Part 914sr – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Another DNA 111 Marker Match

Good Day,

I just received news from Family Tree DNA that my Smith Y-DNA has another 111-Marker match. This time with a 9 Genetic Distance. The match is one John Faree Follis. This now makes that I have 8 relatively close 111 Y-DNA marker matches.

And the surnames of the individuals realizing the match are Fallis/Follis, Robinson, Seymour, and Ware. Not one Smith. 3 Fallis/Follis; 1 Robinson; 3 Seymour; and 1 Ware.

Does this mean that there is possibility that my Smith name may have been something else in a time long ago and faraway?

According to the Family Tree DNA Y-DNA TiP Report, and using the information of matching the latest John Faree Follis there may be a probability of 82.61% that in 12 generations, (that’s 12 generations backwards) we, John Faree Follis and myself, Jim Smith may have shared a common ancestor.

And how long is a generation?

From a male perspective it may be a “generational interval of 31 to 38 years”. (ISOGG, “How long is a generation? Science provides an answer”, by Donn Devine). 

If I use the average of about 34 ½ years my calculation would be that about 12 generations back or about 414 years in the past John Faree Follis and I may have an 82.61% chance of sharing a common male ancestor. That means that maybe around 1603 there may be a Follis who could have been a Smith or a Smith who could have been a Follis. (I think.)

And in our Y-DNA 111-marker matching, between John Faree Follis and me there is a 9 Genetic Distance, according to the tests as provided by Family Tree DNA.

The definition of Genetic Distance used by Family Tree DNA “is the number of differences, or mutations, between two sets of results. A genetic distance of zero means there are no differences in the results being compared against one another, i.e., an exact match.”

From my results I have noticed that there is one Jeffrey L. Smith and we match at the 37-Marker test of our Y-DNA. According to Family Tree DNA there is a probability of 89.16% that 12 generations back, about 1603, we may have shared a common ancestor. I wonder if Jeffery L. Smith has ever considering completing the 111-Marker test?

Currently and according to the FTDNA results there are 25 Smith matches at the 12-Marker testing and only two others, excluding myself have completed the 111-Marker testing. All-things-being-equal a possible matching to these two other Smiths falls away considerably as neither of them match my results at the 10 or less Genetic Difference.

If you are a Smith and you may know that you descended from Great-Great-Great Grandfather James Smith please feel free to contact me at jsmith58@gmail.com if you are thinking about testing your Y-DNA.

And if you know of anyone else in the family who may be interested in receiving my updates regarding the search please let me know their email mail so I can include them. Who knows, more than my two eyes and my one aging brain definitely may help with this continued search.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 901sd – Smith Doret Genealogy – Doret? Maybe. Maybe? Let’s Hope So!

Good Day,

Thank you, Peter, for keeping me in mind with your genealogy research. The image you sent me of the page of the document entered into the Grenada, Supreme Court Registers of Records, 1764 – 1931 may have an iota of a clue that we may need into the research and discovery of my GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith.

The document was penned the 18th of August 1788 and entered 14th of November of that same year. The document is in French which means that I will have to transcribe and then translate.

But here’s the hopeful part. One the first page of the document, which begins on page 340 of the Register concerned there is indicated the name of one “Jean Doret”.

And of course, I jumped at the reveal. The lines where the name of Jean Doret first appears are –

“Et du Coté de la future épouse Le Sieur Jean Doret
Commis Réprésent Le Sieur Tou∫sain Josset pere
de la ditte future épouze…”

And translated –

"And of the side of the future wife The Mister Jean Doret
Clerk Representative The Mister Tou∫sain Josset father
Of the future spouse ... "

Here’s the image of page 340 –

And what does this mean? Well, this may be a hint, a clue to a connection to GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith.

In the opening of page 340, the locations referred to are –

“…Hâbitant au quartier desSalines de cette Isle Grenade…”

and translated –

“living in the Saline district of this island of Grenada…”

Jean Doret, as mentioned in the first page of the document is “the Clerk Representative” on behalf of one of the parties drafting the document.

Does this mean that GGG-Mary Ann Doret is/was related in some way to Jean Doret?

Stay tuned for a further development of our search and research. And if you have any thoughts, comments and or notes, please contact me at jsmith58@gmail.com.

Thanks, and enjoy,

Jim

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Part 899sd - Smith Robertson - Autosomal DNA Results

Good Day,

And my Autosomal DNA or Ethnicity tests are all in.

I had them done by the 3 major companies - Family Tree DNA, 23andMe, and Ancestry. Whatever flair and marketing substance each individual corporation present here are my results, summarized by major region/area and ethnicity.

Family Tree DNA --

Africa - 4.0%
The Middle East - < 2.0%
European - 80.0%
Jewish Ashkenzai - 13.0%

23andMe --

Africa - 3.7%
The Middle East - < 0.1%
Europe - 85.8%
Jewish Ashkenzai - 10.4%

Ancestry --

Africa - 4.0%
The Middle East - 0.0%
Europe - 83.0%
European Jewish - 13.0%

My major highlights are the British Isles and Jewish Diaspora They are as follows, respectively -

Family Tree DNA - 62.0%; 13.0%
23andMe - 50.8%; 10.5%
Ancestry - 67.0%; 13.0%


For further detailed information regarding Autosomal DNA please check the International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki at https://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA, especially the section of "Accuracy of tests".

Autosomal DNA tests can be used to confirm relationships with a high level of accuracy for parent/child relationships and all relationships up to the second cousin level. For all relationships other than parent/child relationships additional contextual and genealogical information is required to confirm the nature of the relationship.

And if you know of anyone else in the family who may be interested in receiving my updates regarding the search please let me know their email mail so I can include them. Who knows, more than my two eyes and my one aging brain definitely may help with this continued search.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 898sd – Smith Doret - Searching For The Origins of GGG-Grandmother Marie Ann (née Doret) Smith

Good Day,

I remembered that France's archives for 100th Department, the one I used to find the documentation regarding our July family may be up online. The 100th Department is d'Outre-Mer. I thought that if I was able to use it for French Guiana why could I not use it for Martinique. And sure enough, I was able to find the links to the Archives Nationales d'Outre-Mer  -

A couple of things about using this site and most important it does not work with Google. It does work with Firefox.

Here is the link to the first part of the Birth Registration of Great-Grandmother Catherine Marie Antoinette July, 4 January 1861 in the Goree, Senegal Registration books -

http://anom.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/caomec2/pix2web.php?territoire=SENEGAL&commune=GOREE&annee=1861&typeacte=AC_NA

Hoping we will be able to find something similar in Martinique for GGG-Grandmother Marie Ann Doret. Who knows?

I have begun searching through the documents and registration as available on line. It will be an arduous search as I will have to go town by town.

This Archive may also help in tracing my grandson's mother's portion of their family line of Parisé to the Quebec and the Gaspe Peninsula circa 1697.

The Outre-Mer Department encompasses all those lands and countries that did and still do fall under the auspices of the French Empire.

