Saturday, May 30, 2020

2020 Prompt - Tombstone - Henry Simmons III

Henry Simmons III                                   
My 1st Cousin 4x remove

Nancy Simmons to Paul Simmons to Water Simmons to Andrew Simmons to Aaron Simmons to Peter Simmons to Captain Henry Simmons to his son Henry Simmons II to his son Henry Simmons III



Henry SIMMONS III  1835-1921




In my last blog I wrote about traveling to Pendleton County, West Virginia to see the Simmons homestead built in 1812.[1]  I also visited the family cemetery sitting in front of the home up by highway 220.  As we strolled through the cemetery checking all the Simmons tombstones one of them caught my eye. Henry Simmons born 1835 died 1921 and his wife Mary.



Simmons Home on highway 220  -    Simmons Cemetery northwest of the house - Henry & Mary SIMMONS tombstone




I knew our German immigrant was Leonard Simmons who had a son Henry Simmons who built the brick two-story Simmons home in 1812. Henry had a son, Henry Simmons II, born in 1798 who died in 1869[2] but this tombstone had a Henry Simmons who died in 1921[3].  Who was this Henry Simmons?

We took pictures of the headstones and transcribed the information. Then after I returned home, I dug into census records to find Henry and Mary Simmons and hopefully find a story about their family. I was in for a great story!

Henry III was born September 9, 1835[4] to Henry and Rachel Simmons in the two-story brick house built in 1812 by his grandfather. He was the 10th of eleven children, one of six boys.  Henry grew up in the anti-bellum era living his entire life in this home in Pendleton County. It seems like every generation produced many Simmons males. Henry had five brothers and produced eight sons!






When the call to arms came in 1861, he responded, casting his lot with the Southland and entered the services of the Confederacy, a member of the Company E, Twenty-fifth Virginia Infantry Regiment (Heck's Regiment).[5] 















He took special delight in telling guests in his home that "during the Civil War, Stonewall Jackson spent some time there resting his troops and established his headquarters in the home." Company E was known as the Pendleton Rifles under Captain George H. Smith.[6] 


The Confederates bombarded Fort Sumpter on April 12, 1861 igniting the Civil War and eleven days later, April 23, 1861 Henry married Mary Elizabeth Mauzy in neighboring Monterey, Highland County, Virginia[7] just 12 miles south of the Simmons homestead. Henry enlisted on May 14, 1861 in the near-by town of Franklin as a private and fought in the 25th Virginia Regiment Company E[8] along with at least three of his brothers.

                       Union General Robert Milroy        Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson



The 25th Virginia Regiment was attached to Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign and on May 8, 1862 they were involved in the Battle of McDowell[9] that occurred seven miles from the town of Monterey where Henry was married the year before. In May 1862 Henry's wife Mary was pregnant with their first child and was probably living with her parents in the Mauzy home 17 miles from the Battle of McDowell. As a young woman pregnant and living only miles from the battlefield where 12,500 men were engaged in battle, had to be stressful for Mary and her family. The union troops were composed of men from Ohio and West Virginia and were led by General Milroy and General Schenck.[10] They were advancing from what is now West Virginia toward the Shenandoah Valley and had encamped in McDowell. Stonewall Jackson along with the 25th Virginia were marching west coming from the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley and advanced toward McDowell to engage Milroy and Schenck and their Union troops.


The troops engaged in battle all day on May 8th until 10 pm when the outnumbered union forces broke off the assault. The Union forces burned their supplies, dumped their extra ammunition in the Bull Pasture River and began a general retreat. By the time Jackson pursued the Union forces they were in Franklin 13 miles away. Stonewall Jackson halted his troops and held up near Cave, Virginia (West Virginia) staying at Henry's father home[11] (the two-story brick home built in 1812) on the south branch of the Potomac river along highway 220.  Here Stonewall stayed for two days and eventually pulled his troops back to McDowell as the Union forces withdrew from the Shenandoah Valley.



Henry continued to fight with the 25th Regiment until July 4, 1862 when he was discharged.[12] He returned home and was with Mary for the birth of their first child, Charles W. Simmons on September 21, 1862.[13] I am not sure where Henry and Mary lived for the next six years as their family grew with two more sons and a daughter but in 1868 when Henry's father died August 17, 1869[14], he was willed the Simmons' family home.

Henry and Mary proceeded to have five more sons and two more daughters for a total of eleven children, 8 boys and 3 girls.  Their youngest son was Glen Kinkade Simmons born 1883.  Glen married and had two children Annie Simmons and Edwin Simmons.  In 1997, when Howard and I visited Pendleton County, West Virginia to see the Simmons' homestead and visit the family cemetery, it was Edwin Simmons and his wife Margaret who lived across the street from the Simmons homestead who invited us into their home and showed us the bed and the china that Stonewall Jackson used when he stayed at the Simmons home after the Battle of McDowell.

