John Simmons (bef. 1630 - bef. 1670)

Died before 1670 at about age 40 in Surry County, Virginia [uncertain]

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Biography

John Simmons was the vestryman of the Old Brick Church , the oldest church of protestant faith now existing in America. Said to be built before 1632 and still standing. It is filled with memorials to those connected with its history and that of the colony.

According to the Thigpen document, the Thigpen Tribe, Alice Whitley Smith, the generations are as follows:

john simmons and mary of surry (john was a vestryman at the "old brick church) (2) begat william simmons and eliza harrison of surry (will was a bacon rebel) (3) begat john and rebecca (john was burgess from surry 1726 and clerk of court of isle of wight) (4) begat colonel john and mary of southampton (this john was a trustee for the nottoway indians) (5) begat benjamin and elizabeth spratley (this benjamin was clerk of court and burgess from southampton) begat john simmons and lucy thorpe (this john was an ensign in the rev war) begat charles simmons and hannah drewey."

The Thigpen Document, if it does contain the information stated above, has been proven incorrect by land records. He may have had a son named William Simmons but he was not the father of this William Simmons. The land patent in 20 Apr 1685 stated it was to Mr. WILLIAM SYMONDS the son & heir of Mr. WILLIAM SYMONDS. ^[1]

The will of Mary Simmons, widow of John, dated 4/16/1677, prob. 5/7/1678, Surry County, VA. names son William. The will of Mary Simons did not name her deceased husband. ^[2]

Regarding the Old Brick Church, for Southwark Parish, Lawnes Creek. :

• Wikipedia: Old Brick Church (Bacon's Castle, Virginia)
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Brick-Church-Bacons-Castle-Virginia/117429938302935

Sources

1. ↑ Virginia Land Patent Book 7: 475. Library of Virginia, William Symonds
2. ↑ Surry County, Virginia Deed and Will Book 2: 173, Mary Simons.

• http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/t/r/e/John-D-Trent/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0572.html