Wednesday, January 2, 2008

The Simpson Clan Volume XX, Issue 3, Winter 2005


THE SIMPSON CLAN
Volume XX, Issue 3 ISSN 0884-3805 Winter 2005

Published by Nona Williams, PO Box 746, Ben Lomond, CA 95005-0746
web site Email
The Robert & Massey (McCollum) Simpson Family of Rockingham County, North CarolinaJan., 2005 - by Don Simpson


Among the SIMPSONs of southern Rockingham County, North Carolina, the majority were descendants of William & Isabelle (CUMMINGS) SIMPSON of the Jacobs Creek area. In previous articles in this newsletter I have already treated some of those descendants. This article treats the descendants of their son, Robert SIMPSON, & his wife, Massey McCOLLUM.

This article was prompted by receipt of some family data that had been assembled in the 1960's by one of those descendants, Mr. Ralph Glenn Simpson, Sr., and subsequently added to by his granddaughter, Patricia Simpson. This material contains some valuable data, part of which solves some puzzles that I had not previously been able to solve. Unfortunately it also included errors in that it misidentified the first generation listed in that material. However, the available records clearly provide the needed correction. In particular, the marriages of Robert Cummings SIMPSON to his first wife, Mary PERKINS, and that to his third wife, Lucy Ann PERKINS, were recorded in Rockingham County Marriage Register, 1867 - 1896, which is the only register of that county in the 19th Century that recorded parents of the parties as well as the performing official. Those two records which were made at the time of the marriages, list Robert’s parents as Robert & Massey SIMPSON, and both Mary’s & Lucy’s parents as Constantine & Isabelle PERKINS.

In the listing below, when Glenn’s manuscript is the principal source it is indicated with “[RGS]” inserted. Another important source of data is found in the published cemetery records (cited below as “[CRRS]”) of the six volume series titled Cemetery Records of Rockingham and Stokes Counties North Carolina, compiled and published by members of James Hunter Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution of Madison, North Carolina, and published from 1992 to 2001. Otherwise, the sources are the usual census, marriage, probate & land records of Rockingham & Guilford Counties, North Carolina. The abbreviations used are the usual except “mg. b.” which is the date of the marriage bond when date of marriage is not preserved.

In addition to those sources, I have consulted the wonderful series of volumes published by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History that are titled North Carolina Troops, 1861 -1865, A Roster, compiled by Weymouth T. Jordan, Jr. These volumes list by name all the known North Carolina men who served in the military, each with an abstract of their service records. The men are listed alphabetically by regiment and company so it is necessary to know the unit in which they served, but a separate index volume makes possible finding each one. The mentions below of military service are taken from that series.

Robert SIMPSON, b. ca. 1803, died after the 1880 census.
marriage bond 28 April, 1829
Massey McCOLLUM, b. ca. 1810, d. between censuses of 1860 & 1870

A. James SIMPSON, b. ca. 1830, d. May, 1864; mg. b. 8 Feb., 1859, Elizabeth SHARP, b. ca. 1835, d. probably after the 1910 census.

B. William SIMPSON, b. ca. 1832, d. ca. 1859; mg. b. 23 Nov., 1855, Nancy FLYNN, b. ca. 1836, d. 22 July, 19??.

C. Martha SIMPSON, b. ca. 1834.

D. Sterling SIMPSON, b. ca. 1836, d. ca. 1879, Rockingham Co.; not married.

E. Robert Cumming SIMPSON, b. ca. 1837, d. between 1900 & 1910; md. 16 March, 1869, Mary Ann PERKINS, b. 22 Nov., 1846, d. 6 Feb., 1870; md. 2nd [RGS] Margaret Ann [or May?] BROWN, b. 8 Aug., 1849, d. 14 Feb., 1878; md. 3rd 17 Feb., 1880, Lucy A. PERKINS, b. 10 Jan., 1860, d. 17 May, 1935, Rockingham Co.

F. Powhatan David SIMPSON, b. 23 Dec., 1839, d. 3 March, 1891, Rockingham Co.; md. 23 Nov., 1865, Rockingham Co., “Alley” Alice A. E. ROGERS, b. 23 March, 1843, d. 5 June, 1897, Rockingham Co.

