Notes for Poindexter Patterson Smith: For further info I have copy of BOOK written about him. Memoirs of P. P. Smith. also entry in book Virginia Baptist Ministers. (Will Rinehart genealogy@riotopia.com) _______________________________________________
From Lois Anne Smith's Journal: Smith Family record - (page 3). Family record of George Lum pkin Smith and Elizabeth Harris (page 45). Family record of Poindexter Patteson Smith an d Martha Jane Berryman - (page 118).
P. P. Smith was Pastor of Fork Union, Fork of Willis and Columbia Baptist Churches, Fluvanna , VA. Book by A. B. Smith, Pastor, 4th Baptist Church, Richmond, VA, H. K. Ellyson, Prinete r 1847, page 65: - (page 25).
Memoir of Elder P. P. Smith by Elder A. B. Smith. "He felt an interest in everything that re lated to the Redeemer's kingdom; and when the unhappy division took place between the Norther n and Southern Baptists, he was one of the delegates that went from Virginia to Augusta, Geor gia, and aided, so far as his influence went, in forming the Southern Baptist Convention." (p age 25 - 26).
Pointexter Patteson, called "Uncle Decker" (he was a noted Baptist preacher) - Mrs. J. W. Le e (Nancy Strather Smith) 8-25-34 - (page 21).
I did find out that: Poindexter Patteson Smith was born 14 Aug 1793, died 13 Nov 1846. He ma rried Martha Jane Berryman 22 Feb 1825. Poindexter Patteson Smith was buried at Fork Union , Virginia... - Louise E. Smith, 14 Aug 1934 - (page 119).
George L. Smith and Elizabeth Harris were well know for their religious devotion and daily fa mily altar. This practice of having family altar was said by P. P. Smith to be one of the mo st impressive facts of his youth. (Married Martha at Guilford County Courthouse, Guilford Co. , [VA? or NC?]) - (page 144).
Martha Jane Berrymen Smith was never in symphathy with Poindexter Patterson's being a ministe r. She did everything she could think of to keep him from going to church. She would ofte n hide his clothing or lock it up. She nagged at him constantly about this. Before his deat h she seemed to have become somewhat resigned, though she never cooperated with him in his wo rk. (page 144). ---------------------------------------------------- Letter from Poindexter Patteson Smith to his brother Byrd White Smith dated Dec. 26, 1842, Ex change, Cumberland Co., VA:
Dear brother Byrd,
Once more I have concluded to write you a line or two, by way of remembrance as I have a favo rable opportunity of sending it by the Rev. Mr. Phillips, who has spent some time with me i n Va. this winter. We all enjoy common health and hope you and yours enjoy the same.
There is nothing in the old dominion of deep interest, we havbe what the people call hard tim e., money scarce and the people pressing each other for debts due, property selling at a lo w price and there is a likelyhood of much distress except our legislature (which is now in se ssion) shall devise some plan for relief, and what that can be I know not, but still in thei r wisdom they may effect something that will aid the people in this particular crisis. I a m like the generality of our country men, in debt. I made a purchase of 300 acres of land ad joining my residence some 2 years passed at a high rate and the last payment is now due whic h is $1600 dollars and I have not the first dollar to pay it off. Tho I have some resource s if they do not fail me, but the fairest prospects fail in these days, many of our wealthies t men are failing. Our produce is selling very low. I have some 15,000 lbs of tobaco for sa le but it is exceeding sorry and of course will command a low price. Ttobacco is ranging fro m $2.50 to $10 according to quality and the quality of the Virginia tobacco this year is sorr y enough I do assure you. I am some times a good mind to sell my whole possessions and emigr ate to the west with my large family. I have a large tract of land and a good farm and coul d sell it at a fair price tho the times are hard. I have been strongly inclined to remove t o Mo. but my wife is unwilling to go during the life time of her parents, and they are very o ld, the old gentleman is 87 and the old lady about 80 years and I hate to force my wife awa y against her will.
