Murdock Middleton “Steve” Simmons and Louisa Clarinda Thigpen

Murdock Middleton SIMMONS
and
Louisa Clarinda THIGPEN

Murdock Middleton “Steve” SIMMONS was born 4 Oct 1863 in Mississippi, 5th son and 6th of 7 children of Robert “Reuben” SIMMONS and Frances (Smith) SIMMONS.

Robert married Louisa Clarinda THIGPEN. Louisa was born 7 Sept 1857 to James THIGPEN and Mary ELizabeth (Kennedy) THIGPEN.

Granddaughter Ethel Lorena only gave as M. M. “Steve” on a genealogy sheet. She gave him as born in 1868 and that he came from “near Magnolia, Mississippi?” which would be Pike County.

M. M.’s tombstone in the Lang-Simmons’ Cemetery gives him as born 4 Oct 1863 but he is observed in the 1860 census already aged 6 months. He was the 5th son and 6th of 7 children of Robert “Reuben” SIMMONS and Frances (Smith) SIMMONS.

Ethel Simmons Hennesy further stated on her grandfather that he “farmed all his life. Settled in Sheridan, LA and buried on Home Place.” She gave him as dying 21 April 1936.

Bob Ann Breland states, “Murdock Middleton Simmons, called Stephen in the census and “Steve” by his family, was born Oct. 4, 1863, died Apr. 21, 1936. (Census gives birthdate as 1859.) He was named for Murdock Middleton Wilson, his uncle. Murdock Wilson was married to Martha Smith, a sister to Frances Smith. The Wilsons came to Mississippi with with Reuben and Frances Simmons. “Steve”
married Clarinda Thigpen, born Sept. 7, 1859, died Aug. 29, 1907.”

Middleton and Louisa had 9 children:

• Euna Emily SIMMONS b. 13 1882, died 25 May 1949 at about 67 in Bogalusa LA. She married John H. RESTER b. 8 Feb 1880, died 12 April 1949. They are buried at the Ponemah Cemetery in Bogalusa LA. Their 12 children were: Julia, Elma D., Charles Otis, Robert Reid, Lona Marie, Margie May, James and Jewel (twins), Clara Florie and Hiram. (Source: Bob Ann Breland)
• Lucius (Lucious) Theodore SIMMONS b. 29 Dec. 1883 in Franklinton, Washington Parish, LA, married Annie KNIGHT.
• Dewitt SIMMONS b. 14 Dec 1886, died 17 Nov 1978, married Cornelia Jane ARD born 1 Nov. 1893, died 25 April 1963. Both are buried at the Rester Cemetery in Varnado LA. Their 5 children were: Mary Aline, Doyle Davidson, James Merles, William Howell, Nellie Ruth. (Source: Bob Ann Breland)
• Ella Murdis (Myrtis) SIMMONS b. 31 Oct. 1888 died 3 March 1971. Married Thomas Luther CORKERN b. 9 May 1882, died 28 March 1966. They are buried at the Corkern Cemetery near Sheridan LA. Their 9 children were: Ruby May, Thomas Locy, Clarence Oneal, Horace Elton, Willis Denman, Carl Willard, Doris Louella, Wilfred Melvin, James Coleman. (Source: Bob Ann Breland)
• Mary Elizabeth SIMMONS b. 20 May 1891 and died 25 Feb 1978. She married Milton “Milt” Burns BATEMAN. Milton was born 27 Nov 1887 and died 17 Oct 1948. Delores Tousineau gives both as buried at the Ellis Cemetery in Franklinton. Their 5 children were: Emily Clara, Myford Lavelle, Jason James, Ella Kathleen, Fannie LaRee (Source: Bob Ann Breland)
• John Benjamin SIMMONS, born 5 Jan 1894, died 6 Feb 1981, married Daisy BOOKTER, born 10 Dec 1897, died August 1975. They are buried in the Lang-Simmons Cemetery at Sheridan. Their 4 children were: Quinton Underwood, John Kermit, James Clay and Jeanette Louise. (Source: Bob Ann Breland)
• Frances SIMMONS, born 1 June 1896, died 11 Feb 1983, married Willson Osacar PASSMAN, born 10 June 1887, died 19 Feb. 1968. They are buried at Baton Rouge. Their 8 children were: Emilia, John William, Marguerite, Steve Larue, Janice Kay, Mary Alice, Donnice and Bobby Ray. (Source: Bob Ann Breland)
• Charles Jewell SIMMONS b. 28 Nov 1898, died 7 Nov 1947, married Alice ENGLESDORF b. 25 Aug 1904, died 17 Jan 1965. They are buried in the Lang-Simmons Cemetery at Sheridan, LA. Their 4 children were: Jewel Edward, Dudley Lamar, Mary Eugenia, Helen Louisa.
• James F. “Bud” SIMMONS b. 5 April 1902, died 19 Oct 1979, married Alma NOBLES b. 9 August 1905, died in an automobile accident 12 June 1959. They are buried in the Lang-Simmons cemetery at Sheridan, LA. Their 2 children were: Nita Pearl and Syble Fay. James F. “Bud” Simmons married (2nd) Aline BATES, born 1906, died 29 Sept 1990. She is buried in the Ponemah Cemetery at Bogalusa LA. (Source: Bob Ann Breland)

