John Smith, "Commissioner of Customs-Port of New London"

Not the same as John Smith, Sr., of Cape Neddick

Biography

John Smith (Smyth) - "Commissioner of Customs-Port of New London"

John Smith, brother of Nehemiah Smith, married about 1640, Joanna [Ormsby], she being a widow with one child, named Elizabeth. After the death of Joanna Smith, then a widow for the second time, the estate was inherited by her daughter Elizabeth, wife of George Way, then living in Lyme. The maiden name of Elizabeth does not appear on the records. The house and lot on Cape Ann street was deeded, in 1695, to Samuel Fosdick, by George and Thomas Way, children of George and Elizabeth Way.

https://archive.org/details/genealogicalhist01smit/page/30/mode/1up...

A short time previous to removal [from Boston to New London], John Smith wrote to his eldest brother in England, for his brother's eldest son, Edward, to come to this country and make his home with him. Edward came probably in the spring of 1652. Soon after his arrival John sent him to his uncle Nehemiah, then living on Long Island. John " being in a low condition in respect to his estate," Nehemiah gave him cattle and sheep, and kept them for him until both families moved to New Lon- don, where he further assisted him with money to build a house. John repaid his brother as he became able. …

After his death his nephew Edward claimed in court that his uncle [John] had adopted him. The testimony reveals the fact that Edward was living on the east side of the river for some years previous to his uncle's death, possibly on the land owned by hia uncle and which Edward believed he was entitled to by inheritance, although Edward had land granted to him in 1604. This will occupied considerable time in the courts, and on account of its quaintness and general interest a separate chapter is devoted to it.

The will was made in favor of his wife. John had no children of his own. He died Oct. E 1679, at least sixty years of age, and probably several year. more. His wife died in 1687, aged about 73.

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Elizabeth's mother requested John Smith to consider making one of her daughter's sons his heir, but he declined because her daughter was a Quaker and he could not abide the Quakers.

Elizabeth and some of her children moved to New London to care for her mother, who was blind. George Way obtained a court order to have her return to live with him, but she never returned and died in New London in 1713. George died about 1686.

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT,
WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF ITS PIONEERS AND PROMINENT MEN. COMPILED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF D. HAMILTON HURD J. W. LEWIS & CO., PHILADELPHIA, 1882
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA [transcribed by Janece Streig] CHAPTER XV. NEW LONDON - (Continued). Pages 207 - 215. < link >

MISCELLANEOUS.

Commerce-Whaling-The Port of New London-Custom-House-List of Collectors-The Ferry-New London in 1800-Societies-Incorporation of the City-First Charter Election-Officers Elected-Mayors from Organization to Present Time-Schools-The Yellow Fever-The Old Militia-City Hall-Manufactures-Cedar Grove Cemetery-Gas Company-Water-Works.

Commerce (1) [1. By William H. STARR] - WHALING.-As a commercial town, New London became early noted in the colony. Ever sagacious and on the alert, the people were not slow to improve the facilities offered by the natural advantages of the place for engaging in commercial pursuits.

As early as 1659 nine persons were appointed by the General Court, one for each of the small ports in the colony, to enter and record such goods as were subject to customs. John SMITH was appointed custom-master for New London. The office was unimportant in point of fees, as an order of the General Court in 1654 allowed all articles, except wine and liquors, to be received free of duty. Under the term liquors, however, the spirit called rum, which was then a recent product of the English West India Islands, was not included, but strictly prohibited. 2 [2. It is recorded in New London, lib. 3, "that whatsoever Barbadoes liquors, commonly called run, kill-devil, or the like, shall be landed in any place in this jurisdiction, drawne or sould in any vessel lying in any harbor or roade in this commonwealth, shall be all forfeted and confiscated to the commonwealth."-Miss CAULKINS' History, p. 230.] Daniel WETHERILL was subsequently appointed to the office, and was the last person who held it by colonial authority.

Will

References

• A genealogical history of the descendants of the Rev. Nehemiah Smith of New London County, Conn. : with mention of his brother John and nephew Edward. 1638-1888 by Smith, Henry Allen, 1847- (Publication date 1889). Page 28 - < Archive.Org >
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149411376/john-smith has errors