My choice of country would be middle Tenn. but lands are high and I should be unable to by la nd there for my children and I could do so in Mo. but how this point will be decided time mus t develop. The whigs have been in power in the state and general governments only two or thr ee years and the country is nearly ruined, we find nothing of the good times they promised th e poeple, when they were parading over the country with their log cabins, coon skins, cider b arrels and humbuging the hones unsuspecting people of these united states. I am fully convin ced that the whigs are incompetent to govern a great and free people, and the people are beco ming convinced of the same fact. I think from the way they speak at the ballot box, as the e lections go on in the different states. The whigs here lay the blame to Tyler, but who put h im in office? The whigs. I for one had no hand in putting into office Tip nor Ty, so if h e is not doing right it only goes to prove their incompetency even to choose a man fit to b e placed at the helm of state. But enough of this for I expect you are tired of this kind o f writing by this time and equally tired of whig government too. If you are not it is high t ime you were.
I have had a chance of selling my boy that is with you to Mr. Phillips who will hand you this , he will hand you an order for London and you will deliver him to him he has a bill of sal e for the boy which I have given him. Mr. Phillips will be disposed to accommodate the boy i f any one will buy him in the neightbourhood. He says he can sell the boy on two or three mo nths credit if he can find a purchase who will be punctual at that time. I should not have s old him if necessity did not compell me for money I must raise by some means or other. If Mr . Phillips is willing to sell the boy I would be glad you would aid him in that object.
WE made a medium crop of corn this year and if money is scarce I hope we shall have bread eno ugh and to spare.
Bro. George wrote me sometime past that you contemplated moving to the state of Mo. If eve r I move to that state I intend going about 150 miles above St. Louis up the Mo. river so i f you go, go about that distance and we may once more live in reach of each other. I am sur e I could do better there with a large family there I can live. It is Christmas Holidays no w with us and a good deal of young company at my house and they make so much noise I must qui t writing we have a noisey gang. My love to sister Martha and children. My Martha and child ren join me in love to you all, they greatly desire to see you all in the flesh. My love t o all inquiring friends and relations.
Yours as usual, P. P. Smith - (Doc. B) ------------------------------------------------------- Letter from Elizabeth S. Inis to brother Smith (probably Byrd):
Dear brother Smith,
I feel it my duty to give you some information concerning the last weeks of our much belove d brother P. P. Smith. I went to see him on the 1st day of October and returned 27th durin g that time had many most agreeable conversations with him on the glorious things of the King dom of Christ. His feelings were very tender at the thought of leaving the people of his cha rge, could not speak of it without tears. Still seemed assigned to the will (of) God. Sai d he believed it would be for the glory of God for him either to live or die. Said if my wor k is done he will take me to himself and I am entirely resigned to his will. His disease wa s chronic diarrhea. His kind physician once said to me he would be willing to be five hundre d dollars poorer if he could cure Mr. Smith. But it seemed that a wise and gracious God ha d determined to take him from the troubles and sorrows of this mortal state and on the 14 o f Nov, the day on which he died, when I entered his room I asked how he felt. Said he coul d hardly tell you sister. This morning I felt a little inclined to lie in bed awhile longe r but I have always been in the habit of rising at four o'clock in studying about my preachin g. About eight o'clock in the morning he complained of chillings and awhile after of great t hirst. Sat up until about 11 o'clock when he laid down for the last time and seemed to be i n a happy frame of mind, repeated many scriptures in connection, then said I saw the angels o f God ascending and descending -- about 12 o'clock he complained of severe pain in his lef t side. We told him we thought his disease had taken a change and thought we had better sen d for a physician and his brother Robert Smith which he agreed to and had a servant called i n and gave directions to go for the doctor and tell brother Robert I want to see him. Soon a fter this he fell in a fine soft sleep and appeared to breathe as easy as I ever heard him wh en he awaked he said is brother Robert come, we told no-- he said my side has got entirely ea sy and I feel a great deal better. I gave him a cup of tea. Immediately after his companio n said I do not think Mr. Smith's pulse is right. I went to him and felt his pulse and foun d he was going very fast. I again went to him but found his instructing tongue was still i n death. He appeared to die very easy without a struggle or a groan he breathed his last. T his scripture immediately occurred to my mind, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter th ou into the joys of thy Lord." And now my dear brother I have in my feeble and imperfect man ner given you a very short account of my stay with my beloved pastor. You can make what us e you please of it. Perhaps you may find some few things that may be of use to you, if s o I shall be very glad indeed. I should have been very glad to have been in company with yo u when you was in neighborhood. I could have answered any question on the subject. I thin k if you will write to brother Isaac Tinsly he can give you more instructions than anyone tha t visited him while I was there.
