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| Pioneers of the Bay or Quinte SMITH, Main Page Why I am interested in the John Smiths of Sidney. After posting research on Judge James Smith and his son John Smith, I received a number of emails from people trying to connect "their" John Smith into this family. It became evident that there were a few different John Smiths in the area c1800. This web page is meant to be a collecting spot for information on these first settlers. Maybe over time relationships will be better understood. Sympathy needs to be expressed to those who are researching a John Smith. I would like to thank Eric Bowler, Lorene Sinclair, Virginia Hannay and Peter Johnson for their information and enthusiasm. © Randy Saylor, June 2012 |
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| 1. John Smith of Murray, son of Judge James Smith See section 9 of the lengthy web page on Judge James Smith to see the conclusions and supporting records for this John Smith. He was born in 1772 and settled in Murray Township and it is my conclusion that he married Phebe Lake, the daughter of Nicholas Lake. He inherited Lot 1, Con 1, Murray as stated in his father's will. This lot is the eastern shore of the Trent River at the mouth and explains why he petitioned, unsuccesssfully, for the ferry lease in 1802. Then he sold his interest in lot 1 in 1808 to Patrick Smythe of Kingston but in 1812 he sells 100 acres of part of lots 1 and 2 to his brother James. It is not clear where he resides after 1812 and he is not in the 1814 Murray census. It is very possible he returned to the US where many of his relatives were. His brother Peter and Henry were dead and Henry's son Seymor returned to the US. Back to Top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. John Drummond Smith of Murray John D Smith, born abt 1756, is a settler not a loyalist. His wife is dentified as Elizabeth in the 1808 Murray Census. In 1812 he had an inn or tavern in Murray Tp. His lot 21, Con A, is cut in half by the modern Hwy 2 at Smithfield. This was a road as well at that time and his Inn was likely on that road. Bigford Rd runs along the east side of the lot. PETITION 79 3 July 1804, York, John Drummond Smith, late of Saratoga in the United States of America now of the Township of Murray, yeoman, has been 6 years in the province and has a wife and six children, has taken the oath of allegiance, desirous to occupy and improve a vacant lot of land … and will pay the whole of the fees allowed … subject to the regulations of 6 July 1804 [fold] Rec’d 3 July 1809, Read 4 July 1809, recommended for 400 acres, warrant No 551 issued 6 July to petitioner, entered Land Book H, p 176. 5 July 1809, paid 16/8/2 for Patent and survey fees. Source: UCLP, RG 1 L3, LAC, S9/79, 1808 - 1811, V455, C-2810 PETITION 47 7 March 1807, York, John D Smith, Murray, yeoman, is desirous of obtaining a lease for lot 21, Con C [sic], Murray and that the lot is adjoining your petitioners farm and that he has a large family. Refused since the tract is part of the canal reserve. Source: UCLP, RG 1 L3, LAC, V493, S leases 1797-09/47, C-2831, pages 1042-45 SUNDRIES 1809 7 July 1809, York, Chewett and Ridout report on lot for John Drummond Smith in Cramahe. The lot is vacant through default of improvement by John Turner in 1797. Source: UC Sundries, Index, RG5 A1, LAC, V10, on line, pp. 4086-83, film C-4505 to be checked. INN or TAVERN In these 1816 affadavits charging John W Meyers with disloyal conduct it is mentioned twice that the troops met at John Drummond Smith's Inn at Murray and in the second affadavit it is called a Tavern. See pages 12307-8 and 12310-12 in this transcrition of the affadavits. JOHN DRUMMOND SMITH, MURRAY #1120, 15 Sep 1818, John Drummond Smith, yeoman, Murray sells to John Smith junior, Murray, 275 acres being more or less, lots 22 and 24, broken front A and 75 acres lot 24, broken front B, Murray, witnessed by Edward Hatful and Abijah Smith, both of Murray, reg 10 May 1824. Note: John Smith Jr is likely as son and Abijah is likely either a brother or a son.] Source: LEASE 1823 15 Sept 1823, John Drummond Smith, Murray, yeoman, is the proprietor of the lease of the Crown Reserve lot 21 in the broken Concession A in Murray which expires 25 of Sept instant, ... that having made large improvemenets .... is desirous of obtaining a new lease .. grant him a renewal of the said lease for the usual term of twenty one years and to accept Abijah Smith of Murray as security for the rent. Surveyor General reports that the lot, a Crown Reserve, was described on the 1805 as leased to Aaron Greely, Haldimand. The fold notes do not say whether or not the lease was renewed. Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, LAC, V555, Renew leases 1818-35/9, C-2983, pages 196-8 1806 MURRAY CENSUS
