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Note: Henry, called Squire in later years, was born in Culpeper Co., Virginia, a son of James Sims and Jane Towles. In addition to Henry, James and Jane had a son Albert Gallatin Sims, James Sims and Oliver Sims. Based on letter from Albert and James it appears that Henry was the third son. The Sims resided in the Devils Run area of Culpeper Co. Devils Run, which is fed by the Hazel River, is located +- 5 miles NW of the town of Culpeper (Off of Route 522) and is very near the Rappahannock County Line.
On August 5, 1837, Henry's brother Albert G. Sims obtained thirty-nine acres (lot or fraction A of fractional Section six in fractional Township of Range four in the District of lands subject to sale at Mardisville, Alabama). Albert, at this time, was living in Talladega County, Alabama. UPDATE: Albert G. Sims was living in Talladega county on 8/6/1835 as he purchased land (Sec 23 TSP 21 RNG3) that was recorded in the Mardisville Land Office Records.
The land grant purchase was issued under certificate number 3636 and recorded in Vol 7, Page 370, in Washington, DC. Martin Van Buren was the President of the United States. On this same day, Henry, through an assignee, Stephen Pail, also obtained land in Mardisville, Alabama (his current residence was not shown). Henry's land was the Southwest Quarter of the North East Quarter of Section thirty-four in fractional Township Twenty of Range Three in the District of Lans subject to sale at Mardisville, Alabama. Henry's land was issued under certificate number 3758 and recorded in Vol 7, Page 493.
It is assumed that shortly after the land grant of 1837, Henry relocated to Mardisville, Talladega, County.
UPDATE: On June 30, 1843, Henry Sims, resident of BENTON County (now Calhoun Co) purchased land in Mardisville: Sec 32, TSP 12, RNG10 as recorded in the Mardisville Land Office Records. This purchase was made several days AFTER his marriage to Martha Louisa Hayes. We can now assume that Henry resided at the following:
Year Residence
About 1837 - 1840 Mardisville, Talladega County, AL (land grants and deed)
After 1840 - Jun 1843 Benton County, AL (Now Calhoun County) (Land Purchase)
1844 - 1846 Mardisville (Birth of Albert G. Sims/Death of Martha Louisa)
1846 - 185? Talladega County, AL (exact location not known; 1850 census)
1858 - Death Renfroe
Update: A note to build a Male and Female Academy in Mardisville, dated 1/7/1837, included the signatures of both A. G. Sims (Henry's Brother) and H. L. Sims (Henry). Proof positive Henry was in Mardisville in 1837. Lisa Allen Baggett, November, 2002
A deed dated 8th day of February, 1839, was issued to Henry Sims from Stephen Pait (his assignee on the 1837 land grants) for property in Talladega County, for $250.00. From this deed, recorded in Talladega County, we can assume that Henry was in Alabama as early as 1839. The 1840 census shows both Henry and his brother Albert living in Talladega County, both as single men. Henry is known to have lived in Mardisville during 1844 and 1845 as three letters from his brothers are addressed as such. It is said that he travelled to Talladega County in the company of a Mr. Welch. Mr. Welch was Henry's first cousin, the son of his mothers sister, Ann Towles Terrill. Other family members that migrated to Alabama were the Mallory's who were also Henry's first cousin, by marriage. (Ann Towles Terrill had a son Robert who married Ann Mallory).
Albert, Henry's brother, asked to be remembered to them in his January 2, 1844, letter to Henry. This indeed could be the family of Rev. Oliver Welch, who was born April 17, 1791, in Virgina. Rev. Welch and his family moved to Talladega County in October, 1834, and settled in the area now called Alpine, Alabama. Rev. Welch was a Baptist preacher at Alpine Baptist (formerly Talladega Creek Baptist Church) and served as pastor until his death in 1874. Rev. Welch, and his first wife Elizabeth , had eight children. One of Oliver and Elizabeth's children, William A. Welch (Dr.) moved to Alabama with his parents. From William and his wife, Will Ann Wallace, came several generations of notable Medical Doctors, including Dr. Samuel Welch who was President of the Alabama State Medical Association in 1907 and was the State Health Officer in January, 1917. Another son of Rev. Oliver Welch, was Nathaniel who built the Alpine Plantation, for which the railroad station was named. Nathaniel Welch was married to Elizabeth Terrill, Henry's first cousin on his mothers side.