And if you know of anyone else in the family who may be interested in receiving my updates regarding the search please let me know their email mail so I can include them. Who knows, more than my two eyes and my one aging brain definitely may help with this continued search.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 897sd – Smith Doret – Another Examination of the 1818 Indenture – Property Acquisition

Good Day:

I, (Thank you Steve and Peter), have been jolted back into the realm of my/our genealogy looking for any idea or thought that may lead me/us to find the origins of my/our GGG-grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith.

On the 27th of February 1818, GGG-Grandfather James Smith appears to have purchased a lot/parcel of land in the Town of St. George, Grenada. This property cost at the time £165, in current funds. (In today’s US dollars this is something over $13 thousand.) GGG-Grandfather James bought this property from a Judith/Judique Dunn.

James Smith is identified as a “Mill Carpenter” and she, Judith/Judique Dunn is a “free Black woman”. Both are of St. George in Grenada. There are some very interesting related facts regarding Judith/Judique Dunn The year is 1818, and a “free Black woman” is recorded as a landowner.

The Indenture, as entered to the Register and dated 13 October 1818 identifies the size and location of the property as 27 feet in the front – the width and 30 feet in depth – the length. The total area is 810 square feet. The lot is “bounded on the North by Gore Street” and “on the West by Halifax Street”. I think I have the location of the property, the following map cut out from Google Maps. (My figure is only a representation.)

Continuing on in the Indenture the description of the property, it borders onto land to the south owned by Robert Napier. And then comes the clincher “and on the East by Lands of Mary Ann Doret”. This is 1818. GGG-Grandparents James Smith and Mary Ann Doret were not married until 11 December 1832.

Taking this into account all of GGG-Grandparents James and Mary Ann’s children, the ones that I can identify, were born between and possibly before 1806 and 1820. Also I have been able to research documentation that both GGG-Grandfather James and GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann were slave owners, per Office of Registry of Colonial Slaves and Slave Compensation Commission: Records; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication T71); Records created and inherited by HM Treasury; The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.

Family history that I have been privy to when I began my trek into genealogy and the search for my Smith et al ancestry was that GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith was from Martinique and that she was a black female. I was also told that she may have been GGG-Grandfather James Smith’s housekeeper. Well, I am yet still to determine whether she was from Martinique, black, or a housekeeper. I am not discrediting this information it is just that I do not have any viable documentary proof to that effect.

I have located the majority of Birth Registrations for GGG-Grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Doret)Smith’s children: Sophia (1806), Mary Ann (circa 1809), Eley (1812), James Jr (1815 and my GG-Grandfather), Henry (1818), and Thomas (1820). The only reference to a George is in GGG-Grandfather’s last will and testament.

I did find GGG-Grandparents James and Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith’s Marriage Registration dated 11 December 1832. I have found the both GGG-Grandfather James and GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann were property and slave owners, individually and as a married couple.

My current autosomal DNA, the ethnic breakdown by Family Tree DNA, currently shows the following resulting breakdown: European - 78%; Jewish Diaspora - 14%; Middle Eastern - 4%; and African - 4%. 23andMe displays the breakdown as follows: European - 96.3%; Sub-Saharan African - 3.5%; Middle Eastern & North African 0.2%; and Other - < 0.1%. These primary classifications can and are broken down further across a number of classifications.

These are the facts. I am not disputing any of the family histories that I have been provided but a number of logical question do arise when examining the currently available documentation and my DNA percentages.

Logic seems to indicate that GGG-Grandmother Mary Ann Doret was a woman of some means. It also appears that she may have been a free person as she did own property typically reserved for free peoples.

Was she from Martinique, I cannot answer that question but the fact that she appears to have had a French surname, Doret, there may some credence to that possibility. We can only continue to search for a possible birth sometime in the time range of 1770 and 1790.

And then there is the question of the origins of GGG-Grandfather James Smith. The surname Smith does not provide much to go on. There are a number of assumptions but here’s hoping that one day I/we can find an iota of truth to the location of his birth and origin.

Here are the images of the 1818 Indenture, These are copies of the FHL microfilm #1563379 Item 5, Pages 450-2 -

And my transcription -

450

Examd

Entered 13th October 1818

This Indenture made the Twenty Seventh Day of February One thousand
Eight hundred and Eighteen between Judique Dunn of the Town of Saint George in the Island
of Grenada aforesaid a free Black woman of the one part and James Smith of the Parish of Saint
George in the same Island, Mill Carpenter of the other part witne∫seth that the said Judith Dunn
in consideration of Five shillings Current money of Grenada to her in had paid by the said James
Smith before the sealing and delivery of these presents (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged)
hath bargained and sold and by these presents doth bargain and sell unto the said James Smith
his Executors Administrators and A∫signs All that Lot piece of Parcel of Land Situate and being in
the Town of Saint George in the said Island of Grenada containing in front Twenty Seven feet
and in depth Thirty feet and bounded on the North by Gore Street on the West by Halifax Street on
the South by lands late of Robert Napier and on the East by Lands of Mary Ann Doret or howsoever
otherwise bounded and being and all erections thereon and all ways waters Liberties Easements and
Priviledges thereto belonging or usually enjoyed therewith and the reversion and reversions remainder and
remainders Rents, I∫sues and Profits thereof with their and every of their Appurtenances To have and
To hold the said Lot Piece or Parcel of Land and all and singular the Premises above mentioned unto
the said James Smith his Executors Administrators and A∫signs from the day next before the Day of
the date hereof for and during the full end and term of one whole Year thereon next ensuing
Yielding and paying therefore at the End of the said term One Pepper Corn if lawfully demanded
To the intent and purpose that by virtue of these presents and of the statute for transferring Uses
into Po∫se∫sion the said James Smith may be in the actual Po∫se∫sion of the premises and
thereby be enabled to accept and take a Grant and release of the Freehold and Inheritance thereof
by Indenture intended to bear date the day next after the Day of the Date of these presents.
In Witne∫s whereof the party first above named hath hereto set her hand and Seal the Day
and Year first above written. order(?) Mark
of + Judith Dunn +
Signed Sealed and Delivered }
In presence of us } L Vonweiller _ Anthony Lumpres(?)

