2nd GENERATION

The information below was written and submitted by Susan Smith. It is based on 20 plus years of research on the Thomas Smith family who settled in Venango Township in 1802. Thomas and his wife, Sarah, had 12 children with 9 of them remaining in the Erie area. Susan hopes that her contribution of detailed information about one of the SMITH families will help other SMITH researchers. Below is the 'story' of one of the children. Any comments or questions about the article or this family should be sent directly to Susan.

SECOND GENERATION

#11. Mary SMITH was born 1806 the 10th child and youngest daughter of Thomas and Sarah SMITH. Mary died 6 Aug 1865 Venango, Erie county PA. She married Thomas M ROBISON/ROBINSON abt 1837. He was born 1802 near Belfast Ireland, died on 4 Aug 1885. They are both buried in Lowville Cemetery Erie county PA. Thomas emigrated to America in 1826. After spending a year in Vermont he came to Erie Co.

In 1836, Mary and younger brother Harvey divided up the family farm they inherited from their father, Thomas. His will had instructed that the division was to be equal as to quantity, quality and advantages. There is nothing written to tell us how the decision was made. Harvey got the east 45 acres and Mary the west 55 acres. At the same time Harvey gave his mother 20 acres of his portion with the family homestead on it in return for releasing him of his obligation to care for her. The homestead was on the southwest corner of Colt’s Station/Phillipsville Rd and the Wattsburg Rd. This corner was later known as Robinson Corners.

After their marriage Mary and Thomas lived with her mother Sarah at the homestead until her death in 1842. The tax assessment rolls show Thomas farming all the original farm after 1837. Harvey sold his portion to Thomas ROBISON/ROBINSON after Sarah's death and in 1865 his 100 acre farm from Robert also. Eventually Thomas had 800 acres of land.

After Mary's death, Thomas married Mary (Polly) Henderson born 1807, died 3 July 1886. With his son, he worked the farm

Children of Mary Smith and Thomas ROBISON/ROBINSON

1) Samuel Smith ROBISON/ROBINSON born 15 Mar 1838, died after 1916 Venango, Erie Co. PA. He married Hannah DAVIS 3 Feb. 1863 Venango, Erie Co. PA. Samuel and his father farmed 800 acres of land most of it originally belonging to Samuel’s grandfather and uncles. Samuel inherited the land after his father's death. Samuel was the executor of his uncle Harvey’s estate. He made at least one trip to Kane Co. IL to settle the estate and visit relatives. Children of Samuel Smith ROBISON/ROBINSON and Hannah DAVIS were:

1) George S ROBISON/ROBINSON
2) Mary M ROBISON/ROBINSON
3) Thomas H ROBISON/ROBINSON

[Return to Thomas & Sarah Smith - Part 1]