Simpson Family Genealogy

John Simpson of Shelby Co., Kentucky

2010-08-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from "The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee", published in Kentucky Ancestors, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 32, 34:

The following took place in the year 1799:

"...We were soon after joined by Mr. John Simpson of Shelby county a young man of six feet seven Inches high he was afterwards in the year 1810-1811 Speaker of the H. R. of the Kentucky Legislature and commanded a company in Col. John Allens Regt in teh Battle of the River Raisin where he was killed on the 22d January 1813 - Thus it has been my good fortune to have been the classmate of boys who afterwards became distinguished men.

"Mr. John Simpson also came on to school, being furnished a bed by Mr. Mahan, but in a short time a sister of Mrs. Mahan came to stay a few weeks with her, and Mr. Simpson had to take blankets & sleep on the floor in our room. This was rather a hard Berth for a six feet seven Inch frame, of course."

John W Simpson & the Cherokees

2010-06-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

I am posting this query on behalf of Phyllis Simpson Bishop.

I have hit a brick wall on John W Simpson B. 1803 NC then moved to WV. d. 1888. His father was born in Ireland and nothing on his mother.

Have you heard of anything in your research about a Simpson boy being kidnapped by renegade Cherokees?

This is the story I have ran across more than once about John W. He was involved in hiding Cherokees during the time of Trail of Tears.

He married Rhoda Webb 1850 she was B. abt 1813 VA and D. abt 1875 VA. Her mother was Redflower Native American B. 1790 Wyoming Co VA and D. abt 1816 VA and M. George Webb abt 1812 VA.this is all I can find about her.(WYoming Co., Virginia was later in West Virginia.)

The Webb history has be well searched and there is a book on the Webbs. Years of searching and am still blocked.

Please post responses in the comments section below and Phyllis will check back. Thank you.

Simpsons of Gibson County, Indiana

2010-05-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Descendants of Some of the Simpsons of Gibson County, Indiana
April, 2010 by Donald R. Simpson

During the 1980's while I was working to trace the branches of our “Haw River Simpsons” I was given much valuable information on one of those branches by other researchers who were working on the Simpsons of early day Gibson County, Indiana. However, at that time the censuses of 1900 and later had not yet been released to the public and with other limitations of that time (no personal computers and no internet genealogy sites to access) only so much could then be accomplished. Researchers and descendants of those Simpsons have since then been able to add considerably to that earlier knowledge. I have also been able recently to add still more new information on the Gibson County Simpsons and their descendants. The following is not a treatment of all that clan, they are now much too numerous to treat in one article, but is an attempt to list all known descendants of one of Peter’s grandsons, namely William Simpson, son of John & Parthenia (Waters) Simpson.

1. The Establishment of this line in Gibson County, Indiana.
While there were other Simpson families in early Gibson County, they are not known to have been related to the family of Peter R. Simpson. Peter & his children were mostly resident in Montgomery Township west of the small town of Owensville while the unrelated Simpsons were for the most part in other parts of the county. One exception to that statement should be noted. Peter’s brother, Richard Simpson, died in Todd County, Kentucky, in 1838,[Todd County, KY, Court Orders E, p. 431: Administration on the Estate of Richard Simpson, deceased, granted to Urban E. Kennedy] and sometime prior to 1840 Richard’s widow and five children moved to Gibson County, Indiana, and settled near Peter’s family. Those were related but not descended from Peter R. Simpson of Gibson County.
1a. Peter R. son of Richard & Selah Simpson.

Peter Ryan Simpson, son of Richard & Selah Simpson of Guilford Co., NC, was probably born about 1768 and died sometime between the censuses of 1840 & 1850. No record has ever been found that mentions his wife’s name and she is still a complete unknown. He was probably married about 1788 in North Carolina but no marriage record is known. No will nor any other probate record is known for him and the listing of his children is mostly based on circumstantial (though convincing) evidence. Peter lived in northern Guilford County until about 1806 when he moved to Christian County, Kentucky. At the February term, 1806, of the Guilford County Court, Peter R. Simpson was one of the fifteen men appointed at that term as constables of the county. [Guilford County, NC, Court Minutes 2, p. 371.]On 15 November of that same year, the Sheriff of Guilford County, at the direction of the County Court, sold the land of Peter R. Simpson to pay debts owed by Peter.[Guilford County Deed Book 9, p. 123.] It is likely that Peter was already in Christian County, Kentucky, by that time.

In Tartt’s History of Gibson County it is stated that “Peter Simpson moved into this county from Kentucky with a wife and seven children in 1812. [Tartt, James T., “History of Gibson County, Indiana,” publ. 1884, p. 63.]One of the sons, Richard, became a well known citizen.” I wrote a short discussion of Peter & his family which was published by Nona in “The Simpson Clan” vol. 1, issue 8, pp. 28 & 29.[Williams, Wenonah, publisher, “The Simpson Clan,” vol. 1, issue 8, pp. 28 & 29.] This was combined with a discussion of Peter’s cousin, also named Peter Ryan Simpson (b. ca. 1772, NC, d. May, 1850, Cannon Co., TN) and gave details that help to distinguish the two.

1b. John and Parthenia (Waters) Simpson.
It appears that Peter’s oldest known child was the John Simpson who was born 09 Jan., 1789, in North Carolina (probably in Guilford County). John was married in Gibson Co., IN, 03 June, 1815, to Parthenia Waters (b. June, 1795, NC, d. 31 Jan., 1883, Gibson Co., IN). He died in Gibson Co. 04 Feb., 1875. [Maumee Cemetery [online listing of cemetery records at http://ingenweb.org/ingibson/Cemeteries_wPhotos/MontgomeryTwp/ ].He and wife, Parthenia are buried in Maumee Cemetery in Montgomery Township, Gibson County [Google Earth, latitude 38.2785, longitude -87.7540]. They were parents of at least eight known children. This discussion treats only one of their children, their son William Simpson and his descendants. Perhaps other of their children can be treated later.

2. William & Martha Jane (Fitzgerald) Simpson.
Much of the data on this family and their descendants has been posted in pedigree files on “Ancestry.com” and while many of the pedigrees posted on Ancestry are replete with error a few have remarkably good data. When those files appear reliable their data has been used below. One such with much very useful data on this family & descendants as posted there is cited repeatedly below.[ Family Tree file on Ancestry.com titled “Sexton, Basil, Roller, Walden and Related Families, owner tfsexton. Cited hereafter as TFS.] When possible I have checked the data on that file against original records and found most to be accurate. However, in some cases I have not been able to do so due to lack of available records here at Salt Lake City or on the Internet. Thus some of the data presented below should be considered tentative and where possible still needs to be confirmed. In the following account I have indicated, to the extent that time allows, the source of the data.

William and Martha lived much of their lives in either Posey or Gibson County, Indiana, but for a few years were in Dickinson County, Kansas. Their marriage record in Posey County is as follows: “this certifies that I joined in marriage as husband and wife William Simpson and Martha Jane Fitzgeral, on the 21st 1852, George P. Cavanah.” [Posey County, Indiana, Marriage Book 3, p. 351.] Although the month was omitted it is clear from the preceding and following marriages that it was in the month of October. George P. Cavenaugh was a Baptist Minister who at the 1850 census was living in Black Township of Posey County.

Martha Jane’s family were residents of Robb Township in Posey County. Their family name is sometimes written as Fitzgerrel as is the case of the family cemetery located in Robb Township [Google Earth, lat. 38.199575, lon. -87.801302] about one fifth mile from the southwest corner of Gibson County.

Martha was listed on the 1850 census of Posey County as Patsy J. Fitzgerald, age 19, in the household of James & Elizabeth (Ray) Fitzgerald and was apparently one of their daughters. The 1860 census lists her as Martha J. Simpson, age 30. The Family Trees file states she was buried in the Fitzgeral Cemetery and gives her birth as 04 May 1830, and death as 21 March, 1907. [TFS]This presumably is from tombstone data which I have not seen.

That source also says that William was buried in the Fitzgeral Cemetery and gives his birth was 21 May 1824, and death as 23 Jan., 1895. [Gibson County, Indiana, Probate Order Book 12, pp. 502 - 504.] William left a will which was written 11 May, 1892, in Dickinson County, Kansas, and was probably probated both in Dickinson County and in Gibson County, Indiana, due to his having devised to his heirs his lands owned in both places. I have not seen the probate in Dickinson County but the one in Gibson County was on 02 March, 1895. I do not know whether his death occurred in Gibson Co., or in Dickinson Co., Kansas. In his will he describes two tracts of land in Dickinson County that are located in Flora Township to the west of Manchester, Kansas. The two tracts of 80 acres each were adjoining and located in the southeast quarter of section 30 [Google Earth, lat. 39.063105, long. -97.35750]. The north half of the southeast quarter he devised to the children of his deceased son, James D. Simpson, and the south half to his son, Martin Luther Simpson. His land in Gibson Co., Indiana, which consisted of three tracts totaling 343 acres he also devised to son, Martin Luther Simpson. [These three tracts in T 3, R 12, sections 7, 8 & 17 are shown on the page for Montgomery Township in “An Atlas of Gibson and Pike Counties, Indiana,” by B. N. Griffing, published at Philadelphia, 1881.]

These three tracts in T 3, R 12, sections 7, 8 & 17 are shown on the page for Montgomery Township in “An Atlas of Gibson and Pike Counties, Indiana,” by B. N. Griffing, published at Philadelphia, 1881.]

William and Martha are on the censuses of 1860 & 1880 in Montgomery Twp. of Gibson County. I have not found them on the 1870 census though presumably they were in the same location. At the 1900 census William’s widow, Martha J. Simpson, was living in Gibson Co., Indiana, with the family of their son, Martin L. Simpson, and the entry for her indicated she was the mother of five children of whom only one was living. Of those five children only three are known, and they were the following.

a) John S. Simpson, b. ca 1854, d. 08 Nov 1869. He is known only from the 1860 census (listed in their household as age 6) and from the Family trees file which gives his date of death and is presumed to be from a cemetery record though I have not seen such.[1860 IN, Gibson Co., Montgomery Twp., sheet 821, which gives his age as 6; also TFS which gives his death date.]

b) Martin Luther Simpson, b. 21 May, 1858, Gibson Co., Indiana; d. 18 Aug., 1921, Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona. His family is discussed below.

c) James D. Simpson, b. 16 April, 1866, Gibson Co.; d. 1892, Dickinson Co., Kansas. His family is discussed below.

3. Martin Luther and Martha Jane (Jordan) Simpson.
The death certificate for Martin gives his dates of birth & death as 21 May, 1858, and 18 Aug., 1921. That for Martha gives birth on10 July, 1863, & death on13 July, 1942. Both died in Maricopa County, Arizona, he in Phoenix and she in Chandler. Images of their death certificates are available online from the State of Arizona. According to the death certificates they are both buried in Greenwood Cemetery in central Phoenix [Google Earth, lat. 33.455772, long. -112.112045].

At the 1900 census this family was in Montgomery Township of Gibson Co., Indiana, but from the birthplaces of their children it appears they had lived for a few years in Kansas. Their oldest child was born in Aug., 1883, in Indiana, and the fifth child was born Nov., 1893, in Indiana, but between them were three children all born in Kansas. It is likely they were in Dickinson County where Martin’s parents were living at that time. At the 1910 census they were still in Gibson County but by the 1920 census Martin & Martha were living in Phoenix, Arizona, and with them was their oldest son, William Simpson, a school teacher. At the 1930 census, William & wife, Ella, were still living in Phoenix.

The known children of Martin Luther Simpson & wife, Martha Jane (Jordan) Simpson were as follows.

a) William Simpson, b. Aug., 1883, IN; married Ella Daugherty. [xiv. Birth from the1900 census; wife’s maiden name from TFS.]

b) Mary E. Simpson, b. Nov., 1885, KS; md. 02 Sept., 1902, William Knowles. [xv. Birth from the 1900 census; husband’s name from TFS.]

c) Harriet S. Simpson, b. April, 1888, KS; d. about 1940: md. Roy A. Cooper. [xvi. Birth from the 1900 census; death and husband’s name from TFS.]

d) Margaret Mae Simpson, b. 26 Aug., 1890, KS; d. 08 June, 1984, Chandler, Maricopa Co., AZ; buried Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix, AZ; md 24 Nov., 1920, Thomas O. Moore. [xvii. Birth, death & burial place from photo of tombstone of Margaret Mae Moore posted online at http://arizonagravestones.org in Greenwood Cemetery listing of photos. Place of death & name of husband from TFS.]

e) Jessie I. Simpson, b. 27 Nov., 1893, Gibson Co., IN; md. 28 Nov., 1918, Ezbon E. Cooper; d. Sept., 1984, Anderson Co., TX. [All data from TFS.]

f) James L. Simpson, b. 22 April, 1896, Gibson Co., IN; md. 1st abt 1916, Grace A. Larson, md. 2nd Norma Carson; d. 28 Sept., 1958. [Ditto]

g) Martha Jane Simpson, b. 03 May, 1899, Gibson Co., IN; md. 1st. Evert J. Smallridge, md. 2nd Claude Jones; d. Oct. 1984, Palestine, Anderson Co., TX.[Ditto]

h) Ruth Lillian Simpson, b. 28 Dec., 1902, Gibson Co., IN; md. George Thomas Stewart; d. 30 Jan., 2002, Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ. [Ditto]

i) Robert Edward Simpson, b. 10 March, 1906, Gibson Co., IN; d. 03 Feb., 1961. [Ditto]

4. James D. & Lillie May (Sheets) Simpson.
James D. Simpson appeared on the 1880 census in his parents’ household as age 15. Since his parents’ family was missed by the 1870 census that 1880 is the only one that recorded him. His father, William, in his will written on 11 May, 1892, mentions the children of his deceased son, James D. Simpson, so James’ death occurred before that date. The source in Family Trees gives his death as 1898 but that is in error. [TFS; this is one of the few instances of error in this data set.]

That source does appear to be correct about his wife. It lists her as Lillie May Sheets, b. 16 April, 1866, Marshall Co., IN; d. 11 Nov., 1957, Salina, Saline County, Kansas. [TFS] Lillie was a daughter of John C. and Corintha H. (Winans) Sheets. Some of Lillie’s brothers were also residents of Dickinson Co., KS. [The 1900 census shows her father, John C. Sheets, living with the family of his son, William Sheets, in Flora Township, Dickinson Co., KS. Family data on the Sheets family in in Family Trees file titled “McClellan Family Tree,” and in a file on One World Trees in Ancestry.com [submitter not given].]

James D. Simpson & Lillie M. Sheets were probably married about 1890 in Kansas but I have not seen the marriage record. In the 1900 census Lillie’s husband is listed as Marion Simpson. Gibson County marriage records show that Marion E. Simpson was married 09 March, 1900, to Lilly Simpson. Marion was a son of Alfred & Rebecca (Martin) Simpson of Gibson Co., and grandson of Richard & Elizabeth (Harmon) Simpson. Marion, Lilly & Lillie’s two sons by her first husband, James D. Simpson, were listed on the 1900 census in Gibson Co., IN, living in the household of Martin L. & Martha J. (Jordan) Simpson, and all listed as cousins of Martin L. even though the boys were actually nephews.

By the time their son, Everett Simpson, was born in 1901, Marion & Lillian had moved back to Dickinson Co., KS, where they remained most of the rest of their lives. They were buried in White Cloud Cemetery in Flora Township, Dickinson County [Google Earth, lat. 39.074583, long. -97.353248]. Their tombstones have “Lillie M. Sheets Simpson, b. April 16, 1866, d. Nov. 11, 1957, and Marion E. Simpson, b. March, 1869, no death date.[ For the records of White Cloud Cemetery see this website (hereafter as WCC). [www.genealogytrails.com/kan/dickinson/cem/whitecloudcem.htm ].]

The sons of James D. and Lillie May (Sheets) Simpson were as follows.

a) John S. Simpson, b. 13 Jan., 1891, Kansas; md. April, 1920, Minnie M.; d. 06 April, 1973, Salina, Kansas. [Birth, death and place of burial from WCC. Place of birth from the 1900 & later censuses. Place of death and marriage data from TFS.] The birth & death of Minnie M. Simpson, John’s wife, is given on her tombstone as b. 17 Aug., 1897, d. 16 Nov., 1975. [WCC] Both John and; Minnie are buried in White Cloud Cemetery. At the 1930 census John and Minnie were living in Salina, Kansas, and with them was their daughter, Shirley J. Simpson, age 3 years & eleven twelfths.

b) James D. Simpson, b. Sept., 1893, KS; md. 1st Pearl Sangster [FT], md. 2nd Marie Stone [FT]; d. 25 Feb., 1932; buried in White Cloud Cemetery. [Date and state of birth from 1900 census. Date of death from WCC which does not give date of birth. Wives names from TFS.] Marie was the widow Stone when she married James and her maiden name is not known to me. At the 1930 census James and; Marie with Marie’s daughter by her previous marriage, Gertrude Stone, were living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was listed as a switchman on the railroad.

While Marion E. Simpson was not a descendant of John & Parthenia (Waters) Simpson, he was a descendant of Peter R. Simpson as follows. Marion was son of Alfred Simpson who was son of Richard Simpson who was son of Peter R. Simpson of Gibson Co., IN. Because of Marion’s association with the descendants of William & Martha J. (Fitzgerald) Simpson it seems appropriate to list his family here.

Marion E. and Lillie May (Sheets) Simpson, had one known child, a son born in Kansas after they had moved there from Indiana.

c) Everett M. Simpson, b. 20 March,1901, Kansas; md. Laura Miller, 22 March, 1924, Jackson Co., MO; d. 01 June, 1968, Los Angeles Co., CA. [Based on data in Family Trees files titled “Beaman/Bauermeister Family Tree,” & “Lawrence/Tripp Family Tree.”] Everett is shown on the 1910 census as age 8, & on the 1920 census as age 18. At the 1930 census he & wife, Laura, were in Jackson County, Missouri, near Kansas City. Some Family Trees listings say that he died in Long Beach in Los Angeles County.

Some Additions & Corrections to Simpsons of Gibson County, Indiana

May, 2010 by Donald R. Simpson

As indicated in the original article, some of the data presented there was tentative and subject to possible correction. Here are a few additions of new data with some corrections of data presented in that original article. The numbers below correspond with those of the original article.

2. William & Martha Jane (Fitzgerald) Simpson.
At the 1900 census Martha Jane indicates she was the mother of five children of whom only one was then living. At the time of writing that only three of the five were known to me. The other two are listed in the record of Fitzgerald Cemetery [see Posey County Cemetery Records, 1814 - 1979, by Carroll O. Cox, Evansville, Indiana, 1979] which has the listing for William & Martha and three of their children buried there. Those are: John S., son, d. Nov. 8, 1861, aged 15 years, 7 months, 23 days; Mary E., daughter, d. Dec. 26 1866, aged 1 month, 26 days; & Esther A., daughter, d. Aug., 27, 1856, aged 11 months, 8 days. Given this data the listing of the five children would be the following.

a) John A. Simpson, b. 16 March, 1854; d. 08 Nov., 1869; buried Fitzgerald Cemetery, Robb Township, Posey County, Indiana.

b) Esther A. Simpson, b. 19 Sept., 1855; d. 27 Aug., 1856; bur. Fitzgerald Cemetery.

c) Martin Luther Simpson, b. 21 May, 1858; d. 18 Aug., 1921, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona; bur. Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona; married 09 Nov., 1882, Gibson Co., Indiana, Martha Jane Jordan. The Arizona death certificate lists cause of death as “pulmonary T B.” The Arizona death certificate for his wife, Martha, gives her birthdate as 10 July, 1863, & death as 17 July, 1942, due to “Myocardial Insufficiency.”

d) James D. Simpson, b. 16 April, 1864 or 1865; d. about 1892, Dickinson Co., KS. The source in Family Trees that listed his birth as 16 April, 1866 also listed the death as “before1898” without giving source for either dates. Since his father’s will, written 11 May, 1892, stated he was already deceased, he must have died prior to that date. Also, since his sister, Mary, was born 31 Oct., 1866, it seems unlikely he could have been born the preceding April so it is more likely he was born in1864 or 1865. The day & month may be from some family record but I have not seen that source.

e) Mary E. Simpson, b. 31 Oct., 1866; d. 26 Dec., 1866; bur. Fitzgerald Cemetery.

3. Martin Luther & Martha Jane (Jordan) Simpson.
A photograph of this couple has been posted in the Family Trees file on ancestry.com belonging to “ambercharmed81."

3a. William Simpson, born 05 Aug., 1883; married in Vandenburgh County, Indiana, 05 Sept., 1906 to Ella Daugherty, born 17 Jan., 1887, daughter of James Franklin & Rhoda A. (Stone) Daugherty. The dates of birth of Wiliam & Ella and the date & place of their marriage as well as names of parents of both groom & bride are in the marriage record and are found on Family Search, Indiana Marriages 1780 - 1992. This can be accessed through http://labs.familysearch.org/ then look under Record Search. I have still not found when nor where William & Ella died. They were living in Phoenix, Arizona at the 1930 census and may have remained there the rest of their lives. No children are known to me for this couple.

3c. Harriet S. Simpson, married probably about 1913 to Roy A. Cooper, son of Samuel Albert & Eliza Jane (Culbertson) Cooper. Roy & Harriet were listed on the 1920 census living in Caldwell County or Parish, Louisiana. Their household included two sons, Roy A. Cooper, Jr., age 4, & James R. Cooper, age 3. Louisiana death records as listed on Family Search Labs (see link above) include one for Roy A. Cooper, Jr. who died 05 Sept., 1930, in Oakdale, Allen County, Louisiana. It lists his parents as Roy A. Cooper, Sr., & Hattie Simpson. Hattie (Simpson) Cooper died 13 Oct., 1931, Monroe, Quachita County, Louisiana, according to Louisiana Death Records on Family Search Labs (see link above). That record lists her father as Martin L. Simpson. The same source gives the death of Roy Alvada Cooper as 24 April, 1944, Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge County, Louisiana; father listed as S. A. Cooper; Roy’s spouse listed as Ruth Harrel. It appears that Roy was remarried after the death of Harriet.

3e. Jessie Irene Simpson, born 27 Nov., 1893; d. 25 Sept., 1984, Elkhart, Anderson Co., TX; md. 24 Nov., 1917, Butler Co., MO, to Ezbon E. Cooper. The Arizona death certificate for Ezbon lists his birth as 20 March, 1893, Dexter Co., MO; death 16 July, 1932, Chandler, Maricopa Co., AZ; burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix; cause of death was perforated duodenal ulcer. It also listed his parents as Samuel A. & Eliza Jane (Culberson) Cooper and the informant was Jessie Cooper of Chandler, Arizona. At the 1930 census Ezbon & Jessie were living Chandler on North California Street.

Another Gibson County Simpson in Dickinson County, Kansas

At the 1900 census the census of Flora Township, Dickinson County, Kansas, listed William F. [or T ?] & Sarah E. (Bruce) Simpson with their son, James H. Simpson, all born in Indiana and ages 50, 47 & 26. William’s occupation was listed as station foreman and James’ as section hand. They were not listed there at the 1910 census however they appear to be the William Simpson on the 1909 land ownership atlas of Flora Township holding the south half of the southeast quarter of section 30. That was the 80 acre tract that was devised in 1892 by William Simpson (son of John & Parthenia Simpson) to his son Martin Luther Simpson. William F. Simpson was a nephew of that earlier William Simpson & was a son of James Monroe & Cicely (Gooch) Simpson of Gibson County, Indiana.

At the 1910 census William, Sarah [there listed as Elizabeth] & James H. were living in Junction City, Geary County, Kansas. At the 1920 census, Sarah, then a widow, and her son, James H., were still in Junction City, but I have not found record of them thereafter.

One Gilbert Simpson Lineage - Related to Reuben Simpson

2010-04-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

Note: James Talmadge Simpson provided his lineage below. Jim tested in the R2 haplotype, a unique DNA signature for descendants of Richard Simpson who died ca 1711 in old Baltimore Co., Maryland. We also have a match to a John Simpson of England. Jim's DNA results show that he is probably related to the Reuben Simpson branch of the extended Simpson family.

Descendants of Gilbert Simpson (??)

Generation No. 1

1. GILBERT1 SIMPSON I (??).

    Children of GILBERT SIMPSON I (??) are:
2.    i.    GILBERT2 SIMPSON, d. November 03, 1813, Tallahassee, Florida.
3.    ii.    RICE SIMPSON, b. 1775, North Carolina; d. 1847, Franklin County Tennessee.
4.    iii.    WILLIAM SIMPSON, b. 1780-1790, South Carolina; d. 1830-1840, Richland, Yazoo County, Mississippi, later Homes County.
5.    iv.    MALACHI SIMPSON, b. April 05, 1785, South Carolina; d. March 1850, Lawrence County, Arkansas.

Generation No. 2

2. GILBERT2 SIMPSON (GILBERT1) died November 03, 1813 in Tallahassee, Florida. He married SUSANNAH ZIMMERMAN February 03, 1803 in Alexandria County, Washington, D.C..

Notes for GILBERT SIMPSON:
1812 census shows 2 Gilbert Simpsons in Rutherford County Tennessee. One was over 45 living by himself (probably not our Gilbert but probably related. The other Gilbert Simpson was listed with 1 male 26-45 (probably our Gilbert), 1 male 10 or under. 2 females 10 or under and 1 female 26-46 (probably wife).

    Children of GILBERT SIMPSON and SUSANNAH ZIMMERMAN are:
    i.    LUERANA3 SIMPSON, b. 1803.
    ii.    JOHN SIMPSON, b. 1804.
    iii.    POLLY SIMPSON, b. 1806.
    iv.    NANCY SIMPSON, b. 1810.
    v.    MILLY SIMPSON, b. February 21, 1813; d. 1818.

3. RICE2 SIMPSON (GILBERT1) was born 1775 in North Carolina, and died 1847 in Franklin County Tennessee. He married RACHAEL WILLIAMS February 07, 1800 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, daughter of ISAAC WILLIAMS.

Notes for RICE SIMPSON:
According to Franklin County Tennessee land records, Rice Simpson was to have possessed "much land and Property".

Rice Simpson's will provided the following information:

Wife Rachael: personal, negroes, and land.
Youngest Son, A. I. Simpson: land after paying L.N. and Thomas (maybe Rice's father) Simpson $2.00 each.
Daughter, Polly Lassater, wife of Johnathan Lasater
Daughter, ?? Bobo: Samuel Bobo's wife.
Daughter, Neoma Rogers: Walton Rogers' wife.
Son, A. J. Simpson, one negro girl.
Syrena Foreman, Wife of George Forman, one negro girl. (Syrena is believed to be Rice's sister.
L. N. Simpson and A. O. Simpson, my beloved son Executors ???
Witness: K.H. Buford, Joseph Cooper, A. J. Simpson
State of Tennessee, County Court August 2, 1847.
Rice (X) Simpson
Mark

Book on family of Rice Simpson "Decendents of Rice and Rachael Simpson of Franklin (Winchester) and Moore (Lynchburg) Counties Tennessee" by Ethel Nermin Miner, P. O. Box 17569, Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268. Avaliable in Lynchbury Public Library, (Dir. Sara Hope) Lynchburg, Tennessee, P. O. Box 602 Lynchburg, TN 37352 (615-455-6127) Reference # 929.273. 1990?? Note on book from Nancy Simpson 615-455-6127.

The earliest extant record found to date for Rice Simpson is located in Miscellaneous Records of Jackson County , Georgia, Maddox, page 31. This entry reads "Charles Dougherty, Esquire, Sheriff, allowed $72.30 for sundry expenses of Wm. Hodge, a prisoner who was executed. The guards to be allowed the sums annexed to their names as follows: Robert Tucker $3.75. James McMillen $4.50. Anderson Foster $14.25. Rice Simpson $14.25. Thos. Kelough $14.25. James Stewart allowed $10.35 for boarding the guards over Wm. Hodge, a prisoner. David Ray, a witness against William Hodge allowed $4.50.

The Clarke County, Georgia 1810 Tax List shows Rice in Captain Sheperd's District, Area of Grig's Shoals, Bruch, Beaverdam Creeks and County Line, as Price Simpson, Clarke, 103/9 wilkinson.

Rice Simpson first appeared in Tennessee about 1818. A deed recorded in Franklin county, Tennessee, 22 Oct 1818 shows Rice Simpson and Aaron Cornelius of Lincloln County, Tennessee. Paid $400 for land in Lincoln county on north branch of the Elk River. 34 acres being the survey granted to George Parks by the State of Tennessee containing 13 acres near Parks and Widow Phillips. witness: Josiah Parker and Malachi Simpson.

A Georgia State Archives record shows that Rice Simpson enlisted in the 3rd Regiment (Few's) Georgia Militia, War of 1812 at Clarke County. He served six months stationed at Camp Covington.

Rice Simpson's grave was moved from TVA property in Franklin county in 1970. TVA project # 75. Relocated to Clemmons Cemetery 14-24.

Notes for RACHAEL WILLIAMS:
TVA cemetery relocation records indicates that Rachael Williams Simpson died in 1852. Her grave was probably moved ot Clemmons cemetery in 1970 with Rice Simpson's grave. TVA project # 75.

    Children of RICE SIMPSON and RACHAEL WILLIAMS are:
6.    i.    LITTLETON GILBERT3 SIMPSON, b. 1804, Georgia; d. 1850.
7.    ii.    WILLIAM D. SIMPSON, b. 1805, Georgia; d. Aft. 1880.
8.    iii.    MALAKAI JACKSON "JACK" SIMPSON, b. 1806, Georgia; d. Smithville in Lawrence County, Arkansas.
9.    iv.    POLLY SIMPSON, b. 1809, Georgia; d. 1847-1850.
10.    v.    THOMAS E. SIMPSON, b. 1811; d. August 05, 1867.
11.    vi.    CYRENNEUS "SIMME" R. SIMPSON, b. December 31, 1818, Tennessee; d. January 29, 1892, Moore County Tennessee.
12.    vii.    NEOMA SIMPSON, b. October 11, 1819, Tennessee; d. August 13, 1893, Franklin County Tennessee.
13.    viii.    L. N. SIMPSON, b. September 22, 1821, Tennessee; d. 1862.
14.    ix.    ALLEN J. SIMPSON, b. June 11, 1825, Tennessee; d. March 06, 1894, Wise County, Texas.

4. WILLIAM2 SIMPSON (GILBERT1) was born 1780-1790 in South Carolina, and died 1830-1840 in Richland, Yazoo County, Mississippi, later Homes County.

Notes for WILLIAM SIMPSON:
Family legend suggests that William Simpson's wife hung herself in the barn. She was supposedly tired of traveling.

1810 census has a William Simpson in Rutherford County. Shows 1 male between 26-45 (probably William), 1 male 10 or under. 2 females 10 or under and 1 female 26-45 (probably wife). May be our William???

(I have been told by a professional genealogist (from NC that I hired several years ago) that the following information about the war of 1812 is incorrect. This information is correct on a William Simpson in the area, but I was told it was not my William) Fought in the War of 1812 from Tennessee Archives Records. Enlisted September 24, 1813 to December 22, 1813 as a private. Captain Thomas Yardley's Co. of Tenn. Mounted gunman , 2nd Regiment, Commanded by Col Newton Cannon.

William's pay in the war of 1812 was $8.00 per month, and his horse was allowed $12.00 per month with allowance for subsistence. William was discharged in 1814, Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co. Tennessee. William's Simpson's attorney was trying to recover from Joseph Coleman, District paymaster for the State of Tenn. all such sums of money, debts, and demands which were due and owing to William Simpson. Dated 20 May 1815, Rutherford County Tenn.

(This information is correct) 1830 census shows a William Simpson in Yazoo County Mississippi. Family consist of 8 males: 3, 5-10 years; 3 15-20 years; 1 40-50 years. 2 females: 1 10-15; 1 40-50.

William Simpson, in 1817, is mentioned in connection with Blue Springs and Hickory Creek Baptist Churches. This church fell in Coffee County Tennessee in 1836 when Coffee County was formed from Franklin, Warren, and Bedford counties.

    Children of WILLIAM SIMPSON are:
    i.    JAMES R.3 SIMPSON, b. Tennessee.
    ii.    JOHN RICE SIMPSON, b. 1809, Rutherford County, Tennessee; m. SOMANTHA BAKER.

Notes for JOHN RICE SIMPSON:

15.    iii.    MARY PAULINE "POLLY" SIMPSON, b. 1811, Tennessee; d. Aft. 1880, Leake County, Mississippi.
16.    iv.    WILLIAM SIMPSON, b. September 27, 1813, Rutherford County, Tennessee; d. April 25, 1896, Leake County, Mississippi.
    v.    GILBERT "UNCLE BIRD" BIRD SIMPSON, b. December 28, 1815, Tennessee; d. May 02, 1885, Leake County, Mississippi.

Notes for GILBERT "UNCLE BIRD" BIRD SIMPSON:
1850 and 1860 census shows Gilbert Bird and John Rice living together. Gilbert was never married. 1850 both were farmers. Gilbert had real estate valued at $200. Both were farmers in 1860, but real estate was valued at $400 each and personal property was valued at $600 each.

17.    vi.    MALACHI HENRY "KYE" SIMPSON, b. March 21, 1818, Rutherford County Tennessee; d. August 21, 1887, Leake County, Mississippi.
18.    vii.    HUGH H. SIMPSON, b. 1820, Tennessee.

5. MALACHI2 SIMPSON (GILBERT1) was born April 05, 1785 in South Carolina, and died March 1850 in Lawrence County, Arkansas. He married (1) DELILAH "DULCY" ALICE WILLIAMS December 05, 1805 in Ogelthorp County, Georgia. He married (2) DELILAH ? Aft. 1830.

Notes for MALACHI SIMPSON:
Moved from Franklin County Tennessee to Lawerence County Arkansas in about 1834.

Book on Malachi Simpson "Family History of My Ancestors" by Mrs. Ulys Jackson (Mary Ruth Simpson) in Arkansas.

The home built by Malachi Simpson in a hill overlooking Strawberry River four miles north of Poughkeepsie after he moved with his family from Tennessee to Lawrence County Arkansas about 1833, is now one of the HISTORIC HOMES IN THE BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS AREA. Descendents of this family, Mary Louise Barnett Hathcock, Ira Nelson Barnett III, and Charles W. Barnett bought this log house in 1943. At this time the house was being used for a hay barn. The logs were numbered, taken down, and rebuilt, as nearly as possible to the original structure. All the logs were in remarkable state of preservation. This home is now the home of Mrs. Mary Louise Barnett Hathcock. It is used for family gatherings and public entertainment (from book on decedents of Malachi Simpson by Ulys Jackson.

Notes for DELILAH "DULCY" ALICE WILLIAMS:
Malachi's second was also named Delilah.

Notes for DELILAH ?:
Both of Malachi's wives were named Delilah. This one (#2) was formally married to Thomas Jackson. Thomas Jackson--his wife, Delilah, married Malachi Simpson.

    Children of MALACHI SIMPSON and DELILAH WILLIAMS are:
19.    i.    ABIJAH ALLEN3 SIMPSON, b. December 04, 1806, Ogelthorpe County Georgia; d. 1853.
20.    ii.    RICE WILSON SIMPSON, b. September 30, 1808, Ogelthorp County, Georgia; d. March 14, 1883, Polk County, Oregon.
21.    iii.    WILLIAM GREEN GILBERT SIMPSON, b. November 15, 1809, Georgia; d. The Dalles, Oregon.
22.    iv.    ISAAC MIDDLETON SIMPSON, b. January 04, 1813, Franklin County, Tennessee; d. July 11, 1887, Airlie, Polk County, Oregon.
    v.    SUSANNAH SIMPSON, b. April 10, 1814; m. HENRY KING, September 25, 1834, Lawrence County, Arkansas.
    vi.    ELIZABETH G. SIMPSON, b. October 02, 1816; d. August 22, 1817.

Notes for ELIZABETH G. SIMPSON:
Jackson records list a Elizabeth Simpson (F) as daughter of Malachi Simpson (b. 1785) and Delilah Dulcy Alice Williams (1887).   Kincaide list an Eli Simpson (M) with the same birth date 2 oct. 1816.

