FAMILIES

Below is selected information submitted about Rockingham County Families.

Additional biographical information can be found in the USGenWeb Archives Rockingham Biographies:  http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/rockingham/rockinghambios.html.

In future, it would be preferable if individuals would submit copies of source documents, to allow others to draw their own conclusions.

Richardson

Lea

Moore                                                    

Simpson                                       

Small                                           

"The following was provided by Edward M. Richardson of Baltimore, when we volunteered to try to help locate some information about his grandfather in North Carolina."  Dick and Carol Bentley, March 1998.  RABENTL@aol.com

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THE RICHARDSON FAMILY

Robert Richardson was the seventh child and the fifth boy of a family of fourteen.  Robert was born June seventh 1865 in Reedsville, North Carolina. He attended a primary school of the reconstruction era where he learned to read and write.  This was a time when the abolisheners from the north descended in mass to the south to educate the recently freed Blacks.  After primary school Robert attended trade school where he was taught steam engineering both stationary and railroad.  This training was to be his vocation throughout his life.  The trade school that he attended is still an institution of Higher Learning; it is now known as North Carolina Agricultural and Technical Institute.  After completion of trade school Robert was hired as Hostler, a person who acted as an engineer on the road but when the train was at the station or the station rail yard he became a coal passer assisting the fireman.  The Southern Railroad Company had promised that any Black able to pass the hands on requirements of the job and recommended by supervising engineer would be upgraded to engineer as soon as feasible and possible.  After about seven years Bob confronted his immediate supervisor and in the exchange of words Bob was told that The Southern Railroad had no plans or intention of upgrading him or any other man to the position of operating engineer.  Disillusioned and disgusted Bob left North Carolina and traveled by “shanks mare” to the north. 

In Baltimore he stopped to rest his weary feet.  He had been moving steadily for four months, stopping to do odd jobs here and there for food, shelter and clothing.  While resting here in Baltimore he learned of Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point and that it was looking for workers.  Bob went to the plant, filled out an application, was interviewed and was hired as a hoist operator.  Bob worked at the Point for six years. 

It was in Baltimore that Bob met Agilena Turner, a graduate of Barber Scotia College in North Carolina.  Agilena was a teacher in Carolina; here in Baltimore on summer vacation, she was working as a domestic with her sister Nancy Turner.  Bob pressed Agilena so much that summer that Lena, as she became known, decided not to return to teaching.  They were married the following spring.  From this union five children were born, Wardelle, Robert, Ella, Jessie and finally Edward. 

In the sixth year of working at the Point, Bob was encouraged by his supervisor to apply for a job with an architect who was planning to construct the first multistory steel frame building in the country. Sparrows Point was to supply the framing steel.  The building was recently refurbished.  It is known as the Flat Iron Building.  Bob worked on this job until the structure was completed and turned over to the new owners.  Returning to Baltimore and his family Bob was hired by the Horn and Horn Creamery and Ice Cream Company.  Sometime during his employment at Horn and Horn Bob was asked to consider taking a position as the chief engineer at a small Black College operated by the African Methodist Church, in compliance with city and state law that the plant be operated by a licensed engineer and Bob being one of the few black licensed in the state.  He was persuaded to accept the position as Chief of the new plant that was being constructed at the new site of Morgan College at the corner of Arlington Avenue and Hillen Road. In May the College moved from Edmondson Avenue and Fulton Street.  In accepting the job at Morgan, Bob understood that during the non heating seasons he was to help with general campus maintenance and beautification. 

Further, as most black colleges did, Morgan planted a truck farm that would help reduce the cost of operating the institution and consequently the out of pocket cash that students and the parents supply.  This farm provided fruits, vegetables meat, hogs, chickens and eggs.  Morgan at one time had a poultry yard of close to two thousand leghorn chickens.  During the summer months, when school was not in session, the farm produce was sold in east Baltimore to house wives and many neighborhood grocery stores. On Friday afternoons, Mr. Bob would gather all ripe produce, and load it on the wagon so that on Saturday morning at five thirty we, my father and I, would hitch one of the mules to the wagon and begin our journey to town. This trip to town and back would usually take about twelve hours.  One of the highlights was to stop in the middle of the day for lunch, which consisted of sharp cheese, saltine crackers, lemonade or Nehi Soda and a large can of Del Monte peaches. 