Louisa Clarinda Thigpen SIMMONS died 29 Aug 1907 at 49. She is buried at the Simmons-Pope Cemetery in Washington Parish LA.

After the death of Louisa, Murdock married (2nd) Ophie Ginn POPE, born 14 Marcy 1879, died 6 April 1941. She is buried at the Lang-Simmons cemetery.

Ophie had been married before to Ernest L. POPE and had 4 children:

• Henry T. POPE died at age 5 and is buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery at Columbia, MS.
• Edgie L. POPE b. 26 Jan 1901, d. 5 Nov. 1962. Married Emmett SMITH b. 12 Jan 1897, died 5 Nov. 1974. They are buried at the Smith Cemetery near Sheridan LA.
• Richard “Dick” POPE, b. 16 Dec 1902, d. 14 July 1963. Married Linda BRUMFIELD b. 16 Dec. 1900, d. 13 April 1979. They are buried in the Lang-Simmons Cemetery at Sheridan.
• Maxie Pearl POPE.

The 1880 census.

Supervisor’s Dist. No. 3
Enumeration Dist. No. 37 ?
Schedule 1 – Inhabitants in 1st District, Beat 1, in the County of Pike, State of Miss.
Enumerated on the 9th and 10th day of June
W. L. Tate
339
(page 15 at Ancestry.com)
126/127 SIMMONS Reuben w m 60 md. Farmer (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t read or write b. NC parents b. NC
w f Frances 59 wife md. Keeps house can’t write b. AL father b. SC mother b. GA
w m John 16 son single Farm hand (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t read or write b. MS father b. NC mother b. AL
w m Narcissus 10 daughter single At home maimed or crippled, can’t read or write b. MS
127/128 SMITH Ward w m 81 Farming (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) b. SC parents b. SC
1880 MS PIKE CO DISTRICT 38
Page no. 16D
Supervisor’s Dist. No. 3
Enumeration Dist. No. 37 ?
Schedule 1 – Inhabitants in 1st District, Beat 1, in the County of Pike, State of Miss.
Enumerated on the 10th day of June
W. L. Tate
(page 16 at Ancestry.com)
Easter wf 77 wife md Keeps home (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t read or write, b. GA, parents b. GA
128/129 SIMMONS Steve wm 22 md farmer (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) b. MS father b. NC mother b. AL
Clarinda wf 22 wife md Keeps house b. MS parents b. MS
129/130 LANG James wm 25 md farmer (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t write b. MS father b. MS mother b. MS
Maryann wf 28 wife md Keeps house b. AL father b. NC mother b. AL
Fannie wf 5 daughter sg Attends school b. MS father b. MS mother b. AL
Monroe wm 3 son sg At home b. MS father b. MS mother b. AL
Esco wm 7/12 b. Nov At home b. MS father b. MS mother b. AL
130/131 LUIN Joseph black 55 and Maitann ? and household
131/132 ALLEN Emperor? black 60 and Mary 60 and household
132/133 Nancy BALL black 49 and Jane PIGOT black 15 and household
133/134 ALLEN Wiliam 28 and Elizabeth 20 and househhold
134/135 ALLEN Celina 17 and Permelia 20 and household
135/136 JONSON Arrena 36 and SELLERS Ella 16 and household
136/137 LANG Columbus wm 28 farmer (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t read or write b. MS parents b. MS
Elizabeth wf 23 wife md. Keeps house b. MS parents b. MS
Rosa wf 3 daughter s. At home b. MS parents b. MS
Aman wf 1 son sg. At home b. MS parents b. MS
1880 MS PIKE CO DISTRICT 38
Page no. 16D
Supervisor’s Dist. No. 3
Enumeration Dist. No. 37 ?
Schedule 1 – Inhabitants in 1st District, Beat 1, in the County of Pike, State of Miss.
Enumerated on the 10th day of June
W. L. Tate
340
(page 17 at Ancestry.com)
137/138 PHELPS Isiah wm 30 md. Farming (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t read or write b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
Maryanne wf 35 wife md Keeping house can’t read or write b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
Athenson ? wm 12 Son sg At school attending school can’t read or write b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
Roberts wm 7 Son sg At home attending school b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
Ida wf 3 Daughter sg At home b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
Ada A. wf 8/12 b. Sept. Daughter sg At home b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
BROWN William T. wm 18 Stepson sg Farm hand (appears to be) (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t read or write b. AL (rest illegible as page dark)
138/139 THIGPEN James wm 47 md. Farmer (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
Elizabeth wm (error) 24 m. House keeper can’t read or write b. LA (rest illegible as page dark)
Edna wf 16 daughter sg Field hand can’t write b. LA (rest illegible as page dark)
Julia wf 13 daughter sg Works in Field (check mark in number of months unemployed during year) can’t write b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)
Nancy wf 11 daughter sg. At school can’t read or write b. MS (rest illegible as page dark)

