Person:Edward Smith (107)

Disambiguation

Not to be confused with Edward Smith of Rowan County, North Carolina, whose wife was named Sarah. Some researchers have confused the two. It has not been proven that this Edward Smith acquired land in Rowan County, NC, but he DID receive land grants in that part of North Carolina that became the State of Tennessee, which are listed in the records below.

Also, there are some internet trees claiming parentage for this Edward Smith that are NOT PROVEN. Please use PROVEN SOURCES in your research to determine parentage and not guesses or "family tradition".

Will of Edward Smith

Abstract Will of Edward Smith - Carter County, Tennessee

Four sons:

Nicholas, Jacob, William and Daniel

Beloved wife Catherine

Youngest Daughter Nancy

John Smith (deceased) - son

Daughters:

Catherine Peeveyhouse

Sarah Bowman

Margaret Gabert

Susannah Campbell

Mary Smith

Elizabeth Dunkin

Son - John Smith, deceased.

Son Daniel Smith and Julius Dugger appointed executors.

THE WILL OF EDWARD SMITH

Probated in the April term of Court in Carter Co., Tennessee in 1807

In the name of God, Amen, I, Edward Smith, of the state of Tennessee and the County of Carter, farmer, being in perfect health of body, and of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and also knowing that if is appointed for all men once to die, do make this my last Will and Testament, that is to say, principally, first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the last day and the General Resurrection I shall receive it again by the almighty hand of God. As touching such worldly goods as it has pleased god to bless me with in this life, I give, devise, bequeath, and dispose of the same in the following manner:

First, I direct that my Executors herewith named, do sell my negro man, Tom, and three mares, to wit: the sorrel mare, the sorrel filly, and the grey filly, to pay such debts as I may owe at my death, and the surplus from such sale, if any, to be paid to my four sons, Nicholas, Jacob, William and Daniel, to be equally divided amoungst them and their heirs.

Secondly, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Catherine, all my stock of horses, only the three mares above excepted, together with all my stock of cows, hogs, sheep and bees, with all my household furniture and farming utensils of every kind, also my wagon and gear, also my plantation whereon I now live for and during her natural life; also my negro woman, Agnes, and her child, and their increase for and during her natural life, and then to go to my youngest daughter, Nancy, and her heirs forever; and further I do direct that the land at my said wife's death to descend to my four sons, to-wit: Nicholas, Jacob, William and Daniel Smith, to be equally divided amongst them and their heirs forever, they paying fifty pounds, ten shillings, current money into the hands of my executors within one year after my said wife's death, which sum of fifty pounds, ten shillings, I direct my said Executors to pay to my daughters hereafter named and their heirs and the heirs of John Smith, deceased, in the following manner, that is to say, to my daughter, Catherine Peeveyhouse, or her heirs, ten pounds; also to my daughter, Sarah Bowman, or her heirs, ten pounds; also to my daughter, Margaret Gabert, or her heirs, ten pounds; also to my daughter, Susannah Campbell, or her heirs, ten pounds; also to the heirs of my daughter, Mary Smith, the sum of five shillings; also to the heirs of my daughter, Elizabeth Dunkin, five shillings; also to the heirs of my son, John Smith, deceased, the sum of ten pounds, which said several sums above mentioned and to the use of the person above named and their heirs forever, which is all I do intend for them to have of my estate; furthermore, it is my will and pleasure that my son, Daniel Smith, and his heirs, have fifty acres of land or whatever quantity there may be on that side of Watauga River where the said Daniel now lives, it being part of the tract which I now live on and that my said wife, Catherine, is only to have such land in her lifetime as is on the side of the river which I am now living on, and further it is to be understood that the land named to be divided amongst my four sons and their heirs is only to extend to that part of my land which lies on the south side of Watauga River and the balance of said tract of land which lies on the north side, I give and devise to my son, Daniel Smith, and his heirs forever.

Furthermore, I do ordain, constitute and appoint my said wife, Catherine, Executrix, and my son, Daniel Smith, and Julius Dugger, Esquires, Executors, of this my last will and testament, and do hereby revoke, disallow, and disannul all and every will by me heretofore made, and I do declare this to be my only last will and testament.

