Guy Smith (abt. 1668 - aft. 1720)

Born about 1668 in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England

Descendants

Died after 1720 after about age 52 in Gloucester, Gloucester County, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

Guy Smith was born in Cambridgeshire, England.

Guy Smith was a Virginia colonist.

Guy Smith, Rev. was born Abt. 1668 in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, and died 1720 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia. He met ? Perrin, Miss Abt. 1699 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia. She was born Abt. 1685, and died Abt. 1720 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia. Rainey Papers, Vol. 63-P14, Roanoke City Libr.

Rev. Guy Smith, abt 1668-1720, Minister of the Church of England. While still a young boy, in 1683 Guy Smith enrolled in a preparatory school at Cambridge, which prepared him for late ministerial studies on the university level. Eventually, Guy would enroll in Corpus Christi College. Guy was a sizar, a student who receives an allowance toward his college expenses in return for acting as a servant to other students. Queen Anne had established a fund, the so-called Queen Anne's Bounty.....that authorized gifts to clergies willing to travel to the colonies. This fund may have helped (Guy) to Virginia. Guy Smith, was the Rector of the Abingdon Parish in Gloucester County, across the river from Williamsburg, May 31, 1703. Guy joined James Clark in a petition to the General Assembly, asking for laws preventing from being worked on Sundays. A few days later on April 2, 1703, after being elected one of the Govenors of William and Mary College, Guy took the oaths of office and subscribed the test necessary for the position.

Guy also acquired considerable land by paying passage for immigrants in exchange for their "important" rights to 50 acres and by Treasury rights to vacant land by building a wooden house of 12 feet square and the clearing and tending of one acre of land. By 1719 Guy has enough personal wealth to own seven slaves. The births of nine children were registered at the Abingdon Parish Church. (The Circle Goes Unbroken: Some of Rev. Guy Smith's Desc's on America's Frontiers which cites The Register of Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia, 1677-1780. Compiled by Robins, Arlington, VA; Hanford House, 1981, p. 224) (James McFarlane)

Rev. Guy Smith, an Episcopal priest and rector of Abington Parish in Gloucester Co., Virginia. The burning of the Church and county records in Gloucester Co. in 1819 seems to preclude the possibility of a record of the family prior to 1700. The Rev. Guy Smith is found in an old Abington Parish register beginning 1677 (?), and with this record begins the family history of this Virginia family of Smiths. Why was he sent to Virginia as a minister by the Bishop of London or born in Virginia is not known. Some genealogists seem inclined to the belief that he was related to John or Lawrence Smith, who came to Virginia from Devonshire, England about 1650. (A Lawrence Smith, who came to Virginia from Devonshire and settled in Gloucester Co. about 1650. He became a Major in the Militia, and commanded the forces on the frontier. He died 1700, leaving sons Lawrence, John, and William and bore the arms of "Smith of Tartne, Devonshire, England".) It is also supposed by some that John and Lawrence were related to Col. A. Smith, who came to Virginia in 1622 and settled in Islo-of-Wight County and his brother, Alexander Smith who came over in 1634 and settled in Middlesex County. Arthur and Alexander were nephews of Sir Thomas Smith, who was Secretary of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the most prominent men in the early settlement of Virginia. He was the son of Thomas Smith of Osten Hanger Castle, County Kent, England. There seems to be no record from which we might learn who, when, or where the Rev. Guy Smith married, but the date of death of his first child in 1701 would indicate his own birth date about 1675. The Virginia Cyclopedia of Biography Gives the following -- "Rev. Guy Smith came to Virginia before and was minister of Abington Parish in Gloucester County. He was a member of the clergy that associated at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in 1719, and died about 1720, leaving at least sons. Guy, John, Constantine and Lawrence."

In Bishop Meade's "Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia, Vol. 2 ", his name appears on a list of ministers attending a convention of Virginia ministers held at William and Mary College, April 1. Since Bishop Meade's day an old Abingdon Parish Register has been brought to light, from which we learn the following. (See William and Mary Quarterly, p. 44, Vol. 9) " Rev. Guy Smith was minister of Abingdon Parish and died about 1720. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Hughes. As he had a son Lawrence, he was probably some relations to Major Lawrence Smith. " The old Abingdon Parish register gives the names of his children and the birth dates of some. Also, his slaves.

Col. John Smith was a member of the House of Burgesses from Goochland County from 1752 till about 1790.

