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James Sims (1754-1845)
Pioneer of Nicholas County, West
Virginia
by
Cathy Meder-Dempsey
(Revised
22 February 2003)
A little over two hundred years
ago, our ancestor James Sims came to Kanawha County with his young wife
Elizabeth Cotton and the children from his first marriage. He settled in the
area of Kanawha County, Virginia, which later became Nicholas County, West
Virginia.
James Sims, born 8 October 1754[1]
in Culpeper County, Virginia, was the only child of Jeremiah Sims and Agatha
Nalle. On 4 March 1768[2]
a weak and sick Jeremiah Sims wrote his will which was probated 18 October 1768[3]
in Culpeper County. James was nearly 14 when his father died in 1768.
Jeremiah
left half of his estate to his beloved wife Agatha Sims and the other half to
his loving son James Sims. In the event that James would die without heirs the
estate was to be divided equally between Jeremiah's two nephews, Thomas Graves
and Jonathan Sims or their heirs. Jeremiah appointed his loving wife Agatha and
his loving friends Edward Sims, John Nalle Jr., and Henry Pendleton as executors
of his will. The will was witnessed by Thomas Griffin, Moses Spicer, Henry
Pendleton and John Nalle Jr.
"In the name of
God Amen. I, Jeremiah Sims of the County of Culpeper being
sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory blessed by God for it, Do
constitute ordain and appoint, this my last will and testament in manner and
form following (to wit) In the first place I bequeath my soul to God was
gave it, and my Body to be decently buried. ITEM I lend unto my beloved
wife, Agatha Sims one half of my estate both real and personal during her
natural life, after my just debts are paid. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my
loving son James Sims one half my estate both real and personal after my just
debts are paid. ITEM My will and desire is that if my said son James Sims
should dec without heir that my wife have the use of my whole estate during
her natural life and then to be equally divided between my two nephews,
Thomas Graves and Jonathan Sims or their heirs. ITEM I do constitute and
appoint my beloved wife Agatha Sims executrix and my loving friends Edward
Sims, John Nalle Jr. and Henry Pendleton executors of this my last will and
testament. Witness my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of March 1768.
Jeremiah Sims (LS.)
Signed,
sealed and acknowledged in presence of us:
Thomas Griffin and Moses Spicer, Henry Pendleton and John Nalle Jr.
Jeremiah's will establishes that James Sims was
the son of Agatha and Jeremiah. Agatha Nalle was the daughter of John Nalle and
Mary Brown. John Nalle's will, written 16 September 1780[5]
and probated in Culpeper County, Virginia, 19 August 1782[6],
mentions amongst his legatees his daughter Agatha Hill and her son James Sims.
In the item concerning his daughter Agatha, John lends to her half the service
of a Negro woman Jinncy (or Jinney) during her lifetime and the other half goes
to the grandson James Sims from the time of his mother's marriage to Russell
Hill. After Agatha's death the slave and her increase is willed to James Sims
and his heirs forever. Agatha was also left ten shillings.
"Item. I
Lend to my daughter Agatha Hill half the Service of a Negro Woman named Jinncy
During my Daughters life the other half of the said Negroes Service to my
Grandson James Sims from the time of My Daughters marriage to Russel Hill, and
after My Daughters Descease I give the Said Negro Woman Jinncy and her Increase
to my Grandson James Sims to him and his Heirs for Ever also Ten Shillings to my
Daughter Agatha Hill and her Heirs for Ever."
On 15 January 1776 in Culpeper County, Virginia,
Russell Hill of Culpeper and one Agness (not Agatha) Wood of Culpeper entered
into an agreement because of a marriage to be solemnized between the two of them
shortly after the above date. In this document Agness Wood states and Russell
agrees that any property, etc. she brings to the marriage is hers and if she
should die before him said belongings and property will be given by Russell Hill
to her son - James Sims and if James Sims should die before his mother then to
James Sims' heirs. If Russell Hill should die before Agness Wood (Hill) then his
property, etc. is to go to his sons and Agness agrees to this. Also, if Russell
Hill should die before Agness then she would receive only her present estate
that she brings into the marriage. This was witnessed by three men: Richard and
John Vawter and John Breedlove.[8]
It is possible that James Sims' mother Agatha married a Mr. Wood between 1768
and 1775 and was widowed for a second time. There is no proof that the above
Agness Wood is our Agatha Nalle but it is something to be researched. The fact
that this Agness Wood has a son named James Sims and a marriage is to be
solemnized between her and Russell Hill lends credit to this assumption.
James Sims married Phebe Unknown, born Abt. 1755
in Virginia, before 1777. Robert Owens notes that they were married 1775 in
Culpeper County, Virginia[9].
(Note: Rose Mary Sims Rudy recently heard from Col. Owens; he told her his
information was not to be considered as it has been successfully disputed by
other researchers.) According to family tradition his wife was a cousin. It has
not been proven that she was from the Sims or the Nalle side of the family.
George R. Penick, Jr. in his compilation of information on the descendants of
James Sims wrote that John H. Simms of Boomer, WV (1872-1950?), who did
considerable family research, seems to have been of the understanding that
James’ first wife’s name may have been Phoebe Nalle (a cousin on his mother’s
side).[10]
It should be noted here that James’ eldest son Jeremiah and his eldest daughter
Elizabeth both named their eldest daughters Phoebe.
William H. Maginnis wrote in notes found in
Virginia Bondurant Johnson's DAR file "As several persons named James Sims were
recorded in Culpeper County, Va., between 1768 and 1808, I took note of the
names of their wives and after some study came to the conclusion that the James
Sims whose wife was named Phoebe was the one who moved to Bath County and later,
after Phoebe was drowned, to Gauley river in what is now Nicholas county, W.Va."
Here an error in information needs to be noted. Many researchers have listed
James Sims' first wife as his cousin Elizabeth Sims. However documentation has
since been found to correct this. This documentation which includes the
circumstances of Phebe's death in 1794 will be discussed in sequential order.
James and Phebe's first child Jeremiah, named
after James' father, was born 24 May 1777[11].
Most likely James missed out on the first three months of Jeremiah's life as he
declared:
"In the
month of June 1777 according to his recollection he was called into the service
as a drafted militia man under Captain John Tutt for a tour of three months. He
served as Orderly Sergeant in said Company. He resided then in Culpepper County
Virginia, and said Company was collected in said County. The company was marched
towards Fredericksburg, and kept moving about through the country around
thereabout guarding it from the depredations of the British, Tories, and
Negroes, and after Serving out his time he was discharged……."
On 21 July 1777 James Sims and his wife Phebe
deeded to "Martin Nalle son of John" a certain "parcel of land containing one
hundred and eighteen acres… in the Great Fork of Rappahanock river Joining on
Devils Run."[13]
Martin Nalle the brother of Agatha Nalle Sims was James' uncle. In 1785 in
Culpeper County, Virginia, the Sims tract was sold by James Nalle to Francis
Nalle (both brothers of Martin),".… Land being formerly the property of said
Martin Nalle dec'd was given by him by will.…"[14][15]
A copy of the above deed must be procured or Deed Book H pages 475-477 must be
consulted to verify the date of this transaction. If James' statement that he
was called to service in June 1777 is correct then he would not have been in
Culpeper County in July 1777. Another source lists a different date for this
land deed:
"In
Deed Book H, page 475, Culpeper, Va., in deed dated Dec. 17, 1779, 11 years
after the date of Jeremiah Sims's will, James Sims and his wife Phoebe, conveyed
to Martin Nalle 118 acres of land in Bromfield parish, in the Great Fork of the
Rappahannock river. The land had been left to James Sims "by my father"."
