Smith Family History

MYTH BUSTED:  There were at least 3 Reuben Smiths in early colonial Virgina.  One Reuben Smith was born 15 Aug 1761 Goochland Co., VA. and died 2 Dec 1831 Pittsylvania Co., VA.; married Elizabeth Rice 14 Nov 1782 Powhatan Co., VA.  She died 1853 Rockingham Co., NC.  Their children (Edward, Judith, Howell, Reuben, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Charles, Sarah, John, & Nancy) were born between 1784 and 1811.  His wife Elizabeth (Rice) Smith's Revolutionary War pension application only lists these children and their birth dates (page 6). See DAR # A106716

A 2nd Reuben Smith is found in Orange Co., VA. and was born abt. 17xx, he was orphaned when his father George Smith (the younger), died in 1778, the son of Joseph Smith of Orange Co., VA.  Reuben Smith's guardianship by his grandfather Joseph Smith  occurred on 23 Feb 1790 in Orange Co., VA. court. This settlement would have occurred when he reached adulthood (age 21). This suggests this Reuben Smith was born before 23 Feb 1769. So he was most likely born late in 1768 or early 1769 in that portion of Spotsylvania County that in 1740 had become Orange Co., VA.

 The Reuben Smith -  (Origins of Reuben Smith)   in this profile married (FamilySearch) Elizabeth Duke on December 18, 1792 [2] in Louisa County, Virginia, (FamilySearch) the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Burnley) Duke..   Per this document [2] Reuben Smith died before 1820. (*)  Elizabeth Duke was born circa 1771 (age 21 when married).  Her Will is dated January 5th, 1843 and it was recorded in March, 1843 in Todd County, KY.  In 1851 Patrick Michie, Sherriff of Louisa Co., VA. was her administrator. 

* Burnley Duke Smith's War of 1812 pension application states in 1814 he resided in Spotsylvania Co., VA. In the fall of 1816 at the age of 20 he moved to Shelby Co., KY with his mothers family.  By 1820 he was residing in Todd Co., KY adjacent to his mother Elizabeth Duke as head of household. (FamilySearch)

9 Sep 1797 deposition of Reuben Smith, page 30 of the 1800 Louisa Co., VA. Chancery court regarding the estate settlement of Clevear Duke's grandchildren.[9]

Their children were as follows:

1. Belford Smith

2. Burnley Duke Smith born August 6, 1796

3. Darrel Smith a physician

4. Spotswood (also spelled Spotteswood) Smith born December 14, 1800 in Louisa County, Virginia. He came to Kentucky in 1816, and two years later settled near Graysville on Spring Creek in what was Logan County, now part of Todd County.  Lived with his son Darrell B. Smith after his wife's death. He died October 9, 1894 in Guthrie, Kentucky. He married Martha A. (Terry) and they had two children:

Dony T. Smith (aka Donnie) married a John Cross Mims. They had a son named Frank William Mims born 27 Mar 1884, died 30 March 1960. He had two daughters, Dorthy and Edlow Mims. Franks Mims sister married a Carmack and they had two daughters, Donie and Margarite Carmack.

Dorell B. Smith born January 8, 1827 in Todd County, Kentucky. In 1844 he went to Hadensville, and worked two years for his board in the store of Stephen and John Terry. The third year he secured a position with Ed Payne at a salary of $300 and board, a year; at the expiration of this time he was obliged to give up his situation on account of ill heath, although he was offered a salary of $600 should he remain; he then bought the office of Sheriff from William M. Terry, which he held two years; he again bought the same office from Dr. Fox; this he held until the adoption of the new constitution; he then engaged in farming, which occupation he pursued with great success. He first bought a farm of sixty acres, which he afterward sold, then bought 500 acres in Logan County, where he lived ten years; he then bought a farm of 200 acres near Clarksville, Tennessee. After holding this two years he traded it for a farm in South Todd near the Tennessee state line. This farm contained 620 acres and grew to 1,500 acres. He built a residence on this farm in 1867 at a cost of $15,000. The house was later sold to Watkins Northington and then to the Seldon Allisons. At one time it was called "Twelve Oaks". This home was well constructed, with solid brick partitions on either side of the long central hall. The house had plaster walls and the woodwork was made of yellow poplar. The floors were made from long leaf pine and the porch was of cedar. In 1876 and 1877 he represented Todd County in the State Legislature. He married Olivia D. Tyler in November 13, 1850, a native of Todd County. His family consisted of four daughters, having lost his only two sons and his eldest daughter.

