John Sessoms & Ann Harrell

The Sessoms Family of Hertford and Bertie Counties, NC
Next-door Neighbors to the Jones/Moore family for over 200 years

John Sessoms ca 1739 – Feb 1785 | his parents
& ca 1768 Ann Harrell ca 1754 – 12 Dec 1793 | her parents
of White Plains, Hertford Co, NC

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This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!

John Sessoms married ca 1768 Ann Harrell in Hertford County, North Carolina.
John Sessoms was born ca 1739
the son of Culmer Sessoms and his wife Mary Wynns.
Ann Harrell was born ca 1754 the daughter of John Harrell of Hertford Co NC.

Their son William recorded their deaths in his Bible
as well as the deaths and births of many of his siblings.
This Bible is in the Digital Collection of the Library of Virginia.
John died Feb 1785 and his wife Ann on the 12th of Dec 1793.
I found this record in the state archives
1786 – Ann Sessoms granted adm. to estate of John Sessoms, 3rd day of March 1786, Sam Harrell Clk.

They named their plantation White Plains and erected several impressive buildings which fell into disrepair while unoccupied following their deaths.
Today there is nothing to mark the spot except a few large oak trees deep in the forest where years ago the Pitch Landing-Pine Tree Road crossed the Winton-Colerain thoroughfare. [James Moore.]

Hertford Co. 1779 Tax list: John Sessoms 466 acres; 4 slaves
Hertford Co. 1790 census: Ann Sessoms 2 males over 16, 3 under 16, 2 females, 14 slaves

Hertford Co. 1830 census:
John Sessoms 1 male 20-30, 2 females under 5, 1 5-10, 1 20-30 [page 394]
Elizabeth Sessoms 1 male under 5, 2 males 20-30, 1 female 20-30, 1 50-60 [page 398]
Williams Sessoms 1 male 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 20-30, 1 50-60, 1 female 20-30, 1 40-50 [page 415]
Elisha Sessoms 1 male under 5, 1 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 40-50, 1 female 10-15, 1 15-20 [page 415]
William W Sessoms 1 male 20-30, 2 females under 5, 2 30-40 [page 415]
Bertie Co 1830 Census:
Harold B Sessoms 1 male under 5, 1 20-30, 1 female 20-30 [page 345]
Samuel H Sessoms 1 male 20-30, 1 40-50, 1 female under 5, 2 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 15-20 [page 365]
Edgecombe Co 1830 Census:
Eliza Sessoms 1 female 20-30, 1 50-60, 1 70-80

Children of John Sessoms and Ann Harrell:
1. William Harrell Sessoms 8 April 1771 – 8 April 1844 Bws Hertford Co NC
married Elizabeth VanPelt 22 March 1781 – 6 May 1826
2. John Sessoms 29 Dec 1773 – 13 March 1818 Hertford Co
age 44 Years 2 months 5 days Bible of William Sessoms
married Elizabeth ? died 1837
3. Celia Sessoms 16 Dec 1776 – 4 Jan 1838 Bws Bertie Co NC
married William Freeman 1 April 1767 – 18 Aug 1830
age 63 yr 4 mo 17 da
4. Nathan Sessoms Feb 1779 – 22 March 1836 Edgecombe Co, NC
age 57 years and one month Bws
married 12 Aug 1806 Penelope Perry ca 1789 –
dau. of Josiah Perry
5. Elisha Sessoms 1780/85 – bef Feb 1847 Hertford Co NC
married Priscilla Scull 19 Mar 1787 – 1829
dau of Elisha Scull and Ann Sun Speight
6. Samuel H. Sessoms 1780-90 – 27 Jan 1837 Bws lived near Trap, Bertie Co
married ca 1809 Mary Outlaw ca 1784 – bef 1837
dau of Lewis Outlaw

Bws = Bible of William Sessoms

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Samuel Harrell Sessoms 1780/90 – 1837 | his parents
& ca 1809 Mary Outlaw ca 1784 – bef 1837 | her parents
of Bertie County, NC

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This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!

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Samuel H. Sessoms 1780-90 – 27 Jan 1837 Bws lived near Trap
married Mary Outlaw ca 1784 – bef 1837 (dau of Lewis)
Bertie Co 1820 census Samuel Sessoms 1 0 0 0 1 0 – 4 0 0 1 0
1830: Samuel H Sessoms 1 male 20-30, 1 40-50, 1 female under 5, 2 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 15-20 [page 365]

