…“Tale of Two Johns” Character Profiles… |
David
Smith
b. 1741 – d.
Born about 1741, [Antrim? ]
David, wife Nancy Kenmore; nephew, James and
nieces, Eliza and Esther Smith are all buried at Gillead
ARP. There is also a person named
Margaret Jackson who d.1795 buried in the same plot as Nancy, the wife of
David. There are deed references to
David wife "Mary or Marg" so I speculate
that the Margaret Jackson who d. 1795 was David's first wife, and mother of his
children -- including Samuel, who is identified as David's son in at least one
deed transaction.
In C. L. Hunters’ book "Sketches of
Western North Carolina" published 1877, (page 215), he states, "Of the Whig
officers, Captains [Gilbraith] Falls, [Patrick] Knox, Dobson, [William?] Smith,
Bowman, Sloan, and Armstrong were killed.... Captain Patrick Knox was mortally
wounded in the thigh; an artery being severed, he very soon died from the
resulting hemorrhage…Captains Hugh Torrance, David Caldwell, John Reid, all of
Rowan, and Capt [David?] SMITH of Mecklenburg, came
out of the conflict unhurt."
These were all from
My guess is that David Smith was Mary (Smith)
Knox's brother “Smith” who appears in Captain Patrick Knox’s estate records –
and therefore, John Knox's Uncle...
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Earliest reference to David Smith found in
Mecklenburg Records is as witness of this transaction...
Mecklenburg Co NC Deed Book 8, page 252-255:
Wit: David Smith, James Kenedy,
Jurat.
Prove. by James Kenedy, July Term 1772.
[Holcomb & Parker, page 231]
[Note: This David Smith b. NLT 1750, could be same David Smith, b. 1741. In 1771, David would have been 30. See David Smith's 1823 LWT leaving land to
Elizabeth Montgomery... I speculate
Mecklenburg Co NC Deed Book 7, page 306-307a:
1 Aril 1776, David Smith of Mecklenburg...to
Moses Steel of same, for L20 proc. money...106 A adj
the land he [David Smith] lives on....David Smith (seal) ;
Wits: Dunn Ocheltree,
Joseph Nicholson, Peter Johnston.
Proved by Joseph Nickelson, before Ephraim Brevard. Prov. in open court Oct.
Session 1777 by Duncan Ochiltree.
[Holcomb & Parker, page 209]
Mecklenburg Co NC Deed Book 7, page 332-333:
Wit: Sam Martin. Prov by Grantor Oct Session 1777.
[Holcomb & Parker, page 211]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the State Grant for the above;
however,
no documents were in
the shuck at the time of filming...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: File No. 2680, David Smith
Parent Records: State Records
Secretary of State Record Group
Land Office: Land Warrants, Plats of Survey,
and Related Records
Years:
1775
Call Number: S.108.840; Frames:154
Site: Archives Search Room (
MARS Id: 12.14.87.2669 (Folder)
Note: There were NO documents in the shuck at
time of filming.
Land Grant Info: Acres: 106
Grant Number: 692
Issued:
Book, Page: 25:143
Location: On the waters of McAlpins Creek
Grants -- unsure of relationships among
Smiths who appear in these grants -
may be brothers, sons,
or nephews?
Book 1, 280
April Session 1780
[Deeds proven]
...
One from Thos. Polk to David Smith for 45
acres dated
One from same to Thos. Smith for 50 acres, same
date.
...
[HWF, 1780-1800 Minutes, page 2]
Mecklenburg Deed Book 13, page 24
Wit John Smith and
William Gardner.
Ack in
July 1781 Court by Grantor. Jno McKnitt
Alexander, CMC Pro Tem.
[Robert Smith Jr b. NLT 1760]
Mecklenburg Deed Book 12, page 327
Test: James Stevenson, Richard Smith;
proven Apr 1784 Ct by oath
of Robert Smith.
