Thomas Smith (Judge)
Thomas Smith II | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Thomas Smith II, circa 1700 | |
| Baron of Wiskinboo & Winyah | |
| Landgrave of the Province of Carolina | |
| In office 1694–1738 | |
| Monarchs | William III Queen Anne George I George II |
| Deputy in the Governors Council of the Province of Carolina | |
| In office c.1694–c.1715 | |
| Judge of the Berkeley County Court | |
| In office c.1693–c.1700 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1670 |
| Died | May 9, 1739 (aged 68–69) |
| Resting place | Yeamans Hall, Goose Creek, Berkeley County, South Carolina |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Van Myddagh Mary Hyrne |
| Children | 20 |
| Parent | Thomas Smith |
| Occupation | |
Thomas Smith II was an English-American slave-trader, judge, baron, landgrave, cacique, planter, and merchant who was one of the most prominent men in early colonial South Carolina. His father was governor Thomas Smith and he inherited his titles from him.
Early life & family
Thomas Smith was born in Exeter, England to Thomas Smith and Barbara Atkins. His father was the 1st Baron of Wiskinboo and Governor of South Carolina. He was the great-grandson of Nicholas Smith and the great-great-grandson of George Smith. He arrived with the rest of his family around 1684. He inherited his fathers land and titles upon his death in 1694.[1]
Landgrave system & baronies
Smith belonged to the semi-feudal aristocratic structure of the colony. He owned approximately 48,000 acres of land and held the titles of cacique and landgrave.[2] He expanded the holdings he inherited from his father considerably, by purchasing the Winyah [bBarony]] from Robert Daniell in 1711, which was around 24,000 acres of land near what is today Georgetown, South Carolina, making him today, the baron of what is today Moncks Corner and Georgetown.[3]
Slaveholding & slave trading
Smith was one of the most significant slave owners of the time in South Carolina, with records showing him owning hundreds of enslaved individuals across several plantations. His plantations were mainly producing rice which Smith exported and made a fortune off of, making him one of the colonies wealthiest men.[4]
Political & legal career
In addition to his business ventures, Smith played an imporant role in the political spheres of colonial South Carolina. He served as a judge in Berkeley County and as a member of the Governors Council. This role was as advisor and councilmen to the Governor, an important role that was appointed by the lord proprietors.[5]
Later life & descendants
Thomas Smith's influence fell after the Revolution of 1719 and the end of proprietary rule. While it didn't strip him of his wealth, his status as a noble was all but taken away as it had not real backing anymore.[6] He died in 1739 at the age of 68 or 69. His notable descendants are Benjamin Smith (slave trader), James H. Ladson, Sarah Reeve Ladson, Morton Waring, and Ursula von der Leyen.
References
- ^ Moore, Alexander, “Smith, Thomas,” *South Carolina Encyclopedia*, University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. Online entry on the Smith family and landgrave background. Accessed February 2026."Smith, Thomas". University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies.
- ^ “Landgrave Thomas Smith, Jr.,” *Carolana – Carolina Key People*, biographical and landholding details for Thomas Smith II, including Winyah Barony and Wiskinboo Barony. Accessed February 2026."Landgrave Thomas Smith, Jr". Carolana – Carolina Key People.
- ^ Ackerman, Robert K., “Landgraves and cassiques,” *South Carolina Encyclopedia*, University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies. Provides context for the proprietary aristocratic landgrave system in colonial South Carolina. Accessed February 28, 2026."Landgraves and cassiques". University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies.
- ^ Smith, Henry A. M., “The Baronies of South Carolina,” *The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine*, Vol. XIII (1912); detailed analysis of Winyah Barony and Thomas Smith II's estate. Accessed online."The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XIII" (PDF). South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine.
- ^ Smith, Henry A. M., “The Baronies of South Carolina,” *The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine*, ed. by the South Carolina Historical Society (1912), archival publication with contemporaneous records of baronies and land grants."South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine". South Carolina Historical Society.
- ^ Ackerman, Robert K., *South Carolina Colonial Land Policies*, University of South Carolina Press, 1977 – detailed analysis of land grant systems including baronies.Ackerman, Robert K. (1977). South Carolina Colonial Land Policies. University of South Carolina Press.