William Simpson Sr. (1755 - 1839)

Born 14 Oct 1755 in Prince William, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Cheshire) Simpson — married before 1784 in Prince William County, Virginia

Descendants

Died 21 Mar 1839 at age 83 in Burnt Prairie, Wayne, Illinois, United States

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Biography

William was born in Halifax County, Virginia in 1755. He was the eldest son of John Simpson^[1] and Hannah Roberts. ^[2] William was born in Halifax County, Virginia. He was father of 11 and an American Revolution Veteran with two tours of duty. He received a 160 acre government grant of land in Wayne County that was signed by President James Madison. He & son Tolliver came to Illinois in 1816 from Rutherford County, Tennessee, where they had lived for about 11 years.

He passed away in 1839. He was buried in Simpson-Winzenburger Cemetery in Burnt Prairie, Wayne County, Illinois.^[3]

Gedcom data

While processing relationships in the gedcom some additional information was found which may be relevant.

@F561@ FAM

Husband: @P845337826@

Wife: @P845337839@

Child: @P104195344@

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Child: @P845470313@

Relationship to Father: Natural

Relationship to Mother: Natural

Marriage:

Date: 1762

Place: Halifax Co., VA

Source: #S915241002

Page: Source number: 564.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: PKK.

Note: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=worldmarr_ga&h=1106043&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

Note:

Data:

Text: Birth date: 1732; Birth place: PA; Marriage date: 1762Marriage place:

APID: 7836::1106043

Marriage:

Date: 1750

Place: Halifax, Halifax, Virginia, United States,

Name

William /SIMPSON/ Sr.^[4]

Birth

14 OCT 1755

Death

21 MAR 1839

Burnt Prairie, White Co., Il.

William Simpson was buried in a cemetery near Burnt Prairie, IL. He was a Private in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War and an early pioneer into Wayne County, Illinois. His story is not of a famous hero; but of a farmer who served as a citizen-soldier during the turbulent times of this country's formation. He was born in 1755 in the British Crown Colony of Virginia near the community of of Dumfries, where Quantico Creek empties into the Potomac River, only 20 or 30 miles from George Washington's residence. In September 1777, after pleas from Washington for help from the governors, William volunteered to fight and became a Private in the Virginia Regiment under the command of Col. Jesse Ewell and Maj. James Ewell. As the winter months approached in 1777, the days became colder and food supplies began to become low, and William's unit had reached the end of their first 3 month enlistment period, since the Howe and the British seemed content to let the Continental Forces wait the Winter out in the cold days at Valley Forge, his unit was released by Capt. Valentine Peyton to walk the 150 miles home. So William's first enlistment ended without having to spend the terrible Winter at Valley Forge. The War dragged on for years, though it was expected to be short by the British because of their military superiority. By 1780, the British forces were concentrated in the city of New York, under Sir Henry Clinton. For over two years George Washington and his ragged Continental Army had been camped 20 miles North on the Hudson highlands waiting for Sir Henry to bring his forces out of the city and meet in battle. On 21 Dec 1780, Gen. Benedict Arnold of the British Army sailed with 42 ships, 1600 troops and tons of supplies headed South from New York and on 1 Jan 1780 landed in Portsmith to begin sailing up the James River. The next day Governor Thomas Jefferson of Virginia sent out urgent dispatches to summon militia forces to assemble at Williamsburg. The British were already sacking Richmond. William Simpson once again responded to the Governors dispatch by volunteering to go fight with his unit. After several assignments and battles, the British Army on 17 Oct 1781 ending the major military actions of the Revolutionary War after 6 years of battles.

After the war, William married Elizabeth Cheshire in Prince William County, and their first daughter was born in 1785; their first son was born in 1787. In 1788 they moved to a farm along Runaway Creek near the Southern Border of Virginia, where 3 more children were born. After 6 years they moved farther South to a farm near the South fork of Leatherwood Creek where 5 more children were born. After 1807, William and his family moved West to Tennessee where their last child was born in 1809. In 1816, the family moved north to Burnt Prairie in the Illinois Territory. He homesteaded a government land grant for 160 acres. On 28 Aug 1833, at 77 yrs. old, William SIMPSON appeared in Court in Fairfield, IL. before Judge William WILSON to give testimony for a Revolutionary War pension. His pension was granted and he received $20 per year until his death 21 Mar 1839. In conclusion this article mentions book being written about William SIMPSON's life by one of his descendants, Kent Gregory.^[5][6]

Military Service

Service:

SEP 1777

enlisted into Virginia Militia under Col. Jesse Ewell & Maj. James Ewell/^[7]

