Person:Henry Smith (154)

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Henry Smith
b.Bet 1758 and 1768
d.Aft 1825
  1. Henry SmithBet 1758 & 1768 - Aft 1825
  • HHenry SmithBet 1758 & 1768 - Aft 1825
  • WMary Irish1771 - 1833
m. Est 1790
  1. Nancy Smith
  2. William Henry Smith
  3. James Smith
  4. Louisa Smith
  5. Caroline Smith
  6. Harriet SmithEst 1791 - 1872
  7. Nathaniel Wilson Smith1797 - 1873
Facts and Events
Name Henry Smith
Gender Male
Birth? Bet 1758 and 1768
Marriage Est 1790 to Mary Irish
Death? Aft 1825

Introducing Colonel Henry Smith of Wheeling, Ohio Co, West Virginia_______________________

Henry Smith was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. In 1790 federal census for Pittsburgh he appeared alone, living close to Nathaniel Irish, Jr.; his son Nathaniel Wilson Smith was born in 1797 in Wheeling, WVA; Henry also had dau Harriet who married Ninian Beall. He was a land speculator and had a town laid out across the Ohio River called "Grandview". this must have been in the Wheeling, WVA and Mt. Vernon, OH area.

James Smith, his father, was a farmer in the Wheeling area before the Revolutionary War. He had 2 sons, Henry, probably the first merchant in Wheeling, and James, a farmer. Henry became a captain in the militia and served in the Revolutionary War commanding a company and was at Wheeling, WVA when the place was surrounded by Indians.

Fort Fincastle was built in 1774 to protect the settlers from the Indians. The fort was later renamed Fort Henry in honor of Patrick Henry. There was speculation that William H. Smith, son of Captain Henry Smith who was commander of Fort William Henry, was the man for whom the fort was named.

Contents

Life in Wheeling, WVA

Major or Colonel Henry Smith was an emissary of the US Army west of Allegheny Mts during the war with the Indians. He was also one of the founders of Wheeling, WVA; he lived in the South and kept slaves.

Wheeling, WVA was laid out in town lots in 1793 and in Dec 1795 was established as a town; the following persons listed as trustees: Andrew Woods, Archibald Woods, John McIntyre, James Nelson, Henry Smith, William Waddle, & Absalom Martin. It was incorporated on 16 Jan 1806, and became the county seat, which was removed from West Liberty. The first court was held in Wheeling and convened in the inn of John Gooding, 7 May 1798. According to the Act of the General Assembly passed 27 Dec 1797 "it was ordained that the Town of Wheeling be henceforth the place for holding courts in this county and is also ordered that Ebenezer Zane, Andrew Woods, and Henry Smith be appointed commissioners to determine upon and purchase a proper site whereon to erect public buildings for the use of said county, and until such public buildings shall be made the house of the said Henry Smith in the occupation of Mr. John Gooding, innkeeper, in Wheeling, be the place for the meeting of the court."

There was a jail, stock and whipping post on the ground as has been purchased and laid off in Wheeling by Ebenezer Zane, Andrew Woods, & Henry Smith, Commissioners appointed for that purpose and admitted to record of this court." They selected a site on Tenth Street about midway between Main and Market Streets and erected therein a two-story building of square free stone blocks, some of which were hewn and others in rough state.

Census Results in West Virginia

1810 Ohio Co, WVA federal census: Henry Smith 10101/4101004 Henry has 1m under 10, 1m 16-26, 1m 45 or older; 4f under 10, 1f 10-16, 1f 26-45 In the 1810 Ohio Co, WVA federal census there are Smith: Henry, William, 2 James, Ralph, Robert, John; Beall: Bazil, Joseph W., Zephaniah, George Stricker, James McCulley, Carter: Arthur, Richard, Maria, Simms: Claybourne, Johnston, several Wilson: Joseph, James, Henry, John, Samuel (online source for Wheeling, WVA Genealogical Society).

