Colonial Meriwether Families - Person Sheet
Colonial Meriwether Families - Person Sheet
Spouses
1Gov. George William Smith 
, GG Grandson, M
, GG Grandson, MBirth1762, Marengo, King George County, Virginia323
Death26 Dec 1811, Richmond, Virginia
BurialMonumental Church Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia554
OccupationPolitician; Governor of Virginia
Cause of deathFire
Web LinkBiography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_William_Smith_(politician)
FlagsFollowup, Public Office Flag, TMSI AD, Volume 1
FatherCol. Meriwether Smith , M (~1730-1794)
MotherAlice Lee , F (1732-<1769)
Marriage07 Feb 1793, Richmond, Virginia556
ChildrenRichard Lee , M (1794-1860)
George William , M (1795-1823)
Elizabeth Griffin (Died as Infant), F (1798-1802)
Sarah Adams (Died as Infant), F (1801-1802)
John Adams , M (1802-1864)
Philip Francis Samuel (Died as Infant), M (1805-1805)
Thomas , M (1806-)
Research notes for George William (Spouse 1)
FU: See Correspondence
^DEATH SA gives year as 1812. 183
BET. 1790 - 1808 was an attorney & member of the House of Delegates off and on
BET. 1808 - 1811 served on the Council of the State
JAN 1810 briefly was the acting govenor(after resignation of John Tyler) 492
^DEATH SA gives year as 1812. 183
BET. 1790 - 1808 was an attorney & member of the House of Delegates off and on
BET. 1808 - 1811 served on the Council of the State
JAN 1810 briefly was the acting govenor(after resignation of John Tyler) 492
Reference notes for George William (Spouse 1)
George William Smith (1762-1811)
The Political Graveyard
Smith, George William (1762-1811) Governor of Virginia, 1811. He became acting Governor of Virginia when James Monroe resigned from the position. Perished in a theater fire in Richmond, Va., December 26, 1811. Interment at Monumental Church, Richmond, Va. 552
He was succeeded by Peyton Randolph, son of Edmund Jenning Randolph. 557
The Political Graveyard
Smith, George William (1762-1811) Governor of Virginia, 1811. He became acting Governor of Virginia when James Monroe resigned from the position. Perished in a theater fire in Richmond, Va., December 26, 1811. Interment at Monumental Church, Richmond, Va. 552
He was succeeded by Peyton Randolph, son of Edmund Jenning Randolph. 557
Reference notes for George William (Spouse 1)
A Beacon That Cannot Be Hid: The Religious Impact of the Richmond Theater Fire of 1811
Karen Resendes 11, December 1995
http://www.wm.edu/~srnels/antrichf95/resendes.html
On the night of December twenty-sixth, 1811, tragedy overcame the city of Richmond as the Richmond Theater burned to its foundations. That evening the Palcide and Green Company were performing "The Father". After the completion of the play, the actors moved onto the pantomime, "The Bleeding Nun", that was to follow. Between the first and second acts of the pantomime, a candle in the stage chandelier was left lit, and as the chandelier was drawn up above the stage, it set fire to the theater. Hopkins Robinson, one of the actors, yelled from the stage, "The house is on fire!". The crowd scattered like mice in an attempt to evacuate the house. What followed was an ugly scene. The theater contained between six and seven hundred men, women, and children of all races, a near full capacity crowd. Everyone was struggling to free themselves and their loved ones from the oncoming fire and fumes. The pit and the gallery were quickly emptied, but those in the boxes were not so lucky. Over one hundred people died, consumed by the dark cloud of smoke that filled into the boxes and the lobbies. Those who were not killed by the smoke perished at the hands of the collapsing building, leaping from windows, or falling with the crumbling staircase.
Karen Resendes 11, December 1995
http://www.wm.edu/~srnels/antrichf95/resendes.html
On the night of December twenty-sixth, 1811, tragedy overcame the city of Richmond as the Richmond Theater burned to its foundations. That evening the Palcide and Green Company were performing "The Father". After the completion of the play, the actors moved onto the pantomime, "The Bleeding Nun", that was to follow. Between the first and second acts of the pantomime, a candle in the stage chandelier was left lit, and as the chandelier was drawn up above the stage, it set fire to the theater. Hopkins Robinson, one of the actors, yelled from the stage, "The house is on fire!". The crowd scattered like mice in an attempt to evacuate the house. What followed was an ugly scene. The theater contained between six and seven hundred men, women, and children of all races, a near full capacity crowd. Everyone was struggling to free themselves and their loved ones from the oncoming fire and fumes. The pit and the gallery were quickly emptied, but those in the boxes were not so lucky. Over one hundred people died, consumed by the dark cloud of smoke that filled into the boxes and the lobbies. Those who were not killed by the smoke perished at the hands of the collapsing building, leaping from windows, or falling with the crumbling staircase.
Reference notes for George William (Spouse 1)
George Smith
"George Smith, the oldest, was twice married. By his first wife he had several children. I recollect the names of but three: Richard, Meriwether, and John Adams. His second wife was the widow of Meriwether Jones. George Smith was the governor of Virginia at the time of his death. He lost his life in attempting to save his children, whom he supposed were in the theater in Richmond when it burned. Fortunately for them, they were all out." 489
"George Smith, the oldest, was twice married. By his first wife he had several children. I recollect the names of but three: Richard, Meriwether, and John Adams. His second wife was the widow of Meriwether Jones. George Smith was the governor of Virginia at the time of his death. He lost his life in attempting to save his children, whom he supposed were in the theater in Richmond when it burned. Fortunately for them, they were all out." 489
Correspondence notes for George William (Spouse 1)
From: GTGillsp@aol.com
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 15:04:23 EST
Subject: Smith Family Ties
I have been very interested in the family history of Gov. George W. Smith which I obtained from the Internet. Gov. Smith was my GGGrandfather. Thank you for the documentation of his ancestors. I am descended from his son, Richard Lee Smith, who went to Casey County, KY, married a Baldock girl and had 11 children. For my direct line I have identified 8 generations of descendants from Richard. Would you have any interest in this information?
George T. Gillespie George Thomas Gillespie
752 Thomas Court
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-367-5797
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 15:04:23 EST
Subject: Smith Family Ties
I have been very interested in the family history of Gov. George W. Smith which I obtained from the Internet. Gov. Smith was my GGGrandfather. Thank you for the documentation of his ancestors. I am descended from his son, Richard Lee Smith, who went to Casey County, KY, married a Baldock girl and had 11 children. For my direct line I have identified 8 generations of descendants from Richard. Would you have any interest in this information?
George T. Gillespie George Thomas Gillespie
752 Thomas Court
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-367-5797