Dorrell B. Smith  had two daughters: Alice Smith who married a Lester. Alice had a daughter by the name of Olivia (Lester) Bourne (Murray, Kentucky). They had a son named Tyler Carr Bourne (Paducah, Kentucky). Alice's sister Olivia Smith married a Dr. Lester, they had a son who also was a doctor and lived in Birmingham, Alabama.

Findagrave

[1] Louisa County, VA Marriage Records

Louisa Co. marriage bond dated 10 Dec. 1792 shows Reuben Smith marrying Elizabeth Duke, 21 years of age. Surety was Richard K. Tyler (married Mary Duke, sister of Elizabeth Duke). Witnesses were William Smith, Ann Smith, George Smith, Jr., and George Smith, Sr.

[2] Henry Duke, Councilor: His Descendants and Connections, published by The Dietz Press, Inc., in 1949, Walter Garland Duke lists the children of John and Duke and Elizabeth Burnley.

Among them are ...

"Elizabeth Duke (called Betty) married December 18, 1792, Reuben Smith, of Spotsylvania, Va. After his death (before 1820 Todd Co. U.S. census) she moved to Kentucky and died between 1843 and 1851."

Note: Virginia Marriages 1785-1940 shows marriage date was December 10, 1792.

[3] Elizabeth Smith Will:

In the name of God Amen. I Elizabeth Smith of the County of Todd being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it has pleased God to grant me with I give and bequeath the same in the following manner that is to say:

1st of all my just debts must be paid before my division of my estate shall take place.

2nd I give and bequeath to my grandson Dorell B. Smith and my son Burnley Duke Smith the following slave to wit: Major, Joshua, Festus, and Washington to be equally divided between them. I also give and bequeath to my grandson Darrell B. Smith tow to the first choice of my feather beds and four bed quilts, my ------ and candle stand also one bay mare and one gray filly.

3rd It is my will and bequest that the tract of land which I now live on shall be sold by my executor hence after named and the money arising from such sale be equally divided between my sons Burnley Duke Smith, Spotswood Smith, Darrell B. Smith, and Reuben B. Smith (son of Burnley Duke Smith).

4th All the residue of my estate I bequeath to Burnley Duke Smith as trustee for the use and benefit of my son Spotswood Smith and family during the lifetime of said Spotswood Smith to be held by said Trustee during the life time of said Spotswood Smith for his benefit and the benefit of his family not to be subject to the contracts, ----------, debts of said Spotswood and at the death of said Spotswood said property shall be equally divided among all the children that he may have by his present wife and all lawful heirs that he may hereafter have except a negro girl by the name of Martha one about four years old which give and her future increase I give and bequeath to my said grandson Darrell B. Smith at the death of said son Spotswood to him and his heirs forever. Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my said sons Burnley Duke Smith and Spotswood Smith executor to this my last will and testament hereby making all other and former wills hereto fore made.

January 5, 1843
Elizabeth Smith

Witness: William M. Terry
               Newton Fox

Recorded 13 March 1843
Will Book E 1839-1844 Page 311
Todd County, Kentucky.

Transcription by Joseph E. Crouch, Lexington, KY

[4] Ancestors of Robert M. Allen & Other People of Interest rootsweb.com family file

He was "of Spotsylvania Co., VA at the time of his marriage.

Both Ambrose Madison and Reuben Smith appear as witnesses on a Louisa Co. Orphan Bond for Ann Smith 13 June 1802. This Ann was awarded guardianship of the children of Wm. Smith, deceased.  Children were Betsy, Emela, Lucy and Milly  (FamilySearch)

On 10 January 1801, Ambrose Madison and Patsey, his wife, and Reuben Smith, on the one part deeded 275 acres located in St. Johns Parish, King William Co., VA, to Doctor John Smith. The land was adjacent to Byrd Chamberlayne, Lucy Lipscomb, George Madison and John Powers. Witnesses were Carter Braxton, Hardin Littlepage and Reuben Dugan as to Ambrose Madison. Recorded 19 February 1801. [King William Co., VA, Record Book 4, page 37]

Reuben Smith first appears on the Personal Property Lists for Louisa Co. in 1798. He appears on them each year through 1807, after which he disappears altogether (The Virginia State Legislature failed to pass legislation authorizing the collection of taxes in 1808. Reuben Smith does not appear in these records from 1809 on. He could have been dropped from the list in either 1808 or 1809). He first appears on the Land Tax Lists in 1805, after which he appears each year consistently through 1809 as owning 135 acres. Beginning in tax year 1810 and continuing through 1812 his land holdings reduce substantially to only 5 acres. He disappears altogether from the Louisa Co. Land Tax Lists after 1812.