There is a Henry Smith in Wheeling, WVA federal census for 1820, 1830, and 1840; in the 1820 he has slaves. In 1820 Ohio Co, WVA federal census we have the following Smiths: Henry, Elizabeth, Ezekiel, James, James B, 2 John, John M, Joshua, Samuel, 2 Thomas, 2 William plus Beall: Andrew, Benjamin JZ, David, Sarah, Ninian; Margaret Carnehan, McColly James, John, Nathan, Joseph Richmond, William Wyley. (online source for Wheeling, WVA Genealogical Society).

Probate and Land Records in Ohio Co, WVA

Notes from Ohio Co, WVA Will Books 1-3, abstracts:

  • Smith, James of Washington Co, PA, 5 Dec 1785 wife Eleanor and son William WBk 1 p12
  • Smith, George 30 May 1785 wife Marcilius, sons Philip, Henry, dau Marcilius Cohen WBk 1 p13
  • Smith, James 15 Nov 1790 son Henry exec, and sons Thomas, James WBk 1 p17

Notes from Abstracts of Deeds in Ohio Co, WVA Bk 1 1777-1789

  • p30 - Henry Smith is witness to Benjamin Davis and wife Ann selling land to Thomas Wiggins; 60A on Cross Creek (WB1 p156)
  • p44 - Henry Smith, merchant of Ohio Co, VA, receives John McLain s/o Charles McLain a trader in Indian Country w/consent of court (David Shepard, James Miller, John Beck, and David Chambers, to have said John McLain as apprentice (voluntarily) for 14Y, 7 Apr 1789, signed by Henry Smith and David Shepard (WB1 p229)
  • p44 - same date 7 Apr 1789, Nancy McLain d/o Charles McLain w/consent of court is apprenticed for 9Y to James Smith, farmer (WB1 p230)

V2 1789-1794

  • p31 - 7 Mar 1791 Ignatius Jones and wife Ann of Fayette Co, PA sold to Fargus Smith of Ohio Co, VA for $93 150A east of Cross Creek surveyed by heirs of John Jones; wit Henry Smith(Bk 2p143)
  • p88 - 2 May 1794 Henry Smith and Sary [could be Mary] wife of Ohio Co sold to Commel LeFlaver of Ohio Co for 150 pounds land on Buffalo Creek joining Robert Ager (Bk 2 p473). Signed Henry Smith and Sary Smith (her mark). (p473)

