Brief Life History of John B.
When John B. Smith was born on 17 September 1788, in Rotherham, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, his father, John Smith, was 22 and his mother, Sarah Purdy, was 26. He married Betsey Bishop about 1808, in New York, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 daughter.
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Family Time Line
Sources (4)
- John Smith, "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
- John B. Smith in entry for Charles A. Hallas and Annie B. Smith, "New York, Marriages, 1686-1980"
- John Emith, "England, Yorkshire, Parish Registers, 1538-2016"
Spouse and Children
1788– Male
1790–1811 Female
Children (1)
1811–1892 Female
Parents and Siblings
1766–1809 Male
1762–1848 Female
Siblings (2)
1788– Male
1796– Female
World Events (8)
1789 · The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
Age 1
1815
Age 27
1821 · New Ouse Bridge Completed
Age 33
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.
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