Holbrook line: Edward Smith of Rhode Island, Immigrant 1633-1693

Edward Smith was one of the younger children of Christopher and Alice Gibbs Smith.  He was christened on March 17, 1633 at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire, England.  He was one of at least 9 children.  Some of the siblings settled in Rhode Island and others settled in Hartford, Connecticut, for reasons that are not yet evident. 

Christopher was in Providence, Rhode Island by 1649, and possibly sooner.  He was a Quaker according to John Osborne Astin's Genealogical Record of Rhode Island, because during King Philips War he and the family went to Newport, which was not attacked.  At that time Quakeer records call him "an ancient Friend of Providence".  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Edward came to Providence with his parents and some siblings, and on August 26, 1656 he was granted common equal to other townsmen, and was to have a vote with inhabitants.  He was a hayward (kept stray animals out of fields) in 1656, a freeman on May 12, 1638, and a juryman in 1639.  He must have handled his early responsibilities well, because he was a town sergeant (not sure about this-watchman, maybe?- in 1662 and was to be paid 20 shillings in "peage".  "Peage" was also known as wampum, and was treated as legal tender in the colonies, as cash was in short supply. 

His marriage intention, to Amphillis Angell, was recorded on May 9, 1663 but there doesn't seem to be a record of the marriage.  Nevertheless, the marriage is accepted by genealogists.  He participated in a division of lands in 1665, and ten years later, just before King Philip's War broke out, he asked for an accommodation of difficulties-basically an arbitration.  It had to do with the division of lands with his neighbors. 

He was 7 times a deputy and 9 times a town council member.  In 1688. about 25 years after he was married, he was taxed on 5 cows, 4 three year olds, 2 two year olds, 4 yearlings, 2 oxen, 2 horses, 1 1/2 shares of meadow, 5 acres tilage, 4 acres pasture, 5 acres wild pasture, and 140 acres of woods.  The number of cattle is a bit surprising, as it is a larger herd than many in that location had. 

Edward and Amphillis had at least seven children together, and some stayed in Providence.  I would like to know whether his children stayed in the Quaker meeting, or whether they changed religion at some point. 

  It isn't know what kind of relationship Edward had with his Connecticut siblings.  I wonder whether perhaps there was a religious difference, and the Connecticut siblings were Puritans whereas Edward and his father remained Quaker.  That is just my speculation.

Edward died shortly before January 2, 1694, when administration of the estate was granted to Amphillis and his son Edward.  I have as yet not found the estate papers, inventory, or will, but I do have a case number which may help me track it down. 

Edward's record shows him to be a well respected man of principle, a good provider and a good citizen.  We can be proud of him and honor his memory with respect. 

The line of descent is: 

Edward Smith-Amphillis Angell
Amphillis Smith=Zechariah Eddy
Elisha Eddy-Sarah Phetteplace
Enos Eddy-Sarah Brown
Enos Eddy-Deborah Paine
Joseph Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants