Stephen Sisney; The Forgotten Cessna of Guilford, NC
By Yvonne Strong Maryland Gazette 23 September 1776 Wanted! Stephen Sysney a Pennsylvanian 5 feet 5 Inches high, a well-proportioned man, has a dimple in his chin, short dark brown hair, a hunting shirt, a brown shallon jackett, leather breeches, and a pair of trousers, stockings, shoes, and a large hat. The above Advertisement was published and distributed in Frederick, Maryland, after the escape of several prisoners from “Gaol.” Unlike his cousins in Pennsylvania, who were fervent in their fight to form America, Stephen chose to be loyal to the King of England. He became a Tory Loyalist. This high spirited young man united with a group of fellow Tories in 1776 in Guilford County, North Carolina. He was sent to Halifax Jail for the wounding of a William Dent. From Halifax, Stephen and the others were escorted to Maryland; and spent several weeks in Abraham Faw's Poor House, in Fredricks. This despicable place was being used as a jail to house the Tory Prisoners. Conditions in the poor house were such that it was said it was not fit for man. Nor was it a safe place, by any means, to confine the Tories. A Log Gaol was quickly built. In early June, Stephan and his fellow Tories were transferred to the newly built Tory Prison. Approximately five months later, Stephen and twelve fellow prisoners escaped. The Wanted Notice which appears above, was one of the last records of The Tory until 1783. An American Military Pay Warrant, issued in 1783, lists Stephen Sisney as receiving pay for his services to the new government. Apparently, the political leanings he had felt as a young man had altered in the six years after his escape. He eventually took oath of loyalty and began service to the Revolution. We may never know his exact circumstances during those lost years. However, fervent research has uncovered a great amount of his history. Stephen Sisney is my 7th Great Grandfather! Stephen was a “Cessna” at birth. He never learned to read nor write. In later years his name was changed to Cisney and Sisney; as well as several other variations. For many years, he was said to be the Count who married the Irish Maiden. However, as the years have evolved, and genealogical records are literally at our finger tips, Stephen's real identity has come to light. He holds the honor of being one of the great grandsons of “The Cessna Patriarch” who came to this land in 1718. His grandfather was Stephen Cessna/Sisney who married Patience. Grandfather Stephen died in the winter of 1758. Their son John Cessna was born around 1723 and died in 1751; in York County, Pennsylvania. He married Priscilla Foulke; born about 1724. And this couple gave birth to their first child, our Stephen Sisney. John Cessna died before he reached his 30th birthday. There were two other children born to this couple, John and Ruth. Ruth married William Beeson in 1766 and died 13 September 1768. Brother John appears to have died young also as intense research has not discovered him as an adult. Stephen “The Tory”, was named for his grandfather Stephen; who died in Carlisle jail over a dispute concerning a hat that he had purchased but did not like. C. W. Cissna expresses it this way, Stephen Cessna “died over the price of a hat.” As our Stephen Sisney grew to manhood (without doubt as later information will testify) he shared his grandfather's rather unique, stubborn and tempestuous nature. In 1752, Priscilla Cessna, mother of Stephen, re-married the Quaker, Abraham Elliott. Even though Priscilla came from a strong Quaker heritage; she had married out of unity when she married Stephen's father, John Cessna. There is no evidence that John ever became part of the Quaker Faith. There is one record where he is listed as attending a Quaker wedding. However, it is not unusual for non-members to attend as guests at Quaker Marriage Ceremonies. According to Quaker records Priscilla and Abraham were married by a Justice of the Peace and the church “thought their marriage not lawful.” For a Quaker marriage to be lawful in the eyes of the members, the couple had to marry in a Quaker ceremony within the walls of the church. Abraham’s standing in his Faith was in jeopardy and the marriage was openly criticized. Not only had he married by a Justice; but was engaged in a quarrel with another member that involved both hot words and violence. Abraham Elliot (the step-father of our Stephen) was called in Meeting to account for his actions. On 16 Day of 11th month 1754, Abraham produced the following paper of acknowledgment of his behavior. “Dear