This Indenture made the Twenty Eight Day of February One thousand Eight
hundred and Eighteen Between Judique Dunn of the Town of Saint George in the said Island of
Grenada free Black woman of the one part and James Smith of ^the Parish of Saint George in the

same

451

same Island Mill Carpenter of the other part witne∫seth that the said Judique Dunn for
and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and Sixty five pounds Current money of Grenada
to her in hand well and truly paid at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents by the
said James Smith (the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) hath bargained granted sold
released and confirmed and by these presents doth Grant bargain Sell release and confirm unto
the said James Smith (In his actual Pro∫se∫sion now being by virtue of a Bargain and Sale to him
thereof made by Indenture bearing date the day next before the Day of the date of these presents
and by force of the Statute for the transferring uses into Po∫se∫sion) and to his Heirs and A∫signs All
that Lot Piece or Parcel of Land Situate and being in the Town of Saint George in the said Island
of Grenada containing in front Twenty Seven feet and in depth Thirty feet bounded on the North by
Gore Street on the West by Halifax Street on the South by lands lately of Robert Napier and on
the East by Lands of Mary Ann Doret or howsoever otherwise bounded and being and all erections
thereon and all ways waters Liberties Easements and Priviledges thereto belonging or usually enjoyed
therewith and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents I∫sues and Profits
thereof with these and every of these Appurtenances and all the Estate Right Title Interest Trust
Property claim and demand whatsoever both at Law and in Equity of her the said Judique Dunn
of in and to the same or any part thereof To have and To hold the said Lot Piece or Parcel of Land
and all and singular other the Premises above mentioned with these Appurtenances unto the said
James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs to his and their only proper use and behoof for Ever. And the said
Judique Dunn for herself her Heirs Executors and Administrators doth hereby covenant and agree
to and with the said James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs in manner following that is to say that
for and notwithstanding any Act matter or thing done committed or willingly to be hereby granted
and released with the Appurtenances of and in a pure absolute and indefeasible Estate of Inheritance
in fee simple with any condition matter or Thing whatsoever to alter change le∫sen defeat or make void
the same and further that he the said James Smith and his heirs and A∫signs shall at all
Times hereafter peaceably and quietly have po∫se∫s and occupy and enjoy the said Lot Piece or
Parcel of Land and Premises hereby granted bargained and sold and receive and take the Rents
I∫sues and profits thereof to his and their own use without the Let ____ hindrance Interruption
or denial of the said Judique Dunn her I∫sues and A∫signs or any other Person or Persons
claiming under her them or any Predici∫son of her the said Judique Dunn and that
free and clear and freely and clearly acquitted exonerated and discharged or otherwise by the
Said Judique Dunn and her I∫sues well and sufficiently Saved and ^kept indemnified from and
against all and all manner of former and other Gifts Grants Bargains Sales Leases Mortgages
forfeitures Rents Dowers Judgements Estates and Incumbrances whatsoever made done or executed
by the said Judique Dunn or any of her Predece∫sors. And moreover that she the said Judique
Dunn will at all times hereafter at the request of the said James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs
but at his and their proper Costs make and execute such further conveyances and a∫surances
for the more perfectly and absolutely granting releasing and a∫suring the said Lot Piece or parcel
of Land hereby granted and released and the Premises unto and to the use of the said James
Smith his Heirs and A∫signs as by the said James Smith his Heirs and A∫signs or his or their
Counsel shall be reasonably devised and required. In Witne∫s whereof the Party first above
named hath hereto her her hand and Seal the Day and Year first above written.

order(?) Mark

of + Judith (LS) + Dunn

Signed Sealed and Delivered }
In presence of us } L Vonweiller _ Anthony Lumpres(?)

Received on the Day of the Date of the within written Indenture of and from the within
named James Smith the sum of One hundred and Sixty five pounds Current money of Grenada
being the full consideration money within mentioned to be by him paid to me I say received £165 by

order(?) Mark

of Judith + Dunn

Witne∫ses L Vonweiller _ Anthony Lumpres(?)

Grenada
Before the Honorable Richard Ottley Esquire Chief Justice if his Majesty’s
Supreme Court of Judicature for the Island of Grenada and its Dependencies
Personally appeared Lawrence Vonweiller of the Town of St. George Writing Clerk one of the subscribing
Witne∫s to the annexed Indentures of Lease and Release who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists
of Almighty God deposeth and Saith that he was present together with Anthony Lumpres the other
subscribing witne∫s thereto and did see the therein named Judith Dunn Sign by making her
ordinary Mark not knowing to write opposite to the Seals of the said Indentures of Lease and release
and also sign by the same mark the Receipt for the consideration money thereof And also saw her
Seal acknowledge and deliver the same as and for her free and voluntary Act and Deed And
Testimony thereof this Deponent and the said Anthony Lumpres respectively subscribed their names

as

452

As Witne∫ses thereto at the Request and in the presence of the said Judith Dunn and in the
presence of each other.

Sworn to Before me this } Lawrence Vonweiller
thirteenth day of October 1881 } Richd Ottley


I had previously worked on the 1818 Indenture in A Genealogy. You can cross-reference my earlier work at:

Part 408s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Smith Indenture Study – 1818 James Smith and Mary Ann Doret

Part 409s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Smith Indenture Study – 1818 James Smith – Acquisition of Land

Enjoy, and I’m going to keep looking,

Jim

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Part 896s – Smith Robertson – The Search Continues for GGG-Grandfather James Smith – 1798/9

Good Day,

And The St. George’s Chronicle and Grenada Gazette dated Friday June 8, 1798; No. 484 provides additional and possible thought in the search for the ancestry of GGG-Grandfather James Smith.

My transcription –

THE Sub∫criber having received full powers
from Thomas Tarleton, John Tarleton, and
Daniel Backhou∫e, E∫q. all the different branches
of the Commercial Hou∫e of Tarletons and Back-
hou∫e of Liverpool, formerly trading to and from
this i∫land under the firm of Thomas Tarleton and
Co. by their ∫everal Agents or Factors, Morris, Fer-
gu∫on, and Po∫tlthwaithe; Morris and Po∫tlethwaite;
William Po∫tlethwaite and Po∫tlethewaite and Smith,
begs leave to inform all manner of per∫ons who may
be indebted in any wi∫e to the above-mentioned
firm of Thomas Tarleton and Co, that he only in
this i∫land is duly authori∫ed to give them valid and
legal di∫charge for their re∫pective debts, as will
fully appear by a reference to the ∫aid powers, duly
recorded in the Secretary;s Office of this I∫land, to
him directed, in conjunction with William Smith
E∫q; of the i∫land of Martinico, merchant; Richard
Hooton, E∫q; of the i∫land of Dominica, merchant,
and Jo∫hua Hinde, E∫q; of Bath E∫tate in the colony
of Demarary, merchant, which were received by the
Sub∫criber on Sunday la∫t in the fir∫t April mail for
this i∫land, brought from St. Vincent’s in his Ma-
je∫ty’s ∫loop Frederic. JOHN FERGUSON


ON the 31∫t ultimo the following notice was ∫ent
to William Po∫tlethewaite, E∫q; his an∫wer
thereto being deeming in∫ufficient by the above
∫igned, he is induced to publi∫h it:
SIR, St. George’s Grenada, May 31 1798.
In con∫equence of my being now duly inve∫ted
with full powers, (which you have paru∫ed in the
Secretary’s office) from Thomas Tarleton, John
Tarleton, and Daniel Backhou∫e, E∫quires, your
late employers, under the firm of Thomas Tarleton
and Co. in this i∫land, I do ∫pecifically demand from
you all their Books of Accounts, Mortgages, Bonds
Notes, and every other Specialty or Specialties, of
‘what∫oever nature they may be, ari∫ing from the
tran∫actions of that Hou∫e during the agencies of
Morris, Fergu∫on, and Po∫tlethwaite, Morris and
Po∫tlethwaite, William Po∫tlethwaite, and Po∫tle-
thwaite and Smith; as al∫o, all their hou∫es, lands,
∫hallops, ∫ailor negroes, and other ∫laves, and every
other article that may appertain or belong unto
them the ∫aid Thomas Tarleton, John Tarleton, and
Daniel Backhou∫e, E∫quires. Your prompt com-
pliance with this my requi∫ition will prevent me
from adopting mea∫ures that will be di∫agreeable to
my∫elf, and which in the end may prove highly de-
trimental to you.
(Signed) JOHN FERGUSON.
William Po∫tlethwaite, E∫q.


