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| My current quest is to prove the line upwards of Levi West (B: 14 MAR 1725/26 in Sussex, Maryland D: 17 JUL 1787 in Onslow, North Carolina). Many pedigrees claim several more generations, but I would like proof of same. The problem is that many pedigrees give "Royal" descent, and most of these pedigrees are impossible on their face. In any case, no documentation is ever given, or else the documentation given is for a different person, but with the same name. I feel pretty confident that Levi WEST is the son of George WEST and Sarah Betty (Lowe) West. But upwards from there is gets pretty sketchy pretty fast. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is one of those families about which I know essentially nil. If my records are correct, then I descend from Elizabeth West, born about 1824 in Tennessee. She married Francis Smotherman 15 November 1841 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Francis was born about 1821 in Rutherford County, Tennessee and was alive at least long enough to be shown on the 1870 census of Logan County, Kentucky (and supposedly he is on the 1880 census also, but I have yet to find that record). Francis and Elizabeth had at least 7 children: Mary Ann Smotherman (b. about 1845), Melissa J. Smotherman (b. about 1846), Alfred Smotherman (b. 17 November 1848), Lewis Smotherman (b. about 1849), William C. Smotherman (b. about 1852), Joseph Richard Smotherman (b. 19 December 1855), and Pressly/Press/Preston Smotherman (b. 10 OCT 1857). This last child was born in the latter part of 1857, which defines the earliest date by which Elizabeth (West) Smotherman could already be dead. She does not appear in the 1860 census with Francis (see below), and so I presume she is dead by this date. So this likely defines a narrow window of time during which Elizabeth must have died. So as an approximation, I say she died about 1859. |
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Here are the 1850 and 1860 census entries for Francis Smotherman, et al. (asterisks denote my descent):
1850 Census, Rutherford County, Tennessee, Versailles District, Page 239A, HH#127/127:
1860 Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, Western Division, District 5, handwritten page 42, Page 186B, HH#317/293: |
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A kind cousin (i.e., B. L.) sent me some records which prove the parentage of Elizabeth (WEST) Smotherman. Note this record in particular:
Rutherford County, Tennessee, Deed Book 3, Page 701: {Dd to Thos. S. Jarratt April 16th 1849}
Whereas one Mary Jarratt and Robert Jarratt are entitled in right of the said Mary to a distributive share of the personal estate of Beverly Harris, deceased the said Mary being one of the children of the said Beverly Harris deceased now for the consideration of one dollar to us paid by Thomas S. Jarrett we do hereby transfer and convey to the said Thomas S. Jarratt as Trustee for the sole and separate use of the said Mary Jarratt during her life if the said Robert should survive the said Mary Jarratt then to his use and benefit during his life and at the death of the said Mary and the said Robert then the estate aforesaid to be divided Equally between the following children of the said Mary Jarratt, to wit, Alfred West, Simpson West, Levi West, Rachel Edwards, Elizabeth Smotherman, being her children by her former husband and Mary Jarratt, Robert Jarratt, and Frances Ann Jarrett, her children by her Husband the said Robert Jarratt share and share alike. To have and hold the said distributive share to the said Thomas S. Jarratt his heirs and assigns as Trustee aforesaid, and we warrant and defend the title to the same against the lawful claims of all persons. The said Thomas S. Jarratt is to demand & receive from the administrators of the said Beverly Harris, deceased in all or any persons holding the said distributive share and hold and retain the same for the Trusts and uses aforesaid. And the said Thomas S. Jarratt is hereby empowered to change the character of said Estate to sell the same or buy other property with it with the approbation of the said Mary Jarratt and as he the said Thomas may consider for the interest and benefit of the said Mary Jarrett. Given under our hands and seals, this first January 1849.
Robert (his X mark) Jarratt (seal)
Witness State of Tennessee} Rutherford County} Personally appeared before me John Woods Clerk of the County Court of Said County the within named Robert Jarratt and Mary Jarratt, the bargainers with whom I am personally acquainted & who acknowledged that they Executed the within deed for the purpose therein Contained, and Mary Jarratt (the femme covert) having also personally appeared before me privately and apart from her Husband the said Robert Jarratt acknowledged the Execution of said deed to have been done by her freely voluntarily and understandingly without compulsion or restraint from her said husband and for the purpose therein expressed. Witness John Woods Clerk of Said County at office this 9th day of January 1849 Registered Jany 15th 1849 John Woods Clk |
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This "Mary Jarrett" is Mary "Polly" HARRIS West Jarrett. She was born Mary HARRIS and married Andrew N. West (son of George West and Mary Ann Dillahunty) on 30 NOV 1818. After the death of Andrew N. West, Mary "Polly" (HARRIS) West married Robert Jarrett.
The following Bible record appears to fix the birth of Andrew N. West:
"Anda N West was born 22nd day of April 1797".
Andrew died about 1829, and since he was so young, he did not have time to leave many records that would unambiguously specify his relationship to other people. He was survived by his father, George West, who died 17 May 1837 in Rutherford, Tennessee. It is from the Will of this George West that the names of the children of Andrew N. West are derived.
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1. This record I found on the SMOTHERMAN-L archives at RootsWeb (posted 22 July 1999): Rutherford County, Tennessee - Record Book 5 Page 81 - 82 An amount of Sales of the estate of Francis Ogilvie Dec'd as returned to December Term 1820:
Persons named: Sold on the 8th and 9th days of November 1822 by William Viscount and John Oglive |
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I think it is worth pointing out that the "DNA type" of Andrew N. West is known. Andrew N. WEST's paternal grandfather was Levi WEST (b: 13 MAR 1724/25 d: 17 JUL 1787). A DNA sample from a descendant of Levi West along the all-male line has been submitted and evaluated. Therefore, this DNA knowledge may allow for connection with other WEST lines.
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