Benjamin Smith (1784 - 1855)

Born 17 Apr 1784 in Rockingham, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Martha (Stratton) Smith — married 14 Apr 1817 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia, USA

Husband of Elizabeth (Hinchman) Smith — married 1822 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died 10 Nov 1855 at age 71 in Bluefield, Mercer, West Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Mark Shernick [send private message] and Katherine Randall [send private message]

Biography

Benjamin aka "Benjamine" Smith was born 17 April 1784 in Rockingham County, VA, the son of Isaac Smith (Jr.) and Hannah Simms. He, his parents and his siblings are mentioned in David Johnston's 1906 history of the New River Settlements at this link: [1].

Benjamine married twice, and had thirteen children.

He married firstly in Cabell County, VA, to Martha Stratton (aka Straton or Stratten) on 14 April 1817. By her he had three children:

1. Eliza Smith b: Abt 1814 in Virginia
2. William Crawley Smith b: Abt 1817 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia
3. Rebecca Smith b: Abt 1819 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia

Benjamin married secondly in Monroe (Logan) County, (West) Virginia to Elizabeth Hinchman (1799 - ) and by her had 10 or 11 children:

1. Amanda Smith b: Abt 1823 in Cabell County, (West) Virginia
2. Theodore Smith b: Abt 1825 in Logan County, (West) Virginia
3. Thomas Smith b: Aft 1826
4. Elizabeth Smith b: Abt 1828 in Logan County, (West) Virginia
5. John Bernard Smith b: Abt 1829 in Logan County, (West) Virginia
6. Martha A. Smith b: Abt 1830 in Logan County, (West) Virginia
7. Mary F. Smith b: 11 Feb 1833 in Logan County, (West) Virginia
8. Benjamin S. Smith b: Abt 1835 in Logan County, (West) Virginia
9. Isaac A. Smith b: Abt 1838 in Logan County, (West) Virginia
10. Allen Smith b: Abt 1839 in Logan County, (West) Virginia

The U.S. Census for 1860 indicates they may have had a son named Edwin.

Benjamin Smith died 10 November 1855 in Mercer County, (West) Virginia.

SOURCES

• Benjamin Smith (1784 - 1855) - Geni.com

Johnston, David E. A History of Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory (Huntington WV: Standard Printing and Pub. Co. 1906).

Using the "search within this book" engine, one finds dozens of mentions of Benjamine Smith's family, notably

• Arrival of Capt. William Smith in 1782, p. 52

• Location of Capt. William Smith's homestead at New River, p. 71

• Migration of Isaac Smith and Stowers family from Rockingham County to New River in 1782 - 1785, p. 85

• Appendix C: "The Smiths of New River" pp. 452 and ff, which gives the Smith family history in detail.

• Mention of Benjamine Smith and his son, John B. Smith, p. 453

• A photograph of Capt. William Smith as an old man, p. 455

Within a second copy of the book at Kinyon.com one may view:

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• French-Hale Biographies
• Appendix C: The Smiths of New River

DNA Matching Notes

Paternal and maternal relationships have been raised to confidence level "Confident" based on a newly discovered DNA Triangulation: A GEDmatch Test match between Mark Shernick GEDMatch XQ6116801, 15th cousin Sue Pyles Ross GEDMatch A018548, and 15th cousin Andrew Bragg GEDmatch A127285. Their most recent common ancestors are Isaac Smith Jr. and Hannah Simms. Estimated number of generations to MRCA = 7.2 based on sharing 7.2 cM, 8 cM, and 13.4 cM segments.

Note well: These results do not match all three people on the very same chromosome and segment, and therefore this lineage has not been fully "DNA Verified." But the presence of a DNA-triangulated group is sufficient to boost confidence in the paper trail to the confidence level "Confident."

Family Trees Online

Gunter, Emar. "Descendants of William Simms Generation No. 2" published at Genealogy.com

Hager, Joel. "Southern West Virginia Research database"Benjamin Smith" page.