G. Isabelle SIMPSON, b. ca. 1841; mg. b. 3 March, 1860, Rockingham Co., John W. CARTER.

H. Nancy SIMPSON, b. ca. 1844; md. 1st 27 Jan., 1864, Daniel L. CARTER; md. 2nd 15 Sept., 1868, William W. LOVINS; md. 3rd 2 Aug., 1885, John H. POTEAT.

The Robert & Massey SIMPSON family were listed on the 1850 & 1860 censuses but Massey was not listed on later censuses and presumably had died between 1860 & 1870. Robert continued to be listed at the 1870 & 1880 censuses but not thereafter. There is no will nor estate file preserved for him, nor are there any death, tombstone or cemetery record for him so his date of death is uncertain.

Robert was a son of William SIMPSON (d. ca. 1844) & wife, Isabelle CUMMINGS. At the 1850 census, Robert’s mother, Isabelle, was living in the household with Robert & Massie. However, Isabelle is not found on record after that and is presumed to have died before the 1860 census.

Massey McCOLLUM was a daughter of James McCOLLUM (b. ca. 1766, d. 15 Sept., 1857) and his wife, Nancy YOURS (b. ca. 1785, d. 29 April, 1846). James & Nancy (YOURS) McCOLLUM had a son named Powhatan D. McCOLLUM who may have been the source of the name for Powhatan David SIMPSON, son of Robert & Massey. James McCOLLUM was younger brother of Daniel McCOLLUM who was married to Celia SIMPSON, daughter of William & Isabelle (CUMMINGS) SIMPSON.

A. The Family of James & Elizabeth (Sharp) Simpson.

James SIMPSON was married to Elizabeth SHARP in Rockingham Co. in early 1859 (marriage bond of 8 Feb.). James entered the Confederate Army on Sept. 1, 1862, and served in Company H of the 45th NC Infantry Regiment until his death on May 19, 1864, near Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. Because of the disruptions of the War, his estate was not probated until Nov., 1866, when his widow, Elizabeth, was granted Administration.

On 28 Dec., 1873, the widow, Elizabeth SIMPSON, was married to Andrew B. BARHAM, and at the 1880 census three of the SIMPSON children were listed in the BARHAM household as step children of Andrew. Elizabeth was still alive at the 1900 & 1910 censuses but probably died after the latter census.

Combining the census records with the estate records, the full names of the children can be given as follows.

Susan Jane SIMPSON, b. 27 Jan., 1860, d. 24 Dec., 19??; md. 27 Jan., 1881, David F. JOINER, b. 10 Aug., 1851, d. 3 Nov., 1937. David & Susan JOINER are buried in Kallam Grove Christian Church Cemetery, Rockingham Co. [CRRS, vol. 1].

Sarah Isabelle SIMPSON, b. 22 Feb., 1861, d. 11 April, 1925; md. 10 May, 1885, Toliver E. WEBB, b. 1 Oct., 1856, d. 28 Dec., 1925. Toliver & Isabelle are buried in Pleasantville Primitive Bapt. Ch. Cem., Rockingham Co. [CRRS, vol. 2].

Elizabeth M. SIMPSON, b. ca. 1863; md. 26 Dec., 1878, Spencer TRUITT, b. ca. 1848.

James Monroe SIMPSON, b. 7 Jan., 1865, d. 24 Jan., 1962; md. 13 Feb., 1889, Mary E. CUMMINGS, b. 10 Feb., 1870, d. 28 Oct., 1937. James M. & Mary E. SIMPSON are buried in Mt. Bethel Christian Church Cemetery. [CRRS vol. 5].

B. The Family of William & Nancy (Flynn) Simpson.The marriage bond for the marriage of William & Nancy is dated 23 Nov., 1855. William was listed as age 18 living in his parents’ household on the 1850 census but does not appear on any later census. A Nancy SIMPSON, age 24, with a year old child was on the 1860 census listed adjacent William’s parents and are possibly William’s widow and child.

C. Martha Simpson.The only record of Martha known to me at present is the 1850 census where she was listed in her parents’ household as age 16.

