Genealogy of the African Simpa/Simpo Family of Edgefield, South Carolina

The intention behind writing this article is to pay tribute to my African ancestors, who were forcibly taken from what is West Africa and endured the harrowing journey of the Middle Passage, ultimately being enslaved in Edgefield, South Carolina. I inherited the surname Simpa/Simpo from my ancestors, and in homage to their legacy, I chose to socially change my name to Simpa. It resonates more deeply with me than my legal last name, which was associated with the individuals who once owned my ancestors. I consider it a unique privilege to identify my original surname within this lineage, unaltered by the names of enslavers.

The narrative begins likely in West Africa, where my ancestors, Tasso and Minda Simpa, were said to have been born, according to certain researchers/genealogists, serving as the founders of this ancestral lineage. Some people have Benin City, located in present-day Nigeria, or Cameroon, Congo, as birthplaces of Tasso and Minda on their trees. The surname Simpa has origins in Nigeria, meaning "my desire" or "what I asked for." Interestingly, 'Simpa' also appears in other West African linguistic traditions, such as the Awutu/Efutu people of Winneba, Ghana, referring to their town as Simpa. Osimpa means 'The Builder' and was the name of a founding king, Osimpam Bondzie-abe. This shows that the name carries deep Indigenous African roots across multiple regions. Even though their exact place of origin is debated by some descendants, we can still confidently say the Simpo/Simpa surname is Indigenous to Africa.

Breakdown of my direct lineage to Tasso and Minda Simpo/Simpa.

Following their transportation from Africa to Edgefield, South Carolina, Tasso and Minda were sold to a man named Andrew Pickens.

Photo of Governor Andrew Pickens III, enslaver. Photo uploaded by ancestry user motivator4401

The son of Minda and Tasso, my 4th-great-grandfather, was born in Edgefield, South Carolina, in the year 1830.

"United States, Census, 1900", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3R5-9WW: Fri Feb 14 03:09:50 UTC 2025), Entry for Archie Simpa and Mahalery Simpa, 1900.

Archie Simpa in the 1900 census. His birthplace is listed as South Carolina, while his parents' birthplaces are listed as being in Africa. 

On Sept 20, 1838, Tasso and Minda, along with their children, were sold to a new owner by the name of Francis W. Pickens, who was Andrew Pickens's son.

Source: US Slave Records 1774-1866, Pg. 311

It's truly heartbreaking to witness my ancestors being dehumanized in these records, referred to as cattle rather than human beings. The unimaginable torture and abuse they endured is beyond comprehension. Yet, I am deeply inspired by their resilience and proud to be descended from such strong, remarkable individuals.

An excerpt from the will of Andrew Pickens mentioning Tasso, Minda, and their children. 

An excerpt of the will states, "To my son, I also give & bequeath the following negroes, Jack & his three children Betsey, Meshach, & Lenart; Tafso & Minda & their five children, Willonghby, Archy, Ellen, Mina & Tafso;"

In 1864, my ancestor Archie (son of Tasso and Minda), his wife, and his daughters Ann and Ellen (my 3rd great-grandmother), were sold to Mrs. Lucy Pickens by the previous owner, Francis Pickens. Lucy's maiden name is Holcombe, and she was the wife of Francis Pickens.

Edgefield, South Carolina, Slave Records, 1774-1866 for Archy. Deed Bk. LLL. p.295

Photo of Lucy Petway Holcombe Pickens, uploaded by familytreesearch user Matthewparrish7

Photo of Governor Francis Wilkinson Pickens, son of Andrew Pickens and husband of Lucy Petway Holcombe Pickens, uploaded by familytreesearch user ancestrckr.

It's difficult to comprehend the cruelty with which human beings treated others, viewing my ancestors and many others as mere property rather than fellow living beings. My enslaved ancestors were denied autonomy and robbed of their freedom. I want to emphasize the profound privilege I feel to have access to these records, as many others in the diaspora do not have the same opportunity to trace their ancestors. Some records didn't even acknowledge our ancestors by name, reducing them to mere ages. It's disturbing and heart-wrenching to confront these records, yet I'm grateful to possess them so that future generations of my family can remember their roots and identity. This history should be taught openly in schools rather than hidden away. Some of my ancestors, born into slavery, lived into the 1900s. This is recent history, not distant past, and the intergenerational trauma is still felt by descendants today.

This is a photo of the Edgewood Plantation, where the Simpa/Simpo family was enslaved, and some of my direct ancestors likely participated in building the structure along with other enslaved people. 

It's intriguing to note that Tasso Jr (the son of Tasso and Minda), along with several of his children, relocated to Jefferson, Florida, as documented in the 1885 Florida State Census, the 1880 US Federal Census, and the 1870 US Federal Census. 

"United States, Census, 1870", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNZX-3QM: Sun Oct 19 08:33:20 UTC 2025), Entry for Tasso Sempo and Martha Sempo, 1870.

"United States, Census, 1880", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNZQ-SV1: Tue Oct 21 20:15:10 UTC 2025), Entry for Tasso Simps and Martha Simps, 1880.