Note: Hager provides a downloadable Ahnentafel and GEDCOM and he cites as his main source "Donahoe.FTW"

Ward Family Tree "Benjamin Smith" Fact Page, Ancestry.com.

1810 U.S. Census [Westmoreland County, Virginia]

Benjamine P Smith in the 1810 United States Federal Census

• Name: Benjamine P Smith
• Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Westmoreland, Virginia
• Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 2
• Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 : 1
• Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
• Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
• Numbers of Slaves: 20
• Number of Household Members Under 16: 3
• Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
• Number of Household Members: 25

Source Citation

Year: 1810; Census Place: Westmoreland, Virginia; Roll: 71; Page: 251; Image: 00497; Family History Library Film: 0181431

Source Information

Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Original data: Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

See USGENWEB's Cabell County, WV, Census Index transcription page here: [2]

1815 Cabell County, (West) Virginia Tax List

• Smith, Adam 1 0 2 6 one bureau, one stud horse $3,
• Benjamin 1 0 1 4, one gold watch,
• Benjamin, 1 0 2 1
• Ezekial 1 0 2 11,
• James 2 0 6 23,
• Jesse 1 0 1 2,
• John 1 0 3 6 one store license $30,
• John (of Sandy) 1 0 2 6 store license?,
• Peter 2 0 7 4,
• Ralph 1 0 1 0 one gold watch,
• Thomas 1 0 0 0,
• Wm 2 0 2 4,
• Wm 1 0 3 6

14 April 1817 First Marriage to Martha Stratten

Benjamin Smith in the West Virginia, Marriages Index, 1785-1971

• Name: Benjamin Smith
• Gender: Male
• Spouse's Name: Martha Stratten
• Spouse Gender: Female
• Marriage Date: 14 Apr 1817
• Marriage Place: Cabell County, West Virginia

Source Information Ancestry.com. West Virginia, Marriages Index, 1785-1971 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Original data: "West Virginia Marriages, 1853–1970." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2008, 2009. Digital images of originals housed in County Courthouses in various counties throughout West Virginia. Marriage records.

Description This database contains an index extracted from West Virginia marriage records

1820 U.S. Census [Cabell County, (West) Virginia]

Cabell County, (West) Virginia Census

8 Benjamin Smith 1 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 0 0 1 0

1822 Second Marriage to Elizabeth Hinchman

Benjamin Smith in the West Virginia, Marriages Index, 1785-1971

• Name: Benjamin Smith
• Gender: Male
• Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Hinchman
• Spouse Gender: Female
• Marriage Date: 1822
• Marriage Place: Cabell County, West Virginia

Source Information Ancestry.com. West Virginia, Marriages Index, 1785-1971 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Original data: "West Virginia Marriages, 1853–1970." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2008, 2009. Digital images of originals housed in County Courthouses in various counties throughout West Virginia. Marriage records.

Description This database contains an index extracted from West Virginia marriage records

1830 U.S. Census [Logan County, (West) Virginia]

Benjamin Smith in the 1830 United States Federal Census

• Name: Benjamin Smith
• Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Logan, Virginia
• Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
• Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
• Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
• Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2
• Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
• Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
• Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
• Total Free White Persons: 7
• Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 7

Source Citation 1830; Census Place: Logan, Virginia; Series: M19; Roll: 191; Page: 284; Family History Library Film: 0029670

Source Information Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Original data: Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1840 U.S. Census [Kanawha County, (West) Virginia]

• Name: Benj Smith
• Township: Not Stated
• County: Kanawha
• State: Virginia
• Roll: 566 Page: 45

1840 Logan County, (West) Virginia Census

Benjamin Smith 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

See USGENWEB Mercer County, WV Census Index at this link: [3]

1847 Cherokee County (Texas) Tax List

Benjamine Smith Texas, County Tax Rolls

• Name Benjamine Smith
• Event Type Tax Assessment
• Event Year 1847
• County Cherokee County

CITING THIS RECORD

"Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8G-LQ19 : accessed 21 May 2016), Benjamine Smith, 1847.

