Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
NameDaniel Highsmith 
Birthabout 1737, Norfolk Co, VA
Death1807, New Hanover Co, NC1938
FatherDaniel Highsmith (~1710-~1771)
MotherAnn Beck (~1715->1772)
Spouses
Census History notes for Daniel Highsmith
Daniel Highsmith Sr. and Jr. listed on 1786 Census in Black River.
Research notes for Daniel Highsmith
This from “Highsmiths in America”.
“3. Daniel Highsmith was born about 1737, probably in Norfolk County, VA. Shortly after his father died in 1772, he sold the land he had inherited from him and seems to have then moved to New Hanover County where he died in 1807. His wife was Lucretia Parker. They were members of the Wells Chapel Baptist Church. The records of this church show many instances of persons being “excommunicated” for “sins” including, for example, preaching contrary to Gospel rules without being called by the Church, deserting one’s wife because she ate dirt, attempt to defraud, fighting with one’s wife and making too free with Spirituous Liquors. And so, Daniel Highsmith was “excommunicated by order at conference at Bulltail Meeting House .. in January 1796 for disobeying gospel rule”. And Lucretia was “excommunicated for censuring the church for dealings with her husband in March 1796.” But all ended well as “old friend Highsmith came forward and was restored again to fellowship in December 1803.””
Daniel served in the Revolutionary War with a New Hanover County unit.
Jesse Lee’s grandmother was also a Highsmith.
There was a State Census of North Carolina taken in 1786 and Daniel Highsmith Sr. and Jr. were listed in the Black River District of New Hanover County. In the household of Daniel Sr. were 4 males 21-60, 1 male either under 21 or over 60 and 5 females. In the household of Daniel Jr. were 1 male 21-60, 2 either under 21 or over 60 and 2 females.
I’m not sure which Daniel is this Daniel who died in about 1807.
Daniel Highsmith listed with 820 ac in Black River 1782 tax list.
“3. Daniel Highsmith was born about 1737, probably in Norfolk County, VA. Shortly after his father died in 1772, he sold the land he had inherited from him and seems to have then moved to New Hanover County where he died in 1807. His wife was Lucretia Parker. They were members of the Wells Chapel Baptist Church. The records of this church show many instances of persons being “excommunicated” for “sins” including, for example, preaching contrary to Gospel rules without being called by the Church, deserting one’s wife because she ate dirt, attempt to defraud, fighting with one’s wife and making too free with Spirituous Liquors. And so, Daniel Highsmith was “excommunicated by order at conference at Bulltail Meeting House .. in January 1796 for disobeying gospel rule”. And Lucretia was “excommunicated for censuring the church for dealings with her husband in March 1796.” But all ended well as “old friend Highsmith came forward and was restored again to fellowship in December 1803.””
Daniel served in the Revolutionary War with a New Hanover County unit.
Jesse Lee’s grandmother was also a Highsmith.
There was a State Census of North Carolina taken in 1786 and Daniel Highsmith Sr. and Jr. were listed in the Black River District of New Hanover County. In the household of Daniel Sr. were 4 males 21-60, 1 male either under 21 or over 60 and 5 females. In the household of Daniel Jr. were 1 male 21-60, 2 either under 21 or over 60 and 2 females.
I’m not sure which Daniel is this Daniel who died in about 1807.
Daniel Highsmith listed with 820 ac in Black River 1782 tax list.
Research notes for Lucretia (Spouse 1)
This from “Highsmiths in America”. “Moving to the next generation and Lucretia Parker, wife of Daniel Highsmith Jr. In 1980 we were fortunate to receive communication from Mrs. Janice Lee of Raleigh, NC on the ancestry of Lucretia. She had located the will of Thomas Parker recorded in New Hanover Co, NC in which he named daughter Lucreziah Highsmith. This will was written in 1775 and proven in October, 1782. Thomas Parker’s widow was Rachel as mentioned in his will and she was probably the daughter of Nicholas Sessums. Nicholas Sessums’ will was proven in October, 1764 in Edgecombe County, N.C. and he lists a daughter, Rachel Parker.
We have not sorted out all the information on our Thomas Parker ancestry. It appears Rachel was his second wife and possibly his earlier wife was the mother of Lucretia (Parker) Highsmith.
Thomas Parker’s first wife appears to have been Martha Maples of James City County, Virginia, possibly a widow. This marriage would have been after 1729 and prior to 1742. From deed records we can prove that our Thomas Parker lived at Occoneechy in Northampton County, N.C. in January of 1745 when he purchased 500 acres in Edgecombe County, N.C. By August of 1752 he was married to Rachel and had removed to New Hanover County.”
We have not sorted out all the information on our Thomas Parker ancestry. It appears Rachel was his second wife and possibly his earlier wife was the mother of Lucretia (Parker) Highsmith.
Thomas Parker’s first wife appears to have been Martha Maples of James City County, Virginia, possibly a widow. This marriage would have been after 1729 and prior to 1742. From deed records we can prove that our Thomas Parker lived at Occoneechy in Northampton County, N.C. in January of 1745 when he purchased 500 acres in Edgecombe County, N.C. By August of 1752 he was married to Rachel and had removed to New Hanover County.”