Monday, October 29, 2007

The Simpson Clan Volume XXII, Issue 1, Summer 2006


THE SIMPSON CLAN
Volume XXII, Issue 1 ISSN 0884-3805 Summer 2006

Published by Nona Williams, PO Box 746, Ben Lomond, CA 95005-0746


Queries

My query is about the origin of Rebecca SIMPSON, born Oct. 1786 and died April 1867 in Rover, Bedford Co., Tennessee. She was living in Williamson Co., Tennessee in 1830, apparently a widow. She bought land in Bedford Co., Tennessee.
Her children were Isiah (born 1807), James (born 1809/10), John William (born 14 July 1814), and Elizabeth (born Apr. 7, 1814).
Elizabeth SIMPSON married Spencer HILL and settled in Pacific, Missouri. The name of Rebecca's husband is not known and neither is her maiden name.
Respond to Robert Simpson, 1530 Riverpoint Road, Dayton, TN 37321
******

I am a Simpson descendant through my mother's paternal line:

Wilma Gertrude SIMPSON and Fredrick Forrest FULLER II
Thomas Jefferson SIMPSON and Lillian Mae MAYS
George Washington SIMPSON and Dora Belle HARMON
John Rose SIMPSON and Nancy Ann SPRADDLING
Joseph SIMPSON and Sarah B. ROSE
Peter Ryan SIMPSON and Elizabeth CUNNINGHAM

I have been looking for the parents of my mother's maternal grandfather, John Jackson MAYS who was born in 1832 in White County, Tennessee. One strong possibility is a John MAYS and Elizabeth SIMPSON, both from Tennessee, who were living in Franklin County, Illinois around 1850-1870. Does anyone have an Elizabeh SIMPSON born about 1815 in Tennessee?

Please contact Merrie, email address: MMSODDER@bossig.com

* * * * *

William G. SIMPSON aged 65 years, no occupation; born in Kentucky ca. 1805, was in the 1870 census for Jackson Twp., Hardin Co.,Iowa, in home of Robert SIMPSON, aged 41 years and wife, Malinda 35 years. What is the relationship to Robert SIMPSON?

Contact Margaret E. Rambo, 1154 South Oak, Hillsboro, IL 62049-2027


* * * * *

The following is from the Simpson Family Web Site that was located at http://www.simpsonian.com/ but is no longer there.
Mary Jane WHITTEN (wife of Thomas Carey SIMPSON)
Stories collected and written by Alice (Simpson) Lemons
Mary Jane WHITTEN was born Jan. 25th or 26th, in Macon Georgia, daughter of J.A. and Irene WHITTEN. In childhood, she moved to Oregon County, Missouri. She was married to Thomas C. SIMPSON about 1860.

Grandmother SIMPSON told me many stories about her life. She was born of fairly well to do parents, Presbyterian in faith. She had a sister, Harriet, who loved to ride her horse, but at 12 years of age, she fell off the horse and was killed.

Grandmother had three or four brothers, two of them, John and Drew, I knew because they came to our home to visit Grandmother when I was four or five, and since Harriet died, she was the only girl in the household. Her parents wanted her to marry a famous man, and were put out when she fell in love with Thomas SIMPSON, a minister who was a widower (his first wife died in childbirth and the baby died with her, the wife’s name was Irene) . When her parents objected to the marriage, she ran away and married Tom. She said he was always so gentle and kind.

When their first child was born, Granddad wanted to name her Irene after his first wife, and grandmother consented.

Grandmother would not go home or have anything to do with her family for a long time. But she was a sickly woman, and during a long illness, the WHITTEN family came and carried her back because they all loved her, but she said if they had not, she would never have gone back.

She said Granddad was a good preacher, and had a wonderful great faith in God. She said at one service they attended where he preached, there had been no rain for so long that everything was burning up, and they asked him to pray for rain. He prayed for rain and after the service, they started home and after about an hour, the clouds became black and the rain came, and she said it was a big rain, and they were soaked before they got home.