Areas of Possible Research:

Hanover County, Virginia Personal Property Tax 1787 by date lists George Smith, Henry Smith, and Rueben Smith as probable neighbors based upon the date called upon by the tax assessor.

Hanover County, Virginia Deeds 1783-1792 page 459-462 Garland Anderson of Hanover Co. to John B. Anderson, his son. Sd. Garland is indebted to sundry persons in this state and is possessed of a very considerable estate both real and personal in sd. Co. and elsewhere and desirous that debts be paid without distressing himself and family and being too infirm to manage his estate himself to best advantage. etc.
Witness: William Puryear, Gerld. Thompson, Burnley Duke, W. Temple Payne, George Smith, Jr., Reuben Smith.

If the Hanover County, Virginia Personal Property Tax 1787 as listed by date is accurate in listing George Smith, Henry Smith, and Reuben Smith as probable neighbors, then they are possibly brothers. If this holds true, then their father may have been George Smith, Sr. based upon George Smith, Jr., Reuben Smith, being brothers. Additionally, Burnley Duke if a contemporary was Reuben Smith's brother-in-law.

20 Aug 1790
Tarleton Luck of Louisa Co. sold to William GILLIAM of Hanover 121 1/2 acres in Hanover . . . Mason's line, down the county road to Winston's line, head of Suiter's Meadow;
Signed Tarleton B. Luck.
Witnesses John Brown, George Smith, Jr., Rubin Smith

19 Jun 1791
William Masa [Mason] to Tarleton B. Luck of Louisa 94 1/2 acres on Fork of Pamunkey called North River adj William GILLIAM, Christopher Shields, George Swit, [Smith] sd Tarleton B. Luck.
Witness William GILLIAM

Deed from Wm. Mason of Hanover Co., to Tarleton B. Luck of Louisa Co., land in Hanover Co., adj. George Smith, Christopher Shields, Wm. GILLIAM and said Luck. Jan. 19, 1791. Ibid. p. 465.

1794 Thurs. Aug. 26
On the Petition of Benjamin Heavlin and Mary, his wife, together with Fanny Pennix, Reuben Smith and Betty Rose, ordered that Thomas Christmas, James Caller, Green Duke, Bennet Wood and John Pittaway with the County Supevisor divide lands of James Rose, deceased, between your petitioners aforesaid agreeable to the prayers of the same.

Louisa County, VA. - November Court 1794. Sale Est. of ANN ROSE, dec'd., by JAMES MOSS, D. Shf. Purchasers:

BRITTAIN JONES HAYMORE 
HEZEKIEL MARSHALL
ALEX. NICHOLSON 
STERLING CLACK 
PHILEMON HAWKINS 
ABNER SEYARS 
WILLIE WOOD 
WILLIAM ALLEN 
ZACHARIAH ELLIS 
LUCY MUSTIAN 
JOHN POWER 
EDWARD TANNER 
WILLIAM CROWDER 
REUBEN SMITH 
JOHN DAVIS 
ELY MARSHALL 
PATSEY STANDLY 
PETER DANIEL 
ROBERT HIX 

Louisa County, VA. -  27 May 1796; May Court 1796.

JOHN SAINSING (SENSING) Gdn. to DICEY EMMERSON, minor orphans. Bond for 300 Pds. to JAS. PAINE, PHIL HAWKINS & JESSE BELL, Esqrs. Justices Co. Ct. P&QS. Sec: JAMES CALLER & REUBEN SMITH.

Sept 1797 Louisa Co. VA. Chancery Court deposition by Reuben Smith

This deposition is page 30 of  Index Number 1800-013 Louisa Co., VA. Chancery court case found on the Library of Virginia Chancery records website (Search county  ='s Louisa and Surname ='s Duke) has statement that Reuben Smith married Elizabeth Duke, daughter of John Duke, and g-daughter of Clevears Duke.

