Semiquincentennial - - Revolutionary War - - Jeremiah Smith

 - #8 in a series of  posts about our family's Revolutionary War soldiers -

250 Years; 1776 - 2026

Our Family was there, from the Beginning

 

Jeremiah Smith

Born circa 1755 – after 1800

Husband of Jemimah Hollis

My 5x great grandfather

Jeremiah Smith was the first of the Smith family to be found in historical records. He was born in South Carolina circa 1755 but the names of his parents and their country of origin is still to be discovered.[i] The oldest reference to Jeremiah is in 1770 in Craven County on Lynches Creek, sometimes referred to as Great Lynches Creek or, later, as Lynches River. His name is shown as owning land adjacent to John Kirkley. Most of the land surrounding the property of these two was men was described as ‘vacant land’.[ii] In 1773 Jeremiah’s land on Lynches Creek was again referenced in land records, this time as adjoining the property of James Minzies.[iii]

            Lynches River originates in North Carolina, crosses into South Carolina where it flows for 175 miles and empties into the Pee Dee River. “In the late 1700s the Lynches attracted entrepreneurs who set up saw mills, harvested the long leaf pine, and shipped the lumber downstream to Georgetown.”[iv]

            Jeremiah Smith served in the South Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War. He served as a private in Colonel Benton’s Regiment for 29 days in March 1782 and 36 days in October 1782. In 1785 he went to the Justice of the Peace in Cheraws District to apply for compensation for his service. He also claimed 109 days service for Richard, Charles and John Smith. Were these other Smiths his brothers? This service amounted to a claim for 87 pounds. He received an additional 16 pounds sterling for beef he gave “for public use” during the war.[v]

 

Beyond the terror and pain of occasional battles, perhaps the most striking aspects of the Revolution were the unrelenting brutal conditions that soldiers were forced to endure. For the Continental Army, food, clothing, blankets, and other necessities were always in short supply, as were guns, ammunition, wagons, and horses needed to face the enemy. … Even foraging parties came up with little; the surrounding countryside had long since been looted of livestock, grain, and firewood. … On top of it all, military pay was low and unreliable; for months at a time, men were not paid at all. … Nevertheless, loyalty to the army grew.[vi]

 

Signature of Jeremiah Smith, 9 April 1790

From: South Carolina Department of Archives and History

Account Audited (File No. 7131) Of Claims Growing Out Of The American Revolution

            On 24 June 1784 Jeremiah married Jemimah Hollis, daughter of Moses Hollis and Rosannah (Hagan) Hollis.[vii]The Hollis family had been in the area for some years. Moses Hollis owned 300 acres on the Wateree River in 1768.[viii]Both Lynches Creek/River and Wateree River carve wandering lines across South Carolina but they run roughly parallel to each other.[ix] Various events, such as visiting the courthouse, could have brought the Smith and Hollis families together. 

            Moses Hollis also served in the South Carolina Militia during Revolutionary War. He served for 30 days in 1780 under General Sumpton.[x] More land records show Moses’ continued residence in the area as well as many other Hollis family members. 

            In October 1785 Jeremiah Smith had 100 acres of land on Rickey Creek in the Cheraws District.[xi] In 1788 he owned 400 acres in the Lynches Creek and Rocky Creek area.[xii]  He was in Greenville, South Carolina in 1790 when the first United States Census was taken[xiii] and in 1800 for the second census.[xiv]

            When researching the death date and location for Jeremiah Smith, I found a wide assortment of dates from 1810 to 1827, from the Carolinas to Mississippi. Because of the abundance of Jeremiah Smiths it cannot yet be determined which date and place relate to this man. 

Revolutionary War Series:

#1  William Stark Kelly, Private in the North Carolina Militia

#2 Captain John Kennington, Camden District Regiment, South Carolina Militia 

#3 Sergeant John Brumfield, Patriot & Spy South Carolina Militia 

#4 Charles Brumfield, Gave Patriotic Service

#5 Captain Johannes Ritter, Sr., Northampton Co., PA Militia

#6 Sgt. David Faulkenberruy, SC Militia 

#7 Lt. Moses Hollis, Lieutenant in the South Carolina Militia

#8 Pvt. Jeremiah Smith

#9 Richard Dillon, NC Militia 

#10 Captain Jacob Ott II, SC Militia

#11 Lt. Johann Jonas Wolf, York Co. Militia, PA

#12 Captain John Hollis, SC Militia

#13 Pvt. William Hollis, SC Militia

 

Read more about our family's pioneers & patriots.

This is my newest book, published in late 2024. It includes chapters on these families:

Alford, Ashely, Brown, Brumfield,

Fortenberry, Hollis, Kelly, Kennington,

Lawrence, Ott, Smith & Spurlock

Buy from me: Price: $95.00 + $10 shipping & packaging. No credit cards.

