The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-05
Answers to Correspondents

To G. T. A., who asks for informa- tion of the Atkins family of the south:
 The southern Atkinses in America trace their descent to one Francis At l1ins, who was born fin London and em- igrated with his wife to Virginia in the early eighteenth century. His son, Francis, born in 1738. was a prosperous planter who married Jane Yedell and had a good1y family of whom Robert Atkins settled in Newburyport S. c.
 He followed the traditional calling of his family and became a planter and consequently large slave owner. He married the beautiful Margaret, daugh ter of David Adams. who was distin- guished in the revolutionary war. Their son James of Georgia was born in 1883 He was appointed collector of internal revenue by President Johnson and col lector of the customs by President Grant. He allied his family with an- ether distinguished name of the south when he married Helen Dunbar King, daughter of Judge King One of their children, Joseph Leicester, was born in 1S63.s He studied law and settled in Washington, D. c. He married Kate, daughter of Lieut.. Harry Howard. and had several children who are still liv- Ing.
 To T. w, who asks for description of the Washburn coat of arms, with ex-
 
 The arms of the Washburns or Wash bournes are blazoned: Argent on a fesse between six martlets gules three oinquefoils of the field. The crest Is: On a wreath of coil or flax argent sur mounted with another wreath argent and gules. thereon flames of fire proper.
 The martlet used in this coat of arms is curious heraldic bird always repre- sented with wings closed and without feet For some reason it Is used in what is known as differencing to in : dicate the escutcheon of the fourth son.
 Another coat of arms used by an English family spelling their name Washbcrne is blazoned: Gules bezantee on a canton or cross sable.
 To J. S.. who asks for something about the Simmonses of America
 family of whom some members spell the name Simmons traces it's descent to Richard Symands ofsIpswich. Mass, who was born in 1895 in Great Yeldham, Es- sex. England. His first wfe's name was Dorothy Harlakenden and his second wifes name was Martha Read He lived for 20 years in his estate, called Olivers. in the parish adjoining Great Yeldman. In 16S7 he came to America and settled at Ipswich. Mass, where he was deputy governor from 1873 until his death five years later. His children were Richard. who was baptized in 161S. who was a stu dent in Grays inn. who never came to this country and who probably died un- married; Dorothy, who married the Rev. Thomas Harrison of Virginia; Jane, who probably never married; Anne, who died at the age of F: Samuel, who died when month old; Elizabeth, who married Daniel Epps; Samuel, who died unmar- ried; Harlakenden. who married Elizabeth Day. John, who remained in England: Robert, who died in infancy; Martha, who vas married twice; Ruth. who married the Rev. John Emerson Samuel. who was graduated in 1883 from Harvard college and died unmarried. and Priscilla, who married Captain Baker.
 1. Another Simmons family dates back t, AIhertus who came with his parents from Holland to this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was born