If you have additions or corrections, please let me know.

Picture assumed to be Joel and Sabra Griffin/Simpson, as it was found in the trunk of Sabra Elvira Simpson/Wesson

after her death in 1951. She was a daughter of Joel and Sabra.

Submitted by James T. Worthy

The parents of Joel Simpson was Henry and Sarah Simpson. Henry was B: 1796 in South Carolina and was a wagon

maker and wheelwright by trade. His Wife Sarah B: 1800 also in South Carolina. They migrated to Georgia after 1840 with

 a family of 4 boys and one girl.

The 1850 Census shows them as living in Paulding Co Georgia and Henry plying his trade as wagon maker. By 1860

the family had moved on to Haralson Co with Henry, even tho advanced in age, still at work as a wheelwright. He and Sarah independently, but near the Son Joel. By this time Joel B: Mar.4, 1832 Laurens Co. South Carolina  was married,1854

in Cobb Co Georgia, to Sabra Griffin B: Feb 4 1829 Laurens Co South Carolina. It is believed, although not proven, that

Sabra was the daughter of the Morada Griffin, shown on the 1860 Census of Haralson Co. living next to the Simpsons.

Joel M Simpson was enlisted into the Confederate Army May 13, 1862 Co.K 40th Georgia. Promoted to 1st Corporal 15

Nov 1863. The 40th Georgia was in many engagements with the Union Army under General Sherman and eventually

 General Grant in the  State of Mississippi at places such as Jackson, Champion’s Hill, Bakers Creek, and the Big Black

 River, all the while slowly retreating, in the face of overwhelming numbers, until finally being trapped at the Mississippi River in Vicksburg. From May 18 1863 to July 4,1863 the Union Army of the Tennessee under command of Grant held the town of
Vicksburg under siege for 47 days. The population, both civil and military was forced into eating the live stock... including

 horses and mules. Near the end it is said that rats were considered a delicacy not unlike fried squirrel. After being paroled

 July 4. Joel returned home to Haralson for a period and then returned to the army. His next encounter with the
Union army, again under the command of Grant. at Chattanooga, Tennessee called Lookout Mountain and Missionary

Ridge. Joel was once again forced to beat a hasty retreat off the back side of Missionary Ridge.. .and once again, start

a fight and retreat movement to Atlanta. After a short stay in the trenches around Atlanta Joel’s chronic condition finally
forced him to be confined to the Confederate St Mary’s Hospital at LaGrange on July31, 1864. Thus ends any known

 participation by Joel in the war. Joel’s Wife, Sabra died, according to her grave marker, Sept 5, 1889. Joel remarried a

Martha J_____ Joel Died Jan 28, 1919. The double head stone on their graves in the cemetery of Bethlehem Baptist
Church Felton , Haralson Co. is confusing. Although the markers list Father... Mother, the name is Sarah not Sabra.

Sarah was Joel’s Mother. The birth dates appear to have been switched also. . . . as Sabra was known to have been

4 years older than Joel.

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