Data. Various parties in debt to Samuel Smith formerly of Lancaster.

Contents 1 Source 2 Overview 3 Text 4 List of persons 5 note

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Source

Intermediate: Chalkley's Chronicles

Original Source: Augusta County Court Records. Order Book No. Xxiv. , Page 470

Overview

Samuel Smith was an innkeeper/trader/merchant near the Indian Town of Conoy in Lancaster County until about 1740. In 1743 he presented a series of unpaid debts incurred by persons formerly of Pennsylvania, but now of Virginia. Smith apparently sought to clear these accounts by going through he Virginia Court in Staunton, in what was then Orange County (soon to be Augusta County.)

Chalkley's extract is somewhat difficult to interpret. It is not always clear whether the debt was incurred on the date preceeding the entry, or following it. Since the first entry begins with "1737.--" it seems likely dates followed by ".--" are the dates of indebtedness for the following entry.

This record is sometimes used to indicate that the parties involved were in Virginia by the date of the indebtness. Some explicit state that Smith was a "merchant in Staunton". This is most likely an incorrect interpretation, for there is clear documentation for a man named Samuel Smith operating an inn at Connoy, and acting as a merchant. In reality, the persons involved in these debts were clearly in Pennsylvania on the date of the indebtedness.

As an example, one entry shows

1735--June 26, credit by 36/ discounted with his son, Richard, by Michael Woods. Michael Woods, formerly of Pextunk, ditto, 1733--February 12; 1734

This passage is commonly interpreted as showing that "Michael Woods, formerly of Pextunk", was in Virginia as early as 1733 (or 1734, or 1735, depending on how you interpret the above dates). In reality he incurred this debt in Old Lancaster County. Rather than indicating that Michael was one of the very earliest settlers in the western reaches of Orange County (he eventually settled in Albemarle) this record, and subsequent entries show that he and his family remained in Lancaster County until 1737.

Another issue with the above is that it refers to "discounted with his son, Richard, by Michael Woods. Michael Woods formerly of Pextunk..." Clearly Richard is the son of Michael Woods, but if this is the case it would seem that he could not be the son of Person:Michael Wood (1) of Albemarle County, as that Michael's will gives no indication of a son "Richard". This suggests that there are two Michael Woods in the area; one Person:Michael Wood (1), and one an otherwise unrecognized Michael Woods, father of Richard.

Text

1737.--James Cathey to Samuel Smith, debtor: September 22. 1736.--October 23, Mr. Adam Thompson, debtor to same, January 18. William Robinson's account, debtor to Samuel Smith, 1739--April 4, one almanac. Richard Wood's ditto, ditto, 1738. Mrs. Margaret McDowell, ditto, 1737--June 14. Mrs. Mary McDowell, ditto, 1737--January 17, three yards ribbon to sister. Mr. Michael Woods, ditto, 1738--October 7, one dozen catechisms, 1739--Credit by six foxes, seven raccoons, and one beaver. John Maxwell, ditto. Samuel Woods, ditto. 1734--11 1/4 yards masquerade, 31/; 7 1/2 yards sagathee, 32/6. 1735--June 26, credit by 36/ discounted with his son, Richard, by Michael Woods. Michael Woods, formerly of Pextunk, ditto, 1733--February 12; 1734--March 28. Francis Beaty, ditto, 1735--October 16, To 2/4 1/2 in goods more than J. Catherwood's order; 1738--May 1, Credit by William Smiley. John Christian, ditto, 1737--February 22, To James Cook for a gunlock. Robert Christian, ditto, 1733-1734-1735-1736--Account; 1733--Credit by order on Treasury for two wolfs' heads; 1734--August 17, By making a coat and britches, 13/; 1736--Credit, October 13, by cash of John; by James Boyle; 1748-9--February 17, Then Robert Christian paid me £1.13.4 Virginia money in part of above debt. (Signed) William Anderson. Samuel Doak, ditto, balance of account given in. Randall McDaniel, ditto. William Hutchinson, ditto. George Hutchinson, ditto. Robert Cunningham, ditto. Alexander Crawford's note, ditto. Above accounts sworn to, 13th October, 1743, in Philadelphia County, Pa., by Samuel Smith, late of Lancaster County. Thomas Renick deposes: On 1st September, 1750, in Staunton, in cause Smith vs. Beatey, that about eight years ago, at his own house, he saw Smith, the plaintiff, and Robert Buchanan, the then sheriff of Lancaster County, and Smith acknowledged having attached and sold Beatey's effects and received satisfaction.

List of persons

Persons mentioned in their original order:

note

There's another record related to this

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK No. XXIV. page 304

Samuel Smith vs. Beaty.--Mr. Michael Woods, formerly of Paxtunk, Pennsylvania. Account dated 1733. Thomas Renich, on 1st September, 1750, deposed: About 8 years ago, at his own house, he saw and spoke with said Smith and Robert Buchanan, the then Sheriff of Lancaster County. He heard Smith (then merchant at Connoy) say, &c., several accounts: Smith vs. James Cathey, 1737; Smith vs. Adam Thomson, 1736-7-8; Smith vs. William Robinson, 1739; Smith vs. Richard Woods, 1738; Smith vs. Mrs. Margaret McDowell, 1737; Smith vs. Mrs. Mary McDowell, 1737; Smith vs. Michael Woods, 1738-9; Smith vs. John Maxwell; Smith vs. Samuel Woods, 1734-5-8; Smith vs. Francis Beaty, 1735-6; Smith vs. John Christian, 1737; Smith vs. Robert Christian, 1733-4-5-6; Smith vs. Randell McDaniel; Smith vs. William Hutchinson; Smith vs. George Hutchinson. All sworn to by Samuel Smith, late of County of Lancaster, before a Justice, in Philadelphia, 13th October, 1743.