In October 1780 James was again called into service as an Orderly Sergeant for a
tour of three months. His wife Phebe was most likely 8 months pregnant with her
second child when James marched in the direction of York Town. On 6 November
1780[17]
their second son William was born while he was away. As with his first son,
James may have missed out on the first two months of his second son's life.
"On or about the 1st of October 1780 he was again
called into the service as a drafted militia man, under according to best of his
recollection Captain James Tutt, but whether that was really his name or not, he
recollects him to have been a slim spare man. This was for another tour of three
months. They were marched in the direction of York Town to aid in the Seige of
that place, but before they reached that place Lord Cornwallis had surrendered.
They assembled in the County of Culpepper Va and were placed under the Superior
Command of Col Slaughter, after serving out his time he was discharged."
As James and Phebe named their first son after James' father Jeremiah it is
likely that they named their second son after Phebe's father. This gives us a
choice of the following names for Phebe's father: William Sims, William Nalle,
William Unknown married to an Unknown Sims, or William Unknown married to an
Unknown Nalle.
It is believed that following the birth of Jeremiah (1777) and William (1780),
James and Phebe's children were born as follows: Elizabeth (1782), Martin (bet.
1784-1790), John (1787), Mary (bet. 1788-1792), and Nancy Ann (1793). It is
difficult to estimate the years of birth for these children as the ages on the
available census records vary from one decade to the next. The possible years of
birth for these children will be discussed in later sections dealing with the
children of James Sims.
According to Penick, family history relates that James moved to Lowmoor,
Virginia, about 1787 where he engaged in rifle making.[19]
Although no documentation has been found proving when James moved from Culpeper
County, we have found that his wife Phebe died in early January 1794 in Bath
County, Virginia.[20]
They apparently lived in the Lowmoor/Clifton Forge area which was once part of
Botetourt County (formed in 1770), then part of Bath County (formed in 1791 from
Augusta, Botetourt, and Greenbrier), and now in Alleghany County (formed in
1822). From this we can assume that James moved from Culpeper County to
Botetourt County. Family tradition is that James' wife was coming home from
caring for a sick friend, fell from her horse, and drowned in the Jackson River.
We have been able to verify this story with the coroner's inquest report dated
22 January 1794, which includes the following statement: "Phebe was accidently
drowned occasioned by the horse whereon she rode Rearing and plunging and
throwing her into the water."
Phebe Simms
Inquisition
Taken
the 22nd of
January
1794 Before John
Dean Gent.
Coroner
Bath County to
wit
Inquisition indented taken ?
in the County aforesaid on the twenty second day of January in the
year One thousand seven hundred and ninety four before me John Dean a
Gentleman and of the Coroners of the Commonwealth for the County aforesaid
upon view of the body of Phebe Sims late of said County then and there lying
dead; and upon the Oathes of Robert Armstrong Jr., William Morris, John Scott,
John Bird, Andrew Baurland, Thomas Barber, James Armstrong, Robert
McClintic, William McClintic, John Somwalt, Paul Harpole and
Adam Kimberlan, good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being
Jurors and charged to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when where how
and after what manner the said Phebe Sims came to her death, do say upon their
Oathes, that the said Phebe was accidently drowned occasioned by the horse
whereon she rode Rearing and plunging and throwing her into the water.
The witness whereof as well the aforesaid Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid
have in this Inquisition put their Seals on the day and year aforesaid
and at the place aforesaid.
John
Dean Robt. Armstrong
William Morris
John Scott
John Bird
Andr. Baurland
Thomas Barber
Jas. Armstrong
Robert McClintic
William McClintic
Johannes Zumqualt
Paul Harpole
Adam Kimberlan
In February 1995 Connie Metheny of Millboro, Virginia, became involved in a very
interesting project of sorting through old original papers that had been stored
in bundles and filed at the court house in Bath County. The Virginia State
Library funded the work done to their specifications. The old records dated back
to 1790 and the condition was good considering the age. There were cases that
involved the Sims family, mostly over debts owed them or that they owed others.
These papers will have to be found and perused. Mrs. Metheny did send to Rose
Mary Sims Rudy a copy of a case in Judgment – Simms vs. Scott which was located
in a file of old law cases for 1795. This verifies that the wife of James Sims
had drowned and in this case it seems that John Scott accused the son, Jeremiah
Sims, then nearly 17 years old, of causing the accident. James Sims defended his
son and brought suit against Scott for one hundred pounds damage.
Sir Please to
Issue a Writ vs John Scott for saying my son (Jeremiah)
was the Damn son of a bitch that Drowned his Mother
Col C. Cameron
Jas. Sims
Issued for
Saying that Jeremiah Simms was the
Damned Son of a Bitch that Drowned his Mother
The Commonwealth
of Virginia, to the Sheriff of Bath County, ?
You are hereby commanded to take John Scott
if he be found within your bailiwick , and him safely keep so that you have his
body before the justices of our court, of our said county, at the court-house on
the Second
Tuesday in May next to answer Jeremiah Simms by James
Simms his father and ?? of
a plea of Trespass on the case damage one
hundred pounds
and have then there this writ, witness Charles Cameron, clerk of our said court,
at the court-house, the 16th day of April 1794
in the 18th year of the Commonwealth.
Chas. Cameron
The story of Phebe Sims' death has been repeated so many times that some very
erroneous information can now be found in genealogy publications. One of these
incorrect stories:
"The Settle-Suttle
Family" by William Emmett Reese pg 456.
"While living near Clifton Forge, Virginia, Elizabeth (Sims) Johnson was
drowned when her horse stumbled and fell while fording the Jackson River. She
was returning home after an all night vigil with a sick neighbor. At date of her
death, there were nine children in the family, Jeremiah, Jr., Anthony, Martin,
William, Mary, Elizabeth, Virginia, Nancy and Dryden. After the sudden death of
his wife, the Rev. John Johnson was restless and upon hearing of the
illness of his cousin Frances--who had married Joshua Morris and in 1770
established a home in the wilderness of Peter's Creek in the Kanawha Valley--he
decided to visit them, when upon arrival, to his great sorrow, he found that
their daughters, Peggy and Betsey had been killed and scalped by Indians." (This
entry is sourced as History of Kanawha County, George W. Atkinson, Charleston,
1876, p.21.)
Unfortunately the above quotation is full of errors and cannot be considered a
reliable source. The names in italics are incorrect. They should read Phebe Sims
and James Sims. Rev. John Johnson and Elizabeth Sims, daughter of James Sims,
were married 2 June 1802 in Kanawha County, (West) Virginia after James Sims
settled in the area. Elizabeth Sims Johnson died in Fayette County 1 June 1845,
the year of the terrible typhoid epidemic.[22]. Elizabeth Sims and Rev. John Johnson's children are
listed as James, Amy, John Brown Jr., Phebe, William B., Rachel, Hannah, Mary,
Elizabeth, Susannah, Harrison, and Barbara. The
children listed on page 456 of The Settle-Suttle Family seem to be a
mixture of James' children with his first and second wife as well as some
children that have been attributed to him but not proved. We see here that Phebe
Sims, the mother, and Elizabeth (Sims) Johnson, the daughter have been confused.
