John Smith (abt. 1802 - 1856)

Born about 1802 in County Roscommon, Ireland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 1856 at about age 54 in Jordan Township, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Morgan Land, Pennsylvania One Place Study.

[This profile is under revision. - Manager Donna Smith Hughes]

John Smith was born about 1802 in County Roscommon, Ireland. ^{[1] [2]}

His parents are unknown, although if a common Irish Catholic naming pattern was followed, his father was likely James Smith.

John Smith married Catharine Killian in Ireland. Their first son, James, was born in Ireland in 1824. Due to the suppression of Catholism until 1829, there are few records of births, baptisms, or marriages. The date of James birth is known from reporting once they were in the U.S.^[3]

John Smith, Catharine, and James, likely arrived in New York, USA, on 9 Jun 1830. In the Clearfield County Naturalization Index, there are three John Smiths.

They traveled to Schuykill County, Pennsylvania. His son, John, was born there in 1834. The same year they moved to Clearfield County.

On 26 Dec 1836, John, age 38, filed a naturalization application in Schuylkill County. He was granted citizenship in Clearfield County on 30 Aug 1841.^[4][5]

John Smith was born in County Roscommon, Ireland. His wife, Catherine "Kate" Killian, was also born in County Roscomon, Ireland. [The county location of their births in Ireland was reported in the biosketch of their son, John Smith, who died in 1909 in Renovo.]^[6]

John and Catharine (Killian) Smith (Date unknown)

Neither John nor Catherine could read or write.

John Smith and Catharine Killian were married in Ireland. If their first child, James, was born within the first year of their marriage, they were married in 1833.

John and "Kate's" first child, James Smith, was born on 4 Jan 1824, in Sligo, Ireland, before they came to the U.S.^[7][8]

On 9 Jun 1830, John Smith, arrived in New York. He applied for citizenship in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on 26 Dec 1836. He was granted citizenship on 30 Aug 1941.^[9]

In 1834, John and Catharine lived in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. This is where their second child, John, was born. They moved to Jordan Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, the same year.^[10]

On 1 Sep 1840, John Smith signed a mortgage for 102 acres to Richard Peters of Philadelphia for $386. He made one payment of $193 on the first day.^[11]

In 1840, John Smith and his family lived in Jordan Township, Clearfield County, Pa. Six "free, white persons" lived in their household.

• Two persons age 20-49, parents, John and "Kate."
• Four children under age 20, three boys and one girl.
• One female child under age 5, Mary Ann, born 1838.
• One male child age 10 to 14, James, born 1824.
• One male child age 5 to 9, John, born 1834.
• One male child age 1 to 5, Thomas, born 1836.^[12]

There was a ten year gap between the birth of the first and second child. This is unusual. The causes could be a long separation between a husband and wife or the death of babies in those years.

On 3 Aug 1840, John Smith bought 102 acres of land from Richard Peters in Jordan Township, Clearfield County, for $200. It was bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a post in the line of land of David Wise thence by said land and land inteneded to be conveyed to Simon Parsons, south 40 degree east one hundre and sevent five perches to a hemlock thence south forty nine degrees west one hundred and four perches to apost thence south thirty five degrees west one hundred and seventy five perches to a Dogwoos thence norther forty nine degree east ninety four perches to the peace of beginning containing one hundred and two acres. .... being part of the larger survey called Antrim Survey per Warrant of 16th May 1793 to Jacob Cox and duly patented by the Commonwealth of Penns. to Rich. Peters (deceased) by Patent dated 26th day of March AD 1797.

