The family of
SARAH SWEPSON 
& husband 
LEONARD HENLEY SIMS

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Sarah Swepson was born October 27, 1752 "Linden" Plantation, Amelia Co., Va, and died in Warren Co., NC-Her will proved August court, 1811
She  married in Mecklenburg Co., Virginia March 12, 1770 to
Leonard Henley Sims Security on MB-Richard Swepson
Sarah was the daughter of Richard Swepson & wife Jane (MNU)

SEE WILL BELOW-Complete Transcription by Cathy Harris Helms, a descendant and researcher.

Their Children:  SIMS

(1) RICHARD SWEPSON Born May 4,  1771 Died Aug 8, 1859
(M) Rebecca Walton Dromgoole   March 6, 1799 Brunswick Co., Va. (lived in Brunswick Co., Va.)

(2)  JOHN

(3) SWEPSON  Born May 25, 1775 Died: September 22, 1850 Rutherford Co., Tenn.-
(Bible records)
(M) Jane Paine Dec. 12, 1799 Granville Co., NC 

(4) LEONARD HENLEY
(M) Elizabeth Vaughn, Aug. 19, 1804 Warren Co., NC
Sec: Robert Temple, Wit: Gideon Johnson

(5) THOMAS   Died unmarried-1812 Warren Co., NC-His Est. divided between his bros. & sisters

(6) JOSEPH (M) Catherine Bullock, May 18, 1822  Warren Co., NC-Sec: David Dancy

(7) HENRY
(M) Sally Burt, November 29, 1813, Warren Co., NC-Sec-Amos P. Sledge

(8) JANE JEFFRIES 
(M) William B. Langley, Sept. 1, 1804 Warren Co., NC
Sec: Leonard H. Sims, Wit: J. Malone

(9) SARAH- Apparently died bet. 1794 and 1811 Warren Co., NC

(10) SUSANNAH born Bet. Aug. 29, 1793-Feb 16, 1794 Warren Co,  NC   Died: -Dec. 1, 1876 Bedford Co, Tenn.
(M) William  Burt   Nov, 3, 1812 Meck Co., Va.  (14 children) lived in Franklin Co, Tenn.

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WARREN CO., NORTH CAROLINA RECORDS- 1779-1814 (Mary Hinton Kerr)

WB 13, P 1-Will of Leonard Henley Sims, dated Aug. 29, 1793 , Codicile dated Feb. 16, 1794
Names Wife, Sarah
Sister: Susannah Sims, Sr, who lives with me
Oldest sons: John Sims, Richard Sims, Swepson Sims, Exrs.
Sons: Len Hendley Sims, Thomas Sims, Joseph Sims, & Henry Sims, minors
Dtrs: Jane Jeffers Sims, & Sarah Sims and child in Esse.
Land devised: 282 AC bought from Brumfield Ridley on N/S Reedy Br., adj. William Dodson, Thomas Sims, Widow Williams, Elisha Sims and my own;  500 A in home plantation; 1,513 A on E & NE/S of Reedy branch, adj. "my sister Wilson's" , John Hargroves, William Sims, Simon & Ashkenas Williams; 189 A. on W/S Nutbush Cr.
Codicile: 2/16/1794- Names Daughter Susannah Sims, and refers to land on Reedy Br. bought from Richard Bullock. Executors: of Len. H. Bullock, dec'd. and Henry Phifer.  Wit: Richard Bullock, John Hare, William Sims and Elisha Sims 

Will Book 16, P 94, Will of SARAH SIMS, Widow of Leonard H. Sims
Dated June 10, 1811-Pro: August Court, 1811
Names: Susannah Sims Sr.
Sons: Richard, John, Swepson, Leonard H., Thomas, Joseph & Henry Sims
Dtrs: Jane J. Langley, & Susannah Sims
Exrs: William B. Langley,  Thomas Sims
Wits: John Hare, & Gilford H. D. Sims

Bk. 13, P 15 -Inventory of the Estate of LEONARD SIMS, By John Sims, Executor, Jan 9, 1805-Feb. Court, 1805
Includes Books, listed by Titles, Including Petiloe's Sermons & Large Bible with Notes, Negroes, listed by sex, 1 sold by my mother, before I qualified; and money left at my father's death.

