Aaron Sanford (Sandy) Simpson, born November 20, 1819 in Caswell County, NC was the son of Enoch Simpson who came to Sumner County Tennessee from Caswell County NC about 1821. Enoch first settled in Giles County and then in 1826 moved to Sumner County, Tennesse. About 1840 , he built his home on Dry Fork Creek, which still stands today. He was killed there in 1860. (See the Enoch Simpson Family Album Entry by Erick Montgomery.)

Aaron Sanford married Mary Frances Johnson (Fanny) on April 21, 1841. (See photo of Aaron Sanford and Mary Frances Johnson Simpson.) Mary Frances was born on Sept. 13, 1824. Fanny was the daughter of Austin Johnson and Ann Elizabeth Corley.

In 1849 Aaron bought 580 acres of land from the James Bracken tract, which was land south of what is now Hwy. 52 in the area known as Liberty Community. Aaron and Fanny had a very large family. There children were:

Joseph E. born Nov. 6, 1842 died from injuries sustained during Civil War
*William born Nov. 15, 1844 died Jan. 7, 1909 (See William Simpson FA Entry)
*James W. born about 1845
Elizabeth J. born Dec. 30, 1849
Thomas P. born June 18, 1852 died June 10, 1854
Eliza K. born Dec. 21, 1855 died Jan. 11, 1864
*John W. born Dec. 1, 1858 died Dec. 10, 1934 (See the Ashlock FA Entry for more information.)
*Emily born June 1860
*Martha L born Oct. 16, 1863 died Aug 11, 1865
*Jasper E. born Aug. 2, 1866 died July 8, 1938
*Mary E. born Dec. 9, 1869

*These children lived to adulthood.

Aaron Sanford died on Nov. 10, 1879. Aunt Mattie Durham, a granddaughter, and daughter of William Simpson, said they had a very severe winter that year. Aaron Sanford was buried in Pond's Burying Ground on Mt. Vernon Road near Bethpage, but they did not have the funeral until the following spring so that family and friends could attend.

The original log house was still standing on what is now Earnest Cates Road when I was a little girl. I can remember going to visit the Jasper Simpson Family when they lived there. Jasper was a son of Aaron and Fanny. The children of Jasper Simpson are living today: Eulalah Simpson O'Neal lives in Westmoreland, Tennessee.

William and Joe served in the Civil War. Charles Ray Durham, grandson of William, tells an interesting story about their leaving home to serve. It seems that their mother, Fanny, did not want them to join the forces. One day they went to the fields to work and never came back to the house, but left to join, much against their mother's will.

Go to William Simpson Family Album Entry

Go to Robert Lee Simpson Family Album Entry

Return to Sumner County, TN Family Album