The 1887 Vernon County History tells that two Simpson brothers (Samuel and Benjamin) came to Vernon Co. in 1847. They had been born in Kentucky and had lived in Gasconade County, MO for awhile before coming to southwest Missouri. Samuel settled a mile north and little west of Avola. His brother Benjamin settled on Pleasant Run and later at Shanghai, where he had a "considerable dry goods and grocery store". Both brothers and their families were enumerated in the 1850 Bates County Census (Vernon County had not been organized yet). The names are listed below as they appear in the original record because there appears to be a significant error that researchers need to be aware of.

The 1860 Vernon County census for Drywood Township lists them with their families and may help to confirm the error from 1850:

By the 1870 census, Samuel Simpson was still living in Drywood Township. Benjamin was not listed there but his wife Annie was listed in nearby Union Township, Barton County Missouri with three children. The remarks column is left blank and does not say if Anne was a widow. However the 1887 County History mentions that Ben Simpson was killed during his Confederate service. It also lists Benjamin Simpson Jr. (son of Samuel) as a bushwhacker with Ben Archer.

The 1880 census for Brown County, TX shows Annie Simpson, age 59, living with her daughter, Virginia, age 16. They lived next door to Benjamin and Anne's son, Andrew B. Simpson and his family. Justin tells that Samuel had moved in 1877 to Brown County, TX. Samuel Simpson died May 12, 1894 and was buried in Rock Church Cemetery at Blanket in Brown County, Texas. It appears that most of the Simpson clan had moved to Texas.

PJ Sisseck made the following Simpson comments: 1850 census, Bates Co, the family of Ben and Ann (Branson) Simpson is a little off. Oldest daughter was Pollie Ann (she became Mrs. Adam Poff around 1867). Second daughter was Mary Frances (she became Mrs. Adolphus D. Justus around 1867). Andrew Baker Simpson, born Sept 1849, was left off. 1860 census, Vernon Co, Andrew B Simpson is 11, just as he should be. 1870 census, Annie Simpson was a widow. Her son, Andrew B. Simpson, lived nearby, with his first wife, Celia Ann Greer (step-daughter of John Creamer). 1880 census, Ann was living in Millsap, PARKER Co TX, next door to son Andrew Baker Simpson, and his second wife, Martha jane Walker. 1890, Anna died, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, about four miles SE of Millsap. Benjamin Simpson died in late 1863. His youngest child, Virginia Price Simpson, was born 1 June 1864.

Justin Simpson's ancestor, James Morgan Simpson (son of Samuel and Sarah) was born February 12, 1850 and was married to Annie Edwards on March 8, 1876, in Vernon County. Annie was a daughter of Daniel Edwards. James and Annie separated in 1900 and divorced. According to Justin, James moved to Brown County TX in 1900, while Annie and the children stayed behind on the Simpson Homestead. At some point, Annie married a Smith because the 1920 census for Vernon County, MO shows Annie as a widow living on South Cedar Street in Nevada. Her son Charles Simpson (age 32) lived with her, along with a niece. Annie Edwards Simpson Smith died in 1958 and is buried at Bickett Cemetery, south of Nevada.

For much more information about Annie as well as some great stories, but sure and visit Justin's RootsWeb Page.

James M. Simpson died May 12, 1922, and was buried at Blanket Cemetery, near the cemetery where his father is buried.

This photo is of Charles Floyd Simpson who grew up in Avola. Charles Floyd Simpson's father was James Morgan Simpson...And his grandfathers were Samuel Simpson and Daniel Edwards.

Charles Floyd Simpson

Charles worked various jobs around Bronaugh as a young man. He seems to have worked for or with the Doores family sometimes. He appears in photos of loggers and also in a threshing crew.

If you have information on this family to share or questions please email Justin Simpson or Lyndon Irwin.

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This page is designed and maintained by Lyndon Irwin.