REVOLUTIONARY WAR COLONEL 2nd VA INFANTRY 1812 MAYOR ALEXANDRIA AUTOGRAPH SIGNED
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:24952921 | Modified Item: No |
| Original/Reproduction: Original | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
| Conflict: Revolutionary War (1775-83) | Theme: Militaria |
CHARLES SIMMS
(1755 –1819)REVOLUTIONARY WAR COLONEL OF THE 2ndVIRGINIA INFANTRY REGIMENT 1778-1779, REVOLUTIONARY WAR LT. COLONEL OF THE 6thVIRGINIA INFANTRY REGIMENT 1777, REVOLUTIONARY WAR MAJOR OF THE 12thVIRGINIA INFANTRY REGIMENT 1776FEDERALIST PARTY MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OFDELEGATES REPRESENTING FAIRFAX COUNTY 1785-1786, 1792 and 1796, DELEGATE TO THE VIRGINIA RATIFYING CONVENTION IN 1788THAT RATIFIED THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONWAR OF 1812 MAYOR OF ALEXANDRIA, ...VIRGINIA, SURRENDERINGTHE CITY TO THE BRITISH IN 1814, COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT ALEXANDRIA, VA APPOINTED BYPRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS IN 1799FRIEND and BUSINESS ASSOCIATE OF PRESIDENT GEORGEWASHINGTON, SERVING AS PALL BEARER AT WASHINGTON’S FUNERAL&CLOSE FRIEND OF FOUNDING FATHER, PRESIDENT JAMESMADISON.While Simmswas Lieutenant Colonel of the 6th Reg. of Virginia, he distinguished himself atRed Bank, Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer. While in camp at Valley Forge withGeneral George Washington, he married Miss Nancy Douglas of Trenton, NJ!Here's Simm’ssignature, removed from an ALS, mounted to a heavy card stock and Signed:“Ch. Simms”AFINE and UNCOMMON ADDITION TO YOUR AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR and ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA POLITICAL/PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY AUTOGRAPH, MANUSCRIPT & EPHEMERACOLLECTION!The document measures 3½” x 2¼” and is in VF condition forits advanced age.<<>::<>>BIOGRAPHY OF THE HONORABLE CHARLES SIMMSCharles Simms (1755–1819) was alawyer and public official from Virginia. He was born in 1755 in Prince William County, Virginia, the sonof Jane Glascock Purcell and John Simms. He was studying law at the beginningof the American Revolutionary War and on 12November 1776 became a major of the 12th Virginia Regiment. On 29 September 1777 hebecame a Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th Virginia. He transferred to the 2ndVirginia on 14 September 1778, and resigned as a colonel on 7 December 1779.Because of his service he was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. After the war Simms practiced law in Alexandria, Virginia. He representedFairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1785, 1786, 1792, and 1796, and was a delegate in the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788 thatratified the United States Constitution. He served onthe committee that recommended amendments to the Constitution. In 1799, hesuccessfully defended a land claim in the United States Supreme Court case Irvine v. Sims's Lessee; his last name wasmisspelled in the official court records. While serving as mayor of Alexandria in 1814 he surrendered the town tothe British. While censured for his actions he was later exonerated. During the course of his adult life he was a Mason as well as anacquaintance and associate of President George Washington.Simms served as a pall bearer at Washington's funeral along with Dennis Ramsay, William Payne, George Gilpin, Philip Marsteller and Charles Little. All werecolonels in the Revolution and had served Washington. They also were all Masonsand all but one were members of the Masonic Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22.Col. Simms married Nancy Ann Douglass, daughter of Major William Douglassand Catherine Van Buskirk, on 15 Dec 1778 in Trenton, New Jersey. To thismarriage were born eight children. Simms died on 29 Aug 1819 in Alexandria, Virginia, and was buried with military and Masonic honors on 31 Aug 1819. He isburied at Old Christ Church Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia. Gravestone Inscription:SACRED / to the memory of / COL. CHARLES SIMMS / An officer in the Army of/ Independence and for many / years an honored Citizen / of Alexandria &Mayor of that / City in 1811 / He died in the year 1819. / He was a Member ofthe Society / of the Cincinnati & a friend of / General Washington <> EXCERPTFROM THE ALEXANDRIA CHRONICLE, “THOMASJEFFERSON: FRIEND OF ALEXANDRIA” BY THOMAS B. WORSLEY (ALEXANDRIAHISTORICAL SOCIETY, OCT. 27, 1993)Federalist Charles Simms, Collector of Customs at Alexandria. Colonel Simms, a Revolutionary War veteran, had been appointed as Collector by President JohnAdams in 1799. He had lived at 229 S. Pitt Street, and the Customs