTON Reg., Stevenson's Creek Militia, 96 Brigade, Capt. John HELEN's Co., those who came to Orangeburgh, SC with Lieut. Col. John H. CRUGER, 183-days pay, 14 June-13 Dec. 1780, to be paid on 10 Nov 1781
Note JK: names on this page paid 24 Dec 1781 so it was not EDWARD that was hung in 1779!
EDWARD SIZEMORE
GEORGE SIZEMORE
Jacob & JOHN BUSBY, John, ABEDNEGO & GARDINER GREEN also on this list.
Note JK: 1800 census Pendleton Dist., SC (Pickens Co.) Abednego, Abednego,Jr., Henry, John, Meshial [Meshack JK], Abednego (3rd.), Rachel, Richard GREEN, LOVINA SIZEMORE.
South Carolina Loyalists in the American Revolution p.110 The two regiments south of the Saluda were designated by the names of the tributaries of the Savannah River near which their recruits lived. . . . The other regiment south of the Saluda was raised along Stevens Creek and its branches, an area inhabited by Germans and, more recently, by Scotch-Irish people who had migrated from other colonies or directly from abroad. At its top strength this regiment had over 400 men and was commanded by one John Cotton about whom little is known. [Any connection with the John Cotton in Chowan Precinct & Edgecombe Co, NC deed books? JK]. It included among its recruits a small group of confirmed loyalists who lived along Cuffeetown Creek, as well as veterans of the fighting around Ninety Six in 1775 and exiles to Florida in the American Period.
Myth of Granny Alice being on Native American decent
I am the granddaughter of Isom Slone, Jr., through Hardin Slone, son of William (Billie) Slone, son of Shadrack Hall Slone (Grandpa Shade). I, with other members of my family have been researching Granny Alice since around 1982.
We have heard over and over again rumors of her being a Native American. For every rumor we heard of her being an native american, we have heard twice as many she was historically listed as the first white woman to settle Kentucky (formerly a section of the Commonwealth of VA).
While we have been unable to prove that claim, (many men settled in that land grant and it is impossible to know if any other women elected to settle at that time), we have been able to prove through documents in VA she is NOT the daughter of "Ned" George Edward Sizemore, nor is she a Native American.
We ran across falsified documents attempting to link her with the Sizemores in pursuit of monetary compensation from the federal government for seized land from Native Americans. The Sizemores attempts to prove a blood link to the Cherokee tribe has also been denied.
DESCENDANTS OF EDWARD SIZEMORE
=========== == ====== ========
Don Norman
1.EDWARD SIZEMORE
Edward Sizemore was born in NC, probably about 1725 and died in NC
about 1780.
Edward has long been believed to have been a Cherokee Indian, but
several researcher s disagree and cite the fact that although about
2,000 Sizemore descendants have filed claims for Government
compensation for lost Cherokee land, not a single claim has been
allowed. Ron Blevins and Frank Sizemore believe that the first Indian
in the family was the wife of Edward Sizemore and that her name was
Aruna Hart.
Known child of Edward and Aruna (Hart) Sizemore.
2. (1). George Edward b.c. 1750
m.Virginia Baldwin
3. (2). Sally Ann
m.Elias Osborne
2.GEORGE EDWARD SIZEMORE 1.EDWARD SIZEMORE
George Edward Sizemore, a son of Edward and Aruna (Hart) Sizemore,
was probably born in Old Lunenburg County VA about 1750 and died in
Wilkes County NC after 1820. He married Virginia Baldwin.
Known children of George Edward and Virginia (Baldwin) Sizemore.
4. (1). Owen b. 1793 d. 1879
m.Rebecca Anderson
Below is an except from Ron Blevins published work on Edward Sizemore:
INDIAN NED SIZEMORE THE LEGEND AND THE LEGACY
We do know that the Sizemore name is of English origin and that William and Martha Sizemore were in Charles City, VA (near Jamestown) as early as 1619. Sizemore records in Virginia have not been located by this compiler from the time of William and Martha until more than 80 years later when a Margery Sizemore witnessed a will in 1712 in Henrico County, VA. No further information on Virginia Sizemores has been located until William Sizemore pays for a survey in Henrico County in 1736. This 1712 Margery and 1736 William appear to be of the same Sizemore group that is then found in 1741 Lunenburg Co, VA and leaves plentiful records thereafter. There is a record of a Jacob Sisemore or Visemore in Craven Co, NC in 1707; then in 1716, a Samuel Sizemore appears in Chowan County, NC records. Samuel is found in several land transactions in 1719-1720, but was deceased by 1723 when his widow remarried. He did leave one or more sons who carried on the Chowan County Sizemore name. I have found no evidence to link these early VA and NC Sizemore groups, and further have found no evidence that William and Martha of 1619-1626 Charles City, VA left any children. Most of this document will deal with descendants of the Sizemores who are found in Lunenburg Co, VA by 1741. Some researchers have theorized (and unfortunately published information on the Internet) that a William Sismore, the son of Michael and Martha Sismore, who was christened in London in 1670 and apprenticed to Francis and Elizabeth Weeks in 1685, came to Virginia and is the progenitor of the Virginia Sizemores. That is a theory which I certainly cannot disprove, but neither can I find any documentation to prove it. That theory is apparently based on the following: William Sizemore was apprenticed to Francis and Elizabeth Weeks of London in 1685 Francis Weeks', unmarried, will probated in London in 1714 mentions land on the Rappahannock River in VA The 1704/1705 Virginia Rent Roll includes Francis Weeks in Middlesex Co, VA which is on the Rappahannock River. The 1704/1705 Virginia Rent Roll also includes a William Seamour with 236 acres in King & Queen Co, VA which borders Middlesex County. In 1708 in Middlesex Co, VA, Thomas Seamour, son of William and Joannah Seamour was baptized. To base such theory on this limited information is a "stretch", but it is currently the best theory that we have. However, the fact that the given name Michael was non existent in the early Virginia Sizemore families has to raise a "red flag" that seriously questions the theory of William, son of Michael, as the progenitor of the Virginia Sizemore families.
12. Edward "Old Ned" Sizemore1; born prior to 1725; possibly died 1780; is first found in Lunenburg, VA records in 1746. He apparently remained in Virginia for at least three years to 1749, then possibly moved to South Carolina for about 15 years, then to Georgia for about 8 years, then was on a Surry Co, NC Tax List in 1774, and in Virginia signing a loyalty oath in 1776, and in court there for his Tory activities in 1779. Records indicate that Ned, and his sons Owen and George were apparently Tories during the Revolutionary War, and it is possible that Ned was "the Tory Sizemore" hung by Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC in 1780. Virginia records show that Edward Sizemore was closely connected with the Green, Griffin and Jackson families. Edward Sizemore is found in the Lunenburg, VA records beginning in 1746 when he entered 400 acres of land "below the Little Rock House above mouth of Little Polecat Creek on the south side of Banister River" in what is today probably Halifax County. His name then appears in 1748 on the Lunenburg, VA Tithables List and on two more land transactions, one a 270 acre survey on both sides of Winn's Creek on Banister River, the other for 400 acres on Little Buffalo Creek, and also he witnessed the will of Henry Green in 1748. Then in 1749, he again appears on the Lunenburg, VA tithables List. After 1749, I am unable to locate him anywhere until 1764 when an Edward Sizemore is found petitioning for land in Georgia in the Parish of St. George on the north side of great Ogechee, (with that March, 1764 petition indicating that he had only been in Georgia from South Carolina for 8 months). He is involved in subsequent related land transactions in St. George Parish with records indicating that he had five or six children. In 1772, his land in St. Pauls Parish, GA is deeded to William Jones.
Two years later in 1774, a court case settlement in Tryon County, NC involving George Sizemore, includes language "William Gilbert came into open court and releases and acquits Edward Sizemore of the above sum recovered against George Sizemore. (Joy King speculates that this language may indicate a father and son relationship between Edward and George Sizemore.) In that same year well north of Tryon County, Edward Sizemore and James Hart are listed as taxables in the same household in Surry Co, NC. In 1776, Edward Sizemore signs an oath of allegiance to the United States in Botetourt County, VA. The Draper Manuscript contains several references to the 1780 hanging of "the Tory Sizemore" by Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC (part of Surry County in 1774). (Researcher Jack Goins reasons that Edward "Ned" Sizemore may very likely be the Sizemore hung by Col. Benjamin Cleveland in 1780, based on the fact that Edward was the only Sizemore listed in Col. Cleveland's District in that 1774 tax list.) In 1781, South Carolina Loyalists pay records include Edward, Owen and George Sizemore. If Old Ned was the Tory hung in 1780, this 1781 record for an Edward may be his oldest son. Owen Sizemore in that 1781 South Carolina Loyalist pay record is the son of Ned, and George is believed to be the George that was Edward's son. Likewise it is believed by this writer and selected others that the Edward Sizemore who died in Hawkins County, TN by 1810 was Ned's oldest son. (Readers should note that it is possible that the chronology of Edward Sizemore discussed herein may refer to two different men, one of whom may be Ned's son.) Since earliest childhood, this writer (Ron Blevins) has been made very much aware that my 3rd great grandmother Lydia (Sizemore) Blevins was a descendant of "Indian Ned Sizemore" I was brought up with the tradition that Ned Sizemore was a full blood Cherokee, a tradition which I believe is NOT supported by facts. In all probability, Ned was the son of one of the four Sizemores who appear in the first land records of Lunenburg County, VA in 1741, i.e. William, Mary, Ephraim or Henry Sizemore... There is at least one source who speculates that Ned's wife may have been Elizabeth Jackson. (Note that the Sizemore family was in the same area as the Jackson family in both Henrico and Pittsylvania, VA.) The fact that both Ned and George and George’s children were landowners raises serious questions in my mind as to whether either could have been a full blood Indian. I have difficulty believing that our Indian hating “WASP” (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) forebears would have welcomed an Indian or half blood as a land owning neighbor, voter and church member.
Rob's Fact or Fiction
George is first found in official records when he appeared on the 1777 Surry Co, NC tax list. This George is believed to be the same George who was a Royalist soldier in South Carolina in 1781. He then appears in the 1787 Montgomery County, VA tax list with the notation that he and Owen Sizemore had moved to NC before tax could be collected (but I can't find them in NC until 1792). During the 1790’s George appears along with brother Owen in Wilkes County, NC tax lists, and then is found in the 1800, 1810 and 1820 Ashe County, NC census takings. (Ashe County was formed from Wilkes in 1799). Note from the chronology that brother Owen had received in 1786, a 400 acre grant in what was to become Ashe County. Ashe County land records indicate that George Sizemore and several of his children were residents of the Praters/Prathers Creek section of Ashe County (now Alleghany County) during the 1793/1805 period. Considerably more than half of the Sizemore ECA’s were filed by descendants of George and Annie.
George Sizemore
As stated in the genealogy family records of Dolly Creggar Morgan; George was a wagon master who led a lot of the renegade Cherokee out of trouble spots to avoid being marched to Oklahoma.
Sizemore,s Legend and Fact
Sizemore Legend and Fact
Added by markhgreen on 8 Nov 2008
Disclaimer:Contents of this document include my original research ONLY on the George Sizemore family of Ashe County, NC. All other information is my interpretation of the research of others shared with me during 28 years of correspondence. Readers are cautioned to use this information only as a starting point for doing their own primary research to develop a family tree.
Ron Blevins 4250 Mockingbird CT West Point, VA 23181 email Betron529@aol.com
First issuance: September, 1998 1st Revision with input from Frances Sizemore: October, 1998 2nd Revision March, 1999 3rd Revision July, 1999 HELPFUL HINTS ON HOW TO READ THIS DISCUSSION PAPER:NUMBERING SYSTEM
This document is organized such that it uses a sequential numbering system to provide easy tracing of family members from generation to generation. The + symbol beside the number given for a child indicates that further information on that individual appears under the heading of that number later in the document, or that the writer has more information on that person in my files accumulated over the past 28 years. In those instances where a child is listed without the + symbol, I have no additional information on that individual. I would welcome communication from others who are seeking to research and preserve the Sizemore family heritage.
ABBREVIATIONS / EXPLANATIONS:ca. = about, i.e. ca.1775 means about 1775 m. = married b. = born d. = died ECA = Eastern Cherokee Application, i.e. the number of the Claim filed by that individual with the U.S. Court of Claims in 1906 and 1907, and now available on microfilm at The National Archives Ashe = Ashe County, North Carolina Wilkes - Wilkes County, North Carolina Wyoming = Wyoming County, West Virginia Hawkins = Hawkins County, Tennessee Halifax = Halifax County, Virginia RBOWCH = Reference Book of Wyoming County History
NICKNAMES COMMONLY USED IN THIS FAMILY
Ann = Nancy (Frances Sizemore advises that Nancy and Ann were used interchangeably Betsy = Elizabeth Biddie = Obedience Eph = Ephraim Hallie = Mahala Hetty = Hester Jane = Virginia Jenny = Virginia Lottie = Charlotte Molly = Mary Ned = Edward Oma = Naomi Patty = Martha Peggy = Margaret Polly = Mary Sally = Sarah Zeke = Ezekiel
INTRODUCTION:
Few researchers encounter as much challenge in separating fact from legend as does the Sizemore family researcher. For over two hundred years there has been a widespread tradition of Cherokee Indian ancestry in multiple branches of the Sizemore family. This writer works on the premise of “Where there’s smoke, There’s fire”. As such I strongly believe that there are one or more Indian connections in various branches of this family. BUT, I have NOT succeeded in proving the exact individual and generation where the Indian blood line enters this family. We do know that the Sizemore name is of English origin and that William and Martha Sizemore were in Charles City, VA (near Jamestown) as early as 1619. Sizemore records in Virginia have not been located by this compiler from the time of William and Martha until more than 80 years later when a Margery Sizemore witnessed a will in 1712 in Henrico County, VA. No further information on Virginia Sizemores has been located until William Sizemore pays for a survey in Henrico County in 1736. This 1712 Margery and 1736 William appear to be of the same Sizemore group that is then found in 1741 Lunenburg Co, VA and leaves plentiful records thereafter.
There is a record of a Jacob Sisemore or Visemore in Craven Co, NC in 1707; then in 1716, a Samuel Sizemore appears in Chowan County, NC records. Samuel is found in several land transactions in 1719-1720, but was deceased by 1723 when his widow remarried. He did leave one or more sons who carried on the Chowan County Sizemore name. I have found no evidence to link these early VA and NC Sizemore groups, and further have found no evidence that William and Martha of 1619-1626 Charles City, VA left any children. Most of this document will deal with descendants of the Sizemores who are found in Lunenburg Co, VA by 1741.
Some researchers have theorized (and unfortunately published information on the Internet) that a William Sismore, the son of Michael and Martha Sismore, who was christened in London in 1670 and apprenticed to Francis and Elizabeth Weeks in 1685, came to Virginia and is the progenitor of the Virginia Sizemores. That is a theory which I certainly cannot disprove, but neither can I find any documentation to prove it. That theory is apparently based on the following: William Sizemore was apprenticed to Francis and Elizabeth Weeks of London in 1685 Francis Weeks', unmarried, will probated in London in 1714 mentions land on the Rappahannock River in VA The 1704/1705 Virginia Rent Roll includes Francis Weeks in Middlesex Co, VA which is on the Rappahannock River. The 1704/1705 Virginia Rent Roll also includes a William Seamour with 236 acres in King & Queen Co, VA which borders Middlesex County. In 1708 in Middlesex Co, VA, Thomas Seamour, son of William and Joannah Seamour was baptized.
To base such theory on this limited information is a "stretch", but it is currently the best theory that we have. However, the fact that the given name Michael was non existent in the early Virginia Sizemore families has to raise a "red flag" that seriously questions the theory of William, son of Michael, as the progenitor of the Virginia Sizemore families.
Beginning on the following page, I will list several pages of early chronology of Sizemore families and then discuss some of the families included in the chronology. Very little is known of the descendants of these more than 20 early Sizemores listed in the pre 1750 portion of the Chronology. The genealogy portion of this paper will deal with descendants of Sizemores born in the 1750 timeframe without attempting to guess the identity of the parent, with few exceptions. Deep gratitude for much of this chronology goes to two individuals: (1) Joy King whom I consider to be the pre-eminent researcher in documenting early Sizemore records, and (2) Dawn Westfall who is the editor and publisher of the quarterly Sizemore newsletter SEEKING SIZEMORE which began publication in early 1996 and continues today (July, 1999). Most of the early Sizemore chronology listed below has been published in SEEKING SIZEMORE based on data submitted by Mrs. King. Dawn Westfall, editor has given approval to this writer for non commercial use of information published in SEEKING SIZEMORE. Mrs. Westfall has also provided the suggested format of referencing the source for each entry taken from the newsletter. It is my intent to personally verify from original sources all chronology data prior to publication of any information on the Sizemore family.
12. Edward "Old Ned" Sizemore1; born prior to 1725; possibly died 1780; is first found in Lunenburg, VA records in 1746. He apparently remained in Virginia for at least three years to 1749, then possibly moved to South Carolina for about 15 years, then to Georgia for about 8 years, then was on a Surry Co, NC Tax List in 1774, and in Virginia signing a loyalty oath in 1776, and in court there for his Tory activities in 1779. Records indicate that Ned, and his sons Owen and George were apparently Tories during the Revolutionary War, and it is possible that Ned was "the Tory Sizemore" hung by Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC in 1780. Virginia records show that Edward Sizemore was closely connected with the Green, Griffin and Jackson families.
