Hello,
Just thought I would touch base, I think your Smith heritage likely connects with mine although I will say I do not have much to add to your summary on Abraham nor your questions on James.
I will say that Abraham was actually born in late 1822; his baptism record in July 1823 stated he was 8 months old at time of baptism. His brother Jacob was older, born on December 15, 1818.
My ancestor is Robert R (I believe middle name Richard) Smith born about 1826 -- there is no baptism record for him, except that 1894 McAlpines of Norman's Cove states he is the son of William...I have thought he is likely the son of William and Patience; his son Jacob was my gg granddfather. So, Robert named his first son Jacob (I have long thought that the Smith patriarch, father of William, might be a Jacob?) and then his second son William Caleb after both his father and his wife Elizabeth White's father. He also had a son later named Robert Richard, hence my hypothesis on Robert's middle name.
There was also a Hezekiah Smith born in the period; again, no baptism (so many records lost in the fire of the period!) but 1871 Lovells in Chance Cove states he was son of William, so I think another sibling?
I do have a few suggestions for you. There are many records available at the Anglican Archives in St John's but they can only be viewed there -- they are not online. I was researching another family line in Whitbourne and note there is also a great deal of information there for families in neighbouring areas like Norman's Cove, New Harbour, etc. Perhaps there could be something there for you. The nice thing about the records there are that all marriages also give the father's name.
Also The Rooms has many records for the early part of the 1900's -- baptisms, marriages and deaths that are not transcribed online and can be viewed there as well. Maybe your James 1915 can be found.
Couple of other notes: Your Matthew 1853 did remarry in 1893 in Hopeall after the death of Phoebe. He married Isabella Williams -- he 38, she 21.
Also an observation on the name Matthew -- in that area of Trinity Bay (Chance Cove/Chapel Arm/Norman's Cove), it seems to me that the earliest Matthew (a somewhat uncommon name in that area/period) was Matthew Temple b. 1829, son of George Temple. George is well-established as born in England, and had a brother Matthew. Makes me wonder if the mystery mother might have been a Temple, naming traditions were fairly well established back in the period.
Lots of speculation but little proof! :)
If you would like to connect and compare Smith notes, I am at
carol.dimond@sympatico.ca.
Regards,
Carol