D. Sterling Simpson.
Sterling was listed on the censuses of 1850 & 1860 in the household of his parents; in 1850 as age 14, in 1860 as age 24. On the 1870 census he was listed in the household of his brother, Powhatan D. SIMPSON, as age 35. He was probably the “Stoll SIMPSON, never married, died from pneumonia,” listed [RGS] in the Glen Simpson papers as a brother of Powhatan D. & Robert C. SIMPSON. A file for the Estate of Sterling SIMPSON is preserved among Rockingham Co. Estate Papers at the North Carolina State Archives. The papers in that file list P. D. SIMPSON as Administrator, and are dated from March, 1880, to May, 1887.

Sterling enlisted May 3, 1861, with his brother, Powhatan D., in Company I of the 13th North Carolina Regiment of Troops. He was discharged on 1 Aug., 1862, after providing a substitute. He enlisted again on Aug. 3, 1864, at Bunker Hill, Virginia, in Company G of the 45th Regiment of North Carolina Troops in which company his brother, Robert C. SIMPSON, was then serving. He deserted on Feb. 25, 1865, but returned to duty prior to April 6, 1865, when he was captured at Burkeville, Virginia. He was confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, April 18, 1865, and released from there on June 20 after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

E. The Family of Robert Cummings Simpson & his three wives.Robert was in his parents’ household at the 1850 census, age 13, and at the 1860 census as age 23. In 1870 he was head of household age 33 and living with him was a Nancy SIMPSON, age 30, whose identity is uncertain, and his father, Robert, listed as age 60.

Robert C. SIMPSON was married to his first wife, Mary Ann or Molley PERKINS in 1869. The marriage record gives R. C. son of Robert & Massey SIMPSON, married 16 March, 1869 to Molley, daughter of Constantine & Isabella PERKINS. The 1870 Mortality Schedule has, “SIMPSON, Mary, age 21, female, white, married, born North Carolina, died February, keeping house, cause puerperal fever.” She is buried in Lowe’s United Methodist Church Cemetery and the tombstone data as published [CRRS, vol. 1, p. 155], is “SIMPSON, Mollie E., wife of R. G., 22 Nov., 1849 - 6 Feb., 1870.” Tombstones in that area are often eroded such that it is easy to mistake the names on them, and that may be the case here. No children are known of this marriage.

There is no surviving record in Rockingham Co. of the second marriage of Robert, but the Glen Simpson papers state that it was to Margaret BROWN. A tombstone in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery [CRRS, vol. 2, p. 24] has been recorded as “SIMPSON, Margaret Ann, wife of R. G. SIMPSON, 8 Aug., 1849 - 14 Feb., 1878, age 28 y, 6 ms, 6 ds.” The Glen Simpson papers give her name as “Margaret May BROWN” and add that she was a “sister of Dr. Henry A. BROWN, who built Brown Memorial Church and later built 1st Baptist Church near Wentworth, N.C.” The census of 1850 shows that Margaret A. & Henry A. were children of Robert & Sarah A. (TROTH) BROWN.

Robert C. SIMPSON married 3rd to Lucy A. PERKINS. The Glenn Simpson papers [RGS] call her Lucinda PERKINS, but Lucy had an older sister named Lucinda D. PERKINS who was married in 1875 to J. F. LOVINS, and both daughters, Lucinda LOVINS and Lucy Ann SIMPSON, were mentioned in their father’s will made in 1882. The marriage record has Robert C., son of Robert & Massey SIMPSON, married 17 Feb., 1880, to Lucie A., daughter of Constantine & Isabelle PERKINS. Thus Robert’s 1st & 3rd wives were sisters. Constantine PERKINS was married in 1844 (bond of 12 Aug.) to Isabelle, daughter of Daniel & Celia (SIMPSON) McCOLLUM. Thus Robert C. SIMPSON, a grandson of William & Isabelle (CUMMINGS) SIMPSON, was married to the two PERKINS sisters who were great granddaughters of William & Isabelle SIMPSON.

Lucy is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery at Eden, North Carolina. In Some Cemeteries of Eden, North Carolina, by the James Hunter Chapter, NSDAR, published 2003, p. 5 is listed “SIMPSON, Lucy Ann, wife of R.C. SIMPSON, 10 Jan., 1861 - 17 May, 1935.” The year of birth on the tombstone is probably off by a year as she appears to be the daughter age 5/12 on the 1860 census in her parents’ household.

