Lawrence Smith was born 8 February 1635 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England and died 8 August 1700 in Gloucester Co, VA.

In March 1676, or order to stop Indian depredations, the Governor of VA ordered a number of forts to be built along the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers and placed Major Lawrence Smith in charge of all of them. In 1679, the assembly granted him a tract of land along the Rappahannock 5 1/2 miles long and 4 miles wide, provided that he seated there fifty armed men and 200 others. He was made commander of the force and given legal jurisdiction of the area. He was a lawyer of the counties of York and Gloucester in 1685. In 1691, he surveyed and laid off Yorktown. The Temple Farm, on which the surrender of Cornwallis was made in 1681, was sold to Major Smith in 1686. He was later recommended by the Governor to sit in the King's Council, but died before taking his seat.

 

He married Mary Hitchon. She was born about 1639 in Burnley, Lancashire, England and died Gloucester Co, VA. She was the daughter of John Hitchon and Elizabeth Towneley.

Their children were:

Sarah Smith (born 1661 in Essex Co, VA); married John "The Ranger" Taliaferro

 

 

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