Children of Samuel H Sessoms and Mary Outlaw:
1. Lewis Outlaw Sessoms ca 1810 – Feb 1837 Bertie Estate folder
2. Celia Ann Sessoms 10 Nov 1810 – 15 Oct 1826
    age 15 years and 11 months and 5 days
3. Harriet Bell Sessoms ca 1815/24 – 1859
married Amgrid W Sessoms ca 1805/11 – 1854 1st cousin lived near Trap
a. Amilia [Milly] Frances Sessoms ca 1843 – bef 1862
b. Ann Eliza Sessoms ca 1844 –
married James Peyton Brittain 1841 – 1921
c. Joseph Sessoms ca 1849 – bef 1862
d. Alfred Ben [Bunion] Sessoms ca 1851 – rem to Arkansas
married Allie Wynns
4. Catherine Jane Sessoms ca 1817 –
married John L. Britton ca 1821 (by 1810 says Janet)-
lived 1/2 mile from Rosemead across Barbecue Swamp.
his parents were Daniel Britton [son of John (died 1803) and Elizabeth Brittain/ Britton] and Sarah Outlaw [dau of Aaron] e-mail from Janet Briton
a. Virginia A [Jane?] Britton Sept 1838 – Colerain
married 22 Dec 1858 Alfred (Alpheus) Nowell Aug 1834 –
son of John, son of Dempsey, son of Dempsey, son of Martin Nowell
[in 1880 his wife is Jane – 40. is this a 2nd wife?]
i. John P Nowell ca 1860 –
ii. Virginia Annie Nowell ca 1862 – lived Roanoke, VA
married and left issue
iii. Joseph Henry [Joe] Nowell 11 Mar 1865 – 8 Dec 1943 of Windsor
both are buried in the Theophilus Cherry family cemetery
married Mary Cherry 4 May 1868 – 9 May 1933
daughter of Theophilus Cherry and Christine [Kitty Eliza] Outlaw
iv. Katherine I [Kate] Nowell ca 1868 –
v. Dr. Luther A Nowell ca 1871 – Colerain
married ca 1896 Cleo Britton ca 1873 –
1. Rosebud Nowell ca 1898 – dec
married 1927 Sellers Mark Crisp M.D. ca 1894 – 1955 Greenville NC
2. John Pulaski Nowell ca 1903 – of Ahoskie
vi. Julia Hinton Nowell ca 1874 –
married Dr. Wayland Mitchell ca 1872 – of Lewiston
vii. Amanda Nowell Mar 1879 – of Windsor
married Richard Watson Askew Jr.
1. Julia Askew
married Mr. Manning
2. Mary Webb Askew
3. Frances Askew
4. Virginia Askew
b. Amanda F. (T) Britton ca 1843 – Colerain
c. Daniel W Britton ca 1845 –
lives across the Barbecue Swamp west of Rosemead
represented Bertie Co. in the state legislature at Raleigh, N.C
d. John C. Britton ca 1846 Powellsville
represented Bertie Co. in the state legislature at Raleigh, N.C
married 6 Dec 1868 Mollie Jane Simons of Magnolia Grove
i. Carrie Britton
ii. Cleo Britton ca 1873
married Dr. Luther A Nowell (1st cousin)
iii. Herbert K. Britton
married 2nd 1881 Lucie A. Tayloe 31 Aug 1848 – 3 Feb 1916
1st cousins
iv. Sadie L. Britton ca 1882
married James Mitchell
v. John W. Britton 24 June 1886 – 27 Apr 1894 ts
vi. Cyrus Britton 24 May 1891 – 1 Oct 1894 ts
5. Eliza Elizabeth Sessoms 7 Jan 1819 – 16 Feb 1904
married ca 1837 Josiah Freeman ca 1807 – ca 1838
married 2nd 17 Dec 1839 Daniel VanPelt Sessoms 1809 – 1888
1st cousin
6. Ophelia Frances Sessoms 5 Jan 1826 – 3 July 1889 ts 1st cousin
married William Henry Tayloe 10 Nov 1821 – 14 Sept 1894 ts
a. Lucie A Tayloe 31 Aug 1848 – 3 Feb 1916
married John C. Britton 1st cousin – as his 2nd wife
b. Kate Irene Tayloe 23 Dec 1853 – 16 Mar 1903 ts
married Lewis C Stokes no issue
c. William Sessoms Tayloe 2 Oct. 1857 – 18 May 1928 Powellsville NC
married ca 1890 Evie H. Jenkins Tayloe 17 July 1864 – 17 June 1928
i. Frances M Tayloe ca 1892 –
married John Phelps
a. James Ralph Phelps 16 Apr 1918 – 2 May 1922 ts
ii. Hattie J Tayloe ca 1893 –
married Frank Harden
iii. John William [Will] Tayloe ca 1895 –
married Rheta Griffin
iv. Lucie E Tayloe 16 Aug 1899 – 3 Jan 1984
lived Powellsville, NC
married 29 Nov 1923 Ernest R Carter 12 May 1894 Gates Co – 21 April 1981
manager of bottling plant in Ahoskie
son of James Nathan Carter 1860 – 1948 and Harriet A Morris 1866 – 1948
v. Walter Sidney [Sid] Tayloe 4 Oct 1901 – 30 Dec 1969
married Lena Moore Rawls 23 April 1902 – 18 Oct 1973
both buried Ahoskie Cemetery
vi. Paul E Tayloe ca 1904 – dsp
d. Edwin Tayloe 16 Aug 1860 – 17 June 1893 ts dsp

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John Sessoms 1773 – 1818 | his parents
& Elizabeth ? 1770/80 – 1837 | her parents
of Hertford County, NC

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This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!

