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Georg Michael “George Smith” Schmidt Sr.

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Birth	:	4 Oct 1728 Wingen, Departement du Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France
Death	:	23 Oct 1814 Rowan County, North Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Smith Cemetery, Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate	:	35.6812220, -80.4087140
Description	:	Great-grandson of Diebold Schmidt, Margareta Schmidt, Michael Schleber, and Anna Mang Schleber Grandson of Johann Theobald Schmidt, Anna Maria Schleber Deckenberger Schmidt, and Phillip Engels Son of Johann Peter Schmidt (Peter Smith), and Maria Barbara Engels Schmidt. Georg Michael Schmidt's birth and baptism are recorded in the Wingen Parish Register: 4.10.1728, Wingen ist allhier ein Knaeblein nachts zwischen 7 und 8 Uhr welcher von christl. Eltern ehelich gezeugt, geboren worden. Vater ist Johann Peter Schmidt, Weber, und Mutter: Maria Barbara Engelin, welcher ist danach in der Kirche oeffentlich getauft worden, und zum Zeugnis den Nahmen... Read More	Great-grandson of Diebold Schmidt, Margareta Schmidt, Michael Schleber, and Anna Mang Schleber Grandson of Johann Theobald Schmidt, Anna Maria Schleber Deckenberger Schmidt, and Phillip Engels Son of Johann Peter Schmidt (Peter Smith), and Maria Barbara Engels Schmidt. Georg Michael Schmidt's birth and baptism are recorded in the Wingen Parish Register: 4.10.1728, Wingen ist allhier ein Knaeblein nachts zwischen 7 und 8 Uhr welcher von christl. Eltern ehelich gezeugt, geboren worden. Vater ist Johann Peter Schmidt, Weber, und Mutter: Maria Barbara Engelin, welcher ist danach in der Kirche oeffentlich getauft worden, und zum Zeugnis den Nahmen Georg Michael bekommen. Gevatter Leut sindt Georg Michael Paul Nagel, Metzger zu Wingen, Marcus Klein, Weber Leinen Meister allhier, Anna, Johann Michael, Wingens Posthalters, undt ? zu Woerth, Ehefrau . Translation: A little boy, son of legally married parents, was born between 7 and 8 o' clock at night. The father is Johann Peter Schmidt, weaver, and the mother is: Maria Barbara Engelin (feminine ending of Engels). The child was baptized publicly at the church, and named Georg Michael. Sponsors: Georg Michael Paul Nagel, butcher in Wingen, Marcus Klein, master linen weaver, Anna, Johann Michael, postmaster's in Wingen, and ? in Woerth, wife. When Georg Michael was two years old, he was living in a village called 'Sultzbach', (now Langensoulzbach), which is only a few miles from Wingen. His sister Maria Eva's birth is recorded on 30 October 1730, in the Sultzbach church book. It is not known whether Georg Michael's mother Barbara died giving birth to Eva Maria, or a bit later. Georg Michael was almost five years old when his father Peter, and stepmother Elisabetha, as well as nearly three year old sister Maria Eva, left Alsace for ever, and emigrated to America from Rotterdam via Plymouth to Pennsylvania. They sailed on the brigantine 'Pennsylvania Merchant'. (John Stedman master), and after a long, dangerous, and eventful journey, arrived in Philadelphia on the 18th of September 1733. Georg Michael grew up in Lancaster County, P.A. where his father had acquired land between Cocalico and Muddy Creek. Georg Michael's father had converted to the Dunker faith, and was a householder at Ephrata, which was only a few miles away from where Georg Michael grew up. There was a school for children of German immigrants, so it is very likely that Georg Michael received a good education there. As time passed, land became increasingly scarce and expensive in Pennsylvania, so Georg Michael, like many other grown sons of first settlers, decided to move on and try his luck elsewhere. Arriving in Rowan, North Carolina in the early 1750's, he was one of the first German settlers there. Once in North Carolina, names were anglicized, so Georg Michael Schmidt, became 'George Smith'. George Smith helped to plan and establish the town of Salisbury, and became a justice of the peace in the Rowan Court. He is listed on the 1759 Rowan Militia List, and fought against hostile Indians of the area, protecting the local citizens. By 1759 George's father Peter, and some of George's siblings had joined him, and were now also living in Rowan County. They settled on the Crane Creek Area, where Peter Smith became a Dunker elder. In January 1762 George Smith sold 229 acres on the waters of Crane Creek to his brother-in-law John Adams who was a potter by profession. The tract was defined as a 'messuage tenement plantation' suggesting that it contained a dwelling house and outbuildings. (Rowan County Deed Book 4, p.680) John Adams died a few months later, and George Smith became guardian to John and Eve's five children. (John, Barbara, George, Peter, Susannah) Together with his sister Eve, George Smith administered the estate. On March 29, 1764, Johann Sebastian Klein (Boston Cline, Sr.), and his wife Elizabeth sold half of their Elk Creek land to George Smith, with the deed witnessed by their son Boston Cline Jr. (German Speaking People West of the Catawba River in N.C., 1750-1800, by Lorena Shell Eaker) George married Mary Bruner, the daughter of German immigrants, in the 1760's in Rowan County. Their known children were: William, George Michael, Susannah (Srote), Elizabeth (Fultz), Mary E.(Swink, West), Barbara (Brown), and Jacob. George's father Peter Smith, named his son George as one of his executors in his 1767 will. Peter Smith died in 1769, but due to the death of Lord Granville (who owned North Carolina at that time), Peter Smith's land could not be sold until 1775, when George and one of his brother-in-laws (Richard Walton) probated the will, and sold all Peter Smith's land to another Dunker elder. During the Revolutionary War George enlisted on 6 Oct 1777, for the duration of three years. He served in Tilman Dixon's Company of the 1st N.C. Regiment. George was wounded and promoted to Sergeant in November 1778. In contemporary records he is called a 'Colonel'. In 1785 Susannah Morr (a potter's widow) sold Salisbury lot #68 to George Smith. As well as a justice of the peace at Rowan court until his death, he was a large land owner, owner of a grist mill, and various properties in the town of Salisbury. George was widowed on 15 January 1814. On 30 April 1814, George wrote his last will and testament. In his will he mentions that his health is as usual, but as he is getting on in years, it is obviously time to dispose of his worldly goods. He instructs, that after any eventual debts are paid, that all his personal estate, including his 'negroes' should be sold at public sale, and proceeds divided equally among all his heirs, except that his son-in-law Adam Srote would receive the share which would have gone to his deceased wife Susannah. The share intended for George's daughter Elizabeth would go to guardians appointed by the court to her children, and that her children would receive that share one day, the reason being that George did not want Elizabeth's husband Henry Fultz to have access to it. His daughter Mary West would receive her portion once she is a 'single' woman again, or if she died before her husband William West, her children would inherit. George Smith left the land he was living on, to his 'beloved' son William, all together about 437 acres, more or less, as well as a 'lott' in Salisbury. He appointed his son Jacob, and his 'good friend' Adam Srote Esqr. as the executors of his will. The will was sealed, acknowledged, and published by George Smith, and witnessed by J.N. Steele, and Mary Steele. George Smith Sr. died on 23 October 1814, in Rowan, N.C. and was buried in the Smith family graveyard. Siblings: George's sister was Maria Eva (Eve Adams, Knartzer), born Sultzbach, Alsace, died in America. His half siblings were Anna Maria (Mary), born 4 Dec 1736, P.A. Johann Peter (Peter), born 8 April 1739,P.A., died in N.C. 1793, Susanna Catarina (Susanna), twin of Peter, born 8 April 1739, P.A. Maria Eliesabetha (Elizabeth), born 19 Feb 1741, P.A. Johann Nikolaus, born 3 November, 1742, P.A., died young Johannes (John), born 12 June, 1748, P.A., died 1826, in Burke, N.C. Margaret, birth unknown (not known whether full or half-sibling) Magdalen, birth unknown (not known whether full or half-sibling).

