Sizemore.
No. 29255


James H. Sizemore, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:


I am 67 years of age and was born and raised in Yadkin County. I have lived here all of my life. I suppose I have Indian blood, as my grandfather was called an Indian doctor. I have never lived with the Indians, and have never received any money from the Government on account of my Indian blood.   I have never been enrolled as an Indian.

My father was Isom Sizemore. He died about 1881 or 1882 or 1883. He lived in Yadkin most of his life. He was born in Virginia in Halifax County, and after his marriage, moved to Yadkin County.

My father lived in Yadkin County in 1851. I supppose he lived in Yadkin County in 1835.   He never received any money from the Government on account of his Indian blood. I never heard him say to what tribe of Indians he belonged. I suppose he was a Cherokee Indian. He was just a boy when he moved from Virginia to Stokes County, and then moved to Yadkin County.

John Sizemore, was the father of Isom Sizemore. He was never called anything else except Dr. Johnny Sizemore. I think they called him the Old Gourd Doctor. He was born in Cherokee it was said. He died about 1860, I think. In 1851 he lived in Stokes County, and lived there in 1835 also. He came from Virginia to Stokes County. My great grandfather, (I think his name was John) went to Virginia from Cherokee and my grandfather went with him as a boy, and they came from Virginia to Stokes County.   My father was 21 years of age at the time of the Jackson War and was drafted.   I do not know how long my grandfather was in Virginia at the time of the birth of Isom Sizemore, but they stayed there long enough for Isom to remember Virginia.

Dr. Johnny Gourd had fair skin and dark eyes, and light hair. I remember him. He lived with my father right smart while before he died. I have heard my grandfather say that he was an Indian, but I can't recollect him telling of what Indian he was, but he said he was from Cherokee. Dr. Johnny Gourd died in Stokes County.

My father voted. He was mustered. I was also mustered.

My grandfather John Sizemore had two or three brothers.  I think they were George, Ned, and Joel.  I do not remember that he had any sisters. Joseph Sizemore is the Joel referred to above as a brother of my grandfather.

I never saw Ned Sizemore, and do not recollect where he lived. I do not know Missouri Stephenson.

I heard when I was small that Isom Sizemore had Indian blood.

My grandfather, John Sizemore, married a Poindexter, as well as I recollect. I do not know her first name.

I claim my Indian blood through Isom and John Sizemore, back to my great grandfather. I never heard of my grandfather or great grandfather ever having any other name. My great grandfather lived in Virginia, but was born and married in Cherokee, and then moved to Virginia, when my grandfather was a small boy. My grandfather, John, told me this.

I have heard it said that my great grandfather, John Sizemore, was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, fighting with the colonies






I never claimed the right to land with the Cherokee Indians in Indian Territory. I have never before claimed any rights as a Cherokee Indian, but other members of my family did about 15 or 20 years ago. I never heard whether they got lands or not.

There were said to be Indians living in Stokes County. Some of them were called Sizemore, and some Fortners. They lived as citizens and voted. They and their descendants still live there. They never received any money from the government.

My brother, Robert Sanders Sizemore, did not file application, as he was too late. Leah Harris of Yadkin County, Rachel Oaks, and Kaziah Stallings are my sisters and have filed applications.

I have always been called Indian in the community in which I have lived. They just said we were part Indian, and did not mention the tribe.

(Signed) James H. Sizemore
(Copy)

Subscribed and sworn to before me at East Bend, N. C., this 25th day of March, 1908.

__________________________     
Assistant to the Special Commisioner
Court of Claims             








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