Henry & Mary Mauzy SIMMONS Family 1902
Glenn 19, Arthur 21, Dice 24, Harry 26, Kenny 30, William 37, Edward 38, Charles 40
Alice 35, Florence 32, HENRY 67, MARY 61, Sarah 28


Little did I realize that July in 1997 when I took a picture of a tombstone in the Simmons Cemetery that I would research a Simmons cousin and discover another amazing family story of the family’s involvement in the Civil War. On a side note, Henry's uncle, Peter Simmons, brother of his father, Henry II, left Pendleton County in the mid-1850's moving to Ritchie County, West Virginia. Family oral history tends to believe Peter and his younger brother, Abraham were anti-slavery and moved west where Abraham’s sons fought in West Virginia Union Regiments. Peter is my direct descendent and my 3rd great grandfather. 


[4] Ancestry, 1900 Federal Census, Franklin, Pendleton, West Virginia, ED 0095, page 14, https://www.ancestry.com/familytree/person/tree/112844346/person/220105937408/facts>
[5] Armstrong, Richard L., 25th Virginia Infantry and 9th Battalion Virginia Infantry, H. E. Howard, Inc., Lynchburg, VA / 1990, page 232.
[6] FamilySearch.org, 25th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Heck’s) (Confederate), https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/25th_Regiment,_Virginia_Infantry_(Heck%27s)_(Confederate)
[7]Ancestry, Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940
[8] Fold3, Twenty-fifth Infantry (Heck’s Regiment), Simmons, Henry 1862, https://www.fold3.com/image/11178590
[9] Wikipedia, Battle of McDowell
[10] Ibid
[11] West Virginia History Onview, West Virginia University, https://wvhistoryonview.org/catalog/014431
[12] Fold3, Twenty-fifth Infantry (Heck’s Regiment), Simmons, Henry 1862, https://www.fold3.com/image/11178590
[13] WVCulture.org., Dept of Arts, Culture & History, Death Certificate: Chas Simmons, Greenbrier Co., WV, http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=1937945&Type=Death
[14] Find A Grave, Memorial # 31684395, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31684395/henry-simmons; Pendleton County Historical Society, Grave Register Pendleton County West Virginia, 1977, page 13.
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Thursday, May 21, 2020

2020 Prompt - Travel - Simmons Homestead


#52 Ancestors - Week 20
Prompt - Travel
Simmons Homestead in Franklin, West Virginia

Pendleton County, West Virginia


As we drove down West Virginia Hwy 220 south out of Franklin in the county of Pendleton, the view was beautiful.  We drove along the south branch of the Potomac River with the river to the east and high bluffs just off the road to the west.  The County of Pendleton is engulfed with the Appalachian Mountains with the Allegheny range to the south west and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east.  The south Potomac River cuts a small valley through the eastern part of the county. We were told the Simmons homestead was almost 10 miles south of town. The road made twist and turns with the river flowing close to the road at times and then off to the left a quarter mile or so. Homes were scattered along the road with those on the right up close to the road and those to the left off in the small valley. We were looking for the Simmons Cemetery that was northwest of the house close to the road. We drove ten miles and then eleven. Turned around and traveled back finally catching a glimpse of a two-story brick house off to the east. As we drove by there was a small driveway that wandered through some shrubs and small trees and then opened to the brick home. We slowed down and pulled into the drive. We could see a small flat wooden bridge with planks to drive your car across that led up to the house.  I thought to myself, I will walk across that bridge, but no way was I going to sit in a car that drove across it! The house had a flagpole and a US flag was flying but no other signs of life existed. There were no cars or pickups like most homes in the area. Then we noticed the fence. Off to the south east was a fence with a double gate. No drive but a small footpath. We got out of the car and followed the path that led us to a small cemetery with about 25 stones. Yes! This was the Simmons Cemetery. 
Simmons Home built in 1812 and remodeled in 1932

Simmons Cemetery seen from Highway 220



Captain Henry Simmons who was born in 1760 and died in 1824[1] built the brick house but was not buried in this family cemetery. His son, Henry Simmons II, born 1798 and who died in 1868 was buried there with his wife Rachel Simmons.[2]  Captain Henry Simmons acquired the land from his father[3], Leonard Simmons Sr, who was born about 1730 in Germany and died about 1808 and is assumed to be buried on the property. Leonard Sr deeded the middle part of his farm to his son Captain Henry[4] who built the two-story brick home about 1812.  Captain Henry Simmons had seven sons. Henry his fourth son received the part of the farm with the brick home.[5] His fifth son, my direct descendant, Peter Simmons, received the middle part of the farm[6] that he farmed for 20 some years and then sold it and moved to Ritchie County 200 miles east of Franklin in the early 1850’s. 
Henry Simmons' tombstone on the left and his wife Rachel Simmons on the right
Buried in Simmons Cemetery in front to the Simmons' home

