Sent by Michael Charles. 10 children were born to Jeremiah and Elizabeth
of Frederick County, Virginia, but origially called Back Creek, in the area
were : Sampson (Samuel) He died unmarried in the early fall of 1803 and it is
from his will that one defines his brothers and sisters.
Captain Jeremiah Smith is buried in the family cemetery and marked graves
there are: Jeremiah Smith 1711-1786, George, his son 1769-1884, Samuel, son of George 1802-1873, and Julia Branson Smith, wife of George 1805-1868, Frances (Mrs. John Muse 1827-1882), Giles 1833-, Dorothy Hiett Smith, wife of Giles Smith 1833-1917 and one common field stone which bears this inscription
"Jonathan to Rialo-Le, Feb 7, 1795-37 years, 7 mo." Note that I have stated
that other than Jonathan Smith's being mentioned in his brother Samuel's
will that no further record exists - most likely this particular stone markes
the grave of an Indian wife, (there were several of the early settlers or their nearly grown sons who were married to beautiful Indian maidens.
The West Virginia Advocate 13 July 1988. Settlement and Settlers In Old
Frederick County, Va. Capt. Jeremiah Smith: One of the First Settlers Beyound the Western Frontier of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Tradition says that Capt. Jeremiah Smith (1711-1787) was the first settler in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, allegedly a squatter at Back Creek in western Frederick Co., Va. This tradition has been passed down through a branch of the family as well as promulgated by local historians, from the Honorable Thomas K. Cartmell in 1908 to Ralph L. Triplett Esq. in 1983.
The purpose of this article is to examine the validity of this claim in
view of existing original, historical documents. Quite a bit has been said
about Jeremiah Smith and the Back Creek Settlement, but no comprehensive
history has been written on the 1730-50 era. Researchers and descendants have relied heavily on tradition and folklore, and they have overlooked a wealth of factual material in state archives and courthouses.
It appears that Jeremiah Smith has been a good subject for creative writers and oral historians. I have corresponded with descendants in numerous family branches, for at least a decade, and many myths have been prepetuated about this man.
After years of extensive research of hundreds of historical documents and
doing corroborating on-site studies, it is my opinion that Jeremiah Smith was
not the first settler in the Shenandoah Valley nor the first settler in the
historic western frontier region now known as Back Creek Valley.
Although pioneer Smith was a heroic frontiersman signigicant feats and
contributed much toward helping tame frontier wilderness, fought with
distinction during the French and Indian War, was a leader in economic
development during the times of peace, and is unboubtedly due much recognition, I believe that some credit given him is due others.
This article is a presentation of my case for much that has heretofore been accepted as historical fact many persons to be corrected and, as is necessary, for history references to be rewritten.
In Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants, by former Frederick
County Clerk T.K. Cartmell, published in 1908, Cartmell stated that Jeremiah
Smith and two other men came from New Jersey to Back Creek in 1730 before the
Shenandoah Valley was settled.
Allegedly, the three men camped at a spring which is the headwaters of Back Creek. That spring is now known as Bywater's Spring. They stayed only three months and then returned to New Jersey. Jeremiah Smith was only 18-19 years old at the time.
Alledgedly, in 1730, Smith marked off a farm along Back Creek before
returning to New Jersey where he later possibly married a Miss Thomas. One
son, named Thomas Smith was born to Smith's first marriage.
According to verbal history, Smith's first wife and their young son,
Thomas, were kidnapped by Indians sometime during 1739-1741. Presumably,
Smith's wife died while still held captive by Indians; his young son, however, was reared by Indians and adopted their culture as his.
Over a period of years, Smith received periodic reports from traders and
hunters, who said they had Thomas living with Indians at various locations.
Smith's many and continuing attempts to ascertain the exact whereabouts of his wife and son were unsuccessful. He seems to have had hopes that someday he would be able to rescue them and bring them home. For about 10 years, Smith did not remarry, presumably because he hoped to someday rescue his wife or that she would escape or be released and return.