Robert enlisted on March 2, 1862, in Company G of the 45th Regiment of NC Troops. He was captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, on May 10, 1864, and confined on May 18 at Point Lookout, Maryland, then transferred to Elmira, New York, Aug. 3, 1864. He was paroled at Elmira on March 10, 1865, and received at Boulware’s Wharf, James River, Virginia, March 15, 1865, for exchange, and paroled again at Greensboro, North Carolina, on May 29, 1865.

The children of Robert Cummings SIMPSON by his 2nd & 3rd wives were as follows.
By Margaret Ann BROWN.

Minnie Rose SIMPSON, b. July, 1874 [1900 census]; md. 2 Jan., 1898, Mack C. CARTER, b. May, 1873 [1900 census].

Robert Henry SIMPSON, b. 4 July, 1877, d. 31 March, 1949, bur. Lawson Cem., Leaksville, Rockingham Co.; md. Nov., 1897 [RGS], Victoria Dexter WYATT, b. 10 Oct., 1880, d. 18 Oct., 1967, bur. Lawson Cem.

By Lucy A. PERKINS.

Hattie May SIMPSON, b. ca. 1883.

James Dillard SIMPSON, b. 13 March, 1886, d. 28 Feb., 1921, bur. Woodlawn Cem.; md. Flora JONES [RGS].

Powhatan David SIMPSON, b. ca. 1889; md. Mollie FLINCHUM [RGS]; presumably named for his father’s brother of the same name.

F. The Family of Powhatan David & Allie (Rogers) Simpson.
Powhatan & Allie were married in 1865, with his brother, Robert C. SIMPSON, as bondsman and the marriage performed by Hamilton P. LOMAX, J. P. Allie was apparently the nickname for Alice A. E. ROGERS, daughter of William Edward & Nancy (VAN HOOK) ROGERS. William E. ROGERS was married to Nancy A. E. VAN HOOK in Rockingham Co. with bond dated 25 Aug., 1840. It appears from the 1850 census that this was a second marriage for Edward ROGERS and probably a first marriage for Nancy. Edward ROGERS died ca. 1851 & his widow, Nancy, was married in 1852 to John B. LUCAS. According to the 1860 census mortality schedule, Nancy died in May of that year, and at the census Allie was living with her step-father, John B. LUCAS. On the 1870 census she was listed as Allie A. E. SIMPSON, wife of Powhatan SIMPSON who was listed then as a farmer. On the 1880 census he was listed as keeper of the county poor house.

Powhatan served in Company I of the 13th North Carolina Infantry in the Civil War having enlisted on the same day as his brother, Sterling SIMPSON. He was mustered in as a Corporal and promoted to Sergeant on Dec. 6, 1862, and promoted to First Sergeant on the 30th of that same month. He was twice wounded but returned to service each time. He was paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865.

Powhatan & Allie are buried in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery and the record of their tombstones [CRRS, vol. 2] gives dates of birth & death. The birth date on Allie’s tombstone as reported in CRRS is 23 May, 1843, does not agree with her age on the censuses and it appears she may have been born in 1842 instead. However, since the Glenn Simpson papers give her birth date as 1843 that is the date used here.

The children of Powhatan & Allie (ROGERS) SIMPSON and their spouses are detailed in the Glenn Simpson papers more thoroughly than can be found elsewhere, and that source is followed in most of the following listing.

Nannie Lee SIMPSON, b. 7 July, 1867, d. 1888, bur. Sharon Bapt. Ch. Cem. [RGS, but not listed in CRRS]; md. 15 Feb., 1885, John W. CARROLL.

Salley Massey SIMPSON, b. 18 Nov., 1869, d. 26 Dec., 1936; md. 13 Nov., 1889, Patrick Henderson SIMPSON, b. 7 Sept., 1870, d. 5 Jan., 1934, son of Simeon & Celia (MASSEY) SIMPSON. Patrick & Salley are buried in Sharon Bapt. Ch. Cem. [CRRS, vol. 2].

Powhatan David SIMPSON, Jr., b. 21 July, 1874, d. 9 March, 1956; md. 26 Dec., 1894, Etta Volinia EVERETT, b. 26 Dec., 1874, d. 19 June, 1954. Powhatan & Etta are buried in Hillsdale Bapt. Ch. Cem., Guilford Co. [Ralph Glenn Simpson, Sr., author of the Glenn Simpson papers was their son].

Hamilton Sterling SIMPSON, b. 18 Nov., 1875, d. ca. 1881.

