In Early Virginia Immigrants (1623-1666) it is recorded that William Small, 18 years old, came to Virginia on the Assurance de lo: Isack Bromwell and Geo. Pewsee, M (Masters) on 24 July 1635. He was examined, along with others, by the Minister of the Town Gravesend “of their conformitie in our Religion,” the men having taken the oath of Allegiance and Supremacie, July 1635.
James Savage, in his Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Boston 1860-1862, records that John Small was living in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1643, and that he had come as a servant of Edmund Batter, maltster, of Salisbury, County Wilt, England, in April 1635 in the James of London from Southampton, arriving at Boston 3 June. He became a proprietor in 1642. This same John Small had trouble in 1658 for being a Quaker but was permitted to go to Rhode Island in 1658.
On 9 February 1663, John Lord and William Horton were granted 2500 acres of land in Westmoreland County, Virginia, for transporting 59 persons, among them -Jno Small.
In 1666 John Pike was given 400 acres and Daniel Selby was given 600 acres of land in Mattapany for transporting certain persons into the colony, among them: John Small and Edward Small.
It is not known at this time whether or not one of the above named Smalls was the immigrant ancestor of our Small family
In 1927, Walter V Overman, who wrote The Overman Family, said this about his Small ancestors: “The Smalls are said to have come to America, about 290 years ago and are of Welsh descent and landed on Nantucket Island, 2 brothers of them. From there they went up into Maine about 290 years ago. Moved to Massachusetts. Later, about the year 1620, they or some of them entered Pennsylvania. Later a few of them went south into Virginia then into North Carolina near the beginning of the 18th Century.”
He did not give the source of his quote. This appears too obscure to be taken literally. An encyclopedia says that the first settlement in Pennsylvania, was a Swedish settlement in 1643. Perhaps the “290 years” should be 190 yrs.
There was a Francis Small, born 6 October 1625, in Biddenden, Kent, England, married 1650
John Small, Sr. was born about 1640, probably in Wales or England. He is found in Virginia at least as early as 1683, where, on the 14th day of the 5th month, he, with others, witnessed a marriage and signed the marriage certificate.
One record states that John was married 25day 12month, in 1688, to Ann Sanders, in her mother's house in Nansemond, Elizabeth River County, Virginia. This raises the question: were his children born to a first wife, or is the year of his marriage a mistake?
Also on the 17 day of the 2nd month 1688, he witnessed and signed the married certificate of Leaven Bufkin (Buskin) and Dorrithy Newby. Ann Small, his wife, also witnessed the marriage and signed the certificate.
Children:
John Small, Jr., son of John Small, Sr., was born 16 December 1644, in Nancemond County, Virginia.
He was married on 25d, 12m, 1688 in her mother's house in Elizabeth River County, Virginia, to Alice Hollowell, who was born 16 December 1664, daughter of Thomas and Alice Hollowell of Elizabeth River. (See Hollowell Family, Part IV)
“John Small, son of John Small of Nanzemond and Alice Hollowell, daughter Alice Hollowell of Elizabeth River County, did publish their married before a meeting of men and women friends in Mary Sanderses howse in Nanzemond on the 10 day of the 11th mo. last, and coming before the meeting the 2d time in Thomas Jordans howse in Chuckatuck, they did publish their married againe on the 14th of twelfe month and were married in his mothers howse on this 25th day of ye 12th month in ye yeare 1688. Signed: far John Small, mor Alce Hollowell, bros Jos. Hollowell, Henry Hollowell, Nathan Hollowell, John Hollowell, Benjamin Small, Anie Small, and Elizabeth Newby (There were others who signed.)”
John Small was also a representative at the first recorded meeting of the Virginia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, which was held in July 1702.
John Sr, probably died in Virginia in the mid 1730’s, before his sons went to North Carolina. See: Small Family, by Janet Small
Children:
Obediah Small (1), son of John Small and Alice Hollowell, was born about 1700 at Elizabeth River, Nancemond County, Virginia.
He was married about 1722 in Nansemond County to Sarah Moore, who was born about 1701. In the World Family Tree, Vol 3, # 5227. She was called Sarah Symons.
He died between 15 September and December in 1788, Pasquotank County, North Carolina. His will was dated 15 September 1778 and was proved in Pasquotank County, (Camden County), North Carolina, in the December 1778 Court.
Questions: Since Obediah did not mention any land in his will, and did not list son Samuel, who was surely an adult, it seems likely that Samuel had already received his inheritance. Isaac was not mentioned, was he dead or had he already inherited? From the wording of the will, it seems that Sarah owned enough in her own right, to provide for herself, so it makes one wonder if she could have been married before. If that is so and if her age is correct then it would have been a married of very short duration, and probably not one that would give her much of an inheritance. And it does not seem reasonable to assume that the “6 younger children” are anything but the six youngest of the eight that appear on all lists of Obediah’s family. It would appear that Obediah had been farming her land.
