collecting the seeds of a Smith tree
Tracing our ancestors is often like following a trail of breadcrumbs, each clue leading us deeper into the past. My journey to uncover my Smith lineage has led me time and again to one pivotal figure—William Smith of Surry County, Virginia. As the likely progenitor of my Smith line in America, understanding his origins is... Continue Reading →
Isaiah Smith Jr was born circa 1816 in Georgia and was the presumed son of Isaiah Smith Sr. Based upon my research, the possibility exist that Isaiah Smith Jr was born in Wilkinson County, Georgia. In 1827, his father Isaiah Smith Sr moved to Houston County, Georgia and lived on the adjoining property of Needham... Continue Reading →
In a prior post about Elizabeth Smith Crozier, I established her as the daughter of Isaiah Smith. This revelation led to the discovery that in 1880, Mary Ann Crozier, Isaiah Smith's granddaughter, was living with Elizabeth J Johnson Grace Smith, Needham Smith's granddaughter. They were listed as cousins in the 1880 census records. This article... Continue Reading →
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 →
Benjamin Harrison stood as the progenitor of a renowned lineage known as the James River Harrisons. His notable appointments include being appointed Clerk of the Virginia Council in 1632, tobacco viewer for the Upper Chippoakes district (Jamestown) in 1639, and holding a position as a representative in the House of Burgess for James City County... Continue Reading →
In 17th-century Virginia, the primary purpose of the tithable list was tax assessment and collection. These lists identified individuals subject to taxation, known as 'tithables,' serving as crucial administrative tools for tax assessment, maintaining order, and gathering information about the colony's population and resources. During the 1650s and 1660s, colony law stipulated, "Bee itt enacted... Continue Reading →
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 →
Around the time that George Smith was born, the Cheroenhaka Indian Tribe, or commonly called the Nottoway Indians, due to encroachment by the Colonials of Virginia moved from the Nottoway town of Tonnatorah in Sussex County, Virginia to the Assamoosick Swamp in what was then Isle of Wight County, Virginia. In 1705 the Virginia House... Continue Reading →
Edward Smith was born ca 1798 presumably in Warren County, Georgia. This is based on where his father Benjamin Smith Sr was living in 1798. Edward Smith married Nancy Banister on 23 May 1819 in Pulaski County, Georgia. Source: Georgia County Marriage Records , 1828-1978. The Georgia Archives. Interestingly, Edward Smith's father Benjamin Smith Sr's... 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 →
Elizabeth Smith was born in Georgia between June 1813 - May 1814. She is presumed to be the daughter of Isaiah Smith Sr of Houston County, Georgia (re 1827). Her birth is derived from the 1860 U.S. Census of Dooly County, Georgia where it shows her being 46 years of age. This also coincides with... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
At this stage of my research, I have identified a common DNA link between Isaiah Smith Sr and Needham Smith Sr. For repetition, I have a DNA match to a user who's traced lineage via documented sources starts with Patricia Rhodes > Minnie Claire Cox > Charlie Needham Cox > Needham Cox > Elizabeth Ann... 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 →
digging our roots 