Very affectionately your friend and Sister,
Elizabeth S. Inis ------------------------------------------- 9 Nov 1989 - Mildred Miller Marshall: George L. Smith and Elizabeth Harris were married prio r to 1780. They had seven sons. their third son was Poindexter Patteson Smith b. 14 Aug 179 3 in Buckingham Co., VA. Sometime in the early 1800's George L. Smith and family moved to Mi ddle Tennessee.
In Oct. 1813 Poindexter P. Smith joined the army under Gen. Jackson and fought the Creek Indi ans at Talahachia and Taladega.
In 1815 Poindexter P. Smith returned from Tennessee to Buckingham Co., VA, and later becam e a Baptist minister. 22 Feb 1825 he married Martha Jane Berryman, probably the daughter o f Wm. & Susan Berryman of Buckingham Co., VA.
For twenty-five years he served as minister for Buckingham, Fork Union, Fork of Willis and Co lumbia Baptist Churches and a number of meeting houses in that area.
He moved from Buckingham Co., VA to Cumberland Co., VA and bought land on the Willis River (D . B. 24, 1841). It was there he died in 1845 and was buried at Fork Union Baptist Church, Fo rk Union, VA. (above information from "Memoir of Elder P. P. Smith" by A. B. Smith, 1847).
His will recorded in Cumberland Co., VA, W. B. 11-P.165-1845, names wife martha and eight chi ldren (no name), brother Robert B. Smith, and mentions a "parcel of land" in Wilson Co., Tenn essee. From court and census records we know the names of five of his children: Adeline m. J ohn Fuqua, Poindexter Jr., George, Elizabeth, and Martha m. George Minor.
Research is being done on the theory that George L. Smith was probably the son of Robert Smit h Sr. will 1776, Cumberland Co., VA. There are several died in Wilson Co., Tennessee (D. B . U. 1839-1841) of the sale of "dower land of Elizabeth Rich former wife of George L. Smith d eceased." The names on these deeds were John A. Smith, E. L. Smith, George Smith, Harris Smi th, Bird Smith, P. P. Smith and Robert B. Smith. Since Robert Smith Sr. named among other c hildren, Bird, George and Robert, these deeds lend support to this theory. ------------------------------------------------- 28 Oct 1993 - Lost Buckingham County, Virginia Marriages: Rev. Poindexter P. and Marthat Berr yman 22 Feb 1825 - married by Rev. Joseph Jenkins - GROOM: born Buckingham Co. - occupation : reverend - BRIDE: born Buckingham Co. daughter of William Berryman NOTE: Source: RE, 8 Ma r 1825, p. 3. -------------------------------------------------- 14 Apr 1997 - Mildred M. Marshall: I am enclosing records we have obtained in the past year . Thought you would like to have copies of Poindexter Patteson Smith's will and division o f his estate.
Will of Poindexter P. Smith: Will Book 11 page 165:
In the name of God Amen - I Poindexter P. Smith of the County of Cumberland and the State o f Virginia being of sound mind, but weak and declining in body, do ordain & decree this to b e my last Will and Testament.
It is my wish 1st that all my just debts be paid, & if any property is necessary to be sold f or that purpose, that my wife with the counsel & advice of her friends may sell such as can b e best spared off the plantation.
