Edwin Potter Smith

Brief Life History of Edwin Potter

When Edwin Potter Smith was born on 18 January 1828, in Milford, Milford, Otsego, New York, United States, his father, Henry Smith, was 33 and his mother, Meribah Collins, was 26. He married Mary A. Howland from 31 December 1850 to 1 January 1854. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 1 daughter. He lived in Nanticoke, Broome, New York, United States for about 5 years and Newark Valley, Tioga, New York, United States for about 30 years. He died on 28 December 1917, in Newark Valley, Newark Valley, Tioga, New York, United States, at the age of 89, and was buried in Hope Cemetery, Newark Valley, Tioga, New York, United States.

Photos and Memories (0)

Do you know Edwin Potter? Do you have a story about him that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account

Family Time Line

Edwin Potter Smith
1828–1917
Mary A. Howland
1829–1907
Marriage: from 31 December 1850 to 1 January 1854
Jabez Collins Smith
1859–1929
Mary Smith
1867–

Sources (11)

  • Edison P Smith, "New York State Census, 1865"
  • Edwin P Smith, "New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956"
  • Family Bible Records

Spouse and Children

World Events (8)

1830 · The Second Great Awakening

Being a second spiritual and religious awakening, like the First Great Awakening, many Churches began to spring up from other denominations. Many people began to rapidly join the Baptist and Methodist congregations. Many converts to these religions believed that the Awakening was the precursor of a new millennial age.

1830 · The Oregon Trail

Many people started their 2,170-mile West trek to settle the land found by Louis and Clark. They used large-wheeled wagons to pack most of their belongings and were guided by trails that were made by the previous trappers and traders who walked the area. Over time the trail needed annual improvements to make the trip faster and safer. Most of Interstate 80 and 84 cover most of the ground that was the original trail.

1863

Abraham Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation, declaring slaves in Confederate states to be free.

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.

Possible Related Names

Discover Even More

As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.

Create a FREE Account

Search for Another Deceased Ancestor

Share this with your family and friends.