Mecklenburg Deed Book 13, page 930
Wit: [page torn] Baldridge,
Benjamin Cochran, and [page torn]
Proved in July 1791 by Benjamin Cochran
1790 Census of
David Smith:
(101-05)
1 WM 16+ David
1 WF 16+ Mary/Marg (Margaret Jackson?)
5 Slaves
Also on this page is James Smith listed as
"other free" person (assumed free black)
Wit: Jno Robison & Robert [illegible].
Acknd at Apr Session 1802,
Reg
[Herman W. Ferguson, Mecklenburg Deed
Abstracts Books 15-23; published 2001; abstract # 1201]
[This looks like David Smith who appears as
1784 adjoining landowner of Joseph & Margaret Fraser on
1800 Census of
David Smith
1 WM 45+ (bef 1755) David Smith, b. 1741
1 WF 45+ (bef 1755)
1800 Census of
John Henderson
David Wilson
Samuel Wilson* [Grantee;
[* John Knox, son of Patrick Knox, probably
living in this HH]
Robert Wilson [witnessed
Amos Alexander [grandfather of Amos Alfred
Alexander who m. Margaret Knox, dau of John & Mary]
William Caldwell
William Hart
Widow Cathey
Jonathan Potts
William Graham
William Waddle
Samuel Erwin
John Duckworth
William Wiere [Wier]
Francis Bailey [referenced in
William Henderson [referenced in
Mecklenburg Co NC, Deed Book 16, page 461;
July 10, 1800
- John Knox to Samuel Wilson for $1500, 423 acres in three
parts,[1] 300 acres on Catawba River granted to Peter Ellis [Patrick Elliot per
Holcomb, but probablly Peter Elliot...], conveyed by
Ellis to Geo Renich 1752, then to John Black 1754,
then from heirs of Black to Archibald Henderson 1773, then to Patrick Knox
[1779 provd by Saml
Blythe]...also references Mary Allison [Mrs Allison
Knox] who has "dower" interest in the property during her lifetime
[see John Knox, b. 1777 for more details]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 23; p 261
Wit: Martin Steel & Thos. McEwen, Jurat.
Proven at Aug 1828 Ct; Reg
[Ferguson Abstract 6094, page 258]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Court Minutes, Book 7:63
29 Oct 1804. Absalom Duckworth to David
Smith, 131 acres
Wit: John Osborn
Proven Aug Session 1824; John Osborn, decd,
subscribing witness signature proven by Milton Osborn
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deeds, Book 22, page 128
29 Oct 1824 [this year is in error s/b
1804...deed proven Aug 1824, David Smith d. 1823... see Court Minutes book 7:63
above]
Absalom Duckworth to David Smith for $230,
131 A in FOUR surveys on McDowell Cr adj Martin
Steel,
1) one acquired by
the grantor from Thomas Black in 1796,
2) one from Jno.
Knox in 1801,
3) one from Wm.
Alexander in 1796,
4) and the fourth
from a 1797 land grant.
Wit: John Osborn. Proven at Aug Court 1824. Reg
1 Oct 1824.
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 18 ; p 375
Mecklenburg Co,
[Herman W. Ferguson, Vol
II: 1801-1820, page 254 & page 255]
------------
PRB NOTE:
This James Blakely was son of (Jasper?) and Rebecca (Smith?) Blakely.
Mecklenburg Co, NC Wills
<WB D/6>
LWT of William Henderson
Being much advanced in age, it is my will
that within six months of my demise the tract of land I live on adj the Catawba R, containing 300 A and fisheries, is to be
sold and the proceeds used to buy shares in the State Bank of North Carolina or
the United State Bank. The profits
[dividends?] from these shares is to be used to pay [the salary of] a minister of the Apostate
Seceding Gilead Meeting House [aka Gilead A. R. P.] located on the
It is my will that my negro
woman Milly and child Senday
[sic Cindy?] are to be set free at my death, and thereafter they are to live
with John Alcorn. I give to John Alcorn
the negro boy Annes, and to
Sally Alcorn a chest of drawers. The
rest of my negroes - Betty, Jerry, Frank and Jim - together with all my horses,
livestock, farming utensils, houshold furniture, and
all other personal property are to be sold and the proceeds used to pay my just
debts; the residue is to be applied as follows:
I give to Hugh Lucas and to Jno. Alexander, son of Wm. Alexander, $1 each, and to Wm. H. Lucas $40. The balance of sd proceeds are to be divided equally among my sister
Jane and her family, James Henderson, son of my brother Archy,
and my brother James and family.
