An American Family History

Ralph Smith was born about 1640.

Carson Gibb wrote in A Supplement to The Early Settlers of Maryland that John Foxhall also entered the name Ralph Smith when he immigrated in 1665.

He married Sarah Bonner about 1679 in Charles County, Maryland. He was the third of her four husbands.

Ralph Smith owned Smith's Adventure on Oxen Run half mile above None-Such. It was originally patented in 1686. It was sold by Joseph Douglas in 1733. In 1680 Ralph had 25 acres of Smith's Fortune surveyed. It adjoined the Bowles land.

They also owned Bowles Plantation which she had inherited from her first husband, William Bowles. It was surveyed in 1680 for Ralph Smith.

In 1680, Sarah and Ralph exchanged land with Thomas Harris.

In 1691, Ralph was made guardian of John Platt.

Ralph died on February 10, 1698/99 in Charles County, Maryland when he was about 59 years old. His will was probated on March 10, 1698. Sarah was his administratrix and only heir.

Bowles Plantation (Bowls, Bowlesley) was a plantation on the Potomac River near Pickawaxon Creek in Charles County, Maryland. Sarah Bonner inherited it from William Bowles who had inherited it from his father Edward Bowles. Sarah left it to her son, Joseph Douglas.

Old Style Calendar Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.