Bk. 16. P 92-Aug. Crt, 1811-Inventory of Est of Leonard Sims, by John Sims, Exec.,
Bk 16, P 135-August Crt, 1811-List of Taxables on Capt. Green's Dist- 1811, by Richard Bullock, JP-includes John Sims for Est of Leonard Sims, Joseph Sims, John Sims
Bk 16, P 166-Nov. 25, 1811-Nov. Crt-1811- Anderson Paschall, Guardian to Henry Sims, Minor orphan, Bond for
10,000 pds. to Henry G. Williams, CH. CO. CT. , Sec: Kemp Plummer, Soloman Green, & Thos. Hilliard

Bk 16, P 204-Nov. 26, 1811-Joseph Sims, Gdn. to Susanna Sims, minor orphan. Bond for 3,000 Pds.. to Dudley Clanton, Buckner Davis, & Robert Jones, Justices, Co. Crt. P&QS, Sec: Buckner Davis, John Sims, Wit: Joe Terrell,D.C.C.
Bk. 16, P 233, Feb. 24, 1812-Accounts, Sales of Estate of Leonard Sims Sr., deceased, by John Sims, Exec
Sale began Dec. 3, 1811, with following purchasers named:

P. 244-Dec. 2, 1811-Feb. Crt.1812, Estate of Sarah Sims,deceased, by John Sims, Adm, do bonis non Bond for 2,000 Pds. to Henry G. Williams, ESG., CH. CO. CT, Sec: -Richard Boyd & Buckner Davis.

P. 246-Dec. 2, 1811, Feb.  Court, 1811-Dvision of Estate of Leonard Sims, Dec'd. among: his sister, Susanna Sims, SR., bequeathed to her at the death of his wife, Sarah; his Dtr, Susanna Sims & William B. Langley, in right of his wife, Jean (Jane) Jeffrees/Jeffreys Sims; Sons: Richard Sims, John Sims, Swepson Sims, Len Henley Sims, Thomas Sims, & Joseph Sims & Henry Sims-the last three named as youngest sons.
By: Richard Bullock, B, Davis, Sol. Green, Richard Russell & David Dancy

WB 16, P 242, Feb. 25, 1812-Est. of Thomas Sims, Dec'd.-John Sims, Adm. -Bond for 2500 Pds. to Henry G. Williams, CH.CO.CT., Sec: Richard Boyd & Buckner Davis

P 249 Feb. 25, 1812 Feby Court-1812 Inventory of Est. of Thomas Sims, deceased by John Sims, Adm: Includes vials, glass bottles, black bottles, medicines, Medical pocket book, tooth drawers and marble Mortar & knife.

P. 281- March 9, 1812, May Court, 1813- Division of Est. of Thomas Sims, deceased,  among: John Sims, Swepson Sims, Leonard H. Sims, Richard Sims, Joseph Sims, William B. Langley and Susanna Sims.  By: David Dancy, B. Davis, & Richard Bullock

P 283-March 9, 1812 May Court, 1812-Account of Sale of Estate of Thomas Sims, deceased, by John Sims, Adm, (Among the many items sold were several Medical dictionaries, 5 Volumes. " Elements of Phicollige",  "New Dispentory" and a set of surgeons instruments, vials of medicine, cases of bottles," Phisick In a Barrell" , pr. of tooth drawers, and a book on "Fisigonomy": PURCHASERS:

Bk. 16, P 290 -May Court, 1812, Accounting of Tobacco belonging to the Estate of Sarah Sims, sold in 1810 and 1811. by John Sims, Adm.