Friends whereas there hath been some difference between me and Robert Whiney [Whinery], I being aggrevated to have myself and family abjured, in my passion, struck him for which I am sorry and give forth as a testimony against myself for such disorderly proceedings. And I still desire to be continued under friends.” His apology was accepted. And he was restored to fellowship. Priscilla was reinstated into unity in 1752; as she requested. She was received into membership at Warrington Monthly Meeting in York County, Pennsylvania. The young children Stephen, John, and Ruth Sisney were received into the church shortly after their mother. Abraham and Priscilla had six children in their marriage: Priscilla, Joseph, Esther, Abraham, Jamima, and Samuel. The combined Elliott and Cessna family remained in Pennsylvania until 1764, when records show they were received on Certificate from Warrington PA Monthly Meeting at the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting in North Carolina. The family were then endorsed on Jan 5, 1765 by Cane Creek MM, to the New Garden MM in Orange County, North Carolina. Orange County later became Guilford County in 1771. In 1766, Stephen’s sister Ruth married William Beeson at Center Monthly Meeting in Rowan County. Records record her surname as Cesney, Cessney, Cesna, Sisney. Her father John Ceseny was named on the marriage certificate. Her mother and stepfather did not attend her wedding; nor was Priscilla mentioned as her mother. Ruth Sisney-Beeson bore one daughter; Ruth, in 1767. Sadly, this young mother died in 1768, at the tender age of 21. About the time Stephen’s niece, Ruth, was born in 1767, the seeds of rebellion surface. Stephen's high-spirited nature and stubbornness cause him to be a thorn in the side of his Quaker Bretheran. On February 27, Stephen presented a paper seeking to exonerate himself at New Garden MM, but the assembly was not “free” to accept it. This paper was to have been an apology for his misdeeds. However, it is obvious that it did not fulfill the requirements of a sincere repentance. Again, in July of 1767, he was back at Meeting with another paper of apology because he had been “Quarreling.” Once again Stephen's paper was refused. He was asked to come back at next meeting, “making more effort to write it.” Finally; on August 29 he presented an apology and explanation that was accepted. Nevertheless, in September he was back with yet another apology that was not admitted – reason for this action is not stated. Stephen's pattern of stubbornness and rebellion continues for several months and was obviously escalating. In February 1768; Quaker minutes record Stephen Cessna has been guilty of frequenting of places of diversion, Quarrelling and tuning in order for others to dance. These charges against Stephen clearly show the kind of conduct he had been involved in. Apparently, he was frequenting taverns. Once again, two of his fellow Quakers were “sent in love” to encourage Stephen to change his ways. Their concern must have touched his heart because in April he was back in meeting; condemning his actions and his apology was accepted. However, in May, Friends report that he had not complied with his former promises made in April. In September, Stephen married Dolly Hotton (Holton) who was not a Quaker. This action of marrying “out of unity” had serious consequences concerning his standing in the church. In October he was disowned. Articles on Quaker practices indicate that a disownment usually occurred a couple of months after the civil marriage. It is hightly possible that Stephen and Dolly’s marriage date was around July 1768. Stephen never returned to his Quaker faith. A 1768, Rowan County Tax List, reveals that Stephen was listed as living with Lewis Hutton [Hotton] in Rowan County. In Hotton’s will; Dolly Cesseny was named as a daughter along with sisters Sarah Coe, Ann Nancy Reynolds, Dinah Hotton, and Rachel Bartley. Lewis Hotten was one of those mysterious unassuming men who lived in his community for over thirty years and scarsely left a trace of who he was or where he came from. He purchased property in 1774, was on tax lists, and wrote a will in 1800. After Stephen and Dolly married, they surely followed the normal pattern of having children two or three years apart, but only one son has surfaced that was born in those early years. Recently, newly discovered records strongly indicate their first child was John Sisney, born about 1770 in Guilford County. He was listed as John Sesney (1M 16+ 1M -16 1F) on the 1790 Guilford County census next