Albert lived in Talladega until 1841 at which time he relocated to Christian Co., Kentucky. Albert married Eliza and had one son, George Henry, (named for Henry) and 4 daughters as noted in the 1850 Census. Albert was a very well educated man, from his letters, writing and grammar, and was a gentleman farmer in Kentucky, primarily raising tobacco. He also looked up to his older brother Henry and his respect and love shows through in his letters.
For some years Henry practiced law, afterwards purchasing a large plantation to which he devoted a great deal of attention. He achieved considerable prominence in politics, being one of the leaders of the Whig Party. For several years he held the office of justice of the peace, which at time was an office of considerable importance. In 1863 he was elected a member of the legislature with Lewis E. Parsons and L. W. Lawler and was an elector for the State of Alabama on the Clay ticket at the time of the presidential election between Henry Clay and James K. Polk. He opposed the action of the Southern states that led to the war between the States and after the war became a Democrat. (This information is printed in Notable Men of Alabama, Volume 1, Hon. Joel C. DuBose, Editor, 1904.)
While living in Benton Co or Mardisville, Henry met and married his first wife, Martha Louisa Hayes. Albert writes to Henry about his marriage in a letter dated January 2, 1844, "I would be glad if you and your better half could come out and spend the next summer with us. I am anxious to see her, and know her, who was so fortunate as to win your affections, the affections of one, who for a long time seemed so loft to come under the influence of tender emotions."
Henry's first wife died shortly after James Henry was born, in 1846, so therefore it assumed she died as a complication of childbirth. Henry is shown living alone with his two sons, Albert G. and James Anthony in the 1850 Talladega County Census. Henry is listed as a farmer, land valued at $4,000. He lived near the Lowery's ; Dwelling #1031, family #1053.
In August of 1858, Henry at the age of 54 married Elizabeth (Lizzie) George Cruikshank, daughter of Lovedy and George Cruikshank and sister of Marcus H. Cruikshank. Henry's friend, Rev. Oliver Welch, conducted the ceremony.
This was Lizzie's first marriage and she was 28 years old, some 26 years younger than her husband. It has been stated that Henry first met Lizzie when she was a young child as Henry is known to have stayed at Lovedy's Stage Coach Inn, Mardisville, Alabama. Marcus and Henry were also close acquaintances; both involved in the Whig party, both lawyers and both relocated to Talladega when the city became of County Seat as opposed to Mardisville. (Historic Tales of Talladega, Grace Jemison)
The Talladega County 1860 census :
Henry Sims 50 M Farmer RE Value $5,000 Personal Value $25,000 B: VA
Elizabeth 30 F AL
A. G. 17 M AL
J. H. 14 M AL
A (Arthur) 8/12 M AL
Note: given Henry's tombstone he was born in 1804 and therefore would have been 56, not 50, at the time of the 1860 census.
Neighbors included the Stone family from Virginia, Thompson family from S. Carolina, Harral family from Virginia and the Hendricks family from Virginia.
Henry's plantation, comprised of 1000 acres at it's prime, was located in Renfroe, Talladega County, Alabama. (Talladega County road 191 West; left (south) on Stemley Road (Hepzibah Baptist church located at the intersection of 191 and Stemley Road). Travel approximately 1.2 miles to railroad crossing After crossing railroad crossing, Henry's land was located on your right and left for the next .5 mile. The old homestead is located down a dirt road, to your right, 1.4 miles from the intersection of 191 and Stemley Road (.2 miles from railroad crossing). At it's prime, the home would have had a stunning eastern view of the Sleeping Giant. Miriam Dark remembers this home and says that it reflected their "social status". She said is was formal, well decorated and very dignified.
1850 Census Population Slaves:
Henry Sims - 12
1860 Census Population Slaves:
Henry Sims - 25
Henry died in 1890, and was buried in Mardisville next to his first wife. This decision to bury Henry next to Martha was made by Henry's sons by Martha (Albert and James). Henry and Martha Louisa graves are located in Mardisville, Alabama. The cemetery is located on off of Highway 21 South, 2 miles South of Talladega Creek, located up the dirt road on the left immediately following the two historical markers.[JamesSimsJemima.GED] At this time the cemetery is disrepair however, we are hopeful this situation will be reversed soon(10/2002)
Henry Obituary, posted in the Talladega Reporter, July 2, 1890 read:
Death of Henry Sims, Esq.
