Needham Smith, Sr

Most family genealogist know that Needham Smith is said to have been born in Johnston County, North Carolina around 1775. That his father is perpetrated as William Smith from Albemarle County, Virginia (see Debunking William Smith).

It appears this is much misaligned and based on the abductive reasoning of the available historical information available in today’s time, a new set of beliefs or conclusions must be considered.

As alluded to in several articles of this blog we know that a group of Smith families and friends left parts of Cumberland County and Johnston County, North Carolina and migrated to Wilkes County, Georgia. They were likely attracted by the granting of unoccupied lands as set forth in the Act of 1783.

This group migrated to and settled in an area of Wilkes County, Georgia, on the waters of Brier Creek, Big Brier Creek, Little Brier Creek and Sweetwater Creek, which later became Warren County and abutted the county line with Columbia County, Georgia.

Based on abductive reasoning, Needham Smith Sr was likely born in Johnston County, North Carolina. It is believed that the ‘Needum Smith’ found in the North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787, Johnston County, pg 4 is potentially the same Needham Smith Sr that is found in Wilkes County, Georgia (future discussion / analysis is needed). In addition, DNA analysis research conducted points to several families of this region as having a DNA bond with descendants of Needham Smith Sr.

Richard Smith Sr, William Smith Sr and Needham Smith Sr were the first Smith’s to settle in the area of the creeks, previously mentioned, however William and Needham’s land holdings were minimal over the next 10 years of historical documentation. Richard Smith Sr was a fairly large land owner in Cumberland County, North Carolina and once he migrated to Georgia, accumulated a significant amount of land in Wilkes/Warren County.

Needham Smith Sr, first appears in the records of Wilkes County, Georgia as establishing a headright of 200 acres. This track of land was located upon Brier Creek butting and bounding east by Richard Smith and vacant lands (note: original warrant or plot is not archived, online, at the Georgia Archives or Family Search as most of the transactions for this area and time are. The above location description is mainly derived from a deed which is discussed further below). This Richard Smith Sr’s track of land is presumed to be the 200 acre track he acquired on Big Brier Creek, surveyed 5 June 1788 and where Needham Smith was registered as a chain carrier (positions typically filled by family members or adjacent landowners). Needham’s headright track was surveyed on 19 October 1784 and registered at the land office in Book LLL page 349 on 13 January 1787.

The headright laws during the 1780’s allowed each master or head of a family, be allowed as his own head right. Since age wasn’t a requirement put into law it can be assumed that Needham Smith Sr was married at the time he received the warrant and plot for this 200 acre headright in 1784. This is assuming that the law was enforced and he was required to be a head of a family.

Following the Smith’s and friends from Cumberland County, North Carolina there is no evidence of Needham in the records (Jury List, Tax List, Land Patents, or Deeds) of Cumberland County or Johnston County (except as the mentioned possibility in the 1784 – 1787 North Carolina Census). In probability, Needham Smith Sr was a young man between 21 – 23 when the Smith’s migrated to Wilkes County, Georgia. This also insinuates that Needham was likely married just before the move or possibly in the early part 1784 when he arrived in Georgia and established a headright as a ‘head of a family’.

In evaluating this information we have to deduct that Needham Smith Sr was born about 1762, this on the assumption that he was 22 in 1784, when he received a headright warrant. This age is used for evaluation to allow his presumed wife to be of age 19 – 20 and he a year or two older then her. As compared, this new date is much earlier then the birth of 1775 first broadcast in numerous National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) submissions and consistently repeated in many family trees.

This also would indicate Needham Smith Sr was married before he was married to a Tabitha Tillman. Many family genealogist record that Tabitha was born about 1780 and was married to Needham about 1795.

Having been married previous to Tabitha Tillman provides reason to substantiate that a child or children were produced from this union with this first wife.

It is this author’s working theory that Isaiah Smith Sr is a candidate to be a son of Needham Smith Sr and his first wife Margret. As well, Needham and Margret appear to have had three daughters as derived from the Georgia Probate Records of Houston County vol A-B  1834 – 1858.

The first daughter appears to have married John M Shirey and her name is believed to be Margaret Smith Shirey (derived from census records). The second daughter appears to have married Adam Hardee and her name is currently unknown. The third daughter appears to have married Washington Raines and her name is presumed to be Agnes Smith Raines. Agnes’ name is derived from other family trees and preliminary research has been unable to find any supporting documentation to validate this information. However, DNA analysis has been conducted and matches between descendants of Washington Raines and Needham Smith Sr do exist.

