Lauderdale County AlArchives Biographies.....Simpson, John August 17, 1790 - December 13, 1865
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Roger Williamson rogerella8@aol.com January 28, 2015, 11:36 pm

Source: see below
Author: Roger Williamson

JOHN SIMPSON

        John Simpson was born in Tyrone County, Ireland on 17 August 1790. 
Prior to his coming to America, John was a merchant in the city of Belfast, 
Ireland in 1816. He came to America at request of James Jackson, also of 
Belfast, Ireland in 1817. He boarded Ship Nestor at Belfast, Ireland in 1817. 
He arrived at Philadelphia, United States on 29 August 1817. He was 26 years 
old. His occupation was merchant. He brought three boxes, desk, bed and 
bedding. He first located at Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee but a year 
later he came to what is now Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama. He settled 
in Florence City, Alabama at the very beginning of permanent settlement in that 
corner of Alabama. He opened a store which soon became one of the leading 
mercantile establishments in that part of the country. He built a frame house 
on two acres and later bought a big plantation in Colbert Reserve. He built a 
cotton warehouse on Tennessee River. He owned over 200 slaves. 
     After seven years, in 1825 he had settle himself in northern Alabama, John 
Simpson went back to Belfast, Ireland to marry his sweetheart of his youth, 
Margaret Patton, a daughter of William Patton, her mother being a member of the 
prominent Irish family of Tennent. John’s wife, Margaret Patton was born in 
Belfast, Ireland on 30 September 1794.  Margaret was pregnant with two months. 
John and Margaret Patton boarded ship Tuscarora from Liverpool, England to 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, They arrived Philadelphia on 1 January (New Year’s 
Day) 1825. 
     Returning to Florence with his wife, he lived there the remainder of his 
days. John was a man of great wealth and one of the leading businessmen of 
Alabama. He was one of our brothers, two of who died in Florence and one in 
Ireland. 
     In 1840, he built mansion of slave-made bricks between Court and Pine 
street, still standing (University of Alabama campus). He also built large 
home, now as Irving Place. He retired from business in 1855. He had seven sons 
and two daughters. One son was killed at Battle of Manassas of Civil War. He 
was buried with honored military service in Florence City Cemetery in 1861. 
Another son, Isaac Patton Simpson was drowned while bathing in Cypress Creek, 
near Florence, Alabama 26 June 1841. John’s wife, Margaret Patton passed away 
in Florence City 22 August 1851. She was buried in Florence City Cemetery. John 
Simpson passed away in Florence City, Alabama on 13 December 1865. He was 
buried in Florence City cemetery. Two brothers of John Simpson: Hugh Simpson 
was born in Ireland 23 January 1796. He passed away in Florence City on 18 
August 1860. He was buried in Florence City Cemetery. Thomas Simpson was born 
in Ireland on 9 June 1797. He passed away in Florence on 6 August 1868. He was 
buried in Florence City Cemetery.

John Simpson’s realty holdings were valued at $48,640 in 1850 and $85,000 in 
1860.



Bibliography: 

1.	A History of Lauderdale County, Alabama
2.	History of Alabama and her people
3.	The Florence Times, 29 June 1894
4.	Lauderdale County, Alabama Biographies
5.	Alabama Portraits Prior to 1870
6.	Alabama Official and Statistical Register
7.	Ancestry-Ship immigrants and passenger lists
8.	Philadelphia Immigrants and Passenger lists 1800-1825 with Ancestry.com
9.	Florence City Cemetery records






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