James Smith

13 May 1744–7 December 1828 (Age 84)
Palmer, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States

The Life of James

When James Smith was born on 13 May 1744, in Palmer, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States, his father, John Smith, was 27 and his mother, Margaret McMarias, was 26. He married Mary Shaw on 19 September 1770, in Belchertown, Hampshire, Massachusetts, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 4 daughters. He died on 7 December 1828, in his hometown, at the age of 84, and was buried in Belchertown, Hampshire, Massachusetts, United States.

Photos & Memories (1)

Do you know this person? Do you have a story about him you would like to share? Sign in or Create a FREE Account

Family Time Line

James Smith
1744–1828
Mary Shaw
1745–1784
Marriage: 19 September 1770
Catherine Smith
1771–1845
Peggy Smith
1773–1777
Samuel Smith
1775–
John Smith
1777–
Sarah Smith
1779–1862
David Smith
1783–1783
Mary Smith
1784–1784

Spouse and Children

MARRIAGE
19 September 1770
Belchertown, Hampshire, Massachusetts, United States
children

(7)

+2 More Children

Parents and Siblings

    John Smith

    Male1716–1803Male

    Margaret McMarias

    Female1717–1799Female

siblings

(3)

World Events (6)

1776

Age 32

Thomas Jefferson's American Declaration of Independence endorsed by Congress. Colonies declare independence.
1776 · The Declaration to the King

Age 32

"""At the end of the Second Continental Congress the 13 colonies came together to petition independence from King George III. With no opposing votes, the Declaration of Independence was drafted and ready for all delegates to sign on the Fourth of July 1776. While many think the Declaration was to tell the King that they were becoming independent, its true purpose was to be a formal explanation of why the Congress voted together to declare their independence from Britain. The Declaration also is home to one of the best-known sentences in the English language, stating, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."""""""
1787 · The Making of the U.S. Constitution.

Age 43

The Philadelphia Convention was intended to be the first meeting to establish the first system of government under the Articles of Confederation. From this Convention, the Constitution of the United States was made and then put into place making it one of the major events in all American History.

Name Meaning

English: occupational name for a worker in metal, from Middle English smith (Old English smið, probably a derivative of smītan ‘to strike, hammer’). Metalworking was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that this term and its equivalents were perhaps 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 the most frequent of all American surnames; it has also absorbed, by assimilation and translation, cognates and equivalents from many other languages (for forms, see Hanks and Hodges 1988 ).

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Story Highlight

James Smith, father of Cata who married James Whitman

He married 19 September 1770, Mary Shaw [Palmer VR:174], who was born 2 March 1745 [Palmer VR:69] and died 27 or 28 September 1784. She was the daughter of Samuel Jr and Catherine Shaw. He married 2 …

Sources (3)

  • James Smith in entry for Mary Smith, "Massachusetts Town Deaths Index, ca. 1640-1961"
  • James Smith in entry for David Smith, "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910"
  • James Smith in entry for Peggy Smith, "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910"

Find more of your family story

As a non-profit, we offer free help to anyone looking to learn the details of their family story.

Create a free account to view more about your family.
Create a free account
Share this with your family and friends.