no image
Privacy Level: Open (White)

Edward Sizemore (abt. 1725 - 1780)

Edward "Old Ned, Tory" [uncertain] Sizemore
Born about in Hanover County, Colony of Virginiamap [uncertain]
Ancestors ancestors
Son of [uncertain] and [mother unknown]
Brother of [half]
Husband of — married after 1748 in Virginiamap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 55 in Wilkesboro, Wilkes, North Carolina, United Statesmap [uncertain]
Profile last modified | Created 10 Mar 2011
This page has been accessed 15,975 times.
{{{image-caption}}}
Edward Sizemore is currently protected by the Native Americans Project for reasons described below.
Join: Native Americans Project
Discuss: native_americans
Due to claims of Native origins and various controversies about his relationships, this profile is being co-managed and protected by WikiTree's Native Americans Project.

Contents

Biography

Origins

Edward (Ned) Sizemore first appears in records as claiming land in Lunenburg County, Virginia in 1746,[citation needed] suggesting he was born by 1725.

A previous version of this profile claimed, without source, that Edward "Ned" Sizemore was the son of William Sizemore and Winifred Green. We are seeking a source for these being his parents.

Roy Blevins does not include any parents in his careful 1996-1999 analysis.[1]

Ron Blevins [check] surmised that this Edward was likely son of one of the Sizemores of Lunenberg VA -- William, Mary, Ephraim or Henry Sizemore.
As of 28 March 2023, Old Ned is attached as uncertain son of Henry; this apparently is due to analysis of DNA results that are discussed on Henry's profile.

Previous references to "born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia" are inaccurate; Mecklenburg didn't exist until 1765; an alternate birth location: Hanover County, Virginia has been suggested.

Marriage(s)

It is suggested that Edward married twice; there appears no reliable evidence to support more than one wife.

A previous version of this profile attached a supposed first wife, Winifred Green (b 1731, daughter of Henry Green) who supposedly was the mother of a son Ephraim Sizemore; the also claimed that Winifred died in 1748, probably in childbirth, but before her father's 1748 will. This theory was based on two pieces of evidence:

  • One Edward Sizemore was a witness to the 15 Oct 1748 Lunenberg will of Henry Green; that will does not mention Winifred (but there is a sentence in the will that suggests the possibility of other children, unnamed [WHICH SENTENCE?]).[2]
  • Ephraim Sizemore named two of his children Stephen and Richard; if Winifred was his mother, he could have been naming these children after his maternal uncles.

Long-time Sizemore researcher Joy Wright King does not support the Sizemore-Green marriage/relationship.[citation needed]

The largely fictional Shawnee Heritage series claims, without source or explanation, that Old Ned's first wife was Mary Spears, a 1/2 Shawano-Metis, d/o John Spears & Lydia Unknown, by whom he had :[3]

  • Edward Ned Sizemore Jr b 1742 Lunenberg; d 1804 Halifax; m 1765 Rachel Jackson (1748-aft1785)
  • John Sizemore (1744-1803), married Mary Gregory (sister of Molly Gregory who married John H Sizemore)
  • Lydia Sizemore (1746-aft 1766) who married 1761 an unknown Rose

Most other trees [including Ron Blevins' work? CHECK] report a marriage to Elizabeth or Rachel Jackson in North Carolina about 1738.

Greene claims Old Ned's second wife was Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of William Bear Heart Jackson and Dorcas Green.[3]

We seek reliable evidence for the identity of ANY wife and children. Additionally, we also seek evidence that this wife or wives were of Native American (some say specifically Cherokee) origins.

Military

One author made the case that during the American Revolution, Edward Sizemore served in a regiment of the Royal (Loyalist) South Carolina troops.[4]

Two Edward Sysmores were included in a 1779 list of men who "engaged in the late Insurrection" near New River area; the court record indicated that if these men took the oath and paid a bond, that they would be accepted as citizens of the state. [5] Some researchers interpret this to mean that the two Edwards were at the time loyalists to England.

One Edward Sizemore (as well as one George Sizemore) appeared on a roll of loyalists paid for their service in 1781.[4] This may have been a son, though, especially if this Edward Sizemore was hung in 1780 (see next).

Death

Many (but not all) researchers and descendants believe that this Edward Sizemore was the "Tory Sizemore" hung in 1780 by Col. Ben Cleveland in Wilkes County, North Carolina.[6] Note: Edward was the only Sizemore listed in Col. Cleveland’s District in that 1774 tax list.[7]

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
Who was the "writer" -- two are named-- J. Gwyn and L. Harrill.

While the given name of the hanged Sizemore is not given, Edward lived at Wilkes, NC and owned land there; he was a known Tory as documented above.

Note that some descendants have claimed that the "Tory Sizemore" was one of the Tory prisoners executed in Oct 1780 after the battle of Kings Mountain.[8] But no Sizemore is included on this list.

Others say that the Tory hanged by Col. Cleveland, using the plow lines of 13-yr. old James Gwyn (one of the Draper letter writers referenced above), was Zachariah Wells.[9] NOTE: This otherwise extensive biography of Cleveland, including much details about his conflicts with and hanging of Tories, does not include anything about "Tory Sizemore".

Burial

He was said by a descendant to be buried in Solomon Stamper Sr. Old Indian Cemetery, Laurel Springs, Alleghany County, North Carolina.[10] (Note: there was a deed of Thomas McGimsey's five tracts of land where tract number two included mention about the Indian grave yard and Sizemore being a bounding owner.[citation needed])

NOTE: a number of Eastern Cherokee Applications have since been demonstrated to refer to a later generation Sizemore. At least one descendant believes that the Sizemore buried in the Indian grounds was Ned's son George Sizemore of Ashe Co., North Carolina, who appears to have been called "Ned" or "Edward" in several ECAs.

"Old Ned" has a Find-a-Grave memorial.[11]

Children

The Eastern Cherokee Applications[citation needed] are pretty consistent that “Old Ned” Sizemore was the father of at least: [We need to cite the specific ECAs for each claim.]

