Alexander Smith Story
The search for Davis Smith of Monroe County, Georgia's parents took me on the long trail of Smith families in Georgia. However, as I prepared a family group sheet, their identities became clearer for each family.
ALEXANDER SMITH of Wilkes, Warren, Laurens, and Monroe Counties served as a Minute Man during the Revolutionary War, according to McCall's Roster of the Revolution. Minute Men were called to serve by their commander and entered the action at a moment's notice.
Alexander Smith, born about 1760 in North Carolina, was the son of Captain John Smith, a Rifleman, who answered the call to the "Over the Mountain Men" to fight the Battle of Kings Mountain. After the war, Alexander Smith resided in Warren County. He was married to Martha Franklin, a daughter of the Reverend William Franklin, who founded the Little Creek Baptist Church and Franklin College. William Franklin, the father of Martha, was well-known for his service in the Revolutionary War and leader in the community.
Davis Smith was the administrator of his father's (Alexander) estate in 1814, Warren County.
I discovered Alexander Smith's militia service by searching through the Militia Records. Since service was required for all adult males, it was a logical place to search.
Old Georgia Fort Hawkins
Alexander Smith was a member of the Georgia Militia from August 14 to September 20th, 1813. He was among fifteen privates called to erect Forts Pike, Mitchell, Greene, and Laurens on the frontier. The payroll agreed with General Blackshear's orders on August 9, 1813. Source: Georgia Militia Records 1774-1838. (available to members of GeorgiaPioneers.com)
Alexander is believed to be a son of Captain John Smith of Wilkes County, the father of fourteen children.
Evidence points out that Alexander came from North Carolina as one of his sons, Matthew Smith, was born in 1780 in North Carolina, found in the 1850 Dooly County, Georgia Census.
Notes:
Alexander's wife was Martha Franklin, a daughter of Rev. William Franklin (died 1797 Warren County), and wife, Mary, born 1720 in Virginia, died 1821 Laurens County. Evidence points that Alexander came from North Carolina as one of his sons, Matthew Smith, was born in 1780 in N. C., founded in 1850 Dooly County, Georgia Census. Tradition says that the Franklin family traveled with the Mercers from Currituck County, North Carolina.
Martha H. Smith, the widow of Alexander Smith, drew in the 1821 Land Lottery, then a Laurens County, Georgia resident. She drew Land Lot 222 in the 12th District of Monroe County. Note that this is the identical land which she deeded to her son, Davis Smith, as follows:
"Monroe County Deed Book D, Page 15, April 1, 1824. Martha H. Smith of Dooly County and Davis Smith of Laurens County for $250, land in Monroe County, Georgia, located in the 11th district and being Land Lot 2~2."
No further records have been found on Martha H. Smith. It is believed that Martha died between 1825 and 1829 since she did not appear on the 1830 Census.
Clues to be taken from this research paper:
1. Revolutionary War Pensions
2. Georgia Militia Records 1774-1838 available to members of GeorgiaPioneers.com
3. Burials in Davis Smith Cemetery, Monroe County, Georgia.
Smith Genealogies (mainly Georgia) are available to members of georgiapioneers.com