to his father. In 1793, John witnessed a document for a Grant of land for his father, containing 60 acres, along Horse Pen Creek in North Carolina. In 1798, John had moved and was said to be living on the Pond River in Christian County Kentucky. However no evidence of John making it to Christian County has surfaced. Stephen soon moved his family to Christian County. He applied for a grant for 175 acres which was not finalized until 1817. In 1810, John is not listed on the census. It appears that he has died. One of his son's, either John Scott born 1796 or Stephen William born 1794, is enumerated on the 1810 census as a male age 10-15 living with Stephen and Dolly. Did Dolly and Stephen have other children that have not been identified? One could speculate, as it was a common occurrence, that perhaps one or two of Dolly's children might have died as babies. Children that can be proven are the later children born in the 1780s: Mary born abt 1782; Rachel born abt 1784; Elizabeth A. born 1785 and Robert Cisney born 1788. During the years 1770-1775 life appeared to move along smoothly for the Sisney couple. Stephen paid his taxes in Rowan County in 1770. In 1771 Guilford County was formed from Rowan. As in so many cases, the Sisney's were living in a different county without ever having to pack up and make a move. In 1771 Stephen witnessed a will for William Hoggett. Stephen signed as Cesseny this time. Quaker records show that in 1773 Priscilla Elliott, his mother, died. Abraham Elliot (his stepfather) married again in 1774, to Sarah Piggot. She was widow of William and daughter of John & Abigail Pike in Orange County. Stephen Seseny, Lewis Hutton, and a “John Seseny” are listed, in 1773, as debtors to Col. John McGee, a wealthy merchant and Farmer. This John could not be the son born in 1770, as he would have only been three years old. Is it possible this John is the illusive brother that has never been found? Lewis Hotton, Dolly's father, purchased land 12 February 1774. It is probable that Dolly and Stephen lived with Lewis on his newly purchased farm. Research has not uncovered any land purchase for Stephen until after the Revolutionary War in 1785. February of 1776 brought great upheaval in the lives of the Stephen Sisney family. They would experience turmoil and hardship for many years of the American Revolution. Stephen's Tory escapades landed him in jail. The early Census Index for North Carolina listed him as being in Halifax jail. Stephen was arrested, along with Samuel Devinny and Fredrick Croft, for the shooting of William Dent, local judge, in cold blood. Fred Hughes describes in his book Guilford County, N.C. (a map supplement) the following concerning this incidence: One of the [Tory]companies of the regiment raided Dent's home, plundering and wrecking it. The soldiers tried to kill Dent but although shot in this encounter, Dent managed to escape. Many researchers have claimed that Stephen was arrested on his way to the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge on February 27. However, he could not have been a part of that battle as Stephen was arrested on the 10th of February and incarcerated in Halifax jail for his part in the Dent shooting seventeen days before the battle occurred. The Provincial Congress of North Carolina reports on 5 April 1766, that Stephen was still a prisoner at Halifax. A correspondence dated 16 April 1776 from Halifax, North Carolina to the Maryland Council of Safety informed Maryland they are sending certain prisoners taken in our late commotions who cannot be properly Secured here without great hindrance of our Military Exertions and Manifest danger-of escaping and exerting their dangerous influence on our inhabitants. Stephen Lisney [Sisney] was named as one of those group of eighteen men and is designated as one “who shot Captain Dent in cold blood”. April 20 - May 19. There is no shortage of official documents that validate Stephen's part in the Feb. 10, 1776, shooting of Dent. The following is just one of many documents on this issue: Halifax, North Carolina it was reported by the committee of the Provencial Congress of North Carolina that Stephen Lisney[Sisney] did actually take up arms and go forth to war for the purpose aforesaid. That he was one of the Company that shot Capt. Dent. This act of violence branded Stephen as a dangerous man. He became an enemy throughout his community and most likely to many of his close and distant family members. The horror of the Revolutionary war was, in a real sense; a Civil War that pitted neighbor against neighbor, family