My great-great-grandfather's parents are a mystery. He was involved in a scandalous murder of his wife's half brother,
Silas Babcock.

The notice in "The Sabbath Recorder" read: Killed, near his residence, in Jackson Center, Ohio, June 23d,1868, Silas Babcock, in the 31st year of his age. The detailsof the sad affair are about as follows: The deceased and a nephew, J. C. Babcock, were running a steam mill in the village,when an altercation took place between the latter and James Simpson (a brother-in-law of the deceased) about some hogs, when the deceased intervened to quiet the disturbance, and Simpson,after threatening him, and ordering him to keep away, (the deceased still advancing,) stabbed him twice, the second time almost entirely through the heart, causing death in a short time. Bro. Babcock was a member in good standing of the Jackson church, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him, both as a citizen and as a Christian, and was considered one of the most peaceable, inoffensive men in the community. He leaves a wife and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his untimely end. Simpson is now in the county jail awaiting his trial.

Minute books of the Common Pleas Court in the Clerk of court's Office, Shelby Co., OH: Minute Book 12, pag 176: 19 Sept. 19 Sept. 1868, State of Ohio vs James Simpson. Murder in 2nd Degree. Committed on Silas Babcock. Con't. Page 257 James Simpson found guilty by jury trial and sentenced to 1 yr at hard labor in the Ohio State Penitentiary.

1880 census Mary Simpson is shown as head of household in Jackson Twp., Shelby Co NJ:
321 Simpson, Mary W F 62 Keeping House born VA father born VA mother born VA
Simpson Paton W M 27 Farmer born OH father born PA
Simpson Edward P W M 22 Laborer born OH

James Simpson is not listed as living in this household although he is listed as Mary's husband in her obituary when she died in 1885. A James Simpson is listed in the DEATHS notices in the Sidney Journal of 20 June 1890:
SIMPSON--In Jackson township, on Friday, June 13, 1890, James Simpson, aged 79 years, 10 months and 21 days." In Shelby Co. Death Book record says "Simpson, James 13 Jun 1890 Born in Beaver co PA, died of Old Age, Residence, Salem Twp. age 79-10-21, Occupation, Peddlar

Mary's obituary in the Sidney Journal for Sept 4, 1885:

The wife of James Simpson died on Sunday of apoplexy. Aunt Mary, as she was called, was born in Virginia, moved to this State in her younger days, and has been a resident of Jackson Center for many years. She was noted for her amiable disposition and kindness of heart, and will be universally missed in the community. The Rev. J. L. Huffman, assisted by the Rev. Harshbarger, preached the funeral discourse to an unusually large concourse of people. She leaves a husband, four sons, one daughter and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn her departure.

Does anyone in Shelby county have information on James Simpson's parents? Death records say he was born 1810 in Beaver Co., PA and the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census say he was born in PA. He and Mary lived in Stokes Twp., Logan Co in 1840 and owned property in Jackson Center, Shelby Co, OH in 1850, 1860 and 1870. Their son, Payton Randolph Simpson, was my great-grandfather.