V3 1794-1800

  • p14 - 22 Aug 1794 Samuel Marshall and wife Fanny sold to Major Walker for 80 pounds 43 1/2A on Cross Creek; wit Fargus Smith (Bk 3 p83)
  • p26 - 1795 Ebenezer Zane and wife Elizabeth sold to Andrew Woods for $102 Lot 3 adjoining Henry Smith (Bk 3 p155)
  • p63 - 28 Sept 1796 Larance Hall of Bourbon Co, KY sold to Robert Woods and Archibald and Andrew Woods of Ohio Co for $840 280A on Glenn's Run and Wheeling Creek, joining Robert Hardcastle and James Ryan; wit Henry Smith & George Stricker & Andrew Wood (Bk 3 p366)
  • p70 - 2 Dec 1796 Basil Beall wit for Thomas Williamson and wife Elizabeth selling land to Samuel Williamson for 10 pounds 15 1/2A
  • 12 Sept 1797 Henry Smith of Wheeling and Mary his wife sold to Joseph Applegate of Allegheny Co, PA for $1600 two lots and a saw mill in the great bend of Wheeling Creek containing 15 acres and five acres which formerly belonged to James Smith, Sr, deceased. The mill was subject to lease of Abm. Lindly; witnesses Ebenezer Zane, Jonathan Zane, and James Marshall. Signed by Henry Smith and Mary Smith, p6 (sometime in the past 3 years Mary had learned to sign her name).
  • 31 Mar 1798 John Caldwell and Jean his wife sold to Henry Smith for $133 1/3 two hundred acres on bank of Middle Island Creek. witnesses John Lee, George Knox, Samuel Caldwell; signed John Caldwell, Jean Caldwell, p137
  • 31 Mar 1798 Henry Smith, heir at law to James Smith deceased, and Mary his wife sold to Benjamin Milligan for $400 ninety acres on bank of Wheeling Creek joining James Caldwell and Edward Calhoun. witnesses John Lee, George Knox, John Caldwell, signed by Henry Smith, Mary Smith, p138
  • 7 May 1798 Ebenezer Zane and wife Elizabeth sold to Henry Smith for $50, lot 3 in Wheeling. signed by Ebenezer Zane, Elizabeth Zane, p165
  • 1 Feb 1802 Samuel Eastwood and Elizabeth his wife sold to William Smith for $5 twenty acres on Peters Run, a branch of Wheeling Creek. witnesses John Stewart and Joseph Kerr; signed Samuel Eastwood and Elizabeth Eastwood, p62
  • A recorded deed dated 27 Oct 1802 states that James Blackburn of Caroline Co, VA sold to Henry Smith of Wheeling a negro boy 17 years old for $300. Witnesses were James Caldwell and Nathaniel Irish, Jr. Sale signed by James Blackburn. Henry Smith was a slave owner at least by 1802.
  • 5 Sept 1803 Robert Woods and wife Elizabeth sold to Henry Smith for $85 ten acres on an island in the Ohio River in the long reach opposite John Williamson and a town on the other side laid out by Henry Smith called Grandview. Signed Robert Woods, Elizabeth Woods, p279
  • 6 Sept 1803 John Caldwell and wife Jane of Ohio County and Alexander Caldwell and wife Eliza of Brooks County sold to Henry Smith for sum of $298.93 a tract of land containing 243 acres in Ohio County joining John Lee. Signed by John Caldwell, Jane Caldwell, A. Caldwell, Eliza Caldwell,

p283

  • 2 Apr 1804 Moses Williamson Jr and wife Christina sold to Henry Smith a tract of land containing 150 acres including his settlement made in 1773 on Wheeling Creek. Signed Moses Williamson, Christina Williamson
  • 3 Apr 1804 Henry Smith and wife Mary sold to Moses Williamson lots 18 and 24 in township 1, 5th range in Ohio containing 914 acres which were previously owned by James Ross, then by Abiajah Hunt, then by said Smith and whereas Henry Smith laid out a town called Grandview on part of that land and has sold one outlot to Isaac Wilson, two inlots numbered 7 and 8 in the second square; lot 2 to William Jolly; one outlot of 8 acres to James Riggs; one outlot to Anthony Sheets; one lot to Henry Collins; one lot to George Gatz; 2 acres to George Gatz; one lot to John Buck; one lot to Elijah Woods and whereas Henry Smith for $2000 agrees to sell to Moses Williamson 240 acres including the town except the lots which were sold. witnesses Isaac Wilson, John Collins (mark); signed Henry Smith, Mary Smith, p389
  • 3 Sept 1804 Henry Smith and wife Mary sold to George Gaetz of Belmont County, Ohio for $16 lot 9 in the first square in the town of Grandview. Signed Henry Smith, Mary Smith, p416
  • 12 Sept 1804 Henry Smith and wife Mary sold to Isaac Wilson for $100 a tract of land containing 10 acres on an island in the Ohio River in the Long Reach opposite where John Williamson lives and a town on the other side laid out by Henry Smith called Grandview. Signed Henry Smith, Mary Smith, p504
  • 4 Feb 1805 Henry Smith and wife Mary sold to Daniel Steenrod for $400 a tract of land containing 50 acres on Wheeling Creek it being part of the settlement right of James Smith, Sr of 1784 and by James Smith now deceased, devised to Henry Smith. signed Henry Smith p454 [Daniel was son of Cornelius Steenrod, a Revolutionary War Captain of Colonial Army who d 1805 and was buried in Stone Church Cem, Wheeling, WVA]
  • 22 Apr 1811 Henry Smith sold to Joseph Beall for $1 a tract of land containing 120 acres if Smith does not pay $682 which he owes to Basil Beall Sr. witnesses George W. Price, Samuel H. Wells. Signed by Henry Smith, Jos. W. Beall, p165

Possible Demise of Henry Smith

"In those days credit was granted to the tobacco and cotton planters and when the crops were harvested, Smith traveled by horse with saddlebags across the horse, to make collections. He stopped for the night at a small wayside inn. On one of his collection trips he was murdered and robbed. A negro woman who was employed at the inn put the body on a horse and led the horse to his house in Wheeling. The owners of the inn by whom he was murdered left the country, which indicated their guilt. His widow was an Irish from PA (Philadelphia).

Possible Loss of Inheritance for Mary Irish Smith

At this time the widow's brother, who was executor of the father's estate, visited her at Wheeling. He is said to have told her: "Sister I have a bit of writing for thee to sign." She signed the paper not knowing that she was signing all her interest in her father's estate which included property which later comprised part of downtown Philadelphia."

WVA Court Order Books

Notes from Ohio Co, WVA Court Order Books

  • Henry Smith 1784 constables p25, 1784 militia p125, 1787 license p91, (Lt. Henry Smith)1787 militia p126, 1793 license p92, (Cpt. Henry Smith) 1793 militia p129, 1795 license p93, 1797 license p93, 1801 license p94, 1807 grand jury p57, 1807 license p95, 1854 lunatic p87, 1855 license p119, (Henry Smith, orphan)1859 overseer of poor p163
  • 83204 Henry Smith $22.21 (83046-83560 Old Congress PA pd to 1 July 1781)

78148 for $4.60 (77861-78389 8th PA Reg't)

  • "Index to Order Books L to Z: Defendants from 1777 to 1881" Date, Parties, Type (C-Chancery, L-Law, S-State), (Order Book, page #) 1807 FREDERICK MITCHELL - HENRY SMITH (L) (11,20) Ohio Co, WVA

Biographical Clues to Henry Smith

"History of Licking County Ohio, It's Past and Present" by Norman Newell Hill, in the Stanford University Libraries - Green Library in the stacks - call # F 497.L6.H6

SMITH, JOHN A., farmer, born in Franklin township. his father, James Smith, was born December 25, 1792, and came to this township in 1831, from Wheeling West Virginia. His grandparents, Henry and Mary Smith, were early residents of Wheeling, his grandfather keeping the first grocery in that city, bringing his goods from Philadelphia. Henry's children were as follows: Harriet Beall, Nancy Clark, James, Nathaniel, Louisa Clark, William and Caroline Carnihan. James was married October 23, 1817, to Sarah Masters, daughter of Henry and Sarah Masters, of Virginia. Henry and Sarah Master's other children were: Mary Dickson, Rachel Hagens, Nancy Widie, Rebecca Adair, Jennie Brown, Hannah Fry, Mrs. Morrison and Henry. The children of James and Sarah Smith are: William H., born May 4, 1818; Rebecca I., October 31, 1819; Robert C., October 29, 1821; James, march 15, 1824; a son in 1827; Mary, June 7, 1825; Caroline, July 27, 1828; Harriet, February 14, 1830; Elizabeth A., August 15, 1832; Nathaniel, October 26, 1834; Sarah L., October 10, 1843; Oscar J., in 1845. John A. moved to Dover Hill, Indiana, in 1859.

On p751 of Cranmer's History of Wheeling:

Bio of Howard Campbell Richards, prominent young attorney who served one term as sheriff of Ohio Co, WVA; b 19 Oct 1863, Wheeling, s/o Henry Smith Richards and Mary Campbell. He was single and prominent in Revolutionary circles as he was

  • gggrson Cpt Nathaniel Irish
  • ggrson Cpt Thomas Wylie
  • ggnewphew of Major McColloch and Cpt Henry Smith, all officers of PA's Continental Army, member of SAR and of Fort Henry Club.

Smith Wills in Ohio County, WVA

Early Smith wills from the Ohio County Clerk.

Index to Ohio Co, WVA Wills Smith, " Emanuel 13 Aug 1803 Bk 1 p61 "George 30 May 1785 Bk 1 p13 " James 5 Dec 1785 Bk 1 p12 " James 15 Nov 1790 Bk 1 p17 " Jane 1830 Bk 3 p35 " John 2 Oct 1833 Bk 3 p109 "John A 1 Jan 1835 Bk 3 p168 "Noah 9 Nov 1801 Bk 1 p53 "Thomas 14 Dec 1806 Bk 2 p254

Possibility exists that Henry was brother of James Smith whose will was probated on 15 Nov 1790 in West VA (Wheeling, Ohio Co): bequeathed to wife and sons Henry, Thomas, James; witnessed by Richard Yeats, Robert Forbes, and Robert Giffin; exec Henry Smith, the eldest son. (online source for Wheeling, WVA Genealogical Society).

James SMITH 15 Nov 1790 Bequeathed to: Wife. Sons Henry, Thomas and James. Witnessed: Richard Yeats, Robert Forbes and Robert Giffin. Executor: Henry Smith. Note: Names Henry as Eldest son. Wife not named.

Will for Mathias Ault 22 Feb 1790 mentions wife Elizabeth and step dau Elizabeth Smith, stepsons Philip Hup and Lazarus Rhyne and step granddau Elizabeth Fisher, exec Henry Smith (online source for Wheeling, WVA Genealogical Society).

Will of George Smith 30 May 1785 mentions wife Marcilius and sons Philip and Henry and dau Marclius Copen (online source for Wheeling, WVA Genealogical Society).

Will of James Smith 5 Dec 1785 mentions wife Elenor; he was from Washington Co, PA, heir to James Smith (online source for Wheeling, WVA Genealogical Society).

  • James Smith who died 1790, as mentioned online, leaves property and items to his wife who is not mentioned by name. Three sons mentioned, Henry, Thomas, and James, with all three sharing equally in the rest of his property and to again share equally in property upon the death of his wife.
  • Will for Thomas Smith Dated 14 Dec 1806

names wife Jerusha Smith Ch: Henry Smith (minor), Joseph Smith (minor) Exec: Brother James Smith, John Mills Wit: Henry Smith, John Mills, Nathaniel Irish, Jr. Codicil: Brothers Henry Smith, James Smith Wit: Cornelius Steenrod, Abigail Steenrod, Rhoda Claton Recorded May term 1825  

  • Thomas Smith, will dated Dec 14, 1806, leaves management of his real and personal estate to his wife, Jerucia, until his son Henry Smith reaches 21 years of age. Henry then gets 1/3 of the estate. Jerucia maintains management of the rest until is son Joseph reaches 21 years of age at which point he gets 1/3 and Jerucia gets 1/3. After Jerucia dies, Henry and Joseph are to each receive 1/2 of her holdings. His personal estate (I guess other than property) is to be held by Jerucia and used for the education of the children or distributed among his female children (not named).  His brother James is named as executor of the will along with John Mills.

This will is signed and sealed in the presence of Henry Smith, John Mills and NATHL. IRISH JR.

He then mentions land that is not yet divided among his brothers Henry, James and himself that is on Grave Creek (his mother must have still been alive at that time). He states that he considers that personal and not real estate and gives it to his wife Jerucia to do what is best for her and their children. The will was not proved until May 1825. (possibly when his son Joseph reached the age of 21?). 

Marriage Records for Ohio Co, WVA

Wheeling, WVA Marriages for Smith, Carnahan, Beall Smith,

  • ", Ann/Andrew Halstead 13 Aug 1822
  • ", Annie/Samuel Martin 4 Oct 1821
  • ", Barbara/Cephus Keller 27 Nov 1854
  • ", Charity/John Hoswick 15 June 1807
  • ", Clement/Theresa Bedwyer 2 Sept 1854
  • ", Eleanor/Oliv Gorrol 6 Oct 1794
  • ', Elizabeth/James Standiford 27 July 1827
  • ", Elizabeth/Samuel Dalenbough 27 Sept 1832
  • ", Ella/Henry Widdel 29 May 1854
  • ", Ephraim/Nancy McGill 9 Jan 1820
  • ", Ernest H./Joanna Allbright 9 Nov 1854
  • ", Fergus/Nancy Persell 31 Dec 1829
  • ", Hannah/Andrew Kigen 5 Oct 1819
  • ", Hugh/Charlotte Darsie 23 Oct 1819
  • ", Isaac R/Margaret Robinson 15 Sept 1828
  • ", Jabez/Elizabeth Ainsworth 2 May 1833
  • ", James/Catherine Arbuton 24 Jan 1814
  • ", James/Rebecca Carnahan 4 Oct 1832
  • ", James//Mary Baker 14 Jan 1794
  • ", Jane/James Pewel 29 Dec 1791
  • ", John/Elizabeth Kilgore 27 Dec 1821
  • ", John/Harriet Wayman 10 Feb 1825
  • ", John/Mary Coulter 17 Nov 1854
  • ", Joseph/Rebecca Frye 19 June 1822
  • ", Joseph/Mrs. Jane Hamilton 1826 (no day or month)
  • ", Joseph/Sarah Jane Jackson 25 Feb 1836
  • ", Julia Ann/John Russell 13 Feb 1834
  • ", Kelly/Louisa Richardson 11 Oct 1818
  • ", Louisa/ Robert Clark 8 Apr 1819
  • ", Mary/John Murphy 28 Aug 1813
  • ", Mary/Elijah Young Apr 1832 (no day)
  • ", Mary/John Donnelly 22 Mar 1840
  • ", Mary Ann/Isaac B. Malin 30 Mar 1854
  • ", Mary Ann/Edward English 16 May 1854
  • ", Miss/Philip Rogers 20 Jan 1800
  • ", Nancy/Robert Clark 12 Feb 1818
  • ", Philip/Barbary Keller 5 Apr 1791
  • ", Pleasant/Abraham Miller 8 Feb 1827
  • ", Rachel/Joseph Smith 18 Mar 1793
  • ", Reason/Elizabeth Shilling 23 Oct 1821
  • ", Robert/Sarah Katz 12 Sept 1816
  • ", Salloy/John Ferrel 5 May 1831
  • ", Samuel/Ann Mary McPherson 4 May 1854
  • ", Sarah/Frederick Moser 13 Mar 1825
  • ', Sarah Jane/Benjamin Williams 6 Mar 1842
  • ", Stephen/Margaret Stewart 4 Mar 1805
  • ", Susan/Thomas Todd 26 Feb 1850
  • ", Thomas/Pleasant Hesket 28 Aug 1817
  • ", William/Lucretia Lucas 6 Sept 1827
  • ", William/Sarah Huey 28 Jan 1833

Carnahan,

  • ", Ann/Augustus Clemens 27 Oct 1826
  • ", James/Caroline Smith 21 Jan 1830
  • ", Jan/William Whitenach 1 Nov 1826
  • ", Rebecca/James Smith 4 Oct 1830
  • ", William/Elizabeth Hadden 20 Sept 1854

Beall,

  • ", Cillan/William McGrigg 2 Aug 1812
  • ", James/Jane Baird 18 Feb 1808
  • ", Joseph/Ruth Perciville 14 Jan 1804
  • ", Ninion/Harriet Smith 21 Nov 1809
  • ", Robert/Sarah Hall 28 Mar 1791

Wylie,

  • ", Amy S./Isaac Irwin 7 Nov 1826
  • ", Elisa/Joseph Mathers 14 June 1825
  • ", John/Sarah Stephenson 8 Apr 1828
  • ", Mary/Oliver Bryson 11 Mar 1828