Leonard Simmons was born in 1738 in Adams County Pennsylvania and died in 1808 in Pendleton County, Virginia. According to the DAR database, his birth is recorded as circa 1730 in VA and death in 1808 in Pendleton County. When I submitted my supplemental for verification, I had no proof that would change the dates in the NSDAR database.

Leonard's parents were John Nicholas "Hans" Simmons (1707-1794) and Marie Margaretha (1710-1800). Simmons is of German extraction - probably an Anglicized form of "Sieman." (The Simmons, Hammer, Rexrode & Henry families intermarried and appear in our lineage so be sure to check their patriot pages.)

He married Catherina-Elizabetha Stoeher in about 1755 in Augusta County Virginia. Catherina was born either in Germany or in Adams County Pennsylvania and died in Augusta County, Virginia after 31 Mar 1785. Leonard is purported to have married a woman named Mary after Catherina's death.

Leonard served as a Private in Captain Peter Hull's 2nd Battalion of the Augusta Militia in 1779. Captain Hull commanded a troop of cavalry in the Yorktown campaign. The muster roll of his company - Second Battalion, Augusta militia, 1779 - was taken from the list written by Lt. Seybert, and given in Morton's History of Highland County containing Pendleton County as well as Highland County names. His son-in-law, Balsor Hammer, also served in this militia (see Balsor's patriot bio). This information is also listed in Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War - McAllister's Data 1913 (pg 148).

Leonard and his family settled on the South Branch valley of Pendleton (near the Upper South Fork) in about 1753. This is in the Fort Seybert area of the county. In 1767 Leonard patented 200 acres that was 2 miles "below M-S" and in 1783 he patented 26 acres about Trout Rock, 86 acres at the South Branch, 30 acres near his home and 37 acres in Bakeover Run. In 1785 he patented 180 acres at the South Branch. The Sims Index lists him as acquiring 90 acres & 142 acres (in 3 patents) on the South Branch in 1793. Leonard is mentioned as the first owner of the Simmons Cave in Pendleton County. During these years his sons were also acquiring patents for quite a bit of land in the county.

Leonard is listed on the 1790 tithable list in Dyers district (made up of the South Fork and the lower half of the South Branch). Listed also are George, Henry, John, Leonard Jr, Leonard 3rd, Mark & Nicholas.

His will, dated 5 Apr 1805, is available on-line here and it lists the following children:

• my son-in-law, John Cook (who inherits a stove and a few other items after the death of "my beloved wife" who would have been Mary).
• my son Henry
• my son-in-law, Balser Hammer to be executor
• "I have paid to my sons and daughters thirty pounds cash already. The balance of my personal estate to be equally divided among my sons and daughters.

His will was probated on 6 Dec 1808. The estate was estimated at a value of $3,300.56

The NSDAR has verified these children:

• Elizabeth who married Balsor Hammer
• Henry who married Susan X
• George who married Mary Wimer
• Sarah who married Phillip Wimer
• Peter who married Mary Zumwalt

Pendleton County records list the following in Simmons Cemetery #4:
(Leonard then the Henry Simmons Cemetery Sweckers - Present Owner)
There are several graves on the Simmons place below the old Simmon's house with only slabs and carved with 1812 on one and 1821 on the other. Possibly they are Leonard Simmons (Rev. War), Mrs. Leonard Simmons, Henry Simons, Mrs Henry Simmons.

So Leonard was probably buried on his land along with his second wife and son Henry & wife.


My family line starting with my Grandmother (Generation 3):
Gen 3: Hazel Julia Brooks Betler Houchin
Gen 4: Richard Thomas Brooks & Landona Belle Curry
Gen 5: Luke Perkizer Brooks & Barbara Julia Rexroad
Gen 6: Thomas Rexroad & Sarah Pullen
Gen 7: Loftus Pullen & Francis Hammer
Gen 8: Balsor Hammer & Elizabeth Simmons
Gen 9: Leonard Simmons & Catherine