Edward Sizemore is found in the Lunenburg, VA records beginning in 1746 when he entered 400 acres of land "below the Little Rock House above mouth of Little Polecat Creek on the south side of Banister River" in what is today probably Halifax County. His name then appears in 1748 on the Lunenburg, VA Tithables List and on two more land transactions, one a 270 acre survey on both sides of Winn's Creek on Banister River, the other for 400 acres on Little Buffalo Creek, and also he witnessed the will of Henry Green in 1748. Then in 1749, he again appears on the Lunenburg, VA tithables List. After 1749, I am unable to locate him anywhere until 1764 when an Edward Sizemore is found petitioning for land in Georgia in the Parish of St. George on the north side of great Ogechee, (with that March, 1764 petition indicating that he had only been in Georgia from South Carolina for 8 months). He is involved in subsequent related land transactions in St. George Parish with records indicating that he had five or six children. In 1772, his land in St. Pauls Parish, GA is deeded to William Jones.
Two years later in 1774, a court case settlement in Tryon County, NC involving George Sizemore, includes language "William Gilbert came into open court and releases and acquits Edward Sizemore of the above sum recovered against George Sizemore. (Joy King speculates that this language may indicate a father and son relationship between Edward and George Sizemore.) In that same year well north of Tryon County, Edward Sizemore and James Hart are listed as taxables in the same household in Surry Co, NC. In 1776, Edward Sizemore signs an oath of allegiance to the United States in Botetourt County, VA. The Draper Manuscript contains several references to the 1780 hanging of "the Tory Sizemore" by Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC (part of Surry County in 1774). (Researcher Jack Goins reasons that Edward "Ned" Sizemore may very likely be the Sizemore hung by Col. Benjamin Cleveland in 1780, based on the fact that Edward was the only Sizemore listed in Col. Cleveland's District in that 1774 tax list.) In 1781, South Carolina Loyalists pay records include Edward, Owen and George Sizemore. If Old Ned was the Tory hung in 1780, this 1781 record for an Edward may be his oldest son. Owen Sizemore in that 1781 South Carolina Loyalist pay record is the son of Ned, and George is believed to be the George that was Edward's son. Likewise it is believed by this writer and selected others that the Edward Sizemore who died in Hawkins County, TN by 1810 was Ned's oldest son. (Readers should note that it is possible that the chronology of Edward Sizemore discussed herein may refer to two different men, one of whom may be Ned's son.)
Since earliest childhood, this writer (Ron Blevins) has been made very much aware that my 3rd great grandmother Lydia (Sizemore) Blevins was a descendant of "Indian Ned Sizemore" I was brought up with the tradition that Ned Sizemore was a full blood Cherokee, a tradition which I believe is NOT supported by facts. He may have been part Indian and his wife is referred to in numerous Eastern Cherokee Applications (ECA's) as a Cherokee. In all probability, Ned was the son of one of the four Sizemores who appear in the first land records of Lunenburg County, VA in 1741, i.e. William, Mary, Ephraim or Henry Sizemore. It should be noted that a 1753 court record in Orange County, NC refers to Ephraim Sizemore as a mulatto, the designation then used for any person of mixed race whether it be Black, Indian or otherwise. In fact, I don't consider it out of the realm of possibility that all of the Sizemores who have claimed Indian ancestry may be descendants of Ephraim. There is at least one source who speculates that Ned's wife may have been Elizabeth Jackson. (Note that the Sizemore family was in the same area as the Jackson family in both Henrico and Pittsylvania, VA.) The fact that both Ned and George and George’s children were landowners raises serious questions in my mind as to whether either could have been a full blood Indian. I have difficulty believing that our Indian hating “WASP” (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) forebears would have welcomed an Indian or half blood as a land owning neighbor, voter and church member.
I have been fortunate in researching this part of the Sizemore family because of the wealth of information contained in the Eastern Cherokee Applications (ECA’s) in The National Archives in Washington, DC These ECA’s are in the form of applications, affidavits, and supporting letters to obtain benefits under an Act of Congress approved June 30, 1906 in accordance with Court instructions. ECA’s frequently provide up to five generations of a family back to the mid to late 18th century. The fund provided by Congress was to reimburse the descendants of Cherokee Indians for loss of their lands when they were forced to abandon their homes for the infamous “Trail of Tears” to reservation lands in Oklahoma in the 1830’s on the orders of President Andrew Jackson. Benefits were payable to descendants of Cherokees who had participated in the Indian Census enumeration’s of 1835, 1846 or 1851.
# 12. Edward Sizemore - continued The largest majority of the more than 2,200 Sizemore related ECA's that were filed in 1906/1907 claim their Cherokee ancestry through this Ned Sizemore. The majority of those ECA's claim through one of the seven children of Edward's son George who was born ca. 1750, but fail to mention George, instead claiming that those children born 1770/1797 were children of "Old Ned" There are however many that correctly identify George and name him as the son of Ned and Ana Sizemore. Under the leadership of a great grandson of George Sizemore, “Chief” William Harrison Blevins (grandson of Lydia Sizemore Blevins), they banded together as the “Whitetop, VA Tribe” to file their claims. ECA’s were filed by each of the seven children of George Sizemore as well as by descendants of George’s brother Owen Sizemore who had moved from Ashe County, NC to Hawkins County, TN between 1803 and 1809, and several other Sizemore families whose relationship to George and Owen can only be speculated. The names Owen and Lydia have been heavily used in this family for over 200 years.
Most of the ECA's that appear to be accurate were filed by descendants of those Sizemores who moved ca. 1835 from Ashe Co, NC to what was to become Wyoming Co, WV. Very possibly there was a family Bible or other record that went with them to WV. None of Ned's descendants were on the Cherokee census lists, and none were entitled to benefits, and of course none were approved for benefits. None-the-less these ECA's on file in the National Archives in Washington, DC are a treasure for the Sizemore genealogist. In reviewing the ECA's with their great amount of family history, the researcher must however remain cognizant of certain realities:
The ECA's were filed in 1906 and 1907, probably more than 125 years after Ned's death, based only on family tradition The purpose of those that filed ECA's was to obtain money from the Government Many of the claimants said that they had never heard of Ned or of having Cherokee ancestry until close to 1906. Several (less than 5%) of the ECA's are outright fraudulent claims.
In working on this family, I have received valuable assistance from many cousins too numerous to mention. However there are two individuals without whom this manuscript would have been extremely difficult if not impossible. Archie Blevins of Clinton, TN began this research about 1952 and I had the good fortune to become aware of his work in 1972 and to be the beneficiary of much of his efforts as he retired from active research. Another cousin Ralph Schuler of Falls Church, VA spent hundreds of hours at The National Archives in the early 1980’s preparing a synopsis of each Sizemore related ECA, and Ralph has generously shared those ECA briefs with me. He has also placed a copy of these ECA’s synopses in the Ashe County, NC Public Library and selected Virginia libraries.
A chronology of record excerpts for persons named Edward Sizemore appears below: 1746 EDWARD SIZEMORE - enters 400 Acres on the S'th Side Banister River, begin: a little below the little Rock House above the Mouth of Little Polecat, thence up and down the river. (10)
1748 Sunlight on the Southside Lunenburg Co, VA 1748-1783 p.276 by Landon Bell, pp.64-66) Lunenburg Co, VA Tithables For 1748 List taken by Cornelius Cargill..(last 7 names on list each with 1 tithe) William Sizemore, Thos. Franklin, Ephraim Sizemore, Henry Sizemore, James Sizemore, Edward Sizemore, Reps. Orzbond (16) Lunenburg Co, VA Entry Record Book, page 86 - 7 Apr. 1748 - Edward Sizemore 400A on Little Buffalo Cr. Beginning where the Path crosses thence up both sides this Grassy Creek path (6) Lunenburg Co, VA Wills 1746-1845, by Bell, recorded in Deed Book 1, p.477-478 Will of Henry Green, dated 15 Oct. 1748: "mentions wife Elizabeth Green, Sons: John Green, Henry Green, Stephen Green, Frederick Green, Richard Green, and daughter Dorcas Green; sister-in-law Abigail Green wife of brother John Green. Executors: brother-in-law Richard Griffin, and son John Green. Witnesses: Edward Sizemore (his mark), William Jackson (his mark), Thos. Gristwood. (6)
1749 Sunlight on the Southside Lunenburg Co, VA 1748-1783 p.276 by Landon Bell, pp.115-121 Lunenburg Co, VA Tithables For 1749List taken by Cornelius Cargill: p.115 Joseph Oen,Edward Oen; p 116 Lewis Green, Ralph Owin; p 117 Richard Griffin,Senr,Constable; p.118 Wm. Sysmoore, Edward Sysmoore, Francis Griffen, William Griffen; p. 120 Henary Owen, John Owen, overseer for James Cock; p 121 John Green, Henry Green, James Sizemore. (16) # 12 Edward Sizemore - continued
1764 Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Vol.9, drawer 40, Box 55, excerpted by Joy King March, 1764 - pp. 136-137 - Petition of Edward Sizemore setting forth that he had been eight months in the province from South Carolina and had no land granted him and was desirous to obtain land, having a wife and five children. Therefore praying for 150 acres on the north side of great Ogechee about a mile and a half below the mouth of the great spring …Resolved that on condition only that the petitioner doth take out a grant for the said land within seven months from this date and that he doth also register the said grant in the Register's Office of this province within six months from the date thereof, ….the prayer of said petitioner is granted. (9)
Plat Book M from drawer 51, box 22, excerpted by Joy King 29 March 1764 - p.66 - Recorded from the Surveyor Generals certificate annexed to the original Grant, 5 June 1816 by E.B. Jenkins Sgenl Georgia. Pursuant to a warrant from his Excellency…to us directed the 6th day of March 1764 we have caused to be admeasured and laid out unto Edward Sizemore a tract of land in the Parish of St.George containing 150 acres bounded easterly by Robert Heaton…Certified the 29th day of March 1764 by Henry Yonge Will DeBrahon Sru.Genlr. (9)
1765 Colonial Records of the State of Georgia Vol. No. XXVII Part II-A drawer 40, box 63, excerpted by Joy King: 19 Aug. 1765 - To Edward Sizemore for 150 acres of land in the Parish of St. George, registered 19 Aug.1765 Grant dated 6 Aug. 1765 (9)
Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Vol.9, drawer 40, Box 55, excerpted by Joy King May 1765, p. 354 - Petition of Edward Sizemore setting forth that he had 150 acres of land lately ordered him and was desirous to obtain an additional tract having a wife and six children. Therefore praying for 150 acres at a place called Boggy Gut above Briar Creek upon the road leading from Savannah to Augusta - Ordered that the said petition by rejected. (9)
Colonial Records of the State of Georgia Dec. 1765 - p. 450 - Petition of Edward Sizemore setting forth that he was settled in the Province and had 150 acres of land ordered him and was desirous to obtain an additional tract having a wife and five children. Therefore praying for 200 acres upon Boggy Gut about five miles above Briar Creek upon the road leading from Savannah to Augusta - Ordered that the further consideration of the said petitioner be postponed until the Petitioner produces a certificate of his character. (9)
1766 Colonial Records of the State of Georgia Mar. 1766 - p. 475-476 - Petition of Edward Sizemore (postponed the 3rd day of December last)…Resolved that on condition only that the Petitioner doth take out a grant for the said land within seven months from this date and that he doth also register the said Grant in the Register's Office of the said Province within six months from the date thereof….the prayer of said Petition is granted. (9)
1771 p. 91 - 14 Nov. 1771 - Robert Swann - 475A in Tryon Co, NC..both sides of a branch of Broad River, called Second Broad, including Edward Sizemore's improvement, joining a point near a small branch and Kerkendal's line. Holcomb, ibid (19)
1772 St. Pauls Parish (now GA) deed Needham Jernigan to Wm. Jones, granted to Edward Sizemore 6 Aug. 1765 (18)
1774 EDWARD SIZEMORE, James Hart 2 - Surry, NC Taxables by W.P. Johnson, (listed in same household) (20) Tryon County, NC Minutes of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1769-1779, by Holcomb, p. 81 - Oct. 1771 - Wm. Gilbert vs. George Sizemore. Case July 1774….Jury impaneled and sworn find the defendant did assume and assess the plaintiffs damages 11# 17 6 and 6d costs. In consequence of the above judgment, William Gilbert came into open court and releases and acquits Edward Sizemore of the above sum recovered against George Sizemore. (19)
1776 Edward Sizemore Botetourt County, VA loyalty oath to U.S. (21)
1777 GEORGE SIZEMORE - Surry, NC Taxables by W.P. Johnson (20)
# 12 Edward Sizemore - continued 1779 Early Adventures on the Western Waters, Vol. 1, The New River of Virginia in Pioneer Days 1745-1800, by Mary Kegley, page 137 "..Not all men of the New River Valley were willing to serve in the militia of the Continental Army for the cause of liberty and at the expense of their lives. Many of the 'disaffected' citizens maintained the authority of the King and were considered enemies of the State."p. 140 "...At the request of Captain John Cox, those who were engaged in the late insurrection - Edward Sysmore, Owen Sysmore, David Smith, Thomas Penrose, and James Green - were allowed to take the oath of allegiance and post bond for their good behavior....(xx)
Wilkes County, NC Land Entry # 827, 11 Feb. 1779 - "Isham Westmoreland entered 100 acres on Little River including Sizemore's claim...(Isham Westmoreland marked out;Clesbey Cobb and Jonathan Harris written in. (23)
1780 Lyman C. Draper Manuscript - Letter to Lyman C. Draper from W. W. Lenoir - "Gen. William Lenoir's defense of Campbell; letter acquitting him of cowardice at King's Mountain; Incident of Col Benjamin Cleveland hanging the Tory, Sizemore, in presence of James Gwin, one Frobis or Bishop whipped...." (25)
Letter to Lyman C. Draper from J. Gwyn of Elkin, Wilkes Co, NC.."Tory Sizemore hung on writer's plantation; circumstances leading thereto; refers to Capt. W.W. Lenoir for services of his grandfather. (25)
Letter to Lyman C. Draper from L. Harrill of Brier Creek, Wilkes Co, NC.."Col. Benjamin Cleveland owned "Round About" farm, now the property of Major Hickerson; biographical sketch by James Gwyn of Cleveland; his capture by Tories; his rescue and subsequent hanging of Tory, Sizemore......Cleveland's numerous hangings in Wilkesboro, NC; indulgent treatment of slaves; his extreme size; died July, 1808. (25)
1781 Edward Sizemore and Owen Sizemore paid as SC Royalists for Feb 24 - Apr. 24 (27) Edward Sizemore and George Sizemore paid as SC Royalists for June 14 - Dec. 13 (27)
1789 Wilkes County, NC Land Grants, 1789-1793 File # 1080, Warrant Entry #1495 dated 7 Apr. 1789, Grant # 1270 dated 26 Nov. 1793 - John Cox, 250 acres on Pine Swamp Creek, a branch of the New River, recorded in Book No. 81, p. 254. chain carriers: Edward Sisemore and John Cox.
1810 Ashe County, NC Land Entries by Pruitt - Georg Sismore, land entry # 2323, 100 acres Long Br. Waters of Prators Creek; includes Ned Sizemore's old improvement. (48)
CHILDREN OF EDWARD "OLD NED" SIZEMORE + 21. George Sizemore b. ca. 1750 d. ca. 1820's Ashe Co, NC married Anna Hart + 22. Owen Sizemore b. ca. 1755 d. 1836 Hawkins Co, TN married Elizabeth "Betsy" Brigham + 23 possibly Edward Sizemore b. ca. 1740/1745 d. ca. 1810 Hawkins Co, TN + 25. possibly John Sizemore b. ca. 1743 d. ca. 1804 Halifax Co, VA married Molly Gregory + 26. possibly Ephraim Sizemore b. ca. 1748/1758 d. 1836 Spartanburg, SC married Winnie ________, 15 May 18\775 + 36. possibly Hiram Sizemore b. ca. 1750's (no records, based only on ECA's)
21. GEORGE SIZEMORE2 (probably Edward "Old Ned" Sizemore1) born ca. 1750 probably in Virginia; died ca. 1820’s probably in Ashe County, NC; married Anna Hart, probably the daughter of James Hart whose household was shared by Edward Sizemore in the 1774 Surry County, NC tax list. (Researchers will find that many descendants today refer to this George and Anna as George Edward and Annie Elizabeth. In the first edition of this Discussion Paper, I listed those middle names and may have failed to remove them in some places in this update. Joy King who is the most thorough Sizemore researcher with whom I have the pleasure to work, has pointed out the fact that middle names were extremely rare at the time when George and Anna were born, ca. 1750, and in fact illegal in the Church. Further I have been unable to find a single instance of use of the name Edward or George Edward in any records. Additionally I consider it very possible that George is a younger brother of the Edward Sizemore # 23 herein who died in Hawkins Co, TN by 1810. I would guess that this practice of referring to George as George Edward comes from a few ECA's filed by descendants of his second youngest child Owen Sizemore which make reference to Owen's father as Ned Sizemore, saying "claimed by some that Ned is nickname for George Edward. Several ECA's use the name of his wife interchangeably as Anna Hart or Elizabeth Hart, leading this researcher to wonder if he was possibly married to two Hart sisters named Anna and Elizabeth.)
George is first found in official records when he appeared on the 1777 Surry Co, NC tax list. This George is believed to be the same George who was a Royalist soldier in South Carolina in 1781. He then appears in the 1787 Montgomery County, VA tax list with the notation that he and Owen Sizemore had moved to NC before tax could be collected (but I can't find them in NC until 1792). During the 1790’s George appears along with brother Owen in Wilkes County, NC tax lists, and then is found in the 1800, 1810 and 1820 Ashe County, NC census takings. (Ashe County was formed from Wilkes in 1799). Note from the chronology that brother Owen had received in 1786, a 400 acre grant in what was to become Ashe County. Ashe County land records indicate that George Sizemore and several of his children were residents of the Praters/Prathers Creek section of Ashe County (now Alleghany County) during the 1793/1805 period. Considerably more than half of the Sizemore ECA’s were filed by descendants of George and Annie.