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John Sessoms 29 Dec 1773 – 13 March 1818 age 44 Years 2 months 5 days
Bible of William Sessoms
married Elizabeth ? (wrote will 28 May, 1832 it was proved Feb Ct 1837)
Hertford Co, NC 1830 1 male under 5, 2 20 – 30; 1 female 20 – 30, 1 50 -60

Children of John Sessoms and wife Elizabeth:
1. John W/H. Sessoms 1800/1806 – 1844
married by 1824 Ann Willoughby 1800/08 [sister of Uncle Jethis Eley]
Hertford Co May Ct 1846 Daniel V Sessoms guardian to John, Elizabeth, Adaline,
Marky, & Parthenia Sessoms children of John Sessoms dec’d
Feb Ct 1847 Daniel V Sessoms guardian with John, Marcus, Preston Sessoms & others
a. daughter Sessoms ca 1825 –
b. Parthenia Sessoms ca 1827 – aft 1846
c. Penelope Elizabeth? Sessoms ca 1829 –
married bef Nov 1849 Ruffin M. White ca 1820 – no issue
d. John W. Sessoms Jan 1831 – aft 1900 Retail Grocer Colerain
[lived at “Pine Tree” with Jesse Jackson]
married Ella F. Wiggins ca 1853
Death of Mrs. J. W. Sessoms: After an extreme and painful illness of nine weeks, Mrs. J. W. Sessoms passed away Saturday morning December 17, 1898[.] She had the best medical aid, and all that loving friends and devoted children could do for her was done. The tenderest and most loving care and attention was lavished upon her but God saw fit to rob us of her presence and we had to see her go. Through her entire illness she ever patient and submissive, never complaining and as long as conscious, she was always ready to talk cheerfully to every one. Her place cannot be filled.
As a wife, she was true and devoted, as a mother never too tired to render any service to her children and ever watchful of their we[l]fare and interests. Everybody loved her both old and young and to her many friends, her death is a great blow.
Her home was her pastors, and amid her many domestic cares and duties, she always found time for all interests connected with the church and Sabbath school. She was laid to rest in the Methodist churchyard Sunday afternoon on Dec. 18, 1898. Her funeral was largely attended by those who loved her in life and who will never forget her though she has gone before. She leaves a husband and four loving and devoted children to mourn their loss. . . A good woman has gone to her reward and it can truthfully be said of her that “she did what she could.” ONE WHO LOVED HER.

“The Patron and Gleaner”, Andrew J. Conner, ed., Rich Square, Northampton Co N.C. Thurs, Jan 5, 1899 [Vol. 8, No. 1]
[excerpt from “From Time into Eternity” CD-ROM by David Powell, Winton NC: Liberty Shield Press ¬©2004]
i. John Claude Sessoms ca 1870 –
ii. Hugh Waverly Sessoms ca 1872 –
iii. Kate Sessoms ca 1874 –
iv. Lillian Sessoms ca 1877 –
e. Nancy Adeline Sessoms ca 1834 –
married Bertie Co 2 May 1854 William Jasper Askew ca 1827 – bef 1870
of Hertford Co.
i. Joseph Askew 1855 – before 1870 dy
ii. Ann Askew 1857 –
iii. Marie Elizabeth Askew 1859 –
iv. Virginia T Askew 1861 –
v. Morris Askew ca 1863 – bef 1870 dy
f. Marcus L Sessoms 1840 –
g. Preston [Press] Harrell/Harold Sessoms 9 Nov 1843 – 15 Dec 1925 Windsor NC
son of John Sessoms and Ann Willoughby
married 1870 Annie Elizabeth Beasley 20 Dec 1850 – 2 Dec 1943
dau of Thomas Beasley and Asceinth Heckstall – death cert infor. Mrs. E D Spruil buried Meth. Church Yard Windsor
i. Gertrude Rivers Sessoms 8 Jan 1871 – 16 April 1947 GA
married 1 Feb 1893 Charles West Jacocks III 16 July 1872 – aft 1957
ii. Eula Sessoms May 1875 –
iii. Reginal Delaw Sessoms 10 Mar 1878 – 3 Dec 1945 Windsor widower
buried Epis. Church Yard
married Mary Core Fitzgerald
1. Marion Theresa Sessoms 1905 –
2. William Francis Sessoms 1907 –
3. Robert Douglas Sessoms 1909 –
4. Catherine Sessoms ca 1911 –
5. Duncan E Sessoms 7 Feb 1913 – 23 April 1995
married Margaret Blount Davenport 11 June 1915 Wash. Co NC – 24 Aug 2007 Taylorsville
6. Virginia Sessoms ca 1915 –
iv. Duncan Winston Sessoms 4 Sept 1880 – 23 May 1953 dsp
v. Eugene Preston Sessoms 17 Mar 1884 – 31 July 1950 Rural Carrier
buried Edgewood Cemetery Windsor
married Mary Ethel Spivey
1. Mary Engenia Sessoms 1906 –
2. Jeannette Spivey Sessoms 1908 –
3. Ada Bell [Adah Belmont] Sessoms 1911 –
vi. Ruffin White Sessoms 26 July 1886 – 14 Nov 1972 Jacksonville NC
married Ivey Moore
vii. Mary M Sessoms Dec 1890 –
viii. Hortense Sessoms Mar 1894 –

