Sgt. Edward Smith

Edward Smith, son of Christopher Smith and Alice Gibbes. was baptized March 17, 1633 at Stratford-upon-Avon, and was of legal age when he was granted rights as an inhabitant of Providence on August 27, 1656. He died on 8 Nov 1693 at Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Family

From https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51078422

He married Anphyllis Angell on May 9,1663.

Children:

1. Alice Smith Whipple,
2. Edward Smith Jr,
3. Anphyllis Smith Whipple,
4. Thomas Smith,
5. Christopher Smith,
6. Benjamin Smith, and
7. Joseph Smith.

Biography

Edward resided in Providence. On 8/27/1656, he was granted common equal to other townsmen and was granted the right to vote as an inhabitant of the town. He became a freeman May 13, 1658. He was made a town sergeant in1662. He was to have 20 s. for his year's service paid in peage at eight per penny.

He was a witness to the will of Benjamin Smith. He named his sons traditional Smith family names of Christopher, Benjamin and Thomas.

On 1/26/1672, he sold Richard Everden 3½ acres of meadow.

He wrote and submitted a bill on 1/27/1673 for consideration in the Assembly addressing accomodation of difficulties: "A reasonable, seasonable and ready way of encouragement to planters in their labors in this our plantation of Providence presented to the town met. Neighbors, whereas there hath been and yet is uncomfortable differences in this town about a new division of lands which you all sufficiently know." He therefore provides a way of settlement and division and closes; "so much of the forest be suddenly subdued by the laborious and become a fruitful field which is the desire of your neighbor, Edward Smith."

7/1/1679 - he was taxes 6s., 3d.

on 10/3/1681, he sold to Eleazer Whipple for £5, a right of commoning "which did in the original belong to my father Christopher Smith, now deceased, and was by my said father freely give to me, taking the care of my mother during her said natural life." He agreed to hold Mr, Whipple harmless of all claims by "me or father Christopher, deceased or said mother."

He was a member of the Colonial Assembly between 1665-1683. He was also a member of the town council for 9 years, between 1678-1688. Edward served as a Deputy in the years 1165-68-75-76-80-82-83. He was Assistant Governor in1691[RI Genealogical Register, p. 287].

In 1688, his ratable estate was 5 cows, 4 three years, 2 two years, 4 yearlings, 2 oxen, 2 horses, 1½ shares of meadow, 6 acres of tillage, 4 acres of pasture, 5 acres of wild pasture, 140 acres of woods, etc."

He left the administration of his estate to his wife and to his son Edward.

• http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/RIGENWEB/2000-04/0955...

  ---

  
  

Edward immigrated to Providence, R.I. with his father Christopher in the late 1640’s. He served as the Town Sergeant of Providence in 1661, and as a deputy to the General Court from the 1670’s to 1680’s. Edward served on the Providence Town Council in the 1670’s and 1680’s. He worked as a farmer in Providence. His final service to the town of Providence was as a magistrate in 1693. Edward’s wife Amphillis was the firstborn child of Providence immigrant Thomas Angell.

References

• American Ancestors Magazine. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010.) Genetics & Genealogy: William Shakespeare and the Christopher Smith Family by Kathleen "Kitty" Cooper Smith with Christopher Child. Volume Name 17.1 (2016) Page 50. < AmericanAncestors >