Please remember that the letter “∫”, the long “s” is used in the body of the original text. I am very curious now as to when the actual “∫” was used and when the “s” was used. It appears to me that there is now consistent direction, but then again I don’t think that I was around in 1798. If I was I believe I would have walked in to GGG-Grandfather James Smith’s office and asked him directly who his father, my GGGG-Grandfather was.

Something to note, GGG Grandfather James Smith passed away in 1842, His eldest daughter, my gg-grandaunt Sophia was born about 1806. The William Smith mentioned in the above passage could have been at least older than ggg-grandfather James Smith. GGG-Grandfather could have been about, at possibly the youngest between the ages of 7 and 13 years old. This is purely a guess on my part.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 895s – Smith Robertson – The Search Continues for GGG-Grandfather James Smith – 1798/9

Good Day,

This may be a surprise to all because it is one to me. And the wheels beginning ticking and turning.

An acquaintance, (thank you, Peter), just forwarded to me some clippings from copy of the 1798 “The St. George’s Chronicle and Grenada Gazette”. And of course, I am excited, and in Peter’s debt.

The copies, albeit the printed articles, refer to both a James and a William Smith. Could these Smiths be the ones that we’re looking for? Is this, are these the pieces of the puzzles that could lead me to the discovery of GGG-Grandfather James Smith’s father and, further, to a connection to a further distant relative(s)?

My transcriptions –

18th May 1798.

FELICITE BOISFERME of the Town of St.
George, Free Mulato Woman, gives this pub
lic notice, that ∫he has this day given up to Wil
liam Stiel, acting executor of the Will of William
Smith, Merchant, decea∫ed, all the Negroes devi∫ed
to her by the Will of ∫aid decea∫ed (except one
lately dead) to be ∫old for the benefit of ∫aid e∫state.

NOTICE is hereby given, that on Tue∫day the
the 22d day of May in∫tant, at ten o’clock in
the forenoon will be ∫old at Vendue, at Farrell and
Waugh’s Long Room, SUNDRY NEGRO SLAVES
late the property of William Smith, Merchant, de-
cea∫ed, and by him in his Will devi∫ed to Felicité
Boisfermé, Free Mulato Woman, and by her given
up to the acting executor of ∫aid William Smith’s
Will, to be ∫old for the benefit of the creditors of
∫aid e∫tate. Terms Ca∫h on delivery.

Remember the "∫" is considered a long "s", and our case an "s"

In consideration of this find, Peter also sent me two more pages of clippings. I will be transcribing them as well as I will attempt to find a/some connection within the boy of my work in A Genealogy Hunt.

If you have any comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 893s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – GGG-Grandfather James Smith – The Continued Search

Good Day,

I'm back.

The search never, ever ends. I am still looking for the possible origin of my 3-times great grandfather James Smith.

In the past couple of weeks my cousin made a fantastic discovery. It was a letter penned by a great-aunt to his mother. The discovery is a possible measure of luck which may or may not provide a clue to the search of the origins of our great-great-great-grandfather James Smith. The last sentence of the note/letter is what has definitely piqued our interest.

As transcribed, (thank-you David) –

“Your great grandmother (Ella) Granny Smiths was born in Eng. (York I think) he was an Anglican priest; Rev Alexander Scott- he married Sarah Ann Roseta McKowen, whose father was an Irish D; Mckowen-Mrs. Mckowen was the daughter of a Mrs. McEwen they came from Aberdeen Scotland. Granny Smiths; father & mother went to Nassau when they married. Their children were born there. They then went to Jamaica, where grandfather Scott died & Gran Scott came back to Grenada with 3 children. Ella, Hubert & Percy. Ella (your gran) Hubert lived in Trinidad and died there & Percy died at the age of 92 and is buried here. Ella my mother, & your Gran (Scott) married William James Smith my father whose Grandfather came from Glasgow.”

It is great-aunt Olive’s last sentence

“Ella my mother, & your Gran (Scott) married William James Smith my father whose Grandfather came from Glasgow.”

that provided me with the impetus and motivation to check another path of research.

From my previous research and write-up, Part 347s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Indenture Research – 1842 James Smith – LWT – Distribution ggg-grandfather James Smith in his last will and testament mentions his sister Betsy (née Smith) La Grenade two times.

Given this fact, ggg-grandfather James had a sister Betsy, and that grandaunt Olive mentions that her father, my great-grandfather William James Smith’s grandfather came from Glasgow, I thought that I may search the FHL Scottish Parish Records for the birth and/or christening records of a brother and a sister born in the area of Glasgow. I increased my search to include the county of Lanarkshire as on older maps Glasgow is found within the area pre-1975. As ggg-grandfather James passed away in Grenada in about 1843 I set the range of my search for the siblings’ records to 1760 through 1800.

These are the parameters of my search –

1. The years 1760 – 1800, first pass.
2. All birth and christening (baptism) records as indexed in the Scottish Parish Records LDS database.
3. All birth and christening records specific to the county of Lanark.
4. All birth and christening records record for a male child named James.
5. All birth and christening records record for a female child named Elizabeth, Elisabeth, Betty and other variations. I did not find a record for the spelling of Betsy. (I did find a site which very nicely charts out names that may be related to that of Elizabeth – Behind the Name ).

To date I have found 72 Elizabeth, et al, records and 146 James records. Now the matching to same/mutual parents begins, if possible.

Here's a sampling of the records I have recorded.

If you have and comment, question, thought, idea please feel free to contact me via email at A Genealogy Hunt.

Regards,

Jim

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Part 867s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1798 Benjamin D’hariet Smith – Power of Attorney

Good Day,

My search and research continues for any Smith connection in St. George, Grenada who may provide some clues to the origins of my ggg-grandfather James Smith. The following record from the Grenada Registers of Records was entered 29 October 1798.

My next document is a Letter of Attorney appointing Benjamin D’hariet Smith dated 31 August 1798.  This is the second time that I am presenting and transcribing this record.

The next two pages with an occurrence of the Smith surname are pages 446 and 447. The following are the images of the two pages downloaded from the Grenada Registers of Records and recorded on the microfilm FHL [1563328] Item 1.

