Samuel Nicholas Smith was mentioned in the 3 June 1828 will of his grandfather, John Dunn, proved 15 September 1828. To grandson Samuel Nicholas Smith all my land on the south side of the canal of Chaneys bridge run, beginning at the aforesaid bridge and running down the middle of the canal to the bestland canal at the fork, and thence up the middle of the bestland canal to John Smith’s line, thence along said John Smith’s line, and around up the same to the beginning at the bridge. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 21, pages 286–288.]

Samuel Nicholas Smith was mentioned in the 27 May 1839 will of his father, John Smith, proved on 17 February 1840. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 442–444.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 71A, Dwelling 85, Family 85
Smith, Samuel N., 37, male, farmer, $5,000 real estate, born in Virginia