Charity Newton Smith foiled a French privateer captain by sewing into her petticoats a small fortune in coins.

Charity Newton-Smith 1761-1846 was a Loyalist of great courage. She was aboard ship headed home to NB after trying to return to Rhode Island to visit her parents. Finding her old home deserted and her family scattered she was making her way home by sea when a French Privateer Captain took over the ship. Quick thinking Charity gathered up all the gold from the passengers on board and sewed in into her petticoats. Taken prisoners, the passengers were taken aboard the French ship by walking up a narrow plank. When it was Charity's turn, she was so weighed down by the gold that she could hardly move. The gallant French pirate, thinking she must be heavy with child, took her by the hand and led her aboard. Thus, Charity saved the fortunes of her fellow passengers and charmed the Frenchman in the bargain. Eventually all were put ashore and Charity returned to home and husband in Smithtown, Kings Co., NB.

Charity is supposed to be related to the great Sir Isaac Newton, possibly a cousin, as he had no children of his own. This link is unproven, but Charity has a grand ancestry of her own.............see....Newton Family

The first of the Smith Family of Smithtown, NB to arrive was Isaiah SMITH Sr. sometimes known as James, some say he was a graduate of Harvard University and a Civil Engineer. He arrived with his family with the Loyalists of 1783 and worked as a surveyor along the Kennebecasis River near Sussex. Smith's Creek in that area is named after him. He and his son, Isaiah were given lots there but they removed to Smithtown. James settled on lots 19 and 20 south of the Hammond River.

When Isaih ( James) Smith was surveying in New York, before coming to NB, he and his assistants were threatened by a band of hostile Indians. He used his spyglass and the hot rays of the sun to set several fires in the dry grasses, scaring off the Indians. This spy-glass remains in the Smith family.

More about James....






Smith Homestead inherited by the Lackies and their descendants.


Summary of Smith family tree

1.Isaih (James ) Smith, 1734-1795 and Joanna Davis, 1740-1822, both born in Long Is., NY and died in Smithtown, Kings Co., NB, Buried in Family Burial Ground , Smithtown.

2.Isaiah Smith , 1759-1812, Born : Long Is.,NY, Died: Smithtown, NB, Buried St. Paul's Graveyard, Hampton, NB.
and Charity Newton, 1761-1846, Born: Rhode Is., Died: Smithtown, Buried, St. Paul's, Hampton, NB. (Isaiah built the house above) My mother, Muriel Lackie-Lawton, remembered sitting in it's deep window seats as a child.)

3.Caleb Newton Smith 1802-1865 and Martha Bull,1804-1874, both born and died at Smithtown, NB. ( Here is where the Bulls come in )

( Martha's father- Humphrey Bull, Grand-father - Richard Bull, Great-grand- parents, the famous William Bull and Sarah Wells)

Humphrey Bull married Martha Sherwood....Sherwood connection explored below....

4. Caleb Smith 1831-1835 and Jane Porter 1835-....born in Smithtown and Salt Springs, Kings Co., NB and buried at Burial Hill, Smithtown.

5.Charity Elizabeth Smith 1857-1920 and James Harvey Lackie Sr., 1851-1926, both born and died in Upham, NB and buried at St peters, Upham.

See Lackie family. LACKIE FAMILY


The Smith family of Kings Co is interesting as they had many homes that are still standing, they built up the churches and community, were active in politics and and business, were farmers and doctors, were involved in intrigue, murders, shootings and indiscretions as well as loyal hearted goodness and bravery. Newspaper accounts are still there to tell the stories as well as Andrew Sherwood's book about Smithtown.

( Sherwoods are related family as well, SlipShod John, the Mohawk being the most famous)


THE SHERWOOD CONNECTION

to be continued



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