  • Owen Sizemore (R. Blevins concurs)
  • Sally (m Osborne); (Not included in R. Blevins' list)
  • Rebecca aka Becky Sizemore (1753-aft 1774); (Not included in R. Blevins' list)
  • Hiram Sizemore; (R. Blevins concurs)
  • George Sizemore of Ashe NC; (R. Blevins concurs)
  • Ned *which one? If Jackson-1403, then R. Blevins concurs)
  • Catherine (m Hart), (Not included in R Blevins' list)
  • Lydia Sizemore who m. Samuel Rose[12] (not included in R Blevins' list)

R. Blevins claims his children were most:

  1.  ?? Edward Sizemore, b abt 1730/40; d abt 1810 Hawkins Co., Tennessee
  2.  ?? John Sizemore, b abt 1743; d 1804 Halifax Co., VA; m Molly Gregory
  3.  ?? Ephraim Sizemore, b abt 1748/1758; d 1836 Spartanburg, South Carolina; m 15 May 1775 Winnie _____ (Hart?)
  4. George Sizemore, b abt 1750; d abt 1820s in Ashe Co., North Carolina; m. Anna Hart.
  5. Owen Sizemore, b abt 1755; d 1836 Hawkins Co., Tennessee; m. Elizabeth "Betsy" Brigham
  6.  ?? Hiram Sizemore, b 1750s (no records; based only on Eastern Cherokee Applications)

Additional children attached as of 21 Dec 2022, without reliable source, include:

Another daughter might have been:

  • Lydia (m. James Blevins). (Not included in R Blevin's list)
"About 1774 James Blevins married Lydia Sizemore, supposed daughter of a full blooded Cherokee Indian [sic], 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 [Virginia across border], where they lived until their deaths and where many of their descendants still live." [13]
Lydia and James were parents/ancestors of several claimants for Cherokee lands in the early 1900s. See "Cherokee Claims" below.

HOWEVER, Another ECA indicates that it was Lydia Sizemore who married Samuel Rose who was the daughter of this Edward/Old Ned Sizemore.

Land Records

Edward "Ned" Sizemore probably moved from Halifax County, Virginia, with the New River settlers in 1767 near the border of Fincastle/Montgomery County, Virginia and Surry County, North Carolina (which later became Ashe County, North Carolina & Grayson County, Virginia.) A tax list 1771-4 of Surry County NC, records Edward Sizemore.[citation needed]

Some of these New River settlers were recorded in both Virginia and North Carolina records.

"A 1780 Montgomery County delinquent tax list's included Owen Sizemore, with the notation "moved to NC." [citation needed]
"At a Court continued and held for Montgomery County, August 4th, 1779... At the request and Intersession of Captain John Cox the Court are of opinion that provided Edward Sysmore, Edward Sysmore, David Smith, Thomas Rennex and James Greenwho were engaged in the late Insurrection, appear before any Justice of the Peace for this County, take the State oath as prescribed by Law and give Bond as Security for their appearance at the next Court to be held for this County, and then to find bond and Security for their Good Behavior for twelve months and a day that they shall be received as Citizens of this State and shall be entitled to the protection of the same."[5]

The following items were on previous versions of this profile; all of them need citations; it's also not clear if all of them pertain to THIS Edward Sizemore.

  • Land entries (in the present Virginia Counties of Halifax, Pittsylvania, Henry, Franklin & Patrick) [citation needed]
  • In 1746, Edward SIZEMORE entered 400 acres on the South side Banister River beginning a little below the little Rock House about the mouth of little Polecat. [citation needed]
  • 7 April 1748 Edward SIZEMORE entered 400 acres on Little Buffalo Creek beginning where the path crosses thence up both sides to Grassy Creek path and 270 acre survey on Winn's Creek on Banister River (Lunenburg Co., Virginia) [citation needed]
  • 1748 &1749 Lunenburg Co., Virginia, Tithables List. [14] (What page mentioned Edward Sizemore and what does it say about him?)
  • (After 1749 unable to locate until 1764)
  • 1764 Edward SIZEMORE petitions in March for land in Georgia, Parish of St. George on the north side of great Ogeechee (perhaps indicating that he had only been in Georgia from South Carolina for 8 months). Subsequent land transactions in St. George Parish (records indicate that he had five or six children [citation needed]
  • 1772 Land in St. Paul's Parish, Georgia, deeded to William Jones. [citation needed]
  • 1774 (with James Hart) & 1777 Tax List, Surry County, North Carolina. [citation needed]

Research Notes

Native Connections?

Riley Blevins (85) Sworn statement, 21 Apr 1907.[15] Riley stated that he supposed there were two Ned Sizemores: Ned Sizemore Senior and Ned Sizemore Junior the son of Ned Sizemore Senior. He further stated they were Cherokee and resided in Ashe County, North Carolina and came from Cherokee County, North Carolina. Riley further states that Ned Sizemore, Jr’s parents were Ned Sizemore Senior and Nettie, and that Nettie was herself a Cherokee Indian.

Riley Blevins was 84 when he made this statement; this calculates back to a birth year of 1823. If he is recalling people he personally knew, then he could not be making reference to either Old Ned Sizemore who died in 1780, or Ned's son, Edward Sizemore who died about 1811. So, which Ned Sizemores was he referring to?

Roberta Estes’ Melungeon study found that the only people in the studied group who had any Indian DNA markers claimed descent from "Old Ned" Sizemore. [16]

Many Sizemore descendants claimed to be specifically Cherokee (see Cherokee Claims, below) and filed applications for the Eastern Cherokee payment in 1907. All were rejected. Miller suggested the Sizemores might have a long-ago Catawba ancestor. [17]

NOTE: The 1908 affidavit of Frances M. Moody reports his own memories of the full blood Cherokee "Old Ned Sizemore" who Woody met before he reached adulthood. Some researchers also believed he was referring to THIS Ned Sizemore-38 (c1725-1780), but the timing is impossible. Woody was 82 in 1908, therefore born about 1826-- 100 years after this "old Ned" was born. Also, Woody's affidavit refers to a later Ned Sizemore still living in the 1840s, well over 115 years after THIS "old Ned" was born. It is currently theorized that the supposed "full-blood" Cherokee "Old Ned" of Frances Woody's and Celia Hart's affidavits was Edward Sizemore (c1788-1866) who settled in West Virginia.

White Top Band of Native Americans (formerly "Cherokee")

Either this Old Ned (1725-1780) or the later Old Ned (1788-1866) is believed to be the ancestor of most of what is now the Whitetop Band of Native Americans, as told in the following story. This is from an old article in "The Plow" written by Danny Miller, entitled "The Blevins Family--Early Settlers at Whitetop, The Descendants of Old Ned Sizemore". [13]

NOTE: The Whitetop band used to refer to themselves as Cherokee, but no longer do.
"The Sizemore family connections with the Blevins and other large families in this area (the Harts, Osbornes, Stampers, and Millers, to name a few) are fascinating. In the early 1900s, 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 1800s and early 1900s--all of the Sizemore descendants in the Ashe (NC) -Grayson (VA) area, 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 Band and worked to procure the government's reimbursement for the Sizemore claimants."
Celia Hart for example, testifying at Wessels, North Carolina, stated: "I am 73 years of age [therefore born about 1835], and live in Ashe County, North Carolina, and claim Indian blood through my father Wells Blevins. He died about 40 years ago [therefore about 1868]. 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." [18]
NOTE: If Celia Hart saw Ned Sizemore and Celia Hart was born about 1835, then she could not have been referring to Old Ned Sizemore who was born in the 1720s.

