Isaiah Smith Sr – My Brick Wall

The parents of Isaiah Smith Sr are to this day still undertermined. This brickwall has been a formidable advisary in my genealogy research. I have found sections of this brickwall that have broken and I have been able to peer through the cracks to see some images of Isaiah Smith Sr’s ancestors by means of evaluating historical records and genetics.

My research shows that Isaiah Smith Sr descends from a clan of Smiths that were from Johnston and Cumberland counties in North Carolina and who migrated to the border of Wilkes and Richmond County, Georgia, along Brier Creek in 1884. The area of Wilkes and Richmond (Columbia) where they lived became Warren County on 19 December 1793. Most of the clan can be tracked migrating to Washington County, Georgia in the 1790s.

From a historical record aspect, research has been severely hampered by an event that occurred on 24 March 1855. The town and courthouse at Sandersville (Washington County) burned, creating a total loss of County courthouse records. This event along with missing Georgia U.S. Census records from 1790 to 1810 create quite the task of trying to track individuals in Washington County, Georgia during this time.

My research currently identifies the following people of the Smith Clan (at least those who migrated to Georgia): Elder members of the clan (born before 1760) – Richard Smith Sr, Francis Scott Smith, Hardy Smith Sr, and Job Smith Sr.
Younger members of the clan (born between 1761 and 1788) – Needham Smith, William Smith, Benjamin Smith, Richard Smith Jr, Alexander Smith and Samuel R Smith.

From a genectics aspect research shows, as a descendant of Isaiah Smith Sr, I share the same DNA as descendants of Needham Smith Sr (Y-DNA), Hardy Smith Sr (Autosomal), and Job Smith Sr (Autosomal).

Without going to far into the DNA rabbit hole, I share Y-DNA with a decendant of Needham Smith Sr’s son English Smith. I also share Autosomal DNA with decendants of Needham Smith Sr’s son William Smith and his daughters Agnes Smith and Elizabeth Smith.

I share Autosomal DNA with three decendants of Job Smith Sr’s son Jeremiah B Smith.

I share Autosomal DNA with decendants of Hardy Smith Sr’s sons Stephen Smith, Hardy Smith Jr, and Thompson Smith.

And for research and discussion purposes, I share Y-DNA with a descendant of Isaiah Smith Jr’s son Richard S Smith and Autosomal DNA with a descendant of Isaiah Smith Jr’s daughter Anne Elizabeth Smith.

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Isaiah Smith Sr appears to have been born in North Carolina between June 1785 – May 1786, this is primarily derived from the 1850 U.S. Census. His state of birth is further supported by the 1880 U.S. Census for his sons Isaiah Smith Jr and Richard Smith where they indicate their father was born in North Carolina.

Note about the 1850 U.S. Census for Dooly County, Georiga. Dooly County was originally established and surveyed to include 16 Districts. The 1850 U.S. Census shows Dooly County as having only the 24th District and everyone living in the county is living within that District. This is inaccurate and researchers should not annotate their ancestors living in the 24th District Dooly County, Georgia in 1850.

My research indicates that Isaiah Smith Sr was likely married ca 1808/09 derived by the 1830 and 1840 U.S. Census. In the 1830 U.S. Census Isaiah Smith Sr is assumed to be 44 (shown as a mark in the ‘Of forty and under fifty’ column). His wife is shown as a mark in the ‘Of thirty and under forty’ column. As alluded to, the oldest she likely could have been in the 1830 U.S. Census is 39 years of age. At age 39 in 1830, this would make her 18 in 1809.

In the 1850 U.S. Census, it shows Elizabeth Smith’s age 62 living with Isaiah Smith Sr. This is his wife which is supported by an 1849 deed between Isaiah Smith Sr and his son Richard Smith. Isaiah Smith Sr’s wife, projected in the 1830 and 1840 would have been 39 and 49 respectively. Therefore in the 1850 U.S. Census we would have expected her to be 58 to 59 years of age at best. However, with Elizabeth Smith shown as 62 we have to conclude either the age as recorded is a mistake and Elizabeth is the wife protrayed in the 1830 and 1840 U.S. Census or Elizabeth Smith is Isaiah Smith’s second wife. Based on this and that the 1850 U.S. Census indicated Elizabeth Smith was born in South Carolina and none of Isaiah Smith Sr’s children indicate that their mother was born in South Carolina, I have to conclude that Elizabeth Smith is Isaiah Smith Sr’s second wife.

