Francis Smith (abt. 1597 - 1650)

Born about 1597 in England

Husband of Alice (Unknown) Smith — married 1627 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 20 Mar 1650 at about age 53 in Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Francis Smith migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Great Migration (Series 2), by R. C. Anderson, vol. 6, p. 351) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

According to Robert Charles Anderson in the Great Migration, Francis Smith of Watertown and Reading was born about 1597 (based on date of marriage or 1583 based on age of his wife at death) in England and died in Reading on 30 March 1649/50. He has no known parents and no known relationship to John Bland Smith. He married Alice ___. Alice was born about 1583 in England (based on age at death) and was buried in 1667 in Roxbury, MA.^[1]

Frances sailed from England in the ship "JAMES", April 5 1635, he was a proprietor in Watertown, MA in 1635, a freeman Apr 17 1637, moved to Lynn then to Rummey Marsh, now Chelsea, MA He was in Reading, MA in 1644 and a land owner. His farm was on the north end of Smith's Pound, so named for him, it is now known as Crystal Lake. His large holdings extended to Woodville. His home was located near the present location of Wakefield Junction Railroad Station.^[1]

Francis only names two children in his will and no other children have ever been proven:^[1]

1 John Smith who according to TAG was on the passenger list with Alice. He was born about 1622 England per Hotten and married 1st Catherine Morrill and 2nd Mary Bill.^[1]

2. Benjamin Smith born Watertown 10 Oct 1637 married Jehoidan Palfrey.^[1]

Note older sources like "Genealogical History of the Town of Reading" p 111 also list two daughters:^[2]

1. Hannah SMITH On 15 November 1659 Hannah married George LILLEY, in Reading, Middlesex co., MA^[2]

2. Mary SMITH In 1664 Mary married Jeremiah SWAIN^[2]. The Mary Smith that married Jeremiah Swayne is his grand daughter, child of son John.

Anderson doesn't include these two daughters. Examination of his will only mentions the two sons above.^[1]

The name of his wife Alice is unknown. Alice and John appear on the manifest list for the "Planter" on 10 Apr 1635. So, it appears that Alice and John came to join Francis, already in Massachusetts. Then, within two years, they had a son Benjamin. This Francis Smith was in Watertown but by the early 1640s, he had removed to Reading, Massachusetts.^[1]

Alice died in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, on 13 Mar 1667; she was 84.

Earlier sources are not consistent (e.g., Pioneers of Massachusetts and the GDMNH seem to have somewhat differing information). However, for what it's worth, the Littleton, MA Vital Records mention a Francis Smith. It states that among the children of John and Isabell Smith is "probably Francis, removed to Reading and d. March 20, 1656." That may not clear up anything, but it does mention Francis as being connected to the John (Bland) Smith who married Isabella Drake. For a full discussion see John Bland Smith

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VI, R-S. (2009) Pages 351-354. AmericanAncestors.org (by subscription)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} "Genealogical History of the Town of Reading" p 111

See Also:

• The American Genealogist 61 (1985):24-26 (subscription)
• History of Martha's Vineyard - Annals of Edgartown, 2, 41-46.
• Hall, Kristin Carole, “Smith Register Report,”, 21 Dec 2002, p. 1.
• Hall, Ibid, p. 2
• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 and Genealogical History of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, Honorable Lilly Eaton, (1874)
• WFT European Vol. 1 Tree 0329.
• WFT European Vol. 1 Tree 0794.
• http://kristinhall.org/fambly/Smith/FrancisSmith1.html
• Lilly Gen., by J.W. Lilly, 1901
• London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812

Francis Smith

Marriage Date 10 Aug 1612

Marriage Place St Mary, Sunbury on Thames Richmond upon Thames, Middlesex, England

Spouse Alice Wilson

Parish Register

• Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001 [1]

Francis Smith

Death Event Date

20 Mar 1649

Event Place: Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

• Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 Image

Francis Smyth

Probate Date 1650

Probate Place Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

Inferred Death Year Abt 1650

Inferred Death Place Massachusetts, USA

Case Number 20616

Item Description Probate Papers, No 20577-20682

• Find A Grave: Memorial #132883558