Barbara and Rensselaer researchers, I have been on this list for about 1 year and have read much information that has been interesting and sometimes helpful. Daily, I look for what is new from this list as well as a couple other lists. At times I have requested information and tried to share some information also. There are also websites of members, such as yours, that provide research help as well as some genealogy about selected families. One of those families is a Simmons line on your site. I have yet to find a connection to my line but I sincerely believe they are connected somehow. My 3rd Great Grandfather and Grandmother have proven to be difficult to locate their parents, my 4th Great Grandparents. The following is some information about William Simmons and Betsey Ives (and their children) that I have assembled from many sources, relatives and friends. If you or anyone can help me locate my 4th Great Grandparents, I will be indebted to that person for some time to come! Thanks in advance for any help that I may receive! Regards, Wayne Simmons . William Simmons [100]1 was born on 16 Jun 1796 in Troy, Rensselaer, New York,2 died on 4 Apr 1872 in Ionia Co., MI 3 at age 75, and was buried about 9 Apr 1872 in Balcom Cem., Ionia Co., MI.. General Notes: William Simmons, a farmer by occupation, had served in the war of 1812 when a young man. His father was Scotch and his mother German. The family moved into Rensselaer County at an early day.4 Noted events in his life were: . He served in the military Enlisted in War 1812 on 23 Aug 1814 in Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York.5 William mustered out at White Hall, Washington Co., NY on October 28, 1814 because there was news of peace. The war actually ended in 1815. . He emigrated Rotterdam, NY in _____/_____/1826 from Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York.6 By 1826 William bought land in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, NY. The NY 1835 census shows William owning 64 acres in Rotterdam, 10 cattle, 3 horses, and 9 hogs. . He emigrated the family to another farm in NY. in _____/_____/1836 from Rotterdam, Schenectady, NY.7 About 1836 the Simmons family moved to Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY and bought land for a farm. In 1850 the wheat crops in the area were destroyed by a plague of midges. This could be why the family moved to Michigan. . He emigrated to Michigan in _____/_____/1852 from Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY..7 In 1852 the family settled on 80 acres in Berlin Twp., Ionia County, Michigan. At some time, the State of New York awarded William (listed as living in Portland, MI) $12 for his service in the War of 1812. . He appeared on the Michigan census in _____/_____/1860 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI..7 The 1860 census shows William and Betsey living with Polly and Able and Alvira. William's farm is valued at $3,300. In 1869 William was issued some land near Pontiac, MI for his service in the War of 1812. He sold it to the lawyer who had obtained it for him. The 1870 census shows William and Betsey in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co. William married Betsy Ives [103] [MRIN: 341691864] on 14 Mar 1815 in Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York.8 Betsy was born on 29 Jul 1797 in Sand Lake, Rensselaer, New York,9 died on 24 Feb 1871 in Ionia Co., MI 10 at age 73, and was buried about 28 Feb 1871 in Balcom Cem., Ionia Co., MI.. Noted events in her life were: . She appeared on the General Information census in _____/_____/1870 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI..7 Her father was possibly a German soldier and her mother was (rumored to be) a full-blooded American Indian from New York State. The 1880 census states, however, that Betsey's parents were both born in Vermont. Betsey married William Simmons in Rensselaer County, New York. Her first four children, all boys, were born in that county between 1816 and 1821. The 1870 census tells us that Betsey couldn't read or write. Children from this marriage were: + 2 M i. William W. Simmons [35]1 was born on 27 Jul 1816 in Troy, New York or in Massachusetts,11 died on 11 Oct 1898 in Alaska, Kent Co., MI. 12 at age 82, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in Balcom Cem., Ionia Co., MI.. + 3 M ii. Asa W. Simmons [36] was born on 29 Nov 1817 in Rensselaer County, New York, died on 26 Feb 1819 in Rensselaer County, New York at age 1, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in __________, __________, __________. + 4 M iii. George L. Simmons [37] was born on 24 Sep 1819 in Rensselaer County, New York, died on 19 May 1829 in Rensselaer Co., NY. at age 9, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in __________, __________, __________. + 5 M iv. Lyman Simmons [26]13, 14 was born on 13 Jul 1821 in __________, Rensselaer, New York,14 died on 15 May 1900 in Ionia, Ionia Co., MI. 14, 15 at age 78, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in Balcom Cem., Ionia Co., MI.. + 6 M v. Edward Simmons [140] was born on 4 Oct 1823 in Rotterdam, Schenectady, NY,19 died on 6 Jan 1901 in Vergennes Twp, Kent, Michigan 20 at age 77, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in __________, __________, __________. + 7 F vi. Huldah Ann Simmons [38] was born on 28 Aug 1825 in Schenectady Co., NY, died on 29 Sep 1844 in NY. at age 19, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in __________, __________, __________. + 8 M vii. Leonard F. Simmons [40] was born on 17 Jan 1827 in Rotterdam, Schenectady, NY, died on 24 Sep 1922 in Juliaetta, ID. at age 95, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in __________, __________, __________. + 9 M viii. Amos Simmons [41] was born on 14 Feb 1830 in Schenectady Co., NY,19 died on 26 Mar 1896 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI. 12 at age 66, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in Soldiers Home North Park, Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI.. + 10 M ix. Abel Jessie Simmons [42] was born on 24 May 1832 in Rotterdam, Schenectady, NY, died on 8 Jul 1914 in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., MI. at age 82, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in Balcom Cem., Ionia, Ionia Co., MI.. + 11 F x. Polly Ann Simmons [239] was born on 9 Oct 1834 in Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY., died on 10 Aug 1911 in __________, __________, __________ at age 76, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in Balcom Cem., Ionia Co., MI.. + 12 F xi. Hester Lydia Simmons [44] was born on 1 Sep 1837 in Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY., died on 2 Nov 1901 in Ionia, Ionia Co., MI. at age 64, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in Balcom Cem., Ionia Co., MI.. + 13 F xii. Eunice Maria Simmons [45] was born on 22 Jan 1840 in Wheatfield, Niagara Co., NY., died on 22 Nov 1918 in Ionia, Ionia Co., MI. at age 78, and was buried _____/_____/_____ in __________, __________, __________. -----Original Message----- From: Barbara Jeffries [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 4:51 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Rensselaer] Question I was just wondering what happened to all of the Rensselaer County researchers - maybe we should do a roll call. Barbara _________________________________________________________________ Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ ==== NYRENSSE Mailing List ==== The NYRENSSE Mailing List Website http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/NYRensse/ A place to unsub, change your subscription, access the archives and links.