Item the 2nd I give to my beloved wife Martha J. Smith, my entire tract of land on which we n ow reside during her natural life, and should she wish to leave this neighbourhood and remov e to some other section of this state, or any other state, she is fully augthorised to sel l & convey a legal title, but the money arising from the sale of the land to be expended in o ther lands where she may wish to settle, and at her death such lands to be equally divided be tween my children, should any of them die before my wife & leave children or a child such off spring or springs to stand in the parents losts. I also own a small tract of land in Tenness ee Wilson County near Statesville on Smith's Fork, which she is authorised to sell and approp riate the proceeds arising therefrom to the expenses of raising our children.
Item 3rd. It is my will that my wife hold possession of our negroes property until our young est child becomes 18 years of age with the following condition, to wit, to assign a young neg ro woman to each daughter when she becomes 18 years old or marries to be theirs & their lawfu l descendants forever, also when each of our sons shall become 21 years of age to give them n egro property equal to the girls, she is a liberty at any time to make any distribution of an y property she can spare equally among the children and at her death an equal division of al l we possess be made among my children, but the negro property falling to the girls to be ent ailed on them & their children.
Item 4 - I hereby appoint my beloved wife Martha J. Smith my Executrix to this will, and sec urity not to be required of her, having full confidence in her management of the estate. I h ereby revoke all wills, gifts &c and ordain this my last will & testament. In witness whereo f I have subscribed my hand and seal this 25th day of October in the year of our Lord One tho usand and Eight hundred and forty five.
Poindexter P. Smith (seal) Wittnesseth -- P. S. It is my wish that my brother Robert B. Smith aid my wife, in the transactions of the E state. Poindexter P. Smith (seal)
At a Court held for Cumberland County the 23rd. day of February 1846. A writing purporting t o be the Last Will and testament of Poindexter P. Smith deceased, was produced in cour by Mar tha J. Smith the Executrix therein named, and there being no subscribing Witnesses thereto Wi llis Sanderson, John Trent and Robt. B. Smith were sworn and severally deposed, that they ar e well acquainted with the testators hand writing, and verily beliefe the said writing and th e name thereto subscribed, to be wholly written by the Testators own hand. Whereupon, the sa id writing is ordered to be recorded as the true last Will and testament of the said Poindext er P. Smith deceased. An on the motion of Martha J. Smith the Executrix in said Will name, w ho made oath thereto, and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $15000.00 co ndition as the law directs (the will directing that no security should be required of her ) a certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form. Teste: B. B. Woodson, C.
A Copy - Teste: (signed) Betty R. Walton, Deputy Clerk Circuit Court, Cumberland County, Virg inia.
Report of Division of Estate - P. P. Smith Will Bk. 12 pg. 226: Cumberland County Comrs. Offi ce July 4th, 1854. It appears from the records of the County Ct. of said County that R. R. M inor & Martha J. Minor, his wife, Exor & Executrix of the Est of P. P. Smith decd. has settle d their a/c of administration showing a ballance (balance) against the Est. as of the 31st da y of Decr. 1851 of $301.00 since which time nothing has transpired to change the a/c no clai m being made by them for board or clothing. By the laast will and testament of P. P. Smith , Martha J. Minor is endowed with the use of certain slaves, herein after named, untill (unti l) the youngest child of the said P. P. Smith shall arrived at the age of 18 yers, which arra ngement the said Martha J. Minor by the consent of her husband R. R. minor, and at the instan ce of her children, has thought proper to wave, surrendering her right to hold the said slave s as aforesaid and to do now what woud (would) be to do some years to come, that is to make d ivision of the said slaves amongst the children aforesaid, for which purpose the said Marth a J. Minor, by deed of contract accompanying this report has entered into an agreement with h er children, hereinafter named, to sell the said slaves & make division of the proceeds, whic h said agremment has been consummated, by the sale of the slaves & a division thereof as se t fourth (forth) in account of sales &c herewith filed, by Pulham & Davis of Rich'd on the 26 th Decr. 1853, to, wit.
Milly $300. Langhorne $850. Robin $695. Mira $595. Mary $175. $2565. Lessby charges $60 .55 - Total $2504.45.
Of this, by agreement of the parties, the widow has assigned to her in her right $680.
