John Simmons (abt. 1679 - bef. 1718)

Born about 1679 in Lower Norfolk County, Colony of Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Simmons) Gisborn — married about 1698 in Princess Anne, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 17 May 1718 before about age 39 in Princess Ann County, Virginia

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Biography

Major contributions were made by Allan Harl Thomas

John was born about 1679 to 1680 in Lower Norfolk County, Colony of Virginia.

His parents were Robert Simmons and Sarah Godfrey Malbone. John's grandfather was James Symonds who was the first immigrant ancestor in the family. James had come in 1635 from England settling in Lower Norfolk County near Tanner's Creek north of the later town of Norfolk.

John had a brother named Malbone and a sister named Sarah. Malbone lived on Knotts Island while John and Sarah lived in the Blackwater Precinct. Blackwater Precinct was in Lynnhaven Parish. By 1691 the Blackwater Precinct became part of Princess Anne County.

Lynnhaven Parrish

Laws of Virginia Hening's statutes at large 1642 ACT XVI. BE it further enacted and confirmed, vpon the petition of the inhabitants of Linhaven parish, by the Governor, Council and Burgesses of this Grand assembly that the parish of Linhaven be bounded as followeth (vizt.) Linhaven parish, boundaries of. To beginn at the first creek shooting out of Chesopeiack bay called the Little Creek including all the branches of the said creek and thence extending to the head of Lynhaven river, including all the branches o the said river, and thence to extend down to the head of the easterne branch of Elizab: River to a creek on the northward side of the said branch called the Broad Creek, and on the southward side to a creek called the Indian creek, Provided it be not prejudiciall to the parishes of Eliz: River and southerne shoar by takeing away any parte of the said parishes, And it is furhter enacted and confirmed by the authority aforesaid that the inhabitants of Lynhaven parish shall not be compelled by any officer to be exercised in maritall discipline beyond the lymitts of the said parish, And that the said parishoners shall have the free liberty and priviledge of electing and choosing Burgesses for the said parish.^[1]

John's father, Robert Simmons, married the widow of Peter Malbone, Sarah Godfrey.

John had half siblings from the prior marriage of his mother to Peter Malbone. These were John Malbone, Anne Malbone, Elizabeth Malbone, Mary Malbone, Peter Malbone, and Reodolphus Malbone.

John's father moved from the northern part of Lower Norfolk County to the Blackwater Precinct in the southeast portion of the county. He obtained land there and obtained land in Currituck Bay on Cedar Island. He also held patent to land on Long Island in Currituck Bay.

John's father owned land on Cedar Island in Currituck Bay as well as land on the western side of Currituck Bay. Currituck Bay is known today as Back Bay and is part of Virginia Beach, Virginia. A survey of Back Bay was done in 1859 and the map indicates Cedar Island on this map.^[2] John lived his childhood in the Blackwater Precinct on his father's plantation. His father died sometime before 1685. There is a deed that records transfer of property previously owned by Robert to his daughter, Sarah Perry.

John grew to manhood on the plantation of his father in Lower Norfolk County. His father was a planter of tobacco. After his father's death John and his siblings lived with his widowed mother on the plantation in the Blackwater District of Lower Norfolk County. This area became part of Princess Anne County in 1691.

Princess Anne County was created in 1691 from the division of Lower Norfolk County. ^[3]John's family lived in the portion that became Princess Anne County.

Princess Anne County was bounded on the south by the Province of North Carolina, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, north by Chesapeake Bay, and to the west by Norfolk County. See this period map for Norfolk County and Princess Anne County. ^[4]

John's mother was married for the third time in 1693 to Thomas Jackson

John was married to Elizabeth maiden name unknown about 1697^[5]. in the Colony of Virginia. He obtained land in Princess Anne County in 1705 for transporting people into the colony. JOHN SYMONS (Simons), 170 acs., Pr. Anne Co; on both sides of the Heigaloh Sw; on Warton's line; 2 Nov. 1705, p. 701.Imp. of 4 pers: Joseph Adams, Tho. Cook, Robt. Jarman, John Park.^[6] The area mentioned as Heigaloh Sw is a swamp. The land was located on both sides of this area. In John's will that area is spelled Hagalona and called Hagalona run.

John mentions in his will that the plantation is on the south side of hagalona run. He owned about 170 acres. John also owned land on the north side amounting to 80 acres. This land he gave to his son John Simmons via his will in 1717. John owned cattle.

Family

John and Elizabeth had the following known children:

1. Sarah born about 1698. She appears to be the eldest of the sisters per the will.,
2. James born about 1700. He was under age 18 in 1717 per his father's will
3. Elizabeth born about 1705
4. Ann born about 1707
5. John born about 1712. He was under age 18 in 1717 per his father's will

^[7]

John remained in Princess Anne County the remainder of his life.

Will of John Simmons:

Princess Ann County, Virginia 18 Dec. 1717 & Proved 7 May 1718

In the name of God Amen, I John Simmons of Princess Ann County in Virg & being very sick & weak in body but of perfect sound memory praised be God for the same this being my last will & testament.