23.    vii.    ELBERT RYAN SIMPSON, b. October 13, 1818; d. Bef. 1850.
24.    viii.    GREEN BERRY SIMPSON, b. May 11, 1818, Georgia; d. February 02, 1892, Corvallis, Oregon.
25.    ix.    MALANA SIMPSON, b. April 28, 1822, Franklin County, Tennessee; d. January 19, 1901, Portland, Oregon.
    x.    SELENA SIMPSON, b. April 18, 1824; d. 1854; m. G. W. ADAMS.
    xi.    WILEY NEWTON SIMPSON, b. September 04, 1826.
    xii.    CALVIN L. SIMPSON, b. May 26, 1830, Franklin County, Tennessee; m. J. B. ZILPA.

North Carolina, Montgomery County

2010-04-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

Montgomery Co., North Carolina

(formed 1778 from Anson County)

1780 April 03 Gilbert Simpson & Henry Rone were chain carriers in survey for Adam Rone, land on Jacobs Cr [adjacent Mountain Cr.]. (Don Simpson, "Land Warrants & Surveys, Montgomery Co., NC, Part 1," by Dr. A. B. Pruitt)

1779 April 29 Gilbert Simpson & Wm Denmon chain carriers, survey for James Russel, land on Mountian Creek (Don Simpson, "Land Warrants & Surveys, Montgomery Co., NC, Part 1," by Dr. A. B. Pruitt: p. 2”)

1779 April 29 Gilbert Simpson & James Russel, chain carriers for Wm Denman on Mountian Creek. (Don Simpson, "Land Warrants & Surveys, Montgomery Co., NC, Part 1," by Dr. A. B. Pruitt)

1779 Nov 25 Gilbert Simpson & Joseph Vickory were chain carriers for a survey of 100 acres on Mountian Creek for William Denman (Don Simpson, "Land Warrants & Surveys, Montgomery Co., NC, Part 1," by Dr. A. B. Pruitt: p. 1,)

1780 March 11 Gilbert Simpson entered 100 acres in Montgomery Co., on W side of Pee Dee River and on Mountain Creek, bordering Wm Colman (Don Simpson, "Abstracts of Land Entries of Montgomery Co., NC, 1778 - 1795," p. 20, ")

Various Gilbert Simpsons of Northern Virginia and Nearby Maryland

2010-04-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

The Continuing Search for the Kinship of the Various Gilbert Simpsons of Northern Virginia and Nearby Maryland

Researched and compiled by

Robert C. Neibling

627 Glen Eagles Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Written in 2007

INTRODUCTION

In 2001, I made a diligent effort to distinguish between the three Gilbert Simpsons who were contemporary residents of Fairfax County, Virginia in 1750. I discovered that the eldest of the three was the son of John and Elizabeth (_________) Simpson, born about 1699 in Charles County, Maryland. Of the younger Gilberts, one was confirmed to be the son of the elder Gilbert and his wife, Elizabeth Williams. He died in 1803 in Fairfax County, Virginia. The third Gilbert had moved from Fairfax County to Loudoun in 1761. He entered into a partnership with George Washington and had relocated to Fayette County, Pennsylvania from 1774 to 1786 and then moved on to Kentucky where he died in 1794. Other than to suggest that this Gilbert was probably a nephew of the elder Gilbert, I was not able to identify his father. I documented the results of my research in a paper entitled, Profiles of the Three Gilbert Simpsons of Eighteenth Century Fairfax County, Virginia and sent copies to various genealogical repositories around the country.

In the ensuing years, I have continued my research of the Gilbert Simpsons of Fairfax County and nearby Prince Georges’ County, Maryland. In the process, I was able to establish the ancestry of an additional 18th century Gilbert Simpson and develop a plausible scenario for the identity of the father of the Gilbert who was Washington’s partner. In some instances, unexpected difficulties arose when some of the circumstantial evidence produced conflicting results. The conflicting evidence is presented and analyzed in this paper and an objective effort was made to reconcile the discrepancies. The results were the identification of probable lines of descent based on the preponderance of evidence. I decided to document the results and produce a sequel to my original research paper with the hope that future discoveries will provide additional clarification of these lines.

For purposes of continuity, this publication repeats some of the biographical information included in the earlier Profiles paper. However, these narratives have been modified to include new discoveries. In total, this publication identifies ten Gilbert Simpsons through six generations, all of whom descend from John Simpson of Charles County, Maryland. Another given name found frequently among these descendants is ‘French’ although no French surname has been found in this ancestral line. Seven French Simpsons are identified in this paper.

The research documented in this publication has been aided tremendously by the contributions of several other Simpson family researchers. I am particularly indebted for the excellent research plus the advice and consultation of the following Simpson researchers: Mary Gregg of Austin, Texas who has done extensive research of the various Simpsons of Northern Virginia and has diligently documented the results. She graciously shared the results of this research with me and her documentation was an invaluable aid in the production of this research paper. Likewise, Ralph D. Smith of Port Orange, Florida has done extensive research of the original records in Charles and Prince George’s Counties, Maryland. His interpretative skills in the analysis these ancient records have resulted in the publication of several family based genealogical histories which he freely shared with me. His consultation was extremely valuable to me in compiling this research paper. Dwight Barr of Midvale, Utah is a descendant of the Gilbert Simpson who became George Washington’s partner in the construction of a mill in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. His research was a great asset in determining the identities of the children of Gilbert and his wife, Tamer Johnston. Anna Corbin Dodson of Alexandria, Virginia is descended from William Simpson and his wife, Elizabeth Gretter. She researched the descendancy of various Gilbert Simpsons from his line and shared the results with me along with Lynne Simpson, the wife of her cousin, George Simpson. Robert P. Moore of Lexington, Kentucky has done extensive research of the Simpsons of Kentucky and shared with me valuable information about Thomas Simpson, probable eldest son of Gilbert and Tamer (Johnston) Simpson, based on documented evidence in Nelson County, Kentucky. Erick Montgomery of Augusta, Georgia has researched the descendants of John Simpson (the Scotsman) in Northern Virginia and has constructed a very impressive line of descent from this progenitor, identifying the kinship of most of the early Simpsons of Fairfax County. Although not connected with this line, his research was valuable in sorting out the different lines of descent.

Effective genealogical research is truly a team effort which is clearly demonstrated in the compilation of this research paper. I am most appreciative of the willingness that all of these dedicated researchers displayed in sharing the fruits of their labors and making this research paper a reality. Hopefully, by freely sharing the information in this paper, the process can continue for the benefit of future generations.

Finally, a word of caution. This research paper is the product of hundreds of hours of intensive genealogical investigation by many researchers of the Maryland and northern Virginia Simpson lines. These efforts have been severely challenged because, in many instances, there are no wills, deeds, or other legal documents establishing proof of descent of some of the subjects featured. Rather, this paper is the product of a combination of circumstantial as well as factual evidence. Consequently, where absolute proof is lacking, the conclusions drawn represent the most probable lines of descent based on an objective analysis of the available evidence. The risks in producing such a document are recognized and genealogists reviewing this paper are cautioned to use the evidence presented as an aid for further investigative research. Within this frame of reference, the background analyses in this paper and summaries derived therefrom have been sufficiently detailed and caveated so as to avoid premature conclusions being reached and perpetuated in various internet sites. It is my hope and intent that this research paper will be useful to other researchers in expending upon the descendants of John Simpson of Charles County, Maryland.

THE EVIDENCE & BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVES

BACKGROUND:

JOHN SIMPSON (ca. 1660’s – 1708) of Charles County, Maryland.

The progenitor of the Gilbert Simpsons featured in this research paper is a rather obscure individual named John Simpson who lived in Charles County, Maryland in the latter half of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth century. He lived in the same vicinity as Thomas Simpson and was of the same generation to have been his son. However, existing records do not provide the required proof. He was probably an adult by the 1680’s but does not appear in the records until 1694. Little is known of his personal life due to the paucity of public records in which he is mentioned. Research is complicated by the fact that there were two John Simpsons living in the same area of Charles County between 1694 and 1725. However, the records are basically sequential, separated by the death of the elder John in 1708.

The earliest record mentioning John Simpson of Charles County is actually a St. Mary’s County estate account for a William Roswell whose will was dated September, 1694 and probated in May 1695. This is because prior to 1696, the area where John lived was in St. Mary’s County. In this account, John Simpson is listed as owing a debt to the estate which would have been incurred some time prior to May of 1695.

John Simpson next appears in two court records in the October 1698 session of the Charles County court. In the first, Gerrard Slye brought action which resulted in Simpson recovering damages in the amount of 240 pounds of tobacco. In the next suit, brought by John Brasher, John Simpson is described as a “planter” but there is no indication that he was a property owner. His residence at that time was “Portobacco” where a Brasher administered treatment to John’s wife’s back and performed other services on 20 June, 1698. Brasher sued for payment and was granted 525 pounds of tobacco plus 253 pounds for costs incurred.

In the February 1699/1700 Charles County, Maryland Court, John Sympson of Charles County, Planter, was summoned to answer a plea by John Bayne that he “render unto him the sum of 750 pounds of leafe tobacco and cask which to him he oweth and unjustly detaineth”. The court supported Bayne’s petition. (Note: Robert Manhaine (Machone), who married John’s widow, was a servant of Captain John Bayne).

In March, 1704/5, John Simpson received payment from the administration account of the estate of Samuel Compton. Others receiving payment were: John Rowland, Phillip Briscoe, Matthew Compton, Henry Hardy, John Stansbury, Walter Storry, and Richard Cone. (Note: There is no known familial connection between John Simpson and any of the others. However, another Samuel Compton and another John Simpson, the presumed elder son of John, were sureties in the administration of the estate of Robert Whitely in Fairfax County, Virginia in April, 1744. This Samuel, was a son of Matthew and Susannah (Briscoe) Compton and was apparently a nephew of the first. Whitely’s widow was Susannah (Compton) Whitely, a daughter of Matthew Compton, and was also a surety. (Further details are provided in the biographical sketch of John Simpson, Jr.). Susannah subsequently married Henry Taylor in about 1745.)

John Simpson was also involved in two other court cases in 1705. Anne Wathen, widow, was attached to answer a charge of trespass brought by John Simpson but agreement was reached out of court. In the next action, John Simpson committed to the sheriff for eight pounds sterling and two hundred pounds of tobacco to satisfy a debt to Benoni Thomas.

On 29 November, 1704, John Simpson is mentioned in the will of John Young who bequeathed a one year old mare foal to Gilbert, youngest son of John (Simpson). This will was witnessed by Joseph Pile and John Parnham. John Simpson next appears as a witness to the will of Thomas Stonestreet on 14 October, 1706 along with Joseph Pile and John Parnham. These two records imply that John Simpson was an immediate neighbor of John Young, Joseph Pile, John Parnham, and Thomas Stonestreet and provide circumstantial evidence as to his parentage. Three generations of Thomas Simpsons were property owners in this vicinity beginning with the first Thomas Simpson who bought a tract of land west of Piles Fresh in 1671 which he called St. Thomas and another tract adjoining Piles Fresh which he called St. George. Piles Fresh was apparently named for either John Pile, an early 17th century settler in the area or his son, Joseph Pile, Sr., who died between 16 June, 1691 and 8 November, 1692. The first mention of this natural landmark in land records occurs in January 1668/9 so it seems to be more closely tied to the elder Pile. Joseph Pile, Sr.’s plantation, Sarum, was located on the east side of St. John’s Creek according to John Pile’s patent dated 16 August, 1662 and Joseph Pile’s patent dated 7 November, 1680. Thomas Simpson’s property also abutted St. John’s Creek, but on the west side. Sarum adjoined Thomas Stonestreet’s plantation, Morris’s Help. Joseph Pile, Jr. inherited Sarum and Edward Stonestreet inherited Morris’s Help. Joseph Pile, Jr. and John Parnham were brothers-in-law, Parnham having married Elizabeth Pile, daughter of Joseph Pile, Sr. Thomas Stonestreet’s daughter, Elizabeth, married Robert Hagar (Hagan?) who had purchased three parcels of land from Thomas Simpson: one parcel in 1687; another in 1695 bounded by Andrew Simpson and Thomas Clark containing 40 acres; and a third parcel, purchased in 1699, being part of St. George’s. These facts make a strong case that John Simpson was living on or near property purchased by the first Thomas Simpson, and was, therefore, possibly a younger son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Willan?) Simpson, an early settler of St. Mary’s (now Charles) County, Maryland. The fact that John named one of his sons Thomas adds further credence to this theory.

John Sympson and Thomas Sympson (apparent son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Willan?) Simpson, are separated by just one person in a very long debt list of those owing to the estate of Thomas Smoot in November, 1706. Two other names which appear later in the estate records of John Simpson are Thomas Orrell and William Hoult. Although the list contains 128 names, it is not alphabetical and may be somewhat more significant because Orrell is listed just before Simpson and William Hoult is listed just after.

In November, 1707 a John Simpson was sworn in as constable of Newport Hundred by Philip Briscoe. On 1 August, 1708, a John Crane brought suit against a John Mittchison for a charge of trespass involving a debt of 750 pounds of tobacco. John Simpson is listed in this record as having been paid 100 pounds of tobacco.

John Simpson died sometime prior to November, 1708 when his widow, Elizabeth Simpson, came into court and petitioned for reimbursement of expenses incurred while caring for and burial of the ailing school master, Jno. Lyscomb, in addition to being a poor distressed widow responsible for the care and well-being of five small fatherless children. Her petition is quoted as follows:

To the Worshipfull the Justices of Charles County now Setting in Court The humble Petition of Elizabeth Simpson Widdow Shewith --- That whereas Jno. Lyscomb a Schoole master hapened to Dye att your Petitioners house and your Petitioner was at Considerable Expense and Charge in Tending him in his Sickness and burying the said Jno. Lipscomb and had noo manner of Compensason for the same he hath left some necessary wearing apparell In youre Petitioners Possession which if your worships think fitt to _______ upon your Petitioner In Regard of your Petitioners Trouble in the guise aft his sickness and chrg- of his buryall your worships Petitioner being a Poore Distressed Widdow and haveing the Charge of five small fatherless Children To Maintaine Shall Ever Pray _____

In response this petition, the court agreed that the personal belongings of the school master were the rightful property of Elizabeth Simpson as compensation for the expenses she incurred while caring for schoolmaster Lipscomb during his illness and for his burial.

On 9 February, 1708/9, Elizabeth Simpson, administratrix of the estate of John Simpson, had her administrative bond signed by sureties Joseph Cooper and William Hoult (Holt). The bond amount was 60 pounds. In the ideal case, one of the sureties is a close relative of the husband (to protect the interest of minor children) and the other, a close relative of the widow who is administrating the estate (to protect her interests). Where no such relatives are living nearby, the sureties may just be friends or neighbors who are willing to assume the risk of financial liability for the amount of the bond. However, where the estate is small and no land is involved, as it was with John Simpson’s estate, the risk is substantially reduced. In intestate estates, the wife is entitled to only one-third of the estate but when the widow remarries, she and her new husband have a tendency to end up with more that a third, to the detriment of the minor children. There is no indication that the sureties appointed for John Simpson’s bond were relatives of either John or Elizabeth. A review of the estate records of Cooper and Hoult (Holt) discloses no Simpson name in either estate record. However, there is evidence that the selection of Elizabeth’s sureties was influenced by Robert Machone. Specifically, Capt. John Bayne’s inventory account of 10 July, 1702 identifies Joseph Cooper and Robert Manhaine (sic) as servants of Bayne. The 15 July, 1703 inventory of widow, Madam Anne Bayne, identifies Robert Mahone as a servant. Interestingly, Joseph Cooper and William Hoult (Elizabeth’s sureties) were witnesses to Bayne’s will.

John’s estate was appraised by John Scott and Thomas Orell/Orrell in Charles County and recorded on 26 July, 1709. His estate was modest, consisting of a few livestock, household items, and no slaves. The total value as was 21 pounds, 17 shillings, 8 pence. By 6 April, 1711, John’s widow, Elizabeth, had remarried a widower named Robert Machone (spelled variously Machon, Mahone, Mackhorn, Mackhon, and Mahaune). In this record, her name is spelled Elisabeth Mahaune, wife of Robert Mahaune. Payments from the estate were made to: Anthony Simms (Anthony Semmes), Francis Wheatley, Madam Contee, James Williams (note that Gilbert Simpson married a daughter of James), Edward Stonestreet, Richard Highfield, John Crane, and Benjamin Hall. This was the last record involving John Simpson. The value of this estate was identical to that of the previous inventory account.

The next record involving Elizabeth Machone is a 1736 court case involving Michael Roby who brought suit against Daniel Ross. Roby obtained a writ of attachment against Ross for 250 pounds of tobacco plus 400 pounds of tobacco costs, claiming that Ross had absconded. Pursuant to this writ, in April, 1736 the Sheriff attached a small gray horse and an old gun of Ross’s that were in the hands of Elizabeth McHorne (sic). The horse and gun were appraised at the value of 550 pounds of tobacco and at a June, 1736 court hearing the property was condemned for Roby. Elizabeth did not appear to contest the attachment or condemnation. Thomas Simpson was present when the writ was served on Elizabeth and was one of the appraisers of the property that was attached.

Robert Mackhorne (sic) died in 1745 leaving Elizabeth a widow for a second time. He appears in several Charles County records including the estate records of James Williams in 1723, where he was an appraiser. Robert owned property on the east side of Pile’s Fresh named Hadlow. Robert Mahony acquired Hadlow, consisting of 300 acres by indenture dated 28 June, 1732 from Basil Waring and William Barton. This property was located “by an oak standing in the main swamp of Piles Fresh”. This was apparently just across the swamp from where John Simpson made his home. Robert Mackhorn’s will was dated 17 October, 1745 and proved 20 December, 1745. He mentions wife, Elizabeth; children: Robert, Elizabeth, William, Martha Duffy, Jane Wood, and Anne Ash; grandchild, Bennett Woodson; and sons-in-law, Jacob Wood and Thomas Ash. Witnesses were: Samuel Amery and James Dyson. At the time he made his will, Robert lived between “the main road and the land of Jacob Wood and Thomas Ash” (his sons-in-law). He directed that his sons, Robert and William, and his sons-in-law “build upon the land such houses as may be reasonably necessary for the said Elizabeth Mackhorne during the time she lives a single life but when ever the said Elisabeth Mackhorne either dies or marrys then that part of the aforesaid land of Hadlow to return to my son Robert.....”. Widow Elizabeth is cited as executratrix in Robert’s administration account dated 19 July, 1747.

Elizabeth Mackhon is next mentioned as a next of kin, along with Josias Simpson, in the inventory account of Thomas Simpson of St. Marys County, Maryland. This record comes from the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of Maryland wherein Thomas Simpson is recorded leaving an estate of 192 pounds, one shilling, and nine pence, 29 November, 1750 - 6 March, 1750/1. Details are:

Appraisers: Mr. James Mills & Capt. Zachariah Bond.
Creditors: Philip Key & John Eden.
Next of Kin: Josias Simpson & Elisabeth Mackhon.
Administrators/Executors: Benjamin Molten and wife, Mary.

In a deposition dated 10 May, 1755 by Elizabeth Machone which gives her age as 76, therefore, born sometime between 10 May, 1678 and 10 May, 1679 which is quoted as follows:

Maryland Charles County May 10th 1755 Elizabeth Machone, aged Seventy Six years and upwards, being duly Sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God Declares that She remembers the Death of Marmaduke Simms about Sixty years agoe and that his Eldest son was Named Anthony and the Eldest son of the said Anthony Simms was Named Marmaduke & the said Marmaduke Simms Eldest son is named Anthony now alive and futter saith not --
her
Elizabeth Machone
mark

It is interesting to note that others giving similar depositions at that time were: Christian Lemaster, aged seventy-five; Thomas Simpson, Jr., aged sixty; William Simpson, aged fifty-seven; and Richard Edelen, aged eighty-three. This strongly implies that John and Elizabeth (_________) Simpson were living in the same neighborhood as Thomas and William Simpson in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s.

There is no record of Elizabeth (_________) Simpson Machone’s death but it apparently occurred sometime after 1761. The Charles County, Maryland Debt Book for the years 1758 and 1761 show Elizabeth Mchon and Mchone, respectively, as a part owner of Hadlow, 211 acres. However, this record must be caveated to the extent that a person may continue to be list on the debt rolls after their death if the authorities have not been notified of a new owner.

What these records disclose is that: 1). John Simpson was deceased sometime prior to November, 1708 when Elizabeth Simpson, widow, filed her petition to claim the clothing of deceased schoolmaster Lipscomb; 2). Elizabeth was born in either 1678 or 1679 so she probably married John Simpson about 1697 or 1698 (age 19 or 20) and if so, she was apparently a second wife of John because Gilbert, his “youngest son” according to John Young’s will of 1704, was born about 1699 (See deposition of Gilbert Simpson, 1 July, 1765 quoted further in this text); 3). John and Elizabeth were living in the same vicinity as other proven sons of Thomas Simpson, Sr. about the time of their marriage in the late 1600’s; 4). Elizabeth was either the mother (or perhaps, step-mother) of at least five children including sons: Gilbert, Thomas, and Joseph; and 5). Elizabeth apparently never married again after 1745 and probably lived at least into her 80’s.

John Simpson was probably married twice because, as discussed above, Elizabeth (_____________) Simpson Mahaune was probably too young to have been the mother of sons older than Gilbert who is described in John Young’s will of 1704 as “the youngest son of John Simpson”. If so, his eldest son may have been John Simpson, (Jr.?) because Charles County records identify another John Simpson appearing as an adult between the years 1708 and 1726.
The elder John died relatively young, perhaps in his early 40s. His widow, Elizabeth, married as her second husband, Robert Machone by 1711. Robert was born about 1673 and died in 1745. Elizabeth died sometime subsequent to 1761.

The only documented son of John Simpson is Gilbert. However, others can be tentatively identified based on circumstantial evidence in Charles County records and associations with known family members. A detailed analysis of these likely sons follows:

1. JOHN SIMPSON: A younger John Simpson begins appearing in the Charles County records about the time that the elder John died. He was of adult age perhaps as early as 1708 but certainly by 1711. Therefore, he was probably born about 1690 by an earlier wife of the elder John. On 20 August, 1708 he registered his cattle mark. While this is near the time of the elder John’s death, it is assumed that the cattle mark was for the younger man. Presumably, a man in his forties would have registered his mark earlier. In November, 1711, John was sued for a debt of 1050 pounds of tobacco by Alexander Willson. Simpson failed to appear and judgment was for Willson. (On 8 June, 1714, this same Alexander Willson bought a tract of land from Thomas Simpson (the second) called Thomas’s Beginning, bounded by John Wathen, Richard Edelen, John Cathon, and the St. Thomas estate.) Alexander died the next year leaving his entire estate to the children of the said Thomas Simpson). In June 1713 John Simpson was sued by a Thomas Reed for a debt of 2660 pounds of tobacco accrued in 1708 and 1709 for articles of clothing and food. John next appears in the estate records of Philip Briscoe on 3 December, 1725 among numerous others who owed money to the estate. The most significant record linking the younger John to the elder John is found in the estate Inventory record Edward Briscoe dated 17 March, 1725/6. In this record, John, Gilbert, and a Joseph Simpson all appear on a small list of those who owe debts of tobacco to the estate. This portion of the record is quoted as follows:

A List of debts Tobacco Tobacco
Michael Boswell 500 Jno Redman 50
Gilbert Simpson 300 John Slye 40
Edward Birch 670 Priscilla Saintclair 100
Willm Throne 640 Gillum Wood 140
Joseph Simpson 40 Elias Herrington 60
Robert Taylor 300
John Simpson 40

John probably moved from Charles County to nearby St. Mary’s County by January 1729/30 when a John Simson (sic.) is shown making a payment to the administration account of a John Mills. This is the first mention of a John Simpson in St. Mary’s County and he does not appear in any other the records of St. Mary’s in the 1720’s. However, on 24 August, 1730, John Simpson was one of only three persons who were paid from the estate of Samuel Johnston of St. Mary’s County. Samuel Johnston had died in St. Mary’s County in 1729, sometime between 4 August when he made his will and 24 November, when it was proved. Samuel named his son, Samuel, and daughter, Susannah, his executors. This younger Samuel was apparently the Samuel Johnston of St. Mary’s County who moved to Clifton Neck in Fairfax County, Virginia on 19 August, 1745 and settled with wife, Hannah, and son Samuel on 200 acres and a plantation whereon John Simpson now lives….

During the 1730’s there were seven St. Mary’s County residents who died, leaving administration account records mentioning John Simpson of St. Mary’s County. John Young and Thomas Greenfield, the decedents in these last two records died in May, 1731 and March, 1733/4, respectively. Thereafter, there is an extended break in the mention of a John Simpson in St. Mary’s County records. The chronological evidence provided by these records fits nicely with the arrival of John Simpson in Fairfax County, Virginia in about 1736. Therefore, it is considered probable that John Simpson, eldest son of John Simpson of Charles County, Maryland preceded his younger brother, Gilbert, to Fairfax County. However, this theory is complicated by an entry in a publication entitled, The First Hundred Years of Mount Vernon, by Robert M. Moxham which states that Augustine Washington “replaced his overseer, bringing in his stead John Simpson in 1736. The fact that Simpson had only just arrived in Virginia from England, and presumably had no experience in frontier agriculture may be circumstantial evidence that Capt. Augustine had been dissatisfied with the performance of Simpson’s predecessor……..”. This statement is extremely significant because if the immigration from England is accurate, this John Simpson is eliminated as the younger John Simpson of Charles County. Unfortunately, Mr. Moxham did not cite a source reference in his publication but the primary source was probably a deposition by John Simpson dated 29 March, 1748. It reads as follows:

“John Simpson aged forty nine Years being produced as a Witness by the Ptf in the Difference aforesaid being first sworn on the Holy Evangelist in presence of the Surveyor & Jury deposeth that eleven Years ago he became an Overseer to Augustine Washington ______ that the Point called Sayn Landing had then & for some time before the name of the Sayn Landing that the Point shown by the Dft to the Surveyor & Jury before the House where William Sparks lived was then called the River Landing that the overseer immediately before him used to call it so as likewise John Reed who lived as a servant with William Sparks formerly a Tennant there nor did he ever hear it called the Creek Landing. And being asked which he thought the Mouth of the Creek answered from a point of Marsh just above what he has deposed for the River Landing & Mr. Clifton’s Point being asked how long since he first came to Virginia say twelve Years and further saith not Signed this 29th of March 1748.
John l—l—l Simpson.”

The only factual difference in the deposition and in Moxham’s statement is the reference to John having immigrated from England. In an effort to verify this reference, an intensive study was conducted to find another primary source reference. As disclosed in the detailed footnote below, no mention was found of Augustine Washington bringing a John Simpson from England to be his overseer. It is considered likely that when John Simpson said he “first came to Virginia say twelve years…” (i.e., 1736), Mr. Moxham may have made a logical assumption that he had been recruited by Augustine Washington on his business trip to England that same year. This assumption was probably influenced by the depositions of Bryan Allison in 1748 and 1786, references to which immediately follow the statement about John Simpson in Moxham’s book. Allison did, in fact, emigrate from England and he was also deposed in the 1748 Marshall v. Darrell court case, saying he had “been in this country about 11 years”. This is strikingly similar to Simpson’s statement about having been in Virginia for twelve years. In actuality, Simpson, in his deposition, was probably referring to his having moved over to Virginia from Charles County, Maryland. A careful reading of Simpson’s deposition discloses that he did not become Washington’s overseer until he had been in Virginia for as long as a year. If Washington brought Simpson from England for that purpose it is unlikely that he would have waited a year to put him to work.

John Simpson and Gilbert Simpson both appear in the estate records of Robert Whitely in Fairfax County in 1744 and provide further evidence that John had roots in Charles County. Compton’s estate owed Gilbert Simpson 600 pounds of tobacco and John Simpson signed Whitely’s administration bond as a surety along with widow, Susanna Whitely, and Samuel Compton on 10 April, 1744. John’s signature mark (l—l—l) confirms that he is the same John Simpson who signed the deposition in 1748. Robert Whitely was also a former resident of Charles County. He had married Susannah Compton, sister of Samuel Compton, the other surety. Nearly forty years before, the elder John Simpson received payment from the estate of Samuel Compton, apparent brother of Matthew Compton who was the father of this Samuel Compton and of Whitely’s widow, Susannah (Compton) Whitely. John Simpson was still living in Fairfax County in 1749 based on a court order book entry dated 23 June which reads, “William Ashford is appointed constable in the precinct whereof John Simpson was lately constable”.

John’s whereabouts subsequent to 1749 cannot be determined due, in part, to the emergence of multiple John Simpsons in northern Virginia. Moreover, there are indications that he may have moved back across the Potomac to Maryland. The August, 1749 Charles County Court records disclose that Messrs. Stephenson & Company sued Captain Samuel Chunn for 897 pounds of tobacco. The statement of account produced in court shows that 872 pounds of that amount was a debt that Chunn incurred in April, 1748 as a credit to John Sympson. (Note: One sees this kind of transaction fairly often. A person, usually a merchant, (in this case, Stephenson and Co.) credits a second person with a certain sum (in this case, Simpson) and at the request of a third person (in this case, Chunn) makes the third person (but not the second person) liable to the first person for the amount extended. What is unusual in this instance is that the amount credited Sympson is virtually the entire amount owed by Chunn). It may be significant that Samuel Chunn was the person that Gilbert and Elizabeth Simpson employed as power of attorney on 11 August, 1748 in the sale of their inheritance from the James Williams estate (Reference the Gilbert Simpson, Sr. biography).

In summary, the information about the younger John Simpson being an elder son of John Simpson (the elder) is not absolute but there is considerable circumstantial evidence indicating that he was a son of John and a first wife whose name is not known. Conflicting facts are a variation of his age (ca. 1690 versus 1699 as given in the deposition) and the shadow of doubt cast by Moxham’s seemingly unverifiable reference to John Simpson having immigrated from England. Based on the above cited records and the inability to find confirming source records of his immigration, the John Simpson of Fairfax County must be considered a likely son of John Simpson of Charles County.

2. GILBERT SIMPSON: Gilbert Simpson is confirmed as a son of John and Elizabeth (________) Simpson. He was born about 1699 in Charles County, Maryland. Details of his life are found in the biographical sketch entitled, I. Gilbert Simpson.

3. THOMAS SIMPSON: Thomas Simpson died in St. Mary’s County, Maryland in about 1750. The inventory of his estate was made 29 November, 1750 and recorded on 6 March, 1750/1. Administrator and executrix was Mary Molten, wife of Benjamin Molton and widow of Thomas. His next of kin are listed as Josias Simpson and Elizabeth Mackhon. Elizabeth was obviously Thomas’s mother, widow of John Simpson who had married second, Robert Mchaune. Therefore, Thomas is a confirmed son of John and Elizabeth (_______) Simpson. Josias, initially thought to be a brother, is now considered more probably an elder son of Thomas who was just reaching adulthood in 1750. In 1754, George Brent leased a parcel of property on Clifton Neck, Virginia to Josias Simpson for a term of seven years. This lease was terminated prematurely by the owner and Josias lost the law suit that he filed for recovery of expenses. It appears that Josias went back to St. Mary’s County because he is mentioned in nine different legal transactions between the years 1758 and 1778. This theory is further supported by the “emigration” of a Josias Simpson, farmer, from St. Mary’s County to Washington, D. C. in 1795. Thomas had married Mary Fanning, widow of John Fanning, sometime between 1 December, 1745 (when she is listed as Fanning’s wife) and 19 May, 1747 (when she is listed as Thomas Simpson’s wife). He probably had no children by Mary but may have had Josias (Josiah) and perhaps others by an earlier marriage.

4. JOSEPH SIMPSON: Joseph Simpson was born about 1705, apparently in Charles County, Maryland. Joseph first appears in Charles County records on 17 March, 1725/6 along with John Simpson and Gilbert Simpson and nine other persons in a “list of debts” of small amounts of tobacco in the inventory of the estate of Edward Briscoe. A Joseph Semson (sic.) is listed as receiving payment from the estate of William Willes in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Some time prior to 12 July, 1729, Joseph married Sarah Noe, who was also born about 1705. Joseph Semson (sic) and Sarey Semson are listed as next of kin on that date in the inventory of John Noe. Sarah Noe (apparently John Noe’s widow) was administratrix. Joseph Simpson is listed as 1 taxable in the 1733 Charles County Tax List, Newport West Side, Lower Part. Joseph was number 9 on the list. Also listed are Thomas Simpson, Sr. (number 42), James Simpson (number 43), Thomas Simpson, Jr. (number 45), and William Simpson (number 53). On 17 February, 1738/9, Joseph Simpson appears on a long list of those who made payments to the estate of John Fairfax. Joseph Simpson’s last recorded presence in Charles County was 25 September, 1740 when he signed the inventory of John Scot. By June, 1750 Joseph Simpson had moved his family to nearby Prince George’s County, Maryland. On that date he leased a portion of “Friendship” lying near Broad Creek from James Edelen for 20 years. On 13 December, 1758 he purchased 100 acres called Two Johns from John and Mary Parmar. Joseph’s property is listed there in the Debt Books from 1760 to 1765. In November, 1770 Edward Stonestreet and Joseph Simpson are recorded as sureties for the administration of the Prince George’s County estate of Eliazer Lanham by the administratrix, Christian Fry, wife of Leonard Fry. Joseph probably died sometime in 1782. His will was written on 29 October, 1780 and proved on 10 August, 1782. The will is very informative and is quoted as follows:

In the name of God Amen, I Joseph Simson do constitute this my last will and Testament in manner and form following. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas all my Land that lies on the South side of the main Road. Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Juda all my Land that lies on the North side of the said Road but not until my wifes decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Lyda one Cow with Calf. I give and bequeath to my Son Thomas after my wife’s decease one bed and Furniture. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Juda one Cow with Calf and to my Daughter Lyda one large Chest and one Bed and Furniture and one Iron pot. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Son John one Shilling Sterling. Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son William one Shilling Sterling. Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son Gilbert one Shilling Sterling. Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Son James one Shilling Sterling. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Son Joseph one Shilling Sterling. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth One Shilling Sterling. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Susannah on Shilling Sterling. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann one Shilling Sterling. But it is my will and desire that none of the above Legatees be paid off till after my wife’s decease whom I do Constitute and Appoint Executrix of this my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of October 1780.
his
Joseph X Simpson
Signed and Sealed in presence of mark
Hen. Humfrey
Daniel Frazer
Phillx

Therefore, on the basis of the will and other source documents, the following children were born to Joseph and Sarah (Noe) Simpson:

1. John, born about 1725; married Sarah Ball, daughter of Richard Ball, and had the following children:

a. Ann, baptized on 26 January, 1752 at King George’s Parish, Prince George’s
County, Maryland.
b. Hezekiah, born 10 September, 1753 in King George’s Parish, Prince
George’s County, Maryland.
c. Eleanor, born 23 February, 1755; married William Lawson in 1778 in
Prince George’s County, Maryland.
d. John, born 18 March, 1760.
e. Josias, baptized in August, 1763 at King George’s Parish, Prince George’s
County, Maryland; married Sarah Phillips 1/8 December, 1789 at King
George’s Parish, Prince George’s County, Maryland.
f. Mary Ann, born 26 October, 1769 at King George’s Parish, Prince George’s
County, Maryland.
g. Susanna, born 24 June, 1772 at King George’s Parish, Prince George’s
County, Maryland.
2. Gilbert, born about 1730. (For further details of his life, refer to IV. Gilbert Simpson).
3. James, born about 1737. He married Priscilla ________ and had the following children:

a. Thomas, born 5 October, 1763; married Ruth King 7/10 April, 1787 in King George’s Parish, King George’s County, Maryland.
b. John, born 4 June, 1765.
c. Lewin, born 3 September, 1767; married 18 November, 1794, Elizabeth Burch.
d. Priscilla, born 28 April, 1773.
e. Sarah Ann, born 6 November, 1775.
4. Joseph, born about 1741; married Charity Teneley, who was born about 1747. Sometime prior to 1782 Joseph moved from Prince George’s County, Maryland across the Potomac to Fairfax County, Virginia. He owned 2 slaves, 5 horses and 7 cattle. Joseph is listed on the tax lists through 1795. He died in 1796 in Fairfax County, Virginia. He made his will on 21 January, 1795 and it was proved on 18 July, 1796. He mentions his wife, Charity, son, George, and daughters: Sollime, Mille, and Mimoon. He died in 1796 in Fairfax County, Virginia. Children were:

a. Tenely (Phillop (sic.) Tenaley), born 1762 according to the 1776 census or 1
October, 1764 (perhaps a baptism date?) .
b. Levi, born 1 June, 1764; died 13 June, 1838; married first, Jane Williams
and had children:

(1). Sarah, born 20 September, 1794.
(2). Ann, born 29 May, 1796.
(3). Margaret, born 10 December, 1796.
(4). French, born 12 April, 1800.
(5). George, born 10 January, 1802.
(6). Elizabeth, born 15 January, 1804.
(7). Lewis Conner, born February, 1807.
(8). Nancy, born 28 March, 1809.
Levi married second, Nancy Priest and had the following children:
(9). Joseph, born 8 April, 1818.
(10). Frank, born 8 April, 1818.
(11). Emily, born 29 April, 1819.
(12). Amelia, born 7 June, 1820.
(13). Fannie Louise, born 12 May, 1824.
(14). Lucy, born 12 May, 1824.

c. Thomas, born 1766 according to the 1776 census or 5 October, 1768.
d. George, born about 1768 according to the 1776 census.
e. Solline (Salome), born about 1770 according to the 1776 census.
f. Amelia, born about 1774 according to the 1776 census.
g. Mimoon (Mildred), born 13 September, 1775.

5. William, who was alive at the time of his father’s will in 1780 but had
apparently departed Prince George’s County prior to 1776 as a singleman since he
is not mentioned in the census for that year and his marriage is not recorded in
Prince George’s County. It is not known where William settled but a William
Simpson first appears just across the Potomac in the records of Fairfax County,
Virginia as the husband of Elizabeth Gretter in February, 1775. (See the details
under the section V. Gilbert for an analysis of this possible connection).
6. Thomas, born about 1750. He first appears in a record in Prince George’s
County in April, 1774, making a payment to the estate of George Hardy.
7. Elizabeth.
8. Susannah.
9. Ann.
10. Juda.
11. Lydia.

BIOGRAPHIES OF FIVE GILBERT SIMPSONS:

I. GILBERT SIMPSON (1699-1773) Of Charles County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia.

Gilbert Simpson was born about 1699 in Charles County, Maryland, a younger son of John Simpson by his wife, Elizabeth. The will of John Young identifies Gilbert as a son of John Simpson and is quoted as follows:

In the name of God Amen. I John Young of Charles County in the province of Maryland, Cooper, Single man being very weak in body but in perfect memory thanks be to good Impl. I give & bequeath my soul into the hands of Allmighty God ------- hoping through the merits of my dear redeemer Jesus Christ to inherit everlasting life and my body to have a decent & Christian burial. I also request & desire that my debts be fully satisfied. Item. I leave my well beloved friend John Crane my sole Execitor. Item. I give & bequeath unto Gilbert Simpson the youngest son of John Simpson a mare foal of one year Old. Item. I also give and bequeath unto my well beloved friend John Crane all the rest of my estate personall with goods & chattles as witness my hand and seal the twenty ninth day of November Anno Dom 1704.

Signature
John Young

Testis John Parnham --- Joseph Pile

-----------------------------------
Amerced to the foregoing will was the foll’g pro ____ (towit) December 7th 1704. Then
came before me John Parnham & Jos Pile the above mentioned witnesses to the above
will & testament of John Young of Charles County late dec’d & proved the said last will
& testament in due manner & form according to law.
. Boughton, DepComCarol towit

Following the death of his father when Gilbert was about eight years old, he probably grew to adulthood in the household of Robert Mahaune (Mackhon), his step-father. Two deeds of gift in 1741 state that Robert’s property, Hadlow, was on the east side of Piles Fresh. This was probably just across the swamp from where Gilbert was born and lived his first eight years. Sometime prior to 6 April, 1730, Gilbert married Elizabeth Williams, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Tennison) Williams. On that date, Thomas Simpson, Jr. conveyed a 158 acre parcel to the heirs of James Williams. This deed transaction was initiated at the request of a George Hatton, apparently for the purpose of getting the land ownership officially recorded since the payment amount was only a token amount of 5 shillings. Elizabeth, wife of Gilbertus Simpson, is cited as one of the heirs. It is quoted as follows:

At the request of George Hatton the following deed was recorded the 16th June Anno Dom 1730. This indenture made the sixth day of April seventeen hundred thirty between Thomas Sympson Junr of Charles County planter of the one part and John Williams (,) Thomas Williams (,) James Williams (,) Daniel Short and his wife Catherine (,) Justman Williams (,) William Williams (,) (and) Gilbertus Simpson and his wife Elizabeth heirs of James Williams late of Charles County Deceased of the other part Witnesseth that the said Thomas Sympson Junr for and in consideration of five shills sterling money of great britain to him in hand paid thereof where of he doth hereby acknowledge and therefor does acquit the said John (,) Thomas (,) James Williams (,) Daniel Short and his wife Katherine (,) Justman (,) and William Williams (,) Gilbertus Simpson and his wife Elizabeth (,) their Exer and admrts have given granted bargained sold allowed (c?ed) (c?) and confirmed and by these presents for himself his heirs does hereby give grant bargain sell allow convey (?) and confirm unto the said John Williams and the (?) above mentioned forever all the right title and interess claim Estate of heirs the said Thomas Sympson his heirs of in and unto a certain tract of land called St. Thomas’s lying in Charles County on the West side of piles fresh and beginning at a bounded popular standing in a branch thence South by East seventy five perches to abounded red oak thence East by North two hundred and sixty perches thence South East by South sixty perches to the said swamp thence binding to the said swamp thence binding with the said swamp to the first bound tree containing and now laid out for one hundred and fifty eight acres more or less to have and to hold the said bargained sold and conveyed land (?) with its appurtenances and improvements unto them the said John Williams (,) Thomas Williams (,) JamesWilliams (,) Daniel Short and his wife and the rest of the above written forever fully and forever acquitted and discharged of all manor of claim of him the said Thomas Sympson and Sarah his wife their heirs forever and all other persons there out which here after shall grow due to the Christ (?) (?) and the said Thomas Sympson and sarah his wife for themselves their heirs do hereby covenant and agree with the said John (,) Thomas (,) and James Williams and there above mentioned that he the said Thomas Sympson and Sarah his wife before mentioned land and promisses with ........ (and so forth) ......

Thos. Simpson Junr seal

In about 1735, Gilbert was living as a tenant planter on a tract called the Lyons Denn which adjoined (Peter) Wood’s Addition on the west side of Zachia Swamp. Wood’s Addition, in turn, adjoined St. Thomas which had been owned by the elder Thomas Simpson. Gilbert’s rented house was located about 150 yards from a poplar tree standing on the west side of a small branch that leads into Marmaduke Semmes’ mill branch.

In a court case dated August, 1736, Gilbert Simpson, Ann Williams, and her mother, Mary Ancrum, brought charges against a Thomas Thompson for the theft of 250 pounds of tobacco from the warehouse of Mary Ancrum. Each was placed under a recognizance bond from which they were released after giving their testimony. This Ann Williams was probably the widow of William Williams who died between 19 November, 1735 and 5 May, 1736 but the evidence is not conclusive. The William Williams who died in 1735/1736 was the eldest son of John and Sarah Williams, born 2 October, 1685. In this 1736 court case Gilbert Simpson gives his occupation as “planter”.

Some time prior to 14 August, 1741, Gilbert Simpson, “planter”, migrated across the Potomac to Fairfax County, Virginia. On that date he leased 150 acres from William Clifton. He was a resident of Fairfax County at the time this lease was contracted so he had apparently moved there some time earlier. The lease was to extend to his wife, Elizabeth, upon Gilbert’s demise and to his son, Gilbert, Jr. upon the death of Elizabeth. The rental payment was 730 pounds of tobacco to be paid yearly by the 25th of December. Witnesses to the transaction were Robert Whitely, Jno. Westbrooke, and William Williams. Gilbert’s leased property was on the Potomac, by a cove, and adjoined the properties of John Sheridan and William Williams. Records of Charles County disclose that this William was not Gilbert’s brother-in-law. His connection, if any, to the Williams family of Charles County is not known. In 1755, a surveyor with initials, ‘T.H.’ surveyed the Clifton Neck area and drew definitive boundaries. George Washington used this survey in 1760 to delineate the boundaries of his various tenants. Gilbert Simpson’s leased property was located on the Potomac at the upper right hand side of the neck. The property consisted of 154 acres. This deed is quoted in its entirety as follows:

This Indenture made this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred forty & one Between William Clifton of the County of Prince William gent of one part & Gilbert Simpson of the aforesaid County Planter of other part Witnesseth that the said William Clifton for the Rents and Covenants expressed on the part of Gilbert Simpson his heirs to be performed hath granted to farm Let unto the said Gilbert Simpson a certain parcel of land by estimation one hundred and fifty acres in the aforesaid County being the land where the said Simpson now lives on & bounded beginning at three chestnut white Oaks on the lower side of a Cove running thence Southwest by West to two red Oaks corner trees between the said Gilbert Simpson & William Williams then North to a corner red Oak in the line that divides the land of Mr. Clifton & Smith thence North East to a box Oak thence Northeast to the river side then down with the several courses thereof to the first beginning with the rights to the same now belonging To Have and To Hold the said land & other the premises to him the said Gilbert Simpson his heirs during the Natural life of him the said Gilbert Simpson, Elizabeth, his Wife & Gilbert his Son during which time it shall be lawfull for the said Gilbert Simpson to possess the said land paying therefore unto the said William Clifton his heirs or assignes the annual rent of Seven hundred and thirty pounds of tobacco quallified according to Law to be paid yearly by the twenty fifth day of December & the said Gilbert doth agree with the said William Clifton not to dispose of any Timber of the aforesaid premises nor have a Subtenant on the same during this Lease neither sell his lease to any without the Leave of the said William Clifton Provided Always if it shall so happen the said Rent be not paid in Twenty days space next after the same shall be payable that then it shall be lawfull for said William Clifton into the messauge to enter & having entered & the goods & chattels then and there found to take & distrain by himself or Servant for and appointed by him the said William Clifton to bear away & the same to keep until the rent and arrearages of rent be fully paid further said William Clifton for himself his heirs agree it may be lawfull for him the said Gilbert Simpson his heirs to make use of any timber they can find on the Land unleased belonging to the said William Clifton for the support of the Plantation provided it is not to be found on his own part Sufficient to support the same Land hereafter only excepted all the land lying between the said William Cliftons & a North Course running to four Spanish Oaks corner trees of John Sherridans Land to a red Oak & two Spanish Oak saplins Corner trees by the side of a Branch that William Williams is bounded finally the said Gilbert Simpson doth oblidge himself in three years Space after the present date to plant out one hundred Apple trees on the said Plantation & the same to keep under good fence & if any Dies to plant one in its Stead. In Witness whereof the parties have set their hands & Seals.

William Clifton
In presence of Robert Whitely
Jno. Westbrooke William X Williams

At a Court held for Prince William County the 24th day of August 1741 William Clifton acknowledged this Lease from himself to Gilbert Simpson to be his act & deed & it was thereupon admitted to Record.

(In the margin: Dd Mr. Simpson June 1770)

During this same period, Clifton leased out other tracts in this area. Gilbert Simpson was a witness to the following leases, all of which occurred on 14 August, 1741: Jane Hester (Easter), John Sheridan, John Westbrook, William Williams, and William Carney.

On 19 August, 1745, Samuel Johnston from St. Marys County, Maryland leased 200 acres from William Clifton. This lease was for the life of Samuel, Hannah, his wife, and his son, Samuel. An interesting reference in the lease is “......to farm let to Samuel Johnston a plantation where John Simpson now lives.......”. The identity of this John Simpson and his relationship, if any, to Gilbert Simpson has not been conclusively established but it is quite likely that John Simpson was the older brother of Gilbert as documented in the sketch of John, above.

Gilbert Simpson’s name appears very infrequently in Fairfax County during the remainder of the 1740’s. In 1741, he was one of the appraisers of the estate of Giles Easter. On 20 May, 1746, he was one of three who was selected to inventory the estate of John Cumpton (Compton). He was listed as a voter on a poll list in 1744 and again in 1748. On 11 August, 1748 Gilbert and Elizabeth Simpson of Fairfax County sold their portion of the 158 acres in Charles County, Maryland inherited from the estate of James Williams to James Nivison, through Samuel Chunn as power of attorney.

Beginning in 1750, Gilbert Simpson is recorded in thirty-two activities involving law suits for indebtedness, witnessing legal transactions, and inventorying and appraising estates. On 24 July, 1752, he was paid “for rent” from the account of Jeremiah Presgrove. On 9 April, 1757, Gilbert Simpson Sr. and Gilbert Simpson, Jr. were executors of the will of Robert Preston and were given custody of Preston’s minor children. Gilbert, Sr. was given responsibility for sons, Thomas and John Preston and Gilbert, Jr. for daughter, Catherine and son, Robert. This is a curious entry because there is no indication of a family relationship between the Prestons and the Simpsons. It is unlikely that Preston would have left his children in the custody of strangers so it has been speculated that perhaps he had married a daughter of Gilbert, Sr. who predeceased him. However, Preston may have had no relatives with whom to leave his orphaned children and selected the Simpsons as his closest friends in the vicinity. Since Robert Preston was an overseer, he may have been in Gilbert Simpson’s employ on his 150 acre rental property. In any event, this custody was later a matter reviewed by the court. On 17 August, 1763, Gilbert Simpson, a blacksmith, was ordered to appear at the next court to answer a complaint of Catherine Preston and the other Preston orphans. It was ordered that Catherine Preston was no longer obligated to serve him but that John and Robert Preston be returned to him.

On 19 December, 1759 the Fairfax County grand Jury indicted Ann Simpson for having a “base-born” child based on information furnished by Col. John West within twelve months past. Gilbert Simpson, Sr. posted security for Ann. This would indicate that Ann may have been a child of Gilbert and Elizabeth Simpson.

In April 1760, George Washington purchased William Clifton’s property on Clifton Neck and Gilbert Simpson became his tenant under the same terms as before. Gilbert was a blacksmith as well as a planter and was paid by Washington for doing “Smith’s work”. His tobacco harvests were generally stored in one of the tobacco warehouses at Hunting Creek along with the other tenants of Washington on Clifton Neck.

Gilbert Simpson’s rental property is briefly described in an indenture between George Washington and Samuel Johnston dated 25 December, 1761 for the rental of 200 acres adjoining the “tenement whereon Gilbert Simpson, Sr. now lives”. This property was on the lower side of a cove on the Potomac River.

From time to time, Gilbert Simpson’s wife, Elizabeth, received payment from Washington’s account for serving as a midwife to the Mount Vernon slaves at River Farm on Clifton Neck. She appears in three entries aiding slaves: Peg (twice), Doll, Lidia, Judy, and Daphne. Washington also transacted agricultural business on a small scale with the Simpsons and undoubtedly saw them frequently. His Papers show that when he was at Mount Vernon, he would ride around his estate on days of good weather and his diaries also mention Gilbert Simpson’s home in several entries when he was out fishing or fox hunting.

On 1 July, 1765 Gilbert apparently traveled back to Charles County on the ferry to record a deposition to fix the property boundaries of a tract called Wood’s Addition. He signed the deposition, Gilbert Simpson, Senr. which strongly implies the existence of a Gilbert Simpson, Jr. This clearly points to the Gilbert Simpson, Sr. and Jr. of Fairfax County and is strengthened by the fact that there is no other mention of a Gilbert Simpson in Charles County subsequent to 1736. This deposition is quoted as follows:

The deposition of Gilbert Simpson aged 66 years or thereabouts having sworn on the
Holy Evangalist of Almighty God saith that a poplar tree standing on the west side of a
small branch that leads into Marmaduke Simmes Mill Branch is the beginning tree of
Woods Addition which he was showed by John Maston, Barton Hungerford Senior, and
William Williams and understood from them that it was the beginning tree of Woods
Addition about thirty years ago at the request of PeterWood and they began on the
aforesaid tree and further saith that he was a tenant at the same time on Lyon’s Denn
adjoining to Woods Addition and or Peter Wood and lived in a house about one hundred
and fifty yards from the aforesaid tree which he could see every day from the aforesaid
house and that the branch above mentioned was his spring branch and further saith not.

Gilbert Simpson, Senr.
Taken and examined before us this
1 July, 1765 Thos. Contee
Will Courts

George Washington’s financial records disclose that in his later years Gilbert Simpson may have encountered financial difficulties. Beginning in 1767, John Muir was apparently controlling the tobacco rental payments for Gilbert. A contra entry in Gilbert Simpson’s account dated 14 July, 1770 reads, “by life in the hands of Mr. John Muir”. This entry may coincide with the annotation in the margin of Gilbert Simpson’s 1741 deed which reads, Dd Mr. Simpson June 1770. Muir was a prominent Scottish merchant in Alexandria. The reason for Gilbert’s financial predicament is not known but it apparently did not affect Gilbert’s immediate neighbors so it was likely a result of deteriorating health. In any event, it did not affect the succession of proprietorship specified in the original deed.

Gilbert Simpson died in 1773, apparently in Fairfax County, Virginia. His will was written on 7 July, 1773 and probated in Fairfax County on 17 November, 1773. It mentions his widow, Elizabeth; sons, Gilbert and John; daughter, Valinda; and a granddaughter, Kessiah. The will, however, implies the existence of other children because it states the remainder of the estate is to be "divided among my whole children". Witnesses to the will were Sampson Darrell and Josias X (his mark) Payne. Gilbert signed his will so it is known he was literate, at least to the extent that he could sign his name. The will is quoted as follows:

In The name of God Amen, I Gilbert Simson of Fairfax County Being week of Boddey but in perfect Sence and Memory, Doe constitute and appoint this to be my last Will and Testament Revoking all other Wills that that by me made If any Such can be found. Imprianius I give my Soul to God who first gave it Hoping for a Joyeful Reserection throw the werks of Jesus Christ and my Boddey to the earth to be Decently Buried at the Discretion of my Executors. First I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Valinda Simson my best bed and Furniture. Also I give and Bequeath to my Grand Daughter Kessiah my next best bed and Furniture. Item I give to my son John Simson as much out of my Estate as shall be of the Vallue of a Bed and Furniture. Item I give and Bequeath to my Loving Wife Elizabeth Simson all the rest of my Estate to her During her life, also it is my Will and Desire that if the Stock Should be too Burdensum to her, that then She may Sell or Dispose of to her children as she thinks fit. Item it is my Will and Desire that at the death of my Said Wife, that my whole Estate be Equally Divided amongst my whole children. Lastly it is my Will and Desire that my Son Gilbert Simpson and my Wife be Executors to this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and fixed my Seal this 7th Day of July 1773.

Gilbert Simpson (Seal)
Signed Sealed and Delivered In presence of us

his
Sampson Darrell, Josias X Payne

Mark
At a Court Continued and held for the County of Fairfax 17th November 1773----
This Will was presented in Court by Gilbert Simpson and Elizabeth Simpson Exrs herein named who made Oath thereto and the same being proved by the oaths of the Witnesses is admitted to Record and the said Executors having performed what the Laws require a Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Gilbert’s widow, Elizabeth, survived him and, according to the 1741 lease, would have become the leaseholder until her death. She was alive at least through December, 1777 when she appears on the contra side of Lund Washington’s account in George Washington’s ledger book B. Moreover, she probably survived until 1785 when 230 pounds of tobacco for partial rent was transferred from daughter, Virlinda Payne’s, account to Gilbert Simpson, Jr.’s account in June, 1786. Gilbert, Jr. was the final leaseholder in the “three lives lease”. If Elizabeth (Williams) Simpson did survive until 1785, she was probably about 80 when she died. Among the known (and probable) children of Gilbert and Elizabeth Simpson were:

1. Gilbert, Jr., the eldest son, whose biography follows.
2. John, born 7 November, 1739. Except for being mentioned in Gilbert’s will, John cannot be specifically identified in Fairfax County records because several John Simpsons lived there at the time. However, there is considerable circumstantial evidence in Loudoun County linking him to Violinda Payne, proven daughter of Gilbert. John probably grew up on the 154 acres Gilbert leased from William Clifton on Clifton Neck in 1741. He married Mary Moore, daughter of Samuel Moore who eventually settled in Fauquier County before migrating to Kentucky. The earliest mention of John Simpson in Loudoun is a court case in January, 1781. In 1782, he began renting 153 acres from Carter on a “20-year lease to purchase” arrangement. This property was located just north of Goose Creek near the Oatlands Plantation and was named, Coon Skin Farm. Personal property tax records confirm that John prospered over the years even though he never owned land in Loudoun. His slave holdings grew from 2 in 1784 to 18 at the time of his death in 1801. In about 1787, Gilbert Simpson’s daughter, Violinda Payne, moved from Fairfax County to Loudoun and settled near John Simpson’s family. Their close association is illustrated by the following facts: Violinda’s daughter, Keziah, who was also mentioned in Gilbert’s will, married John Beveridge, Jr. and another daughter, Henrietta, married Christopher Skillman. John Beveridge, Sr. witnessed John Simpson’s will and John’s daughter, Violinda (probably Violinda (Simpson) Payne’s namesake), married Abraham Skillman, brother of Christopher. In later years (1845), John Simpson, son of John, administered the estate of Keziah (Payne) Beveridge, presumably, his first cousin. It is also considered significant that the younger Gilbert Simpson, undoubtedly the nephew of Gilbert Simpson, Sr., had leased and settled on 150 acres located less than two miles north of John Simpson’s leased 153 acres. He lived there from 1761 to 1774, thus providing further circumstantial evidence that John was the son of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Williams) Simpson. Finally, John Simpson’s leased land was very near the 312 acres that William Whitely leased from Robert Carter in 1763 on the north side of Goose Creek near the Oatlands plantation. The proximity to the Simpson property is illustrated by a court order dated 13 April, 1801 stating that “John Simpson be appointed overseer of the road from Goose Creek at Whiteley’s Ford to a branch on the north side of John Rose’s plantation…..”. William Whitely was the son of Robert Whitely who witnessed the lease signed by Gilbert Simpson on 14 August, 1741. John Simpson, (Jr.) and Gilbert Simpson, Sr. were both recorded in the settlement of Robert Whitely’s estate in 1744 (See page 9). While not conclusive in itself, this clue provides further evidence that John Simpson of Loudoun was the son named in Gilbert Simpson’s will. John Simpson made his will on 8 December, 1796. Witnesses were John Beveridge and Thomas Field. He died on 20 April, 1801 and was buried on his farm. His will was probated on 11 October, 1802. His estate was inventoried on 25 February, 1803. Mary (Moore) Simpson survived and in 1813, she purchased from John Threlkeld 493 acres which included the 153 acres John had rented from Carter since 1782. It also apparently included the 150 acres that Gilbert Simpson had leased in 1761. Mary died sometime between 25 April, 1814, when her will was written, and 7 July, 1814, when it was proved. Her will mentions all of her living and deceased children. Children identified in the family Bible, the documented personal recollections of James Hendley Simpson, and in Mary Simpson’s will were:

a. Nancy, born in 1773; died in 1777.
b. William, born 19 March, 1775; married Ann (Nancy) Titus 1 January, 1798;
died 20 December, 1803.
c. Henson, born 19 April, 1778; married (1) Elizabeth Squires 15 December,
1802; married (2) Mary Baty (Beatty?) 10 December, 1807; died 1815.
d. Violinda (Ann Violinda?), born 30 August, 1780. (She is thought to have been named after her aunt, Violinda (Simpson) Payne and possibly also for her “aunt”, Ann Simpson. On 26 February, 1798, she married Abraham Skillman, brother of Christopher Skillman who married her cousin, Henrietta Payne).
e. Hendley, born 4 August, 1784; married Elizabeth Farrow 11 January, 1812;
died 7 October, 1857.
f. Innocent, born 4 August, 1784; died 4 August, 1784.
g. John, born 12 June, 1787; married Nancy Smith 17 December, 1811; died 7
August, 1854.
h. Elizabeth, born 30 January, 1790; married John Jones 21 September, 1808;
died 29 June, 1840.
i. James, born 8 September, 1792; married Elizabeth Weeks 10 August, 1815;
died 13 September, 1822.
j. French, born 1 June, 1795; married Elizabeth Ish 17 December, 1816; died 27
May, 1855. (Note: He was the second French Simpson. The first was the son
of Gilbert Simpson, Jr. of Pohick, and grandson Gilbert Simpson, Sr. The elder
French Simpson died young, a short time before the birth of this French Simpson.
It is presumed that he was named in memory of his recently deceased first
cousin but no proof exists).
k. Samuel, born 15 October, 1800; married Catharine (Kitty) Elgin; died 16
September, 1838. He was probably named for his maternal grandfather,
Samuel Moore.
3. Ann, possible daughter, born about 1741.
4. Violinda (Verlinda, Valinda), who married Josias (Josiah) Payne in Fairfax County, Virginia, probably in the late 1760’s. Josiah was apparently the son of Josiah Payne since Josiah Payne and Josiah Payne, Jr., appear in the same record in Fairfax County in 1771. He died in Fairfax County prior to 16 September 1782 when the Fairfax County, County, Virginia bond book records that Violinda Payne, John Lomax, and Gilbert Simpson were bonded in the amount of 1000 pounds in the settlement of the estate of Josiah Payne. Violinda signed as administratrix. The inventory of “Josias” Payne’s estate, amounting to 303 pounds, 13 shillings, and 6 pence, was recorded on 14 December, 1782. Violinda continued to live in Fairfax County at least until 1787 when she disappears from the tax rolls. The Ledger Book of George Washington may provide a clue as to where she lived after the death of her husband. Washington carried a brief account for “Virlinda” Payne which records payment of 730 pounds of tobacco in June, 1786 for rent on the Clifton Neck property leased by her father, Gilbert. The contra side of this account shows a settlement with Gilbert Simpson amounting to 230 pounds of tobacco. Gilbert Simpson, Jr.’s account shows a payment of 230 pounds of tobacco for the year 1785. Since Violinda was not in the “three lives” lease chain, previously explained, these entries suggest that in her widowhood she probably lived with her aged mother on the Clifton Neck property. This would explain why she made the rent payment of 730 pounds of tobacco. However, mother Elizabeth probably died at about the age of 80 in 1785. This would explain Gilbert, Jr.’s payment of about a third of the rent due for that year, implying that ownership devolved to him in about August of 1785. Having lost her livelihood, and perhaps her place of abode, this would also explain widow Violinda moving to Loudoun County in about 1787 to draw on family support from her brother, John. On 11 January, 1790 in Loudoun County “Valinda” Payne was allotted her dower of her late husband, Jonah (Josiah) Payne. Sometime between this date and 9 April, 1793, Violinda married Phineas Skinner in Loudoun County. Phineas died sometime between 9 April, 1793 and 13 October, 1794 when Violinda relinquished her right to administration of Phineas Skinner’s estate in favor of his son Cornelius Skinner. Violinda apparently died in Loudoun in 1804, or slightly before, when she disappears from the personal property tax lists. Josiah and Violinda (Simpson) Payne were parents of three children as proven in settlement of the estate of John Lomax, half-brother of Josias Payne. These children were:

a. John, who may have been the John Payne who married Rosannah, daughter of
Jacob Countryman, and inherited land in Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia.
b. Henrietta, who married Christopher Skillman of Loudoun County on 9 March,
1793. Christopher Skillman, born 9 February, 1767, was a brother of
Abraham Skillman who married Violinda Simpson, daughter of John and Mary
(Moore) Simpson, on 26 February, 1798.
b. Keziah, who was the granddaughter, “Kessiah”, mentioned in Gilbert Simpson,
Sr.’s will of 1773. She married John Beveridge, Jr. of Loudoun County. His
father, John Beveridge, was a witness to John Simpson’s will. Her probable
cousin, John Simpson, Jr., was administrator for Mrs. Keziah Beveridge.

II. GILBERT SIMPSON, JR. (ca. 1725- 1803) Of Fairfax County, Virginia.

Gilbert Simpson was the eldest son of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Williams) Simpson and was probably born in Charles County, Maryland in the late 1720’s. This relationship was established by evidence presented in my research paper, Profiles of the Three Gilbert Simpsons of Eighteenth Century Fairfax County, Virginia, 1999 (Revised 2001). The research and analysis presented in that publication will not be repeated here but will be summarized in sufficient detail to prove conclusively that the Gilbert Simpson who settled along the Pohick in Fairfax County was the son of Gilbert Simpson, Sr.

George Washington had financial dealings with all three Gilbert Simpsons and he maintained separate accounts for each. The elder Gilbert was identified as “Gilbert Simpson, Sr.” and this account deals primarily with Gilbert’s annual rental payments of 730 pounds of tobacco. Gilbert Simpson, Sr.’s son is identified as “Gilbert Simpson, Junr.- Pohick” in Ledger Book A and as “Gilbert Simpson, Junr – Fairfax” in the continuation of the account in Ledger Book B. Gilbert of Loudoun, who became Washington’s partner is identified as “Gilbert Simpson – Youghiogheny” and these entries pertain to the financial transactions associated with the partnership. Proof that Gilbert Simpson, Jr. of Pohick and Fairfax was the son of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. is found in an entry on the contra side of his ledger, “1786 Nov By your lease of the Land in Clifton Neck 50 0 0”. On the debit side is an entry, “1787 To 230 lb tobacco due in part for 1785 @ 20 2 6”. This entry corresponds with a transaction in Virlinda Payne’s account, “1786 June By Settlement w/ G. Simpson 230”. Virlinda (Violinda) Payne was Gilbert, Sr.’s daughter who was apparently acting in the capacity of a “conservator” for her aged mother, Elizabeth, prior to her death in 1785. The transactions involving 230 pounds of tobacco represents the point in time that Gilbert Simpson, Jr. became the leaseholder following the demise of his father and his mother in the “three lives” lease signed on 14 August, 1741. The entry, “1786 Nov By your lease of the Land in Clifton Neck” pertains to Gilbert Simpson, Jr.’s sale of the Clifton property lease back to George Washington. This document is quoted as follows:

“Know all men by these presents that I Gilbert Simpson of Truro Parish, in the County of
Fairfax am held and firmly bound unto George Washington of the County & Parish
aforesaid in the just and __?___ sum of Five Hundred pounds currt money of Virginia to
be paid unto the said George Washington his certain attorney, his heirs, Executr, admrs,
or assigns; to which payment well and truly; to be made I bind myself, my heirs,
Executers, Administrators firm as by these presents. Sealed with my seal and dated this
Twenty 1 day of November Anno Dom One thousand seven hundred and eighty six.

The Condition of the above obligation is that if the above bound Gilbert Simpson do and shall on or before the 25th of december in the present year, surrender, of cause to be surrendered the tenement containing acres of land, be it more or less, of which the said Gilbert is seized by virtue of a lease from William Clifton, Gentm deceased to Simpson father of the said Gilbert also deceased, together with all houses, fences, landings, and other appurtenances thereunto belonging so as that the free and entire use of that may be had by the said George Washington, his heirs, Exrs, Admrs, or assigns with out the let, molestation, or interruption of his the said Gilbert Simpson or any other person or persons claimen by, from esunder him: ____ And shall _____?______, if thereunto required by the said George Washington his heirs, Executers, Admr or assigns ____?___ the said lease and all his the said Gilberts right, title, and interest the seize legal form, this the above obligation is with & several, otherwise to ______ ________ & virtue.

Signed, Sealed
and delivered in the} Gilbert Simp (sig)
______ of
George Washington” (sig)

(Note: This paper is torn thereby mutilating the last three letters of Gilbert’s signature).

The Gilbert Simpson who signed this paper was definitely the son of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. who originally rented the property from William Clifton and he was definitely a resident of Truro Parish, Fairfax County, Virginia when this document was signed. The Gilbert Simpson who was Washington’s Partner had not lived in Fairfax County for 25 years. As a matter of fact, in November, 1786, he was living in Kentucky. Therefore, the evidence in this document, coupled with the definitive entries in George Washington’s ledger books proves the identity of Gilbert Simpson, Jr., son of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. Further proof is found in an analysis of the various signatures left for posterity by the two younger Gilberts.

As a youngster, Gilbert moved with his parents across the Potomac, settling on 150 acres of leased property along the river on Clifton Neck. According to records within the Mason family he married Rosanna Mason, daughter of French and Mary (Nicholson) Mason. It is possible that Gilbert may have been married previously to a Catharine ___________ but there is no conclusive evidence of this. This Gilbert is either another, unidentified Gilbert Simpson or Gilbert of Pohick by the process of elimination. In either event, Gilbert’s marriage to Rosanna Mason occurred some time between 24 March, 1753 when she is still recorded under her maiden name and May of 1759 when he was probably living on the Pohick on land Rosanna inherited from her father. Rosanna’s father, French Mason, died in 1748 leaving six children and 1455 acres of land. Since several of his children were not of age, the Fairfax County court appointed his brother, George Mason of Gunston Hall, as the guardian of his minor children. Rosanna was probably one of these minor children in 1748. She inherited from her father, “the plantation where I now live and 100 acres adjoining”. Soon after their marriage, probably about 1759, Gilbert and Rosanna moved to the house and 100 acres in the vicinity of Pohick Creek that Rosanna had inherited.

Gilbert first appears in the records as Gilbert Simpson, Jr. on a Fairfax County militia roster 10 October, 1755. He was a corporal. Also on the list was a Gilbert Simpson, “the younger” who was a sergeant. Presumably, this was the other Gilbert Simpson who eventually became George Washington’s partner. The following December, Gilbert Simpson, Jr. appears with Gilbert Simpson, Sr. as freeholders who voted for Captain John West.

On 9 April, 1757, Gilbert Simpson, Jr. and Gilbert Simpson, Sr. were executors and heirs in the will of Robert Preston. The will directed that his children, Catherine and John, be placed in the care of Gilbert Simpson, Jr. and Thomas and John, under the care of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. Preston was deceased by 20 September when the will was presented to the court by Gilbert Simpson, Jr. The will was proved on 15 November, 1757.

George Washington’s Ledger Book A, page 81 records a brief account for Gilbert Simpson, Jr. which begins in January, 1760 and concludes on 16 June, (1761?). The annual rent fee was 830 pounds of tobacco. The contra entry cross-references to a payment of 980 pounds of tobacco in a tobacco account warehoused under the tobacco mark of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. so the elder Simpson may been some sort of a partner in this enterprise. A copy of a 1755 map of the Clifton Neck vicinity has survived and identifies the parcel that is referenced in this entry. The parcel consisted of 157 acres and was located on the Potomac, surrounded by George Taylor, John Sheridan, and Samuel Johnston. It had previously been leased by Jane Hester (Easter). Simpson’s lease of this acreage was apparently of short duration, pending his relocation to the Pohick Creek area.

During the same period, Gilbert Simpson, Jr. was apparently settling on his property on the Pohick which adjoined that of Robert Boggess. This property was located on Pohick Run. Beginning in 1759, a dispute apparently arose over property boundaries. On 17 May of that year Boggess brought suit against Simpson for trespass. On 21 August, Simpson, George Mason, Jr., and French Mason acknowledged themselves to be indebted to Robert Boggess. On 19 March, 1761 a jury trial decided in favor of Boggess. Through the years, court actions continued between Gilbert Simpson and Robert Boggess until 21 July, 1788 but probably for a variety of different complaints. Between the years 1759 and 1801, Gilbert Simpson was involved in over one hundred incidents requiring his presence in court. In many of these appearances, he was acting in the capacity of a constable or posting a security bond for friends or family members. Members of the Mason family were frequently co-lateral parties in the court cases. Other court appearances were a result of being called as a witness or being ordered by the court to inventory or appraise estates.

There is evidence in the Papers of George Washington that Gilbert Simpson, Jr. may have been a weaver by trade as well as a planter. On 30 March, 1768 he was paid from Washington’s cash account for weaving 8 1/2 yards of cotton. A similar payment was made on 6 December for 9 3/4 yards of Jeans. In addition, Gilbert was appointed constable in 1768 and served through 1772 when he was replaced . He was paid 45 pounds per year for this duty.

On 22 June, 1770, the Virginia House of Burgesses signed an agreement with a fourteen resolutions in opposition to Great Britain’s arbitrary imposition of taxes without due representation by the colonies. The resolutions pledged to impose an embargo of all goods affected by these taxes and a boycott by the merchants on the purchase of such items. In response to this declaration, the forty-one subscribers or citizens of Fairfax County signed a pledge supporting the agreement and swearing to abide by the resolutions. Gilbert Simpson was among the signatories of this pledge.

On 7 July, 1773 Gilbert is identified as a son in Gilbert Simpson, Sr.’s will. On 17 November the will was probated and Gilbert was co-executor with his mother, Elizabeth. He gave a bond for administration of the estate. On 16 September, 1782, Gilbert, his sister, Virlinda Payne, and John Lomas (Lomax) were bonded in the administration of the estate of Josias Payne, Verlinda’s husband.65 John Lomax was Josias’s half-brother.

