News: Looking for females who are in the pure female lines (mother to daughter) from William and Sarah who are willing to do an mtDNA test. Such a person would be descended along an all female line from Mary DEVIN Biggers or Margaret DEVIN Reynolds. The hope is to identify the markers for Sarah SMITH Devin to help identify her parents. Contact the webmaster if interested.

Devin descendant, Stanley Wayne Devin, passed away at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2014. He was the last living child of Ira & Oleta Devin.
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    James Alexander Smith

    Male 1840 - 1865  (24 years)


    Generations:      Standard    |    Vertical    |    Compact    |    Box    |    Text    |    Ahnentafel    |    Fan Chart    |    Media    |    PDF

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    Generation: 1

    1. 1.  James Alexander Smith was born on 03 Jun 1840 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A. (son of Thomas Lewis Smith and Nancy Smith Devin); died on 27 May 1865 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..

      Notes:

      died young


    Generation: 2

    1. 2.  Thomas Lewis Smith was born on 22 May 1799 in Fayette County, Kentucky U.S.A. (son of Major James Smith and Rachel Wood); died on 18 Jan 1876 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..

      Notes:

      IGI & Ancestral Fils say DOB = 6 Mar 1793

      MARRIAGE: Gibson Co IN #979: FHC #1434696 & SLC 977.235 V28g V.1

      Thomas married Nancy Smith Devin on 20 May 1835 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.. Nancy (daughter of Rev. Alexander Devin and Susannah Nowlin) was born on 23 Dec 1814 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 15 Mar 1876 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]


    2. 3.  Nancy Smith Devin was born on 23 Dec 1814 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A. (daughter of Rev. Alexander Devin and Susannah Nowlin); died on 15 Mar 1876 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..

      Notes:

      DOB & POB from Ancestral File

      !MARRIAGE: Gibson Co IN #979: FHC #1434696 & SLC 977.235 V28g V.1

      [Judith Bone; email 19990129] On the inside of the front cover of a bible in possession of Judith Bone (1999) reads: Nancy Smith Devin bible bought in Princeton from the Bible Society Year 1833 Price $1,37. In about the middle of the Bible there are about eight pages of family genealogy. Most of it in one person's writing, but there are things added by some one else later. The book is old and I do not take it out and touch it much as the pages are falling apart. This Bible was Nancy's and then to her daughter Mary Elizabeth (Smith) DeuFriend. After her death, it passed to her daughter Esther Devin (DeuFriend) Sullivan/Castor/Morgan, my Father's Aunt. After Ester's death, the Bible came to my Dad's house and my step mother sent it to me.

      Children:
      1. George Washington Smith was born on 08 Mar 1836 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 29 Sep 1851.
      2. Susan Devin Smith was born on 06 Oct 1838 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 18 Aug 1849 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      3. 1. James Alexander Smith was born on 03 Jun 1840 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 27 May 1865 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      4. William Henry Harrison Smith was born on 17 Jan 1842 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 22 Sep 1861.
      5. Joseph Lewis Smith was born on 21 Aug 1851 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 24 Nov 1918.
      6. Mary Elizabeth Smith was born on 17 Jan 1857 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 15 Apr 1917 in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri U.S.A.; was buried in Fairmont, Marion, West Virginia U.S.A..


    Generation: 3

    1. 4.  Major James Smith was born in Aug 1774 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia (son of James Smith and Judith Gayle); died on 04 Nov 1855.

      Notes:

      His parents and family moved from Spottsylvania County Virginia to Fayette County Kentucky where Maj. James Smith cut cane, and help to make the first road from Lexington to Winchester, Kentucky. In 1808, he moved again this time to the Territory of Indiana. Maj. James Smith served in the War of 1812 at the battle of Tippecanoe. He was a delegate of the first Constitution Convention of Indiana. He was also the Commissioner of the Seminary Township of Gibson County, Indiana.

      James married Rachel Wood. [Group Sheet]


    2. 5.  Rachel Wood

      Notes:

      Of Kentucky [Judith Bone; 19990201 email].

      Children:
      1. Polly Wood Smith was born on 11 Sep 1795 in Fayette County, Kentucky U.S.A..
      2. Judith Gayle Smith was born on 30 Apr 1797 in Fayette County, Kentucky; died on 20 Sep 1873 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      3. 2. Thomas Lewis Smith was born on 22 May 1799 in Fayette County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 18 Jan 1876 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      4. Lewis Craig Smith was born on 26 Dec 1802 in Fayette County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 01 Nov 1856 in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..