A little story about Aunt Harriet:
Noah’s Sister Harriet (not Mary Jane Whitten’s sister Harriet, who fell from the horse, this is Mary Jane WHITTEN’s daughter) Mary Jane said her daughter Harriet was the most mischievous and daring child she had. At about two years of age, she had dressed her in a beautiful starched white dress and before they could get started to church, the little tyke ran out and wiped her pretty dress all over and around the wash pot. Another time at school, there was a dug-out well that was not yet finished, and some children lost their ball in the well. Harriet being a daring young girl, climbed down the walls of the well and brought up the ball, which of course when Grandma found out frighten her very much.

Aunt Harriet grew into a beautiful young woman and was so precious to her family. Dad (Noah) said she was leader to all the children. They always followed her and at work she was always keeping them with her. When Noah was about 4 years old, granddad had just put on a new roof and had not put the tools away. Noah was playing with the hatchet and cut his left forefinger off to the point that it was just hanging by a string of skin. Aunt Harriet bandaged it up using turpentine and sugar and a board to hold it straight, and the finger grew back perfectly with only a scar to show what happened.

Aunt Harriet married Jim KELLY from Indiana, and dad (Noah) said he was a wonderful man and dad loved him like a brother. He died not long after Granddad did in 1897 (Thomas C. SIMPSON). Dad made his home with them until he married but some time with Uncle Burr and Aunt Bettie.

A story my Grandmother told me about our Granddad, that seems very important, and since I’ve learned more about the Scouts of the Civil Was, I understand why it happened.

Granddad SIMPSON was a Elder or Minister of the Primitive Baptist Church, and he became a Scout under the direction of General SHELBY. Many of the Scouts in the Civil War were Ministers, and because they went about preaching the word, attending the sick and bereaved, they could move around more freely, and had the opportunity to get important information about the Northern Soldiers, there locations, and strengths.

These so called “Scouts” were very important, but were considered Spy’s by the Union Army.
Granddad had been in the war for some time, and then, he became very ill. So sick, they sent him home, on furlough, until he regained his health. While he got home he was bedridden, and very sick. One day a group of Union soldiers came to their home, they took everything they could find, food, and valuables. The people expecting them at any time, would hide what they could, but that wasn’t easy. When they found Granddad in bed, and found out he was a Minister Scout. They carried him out to a tree, and hung him by the neck, and then they rode off, leaving Granddad hanging there.

When they were gone, Grandmother ran out and cut him down, and discovered he was still breathing. She ran for the doctor, and when the doctor examined him, he said his neck was broken. The doctor told them to make a wooden box, for him to fit into, so he wouldn’t move. She did, and he lived in that box for months, until his neck was healed.

The Story of how they wound up in Arkansas:
Grandmother SIMPSON(Mary Jane) was very sick and under doctor’s care, for quite some time. To all appearances she was all but dead. She was laid out for dead for six hours. She told me, she knew everything, and heard all they were saying, but she could not move, to save her life. When they came to measure her length for a casket, she said she kept trying to move even a finger, and finally she was able to move the knuckle of her little finger, and someone saw it, and began working with her, and brought her back to life.

In those days, when the Doctor couldn’t get a patient well, he would advise travel. So they packed up what they could, of the home in Alton, Missouri, and started south to Arkansas.

Dad (Noah ) was six years old. Dad said that they traveled over the most beautiful lands, you could imagine, and Granddad wanted to buy, but Grandmother was never willing to stop. They went through all the nice fields, and the big river bottom farms of the Arkansas River, and other fine sites along the way. They kept traveling, until they came to the southern part of the state, where they had to stop, for Uncle Bob’s birth. Soon afterward they started up state again, until they came to the Cossatot River in Seivier County, Arkansas. Dad said it was a thinly settled county, and practically no (on the original paper there’s a large blank space, big enough for one word,??), it was exactly what Grandmother wanted, so they settled there, and Noah grew up on the Cossatot River.

When they left Missouri, they had sons and two daughters married. Somehow, Granddad had a way about him, that he was able to keep all his children, and in-laws, with him, so they all traveled together. He also started with $2000. in gold in a box. Enough to have bought many farms in Arkansas at the time, for land was cheap.

They had a small home, and one night when Granddad went out to preach, and the whole family with him. They returned to find their home burned to the ground, and now they were penniless, for all their money was gone. They went through the ashes, but not one piece of the money did they find. So they were most sure it was burned deliberately to hide who took the money.

