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Charles was born about 1760. The DAR record for this man is A103789. The dates given are off by about a generation - could this actually be for the father of this Charles?[http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A103789)
Charles Simmons is listed as Capt. Charles Simmons in the 1790 Census of Laurens County, South Carolina. 2 males over 16, 3 males under 16, 4 females over 16 and one 4 slaves.[1]
Click for larger image. |
Charles Lived in Laurens County, South Carolina as shown in the 1800 Census.
Charles Simmons in the 1800 Census, click for larger image. |
He is listed in the 1810 Census with 2 boys under 10, 2 boys 10-16, and himself, 45 +, $ girls under 10, 1 girl 10-16 and a woman 26-45 (presumably Elizabeth his wife).[2]
Charles Simmons, 1810 Census, click for larger Image. |
He is mentioned in his father-in-laws Deed of Gift, February 4, 1806. "...William Tweedy...I bear unto my son-in-law, Charles Simmons..."[3]
Charles passed away prior to March 21, 1817. His Widow Elizabeth disposed Items from his estate.[4]
Mentioned in the Will of Elizabeth Simmons, written October 7, 1883:
Franks-Simmons Cemetery, "This cemetery is about 1 1/2 miles out the Clinton Highway from Laurens Court House. It is inside the Forest Lawn Cemetery now. This cemetery is said to be on the land of Capt. Charles Simmons, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He married Elizabeth Tweedy."[6]
"...record of Capt Charles Simmons married to Elizabeth Tweedy in a record in June 1825 about a deceased Jane franks. It states that she is the daughter of Capt Charles Simmons and Elizabeth (Tweedy) Simmons." email from Wayne Cunningham to Gaulden-7.
From A Word
"Charles Simmons may have been born in Virginia, as he and his father-in-law William Tweedy were included on a list of Virginia Colonial Soldiers. Or he may have been born in Orangeburg District to John Simmons and Anna Catherina Lebender Zorn c1748, as many researchers indicate. However, there is no documentation of his birth. There are many Simmonses in South Carolina in the early 1700s. Simmonses were in Charles Town, Orangeburg, Laurens, and Greenville Districts. Capt. Charles Simmons owned land in Greenville District in addition to his Laurens District holdings.
Charles married Elizabeth Tweedy, the daughter of William Tweedy, before 1767, as their first child, John Simmons Sr., was born March 13, 1767 in Laurens District. Their children were:
Charles Simmons was a Revolutionary War Veteran, and fought with his father-in-law William Tweedy. He served 77 days in the militia during 1781 and 1782. After the fall of Charleston, he was a lieutenant. Charles is listed as a lieutenant in the militia possibly at the Battle of Ninety Six in 1781. On 2 April 1785 Charles Simmons was issued twelve pounds five Shillings and Eight pence half penny Sterling for his militia duty in 1781. His DAR record is A103789.
Charles and Elizabeth Simmons, District of Laurens, sold to Samuel Boling, planter, for 60 pds 168 acres lying on Reedy River, a branch of Saluda River, by lands of George Martin and John Milling. The original grant was to Charles Simmons. (Proved in open Court, Lewis Saxon, C.C. 30 Mar 1786, Laurens Co., SC, County Court 14 Jun 1786, p91.)
The 1790 census for Capt. Charles Simmons shows 2 males 16 and over (Charles himself and possibly a brother), 3 males under 16 (John, Charles and William), 4 females (Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth and Jean) and 4 slaves. When Capt. Charles Simmons died, he willed his 350-acre plantation to his sons. This may be the property upon which now is the Forest Lawn cemetery between Laurens and Clinton, which contains the Franks-Simmons cemetery.
The 1800 Census lists Capt. Simmons’ wife Elizabeth and his three sons. John is shown with 1 male and 1 female 26-44 each, and two males less than 10 years old. Charles (little) is listed with 1 male and 1 female aged 16-25 each and 1 male less than 10 years old. William is listed with 1 male and 1 female aged 16-25 each. There is also an entry for Charles Simmons (big) of the same age group as John with a young family. He doesn’t appear to be a child of Capt. Simmons but may be a cousin or uncle to the three brothers. Charles Simmons Little is mentioned in Capt. Simmon’s probate, but Charles Simmons Big is not.
On 4 February 1806, William Tweedy deeded a gift to Charles Simmons (who was deceased), the record of which states, “… in consideration of my future support and maintenance and also the good will, Love and Affection which I bear unto my son in law Charles Simmons I have given and conveyed unto said Charles Simmons, all my real and personal estate, Viz., one negro woman named Hanna, 4 head of cattle, one bed and furniture, all my household and kitchen furniture and also all my notes, bonds and accounts due me. William (mark) Tweedy (seal).” This was witnessed by John Garlington and John Black and recorded March 4, 1806. Yet, Capt. Charles Simmons died in 1791, documented by the Greenville County record’s reference in 1798 to Elizabeth as the widow of Charles Simmons. Perhaps it was intended that this gift was to go to Charles Simmons estate, most of which would then go to William’s daughter Elizabeth and his grandchildren.
Charles Simmons’ will was dated 1791. Portions of Charles’ will were litigated in court. At the time of Charles’ death, he had on hand a quantity of tobacco which was sold shortly afterwards by the executors. The money arising from the sale together with what money the late Charles Simmons was possessed of, was used to buy three slaves. Two were given to John Simmons, one of the executors, who gave them his mother Elizabeth Simmons and executed to her a Bill of Sale in her character of Executrix to the Will of Charles Simmons. One of these two was sold by her to discharge debts due by the Estate of her deceased husband, and the other remained in possession of Elizabeth during her lifetime.
It appears that what remained of Charles Simmons’ estate on the death of Elizabeth Simmons was probated in 1822. Mentioned in the probate documents were Charles Simmons’ children (John Simmons, Charles Simmons, William Simmons, Sarah Madden, Elizabeth Smith, and Jane Franks), Elizabeth Simmons, and Charles Simmons Little.
Supporting documents: 1790 US Census Laurens County SC; 1800 US Census Laurens County SC; Deed Book H: 131; "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QYMM-JBMM : 1 March 2021), Charles Simmons, 1781; citing Military Service, United States, Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 103140764; South Carolina Roster (of Revolutionary Soldiers) p 863; DAR Patriot Index Centennial Edition Part III, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Centennial Administration (Washington: 1990), p. 2668; Probate proceedings of Charles Simmons, Laurens County, 1822."
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