Smith Genealogy - Brunswick and Columbus Co., NC

Marty and Karla Grant

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Welcome to my Smith genealogy pages. Smith is the number one most common surname in the United States, thus my interest in this surname is limited to those in Brunswick and Columbus Co., NC in the 1700s to mid 1800s.

I have other Smith lines not connected to these Smiths.

My Smith family resided in Brunswick Co., NC, in the North West District, much of which was annexed by Columbus County in the 1870s.

My most recent Smith ancestor on this line is my 2^nd Great-Grandmother Mary Catherine Davis. Note that her surname isn’t Smith. She was born out of wedlock to single mother Mahala Davis. Mahala refused to name the father when called upon for a bastardy bond in 1866. However, William Smith was one of the bondsman for her. That doesn’t mean he’s the father of the child. However, as he was a single man, her same age, and a neighbor, it certainly raised my suspicion. That isn’t actual proof of course. However, I have strong DNA matches to descendants of nearly all of his family members which does prove there is a relationship between me and him in some manner. I’ve found no other connections between me and his family so the Davis connection would explain the DNA matches. It isn’t 100% conclusive that he was the father of Mahala’s child, however, based on the DNA matches, the bastardy bond, the proximity, etc., I think he was indeed Mary Catherine’s father.

William B. Smith was born ca 1842/43 in Brunswick (now Columbus) Co., NC. He was apparently named for his grandfather. He may have been orphaned as a small child because he resided with his grandparents in 1850 and 1860 and received an inheritance from his grandfather whereas other grandchildren didn’t. William apparently died not long after 1866 for the land he inherited was back with his grandmother by 1873 with no deed showing it being transferred to her, suggesting he was dead. I found no record of him ever marrying.

William’s parents have not been determined. However, his grandparents are proven.

William B. Smith was born ca 1787/88 in North Carolina. He married Henrietta (—) before ca 1815. I do not know her maiden name yet. It’s possible they weren’t from Brunswick originally, as I didn’t find them there on the 1820 census. However, they are there on the 1830, 1840, 1850 and 1860 censuses. William made his Will in 1866 and died shortly afterward. Henrietta died ca 1876/77 right around the time Columbus County annexed their section of Brunswick County.

I do not know who William B. Smith’s parents were.

Revised: June 27, 2026

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