I've just learned of a Daniel W. Smith in Westhaven, Rutland Co. Vt. who may be the father of Edward P. Smith of Rensselaer Co., NY. It's only circumstantial at this point. Edward P. Smith was born about 1818 (Census). The 1860 Census states he was born in NY State. Occupation: Machinist. He is in Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co. that year. His wife is there in 1865 without him. Can't find him 1870. Maybe deceased. No record of Will, Letters of Administration, burial. He married a Hannah M. or Margaret H_______time and place unknown. We suspect a possible first marriage for hiim but this is pure guess. Margaret is born about 1836 in NY State. 3 known children born to them in Rensselaer Co., Elizabeth b. 1850-1854, Eleazer A. N. born in Grafton, Rensselaer Co 1855, Edard Lee b. possibly Sand Lake c1858. In 1850, Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY, Ward 5, Image 14 in a Hotel 8 Oct.is: Edward Smith 35 Machinist b. NY William Smith 49 Paper Maker, b. NY (he is enumerated as next door to Edward) Elizabeth Smith 26 b. NY (She lives 3 from William) 1860 Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., NY, Image 29 (215-253) William Smith 57, farmer b. NY Laura A., 36 b. Vt. Sabra 76, b. Mass. Anson Lape 16, NY Harriet E. Smith 28, servant b. Vt. 1850 Westhaven, Rutland Co., Vt., 7 Oct. (1518-1678), Image 4 Daniel W. Smith 63, Mason, b. Ct. Sabra, 64 b. Mass. Harriet E. 26, b. Vt. 2 away is the family of Franklin C. Smith, Image 4 I've based this hypothesis strictly on Edward's occupation as a Machinist and William Smith living next door. In 1840 Westhaven a Rollin Smith is 2 from Daniel. Does anyone out there come off of Daniel W. Smith's line? To make a conundrum-DNA was done showing that Edward P. Smith is related to a German Palatine, Johan Heinrich Schmidt/Smith, whom I know a lot about as he is my husband's direct ancestor. My son, Chipp Smith did a DNA swab and the markers are very close to Edward P. Smith. I know little about DNA. All I can say, if that if this Edward IS German Palatine I'll "eat my hat". If he is, there is no way he can fit into the Daniel W. Smith family of Vt. Deanna Smith