Furthermore, based on my current research Isaiah Smith Sr likely migrated to Georgia as a small child with his parents and his marriage to his first wife occurred in Georgia. We also know that Isaiah Smith Sr was in Georgia in 1812/13 when the oldest of his known children, John W Smith, was born.

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The first historical or government record that can be attributed to Isaiah Smith Sr is a deed executed on 23 January 1827.

Houston County Georgia, Houston County Deed Book C pg 248
Frederick Carter to Isaiah Smith; $400; certain tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the thirtenth district of Houston County known by lot number one hundred & sixty five. Granted to the said Carter containing 202 and a half acres. 23 January 1827. Signed Frederick (his mark) Carter (seal). Witnessed by Henry (his mark) Smith and Simeon Taylor J.P. - Recorded August 8th 1827.

This tract of land was located just south of what is today Elko, Georgia (called Graceville in the late 1800s). History tells us this area of the Old Thirteenth Georgia Military District was mainly a cotton farming area from the time when Houston County was formed.

Here is a snippet of the Houston County District 13 map; edited showing land owners who were supposedly living in Houston County District 13 as derived from the 1829 (blue) & 1831 (red) Houston County Tax List.

The law providing for this lottery names white males above 18, who had been residents of the state for three years. Revolutionary soldiers, widows of Revolutionary soldiers, orphans, and others, who had not drawn land in previous lotteries, as eligible for participation.

Other notable Fortunate Drawers from Houston County were Henry Smith (Capt. Smiths District) and Neadom Smith [sic] (Capt. Batemans District). Neadom is Needham Smith Jr living in the 11th District of Houston County. His father Needham Smith Sr is living in the 13th District of Houston County and is an adjoining land owner to Isaiah Smith Sr. Capt. Smiths District is a likely reference to Needham Smith Sr as he and Isaiah are the only two elder Smiths living in this immediate area.

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Isaiah Smith Sr appears next in the 1829 Houston County, Georgia Tax List, Captain Calhoun’s District, where he is taxed a poll tax of 31 and 1/4 cents and his property (Houston County, 13th District, Lot 165) was taxed at 25 and 2/4 cents. This equates to about $17 in todays money.

Here are some other names living in the same District that I believe are relevant for future research;
Capt Calhoons District: Elisha Cutts (poll), William Smith (poll), Eason Smith (poll), Elisha Cutts (poll), Needham Smith (poll, land, & 15 slaves), James Smith (poll), Joseph Cutts (poll, land & 1 slave), Elijah Cutts (pole), Henry Smith (pole), James Smith (pole), Richard Johnson Sr (pole and land), James McCormick as Administrator on estate of Samuel Hart (pole and land)

William Smith and James Smith are the sons of Needham Smith Sr. Richard Johnston Sr is Needham Smith’s son-in-law (married Jane Smith). The three Cutts men are of interest as they maybe kin to the Smiths of Cumberland County, NC. A William Cutts is living next to Richard Smith Sr in Cumberland County in the early 1780s. Joseph Cutts, who appears as a Revolutionary soldier in the 1827 Land Lottery and is in the same age bracket as Needham Smith Sr, is living in the same militia district (Capt Grubbs District (my 4th great-uncle Francis Grubbs)) as Richard Smith Sr, Needham Smith, and Francis Scott Smith in Wilkes County, Georgia in 1787. Joseph Cutts seems to have migrated to Washington County, GA and then is found living near Needham Smith Sr and Isaiah Smith Sr in Houston County. This same observed migration pattern is of particular interest.

Fun Fact: Francis Grubbs' niece Susan Grubbs (d/o Benjamin Grubb) married Abraham Mott in Jefferson County, Florida. Their daughter Charlotte Mott married Richard Calhoun Smith who is Isaiah Smith's grandson.

James McCormick is of interest because of research involving a James McCormick who lived next to William Smith (Smith Clan) and a five minute horse ride from Samuel Hart when they all lived in Warren County, Georgia in the 1790s. The Warren County James McCormick lived about a ten minute horse ride from Richard Smith and Needham Smith Sr.