On 22 March, 1785, Gilbert Simpson and Mary Boggess co-signed a bond for the guardianship on a minor, Robert Boggess.

In about 1785, Gilbert Simpson, Jr. came into possession of the property on Clifton Neck that his father had leased in 1741. This is based on the account of “Virlinda” Payne in Washington’s ledger book and a corresponding entry in the account of Gilbert, Jr. The entry in Gilbert’s reads: “To 230 Ditto due in part for 1785” and the contra side of Violinda’s account contains the entry, “By settlement with G. Simpson 230” (pounds of tobacco). Later, on 21 November, 1786 Gilbert Simpson relinquished his right to the Clifton Neck property to George Washington for 50 pounds sterling.

Gilbert Simpson of Pohick was reasonably prosperous. In 1782 he owned 12 slaves, 8 horses and 25 cattle. Five years later, in 1787, he owned 15 slaves, 7 horses, and 15 cattle. On 20 September, 1790, Gilbert entered into a “deed of trust” in which he sold 8 slaves to Daniel McCarty, Jr. for a token amount of 5 shillings to be used solely for the benefit of Gilbert and Rosanna and upon their deaths, for the benefit of daughter, Ann Johnston, and her husband, Captain William Johnston, then, to their children and if none survived, to son, French Simpson, and his heirs. The rationale for this transaction was probably financially based. The cost of maintaining eight slaves was significant and Gilbert apparently felt the financial need to “downsize” but at the same time, he wanted to retain his slave assets as part of his estate for the benefit of his heirs. The advantage of this arrangement to McCarty was having full use of the slave labor, with no outlay of cost (except for maintenance), for the period of time pending reversion of ownership to the heirs of Gilbert Simpson. The heirs are identified as well as the sequence of inheritance. Despite the reduction of Gilbert’s slave holdings, he was increasing his land holdings during this same period. According to Land Tax records, Gilbert acquired an additional 100 acres from Thomas Lee sometime before 1787. By 1796 he had inherited an additional 200 acres that his deceased son, French Simpson, had purchased from Francis Mason for 100 pounds on 13 February, 1790. This property was located on the northeast side of Pohick Creek and was originally owned by Thomas James. It was part of 500 acres bought by George Mason in 1690 who then willed it to his son, French Mason in 1717. French Mason devised 200 acres to his son, French Mason who, in turn, devised it to his son, Francis. Therefore, at the time of Gilbert Simpson’s death, his land holdings totaled 400 acres between Pohick and Accotink Creeks. On 16 October, 1793, Gilbert Simpson’s property is described as being next to Robert Boggess on the Colchester road from Accotink to Pohick Run. Another source states he was appointed surveyor of the road from Pohick Run to Accotink on both roads and from the new church to the riverside road.

On 11 October, 1802, Gilbert Simpson prepared his will. He mentions his daughter, Ann Johnston, who inherited the estate; granddaughters, Ann and Sarah Johnston; grandson, Dennis Johnston and nephew, John Simpson, who inherited 20 pounds. John was also named co-executor, along with grandson, Dennis Johnston. This John Simpson cannot be identified. Although John Simpson of Loudoun had a son named, John, he was only about 15 years old when Gilbert made his will so he is eliminated from consideration, being too young to function as executor. The will was witnessed by James H. Blake, Beverly R. Wagener and John Speak. In his will Gilbert emancipated his favorite slave, Nell, and she was given a house and lot consisting of one and a half acres of land. Gilbert Simpson, Jr.’s will is transcribed in its entirety as follows:

In the Name of God Amen, I Gilbert Simpson of Fairfax County and Commonwealth of Virginia being weak in body but of Sound and disposing mind and Memory – do make this my last Will and Testament in Manner and Following that is to say-----First I give and devise unto my much beloved daughter Ann Johnston after payments of my Just Debts the whole of my Estate both real and personal (Excepting two Negro Children, named Milly and Jinny) to be by her Distribution among my Grand Children at her Discretion – by will or otherwise. Secondly I give and devise unto my Grand Daughter Ann Johnston Negro Milly (before Excepted) to her and her Heirs Forever------3dly I Give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter Sarah Johnston one Negro girl named Jinny (before Excepted) to her and her heirs forever------4thly. I do hereby emancipate my Favorite Servant Nell who it is my will and desire shall be provided at my decease with a house and lot consisting of one and half Acres of Land and Supported out of my estate as a Faithful Servant ----5thly. I do hereby give and bequeath unto my Nephew John Simpson the Sum of Twenty pounds Virginia currency to him and his Heirs to be raised from the sale of my property not before devised ---- as horses, cattle, plantation utensils, etc. ----- 6thly and Lastly, It is my will and desire if my Grandson Dennis Johnston should arrive at the age of Twenty One years before my decease that he shall take possession of all my Estate and be accountable for the profits thereof to his Mother ( if alive) if not to his brothers and Sisters as they may arrive at Ages Making him a reasonable allowance for his Trouble ---- but in Case my Grandson should not have arrived to the age aforesaid then it is my will that my Nephew John Simpson shall take possession of all my estate he paying annually a Moderate rent for the same ---- and to comply fully with the aforesaid several Gifts and bequeaths --- and I do hereby constitute my Grandson Dennis Johnston and my Nephew John Simpson Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In Testimony whereof I have hereunder to put my hand and Seal this 11th October 1802 -----------

Gilbert Simpson

Signed Sealed published and declared
to be my last will and testament of
the Testater in the presence of us the
Subscribers who have in the presence and
at the request of the said Testater. Subscr-
ibed our names as witnesses thereto
his
James H. Blake Beverly R. Wagener John X Speake
Mark

At a Court held for Fairfax County the 18th day of July 1803----- This last will and Testament of Gilbert Simpson deceased Was presented in Court by John Simpson Executor therein named and the same being proved by the oath of James H. Blake a witness thereto who also deposed that Beverly R. Wagener and John Speake subscribed and signed the said will as witnesses at the request and in presence of the said Testator and on presence of the deponent is ordered to be recorded and the said Executor having in open Court refused to take upon himself the burthin and Execution thereof, whereupon Administration with the will Answered of the said Deceedents Estate is granted William Johnston he having together with William Payne and Francis Keene his Securities entered into and acknowledged a bond for the same Conditioned as the law Directs.

Test. Wm Moss, Ct. FrCty

The following 16 May, after the signing, John Simpson, executor, stated to the court why he should not be executor of the estate and William Johnston, husband of Ann, was executor when the will was probated on 18 July, 1803. Beginning in 1811, William Johnston, Sr. is shown as owner of the 400 acres on Pohick Creek previously owned by Simpson.

Gilbert and Rosanna (Mason) Simpson were parents of the following children whose dates of birth and order of birth is not known:

1. Ann, born, perhaps, about 1760 based on the approximate age of her son when her father died. She was, perhaps, the elder of the two children because she is mentioned before French in the order of benefit of eight slaves deeded to Daniel McCarty, Jr. for a
nominal sum of 5 shillings. Ann married Capt. William Johnston sometime between
July, 1785 and February, 1786.
2. French, born perhaps about 1762 since he begins appearing in the Fairfax County records as an adult in 1784. He was a sailor of some sort because on 15 November, 1784 the court bound a 16 year old Leroy Montgomery to him to learn the art of seaman and to read and write. Therefore, we know that French Simpson was literate. He died relatively young and probably unmarried in about 1794 or early 1795 because on 21 September, 1795 Gilbert Simpson and William Darrell “bounded unto the justices of County Court in the administration of the estate of French Simpson, deceased”. Gilbert Simpson was appointed administrator.

III. GILBERT SIMPSON (ca. 1730/35 - 1794) – Of Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, Virginia, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and Fayette County, Kentucky.

Gilbert Simpson was born about 1730/35 based on the birth date of his eldest child. In years past, he was generally thought to be the son of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. but this theory was disproved in favor of Gilbert Simpson, Jr., above. The most substantive clue to Gilbert’s parentage is evidence from Gilbert’s own words indicating that he was the son of one of the brothers of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. In one of his letters to George Washington, Gilbert reminds Washington that “…it’s true I am a Poor man whom your Honor have known from a Child and Likewise the family I derive from…”. This statement strongly implies that Gilbert was raised in the immediate vicinity of the Mount Vernon estate and in the proximity of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. on Clifton Neck. There is both circumstantial and factual evidence that two close relatives of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. lived on Clifton Neck during the 1740’s and 1750’s. One was John Simpson, a probable older brother, whose relationship to Gilbert, Sr. is discussed earlier as the eldest son in the biography of the progenitor, John Simpson. John is mentioned in three Fairfax County records in 1744, 1745, and 1749. The first two records place him on Clifton Neck. Therefore, John must be considered a logical candidate for the father of Gilbert (Washington’s Partner). However, a unique signature mark (I--I--I) confirms that this is the same John Simpson who Augustine Washington allegedly brought over from England in 1736 to be his overseer at Mount Vernon. The source for this statement is not cited by Mr. Moxham in his publication but was obviously a deposition that Simpson made in 1748. This source states that John came to Virginia in 1736 but does not mention England. Mr. Moxham is now deceased so he cannot be consulted but it is possible that when John Simpson said he “first came to Virginia twelve years (ago)”, Moxham may have made a logical assumption that John was recruited by Augustine Washington in England because his arrival date in Virginia (as stated in his deposition) coincided with Washington’s trip to England in 1736 and/or 1737. He may have further been persuaded by the fact that the dates also coincide with the depositions of Bryan Allison who did emigrate from England. An intensive three year study has failed to identify any primary source stating that Simpson emigrated from England. This study did, however, disclose facts indicating that Mr. Moxham did not rely entirely on primary source material for his statement about Augustine Washington’s trip to England. There are only scant contemporary references pertaining to Augustine’s trip to England. In England, he signed a contract on 15 April, 1737 and purchased a book on 4 May, 1737. His arrival back in Virginia is preserved on page 4 of the 22 July, 1737 edition of the Virginia Gazette. The coverage of this event reads as follows:

“From Friday, July 15 to July 22, 1737

We hear from Potomack, That a Ship is lately arriv’d there, from London, with Convicts. Capt. Augustine Washington, and Capt. Hugh French, took their Passage in her: the Former is arriv’d in Health; but the Latter dy’d at Sea, and ‘tis said of the Goal Distenper, which he got on Board.”

On the basis of the study and the resources checked (See Author’s Footnote 49), neither primary nor secondary evidence has been found to confirm the statement that John Simpson was brought from England to be Augustine Washington’s overseer.

The other clue to Gilbert’s identity is found in the fact that Gilbert named his eldest son, Thomas. English and early American naming conventions during Colonial times called for the first son to be named for the paternal grandfather and the second son for the maternal grandfather. Of course, not everyone followed these conventions so the clue is indicative rather than decisive. Thomas Simpson, son of John and Elizabeth (________) Simpson, died sometime before 20 November, 1750 in St. Marys County, Maryland. His administration account mentions his widow, Mary (who by that time had married Benjamin Molten), and next of kin, Josias Simpson and Elizabeth Mackhon. Mary had been previously married to Philip Tipett who died about 1736 and John Fanning who died about 1745. In the 3 or 4 years they were married, it is doubtful that Thomas and Mary had children. However, it is quite likely that Thomas had children by an earlier wife who died young. Perhaps Josias was the eldest of these children, being a young adult at the time of his father’s death in 1750. Elizabeth Mackhon was definitely the mother of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. who married Robert Mackhon (Machone) following the death of John Simpson. Except for the first two children, the order of birth of Gilbert’s children is not known. However, a younger son was named Samuel after the maternal grandfather, Samuel Johnston. It appears that Gilbert may have been following the traditional naming conventions and that he may have been a teenage son of Thomas at the time of his death in 1750. As a homeless teenage orphan, it seems logical that young Gilbert would have either gone to live with his grandmother, Elizabeth Machone, or across the Potomac to live with his uncle and godfather(?), Gilbert Simpson, Sr. on Clifton Neck in Fairfax County, Virginia. Gilbert’s grandmother, Elizabeth Machone, had been recently widowed for a second time and was in her seventies when Thomas died. It is doubtful that she had either the finances or the stamina to properly care for a teenage boy. Supporting the theory that Gilbert went to live with his uncle Gilbert is the fact that Josias Simpson, possible older brother of the younger Gilbert, was in Fairfax County in 1754 when he leased 238 acres on Clifton Neck from George Brent. This property was less than two miles from Gilbert, Sr.’s 154 acres. The lease was for seven years but a dispute arose over the title to the property and Josias brought suit to recover 20 pounds. The case went to court on 20 March, 1755/6 and continued through 2 March, 1759. Josias apparently lost the case or lost interest in it because he soon returned to St. Mary’s County, Maryland. In summary, Gilbert’s reminder to Washington about his early life coupled with evidence that Josias Simpson (Thomas’s next of kin) had moved to Clifton Neck near Gilbert Simpson, Sr. provide at least a thread of theoretical evidence that Gilbert was an orphaned son of Thomas.

A final allegation that must be addressed is the inference that Gilbert Simpson may have been born in Scotland. The source for this is William E. Lane (1807-1892), the son-in-law of Thomas Simpson of Nelson County, Kentucky, who may have been the eldest son of Gilbert and Tamer (Johnston) Simpson. The date of birth of 27 June, 1757 coincides with the likely age of Gilbert’s eldest son and is the exact date given to Thomas by many of Gilbert’s descendants. It is also the exact date cited from Thomas’s family record as documented in the letter of William E. Lane, written 18 October, 1886. Obviously, the identical dates emanating from the divergent sources would likely pertain to a single individual but it is also possible that Mr. Lane’s letter was the source for both. Mr. Lane doesn’t name Thomas’s father and gives his place of birth as Scotland. He further claims that Thomas came from Scotland to Virginia with his father as a young boy. Assuming Gilbert was Thomas’s father, Gilbert would have emigrated from Scotland to Virginia sometime after Thomas’s birth in 1757 and this scenario would invalidate the theory that Gilbert descended from John Simpson of Charles County, Maryland. However, Mr. Lane’s knowledge of Thomas’s ancestry is flawed in another significant aspect. He claims that Thomas Simpson had a brother, John, who was the maternal grandfather of President Ulysses Simpson Grant. If this were true, the parents of Thomas and John were John Simpson, born in Northern Ireland about 1738, and his wife, Hannah Roberts. This John did, in fact, emigrate as a youngster but from Northern Ireland; not Scotland. No evidence has been found to substantiate the claim that John and Hannah had a son named Thomas. Therefore, the claim that Thomas was of Scottish origin is suspect and probably a convoluted conclusion based on the belief that Thomas’s brother was President Grant’s grandfather. However, other facts in the letter appear to be authentic. For example, Lane’s article identifies a daughter of Thomas and Abigail named Tamer, born 15 January, 1789 and a son, Gilbert, born 23 January, 1799. This provides circumstantial evidence that Gilbert and Tamer (Johnston) Simpson were the parents of Thomas. Further, it is known that Gilbert and Tamer were married in Virginia sometime prior to the birth of their eldest child, Susanna, on 9 May, 1755. Her marriage to Richard Shores on 18 February, 1773 is recorded in Shelburne Parish, Loudoun County, Virginia. This provides proof that Gilbert did not emigrate from Scotland sometime subsequent to 1757 as indicated in Mr. Lane’s letter. Since William E. Lane married a younger daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Moore) Simpson and presumably, a granddaughter of Gilbert and Tamer Simpson, one wonders why the confusion exists about Thomas’s origins in his letter. First of all, William E. Lane was seventy-nine years old when he wrote his letter on 18 October, 1886 and was near the end of his life. At this age, one might expect some memory loss and confusion, particularly about events that occurred fifty years before he was born. Secondly, William never personally met either Thomas or Abigail Simpson. They were both deceased for over five years when William married Elizabeth Simpson on 31 December, 1830 in Harrison County, Indiana so he had no first hand knowledge of his in-laws’ background. Third, Elizabeth Simpson, William’s family conduit to Thomas and Abigail, had been deceased for seven years when William wrote his letter so she was not available for consultation or factual verification. Moreover, Elizabeth was only 24 when her parents died, so even her knowledge of her father’s origins may have been limited. And finally, there may have been a reluctance on the part of some later descendents of Thomas to link him to Gilbert due to the highly publicized “bad press” Gilbert received from historians as a result of his business venture with George Washington. If distain for Gilbert existed among some of the early descendants of Thomas, it was apparently not shared by Thomas, himself, because he named one of his sons, Gilbert. On balance, William E. Lane’s letter is a genealogical goldmine, irrespective of the apparent factual flaws in Thomas’s ancestry. (See footnote 364 for additional rationale for Thomas being the son of Gilbert and Tamer (Johnston) Simpson).

Given Gilbert’s statement about having known Washington from his childhood, it is can be assumed with a high degree of certainty that he was the grandson of John Simpson of Charles County, and consequently the nephew of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. Furthermore, the preponderance of factual evidence points toward John Simpson (Jr.) being Gilbert’s father. Specifically:

a. John Simpson was Augustine Washington’s overseer beginning in about 1737 and in his deposition of 1748, it is apparent that he was providing testimony because of his knowledge about certain physical landmarks on property later called Clifton Neck. Therefore, it can be reasonably assumed that John was a resident (or nearby resident) in that immediate vicinity in 1737.
b. John Simpson, (the elder) was closely associated with the Compton family in Charles County, Maryland and John Simpson, (the younger) was one of the surieties, along with Samuel Compton and widow, Susannah (Compton) Whitely, in the administration of the estate of Robert Whiteley, a resident on Clifton Neck who was deceased by 1744. Robert Whitely had apparently been a resident of Clifton Neck since he was a witness to the seven lease agreements that William Clifton transacted on 14 August, 1741, including Gilbert Simpson, Sr.’s lease. Susannah (Compton) Whitely subsequently married Henry Taylor in 1745 whose property is shown on a 1755 map as a lessee of 116 acres on Clifton Neck.
c. John Simpson was a resident on the property that Samuel Johnston of St. Mary’s County leased on Clifton Neck from William Clifton on 19 August, 1745 and may have known the Johnston family when they lived in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
d. Gilbert Simpson (III) married Tamer Johnston, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Martin) Johnston of Clifton Neck, in about 1754 where John Simpson had been a resident in 1745.
e. Gilbert had a son named John; albeit, he was not his first born as he would have been if the naming conventions had been strictly followed.
f. A careful review of John Simpson’s deposition in 1748 casts dispersions on the contention that Augustine Washington brought Simpson over from England. There was a lapse of as long as a year from the time Simpson arrived in Virginia and the time that he was employed as Washington’s overseer. It is considered unlikely that Washington would have gone to the expense of recruiting Simpson in England as his overseer and not promptly employed him in that capacity upon his return to America.
g. Despite an intensive search, no primary source has been found supporting the contention that John Simpson came to Virginia from England (See footnote 49 for details of this search).

To summarize and conclude the discussion about Gilbert Simpson’s parentage, there is no factual evidence to support the theory that Thomas, son of John of Charles County, was Gilbert’s father. Furthermore, the allegation by William Lane that the father of Thomas Simpson of Nelson County, Kentucky was a Scottish immigrant is fraught with contradictory facts. On the other hand, there is considerable factual evidence, as summarized above, indicating that John Simpson (the younger) was the likely father of Gilbert Simpson who became George Washington’s partner. Such a scenario would certainly be congruent with Gilbert’s statement to Washington in his letter of 27 April, 1784 that “…it’s true I am a Poor man whom your Honor have known from a Child and Likewise the family I derive from…”

Judging from the quality of Gilbert’s letters, he was literate and apparently received an above average education for the time. In about 1754, he married Tamer Johnston, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Martin) Johnston, who lived on Clifton Neck. On 10 October, 1755 Gilbert was listed as a sergeant in the Fairfax County militia rolls. Also on the same roster was a Gilbert Simpson, Jr. who was a corporal.

By 11 May, 1761 Gilbert had moved to Loudoun County, Virginia. On 8 June of that year, he leased 150 acres on “Kittoctin” (Catoctin) Mountain near the drains of the South “Segolan” (Sycoline) Branch from Bryan Fairfax. The term of the lease was for the lives of Gilbert; his wife, Tamer; and of his son, Thomas; in the amount of 3 pounds payable on 1 December of each year. The lease also required that he plant apple trees thirty feet apart, a fence, and a dwelling house at least 20 feet long and 16 feet wide. The indenture was proved on 10 November, 1761.

Subsequently, Gilbert appears frequently in Loudoun County records as a witness to several deeds and the will of John Ethell in Cameron Parish on 17 March, 1766. He also appears on the Loudoun County tithable list beginning in 1761 and continuing through 1773. Listed on the tithable list were negros, Orson and Chloe, and several overseers. In 1765, his overseer was John Johnston, apparently his brother-in-law. Later on, these two persons apparently had a serious difference of opinion because there was considerable ill-will between them. Other overseers through the years were: Benjamin Brish (or Bowditch), and James Artis.

On 19 June, 1769 Gilbert Simpson, Hannah Johnston, Samuel Johnston, and Thomas Triplett were bonded for settlement of the estate of Samuel Johnston (Sr.) in Fairfax County. On 21 January, 1771, Gilbert posted a bond for 25 pounds for the good behavior of Samuel Johnston (Jr.) in the theft of two geese from William Haskins in Fairfax County. On 16 September, 1771, Gilbert Simpson, Jr., Susanna Johnston, Hannah Johnston, and Pierce Bayly acknowledged a bond for administration of the estate of Hannah Johnston in Fairfax County.

On 5 October, 1772 Gilbert Simpson wrote a letter from his home in Loudoun County to George Washington proposing a partnership in the settlement and development of Washington’s property along the Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania. Washington had claimed this 1644 acre tract in 1768. Simpson’s proposal was that they would share the labor and livestock costs and that Gilbert would be the manager of the venture. Washington responded in the affirmative on 18 December with some additional stipulations. In his reply on 26 December, Gilbert agreed to the proposal and stated his intent go out the following year with his Negro, Orson, and asked Washington to provide two slaves. He also questioned the stipulation that Simpson family hold the lease for twenty-one years after his death.

On 23 February, 1773 George Washington wrote Gilbert Simpson and described the qualifications of the slaves that he was committing to the partnership. He also appointed Capt. Crawford as his agent to work with Simpson. On 11 April, 1773 Gilbert Simpson advises Washington in a letter from Youghiogheny that he arrived on his land with great difficulty. He states his intent to do his best to improve the land until the fall and then to quit the concern. The reason he cited was that his wife was never agreeable to move to Youghiogheny and he was not favorably impressed himself. He then described how they could divide the initial investment. On 20 May, 1773 Gilbert sent another letter to Washington from Youghiogheny stating that he had not received a reply to his two previous letters. He tells Washington of his wife’s aversion to moving and reiterated his opposition to moving his family to Pennsylvania. He said he would rather go out once or twice a year than to relocate. He also stated he would be back in Loudoun County in about four weeks but would plan to be back in Pennsylvania again by the end of summer.

On 14 June, 1773 in a letter to Washington from Loudoun, Gilbert Simpson says he intends to stay in Loudoun County for the summer and to go back to Youghiogheny on about 1 September. He suggests a meeting in Leesburg if convenient for Washington because it would save him the trouble of coming “down to you”. He then discusses the difficulties he has been having. He asks for a schedule of his events for their planning purposes. Washington responded in a letter dated 8 July, 1773 but it has not survived.

In July, 1773, Gilbert Simpson responds to Washington’s letter of 8 July. He expresses concern about Washington’s reaction to his letters about dissolving the partnership. He explained his reasons for not being able to relocate, i.e., his wife’s refusal to go, the worthlessness of the slaves Washington provided, etc. and then described the progress he had made despite these difficulties. Finally, he asks whether Washington intends to take “any part of all of my things” in the event he selects an overseer.

On 31 August, 1773 Gilbert Simpson wrote to Washington from his home in Loudoun County. He said he hoped to see Washington before he leaves for Williamsburg and if that did not work out, he suggested that their business be conducted with “Lum” (Lund) Washington. At issue was the commitment of a man who knew how to work with horses and other plantation business and a young Negro woman and money to begin construction of the mill. He also says it will be late before he can move his family and offers the name of a Joseph Croos as an alternate. On 20 September, 1773, Gilbert gave a bond for administration of the estate of Samuel Johnston, deceased.

In a letter to George Washington on 1 October, 1773, Gilbert reports that things are going well but cites difficulty in getting wagons to move his family out. He doubts that he will be able to get back to Virginia before Washington has to leave for Williamsburg but asks that he leave money to credit out the greatest part of his affairs at home.

On 15 March, 1774 Gilbert Simpson was a juror in Loudoun County in the case of Jacob Reed and Mary Evans, executors of John Evans, deceased, versus Cornelius Anderson. The same day, the Loudoun County court heard a suit by John Jones, plaintiff, versus Gilbert Simpson, defendant. Judgment was for the defendant and the plaintiff was charged with making a false claim. Jones asked for a new hearing.

About the time that Simpson was sent out as manager of Washington’s property, Valentine Crawford became Washington’s financial agent in the region and kept him advised of progress being made in the development of his land and the construction of the mill. Building operations were apparently delayed for some time due to the threat of Indian uprisings and the difficulty in securing and retaining laborers and carpenters. On 27 April, 1774, Crawford wrote Washington the following status: “I went to Gilbert Simpson as soon as I got out and gave him the bill of scandling you gave me and the bill of his articles. I offered him all the servants that he might take them to your Bottoms until we got our crews at work; but he refused for fear they would run away from him.” On 6 May, 1774 he again wrote, “I went to Mr. Simpson and offered him some of the carpenters and all of the servants; but he refused taking them. The latter for fear they would run away; he has however agreed to take some of the carpenters to do the framing for the mill and the servants to dig the race. I am afraid I shall be obliged to build a fort until this eruption is over, which I am in hopes will not last long. Mr. Simpson yesterday seemed very much scared but I cheered him up all I could. He and his laborers seemed to conclude to build a fort if times grew any worse.” Things did get worse as stated in a letter dated 25 May. Crawford stated that he “was building a stockade fort around his own house” and on 8 June, “that Simpson had completed a fort at the Bottoms.” Continuous delays of this nature resulted in increased costs in constructing the mill. In a letter to Washington on 27 July, 1774, Crawford states, “I consider it a pity that the mill was ever begun in these times. It appears to me sometimes that it will be a very expensive job to you before it is done.”

On 4 May, 1774 Gilbert Simpson expressed his anxiety about impending problems with the Indians. In a letter to George Washington he advises that the Youghiogheny country is in “great confusion” due to a general Indian uprising. He states his intention to build a fort and to stay with the philosophy that “I may as well be ruend one way as the other for to flie I would loos great part of what little I have. so I declare to stand as long as I can see the lest hoops and goo on with your mill”. He closes the letter with a request for funds to buy rifles. By 20 August, 1774 the uprising must have abated because Simpson gives Washington a detailed progress report on construction of the mill. He states his intention to send his son for an additional 250 pounds.

On 24 September, 1774, Gilbert Simpson advised Washington that his son has returned safely with the money he requested. He said that he was sorry that Washington “should think the cost of the mill so high....” when it was done according to his specifications. On 9 November, 1774 he again sent his son to get additional money to pay off the men for their work at the mill. He also gives a progress report on the mill.

On 6 December, 1774, Gilbert Simpson was assigned to survey the road from Thomas Gist’s to Fort Dunmore to Paul Freeman’s on Shirtees Creek. On 18 December, 1774 in a letter from Youghiogheny, Gilbert Simpson told Washington that he was sorry that he was still disturbed about the cost of the mill but proceeded to explain the reasons for the costs. On 6 February, 1775 Gilbert again wrote to Washington and described the property. He also invited him to visit the property but, recognizing that Washington’s time was being taken up by matters of the coming revolution, he asked for James Cleveland to come in his stead. Finally, he mentioned that one of his young sons is recovering from a seven week fever. Cleveland fell ill when he arrived soon afterward and was back home in Loudoun County by 11 February. In early March, Washington decided to send William Stevens ahead to Simpson’s with a working party. A letter from Washington was sent with Stevens still complaining about the cost of the mill. Simpson’s reply on 3 April, 1775 was quite haughty in his defense of the costs incurred.

The next surviving letter from Gilbert Simpson to Washington was dated 7 May, 1781 from Washington Bottom. He stated that his family are in good health and gives a progress report.
On 11 June, 1783, in a letter to Lund Washington, George Washington makes it clear that he still harbors resentment about the cost effectiveness of the mill. He states, “I expect also, that all the money I have expended on the mill on Yohoghaney, and all the property which has been put into the hands of Gilbert Simpson will be sunk for want of proper endeavors to bring him to account”.

On 13 February, 1784 George Washington wrote a letter to Gilbert Simpson stating that having settled his public commitments, he can turn his attention to his private affairs. He states that from information he has received, the finished mill “is the best mill.....on the west side of the Alleghaney Mountains”. He also asked for a full and complete settlement of their partnership accounts and he expected to show a handsome profit. The next day, Washington wrote a letter to John Lewis asking him to deliver the letter and to observe the condition of the plantation and the mill.

On 27 April, 1784, Gilbert Simpson responded to Washington’s letter of 13 February. He had received it on 8 April when he and his family were ill with smallpox. Gilbert then recounted his progress over the past twelve years. He defended himself against accusations the he had converted “emoluments” to his own use and reminded Washington that “it’s true I am a poor man whom your honor have known from a Child and Likewise the Family I derive from”. He then accused his brother-in-law, John Johnson, of “injuring his character”. He closes by stating that he had, in fact, received cash from the business but that the profits were offset by bills of credit. He proposes that Washington send an attorney to “settle our affairs” and praises him for his contributions in the defense of his country.

On 24 June, 1784, George Washington issued an advertisement from Mount Vernon which appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser a month later. An auction was to be held for his Washington Bottom property on 15 September, to be sold to the highest bidder. In a letter to David Luckett on 10 July, 1784 Washington states his intention to visit the Youghiogheny property on the 10th of September and to have the mill and other matters disposed of by the 15th. On the same date, he wrote a letter to Gilbert Simpson wherein he discusses the terms for settling the partnership. He said, “I do not expect to be compensated for my losses, nor mean to be rigid in my settlement, yet common sense, reason and justice, all require that I should have a satisfactory account rendered of my property which has been entrusted to your care, in full confidence of getting something for ten or twelve years use of it”. On 31 July, 1784 Gilbert wrote a letter to Washington from Washington’s Bottom. He reports that he arrived home safely after meeting with Washington (at Mount Vernon) and found everything well and undisturbed. He described a feeling of faintness in his meadow while inspecting his wheat. He concludes the letter by discussing arrangements for Washington’s pending visit.

Washington arrived at Gilbert Simpson’s at 5 o’clock on the evening of 12 September, 1784. He stayed in the Simpson home through the 17th. On the 15th they had the sale of Washington’s moiety of the co-partnership stock but no great sale was made. There was no bid at all for the mill. Simpson’s plantation rented well but there was a major complication - the tenant was to be Gilbert Simpson and he was reluctant to commit himself to more than a one year lease. In consideration of Simpson’s leasing the plantation, he was allowed to hire George Washington’s slaves there (about eight in number) at a price Washington considered cheap. On 19 September, 1784, Gilbert paid Washington 79 pieces of Virginia money of various denominations. In a in his ledger book B Washington penned in a note, “Settled by a payment in depreciated paper Money”. Nevertheless, by the following spring, Simpson was threatening to quit the lease, “the seasons being difficult and the rent so high”. Gilbert is on the Franklin Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania Tax List in 1785 with 5 slaves, 6 horses, five cattle and 25 acres of land. He apparently left Washington’s Bottom by the end of the year.

Gilbert and his family moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky, probably in early 1786 but certainly before 4 July of that year when he gave permission for his daughter of marry Zachariah Masterson. On 25 August, 1786 he was one of the signatories of a petition by the inhabitants of Limestone Settlement in Bourbon County, Kentucky requesting the formation of a new county . From 1787 through 1793, Gilbert Simpson was on the Fayette County, Kentucky tax list. In 1789 he bought 50 acres of land from Samuel McDowell. On 22 December, 1789 he was among the signatories on a petition requesting public land to build a Presbyterian Church. The tax roles for 1792 record that Gilbert was taxed for ten slaves and six horses.

On 12 December, 1792, Gilbert Simpson (Sr.), Samuel Simpson (his son), and James Johnson signed as witnesses to the will of James Simpson. The will was proved in the July, 1793 court. Since James and Gilbert both owned property along Cane Run in Fayette County, it was long suspected that there might be a family connection. However, James’ estate records provide evidence that he came to Fayette County from Botetourt County, Virginia and no further connection between the two has been discovered. Therefore, the two Simpsons living in such close proximity may just be coincidental and not indicative of a family relationship.

