132 WILLIAM SMOOT, GENT. 3 AND HIS DESCENDANTS William Smoot, son of Thomas and Jane (Batten) Smoot, was born during 1656 in Pickawaxon Hundred, Charles County, Maryland. On October 30, 1671, he as the eldest son and heir of Thomas Smoot, deceased, of Charles County. received a warrant for 250 acres of land to be known as "Smoot's Chance". One hundred and fifty acres had previously been returned in the name of Thomas Smoot, while the remaining 100 acres had been assigned to him by Robert Ellis, of St. Mary's County, who had received rights thereof by assignment from Robert Smith and David Smith, due them for services performed in the Province. In November 1681, he received 140 pounds of tobacco for deeds of public service, believed to be performed during a punitive expedition against the Indians. In May 1683, William Smoot conveyed to his "brother" Thomas Smoot for 10,000 pounds of tobacco land formerly granted John Goldsmith, of St. Mary's County, lately deceased, lying on the west side of Wicomico River near the head of Smoot's Branch. In October of the same year, he deeded to Humphrey Warren for 7,000 pounds of tobacco "The Hills" of 240 acres on the Wicomico except that portion which formerly was sold to Richard Smoot. On August 5, 1683. William Smoot and Anne his wife conveyed to William Newman for 8,000 pounds of tobacco "Wicomico Fields Relations" which had been resurveyed by Captain Randolph Brandt, lying in Pickawaxon Hundred, but which was then a portion of a tract granted to William Smoot by patent. On August 9, 1684, William Smoot and Anne his wife deeded to Captain Randolph Brandt a portion of "Wicomico Fields". On August 12, of the same year, William Smoot sold to Samuel Luckett for 5,000 pounds of tobacco land adjoining "Johnson's Choice" and adjacent to the lands laid out for George Goodrick. In April 1689, William Smoot sold another portion of "Wicomico Fields", described as his dwelling plantation, to his kinsman Edward Smoot for 24,000 pounds of tobacco. The deed stated that it adjoined the land conveyed to William Newman and Captain Humphrey Warren. The conveyance was witnessed by Randall Bryant, Thomas Gibbons, and Elizabeth Butler.

133 William Smoot in some manner sustained financial reverses, as is evident by his numerous conveyances over a period of a few years, perhaps through the unsuccessful law suits emanating from his uncle's estate and a libel action against Robert Yates. In 1690, however, "William Smoot, Gent." petitioned the court to operate an inn . . . "Whereas your petitioner descended and for an honest extraction his parents (when in being) lived both in good repute and credit among the whole neighborhood and by their indulgent care left him a sustenance for his support and his outgoing enjoyment and himself for sometime since their decease lived in good rank and fashion but since by the frowns of fortune reduced to a mean condition, he being willing by any lawful ways or means be may repair his fortune . . . Petitions to keep a house of entertainment to provide a subsistance for his wife and Children". The court granted him a license to maintain an inn paying a yearly fee of 1,200 pounds of tobacco. About this time the Northern Neck of Virginia offered opportunities to settlers, consequently having encountered unfortunate events in Maryland, William Smoot and his young family crossed over to Westmoreland County, Virginia, and settled in Copley Parish at a date prior to 1695. Sometime after 1690 his wife Anne died, and he married secondly Eleanor ----. From his will, it would seem to indicate that his three daughters had obtained majority and therefore could easily be of the first union. His sons, being minors at his death, could possibly be of the second wife. Children of William Smoot 1. Sarah Smoot. 2. Winifred Smoot. 3. Mary Smoot. 4. William Smoot married Frances ----. q.v. 5. Thomas Smoot, died 1719. 6. John Smoot married thrice. q.v. On November 9, 1704, William Smoot, of Copley Parish, Westmoreland County, conveyed to Lawrence Pope, of Washington Parish same county, for 3,000 pounds of tobacco 100 acres of land lying partly in Copley and Washington Parishes, being part of a tract granted to William Smoot by a deed from the Proprietor's Office in August 1704 of escheated land from Alexander Gordon, late of Westmoreland County. Eleanor Smoot, his wife, waived her dower rights. The will of William Smoot was dated April 12, 1706, and proved in Westmoreland County on April 30, 1707, by John Moore and John Veale. He bequeathed his two daughters, Sarah and Winifred, the