member against family member and friend against friend. Hate, atrocities and bitterness raged on both sides. From April 20 – May 19 There was a flurry of correspondence between North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland concerning the transportation of the Prisoners to their colonies. North Carolina was emphatic they wanted them out of their sight as quickly as possible. There was great concern that the Tories not be allowed to escape and that a “Proper Guard” be appointed to escort them. May 19 – 20, 1776. Col. Zadock Magruder delivered Stephen and his compatriots to the Maryland Committee. They were ordered to be held in Abraham Faw's Poor House in Fredrick until a Tory prison could be built. The new building was to be a log Gaol at least thirty feet long with an upper story divided into three rooms each with its own stove. However, at the time, Faw's Poor House which has been described as a dreadful and unfit place to live and hardly fit for any human being was to be Stephen's home for several weeks. Abraham was to furnish the following rations for the prisoners: One pound of Beef or three quarters of a pound of Pork, One pound of flour or bread per man, three pints of peas at Six shillings per Bushell per Week...one quart of Indian Meal per week, a Gill of Vinegar and a Gill of Molasses per man per day. The committee ordered the prisoners to be under constant guard, as their deepest fear was an escape. On June 6, 1776, the Tory prisoners were moved to the newly built log Gaol. However, regardless of all the precautions the Committee of Safety took to prevent the captives from breaking jail; their worst nightmare was realized. On 23 September 1776, the following poster was distributed in Fredrick. [Advertisement of Escaped Prisoners] Aaron Verdue an Englishman, about 6 feet high, a very strong well-made man, ruddy complexion, has short brown curled hair, has on an old brown cloth coat & jacket, a pair of leather breeches, stocking shoes and an old hat. Alexander McCraw a Scotchman, a well-made man about five nine inches high, had on a coarse hunting shirt and leather breeches, a pair of striped trousers and pale blue yarn stockings, a pair of shoes and scotch bonnet. Henneth [Kenneth] Sewart [Stewart] a Scotchman well-made about five feet nine inches high, wears a long hunting shirt with pockets in the side of it, a pair of leather breeches, white stockings, a brown surtout coat and scotch bonnet, pretends to have some knowledge in Physick. Robertson York, a Pennsylvanian, about five feet seven or eight inches height slender made man, red hair, curled in his neck, remarkable large lips and bad teeth, is a very chattering fellow, had on a short brown coat, mixed colored cloth jacket and leather breeches, shoes stockings. Robert Turner an Englishman about five feet eleven inches high, well made strong man, short brown hair, had on a light colored surtoat coat, made in the Quaker manner, a country cloth close brown coat, blue cloth jacket pieced in the back with pale blue cloth; a pair of grey cloth and a pair of fustian breeches, several pairs of ribbed yarn stockings, shoes and Hat. Thomas Bradford an Englishman about five feet six inches high, a slim made man and very pale countenance, short black hair, an old grey cloth coat, striped cotton jackett, leather breeches, worsted stockings, shoes & hat. Stephen Sysney a Pennsylvanian 5 feet 5 Inches high, a well-proportioned man, has a dimple in his chin, short dark brown hair, a hunting shirt, a brown shallon jackett, leather breeches, and a pair of trousers, stockings, shoes, and a large hat. Whoever takes up and secures the above persons so that they may be brought back to their place of confinement, shall have at the rate of 8 dollars for each, or fifty-six dollars for all of them per order. (sic) The entire transcription of the poster of the escaped Tories from North Carolina has been included in this genealogical history, because it offers a detailed physical description of the men who were Tory compatriots of Stephen. Their mode of dress is particularly interesting. History shows they were not a fainthearted group of men nor were they evil. However, they were men who stood for that which they believed and were willing to fight for those beliefs. The news of Stephen's escape did not make its way to Guilford until after October of 1776. Dolly with six other wives, petitioned the North Carolina Council of Safety begging for the return of their husbands. The woman expressed that they, and their husbands, are in deplorable condition and desire the