During the late 1770s, Smith received a report that his wife and son were
being held captive by Catawba Indians somewhere in what is now the western
region of North Carolina. Jacob Shade, a Revolutionary War soldier originally of old Frederick County, told Smith he had sen his son and talking with him.
Anxiously, Smith, then elderly sent a man who knew how to locate Thomas and who was allowed by Indians to penetrate their territory and visit their
villages. With this man, Smith sent a message to his son: I'm getting very
old, and I would like for you to come home.
Thomas, who had been indoctrinated by Indians, who reared him from youth,
and had adopted their philosophies, rejected his father's plea and sent a
message to his father in which he condemmed Smith for atrocities committed
against Indians and for "taking and abusing" Indian Land. He said he was happy living as an Indian and did not want to return to the society of whites.
This story, contributed by historian Frederick T. Newbraugh of Berkeley
Springs, W.Va. seems to have credibility. Smith's will written in 1786, seems to indicate that he still believed that his son was alive and that he still had hopes Thomas would someday return to Back Creek and claim his legacy.
Cartmell's presented a different account, which claims that Smith's first
wife died; that their son, Thomas, went to live with his mother's people, who
had immigrated to South Carolina; and that he was later killed during the
Revolutionary War.
However, in Jeremiah Smith's will filed in the Frederick County Courthouse
in 1787, Smith wrote, "whereas I had a son named Thomas who left me many years ago and it is very uncertain if he is yet alive, but if he should be living, it is my will that each of my eldest sons, namely Samuel, Jeremiah, and Andrew do pay him the said Thomas five pounds current money in lue (sic) of all legacies from me."
Tradition says that Smith made several visits back to New Jersey, but he
continued to make the Back Creek area his home basee. This claim will be
assessed later in this article, in view of rare historical documents which will be analyzed and discussed.
Jeremiah Smith was thrice married, but to my knowledge, no marriage records have been located. Smith is the most common name in the United States, and it is very difficult to trace, genealogically, especially during the 18th century.
According to public records, Smith's second wife was named Elizabeth, and
his third wife was named Ann. I suspect that Ann was born on the east side of of North Mountain and was a daughter of one of the old families who settled there.
One of my correspondents has hypothesized that Smith was married only twice; the second wife being named Elizabeth (Betsy) Ann. However, there appears to be evidence for three marriages and children by three wives.
A pioneer-era old graveyard is located just north of U.S. Route 50 on the
west side of Back Creek. Capt. Jeremiah Smith and other members of his family were buried in that family graveyard. Many of the graves were either not marked or were designated by stone markers which were not inscribed.
Smith's tomestone, erected during the modern times, bears the erroneous
dates 1786 as his death year. Smith wrote his will in 1786, but he did not die until 1787, evidenced by his signature on 1787 deeds transferring title of lands.
This historic site in Back Creek Valley has been neglected voer the years.
An accompanying photograph shows that graveyard hidden by a dense overgrowth of brush, briers and weeds that is difficult to penetrate.
I understand that members of the Smith family, especailly to minimize brush and weeds, have maintained the graveyard until recently.
Is it possible that this historic graveyard will be lost in time? About the time this article was published, I was informed that the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society was making plans to retore the graveyard.
Next to the graveyard, there was once and old house which Triplett and
others believed to have been Jeremiah Smith's residence. This historic house
was destroyed by fire more than 50 years ago.
Triplett was logical in assuming that Smith had been buried in a plot close to his residence, but recent research in the Virginia State Archives and the Frederick County Courthouse indicated that Smith's plantation house was situated on land he secured through the Fairfax land-grant and which is located about one-mile upstream and southwestward from the graveyard, as will be shown later.
The house which Triplett referred to as Jeremiah Smith's residence was
undoubtedly built by one of Smith's children. Presumably, the graveyard site
was selected because its elevation on a knoll above Back Creek would afford
protection from flooding.Smith The Roadbuilder
The first public record that I have been able to locate regarding Jeremiah Smith was found in an order book in Orange Co., Va. dated March 25, 1742.
