Thomas Simpson

b. circa 8 January 1833, d. 12 November 1907
  • Thomas Simpson was born circa 8 January 1833 in Parish of Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland.
  • William Simpson and Jean Craig appeared in the British census of 6 June 1841 in Parish of Muirkirk, Kyle District, Ayrshire, Scotland, at Main Street. Other members of the household included Thomas Simpson, William Simpson, Margaret Simpson and James Simpson.
  • Jean Craig appeared in the British census of 30 March 1851 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland, at Carlisle Road. Other members of the household included Thomas Simpson, William Simpson. Also in the household were visitors Jane Simpson (age 6) born in Muirkirk, and Marion Simpson (age 4), born in Auchenenheath, Lanarkshire. Living nearby are William and Margaret Muir, who may be the parents of George Muir in Holytown, with whose family Marg/Mary Simpson (age 13), possibly Jean Craig Simpson's daughter, is enumerated as a servant. Further research is required.
  • He was an iron roller, according to the 1851 census.
  • Marriage banns for Thomas Simpson and Jennett Brown were proclaimed on 13 February 1853 at Parish of Barony, Lanarkshire, Scotland. And Thomas' occupation given as iron puddler.
  • Thomas Simpson and Jennett Brown were living in Parish of Barony at Barony Glebe at the time of their marriage.
  • Apparently the Simpson family resided for a short time in Canada around 1860 (after living in Pittsburgh and before taking up residence in Buffalo), based on the stated birthplace of son James and the apparent absence of the family from the 1860 US census.
  • Thomas Simpson appeared in the 1862 Buffalo, New York, City Directory at Niagara Street near Amherst Street employed as a laborer..
  • Thomas Simpson appeared in the 1863 Buffalo, New York, City Directory at Forest Avenue near Dewitt Street employed at Pratt's iron works, predecessor of Pratt & Letchworth malleable iron works, described in The New York Times in 1872 as the largest manufacturers of saddlery hardware in the US. Also employed at Pratt's was Thomas' brother-in-law Peter Wilson..
  • Thomas Simpson appeared in the 1864 Buffalo, New York, City Directory at Forest Avenue near Niagara Street employed at Pratt's iron works..
  • Thomas Simpson and Jennett Brown appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1865 in Erie County, New York. Other members of the household included Thomas R. Simpson, William H. Simpson, James Laurel Simpson, Arthur Simpson and Jean Craig.
  • He was a puddler, according to the 1865 census.
  • Thomas Simpson appeared in the 1866 Buffalo, New York, City Directory at Forest Avenue near Ninth Street employed as a puddler..
  • He filed a declaration of intent to become a US citizen on 11 June 1866 at Erie County Court, Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
  • Thomas Simpson appeared in the 1867 Buffalo, New York, City Directory at Bouck (later Lafayette) Avenue near Rogers Road (later Richmond Avenue) working as a farmer..
  • He was naturalized on 26 September 1868 at Buffalo, New York. Renouncing his allegiance to the Queen of Great Britain and Irlland.
  • On 2 August 1869, Thomas Simpson (of the City of Buffalo) purchased from William Perry (of Sharon, Pennsylvania), for the sum of $3,000.00, a five-acre parcel of land in the City of Buffalo, described as "part of the west end of the south part of lot no. 62 (twp 11, range 8) of the Holland Land Company's survey bounded as follows: Beginning at the south west corner of lot deeded by Thomas Clinton to Donald Fraser; Running thence on the west line of said Fraser's north line 9 chains 55 links to the 1 rod road; Thence on the line of the 1 rod road west 5 chains 25 links; Thence south on a line parallel with the west line of said Fraser's lot 9 chains 55 links to the south line of said lot 62; Thence on the south line of said lot to the place of beginning, containing 5 acres of land be the same more or less."
  • Thomas Simpson and Jennett Brown, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, and it appears that Jean Craig Simpson has been identified as Jennett Brown (?).. Other members of the household included Thomas R. Simpson, William H. Simpson, James Laurel Simpson, John L. Simpson and Jean Craig Simpson.
  • He was a puddler, according to the 1870 census.
  • On 1 July 1872, Thomas Simpson (of the City of Buffalo) purchased from John C. and Mary E. Lord (of the same place), for the sum of $1,559.00, a three-acre parcel of land in the City of Buffalo, described as "lying between Bouck and Delavan Streets, part and parcel of Land conveyed to said party of the first part by James O. Putnam by deed bearing date the 12th day of September 1853, and recorded in the Erie County Clerk's Office, being the Westerly part of said land so conveyed by measurement from the center of each street, viz: Bouck and Delavan and to contain three acres neither more or less, including half of each said street."