The vast majority of ECA’s filed by descendants of my ancestor Lydia Sizemore Blevins and most of her siblings fail to mention her father George Sizemore and claim that she was the daughter of Ned Sizemore. There are also a large number of ECA’s (including that of my own grandfather) which incorrectly identify Lydia as the daughter of Owen Sizemore (apparently the Owen who was her younger brother). Actually Lydia’s uncle Owen Sizemore of Ashe and Hawkins also had a daughter Lydia, but she was married to George Sizemore, possibly the son of Edward Sizemore of Hawkins. This misidentification is understandable since Lydia's brother Owen Sizemore was the oldest person of the Sizemore name in Ashe County, NC from 1835 through 1870, thus the oldest Sizemore known to those filing claims in 1906 and 1907. None of Lydia’s children were living in 1906, but one surviving niece and one surviving nephew identified their grandparents as Ned and Ana or Annie Sizemore. Also there are several claims by descendants of youngest son George J. Sizemore born 1797 that list him as the son of his brother Edward “Ned” Sizemore who was born 1788.
ECA’s indicate that George and Annie had at least seven children whose descendants filed claims. Their four daughters lived their adult lives in Ashe County and son Owen spent most of his life there. However two other sons Edward B. born 1788 and George J. born 1797, moved by wagon train to Wyoming County, WV ca. 1835/1840. ECA’s filed by many of their descendants in WV indicate a knowledge of the family that is supported by land, census and church records of Ashe County. The fact that many of the WV ECA’s identify Owen and George J. as the sons of George and Annie (Hart) Sizemore may be evidence that they had access to a Bible or other written record. Many of those ECA’s identify George Sizemore as the son of Edward “Ned” Sizemore and his Cherokee wife. The apparent accuracy of these WV ECA’s conflicts with the NC and VA ECA’s in many ways.
Some NC descendants of son Owen Sizemore identify his mother as Elizabeth Jackson while his older sister Elizabeth b. ca. 1787 and brother Edward born 1788 are shown as the sons of Anna Hart, and much older sister Sally ca.1775 is shown as the daughter of Ana. Younger brother George J. is listed as the son of Elizabeth Hart, ( Annie Elizabeth?? Hart). Since these ECA’s also show Owen’s father as Edward “Ned”, perhaps they are skipping a generation and Elizabeth Jackson was really the mother of George Sizemore and the grandmother of Owen born 1793. A select few of the nearly 2,000 ECA’s filed by descendants of this family are excerpted below with the permission of Ralph Schuler who copied this data from The National Archives. At least one ECA filed by a descendant of each of the seven children of George and Anna (Hart) Sizemore is included in this selection. First we will excerpt the ECA’s filed by the few surviving grandchildren of George Edward Sizemore and wife Annie Elizabeth Hart:
#21 (George Sizemore - continued)
ECA’s filed by grandchildren of George and Annie (Hart) Sizemore:
ECA # 1851 by James Osborn of Park, Grayson Co, VA, born 1822 in Ashe, son of Elias Osborne and wife Sally Sizemore. Says that both parents were born in Ashe County, and that his father died ca. 1849, and his mother ca. 1839. Says that his mother was the daughter of Ned and Ana Sizemore, and that their children were George, John, Owen, and Lida Sizemore, Sally Sizemore Osborn and Catharine Sizemore Hart. Lists his own siblings as Ezekiel Osborn d. 1848, Jesse Osborn d. 1853, Nancy Osborn d. 1849, David Osborn d. 1900, Epham Osborn d. 1894 and Geo. Osborn d. 1887. States ancestry as James Osborn, son of Elias and Sally Osborn, daughter of Ned Sizemore
ECA # 45884 by Nancy Stamper of Alleghany Co, NC, born 1841 (RLB sic), daughter of Solomon Stamper and wife Betsy Sizemore. Says father died about 1850 and mother about 1867. Lists her siblings as William, Jonathan, Solomon, Riley P., Polly, Frankie, and Sally Stamper. Says her grandparents were John and Polly Stamper, and Ned and Annie Sizemore. Lists children of Ned and Annie Sizemore as George, Owen, Sally and Betsy Sizemore. Under ancestry she says only grandparents were born near the date 1760.
ECA # 13329 by Owen J. Sizemore of North Fork, McDowell Co, WV, born 1829 Ashe, son of George J. Sizemore and wife Jenny Baldwin. Says father died ca. 1877 and mother in 1886. Says grandparents were George and Elizabeth Sizemore, and John Baldwin. Gives ancestry George J. Sizemore, father; George Sizemore grandfather; Ned Sizemore great grandfather.
ECA # 9042 by Virginia Cline of Baughn, Nicholas Co, WV, born 1836 in Tazewell Co, VA, now WV, daughter of George J. Sizemore and Ginnie Baldwin, and wife of Moses C. Cline. Says her father died 1877 and her mother ca. 1887. Says her grandparents were George and Elizabeth Sizemore, and John and Virginia Baldwin. Lists children of her grandparents as Lydia, Sarah Ann, Edward (Ned), Elizabeth, Owen, and George J. Sizemore. Gives ancestry as My father was George J. Sizemore, son of George Sizemore, son of Ned Sizemore.
Selected Additional ECA Claims by later generations:
(1)Claims through 1st child Catherine “Dolly” (Sizemore) Hart b. ca. 1770):
ECA # 11450 by Catherine Hart of Sturgills, Ashe Co, NC, not married, born 1829, daughter of John Hart and wife Nancy Floyd. Says that her father John Hart who died in 1859 was the son of James and Catherine Hart. Lists children of James and Catherine Hart as Ned, John, Sam, Washington, Marga and Catherine Hart. Lists her siblings as Stephen, Wiley m Margaret, Joseph, James and Andrew Hart. States ancestry as Catherine Hart, daughter of John and Nancy Hart, son of James and Catherine Hart, daughter of Ned Sizemore.
ECA # 1801 by William D. Lewis of Park, Grayson Co, VA, born in Grayson County in 1883, son of W. P. Lewis and wife Mary Caldwell. Says father born in Ashe and mother in Grayson and both living now. Gives ancestry as William D. Lewis who was a son of Mary Lewis who was a daughter of Nancy Caldwell who was a daughter of Catherine Caldwell who was a daughter of James and Catherine Hart who was a daughter of Ned Sizemore who was a full blood Cherokee Indian. Also James Hart was a Cherokee Indian.
(2) Claims through 2nd child Lydia (Sizemore) Blevins, b. ca. 1770/1775: ECA # 5113 by Riley Blevins of Ashe Co, NC (Post Office is Park, Grayson Co, VA), born 1824 in Ashe Co, son of Eli Blevins and wife Milly Brinegar, both of whom were born in Ashe County, and lived there in 1851. Says his father died in 1861 and his mother about 1896. Lists his brothers and sisters as Jesse d. 1896, James, Geo, Bartlet, Lydia and Elizabeth Blevins. Lists his grandparents as James Blevins and wife Lydia Sizemore and their children as Armstrong, Edward, Daniel and Wells Blevins. Gives his ancestry as Riley Blevins a son of Eli and Milly Blevins who was the son of James and Lydia Blevins who was the daughter of Ned Sizemore a full blood Cherokee Indian.
ECA # 6126 by George Blevins of Silas Creek, Ashe Co, NC, born 1829 Ashe, son of Eli Blevins and wife Milly Brinegar. Says parents born in Ashe County and lived there in 1851. Says father died 1866 and mother 1888. Lists siblings as Betty, Susan, David, Lydia, Bartlet, and James Blevins. Lists children of great grandfather Ned Sizemore as George, Anderson, Owen, Ned, Lyddia and Catherine Sizemore. Gives ancestry as George Blevins, son of Eli Blevins, son of James and Lydia Blevins whose maiden named was Lyddia Sizemore, daughter of Ned Sizemore a full blood Cherokee Indian.
ECA # 2099 by John W. Blevins of Silas Creek, Ashe Co, NC, born 1879 in Ashe, son of Cicero Blevins and wife Elizabeth Childers. Says both parents were born in Ashe County and resided there in 1851. Says father died 7 Aug. 1881, and mother is living. Lists siblings as Susannah Blackburn and Lucy C. Testerman. Says his grandparents were Daniel and Anna Blevins, and Franklin and Susannah Childers. Lists children of Daniel and Ann as John, Wesley, and Lyddia Blevins. Gives ancestry as John W. Blevins, son of Cicero Blevins, a son of Daniel Blevins, son of James and Lydia Blevins whose maiden name was Lyddia Sizemore a daughter of Owen Sizemore who was a son of Ned Sizemore, a full blood Cherokee Indian. (RLB note: This ECA filed by my grandfather incorrectly lists Lydia as the daughter of her younger brother Owen Sizemore.)
(3) Claims through third child Sally (Sizemore) Osborn b. ca.1775:
ECA # 6739 by John Wesley Taylor of Crumpler, Ashe Co, NC, born 1844 in Ashe, son of Zeke Osborn and Polly Taylor. Says that both parents were born in Ashe County and that his father died in 1861 and his mother in 1899, and that his siblings were Tobias Taylor 1837-1851, William Taylor 1840-1862, and Grinilee? Taylor 1855-1872. Says that his grandfathers were Elias Osborn and John Taylor. When listing his own ancestry he merely says George Sizemore was father of Ned Sizemore. George’s children: Owen, George, Ned, Sally and Betsy. (RLB note: the Ned Sizemore to whom he is referring is the Edward B. Sizemore b. 1788 who was the son of George and Anna (Hart) Sizemore.
ECA # 12477 by David A. Osborne of Beldon, Ashe Co, NC, born 1869 in Ashe, son of James Osborne and wife Clemmanzy Bare. Says his father died in 1902 and mother in (1906?). Says grandparents were David and Nancy Osborne, and Joseph and Susie Bare. States ancestry as James Osborne my father was the son of David Osborne. David Osborne was the son of Jesse Osborne. Jesse Osborne was the son of Elias Osborne and Sally Osborne. Said Sally Osborne was the daughter of Ned Sizemore who was a full blood Cherokee Indian. There is much correspondence supporting this ECA. One letter dated 6 Dec. 1907 from Beldon, NC reads “Nathan Bickford & Associates - Washington, D.C. Gentlemen: ‘After investigation, I find Ned Sizemore’s wife’s name was Nettie and that she died in Ashe (now Alleghany) Co., NC about the year 1859 or probably a little earlier. I think the following is a correct list of names of his children. viz.: George Sizemore, Ned Sizemore Jr, Owen Sizemore, Hiram Sizemore, Catherine Sizemore, Sally Sizemore, Lydia Sizemore, Dolly Sizemore and Bettie Sizemore. Bettie was called for a nickname “Sookie” she married a Stamper; Dolly married a Hash; Lydia married a Blevins; Catherine a Hart and Sally through whom the Osborne’s claim married Elias Osborne. ....”
(4)Claims through fourth child Elizabeth “Betsy” “Sooky” (Sizemore) Stamper b. ca. 1787: ECA # 489 by Elizabeth Hurley of Silas Creek, Ashe Co, NC, widowed, born 1844, daughter of Eli Stamper and wife Susannah Stamper. Says her father Eli Stamper died in 1873, and her mother Susannah Stamper who died 1892 was the daughter of Betsy Sizemore Stamper. Lists children of Betsy Sizemore Stamper as William, Jonathan, George, Riley P. d. 1904, Solomon Jr, and Susannah Stamper d. 1892, and Sally Thompson and Franky Cox. Lists her siblings as Rosamond Taylor 1832-1879, Sarah Brown 1834-1896, Elihu V. Stamper 1838, Eliza Nelson 1840, Ira Stamper 1842-1877, Mandy Stamper 1847-1848, Frances Ella Plummer 1850, Mary Jane Jones 1852, Martha Stamper 1854-1857, and James B. Stamper 1856. Gives her ancestry as Elizabeth Hurley, daughter of Eli and Susannah Stamper, daughter of Solomon and Betsy Stamper, daughter of Ned and Annie Sizemore. They had five children: Owen, George, Ned Jr, Betsy and Sally.
# 417 by Geo. Washington Plummer of Saratoga, Carbon Co, Wyoming, born 1870 in Ashe, NC, son of Jesse Reeves Plummer and wife Frances Ella Stamper. Gives ancestry as Geo. Washington Plummer, son of Frances Ella Stamper Plummer, dau of Eli and Susanna (Stamper) Stamper, dau of Solomon and Betsy Sizemore Stamper, dau of Ned Sizemore. Betsy Sizemore Stamper died 1862 and was buried beside her father and husband in the Indian Graveyard on Cranberry Creek near Laurel Springs, Ashe Co, NC.
(5)Claims through fifth child Edward B. Sizemore b. 1788:ECA # 9096 by Daniel Brinegar of Pineville, Wyoming Co, WV, born in Wyoming, WV date unknown, son of David Brinegar and wife Sarah Osborn. Says his father David Brinegar was born in Ashe, NC and died ca.1890 and was the son of Jacob and Sheba Brinegar, and that his mother Sarah Osborn was also born in Ashe and died in 1886 and was the daughter of Jesse Osborn. Lists his ancestry as My great grandfather Ned Sizemore Jr. married Annie Baldwin; his father George Sizemore married Annie Hart. His father was Old Ned Sizemore.
ECA # 10128 by Sary Ann Rose of Pineville, Wyoming Co, WV, born in Wyoming, WV, date not given, daughter of Nathaniel Perdew and wife Sally Sizemore. Says her father Nathaniel Perdew died ca.1899 and was son of Jesse and Sarah Ann Perdew. Says mother Sally Sizemore born in Ashe Co, NC died ca. 1886, was the daughter of Ned Sizemore and wife Annie Baldwin and that their children were George Sizemore d. 1864, Owen Sizemore d. 1903, Tobias Sizemore d. 1906, Nancy Sizemore m. Daniel Perdew, Virginia Sizemore m. Joel Rose, Shebe Sizemore m. Jacob Brinegar, d. ca.1855, Mahala Sizemore m. Bige Baldwin d. 1854, Lydia Sizemore m. David Smith d. 1857, Rebecky Sizemore m. Thomas Cook, Sally Sizemore m. Nathaniel Perdew. Lists her own siblings as Daniel L. Perdew 1845, Leroy Perdew 1851, Nathaniel Perdew 1861, Virginia Clevenger 1858, Martelia Mullens 1868 and Polly Ann Green 1864. Lists her ancestry as Grandfather Ned Sizemore Jr. married Annie Baldwin, his father George Sizemore married Annie Hart; his father was Old Ned Sizemore.
(6)Claims through sixth child Owen Sizemore b. 1793: ECA # 12052 by Esther Smith of Poe, Nicholas Co, WV, born 1845 in Ashe, daughter of Hiram Sizemore and wife Jane Jenkins. Says her mother Jane Jenkins died Sep or Oct 1861, and her father Hiram Sizemore who died Nov. 1886 was son of Owen Sizemore and wife Rebecca Anderson. Lists children of Owen and Rebecca as Hiram, Anderson, Mary and William (sic) Sizemore. Gives her ancestry as father Hiram Sizemore, son of Owen Sizemore and Rebecca Anderson; Owen Sizemore was son of Edward Sizemore and his wife Elizabeth Jackson. (RLB note: I believe that the child of Owen and Rebecca listed as William was a transcription error for Charlotte). ECA # 8156 by Dora Garnes (half sister of Esther) lists her parents as Hiram Sizemore and wife Frances T. Morton and lists the children of Owen and Rebecca as Hiram, Polly, Charlotte, and Anderson Sizemore, and says “claimed by some that Ned is nick name for George Edward”.
ECA # 12684 by Hiram Sizemore of Shraders, Tazewell Co, VA, born 1852 in NC, son of Anderson Sizemore and wife Mary J. Payton. Says that father Anderson Sizemore died 1903 and mother Mary J. Payton in 1873. Says that father was the son of Owen and Rebecca Sizemore, and her mother Mary J. the daughter of Jennie Payton. Lists children of Owen and Rebecca as Hiram, Anderson, Tobias and Lottie. (RLB note: This ECA lists a child Tobias Sizemore where others lists that fourth child as Polly. None list the spouse or any children of that individual.) Lists ancestry as “Owen Sizemore grandfather; Andy Sizemore my father; grandfather Owen was a son of Ned Sizemore whose wife was a full Indian woman.
ECA # 12263 by John Henry Wagoner of Halls Mills, Wilkes Co, NC, born 1869 in Wilkes, son of Owen Wagoner and wife Polly Sturgill. Says that his father Owen d. 1875 and Polly (Sturgill) Wagoner d. 1904 were both born in Ashe Co, NC and lived there in 1851. Says that his grandparents were Henry Wagoner and wife Charlotte Sizemore, and John Sturgill. List children of Henry and Charlotte (Sizemore) Wagoner as Beckie, Owen, and Eli Wagoner, and Lousana Brown, Polly Brooks, and Sallie Stamper. Gives ancestry as my father Owen Wagoner, son of Henry Wagoner and Charlotte Wagoner, said Charlotte Wagoner was a daughter of Owen Sizemore who was a son of Ned Sizemore a full blood Cherokee Indian.
(7)Claims through 7th child George J. Sizemore b. 1797:ECA # 10133 by Frank Sizemore of Pineville, Wyoming Co, VA, born 1867, son of John M. Sizemore and wife Millie Green. Says parents resided in Wyoming County in 1851 and that his father died about 1894. Says his father John M. Sizemore was the son of George J. Sizemore and wife Jennie Baldwin, and that his mother Millie was the daughter of Polly Green. Lists children of grandparents George J. and Jennie Sizemore as Frank, Ned, Owen, Solomon, Joseph, and John M. Sizemore, and Oma Lambert, Jennie Cline, Reney Billips, Sess Milam, and Elizabeth Payne. List ancestry as My father John M. Sizemore, son of George J. Sizemore, son of Ned Sizemore Jr, son of George Sizemore, son of Ned Sizemore Sr who is said to have been of Indian Blood but his wife was a Cherokee woman. (RLB note: Frank erroneously lists his grandfather as the son of Ned Jr. who was really his older brother.) There is quite a bit of correspondence in support of this ECA and one letter in particular is of interest. It reads: “Mr. Miller, the Sizemores of old man Ned was the people that was actually entitled to that money tho we all got our blanks wrong. We claimed through his descent and we ought to a claimed through her descent. We all failed to give her Indian name and it was Aruna Hart. I suppose I had heard my grandfather G.J. Sizemore claimed the Indian Blood by his mother. He claimed her to be the Cherokee Indian. We are the people no doubts, but our applications was wrong I suppose. Yours Truly, Frank Sizemore” In another letter Frank writes “Mr. Guion Miller: My kind friend, will inform you that my great grandfather sometime in the 19th century, he married this Cherokee squaw woman. Ed Sizemore was his name and Elizabeth Hart, if mistaken not, was her name....”