"Elizabeth, wife of Rev. John, was noted for her kindness and skill in caring
for the sick and needy; a characteristic for which her mother was well known."[23]
From the above we cannot tell when Frances Simms Morris fell sick. She was born
in 1755 and died in 1848 as per tombstone and estate settlement. The story
related about the daughters being killed and scalped by Indians is also only
partly true. According to Mildred Chapman Gibbs in her excellent book, "From
Culpepper County to the Teays Valley," this happened to Henry Morris, brother of
Joshua. Same victim daughters - Margaret and Betsey - Peter's Creek. Henry was
born 1747, married to Mary Byrd. He was a reckless, macho man and settled,
against advice, in remote Peter's Creek, Gauley River, 1791. The 2 girls were
sent down a trail to drive the cows home for evening milking, and they were
killed and scalped (1792). "The tragedy grieved and embittered him, and vowing
no Indian would ever cross his path and live, he avenged the deaths of his
daughters many times." We see from the above that the information that Mr. Reese
gives is incorrect. It is not known if Mr. Reese misinterpreted the 1876 source
for the Settle history or if it is also incorrect.
According to Maginnis "Joshua and Frances Simms Morris, who were among
the first settlers in the Kanawha Valley in 1774, were back in Culpeper County,
Virginia, in 1794, when their youngest son John was born.
Frances died in the following year, but Joshua and his family continued to
reside in Teas Valley, in what was then Kanawha County."[24] Frances Simms Morris did not die in 1795 as seen in this
statement as well as in The History of Fayette County West Virginia 1993,
pg. 449.
Another family tradition is that James Sims, learning that his dear cousin
Frances Simms Morris, wife of Joshua Morris, was sick, went to Kanawha Valley:
"Following her death (refers to his first wife), James Simms married Nancy
Cotton (this should be Elizabeth Cotton). Soon after this marriage, he went to
Kanawha Valley to visit a cousin and also visited the Henry Morris home on
Peter's Creek. Henry tried to persuade him to buy near him, but James being a
great hunter, said, "No, this section is too thickly settled." So Henry took him
on a hunting expedition down Peter's Creek, out across the Little Elk Mountain
and started down Little Elk Creek where they found signs of bear, deer and wild
turkey. James Sims then said, "Henry, if I can buy land on this creek, I'll be
your neighbor soon." The land belonged to John Jones who lived at what is now
Pratt. He had married a Morris and had purchased thousands of acres of land. He
at once went to see Mr. Jones and they soon agreed on a price for 500 acres on
Little Elk Creek: a plug horse and a flint lock rifle. As soon as he could make
arrangements, he moved his family there."
William H. Maginnis relates the following story:
"In
1795, the year of General Anthony Wayne's treaty with the Indians at Greenville,
Ohio, a James Sims of Culpeper County, Virginia, settled on Gauley River, a few
miles from Kanawha Falls. In 1800, a deed recorded in Kanawha County transferred
to him from John Jones of Culpeper County 123 acres above a ferry on that stream
in what is now Nicholas County."
The order of events in these stories does not seem to fit. We know that Frances
Simms Morris did not die in 1795. If James had visited her then and decided to
move to Kanawha at that time why did he buy 240 acres on Bollors Ridge on the
waters of Jacksons River on 19 August 1796[27]?
Jas. Simms
240 acres
Botetourt
Examined
& defd to
Wm Deane the
28 June 1798
(the above
written in left margin)
Robert Brooke
Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia
to all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know ye that by
Virtue of an Exchanged Treasury Warrant Number three
hundred and sixty one, issued the twenty second day of April one thousand
seven hundred and eighty eight. There is granted by the said Common=
=wealth unto James Simms, a certain tract or parcel of Land contain=
=ing two hundred and forty Acres by survey bearing date the twenty ninth
day of June one thousand seven hundred eighty nine, Lying and
being in the County of Botetourt on Bollors Ridge on the Waters of
Jacksons River, and is bounded as followeth to Wit Beginning at two
chestnuts on a hill, North twenty four degrees East three hundred and
twenty poles to two Maples on a hill North sixty six degrees West
one hundred and twenty poles to three Locust Bushes, thence South thirty
four degrees West one hundred and twenty four poles to a large black
Oak, thence South twenty degrees West two hundred poles to a Chestnut
thence south sixty six degrees East one hundred and twenty poles
to the beginning, with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said
tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances to the said James
Simms and his Heirs forever. In Witness whereof the said Robert
Brooke Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia
hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the
said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the
Nineteenth day of August In the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and Ninety six, and of the Common=
=wealth the twenty first.
Robert Brooke
Two months later James remarried. The marriage bond for James Sims and Elizabeth
Cotton was signed 25 October 1796, surety Enock Cotton, and with Benjamin Cotton
consenting for his daughter Elizabeth. The witnesses were Enock Cotton and
Shadrick Cotton. No minister return was filed. From this I have estimated that
she was less than 18 years of age placing her birth abt. 1779. Elizabeth is
believed to have been the daughter of Benjamin Cotton and Francis Knox. Two
years later, in October 1798, James and Elizabeth sold the land on Bollors Ridge
to Alice McClintic.
"James Simms &
Elizabeth his wife to Alice McClintic
Bath County,
Virginia
Land Deed
October 27, 1798
This Indenture
made the 27th day of October one
Thousand seven hundred Ninety eight Between James Simms &
Elizabeth his wife of the County of Bath of the one part & Alice Mc
Clintic of the same County of the other part witnesseth that the said
James Simms & Elizabeth his wife for and in Consideration of
five shillings Current Money to them in Hand paid doth bar=
gain & sell unto the said Alice McClintic & her Heirs one Certain
tract or parcel of Land in the said County of Bath containing
two hundred & forty acres on Ballars Ridge on the Waters of
Jacksons River & bounded as follows to Wit Beginning
at two Chestnuts on a hill N 24° E 320 poles to two Maples on a
hill 66° W(?) 120 poles to three Locust Bushes thence S 34° W 124
poles to a large Black Oak thence S 20° W 200 poles to a Ches=
nut Thence S 66° E 120 poles to the Beginning Together with
all its appurtenances To have & to hold the said two hundred
& forty acres of Land with all its appurtenances to to the said
Alice McClintic & her Heirs to the sole use & …….. of her heirs
& assigns forever And the said James Simms & Elizabeth his wife
for Themselves & their heirs doth Covenant with the Alice McClin=
Tic & her Heirs that they the said James Simms & Elizabeth his wife
& their heirs the said Land with the appurtenances unto the said Alice
McClintic & her heirs against all persons whatsoever will for Warrant
& Defend In Witness whereof the said James Simms has hereunto
subscribed his Name & affixed his seal the Day & Year above Written
signed sealed & delivered in
the presence of James Sims
her
Samuel
Vance Elizabeth X Sims
Thos. Milhollin
mark
Wm. ?? Dean
??
Bath County ???
Court 1798
This Indenture
of Bargain and Sale Between James Simms
and Elizabeth his wife of the one part and Alice McClintic of the o=
ther part proved in Court by the Witnesses thereto and
ordered to be Recorded with the commission & ? exami=
nation of the said Elizabeth ?
