Barb,

I'm still working on this. I found two Smithwick references while in the Bertie area in August: Hugh Smithwick's Descendants, Paul Peel, Jr. and Hugh Smithwick, Many of his descendants through Charlton, Mizell, Collins Line. The first reference is a published book, the second are typed pages I found at the Hope Plantation.

Hugh's son, Edward Sr. moved into Bertie ca 1708. Five of his children moved into old Tyrrell County, some at Smithwick Creek and some at Devil's Gut:

Edward Jr.

Sarah m. John Stansell

Samuel m. Mary Warren

Elizabeth m. Martin Griffin

Edmund m. Hannah ????

Also moving to this area was Elizabeth Warburton, d/o Elizabeth Smithwick, Edward's sister, who married John Gardner (Devil's Gut).



Also there was William Mizell Sr. who married Sarah Griffin. This William sold land to Jabesh Hendricks, s/o of Daniel Sr., neighbor to Edward Smithwick Sr. in Bertie County. It has also been said that Hannah, w/o of Edmund may have been Jabesh's sister, but I think I have disproved this. Edmund and Hannah m. ca 1739, but Hannah Hendricks was still in Bertie in the 1740s helping her brother, Daniel Jr. take care of younger siblings and settling their father's estate.

Jabesh bought land from William Mizell on the Eastside of Smithwick Creek on Speller's Branch. William may have been his father-in-law. Jabesh didn't stay long in Tyrrell, but moved on to the Conetoe area in present Martin County before going on to Anson/Montgomery then down into the Old 96th in SC before coming into Bulloch County.

Can you tell me where I might find info on deed signers? I was surprised by your statement that in the 1700s, signers need only be 14. Did I get that right?
Thanks

Patty