About James Smith
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JAMES SMITH
James Smith was born October 5, 1791 in Kelso, Scotland on the River Tweed, between Edinburgh and New Castle. He was the son of John Smith, a shepherd, and Agnes Gray. They were married in Scotland in 1783. John Smith was born ____ and died October 13, 1818 in Delaware County, near Stamford, NY.
Agnes Gray Smith was born _____ and died December 27, 1799 in Delaware County, near Stamford, NY.
James was the third of four children and the only son. His sister Jennet was older. His sister Nancy was 5 years younger than he was. The third sister is not mentioned by name.
In 1795 the family moved to American. They left from Greenoch and sailed on the brig Apollo with Captain Hilton. In June 1795, seven weeks later they landed at Boston. They spent 16 month in Boston. In October of 1796 the moved to Westchester County, New York, only 16 miles from New York City. While there James attend school; Mr. Lyon was the teacher. In 1798 the moved into New York City on Greenwich Street, one mile from the battery. There James hired out as a "rope-walker" in the business of spinning rope yarn.
In the fall of 1798 the family went up the Hudson River to Catskill, New York for the purpose of attaining a farm. They settle at Roses' Brook in the town of Stamford, New York.
On December 27, 1799 Mother, Agnes Gray Smith, who had been sick for some time, dies. The older girls are farmed out with families to learn housekeeping skills while James and Nancy are closer by with a family friend also from Scotland. James goes to school for the last time in his life.
He moves back home with his father and father breaks his leg and is laid up for forty days with his leg in a box helping it to heal straight. James learned to farm, was the sole support for his father and two sisters, and taught himself to read and write when not otherwise occupied.
James met Sarah (Sally) Redfield and married her on May 5, 1817. She was a descendant on her father's side from the Pilgrims (John Alden and Priscilla Mullins) of Plymouth Rock. James almost always refers to her as "My Companion".
Sarah (Sally) Redfield Smith was born on April 25, 1796 and died on December 13, 1883, daughter of James Redfield, born 1767 died Aug 19. 1858 and Abigail Barlow Redfield Smith, born ______ and died on February 17, 1822.
October 13, 1818 James' father, John dies leaving the farm with its many debts to James and sister Jenny.
James and Sally had 11 children, all born in Stamford, N.Y. New York law made schools available and all children went to school near their home.
1818, May 21
John Scott Smith - always referred to as Scott - died May 18, 1899
Married on July 28, 1846 Mary J. Elmendorf, born December 27, 1825 - died August 16, 1907
Children Unknown
1819, July 15
James Redfield Smith -always referred to as JR - died _________
Married on October 11, 1853 Mary L. Chase, born ________ - died 1902
Children unknown
1821, July 24
Jane Gray Smith, died January 18, 1897
Married on November 12, 1857 John Elliot Stott, born in 1806, Roxbury Scotland, died May 27, 1863
Sarah L Stott Beavers
May 29, 1823.
Thursday. Plans to go to Michigan - others have quit their plans - don't want to go alone.
July 6, 1823.
Have given up on going to Michigan.
July 16, 1823
Elected Ensign in the Rifle Company under the leadership of Captain J. G. Redfield, in Delhi, NY.
1823, August 25
Emily Smith, died January 6 1880 (buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Sec. B, Fairfax, VA)
Married on October 6, 1846 Henry Ryer, born October 18, 1819, died December 10, 1890
Sarah A. born 1852 died 1917
Henry C. born 1854 died 1931
James W. born 1862 died 1935
October 1824
Sister Jenny marries Mr. Thomas McClaughby, a recent widower
1825, July 9
Abigail R. Smith, died May 14, 1896
Married on November 13, 1844 Isaac Hall Silliman, born September 23, 1817, died January 7, 1908
Mary Jane Silliman Rose born Nov. 24, 1847
Ida Virginia Silliman Rose born May 12, 1850
Frank Turney Silliman born Nov. 22, 1852
Scott Smith Silliman born Jan. 15, 1855
James Burr Silliman born Oct. 14, 1856
Emily Silliman born July 10, 1863
Dora Miranda Silliman Nicoll born July 27, 1866
Florence Silliman born Jan 26, 1870
1827, June 14,
Priscilla Delia Smith died September 11, 1893
Married on January 23, 1851 Benjamin Reed Barlow born 1829 died July 11, 1862
Frank M. born 1852
Mary Ann born in 1858
Married on March 19, 1868
James T. Robey born 1833 died December 23, 1905
1829, April 12,
Miranda Smith died December 11, 1852
Married on June 24, 1852
Jesse B. Taylor born _____ died 1881
May 4, 1830
Moves his family to Michigan. They boarded the Henry on the Erie Canal at Spraker, NY. At Rochester, NY they boarded the Columbus with Captain Cane and sail on Lake Ontario. When they got to Buffalo they boarded the Enterprize to cross Lake Erie and all are extremely seasick.
