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Ralph was willed land on Tomahawk Creek by his father, Geo. K. Smith, and his son, William lived on a farm adjoining that of his brother, Ralph.
Deed Book, pg. 121: - Deed Made Sept. 8, 1869 - Recorded Oct. 17,1870
This deed witnesseth that for the sum of 175.5 acres and that Ralph Smith and his wife, Ardinia Smith, has sold unto Jabez Smith a tract of land in the County of Pittsylvania, Virginia containing one hundred and seventy five acres and a half bounded by Bradner's line, Crafts line and Lynchburg Road. As witness our hands and seals this 8th day of September 1869.
Ralph Smith Seal Ardinia Smith Seal
In the Clerk's Office of the County Court of Pittsylvania County on the 17th day of October 1870 the foregoing writing was upon the certificate endorsed admitted to record. And I do certify that a fifty cent Revenue Stamp has been place on said writing according to law.
Teste - S. Scrugg, Clk.
The above is Ralph's brother Jabez Vortimer Smith.
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Ralph Smith - In Loving Memoriam
Just as the sun on Tuesday, January 7th , lifted up his golden beams above the horizon shooting his kindly rays through the window upon the death bed of our beloved father, Ralph Smith, his spirit took it's flight into eternity. The perfect sunrise seemed emblematic of the personage which had grown with grace, becoming more like his Saviour until the summons came calling him from this to his heavenly home.
He had been, for several years previous to his death, a consistent member of Green Pond Baptist Church. His was an exemplary life of moderation in habits such that he realized the fulfillment of the promise, 'Thy days shall be long in the land the Lord thy God giveth thee.'
But few are permitted to attain the number of days, with which he was blessed, having reached the advanced age of 88 years 4 months and 7 days, thus having witnesses his 88th birthday and leaving behind him being sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, and great grandsons and great granddaughters besides an affectionate wife and a host of friends to mourn his loss. Besides his own children many orphans mourn the loss of a fathers care, for many had found a home under his hospitable roof.
Many old slaves of neighbors have given testimony also to his kindness, telling how when they were sent on an errand to father's they would be given food to stay their hunger. 'Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger and ye took me in. Naked and ye clothed me. I was sick and ye visited me.'
Simple in his taste and possessed of a child-like spirit we believe that he meets the condition of the promise. 'Except ye be converted and become as little children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'
And while it is hard, of father, to give thee up, we do not sorrow without hope, nor as for those gone to an untimely grave, we realize that God has wonderfully blessed you in that He has fulfilled even to you a promise made to his very chosen Israel: 'I will multiply thy seed';. So we can truly say a father in Israel has fallen.
Thou hast been blest in a comfortable home, good health, a long life and a large circle of friends. Thy years were full of usefulness and, being faithful to the end, a crown of life awaits thee.
We have parted, father, but for a season, when we shall meet on the happy shore, meet to part no more.
By his children.
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Notes on the Smith Family Written April 4, 1903 by William Smith II.
My birth: William Smith II, I was born of Ralph and Ardinia Smith in the year 1867 on August 11th. A noteworthy incident is the anniversary of the formation of my native county, Pittsylvania, one hundred years ago.
My father, a farmer, Ralph Smith, was born September 1, 1813. His parents were George K. Smith and Susan Smith (nee Adkins) The father of George K. was George Smith (an error according to family tradition)(By BlanfordTowlerAnderson)
The following are my aunts and uncles on my father's side viz. Jabez, Booker died in his 28th year and worth about $12,000. He was a tobacconist. Polly Smith married Mark Anderson; Letitia Smith married Ambrose Rucker; Nancy Smith married Watt Otey Anderson. The latter were parents of Capt. Edward Anderson of the U.S.A. and how at West Point. (Later he was Brig. Gen. Edward Anderson & died Nov. 2, 1937. He retired several years ago and lived in Jacksonville, Florida. He married 1st Henrietta Sands of Washington and New York; divorced her and later married Amelie Duncan, a daughter of Fannie Smith Duncan; the latter a daughter of William Smith, son of George K. Smith - By: B.T.A.)
William Smith Sr. married Rebecca Hodnett (She was an aunt of Asa Hodnett, Sheriff of Pittsylvania County, Virginia).
Elizabeth Smith married Naaman Mahan; Rhodia Smith married George Reynolds.
My grandfather George K. Smith died in 1845 having made his will in 1842. In 1842-1843 he owned including the lands inherited from his son Booker who died single, about 1700 acres on Tomahawk Creek. His estate valued at about $17,000.
My father during his single manhood taught a private school for a few months. He was not considered a scholar and was what we might say was not highly educated. This statement applies equally as well to my dear mother whose eyes are now dim with years and whose limbs and body are weary from her unsurpassed energy exerted in life.
Father was tall, about six feet and manly, yet he was not fond of strife nor contentious, somewhat reserved and sought not public honors, hence unknown politically. He was of an age, that exempted him from service in the Civil War (War between the States) of 61-65 but nevertheless furnished two sons, Booker and George, who made valiant soldiers for States Rights. The former never returning after cessation of hostilities to his father's fireside, having died in prison at Newport News, Virginia. He hath no love for the President of the Confederacy, but was an ardent admirer of Jackson and Lee. While believing in States Rights he thought the South erred in seceding.
He was a good and upright business man such that he made ample and comfortable provisions for a large family and in 1894-1895 when he made advancements to his ten living children his estate was valued at $12,000 but in reality was worth $16,000 to $18,000.
He died at the advanced age of 88 years, four months and seven days, leaving a large family, widow and a concourse of friends to mourn his loss.
His mother, Ardinna Smith (nee Wright) was a descendant of Thomas Wright who she says, to her best information came from Bedford County, Virginia.
Thomas Wright married Sallie (alias Sarah) Pullen and of said marriage the following children were born: Peggy married a Mahan; John P. Wright; Christopher Wright; Polly married a Rorer; Joseph Wright and William Wright.
Christopher Wright my grandfather married Betsy DeBoe of which marriage the following children were born: Thomas Wright; Jno. Wright; Ardinia, my mother; Sarah; Polly; Elizabeth; Joseph; Christopher; William Abram; Abitha generally called Bee and Lucy.
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William Smith Jr.
1850 North Dist., Pittsylvania Co., VA
Jabez Smith - 41 - VA - Farmer
Edward Bates - 13 - VA
Next door:
Ralph Smith - 38 - VA - Farmer
Ardinia - 24 - VA
Booker - 5 - VA
George - 4 - VA
Sarah - 2 - VA
John - 7 mo. - VA
George Lawrence - 15 - VA
Martha Adkins - 21 - VA
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1860 North Dist., Pittsylvania Co., VA
Ralph Smith - 45 - VA - Farmer
Ardina - 33 - VA
Bowker - 15 - VA - farm labor
George - 14 - VA
Sarah E. - 12 - VA
John C. - 10 - VA
Mary S. - 8 - VA
Ester A. - 6 - VA
Evangeline - 4 - VA
Joseph - 1 - VA
Winney Dalton - 40 - VA
Samuel A. Jefferson - 20 - VA - farm labor
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1870 North of Dan River Dist., Pittsylvania Co., VA
Ralph Smith - 55 - VA - Farmer
Rachel - 50 - VA
John C. - 20 - VA
Mary E. - 18 - VA
Hester A. - 14 - VA
Cally R. - 9 - VA
Henry A. W. - 7 - VA
Alice - 5 - VA
Ardinnia is listed as Rachel - this is her first name & backed up by this record.
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1880 Callands Dist., Pittsylvania Co., VA
Ralph Smith - 66 - VA - Farmer
Ardiney - 53 - VA
Callie - 19 - VA
Wise - 17 - VA
Alice - 14 - VA
Willie - 12 - VA
Ellen - 10 - VA
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1900 Callands Dist., Pittsylvania Co., VA
David Reynolds - 1870 - VA - Farmer
Ella L. - 1869 - 30 - VA - 3 born, 2 living
Raman R. - 1899 - VA
Ralph Smith - 1813 - 86 - VA
Ardinnia - 1828 - 72 - VA - 13 born, 10 living
Ella Smith Reynolds was Ralph & Ardinna's daughter.
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