Grandparents: Miles and Mary Ella Smith
My grandparents, Miles and Mary Ella, had seven children that I can name: Ann Eliza, born in 1879, Emma, born in 1881, Benjamin, born in 1882, Wilson, born in 1884, Miles Junius, born in 1885, Mary Susie, born in 1889, and John Smith, born in 1898. Emma and Benjamin died young and Wilson never married. According to the 1910 census, Mary Ella had seven children with five still living. By the 1920 census, she had eight children with four living. My grandmother must have had another child after our father but it did not live. By 1910, Ann Eliza had also died leaving four living children.
In March of 1906, uncle Stephen Smith and his wife, Roxie, bought ten acres for two hundred dollars from A. W. and Helen Cornick, a part of the Cornick farm near the village of Kempsville. After Stephen paid the final note on this land, it became his free and clear of all debt..
Axiom Smith bought fourteen and a half acres for two hundred and ninety dollars from A. W. And Helen Cornick in August of 1907. Axiom’s land was near the village of Kempsville. In August of 1908, Axiom paid off the balance of the note on his property.
On January 3, 1908, Lloyd. M. Smith, his wife, Mary L. Smith, his brother, William J. Smith, and William’s wife, Gertrude E. Smith sold part of lot thirty “commencing at the Southwesterly intersection of Baxter Road with the North Landing Road” in Kempsville for thirty dollars to Axiom Smith, Watson Northern and Watson’s brother, Edward Northern. Axiom, Watson and Edward were the trustees of the Lodge of Israel. The Lodge of Israel deed was one of the first deeds of record for black lodges in Princess Anne County. Watson and Edward Northern were the sons of Virginia Smith Northern and Willis Northern and the grandsons of Marina Smith. Axiom Smith’s brother, uncle Stephen Smith, married as his first wife, Laura Northern, the sister of Watson and Edward Northern.
In May of 1908, “old’ Stephen Smith, Sr., bought ten acres of land adjacent to Eastern Shore Road near the village of Kempsville for three hundred dollars from John and Catherine Carraway, a part of the Carraway farm. These ten acres were an addition to the ten acres that Stephen had already purchased from A. W. Cornick from a part of Cornick’s farm. Stephen paid off the note on the Carraway farm in February of 1910.
Elijah Smith bought twelve acres for one hundred seventy-one dollars and twelve and a half cents in October of 1908. His land was bounded on the north side by the road leading from Whitehurst’s Landing to Great Bridge.
In February of 1910, “old” Stephen Smith, Sr., sold Virginia Smith, his wife, his twenty acres for three hundred and sixty-five dollars. This land was the land mentioned in May of 1908 that Stephen bought.
Living on Salem Road in Kempsville in 1910 were: “old” Stephen Smith and his family; “old” Stephen’s son, James, and his family; and, Axiom Smith and his adopted children, Evalina and John Jarvis. Next door to Axiom was Hester Williams and her family and Hester’s mom, Hannah Smith Lamb. Five houses from Hester lived Mary Smith Bell and her family. Mary Smith Bell was the daughter of “old” Stephen Smith. Next door to Mary Smith Bell was uncle Stephen Smith and his family. Stephen was the son of Jack Smith. Three houses from Stephen was Harry Smith and his family. Harry was the son of Elijah Smith. Two houses from Harry was his aunt Annie Fuller and her family including two of her sister’s children, children of Isabel Smith Cowell. Next door to Annie was her brother, Elijah Smith and his family. Four houses from Elijah was his brother, Miles Smith, Mary Ella Smith and their children. Living with Miles were his grandchildren, Joseph and James Moseley. My father, John Smith, was twelve years old at the time. Sophia and Cornelius James Smith and their daughter, Rebecca, lived on Shell Road in Kempsville. Daniel Smith and his family lived in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1910, Evalina Bly and John J. Smith were living with their fifty-nine year old uncle Axiom Smith on Salem Road in the Kempsville District. Evalina and John were the children of James and Katie Smith Cowell Bly. Uncle Axiom adopted fourteen year old Evalina and eleven year old John Jarvis. John Jarvis changed his surname to Smith. Their mother, Katie Smith Cowell Bly, died in 1902 at the age of twenty-six. Katie was the daughter of Martha (Isabel) Smith Cowell and John Smith.
In 1911, Mary Susie Smith, daughter of Miles and Mary Ella, married Edward Holmes, the son of James and Edmonia Holmes. Susie was twenty-one years old and Edward was twenty-six years old. Three years later in 1914, Evalena Bly, daughter of James and Katie Bly, married Joseph Owens, the son of J. W. and Hulda Owens.
David Smith, the son of Edwin Smith and Marina Smith, a farmer, was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, about 1838. His body was identified by the clothing he was wearing when he was found in a swamp in the Butts Road District of Norfolk County in 1916. The coroner’s verdict was that he was of “mind unsound, wandering from home, got lost and died from causes unknown.” He was approximately seventy-seven years old when he went missing. He disappeared on August 24, 1915, and was found April 3, 1916.
