Nicholas Sessums born about 1646 in England was transported to Virginia by Arthur Allen. An oath he gave in Surry County Court in July 1710 stated he had been in the colony for forty four years. This would make him arriving in the colony in 1666. This is recorded in Surry County Order Book 1691-1713 page 352. He received 50 acres of land for importation of himself into the colony. Also Mrs. Alice Allen on March 9, 1670 stated that she discharges Nicholas Sessoms of all claims of debts, which would mean that Nicholas worked for Arthur and Alice for four years to pay off the debt for transportation to Virginia. This is in Surry County Record Book I page 405. He is also listed in Servants to Foreign Plantations on page 43 as coming from England. The book Briston and America, shows Nicholas Sessums being transported from Briston, England to Virginia between 1663 and 679 Page 117. All the above shows that Nicholas Sessums came to Virginia in 1666 from Bristol, England as a servant, that he worked for Arthur and Alice Allen of Surry County for four years and all his debts were discharged in 1670 and he became a free man. Nugent, Volume I pages 199, 276, 362 show patents of land in which he acquired an estate of about 1800 acres of land. He obtained this by paying for the passage of others over a 12 year period. This land was located on Pigeon Creek and Black Water River in Surry County for the most part. He also had numerous servants. The 1702 Tithables for Southwark Parish shows that he owned 4 servants living in his household and 98 others living on his plantation. This is referenced in Colonial Surry, Bodie, page 209. Records also show that he was one of two church Warden's in Lawne's Creek Parish. The wardens were responsible for Collecting the parish taxes, caring for the poor, and for interpreting moral offenses and presenting them to the County Court. He was the plaintiff and also the defendant in several lawsuits concerning moral issues. They are shown in Surry County, Virginia Order Book 1671-1691 and 1691-1713. He married first Hannah Culmer the widow of Robert Lane. The notes on Hannah Culmer will show information about Hannah and her marriage to Nicholas. They had two daughters as shown by the will Nicholas made October 8, 1715 and probated October 21, 1716. It is recorded in Book 7 page 33. The daughters names are Hannah married to William Black and Ann married to William Williams. He also had a son Thomas Sessums who died previous to Nicholas Sessums. Thomas is shown on the 1693 Tithables List for Lawnes Creek Parish living in the household of his father. Hannah Culmer Black died before 1693 and he married Katherine maiden name unknown. Katherine is first mentioned in a court suit in July 1693 in Surry County along with her husband Nicholas. Katherine is shown in May 1704 in Order Book 1691-1713 relinquishing her rights to dower of a piece of land Nicholas gave to his daughter Ann Williams, and she is named as wife in Nicholas ' will.

Hannah Culmer is the daughter of Thomas Culmer as was shown in a deed from Thomas Culmer to his daughter Hannah Lane wife of Robert Lane in deed boot I page 198 Nov. 6, 1662. Hannah is mentioned in a deed dated May 2, 1666 Book I page 276 and shown as wife of Robert Lane. On the Tithables (white) for the year 1668 Robert Lane's name is show, but nowhere else in Surry County records after this date. It is assumed he died. It is believed that Hannah then married as his first wife Nicholas Sessums. It is shown in a court order Book 1671-1691 page 77 that Eliza Lane (presumably Hannah and Robert Lane's daughter) was living in the household of Nicholas Sessoms. The order reads

"Eliza Lane having been delivered of two mulatto bastard children which she confesseth were begotten by Nicholas Sessoms' Negro man, it is ordered that the sheriff during the setting of this court (January, 1690) give her ten lashes on her bare back well layed on and at the next court he give her ten lashes more." Hannah died before 1693 when Nicholas Sessums and his second wife, Katherine were involved in a court suite in July, 1693 Surry County Court.