House wasnext door at 501 Duke. At that time, the position of Collector at major ports, financed by fees, was the most lucrative in the government except for that ofPresident.With a Republican in the White House, who was being urged by members ofhis own party to remove Federalist incumbents, Colonel Simms feared that he'dbe replaced in his cushy job. Not only was he a Federalist but, in 1796, he hadrun (although unsuccessfully) for Presidential Elector in favor of Adams. Hehad accused Jefferson in print of having twice abandoned his trust -- once asgovernor and again as Secretary of State. Jefferson had been exonerated of thecharges against his governorship by a General Assembly investigation.Simms wrote to his friend James Madison, then Secretary of State, toexpress his concern about losing his job. They had both served in the VirginiaGeneral Assembly and again, in 1788, as fellow delegates to Virginia'sConvention on the United States Constitution. Simms and Dr. David Stuart, Martha Washington's son-in-law, were Fairfax County's two delegates, bothFederalists, to that conclave in Richmond. Simms had worked and voted there tohelp Madison win Virginla's rah'fication of the Federal I Constitution, by a narrowmargin, after Madison agreed to its later amendment.Madison replied to Simms' letter the very next day with assurances thatSimms need not worry. Madison knew that Jefferson preferred to follow the rulethat no able incumbent should be disturbed for mere difference of politicalopinion.Benjamin Ogle Tayloe, in his delightful memoir about hisneighbors on Lafayette Square, writes that the Collector of Customs saved hisjob by a witticism at Mr. Jefferson's table. He appeared at the White House toascertain his fate while the President and his Cabinet were sipping wine afterdinner. Madison politely vacated his chair next to the President and gave it toColonel Simms. When the President inquired the news, Simms said "There hasbeen a recent event that, when known, will astonish the whole nation. If Ifwhat is it?' asked Mr.Jefferson. "That Mr. Madison has vacated his place and that I occupy it. "He amused the President and retained his office under three Republicanpresidents until he died in 1819.Once, in responding to a note from President Jefferson inquiring about awine shipment through Alexandh, Collector Simms took advantage of the opportunityto thank the President for "your conduct to me."known, will astonish the whole nation. If what is it?' asked Mr.Jefferson. "That Mr. Madison has vacated his place and that I occupy it. "He amused the President and retained his office under three Republicanpresidents until he died in 1819. Once, in responding to a note from PresidentJefferson inquiring about a wine shipment through Alexandh, Collector Simmstook advantage of the opportunity to thank the President for "your conductto me. " Unfortunately, Simms' years as Collector included 1814 (duringthe War of 1812)' when as Mayor of Alexandh he surrendered our town to thatBritish Fleet, which aimed 128 guns at this defenseless place and gave theMayor and Common Council one hour to accept stiff terns. They felt they had no rationalafternati've but were unmercifully censured by much of Virginia. FromMonticello Jefferson blasted Simms and the town. He wrote his son-in-law that(congress should punish Alexandh "By repealing the law which made it atown, by discontinuing it as a port of entry...and perhaps by suppressing its banks."His fire was really aimed at Simms and Light-Horse Harry Lee, his two politicaltormentors from Alexandria who had long accused him of deserting his public trustand of cowardice when governor.Nevertheless, Charles Simms was one of our town's most accomplishedcitizens. He was closely associated with George Washington in many endeavors.He was a leader in Washington's Masonic Lodge. He was president of the PatomackCo. and of the Little River Turnpike Co.; trustee of the Alexandiia Academy, which was close to the General's heart: a founder of the Society of theCincinnati in Virgi'nia; Commander of the Silver Greys, a ceremonial militarygroup; president of the Washington Society formed one month after the general'sdeath; his lawyer, executor and honorary pallbearer; and a vestryman at Christchurch, where his name is listed both on a plaque among the general'spallbearers and on a gravestone. I am a proud member of theUniversal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors (APIC)(member name: John Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations' code ofethics and authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service andhistorical memorabilia online for over twenty years.~
WE ONLY SELL GENUINE ITEMS, i.e., NO REPRODUCTIONS, FAKES OR COPIES!
