Susan Harber, Daily News Journal, June 19, 2016
Bennett Smith is not a proverbial name to historians, yet this pioneering settler shaped our Rutherford County of today. Smith was a man of strengths and weaknesses and was definitely rough-hewn and unpolished as a wealthy and influential leader. Maj. Smith was a brilliant and generous man but also known to drink and brawl. In the end, he always appeared to make the right choices.
Smith was born in 1763 in Rowan County, N.C., and arrived to Rutherford County in 1803 at the age of 40. He remained in our county for 45 years until his death in 1848. Smith wed Scottish bride Isabella Dickson (1762-1845) in Lincolnton, N.C. When traveling from North Carolina, Isabella brought by wagon the first piano to the state of Tennessee.
Isabella was the daughter of Margaret McEwen and Brig. Gen. Joseph Dickson, who gained great acclaim at Kings Mountain in the Revolutionary War. He was prominent in both North Carolina and Tennessee. He served in the state senate of North Carolina from 1788-1795 and was a commissioner to establish the University of North Carolina. He was elected to 6th Congress from 1799-1801. In 1803, Joseph moved to Tennessee and lived near Isabella and Bennett. He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1807-1811 and served as speaker. Joseph was buried at Boyd Cemetery in 1845 in Rutherford County.
Isabella gave birth to Joseph, Thomas, Isabella, Margaret, Mary and William Hunter.
Smith initially practiced law in Buncombe County, N.C., in 1794. By 1802, he owned lots in Morganton, along with 210 acres of land. While living in North Carolina, Smith purchased 670 acres in Rutherford County from William Lytle in 1805. For the next three decades, he transacted numerous land dealings and became one of the largest landowners in the county. In 1812, he purchased property in Murfreesboro with proceeds from the sale financing the courthouse and jail.
In 1807, Smith was the cotton inspector for Rutherford County; and, one year later, he was county solicitor. He maintained an active, prominent law career and was known for his fairness and concise proceedings. In 1814, he drew up the rules and regulations for practice of the County Court of Rutherford County. By 1823, he was a justice of the peace in our county.
From 1820 to 1825, Smith was Murfreesboro alderman in a town that served as capital of Tennessee. Andrew Jackson was a close confidante and friend. With confusing family issues in the Smith household in 1810, Jackson took in Smith’s son William Hunter. It is interesting to note Smith’s grandson carried an unusual name of United America Carter Smith, born 1798, as the son of William Hunter.
During his adult life, Smith was accompanied by slave “Uncle Dave,’ whom he had deep affection and friendship. Dave was highly trusted as a member of his home. Upon Smith’s death in 1848, Dave lived with Smith’s daughter Mary and husband Col. Andrew Hutchings and was treated well.
Before Smith passed away, he had generously given away much of his vast property. He willed the Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro a large silver pitcher and two silver cups, along with a lot near the church. Bennett and Isabella Smith were buried in the Old Cemetery near the Presbyterian Church. His definite mark on a prospering Rutherford County was lasting and powerful as an early settler and abiding leader.
Contact Susan Harber at susanharber@hotmail. com.