committee to show pity and compassion to them and their Small families. Obviously, the wives of the prisoners are not aware as they stand pleading before the commission for release of their husbands; their spouses have escaped from the Tory log prison and are in even deeper trouble. The very idea that Dolly was petitioning for her husband's release is a strong indication that she and Stephen did have at least one child. Otherwise, there was no other valid reason why she would have been petitioning for her husband to be returned to take care of his “small family.” It is conceivable that a couple of children died. It was not unusual to lose babies in those early years when living conditions were often harsh and cruel. Presumably; Dolly would have lived with her father, Lewis, during Stephen's absence. Although, she had sisters living close by there has not been any indication that their husbands were sympathetic with the Loyalist cause. It was certainly possible that Dolly faced animosity from her family and neighbors because of Stephen's loyalty to the British Crown. Her life must have been, without doubt, so very difficult. There are five blank years unaccounted for in the life of the Tory, Stephen Sisney, after his escape from prison in 1776. Where was Stephen from the years 1776 until he finally surfaced in 1781? It has been rumored that he spent those years in prison. Actually, it was quite the opposite. He was still in the battle. He stayed loyal to King George lll and Great Brittain. In 1781, there were still many bands of Tories in hiding. The brutal Tory leader Colonel David Fanning, in the summer of 1781, was on a reqruiting spree in North Carolina and raised around 950 men. These loyalist under his command raised terrible havoc killing, pilfering and burning homes. It was a brutel scene. How large a part Stephen “The Tory” played in this ugly battle is not known. What we do know about Stephen’s activities is that on December 10, 1781 at Cox’s Mill in North Carolina Col. Elijah Isaacs a Patriot leader moved in on the Loyalist with 300 Patriot forces and attacked. At this time “Col. Isaacs gave notice that if all Loyalist would step forward and meet with him he would give them protection.” Only those men who were not guilty of murder, robbery and housebreaking were allowed this opportunity. This second chance offered the Loyalist was made available because of a Proclamation concerning a pardon for them by Govenor Alexander Martin on 25 December 1781. The Tories peacefully gathered and Colonel Isaacs took them prisoner and marched them to Salisbury Jail. Stephen Sisney was in this group of men. In the December 1781 Session of the Randolph County Court of Pleas Stephen “bound by the court, appeared and discharged upon Proclamation and took the Oath of Allegiance”. Free. Free to go home to the arms of Dolly and start his life again. Free to purchase land. Free to be a builder of our nation instead of a destroyer. A Military Pay Voucher issued to Stephen on August of 1783, in Salisbury District, proved he was a man of honor and kept his word that he would serve one year in the Continental Army as part of his taking the oath. Pay vouchers were issued in lieu of cash for military service or supplies furnished. Stephan Sisney was allowed Nine pounds four Shillings in August by order of Sam Henderson CB, Charles Bruce and James Hunder, Auditors. Vouchers that were redeemed had a large hole punched in the center. Stephens voucher contained such a hole that obliterated the reason he received the money. Nine pounds was a significant amount of money. Around 1782, Dolly begins bearing children; when either Rachel or Mary is born. The only record these girls appear in is Stephen's will, written shortly before he died, in 1823, in Christian County, Kentucky. Mary (Grace) was listed first, followed by Rachel (Taylor) and Elizabeth (Ray) and are designated as daughters. Research has not uncovered Rachel or Mary with husbands and children. In 1785 Stephen was listed on the Randolph County Tax List living on Polecat watercourse with 1 white Poll, 300 acres and 1 male over 16. He has accumulated 300 acres since his arrival home in 1781. His daughter Elizabeth was born soon after. She married James Rea about 1806, and died 25 August 1852 in Hopkins County, Kentucky. In 1786, Stephen had returned to Guilford and purchased 120 acres of land for 40 Pounds from Daniel and Ann Brittain of Guilford County. The Brittains were Quaker and probably knew Stephen. Witnesses to this land transaction were Aaron Mendenhal, Samuel Brown, and William