Myth of Jewish Origins

An unknown source claims that the Sizemore family was one of the first Sephardic-Jewish families to establish a foothold in the eastern Appalachians. They appear to have come to Virginia and Charleston from Barbados and London. We seek reliable evidence of the presence of Jewish families in the region at this time.

Friends and Family Research

Most of the 1790 census of Virginia is lost, but a 1782 record lists a John Sizemore in Halifax County. [citation needed]

Sizemores in 1790 census in Stokes, North Carolina:[citation needed]

  1. Newman,
  2. George,
  3. William,
  4. Elizabeth.

The Eastern Cherokee Sizemore applications [1] (which were unsuccessful) [19] collectively say that brothers John (Dr. Johnny Gourd), Ned “Old Ned,” and Joseph Sizemore were all born in Halifax County, Virginia and moved to Stokes County, North Carolina, as young men, although some descendants said they were married with children before they moved. George of the 1790 census above may have been another brother who went to Kentucky. [NOTE: George of Kentucky was not George of Ashe, NC.]

Some descendants said they thought the father of John, Ned, Joseph and possibly a daughter named “Patricia” was also named John.[citation needed]

Virginia records show that Edward Sizemore was closely connected with the Green, Griffin and Jackson families. An unidentified Sizemore was a neighbor of planter James Cooper in Surry Co., Va., Southwick Parish, ca. 1700.[citation needed]

Ron Blevins' Narrative?

The following may be from Ron Blevins' work published in 1999: CHECK:

"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.
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.)[20]

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 HalifaxCounty. 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. Paul's Parish, GA is deeded to William Jones. (-- Ron Blevins source?)

Probably the same as the traitor [sic; should be "Tory"] Sizemore who was hanged by Col. Ben Cleveland on the Tory Oak in Wilkesboro, N.C. (though witnesses could not remember this Sizemore's first name).

The Sizemore family was said to be an Indian family, perhaps Saponi or Mattaponi, who served in a regiment of the Royal South Carolina troops during the Revolution.


Sources

  1. Roy Blevins, Sizemore Legend and Fact (PDF) 1996-1999.
  2. Early Wills 1746-1765 Lunenburg County, Virginia, folio 222; p9, DB.1 p477:1748/15/October- available at Ancestry.com . THIS NEEDS CHECKING.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Don Greene et al, Shawnee Heritage, Vol 10, S-T 1700-1750, (unpaginated), #90, 99. Highly unreliable. See this page
  4. 4.0 4.1 Murtie June Clark, Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War, Volume I. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1981. images at Ancestry.com Sizemore. This consists of the official rolls of loyalists during the American Revolution who were recruited from North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Also known as Tories, loyalists supported British rule in the American Colonies.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Summers Annals p. 720,721, in Western Waters by Kegley, link to published version here
  6. As discussed in Calendar of Tennessee and Kings Mountain papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts, Vol III, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1929. Page 530 showing 1880 Dec 4, 5DD8 Gwyn, J [Elkins, Wilkes County, North Carolina] and page 573, 1881 Apr 2 12 DD 48 Lenior, W.W. Shulls Mills, which may have more information about the hanging. Copies can be viewed on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. If not, The Wisconsin Genealogical and Historical Society or the library of the Daughtes of the American Revolution. Abstract found here. We seek image of original letter. See also Ancestry.com: at the tool bar under search click on catalog; then type Draper and results include "Tennessee and Kings Mountain collection." Tory Sizemore is mentioned on page 518 under Harril, L of Brier Creek, Wilkes County, N.C. to Lyman C. Draper; (img 524 of 705); 530 under Gwin, J [Elkin, Wilkes Co. N.C.] to Lyman C Draper (img 536 of 705) and 573 under Lenior, W.W. of Shull Mills Watauga County, N.C. to Lyman C. Draper (img 579 of 705)
  7. Surry and Wilkes Counties North Carolina Taxables 1771-1800 by William Perry Johnson, page 22
  8. Abiud Fairchild, "Revolutionary War Pension Files," page 11
  9. Originally cited as John Crouch (publisher), "Historical Sketches of Wilkes County", (1902); (p 14)
  10. Eastern Cherokee Application 493 - Francis Ella (Stamper) Plummer (rejected)
  11. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118137940/george-edward-sizemore : accessed 06 November 2021), memorial page for George Edward “Tory Ned or Old Ned” Sizemore (1725–Mar 1780), Find a Grave Memorial ID 118137940, citing Solomon Stamper Sr Old Indian Cemetery, Laurel Springs, Alleghany County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Carole Conrad (contributor 46532185) .
  12. ECA Application # _____ of A.J. (Andrew Jackson) Rose
  13. 13.0 13.1 Miller, Danny The Blevins Family--Early Settlers at Whitetop, The Descendants of Old Ned Sizemore an article published in The Plow. Transcribed by Sheila Anderson-Lewis. Note: more information is needed to locate a link.
  14. Bell, Landon C. Sunlight on the Southside: Lists of Tithes, Lunenburg County, Virginia 1748-1783. George S. Ferguson Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1931. Book not digitized, but some sections are transcribed and available on the Internet.
  15. Located in James Osborn ECA file 1851, image 15
  16. Eoberta J. Estes, Jack H. Goins, Penny Ferguson, Janet Lewis Crain, "Melungeons, A Multi-Ethnic Population," Journal of Genetic Genealogy, undated manuscript (but 2011 or later); originally at jogg.info but removed. Archived copy found at archive.org
  17. Guion Miller Report for Sizemore Applicants (1908)
  18. Scanned images of testimony available here. Eastern Cherokee Applications of the U.S. Court of Claims, 1906-1909, Application 11083"
  19. Eastern Cherokee Applications of the U.S. Court of Claims, 1906-1909" database with images Fold3
  20. rootsweb CHECK link

See also:

The following need checking/confirming:

  • "The Heritage of Ashe Co, NC...", Vol I, George Edward Sizemore Article,

page 456.

  • "Genealogy in Wyoming Co, WV", Internet site, Sizemore Family search.

RootsWeb Message Board, submitted by Tina Anderson Lowe, 8 Jan 2001. Edward Sizemore married Elizabeth Jackson; their son, George Edward Sizemore, was born abt 1758 in Lunenberg Co, VA. George Edward died abt 1820 in Ashe Co, NC. Source:





Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Edward by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Edward:

Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.