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Georg Michael “George Smith” Schmidt Sr.'s memorial?
Georg Michael “George Smith” Schmidt Sr.'s memorial is located at: Smith Cemetery, Salisbury, Rowan County, USA.
When did Georg Michael “George Smith” Schmidt Sr. death?
Georg Michael “George Smith” Schmidt Sr. death on 23 Oct 1814 in Rowan County, North Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Georg Michael “George Smith” Schmidt Sr.'s memorial?
Latitude: 35.6812220
Longitude: -80.4087140

Family Members:

Parent

Johann Peter “Peter Smith” Schmidt

(1701 - 1769)

Spouse

Mary Bruner Smith

(1733 - 1814)

Children

Barbara Smith Brown

(1769 - 1845)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Smith Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6812220, -80.4087140

2. Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery
Spencer, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6924150, -80.4234570

3. Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery
Spencer, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6975970, -80.4137470

4. Beulah Land Baptist Church Cemetery
Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6644600, -80.4020480

5. New Hope AME Zion Church Cemetery
Spencer, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6971390, -80.4203330

6. Oakdale Baptist Church Cemetery
Spencer, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6981710, -80.4208690

7. Calvary Lutheran Church Columbarium
Spencer, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6906720, -80.4373860

8. Yadkin Baptist Church Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.7178078, -80.4020233

9. Union Lutheran Church Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6441490, -80.3937970

10. New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6420059, -80.4205017

11. Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Trading Ford, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6847992, -80.3591003

12. Trading Ford Church Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6780210, -80.3546110

13. Old Lutheran Church Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6699867, -80.4633102

14. Oak Grove Freedman's Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6697700, -80.4693000

15. Old English Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6699982, -80.4697037

16. First Baptist Church of Salisbury Columbarium
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6710000, -80.4710400

17. Dunns Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6330223, -80.4319382

18. Ardis Chapel AME Zion Church Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.7038918, -80.4660721

19. Saint John's Lutheran Columbarium and Garden
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6688340, -80.4715850

20. Presbyterian Session House Burial Ground
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6690550, -80.4720260

21. Providence AME Zion Church Cemetery
Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6456490, -80.3570557

22. Dixonville Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6599998, -80.4721985

23. Ribelin Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6301833, -80.4400333

24. Salisbury National Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County, USA
Coordinate: 35.6612282, -80.4746475