Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Semmes Branch

The Semmes - many variations to this name, such as Simms, Semmes, Symmes, Sim, and Simmons - of my maternal family tree isn't as extensive as the Boone and Sweat branches, nor the Hagan branch, but, as with every branch of the family tree, big or small, it plays a part in the ultimate descent to, well, me.

I've been able to trace back, through a varied and winding path, to Marmaduke Semmes, the first, but not the last using the name Marmaduke, though - at least for me - thankfully it didn't get passed down once the Semmes branch of my tree merged with other family names. You never know, my paretns could have named me Marmaduke. Oy! Anyhow, nice name, but . . . my 8 x great-grandfather Marmaduke Semmes was born in Gloucestershire, England around 1635. He immigrated to America, Maryland to be exact, as did a good portion of the members that make up the branches of the Boone side of my family tree, in 1666. He married Fortuna Watson-Medford, widow of Bulmer Medford, and daughter of William Watson, in 1668 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Fortuna had one child by her first husband: Thomas Medford (b. about 1657 in St. Mary's County, Maryland; d. June 24, 1719 in Kent County, Maryland).

Marmaduke Semmes and Fortuna Watson-Medford had the following children . . .
  • Anthony Semmes - b. about 1669 in St. Mary's County, Maryland; d. January 12, 1708 in Charles County, Maryland
  • James Semmes - b. 1670 in St. George, Charles County, Maryland; d. March 12, 1728 in Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland
  • John Semmes - b. 1673 in Charles County, Maryland; d. January 12, 1724 in Charles County, Maryland
  • Marmaduke Semmes II - b. 1675 in Charles County, Maryland; d. July 29, 1717 in Newport, Charles County, Maryland

Abstract of the Last Will and Testament of Marmaduke Semmes

Simms, Marmaduke, St Mary's Co, 17th Aug, 1690; 20th Mar., 1692-3.

To son Anthony, part of land bought of Mr. Thomas, and 400 A, "Simms' Forest," Cecil Co.
To son James, 300 A, "Middle Plantation."
To wife Fortune, extx, dwelling plantation and residue of all land during life.
To sons John and Marmaduke, sd. land at death of their mother, at majority.
Test: Jno. Cornish, Thos. Simpson, Sarah Graves, Rich'd Edelen, Thos. Cullum. 6. 42.
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I03895

Abstract of the Last Will and Testament of Fortuna Watson-Medford-Semmes
Semmes (Semme), Fortune, 1st May, 1699; 10th Dec 1701.
To son. John Semmes and hrs., 319 A., part of 838 A., " St. George's," bought by late husband, Marmaduke Semmes, from Thos. Simpson.
to son Marmaduke Semmes and hrs,, 319 A., part of tract afsd.
to son Anthony Semmes and hrs., 200 A., residue of tract afsd.
to son Thomas Medford, Thomas, son of sd. Thomas, and Marmaduke, son of Anthony Semnies, afsd,, personalty.
to Sons John and Marmaduke afsd., exs. and residuary legatees of estate, real and personal.
Test: Edward Potter, Geo. Griggs, Jane Harris. MCW 11.200

James Semmes married Mary Goodrick (b. March 13, 1673 in Charles County, Maryland; d. October 31, 1746 in Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland), daughter of Robert Goodrick and Elizabeth (surname unknown, but some sources claim Clarkson) in 1728 in Prot Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland. They had the following children . . .
  • Joseph Milburn Semmes - b. about 1695 in Chandlers Town, Charles County, Maryland; d. 1731 unknown
  • Susannah Semmes - b. 1696 in Charles County, Maryland; d. 1766 in Maryland
  • Marmaduke Semmes IV - b. 1701 in Chandlers Town, Charles County, Maryland; d. September 23, 1772 in Charles County, Maryland
  • James Semmes II - b. 1702 in Chandlers Town, Charles County, Maryland; d. 1799 unknown
  • Ignatius Semmes - b. about 1705 in Chandlers Town, Charles County, Maryland; d. April 27, 1741 in Charles County, Maryland
  • Anne Semmes - b. about 1709 in Chandlers Town, Charles County, Maryland; d. unknown
  • Juliana Semmes - b. about 1711 in Chandlers Town, Charles County, Maryland; d. February 2, 1736 in Charles County, Maryland
  • Mary Semmes - b. 1724 in Charles County, Maryland; d. unknown
After the death of her husband James, Mary married John Speake in 1728 in Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland.

