Stephen Gerard Smith (abt. 1750 - abt. 1802)

Born about 1750 in Potter Township, Centre, Pennsylvania

Husband of Maria Elizabeth (Troup) Smith — married 1767 in Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA

Descendants

Died about 1802 at about age 52 in Potter Township, Centre, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Robert Fletcher [send private message] and Dick Gates [send private message]

Biography

Private Stephen Smith served with Northumberland County Militia, Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolution.

Stephen Smith is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A105950.

Stephen Gerard Smith. ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Born 1750 Penns Valley, Centre Co., PA. ^{[8][9][10][11]}

Died BET 30 JUN AND 13 AUG 1802. Penns Valley, Centre Co., PA. ^{[12][13][14][15]}

Residence moved from Union Co. to what became Centre Co. in 1800. 1792

Event: Revolutionary War. Military BET 1778 AND 1800.

Note: #N262.

Marriage Husband Stephen Gerard Smith. Wife Maria Elizabeth Troup. Child: George B. Smith. Marriage 1767, Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA. ^[16]

Information from Nancy Scott's book, Westward, Ho!

Stephen Smith was born in Pennsylvania, although the date of immigration of his parents is uncertain. The family of Maria Troup, Stephen's wife, came to America with the Hessians and were of German origin. Their family name may have been Straub or Stroup, rather than Troup. After Stephen died, Maria lived until c 1808, in Potters Township, where her name appears on the tax roll in 1808.

Stephen Smith's Name appears in several capacities in the Revolutionary War: - Ranger on the Frontier in Captain John Moll's Company, Northumberland County, 1778-1783; - Lieut. Jacob Bard's Company, Northumberland County Militia, 1780; - Captain Philip Meyer's Company, Northumberland Militia 1783-1790.

One wonders if we are looking at records of more than one person. However, militia men would enlist when needed, go home when crops needed attention, and reenlist when the call went out again, so these probably are our militiaman. At any rate our Stephen Smith was active during the Revolution.

Baptismal records for John Peter Smith in 1784 show that Stephen and Maria were members of Mohr's Zion Church in Penn Township, Northumberland County. His residence there is indicated by the 1778 tax rolls in Penn Township, Northumberland County. Also in the same place 1784 & 1787, he was taxed with 100 acres. The 1790 Census of Pennsylvania in Northumberland County, Penn Township lists Stephen Smith as head of household. He moved to Potter Township in Centre County about 1798, where he kept a tavern at the old fort until he died c1803. Stephen left several minor children, and his will directs that his sons were to be bound to trades with their choice of masters.

Of the nine or ten children of Stephen and Maria (Troup) Smith, David and Daniel moved to Venango County, Pennsylvania; Catherine and George to Clearfield County, Pennsylvania; John Peter and James to Cincinnati, Ohio; Barbara to Fulton County, Indiana; William to Blair County, Pennsylvania, and Mary's place of residence is unknown. Since Catherine and Mary both married men named Kephart, it seems possible that these were brothers, and that both couples may have moved to Clearfield County. None of them died in Centre County.

Westward, Ho! by Nancy R. Scott p. 191. Added by Stephen Lee Smith 2018-05-16

Notes

Note N262.

[OWT Smith gwenbj.FTW].

http:/dgmweb.net/genealogy/Straub/FGS/SStephenSmith-MaryTroup.shtml

Rev. War Vol. 23, 3rd Ser PA Archives pages, 246, 298, 343.

1778 taxed in Penn Twp, Northumberland Co, PA.

1780 served as pvt. in Lieut. Jacob Bard's Co, Northumberland Co. Militia, Penn. Archives, 5th series, VIII: 678.

1784 son John Peter baptized at the old Zion Lutheran Ch, Freeburg.

1787 taxed in Penn Twp, Northumberland Co, PA with 100 acres.

1790 census Northumberland Co, PA, p. 192. 1 3 4. (part that became Snyder Co).

1800 census Northumberland Co, PA, p. 503. 4 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1.

1801 Henry Kephart, Peter Smith, Stephen Smith, William Smith in Potter twp, Centre Co. John Blair Linn, History of Centre and Clinton Counties, PA (Philadelphia: L. H. Everts, 1883) p. 42.

1803 Stephen Smith, tavern keeper at the fort, died. History of Centre Co., PA, p. 227.

http:/www.rootsweb.com/%7Eusgenweb/pa/1pa/1picts/frontierfortsff20.html

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION TO LOCATE THE SITE OF THE FRONTIER FORTS OF PA, Volume One. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. by Donna Bluemink.

Potter'S FORT, Page 505-507. This fort was built by Colonel James Potter, in the year 1777, and was situated on an elevation a little north of the present "Old Fort Hotel, and is near Centre Hall, a station on the Lewisburg and Tyrone railroad, about nine miles southeast of Bellefonte. There is a spring near the site of the fort, where General Potter built a cabin when prospecting for lands in 1773. The fort, according to Mr. John B. Linn, was built in 1777; the stockade including the spring. It was subsequently occupied as a tavern by Stephen Smith. In 1825, when the turnpike was made, J. and L. Potter built a stone tavern on the turnpike a short distance from the old one, which stands at this present time, and which has always gone by the name of "The Old Fort Hotel."

1798 Direct Tax Potter Twp, Mifflin Co PA tenant on 306a farm owned by James Potter.

1800 Potter Twp, Centre Co, PA census.

A pioneer of Penn's Valley, Centre Co., PA.[Frank Smith ancestors 1.FTW].

