THE SIMPSON CLAN, Volume XVIII, Issue 1 Summer 2002

Descendants of William Simpson [and Elizabeth Hocking] in Cherokee Co. GA[1]

By Kathleen Akin, 380 Braxton Place, Tucker, GA 30084, email: abish@bellsouth.net

Thomas SIMPSON, son of William SIMPSON, was born ca 1776 North Carolina; died 1850/1860 Cherokee Co., Georgia; occupation cooper. He married Mary ______ born ca. 1786 South Carolina; died after 1860. In the 1840 Cherokee Co., Georgia census, District 817, p. 191 his family is listed as follows: 00012001000-000110010000 so he is 60-70 years old as is his wife. He has 2 sons 20-30 years old, 1 son 15-20 years old, 1 daughter 20-30 years old and 1 daughter 15-20 years old.



2 sons b. 1810-1820

1 son b. 1820-1825

1 dau b. 1810-1820

1 dau b. 1820-1825



There is a John SIMPSON, age 25 living next door in the 1850 Cherokee Co., Georgia census (#1268) who could easily be his youngest son. This John was born in South Carolina and his occupation is “sawyer”. His wife Elizabeth is 25 and was born in North Carolina. Their children are Mary Ann, age 7, Sara J., age 5 and Satira E., age 5 mo. All 3 are girls. Because of the age differences in the children, this could be a second marriage for either him or his wife and the older 2 children could be either his or hers. Their last name is listed as “SIMPSON”.



Birth year of 1776 for Thomas is estimated per 1850 Cherokee Co., Georgia census # 1267. He is 74 years old, born North Carolina and his occupation is given as “cooper”. His wife Mary is 64, born in South Carolina.



Living with them in the 1850 census is Mary E. SIMPSON, age 14. A Mary Elizabeth SIMPSON marries Martin J. SMITH in Cherokee Co., Georgia 13 October 1853 per Cherokee Co., Georgia Marriage Book B. p. 202.



He is not listed in the 1860 census for Cherokee Co., Georgia but his wife is there as a widow. She is 74, living alone in the Wild Cat District, p. 810, #1071/1136. It says she was born in Georgia. She is listed as 64 years in the 1850 Cherokee Co., Georgia census, Wild Cat District. She is living alone.



Information about the SIMPSONs below is based on information from the Brownings District Justice of the Peace Docket Books, called “DeKalb County, Georgia Court Records or something similar on the microfilm index at the Georgia Archives. My copies are from the original records. One of my aunts had them from her grandfather who was one of the last Justices of the Peace in this part of DeKalb County. It had several names but the last name has been the Brownings Militia District. It is the area around Tucker, Georgia. This has been the only record I could find to show that Balis SIMPSON and his brothers were actually in DeKalb Co., Georgia. I feel sure that Griffin SIMPSON is related, too, because he shows up in these books.



There is another set of SIMPSONs who lived in DeKalb County at the same time. They were Leonard SIMPSON and his children. They also came from South Carolina. They moved to Cobb Co., Georgia in the 1830’s. They lived in and around Decatur, Georgia. It took a while to get them separated out. (Leonard is the son of John SIMPSON, R.S., Presbyterian Minister, and Mary REMER.)



John SIMPSON, possible son of Thomas SIMPSON above, was born ca. 1825 South Carolina; married 11 August 1842 Cherokee Co., Georgia to Elizabeth McKINNEY[2] born ca. 1825 North Carolina. Their children were Mary Ann SIMPSON born ca. 1843, Sarah J. SIMPSON born ca. 1845 and Satira E. SIMPSON born ca. 1850.



John SIMPSON, son of William SIMPSON, was born 1760/1770; died 1848/1850; resided in DeKalb Co., Georgia. His wife was born 1760/1770[3] and died 1840/1850. Their children included the following:



1. A son born 1790/1800

2. Abner C. SIMPSON born ca. 1796 South Carolina; married 1847 in Gwinnett Co., Georgia to Martha WATERS.

3. A son born 1800/1810

4. A daughter born 1800/1810

5. A daughter born 1800/1810

6. John L. SIMPSON born ca. 1805 South Carolina; married Nancy.

7. A daughter born 1800/1810

8. Benjamin Franklin SIMPSON born 1810/1820 South Carolina; died 1841/1854

9. James Madison SIMPSON born ca. 1813 South Carolina; died ca. 1853; married 29 March 1836 Newton Co., Georgia to Sarah SOUTH and married second ca. 1838 in DeKalb Co., Georgia to Caroline CASH.