It: I give & bequeath my soul to Almighty God who gave it me, & my body to the Earth from whence it was taken to be buried in Christian Burial;

It: * doo appoint my Kind & loving wife Elizabeth Simmons my whole & sole ExC of this my last will & testament

It: I give & bequeath unto my son James Simmons the plantation whereon I now live with all the land belonging to it lying on the South side of hagolona run to him & his heirs or assigns

It: I give & bequeath to my son Jno. Simons all my land lying on the North side of the said run & his heirs or assigns by computation seventy acres more or less.

It: I give unto my son Ja. Simons my biggest gun

It: I doo appoint my two sons to be for themselves at the age of eighteen years. If that my wife marries, if she lives a wido not until one & twenty

It: I give unto my Kind & lovg. daughter Sarah Simons all my cattle that are marked crop & slit the right ear and hole in the left with all the female increase to her & her heirs

It: I give unto my daughter Eliza Simons one cow & calf when she comes to the age of sixteen years

It:I give unto my daughter Ann Simons one cow & calf when she comes to the age of sixteen years

I give all the remainder of my estate, good and chattles within doors & without unto my Kind & loving wife Eliz. Simons. In witness whereof I have set my hand & seal the 18th day of December 1717.

John Simmons Seal

Witnessed, signed & sealed in the presence of Henry H. Smith Solomon S. Keaton James Tooly

Recorded at Court 7 May 1718.^[8]

Research Notes

The location of John's land in Princess Anne County was mentioned in the deed records. South side of hagolona run is mentioned. I have determined that this was the name of a swamp. There are variations in the spelling. More research needed to determine the exact location. The following may be a good source for information. Schoettle, Michael. Abstracts of Princess Anne County Virginia Deed Book 3, 1714 – 1724 Haymarket, Virginia: Michael Schoettle, 2016. From the will of John Simmons of Princess Anne County, Virginia we know that he gave the land on the south side to his son James. It: I give & bequeath unto my son James Simmons the plantation whereon I now live with all the land belonging to it lying on the South side of hagolona run to him & his heirs or assigns

This is additional information about the land where John Simmons lived in Blackwater District. This is from a deed record in which James sells the land to Thomas Old in 1748.

Princess Anne County at a Court held the 21 of March 1748/49.

In his actual possession now being by Virtue of Bargain and Sale to him thereof made for One Whole Year by Indenture, bearing Date the Day before the Date hereof and by force of the Statue for transferring Use into Possession and to his heirs and assigns forever all that Tract or Parcel of Land situated, lying, and being in Blackwater in the County aforesaid formerly belong John Simmons, Deceased, containing by estimation of One Hundred Acres be the same more or less Bounded by Solomon Keytons Land on one Side and a Run called Herring Run and the other side Kings Land, and also with all and Singular all the appurtenances what forever to the same belonging whereof or wherein the said James Simmons and Providence, his Wife, hath any Estate of freehold or Inheritance in possession, Reversion, or Remainder, and all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Claim and Demand of the said James Simmons and Providence, his Wife, of, in and to the Premises and of every part and parcel thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Parcel of Land with and Singular the Premises herein before mentioned and intended to be hereby granted with the Appurtenances unto the said Thomas Old to his Heirs and to the use of the said Thomas Old and his Heirs and assigns forever, and the said James Simmons and Provence, his Wife, doth for _____ their Heirs, executors, and Administrators, covenant and grant to and with the said Thomas Old his Heirs Claiming from under them or by from or Right, Title, and Interest of in, or to any Part or Parcel of the said land shall ____ Warrant and forever Defend by these Presents. In Witness whereof the aid James Simmons and Providence, his Wife, have hereunto set their hands and fixed their seals The Day and Year first above Written.

The land then was in the possession of Thomas Old and it was next to the land of Solomon Keytons as spelled in the record.

Sources

1. ↑ http://vagenweb.org/hening/vol01-10.htm
2. ↑ https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/communications-info-tech/maps/PublishingImages/Historic-Maps/HistoricMaps_BackBay1859.pdf
3. ↑ https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/media_player?mets_filename=evr5739mets.xml
4. ↑ https://mapgeeks.org/virginia/#!fancybox/da99b9cb/1776-Map-of-Virginia-containing-Maryland-Southern-Section.jpg
5. ↑ https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/s/n/e/Herman-W-Snell/GENE5-0003.html
6. ↑ CAVALIERS and PIONEERS DEED BKS 6&7 and MINUTE BKS 6&7 - 1740 to 1762
7. ↑ https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/s/n/e/Herman-W-Snell/GENE5-0003.html
8. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9VG-K?i=487&cat=369672

• https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/communications-info-tech/maps/PublishingImages/Historic-Maps/HistoricMaps_pacnty1959.pdf

• http://www.earnestlawrence.com/getperson.php?personID=I2193950487&tree=1&PHPSESSID=6afd6b59336e1424b43f232b97545707

• Virginia Probate Records, Princess Anne County, 1718

• http://genealogytrails.com/vir/princessanne/church_history.html
• [S1132440047] Dyer GEDcom, Jana Dyer.

• https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/s/n/e/Herman-W-Snell/GENE5-0003.html

• CAVALIERS and PIONEERS,DEED BKS 6&7 and MINUTE BKS 6&7 - 1740 to 1762

https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/media_player?mets_filename=evr5s.xml