The will of Colonel John Smith, son of Samuel Smith and Grizzel Coleman, was proved at court in Montgomery County, VA on July 4, 1820, and did not mention his wife (who is presumed to have died before him). He left his estate to his sons and daughters. His wife, Frances, is mentioned in various court records including in Deed Book 6, page 204, which orders on 23 Mar 1810, that Franklin County justices go to John Smith's wife, Frances, to obtain her relinquishment of dower on 331 acres in Franklin County. At the Roa noke, VA Public Library are letters between Gertrude Mann, W. W. Gilbert, and Mae Moore that contain research on Franklin County families. These letters name Colonel John's wife as Frances Burke. There is another slightly older John Smith who lived around the same time, and his wife was Frances Haynes. This John Smith was the son of Samuel Smith and Grizzel Locker. I am a YDNA descendant of Nicholas Smith of Petsworth Parish, Gloucester, VA and do not share YDNA evidence of having descended from the John Smith who married Frances Haynes. I am a Haynes descendant, but through John Wood Smith who married Dinah Haynes.