In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and seven.

Signed, sealed and declared in the presence of us.

(Signed) EDWARD SMITH (Seal).

Matthias Wagoner, Jurat.

John Heaton, Jurat.

Acknowledged before us this 15th of April, one thousand eight hundred and seven.

Nathaniel Taylor.

Godfrey Carriger.

Land Records

1782 - Edward Smith was granted land in Washington County, North Carolina [#560]. TNGenWeb Archives

1783 NC Grant #560 to Edward Smith. Washington Co. 600 acres on Iron Mtn on south bank of Watauga

10 Nov 1784 NC Grant #553 to Edward Smith for 600 acres, south Bank of the Watauga River DB 1, p.396 [Reeves in "Smithology" shows this as 300 acres]

7 Aug 1787 NC Grant #754 to Edward Smith for 100 acres, S side Iron Mountain. DB 3, p.99 [Reeves shows this as Grant #758]

1786 - Edward Smith was granted land in Washington County, North Carolina. [#768] TNGenWeb Archives

7 August 1787 - Edward Smith was granted 100 acres by the State of North Carolina, which he later sold to Zachariah Campbell, as detailed in the following record:

On 3 February 1790, in Washington Co., NC (now TN), Edward Smith sold to Zachariah Campbell, for the sum of £25, 100 acres, being the same land deeded to Edward Smith by the State of North Carolina on 7 August 1787.

"This Indenture made third day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety between Edward Smith of the County of Washington in the State of North Carolina planter of the one part and Zachariah Campbell of the State and County aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of twenty five pounds in hand paid by the said Zachariah Campbell to the said Edward Smith the receipt and payment whereof the said Edward Smith doth hereby acknowledge and himself therewith fully contented and satisfied hath for himself and his heirs granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, alien,  ? , release and confirm unto Zachariah Campbell his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the County of Washington in the State aforesaid Beginning at a marked black walnut tree standing in a hollow above the first big spring below the fork of the path on the South side of the Iron Mountain and running thence South thirty five degrees west one hundred and eight poles with the foot of the Pond mountain to a marked dogwood and white oak thence west thirty two poles to a marked hicory [sic], thence north forty degrees west forty eight poles to a marked lynn standing on the west side of a small branch at the foot of the Iron Mountain, thence north thirty degrees East two hundred and forty eight poles with said mountain to a stake, thence South four degrees west one hundred and eighty five poles to the Beginning containing one hundred acres be the same more or less as granted to the said Edward Smith by a deed from our States office bearing date the seventh day of August in the twelfth year of our Independence A.D. 1787. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with all and every of its appurtenances & also the reversion & reversions remainder & remainders, rents and services thereof and all the Estate, right, title, claim and property of him the said Edward Smith, his heirs forever of in and to the said tract or parcel of land and premises and moreover the said Edward doth covenant and agree to and with the said Zachariah Campbell that him the said Edward Smith his heirs, Executors, administrators to the said Zachariah Campbell his heirs or assigns will forever warrant and defend from all person or persons claiming or to claim the said premises by from him or them or any of them or any other person Whatsoever In Witness Whereof the said Edward Smith hath hereunto set his hand and fixed his seal the date first above written.

(Signed) Edward Smith [SEAL]

Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of us Thos. Whitson, Jeremiah Campbell & Joseph Ford

August Term 1791 this Deed was duly acknowledged in open court and same is recorded and ordered to be registered

Test J. A. Sevier CC

Registered July 8th 1797

Source: USGenWeb Archives

3 Aug 1791 Edward Smith to John Smith, from his Grant of 10 Nov 1784, 50 acres on N side Watauga River. DB 5, p.29 [Edward named a deceased son John in his will, 1807]

10 Jul 1792 Edward Smith to Isaac Campbell from his Grant of 10 Nov 1784, 50 acres on North side of Watauga River. DB 5, p.100 [Edward named a daughter as Susannah Campbell in his will, 1807]

12 Jul 1794 NC Grant #12222 to Edward Smith for 200 acres on Doe River.

Records in Virginia

• 1783 Culpeper County, VA Tax List, Brumfield Parish, BROOMFIELD PARISH: John Turner, Winerford Thompson, Robert Strother, Edward Smith, Ann Green, John Triplett, John Shepard, Henry Miller, Sandel Webster, George Webster, John Brown, Benjamin Eaton, Michael Snider, William Chapman, John Hume, John Lewis, Travis Lutherland, William Green, John Brannon, Mary Brown, Michael Swindle. USGenWeb Archives

Records in Tennessee

A-203: 24 Nov. 1797, State of North Carolina, to Lawerence (sic) Dunkin, 50 shillings every 100 acres, a tract of land containing 100 acres in county of Washington on the laurel fork of Doe River, beg. east side of the laurel fork near the Main road that leads to Edward Smiths, S 38 east 52 poles to a black oak on side of Pen? mountain, north 43 deg. east 78 poles to a black oak, north 78 deg east 35 poles to a black oak, north 40 deg east 66 poles to a poplar, north 32 deg east 48 poles to a poplar near the great Road that Edward Smiths ... entered 29 Aug. 1781 as by the plat hereunto annexed doth appear together. Reg. 25 Aug. 1799. Reg. Washington Co. TN 5-230, Grant #1007. [Note: it appears that Lawrence Duncan was the son-in-law of Edward Smith]

Information on Edward Smith

Notes for Edward Smith:

According to family tradition, the ancestry of Edward Smith traces from England. Some D.A.R. applications list Edward Smith's place of birth as Maryland, but with no proof offered. Some researchers have recently thought that Edward may have been from German ancestry. In early Culpeper County, Virginia, there were twenty Protestant German families that immigrated to America in 1717, (later others came also) known as the "Germanna Colony". Included in this group of several families that arrived together was a family that included a Nicholas Schmidt/Smith and a Matthias Schmidt/Smith. Some records exist regarding this colony in "A History of St. Mark's Parish, Culpeper County, Virginia", by Rev. Philip Slaughter, D.D., pub. 1877, Baltimore, MD, Reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, MD, 1994, 1998. Since Edward's eldest son was named Nicholas Smith, there is some speculation that Edward MAY tie-into this family. Unfortunately, all Culpeper County, Virginia records prior to 1781 were destroyed, and it is impossible to document many events with either County or Parish records.

Also, in the will of Johannes Stonecipher, father of Agnes Catharina Stonecipher (Edward's second wife) he mentions land given to his son John Stinesyfer Elder, that adjoined land of a "Mitchell Smith". This is probably a Michael Smith, who also had records in early Culpeper County during this time period. It is not clear if this Michael Smith/Schmidt is related to the Nicholas and Matthias Schmidt in early Culpeper records. The Stonecypher family intermarried with several key families in the Germanna Colony, including the family of John Clore/Klaar, one of the first families that immigrated to Culpeper in 1717.

Add to all of this the fact that Edward appears to have married three (3) German women as his wives, and it certainly gives credence to the thought of his possible German ancestry. More research is necessary to determine his exact parentage. Supposedly, some early records list Edward Smith as Edward SCHMIDT, the German spelling for Smith, but this researcher has not seen them. DNA records of ancestors also appear to support Edward Smith as having German Ancestry, but additional records are needed.

Records proving Edward's marriages to Catherine Stumph and Agnes Catherina Stonecipher have not been seen by this researcher. D.A.R. applications state that Edward Smith married about 1739 to Catherine Stumph. Edward's second marriage to Catherine Stonecipher, was in 1757 (according to early researchers without citing specific documentation), but she must have predeceased him, for Edward married again about 1798 in Carter County, Tennessee, to another Catherine, said by old timers to have been another Stonecypher, a niece of the second wife, and sister of Mary Stonecypher Smithpeters. (Source: "Tennessee Smithology" by Emma Barrett Reeves). Note: The only other (known) Catherine Stonecypher of the right age to have been Edward's last wife was a Katrinka (Katherine) Stonecypher, a younger sister of Catherine Stonecypher, who this researcher has tentatively listed as his probable third wife, pending any other information that may come to light.

