Nathaniel Stone Simpkins

Publication: Barnstable Patriot; Date: Jun 28, 1887; Section: None; Page: 2 Nathaniel S Simpkins Nathaniel S Simpkins,Esq., departed this life on Saturday morning 18th,the result being hastened by the accident which occurred to him a few days previous,as recorded in the last issue of the Register.Mr Simpkins was born in Brewster, January 8,1798,he was the son of Rev John Simpkins for many years the pastor of the Congregational church in that town.He received a good academical education and was trained to business pursuits.He engaged for some years in the book-selling and stationery business in Boston, and started the County Bookstore establishment in Barnstable,which was for a long time the only one of the kind in the County. Something over forty years ago he was engaged in the fitting out of fishing vessels from this port and owned or controlled quite a fleet.He bought a wharf and landing place, which something like two centuries before had been owned by Capt Nicholas Simpkins who in his day was in command of "the castle" in Boston Harbor, and by him sold to Andrew Hallet about 1645.Mr Simpkins was believed to be of the same line of descent as Nicholas,but at the time of coming into possession of the property was not aware that it had ever before been held by one of the same name.The business at this wharf was the last active employment in which he engaged. Mr Simpkins was also the founder of two Cape newspapers. In 1825 he established the Barnstable Journal,which he made a successful and paying concern from the commencement during the three or four years of his management and ownership.In 1836 he established the Yarmouth Register,in connection with John Reed,Ebenezer Bacon,Amos Otis and Edward B Hallet, Mr Simpkins being a joint proprietor, and first publisher and business manager.This relation continued for a year or two. He always took a friendly interest in the success and character of the Register, and the present conductor received his kindly greetings upon the paper's attaining its half centennial age, Nov 15, 1886. He was elected a member of the Mass House of Representatives from Yarmouth and served in the Legislatures of 1836 and 1850 and 1851.He was also for many years one of the Directors of the First National Bank of Yarmouth, and a director of the Cape Cod Railroad until it was merged with the Old Colony.In all of these positions he proved a prudent, faithful and efficient servant of the interests confided to his care.He was, in all his dealings with others,a cautious,careful,pains-taking man,scrupulous in fulfilling his engagements,kindly with all he came into contact. Mr Simpkins many years ago became the receiver of the doctrines of the New Church,as expounded by Emanual Swedenborg,and as a member of the society of that school of believers, was an efficient aid in the organizations, both local and for the state at large in promulgating the doctrines of the sect. Five of Mr Simpkins's children arrived at mature age:Charles H, John, George, Nathaniel,and Mary T who married the late Hon. Caleb T Fay of San Francisco. John and Nathaniel were eminent and successful business men preceded him to the spiritual world- Register.

additional information courtesy of RJensen in the forums.

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Nathaniel Stone Simpkins (1796–1887) was a bookseller, publisher, and legislator in Massachusetts in the 19th century.[1] He ran a bookshop and circulating library in Boston ca.1820-1830. "In 1835 he established the Barnstable Journal [of Barnstable, Massachusetts], and in 1856 he established the Yarmouth Register" of Yarmouth, Massachusetts. Simpkins served as a "Representative to the General Court of Mass. in 1836, 1850 and 1851.

He married Eliza Jane Thacher (1803–1836) in ca.1824; and Mary Sears (b.1807) in 1852. His parents were John Simpkins and Olive Stone of Brewster, Massachusetts. Siblings included Caroline Simpkins, Olive Simpkins (Mrs. John Capen), Elizabeth Simpkins (Mrs. George P. Bangs), John Simpkins, and Boston bookseller Samuel Grant Simpkins.

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