Ebenezer Smith, Sr.

Notes:

SK land evidence dated 12 Jan 1722/3 identifies Ebenezer as "of Prudence Island." In 1724 he was "of Portsmouth" when he was asked by SK to take over the guardianship of his deceased brother Ephraim's children.

Ebenezer deeded land to his son Ebenezer Jr. of SK on 4 Sep 1736. This included rights to the following: land, ferry house, staple ware house, wharfs, ferry boat, and freight boat. (also see notes for father Jeremiah)

Ebenezer and Abigail signed a deed of sale on 23 Apr 1737, SK; they sold land to John Gardner of SK.

I have made an assumption that he is the Ebenezer Smith who was a son of Jeremiah & Mary Smith of Prudence Island. It is clear from land evidence and court records that some members of this family later moved to Kingstown and South Kingstown.

Ebenezer is mentioned by his mother Mary in SK land evidence.

I have roughly estimated Ebenezer's year of birth.

Ebenezer — Abigail Unknown. Abigail died Aft 1743. [Group Sheet]

1. Ephraim Smith
2. Ebenezer Smith, Jr. was born Abt 1715.

Notes:

The marriage record at Warwick identifies Jeremiah's father as John.

Jeremiah's will dated 19 Mar 1715/16 mentions by name his wife Mary, three sons, and three daughters (with married names). John is identified as the eldest son and Sarah the eldest daughter; also mentioned are grandchildren Mary & Jeremiah Smith, presumably both children of John.

I have estimated the birth years of some of Jeremiah & Mary's children.

The following notes are taken (unedited & unverified) from Alfred Rose's family tree at Rootsweb's Worldconnect. They appear to be reliable based on my other research:

JEREMIAH SMITH was married at Warwick, R. I. Jany. 2, 1672 to Mary Gereardy. He was made freeman in 1675 and was taxed 4s. at Portsmouth in 1680, was constable in 1688, and in 1696 with his brother John signed an agreement about the ferry at Boston Neck in Kingstown. With his brother John he was granted the privilege of a ferry at Boston Neck by the Assembly for seven years at

Jeremiah married Mary Girard 2 Jan 1671/72, Warwick, RI. Mary was born Abt 1652; died Aft 23 Aug 1731, South Kingstown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The marriage record names the bride as Mary Girreard, of John.

Mary Smith is mentioned in several land deeds of South Kingstown and in Newport court records.

On 12 Jan 1722/23 she is "of Prudence Island" when she gives by SK deed a female negro child to a granddaughter, a daughter of Mary's son Ephraim. This deed is witnessed by William Remington & John Peirce.

In Dec 1728 she is identified as "of Prudence Island."

On 23 Aug 1731 she is mentioned as "widow of SK" and mother of Ebenezer of South Kingstown.

I have made an assumption that she died at SK.

According to Newport court records, Mary, Jeremiah, & John Smith had to pay Emmanuel Clark for rental of a farm in SK. In the court notes, Josiah Remington is mentioned as the "Barrar" who will carry 40 shillings payment to Clark. Was he the court courier or a relative? He may have been a lawyer or other court official at this point.

Notes:

Jeremiah and Mary were married by John Greene, Justice.