John Robert SIMPSON, b. 23 Sept., 1878, d. 12 Nov., 1954; md. 11 Dec., 1901, Lenora Blanch EVERETT, b. 9 July, 1881, d. 5 Sept., 1942. This couple is also buried in Hillsdale Bapt. Ch. Cem., Guilford Co.

Mack Cleo Sterling SIMPSON, Sr., b. 8 Aug., 1881, d. 5 Sept., 1953; md. 3 Dec., 1902, Anna Stella ADKINS, b. 15 Feb., 1886, d. 14 Apr., 1957. This couple is also buried in Sharon Bapt. Ch. Cem. [CRRS, vol. 2].

G. Isabelle Simpson.The estimated birth of Isabelle is based on the census of 1850 where she was listed in the household of her parents as age 9. She was married in March, 1860, to John W. CARTER.

H. Nancy Simpson.Nancy’s estimated birth, based on censuses, was ca. 1844. She was married first in 1864 to Daniel L. CARTER, then in 1868 to William LOVINS, and third in 1885 to John H. POTEAT. The 1880 census shows Nancy with three LOVINS children but I have not found record of her after her marriage to John POTEAT.

Queries

I am searching for D.S. SIMPSON living in Anderson, South Carolina, born 1862, died 1920, married to Zephia CAIN. D. SIMPSON’s father was Jesse SIMPSON married to Martha BURTON. Jesse born 1833, died 1865. Any info beyond this would be a big help. Would appreciate info on Jesse’s father and mother. Please respond to Dorothy Simpson, PO Box 38, Eufaula, AL 36072


Lewis Simpson of Wabash County, Indiana
by Jason Simpson, 16530 Lake Rd., White Pigeon, MI 49099

This particular Lewis SIMPSON was married to Louisa HARMON, HOOD or WOOD in Wabash Co., Indiana in 1832 and is still shown in that census in 1850. He later moved to Cass County, Michigan. I am looking for any information in where this family might have come from before moving to Indiana and for information on any of his ancestors.

Generation One: Lewis Simpson

1. Lewis SIMPSON was born 1818 in Virginia and died July 7, 1885, buried in Union, Michigan. He married Louisa HARMON July 3, 1842 in Wabash, Indiana. She was born September 22, 1828 and died March 22, 1893. Their children were:

(1) Warren SIMPSON born 5 January 1845 Indiana, died 13 February 1913
(2) Camilus SIMPSON born 6 January 1848
(3) Columbus SIMPSON born 6 January 1848
(4) William SIMPSON born 5 July 1850
(5) Maria SIMPSON born 5 May 1852
(6) Camillus SIMPSON born 22 January 1854, died 8 January 1882
(7) Oliver SIMPSON born 8 July 1856
(8) Lewis SIMPSON born 12 October 1858
(9) Mary Margaret SIMPSON born 6 January 1861
(10) Amos SIMPSON born 28 February 1863, died 4 August 1876
(11) Eliza SIMPSON born 5 August 1865
(12) Minnie SIMPSON born 3 March 1869
(13) Peter SIMPSON born 1 August 1870
(14) May SIMPSON born 20 March 1872

Generation Two: Warren Simpson
2. Warren SIMPSON was born 5 January 1845 in Indiana and died 13 February 1913. On 8 February 1865 he enlisted in Company G, 1st Michigan Calvary. He married Sophronia TOUCHOTT 25 January 1874, daughter of Francis TOUCHOTT and Almina ___. She was born 1856 in New York and died 1914. Both were buried in White Pigeon, Michigan Twp. Cemetery. Their children were:

(1) Mytie SIMPSON married Perry SCHOETTLER
(2) Mable SIMPSON married SMITH
(3) Nellie SIMPSON married MONKS
(4) Rosella SIMPSON
(5) Lewis Francis SIMPSON born 25 August 1878, died 20 February 1960

Generation Three: Rosella Simpson
3. Rosella SIMPSON (daughter of Warren SIMPSON) married a PACKARD and they had a child named Edwin PACKARD.

Generation Four: Perry Leroy Simpson and Lewis James Simpson5. Perry Leroy SIMPSON (son of Lewis Francis SIMPSON) was born 31 May 1919 in White Pigeon, Michigan and died 9 July 1985 in Three Rivers, Michigan, buried in White Pigeon Michigan Twp. Cemetery. He married Margaret L. RUSSEY 15 October 1939, daughter of Lewis RUSSEY and Nellie LEFLER. She was born 9 December 1921 in Flower Field Twp., Michigan.

