Ambrose Joshua Smith

Parents uncertain

Captain, Infantry, Virginia Militia, Revolutionary War

The Colonial Records of New Kent County were destroyed by a fire in1787, which was set by John Price Posey, for which he was hung. It was the greatest loss suffered because the early records of many counties were in the New Kent Clerk's Office: King and Queen, 1654-1691; King William County, 1654 to 1702; Hanover County, 1654 to 1728; Louisa County, 1654 to 1728; and part of Caroline County, 1654 to 1720. The records for New Kent between 1787 and 1864 were burned at the time the village of New Kent Courthouse suffered a disastrous fire. The records for New Kent since 1864 are intact and are in good condition.

Controversy has placed the question of who the true parents are to Ambrose Joshua Smith. Some believed it was Christopher Smith, Merchant of Virginia and Catherine Smith. However, no proof has substantiate this claim. Until further proof is uncovered this tree will use that provided by Family Pursuit, Community Family Trees. A land document dated 6 May 1730, gives proof that a "CaptainChristopher Smith," who married a woman named Elizabeth, was the father to Ambrose, not Christopher and Catherine as earlier reported. Below is an abstract of the document:

"Christopher Smith dec'd about 13 years ago, surveyed 400 acres ofland lying on the East North East River in Spotsyvania County,Virginia but the said Christopher never in his life time nor his sonAmbrose Joshua Smith since his decease, sued out any patent for thesaid land and praying that he may leave to enter for the same. It isordered that Ambrose Joshua Smith, son of the said Christopher Smithdec'd have notice to attend this board and be admited to an entry forye said lands, 6 May 1730."

1 2 3 4 5

•Death: AUG 1758 in Rowan County, North Carolina

•Note: Ambrose was supposedly killed by Indians during the uprising in 1758.His estate was appraised and recorded in May Court 1763 at OrangeCounty, North Carolina. The return was made by John Spann Jr. Ambroseleft 610 acres in Rowan County, North Carolina and 250 acres in Orange County, North Carolina Bondsmen listed on his estate were BenjaminBlake and Benjamin Saxon. On Monday, 15 Dec 1760, Ambrose's estatewas to be sold. However, his wife, Judith died the same time her husband did in late 1758/59. 6 7 4

•Event: Living BET 1725 AND 1750 Hanover County (now Louisa County), Virginia

•Note: He lived on 600 acres of land on both sides of Snelson's Branch and Harrowing Creek. 1

•Event: Living BET 1750 AND 1756 Edgecomb County, North Carolina

•Note: Ambrose did not actually move from county to county. The creation of counties during this time period made a shift in the border lines for each county. New Kent County, Virginia was formed from York County,Virginia in 1694. Next, Hanover County, Virginia was created from New Kent County in 1720. Finally, Louisa County, Virginia was formed from Hanover County in 1742.

•Event: Living BET 1756 AND 1759 Rowan County, North Carolina

Family Sheet

HUSBAND

Name: Ambrose Joshua SmithMale Note Born: 11 Jun 17031703-6-11 at New Kent Co., VANew Kent Co., VA Married: 17301730-1-1 at Louisa Co., VALouisa Co., VA Died: Aug 17581758-8-1 at Rowan Chatham Co., NCRowan Chatham Co., NC

      Father: Christopher Smith Ii

Mother: Catherine Snelson
WIFE

Name: Judith Ann Spann Note

        Born: Abt 1700 at VA

Died: 1758 at Chatham Co., NC
Father: John Spann
Mother: Unknown
CHILDREN

Name: Catherine Smith

        Born: 

Died:
Husband: William Mullins
Name: Christopher Kitt B. Smith

        Born: Abt 1730 at Louisa Co., VA

Died: Dec 1804 at Greenville District, SC
Wife: Temperance Ann Arnold
Name: Charles H. Smith

        Born: 

Died:
Name: Zacheriah Smith

        Born: 19 Aug 1734 at Louisa Co., VA

Died: 1812 at Woodville, Wilkinson Co., MS
Wife: Frances Prestwood
Name: Francis Smith

        Born: 

Died: at Prob Anson NC
Name: Nicholas Smith

        Born:  at Cumberland Co VA To NC

Died: at Back To VA
Name: John "little River" Smith

        Born: Abt 1720 at VA

Died: 1782 at Montgomery Co NC
NOTES

1). Ambrose Joshua Smith was one of the first Gentleman Justices of the Louisa County VA Court from Smiths of Va pg 84.