1850 U.S. Census [Mercer County, (West) Virginia]

For 1850 Census index online, see US Genweb 1850 Mercer County Census Index, page 173b hyperlink, and scroll down to page 180b:

The index shows wife and children: Elizabeth Smith, 50; John Smith, 21, Labourer; Martha Smith, 20; Mary F. Smith, 17; Benjamin Smith, 15, Labourer; Isaac Smith, 12; Allen Smith, 11.

• Name: Benj Smith
• Age: 66
• Estimated birth year: abt 1784
• Birth place: Virginia
• Home in 1850 (City,County,State): District 42, Mercer, Virginia

Benj Smith in the 1850 United States Federal Census

• Name: Benj Smith
• Age: 66
• Birth Year: abt 1784
• Birthplace: Virginia
• Gender: Male
• Home in 1850: District 42, Mercer, Virginia, USA
• Roll: M432_960
• Page: 181
• Family Number: 442

Household Members:

• Benj Smith 66 [b. 1784]
• Elizabeth Smith 50 [b. 1800]
• Elizabeth Smith 22 [b. 1828]
• John Smith 21 [b. 1829]
• Martha D Smith 20 [b. 1830]
• Mary F Smith 17 [b. 1833]
• Benjamin Smith 15 [b. 1835]
• Isaac Smith 12 [b. 1838]
• Allen Smith 11 [b. 1839]

Source Citation Year: 1850; Census Place: District 42, Mercer, Virginia; Roll: M432_960; Page: 181A; Image: 362

Source Information Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Description This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1850 United States Federal Census, the Seventh Census of the United States. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, age as of the census day, sex, color; birthplace, occupation of males over age fifteen, and more. No relationships were shown between members of a household. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1850 Federal Census

For relatives, see Logan County, (West) Virginia 1850 Federal Census Index online here: http://us-census.org/image-index/wv/logan/1850/index.htm

10 November 1855 Death Record

WEST VIRGINIA DEATHS INDEX

Benjamin Smith in the West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973

• Name: Benjamin Smith
• Birth Date: abt 1784
• Death Date: 10 Nov 1855
• Death Place: Mercer, West Virginia
• Death Age: 71 years 6 months
• Gender: Male
• Father Name: Isaac Smith
• Mother Name: Hannah Smith
• FHL Film Number: 804477

Source Information Ancestry.com. West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Original data: "West Virginia Deaths, 1853–1970." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah. From originals housed in county courthouses throughout West Virginia. "Death Records.".

Description This database contains an index extracted from various West Virginia death records

Will and Probate Records

B S Smith in the West Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985

• Probate Place: Mercer, West Virginia, USA
• Inferred Death Place: West Virginia, USA
• Item Description: Wills, Vol 1-2, 1838-1886

Source Citation Wills (Mercer County, West Virginia), 1838-1969; Author: Mercer County (West Virginia). County Clerk; Probate Place: Mercer, West Virginia

Source Information Ancestry.com. West Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: West Virginia County, District and Probate Courts.

Description You can’t take it with you. Find out what was left behind and to whom in 200 years of West Virginia probate records

Benjamine S Smith in the West Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985

• Name: Benjamine S Smith
• Probate Date: 4 Aug 1859
• Probate Place: Mercer, West Virginia, USA
• Inferred Death Year: Abt 1859
• Inferred Death Place: West Virginia, USA
• Item Description: Probate Records, Bonds, Vol 1, 1837-1876

Source Citation Probate records; Author: West Virginia. County Court (Mercer County); Probate Place: Mercer, West Virginia

Source Information Ancestry.com. West Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: West Virginia County, District and Probate Courts.

Description You can’t take it with you. Find out what was left behind and to whom in 200 years of West Virginia probate records.