Perhaps other Tommies would be interested in the results of the NEHGS Research Service. They covered many sources without success.
Update on the Rhoda Smith Question
Question: Was the Rhoda Smith born 1739 at Walpole, MA, daughter of Daniel and Mary Mason Smith, the same Rhoda Smith who married 1761 at Smithfield, RI, Samuel Thompson?
In 1998 I wrote a review of my research on this question and concluded that although there was no proof, it is likely that this was the same Rhoda.
In 2012 I engaged the Research Service of the New England Historic Genealogical Society to research this question. Their conclusion was the same. “We were unable to prove that Rhoda Smith, wife of Samuel Thompson, was the daughter of Daniel Smith of Walpole, but we did not find any evidence that would suggest that she was not that individual’s daughter.” And, “We do not know of any other Rhoda Smith who could have married Samuel Thompson.” They have no suggestions for further research.
My personal conclusion it to add Rhoda Smith of Walpole to my lineage charts.
NEHGS included more about the mystery of too many children for Samuel Thompson and Rhoda Smith. The last three were born much too late to have been Rhoda’s because she was too old by then. But New Hampshire Vital Records lists them that way. The report I received suggests that the original record said only that they were the children of “Samuel Thompson and his wife”. Later transcription apparently added his wife’s name as Rhoda. While it is possible that Samuel married two women named Rhoda, it is unlikely. I can supply details of the report if anyone wants them.
Betty Lou Morris
14 September 2012
Scans (click on thumbnails for larger images):
The documents are direct quotes and should not be taken and used as one's own work without identifying the source.
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