Bk 16, P 339-Aug. 25, 1812 Aug. Court, John Crenshaw, Orphan, being 16 yrs next Feb. 22, apprenticed to John Sims, by Henry Pitts, CH.CT. -S. by B. Davis, to learn house carpenter trade.

Transcripton of Will of Leonard Henley Sims by Cathy Harris Helms

In the name of God, Amen, I Leonard Sims, of Warren County and State of North Carolina being in perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and that there is an appointed time for all men to die, Do make ordain and constitute this my last Will and Testament, that is to say,

      First and principally I give my soul to God who gave it and my Body to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter mentioned and <indecipherable> by God who with it hath pleased and blessed me with, after all my just debts are paid, I lend and give in a manner and form following, to wit

      Item, I give and bequeath to my son John Sims his heirs and assigns forever one negro fellow named Jim, one negro wench name Rose and child named Peggy, one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two sows and pigs, one sorrel horse and also one certain tract, piece or parcel of land which I purchased of Brumfield? Ridley lying and being in said County of Warren on the Northeast side of Reedy Branch containing by estimation two hundred and Eighty-two and a half acres be the same more or less adjoining lands William Dodson, Thomas Sims's, Widow Williams's, Elisha Sims and my own. All which negroes, horse, bed and furniture, cow and calf, sows and pigs, and land he my son John Sims is now in full possession of, I also give and bequeath to my said son John Sims one cow and calf not yet delivered to him.

      Item, whereas my sister Susanna Sims have [sp] lived <indecipherable> and been very helpful in my Family in order to make her some compensation, I give and bequeath to her my said sister Susanna Sims her heirs and assigns forever Thirty Five pounds Virginia money which said Thirty-Five pounds shall be taken out of Seven of my sons portions or dividends by? Richard Sims, Five pounds, John Sims, Five pounds, Swepson Sims, Five pounds, Len Hendley Sims, five pounds, Thomas Sims, Five pounds, Joseph Sims, five pounds and Henry Sims, Five pounds, which said money shall be paid when reasonably required by my Executor hereafter mentioned.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my dear and loving wife Sarah Sims her heirs and assigns forever two negro children, viz one boy named Drew? and one girl named Barbry?

      Item, I give and bequeath to my son Richard Sims his heirs and assigns forever two negroes one named Antoney and one girl named Lisa, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, two sows and pigs and one horse (he hath in possession).

      Item, I give and bequeath to my son Swepson Sims his heirs and assigns forever two negroes, one named Jere? the other a girl named Siller?, one Sorrel philly [sp] mare and other chattel such as I have bequeathed to my son Richard Sims as is last mentioned.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my son Len Hendley Sims his heirs and assigns forever two negroes Moses and Delphia, one feather bed and furniture, one horse worth Ten pounds Virginia money, one saddle worth Three pounds like and such as is mentioned to Richard Sims above.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Jean Jeffers Sims her heirs and assigns forever three negroes, viz one young wench named Milly?, one girl named Dinah, and one boy named Adam, one horse and saddle worth Fourteen pounds Virginia currency, one Feather bed and Furniture & stock as is bequeathed to Richard Sims.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Sims three negroes, viz one negro girl named Phillis, one named Lucy, one boy named Humphrey, one horse and saddle worth Fourteen pounds Virginia money, one Feather bed, Furniture and stock as is bequeathed to Richard Sims, all to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my three younger sons, viz Thomas Sims, Joseph Sims, and Henry Sims, whenever they shall arrive at the age of Twenty-one years or should marry each one to have two negroes at of near the value [page 2] of what I have given to my other sons as can be, as also each one shall have a Feather bed and Furniture and each one have stock etc. equal to Len Hendley Sims to their heirs and assigns forever.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my Five youngest sons, viz Swepson Sims, Len Hendley Sims, Thomas Sims, Joseph Sims, and Henry Sims, their and each of their heirs and assigns forever all my land (not bequeathed before) lying on the East and North East side of the Reedy Branch containing by estimation one thousand Five Hundred and Thirteen acres which said land to be divided in Five equal parts said Swepson Sims to have that part or lot including where my sister Mary? Missy? Wilson now lives and to join Simon Williams's, John Hargraves and its likeness's? lines. The said son Len Hendley to have the second lot to join Swepson Sims's the back lines and other line or lines. My said son Thomas's lot to join Len Hendley's and the Widow Williams's other line or lines. My said son Joseph's lot to join my son Thomas Sims's and others lines. My said son Henry's lot to join Joseph Sims's, William Sims's, John Sims's and as also the Reedy Branch. Now if there should not be found the above mentioned quantity or One Thousand Five Hundred and Thirteen acres of land for the deficiency of every acre my son Richard Sims shall pay Fifteen shillings Virginia money which sum shall be a price that he the said Richard Sims shall pay for land that he is to have over and above his proportion in quantity of acres as will appear in a clause hereafter. The money is to be equally divided among the above said five youngest sons.