My transcription –

446

Entered the 29th October 1798

Know all Men by these Presents that I, James Park, at present residing in
the Town of Belfast in the County of Antrium and Kingdom of Ireland, Merchant and
Partner in Trade with Benjamin D’hariet Smith of the Island of Grenada in the West
Indies, Merchant, under the Firm of Park and Smith, Have made, ordained, authorized

constituted

447

Constituted and appointed, and by these presents Do make, ordain, authorize,
constitute and appoint the said Benjamin D’hariet Smith, my free and lawful Attorney
irrevocable, for me and in my Name, Place, and Stead, and to my use, to grant, bargain,
sell alien, release, confirm, aſsign, transfer and make over all my right, Title, Property,
Estate, and Interest of in and to a certain Dwelling House, Meſsuage or Tenement, and
two Lots or Parcels of Ground, all situate lying and being in the Carenage, in the Town
of St. George and Island of Grenada, in the West Indies; and to Sign, Seal, deliver and
execute all Deeds, Conveyances, Receipts and Writings which may be needful and
neceſsary in the Premiſes, as fully in every respect as I myself might or could do were I
personally present and did the same: Hereby ratifying confirming and allowing all and
whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully do, or cause or procure to be done, by virtue of
these Presents. In Witneſs whereof I the said James Park have hereunto set my hand and
Seal the thirty first Day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and Ninety eight at Belfast aforesaid, in the Presence of John Tisdall, Notary Public
residing there, and of the other Witneſs whose name is under written.

James Park (LS)

Signed, Sealed & Delivered (being first duly stamped) }
in the Presence of Alexander Boyd. }

(LS) John Tisdall Notary Publick Belfast

Borough of Belfast in the County }
of Antrim and Kingdom of Ireland }
John Tisdall of Belfast and County of Antrim
aforesaid, Notary Publick, maketh oath this Day
before me the Revd. William Bristow, Sovereign of said Borough and one of his Majesty’s
Justices of the Peace for said County, and Saith that he this Depont is a Subscribing Witneſs to
the within Letter of Attorney, and saw the same duly signed, sealed, delivered and executed by
James Park the executing Party thereto; and ſaith, that the name John Tisdall ſubscribed as
a Witneſs to said Letter of Attorney is this Deponent’s proper name and Hand writing.

John Tisdall

(LS)
Sworn before me at Belfast aforsd the 1st Day of September
1798. In Testimony whereof I the sd Sovereign have hereunto sub-
scribed my name and can the Corporation Seal of said Borough
to be hereunto affixed.

Willm Bristow Sovn of Belfast Will. Atherson

Town Clerk

My previous work and transcription has included records associated with Benjamin D’hariet Smith, also known as Benjamin D’Harriette Smith, see Part 172s, and Part 171s.

I have discovered that the “Search This Blog” function in the right-hand column of A Genealogy Hunt is not working. This appears to be a universal situation and I have read other incidents occurring on other blogs. A current way around this issue would be to use the main Goggle search engine. I will try to find another alternative and more efficient way.

And I continue my search for the origins of ggg-grandfather James Smith.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 866s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1798 William Smith - Letter of Attorney

Good Day,

I have finished my next transcription of a record from the Grenada Registers of Records in my search for all ggg – grandfather James Smith. This record appears to be a Letter of Attorney in which William Smith of Martinique is one of the appointed attorneys. The date of the document is 3 March 1798. It was entered into the Registers 29 May 1798.

(The above image of the Beaumaris Court  House may have been the very place  where a part of this document may have been signed. The image was uploaded by Necrothesp at en.wikipedia.)

There is no apparent and observable link between this William Smith and ggg – grandfather James. But I am curious that the year is 1798 and this William Smith is designated as "of the Island of Martinique Merchant". This of course may be an observation, but there is a coinciding assumption that ggg – grandmother, Mary Ann (née Doret) Smith was possibly from Martinique as well.

My observation is that this document is dated 1798. GGG – grandparents James and Mary Ann began having children in the early 1800s. I know this is a stretch but there could be a relationship between William Smith and ggg – grandfather James only because of the time element and the dates may be compared. Just something to think about.

The countries and colonies involved and included in this document are Wales, Great Britain, Ireland, Grenada, Demerara, Martinique, and Dominique. It also appears that this document and Power Of Attorney may have been written a good time after Last Will and Testament of the late Thomas Morris was actually produced.

I have downloaded the images of the pages 336 to 341 from FHL[1563328], Item 1.

My transcription -

336

Entered the 29th May 1798

Examd

To all to whom these presents shall come James Knowles of Gwynedd in the County
of Anglesey in North Wales in the Kingdom of Great Britain and Jane his Wife and
Mary Morris of the City of Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland Spinster send Greeting Whereas
Thomas Morris late of the Island of Grenada Esquire deceased in and by his last will and
Elizabeth Morris and to the Survivor of them the Sum of Five hundred pounds Sterling a Year
for their natural lives and then he gave devised and bequeathed to his Sisters Thesaid Jane
Knowles and Mary Morris and to their heirs forever all the rest residue and remainder of
his Estates both real and personal in the Colony of Demerara and elsewhere to be divided
equally between them as Tenants in Common but it was his will intention and desire
nevertheleſs that his said Sister Jane Knowles and her heirs should first deduct from his
real and personal estates the fair appraisements of his said said Father’s estate in Wales
and he thereby nominated and appointed his Friends Joseph Hamer of thesaid Colony of
Demerara Esquire John Tarleton of Liverpool Esquire Daniel Backhouse of the same place
Esquire Hugh James of the same place Esquire thesaid James Knowles Charles Henderick Anderson
of the Island of Grenada Esquire William Postlethwaite of the same place Esquire and Samuel
Cary Junior of the same place Esquire Executors of that his last Will as in and by the said
Will and Testament on reference being thereunto had may more fully and at large appear
and Whereas thesaid Edward Morris and Elizabeth his Wife are both dead since
the Testator Now know ye that thesaid James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary
Morris for divers good causes and considerations there hereunto severally moving Have
and each and every of them Hath made ordained authorized nominated constituted
and appointed and in their and each and every of their place and stead full and
deputed and by these presents Do and each and every of them Doth make ordain autho-
rize nominate constitute and appoint William Smith of the Island of Martinique
Merchant Richard Hooten of the Island of Dominique Merchant John Ferguſson of the
Island of Grenada Merchant and William Heathcote of Demara foresaid Esquire to be
these and each and every of their tried and lawful Attornies and Attorney Agents and Agent
jointly and severally for them and each and every of them to enter into and upon and
by all and every lawful ways means and remedies to recover and get poſseſsion of all and
every the plantations Meſsuages Farms Lands Tenements and hereditaments and all other the
real and personal estate and effects whatsoever which were of him thesaid Thomas Morris
deceased of what nature or kind soever or wheresoever thesame may be and which they or
any of them are or is or shall or may be entitled to under or by virtue of thesaid in
part recited Will of thesaid Thomas Morris deceased for any estate house or interest
wjhatsoever and thesame Meſsuages Homes Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and
all other the real and personal estates and effects whatsoever herein before mentioned and