The decease of such a man as Mr. Henry Sims, takes away a landmark from among us. He was a man in his day in every sense of the word. A man of sterling character, of clear judgement, of great information and pure and upright purpose, he was a man whose presence was felt wherever he went. He was a noble specimen of that generation of pioneers nearly all of whom are gone. For forty years or more he has borne a prominent part in the political and public interests of the State and County. Back in the forties (1840's) he represented Talladega county in the State legislature. He was an old line Whig in those days. He was ________we ever knew. He knew no guile and went forward in the discharge of whatever duty was laid upon him with perfect fidelity and truth.
He dies at his pleasant home at the advanced age of eighty-six. He have lived a long, useful and upright life. For four years he had been an invalid and during all that time, no word of impatience escaped him. It seemed to have been his desire to give his family and friends as little trouble as possible. He faced his last hour with the earnestness, fortitude and resignation with which he met the duties of life. We feel that good and a strong man is gone. He was a member of the Hepzibah Baptist Church, and it needless to say that he was a consistent Christian. (Note from Hugh Sims: Henry Sims came to Talladega County in 1837-When he was an old man was baptized in a chair at Maxwell Pond.)
A portrait of Henry is located in the hall at the home of Herbert and Mary Lea Sims, 206 East Coffee Street.
From Notable Men of Alabama, bio on Albert G. Sims:
"Henry came to Alabama in 1837 and settled in Talladega county. For some years he practiced law and later purchased a large plantation to which he devoted a great deal of attention. He achieved considerable prominence in politics, being one of the leaders of the Whig party. For several years he Held the office of justice of peace, which at that time was an office of considerable importance. In 1863 he was elected a member of the legislature with Lewis E Parsons and L W Lawler and was an elector for the State of Alabama on the Clay ticket at the time of the presidential election between Henry Clay and James K Polk. He opposed the action of the southern States that led to the war between the States and after the war became a Democrat."[JamesSimsJemima.GED]
Interesting, Henry was a stickler for detail and documentation that he even held a note on his sister-in-law, Maltida Cruikshank, wife of Marcus and mother of author of this letter, George M. Cruikshank. The archives also include several loans to Albert G. Sims and his wife Kate on advance on their crops. All perfectly documented and signed!
Letter dated November 16, 1886
Office of the Chronicle
Birmingham AL
Hon. H. Sims:
Renfroe
Dear Sir:
Yours of November 11 reached me yesterday. You will find fifty five dollars at the bank of Talladega to pay the balance of your note held against Mrs. M. W. Cruikshank, instead of the fifty you propose.
You can get the money at any time after the receipt of this letter, by cancelling the note.
When that is done all will be balanced between us except such favors as I may be able to show to you and yours in the future.
With Respect,
Geo. M. Cruikshank
Henry was a medium height, a Sims trait today in which many males do not reach over 5'10". While not a extremely handsome man, he was a good looking man, quite formal in his expression and attire.
Other characteristics you can draw from archives:
Very well educated
Professional in business and personal dealings; everything in writing, math double checked, smallest receipts retained
Precise attention to Detail
Profit Oriented
Loved the land; both Mardisville and Renfroe/St. Ives topography is extremely similar to his home, Culpeper Co., VA
Highly intelligent
Financially savvy
Financially independent with ready access to cash
Update: Letter from James to his father, Henry Sims. James was 21 when he wrote this letter and I assume had just left Alabama for Kentucky. I believe the Aunt and Uncle his speaking about is Henry's brother Albert G. Sims and Eliza, his wife, who located in Kentucky in 1844. This would place Albert's year of death in 1868; he would have been 60.
Clinton, Hickman Co., KY
May 9, 1868
Dear Pa:
You will overlook my failure to write earlier from the fact of my being in Clinton since my arrival where the mails are quite irregular. My trip to Kentucky, though longer than I anticipated, was quite pleasant. Saw several of my friends in Selma with who I spent the day. Leaving Selma at 6 in the evening I landed in mind next morning at 5 am, three hours behind time owing to the cars running off the track. Remained over until next morning and came to Columbus Sunday Night. Here I found Aunt had left the hotel and moved to Clinton on the farm. I find the family very pleasant and getting on well.