      Item, I lend to my dear and loving wife Sarah Sims all my whole estate 'till as my children comes to the age of Twenty-one years or marries; then she my wife to give up each one's legacy according to the terms of this Will but if she should marry then shall have only a child's part of the personal estate.

      Item, I lend to my dear and loving wife during her natural life or widowhood the land and plantation whereon I now dwell containing by estimation Five hundred acres.

      Item, after my dear and loving wife Sarah Sims decease or marrying, I give and bequeath to my son Richard Sims his heirs and assigns forever the land and plantation whereon I now dwell containing by estimation Five hundred acres (be the same more or less) together with my still for distilling of spirits but with <indecipherable> that if any? one or more of my children shall want to distill they shall have free liberty to distill their own liquor.

      Item, whereas I am possessed of one hundred and Eighty-Nine acres of land on the West side of Nut Bush Creek which land is well timbered and will be useful to the Five Hundred acres of land I have bequeathed to my son Richard Sims. If my said son Richard Sims after my dear and loving wife's decease or marrys [sp] for him to pay of the quantity of Land doth not hold out to my five youngest sons on the East and North East side of Reedy Branch as is above mentioned Rating? or Valuing? the above said one hundred and Eighty-nine acres of land at Twenty shillings Virginia currency and ere? I say after the deficiency at Fifteen shillings the acre is made to my Five youngest sons is paid to each of them the remaining sum shall be equally divided and paid amongst my children then living as each one of my said children shall arive [sp] to the age of Twenty-one years or marrys [sp], he my said son Richard Sims paying interest to one or more of my sons or daughters.

      Now if my said son Richard Sims will comply with the above terms, then I give and bequeath the said One hundred and Eighty Nine acres of land his heirs and assigns forever. But and if my said son Richard Sims doth not think proper to comply with the above mentioned Term and refuseth the said land then the said One hundred and Eighty nine acres of land shall be sold after my said dear and loving wife's decease or marry then the money arising by the sale thereof shall be appropriated as is above mentioned.

      Now let it be remembered that if I and my dear and loving wife Sarah Sims should have a child or children that such child or children if a son or sons that then? each son (if more than one) to have an equal fortune to one of my youngest sons to be raised or taken out of such part or parts of my Estate not heretofore bequeathed. But if a daughter or daughters, that then each one (or if more than one) to have an equal Fortune to my daughter Jean Jefferes Sims also to be raised or taken out of such part or parts of my Estate not heretofore bequeathed which said equal Fortune I give to him, her or their heirs and assigns forever.

      Item, I have expended and laid out on the educating my son Richard Sims seventy pounds Virginia money, also on Swepson Sims my son Forty-Five pounds of like money, therefore after my dead and loving wife's decease or whenever there is an equal division to be made of my Estate amongst my sons and daughters, then my said sons, Richard Sims and Swepson Sims shall alow [sp] and settle the sums of money mentioned above and to be deducted out of their part of the final division an amount actually received of each one's part according to each one's respective sum.

