Tricounty Map – 4 (Hardy Sanders, Richard Smith, Theophilus Hunter Sr)

It was previously learned that when Richard Smith in 1773 purchased 100A from John Smith Sr on Black Creek, it was annotated that Richard was of/from Cumberland County.

Shifting map focus to the south southeast across the Johnston County line into Cumberland County, on 22 May 1772 Hardy Sanders received a grant for 500A on both sides of Black River about a mile above the road that leads to Sprowels Ferry (aka Sproles Ferry) (ancestry.com). Hardy Sanders survey was completed on 10 March 1768. No chain carriers were listed.

Sam’s Law: Hardy Sanders’ son Reuben Sanders married Keran Ann Smith granddaughter of Samuel Smith Sr. Also, Hardy Sanders’ son Hardy Sanders Jr married Edith Turner granddaughter of Samuel Smith Sr. Hardy Sanders’ father James Sanders was a neighbor of Samuel Smith Sr and they lived in the vicinity where Cow Branch runs into Middle Creek in Johnston County.

A couple years after being issued the grant, on 17 May 1774 Hardy Sanders of Wake County deeded this 500A tract to Richard Smith of Cumberland County (CuCo 6:245) for 100£. This deed was witnessed by John Smith and William Ward.

William Ward is likely the same William Ward that bought and sold the 100A on Black Creek. He was a known acquaintance of the John Smith Sr and Samuel Smith Sr families. William Ward was also the Johnston County Clerk during the late 1770’s and early 1780s. As for John Smith, assuming that Richard Smith’s relation to William Smith Sr is ever proved, then he could be Richard’s brother.

Then about 4 years later Richard Smith and Theophilus Hunter Sr make entries for land in 1778. These entries were patented many years later.

On 6 November 1784 Richard Smith was granted 300A on Black River joining his own line (ancestry.com). The survey for this tract was completed on 30 April 1782 and the chain carriers were Simon Johnston and Hardy Smith.

During this same time Richard Smith on 6 October 1783 deeded his 500A tract to Hardy Smith (CuCo 7:320) for 100£. The deed was witnessed by Ebenezer Folsom, Hugh Ochiltree, and Nathaniel Folsom.

Research note: based on some autosomal DNA research that I’ve conducted, Hardy Smith appears to be related to Richard Smith and likely his brother.

Sam’s Law: Ebenezer and Nathaniel are the sons of Ebenezer Folsom Sr and Edith Smith Folsom. Edith is the daughter of Samuel Smith Sr.

In 1789 Theophilus Hunter Sr received his patent for 320A on Black River (ancestry.com). The survey for this tract was witnessed by Matthew Myatt and Hardy Smith.