Person Page - 289

     Elizabeth (Unknown) was born c 1690 at Lancaster Co, Virginia. She married William Lawson, son of John Lawson and Judith (Unknown), in 1709 at Bedford, Bedford Co, Virginia. Elizabeth (Unknown) died in 1757 at Briston Parish, Washington Co, Virginia.

     John Simkins was born c 1690 at Henrico Co, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Rench, daughter of Seth Rench and Rachael (Unknown), in Apr 1711 at Varina Parish, Henrico Co, Virginia. John Simkins died c Mar 1754 at Lunenburg Co, Virginia. His estate was probated on 2 Apr 1754 at Lunenburg Co, Virginia.

      John Simkins was also sometimes shown as Simpkins and Sympkins in records.

John Simkins was deeded three hundred acres, for 30 shillings, new land, in Goochland County, North side of Appomattock River (probably Appomattox River in Cumberland County once Goochland was broken up in 1744-1749), on the head of a branch of Little Guinia. (Virginia Land Patents, Book 14, page 366, 17 Sep 1731.)

John Simkins of the Parrish of Phirino, County of Henrico sold to John Watson Jr. of the same Parrish and County for £20 pounds, three hundred acres in Goochland County on the North side of Appomattock River (probably Appomattox River in Cumberland Co after Goochland was broken up in 1744-1749). Witnesses: James Lasley, Edward Patrick and Benjamin Hambleton. Signed John (J) Simkins. Recorded in Court in Goochland Co, VA, 20 Aug 1734. Elizabeth wife of the said John (she being first privately examined) relinquished her right of Dower. (Goochland County Wills and Deeds 1734-1736, Book 2, p. 5-6, 15 Aug 1734.)

John Simkins sold his wife’s inheritances in Chickahominy Swamp, Henrico Co, VA, 17 Sep 1737 to Thomas Owen. Stated he was “of Henrico County.” (Goochland Court Order Book 1737-1738.) The family of Charles Christian, progenitors of Virginia Winslett, also owned land in the area of this swamp.

On the same day Thomas Owen of the County of Henrico sold to John Simkins of the same county for £35, one hundred and ninety acres of land on the North side of James River in Goochland County, Virginia. The land was adjacent to the corner of Phillips Webber’s land. The sale was witnessed by Michael Davies, David Anderson and William Witt and was recorded in Goochland Co, VA Court, 20 Sep 1737. Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Owen relinquished her right of Dower. (Goochland Co, VA Wills and Deeds 1737-1742, Book 3, p. 61, dated 17 Sep 1737.)

John Simkin of the Parish of St. James in the County of Goochland, deeded to Matthew Hutchason, of same parish and county, 190 acres, for 40 pounds, land being in the Parish of St. James in the County of Goochland, on the north side of James River on the lower side Broad Branch and bounded Phillips Webber’s, Charles Johnson’s, and Robert Adams’ lines. Witnesses were William Miller, Robert Allen and Giles Letcher. Dated 12 Jan 1743/44 and recorded 11 Aug 1744. (Goochland Co, VA Deed and Will Book 4, 1741-1745, p. 380-381)

John was on the 1748, 1749, 1750 and 1752 Lunenburg Co, VA Tithe lists [tax on able-bodied men] taken by William Caldwell with three tithes each year.

John Simkins obtained a patent for 200 acres of land on Falling River in Brunswick (Lunenburg) Co, VA on 25 July 1746, near where William Lawson and his family lived. About two years later John's daughter Susannah married Bartholomew Lawson.

John Simkins’ will was dated 22 Jan 1754: " I, John Simpkins of Lunenburg Co [later Bedford Co] being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, God be thanked for it, do make my last Will and Testament in manner following - viz. Imprimis - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Whealer, one shilling sterling to her and her heirs forever, Item: I give to my daughter Rachel Stoe [or Hog?] one shilling sterling and her heirs forever. Item: I give to my daughter, Elizabeth Pruitt, the one half of my land being that part whereon she now lives to be divided by a right line from the river, also two negroes named Dick and Sam, to her and her heirs forever. Item: I give to my daughter Susannah Lawson, two negroes, named Will and Abigail, to her and her heirs forever. Item: I give to Rachel Simpkins and Webby Simpkins each of them a cow to be delivered to them when they marry or come of age, to them and their heirs forever. Item: I give to my well beloved wife, Elizabeth Simpkins, during her natural life, the other half of my land, and two negroes named Will and Hannah, being the father and mother of the other negroes, also my stock and household goods. After her decease, my will is that my daughter, Susannah Lawson should have the lower part of my land, to be possessed by her and her heirs forever; further my will is that after my wife's decease, my stock and household goods be equally divided between my said two daughters, Elizabeth Prewitt and Susannah Lawson, to be possessed by them and their heirs forever. But if my said wife should marry, my will is that my stock and household goods be then equally divided between her and my two daughters, Elizabeth Pruitt and Susannah Lawson. I also constitute and appoint my well beloved wife and son-in-law, Michael Pruitt, executors of this my last will and testament. And I hereby revoke, and disallow all former wills, testaments and bequests whatever by me before made, signed, published, pronounced and declared by the said John Simpkinsas his last will and testament, in the presence of us subscribers. (Signed) John Simpkins. Witnesses: Thomas (his X mark) Harris, Elizabeth (her X mark) Sloam (or Hoar?), Thomas Watkins. Probated 2 Apr 1754. (Lunenburg Co, VA Will Book 1, p. 119-121; also Book 1, p. 570; also Katherine B. Elliott, compiler, Early Wills 1746-1765 Lunenburg Co, VA; also Marcia, Upcounty South Carolina Green Families, rivermet at aol.com: Will for John Simkins.) Susanna inherited 100 acres from the estate of her father upon her mother's death.

The inventory and appraisal of the estate goods and chattels of the estate of John Simkins, deceased, was made by William Fuqua, John Fuqua and James Hunt and was valued at 243 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence. The report was returned to Court by Elizabeth Simkins and Mike Pruit, executors. Recorded 7 May 1754. (Lunenburg Co, VA Will Book 1, p. 129: John Simkins Inventory)

Detailed sources:
--Carl Lawson well-sourced research, http://lawsondna.org/home/susannah-simkins-lawson-and-her-relatives/.