In 1850, John Smith lived in Jordan Township with his wife, "Kate," and seven children: John, age 16; Thomas, age 14; Mary Ann, age 12; Martin, age 10; Joseph D., age 8; Matthew, age 4; and Frances, age 2. On the census, John reports no age, no profession, and no place of birth. He reports that he cannot read or write. His wife, Catharine, age, 45 said that she was born in Ireland. John, age 16, was a farmer, and attended school. Thomas, age 14, also attended school.^[13]

In 1850, James, age 26, the oldest son, is not living with the family. It appears he separated from the family at a relatively early age and lived apart from the family. ^[14]

The 1850 Agriculture Farm Census

In 1850, there was an Agricultural census. In Jordan Township there were 74 farms. The average size of a farm was 143 acres. The averaged number of improved acres per farm, which means there were cleared and in production for crops and pasture were 55. The average value of a farm was $1887.^[15]

John Smith owned 100 acres of land, 60 acres was improved land, meaning that it had been cleared and was being farmed or pastured, and had 40 acres of unimproved land, meaning it was still forested. The estimated cash value of the farm was $1000. The value of the farming implements and machinery was $120.^[16]

In Jordan Township, the average farm had 2 horses, 3 "milch" cows, 10 sheep; and 6 hogs. John Smith had 2 horses; 1 "milch" cow; 4 sheep; and 1 hog. The value of the livestock was $105.^[16]

In Jordan Township, the average farm produced 82 bushels of wheat, and 22 bushels of rye, 58 bushels of corn, 110 bushels of oats, and 8 bushels of potatoes, 7 tons of hay, and 136 pounds of butter. John Smith's farm produced 100 bushels of wheat; 60 bushels of rye; 20 bushels of Indian corn; 50 bushels of oats; 10 pounds of wool; 100 pounds of butter; and 3 tons of hay. The value of animals slaughtered was $36.^[16]

1852 - 1856

In late Dec 1852 or early Jan 1853, Joseph David Smith, age 12, was kicked by a horse and died a few hours later.^[17]

John Smith died in 1856, at the age of 54, from which his estimated birth date was 1802. Catherine (Killian) Smith died in 1885, at the age of 80, from which her estimated birth date was 1805."^[18][19]

According to a local history, John Smith was the first person buried in the Catholic (St. Aloysius) cemetery. It must have been the middle of winter because "the snow was drifted so deep that they drove over tops of apple trees in getting to the cemetery."^[20]

John Smith's will, was dated 3 Feb 1855, and probated 3 May 1856. The will mentions his wife, Catharine; his sons James, Matthew, Michael, and Francis; and his daughter Mary Ann. The will does not mention his three sons John, Thomas, or Martin. The witnesses wee Michael Killion and Thomas Sedwith, S. M. The executors of his estate are Catharine Smith and Michael Killion. (On 3 Apr 1856, Michael Killion renunciated his role as executor.)

John Smith's Will

"It is my wish that all my real estate, chattels, and movable property remain as they stand at present and continue in the possession of my wife, Catherine, as long as she lives; and that all property except the real estate be valued within 14 days after my death, and that the amount of said valuation be divided into three equal parts, and that Matthew, Michael and Francis, my sons, now laboring under bodily infirmities be entitled each, after my wife, Catherine's death, to one of the above mentioned parts of the said movable property in addition to an equal share of what the real estate will bring after my wife, Katherine's death. The fruits and products of the said property after the support of the family yearly will be at the entire disposal of my wife, Catherine, and she is empowered to give a cow and whatever else she may wish to confer on Mary Anne, when she is entitled to her liberty. It is my earnst request that Michael get good schooling to prepare him for some profession whereby he may be enabled in after life to make a living. I hearby authorize my Executors to allow him his part of the movable property even before he becomes of age, to be expended for educational purposes, as they in their wisdom may most likely to fit him for said profession.

It is my wish that after my wife’s death, or when all my children are of age, that all my property be sold at public sale and that an equal portion be given to each of them, except to my son, James, to whom I have already given a child’s part, and except the reservations made above in favor of Michael, Matthew, Francis and Mary Anne.

It is my earnest request that all my lawful debts be discharged as soon as possible, and that I be buried according to the rites and ceremonies of the Catholic Religion, in which I die a devoted and obedient member.

Comments: John Smith is very generous to his wife, Catharine. I have read many wills in which the man only leave the estate and belongings to his wife as long as she remains a widow. If she remarries, she must give all land and possessions to other family members. Matthew and Frank were deaf mutes, so their infirmaties are well known. It is unclear what infirmity, Michael seemed to have at this young age. He does not appear to suffer from one throughout his life and lives to the age of 75, when he died of stomach cancer.

Sources

1. ↑ When John Smith died in 1856, he was reported to be 54 years old, so his birthdate is 1802. Pennsylvania County History Scrapebooks. Clearfield County, Volume 28. p. 122. https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniacoun28unse/page/n11/mode/2up
2. ↑ History of Clearfield County, Written and Compiled by Local Historians. (p. 138, Published by Matt Savage, 1897, Reassembled from multiple sources by Dianne Yarger, 2010,
3. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27000895/james-smith: accessed April 27, 2024), memorial page for James Smith (4 Jan 1824–29 Jun 1895), Find a Grave Memorial ID 27000895, citing Orbisonia Cemetery, Orbisonia, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Kat (contributor 19409629).
4. ↑ Naturalization Records of Clearfield County, 1822-1862. Prepared by Robert J. Allison, Curator, Clearfield County Historical Society, p. 48
5. ↑ Clearfield County Naturalization Index, 1800-1865. Submitted by Eric Nagle. http://www.pa-roots.com/clearfield/data/naturalizationindex.html
6. ↑ Brief Sketch of the Life of the Late John Smith, Esq. The Renovo Record," 22 Jan 1909, p. 1.
7. ↑ In the 1850 census, James was 24 years old. "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4HQ-ZP3 : Fri Sep 15 19:00:06 UTC 2023), Entry for John Smith and Catherine Smith, 1850.
8. ↑ Birth date inscribed on James Smith's headstone. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27000895/james-smith
9. ↑ Clearfield Naturalization Index 1800-1865, Compiled by Eric Nagle, http://www.pa-roots.com/clearfield/data/naturalizationindex.html
10. ↑ History of Clearfield County, Written and Compiled by Local Historians (p. 138)
11. ↑ Clearfield Deeds, 1837-1843. Image 544 of 761. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSX1-Z4DM-3?view=fullText&keywords=John%20Smith%2CSmith%2CJohn%2CClearfield%20County%20Clearfield%20County%2CPennsylvania%2CClearfield%2CCounty&groupId=TH-909-67480-197474-48
12. ↑ Year: 1840; Census Place: Jordan, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Roll: 317; Page: 500; Image: 641; Family History Library Film 0020560.
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4HQ-ZP3 : Fri Sep 15 19:00:06 UTC 2023), Entry for John Smith and Catherine Smith, 1850.
14. ↑ 1850 Census: "1850 United States Federal Census," database
    The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Mifflintown, Juniata, Pennsylvania; Roll: 786; Page: 275a; Line Number: 26
    Ancestry Record 8054 #26875 (accessed 2 October 2023)
    James Smith (26), Laborer, in Mifflintown, Juniata, Pennsylvania, USA. Born in Ireland.
15. ↑ https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/1850-Agricultural-Census/Documents/clearfield_county_1850_census_data.pdf
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2} ps://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/1850-Agricultural-Census/Documents/clearfield_county_1850_census_data.pdf
17. ↑ Clearfield Republican, January 21, 1853. (Transcribed by Shirley Pierce, Uploaded Saturday, 31 January 2009.)
18. ↑ Pennsylvania County History Scrapebooks. Clearfield County, Volume 28. p. 122. https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniacoun28unse/page/n11/mode/2up
19. ↑ History of Clearfield County, Written and Compiled by Local Historians (p. 138)
20. ↑ History of Clearfield County, Written and Compiled by Local Historians, John Smith was 54 years old when he died in 1856. (p. 127, Published by Matt Savage, 1897, Reassembled from multiple sources by Dianne Yarger, 2010).

• 1850 Census John; Catherine, 48; John, 16; Thomas, 14; Mary Ann, 12; Martin, 10; Joseph, 8; Matthew, 4; Francis, 2

Year: 1850; Census Place: Jordan, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_768; Page: 370A; Image: 178