Ward. All are Quakers. In 1787, William Dent, Entry Officer, ordered a survey on a tract of land for Stephen Cessna, containing 50 acres on Brush Creek in the County of Guilford. The land was entered on 25 April 1787. Warrant No. 2559 was issued 27 November 1792. (Was this the same William Dent that was shot? If so, how ironic.) In 1788, a son, Robert, was born to Stephen and Dolly Sisney. Robert remained devoted and lived close to his parents until their deaths. In 1790, the Federal Census for Stephen Sisney of Guilford County, North Carolina listed with: 1 White male over 16; 1 White male under 16; 3 White females. Next door to Stephen is John Sisney: listed with 1 White male over 16; 1 White male under 16; 1 White female. John is the elder son of Stephen who witnessed the 1796 Land Grant and moved to Kentucky with him. In 1794, their probable grandson, William Stephen Sisney, was born in Virginia. He would die sometime after 1860, at Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, Williamson County, Illinois. It is very possible that William is son of John Sisney. He also used the name Stephen on occasion. Another probable grandson, John Scott Sisney, was born 14 October 1796 in Guilford County, North Carolina. He died on 4 September 1880 at Pontiac, Ozark County, Missouri. His Father is very likely John Sisney, the son of Stephen and Dolly Sisney. In 1796, Stephen Sisney was issued a Warrant for 60 acres on the Waters of Horse Pen watercourse in Guilford, County, North Carolina. His Land was entered 11 May 1790, but issued 3 November 1790. Note: His son John Sisney signed and witnessed this land warrant survey. In 1797, On November 18, Stephen sold his land on the waters of Horse Pen to Jesse Dillon for 40 Pounds. It is clear that he was preparing to leave North Carolina for Kentucky. In 1798, John Sisney, son of Stephen, was said “to have took land on the Pond River in Kentucky.” However, that assumption has not been proven. As research intensifies; it appears John never arrived in Christian County. It is likely he died enroute either in Tennessee or Virginia. Bill Cissna, via email, shared the following information on the routes that the Sisney families would have traveled: There were only two routes that the Sisney's would take from North Carolina to Kentucky. There is a long valley that runs from Winston Salem to Ashville, right along the eastern face of the Blue Ridge Mts. From there they would have gone over the gap of the French Broad River into Kentucky to the Tennessee River. Most people then took flat boats down the Tennessee River to a place around Cadiz, KY. The other route would be back up over the Great Wagon Road into Virginia and follow the valley on the West side of the Blue Ridge into Tennessee. Some went over the Cumberland Gap north of where Knoxville is now. Some followed a long and winding road through the hills and over the plateau to Nashville, then north to Hopkinsville. Overland was a very hard trip. The river was the easiest, but not all that easy. This family group of Sisney's stayed together. The Sisney party would have consisted of Stephen, Dolly, daughters Mary age 15 and Rachel age 13, Elizabeth age 12 and son Robert age 9. John age 24 and wife, sons Stephen William age 3 and John Scott age 1. Did they join a Wagon Train or travel alone? Either way, they forged ahead as brave pioneers eager to obtain acreage in the Barren Grass Land of Kentucky. In 1806, Elizabeth Cisney married James S. Rea. They lived in Dalton, Hopkins County, Kentucky. Both died there and are buried in a wooded area on the Rea Homestead. On 28 April 1807, Stephen Cisney obtained a warrant for a Kentucky Land Grant that contained 175 acres on the Pond River in Christian County. He would not receive the actual grant until 31 December 1817. Robert Cisney, Stephen and Dolly's last-born child, married Mary (surname unknown) around 1807. He and his family were listed in the 1810 census with 1M to 25, 1F 16-25, and 1F under 10. The Christian County 1810 census named Stephen as “Sessny”. Living with him is Dolly and a male child born between 1795 and 1800. This is very likely Stephen William. For many years it has been said that Stephen William and John (Scott) were sons of Stephen and Dolly. However, it is unlikely as Dolly would have been around 45 years or older when they were born. Neither grandson was mentioned in Stephen's will even though they were still living nearby. Grandson, Stephen [William] Sisney married Elizabeth Betsey Troyer on 15 July 1816 in Christian County. The elder Stephen and a Wm Brown