Residence

WIlliam moved to moved to Burnt Prairie in the Illinois Territory in 1816 ^[8]

AFT 1807

moved from Virginia to West Tennessee where last child was born in 1809^[9]

Burial

1839

Simpson-Winzenburger Cem., Burnt Prairie, Wayne Co., Il.^[10][11]

1784

Prince William Co., Va.^[12][13]

Notes

N82

The following Information gleaned from the my Great-Uncle "Dr. Joe" Simpson who published a selection of memories in the Simpson's Family Tree. The Simpson Connections by Robert H. McFarland, History of Wayne and Clay Counties, 1884, published by Globe Publish Co., 1884, and from an article in the Wayne County Press from Monday , June 30. 2008 and an article written by Kent Gregory [1]

William Simpson was born in 1755 near the village of Dumfries,

Prince William County, British Crown Colony of Virginia to John

and Hannah Simpson. While not the oldest, he was the oldest son

of 12 children to reach adulthood.

..............

William Simpson settled in 1818 on Section 14 of Barnhill Township

on a 160 acre land grant given to him as recompense for his time

and service in the Revolutionary War. He joined two of his sons,

Tolliver and William Simpson, jr., who settled on adjacent sections

in Barnhill. Later, other children, and a brother joined the family by

settling in Wayne County, Il. There they prospered. At the

beginning of the Vietnam War era, the majority of the residents of

Wayne County, Illinois were descended from him.

......................

William and Elizabeth were buried in the Simpson Cemetery which

was located in the northeast corner of his son William jr.'s

homestead. William Simpson's Headstone. This is

not the original stone. In the 1960's, His sandstone headstone had so

deteriorated, that Emery V. Simpson, a Great-great grandson, petitioned

the VA for a new tombstone. Unfortunately it too is too quickly

being destroyed. As the progenitor of most of the county, there are always

flowers to be found on this gravesite. Elizabeth Chesshire Simpson's

headstone stands askew and unreadable. The DAR placed this

bronze plaque in gravel concrete in front of the original, to mark her

resting place next to William.

======================================

=====================================

[MUSGRAVE.FTW]

From the "WILLIAM SIMPSON FAMILY TREE BOOK" by Joseph H. Simpson son of John W. & Sally Murphy Simpson

One year there was a terrible drought and corn was sold for .00 per bushel. Moses Musgrave & his neighbors were about all who raised corn that year, so he told his neighbors all to bring their sacks on a certain day and he would sell as long his corn lasted for REF_NOTES.50 a bushel. He said that was about all it was worth.

He (Moses) lived on a farm and one night his boy, Cyle, was rather late and Moses got uneasy about him so he got up to look for him so he got up to look for him but couldn't find him. Still uneasy, he sat down by the fire & went to sleep. He had on a new .00 hat, it fell off in the fire and burned up.

Cyle was behind others going to dinner one day while planting corn. He saw a blue racer snake. He had heard that if you would make them mad they would run after you, so he threw clods at him until he was mad. There was a large ditch between the field & the house. He intended to jump the ditch & let the snake fall in but he fell in and the snake jumped the ditch and ran off.

Another story about him was that he was hired to burn the scraps around where they were building a new house, so he took a chunk of fire, but when he got there he saw a red-headed lizard about a foot long. He thought it would be funny to touch the fire to the lizard's tail, but when the lizard jumped, he jumped toward him. He turned and ran as fast as he could & every time he looked back the lizard was after him. He ran until he was out of breath. He saw a fence and ran to jump it but he was so tired he couldn't get on the fence. The lizard came and ran between his legs, through the crack in the fence, down in the thicket to its hiding place^[14]

Notes

William Simpson, Sr Birth: Oct. 14, 1755 Prince William County Virginia, USA Death: Mar. 21, 1839 Barnhill Wayne County Illinois, USA

