Jonas Smyth1

b. April 1750, d. 6 July 1839
FatherTobias Smyth2
MotherMary McDonald2
BirthApr 1750 Jonas Smyth was born in Apr 1750, probably on the 11th.3,4,5,6 
Marriage He married first Mary Kincannon, daughter of Francis Kincannon and Elizabeth (?).7,8 
Migration1770  About 1770 the family (including Jonas's widowed mother) migrated south from Botetourt County, Virginia to what later became Washington County.9 
Military  From 1775 through 1778 Jonas participated in the various militia efforts to guard the Washington Co. frontier against Indian attack. These terms of service varied from 2 months to 6 months in length. During this time he served as a private under Capt. James Dysart and Capt. William Edmondson. In the fall of 1780 he enlisted under Col William Campbell and marched south across the mountains to face the British at the Battle of Kings Mountain. In November 1833 Jonas was granted an annual pension of $51.66 for his service.10 
Land-Grant  Following the war a commission was established to clarify ownership of many untitled Washington County lands occupied by settlers since before the war. Jonas received a grant for 400 acres "in right of settlement". The land sat on the south side of Walker's Mountain. Later he received grants for several additional parcels of land.11,12,13,14 
WidowedJan 1808  Mary died in Jan 1808. 
Marriage12 Nov 1812 He married second, Mrs. Anna Bates, a widow, on 12 Nov 1812 in Washington County, Virginia.15 
Land29 Jan 1830  Jonas entered into an agreement with [his son] Tobias whereby Tobias was to receive 3 tracts of land on the south side of Walker's Mtn (205 3/4 acres, 72 acres, and 30 acres) on Jonas's death. In exchange Tobias was to pay each of Jonas's heirs 1/6th of the value of the land.  
  In the years preceding his death, Jonas became somewhat irritable and child-like. A family tradition states that his son Tobias built a small log house in which Jonas lived with a housekeeper. The same tradition states that he lived with his sister Mary Kelly, wife of Ezekiel Kelly, at the time of his death. A suit filed over the distribution of Jonas's estate some years after his death contains depositions from various family members. They suggest Jonas lived for some time at the home of his daughter Nancy and her husband James Kelly. They also suggest son Tobias returned to live on his father's land because he believed the "old man" (who was illiterate) was not capable of tending the farm or of managing his affairs.16,17 
Will1 Apr 1839  Jonas wrote his will on April 1, 1839. There were three main points to the will. First, he willed that his "yellow man, a slave named Parlour, was to have his freedom" and that he was free to remain in the county "so long as he may be suffered to do so by the authorities thereof". Secondly, Jonas noted that the estate of John Smith, deceased [his son] was indebted to him in the sum of five hundred dollars and interest in the same. Jonas requested that $100 of that be released and paid to Nancy Smith, John's widow. This was in consideration for the care and attention Nancy paid him during the time he lived with her. And finally Jonas directed that the agents for Emory and Henry College be paid $20 which represented the last instalment of $100 subscribed to that institution by him. Jonas did not name an executor and he did not mention his children.18 
Death6 Jul 1839 Jonas died on 6 Jul 1839 at age 89.1 
Will-Recd23 Nov 1840 On Sept. 1839 Tobias Smyth and James Kelly were appointed administers of Jonas's estate. However the will was not recorded in court until a year after Jonas's death. The court noted that "sundry other witnesses" testified that this was indeed his will and therefore the court was of the opinion that the said writing was the last will and testament of the said Jonas Smyth.18,19 

Related Links and Images:

A Smyth family history includes anecdotes and traditions recorded by Jonas's grandson and great grandaughter9
According to Mrs. Alice (Scott) Littleton, daughter of Rachel (Smyth) Scott (1849-1944), this structure was originally built by Jonas Smyth around 1770. Jonas's son Tobias Smyth was born and died in it. James Kelly Smyth lived in it before building a large brick home around 1875. Rachel (Smyth) Scott lived in the original log house for many years. In 1929 the house was donated to Emory and Henry College20
For additional information abt the log house and about Jonas's son Tobias see: Tobias Smyth House at Emory and Henry College
Jonas Smyth signature from his Revolutionary War pension declaration (1833)

