Thomas Smith family papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Thomas Smith family papers
Creator: Smith, Thomas, 1745-1809
Inclusive Dates: 1767-1912
Bulk Dates: 1793-1810
Language(s): English
Extent: 1.25 Linear Feet 1 oversize box and 8 folders
Collection Number: ms1055
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

Thomas Smith was born in Scotland in 1745 and later attended the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Afterwards, he immigrated to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania in 1769. He became a deputy surveyor the same year and studied law in the colonies. After many other civil service positions, he served in the Revolutionary Army as a deputy colonel in the militia. He was also a delegate to the Pennsylvania state constitutional convention in 1776. Later, Smith was a member of the state house of representatives 1776-1780, a member of the Continental Congress 1781-1782, a judge of the court of common pleas in 1791, and a judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court 1794-1809. He died in March of 1809 and was interred in Christ Churchyard in Pennsylvania.

Scope and Content

This collection includes legal documents related to Letitia Vandexen (sic) Smith, Thomas Smith and Frances Sophia Smith. The Thomas Smith letterbook mainly consists of correspondence between members of the Thomas Smith family from 1767-1841. The earliest letters (1767 and 1784) are from Smith to his mother Elizabeth Lawrence in Aberdeenshire, England. A group of 21 letters between Smith and his cousin Dr. Peter Smith of Aberdeenshire discuss the American lifestyle, medical schools and practices, and the judicial system. Another group of letters to Judge Jasper Yeates and Governor Thomas Mifflin refer to legal decisions and court procedures. Other correspondents include Dr. Philip Physick and Smith's brother Charles of London, England. Also included in the letterbook are two proclamations awarding judgeships to Smith, legal documents pertaining to the settlement of Smith's estate (1816), and documents relating to land sales or mortgaged property (1826 and 1841). Series 2 contains typescripts of letters between Thomas Smith and soon-to-be U.S. President George Washington in 1785-1786, in which Smith was acting as Washington's attorney for some land suits in Philadelphia. The typescripts were made by Burton Alva Konkle in 1902. Finally, Series 3. contains letters between Thomas Smith scholar Burton Alva Konkle and Wymberly Jones De Renne regarding the Thomas Smith collection.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged into three series: Series 1. Thomas Smith papers; Series 2. George Washington letters; Series 3. Burton Alva Konkle letters.

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Administrative Information

Custodial History

The Thomas Smith letters to George Washington and the Konkle letters to Wymberly Jones De Renne were formerly collections ms1055a and ms1055b, respectively. They were added to this collection in 2011.

Preferred Citation

Thomas Smith family papers, ms1055, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Thomas Smith papers

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The Wills of Letitia Vandexen (sic) Smith, Thomas Smith and Frances Sophia Smith , 1832 October 29

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Thomas Smith letter book , 1767-1843

Account of the last days and death of Mrs. Letitia Van Deren Smith with memorandum enclosed. , 1841 April 16

Mrs. (Thomas) Smith died March 8, 1811 and was buried March 9, 1811.

Letter written by Miss Williamina Smith describing her mother's death, Tuesday, March 19th., 1811

Last wishes of Mrs. Letitia Van Deren Smith, 1810 November 11

Mortgage for $1,000.00 given by Jacob Beer to George W. Smith in trust for heirs of Thomas Smith, 1826 May 13

Mortgage for $181.29 given by Jacob Beer to George W. Smith in trust for heirs of Thomas Smith, 1826 May 13

Letter from Thomas Smith to his wife speaking of his legal engagement, 1793 April 21

Agreement between George Washington Smith, Eliza Smith Jones, Williamina E. Smith, Rebecca Smith, Mary Campbell Stewart and Juliana Smith, by their attorney, Williamina E. Smith, of the first part, and J. A. McKennan, of the other part, as to sale of lands., 1841 October 30

This lists the names of the children of Thomas and Letitia Smith.

Second Agreement between children of Thomas Smith and J. A. McKenna as to tracts of land, 1841 October 30

Affidavit of Edw. Burd, 1830 March 10

Document shows that Thomas Smith et al were executors of John Vanderen's estate; that Chas. Vanderen, one of the three executors, survived the other two (Thomas Smith and J. Mather); that Chas. Vanderen made a will to certain parts of his realty to the children of Thomas Smith and Letitia, the wife: Eliza, Maria, Williamina E., Juliana, Letitia, Rebecca, Frances Sophia, and Geo. Washington Smith. Thomas Smith's wife Letitia was the daughter of John and Susanna Vanderen.

Ratified copy of the settlement of the estate of Thomas Smith, 1816 May 6

 

Thomas Smith letters to George Washington, 1785-1786, 1902

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George Washington letters (originals date 1785-1786) transcripts, 1902 June 7

 

Burton Alva Konkle letters concerning the Thomas Smith collection, 1902-1911

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Burton A. Konkle letters to Wymberly Jones De Renne , 1902-1911