MARTHA - possibly his daughter From "Reid's Death Notices" The Church, Coburg, 9 Nov. 1839 On 23 October, Martha, wife of Matthias Young and daughter of John Smith Senior of Murray, aged 36 years. Source: email Eric Bowler, Apr 2012. MARRIAGE Probably a second marriage. Squier Drummond Smith of the Township of Murray, Gentleman and Mary Elizabeth Lawson, of Murray, spinster, married 1st Nov 1837 by John Grier, Murray. This marriage was celebrated between us J. D. Smith , M. E. Smith } parties Witnesses: P? Marsh and Mary Jane Smith Source: Register, St John's Anglican Church, Ameliasburgh, 1833 - 1848, held at Anglican Archives, Kingston, 2-A-1, marriage 278, image 57 in file AA Ameliasburgh 781-1043 Back to Top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. John J Smith; lot 3, con 2, Sidney This lot was granted to Judge James Smith in 1802. It was sold by Judge James Smith in 1803 to Peter Row of Murray. In 1812 John Smith of Sidney bought 33 acres of the lot and in 1821 John J Smith acquired a further 100 acres of the lot. In the 1845 will of John J Smith both of these parts of the lot are given to his wife Mary Smith and daughter Harriet, wife of Charles Mabee. Therefore the John Smith and John J Smith of the above purchases are the same man. In 1827, his daughter Mary Smith marries James Knox - see below. It seems reasonable to assume that John J Smith is not the son of Judge James Smith. Judge Smith sold the whole lot before he died and it is a coincidence that it ends up being acquired by a John Smith of Sidney. Also John Smith, son of the Judge was born about 1772 and John J Smith according to his headstone would be born in 1785. So who is this John J Smith? Did he come from Fredericksburgh? Eric Bowler states that John J Smith married Elizabeth Rau - could this be Row, daughter of Peter Row from whom he bought the lot? LAND RECORDS for lot 3, con 2, SIDNEY
John J. Smith of Sidney (1785-1848) Purchased Lot 4, Con 2 in 1812. One son, Jacob. His 1845 will mentions his wife Mary (possibly a second wife, see below) and his daughter Harriet, wife of Charles Maybee. Refer Hastings Surrogate Court records. He is the John J. Smith who is buried in White’s Bayside cemetery, the stone reading John J. Smith Died Aug 14 1848 aged 63y 1m 27d. (ie b. 18 Jul 1785). probably the same as; John J. Smith of Victoria District. Married Mary Walker on 25 Apr. 1842. Witnesses Richard and Deborah Hardin. Refer District Marriage Registrations, vol. 23. MS248, reel 4, Page 18, return by Rev. Thomas Webster Source: email Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 MARRIAGES John had originally married Elizabeth Rau (aka Rowe or Row), who had been born in Dutchess Co. New York. After her death he married Mary Walker in 1842. Source: Email from Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 MILITIA John Smith of Sidney b c.1786 In Hastings Militia 1819 as Sgt John Smith, age 33, living lot 3, concession 2, Sidney. Source: email Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 MARY SMITH m. JAMES KNOX Eric Bowler speculated that Mary Smith who married James Knox is the daughter of John J. Smith. Linda Smith (no relation) discovered the marriage record in the Anglican Church registers for St Thomas Church, Belleville and solved the puzzle. Mary dies in the late 1830's and thus is not named in the 1845 will of John J Smith.
It is interesting in hindsight to follow Eric's hypothesis; he wrote, "My wife's great-great grandfather was James Knox (1798-1876), an Irishman who purchased 150 acres, parts of lot 5 and 6, 2nd concession of Sidney in 1829. As PLBQ puts it; 'he married for his first wife, Mary Smith, of the pioneer Smith family'. Although I have no proof whatsoever, I believe that this Mary Smith was the daughter of John J. Smith and Elizabeth Rau. This belief is based on two slim items of evidence:"
James Knox, weaver, born in Fermanagh, Ireland about 1798, immigrated first to Brockville and then relocated to and work in Sidney at the farm of Thomas Jones 'pioneer' (Pioneer Life on the Bay of Quinte). Then he bought and farmed Con 2 Lot 5,6 Sidney Twp for the rest of his life. I have photos of the house and some of his family. James Knox married about 1825 his first wife MARY SMITH, probably born about 1800, of the 'pioneer Smith family' (PLBQ). Their children were Jacob S, William Henry, Margaret Ann, Uriah and John Knox. Mary Smith Knox died by the late 1830's when James married his second wife, MARTHA BROWN , from whom I descend through her daughter Mary Anne, one of 6 more children. Source: email Lorene Sinclair, May 2012 TOWNSHIP PAPERS 1872 Deposition of John George Smith. I, John George Smith of the Township of Sidney, yeoman, maketh oath and say
John J. Smith is buried in White's Bayside Cemetery, the stone reading "John J. Smith, died Aug 14 1848, aged 63y 1m 24d. Source: Email from Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 WILL Dated 14 Mar 1845. Probated at Frankford, Victoria District, Province of Canada 28 Aug 1848.