This activity provided some funds to maintain the campus during the summer months and to provide canned food for winter meals.  The wisdom of this endeavor became evident during the depression that followed the stock market crash of 1929.  Morgan at this time was in such dire straits that the administration asked the faculty and staff to forgo being paid until such time as the cash flow improved.  It was at this time that my father took one of two hogs he had killed and butchered for family use to Chef Briscoe in Young Hall, the Dining Hall, to keep the students in food for about eight to ten days. 

Poppa worked at this alone for fifteen years and many times worked as many as ninety hours a week to keep the heat up so that the pipes would not freeze and the students would be warm.  When Morgan was taken over by the State, Poppa was considered too old to be blanketed in and was dismissed with no benefits. 

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(The following is from the Morgan State College Bulletin of May 1943.)                                            

   A PIONEER PASSES

   By James H. Carter, ‘16

On March 31, we buried “Poppa” Richardson.  For nearly twenty years he served faithfully and efficiently as Engineer on the Morgan campus.  Robert B. Richardson by name, he was known to generations of students and teachers as “Poppa,” just as his own children called him.

Mr. Richardson was born on June 7, 1865 at Reidsville, North Carolina, and received some formal education in the school which is now known as the Agricultural and Technical College, at Greensboro, North Carolina.  There followed a period as an apprentice carpenter, and then he went railroading. Here his genius with machinery was able to flower and he reached the grade of hostler, which meant that he was fireman when the train was near the depot, and engineer out on the longer runs. 

Coming to Baltimore in the year 1900, he secured work with the Bethlehem Steel Company at Sparrows Point, and rose to the rank of crane operator.  In  1921 he was appointed engineer at Morgan immmediately after the central heating plant of the campus was completed, and served until June of 1940, when he retired because of age.

Many pages might be written concerning the service which he rendered during the period when the college was struggling with meager funds to establlish itself on the new Hillen Road site.  He was at one and the same time chief engineer and relief man, day and night operator and special Sunday worker.  To my certain knowledge, Mr. Richardson often spent as high as ninety hours weekly in the boilerroom.

And yet withal, he was courteous, soft voiced and kindly.  His task was important and he so regarded it.  In his work he graced the campus life as truly as did any other teacher or worker.  We remember his deeds, and honor his memory. 

Robert Richardson  (1865-1943) 

1865 - 7 June 1865, birth of Robert Richardson in Reidsville, (Rockingham County), NC.

He was the 7th child and 5th boy in a family of 14 children.

Attended a trade school that later became NC Agricultural and Technical Institute,  Greensboro, NC.  Occupation:  Steam engineering.  Worked as a hostler for the Southern Railroad.

1900 - Walked to Baltimore where he found employment with Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point. Married Agilena Turner a graduate of Barber Scotia College in North Carolina.  They were the parents of 5 children:  Wardelle (1909-1979), Robert (1911-1963), Ella (1912-1987), Jessie (1915-1989) and Edward (born April 8, 1921).

After working 6 years at Sparrows Point for Bethlehem Steel,  Robert worked on the construction of the Flat Iron Building (New York City), the first multistory steel structure in the country.

1921 - Appointed engineer at Morgan College ( Now Morgan State College) when the central heating plant of the school was completed at the new campus. 

1940 - Morgan College became a state college and “Poppa” Richardson was retired because of his age. 

1943 - 31 March 1943, Robert “Poppa” Richardson was buried. 

Moore Family of Rockingham County, NC

Thomas Moore of Dorchester County, Maryland left a will that was recorded 8 April, 1774. The will mentions his wife, Rachel and son Thomas Moore as heirs. It has not been proven that the Thomas Moore that moved to Rockingham County is his son, but all documents found (so far) indicate this is so.

