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William Morgan Smith[1]

Male 1818 - 1896  (77 years)


Personal Information    |    Media    |    Sources    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name William Morgan Smith 
    Born 2 Sep 1818  Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 2 Aug 1896  Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I12834  My Reynolds Line
    Last Modified 4 Aug 2022 

    Father George Kenan Smith, Jr.,   b. 15 Jan 1778, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Jun 1845, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 67 years) 
    Mother Susanna "Sucky" Hartman Adkins,   b. Abt 1785, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Oct 1851, Will Date Pittsylvania Co., Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 66 years) 
    Married Bef 1811  Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F3704  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Rebecca Frances Hodnett,   b. 28 Sep 1832, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Jul 1904, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years) 
    Children 
     1. Mary Jane 'Mollie' Smith,   b. 31 Mar 1859, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Mar 1939, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years)
    Last Modified 9 May 2012 
    Family ID F3987  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Documents
    Thomas P Smith-Obit
    Thomas P Smith-Obit
    Richmond Times Dispatch
    May 27, 1927

  • Sources 
    1. [S32] Find-A-Grave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66439553/william-morgan-smith.
      William Morgan Smith

      Birth: 2 Sep 1818, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
      Death: 2 Aug 1896 (aged 77)
      Pittsylvania County, Virginia
      Burial: William M. Smith
      Museville, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
      Born on his father's plantation on Tomahawk Creek, near Museville, died on his plantation on Tomahawk Creek, near Museville.

      Married 02/18/1856 in Pittsylvania Co., VA to Rebecca Frances Hodnett.

      Their issue:
      1. Coleman Hodnett Smith (1856-1861)
      2. Mary Jane "Mollie" Smith (1859-1939)
      3. Beheathland Bathsheba "Billie" Smith (1861-1861)
      4. James Jackson Smith (1863-1919)
      5. Frances Lucy "Fannie" Smith (1865-1949)
      6. Dr. George L. Smith, M.D. (1869-1948)
      7. Thomas Philip Smith (1871-1927)
      8. Jabez Jones "Jabe" Smith (1874-?)

      This cemetery may be part of his father's cemetery, the George K. Smith Cemetery, since William inherited that part of his father's estate.

      One source states he was born 1816.

      He owned a very large plantation and hundreds of slaves along Tomahawk Creek. After being set free, his slaves continues to live with him making it profitable for him.
      During the Civil War he lost a leg but this did not seem to handicap him in anyway.
      He once rode horseback alone to Kentucky with nine thousand dollars in his pocket and purchased 1000 acres of land from a Mr. Grubb for himself, Mr. Joe Reynolds and Ward Reynolds which extended from Green Pond back to Bearskin Creek, etc.
      He and wife were buried at their old home place where the home and tombstones still stand (1953).

      Will of William Smith- Pittsylvania Co., Va. - Will Bk. 4, pg. 186:

      I William Smith of Pittsylvania County and State of Virginia, do make this my last will and testament revoking all wills made at anytime heretofore by me.
      I. I have given heretofore to my daughter Mollie J. one thousand dollars worth of real estate at Mineola, all of my interest at that place, and beside this I bequeath to her at my death 100 ¼ acres of land lying on both sides of Bearskin Creek adjoining Daniel Craddock and others land formerly owned by said Craddock, this to be her entire share of my real estate.
      II. I have heretofore give to my son James J. 180 acres of land on Banister, and besides this I bequeath to him at my death, the balance of my estate on Banister of 108 acres adjoining Wilson Mitchell and others, this to be his entire share of my real estate.
      III. I give to my daughter Fannie L. to take possession this fall of 1896 a one half interest in the Grubb tract of 235 acres on waters of Bearskin adjoining Booker Reynolds and others and besides this I bequeath to her at my death a one half interest in the Kate Smith tract of 170 acres on Tomahawk Creek adjoining Ralph Smith and others, this to be her entire share of my real estate.
      IV. I give to my son George L. to take possession of this fall of 1896 one half interest with my daughter Fannie in the Grubb tract of 235 acres situate as above stated and besides this I bequeath to him at my death, a one half interest with my daughter Fannie in the Kate Smith tract of 170 acres situated as above this to be his entire share in my real estate.
      V. I bequeath to my son Thomas P. at my death the south portion of my home tract lying next to Ralph Smith on both sides of Tomahawk Creek containing 250 acres, the dividing line having been run between this and the north portion.
      (A) I bequeath furthermore to my son Thomas P. equal use with my son Jabez on whose portion it is situate of a tobacco pit and pack room above, it being the old granary until he can or shall have built one of his own.
      (B) I bequeath furthermore to my son Thomas P. for a period of eight years that portion of my orchard lying west of my garden at the home place until he shall have had time to have one his own, this to be his entire share in my real estate.
      VI. I bequeath to my son Jabez at my death the north portion of my home tract lying on both sides of Tomahawk Creek adjoining J.C. Anderson and others on which is situate my home house containing 249 ¾ acres excepting the privileges granted in clause V. A & B section and VIII. clause section (A) this to be his entire portion of my real estate.
      VII. I bequeath to Rena Adkins on good behavior as long as I live or until she becomes 21 years of age 1 good milch (milk) cow, 1 trundle bed stead, 1 feather bed, 1 straw tick,1 blanket and 3 quilts.
      VIII. (A) Should my wife Rebecca outlive me I bequeath to her the exclusive use of my dwelling house yard garden and one third of the orchard as long as she may live.
      (B) missing????
      (C) I furthermore devise the sum of $100.00 yearly be paid to her by all my children equally as long as she may live for her support.
      IX. At my demise all my personal property (except that which my wife may wish to keep for her own use) except also that stated in clause VII. to Rena Adkins shall be sold the debts paid if any, the balance to be equal, divided between all my children. The portion kept by my wife at her death to be sold and equally divided between all my children.
      X. Should my son Thomas P. or Jabez die unmarried and without heirs their portion shall be equally divided between my other children.
      XI. I give the right of way of any of my children to cross any other child's portion to the public road.
      XII. My son Jabez is not to dispose of any of his real estate without the consent of two of his brothers provided that any two be living at the time he may wish to do so.
      XIII. I appoint my son Thomas P. as my executor in this my last will.
      Signed and sealed in the presence Of the annexed witnesses this the seal
      4th day of June 1896.
      Witnesses - Wm. Smith Jr., James Anderson, C.W. Anderson

      At a County Court held for the County of Pittsylvania at the Courthouse thereof on Monday the 17 day of August 1896. The last will and testament of William Smith late of this county deceased, was this day fully provedby the oaths of C.W. Anderson and James Anderson two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and was thereupon ordered to be recorded, And in themotion of T.P. Smith the only executor named in the said will who madeoath as the law directs and entered into a bond in the penalty of twelve hundred dollars conditioned according to law with John C. Anderson his suety therein (who justified on oath as to his sufficiency and which said bond being acknowledged by the oblijors therein is ordered to be recorded)certificate is granted the said T.P. Smith for obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form.
      W. B. Sherpard, Clk.