Alexander Smith

Alexander Smith (c. 1740-1779), with the backing of his father, John Smith, acquired several tracts of land and a ferry site on the Cape Fear River. Alexander's father, his older brothers, and the Needham Bryan family had established the town of Smithfield on the Neuse River twenty-five miles to the north. Alexander's father, who migrated from Virginia, had served in the Colonial Assembly from Johnston County in the mid-1740's. Both of Alexander's older brothers, John and Samuel, had served in the Provincial Congress in 1774 and 1775. All were staunch supporters of the Revolution, and John, Jr. was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Continental army. Alexander himself was among the patriot forces at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge.

On 28 July 1774, Alexander obtained a sheriff's deed to 100 acres of land in Cumberland County, North Carolina, bordering or near Cape Fear River.[4]

Alexander's father, his older brothers, and the Needham Bryan family established the town of Smithfield on the Neuse River twenty-five miles to the north.

Revolutionary War
Alexander's father had served in the Colonial Assembly from Johnston County in the mid-1740's. Both of Alexander's older brothers, John and Samuel, had served in the Provincial Congress in 1774 and 1775. All were staunch supporters of the Revolution, and John, Jr. was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Continental army.

Alexander himself was among the patriot forces at Moore's Creek Bridge. His ferry was called upon many times to carry carts and goods for the Continental army.[1] On 28 December 1778, he signed oath of allegiance to make land entry, Cumberland County