Question

What does the "W" in Sylvanus W. Smithson of Williamson County TN stand for? He died in 1872.

Answer 1

Capt Sylvanus Wright Smithson - denversuddaths

denversuddaths.homestead.com/files/anc2003/2003anc/pafg176.htm

1840 Census of Williamson County Tennessee, pg. 192: SMITHSON ..... Compton-Gosey Cemetery, 13th Dist. on Gosey Hill Rd. Smithson, J. P. b. Sept. 9, 1840 ...

Comments

I should have been more specific on my question.  I meant the Sylvanus W. Smithson who was born 1810 in VA and died 1872 in Williamson County, TN.  His parents were John Smithson and Elizabeth "Betsy" Knott.  His first marriage was to Mary Jane Gibson and second to Elizabeth C. Steagall.  I thought the W might be for his maternal great-grandmother Drucilla Walker, but can't find any documentary evidence of such.  The name Wade also has been seen in this Smithson family and I thought that a possibility.  Are there any other descendants from this Sylvanus out there?

Answer 2

Without a primary source to inform us what it stands for, we may never know.

Answer 3

https://www.myheritage.com/names/sylvanus_smithson

Sylvanus Wright Smithson was born on month day 1798, at birth place, Virginia, to Clement S. Smithson and Mary Ann (Nancy D) Smithson (born Pettus).

Clement was born on November 10 1768, in Lunenburg County, Virginia.

Mary was born on December 7 1770, in Charlotte Co., VA.

Sylvanus had 12 siblings: Susan T P Pennington (born Smithson), Martha D S Gilliam (born Smithson) and 10 other siblings.

Sylvanus married Anna Laura Hodge Smithson (born Hodges).

Anna was born circa 1820.

They had 4 children: Joseph Carroll Smithson and 3 other children.

Sylvanus married Myra Smithson (born Hadden).

Myra was born circa 1818.

They had one daughter: Myra H Smithson.

Sylvanus married Louisa Louise Smithson.

Louisa was born on 1802/03.

They had 8 children: Dolly Josephine Smithson, Elizabeth Smithson and 6 other children.

Sylvanus lived in 1870, at address, Texas.

Sylvanus passed away in 1872, at age 73 at death place, Tennessee.

 

Comments

These are different parents and siblings according to the linked profile.