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The next historical document that Isaiah Smith Sr can be found in is the 1830 United States Federal Census. The 1830 U.S. Census for Houston County shows Isaiah Smith with the following household:

• 1 Male: of 40 & < 50; this is Isaiah Smith Sr; based on the above reasoning he would have been 44 years of age (born between June 1885 – May 1886).
• 1 Female: of 30 & < 40; this is presumed to be Isaiah Smith Sr’s first wife, her name is unknown. She is believed to be around 39 years of age (born ca 1891).
• 1 Male: of 20 & < 30; (b. btw June 1800 – May 1810); this male is presumed to be born between 1809 – 1810, making him around 21 years old. Isaiah’s wife would have been about 19 years old when this male was born. (current research hypothesis is this is Henry Smith)
• 2 Males: of 15 & < 20; (b. btw June 1810 – May 1815); one of these males is son John W Smith who is likely 17 years of age (born between June 1812 – May 1813). The other male is son Richard G Smith who is likely 15 years of age (born between June 1814 – May 1815).
• 1 Male: of 10 & < 15; (b. btw June 1815 – May 1820); this male is son Isaiah Smith Jr who is likely 13 years of age (born ca 1816).
• 3 Females: of 15 & < 20; (b. btw June 1810 – May 1815); one of these females is believed to be Elizabeth Smith who is likely 16 years of age (born between June 1813 – May 1814).
• 1 Female: of 5 & < 10; (b. btw June 1820 – May 1825)

Isaiah Smith Sr appears again in the 1831 Houston County Tax List:
Capt. Barrons District: Needham Smith (land & 14 slaves), Isaiah Smith (land & poll), James Smith (land & poll), Eason Smith (poll), Stephen Smith (poll)
Capt. McVays District (adjoining district): Jeremiah B Smith (land & poll), Samuel R Smith (land & poll), John Cross (poll), Edward Cross (land & poll), Elisha Cutts (land & poll), William B Smith (land & poll), Jobe W Smith (land & poll), Andrew D Smith (poll & 6 slaves), Jobe Smith (land), Joseph Cutts (land & 1 slave), William T Smith (land & poll), Nathan R Smith (poll), Richard Johnson Jun (land, poll, & 12 slaves), Alexander Smith (poll), Richard Johnson (land & poll)

Eason Smith & Stephen Smith are likely the two 20-29 year old males living next door to Isaiah Smith Sr at the collection of the 1830 U.S. Census – Houston County. Many family researcher list Eason Smith as the son of Isaiah Smith Sr because of their proximity to each other in the 1830 U.S. Census. My research has steered away from this with the understanding that if Isaiah Smith Sr was married in 1808/9 and Eason Smith was born between June 1803 – May 1804 then the possibility they are father son is not likely. I do share Autosomal DNA with a descendant of Eason Smith’s son Eason Smith Jr.

Is Eason Smith a younger sibling to Isaiah Smith Sr? If Henry Smith is the first male child of Isaiah Smith Sr what is the significance that Eason Smith’s first male child is also Henry Smith? These are some of the questions that need further research. Ironically, Isaiah Smith Jr had a son named Henry Smith, Richard G Smith had a son named William Henry Smith, and John W Smith had a son named John Henry Smith.

Jobe Smith, Jobe W Smith (likely Job E. W. Smith), Jeremiah B Smith, Samuel R Smith, Edward Cross and John Cross are all of the same family unit. Jobe Smith is a senior member of the my Smith Clan listed as Job Smith Sr. Jobe W Smith and Jeremiah B Smith are sons of Job Smith Sr. Samuel R Smith is likely Job Smith’s oldest son (lives next to Job Smith Sr, Black River in Cumberland County, North Carolina and follows Job Smith Sr from North Carolina to Washington County, Georgia and then to Houston County). Edward Cross is presumed to be Job Smith Sr’s son-in-law (presumed daughter Elizabeth Ann Smith). John Cross is Edward Cross’ eldest son.

William B Smith is a person of interest as he is an adjoining (same lot) land owner to Job W Smith in Houston County.