10. Balus Wilson SIMPSON born 28 July 1814 South Carolina; died 16 December 1901 Georgia; married December 1836 DeKalb Co., Georgia to Permelia EVINS.



I believe he is the John SIMPSON, age 70-80, in the 1840 DeKalb Co., Georgia census, District 572, p. 50. The unnamed children are from the 1840 census.



He shows up, often along with John L. SIMPSON, in the Browning Court House Justice of the Peace Docket Book, 1828-1833, as early as 1827. I believe this John L. SIMPSON is his son and is the John L. who moves later to Cobb Co., Georgia. Other SIMPSONs named with him in this book are Larkin SIMPSON (1828) and James M. SIMPSON (1838).



He owed $42.47 on two notes dated 1 August 1837 to James H. KIRKPATRICK, recorded in “Admin…Appraisement, DeKalb Co., Georgia”.



He is living on LL 163, 18th District, DeKalb County in 1849. It is land owned by his son James Madison SIMPSON per DeKalb Co., Georgia Deed Book L, 1848-1852, DeKalb Co., Georgia p. 581.



In the 1840 DeKalb Co., Georgia he is living two doors down from William CASH. This puts him on the 163rd land lot, approximately, and James Madison SIMPSON, who I believe is his son, married Caroline CASH, a daughter of Stephen P. CASH who is the son of William CASH.



Neither he nor his wife is listed in the 1850 DeKalb Co., Georgia census. William CASH and Stephen P. CASH are still there, living in the same places they were in the 1840 census, the Brownings District. There are no SIMPSONs living in that district in 1850.



Land lot 163, 18th District, DeKalb County, Georgia is where the family graveyard is located per DeKalb Co., Georgia Deed Book L, p. 581. It is called the LIVSEY Family Cemetery today and is at the corner of LaVista Road and Frazier Road in DeKalb County, Georgia. There are no SIMPSON gravestones existing today. There are, however, some graves marked only by rocks. My grandmother, Lula Weems Simpson (1883-1977) used to say that the “SIMPSON giants” were buried there. Apparently these SIMPSONs were very tall people.



Cherokee County, Georgia Land Records Volume 7, Deed Book G: p. 121 #140, 7 December 1843 from William GRISHAM of Cherokee County to John SIMPSON, 40 acres, Lot 587, lot 637, and lot 638 in the 15th District, 2nd Section. Witnesses: Thomas SIMPSON, James A. FOWLER, Posey MADDOX and David H. BIRD



Book G, p. 121-122 John SIMPSON takes a mortgage from William GRISHAM on the same date, money due 1 January 45, 46 & 47 (333.33 plus interest each payment) “also a car log cart & log hooks, farm picks, mill screws & other apparatus including all implements, tools, saws & stones to both mills on the aforesaid premises.” Same witnesses.



Book G, p. 379-380, 10 February 1845, Balis W. SIMPSON is a witness to sale of land Lot 636, 15th District, 2nd Section.



Brownings District Justice of the Peace Docket Books: April Term 1838, Charles WHITLOCK vs. John SIMPSON & James M. SIMPSON, note due the 25th 1837 with credit, 7 April 1838, Default, Judgments.



February Term 1838. R.D. GREEN vs. J.H. JONES, John CAMPBELL & John SIMPSON. March the 3d ____ of this February the 3d 1838, Judgment for plaintiff, March 3d 1838. Rec’d in full on the case, cost paid.



February 1838 R.D. GREEN vs. John CAMPBELL, J.H. JONES and John SIMPSON February the 3d 1838 default, March the 3, 1838 Rec of the case $29.95 act in full and cost paid and Directed.



Daniel STONE Administer of the Estate of John ADAMS vs. Larkin SIMPSON Due Bill Date 13th Jun(?) 1828. June 5th 1830, Judgment for plaintiff, Jas. WOOD J.P.



