Historical records matching William Simpson, Sr.
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About William Simpson, Sr.
Came to Canada with his family of seven in 1775.
Date of Arrival at Prince Edward Island: Aug 15, 1775
WILLIAM SIMPSON, one of the FOUNDING FATHER'S OF CAVENDISH, PEI
For many generations, the Province of Moray was ancestral home of the Simpson’s, but in the 1700's, there were some political disturbances that affected the everyday life of the people, and William Simpson decided he had to take his wife and 8 young children to the New World.
Their destination was "Island of St. John (as it was known then ). In order to qualify for passage, he had to apply for a Certificate of Character. It reads, with original spelling:
"These certify that the barer William Simpson with a wife Janet Winchester and young family was resident for a yeare and a half past in this our parish of Rothes and that during the said Space of time they behaved themselves modestly, decently as became Christians and so as to preserve this character unsullied so that therefore we know not any reason why they may not be received into the Christian comunaty, seccaty or publick comunaty of mankind or into any place of the wrod where providence should see fit to order there lot; given at Rothes this fourth day of may one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five and Subscriben by M. Cumming (a true coppy)"
William and his family were at sea for about 15 weeks, from May 4, to Aug 15, 1775. Name of the ship was not recorded, but it is written that strong westerly winds prevailed as they crossed the ocean, and they were shipwrecked east of Point Prim, PEI. The passengers made it ashore at a sandy beach and were able to salvage most of their personal goods.
Source: U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name: William Simpson Arrival Year: 1775 Arrival Place: Prince Edward Island Family Members: Wife Janet Winchester Source Publication Code: 4982 Primary Immigrant: Simpson, William Annotation: Date and port of arrival. Final destination and additional genealogical data are also provided. Source Bibliography: MacEWEN, ANDREW B.W. "The Falmouth Passengers." In The Island Magazine (Prince Edward Island Heritage Foundation, Charlottetown), no. 10 (Fall-Winter 1981), pp. 12-19. Page: 18 Source: book "Cavendish, It's History, It's People, by Harold H. Simpson, 1973
William was born 2 Feb 1733 in Haugh of Arndilly, Dundurcas, Moray, Scotland. He had a twin brother, Alexander. William was a tailor in Dundurcas, Moray, Scotland. Willliam and Janet were married about 1758 in Moray, Scotland. Between 1774 and 1775, they lived in Rathen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They left with this letter of introduction:
TO WILLIAM SIMPSON 4th of May 1775 These certify that the bearer, William Simpson with wife Janet Winchester, and young family was resided for a year and a half past in the parish of Rathen; and that, during the said space of time, they behaved themselves modestly and decently, as became Christians, and so as to preserve their character unsullied; so that, therefore, we know not any reason why they may not be received into any Christian country, society, or public community of mankind, or into any known place of the world where Divine Providence shall see fit to order their lot. Given at Rathen this fourth day of May one thousand seven hundred and seventy five years and subscribed by J. T. CUMMINGS.The Simpsons, with eight of their children set sail from Scotland (probably from Moray Firth) 1775, for North America. They set sail on the the
- Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: May 23 2023, 17:37:56 UTC
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William Simpson, Sr.'s Timeline
| 1733 |
February 2, 1733
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Haugh of Arndilly, Morayshire (Elginshire), Scotland
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| 1759 |
February 2, 1759
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Gerbity, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland (United Kingdom)
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| 1760 |
September 7, 1760
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Gerbity, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland (United Kingdom)
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| 1762 |
June 15, 1762
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Gerbity, Elgin, Scotland (United Kingdom)
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December 18, 1762
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Leicester, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom
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| 1764 |
May 3, 1764
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Gerbity, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland (United Kingdom)
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| 1766 |
July 15, 1766
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Dundurcas Parish, Morayshire (Elginshire), Scotland
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