The family of George Sizemore appears in Ashe County Census records as shown below: 1800 Ashe Co.NC p.87 1810 Ashe Co. NC p.4 1820 Ashe Co. NC p 16
George Sizemore 45+ G. Sizemore 45 + George Sizemore 45 + 1 female 45+ 1 female 45+ 1 female 45+ 1 female 10/14 1 male 16/25 1 male 10/14 1 female 16/25 George Sisemore Jr. 16/25 2 males 0/9 1 male 10/15 wife and 4 children 1 male 0/9 Edward Sisemore 26/44
Owen Sizemore 45+ wife and 6 children 1 female 26/44 page 5 Owen Sisemore 16/25 1 female 16/25 J. Hart 45+ wife and 4 children 3 females 10/15 1 female 45+ page 10 4 females 0/9 7 children James Blevins 45+ 1 male 0/9 1 female 45+ J. Blevins 45+ 8 children James Hart 45+ 1 female 26/44 1 female 26-44 5 children Edward Hart 16/25 1 male 16-25 wife and 6 children 2 males 0-9 page 6 E. Sizemore 16/25 page 20 Elias Osborn 16-25 wife and 3 children Elias Osborn 45+ 1 female 16-25 1 female 45+ 1 male 0-9 page 10 10 childrenS. Stamper 26/44 1 female 16/25 page 24 3 children Solomon Stamper26/44 1 female 26/44 page 11 8 children E. Osborn 45+ 1 female 26/44 page 8 6 children Randal Hubbard 26/44 page 12 1 female 26/44 R. Hubbard 16/25 4 children 1 female 16/25
It should be noted that the 1800 Ashe, NC Census above for George Sizemore exactly matches the ages of his known children, ie. 1 female 10-15 would be Elizabeth born 1787, 1 male 10-15 would be Edward B. born 1788, 2 males 0-9 would be Owen born 1793, and George J. born 1797. In the 1810 Census, the male and female age 16-25 are Owen and his young wife Rebecca Anderson, the male 10-15 is George J., and the male 0-9 would be Owen and Rebecca’s infant son Hiram who was born in 1809. The Randal Hubbard family shown above may be that of a claimed older daughter of George’s brother Owen Sizemore, ie. Polly Sizemore Hubbard.
Chronology for George Sizemore, his brother Owen, and children is important to proving the relationships within this family. Selected chronology events including many early Ashe County, NC deeds and land grants in the Praters/Prathers Creek and Cranberry Creek sections of what is now Alleghany County provide important identification of the location ofGeorge Sizemore, his brother Owen, and several of his children in the first few years of the 19th Century. Excerpts of selected Ashe County land entries provided below with the chronology were abstracted and published by Dr. A.B. Pruitt..
1774 - Edward Sisemore, James Hart 2,same household Surry Co, NC Taxables by Benjamin Cleveland
1777 - George Sizemore, Surry County, NC Taxables, Capt. Smith’s District, Parish of Dobbs
1777 - Wilkes County, NC formed out of Surry and Burke (Ashe formed 1799 out of Wilkes)
1779 - Isham Westmoreland, Wilkes Co, NC land entry, 100 ac on Little River, including Sizemore’s claim
1779 - Edward Sysmore, Owen Sysmore, at the request of Capt. John Cox were among those involved in the insurrection who were allowed to take the oath of allegiance and post bond for their good behavior
1780 - Hanging of the “Tory” Sizemore by Col. Benjamin Cleveland, Wilkesboro, NC (RLLB: Was this Old Ned?)
1780 - Elisha Baldwin, land grant for 400 acres on Prater’s Creek, Wilkes Co,NC (later Ashe)
1781 - Edward Sizemore, George Sizemore, pay abstract NR 5, Col John Cotton’s Regt., Stevenson’s Creek Militia, 96th Brigade, Capt. John Helen’s Co, those who came to Orangeburg, SC with Lt. Col John H. Cruger, 183 days pay, 14 June 1780-13 Dec. 1780, to be paid on 10 Nov. 1781 - South Carolina Royalists, Pro T50, Vol.2
1781 - Edward Sizemore, Owen Sizemore, privates Capt. Robert Pearis’ Co, SC Royalists, mustered at Camden, SC 24 Feb.1781, 60 days pay inclusive 24 Feb. 1781-24 Apr. 1781, Dist. 19 Apr. 1781
1786 - Owen Sizemore, NC state grant, Morrises line, V-122 (Was Wilkes, later Ashe)
1789 - George Sizemore, Owen Sizemore on list of persons charged with tax in Montgomery County, VA for the year 1787 who have removed before same could be collected, George and Owen to NC.
1792 - Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Nall's District # 4, 1792, p. 10 (37)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore - 1 Owen Sisemore 100 1 James Hart - 1
1793 Wilkes County, NC Land Grants, 1793-1794 (38) File # 1102, Warrant Entry #370 dated 4 Apr. 1793, Grant # 1291 dated 8 July 1794 - Owen Sisemore, 50 acres near the mouth of the Crab Fork of Praters Creek, a branch of the New River, recorded in Book No. 83, p. 16, chain carriers: James Hart and James Mahan.
File # 1134, Warrant Entry #286 dated 1 May 1793, Grant # 1329 dated 6 Dec. 1794 - George Sisemore, 100 acres on Praters Creek, a branch of S fork of New River, near mouth of Crab Fork, recorded in Book No. 83, p. 477, chain carriers: Jos. Hart and James Mahan.
File # 1135, Warrant Entry # 371 dated 1 Aug. 1793, Grant # 1330 dated 6 Dec. 1794 - Owen Sizemore, 50 acres on the point of a hill on W side of Praters Creek opposite mouth of Crab Fork, S. fork New River, recorded in Book No. 83, p. 477, Chain carriers: James Mahan and James Williams.
Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Nall's District # 4, 1793, p. 20 (37)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore 50 1 Owen Sisemore 100 1 Joseph Colwell 300 1 James Hart 100 1
1794 Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Nall's District # 4, 1794, pp 32-33 (37)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore 50 1 Owen Sisemore 100 1 Joseph Colwell 300 1 James Hart 100 1 Thos. Dixon 150 1 Jonathan Stamper 200 1
1795 Wilkes County, NC Court - "Ord. Elisha Baldwin, William Landreth, Zacheriah Wells, Stephen Baldwin, Evins, More, Marsh, William Baldwin, Thomas Wells, Taylor, Samuel Phips, Baker, Owen Sizemore, George Sizemore, view road from Zacheriah Wells road come into John Glossups road to Virginia line, crossing New River at Horse Ford, 5 May 1795" (39)
Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Wm. Nall's District # 8, 1795, p.4 (40)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls Owen Sizemore 50 1 Geo. Sizemore 100 1 James Hart 200 1
1795 - Wilkes County, NC Land Grants, 1798 (38)
File # 1381, Warrant Entry #370 dated 30 Nov. 1795, Grant # 1545 dated 1 Jan. 1798 - George Sisemore, 100 acres on both sides of the headwaters of Crab Fork of Prators Creek, recorded in Book No. 96, p. 204, chain carriers: James Hart and (Howard)? Sisemore. (38)
File # 1384, Warrant Entry #273 dated 2 Sep. 1795, Grant # 1548, dated 1 Jan. 1798 - James Hart, 100 acres on both sides of Crab Fork of Prators Creek, recorded in Book No. 96, p. 205. Chain carriers: George Sisemore and James Hart, Jr. (38)
File # 1446, Warrant Entry #1816 dated 30 Nov. 1795, Grant # 1610 dated 1 Jan. 1798 - James Hart, 100 acres on the waters of Prators Creek near the E side of his other tract, recorded in Book No. 96, p. 237. Chain carriers: George Sisemore, James Hart, Jr. (38)
1796 Wilkes County, NC Court - 4 May 1796, p.131 "Ord George Barner, Daniel Richardson, Zachariah Wells, Owen Sizemore, George Sizemore, Elisha Baldwin, Sanders, Taylor, Samuel Fips, Maxwell, Reeves, Maxfield, Joseph Colwell, Sanders; being on S & N side Potato Creek, work on road to top of Chestnut Ridge...." (39)
Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. (blank) District # 4, 1796, pp 14-15 (41)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore 150 1 Joseph Colwell 300 1 James Hart 100 1 Thos. Doxon 250 1 Cannady Richardson - 1
1797 Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Hardin's District # 4 or #7, 1797, pp14-15 (41)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore - 1 Owen Sisemore 50 1 James Hart 200 2 Dannady Richardson - 1
Wilkes County, NC Court, p.42- 31 Jan. 1797 "Ord. John McMillion, Esq, William Landreth, Elisha Baldwin, Owen Sizemore, Barger, Zachariah Wells, Samuel Phips, Reeves, Maxwell, George Sizemore, Glossup, Stephen Baldwin, Wm. Baldwin, Maefield, Robinett view road from George Bargers at Praters Creek to about half mile below Samuel Robinetts." (39)
1798 Wilkes County, NC deed 28 Apr. 1798, # 347, between George Sizemore and John Cox...34 acres taken off 100 acre tract...Praters Creek, wit by Henry Hardin, Zacheriah Baker., Inc. (42)
Elias Osborn, state grant # 1793, top of Baker’s Ridge, Crab Fork of Prator’s Creek
1799 Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Johnson's District # 4 & Capt. Brewer's Dist # 4, 1799, pp39-40 (41)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls Owen Sisemore 50 1 Canada Richardson - 1 Joseph Caldwell 300 1 James Hart 100 1 Jonathan Stamper 300 1
1800 - Owin Sisemore, Ashe County, NC land entry # 89, 60 acr on Praters Cr; border begins said Owin’s line, runs south 1801 - Elias Orsborn, deed to John Poe, $100 for 150 ac, a head branch of Brushy Fork of Prators Creek, Bakers Ridge. 1801 - George Sismoore, land entry # 459, 100 ac on S. Fork waters of New River, a dreen of Pratters Cr, border joins own land and the mill stone quarry.
1801 - James Blevins, land entry # 545, 150 ac on Praters Cr, of S. Fork of New River, border E. side of Lenneer’s land; includes the vacant land between said land and Robert Nall 1801 - William Hart, State Grant # 137, 50 ac Crab Fork of Prators Creek, entered 29 Apr. 1799 1801 - Elisha Baldwin, State Grant # 182, 150 ac S. side Bakers Ridge, Crab Fork of Prators Creek (RLB: two of George Sizemore’s sons married daughters of Elisha Baldwin, also granddaughter m. s/o Elisha. * 1803 - George Sizemore, deed 100 ac to James Hart, Bakers Ridge, Crab Fork of Prators Creek
1803 - James Hart, deed 100 ac to Peter Hart, George Koon’s line on Prators Creek, wit: George Sisemore, Elisha Baldwin, Joseph Baldwin
1803 - Elisha Blevins, a partial warrant of survey for 50 acr on Praters Creek 1803 - Elias Osbourn, land entry # 1033, 200 ac on Piney Br of Cranberry Cr, said land that Owen Sismore entered in Wilkes County.
1804 - Peter Hart, land entry # 1042, 150 ac on Cranberry Cr, S side of New R. & on Peach Bottom Mountain border, begins near William Hart’s line.
1804 - Peter Hart, land entry # 1043, 60 ac on waters of New R., border begins on said Hart’s line where he lives.
1804 - Solomon Stamper, land entry # 1045, 100 ac. on waters of Pine Fork of Cranberry Cr, border near John Hall.
1804 - Joshua Stamper, land entry # 1046, 150 ac on waters of Cranberry Cr.
1804 - John Hart, land entry # 1089, 150 ac on waters of Cranberry Cr, on S. side of New R. & on Peach Bottom Mountain; border begins near William Hart’s line.
1804 - Solomon Bairlow?, land entry # 1090, 60 ac. between Georg Sismore, William Hart, and Daniel Conner.
1805 - George Sisemore, deed, 100 ac to Elizabeth (Wyant?) Brushy Fork of Prators Creek, Elisha Baldwin’s corner.
1806 - George Sismore, land entry # 1486, 100 ac border begins own line; between Sismore’s line, Peter Hart, John Koon.
1807 - Joseph Colwell, land entry # 1727, 300 ac on S. side of S. Fork New R, border said Colwell’s upper line.
1808 - James Blevings, land entry # 1906, 250 ac on head of Brushy Fork, begins near said Blevins’ line
1808 - Thomas McGimsey, land entry # 1938, 100 acr; border Capt. John Coxe and Geo. Sesemore
1808 - James Bleavings, land entry # 1942, 250 ac in the forks of Cranberry Cr, border joins John Hall’s line.
1808 - Elisha Bleavings, land entry # 2124, 100 ac on Crab Fork, begins on said Blevings’ line.
1809 - George Sisemore-Ashe Co, NC - Little River Church - "joined by letter Sept, 1809.
1810 - George Sismore, land entry #2296, 100 ac between “me” and Henery Lewis, and between Job Stamper, John Toliver.
1810 - Georg Sismore, land entry #2323,100 ac, Long Br, waters of Prators Cr; includes Ned Sismore’s old improvement.
(RLB note: This is the only reference in official records I have ever found referring to Ned Sizemore, could be the son of George born 1788, but I think that unlikely).
1812 - George Sismore, land entry # 2485, 100 ac on S. side of New R, on waters of Praters Creek, head of Sandy Br.
1812 - Elizabeth Sisemore-Ashe Co, NC - Little River Church - "Joined by letter June, 1812
1813 - James Blevins SR, land entry # 2250, 540 ac; border begins at James Hart’s corner tree.
1813 - James Blevins SR, land entry # 2251, 640 ac, border begins at the ;pine “romch w fawks gate big the pine”.
1814 - Edward Sisimore, land entry # 2736, 100 ac on S side of Peach Bottom Mt. (RLB: son of George).
1814 - James Blevings, land entry # 2737, 150 ac begins near Sisemore’s line and Edward Taylor.
1814 - James Blevings, land entry # 2738, 200 ac border begins at Widow Hart’s W corner, runs up Peach Bottom Mt.
1814 - George Sisimore SR, land entry # 2752, 100 ac on waters of Cranberry Cr, and on Dicks Br, border near where said Sisemore lives, includes Sisemore’s improvement, being the land Daniel Morgan entered.
1815 - Edward Hart, land entry # 2773, 65 ac in James Barker’s line (RLB: grandson of George Sizemore).
1816 - Geo Sizemore, land entry #2918,50 ac. on waters of Cranberry Creek, begins at his S. corner of land where he lives.
1816 - George Sizimore, land entry # 2952, 100 ac. on Cranberry Creek.
1816 - George Sizemore, land entry # 2953, 100 ac. on Cranberry Cr, border begins John Coxe’s line.
1816 - Elias Osbourn, land entry # 2958, 100 ac on Cranberry Cr, S. side of Pine Fork.
1816 - Solomon Stamper, land entry # 2963, 50 ac on Cranberry Cr, near gap of Peach Bottom Mountain.
1816 - James Blevings, land entry # 2990, 100 ac on Pine Br of Cranberry Cr, N side,Peach Bottom Mountain, Coxe’s line.
1816 - James Blevings, land entry # 2991, 250 ac on Pine Br of Cranberry Cr, begins Owen Sizemore’s line.
1817 - Brother Sisemore and sister Sisemore-Little River Church-requested letter of dismission, and was granted-Aug.1817.
1817 - George Sizemore, land entry # 3116, 100 ac on Pine Fork of Crowley Cr, joins his own line.
1817 - Thomas Callaway, land entry #3117, 150 ac, where Solomon Stamper lives on Cranberry Cr, joins Edward Hart.
1817 - Thomas Callaway, land entry #3118, 100 ac Cranberry Cr; the land George Sizemore let Elias Osborn have, and the land where said Osborn lives.
1819 - George Sizemore, land entry # 3321, 640 ac begins Talton Wood’s corner.
1819 - Elias Osborn, land entry # 3324, 200 ac (Rotblf’s ??) Fork of Cranberry Creek.
1822 - George Sisemore, land entry # 3771, 300 ac on Cranberry Cr, on Bryery Ridge.
There was approximately a 12 year span between the birth of George’s third child Sally ca. 1775 and his fourth child Elizabeth ca. 1787. This long span between children may indicate that there were children who died young. One would speculate that there was a second marriage, but descendants of 3rd child Sally (Sizemore) Osborne born ca. 1775 indicate that Sally’s mother was named Ana just as do the 4th and 5th children born 12 and 13 years after Sally. Because of the relationship with the Hart family as early as 1774, I will follow the premise that Anna Hart was the only wife. The ECA’s mentioned earlier as being filed by two surviving grandchildren of George and Anna, James Stamper son of Elizabeth Sizemore Stamper and Nancy Osborne Stamper daughter of Sally Sizemore Osborne, both list their grandparents as Ned and Annie Sizemore. ECA’s by two children of youngest son George J. Sizemore, both indicate that their grandparents were George and Elizabeth Sizemore while other descendants of George J. indicate that Elizabeth was Annie Elizabeth Hart. Church records in Ashe County also seem to indicate that George’s wife was named Elizabeth. (See Chronology 1812 and 1817 entries)
The last time that I find George Sizemore in any official records is in the 1820 Ashe County Census where he was listed consecutively with his sons Edward, Owen and George. I have presumed that he died in Ashe County prior to 1830, but there are ECA’s filed by descendants of his youngest son George J. which say that he went to Eastern Georgia about 1828. All records available to this writer other than the many contradictory ECA’s collaborate my minority position that my ancestor Lydia Sizemore Blevins and her siblings were actually the children of George and Anna Elizabeth (Hart) Sizemore and the grandchildren rather than children of Edward “Ned” Sizemore. I use the term minority position because there are other family members who take the larger number of ECA’s as gospel and take offense at me for suggesting that a majority of the ECA’s were inaccurate in stating that Ned Sizemore was the father. Perhaps the compromise point here is that taken by Ralph Schuler in his 1,000 page plus manuscript The Families of Ned Sizemore and James Blevins. Schuler concurs that Lydia and siblings were the children of George Sizemore and the grandchildren of Edward Sizemore. However Ralph lists George as the one called “Old Ned” a position supported by numerous ECA’s.