Thos. AHIRE? For the use of Daniel STONEs ___ of the Estate of John ADAMS Dec’d vs. John SIMPSON Due 2nd January 1828, June 5th 1830 Judgment for Plaintiff, Jas. WOOD, J.P.



April Term 1832. John WINTERS vs. John SIMPSON and Larkin SIMPSON December 25, 1831. May 5th Judgment for Plaintiff, Laid over by order. 14 May 1832.

To be continued

Two “Lost” Simpsons Found

Aug., 2002 - Don Simpson

While researching the problem of what happened to Elijah KIRKPATRICK, I happened to find two of the daughters of Nathaniel SIMPSON, Sr., (died ca. 1830, Guilford Co., North Carolina) whom I had not previously been able to trace. In his will written 1827, probated 1830, Nathaniel mentioned his daughters Sarah LANE and Mary SIMPSON. Sarah was married in Guilford County. to Reuben LANE, bond of 17 July, 1802, with Thomas SIMPSON (probably the Thomas, son of Nathaniel, Sr.) as bondsman. Reuben LANE was listed as head of household on the censuses of Guilford County in 1810, 1820, & 1830, and on the tax list of 1815 as paying tax on 129 acres of land in Guilford County. I have several times in recent years made brief searches for them in several states on the 1840 & 1850 census indexes but without success. It now appears that they moved sometime between 1830 & 1840 to McNairy Co., Tennessee.



On the 1840 census of McNairy County, were listed (p. 29) James LAIN, age 30-40, & family; (p. 34) Reuben LAIN, age 60-70, with one female each in 40-50, 50-60, & 60-70; and (p. 64) Thomas LAIN, age 30-40, & one female age 15-20. The 1850 census (sheet 84) has in household 1158, Thomas LANE, age 42, b. North Carolina, wife, Jane, age 26, b. North Carolina and five children, plus four females as follows: Sarah LANE, 78, b. North Carolina; Margaret WILSON, 70, b. North Carolina; Mary SIMPSON, 50, b. North Carolina; & Nancy HOLDER, 32, b. North Carolina. In 1860 (sheet 446) Thomas, age 53, & Jane A., age 41, are listed with six children plus Nancy HOLDER, age 60, and a 22 year old farm laborer.



After examining many families in the same part of McNairy County, it appears that the 1850 census is very accurate in recording state of birth, but the ages given there are, in several cases, off by some years.



From the census data, it appears that Reuben probably died between 1840 & 1850 and that Sarah (SIMPSON) LANE probably died between 1850 & 1860. Whether Mary SIMPSON also died in that interval is uncertain but I think it likely. It also is likely that the James “LAIN” of the 1840 census, and the Thomas LANE of the 1840, 1850 & 1860 censuses were probably sons of Reuben & Sarah (SIMPSON) LANE. The early census entries in Guilford County for this LANE family suggest there may have been other children as well. Unfortunately, McNairy County suffered major record losses in 1856 and again in 1861 due to courthouse fires, and the surviving marriage records do not begin until 1861.



I have more information of the parents and siblings of Reuben LANE which I can send to those interested. Send self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 1468, Salt Lake City, UT 84110-1468.

More on the Family of William T. Simpson of Rockingham Co., NC, & Pulaski Co., KY

July, 2002 – Don Simpson

The preceding article on this family was published in this newsletter in the fall of 2000 (The Simpson Clan, vol. 16, no.2, pp. 5 - 7). At the time of writing that article I could be sure of only two children of William T. & Tempy SIMPSON , Albert Lomax SIMPSON and Elizabeth, wife of John ROBERTS of Pulaski Co., Kentucky. Vanessa Wood who is a descendant of Wm. T. & Tempy, has been very active in researching this family and in contacting other descendants. She has very generously shared with me the results of her work to which I have been able to add some data.



Some time ago, Vanessa found reason to think that Wm. T. & Tempy also had a daughter named Permelia and that she was the “Milly SIMPSON” who was married in Rockingham Co., North Carolina, to Elijah KIRKPATRICK. Although that has not been proven, substantial circumstantial evidence (detailed below) supports that conclusion.

Another child can also be added, based on convincing circumstantial evidence. That is a son, also named William T. SIMPSON, whose record is also detailed below.



