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KEARNS-CRABTREE and HENNESY-SIMMONS
BIOGRAPHICAL AND FAMILY GENEALOGICAL
RESOURCE MATERIAL
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Simmons Family Record
The below was supplied by Bob Ann Breland. She states she believed at first it had been written by Mamie Burris Simmons (wife of John Arnold Simmons, son of William F. Simmons, son of James Madison Simmons) but upon examination she doesn't believe it was, but as there is so much about James Madison's family it must be from one of that line. She reports also that someone at a certain point changed the dates to military style and she has changed back all the dates to be the same, typing the document up as in close a style as it was received by her from her father. There are mistakes in the genealogy and she has made comments where she knows there to be effors.
Bob Ann writes, "Since whoever wrote obviously did it in the 1960's, there were still people around to interview who probably knew what they were talking about. I have no idea where the information for this writing came from, but I did pick up some of it here and there in the things I wrote. The family history by Locy Corkern started with what I had originally written and he really added a lot to it, visiting families and getting names and dates."
Please note that it reports Robert Reuben Simmons as being out of Alabama before 1850 when he was in Coffee County in 1850. I have made no notations so all parenthetical information was already in the document.
Robert (Reuben) Simmons
(Old history)
Robert (Reuben) Simmons was born in Alabama or North Carolina. According to 1850 census of Coffee County, Alabama, he was born in North Carolina in 1822; according to 1870 census in Pike County, Miss. He was born in Alabama in 1821; according to 1880 census of Pike County, Miss., he was born in North Carolina in 1820. Do not have 1860 census (which we should have). His birthdate on his tomb is 1819. Since two of the census records give his birth as North Carolina, this writer is inclined to accept North Carolina as the state of his birth. Since his oldest child was born in Alabama, he must have gone to Alabama before 1850.
Descendants claim the Robert (Reuben) was the son of William Seldon Simmons and his wife________. The 1880 census gives Robert’s father as having been born in North Carolina. Descendants say he went to Alabama from Georgia having gone from North Carolina to Georgia. (Writer has not researched this as yet.)
William Seldon Simmons moved from Georgia to Selma (It was not Selma, it was Elba) in Dallas County, Alabama, according to descendants. Some say that his descendants changed the name of Simond to Simmons.
Reuben (Robert) lived in Coffee County, Alabama for sometime, then moved on to Pike County, Miss. This writer remembers quite well some of the children of Reuben during her childhood. She was told by her parents that this Simmons family was not related to Silver Creek Simmons clan, however some intermarried with this clan in later years. It is said they first went near Simmonsville where this Sdilver Creek clan settled. This writer thinks this is not true – that Reuben (Robert) went up around the Union Church community from the beginning.
Reuben (Robert) Simmons married Frances Smith who was bron in 1820 in Alabama and died Oct. 18, 1898 in Pike County, Miss. Both of these are buried at Union Baptist Church, 5 miles east of Magnolia.
Tombstone data:
Robert Simmons 1819-1903 (Reuben is said to have been a nickname)
Frances Simmons 1820-1898
1850 Census, Coffee County, Ala.
Reuben Simmons 28 born North Carolina
Frances Simmons 26 born Alabama
James M. 5 born Alabama
William S. 2 born Alabama (could have been William Seldon Simmons Jr.) (Not! WS Simmons II maybe, but not Junior.-- BA)
1860 Census (not available) (Family was actually in Neshoba Cty, MS.)
1870 census, Pike County, Miss.
Reuben Simmons 49 born Alabama
Frances 45 born Alabama
Mary A. 16 born Alabama
Charles 13 born
Stephen (M.M.) 11 born
John 7 born
Infant (Narcis) 7 months
1880 Census, Pike County, Miss.
Reuben Simmons 60 born North Carolina, father born North Carolina, mother born North Carolina
Frances 59 born Alabama, father borh South Carolina, mother born Alabama
John 16 born
Narcissus 10 born (actually born Mississippi)
Frances Smith, wife, was the daughter of Ward Smith and Easter Everidge Smith of South Carolina.
