ISLE-OF-WIGHT-L Archives

From: "Osman M. Corson Jr." <>
Subject: [IoW] Wavell SMITH family
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 12:15:11 -0500

Hello everyone,

I am new to the list. I live in Cape May County, New Jersey and am researching my SMITH ancestors.

My 5th great grandfather was William Smith(sometimes known as William T. Smith) who married Mary Somersall on the island of St. Christopher(St. Kitts), West Indies 29 November 1760. From the tomstone inscription on his grave at Christ Church burial ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I have determined his birth date to be 6 December 1733. Unfortunately, up to this point, I know nothing of his ancestory.

Recently, I happened upon the will of WAVELL SMITH, Secretary and Clerk of the Crown in the Leeward Islands, West Indies which is dated 12 December 1755 and was probated at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in 1756. In the will he names his nephew, William Smith and his niece, Sarah Smith as legatees. The will also states that his nephew William Smith is "now my deputy at St. Christophers". The tie to the Isle of Wight in his will is his reference to his 120 Acre farm located in Northwood parish on the Isle of Wight. Other names mentioned in the will are those of his brother, William Smith and friends George Thomas, William Sharpe, Doctor Gregory Sharpe and Rowland Oliver of the island of Antigua.

I have consulted the IGI and have found only one listing for WAVELL SMITH. It states that he was born about 1691 "of Westminster, Isle of Wight, Hampton, England". His parents are indicated as being William Smith and Anne Wavell.

I am very much interested in determining if my William Smith is indeed the same William Smith referred to in the will of WAVELL SMITH. Can anyone make any suggestions in this matter? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Osman

This thread:

• [IoW] Wavell SMITH family by "Osman M. Corson Jr." <>