1. Permelia (SIMPSON) KIRKPATRICK.

Rockingham Co., North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1785 - 1868, publ. by Francis T. Ingmire, 1984, lists a bond dated 23 Aug., 1836, for Milly SIMPSON to Elijah KIRKPATRICK. The old WPA abstracts of marriage bonds also lists that bond with the same date and lists Robert CAFFEY as bondsman. The Guilford County marriage bonds are available on microfilm at Family History Libraries but the Rockingham County bonds are not and I have seen no copy of this bond. Later records of Milly in Kentucky and tradition among her descendants there both suggest she was Permelia SIMPSON, daughter of William T. & Temperance SIMPSON. Her life in Kentucky is well documented but her earlier life as the wife of Elijah KIRKPATRICK is less well documented.



Elijah KIRKPATRICK was the son of Hugh & Martha KIRKPATRICK who were residents of Guilford Co., North Carolina., having land on the north side of Haw River near the Rockingham County line and just south of the New Bethel community in Rockingham County where the land of Wm. T. & Temperance SIMPSON was located.



A marriage bond exists in Guilford Co., North Carolina, dated 12 July, 1822, for Elijah KIRKPATRICK to Patsy HARRIS, with Harmon HARRIS as bondsman. Elijah was listed as head of household on the censuses of 1830 & 1840 as follows:



1830 Guilford County (p. 163), Elijah KIRKPATRICK with 1 male age 5 - 10, 1 age 20 - 30, 2 females age under 5, & 1 age 20 - 30; 1840 (p. 306) has 2 males 5 - 10, 1 age 30 - 40, 1 female 5 - 10, 1 age 10 - 15, and no adult females.



If Permelia’s age as given on the censuses of 1860, 70 & 80 (see below) is near correct then she would have been between 10 & 14 years old in Aug., 1836, which seems unlikely. Is it possible the date of the marriage bond could be wrong, or that this was some other Elijah KIRKPATRICK? No children are known yet for Elijah & Milly (SIMPSON) KIRKPATRICK.



The 1850 & 1860 censuses of McNairy Co., Tennessee include in the 8th District, several families originally from Guilford Co., North Carolina. On the 1850 census is Elijah KIRKPATRICK, age 50, b. North Carolina, (McNairy County p. 61) living with an immigrant family. Nearby was another Elijah KIRKPATRICK, age 17, b. North Carolina (p. 62), living with another family. In 1860 the older Elijah was not listed and is assumed to have died. The younger Elijah, listed as W. E. KIRKPATRICK, age 27, b. North Carolina, (McNairy County p. 441) was living with the family of Moses KIRKPATRICK, age 35, b. North Carolina, and his wife. Nearby was a Hugh KIRKPATRICK, age 25, b. North Carolina, with wife, Elizabeth, age 19, b. N.C (p. 447). These three were too old to have been sons of Milly (SIMPSON) KIRKPATRICK. Some of their descendants claim they were sons of the older Elijah and his wife, Martha (HARRIS) KIRKPATRICK and that seems likely so. I have found no record of Milly (SIMPSON) KIRKPATRICK on the 1850 census either in Tennessee or North Carolina.



On the 1850 census Guilford County (p. 426) was a “Gillee KIRKPATRICK” age 23, b. Guilford County, living in the household of Levi & Mary STEPHENS. Levi STEVENS had many dealings with Elijah KIRKPATRICK (see deed records). I find no marriage record for a Gilly KIRKPATRICK, either in Guilford or Rockingham County. Could this have been a daughter of Elijah & Martha (HARRIS) KIRKPATRICK? Or could this possibly be “Milly,” written wrong and with the age and county of birth wrong? It seems unlikely to have been Milly, so we are left with an unsolved puzzle.



McNairy County suffered record losses in 1856 & 1861 such that nearly all records prior to 1861 are lost. Lacking probate, court and deed records prior to 1861 there is no indication when Elijah died or who his heirs were. Tombstones exist and are on record for his three sons but not for Elijah.



I have additional information on the parents and siblings of Elijah KIRKPATRICK as well as more data on his records in Guilford Co., North Carolina, and can send to those interested in the KIRKPATRICKs. Send self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 1468, Salt Lake City, UT 84110-1468.