Footnotes

1. ↑ Simpson Connection, profile #1
2. ↑ Simpson Connection.
3. ↑ FindaGrave
4. ↑ Source: #S264 Page: Ch.07, p.032-039, ID1, >>>> John SIMPSON <<<< 1st & 2nd generations (bottom p. 40 for military service info) CONT
5. ↑ Source: #S264 Page: Ch.07, p.032-039, ID1, >>>> John SIMPSON <<<< 1st & 2nd generations (bottom p. 40 for military service info) CONT
6. ↑ Source: #S285 Page: Article found in files of Evelyn Gold, likely published by Wayne Co. Press, Fairfield, IL.
7. ↑ Source: #S285 Page: Article found in files of Evelyn GOLD, likely published by Wayne Co. Press, Fairfield, IL. Data: GREGORRY. CONT
8. ↑ Source: #S285 Page: Article found in files of Evelyn GOLD, likely published by Wayne Co. Press, Fairfield, IL. Data: Text: William SIMPSON buried in a cemetery near Burnt Prairie, IL. He was a Private in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War and an early pioneer into Wayne County, Illinois. His story is not of a famous hero; but of a farmer who served as a citizen-soldier during the turbulent times of this country's formation. He was born in 1755 in the British Crown Colony of Virginia near the community of of Dumfries, where Quantico Creek empties into the Potomac River, only 20 or 30 miles from George WASHINGTON's residence. CONT September 1777, after pleas from WASHINGTON for help from the governors, William volunteered to fight and became a Private in the Virginia Regiment under the command of Col. Jesse EWELL and Maj. James EWELL. CONT As the winter months approached in 1777, the days became colder and food supplies began to become low, and William's unit had reached the end of their first 3 month enlistment period, since the HOWE and the British seemed content to let the Continental Forces wait the Winter out in the cold days at Valley Forge, his unit was released by Cpt. Valentine PEYTON to walk the 150 miles home. So William's first enlistment ended without having to spend the terrible Winter at Valley Forge. CONT The War dragged on for years, though it was expected to be short by the British because of their military superiority. By 1780, the British forces were concentrated in the city of New York, under Sir Henry CLINTON. For over two years Geo. Washington and his ragged Continental Army had been camped 20 miles North on the Hudson highlands waiting for Sir Henry to bring his forces out of the city and meet in battle. CONT 21Dec1780, Gen. Benedict ARNOLD of the British Army sailed with 42 ships, 1600 troops and tons of supplies headed South from New York and on 1Jan1780 landed in Portsmith to begin sailing up the James River. The next day Governor Thomas JEFFERSON of Virginia sent out urgent dispatches to summon militia forces to assemble at Williamsburg. The British were already sacking Richmond. William SIMPSON once again responded to the Governors dispatch by volunteering to go fight with his unit. After several assignments and battles, the British Army on 17Oct1781 ending the major military actions of the Revolutionary War after 6 years of battles. CONT After the war, William SIMPSON married Elizabeth CHESHIRE in Prince William County, and their first daughter was born in 1785; their first son was born in 1787. In 1788 they moved to a farm along Runaway Creek near the Southern Border of Virginia, where 3 more children were born. CONT After 6 years they moved farther South to a farm near the South fork of Leatherwood Creek where 5 more children were born. after 1807, William and his family moved West to Tennessee where their last child was born in 1809. In 1816, the family moved North to Burnt Prairie in the Illinois Territory. He homesteaded a government land grant for 160 acres. On 28Aug1833, at 77 yrs. old, William SIMPSON appeared in Court in Fairfield, IL. before Judge William WILSON to give testimony for a Revolutionary War pension. His pension was granted and he received $20 per year until his death 21Mar1839. In conclusion this article mentions book being written about William SIMPSON's life by one of his descendants, Kent GREGORRY. CONT
9. ↑ Source: #S285 Page: Article found in files of Evelyn GOLD, likely published by Wayne Co. Press, Fairfield, IL. Data: Text: William SIMPSON buried in a cemetery near Burnt Prairie, IL. He was a Private in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War and an early pioneer into Wayne County, Illinois. His story is not of a famous hero; but of a farmer who served as a citizen-soldier during the turbulent times of this country's formation. CONT He was born in 1755 in the British Crown Colony of Virginia near the community of of Dumfries, where Quantico Creek empties into the Potomac River, only 20 or 30 miles from George WASHINGTON's residence. CONT Sep 1777, after pleas from WASHINGTON for help from the governors, William volunteered to fight and became a Private in the Virginia Regiment under the command of Col. Jesse EWELL and Maj. James EWELL. CONT As the winter months approached in 1777, the days became colder and food supplies began to become low, and William's unit had reached the end of their first 3 month enlistment period, since the HOWE and the British seemed content to let the Continental Forces wait the Winter out in the cold days at Valley Forge, his