 Henry Simmons II, son of Captain Henry Simmons, lived on the Simmons homestead until his death in 1868.[7] He had four sons that fought for the Confederate army during the Civil War. History of Pendleton County states that after the Battle of McDowell Stonewall Jackson chased the union forces toward Franklin, but due to the smoke that the union army ignited in the forest Jackson, only got within 10 miles of Franklin and then spent the night at the Simmons’ homestead.  Family members still treasure a bed that Stonewall Jackson slept in and the dishes he ate his meal on while at stating at the house.[8]

Simmons Home built in 1812 and housed Stonewall Jackson in May 1862
Henry Simmons III on the horse and his wife Mary at the door
photo taken about 1892
Margaret Simmons wife of Edward Simmons showing me the china and the bed
that Stonewall Jackson used when he stayed at the home in May 1862
Photo taken July 1997
My first trip to the Simmons house was when we traveled to Pendleton County, West Virginia the summer of 1997.  Then in 2010, the Pendleton County Historical Society had their summer meeting at the Simmons House with a tour of the house and property.  I met several Simmons cousins at the meeting and a Simmons cousin that lives in the area gave a history of the family and the house. The pictures of the rooms inside the house are from that trip. The historian mentioned that a portion of the barn was built in 1788 and would be 130 years old this year. The family also believes that the earliest ancestor, Leonard Simmons Sr, who died in 1808 and his son, Henry Simmons, who died in 1824 are probably buried out beyond the barn in an old family plot that has no markers. After seven generations of Simmons family members owning the home it was sold in the 1990's for the first time to someone outside the family who purchased it for hunting property.  The house still stands along the south branch of the Potomac and will be 208 years old this summer in 2020.



[1] Grave Register Pendleton County, West Virginia 1977, The Pendleton County Historical Society, Inc. / 1977, p 13.
[2] Ibid. p 13; Find A Grave, Memorial # 31684395 (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31684395/henry-simmons)
[3] FamilySearch.org. West Virginia, Pendleton County Will Book, v.3, 1808-1816, pages 45-46, Image 30. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-C998-W6?i=29&cc=1909099&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQJD5-NQ7W)
[4] Ibid
[6] Ibid
[7] Find A Grave, Memorial # 31684395, Henry Simmons
[8] Interview of Mrs. Edward Simmons, August 1997, home across the road from the Simmons home and Simmons Cemetery. She showed me the china and bed that Stonewall Jackson ate and slept in while at the house.


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Sunday, May 10, 2020

2020 Prompt - Service -Jonathan Mason Grover


52 Ancestors - Week 19                                                                

Prompt - Service
Jonathan Mason Grover 1759-1844
My 5th great-grandfather

Nancy Simmons to
Paul Simmons to
June Putman to
Ernest Putman to
Mary Ellen Putman to
Joseph Putman
Nancy Grover
Jonathan Mason Grover






I have many ancestors with military service but want to highlight an ancestor who fought in The Revolutionary War in the First Maryland Regiment that was part of the Continental Army under General George Washington. Jonathan Mason Grover was a patriot in the War of Independence for three years; 1777-1780.

Jonathan Mason Grover - Tombstone
Bethel Cemetery, Ribolt, Lewis County, Kentucky

Jonathan Mason Grover was born to Jon Grover and Sarah Fishin in 1859 in Maryland.[1] He married Sarah Musgrove November 17, 1780 in Frederick County, Maryland[2] and their first seven children were born in Maryland. By 1799, Jonathan M Grover is on the tax list for Mason County, Kentucky[3] and he lives for over 40 years in Tollesboro, Lewis County, Kentucky where he was laid to rest in 1844 as a Revolutionary War veteran in Bethel Cemetery.[4] Jonathan and Sarah have at least eight children including my 4th great grandmother, Nancy, who married Thomas Putman.  

Grover, Jonathan Mason marriage to Sarah Musgrove
November 17, 1780 in Frederick County, Maryland

Jonathan's service records are contained in his Revolutionary War pension claims. Jonathan enlisted in Annapolis, Maryland on February 14, 1777 and served as a private in Captain Alexander Roxburg's Company in the First Maryland Regiment commanded by Colonel John Stone and was discharged as a corporal on February 12, 1780.[5] The First Maryland Regiment originated as Smallwood's Battalion from Maryland in 1776 but it’s designation changed to the First Maryland Regiment upon the creation of the Continental Army under George Washington.[6]


  
Jonathan M Grover's Military Service Record
U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application File Papers

One of the first major battles Jonathan M Grover participated in was the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. The British General William Howe was moving troops to capture Philadelphia, the seat of the colonial American government. Patriot General George Washington was leading the Continental Army and was intent on stopping Howe. The battle occurred at Brandywine Creek where more troops fought than any other battle in the Revolution and it was also the longest single day battle lasting eleven hours.[7] The British won this battle and afterwards the British General William Howe marched into Philadelphia and took the city.