The Orange County Court ordered "Jeremy Smith (sic) and Robert Eaton "to
view and lay" a road that "James Wood, Gentleman" and other, had petitioned be built from James Codiss sic to Isaac Perkin's (sic) Mill.
In plain English, this order directed that a study be accomplished to
determine the best cource for a road and that a road be built between James
Caudy's residence at what is now known as Capon Bridge and Isaac Parkin's Mill near what is now Winchester. Generally, this road was the forerunner of the Great Wagon Road between Winchester and Romney. From 1729 to 1742, prior to he road being built, only trails and paths existed for travellers going
between what is now Winchester, Va. and what is now the South Branch Valley
region in West Virg....Smith The Military Man and Explorer
History and tradition say that Jeremiah Smith was one of the most tough and one of the most savvy Indian fighters in Old Frederick Co. When the first militia was formed in Frederick County in 1743, Smith was a combat militiaman.
Triplett, in his book pertaining to the history of upper Back Creek Valley, stated, "I will not attemted to give any more hsitory of Captain Jeremiah Smtih, because any history buff already knows the part Jeremiah played in fighting the Indians, etc."...
"After the defeat of Braddocks, the whole western frontier was left exposed to the incursions of the Indians and French. In the spring of the year 1756, a party of about fifty Indians, with a French Captain at their head, crossed the Alleghany Mountains, committing on the white settlers every act of barbarous war.
"Captain Jeremiah Smith raised a party of twenty brave men, marched to met this savage foe, and fell in with them at the head of Capon River, where a fierce and blood battle was fought."
"Smith killed the captain with his own hand, five other Indians having
fallen, and a number wounded, they gave way and fled. Smith lost two of his
men."
"On searchin the body of the Frenchman, he was found in possession of his commission and written instructions to meet another party of about fifty
Indians at Fort Frederick, to attack the fort, destory it, and blow up the
magazine.
During the 1755-56, Indian attackes were so brutal in old Frederick County that families fled from the area and most often, went to the Piedmount region of North Carolina and South Carolina. Many of the families never returned....
In April 1756, Lord Fairfax, county lieutenant for Frederick County, called a council of war to regulate Indians.
When those officers could find only 15 men to go against the enemy Lord
Fairfax discharged them because they were not a large enough force to wage
warefare.
Shortly afterwards, Jeremiah Smith raised 20, men and with his small force, defeated a much larger force during a fierce battle near headwaters of the Capon River, (as previously related)....References:(1) The West Virginia Advocate, Thursday, November 14th, 1991. Page 18.
(2) Information supplied by Mr. Michael H. Charles, 1824 Penfield Road,
Penfield, New York 14526.
1 D/o Joseph Aichelen and Louise Horn both of Russia.
Other marriage to Mr. Pugh. Note from Patricia Caudy Evans. Capon Valley 1698 to 1940 by Maud Pugh. See will of the pioneer, James Caudy, W.B.2, Romney, West Vir.References:
(1) Hiatt-Hiett Family, by William Perry Johnston, page 45, 46, 73.
THIRD GENERATION: CHILDREN OF JOHN HIATT, JR.
(18.) MARTHA HIATT (2.) (1.):b. c1760, Rowan (now Guilford). Co., North Carolina; d. probably in Hampshire Co., Va., date unknown; m. (1st). c1776, DAVID CAUDY, son of James and ____ ( ____ ). Caudy; b. place and date unknown; d. 1782-3 Hampshire Co., Va. (now W. Va.) ; m. (2nd). c178_, to _____ PUGH, parentage unknown; dates and locations of birth and death unknown.
CH: (of David and Martha Caudy). (133.) James; (134.) Evans; (135.) John.
The will of Kames Caudy was dated 2 December 1783, and proven 9 March 1784, Hampshire Co., Va. No wife is named or mentioned. He lists five children : 1. David (dec'd, wid., Martha, and ch.) ; 2. Ann Dulain; 3. Margaret Wood (hus., Daniel).; 4. Mary Kinman; 5.Sarah Hancher (hus., John). Gr. Son, John 100 acres adj. Robert Pugh and Evan Hiett. Wit., Elias Posten, John Hancher, Samuel Edwards, Samuel Cheshire, Hugh Slane. (R41).