    3. 6.  Rev. Alexander Devin was born on 22 Mar 1769 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (son of William Devin, Sr. and Sarah Smith); died on 05 Jan 1827 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Plot, Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..

      Notes:

      Census:
      1820 Gibson Co IN p 240......
      1 male >45; 1 male 16-25; 3 males 10-15
      1 female>45; 3 female 16-25; 2 females <10

      POB from History of Gibson Co IN p. 55; FHC #0934905
      This book gave YOM as 1793. Family moved to Warren County (near Bowling Green), Kentucky in 1798 & to Gibson County, Indiana in spring of 1808.
      Moved to Indiana Territory March 1808 (Gilbert, Polly; Decendents of James Nowlin; updated 01.Aug.2001).

      Represented Gibson Co in the Indiana constitutional convention of 1816.
      Hist. of Gibson Co IN; SLC 977.235 H2p

      IGI & Ancestral File say DOB 27 Mar 1769 or 22 Mar 1769
      Per Hist. of Gibson Co IN DOB = 27 Mar 1769.

      Bought the first lot sold in Princeton, IN.

      Was Baptist minister who along with Joseph Logan and John Hightower, other Baptist preachers, established their ministry and several churches in the Warren County and Allen County, Kentucky, areas
      in the late 1790s and 1800s.

      Land Grant issued to Alexander Divan for 200 acres on the Sulphur Fork of Drake Creek in Warren County, Kentucky. Grant is recorded in Book 12 page 114. Surveyed 08.Aug.1799.

      Alexander recorded a deed in Pittsylvania County Virigina relinquishing his rights in the estate of his father, William Devin, except for any property based on the future estate of his sister, Sarah. Written 21.Novemer.1803; recorded in Deed Book 13 page 537 on 16.January.1804. Witnessed by James Nowlin, John Emmerson, George Thomas, and James Devin.

      Minister's Returns: Pittsylvania Co. Virginia; Bassett Historical Center, Bassett, Virginia Alex Divin and Sukey Nowling was mared July 19 1791; Minister not named. Looks like the handwriting of Richard Elliott - Mary Frances Reynolds Eggleston

      Alexander married Susannah Nowlin on 10 Jul 1795 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Susannah (daughter of Bryan Ward Nowlin and Lucy Wade) was born on 12 Mar 1771 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 08 Nov 1846 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]


    4. 7.  Susannah Nowlin was born on 12 Mar 1771 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (daughter of Bryan Ward Nowlin and Lucy Wade); died on 08 Nov 1846 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..

      Notes:

      !Questions: Spelling of Name - Nowlin or Nolan
      First name maybe Susan.
      POB from History of Gibson Co IN p. 55; FHC #0934905
      This book gave DOD as 8 November 1840.

      The Devin Family, page 37 lists her DOD as 8 November 1846.

      Census:
      1830 Gibson Co IN p 159A (Suckey or Sukey)
      2 males 20-30 1 female 50-60; 2 females 15-20

      Was a second generation American. Her grandfather came from Ireland.

      Via Ethel S. Mattingley FHC #0928908: Bible records at Washington Co IN
      Historical Society show DOB as 12 Mar 1772.
      Per Hist. of Gibson Co IN p 452: DOB = 12 Mar 1771

      "The Devin Family", on page 37, says Susan is the daughter of Edward and Mary Wade Nowlin of Virginia. However, on page 2, a quote from the will of Bryan Ward Nowlin says Sucky is his daughter. Research by Anna Hudelson [Nowlin-Devin missive; 1929-1977] shows Edward Nowlin and Mary Wade to be the parents of Bryan Ward Nowlin; Susans paternal grandparents.

      Notes:

      It is possible that 9 July 1791 is their marriage bond date and 10 July 1795 is the date of their marriage.

