Individual Details

Probate

probate with will – wife Elizabeth, son David, daughterSarah Stinson, son Benjamin, son George, daughter Susan Merchant, son AsaSmith, daughter Ann Kent, son John, daughter Mary Kent, daughter ElizaBillings, son James, daughter Lucy Smith, son William Smith, daughter DorothySmith – son-in-law Benjamin Stinson is executorhttps://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8994/images/004141794_01053?usePUB=true&pId=2558845  In his will written 12 May 1835 (probate 5 August1840), David Smith of Swan’s Island bequeathed to his beloved wife Elizabeththe use of all his estate, real and personal, during her widowhood. Bequests offifty cents were made to each of his children: David Smith, Sarah Stinson,Benjamin Smith, George Smith, Susan Merchant, Asa Smith, Ann Kent, John Smith, MaryKent, Eliza Billings, James Smith, Lucy Smith, William Smith, and DorothySmith. At the decease of his wife or at the end of her widowhood, the estate isto be divided equally among his children. Son-in-law Benjamin Stinson was namedexecutor. Personal estate was valued at $144.93. On 5 October 1840, widowElizabeth waived the provisions made for her in the will and claimed her rightof dower.[1] [1] MaineProbate, Hancock County, Estate of David Smith, No. 1551

Military

On 22 April 1818, DavidSmith of Burncoat Island, an unincorporated area of Hancock County, provided astatement related to his pension application. In March 1777, he enlisted as aprivate soldier in the Continental establishment in the company of Capt. AmosEmerson in the 1st regiment of the New Hampshire line commanded byCol. Joseph Cilley. He mustered at Bedford, New Hampshire and joined the mainarmy at Ticonderoga. Her served until January 1780. He reported he wasrepeatedly wounded in battle. A supporting statement by George Grouse adds thatSmith was badly would at Saratoga. In a statement 7 October 1835, Davidreported three wounds from musket balls, in left knee, right thigh, and rightarm. On 11 July 1820, David provided further information on his circumstances.He gave the value of his personal estate as $38.75 and estimated he earned $10per year by labor. He had title to a lot of land that was under attachment dueto a debt he owed. His household was wife Betty aged 34 and children Asa aged16, Ann aged 12, John aged 9, Mary aged 7, Eliza aged 5, and Lucy aged 1 ½. Davidreceived a pension and after his death his widow Betsy received the widow’spension.[1][1] U. S.Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, Case W26484,BLW 31231-160-55

Biography

Swans Island book suggests he had a wife before Euniceand Elizabeth – says 16 children with the first wife Eunice – but maybe it is16 altogether – all the children with the unnamed first wife died in childhood– there are a total 16 children in the Swans Island book – the full book isdownloaded – he is mentioned throughout – biography starts on page 61https://archive.org/details/historyofswansis00smal_0/page/60/mode/2up