On 27 January, 1794 Gilbert Simpson wrote his will in which he mentions sons: Thomas, Samuel, John, and Gilbert; daughters: Jemima Byrn, Susanna Shore, Ann Masterson, Tamer Simpson, and Hannah Simpson. (Note: the will was badly mutilated so some names may be missing) Gilbert died the following March and his will was probated in May, 1794. The original copy of this will was partially burned in a court house fire in 1821. The following was taken from an abstracted copy interpreted and produced by Simpson descendant, Dwight Barr. ____ indicates missing letters with known meaning and ---- indicates missing words or sentences with unknown meaning:

First page:
-----------------------------------------my working slaves which is negro-------------------------------------------------------------------------and two feather beds one old black horse----------------------------------------------------------------called Fanny with all my cattle sheep and hogs----------------------------------------------------------__plements belonging to my plantation all to enjoy---------------------------------------------------------__sses during her widowhood and she shall not sell------------------------------------------------------__y of the above mentioned slaves or things but her and------------------------------------------------------of the family to live on the produce of same.
I leave to my son Thomas Simpson a negro boy call__ ------
I leave to my son Samuel Simpson a negro girl cal___
Charity. I leave to my daughter Jemima Byrn a negro ---------
called Adam.
__ leave to my daughter Susannah Shore a negro --------------
__alled Allay.
I leave to my daughter Ann Masterson a negro gi__
---- Judy.
I leave to my youngest child Tamer Simpson two neg___
Sarah and Peter one feather bed one cow and calf two-----------
------------- one man called Fancy ----------------------------------
I leave to my son John Simpson after my wife ---------------------
___lled Jane and a boy called Phillip and on_-----------------------------

Second page:
the other three so as the girl shall -----------------------------------
and where it shall be thought proper between --------------------
and Gilbert Simpson whom I do appoint my ---------------------
wifes death or marriage that the two shall sell m_ ---------------
which they shall pay in trade or cash as it may suit t___ --------
the and Gilbert Simpson last to my daughter Hannah ________
fifteen pounds likewise and in like manner shall ------------------
Thomas Simpson fifteen pounds and to my son Samuel ______
Fifteen pounds and beg that the above may be---------------------
--ention to and after all my just debts is paid I leave
John and Gilbert Simpson all my stock and househo__
_____ture and tools of every kind to be equally divided as
___ance of the land likewise between the said John as -----------
I acknowledge this to be my last will and test____
___uary 27th in the year of our Lord 1794

__orge Taylor
___n Gorham Gilbert Simpson
__ward Cavin Jany 27 in the year of our Lord

_______ County May Court 1794
This last Will and Testament was produced in C____ ------------
Oaths of George Taylor, John Gorham and Edw___ ______
being witness there to and order to be Rec_____

Gilbert and Tamer (Johnston) Simpson were parents of the following children:

1. Susannah, born 4 May, 1755; married Richard Shore, son of Thomas and Sarah
(Woodson) Shore 18 February, 1773; died in December, 1842.
2. Thomas, who was the eldest son of Gilbert and Tamer. This is established in a letter Gilbert wrote to George Washington on 20 August, 1774 in which he states that he sent his son from Youghiogheny in Pennsylvania to Mount Vernon to personally hand-carry 200 pounds currency back from Washington to his father. Washington identifies this son as Thomas by the entry in his Day Book, “by his son Thos on Acct of my Mill Exps”. Additionally, the letter was addressed “To The Care of Thomas simpson”. For several reasons, this Thomas is presumed to be identical with the Thomas Simpson of Nelson County, Kentucky whose biography was authored by his son-in-law, William E. Lane in 1886. However, further investigative research has failed to discover confirming factual evidence. Lane gives Thomas’s birth date as 27 June, 1757. He married Abigail Moore in 1784, probably in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, because both of their parents were living there at that time. Abigail was born 6 July, 1761. She was the daughter of Aaron and Mary (Prather) Moore . According to Lane, Thomas entered into a contract to rent a farm from George Washington on 21 December, 1785. Under the terms of the contract, Thomas was to have the use of the houses and to provide for the slaves on the farm. He was obliged to sell Washington’s hay and corn for two shillings and six pence per bushel. The date of this contract coincides approximately with Gilbert Simpson severing his rental agreement with George Washington in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, giving rise to speculation that son, Thomas, might have taken over the rental agreement from his father. However, this theory is not supported by the personal property tax lists or the deed records of Fayette County. Instead, Thomas is listed in the 1787 personal property tax lists of Nelson County, Kentucky. Thomas explored Nelson County, Kentucky as early as 1779 and moved there prior to 10 March, 1795. He settled on Simpson’s Creek. Also settling in Nelson County as early as May 1776 was a John Simpson who, along with John Muldraugh, marked trees to establish Thomas Simpson’s claim along Ash’s and Jack’s Creeks. Because of their close association, it has been assumed that this John was Thomas’s brother but that John died in Fayette County in 1815. This John Simpson’s will in Washington County, Kentucky and his association with the Muldraugh family indicates that he may have been one of the sons of James Simpson, a neighbor of Gilbert, along Cane Run in Fayette County. Thomas made his will on 22 July, 1825; proved 11 September, 1825 in which he mentions wife, Abigail, and the following children Betsey, Hannah, Samuel, Gilbert, Tom, Mary Shore, Eleanor Silkwood, Nancy Rhodes, and John:. Thomas died at about twelve o’clock on 10 August, 1825 in Nelson County, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his wife, Abigail, who died on 12 February, 1825 of dropsy. They were buried on the old farm on Simpson’s Creek, Nelson County, Kentucky. The names and dates of birth of the children of Thomas and Abigail (Moore) Simpson of Nelson County, Kentucky are repeated here because of the possibility that Thomas was the son of Gilbert and Tamer (Johnston) Simpson. It must be recognized, however, that there are significant contradictions between the recollections of William Lane and known facts about Thomas, eldest son of Gilbert. A cursory search by this author has not produced sufficient factual evidence to reconcile these conflicts and further research is definitely warranted. Children of Thomas and Abigail (Moore) Simpson of Nelson County, Kentucky were:

a. Mary, born 15 May, 1786; married 13 December, 1812 Thomas Shore in Nelson County, Kentucky.
b. J. Moore, born 2 November, 1787 (Note: This is probably a transcription error. The ‘J’ was probably intended to be a ‘T’ for Thomas, who is mentioned in Thomas’s will as Tom and who married Anna Howell on 22 January, 1806.)
c. Tamer, born 15 January, 1789; married Sylvanus May on 28 August, 1807. (She was probably deceased when her father made his will since he mentions grandchildren, Allen May and Silvanus May).
d. Samuel, born 5 December, 1789; married Elizabeth Scott 12 October, 1817.
e. Nancy, born 4 August, 1793; married a Rhodes.
f. Nelly, born 29 January, 1795.
g. John, born 27 October, 1796.
h. Gilbert, born 23 January, 1799; married Isabel Rice 10 May, 1824.
i. Elizabeth (known as Betsey), born 19 January, 1801; married William E. Lane 4 February, 1830 in Harrison County, Indiana. William was born on 3 July, 1807. They moved to Boone County, Indiana on 31 December, 1830. Betsey died on the morning of 28 March, 1879 in Boone County.
j. Hannah, born 18 June, 1804.
k. Eleanor, who married a Silkwood. (Note: Eleanor does not appear in the family records provided by William E. Lane but she is mentioned in Thomas’s will as a daughter. Conversely, Nelly is not mentioned in will. Could Nelly and Eleanor be the same person?)
3. Hannah.
4. Samuel, who married Catherine Moeller 25 February, 1790 in Bourbon County,
Kentucky; died between 18 January, 1803 and May, 1803, according to his will. In
his will, he mentions his mother, Tamor, and his deceased brother, Gilbert. His
children were:

a. Nancy, who married William How.
b. Gilbert.
c. Jane, who married Benjamin Cromwell.
d. Elizabeth.
e. Mary, who married Moses Masterson.
5. John, born about 1765; married Frances Taylor about 1798 in Fayette County,
Kentucky; died prior to 13 May 1815.
6. Ann, born about 1767; married first, Zachariah Masterson 16 May, 1787 in Bourbon
County, Kentucky; married second, Isaac Cook on 3 December, 1796 in Scott County,
Kentucky; died 7 August, 1834.
7. Jemima, who married a Byrn and lived in Owen County, Kentucky.
8. Gilbert, who died before 1803 based on his brother, Samuel Simpson’s will.
9. Tamer.

IV. Gilbert Simpson (ca. 1730-1787) – Of Prince George’s County, Maryland.

This Gilbert Simpson was the son of Joseph Simpson and his wife Sarah Noe of Charles and Prince George’s Counties, Maryland. He was born about 1730. He married Mary _______, probably about 1755 or 1756. Mary was born about 1736. Gilbert Simpson appears on a “List of Fidelity”, Peter Bowie’s Return, recorded March 25, 1779 at a court held at Upper Marlborough Town. Gilbert made his will on 21 August, 1787. It was recorded 25 September, 1787. His will was witnessed by Overton Carr, Jonathan Ridgeway, and John Simpson, presumably, his brother. Children were:

1. Libby, born 14 August, 1757.
2. Joseph, born about 1760; married Rachel Galworth/Galwith in King George’s Parish, Prince George’s County, Maryland 31 January/3 February, 1788. He is mentioned as the administrator in the settlement of his father’s estate in 1794.
3. Mary Ann, baptized 18 April, 1762.
4. Sarah (Sally), baptized 30 September, 1764 at Broad Creek.
5. Verlinder, born 7 April, 1772 at Broad Creek. (Note: A Linny is also mentioned as a daughter of Gilbert but it is more likely that this was a short form for Verlinda, rather than another daughter).
6. Susanna.
7. Cloe.

V. GILBERT SIMPSON (ca. 1772/7-1809) – Of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia.

Gilbert Simpson was the son of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson but William’s origins have long been a mystery. In order to establish Gilbert’s ancestry, it is necessary to determine William’s.

EXCURSUS INTO THE ANALYSIS OF THE IDENTITY OF WILLIAM SIMPSON:

Many genealogists have speculated that William was probably the son of either Gilbert Simpson, Sr. or Gilbert Simpson, Jr., primarily because he had sons named Gilbert, French, and John. In the past few years, another possibility has surfaced in the form of Joseph Simpson of Prince George’s County, Maryland. The names, Gilbert and French also appear among his descendants. An evaluation of the various possibilities follows:

Gilbert Simpson, Sr.:
Gilbert Simpson, Sr. left a will but it didn’t mention a son named William. His will implies, however, that there were other children, not named, when Gilbert states that the remainder of his estate is to be “equally divided amongst my whole children”. Further evidence that there were other children is found in Gilbert Simpson, Jr.’s will, in which he names his nephew, John Simpson, as executor. The father of this nephew John is not known. Gilbert, Jr. had a brother, John, who was also named in Gilbert, Sr.’s will and this John had a son named John. According to a transcribed copy of John Simpson’s family bible, this younger John was born on 12 June, 1774 which would make him old enough to have been named executor in Gilbert, Jr.’s will. However, this birth year is apparently erroneous; the result of a transcription error. John’s obituary and his tombstone state that he was actually born on 12 June, 1787, a fact confirmed by federal census records and the recollections of descendant, James Hendley Simpson. Therefore, this nephew, John, was only about 15 when Gilbert, Jr. made his will; obviously too young to have been named as an executor. William also had a son named John and he was an adult by 1799 but may also have been too young to have functioned effectively as an executor of Gilbert’s estate. This could account for John petitioning the court following Gilbert’s death to relieve him of the responsibilities of executor. According to Fairfax County personal property tax lists, land tax lists, the Fairfax County Road Orders, 1749-1800, deeds, and probate records there were six John Simpsons living in Fairfax County near the time that Gilbert Simpson, Jr. wrote his will. Five are eliminated because they are descended in the fourth and fifth generations from John Simpson, the Scotsman, a different line entirely. The sixth is the son of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson. Another name is mentioned in the will of Gilbert Simpson, Jr. which may have a bearing on the identification of “nephew John”. One of the witnesses to the signing of the will was Beverly R. Wagener. Beverly was the son of Col. Peter and Sinah (McCarty) Waggoner (Wagener). It will be shown later that John Simpson, son of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson, married Ann Nancy Wagener, a daughter of Peter and Sinah. Therefore, the Beverly R. Wagener who witnessed the signing of Gilbert Simpson, Jr.’s will was the brother-in-law of John Simpson, the son of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson. At one time, Peter and Sinah made their home in Alexandria at the corner of Duke and St. Asaph Streets which was about two blocks south and one and a half blocks west of the lot Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson inherited from her father. This family connection strengthens the theory that “nephew John” was the son of William Simpson and that William was a younger son of Gilbert Simpson, Sr. However, another possibility is that Beverly R. Wagener was simply a neighbor who Gilbert called in to witness his will signing, irrespective of any family connection. Fairfax County road orders confirm that Peter Wagener was living in the same neighborhood as Gilbert Simpson in 1797. Another witness to the signing of Gilbert Simpson, Jr.’s will was James H. Blake. Blake also certified the qualifications of the appraisers the estate of Henry Zimmerman and is listed twice in the administration account of Zimmerman. James H. Blake also certified as to the accuracy of the guardian account of the heirs of John and Margaret Gretter, deceased, on 16 November, 1806. William Simpson married Elizabeth Gretter, sister of John, and several of their children intermarried with the children of Henry Zimmerman. It appears James H. Blake was a Justice of the Peace in Fairfax County so this connection may be of an official nature rather than indicative of a family connection.

Gilbert Simpson, Jr.:
Gilbert Simpson, Jr. had a son named French. He also left a will but it doesn’t mention William as an heir. Given their respective estimated dates of birth, it would appear that William was born too early to have been a son of Gilbert, Jr. and Rosanna Mason. The earliest recorded mention of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson was February, 1775. Therefore, they must have been married sometime in 1774 or earlier. Assuming William was 25 when he married, his birth year is estimated at 1749 or within the range of 1745 to 1750. Gilbert, Jr. and Rosanna were married sometime after 21 March, 1753 when Rosanna was still recorded under her maiden name and 17 May, 1759 when Gilbert, Jr. was living on the Pohick on land from Rosanna’s inheritance. However, there is evidence that Gilbert may have had a prior marriage. On 21 March, 1757, a Catharine Simpson, wife of Gilbert Simpson, was a witness in a civil lawsuit. Gilbert Simpson (III) is ruled out as this Gilbert because his eldest child by Tamer Johnston was born two years earlier on 4 May, 1755. It is possible, therefore, that Gilbert Simpson, Jr. was married twice; first to Catharine _______ sometime before 1757 and second, to Rosanna Mason sometime before 17 May, 1759. Furthermore, the “deed of trust” between Gilbert and Daniel McCarty, Jr. on 20 September, 1790 was closely akin to a will in that it carefully prescribed the sequence of ownership of eight slaves among Gilbert’s heirs. In summary, it is conceivable that William could have been Gilbert, Jr.’s son by a first wife but if so, one would expect that he would have been mentioned in either the will or the deed. Gilbert’s difficulties in naming a male heir as an executor (first, a nephew and a minor grandson and then, a son-in-law) is pretty compelling evidence that he had no other sons at the time of his death. Finally, William Simpson had a great-granddaughter named Rosanna, born 10 March, 1850. A connection to Rosanna (Mason) Simpson would appear to be merely coincidental because, as explained above, William as a son of Gilbert Simpson, Jr. and Rosanna Mason does not fit chronologically.

Joseph Simpson:
Other evidence indicates that William was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Noe) Simpson of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Joseph and Sarah had sons named Gilbert and John and a great-grandson named French. More importantly, they had a son named William. A William Simpson is listed as an heir in the will of Joseph Simpson dated 29 October, 1780. However, William is not listed in the 1776 census of Prince George’s County, indicating that he had moved from the county. A William Simpson first appears just across the Potomac from Prince George’s County Maryland in the records of Fairfax County, Virginia in 1775 as the husband of Elizabeth Gretter. In this deed, Michael Gretter, Elizabeth’s father, sold Elizabeth Simpson, wife of William, a portion of Lot number 115 in Alexandria for 50 pounds. This lot was located on King Street between Pitt Street and Royal Street. The following year, a William Simpson is listed in the Truro Vestry Book as “William Simpson, son of Joseph, per account, 1776”. This clue, of course, is decisive, providing this William is identical with the William who married Elizabeth Gretter. For research purposes, it is fortunate that the name, Joseph Simpson, is fairly uncommon in northern Virginia at this time. Fairfax County tax, property, and probate records do not identify any Joseph Simpson old enough to have been the father of a William who was an adult by 1775. The only two Josephs who were contemporaries of William in Fairfax were: (1) Joseph Simpson, proven son of Joseph and Sarah (Noe) Simpson of Prince George’s County, Maryland, born about 1741 and (2) Joseph Simpson, son of George and Susannah (Wheeler) Simpson, born about 1767. Since neither Joseph was old enough to have been the father of the William in the Truro Vestry minutes, he would appear to be the son of Joseph and Sarah (Noe) Simpson of Charles and Prince George’s County, Maryland by the process of elimination. Furthermore, the Joseph Simpson, son of Joseph and Sarah (Noe) Simpson of Prince George’s, and the William who married Elizabeth Gretter appeared on the same tax list and lived near each other. William lived at the Old Turnpike Gate near Alexandria and Joseph lived between Alexandria and Great Falls. A Fairfax County deed dated 11 March, 1789, Fairfax County Road Orders, a 21 April, 1789 court caseand Joseph’s will shows Joseph as an adjoining neighbor of a William Swink. Modern maps of Fairfax County show a place called Swink’s Mill on Scott’s Run approximately 12 linear miles north of Alexandria toward Great Falls. Like Joseph, William Swink had migrated to Fairfax County from Prince George’s County, Maryland sometime subsequent to 1776. Among his children, William Swink had a daughter, Catherine, who apparently married a son of his neighbor, Joseph Simpson, and a daughter, Barbara, who married Benjamin Shreve. Their son, Benjamin F. Shreve, married Sarah Elizabeth Simpson, granddaughter of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson by his son, John. Further evidence is found in an analysis of the various William Simpsons living in Fairfax County in 1775. Fairfax County personal property tax lists (PPTL), land tax records (LTR), deeds, probate records, and county road orders, indicate that there were apparently three adult William Simpsons living in Fairfax County at the time that William is documented as the husband of Elizabeth Gretter in 1775. The 1783 personal property tax list shows four but one was apparently the son of George Simpson (of Richard, of John, the Scotsman) who was born in 1757 and would have been too young to have been considered a head of household in 1775. Two of the other Williams were: (1) the son of Thomas (of John, the Scotsman) and (2) his son, William, Jr. This elder William was born about 1712 and died in Fairfax County in about 1795. The younger William is shown as a “Jr.” in the 1782 PPTL and as a son “of William” in 1787. The remaining William in the 1783 PPTL would seem to be the William identified as the “son of Joseph” in the Truro vestry records by the process of elimination. However, this conclusion, by itself, cannot be considered absolute because the personal property tax lists (like census records) were not necessarily all-inclusive of the adult population. In summary, it must be noted that while many of the names that William selected for his children are found in will of Joseph Simpson of Prince George’s in 1780, the name, Joseph, is conspicuously missing.

Conclusion:
The names Gilbert, French, and John exist in all three family lines so this clue is of little value in trying to determine William’s parentage. As described above, there is only theoretical evidence that William Simpson was the son of Gilbert Simpson, Jr. (ca.1725–1803) due to uncertainties about a possible earlier marriage for Gilbert. Conversely, there is some factual as well as circumstantial evidence that William was a son of either Gilbert Simpson, Sr. (1699-1773) or his brother, Joseph of Prince George’s County, Maryland (1705-1782). The factual evidence that Gilbert Simpson, Sr. had other children not mentioned in his will, coupled with a possible family connection between Beverly Robinson Wagener, James H. Blake, and “nephew John” Simpson, makes a credible argument that William may have been a brother of Gilbert, Jr. and therefore, the son Gilbert, Sr. However, the reference to “William, son of Joseph” in the Truro records remains the strongest factual evidence of William’s parentage. Coupled with the facts that two of William Swink’s daughters married into the families of both Joseph and William Simpson and an analysis of the identities of the various William Simpsons in 1775, the preponderance of evidence indicates that William was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Noe) Simpson. Lacking more definitive proof, he is considered a probable son.

The details of William’s life and his descendants are especially significant to this research paper because he was the progenitor of later Gilbert and French Simpsons into the 19th century. Based on his marriage date and the approximate birthdates of his children, William was probably born about 1745-1750. He married Elizabeth Gretter, daughter of Michael Gretter, sometime prior to 13 February, 1775. Fairfax County Deed Book M, pages 136-137 records that Michael Gretter of Alexandria sold to his daughter, Elizabeth Simpson, wife of William Simpson, for 50 pounds Lot Number 115 on King Street in Alexandria. Sometime prior to 18 July, 1791, this property was sold to Lawrence Hoof. On 29 August, 1794, William Simpson purchased from William Hattersley for 150 pounds, twelve shillings 31 ¼ acres of land situated between the Mount Vernon and the Colchester Roads. Subsequently, William Hattersley died. The mortgage had been satisfied by payment to William Hattersely in his lifetime and to Samuel, his brother, after his death but the documentation had been lost. Therefore, Samuel Hattersley and William Simpson reaffirmed the transaction on 18 June, 1803 by William paying the nominal sum of one dollar. This deed was witnessed by Cleon Moore and Gilbert Simpson (presumably William’s son). It was re-acknowledged by Samuel Hattersley on 7 June, 1811 and recorded ten days later. On 10 March, 1796, John West and Sarah, his wife, sold to William Simpson for 40 pounds, 5 acres, 7 perches beginning at a stone near Turnpike Gate “on the north/south of Duke Street when extended”. This sale included a half acre on which Simpson’s house stands previously purchased by Simpson from West. William Simpson was among the tithables living at Turnpike Gate on 22 September, 1789. On 19 August, 1799, William Simpson and Elizabeth, his wife, sold to John Simpson (their son) for 20 pounds, their property beginning at the corner of Fendall and Lee’s land on Duke Street extended in the line of Ludwell Lee. Witnesses were Presley Sanford, Andrew Monroe, and Gilbert Simpson (presumed older son of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson). On 5 June, 1804, George Deneale was appointed to sell a tract of land for the heirs of Michael Gretter, deceased, to Alexander Perry. Heirs were identified as John Gretter; Elizabeth Simpson; Dorothy, wife of John Harper; and Ann, wife of Lawrence Hooff. William Simpson apparently died in 1811 because the Fairfax County land tax records for 1812 report his 5 acres at the Old Turnpike Gate and the 31 acres near Cameron Run in the possession of his heirs. By 10 September, 1815, William’s widow, Elizabeth had married, as her second husband, John Gooding. John was deceased by 17 June, 1816 and Elizabeth apparently remained a widow. On 17 June, 1817, Elizabeth Simpson, Henry Davis, and John W. Beedler were bonded in the administration of the estate of William Simpson and Elizabeth was named administrix. The estate was appraised on 16 July, 1817 by William A. Harper, Lawrence Hooff, Jr., William Cassidy, and Samuel Lightfoot. On 20 June, 1820, Lawrence sold to Samuel Catts for $400.00 his share of the late Michael Gretter’s properties and 2 ¾ acres at the west end of the Turnpike that William Simpson had purchased from John West. William had lived on this property during his lifetime and Mrs. Gooding was living there at the time of the transaction. The other property, containing 31 acres, was purchased by William Simpson from Samuel Hattersley and was situated between the Mount Vernon and Colchester Roads. Both parcels were conveyed by William Simpson to John Hooff in trust for Elizabeth Simpson for her life and after her death, for the use of the children of William and Elizabeth. The 2 ¾ acres was devised by Lawrence’s brother, Gilbert, to be divided into fourths with each part going to Lawrence, John, Thomas, and Ann Zimmerman. By 31 October, 1820, Thomas Simpson made his will naming his mother, Elizabeth Gooding, as his only heir and making her the executrix. John Simpson, son of William and Elizabeth, made his will on 25 September, 1823 and it was proved 16 August, 1824. He mentions children: Sinah Zimmerman, Peter Simpson, James Simpson, Archibald M. Simpson, Francis Henry Simpson, Sarah Elizabeth Simpson, and Beverly Simpson (a male). On 19 December, 1832 Sarah, widow of John Simpson, sold her share of the inheritance to Samuel Catts. On 13 March, 1833 the children of French Simpson, son of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson sold their Simpson inheritance to Samuel Catts for $150.00. On 19 March, 1833 Ann Zimmerman, widow of George Zimmerman and daughter of William and Elizabeth Simpson, and Susan Simpson, widow of Gilbert Simpson, son of William and Elizabeth Simpson, sold their share of the Simpson inheritance to Samuel Catts for $140.00. Based on the foregoing documented evidence and evidence in the references cited, William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson had the following children:

1. Lawrence.
2. Gilbert, born in the range 1772-1777; married Susanna Zimmerman.
3. John, who married first, Ann Nancy Wagener, a daughter of Peter Wagener, Jr. and Sinah (McCarty) Wagener and second, Sarah (Young) Morgan Wagoner. John was probably the John Simpson who leased two lots adjoining the town of Alexandria from Elisha Cullen Dick and Hannah, his wife, on 1 August, 1795. Therefore, John was apparently born about 1774 or before. Lacking pertinent dates, it cannot be determined which of the following children were born to which wife. However, the names Sinah, Peter W., and Beverly would seem to emanate from the Waggoner line:

a. Sinah Elizabeth, born ca. 1800; married 18 December, 1817 Adam Zimmerman who was born ca. 1798.
b. Peter W., born 17 December, 1800; died 30 June, 1881; married Mary A. Trydell 9 October, 1826, born 9 December, 1805; died 11 November, 1887. Child:
(1). Peter W., Jr., born 12 October, 1830; died 7 January, 1915; married
Mary A. _________, born about 1831; died 14 February, 1894.
c. James, who was living in Loudoun County, Virginia in 1819. He was a party to a division of 49 acres originally owned by Henry Zimmerman. In 1821, he also bought property in Aldie, Loudoun County, from William and Catherine Noland.
d. Archibald M.
e. Francis Henry.
f. Sarah Elizabeth, who married Benjamin F. Shreve. Benjamin, born 29 August, 1820 in Falls Church, Virginia, was the son and Benjamin and Barbara (Swink) Shreve. Barbara was the daughter of William Swink whose sister, Catherine, married a son of Joseph Simpson.
g. Beverly, who married Elizabeth _______. She married second, William Andrews.
4. Thomas, who was deceased July 1821.
5. Ann, who married George Zimmerman 23 August, 1806.
6. William, who was born in the range 1774-1779. He was deceased by 18 January, 1832. He married Joanna Lightfoot on 14 January, 1798 in the Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. They had children:

a. Gilbert, born 15 September, 1809 in Alexandria ; died 29 July, 1880. He married Margaret A. ______ about 1829. Margaret was born about 1812 and died 19 February, 1872. Gilbert was a grocer in Alexandria. At the time of his death, he was living on St. Asaph Street in Alexandria. Children:
(1). Margaret Virginia, born about October 1831; died 7 July, 1832.
(2). William George, born 1834; died 25 February, 1894 in Alexandria,
Virginia.
(3). James H., born 1836 Alexandria, Virginia.
(4). Margaret V., born 20 November, 1837; died 1 December, 1882.
(5). Thomas F., born 17 September, 1840; died 25 August, 1885.
(6). Henry Clay, born March 1841; died 16 Sept. 1842.
(7). Gilbert, born 11 March, 1844; died 26 February, 1921; married
Laura V. Jenkins.
(8). Mary A., born 16 November, 1845; died March, 1867; married D.
E. Dutrow.
(9). Elizabeth, born 1847; died 16 January, 1895.
(10). Mary Elizabeth, born 1848; died 1851.
(11). Rosanna, born 10 March, 1850; died 9 February, 1851.
(12). Henry R., born 1852.
b. William.
c. Elizabeth, who married James C. Goods.
7. French, who married Ann Lewisand had:

a. Harry L. (Henry L.), born 20 August, 1805; married Julia A. Cross on 1 February, 1832. She was born 9 January, 1812, daughter of Reid and Mary Cross. Henry died 5 February, 1877. Julia A. died 1 April, 1899. Children:

(1). French Reid, born about 1832; died 8 November, 1839.
(2). French Reid, born 20 June, 1839; died 16 February, 1899.
(3). Mary Alice, born about 1845; died 22 November, 1862.
(4). Arthur, born 24 February, 1847; died 30 January, 1886.
(5). Emma, born about 1848; died 8 September, 1850.
(6). Winfield M., born 12 April, 1852; died 11 May, 1886.
b. Stephen Francis.
c. Elizabeth, who married Richard Y. Cross.
d. Mary Frances, who married Samuel Catts.
8. Francis, probable son. He is described as probable son because no record has been found confirming his parentage. However, evidence exists in the names of two of the three of those who were bonded in the administration of his estate. George Zimmerman was apparently Francis’s brother-in-law, husband of his sister, Ann, and William A. Harper was apparently the son of John Harper who married Dorothy Gretter, Francis’s aunt. The third person bonded was Ann Simpson, apparently Francis’s widow, who was named administrix. Francis died on 12 January, 1815. His obituary was recorded in the Alexandria Gazette on 14 January. The bond was approved on 7 February, 1815. The estate was inventoried on 11 February, 1815 and was recorded on 4 March, 1815. The value of the estate was $238.75. The final accounting of the estate has an entry, “By Cash received from James Popler’s estate”. This is an indication that Francis may have married Ann Poplar.

Gilbert Simpson, son of William and Elizabeth (Gretter) Simpson, was born about 1772 to 1777 based on his appearance on the Fairfax County list of tithables along with William Simpson on 21 March, 1793. He witnessed the sale of property in Alexandria by his parents, William and Elizabeth, to their son, John, on 19 August, 1799. Gilbert married Susanna Zimmerman, daughter of Henry Zimmerman, in the Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia on 3 February, 1803. He died sometime between 13 July, 1809 when he wrote his will and 17 July, 1809 when it was proved. He left his estate to his wife, Susanna. Susanna did not remarry. On 12 October, 1819 she purchased property in Loudoun County from her brother, George, for $200.00. This 49 acres was inherited by George from his father, Henry, upon the latter’s death. On 3 December, 1819 another son, Jacob, sold his portion of the inheritance to Susanna for $130.00. On 19 March, 1833 Ann Zimmerman, widow of George Zimmerman and Susan Simpson, widow of Gilbert Simpson, sold to Samuel Catts their portions of two lots originally owned by William Simpson “the Elder”. One lot, consisting of 3 acres, was on the Little River Turnpike opposite the old turnpike gate and the other, consisting of 31 acres, was on the Mount Vernon Road on the south side of Hunting Creek. Susannah Simpson made her will in Loudoun County on 20 June, 1842, leaving her estate to her brother, Samuel Zimmerman. The will was proved on 10 July, 1848. Therefore, it can be assumed that Gilbert and Susannah had no surviving children.

SUMMARY CONCLUSION

This research paper has documented the lives of the five Gilbert Simpsons who lived in Maryland, just east of the Potomac, and northern Virginia during the 18th century. Additionally, five other Gilberts are identified as descendants whose lives extended into the 19th century. Although the parentage of two of the Gilberts in the 18th century cannot be absolutely determined, it was the objective of this paper to document the analyses and the most probable lines of descent of each as well as the proven ancestries of the other three. It will be noted that the name, French (or Friench), Simpson is nearly as popular as Gilbert in these lines. Additionally, there are other Gilbert and French Simpsons, not addressed in this paper, who lived in Kentucky during the 19th century. The determination of their ancestries was outside the scope of this research paper. Hopefully, this publication will provide a basis for a Simpson researcher to one day discover intermarriages which will explain the proliferation of these names and extend the research.

Note by Nona Williams: Mr. Neibling's research paper included extensive source citations that have not been included here. I will be happy to provide them upon request. Please email me at kittylover at gmail.com.

2009-12-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

Haplogroup R2 Descendents of Avington Simpson Living in California

by Patrick Simpson

“In1841 we moved to southwest Missouri, leaving our oldest daughter, Mary Cook, behind. We settled in Polk County, nine miles north of Bolivar, on Jefferson Road.” -Lucinda Payne Simpson

Avington Simpson, son of Reuben Simpson and Sarah Sherrill Simpson, was born in South Carolina about 1792. He travelled with his family to what would become Wayne County, Kentucky sometime around 1802.1 He is most likely the male son of Reuben Simpson (16 thru 25 years old) listed on the 1810 U.S. Federal Census for Wayne County, Kentucky.2 Around the age of 22, in 1815, he married Lucinda Payne and they started a family.3 With the exception of his oldest daughter, Mary Frances Simpson, who married and remained behind,4 Avington moved his family to Green, Polk County, Missouri in 1841. Census and Family History Records indicate the family members who arrived in Green, Polk County, Missouri were:

Avington Simpson (Male b. 1792)
Lucinda Payne Simpson (Female b. 1797)
Moses Simpson (Male b. 1816)
Reuben Simpson (Male b. 1820)
Rachel Simpson (Female b.1822)
William Simpson (Male b. 1825)
Henry Hardin Simpson (Male b. 1827)
Lucinda W. Simpson (Female b. 1832)
Avington Wayne Simpson (Male b. 1834)
Timothy William Simpson (Male b. 1838)

For information on Avington Simpson, the reader is directed to Nona William’s Simpson Clan Volumes5 and her web-site.6

The focus of this article is Timothy William Simpson. He is my Great Grandfather. He is born in Wayne County, Kentucky. His full date of birth is listed as 27 January 1838. He is the youngest of Avington’s children. He is listed as being less than 5 years old on the 1840 U.S. Federal Census.7 I have seen his middle name listed as Wayne and as William. William is the middle name given by his family for his obituary, so I will consider that factual. Sometime in 1841, the family leaves Wayne County, Kentucky to live in Green, Polk County, Missouri.

The 1850 U.S. Federal Census for Missouri shows him living with his family in District 71 of Polk County, Missouri.8 The date of the Census is October 24, 1850. He is listed as being 12 years old. It is at this time that the Gold Rush in California is taking place, but Timothy and his older brother Avington Wayne Simpson are too young to follow their older brothers to the California Gold Fields. The 1850 Census for Placerville, California, taken on Christmas Eve of 1850, lists a Moses Simpson, Reubin Simpson, and William G. Simpson. Their ages exactly match those of Avington’s children and their birthplace is listed as Kentucky. Their occupations are listed as “Miners for Gold”.9 The time gap in between the two census records is 2 months, and it might be physically possible for them to move between Missouri and California in that time.

Timothy has two sisters: Rachel and Lucinda. Lucinda marries Elbert Payne on 7 January 1852,10 but he dies on 25 September of that year, and becomes the first person to be buried in Payne Cemetery.11 Thomas Early, husband of Timothy’s sister, Rachel dies in 1856. He leaves Rachel with two children. They are William Paris Early and Syrilda Early. Timothy’s brother Moses Simpson dies on 15 April of 1854 and becomes the first Simpson buried in Payne Cemetery.

The 1860 U.S. Federal Census, conducted in July 1860 Shows that both widowed sisters of Timothy Simpson have returned to the family home:12

Avington Simpson (Male, Age: 68 yrs.)
Lucinda Simpson (Female, Age: 63 yrs.)
William Simpson (Male, Age: 37 yrs.)
Wayne (Avington) Simpson (Male, Age: 25 yrs.)
Timothy Simpson (Male, Age: 22 yrs.)
Lucinda (Simpson) Payne (Female, Age: 27 yrs.)
Pemilia Payne (Female, Age: 7 yrs.)
Rachel (Simpson) Early (Female, Age: 35 yrs.)
Syrilda Early (Female, Age: 4 yrs.)

Although Timothy Simpson is listed as still living at home in 1860, he is engaged to marry Lucinda Y. Payne. In that year he purchases two 40 acre tracts of public land in Polk County13 and on 11 October 1860, Timothy and Lucinda are married.14 Also in 1860, Timothy’s sister Rachel marries James Williamson Paine of Macon County, Missouri.15 They have one daughter together. She is named Lucinda B. Paine. This begins an alliance of the Paine and Simpson Families that will stretch across the following 6 decades.

Missouri does not secede from the Union during the Civil War, but many of its Citizens do. Missourians are torn apart by the Civil War. Many families, like the Simpson’s, are originally from Southern States and feel their allegiance belongs to the confederacy. Within this Simpson family opinions and allegiances are split. Timothy Simpson’s mother describes this time:

“I shall not try to describe our troubles, as all know how Southern Missouri suffered during the war. Two of my sons were in the Southern Army, and one joined the Army of the North, and my husband at the age of seventy-two was murdered in his bed. No one knows the horror of warfare and strife, but he who has tried them. Houses of all kinds were burned, men killed or driven from their homes. We had some friends in Macon County, Missouri, who wrote for us to come there, that times were not so bad as where we were. My family consisted of a widowed daughter and a little girl, and a grandson seventeen years old. We bundled up our few goods and started for Macon County on the 5th day of Oct., 1863 and through many troubles we arrived there.”16

Timothy is one of the 2 sons who join the Confederate Army. In August 1862, he leaves his wife and new born son, Samuel. On 10 August he enlists in the 11th Missouri Infantry Regiment as a Second Sergeant.17 He is serving in the 11th regiment when his father is murdered in the winter of 1863. He serves in the regiment until 1865, when it surrenders to federal troops.

At the time of his surrender, Timothy holds the rank of a Junior Second Lt. in Company G. On 7 June 1865, Timothy signs his parole and returns home to Polk County.18

The 1870 U.S. Census shows the family of Timothy Simpson living in the Town of Green in Polk County.19 He is 32 years old and Lucinda is 26. They now have 3 sons:

Samuel Simpson (Male, Age: 8 years)
John Simpson (Male, Age: 5 years)
Joseph Simpson (Male, Age: 1 year)

Not listed is an infant daughter who died within a year of her birth.

Throughout that decade, Timothy’s family grows yearly. The 1880 U.S. Census 20 shows the family:

John W. Simpson (Male, Age: 14 years)
Paris “Joseph” Simpson (Male, Age: 11 years)
Jesse William Simpson (Male, Age: 9 years)
Jasper Thomas Simpson (Male, Age: 7 years)
Annie E. Simpson (Female, Age: 5 years)
Perry W. Simpson (Male, Age: 4 years)
Charles M. Simpson (Male, Age: 2 years)
Henry C. Simpson (Male, Age: 5 months)

Not listed is the oldest son, Samuel. He is now 18 and working as a Farm Laborer. The 1880 U.S. Census shows him living nearby as a farm laborer on his Uncle’s farm.21 In two years he is dead. Is the cause disease or a farm accident? Unknown.

Sometime in the year 1888, Timothy Simpson accompanied by his family and nieces and nephews of his late brother Moses Simpson, relocate to the town of Fresno, California. The date of their arrival can be determined by information found in newspaper articles.22 He is 50 years old and his wife Lucinda is 44 years of age. Their family:

John W. Simpson (Male, Age: 22 years)
Paris (Joseph) Simpson (Male, Age: 19 years)
Jesse William Simpson (Male, Age: 17 years)
Jasper Thomas Simpson (Male, Age: 15 years)
Annie E. Simpson (Female, Age: 13 years)
Perry W. Simpson (Male, Age: 12 years)
Charles M. Simpson (Male, Age: 10 years)
Henry C. Simpson (Male, Age: 8 years)
Ethel Simpson (Female, Age: 6 years)
Loula Simpson (Female, Age: 4 years)

Also making the journey is the family of James Williamson Paine (Married to Timothy’s sister Rachel) and the family of Hank Bissell, who has married a Paine sister. The following is a list of Simpson family members who came west to California and their children.