1850 Census Hertford Co NC Southern Dist Elizabeth Wiggins f 32 Elizabeth Wiggins f 20 Preston H Sessoms m 61850 Census Hertford Co NC S D Daniel V Sessoms 40 Eliza 30 Elizabeth 10 Daniel V 6 William H 3 Harriet R 5/12 John B Freeman 11 Marcus L Sessoms 9household of Jesse J Jackson 31 NJ merchant John W Sessoms 19 clerk next door to Wm. W Sessoms.1850 Bertie Co household of Ruffin M White 30 farmer Penelope E 20 Nancy A Sessoms 16 f1840 Census Hertford Co NC S D Jno H Sessoms 1 0/5, 1 5/10 1 30/40, f 1 5/10, 2 10/15, 1 30/40

1830 Census Hertford Co
John Sessoms 1 20/30, f 2 0/5, 1 5/10, 1 20/30

2. Nathan W. Sessoms 1800/1810 – by Aug 1845
   and Sarah Wynns d. bef 1845
   a. child ca 1831 – (Feb 1832 ct)
   William H Sessoms appt. guardian to Nathan W. Sessoms heirs by Feb 18
   and ca 1838 Parthena Ann Sessoms 1813 – 1st Cousin
   daughter of Elisha Sessomes and wife Priscilla Scull
   b. Priscilla A Sessoms 8 Nov 1839 Hertford Co NC – 2 May 1895
   buried near Thomas Bridge Rd. (on Thomas Rd, land obtained by: his GG grandfather: Nicholas Sessums was born about 1700 in Virginia, the son of Thomas Sessums and Elizabeth Smith. He moved with his family to Chowan County NC sometime before 1711. He is shown on the records of Chowan Co. NC when he buys 400 acres of land from his stepfather James Boon in 1718. This land adjoins Long Branch and James Boon and is shown in Deed Book W, 1, page 387 on Oct. 13, 1718. On the same date he buys 575 acres from James Boon at the north of Bear Swamp, (cemetery on this land) joining George Winn and ye Branch in Deed Book W, 1, Page 388. County lines hence changed making this area Hertford Co, NOW.

