[103]
.
Robert does not appear in the 1870 Monroe County, Kentucky,
census with other family members. His widow was living with Robert's
parents and his brother Thomas. After the 1860 census, Robert and
Elizabeth had three more children. The last one was born in 1867.
Did Robert die in the Civil War or by some other means?
[61]
James Simmons was a lifelong friend and neighbor of the
Gillenwaters family from the time he was in Amherst County, Virginia,
until his death in Hawkins County, Tennessee. He married Elizabeth,
the sister of Thomas Gillenwaters (died 1780). When James emigrated
Amherst around 1790 to go to Spartanburgh District, he and Elizabeth
were accompanied or followed by her mother with her younger brothers
and sisters. When James migrated over to Hawkins County, Tennesee in
the late 90's, his brother-in-law Thomas went with him.
James had served in the infantry in the Revolutionary War and
participated in the Monmouth and Sandy Point battles. The soldiers
who scrambled up the rocky precipace of Sandy Point had been hand
picked for their courage and ability. This battle was one of the most
difficult and successful of all in the Revolutionary War.
[UL:JAMES SIMMONS WILL:UL]
[Proven May term 1851]
[IT: In the name of God - Amen.
I James Simmons of the county of Hawkins & state of Tennessee
being weak in
body but of sound & perfect mind & memory, for which I thank God,
considering
the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make this my last will &
testament, as
follows, which shall make void all wills which I may have made
here to fore.
First I give my soul to him who made it, hoping to enjoy eternal
happiness at
the resurection of the dead, & my body
to be disposited in the grave in a plain
and christian style. As to my worldly concerns & affairs, I wish
them to be
disposed of in the following manner (viz).
I do give and bequeath unto my son James G Simmons all my land.
Again it is
my sincere desire and will that my black boy Ben, at my decease
receive his
freedom, and in as much as I hold the only right and title to said
black boy
Ben, be it known to all men that I make no transfer of my title to
any
person or persons. I pronounce him free at my death, and I
request my
executors to see that said boy (Ben) according to my will be freed
at my death.
Again, I wish my stock, farming utensils, and household and
kitchen
furniture to be sold to the highest bidder and the amount received
for said
property be equally divided among my children (viz) Polly Acuff's
heirs, my son
John Simmons' heirs, my daughter Nancy
Williams, my daughter Frances Patterson,
my daughter Betsy Lewis, My son Thomas Simmons' heirs Lucinda,
Matilda & Thomas,
my son James G Simmons, my daughter Rachael Spears. Now it is my
will and wish
that my son James G Simmons and Andrew
Spears be executors. In testimony where of
I have here unto set my hand and seal this the 17th day of July
one thousand
eight hundred forty seven.
his
James x Simmons (seal)
mark
Signed and sealed in the presence of us:
William Gillenwaters
George A Gillenwaters
N.B. The following articles now in my house belongs to Alcey
Wheeler upon which
I have no claim.
One bed & bed clothes
One bedstead & cord
One cotton wheel & flax wheel
One loom
one oven and hooks
All the geese & ducks
his
James X Simmons {seal}
mark :IT]
The above will was filed in Tompkinsville, Monroe, Ky; County
Clerk Office; Order Book A, page 7, July 6th, 1863. A note in the
will book explains how the will of a Hawkins County resident came to
be filed in Kentucky. "A copy of the will of James Simmons was
provided to court and proved to be a true copy by the oath of J. F.
Gillenwaters, one of the suscribing witnesses thereunto. Said copy
was ordered to be recorded. The original being consumed by fire."
Joel Fletcher was not related to James Simmons; however, Sally, his
first cousin once removed, was married to James G. Simmons, a son of
James Simmons. Joel was well known in the county and had political
contacts. He was probably doing a favor for his friend and in-laws.