Richard Smith
M, b. 1596, d. 1666
| Father | John Smith b. c 1566 |
| Mother | Mary Browning b. c 1569, d. 1667 |
| Relationship | 10th great-grandfather of Pamela Joyce Wood |
Richard Smith was born in 1596 at Wiltshire Co, England. He was the son of John Smith and Mary Browning. Richard Smith married Joan (?). Richard Smith died in 1666.
Richard Smith came to Taunton, Massachusetts in 1637. After arriving in the Narragansett area, just south of Massachusetts, he established a trading house called "Smith's Castle", offering free entertainment to travelers. Smith's Castle was situated on the wilderness road down the aoast, known as the Pequot Path," which had been used by the Indians for centuries and later by the whites. It eventually became U.S. Highway 1. He eventually obtained a great amount of land in the area.
Years later on 24 July 1679, Roger Williams, who founded Providence, offered this: "Being now near to four score years of age, yet (by God's mercy) of sound understanding and memory, do humbly and faithfully declare that Richard Smith, Sr., deceased, who for his conscience toward God left a fair possesion in Gloucestershire and adventured with his relatives and estates to New England, and was a most acceptable and prime leading man in Taunton, in Plymouth County. For his conscience sake (many differences arising) he left Taunton and came to the Narrhigansick country (by the mercy of God and the favor of the Narriggansack sachems) he broke the ice (at his great charge and hazard) and put up, in the thickest of the barbarians, the first English house amongst them. I humbly testify that about 42 years from this date, he kept possessions, coming and going, himself, children, and servants, and he had quiet possession of his housing, land and meadows, and there in his own house, with much serenity of soul and comfort, he yielded up his spirit to God (the Father of Spirits) in peace".
It is written that he took great pains to teach the ways of God to the natives and that the nearest house to him was some 20 miles away in Pawtuxet.
On 15 October 1666, Richard Smith testified about an Indian deed and referred to himself as being 66 years old.
His will was written 14 July 1664 and was recorded 22 August 1666.
Richard Smith came to Taunton, Massachusetts in 1637. After arriving in the Narragansett area, just south of Massachusetts, he established a trading house called "Smith's Castle", offering free entertainment to travelers. Smith's Castle was situated on the wilderness road down the aoast, known as the Pequot Path," which had been used by the Indians for centuries and later by the whites. It eventually became U.S. Highway 1. He eventually obtained a great amount of land in the area.
Years later on 24 July 1679, Roger Williams, who founded Providence, offered this: "Being now near to four score years of age, yet (by God's mercy) of sound understanding and memory, do humbly and faithfully declare that Richard Smith, Sr., deceased, who for his conscience toward God left a fair possesion in Gloucestershire and adventured with his relatives and estates to New England, and was a most acceptable and prime leading man in Taunton, in Plymouth County. For his conscience sake (many differences arising) he left Taunton and came to the Narrhigansick country (by the mercy of God and the favor of the Narriggansack sachems) he broke the ice (at his great charge and hazard) and put up, in the thickest of the barbarians, the first English house amongst them. I humbly testify that about 42 years from this date, he kept possessions, coming and going, himself, children, and servants, and he had quiet possession of his housing, land and meadows, and there in his own house, with much serenity of soul and comfort, he yielded up his spirit to God (the Father of Spirits) in peace".
It is written that he took great pains to teach the ways of God to the natives and that the nearest house to him was some 20 miles away in Pawtuxet.
On 15 October 1666, Richard Smith testified about an Indian deed and referred to himself as being 66 years old.
His will was written 14 July 1664 and was recorded 22 August 1666.
Family | Joan (?) |
| Children |
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| Last Edited | 1 Aug 2003 |