John, Jr. and Guy were County judges. All the sons and grandsons were large land owners and had from five slaves, onwards. John, Jr., was an extensive tobacco grower and it is likely that all the other brothers also were. (Donna Smith Carlson & Donald Ray Carlson Family)

Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Guy Smith Name: Guy Smith Year: 1702 Place: Virginia Source Publication Code: 9658.50.15 Primary Immigrant: Smith, Guy Annotation: Date and place of mention. Date and place of birth and death, name and occupation of father, college attended and degrees earned, and other information may also be provided. Source Bibliography: WEIS, FREDERICK LEWIS. The Colonial Clergy of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Boston: Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy, 1955. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1976. Page: 47

Rev. Guy Smith died aft 1720 in Abingdon, Gloucester, Virginia, United States. He was 45 years old. --- BIOGRAPHY: The Rev. Guy Smith served the parish from 1702 until his death in 1718. During his ministry, the Rev. George Keith, missionary of the S. P. G., preached in the first Abingdon Church, on June 13, 1703. That year was also notable as having been when Major Lewis Burwell, of Carter's Creek (Fairfield), presented the 3 handsome Communion service, still used in the parish. Mr. Hughes succeeded the Rev. Mr. Smith in 1719, ...Pg. xviii, "The Register of Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia, 1677-1780, " compiled by Robert W. Robins, Hanford House Arlington, Virginia. ... BIOGRAPHY: VA. Colonial Abstracts, Vol. II, King & Queen Co. records show Guy Smith Clk gaining 320 acres in King & Queen County, 19 Dec. 1711 - Treasury Rts. ... BIOGRAPHY: "Hopkins of Virginia and Related Families, " by Walter Lee Hopkins, J. W. Ferguson & Sons, Richmond, VA, 1931, available from Higginson Book Co., pp. 55-99, gives information on Guy Smith Family, Guy Allen Smith's Smith writings indicate that some have said he was related to Major Lawrence Smith who came to V. A. in 1650 and settled in Gloucester Co., VA. Both had sons names Lawrence and John. ... BIOGRAPHY: "The Circle Goes Unbroken, " by Sue Patterson available gives a summary of Rev. Guy Smith's life and listing of some of his descendants. ... BIOGRAPHY: Pop Smith said he was probably the son of John or Lawrence Smith who came to Virginia about 1650 and bore the arms of "Smith of Tartan, Devonshire, England. " ... BIOGRAPHY: From "Genealogies of Virginia Families" from the William and Mary Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, by Judith McGham, Genealogical Publishing Co., Balto., MD, 1982, pp. 501/502. "Viii. Family of Rev. Guy Smith of Abingdon Parish.

1. Rev. GUY (1) SMITH was minister of Abingdon Parish, and dies about 1720. He was succeeded by Thomas Hughes. As he had a son named Lawrence, he was probably some relation of Major Lawrence Smith. He had issue, 2, John Smith, baptized June 3, 1701; 3, Guy, baptized December 12, 1704; 4, Mary; 5, Joanna; 6, Ann, 7, Susanna; 8, Constantine, born September 16, 1717; 9, Lawrence, born September 16, 1719.

2. JOHN SMITH (Guy (1)) married Ann - - -, had issue: 10, John, born September 23, 1725, married in Goochland County, March 31, 1723. In 1761, he was living in Goochland County, at which time he deeded lands Lickinghole Creek to Constantine Smith, of King & Queen County, John (2) Smith was probably the Smith, of St. Peter's Parish, Hanover County, who devised to his son John land on Lickinghole Creek, Goochland County, which land was sold by the latter in 1722. Mrs. Ann Smith, wife of John (2) Smith died in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester, and was buried August 7, 1733.

3. GUY (2) SMITH (Rev. Guy (1)) married, first Sarah, and had issue in Gloucester, 12, Guy, baptized July 26, 1728; 13, Sarah. He married, second, Sarah, and had issue, 14, Joseph. Guy ^ Smith was buried in Gloucester, January 28, 1736, a Guy Smith, in 1751, married Ann Hopkins, in Goochland County, but he was probably a son of 2. John (2) Smith, son of Rev. Guy Smith.

8. CONSTANTINE (2) SMITH (Rev. Guy (1)) lived in King & Queen County in 1761, but in 1770 calling himself of the Parish of South Farnham, Essex County, he gave the land deeded to him in Goochland by Bowker Smith to his son, 15, Lawrence Smith (Goochland County Records) A Thomas Smith and Rachel, his wife, had issue in Abingdon Parish, Guy, born August 4, 1741. A Lawrence Smith, probably brother of Rev. Guy Smith, had issue in Abingdon Parish (1) Joseph, baptized August 30, 1712, (2) Richard Fulk, born May 23, 1715. A 4 Joseph Smith, of King & Queen County, sols lands in Spotsylvania in 1729."

Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1990: GUY SMITH Entered Corpus Christi College, 1683. Adm. sizar at Corpus Christi, 1683, of Ely, Cambridgeshire, Matric., 1683-84. More About Guy Smith, Rev.: Burial: 1720, Rectory Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia More About ? Perrin, Miss: Burial: Abt. 1720 Children of Guy Smith and ? Perrin are: + 2 i. John2 Smith, Col., born June 03, 1701 in Abingdon Parish, Glouchester County, Virginia; died 1775 in Goochland County, Virginia. 3 ii. Lawrence Smith, born Bet. 1701 - 1702. 4 iii. Constantine Smith, born Bet. 1701 - 1703. 5 iv. Guy Smith, Jr., born Aft. 1704. 6 v. Infant Smith, born Abt. 1706; died Abt. 1706 in Gloucester, Glouchester County, Virginia. 7 vi. Mary Smith, born 1708. 8 vii. Joanna Smith, born May 28, 1710. 9 viii. Ann Smith, born September 27, 1713. 10 ix. Susanna Smith, born July 10, 1715.

