Henry Smith (abt 1607-bef 1687) and Elizabeth [Smith?] (abt 1607 -1670)

{Ellis Ancestors}

by Patsy Hendrickson

Henry Smith’s birth was estimated as 1607 somewhere in England. There is a marriage record for a Henry Smith, 31 Jan 1630, to an Elizabeth Smith; in St. Peter’s Church in Thanet, County Kent, England, but the tie to this Henry and Elizabeth has nor been fully established. ¹

Henry Smith came to New England in 1637 with his wife Elizabeth and two sons: John whose birth was estimated as 1634 and Seth whose birth was estimated as 1635. The Smiths settled first in Dedham, Massachusetts. Henry Smith was the 48^th signer of the Dedham Covenant. In addition to the two sons born on England, there were three known sons born in Dedham, Massachusetts: Daniel, born 1634; Samuel, born 1635; and Joseph, born 1639. ³

Dedham First Church Records p 21 say, "____ Smith, y^e wife of Henry Smith was received wh very clere satisfaction to y^e church y^e same month. [5 mo. 1639]" and "Henery Smith was received comfortably into y^e church y^e 22^d of y^e 7 month 1639.

The Dedham Town Records state he was "burned out" in 1641. He went to Medfield in 1651-52 and took a lot on South Street. In Medfield he served on the board of selectmen for 13 years, which is similar to serving on a city council in the United States.

Elizabeth died 12 June 1670 in Medfield. Henry died sometime between 2 August 1683 when his will was written, and 3 March 1686/87 when it was probated. ²

Sources:

1. Findmypast.com, Canterbury Marriages; Archive Reference U3/120/1/1.

2. Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire vol 4. p 1874 by Stearns, Whitcher, and Parker.

3. These three sons are entered in the Dedham vital records

4. Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts by William Richard Cutter Vol 4 p 2127