1. John Williamson Simpson and Emily Susan Paine. John Simpson is Timothy Simpson’s nephew. He is the son of Timothy’s deceased brother Moses Simpson. He was born in Polk County, Missouri on 7 March 1847. He marries Emily Susan Paine on 5 April 1868.23 Kansas State Census Records reveal the following family members:24

James (or John) Williamson Simpson Jr. (Male b. 14 June 1869)
W. Alex Simpson (Male b. 30 January 1861)
Nancy Jane Simpson (Female b. 6 January 1873)
Sarah Ann “Sadie” Simpson (Female b. 6 June 1875)
Charles Cooper Simpson (Male b. 29 December 1879)
Frank Simpson (Male b. 12 January 1882)

The 1900 U.S. Federal Census shows John Williamson Simpson and Emily Susan Simpson as residents of Township #3 in Fresno.25 In the 1910 Census he is still living in Township #3 and listed as a widower.26 He is still found in Township #3 in the 1920 27 and 1930 Census.28 He dies in Fresno, California on 12 March 1932.

2. Lucinda Paine the only daughter of Timothy’s Sister Rachel Simpson and James Williamson Paine. She is married to William Lock Fletcher.29 The 1900 U.S. Federal Census record shows the family living in Monterey, California.30 Her name is listed as “Lou Fletcher” The census shows the following family members:

Wilmoth Fletcher (Female b. 15 May 1890)
Imogene Fletcher (Female b. June 1893)

3. William Moses Kepley and Lucinda Ann Simpson. Lucinda Ann Simpson is Timothy Simpson’s niece. She is the daughter of Timothy’s deceased brother Moses Simpson. She was born in Polk County, Missouri on 29 September 1849 and dies in Fresno, California on 20 November 1923. Lucinda marries William Moses Kepley on 14 March 1872.31 They do not show up in U.S. Federal Census for Fresno, California until 1910 32 when they are listed as living in Township #3. Census records reveal the following family members:

Charles Wesley Kepley (Male b. 1874)
Mary “Mollie” E. Kepley (Female b. 1876)
Nancy J. Kepley (Female b. 1879)

Even though the 1890 Census is lost, we can look in on these Simpson families courtesy of Timothy W. Simpson’s writings. Timothy wrote extensively about yearly family reunions and celebrations. These writings were published in a Fresno Newspaper called the Daily Republican, which later became the Fresno Bee. These stories provide a wealth of genealogical information regarding the Simpson, Paine, and Bissell families. Here is one such article. I have transcribed it exactly as it appears in the original edition of the Fresno Daily Republican on 19 May 1898.

The Paine, Bissell, and Simpson Families Annual Celebration33

On the 15th instant,34 after the gentle refreshing showers, which had fallen the previous night. While the air was freshly impregnated with the fragrance from the flowering plants and the birds chirped forth their songs in ecstatic joy – there it was that the Paine, Bissell, and Simpson families began to assemble for the annual reunion, which for several years past they have observed in commemoration of the birthdays of three of the Paine Family.35

On account of the recent rain and the consequent dampness it was rather late when all had arrived at the home of J.C. Paine, near Fowler, the designated place for the celebration. It was here that a brother recently returned from a visit to the southern states met a sister from Missouri,36 and another from Monterey of this state.37 Here it was that many relatives and friends met in sweet communion, who had been separated for many months, yet even years.

After the prolonged and pleasant greetings were over and the vehicles were relieved of their burdens of eatables, the senior masculines joined in discoursing upon the different topics of the day, but the feminines chose rather to discuss mostly without topics; while the juveniles of both sexes gave vent to their joyous exclamations and peals of innocent laughter.

Hush! I hear the clink and clatter of innumerable dishes, and upon them rested the most interesting part of the program. Soon they were placed upon the extended table, some forty feet long, located on the east porch of the residence. When the Turkeys and Chickens were carved and the Hams were sliced, and all things were ready, then after a brief silence, with grateful hearts, the Giver of all good was remembered in humble thanks for His manifold blessing.

Soon after all were giving due respect to what was before them, and it is in order to say that none went away hungry. “Cigars!” shouted Henry Winnis of Reedley, as he presented a box of Havanas to the delight of the men.

Listen! For I hear the melodious tones of the piano accompanied by the softer notes of the guitar and with them mingle voices of friends who had thus joined in years gone by. Again I hear the jingle of spoons and saucers. What can this be? Ice cream to a certainty, and that in most wonderful abundance. The weather was not of a character to allow the greatest pleasure from the last part of the banquet – the thermometer registering 65 – 70 degrees above zero – not withstanding this fact no one was willing to accept the excuse for not participating.

Sweet are the recollections of these reunions from year-to-year and sweeter still while in the full enjoyment of their realities, but I reckon the joys of these reunions are not to be compared with the joys that await the faithful in that grand and glorious reunion in the sweet beyond, and when the roll is called up yonder may you and I be there.

Those present were:

Mr. & Mrs. J.C. Paine
Mr. & Mrs. H.L. Paine
Mr. & Mrs. H.B. Bissell
Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Simpson 38
Mrs. Molly (Mable?) Hodshire
Mrs. W.L. Fletcher 39
Mr. & Mrs. T.W. Simpson 40
Mr. & Mrs. Winnis
Mr. & Mrs. Kepley 41
Mr. & Mrs. T.E. Braley
Mr. & Mrs. Kolp
Mr. & Mrs. Bachant
Mr. &; Mrs. Barstow
Mr. &; Mrs. G.L. Garrett
Mr. &; Mrs. Frank Bissell
Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Simpson, Jr. 42
Mr. Earnest Hodshire
Mr. Frank Simpson 43
Mr. Raymond Bissell
Mr. Bissell Garrett
Mr. Jamie Paine
Mr. Charly Paine
Mr. Willie Paine
Mr. Victor Paine
Mr. Lyman Paine
Mr. Jessie Paine
Mr. Jim Kepley
Mr. Jessie Bachant
Mr. Perry Simpson 44
Mr. Clyde Bissell
Mr. Charles Bissell
Mr. Ethel Bissell
Mr. Charly Simpson 45
Mr. Mark Kolp
Mr. Emmett Lindsey
Mr. John Huntley
Miss. O. Connor
Miss. Lou Bissell
Miss Sadie Simpson 46
Miss Myrtle Garrett
Miss Leona Garrett
Miss Jessie Paine
Miss Maudie Paine
Miss Loula Simpson 47
Miss Ethel Simpson 48
Miss Willimuth Fletcher
Miss Emogene Fletcher
Miss Emma Kolp
Miss Susie Kepley
Miss Loula Kolp
Miss Winnie Bachant
Miss Ada Bachant
Miss Fannie Paine
Miss Gracie Simpson 49

From Clifton, May 18, 1898 TWS

This was one of five articles written by Timothy Simpson describing the tight knit community of families that uprooted from their Macon County, Missouri homes and moved to the State of California.

At the turn of the 20th Century, Timothy and Lucinda Simpson are living with their son Jasper in Fresno, California. Timothy is now in his early ‘60’s and Lucinda is 56 years of age. Their 2 youngest daughters, Ethel (18 Years old) and Loula (16 years old) are living in the residence too.50 By 1910 their 2 youngest daughters are now married and the elderly Simpson couple are living in a house on Church Street in Fresno with their nephew, John Williamson Simpson, his granddaughter, Emily Susan Kepley, and Timothy’s son Joseph Parris Simpson (Name misspelled by the census taker).51 Although he’s 73 years old, Timothy stays active. He is no longer a farmer, but gives Real Estate Agent as his occupation to the Census taker.

On 9 October 1910, Timothy William Simpson and Lucinda Simpson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The event earned them a small article in the Society Section of the Fresno Morning Republican Newspaper:52

“Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Simpson, residing near the corner of East and Church avenues, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at their home today, the invited guests being the children, grandchildren and other near relatives of the aged couple. About fifty in all will be present.

T. W. Simpson and Miss Lucinda Payne were married in Polk County, Missouri, on October 10, 1860. They resided In Missouri until 1887, when they removed to Fresno County, where they have since lived.

Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are still living, the two oldest being dead. One died In Infancy and the other at the age of twenty years. Those living are: J. N. Simpson of Santa Clara County; J. W. Simpson and Mrs. Anna K. Simpson, both of Yerington, NV; J. P. Simpson, J. T. Simpson, Perry W. Simpson, Charles M. Simpson, H. R. Simpson, Mrs. Ethel E. Primrose, and Mrs. Lula M. Buckman.”

Timothy William and Lucinda Simpson are recorded one final time in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census.53 He is 83 years old and she is 76 years old. They have lived through the Civil War and World War I. They participated in the great western migration and crossed the western plains in a wagon train to California.   On 23 June 1923, Lucinda Payne Simpson dies at the age of 79. On 3 December 1924 the Fresno Daily Republican (Now Called “The Fresno Bee”) publishes a final article on Timothy William Simpson.

TIMOTHY WILLIAMS SIMPSON IS SUMMONED BY DEATH 54

Timothy Williams Simpson, father of JN (Joseph), JT (Jasper Thomas), and HR (Henry Robert) Simpson of Fresno died last night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ethel E. Primrose, near Caruthers. He is survived by two other daughters, Mrs. Anna E. Forbes of Los Angeles and Mrs. Lulu M. Buckman of Oakland, and two other sons, Perry Simpson of Omaha and Charles M. Simpson of Oakland.

Simpson had lived in California 38 years. He was 86 years old and a native of Kentucky. Arrangements for funeral services will be made by the Mission Undertaking Company.   Interment will be made in the Masonic Plot of Mountain View Cemetery. Simpson belonged to Fresno Lodge #247 Free and Accepted Masons.

Endnotes

1. Ancestry.com. Kentucky Land Grants [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1997. Original data: Jillson, Willard Rouse. The Kentucky Land Grants. Vol. I-II. Louisville, KY, USA: Filson Club Publications, 1925

2.United States Federal Census Year: 1810; Census Place: Wayne, Kentucky; Roll 8; Page: 373;Family History Number: 0181353; Image: 00371.

3. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Source number: 15341.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: WAY. Yates Publishing.

4. Avington Wayne Simpson’s Civil War Diary: The Historical Society of Polk County Missouri, Bolivar, Missouri

5. The Simpson Clan, A Collection of Newsletters, Nona Williams, R.O.F.E. Publications, Copyright 1998

6. http://www.nonawilliams.com/names/simpson/simps001.htm#e296

7. United States Federal Census Year: 1840; Census Place: Wayne, Kentucky; Roll 126; Page: 159; Image: 991; Family History Library Film: 0007832.

8. United States Federal Census Year: 1850; Census Place: District 71, Polk, Missouri; Roll M432_411; Page: 66B; Image: 138

9. United States Federal Census Year: 1850; Census Place: Placerville and Vicinity, El Dorado, California; Roll M432_34; Page: 331A; Image: 167.

10. Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Source number: 415.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Submitter Code: SAS

11. www.findagrave.com. Find a Grave Memorial# 8990839 Created by: DeLoss McKnight III. Tombstone Inscription reads: “He was the first person buried in Payne Cemetery. This location chosen because of its beauty and wide shade trees.” Payne Cemetery, Polk County, Missouri

12. United States Federal Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Greene, Polk, Missouri; Roll M653_641; Page: 162; Image: 161; Family History Library Film: 803641

13. Ancestry.com. U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: United States Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records. Automated Records Project; Federal Land Patents, State Volumes. http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/. Springfield, Virginia: Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States, 2007.

14. Ancestry.com. Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.

15. Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc. 2004. Source number: 366.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Submitter Code: SAS.

16. Avington Wayne Simpson’s Civil War Diary: The Historical Society of Polk County Missouri, Bolivar, Missouri

17. NARA M322. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Missouri

18. IBID

19. United States Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Greene, Polk, Missouri; Roll M593_800; Page: 30B; Image: 64; Family History Library Film: 552299.

20. United States Federal Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Greene, Polk, Missouri; Roll T9_710; Family History Film: 1254710; Page: 359.2000; Enumeration District: 119; Image: 0732.

21. United States Federal Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Greene, Polk, Missouri; Roll T9_710; Family History Film: 1254710; Page: 350.4000; Enumeration District: 119; Image: 0714.

22. The Fresno Morning Republican; Sunday, October 9, 1910; Page #12; Column #3

23. Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Source number: 28.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Submitter Code: SAS

24. Ancestry.com. Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Original data: 1885 Kansas Territory Census. Key West Locality, Coffey County; Microfilm Roll KS1885_26, Page #19, Line #15, Family 39

25. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA Census Place: Township 3, Fresno, California; Roll T623_85; Page: 26B; Enumeration District: 4.

26. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Census Place: Township 3, Fresno, California; Roll T624_76; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 32; Image: 429.

27. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Year: 1920; Census Place: Township 3, Fresno, California; Roll T625_96; Page: 28B; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 401.

28. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Year: 1930; Census Place: Township 3, Fresno, California; Roll 117; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 58; Image: 865.0.

29. Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Source number: 367.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Submitter Code: SAS.

30. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Census Place: Monterey, Monterey, California; Roll T623_94; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 9.

31. Ancestry.com. Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.

32. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.   Census Place: Fresno Ward 8, Fresno, California; Roll T624_75; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 50; Image: 1198.

33. The Fresno Morning Republican; Thursday, 19 May 1898; Page# 8; Column #5.

34. Timothy referred to the actual date as an “instant”. This 15th instant is 15 May 1898

35. Emily Susan Paine Simpson b. 5/5/1840; Missouri Ann Paine b. 5/4/1851; James C. Paine b. 5/3/1853

36. Mary “Mollie” Catherine Paine Hodshire out from Missouri

37. Lucinda Paine Fletcher. Only daughter of James Williamson Paine and his second wife, Rachel Simpson

38. John Williamson Simpson and Emily Susan Paine

39. Lucinda Paine the only daughter of Timothy’s Sister Rachel Simpson and James Williamson Paine

40. Timothy William Simpson and Lucinda Y. Payne

41. Andrew Pinkney Kepley and Nancy Jane Simpson. Nancy Jane Simpson is the daughter of John William Simpson and Emily Susan Paine.

42. John (or James) William Simpson Jr. and wife Annie Forbes.

43. Frank Simpson is the son of John William Simpson Sr.

44. Perry Simpson is a son of Timothy William Simpson

45. Either Charles M. Simpson (a son of Timothy Simpson) or Charles Cooper Simpson (a son of John William Simpson, Sr.)

46. Sarah Ann “Sadie” Simpson a daughter of John William Simpson and Emily Susan Paine.

47. Loula Simpson a daughter of Timothy William Simpson and Lucinda Y. Payne

48. Ethel Simpson a daughter of Timothy William Simpson and Lucinda Y. Payne

49. Infant daughter of John (or James) William Simpson and Annie Forbes. Dies before the 1900 Census.

50. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Census Place: Township 4, Fresno, California; Roll T623_86; Page: 29B; Enumeration District: 11.

51.Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Census Place: Township 3, Fresno, California; Roll T624_76; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 32; Image: 429.

52. The Fresno Morning Republican; Sunday, October 9, 1910; Society Section; Page #12; Column #3

53. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Census Place: Township 3, Fresno, California; Roll T625_96; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 10; Image: 463.

54. The Fresno Bee; Wednesday, 3 December 1924; Page #8; Column #3

The Simpsons of early Anne Arundel Co., Maryland

2009-11-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

The Simpsons of early Anne Arundel Co., MD
Oct., 2009 – Donald R. Simpson

Several Simpson families appear in the early records of Maryland, one of which is the family of Thomas & Elizabeth (Pierpoint) Simpson of All Hallows Parish in Anne Arundel County. Before detailing this family & their descendants, some background information on Maryland records is appropriate.

The Colony of Maryland was authorized in 1632 by royal grant and the first settlers arrived from England in 1634. The first settlers locating at the southern tip of the Colony were English Catholics escaping restrictions on their religion in England at that time. In 1649 the Maryland government passed the Act of Toleration which insured toleration of all forms of Christianity. As a consequence, many non-conformist Protestants came in central Maryland, especially from less tolerant Virginia Colony. Most of those settled in Anne Arundel County and on the eastern shore.

The Calvert family had held the Proprietorship of the Colony since the original royal grant but in 1689 the English government withdrew that proprietorship and instituted a royal government. As part of the new system, the Church of England was made the official religion and the Colony was divided into parishes of that church. Together with the establishment of those parishes was the requirement that births and marriages be recorded in the local parish of that established church. In most cases those records begin between 1690 & 1695 and though not all have been preserved, most have. In addition to recording current vital records, in some cases earlier births were recorded when some parents had all their children included in a family listing. This, together with the excellent county and colony records, has greatly aided genealogical research there. A fire in the Anne Arundel County Courthouse in 1704 caused the loss of many of the early county records including the deed books prior to 1699. However, some deeds were reconstructed & rerecorded and those are available on microfilm.

The parish register for All Hallows Parish is preserved from the beginning and contains many records of this family. The parish church still exists and is often referred to locally as the “Old Brick Church.” It is located on Solomon Island Road south of Annapolis at the junction with Brick Church Road. The extensive churchyard includes many of the early burials of the parish but the earliest legible tombstones date only to the latter half of the eighteenth century. In the fall of 2006 while on a research trip to Annapolis for a client, I was able to drive to All Hallows Church & see some of the early tombstones. I did not find any legible stones for any of the Simpsons but did not have time for a thorough search.

One of the rent rolls lists “Thomas Sympson” as in possession of a small tract of land called Jacobs Point which was located south of the South River near the head of Jacobs Creek [now called Beards Creek]. If this was their home tract then they were living within a couple of miles to the northwest of the parish church, perhaps near present State Highway 214 and on Beards Point Road. On Google Earth this is near 38 ° 55' 58" N, 76 ° 35' 55" W, while the church is at 38 54' 38" N, 76 34' 51" W.

There are multiple listings of this family in Family Files on the website, Ancestry.com, but in most cases those contain serious errors. In the book, Colonial Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, by Robert Barnes on pages 230 & 231, is given a brief listing and is based on sound documentation, thus avoiding the errors of the listings in Family Files. However, Barnes does not attempt to carry the account beyond listing Thomas & Elizabeth and their children. In the following treatment I have attempted to add some data and correct some of the common errors.

1. Thomas & Elizabeth (Pierpoint) Simpson.
No marriage record is known for Thomas & Elizabeth but it probably occurred before the beginning of the parish register of All Hallows Parish. Thomas’ burial is recorded in the register as 14 May, 1709. After his death, Elizabeth was married 2nd to Francis Day on 16 Nov., 1710.

Entries in All Hallows Parish Register for this family are spelled with several variations of the surname. They include the following:

Thomas Stimson & Elizabeth parents of:

John Stimson, son, b. 11 Feb., 1687;

Amos Stimson, son, b. 9 Dec., 1690;

Richard Stimson, son, b. 28 Feb., 1692;

Rachell Stimson, dau., b. 27 March, 1697

Francis Stimson, son of Richard Stimson & Rebecca, bapt. 1 March, 1721/2.

John Simson, son of Thomas & Elizabeth buried 30 April, 1700.

Francis Pierpoint, baptized 8 July, 1700.

Elizabeth Simson, wife of Thomas, baptized 8 July, 1700

Amos Simson, of Thomas & Elizabeth, baptized 08 July, 1700.

Richard Simson, of Thomas & Elizabeth, baptized 08 July, 1700.

Rachel Simson, of Thomas & Elizabeth, baptized 08 July, 1700.

Mary Simson, of Thomas & Elizabeth, born 26 Dec., 1700, & bapt. 26 July, 1702.

Thomas Simson and Elizabeth parents of Sarah Simson daughter, born 12 March, 1703,and bapt. 5 June, 1704.

John son of Thomas and Elizabeth Simson, b. 21 Dec., 1707, bapt. 08 Aug., 1708.

Thomas Simson buried 14 May., 1709.

Francis Day and Elizabeth Simson married 16 Nov., 1710.

Francis Stimson, son of Richard Stimson and Rebecca, bapt., 1 March, 1721/2.

[The baptism of Richard & Rebecca’s son, Francis Simpson, was recorded twice.]

[NOTE: Francis Pierpoint was a brother of Elizabeth (Pierpoint) Simpson and his and Elizabeth’s were apparently adult baptisms. They, being from a Quaker family, had probably not had infant baptism in the Anglican church. For a discussion of the Pierpoint family see near the end of this article.]

The Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland show that on 8 Aug., 1709, Elisabeth Simpson posted bond as administratrix of Thomas Simpson, deceased, with surety by James Lewis & Amos Pierpoint. The same under date of 5 Aug., 1710, shows that the accounts of Elisabeth Simpson, administratrix of Thomas Simpson were exhibited in the Court. [Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland, vol. XI, p. 181, & vol. XIII, p.51, by V. L. Skinner, Jr.]

Anne Arundel County Deed Book PK, p. 414, as abstracted in Abstracts of Land Records, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, vol. III, edited by Rosemary B. Dodd, Patricia M. Bausell, has “Eliz. Simpson, widow, and Amos Pairpoint, Anne Arundel Co., planter, are firmly bound to Amos Simpson, Richd. Simpson, Rachell Simpson, Mary Simpson, Sarah Simpson, and John Simpson, orphans of Thomas Simpson, late of Anne Arundel Co., deceased, in sum of £38.08.03. Dated 15 Aug., 1711. The condition is that they are to receive payment when they come of age respectively. Signed Eliz. (X) Simpson, Amos Pearpoint. Witnessed by Char. Kilburn, John Teak.” There may be an error in dating this record and perhaps should be 15 Aug., 1710, since in Nov., 1710, Elizabeth was married to Francis Day.

2. The Children.
A. John Simpson [1st], b. 11 Feb., 1687/8; buried 30 April, 1700.

B. Amos Simpson, b. 09 Dec., 1690; d. about 1748; married 1st 24 April, 1716, at All Hallows Parish, Elizabeth Duval; married 2nd by 1725, Levina Reynolds, daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth Reynolds.

The record mentioned above listing the orphan children of Thomas & Elizabeth Simpson indicates that at the time of that record (15 Aug., 1710?) Amos was still not “of age,” i.e. still not 21 years old. This would suggest that he was born after 1688 at the earliest, and possibly no earlier than 1690 if that record was actually made in Aug.,1711. If born in 1690 he would have been about 25 when married to his first wife.

Some authors have claimed that Amos’ first wife, Elizabeth Duval, was the Elizabeth (Jones) Duval, widow of John Duval. [see for instance Donna Valley Russell’s “First Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 1649 - 1658, vol 2: The Headrights,” where on page 42 she states that John Duvall, the son of Maureen Duvall, was married to Elizabeth Jones, daughter of William Jones of South River, and that Elizabeth married second on 24 April, 1716, Amos Simpson. In the same work on page 83, Donna states that William Jones sold on 17 August, 1689, to “John and [daughter] Elizabeth Duvall a tract of land between South and Severn Rivers.”] If John Duval & Elizabeth Jones were already married by 1689, then Elizabeth must have been at least 18 years old (born ca. 1661) and may have been older. She would have been at least 55 years old when married to Amos Simpson and it seems unlikely she could have been the same Elizabeth Duval who married Amos Simpson. However, lacking any evidence of Elizabeth’s age the Elizabeth Duval who married Amos Simpson remains an uncertainty.

Among the deed records of Anne Arundel County there is one dated 02 April, 1725, & recorded 13 May, 1725, from Thomas E. Reynolds & wife, Eliza Reynolds, of Anne Arundel County to “our loving son-in-law Amos Simpson and loving daughter Levina Simpson” of the said county. This was for a two hundred & ten acre tract called “Amoses Choice,” taken out of an eight hundred thirty acre tract called “Food Plenty.”

In Abstracts of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court, Libers 37 - 47, 1748 -1751, by V. L. Skinner, Jr., on page 24 is listed an inventory for the Estate of Amos Symson of Anne Arundel County, made Dec. 17, 1748, & filed with the Court, Dec., 19, 1748, by the Administrator, Amos Simpson [Jr.], and mentioning Thomas Sympson, Charles Sympson, Lydia Stringer, & D. Dulany attorney for Mr. William Hunt. Mr. Hunt was a merchant in the local Village of Londontown on the South River.

C. Richard Simpson, b. 28 Feb., 1692/3; d. 1762, Anne Arundel Co., MD; & was married to Rebecca, probably ca. 1715. There is some reason to think that Rebecca was the Rebecca Gaither, b. 24 May, 1695, Anne Arundel Co., daughter of John & Ruth Gaither, however that is not yet proven. I do not yet find any marriage record for Richard though his death is recorded in All Hallows Parish Register.

Richard & Rebecca had several children some of whom later moved to Frederick County, Maryland and lived in the eastern part of that county near Libertytown.

D. Rachel Simpson, b. 27 March, 1696.

E. Mary Simpson, b. 26 Dec., 1700, chr. 05 Jan., 1702; married 08 Nov., 1723, to John Pierce.

F. Sarah Simpson, b. 12 March, 1703, chr. 05 June, 1704; married probably ca. 1722 to Gilbert Pattison.

G. John Simpson, b. 21 Dec., 1707, chr. 08 Aug., 1708; All Hallows Parish Register has the following: “John Sympson and Isabelle Rawlings, married 11 Nov., 1730.”

The records of St Margaret’s, the parish church of Westminster Parish, Anne Arundel County, has the following: “ John Stimpson and Elizabeth Raulings, married 11 Nov., 1730.” Also at St. Margarets were recorded the following. “ John Stimpson and Elizabeth, parents of; John Stimson, son, b. 11 June, 1732; Elizabeth Stimpson, daughter, b. 11 Nov., 1734; Elianer Stimpson, daughter, b. 5 April, 1736; Francis Stimpson, son, b. 25 Nov., 1742; Sarah Stimpson, daughter, b. 2 Nov., 1745; Thomas Stimpson, son, b. 20 Feb., 1739. Thomas Stimpson (of John and Elizabeth) d. 8 Jan., 1745. John Stimpson, d. 12 March, 1752.

[Elizabeth was born 30 Sept., 1713, the daughter of John & Eleanor (Ridgely) Rawlings of Anne Arundel Co.]

The Pierpoint Family.

Proof that Elizabeth (Pierpoint) Simpson was a daughter of Henry & Elizabeth Pierpoint is found in the will of her brother, Jabez Pierpoint, of Baltimore County. Jabez made his will on Oct. 1, 1720, and it was probated 24 April, 1721. In it he mentioned his sisters including “Eliza Dea, Mary Davis & Sarah Warfield.” After the death of Thomas Simpson, his widow, Elizabeth (Pierpoint) Simpson, was married in 1710 to Francis Day. Added evidence is seen in the records of Thomas Simpson’s estate in which Amos Pierpoint was one of the sureties for Elizabeth’s bond of administration. Also as stated above, Elizabeth Simpson, widow, and Amos Pierpoint, planter, gave bond to guarantee payment to the children when they would come of age.

Henry Pierpoint & wife, Elizabeth, with five children, arrived in Maryland in 1685, probably from Isle of Wight County, Virginia. A listing of the children of Henry & Elizabeth Pierpoint is given in Robert Barnes’ “Baltimore County Families,” p. 507, & is based on a chart in the Maryland Historical Society compiled by a Mr. Stickney. They were: Amos, d. 1718 s.p.; Jabez, d. 1721 s.p.; Moses; Elizabeth, m. 1st Thomas Simson & 2nd Francis Day; Hannah, b. by 1655; Charles, b. c. 1680; Francis, d. s.p. having m. Elizabeth Mitchell; Mary, m. Thomas Davis; Sarah, m. Alexander Warfield.

Thomas & Sarah (Maberry) Simpson of Fayette County, Indiana

2009-09-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

Family & Descendants of Thomas & Sarah (Maberry) Simpson of Fayette County, Indiana
July, 2009 – by Don Simpson

Preface

A proper scholarly account should give footnoted documentary support for all claims. It has not been possible due to limits of available time to do that in this present treatment. Therefore the reader is cautioned to be aware that the data below has only occasional source citations. Time constraints prevent checking all sources of data, therefore the following surely must contain some error: caveat emptor, let the buyer (or in this case reader) beware! The information is drawn from the usual sources for genealogy and for the experienced researcher should be apparent without citation. Most of those sources were the federal censuses, the published abstracts of county marriage records, published cemetery records and such. In addition I have in some cases, copied data from “Family Trees” on Ancestry.com and the reader is probably aware that much in that source is not to be trusted for accuracy. Even so, some of those trees seem to be more trustworthy than the usual and contain good data that can be helpful and speed the process of finding records of individuals & families.

Some of the families below have been relatively easy to document while others have required much searching and have been the source of much frustration. In some cases the census records of a family do not agree from one census to another and cause great uncertainty even when supplemented by other records. In other cases the vital & tombstone records are problematic. Despite all these, the descendants of this couple have generally left a host of good records that help in documenting their family history. This treatment does not attempt to find or recount all such records and hopefully some of the readers will have additional records that they will be willing to share. The author would appreciate receiving suggestions, corrections or additions to the following but be aware it may not be possible to post corrections or revisions with any promptness: I do work on many other genealogy projects unrelated to these people.

Origins.

Research to determine the origin and ancestry of Thomas Simpson, Sr., of early Fayette County, Indiana, has so far been unsuccessful. Evidence so far gathered is contradictory and of questionable accuracy. Nevertheless, certain pieces of information seem to be correct, in particular the identity of his wife and her origin, though her parentage is not certain.

Thomas was married to Sarah Maberry (or Mabry) about 1793, though no marriage record is known nor the location where the marriage took place. One possibility is that it may have occurred in central or western North Carolina where some of the early marriage bonds have been lost. Discussion of Sarah’s possible origin and family are in a separate Maberry report (below).

Evidence for the origin of Thomas is taken from the 1880 census entries for their surviving children and from published biographical sketches of some descendants. Most of these sources agree that Sarah was born in Virginia (a few say North Carolina), but disagree as to Thomas’ birthplace. At least two of the children thought that Thomas was born in Maryland while at least two others thought he was born in Georgia. It is even possible that he was born in one of the Carolinas but it is not yet possible to be certain of any of these. It does appear that Dr. Solomon Simpson may have had a somewhat more detailed knowledge of his father’s origin, but his claim cannot yet be confirmed. He stated that his father was born in Georgia and that his grandfather had been a soldier in the American Revolution and had served under General Francis Marion. General Marion’s field of operation was in South Carolina where he resided, but since the force that he commanded was a kind of “Guerilla” force there are problems in trying to confirm service under his command. The mode of operation was for General Marion to call on volunteers to come to his command and after a battle or operation to disband, melting back into the countryside. Thus there were no known records or lists kept by the General or his officers. Later work by historians in South Carolina has resulted in lists of those for whom there are pay vouchers preserved at the state archive but those do not specifically state the command under whom the service was performed. Such lists that I have seen do not include any Simpson.

From the birthplaces of the children and from information in the biographical sketches of two sons, it appears that Thomas & Sarah were resident in North Carolina about 1794, then were in Tennessee for several years, then arrived in the southwest corner of Ohio about 1804 or 1805. From there they moved into what is now Jennings Township of Fayette County, Indiana, in about 1809. Fayette County was not created until 1819 so that the earlier records of them such as the marriages of the children, are found in the parent counties even though they probably occurred in what later was Fayette County. When they first moved into now Fayette County they were then in old Dearborne County which has lost some of it’s earliest records, especially the earliest land records. In 1811 Franklin County was created and they would have been in that county until 1819 when Fayette County was created. They did not move from the original farm in Jennings Township, but the county boundaries were changed by creation of new counties and that accounts for their appearance in records of those counties.

Thomas was buried in Little Simpson Cemetery in Jennings Township, Fayette County as are several of his descendants & their spouses. While there is no listing of a tombstone for Sarah she is probably also buried there. The published record of that cemetery is in “Old Cemeteries, Fayette County, Indiana,” by the Indian Hill Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists, Connersville, Indiana [no publication date]. The record for him is: “Simpson, Thomas, First Settler on Simpson Creek Age 74 y, 13 da., 2-5-1848.”

The Children & their Families.

1. Tabitha (Simpson) Dawson.

The censuses of 1850, 1860 & 1870 are consistent in all listing Tabitha’s birthplace as North Carolina. Her tombstone in Whiteneck Cemetery, Pleasant Township, Grant County, Indiana, has “died Nov 26, 1874, age 80 years, 10 months, 22 days.” From that a birth date of 04 Jan., 1794, is calculated. She was married 26 March, 1818, to William Dawson. Since Fayette County, Indiana, was not created until 1819, the part they were resident in was still part of Franklin County and the marriage was recorded there.

At the 1820 census they were listed resident in Old Brownsville [now Waterloo] Township of Fayette County. Waterloo Township adjoins Jennings Township on the north and they were probably only a short distance from the farm of Thomas & Sarah (Maberry) Simpson which was in Jennings Twp.

A biographical sketch of their grandson, Isaiah Dawson, indicates that William & Tabitha were in Wayne County in 1826 when their son (Isaiah’s father), Nathan Dawson, was born. By the 1830 census they were in Rush County, Indiana, and sometime before 1840 they moved on to Grant County, Indiana.

William died in 1844 and is buried in Whiteneck Cemetery, Pleasant Township, Grant County, Indiana. Tabitha was listed in that township on the censuses of 1850, 1860 & 1870. At the 1870 census she was listed in the household of her son, John A. Dawson, but the biographical sketch of Isaiah states she died at the home of son, Nathan Dawson. Tabitha is also buried in Whiteneck Cemetery in Grant County. The cemetery listing is found in a DAR publication on Inidana Cemeteries and is on FHL microfilm #849,923.

The children of William & Tabitha Dawson, as known to me at present, were: Thomas, b. ca. 1819; Henry, b. ca. 1821; Garrison, b. ca. 1823; William, b. ca. 1825; Nathan, b. ca. 1827; Sarah Jane, b. probably ca. 1929; John A., b. ca. 1831; & Margaret, b. ca. 1836.

2. Nathaniel Simpson.

There are still several gaps in our knowledge of the family of Nathaniel & Morning (Ramsey) Simpson. Nathaniel was married in 1817 to Morning Ramsey and the marriage was recorded in Franklin County, Indiana, though it probably occurred in what is now Fayette County. The creation of Fayette County in 1819 was mostly out of old Franklin County with some out of old Wayne County. Marriages performed in what is now Fayette County in 1817 would have been recorded in one of the parent counties; in this case Franklin County. On the 1850 census Nathaniel was listed as age 57 but it seems more likely he was about age 55. That census entry has his birthplace as Indiana which is surely not so, and evidence from the census records of his children is conflicting and uncertain. Since Nathaniel’s sister, Tabitha, was recorded on three censuses as born in North Carolina, it is possible Nathaniel could have been born there also or perhaps in Tennessee.

Nathaniel & family were on the 1820 census in Delaware County, Indiana, and at the 1830 census in Shelby County, Indiana. Their location at the 1840 census was probably somewhere in Missouri but they have not been found yet on that census. At the 1850 census Nathaniel was living with a daughter & son-in-law in Atchison County, Missouri. Based on the listing of neighbors it appears they were probably in the northern part of Holt Township near the Iowa line. Nathaniel has not yet been found on later censuses nor on any death or cemetery record. Nothing is known to me about the death or burial of his wife, Morning (Ramsey) Simpson.

The children of Nathaniel & Morning known to me at present were: Thomas R., b. 15 May, 1820; Elizabeth, b. ca. 1822; Maria, b. ca. 1824; George W., b. 08 Feb., 1830; Nathan Powell, b. 28 April, 1832; Jesse Franklin, b. 28 April, 1834; John Keeny, b. ca. 1837; & Joshua, b. ca. 1839. In addition, several listings on Ancestry.com include three daughters, Ermilla, b. 1818; Sarah, b. 1818; & Sabetha Ann, b. ca. 1828, but for these three I have seen no record whatsoever. Nathan P. & Elizabeth remained in Atchison Co., MO, while the others moved elsewhere, Thomas R. & George W. to Bates Co., MO, Maria, Jesse F. & John K. to California, and Joshua I have not been able to trace. The middle names for Jesse and John are taken from the “Great Register of Voters” of San Joaquin County, California [FHL film #977,281].

2a. Thomas R. Simpson.

Thomas R. & wife, Casandra (Fulton) Simpson, had at least 8 children based on census records. Thomas & Casandra are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Bates County, Missouri. Their children (as known to me at present) were: Cynthia Caroline, b. ca. 1841; Elvira, b. ca. 1846; Thomas C., b. ca. 1852; Sophia E., b. ca. 1854; James N., b. ca. 1857; Jefferson Davis, b. ca. 1861; Danna, b. ca. 1863; & Lee P., b. ca. 1868.

2b. Elizabeth Simpson.