Isaiah Smith Sr is also listed in the 1835 Houston County Tax List
Capt Gilmores District: Patrick Smith (land & poll), Isaiah Smith (land & poll), James Smith (land & poll), Needham Smith (land & 22 slaves), John Smith (poll), William Smith (land & poll), Eason Smith (land & poll), Edward Cross (land & poll)
Capt Terry’s District: Richard Johnson Jun, William B Smith, Richard Johnson Sen, Andrew D Smith, James H Smith, Job W Smith, and John W Cross (listed as a defaulter)

Isaiah Smith Sr is listed in the 1837 Houston County Tax List
Capt Browns District: Edward Cross (land & poll), Needham Smith (land & poll), Isaiah Smith (land & poll), William Smith (land & poll), James Smith (land & poll), William McNeese (land & poll), Vincent McNeese (poll), Patrick Smith (land & poll), John Smith (poll), Eason Smith (land & poll)
Capt Terry’s District: Richard Johnson Jr (land & poll), William B Smith (land & poll), Andrew D Smith (poll), Isaac H Smith (land & poll), Richard Johnson Sr (land & poll), James H Smith (land & poll), John W Cross (defaulter)

Isaiah Smith Sr was not listed in the 1839 Houston County Tax List

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In 1840, Isaiah Smith Sr purchased and moved to a tract of land in Dooly County, Georgia

Note: a deed showing Isaiah Smith Sr selling lot 165 in the 13th District, Houston County has not been found. However, on 2 November 1888 J.O. Jelks & Bro (comprised of J.O. Jelks Sr of Hawkinsville and J.J. Jelks living in Hamilton County, Florida) of the town of Hawkinsville in Pulaski County sells to Henderson Lester for $900 Lot 165 in the 13th District, Houston County, Georgia (Houston County, Georgia Deed Book V pg 512).  

Dooly County Georgia, Dooly County Deed Book A pg 545
Guilford Kent to Isaiah Smith, both of the County of Dooly; $150; tract or parcel of land containing two hundred & 2-1/2 acres more or less situate lying and distinguished in the plan of said district by lot No (53) fifty three. 6 February 1840. Signed Guilford Kent. Witnessed by William McDaniel and Chesley Purvis J.P. - Recorded 22 July 1849.

Lot 53 of District 3 Dooly County, Georgia was located in what is today the eastern half of the town of Unadilla. Unadilla was incorporated in 1891. Below is a snippet of a map from The Hudgins Co, ca 1910 showing Dooly County, Georgia. This snippet is zoomed into District 3 and the grid laid out by the map maker coincides with the lot division as set forth in 1821 Land Lottery. Green circles indicate information derived from the Dooly County Deed Books. Yellow circles were derived from the Houston County 1831 Tax List and indicates persons who lived in Houston County (Houston County District 13 is immediately to the north of this map snippet) and were taxed on property in District 3 of Dooly County. Blue Circles indicate information derived from the 1851 Dooly County Tax List showing people living in District 3 and the property in District 3 they were being taxed on.

Below is a snippet of a map showing the geographical relationship between Houston County District 13 and Dooly County District 3.

Isaiah Smith Sr is shown living in District 3, Dooly County, Georgia on the 1840 U.S. Census. He is shown with the following household:

• 1 Male: 60 & under 70, this entry is likely an error from the census taker as Isaiah Smith Sr is about 54 years old in 1830.
• 1 Female: 40 & under 50; Isaiah’s wife; she should be about 49 years old.
• 1 Male: 20 & under 30 (b. btw June 1810 – May 1820);
• 1 Male: 10 & under 15 (b. btw June 1825 – May 1830);
• 1 Female: 20 & under 30 (b. btw June 1810 – May 1820);

Isaiah Smith Sr is shown living in Dooly County, Georgia on the 1850 U.S. Census with his wife Elizabeth.

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In 1845, Isaiah Smith Sr can be found recorded in the estate records for Needham Smith Sr. He is shown having paid a note of $15 to the estate.

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On 10 November 1848, Isaiah Smith Sr is recorded as a witness to a deed between Giles G Webb and Mathew Smith.

