Eliza Jane Cralle

Eliza's father died in 1848. On the 1850 census her mother was listed as the head of the household. Maria was marked as a farmer with real estate worth $800, she was unable to read or write. Eliza was one of seven children listed with her.

On January 12th, 1860 Eliza married Richard Hugh Sisson. He was the son of Randall Sisson and Frances Ann Gordon. Richard and Eliza were first cousins through their mothers. They lived in a home at Old Totuskey post office on what is now called Canal Road. The census that year says they are nearest the Stony Hill post office. Richard is a farmer with real estate valued at $500 and personal property valued at $100. Richard's brother, William, was living with them and listed as a farm laborer.

Richard enlisted in the cavalry during the Civil War. Peter T. Baron, Jr. writes about Richard and Eliza's life during the war in his book, For Love of Family:

Richard served throughout the war and has numerous entries for being home sick and being "cut off" by the enemy. The Yankees tested the Confederate lines at the Rapidan River on 6 FEB 1864. The 15th fell back to Barnett's Ford. When the Yankees retired, the 15th had sustained with one killed, two wounded and five missing. Richard wasn't missing, he had been captured by the enemy at the Rapidan River. Richard was taken to Old Capital Prison in Washington DC. He was held for over 15 months and released on oath 21 JUN 1865 from Fort Delaware. It is unknown when he learned of the tragedy that had occurred while he was away. It is known that there were letters between him and Eliza and between him and his sister Caroline. One of those letters told him of the birth of his 3rd daughter Richard Anna Sisson, 11 JUL 1863. The story then becomes difficult. Eliza had died of complications from the birth and starvation. She was buried along the front fence line. The exact location has now been lost, but was once marked with a metal pipe. The child Richard Anna lived 11 days and died on 22 JUL 1863. Frances and Laura stayed with family until Richard returned from the War.