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 →
The Confederate Chronicles: Richard and Hardy Smith’s Fight for the South
In the mid 1800s, the United States was experiencing an era of tremendous growth, marked by a fundamental economic difference that existed between the country's northern and southern territories. In the North, a robust manufacturing and industrial sector flourished, while agriculture predominantly consisted of small-scale farming operations. In contrast, the South's economy revolved around large-scale... 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 →
John W Smith
This post was originally published on 3 November 2018 and is being revised based on newly discovered information (20210828). John W Smith was born about 1813, presumed by inductive reasoning, in Washington County, Georgia. An alternate case can be made for Wilkinson County, Georgia. See article for Isaiah Smith Sr. John's grandparents and uncles started... Continue Reading →
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... 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 →
Richard Smith – 300A – Black River
On 25 August 1778, Richard Smith made a entry for 300 acres of land lying in Cumberland County on the Black River joining his own line. Four years later on 4 January 1782 a warrant was issued to conduct a survey for this entry. The survey was conducted on 30 April 1782. The chainers for... Continue Reading →
Hardy Sanders – 500 acres – Black River in Cumberland County, North Carolina
I've decided to jump over to Cumberland County, North Carolina to start plotting some land grants and deeds. I was interested in locating the land that Hardy Smith bought from Richard Smith in 1783. Hardy Sanders was issued a land grant on 22 May 1772 for 500 acres in Cumberland County, North Carolina on the... Continue Reading →
The Hardy Smith Timeline – Part 2 (Georgia)
Continued from Part 1 Following the clues left behind in Cumberland County, North Carolina, Hardy Smith can be found having migrated to Georgia. Observing the migration to Georgia of Hardy's Cumberland County neighbors and acquaintances (those living on the Black River and nearby Buie & McNeill Creek, as well as in Johnston County), it warrant's... Continue Reading →
The Hardy Smith Timeline – Part 1 (Cumberland County)
This is the life timeline of Hardy Smith, as interpreted, based on connecting historical documents, circumstantial information and affiliation to other known individuals. Hardy Smith's testimony in open court on 6 May 1833 as part of his Pension Application process, Hardy stated he was 76 and was born on the waters of Neuse River Johnston... Continue Reading →