  • Thomas Simpson and Jennett Brown appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 470 Bouck (later Lafayette). Other members of the household included Thomas R. Simpson, James Laurel Simpson, John L. Simpson, Jean Craig Simpson, Arthur Burtis Simpson, Alexander Burtis Simpson, William H. Simpson, Mary Cannon and William Richard Simpson. Son Thomas also was enumerated in Cattaraugus County with his wife Elizabeth and daughter Jessie. Also, son William and wife and child are enumerated in both places.
  • He was a dairy man, according to the 1880 census.
  • On 7 June 1881, Jannet Simpson purchased from James O. and Kate F. Putnam (of the City of Buffalo), for the sum of $250.00 a small parcel of land in the City of Buffalo, described as "Beginning in the North bounds of Bouck Avenue in the division line between the land of said James O. and Thomas Simpson, husband of said party of the second part, and about 446-1/2 feet east of Elmwood Avenue, thence northerly along the line of said Thomas Simpson's land to Delavan Avenue; thence westerly along Delavan Avenue 25 feet; thence southerly by a line parallel with the westerly line of said Thomas Simpson's land to Bouck Avenue; thence easterly along the north bounds of Bouck Avenue 25 feet to place of beginning [acreage unspecified]. On 1 July 1872, Thomas Simpson (of the City of Buffalo) purchased from John C. and Mary E. Lord (of the same place), for the sum of $1,559.00, a three-acre parcel of land in the City of Buffalo, described as "lying between Bouck and Delavan Streets, part and parcel of Land conveyed to said party of the first part by James O. Putnam by deed bearing date the 12th day of September 1853, and recorded in the Erie County Clerk's Office, being the Westerly part of said land so conveyed by measurement from the center of each street, viz: Bouck and Delavan and to contain three acres neither more or less, including half of each said street."
  • The following appeared on 22 November 1884 in the Buffalo Courier: [Died] In this city, on the 20th inst., Jane Simpson, aged 90 years. Funeral from the residence of her son Thomas Simpson, 470 Bouck avenue, this Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend. Ayrshire, Scotland, papers please copy.
  • Thomas Simpson appeared in the 1890 Buffalo, New York, City Directory at 638 Bouck (later Lafayette) Avenue.
  • Thomas Simpson and Jennett Brown appeared in the New York state census of 16 February 1892 in Buffalo, New York, enumerated near Thomas' sister Margaret Wilson.. Other members of the household included Arthur Burtis Simpson, Alexander Burtis Simpson, Howard James Dunn and Jean Craig Simpson.
  • He was a milkman, according to the 1892 census.
  • The Simpson family lived for years at 638 Bouck Avenue in Buffalo (photograph by Elsa Vorwerk and Bill Wood, August 2000). The street was renamed Lafayette Avenue in 1896 in honor of the Lafayette Presbyterian Church, which had recently relocated from Lafayette Square to the corner of Bouck and Elmwood Avenue, amid the pastures and farm lands of the northern section of the city.
    638 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo, photographed August 2000
    638 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo (detail), photographed August 2000
  • Thomas Simpson and Jennett Brown appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 638 Lafayette Avenue. Other members of the household included Arthur Burtis Simpson, Alexander Burtis Simpson, Matilda Stock and Thomas Philip Simpson.
  • Thomas Simpson died on 12 November 1907 in Buffalo, New York, at 638 Lafayette Avenue.
  • Jennett Brown became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
  • In November 1907, in Erie County, New York, Thomas Simpson's estate was probated, naming his heirs at law and next of kin surviving: Janet Simpson (age 73, Wife, Buffalo, New York), Thomas Simpson (age 52, Son, Pine Valley, New York), William Simpson (age 50, Son, Olean, New York), James Simpson (age 47, Son, Pine Grove, West Virginia), John Simpson (age 42, Son, Chicago, Illinois), Arthur Simpson (age 36, Son, Long Island City, New York), Jennie S. Dunn (age 38, Daughter, Buffalo, New York), Alexander Simpson (age 34, Son, Jamaica, New York).
  • The following appeared in a Buffalo newspaper: In this city, suddenly, on the 12th inst. [November 1907], Thomas Simpson, aged 74 years, 10 months, 4 days. Services at the family residence 638 Lafayette avenue, Friday afternoon at 2:30. Burial at convenience of family.
  • A single grave marker identifies the graves of Jennett Brown and Thomas Simpson.
  • Photographs of present-day Muirkirk.
  • Last Edited: 22 Jan 2017

Family: Jennett Brown b. 16 June 1834, d. 23 April 1908