Elizabeth was married in Missouri probably about 1842 (no marriage record known to me) to Samuel Clevenger. At the 1850 census they were in Atchison County, Missouri, Samuel as age 34, born MO, a teamster, and Elizabeth, age 26, b. IN. Living with them was Elizabeth’s father, “Nathan Simpson,” age 57, b. IN (sic., should probably be NC), also a teamster, and his younger Simpson children. That census lists two children for Samuel & Elizabeth Clevenger, a daughter, age 7, whose name is uncertain, and a son, George W., age 3, both born in MO. The 1860 census lists Samuel Clevenger as living with Benjamin & Maria (Simpson) Fugitt in San Joaquin Co., CA, but I have not found any listing of Elizabeth or the children. Nothing more is known to me about this family.

2c. Maria Simpson.

Maria was married in Atchison Co., MO, on 08 April, 1847, to Benjamin Fugitt. The 1850 census shows that their daughter Emily was born about 1848 in Missouri and daughter Elizabeth about July 1850 in Nebraska Territory. By 28 Sept., 1850, they were recorded on the census living at Diamond Spring, El Dorado County, California. Living with them was Maria’s brother, Jesse F. Simpson, age 16 (see below). Benjamin & Maria were listed on the 1860 census in Elkhorn Township of San Joaquin County, CA, and on the 1870 census in Liberty Twp., San Joaquin Co. I have not found them on the 1880 census though their son, John Fugitt, was listed then still in Liberty Twp. The children of Benjamin & Maria that are known to me at present were: Emily J., b. ca. 1848 in MO; Elizabeth, b. ca. July, 1850 in Nebraska Territory; Mary, b. ca. 1852 in CA; & John, b. ca. 1854 in CA.

2d. George W. Simpson

George was married first on 20 Jan., 1850, in Atchison County, MO, to Caroline Kinder and they had 4 children: Sarah, b. ca. 1851; Mary, b. ca. 1852; Benjamin, b. ca. 1854; & Nathaniel, b. ca. 1856. Caroline died about 1857 and George W. married second on 23 Feb., 1858, in Atchison County to Malinda Chapman. George & Malinda moved to Bates County where they had two sons, Thomas Benton Simpson, b. ca. 1859, and John Albert Simpson, b. ca. 1861. George & Malinda may have moved, shortly after the birth of John Albert, to Nemaha Count, Nebraska. When George enlisted in the Kansas Cavalry unit in July, 1863, the record says he was a resident of Brownsville, Nebraska.

George W. Simpson served during the Civil War as a private in Company G, 2nd Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Cavalry (Union). That regiment was mainly active in the area of northwestern Arkansas and northeastern Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). His service record says he “died of disease at Fayetteville, Arkansas” on 23 Nov., 1863. After George’s death Malinda married Ira Parker and lived in Nemaha County, Nebraska. At the 1870 census their household included her two Simpson boys, Thomas B. & John A. Simpson. Malinda Parker, later applied for a pension based on George’s service and as guardian of his children. I do not know what happened to the children of George’s first marriage.

2e. Nathan Powell Simpson was married in Atchison Co., MO, on 8 Jan., 1851, to Margaret B. Martin. They were listed on the censuses of 1860 through 1900 living in Polk Township of Atchison County. Most of their children remained in that area or in adjacent parts of Iowa and are buried in Cemeteries there. Nathan died 17 Feb., 1907, and Margaret on 3 May, 1904. Both are buried in Grange Hall Cemetery in Polk Twp., Atchison Co. Combining census and cemetery records it is possible to compile a list of the children in this family. Also, there is an excellent listing of the family by an anonymous contributor in “One World Tree” on Ancestry.com. That source has much data on the families of the children. It does err in listing David R. Simpson as a son when he was actually a grandson and son of George R. & Julia (Milsap) Simpson.

The children as known to me at present were: Francis Maria, b. 26 Dec., 1851, d. 01 Aug., 1906, buried in Grange Hall Cem.; Nathan Thomas, b. 30 Jan., 1853, d. 25 Oct., 1929, bur. Grange Hall Cem.; Marshall (known only from the listing on Ancestry), b. 25 July, 1854, d. 25 July, 1854; William Huston (also known only from the Ancestry listing), b. 26 July, 1855; George R., b. Jan., 1857 (at the 1910 census, George R., age 52, was living in Thayer Co., Nebraska, with his widowed daughter-in-law, Anna, widow of David R, and grandson, George, age10 months); Mary Catharine, b. Nov., 1859, d. June, 1919, buried Grange Hall Cem.; Jeanette B., b. 24 May, 1862, d. 1 Jan., 1936, in Page Co., Iowa; John Henry, b. 08 Dec., 1863, d. 30 March, 1934, in Freemont Co., Iowa; Susan Retta, b. 8 Nov., 1865, d. 20 Nov., 1952, bur. Grange Hall Cem.; Elnora, b. 10 Nov., 1867, d. 21 Nov., 1891; Charles M., b. 22 Dec., 1869, d. 4 Nov., 1941, Freemont Co., Iowa; Magetia (Maggie), b. 4 Jan., 1872, d. 28 April, 1882, bur. Grange Hall Cem.; James Albert, b. 24 March, 1874, d. 23 June, 1850, buried High Creek Cemetery, Polk Twp., Atchison Co., MO; Jessie Joseph, b. Dec., 1877, d. 11 April, 1939, Johnson Co., Iowa.

2f. Jesse Franklin Simpson was listed in his father’s household in Atchison Co., MO, when the census taker visited them on 26 Aug., 1850, though he may have already left home to join his sister & brother-in-law, Benjamin & Maria (Simpson) Fugitt on their trip to California. Jesse F. was listed again on the 1850 census on 28 September when the census taker in Diamond Springs, El Dorado County, California, visited the household of Benjamin & Maria (Simpson) Fugitt and listed him living with them. Benjamin & Jesse were listed with occupation as miners and since this area was part of the goldfields it is likely they had joined the Gold Rush to California and perhaps made the trip overland between July & the end of September.

Jesse was married in San Joaquin County, California, in 1854 to Sarah Jane Thompson, daughter of Bernard & Clarisa (Herriman) Thompson. At the 1860 census they were in Elkhorn Township of San Joaquin County and by 1870 they were living in the town of Stockton. On the 1880 census they were living in Jackson County, Oregon. There are several pedigrees in Family Files on Ancestry.com that include Jesse and most give his death as 1880 but that is probably because that is the last federal census that lists him. Jesse is mentioned in Jackson County Court records as having attended court in 1888 and was then living about two miles from the Jacksonville courthouse. I have seen no record of him after that date and it is likely he died between 1888 & 1900.

2g. John Keeny Simpson was married in San Joaquin County on 7 Nov., 1859, to Roxana Clark. On the 1860 census John K. & Roxana were living in Elkhorn Township, he was listed as age 23, born in Missouri, she as age 16, born New York. At the 1870 census John & family were still in San Joaquin County and John was listed as age 38, born Missouri. His wife was listed as Rosanna, age 31, also born Missouri. Presumably the ages on the 1870 census are wrong and Roxanna was there written as Rosanna. Their children on the 1870 census were Milton H., age 9; Lucy A., age 6; Maria, age 4; & Eliza, age 2, all born in California.

John is listed on the San Joaquin County Great Register where each years entry gives his full name, birthplace (Missouri) and residence within the county. The great registers for this county are preserved and available on microfilm from 1867 to 1898 with some years missing. Beginning in 1867 & up through 1877 he is listed in Liberty Township, then in 1880 he was in the Village of Acampo which is located just north of Lodi. By 1888 he was in Stockton and on the 1890 register he was no longer listed. The county death register [FHL film #1,845,025] lists the death on 13 Sept., 1890, of a John Simpson, age 55, male, married, “nativity unknown;” cause of death - accidentally run over; reported by Dr. Wm. S. Reade, Coroner. I think this is probably for John Keeny Simpson even though the age is about nine years too young.

2h. So far I have no information on what happened to Nathaniel & Morning’s youngest son, Joshua Simpson. He was listed on the 1850 census as age 10, born MO, in the household of his father in Atchison Co., MO.

3. Joshua Simpson (son of Thomas & Sarah Simpson).

Joshua was born about 1797 in Tennessee and died in 1845 in Wabash County, Indiana. He was married on 5 Aug., 1819, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Betsy Martin, b. ca. 1798 in Kentucky, d. 29 Sept., 1875, and is buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Chester Township, Wabash Co., Indiana. Sometime between 1830 & 1840 Joshua & Betsy moved from Wayne County to Wabash County settling in Chester Township.

After Joshua’s death, Betsy married second on 28 March, 1850, in Wabash County to George N. Neff. George & Betsy continued to live in Chester Twp. of Wabash County where they were listed on the censuses of 1850, 1860 &1870. Betsy was past childbearing age when married to George and all his Neff children were by his first wife.

The known children of Joshua & Betsy (Martin) Simpson were: Jesse H., b. ca. 1820; Aaron M. b. 18 Sept., 1822; George W., b. ca. 1825; James C., b. ca. 1827; Andrew H., b. ca. 1830; Rebecca A., b. ca. 1832; Sophronia H. b. 20 July, 1834; & Louisa, b. ca. 1836.

3a. Jesse H. Simpson was married on 7 April, 1847, in Whitley Co., IN, to Ann M., whose maiden surname is not known to me. Ann was a widow with three Swihart children, the two oldest having been born in Ohio, the youngest in Indiana. Sometime after 1853 Jesse & Ann moved to Iowa. They were listed on the Iowa State Census of 1856 living in Jefferson County, and were still in Iowa when their daughter, Frances T., was born in about Dec., 1859 or Jan., 1860. However, by July, 1860, they were living in Champaign County, Illinois, where they were listed on the US census living in the Village of Tolomo. They were still in that village at the 1870 & 1880 censuses. Jesse & Ann’s children based on the censuses of 1850 through 1880 were: Herbert E., b. ca. 1848; Willis P., b. ca. 1852; Jessie A. (female), b. ca. 1854; Frances T. (female), b. 1859 or 1860; & Lizzie T., b. ca. 1863.

3b. Aaron M. Simpson, b. 18 Sept., 1821, Wayne County, IN, d. 5 Aug., 1896, probably in Monroe Twp. of Kosciusko County, IN. He was married 14 Oct., 1849, in Wabash Co., IN, to Ann M. Hagmire or Hogmire, b. 10 Feb., 1823, in Maryland, d. 10 Jan., 1883. At the 1850 census Aaron & Ann were listed adjacent the household of his mother & step-father in Wabash County. On the censuses of 1860 through 1880 they were listed in Monroe Township of Kosciusko County. The “Combination Atlas Map of Kosciusko County,” published in 1879 by Kingman Brothers has a short biographical sketch of Aaron which stated that he was the first Justice of the Peace in Monroe Township. It also stated that he & Ann had been parents of five children of whom only one, daughter Olive, was still living (1879). The listing of their children is taken from census and cemetery records. They were: Irena, b. 7 Jan., 1851, d. 10 Feb 1860; Daniel J. Simpson, b.17 Feb., 1852, d. 18 Jan., 1876; Amelia B., b. 8 Feb., 1854, d. 22 Feb., 1860; infant daughter, b. & d. unknown; & Olive Prudence, b. ca. 1863. Though all this family probably died on their farm in Monroe Township, Kosciusko County, they are all buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Chester Township of Wabash County, Indiana.

3c. George W. Simpson was born ca. 1825, and was married on 17 Jan., 1847, in Wabash County to Caroline Johnson. On the 1850 census George & Caroline were listed in Wabash County adjacent his brothers Aaron and Jesse H. At the 1860 census they were living in Washington Township of Chickasaw County, Iowa. I have not found this family on the 1870 census but by the 1880 census they were in Beloit Township of Mitchell County, Kansas. I have not found record of this family after the 1880 census.

The children as listed on the censuses of 1850, 1860 & 1880 were: Amanda, b. late 1847; Ellen, b. 1849; Mary, b. ca. 1851; Sophronia, b. ca. 1853; Henry, b. ca. 1855; Betsy, b. ca. 1857; Ida, b. ca. 1861; Ernest, b. ca. 1863; William, b. ca. 1866; Herbert, b. ca. 1868; Katie, b. ca. 1873; & Hattie, b. ca. 1875.

3d. James C. Simpson was born ca. 1827, and was married on 6 Oct., 1851, in Wabash County to Martha Ann Hall. On the 1860 census they were living in Jenkins Township of Mitchell County, Iowa, and on the 1870 were in Ellis Township of Hardin County, Iowa. By 1880 they were living in Plum Creek Township of Mitchell County, Kansas. I do not have record of them after the 1880 census

The known children of James & Martha were: Elizabeth, b. ca. 1852; Susan, b. ca. 1854; Henry, b. ca. 1856; Sarah, b. ca. 1857; Joshua, b. ca. 1859; Andrew, b. ca. 1861; George, b. ca. 1863; John, b. ca. 1868; & Louisa, b. 1870.

3e. Andrew H. Simpson and his family have been the most difficult and confusing of all this Simpson clan to assemble, and there is much uncertainty in the following account. The reader should use it with caution. Andrew was born ca. 1831, and was married to his first wife, Nancy Darrow, daughter of James & Mary Darrow, on 19 Oct., 1851, in Wabash Co., IN. It is certain, based mostly on tombstone data, that they had the following children: Jane, b. 22 Aug., 1852, d. 6 April, 1871; Mary, b. ca. 1854 [based on age at 1860 census; no tombstone known]; Jasper, b. 13 April, 1856, d. 8 Feb., 1870; Newton, b. 17 April, 1858, d. 2 Dec., 1876; George, b. 23 Nov., 18?? [probably 1860; see below], d. 2 June, 1862. The transcription of the tombstone data for George is “George, son of A. H. & N. Simpson died June 2, 1862, age (3)-6-9.” The placing of 3 in parenthesis seems to indicate uncertainty in reading and probably should have been 2 (see discussion below of the 1860 census. These children, excepting Mary, are all buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana. The recording of this cemetery is published in “Cemetery Records for Pleasant, Chester and Paw Paw Townships, Wabash County, Indiana,” compiled by Lester H. Binnie, 1970. Additional children of Andrew H. who were probably by Nancy were: Mary, b. ca. 1863; Ida, b. ca. 1866; Arthur, b. ca. 1867, d. 1920, Mitchell Co., KS; & Eva, b. ca. April, 1870.

This family was still in Wabash Co. at the 1860 census living next to Andrew’s mother & step-father, George & Betsy (Martin, Simpson) Neff, but the census entry is confused, listing Andrew as “Alonzo H. Simpson,” and his wife as “Eliza.” The children listed there are: Jane, age 8, Mary, age 6, Jasper, age 4, & Newton, age 2. George is not listed there and was probably born after the census was taken; presumably on 23 Nov., 1860. If the wife in this household was Nancy then there were additional children but if she was a second wife named Elizabeth then the children born after 1860 were her’s. Evidence that she was Nancy is the tombstone for son, George which says he was a “son of A.H. & N. Simpson.”

Some researchers on the Darrow family have listed on Ancestry.com that Nancy died 10 May, 1871, in Wabash County though I have not seen any record to confirm that. The 1870 census, taken on 21 July, adds to the uncertainty by listing the children without the parents and in listing all persons by initial rather than by name. These children were still living next to Andrew’s mother & step-father; the same location as at the 1860 census. The listing there was: “Simson,” J[ane]., female, age 18; N(should be M[ary], female, age 16; M(should be N[ewton], male, age 12; M[ary again?], female, age 7; I[da], female, age 5; A[rthur], male, age 3; & E[va], female, age 4/12.

I at first thought that the first Mary may actually have been the Mariah Simpson who was married to Louis Signs on 19 Oct., 1875, in Wabash County. This couple were listed living in North Manchester, a village in Chester Township, at the 1880, 1900 & 1910 censuses. However, a biographical sketch of Lewis Signs in a history of Wabash County states that his wife, Mariah was a daughter of a Richard Simpson. On the 1880 census Mariah indicated her father was born Ohio and on the 1900 that he was born Maine. Thus it is clear she was not a daughter of Andrew H. Simpson.

Andrew was married again on 19 Dec., 1871, in Wabash County to Mary L. Butler. Their children (as known to me at present) were: Fanny G., b. ca. 1872; Nellie M. [listed on the 1900 census as Hellen M., b. Aug., 1876], b. ca. 1876; & a daughter [listed on the 1880 census as unnamed baby (female), but on the 1900 census as “Mary A, daughter, b. April, 1877"] b. ca. 1877. It is unlikely that Andrew would have had more than one daughter named Mary living at the same time (even if by separate wives) so there may be much error in the listing of the children on the census records.

At the 1900 census Andrew, his last wife, & two daughters were listed in Beloit Township of Mitchell County, Kansas. Andrew’s second (or third ?) wife, Mary (Butler) Simpson, died 21 March, 1884, and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Beloit, Mitchell Co., KS. Andrew was married in Mitchell County to his last wife, Lydia Rickard, on 8 Oct., 1885. Andrew died there on 22 Dec., 1904, and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

3f. Rebecca A. Simpson was born 15 March, 1832, & died 12 March, 1877. She was married in Wabash Co. on 5 Nov., 1856, to Cornelius McPherson (b. 10 Sept., 1831, d. 28 Jan., 1886). One source on Ancestry.com seems to indicate that both were buried in Spring Creek Cemetery in Kosciusko County. Birth & death dates are copied from “Wise Roots” in Family Trees on Ancestry.com.

The children of Cornelius & Rebecca McPherson as shown on census records were: Samuel, b. ca. 1857; Mary E., b. ca. 1860; Emma R., b. ca. 1862; Oliver M., b. ca 1864; George W., b. ca. 1866; Isaac C., b. ca. 1868; Harriet, b. ca. 1870; Heber N., b. ca. 1872; & Anna L., b. ca. 1876.

3g. Sophronia H. Simpson was born 20 July, 1834 & died 23 May, 1856. She was buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Chester Township of Wabash County, Indiana. The birth date is calculated from the age at death as given on the tombstone.

3h. Louisa Simpson was born 24 Aug., 1836, and died 5 Aug., 1910, in Kosciusko County. She was married in Wabash County on 5 March, 1854, to Nelson B. Norris. Nelson & Louisa were on the censuses on 1860, 1870, &1880 in Monroe Township of Kosciusko County. At the 1900 census Louisa, a widow, was living in the town of Pierceton in Kosciusko County.

Based on census data, Nelson & Louisa Norris had the following children: Alice V., b. ca. 1855; Sophronia E., b. ca. 1857; Edgar W., b. ca. 1860; Jenny A., b. ca. 1864; Anna M., b. ca. 1866; & James W., b. ca. 1868.

4. Thomas Simpson, Jr.

A biographical sketch of Thomas & family was included in “History of Fayette County, Indiana,” published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, in 1885. In it he is called “Maj. Thomas Simpson, retired, Waterloo Township,” and his birth was given as 20 June, 1800, in Tennessee. It further states that he was married 2 Aug., 1826, to Joanna S. White, daughter of Joseph & Mary (Heaton) White. It does not say where they were married and I have not located that marriage record.

Thomas & Joanna are buried in Springersville Cemetery in Waterloo Township, Fayette County. From the data on their tombstones their births & deaths are: Thomas b. 20 June, 1800, d. 27 Aug., 1887; & Joanna, b. 2 Dec., 1805, d. 2 Jan., 1896. That cemetery record is published in “Old Cemeteries, Fayette County, Indiana.”

They were listed on the censuses in Fayette County from 1830 through 1880. On the 1880 census the birthplace of Thomas is given as Tennessee, for his father “born Maryland” & mother “born Virginia.” This agrees with the account in the biographical sketch in so far as the birthplace of the father but for the mother he there gave North Carolina. For Joanna it gives birthplace as Ohio, her father born Maryland, & mother born Pennsylvania.

The biographical sketch says that Thomas & Joanna were parents of eight children, “Three of them are now (1885) living: Nancy F. Thompson, Elizabeth W. Cris, and Mira M. Smalley. The deceased are Sarah E., Mary H., Cynthia A., Amanda M. and Salome.” The children’s data as known to me at present is based mostly on census, marriage & cemetery records and is as follows.

4a. Nancy F., b. ca. 1827, married 10 Sept., 1850, Fayette Co., to G. C. W. Thompson.

4b. Sarah E., b. ca. 1829, married 26 Aug., 1849, Fayette Co., to Oliver H. Fullen, probably died between 1850 & 1860, Hendricks Co., Indiana.

4c. Mary H., b. 29 Aug., 1834, died 15 Oct., 1868, buried in Springersville Cem., married 7 Oct., 1860, Fayette Co., to John H. Schriver [Schriber on marriage, but Schriver on censuses].

4d. Elizabeth W., b. ca. 1837, married 27 Dec., 1855, Fayette Co., to John M. Christ.

4e. Cynthia A., b. ca. 1839.

4f. Amanda M., b. unknown, probably died before the 1850 census.

4g. Mira M., b. 1844, d. 1927, buried in Springersville Cem., married 11 Nov., 1862, Fayette Co., to Edward M. Smalley.

4h. Salome, b. unknown, probably died before the 1850 census.

5. William Simpson.

William was born 20 July, 1802, in Tennessee, and died in Fayette County, Indiana, on 7 Feb., 1883. He is buried in the Little Simpson Cemetery, Jennings Township, Fayette County. He was married first to Sarah Turner in Fayette County on 11 April, 1823. The marriage record gives her name as Sarah Sutton but the biographical sketch of their son, Francis M. Simpson, says she was Sarah Turner, daughter of Amos & Sarah Turner. No Amos Turner can be found that matches her parents but an Amos Sutton was listed on the 1820 census near Thomas Simpson in Jennings Township. Other elements of the sketch of Francis M. Simpson exhibit errors and it seems more likely his mother’s maiden name was Sutton rather than Turner. Sarah died 21 July, 1843, and is buried in the Little Simpson Cemetery. William was married second to Ada Gabia (or Galey?) in Fayette County on 3 Nov., 1844. Ada died 2 Oct., 1886, and is also buried in Little Simpson Cemetery.

William & Sarah had 8 known children; John J., b. 30 April, 1824, d. 9 Aug., 1865, Grant Co., IN; William J., b. ca. 1828; Benjamin F., b. 4 Jan., 1830, d. 20 Feb., 1906; Thomas M., b. ca. 1832, d. 16 Jan., 1865; Sarah J., b. 01 March, 1834, d. 6 May 1834 [1833 fide tombstone but that is unlikely]; Elizabeth, b. possibly ca. 1836?; George W., b. ca. 1838; & Francis Marion, b. 15 Sept., 1840.

William & his second wife, Ada (Gabia or Galey?) Simpson had seven known children: Henry C., b. 30 April, 1846; Joshua T., b. ca. 1847; Lydia Jane, b. ca. 1849; Sarah E., b. ca. 1853; Nancy, b. ca. 1859; Daniel, b. ca. 1861; & Oliver P. Morton Simpson, b. ca. 1863.

The children of William & Sarah.

5a. John J. Simpson was married in Wabash County on 5 Dec., 1848, to Phelinda Leach who was born ca. 1830 in Ohio. By the 1850 census they were back in Fayette County, but soon thereafter moved to Pleasant Twp., Grant County, & lived near the Dawson & Sutton relatives. John died in 1865 & is buried in the Whiteneck Cemetery in Pleasant Twp. By the 1870 census Phelinda and the three surviving children were living just a few miles further north in the village of Somerset in the southwest corner of Wabash County. In 1880 as Filenda Simpson she was in Noble Twp., Wabash County with son Francis, age 18, & a daughter, Mary, age 9 (?).

Based on census and cemetery records their children were: William, b. 3 March, 1857, d. 11 Sept., 1864, bur. Whiteneck Cem., Pleasant Twp., Grant Co., IN; Eliza Emeline, b. 13 April, 1858, d. 4 April, 1877, bur. Whiteneck Cem.; Ada, b. ca. 1860; Francis (male), b. ca. 1862; & T. Minnie, b. 9 March, 1863, d. 11 Sept., 1864, bur. Whiteneck Cem.

5b. William Jackson Simpson was married to Sarah Fiant on 16 Sept., 1849, in Fayette County. At the 1850 census they were living in Fayette County next to John & Elizabeth (Simpson) Honeus, and with them were two Fiant women, presumably Sarah’s relatives. At the 1860, 1870 & 1880 censuses they were resident in Ervin Township of Howard County, Indiana.

Their children based on the census records were: Elizabeth H. A., b. ca. 1851; Francis A. (male), b. ca. 1857; Sarah Ellen, b. ca. 1859; William H., b. ca. 1862; & Marion T., b. ca. 1808.

5c. Benjamin F. Simpson, b. 4 Jan., 1830, d. 20 Feb., 1906, is buried in Little Simpson Cemetery, Jennings Township. He was married 31 Aug., 1851, in Fayette County to Melinda Jane Strong, b. 22 Feb., 1831, d.19 Jan., 1899, buried in Little Simpson Cemetery.
There is a biographical sketch of Benjamin on page 316 of the History of Fayette County published by Beers in 1885 (cited above). It states he was the son of William Simpson and that “he was married, August 31, 1851, to Jane, daughter of Richard and Susanna Strong, after which he learned the plasterers’ trade, which in connection with farming, he has followed twenty six years.” It further stated that he had fifteen children “and those now living are Frank, Nancy, Susan, Emma, Charley, John, Thomas, Alvah, Vincent G., Josephine, Rosa. The deceased are Mary, William D., Henry A. and Alice.”

The children based on the listing in the sketch, census, and cemetery records are as follows. Franklin, b. abt 1852; J. A. (daughter), b. 29 Oct., 1853, d. 25 Sept., 1854, [known only from the tombstone listing but possibly the daughter named in the sketch as Mary (?) among the deceased children]; William D., b. 2 Jan., 1855, 16 Jan., 1857; Nancy, b. ca. 1856; Susan, b. ca. 1858; Henry A., b. 2 Dec., 1860, 11 March 1875; Emma, b. ca. 1862; Adda, b. 1 Feb., 1864, d. 26 Aug., 1864 [possibly the Alice mentioned in the sketch?]; Charles, b. ca. 1865; John, b. ca. 1867; Alva, b. ca. 1869; Thomas O., b. 1871, d. 1923; Vincent G., b. ca. 1873; Josephine, b. ca. 1875; & Rosa, b. ca. 1879.

5d. Thomas M. Simpson, b. 8 April, 1832, d. 16 Jan., 1865. These dates are from the listing by Jes Simpson in Ancestry.com. The biographical sketch for his brother, Francis Marion Simpson, said his Thomas M. Simpson died of disease contracted in the army.

5e. Sarah J. Simpson, b. 1 March, 1833, d. 6 May, 1833, buried in Little Simpson Cemetery; known only from the cemetery record.

5f. George W. Simpson, b. ca. 1838. The sketch for Francis Marion Simpson says that George W. died of disease contracted in the army.

5g. Francis Marion Simpson, b. 15 Sept., 1840, was married

The children of William & Ada.

5h. Henry C. Simpson was born 30 April, 1846, died 28 May, 1896, buried in Springersville Cemetery in Waterloo Township, Fayette County. He was married 21 Dec., 1867, in Fayette Co., to Narcissa S. Monger who was born 4 June, 1845, d. 17 Aug., 1887, also buried in Springersville Cem.

5i. Joshua T. Simpson, b. 1847, d. 1924, married on 3 Sept., 1868, Fayette County, to Mary Elizabeth Spitler. Further data on this couple & their descendants is to be found in Jes Simpson’s Family Tree on Ancestry.com.

5j. Lydia Jane Simpson
5k. Sarah E. Simpson
5l. Nancy Simpson
5m. Daniel Simpson
5n. Oliver P. Morton Simpson

6. Sarah (Simpson) Sutton.

Sarah was born about 1804 in Ohio. Her death date is uncertain. A listing of this family on Ancestry.com by Stacy Cox gives her death as 1883 but without location or source citation. She was married in Fayette County in 1823 to Platt Sutton who was born in Dauphin County, PA, in 1795, and died in Grant County, Indiana, in 1864. He is buried in the Prickett Cemetery in Pleasant Township, Grant County. Sarah’s place of death and burial is not yet known to me.

On the 1830 census Sarah was listed as head of household living in Fayette County, Indiana, but by the 1840 census Platt was listed as head of household and living in Grant County, Indiana. On the 1850 & 1860 censuses they were living in Pleasant Township of Grant County.

Sometime prior to the 1840 census Platt & Sarah moved to Grant County, Indiana where they settled in Pleasant Township not far from where Sarah’s sister, Tabitha (Simpson) Dawson was living. Platt received a patent for a quarter section of land in Pleasant Township in 1849 but they probably were living on it long before the date of the patent.

The children of Platt & Sarah (Simpson) Sutton as known to me at present were: Sarah Jane, b. abt 1832; Elizabeth, b. ca. 1834; Thomas, b. 04 April, 1836, d. 5 Dec., 1869; Electa, b. ca. 1838; William H., b. ca 1840; Jessie P., b. 11 Dec., 1842, d. 6 April, 1848; John, b. ca. 1843; Amanda, b. ca. 1847; Nancy J., b. ca. 1850; & Mary E., b. ca. 1852. There were probably about three of four other children born 1824 to 1830 for whom I have no information.

7. John Simpson was born about 1807 in Ohio & died 1866 in Montgomery County, Indiana. He was married in Franklin County, Indiana, on 16 Aug., 1828, to Mariah Bastion who was born ca. 1809 in New York. They were probably the couple listed as John Simpson on the 1830 census of Franklin County but by the 1840 census they were listed in Crawfordsville in Montgomery County, Indiana. On the 1850 & 1860 censuses they were listed in Union Township of Montgomery County.

John & Mariah had no children of their own but from the censuses it appears they raised other children. On the 1850 census their household included David Laughlin, age 10; Josiah Sampson, age 10; and Susan Sampson, age 8. On the 1860 census Mariah is listed as Mariah C. Simpson and in the household were Susan Sampson, age 18, and John H. Sampson, age 1 year. John Simpson left a will in Montgomery County made & probated in 1866 in which he named his wife as “Christie Ann Maria Simpson,” and adopted boy, John Henry Simpson. On the 1870 census the household is listed as “Christian Simpson, female, age 61, b. NY; John Simpson, age 11, b. Indiana; Anthony Bastion, age 57, b. NY; & Henry Bastion, age 14, b. IN. I have not found any of these people on the 1880 census.

8. Henry Simpson

Henry Simpson was born 14 May, 1809, in Ohio, & died 27 Oct., 1858, in Fayette County, Indiana. He is buried in Little Simpson Cemetery, Jennings Township, Fayette County. He was married in Union County, Indiana, on 2 Feb., 1830, to Malinda E. Lemmons who was born ca. 1813, in Kentucky, died 30 Nov, 1891, and is also buried in Little Simpson Cemetery.

This couple were in Jennings Twp., Fayette Co., at the 1840 & 1850 censuses. Sometime after John’s death Malinda moved to Champaign County, Illinois where she was listed on the 1860 & 1870 censuses but by 1880 she was living with daughter Margaret back in Fayette County, Indiana. Malinda left a will in Fayette County which mentioned her children and some of the grandchildren as well at their location at the time of writing the will in 1891.

The children as recorded on the censuses, cemetery records, and in Malinda’s will were: Thomas L., b. ca. 1830; Jefferson, b. 21 Sept., 1832, d. 8 June, 1853, buried in Little Simpson Cem.; Sarah E., b. ca. 1835; James H., b. ca. 1837; Mary Jane, b. ca. 1839; Margaret E., b. ca. 1841; Robert D., b. ca. 1844; John A., b. ca. 1846; Tabitha A., b. ca. 1849; & Samantha J. who is known only from the cemetery record of Little Simpson Cemetery where she is listed as “Samantha J. daughter of H. & M. Simpson,” without dates.

9. Elizabeth (Simpson) Honeas.

Elizabeth was born 29 Sept., 1811, died 16 Aug., 1898, & is buried in Little Simpson Cemetery. She was married 24 Dec., 1835, in Fayette County to John Honeas who was born 11 Aug., 1811, died 6 Jan., 1886, & is also buried in Little Simpson Cem.

John & Elizabeth resided in Jennings Twp., Fayette Co., near her parents and are listed there on the censuses of 1850, 1860, etc. On the 1880 census Elizabeth was listed as born in Indiana, father born Georgia, & mother born Virginia.

Their children as listed in censuses and cemetery records were: William Henry, b. Jan., 1838, d. 16 Dec., 1914; Sarah Ellen, b. 4 April, 1841, d. 10 April, 1871, bur. Little Simpson Cem.; Thomas, b. ca. 1843; Peter, b. 13 May, 1845, d. 19 Dec., 1871, bur. Little Simpson Cem.; James B., b. ca. 1847; Mary E., b. Sept., 1849, d. 8 March, 1857, bur. Little Simpson Cem.; Nancy A. b. 18 July, 1851, d. 20 June, 1854, but. Little Simpson Cem.; & John, b. ca. 1853.

10. Jesse Simpson.

Jesse is mentioned as a child of Thomas & Sarah in the sketch of Thomas, Jr., (see above) but without further data. The only dates for Jesse that I have seen are those posted by Jes Simpson in his Family Tree on Ancestry.com, where he gives Jesse as born May, 1813, died 27 March, 1816. I have not seen the source of this information.

11. Solomon Simpson.

Solomon Simpson was born 15 Feb., 1815, & died 14 May, 1887, in Howard County, Indiana. He was married 15 Oct., 1835, in Union Co., IN, to Lovicia Conaway who was born 27 Feb., 1817, & died 5 April, 1876, in Howard County.

Solomon Simpson was a physician, farmer, & merchant in the Village of West Liberty in Union Township of Howard County, Indiana. The published work called “Counties of Howard and Tipton, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” edited by Charles Blanchard and published by F. A. Battey & Co., Chicago, 1883, had a detailed biographical sketch which includes the listing of his children with their birth dates. Of special interest in the sketch is the following statement.
“Dr. Solomon Simpson, one of the prominent farmers and merchants of West Liberty, is the youngest of a family of eleven children born to Thomas and Sarah (Mabray) Simpson, natives of Georgia and Virginia, and of English descent. Thomas Simpson came to Indiana in 1809, and settled upon the creek now bearing his name, in Fayette County. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Marion, and he was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Simpson remained upon his farm, near Connersville, until his death in 1847. Dr. Simpson was born February 15, 1815, and was reared on the farm. At the age of twenty, he was married to Lovicia Conaway, born February 27, 1817, daughter of James & Sarah (Sparks) Conaway, natives of South Carolina, and of English descent. Shortly after his marriage Mr Simpson began the study of medicine, and soon entered into a practice which he continued for about forty years, twenty-five of which were spent in Rush County; he sold his farm in 1865, came to Howard County, and purchased 200 acres of land north of West Liberty, where he now resides.”

Their children were: Marilda J., b. 4 Sept., 1836; Mary H., b. 10 Jan., 1838; Daniel W., b. 19 Oct., 1839 or 1840 (?); Sarah A., b. 13 Dec., 1842; R. Henry Lee, b. 4 July, 1845; Marshal T., b. 28 Aug., 1847; John C., b. 2 Feb., 1851; James T., b. 18 Nov., 1852; Solomon Franklin, b. 23 Nov., 1854; Lovicia A. b. 8 July, 1857; & Nancy C., b. 18 June, 1859. The children’s births are given in the sketch cited above.

Mabry/Maberry/Mayberry Families

2009-09-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Research on Mabry/Maberry/Mayberry Families
May, 2009 – by Don Simpson

The father of Sarah (Mabry) Simpson, wife of Thomas Simpson, is usually given as the line of Cornelius Mabry though there is some variation among the listing by descendants as to which Cornelius Mabry is intended. Careful study of this family leaves some uncertainty as to whether she was the daughter of a Cornelius Mabry at all.

1. Church affiliation.

One key factor that should be remembered in researching Sarah’s ancestry is the religious affiliation of Thomas & Sarah (Mabry) Simpson of Fayette County, Indiana. In the History of Fayette County, Indiana, published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885, on page 315 in the biographical sketch of their son, Thomas Simpson, Jr., it is stated that Thomas, Sr., & Sarah (Mabry) Simpson were members of the Regular Baptist Church in Fayette County.

That church was located only a short distance from the Simpson home on one acre of land sold the church by Thomas Simpson out of his farm land. In the History of Fayette County, Indiana, by Frederick Irving Barrows, Editor-in-Chief, published by B. F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, 1917, is the following. “The petition for the establishment of the church was drawn up on January 15, 1814, and was signed by the following prospective members of the proposed congregation; (Elder) Stephen Oldham, Rebecca Oldham, John Keny, Polly Keny, Thomas Simpson (Deacon), Sarah Simpson, Rebecca Conner, Katherine Williams, Charles and Jane McLaughlin, James and Sarah Conway, John Keny, Sr., Jonathan Keny, William and Ann Oldham and Susan White.