every

337

every or any part thereof to order direct manage and cultivate by such ways and means
and in such manner as they thesaid William Smith Richard Hooton John Ferguſson and
William Heathcote shall in their discretion jointly or severally think neceſsary proper or
adviseable until such Sale or Sales shall be made thereof as are herein after mentioned
and directed and also for them and each and every of them and in their and each and every
of their names and name when and as their said Attornies or any of them shall think proper
to make Sale and absolutely dispose of all and every thesaid plantations Meſsuages Farms Lands
Tenements and hereditaments and all other the said real and personal estate and effects of what
nature or kind so ever or wheresoever thesame may be or any parts or part thereof either
shall seem advisable for the best price and prices and most money which can or
may be reasonably had or gotton for thesame or which they or any of them shall in
their or his judgment think so to any person or persons who shall or may be willing to
become a purchaser or purchasers thereof or of any part thereof and for that purpose for them
and each and every of them and in their and each and every of their names or name or in
their or any of their names or name is Attornies or Attorney as aforesaid to enter into sign
Seal deliver and execute such contracts and agreements for the Sale and Conveyance of
all or any part or part of thesaid Meſsuages Farms Lands Tenements hereditaments and other
real and personal estate and effects and also to have and receive all and whatsoever
purchase money or other consideration they or any of them shall contact or agree for and
thereupon to make and execute good valid and Sufficient receipts and discharges for
what they or any of them shall so receive and also for them and in their each and every
of their names and name or in their or any of their own names as Attornies or Attorney as
aforesaid to Sign Seal deliver acknowledge levy suffer and execute all and every such gifts
grants alienations deeds Conveyances and Aſsurances whatsoever whether thesame be by fines
or other matter of records or otherwise howsoever as shall be proper for granting Conveying
and aſsuring all and every or any part or parts of the said plantations Meſsuages Farms
Lands Tenements hereditaments and other real and personal estate and effects whatsoever
unto any such purchase or purchases his her or their heirs executors administrators or Aſsigns
for all the estate and interest of them the said James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris
in the premises to be so Conveyed and to proxy and represent them and every of them before the
proper Register or Registers Officer or Officers and there or elsewhere to do perform and execute all
such acts matters and things as may be neceſsary for the purpose of having such acts deeds
Conveyances and Aſsurances as aforesaid enregistered or recorded in the proper place or places and
the titles to the same plantation Meſsuages Fames Lands Tenements hereditaments and real and
personal estate and effects in every respect fully aſsured and confirmed unto such purchaser
and purchasers his her or their heirs executors Administrators or aſsigns and also to collect get in
and received the yearly and other rents produce proceeds and profits of thesame plantations Meſsua-
ges Farms Lands Tenements hereditaments and real and personal estate and effects whatsoever now

Let

338

Let or to become due And to give good and sufficient receipts and discharges for what they or any
of them shall so secure and also to commence and prosecute with effects such actions and Suits in
any Court or Cours either of Law or of Equity as the said Attornies or any of them shall think neceſsa-
ry or expedient for the purposes of recovering receiving or getting poſseſsion of thesaid plantations
Meſsuages Farms Lands Tenements hereditaments and real and personal stock and effects or any parts
thereof and also the said rents produce proceeds and profits thereof or for effectuating or accomplishing
the purposes aforesaid and to pursue all neceſsary measures for conveying into execution the judgments
or devices of such Court or Courts and to have the benefit thereof and also for them thesaid James Knowles
and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris to appear to and defend any actions or Suits which may be
commenced or prosecuted against them or any of them in such Courts as aforesaid and to receive from
his executors of thesaid Thomas Morris deceased all or any of them such Sum of money as are done
to their or any of their hands from the estate and effects of thesaid Thomas Morris deceased and which
they or any of them are entitled to receive under or by Virtue of the Will of thesaid Thomas Morris
deceased and to settle all accounts with thesaid executors or any of them And to make and
execute full and effectual releases and discharges to such executors and one or more Substitute or
Substitutes under them the said Attornies or any of them for all or any of the purposes and with
all or any of the powers and authorities aforesaid to Substitute and appoint and such Substitute
and Substitutes from him to _____ at pleasure to revoke and others to appoint so often as _____
may require or to thesaid Attornies or Attorney or any of them it shall seem advisable And
Generally for them thesaid James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris and every or
any of them to do preform and execute all and every such further and other lawful and reason-
able acts deeds matters and things whatsoever for accomplishing and carrying int execution all
or any of the purposes aforesaid as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes whatsoever as
they or any of them could or might do if personally present they thesaid James Knowles Jane his
Wife and Mary Morris and each and every of them hereby giving and granting unto thesaid
Attornies and every of them their and each and every of their full and discretionary power
and Authority in and about the premises and ratifying allowing and confirming all and
whatsoever they or any of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof And
thesaid James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris do hereby expreſsly Revoke and or
make void all and every the powers and authorities by them or any of them heretofore given for
all or any of the purposes aforesaid to any person or persons whosoever In Witness whereof
the said James Knowles and Jane his Wife and Mary Morris have hereunto set their Hands and
Seals this third day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety eight.

Jes Knowles (LS)

Jane Knowles (LS)

Mary Morris (LS)

Sealed and Delivered by the ….}
above named James Knowles (being ….}
full duly stamped) in the presence of ….}

Robt Bowers ---- Rob Prichard

339

Sealed and Delivered by the above named Jane Knowles in the presence of

Jos Lace ---- Mark Stephinson ----

Sealed and Delivered by the above named Mary Morris in the presence of

Willm King ---- Jas Bellow ----

Joshua Luce of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Gentleman maketh Oath that
he did see Jane Knowles one of the persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed
duly sign seal and as her act and deed deliver thesaid Letter of Attorney And this Deponent
saith that the named Jane Knowles thereto subscribed as the party executing the same and
also the names “Josa Lace” and “Mark Stephenson” thereto subscribed as Witneſses attest-
ing the execution thereof by the said Jane Knowles are of the proper hand writing of thesaid
Jane Knowles and of this Deponent and of Mark Stephenson of Liverpool aforesaid Gentleman

Josa Lace,

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid the third day ….}
of March in the Year of our Lord 1798 ….}
Before T Staniforth Mayor of Liverpool
To all to whom these present shall come I Thomas Staniforth Esquire Mayor of the
Borough and Town of Liverpool in the County palatine of Lancaster and Kingdom of Great
Britain do hereby Certify that on the day of the date hereof personally came and appeared
before me Jane Knowles one of the persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed and
acknowledged thesaid Letter of Attorney to be her act and deed and that she had executed the same
to the intent that it might be effected to paſs and carry all her estate and interest in
the plantations Meſsuages farms Tenements hereditaments and real estate late of Thomas Morris
of the island of Grenada esquire deceased And I do Certify that the said Jane Knowles was
examined separately and apart from her husband executed thesaid Letter of Attorney and on the
same day personally appeared before me Joshua Lace of Liverpool aforesaid Gentleman the Depo-
nent named in this affidavit on the other side written being a person well known and worthy of
good credit and by Solemn Oath which thesaid Deponent then took before me upon the holy
evangelists of Almighty God he did solemnly and sincerely declare testify and depose to be had
the several matters and things mentioned and contained in thesaid Affidavit..
(LS)
In faith and Testimony whereof I thesaid Mayor have caused the Seal of
Mayoralty of thesaid Borough and Town to be hereunto affixed and the Letter of
Attorney mentioned and referred to in thesaid affidavit to be hereunto annexed
Dated at Liverpool the thid day of March in the Year of our Lord 1798.