5.8 Stephen Smith or Stephen Girard Smith, b. 1750 in Potter, PA, d. August, 1802 in Potter Twp., Centre Co., PA; in 1767 in Northumberland, PA he m. Maria Elizabeth Straub (b. 1750 in Trouptown(?), Union Co. , P 1807 in Centre Co., PA) (dau. of Johan Peter Straub & Catharina Elisabetha Armin) whom he married abt 1775 in Northumberland, PA. Stephen Girard Smith served as a private in Lt. Jacob Bard’s Co, Northumberland Co. Militia, Penn. Archives, 5th series, VIII: 678.; They had ten children. Source: The Smith Line from George Smith to present, at ancestry.com. http:/awt.ancestry.comcgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=DESC&db=dickgates6&id=I42150. Dick Gates’ records show they had fifteen children. Another record: Pirl/Smith Family Tree on ancestry.com. Two 6.1’s are shown below to accommodate an alternate record.

source: Peter L. Smith.

> As noted above, Stephen served in the American Revolutionary War. He is listed as a "Ranger on the Frontier" in Captain John Moll's Company, Northumberland County, 1778 - 1783. In 1780 Stephen was serving as a private in Lieutenant Jacob Bard's company, 3rd Battalion, Northumberland. County Militia. (The only "Muster Roll", that was available from the National Archives,. was not dated and stated that Stephen Smith, private, entered the 18th of April and discharged the 3rd May, and entered again the 27th July and discharged the 9th Aug, 1779.).

Last Will & Testament

Estate No. 4504 Will signed 30 Jun 1802, probate 18 Aug 1802. Centre Co. PA Original Wills.

Be It remembered that I Stephin Smith of Potters Twp. Centre Co. being weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory, do make and Publish this my last will and Testament (in manner and form following).

1st Item I request that all my Just debts and funeral Expences be paid by my Executor hereafter mentioned.

2nd Item I direct all my Estate goods & Chattels to be sold by my Exctr. after my family shall put in the fall crop we are now preparing for, at any time he may think most advantgeous.

3rd Item I gave and bequeth unto my beloved wife Mary One third of all the money arising from the Sales of my Estate after my Just debts is paid, to be paid her by my Executor.

4th Item The remaining Two thirds I direct to be first set to Interest, the Interest to be paid anualy and that Interest to be appropiated to the maintainance of my younger Childering that are not able to support themselves for the Term of Ten years from this date.

5th Item I gave and bequeth unto my Sons and Daughters John, Peter, David, Daniel, James, George, William, Mary, Catharina and Barbery, the Remaining two thirds of my Estate to be Divided between them Equal at the Expiration of Ten Years from this date and any of my Childering that may not be at age at the Term of Ten years there Shares to be put to Intrest untill the arive at age.

6th Item and I do hereby Impower my Executor to bind my Sons to Trades there having Choice of Masters.

7th Item I do hereby Consttute and appoint James Potter Esqr. my Executor to this my last will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this thirtyeth Day of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Two.

Signed: Stefon Smith (seal) Maria Smith.

Signed, Sealed, Published and Delivered by the above named Stephin Smith to be his last Will and Testament in the presents of us who have hereunto Subscribed our names as Witnesses in the Presents of the Testator.

Robt. McKim.

Hannah H Tate her mark.

Centre Co. st. On the 18th day of Augst. 1802 Then Personally appeared Robert McKim and Hannah Tate Witnesses to the fore going Will and On Oath Did say that they Saw and Heard Stephon Smith the Within named Testator Sign Seal Publish & Declare the same as & for his Last Will & Testament and that at the Doing Thereof he was of sound mind & memory & Understanding to the best of their knowledge & understanding & belief.

Signed: Robt. McKim, Hannah H Tate her mark.

Sworn & Subscribed this 18th Day of August before me.

Richd Miles Register.

You Do Swear / that this paper Writing contains the true True Last will & Testament of Stephon Smith Deceased So far as you know and verily believe -- that you will well and truly perform the same by first paying the Debts of the said Deceased & the Legacies so far as his Goods Chattles & Effects will Extend - That you will Exhibit a true Inventory of his personal property into the Registors Office & Render a Just and true account When thereunto Lawfully required So help you God.

Signed: Jas. Potter.

Sworn & Subscribed the day of 1802 before me - Richd. Miles /--[owt smith askeyologist.FTW].

Stephen Smith was a private under Lt. Jacob Bard, Northumberland Co. PA militia in 1780. (PA archives 5th series vol. 8 p. 678). Stephen was later a Sgt. in Capt. Douglas' company (2nd series vol. 10). He took care of the tavern at the military post in Center Co. PA until his death.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S403 Ancestry Family Trees http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=10472739&pid=-635383001
2. ↑ Source: #S36 Date of Import: 30 Apr 2005
3. ↑ Source: #S276 Date of Import: 10 May 2006
4. ↑ Source: #S18
5. ↑ Source: #S36 Date of Import: 30 Apr 2005
6. ↑ Source: #S276 Date of Import: 10 May 2006
7. ↑ Source: #S18 Ancestry.com. One World Tree (sm) [database online]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc.
8. ↑ Source: #S276 Date of Import: 10 May 2006
9. ↑ Source: #S18
10. ↑ Source: #S276 Date of Import: 10 May 2006
11. ↑ Source: #S18 Ancestry.com. One World Tree (sm) [database online]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc.
12. ↑ Source: #S36 Date of Import: 30 Apr 2005
13. ↑ Source: #S276 Date of Import: 10 May 2006
14. ↑ Source: #S36 Date of Import: 30 Apr 2005
15. ↑ Source: #S276 Date of Import: 10 May 2006
16. ↑ OneWorldTree [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc.

See also:

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed January 16, 2016), "Record of Stephen Smith", Ancestor # A105950.
  
• Source: S18 OneWorldTreeSM
• Source: S276 Frank Smith ancestors 1.FTW
• Source: S36 owt smith askeyologist.FTW
• Source: S403 Ancestry Family Trees
• RE Fletcher