Teste Chas. Cameron CBC
The Commonwealth
of Virginia to Samuel Vance & Thomas Milhollin
Gentlemen Greeling(?) whereas James Sims and Elizabeth his wife by
their Certain indenture of Bargain and Sale Bearing date the 27
day of October 1798 have sold and Conveyed unto Alice McClin=
tic two hundred & forty Acres of Land with the appurtenances lying and
being in the said County of Bath and Whereas the said Elizabeth
Sims Cannot Conveniently travel to our County Court of Bath
to make Acknowledgement of the said Conveyance therefore we
do Give unto you or any two or more of you power to receive acknow=
ledgement Which the said Elizabeth Sims shall Make before you
of the said Conveyance aforesaid Contained in the said indenture
which is hereunto annexed and we therefore Command you that
you do personally go to the said Elizabeth Sims and Receive her
Acknowledgement of the same and Examine her privately and apart
from the said James Sims her husband Whether She doth the same
freely and vaulentarily without his persuation or threats and Whether
She be Willing that the same should be Recorded in Our said County
Court of Bath and when you have Received her Acknowledgement
and Examination as aforesaid that you have distinctly and openly Cer=
tify us therefore in our Said County Court under you hand and Seals Sending
their the said indenture & this writ witness Charles Cameron Clerk of our
said Court at the Courthouse of the said County the 13th day of September 1798
and 23rd year of the Commonwealth.
? White DC
Bath County
By Virtue of
this Commission hereunto annexed we the Subscribers
did on the 27th day of Oct. in the year of the Commonwealth and in the year of
our Lord Christ 1798 personally go to the Within Named Elizabeth
Sims and having examined her privately and apart from the Within
named James Sims her husband do certify that she declared that she
freely and vaulenterely acknowledged the Conveyance Contained
in the Indenture hereunto annexed Without his persuation or threats
of her said husband and that she was willing the same should be recor=
ded in the
county court of Bath Witness our hands and seals the day
above Mentioned.
Samuel Vance
Thos.
Milhollen"
The location of this land may be near the town of Bolar on the boundary between
Bath and Highland County, Virginia. Bolar Gap, Bolar Run, Bolar Spring, and the
Jackson River are all in the vicinity of Bolar. Another location could be in the
area of Bolar Mountain north of Lake Moomaw and north-northwest of Lowmoor and
Clifton Forge.
The relationship between the Sims and the McClintic must be noted here. James’
eldest son Jeremiah married Sarah Milhollen daughter of Thomas Milhollen and
Jane McClintic in 1800. Jane was the sister of Alice McClintic’s deceased
husband William.
William Griffee Brown wrote in his History of Nicholas County, West Virginia,
copyright 1954:
"James Simms,
the first of the name to come to Nicholas County, came from Bath County in 1787
and located at the mouth of Little Elk Creek on Gauley River. He was a gunsmith
and the Simms rifle was praised for its accuracy."
From the previously mentioned
documents and sources it is more likely that James Sims came to Little Elk
Creek, then in Kanawha County, after his marriage to Elizabeth Cotton in 1796 or
even after they sold their land in Bath County in 1798 but before 1800 when he
bought the tract from John Jones. Another source dates his move to about 1798:
"Then he (William Johnson Sr.) and his sons,
William, John, Nelson and James, moved to Gauley River in what is now Nicholas
County, W. Va. near and below the mouth of Little Elk about 1798. There William,
Jr., married Nancy Sims, a daughter of James Sims, who had also moved on Gauley
from Virginia with the Johnsons."
The first documented proof of
James’ residence in Kanawha County is found in the 1800 Jones to Sims land deed:
This Indenture made this
Eighth Day of April in the year of
our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred, Between John Jones, of & Frances his
wife of the County Kanawha and State of Virginia of the one part and
James Sims of County & State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth. The John
Jones & Frances his wife for and in Consideration of the sum of five shilling
to them in hand by the said James Sims the __ whereof they do hereby
acknowledge hath Given Granted Bargained & Sold & by these presents do
give grant bargain & sell unto the said James Sims, his heirs or Assigns
forever a Certain Tract or parcel of land lying & being in the County of
Kanawha Containing one hundred & seventy three acres on Gauley River
above the Ferry and bounded as follows to wit: Beginning at a Lynn &
bank of the South Side of Gauley River at Deer Lick. East of two Lynns to
a Corner in the Pattent?, Running East thirty five poles to a Buckeye ___ South
Sixty Degrees East 198 poles to three bushes on bank of the River north
two hundred poles crossing the river to two White Oaks on a Hill, South seventy
five degrees North one hundred & fifty four poles to a Stake in the ___
___ thence South seventy six poles crossing the river to the Beginning
to have and to hold the said tract of land with Its appurtenances
To the said James Sims, his Heirs or Assigns forever, and the said John Jones &
Frances his wife, for themselves heirs Executors Administrators Doth Covenant &
agree to and with the said the said James Sims, that they will relinquish there
Claim, or Claims to the said James Sims, his heirs forever. In Witness
Whereto the said John Jones & Frances his wife hath hereunto set their
hand & seal this Day and year above written.
John Jones (his mark)
Kanawha County April Court
1800
This Deed from John Jones,
& Frances his wife to James Sims was
presented in Court and duly Acknowledged by the said John Jones
and the same is ordered to Record, and that a Commission Issue to
take the private Examination of Frances the said wife To ___ her
right of dower in the Premises.
Teste John Reynolds Clk
"James Simms" is seen along
with his sons "William Simms" and "Martin Simms" on the tax lists of Kanawha
County, (West) Virginia in 1809. "Edward Simms", believed by some researchers to
be a son of James Sims, is also found on this tax list.
In 1810 we find "James Simms" in Kanawha County, (West) Virginia, with 1 male
0-10 yo (James Jr.), 1 male over 45 yo (James), 3 females under 10 yo (Margaret,
Sarah, Mildred), 1 female 26 and under 45 yo (Elizabeth), and 5 slaves. By 1810
all of James' children by his first marriage had left home as we see that the
children listed with him were all born between 1800 and 1809.[31][32]
In 1820 Hedgman Triplett enumerated the Nicholas County, (West) Virginia Census
where we find James Sims with 2 males under 10 yo (Dryden, Charles), 1 male over
45 yo (James), 2 females under 10 yo (Jane & Sarah), 2 females 10 & under 16 yo
(Margaret, Mildred), 1 female 26 and under 45 yo (Elizabeth).[33]
In 1830 in Nicholas County, (West) Virginia, we find James Sims with 1 male 5
and under 10 yo (George W.), 2 males 15 and under 20 yo (Dryden & Charles), 1
male 70 and under 80 yo (James), 1 female 15 and under 20 yo (Jane, only
unmarried daughter still at home), 1 female 40 under under 50 yo (Elizabeth),
and 5 slaves: 1 male 10 and under 20, 1 male 20 and under 30, 2 female 10 and
under 24, 1 female 24 & under 36.[34]
Then in 1832 we find James acquiring further land in Nicholas County, (West)
Virginia.
"Sims Deed
Nicholas County November 1, 1832
John Floyd
Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia:
TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come, GREETING: KNOW YE, That in conformity
with a Survey, made on the eighth day of May 1831, by Virtue of a Land Office
Treasury Warrant N° 7425 issued December 14th 1823
there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto James Sims,
A certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing Seventy-five acres situated in