R. Stathame Dep Town Clerk

By order of the Mayor
Robert Prichard of Beaumarie in the County of Anglesey Gentleman maketh oath
and saith That he did see James Knowles one of the Persons named in the Letter of Attorney here-
unto annexed duly sign seal and as his act and Deed deliver thesaid Letter of Attorney and this
Deponent further saith that the Names “Jas Knowles” thereto subscribed as the party executing

the

340

the same and also the names “Robt Bowers” and “Robt Prichard thereto subscribed as
Witneſses attesting the Execution thereof by the said James Knowles are of the proper handwriting
of thesaid James Knowles and of Robert Bowers of the City of Chelsea Silversmith and of
this Deponent. –

Robt Pritchard

Sworn at Beaumaris aforesaid the seventeenth….}
Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand….}
Seven hundred and ninety eight…..}

Before W Williams Bailiff of one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the
Borough of Beaumaris
To all to whom these presents shall come I Williams Williams one of the Bailiffs and
Chief Magistrates of the Town and Borough of Beaumaris in the County of Anglesey in North
Wales and Kingdom of Great Britain Do hereby certify that on the Day of the Date hereof
personally appeared before me Robert Prichard of Beaumaris aforesaid Gentleman this Deponent
named in the Affidavit on the other side written being a Person well known and worthy of good
Credit and by Solemn Oath which thesaid Robert Prichard then took before me on the Holy
Evangelists of Almighty God he did solemnly and sincerely declare testify and depose to be _____
the several Matters and Things mentioned and contained in thesaid Affidavit…
(LS)
In Faith and Testimony whereof I thesaid William Williams Bailiff and one
of the Chief Magistrates of the said Town and Borough of Beaumaris have caused
the Corporation Seal of the Town and Borough aforesaid to be hereto affixed and the
Letter of Attorney mentioned and referred to in the said Affidavit to be hereunto
annexed Dated at Beaumaris aforesaid this seventeenth Day of March 1798.

W Williams

Senior Bailiff and one of the Chief Magistrates of the Town and
Borough of Beaumaris aforesaid.

William King of William Street in the City of Dublin Gentn. Maketh Oath that he did see
Mary Morris one of the Persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed duly sign
seal and as her act and Deed deliver thesaid Letter of Attorney and the Deponents saith
that the name of Mary Morris thereto Subscribed as the peraty executing the same and also
the names William King and James Bellow thereto Subscribed as Witneſses attesting this
executin thereof by thesaid Mary Morris are of the proper hand writing of thesaid Mary
Morris and of this Deponent and of James Bellow of William St aforesaid Clerk to said
William King,

William King

Sworn at the City of Dublin aforesaid the 28th day….}
of March in the Year of our Lord 1798…..}
Before Thos Fleming Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin

341

To all to whom these presents shall come I The Right Honble Thomas Fleming Lord
Mayor of the City of Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland do hereby certify that on the day
of the date hereof personally came and appeared before me Mary Morris one of the
persons named in the Letter of Attorney hereto annexed and acknowledged thesaid Letter of
Attorney to be here Act and Deed and that she had executed the same to the intent that
it might be effectual to paſs and convey all her Estate and Interest in the plantations
Meſsuages Farms tenements hereditaments and real Estate late of Thomas Morris of the
Island of Grenada Esquire deceased and I do certify that thesaid Mary Morris was
examined and declared that she had freely And Voluntarily Executed thesaid Letter of
Attorney and on the same day personally appeared before me William King of William St. in the
City of Dublin aforesaid the deponent named in the Affidavit on the other side written being
a person well known and worthy of good credit and by solemn oath which the said Deponent
then took before me upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God he did solemnly and
sincerely declare testify and depose to be true the several matters and things mentioned and
contained in thesaid Affidavit.
(LS)
In Faith and Testimony whereof I the said Thomas Fleming have
caused Seal to hereunto Affixed and the Letter of Attorney mentioned
and referred to in thesaid Affidavit to be hereunto annexed Dated at Dublin
the 28 of March in the Year of our Lord 1798.

Thos. Fleming

In my search and research for ggg – grandfather James Smith, I will continue to comb and investigate the documents and records of the Grenada Registers of Records. I have found a new online source, which may or may not help my search and research. It is the Digital Public Library of America, and available at - http://dp.la/.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 866s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1791 William Smith - Sale £99

Good Day,

Today's record from the Grenada Registers of Records is one entered 27 April 1798 but actually composed 21 January 1791. There does appear to be a lag of time between the actual timing of an event and between the actual recording of the same. I guess this is all a part of my search and research for any information of ggg-grandfather James Smith.

In this record William Smith is one of the primary parties. The record is a 1791 sale of a slave, Lucy to one Felicité Boisfermé. It appears that William Steil was witness in both 1791 and 1798.

The following images are of the records from Item 1 of the microfilm FHL[1563328], pages 290-292.

My attempt at a transcription -

290

Entered 27th April 1798

This Indenture made the Twenty first day of January in the year of
Our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Ninety one Between William Smith
of the Town of Saint George in the Island of Grenada Merchant of the one part
and Felicité Boisfermé of the said Town and Island a free Mulatto Woman of the
other part Witneſseth that for and in Consideration of the Sum of Ninety nine
pounds Current Money of the said Island to the said William Smith in had well
and truly paid by the said Felicité Boisfermé at or before the Sealing and delivery
of these presents (the Receipt whereof the said William Smith doth hereby acknowledge
and thereof and therefrom and from every part and parcel thereof doth Acquit Release
exonerate and for ever discharge thesaid Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs Executors and
Admonistrators by these presents) He thesaid William Smith Hath Granted
Bargained Sold Aliened Enfeoffed Conveyed and Confirmed and by these presents Doth
Grant Bargain Sell Align Enfeoff Convy and Confirm unto the said Felicité Boisfermé
her Heirs and Aſsigns for ever A certain female Negro Slave named Lucy with her future
Iſsue and Increase And the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders
Rents Iſsues Services and Profits of the said Slave and also all the Estate Right Title
Interest Use Trust poſseſsion property Benefit Claim and demand whatsoever both
at Law and in Equity of him thesaid William Smith of in to or out of the said female
Negro Slave named Lucy together with all Deeds Evidences and writings relating to or
concerning the same Slave To Have and to Hold thesaid female Negro Slave named
Lucy herein before mentioned with her future Iſsue and Increase as aforesaid unto
thesaid Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns to the only proper use and behoof of
the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns for ever And the said William
Smith for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators doth Covenant promise

and

291

and agree to and with the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns that he
the said William Smith now hath in himself good Right full power and lawful
Authority to Grant Bargain Sell Alien Enfeoff Convey and Confirm thesaid female Slave
before named unto the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns to the only proper use
benefit and behoof of the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns for ever according
to the true intent and meaning of these presents And also that she thesaid Felicité
Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns shall and may from time to time and at all times
hereafter peaceably and quietly have hold Occupy poſseſs and enjoy thesaid female Slave
hereinbefore mentioned without the Let Suit Trouble hindrance Molestation Interruption
of him the said William Smith his Heirs or Aſsigns or of any other person or persons whatsoever
and Lastly that he the said William Smith and his Heirs the said Slave herein
before mentioned unto the the said Felicité Boisfermé her Heirs and Aſsigns against him the
said William Smith his Heirs and Aſsigns and against all and every other person and
persons whatsoever shall and will Warrant and for ever defend by these presents In
Witneſs whereof thesaid parties have hereto set their Hands and Seals respectively the day
and Year first above written