2. Permelia (SIMPSON, KIRKPATRICK) SAMMONS.

In Pulaski Co., Kentucky records is a marriage dated 12 April, 1852, of Noah SALMON to “Pamelia KIRKPATRICK,” with bondsman Albert L. SIMPSON. At the 1860 census Noah & Permelia SAMMONS were in the adjacent county of Rockcastle (p. 487), he as age 40, b. Tennessee, she as age 35, b. North Carolina, with daughter, Tempy, age 6, b. Kentucky. At the 1870 census of Rockcastle County (pp. 78-A&B) were the following: #103 DYER, John F., 30 b. North Carolina, Tempy E., 17 b. Kentucky, Permelia A. 1 b. Kentucky; #104 SALMONS, Noah, 51 b. Virginia, Permelia, 45 b. North Carolina. The 1880 (ED 96, p.1 = sh. 368) has: SALMONS, Noah, 60, b. Va., f.b. North Carolina, m.b. Kentucky., Parmelia, 57, b. North Carolina, f.b. North Carolina, m.b. North Carolina.



From these it appears that Permelia (SIMPSON) KIRKPATRICK was probably widowed sometime before 1852 when she was married 2nd to Noah SAMMON/SALMON. Noah & Permelia were the parents of Tempy E. SAMMONS, born ca. 1853. Tempy E. SAMMONS was married ca. 1868 to John F. DYER and they continued to appear on the census in Rockcastle County through 1900. Neither Noah nor Permelia are found in Rockcastle County on the 1900 census. Noah was witness to the marriage in 1891 of one of his DYER granddaughters. Rockcastle Co., Kentucky Cemetery Records, by J. S. Bonham & P. H. Hiatt, publ. 1986, list (on p. 505) the tombstone of Noah SALMON, County B, 12th Kentucky. Inf., with “no further information”, in the DEATON/Old CROMER Cemetery. Possibly Permelia may be buried there also as the authors comment that there are “several graves marked with field stones - no other information.”



3. William T. SIMPSON [Jr.].

The 1860 census of Christian Co., Kentucky, (p. 603) has the following SIMPSON family. “W.T. SIMPSON” age 35, b. North Carolina; “Manerva” age 34, b. Tennessee; James R. age 13, b. Tennessee; W.A. age 10, b. North Carolina; A.L. age 7, b. Kentucky; L.H.H. age 1, b. Kentucky. From this it appears that “W.T.” & “Manerva” had probably been married in Tennessee, then moved to North Carolina, then moved to Kentucky. In Knox Co., Tennessee is a marriage for William SIMPSON to Minerva JACKSON on 6 Oct., 1846; the marriage by J. C. ROBERTS, Minister of the Gospel. A record in Trigg Co., Kentucky states that son, James R. SIMPSON, was born in Roane Co., Tennessee.



The 1850 census of Rockingham Co., North Carolina, (p.49) lists family #25 as: William SIMPSON, age 22, b. North Carolina; Minerva, age 22, b. North Carolina [sic.]; & James R., age 3, b. North Carolina [sic]. On the same page, family #28 is James T. & Delia (TAYLOR) SIMPSON. As mentioned above, by 1860 William T. & Minerva were in Christian Co., Kentucky and were still there in 1870. On that census they were listed in Sleat’s Mill Precinct (p. 567) which was in the northwest part of the county near the Trigg County line. Their household was as follows: SIMPSON, William T., 45, carpenter, b. North Carolina; Manerva, 45, b. Tennessee; William, 20, b. North Carolina; Thomas C., 4, b. Kentucky; Albert, 17, b. Kentucky; & Lafayette, 11, b. Kentucky. The 1880 census Christian County, ED 6, p. 34 = sh. 123, family #290, head SIMPSON, William T., 53, b. North Carolina, f.&m. b. North Carolina; wife Minerva, 53, b. Tennessee, f.&m. b. Virginia; son Toby S., 11, b. Kentucky, f. b. North Carolina, m. b. Tennessee.



On the same page of the 1880 was listed their son, Wm. A. with his wife, Harriet and two daughters, and on sh. 109 was son, “Albert L. SIMPSON” with his wife, Paulina, and two children. None of these are found in Christian County on the 1900 census.