Nicholas County, on the South Sides of Gauley River and
bounded as followeth to Wit: Beginning at a lynn and
berch at a dear Lick Corner to his Old Survey East 35
poles to a buckeye Corner to Same S. 60 E. 36 poles to two
berches on the bank of the River Corner Same and James
G. Neil, thence leaving Same and with Neil S. 85 W.
14 poles to an Ash and Sugar tree on the Side of the Moun
=tain Corner Same and with S. 50 W. 108 poles to two
Chestnuts near the top and leaving S. 78 W. 35 poles along
the side of the Mountain to a Stake on the Side of
the Same N. 8 ½ W. 148 poles to the beginning ---
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcel of Land, with its appurtenances to
the said
James Sims and his
heirs forever.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said John Floyd Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the Lesser Seal of the said
Commonwealth to be affixed, at Richmond, on the first day of November is the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two and of the
Commonwealth the 57th
John Floyd"
In 1834 James appeared
before his son William Sims, a Justice of the Peace in the county of Nicholas,
and made a declaration that he had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
"A Copy of the
Declaration of
James Sims
State of
Virginia
Nicholas County
On this
eighteenth day of Febru
=ary 1834 personally appeared before me William Sims
a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Nicho
=las in the State of Virginia, and as Such a member
of the County Court of Nicholas, which is a Court
of Record, James Sims aged seventy nine years on the
8th day of October next, who being first dully Sworn accor
=ding to law doth on his oath make the following decla
=ration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Con
=gress passed
June the 7th 1832. That he entered the Ser
=vice of the United States under the following named
officers and Served as herein Stated. In the month of
June 1777 according to his recollection he was called into
the service as a drafted militia man under Captain
John Tutt for a tour of three months. He served as Orderly
Sergeant in said Company. He resided then in Culpepper
County Virginia, and said Company was collected in
said County. The company was marched towards Fred
=ericksburg, and kept moving about through the country
around thereabout guarding it from the depredations of
the British, Tories, and Negroes, and after Serving out
his time he was discharged, but whether it was in
writing or verbally he does not recollect.
On or about
the 1st of October 1780 he was again
called into the service as a drafted militia man, under
according to best of his recollection Captain James Tutt, but
whether that was really his name or not, he recollects him
to have been a slim spare man. This was for another tour of
three months. They were marched in the direction of York
Town to aid in the Seige of that place, but before they
reached that place Lord Cornwallis had surrendered.
They assembled in the County of Culpepper Va and
were placed under the Superior Command of Col
Slaughter, after serving out his time he was discharged
but whether in writing or not he does not recollect.
He served in the company as Orderly Sergeant. He was
born in
Culpepper
County Va on the 8th day of October
1754. He has a record of his age at home. He was
living in
Culpepper
County Va when called into the
Service where he continued to live until the year 1800.
when he moved to the place of his present residence
in Nicholas County, but which was then Kenhawa County
Va. He was called into the service as a drafted Mili
=tia man. He has stated the names of the officers under
whom he served, and the general circumstances of his
Service according to his recollection in the foregoing
detail. He was discharged from the Service at the
end of both tours, but he does not know whether it
was in writing or not, but if in writing he does
not known what has became of it. He is known to
Jonathan Windsor and Henry Tritt of his neighbourhood
(there being no clergyman who can be procured) who can
certify to his character for veracity and their general
belief of his Services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
He knows of no documentary evidence whereby to prove his
services, and he knows of no person whose testimony he
can procure who can testify to his services. He hereby
relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity
except the present, and declares that his name is not
on the pension roll of the Agency of any State. Sworn
to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
James Sims
We Jonathan
Windsor and Isaac Collins residing in the
County of Nicholas in the neighbourhood of the aforesaid
James Sims hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with the said James Sims who has subscribed and
Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe
him to be about seventy nine years of age, that he
is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where
he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that
we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and Subscribed the
day and year aforesaid. Isaac Collins
Jonathan
Windsor
Henry Tritt
And the said Justice of the Peace do hereby declare my
opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and
served as he states, and I do further certify that it appears
to me that Jonathan Windsor and Henry Tritt, who have
signed the preceeding certificate are residents in the neighbour
=hood of the said James Sims and credible persons and that
their statement is entitled to Credit. I further certify that
there is no clergyman residing in the neighbourhood of
the said applicant, and that the said James Sims from
age and bodily infirmity, in my opinion, is unable safely
to attend any Court of Record in his said County. He
resides about 20 miles from the Court House. I further cer
=tify that from a long and intimate acquaintance with the
said applicant, I have generally heard it said that he
was a Revolutionary Soldier and I have no doubt myself.
I further certify that the foregoing are the original
proceedings of myself in the matter of the application of
the said James Sims for a pension. Witness my hand and
seal at the
County
of Nicholas aforesaid the day and
year aforesaid.
William Sims
I Samuel Price Clerk of the County Court of Nicholas County do
hereby certify that William Sims Esq. Was on the eighteenth
day of this month and yet is a Magistrate in the
said County of Nicholas duly commissioned, qualified
and acting as such that full faith and credit
are due to all his acting and doings as such
and the within signature purporting to his is genuine.
In testimony
whereof I have here unto set
my hand and affixed the seal of my said
Office this 20th day of February AD. 1834.
and the 58th year of our Independence
Saml Price"[35]
He was allowed pension for
service of six months as sergeant in the Virginia troops, War of the Revolution,
on his application. James Sims of Nicholas in the State of Virginia who was a
Sergeant in the regiment commanded by Col. Slaughter in the Virginia line was
inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 30 Dollars per annum to
commence 4 March 1831. Arrears in the amount of $90 for the period from 4 March
1831 to the 4 March 1834 and a semi-annual allowance of $15 for the period
ending the 4 September 1834 were paid to James Sims for a total of $105.
Penick found further documentation concerning this pension. One document appears
to be a statement or letter of reply to the Pension Bureau in 1835 by James Sims
after someone (possibly the U.S. Attorney at Winchester) questioned the
authenticity of his claim to be a veteran of the Revolution. Penick believed
James’ pension was revoked and that he never drew any money.
James Sims
Pensioner Serv 9 mo. Receives $30 pension. I the undersigned James Sims in
pursuance of the requisites of the Secretary of the War gives the following
narrative ________ services as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution &
statement of my age to-wit. I am in my 79th year of age. I am a native of
Culpepper County & lived in that county during the War of the Revolution. In my
nieneteenth or twentieth year of age (I cant tell in what year) I was drafted
for 3 mo. & marched from Cupepper Country under Capt. John Tults (?) (don’t
recollect the names of his subaltern officers) Capt Tults company was attached
to a Regt commanded by Col Jno Slaughter which went from Culpepper. The Regt.
Marched to Norfolk. Can’t recollect the names of any towns through which we
marched on going to Norfolk. We were discharged at Norfolk in time to get home
before the three months expired. In less than one year after the preceding term,
(I cant tell in what year) I was drafted again for 3 mo. And hired a substitute
whose name was William Noll (?) gave him $500 in continental money and a new
rifle gun. In the year in which Cornwallis was captured at Yorktown I was
drafted again for 3 mo. Set out from Culpepper under a Capt. Whose name I have
forgotten. We were preparing to set out on the march for nearly one week, when
the news of Cornwallis’ defeat was received & we were ordered to return home &
done so, having been in service this latter term about one week - I was a
Sergeant & they ended my services -- Saml Price wrote my Declaration to whom I
gave this same narrative of my service. That I now give. I agreed to give him
$20 if he brought me my money In ______________of all which I hereto subscribe
my name. Jany 10, 1835
His
James X Sims
Mark
Another
document found in the pension file of James Sims:
William Sims,
son of James Sims, says that his father gave Price the same account of his
service that he has given. (?)
Spencer Hill
aged 73 says he has known Sims since he Hill was 10 years old. They were raised
and lived in the same neighborhood during the War of the Rev° - never heard of
his being in service as a soldier. nor does he believe he ever was. - that Sims
has been all his life a boasting & loquacious man. and a great egotist - & that
he never pretended that he was in service until since the passage of the Pension
Law. Hill has been a neighbour to him all their lives--
Jos. b. Nutt
concurs in the statement given by Hill -- they are both respectable men --
H. Coby (?)
W. G. Singleton
Jany 15, 1835
James Sims
Pensioner
Nicholas
County
Fraud
- withdrawn
no money
The original application
papers were sent to W. G. Singleton, U.S. District Attorney, at Winchester,
Virginia, on 13 March 1835. Upon an examination of his claim by the U.S.