Children of Thomas Moore and Rachel
Thomas Moore (?-1804) m. Sarah (Smith?)
Rev. Charles Moore (?-1825, NC) m. Delitha Henry (ca. 1760-aft 1850)
James Moore (it is not known is this James Moore moved to NC)
John Moore (ca. 1761-1812/1828) m. Mary Henry (?-1842)
Samuel Moore (ca. 1761-1825) m. 1) Margaret Lowe, d/o Isaac Lowe,
2) Mary, probably the d/o Sullivan Pearson
David Moore (ca. 1763-) (in Rockingham Co. by 1790) m. Jane Porter
Henry Moore

Delitha Henry may have been the daughter of Isaac and Mary Henry. Delitha Moore was living with Lowe/Liwe Henry family in Rockingham County, NC, 1850.

Second Generation:
Children of Thomas Moore and Sarah (Smith?)
Thomas Moore m. Sukey Mason (removed to Wilkes Co., GA by 1809)
Elizabeth/Betsy Moore m. John Henry
Dolly/Polly MOORE m. Richard Henry
Lilly Moore m. Elijah Reeves (removed to Wilkes Co., GA by 1804)
Smith Moore (ca. 1790-?) m. Peggy/Rebecca Henry (?-ca. 1869), d/o of Stephen Henry?

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Children of John Moore and Mary Henry
Henry Moore (ca. 1776, MD-1843) m. Jean Henderson
Thomas Moore (may have moved to Shelby Co., IL)
James Moore (ca. 1779/80) m. Margaret Cummings,
d/o Robert Cummings (moved to IL)
John Moore (1782, MD-1866, MO) m. Jean/Jane or Betsy Lemons,
d/o George Lemons and Elizabeth Sprout
Nancy Moore m. 1) ?, 2) James Whitsett, Jr.
Peter Moore (ca. 1786, NC) m. 1) Susan, 2) Dorcas (settled in Rush Co., IN, bef. 1831)
Issac Moore (ca 1789-by 1836) m. Sarah/Sally Peoples, d/o Lewis Peoples
Nathan Moore (ca. 1791-?) m. Elizabeth Weatherly (settled in McNairy Co., TN)
Levin Moore (ca. 1795-1854) m. Elizabeth Vaughan
Rebecca Moore (?-by 1857) m. David Lowe
Mary Moore m. Pinckney Moore

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Children of Samuel Moore
Elizabeth Moore m. unknown Landreth
Enock Moore (1794-1844) m. Ada Hopkins
John Moore (ca. 1797-bef. 1831) m. Lydia Coe
Sarah Moore (ca. 1798-1856) m. Robert Walker, Jr.
Pearson Moore (1800-1857) m. Isabella Scott
Samuel Moore (ca. 1802-1855) m. 1) Nancy Scott, 2) Margaret
William Moore (ca. 1804-1839)
Rachel Moore (1807-1844) m. Ira D. Reed

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Children of Smith Moore and Peggy/Rebecca Henry
Thomas Moore (ca. 1811-?) m. Mary Stewart
Stephen Moore m. Eliza Collins
Martin Moore m. Mary McBride
Smith Moore, Jr. m. Milley King, d/o William King
Elijah Moore m. Mary W. Jarrell
Sarah Moore m. Charles Patterson Moore
Lucinda Moore (ca. 1832-?) m. John H. Perguson
Clarissa Moore (ca. 1836-1881) m. Hix Moore (his third wife)

Third Generation:

Children of Henry Moore (ca. 1776, MD-1843) m. Jean Henderson
Sampson Moore m. possibly Mary Lemons
William Moore
Melvin Moore (ca. 1809) m. Elizabeth Murray
Henderson D. Moore m. Martha Lemons
John H. Moore m. Rachel Moore
Clarecy Moore (ca. 1811) m. Elliot Donnel
Elizabeth Moore (ca. 1814) m. Harvey Dilworth
Rachel Moore m. unknown Lemons

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Children of Levin Moore and Elizabeth Vaughan
Sarah Moore (ca. 1825-?) m. John Lemons (his second wife)

Information for this page contributed by Louise Overton. Louise's email address is: DFGM43A@PRODIGY.COM

Simpson Family of Rockingham County

  It is believed that Thomas Simpson was born September 23, 1739 in Baltimore County, Maryland. The name of his first wife is not known but he was married to his second wife, Mary Knight, around 1770. Thomas died 1833 in Johnson County, MO. Some of the children stayed in NC, while others moved to Tennessee.

Children of Thomas Simpson and his first wife
Richard Simpson (bef. 1795-?)
Nathaniel Simpson (bef. 1770)
David Simpson (bef. 1785-bef. 1830 m. Jean Pratt (m. in Rockingham Co.,NC, died in Warren County, TN)
Peter Ryan Simpson (ca. 1770-1850, TN) m. 1) unknown, 2) Elizabeth Cunningham,
d/o Joseph and Jane Cunningham

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Children of Thomas Simpson and 2) Mary Knight
Elizabeth Simpson (bef. 1770-aft 1840) m. Joseph Cunningham, (died in Warren County, TN)
s/o Joseph and Jane Cunningham
Sarah Simpson (ca. 1780) m. Daniel Goff in 1798 in Rockingham County
Senah Simpson (ca. 1781-1858) m. 1) Thomas Crumpton (died in Bates County, MO)
James Simpson (1784, NC-1852) m. Elizabeth Kimsey (died in Platte County, MO)
Jane Simpson (bef. 1790-?) m. Lazarus Matthews
Pharaby Simpson (aft. 1790-?) m. William Bragg
William Barnett Simpson (1793, NC-1858) (died in Marion County, OR) m. Mary Kimsey,
d/o James Kimsey and Mary Croley

Second Generation

Children of Peter Ryan Simpson and his first wife
Valentine Wright Simpson (ca. 1790, NC-aft 1860,MO) m. 1) Cynthia Ann Crowley, 2) Lucretia Lane

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Children of Peter Ryan Simpson and 2) Elizabeth Cunningham
Elizabeth Simpson (ca. 1794)
Thomas Simpson (1796,NC-1873, OR) m. 1) Nancy Moreland, d/o William Moreland and Sarah
2) Joanna Warren
John Simpson (1800-1869) m. Sarah Bickle (John's parentage not proven, died in Coffee County, TN)
David Simpson (1803-bef.1870) m. Jane Rose (David's paretage not proven)
Joseph Simpson (1806-1878) (died in Madison County, AR) m. Sarah B. Rose
Peter Simpson (1809-1894) (died in Cannon County, TN) 1) Jane Brandon,
d/o Cornelius Brandon and Mary Tennison, 2) Nitha Ann Gannon
Pharaba Simpson (1811-1854) (died in Calloway County, KY) m. Wiley Hopkins

(It appears that Thomas Simpson moved to Tenneseee around 1811)

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Children of Sarah Simpson and Daniel Goff
William Goff (ca. 1799)
Thomas Goff (ca. 1801) m. America Stewart (lived in Howard County, TN)
Daniel Goff (ca. 1803) m. Elizabeth Steward (lived in Howard County, TN)
James Goff (1809,TN-1887) (died in Provo, Utah County, UT)
Jane Goff (ca. 1811) (born in Warren County, TN)

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Children of James Simpson and Elizabeth Kimsey
Mary Simpson (1806-1866) m. Phillip Hicks
Calvin Simpson (ca. 1808-ca. 1826)
Nancy Simpson (1810-aft 1880) m. John Liggett
Effarinah Simpson (1812) m. 1) Nimrod McCracken, 2) Alvin Clark
Macy Simpson (1814-1890) m. 1) William Price, 2) John F. Kimsey
Gillie Simpson (1818-1890) m. Fauntleroy Price
Pharaba Simpson (1819-1852) m. Martin Buff
Preston Simpson (1823-?) m. Emaline Smith
Willard Simpson (ca. 1825-bef.1850)
Dillard Simpson (ca. 1827-bef. 1850)

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Children of William Barnett Simpson and Mary Kimsey
Eleanora Simpson (1814-1873) m. James Anderson
Thomas Knight Simpson (1816-1852) m. Rosannah Buff
Benjamin Simpson (1818-1910) m. 1) Caroline Gordon, 2) Elmira Jane Wisdom, 3) Nancy Cooper
Harriett Simpson (1820-bef. 1903) m. Larkin Price
Cassie Simpson (1822-1846) m. Alvis Kimsey
Mary Ann Simpson (1824-1849) m. William Macklin
Elizabeth Simpson (1826-bef. 1903) m. Napolian Widsom
David Simpson (1828-aft. 1903) m. Julia Anne Havens
Martha Jane Simpson (1830-bef. 1903) m. Ninevah Ford
James Simpson (1833-1914) m. Mary Catherine Havens
William Barnett Simpson (1836-1925) m. Melinda Caroline Havens

Third Generation Children of Valentine Wright Simpson and 1) Cynthia Ann Crowley
Nancy Simpson (ca. 1820-?) m. Jacob M. Kuykendall
John A. Simpson (1821-1865) m. Margaret Cherry
Elizabeth Simpson (ca. 1825-?) m. Charles Umbarger
Andrew Smart Simpson (1828-1885) m. 1) Eleanor Finley, 2) Caroline Herring
Anna Eliza Simpson (ca. 1830-?) m. Josephus Finley
Green Henderson Simpson (1831-?) m. Sophronia E. Gatlin
Martha Simpson (1833-1885) m. 1) James Nelson 2) Jesse Brannon, 3) Lorenzo Darne Stout, 4) Henry Byrd
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Children of Valentine Wright Simpson and 2) Lucretia Lane
Olive Ellen Simpson (1836-?) m. Abraham Goodwin
David G. Simpson (1838-?) m. L. N. Tolbert
Fansina Simpson (1839-bef. 1860)

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Children of Thomas Simpson and 1) Nancy Moreland
2) Joanna Warren
Sarah Simpson (1818-187) m. Gilbird Williams
Peter Ryan Simpson (1821-1897) m. 1) Jane Farrell, 2) Elender Falkenberry, 3) Serena Boze, 4) Emaline Brown
William Simpson (1824-1854)
Richard Simpson (?-bef. 1894)
Logan Simpson (?-bef. 1894)
Elizabeth Simpson (1826-1904) m. Lemuel Braswell
John Simpson (1830-?) m. Martha Jane Harbin
Thomas Carey Simpson (1832-1897) m. 1) Lucilla K. Rhoads, 2) Mary Ann Whitten
Wade Hampton Simpson (1836-1920) m. 1) Nancy Ellen Waller, 2) Eliza Gum
Wright Simpson (1839-1913) m. 1) Samantha Cates, 2) Mary Eveline Sloan
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Children of John Simpson and Sarah Bickle
Alexander Simpson (1824-?) m. Malissa
Joseph Simpson (1826-1915) m. 1) Cynthia Trollinger, 2) R. R. Rowlett
John M. Simpson (1828-?) m. Eliza E. Messick
Thomas Simpson (1830-1864)
Elizabeth Simpson (1833-?) m. L. Summers
Peter Simpson (1835-1865)
Pheraba Calline Simpson (1837-1871) m. James Carden
Nancy O. Simpson (1839-?) m. John McGuire
(This family appears to have lived in the community of Siloam, Surry County, NC)

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Children of David Simpson and Jane Rose
James M. Simpson (1824-1903) m. Elizabeth Matilda Trollinger

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Children of Joseph Simpson (1806-1878) and Sarah B. Rose
Unknown Simpson
Isaac T. Simpson (bef. 1828-?) m. Melinda C. Stephens
David G. Simpson (1829-?) m. Eliza
John R. Simpson (1833-1924) m. Nancy Ann Spradling
Elisha Simpson (1836-?)
Joseph Simpson Jr. (1839-?) m. Ellen Hall Elizabeth Ann Simpson (1843-1914) m. Hiram Brown

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Children of Peter Simpson (1809-1894) and 1) Jane Brandon
Mary Elizabeth Simpson (1831-?) m. Phillip J. Baltimore
David E. Simpson (1834-?) m. 1) Vinnie Tolbert, 2) Mary E. Stacy
Elizabeth Jane Simpson (1836-?) m. Joseph Baltimore
Nancy Simpson (1839-?) m. Uriah Sherrill
Lydia Simpson (1841-?) m. Harvey Gannon
Joseph Simpson (1844)
Thomas Simpson (1846-1850)