I have additional information on some of the children of William T., Jr., & Minerva (JACKSON) SIMPSON and may do an article on them for this newsletter sometime in the future.

QUERY

I am still unable to find ancestry of Mildred (Maxmillia) “Millie” SIMPSON who married Morgan BRYAN III. Anna SIMPSON & Dorcas SIMPSON named daughters Millie or Maxemille and Dorcas named son Morgan B.[4] which means to me that Mille and Morgan must have been beloved aunt & uncle. Is Millie brother to James, father to Dorcas & Anna?[5] Any information gratefully received.



Cynthia H. Spurr, P.O. Box 1305, Center Harbor, NH 03226.

SIMPSONS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The post office in East Finley Township was known as the SIMPSON post office. It was named for “the Rev. Mr. SIMPSON [who] was postmaster for many years.[6] J.A. SIMPSON was a pastor of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in East Finley Township December 12, 1874 and July 14, 1879.[7] Dr. Jonathan SIMPSON was an early doctor in East Finley Township.[8]. In 1882 Rev. John A. SIMPSON was a minister at the North Wheeling Baptist Church in West Finley Township.[9]



Jane ALLISON, daughter of Thomas ALLISON and Jane CRAWFORD, married a Mr. SIMPSON. The ALLISONs resided in Canton Township of Washington Co., Pennsylvania.[10]



In 1881 E.C. SIMPSON was pastor of the United Presbyterians Chartiers Congregation in Canonsburg Township in Washington Co., Pennsylvania.[11] Jeremiah SIMPSON was an elder in 1799.[12] He was a trustee on 26 December 1797 when the land was purchased for the Oak Spring Cemetery.[13] A Jeremiah SIMPSON was later mentioned as one of the pastors of the Methodist Protestant Church in East Bethlehem Township but no date was provided.[14] Nancy J. McCLELLAND, daughter of James McCLELLAND, married John SIMPSON.[15]



Franklin SIMPSON was a private in Company D of Washington Co., Pennsylvania.[16] George F. SIMPSON served in Co. K, mustered in September 19, 1862, discharged on surg. Certif., December 22, 1862, with the rank of Corporal.[17] Jefferson T. SIMPSON was a private in Company F. He was mustered in February 29, 1864 and mustered out with Co. G, 3d Regt. Pro. Cav. October 31, 1865.[18] John P. SIMPSON was a private Co. A. He was mustered in February 29, 1864 and discharged May 19, 1865.[19] William H. SIMPSON was a private in Co. C. He was mustered in February 16, 1864, transferred to Co., D, 53d Regt., P.V. Mary 30, 1865.[20]



Before the Mason – Dixon line settled the land dispute between Virginia and Pennsylvania residents in the disputed area could appear in records of the West Augusta Court in Virginia. The following record is dated February 21, 1775: “On the petition of James JOHNSTON and others it is ord. Edward COOK, Joseph HILL, Senr., Levi STEVENS, Gilbert SIMPSON, Richard McMAHON, John DECKER, Paul FROMAN and James INNES, they being first sworn View a Road from Thomas GISTs to Fort Dunmore, to Paul FROMANs on Shirtees Creek by James DEVORES ferry, and make report of the Conveniences and Inconveniences to the next Court.”[21] In a subsequent record regarding this road, he is identified as Gilbert SAMPSON.[22]



The following were gleaned from George WASHINGTON’s journal entries dated between September 1, to October 4, 1784, “September 18th. Set out with Doctor. CRAIK for my Land on Miller’s run (a branch of Shurtees Creek) crossed the Monongahela at Deboirs [Devore’s) Ferry, 16 miles from SIMPSONs . . . ” and “September 21st. Accompanied by Colo. CANNON and Capt. SWEARINGEN who attended me to Debore’s Ferry on the Monongahela which separates the counties of Fayette and Washington, I returned to Gilbert SIMPSON’s in the afternoon; after dining at one Wickerman’s [WICKHERHAM’s] Mill near the Monongahela.[23]



In 1882 Isaac SIMPSON lived in Smith Township of Washington Co., Pennsylvania.[24]



