Margaret Ann Simpson (née Forte or Foote)

Margaret Ann Simpson was the sister of Sarah, who was the wife of Thomas Ashburner (q.v.). Margaret Ann and Sarah were the daughters of Frances G. Foote or possibly Forte.Sarah and Margaret Ann were both born in Barbados to parents Benjamin Bissell Forte and Frances Grey (neé Miller). Frances Grey Foote/Forte died in Liverpool in 1820; the death record for Benjamin Bissell Forte has not yet been found. Margaret Ann was baptised 12/11/ 1769 in St Michael’s parish. Sarah was baptised 15/03/1772 in the same parish.

Margaret Ann Simpson was awarded the compensation for two estates in Barbados, in one certainly and in the other probably as executrix of John Simpson.

Memorial inscriptions for Sarah and Margaret Ann can be found in St Mary’s old churchyard, Bathwick, Bath, on the same tomb. Margaret Ann was the widow of George Simpson, a soldier; he died in 1835, and she a year later on 18/08/1836.

The will of Margaret Ann Simpson widow of Bath Somerset was proved 19/09/1836. In the will she refers to her 'faithful agents...Irlam & Higginson of Liverpool,' who were Barbados merchants. She left £1000 to her sister Sarah Bland and the bulk of her estate to her nephew Neville Loftus Bland (who died in 1867, leaving £30,000). Margaret Ann evidently did not update her will even though Sarah died before her.

We are grateful to Valerie Slater for assistance in compiling this entry.

PROB 11/1867/220; St Mary’s Churchyard, Bathwick, Bath [via FindAGrave.com]; Entry for Sarah Bland in Death Duty Registers 1796-1903; Somerset, England: IR27/232; Barbados Baptisms, 1637-1800, St Michael Parish; Ancestry record for Frances Grey Forte, Liverpool, England, Church of England Burials 1813-1975. The will of Thomas Ashburner proved in 1802 identified Margaret Ann Simpson as his 'sister by marriage.'