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In his late twenties, Needham Smith Sr appears to have spent a good amount of time as a militia soldier during the Oconee War (or sometimes called the Frontiers Wars). By 1791 Needham Smith Sr appears to have advanced to 2nd Lieutenant of the 4th Company of Colonel Samuel Alexander’s Battalion of Militia. The 4th Company would have been made up of men primarily from Wilkes County, Georgia.  The primary evidence of this is a piece published in the 25 June 1791 edition of ‘The Augusta Chronicle And Gazette Of The State’.

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On 5 March 1791 Needham Smith Sr and his wife Margret sold his 200 acre headright tract of land to Richard Story.

A year later Needham purchased 100 acres from Richard Smith Sr of Washington County, Georgia. This tract of land was 100 acres that Richard Smith Sr originally was granted in 1784 and likely is where his dwellings were when he lived in Wilkes. This indicate’s Needham Smith Sr staying in Wilkes County a while longer.

The 1791 Wilkes County Tax List shows Richard Smith Sr paying taxes on 400 acres of land in Washington County and 612 acres in Wilkes County. Needham Smith Sr is paying on 100 acres in Wilkes County.

As well Needham Smith Sr is shown living in Wilkes County, in 1793 & 1794, and paying taxes on the 100 acres (1793 tax returns for Wilkes County, Georgia – Capt Newson’s District) (1794 tax returns for Wilkes County, Georgia – Capt Trant’s District).

On 6 April 1797, Needham Smith Sr of Washington County sells to John Guthrie of Warren County the 100 acre tract that Needham purchased from Richard Smith Sr in 1792.

With this document it signifies Needham Smith’s move from Warren County to Washington County.

While many records were either not maintained during this period or were lost to fire (Washington County Courthouse fire 1855 and 1865 (Sherman destroys during the Civil War) and loss of the 1800/1810 U.S. Federal Census for Georgia),  the assumption is made that when Needham Smith Sr left Warren County and followed Richard Smith Sr and William Smith Sr and settled on the Georgia Frontier in Washington County, Georgia.

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In the early 1790’s Georgia established a militia for its defense against the Creek Indians along its western border. As well, a line of forts and block houses were planned to extend from the North Carolina line to Florida.

Georgia Governor Telfair sent General John Twiggs to lead the militia against the Indians. Excerpted from correspondence to Governor Telfair from General Twiggs on 11 April 1793, he wrote, “I have Recommend the Building of Block houses for the defence of your fronteers – in Obedience to an order from the Commander in chief directed to the ajutant General for the purpose in the following places to wit. one at Carr’s Bluff an other at long Bluff one other at white Bluff another at the mouth of sholder Bone in Green County and one at filders Between Greens Borough and fort Mathews.”

Long Bluff appears to have been a block house setup in a clearing near the western boundary of what is present day Oconee, Georgia at the point where the Central of Georgia Railroad now crosses the Oconee River.

Richard Smith Sr appears with the rank of Sergeant on a muster roll of a troop of militia dragoons (mounted infantry) commanded by Captain John Stokes in the 1st Regiment of Washington County, Georgia stationed at Long Bluff, Washington County. Also listed among the soldiers of the 1st Regiment is a long time family friend Samuel Hart who migrated to Georgia with Richard.

Here is a snippet of a Map of Washington County, Georgia from M.L. Jackson published in 1897 that I’ve edited to show where the block house of Long Bluff was likely located in relationship to the town of Oconee (which was established about 1842 when the rail road was built).

Through deductive reasoning Richard Smith Sr likely held land in the vicinity of what is today Oconee, Georgia based on his exposure to the area during his time stationed at Long Bluff (June through October 1793). A year later on 5 May 1794, William Smith received a warrant for land (200 acres) as part of an old warrant in the name of James Robinson, which was on Sand Hill Creek. Sand Hill Creek is just west of Oconee.

In addition, this is also the area where Needham Smith Sr resurfaces in the records as part of the 1820 U.S. Census and supported by the 1825 Washington County Tax List. Needham is listed in the 1825 return living in Captain Woods District (90th).

Needham Smith Sr is taxed for the following land:

• Washington County; near the Buffalo Creek waterway, bounded or adjacent to Casan (William Casan)
• Washington County;  near the Buffalo Creek waterway, bounded or adjacent to Rutherford {this is likely in the vicinity of Rutherford’s Church shown on the map above}
• Houston County; in the 13th District; Lot 207
• Houston County; in the 13th District; Lot 208

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There has been no evidence found to date on the separation or death of Margaret Smith. The only proof so far that she existed is the deed shown above that identifies her as Needham Smith Sr’s wife.

As previously alluded, many family genealogist record that Needham married a Tabitha Tillman (b. ca 1780) around 1795. The only source that I have found that somewhat corroborates this is that on 23 January 1822 a George Smith of Washington County, Georgia (this George is also listed in the same district on the 1825 Washington tax as Needham Smith Sr, likely related) sold to Needham Smith (Sr) of Washington County, Georgia by deed a tract/lot of land situate in the 13th District of Monroe County containing 202 1/2 acres (lot 312). This cost Needham Smith (Sr) $400 to execute.

