Thomas Smith, Esq.

Son of William and Mary Hett Smith. Husband of Elizabeth Lynsen, daughter of Abraham and Catharina Rutgers Lynsen. They were parents of Abraham Lysen, William, Walter, Thomas, James Scott, Catharine [m. William Denning], Samuel [1774-1834, #67655394] and Mary Smith.

Member of the Committee of Safety and of the Provincial Congress of New York. Thomas was a graduate of Yale and a prominent lawyer in New York. He made his home on a farm in Haverstraw which was inherited from his father. His brother, Joshua Hett Smith, gained notoriety when the home inherited by Thomas became known as "Treason House" during the American Revolutionary War. His grandson was John Taylor Smith owner of the Rockland Register newspaper. He was a parent of: William, a weathy lawyer who erected an elegant country residence known as Rosa Villa; Thomas, who died in 1815 who inherited his father's property; and Mary, wife of James L. Armstrong.

On the north side of the road from Haverstraw to Ramapo, opposite the house of the heirs of David Burns, is a small piece of land, which was donated by Colonel David Burns, father of the late owner, for a burial place of those who had none of their own. It is said the ancestor of the famous Lorillard family is buried there, but nothing marks his place of repose. It is also stated that Thomas Smith, who owned the land in Haverstraw village between Main and South streets, is lying there. Many years since, some occupant of the land, unmoved by any feeling of sentiment, took up all the stones and put them in a wall around the lot. The only remaining one bears the inscription: “Phebe Smith died April 19th 1803.” ~ Source: Hist of Rockland Co, NY, Dr. David Cole.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 4 2023, 18:36:03 UTC