Exrs: Worthy friend DAVID SMITH, Robert Wilson, and
James G. Torrence.
Wit: Clem Nance [Nantz] and JENNY [Jane?]
KNOX.
[HWF #291, page 43]
---------------------
PRB NOTES:
Is the above Jenny Knox --- Jane Knox,
daughter of Capt Patrick Knox?
1818. November Session, page 189
Ordered by Court that
JOHN KNOX Administer on the Estate of Jane [JENNY?] Knox, Decd, who
appeared in Court and was Qualified and entered into bond with DAVID SMITH,
Security, in the some of £250.
[See FTM notes for Jane Knox, d. bef Oct
1818]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 23; p 172
Wit: Wm. Rudisil, Jurat & A. M. Rudisil.
Proven at Aug Ct 1827; Reg
[Ferguson Abstract 5849, page 248]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 21; p 338
Wit: John Kendrick [or Kennick...or
[Herman W. Ferguson Abtracts
of Deed Books 15-23; abstract 4711, published 2001]
[See Deed Book 20,
page 280
----------------------
PRB NOTEs:
Samuel b. NLT 1800, but could have much older
( b. 1770), if he m. Agnes McCraven
in 1790...
Why isn't this Samuel, David's "son"
mentioned in David's 1823 LWT????
There is no evidence that two David Smiths
owned property on
David Reed may be near kin of the James
Reid/Reed who in 1860 inherited property left by James Smith, the nephew of
David Smith who d. 1823. (see below). John Kendrick may be John Kennick
or... John Kenmore...David's wife was Nancy Kenmore, and her nephew John is
mentioned in David's 1823 LWT...
Smith, David
Title: Smith, David
Years: 1823
Call Number: WB-E/119(AR )
MARS Id: 265.75.2.1920 (Item)
Scope / Contents:
Recorded Copy: WB-E/119 (WB Will Book)
Original: AR (Original will is in the North
Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.)
Location where will was probated:
------------------------
WB-E, page 119
LWT of David Smith
19 May 1823, prb Aug 1823 Ct by the oath of
Jonathan Dewees
Being sick and in a low state of health I
will to James Smith, son of my brother William in Ireland, the following
properties: (1) the McColliston
tract on which I now live, (2) a small tract purchased from John M. Alexander
[see Book 16, p 707; 3 June 1801 - small? tract 360 A...], and (3) an entry of
50 A between (1) and (2), as well as the negroes Sandy, Susy,
Hariett, and Nancy.
I will to Elizabeth [Smith?] Montgomery the
Absalom Duckworth property whereon John Brown now lives, the negroes Lydia and
Andy, my best desk, a feather bed, her choice of my clothing, a horse and two
cows; to David Bigham, son of Robert Bigham, the Halls place of some 140 A; to Rebecca [Smith?]
Blakely [assumed widow of Jasper Blakely]
the place she now lives on of some 50 A and the adj
72-acre Richard Gilmore parcel; and to my nephew by marriage John Kenmer [sic Kenmore] the Wm. Gilmore and Wm. Wiley tracts,
contain in all some 235 A, and my negro Jim.
The remainder of my estate, both real and
personal, is to be sold, and from the proceeds my exrs
are to pay my just debts, and the balance, together with the collecton of bonds and notes due me is to be divided
equally amonth the five legatees named above.