In 1827 Robert SIMPSON purchased 140 acres of land in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co. Pennsylvania. In 1882 the land was owned by James SIMPSON.[25] Ann LYLE, daughter of Robert LYLE, married Robert SIMPSON in 1820, and in 1827 they lived in Cross Creek Township.[26] James SIMPSON, a native of Ireland, immigrated to Delaware in 1768 and was in the Revolutionary War. In 1779 he married Margaret CONIER, and in 1783 with two others, visited western lands. There were no public roads, but the trail (supposed to be the old Mingo path) was marked by blazed trees. He settled first in Chartiers Township, between Pigeon Creek and Chartiers Creek. On the 10th of April 1797, he purchased 50 acres of land from George STEPHENSON, adjoining Hugh PATTON, John WOODS, George STEPHENSON, and Francis ANDREW. It was part of two tracts on the headwaters of southwest fork of Chartiers Creek, one of which was called “Hillsbury”, the other “Walnut Bottom.” His wife died in 1815, and he died in September 1819. They left four sons: John, James, William and Robert and four daughters, who all married and moved to Ohio. John and James also went to Ohio and settled. William and Robert remained on the homestead. In 1881 that land was owned by William SIMPSON, the son of William and grandson of James. Robert, in 1827, purchased a farm in Cross Creek Township, where he lived until his death, April 22, 1875, aged 78 years. James, the son of Robert lived on the property in Cross Creek in 1882.[27]



A Robert SIMPSON is buried in the town of Paris, Hopewell Township, Washington County. He died October



An early settler in Hanover Township, Washington Co., Pennsylvania was James SIMPSON who obtained a warrant for a tract of land lying on the waters of King Creek dated February 18, 1785, surveyed as “Middle Brook” January 18, 1786, adjoining Samuel MOORE, Hugh MILLER and John Lee WEBSTER.[28]



R.L. SIMPSON was a justice of the peace on May 10, 1861 in Buffalo Township of Washington Co., Pennsylvania.[29]



T.R. SIMPSON, M.D. of Allegheny Co. Pennsylvania attended the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Canonsburg in Washington Co., Pennsylvania in 1843.[30]



On December 31, 1824 and William SIMPSON was an elder of the Miller’s Run Presbyterian Church in Cecil Township, Washington Co., Pennsylvania.[31] A William SIMPSON was a member of the Mount Prospect Church in Mount Pleasant Township as early as 1824[32] and served as an elder in 1825 in the Miller’s Run church.[33]


Endnotes:

[1] More information about this family can be found in this newsletter Vol. XIV, No. 1 Summer 1998 p. 1-6 and Vol. XVII, No. 1, Summer 2001, p. 1-2 (includes a photo of Rufus Marion Simpson).

[2] Marriage date, Cherokee Co., Georgia Marriage Book A, p. 31. Other names and dates are from the 1850 Cherokee Co., Georgia census.

[3] She is the older woman in the John Simpson 1840 DeKalb Co., Georgia census, p. 50, household who is listed as being 70-80 years old, the same age as John.

[4] Pioneers of Kentucky p. 306.

[5] Marriage Bonds of Franklin County:1799 16 March Archibald WHITE & Dorcas SIMPSON. Permission of James, father of Dorcas.

[6] History of Washington County, Pennsylvania by Boyd Crumrine, p. 777.

[7] Ibid, p. 779

[8] Ibid, p. 777

[9] Ibid, p. 985

[10] Ibid, p. 689.

[11] Ibid, p. 404

[12] Ibid, p. 618

[13] Ibid, p. 621

[14] Ibid, p. 773

[15] Ibid, p. 875

[16] Ibid, p. 322

[17] Ibid, p. 351

[18] Ibid, p. 361

[19] Ibid, p. 356

[20] Ibid, p. 338

[21] Ibid, p. 205

[22] Ibid, p. 206

[23] Ibid, p. 858

[24] Ibid, p. 924

[25] Ibid, p. 725

[26] Ibid, p. 853

[27] Ibid, p. 854

[28] Ibid, p. 807. The author had no further information about this Simpson family.

[29] Ibid, p. 673

[30] Ibid, p. 409

[31] Ibid, p. 704

[32] Ibid, p. 861

[33] Ibid, p. 862