John Williams Smith (1848 - 1923)

Born 26 Jan 1848 in Erwinna, Bucks, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Eva C. (Barber) Smith — married 15 Oct 1873 in Lambertville, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States

Descendants

Died 11 Jul 1923 at age 75 in Stockton, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States

Biography

This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import. It's a rough draft and still needs to be edited, but it's getting much better!

Birth

John Williams Smith was born on January 26, 1848 in Erwinna, Bucks, Pennsylvania to Jonas Smith and Ann Eliza Williams.

Marriage

He married Eva C. Barber (note that this was marrying out of meeting).... What is interesting about their marriage record is that it says that he was a resident of North Carolina. As far as I know, he never lived there. HOWEVER, it is conceivable that he made a "business trip" there (probably "shopping" for mill-related items. "Aunt Betty Stout" (nee Coltrain), who was a long-time family friend of Charles Austin Smith and Edith May (Sherwood) Smith, was born in North Carolina and moved to New Jersey before 1880. She is enumerated in John and Eva's household in both the 1880 and 1900 censuses as a domestic servant. I suspect that John somehow "helped" her to make the trip from North Carolina to New Jersey -- possibly even traveling with her.

The Mill at Stockton, New Jersey

Even though it skipped a few generations, John Williams Smith had milling in his blood. His father, Jonas Smith (a tailor), was descended from the Smith family who owned and operated the mill at what was then known as Smithtown, PA. (This was in Bucks County, in the area of Tinicum Township.) John W. Smith bought the mill at Prallsville (just north of Stockton), which had been named for the Prall family. After his sons were old enough to be actively involved in the running of the mill, the company was known as J. W. Smith and Sons.

Religious life and Community involvement

John Williams Smith was a birthright Quaker. However, at some point (probably during his lifetime), his family left the Quaker faith. Only one of his children was married in meeting. John Williams Smith is NOT buried at Buckingham Friends in Lahaska, PA with his parents. I could be wrong, but I do not believe that any of his three sons are buried there either. (Note: I do not know where Joseph Smith, Senior is buried. If any of the three sons are buried at Buckingham, he's the most likely candidate.) John's wife, Eva (Barber) Smith, was very involved in the Stockton Presbyterian church, as was his mother in later years. (Note: Eva definitely belonged to the Presbyterian church. I'm not certain whether Ann Eliza (Williams) Smith was involved in the Presbyterian church or the Methodist Episcopal church of Stockton!)

Death

11 JUL 1923

Stockton, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States

Attach sources

Burial

John W. Smith was buried in Barber Burying Ground, near Lambertville, Hunterdon, New Jersey with his wife and her ancestors.

Attach link to findagrave here

Will

Names his three sons, his namesake (John Frankenfield of Philadelphia), his two (unmarried) Barber sisters-in-law, and all of his grandchildren (except Stanley's child who died young) are also named in the will.

Hunterdon County Estate INDEX Images 123-4, Line 36

There IS info in the Orphans Court records -- probably concerning his grandchildren. I believe that Joseph Smith's children were the only minors living in Hunterdon County who were named in John W. Smith's will.

(Transcribed from the handwritten sheets of paper in the red genealogy binder. The original probate packet is around here somewhere.)

Will of John W. Smith

Probated 23 July 1923

I, John W. Smith, of Stockton, NJ.

Revoke all previous wills & codicils

All just debts & funeral expenses to be paid

To each of my grandchildren, Edgar S. Smith, Joseph Smith, Janet W. Smith, Eva Barber Smith, Dorothy K. Smith, Arnold W. Smith & Mary Grace Smith, a $100 liberty bond.

To my oldest son living at time of my death, the ancient 8-day clock, during his life, & then to revert to my oldest grandson then living, provided he is man of excellent character & good habits, but if he is not, then to go to the next oldest grandchild who fills the above requirements. This clock came from the Erwin family, about 1840, to my Aunt Mary P. Smith (who with her father occupied the Erwin house at Erwinna for many years) who in her last will bequeathed it to Isaiah P. Smith to hold as long as he desired & then to go to John W. Smith. Said Mary P. Smith will filed in Doylestown, Pa.

To my deceased wife's sister Anna M. Barber $200 yearly in semi-annual installments during life. To my deceased wife's sister Elizabeth K. Barber $300 yearly in semi-annual installments during life. Upon death of either, her annuity to be paid her survivor during life.

To Anna M. Barber & Elizabeth K. Barber, or survivor, furniture, bedding & household goods sufficient to furnish small house or apt. If during my life I purchase a dwelling in Lambertville suitable for their occupancy, they shall have dwelling free of rent as long as either lives, all taxes, insurance, exterior repairs, heating apparatus & plumbing paid by my estate. If I do not purchase such a dwelling, to Anna & Eliz. Barber, additionally $250 annually to assist in paying rent for a dwelling.