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Children of Peter Simpson (1809-1894) and 2) Nitha Gannon
Joanne F. Simpson (1848-?) m. John H. Hollis
Rebecca Ellen Simpson (1850-?) m. Arch T. Brandon
George Washington Simpson (1853-1911) m. Margaret Eliz. Clementine Todd
Peter Marion Simpson (1855-1929) m. Mary T. Williams
Pharaba Simpson

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Children of Preston Simpson and Emaline Smith

Letitia L. Simpson m. Mr. Thorning Berry K. Simpson m. Kinneman
Elsie A. Simpson (?-1879) m. Alonzo T. Holt
Serilda Simpson m. William Winn
Victoria Simpson m. Edwin T. Stephens

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Children of Benjamin Simpson (1818-1910) and 3) Nancy Cooper
Sylvester Confucious Simpson (1844-1913) m. Francis Mary McFarland
Samuel Leonidas Simpson (1845-1899) m. Julia Humphrey
Francis Marion Simpson (1847-1859)
Louisa Ann Simpson (1849-1888) m. John A. Stowell
Elnora Thurson Simpson (1852-1925) m. W. Thomas Burney
Isadora Paradine Simpson (1854-1932) m. William M. Killingsworth
William Milton Simpson (1856-?)
Grover Benjamin Simpson (1858-1934)
Alice Blandina Simpson (1862-1892) m. W. Thomas Burney
Clarence Wellington Simpson (1865-1931) m. Marion Bailey

All of the information for the above was contributed by Nona Williams whose website is located at www.nonawilliams.com.

Small Family of Rockingham County, NC

John Small was born 1775 in Harford County, Maryland and moved with his parents to North Carolina (1779) as an infant. John was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Small. In 1818 he married Ann Dulin in Rockingham Co., where he lived until he died (which was before 1833).

First Generation

Children of Robert and Elizabeth Small
John Small m. Ann Dulin
James David Small Sr. m. 1) Native American (?), 2) Elizabeth Dyer (m. in 1824)

Second Generation

Children of James David Small Sr.
James Nicholas Small (1801) migrated to Indiana in 1832 m. Margy Lemons
James David Small Jr. m. Rachel Miller
Irene (Remy) Small (moved to Dubois Co, IN)
William Small (moved to Dubois Co, IN)

James David Small Sr.'s occupation was listed as Indian Trader.

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Children of John Small and Ann Dulin
Nathaniel Small
Anson A. Small m. Harriet M. Smothers
Elizabeth Small m. John Miller
John Small Jr.
Ellinor (Ellen) Small

Third Generation

Chidren of James Nicholas Small and Margy Lemond
James Lemond Small m. Sarah Elizabeth Spurlock

Sources:  Personal communications with Mrs. Louise Overton. Louise's email address: DFGM43A@prodigy.com

The James Lemon/Lemond SMALL Family Bible

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Translated out the original Greek; and with The Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised, published by the Americam Bible Society, New York. The Bible was originaly owned by James Lemon SMALL 1826-1900 and now is in the possession of the family of the late Dr Haskell Pruett, Stillwater, OK 74074

James Lemond SMALL was born in Rockingham Co. NC to James Nicholas SMALL and Margy LEMOND. He moved with the family to Dubois County, Indiana. There he married Sarah Elizabeth SPURLOCK

James L. Small bor Nov the 18 1826
Sarah E. Small bor Oct the 8 1836
M.J. SMALL bor Mar the 23 1854
Martha E. SMALL bor Aug the 6 1856
Catherine SMALL bor Apr the 10 1858
Celene SMALL bor Dec 22 1859
Margy SMALL bor May the 3 1861
Mary SMALL bor July the 24 1862
Arabel SMALL bor Apr the 20 1864
Nancy SMALL bor Jany the 23 1866
Brazela SMALL bor May the 1 1868
James N. SMALL bor June the 21 1870
Christopher C. SMALL bor April the 12 1873
Ida M. SMALL born Apr 5 1975
Halley Matilda SMALL born Feb 23 1877
Manerva J. SMALL born Feb 17 1879
James A. Hammond SMALL bor August 25 1881

DEATHS.......

Margie SMALL died Aug 3 1861
Arabel Laurence died Dec 20 1893

Deed Book 2 F, page 29 located DAR Library