Comments: 94

Leave a message for others who see this profile.
There are no comments yet.
Login to post a comment.
the only easily-accessible, open-to-the-public Rolls I can find involving Sizemore, Blevins, Catawba,etc. also include related tribes centered around having an Ancestor at Fort ChristAnna; Scroll way down under COuncilmembers below to find general Rolls names and click on paperclip at page's bottom to find "Expanded" Rolls that house blevins, etc. This is also a group that is openly multiracial, tri-racial melungeon, sometimes including Pasqua/Pasqaq/Pasquotank heritage, so there may be a hidden Melungeon backstory in some Sizemore lines- something people of their timeline would've wanted to hide, since it meant acknowledging white-Native-African descent at a time when not totally safe to be Native Americna nor of African descent; so, that said, here is a reference list with many of the "core" Surnames listed above in a way/place/space illustrating another way that they could connect in a less-visible way than show by records of the day: https://www.saponi-catawbanation.org/council-members
posted by Trevor Smith
Sorry, but that link goes to a non-tribe organization that has nothing to do with any actual Native American tribe. One group of Sizemores who lived in West Virginia is clearly identified as Melungeon.
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
I’m not sure if this has been looked at, but the haplogroup for George (NC) and George All are the same. This list shows a genetic correlation between the Sizemore’s in KY, SC, NC, an TN. I have also compared my autosomal dna and tree to double check matches and they generally show up at about 7 generations. George All is my 6th great grandfather. I suspect they’re either brothers or cousins.

https://www.familytreedna.com/public/SIZEMORE_DNA?iframe=yresults

posted by Rebecca Mead
yes, this has been noticed before. I doubt they were brothers -- since they're both named George.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Very important location information for the Sizemore group including William, Margery (Owen), Henry, Ephraim, James, George, Edward.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banister_River The above link is about the Banister River, which is the Sizemore family home begining in 1741 land record there. The land record dates they were there, but could have been there prior, without documentation, as some settlers in unsettled areas were squatters, without recorded courthouse documents, or land records, etc. Look at the list of TRIBUTARIES on the right hand column. Now notice these names: Bearskin Creek, Brush Creek, and Winn Creek. Those are each named in courthouse land records among the various Sizemore men in the era of 1741-1770. Notice the present spelling is erronous, as the original spelling is WYNNE'S Creek, and is named as such in honor of Col. William Wynne 1669-1778, who was the man who brought the White settlers from Henrico Co, VA to settle in Lunenburg Co VA (now Halifax Co, VA). This Wynne's Creek is featured repeatedly among the land records of the various Sizemore men named above. Now, looking again at the tributeries list: we see Sandy Creek and Polecat Creek, also 2 locations recorded for the Sizemore family in land records. Some land records will be in the name of Sizemore, and yet other will be for other men, but a Sizemore will be listed as a neighbor. In this instance the clerk will say, for example: "John Jones.....along the lines of William Sizemore, and XYZ and ABC," This is a method of recording the neighbors to the land in question. Finally, note the name BEARSKIN Creek. It is well documented that William Byrd, II mapped out the border line of VA-NC with a Saponi Indian guide named BEARSKIN. In fact VA road markers still exist today stating such. EDward Sizemore married Elizabeth Rachel Jackson, said to be the sister of his close friend William Jackson, who appears in court documents with Edward Sizemore and others. It is said that William and his sister Elizabeth Rachel were children of BEARSKIN, the Indian Guide with William Byrd, II https://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/byrd/we2/st01/ https://www.jstor.org/stable/41348713?typeAccessWorkflow=login

Best regards, Lilly Martin

posted by Lilly Martin
edited by Lilly Martin
Lilly,

Thanks for this. I think it would be great to see a visual map of all of this, with the Sizemores, Jacksons and Greens mapped out based on land and tax records.

The end of your comment states "It is said that William and his sister Elizabeth Rachel were children of BEARSKIN, the Indian Guide with William Byrd, II." You then provide two links that go to articles describing William Byrd's boundary-setting activities (among other things). While both make reference to Bearskin, neither of those links say anything about Bearskin's family.

Where is it said that William Jackson was brother of the wife of Ned Sizemore? And where is it said that William Jackson and the wife of Ned Sizemore were both offspring of Bearskin?

The only place I've seen this reference is in Don Greene's highly unreliable Shawnee Heritage series. If you know of other sources that claim this relationship, I hope you'll share them.

What do William Byrd's original writings from during and after his 1728 boundary-setting say about Bearskin?

Thanks.

posted by Jillaine Smith
Note: by wikitree rules, I have to CUT my reply to Jillaine into 2 sections. Her is the FIRST of TWO replies:
  1. 1. Jillaine: Where is it said that William Jackson was brother of the wife of Ned Sizemore?

Lilly: There are no birth, marriage, or death records which document any relationships. Many TREES claim Rachel Jackson, m. Edward Sizemore, is the DAUGHTER of William Jackson and Dorcus Green. Looking at the official and existing birth record of Dorcus Green, d/o Henry Green-1041, we see that is an impossibility. From an age standpoint, it is possible she was a sister, but impossible to be his daughter.

  1. 2. Jillaine: And where is it said that William Jackson and the wife of Ned Sizemore were both offspring of Bearskin?

Lilly: There are no birth, marriage, or death records which document their relationship, or parents. The source of the NAME of Edward Sizemore-38 wife is as follows: “According to Ron Blevins research: Some NC descendants of Owen Sizemore identify his mother as Elizabeth Jackson. (Joy King, 2023)” Here is a court record of her as Rachel Sizemore: “In 1751, Samuel Harris obtains an attachment against the estate of Daniel Baskett. Rachel Sizemore, the garnishee, appears in court on oath and declared, "I have nothing of the estate or the effects of Daniel Baskett in my hands." Attachment dismissed.” Source: https://genealogytrails.com/vir/halifax/historyhalifaxbook_wills.html Note: the Sizemore families lived on Wynne’s Creek, Lunenburg Co VA, which today is Halifax Co, VA.

  1. 3. Jillaine: The only place I've seen this reference is in Don Greene's highly unreliable Shawnee Heritage series. If you know of other sources that claim this relationship, I hope you'll share them.

Lilly: I have never read Don Greene’s book. You would think I should have, but never have, which is probably a mistake on my part. I know it is disputed, and full of errors and misinformation, but I am sure he had good intentions when he wrote it.

  1. 4. Jillaine: What do William Byrd's original writings from during and after his 1728 boundary-setting say about Bearskin?