Family tradition in my lifetime and certainly for the past two centuries has always held that this part of the Sizemore family was part Cherokee Indian. The evidence supporting this tradition comes from the ECA’s and from the apparent Indian features of many family members in both 19th and early 20th century photographs. It is the opinion of this writer that although the Sizemore name is English, there is indeed an Indian ancestor who was possibly the wife or mother of Edward Sizemore, and that it is not unlikely that Anna Hart the wife of George Sizemore was also part Indian. Family names would support the theory that George Sizemore’s mother was an Owen, while the only ECA identification may be that she was Elizabeth Jackson. George’s father Edward was closely connected with the Owen, Jackson, Green and Griffith families in early Lunenburg County, VA.
CHILDREN OF GEORGE AND ANNIE (HART) SIZEMORE:
+ 101. Catherine “Dolly” Sizemore b. ca. 1770 married James Hart + 102. Lydia Sizemore b. ca. 1775 d. ca. 1830 married James Blevins + 103. Sarah “Sally” Sizemore b. ca. 1775 d. ca. 1839 married Elias Osborne, s/o Robert Sr. & Ann (Howard) Osborne + 104. Elizabeth “Betsy” Sizemore b. ca.1787 d. ca. 1867 married Rev. Solomon Stamper + 105. Edward B. Sizemore b. 1788 d. 1866 married Annie Baldwin + 106. Owen Sizemore b. 1793 d. 1879 married Rebecca Anderson + 107. Rev. George J. Sizemore b. 1797 d. ca. 1877 married Jennie Baldwin 22. OWEN SIZEMORE2 (probably Edward “Ned” Sizemore); born probably in VA or SC ca. 1755; died between 1836 and 1840 in Hawkins County, TN; married Elizabeth “Betsy” Brigham. Owen was consistently found in records of VA, SC, and NC with his brother George Sizemore during the 1770’s period through 1800. Sometime prior to 1810, he moved his family to Hawkins County, Tennessee where he remained the rest of his life. His will dated March, 1836 named his wife and several children indicated in the chronology below. The chronology will also indicate that Owen was active in the Revolutionary War as a Tory in Virginia and later with the British Royalists forces in Camden, SC. He had one of the early land entries in Ashe County, NC, obtaining a 400 acre grant there in 1786 (although not otherwise found in NC until 1792). The 1800 Ashe, NC Census lists two daughters who have not been identified. I speculate that one of more of these older unknown daughters may have married before the family left Ashe for Hawkins and stayed in NC. Very possibly the oldest was Mary “Polly” Sizemore who married Randall Hubbard and lived in Ashe County. A daughter Cynthia (otherwise unidentified) is named in ECA’s # 34400 and 40116. ECA 34400 also lists a daughter Tulesther not identified in Owen’s will (could she be Tabitha who is not listed in that ECA?) Selected chronological records including Census for Owen Sizemore appear below.
1779 - Edward Sysmore, Owen Sysmore, ….who were engaged in the late insurrection, were at the request of Capt. John Cox, allowed to take the oath of allegiance and post bond for their good behavior.. Source:“New River, Virginia”
1781 - Edward Sizemore, Owen Sizemore, South Carolina Royalists-mustered at Camden, SC 24 Feb 60 days pay inclusive 24 Feb 1781 - 24 Apr. 1781, Pvt. Dist. PAC RG 81 “c” Series, Vol. 1902
1785 - Daughter Lydia Sizemore born ( 1850 TN census says in SC)
1786 - Owen Sizemore NC State grant 400 acres on 30 June 1786 - Ashe County, NC (then Wilkes)
1787- George Sizemore, Owen Sizemore on list of persons charged with tax in Montgomery County, VA for the year 1787 who have removed to NC before same could be collected.
1789 -George Sizemore, Owen Sizemore-Tax List for West Fork Mill Creek of New River Montgomery
County, VA. 1792 - Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Nall's District # 4, 1792, p. 10 (37)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore - 1 Owen Sisemore 100 1
1793 Wilkes County, NC Land Grants, 1793-1794 (38)
File # 1102, Warrant Entry #370 dated 4 Apr. 1793, Grant # 1291 dated 8 July 1794 - Owen Sisemore, 50 acres near the mouth of the Crab Fork of Praters Creek, a branch of the New River, recorded in Book No. 83, p. 16, chain carriers: James Hart and James Mahan.
File # 1134, Warrant Entry #286 dated 1 May 1793, Grant # 1329 dated 6 Dec. 1794 - George Sisemore, 100 acres on Praters Creek, a branch of S fork of New River, near mouth of Crab Fork, recorded in Book No. 83, p. 477, chain carriers: Jos. Hart and James Mahan.
File # 1135, Warrant Entry # 371 dated 1 Aug. 1793, Grant # 1330 dated 6 Dec. 1794 - Owen Sizemore, 50 acres on the point of a hill on W side of Praters Creek opposite mouth of Crab Fork, S. fork New River, recorded in Book No. 83, p. 477, Chain carriers: James Mahan and James Williams.
Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Nall's District # 4, 1793, p. 20 (37) Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore 50 1 Owen Sisemore 100 1
1794 Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Nall's District # 4, 1794, pp 32-33 (37)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore 50 1 Owen Sisemore 100 1
1795 Wilkes County, NC Court - "Ord. Elisha Baldwin, William Landreth, Zacheriah Wells, Stephen Baldwin, Evins, More, Marsh, William Baldwin, Thomas Wells, Taylor, Samuel Phips, Baker, Owen Sizemore, George Sizemore, view road from Zacheriah Wells road come into John Glossups road to Virginia line, crossing New River at Horse Ford, 5 May 1795" (39)
1795 Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Wm. Nall's District # 8, 1795, p.4 (40)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls Owen Sizemore 50 1 Geo. Sizemore 100 1 James Hart 200 1
Wilkes County, NC Land Grants, 1798 (38)
File # 1381, Warrant Entry #370 dated 30 Nov. 1795, Grant # 1545 dated 1 Jan. 1798 - George Sisemore, 100 acres on both sides of the headwaters of Crab Fork of Prators Creek, recorded in Book No. 96, p. 204, chain carriers: James Hart and (Howard)? Sisemore. (38)
1796 Wilkes County, NC Court - 4 May 1796, p.131 "Ord George Barner, Daniel Richardson, Zachariah Wells, Owen Sizemore, George Sizemore, Elisha Baldwin, Sanders, Taylor, Samuel Fips, Maxwell, Reeves, Maxfield, Joseph Colwell, Sanders; being on S & N side Potato Creek, work on road to top of Chestnut Ridge...." (39)
Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. (blank) District # 4, 1796, pp 14-15 (41)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore 150 1
1797 Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Hardin's District # 4 or #7, 1797, pp14-15 (41)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls George Sisemore - 1 Owen Sisemore 50 1
Wilkes County, NC Court, p.42- 31 Jan. 1797 "Ord. John McMillion, Esq, William Landreth, Elisha Baldwin, Owen Sizemore, Barger, Zachariah Wells, Samuel Phips, Reeves, Maxwell, George Sizemore, Glossup, Stephen Baldwin, Wm. Baldwin, Maefield, Robinett view road from George Bargers at Praters Creek to about half mile below Samuel Robinetts." (39)
1799 Wilkes County, NC Tax List - Capt. Johnson's District # 4 & Capt. Brewer's Dist # 4, 1799, pp39-40 (41)
Taxpayer Acres # of Polls Owen Sisemore 50 1
1800 - Owin Sisemore, Ashe County, NC land entry # 89, 60 acr on Praters Cr; border begins said Owin’s line, runs south.
Tax records - Montgomery Co, VA; Wilkes Co, NC; Hawkins County, TN South Carolina Royalists; Land records - Wilkes and Ashe Counties, NC Eppard, Sarah E. The Moneyhuns of Copper Ridge, unpublished, 1974. Pharaba (Sizemore) Moneyhun Family Bible via Sarah Eppard 1800 Ashe, NC Census; 1830 Hawkins, TN Census Will of Owen Sizemore dated 12 March 1836 Hawkins County, TN
Analysis of the Owen Sizemore family is aided by reviewing Hawkins County, TN Census records of 1830 through 1860. (RLB note: 1830 is the first extant census record for Hawkins County. 1850 is incomplete. The 1810 Census was burned in the War of 1812, and the 1820 Census is missing.) Excerpts of Hawkins County, TN census records for 1830-1860 are presented on the next page.
The Metis Heritage of the Sizemore Family
Contributed by Jason Adams
Sunday, 30 September 2001
The Metis Heritage of the Sizemore Family...and the oft-mentioned Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokeesan effort at
rediscovery and reconnection
by Jason Adams
October/November 2001
Sally Sizemore and her husband William "Blackhawk" Sizemore.
Throughout history, our Sizemore family of southern Appalachia has been variably referred to as Melungeon, Mestee,
Metis, Indian, part-Indian, mulatto, Stick People, white and in one branch of which I am aware, black. Most Sizemores
have wondered which one is true for a long time, and just recently the answer has presented itself complete with some
documentable proof.
The answer came out of a recent movement of mixed-ancestry people in this region who are reclaiming the epithet
"Melungeon". Gatherings have brought to to light a large number of Sizemore-related people who want to know who they
are, and why they have been labeled so many things throughout history. Most have never really known what they were,
other than a generic sense of being "Indian". It was from this Melungeon movement that many of us discovered finally,
some documentable proof of our mixed Indian/non-Indian heritage.
Being a mixed-Indigenous people, we do of course, have the right to self-identify as we choose. Having been exposed to
the proof of our heritage, some of us recently have begun to identify as Metis once again. Additionally, this is a nation
which seeks specifically to bring together the various Melungeon -type groups throughout the South. These groups,
which would be encouraged to maintain their unique history within the nation, include Redbones, Brass Ankles, and
Guineas. We who joined would like to share with you why we chose to do this, and encourage other Sizemore
descendants who feel an affinity to this move, to join us.
For those unfamiliar with the term Metis, the word is defined as anyone of mixed ancestry that includes an Indian
component. Usually, and in the Sizemore case in particular, it is the founding one. The term also describes people who
cannot join federally recognized tribes for whatever reason. Although the term "Métis" is certainly French, and Métis is
the term most often applied to Indian/French mixtures, it has also been applied, historically and in modern times, to
anyone of mixed Indigenous and non-Indigenous ancestry. Similarly, the plural French term Mélangeon has been used
historically to describe us.
Sizemores have been called Melungeons and Cherokees at various points throughout history, but we chose to join the
The Multiracial Activist - www.multiracial.com
http://multiracial.com/site Powered by Joomla! Generated: 17 December, 2010, 13:42
Metis because it presents us with the opportunity to be who we are. Sizemores who have joined the Metis are not
"wannabe" Indians. As one Metis explained, to the contrary, we "havetobe" Metis because our ancestors did not register
with the U.S. Government. As a result most of us are culturally white, and ancestrally Indian and European. We see
ourselves as neither European or Indian but as a Metis people, of Indigenous origin. As you read, you will find that our
Metis ancestors had good reason not to register with the White Government.
All Sizemore histories and old family photos of which I am aware share two things: a strong Native American heritage
and a visibly Native American appeance. The three most likely tribes of origin are remnant tribes of the Powhatan
Confederacy, the Creeks, the Catawbas, and at one point in our history, the Cherokee. I also know that Sizemores have
been labeled "Melungeons" at various times throughout history, a testiment to our historical Metis heritage.
The presence of the Sizemore name at the British empire's Jamestown colony, listing a "Portuguese-Jewish" indentured
slave suggests an admixture of bloodlines that was not entirely Native. A few other Sizemores are said to have been
Scots-Irish though I have not found evidence of this. Therefore, I would guess that most are the mixed-blood
descendants of remnant tribes of the Powhatan - pronounced "poh-haw-tin" - which was a confederacy of many smaller
tribes, and of Portugeuse, Jewish, English, Scottish and Irish indentured slaves. One Sizemore family tree shows direct
descent from the Powhatan princess Matoaka (Pocahontas) and John Rolfe through the Bowling family, in six different
family lines. I have my doubts as to whether we are descendants of Matoaka, as I think people generally like to be of
some type of "royal" ancestry, but I strongly believe that this story is evidence that Sizemore Metis were founded and
nurtured into existence by a number of different Powhatan women and their communities.
The Story of the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees
Whitetop Mountain, located at tristate VA, NC, TN border.
In the late 1830's, Sizemores are said to have taken in Cherokees who escaped the Trail of Tears. This is the point at
which many may have literally become Cherokee. Mom Feather, Chief Elder of the Southern Band of Cherokees
informed me that Sizemore is a well-known Cherokee name and that the Sizemores and other Indian families in Eastern
Kentucky were known as the Stick People. This name was given, according to legend because large piles of sticks high
in the Appalachian ridges were used by Sizemores to hide large numbers of Cherokees who escaped the horrible Trail of
Tears in the 1800's. Evidently they later mixed with these Cherokees, which may have been the founding of the Whitetop
Laurel Band of Cherokees.
This legend is evidenced by the fact that many of our family stories and trees trace back to a 2,000 member "Whitetop
Laurel Band of Cherokees", which existed for at least a decade. The band was founded sixty years after the Trail of
Tears, and nine years before the Eastern Band of Cherokees in 1905. The same number of Sizemores, 2,000, applied
en masse for membership in the Eastern Band of Cherokees in the early 1900's but were denied for various reasons.
Those who made the decision to reject the Sizemore claims were clear in their statement that Sizemores were Indians,
but since none of their ancestors had willingly registered in any Cherokee census, they were not accepted.
The multi-volume book series, Cherokee By Blood documents this story which appears to be the primary source of the
"White Top Cherokee" oral tradition in our family. Vol 1 page 171 bears the testimony of Whitetop Chief William H.
The Multiracial Activist - www.multiracial.com
http://multiracial.com/site Powered by Joomla! Generated: 17 December, 2010, 13:42
Blevins:
"The word 'Chief' in my application, means that I am chief of the White Top Band of Cherokee Indians, an organization
of the principal Cherokee Indians living about White Top, and was perfected about ten years ago. We organized so
as to demand our rights in a body. We thought we had not been getting them before. In 1896, we wanted to go to the
Indian Territory, and organized for that purpose. When the band was first organized there were about 2175, I believe.
They were all Sizemore descendants. No one else was allowed to become a member if it was known. I have read the
Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States referred to in my application, and have it at home. My father,
Armstrong Blevins, I do not think was a party to the treaty of 1836 and 1846. I am putting my own interpretation on the
decree."
(Thanks to our relation Bill Fields, editor of Under One Sky, the Melungeon information magazine for contributing this)
This documentation does not however, explain the later infusion of the word "Laurel" into our modern Sizemore family
trees. But we do know that the Whitetop Laurel Creek runs off of Whitetop Mountain, and is a favorite recreational spot of
fly fishermen and kayakers.
One claim for membership in the Eastern Band of Cherokees stated that Sizemores were their own tribe in and of
themselves, known as "Sixemore" - probably due to the Whitetop membership requirement that one should be of
Sizemore relation. Another said that "Old Ned" Sizemore came from the Catawba Nation, a claim that would not preclude
his descendants from later becoming Cherokees, as Cherokees took in the remnants of many defeated bands and tribes.
Another family tradition in one of our lines says that the surname was created due to poor translation (or anglicization) of
the Cherokee word "Esiyah", which means literally "large child". The name was given to a Cherokee man who was very
good with children, and is reportedly found on the Dawes Rolls. The same family line is related to Sizemores in SouthCentral
Ohio, near the town of Pedro, that still speak fluent Cherokee and take part in the traditional corn dance.
Some family trees indicate Whitetop Cherokee roots as early as the time of Cheif Redbird (whom Redbird Creek and the
Redbird Mission is named after), George "All" Sizemore, Aggy Shepherd, Rhoda Sizemore, and "Old Ned" Edward
Sizemore, all of who lived in the 1800's in Leslie, Maggofin and Clay County, Kentucky. These Sizemores migrated from
Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina prior to this time, and many lived in the Whitetop Mountain border area of
Virginia/North Carolina. But for the most part the time period in which they lived does not coincide with the stated lifespan
of the Whitetop band.
Following is an excerpt from an article on the George All Sizemore and Aggy Shepard connection to the Creeks and the
Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees.
A Discussion Paper Excerpted From INDIAN NED SIZEMORE, THE LEGEND AND THE LEGACY
A Discussion Paper Excerpted From
INDIAN NED SIZEMORE THE LEGEND AND THE LEGACYCredit to Ron Blevins, of West Point, Va.
In the first edition of this SIZEMORE Discussion Paper, I listed those middle names and may have failed to remove them in some places in this update. Joy King who is the most thorough Sizemore researcher with whom I have the pleasure to work, has pointed out the fact that middle names were extremely rare at the time when George and Anna were born, ca. 1750, and in fact illegal in the Church. Further I have been unable to find a single instance of use of the name Edward or George Edward in any records. Additionally I consider it very possible that George is a younger brother of the Edward Sizemore # 23 herein who died in Hawkins Co, TN by 1810. I would guess that this practice of referring to George as George Edward comes from a few ECA's filed by descendants of his second youngest child Owen Sizemore which make reference to Owen's father as Ned Sizemore, saying "claimed by some that Ned is nickname for George Edward. Several ECA's use the name of his wife interchangeably as Anna Hart or Elizabeth Hart, leading this researcher to wonder if he was possibly married to two Hart sisters named Anna and Elizabeth.)