      Children:
      1. Lucy Devin was born on 06 May 1793 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 28 Dec 1827 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      2. James Devin was born on 09 Jun 1794 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 27 Dec 1844 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      3. Susan Nowlin Devin was born on 22 Sep 1796 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 05 Dec 1832 in Washington County, Indiana U.S.A..
      4. Sarah Devin was born on 04 Feb 1799 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 05 Dec 1844 in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
      5. Alexander Devin, Jr. was born on 14 Dec 1801 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 13 May 1864; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
      6. Virginia Devin was born on 02 Jun 1802 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 26 Aug 1850; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
      7. Joseph Devin was born on 22 May 1805 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 10 Mar 1864; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
      8. Robert Devin was born on 22 Jun 1807 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 29 Sep 1841 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      9. Peyton Nowlin Devin was born on 08 Aug 1808 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 27 Jul 1862 in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Plot, Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..
      10. Mary Devin was born on 05 Jul 1810 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 14 Sep 1814 in Indiana; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
      11. Catherine Ann Devin was born on 08 Jul 1812 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 27 Nov 1888 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..
      12. 3. Nancy Smith Devin was born on 23 Dec 1814 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 15 Mar 1876 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
      13. Elizabeth Devin


    Generation: 4

    1. 8.  James Smith

      James married Judith Gayle. [Group Sheet]


    2. 9.  Judith Gayle
      Children:
      1. 4. Major James Smith was born in Aug 1774 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia; died on 04 Nov 1855.

    3. 12.  William Devin, Sr. was born in 1724; died before 19 Apr 1802 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      William Devin, Senior is considered to be the Progenitor of the protestant Devin family in the United States of America. William Devin, Senior of Virginia was born in Dublin, Ireland and came to America in 1745 or 1746. In 1750, he married Sarah Smith and settled in what is now Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
      --The Devin Family, page 1.

      CJR says William Devin (father of William Jr. and Alexander) came from Alsace Lorraine, France. --Email 25 February 1998.

      A William Davin along with son James Davin is listed in the 1767 list of Tithables for Pittsylvania County, Virginia Colony.

      Like many landowners of the era and region, William Devin Senior owned slaves. His will states that he owned at least one male slave, named Alleck, which he bequeathed to his daughter Sarah Devin.
      -The Devin Family, page 2.

      William Sr. served as Sergeant of Infantry, Virginia Continental Line. He "received a certificate for balance of full pay, according to act passed November session 1781". [more likely this was his son William Jr.]
      -The Devin Family, page 3.

      Children listed in will: James Devin, Mary Biggar, William Devin, Jr.
      Robert Devin, Joseph Devin, heirs of Margaret Reynolds, decd.

      References:

      (1) War Records No.4 Page 166

      (2) Will of William Devin Senior recorded April 19, 1802 in deed and Will Book 11, page 243, of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Will was signed 25 Nov 1800.
      (3) 1787 Pittsylvania Co VA for William Devin, Sr.

      1787 Pittsylvania Co VA for William Devin, Sr.
      Personal Property Tax List: 2 white males 16-21
      1 black over 16
      0 blacks under 16
      8 horses, mules, etc.
      12 cattle
      Comments:

      Dessa's booklet mentions a letter to Alfred Harrison Devin written by Rev. Robert Ira Devin son of James, son of William Jr, son of William Sr. The letter is said to make the following statements: 'William Devin born 1724.'"

      These statements may be accurate, but Dessa's booklet, as written, seems to relate that these records have Irish origins. There is a Camden Parish in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. If the referenced records are from the Virginia parish, why do they mention the marriage of William and Martha Devin? Is the Sarah Devin mentioned in the records actually William Sr.'s spouse rather than his sister? Another theory is that the William and Martha Devin mentioned in the parish of Camden records is William Devin and Martha Mitchell and the 2 in 1720 is actually an eight.



      William married Sarah Smith in 1750. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Smith) was born on 20 Mar 1727/28; died before 22 Nov 1800. [Group Sheet]


    4. 13.  Sarah Smith was born on 20 Mar 1727/28 (daughter of Thomas Smith); died before 22 Nov 1800.

      Notes:

      Not named in will of her husband which was dated 25 November 1800.
      Dessa's booklet mentions a letter to Alfred Harrison Devin written by Rev. Robert Ira Devin son of James, son of William Jr, son of William Sr. The letter is said to make the following statements: "Records of the Parish of Camden: 'Sarah Devin born March 20, 1728.'"

      Smith surname assumed based on serveral grandchildren named 'Sarah Smith _____'. No documents have been found to support her last name except for a manuscript by Dessa Hoffstetter. However, its source is suspect.