Lilly: The Dividing Line, The North Carolina Piedmont, was as familiar to the Sappony as their Virginia homelands. When William Byrd surveyed the Virginia-North Carolina Piedmont border in 1728, he was led by a Sappony guide, Ned Bearskin, who was residing near Fort Christanna. Bearskin guided Byrd and his surveying party through the Piedmont from Currituck Sound on the North Carolina shore to the Dan River, the western frontier of these states at that time. Bearskin guided Byrd and his surveying party through the Piedmonthttps://www.ncpedia.org/sappony-indians On Oct 12-15, 1728 William Byrd, II had a Saponi Guide, Bearskin, who helped to mark the VA-NC line. The Indian describe the 3 beliefs the Saponi had, and Byrd wrote them down. https://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/byrd/we2/st01/ At the southern end of Danville, on the right-of-way of northbound U.S. 29 Business near where it enters Virginia from North Carolina, stands a marker erected during 1988 to honor the Saponi guide Ned Bearskin and his people. Bearskin and his employer Col. William Byrd, along with munerous surveyors and woodsmen, camped nearby in October 1728. It was at a site in Pittsylvania County, about 2/3-mile west of the sign, that Bearskin related to Byrd many of the religious beliefs of the new-extinct Saponi tribe. Lilly: Besides Bearskin Creek, there is also Bearskin Ridge, and these are both in the exact area the Sizemore and Green family lived in that era. Byrd had said NA women were better wives that White women. These were his opinions at a time it was completely illegal under VA law for any White person to marry a NA person. It happened, but they were ‘living in sin” ‘fornicating’ legally. Sometimes court cases were recorded, including one such against Henry Sizemore of Wynn’s Creek, Lunenburg Co, VA. These were probably brought by nosey neighbors who like to pick on their neighbors for mistakes made. The only church that was legal was the Church of England. If you got married by a Quaker, Baptist, Presbyterian minister, you were still “living in sin” legally.

  1. 5. Here is my research, and why I believe Bearskin is the father of William Jackson and Rachel Jackson Sizemore:

Harry was called Henry Jackson, "maletto servant to William Sterling," on 29 September 1690 when he sued for his freedom. The case was resolved by the parties agreeing that Henry would serve one year and then be discharged from service with reasonable clothing. On 28 May 1697 he, called "the maletto," was presented for driving a cart on Sunday. He was discharged from the presentment on payment of the court fees [Wills, Orders, 1689-98, 46, 62, 64-5; 1698-1710, 427, 451]. He had a child by Ann Shepherd, a "Christian white woman" who was presented by the Accomack County, Virginia Court for having an illegitimate child. When required to identify the father of her child on 6 June 1721, she told the Accomack County court that it was "Indian Edmund," but on 6 July 1721 she admitted that it was Henry Jackson, "a Mullatto." The court ordered that she be sold for five years [Orders 1719-24, 33]. Source for above: https://freeafricanamericans.com/Hailey-Jones.htm Lilly: notice in the section #4 above, he was BEARSKIN, but also called NED BEARSKIN. Ned is a diminutive of EDWARD/EDMUND. Ann Shepard in 1721 called him “Indian Edmund”, and also referred to him as Henry JACKSON. It is my belief that Henry Jackson is aka Indian Edmund, aka Ned Bearskin, aka the father of William Jackson born of Ann Shepherd in 1721 VA.

posted by Lilly Martin
In reading the record about Ann Shepherd, it looks like she is admitting that the father was actually Henry Jackson, and not Indian Edmund as she had initially claimed-- i.e., they were two different people.

Also, the illegitimate child was not named in the records; the link you point to suggests (unfortunately without explanation) that it was a male named John.

What led you to conclude that it was William Jackson who was the illegitimate child of Ann Shepherd?

Going back, you cite a record about Rachel Sizemore as evidence that she was the same as Elizabeth Jackson. Please explain how you linked these two as identical to each other and as mother of Owen Sizemore.

posted by Jillaine Smith
Second reply of two to Jillaine:

This would explain the Mulatto status of William’s children, as William’s father was legally a Mulatto by VA law, while his mother was White legally. William’s wife was White legally. Next, here are tithe records existing of the Jackson and Sizemore and Shepard families together, same place, same time: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/lunenburg/census/sun002.txt 1748 tithes Lunenburg, VA Edward Jackson 1 tithe (the only Jackson, and I believe this is Ned Bearskin) William Rhods 1 (Henry Sizemore married Elizabeth Rhodes) James Shepard 1 (relative of Ann Shephard?) 1749 list Harry Simon, Indian 1 "John Stuart's Indian Harry's List" ........................ 1 William Jackson 1 6 (scalps and heads) (I believe this is the s/o Ned Bearskin, and husband of Dorcus Green) 1750 list Henry Jackson (with Jemmy Welsh) 2 (I believe this is s/o Ned Bearskin) Edward Jackson 1 (I believe this is Ned Bearskin) John Green and William Green 2 (relatives of Dorcus, Mrs. William Jackson) George Sizemore ............................................ 1 (Sizemore-842) 1751 list Edward Jackson 1 (I believe this is Ned Bearskin) John Green and son William 2 (relatives of Mrs. Dorcus Green Jackson) 1752 list Henry Jackson (with Richard Lundy) 2 (I believe this is s/o Ned Bearskin) Edward Jackson 1 (I believe this is Ned Bearskin) John Green and William Green 2 1753 Henry Jackson (with Richard Lundy) 2 Edward Jackson 1 1755 Edward Jackson (N.B. Edwd. Jackson is levy free) ............................. 1 280 acres Burwell Jackson .............................. 1 no land John Jackson 1 Henry Jackson 1 400 acres John Sizemore 1 (no land listed) William Sizemore 1 400 acres Only 3 men are listed as LEVY FREE: Edward Jackson with 200 acres; Bryant Cordell with 100 acres; John Robertson (Smith) with 430 acres. Levy Free means: poor, old, or “colored”. Or they had a person of color in the home that should be “Levy Free”. Note: I believe Edward Jackson, Levy Free in 1755, was Ned Bearskin, aged about 65 yrs. I think he could be considered OLD, and “Colored” by their labeling of the day. In 1728, the MAP mission with Byrd, he would be about 38 years of age, if born 1690. He would have been about 31 years of age when he had the child with Ann Shephard in 1721. These are my research findings, and I hope others will share here as well and we can all learn something. Best regards, Lilly Martin

posted by Lilly Martin
Thanks for all of this, Lilly. I think. It's a lot of data and I believe your formatting was lost, but I'm still struggling to see the connections between the data and your conclusions that Ned Bearskin became Edward Jackson and fathered (?) a woman who married into the Sizemore family.