Nine months later, on 8 November 1822, Needham Smith of Washington County, Georgia sold to Levi Justice of Jones County, Washington by deed a tract/lot of land situate in the 13th District of Monroe County containing 202 1/2 acres (lot 312). Needham Smith received $300 to execute.

About a year later, Needham’s wife Tabitha Smith re-affirms the deed above and validates the lot of land was sold to Levi Justice.

Based on this, it is also conjectured that the children produced from this marriage is:

• Needham Smith Jr (m. Ardella Smith (working theory; she is Needham Jr’s cousin daughter of William Smith Sr)
• Jane Smith (m. Richard Johnson)
• Richard T Smith (m. Sarah Hardin)
• English Smith (m. Margaret Dean)
• Elizabeth Ann Smith (m. Cullin Cox)
• William Smith (Sarah, maiden name unknown; possibly Nichols)
• James Smith (Sarah, maiden name unknown)

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On 16 September 1807, Needham Smith Sr was a fortunate drawer in the 1807 Georgia Land lottery.

This land lottery was for 202 1/2 acre lots laid out among the new counties of Baldwin (15 Districts (6-20)) and Wilkinson (23 Districts (6-28)). Needham likely met the requirement to draw by being a married man with wife and/or child under 21 years, 3 year residence in Georgia, citizen of United States – 2 draws. Also he appears not to have been a fortunate drawer in the previous land lottery (1805).

As a fortunate drawer in the 1807 lottery, Needham was required to pay a grant fee per 202 1/2 acre lot of $12.15. This would equate to paying about $262 in today’s time.

More research is required, however based on some unofficial extracts of the 1807 lottery it appears Needham Smith from Washington County was a fortunate drawer for a lot of land in Wilkinson County.

Support for this claim can be found in the 24 October 1807 edition of the Augusta Chronicle (article edited to extract just the Washington County fortunate drawers who drew on 16 September 1807).

Other names worth mentioning that appear to have been fortunate drawers are (not shown in document above): Alexander Smith – Washington / Baldwin; Isaiah Smith – Wilkinson / Wilkinson; Joseph Cutts – Washington / Wilkinson.

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Needham Smith Sr appears in an the 14 October 1812 edition of The Georgia Journal where it states he is among a list of, “Defaulters in Laurens county who have failed to give in a list of their taxable property for the year 1812”, with apparent taxable property in Capt. King’s Dist.

Cross referencing another member of this group, Reuben Warren and tracking him to the same area in Laurens County on the 1820 U.S. Census and following him over the next forty years along with neighbors from the 1820 census, suggest that Capt. King’s District is located in the vicinity of what is today an area centered around eastern Dextor (between Alligood & Garretta), Georgia. (This being SW of Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia)

On the map snippet below, the red bordered area of Laurens was established by the Treaty of Fort Wilkinson 16 June 1802 (part of a larger cede of land, originally called Wilkinson County) and land distributed by the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery. The blue bordered area of Laurens was established by the Treaty of Washington 14 November 1805 (part of a larger cede of land, originally part of Wilkinson County) and land distributed by the 1807 Georgia Land Lottery. The non bordered area of Laurens was land taken from Washington County and Montgomery County and added to Laurens. The orange circle is the approximate location of where eastern Dexter is located. More research is needed to determine if this location correlates with the lot Needham Smith Sr drew in the 1807 lottery.

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Shortly after the fourth Georgia land lottery of 1821 Needham Smith Sr, his nephew William Smith III (research still pending) and his son Needham Smith Jr begin purchasing land in the newly formed county of Houston (pronounced haʊstən or house-tun). William and Needham Jr (Jr married William’s daughter Ardilla) would lay their foundation in the 11th District of Houston, while Needham Smith Sr would build his new foundation in the 13th District.

William was the first to grab land in Houston, “30 September 1822, William Bracewell of Laurance (Laurens) County to William Smith of Washington County for $600 Lot 103 in District 11 on the waters of pa** Creek near the Oakmulgee (Ocmulgee) River, originally granted to Bracewell on 9 September 1822; deed witnessed by Alexander Smith (William’s son) and David Stephens”(vol C 133).

Based on succeeding deeds, William Smith appears to have moved to Houston County in the fall of 1823. This is important in researching William’s relationship and location between the Washington County 1820 U.S. Census and the 1825 Washington County tax list which would indicated that he and Needham Smith Jr moved during the times the two documents were captured.

