Based on the 1870 Delaware census records, William Sisco was born in PA. sometime around 1815. This is the only reference to his birthplace and is probably not correct.
Although we know that "Siscos" were connected with the Nanticokes who moved north into Pennsylvania in the early 1700's from their presence in a delegation that appeared before the Governor of PA. in 1760 and 1767, at which time they said they'd left family behind on the Delmarva peninsula, most "Siscos" in the early 19th century were still firmly rooted in Delaware.
A more likely possibility is found in the will of a William Sisco who died in Appoquinimink Hundred, New Castle County, DE in 1829. See Probate Records . This William is probably the same William who appears in the will of George Sisco in 1814 (called a brother) which would link him firmly with the Kent County family. He is also probably the same William mentioned, with Benjamin Sisco, in the estate records of Jeremiah Concilor in 1811. His estate records clearly list that he had a son, William, and it is most likely that this is our William.
By the 1850 Kent co., DE census William was living in Kent Co., and married to ARAMINTA CONCILOR (according the death certificate of their daughter, Araminta)
Based on the census records, they had the following children:
- possibly Isaac Sisco (b.c. 1841) in 1850 census found living nearby but in 1880 listed
as the son of William and "Ellen" Sisco lvining in PA (age 40)
- Isabella Sisco (b.1844) married Isaiah Durham
- Anna Sisco (b.1845)
- William Sisco (b.1847)
- P(?) Sisco (b.1852)
2 "Perry Sisco's" are found in 1860 so it is possible the name is Perry but not know for sure.
- John Sisco (b.1856)
1880 Delaware Co. PA census shos a "John Sisco" born in DE (age 22). 1920 census for the
same area shows John, age 75
- Araminta Sisco (1859-1917)
married James K. Morgan
If William was the son of William and Hannah Francisco, then his sister, Sarah, also married a CONCILOR, Elisha Concilor.
It is possible that Araminta was a sister of that Elisha although there were many other Concilor lines in Delaware
at this time.
William and Araminta lived in Dover Hundred for awhile but they moved frequently, possibly because William's occupation was listed as a "laborer". By 1860 they were living back in Appoquinimink Hundred in New Castle Co. and by 1870 they were in Red Lion Hundred, also in New Castle Co. DE.
It is said that most of their children "moved west" but I have not been able to trace them. Daughters Isabella and Araminta married into the Kent Co. mixed blood community and remained behind in DE and PA. Son, John appears to have stayed in Delaware Co. PA
William Sisco disappears in DE after the 1870 census but it is possible he moved up to PA. Joseph Romeo found a listing in the 1880 Delaware Co., PA census records for a William and "Ellen" Cisco. Their ages of 62 and 65 match exactly (plus 10 years) the ages for William and Araminta in 1870. A son, Isaac (age 40) is listed living with them.
In the 1850 Delaware census, there is an Isaac Sisco, age 9, in Dover Hundred, the same hundred where William was enumerated, but there was nothing to connect Isaac to William except the surname. The 1880 PA census, however, shows Isaac Cisco as the son of William Cisco, and both being of roughly the same age (plus 30 years) as the individuals of the same name in Dover Hundred in 1850.
The 1880 census also has John Cisco, a son, age 22, in the household. The age does not quite match up with previous censuses, but is in the ball park.
It is highly probable that this 1880 census listing for William Cisco in Delaware Co., PA, is the missing entry for William Sisco of Delaware. Also in the 1900 PA census, William's daughter Isabella Durham is living in Delaware Co., PA, and in 1920, John Sisco, age 75, b. Delaware, is shown still living there.
