Person:Abraham Simpson (2)

Look in the Middletown library for "considerable" info on Abraham. He was in Lemon twp in Butler co in the 1860 census.

Abraham SIMPSON, retired farmer, was born in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on the fifth of September, 1795. His parents were Thomas SIMPSON and Margaret GRIGGS. He came to this country from New Jersey in 1818. His father had left home, in 1799, to come to this region on horseback, by the way of Fort Pitt, and from that place, now known as Pittsburg, started on alone. The man who kept the tavern there persuaded him to trade his horse for a skiff and come down the river, as it was considered very dangerous to travel any other way. So he, and a companion he met in that place, left together, having plenty of provisions, and were never heard of afterwards. Abraham was reared on a farm until he had attained sufficient age to be put as an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade, where he stayed four years. After completing his time he worked for a little while, but could get no steady employment, and determined to go West to Ohio. With his brother-in-law, Seth DYE, who had a wife and one small child, about a year old, they left, and were six weeks and four days on the road. The highways were very muddy, there being no turnpikes then; but they had a good team of horses, and got through with only one accident. They overtook an Irishman and his family who had four horses to his wagon, and Mrs. DYE was persuaded to get in their wagon, as there was a place to lie down. She had not gone far before they upset, breaking three of her ribs. All thought the child was killed, but it was not, and in fact had scarcely received any injury. After getting to Middletown Mr. SIMPSON worked at his trade, blacksmithing, for about twenty years, his shop being the only one in town. He then sold out and bought a farm of one hundred and thirty acres. He has added to it until it now comprises one hundred and ninety-six. It is one of the best improved farms between Middletown and Lebanon. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for about fifty years, his wife joining at the same time. Nearly all his children are members also. He was married on the 15th of May, 1823, in Warren County, five miles west of Lebanon, to Euphemia LONGSTREET, born in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1799, on the 9th of January. Here parents were Aaron LONGSTREET, who died June 7, 1858, and Mary HIGGINS, who died March 20, 1862. Mr. & Mrs. SIMPSON have had nine children.

Came to the Miami valley from New Jersey and became the first blacksmith of the then little village of Middletown. From the proceeds of the work done in his little shop and at his forge he was able to enter upon a career that made him one of the really wealthy men of his community, that is as well was considered during that day, and at his death he was the owner of several Warren county farms. Possible sons Charles (married to Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie M." Todd) and Thomas (married to Mary Carlisle?)

A probable grandson of his: William E. Simpson died 2 Apr 1876, aged 8 years 2 months, in Turtle Creek Twp, cause heart disease. Listed in WC deaths.

After the monument on the left for Aaron Longstreet & Mary Higgins, the next one down as you continue along is for the Simpson family including Abraham and Euphemia, daughter Emeline and daughter Euphemia and son Aaron and his wife. Continuing down that row is son Abram and his wife Harriette and then Emeline.

Latitude 39 degrees 30.75 Longitude 84 degrees 23.7497