Simmons Family History Collection

The John R. Simmons family in Ontario

• John married Margaret (Peggy) Frasier on May 7th, 1829
• Here is a transcript of his obituary:

  John Simmons' obituary appeared in the Canada Christian Advocate on June 18, 1884

  John R. Simmons, of the Township of Murray, in the eighty-second year of his age, on the morning of May the 11th, after a painful illness, sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

  Forty-seven years ago Bro. Simmons knelt in penitence with his penitent wife at the foot of the Cross, seeking the Saviour's smile, and both received assurances of God's forgiveness and love. They recognized Rev. W.E. Norman as having been instrumental in leading them to Jesus. Without delay they united with the M.E. Church, of which they continued active and esteemed members until the Master called them to the pure bliss of the Church above, his wife preceding him in glorious triumph November 20th, 1876.

  The same year Bro. Simmons united with the Church he was made a class leader. In this capacity, and also as steward, trustee and in other responsible positions, he served the Church of his choice, and to which he was warmly attached, in a most efficient and acceptable manner.

  His was one of the homes where the weary itinerant always found a hearty welcome. For nearly half a century the C.C. Advocate was a weekly visitor to his home. Bro. Simmons was one of the few whose religious enjoyment, influence and usefulness did not seem to suffer from material prosperity. Though possessing a considerable amount of this world's wealth, he was rich in faith, and when the Master called him he exultingly bade adieu to earth that he might possess and enjoy the more enduring treasure he had laid up in heaven. He leaves nine children (all settled in life) to mourn the departure of a loving father.

  The large attendance at his funeral bore testimony to the high esteem in which he was held in the community where he had resided for so long a time. Another is numbered with the righteous dead, another has entered the rest of heaven.

  R.M. Pope.

• Margaret (Frasier) Simmons' obituary appeared in the Canada Christian Advocate June 13, 1877.

  Margaret Frasier was born in the township of Sidney, November 20th, 1812, and died November 20th, 1876.

  She was united in marriage to John Simons, of Murray, May 7th, 1829. They started, like many others, on a new farm with a small capital, in the township of Murray. After toiling for a few years in cleaing away the forest, with the duties of wife and mother, she felt the need of Divine grace; when, through the labors of the ministers of the M.E. Church in Canada, she embraced the Savious, in 1840, after which she remained an acceptable member of the M.E. Church in Canada until called to her reward. Her funeral was attended by the writer, when the earthly remains of Sister Simons were laid in the grave, at Stockdale. May the Lord comfort Bro. Simons and the family by Divine grace until they meet in the land of light.

  A. Wright.

• John and Peggy had 10 children:
  1. Andrew White Simmons born April 26, 1831
  2. Charles Munn Simmons born March 20, 1833
  3. William Alexander Simmons born about 1834
  4. Melissa Jane Simmons born about 1839
  5. John G. Simmons born about 1840
  6. Minerva Ann Simmons born 1841
  7. Catherine "Alzina" Simmons born about 1845
  8. Stephen Almond Simmons born June 13, 1847
  9. Ezra Fuller Simmons born April 3, 1850. Ezra became a homesteader in Nebraska. Read his autobiography.
  10. Marion "Theressa" Simmons born February 21, 1854

Contact us:

Don and Jeanne Ross Duncan, BC Canada

phone: 250-715-1857