(1755 –1819)REVOLUTIONARY WAR COLONEL OF THE 2ndVIRGINIA INFANTRY REGIMENT 1778-1779, REVOLUTIONARY WAR LT. COLONEL OF THE 6thVIRGINIA INFANTRY REGIMENT 1777, REVOLUTIONARY WAR MAJOR OF THE 12thVIRGINIA INFANTRY REGIMENT 1776FEDERALIST PARTY MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OFDELEGATES REPRESENTING FAIRFAX COUNTY 1785-1786, 1792 and 1796, DELEGATE TO THE VIRGINIA RATIFYING CONVENTION IN 1788THAT RATIFIED THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONWAR OF 1812 MAYOR OF ALEXANDRIA, ...VIRGINIA, SURRENDERINGTHE CITY TO THE BRITISH IN 1814, COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT ALEXANDRIA, VA APPOINTED BYPRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS IN 1799FRIEND and BUSINESS ASSOCIATE OF PRESIDENT GEORGEWASHINGTON, SERVING AS PALL BEARER AT WASHINGTON’S FUNERAL&CLOSE FRIEND OF FOUNDING FATHER, PRESIDENT JAMESMADISON.While Simmswas Lieutenant Colonel of the 6th Reg. of Virginia, he distinguished himself atRed Bank, Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer. While in camp at Valley Forge withGeneral George Washington, he married Miss Nancy Douglas of Trenton, NJ!Here's Simm’ssignature, removed from an ALS, mounted to a heavy card stock and Signed:“Ch. Simms”AFINE and UNCOMMON ADDITION TO YOUR AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR and ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA POLITICAL/PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY AUTOGRAPH, MANUSCRIPT & EPHEMERACOLLECTION!The document measures 3½” x 2¼” and is in VF condition forits advanced age.<<>::<>>BIOGRAPHY OF THE HONORABLE CHARLES SIMMSCharles Simms (1755–1819) was alawyer and public official from Virginia. He was born in 1755 in Prince William County, Virginia, the sonof Jane Glascock Purcell and John Simms. He was studying law at the beginningof the American Revolutionary War and on 12November 1776 became a major of the 12th Virginia Regiment. On 29 September 1777 hebecame a Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th Virginia. He transferred to the 2ndVirginia on 14 September 1778, and resigned as a colonel on 7 December 1779.Because of his service he was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. After the war Simms practiced law in Alexandria, Virginia. He representedFairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1785, 1786, 1792, and 1796, and was a delegate in the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788 thatratified the United States Constitution. He served onthe committee that recommended amendments to the Constitution. In 1799, hesuccessfully defended a land claim in the United States Supreme Court case Irvine v. Sims's Lessee; his last name wasmisspelled in the official court records. While serving as mayor of Alexandria in 1814 he surrendered the town tothe British. While censured for his actions he was later exonerated. During the course of his adult life he was a Mason as well as anacquaintance and associate of President George Washington.Simms served as a pall bearer at Washington's funeral along with Dennis Ramsay, William Payne, George Gilpin, Philip Marsteller and Charles Little. All werecolonels in the Revolution and had served Washington. They also were all Masonsand all but one were members of the Masonic Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22.Col. Simms married Nancy Ann Douglass, daughter of Major William Douglassand Catherine Van Buskirk, on 15 Dec 1778 in Trenton, New Jersey. To thismarriage were born eight children. Simms died on 29 Aug 1819 in Alexandria, Virginia, and was buried with military and Masonic honors on 31 Aug 1819. He isburied at Old Christ Church Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia. Gravestone Inscription:SACRED / to the memory of / COL. CHARLES SIMMS / An officer in the Army of/ Independence and for many / years an honored Citizen / of Alexandria &Mayor of that / City in 1811 / He died in the year 1819. / He was a Member ofthe Society / of the Cincinnati & a friend of / General Washington <> EXCERPTFROM THE ALEXANDRIA CHRONICLE, “THOMASJEFFERSON: FRIEND OF ALEXANDRIA” BY THOMAS B. WORSLEY (ALEXANDRIAHISTORICAL SOCIETY, OCT. 27, 1993)Federalist Charles Simms, Collector of Customs at Alexandria. Colonel Simms, a Revolutionary War veteran, had been appointed as Collector by President JohnAdams in 1799. He had lived at 229 S. Pitt Street, and the Customs House wasnext door at 501 Duke. At that time, the position of Collector at major ports, financed by fees, was the most lucrative in the government except for that ofPresident.With a Republican