Much of Edward's life, including his first two marriages appear to be from information either handed down from generation to generation, or through family tradition. Since Culpeper County records for that period were destroyed, the only proof for the second marriage of Edward Smith is from Stonecypher family records. Some researchers doubt that Edward was married three times, all to women named Catherine, although with the span of Edward's children's ages, it appears certain that he had at least two wives. More research is necessary to conclusively prove that Edward was indeed married three times, and the correct placement of his children with their proven mother.

Catherine Stumph, Edward Smith's supposed first wife was most likely related (possibly a sister, since it appears she would have been too old to have been a daughter) to the family of Michael Stumph, who is listed in early Virginia records. In fact, in early Augusta County, Virginia records (source: Chalkley's Augusta County, Virginia abstracts), the following:

Page 307 - - 3rd December, 1757. Vendue held at Michael Stumph's, on South Ford in Hampshire County, by Anthony Reager, Peter Thorn, administrators of Christian Dousher - - To Peter Heath, Thos. Crawford, Tobias Thorn, Michael Oxer, Lazarus Thorn, Philip Moore, Jr., Jno. Welton, Jno. Cock, Adam Rutherback, Harmus Hook, Conrad Moore, Thomas Singleton, Martin Job, James Hornback, Adam Harpole, Tonathan Coburn, Leonard Knave, Thomas Parsons, Sr., NICHOLAS SMITH, Gaisper Reed, Michael Earsest Sr., James Taff, Henry Miars, Ruda Bozard, Wm. Jennings, Jno. Varrill, James Parsons, Solom Hedges, Windle Miller, Peter Hive, Henry Shipler, Peter Andrew, Stophel Hoofman, Thos. Crawford, Benj. Scott, Andrew Byarly, Mary SMITH, Henry Mook, Philip Hupp, John Mason.

It is entirely possible that the Nicholas Smith listed as attending this meeting may have been Nicholas Smith, the eldest son of Edward Smith and Catherine Stumph, who would have been about 18 years old at the time. More research is necessary to positively make a conclusion regarding the parentage of Edward's supposed first wife.

Note: the placement of Edward's children (with his 3 wives) is somewhat undetermined at this time, until their exact birthdates can all be established. The only child with an exact birthdate known is Edward's son, Daniel Smith. Any information on his other children's families, including birthdates, would be greatly appreciated.

Tennessee the Volunteer State 1769—1923: Volume 1:

WILSON COUNTY - After 1800 immigrants came in constantly increasing numbers. Robin Shannon, Lee Harrelson, John Ozment, John Spinks, John Rice, and others settled at Pond Lick. Jacob Vantrease, Thomas B. Reece, John Caplinger, Edmund Jennings, John Patton, George Hearn, James Edwards, Duncan Johnson, DANIEL SMITH, ISAAC GRANDSTAFF, Evans Tracy, William Neal, Shelah Waters, Joseph Barbee, Solomon Bass, John Lawrence, Jordan Bass, John Green, Wm. Coe, John Phillips, William Haines, Arthur Hawkins, Benj. Phillips, and John W. Peyton located at Round Lick. Martin Talley, Wm. Sherrill, Pernell Hearn, James Cannon, John Jones, Benj. Mottley, Henry Chandler, Adair Harpole and Gregory Johnson on Spring Creek. Robert Jarmon, Lewis Merritt, David Fields, Jonathan Ozment, Dawson Hancock, and Seldon Baird on Sinking Creek. Absalom Knight, John Gibson, Charles Cummings, Henry Mosier, John Merritt, Frank Young, Joseph Stacey, and Charles Warren on Hurricane Creek. Frank Puckett, William Lester, John Donnell, Lord Sellers, John Alsup, Aaron Edwards, Sampson Smith, Jacob Jennings, and William Warren on Fall Creek. Hooker Reeves, Joseph Weir, Lewis Chambers, Nathan Cartwright, William Wilson, Matthew Figures on Cedar Creek. Joseph Castleman, Joseph Hamilton, Thomas Drennon, Benj. Dobson, Aquila Suggs, and Benj. Hooker on Suggs' Creek. Clement Jennings, James H. Davis, Thomas Davis, Joshua Kelley, Harrison Hays, Theophilas Bass on Cedar Lick Creek. Geo. L. Smith, Wm. Oakley, Charles Rich, Reason Byrne, Abner Bone, Jas. McAdoo, Edward Pickett, John Adams, David Ireland on Smith Ford. Caleb Taylor, Jas. Hunter, Joseph Kirkpatrick, Daniel Glenn, Sterling Tarpley, and Wm. Saunders on the Cumberland River.