Simpsons in Maury County, Tennessee in 1810[1]
SIMPSON, Abel tax list ca 1808-1810

SIMPSON, George tax list ca 1808-1810

Miscellanous Records in North Carolina

Samuel Simpson Marriage in Newbern, North Carolina

In Newbern, on the 27th ult., the Hon. M.E. MANLY [married] Miss Sarah daughter of Samuel SIMPSON, Esq. per North Carolina Standard (newspaper) 10 July 1844: 3:5. In Newbern on the 7th ult. By the Rev. F.M. HUBBARD, the Hon. M.E.MANLY, Judge of the Superior Court of Law and Equity, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Samuel SIMPSON, Esq. per Raleigh Register (newspaper)[2]

Exum Simpson, Chowan Co., North CarolinaIn Chowan [county], Exum SIMPSON, Esq. in the 72d year of his age… from the Raleigh Register Friday 9 August 1844 3:6[3]

Zebulon H. Simpson of Lenoir Co., North Carolina

Zebulon H. SIMPSON appeared on the grantor / grantee index in book 27 in Lenoir Co., North Carolina October 1828-1833.[4]

Reuben Simpson of Burke Co., North Carolina
Reuben SIMPSON “late of Burke” Co., North Carolina was listed with other Loyalists in a legislative bill to “bring traitors to trial” in 1782. The North Carolina state House of Commons and Senate considered a bill that named individuals who would be required to stand trial for treason.[5]

Reuben SIMPSON’s name was mentioned again in a Senate amendment that included a notation that many of the people named had come in and had served in a militia service.

This legal action may have prompted Reuben to leave North Carolina. A Reuben SIMPSON appeared on a tax list in Greene Co., Tennessee in August 1783 although it isn’t clear if this is the same man. In October 1783 a Reuben SIMPSON registered to pay taxes in Lincoln Co., North Carolina.

William Simson of Pasquotank Co., North Carolina

Pasquotank County Deeds, A:152-154, 15 December 1715, acknowledged 17 April 1716, registered 20 April 1716; William SIMSON of the precinct of Pasquotank with free Voluntary [consent] of Mary SIMSON my wife to Wm. NORRIS, consideration 25 pounds and a plantation lying upon Pasquotank River between Levi CREECY’s and Daniel RODES’, Sold 125 acres being the moiety of land which was Relf GARDNER’s and by him patented in 1696; at his death given to his daughter Elizabeth as by will dated 31 May 1695 and by Eliz. given and granted to Wm. SIMSON by instrument acknowledged 17 July 1711; Mary SIMSON relinquish all right, title, interest of dowry, also relinquish all my right and title of inheritance as being the eldest daughter of the said Relfe GARDNER; witness: Eliz x MAJOR, Thos. SMITH; signed: William SIMSON and Mary M SIMSON; acknowledged by Wm. SIMSON and John SIMSON atty for Mary SIMSON to Wm. NORRIS; 17 April 1716 Mary SIMSON wife of Wm. And eldest daughter of Ralfe GARDNER power of attorney to trusty friend John SIMSON to acknowledge unto Wm. NORRIS.[6]

John Simpson, Sheriff, Pitt Co., North Carolina
John SIMPSON late Sheriff of Pitt County was allowed four pounds for castrating, nursing & curing a negroe Fellow called Sam, belonging to the Estate of Captn. BUCK deced, as Accts. Filed. From General Assembly Session Records, Box 2, folder: Feby – Mar. 1764 Comm. of Claims.[7]

North Carolina Higher Court Minutes 1709-1723
p. 8 Ordred that Doctor Godry SPRUEWELL Edwd. FELPS Canan SIMPSON and John YATES or any three of them to appraise the estate of James FEWOX deceased and make due returne of the inventory they being first sworn before a Justice of the Peace for that purpose