I need to read more about what "levy free" meant and how it was used. This is a new term to me.

posted by Jillaine Smith
I propose the following corrections to the profile of Edward Sizemore-38, and I will list sources and explanations.
  1. 1. Sizemore-846 is not his daughter. She married William Stacy, and her father is Edward Sizemore-291. The evidence of her being an heir to #291 is the fact court records after his death name his heirs, and William Stacy is named, as he represented his wife's inheritance, as her husband legally.
  1. 2. Edward Sizemore-997 should be merged with Sizemore-291. Same man, same locations, etc.
  1. 3. I have cleaned up Sizemore-1221, adding sources, that she is Mary Ann Sizemore, wife of Robert Hall of Wilkes, NC.

Best regards, Lilly Martin

posted by Lilly Martin
edited by Lilly Martin
Sizemore-846 has been moved to correct parents
posted by Jillaine Smith
Regarding the 997 --> 291 merge, a merge has been proposed but we need to determine which set of parents is correct.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Re 1221, I don't fully understand all the notes you've added. Still seeking evidence of her parents.
posted by Jillaine Smith
May I kindly request to attach Lydia Sizemore-2410 as a daughter of Edward Sizemore-38. Evidence is the ECA filed by Andrew Jackson Rose, s/o Isaih Rose, s/o Lydia Sizemore and her husband Samuel Rose.

In the ECA he states hs grandmother lydia is the daughter of Ned Sizemore, claimed to be a Cherokee Indian. Edward Sizemore-38 is well known as refered to as Ned, or Old Ned in many ECA's.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/LTPQ-XMG

above 2 pages, scanned original, ECA #4127; Andrew Jackson Rose, s/o Isaiah, s/o Samuel Rose and Lydia Sizemore, d/o Ned Sizemore.

posted by Lilly Martin
Lilly, This ECA is not sufficient to attach Lydia to THIS Ned. The application does not provide sufficient details to know when Lydia (Sizemore) Rose was born. And Sizemore ECAs have been revealed to be less than reliable when it comes to generations beyond the parents or grandparents.

Also, there is another "Old Ned/Edward Sizemore" of a later generation who is frequently mentioned in the ECAs as a full-blooded Indian.

Without dates and other independent confirmation, we can't tell which Ned was the supposed father of Lydia.

posted by Jillaine Smith
Update: I've been sent the complete application packet with additional information. Specifically, I needed to see the self-reported date of A.J. Rose's birth date. With that information, I think that -- unlike a couple of other applications making similar claims (of descent from Old Ned) -- that Lydia Sizemore who married Samuel Rose was indeed a daughter of Old Ned. Thanks for your patience.
posted by Jillaine Smith
edited by Jillaine Smith
Andrew Jackson Rose born 3-4-1826 Wilkes, NC. died December 1910 Clifton, Ashe, NC. Married Mary Brooks in 1851 Ashe, NC. Here are the census reports he appears in:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4BG-Q2G

1850 cesus: Wilkes Co NC with parents and siblings

1870 census: Piney Creek, Ashe, NC

also, Horse Creek, Ashe, NC

1880 census: Staggs Creek, Ashe, NC

1900 census: Clifton, Ashe, NC

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/L698-Q3R

Family Tree with sources listed

posted by Lilly Martin
Timeline of life of Edward Sizemore-38

1725 (approx.) he was born at Bristol Parish, Henrico Co VA. Evidence: his grandmother Margery Sizemore witnessed a Will there in 1712. 1737: he moved with parents, siblings, and grandparents to Flatt Creek, Amelia Co VA (near Jetersville.) Evidence: His grandfather William Sizemore-380 land record there. 1741: he moved with parents, siblings and grandparents to Wynne’s Creek, on Banister River, Brunswick Co, VA (now Halifax Co VA). Evidence: the land record for William Sizemore-380 1746: he entered his first land record, at Polecat Creek, on the Banister River, in the same Wynne’s Creek area as all his relatives. He had 400 acres surveyed there. 1748, October 15, he is witness to the Will of Henry Green-1041 at Wynne’s Creek, Banister River, Lunenburg Co VA. Edward Sizemore had married Henry’s daughter Winifred Green, she died before her father could write his will and she is not mentioned, but her sister and brothers are. He sister’s husband William Jackson also witnessed the Will. 1752: he is still recorded on Wynne’s Creek, Banister River. 1755: he is in the newspaper in South Carolina about a stray horse, in the Waterees area of then Craven Co., SC present Kershaw Co., SC. 1764: he petitions for land in Georgia on the Ogechee river where he states that he has been in Georgia, from South Carolina, for 8 months. 1767: came back to South Carolina 1769: at the SW Savannah river area as witness to a deed in 1769, and gets land there. 1771 thru 1774: on the tax list of Surry Co, NC 1774: he is listed in Col. Benjamin Cleveland’s district. 1777: signed an Oath of Allegiance to the Patriot side of the Rev War at Botetourt Co., VA. 1779: he is named in an insurrection against the Patriot side in the Rev War. Montgomery Co VA, near Ashe Co NC. 1780: he was hung at Wilkesboro, Wilkes, NV by Col. Benjamin Cleveland because he was a Tory (British side supporter in the War).

posted by Lilly Martin
The FIRST born child of Edward Sizemore-38 should be Ephraim Sizemore-59.

The child listed on this page John Henderson Sizemore-293 is s/o William, s/o Ephraim Sizemore-379, s/o William Sizemore-380 (the first generation). I will write more later to get things straight.

posted by Lilly Martin
Lilly, I've modified the profile of John Henderson Sizemore-293 in preparation for you changing his parents. You'll see a left a place for you to add the evidence for his parents/lineage.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Edward Sizemore-38 is not the son of William Sizemore-380. Sizemore-38 is born almost 30 years after the other sons listed for William Sizemore-380 and Margery Owen-4843.

The huge amount of difference in the ages must indicate he is not their child, but a descendant.

posted by Lilly Martin
Thanks, Lilly. So he was more likely to be SON of one of the brothers currently attached?
posted by Jillaine Smith
Please note, this is my own research, which is not a copy and paste from others. I base this on land records, court recorded will, intermarriages, and naming pattern.

Edward Sizemore-38 first married Winifred Green, d/o Henry Green,Sr., his neighbor. They had one son only, and Winifred likely died in childbirth, or shortly after. Their son was Ephraim Sizemore-59.

Edward Sizemore-38 secondly married Elizabeth Rachel Jackson, the sister of William Jackson-13012, aka Chief Bear Hart, who married Dorcus Green, sister of Winifred Green, and both the daughters of Henry Green, Sr.

In 1749, Edward Sizemore-38 witnessed a Will alongside his brother-in-law William Jackson-13012, for their father-in-law Henry Green, Sr.