134 dwelling-plantation but Sarah was to have the portion on the river. In the event that they died without heirs, the plantation was to revert to Mary. The latter received 3,000 pounds of tobacco and a feather bed at marriage. He devised his wife, Eleanor, all land in Stafford County at Aquia to her and her heirs forever. His sons, William and Thomas, were willed certain personalty, but his wife was to have the "tuition" of his two sons until 21 years of age. A deed in 1717 shows that his widow was unmarried and that a posthumous son was born after the writing of his will. Eleanor Smoot, on December 5, 1717, deeded to her son John Smoot in the presence of Nathaniel Pope, Rebecca Bryant, and John Elliot for natural love and affections certain goods and chattels at the age of 18 years. His widow, however, later married John Austin and lived in St. Mary's County, Maryland, where she died intestate in 1747. His son Thomas returned to Maryland and died intestate and without issues in 1719. The inventory of his estate was signed by Barton Smoot and Barton Hungerford as kinsmen, with Edward Gardner as the administrator. The estate was appraised by Joseph Douglas and Thomas Hawes. William Smoot4 (16-- - 1784) William Smoot, son of William, was born perhaps in Copley Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was a minor at the death of his father in 1707, and was placed under the guardianship of his believed mother until majority. In 1713, however, he was of sufficient age to witness a lawsuit Higgins vs. Vaughn in Westmoreland County. He married Frances ----. The births of his children are recorded in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, which shows that he left the domicile of his parents and settled in the former county. Furthermore, the births of his children show that he was beyond the age of forty at time of marriage. Children of William and Frances Smoot 1. John Smoot married Milly ----. q.v. 2. Eleanor Smoot, born Apr. 28, 1750, married John Bryant, of North Farnham, Parish. 3. Thomas Smoot, born July 26, 1753, apparently died young. 4. Sarah Smoot, born Apr. 23, 1756, apparently died young. 5. Anne Smoot, born Sept. 6, 1761, married Le Roy Stott. 6. Richard Smoot, born Oct. 13, 1764, apparently died young. 7. Betty Smoot, born Feb. 8, 1771, apparently died young.

135 On March 28, 1719, William Smoot, of Westmoreland County, Virginia, conveyed to Barton Smoot, of Charles County, Maryland, for five shillings all claim to property within the Province of Maryland. It is therefore proved that William Smoot was of the Maryland family, and this deed of gift was probably his interest as well as that of his brothers and sisters in the estate of his brother Thomas Smoot who had recently died intestate in Maryland. After the birth of his children, William Smoot moved to St. Peter's Parish, Northumberland County, Virginia, where he died at an advanced age. His will dated August 28, 1782, was proved December 6, 1784, in Northumberland County. The land purchased from William Elliot and Peter Beshaugh was to be divided equally between his grandchildren-- William Smoot Bryant and Betty Bryant, children of his daughter Eleanor. The plantation in Northumberland County was devised to his son John, whereas his granddaughter ---- Stott was willed the plantation which had been purchased from William Mason. Lishay Bryant was to have the use of 10 acres in Northumberland County adjacent to Thaddeus Forrest during life then to his son John Smoot. Nancy Austin Everet received personalty, and Betty Brown Vanderlandinggham was willed the plantation in Richmond County during life then to his son John Smoot. The residue of the estate was to be divided among his three children, Eleanor Bryant, Nancy Stott (Stoll), and John Smoot. His friends Thomas Coleman, Thomas Walker, and John Abbey were named as executors. Thomas Coleman and John Abbey relinquished the executorship which was later granted to his widow Frances Smoot. His son John Smoot died without issues in Northumberland County. His will, dated October 2, 1792, was proved November 12, 1792, by Mary Stephens, John Bryant, and George Shearly. He named his widow Milly Smoot and bequeathed her the entire estate during widowhood then to his sister Nelly Bryant, except that part of his estate which came to him by his wife. His niece Anne Stoll was to have one year of schooling at the age of twelve, paid from the proceeds of his estate. He named his friends, Thomas Williams and Bryant Phillipp, the executors. John Smoot4 (1707 - 1789) John Smoot, the posthumous son of William Smoot and Eleanor his wife, was born 1707 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He returned to Maryland, perhaps with his mother and brother, and settled in St.