WM Smith (LS)

The Mark

X

of Felicité Boisfermé (LS)

Sealed and Delivered
In the presence of

Rd. Owen – Wm. Steil –

Received on the day of the date of the above written Indenture of and from the above
named Felicité Boisfermé the sum of Ninety nine Pounds Current Money of the said
Island being the Consideration Money above mentioned to be by her paid to me. I say
Received……………………………………………………………………………….£99 Curry

Wm. Smith

Witneſs

Rd Owen – Wm Steil

Be it Remembered that on this Twenty first day of January In the Year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety one peaceable and quiet poſseſsion
Livery and Seisin of the female Negro Slave named Lucy in the preceding Indenture
particularly mentioned was delivered by the before named William Smith to the also
before named Felicité Boisfermé according to the tenor and effect of the before written
Deed or Feoffment _ In the Presence of us whose Names are hereunto Subscribed

Rd Owen

Wm Steil

Grenada _ Before the Honorable Thomas Bridgwater Esquire Chief Justice of
His Majesty’s Court of Common Pleas for said Island established.
Personally appeared William Steil of the Town of Saint George in the said Island
Mason one of the subscribing Witneſses to the within Indenture who being duly Sworn on
the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God maketh Oath and saith That he was present with
Richard Owen (since deceased) the other subscribing Witneſs thereto and did see William
Smith one of the parties to the said Indenture sign Seal and deliver the same as

and

292

and for his free and voluntary Act and Deed; And that he also saw him
sign the Receipt for the Consideration Money written at the foot of the said
Indenture And the Deponent further saith that he also saw Felicité
Boisferme the other party to the said Indenture sign the same by making a
Croſs opposite the second Seal at the foot of the same Indenture and also saw
her Seal and deliver the same as and for her free and voluntary Act and Deed.
And the Deponent also saith that he was also present with the said Richard
Owen and did see peaceable and quiet poſseſsion Livery and Seisin of the
within mentioned female Negro Slave Lucy delivered by the said William
Smith to the said Felicité Boisfermé according to the Tenor and Effect of the
said Indenture And the Deponent lastly saith that in Testimony of such
Execution and Livery and Seisin as beforementioned the said Richard Owen
and the Deponent did subscribe their Names to the said Indenture as Witneſses
thereto.

Wm Steil

Sworn to before me the 27th day of April 1798

Thomas Bridgwater

This record does not provide any immediate link or connection between William Smith and ggg-grandfather James Smith. Next.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 865s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1794 William Smith - Inquiry of Sale

Good Day,

Well it looks like the confusion of the construction has almost come to a completion.   (Apologies about the near alliteration.) This means, of course, that I can now get back to an uninterrupted flow of my search and research for my ggg-grandfather James Smith.

My energy for the next little while, while I wait for some anticipated family information and details, will be to work with and transcribe the records and documents from the Grenada Registers of Records that do relate and possibly reference the surname Smith. All things being equal, and this is not a promise to myself, but I hope to work on at least two documents a week… for the next while.

Thank you Steve, Ashley, and Zöe for your comments and ideas.

The next document was entered in 1797, but written 6 August 1794. It appears to be a letter of intent presented by Mr. John Tarleton with what appears to be an offer to purchase. My guess would be that the "Smith" referred to in the record is the same William Smith who was appointed Power of Attorney 12 March 1794. See Part 861s.

This record was downloaded from the Grenada Registers of Records 1797-1817 (v. Gr-R2) and microfilm FHL[1563328].  Here are the images of pages 37 and 38.

The following is my transcription.

37

Entered 30 September 1797

Gentm.

Liverpool 6 Augt 1794

We have already wrote you fully by this opportunity to which we beg
have to refer The purpose of the present is therefore to acquaint You that if
you incline to sell the Mary's Cargoe of Negroes from Angola in any way of the
British Windward or in any of the lately conquered Islands, Mr. John Tarleton,
the writer hereof, will accept and pay your drafts upon him at the customary
sight of Bills at the time of the Sale of this Cargo of Slaves. You are on this
account to draw £2 ½ &Ct on the Sale and £2 ½ &Ct on the remittances for
this Cargo, & Mr. Tarleton who guarantees the debts & Bills is to draw the
remaining £5 & Cent as well as to entitled to any accruing interest on the same
in the same manner and mode, as he lately guaranteed Meſs Howard & Smith
respecting the Sale of the African Cargoes disposed of by them in Dominica
The Bills are to be drawn upon him payable in London, and in favor of Meſs
Tarletons & Backhouse, he also trusts they will not be drawn at leſs than 12, 15, &
18 months Sight, as his sole motive for guaranteeing You arises from the desire of
giving You a commiſsion on the Sale of these Negroes which on account of the
diſsolution, and termination of our late partnership, with Mr. Tarleton must be
sold under guarantee, and also to give you a farther testimony of his confidence
in your _____ to serve himself, and Mr Backhouse, and the sincere friendship
& regard he entertains for You

We are with much esteem

Dear Sirs

Your most obedt. Servt

Tarleton & Backhouse

Superscribed
Meſsrs Postlethwait & Smith

March Grenada

Grenada – Before the Honorable Thomas Bridgwater Esquire Chief Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas for said Island established
Personally appeared John Dawson of Liverpool in the Kingdom of Great Britain
Merchant at present in this Island, who being duly Sworn on the Holy Evangelists of
Almighty God maketh Oath and saith that he knows and is ell acquainted with
John Tarleton of Liverpool aforesaid Merchant carrying Trade there with
Daniel Backhouse under the Firm of Tarleton and Backhouse and also with his
manner and Character of Hand writing and Subscription having often seen him
write and subscribe his Name, and having viewed and carefully perused the Letter
written on part of the second & third Sides of this Sheet of Paper purporting to be a
Letter from the said Meſsrs Tarleton & Backhouse to Meſsrs Postlethwaite and Smith
of this Island Merchants and dated “Liverpool 6th August 1794” He saith that

he

38

He verily and in his Conscience believes the whole of the said Letter beginning
with the Words “Gentn We have already” and ending “ and the “sincere friendship
& regard he entertains for you” and subscribed “Tarleton & “Backhouse” is of the
proper hand writing & Subscription of the said John Tarleton of Liverpool aforesaid.

John Dawson

Sworn to before me this }
30th day of Septr. 1797. }

Thomas Bridgwater

This record does not provide a link back to ggg-grandfather James Smith, but it may be setting the stage for something more to come. Stay tuned and keep following my search and research. I certainly appreciate comments, ideas, thoughts and questions. Something more than just my wee and paltry grey matter may unlock some clue somewhere and sometime.

Enjoy,

Jim

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