married Isiah Hoggard – died 1867/69
i. Joseph Lawrence Hoggard 15 Oct 1863 – 3 Feb 1940 Colerain NC
logger
married Elizabeth “Nannie” Williams
1. Denny Hoggard
2. John H [Jack] Hoggard 10 Sept 1882 –
3. Lillie Mae Hoggard 30 June 1884 – 13 Feb 1953
married 14 Dec 1913 Lewis Washington Todd 12 Dec 1880 – 26 July 1967
a. Melwood Todd 1914 –
b. Crystal Irene Todd 1916 –
c. Hoggard Todd 1919 –
d. Elena Elizabeth Todd 1920 –
married James Atlas Early 19 Nov 1908 – 21 July 1993
parents of Donald Eugene Early and Ruth Faye and Margaret Ann
e. Lewis Todd jr 15 July 1922 – 1964
f. Clarence Poe Todd 1923 –
g. Nancy Todd 6 Dec 1927 – 19 May 1928
4. Nannie Faye Hoggard 20 Mar 1898 – 24 Dec 1973
married David Aaron Hughes 12 Nov 1899 – 24 Dec 1948
ii. Theney L Hoggard ca 1864 –
iii. Bettie Hoggard ca 1867 –
married 2nd 22 Sept 1870 James R Green
had 4 witness’s/ or parent a Parthenia Sessoms and Nathan Sessoms,
as well as a James Green and Emily Green
c. Celia J. Sessoms ca 1842 – Oct 1879 Hertford Co NC dysentery.
married John W Jernigan ca 1835 – Jan 1897 farmer
i. Solon Jernigan 17 June 1863 – 5 June 1939 buried Ahoskie Town Cem.
ordained Deacon July 1915 Bethlehem
married Cornelia L Worrock 27 Aug 1865 – 27 Jan 1963
members of Bethlehem Baptist Church
1. Maude Jernigan 30 Jan 1892 Hertford Co, NC – 27 Aug 1965
on Bethlehem [Thomas Bridge Rd.] Near Cofield
married Sheldon F Modlin 9 April 1886 – 28 Dec 1932
2. Sallie J Jernigan 10 Oct 1892 – 1 Jan 1966
married 15 Feb 1914 Luther R Modlin 15 Feb 1889 – 20 July 1940
3. John W Jernigan 18 July 1896 – 29 Jan 1985
married 1st Doris
married 2nd Edna Andrews
4. Troy Shafter Jernigan 23 Aug 1899 – 11 Sept 1971
married unknown
5. Bessie Jernigan 27 Aug 1902 – 1 May 1989
married Luther T Liverman 29 Mar 1897 – 15 April 1977
6. Lewis Hartwell Jernigan 11 July 1905 – 1 Oct 1972
married unknown
7. Gladys Worrock Jernigan 27 Aug 1908 Hertford Co NC – 5 Aug 1985
married George Locke Mitchell 20 May 1902 – 9 Feb 1986
grandparents of Penny Ann Mitchell Beasley
ii. Mary Eliza Jernigan 15 Aug 1864 – 26 Mar 1941 at church, Ahoskie NC
married John Whitford Powell 18 Nov 1863 – 21 Sept 1951 Hertford Co NC
his parents has named him John Wheeler Powell which he did not like
1. Oscar Craig Powell 18 July 1894 – 15 Aug 1966
2. Sophronia Powell 30 Sept 1895 – 19 June 1958 Hertford Co NC
3. John Dewey Powell 20 Sept 1898 – 25 Dec 1924
4. Mary Myrtle Powell 6 Nov 1900 – 9 Nov 1990 Ahoskie NC
owned and operated THE beauty parlor in Ahoskie
married Guytana Raspa 7 Aug 1906 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 26 Sept 1974 Ahoskie
5. Jim Powell 1902 –
married but no issue
6. Bruce Powell 1902 – 1994 Ahoskie NC
7. Morton Powell
iii. Thomas H Jernigan ca 1867 –
iv. Sarah Elizabeth [Bettie] Jernigan 19 Aug 1873 – 19 Jan 1919 flue
married 23 Jan 1898 William Charles [Charlie] Powell 10 Sept 1874 – 19 April 1955
1. Roy Charles Powell 30 Oct 1898 – 5 Aug 1968 Ahoskie
2. William Outlaw Powell Jr 21 Nov 1900 – 3 Feb 1985 Ahoskie
3. Lona Jernigan Powell 03 Aug 1902 – Feb 1965 Ahoskie
4. Ethel Martha Powell 17 July 1904 – 1985 Emporia VA
5. Joseph Carl Powell 28 Aug 1906 – 25 Oct 1910 Ahoskie
6. Thomas Darden Powell 6 Dec 1909 – 9 Nov 1958 FL
married 1 Nov 1935 Lillian Eoline Holloman 25 May 1914 – 11 Feb 1994 MD [bookkeeper]
a. Claude Holloman Powell
b. Charles Thomas Powell
c. Jean Darden Powell
7. Clarine Sessoms Powell 12 June 1912 – 15 Nov 1998 Plymouth NC
8. Kermit Crammer Powell 8 July 1914 –
married Easter of Spring Hope NC
9. Mary Elizabeth Powell 7 April 1916 – 10 Oct 1998
married Lloyd Taft Owen
v. John H Jernigan ca 1879 –
John Jernigan married 2nd 1880 Martha J ?
Parthenia Sessoms
married 2nd James W Brinkley 1812 –
a. John H Brinkley ca 1845 –
b. Mary A Brinkley ca 1849 –
3. Anna [Annie] Sessoms
married before  bef 1830 Mr. Holly
4. Celia Sessoms 1800/1810 – prob by Aug 1832
married bef 1830 John [Colen?] Daughty [Doughtie] dec by Aug 1832
Hertford Co, NC 1830 1 male under 5, 1 30 – 40; 1 female under 5, 1 20 – 30
a. Celia Doughtee 1826/30 –
b. John Doughtee 1826/30 –

1819 – John W Sessoms, orphan of John Sessoms, dec. in acct. of Samuel H Sessoms, guardian.
[1819-1823]

Hertford Co Ct, Aug 1832 — John Sessoms is appointed Guardian to Celia Doughtee and John Doughtee orphans of John Doughtee, decd. who enters into bond in the Sum of One Thousand dollars with Harrell B. Sessoms & A. Thomas, Securities etc. (abstract by David Powell)

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Nathan Sessoms 1779 – 1836 | his parents
& 1806 Penelope Perry ca 1789 – ? | her parents
of Edgecombe County, NC

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This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!