      Notes:

      Possibly married in Virginia Colony or Pennsylvania Colony.(speculation)

      After Sarah and William were married, they settled in the area now known as Pittsylvania County, Virginia. William and Sarah were members of the Presbyterian Church and accumulated some wealth. They had eleven children; some dying in childhood. Their four oldest sons fought in and survived the Revolutionary War. (Hofstetter, Dessa; The Devin Family; page1)

      The Devin property in Pittsylvania County, Virginia is shown by deeds and records to be near the Bannister River in the southwest corner of Pittsylvania County, northwest of Danville and east of Martinville, Virginia. In February 17, 1794, William Sr. deeded property to William Jr. as recorded in Pittsylvania County, Virginia Courthouse records. William Sr. bequeathed his house to his daughter, Sarah Devin.

      Children:
      1. James Devin was born about 1748.
      2. John Devin was born in 1750 in Virginia.
      3. William Devin, Jr. was born in c.1752; died on 27 Apr 1810.
      4. Mary Devin was born about 1757; died after 1802.
      5. Margaret Devin was born about 1759; died about 1798 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      6. Robert Devin was born on 06 Apr 1759 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; died on 10 Apr 1834 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      7. Joseph Devin was born on 17 Sep 1760; died on 26 May 1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      8. Sarah Devin was born about 1761; died before 16 Oct 1848 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      9. 6. Rev. Alexander Devin was born on 22 Mar 1769 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 05 Jan 1827 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Plot, Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..

    5. 14.  Bryan Ward Nowlin was born on 08 Oct 1740 in Boone, Virginia (son of James Nowlin, Jr. and Margaret Collins); died in 1810 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      Served as Private in Illinois Campaign under Capt. Bowman. Place of residence Chatham, VA. Listed on DAR Patriotic Index page 500 for Patriotic Service. Also listed in the Military record page 262 Missouri Pioneers. [Our Families, Anna Hudelson; page 1]

      The Assembly of Pittsylvania Co. VA ordered that all male inhabitants sixteen years of age and over should take the Oath of Allegiance to the State. Bryan Ward Nowlin is listed as subscribing before William Witcher in Pittsylvania County, VA. [Our Families, Anna Hudelson; page 1]

      Was a builder by trade. Had 15 children.

      The Nowlin-Stone Genealogy by James Edmund Nowlin.

      Bryan married Lucy Wade about 1764. Lucy (daughter of Edward Wade and Mary) was born on 08 Oct 1746 in Virginia; died before 21 Oct 1790 in Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]


    6. 15.  Lucy Wade was born on 08 Oct 1746 in Virginia (daughter of Edward Wade and Mary); died before 21 Oct 1790 in Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      Name maybe Mary Wade from "The Devin Family"; page 37.

      Notes:

      Pittsylvania County Virginia Marriages p. 18-186 file case.

      Children:
      1. Nancy Nowlin
      2. Elizabeth Nowlin was born on 20 March 1766 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 17 February 1847 in Lewisburg, Marshall, Tennessee U.S.A..
      3. Payton N. Nowlin was born on 04 May 1767 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 04 Apr 1837 in Saline County, Missouri U.S.A..
      4. Bryan Ward Nowlin, Jr. was born on 08 Oct 1768 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 03 Jun 1835 in Bedford County, Tennessee U.S.A.; was buried in Harbin Cemetery, Marshall County, Tennessee U.S.A..
      5. Lucy Nowlin was born on 14 Dec 1769 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died in Nov 1834 in Caldwell County, Kentucky U.S.A..
      6. 7. Susannah Nowlin was born on 12 Mar 1771 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 08 Nov 1846 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
      7. James Nowlin was born on 29 Jun 1772; died in 1826.
      8. Martha Nowlin was born on 11 Jun 1774; died in 1774.
      9. Rev. David Nowlin was born on 15 Aug 1775 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 11 Aug 1838 in Madison County, Alabama U.S.A..
      10. Mary Nowlin was born on 18 Apr 1777.
      11. Richard Wade Nowlin was born on 03 Oct 1778; died on 28 Oct 1880.
      12. Catherine Nowlin was born on 26 Oct 1779; died on 24 Dec 1830.
      13. infant son Nowlin was born in Mar 1781; died in Mar 1781.
      14. Sarah Nowlin was born on 01 Aug 1782; died on 02 Mar 1804.
      15. Samuel Nowlin was born on 09 Jan 1784; died on 13 Dec 1863.
      16. Anne Nowlin was born on 08 Oct 1785; died on 14 Aug 1864.
      17. Sherad Nowlin was born on 13 Nov 1789.


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