| "Smithland was probably built between 1815 and 1817 and is the only extant building with Federal-style detailing in the plantation community of Kingston, one of the earliest settlements in Adams County. Located about twelve miles southeast of Natchez, Kingston was settled in 1772 by families from New Jersey and was historically referred to as the Jersey Settlement (Claiborne, MISSISSIPPI AS A PROVINCE, TERRITORY, AND STATE, p. 107). Of the dozen extant historic buildings in the community, all but Smithland were built during the Greek Revival period, or were so extensively altered as to exhibit no characteristics of the Federal style. Smithland also derives significance from its original I-house form, which is a rare architectural form in Adams County and was a form rarely employed during the territorial period in Mississippi" (Mimi Miller, Historic Natchez Foundation, c.1986). This house was listed on the National Register on 2 April 1987, with 5.8 acres of land. |