Exrs: Trusty Friends:
John Black and William L. Davidson
Wit: Thomas Barnett, Jonathan Dewees, and Charles Harris
Isaac Alexander, CMC
[Source: Herman
-------------------
PRB NOTES:
The Richard Gilmore parcel may be the one
recorded in Mecklenburg Deed Book 17,
page 41 - State Grant #1659 issued at Raleigh, vol
114, page 191, entered 12 Mar 1800 for "60 A on McDowell Cr adj George Duckworth'
[Ferguson Abstract 1438, page 64]
The only relationships clearly stated are
"James Smith, son of my brother William in
[See FTM for James Smith, nephew of David,
who was a neighbor of John Knox in 1850...]
Gilead A.R.P, Huntersville, Mecklenburg Co,
NC
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~sassytazzy/cemetery/ncmecklenburg/garpc/gileadarp16.html
# Smith Born-Died Notes
105 David Smith [no date]
104
104 Margaret Jackson
[no date] 1795 Age 45 years, "Also on same stone" as Nancy Smith
[first wife of David?]
102 Eliza Smith [no date]
101 James Smith [no date]
318 Mary Ann Smith
100 Esther Smith [no date] 1868 Aged 75 years
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Gilead A. R. P is located in Huntersville, 5
miles north of Hopewell Church on Beattie's Ford Road, and a few miles south of
Bethel* Presbyterian in present-day Cornelius:
"Among the early Ruling Elders found at
Gilead A. R. P. are found the names of William Henderson, DAVID SMITH...JASPER
BLAKELY...John and Ewart Bell...and John Price, Jr. Names that, like that of
Ezekiel Alexander, another one, recall the elder and earliest families of
Mecklenburg County. There are many
unmarked graves at
(per Worth S. Ray -
MS&TN, page 406)
NOTE:
*Bethel Presbyterian was formed in the "Spring
of 1829" from members who came from Centre,
Mecklenburg Deed Book 23, page 377
[
In 1823, David
Smith's nephew James Smith of
Mecklenburg Co, NC Minutes of Court of Common
Pleas & Quarter Sessions:
1824 August Session
page 66 & 67
A Power of Attorney from JAMES SMITH, County
Antrim in Ireland to his BROTHER HUGH SMITH of South Carolina, Greenville
District, to wit: Know all men by these
presents that I, JAMES SMITH of Carneock, Parish of Billy, & County Antrim
have made, Ordained, Nominated, Constituted and Appointed, And by these
presents Do make Ordain, Nominate, Constitute and Appoint and in my name &
Stead put and depute my BROTHER HUGH SMITH of Greenville District, South
Carolina in the United States of America my true & Lawful Attorney, for me
& in my name & for my proper use & Benefit to ask, demand, Sue for
& recover of & from the Executor or Executors of my late UNCLE DAVID
SMITH of Mecklenburg County State of No. Carolina in the United States of
America, And of & from all & every other person or persons Whatsoever
all the real & personal property he died possessed of or any person in
Trust for him and upon receipt thereof to gain propert
& Sufficient discharge for Attorney to act in the premises as fully &
sufficiently as I myself allowing & agreeing to ratify & confirm &
allow all & whatsoever my said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be
done in or About the premises. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my Name and affixed
my Seal this Twenty fourth day of December in the Year of our Lord 1823.
James (his X mark) Smith (seal)
[Source: Herman W. Ferguson, Minutes of Mecklenburg Co NC Court of Common
Pleas & Quarter Sessions Vol 3: 1821-1830, page
72)
Mecklenburg Co NC Deeds Book 25, page 427
Wit: Adam Cooper & J. Fox, Jurat.
Proven at May term 1835; Reg
20 Jun 1835
[HWF 1484]
Mecklenburg Co NC Deeds Book 22, page 96
Wit: Wm. L. Davidson, Jurat & E. A.