unit was released by Cpt. Valentine PEYTON to walk the 150 miles home. So William's first enlistment ended without having to spend the terrible Winter at Valley Forge. CONT The War dragged on for years, though it was expected to be short by the British because of their military superiority. By 1780, the British forces were concentrated in the city of New York, under Sir Henry CLINTON. For over two years Geo. Washington and his ragged Continental Army had been camped 20 miles North on the Hudson highlands waiting for Sir Henry to bring his forces out of the city and meet in battle. CONT 21Dec1780, Gen. Benedict ARNOLD of the British Army sailed with 42 ships, 1600 troops and tons of supplies headed South from New York and on 1Jan1780 landed in Portsmith to begin sailing up the James River. The next day Governor Thomas JEFFERSON of Virginia sent out urgent dispatches to summon militia forces to assemble at Williamsburg. The British were already sacking Richmond. William SIMPSON once again responded to the Governors dispatch by volunteering to go fight with his unit. After several assignments and battles, the British Army on 17Oct1781 ending the major military actions of the Revolutionary War after 6 years of battles. CONT After the war, William SIMPSON married Elizabeth CHESHIRE in Prince William County, and their first daughter was born in 1785; their first son was born in 1787. In 1788 they moved to a farm along Runaway Creek near the Southern Border of Virginia, where 3 more children were born. CONT After 6 years they moved farther South to a farm near the South fork of Leatherwood Creek where 5 more children were born. after 1807, William and his family moved West to Tennessee where their last child was born in 1809. In 1816, the family moved North to Burnt Prairie in the Illinois Territory. He homesteaded a government land grant for 160 acres. On 28Aug1833, at 77 yrs. old, William SIMPSON appeared in Court in Fairfield, IL. before Judge William WILSON to give testimony for a Revolutionary War pension. His pension was granted and he received $20 per year until his death 21Mar1839. CONT CONT In conclusion this article mentions book being written about William SIMPSON's life by one of his descendants, Kent GREGORRY. CONT
10. ↑ Source: #S264 Page: Ch.07, p.032-039, ID1, >>>> John SIMPSON <<<< 1st & 2nd generations (bottom p. 40 for military service info) CONT
11. ↑ Source: #S285 Page: Article found in files of Evelyn GOLD, likely published by Wayne Co. Press, Fairfield, IL. Data: Text: William SIMPSON buried in a cemetery near Burnt Prairie, IL. He was a Private in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War and an early pioneer into Wayne County, Illinois. His story is not of a famous hero; but of a farmer who served as a citizen-soldier during the turbulent times of this country's formation. CONT He was born in 1755 in the British Crown Colony of Virginia near the community of of Dumfries, where Quantico Creek empties into the Potomac River, only 20 or 30 miles from George WASHINGTON's residence. CONT Sep 1777, after pleas from WASHINGTON for help from the governors, William volunteered to fight and became a Private in the Virginia Regiment under the command of Col. Jesse EWELL and Maj. James EWELL. CONT As the winter months approached in 1777, the days became colder and food supplies began to become low, and William's unit had reached the end of their first 3 month enlistment period, since the HOWE and the British seemed content to let the Continental Forces wait the Winter out in the cold days at Valley Forge, his unit was released by Cpt. Valentine PEYTON to walk the 150 miles home. So William's first enlistment ended without having to spend the terrible Winter at Valley Forge. CONT The War dragged on for years, though it was expected to be short by the British because of their military superiority. By 1780, the British forces were concentrated in the city of New York, under Sir Henry CLINTON. For over two years Geo. Washington and his ragged Continental Army had been camped 20 miles North on the Hudson highlands waiting for Sir Henry to bring his forces out of the city and meet in battle. CONT 21Dec1780, Gen. Benedict ARNOLD of the British Army sailed with 42 ships, 1600 troops and tons of supplies headed South from New York and on 1Jan1780 landed in Portsmith to begin sailing up the James River. The next day Governor Thomas JEFFERSON of Virginia sent out urgent dispatches to summon militia forces to assemble at Williamsburg. The British were already sacking Richmond. William SIMPSON once again responded to the Governors dispatch by volunteering to go fight with his unit. After several assignments and battles, the British Army on 17Oct1781 ending the major military actions of the Revolutionary War after 6 years of battles. CONT After the war, William SIMPSON married Elizabeth CHESHIRE in Prince William County, and their first daughter was born in 1785; their first son was born in 1787. In 1788 they moved to a farm along Runaway Creek near the Southern Border of Virginia, where 3 more children were born. CONT After 6 years they moved farther South to a farm near the South fork of Leatherwood Creek where 5 more children were born. after 1807, William and his family moved West to Tennessee where their last child was born in 1809. In 1816, the family moved North to Burnt Prairie in the Illinois Territory. He homesteaded a government land grant for 160 acres. On 28Aug1833, at 77 yrs. old, William SIMPSON appeared in Court in Fairfield, IL. before Judge William WILSON to give testimony for a Revolutionary War pension. His pension was granted and he received $20 per year until his death 21Mar1839. CONT CONT In conclusion this article mentions book being written about William SIMPSON's life by one of his descendants, Kent GREGORRY. CONT
