Our Simmons information begins with Joel Simmons, Sr. Who came to the U.S. from England and settled in Monroe County, VA. (His wife's maiden name was McCorral but her given name is unkown. She was from Scotland.)
Joel and his wife had ten children, all born in VA.:
Robert b. 1779 Ephriam b. 1782 Sally b. 1784 m. Peter Miller Joab b. 1787 m. Sarah Miller (Peter's sister) David b. 1790
Elizabeth b. 1791 Peggy b. 1794 Joel, Jr. b. 1800 m. Nancy Mannon Thompson b. 1802 Polly b. 1805
Joel, Sr., being in his twenties at the time of the Revolution, joined the army. He fought in three battles: 1776 for three months, 1777 for one month and 1779 or 1780 for six months. He served as a Private.
In March of 1927, the government erected a monument at the grave of Joel, Sr. (in Sulphur Springs, IN.) to commemorate his service during the Revolutionary War.
Between 1819 and 1825, most of the Simmons and Miller families moved from VA. to Lawrence Co., Ohio and later to Rush Co., IN. The Joel, Sr. and Joel, Jr. families went on to Henry Co., IN at Sulphur Springs.
Joel, Jr. and Nancy Mannon had six children:
Anderson b. Dec. 25, 1822 d. July 31, 1914 Andrew Jackson b. May 14, 1824 d. Jan. 17, 1907 Martha Ann b. July 24, 1826 d. July 5, 1908 James Henry b. Nov. 23, 1829 d. Aug. 18, 1897 Wesley b. Apr. 4, 1832 d. Feb. 17, 1917 Lucinda b. May 17, 1834 d. July 3, 1926
Joel, Jr. died at Sulphur Springs on Sept. 4, 1836. His wife, Nancy, died at Sulphur Springs on Sept. 2, 1838.
The following is taken from original documents written by Ellis Wright:
"After the death of Lucinda Simmons' Father and Mother Her uncle Peter Miller of Nephfs Corner of Rush Co. came after her, at Sulphur Springs in March, on horseback. He bundled her up and carried her in front of him on the horse, mud and slush to travel over all the way to Nephfs Corner (45 miles). She grew up there, and at the age of 15 joined the United brethren Church at Andersonville and lived and died that faith.
She lived there with her Uncle Peter (b_Apr. 7, 1781) and Sally (Simmons) Miller until marriage to the Rev. William Wright in 1857. They were married in Dec. 1857 and went to keeping house on Christmas Day.
In after years, Uncle Jim told the writer: When Uncle Peter left carrying Lucinda in front of him on the horse, "How we children did hate to see her leave." Uncle Thompson Simmons took him and Martha Ann, and Uncle Wesley to raise.
Uncle Anderson was in his 17th yr. Andrew Jackson 15th. They were old enough to hire out to do work on the farms among the farmers."
If we're researching the same line or if you'd just like to chat about genealogy, in general, or Simmons, in particular, drop me a line.
Copyright ©: 1996, Becky Higgins. Revised - (November 26, 1997)
BHiggins@aol.com