All my clothing to be disposed of by gift to members of my family or to worthy or needy people.

To John W. Frankenfield, who was named for me & who now resides at 4106 N. 8th St., Phila., $100.

To my son Joseph Smith, lot in Prallsville & dwelling now occupied by him, which I purchased from Jane Bodine & John Bodine. Joseph Smith to claim nothing for improvements thereon for which he has paid.

To my son Charles A. Smith, $2,400 & to my son Stanley W. Smith, $2,400

All residue of estate to my 3 sons, Charles A. Smith, Joseph Smith & Stanley W. Smith, equally.

All inheritance taxes paid out of my estate.

Executors: My 3 sons, Charles A. Smith

Joseph Smith

Stanley W. Smith

without bond

Will dated 28 March 1923

Witnesses: John S. Wilson

Egbert T. Bush

Note

Stockton Forms New Fire Company Has New House, New Apparatus and New Water System--Officers

Date: Friday, February 7, 1908  

Paper: Trenton Evening Times (Trenton, NJ)  

Page: 7  

Image SAVED

Census Records

20 SEP 1850

Tinicum, Bucks, Pennsylvania, United States^[1]

1860

Tinicum, Bucks, Pennsylvania, United States^[2]

1 JUL 1870

Lambertville, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States^[3]

1880

Lambertville, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States^[4]

1900

Stockton, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States^[5]

1910

Stockton, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States^[6]

24 JAN 1920

Stockton, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States^[7]

Sources

• Source: S13 1870 U. S. Census, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, population schedule, , ; digital images, (: accessed ).
• Source: S21 1880 U. S. Census, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, population schedule, , ; digital images, (: accessed ).
• Source: S22 1900 U. S. Census, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, population schedule, , ; digital images, (: accessed ).
• Source: S23 1910 U. S. Census, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, population schedule, , ; digital images, (: accessed ).
• Source: S24 1920 U. S. Census, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, population schedule, , ; digital images, (: accessed ).
• Source: S32 1850 U. S. Census, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, , ; digital images, (: accessed ).
• Source: S34 1860 U. S. Census, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, , ; digital images, (: accessed ).

1. ↑ Source: #S32

   1850 Census

   Tinicum Township, Bucks, Pennsylvania

   Page/image number:  Image 21, Page 286

   Lines: 23-25

   Dwelling number: 156

   Family number: 156

   Enumeration date: 20 September, 1850

   Website: Family Search

   URL:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M44R-WH3

   Access date: 1 August, 2012

   Jonas Smith, 40, Tailor, Real estate: 600, PA

   Ann Smith, 38, PA

   John Smith, 3, PA

2. ↑ Source: #S34

   1860 Census

   Tinicum Township, Bucks, Pennsylvania

   Page/image number:  Image 22, Page 672   

   Line number: 34-37

   Dwelling number: 157

   Family number: 157

   Enumeration date:  25 June, 1860

   Website: Family Search then Heritage Quest

   URL:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MXPQ-GRC

   (page before his grandmother, Christiana (Moore) Williams & two households away from hers)

   Access date: 19 June, 2012

   Place of birth of this person, “ “ of Father, “ “ of Mother

   Jonas Smith, 46, Tailor, PA, Real estate: 1500, Personal estate: 500 :: Aneliza (sic) Smith, 45, PA   

   John W. Smith, 12, PA, attending school

   Elizabeth Williams, 15, England(!), attending school (Note: I suspect that this Elizabeth Williams is the future wife of Michael Frankenfield and mother of John W. Frankenfield, John W. Smith's namesake. (There are only TWO women named Elizabeth born in England about the right time who are living in Bucks County in the 1860 census.)

   Next-door to Ann Eliza (Williams) Smith's sister, Caroline M. (Williams) Harris. Two doors down from her brother, Barzilla Williams.

3. ↑ Source: #S13

   1870 Census

   Lambertville, Hunterdon, New Jersey

   Civil division (Ward # or post office): Lambertville

   Page/image number:  Image 50, Page 50 

   Lines: 14-20

   Dwelling number: 345

   Family number: 382

   Enumeration date: 1 July, 1870

   Website: Family Search

   URL:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MNDL-6T9

   Access date: 1 August, 2012

   Harriet Liv(e?)zey, 50, Keep house, PA  

   Robert, 29, Clerk Store, PA, Citizen

   Chas B., 20, Clerk Store, PA

   Hannah, 17, Home, PA

   Isaiah Smith, 26, Clerk Store, PA, Citizen

   John Smith, 22, PA, Lumber dealer, Citizen

   Eli Garris (Ganis?), 20, Work in flour mill, PA 

   (Note: This is the idiotic enumerator who marked that NOBODY in Lambertville could read or write in the 1870 census!) 

