History takes center stage at WELSHFest
Hertiage WELSHFest days to celebrate Rockmart’s history coming up on March 16 and 17 in Downtown Rockmart and at Historic Van Wert Church are all about celebrating a part of Rockmart’s history that is the bedrock of the community today.
In preparation for Heritage WELSHfest Days coming up the weekend March 16 and 17, one local woman has been doing some research on the early Van Wert Church of 1846.
“What brave sacrifices these individuals laid as the community’s stepping stones desiring for their children a better life and opportunities; no different than us today really,” said Robin Thackston, who is helping organize efforts for the upcoming event. “Join us for Heritage Welshfest and celebrate ROCKMART, its forefathers and descendants.”
Taken from the material of Hazel Waits Sanders written on May 6, 1996, her great grandfather Rev. William Wesley Simpson was pastor of the church body when t he early Van Wert Church was built in 1846 “with the help of church members for a total sum of $600.00.”
Historian Greg Gray reported the structure was on the north corner of the church’s present cemetery.
Rev. William Simpson born 1825 in North Carolina, married Aliey York on 10 September 1848 in early Paulding County.
“Described as a circuit preacher” Simpson is listed on the 1850 census as a ‘merchant’ with one infant son, William in the home with wife Aliey.
“Their days must have been full of excitement watching this church build in the growing community,” Thackston said. “Rev. Simpson is reported to have built the benches for the church himself.”
The 1860 census shows “Dry Goods Merchant” William Wesley Simpson and wife Aliey with these children in the home: William T. age 10, John W. age 8, Caroline age 5, Joshua age 3. Simpson’s business is apparently growing as his wealth is increasing in personal and real estate values.
By 1870, William Wesley Simpson is shown on the census as a retired dry goods merchant with his son Jolen working as a clerk and next door neighbor William Knight age 46 working in the store.
This was during the recovery time from the war and life was beginning again. This census shows all eight of their children living in the home: William T. age 20, farming, daughter Ophelia age 21, son Jolen age 18 who works as a clerk in the store, Sarah age 15, Josiah age 12, son Ira age nine, Charles age five, and Fannie age three.
Two other individuals lived in home and probably worked for them: Elizabeth Robertson age 40 and Noah Talbot as a farm laborer. Another son, James J. Simpson is born in 1871.
Wife Aliey dies in 1871, thereafter Simpson remarries “Elizabeth;” these children are in the home in 1880: Ira James Fannie and Pledger Simpson.
Are any members of this large industrious family still in the community of Rockmart?
One thing Thackston wants to know, and hopes people will get in touch to say yes or no: does William Simpson and wife Ailey are reported to be buried in the Van Wert Church Cemetery without known marked graves.
Join in to celebrate the heritage of Van Wert Church on Friday evening March 16, at the Hymn Singing as part of events for the weekend of WELSHFest in Rockmart.