On, “2 December 1823, Samuel Pearson of Putnam County to Needham Smith of Washington County for $202.50 Lot 207 in District 13” (vol B 102).

Then on, “6 December 1825, Joseph Mims, Sheriff sold to Needham Smith (he was the highest bidder of a seized lot of land) for $385 Lot 208 in District 13″ (vol B 263)

Between 1826 and March 1827, Needham Smith Sr appears to move his family and slaves from Washington County to Houston County, Georgia where he will build his farm on these two lots of land (405 acres in total).

Then later in 1827 he will add two more adjoining lots to his property. Lot 214 for $400 and Lot 172 for $100.

Of particular interest is Lot 172 was deeded on 9 March 1827, ” James Blair of Habershaw County to Needham Smith of Houston County for $100, sold Lot 172 District 13, land granted (via 1821 Georgia Land Lottery) to Larkin Hall; witnessed by William Smith and James Smith” (vol C 337). The reason this is of interest is because just about a month prior, Isaiah Smith (proposed son of Needham Smith Sr) on 23 January 1827, “Frederick Carter to Isaiah Smith, both of Houston County, for $400, sold Lot 165 District 13, witnessed by Henry Smith” (vol C 248). This lot is adjacent to Needham Smith Sr and allows for the possibility of a genealogical connection.

Here is a different perspective of the land they obtained, and what it looks like today.

Below is a sort of compendium of Needham Smith Sr’s land holdings.

Tax Year	County Property	Boundary	Acre	Total Acreage	Land Taxed	Salve
1828 – Washington	Washington	Buffalo Creek – Casan	300
	Washington	Buffalo Creek – Rutherford	200
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 207	202 1/2
		#207 – 2 December 1823 from Samuel Pearson, $202.50
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 208	202 1/2	905	$5.40
		#208 – 6 December 1825 from Sheriff Joseph Mims (highest bidder), $385
1829 – Houston	Washington	90 Dist adj Wm Cason	200
	Washington	Buffalo Creek – adj John Miller	350
	Pulaski		202 1/2
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 208	202 1/2
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 214	202 1/2
		#214 – 18 April 1827 from William Hollis, $400
	Houston	Lot 172	202 1/2	1360	$6.77	15
		#172 – 9 March 1827 from James Blair, $100
1831 – Houston	Houston	13 Dist Lot 172	202 1/2
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 214, 207, 208	607 1/2
	Washington	Buffalo Creek – Wm Cason	200	1010	$4.72	14
1835 – Houston	Houston	13 Dist Lot 171, 172, 208, 207	810
		#171 – 8 September 1832 from John H Fye, $200
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 214	202 1/2
	Pulaski	22 Dist Lot 209	202 1/2	1215	$4.26	22
1837 – Houston	Houston	13 Dist Lot 206	405
		#206 – 10 November 1835 from John Holder, $300
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 207	310	715	$4.17	25
1839 – Houston	Houston	13 Dist Lot 207	607 1/2
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 173	561 1/4
	Houston		202 1/2	1371 1/4	$6.33	33
1841 – Houston	Houston	13 Dist Lot 207	405
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 173	910
	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 40	202 1/2
	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 56	202 1/2
	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 57	202 1/2
	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 49	202 1/2
	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 50	202 1/2	2327.5	$15.42	33
1842 – Houston	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 143	911 1/4
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 173	910
	Houston	13 Dist Lot 207 & 208	607	2428.25	$13.92	34
1843 – Houston	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 56	708 3/4
	Dooly	3 Dist Lot 49	202 1/2
	Houston	Lot 215	202 1/2
	Houston	Lot 206	101 1/4
	Houston	Lot 207	202 1/2
	Houston	Lot 208	202 1/2
	Houston	Lot 172	202 1/2
	Houston	Lot 174	202 1/2	2025	16.38	34

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Needham Smith Sr passed away late August or in October of 1843 in Houston County, Georgia. This date is contradicted by several Sons of the American Revolution membership applications, which indicate that he died in 1845.

The first indication that the 1843 date is correct is by a newspaper posting in the Georgia Messenger newspaper first published on 9 November 1843.

Then as found in the Houston County Appraisements And Sales Records of 1834 – 1858 vol A-B, shows the return information submitted by Richard Johnson & William Smith recording cash owned (beginning 10 December 1843) since the death of deceased.

Taking figures from the Appraisements and Sales Records plus an average for each slave he owned (34 in 1840) at the time of his death, his worth was estimated at about $23,256 in 1843. In 2019, $23,256 had the same buying power as $794,309.

Needham’s wife Tabitha likely died in April 1848 as alluded to a public sale notice published in the Georgia Telegraph, 4 April 1848 edition.

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Any comments or questions about the above material, please drop a comment or an email to disneysmitty@gmail.com.