William Simpson Jr. (1794 - 1856)

Born 25 Jun 1794 in Halifax Co., Virginia, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy (Roberts) Simpson — married 24 Aug 1819 in Rutherford, Tennessee, United States

Descendants

Died 10 Dec 1856 at age 62 in Wayne Co. IL. USA

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Biography

Vet. of War of 1812 and Mexican War.

Name

William /SIMPSON/ Jr.^[1]

Birth

25 JUN 1794

Halifax Co., Virginia, USA^[2]

Reference

1619

Military Service

1846

Mexican War./Mexico^[3]

Marriage

FAM

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16098

1784

Prince William Co., Va.^[4][5]

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 Dumfries, where Quantico Creek empties into the Potomac River, only 20 or 30 miles from George WASHINGTON's residence.

In 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. As the winter months approached in 1777, the days became colder and food supplies became 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.

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.

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 1 Jan 1780 landed in Portsmouth 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 Wiliamsburg. 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.

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. 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. In conclusion, this article mentions book being written about William SIMPSON's life by one of his descendants, Kent GREGORY.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S264 Page: Ch.07, p.032-039, ID1, >>>> John SIMPSON <<<< 1st & 2nd generations (bottom p. 40 for military service info) CONT
2. ↑ Source: #S264 Page: Ch.07, p.032-039, ID1, >>>> John SIMPSON <<<< 1st & 2nd generations (bottom p. 40 for military service info) CONT
3. ↑ Source: #S264 Page: Ch.08, p.040-161, ID122, > Tolliver SIMPSON <, & ID1229, > Elias Newport SIMPSON <, descendants
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: #S285 Page: Article found in files of Evelyn GOLD, likely published by Wayne Co. Press, Fairfield, IL. Data: Text:

See Also:

• WikiTree profile Simpson-2682 created through the import of GOLDevelyn-ancestors-2013-01-13.ged on Jan 16, 2013 by Lowell Gold. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Lowell and others.

• Source: S264 Author: Robert H. & Twilah M. (Seefeld) McFarland Title: Simpson Connections Publication: Name: Braun-Brumfield, Inc.,; Location: Ann Arbor, Mi; Date: 1987; Repository: #R23 Call Number: Library of Congress Card #87-90421 Note: CONT
• Repository: R23 Name: personal copy Address: E-Mail Address: Phone Number:
• Source: S285 Title: Gregory, Kent, Revolutionary Soldier - Body of war veteran buried near Burnt Prairie, IL NOTEGregory, Kent, Author / Historian / Genealogist. Revolutionary Soldier - Body of war veteran buried near Burnt Prairie, IL.. Leaflet. Fairfield, Wayne Co., IL.: possibly Wayne County Press, unknown. CONT CONT see attached media
• Simpson Connections by Robert H. and Twilah M McFarland Library of Congress Catalog Card number: 87-90421