The will of William McPherson was dated 27 June 1798, and proven 1 December 1800, Hampshire Co., Va. He names: James McPherson, James Caudy, his ch. Michael, David and Mary Elizabeth Caudy; Martha Pugh, relationship not shown; brother, David, and his son, Angus; brother Angus, and his son William. Nm.-James Fairley. Exec., James Caudy, Daniel Carmichael. Wit., Peter "Ongan", John McGinnis of Montgomery Co., Ky. Sec., Sam Park, James McBride. (R41). (nm-Names mentioned.)
James Caudy (d. 1783-4). may have married a sister to the above William McPherson (d. 1798-1800)., thus the James Caudy named in his will would have been his nephew, etc. All the Caudys of that section of Virginia appear to descend from David (only son of James, Sr.) and Martha (Hiatt). Caudy. David Caudy is given on the 1790 Census of Va. (1782 Tax List). in Hampshire Co., Va., with 9 white polls, the 1784 Tax List gives Martha Candy (Caudy). with 8 white polls, 1 dwelling, and 1 other building; she adjoined James
Hyett. These data would indicate that David Caudy had seven children; was Martha Hiatt a second wife? James Caudy names but three grandchildren in his will, however. When Martha's gran-nephew wrote up the family sketch many years later (see page 44). he gave his grandmother, Phebe Hiatt (d/o John, Jr.), as having a sister (not named). who married Daivd Caudry, and another sister (also not named). who married a Pugh. Later evidence, however, indicates that it was Martha who married both Caudy and Pugh.
(3831.) WILLIAM OSCAR HIATT (1917.) (723.) (192.) (28.) (3.) (1.):
b. 18-9mo-164.
SENT FROM GEORGE MOORE
D/o Daniel F. Noble and Sopha Little
CH: (3831.) William Oscar; (3832.) Everett; (3833.) John; (3834.) Emma Josephine.
Sent by Diana Simonds, Barbara Hiatt, Myron Robbins.
Found in Harmon Hiatt Records, 1895.1860 United States Federal Census about Alberd Hiatt
Name: Alberd Hiatt
Age in 1860: 22
Birth Year: abt 1838
Birthplace: Indiana
Home in 1860: Spiceland, Henry, Indiana
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ogden1870 United States Federal Census about Alberth Hiatt
Name: Alberth Hiatt
Age in 1870: 42
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Indiana
Home in 1870: Jackson, Hamilton, Indiana
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: NoblesvilleHousehold Members: Name Age
Emorce A Stanley 13
Martha S Stanley 10
Alberth Hiatt 42
Harriet Hiatt 37
William O Hiatt 5
Everet Hiatt 2
Sent by Diana Simonds, Barbara Hiatt and Myron Robbins and Roger Boone.
D/o Ephrain Timmons and Ruth
Birth: Jun. 16, 1866
Death: Nov. 15, 1891
Family links: Parents: Albert L. Hiatt (1828 - 1914) Inscription: GONE HOME EVERETT SON OF ALBERT & HARRIETT HIATT DIED NOV. 15, 1891 AGED 23Y 4M & 25DBurial: West Grove Cemetery Hamilton County Indiana, USA GPS (lat/lon):
Created by: Derric Deon Record added: Feb 18, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 33971036(3832.) EVERETT HIATT (1917.) (723.) (192.) (28.) (28.) (3.) (1.):
b. 16-6mo-1868.
Birth: Mar. 10, 1879, USA
Death: Nov. 8, 1896, USA
Family links: Parents: Albert L. Hiatt (1828 - 1914) Inscription: AT REST CLARKSON SON OF ALBERT & HARRIETT HIATT DIED NOV. 8, 1896 AGED 17Y. 7M. 9D.Burial: West Grove Cemetery Hamilton County Indiana, USA GPS (lat/lon):
Created by: Derric Deon Record added: Feb 18, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 33975989