Robert Sisson, my 7th generation grandfather, served in the Revolutionary War 1775-1782.
He enlisted in the American Army Oct. 1775 at age fifteen. This took place at the Richmond County Court House located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Robert Sisson fought at the battles of Brandywine – Philadelphia, Mud Bank Fort, Monmouth Court House, Somerset, Stony Point and Charleston. His Revolutionary War service included the harsh winters encampments of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and Morristown, New Jersey — And have been verified by National Park Service records. He probably crossed the Delaware with General Washington.
He was commended by his commanding officer for ‘Extraordinary Valor’ during the first night raid, a surprise midnight assault, by American forces at the Battle of Fort Stony Point, New York. Robert Sisson was member of the ‘”the forlorn hope” which included 300-Virginians volunteers from the 2nd Virginia Regiment who first charged the gates of the British garrison armed with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets only.
While serving in the Virginia 2nd Regiment, Robert Sisson marched from New Jersey to South Carolina twice. He was captured at the battle of Charleston and spent 2-years on a British prison ship where only one of three prisoners survived the incarceration. Most colonial prisoners starved to death and were throw overboard.
He survived the British prisons, eventually married and became a farmer in Northern Virginia. He resided in Fairfax, Virginia until his death in 1825.
In 2002, the Virginia General Assembly honored Sgt. Robert Sisson service to Virginia during the Revolutionary War with a House of Delegates memoriam. Delegate Steve Landes patron that for the Virginia Sisson family. My 7th generation grandfather Robert Sisson is also listed as a Revolutionary War Patriot in the Library of Congress.
Robert Sisson’s handwritten petition to the VA General Assembly in 1795 requesting back pay during his internment by the British Army along with RW commanding officer letters and General Assembly journal page notations are treasured possessions. Check the web page for other details about the Sisson family history and events:
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~dasisson/Before it was a day of parades, barbecues and baseball – Memorial Day was a day of reflection for all in honor of those who served, were hurt and who died defending the nation from its enemies. Today, I’m thinking about Robert’s legacy and other family members who have contributed to the cause of liberty and freedom.
Steven Eugene Sisson
Sons of the American Revolution, ID # 15892
Of Eugene Henry Jr, Eugene Henry Sr, Walter George, Eugene Townsend, John Augustine, Robert Townsend, Robert, William III, William II, William I, & Robert Sisson *, Lancaster County, Virginia (1630-1699) * DNA ancestral patriarch.
– Robert Sisson, Lancaster Clerk of Court 1667-1674
– William Sisson III, French & Indian War, Western Virginia, Scout 1754-1755
– Robert Sisson, Revolutionary War, 2nd VA Regiment, Alexander Parker Co., Sergeant 1775-1782
– Robert Townsend Sisson, War of 1812, Captain Coffer’s Co, VA Militia, Private 1813-1814
– John Augustine Sisson, Civil War, Potomac Army, Private Union Scout 1861-1865
– Eugene Townsend Sisson, Alexandria Board of Elections 1887-1889
– Eugene Henry Sisson, DC Police Force, Lt. Detective 1941-1973