District Attorney, his name was dropped from the pension rolls, 21 March 1835,
as it was shown that he did not render the alleged service.
James Sims is listed on the Statement of Nicholas County, West Virginia, “a
statement showing the names, rank, and other data relating to persons residing
in West Virginia counties, who have been inscribed on the pension list under the
Act of Congress passed on the 7th of June, 1832.”[36]
Information listed as follows: Name: James Sims; Rank: Private; Annual
Allowance: $30.00; Sums received: [blank]; Description of Service: Virginia
militia; When placed on Pension Roll: 21 April 1833; Commencement of Pension: 4
March 1831; Age: 79.
James Sims was a blacksmith and gunsmith. According to James P. Whister, it was
reported by Rev. Donnelley (Beckley newspaper, 24 September 1965) that he owned
slaves and used them in his work. Donnelley also reported known guns by Sims,
although Mr. Whister wrote that he had never seen any.[37]
Col. Edward Campbell, author of a series of articles which appeared in the
Chronicle in 1883, wrote about James Sims:
Going up Gauley River to the mouth of Little Elk, which
empties into the river two miles above the ford, we come to the settlement made
by J. Windsor. James Sims also made a small improvement at this place. He came
from Jackson’s River in Bath County, Virginia. He was a gunsmith and blacksmith,
and did but little farming. He had a large family of children, both male and
female. Mr. Sims also brought the first darkies that were ever seen in these
parts. He had two sons that were also gunsmiths and made the best of rifle guns.
As these guns were much in demand with the increasing settlers they did a
lucrative business. They both married young, and settled near their father and
did some farming in addition to their work on guns. James lived to see his
family settled here and elsewhere. His sons, William and Martin, remained here
until they were old men and died leaving large families. James Sims was said to
be 90 years old when he died.
Col. Edward Campbell,
the son of John Campbell and Nancy Hughes, was born in 1800 and acquired the
basics of an education from his parents. Shortly after the formation of Nicholas
County in 1818, he was appointed a justice of the peace and travelled throughout
the county performing legal services for many of the outlying settlers who found
it inconvenient if not impossible to make the long trip into Summersville.
Campbell possessed an extraordinary memory for names and facts about the
earliest inhabitants of Nicholas County, and some sixty years following his days
as a travelling justice, he wrote down his reminiscences of the early settlers
and the way in which they lived. Campbell’s memoirs have always been held in
high esteem by historians, and where validation is possible he has seldom been
found in error in any of his remarks.[39]
James reportedly brought eighteen slaves with him to Nicholas County. We have
found documentation for at least two of these slaves. Lawrence M. Huddleston,
Belle, WV, author of The Huddlestons My Kin had in his possession the
original bill of sale from James Sims to John Huddleston for the slave "July
Hulen" when June Settle Ciocca visited him at home more than 12 years ago. At
the time she did not realize her relationship to James Sims. On 9 February 2002
in an e-mail in which she shared the photo of this bill of sale, she wrote:
"Larry told me that James Sims had previously sold July Helen's mother to the
Huddlestons and that both mother and daughter were so heart-broken, he agreed to
sell them the child also. Larry had no children and my understanding is that his
immense genealogical collection was donated to the archives in Charleston. I
would assume that is where this document can now be found."
"I James Sims of
Nicholas County
and state of Virginia have bargain
=ed and sold one yallow girl named July
Hulen aged six years for the sum of
one hundred and eighty dollars to me
in hand paid to John Huddleston of
the county of Fayatt and state
afore sd (said) and will warrent and defend
the title of sd (said) slave to the sd (said) Huddleston
and his heirs forever in witness whereof
I have set my hand and seal this twenty
nineth day of November Eighteen hundred
and thirty three
James Sims Seal
witnesses
present
Joseph McNutt
Elizabeth Tritt
third witness
illegible"
Isaac Sims, a slave of James Sims, is documented in three different papers,
first:
"1836 James Sims
to Isaac Sims
(note in margin
"Delivered to Isaac Sims Sept. 9th 1842")
Know all men by these presents that I James Simms Sr. of
the County
of Nicholas and State of Virginia having heretofore made my last
Will and Testament in which I have disposed of all my Estate real
and personal including my slave property except one slave ….
my Negro man Isaac which said Negro slave Isaac I heretofore
intended to emancipate and set free according to the laws of this
Commonwealth upon certain Conditions thereafter to be mentioned
and put to writing. Now this Instrument of writing Witnesseth
that in Consideration of the premises and for others ……
good causes moving me thereto. I do hereby and by virtue and force of these
presents emancipate and set free forever my aforesaid Negro slave Isaac upon
the following condition to wit that is to say that the said Isaac causes to be
paid to me one hundred and fifty dollars good and lawful money of Virginia
fifty dollars of which is to be paid in hand which said fifty dollars is this
day paid to me and the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged fifty dollars
of which the said Isaac shall cause to be paid on or before the 1st day of
April 1836 and fifty dollars the last payment thereof the said Isaac
shall cause to be paid to me on or before the first day of May 1836 and
it is furthermore agreed to on my part and which I hereby in addition
to the foregoing make known that in the event of my death before the
payment of the fifty dollars which is next due after the date of this writing
that then and in that case the said fifty dollars nor the aforesaid fifty
dollars the last instalment or payment above mentioned nor either of
said payments or instalments shall be required or exacted by my heirs,
Executors, administrators or assigns nor shall they or either of them
cause the said Isaac to pay either of said payments or instalments of fifty
dollars nor shall his failure to pay the same in any manner affect or
do away with the force of these presents in emancipating and setting free
the said Isaac after my death according to the laws of this Commonwealth
now in force. And it is furthermore agreed to on my part that in the
event of my death after the payment to me of the aforesaid fifty dollars
which next becomes due after the date of this writing as above mentioned
that then and in that case the last payment or instalment of fifty dollars
the said Isaac shall be exempt from the payment of in the same manner
and to the same effect as I have exempted him from the payment of the
fifty dollars which first becomes due as is mentioned and set forth in the
preceding paragraph. Ant it is furthermore agreed upon my part
that in the event of the death of the said Isaac before my death that then
and in that case I do hereby promise and agree that any money or monies
or payments which the said Isaac may cause to be made paid to me
or which may have been in any way paid to me on account of the promises
shall be appropriated by me or my heirs Executors ? in cause of my
death, in the following manner: That is to say that whereas the said Isaac
has two children named George Addison and Starrett Jane by his wife
Emily now dead and owned in her life time by Joseph McNutt
and feeling a natural love and affection for his aforesaid children and wishing
to provide for the comfort and happiness of the same I do hereby
promise and agree as before mentioned to appropriate the money
paid to me after his death that happening before mine as above
stated to such use or uses for the benefit of the above named children
of the said Isaac as will best promote their spiritual and temporal
welfare agreeable to their condition and character in this state and
according to the Laws and usages of this Commonwealth. To the
true performance of the above I do hereby bind myself my
heirs Executors Administrators
as witness my hand and seal this ?9th day of March 1836
James Sims
Witness
Joseph McNutt
John Huddleston
Bernard Hendrick
I have this day
received this full consideration
in good and lawful money cald for in this foregoing Instrument of
writing as witness my hand & Seal
James Sims
Witness
Joseph McNutt
John Huddleston
Bernard Hendrick"
The second is a letter of manumission for the slave Isaac which is framed and
hanging in the Nicholas County Courthouse in Summersville right below the sign
that says "Information". A Morris researcher Sherry Levoy and his husband Robert
visited the courthouse and photographed the letter which is transcribed below:
"Know all men by
these presents that I James Sims
of the County of Nicholas in consideration of a large
sum of money paid to me by my slave Isaac
as for the additional considerations of his fidelity
to me I have on this day manumitted and let
him the said Isaac free. To remain and continue
from hence forward to all intents and purposes
entirely free and discharged from servitude to
me my heirs and assigns forever. And for the purpose
of removing any difficulty as to the identity of the said
Isaac and to enable him to enjoy his Freedom in
the most absolute and perfect manner. I also hereby
certify and state that the said Isaac was born my
slave, that he has resided with me up to this date
that he is very black, his stature about five feet
five inches, of slender make and about forty three
years old, that he has had his right leg broken
just above his ankle. In testimony whereof I
have hereto set my hand and seal this 26th day of
September 1836.