Dooly County Georgia, Dooly County Deed Book A pg 377
Giles G Webb to Mathew Smith, both of the same county (Dooly); $50; tract or parcel of land number twenty one situate and lying in the seventh district of said, granted unto Mathew Smith [sic] (should be Giles Webb), containing two hundred two and a half acres. 10 November 1848. Signed Giles G Webb (seal). Witnessed by Isah [sic] (his mark) Smith, Absalom (his mark) Christmas, and Gabriel Barber J.P. - Recorded 7 December 1848.

Current research doesn’t point to any family connection with Mathew Smith, who appears to have been born in North Carolina ca 1790. Mathew Smith did live in the 2nd District, Dooly County during the 1840s and seems to have moved to the 7th District just to the north east of Vienna, Georgia (where the above tract of land is located and along with Lot 46 and 48 that he owned).

However, research does show a distant connection with Giles G Webb. Giles G Webb’s cousins Giles B Webb and William Wiley Webb married Elizabeth A Raines and Mary Quintine Cox, respectively. Elizabeth A Raines is the daughter of Washington Raines and Agnes Smith (daughter of Needham Smith Sr (& 1st wife Margaret)). Mary Quintine Cox is the daughter of Cullin Cox and Elizabeth Ann Smith (daughter of Needham Smith Sr (& 2nd wife Tabitha Tillman))

It seems out of place that Isaiah Smith Sr and Isaiah’s neighbor Absalom Christmas, both living in the 3rd District, Dooly County, would witness a deed for Giles G Webb considering Giles was living in Washington County, Georgia and there were numerous kin including his uncle Benjamin Webb living in the 2nd District, Dooly County who could have witnessed the deed..

So maybe there is something of a connection with Mathew Smith that we can’t see at the moment.

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A Last Will & Testament has not been uncovered for Isaiah Smith Sr to date. However, he executed a deed in 1849 which may explain why a LWT has not been found.

Dooly County Georgia, Dooly County Deed Book Book A pg 545
Isaiah Smith to Richard Smith both of Dooly County, Georgia; witnesseth that the said Isaiah Smith for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have and bear towards my son Richard Smith, and for divers acts of kindness which my son Richard as aforesaid has rendered and performed towards me and my beloved wife from time to time hitherto, hath give granted and conveyed and do by these presents give and grant and convey unto my son Richard as aforesaid his heirs and assigns all that tract or lot of land lying in the third 3rd district of said County of Dooly, known by number fifty three in said district, containing two hundred two and a half acres 202-1/2 more or less also all my stock of sheep consisting of twenty five head more or less and all the increase thereof also ten head of stock hogs more or less and the increase thereof also one gray horse about twelve years old, also all my house hold and kitchen furniture together with all my farming utensils, to have and to hold said tract or parcel of land together with all of the aforementioned stock of sheep, hogs and horse and household and kitchen furniture together with the farming utensils. Reserving in myself and my beloved wife Elisabeth Smith the right absolute of the control together with the right of title in and to said discribed property for and during the natural lives of myself and my said beloved wife as aforesaid then said described property as aforesaid to be and belong to my said son Richard his heirs and assings as aforesaid. 14 April 1849. Signed Isaiah (his mark) Smith. Witnessed by Richard Clewis and Cuthbut Adams J.P. - Recorded 22 July 1849.

The 1851 Dooly County Tax List shows Richard Smith living in the 2nd District of Dooly County and owning property in the 3rd District of Dooly County, Lot 53. Further examination of the residents taxed in the 3rd District does not list Isaiah Smith Sr. The two prominent theories for this is, 1) Isaiah Smith has died before the creation of the tax list, or 2) since Isaiah Smith was a senior citizen he would have been exempted from the poll tax and not technically owning any property to tax, may not have been included in the list of taxed individuals.

The above deed is the only historical document that, to date, provides any genealogical information about the children of Isaiah Smith Sr. Another clue in the deed is the witness Richard Clewis. This shows researchers how to link to the Richard Smith living in the 2nd District Dooly County. Richard Clewis, son of Lewis Clewis, is the older brother of Sarah Clewis. Lore has it that Richard Smith married Sarah Clewis ca1845.

My research currently annotates Isaiah Smith, having died ca 1851 based on the above information. Until additional information may be found that otherwise counterdicts this hypothesis, this is a legitimate conclusion.

Isaiah Smith born ca 1785; died ca 1851 around the age of 66.