1802 Louisa County DB J page 340 (FamilySearch)  Summary below by Sandi Vaught

Matthew Grubs and Sally his wife by their deed of bargain & sale bearing date the 21 October agreed to convey unto Reuben Smith of Louisa County the simple estate oc certain tract of parcel of land lying in Louisa County on the waters of Little River containing by estimation of one hundred and thirty five acres the same or more or less
12 April 1802

1804 Louisa County DB J 752 1   (FamilySearch)  Summary below by Sandi Vaught

Between Richard Keylin Tyler and Mary his wife, Reubin Smith and Elizabeth his wife, Ann Smith of one part to John Wash of the other part. That whereas Cleviars Duke his last will and testament devised certain lands to his wife (who have since intermarried with Joseph Eggleston) for her life being the land whereon Joseph Eggleston now lives and at the death of his widow he gave the same by his last will to his grandchildren & legatees of the said Cleviars Duke decd. That the sd Richard Keylin Tyler and Mary his wife, Reuben Smith and Elizabeth his wife and Ann Smith as grandchildren of Cleviars Duke.
wit Joseph Carpenter
Thos Wash.......................... .........Richd K Tyler
.....................................................Reuben Smith
.....................................................Elizabeth Smith (nee Duke, married Reuben Smith)
.....................................................Mary C Tyler (nee Duke, married Richard K. Tyler)
.....................................................Ann Smith  (nee Duke, widow of William Smith)
10 December 1804

1808 Louisa County, VA. -  Book: 5, Page: 287, Ann Smith, Type: Sett, Date: 09-Nov-1808
Settlement of estate of Ann Smith in account with Reuben Smith 9 Nov 1808 

1809 Louisa County DB L page 262 28 July 1809    (FamilySearch)  Summary below by Sandi Vaught

Reuben Smith and Elizabeth his wife of the County of Caroline County to Ann Bullock the elder of Louisa County a tract or parcel of land on which the said Smith lately resided, lying in the County of Louisa adjoining the lands which the said Ann Bullock resides, land that said Smith purchased from Matthew Grubbs and formerly owned by Robert Harris decd, containing by estimate of One Hundred and Thirty acres.
wit
Benjamin M Smith .....................Reuben Smith
Charles Rice ..............................Eliza Smith
Francis Smith

1813 George Smith's estate 234 acres adj Henry C. Coleman and Wm. GILLIAM, 22 miles W

1817 Shelby County order book page page 268

A deed between Richard Waller and his wife Elizabeth B Waller, Emily Smith and Lucia Smith to George Harris a deed for land and was proved by the oath of George Waller ( Richd�s brother) and Belford D Smith. dated 19 May 1817. So that puts the Reuben Smith family in Shelby County by 1817.  (Sandi Vaught email)

Todd County, KY records:

Eliza Smith listed in 1820 census males 2 16/25 females 1 45/over listed in the tax rolls 1820, 1821, 1828 with Burnley Smith, 1829 then in 1840 census

Belford Smith listed in tax rolls 1820,1821,1822,1823 as Belford D Smith, 1824,1826, 1827, 1828 as Belford D Smith, then he disappears

Spotswood Smith list in 1823, 1826, 1828, 1830 ...

Darrell B Smith listed in 1823, inventory May 1824, estate sell 5 August 1824

Burnley D Smith listed in 1822, 1823, 1824, 1826, 1827, 1828 with Elizabeth.....      (Sandi Vaught email)

History of Todd County, Kentucky, ed. J. H. Battle, 1884, F. A. Battey
Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 364-65. [Town of Guthrie]

HON. D. B. SMITH was born January 8, 1827, in Todd County, Ky., he is a
son of Spotswood Smith and Martha A. (Terry). The father was born December
14, 1800, in Louisa County, Va.; he came to Kentucky in 1816, and two years
later settled in what is now Todd County, and at present living with his
son. Our subject in September, 1844, went to Hadensville, and worked for
two years for his board in the store of Stephen and John Terry. The third
year he secured a position with Ed Payne at a salary of $300 and board,
a year; at the expiration of this time he was obliged to give up his
situation on account of ill health, although he was offered a salary of
$600 should he remain; he then bought the office of Sheriff from William M.
Terry, which he held two years; he again bought the same office from Dr.
Fox; this he held until the adoption of the new Constitution, he then
engaged in farming, which occupation he has pursued ever since with good
success; he first bought a farm of sixty acres, which he afterward sold,
and then bought 500 acres in Logan County, where he lived ten years; he
then bought a farm of 200 acres near Clarksville, Tenn. After holding this
two years he traded it for the farm he now owns, where he resides. This
farm contains 620 acres. He now owns in all about 1,500. Mr. Smith
began life a poor boy. By his own energy, honesty and integrity he has
become one of the most valuable citizens of the county; he represented
Todd County in the Legislature in 1876 and 1877; he was married November
13, 1850, to Olivia D. Tyler, a native of Todd County. His family consists
of four daughters, having lost his only two sons and his eldest daughter.
See the portrait of Mr. Smith elsewhere.