A month later General Washington tried to retake Philadelphia on October 4, 1777 at the Battle of Germantown.[8] The First Maryland Regiment was involved in this battle and Jonathan Grover was once more engaged in battle. This was a very unsuccessful attempt and Washington was unable to re-capture Philadelphia. The British forced Washington to retreat and killed or wounded 400 men and captured another 400. One positive outcome of the battle was that many European counties were impressed with the determination of the Americans. This led to the winter of 1777-1778 where the Continental Army sheltered in Valley Forge and Jonathan Grover and the First Maryland sheltered in Wilmington, Delaware.[9]

The Chew House where the British took cover in the Battle of Germantown - October 4, 1777


Jonathan, at the age of nineteen, had endured the winter in Wilmington and along with the First Maryland Regiment was ready to take on the mighty British Army again. They rejoined Washington and the Continental Army who met the British in June 1778 at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey. George Washington and his newly trained Army were ready to meet Sir Henry Clinton and the British forces. 


Washington Rallying the troops at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey - June 1778


The British were instructed by their superiors to leave Philadelphia and return to New York City. Washington did not want to engage the British Army but wanted to attack their rear as they moved through New Jersey. As the battle started, General Lee botched the attack at the Monmouth Courthouse and made his troops retreat ceding to the British. Washington had to counterattack and with his newly trained troops engaged the British till nightfall.  When the troops awoke the next morning to their surprise the British had slipped away under the cover of darkness. While the Continentals held the field at day's end the British resumed their retreat and most historians consider the battle a draw.
  
It was after the Battle of Monmouth that Jonathan was promoted to corporal on July 1, 1778.[10] Jonathan Grover and the First Maryland Regiment fought at Phillips Heights in New York in September 1778, wintered 1778-1779 in Middlebrook, New Jersey and he was probably in the Battle of Stoney Point July 1779.  The winter of 1779-1780 Jonathan and the First Maryland were in Morristown, New Jersey.[11] It was here in Morristown that he was honorably discharged after his enlistment period of three years.[12]

Jonathan Grover - Corporal in Captain Roxburg's Company 


Jonathan Mason Grover filed his pension application papers on October 12, 1829 in Lewis County, Kentucky[13] at which time he was living in Lewis County aged seventy years. His wife, Sarah, was also listed as seventy years old and a granddaughter, Sally Ann Grover, whose parents were dead, was fourteen years old. On January 6, 1839, his wife Sarah of 59 years died[14] and in March 1839 Jonathan sells his 120 acres to his son, Thomas Grover.[15]  

Sary (Sarah) Grover - Tombstone
Bethel Cemetery, Ribolt, Lewis County, Kentucky


Jonathan lives the next five years with his son Thomas and his family in Lewis County.  On May 26, 1844 Jonathan Mason Grover died at the age of 85 and is buried in Bethel Cemetery next to Sarah.[16] He was one of the last pensioners in Lewis County, Kentucky to have died as a Revolutionary War veteran who served in the First Maryland Regiment under command of George Washington and the Continental Army.   
  
Revolutionary War Pension Roll
 Lewis County, Kentucky 

[1] Ancestry, U.S. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land  Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900, Lewis County, KY.
[2] Maryland State Archives. Frederick County, 1778-1851 Male Marriage Index MSA CM493, page 140.
[3] FamilySearch.org. Mason County, Kentucky Tax Book, #7834483, 1790-1797, 1799-1809, image 326. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-DQLB-Z?i=325&cat=156148
[4] Find A Grave. Memorial # 45412596; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45412596>
[5] Ancestry.com. Maryland Revolutionary War Records; Newman, Harry Wright. Maryland Revolutionary War Records. Baltimore, MD, 1938, p. 24.
[6] First Maryland Regiment; http://www.1mr.org/history.htm
[8] Wikipedia. Battle of Germantown; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Germantown
[9] First Maryland Regiment; http://www.1mr.org/history.htm
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ancestry.com. U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900.
[13] Ibid.
[15] FamilySearch.org. Lewis County, Kentucky Deeds, 1807-1902, Lewis County,  Film #008109180, Book H, page 244, image 132
[16] Find A Grave. Memorial #45412596

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