The Last Will and Testament of James Semmes
Friend, Mr. William Chandler, and his assigns forever, all my right and title to that parcel of land I bought of him at Port Tobacco, called "Burnt Quarter."
Son Marmaduke Semmes, all that part of my land called "Chandler's Invention," which lies on the east side of Port Tobacco Fresh, from the northernmost part thereof down the said Fresh as far as a path that leads from Andrew Simpson's quarter to John Ashman's; also one negro man, Andrew, and all my wearing apparel.
Wife, Mary Semmes, during her life, my land, plantation and premises whereon I now live.
Sons Joseph Milburn Semmes and Ignatius Semmes after their mother's death my aforesaid plantation and land and premises before devised to my said wife, for equal division between them.
Son Ignatius Semmes, Daughter Mary Semmes, Wife Mary, during her life, the remaining part of my land called "Chandler's Invention" not devised to son Marmaduke, and after her death to go equally between my two sons, Joseph Milburn Semmes and Ignatius Semmes.
Daughter Anne Semmes, Daughter Juliana Semmes, Daughter Susannah Semmes,
Daughters Mary, Ann, Juliana and Susannah, after their mother's death, certain items of personal estate, but if any of them die in their nonage, said legacies to go to my Sons Joseph Milburn Semmes and Ignatius Semmes.
Son James Semmes, 3,000 pounds of tobacco.
Sons Marmaduke, James, Joseph Milburn, Ignatius, and daughters Mary, Ann, Juliana, Susannah, the residue of personal estate for equal division.
Executors: My wife, Mary Semmes, and my son, Marmaduke Semmes.
Codicil to Last Will and Testament of James Semmes
Dated: August 7, 1727
Son James Semmes, all the money I have or may recover in Liverpool, which I empowered Mr. Garard Slye to recover by power of attorney, provided it doth not exceed £70 sterling, and the overplus I give to my Wife Mary Semmes, over and above what my will gives her, and to her also I give one-third of my cattle, hogs, horses, sheep and household goods, and above what my Will gives her and to her also all my tann'd leather.
Witnesses to Will: Peter Atwood, Juliana Simpson, Robert Hanson. Witnesses to Codicil: James Nicols, Robert Hanson. Will dated August 5, 1727; codicil dated August 7, 1727; proved March 12, 1727-28, by three witnesses to the Will.
Abstract of the Last Will and Testament of Mary Goodrick-Semmes-Speake
Charles County, Maryland 25 Sep, 1746; 31 Oct, 1746
Child: MARMADUKE SEMMES, JAMES SEMMES, JOSEPH MILBURN SEMMES,
MARY CAVANAUGH, Anne WARD, SUSANNA JOHNSON, ELIZABETH SPEAKE, ANN
WARD.
Grand-child.: IGNATIUS SEMMES, MONICA JOHNSON, JULIANA WARD,
Cousin WILLIAM GOODRICH.
Marmaduke Semmes., Jos. Milburn Semmes,. exs.
Wit: Betty Jenefer, Robert Hanson, Betty Hanson. MCW 24.512