Green. Proven at May Court 1823, Reg
(
Call Number: S.108.837; Frames:1043-1045
File No. 1725, Dennis McFalls
County:
Acres: 260
Land Grant Number: 91
Issued:
Entered:
Book, Page: 20:434
Location: On a branch of McDowels
Creek
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deeds, Book 22, page 128
[1] one acquired by
the grantor from Thomas Black in 1796,
[2] one from Jno.
Knox in 1801, [no
deed found for this transaction]
[3] one from Wm.
Alexander in 1796,
[4] and the fourth
from a 1797 land grant.
Wit: John Osborn. Proven at Aug Court 1824. Reg
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deeds, Book 22, page 167
Wit: None. Acknd at
May Ct 1825, Reg
[Ferguson Abstract 5304, page 224]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deeds, Book 22, page 195
__ __ 1825. Robert Willson [
[1] a 150 A portion of the tract was
originally patented by Peter Ellet [Elliot] 7 Oct 1749, conveyed to Ellet
[Ellis] by John Miller, then to Wm. Henderson.
[2] 18 A adj Wm.
Henderson & Archibald Henderson being part of 100 A conveyed by Archibald
Henderson by John Kennick[?] being part of a patent
to Geo. Kennick of 30 Aug 1752.
[3] 59 A adj Wm. Henderson, Archibald Henderson, John Henderson,
& Jas Cowan being part of a 224 A land grant to Archibald Henderson
[4] 90 A adj Jas Cowan, Wm. Henderson, Bailey & Archibald
Henderson being a land grant to Wm. Henderson dated
The deed called for purchase price to be paid
in three equal annual amounts.
Wit: Wm. Davidson & J. McKnitt Alexander.
Acknd at Aug Ct 1825; Reg
[Ferguson Abstract 5348, page 226]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deeds, Book 22, page 223
Wit: None.
Acknd at Nov Ct 1825, Re
[Ferguson Abstract 5398, page 228]
-----------
PRB Note:
[
According to Davidson researchers, John
Howard Davidson was not kin to Major William Lee Davidson. However, in the mid-to-late 1840's both Wm.
Lee Davidson and John H. Davidson removed to Marengo Co,
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 23, p 430;
Wit: Hamilton Black & Jas C. Brawley
[Source: Herman W. Ferguson Abtracts of Deed Books 15-23; published 2001, #6576]
------------
PRB Note:
Hugh Smith was the brother of James Smith
named in David Smith's 1823 LWT. Hugh
Smith is listed as adjoining property of John Knox [see McDowell Creek deeds
timeline].
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 23, p 225;
20 May 1828. Robert Bigham
to Wm. P. Christenberry for $150, 120 A on Clark Cr adj Clark Mongomery, Robt Alexander, Thos B. Williams & Ferril
being the land the grantor purchased from the estate of DAVID SMITH, decd
[WB-E/119].
Wit: Jno Black, Jurat & Robert Bigham.
Proven at May Court 1828; Reg
[Ferguson Abstract 5988, page 253]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 23, p 175;
[Source: Herman W. Ferguson Abtracts of Deed Books 15-23; published 2001, #5858]
Mecklenburg Co NC Deeds Book 23, page 362
Wit: Adam A. Springs & James Bodkin.
Proven at Nov Ct 1829; Reg
[Source: Herman W. Ferguson Abtracts of Deed Books 15-23; published 2001, #6376]
Mecklenburg Co, NC Deed Book 24, page 222
24 Aug 1831.
David Smith agreed during his lifetime as attested by Aaron Craven to
sell to Wm. Little for $1500, 272 A on Garr Creek, the Beaties Ford Road, and
the Catawba River adj. Wm. Shelby near Hopewell Church, John McCoy, Stuart
McCoy, Davidson, & Bradley. Although
the agreement had been destroyed by accident the purchase money had been paid
to Smith and the agreement was honored by his exr. William Lee Davidson.
Wit: John Knox, Jurat, & Saml. Lowrie.
Proven at Nov Term 1831; Reg