Lieutenant
Uriah Smith
Coram
Lieutenant Uriah Smith
Uriah Smith was the eldest of nine children born to
James and Rebecca (Clark) Smith around 1732. His siblings were Ephraiam,
Israel, James, David, John, Naomi, Jonah and Isaac. The Smith family
belonged to the Baptist Church at Coram.
Uriah spent his early and adult years
living in Coram He married Desire Yarrington on December 18, 1753 The
marriage produced one daughter, Desire, who was born July 20, 1760 in
Coram. Uriah played an active roll in Brookhaven Town. He was elected in
1761 as a Fence Viewer, a position he would hold for six years. In 1770
he was elected to the position of Commissioner, a post he would hold for
six years. His name appears on the Brookhaven Town Tax list for 1775 and
has him paying 5 shillings and 3 pence tax.
During the troubled times between England
and her colonies, Uriah aligned himself with the Patriots when he signed
the Association in 1775. His name appears on the payroll of Lt. Isaac
Davis' Company. He served in Colonel William Floyd's First regiment,
Suffolk County. He was chosen Lt. On August 29, 1775 for the 3rd
Brookhaven Company commanded by Captain William Brewster. After the
defeat suffered by General Washington at the Battle of Long Island Smith
fled to Connecticut as a refugee. While in Connecticut, Uriah served
under Captain Gregory in the 9th militia from 1776-1777. He
then served under a Captain Dewey until 1778.
In 1778 Uriah left the army and returned to
Coram where he was forced to sign an oath of loyalty to King George the
Third. Smith listed his occupation as that of a farmer and his age at 46
when he signed the document. He continued his service to Brookhaven Town
when in 1780 he was elected once again a commissioner. In 1781 he was
elected as a Trustee, in this capacity he helped to make laws for
Brookhaven Town.
Lt. Uriah Smith would not live long and
would die on April 5, 1783 at the age of 51.He was buried in the Coram
Baptist Cemetery. In his will dated February 27, 1783, Uriah left his
wife Desire one third of his estate and 50 pounds. To his cousin Uriah,
two of the Long Lots, south of the Middle Country Road. To his "well
beloved" daughter Desire, all the rest of his estate. If Desire was to
leave no child, then the entire estate to go to the Baptist Church at
Coram.
Written by,
Zachary Spector
June 2003