Tasso Simpo Jr. in Florida, U.S. State Census, 1885

Algie Simpo Sr. (the brother of Ann Simpo and Ellen Simpo, my 3rd great-grandmother) also moved to Florida and ended up dying in Duval, Florida, in the year 1934.

Algie Simpo Sr. in Florida, U.S. Death Index

I believe this move was deliberate rather than coincidental. Jefferson, Florida, situated within the Chiaha chiefdom and Seminole territory, holds significance. The Seminoles historically intermarried with African individuals and engaged in conflicts and alliances, fostering Maroon communities. My ancestors lived through the Seminole Wars and likely were aware of these events. It's also plausible that they were motivated to relocate to Florida during the Reconstruction Era, drawn by the newly granted voting rights for African American men and the presence of a thriving African American community.

“In the early years of Reconstruction, Florida’s state and local governments were controlled by the Republicans, the same party that had acted in Congress to force the Confederate states to write new state constitutions acknowledging the end of slavery. Backed by African-Americans and supportive whites, the Republicans attempted to ensure political and social equality for freedmen.” - https://www.floridamemory.com/learn/classroom/learning-units/civil-rights/#Antebellum

DNA

The genetic makeup of the descendants of Tasso and Minda Simpa/Simpo confirms their ancestry from Africa. All documented descendants who have taken AncestryDNA tests share common ancestry from Nigeria, Benin & Togo, Ghana, and Congo. This supports the belief that they likely originated from present-day Nigeria or another West African country. If the recorded birthplace is accurate, Tasso and Minda Simpo/Simpa were probably of Edo/Bini lineage.

These genetic communities on AncestryDNA are shared among the descendants.

Cultural Preservation

It's crucial to emphasize that certain elements of pride persist within the descendants of Tasso and Minda Simpa/Simpo. Some descendants possess artistic talents, reflecting the renowned Edo tradition of sculpture and artistic expression. Others have skills in braiding and maintain West African hairstyles, while some engage in aspects of Yoruba and Edo spirituality, among other African spiritualities. Certain descendants are actively learning various West African languages, including Edo or Yoruba. Additionally, many descendants have a deep appreciation for Nigerian and other West African cuisines. Some descendants can prepare staple dishes like Egusi or Okra soup. Despite the painful legacy of having ancestors forcibly taken, some descendants aspire to visit present-day Nigeria and reconnect with long-lost relatives. Furthermore, descendants of Tasso and Minda are eligible for membership in the Sons & Daughters of the United States Middle Passage.

Photos 

Please note that the family photos accessed publicly through AncestryDNA are based on what has been shared by descendants. The accuracy of these family connections and ties depends on the information provided by those who uploaded the photos.

A photo of Annie L. Cook (my great-grandmother), the great-granddaughter of Archie Simpo and Gwendolyn Mitchell, as a baby (my grandmother), who are both direct descendants of Tasso & Minda Simpa/Simpo.

Photo of Ann Simpa/Simpo (1853–1920), uploaded by Ancestry user Bernie Myers; she is the daughter of Archie and Martha Simpo, granddaughter of Tasso and Minda Simpo. Ann is the sister of my ancestor Ellen and also a sibling to the aforementioned Algie Simpo Sr., who relocated to Florida.

Photos of Minna Ellen Holcombe (1874–1963) (first photo uploaded by ancestryuserjudah2011, second photo and third photos uploaded by ancestryuser Bernie Myers). She is the granddaughter of Archie Simpo, making her the great-granddaughter of Tasso and Minda. Her sister is Mattie Lee Holcombe, and her mother is Ann Simpo. Her father is Col. John Theodore Hunt Holcombe, who is the brother of Lucy Petway Holcombe (the enslaver who owned Archie Simpo, his wife, and children).

Photos of Mattie Lee Holcombe McKelvey Bailey (1875–1920), uploaded by ancestryuser judah2011. The second photo is of Mattie with her husband John McKelvey and their children. Mattie is the granddaughter of Archie Simpo, making her the great-granddaughter of Tasso and Minda. Her sister is Minna Ellen Holcombe, and her mother is Ann Simpo. Her father is Col. John Theodore Hunt Holcombe, who is the brother of Lucy Petway Holcombe (the enslaver who owned Archie Simpo, his wife, and children).

"United States, Census, 1880", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6SC-WXV: Sun Jan 19 18:58:22 UTC 2025), Entry for Archy Simps and Martha Simps, 1880.

The 1880 census shows Archie and his wife, Martha Simpo, are living in the same household as their daughter Ann Simpo and their grandchildren (the aforementioned Ellen and Mattie), along with Lou Cook. Lou Cook is my 2nd-great-grandfather (David Cook's) sister.

In closing, I express my gratitude to all the family genealogists and historians whose efforts have made this article possible. Without the dedication of volunteers and individuals delving into archives, I, as a descendant, would not have access to the knowledge and information about this lineage. I hope that this article aids others in tracing their African ancestors and instills a sense of pride in descendants regarding their heritage, despite the brutal truths of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Note: If you are a descendant of these lineages, have inquiries, possess new information for the article, or suspect a connection to these lines, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email at afroindigenousyesa@gmail.com.