John S. Newton Simmons
Son of James B. Willis 'Jim' Simmons and Catherine “Kate” Smith, John S. Newton Simmons was born on July 31, 1847, in Habersham County, Georgia.
On June 1, 1866, John Simmons married Hester Ann Whiten, (March 25, 1853 or April 22, 1854 - June 2, 1926) daughter of Oliver Whiten & Rachel Holcomb. Hester Ann Whiten was known to friends and family as “Anna”.
They had the following children:
- William Simmons
- Thomas Simmons
- Rachel Simmons
- Julia Simmons
- Emma Cordelia Simmons (March 31, 1882 - July 15, 1966) Married James Franklin Mealer Brady.
- Jasper Newton Simmons
- Martha Simmons ( - Sept. 26 1928 in Baldwin County, Georgia. Death Certificate: 22892-J)
- Joseph Clark Simmons (June 20, 1888 - Jan. 19, 1957)1)
- Grover C. Simmons ( - Oct. 30, 1981 in Jackson County, Georgia. Death Certificate: 037073)
- George W Simmons ( - April 13, 1972 in Stephens County, Georgia. Death Certificate: 014502)
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1870 United States Federal Census
State: Georgia
County: Habersham
Free Inhabitants in: Currahee District
Post Office: Clarkesville
Date: July 28, 1870
| Name | Gender | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Simmons | M | 23 | Georgia | Farmer |
| Anne Simmons | F | 16 | Georgia | Keeping House |
Source: “United States Census” Year: 1870; Census Place: Currahee, Habersham, Georgia; Roll: M593_154; Page: 162B; Image: 329; Family History Library Film: 545653
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1880 United States Federal Census
State: Georgia
County: Habersham
Inhabitants in: 422 District
Date: June 30, 1880
| Name | Relation | Gender | Age | Birthplace | Birthplace of Father | Birthplace of Mother | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Simmons | Head | M | 32 | Georgia | South Carolina | South Carolina | Farming |
| Hester Simmons | Wife | F | 24 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Keeping House |
| William Simmons | Son | M | 8 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | |
| Thomas Simmons | Son | M | 6 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | |
| Rachel Simmons | Daughter | F | 5 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | |
| Julia Simmons | Daughter | F | 3 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | |
| Emma Simmons | Daughter | F | 2 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | |
| Newton Simmons | Son | M | 2m | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia |
Note: This census also indicates that only Hester Ann Whiten-Simmons could NOT read or write.
Source: “United States Census” Year: 1880; Census Place: Deep Creek, Habersham, Georgia; Roll: 150; Family History Film: 1254150; Page: 676C; Enumeration District: 130; Image: 0297
Most of the original 1890 U.S. Federal Census records were destroyed or badly damaged by a fire in the Commerce Department in 1921. Records enumerating only 6,160 individuals—less than one percent of the schedules—survived. Those for the Simmons family were destroyed.
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1900 United States Federal Census
State: Georgia
County: Habersham
Township or Other Division of County: Pole Cat District
Date: June 6, 1900
| Name | Relation | Gender | Date of Birth | Age | Birthplace | Birthplace of Father | Birthplace of Mother | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Simmons | Head | M | July 1839 | 60 | Georgia | South Carolina | South Carolina | Farming |
| Hester A. Simmons | Wife | F | March 1850 | 50 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Keeping House |
| Martha Simmons | Daughter | F | April 1881 | 19 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Farm Laborer |
| Joseph C. Simmons | Son | M | June 1888 | 11 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Farm Laborer |
| Grover C. Simmons | Son | M | Dec. 1893 | 6 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | |
| George W. Simmons | Son | M | Dec. 1895 | 4 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia |
Note 1: Contrary to the “Date of birth” reported in the census. Hester A. Simmons death certificate states her birth date as 25 March 1853. Considering the inconsistencies in her age through all of the US Census data, it appears that she did not know her date of birth.
Note 2: This census also indicates that John Simmons, Hester Ann Whiten-Simmons, Martha Simmons & Joseph C. Simmons could NOT read or write.
Source: “United States Census” Year: 1900; Census Place: Pole Cat, Habersham, Georgia; Roll: 202; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0059; FHL microfilm: 1240202
At some point between the 1900 US Census and 1910, John Simmons moved his family to Banks County, Georgia.
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1910 United States Federal Census
State: Georgia
County: Banks
Township or Other Division of County: Columbia District 371
Date: May 5, 1910
| Name | Relation | Gender | Age | Birthplace | Birthplace of Father | Birthplace of Mother | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Simmons | Head | M | 63 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Farming |
| Hester Simmons | Wife | F | 57 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | None |
| Grover C. Simmons | Son | M | 17 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Farm Laborer |
| George W. Simmons | Son | M | 14 | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Farm Laborer |
Note 1: In this census John Simmons indicates (contrary to the 1880 & 1900 Census) that both of his parents were born in Georgia. Note 2: This census indicates that John Simmons was the ONLY member of the family able to read and write.
Source: “United States Census” Year: 1910; Census Place: Columbia, Banks, Georgia; Roll: T624_171; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 0004; FHL microfilm: 1374184
Although the tombstone indicates that John S. Newton Simmons died in 1922, his death certificate is dated Feb. 12, 1924:2)3) He was buried in “Leatherwood Cemetery”, located in Banks County, Georgia.
Hester Ann Whiten-Simmons died on June 2, 1926 in Banks County, Georgia, and was buried alongside her husband, John Simmons, at Leatherwood Baptist Church. Contrary to what is inscribed on her tombstone, her death certificate states her birth date as 25 March 1853.
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3)
Death Certificates, Vital Records, Public Health, RG 26-5-95, Georgia Archives