David Smith (1725 - abt. 1782)

Born 16 May 1725 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Husband of Mary (Martin) Smith — married 10 Mar 1747 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died about 1782 at about age 56 in Chatham, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

David was a Friend (Quaker)

David was born in 1725. He passed away about 1806.

Research Notes

Source: Norma Smith Keith Family Record. Lived at Isle of Wight County, VA; Johnson Co. NC, Orange (now Alamance)county NC Ref: Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. Contentnea (Nahunta) Monthly Meeting, North Carolina LDS North Carolina records indicate an approximate birth year of 1728. This family is also well documented in the LDS records and any differences between previous sources will be noted on the individuals page notes. LDS NC #20,465 through 20,478. All children of this marriage are documented in the LDS records, with the names of their parents. Some marriages for the children are recorded in this group of pages also.

WFT Vol.2, pedigrees #3320 and 2330 list the wife of John Jr. as Ann Farmer. These pedigree lines trace the family back through Talbot Co.Maryland.

Wft Vol. 3, pedigree #6315 lists the children through a different line which migrated to Clinton Co. Ohio and Howard Co. Indiana. This indicates some went to Ohio, (likely remained in the Quakers there) and the balance going to Clinton Co. Illinois. This line states John was born in England, which contradicts both the Norma Smith Keith record and Vol. 2. This record is in error since it does not list any further ancestors of JohnRatcliff Jr.

The allied families which moved with this family give more credit to this migration from Maryland. John's sons, Edam and Abner were executors of the Will of David Smith,who married Mary Martin in Philadelphia PA. John's Daughter Elizabeth married David Smith's son David. This would indicate a close relationship between these two families at this early date, which carried on through the generations into Clinton County Illinois. This very likely due to their ties to the Quaker faith.

This generation is where the Ratcliff, Farmer, and Smith families join in North Carolina. Orange County was formed from Bladen in 1752; Dobbs Co. was formed from Johnston Co., in 1758. The children of this marriage were born in two different counties, however, the family did not move, the county boundary did. Some of the children were born before the county split, some after. This gives the impression that they moved, however, close inspection of the location of the county line that separated these two counties gives an indication of the location they lived. Inspection of the 1758 county map would indicate they lived in the southeastern portion of Johnston county. Dobbs ceased to exist and that location now is in present day Wayne County. The original county location where this family lived in the time of their births was then known as Bath County. Later Johnston, Dobbs, and present day Wayne. They did not move, the county changed names and locations. This explains the multiple records in LDS files which show different locations for birthplace of some of the children. Most are correct in the family submissions listing different counties because of the formation thereof. But correct county depends on the date of birth and what the county was called at that time, rather than what it is today.

David Smith Will, dated December 27, 1782, no probate date Chatham Co., Record of Estates Vol. 1, pp. 44, 44(b) NC State Archives film # C.022.50001

In the name of God amen I David Smith of chatham county and State of North Carolina, planter being infirm in body but in perfect health of mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in order following, that is to day, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of almighty god that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executors and touching such worldly estate which it hath please god to bless me with I will and bequeath in the following manner and for me I bequeath to Mary Smith my dearly beloved Wife, all my Household goods and moveable estate with all debts due to me as her own property, forever and the use of my Land and tenements during her life. Also, I give and bequeath to my beloved grand Childering sons of my beloved son david Smith (Viz) John, David, Mary, Jonathan, Nathan, and Jesse Smith and George Smith all my Lands messuages tenements by them their heirs and assigns freely, to be possed (possessed) and enjoyed forever and I likewise desier that the Land shall eaqually be divided according to the value of each devisior which division shall be made at a time when the eldest comes of age or stands in need of their part of their Land and likewise make and ordain Edom Ratcliff and Abner Ratcliff the sole Executors of this my least Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former Testaments and Wills by me in any ways before named, Willed and bequeathed, & aledging and confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this Twenty Seventh day of December one thousand Seven hundred and eighty two__ Signed, Sealed, Published and Pronounced by the said David Smith as his last Will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names

John Ratcliff Joseph Lambert Abraham (his "A" mark) Smith Signed David (his "S" mark) Smith A copy Test John Ramsey, C. C.

Sources

• "Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WF-T2D5 : 6 February 2020), David Smith, 1747.
• Wills and Estate Papers (Chatham County), 1663-1978; Author: North Carolina. Division of Archives and History; Probate Place: Chatham, North Carolina http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/chatham/wills/dasmiwil.txt