Images

1.   U.S. Census Reconstructed Records, 1660-1820: [database on-line].

   Name: Edward Smith
   Gender: M (Male)
   State: Tennessee
   Locality: Territory South of Ohio River
   County: Washington County
   Residence Year: 1790
   Household Remarks: He was appointed a justice of the peace for Washington County on 23 Oct 1790. [Note: Carter County, Tennessee was formed from part of Washington County in 1796].

2.   Tennessee, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1810-1891.

   Name: Edward Smith
   State: TN
   County: Carter County
   Township: No Township Listed
   Year: 1796
   Record Type: Tax list
   Database: TN Early Census Index

3.   Tennessee, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1810-1891.

   Name: Edward Smith
   State: TN
   County: Carter County
   Township: No Township Listed
   Year: 1798
   Record Type: Tax list
   Database: TN Early Census Index

4.   Herman Robinson, Editor. The Watauga Spinnerette.

   Source:
   An Excerpt From "The Watauga Spinnerette," v. 27, no. 6, Oct. 1950. Herman Robinson, Editor. Article by Robert T. Nave.
   Copied from "Historical Reminiscences of Carter County, Tennessee," Edited by Mildred Kozsuch, pp. 102-103
   
   Fish Springs is another one of Carter County's early communities. Its location was one of importance during the early days as travel to and from North Carolina and Virginia and the Watauga Settlement was through the area.
   .....
   
   Edward Smith, a pioneer settler here, and a Revolutionary soldier, owned a large portion of the valley in Revolutionary days. He is believed to have come from somewhere in the Valley of Virginia, tradition says Powell's Valley, Virginia. He was one of the first magistrates in Washington County, North Carolina. He was twice married and reared a large family. His sons were: Jacob, Nicholas, William, Daniel and John Smith. These five sons were the progenitors of nearly all the Smiths in Carter County. Cornelius Bowman, John Peavyhouse, George Gabbart, Isaac Campbell, Lawrence Duncan and Vaught Heaton married daughters of Edward Smith.
   
   Zachariah Campbell, another pioneer and soldier of the Revolution, settled near Edward Smith above Carden's Bluff. He was supposedly a native of Scotland and came here with several brothers. Isaac and Zachariah Campbell [Jr.] were sons of Zachariah, the pioneer. A daughter [Elizabeth Campbell] married Mark Lacy, a son of another old family living in the vicinity of Hampton. Zachariah Campbell was one of the first magistrates of Carter County when it was organized in 1796.
   
   http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/CAMPBELL/2006-08/1156740087

5.   Phifer, Edward William. Burke County, a brief history. (Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, c1979)
   pg. 47.

   The act of the General Assembly that created Burke County empowered the newly appointed justices “to hold the first County Court . . . at the House of Edward Smith on the fourth Tuesday of July [July 24, 1777] and all subsequent Courts ... at any Place to which the said
   Justices shall from Court to Court adjourn themselves, until a Court House shall be built for the said County. . . .” The former site of Edward Smith’s house lies approximately 1 mile east of the present Burke-Catawba line. Evidence indicates that Edward Smith moved from Burke County to Washington County, Tennessee, sometime in 1778 or 1779.
   How long the county court continued to meet at his homesite is uncertain, but it is likely that it met elsewhere before 1779.
   The relocation of the court’s meeting place from Edward Smith’s plantation to a location more than 20 miles to the west had far-reaching repercussions. Dissatisfaction on the part of residents of the eastern por�tion of Old Burke County was probably the factor that precipitated the transfer of that area to Lincoln County in 1782. At least one other site for the convening of courts was utilized before the permanent courthouse on the public square in Morganton was completed (this was on the present site of the Cornwell Drug Company).