MA-BAY-COLONY-L Archives

From: Marion Markham <>
Subject: [Ma-Bay-Colony] Experience Smith
Date: Sun, 07 Apr 2002 14:25:35 -0500

We have a document showing that Experience Smith, Gentleman, became an
Ensign in the service of King George III in 1773. The heading reads "Thomas
Hutchinson, Esq.; Captain General and Governor-in-Chief over His Majesty's
province of Massachusetts Bay and Vice- Admiral of the same." Because of
cracks and faded ink, specifics are difficult to read but it looks as if he
was joining a (militia?) company under the leadership of Jarred William
(last name unreadable). Would there be any records for those who served
"on the wrong side"? Since Experience was most often a woman's name there
are few choices to pick from.

Family lore says this Experience was married to Mercy Eastman, a logical
supposition since Mercy is usually the name of a woman. However, he would
have been 54 years old when he joined up to serve King George, an advanced
age to be enlisting (or being drafted?)

The only other male Experience Smith I could find would have been only 12
in 1772, too young I would think. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Marion Markham

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• [Ma-Bay-Colony] Experience Smith by Marion Markham <>