Saba connection

This family history project is dealing with Simmons' families originating from Saba. However, there were several families on the neighbouring islands, as well. They might have been of Saban ancestry, or just intermarried. So far it has not been possible to connect them with Saba, although indications are not missing. Like one Jacob Simmons from St Thomas/St John. He died in _____ and his estate carried a debt of ______ $ for new cloths, which he bought when attending a funeral on Saba!

There are of course several Thomian Simmons'es whom are not found in this report. One reason is that their ancestry have been traced to Saba. Subsequently, they have been given a chapter of their own, like the family of Engle Leverock Simmons.
Engle was the harbour-master of St Thomas from 1932 and descended from Abraham Simmons. Thus he is found in the MS edition, Part 1 section SA, of this family history.

This description will gather some of these families - of the former Danish Virgin Islands - in order to maintain a logical structure. In the future I hope, they will become an integrated part of the report - with roots in the Saban soil.

Derivations of a family name

The name-spelling variants of the Simmons family name are frequent. Because we are often facing effects of different cultures combined with inadequate background of recorders. Or simply interpritation errors, while dealing with deteriorated material, sometimes in old-German-writing.

One distinct derivation, however, is the name of Simmonds, spelt with "-ds". Already my great-grandfather George Simmons (born in St Thomas in 1839) said in his recollections: ..Simmons is a fairly common English name. This name is common amongst Jews as well, but they spell it Simmonds... This is also supported below showing the Jewish connections for some of these Simmonds'es.

Another group of variants include names as Simonsz, Symonsz and Sijmens. Such names are not unusal in pre 19th century material and depends on a Dutch influence. Because there had been Dutchmen as well as Englishmen on St Thomas before the Danes made their first colonizing attempt in 1665/66.
Some of them would even become prominent inhabitants under Danish flag. In 1672 the Danes sent Jorgen Iversen to St Thomas in order to reestablish their supremacy of the island. Governor Iversen's first ordinance was signed by prominent settlers of the island.
Although, there were no Simmons' among these settlers, the signatures brought evidence of Dutch presence. This was still more significant among the first 61 (or 62) deeds, which were issued by the government in 1678 (compare Caribbean Network - Hassell).

A third group is shown in St Thomas´ Landlist (Da; Matrikel) of 1800, for example. These names are obviously spelling errors, because their environments indicate a Saban connection, although sufficient evidence are missing.

• Simons, Abr Js
• Simon, James
• Simons, Jacob
• Simons, John C.

Simmonds - a Jewish heritage

Morris Benjamin Simmonds belonged to the Jewish inhabitants in St Thomas. So far, I have not found any connection with the Simmons' families (KMTR compare EHNK 8201, LARSEN CARD and RAD LIST):

Bro[ther] M.B. Simmonds, who I believe was intiated in Barbados, joined up with us somewhere about 1830. He was a London Israelite and came out to Barbados from England on business about 1825. He was a Tailor by trade, but on coming here he entered on a commercial pursuit.

At one time there were few public movements that he was not prominent in, and being a man of sound judgement his advice was frequently sought. The establishment and direction of the St Thomas Saving Bank were greatly due to him. He was Secretary of the Lodge in 1831 and was one of the officers who with a few other members held the Lodge together under Master Benj. Levy for some five years after the Great Fire.

In 1837 he was among the batch who resigned, and from then on we do not see much or anything of him in our records, and we hardly were likely to owing to an unfortunate estrangement that took place between him and Bro. Judah Cappé and which grew rather than lessened with years.

At one time a Commission was sent here from the Orient of Venezuela to confer on Bro. Simmonds the higher degrees of the A&A Rite. Our Bro. withdrew from public life many years before his death which took place toward the end of the last century.

Grace Sarah died on July 2nd, 1844 and was buried at the Jewish Cemetery in Charlotte Amalie. She was 34 years old. MARGOLINSKY 1965:9

In 1870, Morris Benjamin lived as a widower at Commandant Gade no 13B (KiQ 15) together with Rebecca Albertina (15 years) and Morris Benjamin, Jr (11 years). They were all of the Jewish religion. Further, the property was owned by Rebecca Albertina Simmons and Morris Benjamin Simmons. It is not clear whether this refers to the parents or the children? RAD CENSUS TH:1870

Grace might have been his first wife, with regard to the children mentioned in 1870. Subsequently, Morris was twice a widower? But I have only seen the name of one wife.

There is a large house on Upper Commandant Gade called Villa Fairview, located across the hill from lot no 13B. The house is now a guest house and restaurant. On the foundation along the street, there is a large marble plaque with the following inscription (photos in Woods:9012, :9007 and 1989:43 KMTR:

Morris Benjamin was among several Simmonds´es that I have listed during my research. I did never find the link connecting them until I recieved an e-mail (9901) from Arturo Simmonds, Simmonds, a descendant of Phillip Hauer Simmonds (#2) below, quoting:

.... Just thought I'd give you some more info on these relatives who ventured into the Caribe.
The Hauer brothers were:

1. Phillip Hauer Simmonds, b Gehaus, Germany 1809, d Paris, M. Betty Wagner
2. Wolff Hauer Simmonds, b Gehaus, Germany1/28/1812, d 11/17/1862 Hamburg
m Sophie Victor
3. Simon Hauer Simmonds, b Gehaus, Germany 7/12/1815, d Hamburg 3/18/1883
m Friederike Zadig
4. Kalman (Carl) Hauer Simmonds, b Gehaus, Germany 1/5/1824, d Cali, Colombia 9/5/1895 m Rosa Hauer (daughter of his brother Philipp)

The Hauer boys had other brothers and sisters, they were twelve in total, but only these came to America.
In addition, several children of Phillip came to the Caribe.

1. Rosa Hauer Simmonds (married to Carl)
2. Adolph Philipp Simmonds (my great-great grandfather) b 12/27/1834
3. Julius Hauer Simmonds
4. Moritz Hauer Simmonds (who died and should be buried in St. Thomas)
5. Emil Hauer Simmonds

With regards to Morris Benjamin Simmonds, we have not been able to ascertain a relation yet, although the possibility is strong. The Hauer boys had (according to rumor) cousins in England. They were in business with their English "cousin" Coleman Simmonds in St. Thomas, that is a fact evidenced in business contracts. Morris I believe may be related to Coleman, but again this is purely speculation, and we are seeking to resolve this unknown. ....

There are several references to Messrs P.H. Simmonds & Co. In 1852 for example, an open letter was published in the St Croix Avis to a Member of the Colonial Assembly, who had proposed to establish a Chamber of Commerce in St Thomas. Among the subscribers were Hjardemaal & Co, P.H. Simmonds & Co., C. Simmonds & Co. and Osorio, Wright & Casseres. UBL SCA:1852/929

He might have had some connection with, or perhaps he was identical with (KMTR, compare notes in ACC 1981-6 "Burgher Oaths"):