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Nathan Sessoms Feb 1779 – 22 March 1836
age 57 years and one month Bws
married 12 Aug 1806 Penelope Perry ca 1789 –
(dau. of Josiah)
(this family moved to Edgecombe County, NC)
1820 census Sissoms, Nathan 2 0 0 0 1 0 – 2 0 0 1 0

Children of Nathan Sessoms and Penelope Perry:
1. Emily Sessoms ca 1810 –
married 24 Nov 1825 Bryan B Gatlin
2. Nathan Harrell Sessoms ca 1813 –
married 12 Feb 1835 Eliza Killebrew
married 12 June 1857 Martha Harris
3. Elanson (Alanson D.) Sessoms ca 1815 –
married 12 July 1837 Talitha Canady
4. Selah (Celia) Sessoms ca 1917 – 27 Dec 1826 aged nine years
5. Pininah (Penelope) Sessoms ca 1820 –
married 14 March 1831 John Skinner
6. Laviny Sessoms ca 1822 – died bef 20 Dec 1836
7. William W. Sessoms aft 1823 –
married 11 Jan 1852 Priscilla Alsobrook

Sessoms, Nathan – Edgecombe Co – division of negroes by commissioners by request of the children of the dec’d. among said children, namely, Nathan Harrell Sessoms, Emily Gatlin [wife of Bryan B Gatlin], Penelope Skinner [wife of John Skinner], Alanson D Sessoms, and William W Sessoms, 20 Dec 1836. Feb Ct 1837.

Notes from David Gammon:
Celia Sessums, daughter of Nathan Sessums, died Dec. 27, 1826, age nine
years. (Free Press, Jan. 9, 1827)

Nathan Sessums died in Edgecombe County on March 22, 1836, age about sixty
years. (Tarboro Press, March 26, 1836)

Nathan H. Sessums married Martha Harris of Edgecombe County on June 12, 1857,
by Thomas Norfleet, Esq. (The Southerner, June 13, 1857)

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Elisha Sessoms 1780/85 – bef 1847 | his parents
& ca 1810 Priscilla Scull 1787 – 1829 | her parents
of Hertford County, NC

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This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!

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Priscilla Scull was born 19 March 1787, the 2nd daughter of Elisha Scull and his wife Ann Sun Speight of Hertford County.

Elisha Sessoms 1780/85 – bef Feb 1847
Hertford Co 1820 census Elisha Sessoms 2 0 0 0 1 0 – 2 1 0 1 0
1830: Elisha Sessoms 1 male under 5, 1 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 40-50, 1 female 10-15, 1 15-20
In the Hertford Co Guardian Accts. in 1832 appears this list of the children of Elisha Sessoms with Elisha Sessoms as guardian.