      Item, after my dear and loving wife Sarah Sims decease or marriage and all matters and things complyed [sp] with agreeable to the above mentioned demises & then the whole of my Estate to be made in lots in number equal to the number of my sons and daughters (my son John Sims is not to have as much by twenty pounds as either one seeing I have given him three negroes and each one of my sons but two negroes) each one of my children to his or her equal lot which lot I give to them, their heirs and assigns forever.

      Item, if one or more of my sons should die before they arive [sp] to the age of twenty one years or were married the son or sons lands shall be sold to the highest bidder of the then living sons and not to be exposed? for any person else to bid for the same and the money arising by such sale to be equally divided amongst them of my sons then living and that all the persons? Estate of such death or deaths shall be equally divided amongst all of my children or their heirs lawfully begotten.

      I hereby constitute my loving wife Sarah Sims Executrix and Richard Sims, John Sims and Swepson Sims my three oldest sons Executors of this my last Will and Testament and desire it may be Received as such Revoking and disannulling? all other Wills heretofore by me made. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, affix my seal this twenty-ninth day of August in the year of our Lord Christ One Thousand seven hundred and Ninety Four.

Signed sealed and published                     Lennard Sims       {SEAL}

In presence of

      I Lennard Sims of Warren County and State of North Carolina being of sound and disposing mind do make and ordain this Codicil to my Last Will and Testament hereunto annexed and bearing date of the 29 th day of August 1794 as a part and explanation of my said Will, to wit

      Whereas I have since making the above Will given to my son Swepson Sims money as an Equivalent for the land therein devised to him, and to my son Henry Sims, other land, instead of those devised to him by my said Will, I therefore Revoke hereby the devises of lands, made to my said two sons Swepson and Henry in my said will, and do will and bequeath to my other three sons Len Hendley Sims, Thomas Sims and Joseph Sims their and each of their heirs and assigns forever all my land lying on the North side of the Reedy Branch except what I have given to my son John Sims, to be divided between them in three lots as nearly equal in value as can be.

      Item, It is further my Will and desire that my son Richard Sims, if he should accept and take the One Hundred and Eighty-Nine acres of land lying on the West side of Nut Bush Creek on the terms and conditions mentioned in my said Will, to wit at twenty shillings Virginia money per acre that he shall pay the money to my three Daughters, Jane Jeffries Sims, Sarah Sims, and Susannah Sims to each one their part, or should he not accept it and the land be sold as directed in my said will, then it is my will that the purchase money be Equally divided between my said three daughters, or the survivors of them. My son Richard Sims not to be liable in Either case for any deficiency which may Happen in the lands devised by my said Will to my five youngest sons, and by this Codicil to my three sons, Len Henly, Thomas and Joseph Sims.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my son Henry Sims, his heirs and assigns forever, all the lands which I purchased of Richard Bullock, Esq. <indecipherable>, and Henry Phife lying at the Head waters of the Reedy Branch.

      Item, I give and bequeath to my son John Sims, his heirs and assigns forever in addition to the land heretofore given him all my land on the East side of the New Road.

      Item, whereas by my will hereto annexed I have given to my son Len Henley Sims a negro girl named Delphia which said negro girl I have since and do hereby give to my son John Sims. Instead of her I give and bequeath to my son Len Henly Sims, His Heirs and assigns forever one other negro girl named Phillis (to wit) the girl given by my said Will to my daughter Sarah Sims, and instead of the said girl Phillis I will and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Sims, Her Heirs and assigns forever a negro girl named Pressy.

      Item, It is further? my willing <indecipherable> to my dear and loving wife Sarah Sims <indecipherable> die beforehand? <indecipherable> sister Susanna Sims mentioned? <indecipherable> then that my said Sister Susanna shall have as lent, two of my negroes, to be <indecipherable> field? working Hands during her natural life.

      In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 16th day of February one Thousand Eight Hundred and Four?

Signed sealed and                         Lennard Sims      {SEAL}

published in presence

of

Richard Bullock

John Hare?

William Sims

Elisha Sims