If you think you descend from George Michael Smoke & wife Ann Norton or Warbuck Krulien, please read my article I wrote that was published in the Orangeburg German-Swiss Genealogical Society newsletter in the summer of 2009. You actually descend from (John) George Smoke of St. Matthews area, the husband of Ann Norton and Warbuck Krulien, not his brother George Michael Smoke.
George Michael Smoke was known as Michael Smoke and was married to an Elizabeth. He settled in the Bamberg area near Midway.
I think this confusion/error started with the book "Lefvendahl, Smoak and Related Family Records" written by G. A. Lefvendahl and has been perpetuated over and over again. Lefvendahl incorrectly stated in the book that George Smoke went to Pennsylvania leaving George Michael Smoke in S. C. This is incorrect, both brothers stayed in S. C. and had many children.
Neil A. Smoak
"The Sons of Johan Georg Rauch,
Patriarch of the Rauch/Smoke/Smoak Families of South Carolina"
by Neil A. Smoak
Printed in OGSGS Newsletter Vol 13, #7 (Fall 2009)
August 22, 2009
In any genealogy research, as questions are answered, many more questions arise as we desire to dig deeper and develop a more thorough and accurate understanding. I have been researching and gathering Smoak family data for over 40 years and find this very true.
In the following discussion, I wish to present some interesting facts, questions, and some of my conclusions as well as speculations about the immediate family of Johan Georg Rauch (John George Smoke), the original family settler in South Carolina. Johan Georg Rauch (again I’ll use JGR) clearly deserves the title of patriarch of the South Carolina Smoak/Smoke/Rauch families arriving in the 1740’s. In this discussion I plan to mainly cover a few facts and questions about his children. For those who are not aware, the German “Rauch” name literally translates into English as “smoke” explaining the family name evolution in the English colony of South Carolina.
I try to make a distinction between facts, family lore, and just plan speculation. My main purpose is to inform, stir interest, and research. Comments (both support and critical) of others who may have some original documents that can shed more light into the history of this family are welcome.
Some facts relative to the discussion:
1) On December 3, 1740, a Johann Georg “Rauch” arrived in Philadelphia on the ship “Robert and Alice”. This information is listed in “Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania”. Comment: I’ve never been able to “prove” that this is JGR, although the passenger signature is very similar to that in JGR’s will.
2) By February 1748, JGR is located in South Carolina on the Saluda River. He shows up in the land grant of Jacob Steel (Vol. 4, page 469, Colonial Land Grant Plats of SC) and is listed as George “Rough”.
3) On March 2, 1748, JGR petitions the SC Council in Charleston for a land grant of 200 acres and bounty near the outer limits of Saxe Gotha Township. The name appearing in the records is George “Rugh”. He states he came with his wife and two children to SC after having arrived in Philadelphia. This land was granted and a plat was made on June 17, 1749 showing the land on the Saluda River on which was stated that JGR “now dwelleth” on this tract. All adjacent lands were vacant around this plat except for one side, shown to be laid out for Christian Kohllar. On the plat, prior to it being microfilmed in the early 1950’s, some past researcher had written the notation “Rugh=Rauch=Smoke=Smoak” (Vol. 5, page 63, SC Colonial Land Plats).
4) On March 13, 1750, JGR (listed as George Rough) petitions the SC Council in Charleston. It stated he came to this country about two years before with a wife and two children and obtained a 200 acre land grant at the Congarees in Saxe Gotha Township. He cultivated and improved the land. It stated he intended to return to Germany to bring back relatives and others on the encouragement given to foreign Protestants and asked that a written statement be given him so that his countrymen, who are willing to settle, may know for certain what they have to expect on arrival in this country. George stated that he wanted permission to bring back a minister of the gospel to preach to them in their own German language. He asked for the Government to procure some encouragement for the support of the minister. It was signed on March 14 (12?), 1750 in Charleston by George Rouch. His request was considered and rejected. This document is in “Petitions For Land From South Carolina Council Records”, Vol. II, 1748-1752, page 180. The original is in the journal records on pages 45-46. Comment: I suspect the Council rejected the support of the minister only and that JGR did in fact return to Germany later.
5) On May 18, 1751, the 200 acre land grant was formally granted to JGR (listed as George Rugh) “where he now dwelleth” on the SE side of the Saluda River, bounded NE by Christian Kohlar. This is shown in SC Colonial Land Grants, Vol. 4, page 373.