   I’m quite sure that this Isaiah Smith is John W’s cousin. 

   Just noticed something odd: NOONE in the household has any real estate or personal property!  (I’m quite sure that Harriet Livezey owned the house and that Isaiah, John, and Eli were all boarders.)   

4. ↑ Source: #S21

   1880 Census

   Lambertville, Hunterdon, New Jersey

   Civil division (Ward # or post office): Ward 3

   ED: 71

   Page/image number:  Image 3, Page 98C

   Line number: 1-5

   Dwelling number : 22

   Family number : 24

   Enumeration date: 1 June, 1880  

   Website: Family Search  and then Heritage Quest

   URL:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MN8X-SZH

   Access date: 9 June, 2012

   Place of birth of this person, “ “ of Father, “ “ of Mother

   John W. Smith, Head, 32, Clerk in Cotton Mill, PA, PA, PA

   Eva Smith, Wife, 26, Keeping house, NJ, NJ, PA

   Charles A. Smith, Son, 5, NJ, PA, NJ

   Joseph Smith, Son, 2, NJ, PA, NJ

   Elizabeth Coultrain, Servant, 21, Single, No. Carolina, NC, NC  

5. ↑ Source: #S22  :: 1900 Census

   Stockton Borough, Hunterdon, New Jersey

   ED:  23

   Page/image number:  Image 12, Sheet 6B

   Line number: 77-82

   Dwelling number: 131

   Family number: 137

   Enumeration date: 22 June, 1900

   Website: Family Search  

   URL:  (Same page as Charles A. & Edith (Sherwood) Smith) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-42907-94?cc=1325221&wc=MMPN-29G:n850573278

   Access date: 9 June, 2012

   Place of birth of this person, “ “ of Father, “ “ of Mother

   John W. Smith, Head, Jan 1848, 52, Married 27 yrs, PA, PA, PA, Flour Mfg., Owns unmortgaged House

   Eva B. Smith, Wife, Aug. 1853, 47, Mother of 3 children, 3 living, NJ, NJ, PA

   Joseph Smith, Son, Oct. 1878, 21, Single, NJ, PA, NJ, Clerk (Flour Mill)

   Stanley W. Smith, Son, Oct. 1880, 19, Single, NJ, PA, NJ, School Teacher

   Anna (sic) Eliza Smith, Mother, July 1812, Widowed, Mother of 1 child, 1 living, PA, PA, NJ

   Louisa E. Cothain (sic), Servant, Apr. 1858, 42, Single, No. Carolina, NC, NC   

6. ↑ Source: #S23  :: 1910 Census

   Stockton Borough, Hunterdon, New Jersey

   ED: 24

   Page/image number:  Image 1, Page 30, Sheet 1A

   Line number: 17-21

   Dwelling number: 4

   Family number: 4

   Enumeration date: 15 April, 1910

   Website: Heritage Quest  

   URL: 

   Access date: 8 June, 2012

   Place of birth of this person, “ “ of Father, “ “ of Mother

   John W. Smith, Head, 62, Marr. 26 yrs, PA, PA, PA, Merchant Miller, Flour & Feed Mill, Owned House

    Eva C. Smith, Wife, 56, Moth. 3 children, 3 living, NJ, NJ, PA

   Elizabeth K. Barber, Sister-in-law, 51, Single, NJ, NJ, PA

   Ann Eliza Smith, Mother, 97, Widowed, Moth. 1 child, 1 living, PA, PA, NJ

   Jennie Thompson, Servant, 15, Single, PA, PA, PA  

7. ↑ Source: #S24

   1920 Census

   Risler Street (now part of Route 29), Stockton Borough, Hunterdon, New Jersey

   ED: 26

   Page/image number:  Image 8, Page 30, Sheet 4B

   Lines: 67-69

   Dwelling number: 92

   Family number: 92

   Enumeration date: 24 January, 1920

   Website: Family Search then Heritage Quest

   URL:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4T8-9YZ

   Access date: 1 August, 2012

   Place of birth of this person, “ “ of Father, “ “ of Mother

   John W. Smith, Head, Owns Free Home, 71, Widowed, PA, PA, PA, Manager –Milling Co.   

   Annie M. Barber, Sister-in-law, 65, Single, NJ, NJ, PA, None

   Elizabeth K. Barber, Sister-in-law, 61, Single, NJ, NJ, PA, None

   All able to read and write. 

   Immediately next-door to Joseph Smith and family!   

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Kathryn Smith for creating WikiTree profile Smith-36599 through the import of Wikitree Jan 2013 GEDCOM.ged on Jan 25, 2013.