Genealogy. It really is one big mystery to be unraveled through time. It can take years to try and discover the proof to what I think I know.
Looking at some old records again (ok, maybe for the 100th time), I still wonder about the tenements old Grandpa John inherited from his mama who died-- well we don't know when. We do know he had the land in his 1794 will.
The things we three family researchers think we know:
John SIMMONS married Katherine CHEESEMAN around 1736 in Hampshire, England.
They have either four or five children. If it is indeed five, then the first one appears to be deceased by 1736. Maybe the boy belonged to them-- maybe not. Since I haven't found out more about the definitive of the parents, I will ignore him for now. Ignore, not forget.
The first known legit child, we think, is John SIMMONS who was christened 1736 in the only church on the island of Portsea, St Mary's.
The second legit child, we think, is William SIMMONS who is c. around 1737 in the same parish church.
The next two children are girls-- one dying as a young toddler, and the other hasn't been followed.
Of interest in this mystery is William. He may have married Elizabeth TOLLERVEY. At least, some people have them married, but with no proof noted.
According to the Hampshire Burial Records, William is buried in Portsea in February 1831.
Now to the biggest mystery of the day. Remember John, the alleged first legit child? His 1794 will in New York mentions land in Hanover Row, Portsea, Hampshire, England. Did William also own this land with him? To whom did the land belong in the first place? Was it land of the father who allegedly dies c. 1742 or the land of the stepfather, James HILL? Does William, who was buried in February 1831, have living blood grandchildren around to help with the mystery?
More information on the Portsea of old as it pertains to this quest can be
read here.
Ahh, genealogy. Jolly old England might hold the answers. Want to send me to find out?