Thomas Sessums is shown on the 1693 Tithables List for Lawnes Creek Parish, where he is living in the household of his father, Nicholas Sessums. (Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Volume 23, No.4 Page 65. He would have had to be born about 1677, as only males 16 or older are listed, and this was the first time he appeared in his father's household. He is next shown as living in a separate household on the list of 1697. He is living adjoining his father's land and the land of his brother-in-law William Williams. this is referenced in the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy Volume 24 No 2 Page 72. He continues to be listed on the tithables list in the same location through 1703. No further lists are available for Surry County, Virginia after 1704. He probably married about the time of the 1697 list. He married Elizabeth Smith as is proved by Elizabeth relinquishing her right of dower on a deed in 1700 shown inCounty Order Book 1691-1713 Page 210. Thomas Sessums moved to Chowan County North Carolina prior to 1711. He died before 1711 as shown here: Records of a court held for the Precinct of Chowan NorthCarolina at the house of William Branch the 3rd Tuesday in April 1711 states that "Elizabeth Sessoms (spelled Sessions) prays letter of administrations of goods and credit of Thomas Sessoms. Granted as prayed." Bertis County was formed from Chowan County in 1722 and further records of his descendents are found there. Thomas left no will but records show that his children are Thomas, Nicholas, Richard, Culmer and Samuel.

Elizabteh Smith was born ca. 1677 the daughter of Richard Smith and his first wife Margaret Blow Smith. She married Thomas Sessums prior to 1700 as shown in the following, Elizabeth Sessoms, wife of Thomas Sessoms, appearing incourt and relinquishing her right of dower of, iin and to a parcel of land sold by her husband to Nathaniel Harris on it is omitted to record." This is recorded in Surry County Order Book 1691-1731 Page 210. The relationship to the Smith family is shown in the Smith Family History in the Virginia State Library, Richmond. According to researcher Doris V Stone in a letter to James E.Morgan, compiler of NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDENTS This history states that Thomas Sessoms married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Richard Smith and his first wife Margaret Blow Smith. It also shows that Thomas and Elizabeth moved to Chowan County, NorthCarolina and after the death of Thomas, Elizabeth married James Boon. A deed from Nicholas Smith onFeb 8, 1729 for good will and affection to his nephew Richard Sessoms. Recorded in Bertie Co. NC Deed Book C page 29. Nicholas Smith was the son of Richard Smith and brorther of Elizabeth as shown in Richards will dated Feb. 24, 1712, probated May 20,1713 Book 6 page 144. Elizabeth married James Boon after Thomas Sessoms died . This is shown in several Chowan County deeds. One recorded in Deed Book B, #1, Chowan County, NC 8 states" James Boon of ChowanPrecinct and Elizabeth, his wife to Richard Barefield, March 31, 1718, 20 pounds sterling, 250 acres more or less on Chowan river adjoining Peter Evans, the main road, Gum branch and the river. We bind ourselves in the full sum of 50 pounds sterling. Registered April 18, 1718."

Hannah Sessums, daughter of Nicholas Sessums and Hannah Culmer married William Black as shown in the will of Nicholas Sessums. William Black is not listed in Surry county records after that of the files of Chowan or Bertie Counties North Carolina records where other family members settled. Other records suggest that William Black died and Hannah married John Mitchell. Hannah is mentioned as the wife of John Mitchell in a Bertie County deed dated Sept 7, 1724 between John Mitchell and Dennis McLendon. Hannah is shown as the executrix of the estate of John Mitchell in the Bertie County NC Court of Common Pleas of the 2nd Tuesday 1739. (Book I, page 275). The estate was divided between the widow and seven orphans in Book II page 283 in the May court of1740. In the November Court of 1740, the division of the estate of Mitchell was returned by Benjamin Warren, John Perry and Nicholas Sessums in Book II page 305.