Cherokee Whitetop Band - Sizemore and Blevins Families
NED SIZEMORE was "Noted as a preacher and reverend; th ancestor of most of the Whitetop Band of Cherokee [Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees], as told in the following story from and an old article in "The Plow" written by Danny Miller, entitled:
The Blevins Family, Early Settlers at Whitetop, The Descendents of Old Ned Sizemore
"About 1774 James Blevins married Lydia Sizemore, daughter of a full blooded
Cherokee Indian. Edward (Old Ned) Sizemore. James and Lydia may have resided
for a time in the Laurel Springs area of Ashe County, near Cranberry, since
this is where the Sizemores lived. James and Lydia, however, moved at
sometime to the Whitetop area in Grayson County, where they lived until their
deaths and where many of their descendants still live."
"The Sizemore family connections with the Blevinses and other large families
in this area (the Harts, Osbornes, Stampers, and Millers, to name a few) are
fascinating. In the early 1900's, the federal government instituted a program
to reimburse descendants of the Cherokee for the lands taken away from them
in the Great Smoky Mountains when the Cherokee Nation was forced to move
westward. At this time also--in the late 1800's and early 1900's--all of the
Sizemore descendants in the Ashe-Grayson area, having as always claimed
Cherokee Indian blood, formed an organization known as the Whitetop Band of
Cherokee Indians in order to demand the rights of the group in a formal body.
At the formation of the organization there were over two thousand members,
all Sizemore descendants. William H Blevins, son of Armstrong Blevins, and grandson of Lydia Sizemore Blevins, was elected "Chief" of this Bandand
worked to procure the government's reimbursement for the Sizemore claimants."
"In 1908, the federal government's Special Commission Court of Claims began
to take testimony from the Sizemore descendants reguarding their Indian blood
in order to establish grounds for the disbursement of money. These
testimonial affidavits are filled with wonderful information about the Sizemores and Blevins families. Most of the people were in their sixties or
older, and thus would have been born in the 1850's or earlier. Celia Hartfor
example, testifying at Wessels, NC, stated: "I am 73 years of age, and live
in Ashe Co., NC, and claim Indian blood through my father Wells Blevins..He
died about 40 years ago. He moved from below the Blue Ridge in Wilkes County
as a boy, but was born in Ashe County. Wells Blevins was a son of Jim Blevins
who married Lydia Sizemore, a daughter of Ned Sizemore...I have seen Ned
Sizemore, and have seen Lydia Sizemore..She was a red-faced woman with dark hair....My grandmother's father was always called a full blooded Indian. He
was left when they drove him out.""
"Frances M. Woody, age 82, in 1908, described Old Ned Sizemore as "a great big-boned fellow. His hair was long and straight, he had a beard, and his complexion was dark, and he had high cheekbones..Old Ned Sizemore's wife claimed to be a white woman. I believe she was a Blevins.""
"Despite the efforts of the Whitetop Band of the Cherokee Indians, however,
the Sizemore claims were all rejected by the federal government on the
grounds that it did not appear "THAT ANY ON THE CLAIMANTS OR THEIR IMMEDIATE
ANCESTORS EVER LIVED AS INDIANS WITH THE CHEROKEE NATION OR WITH THE EASTERN
CHEROKEES". Old Ned Sizemore, however, was undoubtably a Cherokee, although
he was not living with the Indian Nation when they were forced on their
"Trail of Tears"......"
(transcribed by Sheila Anderson-Lewis)
"About the CAPITALIZED portion of this text that I transcribed. The caps are
my doing. For a reason...IS THIS FAIR? SO WHAT THAT HE DIDN'T LIVE WITH THE
OTHERS? DOES THAT MAKE HIM LESS CHEROKEE?"
Source: Posted by Sheila Anderson-Lewis at RootsWeb Mon, 24 Jan 2000
"Frances M. Woody, age 82, in 1908, described Old Ned Sizemore as "a great big-boned fellow. His hair was long and straight, he had a beard, and his complexion was dark, and he had high cheekbones..Old Ned Sizemore's wife claimed to be a white woman. I be
cmacdee1Blevins - Sizemore: There is a very well researched and presented page by Ron Blevins which addressed this issue with facts rather than emotion.
Carolyn McDaniel
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~craingen/SIZEMORE1.html
15 Jul 2012••
The Legend and Lore of The Sizemores.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The Legend and Lore of The Sizemores.
No family from Eastern Kentucky is more steeped in legend and lore than the Sizemores, and it all stems from my 5th great-grandfather, George “of all” Sizemore. A big burly, hairy man, prone to drink and fistfight. He came by the “of all” as he was our first Sizemore ancestor to arrive in Kentucky somewhere around 1800.
The Legend of George All begins at his birth. Mary T. Brewer writes in her 1978 Book, “Rugged Trail to Appalachia”
"When Kentucky was first being settled, emigrants from either North Carolina or Tennessee, headed by a man named Cornett, reached the Kentucky River late one evening. They decided to make camp and wait until daylight before crossing the river. They had wives, children, livestock and equipment with them. After supper they were sitting around their campfire talking, when Indians dashed into camp and captured two of the little girls. Three of the white men saddled horses and went after the Indians. Late in the night they caught up with the Indians, who were not expecting pursuit and had made camp. The men advanced near enough to see the girls asleep on pallets near the fire. Each man agreed to dash in and grab one of the girls. This they did and got away without a fight. When they came to their own camp the men discovered that they had also captured a little Indian girl. The next morning after crossing the river, the emigrants decided to keep the Indian girl. Mr. Cornett agreed to take her and raise her.
In the meantime, in another part of the area, the Cherokee Indians had also captured a white girl. One Indian Chief, seeing her beauty, became desirous of possessing her for his own, and took her into his teepee. However his love was short-lived, for the girl's brothers made pursuit and brought the girl back to her own people, but under her heart she carried the child of the Indian Chief. This child was given the name George All Sizemore. (Information from Pleasie Woods (deceased). When George All grew to manhood he married the Indian girl whom Mr. Cornett had raised.”
Silas Begley provides information indicating that this Indian legend apparently first appeared in The Allens - Mays - Begleys of Kentucky, published 1948, revised 1953 by Jackson Allen Begley.
How much of this story is true is questionable at best, however, every myth has some basis in fact and I’m sure there are some elements of this story that are fact. There is evidence to suggest that the Aggie Cornett portion is true, however, a different Agnes born years after the settling of Kentucky who married a descendent of George All who was also named George.
There is no dispute that Native American blood runs deep in the Sizemore line. If you are a descendent of the Eastern Kentucky Sizemores, then you have native American ancestry. The question is when and where the Native American line first entered into our heritage. Although Agnes Shepherd-Cornett was claimed to be 100% Indian, one has to question where the surname of Shepherd came from.
It has been said that Georges son Henry “Hunting Shirt” Sizemore, my 4th great-grandfather, lived as much among Indians as he did whites. Georges daughter Rhoda was at one time married to Chief Red Bird and had a son, Russel “Ruck” Sizemore by him. John “Rockhouse” Sizemore married Nancy Bolling who it is said was a neice of Thomas Jefferson. So it appears generation after generation intermingled back and forth with whites and Indians. It has also been suggested that after refusing to sign the Dawes Rolls, the Sizemores formed their own tribe, the “Whitetop Laurel Band” of which George was considered to be the chief. However, other than a few writings and mention on a few family history sites, I’ve found no official documented evidence that this band ever existed.
We do know that the Sizemores were once referred to as “the stick people”. This came about as they would build walls of driftwood and sticks in the forest and as the trail of tears marched through, they grabbed people off the trail and hid them in the forest behind the wood barriers and later intermarrying with them.
DNA evidence proves conclusively that native American blood exists within the Sizemore line. It’s almost impossible to say what tribe or specific line we came from. I think perhaps it’s a mix of many lines. We do know that during the days of the Jamestown Colony (remember William Sisemore?) that many people left the walls of the fort in later years and did marry and have children with the native Powhatans of Virginia, it’s my personal belief that within 3 generations of our arrival to America is when our native American ancestry began. I have no documented evidence to support this, but it makes sense.
Posted by John Barnes at 11:38 AM
michellecenters2002Blevins and Sizemore: In regards to Ron Blevins, some things he said were correct others not so. Even he didn't have or get all the facts. I don't think any of else will ever know the straight skinny on Edward Old Ned where he was born or who he married because those things were never documented. In regards to his children only a few were ever actually documented none were ever listed as mulatto, black, free persons of color, but all were listed as white. Not unusual but makes it all the more difficult to prove indian heritage. Most States and the Federal Government doesn't accept DNA as proof even though now it is undisputed that the Sizemores were in fact indian. There is much still hidden in these families past that have never been discovered and probably won't be as they never told a soul nor wrote it down. Most of what we know is guesses or conjecture. Basically, up for interpretation by whomever reads the story. Once in awhile we get a small glimmer of hope with a new piece of information or discovery. We all must continue to dig, maybe someday we will find the truth about our wonderful ancestors.
Prize Fighter, George of All Sizemore; William Twitty dies in Fight
Kentucky Explorer, November 1997
Interview with FELIX T. BEGLEY, Bull Creek, 27 March 1898:
I was born 6 March 1834 in Leslie Co., then Perry, near the mouth of Cutshin. My great grandfather BEGLEY came from Ireland. He was a weaver by trade. He came with my grandfather and is buried on Cutshin. He had a by-word, “damn-an-it”. He spoke broken English. My grandmother was Minnie SIZEMORE. She was a daughter of “Old George of All” SIZEMORE, who came with my grandfather, William BEGLEY, from Hawkins Co., TN. He had children as follows; Henry, John, Ned, and George; Minnie (William BEGLEY), Rhoda ROBERTS), Ruth (John JONES), and Susan BOLLING.
“Old George of All” was a hairy man and a prize fighter. He wounded William TWITTY in a fight, so that he died. SIZEMORE nursed TWITTY and would cry and tell him he had nothing against him, asking him to fight him again if he got well. SIZEMORE is a Cherokee Indian name. He is said to be half or more Indian. The SIZEMORES are very numerous in the mountains. The SIZEMORES settled first on Middle Fork, they went to Clay, Floyd, and other counties.
Part of the Dickey Diaries
Interviev Felix T. Begley - Bull Creek - March 27, 1898 pgs. 2204-2205
I was born March 6, 1834 in Leslie County, then Perry near the mouth of Cutshin. My great grandfather BEGLEY came from Ireland. He was a weaver by trade. He came with my grandfather and is buried on Cutshin. He had a by-word "Damn-an-it". He spoke broken English. My grandmother was MINNY SIZEMORE. She was a daughter of "Old GEORGE of All" SIZEMORE, who came with my grandfather, Wm BEGLEY from Hawkins County,Tennessee. He had sons as follows: HENRY, JOHN, NED, and GEORGE; MINNY (Wm BEGLEY), RHODA (ROBERTS), Ruth (John JONES), Susan (BOLLING). "Old GEORGE of All" was a hairy man and a prize fighter. He wounded Wm TWITTY in a fight, so that he died. SIZEMORE nursed TWITTY would cry and tell him he had nothing against him. All he asked of him was to fight again if he got well. SIZEMORE is a Cherokee Indian name. He is said to be half or more Indian. The SIZEMORES are very numerous in the mountains. The SIZEMORES settled first on Middle Fork, then went to Clay, Floyd and other counties. Note by Dickey: (POLLY NORTH), 85 years old, whose mother was RHODA SIZEMORE say they came from New River. J.J.D.)
InterviewMRS. POLLY NORTH, CUTSHIN (*LESLIE COUNTY)MARCH 27, 1898 pgs. 2205-2206 I am 85 years old, was born in this county. My father was a Wilder, my mother Rhoda Sizemore. The first preacher I ever heard was Chenault, a Baptist, and he preached on Cutshin. William Mattingly was the first school teacher. I remember he taught when I was a child. My grandmother's maiden name was Aggie Shepard. I remember to have heard my Grandfather Sizemore say to her "Dam-an-it Shepard I can't stand you much longer". At Glade on Bower's Creek John Gilbert killed a wolf. It had killed a two-year-old mule of his. He rode on the pelt as long as he lived. I have seen Rev. John Gilbert have to hold on to the fence because he had taken a dram too much. I have heard him say many a time at the close of the service on Sunday as he would start for the door "Dear, dear me brethren have you any bull yearlings to sell?" I have wove many a yard of cloth from nettle which grew wild. It made white cloth. Note added in Diary-by John J. Dickey: The old lady chews tobacco.
Some Sizemore History
Sizemore family
Added by dmcmnns on 24 Feb 2009
The Sizemore Family:
The Sizemore family arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in between 1607-1619 from England, they were later found at Henrico, Hanover and Martin's One Hundred, Virginia. William Sizemore was part of the first colony town of Jamestown, and was one of only two men to survive the Indian massacre. He owned quite a bit of land in Virginia, which he sold and removed to Kentucky.
William Sizemore born 1671 Henrico Co., Virginia married about 1705 Mary Owen, their son William Sizemore b/a 1706 married Hart Jackson, a member of the eastern tribe of Cherokee Indians, in Hanover, Virginia. Their son Edward (Ned) Sizemore b/a 1726 Hanover, Virginia married Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of William Jackson and Dorcus Green, both parents being part Cherokee Indian. Their son George Sizemore b/a 1750 Lunenburg, VA died c1820 NC married 1770 Ashe Co., NC Anna Hart, who was also part Cherokee. Their son Edward B. Sizemore b. 1788 Logan, VA died 1866 Wyoming Co., WV married about 1804 Ashe, NC Annie B. Baldwin born 1786 Logan, VA died about 1850 Wyoming Co., WV daughter of John Baldwin and Virginia (Jenny) born about 1740 Logan, VA, she was also part Cherokee. Their son John Sizemore born 1810 Ashe, NC d. 2/27/1853 Wyoming Co., WV married Jane (Jennie) Arms b. 1807 Ashe, NC died Wyoming Co., WV, they married on 4 Dec. 4, 1831, Jennie is believed to be part Cherokee as well.
John Sizemore and Jennie had Anna (Annie) Caroline Sizemore b. 1837 Wyoming Co., WV married George Buchanan May 14, 1855 Wyoming Co., WV. Children: Isabell Katherine, Arthur, Henriette Elizabeth, John, Greenberry, Edward, William Henry, May Louise, George Hargrave, Boyd Sizemore. Isabell Katherine Buchanan b. 1857 Wyoming Co., WV married Bird Hall b. 1847 Floyd Co., VA married September 25, 1879 Wyoming Co., WV Children: Charles Edward, Burch, Cora, Stella, Pinkard/ Pinckney and Anna (Annie).
George Sizemore who married Elizabeth Hart was a first cousin to George “Of All” Sizemore who married Agnes (Aggie) Sheppard. Their marriage originated from a raid of Indians on the white mans camp where they captured a white girl. In retaliation, the white men followed and rescued the girl and captured an Indian girl who was later given to a white family to raise (Cornett’s), Aggie is thought to have been a Creek Indian. George “Of All” undoubtedly lived in both the white man’s world, and the with the Whitetop Cherokee tribe throughout his life, which only naturally led to his marriage to Aggie.
Their son George “Goldenhawk” Sizemore fathered close to 50 children, census records show Goldenhawk at one time supporting four different families with 7 to 10 children in each of them. In 1860, he was indicted for bigamy in Floyd Co., Kentucky, and according to minutes from the hearing, the judge said, “Mr. Sizemore, I understand you have about 50 children, to which Goldenhawk replied, “I guess you’re right. But, judge, if I’d been half as pretty a man as you are, I’d had more than that.” There are no known portraits of Goldenhawk, but he was said to be one of the ugliest men that ever was, puzzling his descendants, leading them to believe he had more attractive qualities than good looks.
Sister to George “of All” Sizemore, Rhoda Sizemore had two sons by Chief Red Bird of the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokee Indians, he was murdered by trapper’s shortly after fathering their last son. Both son’s were given the Sizemore name. The fact that Rhoda married into the Whitetop Laurel Band leads me to believe that Hart Jackson was also a member of this same band. It is said that Edward Sizemore who married Elizabeth Jackson was for a short time prior to his death, Chief of this same band.
Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina and their descendants are eligible for enrollment with the Cherokee Band; contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee live on the Qualla Boundary, a land area comprised of 56,572 acres directly adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The more than 10,000 members of the Eastern Band are descendants of those Cherokee who, in the late 1830s, remained in the mountains of North Carolina rather than be forced to march along the infamous "Trail of Tears" to Oklahoma.
Today, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee is the only tribe of North Carolina’s six recognized tribes which possesses both state and federal recognition, lives on a reservation and is served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the US Department of the Interior, the Indian Health Service and the federal departments of Labor, Commerce, and Health and Human Services. The North Caroline Commission of Indian Affairs subcontracts Community Action Partnership Program (CAPP) funding to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee each year.
George "All" SIZEMORE, b. 1750-1755, d. 1822 in KY, m. Agnes ""Aggy"" SHEPHERD or CORNETT, who was b. ABT 1763, d. 1833. " George is thought by some to be the son of a Cherokee Chief and a beautiful white woman (SIZEMORE?). She was captured and held briefly before rescue by her brothers, but not before she conceived a child by the Cherokee Indian chief. Aggy was a little Indian Girl captured by mistake during the rescue of 2 small white girls who were stolen from the wagon train. She was raised by the leader of the wagon train, a Mr. CORNETT. They had at least 11 children. THE MATERIAL IN BRACKETS IS DOCUMENTATION.
Another researcher believes that George "All"'s parents may have been" Edward SIZEMORE who died in 1810 in Hawkins County, TN."
