Bridget Hannah (Kenniston) Smith (abt. 1695 - bef. 1771)

Born about 1695 in Greenland, New Hampshire

Wife of Jonathan Smith — married 11 Aug 1719 (to 29 Sep 1742) in Greenland, New Hampshire

Descendants

Died before 17 Sep 1771 before about age 76 in Brentwood, Rockingham, New Hampshire

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Biography

Bridget Kenniston (aka Keniston, Kenestone, Kenaston) was born about 1695 in Greenland, New Hampshire. Reported parents of Bridget are George and Bridget (Alexander) Keniston; however, confirmation of these parents is pending additional research.

It is well-documented that Bridget was the 2nd wife of Jonathan Smith. Bridget and Jonathan married in Greenland, New Hampshire on August 11, 1719. They had 13 children which are as follows: Abraham b. June 1, 1720; Lydia b. June 20, 1722; Isaac b. May 22, 1724; Elizabeth and Abigail (twins) b. February 25, 1725/26; Hepzibah b. July 23, 1727; Jacob b. March 12, 1728-29; Obadiah b. March 26, 1731; Deborah b. February 23, 1732/33; John Waldron b. December 8, 1735; Caleb b. March 4, 1736/37; Bridget b. February 16, 1738/39; and Nathan b. May 7, 1741.

Shortly after birth of their last child, Bridget's husband died on September 29, 1742 leaving Bridget a widow. Bridget is a signee along with her children and other inhabitants of Brentwood as "Bridget Smith" on a petition to the General Court to form its own Parish. This document is dated July 11, 1743. Her signature as a woman indicates her status as widow.

Bridget passed away in Brentwood, New Hampshire about 1771, her estate probated in Rockingham, New Hampshire on September 17, 1771.

Sources

• Original Data: "New Hampshire Marriage Records 1637–1947,"Film Number: 1001305. Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2011. “New Hampshire Statewide Marriage Records 1637–1947,” database, FamilySearch, 2009. New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records. “Marriage Records.” New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord. [Repository: Ancestry.com. New Hampshire, Marriage Records Index, 1637-1947 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.] (2nd marriage record)

• Original data: New England Historic Genealogical Society. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston: The New England Historic Genealogical Society. [Repository: Ancestry.com. The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011 (database on-line). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.] (2nd marriage record)

• Bell, Charles Henry. History of the town of Exeter, New Hampshire, Exeter (Unknown), 1888, p. 43. [Repository: Ancestry.com. History of the town of Exeter, New Hampshire (database on-line, frame #524 of 569), Genealogical. Family Registers. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.] (includes wives and children and their birth dates)

• Author: New Hampshire. Probate Court (Rockingham County); Probate Place: Rockingham, New Hampshire, Case Number 3870. [Repository: Source Information: Ancestry.com. New Hampshire, Wills and Probate Records, 1643-1982 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: New Hampshire County, District and Probate Courts.] (probate for Bridget Smith)