For division amongst the 6 children of P. P. Smith, $1824.45. That is Adeline Fuqua, who wa s Smith, Poindexter P. Smith, Wm. A. Smith, George S. Smith & Eliz. A. Holland who was Smit h and Martha S. J. Smith.
Giving to each the sum of $304.07 in equal division which amt. of $680 has been paid over t o the widow and $304.07 pd. over to Jno. B. Fuqua & Adeline his wife and the like sum of $304 .07 paid over to Thos. A . Holland & Eliz. A. his wife, and the like sum of $304.07 paid ove r to Wm. A. Smith and the like sum of $304.07 paid over to Poindexter P. Smith, which is ackn owledged by their joint receipt, leaving in the hands of R. R. Minor & Martha J. Minor, as Ga rds. for Geo. S. and Martha S. J. Smith, their portions of this money, that is for cash the s um of $340.07, to be held by them, until they shall severally arrive at the age to entitle th em to receive the same which sale and division are hereby reported, and which closes the pers onal Estate of P. P. Smith Dec'd except as to the sum of $301. dollars due to the Exor & Exec utrix as herein before stated, on the setmt. of their administration a/c as of the 31st day o f Decr 1851. Given under my hand the date above to wist (wit) the 4th day of July 1854.
Hez. Ford Comr.
Know all men by these presents that I Martha J. Minor of the County of Cumberland and state o f Virginia being Executrix of the will of Poindexter P. Smith, and by that will being entitle d to the use of certain negroes towit: Bob Langhorne, Myra, Milly & Mary until the youngest c hild shall become Eighteen years of age, the property aforesaid being now on the decline, an d for myself and children's mutual benefit, to wit, Adeline Fuqua, Poindexter P. Smith, Willi am A. Smith, George S. Smith, Elizabeth Ann Holland, and Martha Sara J. Smith, which childre n are all equally interested in said Negro Property. I do hereby of my own free will accor d with favor and without partiality, and without any influence inclining me thereto, but wha t is just and equal, I deliberately and determinedly in my own mind and with the consent of m y husband Raymond R. Minor, reloved to deliver up the aforesaid Negro property for the benefi t of the aforesaid children of P. P. Smith to be distributed equally among the said children , which resolution by mutual consent and agreement of the parties concerned and as the law wo uld require the said R. R. Minor is to carry out perfect and accomplish as the law directs an d the said children who are adults shall render such legal vouchers on the reception of thei r parts in the property aforesaid as the law requires in all such cases. Given under my han d and seal this the 24th day of December 1853.
Martha J. Minor (seal)
This is to certify that this indenture is signed, sealed and delivered to R. R. Minor for exe cution according to the within Signature and agreement in the presence of Wm. A. Smith, J. B . Fuqua, P. P. Smith, Thos. A. Holland.
This is to certify that Martha J. Minor did receive six hundred and eighty dollars or John B . Fuqua for her interest in the within mentioned property, before the signing of this indentu re by her - June 1854.
R. R. Minor Executor by virtue of intermarriage with the Executrix.
At a Court held for Cumberland County the 24th day of July 1854. This report of the divisio n of the Personal Estate of P. P. Smith dec'd was presented in Court and ordered to lie for e xceptions till next Court. And, at a Court held for said County the 28th day of August 185 4 the same was again presented in Cour and no exceptions being filed thereto, ordered to be r ecorded.
Teste: B. B. Woodson C, A Copy - Teste: (signed) Betty R. Walton, Deputy Clerk Circuit Cour t of Cumberland Co., VA.
SOURCE NOTES for Poindexter: Family records of Clara J. Wilson Family records of Lois Anne Smith Family records of Mildred M. Marshall _______________________________________________
More About Poindexter Patterson Smith: Burial: Fork Union Baptist Church, Fluvanna Co, VA. Fact: Middle name may actually be Patteson.
More About Poindexter Patterson Smith and Martha Jane Berryman: Marriage: February 22, 1822, Buckingham co, Va.791
Children of Poindexter Patterson Smith and Martha Jane Berryman are:
Poindexter Patterson Smith (b. August 14, 1793, d. November 13, 1846)
Notes for Poindexter Patterson Smith: