Mary HAIRSTON

HAIRSTON.org ID#1036, b. about 1770, d. 16 September 1822
Father*Capt. Robert HAIRSTON1,2 b. b 1724, d. b 2 Jun 1791
Mother*Ruth STOVALL b. a 1731, d. 3 Mar 1808
Birth*Mary HAIRSTON was born about 1770. 
She was the daughter of Capt. Robert HAIRSTON and Ruth STOVALL.1,2 
Marriage*Mary HAIRSTON married Gideon SMITH on 27 April 1784.3 
Death Spouse*Mary HAIRSTON's husband, Gideon Smith, died in July 1788.4 
WillIn Capt. Robert HAIRSTON's will dated 26 May 1790 in Franklin County, Virginia, Mary HAIRSTON.1,5 was named as an heir; It is interesting to note that Robert lists his sons, granddaughters and all but two daughters as "My". However, he lists daughters Martha Hunter and Jenny Rentfro as "her daughters", indicating his wife Ruth. Is it possible they are from another marriage?

Robert's daughter Sarah "Sally" Hairston, the mother of Elizabeth and Martha Rowland, died before his will was written.

PDF transcript of Robert's 1790 will attached -->
Death*She died on 16 September 1822.2 
Probate*Her estate was probated on 3 September 1829 in Franklin County, Virginia.2 
Court Record*The sale of slaves by Mary Smith to Samuel Saunders in 1813-1815 was contested in the Franklin County Court in 1851. The court records mention that Mary Smith had two children named Gideon and Ruth and that Ruth married a man named Finney (both still living in 1847).

The Mary Smith vs. Samuel Saunders court case was about whether Mary Smith was sound of mind and able to make financial decisions when she sold the slaves she inherited from her father, Robert Hairston. It appears from most of the depositions that she was borderline capable of making financial decisions.

At a Circuit Court continued and held for Franklin County at the Courthouse on Thursday the 15th day of May 1857. Siting as a Court of Equity.
Present. The same Judge as on yesterday.

Joseph Peters Administrator of Mary Smith deceased          Plantiff
     Against
Samuel Saunders                              Defendant

     This court this day came on to be heard upon bill of the plaintiff, the answer of the defendant, the replication there to, the exhibits, the testimony of witnesses and was argued by counsel on consideration whereof the court doth adjudge order and decree that the plaintiffs bill be dismissed, and that he pay to defendant, and of the estate of his intestate, his costs expended in defending this suit.

Franklin County Virginia Chancery Court Order Book B 1851-1856, page 9, Family Search Film 008141193, Image 287. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-6YZX?i=286&cat=368780.2 

Family

Gideon SMITH d. b Jul 1788
Children
ChartsDescendant Chart
Descendant Chart Box

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S121] Will of Robert Hairston 26 May 1790, Franklin County, Virginia Will Book #1, page 70-71. Inventory & Appraisel record Feb 1793. Will Book No. 1, pages 85-87, 1786-1812 (Reel 18). Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
  2. [S3511] Mary Hairston Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County Chancery Records, 1851-022
    https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
  3. [S3076] Virginia Marriage Records, From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly; Indexed by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore 1984, Ancestry.com.
  4. [S3078] Wingfield, Marshall. An Old Virginia Court. Memphis, Tennessee, 1948
    HATHI Trust - https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uva.x000423708, unknown repository.
  5. [S3131] Salmon, John S, and Emily J. Salmon. Franklin County, Virginia, 1786-1986: A Bicentennial History. Rocky Mount, Va: Franklin County Bicentennial Commission, 1993. Print., Personal Collection - printed book.
Last Edited8 Mar 2020