1683/4, Smith, Guy, matriculated Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England. He emigrated from Lancashire England to Gloucester Virginia and is listed in Gloucester Rent Rolls, 1704, Abbingdon Parish. In 1715, Smith, Guy, is listed as minister of Abingdon Parish in Gloucester Co, York River,VA. In 1719/ April, Smith, Rev Guy & Ralph Bowker are listed as clergy at “Convention held at the College of William & Mary", Williamsburg VA.

Rev Guy Smith was the father of Mary (b17001/2), John (b1701), Guy (b.1704), Constantine (b. 1717), Lawrence (b. 1719). Rev Guy Smith died about 1720.

Research Notes

1703/6/16, Smith, John & Lawrence, deed of exchange, sd John & Lawrence are sons of Lawrence Smith dc’d of Abingdon Parish, in Glocester Co VA who in his will dtd 8/8/1700 bequeathed all land in York Parish to son Lawrence, to go to Lawrence’s son John, but John died an infant 10/12/1701. Lawrence (dc’d) gifted his son John 6/12/1691, 1300 A in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co, land known as Beach Swamp in Ware Parish, Gloucester Co VA providing that if John dies without a male issue the 2 tracts of land would descend to the nearest male heir --there is a possibility the sd 2 plantations may go to the sd Lawrence Smith, brother of John. John relinquishes all rights in York Parish Co property bequeathed to his brother Lawrence and Lawrence relinquishes all rights in the 2 tracts in Gloucester. p.70 Wit: William Buckner, Augustine Smith, William Smith. Records of Colonial Gloucester, VA, pg 116.

1704/4/8, Smith, John to Charles Smith, because Lawrence died before POA finished property went to John as eldest son. He is giving to brother Charles to honor Lawrence dc’d wishes. p 243. Records of Colonial Gloucester, VA, pg 101

• 1704, Smith, Guy, 30 A, Gloucester Rent Rolls, 1704, Abbington Parish. Records of Colonial Gloucester, Co. Va. pg 87.

1708/9/24, Smith, William of Abingdon Parish, Gloucester to Honble John Smith, his brother of same, in consideration of a tract of land surveyed in 2 parts for Robert Todd & Francis Simmons by Lawrence Smith dc’d the surveyor on 20 Mar 1883/4 containing 240 A at Tindall’s point...p.303. Records of Colonial Gloucester, pg 117.

Sources

• I.) Rev. Guy Smith (d. 1720), emigrated from Lancashire Eng to Gloucester Co VA. Father of Mary (b17001/2), John (b1701), Guy (b.1704), Constantine (b. 1717), Lawrence (b. 1719)(not proved)
• 1683/4, Smith, Guy, matric Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England. Chart of Mrs. Theron Bratton, Ridge Runners, vol 10, p123
• 1704, Smith, Guy, 30 A, Gloucester Rent Rolls, 1704, Abbingdon Parish. Records of Colonial Gloucester, Co. Va. pg 87
• 1715, Smith, Guy, listed as minister of Abingdon Parish in Gloucester Co, York River,VA Records of Colonial Gloucester, 2, pg 51, 52
• 1719/ April, Smith, Rev Guy & Ralph Bowker listed as clergy at “Convention held at the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg VA, in April 1719. Churches, Ministers, and Families of VA, Vol 2, Meade
• 1720, Smith, Guy, d @1720, Families of Smith, William & Mary Quarterly, Vol ix, 1900-1901, pg 44-45
• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVL1-JV7R : 6 June 2019), Smith, ; Burial, White Marsh, Gloucester, Virginia, United States of America, Abingdon Episcopal Church Cemetery; citing record ID Find A Grave: Memorial #104613412. Note: contains unsourced and unproved information.

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Smith-21589 created through the import of Rankin-Ridgdill Family Tree.ged on Oct 4, 2011 by Elizabeth Rankin. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Elizabeth and others.

• Source: Immigrant- WEIS, FREDERICK LEWIS. The Colonial Clergy of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Boston: Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy, 1955. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1976.

• Source: Title: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Author: Gale Research Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.Original data - Filby, P. William, ed.. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2010.Original data: Filby, P. William, ed.. Passen Note: APID: 1,7486::0
• Source:Repository: #R801031822 U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
• Repository: R801031822 Ancestry.com
• Source: Repository: #R801031822 Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=118898016&pid=1006
• Source: Repository: #R801031822 U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc
• Source: S817598606 Repository: #R801031822 Virginia, Biographical Encyclopedia Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

"A special acknowledgement to Don Smith for his contributing his family lineages as well as including all of my Smith data from Col. John Smith, Philemon Smith and downwards to present-day generations, making it into one big beautiful lineage.