Jefferson Hartsfield Simms1

Male, #44459, (2 Apr 1858 - 22 Apr 1893)

Parent*Wiley H. Sims (4 Nov 1811 - 3 Dec 1871)
Parent*Virginia Jefferson Sterling (6 Feb 1825 - a 1900)
Jefferson Hartsfield Simms|b. 2 Apr 1858\nd. 22 Apr 1893|p44459.htm|Wiley H. Sims|b. 4 Nov 1811\nd. 3 Dec 1871|p9807.htm|Virginia Jefferson Sterling|b. 6 Feb 1825\nd. after 1900|p9808.htm|Martin Sims|b. say 1785|p45971.htm|Elizabeth Hartsfield|b. 19 Sep 1788\nd. 6 Jan 1831|p45970.htm|Wiley J. Sterling|b. 1 Jul 1796\nd. 7 Nov 1851|p45919.htm|Bethena Bonner|b. 20 Dec 1802\nd. 27 Jun 1881|p45920.htm|

Name Variation  Jefferson Hartsfield Simms was also known as Sims. 
Birth*2 Apr 1858 Jefferson was born at Troup Co., Georgia, on 2 Apr 1858.2 
 He was the son of Wiley H. Sims and Virginia Jefferson Sterling. 
1860 Census1 Jun 1860 Virginia, Robert, Mary, Charles, Wiley, Adelle and Jefferson was listed as a household member (Unidentified Sims, 2, M, GA) living with Wiley H. Sims in the 1860 Census at East Vernon, Troup Co., Georgia.3 
1870 Census1 Jun 1870 Virginia, Charles, Wiley, Adelle, Jefferson, Emily and Clara was listed as a household member (J. D. Sims, 11, M, GA) living with Wiley H. Sims on the 1870 Census at Troup Co., Georgia.4 
Probate12 Dec 1871 Wiley, Adelle, Jefferson and Emily received property in Wiley H. Sims's will on 12 Dec 1871.5 
Marriage*22 Jun 1884 He married Lizzy Amy French at Colorado on 22 Jun 1884.6 
Death*22 Apr 1893 He died at Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma, on 22 Apr 1893. 
Burial*after 22 Apr 1893 His body was interred after 22 Apr 1893 at Red Branch Cemetery, Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma. 
Biography* A news article that appeared on 30 Jan 1876 in The Atlanta Georgia Constitution sheds light on why young Jeff Simms left Troup County: "A young man named Jeff Simms, about eighteen or nineteen years of age, we suppose, brought three bales of cotton to LaGrange [Troup Co., GA], last Saturday, with a note to Mr. John W. Ragland, signed John R. Sterling, asking Mr. R. to sell the cotton, sent him (Mr. S.) $100, and keep the remainder till called for. Mr. Ragland complied with the request, and on Monday Sims came back after the balance of the money and got it. Wednesday morning Mr. Sterling came to LaGrange hunting for his cotton. Simms had stolen it, had forged the note, and, after obtaining the money had left for parts unknown. Mr. Sterling found the cotton, and had it levied on into the hands of Mr. Samuel Cherry."

The Jeff Simms in this article is the same age as Jefferson Hartsfield Simms. Also, the Simms in the article is probably White, because if he were Black, the article would have stated that in accord with the practice of that day. No other Jeff Sims or Simms besides Jefferson Hartsfield have been located in the 1870 census for Georgia, and none can be located in GA in 1880. Finally, Jefferson Hartsfield Simms had an uncle named John Randolph Sterling, and the cotton was stolen from a John R. Sterling.

Thus, it seems rather certain that the Jeff Simms of the article was Jefferson Hartsfield Simms. Where he went after leaving Troup County is not known. Nor is it known where he married Lizzy French. As the Oklahoma Land Rush did not start until 1889, and prior to that time it was Indian country, it is unlikely that Jeff went to Oklahoma prior to 1889. 

Family

Lizzy Amy French (19 Aug 1860 - 30 Nov 1931)
Children

Charts Andrew Hartsfield Descendants
Last Edited 13 Dec 2003

Citations

  1. Jean J. Boicourt, compiler, Boicourt Genealogy, Rootsweb: WorldConnect (online family tree).
  2. 1860 Federal Census, United States.
  3. 1860 Federal Census, United States.
    Unk Twnshp, page 236, Troup Co., GA, Ancestry.com image 64
    W. H. Sims, 49, M, Insurance Agent, RE=$15,000, PE=$21,000, GA
    V. J. Sims, 35, F, GA
    Robert D. Sims, 16, M, GA
    Mary V. Sims, 14, F, GA
    Charles L. Sims, 11, M, GA
    John W. Sims, 8, M, GA
    Adel Corin Sims, 4, F, GA
    ? Sims, 2, M, GA.
  4. 1870 Federal Census, United States.
    Page 391, Unknown Townships, Antioch P.O., Troup Co., GA, Ancestry.com image 127 of 236
    W. H. Sims, 59, M, Farmer, RE=$1600, PE=$800, GA
    V. J. Sims, 45, F, Keeping house, GA
    C. L. Sims, 20, M, Farm hand, GA
    W. S. Sims, 19, M, Farm hand, GA
    Adaline Sims, 13, F, GA
    J. D. Sims, 11, M, GA
    Emma Sims, 8, F, GA
    Clara Sims, 3, F, GA.
  5. Wiley H. Simms Probate File, (Transcribed by Warren Culpepper), Troup Co., GA Archives in LaGrange, Call No. Wiley Simms Folder/Loose.
  6. E-Mail, Corine Reynolds e-mail address to Warren Culpepper, 22 Aug 2003.
  7. E-mail from Corine Simms (Mrs. Alvis) Reynolds, deceased to Warren L. Culpepper, 2001 - 2004.
    Follow-up message on 19 Aug 2003.