Simeon Francis Bristow was an ordained Baptist (formerly Methodist) minister, and had a very long and full life. He had 8 children with his first wife, Indiana Flora Boone, one of whom was Lula Mary Bristow, our Mother's mother, another was Jesse S. Bristow, know to all us kids as Uncle Jesse.
He was married to Indiana Flora Boone on 05 Oct 1873 at Pinner's Church in Rich Square township, Northampton County, NC. The Methodist minister was Joseph Lear. I have on record some of the things that he did when he was the minister of the Colerain, NC Baptist Church, sent to me by the present(1988) minister there. Rev Bristow is buried in the church cemetery in Colerain NC with his 2nd wife, Tucie G. Evans. They had no children (I guess 8 is really enough!).
Simeon Francis is listed on the 1870 US Census in NC, Rich Square Township, this census taken on July 20, 1870. He was listed as a farm laborer in the household of a Mr Bryant (first name unreadable), who had $3500 in land and a $1000 cash estate at that time. HIs age was listed at 19.(He would have actually been not quite 18 , according to records that I have.) It is interesting that a W.F. Drake was the census taker and listed as Asst Marshal. (The Drakes married into our family around the turn of the 19th century.)
He was listed in the 1880 U.S. Census, living in Roanoke Township, Northampton County, NC, census taken 4-7 June 1880.
He was listed as 28 years old, and his wife, Indiana F., was listed as 25. Their children listed at the time were Lula M, age 2, and Cornelia D, age 1. His occupation was Farmer, hers Housekeeping, the kids "at home".
The following is from notes from the Colerain Baptist church, copies of which were sent to me by the minister in 1988, Shelby L. Stephens, P.O. Box 126, Colerain, NC 27924 Home Phone (919) 356-4685:
"Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in Aug 1910-Our protracted meeting was in session-Elder S.F. Bristow
(of Elizabeth City-pastor of our church from Jan 1892 to Dec 1900) assisted pastor Clarke. The church was revived and eight members were added by baptisms which took place Monday before the 3rd Sunday in Aug 1910" "On the 3rd Lord's Day in 1911, the new church at Colerain was dedicated to The Lord. Sermon by Rev. M.P. Davis East Durham. Prayer by Rev S.F. Bristow (One of our old pastors of Eliz City.). Afternoon service sermon by Elder S.F. Bristow."
Soundex Code (1880) gives his birthplace as Roanoke TWP and his age as 28
Following note from Samuel Vaughn (related to Tucie Evans): Dated 30 Nov 2002:
I visited my Mother today. She remembers Rev Bristow as A "slight" man. Her grandfather, Joseph Dorsey Evans, was 23 years older than his (Evan's) second wife, Tucie. (His first wife died in childbirth).
My mother remembers that her grandfather, Evans, was a stern man, and that Tucie viewed him as a "father figure". So, my mother remembers, when old Rev Bristow came along, my great grandmother Tucie found his "charms" irresistible". My mother (also named Tucie) remembers only these two children of Rev Bristow: Jesse, (my note.. this would be our famous "Uncle Jesse" of Suffolk) and Cornelia. My mother also remembers playing with a Miriam Todd, who apparently was the daughter of Laura Jeanette Bristow and Mr. Todd. Rev Bristow's obit speaks of his being a Methodist minister before becoming a Baptist one! By the way, my great grandmother, Tucie, never lived with one of SF's children in Suffolk. She was widowed in Colerain, and SF moved in with her when they got married. (See notes under Tucie Evans for more information concerning her.)
