Person:James Wimp (2)

James A. Wimp was one of seven children born to Daniel Wimp, born in York, Pennsylvania in 1792-93, and Rachel Welch, born in Maryland in 1801. In July of 2011, noted Wimp family researcher and writer Carolyn Wimp located and photographed a marker in the old High Ground of Hill Grove Cemetery in Meade County, Kentucky that has the initials "D. W.," which she says stands for Daniel Wimp. Note that James' grandfather, John Wimp is buried in High Ground of Hill Grove Cemetery. Rachel Welch Wimp was buried at Star Cemetery in Harvey County, Kansas, dying between 1873 and 1875. The other six brothers and sisters of James Wimp were: Daniel Wimp, who died in 1880; Sabrina Wimp, who died between 1850 and 1860; Elizabeth Wimp (1819-1883) who married Blancit E. Shacklett; Richard Wimp (1826-1897) who married Minnie Dickerson; Margaret Wimp (1830-1912) who married Joseph B. Fulton; and Ann R. Wimp (1843-1917) who married Blant D. Shacklett. Ann Wimp Shacklett and her husband are also buried in Star Cemetery.

James A. Wimp's father, Daniel Wimp, was the son of John Wimp. John was born in Ireland in 1746, a Revolutionary War soldier who frequently spoke of meeting General (George) Washington in the lodge at Fairfax (Virginia). One earlier spelling of this name is Wymp.

James A. Wimp was married to Jemima E. Barnes on March 24, 1858 at Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes [home] in Meade County, Kentucky in the presence of S. C. Malin, Richard Dowell and others. The marriage was performed by J. W. Kasey, Minister of the Gospel. (Meade County, Kentucky Marriage Certificate.)

A curiosity. Two of James' sisters, Elizabeth and Ann, had husbands with the name Blant Shacklett(e). The Shackletts and Wimps were closely associated in Meade County, Kentucky. Blant was a name used by many families in Meade County, thought to have derived from a Shacklett married to Sarah Blanchette, both said to have been born in France in 1710.

In the spring of 1873, James A. Wimp, wife Jemima and 8 children traveled to Harvey County, Kansas. Traveling with them were the Joseph B. Fulton and Blant D. Shacklett families, who were also related. Joseph Fulton was married to James' sister Margaret Wimp and Blant Shacklett was married to James' sister Ann R. Wimp. Their route to Kansas took them north to the Ohio River, then upriver by steam powered ferry to Louisville. At Louisville they boarded a train on a Tuesday morning and traveled about 700 miles to Sedgwick, Kansas, arriving Saturday afternoon.

The James Wimp family settled on 80 acres that had been abandoned by an old buffalo hunter named Sid McKee. McKee returned after 3 years and though he had not complied with the homestead laws, he disputed the Wimp family taking possession of the land. The Federal Land Office in Wichita ruled in favor of the Wimp family.

According to Harvey County, Kansas land plats, the James Wimp farm was located along the east side of Burmac Road, just to the south of the Hunt-Shive Cemetery. This property was bordered on the north by the Dr. Thomas Hunt farm and on the south by the Blant and Ann Shacklett farm. The legal decription for their farm was Twp. 24, Range 3, North half of the S. W. quarter, 1/4 Sec. 28. (Harvey County Deed Book 50, pg. 86.) In June 1910, James Wimp sold their 80 acre farm property to son Coulson Wimp for $7,500. Coulson and wife Maud Wimp sold this same property in December 1922 to Coulson's sister May and her husband Harley L. Caffrey.

James A. Wimp was married a second time in 1911 as shown in the following;

"MARRIED - Mr. J. A. Wimp of Mt. Hope, age 73, and Mrs. Demming of Colwich, age 55, were married by probate judge McCanless, at Wichita last Monday in the presence of only a few relatives. The history of their "Spooning" dates back for about three weeks and is very interesting, a full account of which appeared last Tuesday's Eagle. The 'Young couple' will make their future home in Mt. Hope and the Clarion will not attempt at this time to give them any advice along matrimonial lines for the groom is the father of fifteen children and the bride four, all of which are married. Allow us to extend congratulations and best wishes for a long happy life." (Newspaper not named here, date, Aug. 11, 1911.) Sedgwick County records show that James Wimp married Kate Deming in Wichita, Kansas.

Unfortunately, family notes say that James Wimp's marriage to Kate Deming was short lived as shown in the following, "J. A. Wimp had his household goods moved down to the Caffrey farm last Monday and will make his future home with May and Harley." (Sept. 22, 1911, newspaper not identified.) Note that May (Wimp) Caffrey was James' youngest child.

(June 2, 1916, Mount Hope newspaper.) "Property For Sale - The Wimp property on East Fourth street in the City of Mt. Hope is for sale. It is a choice piece of property - good five-room house, nice yard and outbuildings. For further particulars see E. W. Jewell, Administrator."

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Find A Grave.

   James A. Wimp