Susannah Semmes married John Johson (b. 1705 in Prince George's County, Maryland; d. 1766 in Prince George's County, Maryland) son of John Johnson and Mary Dove prior to 1724. They had the following children . . .
  • John Johnson - b. after 1724 in Charles County, Maryland; d. unknown
  • James Johnson - b. about 1725 in Charles County, Maryland; d. March 30, 1799 in Charles County, Maryland
  • Monica Johnson - b. after 1726 in Charles County, Maryland; d. 1807 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Mary Anne Johnson - b. Charles County, Maryland; d. August 10, 1818 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Joseph Johnson - b. Charles County Maryland; d. after 1792 in Charles County, Maryland
Monica Johnson married James Hagan (b. 1725 in Charles County, Maryland; d. October 1775 in Frederick County, Maryland), son of Thomas Hagan and Sarah Mudd, on 1745. They had the following children . . .
  • Mary Hagan - b. 1750 in Maryland; d. 1814 unknown
  • James Hagan - b. 1761 in St. Mary's County, Maryland; d. 1814 in Washington County, Kentucky
  • Susannah Hagan - b. 1762 in Maryland; d. 1807 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Sarah Hagan - b. 1764 in Maryland; d. unknown
  • Edward Hagan - b. 1765 in Maryland; d. 1831 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Clement Phillip Hagan - b. 1766 in Maryland; d. May 15, 1844 in Holy Cross, Marion County, Kentucky
  • Aliege Hagan - b.1769 in Maryland; d. October 7, 1855 in Pottinger's Creek Settlement, Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Tabitha Hagan - . 1774 in St. Mary's County, Maryland; d. February 14, 1853 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky
Tabitha Hagan married Enoch Hagan (b. about 1770 in St. Mary's County, Maryland; d. 1834 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky), son of Bennett Hagan and Ann (surname unknown), on May 20, 1797 in Nelson County, Kentucky. They had the following children . . .
  • Valentine Hagan - b. about 1799 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Louisa Hagan - b. 1801 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. July 26, 1866 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Nathaniel Hagan - b. 1802 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Matilda Hagan - b. 1804 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. June 17, 1876 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Catherine Hagan - b. 1807 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Austin Hagan - b. February 8, 1809 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. November 9, 1871 in Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky
  • Monica Hagan - b. about 1811 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. 1860 unknown
  • Edward Hagan - b. about 1813 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • James Hagan - b. about 1813 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. May 1, 1878 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Mary Hagan - b. about 1814 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Rosena Hagan - b. 1818 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. April 2, 1896 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky
The Last Will and Testament of Enoch Hagan

June 9, 1834
In the name of God Amen I Enoch HAGAN of the County of Nelson state of
Kentucky being sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory thanks be giving unto God calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I do make & ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors. Further doubting but at the general resurection I shall receive the same again by the Mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
1st. I desire all my just debts to be paid by my administrator.
2nd. give to my beloved wife Tabitha HAGAN all of my estate both persoality and real her singal life if she maries she is to have only the third part ofmy estate.
3rd. At my wife Tabitha Hagan deth or marage my estate is to be
divided in the following manner all my estate is to be divided between all my sons and daughters that is to say Monica Roberts the wife of Charles Roberts, Mary Burba the wife of Alinson Burba, Louisa Newton the wife of Clement Newton, Matilda Avis the wife of Basil Avis, Nathaniel Hagan, Valentine Hagan, Austin Hagan, Edward Hagan, James Hagan, Rosena Hagan, all my sons and daughters. I also give to Nathaniel Hagan and Valentine Hagan, Edward Hagan and James Hagan twenty five dollars each of them more than the rest. I also give my daughter Rosena Haganthirty dollars extra also my daughter Matilda Avis wife of Basil Avis eighteen dollars extra also I gave to the Revd. Robert Simms five dollars to say masses after my deth for me also I gave my son Austin Hagan five dollars. I leave my wife Tabitha Hagan and my son Edward Hagan my administrators. And I do hereby utterly disallow revok and disannul all and any other former testament or will legacies bequeath and executives by me in any wise before claimed willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in writing whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Signed in the presence of James Ballard, Randolph Hagan, Enoch Hagan, Charles Hagan, Martin Hill
Proved in Court at NelsonCounty Kentucky June 9, 1834.

Tabitha Hagan assigned her right of Administration to Peter Stewart having placed bond with Thomas Ballard, Charles Roberts and John Roberts.
NELSON COUNTY WILL Bk. G Pages 326 and 327

William Henry Boone married Rosena Hagan (b. 1818 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. April 2, 1896 in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky), daughter of Enoch Hagan and Tabitha Hagan, on February 8, 1838 in Nelson County, Kentucky. William Henry and Rosena's grandfather's were brothers (James and Benjamin Hagan), so they had the same great-grandparents: Thomas Hagan and Sarah Mudd Hagan. They had the following children . . .
  • Elizabeth Boone - b. about 1839 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. March 8, 1916 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Edward Boone - b. about 1840 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Thomas Boone - b. about 1842 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • William Boone - b. about 1844 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Ann Catherine Boone - b. September 1, 1845 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Charles Henry Boone - b. September 20, 1847 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • John H Boone - b. about 1849 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. unknown
  • Miles Nicholas Boone - b. May 15, 1851 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. February 23, 1932 in Nelson County, Kentucky
Rosena Hagan married William Peake after the death of her husband William Henry Boone.
Miles Nicholas Boone married three times. First he married Rosa Jane Duvall (b. January 20, 1852 in Marion County, Kentucky; d. November 13, 1882 in Marion County, Kentucky), daughter of James D. Duvall and Charlotte Cambron, on March 20, 1871. They had the following children . . .