This petition was sent to one of the established churches, undoubtedly in Franklin County, was favorably acted upon, and on the Sunday following the fourth Saturday in February, 1814, the new congregation was constituted as the ‘New Bethel Regular Baptist Church” by Lazarus Whitehead and James Smith.”

In 1822, due to the growth of the congregation, a new church was built about half a mile west of the first church on an acre of land donated by Elder Oldham.

Stephen Oldham continued as pastor of this church until his death in 1834. He was born 04 Nov., 1774, in Virginia, was married about 1800 to Rebecca Potts, daughter of Nathan Potts, died 14 May, 1834, in Fayette County, Indiana, and is buried in the New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery near Lyonsville, Jennings Township, Fayette County.

The Lazarus Whitehead mentioned above is also significant in the following discussion. Several entries in Rootsweb claim he was born ca. 1754 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and died in 1816 in Wayne County, Indiana. He was pastor of the Elkhorn Baptist Church from it’s establishment in 1809 to his death. That church was located in now Boston Township of Wayne County and on Elkhorn Creek about a mile above it’s mouth. Boston Township occupies the southeast corner of Wayne County and adjoins the Ohio State line on it’s east and on it’s south adjoins Union County, Indiana. Elkhorn Church was about eleven miles from New Bethel Church.

On the fourth of June, 1821, Joshua B. Elston, resident of Wayne County, was married in Fayette County by Rev. Stephen Oldham, to Amelia Maberry. The marriage record in Fayette County does not say where the marriage occurred but it can be inferred that it was probably at New Bethel Baptist Church or at the Thomas Simpson home.

Joshua was then about 54 years old and Amelia about 48. They were listed on the census of 1830 & 1840 in Boston Twp., Wayne County. Boston Township occupies the southeast corner of Wayne County and their home was about ten miles from that of Thomas & Sarah Simpson in Fayette County. By 1850 they had moved to Pike Twp., Marion County, Indiana, next to Joshua’s son, John Elston. Pike Twp. is now a suburb of Indianapolis. They are not found on any record after that 1850 census which lists Joshua’s birthplace as New Jersey and Amelia’s as Virginia. I am of the opinion that Amelia Maberry was the second female 45 or older in the household of Thomas & Sarah (Maberry) Simpson on the 1820 census of Fayette County, IN. Also that Amelia was probably a sister of Sarah (Maberry) Simpson.

Joshua B. Elston had married his first wife, Rebecca Lewis, daughter of Abraham Lewis, in Rowan (now Davidson) County, NC, in 1789. Rebecca died in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1819 according to a biographical sketch of her daughter, Sarah (Elston) Moore of Wayne County. Abraham Lewis was in 1784 one of the founding members and a deacon of Jersey Baptist Church in old Rowan (now Davidson) Co., NC. In 1791, Lazarus Whitehead was installed as minister of that church. In the surviving records of that church are two entries of relevance. On 1 Dec., 1792, “Brother Thomas Durham & Sister Rebeckah Durham and Sister Millie Maberry joined the church by letter.” On 15 Sept., 1798, John Skinner & wife, & Millie Maberry applied for a letter of dismission and it was granted. No other Maberry is found in the early records of Jersey Baptist Church. It appears possible that this Milly Maberry could have been the same Amelia Maberry who married Josiah B. Elston in 1821 in Fayette Co., IN.

2. Maberry families of Rockingham Co., NC.

About 1829 the family of Cornelius & Mary (Jarrell) Maberry moved from Rockingham Co., NC, to Wayne Co., IN, settling near the north edge of Wayne County in New Garden Township. Sometime before the 1850 census they moved on to Wayne County, Missouri, where they remained the rest of their lives. Cornelius & Mary were married in Rockingham Co., NC, by bond of date 25 Aug., 1815, bondsman William L. Jones, witness J. H. Scales. On the 1850 census of Wayne Co., MO, Cornelius is listed as age 66, born NC, wife Mary as 52, born VA.
Among the early marriages of Rockingham County, NC, were the following. Cornelius Mayberry to Polly Jarrell, bond of 25 Aug., 1815; Frederick Mayberry to Mancy Mayberry, bond of 01 Dec., 1818; & Elizabeth Mayberry to Henry Miller, bond of 03 Dec., 1823.

3. Rockingham County Censuses.

The 1790 census Rockingham Co. had the following two households.

Page 528 – Cornelius Mabry 2 males 16 & over, 1 m under 16, 2 females. This
family was listed adjacent John Scales.

Page 479 – Cornelius Mabry 1 m 16 & +, 3 m under 16, 2 females. This family
was listed between James Flack & Henry Work.

The 1800 census had the following households.

Page 479 – C. Maberry 1m ³ 10; 3m 10 - 16; 1m 26 - 45; 2f ³ 10; 1f 26 - 45.
This family was listed between Abram Philips and Sarah Odeneal.

Page 481 – Cornelius Maberry 1m 45 & +; 6f ³10; 1f 45 & +.
This family was listed between Francis Long and John Jones.

The 1810 census had only one Maberry family.

Page 191 [= sheet 11] – Philip Mabery 1m ³ 10; 2m 10 - 16; 1m 26 - 45;
3f ³ 10; 1f 26 - 45. [Philip Mabery’s Estate was probated in Rockingham
County, NC, in 1817.]

The 1820 census had the following.

Page 582 – Cornelius Maberry 1m ³ 10; 1m 26 - 45; 1f ³ 10; 1f 26 - 45 [this is
probably the Cornelius & Mary (Jarrell) Maberry family.]

Page 584 – Elizabeth Maberry 1m 10 - 16; 2m 16 - 26; 2f 10 - 16; 1f 45 &+. [this is probably the widow and children of Philip Maberry.]

Page 624 – Frederick Maberry 1m ³ 10; 1m 26 - 45; 1f 26 - 45.

4. Rockingham County Land Records

Land records show that a Cornelius Mabry owned land between the heads of Little Rockhouse Creek and Saura Town Creek. Land records show that there were at least two other Mabry families in Rockingham Co., though neither appear on the censuses of 1790 & 1800. They were John Mabry who owned land on Piney Creek and Joshua Mabry who owned land on Pawpaw Creek of Mayo River.

The Cornelius Maberry who married Mary Jarrell in 1815 (see above) was listed on the 1850 census of Wayne Co., MO, as age 66, thus would have been about 6 years old at the 1790 census. He may have been one of the 3 males age under 16 in the Cornelius Mabry family of 1790 census, page 536, and one of the boys age 10 - 16 in the C. Maberry family of the 1800 census, page 479.

There is no Cornelius Maberry family listed on the 1810 census of Rockingham County but on the 1820 there is a Frederich Maberry, a Cornelius Maberry, and an Elizabeth Maberry.
That C. Maberry of the 1800 census, page 479, may have been the Cornelius Maberry, Jr., mentioned in some Rockingham Co. records and who was himself probably the son of the Cornelius Maberry (Sr.) of page 481 of the 1800 census. Whether Sarah (Maberry) Simpson and Amelia (Maberry) Elston were members of this Cornelius Maberry line is still not certain.

5. Joshua Maberry in Rockingham County.

On 23 Jan., 1787, Joshua Mabry & Joel Gibson sold 220 acres of land located adjacent their other land [location not otherwise stated] to William Callom [=Kellam]; witnesses Wm. Motley & Spencer Callom [Deed Book C, p. 270]

On 23 Oct., 1788, Joshua Mabry [transcribed in deed abstracts as Joshua Malry] witnessed a deed in Rockingham County for land located adjacent the Virginia line on Fall Creek of Mayo River [Book C, p. 70]. The location is significant to the discussion below of the 1790 census. One of the other witnesses to this deed was William Kellam.

On 16 Sept., 1790, Joshua Mayberry sold to Charles Galloway 732 acres located on the north side of Dan River [should be Mayo River] on branches of Fall Creek & Paw Paw Creek adjacent lands of William Kellam, William Hays, & Drury Smith; witnesses Joshua Smith, Charles Smith & Elizabeth Smith [Book C, p. 101].

On 17 Nov., 1790, William Mills received a grant from the State of North Carolina for 18 acres located on the east side of Mayo River and Green Springs Branch adjacent lands of Joshua Mabery, William Kellam, & Joel Gibson [Book E, p. 167].

In April, 1795, David Dolton of Stokes County, NC, sold to Isaac Dolton of Stokes Co., 100 acres located on Pawpaw Creek in Rockingham Co., adjacent lands of Drury Smith, Samuel Dolton, & Joshua Mabry; witnesses Alex Joyce, John Bostick, & John Fendel Carr [Book E, p. 61].

Several of the persons mentioned above had received state grants of land between 1778 & 1785 in the area of Fall Creek near the Virginia State line. Most were still probably in the area in 1790 but are not listed on that census. From careful study of that census of Rockingham County it seems that the residents of the Fall Creek area are missing from that census.

I have not seen any record in Rockingham County after 1795 of Joshua Mabry nor is there any record of a will or estate for him. It appears more likely that after selling his land there he may have moved away though I have found no later record of him elsewhere.

6. Sarah (Mabry) Simpson, wife of Thomas.

The fact that nowhere among the descendants of Thomas & Sarah do I find any child named Cornelius leaves me skeptical of the claim that Sarah’s father was so named. On the other hand, the name Joshua appears repeatedly among their descendants and suggests the possibility that her father may have been Joshua Mabry. However, without better evidence this remains only a supposition.

Another item about which I remain skeptical is the listing of Sarah as Sarah Elizabeth. I do not find any evidence that Sarah had a middle name.

Some California Simpsons by Don Simpson

2009-08-31T15:19:00.000-07:00

While working on the descendants of Thomas & Sarah (Maberry) Simpson of Fayette County, Indiana, I recently came across the following.

Among the children of Nathaniel & Morning (Ramsey) Simpson were:

Maria, b. ca. 1824,
Jesse F., b. ca. 1834, &
John K. b. ca. 1836.

Maria was married in Atchison Co., MO, in 1847 to Benjamin Fugitt. The 1850 census shows that they had a daughter, Emily, born 1848 in MO, then daughter Elizabeth born ca. July, 1850 in Nebraska Territory. They were listed on 28 Sept., 1850, on the 1850 census living in Diamond Springs, El Dorado County, California. Living with them was Maria's brother Jesse F. Simpson, age 16. Jesse & Benjamin were listed as miners; obviously they had joined the gold rush to California and were living in a mining camp at Diamond Springs.

Jesse was listed twice on the 1850 census; the first was on 26 August when he was in his father's household in Atchison Co., MO, and the second on 28 Sept. when he was with the Fugitts in El Dorado Co., CA. Presumably they had traveled together and probably in company with one of those immigrant trains by wagon across the plains and mountains. I did not know they could do it in a month's time but it is possible that they left before the census was taken in Atchison County in August and Jesse was listed there even though not at home. At any rate if Elizabeth was born in July in Nebraska Territory (presumably the area just across the Missouri River from Atchison County, MO) they did the trip between her birth and 28 Sept. when they were enumerated in Diamond Springs. Imagine them starting off when Maria had an infant of less than a month age and a 2 year old child as well.

It appears that within 3 years they had moved together to the area just north of Stockton in San Joaquin County where they were farming. On 01 January, 1854, Jesse F. Simpson was married in San Joaquin County to Sarah J. Thompson. Sometime in the 1850's they were joined by their brother, John K. Simpson; he had been 14 at the 1850 census and presumably too young to join them on their move to California, but followed later. He was married in San Joaquin County 07 Nov., 1859, to Roxana Clark. At the 1860 census the Fugitt and two Simpson families were all living in Elkhorn Township of San Joaquin County. By the 1870 census Jesse & Sarah were living in Stockton while the Fugitts & John K. & Roxana were in Liberty Twp [possibly created out of Elkhorn ?]. Living with the Fugitts was Samuel Clevenger who was married ca. 1846 somewhere in Missouri to Elizabeth Simpson their older sister. I do not find Elizabeth nor their son George W. Clevenger (he was age 3 on the 1850 census Atchison Co., MO) on the 1860 census and assume that Samuel was a widower.

On the 1880 census still in San Joaquin County was John Fugitt, son of Benjamin & Maria but presumably his parents had died. None of the Simpsons were there and I have not yet found what happened to John K. & Roxana (Clark) Simpson. Jesse F. & Sarah (Thompson) Simpson were then living in Jackson County, Oregon and court records indicate that in early 1888 they were living about 2 miles out of Jacksonville which is about 3 miles west of Medford. I do not find record of them after that though their children were married there and some remained long after.

This tidbit is historically interesting because of their participation in the Gold Rush to California. However, it is just a small part of the material I have been able to gather on the descendants of Thomas & Sarah (Maberry) Simpson. I am working bit by bit on a summary account of these families but it may be some time before it is ready to be shared. I have done some research on the question of Thomas Simpson's origin and find that the claim he was born in Maryland is not certain and other points of origin are mentioned in other sources. However, I will not take the time to discuss this just now.

More when I can get to it.
Don

Notes regarding Thomas & Sarah (Maberry) Simpson of Fayette County, Indiana found in The Simpson Clan newsletter :

Vol. II, No. 6, June / July 1987 page 9 by Nancy Schonemann of St. Joseph, Missouri:

Wish information on parents of Thomas Simpson b. 18 Feb 1773. Thomas born in Pennsylvania or Maryland. Parents of Sarah Elizabeth MABRY (MAYBERRY) b. 25 Jan. 1774 North Carolina. Thomas and Sarah wed ca. 1793 in North Carolina, lived in North Carolina and Tennessee, possibly in vicinity of Clinch River in eastern Tennessee, removed to Harrison, Hamilton Co., Ohio ca. 1805 before settling ca 1809 in Jennings Twp., Fayette Co., Indiana...

Nathaniel SIMPSON b. ca. 1793 in North Carolina or Tennessee web Morning RAMSEY in Brookville, Franklin Co., Indiana on 6 Feb. 1817.

Nathaniel, Morning and their children listed in Shelby Co., Indiana census, not yet found in 1840 census.

Nathaniel SIMPSON recorded early as pioneer of Atchison Co., Missouri arrived 21 Nov. 1844.

Nathaniel SIMPSON and sons George W., Nathan Powell, Jessie J., John K. and Joshua are listed in the Atchison Co., Missouri census as living in the household of Samuel & Elizabeth CLEVENGER. Elizabeth CLEVENGER is believed to be the daughter of Nathaniel SIMPSON.

Nathan Powell SIMPSON b. 23 May 1833 is only son of Nathaniel SIMPSON who remained in Atchison Co., Missouri.

Vol. V, #2 Fall 1989, page 14 by Nancy Schonemann of St. Joseph, Missouri:
Thomas SIMPSON b. 18 Feb. 1773 Maryland (near what is now Columbus, Pennsylvania); d. 5 Feb. 1848 near Alquina, Fayette Co., Indiana; md. Sarah Elizabeth MABRY / MARBY / MAYBERRY ca 1792 North Carolina.

Children:
Nathan b. ca. 1793 North Carolina/ Tennessee
Tabitha b. 1794
Joshua b. 1795
Thomas J. b. 20 June Tennessee
William b. 1802 Tennessee
John b. 180(?) Tennessee
Henry H. b. 14 May1809 Harrison Co., Ohio
Elizabeth b. 29 Sept. 1812 Fayette Co., Indiana
Jessie b. 10 May 1813 Fayette Co., Indiana
Soloman b. 15 Feb. 1815

Nathan SIMPSON b. 1793 North Carolina or Tennessee, md. Morning RAMSEY 6 Feb 1817.
Children:
Ermilla b. 22 Feb. 1818 Indiana
Sarah b. 22 Feb. 1818 Indiana
Thomas b. 15 Aug. 1820 Indiana
Elizabeth b. 13 Apr. 1823 Indiana
Marean b. 8 Feb. 1824 Indiana
Sabetha Ann b. 27 Oct. 1828 Indiana
George W. b. 8 Feb. 1830 Shelby Co., Indiana
Nathan Powell b. 23 May 1832 Shelby Co., Indiana
Jessie J. b. 28 Apr. 1834 Shelby Co., Indiana
John K. b. 25 May 1836 Shelby Co., Indiana
Joshua b. 7 Nov. 1837 Shelby Co., Indiana

Note: There may be errors in this data and verification or corrections may be posted in the future. Please use with caution.

Tennessee, Humphreys County

2009-03-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

Humphreys Co., Tennessee (formed 1809 from Stewart and Smith Counties)

1799 Thomas Simpson on tax list came to Humphreys County from Barren Co., Kentucky (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1800 Thomas Simpson on tax list (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1801-1805 Thomas Simpson and John Simpson tax list (John’s Rev War pension records say he was born in Ireland in 1762, served in Rev. War from Orange Co., NC, resided in Greene Co., TN after Rev. War then moved to Barren Co., KY. He married Mary Haresha. (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1806 Thomas Simpson, John Simpson, Andrew Simpson Sr., and Andrew Simspon on tax list (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1807 Nathaniel Simpson, William Simpson and John Simpson on tax list in the Hurricane Creek area, it was in Hickman County then. (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995) William Simpson and wife Peggy Mattox moved here from Wayne Co., KY lived on Hurricane Creek which was in Hickman County at that time, it became Dickson County in 1820 and in the 1830s it became Humphreys County. (Don Simpson, Report No. 3, June 1995)

1809 Nathaniel Simpson purchased 123 acres on the south fork of Hurricane Creek (Hickman Co.) (Don Simpson research report June 1995)

1810 Thomas Simpson on White Oak Creek (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1811 Nov. 20 Thomas Simpson and Andrew Simpson witnessed a deed in which John Simpson of Barren Co., Kentucky sold 170 acres in Humphreys County to William Hawkins of Humphreys Co., TN (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1812 Andrew Simpson Sr. and Andrew Simpson Jr. sold to Thomas Simpson 37 acres on White Oak Creek (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1812 Thomas Knight was in the company of Capt. Simpson (per David Knight dzzzzzs@juno.com)

1817 John Simpson who married Mary Harashaw in 1790 in Greene Co., TN moved to Barren Co., KY (that was not the name in 1801 as it changed later to Barren), and in about 1810 or thereafter he took up with his second wife Deborah without benefit of a divorce from Mary. Mary left Barren Co., KY sometime after the birth of her last child in 1813 for Missouri and I am wondering if she stopped in Humphreys Co., TN in about 1817 before moving on to Cole Co., Missouri in 1827. Her daughter Sarah Simpson married George Leslie in 1817 in Humphreys Co., TN. I have Deborah Simpson and her, both wives of John Simpson, pension applications (from Barbara Baker)

1820 Hickman County p. 179 Nathaniel Simpson, Benjamin Holland, Samuel Simpson, William Simpson (Don Simpson research report June 1995) (Per E.L. Harris via Shirley Hopkins, this is the Samuel who married Betsy Fulton)

1830 Dickson County p. 337 Nathaniel Simpson, a young Samuel Simpson (prob. son of Nathaniel), Joseph Moore, Nathan Moore, Jesse Epperson etc., page 338 Samuel Simpson (the older one), William Simpson, James Epperson.

1830 Hickman County census, Samuel Simpson age 26-45 with large family (Courtesy of Shirley Hopkins)

1836 tax list Dist. 10 Wm. Simpson 382 acres, Edward M. Simpson, Nathaniel Simpson 100 acres, Thomas Simpson, Samuel Simpson 188 acres (courtesy of Fran Laird)

1837 tax list William Simpson 381 acres, Nathaniel Simpson, 100 acres, Thomas Simpson, Samuel Simpson 188 acres, John Simpson (courtesy of Fran Laird)

1837 D.M. Simpson signed a petition to keep the county seat of Humphreys County in Waverly in 1837. (Courtesy of Fran Laird, flamar1@msn.com)

1840 ca Samuel Simpson and family located here

1840 census David M. Simpson (from Fran Laird, flamar1@msn.com)

1842 Nathaniel Simpson of Hurricane Creek died (Fran Laird’s chart)

1842 Thomas Simpson died (wife Nancy, children: Andrew, John, William, Elizabeth, Charles C., Asberry, Joel Mills, James A., Rebecca and Nancy). (Don Simpson research report Feb. 1995)

1847 November 22 deed between Samuel Simpson, Thomas Simpson, Nathaniel Simpson, Robert Simpson, Benjamin Simpson and John N. Tidwell for his wife Jeanette formerly Simpson, Lindsay R. Brimm for his wife Jemima formerly Simpson all legatees of Nathaniel Simpson late of Humphreys Co., Tennessee all of Tippah Co., Mississippi of the one part and Nathaniel Simpson of Humphreys Co., Tennessee of the other part, land on the south fork of Hurricane Creek joining Benjamin Holland’s boundary. A John Simpson signed but wasn’t mentioned in the body of the deed (typescript copy courtesy of Fran Laird)

1850 census page 302 #847 Samuel B. Simpson (son of William Simpson & Peggy Mattox) age 43 born Ky, resided in TN 1832-1833, Mississippi 1834-1838, Texas 1840-1845, page 302 #848 Thomas Simpson age 33, wife Nancy 25 both born TN, nearby were Benjamin Holland age 62 born TN, Hardy Holland age 75 born NC, and Mark Holland age 64 born NC (unpublished report #7, 29 June1996 page 4) David M. Simpson (from Fran Laird, flamar1@msn.com)

1854 David V. Shipman to David M. Simpson, land, entire interest of heirs of Simeon Buchanan, dec’d, 30 acres on Tenn. River. This entry headed Itawamba Co., MS and Thomas Crafton to William O. Britt, tracts in Dist. 4 in Humphreys Co., excluding school house & what ground David M. Simpson deeded to public. Also David M. Simpson to Thompson B. Gorin, land in Dist. 4 on Tenn. River, mentions interest heretofore claimed by heirs of Simeon Buchanan, dec’d, 1854. (Humphreys Co., TN Deed Book M, pp. 142, 144, 160 courtesy of Fran Laird, flamar1@msn.com)

1860 census Samuel Simpson age 52, Eveline 42

1870 census Samuel Simpson age 62, Eveline 52

1875 May 20 William Simpson (husband of Peggy Mattox) died. His father was probably Jim Simpson of North Carolina per The Humphreys County Heritage books (from John Simpson, 7225 Princevalle St., Gilroy, CA 95020, 408-846-9244 jtsimps@ibm.net)

1877 Feb 14 Samuel Simpson died 14 Feb. 1877 (born 8 Jan. 1808 in Wilson Co., TN) married Evelina B. Coldwell (per email) buried Wes Simpson Cemetery on Blue Creek

Tennesse, Stewart County

2009-03-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Stewart Co., Tennessee (formed 1803 from Montgomery County)

1809 Elisha Simpson had no white poll,1 slave and 188 acres of land. Nathan Simpson had 1 white poll and no land. (Tax List, Kindall’s District, Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, Vol. XVII, No. 1/14, Summer 2003)

1810 Elisha Simpson had no white poll,1 slave and 188 acres of land. Nathan Simpson had 1 white poll and no land. (Tax List, Kindall’s District, Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, Vol. XVII, No. 1/14, Summer 2003)

1811 Elisha Simpson had no white poll,1 slave and 188 acres of land. Nathan Simpson had 1 white poll and no land. (Tax List, Kindall’s District, Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, Vol. XVII, No. 1/14, Summer 2003)

Tennessee, Lincoln County

2009-03-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Lincoln Co., Tennessee (formed 1809 from Bedford County)

1838 May 3 Samuel Buchanan, wife Sally, sons: James M. Simpson & William Buchanan (Wills & Inventories of Lincoln Co., TN 1810-1921 by Helen & Timothy Marsh, Southern Hist. Press, 1989, p. 30 courtesy of Fran Laird, flamar1@msn.com)

1858 April 5 Joseph Commons . . my daughter Sarah, wife of Simpson Buchanan. . . will dated 21 Feb. 1858 & proved 5 Apr. 1858 (Wills & Inventories of Lincoln Co., TN 1810-1921 by Helen & Timothy Marsh, Southern Hist. Press, 1989, p. 30 courtesy of Fran Laird, flamar1@msn.com)

Tennessee, Franklin County

2009-03-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

Franklin Co., Tennessee (formed 1807 from Bedford and Warren Counties)

1812 C. Simpson signed a petition (Petitions to the General Assembly of Tennessee #27-1-1812)

Tennessee, Bedford County

2009-03-06T16:41:00.000-08:00

Bedford Co., Tennessee (formed 1807-1808 from Rutherford County)

??? date: Samuel Simpson (wife Rebecca Morrow) moved with his young family to Tennessee. They had five sons. Samuel, William and Nathaniel who lived on Duck River near Nashville, Tennessee. John and Thomas moved to Kentucky and lived 25 miles apart, John in Pulaski County and Thomas in Wythe County, Kentucky. [Wythe County is in West Virginia.] Tradition states that Samuel Simpson was killed at Kings Mountain in 1780. (The Simpson Family of America, author unknown, not dated, copy sent by Shirlie R. Simpson.) There was a Rebecca Simpson whose dates were 1786-1867 in Bedford Co., but her husband is unknown and only 4 of her children: Isaiah (b 1807) - James M. (b 1809/10-d before 1855) - John (b 1812 - d 1869) - Elizabeth (b 1814, d 1901, m Spencer HiIl.) – Fran Laird.

1806 November 17 Wm. Sherrill (from Reva Bruhn) Thomas Simpson made oath in Burke Co., NC that in 1794 he received a warrant for 4995 acres on Duck River adj. Gen. Green’s land & that William White sent the warrant to Simpson’s house 17 November 1806 (Courtesy of Shirley Hopkins)

1808 March 4 James Simpson entered 226 acres on Little Flat of Duck River, CC: Saml & Jas. Kimzey, Adj. tract owned by David Ross. James and Mary Kimsey also had surveys on Duck River in 1808 (TSLA 2^nd Surveyors Dist, www.californios.us/warren/2sd/) This is the James Simpson who married Elizabeth Kimsey. He was the son of Thomas Simpson and Mary Knight of Rockingham Co., NC.

1808 August 17 Archibald Simpson, 300 acres, CC Allan Philandr_, Philandr_ Campbell; adj. Levi Campbell. (TSLA 2^nd Surveyors Dist, www.californios.us/warren/2sd/)

1808 August 18 William Simpson, 300 acres, CC: Philandrer Campbell, Archibald Simpson, adj. Levi Campbell, Jesse Cornwell & ____ King (TSLA 2^nd Surveyors Dist, www.californios.us/warren/2sd/)

1808 August 19 Archibald Simpson, 150 acres, CC: Isaac Eaton, Wm. Simpson, adj. Wm. Cross and Eddy Hodges; also 204 a adj. Isaac Eaton and Jno. Arnold (TSLA 2^nd Surveyors Dist, www.californios.us/warren/2sd/)

1810 February 16 Archibald Simpson was in "Bedford Co. Tenn. Wills & Vital Records from Newspaper" by the Marshes, p 302, from a paper dated 16 Feb 1810: "Sale - Sat 24 Feb 1810, Archibald Simpson, 300a of land lying on Middle Fork of Duck River, judgement by George Maxwell & wife. B. Bradford, Sheriff." From Fran Laird.

1845 March 3 Samuel and Evaline B. Simpson formerly Evaline B. Coldwell of Gibson Co., Indiana to John C. Coldwell, 2 tracts on Duck River adj. Wilson Coats’ survey, adj. road leading from Shelbyville to McMinnville. (Courtesy of Shirley Hopkins)

1849 November 10 W.P. Bobo & others to Samuel Bobo 108 ½ acres. Thomas E. Simpson & Salina his wife, Nathan A. Hodges and Elizabeth his wife, Lucretia J. Bobo, Burrell Bobo & Washington P. Bobo, sold to Samuel Bobo all in Bedford and Lincoln Co., TN all their interest in land in Bedford Co on Big Flat Creek, land which descended to Elijah Bobo from Sarah Pearson. Wit: Kindred Pearson, Rufus Smith (Courtesy of Shirley Hopkins)

1852 February 17 John W. Simpson to William Little and Robert Allison, John W. Simpson has interest to take effect upon the death of Emily Weaver who has a live estate in the same, Dist. 10 John Little & William Little. Wit: E.D. Winsett & R.S. Gantt & W.S. Taylor. (Courtesy of Shirley Hopkins)

1869 October 31 John W. Simpson died (family group sheet of Fran Laird)

Tennessee, Warren County

2009-03-06T16:39:00.000-08:00

Warren Co., Tennessee (formed 1807 from White County)

1810 and earlier Simpson’s Mill was in operation (The Warren County Story)

1820 Aug. 10 Nathaniel Hunt of Franklin Co. to Valentine Simpson of Warren County, waters of Hickory Creek, 50 acres, NE corner of Peter Simpson’s 50 acres tract to Doak’s line, Peter Simpson’s SE corner. Test: George Price and J.C. Isaacks (Warren Co Deeds Bk 1, p. 81)

1823 Sept. 23 The Legislature authorized John Martin, John Perkins and John Simpson to build a bridge across the Caney Fork River near the mouth of Barren Creek. (The Warren County Story)

1831 Dec. 23 John Martin, John Perkins and John Simpson were authorized to build a bridge across Caney Fork River near the mouth of Barren Creek (Warren County Story by Eugene M. Wiseman)

1834 May 31 Josiah F. Marfand and John W. Ford, whereas John W. Simpson and Theadrus B. Rice late of the firm of Rice and Simpson at the Jan. session of the county court recovered judgment against John W. Ford for $187.54. Test: B.L. Ridley, John Cunningham (John W. Simpson was a lawyer in White County) (Deeds Book 1 p. ?)

1840 John Simpson’s name appears on the census on pg. 2

Tennessee, White County

2009-03-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

White Co., Tennessee (formed 1806 from Overton, Jackson and Smith)

1800 Thomas and his brother William Wesley Hash came to White County in early 1800 and built a cabin west of Calfkiller River. These brothers hunted and explored, going back and forth to NC. When they returned to Tennessee they found that Daniel Walling had obtained title to their Calfkiller site during their absence. Richard Simpson married Louisa Hash, 7th child of Thomas. (Warren County Story)

1813 J.W. Simpson signed a petition requesting that old revolutionary soldiers to meet and train the troops and John W Simpson signed a petition opposing the creation of a toll-gate on the road leading from the Bledsoe Courthouwe, across Cumberland Mountain, to William Crane’s. (Petition #21-3-1813)

1813 Petition to authorize Maj. John W. Simpson to continue the upkeep of the turnpike which he opened in 1809 (Petiton to the assembly #23-3-1813

1814 James Simpson of White County to William Morrison, negro girl named Cherry, 18 years. Attest: Eli Sims, Henry Lyda (Wilson Co Deed Book)

1818 Apr. 13 James Simpson, 10 acres, (Grant #11464 Bk. P, pg. 69)

1820 census James Simpson (Don Simpson research report #8, September 1996)

1826 Nov. 4 James Simpson, 18 acres (Grant #1828)

1827 James Simpson’s will mentioned wife Elizabeth, granddaughter Polly Simpson, daughter of “my daughter Elizabeth Simpson, dec’d; sons William and Randal and daughter Rodale Ledbetter, wife of Geo. M. Ledbetter. (T.J. Barnes Papers from TSLA)

1830 census James Simpson (Don Simpson research report #8, September 1996), Thos. Simpson (00001-00001), John W. Simpson (0000001-120001)

1836 Apr. 12 John Simpson bought land from George Allen (Deed Book I, Vol. 9, pg. 379-381)

1838 James H. Jenkins et al vs. William Simpson, original bill heard in White County Chancery Court. (Supreme Court Records, Box 60, Middle Tennessee Supreme Court Records: Second Series by Betsy Ragsdale and Gale Williams Bamman in Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, Vol. XVII, No. 2/61, Fall 2003.)

1839 Aug. 9 William Simpson of White Co to Thomas T. Crowder, sold land John Simpson had purchased from George Allen in 1836. (Deed Bk. I, Vol. 9, p. 379-381)

1840 census James Simpson (Don Simpson research report #8, September 1996)

1850 census James Simpson age 81, born PA (Don Simpson research report #8, September 1996) John W. Simpson, age 61, born NC and Jane age 58 born NC (Don Simpson research report #9, August 1996)

1854 June James Simpson will named Bartlett, John, Freeland, Locky

1862 March 6 John W. Simpson died, W.M. Simpson admr. (Don Simpson research report #9, August 1996)

Tennessee, Rutherford County

2009-01-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

Rutherford Co., Tennessee (formed 1803 from Davidson County)

1806 November 17 Thomas Simpson made oath that about 1794 he received a warrant for 4995 acres on Duck River in Rutherford Co., Tennessee adjoining or opposite Gen. Greene’s land and that William White sent the warrant to Simpson’s house (Tennessee Genealogical Records: Records of Early Settlers from State and County Archives by Edythe Rucker Whitley)

1810 census George Simpson (1m 1-10, 1 m 16-26, 1 m 26-45; 1 f 0-10, 1 f 16-26, 1 f 26-45, 1 f 45+) and Gilbert Simpson (1 m 0-10, 1 m 26-45; 3 f 1-10, 1 f 26-45) and Henry Simpson (5 m 0-10, 2 m 26-45, 1 m 45+; 1 f 0-10, 3 f 10-16, 4 f 16-26, 1 f 26-45) and Peter Simspon 2 m 0-10, 3 m 10-16, 1 m 26-45; 1 f 10-16, 1 f 26-45) Peter Simpson wasn’t listed near the other Simpsons, Gilbert and William were near one another. George wasn’t near any of the others.

1812 George Simpson signed two petitions (Petitions to the General Assembly of Tennessee #40-1-1812 and 56-2-1812) William Simpson also signed the second petition. Gilbert and William Simpson signed petition #60-2-1812

1812 George R. Nash to George Simpson (Book G, p. 327)

1812 W.P. Anderson to George Simpson (Book H p. 61)

1812 Comx of Murfreesboro to James Simpson (Book I, p. 3)

1813 Sep 27 George Simpson from Virginia signed a petition of landowners of Jefferson, Rutherford County, TN concerning the moving of the county seat to Murfreesboro.

1814 Robert Weakley to George Simpson (Book I p. 29)

1820 census Canada Simpson (000010-00101/2) and David Simpson (220001/10000/0) and William Simpson (000010/00000/0) and Thomas Simpson (000100/00000/0)

1820 William Hix to William Simpson (Book O p. 34)

1824 Jno. Killough to Kenedy Simpson (Book Q p. 90)

1824 Thompson Wright to Jeremiah Simpson (Book Q p. 356)

1824 Wm. Edmondson to George Simpson (Book Q p. 398)

1824 George W. Leigh to Peter Simpson (Book R p. 58)

1825 A.H. Harris to George Simpson (Book Q p. 399)

1833 William Sanders to John S. Simpson (Book T p. 376)

1833 John B. Seats to John S. Simpson (Book T p. 282)

1833 Thos. Sappington to George Simpson (Book T p. 627)

1836 Arch. H. Harris to George Simpson (Book V p. 402)

1837 Eliz. Crasthwait to George Simpson (Book U p. 499)

1837 Amos West mortgage deed to John W. Simpson (Book W. p. 625)

1838 Mary and Fuldon Acuff mortgage deed to Robert Simpson (Book X p. 79)

1838 John D. Fulks bill of sale to Kenedy Simpson (Book W p. 175)

1839 Elihu Sanders to Robert Simpson (Book X p. 417)

Tennessee, Jackson County

2008-05-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

1806 Thos. Simpson and James Simpson among others signed a petition. The county wasn’t identified but the signers appeared to be residents of Jackson County. (Petitions to the General Assembly of Tennessee)

1806 James Simpson, Thomas Simpson Sen., John Simpson, identified as citizens of the extension of Jackson Counnty signed a petition to create a new county (Overton County?)

1809 Aug. 23 James Simpson, 70 acres (Grant #1513, Bk. C p. 38)

1813 Apr. 19 James Simpson, 20 acres, Grant #4661 Bk. I, p. 456)

1835 September 23 Testimony in court regarding residents of Abington, Washington Co., Virginia stated that George Simpson landed at Newcastle, Delaware in July 1788, that George Simpson of Jackson Co., TN and other residents of Abington were born in County Tyrone, Parish Dunacary, in or about 6 miles of Omak, the shire town, Ireland. He was the son of John and Betsey (Buchanan) Simpson. Betsy’s sister married James Carson Sr.. (Simpson Families from Albert Carr)