The birth order of the children is not certain.
Children:
Obediah Small, the grandson of John Small, Jr. and Alice Hollowell. There is a difference of opinion about his parents. One source, Ruth Ladd, gives his father and mother as Obediah Small and Sarah Moore. Another, which is supposed to be unpublished material by Hinshaw, says he is son of John Small and Rebecca Moore. The Webster-Perry Papers, says that he is son “either of one of the brothers.” This is a puzzle that may be solved by future genealogists.
Obediah Small was born 13 September 1732/7 and according to the records of Perquimans Monthly Meeting, North Carolina, procured a certificate in 1755 to remove to Core Sound Monthly Meeting, North Carolina.
In 1757 he received a certificate for removal to Pasquotank Monthly Meeting, North Carolina, having lived there 2 years. In Pasquotank County, on 4 August 1757, he married Lydia Bundy, who was born 2 October 1740, daughter of Gideon Bundy and Miriam Bogue. (See Bundy Family, Part IV)
Lydia died 5 December 1780, in Pasquotank County.
One account concerning this family says that Obediah Small participated in the Revolutionary War, but it has not been verified.
He was married/2 on 19 February 1783, to an Elizabeth. He died about 5 July 1793. All of the children were born in Pasquotank County. Walter V. Overman’s record states that it was Gideon who fell from a tree and broke his neck. At this writing I am inclined to think that he was right.
Children:
Benjamin Small, son of Obediah Small and Lydia Bundy, was born 5 April 1762, in Pasquotank County, North Carolina.
He was married to Elizabeth Sawyer, daughter of Stephen and Mary Sawyer. They moved in 1807 from Mt. Pleasant Monthly Meeting, Grayson County, Virginia, to West Branch Monthly Meeting, Ohio; later moved to White Water Monthly Meeting, Wayne County, Indiana.
Benjamin died 7 March 1826. Elizabeth was married again, 31 May 1827, Ridge MH, to Zebulon Overman, son of Isaac and Mary (Pike) Overman, brother of Ephraim (See Overman Family, Part I)
Children:
Obediah Small, son of Obediah Small and Lydia Bundy, was born 11 April 1764, Pasquotank County, North Carolina.
He was married 21 January 1786 in Contentinea Monthly Meeting, North Carolina, to Elizabeth Symons, born 5 April 1768, daughter of Thomas Symons and June Bundy.
Obediah died 15 July 1793.
Elizabeth was married/2 on 7 April 1805, Guilford County, North Carolina, to William Newby, who was born 30 December 1743, son of Samuel Newby and Elizabeth Sanders; they moved to Indiana where she died in 1841. She had four Newby sons, as well as the Small children.
Children:
Joseph Small, son of Obediah Small (2) and Lydia Bundy, was born 26 November 1767, in Pasquotank County, North Carolina.
He was married/1 to Meley Cartwright.
On 16 March 1793, he was married/2 to Clarkey (Clarissa) Perisho, who was born 28 February 1773, Pasquotank County, daughter of Joshua Perisho and Miriam Morris (See Perisho Family, Part IV)
On 30 January 1796, they requested a certificate from Back Creek Monthly Meeting. In 1806, they moved to Miami Monthly Meeting, Ohio; and later to Fall Creek Monthly Meeting, Ohio.
On 28 August 1814, at Salt Creek, Highland County, Ohio, Joseph was drowned while crossing a stream with horses. They became tangled in their harness and he lost his life while trying to rescue them. In 1816, with the exception of the two older daughters, the family moved to New Garden Monthly Meeting, Indiana. Clarkey died in Indiana.
Children:
Joshua Small, son of Joseph Small and Clarkey Perisho, was born 5 March 1797, at Back Creek, North Carolina. He was named after his Grandfather Joshua Perisho. He moved with his parents from North Carolina to Highland County, Ohio. He was 17 when his father died in 1814 in Ohio. In 1816 he moved along with his mother and brothers to Randolph County, Indiana.
He married there on November 11, 1819, to Jane Bowen. Jane was born 27 September 1803, in Green County, Ohio, daughter of Ephraim Bowen and Hannah Hale. (See Bowen Family, Part IV)
He owned a gristmill on Deer Creek near Jonesboro, Grant County, Indiana. In 1823 he was condemned by the Quaker Church for going to the law, in regard to a dispute with a fellow member. He was also condemned for rendering spirituous liquor (moonshining).
In 1837, Joshua's mother, Clarkey, who was referred to as "crazy" came to live with Joshua and his family until her death
They were both disowned for neglecting the attendance of religious meetings. In 1829 he purchased and settled on 640 acres (known as section 17) in Grant County, now known as the Hollingsworth farm. In 1832 they joined the White River Meeting in Indiana. In 1848 he was a partner with Elias Coleman in operating a general store.
Jane died near Greenvale, Dallas County, Iowa on November 29, 1858 at the age of 55 from consumption (tuberculosis) He died in Jonesboro, Grant County, Indiana (or Dallas County, Iowa?) on April 23, 1861 at the age of 64. Were they visiting in Iowa when she died? They left land there, which eventually was inherited by their granddaughter Mary Adams (See Adams Family, Part xx).
It states that she died of consumption 29 November 1858, in Greenvale, Dallas County, Iowa.
“The deceased was for many years a resident of this county, where she was highly esteemed for her many good qualities of mind and heart. As a wife she was constant, dutiful and companionable. As a mother she was kind and affectionate. Devoted in all her relations in life, she was no less so as a friend and Christian.
"There was no affectation of sympathy for the sick or distressed, but a real fellow feeling which evinced itself in acts for their relief. The writer of this, from an intimate acquaintance can attest to her amiable disposition and exemplary character.
"She was, in every respect, a model for her sex, and shared in a large degree the love and confidence of her numerous acquaintances. As a Christian and philanthropist, she was active and hopeful. There was always an air of cheerful resignation about her that inspired her friends with sentiments of the highest respect.
"We feel that it is difficult to speak of her in all these qualities - which were peculiarly hers - in language adequate to her worth. She was truly one to remember and imitate in all the duties of life; and we have thus endeavored to record her excellence with feelings of admiration for the same; and no doubt her numerous friends everywhere, will read them with the same pleasurable recollections.
Joshua died 23 April 1861, in Jonesboro, Grant County, Indiana. Two of the sons lived in Kansas in 1868
Children:
Rebeccah Small, daughter of Joseph Small and Clarkey Perisho, was born 20 May 1808, Highland County, Ohio.
She was married 25 January 1826, to Aaron Mills, born 7 December 1806, Warren County, Ohio, son of James Mills and Lydia Jay (born 3 December 1761, Fredricks County, Virginia. See: Jay Family
Rebecca died 1888; Aaron died about 1863,in Wayne County, Indiana, buried in Arba Cemetery, Randolph County, Indiana.
Children:
Jesse Small, son of Joseph Small and Clarkey Perisho, was born 25 December 1809, Highland County, Ohio.
He was married 15 December 1836, Deer Creek Monthly Meeting, Indiana, to Millicent Ratliff, who was born 7 February 1818, in Wayne County, Indiana, daughter of Joseph Ratliff and Sarah Shugart. Ratliff Family, Part VIII)
Jesse taught school in Randolph County, Indiana. They moved to Grant County, Indiana, where Millicent was appointed an elder on 12 March 1851. She died on 9 January 1879.
On 24 August 1800, Jesse married Jemima Cain who died 15 August 1885. Jesse became very hard of hearing and was killed at the Pennsylvania Railroad crossing at Washington Street in Marion, Indiana, on 21 June 1884, buried IOOF Cemetery.
Children:
Reuben Small, son of Joseph Small and Clarkey Perisho, was born 5 April 1812, in Highland County, Ohio.
A miller, he was married 25 March 1835, Marion Monthly Meeting, Grant County, Indiana, to Elizabeth Shugart, who was born 11 October 1817, daughter of John Shugart and Sarah Ratliff. See: The Shugart Family
The children were all born in Grant County.
Children:
Reuben Otto Small, Sr., son of Joshua Small and Jane Bowen, was born 8 December 1830.
He married in 1854/5 to Melissa Jane Davis, who was born 31 March 1830, Fayette County, Ohio, daughter of Amos Davis and Mahala ___.
Children:
Reuben lived in Anthony, Kansas, where he had two families. He had a house in town where Melissa and her children lived. He also had a farm, where a woman named Charlotte Beachim (Beauchamp?), lived with their daughter. His son, James, may or may not, be by the same mother.
Children:
Jane Small, daughter of Joseph Small and Clarkey Perisho, was born 13 December 1833, in Indiana. She was married to Mr.Tharp.
Children:
Bowen Hale Small, son of Joshua Small and Clarkey Perisho, was born 11 December 1837, in Indiana.
He was married to Edith Van Horn, who died before 1868.
Children:
Joel Mills, son of Rebeccah Small and Aaron Mills, was born 6 January 1833, Wayne County, Indiana.
He was married 10 November 1855 to Cynthia Beard, born 9 May 1840.
Joel died 7 April 1898; Cynthua died 3 April 1922, both buried in Fountain Park Cemetery, in Wincester, Randolph County, Indiana. See: Mills Family
Children:
Nathan Mills, son of Rebeccah Small and Aaron Mills, was born 18 April 1843.
