collecting the seeds of a Smith tree
John Smith's probable birth year is circa 1731, placing his origins in Bertie County, North Carolina, specifically in Occoneechee Neck. The estimation of his birth year is based on historical records, taking into account the apparent age of his son Benjamin Smith Sr. Furthermore, extensive research into his father, William Smith Sr, has contributed to... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
On 1 June 1774 William Ward of Johnston County deeded 100A to John Adams (JoCo H1:95) for 20£ proc. On 12 May 1775 John Smith Sr of Bladen County deeded his 417A tract of land to his son John Smith Jr (JoCo H1:243) for 30£ proc. The deed was witnessed by Samuel Smith, Brittain Smith... Continue Reading →
On 17 January 1764 Jesse Page and his wife Anne deeded 100A of their 517A grant to William Smith Sr of the county & province afsd (this being Johnston County, NC) (JoCo D1:163) for 5£. The deed was witnessed by Lodwick Tanner and Francis Payne. Lodwick Tanner is known to be a nearby landowner. He... Continue Reading →
It appears James Stallings was one of the guys along with Samuel Smith Sr and John Smith Sr to migrate to this area in the late 1730's. He patented 313A along the river and it appears this is where he built his plantation. In his LW&T ".... I give & bequeath to my son Ezekiel... Continue Reading →
In 1745 James Mackelwean was patented 200A on the Neuse River. It appears that James' plantation was on a 640A parcel on the north side of the Neuse River, at the border of Johnston and Craven County. In 1751 he would sell the lower 100A of the 200A parcel to John Brady. By 1777 James... Continue Reading →
digging our roots 