Henry Sims

Notes for HENRY SIMS:

Henry 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. 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. 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, 1944, 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.

It is not known how long Albert lived in Talladega however, in 1844 he had relocated to Christian Co., Kentucky. At this time, Albert was married to Eliza and had one son, George Henry. Albert was a very well educated man, from his letters, writing and grammar, and was a gentleman farmer in Kentucky, primarily raising tobacco.

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 Mardisville, Henry met and married his first wife, Martha Louise 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. Little is known about where Henry and the children lived until Henry purchased and built a large plantation at Saint Ives, Renfroe, Talladega County, Alabama.

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. 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) Henry continued his legal practice however spent a considerable amount of time on his Talladega County planation and crops. At one point, the planation included over 1000 acres of land and included St. Ives, the home, a working gin house and school house. The primary crop was cotton which was shipped by rail to Mobile for future sale. The 18x18 "barn" currently (2002) erected across the street from Miriam Dark Sims home, Renfroe Road, Talladega, Alabama was built and located on Henry's plantation.

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.

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 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 Maxwells' Pond.)

A portrait of Henry is located in the hall at the home of Herbert and Mary Lea Sims, 206 East Coffee Street.

Henry and Martha Louise 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]

"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 hed 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 ticketat 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]

"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 hed 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 ticketat 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."

More About HENRY SIMS:

Burial: Mardisville, Talladega, AL187 Occupation: Attorney187