6. Lewis James SIMPSON (son of Lewis Francis SIMPSON) was born 12 August 1921 in White Pigeon, Michigan, died 27 March 2001 in Battle Creek, Michigan. He married Carrie L. BAKER 8 November 1941.


SIMPSON COMPARISON STUDIESFurther Notes and Perspectives
By Bryce Knight, 7419 Harris, Raytown, MO 64133


Guilford Co., North Carolina names also allied with or living near Alice Susan (SIMPSON) KNIGHT and William Cullen KNIGHT at Nimrod, Perry Co., Arkansas may include DAVIS and RUSSELL.

Gabriel DAVIS earlier is found with John KIZER in an 1837 Stewart Co., Tennessee estate sale. His apparent father, also Gabriel DAVIS and over 45, is listed page 53 of the Bedford Co., Tennessee census with Hugh DAVIS (26-44) and Newsom THOMPSON. Page 51 gives John TROLLINGER (26-44) apparent relation of Adam TROLLINGER also listed this census. Page 52 gives Kenneth ANDERSON who married 1801 Orange Co., North Carolina. Nancy THOMPSON, daughter of John Theopolus THOMPSON and Mary NEWCOM (or NEWSOM). ANDERSON – NEWSOMs also lived Madison Co., Tennessee, probably related to my own ANDERSONs.

According to a Guilford Co., North Carolina historical documentation map by The Custom House 1977 a John ANDERSON acquired land (1778) Mears Fork near Isaac PERRIMAN and upstream from Thomas MORELAND (1789) Richard SIMPSON Jr. (1793) and Richard SIMPSON Sr. (1764). William ANDERSON acquired land (1778) Reedy Fork Creek. These are thought to be the same men as on DONNELL’s 1768 list of tithables, and because juxtaposed with MEBENs and MITCHELLs, thought sons of John ANDERSON, Sr. and Ann Elizabeth MOORE who married 1724 Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania and died Haw River, then Orange Co., North Carolina, children’s names recorded.

RUSSELL, extra-posed [sic] that Alice Susan SIMPSON’s related KNIGHTs were involved with RUSSELLs through the CREASYs and those related KNIGHTs lived a while at or near Cisco or Gorman, Texas, possibly same period as Guilford Co., North Carolina SIMPSONs (see The Simpson Clan, Vol. XIX, Issue 2 (Fall 2003), pp. 2-3 “Haw River Simpson Descendants in Coleman Co., Texas” by Don Simpson:

1870 Perry Co., Arkansas, Aplin Twp. (where William Cullen KNIGHT and Alice Susan lived early on) appears a David KNIGHT born ca 1794 North Carolina listed neighbor to sons of Gabriel DAVIS. Interesting, because he took a more southern, circuitous route (as per children / grandchildren) through Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana rather than through Tennessee and / or north Mississippi, after some study it would seem David KNIGHT may be a son of Absalom KNIGHT, son of Thomas KNIGHT and Sarah Elizabeth SIMPSON[1]. That Absalom KNIGHT may have had a RUSSELL wife related to William and Robert RUSSELL near Jno. McKNIGHT (or KNIGHT?) on DONNELL’s list. Also, to James RUSSELL and Delilah RUSSELL listed 1800 Guilford County near Richard C. SIMPSON, Eliza MILEHAM and Thomas and George KIRKMAN.

Don Simpson’s article in The Simpson Clan, Vol. VIII, Issue 4 (Spring 1993) “More Lands of the Haw River Simpsons” gives a map of the area of Russell Branch of Reedy Fork and mentions the families of DAVIS and RUSSELL.

As well: A. KNIGHT and what appears perhaps to have been Peter Ryan (?) SIMPSON and Hubbard PEEPLES signed a 1795 Guilford County deed involving William and Eleanor RUSSELL and Abraham PEOPLES. (“A. KNIGHT” may have been female, possibly Mrs. A. KNIGHT.) The land was bounded by James DAVIS, the same year involved in a transaction with William RUSSELL, Jr. and Eleanor on Mill Creek of Haw River. Absalom KNIGHT was also involved with his father or brother Thomas KNIGHT in 1806 Rockingham County on Jacobs Creek, Lewis PEOPLES mentioned.