James Sims
in the presence
of
? ?
Joseph McNutt
John Huddleston
Edward ?
Bernerd Hendrick
John Hill"
The original of the
third document can be found at the Virginia State Library in the archives
division. It reads as follows:
A PETITION FROM
NICHOLAS COUNTY, VIRGINIA
TO GRANT
PERMANENT RESIDENCE TO ISAAC SIMS
1836
To the
Legislature of Virginia
Your Petitioners humbly represent that JAMES SIMS
of the County of Nicholas has recently emancipated ISAAC
a blackman who is desirous of remaining in the Commonwealth,
your Petitioners represent that there are but very few
slaves in the County of Nicholas not exceeding sixty --
nor is there more than one other coloured person in the
County who is free -- your Petitioners further state the
said black man ISAAC is an exceedingly honest industrious
and useful man addicted to no vicious habits whatsoever,
but peaceful & inoffensive & meek in all his intercourse
& business with the country -- your Petitioners would be
truly gratified should this Legislature in its wisdom think
proper to grant his application -- your Petitioners are
well convinced that no mischief can result to the country
by doing so and as a precedent in this part of the state
nothing of evil is to be apprehended.
Saml
Price David Mays
John H. Robinson
William Sims
E. S.
Duncan Robert Hughes Jr
Johnson
Reynolds Edward Sims Jr
Benj. H.
Smith Jeremiah Sims
P. B. Wethered
Martin Sims
John McWhorter
Co. John Sims
Ro
Hamilton Anderson Sims
L. D.
Wilson Charles Sims
Addison
McLaughlin William Morris
John McDermott
Joshua Morris
Thomas
Miller John H. Morris
Jacob D.
McClain Thomas Elliott
Thm. Hill
Aron Loyd
Mathew Hughes
G. C. Landcraft
Charley
Reynolds
William Sims
Robert
Hill Edward Rion
Harrison A. Low
William R. Summers
George Reynolds
Edward Campbell
Andrew Odle
George Rader Sr
John
Kincaid John Foster
James
Nichols Jas. G. Murray
James Walkub
James Bryant
William Hamrick
G. W. Grose
John
Dunbar David Bare
Robert McCutchen
Lemasters Stephenson
William
Miller Jacob C. Chapman
Allen
Ewing John Groves
Jacob Drennen
John G. Stephenson
Joseph
Darlington Jacob Chapman
J. D.
Sutton Michael Rader
J. M.
Alderson John Linch
J.
McClung Andre Skidmore
James R.
Henderson Isaac Gregory
James a.
Walker Fielding McClung
R. Duffield
Abner Stephenson
Seth
Thayer Wm. Bell
Thomas
Legg Cortes Stephenson
Joshua
Stephenson John Rader
Wm. D. Cottle
J. G. Neel
Samuel
Nichols T. B. Thomas
Joel
Hamrick Alexander Grove
David
Stuart James Simany
Jefferson Grose
Joseph McClung
(?)
Dorsey Daniel Falkler
J. Warren
Henry (?)
Richard A.
Arters William Chapman
William
Taylor David Moore
Wilson Arters
David R. Hamilton
Philip
Duffy Moses Hill
R. Kelly
Ira Davis
Elij. Lightner
Jacob Odell
James Lightner
Wm. Hughs
James
Kelly Wm. Bryant
J. M.
Hamilton George Fitzwatters
John
McCue Andrew Neil
John
McClung Robert Neil
S. A.
Hamilton Samuel Hutchison
Edward
McClung George Hardweg
Nathan
Groves John Morris
Peter
Duffy John Duffy
J. McMillian
B. L. Boggs
Wm. Livesay
M. A. Triplett
Jacob
Hutchison William M. Boggs
David
Hanna John Trout
David
Peebles James Grose
Adam
Given Robert Keenan
Elverton T.
Walker Isaac Fitzwater
Thomas M.
Fitzwater Nathaniel Hughes
Thomas B. Morris
Hiram S. Marsh
W. Summers
Sr. S. Backhouse
Henry
Morris Jos. Montgomry
John
Smith L. C. Buster
Thomas T. Marton
Thos. Hawkins
Peter
Coleman Thos. Hines
John
Backhouse Cyrus Hedge
William
Bird John Slack
Cornelius Dorsey
James B. Cole
Pascal
Backhouse Austin McCorgil
Joseph
Backhouse Nathan Huddleston
Jeremy G. Odel
William Kincaid
Joseph
Backhouse James Settle
William Hillard
Bolen Ballenger
William
Smith John Johnson Jr.
Bernard Hendrick
James Likens
Mathew Kaincaid
John P. Huddleston
John
Dorsey W. Tyree
John
Fitzwater Hiram Curry
John Dorsey Sr
P. Keenan
Dryden
Sims E. Hutson
Hudson N.
Dickenson Henry Montgomery
Miles
Hansen John Huddleston
Jas. H.
Miller John Hill
P. W.
Buster Joseph Huddleston
Pleasant
Hawkins Henry Tritt
Seaton B. Prowsy
William Huggins
James B.
Murray Robert Huggins
James J.
Sims Robert Heuse
(Name
Illegible) John Heuse
Leonard Cury
S. A. Masterson
William Johnson
Joseph W. Nutt
Jno.
McNutt Jno. Carton
F. T.
Hughes Adam Johnson
Fenton McMorrow
Wm. Kelly
Job
Huddleston Taswell W. Hues
Nelson
Sims Andrew Kenan
Joseph
Reams (?) Price
Francis Cincaid
E. R. Hutchison
William Loyd
Joseph Young
Thos. S.
Buster Edda Young
Moses Coleman
William Martin
T. B.
Hamilton Thos. L. Lewis
John
Kincaid Wm. Myles
Thos. J.
Huddleston William Kincaid Jr.
John
Johnson Gataspher Kincaid
Me_?_ J. Conly
Benjamin Darlington
Levi B. Murrey
H_?_ Long
Edward Hughs
Joel Alexander
Joshua Foster
James Sims is last seen
on a census in Nicholas County, (West) Virginia in 1840. He is listed as James
Sims Sr. with the following persons in his household: 1 male under 5, 1 male 10
and under 15, 1 male 15 and under 20 (George W.), 1 male 80 and under 90
(James), 1 female 50 and under 60 (Elizabeth), 1 male slave 10 and under 24
making a total of 6 members in the household. Four of these persons were
employed in agriculture.[41]
The two youngest males in the household were likely grandsons of James and
Elizabeth.
