Richard Smithers (abt. 1666 - bef. 1731)

Born about 1666 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Blanche (Wells) Smithers — married 14 Feb 1701 in St. George's Parish, Baltimore, Province of Maryland

Husband of Philizanna (Maxwell) Smithers — married 18 Aug 1709 in St. George's Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland

Husband of Mary (Phillips) Smithers — married about 1726 (to 1731) in Baltimore, Province of Maryland

Descendants

Died before 18 May 1731 before about age 65 in Kent, Province of Maryland

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Biography

Richard Smithers was a Maryland colonist.

Origin

Little is known of the background of Richard Smithers. No record of anyone with the Smithers surname could be found among the index of Maryland's early settlers. Some information can be gained from two Baltimore County deeds in which Arthur Taylor conveys part of a tract of land located in the Gunpowder River area called Arthur's Choice to two brothers who were the sons of his wife, Frances Taylor, by a previous marriage. The eldest brother named James Smithers received his 150 acre part in 1683 and the younger brother, Richard Smithers, was given a 75 acre part in 1687.^[1] The year of this deed is used to estimate Richard's year of birth as 1666, assuming he was aged 21 to own real estate.

Tax List

Richard Smithers appears on the list of taxables for the south side of Gunpowder Hundred in 1694.^[2][3]

Property Records

Richard is also connected in a deed to a Baltimore County planter named James Ives who left him land in his will. Ives died without direct heirs so his will left all his real estate except what was before bequeathed to Richard Smithers. Richard & his wife Blanche sold some of this land to John Hall in 1708^[4]

On 2 FEB 1720 Richard recorded deeds of gift among Baltimore County land records for his two sons which were addressed to John Stokes, his brother-in-law. (were his children living with his brother-in-law at the time?) To his son John he gave 2 negro children, a girl named Betty the offspring of Betty the wife to Old Peter, also a boy called Joe the offspring of Doll belonging now to Mrs. Marshall. The gift to his son George says “pray for the use of my son” 2 negro children, a girl called Margret the offspring of Hannah belonging to Mrs. Marshall, and a girl named Sarah, the offspring of Betty. The said negroes to him & his heirs forever.^[5]

In 1724 Richard Smithers recorded several deeds of gift for his children. The items given to his sons were horses and cows and he gave his daughter, Blanche, a negro girl named Hannah who was the daughter of Betty. ^[6] By 5 SEP 1724 John Smithers was old enough to own land so his father gave him several different tracts. The first one listed was 225 acres being part of Stony Point which was located between a tract called Planters Delight belonging to the heirs of George Wells and 275 acres of Colletts Point on the bay side. ^[7]

On 4 MAY 1725 a record was made in Baltimore County deeds stating John Stokes had paid, at the special instance and request of Richard Smithers, several creditors of Richard’s as his own proper debts amounting to the sum of £300 sterling. In exchange for the debt payment, Richard conveyed to him part of Stony Point.^[8]

Richard was probably concerned about his old age on 4 MAY 1725 when Richard Smithers, gent. of Baltimore County, signed a bill of sale to register an obligation binding himself to John Stokes , whom he gave £100. Stokes was obligated to provide Richard with sufficient meat, washing and lodging and a payment of 2,000 pounds of tobacco a year during Richard’s natural life. In exchange, Richard signed over all of his personal estate to Stokes.^[9] John Stokes likely married Richard's daughter Blanche because later in life he owned much of the land inherited by Blanche from the Wells and Goldsmith families. More research is needed.

Marriage & Children

The marriage of Richard Smithers and Blanche Wells was recorded in St. George's Parish register as follows:

Richard Smithers of Baltimore County was joyned to Mrs. Blanch Wells Spinster the 14th day of February in the year of our Lord 1700." ^[10]

Blanche came to her marriage with Richard owning several large tracts of land in Baltimore County inherited from her father, mother and brothers. She died 19 MAR 1709 and was the mother of three children:

1. Blanche Smithers b. 28 FEB 1702
2. John Smithers b. 3 AUG 1704
3. George Smithers. b. 29 JAN 1708/09^[11]

Richard married to his second wife to Philizanna Maxwell and his third wife was Mary Philips, the daughter of James Philips. ^[11]

Death

Richard Smithers’ will was hard to find in Maryland records because his name was written as Smothers by the clerk at the time it was entered in the liber. It is a complicated document and can be read online at the link entered below. An abstract follows: I Richard Smothers of Kent County in the Province of Maryland being sick & weak. . .

• to my wife Mary all lands which she had a right to when I married her then as the widow of Mr. John Carville.
• I confirm a deed made by me & my wife on 17 AUG 1723 to Mrs. Martha Paca for the payment of Carville’s debts and the portions of his children.
• for the support of my wife and to enable her to bring up and educate my daughter Blanche (the rest is confusing).
• to my daughter Blanche all my things formerly brought over the bay and my violin, and my riding horse called Blaze.
• to John Carville my saddle & bridle.
• to my dear brother James Smothers all my wearing apparel.
• to Parker Hall my gun.
• to Peter Lester my chest of tools.
• to my son John Smothers my hat & wig.

Signed by Richard Smothers with his mark on 23 DEC 1730 and witnessed by Wm. Graves, Phebe Carville and Anthony Noleman. Addition made on 30 DEC 1730 to give all the residue of his estate to his wife. Probated 18 MAY 1731.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber RM HS folio 68 & 262
2. ↑ William N. Wilkins, Maryland Genealogical Notes: Early Parishes and Hundreds, Baltimore County, Maryland, including Tax Lists Years 1692, 1964, 1695, (typescript, 1954), 11; images, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/272532/ : accessed 14 Feb 2024).
3. ↑ BALTIMORE COUNTY COURT (Proceedings) 1693-1695, Liber G, No. 1, folio 273, Richard Smithers; images, Maryland State Archives, (https://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/item.aspx?ID=C400-2 : accessed 14 Feb 2024), image 246.
4. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber RM HS folio 629.
5. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber TR DS folio 293
6. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber IS G folio 141, 195 & 304
7. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber IS G folio 381
8. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber IS H 125
9. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber IS I folio 33
10. ↑ St. George's Parish, Harford Co. Register image 1036/page 196
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Barnes, Robert W. “ Colonial Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland” Westminster, MD: Willow Bend Books: 2000
12. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills of Maryland Liber 20 folio 177 [1]

Notes

The Registrar uses the title "Mrs." and "Spinster" but the definition of Spinster is: "term referring to an unmarried woman who is older than what is perceived as the prime age range during which women usually marry, and equivalent male is BACHELOR. " (never married)

Baltimore County Families, 1659-1759

Maryland, U.S., Calendar of Wills, 1635-1743

Maryland, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1772-1890

Maryland, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1634-1777