Simms/Sims of Maryland, Hancock, Coweta and Newton Counties

Philip L. Simms died 1834 in Hancock County. Philip L. Simms to divide Negroes according to LWT of Thomas Parker, deceased (page 354) Hancock County Court of Ordinary 1799-1817 and on page 422 he was appointed executor of the estate of Joseph Biggam, deceased.

"Ordered that a tavern license be granted Philip L. Simms to retail spirituous liquors at his place of residence for one year beginning 7 December 1808." Hancock Co. Inferior Court Minutes 1809-1833. This license was renewed annually.

On 5 February 1824 Philip L. Simms was appointed deputy clerk of the Inferior and Ordinary Court of Hancock Co. (page 331, Hancock County Inferior Court Minutes 1809-1833), and on page 29, he was appointed Constable in Capt. Burches district.

Known Issue:

Richard L. Simms was born 1796 in Maryland (Page 425 1850 Newton County Census), lawyer. Wife, Jerusha, born 1810. He removed to Newton County. His LWT dated 1856, probated 31 May 1856 in Newton County. To his wife, Jerusha Simms, he left the following Negroes: Isaac, Gib, Peggy and her two children, Gideon and Julius, Hannah and her child Laura. To daughter, Sarah Lee Simms, the following Negroes: George, Lewis, Tabitha, Angelina and her 3 children who were Minerva, Julia and Charlie. He gave his son, Richard Lee Simms, the following Negroes: Wash, Jim, Nancy Jane and her 2 children were Mack and Leroy. He gave to his son, Arthur Benjamin Simms, Negroes: Willis, Frances, Milies, Lugenia and her 2 children which were Nelson and Bailey. He gave to his daughher, Lucy Jane Simms, the following Negroes: Wiley, Wesley, Edy, Elvra and her 3 children who were Lena, Lucius and Olive. He stated that he had already given to his son, James Phillip Simms. To his wife he left an estate in 400 acres and his residence in Covington. He appointed Sarah Lee Simms and James Phillip Simms ad Executors. The estate was appraised again 8 August 1866 which probably meant that the widow had since died and since she had a life estate it had to be reappraised. A. B. Simms signed a receipt for the balance of the estate in 1863 due him from his guardian, Augustus H. Lee. From the estate receipts and vouchers it appears that there was a house and lot in Covington, 400 acres upon which the widow resided, 222 acres, 154 acres, 158 acres, and 300 acres known as the Forman Place. Also, a lot in Gordon County of 250 acres, a lot in Covington consisting of 4.3 acres and another lot in Covington of 5.7 acres, a lot in Oxford, and a lot in Rabun County and Townes County. Issue:

Sarah Lee Simms, born 1836 in Hancock County
James Phillip Simms, born 1838 in Hancock County
Richard Lee Simms, born 1838 in Hancock County
Arthur Benjamin Simms, born 1841 in Hancock County.
Lucy Jane Simms, born 1848 in Newton County.
Hancock County, Georgia, Court of Ordinary Minutes 1817-37, the LWT of Philip L. Simms, Esquire, late of this county, being produced into court by Richard L. Simms and Nathan C. Sayre, the nominated executors. Monday 6 January 1834. (Letters of Administration were issued). This estate continued for years. On page 822, 4 January 1835, Philip L. Simms deceased Account CUrrent by Richard L. Simms, administrator, showing a balance due the estate of $160.01; Inferior Court Minutes 1838-53, page 40, Phil L. Simms, deceased account current; page 179....Phil L. Simms deceased account current by Nathan C. Sayre, executor. Balance due estate on 19 April 1844 - $260.10." On May 7, 1849, $226.63 was still outstanding on the estate. The general location of his home is indicated in Hancock County Inferior Court Minutes (1809-1833), page 45, when a road was built "leading from the old County line below James H. Jones's plantation towards Baxters Mill as far as the stoney ridge and the following hands work thereon, viz, Robert Porter, John L. Alford, Frances Biggam, Doct Asahel Smith, Philip L. Simms, David Butler, Hugh Taylor, John Chambers, Edmund Greene, Alexander Martin, Widow Rountree's, James Hall, Richard Sandeford, James Sandeford, Harris Sandeford, James H. Jones, Willow Long, Elias Boyer, Charles Abercrombie, Senr, Charles Abercrombie Junr, Thomas Haynes, Joel Crawford, James Trippe, Richard H. Carew, Lewis C. Holland, Randolph Holland, Oliver Skinner, Robert Spratt, Edmond Y. Evans, Thomas Biggam, Evon Mershon, Thomas Thweatt, John Hampton, John Snider and Joseph Hall."