James Sims’ homestead was located at the mouth of Little Elk Creek on Gauley
River at what is now called Swiss, West Virginia. He is buried in the churchyard
cemetery of the Sims Memorial M.(Methodist) E.(Episcopalian)
Church. The church was built in 1922 on land donated by the Sims family and
stands on the spot of his original 2-story log house.
[42]
The exact site of his grave is now in doubt as the original stone marker was
displaced and lost many years ago but it has been said that he is buried near a
large cedar tree. It is reasonable to assume that Elizabeth, his second wife, is
buried beside him. Richard Morrison, a descendant of James’ youngest son George
Washington Sims, visited the cemetery located behind the church. A caretaker
told Richard and his wife Nancy that the bodies of many slaves were buried among
and along beside the Sims. Their graves are only marked with large creek stones,
some lying at the foot of a Sims burial plot. There are two markers in the
graveyard for James Sims:
Grave Marker #1
Grave Marker #2
Grave marker #1 was secured from the Veterans Administration in 1979 by George
R. Penick, Jr. It shows his date of death as 1838 as that was assumed to have
been the year he died by some older family members that Penick spoke with. It
would be interesting to learn who placed marker #2 as we now know that James was
still living in 1840 at the time of the census.
Documents verifying the dates of death of James Sims and his wife Elizabeth, who
died first, have not been found. In 1848 a partition suit was filed in the
Circuit Supreme Court of Law and Chancery for Nicholas County, George H. Lee,
Judge, seeking to have the court provide for the sale of the 125 acre farm near
Beech Glen which was left by James Sims when he died. The problem with this
document is 1. we do not know if it is a true transcript of the original or a
summary 2. James is listed as having died in 1836 when we know that he was still
living in 1840 and 3. there are names listed that may be transcribed
incorrectly, for example Sarah Hyphy which may be Sarah Hughes. The year of
death may be a typing error as it is 12 years prior to the time that the suit
was filed. It is very likely that this should read 1846. Penick’s compilation
also discusses this suit and no variations were found in the information he
listed and the information found in a typewritten letter dated 8 June 1947 from
Willard E. Simms of Cozaddale, Ohio, to John T. Simms, of Charleston, West
Virginia found in the DAR file of Virginia Bondurant Johnson.
"Atty John
Reynolds filed suit in 1848 in the circuit supreme court of law and chancery for
Nicholas County, Geo. H. Lee being judge; seeking to have the court provide for
the sale of the 125 acre farm near Beech Glen, I believe, which was left by
James Sims when he died in 1836. The bill of complaint represented that
William, Martin, John, James, Dryden, Charles, Washington Sims; Joseph
Darlington and Jane (Sims) Darlington, his wife; Joel Settle and Mildred (Sims)
Settle, his wife; and Nancy (Sims) Johnson respectfully represent that James
Sims, the father of your orators and oratresses departed this life on the ___day
of ___1836 intestate and leaving no widow and leaving besides your orators and
oratresses to survive him the following heirs at law to-wit: the children of
Jeremiah Sims, dec'd (he having died 1824 near Springfield O.) who live in the
western country, the names of whom are unknown; also the children of Elizabeth
Johnson, dec'd, formerly Elizabeth Sims: to-wit, John Johnson, Wm. Johnson,
Harrison Johnson, James Johnson, James Settle and Rachel his wife; William
H(?)ale and Amy his wife, John Backhouse and Phoebe his wife; ______Montgomery
and Elizabeth his wife; Sarah Hyphy, John Kincaid and Mary his wife; also the
children of Mary Hughes, formerly Mary Sims, to-wit, Tazewell Hughes, Andrew
Hughes, Nelson Johnson and Elizabeth his wife; Johnson Foster and Mary his wife;
also the children of Margaret Hughes, formerly Margaret Sims, to-wit, Matthew
Kincaid and Susan his wife; Ann Hughes, Robert Hughes, John Hughes, the last
three are infants; also the children of Sarah Foster, formerly Sarah Sims,
to-wit, Jordan Hickson and Mariah his wife; James Foster, Peyton Foster, Charles
Foster, and Milton Sims, the last three but one are infants, and the same James
Sims, the father of your orators and oratresses died seized of a tract of land
containing 125 acres in Nicholas county, on the Gauley river, etc., etc.
"The matter was
finally settled in the spring term of court 1853. It sold for $183 and the costs
approximated $160, thus leaving about $22.50 to be distributed."
The above clearly lists the following children for James Sims: William, Martin,
John, James, Dryden, Charles, Washington, Jane, Mildred, Nancy, Jeremiah (dec'd),
Elizabeth (dec'd), Mary (dec'd), Margaret (dec'd), Sarah (dec'd). Using known
dates of birth and ages found on the census we have been able to list the
children in nearest possible order of birth and determine the mother of each.
The order in which the living sons are listed in the suit is also their order of
birth; while the living daughters are listed youngest to oldest; the deceased
daughters are listed oldest to youngest. Using this information we have been
able to group the children with their mother.
Children of
JAMES SIMS and PHEBE UNKNOWN are:
i. JEREMIAH5
SIMS, b. 24 May 1777, Culpeper County, Virginia; d. 19 January 1824, German
Township, Clark County, Ohio.
ii. WILLIAM SIMS SR., b.
6 November 1780, Culpeper County, Virginia; d. 5 October 1854, Nicholas County, (West) Virginia.
iii. ELIZABETH SIMS, b. 1782, Culpeper
County, Virginia; d. 1 June 1845, Fayette County, (West) Virginia.
iv. MARTIN SIMS, b. Bet. 1784 - 1790; d. Bet.
1854 - 1860.
v. JOHN SIMS, b.
15 May 1787; d. 15 October
1869, Kanawha County, West
Virginia.
vi. MARY SIMS, b. Abt. 1787; d. Bef. 1848.
vii. NANCY ANN SIMS, b. Abt. 1793, poss. Bath County, Virginia; d.
Bet. 1860 - 1870, Poca District, Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Children of
JAMES SIMS and ELIZABETH COTTON are:
viii. JAMES SIMS, JR., b. Abt. 1801, Kanawha
County, Virginia (present
day Nicholas County, West Virginia); died unknown
(last seen in 1850 census of Kanawha County,
(West) Virginia).
ix. MARGARET5
SIMS, b. Bet. 1801 - 1804, Kanawha County, Virginia (present
day Nicholas County, West Virginia);
d. Bef. 1848.
x. SARAH SIMS, b. Bet. 1804 - 1806,
Kanawha County, Virginia (present
day Nicholas County, West Virginia); d. Bet. 1837 - 1848.
xi. MILDRED SIMS, b. Abt. 1806, Kanawha County, Virginia
(present
day Nicholas County, West Virginia); d.
May 1882, Fayette County, West Virginia.
xii. JANE L. SIMS, b. Abt. 1810, Kanawha County, Virginia
(present
day Nicholas County, West Virginia); d. Aft.
1880.
xiii. CHARLES FULLERTON SIMS, b.
13 August 1815,
Swiss, Kanawha County,
Virginia (present
day Nicholas County, West Virginia); d. 26 April 1891, Swiss, Nicholas County, (West) Virginia.
xiv. DRYDEN SIMS, b. Abt. 1818, Kanawha County,
Virginia (present
day Nicholas County, West Virginia); d. Abt. 1880, St. Clair County, Missouri.
xv. GEORGE WASHINGTON SIMS, b. Abt. 1821,
Nicholas County, (West) Virginia; d. Bef.
1900
 
© 2004 Cathy
Meder-Dempsey
Last update:
August 08, 2004 |