Ordred that the above mentioned Doctor Godfrey SPRUEWELL Edwd. FELPS Canan SIMPSON and John YATES or any three of them appraise the estate of Walter BONNSILL likewise

p. 77 John SIMPSON served as a juror in a case against Wm. HALLS

p. 125 Ordered that Jams. LONG Thos LONG Jams. HOOPER, Thos. HAWKINS, Thos. STEALEY, Benjm. BLOUNT, Rd. CANADY, Rd. DENISON, Jno. BROWNEY, Nicho. BRIGHTMAN, Jno. SWAIN, and Jno. SIMPSON be appointed a jury to lay out the Same being first qualify’d and that they observe the Law in that Case made and Provided.

p. 234 SIMPSON v. HANDRY Dismist. The Suit brought by Jno. SIMPSON against Thos. HANDREY for one hundred pounds damage not being prosecuted is Dismist.

p. 239 RICHARDSON v. SIMPSON continued. The action of debt brought by Danll. RICHARDSON against Wm. SIMPSON is continued on the motion of the plaintiff.

p. 249 RICHARDSON v. SIMPSON The suit brought by Danll. RICHARDSON against Wm. SIMPSON for two pound ten shillings and nine pence sterling not being prosecuted is Dismist.

p. 336 HENMAN v. SIMPSON Debt: return’d, Copy left. Alias to issue

p. 346 SIMPSON’s appearance. Fine paid. Sarah SIMPSON being brought before this Court to pay her fine for fornication or receive punishment according to Law, she accordingly paid down twenty five shillings which was delivered toHenry BONNER church warden. And John SALE being by her oath the reputed father of her children.

p. 370 HENMAN v. SIMPSON Debt. Return’d Copy left. Discontinued by the plaintiffe.

p. 498 August the 17th 1713 The deposition of Dorothy SIMSON aged 79 years or thereabouts being deposed sayth that her husband Derby SEXTON bought of Capt. Wm. CRAWFORD no land but only labour and further this deponent sayth not. Sworne before me Thos. RELFE.

Nelson County, Kentucky 1787
John and Thomas SIMPSON were charged with tax in Charles POLK’s company which was probably in the northeastern section of Nelson, Bloomfield and Chaplin areas. They were also listed in Capt. BARNET’s Company located on the north side of the Rolling Fork above the Indian Lick, probably in present southern Marion County and parts of Green and Taylor Counties. They were listed as Thomas and John SIMSON.[8]

Bedford County, Pennsylvania 1779 Tax List
Bedford Township
p. 2 Hue SIMPSON, no land, 1 horse, 3 cattle, 2 sheep
p. 2 Luke SIMPSON, no land, 1 horse, 2 cattle

Colerain Township
p. 13 Samuel SAMPSON, 300 acres, 1 horse, 2 cattle

Hopewell Township
p. 14 William SAMPSON, no land, no horses, 1 cattle

Ayr Township
p. 19 Ja’s Liddle SIMPSON, 250 acres

Bethel Township
p. 22 Samuel SAMSON, no land, no horses, 6 cattle

Bedford County, Pennsylvania 1784 Census Returns

Bedford Township
p. 37 Hugh SAMPSON, no land, 1 dwelling, 2 white people
p. 37 Luke SIMPSON, no land, 1 dwelling, 10 white people

Ayr Township
p. 64 James SIMPSON 200 acres, 1 dwelling,
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Sources:
[1] The Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy & History, Volume XX, No. 1, Summer 2006, p. 37
[2] “Abstracts of Vital Records from Raleigh, NC Newspapers 1843 and 1844” in The North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, February 2002 p. 31
[3] Ibid. p. 38
[4] “Grantor/Grantee Index of Johnston, Dobbs and Lenoir Counties” in The North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, May 2002 p. 194
[5] “A Bill to Bring Traitors to Trial, 1782” in The North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. XXVIII, No. 4, Nov. 2002, pp. 420427
[6] “Rolfe/Relfe-Jennings: The Unclosed Case of an Unclosed Case” in The North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, Feb. 2003, p. 34
[7] “Reports of Committees of Public Claims, North Carolina General Assembly, 1740-1768” in The North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. XXIX, No. 3, Aug. 2003, p. 262
[8] The 1787 Census of Virginia: Nelson County: The Personal Property Tax Lists for the Year 1787 for Nelson County, Virginia [now Kentucky] by Netti Schreiner-Yantis and Florene Love, 1987.

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