136 Mary's County. Facts prove that he had three wives. The name of his first wife is unknown, but she became the mother of one child. Children of John Smoot by First Marriage 1. Austin Sanford Smoot. q.v. John Austin, the step-father of John Smoot, died in St. Mary's County, his will being proved on July 16, 1733. He bequeathed his "godson" Austin Sanford Smoot the dwelling-plantation, but in the event of his death during minority then to his "sons-in-law" John Smoot and William Harrison. His wife Eleanor, however, was to enjoy the use of the dwelling until his godson attained majority. The two sons-in-law were devised 1,000 acres of land on Aquia Creek in Stafford County, Virginia. His widow and John Smoot administered on the estate.1 The first wife of John Smoot lived perhaps only a short time, inasmuch as by 1734, John Smoot had become the administrator of Robert Crane, late of St. Mary's, by marrying the latter's widow. Accordingly on Mary 20, 1734, John Smoot and Sarah his wife closed the estate of Robert Crane, when the balance of £214/10/6 3/4 was distributed to the widow and the following children, all minors--William, Thomas, Robert, and Mary Anne Crane. Children of John and Sarah Smoot 2. John Smoot, born 1737; served pvt. St. M. Co., militia, Rev. War; as John Smoot Jr. his will, dated Dec. 30, 1788, was proved July 14, 1789, by John Horn Abel, leaving his entire estate to 2 natural sons, Narnole White and Tunsel White; account of Aug. 30, 1799, showed an estate of £650. 3. George Smoot married Anne Beale. q.v. 4. Cuthbert Smoot. q.v. 5. Caleb Smoot married twice. q.v. In 1738 John Smoot patented "Smoot's Marsh" of 31 acres lying on Herring Creek in St. Mary's County, which was augmented in 1746 by a survey of 31 acres known as "Smoot's Marsh Rectified". These tracts later were possessed by John Crane who in 1793 conveyed them to Henry Watts. In 1747 John Smoot appeared in court as the administrator of his mother's estate, Eleanor Austin, late of St. Mary's County. No inventory nor administration accounts, however, are on file at Annapolis. ________________ 1It is sometimes thought that John Smoot married a daughter of John Austin, but in the early eighteenth century "son-in-law" signified stepson. Furthermore, if John Smoot had married a daughter of John Austin, the latter would have referred to him as grandson instead of godson.

137 On March 26, 1750, John Smoot conveyed the land which he inherited from his step-father to John Dalton, Merchant, of Fairfax County, Virginia, and which has been willed in fee simple by his father to his mother Eleanor in 1707. The land was described as 407 acres situated formerly in Stafford County, but now in Fairfax County upon Tuskarora Branch, adjoining the land of William Chandler. The second wife of John Smoot was deceased by 1752, for she failed to share in the estate of her son William Crane. On August 24, 1752, Thomas Crane, the eldest son of Sarah, rendered the final account on the estate of his brother William Crane, at which time £145/13/7 3/4 were distributed to the following representatives described as "brothers of the deceased" Thomas Crane of full age; Robert Crane and John Smoot about 15 years of age; George Smoot about 10 years; Cuthbert Smoot about 8 years; and Caleb about 5 years. John Reeder and William Morgan were sureties for the administrator. The fact that Austin Sanford Smoot was not an heir of William Crane proves that he was not of the same mother. Under the English common law half brothers of the same mother shared equally. John Smoot took upon himself a third wife, but her identity remains a mystery to her many decendants. It can be assumed that she was a maiden of St. Mary's County. Children of John Smoot by His Third Marriage 6. William Smoot married twice. q.v. 7. Thomas Smoot, died testate St. M. Co., 1796, naming sister Anne Barnhouse wife of Rodolph; and brother Hezekiah the guardian to niece Elizabeth Smoot. 8. Hezekiah Smoot. q.v. 9. Alexander Smoot married Anne Jones. q.v. 10. Eleanor Smoot married ---- Price. 11. Anne Smoot married Rodolph Barnhouse. Issues: Frances and Elizabeth. 12. Elizabeth Smoot died testate 1791, leaving presumably a natural dau. Elizabeth; brother Thomas to be guardian; other heirs Hezekiah Smoot, Alexander Smoot, and Anne Barnhouse. In 1760 John Smoot with Abraham Howell was surety for Anne Berry when she administered on the estate of James Berry. On June 1, 1769, John Smoot was the administrator of Joseph Thomas Gardiner, of St. Mary's County. Francis Hammersley was the bondsman. The name of John Smoot Sr. appears on the list of the "Worshipful Bennett Biscoe's Returns" as taking the oath of fidelity in St. Mary's County during the Revolutionary War.2 ________________ 2 Unpublished Maryland Records, D. A. R. Library, vol. 6, p. 2.