I have looked and looked and looked and can’t find any of these Simmons or Lang families in 1900.

The 1910 census.

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Police Jury Ward 5, Washington, Louisiana; Roll T624_534; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 400.
36/36 SIMMONS M> M. 48 married 2nd time 0 years b. MS parents b. AL farmer
Ophia wife 33 married 2nd time 0 years, 3 of 4 children surviving b. MS parents b. AL
John son 16 b. MS parents b. MS
Frances daughter 12
Jewell 10 b. LA
James son 8
Macie daughter 1

Children not remaining children very long, it looks like Ophie’s son Dick, may be working as a servant (I can’t find her eldest daughter):

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Police Jury Ward 5, Washington, Louisiana; Roll T624_534; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 397.
14/14 KNIGHT James W. 53 married once 30 years b. LA father b. LA mother b. MS
Canninniger? (some impossibly long name) wife 48 married once, 4 of 6 children surviving b. LA father b. LA mother b. AL
Irene daughter 15 b. LA parents b. LA
Pope Dick servant 10 b. MS parents b. MS
JENKINS Delia M. granddaughter 1 b. LA parents b. LA

The 1920 census.

1920 LOUISIANA WASHINGTON PARISH CENSUS EXTRACT

pg. 8B
340/340 SIMMONS Lucius own 36 b. MS parents b. MS farmer
Annie 31 b. LA parents b. LA
Ethel 14 b. LA
Estus 12
Izra or Ingra son 10
Esra 6
Loyd 3 and 5/12
341/341 SIMMONS Murdock own 59 b. MS father b. AL mother b. AL
Opha 49 b. MS parents b. MS
James 17 b. LA parents b. MS
POPE Maxie daughter 16 b. MS parents b MS

The 1930 census.

1930 Police Jury Ward 5, Washington Parish, Louisiana
223/230 SIMMONS Steve Head O m w 74 m. at 18 b. MS parents b. MS Farmer, General Farm
Ophia wife 52 m. at 15 b. MS parents b. MS
223/231 BRUMFIELD illegible head R 28 md at 24 b. MS parents b. MS Printing Operator, Printing
Marie wife 24 m. at 21 b. LA parents b. MS
Gwendolyn Daughter 1 and 5/12 b. LA father b. MS mother b. LA
224/232 Thomas JOHN and Minnie
225/233 POPE Richard C. O 28 md at 19? b. MS parents b. MS Farmer, General Farm
Linda 28 md at 19? b. LA parents b. LA
Charles 8 b. LA
Ray 5 b. LA
Ernest 1 and 3/12?? b. LA
226/234 HINES Jason and Lizzie
227/235 LANG Albert Head R 60 md at 19 b. MS parents b. MS Farmer, General Farm
Narsis Wife 50 md at 19 parents b. SC
Seldon Son 18 b. LA parents b. MS Farm Laborer, General Farm
230 SMITH Hubert Head R 23 md. at 19 b. LA parents b. LA Painter, Painting
Fannie wife 25 md at 20 b. LA parents b. LA
Betty Jean Daughter 3 b. LA parents b. LA