In 1832 they have returned to New York from Michigan.
1832, June 22,
Sarah Elizabeth Smith died May 2, 1883 (buried at Ashburn Pres. Cemetery, Ashburn, VA)
Married on November 22, 1859
John Gould Webster born 1834 died August 16, 1918
Mary Ellen Webster Beaver born 1860 died 1961 (buried in Ashburn Presby)
Joseph M. Webster born 1862
Jennet Webster born 1865
Grace Emily Webster Blincoe born 1867
Ida M. Webster born in 1869
Fred W. Webster born in 1871
James Scott Webster born Oct. 3, 1872 died June 9, 1959(buried at Andrew Chapel Cemetery on Route 7 & Towlston Rd. Vienna, VA
Minnie M. Webster born October 13,1874
Clara M. Webster born November 6, 1876
1834, July 2,
Saba Louise died December 26, 1872 (buried at Falls Church cemetery, Falls Church, VA)
1836, August 19,
William Thomas Smith died September 30, 1917 (buried Presby Cemetery, Ashburn VA)
Married on May 22, 1862
Hannah M. Lyke born _____ died April 2, 1864
Married on March 21, 1868
Frances J. Miller Gould born July 22, 1828 died February 26, 1883
Andrew Smith born 1869
Married on December 8, 1887
Georgianna Rhoades born March 1858 died October 4, 1927
Susie F. Smith Seaton born 1889
Sarah Jennette Smith Mclearen born December 1890
George William (Willie) born March 1894
1839, January 26,
Theophilus Smith - died on April 22, 1841 at 2 years, 3 months.
February 26, 1848
Leaves home at 3 A.M. Walks to Clovesville. (This is the beginning of his trip to Virginia to buy a new farm.)
February 28, 1848
Sells homestead to son John Scott. Visits New York City, Trenton, Baltimore and Washington, D. C. He travels by boat and railroad and arrives in Washington, D. C. on March 5. He views various properties with the help of Mr. Burr Gould.
March 12, 1848
Starts back to New York.
March 22, 1848.
Home again in Stamford, New York
March 25, 1848.
Decided to purchase the Cockerille property via letter to Mr. Burr Gould, acting as agent.
May 3, 1848
Farm is purchased.
Sept 7, 1848
Starts packing for the trip to Virginia
Sept 15, 1848
The family and all the household goods are loaded on the Empire for the trip down the Hudson River.
October 5, 1848
Birthday. (Mr. Smith is 57!) Family live in the Charles T. Colemans house until they can take possession of their farm. (Rent is $6.00)
November 15, 1848
Wednesday. Moved to the farm and took possession of their Sylvan Cottage.
February 17 and March 7, 1849
Gets into trouble with the neighbors for straightening out the road.
July 15, 1849
Helps to form a Sunday School at the Rock Hill school house.
June 4, 1850
Fairfax County Minute Books, book 1847, page 89. States that James Smith will buy 230 Acres at $5 per Acre from the estate of R. H. Cockerille.
September 20, 1850
Isaac Silliman and their two children arrived from New York. The first relatives to visit since they moved.
January 10, 1851
Pays Mr. R. H. Cockerille 105 dollars, 2nd annual payment.
January 23, 1851
Daughter Priscilla Delia Smith and Benjamin Reed Barlow are married at home by Mr. Fr. Whaley.
April 1, 1851
Benjamin and Priscilla left today to take possession of their habitation in Fairfax.
May 5, 1852
Anniversary of Our Marriage, 35 years since.
August 23, 1852
Sold 100 Acres to Mr. William W. Davis of New York.
October 6, 1852
My Companion left to go to New York for a visit.
November 2, 1852
Voted for Pierce for President at Gum Spring.
January 1, 1853
My long absent Companion finely Home. Came with Henry, Emily and the children.
January 4, 1853
Paid Cockerille 165 dollars
January 2, 1854
Paid Cockerille 170 dollars.
February 2, 1854
Henry and Emily with children left after having staid with us for 1 year and 1 month.
April 18, 1854
Met at Mr. Goulds and formed a small Presbyterian Society with the Rev. Mr. Smith and Hargrave.
January 22, 1855
Final payment due 313.22 only have 219.50 Cockerille won't take personal note. Borrow 95 dollars from Scott who borrows it from his employer, Mr. William Cole.
March 17, 1855
Writes to Cousin Robert Merideth inquiring about moving to Kansas.
June 7, 1855
Fairfax County Minute Books, book 1847, page 282, states that the debt is paid in full and the property belongs to James Smith.
February 3, 1860
13 degrees below zero at sunrise.
May 5, 1861
This day 44 years are completed.
May 23, 1861
Votes against seceding from the Union at Gum Spring. Treated as a traitor to Virginia.
September 1, 1861
John our farmer has left, our waggon and team have been taken.
