JAMES SMITH OF WILKES COUNTY, GA, AND ALLIED FAMILIES OF BARRON, FOSTER, WHITE, THOMPSON, CHAFFIN, AND COLLUM By Vicki Barron Kruschwitz (
[email protected] ) and Donna Haygood Sarchet In memory of Donna Haygood Sarchet (August 16, 1958 – July 4, 2005), whose fine research, inspiration and encouragement made this article possible. Article originally posted August 2001. Most recent update: March 2006. Note: The information in this article comes from many sources, including shared data from a number of Smith researchers, as well as primary research by both Donna Sarchet and Vicki Kruschwitz. There are many gaps in our knowledge about this family. And, as in all such documents, mistakes will be found. But this information is offered to generate input from other researchers to correct and expand our knowledge of the James Smith family. You are welcomed and encouraged to contact Vicki, who will attempt to incorporate new data as quickly as possible. ************* JAMES SMITH , who d. 1797/1799 in Wilkes County, GA, was the father of nine known children, all of whom intermarried with a number of families who resided in or had connections to Wilkes County. The SMITH and allied families of BARRON, FOSTER, SIMMONS, THOMPSON, CHAFFIN, WHITE, and COLLUM are addressed in this article. In addition, the following surnames are included in the examination of the movements of James Smith’s descendants: GAMMON, COOK, MANNING, POOL, CATCHINGS, McINTOSH, and WATTS. The migration paths taken by James Smith’s children were varied. Some moved from Wilkes County to other counties in Georgia -- Greene, Hancock, Putnam, Jones, Jasper, Newton, Walton, Butts, Henry and Troup -- where they lived out their lives.