Elisha Blevins said that Old Ned came from the Catawba River or the Catawba Reservation.
See also the Seeking Sizemore Letter
------------------------------------------------ George All and Aggy Shepard-Cornett's children. I have them having 11 children:
1. Maimey m. Henry Begley 1792 in Ky.; 2. Minerva "Winnie" Sizemore b. abt 1772 Hawkins Co. Tn. m William Begley Sr. Feb. 13, 1801."
3.Susan Sizemore b. abt 1774 [Stidham - 1784 Va] m. John E. Bowling.
4. John Rockhouse Sizemore b. abt 1776 [Stidham - 1770] m. Nancy Bolling/Bowling.
5. Edward "Old Ned" Sizemore b. 1778 [Stidham - d. 1856] Shenandoah, VA [Perez] d. Perry Co [Perez], m. 1810 to Louanna Bolen." 6. James Sizemore b. abt 1780.
Note: 1820 Clay County Census on pg. 120
James Sizemore
2 - Free White Males under 10 1 - Free White Male of 10 and under 16
1 - Free White Male of 45 and up
7 - Free White Females under 10
1 - Free White Female of 10 and under 16
1 - Free White Female of 16 and under 26
1 - Free White Female of 26 and under 45
7. George "Golden Hawk" Sizemore b. abt 1783 m.1st Sally Anderson [Stidham - b. 1785 m. abt 1812] m. 2nd Mary Ann Woomack [Stidham - m. abt 1828]."
8. Sarah (Sallie) Ann Sizemore b. 1785 m. Eli Couch.
9. Ruth Sizemore b. abt. 1785 m. John Jones (have very little on this family)
10. Rhoda Sizemore b. abt 1787 m. 1st Unknown Roberts m. 2nd Joseph Wilder Joseph Wilder, Sr. was born August 03, 1758 in North Carolina, and died [July 20, 1865-Park92] in Perry Co., Kentucky and he is buried in the Johnson Cemetary in Buckhorn, Perry Co., Kentucky. Rhoda is believed to be the mother of John and Russell who went by the name of Sizemore, born before living with Wilder. [One internet source says father was Chief Red Bird who died]."
Note: Joseph Wilder in the 1820 Clay County Census on pg. 120 living next to James Sizemore.
3 - Free White Males under 10 1 - Free White Male of 10 and under 16
1 - Free White Male of 26 and under 45
1 - Free White Female under 10
1 - Free White Female of 10 and under 16
1 - Free White Female of 26 and under 45 [Rhoda?]
Children of Joseph and Rhoda Sizemore:
1. Nelson Wilder, born Abt. 1816." 2. Polly Wilder, born Abt. 1817 in Leslie Co., Ke, buried North Sizemore Cemetary, Leslie Co. (along with half brother Russell) 3. Dennis 'Demsey' Wilder, born Abt. 1818."
4. Elizabeth 'Betsy' Wilder, born Abt. 1820. She married Calvin Collinsworth. December 18, 1850." 5. Agnes "Aggy" Wilder, born Abt. 1822. She married Milton Smith.
Because of the fact that the SIZEMORE children went by both of the surnames WILDER and SIZEMORE; and that researchers can't seem to find a "marriage record for Rhoda and Joseph, it is believed that Joseph had a" relationship with Rhoda.
11. Henry Hunting Shirt Sizemore b. abt. 1790 m. Rachel Jones.
-------------------------------------------------- Edward"Old Ned" and Louanna Bolan/Bowling had ten children:
1. Nancy Sizemore m. David Jones 2. William Sizemore b. abt. 1798 m, Josephine Anglia."
3. Sally ""White Sally"" Sizemore b. abt. 1800 in Hawkins Co. Tn. m. John Bowling."
4. Winnie Sizemore b. abt. 1801 in Va. m. 1st Unknown Haddix: m. 2nd Benjamin Grigsby.
5. Edward "Slim Red" Sizemore b. abt 1805 M. Linsy Wood: Mo. m. Easter Owens b. abt 1831 [dont know where I got this]
6. George Washington Sizemore b. abt 1805 [Parrish-1796] in Clay Co. Ky[son's Death Cert - Indiana [Perez-Boone Co, IN].m. Annie Walter on May 14, 1826 in Perry County, Ky. She was b. abt. 1807 Tn [son's death certificate - Ky]."
7. Susan Sizemore b. abt. 1807 in Clay Co. Ky. she married Samuel Allen. 8. Christopher "Kit" Sizemore b. abt. 1810 in Clay Co. Ky. m. Catherine unknown b. abt. 1810 in Ky."
9. Ephraim Sizemore b. abt. 1812 Clay Co. Ky. died 1858 in Madison County Ar. m. Naomi Ritchie. 10. Sylvania Sizemore b. abt. 1815 died aft. 1900 m. John Ritchie.
---------------------------------- George Washington and Annie had four children:
1. "Ephraim b. April 10 1827 in Nodaway, Mo. d. Sep 29, 1849[????] m. Easter Owens b. abt 1831 [Marriage Certificate - Sept 29, 1849] in Nodaway, Mo."
Note: "1850 CENSUS - NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI" "RolPge408755 Seq100 Sizemore, Ephriam 23 Indiana" "RolPge408755 Seq100 Sizemore, Eastine A 20 Kentucky"
2. "Eli Sizemore b.July 01, 1828 In Nodaway, Mo. m. Mrs. Rebecca Sizemore b. abt 1832 Nodaway, Mo." 3. "George Washington Sizemore b. Aug. 04, 1830 [Death Cert - Indiana] d. March 28, 1913 in Ethan, Davison Co, SD m. [Marriage Certificate - with Mary on Dec 25 1856 in Nodaway Co] Mary Magdaline Reece b. Feb. 15, 1840 [tombstone 1841] Elmo, Mo. d. Feb 28, 1913 SD [Death Certificate - Mary Martha b. Indiana (parents Methodist Minister William Reise b. New York and Mary Clark b. Indiana), d. and buried in Ethan, Davidson Co, SD]." 4. "Rebecca b Jan 17, 1833 m. Justice Boling [Fam Bible - Justus Boling b. April 3, 1820]."
----------------------------------------- George Washington and Mary Magdaline had four children:
1. "Russell Cicero Sizemore b. Oct 2, 1866 [Obit] [Tomestone - 1857] Nodaway Co, Mo. moved near Onawa, Monona Co, Iowa before 1889, to Phillips SD abt 1905, to Western Ne and then Decatur, died Feb 3, 1915 at a Omaha hospital, buried in Decatur, Ne. m. Cora Ellen Kellogg on Feb 24, 1889. They divorced and Cora remarried to William Massey on Jan 25,1908." "Cora was b.____________ parents were Henry and Mary Francis (Tuttle) Kellogg of Monona Co and after 1902, Decatur, Ne. Cora moved to Bartlett 1917/8, Ericson 1925, Burwell 1930/1 and 194X in Burwell, Ne. and buried in Decatur. She was a member of the Burwell Methodist Church. " 3. "Edward Carlton Sizemore b. ______________ (1910-41) lived on Casper, Wy ranch, then Palmer, Ne. M. Bach Emma(?) 1915 in Palmer, Ne." 4. "Harim? Ann Sizemore or Amy? M. 1905 in Marysville, Mo. She was not with her parent in the 1910 SD census."
------------------------------------------------ Russell and Cora had five children:
1. "Earl W. Sizemore b. Jan 14, 1890 near Onawa, Monona County, Iowa d, Dec 10, 1930 at Dakota City, Ne (in an auto/train wreck with his brother Ottis) buried at Decatur, Ne. He had lived in Onawa, Phillips, SD, Casper, Wy, Palmer, Ne (1915) and Decatur [obit] He m. Miranda, b July 8,1898 and d. June 1975 in Costa Mesa, Ca. They had three children; Maxine of Lincoln, Norma and Billy." 2. "Otis Orville Sizemore b.Jan 7, 1894 near Onawa, Monona County, Iowa d. Dec 10, 1930 at Dakota City, Ne. buried at Decatur, Ne. m. 1st Hope Oliver of Neodesha, Ka. on Dec 21, 1919 and had 2 children Bobbie and Billie living in Stillwater, Ok in 1930, was divorced on Jan 2, 1926 and m. 2nd Emma Gier of Sioux City, Ia on April 27, 1930 [obit]."
3. "Claude Henry "Doby" Sizemore b, Oct 189X Railroad Crossing, Onawa, Io d. 195X Lincoln, Ne and buried in Lincoln Memorial Park. His third marriage was to Ester Sofia b. July 25, 1894 on a Saronville Ne farm and d. Friday before Oct 6,1956 in Lincoln, Ne and Buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetary. She was the d/o Frederick Otto Peterson and Augusta Hildregarde Forsell from Smaland Sweden." 4. Winifried "Winnie" Bonnie Sizemore was 12 in the 1910 Iowa census and died in 1996. She m. William Nichells They had Nina raised by Cora and adopted twins Joe and Joan. Joe was 62 in 1999 (?) and lives in Ord.
-------------------------------------------------- George Henry and Elsie Mae had five children:
1. Doyle " b. Sep 5, 1904 and d. Aug 1979 Co." 2. Mable had a fur shop and lived across the street from Doyle.
3. "Marvin, Ogallala, Ne cop"
4. Leonard died young from a snake bit or thrown from a horse.
5. "George "Tuff", Berthurd, Co" 6. Lawrence worked w/ Mable in the fur shop.
Otis Oliver and Hope had two children:
1. "Robert m. Mary Lee and had two children; Roger and Bill, Hope Fieldler and Margaret. Robert lived in Ridgecreast, Ca and d. 1998." 2. William -- Notes for ELIZABETH RACHAEL JACKSON: Alleged to be Cherokee Indian!
More Sizemore Ancestors
A. Edward "NED" Sizemore b. 1720-1740 d. 1810-Child: (Old George All Sizemore) b. 1755 d. 1820's. m. Agnes Cornett\Shephard. b. 1763 d. 1825. There children were:
1. John Sizemore b. 1784-1794 d. 1850 m. Nancy Bowling b. 1783
a. William (Rockhouse Bill) Sizemore b. 1813 d.1835 m. Maureen\Morning Bowling b.1814 d/o Salley Bowling.
1. Bige Sizemore b. 2. Luther Sizemore b. 1833
3. Joe Sizemore b. 1837
4. Sophia Sizemore b. 1838 m. Sam Sizemore
5. Kissie Sizemore b. 1838 m. Irvine Howard
6. Emily Sizemore b. 1843 m. Hiram Begley
7. Ellen Sizemore b. m. Ballard Begley
8. Martha Sizemore b. 1840 m. ????
b. Henry (Blue Hole Henry) Sizemore b.1810-11 m. Polly Hayes b.1815
1. William Sizemore b.1833 2. Blev Sizemore b.1837
3. Elizabeth Sizemore b.1839
4. Orrah Sizemore b.1840
5. Robert Sizemore b.1845
6. John Sizemore b.1848
7. ????
c. James/Jim (Fiddling Jim) Sizemore b.1817 m.Mary Collett "Polly" b.1823.
1. Jack Sizemore b.1840 2. Carr Sizemore b.1843
3. William Sizemore b.1845
4. Willis Sizemore b.1847
5. Dill Sizemore b.1849
6. John Sizemore b.1849
7. Sally Sizemore b.1852
8. Dave Sizemore b.1854
9. Henry Sizemore b.1854
10. Joe Sizemore b..1858
11. Jim Sizemore b.
d. Carr Sizemore b.1824 d.1872 m. Cynthia Asher b.1831-1840 d.1872
1. Willis Sizemore b. (a baptist preacher) 2. Martha Sizemore b.
3. Catherine Sizemore b.1852
4. Mary Sizemore b.1854
5. Eliza Sizemore b.1856
6. Felix Sizemore b.1858
7. John Sizemore b.1859
e. John Sizemore Jr. b.1828 m. Jane Treadway b.1831
1. Bob Sizemore b.1845 2. Amy Sizemore b.1860
3. Mary Sizemore b.1863 m. Hamblin Napier
4. Nancy Sizemore b.???? m. John Lucas
5. Sally Sizemore b.???? m. Henry Reves
6. George Sizemore b.1866
7. Sidney Sizemore b.1868
8. Lucy Sizemore b.1871
f. Mahala (Hala) Sizemore b.1814 m. Eli Couch, Esq. b.1810
g. Rebecca (Becky) Sizemore b.???? m. James Napier
h. Kissie Sizemore b.1827 m. Hughes Napier b.????
i. Mary (Polly) Sizemore b.1810 m. Bob Asher b.1812
j. Susan Sizemore b.1815 m. Harmon Sizemore b.1815
1. Nancy Sizemore b.1837 2. Mahala Sizemore b.1839
3. James Sizemore b.1841
4. Mary Sizemore b.1844
5. Eliza Sizemore b.1846
6. Carr Sizemore b.1847
7. Rebecca Sizemore b.1849
8. Sila (f) Sizemore b.1850
9. Smith Sizemore b.1854
10. Hetta Sizemore b.1856
a. Nelson Sizemore b.1816 b. Polly Sizemore b.1817
c. Dennis Sizemore b.1818
d. Elizabeth "Betsy" Sizemore b.1820
e. Agnes Sizemore b.1822
3. Edward "Ned" Sizemore b.1778 d.11/17/1858 m. Louanna Bowling b.1780VA d.1820KY.
a. William Sizemore b.1798TN m./1 Joesephine Angelin b.b. Sally (White Sally) Sizemore b.1800 m.John Bowling
Gearheart b.1800VA d.1874KY.
c. Lewis Sizemore ?b.1800VA d.1873 m. Catherine (Katrina) d. Sylvania Sizemore b.1816 m. John Ritchie s/o Alexander Crockett Ritchie & Susan Elizabeth Grigsby m. Possibly Others?
1. Sarah Sizemore b.1822 m. Peter Gearheart 3/17/1849 2. Rhonda Sizemore b.1825 m. Wm. Greenville Salisbury
3. Elizabeth Sizemore b.1832 m. William Stumbo (Stambaugh) s/o Fred & Nancy Stumbo\Stambough.
a. Catherine Stumbo b.1844 m. Greenville Stumbo s/o Fred & Nancy - Bro. of William & John.
4. Frances Sizemore b.1833 m. John Stumbo s/o Fred & Nancy
5. William Sizemore b.1835 d.9/1858 m.Arminta Flannery
6. John Penny Sizemore b.1838 m. Fanny Osborne
7. Richard Sizemore b.1840 m. Polly Jane Salisbury
d. Winnie Sizemore b.1801VA m.Benjamin Grigsby b.1801
e. Russell Sizemore b.1801TN m./1 Anny Prewitt m./2 Nancy Midcuff
f. Edward (Slim Red) Sizemore b.1805KY m.Linisy Woods
g. Nancy Sizemore b.???? m.David Jones
h. Susan Sizemore b.1807KY m. Samuel Allen b.1806
1. Andrew Allen 2. Rachel
3. Sarah b.1835
4. Emery b.1835
5. Malinda b.1837
6. Irvin b.1838
7. George b.1839
8. John b.1840
9. Ira b.1841
10. Nancy b.1844
11. Winnie b.1847
12 James\River Allen b.1824 md. Nancy Louise Roberts b.1\22\1825 dau of John Roberts
a. Samuel Allen b. John Allen b.1847 twin
c. Granville Allen b.1847 twin d.11\12\1897KY md. 1/14/1866
Salina Bailey b.1\5\1848VA d.9\22\1922KY - (Grave in White Cem. Bear Pen, KY.) believed to be the dau of F.Bailey & Nancy Bailey.
1. Emily Jane b.1866 2. Farris Delaney b.1869
3. Millie Catherine b.1872
4. William Newton b.1874
5. Nancy E. b.1876
6. Omabelle b.1879
7. Barbara Ellen Allen b.11/11/1881KY md. 9/13/??
Thomas Curtis b.1873 d.1920KY
a. Emily Jane Curtis b.1914KY d.1990KY md. George Richmond Little b.1912 KY d.1952KY
1. Ray Little 1934KY md Gladys (Cricket) Brewer KY
a. Patricia Little 1954 md Harold R. Burgher b. Barbara K. '56 md David Cox
c. Sharon R. '58 md Marion Rogers
d. Rolelyn Gay '64 md Earl Crabtree
2. Brackie Little 1935KY md Esther Louise Adams 1940MO, d/oLinn Floyd Adams & Irene Alee Leeper
a. Larry Richard Little 06/05/1959CAb. Robert Alan Little 12/09/1960OK md Sandra Kay Howell 4\12\1962 OK div)
1. Robert Alan Little Jr. 9\30\1979OK (Cherokee)
2. Bridget Desiree' Little 9\19\1981VA (Cherokee)
c. Kenneth Ray Little 3\21\1962NV
3. George Richmond Little 1945KY md Faye McKinney
a. Robert Lee Brewer (Little) 1966 b. Richmond Timothy. '86 (adopted)
8. Mollie b.1886 9. Maggie b.1889
10. Morgan Edgar b.1891
d. Stephen Farris b.1849
e. Susannah b.1850
f. Dulcena b.1852
g. Mary b.1854
h. James D. b.1855
i. Jefferson b.1857
j. Elizabath (twin) b.1859
k. Nancy (twin) b.1859
l. William b.1861
m. Martha b.1862
13. Samuel Allen Jr. b.1850
i. George Washington Sizemore b.???? m.Annie Walter
j. Christopher (Kit) Sizemore b.1810KY
k. Ephraim Sizemore b.1812KY d.1856AR m.Naomi Ritchie
1. George Washington Sizemore b.1836KY d.1915ARK m.Nancy Gibson b.1837KY
a. Dinnah "Anna Mae" Sizemore b.1856 m.Nathaniel Turner Acord b. Ephriam Sisemore b.1859ARK m.Vicey Ann Acord b.1856d.1929OK
1. Ethel Sisemore 2. Ann Sisemore
3. John Sisemore
4. Zora Sisemore
5. Fred Sisemore
6. Nancy Jane Sisemore
c. Eli Sisemore b.1861 m.Nancy Jane
d. Martha B. Sisemore b.1865ARK m.Robert S. Whitmire
e. Naomi Sisemore d.1876ARK d. yng 7yrs 9mo old
f. Polly Sisemore b.1870 d.1946 m.Thomas S. Williams b.1867
g. Nancy Jane Sisemore b.1872ARK d. in Texas m.Sid Williams
h. George Washington Sisemore b.1874ARK d.1949TX m1.Sarah Elizabeth Harris b.1881 d.1916ARK m2.Polly Ann Williams Harris b.1881ARK d.1974TX
1. Nancy M. Sisemore b.1901 d.19032. George Sisemore b.1902 m1.Artie Bell Thornberry m2. Ayre
3. Fred Sisemore b.1907ARK d.1924
4. Sid Sisemore b.1908ARK m.Clara Harrower
5. Loyd Sisemore b.1909ARK
6. Lola Sisemore b.1910ARK m.William Jasper Cormack b.1910ARK
7. Ernest Ephriam Sisemore b.1916ARK
8. Mollie Ruth Sisemore b.1918ARK d.1987TX m.Larwerance M. Cook
9. Marjorie Carrie Sisemore b.1924ARK m.Marion Dale Hendrick b.1923TX
i. Lucinda Sisemore b.1880 age 1yr 8mo buried ARK.
