Sibyl (Unknown) Odom (abt. 1710 - bef. 1771)

Born about 1710 in Chowan County, Province of Carolina [uncertain]

Wife of Abraham Odom Sr. — married 1725 in North Carolina

Descendants

Died before 1771 before about age 61 in Ninety-Six District, Province of South Carolina

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Sibyl (Unknown) Odom resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies

Biography

Sibyl (Unknown) Odom was a North Carolina colonist.

She was born about 1710 in Chowan, North Carolina.

Sibyl married Abraham Odom about 1725 in North Carolina and their children included ...

1. Benjamin Wellington
2. Jacob Odom
3. James W. Odom
4. Richard Odom
5. Dildatha Odom.

Sibyl died before 1771 in Edgefield, South Carolina and was not mentioned in her husband's 1771 will.

Disputed Parentage

Various sites show her parents as Richard Barnes, Jr. (1675-1759) and Mary Odom (1690-1744).

Some claim her as the daughter of April Tikami Cornstalk (Cornstalk-35). April has been determined to be a purely fictional person. Considering that Mary is named in the estate papers for Mary Barnes, she's been disconnected from April.

Earlier researchers reported a Native American Indian background. None have recorded any proof, and it is common knowledge among experienced family searchers that Indian ancestry claims are often unfounded. No record has been observed in this research to support the claim of such ancestry for Sybil. The tradition may originate in the typescript report on the Kirkland Family of Henry County, Alabama by Charles Hascal Kirkland, written in the 1930s. This report listed three brothers who settled in Henry County. The father was unknown, but his mother (also unknown by name) was reported to have been “...full blood Indian....”. No source for the claim was given, but implication points to a family tradition. This research identifies the father of the brothers in that report as Benjamin Kirkland d. 1805. The mother of Benjamin was the Sybil (daughter of this Sibyl).

We should not encourage the perpetuation of unfounded traditions. Enough of these arise and they often present obstacles to good research. However, one item of interest needs to be recognized when giving consideration to the reported Indian ancestry for Sybil. Note was made earlier of a map of Chowan County, North Carolina, as the area appeared in the early 1700s, when the Odom, Barnes and Kirkland Families arrived. A landmark on the map was noted, “Meherrin Indian Town”. It was in close proximity to the lands owned by Abraham Odom and his mother-in-law, Mary Barnes. Three minor (in numbers) Indian tribes lived in the area of Virginia and North Carolina drained by the Nottaway and Meherrin Rivers, Nottaways, Meherrins and Weanocks. The writer chanced on to some unusual research in past years and proved a Skipper Family ancestry to the Nottaway Indians before 1700. The tribes were doomed to extinction, primarily because the more industrious of their members assimilated into the English society of the area. Information in the files of the writer reports women of these tribes frequently became wives of Englishmen in the area and moved to other areas. The opinion is offered that if Sybil had an Indian background (available records do not support this), it probably resulted from one of these tribes. The nearness of a Meherrin Indian town to the homes of the Odom and Barnes Families is cause for consideration of the tradition.

Note must be made that Sybil's mother was married to one with a European name, Richard Barnes. Sibly also had daughters from an earlier marriage and they had English given names. Readers may form their own conclusions on this issue...

Her father is unknown. She has been detached from Richard Barnes. According to the estate papers, her mother was married prior to her marriage to Richard Barnes. Sibyl, along with husband Abraham Odom, were named in those papers.

Land Records

11 May 1728: Abraham Odom (Odium) sold to William Jones "50 acres on south side of Cypress Swamp, adjoining lands of Jacob Odom, given by Will of Richard Odom, Will dated 12 August 1727." Witnesses were Sibellah and Richard Odom.

12 Jan 1746: Edgecombe, North Carolina deed from Abraham Odom and his wife Sebell, of Edgecomb County, to John Sumner of Chowan County. Witnessed by Gregory Stallings, William Sumner, Joseph Sumner ^[1]

24 Nov 1746: Edgecombe, North Carolina deed from Abraham Odom and Sebell, my wife, of Edgecombe County to John Sumner of Chowan County for 60 pounds current money of Virginia; 200 acres on Tarr river, joining Black Run and the mouth of a branch; part of a patent to the said Abraham, 21 Feb 1738. Witnesses: Michael Coulding, John Murphree, John Ashworth. Registered: Feb 1746 Edgecombe, North Carolina Court. R. Forster, Court Clerk. ^[2]

06 Mar 1760: Indenture from Abraham Odam and wife, Sibby, of Craven County to William Hunter, in consideration of the sum of 565 pounds do sell two plantations (one of 200 acres and one of 150 acres) on south side of Wateree River to William Hunter of Northampton County, Province of North Carolina. ^[3]

Research Notes

Vital Statistics

Birth
A birth place of Chowan, North Carolina was previously listed. North Carolina was not established by partition until 1712.

Death
A death place of Edgefield, South Carolina was previously listed. Edgefield County, Ninety-Six Judicial District was not established until 1785.

Sources

1. ↑ Deed book#3 p 61 & Hoffman, p79.
2. ↑ Deed book#3 p63 & Hoffman p79.
3. ↑ Book WW p250-255.

See also:

• Chowan, North Carolina estate papers
• National Odom Assembly p77 by Beverly Bailey Odom of Flint, Texas in 1985.
• https://familysearch.org/photos/stories/2235745, accessed 28 Jan 2014
• North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register issue#1
• Family Data Collection - Marriages compiled by Edmund West on ancestry.com
• American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) compiled by Godfrey Memorial Library Record Collection 3599
• Shawnee Heritage IV p77 lists Sibbell and Abraham Odum, other Odum family. This book has been proven to be almost complete fabrication.