In June of 1917, William J. Smith and his wife, Gertrude E. Smith sold 5.53 acres to J. L. Burgess for ten dollars on the east side of North Landing Road bounded by J. I. Herrick on the north and Louis Knight on the east. On the same day, they sold Lewis Owens 2.765 acres for one hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents, the land being on the east side of North Landing Road and bounded by Louis Knight on the east and J. L. Burgess on the north. These lands were in Kempsville.
In September of 1918, my grandfather Miles Smith bought 5.53 acres of land in Kempsville for four hundred dollars from J. L. Burgess and his wife, Mary I. Burgess. The land was bordered on the east side of North Landing Road, bounded on the north by J. I. Herrick and on the east by Louis Knight. Miles put $100 down on the property and had a two year note for $300 with The Norfolk National Bank that was paid in full in October of 1920. Miles was 63 years old when he bought the property.
I have a document dated February 14, 1919, over a hundred years old, with uncle Stephen Smith’s name upon it. Uncle Stephen was a “Past Noble Grand” of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows. The organization made great effort to help black Americans in need. The document states: “To the members of the Union Bethel No. 46, Daughters of Samaria; We the members of the G. U. O. O. F. and the Golden Household of Ruth No. 5079 are asking our many friends to help us in our great struggle by donating to a contribution as you see fit. We have lost six of our members within six months. Our sickness is great upon us. We pay out about fifty dollars ($50.) at each meeting for sickness. Besides we have other expenses to bear. So we are asking each of you to help us if you will. We are sure that whatever you do will be highly appreciated. In sending your contribution please give name and number of your order and the amount given and we will send a receipt stating what each Lodge gives. Done by order of the Lodge.” Signed: “Mrs. Bessie Freeman, W. Recorder, Mrs. Lizzie Mullen, M. N. G. and Bro. Stephen Smith, P. N. G. of the G. U. O. O. F. No. 9104.” The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows was a predominately African American Order. The female auxiliary was known as the Household of Ruth.
In 1920, James and Jakey Smith, lived on Salem Road in Kempsville. James was the son of “old” Stephen Smith, Sr. Wyley Smith and his family lived next door to Booker Smith and his family on New Road in Kempsville. Three doors from Booker Smith lived Sophia and Cornelius James Smith and their daughter, Mettie. Cornelius was a dairyman and owned his home. Next door to Sophia Smith was James and Matilda Smith and their children. Also living on New Road was Annie Fuller who was living with her son, Daniel Fuller. Daniel’s sister, Maggie Ashby and her family lived with them. Daniel owned his home.
My grandparents, Miles and Mary Ella lived on Holland Swamp Road in Kempsville. Miles was sixty-five years old and Mary Ella was sixty years old. My father, John Smith, was twenty-two years old and was working at the Navy yard. Uncle Wilson was thirty-five years old and working as a section hand. Aunt Mary Holmes was thirty-one and living with Miles as was her son, Benjamin Holmes who was twelve years old. Miles was renting his home. Next door was Joseph and Evelyn Owens and their two children. Three houses from Evelyn was uncle Stephen and Roxie Smith and their daughter, Pensacola. Uncle Stephen was a carpenter. Nine houses away from uncle Stephen lived “young” Stephen and Blanche Smith and their children. “Young” Stephen’s parents, “old” Stephen Smith, Sr., and Virginia, lived with them. “Young” Stephen owned his home. Hester Williams, her family and her mother, Hannah Smith Lamb, lived next door to “young” and “old” Stephen Smith. Daniel Smith and his family lived in Norfolk at 1355 42nd Street.
On August 22, 1925, the New Journal and Guide reported that “Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Smith and son spent Sunday in Roanoke, Va., with Mrs. Green.” The Journal also reported that “Mr. Stephen Smith and Mrs. Hannah Lamb were guests of their sister, Mrs. Annie Fuller, Sunday.”
In February of 1926, my grandparents, Miles and Mary Ella, sold their land that they bought in 1918 to Shelton Knox for one hundred and ninety dollars. The name of the road beside their property had been changed from North Landing Road to Salem Road.
On June 23, 1926, my father, John Smith, married as his first wife, Susan Elizabeth Carpenter. He was twenty-seven years old and she was seventeen years old. They had four children together; Cora Lee, born in 1926, Ora Virginia, born in 1928, Lucy, born in 1930, and Sarah Elizabeth, born in 1931. Lucy died as an infant.