2). 22 june 1756 John Spann of Johnson Co NC to Ambrose Joshua Smith of Rowan Co NC 1400 acres on Great Pee Dee, on Walkers Island, granted to Robert Parks by 3 patents 28 Sep 1745 and 14 March 1745 made over to John Spann 14 Oct 1747.

•Married: ABT 1797 in South Carolina

•Note:

This marriage was proven by a letter written by Marianne Smith, sisterof Albert Smith and is held by researcher Mahala Ellington.

Martha's sister, Mary Elizabeth, married Harmon Smith. Harmon Smithand Joshua Smith are brothers, sons of Christopher B. "Kitt" Smith.When Rhoda Smith and John Anderson Smith marry, it is a marriage of'double cousins'.

Ambrose married Judith Anderson, daughter of Thomas and Agnes Gannaway Anderson in 1725, in Louisa County VA. Judith was born in 1704 in Hanover County, VA. She died in August, 1758 in Chatham County, NC. The first recorded mention of her being Ambrose's wife was July 1, 1735, when they witness the deed between Edward MacGhee of King William County, VA and Samuel MacGhee of Hanover County, VA.

He and Judith were in Hanover County as early as 1725, associated with William and John Smith. In 1737, Hanover County, VA, Charles, Christopher and Francis Smith had adjoining land. In 1749, Louisa County, VA, Ambrose Joshua, Charles, Francis, and Christopher Smith all owned land near each other. On August 14, 1725, Ambrose Joshua Smith was granted 2,000 acres on Elk Creek adjacent to Overton Fork (History of Louisa County, VA, Harris). Ambrose was one of the church wardens for Fredericksville Parish, Louisa County, VA (Louisa County, VA, Fredericksville Parish Minutes, p. 7, January 28, 1745.)

He was one of the Justices of the first court held in Louisa County, VA, December 13, 1742. "Twelve Virginia Counties," by Gwathmey, p. 266.

By 1750 Ambrose and Judith were in Edgecombe County, NC. He was Captain of the local militia and his brothers(? nephews?) Charles, Christopher, William and Peter were all in his company. He was Esquire Justice of Edgecombe County in 1752. By 1754 he had moved out of the county. Ambrose and Judith were supposedly killed by Indians in the same raid during the uprising of 1758.

Comment s (3) Christophe r Smith & Catherine Marriage Date:.

unm2010added this on 27 Apr 2009.

1700-VA Website: http://www.e-familytree.net/f15353.htm#f134445 .
.
Ambrose Joshua Smith, son of Christopher Smith & Catherine:
unm2010added this on 27 Apr 2009.
Ambrose Joshua Smith was one of the first Gentleman Justices of the Louisa County VA Court – From Smiths of VA, p. 84. .
.

Christopher  Smith  Sr. and Christopher  Smith  Jr .

unm2010added this on 27 Apr 2009

Christopher Smith Sr. and Christopher Smith Jr. listed in Surry Co, VA list of tithables 1698 and Christopher Sr listed in 1688, 1678, 1674 - ref Colonial Surry by John Bennett Boddie. .
The following notes contributed by Mrs H. S. Snelson, 815 Cherokee Rd, N. E. Gainesville, GA 30501: The Virginia Gazette, 11 April 1740, Ambrose Joshua Smith advertises for a sorrell horse to be brought to Mr. Christopher Smith at Mr. John Snelson's in Hanover Co; .
Tyler’s Quarterly Magazine, vol (?) p. 150, Various grants were made for land in Hanover Co to one Christopher Smith, Merchant. One of these grants dated 28 Sep 1730, gives to Christopher Smith 600 acres on Snelson's Branch of Hollowing Creek in Hanover. This grant states that 400 acres thereof was granted to Charles Snelson and by William Snelson, his son and devisee, to Christopher Smith of said county, by deed acknowledged in Hanover court, 6 Feb 1727. It would appear that Christopher Smith married a daughter of Charles Snelson, and that both emigrated to Virginia. The family statement is that Christopher had a son Charles and a son Ambrose. .

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jan 5 2020, 2:52:32 UTC

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Parents: Capt. Christopher Smith (Headmaster of the Indian School, William and Mary College) III (1670–1739), Catherine Snelson (1680–1742). Spouse & Child: Judith Ann Spann (1703–1758).

John Christopher Little River Smith (1720–1782).