Let's Talk About Dennis

Too Much, And Not Enough...

I can honestly say I have found out more information on the life of Dennis Sycamore than any other grandparent. He was my father's paternal great-grandfather, born about 1830 in Virginia. Likely, he was born in Norfolk County, where he lived much of his life. I've definitely found the answers to several questions I had about him. Was he a slave, and for how long? Who was the owner? Could he have been born free? Who were his parents? Did he have siblings? How long was he in the Navy? How many times did he marry? Well, it's the last question that's really provided some drama. Dennis, I have some questions.

Map of Norfolk County, Virginia: source LOC

In the Begining

It didn't take me long to find the name Dennis Sycamore. Utilizing basic methods, the information leading to him came along easily. But after I reached Dennis, I ran into a wall, or I thought I did. I assumed this was because of slavery, so I didn't really look further. Turns out the problem was me assuming information wouldn't be there. To be honest, there are still 4 great grandparents I can't account for in the 1880 and/or the 1870 censuses, so the fact I found him at all made me happy. Even still, there were clues that something wasn't... right.

In 1880, Dennis is listed as a 50-year-old widower and farmer who lives with his son James, my great-grandfather. The 1870 census records him as a 35-year-old laborer who lives with a woman named Jane and two children named James and Dennis. Both censuses say Dennis was a black man living in Norfolk County, Virginia. So nothing really unusual, at first. Then it clicked that Sycamore is a very uncommon name. So much so, I could only find 42 Sycamores on the entire 1880 census. Only 4 of the Sycamores were black, and all of those lived in Norfolk, Virginia. They were Dennis, James, Johnson, and Mahala Sycamore. Of course, they have to be related. Maybe by blood, or by a previous slave owner, but there has to be a connection.

First, there is Johnson Sycamore, a 28-year-old black man born in Virginia. I only see him in this record, and I still don't know how he may connect to my family. My thought is a nephew, but how? Next, there is Mahala, which is a different story. In 1880, she is a 52-year-old black widow living with her niece Virginia Randall. This told me Sycamore was likely her married name. If this is true, which Sycamore did she marry? At the time, I couldn't find a marriage record for her. I began to wonder if she married Dennis Jr. because I couldn't find him anymore, but that still didn't make sense. Dennis Jr. was born in 1860, and it seems unlikely he would marry a woman born in 1828. It was more likely she married Dennis Sr. because they are closer in age. But they are living apart, and both are listed as widowed. Who did Mahala marry? What happened to Dennis Jr? What happened to Jane?

Going Back Further

I kept going back to Dennis and his family over and over. Eventually, I found Dennis listed on the 1890 Veteran's Schedule and the entire family listed in the Freedman's Bureau Records. Around 1866 Jane was recorded in records for receiving rations from the Freedman's Bureau. She is listed with 3 children, Dennis, James, and Sarah Ann. Sarah is noted to have died, which is why she isn't with the family in 1870. Dennis Sr is not listed with the family, but is noted as being "in Government employ." 

Freedman's Records: source Family Search

Dennis Sycamore is listed in the record.

What in the world is that? He is a black man, so... military? Yes, the Navy. Dennis is listed as a sailor in 1890. He served as a landsman on the USS Vermont from 1862 to 1865. Now he was incapacitated by rheumatism. This means he served during the Civil War! And if he served, was he free? Or did he escape? Are there other military records? A pension file?

I looked but did not find him in the 1860 or 1850 censuses. I did find John Sycamore in 1860. This gave me the theory that Dennis was a free man, born to John Sycamore. Unfortunately, nothing I could do at the time would prove it. Not for 10 or so years. But now I knew a few things. Dennis Sycamore was a black man born in Norfolk County, Virginia around 1830. He married a woman named Jane, and they had at least 3 children together. During that time, he went into the Navy and served on at least one ship. His activities in the Navy caused him to become disabled. His wife Jane, daughter Sarh Ann, and possibly his son Dennis all died by 1880. Some possible relatives were free before slavery ended, so Dennis may also have been free. 

To find more, I keep looking ahead and into the past. When did Dennis die? Is there a trail to John? Can I find any death or marriage records for Jane, Dennis, Sarah Ann, or James that will shed any light? Are there any more Sycamores in the area? As with any ancestor, there are always more questions than answers.