Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

SMITH.
JOHN SMITH.
Although this name is somewhat numerous, there is no occa-
sion for making it, iu consequence, the subject of levity. Tlie
first of the name in New England, has, most certainly, stamped
his individuality upon the topography and history of the country.
He added to the fame of an adventurer, that of a scholar and an
observer of current events. And he also seems to have been a
gentleman and a man of affairs. It is easy enough to see that the
name was derived from the occupation. A smith was a valiant
worker on metals, and was thus in the social scale, supeiior to the
villeins, or other adheients of the loids of the soil. In time the
number increased and became influential.
The John Smith of Barnstable, was here in 1640; it would
have been strange if there had been no John Smith at hand at that
date. He was a member of the first families of Barnstable, having,
in 1640, joined the church, and was a brother-in-law of Gov.
Thomas Hinckley, having married his sister Susannah. His children
were
1. Samuel, born April, 1644.
2. Sarah, bap. 1645.
3. Ebenezer, b. Nov. 22, 1646, and died next month.
4. Mary, b. Nov. 1647.
6. Dorcas, b. Aug. 18, 1650.
6. John, b. Feb. 22, 1652, buried in two days.
7. Shubael, b. March 13, 1663.
8. John, Sept. 1656.
9. Benjamin, b. Jan. 1659.
10. Ichabod, Jan. 1661.
11. Elizabeth, Feb. 1663.
12. Thomas, Feb. 1665.
13. Joseph, Dec. 6, 1667.
Large families being the rule in those days, the Smith posterity
does- not seem to be disproportionate to the times. In 1659
John Smith of Barnstable was, with Isaac Robinson and others