In 1821 Wilson Co., Tennessee Absalom KNIGHT and Margaret KNIGHT (his presumed wife) signed the divorce petition of his sister-in-law Polly (LINDER-KNIGHT) YOUNG. However, on the 1820 census (index) of Guilford County there is an Absalom KNIGHT Jr. and Sr., same page as David KNIGHT. This would almost certainly not have been Absalom KNIGHT Sr., father of Thomas P. KNIGHT (married KIZER), grandfather of William Cullen KNIGHT.

If the above seems scrambled and contradictory it might be well to consider that the old timers got around, even if just ten miles a day and they may frequently have owned land in two places. For perhaps 30 years John KIZER was listed in Stokes County, North Carolina and Stewart Co., Tennessee, his second family living in Stewart County.

Regarding Sarah and / or Elizabeth and / or Sarah Elizabeth SIMPSON of Guilford County, North Carolina and / or Wilson County, Tennessee, wife of Thomas KNIGHT see The Simpson Clan, Vol. II, #1, “Research Note #6 by Don Simpson[2].

On Jacobs Creek in Rockingham County there were several MARTIN-KNIGHT-SIMPSON deed associations, also involving Adam TROLLINGER, Nathaniel LINDER, CUNNINGHAM, CONNER, CUMMINGS, etc. Alexander MARTIN was, I believe, a governor and held large acreage that area, given sometimes as a neighbor.

In 1827 Stewart Co., Tennessee a / the LEWIS family appears in Brinson’s Militia Company with John KIZER and his son-in-law Thomas P. KNIGHT, along with Christopher BUCHANAN and Thompson B. GORIN. BUCHANAN, of course, a name not unfamiliar with Guilford Co., North Carolina SIMPSON researchers.

Humphreys County, Tennessee Deed Book M, p. 160 – SIMPSON, David M. to Thompson B. GORIN, land in Dist. 4 on Tennessee River, mentions land heretofore claimed by heirs of Simeon BUCHANAN, deceased, 1854.[3]

A D.M. SIMPSON witnessed the 1859 Humphreys Co., Tennessee purchase of land by William J. KNIGHT, another son of Absalom KNIGHT Sr. William J.’s daughter Kesiah C. KNIGHT born 1845 Humphreys County had a daughter who married Alanzo Blount SIMPSON, son of William Carroll SIMPSON, grandson of William SIMPSON who married Margaret (Peggy) MATTOX 1803 Wayne Co., Kentucky where the family of Alice Susan SIMPSON also originated.

According to Anderson Genealogy by Mary Lynn Steward (1915/1916) and material posted by C.R.S. Clendenin 12 April 2000 http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~anderson/va/trees/william4.htm:

A William ANDERSON’s second wife was Elizabeth CAMPBELL (married ca 1746 Augusta County, Virginia) from where begins the many ANDERSON – MAXWELL – SKILLERN relationships. Noting, of course, these some possible MAXWELL neighbors of Guilford Co., North Carolina SIMPSONs. As perhaps also some of the same CAMPBELLs.

An Absolom KNIGHT, generally considered Absalom KNIGHT Jr. (son of Absalom Sr. who was the brother of Thomas KNIGHT born 1740 married to a SIMPSON) married 18 April 1816 Wilson Co., Tennessee Elizabeth MARTIN, a first marriage. He was born 1790-94, and if Ally MARTIN was Elizabeth’s sibling then she may have been too young as a spouse for Thomas KNIGHT born 1740.

More from Bryce Knight in the next issue.
End Notes:
[1] [Ed. Note: No proof exists that her name was Sarah Elizabeth.]
[2] “In his will he named his wife Sarah KNIGHT. Some people think that his wife was named Sarah Elizabeth, but can't find proof. Elizabeth SIMPSON might have been his first wife and Sarah, his second wife. He may be the Thomas KNIGHT who married second to "Alley" or Sally" MARTIN, 24 Dec. 1812 Wilson Co., Tennessee. If so, Elizabeth would have died before this date.
[3] The Simpson Clan Vol. XVIII, Issue 2 Fall 2002, p. 6, “Notes on David M. Simpson” by Fran Laird.

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