  • William "Bill" Boone - b. March 12, 1872 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. March 19, 1872 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Victor Ivo Boone - b. October 12, 1873 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. February 26, 1954 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Anna Belle Boone - b. June 5, 1876 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. March 2, 1947 in Jefferson County, Kentucky
  • William H. Boone (- b. June 15, 1878 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. December 4, 1955 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Milburn B. Boone - b. February 12, 1881 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. November 17, 1881 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Milburn A. Boone - b. November 13, 1882 in New Haven, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. April 15, 1938 in Nelson County, Kentucky

Note: Rosa Jane Duvall-Boone died hours after giving birth to her last child. Miles Nicholas Boone married his step-sister (Rosena Hagan-Boone having married William Peake after her husband's death) Amanda N. Peake a few months after his first wife's death. Lastly, he married Laura Price.

Victor Ivo Boone married Mary Willie Watson (. b. May 21, 1872 in Kentucky; d. February 2, 1952 in Nelson County, Kentucky), daughter of Richard Hilary Watson and Annie Johnson, on October 26, 1895 in Nelson County, Kentucky. They had the following children . . .
  • Rose Louise Boone - b. June 25, 1896 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. May 6, 1984 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Bernadette Boone - b. September 12, 1897 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. March 8, 1899 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Mary Willie Boone - b. October 21, 1898 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. April 4, 1981 in Lebanon Junction, Bullitt County, Kentucky
  • Stella Marie Boone - b. December 12, 1899 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. January 4, 1983 in Jefferson County, Kentucky
  • Joseph Miles Boone - b. February 17, 1901 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. November 28, 1967 in Bullitt County, Kentucky
  • Victor Ivo Boone II - b. January 10, 1903 in Gesthsemane, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. March 31, 1934 in Jefferson County, Kentucky
  • John Cripps Boone - b. August 31, 1904 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. 1965 in Lebanon Junction, Bullitt County, Kentucky
  • Mary Bernadette Boone - b. October 10, 1906 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. September 15, 1907 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • David Cyprian Boone - b. August 12, 1908 in Nelson County, Kentucky; d. November 28, 1982 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Mary Elizabeth Boone - August 21, 1910 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. March 30, 1991 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Felix Bernard Boone - b. April 2, 1912 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. December 14, 1994 in Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Mary Jessie Boone - b. December 23, 1913 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. June 25, 1997 in New Haven, Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Mary Alberta Boone - b. May 26, 1915 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. January 9, 1998 in Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Kentucky
  • Mary Kathleen Boone - b. September 30, 1917 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. March 21, 2006 in New Haven, Nelson County, Kentucky
  • Margaret Ellen Boone - b. March 30, 1919 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky; d. August 13, 1919 in New Hope, Nelson County, Kentucky

Note: I always wondered where the use of middle names versus first names came from, and I'm guessing it started with this generation of the family. I remember my mother referring to her Aunts: Jessie, Alberta, and Kathleen. I guess calling for Aunt Mary would be quite confusing. Ha! Seriously, my mother goes by her middle name, as did most of her siblings, and she called my brother and I by our middle names. I believe it's a Southern thing, but, at least in my family, I can trace back to the generation where it began.

Mary Willie Boone married William Oscar Sweat, son of William Joshua Sweat and Margaret Morris. They had ten children, thirty-six grandchildren, and too many great and great-great grandchildren to count.

And here ends, at least for this blog post, the descent of my family concerning the Mudd branch!

4 comments:

  1. marmaduke semmes is my 9th great grandfather
    my name is joseph simms

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joseph, He was my 10th great grandfather. John Simms Vienna, VA simms84@gmail.com

      Delete
    2. Joseph, He was my 10th great grandfather. John Simms Vienna, VA simms84@gmail.com

      Delete
  2. Hello! I've been trying to get more information on my Sims heritage, but not sure how accurate my lineage is that I've compiled on Ancestry.com. Still trying to figure it all out.

    ReplyDelete