2. Andrew Jackson Sisemore b.1880 d.1916ARK m1.Arminta Ruth Shipp b.1846 d.1897ARK m2.Rachel Rebecca Charlotte Lovealle b.1862MO d.1943ARK
a. Andrew J. Sisemore b.1864ARk m.Effie Rogers
b. Ephriam Sisemore b.1868ARK d.1958WA m.Amanda Muriel Emerson c. William Taylor Sisemore b.1873 m.Mary Pierce b.1875ARK d.1893ARk
1. Marshall Guy Sizemore b.1893ARK d.1969ARK m.Goldie Lavina Allen ARK.
d. Edward Sizemore b.1876ARK d.1919OK m.Myrtal Jones
e. Sarah Esabelle Sizemore b.1878ARK d.1902ARK m.John Wesley Smith
f. Mary Elizabeth Sizemore b.1878ARK d.1940 m.William Savannah Emerson b.1878 d.1943
g. Ellen Jane Sizemore b.1881ARK
h. Alfred F. Sizemore b.1884ARK m.Patsy Pointer
i. Benjamin Harrison Sizemore b.1889 m.Annie Storm
j. Robert Frank Sizemore b.1899ARK d.1975CA
k. Pleas Doyle Sizemore b.1902ARK d.1968CA
a. Riley Sisemore b.1871ARK b. Armilda Sisemore b.1875 m.Bill Weatherby
c. Norma Sizemore b.1881ARK
d. Hanna Sizemore b.1883ARK
e. Oma Sizemore b.1885ARK
7. Arry Elizabeth Sisemore b.1851ARKclaim#35841 m.Marion Gibson
a. Eva Gibson b.1880 m.Rape b. Laura Gibson b.1886ARK m.Alfred Claridy
1. May Claridy b.1902 2. Roxey Claridy b.1904
c. Celia Gibson b.1893
8. Christopher (Kit) Sisemore b.1852 d.1899 m.Martha Jane Salyer
9. Martha Sisemore b.1856ARK m.Hughes
4. Winifred "Winnie" Sizemore b.1774 d.11/30/1858 m. William "Bill" Begley b.1771
5. George "(Golden Hawk)" Sizemore b.1783 d.5/9/1864 m. Sallie Anderson b.1888TN
6. Henry Sizemore b.1785NC m. Rachel Jones, Ky.
7. Ruth Sizemore b.???? m. John Jones
8. Susan Sizemore b.???? m. John Bowling s/o Jesse Bowling
9. Sallie Ann Sizemore b.????? m. Eli Couch b.????
10. Probably others.
B. Milla Sizemore b.1750-1760 m. Myram Stacey
C. Dolley Sizemore b.1760-1770 m. William Stacey
D. Myram Sizemore b. prob. 1770 m. ????
E. Edward Sizemore Jr. b. est.1770 m. Jane Roberts d/o Joseph Roberts
F. William Sizemore b.1780 d.1877IN m.\1 Esther Anderson b.1784NC m.\2 Fields m.\3 Armstrong in Randolph Ind.
Who’s kidnapping whom? Indians and settlers mix it up
Who’s kidnapping whom? Indians and settlers mix it up
Posted by Dave Tabler August 9, 2007
“ When Kentucky was first being settled, emigrants from either North Carolina or Tennessee, headed by a man named Cornett, reached the Kentucky River late one evening. They decided to camp and wait until daylight before crossing the river. They had wives, children, livestock and equipment with them. After supper they were sitting around their campfire talking, when suddenly Indians [ed. -thought to be Creek] dashed into camp and captured two of the girls.
Attributed to Doris Ulmann (photographer) [American, 1882 - 1934], Cherokee Woman, North Carolina, American, about 1929. Collection J. Paul Getty Museum.
“ Three of the white men saddled horses and went after the Indians. Late in the night they caught up with the Indians, who were not expecting pursuit and had made camp. The men advanced near enough to see the girls asleep on pallets near the fire. Each man agreed to dash in and grab one of the girls. This they did and got away without a fight. When they came to their camp the men discovered that they had also captured a little Indian girl. The next morning, after crossing the river, the emigrants decided to keep the Indian girl. Mr. Cornett agreed to take her and raise her.
“ In the meantime, in another part of the area, the Cherokee [ed. Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees] Indians had also captured a white girl. One Indian Chief, seeing her beauty, became desirous of possessing her for his own, and took her into his teepee. However, his love was short-lived, for the girl’s brothers made pursuit and brought the girl back to her own people, but under her heart she carried the child of the Indian Chief. This child was given the name of George All Sizemore. (Information from Pleasie Woods, deceased.)
“ When George All grew to manhood he married the Indian girl whom Mr. Cornett had raised. George All and Agnes Shepherd thus became the progenitors of the Leslie County Sizemores. Shepherd was Agnes’ Indian name. She was sometimes called Shepherd and sometimes Cornett.” Taken from the book “The Rugged Trails of Appalachia” by Mary Brewer. This tidbit was generously provided by Pam Powell PamPowell28@myfamily.com
Sally Sizemore and her husband William "Blackhawk" Sizemore.
Throughout history, our Sizemore family of southern Appalachia has been variably referred to as Melungeon, Mestee, Metis, Indian, part-Indian, mulatto, Stick People, white and in one branch of which I am aware, black. Most Sizemores have wondered which one is true for a long time, and just recently the answer has presented itself complete with some documentable proof.
The answer came out of a recent movement of mixed-ancestry people in this region who are reclaiming the epithet "Melungeon". Gatherings have brought to to light a large number of Sizemore-related people who want to know who they are, and why they have been labeled so many things throughout history. Most have never really known what they were, other than a generic sense of being "Indian". It was from this Melungeon movement that many of us discovered finally, some documentable proof of our mixed Indian/non-Indian heritage.
Being a mixed-Indigenous people, we do of course, have the right to self-identify as we choose. Having been exposed to the proof of our heritage, some of us recently have begun to identify as Metis once again. Additionally, this is a nation which seeks specifically to bring together the various Melungeon -type groups throughout the South. These groups, which would be encouraged to maintain their unique history within the nation, include Redbones, Brass Ankles, and Guineas. We who joined would like to share with you why we chose to do this, and encourage other Sizemore descendants who feel an affinity to this move, to join us.
For those unfamiliar with the term Metis, the word is defined as anyone of mixed ancestry that includes an Indian component. Usually, and in the Sizemore case in particular, it is the founding one. The term also describes people who cannot join federally recognized tribes for whatever reason. Although the term "Métis" is certainly French, and Métis is the term most often applied to Indian/French mixtures, it has also been applied, historically and in modern times, to anyone of mixed Indigenous and non-Indigenous ancestry. Similarly, the plural French term Mélangeon has been used historically to describe us.
Sizemores have been called Melungeons and Cherokees at various points throughout history, but we chose to join the Metis because it presents us with the opportunity to be who we are. Sizemores who have joined the Metis are not "wannabe" Indians. As one Metis explained, to the contrary, we "havetobe" Metis because our ancestors did not register with the U.S. Government. As a result most of us are culturally white, and ancestrally Indian and European. We see ourselves as neither European or Indian but as a Metis people, of Indigenous origin. As you read, you will find that our Metis ancestors had good reason not to register with the White Government.
All Sizemore histories and old family photos of which I am aware share two things: a strong Native American heritage and a visibly Native American appeance. The three most likely tribes of origin are remnant tribes of the Powhatan Confederacy, the Creeks, the Catawbas, and at one point in our history, the Cherokee. I also know that Sizemores have been labeled "Melungeons" at various times throughout history, a testiment to our historical Metis heritage.
The presence of the Sizemore name at the British empire's Jamestown colony, listing a "Portuguese-Jewish" indentured slave suggests an admixture of bloodlines that was not entirely Native. A few other Sizemores are said to have been Scots-Irish though I have not found evidence of this. Therefore, I would guess that most are the mixed-blood descendants of remnant tribes of the Powhatan - pronounced "poh-haw-tin" - which was a confederacy of many smaller tribes, and of Portugeuse, Jewish, English, Scottish and Irish indentured slaves. One Sizemore family tree shows direct descent from the Powhatan princess Matoaka (Pocahontas) and John Rolfe through the Bowling family, in six different family lines. I have my doubts as to whether we are descendants of Matoaka, as I think people generally like to be of some type of "royal" ancestry, but I strongly believe that this story is evidence that Sizemore Metis were founded and nurtured into existence by a number of different Powhatan women and their communities.
The Story of the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees
Whitetop Mountain, located at tristate VA, NC, TN border.
In the late 1830's, Sizemores are said to have taken in Cherokees who escaped the Trail of Tears. This is the point at which many may have literally become Cherokee. Mom Feather, Chief Elder of the Southern Band of Cherokees informed me that Sizemore is a well-known Cherokee name and that the Sizemores and other Indian families in Eastern Kentucky were known as the Stick People. This name was given, according to legend because large piles of sticks high in the Appalachian ridges were used by Sizemores to hide large numbers of Cherokees who escaped the horrible Trail of Tears in the 1800's. Evidently they later mixed with these Cherokees, which may have been the founding of the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees.
This legend is evidenced by the fact that many of our family stories and trees trace back to a 2,000 member "Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees", which existed for at least a decade. The band was founded sixty years after the Trail of Tears, and nine years before the Eastern Band of Cherokees in 1905. The same number of Sizemores, 2,000, applied en masse for membership in the Eastern Band of Cherokees in the early 1900's but were denied for various reasons. Those who made the decision to reject the Sizemore claims were clear in their statement that Sizemores were Indians, but since none of their ancestors had willingly registered in any Cherokee census, they were not accepted.
The multi-volume book series, Cherokee By Blood documents this story which appears to be the primary source of the "White Top Cherokee" oral tradition in our family. Vol 1 page 171 bears the testimony of Whitetop Chief William H. Blevins:
"The word 'Chief' in my application, means that I am chief of the White Top Band of Cherokee Indians, an organization of the principal Cherokee Indians living about White Top, and was perfected about ten years ago. We organized so as to demand our rights in a body. We thought we had not been getting them before. In 1896, we wanted to go to the Indian Territory, and organized for that purpose. When the band was first organized there were about 2175, I believe. They were all Sizemore descendants. No one else was allowed to become a member if it was known. I have read the Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States referred to in my application, and have it at home. My father, Armstrong Blevins, I do not think was a party to the treaty of 1836 and 1846. I am putting my own interpretation on the decree."
(Thanks to our relation Bill Fields, editor of Under One Sky, the Melungeon information magazine for contributing this)
This documentation does not however, explain the later infusion of the word "Laurel" into our modern Sizemore family trees. But we do know that the Whitetop Laurel Creek runs off of Whitetop Mountain, and is a favorite recreational spot of fly fishermen and kayakers.
One claim for membership in the Eastern Band of Cherokees stated that Sizemores were their own tribe in and of themselves, known as "Sixemore" - probably due to the Whitetop membership requirement that one should be of Sizemore relation. Another said that "Old Ned" Sizemore came from the Catawba Nation, a claim that would not preclude his descendants from later becoming Cherokees, as Cherokees took in the remnants of many defeated bands and tribes.
Another family tradition in one of our lines says that the surname was created due to poor translation (or anglicization) of the Cherokee word "Esiyah", which means literally "large child". The name was given to a Cherokee man who was very good with children, and is reportedly found on the Dawes Rolls. The same family line is related to Sizemores in South-Central Ohio, near the town of Pedro, that still speak fluent Cherokee and take part in the traditional corn dance.
Some family trees indicate Whitetop Cherokee roots as early as the time of Cheif Redbird (whom Redbird Creek and the Redbird Mission is named after), George "All" Sizemore, Aggy Shepherd, Rhoda Sizemore, and "Old Ned" Edward Sizemore, all of who lived in the 1800's in Leslie, Maggofin and Clay County, Kentucky. These Sizemores migrated from Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina prior to this time, and many lived in the Whitetop Mountain border area of Virginia/North Carolina. But for the most part the time period in which they lived does not coincide with the stated lifespan of the Whitetop band.
Following is an excerpt from an article on the George All Sizemore and Aggy Shepard connection to the Creeks and the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees. <br
"The marriage of George "ALL" Sizemore to Aggy Shepard originated from a raid of Indiams on the white mans camp where they captured a white girl. In retaliation, the white men followed and rescued the girl and captured an Indian girl who was later given to a white family to raise (Aggy). Aggy is thought to have been a Creek Indian. George lived in both the white man's world, and the Whitetop Cherokee tribe throughout his life."
"The Indian Chief for whom Red Bird Creek in Clay County was named is known as member of the Whitetop Laurel Band of Cherokees from North Carolina. He was a great hunter and allured by the game in this remote region. He finally took up residence on the creek that bears his name at the mouth of Jacks Creek in this county. He came to his death by the abarice of the "pale face". There lived with him a crippled Indian named Willie. This man dressed the skins which Red Bird brought to their wigwam and looked after the culinary department of their house. Some hunters from North Carolina, greedy and unscrupulous, came to the wigwam and murdered Willie. Then they secreted themselves and awaited the return of the brave chief who had long before buried his tomahawk and for years had been living in peace with the white man, and as he approached his crude castle the bullet of an assasin laid him in the dust. They threw his body into a hole of water nearby which is still called "Willie Hole", and from which John Gilbert and others took him and buried him. One tradition is that he was sitting on the bank of a creek fishing when he was shot and that he fell into the creek."
(Reprinted in Kentucky Explorer, Volume 11, March 1997. Recorded in the 1870s.)
Identifying as Metis
Sizemores also live(d) near Sneedville, TN; Wise, VA; and Hyden/Stinnett, KY
In their testimony to join the Eastern Band of Cherokees, Sizemores said that they were of Indian blood. But either not of what particular tribe, or of tribes that were not Cherokee. A census of the Creek Nation of 1832 shows a Sam Sizemore as full blooded Creek, and one woman has told me that after Sizemores were rejected from the Cherokee, they applied to join the Creek and were accepted - how many I am not sure. At some point a group of Creeks named Sizemore were dislocated into the region of South Florida, where some Sizemores still live today. Another claims that "Old Ned" Sizemore came from the Catawba reservation. But most of our Sizemore ancestors are not found on many of the old Indian census rolls. It appears that Sizemores had Indian blood from several different tribes, as well as European blood. This of course could have made it harder to be accepted in any one tribe, not to mention among the "white" community.
This variability could mean many things, but given the simultaneous movement of Sizemores, and intermarriage with Melungeon communities around Sneedville, TN; Hyden, KY; and Wise, VA. I would guess it meant they had been labeled Melungeons in the past by census takers, had self-sufficient, prosperous farms stolen as a result and therefore avoided censuses.
Sizemore descendants decided to identify as Metis once again because we are tired of being what we are not: white. We don't wannabe anything, just what we actually are and that is mixed, or Metis. We chose that path because we see alot of possibility in being considered a Metis citizen. The biggest possibility is that we will have a greater degree of self-determination for ourselves and our descendants as a result. If you are a Sizemore descendant, or any person of mixed ancestry that includes an Indigenous component, I would encourage you to reconnect with your Metis roots. Another good group of folks that Sizemore descendants would want to hook up with are the Melungeons. Personally, I see Melungeons as the southern Appalachian version of the Metis, a story that played itself out all over the Americas. The Melungeons hold a national gathering bi-annually in Wise, Virginia on the campus of the University of Virginia at Wise. When I attended in May 2000, I met dozens of Sizemore descendants looking to recconect with their ancestry. The Melungeon websites are also linked below.
Metis Nation, Sizemore, and Other Links
Sizemore sites on the Web
Descendants of William Sizemore (Whitetop Laurel)
"Indian Ned Sizemore-The Legend"
Metis Nations of Interest
Metis Nation of the South
The Other Metis
Wolf Band of the Metis Nation
(Canadian) Metis National Council
Other Mixed-Ancestry Peoples
A Melungeon Homepage
Melungeon Youth of Appalachia
Melungeon Heritage Association
Louisiana Redbones
Indian Nations of Interest
Southern Band of the Cherokees
Chicora-Waccamaw
Yosemite Valley Miwok / Mountain Maidu
Monacan Nation
Also by Jason Adams
The Multiracial Activist - Self-Determination on the Paleface Reservation
As the British Empire thrived, taxes and imperial interference in local politics were minimal, allowing provincials the space to create their own unique identity. However, this changed in 1763 when the French and Indian War left the British deeply in debt. 
New Madrid Earthquakes
Edward "Ned" Sizemore was living in Kentucky around the time it was shaken by the most powerful earthquakes to ever hit the Midwest.
No comments:
Post a Comment