January 2, 1862
Went on foot, across the fields, I with the rest, hobbling on my crutches, a long mile, facing the cold N. W. wind to a New Years dinner at the McCullocks.
March 26, 1862
John E. Stott, Jane's husband made a visit today. They run a boarding house in Washington, D. C.
In the name of God, Amen. I, James Smith, of the county of Loudoun, and state of Virginia, of the age of seventy being of sound mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of the transitory life, do make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament, that is to say, to my beloved wife, Sarah, K give and bequeath all my real and personal estate, consisting of the farm containing 242 acres, on which we now live, in Loudoun Co. Virginia, together, with all the farm stock, farm produce and family good belonging to me at the time of my decease; to possess and hold for her use and benefit, during her natural life, and at the time of her decease my son, William T. Smith solely on the condition that he will faithfully care for and manage the business and work of the aforesaid farm, from the date of this instrument to her decease aforesaid, shall then become proprietor of said farm after he had paid any just debt that man come against it; and paid to his sisters, Jane G, and Sarah E. any legal demand which they may have against said property; and allowed his sister Saba L. by a written bond, if she remain single at the time of said decease, a reasonable share of the cash value of said estate, to be determined by mutual agreement, --but if she is married, then after he has paid any legal claim she may have on said estate, in lieu of the above, proposed share, the aforesaid William T. Smith after having fulfilled the above conditions, shall be ovla and riral proprietors ;of what remains ----of the above mentioned real and personal property. But if he, the said William T. Smith should by his own choice, fail to fulfil the above conditions then at the decease of his Mother, the aforesaid Sarah, after the legal debts against said estate are paid, I give and bequeath the remainder to my children or their heirs, who may then be living to be divided equally among them, share and share alike.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.
Likewise I make and appoint my beloved wife Sarah to be the sole executrix of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I hereto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this twenty second day of August A. D. 1862
James Smith
The above written instrument was subscribed by the said James Smith in our presence and acknowledged by him, to each of us, and we at the testators request and in his presence have signed our names as witnesses hereto, and written opposite to our names our respective places of residence.
Burr Gould, Fairfax Co. Virginia
Lewis M. Millard, Loudoun Co. Virginia
August 27, 1862 Southern Army under Jackson is marching through our County. William and John went away on horseback in hopes of saving themselves and the horses.
August 28, 1862 Stewarts' Calvary captured the boys and took them prisoner.
November 16, 1871 James Smith dies of a lacerated leg. He is buried at the Falls Church Cemetery, Falls Church, Virginia.
List of the personal estate of James Smith dec' appraised by R. H. Summers, Benj. B. Beard and Joseph K. Smith.
| 1 Black Horse |
15. |
| 1 Bay Do. |
50. |
| 1 combined Reaper & Mover |
40. |
| 1 one horse spring wagon |
10. |
| 1 old harrow |
150 |
| 2 double shovel plows |
8.00 |
| 1 Broom Machine |
3.00 |
| 1 Two horse wagon |
25.00 |
| 1 Grind Stone |
2.00 |
| 1 Red & White horned cow |
18.00 |
| 1 Seckeled Do |
18.00 |
| 8 Hogs |
24.00 |
| 2 Yearlings |
20.00 |
| 7 Chairs |
3.50 |
| 1 Table |
3.00 |
| 2 Bed & Bedding |
50.00 |
| |
$291.00 |
Under an order of the County Court of Loudoun to the under signed directed we this day Inventoried & appraised all the personal estate of James Smith dec' as shown us by the admin.
Given under our hand this 18th day of Nov. 1872. R. H. Summers, B. B. Beard, Jos. K. Smith appraisers
Sarah Smith administratrix of James Smith dec.'
At a County Court held for Loudoun County on the 14th day of October 1872; Ordered, That R. H. Summers, B. B. Beard & Jos. K. Smith or any three of them, being first duly qualifies, do inventory and appraise the estate of James Smith deceased, and make report thereof to this Court.
A Copy Teste Geo. K. Fix Jr. cc
Loudoun County; Court: B. B. Beard, R. H. Summers & Jos. K. Smith appeared before me and made oath that they did execute the foregoing Order.
Given under my hand this 4th day of Jany 1873 R. G. Allnutt.
Jany 27, 1873 Sarah Smith admx of James Smith filed the foregoing Inventory and Appraisement with me, which I have examined and found to be correct. There will be so sale bill and no settlement the admx taking it all at the appraisement price under the will for life. Feuton M. Henderson, Comm. Of _________
Clerks Office of the County of Loudoun County Tout: January 29, 1873. The foregoing Inventory & c was this day received in Said Office and admitted to record.
Teste Edgar Littleton Ck.
Prepared by Elsie Blink, Student
Northern Virginia Community College
Loudoun Campus, Sterling VA
November 14, 2001
