Researching for POSSIBLE relationships between Samuel Pate family & Joseph Smith family in early Twiggs Co GA. After Samuel Pate's death in Twiggs Co (James Averett notice of application for administration is in 25 July 1848 Union Recorder newspaper,) his administrator, James Averett begins selling the land a few parcels at the time. Two of these parcels were formerly owned by the Smith family. #78, 26th dist formerly Wilkinson, later Twiggs Co was drawn in the 1805 land lottery by Joseph Smith of 1st District Baldwin Co & granted 28 Nov 1809 to Joseph Smith [130 acres Parcel was advertised for sale by James Averett, admr of Samuel Pate dec'd 22 Nov 1848 GA Journal & Messenger] #60, Sec 2 Dist 22, 160 acres Cherokee Co Ga was granted to Sarah Smith, widow of Will's [Wells] Dist Twiggs Co 16 Jan 1843 [Entire lot advertised for sale 9 May 1849, Ga Journal, by James Averett, admr Samuel Pate dec'd by order of Inferior Ct Twiggs Co GA] 1818 Tax Digest Jefferson's dist, Twiggs Co has Samuel Pate with 75 acres, #46, 27th dist, Joseph Smith with 202 1/2 acres #78 26th dist & Jas Smith with 100 acres #77 26th dist 1826 Tax Digest Capt. Blackshear's dist, Twiggs Co has Samuel Pate with 300 acres Twiggs, joins Smith & 125 acres Early Co GA; John Smith with 202 1/2 acres Dooly Co; Joseph Smith (no poll) 101 1/4 acres Twiggs Co; James Smith with 490 acres Irwin Co & 202 1/2 acres Dooly Co 1830 Tax Digest Capt Wells Dist Twiggs Co has Samuel Pate with 700 acres Twiggs [might include the Early co land]; John Smith [no land listed], Needham Smith [no land listed]; and Sarah Smith, 101 1/2 acres Twiggs Co, orig. granted to Smith------ From this I believe that Sarah Smith is probably the widow of Joseph Smith. She goes on to draw in the 1832 land lottery & grant is made 1843. Without the missing deeds, it's not easy to determine how or why Samuel Pate ends up with the Smith land. He may have simply bought the land directly or at auction or there may be a family relationship. A land lot map of Twiggs Co shows the Joseph Smith land to be on the border of the 26th dist, joining the 27th dist & only (2) 202 1/2 acre lots separate it & Samuel Pates #46, 27th dist. Also of interest, is later in Randolph Co GA, Elijah Pate, son of Samuel Pate of Twiggs, has more land dealings with descendants of the Twiggs Co Ga Smith's, although I do not know if these Smiths are related to the Joseph Smith family. In 1875 Benjamin J Smith deeds to Elijah Pate & George D Smith both of Clay Co, 1/2 interest in the Beall mill land in Randolph Co-- Elijah Pate is a railroad engineer & George D Smith is a railroad conductor. In 1877 deeds are also made between Lovett A Smith & Elijah Pate & Mrs. Laura Smith (formerly Laura Beall before marriage but widow of George D Smith). There are several deeds involved. Lovett A Smith was born 1840, son of Seaborn Augustus Smith who was b 1811 in Twiggs Co Ga to Lovett B Smith & Elizabeth Fort. Elizabeth Fort (1789-1814) was d/o Arthur Fort (1750-1833) of Twiggs Co. Any help greatly appreciated-- Lindy