Ann Sessums daughter of Nicholas Sessums and Hannah Culmer is mentioned in Order Book 1691-1713 Page 254 may 1704 when Nicholas Sessums second wife relinquished her rights to dower of a piece of land Nicholas gave to his daughter Ann Williams. So possibly she had married William Williams before that date. Her husband is listed several times in the Surry County records. Ann had apparently died prior to William as she is not listed in his will. William Williams will is as follows; "Williams William: Leg. To son, lewis Williams, 4 acres adjoining his own land up Wet Slash to Green Swamp. to Daughter Hester, my plantation where I live with one-half the remaining part of land and one negro. Son, William to have the use of the other part of the land for seven years then to my daughter, Lidia. Gives daughter Lidia, into the care of William Newsum's wife until of age, or married and teach her to read the catechism. to daughters, Anne, Katherine, Mary, Hannah, Unity, and Faith, each five shillings. sons John and William five shillings each. Mentions five children, Lewis, Wm. Eliz, Lidia, and Hester. Friend,Wm. Edwards and son, Lewis Williams, Exers. Made: 17 Nov., 1740. Prob.: 16 April, 1741. Wit: Wm. Edwards, John Johnson. Book 9, p. 294."

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, joining George Winn and ye Branch in Deed Book W, 1, Page 388. He later sells 100 acres in 1718 to John Mitchel in Deed Book b, 1, Page 615. In1719 he sells 80 acres to John Williams and 100 acres to James Boon, Deed Book B, page 618 and 627. Bertie County was formed from Chowan Co in 1722. Records reflect that he sold 80 acres to James Page adjoining John Williams. This is shown in Deed Book A Page 147 Bertie Co. He is shown numerous time in the Bertie County Court minutes acknowledging deeds, laying off roads, and as overseer of juries. About 1721, Nicholas Sessums married Elizabeth Hooker Sizemore, widow of Samuel Sizemore. Elizabeth and Samuel Sizemore had one son, Samuel, before the father's death. At a court held on Sept. 9, 1742 at the house of Ino Cullins near Red Bend, the records show that "Nicholas Sessums, proved his rights to wit: Nicholas Sessums, Elizabeth Sessums, Samuel Sizemore, Elizabeth Sessums, Ivy Rachel Sessums, Luranna Sessums, Nicholas Sessums Jr., William Sessums, Anna Sessums, Sarah Sessums, Grace Sessums, white persons." In 1744 Edgecombe County was formed from Bertie County and Nicholas was living in the new county. There are several land transactions including one which shows the location of his land; Nicholas Sessums and his wife Elizabeth to Samuel Sizemore of Edegecombe County, 20 February 1753, 5 pounds sterling of Great Britain, 140 acres on East of Swamp, Witnesses among others, William Sessoms and Nicholas Sessoms Jr. Nicholas Sessums will was dated May 23, 1764 and probated in the October 1764 court is as follows:

"Sessums, Nicholas May 28, 1764. Oct. Ct., 1764. Wife: Elizabeth Sessums, use of my whole estate her lifetime; son: Thomas s, Furniture, my wearing clothes, 1/2 my still, 1/2 my orchard, horse, and mare for use on plantation; daus: Elizabeth Duffield, Rachel Parker, Lurana Dunn, Ann Dunn, Sarah Marley, 5 S each; sons: William Sessoms, 100 A of land joining Sizemore's line in contenea in Edgecombe Co; Nicholas Sessums, whole of my estate after my wife'[s decease to take care of his younger bro. Thomas Sessums during his life; 1/2 my still and orchard; shall help maintain my wife. Exr: Nicholas Sessums, Wit: John Skinner, Benjamin Faircloth.

Elizabeth Hooker , daughter of William Hooker, Sr. She married about 1716, Samuel Sizemore. He was living in Bertie County NC about that date. They had one son, Samuel Sizemore. Samuel Sizemore is shown sell lnd on January 14, 1720/21 Deed Book F-1Page 134 Chowan County after which he presumbably died. Elizabeth then married Nicholas Sessums. They lived in Bertie County after it was made in 1722 and later it was made into Edgecombe County. She had eight children with Nicholas. She died after Nicholas, who died in 1764.