OR: use credit card & purchase through Troy Book Makers.

---

[i] Gurr, Cindy Brock and Dennis Ray Gurr. The Ties That Bind US Together, Volume 5 (Privatley Printed, 2006) Genealogy Gophers (gengophers.com: accessed March 2019) 131-212.

[ii] South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Colonial Plat Books; Series S213184, Volume 17, Page 500, Item 2; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) John Kirkley adj. Jeremiah Smith, 1770.

[iii] South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Colonial Plat Books; Series S213184, Volume 18, Page 445, Item 2; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) James Minzies adj. Jeremiah Smith, Great Lynches Creek, 1773.

[iv] Stevens, Robert. Lynches River; digital image, South Carolina Encyclopedia (scencylopedia.org: accessed March 2019).

[v] South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Account Audited Of Claims Growing out of the American Revolution; Series S108092, Reel 136, Frame 422; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) Jeremiah Smith. 

[vi] Daily Life in Colonial America (Pleasantville, NY: Reader’s Digest Association, INc., 1993) 6128.

[vii] Gurr, Cindy Brock and Dennis Ray Gurr. The Ties That Bind US Together, Volume 5 (Privately Printed, 2006) Genealogy Gophers (gengophers.com: accessed March 2019) 131-212.

[viii] South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Colonial Land Grants; Series S213019, Volume 16, Page 367; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) Moses Hollis, 1768.

[ix] Pruitt, A. B. Creeks and Rivers in South Carolina (Privately Printed, 2001) 14.

[x] South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Account Audited of Claims Growing Out of the American Revolution; Series S108092, Reel 72, Frame 596; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) Moses Hollis, 1780.

[xi] South Carolina Department of Archives and History. State Plat Books; Series S213190, Volume 8, Page 267, Item 1; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) Jeremiah Smith, 1785.

[xii] South Carolina Department of Archives and History. State Plat Books; Series S213190, Volume 22, Page 873, Item 2; digital image (scdah.sc.gov: accessed March 2019) Jeremiah Smith, 1788, Cheraws District.

[xiii] 1790 US Census, SC, Greenville; digital image, Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed October 2019) Jeremiah Smith. 

[xiv] 1800 US Census, SC, Greenville; digital image, Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed October 2019) Jeremiah Smith.

Anniversary: Brown & Smith, 1920 MS

 Hubert Allen Brown

1 October 1894 MS – 25 November 1971 MS

Son of Jasper Pascal Brown & Rose Ella Brumfield

Freddie Beatrice Smith

19 November 1899 – 21 April 1988 MS

Daughter of Elvin Dennie Smith & Nancy C. Smith

My Great Aunt & Uncle
Hubert & my grandfather, Roy Jessie Brown, were brothers.

Married

10 January 1920 Pike, MS

 Index to Marriage Record, White,Vol I; 1882-1942; Pike County Court House, Mississippi; ; Family History Center Microfilm #0907286; Page 34.  Freddie Smith married 10 January 1920 to Hubert A. Brown.  Book V. Page 129.

Marriage Record; 1920; State of Mississippi, Pike CountyVolume V ; Page 129;  NOTES: Hubert A. Brown and Freddie Smith, Married 10 Jan 1920.

Parents of:

Borden Hamilton Brown

Fred Allen Brown

Thiry Yvonne Brown Fegan

Lynn Holly Brown

Hugh Frances Brown

Peggy L. Brown Alford



Other January Anniversaries:

January 9, 1797.   Jacob Ott III & Margaret Jackson   
January 11, 1941  OH     Alvin Braun & Wava Mark   
19 January, 1642 Netherlands   Lambert & Annetjen Jacobs VanValkenberg 
 January 27, 1907 NY    Frank Samuel Weissberg & Florence Gardner 
January 31, 1827      Isaac Brumfield & Elizabeth Holmes   

Forget Me Not: Quimera Smith Brumfield, 1931 MS

This obituary is useful because it gives Quiver's maiden name and married name. I wish it told us more about the lady herself.

Quimera Clara Smith Brumfield

6 Sep 1855 - 11 Feb 1931 MS

Daughter of Densmore Winston Smith & Nancy L. Smith

Wife of Jesse E. Brumfield

 

 

Walthall Widow Leaves 30 Grandchildren

 

Tylertown, Feb 15 – Mrs. Quimira Smith Brumfeild, 76, widow of Jessie E. Brumfield, and a well known and highly respected member of her community, died Wednesday night at 8 p. m. at the home of her son, Ellis Brumfield, where she has lived for some time. The deceased was ill for several months before her death. She was a member of the New Zion church.