Children of Elisha Sessoms and Priscilla Scull:
1. Amgrid [Angrid] W Sessoms ca 1811 -Aug 1854 lived at “Trap”
was named for a character in the Arabian Nights
Bertie Co 1840 census Amgrad W Sessoms 1m 20-30, 1f 15-20
married ca 1840 Harriet Bell Sessoms ca 1824 – 1859 1st cousin
In 1860 Joseph, Alfred, and Millie are living with Wm. H Taylor & wife Ophelia
also, Celia Rice 25
a. Milly [Amilia] Frances Sessoms ca 1843 -dy bef 1862
b. Anne Eliza Sessoms ca 1844 –
married James Peyton Britton 1841 – 1921
i. Joseph Edward Britton ca 1869 –
married Sallie Hall Owen of Portsmouth, VA
later moved to Greensboro, NC
ii. Jesse T Britton 1871 –
iii. Samuel Britton 1875 –
iv. Infant son Britton 1880 –
c. Joseph S Sessoms ca 1849 – dy bef 1862
d. Alfred Ben (Bunion) Sessoms ca 1851 – aft 1930 rem. to Ark.
married Alvenia [Allie] Wynns 2 Sept 1847 – 16 Apr 1927 Union Co Ark
[4 out of 5 ch living 1900]
i. Harriet Sessoms ca 1875 –
ii. Seaton Sessoms ca 1879 –
married ca 1903 Pauline
1. Bun Sessoms 1904 –
iii. Truda V Sessoms May1882 – f
iv. Lucy Sessoms March 1886 –
2. Parthena Ann Sessoms 1813 –
married James W Brinkley 1812 – farmer
a. John H Brinkley ca 1845 –
b. Mary A Brinkley ca 1849 –
(On 1850 Census Priscilla A Sessoms 12 & Celia J. Sessoms 9 are in Brinkley household they are the orphans of Nathan W Sessoms , her first cousin)
3. William H. Sessoms ca 1815 – lived at Stoney Cr
listed as blind age 65 on 1880 census with family of son-in-law Thos. Eley
married Eliza West ca 1820 – bef 1880 census
a. Sarah Sessoms ca 1843 – bef 1860
b. Cecelia Catherine [Cattie] Sessoms 30 Dec 1845 – 20 Nov 1911
married Jenkins
i. Joseph T Jenkins ca 1868 – (living with Uncle Elisha 1880)
married ca 1894 Nettie L. ca 1868 –
ii. T. H. (girl) Jenkins ca 1872 – (living with Aunt Eliz 1880)
c. Elizabeth ( Betty) Sessoms 1847 –
married Thos Eley ca 1853 –
i. M. E. (girl) Eley ca 1880 –
d. William Elisha Sessoms 22 Sept 1849 – 10 July 1923
married 12 Nov 1890 Beulah Rayner 3 June 1871 – 24 Aug 1937