Family

Mary Kincannon d. Jan 1808
Children
Last Edited5 Jul 2012

Citations

  1. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 74. Desc. chart for Jonas Smyth and Mary Kincannon; author unclear.
  2. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 4. Named as a child of Tobias Smyth and Mary McDonald in the writings of their great grandson, James Kelly Smyth, dated July 6, 1891.
  3. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 41. List his date of birth as 4 April, 1750.
  4. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 74. Desc. chart for Jonas Smyth and Mary Kincannon; author unclear. This source lists his date of birth as April 1, however the typing is faded and difficult to read.
  5. [S623] David B Trimble, Kincannon and McDonald, p. 21. This source states that Jonas was born April 4, 1750 in New Castle County, Delaware.
  6. [S912] Dorothy Tuttle, Sm*th Family of Delaware and Virginia, p. 10. This source states that Jonas was born 11 Apr 1750 in Augusta Co., VA.
  7. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 3. From the writings of Rachel Smyth Scott, great-granddaughter of Jonas Smyth and Mary Kincannon.
  8. [S616] Francis Kincannon will (1795), Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 2: 65. The will was written 3 March 1795 and recorded 15 Sept. 1795. Francis left a legacy to his daughter Mary Smith.
  9. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 3.
  10. [S2532] Jonas Smyth declaration; Jonas Smyth Revolutionary War Pension Application File; RG 15; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 - Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files. Digital images viewed Nov. 2010 at www.Footnote.com.
  11. [S1438] Virginia Land Office Grants Q: 224, Library of Virginia Online. Grant dated 20 June 1785 based on a certificate in right of settlement. The land was described as 400 acres by survey dated 30 Jan. 1783 on the south side of Walker's Mtn.
  12. [S2533] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 33: 130, Library of Virginia Online. Grant dated 28 Jul 1795 based on Land Office Treasury Warrant 15,028 dated 23 Dec. 1782. The land was described as 70 acres by survey dated 21 May 1792 on the waters of the Little Holston.
  13. [S2534] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 46: 160, Library of Virginia Online. Grant dated 9 Dec 1799 based on Land Office Treasury Warrant 15,028 dated 23 Dec. 1782. The land was described as 146 acres by survey dated 16 May 1798 on the waters of the Middle fork of the Holston River adjoining Jonas's settlement survey and the lands of Edward Crawford.
  14. [S2535] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 50: 568, Library of Virginia Online. Grant dated 14 Oct. 1803 for 270 acres by survey 3 Dec. 1774 on the branches of the Middle fork of the Holston River adjoining Beaty's land. Note: part of this grant appears to duplicate Jonas's 1785 400 acre settlement grant.
  15. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 56. Jonas Smith and Anne Bates, 12 Nov. 1812.
  16. [S1788] Jack Hockett, "Washington County, Virginia Chancery Notes", New River Notes (http://www.newrivernotes.com/hockett/wcvchancery.htm : Nov. 2010). Reel 118; case styled as Benjamin F. Fuller & others vs Tobias Smith, J. Kelly, admrs of the will of Jonas Smith, dec'd. Includes abstracts of depositions by several family members.
  17. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 4. Author not clear.
  18. [S620] Jonas Smyth will (recorded 1839), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 8: 212. Jonas's will, dated 1 Apr 1839, and recorded 23 Nov. 1840. No executor was named. The will was witnessed by John R. Nye and David Narley (?). The court records note, perhaps due to the length of time between Jonas's death and the presenting of the will in court, that not only did the two witnesses swear that the will was Jonas's but so did "sundry other witnesses."
  19. [S1788] Jack Hockett, "Washington County, Virginia Chancery Notes", New River Notes (http://www.newrivernotes.com/hockett/wcvchancery.htm : Nov. 2010). Reel 118; case styled as Benjamin F. Fuller & others vs Tobias Smith, J. Kelly, admrs of the will of Jonas Smith, dec'd.
  20. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 5.
  21. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 4. Named as a child of Jonas Smyth and Mary Kincannon in the writings of their grandson, James K. Smyth, July 6, 1891.
  22. [S1788] Jack Hockett, "Washington County, Virginia Chancery Notes", New River Notes (http://www.newrivernotes.com/hockett/wcvchancery.htm : Nov. 2010). Reel 118; case styled as Benjamin F. Fuller & others vs Tobias Smith, J. Kelly, admrs of the will of Jonas Smith, dec'd. Includes statements as to the heirs of Jonas Smyth.
  23. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, p. 4. Named as a child of Jonas Smyth and Mary Kincannon in the writings of their grandson, James K. Smyth, July 6, 1891 ("claimed by her, sd Sarah Bradley by virtue of her mother, Rebecca Bradley, the daughter of sd Jonas Smith deceased").
  24. [S2536] Jack Hockett, Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 19, 1848-1850, abstracting p. 98 in Deed Bk 19.