Person:Obediah Smith (1)

Will Abstract

Will of Obediah Smith, written 1777 in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

To Grandson Obediah Smith, son of my son Peartree, all of my land in Mecklenburg County,[Va.] where son Peartree lives, but his father and mother to have use of land and Negroes for life, and if he dies, to be divided among his sisters.

To Granddaughter Elizabeth Smith, l Negro and increase except one boy given to my grandson Obediah.

To son William, all my land on James River above Mosses [Moss's] Creek on road that goes from Anderson Britton's to Buckingham Road and along Jommy (sic) Winters Branch, to Powhite Creek, including land bought from Abram Cowley.

To son Obediah, all rest of Chesterfield land, being plantation I live on. If sons William and Obediah die without heirs, then to my daughter Lucy Smith. [This statement indicates that William Smith did not have any children by 1777 and therefore could not have been the William Smith who married Elizabeth Watkins had had children by 1762.]

To son William, all land at mouth of Hics and Dan Rivers. See footnote. [Footnote 10.]

To son Obediah, my land in North Carolina.

To daughter Lucy Smith, 2 Negroes.

To Eadith Christmas, 3 Negroes, furniture and 100 pounds, with Negroes to go to my estate after her death.

To granddaughter Elizabeth Winston, 1 negro and 100 pounds.

To son Peartree, 250 pounds and a bed.

Rest to sons William and Obediah and daughter Lucy. Exors: friends Drury Smith, Robert Jones, David Patteson, Samuel Price, William Scott, Jr., Anderson Britton and sons William Smith and Obediah Smith.

Dated 2 January 1777

(Signed) Obediah Smith

Wit: Benskin Easley, Ann Duvall, Lucy Smith, Martin Googer and Charles Clarke, Jr.

Will proven in May Court 1777.

1.   GenForum.

   Luke and Arrabella Smith’s son Obediah Smith lived in the part of Henrico County that became Chesterfield County in 1749. However, Obadiah Smith had married Mary Burk in Goochland County, Va. before 1744. The records of the births of his children were recorded by Rev. William Douglas [Footnote 6.] who pastured flocks in several Virginia counties, including western Henrico County, Goochland County, Hanover County, and Louisa County, and probably more. Rev. Douglas’ records show that the children of Obediah and Mary Burk Smith were: Luke Smith, born 1744; Susannah Smith, born 1746; Peartree Smith born 1748; Elizabeth Smith born 1750; William Smith born 1752; Obadiah Smith born 1755; Lucy Smith born 1756; Charles Smith; and Joseph Smith born 1761. Apparently, Mary Burk Smith had a brother named Peartree Burk, and he was the man for whom she named her son Peartree Smith. Records show that, indeed, there was a John Peartree Burk who was a party in a Bedford County, Va. Deed. [Footnote 7.]
   
   On June 24, 1762, Archibald Coats, Archibald Ingram, and Archibald Buchanan of the city of Glasgow in North Britain, Merchants, sold 1,535 acres in Dale Parish, Chesterfield to Obadiah Smith of Virginia, Planter, for £150. The land was located on the James River and Winters Branch, being all the land conveyed by John Wilson, Sr. of said county to the merchants on February 21, 1750. The deed was recorded on Nov. 1760. [Footnote 8.]
   
   The will of Obediah Smith (who married Mary Burk) was written in 1777 in Chesterfield County, Virginia.[Footnote 9.] “To Grandson Obediah Smith, son of my son Peartree, all of my land in Mecklenburg County,[Va.] where son Peartree lives, but his father and mother to have use of land and Negroes for life, and if he dies, to be divided among his sisters.
   To Granddaughter Elizabeth Smith, l Negro and increase except one boy given to my grandson Obediah.
   To son William, all my land on James River above Mosses [Moss's] Creek on road that goes from Anderson Britton's to Buckingham Road and along Jommy (sic) Winters Branch, to Powhite Creek, including land bought from Abram Cowley.
   To son Obediah, all rest of Chesterfield land, being plantation I live on. If sons William and Obediah die without heirs, then to my daughter Lucy Smith. [This statement indicates that William Smith did not have any children by 1777 and therefore could not have been the William Smith who married Elizabeth Watkins had had children by 1762.]
   To son William, all land at mouth of Hics and Dan Rivers. See footnote. [Footnote 10.]
   To son Obediah, my land in North Carolina.
   To daughter Lucy Smith, 2 Negroes.
   To Eadith Christmas, 3 Negroes, furniture and 100 pounds, with Negroes to go to my estate after her death.
   To granddaughter Elizabeth Winston, 1 negro and 100 pounds.
   To son Peartree, 250 pounds and a bed.
   Rest to sons William and Obediah and daughter Lucy. Exors: friends Drury Smith, Robert Jones, David Patteson, Samuel Price, William Scott, Jr., Anderson Britton and sons William Smith and Obediah Smith. Dated 2 January 1777 Wit: Benskin Easley, Ann Duvall, Lucy Smith, Martin Googer and Charles Clarke, Jr. The will was proven in May Court 1777.
   
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