12. ↑ Source: #S264 Page: Ch.07, p.032-039, ID1, >>>> John SIMPSON <<<< 1st & 2nd generations (bottom p. 40 for military service info) CONT
13. ↑ Source: #S285 Page: Article found in files of Evelyn GOLD, likely published by Wayne Co. Press, Fairfield, IL. Data: Text: William SIMPSON buried in a cemetery near Burnt Prairie, IL. He was a Private in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War and an early pioneer into Wayne County, Illinois. His story is not of a famous hero; but of a farmer who served as a citizen-soldier during the turbulent times of this country's formation. CONT He was born in 1755 in the British Crown Colony of Virginia near the community of of Dumfries, where Quantico Creek empties into the Potomac River, only 20 or 30 miles from George WASHINGTON's residence. CONT Sep 1777, after pleas from WASHINGTON for help from the governors, William volunteered to fight and became a Private in the Virginia Regiment under the command of Col. Jesse EWELL and Maj. James EWELL. CONT As the winter months approached in 1777, the days became colder and food supplies began to become low, and William's unit had reached the end of their first 3 month enlistment period, since the HOWE and the British seemed content to let the Continental Forces wait the Winter out in the cold days at Valley Forge, his unit was released by Cpt. Valentine PEYTON to walk the 150 miles home. So William's first enlistment ended without having to spend the terrible Winter at Valley Forge. CONT The War dragged on for years, though it was expected to be short by the British because of their military superiority. By 1780, the British forces were concentrated in the city of New York, under Sir Henry CLINTON. For over two years Geo. Washington and his ragged Continental Army had been camped 20 miles North on the Hudson highlands waiting for Sir Henry to bring his forces out of the city and meet in battle. CONT 21Dec1780, Gen. Benedict ARNOLD of the British Army sailed with 42 ships, 1600 troops and tons of supplies headed South from New York and on 1Jan1780 landed in Portsmith to begin sailing up the James River. The next day Governor Thomas JEFFERSON of Virginia sent out urgent dispatches to summon militia forces to assemble at Williamsburg. The British were already sacking Richmond. William SIMPSON once again responded to the Governors dispatch by volunteering to go fight with his unit. After several assignments and battles, the British Army on 17Oct1781 ending the major military actions of the Revolutionary War after 6 years of battles. CONT After the war, William SIMPSON married Elizabeth CHESHIRE in Prince William County, and their first daughter was born in 1785; their first son was born in 1787. In 1788 they moved to a farm along Runaway Creek near the Southern Border of Virginia, where 3 more children were born. CONT After 6 years they moved farther South to a farm near the South fork of Leatherwood Creek where 5 more children were born. after 1807, William and his family moved West to Tennessee where their last child was born in 1809. In 1816, the family moved North to Burnt Prairie in the Illinois Territory. He homesteaded a government land grant for 160 acres. On 28Aug1833, at 77 yrs. old, William SIMPSON appeared in Court in Fairfield, IL. before Judge William WILSON to give testimony for a Revolutionary War pension. His pension was granted and he received per year until his death 21Mar1839. CONT CONT In conclusion this article mentions book being written about William SIMPSON's life by one of his descendants, Kent GREGORRY. CONT
14. ↑ SIMPSON.FTW

Sources

See also:

• Source: S264 Robert H. & Twilah M. (Seefeld) McFarland, Simpson Connections (Ann Arbor, Michigan, Braun-Brumfield, Inc., 1987), Library of Congress Card #87-90421
• Source: S285 Title: Gregory, Kent, Revolutionary Soldier - Body of war veteran buried near Burnt Prairie, IL, Gregory, Kent, Author / Historian / Genealogist. Revolutionary Soldier - Body of war veteran buried near Burnt Prairie, IL.. Leaflet. Fairfield, Wayne Co., IL.: possibly Wayne County Press.
• Source S-2076851630 Ancestry Family Trees, Online publication - Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.
• Source S915241002, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Yates Publishing
• Source: #S-2076851630, Ancestry Family Trees, http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=3981952&pid=845470313

Acknowledgments

• This person was created through the import of 236-Cathy.ged on 20 October 2010.
• WikiTree profile Simpson-2683 created through the import of GOLDevelyn-ancestors-2013-01-13.ged on Jan 16, 2013 by Lowell Gold.