6) On February 23, 1753, Mary “Rouchin” requested a 50-acre land grant in Saxe Gotha on 16 Mile Branch and bounty from the SC Council in Charleston. She stated that she came into the province on the encouragement given to foreign Protestants and arrived on board the Hereford. It was signed on February 19, 1753 by Mary “Rouchin” and granted. The source is “Petitions For Land From South Carolina Council Journals”, Vol. III, 1752-1753, page 190 and located in the original Journal records on page 277. Comment: Mary was the wife of JGR. It was a common German practice to add “in” or “en” after the last name to designate a female. It is probable that this grant was made on a return trip from Germany.
7) On February 5, 1754, John Gaserd, a minister from Switzerland, requested a 50-acre land grant and bounty from the SC Council in Charleston. He stated that he came to this country (first to Penn. for a year and then to SC) on hearing that George “Smoak” wanted a minister to come over for the Fork between the Broad and Saludie Rivers. He had agreed with the inhabitants to preach in two churches, one low in the Fork and the other high up. It was signed February 4, 1754 by John Gesard and granted. The source is “Petitions For Land From South Carolina Council Journals”, Vol. IV, page 28 and located in the original Journal records on page 89. Comment: I think this also supports the theory that JGR did return to Germany between 1750 and 1754.
8) June 20, 1754, Mary “Rouchin” is granted a 50-acre land grant crossed by Sixteen Mile Branch of Saxe Gotha Township and bounded on the NW by husband George “Rugh’s” land. The source is from the Colonial Land Grant Plats of SC, Vol. 6, page 40. Comment: Sixteen Mile Creek is just north of current day Lexington and now under the waters of Lake Murray near the south end of the dam.
9) On May 25, 1760, there is a record in “SC Marriages” of a Susannah “Smoke” marrying a Garrard Vensant on May 25, 1760 in St. Phillips Parish, Charleston, SC. Comment: I have not yet found any more information about either of these people. Could Susannah be a daughter of Johan Georg Rauch, one of the two children he had with him in 1747/48 in SC? Or was she just a relative or totally unrelated?
10) October 1766, John George “Rauch” received 150 pounds sterling from the SC Treasurer for new settlers per Governor’s Order dated October 16, 1766. The source is the Treasurer’s Records of September 29, 1766 to March 25, 1767 and located on page 484. Also located in the book, “South Carolina Immigrants 1760 to 1770” on page 167. Comment: This indicates that he had returned to Germany and returned with additional settlers. At 20 pounds per adult and 10 pounds per child under 12 years, this would seem to indicate that his group consisted of at least eight people and that this was likely his 2nd return trip to Germany.
11) October 17, 1766, John George “Rauch” received a 100-acre land grant between the Saluda and Broad Rivers. He stated he was a Protestant, native of Palatinate, Germany having arrived on the ship Britannia from Amsterdam because of the encouragement and bounty given by the Act of the General Assembly passed July 25, 1761. The source is SC Council Records #32 on October 17, 1766. Comment: This could also indicate that JGR had returned from a 2nd trip back to Germany, filing for himself alone.
12) April 7, 1767, a 300-acre land grant was surveyed for John George “Rouch” in Amelia Township on Long Branch. The plat was submitted May 20, 1767. The actual land grant document was to John George “Rouch” and dated March 21, 1768. The center of the grant is about ¾ mile NW of Lone Star, SC. The source is from the Colonial Land Grant Plats of SC, Vol. 20, page 214 and Colonial Land Grants, Vol. 16, page 122. Comment: This would indicate that the household size was five and could mean that son Thomas was already living on his separate lands near Lexington. However, the four members with him could just be part of his household and not direct family members. Either way, this supports the theory that this was possibly his 3rd return trip from Germany.
13) August 28, 1769, a 100-acre land grant was surveyed for Adam Smith in Berkley County, Amelia Township with the SE boundary on lands of John George “Rough”. The source is Colonial Land Grant Plats, Vol. 11, page 225. This was next to JGR’s 300-acre land grant near Lone Star.
14) May 24, 1771, a 150-acre land grant was surveyed for Conrad Hoover in Berkley County, Amelia Township with the SW boundary on lands laid out for George “Smoakes”. The source is Colonial Land Grant Plats, Vol. 17, page 60. This also was next to JGR’s 300-acre land grant near Lone Star.
15) June 8, 1771, a 150-acre land grant was surveyed for Benjamin Fararl in St. Matthews Parish on the New Road with the NW boundary on one “Smokers” land. The source is Colonial land Grant Plats, Vol. 15, page 78. This also was next to JGR’s 300-acre land grant near Lone Star.
16) October 16, 1772, John George “Rouk’s” will was written. It states he was of Amelia Township and he leaves the 300 acres on Bridge-Branch to be divided among his three sons, Andreas “Rouk”, George “Rouk” and George Michael “Rouk”. Thomas “Rouk”, the oldest son, had already received his land (the original JGR land grant of 1748 near Lexington). The 100-acre home site of George and his wife Mary “Rouk” was to be left to the youngest son, John Bernard “Rouk”, after Mary dies. The signature on the will by JGR looks like “Johan Georg Rauch”. The will was proved February 5, 1773. The source is “Abstracts of Wills of South Carolina 1760-1784” on page 187, original page 303. The original is in the SC Archives under “SC Ordinary Will Book 55 (SS?)” (Stack location 161F04), pages 303 & 304.
17) April 17, 1773, an inventory of the estate of John George “Rouk” was made in Amelia Township. It stated he had: 27 hogs, 1 mare colt, 2 horses, 9 head of cattle, sundries and ? stuff, a grind stone, saddle and bridle. It was signed by: George Irick, John Michael Snyder and John Mix(?). All were likely neighbors. This inventory is located in the SC Archives on microfilm ST498, vol. 2, page 339.
18) May 5, 1775, a 500-acre land grant was surveyed for Samuel Thomas in Berkley County containing Long Branch and Halfway Swamp with the NE boundary on lands of the heirs of George “Smoke”. The source is Colonial Land Grant Plats, Vol. 16, page 510. This also was next to JGR’s 300-acre land grant near Lone Star.
19) In November 1784, the State of South Carolina prosecuted Michel “Smoke” and Mary Stroman for bastardy. A brief summary of the case is located in “Biographical Sketches of the Bench and Bar of South Carolina”; Vol. II, page 341 by John Belton O’Neall published in 1859 and can be found online at:
http://www.hti.umich.edu/m/moa/. The summary is as follows: “Mary Stroman having made oath, in Court, that she is with child, and that it is likely to be born a bastard, and Michel Smoke is the father thereof, ordered that the same Smoke and Mary Stroman, be each fined in the sum of five pounds proclamation money, and the said Smoke shall give security to keep the Parish free from any charges whatever till the said child shall arrive at the age of ten years.” Comment: The only Michael Smoke in the area at this time to be of appropriate age was George Michael Smoke and the German tradition was to use the middle name as the call name. He is most likely the Michel Smoke referenced in the above court action. More on this later.
So it’s clear that JGR had at least five sons as listed in the will: Thomas, Andreas (Andrew), George, George Michael, and John Bernard. And JGR’s wife was named Mary. As was the German custom at the time, the sons would have been known by their only or 2nd name which would give: Thomas, Andrew, George, Michael and Bernard. At various times they all used the last names of Rauch, Rouch, Rouck, Rough, Rugh, Rouk, Smoke and sometimes Smoak. The family of Thomas used Smoke for awhile and then went back to Rauch. The other sons mostly used Smoke by the early 1800’s.
It seems that George Michael Smoke and Mary Stroman got themselves into some trouble in 1784. From my research, he was the only Michael Smoke (or Rauch) in the area at the time. Thomas had a son, Michael (born 1781), who went on to become a popular preacher in the area, but he was obviously not a match to be named in the 1784 court action above.
As for Mary Stroman, I have not been able to determine who she was as she may have been a Stroman or the widow of a Stroman. There is a Mary Stroman and Widow Stroman in some of the records on the Revolutionary War. Some references in General Nathaniel Green’s Letters refer to a Widow Stroman east of Orangeburg and a Mary Stroman filed for payment after the War for provisions provided (Accounts Audited File # 7481). And I have not been able to confirm that a child survived the birth much less what sex it might have been. Comment: Just speculating though, there is some logic that Mary may be the mysterious Widow Stroman reported below as the second wife of Andrew Smoak. Possibly a Stroman researcher can complete the story.
Some researchers have thought for some reason that son George went to Pennsylvania prior to 1790. I think this was precipitated by the fact that a George “Rauch” is in the 1790 Pennsylvania Census at Longswamp Township. A Daniel “Smoke” is listed there too. Also there are a number of George “Rough” citizens shown. Since many Rauchs (example: Johan Bernhard Rauch in 1738) settled in Pennsylvania, these people are likely from other German Rauch lines, probably related to but not descendents of JGR. Also possible confusion likely came from the fact that George had a brother George Michael. I have never found any proof of a son of JGR migrating to Pennsylvania. To the contrary, as you will see from the following data, son George clearly stayed in SC just north of St. Matthews.
The following are some additional land grant and census data in summary form for brevity:
1) 4/22/1784: Thomas “Rough” acquired 125 ac on High Hill Creek (of the Saluda River). Through about 1801, Thomas “Rauch” acquired something in the order of 3,000 ac in Lexington Country, most of which is now under Lake Murray.
2) 6/24/1788: Michael “Smoke”: 6/24/1788, 800 ac on Long Branch (of N. Edisto) in Orangeburgh Dist. (near North, SC).
3) 6/24/1788: Michael “Smoke”: 6/24/1788, 269 ac on Big Bull (of N. Edisto) in Orangeburgh Dist. (near Swansea).
4) 1788: Michael “Smoke” bought 1616 ac of land on Big Bull Swamp on the North Edisto River near the present town of Swansea, SC.
5) 1790 Federal Census data for the north part of Orangeburgh District shows George, Thomas, Andrew and Barnet, but no Michael.
6) 2/4/1793: Ulrick Sterkie survey for 692 ac adjacent to Michael “Smoke” on Long Branch, Orangeburgh Dist.
7) 5/13/1793: Jacob Rumph survey for 1,000 ac adjacent to Michael “Smoke” on Big Bull Swamp (of North Edisto River), Orangeburgh Dist.
8) 5/24/1793: Michael “Smoke”: 5/24/1793, 400 ac on Big Bull Swamp (of North Edisto River), Orangeburg Dist.
9) 2/13/1798: Land plat for George “Rouck” of 500 ac on High Hill Creek (of the Congaree River), Orangeburgh Dist. This was adjacent to a 500 ac land plat for Andrew “Rouck”, filed at the same time. The creek is now known as Bates Mill Creek. These lands are located about 5 miles north of St. Matthews on Calhoun Road and the land of George contains the family cemetery of his son, George Stephen Smoke. The graves are now unmarked but it is likely that his father, George, is buried there also. The marriage of George Stephen Smoke to Ann Garrick in August 24, 1806 is recorded in the old St. Matthews Lutheran Church records.
10) 1810: Michael “Smoke” has land on Spring Branch, Little Swamp (old Barnwell Co.) near Midway. Michael has relocated near Bamberg sometime earlier. Andrew “Smoke” is shown in Colleton County near Snyder’s Crossroads after having acquired lands there at least by 1802 and probably earlier.
11) 1810 Census has Michael “Smoke” listed in Barnwell Dist.
12) 1820 Census has Elizabeth “Smoke” (reported wife of Michael Smoke) listed in Barnwell District. George “Smoke”, Sr. and George “Smoke”, Jr. (George Stephen Smoke) are listed next to each other in Orangeburgh District north of St. Matthews on the lands of High Hill Creek. Andrew “Smoke” was located in Colleton County.
13) 1830 Census has Elizabeth “Smoak” listed in Barnwell District along with sons William, Moses and James “Smoke” listed individually. There is also an Amos Smoak listed that may be another son.
So here’s what the data supports and my conclusions:
JGR dies in 1772/1773 and leaves at least fives sons and a wife, Mary, as survivors.
Son Thomas:
At the time of his death, JGR had already given the oldest son Thomas the original 1748 land grant on the Saluda River north of Lexington. He served at least 25 days in the SC Militia and provided provisions for the S. C. Militia during the Revolutionary War. Thomas re-adopts the name Rauch and goes on to establish large land holdings in the area and a large family by his wife Barbara Inglemon.
Son Andreas (Andrew):
Andrew received 100 ac from his father’s 300 ac land tract near Lone Star. He served in the SC Militia during the Revolutionary War. Andrew acquired additional lands in the St. Matthews area, particularly a 500 ac track adjacent to his brother George. He also acquired land in Colleton County and by 1810 has relocated there and acquired more land. He married a reported fours times and had a very large family, likely a mix of direct and step children. His wives are reported to be: 1) Catherine Stroman, 2) a mysterious Widow Stroman (could she be Mary Stroman?), 3) Harriet Gilbert, and 4) Mrs. Alma Rice. Two of Andrew’s sons are well known and had very large families: William Smoak, Sr. (founder of Cordova, SC) and David Smoak (founder of Smoaks, SC). There is significant confusion around the birthdates and mothers of William and David. The old tombstone of William Smoak, Sr. shows that he was born on February 7, 1784. The relatively new tombstone (1960’s?) of David Smoak shows that he was born in 1785, the son of Catherine Stroman. But other family information reports that he was born on December 10, 1784 or 1785. Additionally, family lore reports that Andrew’s first wife, Catherine Stroman died on October 14, 1784. Maybe someone has some original or contemporary family data that could clear up the dates and David’s mother. Most of the family members of William and David eventually settled on the “Smoak” spelling during the mid-1800’s.
Son George:
George acquired lands north of St. Matthews adjacent to his brother Andrew. He or his sons continued to acquire land in this immediate area on what is now Bates Mill Creek (old High Hill Creek). He is reported to have married at least two times (to Ann Norton about 1785 and Warbuck Krulien about 1803) and had a large family in the St. Matthews area. There has been confusion that George may in fact be George Michael but I think the data clearly show that Michael existed separately and contemporaneously in the records at different locations near the Swansea, North and later Bamberg areas. Most of this George’s family retained the Smoke spelling although some adopted Smoak. Some researchers think his full name was John George Smoke, Jr. but I have never seen any original records to support this.
Son George Michael:
Michael apparently had a child out of wedlock with Mary Stroman about 1784. I have yet to confirm that a child survived, much less the sex of this child if he/she did survive. Michael acquired lands south of Swansea and north of North. Sometime before 1810, he relocated to the Bamberg area near Midway. He is reported to have married an Elizabeth and there are some census records (1820 and 1830) showing an Elizabeth as a family head with the appropriate children, living in the Bamberg area. This family retained the Smoke spelling mostly but the data I’ve been able to find is scarce. They did eventually drift toward the Smoak spelling. Surely there must be some original family records that can help add to this group.
Son John Bernard:
Bernard (Bernhard) seemed to disappear from the records by 1800. I have some family letters dated 1955 that say he moved first to Pennsylvania and then to Ohio but I have not confirmed this. However, in the 1790 Census he is located near St. Matthews with one female (probably on his inherited land; JGR’s home place and likely his grave site). I have not been able to establish the location of this land. Some mistakenly think that JGR’s home place and grave are on the lands mentioned above that were acquired by son George in 1798 and located north of St. Matthews. I think that confusion stems from the iron fence around the grave plot that has the name “George S Smoke”. This is for George Stephen Smoke, a son of George Smoke as I mentioned above. The middle S is broken which may have led some to think it was George Smoke or possibly JGR. From JGR’s 1772 will, it’s clear that he left his home place to son Bernard and it doesn’t make sense that son George would have acquired the same land via a land grant much later in 1798.
Were there any daughters?
It seems unusual to have five sons and no daughters. The 1760 marriage record referring to Susannah Smoke is certainly interesting. No daughters were named in JGR’s will but that just may have been the standard for the times, particularly among the German settlers.
And finally some geography:
During the early 1800’s, the families of these sons/grandsons of JGR tended to be concentrated in the five main areas of South Carolina listed below:
1) Lexington County (Lexington): Thomas Rauch resident and descendents. The bulk of the original lands are now under Lake Murray.
2) Calhoun County (St. Matthews): George Smoke resident and descendents.
3) Orangeburg County (Cordova/Orangeburg): William Smoak, Sr. resident (son of Andrew Smoak) and descendents.
4) Colleton County (Smoaks/Sniders Crossroads): Andrew Smoak resident and sons David and William Riley Smoak and their descendents.
5) Bamberg County (Midway): George Michael Smoak resident and descendents.