Biography
Ralph Smith was born 1610 in Hingham, Norfolk, England to John Smyth (c1580-) and died 14 September 1685 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts of unspecified causes. He married Elizabeth Hobart (1608-1655) 1635 .
One of the great legends of early New England history is the life and times of Ralph Smyth later Smith. Ralph is said to have come from Hingham, England to New England on board the ship Elizabeth Bonaventure in 1633, but other records suggest he was here before then. He is said by historian Solomon Lincoln Jr to be listed first among a small group who in 1633 founded the town of Bear Cove ( later named Hingham) as noted by Governor Winthrop’s Journal in 1634. A Bell Tower monument of this event was erected next to the Old Ship’s Church which is the oldest Church in New England today. Ralph's first son named Ralph is probably buried in the cemetery (1640) behind the church and bell tower.
Ralph’s first wife has no known existing record and has been the subject of controversy as to who she was. While in Hingham he had five more children when he decided to move to Nauset on Cape Cod which had just been renamed Eastham about 1652. He was engaged in fishing and shore whaling and may have used his own boat to travel when he moved. His first wife is said to have died shortly after giving birth to their seventh child Deborah in 1654.
He married second Grace Hatch who is remember in folklore by her book a dying mother's legacy written in 1712. Ralph was elected constable of Eastham in 1660 and 1664, and was fined during this period for not seeing a whale for harvesting which it is assumed he and his sons had done on their own. This is possibly the first recorded instance of whaling in New England history. Ralph became wealthy and was popular in town where he was elected Selectman in 1668 and re-elected for ten years. He was an extensive land owner and left a large will when he died in 1685.
In 1646 the original Church of Nauset was formed and would later become the Congregational Church of Eastham with the Reverend John Mayo who was minister from 1646 to 1655. This is were Ralph and Grace were probably married. The only question being the location with most records being lost.
A Society was formed in 1938 called The Association of Descendants of Ralph Smith of Hingham and Eastham Massachusetts, and the website is www.smyth1633.org
A group of descendants have been linked together using YDNA to positively identify Ralph's DNA.
Children (second generation): --
i. Ralph Smith ; buried Feb 15, 1640.
ii. Samuel Smith, b. July 11, 1641; m. Mary Hopkins. D. March 27, 1696/7
iii. John Smith, b. July 7, 1644. m. Hannah Williams, May 24, 1667 Will dated May 1692.
iv. Daniel Smith, b. March 2, 1647. m. Mary Young March 3, 1676. D. March 20, 1720
v. Elizabeth Smith, b. Sept., 1648. m, Lieut Jabez Snow. D. Jan 8, 1733
vi. Thomas. Smith b. Between 1649-1650. m. Mary abt 1681 d. March 22, 1720
vii. Deborah, b. March 8. 1654 Eastham.
Born by about 1616 (assuming that he came over as a "servant," and was twenty-one at the time of his trial admission by the town of Charlestown). Matriculated at Cambridge from Christ's College, receiving his B.A. in 1613-14. In 1629, settled first to Nantasket, then Plymouth, then Mancester, Ipswich, and finally Boston. Died at Eastham 14 September 1685 (from inventory).
Married his first wife (name unknown) by 1629; she died by 1633. Married, second, by 1 July 1633, Mary (Goodall) Masterson, widow of Richard Masterson. No children of record. (Bradford tells us that when he arrived he had with him a "wife & family." This may mean that he had children by his first wife, but he also had servants with him, and these then would have constituted a family, so there need not have been children.)
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Isaac Smith (1640-1640) | |||
| Miss baby Smith (1640-1640) | |||
| Samuel Smith (1641-1697) | 11 July 1641 HIngham, Suffolk County, Massachusetts | 22 March 1697 Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts | Mary Hopkins (1640-1700) |
| Daniel Smith (1646-1720) | |||
| Elizabeth Smith (1648-1732) | September 1648 Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States | 8 January 1732 Plymouth, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States | Jabez Snow (1642-1690) |
| Thomas Smith (1651-1720) | |||
| Deborah Smith (1654-1655) | |||
Siblings
Residences
See Also
- Ralph Smith
- Smith in Norfolk
- Smith in Barnstable County, Massachusetts
- Ralph Smith at Find A Grave
- Ralph Smyth - Miner Family Genealogy
- Ralph Smith - Geni.com