I have found something that may be the answer to one question. This is the only time that I have seen all four of the Smithers names together, and it is about the year of 1760 the suspected age of William Smithers birth. November 28, 1986, a Dorothy N. Lowry, Seguin Texas, It appears that she was tracking a Gabriel Smither. filed a family group sheet that says: George Smither(s) will 8th November, 1755, received 19th March 1756, Lan. Co. Va. witnesses: Wm. Stoneham. John Muse wife: Ann (?) exc. with Geo. Payne & Maj. Rich'd Selden Children: John Smither Thomas Smither Gabriel Smither William Smither notes: 1. page 204- Lan. Co. Va. Inv 1782, rec. 19 Sept 1782. W. B. 20 pa 242 notes: 1. est 16 Mar. 1786, 20th apr 1786 W. B. 22, pa. 119 notes: 2. to S. C. ? notes: 2. to Abbeville Co. S. C. 3 males under 16, 3 f. and 7 slvs (need nms of chn) Is there anybody that has access to the actual documents so we may see what this person's notes meant? It seems that she was tracing one of the Smithers to South Carolina. I have also found an Obituary for a Col. Gabriel Smither, Culpeper Va. , Enquirer, 22 Mar. 1815 page 3. Could this be the family of William Smithers? If William was only 12 years of age, would not someone have to be appointed a guardian, unless he lived with an older brother, or brothers?