Met Mrs. Chino as living with Aunt and rather aiding in her affairs. Aunt's health is very bad and she suffers greatly also from tremble (?). If a change is not made in her habits her time of life will be quite brief. She is not just up from a severe spell she has had since I came.
In regards to the situation of the estate, I am not fully prepared to inform you. Hilliard farmed on the place last year and managed to get all the proceeds and even saving her for $900.00 as the expenses of the farm for tow years.
She is suing him for damage but in my opinion neither party will come out benefited. Hilliard has certainly acted a rascal since Uncle's death judging from what I can see.
This farm this year is rented for a stipulated amount and will bring in something. The Hotel in Columbus of course paid nothing and I think there is no money in Aunt's possession now. On account of her late illness I have not talked much with her in regard to the affairs of the estate yet I am satisfied some of the land will be sold to pay off debts.
I consider this portion of the country healthy and as good body of land as one could wish. In the event the land is sold, I do not think you could do better than buy a home on it offering as it does, great inducements to good farmers.
Columbus seems to be a business visit and a good prospect of growing rapidly. At this time there are four physicians then yet none of these exceedingly promising. Drs Bryant and Richarson drink and gamble the most of their time and same may be said of Jackson, a new comer. Chriss (?) tell me he has many friends there and feels confident I can soon secure a good practice. Think of going there in a few days and try to get an office.
I am especially well pleased with Kentucky and think this portion certainly a neglected portion.
I will write you again at an early day and hope then to be better able to give you full information in regard to affairs generally.
Please write me at your earliest convenience. Your affectionate son,
James H. Sims
Harwood, Texas
July 4, 1889
Dear Pa:
Your letter has been received. Would have been glad you would have been more explicit as to your condition and I would have known better how to make a prescription. It will try and prescribe for the common ailments of old men - Put the powder I enclosed in a pint of boiling water-let stand for two hours, strain and add one ounce of good whiskey. Dose - A teaspoonful two or three times a day as may be required.
Kindly write me again and tell me just how you are and I will know better what to do - Whether you are up frequently at night, if your back hurts you.
I am getting along as usual. Have a good business this year and have now the finest prospects for crops, I have ever seen in Texas. There is already a large crop of corn and cotton is growing mighty fine.
Tell Herbert if he will come to Texas I will come back with him this winter. He can find plenty to do here while pleased with the country.
There is yet plenty of sickness and the prospect for physicians to be busy during the summer.
I will be glad to see you all again and spend more time with you. I hope to see you often after the business of the Fall is well over.
Write me again. My love to the family. Your Son,
Jas H. Sims
Harwood, Texas
July 9, 1889
Dear Pa:
I ordered on yesterday from Phil, one 37 inch Wates (?) pad Double Elastic Truss. The Truss will get to you in a couple of days and kindly acknowledge the receipt as I wish to know if you received it when. I though the size rather large but had to go by the size you sent me.
Tell Herbert to bundle up and come to Texas at once. Should anything go wrong at home one or both of us can come back. I need him here, will for several months at least.
Write on receipt of this. Your Son,
Jas H. Sims
Union City, TN
10 December 1872
Letter either address to Dr. Albert Sims or Dr. James Sims
I am in receipt of your letter, addressed to the German Oculist, of the 24th. Mr Sims, enquiring about an ophthalmic infirmary in this place, the name of the Surgeon, and describing the condition of your Fathers eyes.
In reply, I have to state that I am the Oculist, but not a German, I am a native Tennessee an; perhaps it may be thought so on account of my having studied the eye in Europe.
I have no infirmary as an institution, but have some 30 or 40 different boarding houses for my patients. The facilities are ample here, and the very best boarding for $4 per week.
Send him on; he shall have the very best attention. Have patients here now from your State, as well as 13 or 14 others.
My bill for treating the class of cases you speak of your Father having ranges from $60 to $100 owing to the organic lesions the eyes may have sustained.
I remain, my dear Sir, your obedient Servant. T. J. Edwards
Lisa Allen Baggett 2003
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