 

She is survived by four sons, Leslie Brumfield, Davis “Buddy” Brumfield, Willis Brumfield and Ellis Brumfield, all of Knoxo, and four daughters, Mrs. Fannie Brumfield Regan of Dexter; Mrs. Jessie Brumfield Kaigler of Fernwood; Mrs. Lennie Brumfield Stallings and Mrs. Eula Brumfield Ginn of Tylertown, and also thirty – three grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

 

Interment took place Thursday afternoon in the Holmes cemetery with Rev. Price of Tylertown and Rev. Hughes of Knoxo, officiating.

Source: Clarion - Ledger, Jackson MS, 16 Feb 1931, page 6

Newspapers.com

A Visit with A. S. Smith, 1892 MS

This newspaper article gives us a glimpse into the life of Adolphus Smith, my 3rd great uncle.  

 

Adolphus Scott Smith

22 Jun 1848 - 18 Oct 1921

Son of Wyatt Smith & Euseba Fortenberry

Husband of Julia Jane Simmons

 

 

While attending the Bogue Chitto Association at Silver Springs we shared the hospitality of Dr. A. S. Smith, one of the foremost men in the county. He has a fine farm of 500 acres and has a nice store at Smithsburg. His accomplished daughter, Miss Lynnie, has decorated his beautiful home with the rarest of pictures drawn and painted by herself, and his good wife presides over the household like a queen. His father, Mr. Wyatt Smith, lives with him. This good man was 82 years old in August, and having been born and reared in that neighborhood, his mind is richly stored with reminiscences of bygone days and it is a pleasure to converse with him.

 

The Magnolia Gazette, Magnolia, MS

1 October 1892, page 3

Newspapers.com

A. S. Smith, Dentist

 A. S. Smith placed many of these notices in the newspaper to advertise his dentistry practice. I selected two to share. We can see some changes in his advertisement, including "artificial teeth a speciality" in 1899. 

The Magnolia Gazette

Magnolia, MS, 28 April 1882, page 2

Newspapers.com

Adolphus Scott Smith

22 Jun 1848 - 18 Oct 1921

Son of Wyatt Smith & Euseba Fortenberry

Husband of Julia Jane Simmons

My 3x great uncle

The Magnolia Gazette

Magnolia, MS, 11 Feb. 1899, page 4

Newspapers.com

Stolen Beehives, 1886 MS

In 1886 the theft of these beehives was probably a serious situation. However, it makes me smile to read about the bread and biscuits left behind at the scene of the crime. Did the thief spread the honey on the bread and have a feast on the spot? I wonder if the hives were ever found and if more were stolen. 

 

 

 

Jeremiah Smith

30 Apr 1821 Pike, MS - 13 May 1894 MS

Son of Jeremiah George Smith & Joanna Dillon

Husband of Pernesia Smith

My 4^th great uncle

 

Mr. Jeremiah Smith whose beehives were stolen some time since, we understand, declines to prosecute the intruders. He found near the spot a basket of cold bread and biscuit probably left to reserve for another haul; from the amount of bread found the gentleman believes that sooner or later all of his fifty bee-hives will be stolen.

 

The Magnolia Gazette

Magnolia, MS, 2 July 1886, page 2

Newspapers.com

1904 Reunion, Smith & Alford Families, MS

This is a wonderful little newspaper notice. Just imagine 1,000 family members gathered together for a reunion! I wish some of the names were listed. 

 

Smith and Alford Families Reunion

 

Jackson, Miss., July 12 – The Smith and Alford families held a reunion in Pike county a few days since that was attended by 1,000 persons, all related, and all from two families of Smiths and Alfords who settled on Silver Creek, a beautiful little stream about 100 years ago when all south Mississippi was an unbroken wilderness. The children of the two families married and intermarried, and married into other families until they are several thousand strong. The orator of the day was a Smith – Alford from Houston, Texas.

 

Vicksburg Evening Post

Vicksburg, MS, 12 July 1904, page 1

 

 

Here are my Alford – Smith marriages:

 

Edwin Barksdale Alford (1792 – 1878) & Martha P. Smith (1802 – 1861) m. 1818 MS

My 3x great grandparents

 

Eugene Booth Alford (1882 – 1949) & Sarah Emma Smith (1885 – 1965)

 

Jacob Lauhon Alford (1834 – 1884) & Sarah Ann Smith

 

Martha Aner Alford (1867 – 1926) & William Jasper Smith (1862 – 1950) m. 1887

 

Noel Waddell Alford (1838 – 1915) & Mary Elizabeth Smith

 

Sarah Simmons Alford & Sidney L. Smith (1876 – 1942) m. 1901

 

 Do You have any Alford - Smith families in Your Tree?

 

 

1900 Flood Waters in MS

This report of flood damage reaches out to us from over a century ago. Buildings and animals were washed away by the rising waters of the Bogue Chitto. The people whose property was destroyed are names from our family tree: Smith, Brumfield & Simmons. We can specifically identify A. S. Smith, my 3^rd great uncle. 