Readding Blount Parker, born Feb. 28, 1849 in Columbia County, Florida died Feb. 18, 1891, Osceola County, Florida, son of Streaty Parker and Mary Eve Blount. He married August 6, 1868, in Polk County, Florida, Ellen Wilingham, daughter of William Henry and Annie Hilliard Willingham. She was born Mary 14, 1851 in Hillsborough County Florida and died March 8, 1933 at Ft. Pierce, Florida. Readding B Parker came to Hillsborough (now Polk Co.) Fla in October 1851 with his parents. He attended the original log schoolhouse at Ft. Blount in 1858. He lived in Polk County until 1879. During the 1870's he raised cattle in the Kissimmee River Valley. In 1878, after the great hurricane he found most of his cattle were located east of the Kissimmee River. In 1879 he build a permanent residence on the Norwest corner of Lake Marian. He employed several workmen and raised cattle and sheep and grain crops. He had about 700 head of cattle at his death, which his brother Louis Parker as administrator of the Estate of Streaty Parker sold to Ellen Parker for $3500. On Sept 16, 1887, Readding and Ellen Parker sold for $3,968.68 their one-ninth share in 340 acres of land in Polk Co. which had belonged to Streaty Parker. The sale was made to Readding's mother and seven brothers and sisters. Readding B. Parker died Feb 18, 1891, Osceola Co., after suffering from Bright's disease for several years. Ellen Parker and her children moved to Basinger in 1898 and were living in the household of her daughter Bertha, and son-in-law James Walker on the 1900 census. She lived in Basinger until 1907 when she and her sons moved to Ft. Pierce , Fla. She died March 8, 1933 in Ft. Pierce, Fla. and is buried in the cemetery there. Reading B. Parker's remains were moved beside his wife some years after her death.

James Samuel Walker was born April 25, 1862 in Baker County, Florida, the son of Jermiah Walker Jr and Martha M Tumblin. His parents moved to Brevard County in the middle 1870's. In 1880 he is shown on the census in Jermiah Walker's household. In the 1885 Florida agricultural census he is shown living in the household of Redding Parker as a border, occupation stockhandler. He married June 25, 1885 in Brevard County Bertha Slagier Parker born Nov.28, 1870 at Bartow, Florida, a daughter of Redding B. Parker and Ellen Willingham. James S. Walker was engaged in the cattle business for a number of years. On July 27, 1887 he and his wife received from Louis H. Parker, their share of cattle from her father's and grandfather's herd, numbering 200 head. Later James sold the cattle and opened a general mercantile store at Basinger, Florida. He was appointed postmaster of Bassinger, on March 12, 1901. He sold the store in 1906 and moved to Delray Beach, Florida where he was in the business of truck farming. He joined the Masonic Lodge No 171 in Delray becomming a Master Mason June 16, 1909. James and Bertha Walker moved to Okeechobee, Florida around 1920 and he continued to be in the truck farming business with his son William helping him. At the beginning of the land boom he went into the real estate business for several years. Bertha Parker Walker died March 4, 1939 in Okeechobee. James lived with his son, William in Okeechobee until his death January 28, 1940. They are buried at Basinger, Florida. Two of the sons of James and Bertha died young, Jeremiah died at the age of 14 months on January 22, 1899 at Basinger and is buried there. James Frank died at age 18 on August 17, 1907 in Delray, Florida where he is buried.

