John C Simpson (abt. 1836 - 1869)

John was born about 1836 to John and Louisa (Kent) Simpson. He lived in Mississippi from birth through the 1840 Census, then moved to Texas. John died in 1869. Below are two accounts of his murder. One claims the murderer was a step-daughter's boyfriend; another says he was an Army deserter.

MURDER

[1]Mary Catherine Garrett Ely married John C. Simpson after the death of her first husband in the Civil War. This couple had two children and Mary was expecting another child when John Simpson was shot and killed by Sarah Minerva Ely's boyfriend. (Sarah Minerva was Mary's eldest daughter). Mary died a month later along with the child she was expecting.

Mary and Charles' four youngest children were sent to live with their Garrett Grandparents, Leonard and Elizabeth, in Clarksville, Arkansas. The two Simpson children were raised by the Simpson relatives. The two parts of the family must have kept in touch, because Amanda (Maud) and Samuel were both mentioned as heirs in Leonard Garrett's will along with Mary E., John, Lavinia Isabell, and Artemesia Elizabeth (a.k.a. Arta, Artie, Missy) Sarah Minerva was not mentioned.

NOTE: Leonard Garrett did not leave a will, but died intestate. There is an Application for Letter of Administration which lists the heirs. This list omits Sarah's name. It's possible she had already died.

Another Version of Events

from The Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) 02 Sep 1869, Thu page 2

[2] A correspondent of the Waco Register, August 28th, writes from Stephensville, Erath county giving an account of the willful murder of one John Simpson, a peaceful citizen, by one Jim Taylor, an ex-United States soldier and supposed deserter from the post of Fort Griffin. Taylor escaped and when last heard from, was making for the Central railroad, and perhaps Galveston, with the intention of leaving the State. Description:

Taylor is about 35 years old; his hair is slightly grey, but his face is that of a younger person, has fair complexion and small blue eyes; is about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high; weighs about 150 or 160 pounds; well made and proportioned. He seems proud and vain-- which is very perceptible in his conversation, movements and manner."

Timeline with Sources

• 1838 - Birth - Mississippi

• 1840 United States Federal Census[3] - Tippah, Mississippi - Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son

• 1850 United States Federal Census - Division 3, Tippah, Mississippi [4] - Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son

• 1860 United States Federal Census - Division 3, Tippah, Mississippi [5]; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head; Occupation: Farmer; Listed with Theodora Ann

• 1862 - Civil War Service Records - Co. W, 3rd Texas Infantry, Private[6] Box: 227 Extraction: 33 Record: 3114

• c 1865 - Marriage to Mary Catherine Garrett

• 1865 Sep 27 - Birth of Daughter Amanda Caroline - Erath, Texas

• c 1867 - Birth of Son Samuel Thomas - Texas (Note: Samuel's death certificate gives a birth date of Apr 1, 1866[7], but this is probably in error, as it is too soon after the birth of his sister, Amanda.)

• 1869 Aug - U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 [8]