Please see Henry Green-1041. Elliott- EARLY WILLS 1746-1765 LUNENBURG CO., VA, p.9, DB.1 p.477: 1748/15/Oct.- Will of HENRY GREEN, SR., rec. before June 5 1749. Wife-ELIZABETH GREEN Eldest son JOHN- plantation where he (John) now lives plus 157A more. Second son HENRY- 157A to include the plantation where ABIGAIL GREEN, relict of my brother JOHN GREEN, now lives. Third son STEPHEN- 157A to include an old field whereon John RUSSELL formerly lived. Fourth son FREDERICK- 157A to be laid off at the lower end of the tract I now hold. Land to wife ELIZABETH, during her widowhood, remaining 157A including plantation where I now live. In case my wife die or marry, said tract is to go to youngest son RICHARD. Personal estate to remain in hands of my wife and, at her death or marriage, to be divided among all children excluding sons John and Henry and daughter DORCAS who are sufficiently provided for. Exec: Brother-in-law RICHARD GRIFFIN, son John GREEN Wit: EDWARD SIZEMORE, WILLIAM JACKSON, Thomas GREENWOOD.

Edward Sizemore-38 is the widowed husband of Henry's dead daughter Winifred. William Jackson is the son-in-law of Henry Green and the brother-in-law of Edward Sizemore-38.

Entry Record Book, 1737 - 1770 "Oct 13, 1743: Henry Green enters for 400 acres on the north side of Dan River between Jas. Parish and Wm Beans...." Note: This may be the land that appears on the Pittsylvania tithe list of 1767 as ‘Henry Green’s land’. Immediately below that entry is “John Owen & Sons William & John, negro Sam”

https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~greengarden/genealogy/pr%20george%20green%20data.htm

The Green family connections, and Jackson family:

  1. 1. Edward Sizemore-291, married Mahala Jackson-18850, d/o William Jackson-2830 and his wife Dorcus GREEN-1034
  2. 2. Edward Sizemore-38, married for his first wife, and she only had one son prior to her death, and she was Winifred GREEN-1047, mother of Ephraim Sizemore-59. Winifred was sister to Dorcus Green-1034.
  3. 3. William Jackson-2830 is aka “Chief Bear Hart” (could be a false legend?). His father is Jackson-7831, and his daughter Eliz. Rachel Jackson-1403 (sister to 2830) married Sizemore-1403.
  4. 4. James Hart-725 MIGHT actually be a son of Jackson-7831, and used the name of HART, which was an alias of his brother William Jackson-2830. James Hart-725 is the father of Winnie Hart-17165, who married Sizemore-59

Naming patterns: Richard GREEN Sisemore (spelling varistion with S not Z) b. 1849 GA d. 1938 KS, s/o William C. Sisemore, s/o Richard Sisemore , s/o Ephraim Sizemore-59, s/o Edward Sizemore-38 and his first wife Winfred GREEN-1047 (their only child). Note the use of the GREEN name in honor of Ephraim's mother, and also notice that Ephraim Sizemore-59 chose to name his own sons as STEPHEN and RICHARD in honor of his mother Winifred Green's own brothers.

posted by Lilly Martin
"Chief Bear Heart" is a myth. There was never any such person. He's usually claimed to be Catawba, a tribe that lived along the Catawba River in piedmont North Carolina and down into South Carolina.
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
Thank you Kathie Forbes, Please see the link:

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q="Chief+Bear+hart"&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Please note the spelling is never HEART, but HART. Note there is another man in Alabama who is also named "Chief Bear Hart" but not the same man as William Jackson. Note the other man in Alabama is named HART (s/o Thomas Hart and Nancy Baker). There is a HART family living in the same area as the Sizemore and Jackson families. I have no idea how these families got mixed up together, but it would be interesting to dissect the myth and find what was the basis of this myth. I understand William Jackson and his wife fairly well, but I really don't know his father, and I wonder if there is some connection? Wondering WHY would people mix HART with JACKSON? Two very different names, why mix them up? Maybe someone will explain this. Regardless of the fact it is a myth, and I agree with you, still it would be interesting to hear an explanation of why this was recalled by family members. Thank you, Lilly

posted by Lilly Martin
Lilly, thanks for sharing your research. Could you say a bit more about how you concluded that Edward was first married to Winifred Green and that they were the parents of Ephraim Sizemore? Many thanks.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Elsewhere (in email) Lilly has reported that she no longer believes Winifred Green was a first wife. Winifred has been detached.
posted by Jillaine Smith
"A family named John Owen, (Also Owens,) owned adjoining land in VA 1740-50's with the Sizemore's and these families probably inter-married in

the old days, thus passing this name Owen on to their children." The above online quote is from Jack Goins written many years ago. If William Sizemore and his wife Miss OWEN are the parents of #38, then this would substantiate why #38 chose to name one of his sons OWEN.

posted by Lilly Martin
Do you recall where online this was from? An old RootsWeb mailing list perhaps (which unfortunately are going away soon... thanks so much, Ancestry.com...)

I've noticed that there are a bunch of copy-pastes from a variety of online places scattered across these Sizemore profiles. We seek to either add links to those online places or better yet, find more original sources and/or direct evidence that supports the online claim.

Edited to add: Sorry, Lilly. I thought you were quoting a section of this profile, but I don't see that quote on this profile. You're just adding more information. BUt my comment still stands; to the extent that we can include specific citations for anything already here or that we add, I'm hoping we can do so.

posted by Jillaine Smith
edited by Jillaine Smith
Edward "Ned" Sizemore probably moved from Halifax County, Va., with the New River settlers in 1767 near the border of Fincastle/Montgomery County VA, & Surry County, NC . Present day this area is Ashe County NC & Grayson County, Virginia. A tax list 1771-4 of Surry County NC, records Edward Sizemore.

Some of these New River settlers were recorded in both VA & NC records, " A 1780 Montgomery County delinquent tax list's included Owen Sizemore, with the notation "moved to NC." Several Tory uprisings are recorded in this New River area: "Montgomery Co. area, 1779. At the request of Captain John Cox, those who were engaged in the insurrection, Edward Sizemore,! Owen Sizemore, David Smith, Thomas Penorese, and James Green were allowed to take the Oath of Allegiance, and post bond for good behavior." ( Summers Annals p. 720,721,in Western Waters by Kegley)"

posted by Lilly Martin
I've incorporated the above into the narrative under "Land". Any source citations you can add to that section are much appreciated.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Lilly, I found the original-- or a typescript of the original-- 1779 list of men who had been involved in the "late Insurrection. It lists two Edward Sysmores-- no Owen. It's here: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x000213451&view=1up&seq=776

This suggests a father and son? Uncle and nephew?

I've updated the narrative with what's on the source.

posted by Jillaine Smith
Two men named Edward Sizemore, in 1779.

A. Edward Sizemore-38, s/o Henry Sizemore-691, s/o William Sizemore-380.

B. Edward Sizemore-291, s/o James Sizemore-355, s/o William Sizemore-380.

Edward (-38) is the paternal Uncle of Edward (291). 38 died in 1780, and 291 died 1810.

posted by Lilly Martin
How do we know that 291 was son of James ?
posted by Jillaine Smith
According to "Historical Sketches of Wilkes County", pub. by John Crouch

1902, the Tory hanged by Col. Cleveland, using the plow lines of 13-yr. old James Gwyn, was Zachariah Wells. See http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/crouch.htm.

It had been said, that Edward "Old Ned" Sizemore was hung on the Tory Oak by Col. Benjamin Cleveland. That may be wrong. Capt. William Riddle and two associates, Reeves and Gross were hung on the Tory Oak near present day Wilkesboro, NC. in the spring of 1781. At least two men were hung there earlier, but neither was a Sizemore. According to The Draper Manuscript, a Sizemore was hung by Col. Cleveland about one year earlier in a cornfield, also near present day Wilkesboro. (about 1780) (Revolutionary war was foungth about 1776-1783. The last British ship leaving New York harbor with Loyalists moving to Canada was November 1783, as I recall)

posted by Lilly Martin
Thanks for this clarification, Lilly. There has been much confusion (and conflation of facts) about the hanging of "Tory" Sizemore since Benjamin Cleveland was busy hanging a bunch of different people in the region. I'll remove the reference to "witnessed by James Gwyn" as that apparently refers to a different hanging.

P.S. Cynthia Hofmeister is seeking copies of the letters from the Draper manuscript. We're hoping for greater clarity about exactly what in those letters supports the hanging of "Tory Sizemore."

posted by Jillaine Smith
edited by Jillaine Smith
This is a document which lists Edward's son and heirs.

Jan. 1811 Hawkins Co., TN, DB 6 pg. 284, Edward Sizemore's heirs to William Brotherton; Grantor deed; George Sizemore, Wm. Stacy, Myram Sizemore, William Sizemore, Byram Stacy and Edward Sizemore, all of Hawkins County, Tennessee to William Brotherton of Green County, Tennessee, for $300, 109 1/2 acres of land in Hawkins County, on a branch of Beech Creek, being the place where Wm. Stacy now lives, adjoining Wm Sizemore and Fields. Wits: William Paine, Jacob Manis.

posted by Lilly Martin
Thanks for finding this, Lilly. How do we know which Edward Sizemore this refers to? Given the year (1811) and place (Hawkins, TN), wouldn't the Edward Sizemore referenced there more likely be old Ned's supposed son, Edward Sizemore-1144 ?
posted by Jillaine Smith
Yes. I posted it to 1144 also. The date 1811, Hawkins Co TN, and the STACY name all point to 1144.
posted by Lilly Martin
There are two references to GRAYSON in the prifile text. Those two references should be noted as Grayson county, VIRGINIA.

Cranberry Creek sits on the border line of Ashe County, North Carolina and Grayson County, Virginia. People who lived there, such as my ancestors the John Swindle, Jr family and their nieghbors the Sizemore family considered Ashe County and Grayson County as ONE place, even though they were different states. Straddeling the border, you find a census one year in one place, and the next year in the other. No moves happened, just the border was running through their lives, though they didn't have any reason to complain. Mariages in one place, and deaths records in the other. Anyone researching must dig through records at both places to be sure to develope the full facts.

posted by Lilly Martin
Thanks, Lilly. Much appreciated. I've clarified the text.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Jewish myth?

Man, this has been 15 years ago? A guy by the name if Alan Lerwick (spelling might be wrong but it is close) was on the rootsweb sizemore message boards. The messages where you could put an addendum on someone's entry with a post it note. He is the guy that seemingly researched the Jewish connection.

His story was the Sizemore line that the Sizemore family came from was from a Barbados origin. On a sugar plantation the daughter of an African slave woman and a caribbean Indian male married the son of the plantation owner. The owners were cismore's. That was the spelling. They were Sephardic jews that were banned from Spain in the inquisition times. The male cismore and female child of plantation slaves moved to Williamsburg. His story was that Williamsburg had a large Jewish population. When they got to Williamsburg they were in the same circles as the Green family.

If we could just work together and figure this out. I started this research because my mother had a blood disorder that is primarily found in folks of Jewish descent. When her doctor told her of this she was like huh? Her father was from Prestonsburg, Kentucky (a spurlock). Mother was a war bride from Nottingham, UK.

posted by Jason Raley
edited by Jason Raley
Jason,

If there is any documentation that supports these origins (and that "Williamsburg had a large Jewish population,") we would sure like to see them.

posted by Jillaine Smith
There was no one named Sizemore executed by Benjamin Cleveland after Kings Mountain. Thirty loyalists were tried at Rutherford County and nine were executed. The executed men were Ambrose Mills, Robert Wilson, James Chitwood, Captain Grimes, Thomas Lafferty, Walter Gilkey, John McFall, John Bibby, and Augustine Hobbs.
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
Ron Blevins' text does not make reference to King's Mountain but says this: "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.)"
posted by Jillaine Smith
Thanks for the details about the executed men, Kathie. Looks like two different sources were conflated. Where specifically are these nine documented?

The specific reference to Tory Sizemore appears to be from "the Draper Manuscript" (currently footnote #6 in the narrative above).

posted by Jillaine Smith
Sizemore-997 and Sizemore-38 do not represent the same person because: Sizemore-38 is meant to represent the man who died in 1780.

The man who died in 1810 in Tennessee may actually be 38's son.

posted by Jillaine Smith
Edward Sizemore could not have been born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia in 1725 as Mecklenburg county, Virginia was not created until 1765 from Lunenburg County, Virginia. Lunenburg County, Virginia was created in 1746 from Brunswick county, Virginia. Brunswick County, Virginia was created 1720.

It would appear Edward Sizemore's exact place of birth is unknown.

posted by Carol Wilder
edited by Carol Wilder
OK, have taken the plunge and copied/moved the former profile info to https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Copy_of_Edward_Ned_Sizemore_profile

Next step should be to figure out which bits 1)actually refer to the man born about 1730 and 2) are supported by documentation and copy them back to this profile.

posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
I hope that all the confusion can be cleared up. My Dad's tree has been confusing.
posted by Becky (Lawson) Gouge
Works for me
posted by Ron Gragg (Ret.)
That sounds like a good idea, Kathie; any objections, profile managers?
posted by Jillaine Smith
Would it make more sense to put all this narrative in a space page and limit this profile to whatever facts are known about the actual man?
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes

S  >  Sizemore  >  Edward Sizemore

Categories: Native American Adjunct