In Cumberland County, North Carolina, during the Revolutionary War, the organization of militias followed a structured yet community-driven approach. At the county level, these militias were composed of local men who either volunteered or were conscripted to serve. Recruitment efforts were often spearheaded by prominent community members, including local leaders, landowners, and respected veterans. These... Continue Reading →
Forging a New Frontier: The Smiths’ Journey to Georgia and the Riches of Wilkes County Headright Grants
By April 1783, the skirmishes stemming from the Revolutionary War reached their conclusion, marking an end to the hostilities of the war. The Smith clan resided primarily in the northern region of Cumberland County, North Carolina, establishing their homes along Black River, Niells Creek, and Buies Creek. In the days leading up to the war's... Continue Reading →
Unveiling William Smith: The Enigmatic Journey to Black Creek
William Smith was likely born in either Surry or Isle of Wight County, Virginia in about 1709. William Smith moved with his parents George Smith and Elizabeth Smith to Occoneechee Neck, Chowan Precinct, North Carolina in about 1719. William Smith appears in historical records for the first time when he purchases land in 1738 from... Continue Reading →
Benjamin Smith
Benjamin Smith was likely born in Johnston County, North Carolina ca 1752. He is the son of John Smith Sr. John Smith Sr was living in an area of Johnston County near Swift Creek that became Wake County in 1771. On 7 July 1778 John Smith Sr made a claim on 300 acres of land... Continue Reading →
Smiths in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery
One of the troubles that genealogy researchers face is trying to track people moving into or living in Georgia from about 1784 to 1820. This is primarily due to the lost U.S. Census records for Georgia for the years 1790 through 1820. My research is able to follow the Smith Clan from Cumberland County, North... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
Tricounty Map – 0 (William Eason, Jesse Page, John Smith Sr)
This map will focus on plotting properties where present day North Carolina counties of Johnston, Harnett, and Wake come together, about 2 miles northeast of Angiers, North Carolina. Starting off in the NE quadrant of the map, the first tract to review is one granted to William Eason in 1755. William Eason - 359A issued... Continue Reading →