collecting the seeds of a Smith tree
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 →
On 2 July 1767 William Smith of Johnston County deeded 100A to Philip Jones (JoCo E1:244) for 12£ proc. The deed was witnessed by Robert and David Mims. The following year, in 1768, Philip Jones would become Johnston County Sheriff upon the death of Sheriff John McCullers. Fast forward 4 years later, Philip Jones is... Continue Reading →
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 →
The next grant to plot is by Theophilus Hunter. This will help tie the start point for these plots together. The entry for this grant was made on 3 December 1778, which described the land as 320 acres lying on the branches of Buies Creek and on both sides of the Widow Cutts path that... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
This is the life timeline of Hardy Smith, as interpreted, based on connecting historical documents, circumstantial information and affiliation to other known individuals.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 →
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 →
Samuel Smith Jr's Will shows the following dispersion of land " .... I give to my son Samuel Smith all of the lands I own on the north side of Neuse River which lies above or on the west side of the great Branch to him & his heirs forever .... " " .... I... Continue Reading →
Samuel Smith Jr received two patents in 1779 adjoining the lands that were deeded to him by his father. ".... granted to Samuel Smith six hundred and forty acres of land in Johnston County on the sough side of Neuse River on the Poplar Branch. Beginning at a small hickory in John Braddy's line said... Continue Reading →
digging our roots 