in the White House, who was being urged by members ofhis own party to remove Federalist incumbents, Colonel Simms feared that he'dbe replaced in his cushy job. Not only was he a Federalist but, in 1796, he hadrun (although unsuccessfully) for Presidential Elector in favor of Adams. Hehad accused Jefferson in print of having twice abandoned his trust -- once asgovernor and again as Secretary of State. Jefferson had been exonerated of thecharges against his governorship by a General Assembly investigation.Simms wrote to his friend James Madison, then Secretary of State, toexpress his concern about losing his job. They had both served in the VirginiaGeneral Assembly and again, in 1788, as fellow delegates to Virginia'sConvention on the United States Constitution. Simms and Dr. David Stuart, Martha Washington's son-in-law, were Fairfax County's two delegates, bothFederalists, to that conclave in Richmond. Simms had worked and voted there tohelp Madison win Virginla's rah'fication of the Federal I Constitution, by a narrowmargin, after Madison agreed to its later amendment.Madison replied to Simms' letter the very next day with assurances thatSimms need not worry. Madison knew that Jefferson preferred to follow the rulethat no able incumbent should be disturbed for mere difference of politicalopinion.Benjamin Ogle Tayloe, in his delightful memoir about hisneighbors on Lafayette Square, writes that the Collector of Customs saved hisjob by a witticism at Mr. Jefferson's table. He appeared at the White House toascertain his fate while the President and his Cabinet were sipping wine afterdinner. Madison politely vacated his chair next to the President and gave it toColonel Simms. When the President inquired the news, Simms said "There hasbeen a recent event that, when known, will astonish the whole nation. If Ifwhat is it?' asked Mr.Jefferson. "That Mr. Madison has vacated his place and that I occupy it. "He amused the President and retained his office under three Republicanpresidents until he died in 1819.Once, in responding to a note from President Jefferson inquiring about awine shipment through Alexandh, Collector Simms took advantage of the opportunityto thank the President for "your conduct to me."known, will astonish the whole nation. If what is it?' asked Mr.Jefferson. "That Mr. Madison has vacated his place and that I occupy it. "He amused the President and retained his office under three Republicanpresidents until he died in 1819. Once, in responding to a note from PresidentJefferson inquiring about a wine shipment through Alexandh, Collector Simmstook advantage of the opportunity to thank the President for "your conductto me. " Unfortunately, Simms' years as Collector included 1814 (duringthe War of 1812)' when as Mayor of Alexandh he surrendered our town to thatBritish Fleet, which aimed 128 guns at this defenseless place and gave theMayor and Common Council one hour to accept stiff terns. They felt they had no rationalafternati've but were unmercifully censured by much of Virginia. FromMonticello Jefferson blasted Simms and the town. He wrote his son-in-law that(congress should punish Alexandh "By repealing the law which made it atown, by discontinuing it as a port of entry...and perhaps by suppressing its banks."His fire was really aimed at Simms and Light-Horse Harry Lee, his two politicaltormentors from Alexandria who had long accused him of deserting his public trustand of cowardice when governor.Nevertheless, Charles Simms was one of our town's most accomplishedcitizens. He was closely associated with George Washington in many endeavors.He was a leader in Washington's Masonic Lodge. He was president of the PatomackCo. and of the Little River Turnpike Co.; trustee of the Alexandiia Academy, which was close to the General's heart: a founder of the Society of theCincinnati in Virgi'nia; Commander of the Silver Greys, a ceremonial militarygroup; president of the Washington Society formed one month after the general'sdeath; his lawyer, executor and honorary pallbearer; and a vestryman at Christchurch, where his name is listed both on a plaque among the general'spallbearers and on a gravestone. I am a proud member of theUniversal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors (APIC)(member name: John Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations' code ofethics and authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service andhistorical memorabilia online for over twenty years.~
WE ONLY SELL GENUINE ITEMS, i.e., NO REPRODUCTIONS, FAKES OR COPIES!
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