William Hardy Walker was born November 28, 1886 at Whittier, Brevard County, Florida, son of James S Walker and Bertha S Parker. By 1900 William Walker was living in Bassinger, Osceola County Florida with his parents as shown on the 1900 census. He married December 15, 1907 Cuthbert Underhill, daughter of William and Samantha Underhill. She was born December 30, 1885 at Basinger, Florida. The Walker's lived at Basinger for several years where Mr. Walker operated a general store with his brother-in-law and cousin, Cuyler Hilliard. Mr. Walker was also a cattleman. In 1918 the family moved from Bassinger to Okeechobee. William Walker worked as a farmer growing vegetables in the Eagle Bay area on Lake Okeechobee. He also worked as a dragline operater and at the ice plant. In his later years he was the caretaker for the county cemeteries. He died January 28, 1964 in Okeechobee. Cuthbert Walker lived with her daughter, Wilma LaMartin for several years prior to her death January 28, 1964 in Okeechobee, Florida. They are buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Okeechobee, Florida.

Robert Lee LaMartin was born at Bassinger, Florida on February 16, 1901. He was orphaned at age 10, he then made his home with his sister Esther Walker and her husband John Hardy Walker. The family moved from Bassinger to Okeechobee in 1918. He attended school in Bassinger, then Okeechobee graduating from high school there. He then went to Rollins College, where he worked his way through, graduating in 1928 with an AB degree. At that time he went to work in the Tax Assessor's office. He ran for the office in 1932 and was elected. He took office January 3, 1933 and served eight terms and retired on January 4, 1965. He married Wilma Lorena Walker, February 23,1935. She was born December 23, 1912 at Delray, Florida. Her parents William Hardy Walker and Cuthbert Lenora Underhill Walker lived at Bassinger, Florida, but traveled to Delray to obtain services of a doctor for the birth. Wilma and her family moved to Okeechobee in 1918 and she started school there. She graduated from high school in 1930. She has been a homemaker all her life. After his retirement, Robert spent the next 20 years working on his small cattle ranch and a small orange grove located just outside of Okeechobee City. Robert LaMartin died July 2, 1986 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Okeechobee.

The remaining generations omitted

1. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS , (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Pages 5 - 20 inc..

2. Surry County Order Book 1691-1713, Page 352.

3. SERVANTS TO FOREIGN PLANTATIONS, Page 83.

4. BRISTOL AND AMERICA, Page117.

5. Will of Nicholas Sessoms, Book 7 Page 33 Surry County,Virginia.

6. Deed of Thomas Culmer Nov. 6, 1662, Surry County Virginia, Deed Book I 1652-1672, Deed from Thomas Culmer to Hannah Lane showing she is his daughter.

7. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS, (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Page18,19.

8. "Magazine of Virginia Genealogy," Volume 23, No.4 Page 65.

9. "Magazine of Virginia Genealogy," Volume 24, No 2, Page 72.

10. Surry County Order Book 1691-1713, Page 210.

11. Chowan County North Carolina Deed Book, Book A, #1 Page 107 108 109.

12. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS, (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Pages 23 - 28 inc..

13. Surry County Order Book 1691-1713, Page 210.

14. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS, (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Page 20,21.

15. Will of Nicholas Sessums, Surry Co. Virginia Book 7 Page 33.

16. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS, (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Page 18,20,21.

17. Will of William Williams, Surry County Virginia April 16, 1741.

18. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS, (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Page 33-37.

19. Chowan County North Carolina Deed Book, Deed Book W, 1, Page 13, 388, Oct 13, 1718.

20. Chowan County North Carolina Deed Book, Deed Book B, 1, page 615 . 618, 627 1718 & 1719.

21. Bertie County North Carolina Deed Book, Deed Book A, Page 147.

22. Will of Nicholas Sessoms 1764, Edgecombe County North Carolina Probate Records.

23. Will of William Hooker, Sr, Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC.

24. Will of Nicholas Sessoms, Edgecombe County NC October 1764 Court.

25. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS, (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Page 34,35.

26. Will of Nicholas Sessoms, Edgecombe County NC October 1764.

27. James E Morgan, Jr., NICHOLAS SESSOMS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDATNS, (Published by James E Morgan Jr., 2462 Whites Mill Rd., Sumter, SC 29153), Page 34, 35.