This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SBC.2ACI/396 Message Board Post: The most recent editors of the papers of George Washington assert that there were two Gilbert Simpson, father and son, who associated with Washington's River Plantation near Mount Vernon. The father (1) was a tenant who died in 1773 while the son, according to the editors was Washington's business partner in a Fayette County, Pennsylvania mill before and during Dunmore's War and the Revolution. He was the son of John Simpson of Charles County, Maryland. Genealogist Robert Neibling (whose address I have lost) has pointed out that the Gilbert Simpson (2) who was Washington's business partner had originated in Fairfax County, but had moved to Loudoun County, near the Catoctin Mountains, in the early 1760s. While in one letter to Washington, this Gilbert Simpson noted that he had known Washington since he was a child. Evidence indicates that he was a close contemporary of Washington in birth and death timing. He probably was not the son of Gilbert Simpson of River Plantation, though one reference in Loudoun County, calls him Gilbert Jr. This Gilbert Simpson married Elizabeth Johnston (Johnson) daughter of Samuel Johnston (Johnson) who originated in Saint Mary's County, Maryland, and Hannah Martin, daughter of William of Saint Mary's County, Maryland. Gilbert Simpson (3), son of Gilbert Simpson (1) of River Plantation and Elizabeth Williams, married Roseana Mason, a niece of George Mason of Gunston Neck, Fairfax County. This Gilbert appears to have remained in the Fairfax-Alexandria area of Virginia. This Gilbert had a brother John Simpson who by the end of the Revolution moved to the land of Gilbert Simpson of Loudoun County, as did other relatives. This and a common origin in the River Plantation area are indications that the three Gilberts might have been related. Neibling has pointed out that there is some evidence that there might have been other Gilbert Simpsons in the Fairfax-Loudoun County area. The reference to Gilbert (2) in Loudoun County as "Gilbert Jr." might support support a father named Gilbert (4). Moreover Gilbert (2) has a son Gilbert Simpson (5) who moved with him first to Fayette County, Pennsylvania and later to Fayette County, Kentucky. Gilbert (5) might have been born in Loudoun-Fairfax. I believe that Gilbert (3) of Loudoun later also had a child named Gilbert (6), if not several generations of descendant Gilberts. Gilbert (1) might have had several relatives in Fairfax County. When he first moved to Clifton Neck (later River Plantation) a William Simpson occupied the site. Some records indicate that William Simpson came from Scotland, but Gilbert also had a brother named William. Gilbert was not from Scotland but was born in Charles County, Maryland in 1699 the youngest of several sons of a John Simpson of Charles County. Fairfax County in 1987 published a booklet and map entitled "Fairfax County, Virginia in 1760 An Interpretive Historical Map" which duplicates 1760 land and lease holdings in the county. Near Gilbert Simpson's River Plantation lease is a leaseholding of Josias Simpson on the land of George Brent. Robert Neibling has shown Josias to have been one of Gilbert (1)'s brothers. This would also have been near Mount Vernon. This opens the possibility that Gilbert (2) or possibly his father, Gilbert (4)?, was a child of Josias. Also interesting is the fact that Brent is, I believe, associated with John "the Scot" Simpson a long investigated resident of Fairfax County or more accurately its predecessor Stafford County. This John Simpson was a contemporary and cross river neighbor of John Simpson, father of Gilbert (1), but was most likely another John Simpson. Perhaps more confusion awaits. Anyone have anything to add?