He was married 18 October 1866, to Louisa Beard, who was born 7 September 1845.
Children:
Joseph Small, son of Jesse Small and Millicent Ratliff, was born 19 October 1838, in Grant County, Indiana.
He was married 25 September 1861, in Grant County, Indiana, to Sarah Ann Overman, who was born 1842, in Grant County, daughter of Joel Overman and Mary Smith (See Overman Family, Part VIII)
Joseph died 10 December 1906. Sarah resided in 1927 at Marian, Indiana
Children:
Gideon Small, son of Obediah Small (2) and Lydia Bundy, was born 14 November 1771, in Pasquotank County, North Carolina.
He was married 30 September 1793, Westfield Monthly Meeting, to Sarah Griffin, who was born 10 October 1773, daughter of James Griffin and Hannah Kenyon.
They moved 25 March 1797 to Westfield Monthly Meeting, North Carolina; then to Mt. Pleasant Monthly Meeting, Grayson County, Virginia; 14 August 1806 to Miami Monthly Meeting; then to Fall Creek Monthly Meeting, Highland County, Ohio, where he died 4 March 1811 and was buried.
Except for her sons, Obediah and Samuel, Sarah and the children moved to White Water Monthly Meeting, Wayne County, Indiana on 23 September 1815.
She was married/2 on 4 April 1821 to Valentine Pegg, who was born 19 April 1744, son of William and Margaret Pegg. He died 1 July 1822. This was Valentine Pegg’s 3rd marriage (m/2 Mary Mills, widow of Thomas Cook)
Sarah then moved to Milford Monthly Meeting, Indiana, in 1830. At the time of the 1850 Census she was living with her son, Nathan Small, in Grant County, Indiana. She died 18 August 1853, age 80, and was buried in IOOF Cemetery, Marion, Indiana.
Children:
Jesse Small, son of Obediah Small (2) and Lydia Bundy, was born 25 December 1776, in Pasquotank County, North Carolina.
He was married 25 November 1813 at Fall Creek, Ohio, to Elizabeth Draper, daughter of Joseph Draper.
Children:
Benjamin Charles Small, son of Jesse Small and Elizabeth Draper, was born 18 September 1818.
He was married 25 April 1840, to Hannah Addington, daughter of Thomas Addington and Mary Smith. He was married/2 to Zilpha Pearson.
Children:
Reuben Overton Small, son of Benjamin Charles Small and Hannah Addinton, was born 8 January 1844, in Miami County, Indiana.
He was married 26 June 1867, to Ruth Slyter, who was born 18 June 1846, daughter of Chalkley Slyter and Mary Ann Poff.
Children:
George Washington Small, son of Reuben Overton Small and Ruth Slyter, a twin, was born 14 October 1887, in either Sterling or Hutchinson, Kansas.
He was married 5 May 1909 in McMinnville, Oregon to Lorna Bell Shippy, who was born 19 May 1890, in Hecla, Brown County, South Dakota, daughter of Lester John Shippy and Peggie Bell.
Children:
Wauneta Belle Small, daughter of George Washington Small and Lora Bell Shippy, was born 26 September 1922, Elk City, Oregon.
She was married 31 December 1940, in Vancouver, Washington, to Harlan Kenneth Zimmerman, who was born 10 January 1920, in Hershey, NE, son of Maurice Leslie Zimmerman and Bessie Nina Barnett.
Children:
The Overman Family, by Walter V. Overman 1927, Seattle Public Library
One Ladd’s Family , by Ruth Cline Ladd, 1974
Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogies, Hinshaw, Vol.1,3,5,6,7
Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Vol.2 Whitelaw , Virginia Historical Society
Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, by Savage
NC Genealogical and Historical Register, Vols 1,2,3
Southern Historical Assn. Publications, Vol 6,7 History of Randolph County, The Bowen Family, \Greensfork Township
Desc. of Edward Small and Allied Families, by Lora Altine Woodbury Underhill
Hist. of “Hampton and Elizabeth City County Virginia, by Tyler
Hiatt Gen. and Fam. History (1699-1949)
Abstract of Wills, North Carolina, (1690-1760) by J. Bryan Grimes
(1910)Cavaliers and Pioneers, Virginia Land Patents and Grants, (1623-1800)” Nell Nuget
Pioneers of Massachusetts,” Charles Henry Pope, Boston(1900)
Directory of Ancestral Heads of New England Families (1620-1700)
Wills, Administrations, Guardianships and Adoptions, Highland County, OH
Webster Parry Collection of Quaker Families ed. Joseph
Wills, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, 1752-1798,”
Camden County Hist. Society, Ellen E. Schultz, 343 Jeffery Place, Philomath, OR (1990)