Axiom Smith died on January 6, 1915. He was a bachelor his entire life. He had bought 14½ acres in August of 1907. The land was bounded by Baxter Road and Holland Swamp Road in Kempsville. On September 18, 1928, the heirs of Axiom sold the remainder of Axiom’s land to Axiom’s adopted daughter, Evalina Bly Owens. Evalina was the daughter of Katie Smith Cowell Bly and granddaughter of Isabel Smith Cowell. Axiom had sold five acres of his land to Charles Price for one hundred and twenty-five dollars in July of 1911. According to the deed, Evalina had paid ten dollars to each “of the said parties of the first.” Those parties of the first were considered as Axiom’s next of kin and were also Evalina’s relatives. The heirs of Axiom were listed as: brother, Miles Smith (wife, Mary E. Smith), brother, Stephen Smith (wife, Roxanna Smith), brother Daniel Smith (wife, Margaret “Mina’ Smith), sister Hannah Lamb (widow), sister Annie Fuller (widow), sister Sophia Smith (unmarried), brother Elijah Smith (deceased) - children: George Smith (wife, Lucy Smith), John Smith (wife, Eliza Walker), Annever Wilson (widow), Robert Smith (unmarried), Stanley Smith (unmarried), Lenora Lamb (husband, Britten Lamb) [sole heirs of Elijah Smith], sister Isabella Cowell (deceased) - children: Edward Cowell (unmarried), Ida Hughes Cue (husband, William Cue) [sole heirs of Isabella Cowell]. Evalina Bly Owens was the party of the second and the buyer of her uncle’s property. Axiom was also Evalina’s adopted father.
When it came time to sign the document, Mary Ella Smith, Annie Fuller, Hannah Lamb and Mina Smith signed the document with a mark. Miles Smith, Stephen Smith, Roxanna Smith, Sophie Smith, Daniel Smith, Annever Wilson, Robert Smith, Stanley Smith, Lenorah Smith, Britten Lamb, George Smith, Lucy Smith, John Smith, Eliza A. Smith, Edward Cowell, John Cowell, Ida Cue and William Cue signed the document with their names.
In December of 1928, two-and-a-half months after Evalina Owens bought her uncle Axiom’s land, she sold one and a half acres of it to her uncle Miles Smith, my grandfather, for ten dollars. The land was bordered by Holland Road and Eastern Shore Road. On the same day, Evalina and her husband, Joseph Owens, sold two acres to Rupert Price for three hundred dollars.
About 1929, “old” Stephen Smith was given a reception, at his son Stephen Smith, Junior’s home, to honor him for living well over one hundred years. A lot of people came to see Stephen including Mrs. Ora Smith, Mr. & Mrs. John Smith, Mrs. Hannah Lamb, Mrs. Annie Fuller, Mrs. Alice Goodman, Charlie & James Smith, J. E. & W. A. Northern and Mrs. Minnie Bell Smith. “Old” Stephen was still able to walk a bit and had a fine appetite.
In 1930, Annie Fuller was living on Butts Road in the Kempsville district with her son, James, and two grandchildren. On Salem Road in Kempsville, lived James and Nettie Smith and their family, Miles and Mary Ella Smith and their family, including my father, John Smith. My father’s daughters, Cora and Ora, lived nearby with the Curling family. Also living on Salem Road, were “young” Stephen and Blanche Smith and their family and Stephen’s father, “old” Stephen Smith. Hannah Lamb lived with Monroe Williams and his family on Salem Road with Monroe’s father, Jim Williams. Alice Goodman and her family lived on Salem Road.
On Powell’s Corner Road in Kempsville, lived uncle Stephen & Roxanna Smith with their Moseley nieces and nephews. Two doors down lived W. A. and Ellen Northern and their family. Three houses away from the Northerns lived Joseph & Evelyn Owens and their family. Sophie Smith also lived in Kempsville with her daughter, Martha Scutchins, and Martha’s children.
In November of 1932, Miles & Mary Ella sold 5.53 acres to J. Howard Hale for one hundred dollars. Evidently my grandparents owed the funeral director some money and had used their property as collateral. They bought the land back two years later in 1934 when all was settled.
On November 25, 1937, my grandfather Miles died at the age of 82. He was buried at Smith Corner.
In 1940, my grandmother, Mary Ella, was living on the Kempsville and Virginia Beach Road with her sons, Wilson and John, and her grandchildren, Ora Smith, Elizabeth Smith and Delore Cason. Uncle Stephen & Roxanna Smith lived on Holland Swamp Road in 1940, four houses from Watson Northern and his family. James and Nettie Smith lived on the Kempsville and Greenwich Road with their family.
My grandmother Mary Ella Smith died on March 24, 1941, at the age of 83. She was buried beside my grandfather at Smith Corner cemetery.
Parents: John Smith & Della Simmons
My father John Smith was born October 1, 1898. His father, Miles, was 43 years old and his mother, Mary Ella, was 40 years old at his birth. My father was 39 when his father died and 42 when his mother died.
My father, John Smith, served in the United States Army during World War I. His military evaluation stated that he was of “excellent character.” I have his .22 pistol from the war. My father was about six feet tall, slender and easy going.
John Smith married Susan Elizabeth Carpenter as his first wife in 1926 when he was 27 and she was 17 years old. Their children were Cora Lee, born in 1926, Ora Virginia, born in 1928, Lucy, born in 1930, and Sarah Elizabeth, born in 1931. Lucy Smith died as an infant. John and Susan Smith were divorced in 1951. Susan lived until 2012 and died unmarried at the age of 103.
John Smith married as his second wife, Della Simmons White, in 1952, when he was 53 and she was 32 years old. Their two children were sons, Johnnie and Larnell.
06/20/22
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