Brief Life History of Deborah
When Deborah Smith was born on 4 July 1741, in Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States, her father, James Smith, was 39 and her mother, Dorcas Richardson, was 35. She married Elijah Howe I on 24 June 1759, in Leicester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 4 daughters. She died on 25 August 1816, in Leicester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, at the age of 75, and was buried in Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
Photos and Memories (1)
Do you know Deborah? Do you have a story about her that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account
Family Time Line
Sources (22)
- Deborah Smith, "Massachusetts, Marriages, 1695-1910"
- Deborah Howe, "Find A Grave Index"
- Deborah Smith, "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001"
Spouse and Children
1731–1808 Male
1741–1816 Female
Children (9)
1760–1854 Male
1762–1853 Male
1764–1848 Male
1768–1816 Male
1770–1834 Female
+4 More Children
Parents and Siblings
1702–1743 Male
1706–1777 Female
Siblings (8)
1728– Female
1728–1756 Male
1730–1764 Female
1733–1799 Female
1735–1737 Male
+3 More Children
World Events (6)
1776
Age 35
1776 · The Declaration to the King
Age 35
1781 · The First Constitution
Age 40
Name Meaning
English and Scottish: occupational name denoting a worker in metal, especially iron, such as a blacksmith or farrier, from Middle English smith ‘smith’ (Old English smith, probably a derivative of smītan ‘to strike, hammer’). Early examples are also found in the Latin form Faber . Metal-working was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that this term and its equivalents in other languages were the most widespread of all occupational surnames in Europe. Medieval smiths were important not only in making horseshoes, plowshares, and other domestic articles, but above all for their skill in forging swords, other weapons, and armor. This is also the most frequent of all surnames in the US. It is very common among African Americans and Native Americans (see also 5 below). This surname (in any of the two possible English senses; see also below) is also found in Haiti. See also Smither .
English: from Middle English smithe ‘smithy, forge’ (Old English smiththe). The surname may be topographic, for someone who lived in or by a blacksmith's shop, occupational, for someone who worked in one, or habitational, from a place so named, such as Smitha in King's Nympton (Devon). Compare Smithey .
Irish and Scottish: sometimes adopted for Gaelic Mac Gobhann, Irish Mac Gabhann ‘son of the smith’. See McGowan .
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
Discover Even More
As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.