Reuben and Frances came to Pike County along with her parents and the Murdock Wilson family. Murdock is said to have married Martha Smith, sister of Frances, wife of Reuben.
This writer remembers also the Murdock Wilson family. They lived down close to the Mississippi line in Pike County.
Descendants say Reuben had a brother, John, and a brother, Alfred.
Letter from descendant may be helpful here. This individual may still be living.
“Route 1, Box 201 Magnolia, Miss. November 13, 1961” (To Mrs. Doak S. Campbell, 1001 High Road, Tallahassee, Florida)
Dear Mrs. Campbell,
I tried to get some “Simmons” history other than the Silver Creek or Bala Chitto Simmons (clan).
My husband’s family originated in North Carolina. They moved to Alabama and from there to Mississippi.
When the older members of the family were living, no one recorded the history. Now we can begin with Robert Simmons who had no middle name. His son Reuben, which is said to be a nickname and who is thought to be Robert Jr., was the father of James Simmons, my husband’s grandfather. This set of Simmons lives near Union Church, five miles east of Magnolia. (note from this writer: she is mixed up since Reuben and Robert were the same individual as far as checks have determined.)
I am co-author of the Burris Family History. I was Mamie Burris before marrying J. Arnold “Bud” Simmons who has been deceased 20 years. One of Bud’s nieces has wanted to find a Revolutionary soldier or ancestor in order to get in the DAR. I have tried to help her get a record of the beginning of this Simmons family.
Lately since we have began having oil wells in Mississippi. Clifford Simmons, who was born in North Carolina came in as a construction operator. My son, Lynn, met him and found out we might have the same family since he had checked with my Simmons side. I called Mr. Simmons last week and he told me his mother had a Simmons family record dating from their beginning in North Carolina. I am giving you his address however I have a letter in the mail to her and will be glad to pass on the information. The address is: Mrs. Oscar Simmons RFD Box 188, Burnsville, NC
Sincerely, Mamie Burris Simmons
(I also wrote to Edna Campbell many years ago and she had no information on the Union Church Simmons -- BA)
Many of Reuben’s children lived in Louisiana. Some say around Bogalusa. This writer would so like to have the 1860 census of Pike County record on Reuben to see if other children were born.
Discussion of the children of Reuben (Robert) and Frances (Smith) Simmons
James M. Simmons, known as “Red Jim” was born in Alabama July 20, 1845 and died in Pike County, Miss. Feb. 18, 1913. He married Mary E. Phelps, who was born Nov. 9, 1841 in Coffee County, Ala. And died Dec. 8, 1925 in Miss. She was the daughter of Marshall and Caroline Parker Phelps and sister to Rosella Phelps, wife of Newton Allen. James M. and wife are buried at Union Church. James and Mary were married Dec. 22, 1864.
James M. was in Civil War in Forrest Cavalry, 4th Miss. Regt. Mary E. applied for a pension in 1923 and at the time lived in (unreadable) Miss.
In the pension filed in Archives, Jackson, Miss. The following data on the pension application of Mary E. Simmons, wife of James M. Simmons will be found:
“Mary E. Simmons, Pike County, Miss., wife of J.M. Simmons made application for pension on her husband’s Civil War record. She and J.M. Simmons were married in Pike County on Dec. 22, 1864. Her husband enlisted in Pike County in Forrest’s Cavalry, Miss. Regt.”
Mary E. Simmons was 81 when she filed for this pension in 1923. (This was a follow-up of an earlier application as shown below)
Application filed in 1916. “At the time Mary E. Simmons was 74 years old. She says she was born in Mississippi and now lives in Pike County, Miss., widow of J.M. Simmons whom she married Dec. 22, 1864. He resided in Newton County, Miss. When he enlisted in Forrest’s Cavalry, 4th Miss. Regt. He died in Magnolia, Miss., Pike County on Feb. 16, 1913. He lived with his youngest son when he died.”
(Know that James M. is buried at Union Church but don’t know whether or not she is buried there. If not, she must be buried in Newton County, Miss.)
James M. and wife Mary E. Simmons united with the Bala Chitto Church in Pike County in 1873. Records of this church may give more data on this family.
1879 census, Pike County,Miss.
James Simmons 26 born Alabama
Mary E. 22 born Ala.
James 5, born Miss.
John 2 , born Miss.
1880 Census, Pike County, Miss.
James Simmons 36, born Alabama, father born North Carolina, mother born Ala. Or La.
Mary E., wife 38 born Ala, father born Ala., mother born La.
William F. 14, born Miss.
Andrew A. 11, born Miss.
Robert T. 8, born Miss (known as “Babe”)
James M. 6, born Miss.
David 4, born Miss.
Dudley J. 2, born Miss.
Note that the above census gives a John born 1858 and no John in 1880 census. Note that the above gives one James born 1865 and in 1860 there was a James M., born 1874. (Since we know that James M. and Mary E. were married Dec. 22, 1864, the confusion arising in these census records is difficult to work out.)
James M. and Mary E. Simmons had these children:
I-A James Simmons born 1865 according to census data. It could be that this James died before 1880 and later another child was named James. This happened in many families.
I-B John Simmons born 1868 according to census data. No information as to this one in 1870 census above.
I-C William F. Simmons was born Dec. 19, 1865 according to one of his descendants. Census gives his birth as 1866. Could he have been named James then changed names? This William F. was known over Pike County, Miss. As “Blow Gun Bill” to distinguish him from all the other Bills in Pike County at that time. Even today if one wants information on William F. from the neighboring families in and around Union Church, it is possible one would have to ask for information on “Blow Gun” Bill. He acquired this nickname because he was always ready to talk on any subject and he was always ready to talk.
William F. died Oct. 30, 1930 and is buried in Union Church Cemetery in Pike County where they always lived. He married Julia A. Brown on Jan. 24, 1888. She was born Apr. 15, 1871 and died Dec. 4, 1823. Julia was a sister to the wife of her husband’s Uncle John B. (This was Lou Brown, wife of John B. Simmons, son of Reuben)
Children of William F. and Julia were:
I-C-1 John Arnold Simmons, called “Bud” was born 1894 and died in 1943. He married Mamie Burris and they lived at Magnolia, Route 1, Box 201 in Pike County, Miss. Mamie was a teacher in the Woodrow School near their home. She wrote the genealogy of The Burris Family. They had: (If Mamie had written this, surely she would have know her own children?)
1. Lynn Simmons
2. Lynette Simmons, died in 1949 (were these the same individual?)
I-C-2 Mae (or Mary) Simmons, eldest daughter born May 18, 1897, married Joel Lang born March 8, 1888, died May 24, 1822 (Last number “2” hard to read)
They had:
Doris Lang born Nov. 17, 1909, died Sept. 19, 1973, married J.W. Hardin.Doris was Mother of the Year in 1967 in Mississippi. (I couldn’t quite figure out these following notes) Merle Hardin – Will Hardin
Julia Elizabeth Lang, April 5, 1911
I-C-3 Lucy Simmons born Aug 2, 1898, married Victor Stogner, lived at Magnolia. Victor died June 29, 1965 and is buried at Union Baptist Church Cemetery. They had:
1. George Stogner Dec. 28, 1913. Married Christine Pray Dec. 7, 1941. She was born born Aug. 4, 1923
I-C-4 Holland Simmons, daughter, was born 1902 (?). She married Clarence Qubre (?) born 1886, died 1837.
1. Evelyn Simmons
I-C-5 Herbert L. Simmons, born Jan. 6, 1896, died Nov. 7, 1963, married Rettie M. ? who was born May 25, 1910 (Inserted here is the name Ollie Hall)
I-C-6 Sampson (Samson) Simmons was born Nov. 7, 1903 (hard to make out the date).
I-C-7 Woodson Simmons, called “Cat” was born June 4, 190? He married Beatrice Smith on March 31, 19?? (unreadable).
(Children cut out here so to have no living individuals.)
I-D Andrew Austin Simmons, son of James M. and Mary E. Simmons was born Jan. 9, 1869 and died May 2, 1915. He married Louise Richter, a widow with children. He lived in Union Church community and is probably buried there. (Would like to have this wife’s name and names of their children.
I-E Robert T. Simmons, known as “Babe”, was born July 16, 1871, died Sept. 11, 1924. He married Lula Simmons, daughter of Jackson and Mary Jane Simmons of the Silver Creek clan. Lula was born Oct. 15, 1872 and died in 1960. They are buried in the Union Church cemetery. They lived at Kokomo in Marion County. After Robert died, Lula lived in Foxworth in Marion County. Married Dec. 1, 1892. Their children were:
I-E-1 Ernest Simmons, born Oct. 4, 1893, married on June 7, 1913 to Valley Williamson. They lived in Kokomo and had two sons and two daughters:
(Children clipped here so to have no living individuals.)
I-E-2 Thettie Simmons, born Jan. 2, 1895, married Henry Williamson. They live in Gladwater, Texas and have two sons.
I-E-3 Beatrice Simmons, born Dec. 20, 1896, married Frank Perrett, they live in Fernwoof in Pike County and have a daughter.
I-E-4 Dewey Simmons, born Feb, 1899, died May 24, 1905.
I-E-5 Felder Simmons, born Jan. 1902, married Beulah Bracey. They lived in Foxworth in Marion County, Miss. And have three children.
I-E-6 Gladys Simmons, born Feb. 19, 1904, married Major Buckley. They live in Hathorn, Miss. And have 5 children.
I-E-7 Helen Simmons, born Jan. 4, 1906, died Feb. 12, 1907
I-E-8 Hettie Simmons, born March 3, 1908, married Thomas Edgar Miller. They live in Texas and have two sons.
Refer to Silver Creek Simmons book to get complete write-up of the above family.
I-F James M. Simmons Jr. was born in 1874. He married Lucy Page and they lived in Louisiana. (Sure would like to know names of his children)
I-G David L. Simmons Sr., born June 16, 1876, died April 12, 1943. He married Ophelia Simmons, sister to Lula, wife of Robert T. Ophelia was born Aug. 3, 1875 and died Dec. 12, 1943, butied near the old home east of Magnolia in old Jackson Coney Cemetery not too far from Union Church in Pike County. They had 8 children. (See in Silver Creek Simmons book) They are:
I-G-1 Bessie Simmons married Joe C. Purl. They live near her parents old home not too far from Union Church. Cemetery is on what is now known as the Dud Simmons place.
I-G-2 Gussie Simmons married Phillys Larous. Live in New Orleans.
I-G-3 Wyman Simmons married Estelle Erwin. Live on Roue 4, Magnolia and have 5 children.
I-G-4 Dwight Simmons married Myrtis Wall. They work at East Mississippi Hospital in Meridian and have no children.
I-G-5 James Homer Simmons, born Jan. 11, 1906, died Dec. 4, 1912
I-G-6 David Simmons married Nellie Capace and they have: Judy
I-G-7 Therell Simmons married Gladys Addison, lives at Route 1, Magnolia and has: Therell Britton
I-G-8 Milton Simmons married Clara Temple. They live at Route 1, Magnolia.
(All of this David and Ophelia family can be found in the Silver Creek Simmons book)
I-H Dudley Simmons, born May 19, 1878, died Dec. 31, 1962, according to grave stones. He lived on Highway 48, 5 miles east of Magnolia. He married Sophie Reabold who was born Dec. 10, 1883 and died Feb. 6, 1933 according to gravestones in Magnolia Cemetery in Magnolia where they are buried. After Sophie died, Dudley married (2) Mrs. Isaac Price who had a daughter, Felina Price, who married (1) James Robinson and (2) Emmet Hilton Varnado (See Bala Chitto Church records)
Children of Dudley were:
I-H-1 Annie Lucile Simmons, born March 26, 1901, married Ora Allen, son of Walter and Ida (Dickey) Allen. Ora C. Allen was born Jan. 27, 1900 and died of a heart attack on Dec. 21, 1957. He lived first in New Orleans and later in the old Felix Allen Old Home in Pike County, Miss. They had no children. Annie lived with her step-mother until her step-mother died then moved to her old home.
I-H-2 Alva Edward Simmons, born Oct. 8, 1904, married ________and they lived in Jackson, Miss.
(Between these two lines it says m Lila Thigpen. I suppose it was Alva)
I-H-3 Eugene Dudley Simmons, born May 15, 1904, died Aug. 15, 1950. He never married.
I-H-4 Malcolm Charles, born March 29, 1906, died Dec. 2, 1969 married Gladys Carruth, June 29, 1935 and they live in Route 1, Magnolia in Union Church community. Malcolm is with Mississippi Tax Commission. Malcolm insisted that his father (Dudley) did not have a middle name but the census record of James M. Simmons shows Dudley L.
I-H-5 Mary Lillian Simmons born April 20, 1908, died March 2, 1958. She never married and was a nurse in New Orleans. She lived with her sister Annie and her husband Ora Allen, during a long illness before she died – a wonderful person.
I-H-6 Clyde Simmons, born Aug 11, 1919, married Helen Cooper on March 16, 1946.
I-I Samuel Tillman Simmons born Jan. 22, 1880, died Feb. 2, 1962. He married Vertie Lang and they lived in Magnolia. Vertie was born March 21, 1888. Their children were:
I-I-1 Clark Simmons, born July 3, 1913, married Maude Walker, born June 15, 1911, died July 11, 1954, lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
(Would like names of other children of Samuel T.) May Elizabeth, July 11, 1911, Moss Point, Frank Brumfield
I-J Emma Simmons, daughter of James M., was called Emmy. She was born Sept. 11, 1882, died Nov. 27, 1956. She married Amon A. Lang, who was born Feb. 23, 1879, died May 24, 1942. Their children were:
I-J-1 Byron K. Lang, born Nov. 22, 1907, died Sept. 16, 1930
I-J-2 Irene Lang, born Jan. 16, 1903, married Ollie Cousins on April 13, 1931.
I-J-3 Alton “Bud” Lang, born Oct. 31, 1905, married Vivial Jenkins
I-J-4 Frances Lang married Kenneth Simmons (Did Kenneth belong to Silver Creek clan?) Frances was born Feb. 21, 1910, married May 10, 1930.
I-J-5 Hollis Lang married Vera Weeks.
I-J-6 Amon Lang Jr., born Sept. 245, 1912. married Margaret Owens. Fernwood, Miss.
I-K Elizabeth Simmons, born Oct. 3, 1896, died Apr. 10, 1939 (grave MARKER)_. When James M. Simmons died at his old home, he left his wife, Mary E. and his daughter, Elizabeth in his home. Barney Page was working James M.’s farm at time of his death. Elizabeth was much older than Barney, but they were married. Barney was living in this old home in 1968. The family records could be there with him if he is still living.
II – William S. Simmons, son of Robert (Reuben) Simmons, was born in 1848 according to census. His name could have been William Seldon Simmons Jr. (This doesn’t even make sense. BA) Descendants say he probably moved to Texas. (Can anyone tell us anything about this family?)
III Mary Ann Simmons, daughter of Reuben (Robert) Simmons was born in 1854 according to census record. She died Feb. 16, 1910. She was called “Daught.” She married James J. Lang (son of James Lang and Annie Brown Lang) and they lived probably around Union Church. Mary Ann joined Bala Creek Church on Oct. 13, 1873, same day that her father James M. joined . (This isn’t true. Her father was Reuben, not James M.) Records show that James J. Lang was excluded from this church in 1882. Mary E., wife of James M. Simmons seems to have joined this church in 1880. (Church records should be checked to check information.)
Mary Ann and James J. had these children:
III-A Esco Lang New Orleans Ethel Lang
III-B Monroe Lang
III-C Martha “Mattie” Lang ( married Dewitt Reeves)
III- D Marjorie “Maude” Lang (married a Whittington)
III- E Della Lang (married Bill Baughman)
IV Charles Monroe Simmons, son of Reuben Simmons, born July 12, 1855, died March 24, 1925. He married Abi Jane Sandifer who was born Feb. 15, 1859, died Dec. 7, 1939. They had:
IV-A Willie Andrew Simmons, died age 2
IV-B Mary Ida Simmons, born Aug. 17, 1881, died --------, married (1) William Restor (Rester?) and (2) _________.
IV-C Beulah Jane Simmons, born Apr. 12, 1884, died Oct. 19, 1995
IV-D Illey Arthur Simmons, born Jan. 29, 1888, married Lula Britt.
IV-E Charlie Ada Simmons, born Feb. 4, 1892
IV-F Sidney Albert Simmons, born May 25, 1895 married_________. They moved north to _________.
V. Murdock Middleton Simmons, called “Stephen” in census and “Steve” by his family, was born Oct. 4, 1863, died Apr. 21, 1936. Census gives his birthdate as 1859. This family lived around Sheridan, LA and the gravestone might be checked to see which is correct or if either of these dates are right. (This can be checked in the Lang-Simmons Cemetery records I sent you. BA) Steve married (1) Clarinda Thigpoen, who was born Sept. 7, 1859 (Note this birthdate so 1863 would be a bit old for her husband – must be error) Steve married (2) Ophie (Ginn) Pope, a widow with three children: Richard Pope, Maxie Pope and Edgie Pope. Clarinda died Aug. 29, 1907. Ophie was born ______________. She died ____________. (Think all this family are buried at Sheridan.
Children of Steve Simmons were:
V-A Euna Emily Simmons, born Jan. 13, 1882, died May 25, 1949. (This is not right. Euna lived for some time after...1953. BA) She married John H. Rester, born Feb. 1880, died Apr. 4, 1949. Euna is buried in Bogalusas, La. (Both are buried in Ponemah Cemetery, Bogalusa BA)
V-A-1 Margie Rester, born Sept. 11, 1912, married Walter M. Rhodes.
V-B Lucious Theodore Simmons, born_________, died________, lived on Franklinton-Bogalusa Highway near Sheridan. (Married Annie Knight)
V-C Dewitt Simmons, born_________, married Cordelia Jane Ard and they now live at_________.
V-D Mary Simmons, born ___________, now lives at___________.
V-E Frances Simmons, born _______, now lives at_____. (Married Oscar Passman)
VG John Simmons born_______, now lives at____________. (Married Daisy Bookter)
V-H Jewel Simmons (male) born, ______died ___________ (Married Alice Engelsdorf).
V-I James F. Simmons, called “Bud” was born____, died____. (Married Alma Nobles)
VI. John B. Simmons, son of Reuben (Robert) was born June 16, 1862, died Feb. 25, 1946 according to gravestones. They lived around Union Church in Pike County, Miss. He married Lulu (Lou) Brown, who was born July 2, 1873 and died Dec. 5, 1949. Lou was a sister to the wife of John B.’s nephew, William F. “Blow Gun” Simmons. John B. lived not far from the old home which is still there. Their children were:
VI-A Helmer Simmons, born June 15, 1902, died May 14, 1967. He never married. He is butied in Union Church Cemetery.
VI-B Alice Simmons born_______. Was living in 1968 at _________.
VI-C Jewell Simmons married Clarence Pezant, divorced. They had a daughter:
VI-C1
VI-D Prentis Simmons
VII Narcissus (Narcis) Simmons, (daughter of Robert “Reuben” Simmons and Frances Smith Simmons) born Jan. 5, 1870, died Sept. 1944, married Albert Winston Lang, who was born Oct. 20, 1869, died Feb. 1959. She was called “Dink.” They had nine children:
VII A Ivy Odie Lang (married Delia McNeese)
VII B Evie Lang (Married Early Knight)
VII C Leslie Lang, (male) twin (married Lucille Fornea)
VII D Lillian Lang, twin to Leslie (married Merton Lowe, divorced)
VII E Norman Lang, twin (married (1) Ethelbert Fornea (2) Dollie Smotherman)
VII F Narvil Lang, twin to Norman (married Letha Carnegie)
VII G Frances (Fannie) Lang (Actually Fannie Frances, married Hubert Smith)
VII H Clyde Lang (died young)
VII I Seldon Albert Lang, married Beulah Mae Griffith and they live at ____.
Page updated: Sunday, 06-Apr-2003 15:13:50 MDT
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