Source 2: Sidney Township Deeds, volume A, 1847-1853 (Reel # GS4273.), item A80. Email from Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 Back to Top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. John R Smith - is he aka Richard Smith? Who is John R Smith? A John R Smith is in the early record and a number of researchers think he is Richard Smith who married Betsy Lake, daughter of Nicholas Lake. See this web page on Richard Smith. EMAILS John R. Smith of Sidney who was granted 100 acres, South half of Lot 24, Con 14, Sombra on 5 July 1825 as reward for his service as a private in the 1st Hastings Militia during the war of 1812. Source: email Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 I came across your info on the LAKE family re: Ernestown and Belleville. I
have felt that Richard Smith was not the full, correct name for Elizabeth
Lake's husband. In your listings of the early Belleville land
transactions there appears the name John R Smith. My great, great
grandmothers wedding announcement mentions John R Smith as a witness. The
children's names match our family names and some were married in St. Thomas
Church I believe. I have wondered for quite a while if John R. Smith was the
full name for Richard Smith, a long shot!!!! 1812 MILITIA John R Smith and also a John Smith, Ammi Smith, Jacob Smith and Stephen H Smith are privates in Capt Gilbert Harris's Company in the Hastings Militia, July 1812. See section number 3.
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| 5. John Smith of Thurlow MEMORIAL OF JOHN SMITH OF THURLOW John Smith Thurlow Feby 24 1814: To His Honour, Gordon Drummond Esq., President administering the Government of the Province of Upper Canada and Lieutenant-Governor commanding His Majesties Forces within the same. The memorial of John Smith humbly shewith. That your Memorialist on the twenty-second day of September 1812, obtained an order-in-council for four hundred acres land, for which he paid the fees of office, but owing to the then agitated state of the province, received no grant, nor made any location. Since then your Memorialist has made choice of lots number eleven in the first and second concession of the Township of Sidney, respecting which lots your Memorialist begs leave to state that in the year 1784, a person by the name of Daniel Killand, of New York, who was an officer in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War, had his name entered on the map for said lots, but neither obtained a grant or paid any fees whatever or has ever since renewed his application for said land, nor any person for him and has ever been a citizen of the United States and if living is probably in arms against the Province at this time. Under those circumstances your Memorialist conceived the said Killand can have no claim to the land and has therefore thought proper to make an improvement thereon and humbly trusts your honour will be pleased to authorize the grant of said land to him and your Memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray. Source: Upper Canada Sundries, Volume 19, Item 7906, dated 24 Feb 1814, email Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 Back to Top |
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6. Smiths of Fredericksburgh
I notice under the James Smith Esq. 1732, much further down there is a list of Sidney pioneers. Michael Smith amongst others is from the Fredericksburgh Smith's whom many came to Sidney and Hastings. They are from the Schmidts of Fredericksburgh. There were a lot of settlers from Murray twp. and they get confused sometimes with the Schmidt's of Fredericksburgh. There were so many Smiths that it is confusing. There were also the Smith's from Long Island that settled at Northport of whom some came to Belleville etc. But Nicholas, Michael, George, Jacob, Elizabeth to name a few came from Fredricksburgh to Back to Top |
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| 7. Militia Records John Smith of Sidney b. c1784. In Hastings Militia 1825, as age 41, living lot 36, conc 5, Sidney. In Hastings Militia 1819 as age 24, living lot 7, conc. 2, Sidney. Source: email Eric Bowler, Apr 2012 1812 MILITIA John R Smith and also a John Smith, Ammi Smith, Jacob Smith and Stephen H Smith are privates in Capt Gilbert Harris's Company in the Hastings Militia, July 1812. See section number 3. Back to Top |
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8. SIDNEY MINUTE BOOK references to Smith
Below is a chart of all references to any man named Smith in the Sidney Minute Book.
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