 

 

Adolphus Scott Smith

22 Jun 1848 - 18 Oct 1921

Son of Wyatt Smith & Euseba Fortenberry

Husband of Julia Jane Simmons

 

 

 

Terrible Destruction

 

Dr. A. S. Smith returned Saturday from a visit to his farm at Smithburg, and reports great damage done by the high water below there. Bogue Chitto was above high water at Dillon. The gallery on Dort Smith’s residence was washed off also his blacksmith shop; Mr. William Collins lost the gallery to his residence and outhouses. Mr. Jasper Simmons lost his smoke house and a large quantity of meat; Mr. Louis Brumfield lost four yoke of oxen, six horses and several cows and calves and a fine surry was also washed away. He lives five miles from Franklinton, and is so far the greatest sufferer we have heard of. – Magnolia Gazette

 

The McComb City Enterprise

McComb, MS, 26 April 1900, page 6

Newspapers.com

Forget Me Not: Eliza Jane Brock Smith, 1899 MS

I enjoy reading old obituaries because of the wording. Eliza is called a "gentle spirit." When she died "God’s sweet messenger came and silently beckoned her away." These are not phrases I see today when I read obituaries. 

 Eliza Jane Brock Smith

July 1858 Pike Co., MS - 21 Jun 1899 MS

Wife of Jarratt Cylmon Smith

Jarratt is my 1st cousin, 4x removed

The gentle spirit of Mrs. E. J. Smith was called from earth to heaven June 21, 1899.

 

It is said Death loves a shining mark and the saying was never more plainly illustrated than in the death of Mrs. Smith.  

 

She was born in Pike county, Miss., July 1858, and was 41 years of age when God’s sweet messenger came and silently beckoned her away. She was converted at an early age and united with the Bogue Chitto Baptist church in 1869, and remained a faithful member.

 

She was married to Mr. J. C. Smith, of Dillon, Pike county, Miss., October 3, 1878, where and with whom all her after life was spent until death summoned her away.

 

She possessed a kind and loving disposition, and to know her was to love her. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a true friend, and her death has cast a gloom of sorrow over the entire community. 

 

A while before she breathed her last she spoke of dying. Her faith in Christ was strong, and all that troubled her was leaving her loved ones and friends, and she hoped to meet them all in heaven.

 

She will be missed in the home, in the church, and in the community. She was always ready to visit the sick and distressed. Her life was spent doing good deeds and she was a consecrated Christian. Her doors were always open to orphan children and those that were blessed with her tender care will ever cherish sweet memories of Aunt Eliza. 

 

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Willis Fortenberry.

 

She leaves a husband, son and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. May God comfort them, and while our hearts are filled with grief we feel that our loss is her gain, and may we live as she lived and “some sweet day” we will meet again.

 

Source: Died. (Magnolia, MS: Magnolia Gazette, 12 July 18994; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed May 2022. ) 

Related Posts:

• Smith Family in Maps of Pike Co., MS
• Murder of 2 Smith Brothers
• Jeremiah Smith

 

 

Forget Me Not; Lynn H Brown, 2016 MS

Lynn Holly Brown

22 January 1932 MS – 20 February 2016

Son of Hubert Allen Brown & Freddie Smith

Husband of Beverly Thames

Korean War Veteran

 

My 1^st cousin, 1x removed

 

Lynn Holly Brown, 84, of Osyka, passed away Feb. 20, 2016 at Aston Court in McComb. Visitation is 9 a. m. Thursday at Silver Springs Baptist Church until services at 11, with Bro. Wayne Hall officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Jones Family Funeral Services of McComb.

 

Mr. Brown was born Jan. 22, 1932, in Progress, the son of Hubert and Freddie Smith Brown. He graduated from Progress High School in 1950. He served four years in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of the Silver Creek Masonic Lodge No. 410 for 50 years and was Past Master.

 

He enjoyed farming and golfing, but mostly he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was retired from Mac Millan Bloedel.

 

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly Thames Brown; a son, Craig Brown; and three brothers, Fred Allen, Borden and Hugh (Duke) Brown.

 

Survivors include his son, Wade Brown and wife Cindy of McComb; two daughters, Holly Brown and Carmen Davis and husband Stanton, all of McComb; two sisters, Thiry Fegan of Magnolia and Peggy Alford and husband George of Tylertown; 11 grandchildren, Christy Brown, Craig Brown, Keri Brown, Chris Brown, Damon Jones, Kassie Brown, Katie Brown, Clint Brown, Erik Jones, DeWayne Brown and Austin Jones; and 12 great grandchildren.

 

 

Source: Lynn Holly Brown. (McComb, MS: Enterprise – Journal, 23 Feb 2016) A003; digital image, Newspapers.com: accessed May 2021.

Related Post:

• Soldiers in Our Family (on my website)