Beulah and Elisha Sessoms

Home of William Elisha Sessoms – photo by Bill Sessom

I. Mary Sessoms 21 Dec 1897 – 6 April 1972
married Fitzhugh L [ Hugh] Odom 29 Aug 1892 – 19 Jan 1970 Ahoskie
ii. Eunice Sessoms 13 Apr 1901 – 4 Jun 1996
married Donnell Gilman Waters 21 May 1900 – 5 Feb 1989
iii. Paul Sessoms 22 Jun 1904 – Aug 1980 no issue
married Betty L Crimi 5 Jan 1911 – 10 June 1990
iv. Hazel Sessoms 1908 – 1997
married James Otis Parker 1901 – 1984
4. Aragimite M. Sessoms 1816/20
5. Assad S. Sessoms ca 1818 – 1886 Bertie Co, NC
married Julia Ann Beasley ca 1829 – bef 1855
a. Mollie Sessoms 1849 – bef 1900
married Thomas M Mitchell ca 1846 – 1910/20 of Powellsville
i. Julia A Mitchell May 1871 – shortly aft 3 May 1910
married 1896 Charles R Overton 3 April 1868 – 7 May 1937
blacksmith
1. Roswell M [ Buddy] Overton 12 Sept 1898 – 27 Sept 1971
married Elizabeth Perry 5 Feb 1906 – 29 May 1978
2. Mary A Overton Feb 1900 –
married Loyed Evans of Powellsville
3. Nannie Irene Overton 1905 –
married Silas McKeel
4. Charles Lewis [Booger] Overton 16 Aug 1909 – 2 Feb 1969 dsp
car repair shop
ii. Nannie Mitchell 15 April 1876 – 20 Feb 1936
lived with the Overtons and raised her sister’s children
married 1905 Louis S Stokes d 1906
1. Ena Stokes 10 May 1906 – 1 Dec 1988
married Freeman Edward Earley 21 July 1905 – 20 Mar 1937
son of Alphonso Earley and Levinia Evans
of Powellsville and Cremo
a. Nancy Earley [Pearlman]
b. Freeman Edward Earley Jr
iii. William Thomas [Bud] Mitchell 1878 –
married Maggie Robertson
1. Attwood Mitchell
2. Garnet Mitchell
iv. Charlie Mitchell
married 2nd 25 Apr 1855 Nancy F Perry ca 1840 –
dau of John
b. Allie Frances Sessoms 1858 – 1944 Wake Forest NC
married Wm. R Raynor 1853 – 1921
i. William Oscar Raynor Nov 1878 – dec.
married Mana White
lived & buried at Buzzard Cross Roads
1. Garner Rayner 1905 -1979
married Ola Clee Jernigan 1905 -1974
2. Vernon White Raynor 19 Jan 1913 – 7 Sept 1975
married Lucille Mitchell (McKeel) 1907 – 1974
3. Merrill Oscar Raynor died 22 May 1915
4. Merrill Oscar Raynor
married Virgie Barnes
ii. Hezekiah Owens Raynor 28 June 1883 – 28 Aug 1957 Powellsville NC
Merchant, Farmer – General Store
married Annie Laurie Harrell 29 Aug 1886 – 17 Dec 1971
1. Owens Raynor 23 Oct 1915 – 13 July 1917
2. William Reed Raynor of Ahoskie
married 1941 Sarah Moore Bryant
iii. Thomas Assayd Raynor June 1889 – 1918
married 1918 Fannie Boyette 1885 – 1968
(Fannie married 2nd George Underwood of Murfreesboro)
iv. Kenneth Tyson Raynor 9 Sept 1890 – 12 Nov 1977 Wake Forest NC
Principle of Ahoskie High School,
taught math at Duke U. & Wake Forest U.
married Beulah Lassiter from Rich Square
English teacher at Wake Forest College
c. Nancy/Nannie E Sessoms 6 March 1867 of Harrellsville – 1 Feb 1955 Durham NC
graduated Chowan 1887
– she resided King’s Daughters Home in Durham 1941-1955
married 3 Oct 1888 Rev. Thomas C. Britton 25 Aug 1862 NH Co, NC – 1936
son of Noah Britton ca 1830 and wife Francis ca 1835
[“they were missionaries to Suchow, China for almost 50 years” Oscar Creech]
A. B. Atkins gives her and her two sons $2000 in his will
i. Thomas C Britton Jr ca 1892 –
1. Thomas C Britton III
2. Burnett Britton
ii. Roswell Sessoms Britton, PhD 3 July 1897 Shanghai China – 1951 NYC
married Blanche McConnell of Asheville NC
6. Aronah Scull Sessoms ca 1826 – 1 April 1865 CSA
killed at Five Forks VA in Civil War
in Feb 1747 A W Sessoms is his guardian
married 1st Jane West ca 1825 – ca 1853
a. William Judson [Jud] Sessoms 20 Apr 1847 – 26 Nov 1905
married Luvenia E Hill 23 Apr 1841 – 26 July 1908 ts
Buried about 5.5 miles from Colerain on right side of road leading
from Colerain to Ahoskie about 75 yards from the road.
1880 census shows Annie age 4
i. Sarah D. Sessoms ca 1869 –
ii. Joe Sessoms ca 1871 –
iii. Lula W. Sessoms Mar 24, 1872 – Dec 20, 1892 ts
iv. Fannie Sessoms Jan 1875 –
v. Bessie Sessoms ca 1879 –
vi. William Stark/Starkey Sessoms 18 Jan 1880 – 10 Sept 1959
married 25 Nov 1903 Martha Roberta [Pattie] White 15 Nov 1883 – 15 Feb 1958
line of William Rhea Sessoms Jr.
vii. Pattie Sessoms Nov 1885 –
viii. Lila Sessoms
b. Ann Sessoms ca 1849 –
married 2nd Mary Emily [Emmie] Holloman ca 1824 – aft 1880
dau of Jalon Holloman will 1869/76
c. Arrona J.. Sessoms ca 1854 –
d. Joseph W Sessoms Feb 1855 –
married ca 1877 Annie S. Mar 1858 – 3 ch living of 5 1900
i. Jos Paul Sessoms ca 1878 –
ii. Iva L Sessoms May 1883 –
iii. Allie M Sessoms Aug 1890 –
e. Elisha S. Sessoms ca 1857 – 5 July 1924 dsp
f. John Sessoms ca 1860 –
g. Edgar Walter Sessoms 8 Dec 1861 – 18 Jan 1933 ts
married 1st Louvenia Holloman dau of Wm V and Priscilla Mitchell Holloman
I. Minnie Sessoms
ii. Beulah Sessoms
married 2nd Pattie Florence Merritt 1884 – 1923 ts
dau of Andrew J and Louisa Boseman Merritt
5 more children
h. Emma J. Sessoms ca 1865 –
Mary Emily [Emmie] Holloman Sessoms married 2nd 1871 James W Brinkley

US Census Hertford Co 1870 St Johns #238
Sessoms, Emma 35 f w keeping house 125 RE
” Arrona J 15 m w
” Joseph 13 m w
” Elisha 11 m w
” John 9 m w
” Edgar 7 m w
” Emma J 5 f w

Pinetree Community

Some of the Sources: Interviews with Harold Sessoms ca 1970 by James Moore and notes from other documents in his possession. Conversations with other members of the family including Mrs. Lucie Carter. Various census records. Press Sessoms’s biographical sketch of the family ca 1925. The Sessoms cemetery, and the Perry cemetery and other. The Bible[1802] records of William Sessoms handed down to D.V. Sessoms. Various wills of Bertie Co., particularly those of Millecent Perry, Wm Freeman and his wife Celia Freeman.

Sessoms Family of Hertford and Bertie Counties, NC

William Sessoms 1771 -1884 John Sessoms ca 1735 – 1785

Culmer Sessoms ca 1710 – 1772 Thomas Sessoms ca 1677 – 1711