Noel Thomas Smith

Owner of enslaved people in trust with his wife Ann Mitchell in St Catherine, Jamaica, from at least 1817 to 1834. Noel Thomas Smith, son of Noel Thomas Smith and his wife Ann Mitchell Smith, was baptised in St Catherine, Jamaica, in 1800. Further children were baptised in England: George (1801 in Scotter, Lincoln); William (1804 in Brattleby, Lincoln); John (1804 in Brattleby); Abraham and Henry (both 1810 in Tynemouth, Northumberland); Edward (1818 in Newcastle) and Mary Eleanor (1824 in Newcastle).

Living at Westgate Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the census of 1841: Noel Smith, age 70, physician; Mary Smith, age 55; 1 male and 2 female servants. Living at 1 George Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the census of 1851: Noel T. Smith, age 81, physician not practising, born Suffolk Bungay; Ann M. Smith, age 70, born Jamaica; Edward Smith, age 33, born Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Anne Smith, age 35, born Newcastle-upon-Tyne; 1 male and 3 female servants. The death of Noel Thomas Smith registered Q3 1852 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; the death of Ann Mitchell Smith registered Q2 1856 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Fellow of the Royal Society of Medical and Chirurgical Society from 1810 until at least 1845. Proprietor of the Newcastle Lunatic Asylum from 1824 until at least 1843. "An inspection of this hospital, in its present improved state [in 1827], affords a gratifying proof of the skill and humanity of Dr. Smith, the ingenuity of the architect, and the enlightened liberality of the corporation. Formerly, from 90 to 100 patients were in the house at one time; when the establishment consisted of one male keeper, one matron, and two girls. Since the enlargement of the house, the present physician has limited the number of patients to 80, and maintains an establishment consisting of one superintendent, three male keepers, and five matrons, who are assisted by females in a convalescent state. Mr. Wilkinson, the present keeper, is an active man, who acquired a knowledge of the duties of his office in the York Asylum. When Dr. Smith took the charge of this house, six miserable wretches were found chained down in their melancholy cells. They were all liberated from this painful restraint; and five of them now enjoy the liberties of their class, and, with others, amuse themselves in the large garden that belongs to the house. This affords a striking and convincing instance of the advantages derived from a soothing, kind, and humane treatment of persons labouring under the most awful of all diseases."

His son Noel Thos Smith who was living in 1851 at Worcester St Martin Worcestershire aged 50 Secretary of the Oxford, Gloucester and Wolverhampton railway, born Jamaica, with his wife Isabella Smith aged 45 born Bath and daughter Agnes 19 born London and and son Oliver 4 born Worcester. This is the Noel Thomas Smith formerly of Chels[h]am in Surrey and of 46 Lime Street but late of Drimcong Moycallen Co. Galway who died 31/08/1868, letters of administration granted to widow Isabella 02/10/1868, effects under £3000.  Isabella left the estate unadministered and a second grant was made 10/07/1886 to Richard Pennington, one of her executors, when Noel Thomas Smith's effects were put at £1078 2s 7d. In the 1841 census the couple appear at Chelsham Lodge, with Noel Thomas Smith aged 40 described as 'merchant', Isabella aged 35 and children Agnes 9, Noel 8, Mansfield 7, Rowland 6, Percival 4, Edward 2 and Walter 1. Noel Thomas Smith Esq. married Isabella Delpratt at St Marylebone 08/02/1831; the children were all baptied at St Marylebone until Edward (Eltham); Walter (Chelsham), Barnard (Chelsham 1844) and Oliver. Noel Thomas Smith suffered a fiat of bankruptcy against him in 1844, when he was described as Noel Thomas Smith the younger, of Lime Street in the City of London, Ship Owner, carrying on business under the firm of Noel Thomas Smith and Company.  

Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online]. Familysearch.org batch nos. C03132-2, C02724-3, C15598-3, C01768-0 and C01759-8.

1841 and 1851 censuses online. FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Deaths, 1837-1983 [database online].

British History Online, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp524-527; Law Journal Reports for the Year 1846 (London, 1846) vol. 15, part 2, p. 26.

1851 census online (mistranscribed as Noeel Thos Smith). National Probate Calendar 1868 and 1886. 1841 census online. Ancestry.com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online]; Ancestry.com, London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 [database online]. London Gazette, Issue 20314, 06/02/1844, p. 414.