secured bond for them. Stephen and Dolly sold Stephen William 45 acres of land just before he died in 1823. John (Scott) Was married twice. He first married Polly Hall around 1822 probably in Virginia. He later divorced Polly accusing her of adultry and having a child after they separated. In 1829, a few weeks after his divorce was finalized, he married Matilda Tomkins, 29 November 1829, in Hopkins County, Kentucky. John and Matilda raised a large family of ten children. John died 4 September 1880 in Pontiac, Ozark, Missouri. Benjamin Franklin Cisney, born abt 1814 and died after 1846, is said to be the nephew of Robert Cisney and the grandson of Dolly and Stephen. However, there is no documentation that proves who Benjamin Franklin is or who his father was. Benjamin was most likely living with Robert in the 1820 and 1830 censuses in Christian County. There was an extra male, born about 1816-1820, living in the household both years. In 1845 it appears that young “Frank” was under the spell of a scoundrel of the worst kind named Edward Alonzo Pennington. His influence on Benjamin was to prove disastrous. A Simon Davis of Christian County was murdered and his body thrown into a sink hole. Suspicion centered immediately on Pennington and Frank. Pennington fled the area leaving Cisney to face the music. When Davise’s horse was found near the home of Frank “the Regulators took him into the woods and beat him severely.” Frank admitted that Lonz had killed Davis and took the men to the hidden sink hole where Davise’s body had been thrown. Pennington was eventually captured. Before his encarceration he claimed that Frank had murdered Davis. He also declared he had seen Frank Cisney murdered on Red River. Regardless of his accusations a trial was held; Lonzo was convicted of murder and hung. Pennington’s last words were calmly spoken; “Frank Cisney killed Simon Davis.” The mystery lingers on. Who is Benjamin Frank Cisney? Will we ever know? Stephen and Dolly lived out their lives in Christian County and were shown on the 1820 census with son Robert and grandson Stephen Siciny living near by. John Scott does not appear to be with the family at this time. However, he is shown in the 1830 census residing near his brother Stephen and his Uncle Robert. On 9 November 1823 the ailing Tory, Stephen Sisney, wrote his will. The clerk who transcribed his will used the surname of Cisney. Stephen left his land and plantation, house goods, chattles, and livestock to Dolly. However shortly before he died he sold 45 acres of land to his grandson Stephen William and 75 acres to his son Robert. The Tory Stephen died shortly before November 3 1823. Upon her death, Dolly’s grandson, Washington Cisney was to inherit all the remaining estate. Stephen left five shillings each to daughter's Mary Grace, Rachal Taylor, Elizabeth Ray and son Robert. Dolly and Robert were appointed as Executors of the estate. Stephen's will was recorded on 3 November 1823. The appraisal of Stephen's worldly goods indicate the couple lived a simple life. His personal estate consisted of the following: 1 Lott Tools, A Cutting box & Knife, 1 Plow, 1 Sickle, 1 Iron Wedge, 1 Bay Mair, 3 Hogs, 3 Barrels, 3 Hd Cattle, 1 Grindstone, 8 Barrels Corn, 15 Doz Oats, 1 Axe, 1 Hoe, 2 Beds of furniture, 1 Lott Castings, 1 Case Razor & Box, 1 Hammer, and 1 Sheep. It is not known when or where Dolly died. She does not show on any census in 1830. Is it possible that the census taker missed her; as grandson George “Washington” who was to receive the property when she died is still living at home with Robert in 1830. George married Susan Garris in 1833. The 1840 Census showed Washington Siseny with wife and daughter living near his aunt Elizabeth Rea in Hopkins County. It is not unreasonable to assume that Dolly died before the 1830 census. Researching Stephen and Dolly has been a challenging but highly rewarding journey. They have become real to me. They were just an ordinary common couple plodding along and doing the best they could under whatever circumstances they found themselves in. They faced and conquered their many trials and adversities with determination and fortitude. Their posterity can be proud of all they accomplished. I know I am. Note: Revised and new Research added on November 8, 2019.. The information in this Essay is fully documented and sourced. I am willing to share my work and welcome comments and questions. (ylstrong95@gmail.com)
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AuthorBill Cissna Archives
June 2023
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