138 The will of John Smoot Sr. was dated October 26, 1789, and proved in St. Mary's County by John Horn Abell, Mary Bean, and John Fenwick of John. Peculiarly, he deeded no land but a large number of negroes and household furniture. Negroes and other personal property were bequeathed to his sons; Caleb, William, Thomas, Hezekiah, and Alexander; daughters Eleanor Price. Anne Barnhouse, and Elizabeth Smoot; and grandson John Smoot Price. A negro was devised to his granddaughter Auny Smoot, but in the event that she died before majority then to her sisters Susannah and Eleanor Smoot. A bequest was made to another granddaughter Mary Smoot. One shilling each was left to the following grandchildren--Barton Smoot, James Smoot, John Smoot, George Smoot, William Read Smoot, and Sarah Smoot. The crops were to be divided between his two children Hezekiah Smoot and Elizabeth Smoot. Austin Sanford Smoot5 (1727 - 17--) Austin Sanford Smoot, the eldest son of John, was born about 1727 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He was, however, of age in 1748, when he was the administrator de bonis non of the estate of Stephen Mackey, late of St. Mary's County. Robert Hagan and Thomas Biscoe were his bondsmen. From this fact, it has led to the inference, though proof is lacking, that he married into the Mackey or McKay family, and that Macky Smoot of the next generation was his son. If such be the case, the following are his children. 1. Mackey Smoot, d.s.p. 2. Mary Smoot, spinster. 3. Elizabeth Smoot married ---- Milburn. Austin Sanford Smoot predeceased his father, and it is noted that none of the grandchildren mentioned in the father's will can be satisfactorily placed as those of Austin. John Smoot, it must be remembered, bequeathed no realty, and inasmuch as Austin Smoot inherited the dwelling-plantation of his godfather John Austin, the father probably considered that these grandchildren were well provided for, and therefore failed to make them heirs of his personal estate. Austin Sanford Smoot was not the head of a family at the first census, but Anne Smoot with a male less than 16 years of age (Mackey) was probably his widow.

139 Austin Sanford Smoot in March 1778, took the Oath of Allegiance in St. Mary's County, his name appearing on the list of "the worshipful Bennett Biscoe's Returns".3 Prior to this date, however, "Sanford Smoot" with Benjamin Morgan and Thomas Austen testified to the validity of the will of Sarah Thomas, widow of St. Mary's County. John Horn Abel appraised the estate. Inasmuch as the administration accounts of St. Mary's between the years 1777 and 1806 were destroyed, it has been difficult to prove the approximate date of his death or his heirs. Mackey Smoot, the believed son of Austin Smoot, was not listed as the head of a family until 1820, at which time the census schedule showed that he was born prior to 1775 and had in his household a female over 45 years of age, and a male between the ages of 18 and 26 years. Between 1813 and 1818 Mackey conveyed "Poplar Neck" to William Thomas; an unnamed tract to Thomas Bennett and Rebecca L. Green; "St. Jerome's Plains" to Mary Thomas and others; and "Elizabeth Manor" to William Dixon and others. The will of Mackey Smoot was dated July 21, 1829, and proved in St. Mary's County on December 21, 1829, by Bennett Bean, Uriah Tippett, and William Clarke. He bequeathed his realty to his sister, Mary Smoot, during life then to George Beal for the services rendered. The residue was willed to the children of his sister, Elizabeth Milburn, residing in the State of North Carolina. His personal property was offered for sale on February 10, 1830, when it brought $117.62 1/2. Among the purchasers were Hezekiah Smoot and Mary Smoot. His realty, lying in the vicinity of St. Inigoes, was appraised in 1831. Among the out houses were a shoe and a blacksmith shop. One account of his personal estate displayed a balance of $3,284.84. The final distribution was not made until 1850, when the unnamed children of Elizabeth Milburn, of North Carolina, were the only representatives. Hezekiah Smoot5 (1760 - 1834) Hezekiah Smoot, son of John, was born about 1760 in St. Mary's County. The name of his wife is unknown. Children of Hezekiah Smoot 1. Letitia Smoot married Reubin Lloyd. License St. M. Co., Jan. 28, 1812. 2. Eleanor Smoot married Richard M. Renscher, License St. M. Co., Apr. 17, 1829. ________________ 3 Unpublished Maryland Records, D. A. R., Library, Wash.

140 It is probable that he had a son Hezekiah who either predeceased him or was not a resident of Maryland at the time of his death. One Hezekiah Smoot was drafted in St. Mary's County during July 1813 for services in the War of 1812, and inasmuch as Hezekiah Smoot of John was past 50 years of age, it is concluded that the soldier was of a younger generation. He was assigned to the company of Captain Richard Clarke of the Second Maryland Regiment commanded by Colonel Fenwick. Most of the time he performed guard duty on the shore between St. Inigoes and Cedar Point. He was discharged October 30, 1813. The will of Hezekiah Smoot was dated August 26, 1834, and proved in Charles County on September 9, the same year, by Matilda E. Wilson, Robert F. M. Lyons, and George T. St. Clair, with Richard M. Rencher as the executor. He named only two heirs, William Renscher and Thomas Lloyd, both grandsons.

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"The Smoots of Maryland and Virginia" by Harry Wright Newman, originally published privately in Washington D.C. in 1936. This edition edited and published by Frederick K. Smoot and the Smoot Family Association, copyright 2001.

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