John Smithson Sr [Parents] 1 was born on 28 Mar 1680 in , Skelton, Northumberland, England. He died in 1761 in , Fluvana, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Barnard on 11 Jan 1693 in Barnard Castle, Durham, England.
The following is a story of John J. Smithson, handed down from generation to generation. This story was forwarded to me by Frank W. Smithson of Nashville, TN.
John J. Smithson is thought to have been born in 1684 in St. Pauls parish in Northumberland England. He apparently came to this country in 1714 after being married to Elizabeth. They each agreed to be indentured servants for a period of four years to a man named Larkin Chew, who paid their ship's passage and agreed to give them each "room and board and fifty acres of land after four years at the main run in lowermost falls, just above a little island." In a book, Cavaliers and Pioneers by Mrs. Nugent, it states, "In the forks of the Mattapony, December 23, 1714, twenty-seven persons were transported by Larken Chew to 1,330 acres of land." This land later became Hanover County, Virginia. The first winter the twenty-seven lived in tents, but the following spring they built a series of one room log houses and began clearing the 1,330 acres for planting. There is no record of how much corn was grown, how many hogs or what the land produced during the four years for landlord Chew, but family legend has it that John and Elizabeth learned to care for horses and cultivate tobacco. They sold their one hundred acres in Hanover County and bought cheaper land in Louisa County. Thus in thirty-six years, the went from being servants to owning hundreds of acres of land. We have no record of how many children they had, but late in their lives, (1757) they moved from Louisa County to Lunenburg County with their son, Francis Marion Smithson and his wife Sarah. They sold approximately 1,800 acres held by the family and bought land in Lunenburg County. In 1765, Francis had eight "tythes" land 1,246 acres of land. The father, John J., filed a will to be found in Will Book 1, 1746-1762, page 336, giving his soul to God and to his loving wife all his "estate goods and chattels and personal estates whatsoever." Lastly, he made "my sad wife sole excutix of this my last Will in Testament, dated this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand and seven hundred and sixty." The will was exhibited and probated on the first day of December 1761 in Lunenburg County. There are further records in the Cumberland Diocese record book of the St. John Parish in Lunenburg County, Virginia where Elizabeth's death is recorded. Family legend has an earlier John Smithson coming to Jamestown, Virginia with the younger Captain Newport in 1649. It is now thought that this could have been a great uncle of John J., who started another branch of the family. Other Smithson's were early settlers in southern Maryland and later in Pennsylvania. Lunenburg County, Virginia, Will Book No. 1, With Inventories, Accounts, Etc, 1746-1762 Page 336. Will. I, John Smithson of Cornwall Parish in L, planter - To my wife - my estate. Executrix - my wife. Signed Apr 6, 1760 - John Smithson (J his mark). Witnesses - Robt. Breedlove, Isbell Johnson Breedlove, Kindness Shorter (X his mark). At Dec 1, 1761 Court, the will of the deceased was exhibited, and the same was proved by the oaths of all the witnesses, and the same is ordered to be recorded. Additional info: Occupation: teacher Bet 1710 and 1760 Virginia Title: Estate settlement. Occupation: surveyor of roads Bet 1740 and 1745 Lunenburg County, Virginia Title: Parish Records Page: Vestry book of Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg Co., VA area His will: "In the name of God Amen I John Smithson of Cornwell Parish in the County of Lunenburgh Planter Being of Sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testatment in manner and form following that is to say Imprimis first I give and bequeath my sole (sic) to God and Secondly I do give unto my Loving wife all my estate good and chattles and personal estate whatsoever Lastly I do make and Consititute my sade (sic) wife sole executrix of this my Last will and Testament dated this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty. In presents (sic) of us: his Robert Breedlove, Isbell Johnson Breedlove, John J Smithson Kindness Shorter mark At a court for Lunenburgh County the first Day of December 1761 The within written Last Will and Testament of John Smithson deceased was exhibited in court and the same was proved by the oaths of all the witnesses thereto subscribed and the same is ordered to be recorded. Dunkin Bohannan of Gloucester Co., VA claimed "headright" land in 1704 for the transportation of John SMITHSON to the Colonies. However, it was not unusual for men to hold these headright certificates for several years until they accumulated enough for a large tract of land. Therefore, we cannot be certain exactly when John SMITHSON came.Note that John appears to have been betrothed to Elizabeth of Barnard, before she was born and married the same year she was born, 1693. The marriage date shows him at thirteen years of age. 1693. This was a common practice in the sixteen hundreds. The days of arranged marriages were made to tie one family to another strong family either money wise or strength wise. Especially for defense purposes or to give families allies in enemy territory. Boys as small as five years old were sent to foster with other families, they were trained to be Knights and would remain there until they had earned their spurs and were knighted, often times by age sixteen. Betrothed to an Infant daughter or first unborn daughter, was not unusual. The boy would send gifts to the girl until she was around 14 years old. Note: Girls who were over 20 years old they thought was questionable if they might bear children. The ceremony of the betrothal was binding; it was actually the same as a wedding ceremony. The bride and groom sometimes were not even there. The families would send proxy. This is what we think happened to John and Elizabeth of Barnard. Everything we can find suggested this conclusion.
His will: "In the name of God Amen I John Smithson of Cornwell Parish in the County of Lunenburgh Planter Being of Sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testatment in manner and form following that is to say Imprimis first I give and bequeath my sole (sic) to God and Secondly I do give unto my Loving wife all my estate good and chattles and personal estate whatsoever Lastly I do make and Consititute my sade (sic) wife sole executrix of this my Last will and Testament dated this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty. In presents (sic) of us: his Robert Breedlove, Isbell Johnson Breedlove, John J Smithson Kindness Shorter mark At a court for Lunenburgh County the first Day of December 1761 The within written Last Will and Testament of John Smithson deceased was exhibited in court and the same was proved by the oaths of all the witnesses thereto subscribed and the same is ordered to be recorded. Dunkin Bohannan of Gloucester Co., VA claimed "headright" land in 1704 for the transportation of John SMITHSON to the Colonies. However, it was not unusual for men to hold these headright certificates for several years until they accumulated enough for a large tract of land. Therefore, we cannot be certain exactly when John SMITHSON came.
Book: "FLAT CREEK: ITS LAND AND ITS PEOPLE" c. 1986 Woodward & Stinson Printing Co., Columbia, Tennessee - Compiled & Written By: Ennis C. Wallace, Sr.; JoAnn Petty; Marjorie Redmond; and Martha Ann Hazelwood
Elizabeth Barnard 1 was born in 1673 in Barnard Castle, Durham, , England. She died in Virginia. She married John Smithson Sr on 11 Jan 1693 in Barnard Castle, Durham, England.
They had the following children:
M i Francis Hugh Smithson Sr F ii Susannah Smithson M iii John Smithson Jr
Cecil Ramsey Escue [Parents] was born on 24 Mar 1906 in , Heywood, Tennessee. He died on 7 Apr 1978. He was buried in Eureka Cemetery, Forked Deer, Heywood, Tennessee. He married Myrtle Kilpatrick.
Escue book pg #10, #31
From Chancery Court Haywood County, Tennessee April26, 1916 Escue book pg #31
father died before the William Escue's will was finalized, his share went to his children:
Myrtle Kilpatrick was born on 19 Apr 1908 in , Heywood, Tennessee. She died on 26 Jan 1996 in , Heywood, Tennessee. She was buried in Eureka Cemetery, Forked Deer, Heywood, Tennessee. She married Cecil Ramsey Escue.
They had the following children:
F i Cecelia Kay Escue M ii William Thomas Escue F iii Cecilla Kay Escue
Isaac Neuton Escue [Parents] was born on 13 Feb 1859 in Limestone, Alabama. He died in 1916 in Heywood, Tennessee. He married Lula Ellen Wilson on 17/19 Nov 1879 in Heywood, Tennessee.
1 _FA1
2 DATE 19 NOV 1879
2 PLAC Marr rec-Haywood Co, TN LDS film #1006853
1 _FA2
2 DATE 1900
2 PLAC Census -Haywood Co, TN - 10 chil 10 living ed 75 sd 31 pg 8 sht 7Escue book pg #2, #10, #31
pg #2: moved to Tennessee with family, recorded as I.N. (Ike)
pg #10: died 1916
from tombstone at Eureka Cemetery in Forked Deer -
conflict with other info - Ike 1859-1915From Chancery Court Haywood County, Tennessee April26, 1916 Escue book pg #31
died before the William Escue's will was finalized, his share went to his children: Bob, Jim, Mrs Irma Lovell, Mrs Eula Howard, Mrs Lillie Murley, Newt, Arnold, Cecil, Ida Lee, Dave, Jack, & that one daughter Era married one Smith & died leaving three children Ethel, Myrtle, Floyd
Lula Ellen Wilson was born in Dec 1863 in Nutbush, Tennessee. She died in Sep 1932 in Ripley, Tennessee. She married Isaac Neuton Escue on 17/19 Nov 1879 in Heywood, Tennessee.
Escue book pg #10
pg #10: she was a very small girl, during the Civil War, and had "red measels" when Yankee soldiers came riding up, one day and hitched their horses. One soldier ask what was wrong with that child. They wer told she had "small pox." The soldiers rode away without taking anything.
They had the following children:
M i Arnold Escue M ii Issac Summers Escue F iii Era Mae Escue M iv Robert L Escue F v Evey Escue F vi Erma Escue M vii Newton E Escue F viii Lillie Escue M ix Jack Escue was born about 1887.
Escue book pg #10, #31
From Chancery Court Haywood County, Tennessee April26, 1916 Escue book pg #31
father died before the William Escue's will was finalized, his share went to his children:M x William N Escue was born in Aug 1889 in , Tennessee. F xi Irma Escue M xii James A Escue F xiii Eula Escue F xiv Lillie Escue M xv Richard David Escue M xvi George Arnold Escue F xvii Ida Lee Escue M xviii Cecil Ramsey Escue
John Pusey 1 was born on 16 May 1708 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. He died on 17 Apr 1766 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. He married Katherine Maris in 1734.
Katherine Maris [Parents] 1 was born on 8 Jul 1704 in Springfield, Delaware, Pennsylvania. She died on 23 Oct 1773 in Chester, Pennsylvania. She married John Pusey in 1734.
They had the following children:
M i James Pusey 1 was born on 3 Jul 1735 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. He died on 7 May 1766. F ii Lydia Pusey 1 was born on 12 Nov 1736 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. M iii John Pusey 1 was born on 1 Jan 1738 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. He died on 24 Sep 1783. M iv Samuel Pusey 1 was born on 21 Mar 1741 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. He died on 1 May 1754. M v George Pusey 1 was born on 12 Mar 1743 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. F vi Jane Pusey 1 was born on 30 Mar 1746 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. M vii Nathan Pusey 1 was born on 17 Jul 1748 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania. F viii Susanna Pusey 1 was born on 16 Dec 1750 in London Grove, Chester, Pennsylvania.
They had the following children:
M iii David Terrell M vi Henry Terrell
John Davis 1 was born about 1700 in Schoharie, Schoharie, New York. He married Susannah Maris.
Susannah Maris [Parents] 1 was born on 6 Jul 1704 in Springfield, Delaware, Pennsylvania. She married John Davis.
Other marriages:James, Daniel
Billy Joe Escue [Parents]
They had the following children:
M i William David Escue F ii Suzanne Marie Escue
Milas Dee Escue [Parents] was born on 19 Jan 1903 in Haywood, Tennesee. He died on 17 Dec 1996 in Jackson, Tennessee. He married Sue Layfette.
They had the following children:
M i Billy Joe Escue
Daniel James 1 was born in 1700 in Radnor, Delaware, Pennsylvania. He died on 13 Mar 1734 in Williston, Chester, Pennsylvania. He married Susannah Maris in 1729.
Susannah Maris [Parents] 1 was born on 6 Jul 1704 in Springfield, Delaware, Pennsylvania. She married Daniel James in 1729.
Other marriages:Davis, John
James Maris [Parents] 1 was born on 28 Apr 1701 in Springfield, Delaware, Pennsylvania. He died on 15 Oct 1720 in Springfield, Delaware, Pennsylvania. He was buried in , , Delaware, Pennsylvania. He married Sarah Lewis.
Sarah Lewis 1 was born about 1700 in Springfield, Delaware, Pennsylvania. She married James Maris.
They had the following children:
M i James Maris 1 was born on 17 Dec 1720 in Springfield, Chester, Pennsylvania.