1850 Census- Todd County, Ky 550 554

Smith Spot 48 M Farmer 3,000 Va
Smith Catherine 27 F Ky
Smith Eliza 9 F Ky
Smith Martha 6 F Ky
Smith John 4 M Ky
Smith Duke 2 M Ky
40 573 578
Smith D B 26 M Sheriff Deputy Ky

1860 Census - Elkton, Todd County, Ky 523 523

Smith Spot 59 M W F 9,750 10,000 Va.
Smith Catherine 38 F W Ky.
Smith Eliza 18 F W Ky.
Smith Martha 16 F W Ky.
Smith John 13 M W Ky.
Smith Burnly 11 M W Ky.
Smith Spotswood 9 M W Ky.
Smith Leander 7 M W Ky.
Smith Mary 5 F W Ky.

1870 Census - Trenton Precinct Todd County, Ky 160 160

Smith Spotswood 69 M W Farmer 20,000 3,300 Va.
Smith Catherine E 45 F W Keeping House Ky.
Smith John B 23 M W Farm Laborer 200 Ky.
Smith Burnly D 21 M W Farm Laborer 125 Ky.
Smith Spotswood G. 19 M W Farm Laborer Ky.
Smith Leander B. 17 M W Ky.
Smith Mallie W. 15 F W At School Ky

[5] Hanover County Chancery Wills and Notes, by William Ronald Cocke, Genealogical Publishing, Co. 1940 page 26

Elizabeth Duke, wife of Reuben Smith of Louisa (married prior to 1811).  He died circa Nov. 1823, and she was dead by 1851, when Patrick Michie, Sheriff of Louisa Co., her Administrator.

[6] Louisa County, VA. Probate Records

For further research: County of Louisa, Book: 5, Page 287, Ann Smith, Type: Settlement, Date 9 Nov. 1808  Settlement of estate of Ann Smith in account with Reuben Smith 9 Nov. 1808.

[7] Louisa County Marriage Records

Louisa Co. marriage bond dated 10 Dec. 1792 shows Reuben Smith marrying Elizabeth Duke, 21 years of age. Surety was Richard K. Tyler. Witnesses were William Smith, Ann Smith, George Smith, Jr., and George Smith, Sr.

[8] Spotswood Smith - Census Records - Guthrie, Kentucky

Smith, Spottswood K. ???????? vs. above Spotswood Smith ??????
b. 14 DEC 1800 Spottsylvania Co., Virginia
d. 09 OCT 1894 Guthrie, Kentucky
Gender: Male
Family:
Marriage: 05 NOV 1841
Spouse: Vawter, Catherine
b. 31 MAY 1822 Todd Co., Kentucky
d. 27 OCT 1900 Guthrie, Kentucky
Gender: Female

1850 Todd Co. KY census:
Spots Smith......48....VA
Catherine Smith.....27.....KY
Eliza Smith.......9.....KY
Martha Smith......6.....KY
John Smith......4.....KY
Duke Smith......2....KY

1860 Todd Co. KY census:
Spot Smith......59.....VA
Catherine Smith.....38.....KY
Eliza Smith......18.....KY
Martha Smith.....16.....KY
John Smith.....13.....KY
Beverly Smith......11.....KY
Spotwood Smith.....9....KY
Leander Smith......7.....KY
Mary Smith......5.....KY

1870 Todd Co. KY census:
Spetwood Smith.......69....VA
Catherine E Smith.....45....KY
John B Smith.......23......KY
Burnly D Smith.......21......KY
Spotwood Smith......19......KY
Leander E Smith......17......KY
Mollie W Smith......15......KY

1880 Christian Co. KY census:
Spotswood Smith.......80......VA
John V Smith.......33......KY.....son
Katie Smith......29.....KY.....d.-in-law
Sandy Gill......10.....servant

[9] Nineteen grandchildren referenced in 1800 Louisa Co., VA Chancery Court records - Index No. 1800-013  (PDF)  - Exrs of Richmond Terrell against Exrs. of Clevears Duke. (Library of Virginia then select 'Louisa County" and under Surname type 'Duke', then click Search)