William Henry Sisson

William married Isabelle Wilson on June 29th, 1820 in Richmond County. Consent by Henry Sisson father of the groom, John B. Sisson bondsman, Richard Reynolds witness. William and Isabelle had one child, Susan A. Sisson, born about 1822. Isabelle died soon after.

William remarried on January 19th, 1824 to Susan Wright Sanford in Westmoreland County. They had three sons, including John Taliaferro Sisson, before Susan died in 1833 or 1834. In 1826 Nomini Baptist church called Thomas M. Washington as it's pastor and celebrated with a day of prayer and baptisms at Nomini Ferry. William and Susan were among the new members baptized.

The 1830 census shows William H. Sisson as the head of a family in Richmond County. Household members are listed as; two white males under 5, one white male 5-9, one white male 15-19, one white male 20-29, one white male 70-79, one white female 5-9, two white females 20-29, two white females 50-59, one black male slave 10-23 and one black female slave 55-99.

After Susan's death William remarried on July 21st, 1834 to Elizabeth Sandy in Westmoreland County. William went on to have as many as nine more children with Elizabeth.

The 1840 census records for Richmond County list Richard H. Sisson as the head of a family. House hold members are; three white males under 5, two white males 5-9, two white males 10-14, one white male 30-39, one white female 20-29, one white female 70-79, one free black female 24-35 and one black female slave 55-99.

The 1850 census shows William in Lunenburg Parish, Richmond County. He is listed as a farmer with real estate worth $800 and being unable to read or write. In addition to his wife, five sons and three daughters are listed.

In 1860 the census lists Wm. H Sisson of Richmond County, near Stony Hill Post Office, as a farmer aged 57. His property is valued at $1,000 and his personal estate at $230. He lives with his wife, two sons and six daughters.

Despite being nearly 60 years old at the start of the Civil War, William Henry Sisson enlisted on May 16th, 1861 as a private in Company C of the Virginia 47th Infantry Regiment. Company C was known as the "Montross Guards," raised primarily from Westmoreland County. He was described as 5'10" with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He was promoted to Full Corporal on December 31st, 1862 and to Full Sergeant Major on September 5th, 1864. According to Company records William was captured at Burkeville on April 14th, 1864 and sent to Point Lookout Prison. The war had actually ended 5 days earlier and William was released on June 20th after taking an oath of allegiance to the Union.

The 1870 census records William H Sisson in the Marshall Township of Richmond County near the Warsaw Post Office. He is listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $350 and personal property at $100. Living with him and his wife are six children, the youngest age 8.

William Henry Sisson died August 15th, 1870. His cause of death was reported as Dropsy and his age given as 70. His occupation was given as farmer. On the Death Register his name was given as William H. Sisson, Jr., meaning that his father might have shared the same name. His son Nathan reported the death. William's burial location is unknown.

William Henry Sisson is our ancestor along two lines. The daughter he had with Isabelle Wilson was the mother of William Ryland Franklin. The son he had With Susan Wright Sanford, John Taliaferro Sisson, was the father of Apphia Judson Sisson. Willie and Juddie were half cousins when they married.