Mark Simmons (abt. 1759 - bef. 1816)

Born about 1759 in Augusta, Virginia

Husband of Katherine Unknown — married about 1780 in Augusta, Virginia, United States

Died before Aug 1816 before about age 57 in Harrison, Kentucky, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kevin Daniel [send private message]

Biography

Mark was born about 1759. He was the son of Leonard Simmons. His father made a deed to him^[1] in Augusta County, VA.

Mark, sometimes appearing as "Marcus" in primary records, moved to Bourbon County, KY in 1791 with his brother Peter and brother-in-law Joseph Davis. He and his brother purchased^[2] 720 acres of land in Bourbon County, witnessed by his brother-in-law Joseph Davis and Joseph's relative Thomas Davis. This land fell into Harrison County, KY when it was created in 1794 and Mark Simmons appears there, closely associated with the Davis family.

Thomas and Joseph Davis are each taxed^[3] for 125 acres of land on Woods Run in 1800, which had been entered in the name of Joseph Mosby. This is apparently part of the land owned by Mark Simmons as his land had the same description in that and previous tax lists and is diminished by that amount in the 1800 tax list.

Mary Simmons Davis remarried^[4] in 1804 to Jacob David so Joseph apparently died between 1801 and 1804. There is no probate of his estate in Harrison County records. Mark Simmons was bond for the marriage a Mary Simmons Davis and Jacob David.

Joseph is mentioned as deceased in April 1813 when his orphans, Sarah and William, chose Mark Simmons as their guardian^[5]. Sarah married in December 1813, so the change in guardianship may have been in preparation for this marriage. Sarah's guardian is mentioned, but not named in the bond for her marriage.

Mark married and had at least eight children who were named in two deeds^[6][7]in Harrison County, KY.

The inventory and sale bill of his estate were presented at the August 1816 court in Harrison County, KY. Adam and Peter Simmons, Jacob David and William Baxter made purchases at his estate sale^[8].

Sources

1. ↑ Virginia, Augusta County, Deed Book 25, pages 530-531. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLD-131W-C?i=293&cat=282708
2. ↑ Kentucky, Bourbon County, Deed Book B, pages 403-404. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-K9F3-H?i=223&cat=431279
3. ↑ Kentucky, Harrison County, Tax Books, 1800. Thomas and Joseph Davis each taxed for 125 acres of land on Woods Run which had been entered in the name of Joseph Mosby. Mark Simmons' amount of land of the same description was reduced by this much in the 1800 tax list. There is no deed for the purchase of this land by Thomas and Joseph Davis from Mark Simmons so they were probably renting or sharecropping the land from Mark Simmons, possibly with the intention of later buying it or just did not enter the deed. Joseph and Thomas Davis were taxed on 1 April 1800 and Peter and "Marcus" Simmons were taxed on 4 April 1800. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-K947-9?i=145&cat=155644
4. ↑ Kentucky, Harrison County, Loose Marriage Bonds, 1804, Mary Davis to Jacob David. Jacob David and Mark Simmons bond for marriage of Sarah Davis to Jacob David in Harrison County, KY. Mary was born Mary Simmons and married Joseph Davis. Marriage date was after bond date. Mark Simmons was the brother of Mary Simmons Davis. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9398-3CC1-R?i=795&cc=1804888&cat=279726
5. ↑ Kentucky, Harrison County, Record Book Volume B page 303 Mark Simmons appointed guardian of Sarah and William Davis. Sarah Davis & William Davis infant orphans of Joseph Davis deceased being admitted by the Court chose* Mark Simmons for their guardian and thereupon the said Mark Simmons with George Smiser & John Shawren his securities entered into & acknowledged their bond in the penalty of one thousand dollars conditioned for securing said orphans estate and indemnifying the court. *The fact that Sarah and William were able to choose their guardian, meant they were age 14 or older. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-5CMT-9?i=406&cat=431045
6. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4X-KSVH-S?i=95&cat=431273
   Kentucky, Harrison County, Deed Book 5, pages 183-184.
   Catey Simmons, widow of Mark Simmons, Peter Simmons and Rachel his wife, Adam Simmons and Phoebe his wife, Thomas Snodgrass and Catey his wife late Catey Simmons, Robert Snodgrass and Chrisitiana his wife late Christiana Simmons, Henry David and Elizabeth his wife late Elizabeth Simmons, John Hughes and Sarah his wife late Sarah Simmons, Barbara Simmons and Rachel Simmons, all of Harrison County except for Henry and Elizabeth David who are of Bourbon County, to Joel Frazier of Harrison County. 222 acres.
7. ↑ Source Date 30 August 1816
   https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4L-YGDW?i=65&cat=431273
   Kentucky, Harrison County, Deed Book 7, pages 126-127.
   Catey Simmons, widow of Mark Simmons, Peter Simmons and Rachel his wife, Adam Simmons and Phoebe his wife, Thomas Snodgrass and Catey his wife late Catey Simmons, Robert Snodgrass and Chrisitiana his wife late Christiana Simmons, Henry David and Elizabeth his wife late Elizabeth Simmons, John Hughes and Sarah his wife late Sarah Simmons, Barbara Simmons and Thomas Morris and Rachel his wife late Rachel Simmons, all of Harrison County except for Henry and Elizabeth David who are of Bourbon County, to Thomas Snodgrass of Harrison County. 14 1/2 acres.
8. ↑ Kentucky, Harrison County, Will Volume 1, pages 357-360. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GP39-G8J?i=191&cc=1875188&cat=423239